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Schedule for Week of December 6, 2020
2 hours ago
World View & Market Commentary.
Forest first; Trees second.
Focused on Real & Knowable facts that filter through the "experts" fluff and media hyperbole. Where we've been, what the future may hold and developing a better way forward.
The economy got a downgrade for the second quarter but it was in line with expectations. The Commerce Department's second estimate for second quarter GDP growth was nudged down to a modest gain of 1.0 percent annualized, compared to the initial estimate of 1.3 percent and to first quarter growth of 0.4 percent. Analysts had projected a revision to 1.1 percent annualized.
Final sales of domestic product were revised to an annualized 1.2 percent from the initial estimate of 1.1 percent. Final sales to domestic purchasers were revised up to 1.1 percent from the original estimate of 0.5 percent annualized.
Economy-wide inflation was revised up marginally to 2.4 percent annualized, compared to the original estimate of 2.3 percent and the first quarter rise of 2.5 percent. The consensus forecast was for 2.3 percent.
While GDP growth was revised down, the more important measure of momentum---final sales-were revised up slightly. But today's numbers do not say much for the current status of the economy. Equity futures were little changed on the news as traders await Fed Chairman Bernanke's speech at Jackson Hole at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Initial jobless claims rose 5,000 in the August 20 week to an adjusted total of 417,000 but were skewed higher by a labor strike at telecom provider Verizon that has since ended. The Labor Department says there are at least 8,500 claims related to the strike in the week and at least 12,500 in the prior week (these levels are before adjustment). The adjusted total for the August 13 week is revised 4,000 higher to 412,000. The four-week average ended its seven-week run of declines, rising 4,000 to a 407,500 level that shows a 7,000 improvement from the month-ago comparison.
Continuing claims for the August 13 week fell 80,000 to 3.641 million for the lowest level since September 2008 and the financial meltdown. The four-week average is down 20,000 to 3.701 million with the month-ago comparison showing little change. The unemployment rate for insured workers, at 2.9 percent, has been inching back and forth between this level and 3.0 percent since February.
Markets are showing little initial reaction to the report which, outside of the Verizon strike, points to mildly improving conditions in the labor market.
July home sales proved disappointing and MBA's purchase index points to further bad news for August. The purchase index fell steeply for a second week, down 5.7 percent in the August 19 week and now at its lowest level in 15 years. Low interest rates aren't helping with applications falling across the board including a 15 percent fall for jumbo loans and an eight percent fall for government housing programs. Low rates had triggered a surge in refinancing applications which however eased back 1.7 percent in the latest week. Rates moved slightly higher in the week with the 30-year up seven basis points to 4.39 percent.
A monthly surge in new orders for motor vehicles & parts, the best in eight years, headlines a strong durable goods report for July. New orders for durable goods surged 4.0 percent in the month with the motor vehicle component up 11.5 percent in what appears to be the well anticipated Japanese-related snap back. Aircraft orders, which nearly always show wide month-to-month swings, rose 43 percent and together with motor vehicles made for a 14.6 percent jump in the transportation category. Excluding transportation, new orders rose a solid 0.7 percent following 0.6 and 0.8 percent gains in the two prior months.
A surge in overall shipments is another big plus for this report, up 2.5 percent on top of June's 1.1 percent gain. Primary metals show a third straight month of shipment strength as do motor vehicles and aircraft. Capital goods also show gains in shipments in what offers an early signal of strength for third-quarter business investment.
Other details show a steady 0.8 percent gain for overall inventories with unfilled orders showing an increasing rate of build, from 0.3 percent in June to 0.7 in July. But the one factor that limits the impact of this report on the economic outlook is that it's data for July. Early looks at August conditions, that is from the New York, Philly, and Richmond Feds, show significant contraction making it too soon to say whether manufacturing, which has been the economy's backbone, is once again re-accelerating.
New Data Supports Previous Fairewinds Analysis, as Contamination Spreads in Japan and Worldwide
We all need to get REAL folks, and stop supporting the criminals who brought this mess to you.
Growth remained below historical trend in July but only slightly. The Chicago Fed's national activity index improved to minus 0.06 from an upwardly revised minus 0.38 in June (minus 0.46 first reported). The improvement is led by a plus 0.28 contribution from production-related indicators, well up from a very slight plus 0.03 contribution in June. Employment-related indicators came in at plus 0.05 vs June's minus 0.10. Consumption & housing was minus 0.33 in July, barely changed from minus 0.34 in June. Sales, orders & inventories are a negative in the month, at minus 0.06 vs June's plus 0.03.
The three-month moving average improved sharply in July, to minus 0.29 from minus 0.54 (upwardly revised from minus 0.60). Improvement in this report is of course welcome but whether it will extend into this month is uncertain given that July's strength is concentrated in manufacturing where early indications for August, that is from last week's Empire State and Philly Fed reports, are decidedly weak.


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Hats Off!
This story appears in the December 1996 issue of Business Start-Ups magazine. Subscribe »
When Pizza Hut bought out Straw Hat Pizza nearly 10 years ago, Straw Hat franchisees faced a dilemma: Either convert or go independent. For a number of franchisees, neither option was appealing, so they came up with another alternative. They opted out of the Pizza Hut franchise and established a cooperative to retain ownership of the Straw Hat name, operating systems, recipes and logo.
Today, Dublin, California-based Straw Hat Cooperative Corp. is going strong, with 50 members and 65 locations throughout California, Nevada and Washington. An average of six new stores are added each year. All decisions guiding the company are made by an elected board of directors.
"It's a shared strength," says Joshua Richman, president and CEO of the cooperative. "The idea is that these pizza restaurants will be stronger as part of a group than on their own."
The benefits are numerous. The backing of 60-plus stores helps when negotiating deals with suppliers. Co-op members also save money because Straw Hat manufactures its own cheese, dough, meat toppings, sauce, boxes and cups. The royalties are low, and all marketing materials are provided.
Says Richman, "We've found it is a real formula for success in our industry, which is extremely saturated and competitive."
Quintuple Or Nothing
By Holly Celeste Fisk
Dual branding is one of the hottest trends in franchising. Now Ed Blair, founder of Dallas-based Main Street Concepts LLC, is turning up the heat. Blair launched the first quintuple-branding location, dubbed Main Street, in July. The Farmers Branch, Texas, location combines a Shell Oil gas station with a five-restaurant food court.
"We found out that fast food generates three times as much revenue per square foot as a convenience store," says Blair, who spent almost two years persuading franchisors to give his concept a shot. Most were reluctant to allow Blair to build units where employees would work side by side with employees of competing franchises, a problem Blair addressed with a unique point-of-sale system that ensures each franchisor receives its due royalties.
"I look at it like coaching," says Blair. "If everybody works as a team, we're likely to win the game."
The Farmers Branch Main Street includes Pizza Inn, Hardee's, Popeyes, La Creme and Taco John's outlets, but future Main Streets will be customized to best match the customer demographics in their areas.
Blair and Monty Whitehurst, Main Street's vice president, are working on the rights to three more franchises, including Baskin-Robbins, and permission from Shell Oil to build 17 more units in Texas.
With fuel for the fire, quintuple-branding just might be the hottest thing since the drive-thru window.
Piece Of The Pie
By Lourdes Aguila
Like most entrepreneurs, Stephen Hanulik, 36, had to overcome obstacles to business ownership. Unlike most, the Springdale, Pennsylvania, man had to triumph over one extra obstacle--getting people to look past his wheelchair and see him, not his disability.
Hanulik, who has muscular dystrophy and is a quadriplegic, was working at a hospital when a colleague told him about Business Enterprise Venture. The federally funded program, run by the Pittsburgh Blind Association, helps people with disabilities become entrepreneurs by providing guidance with feasibility studies, business plans and financing.
Hanulik didn't waste any time. "I've always dreamed of owning my own business," he says. Through the program he met advisory board member Jim Fox, founder of Fox's Pizza Den. Then fate stepped in: A Fox's Pizza Den franchise right down the block from Hanulik's home was up for sale.
"I knew that this deal was going to work," recalls Fox. "[Hanulik] is a very inspiring person." With business start-up assistance from Business Enterprise Venture, plus a home equity loan, Hanulik bought the franchise in May 1995.
Today, with 1996 sales projected at $100,000 and eight part-time employees, Hanulik is living his dream. And his enthusiasm has been contagious: Fox has added a whole subdivision to Fox's Pizza Den to attract franchisees with disabilities.
Tis The Season
By H.C.F.
Franchisee philanthropists know it's better to give than to receive. Some of the projects franchises are involved in:
- Super 8 Motels' Rooms at the Inn program offers free rooms on Christmas Eve to holiday travelers visiting friends in nearby nursing homes, veterans' homes, hospitals and treatment centers. The program was started by franchisee Linda Aamold Tharaldson in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1987; Super 8 adopted the program in 1990. More than 650 Super 8 motels donated about 1,500 rooms last year.
- Franchisee P.K. Sindwani displays a Christmas tree decorated with cutout angels in his Trappe, Pennsylvania, Little Professor Book Center as a part of the Adopt an Angel program he began in 1994. Each angel bears the name of a needy neighbor and either a book they would like or a list of their interests. Customers who purchase the books receive a 25 percent discount, and a star with their name replaces the angel on the tree. Last Christmas, all 150 angels were purchased.
- Auto appearance franchise Maaco Enterprises donates any leftover toy cars, which are usually sold to franchisees to use as premiums, to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. Started at Maaco's King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, headquarters in 1993, the campaign has picked up speed, with 12 more franchises donating their stocks of the popular toy cars.
Tasteful Idea
By C.M.
Customers got all the pizza they could eat, charities got donations, and pizzerias got a slew of new customers. The setting for this win-win-win situation? The first Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce Pizza Challenge in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Michael Jonas, a sales representative for direct-mail advertising franchise Coupon-Cash Saver in Deerfield, Illinois, came up with the idea as a way to help charities and businesses at the same time. The all-you-can-eat tasting, held in February, gave local pizza restaurants the chance to showcase their pizzas. Attendees either paid a $3 entry fee or donated six cans of food--then chowed down. Both cash and food were later distributed to five local food pantries; and at the end of the day, consumers placed their votes for the town's best pizzas.
"The purpose was to help the charities out, but it was obviously a very good value for consumers who wanted to try all the pizzas in town," says Jonas, who is also a chamber member. "Win or lose, the pizzerias had a great time and earned a lot of new customers." Approximately $1,000 and 1,500 pounds of food were collected at the event, which drew about 800 more people than Jonas expected.
The second annual Pizza Challenge is again set for February. "I want to help raise money during a [slow] time for the food pantries," explains Jonas. "They get inundated with food during the holidays, but when spring comes, there's no real push to donate."
Contact Sources
Coupon-Cash Saver, 1020 N. Milwaukee Ave., Deerfield, IL 60015, (847) 537-6420;
Fox's Pizza Den, 540 Pittsburgh St., Springdale, PA 15144, (412) 274-6797;
Fox's Pizza Den (headquarters), 3243 Old Frankstown Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239, (412) 733-7888;
Little Professor Book Center, Trappe Centre, 130 W. Main St., #102, Trappe, PA 19426, (610) 454-0640;
MAACO Enterprises, (800) 521-6282, ext. 6180, fax: (610) 337-6176;
Main Street Concepts LLC, 5220 Spring Valley Rd., #525, Dallas, TX 75240, fax: (972) 392-0722;
Pittsburgh Blind Association, 300 S. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (412) 682-5600;
Straw Hat Cooperative Corp., 6400 Village Pkwy., Dublin, CA 94568, (510) 829-1500;
Super 8 Motels Inc., 339 Jefferson Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, (800) 889-8847, (201) 952-2956.

subset: commoncrawl


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(Pocket-lint) - The Sony Xperia P rolls out in the middle of Sony's line of NXT handsets following the separation from Ericsson. It is mid-range both in terms of specs and size, but falls into an extremely competitive market.
Can the Sony Xperia P shine, or will experienced rivals cast a long shadow over Sony's mobile aspirations?
The design of the Sony Xperia NXT line has that Marmite feel to it. Some dislike what Sony has done, adding a clear strip that's essentially just bloat to the frame; some don't like the flattened edges, claiming it makes the phone uncomfortable to hold.
The design is basically the same as the Xperia S, which at least means the phone will stand up should you want to perch it on your desk - like a monolith - which we inevitably do.
The smaller frame makes it a mite more comfortable to hold than the Xperia S, the 122 x 59.5 x 10.5mm dimensions meaning it sits well in the hand and isn't overly large when held to the face for a conversation. It weighs 120g.
The curved back and the angles of the edges make it feel secure to grip, even though the metal unibody design is inherently slippery. The great advantage over the plastic of the Xperia S is that it stays clean - it comes out of your pocket free from lint and fluff.
The silver colour of our review model has something of a premium look and feel to it. It feels solid, it doesn't flex, there are no dodgy plastic back panels to slide off. In terms of build quality alone, it's better than the Xperia S.
But then we return to the layout of controls. The Xperia P presents the three icons - back, home and menu - along the clear strip at the bottom. Unlike the Xperia S, the P is actually touch-enabled across this line, so you don't have the odd arrangement of having to touch in the space above the icon.
Down the left-hand side of the handset are the connections, with the micro HDMI and Micro-USB adjacent to each other and easily confused when trying to plug in your phone late at night in the dark. With no access to the internals, a slot on the left provides space for your micro SIM card.
Down the right-hand side you have a run of controls, with the power/standby button, volume rocker and dedicated camera button. That's in addition to the external speaker opening, nicely inlaid with metal mesh.
The biggest marker of a mid-range phone is often the hardware specs it arrives with. The Xperia P comes with a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen, with a reasonable resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. This is a higher resolution than some devices at this size, with a sharp 275 pixels per inch.
The result is that text looks nice and refined and there is plenty of depth to the detail in pictures. It also saves the amount of zooming you need to do in things like webpages.
But the display isn't a patch on that of the Xperia S. Yes, it does feature auto brightness in the conventional sense, so adjusts to the ambient light conditions as you'd expect, but the display looks a little warm to us, with a yellow hue. This makes whites look yellow and yellows look green, which is slightly off-putting.
There is plenty of brightness, so despite it being fairly reflective, we found we could still make out everything on the display in bright sunshine.
Sitting under the hood is an Ericsson NovaStor U8500 1GHz dual core processor. This is ably assisted by 1GB RAM and 16GB of internal memory. It might not have the glamour of the latest run of quad core devices, but it isn't lacking in power for everyday operations.
Where you might be disappointed is in the lack of microSD card support. Like many of 2012's devices, the option to expand the memory is gone.
Software and user interface
With hardware that's capable and design that we, personally, find difficult to dislike, there is a lot vested in the user experience. Sony gets off slightly out of step, as this phone launches on Gingerbread, with an update to Ice Cream Sandwich promised for some time in the summer.
Although software version isn't hugely important at this point in Android evolution, it does mean things like Android Beam aren't available using the Xperia P's NFC function (Xperia SmartTags are, however). It also means you don't get recent apps, or the more dynamic swipe-away notifications, among a number of other tweaks.
Sony has put its own skin on the Xperia P, the same as the Xperia S. In many ways it isn't too offensive and does make the phone different. One of the features it's left alone, however, is the launch bar. It's dynamic enough to let you customise, add folders and so on to quickly get to what you want.
As you'd expect, you get a number of customisable home screens that you can fill with widgets, including Sony's take on social network integration in TimeScape, which we've never really liked. The Facebook and Twitter apps work well enough; adding another app to these services doesn't really have a place.
The lock screen doesn't offer shortcuts as many rivals will. It offers a swipe unlock and mute bar, but you don't get the app shortcut unlock action you do elsewhere. There is a shortcut to launch the camera on a long press of the dedicated button, but that's it.
When it comes to core functions, your Google services, everything falls nicely into place and runs smoothly. Unfortunately Sony has tinkered with things like the calendar and the loss of the agenda view is an irritation, as is the overly compact view. Android made calendars simple; Sony seems to have made them complicated again.
The keyboard is reasonable. It is fast enough to respond, but the predictive suggestions aren't all that clever. As we always say, installing something like Swiftkey X makes for a much better overall experience and is easy enough to do.
The browser is pretty standard too, supporting Flash video and offering you up to eight tabs to explore the internet. It lacks some of the Ice Cream Sandwich features, like a selectable desktop mode or the option for an Incognito mode, but runs smoothly enough.
There is a front-facing camera for video calling or self-portraits, but most of the attention will be on the 8-megapixel camera on the rear, with LED flash. We're impressed with what Sony Mobile has done with the camera interface, as combined with the dedicated button you get a pretty good camera experience.
Not only can you use a half-press on the button to focus the camera, but you also get a range of focusing modes. If you'd rather have multipoint focusing you can, which we prefer to use, or you can opt for touch focusing as you'll find on a number of other smartphones.
Arguably everything could be faster, but you like the reassurance of being able to see exactly what is in focus. You also get things like Sweep Panorama, as well as the 3D version, common to Sony products.
There are a number of settings to tinker with, and although you'll get a faster response from the likes of the HTC One S, we like the results we have from the Sony Xperia P.
As a camera phone it suffers where all do, with low light noise and softening, as well as fringing on high contrast scenes. Very bright conditions can be a little washed out, but generally, you'll get nicely balanced, natural, colours from the camera.
Video is offered at Full HD and again garners nice results. Continuous autofocus keeps things sharp as you move the camera around and for the most part focus is changed quickly without too much seeking.
Media and entertainment
As this is Sony, it is no surprise to find that Sony's services have been included with the device. A fair amount comes preinstalled, which you can essentially take or leave, including the Music and Video Unlimited services.
The Connected Devices app had no trouble finding our home media server and within seconds we were streaming video, as the Xperia P, like the Xperia S, seemed exceptionally quick at negotiating the file system to get to our videos. The same app will let you use your phone as a media server so you can share device content a compatible TV, for example.
Video playback looks great on the display, although as we've mentioned, it isn't the best display around and you don't have the wow factor of larger devices. Getting content on to the device is simple enough using the Sony Bridge software, which will offer to convert videos that aren't compatible.
The music player has been skinned and isn't the best around - replacements are easy to find on Google Play - but you do get music controls from the lock screen. Sadly you only get a link from the notifications bar, rather pause or skip options, which are always useful.
Paired with a decent set of headphones (we used the Klipsch Image S4A) the Sony Xperia P sounds fantastic. The external speaker also sounds good, whether used for media or as a speakerphone.
Calling and battery
When it comes to calling, the Xperia P is a comfortable size to hold, although we found the slot design of the ear speaker meant that sometimes we'd have to re-adjust to be able to hear our caller. It also didn't seem to be especially loud, so in busy locations, such as a station or airport, we found we struggled to hear the conversation.
When it comes to the battery, unfortunately the Xperia P doesn't stand out, often one of the advantages of "smaller" phones. The 1305mAh battery doesn't give you much advantage over larger devices and we found that it would typically run out late afternoon. That's not great, especially when you can't change the battery, so you'll have to keep a charger to hand.
Overall the Sony Xperia P is something of a mixed bag. Our experience with the Xperia S tells us that the design will divide opinion. The core hardware means this is a reasonably powerful device and the way it handles everyday tasks is a testament to that, with no complaints in that respect.
But there are some elements that just seem to get in the way. Launching on Gingerbread is a disappointment for Android fans and some of Sony's design choices when it comes to the user interface are a little disappointing. We don't mind manufacturers skinning Android, but when it makes something like the calendar more difficult to view, we have to question what benefit there is for the end user.
Finally the battery life and a screen that doesn't look entirely natural leave us with a device that, despite exhibiting great build quality in that metal body, starts to feel decidedly average.
An update to Android 4 here and the choice application of, erm, apps from Google Play and the Sony Xperia P starts to feel much more appealing. The Sony Xperia P is a phone that performs, but could be better.


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As political strategists and lawmakers on Capitol Hill put the chance of tax reform this year at zero, taxpayers are weighing in with their own opinions on how the nation's current tax code stacks up, and where they'd like to see changes.
In a just-released survey of 1,086 Americans of various backgrounds, WalletHub's 2014 Tax Fairness Survey found that while 80% of respondents rate the current tax cost as either "complex" or "extremely complex," 90% of respondents believe income from investments should be taxed at least as much as wages.
Indeed, the survey noted that more than half (58%) say wages and investment income should be taxed "equally," while 33% say investment income should be taxed more than wages.
WalletHub asked a panel of experts to weigh in on the survey's findings. As to whether investment income should be taxed like wages, Mark Gergen, the Robert and Joann Burch D.P. professor of tax law and policy at UC Berkeley School of Law, agrees that "In principle, perhaps yes." However, he said that "as a practical matter, investment income is very difficult to tax. My own preference is a wage or consumption tax and a wealth tax with a very low rate, such as .5%."
Alexis Anagnostopoulos, assistant professor of economics at Stony Brook University, opined that "the problem" with taxing investment income "is that capital tends to be much more mobile than labor," which means "that high taxes on investment returns could lead to reductions in investment, which is not good for anyone."
Anagnostopoulos argued that "how responsive investment is to tax changes is a subject of controversy, but I think it is fair to say that it is more responsive than labor supply."
While "it does sound like a fair thing to do to tax capital and labor income equally … one has to be careful to tax capital income in ways that do not directly affect the returns to investment."
As to the tax code's complexity, the survey found that 44% of respondents believe the fairest possible tax code would have fewer deductions than today. Gergen, the law professor, added that the solution to remedy the tax code's complexity is to "eliminate the income tax, including the corporate income tax, and substitute a wage tax or consumption tax, a carbon tax, and a wealth tax."
Benjamin Russo of the University of North Carolina Charlotte agreed wholeheartedly with the survey respondents on the complexity of the tax code, suggesting to make the tax code simpler, "eliminate tax expenditures, such as: special tax treatment of favored industries and groups, the mortgage interest deduction, charitable contributions, moving and medical expenses, child tax credits, Social Security income, etc."
The survey also found that while less than one-quarter (24%) of respondents support a flat income tax, more than three-quarters preferred one of the more progressive options.
The survey noted that men are more likely than women to prefer a flat tax (29% versus 20%), with the difference between men and women in a multivariate model: net of age, education, income, race and region, men have 50% higher odds than women of preferring a flat tax option (relative to the other options).
Other highlights of the survey findings were:
- Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) believe corporations should face higher tax rates than consumers.
- Americans view taxes on wages and gasoline as least fair and taxes on alcohol and tobacco as fairest.
- Americans view tax fairness (61%) and tax equality (21%) as more important than whatever is best for the economy (18%).
Related on ThinkAdvisor:


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With a remake of Conan the Barbarian coming out this Friday, it's time to contemplate the awesomeness of sword and sandal movies. You know - movies set in the mythical days of antiquity, when everybody carried swords, wore sandals (or leather boots), and opened their mouths really wide while fighting.
Nothing says "sword and sandal" like crazy leather outfits and chest-baring. Especially when you throw some barbarians into the mix. Here are some of the most memorable barbarian looks created by Hollywood.
Let's start with a late twentieth century classic: Conan the Barbarian, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in a mankini, tooth necklace, and a lot of oil. This is probably the most classic sword and sandal barbarian outfit, though as you'll see there are several variations that involve chest straps.
In the new Conan the Barbarian movie, coming out this Friday, Jason Momoa shows us a tamer version of the barbarian outfit. The mankini has been replaced with a modest, long skirt. At least he has several extraneous leather belts and a tooth necklace to keep things edgy.
In Spartacus, playing the eponymous hero, Kirk Douglas shows some loincloth and the ever-popular cross-chest strap. He's also got the bonus armored arm, perhaps to make up for the fact that all his other soft parts are naked to the air.
In the new Conan flick, Jason Momoa tries out the armored arm look too, though doesn't quite pull it off due to his long skirt covering up the ever-important loincloth.
Hercules Unchained is one of the most iconic sword and sandal movies, and here you can see Hercules posing in an off-the-shoulder number. Muscle-bound hero Steve Reeves teaches us that if you can't wear chest straps or go mostly naked, at least have the decency to bare some chest and one nipple.
Now we're talking. In 300, there are so many mostly-naked fighters that you forget that they are civilized Spartans and start getting that barbarian feeling. You've got to love a movie where everybody wears swords and leather underwear. I know I do.
You don't have to wear a skirt to be a barbarian. Check out the pants on Jamie Bell, who is giving us his best pube cleavage smolder. He's the barbarian pal to a centurion traveling through the wilds of Scotland during the Roman occupation in The Eagle.
And then there are the barbarian fashions you can never unsee. Here, the future barbarian Sean Connery wears thigh-high leather boots and a hot red loincloth with red chest straps. It must be Zardoz!
Somehow Charlton Heston manages to keep his nipples covered in sword and sandal classic Ben Hur. Love those fetishistically buckled gloves and whip, though.
He's not a barbarian exactly, but Russell Crowe is striking the perfect sword and sandal pose in this picture. Like Spartacus, above, he's not showing nip. And he's got a modest leather skirt, with a cute cotton slip underneath. Still, he manages to work some straps in there and keep his mouth in the right shape for a sword and sandal epic. In comics, this facial expression would be called "blowjob face." In Gladiator, we call it . . . um . . .
And we call this . . . Sparta!
In Centurion, a Roman soldier is being chased by a vengeful barbarian who manages to look deadly without baring any chest at all, and without making the blowjob face. Olga Kurylenko's outfit here is the rare exception to the barbarian chest rule, perhaps because she lives in the freezing forests of England. Or maybe because the barbarian genre is all about male nipples, not female.
In Disney's forthcoming swashbuckler John Carter, our titular hero (Taylor Kitsch) is transported to Barsoom (AKA Mars). He quickly adopts the local barbarian fashion with — you guessed it — straps on his chest! Apparently chest strap fashion is popular all over our solar system.


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Nuclear Power
CASEnergy's Whitman says Yucca issues should not halt discussion about benefits
As Congress continues to debate the issue of nuclear repositories, nuclear energy activists are touting this technology as a viable source of clean energy. During today's OnPoint, Christie Todd Whitman, co-chair of Clean And Safe Energy (CASEnergy) explains why she thinks it is important to begin talking to Americans about nuclear energy. She also discusses the licensing issues facing nuclear facilities and talks about nuclear technology as a way to solve the global warming issue.


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Homeland? 2014 | 2013/2014
Roderick George
Roderick George, dancer from the USA, joined The Göteborg Ballet in 2012. He has previously worked with Ballett Basel and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. Roderick George has worked with choreographers such as Jacopo Godani, Emily Molnar, Johan Inger, Jirí Kylián, Nacho Duato and Ohad Naharin. He is also involved in numerous educational project for children, and has choreographed various works in Ballett Basel Dance Lab.


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We have made use of vbsendmail (recent version, I checked that a minute ago) for years in a commercial ms access / ms sql server / vba project. No technical problem so far.
Problems occur now with a client whose telecom provider is the German Telekom AG, T-Com. Somewhere on the way the mail headers are manipulated in the wrong way and some are interpreted as body text, among them the MIME declaration headers. Thus the base64 encoded sections are not decoded but become part of the body text as well.
I sent some test e-mails to me with vbsendmail via our company's mail server and via my private provider, analyzed the headers, and found that headers are well-formed and the receiving e-mail program successfully decodes the base64 sections and interprets them to be binary. So I should think it's a problem of the t-com servers: fwd02.webpage.t-com.de and mailout04.t-online.de as to the Received headers of the corrupted mail.
But, if the client sends his test e-mail to me via his Outlook-Exchange-system everything works nice. The Received headers show that Exchange passes outgoing e-mails to the same t-com servers as vbsendmail does directly: The Received headers of the non-corrupt mail report fwd01.webpage.t-com.de and again mailout04.t-online.de as stations on the mail's route to me.
I don't know what to conclude from these contradictory findings, any hints?
What's wrong with the collaboration of vbsendmail and that specific server?
Thanks in advance


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Investor Relations
SMART Overview
SMART Global Holdings, Inc. ("SMART" or "SGH") is a global leader in specialty memory, storage and hybrid solutions serving the electronics industry for over 25 years. SMART delivers components, modules and solutions to a broad OEM customer base, in computing, networking, communications, storage, mobile and industrial markets. With the addition of Penguin Computing and the creation of a new business unit, SMART Specialty Compute & Storage Solutions (SCSS), SMART has expanded its serviceable markets into areas requiring specialized computing platforms in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), advanced modeling and high performance computing serving a broad base of enterprise and government customers. Customers rely on SMART as a strategic supplier offering extensive customer specific design capabilities and quality products with value added testing services, technical support, a global footprint and the ability to provide locally manufactured memory products in multiple geographies. SMART's global, diversified customer base of over 250 customers includes some of the most well-recognized names in the technology industry.
Its strategic presence in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America enables SMART to provide customized, integrated supply chain services assisting OEM customers in the management and execution of their procurement processes and asset management on a worldwide basis.
In Brazil, SMART has established itself as a market leader as the largest in-country manufacturer of mobile memory products for smartphones, and the largest in-country manufacturer of memory components and modules for desktops, notebooks and servers.
Close collaboration with customers while providing custom designs, extended life cycle solutions and proprietary supply chain services, creates significant customer engagements and loyalty.


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For over 20 years Munchkin has worked to transform mundane products into clever solutions for everyday parenting problems. Solutions which have taken the humble baby bath duck and transformed it into a clever bath ducky that warns if the bath water is too hot. Or, their new cups that click to lock - because sometimes things in life just CLICK! Munchkin knows its the little things in a parents life that often make the biggest difference.
Categories Featuring Munchkin Products
The Concept Behind MunchkinIn January 2010, safety company Lindam joined with Munchkin Inc. the Californian based designer and manufacturer of innovative infant and toddler products. The amalgamation creates a global baby and infant specialist supplier with a comprehensive product portfolio. Munchkin's portfolio of industry leading products across infant categories includes bath, care, travel and feeding.


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In his first appearance for the Costa Rican national team, Crew forward Olman Vargas scored in the 49th minute to bring La Sele even with Honduras. The friendly ended in a 1-1 draw from San Jose. Check out the highlights below. Vargas' goal comes at the 1:30 mark:
Vargas is set to return to Columbus on Thursday.


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DEAR AMY: My first husband was abusive to me during our marriage, to the point that even after he was escorted from our home by the police and given a restraining order, he continued to stalk and threaten me.
I remarried a wonderful man who adopted and raised my children.
My (now-adult) children recently reconciled with their biological father. They say that unless he is drinking, he is OK. They admit he is an alcoholic but claim he "only gets drunk a few times a year."
I have not seen him in 20 years and am still afraid of him.
They want to invite him to their family events, stating that they can keep us on opposite sides of the room.
I still have nightmares about him and would prefer to absent myself from these occasions rather than risk a confrontation with him.
Am I wrong? — Fearful
DEAR FEARFUL: Given the circumstances, nothing you choose to do is "wrong." It is not only logical, but an important, potentially lifesaving human response to stay away from an individual who is dangerous to you.
There is an argument to be made that you may reclaim your power in some way by confronting this fear, but this choice is not for anyone but you to make. The opposite side of this argument is that you are plenty powerful by choosing to stay away from someone who has abused and stalked you. I give you credit for reclaiming and rebuilding your life.
Your kids are in no position to gauge this man's behaviour or the effect of his alcohol use. The idea that you would somehow be safe if he is kept on the other side of the room is bunk. It simply discounts the very rational fear response toward danger.
Your children have every right to have a relationship with their father, but you have a right to keep your distance.
Let them know that you expect them to notify you if their father will be present at a family event.
DEAR AMY: I hope you can help regarding a recent altercation I had with another woman. Recently my husband and I decided to take our two young boys (ages four and five) to our local museum.
When we arrived, my husband dropped the three of us off at the entrance of the building while he parked the car.
Once inside, my boys needed to use the restroom, so I took them to the women's room with me. Afterward, we began to exit past a long line of women. One of them, a lady perhaps in her 70s, made a loud comment regarding how inappropriate it was to have boys in the ladies' room. My temper immediately flared, and I countered by telling her that you don't send a four- and a five-year-old into a men's public bathroom by themselves in such a busy place.
As a mother, I am not comfortable with the idea of such young boys using urinals alongside strange men without a parent present, nor am I comfortable leaving them unattended outside the ladies' room when I need to use it.
When there are family restrooms available, we always use them, but many places don't offer this convenience.
Was I wrong? I can't possibly put my children in what I consider to be a potentially risky situation at their ages, but should I have been more tolerant of this woman's feelings? — A Frustrated Parent
DEAR FRUSTRATED: You educated this older woman about appropriate and safe behaviour regarding your children. You only need to forgive her for being intolerant and rude toward you. Waiting in a long line for the women's room has a way of making women grouchy.
DEAR AMY: "Quilter in a Quagmire" reported that she gave her son and daughter-in-law a beautiful quilt, and they responded by telling her she needed to "run all future gifts past them."
I could not believe your response! This thoughtful woman deserved to be thanked! — Disappointed Reader
DEAR DISAPPOINTED: I completely agree. I echoed this grandmother's disappointment but did not chastise the younger couple, and many readers thought I should have. Thank you all.
tap here to see other videos from our team.


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|Precision Economy Incubators 3EM
|Precision Medical, Inc.
|Precision Economy Incubators 3EM
|Broad temperature range, excellent temperature control. Small footprint, large capacity. Simple to maintain. UL listed.
|Precision Economy Incubators available in five different models. Choose mechanical or gravity convection; capacities of 1.4 cu. Ft. (39 liters), 2.5 cu. Ft. (71.5 liters), or 4.5 cu. ft. (129 liters. Equally important, Precision Economy Incubators combine a wide temperature range with excellent temperature sensitivity, stability, and uniformity. As a result, you will find them ideal for a broad range of applications. It is also designed to help you conserve precious bench space, packing up to 11.5 sq. ft. (1.0 sq. m.). Plus they come equipped with a standard cord so you can have them up and operating in your lab in just minutes.
| Precision Medical, Inc.
Customer Service: (800) 272-7285
Web site: http://www.precisionmedical.com


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Reptile Gold (small)
Reptile Gold (small)
This serving tray is hand painted wood featuring a designer print protected under a thick layer of hand poured epoxy resin. They are highly decorative and functional for food or drinks and perfect to display on ottomans or shelving units.
Size: 12 x 7 x 1″


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Buka Puasa Nostalgia
>> Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lately, I've been having episodes of "buka puasa nostalgia". I really wished that I was back in my uni days, where my friends & I will take a 20-30minutes walk out of our hostel area to the nearest pasar malam (night market) at the main road. Sounds crazy, eh? That was at least 4-5 years ago! I was much younger, fitter, & surely more adventurous as well :D
Ah...the memories of my younger days....*I'm talking as if I'm SO old....hahahaha*
Back then, we 'graduated' from walking out to the pasar malam to driving there, which only took us 5 minutes! Hahahaha....yes, we walked really slow just to not tire ourselves too much & to also enjoy the chit-chats :)
I miss the East Coast Malay food *drools as I reminisce* ... nasi dagang...nasi kerabu...ayam percik...keropok lekor....all the kuih-muih...murtabak...omg, someone swoosh me back to the East Coast now!
To satisfy my raging "I-want-my-dose-of-East-Coast-like-food" hormones, I made a decision last Saturday to visit the 'buka puasa' stalls near Sungai Way, PJ (around SS8 area) for some nasi kerabu & ayam percik! *woots!* That's all I asked...I didn't need anything more :D I made my mum come along with me to hunt for my cravings (she had no idea what were the 2 food items that I wanted to eat) & she ended up buying the roti kebab for herself...something that she's more familiar with, I know :)
Ah...in the end, I was 45% satisfied...yeah, a 'lil below average cos of the not-so-nice ayam percik. I want the Kuantan version!!!
Nasi Kerabu (RM2.00/packet) & Ayam Percik (RM5.00 for 3 drumsticks)
The nasi kerabu was not too bad. The helping was quite generous for RM2. Unfortunately, the keropok ikan (fish cracker) was soft already =.=" The mixture of raw vegetables, fried coconut shavings, & special spicy chilli sauce with dyed-blue (from a blue colored flower) rice makes the dish very appetizing. It's a little different from the ones I had in Kuantan - they have black pepper corns in the rice - fuh! Power! To accompany the rice was the barbecued chicken drumstick! I bought it from a separate stall & found it rather expensive :S but I really wanted to eat it! The chicken was kinda burnt & tough in texture....The sauce was different from the ones I had in the East Coast, which was waaaaayyy tastier, but oh well, just to satisfy my mad cravings for some Malay food, it all went well to paint a smile on my face :)
Pieces of chicken kebab (a type of barbecued chicken) stuffed into a "fire-toasted" hotdog bun & drenched with mayonnaise, chilli sauce, & chopped onions. Erm...I didn't find this very yummy & it's over-priced as well!! It's even more expensive compared to my nasi kerabu =.="
Are you pining for some "only sold during Ramadan" food? Almost every area in Malaysia will have such stalls during this Ramadan month...what are you waiting for?? "Setahun, hanya sekali!" :D
- Ruth


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Combine the sleek stylish form of the Maya Single Chair, a 32-inch television angled for maximum lounging relaxation, a pair of 60W speakers and a sub and you have a setup that most people couldn't possibly afford. If you are most people, you will be spared the horrors of sticker shock given that little information exists on the Maya, and it appears to be a concept at this point. [StudioAV via T3]
More from Gizmodo
If you squint your eyes, it looks like a fancy wooden mobile for a crib.


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Braunschweig, Germany (October 24, 2012) -- Sandberg has announced their latest model, the Electra TT4. Built from selected components made by manufacturers all over the world, the Electra is designed, developed, and assembled at Sandberg in Braunschweig, Germany.
Neck: 6-bolt Canadian hard rock maple
Fretboard: 22 frets
Scale: 864 mm / 34"
Body Wood: Basswood
Finish: Tobacco sunburst matte finish
Hardware: Chrome hardware, Sandberg bridge
Pickups: Sandberg-designed single-coil pickups (AlniCo5 magnetics)
Preamp: Sandberg-designed, 2-band, active/passive (Tandem-Pot for Treble/Bass)
For more information:
Sandberg Guitars


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What is the CranioCradle?
The CranioCradle is a versatile, easy to use massage tool that provides quick, effective relief of stress, tension and pain in the body. This is a great home therapy tool as well as an extra set of hands during a massage therapy session.
What is the CranioCradle made of?
The CranioCradle is made of integral skin polyurethane foam. This soft, compressible foam is similar to memory foam with a protective coating and is 100% recyclable.
How do I clean the CranioCradle?
You can clean the CranioCradle with warm water and liquid soap or with a household sanitizer.
Can I heat or freeze the CranioCradle?
You should not heat or freeze the CranioCradle as it may damage the foam.
Should I use the CranioCradle on a hard or soft surface?
The CranioCradle is best used on a soft surface such as a bed, sofa or massage table for most applications. For trigger point release, it is best to use the CranioCradle on a hard surface such as the floor to provide more pressure.
How long do I use the CranioCradle?
The amount of time you should use the CranioCradle varies, but generally 5-10 therapeutic minutes is all you'll need.
Will the CranioCradle be damaged when it compresses during use?
The compression of the CranioCradle during use will not cause damage to the tool. The design of the CranioCradle allows it to compress during use and then return to its original shape within seconds after use.
How do I use the CranioCradle?
The CranioCradle can be used under the back of the head, neck and body at specific locations. The CranioCradle can also be used for trigger point release. Instructional videos are available on the CranioCradle Product Page.


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Find multiple Commercial Drivers in Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi
Helpers Near Me makes it easy for you to find a Commercial Driver for your business – 5 Easy Steps & 5 Minutes max.
If you have a business with a fleet of commercial vehicles operating around Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi and nearby areas, having multiple Commercial Driver on board becomes a necessity.
So, how do you find a Commercial Driver? How do you find a Commercial Driver who works for you permanently? And one who is ethical & honest on whom you could rely for your business.
There aren't many options available for you when you need a Commercial Driver in Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi or nearby areas in the city.
Your first thought is asking your current Commercial Driver if he knows someone in his social circle. More often this works, but this takes a long time till someone finally joins you. While the positive part of this approach is that you get the new Commercial Driver through the recommendation of a known person, however, the drawbacks are also many. Like:
- If one leaves for some reason, the other one also tends to leave
- If one has any grudge or complaint, the other one gets influenced
- If one has salary issues, the other one also tends to have a similar issue
But the biggest drawback in such recommendations is that there's a high reliance on individual's endorsement of how the new person is. And such a kind of reliance at times puts the business at risk.
Your second approach of finding a Commercial Driver is through an Agent if at all ones agrees to help you with. But, this option always costs a lot of money upfront.
So, what do you do? How do you find a trustworthy Commercial Driver who could work with you permanently and responsibly?
Meet Helpers Near Me.
It solves the problem of finding a Commercial Driver in the easiest possible way.
Helpers Near Me lets you find a Commercial Driver in just 5 minutes. Even the charges are nominal - starting at just Rs.500/-.
Furthermore, it helps you find multiple Commercial Drivers, not only one. Having this kind of choice ensures that you get the Commercial Driver who is well experienced, understands the roads well, and also fits into your budget.
Here are 8 compelling reasons why you should try Helpers Near Me when you need to find a Commercial Driver in Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi:
- It is quick & convenient - At Helpers Near Me, you can find Commercial Drivers at your convenience. It is Easier, Simpler & Better. 5 minutes and just a click of a few buttons, that's all it takes to find a Driver on Helpers Near Me.
- Commercial Driver on Call - At Helpers Near Me, you get to find a Commercial Driver on call. You don't need to go anywhere or call anyone or leave your requirement somewhere. Within 5 minutes of your transaction, you could find multiple Commercial Drivers who are available on your mobile. You get to call them directly.
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- Commercial Drivers from your vicinity - Helpers Near Me is designed in such a way that it allows you to find Commercial Drivers in the vicinity of your house.
- Offers choices of Commercial Drivers, even though you need just one - Helpers Near Me connects you with multiple Commercial Drivers in every order, and not only one of them. It offers choices so that you get to choose the best one among all the available options from around.
- Find Commercial Drivers from a massive pool of database - Helpers Near Me has hundreds of Commercial Drivers registered on its platform. So, when you make an order, you get the best of the choices available on the platform.
- Nominal Charges only - You get to find multiple Commercial Drivers at a starting fee of Rs.500/- only. And once you hire your Commercial Driver from the available options, you don't need to pay anything further. About Rs.500/- is all it takes.
- No Agents or Contractors in between - At Helpers Near Me, you get to contact all the Commercial Drivers directly. There are no middle-men in between. This option saves all the additional commissions that you would have to pay otherwise if you approach an agent for this. This process also ensures that the Commercial Driver gets a full portion of his salary and there's no middle-men eating into their pay every month.
Now, imagine this kind of convenience and being able to find a Commercial Driver in Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi in just 5 minutes. This sort of convenience suddenly solves all the trouble you had to go through earlier.
So, next time when you need to find a Commercial Driver in Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi, just try Helpers Near Me. By far, it is the easiest way you can find a Commercial Driver near you.
Try Helpers Near Me before anything else. It is Easier, Simpler & Better!


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Seattle, WA (March 21, 2013) -- VFE Pedals has launched a Kickstarter for the second version of its popular Enterprise phaser pedal. The new version boasts extended range of the speed & depth controls, an added mode, more headroom, and is voiced for a smoother, more natural sweep through the entire audio range.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
VFE Pedals


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Can any lawmaker around here fill out his full term? Or maybe it's just those elected to the General Assembly.
Over the last three years local legislators Brad Burzynski, R-Rochelle, Dave Winters, R-Shirland, and Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, resigned before their terms were up. State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, was the latest to join the quitters club when he stepped down Tuesday. Perhaps he didn't want Republicans to have all the fun.
This is not a trend reserved for the Rockford region. Lawmakers across the state quit early so their replacements can wear the mantle of incumbent for the next election. The theory is that an incumbent — even a short-timer — has an advantage over any challenger. Given that incumbents win 97 percent of the time in Illinois, it's a good strategy to keep a seat in the hands of your party.
However, the way Illinois' districts are gerrymandered, it's an unneeded strategy.
Yet, legislators leave their jobs early for vague and/or unspecified reasons. Consider:
— In 2011 state Sen. Burzynski gave no particular reason for his retirement except "it's time, and I want to move on to other things in my life." He had been re-elected a year earlier, but quit so Christine Johnson could have his job.
Johnson lost her bid for a full term in the 2012 Republican primary, a victim of redistricting. She and Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, were put in the same district. That year a third of the Republicans in the Senate were either drawn out of their districts or put into a district with a fellow Republican.
— In 2012 state Rep. Winters resigned because he said he was tired of dealing with all the political games associated with pension reform. He denied it was a GOP plot to help elect John Cabello, who was appointed to replace Winters. Cabello, R-Machesney Park, beat Carl Wasco, a former Rockford alderman, in the general election.
— In 2013 state Rep. Sacia resigned and hinted that he might run for a statewide office. He didn't. Brian Stewart was appointed to replace him.
— Jefferson didn't give a specific reason for his resignation at a news conference Thursday. Litesa Wallace, his chief of staff, is likely to replace him as 67th district representative. There's no GOP candidate for the November election and it's too late for Republicans to slate someone to run against Wallace.
No matter whether you think these departures were legitimate or not, it's disturbing when so many of our local lawmakers don't fulfill the commitment they made to voters. They were elected to serve for a period of time and barring illness, a family tragedy or election to a higher office, they should fulfill that commitment.
The situation of our local General Assembly members makes us appreciate Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers more. It had been the practice of county sheriffs to quit early so their successors would have an easier time getting elected, but Meyers has vowed to fill his full term.
"I'll still be sitting at this desk until the last minute of the last hour of the last day of this term, and when it's midnight I'll give the keys to somebody else," he has said.
That means for the first time since 1974, there will be no incumbent on the ballot for Winnebago County sheriff.
Trust in government is abysmal — especially in Illinois which is considered the least trusted government in the nation. If we can't trust lawmakers to serve two or four years, what can we trust them to do?


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SOMERSET — Jean Dias had one thing on her mind when she showed up at the local police headquarters Saturday to meet US Representative Joseph P. Kennedy — whether the freshman legislator will support or oppose military action in Syria.
"I want you to vote no," said Dias, urging the congressman take care of problems at home, like unemployment and the languishing economy. "Do I have a solution? That's why we voted for you and Barack Obama."
Only nine months into his term, Kennedy is facing tough issues and having to learn the ways of Washington quickly. He is moving around his district — in what he calls the Tour 34, referring to the number of communities he serves — in an effort to hear voters' concerns and talk about the things that bother people here, not necessarily big policy issues that dominate Washington debate.
But Saturday, several voters were focusing on the major policy question of the day — whether to launch air strikes in Syria. Most who questioned Kennedy were opposed, especially to any proposal that could drag US soldiers into a protracted civil war.
"My personal feeling is we should not use bombs because we wouldn't get [President Bashar] Assad, we'd be causing collateral damage," said Peter Denison. "Random bombing would accomplish nothing. I think the negatives way outweigh the positive."
Kennedy, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he has not made up his mind, but would not support anything that was "open-ended" or allowed for the use of US ground troops.
"I have very strong concerns about any possibility of putting American troops into a civil war," he said. "Injecting US troops into that — I'm not sure it is productive. I would have a hard time supporting anything that would allow for the possibility of putting US troops in harm's way."
One voter asked whether he would vote "present," a reference to freshman US Senator Edward Markey's vote on the Senate authorization measure. Markey, a liberal who was sworn into office in July after winning a special election, voted "present" in a committee on a resolution giving President Obama limited authority to use force against Syria.
Kennedy laughed, but later said he will vote on any measure that comes before him.
He said that although Obama has yet to forge an international consensus behind military action, he was making progress persuading some allies to blame Syria for a chemical weapons attack and endorsing some, as yet unspecified, action.
Some of those who showed up to meet Kennedy at noon in Somerset on Saturday and earlier that morning in Swansea had more personal matters on their mind — like how to get a visa, or flood insurance, or how to get into a military academy.
One voter wanted to gripe about the "dysfunction" in Washington and the apparent power of the politicians on the far left and the far right.
Kennedy, 32, listened patiently to people's concerns and let them know he believes most members of Congress are decent people who vote their conscience. "The media portrays Washington as a place where there is a knock-down bloody brawl every day — that's not accurate," he said.
Others wanted to shake hands with the newest politician member of the Kennedy clan or pose for photos. Or reminisce about other family members, like matriarch Rose.
"Can I adopt you?" said Carmen Plante, who also asked him to autograph a few books.
Andrea Estes can be reached at email@example.com.


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She's tackled urban fantasy with the October Daye novels and zombies with the Newsflesh books, and cryptozoologists with the Incryptid books. And now Seanan McGuire, aka Mira Grant, is moving into the medical thriller genre. The good news is, it sounds like she's got a really fresh spin on the "medical science gone wrong" idea.
Top image: HeavensAbove/Flickr.
Here's how Publishers Marketplace describes the two books she just sold to Orbit Books, which will probably be out in a year's time:
Seanan McGuire writing as Mira Grant's PARASITOLOGY and SYMBIOGENESIS, a duology of science fiction medical thrillers pitched in the tradition of Frankenstein and Jurassic Park, in which parasites intended to bolster human immune systems rebel against their hosts
She also sold three novellas set in the Newsflesh universe. [Publishers Marketplace, subscription required]


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Welcome to another edition of Arcane Brilliance, the weekly Mage column where you can find all the latest issues that are important to those of us who can alter the molecular structure of our enemies, conjure great missiles of entwined flame and ice, and create delicious pastries from the very air around us, but can't seem to negotiate the mysteries of wearing anything more substantial than a fancy bathrobe into battle. Mages: masters of the arcane, failures at dressing.
Let me begin with a few nice things. These are things I like--things that do not, in principle, infuriate me. We'll get to things that do a bit later. I'll hide them after the jump, I suppose, so as not to annoy those of you who cannot stand to see even the most minor of complaints from any class but your own. For now, we'll be positive and cheery, and illustrate that--as it ever has been and ever will be--there are aspects of this game that I love, and aspects that I simultaneously do not. Such is life on the class-balance carousel. As a Mage with a pulpit from which to preach, I will never cease to celebrate the changes I agree with, and decry those which I consider to be affronts to Magekind.
Preamble aside, let me tell you what I love right now: our mana gems no longer share a cooldown with Warlock healthstones. Yes, though it wasn't in the patch notes, this seems to be an undocumented change that has made it live, and one that Mages have been lobbying in favor of for a very, very long time. For far too long, we've been largely unable to take advantage of the one good thing Warlocks have to offer, for fear that we'd use one and then not be able to pop our own mana returning item when the need arose. No more! Dying? Need a few thousand health in a hurry and can't wait for the healer to notice you're on death's doorstep? Ice Block on cooldown? Use that healthstone with impunity, my fellow Mages!
More good stuff after the break. Also bad stuff. If you dine on Mage tears, feel free to wring the second half of this column for whatever sustenance it might provide.


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Our Guests have some great things to say about Mt Gainor Inn. Here is a short selection from our archives:
Guest Quotes
"When is the last time you hugged your hotel owner?" – Laura and David Shankle
"After 20 years of visiting and lodging in Wimberley, we've found "our little bit of heaven" at the Mt. Gainor Inn." – Grandy and Cara Brooks
"Having the entire Inn for our family was a real treat for all of us. Giving us all the privacy we wanted. It was a terrific place for us to celebrate our 45th anniversary, our children's anniversary, birthdays and Father's Day together." – Prissilla and Larry Ogg
"Things we enjoyed: God's massive expansive sky of sunlight and cloudless cool day, clear start filled night, warm dear souls of Laurie and Jerry, purring kitty on our lap, hawks, cows peering over the fence, roadside flowers, excellent peddle up and down hills along Onion Creek, wonderful food, tasty wine and sharing our love for each other after 20 years." – Make and Mary, Arlington, Texas
"The storms rolled in across the Texas Hill Country providing an enchanting evening of soft rain and lightning … perfect for a romantic stay at the Mt. Gainor Inn. We loved the antique doors, the morning sun as it peeks through the windows, the resident kitty cat, the smell of the crisp Hill Country air and the buzzing hummingbirds on the front porch. We will always cherish the memories of this special place as we shared our first weekend away together." – Jeff and Cheryl, Fortworth, Texas
"From the time we called to reserve the room to the time we left, you have been the most hospitable we could ever imagine. We enjoyed ourselves so much. The hot tub, the décor, the peace and quiet." – Pam and Grant Jacobs
"As a native San Antonian, I believe San Antonio to be the best Texas city, but to really experience the flavor of Texas, this is the place to be. The view is spectacular and the sunset is magnificent! We watched the full moon rise from the spa – glorious! – in a star filled and cloudless night. On the other side of the fence, is one of the largest spreading oaks I have ever seen." – Hal and Cheryl Carson, San Antonio, Texas
"The house, views, walking trail to the hidden bench in the oak grove, wine and cheese happy hour were great. It seems it is your vision, energy and spirit that transforms a remodeled farmhouse into the wonderful place and experience that is the Mt. Gainor Inn." – Lloyd and Carolyn Barnard, Saginaw, Texas
"Your place is absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed the spa, the awsome food and the peace and quite your place provided. We will efinately pass along a good word. Thanks for considering all of our comforts and for taking time to visit with us; thats the difference between a hotel and an experience here at your place" – Karissa and Justin, Abilene, Texas
Print Articles
Pam La Blanc, Austin American Statesman
Sharry Buckner, Hill Country Magazine


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Holding Over 20 Years of Experience XingCheng Modern Golden Age Swimsuit Co., Ltd was established in 1996.Our factory stands in LiaoNing with an area of 5,600 square meters and nearly 280 workers.Our factory has been specializing in manufacturing, designing and selling swimwear, bikinis, beachwear and swimsuits yoge wear fitness wear dancing-wear strict QC system for more than 20 years. We have an excellent R&D team who are dedicated to quality and technical research. В Get Benefited from our Advantages Our facilities have 10 production lines with output of 200,000 pieces monthly. We mainly export to Europe and the US. Our customers are Walmart, Carrefour and more for overseas market. Additionally, our annual sales value is $3 million export sales. We always get good comments from customers due to the best service, good quality and timely delivery. Having Advanced Equipment and R&D Support Computer-controlled lockstitch machines, automatic spreaders, CAD software, paper pattern makers and designers with at least five years of experience are involved in our daily ODM operation. In fact, more than 20 new items are released every month to keep your selection updated. OEM/ODM Capability Being in the line of swimwear for more than 20 years, and also offering other sportswear like running wear, yoga wear, fitness wear dancing wear and more others, we have been authorized to be the supplier of such famous brands as Target, Carrefour, Women' Secret, Kmart, Hema, Best Seller, Zara, Sears', cotton On and more. OEM orders from all clients are welcome. Cooperate with Us Today Besides, we have received BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certificate. We are used to flexible order and short delivery due to long-time experience in production and sales for products. We can accept different special package and shipping requirement. We welcome more and more advanced company to cooperate with us. We will supply comparative-priced products and best service together. Contact us today to begin sourcing.Read More
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