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For the first 38 years of my life, I had no desire for children.
This was an attitude I shared with most of my friends. On my bedroom dresser stood a studio portrait of "The Herd" -- the six close friends I had grown up with and me -- taken just before our graduation from high school. We were all intelligent, talented, highly motivated Jewish girls from suburban South Jersey. By the time the seven of us hit 37, only two of us were married with children.
I had spent my adult life -- from the day after I graduated college until then -- living in an ashram, a Hindu-style monastic community, so, of course, children were not an option for me. But what about my friends?
I sometimes wondered why children were nowhere on their list of priorities. We had all grown up in loving, close-knit families. In that era when divorce was still so rare as to be a shanda, a disgrace, our parents were models of harmonious, family-centered couples. Why didn't we want to emulate them?
In the beginning, it was not so much a rejection of having children as a postponement. Barbara had to first finish law school and put in a few years establishing her law career. Marlene, a card-carrying socialist, was working in the inner city saving black kids. Brenda was expressing herself in theater. Shelly was trying to implement "open classroom" techniques in her 3rd grade suburban schoolroom. There was plenty of time later to decide whether to become a mother.
I was riding on a ramshackle bus in Darjeeling, India, in the fall of my 31st year when I made my final decision not to have children. I was traveling with Jairam, the ashram's caretaker. Sitting there as the bus bumped through the streets of Darjeeling, in the foothills of the Himalayas, Jairam asked me, "So, you're satisfied never to have children?"
Having children meant leaving the ashram, being exiled from my spiritual paradise. On the other hand, I felt my biological clock winding down. In those days, few women had their first child past thirty. I did not want to leave the ashram for some unforeseen reason in my mid-thirties, only to find that I had missed my last chance to bear a child. The "never" in Jairam's question echoed in my heart.
The truth was that I was not particularly fond of children. I did not buy into the mentality that all children are innocent, sweet, and lovable just because of their juvenile status. To "love children" as a group was to me as inane as loving all New Englanders or all redheads.
I believed then in reincarnation, that souls come back into this world again and again, each time bearing the luggage of previous lifetimes. Jack the Ripper as a toddler was neither innocent nor adorable, of this I was sure. How did I know if that rambunctious five-year-old darting around with his nose running wouldn't grow up to be a murderer or rapist, or had been a Nazi the last time around? What was so endearing about a small body with a nasty occupant?
Why should I squander my education and talents on diapering babies?
Besides, in a certain sense I felt that raising children was intellectually beneath me. Any high school drop-out could procreate. I disdained parenting as a plebeian pastime. At that point, I was administering the ashram, was in charge of its considerable investments, and running its publishing department. Why should I squander my education and talents on diapering babies?
If I condescended to bear children, how many years would have to pass, how many sleepless nights endured, before I could even have an intelligent conversation with my offspring? I equated parenting with putting my intellect into suspended animation, to be thawed out only at their high school graduation. Let those cut out for "coochie, coochie, coo" wile away a decade of their lives. I despised baby talk.
Moreover, I subscribed to the Hindu-Buddhist worldview that this world is a locus of suffering. What favor was it to other souls to bring them into this vale of tears? Although I, in fact, had had as happy a childhood as anyone could have (given the inherent anguish of rejected crushes and acne), in college I had realized how miserable most human beings are. Why subject anyone, let alone my own children, to a stint in the detention facility known as this world?
So, staring out the window at the distant Himalayas, I answered Jairam with quiet conviction: "Yes, having children is not for me. My life belongs at the ashram."
At the age of 37, for unforeseen reasons [see "From India to Israel" ], I left the ashram and went to Jerusalem to study Torah. I loved the depth and profundity of my classes, the religious Jews I met -- all sincere spiritual aspirants, the spiritually quickened atmosphere of Jerusalem, and especially the wise and compassionate teachers. In the whole scene, which reminded me of India in the 60s, only one thing really bothered me: the given that everyone who could marry would marry and have children.
I balked. I had invested my entire adult life in pursuing a certain goal -- enlightenment. The ashram had taught me that children and spiritual practices were incompatible. Even here, in my rented apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem, I rose early, spent one hour doing yoga and meditating, and another two hours praying the Jewish morning prayers, meditating on the deep import of every word. This regime would be impossible with a crying baby or a meddlesome toddler. I was not willing to throw 17 years of arduous spiritual practice into the diaper pail.
In my gut I was still convinced that children and spiritual attainment were mutually exclusive.
I took my dilemma to Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburgh, a highly respected Kabbalist whose weekly class in English I zealously attended.
"I'm afraid that if I have children, I will forfeit all my spirituality," I complained.
Rabbi Ginsburgh looked at me as if I had made a preposterous equation, as if I had said, "I am afraid that if I get a job, I'll lose all my money."
He then launched into a Kabbalistic explanation (much of which left me far behind) of why bringing souls down into this world is the spiritually highest thing that human beings can do. "Souls come from the highest of the ten sefirot -- the channels of Divine energy that are manifest in the world. When a husband and wife unite in holiness, they conceive a soul which descends from the highest of the ten sefirot, keter, or 'crown.' The level of keter is in no other way accessible to human beings."
Mulling over Rabbi Ginsburgh's words on the bus home, the one message that stuck in my head was: Yes, even a high school drop-out can bring a child down into this world. For that matter, even a high school drop-out can win the lottery. That doesn't make the jackpot any less glorious.
But I still resisted. In my gut I was still convinced that children and spiritual attainment were mutually exclusive, like children and a clean house. I decided to take my predicament to my ultimate spiritual advisor, the Hassidic Rebbe of Amshonav.
The Amshinover Rebbe embodied the spiritual greatness I was striving to attain. He meditated deeply on every word of every prayer, taking a full two hours to pray the Grace after Meals, which most Jews zip through in five minutes. So long did it take him to complete the extensive Shabbat prayers, with all his Kabbalistic meditations on every word, that he usually ended Shabbat on Tuesday.
I had seen the holy Rebbe three times before, always in the middle of the night. The procedure was to request and be granted an appointment on a particular night, then on that night, around midnight, to go to the Rebbe's tiny third floor apartment in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Bayit Vegan, and to patiently wait one's turn. At between 3 and 4 in the morning, the frosted glass doors to the dining room, where the Rebbe received his visitors, would slide open, and his attendant would gesture to me to enter.
When I requested an appointment this time, however, I was informed that the Rebbe was now seeing people only during the day and to be there promptly at 2:45 in the afternoon.
The apartment looked totally different with the Rebbe's family (7 daughters at that time) awake and about. Two daughters with long, dark braids passed me on their way to the minuscule kitchen. When the attendant ushered me into the dining room, I noticed a baby in a pink stretchy standing up in a playpen in the far corner of the room.
The Rebbe and the baby were both peering earnestly at me.
The Rebbe rushed in (he always walks fast) and sat down directly across the dining room table from me. I was ready with my question: "Wouldn't taking care of babies be an obstacle to my spiritual attainment?" But before either of us could speak, the baby in the corner started to wail.
"Excuse me," the Rebbe said, jumping up. He rushed over to the playpen, lifted up the baby, quieted her, carried her back to the table, and sat down again facing me, the baby in his lap.
"Now, what was your question?" the Rebbe asked me kindly, both he and the baby peering earnestly at me.
My question froze in my mouth. Seeing the holiest person I knew involved in the very activity I disdained made me feel that God Himself was rebutting my argument.
Despite my lingering doubts, my subconscious resistance to motherhood, I decided to take a leap of faith into the abyss of marriage and children, hoping that it would be okay. I started to go out with eligible men, embarking on a path that leads to only one destination: the chupah.
Once I had committed myself to the path of raising a family, I became more aware of what lay behind my qualms in the first place.
It had always mystified me why my friends and I, who had enjoyed such happy home lives, should shrink from passing the favor along to another generation. I could understand abused children who vowed never to procreate. But we had been showered with all the love that unsophisticated middle class Jewish parents lavished on their offspring, plus all the material benefits and pre-Prozac security that the 1950s bestowed on its children. Why were we so averse to replicating our own experience?
It dawned on me that we couldn't replicate our own experience.
We had been the doted upon center of our parents' universe. In my case, born when my mother was 37 and my father 44, I was, like in a Hassidic tale, the beloved child of their old age. My parents adored me and my brother (21 months my senior).
My father worked a 12-hour day in the drug store to earn enough to pay for our art lessons, piano lessons, and horse-back riding lessons. (He would have sprung for voice lessons, too, had the voice teacher not announced that I was hopeless.)
My parents saved every spare penny, never going out to eat or indulging in hobbies, for our college education. My mother devoted her every waking hour to cooking the dishes we loved, making the house comfortable for us, helping us with our homework, etc., etc. I remember at the age of 12, my mother taking me shopping in Philadelphia and buying me the latest fake-fur coat, while she herself wore a cloth coat that was almost as old as I was. She betrayed no sense of martyrdom. It was truly her joy.
If I had children, far from replicating my own experience, I would be turning it inside out. Nothing less than a Copernican revolution: I had been the center of my parents' universe. Having children (I knew instinctively from my own parents) meant making them the center, and relegating myself to a faithful orbit around them.
Hardest of all, I would have to relinquish my sense of control.
My needs would be secondary to theirs. My preferences would submit to theirs. Vacations would be theme parks and kiddie amusements, not relaxing getaways in nature. Going to the beach would mean building sandcastles and jumping the waves, not reading a book and swimming out deep. Surrendering my role as protagonist in my own life would be as difficult as the prima donna stepping back to sing with the chorus while awarding the aria to her own skinny, prepubescent daughter.
Hardest of all, I would have to relinquish my sense of control. Children were unpredictable. My schedule to go to bed at 11:30 and get up at 6:30 would not assure me seven hours of sleep, not with teething toddlers, not with nightmare-plagued five-year-olds. No expensive new dress was immune to the stains of chocolate covered hands. No immaculately cleaned room would withstand ten minutes of ransacking for a misplaced toy. No carefully planned excursion would resist the sheer hell of squabbling adolescents.
I was used to life in the boardroom: polite discourse and mutual acknowledgment, presided over by reason and efficiency. Children were like life in the barnyard: dirt and pandemonium presided over by brute instinct.
As I continued to meet various eligible men, I became aware of a still deeper dread which welled up in me whenever I imagined myself as a mother. Had a Freudian psychiatrist asked me to free-associate the word, "children," I would have responded: "vulnerable little beings who can die."
For years I had had the sense, bolstered by experiences and dreams, that I was a reincarnated soul from the Holocaust. I felt like I had been through the horror of seeing my children die in front of me. The most frightening prospect of loving and devoting myself to my children was the possibility, hanging like a suspended sword, that they could die. In the end, this, more than anything, fueled my resistance to pouring my life and love into a vessel as fragile as a child.
Then one night, 14 months after I moved to Jerusalem, I had a dream where, in the recesses of my subconscious mind, I put to rest this last remaining issue. When I woke up, much to my own surprise, I sat straight up in bed and said, "Now I can get married and have children."
Two months later, I met a 39-year-old musician from California. We got married a month shy of my 39th birthday. At the age of forty, I gave birth to my first child, a daughter.
My overwhelming feelings during my first months of motherhood were delight and surprise. Holding my baby in my arms, I felt such sheer joy every day that I would break out into laughter. Not a polite snicker, but an open-mouthed, head-back laughter. Always followed by the question: "Why didn't anyone tell me it would be this wonderful?"
The first time my baby smiled, I felt like I had just won a million dollars.
The first time my baby smiled, as I carried her one day from her crib to the changing table, I felt like I had just won a million dollars. A surge of such jubilation filled me that I thought I would fly, just levitate straight off the floor.
When I would nurse my baby, I felt a sense of total contentment, of potential realized. Being replacing a lifetime of becoming.
I would wonder: How could I have ever thought that this is mindless drudgery? I felt like all my creativity was being tapped in order to distract the baby when she got fussy, to stimulate her developing brain, to avoid the pitfalls of parenting. I had administered an organization, written a 640-page book, delivered weekly lectures to adulating audiences, but nothing I had ever done gave me the sheer joy and satisfaction of raising my baby.
Nothing impinged on this heady exultation. Even when I would change her diaper, the activity which had stigmatized motherhood for me, I would be filled with wonder at how the milk which she sucked from me (itself a miraculous substance) would somehow feed all her diverse millions of cells and then be eliminated through an alimentary system so perfect and elegant in design. As I pinned her clean diaper on (I was an aficionado of cotton diapers), I would feel like I was tripping on love -- love for my baby, love for her Creator, love for my blessed, ever so blessed, life.
But together with joy and surprise was another feeling: a sense of how close I had come to missing all this. What if I had stayed at the ashram another few years? What if I had not reversed my decision not to bear children? It would have been like having a winning lottery ticket and tossing it out with the credit card receipts and scraps of paper that accumulate at the bottom of my purse. I would never have known that the jackpot was mine.


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And my layout:
The journaling says: We met Idit, Avi & Sagi and drove to Alexander river for a trip. We began to walk at the turtle bridge and walked towards the forest. Afterwards we went to a restaurant and came home happy & satiated.
I used: white cardstock, dcwv patterned paper, star punch, sizzix Scribbles Swirls die.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Cheap(er) drugs: County offers discount Rx card
|UVA crime: Bill would yank big cases from campus cops
|Straight talk: 'Buy local: Save your job'
|Palin calls for Spudnut moment
|Familial pain: Harringtons press police for controversial DNA test
Executive order: Soering sues McDonnell for overstepping authority
|Noon mark: Mall to get new $25,000 clock, sundial
|Senator Warner shows for Zuckerberg-Perry summit
|Heat is on: AG says Biscuit Run deal under scrutiny
|Judge slain at Tucson political event was UVA grad
Sabato puts Jim Webb on vulnerable list
|Security theater: C'ville native nets airport disorderly charge
|Allen's run? Former Earlysville resident mulls race for U.S. Senate
|Left and Right come together on eve of holiday
|Deeds steamed: The appraisal that may have burned taxpayers
Winter attacks! New sidewalk-clearing law focuses on fees, not jail
|Obamarama? Tom Perriello eyed for Administration post
|Stresses public trust: Fairfax sniper-case cop named Albemarle police chief
|Bummer for Brown
|More Mo: Jones in as city manager


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Like I promised here are a choice selection of the almost fifty photos I took last night at the Christmas party in Yokohama last night.
Instead of saying too much I think I'll just let the pictures tell most of the story.
The moral of this story is.. I like to surround myself with cute genki girls and weird J-boys.
You probably noticed some cream on my chin. I hammed it up in one of the other's photos by smearing my face, and no-one told me there was still some around my chin. Bastards!
With a great turn-out of between forty and fifty people I think it's safe to say the night was a complete success. Of course the only thing that could bring the night down would be the inevitable karaoke post-party. I was there for about five minutes.
I made a very quick decision to just leave while I was still good, and managed to not get the train straight back home but the next best thing, to Shinjuku and find my way home from there.
It's strange that all the schools have their Christmas party on the same night. I was debating which one to go to but after this night, I know I made the right decision. I was with the people I really care about, and that's all that matters.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Party Time!
Like I promised here are a choice selection of the almost fifty photos I took last night at the Christmas party in Yokohama last night.
Posted by Jimmy In Japan at 11:09 pm


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In Brazil, they call a goal scored directly off of a corner kick an "Olimpico." And here at Deadspin, we call 31-year-old strikers who have scored nine goals in 10 games and are getting a second chance at the national team a "Ronaldinhos."
Ronaldinho scores direct from a corner [101greatgoals.com]
Brazil recall for Ronaldinho [Reuters]


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Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Throughout the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery locations will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars, benefiting he Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic. The month-long fund-raiser will culminate with the WorldÕs Largest Ice Cream Social Sept. 28. From 5-8 p.m., customers visiting a Cold Stone Creamery location will receive a free serving of ColeÕs Creation while being encouraged to donate to the foundation. Donations accepted during September will directly benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, a nonprofit organization that fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
For a complete list of stores and more information about the fund-raiser, visit coldstonecreamery.com. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, visit midatlantic.wish.org.
The Christmas in the Loudoun Valleys brochure provides concise information about local Christmas tree growers, identifying locations, hours and varieties of trees available. The brochure also includes holiday items such as wreaths, roping, poinsettias and plants and decorations grown and made on Loudoun farms.
Anyone who would like to be listed in the 2006 Christmas in the Loudoun Valleys brochure, contact Ann Higgins at the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, 703-777-0426 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com by Sept. 29. There is no charge for this service.
The Waterford Foundation is accepting submissions for the $2,500 Florence Kiley Fellowship, awarded each year to a Loudoun County artist who has just graduated or is entering his/her senior year of high school.
Entry is limited to two works per artist, which must be submitted to the Tin Shop in Waterford Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The work must be ready to hang with screw eyes and wires attached. Entries will be exhibited at this yearÕs Waterford Fair. For a complete prospectus and entry form, and for more information, call the Waterford Foundation at 540-882-3085 or 540-882-3018 or www.waterfordva.org.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is holding the 14th annual Plane Pull, part of the Dulles Day Family Festival, Oct. 7. Teams are needed for the plane pull event, which benefits Special Olympics Virginia. A plane pull team is made up of 20 people who pull the plane 12 feet by a rope attached to the front wheels. A minimum of $1,000 in team sponsorship is required. teams receive 25 customized team T-Shirts, a plaque and team photo, and a company listing on the event Web site and promotional material. Trophies awarded in several categories. Call Michelle Gates, 703-359-4301 or visit www.planepull.com.
The Special Olympics fall season is beginning. For qualifying information, and to sign up, call the Special Olympics Loudoun area coordinator at 703-777-0438. Cheerleading, begins October, practices Fridays, 5:30- 7 p.m.
The USO of Metropolitan Washington is seeking entries for its annual photography contest. Submissions should have a military theme with a local emphasis. Photos from sites in and around the Maryland/Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia areas are preferred.
The deadline for entries is Oct. 16 and the winner will be chosen and notified Nov. 20. The winner will receive $300 in cash and the photo will appear on the cover of the 2007 USO Guide to Washington and Baltimore, published in January, 2007. The winning photo will also appear as the opening page on USO-Metro's Web site, www.USOMetroDC.org.
Photos which do not win the contest may be used in other publications, with attribution. Written permission to publish photos must accompany submissions.
The contest is open to all military identification card holders including retirees, members of the reserves and National Guard as well as Department of Defense civilians, members of the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine.
To submit photos to: USO-Metro Photography Contest, ATTN: Erica Chapman, P.O. Box 1710, Ft. Myer, VA 22211. For more information, call 703-696-5655.
George Mason University and the Loudoun Youth Initiative (LYI) have joined together to gather youth input as part of a community needs assessment that will inform and advise youth serving organizations in the county of Loudoun. Beginning with a summit that included youth and community leaders, continuing with a telephone survey that is being conducted this summer, followed by a series of youth focus groups that will be conducted in September, this youth and community outreach will result in a revised Strategic Plan for the LYI.
The culmination of this effort will be the third annual Step Up Loudoun event Nov. 9, that will focus on commitment, coordination and communication while working towards addressing the needs of county youth.
For more information, contact Tim Chesnutt, director of the Loudoun Youth Initiative, at 703-737-8346.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) is seeking nominations for outstanding student volunteers, to be recognized as Student Volunteer of the Month.
The qualifying student, or group of students, must be enrolled in Loudoun County public, private or home-school grades kindergarten through 12th. Nominees must demonstrate contributions to the Loudoun County community through exceptional volunteer service.
Students who are selected as Student Volunteer of the Month will receive recognition through their school, the media and Loudoun Volunteer Services' Web site and will receive a $100 donation to a local nonprofit of the student's choice. Recognition is given monthly, during the school year, September through June.
For a written description of the nomination process and criteria, contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at 703-777-0113 or visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyÕs Team In Training (TNT) program has guaranteed race entries into the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon. TNT trains participants with help from certified coaches who develop a training program. In addition to running, the TNT also has a walk and run/walk program where participants with different abilities can alternate running and walking.
As participants train for the marathon, they also help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society raise money to fund cancer research and patient support services.
Individuals interested in joining the TNT program for the Marine Corps Marathon or any of TNTÕs fall season events, call 703-960-1100 or visiting www.teamintraining.org/nca.
The grassroots nonprofit organization, Operation Pinecone, based in South Riding, strives to support the service members and their families by sending care packages abroad and delivering comfort items and providing support in various ways to service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There are collection boxes for donations for this cause throughout Loudoun County. Visit Operation Pinecone, www.operationpinecone.org.
The Loudoun School Community Coalitions sponsor the ÒParents Who Host Lose the MostÓ campaign to reduce underage drinking and is asking parents to take a survey by visiting www.loudoun.k12.va.us, and click on the Òfor ParentsÓ button, then ÒCoalitions,Ó then the George Mason University survey button. It takes about three minutes, then hit the submit button.
Sponsored by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) has teamed with the White House to become a certifying organization for the "President's Volunteer Service Awards," a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Issuing the award is the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Sens. Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs and composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering. As one of the certifying organizations, LVS hopes to encourage and strengthen youth volunteerism in Loudoun County. Students in grades kindergaren-12th can visit their school's guidance office for a Student Volunteer Hours form, or go to www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is collecting unused eyeglasses to be recycled foe people who cannot afford to purchase eyeglasses. Call 703-430-2397.
The Community Holiday Coalition continues to search for a new location to hold its annual holiday program. Last year, hundreds of volunteers and donors made it possible to help 900 families at Thanksgiving and 1,200 families during the December holiday. The coalition is looking into several options and hoping to hear from facilities managers soon.
The mission of the coalition is to help serve less fortunate families, children and senior citizens by providing much needed items, in a manner that promotes dignity and self-respect. Anyone that could help in the search or has space available, is asked to contact Karen Velez, Holiday Store coordinator, at 703-771-5718 or visit www.loudoun.gov/dss/holiday.
The Loudoun Youth Advisory Council is recruiting youth representatives in grades ninth-12th, for the 2006-2007 school year. The Loudoun Youth Advisory Council is a consortium of youth representatives from Loudoun County's public, private, parochial and home schools who promote leadership and advocate for youth issues to community leaders and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
Council meetings are held the second Monday of each month in the Board of Supervisors meeting room of the Loudoun County Government Center, located at 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg.
The application can be found on the Loudoun Youth Initiative Web site at www.loudounteens.org. For more information about the Youth Advisory Council or the Loudoun Youth Initiative, contact Angela Johnson, Loudoun Youth Initiative at 571-258-3135 or by e-mail at email@example.com.
The Virginia Foundation Center for the Book is holding the 2006-07 Letters About Literature writing competition. Students in grades four-12 are invited to write a letter to the author of a favorite book. State winners will be invited to appear at the opening ceremony of the 2007 Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville and will be eligible for the national competition.
To enter, write a personal letter to an author, explaining how the authorÕs work changed the studentÕs view of the world or themselves. Young readers can select authors from any genre.
The center will select the top letter writers in three competition levels: Level I for children in grades four-six; Level II for grades seven-eight, and Level III, grades nine-12. Deadline for entries is Dec. 8. Call 434-924-3296, e-mailing email@example.com or Visit www.virginiafoundation.org/bookcenter.
Winners will receive a cash prize and a $50 gift card from Target and will be invited to read their letters at the ceremony.


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|Previous Page | Table of Contents | Index | Next Page
Alien Status(p10)
Resident Aliens(p11)
Treating nonresident alien spouse as resident alien.(p11)
|Making the choice.(p11)
Once you make this choice, the nonresident alien spouse's worldwide income is subject to U.S. tax. If the nonresident alien spouse has substantial foreign income, there may be no advantage to making this choice.
|Ending the choice.(p11)
|Choice not made.(p11)
Nonresident Aliens(p11)
Dual-Status Aliens(p11)
|Previous Page | Table of Contents | Top of Page | Index | Next Page


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Let our Knowledgeable staff help you with any of your restaurant equipment or supply needs, parts, and support.


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The Central Connecticut swimming and diving team will host its last home meet of the 2012-13 season this Saturday, Feb. 2 against Wagner. Competition is set to begin at 2 p.m at the Jack Suydam Natatorium.
Prior to kicking off the meet, there will be a senior day ceremony in honor of the squad's seven seniors: Taylor Friedmann, Katie Lang, Lauren O'Kelly, Hannah Packer, Allison Rasile, Lauren Shortell and Christine Smith.
Over the past four years, members of this year's senior class have set multiple CCSU records and earned numerous Northeast Conference recognitions.
This will be the last home meet before Central closes out the regular season at the UCONN invitational on Saturday, Feb. 16 followed by the NEC Championships on Feb. 27 through March 2 at MIT in Boston, MA. The Blue Devils look to improve upon last season's NEC runner-up performance. CCSU fell to Saint Francis (PA) by one point last year.
The Blue Devils have finished in the top three in each of their 13 seasons in the NEC including three first-place finishes, the most recent Championship came home to New Britain in 2009. In the past 13 years, Central has accumulated six second-place finishes, three of which came in the past three consecutive seasons.


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|"Now show me your leader so I may ... dethrone him!"
|— Colonel Mongke to the people of Chin Village.[1]
Mongke was the leader of a Fire Nation freelance task group known as the Rough Rhinos and was the sole firebender of the group. Before he and his men left the Fire Lord's services after the Hundred Year War's end,[2] Mongke held the position of Colonel in the Fire Nation military and was responsible of the destruction of countless Earth Kingdom villages. His quick wits and ruthless tactics made him a formidable opponent.[3]
Hundred Year War
Mongke once served under General Iroh in the Fire Nation Army,[3] before becoming the leader of the Rough Rhinos. In 91 AG, he and the group were responsible for the destruction of Jet's hometown and the death of his parents.[4] In late 99 AG, they invaded another village at the western Earth Kingdom coast, forcing the residents to become refugees, including Than and Ying.[5]
In spring 100 AG, the Rough Rhinos had their first encounter with Team Avatar. Colonel Mongke and his men tried to raid Team Avatar's campsite, though they failed to kidnap the Avatar and were left with only Sokka's boomerang as a valuable loot.
The evening of the following day, Mongke led his Rough Rhinos into Chin Village, claiming the Earth Kingdom town in the name of Fire Lord Ozai. Mongke demanded to know the identity of the town's leader in order to dethrone him, though when Aang managed to defeat Kahchi, the colonel led his remaining team into the town and started to burn it down. He encountered Aang in one of the village's narrow allies, where they faced off against each other. Although he managed to separate Aang from Kyoshi's metal fans that he was using to augment his airbending, Mongke was eventually defeated when Aang blasted him through a wooden fence.[1]
Later that spring, Mongke learned that the Avatar had been spotted in a town a few miles from their current location and subsequently led his men there in order to apprehend the Avatar. When they arrived, they saw Sokka seemingly bending water and earth, mistaking him to be the Avatar. After Kahchi captured Sokka, Mongke tried to fend off Katara, though his flames were easily overpowered by her waterbending. He arrogantly claimed that even the combined effort of Aang's airbending, Katara's waterbending, and Toph's earthbending would be no match for a firebender of his level. However, before he could even finish his sentence, the three young benders unleashed their attacks on him and the other Rough Rhinos, expelling them from the town.[6]
Mongke and his men later tracked down and ambushed Iroh and Prince Zuko near the Si Wong Desert, seeking to apprehend them for their traitorous actions. He attacked Iroh with his firebending, though the old general easily brushed his fire balls aside. Mongke was taken out by Zuko who had used the colonel's distraction to sneak up behind the Rough Rhinos' leader and kick him off his mount.[7]
Life as a mercenary
After the end of the Hundred Year War, Mongke and his men offered their services for hire to anyone, eventually coming under the employ of Loban and Lao Beifong as their personal security detail. In 102 AG, the Rough Rhinos accompanied their employers to Yu Dao, but upon returning to the Earthen Fire Refinery, Mongke spotted Avatar Aang and proceeded to rudely greet him, referring to him as an unwanted person.[2]
Mongke was pleased to be ordered to escort Team Avatar off the refinery's premises, giving Aang the choice to come quietly or with a struggle. When they refused to come, Mongke was quick to instigate a fight with them. He was instantly pushed back, though, when Toph raised the earth under his feet and Aang used his airbending to blow him clear of the factory's buildings. He recovered and targeted Sokka with his firebending. When the Southern Water Tribe warrior came at him with his machete, Mongke easily caught the blow on his chest plate, taunting Sokka that he had used chopsticks bigger than the young warrior's arms. When Sokka ran, Mongke whistled for his komodo dragon and gave chase, along with Yeh-Lu and a hammer-wielding member of the Rough Rhinos. They were tricked, however, to run down the refinery's fence and resume the battle near a river, which was in Katara's advantage who had joined the skirmish. Although Mongke was convinced he could beat her, he and his two companions ended up being encased in ice, unable to move anything but their heads. As they were left there, a shivering Mongke was told by Yeh-Lu that he should have incorporate more armor in his uniform, as that would have prevented the ice from undercooling him.[8]
Colonel Mongke was a capable firebender and a tough opponent to defeat, especially when fighting alongside the other Rough Rhinos. He was a good tactician and had a knack for singling out weaker Earth Kingdom towns. At one point, he nearly captured the Avatar. Mongke and the rest of the Rough Rhinos were also said to be capable singers.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Book Two: Earth (土)
- 205. "Avatar Day"
- 211. "The Desert"
- 217. "Lake Laogai" (flashback, no lines)
Avatar comics
Book Two: Earth (土)
- Iss. #8. "Sokka the Avatar"


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What's not to love about a new lipstick? It perks us up for not much cash. But really, even if it's not a huge expenditure, we still want value for our money.
Is there that much difference between a $34 Chanel and a cheapie from the drugstore?
And then there's the existential question: What does a woman want in her lipstick? Is it moisture, great packaging, longevity, good smell, smooth application? All that and more?
To find the answers to these and many other questions raised by a simple lipstick, I bought a half-dozen highly rated ones and put them through some rigorous testing by a half-dozen picky women.
Five co-workers and I tested six brands at vastly different prices. The ones I chose for the lip-off got high marks from Internet sites including totalbeauty.com, oprah.com, consumersearch.com, beautypedia.com and goodhousekeeping.com. (I bought neutral colors for the test so color was not considered in the rankings.)
And the winner is …? If only it were that easy. It turned out that each of us (and all womankind for that matter) has very specific, but often different, must-haves in a lipstick.
For instance, two of us picked Rimmel's Kate Moss as our favorite lipstick and two of us (me included) rated it dead last. I loved the Chanel and the Cover Girl because they stayed on all day. (Incidentally, no way was the $34 boutique Chanel worth $27 more than the drugstore $7 Cover Girl.) Other testers didn't care that much if they had to reapply often because they were more concerned about feel and comfort so they preferred the Estee Lauder or MAC.
In fact, the only thing the six of us agreed on is that the Maybelline and MAC we tested were neither best nor worst of the six but somewhere in between. See what I mean? It's complicated.
Despite two spread sheets (Help!!!) and ratings on 11 characteristics (even kissability) there was no clear winner. But here's something important to remember: Many stores will let you return makeup — including lipstick — if you don't like it. But be sure to ask before you buy.
The testers:
Kristin Samuelson, Regina Robinson, Brandi Larsen, Courtney Crowder, Barbara Brotman and Ellen Warren
MAC Lustre, Syrup, $15, Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Overall: 4 of 6 testers rated it 3rd out of 6.
Kristin: "Pretty average"
Regina: "Before I finished my orange, it was gone."
Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre, Dune Rose, $22.50, Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Overall: Rated 1st by 2 of 6 testers; one ranked it last.
Regina: "A little 'old church lady' fragrancy."
Barbara: "A pleasant surprise: a somewhat longer lasting lipstick that was still moist and shiny. … Didn't emphasize lines."
Chanel Rouge Double Intensite, Rose Topaz, $34, Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Overall: 2 of 6 testers ranked it 1st; but 3 of 6 said it was last, or next to last.
Courtney: "Love this one! Color stayed on all day, and it felt wonderful."
Ellen: "Gloss at one end, color at the other means only one thing to carry around, not two. Don't want to lose this pricey one!"
Maybelline Colorsensational, Totally Toffee, $6.09, Target, target.com
Overall: Highest score was 3rd place.
Brandi: "My girlfriend says it's not a going-out lipstick but a nice everyday lipstick. My husband says it smells like Play-Doh."
Courtney: "Just plain awful staying power."
Rimmel, Kate Moss, #14, $5.79, Walgreens, walgreens.com
Overall: 2 votes for 1st and 2 for last.
Brandi: "Love the smell and the feel of it. … I'd buy this."
Barbara: "Went on dry and then sank into lip lines. NOT a good look."
Cover Girl, Outlast All-Day Lipcolor, Blushed Mauve, $12.49 on sale for $6.99, Walgreens, walgreens.com
Latest Lifestyles
Overall: 4 of 6 testers said it was 1st runner-up, but 2 rated it last.
Ellen: "Wears about as long as Chanel at vastly less cost; the included 'moisturizing topcoat' is too much trouble."
Kristin: "Too dry to even feel comfortable."


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Last weekend we celebrated MC's 9th birthday! When you actual birthday falls on Labor Day weekend you have to party early so party it up we did! Micah Claire picked out everything she wanted to do at her party. She was on Pinterest NON STOP and text me pictures or saving pins for me to see. So CAMP CLAIRE is what she decided to call it.
Peace Out 1st Grade!
1 year ago


text: Scottish bands like Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai, and Jesus and Mary Chain will all concur: If it were not for Orange Juice in the late '70s and early '80s, they would not sound the way they do. Their musical environments would have a limited, London/Manchester-built landscape. Their artist manifestos would have read like the Sex Pistols liner notes. Their outlook on punk, art, pop, and the space where music meets commerce would have been drastically different. Orange Juice were revolutionary innovators, both musically and commercially. They were indie before 'indie' was a word, and their subtly provocative sound and image was unlike anything anyone had ever heard. And while they never really landed a big hit, or made their way across the pond with much fanfare, their offspring most certainly did.


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Junior awarded Beinecke Scholarship
Psychology and philosophy double major Adam Lerner '12 was recently selected as the seventh student from William & Mary to be awarded the prestigious Beinecke Scholarship.
Established by the board of directors of the Sperry and Hutchinson Company in 1971, the Beinecke Scholarship has been awarded to less than 500 students since it was created. It provides recipients with $4,000 prior to attending a graduate program and an additional $30,000 while enrolled.
Director of Fellowships and Undergraduate Research Lisa Grimes said that she was "delighted to nominate" Lerner for the award on behalf of the campus selection committee, and praised his dedication, enthusiasm and universal love of learning.
"He represents the absolute best of the College of William and Mary," she said.
Lerner said that he was thrilled to be selected, calling the experience "one of the most exciting things that's ever happened to me."
The junior has spent the past few semesters working in moral psychology, an interdisciplinary field between his two majors that is dedicated to figuring out how people think and act morally. Lerner is also conducting his own research on free will and moral responsibility with Associate Philosophy Professor Matthew Haug. He plans to use this research as a segue into graduate work, which will focus on expanding the scope of people's moral obligations to include traditionally neglected groups, such as the extreme poor in geographically remote areas.
The Beinecke Scholarship exists to help juniors in undergraduate programs fund their graduate school educations and aid in their future academic aspirations. As such, candidates must have a very clear idea of what their plans are for life after graduation. Following his senior year at William & Mary, Lerner hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy with a program that will allow him to supplement theorizing with original empirical research. He then intends to pursue a life of academia, becoming a public intellectual and using his public status to aid the overlooked and the ignored.
While Grimes said that Lerner's goal is a lofty one, she said she is confident that his intellect, compassion and commitment will help him to succeed. Lerner, too, is confident, and said that receiving the Beinecke Scholarship makes him more sure of his decision to pursue a Ph.D., and to keep his aspirations lofty. Lerner also said he is extremely grateful to everyone who has enabled him to come this far.
"I'm tempted to say that winning the Beinecke has been the highlight of my college career thus far, but insofar as the award reflects the quality of my education and the people here who have made it possible," he said. "I think it shows that these people have been the true highlights of my college experience."


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The Advent Of Netwar
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The information revolution is leading to the rise of network forms of organization, with unusual implications for how societies are organized and conflicts are conducted. "Netwar" is an emerging consequence. The term refers to societal conflict and crime, short of war, in which the antagonists are organized more as sprawling "leaderless" networks than as tight-knit hierarchies. Many terrorists, criminals, fundamentalists, and ethno-nationalists are developing netwar capabilities. A new generation of revolutionaries and militant radicals is also emerging, with new doctrines, strategies, and technologies that support their reliance on network forms of organization. Netwar may be the dominant mode of societal conflict in the 21st century. These conclusions are implied by the evolution of societies, according to a framework presented in this RAND study. The emergence of netwar raises the need to rethink strategy and doctrine to conduct counternetwar. Traditional notions of war and low-intensity conflict as a sequential process based on massing, maneuvering, and fighting will likely prove inadequate to cope with nonlinear, swarm-like, information-age conflicts in which societal and military elements are closely intermingled.
Table of Contents
Preface PDF
Summary PDF
Acknowledgments PDF
Chapter One
Introduction PDF
Chapter Two
Conceptual Outlines PDF
Chapter Three
A World in Flux - Ripe for Netwar PDF
Chapter Four
Varieties of Netwar PDF
Chapter Five
Challenges for U.S Policy and Organization PDF
Chapter Six
Implications for U.S. Doctrine and Strategy PDF
Bibliography PDF
Research conducted by
The research described in this report was performed under the auspices of RAND's National Security Research Division.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation monograph report series. The monograph/report was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1993 to 2003. RAND monograph/reports presented major research findings that addressed the challenges facing the public and private sectors. They included executive summaries, technical documentation, and synthesis pieces.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.


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Into The Heart Of Life200
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About the Author
Table of Contents
Foreword H. H. the Gyalwang Drukpa vii
Preface ix
1 Impermanence 1
2 Karma, or Cause and Effect 17
3 Creating Happiness 33
4 The Eight Worldly Concerns 49
5 Renunciation 63
6 The Six Perfections 81
7 Lojong and Bodhichitta 125
8 Faith and Devotion 155
9 Practicing the Good Heart 171
Acknowledgments 179
What People are Saying About This
"Down-to-earth, approachable, and deeply informative, this collection of talks and dialogues covers a wide range of topics, always returning to practical reflections on how we can enhance the quality of our lives and develop more sanity, fulfillment, wisdom, and compassion. Into the Heart of Life is addressed to a general audience and presents practical advice that can be applied whether or not one is a Buddhist."—Huffington Post
"Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo takes the core teachings of the Buddha and weaves into them deep personal insights and riveting stories from her unusual history as a member of an extraordinary tradition. It is amazing that no matter how many times you hear these essential teachings, they continue to penetrate deeply. This book provides practical wisdom for anyone interested in bringing the teachings to life."—Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, author of The Power of an Open Question
"This is a warm, wise, and rich evocation of Buddhism for East and West. Written in a radiant yet approachable style, we can taste the dharma realization in every word."—Roshi Joan Halifax, founder of the Upaya Zen Center
"Into the Heart of Life radiates Jetsunma's enthusiasm for life and makes the Buddha's teachings readily available so that we can integrate them seamlessly into our being, thus transforming ourselves from the inside out. Readers will feel that Jetsunma is sitting right there with them, talking over a cup of tea."—Thubten Chodron, author of Buddhism for Beginners
"Tenzin Palmo is one of the most genuine and accomplished of Western practitioners."—Jack Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart
"One of the true yoginis of our time, a woman who has dedicated her life to Buddhism. . . . Tenzin Palmo's is a voice we need to hear, a woman who has fully experienced what she speaks about with an absolute honesty, delightful humor, and real insight."—Tsultrim Allione, author of Feeding Your Demons
"The sincerity and motivation of Tenzin Palmo are a great example for all of us."—Martine Batchelor, author of Meditation for Life
"Whether she is talking about impermanence or bodhichitta, this internationally known Western Buddhist nun offers honest, pragmatic advice on how to enrich life through compassion."—Tricycle
"Into the Heart of Life explains classic Buddhist themes such as impermanence, karma, renunciation, bodhichitta, and devotion—all in her direct and approachable style. Each talk is followed by a question-and-answer session in which she responds with anecdotes and reflections drawn from her years of Buddhist training, her experiences meditating in the cave, educating women in the Himalayas, and working to revive full ordination for Tibetan nuns."—Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly
"Palmo presents an incisive overview of Buddhist essentials from the perspective of her forty years of spiritual practice. In this era of noisy confrontations, war, me-first activity, and ethical misconduct, we need this kind of wisdom."—Spirituality & Practice
"Palmo adds a strong voice to the ongoing discussion of Tibetan Buddhism as practiced by individuals—particularly women—from Western cultures."—Publishers Weekly
"Forty-plus years of Buddhist practice have given this Westerner unique insight into the philosophy and application of Buddhism. . . . Her intention is to make life easier for those engaged in busy modern lives, and she has been extraordinarily successful towards that end."—New Age Retailer
"Every step, every thought, every breath we take is a test of our Buddhist practice—so believes the author of this book. Her vast knowledge, incomparable experience, and her well-grounded approach to Buddhism in its practical applicability are reflected in the wide array of subjects covered in this collection of talks and dialogues. As this approach to Buddhism is to overcome the pitfalls of daily modern living, naturally a vast area of ethics is encompassed in this book. But then it also transcends mere good behavior to proceed towards the spiritual realm. It is this amalgamation which enables the reader to glean information and build a foundation which forms a solid basis to enhance the quality of our lives and develop more sanity, fulfillment, wisdom, and compassion."—East and West Series


text:
A set photo from Pittsburgh includes the new Batmobile and the Batpod (covered with a tarp) being brought to the set of the Dark Knight Rises. At first glance, the new Batmobile doesn't look too different from the Tumbler.
For another set photo, showing a Gotham City SWAT team van, click on the link. [Superhero Hype]


text: The robust switching-mode power units with IP54 protection rating are installed exactly where the protective extra-low voltage is needed, rather than in the switch cabinet, allowing for much shorter cable lengths. The space-saving switching-mode power units in 24 V or 48 V have a 50 percent higher peak output and feature integrated brake chopper, automated power limit and adjustable cable protection. They can also produce an integrated analysis of the status, either via LED or a signal cable to the programmable logic controller (PLC). A switch that can be secured against being turned back on allows maintenance work to be carried out on individual sections of the conveyor while other sections are still in operation.


text:
Crafted With Precision
Powder coated or polished aluminum legs. Wood and steel construction. Cold foam filling.
Cleaning instructions
Remove non-greasy stains by carefully dabbing with a lint-free cloth wrung out in clean, warm water. If necessary, clean by dabbing with soapy water. Visit Kvadrat.com for further information on cleaning textiles.For leather versions, clean leather with a dry cloth regularly. Treat the leather when needed using only special leather treatment products.


text:
Outfield Defense – Again!
OK, I might have to completely revise my assessment of the Yankees. In the Bronx last night, in one of the ten best baseball games I've ever attended, the New York club tied it on Rodriguez's homer, benefitted from a horrible call in rightfield, staved off bases loaded and none out on Robertson's pitching, and got the winning run on Teixeira's parabola off the top of the left field wall.
11 Comments
That bad call was Phil Cuzzi in left field. Joe Nathan has always been terrible in the Bronx: see 2004 ALDS, '09 regular season series. And he has blown an enormous amount of saves this year to compare with his Twins tenure.
But let's not beat around the bush. It wasn't Swisher's pick that won that game, it was the 3 RBI night from an admitted steroid user. I look forward to the asterisk on this ALDS to go alongside the one from '04 (again game 2, again A-Rod).
Sorry Keith, I love ya, but I've seen you weigh in on Manny this year, and PEDs in baseball in general, so why no comment from any Yankees fans….. ever….. that what transpired tonight has at least a slight taint to it? This is the single most overlooked or simply outright ignored part of the entire era — not the single season records, or career records, or the Hall considerations, not the lucrative contracts signed by hulking homer hitters to the detriment of workhorses and those on the cusp of the show — it is the impact of the singular player on a single game; a single game that extends one team's season and essentially ends another's. Who would the Angels have really played in '02 if the Giants didn't have Barry? Who would the White Sox have played in '05 if the Astros didn't have Clemens? Would the BoSox curse have really ended in '04? Would this ALDS be Yanks up 2-0 or would it be tied 1-1?
And does it surprise me that the Yankees will send an hGH user out for game 3? And if the Yanks sweep with a strong performance by Pettite? What then? Where does it end?
So…Billo emerged from under his dark, damp rock to attend a baseball game. Did he use a laptop to post an online petition to get the Twins fired from the AL, and replaced with Phil Donahue? ROTFL!
Regarding the Babe Ruth film, it looks as if you did a darned good job of pinpointing the game and the date. Next time you go up to Cooperstown, you'll have to bring along a deerstalker cap and a magnifying glass!
Cute story about your nephew, BTW. Glad to hear that your dad is recovering well. I hope he continues to fend off those complications, and makes a full recovery.
PS – How come you didn't mention that Billo got booed when he appeared on the big screen? I'd have paid for a ticket just to hear THAT!
I gotta disagree with you, Keith. They won the game when they were able to blow 200 million on their roster, versus 76 million the Twins got this year. Just imagine if the Twins had been able to keep all the talent that they've groomed over the years… I mean, they wouldn't even have to go out and poach 'em, like NY does. A guy like Torii Hunter who's shining for the Angels right now.
I'm actually starting to lose faith in baseball. It's taken me a long time. I've coughed up hundreds of dollars to MLB.com to be able to watch baseball abroad and I've followed the box scores and read the articles with delight: but I cannot tell you how sick I am of big money teams gobbling up talent from small market teams and of the repetitive nature of defeat that we as fans of a small market team must suffer through. In my adult life with the exception of once, every time the Twins have gone to the playoffs they get crushed by a 'roided, over-paid Yankees team. How is this good for baseball? How is this good for ratings?
Smartest thing football ever did was introduce a salary cap.
Good morning!
Sooo….caught the 9th and 10th innings last night. Ugh! I love you, Keith, but I am a die-hard Yankees hater!! (Living close to Baltimore, you can understand. Attended the 2131 game- 6 days before my son was born.)
I am so happy your nephew enjoyed the game. My oldest daughter keeps score at each game we attend, so I know the joy of watching the game come alive in the eyes of a new generation.
Good stuff on Bill-O. They actually boo-ed him? Heh, not surprised, but I, too would have have paid big bucks to have experienced that precious moment in time.
Re: your dad, Keith. It usually is the complications of the disease process that hinders recovery, so hang in there! Have him use his incentive spirometer as much as possible and push him to keep up the therapies. The human body is so amazing with its ability to heal!!! For yourself, more mental health days in the Bronx are prescribed. Prayers to you and yours…C
The blown call was horrible, made worse since the umpire was in proper position to make the correct call.
It would have been interesting to see how the inning played out differently. You'd have think the Twins would have bunted Mauer to third.
Still bases loaded and no outs, the Twins should have scored.
One of the best calls from the booth though was (I think) by Chip Carey. When the Yanks got the second out on the grounder to Tex, Carey said that it always seems when a team gets bases loaded and nobody out and can't score, that the home team always seems to win in the bottom of the inning…and sure enough…
Last nights game terrible. How does umpiring get so bad. The Twins were robbed. The left field umpire should be sent home John Miller Pittsburgh,Pa
I am not sure when the "again" refers to. But I would like to add kudos to Mr. Swisher for also saving a run in Wednesday's game too. He caught a fly ball for the second out, I don't remember who was on, and then threw a rocket to the plate to prevent a sacrifice run coming in from third.
It was a night to remember for my whole family – my wife's first game ever., and Swish gave us a fist pump when we cheered him for the play. Wow, let's go Yankees!
KO: your comments about your dad's (metaphoric) fouling off pitches reminded me of Roger Angell's great observation — "Since baseball time is measured only in outs, all you have to do is succeed utterly; keep hitting, keep the rally alive, and you have defeated time. You remain forever young." Prayers and good thoughts to both you and him.
Also: it's so kind & thoughtful of you to take your nephew to games, and share your knowledge & love of the game with him. I hope he knows that's he's one of the luckiest kids in the world! (Of course, it helps, too, when the team you love is a perennial champion. *Sigh.*)
Glad your dad is hanging in there. We're rooting for him.
With the Phillies in the playoffs and the reference to His Whiteness, as he was known to Harry the K, Kalas's favorite story about Ashburn as a hitter was when another player told him he had spousal issues and where she was sitting, and in batting practice Ashburn kept fouling balls near her. I think he got within two seats!
That said, my favorite is that Ashburn was a moaner, and Jocko Conlan, the Hall of Fame umpire, had had enough. He told Ashburn, "You call the next pitch." Jocko said it was six inches outside and Ashburn said, "Strike." Jocko called a strike and said, "Richie, I gave you the only chance any hitter has ever had to call pitches, and you blew it. I won't have you lousing up my profession."
Glad to hear your dad is still fighting! Thank you very much for the update. Best of luck to both of you, and glad you were able to get a Mental Vacation Day. I think we all need those from time to time.


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Two moms connect, result goes viral
Family's tab covered after mother nurses at restaurant
Two women made a connection Saturday during a birthday dinner in downtown Des Moines.
Jackie Johnson-Smith, her husband and their three children went to dinner at Fong's Pizza downtown Saturday. A few minutes later, however, 1-year-old Stellen became fussy.
"And then I noticed the baby stopped crying, and I kind of, like, my ears perked up, and said, 'Well, I know why babies stop crying instantly," said Bodi Kinney, who works at the restaurant.
Johnson-Smith grabbed the child, threw on a cover and started nursing the child.
"I saw her notice me nursing," Johnson-Smith said. "And with my societal fears of being ostracized because of it, I instantly felt panicked. Like, 'What is she thinking? Is she not wanting me to do it here?'"
Kinney, however, said she was so pleased the mother was breastfeeding that she bought the family's pizza. On the bill, she wrote "I bought your pizza. Thanks for breastfeeding."
"I read it several times, and tears started welling in my eyes," Johnson-Smith said. "And I thought, I can't believe this just happened."
Johnson-Smith posted the note to Facebook.
"I wanted her to know that it meant so much to me, and I knew that it would mean so much to other women as well," Johnson-Smith said.
Johnson-Smith said she thinks the reason the note went viral is a testament to how deeply nursing mothers want acceptance for themselves. She said women told her they teared up when they read the note.
"They were touched by it because they want that affirmation that what they are doing is OK," she said. "What they're doing is accepted and they're not being judged for it."


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On Wed. on 6 P.M. news the welcome news of Italy's unconditional surrender at 5.30 pm (tho' cut and dried on Sep 3?) came thro'. One more phase of this weary war finished. If the Italians thought fighting would be over for them if they gave in, I expect they'll have a rude awakening. They look like having to fight harder than ever now. We have landed in various places on mainland of It[aly] and things seem to be going on well. Gers started bombarding Rome etc. We carried out a huge invasion test in Channel yesterday. Don't know what was at the bottom of it, but it seems well advertised and apparently a great success.
I went to Sk[egness] on 10.30. bus'. It poured with rain. Had made app[ointment] to have glasses changed at Gor[don] Kents so did not want to put it off as one side piece of present gl. is broken. Says nothing at all wrong with eyes, they are very good, just a matter of age. Am having flat topped frames £2.10. The extra 10/0 means that the lenses are convex. They are worth the extra he says. I could read very fine print with them so hope they are a success. Will be ready in about 2 weeks. He will send a P.C. [postcard] and I shall go to try them there if all is well. [Aside: Paid Dr's Bill £2. 5S 6 to date.]
Father is on watch again to-night after 6 days hol. Jean been to G.L.B. They have started to knit gloves for themselves. Flora [Hall] was tiresome coming home and her shoes came untied. Jean put knitting down, didn't pick it up after sec[ond] shoe so we put batteries (fortunately we took them out and saved them earlier in summer) in her cycle lamps and she went back on cycle to look for it and found it by Mrs Hipkin's. Think we will soon go to bed. Woolworth's [in Skegness] had Xmas cards on sale, very dear. When stocks are sold there will be no more as no more may be made. There were a lot of very pretty calendars too. I got 6. I heard one of the "heads" tell the girls to put out plenty of cards. It will be a great relief to Xmas rush if all cards are sold.
We, Father and I, went to Osborne Café for dinner, fish, pot[atoes], peas, b[read] and but[ter] or rather mar[garine] and pot of tea, 3/8. Very clean and nice. Rene had arrived and was baking. It had stopped raining. 2 o' clock. I came home with Cousin's people. There were only 2. Father had to go back to meet 2.58 train. He had had a busy day 4 times to Sk., 1 to W[illough]by, 6 journeys as one was double.
An armistice signed of 3rd September 1943 represented the capitulation of Italy but a complex situation arose due to the continuing presence of German Axis forces.
Gordon Kents was the optician in Skegness.
Rene had arrived at 'Lenton Lodge' when May and Jean returned from Skegness.
Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored 'The Casualties Were Small'?


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WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2014--To improve their chances of success, in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics need to assess the viability of the sperm they use. Now doctors may soon have a new technique to help them sort the good sperm cells from the less viable ones: a tracking system, developed by a team of researchers from four European institutions, that takes 3-D movies of living sperm. In addition to showing the sperm's movement and behavior in real time, the novel method simultaneously provides detailed 3-D imaging of the sperm's form and structure to detect potential infertility-causing anomalies, such as the "bent tail" that prevents the cells from swimming straight.
The researchers say this is the first technique for collecting data on sperm cell motility--a key predictor of IVF success--in three dimensions and over time. They describe their method in a paper published today in The Optical Society's (OSA) open-access journal Biomedical Optics Express.
Currently, sperm concentration and mobility in semen are assessed either by subjective visual evaluation or a process known as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). While the latter provides more detail and fewer errors than the former, CASA still only allows tracking and imaging in two dimensions. In their new technique, the team of researchers from Italy and Belgium combined microscopy and holography--the creation of 3-D images--to visualize live sperm in not only two dimensions (the x and y positions) but according to their depth (z position) as well.
And, "by acquiring a video of the moving sperm in 3-D, we add a fourth dimension - time," said lead author Giuseppe Di Caprio of the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems of the National Research Council (NRC) in Naples, Italy, and Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
To achieve their new tracking system, the researchers first separated laser light into two beams. They transmitted one beam through a dish containing live, swimming sperm cells and then recombined it, after magnification through a microscope, with the second beam.
"The superimposed beams generate an interference pattern that we can record on camera," Di Caprio explained. "The resulting image is a hologram containing information relative to the morphologies of the sperm and their positioning in three-dimensional space. Viewing a progressive series of these holograms in a real-time video, we can observe how the sperm move and determine if that movement is affected by any abnormalities in their shape and structure."
Di Caprio says that the 3-D imaging technique, known formally as digital holographic microscopy (DHM), yields morphology and motility data on sperm consistent with that found in previous studies, but with the unprecedented bonus of seeing cause and effect relationships between the two.
"For example," Di Caprio said, "we found that most of the sperm cells we observed swim along in one plane as expected. However, with the more detailed analysis provided by DHM, we also were able to show that this 'in-plane' movement -which we believe is linked to higher potential for fertility--does not occur when there are morphological anomalies such as sperm with misshapen heads or 'bent tails.'"
Now that the efficiency of sperm tracking via DHM has been demonstrated, Di Caprio says that the international research team will next attempt to exploit its capabilities for defining the best-quality sperm for IVF.
"In one future experiment, we want to study sperm cells with vacuoles--enclosed compartments filled with water plus organic and inorganic molecules--that rest on the cell surface," he said. Using DHM to assess the affected sperms' motility, the team can determine if having vacuoles results in reduced fertility.
Di Caprio says that the long-term goal of such experiments and others using the new tracking system is to use the information gathered to develop a microchip-scale method for sorting good sperm cells from ones that are less viable.
The other institutions involved in this research are the National Institute of Optics of the NRC and the Center for Assisted Fertilization, both in Naples, and the Free University of Brussels in Belgium.
Paper: "4D tracking of clinical seminal samples for quantitative characterization of motility parameters," Di Caprio, G. et al., Biomedical Optics Express, Vol. 5, Issue 3, pp. 690-700 (2014).
EDITOR'S NOTE: Images and a video file showing a single sperm cell being tracked are available to members of the media upon request. Contact Angela Stark, email@example.com.
About Biomedical Optics Express
Biomedical Optics Express is OSA's principal outlet for serving the biomedical optics community with rapid, open-access, peer-reviewed papers related to optics, photonics and imaging in the life sciences. The journal scope encompasses theoretical modeling and simulations, technology development, and biomedical studies and clinical applications. It is published by The Optical Society and edited by Joseph A. Izatt of Duke University. Biomedical Optics Express is an open-access journal and is available at no cost to readers online at http://www.
About OSA
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional society for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders who fuel discoveries, shape real-world applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership programs, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of professionals in optics and photonics. For more information, visit http://www.


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YouTube-Exclusive 'Halo' Miniseries Nets 26 Million Views
Microsoft's experimental Halo live-action miniseries received 26 million total views on YouTube since it launched in October, paving a future for long form video content on the platform.
Halo: Forward Unto Dawn premiered on the Machinima YouTube channel at the beginning of October. The five-part miniseries was produced by Microsoft as a tie-in to the release of Halo 4's release, and Microsoft and its in-house studio 343 Industries spent $10 million producing it.
According to Matt J. McCloskey, the director of franchise business development at 343 Industries, the series was meant to give fans a deeper look at the early life of one of Halo 4's main characters, Thomas Lasky. It was also meant to introduce people who had never played the previous Halo games to its complex sci-fi universe.
The first episode of the miniseries received more than 9 million YouTube views, according to Machinima. Each subsequent episode received a little over 4 million views a piece, a dropoff that Machinima's Executive Vice President of Marketing Kevin Doohan says is normal for episodic shows.
"After the original trailer got 9 million views, there was so much heat and excitement about our premiere," Doohan says.
Doohan says the most exciting statistics surrounding the series were the engagement; fans hardly dropped off from the first 19-minute video until the last minute or so. He also says the number of favorites was about 34% higher than other Machinima content.
Machinima, which has 138 million YouTube subscribers, posts a lot of original content of interest to gamer and geek audiences. It is now exclusively airing a new SyFy web series based on the popular Battlestar Galactica show, called Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome.
"We see a great future in this content. I would see us doing much, much more of this long form stuff," Doohan says "It's a great marraige between our content creators and our audience."


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Apologies in advance, Mr. T, for not reporting on your very first App store contribution sooner. That said, I pity the fool who doesn't download iPity today!
Stop rubbing your eyes. Yes, this is a real app. It went up yesterday and lists for $0.99. What do you get for a dollar, you ask?
Well, if we ignore the fact that you're still here asking questions, and not downloading iPity already, then the app basically recites classic Mr. T lines on demand.
The app is the work of developer E.E. Flobes, and includes more than 30 classic Mr. T sayings. Tap his face for a random one, or head into the menu to select that special saying from the list. Mr. T's mouth even moves as the audio plays.
We have no idea if this is licensed or what, but it probably isn't. What's damning for the Apple approval process is great for you however, especially if you love Mr. T like we do.
And even if it does get removed, there's always this. [App Store via VentureBeat]


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The correct suspension set up effects both Ride (smoothing out the feel of an uneven road surface) and Handling how the car brakes, accelerates and corners safely and accurately).
Polybush improves the Dolomite, a beautiful performance saloon with questionable handling; known for having vague steering and a back end that steps out at the first opportunity. Polybush solve these common issues.
The Upper Wishbone Bush 30L and Rear Shock Absorber Bushes will dramatically improve steering response along with preventing adverse toe changes during cornering, braking and acceleration.
30B, J and A will fit the four-link live axle at the rear, avoiding adverse changes in camber, and minimising axle movement which improves the handling without degrading comfort.
After vigorous testing Polybush created Kit 21 in Dynamic grade for that perfect balance between stiffness and elasticity that the Sprint makes full use of.
The TR7 as the last Triumph coupe is a piece of history that Polybush are proud to improve. Our Rear Lower Trailing Arm Bush 30A and Rear Upper Link Bush 30B are perfect replacements for the original trailing arm bushes that can wear and cause bump steer, unsettling the car in corners and on uneven-surfaced roads. 30A and 30B prevent bump steer by minimising arm and axle movement which gives a much better ride and handling.
Fit the full Kit 31 and get rid of unpleasant bump steer and make the TR7 more responsive and more involving to drive.
The History . . . British car manufacturer started business in 1885 as a motorcycle company. The first cars were manufactured in the 1930's. Triumph was bought by Standard in 1945 creating the Standard-Triumph company.
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First Look: Cocktails at The Bent Brick, Portland OR
I've always enjoyed the cocktails at Park Kitchen in Portland, Oregon, so I were pumped to hear that chef/owner Scott Dolich and his team opened a new spot on NW Marshall last week.
It's not a shock these days for a restaurant to serve food with a decidedly local focus—and the food at The Bent Brick, courtesy of executive chef William Preisch, is excellent—but it's rare to see a bar that holds itself to a similar challenge. Though he's not flashy about it, and there's no bragging on the menu, bar manager Adam Robinson (who came to Portland after a stint at Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York) has crafted his cocktail menu solely around local and domestic spirits. He hopes to have an all-Oregon bar soon. Sometimes sourcing local is simple enough—locally produced gins on Robinson's shelf include Aviation, 12 Bridges, Organic Nation, Smalls, Voyager, and others—but sourcing domestic rum is a little trickier. Many of the drinks are balanced with housemade vinegars and tart Oregon verjus rather than citrus from out of state. Here are our snapshots of what he's pouring. All cocktails are $8, non-alcoholic options $2 to $4.
Check out the drinks in the slideshow»
The Bent Brick
1639 NW Marshall Street, Portland, OR 97209 (at 17th Avenue, map) 503-68801655; thebentbrick.com
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so we have assembled these photo archives to tell you the story of Opdyke Lumber. With every photo we tell the story of our Company's dedication to your satisfaction. We hope to add additional photos as our resume grows. Please check back often for ideas and inspiration.
This is the 1st gallery
Closet Gallery
Hardware, Sinks & Faucets
Bathroom Gallery 1
Counter top Gallery 1
Stair & Rails
Cabinets gallery
Kitchens Gallery
Windows & Doors


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This is the time of year that bloggers, news organizations and critics start to compile their Best of the Year lists. Best Movies of 2012, Best Books of 2012, Best Sports Stories of 2012… the lists are ubiquitous. These lists are a lot of fun, as you can't get any two fans to agree on what was the best. For the Symphony, perhaps 2012 is different. Maybe this is the year that we can all agree on the Top Symphony Concerts of 2012.
There were a lot of great challengers in 2012 — Renée Fleming on March 7, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony on March 9 & 10, Bruckner 7 on June 1 & 2 and Berlioz Symphonie fantastique on October 19 & 20. But, the top San Antonio Symphony concerts for 2012 had to be…
We can all have fun arguing over which Beethoven concert (out of about 35) was the best in the festival. We can even disagree on which Beethoven Symphony was the best. But, with the Beethoven Festival, the community came together behind Sebastian Lang-Lessing's signature programming idea and the results far exceeded the sum of the parts. All 9 symphonies, all 32 piano sonatas, all 5 cello sonatas and much, much more. Hearing them all within a six week period was illuminating. The performances by the Orchestra and Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing were awe inspiring. Don't you wish you could hear them play all 9 symphonies again? right now?!?
The other sport at the end of each year is predicting what will be the Best of 2013. Here is a not-so-risky guess. The Best Symphony Concerts of 2013 will be in the Brahms Festival. The festival kicks off with a collaboration with KLRN and the Symphony. More excitment follows in January and February. You can see a complete list on the Brahms Festival web site at BrahmsSA.com. Here are the four times KLRN will air the Brahms Festival TV show:
Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!


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Beach Blank-Out Blastoise (カメックスのしま Blastoise's Island) is the 60th episode of Pokémon: Indigo League.
On the way to the ship, Ash trips over a Wartortle. Ash's Squirtle and the Wartortle lead them to an island where all Squirtle and Wartortle have gone asleep. Going near the Blastoise, Ash and Squirtle hear a song and go asleep. Though everyone wakes up, Blastoise has something in its cannon. It causes everyone to get back to sleep, while Team Rocket make a new plan to capture Blastoise.
Episode plot
Ash and his friends, after having won the Gym battle, try and board the last ferry leaving off Cinnabar Island. As Ash runs, he crashes into a Wartortle which unexpectedly appeared in his path. Ash checks Wartortle's data on his Pokédex, as Wartortle tries to signal to Ash and his friends. Pikachu understands its plea and releases Ash's Squirtle from its Poké Ball. After talking with one another, Squirtle procures a pair of Squirtle Squad Sunglasses from inside its shell. Much to their surprise, Squirtle and Wartortle dive into the ocean, prompting Ash and his friends to take a boat and follow them.
Whilst following the two Water Pokémon, Ash and his friends notice they are nearing an island. Ash realizes that the island is shaped like a Squirtle shell. Following behind them, Team Rocket is in close pursuit inside their Gyarados submarine. As they land on the island, the group come across several Squirtle and Wartortle shells, who appear to be sleeping. Perched upon a rock, Ash and his friends notice a large Blastoise shell towering over the other shells. Ash eagerly approaches it, but instantly falls into a deep slumber. The same fate befalls Squirtle. Brock and Misty try to wake Ash, to no avail. Misty tells Pikachu to electrocute everyone for an "Electric Shock" alarm clock, thereby waking them up abruptly.
Ash reveals that he heard a sound coming from within the Blastoise shell, which caused him to fall asleep right after his Squirtle did. Misty attempts to leave the island, but Ash refuses to give up, proclaiming that he will wake up the Blastoise. Ash and his friends commence "Operation Wakeup" with the assistance of the other Squirtle and Wartortle. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are eavesdropping on them, and state their aim to steal the sleeping Blastoise and the other turtle Pokémon. Brock recounts the history of the island, which was the Kingdom of the Turtle Pokémon, presided over by their leader, Blastoise. After Blastoise was recovered from the ocean, all of the others fell into a deep sleep. Wartortle ran to the mainland, when it ran into Ash.
After Brock attempts to check the Blastoise's vital signs, it begins to awaken, with Ash still on its back. There is revealed to be a Jigglypuff stuck inside one of Blastoise's cannons. It begins to sing, and they all fall asleep. Team Rocket choose this moment to reveal themselves, and attempt to capture Blastoise. As usual, Meowth is the one to go out, but he ends up falling prey to Jigglypuff's song. To prevent themselves from getting too close to Blastoise, they use their "Gyarados Grabber" to pull it into their submersible. Ash, Misty and Brock wake up abruptly, and realize that Blastoise is missing. Ash's Squirtle brings order to the other Pokémon, rallying their support.
They pursue Team Rocket after following the trail left behind by Blastoise. Team Rocket celebrate their success, but squabble over who gets to lay claim on Blastoise. Meowth is knocked into the side of the submersible, dislodging Jigglypuff and causing several cracks in the structure. Jigglypuff's song begins to reverberate throughout the ship, as Team Rocket succumbs to its effects. Just as this happens, their submersible begins to take on water, but before it can sink, the Squirtle and Wartortle brings it up to the surface. Ash and his friends resuscitate Team Rocket, who deny ever asking for their assistance.
They flee back to their submersible, which transforms into a Mecha Gyarados. The giant machine charges straight at Blastoise, to which the turtle Pokémon attempts to stop it with their Water Gun attacks, to no avail. The Mecha Gyarados proceeds to chase them, as Ash calls out to the sleeping Blastoise. Squirtle and Pikachu use their signature attacks in conjunction with one another, which expels Jigglypuff as Blastoise awakens. Blastoise manages to stop the rampaging Mecha Gyarados with brute strength. Despite Team Rocket's best efforts, Blastoise, Squirtle and Wartortle use their water attacks to send Team Rocket blasting off again.
Jigglypuff emerges inside the Mecha Gyarados, and begins to sing its song. Team Rocket falls asleep, as their machine falls into the ocean. Ash's Squirtle jumps in after them, attempting to rescue Jigglypuff. After a few tense moments, Squirtle emerges with Jigglypuff, who resumes its singing. This sends everyone into a deep slumber once more. Enraged, Jigglypuff squiggles on everyone's faces with its marker. After having resolved the conflict, Ash and his friends leave the island in peace, heading off to get his 8th Gym Badge. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are floating in the middle of the ocean. After Jessie and James proclaim that they are getting sick of losing, Meowth exclaims that he is getting seasick.
- The Squirtle Squad leader sunglasses from Here Comes The Squirtle Squad return.
- "Pokasso" as Brock called Jigglypuff is a parody of the famous French artist Pablo Picasso.
- The "Who's that Pokémon?" in this episode is Horsea.
- Jessie did not wear her gloves when she was looking with her binoculars.
|Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
|Other series: Gold and Silver · Ruby and Sapphire · Diamond and Pearl · Black & White · XY and XYZ · Sun & Moon · Journeys


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Yesterday our President unveiled a proposal for a new vision, constructing a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Our President proposed a new map presenting a two state solution. [Outlined Here]
After presenting the proposal our President and Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered remarks from the White House.
[Video and Transcript Below]
Here are some shorter video clips:
It is now or never for Israel and the Palestinian Authority! There will never be another opportunity like the one our President presented today. Look where Bibi is going as soon as he leaves D.C.
The other major problem for Abbas and the Palestinians is the fact that many Middle East countries are onboard with our President's plan.
From the article linked above:
"The Kingdom reiterates its support for all efforts aimed at reaching a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian cause," said the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"The kingdom appreciates the efforts of President Trump's administration to develop a comprehensive peace plan between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides, and encourages the start of direct peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, under the auspices of the United States," the statement reads. It also called to resolve any disagreements with aspects of the plan through negotiations, "to move forward the peace process to reach an agreement that achieves legitimate rights of the Palestinian people."
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a similar statement, calling the sides to consider the plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"The Arab Republic of Egypt appreciates the continuous efforts exerted by the US administration to achieve a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, thereby contributing to the stability and security of the Middle East, ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the ministry said Tuesday.
I have been reporting that the Establishment Democrats and MSM are petrified about Bernie becoming the Democrat nominee. Look what is going to happen for the first time.
From the article linked above:
The group, the Democratic Majority for Israel, will begin airing a negative campaign spot on Wednesday, as worries mount among moderate Democrats that Mr. Sanders could win the Iowa caucuses.
A Democratic super PAC will begin airing attack ads in Iowa against Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Wednesday, marking the first time a Democratic organization has run a negative campaign spot targeting Mr. Sanders by name in either of his two primary campaigns.
The ad, backed by Democratic Majority for Israel's political action arm, comes as concerns among moderate Democrats mount that Mr. Sanders could win Iowa, setting the avowed democratic socialist on a possible path to the nomination. With Mr. Sanders leading in some polls ahead of the Feb. 3 caucuses, the spot is the first sign of a still-disjointed effort to stop his rise by the moderate wing of the party.
It also signals a new line of attack against Mr. Sanders. For much of the Democratic nomination race, his rivals have focused on his policy positions, arguing that his proposals for "Medicare for all" and free public college are too expensive and unfeasible.
They saw the latest poll to come out of California.
With Bernie winning three (Iowa, New Hampshire & Nevada) out of the four (coming in 2nd in South Carolina) states leading up to Super Tuesday, he will have all the momentum. I don't see Pocahontas cracking the required 15% in any of the first four states to earn state delegates (she will get 15% in some districts in those states). Her 20% will hemorrhage and Bernie will be the benefactor. He will pickup a 1/3rd of all delegates from California.
SleepyCreepy Joe doesn't realize he can't afford to alienate voters.
Meantime the Economic Train is stronger than ever. She loves to show what MAGAnomics is doing for our country.
From the article linked above:
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index jumped in January from upwardly revised 128.2 to 131.6, beating the consensus forecast. The forecasts ranged from a low of 126.0 to a high of 132.0, the consensus being 128.2.
"Consumer confidence increased in January, following a moderate advance in December, driven primarily by a more positive assessment of the current job market and increased optimism about future job prospects," said Lynn Franco, Senior Director, Economic Indicators, at The Conference Board. "Optimism about the labor market should continue to support confidence in the short-term and, as a result, consumers will continue driving growth and prevent the economy from slowing in early 2020."
The Present Situation Index—which gauges consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—rose from 170.5 to 175.3. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions—increased from 100.0 last month to 102.5 this month.
I love that our President gave the middle finger to Nancy and her MORAINIC Party.
From the article linked above:
President Donald Trump did not invite House Democrats to Wednesday's signing ceremony of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) at the White House, said the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
"The White House hasn't invite House Democrats to their USMCA signing ceremony," Pelosi spokesman Henry Connelly said in a statement Tuesday.
When Republicans support and back our President, Americans will open up their wallets for them. House Republicans were 100% united in support of our President during the impeachment hoax. They have been rewarded!
From the article linked above:
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) set an all-time annual fundraising record for any Republican in 2019, blowing past a previous record set by former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) in 2017 by $8 million.
Across his four fundraising entities, McCarthy and his team confirmed to Breitbart News exclusively ahead of the public release of this information, the GOP leader raised $52.35 million in 2019. That is over $8 million more than Ryan's previous record in the first year of President Donald Trump's administration, where in 2017 the now former speaker raised $44 million.
Our President's approval rating amongst Black Americans has reached 35% in the Rasmussen Poll.
More evidence coming out of Texas last night that shows that Texas is a RED state. I love the Governor of the great state of Texas! He is a fighter.
Words can't describe the incredible rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. Look at this staggering data Brad Parscale shared.
The local news in the area was absolutely shocked by the size of the crowd waiting to get in.
"We've never seen anything like this before"
Absolutely amazing how many people were there 24 hours prior to the rally.
Look at the overflow crowd.
Look at how many people lined up in the streets to get a glimpse of our President as he drove to the rally.
Not a single seat could be found inside the venue.
Here are some shorter video clips and pictures:
We have the GREATEST WINNER on this planet as our President!


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Developers' tax charges are calculated according to the income each turbine is expected to generate, including subsidies, with annual charges now ranging from £10,000 to £18,000 per megawatt of installed capacity. This is up to 300% higher than five years ago. For example, the 22 wind turbines at the Fullabrook Down wind farm, Devon, in south-west England, attract an annual charge of over £715,000 (EUR887,251).
There are 340 operational onshore wind farms in the UK with a generating capacity of 5.01GW, meaning that operators and owners already contribute over £60 million to the UK Treasury each year through business rates. This is set to rise to over £200 million annually as installed capacity rises to meet the UK's target of sourcing 15% of energy from renewables by 2020.
This means the sector as a whole is facing increases that possibly exceed that of any other commercial property. While most EU wind farms attract local taxation, most rates are considerably lower than in the UK and tend to vary more from one region to another within EU member states. This begs the question of why business rates are so high in the UK?
The tax department (HMRC) bases business rate charges on the expected profitability of each site and has analysed a number of wind farms across the country to arrive at a method that uses the expected wind loadings at each site. The basic approach is to deduct working expenses, such as site rent, grid charges and maintenance from gross receipts from all sources - calculated by adding expected wholesale electricity plus subsidy payments from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).
This leaves a balance from which the tenant's profit is deducted. The result of this calculation is the value on which the business rate is levied. This rateable value is then multiplied by approximately £0.46 in the pound which is increased each year in line with inflation.
Businesses that invest in onsite renewable energy sources for the primary purpose to supply electricity for their own use, with only surplus power fed into the National Grid, are being charged even higher rates. A client that already pays business rates on its food manufacturing site has seen its bill rise by £40,000 per megawatt since installing turbines at its plant. Clearly this is a significant financial burden.
Many developers and owners do not realise they have a right to appeal the level of business rates to ensure the charges reflect the additional costs now affecting the profitability of wind farms. These include increases in site lease rental charges, grid connection charges and the imminent renewables obligation banding review.
Costs can also be reduced where a turbine is down for routine maintenance or prolonged repairs. In these circumstances, owners can apply for rates relief from the local council, which typically can save up to £10,000.
The situation in Scotland is better. Assets there not only benefit from an excellent wind resource, but to further encourage the sector, the Scottish government has introduced a substantial rates relief scheme, which can enable developers to claim discounts of over 25%.
The wind industry should consider a united and co-ordinated campaign to make the government aware of the challenges business rates pose for developers. The concern is that UK developers will be faced with artificially high charges that are far beyond that experienced by European assets and that may deter further investment.
Chris Handel is associate director of rating and taxation at global property adviser CBRE and specialises in mitigation of rates levied against the low carbon power sector