text:
Oh... Buddy!!!!
Today is the third day of my new job. YES! You heard that right!!! My NEW JOB!!!! I got my new job at Bury Financial. I started on Monday where I worked a half day. This is the position I spoke about previously in my last blog or so.
I was so excited when Todd called to tell me that I got the job. Too bad when he called he totally had me fooled into thinking that I was not chosen. His tone of choice was all down and bummed out sounding, as though he was going to give me bad news. Did he have me fooled!!! I started to jump up and down the second he told me that the decision was unanimous and that I was wanted to join their team!
That weekend I went out and purchased some new clothes. I purchased some new items to wear to work. Oh, how I love to shop, especially for the type of attire needed for work!
Well, I started my job on Monday! It was the best half day I ever had! Then I just couldn't wait until Wednesday to go back to work. Crazy I know it!!!! Then I went back yesterday, and again it was a fabulous day.
There are NOT many jobs or companies out there to work for, like the one I was EXTREMELY lucky to have become a part of. I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work there and with such wonderful people. I plan to continue to prove myself worthy of such a chance to be a part of this team! I also, actually, FINALLY look forward to going to work!
WOOHOO!!!!! Like I said.... My 30's will be FABULOUS!!!!! So far so good!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Multiple Teams · Utah Track and Field Records – Presented by VNN
As the Spring Season hits full swing, state records start falling. How do you match up against the best of the best? Here's the full list of Utah's State Track and Field State Records, courtesy of the UHSAA: UHSAA Boys Track and Field Record Book UHSAA Girls Track and Field Record Book Sponsored by


text:
If someone you know would be daunted by an instruction to "just use Handbrake", Elgato's new Turbo.264 HD software makes it dead easy to convert video files from camcorders and computers for playback on iPads and iPhones and the rest..
Sure you probably know how to get that video you just shot all nice and ready for your iPad, but it's not like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Elgato's Turbo.264 HD can snap up any video, from a computer or your camcorder, convert it to iFriendly H.264 and automatically import it into iTunes for your next sync.
There are also presets for PSPs, Apple TV and YouTube, and the software's available from ">Elgato for $US50, and a separate, hardware accelerated USB peripheral is available as well. There's a free trial version if you want to give it a go first. [Elgato]


text:
Kids With Autism May Perceive Movement More Quickly
Researchers say this might lead to sensory overload
TUESDAY, May 14, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Children with autism see simple movement much more quickly than other children, a small new study finds.
This extreme sensitivity to motion may explain why some people with the developmental disorder are highly sensitive to noise and bright lights, and it may be linked to some of the complex social and behavioral problems associated with autism, the researchers said.
"We think of autism as a social disorder because children with this condition often struggle with social interactions, but what we sometimes neglect is that almost everything we know about the world comes from our senses," study co-lead author Duje Tadin, an assistant professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, in New York, said in a university news release. "Abnormalities in how a person sees or hears can have a profound effect on social communication."
The study included 20 children with autism and 26 typically developing children, aged 8 to 17. All were shown video clips of moving black and white bars in order to assess how quickly they perceived motion. Overall, the children with autism detected movement twice as fast as the other children. The detection speed of the worst-performing child with autism was about equal to the average of the children without autism.
Previous research has shown that people with autism have enhanced visual abilities with still images, but this is the first study to show that they also have a heightened perception of motion, the researchers said.
The study was published May 8 in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Study co-lead author Jennifer Foss-Feig is a postdoctoral fellow at the Child Study Center at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. She said in the news release: "This dramatically enhanced ability to perceive motion is a hint that the brains of individuals with autism keep responding more and more as intensity increases.
"Although this could be considered advantageous, in most circumstances if the neural response doesn't stop at the right level it could lead to sensory overload," she said.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about autism.


text:
Now that my schedule has eased up enough to let me jump into the comment trail dialogue again, I'm even more convinced.
Here's a collection of some of my favorite snippets from this week's posts…
The suckhole that soaked my pants & exposed my weakness
There were plenty of funny comments in response to my post about losing my glasses in a giant suckhole, but the most helpful was this comment from Lindsay:
Holy crap! How have I never known about this website that allows me to buy unlimited glasses for as low as $6.95 a pair (plus $4.95 shipping for the whole order)? For cheapskates like me who lose or break glasses frequently, this is a godsend. Thank you!
First of all, LOL. Second of all, zennioptical.com. SERIOUSLY. Xo
Then, of course, you can leave it to one of the male readers to focus on the most important line from the original post. Jason wrote:
I'm sorry - I can't get past "potential nutsack frostbite." That is so not cool. Or maybe it is. Yikes.Does the shoe fit you now?
This may be my favorite comment trail from any post I've ever written, and a lot of your insights had me in tears. Here are some of your wonderful comments about what comes after the happily ever after:
Shakespeare wrote:
With your book, the main conflict is resolved, along with several other subplots... all resolved. Readers aren't wondering whether the two main characters will have 82 children and raise them on some tropical island... they want to know how their relationship forms now, and helps resolve the mess they've gotten themselves into.
The "ending" is another book entirely, and is not necessarily a romance novel, since it would be dealing with a whole other set of dramas (or perhaps their life is just blissfully happy, and thus pretty gooey-sicky-sweet and boring).
Michelle Miller wrote:
We live in cynical times, and many of us have lost faith in 'happily-ever-after', but as my own relationship enters it's 21st year (my husband will tell anyone who listens that our marriage is finally old enough to drink) I have enough experience to say that the 'happy' part of 'ever' doesn't mean that we're blissful every moment. It means that no matter how much he ticks me off during the day, there's still no one I'd rather have in bed with me at night. All relationships end, if nothing else, some day one of us is going to have to bury the other. It is all the stuff that happens in between now and then that matters.Bethany Elizabeth wrote:
Alex and Juli sailing off into the sunset together isn't an end, it's a beginning, and it leaves me wondering what happens next.
I do think about the rest of characters' lives a lot. That's the best part. Falling in love and getting married is a beautiful story, but in my experience, it's the real-life afterwards stories that change you, make you stronger. It doesn't always end happily, and I don't think that literature really pretends it does. A lot of books get criticized for happy endings - 'it never works that way in real life' - but the fact of it is that it does. Then it changes. We fall in love just like in the books. Then the hardships kick in.And as always, we can count on Patrick Alan for a different perspective:
Literature realizes that, immortalizes it, and makes sure we understand that just because something is over, it doesn't mean it was a mistake. It means our next 'mistakes' will be better, bigger, and more worth making.
This is why I prefer Fantasy novels rather than straight romance. In a Fantasy novel, the dude saves the world AND gets the girl. Who cares if she goes crazy in a year or two, he saved the freakin' world!!!!A few hours later, he added this:
What do you want from me? Pick up my socks? My socks are that important and so heavy that you can't pick them up? Are they as important as two years ago when I SAVED THE FREAKIN' WORLD? You picked up my socks then? Why is it a freakin' big deal now? You only like me when I am saving the freakin' world?I got rammed and had an evil thought
Fine! Fine! I'll save it again. I'll go release all those dragons and let them rain down hell and then when you're sure we're all going to die, I'll come kick their asses!
'Cause I am done talking about stupid socks!!!!
Yesterday's post generated some thought-provoking discussion about my experience getting rammed in the McDonald's parking lot. Was it awful that I had a fleeting thought about not admitting my bumper was already damaged? Would it have mattered if the other driver was belligerent instead of kind? Here are some of your thoughts:
Matthew MacNish wrote:
There are no evil thoughts, only evil actions. The mind comes up with all kind of depravities, but no matter what kind of person you are, there's nothing wrong with them unless you act on them.Shannon wrote:
Dude, if I shared all the evil thoughts I have throughout the day, I'd be institutionalized in a red hot minute.Leave it to Patrick Alan to jump all over that:
I'm afraid of Shannon.Me too, Patrick. Me too.
Thank you to everyone who voiced concern about any long-term damage to my car or my person, including Sierra Godfrey who offered excellent advice for anyone in a fender bender:
Tawna, no one else said this but it needs to be said: you may not know if there's further damage to YOU or your car until later, and it's imperative you trade insurance info anyway. I'm glad you did rather than just drive off but it's possible damage will surface later--this happened to me after getting hit by a red light runner and my car looked fine. Except its wheels were knocked off the shafts (giggle) and I had to be towed after driving a half block. Never would have known that initially. Glad you're ok. I expect you'll be bruised in the days to come.Do you have any favorite comments or discussion points from this week's posts? Please share!


text:
Trans Tibet Motorbike Tour to Everest Base Camp
Join us on our next Trans Tibet Tour
feel free to call us +86.13618877910 & +49.25120245995 email@example.com
Experience Tibet with your family We had a family friendly tour in China´s Yunnan Province. Highlights were the Tibetan family home-stay at Jiabe (can you believe there are baby goats for the kids to play with- they enjoyed it a lot).
Since you go in Yunnan Province you have the feeling to experience Tibet and the Tibetans and eat their local and organic food (and homemade wine) and great easy hiking trails into deep ancient forest nearby. There are other places nearby you can visit as the old town of Dali and the old town of Lijiang.
Our guide was very professional. He also was willing to take care about our children and that the kids liked him.
I recommended this tour to all my friends and family. This is once in a lifetime experience not to miss.
Thx for this unforgettable motorbike roadtrip We had a really awesome motorbike tour with tibetmoto! Me and my friends booked a motorbike tour through Yunnan, China's most amazing province. It took us deep into the valleys of Mekong and Yangtze river as well as into the jungle of Xishuangbanna! We enjoyed a Homestay with a Tibetan family high up in the mountains of Kham. Yunnan is amazing for motorbiking with all the curvy mountain roads. Overwhelming trip with great guide and organization!
great trip, safe & professional guide I booked a tour with Tibetmoto and was pleasantly surprised! I had an amazing time riding around Yunnan, aided by a very professional guide who took pains to make sure the whole experience went as smooth and safely as possible. The views were incredible and we also got to experience Chinese lifestyle in the many little villages we visited on the way.
All in all an amazing trip I will never forget!
我叫谭强 宝马拿铁车主 我叫谭强 宝马拿铁车主 。 第一次听到欧亚穿行心里兴奋至极,但是想想自己是个街车准备默默放弃,幸好有方健大哥的帮助,借了他好友胡希渔的gs1200给我让我能够完成这次意义伟大的摩旅!在这里再次感谢方健大哥!我本人是一个对未知事物有特别大好奇心的人!当我了解完这次线路后觉得这个线路必须去,高加索,巴尔干,黑海,里海这些只出现在地图上的地名我终于可以去感受它们了!感受异域传给我们不同质感的世界和生活.最重要的是还能结识一群这么投缘的朋友而且还是一起用摩旅的方式去感受这次旅行简直不能太完美了!这一路的日子里不管是烈日高温的沙漠还是波澜壮阔的大海都给我留下了深深的回忆!这些回忆已经成为我记忆里最重要的一部这些人这些事我将永远铭记。感谢一路陪伴的大家让我们一直在路上 摩旅赋予旅行更多未知!未知让摩旅更有魅力!特别感谢TibetMoto团队,阿丹,多杰,Handrik,如果没有你们就没有这次旅行!期待下一次的同行
我叫王延军,宝马F800gs骑士 我叫王延军,宝马F800gs骑士 首先夸一下f800gs确实是宝马里除纯越野550以外,跑这种穿越长线路和烂路最适合的车! 相信我这是全世界最酷最美的摩旅线路!酷在这样的穿越摩旅经历许多磨难就像一座座高山像数不尽的蜿蜒曲折弯道,需要你去冒险去征服,遇到困难我们没有抱怨,这才是真正的摩旅,一路充满着冒险和不确定,去征服遇到的一切才是让骑士们最快乐的,否则呆在家里多安逸啊!美在一路美景,一路走来都是没遇见的无处安放的美景,最好的最美的留在了最后,海拔最高的的美景展现在你前行路的两侧,去感受不同国家不同文化,不赶路去感受路,遇到美景遇到群牛羊遇到当地人的衣装打扮,减速靠右边停下来亮起双闪,用手机用相机记录下来,和朋友们结束一天行程卸下疲惫坐在一起交流许多骑行中遇到的事情,举起啤酒为期待的明天加油!40天不长也不短却是天天一起吃一起睡的摩旅伙伴,这种友谊一定会延续让我们去期待下一次这样的经历!这次旅途将会是永久的回忆, 回来后生活即是如此脚下便是远方!也需要不断的去冒险去征服所遇到的一切! 再次感谢TibetMoto团队,阿丹,多杰,Handrik,感谢你们!期待下一趟摩旅经历!
Truly Amazing tour in Yunnan! I truly enjoyed myself on this tour! When getting ready to prepare for it, they made sure to vividly inform me of what to expect as well as clear suggestions in an itemized list of what I should pack for the tour. I learned a lot from the guide, and I like the fact it didn't feel rushed like other tours I've experienced. The guide was courteous and truly cared about my overall experience. The vehicle was in great condition, as well. I highly recommend it!
One of the best tours we've had Our tour of Beijing City was definitely the highlight of our trip. Our tour guide was most helpful and the service that he provided was excellent. He told us all about the culture of the city which was much different than what we were used to. We have been on other tours that did not provide even half of the benefits of this tour. My wife and I really enjoyed all the photo ops that we had rather than taking the bus tour. We found out about this tour from a friend who had used this service last year. Tibetmoto is our choice for more trips in the future. Thanks ever so very much for the excellent customer service that you provided. We will make sure to let all of our family and friends know about your wonderful tours. Make your trip memorable with the team from Tibetmoto
我叫殷鹰.做为中国骑行团队的后勤保障骑士, 我叫殷鹰.做为中国骑行团队的后勤保障骑士, 欧亚大陆穿越很奇妙,出发前接到王延军的电话,说他欧州签证拒签了,要我帮他把车骑到土耳其,当时很兴奋,方哥说最好的路让你骑了,刚好感受一下800,这次感谢孙平,方健二个哥哥的鼓励下,完成了这次欧亚大陆探索骑行之旅,在组织方的带领下顺利.平安.开心的穿越十三个国家,一切都安排的很好,很完美,也感谢阿丹,扎西,领队,期待着我们下一次的探索之旅。
Everest or bust 2018 We just completed a tour to Everest base camp from Lhasa with Hendrik and his crew. From start to finish was a trip of a lifetime. Everything was organised extremely well from the different types of foods to the monastery tours and of course the riding through breathtaking scenery and long winding roads each day. The backup crew and mechanics were brilliant and a special shout out to Jimmy the tour guide who's knowledge of everything and helpfulness made the trip. "JIMMY, we love you man"We also met so lovely people touring with us that will be friends for life.
Overland tour Mongolia – China - SEA Hi everyone, we booked the China part of our world trip with Tibetmoto.
At Erenhot border we were greeted by out guide who helped us with the border formalities and accompanied us to the border of Tibet at Goldmud.
From there we crossed the endless plateau landscape. At some point we spotted wild horses and stayed with nomads for a couple of nights.
In Lhasa, we took a break for a few days after endless driving and continued to Yunnan province where our trip ended at the border to Lao.
The trip was very well planned by Tibetmoto and we apprecited the many recommendations for overnight stops, routing and sights (both before and during the tour). The service was professional yet personal and you can feel that the team members are passionate travellers themselves.
Last but not least: the tour price was very competative. And unlike other travel agencies we contacted we received always proper and detailed answers in comprehensive English language. That made planning much easier.
Thanks guys!
Motorbike tour in Yunnan Last october I went to China for this beautiful and fun motorbike tour. I stumpled over Tibetmoto because of a youtube video about a tour in yunnan. I expected China, to be honest, a lot more chaotic, but it turned out to relativeley organized (just imagine the amount of people over here). Fortunately the tour I booked prevents us from traffic and many people. The North of Yunnan is just amazing. The roads up there are just fantastic. Winding and well prepared actually, which really astonished me. The panoramas from some points are just breathtaking, espacially at an about 4000m pass with a view to a snowy mountain range. The accomodations were just right and sometimes we even had western breakfast. The guide Hendrik, acutally the owner, was really kind and knowledgable about the region.
I can imagine to come back to this huge country and explore more around here on a motorbike.
Torugart pass to Shanghai On a bright Sunday morning in April 2017, my 1983 Land Rover "Edna" and I started on a trip that would take us from the Netherlands to China, crossing over 5,300 meters high mountain passes.
End July 2017 we arrived at the Torugart pass, the border between Kyrgyzstan and China. From here we drove over 9000 Km to Shanghai, thereby travelling through XinJiang province and along the Himalayas through Tibet. The China part of the 'expedition' was arranged with strong support from Tibetmoto, which is run by Hendrik Heyne and his team.
In short, thanks to Tibetmoto, particularly when it came to handling red-tape in China, this trip has become an unforgettable lifetime experience. Travel through China using your own vehicle without a guide is not possible. (Apparently being accompanied by a guide was already compulsory during the time of the old Silk routes!) This holds particularly true for the more 'sensitive provinces'. Having said that, the guides that we were provided with (Thubten and Tashe) are probably the best one can get for such a journey: Very knowledgeable, supportive and in plain English just great fun to have on board. On a trip such as this, things are bound to not always go exactly as planned (…). However, also when it came to difficult questions e.g. with regard to the arrangement of visa's and permits, Tibetmoto proved to be an indispensable partner.
I would highly recommend their organization to anyone planning an overland trip to China.
Ard Van Gerdijk
A Relaxing Hike with great views After spending a few weeks in the northern part of China surrounded by concrete, I was very excited to get out into nature and see some beautiful sites. I had heard that in Yunnan there is a very pretty place called the Tiger Leaping Gorge. So after some research I chose this hike and it did not disappoint! I'm still stunned by the views we saw during the four days. Our guide Lobsang was very knowledgable and made walking the trail easy. We never hiked more than 4 hours a day and usually it was less than that, which is very doable. While the hike wasn't extremely challenging, it was still really nice to have a comfy bed to rest in every night and I thought the chosen hotels were very charming and boutique like, it made for a nice touch. Everything was taken care of, from airport pick-up to a day-to-day itinerary. It's not often that I just get to setback and enjoy the trip, but on this hike I didn't have to worry about a thing.
The BEST way to experience Dali Travelling with Hendrik as a guide for a day tour to the sights of Dali and surrounds, was an incredible and once in a life time experience. I saw (and tasted!) this special part of the world, in a way I never would have been able to on my own.
I'm so glad I chose to do this tour and can not recommend Tibetmoto more highly.
Going Remote: Riding the Eastern Himalayas of China I have been dreaming to ride in the Eastern Himalayas for a long time, but due to political circumstances and the lack of a reliable tour operator I had to wait until this year September.
But let me begin at the very beginning: I met the Tibetmoto team the first time around 5 years ago in a small guesthouse in Shangri-la, where they were on tour with a group of guests. We talked, exchanged ideas, discussed routes and travel stories and until earlier this year I forgot all about it. Then, by chance, I rediscovered their website and found the "At the Roof of the World Tour". What a surprise!
It didn't take long to find a couple of other adventure hungry guys/gals and we booked this tour for the last 2 weeks in September, right after the rainy season.
We got not disappointed, that is for sure!
Before arriving in Lijiang, where the tour started, we took a break in Kunming, enjoyed the city, and then flew into Lijiang where our adventure began.
Well, Lijiang changed a lot in recent years, becoming far more touristy than it was supposed to ever become, but its still nice to take a stroll through the old town at night, hitting some bars and enjoy the nightlife.
In Lijiang we met all other riders plus the Tibetmoto staff and excitement started to grow, seeing all the preparation going on. We got our Chinese Shineray X5 travel Enduro bikes and as a supply vehicle served us a Pick-up with a exchange bike (we didn't need it), canisters of fuel, spare parts, snacks and much more.
Already the first day passing by Shangri-la was amazing, since we crossed the first mountain pass of 3,500 meters after only 2 hours of riding. By the end of the first riding day we were already in a remote gorge near a mighty river in a small Tibetan town and we should not see another tourist for the next 10 days to come.
We rode every day in between 200 and 320 kilometers (thats not little taking the small and curvy mountain roads into account and we never arrived somewhere before 4pm) over Himalayan mountain passes, across grassland, met wild looking Khampa mountain nomads and slept in solid mid range hotels along the way. Road conditions and accommodations were beyond my expectations, roads being newly paved and hotels very clean, warm with comfy beds and Western toilets. We had a lot of different yak meat dishes, hand made wheat noodles and for lunch often only a snack from the supply vehicle (if no town or lunch place en route).
One of the biggest highlights for me was Qinghai lake, the largest salt lake of the Himalayas. We arrived there in the afternoon, coming down from a mountain pass when suddenly this "ocean" appeared right in front of us. Riding downhill hundreds of slopes the lake became larger and larger, finally arriving at the shore. That night, we stayed in yurts at the lake shore where you can take bath on 3,800 meters and watching herds of yaks passing by. What an experience!
If you book this tour be prepared, although there is some additional gear in the pick-up truck. The weather can change quickly and you need good/warm gear.
This route is a rare adventure, connecting the few "touristy" sights mentioned in guide books and leading through unheard of and virgin, beautiful landscapes.
Last but not least: The tour was professionally organized, bikes well maintained and our guide was a great and easy going fellow who knew not only many stories and historical facts, but as well the importance of a cold beer after a long day on the bike.
If you love adventure, if you love mountains and the Himalayas, if you are interested in riding Eastern Tibet (a place which not many people know), you will love this.
我叫方健 宝马1200GS车主 我叫方健 宝马1200GS车主。 欧亚穿行圆自己一个梦,出发前觉得会有很多困难,在TibetMoto团队带领和我挚爱的水鸟陪伴下,一切都那么完美,当只要书本上了解的黑海,里海,中亚等出现在眼前时,原来如此容易,回来后一直没再见阿丹,多杰,Handrik,借此机会再说一次,感谢你们,期待着我们还一起骑车,一起面对更多,更好的路。
Trans Tibet Motorbike Tour - Tibet with Everest Base Camp - Perfect Way to experience Tibet! I have had the pleasure to ride with the Tibetmoto team in Sep 2018 during their Trans Tibet Tour and I would recommend fully hearted to join any of their upcoming trips.
A choice of Bikes in very good condition, beautiful roads, impressive landscapes, a knowledgable and helpful local guide, authentic accomodations and lunch/dining options and a very likeable, skillfull and supportive Tibetmoto Team (Hendrik, Tashi and the support crew). I trusted them right from the start and they accomodated any questions, concerns or proposals. If you look for a reliable tour operator with relevant local knowledge and the understanding for international guests - don't look any further.
I'll definitely book another tour with them - just this says everything.
Spectacular motorbike adventure in China I joined a 9 days motorbike tour with 3 of my friends in China this August. The landscapes were really beyond our expectations. Gorges, cliffs, valleys and snow mountains made the Alps look like a smaller brother of the mountains in Yunnan.
We mainly took backroads with little to no traffic which were well paved. Although the hotels and guesthouses were often simple in remote areas they were clean and somehow charming (especially the one in the Tiger Leaping gorge with the terrace high above the cliffs). Local food and dishes were everywhere absolutely delicious.
Our Tibetan motorbike tour guide was quite a character, really funny and made this adventure even better. We will come back to see more of this awesome country!
One day Calligraphy Yoga class with Mathias Wolters by Tibetmoto in Dali I am very happy and touched that I had the opportnunity to join this one day class. Mathias Wolters teaches very autentic and personal and can guy everybody very good through the new movements. He has the abilitiy to show you the keypoints so that each movements gets understandable. Mathias Wolters offers you all his knowledge and likes to show you the deeper essence of Calligraphy Yoga. These movements are very beautiful and are actually a combination of Yoga and Qigong. I really felt a change in my body and my mind, my whole beiing was in a state of relaxation.
The location in this 500 year old temple in the Changshan mountains above the old town of Dali is impressing and fits wonderful to do there movements. Great was also that we had in between snacks, fruits and tea, coffee and other drinks.
Professionally organized Overland tour by Tibetmoto Hello everyone, we booked with Tibetmoto because of the recommendation of friends and didn't regret it. The trip of a lifetime-with our VW bus from Holland through China and Tibet and further to Thailand-was well organized. Tibetmoto got all the necessary China permits and transit documents for us and the bus. Furthermore, the arranged guides who picked us up from the border at Irkeshtam and accompanied us to the Laos border were super friendly, helpful, and spoke excellent English. We shared a lot of laughs together. From communication before booking (we had many questions and they were all answered in detail) to picking a route and management of the permits and documents, everything was great. The only drawback about the route was that the road between Lhasa and Deqin was under construction and quite challenging.
Excellent guides and knowledge This tour was excellent right from the word go. The knowledge the guides had on all the areas we visited was very well informed and they didn't hesitate to stop and explain any part if you had a question. The sights are incredible and I have already recommended the Lhasa to base camp tour to people. Thanks Hendrik, tashi, jimmy and all the rest of the crew that made this awesome time possible.
Excellent Motorbike Tour!!! My boyfriend and I did a one day bike tour around the area of yunnan.
The Trip was truly spectacular. Fascinating landscapes and stunning views everywhere we rode.
The tour guide was Hendrik and he was fabulous, helpful, extremely knowledgeable and has good riding skills.
The bikes from tibetmoto have also a high quality and we felt save the whole time. Hendrik was really good with helping us to book the day and very responsive on email. We just wishes we would been able to do a longer trip with them.
Tibet Tour - Lhasa - Mount Everest - Lake Nam Tso - Lhasa amazing motorcycle tour for any skill level. all important sights were visited, amazing mountain passes, views, great food and cultural experience.
With Tibetmoto everything is perfectly organised, all bikes are daily serviced, their is a mechanic and a jeep with the luggage following, so you do not need to worry about a heavy load on your motorcycle.
the detailed information prior and during the trip are excellent and allow you to prepare your trip and gear correctly.
Tibet and the tibetan culture is a most see on your "bucket list". riding on a motorcycle and experiencing Tibet so close up and real is "the icing".
book early as there are limited motorcycles. Best riding time late spring or early autumn
go for a life time ride with Tibetmoto
Spectacular Tibet tour with my family..!! Our Tibet tour was a perfect adventure trip for me, my husband and my two children (age 12 and 14). Especially my children enjoyed it a lot as they had so many fun activities to do like yak and horse riding and trekking. Our tour started with a visit to Kokonor salt lake where we had an awesome yak ride and enjoyed the views on the lake. Lhasa and the Potala Palace was spectacular as well. We explored the true Tibetan beauty in a 3- day trek which covered Shalu Monastery and Ngor Monastery. The visit to the Everest Base Camp was an exciting opportunity to be at the foot of world's highest mountain.
This tour was indeed one of the best vacation we've ever had.
Tour guide Nyima - a Tibetan who learned English in India - was very smart and acquainted with the places which made our trip more interesting. Also, all our queries and concerns were taken care of before the booking was done and Tibetmoto gave us many different tour options. Recommended!
China Overland Mongolia - Laos – A Phantastic Journey We found Tibetmoto company on several blogs where it got positive recommendations and reviews. Thanks to Laura´s blog we chose them to arrange the China part of our world tour.
We entered in August from Mongolia into China and spend a few days around Beijing before driving to Tibet.
At the Erenhot border our assigned guide was waiting for us and helped us with the border formalities; he was dealing with the border procedures, customs, traffic administration and so forth, so for us it was mainly waiting and killing time.
After crossing the Gobi desert our journey continued to the Tibet-Qinghai plateau and the vastness of Tibet. Tubden, our Tibet guide, was a great help when in the middle of nowhere and 500 kilometers away from Lhasa our clutch disc broke. The backoffice localized the spare part in Lhasa and Tubden arrange a overnight delivery by taxi to the small village where we got stuck and convinced a local car mechnic to fix our Land Cruiser. Great job!
Overall a great experience - we would surely chose this company again.
Family Friendly Tour in Yunnan Yunnan was absolutely gorgeous! We are so glad to have been a part of it. I joined this tour together with my husband and my two children (age four and six) and what we especially liked were the kids friendly activities on that tour. We took a private fun to do Chinese dumpling cooking class and stayed one night in a real Tibetan farm home. The next morning our children were milking cows with the Tibetan grandparents and brought the goats into the mountains. The time spend in the car was not really short (its a vast country), but doable for children if you bring some toys to play with.
A great vacation to get away from the hustle and bustle of Chinese cities. In Yunnan you can really experience the beautiful countryside and traditional life.
Our guide Sonam was very knowledgeable and easy to get along with. Booking was easy and Tibetmoto gave us many different tour options, ideas and customized our trip in the end.
A Trip that I Must Take Again! Motorbiking with Tibetmoto was an adventure that I will definitely seek to have again. I knew that I had picked the right company to tour with by the warmth and kindness that I experienced from both the owner, Hendrik and Tenzin who had been patient, pleasant and informative while he answered all of my initial questions and concerns.
From the beginning of this journey, I felt like I was in good hands and that I could trust Sonam to guide us on this wonderful trip and he did. The land was absolutely stunning. The small towns were amazing and the ever-expansive rice terraces were unbelievable. I can't imagine seeing the Yunnan province in any other way. I am so happy that I followed my first mind and rode with Tibetmoto. It's a trip that I have to definitely take again. I can't wait to go back! Highly recommended!
Awesome Experience! We took a one day trip organized by Tibetmoto while visiting Beijing CIty and it was the best part of our trip. The guide was an expert on the culture as well as the area. That was the best day of our one week long visit. I highly suggest if you are visiting Beijing to take a day and book a one day trip you will be amazed at how much more you will see and learn.
Day trip in Shangri-la Booking this day trip was the best thing I could have ended up doing on my trip in Yunnan. The feeling of being in an unfamiliar place can be a little overwhelming at times, but the tour guide was professional and friendly the whole way. The temple in Shangri-La was one of my favorite stops during the trip. The Tibetan family we met was amazing! I often strive to meet locals on my trips, and it can be hard, but having them instantly meet you as part of a booked trip definitely moves things along and provides you with an unforgettable experience, especially with the local cuisine. Don't even get me started on the spectacular mountainside views, I couldn't stop taking pictures. I highly recommend booking this day trip! I had a fantastic experience with them.
Overlanding with own vehicle in China through Tibet Moto In June and July I went through China with my Dutch registred vehicle, entering Xinjiang, going through Tibet an exiting from Yunnan to Laos, arranged by Tibet Moto. Everything was arranged very well. At the preparation stage the contact through email was crisp and clear. Hendrik took time to answer al my questions, he made me a travel schedule and adapted were necesery. Than we also had a skype meeting to talk through everything.
Just before I intended to enter China, Tibet was suddenly closed by the government for foreigners. Hendrik walked the extra mile to arrange an alternative, with last minute changes in entry dates and vehicle permits, so I could wait in Kashgar for Tibet to be open again.
The transit itself went smooth without any hickups. Ofcourse there are a lot of different aspects involved, going through a technical vehicle check, getting a chinese driver license and insurance for the vehicle. But they all turned out good. On the road there are a lot of police checks, there the documents prooved to be al legit, besides the time it takes there were no problems at all. The different guides asigned to me were professional and friendly, also helping from ordering food in restaurants to minor vehicle maintenance issues.
In Yunnan I met personally with Hendrik and his wife. He took me out for dinner and beers, also on a personal level Hendrik is a trustworthy guy in my perception. Even after I departed China he showed interest in my wellbeing and he helped me with advise of travel agencies for overlanding. The departure out of China went very quick, before noon I already departed China.
Overall I can really recommend Tibet Moto for other overlanders wishing to cross China. Crossing China with your own vehicle isnt cheap, but Tibet Moto was way cheaper than other travel agencies I contacted, with an excellent service. So well done Hendrik!
Enjoyed the day tour very much I was on a trip to China during our last vacation with my college friends. We decided to go n a Tibetmoto Day tour since we wanted to do something adventurous. The booking process was smooth and I contacted the owner Hendrik for the booking. He helped us to get the reservation done without any hassle at all. All my questions were answered promptly. Shineray helped us to plan our motor bike tour just as we expected. We were given with 400cc motor bikes and it was the most powerful bike that I have ever driven in my life. All of us enjoyed the tour very much as they were extremely helpful as well. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to do something adventurous as a group in China.
Amazing motorcycle tours in Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan and Qinghai Tibetmoto - awesome tour operator for exploring Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai and Tibet by motorcycle, car or with your overland vehicle.
I have book two tours with Hendrik and his team. Both tours were customised motorcycle tours to my desire photography, riding awesome roads, experiencing the local lives, staying in home stays, sleeping out in tents, seeing the luscious high grassland, visiting the memorable printing house of Dege, the unique Larung Gar monastary of Serthar or the holly mountains, tasting local food and enjoying riding the stunning countryside, deep gorges or breath taking views.
Hendrik is the owner of Tibetmoto. He enjoys riding out with customers. Hendrik knows his cruising area inside out. You want to ride on dirt roads or climb the highest pass - he will bring you there, snow, mud, perfect new roads, nice and easy pistes - he knows the place to take you. All tailored to your skills and level of adventure.
He runs a professional business with a constant support from his back office, so that he can change hotels and to accommodate the route. Further, there was always a pickup with us carrying our luggage or ready to supply a warm coffee or a drink. We could ride light and just enjoy China from its best side. Hendrik runs a modern fleet of bikes, which are all well maintained and perfect for these road conditions.
After riding in October 2015 with him, I returned in June 2016 and will now return again in 2017 to ride Kashgar, the dessert and discover new territories.
Tibetmoto - a awesome experience
Testimonials | Motorcycles | Terms & Conditions | Partner | Travel Destinations (A-Z)
©2020 Tibet Motorcycle Adventures


text:
Women want more bathrooms at Grand Rapids hall
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Intermissions at a Grand Rapids theater have their own drama: Critics say there aren't enough bathrooms for women.
The executive director of Broadway Grand Rapids says women are missing part of the second act at DeVos Performance Hall. Mike Lloyd says it's become a "real bottleneck." Broadway Grand Rapids brings popular touring shows to the city. Lloyd says DeVos Hall should convert all men's bathrooms to women-only and then build bathrooms for men in a cloak room. Richard MacKeigan, general manager for the company that runs DeVos Hall, says there's no quick, inexpensive fix. He says men's bathrooms sometimes are posted for women only during shows that mostly attract women.


text:
It had been a long day. Ruarc had been up early to tend the grounds as he had every morning for the past ten years, but later on in the day a student accidentally put a hole in a wall in the main building. Given that the hole was made by magic, there was a bit more damage than just a hole in the drywall, Ruarc had spent the better part of the day doing the repairs. So he was understandably getting irritated when a knock came to his door when he had finally sat down for a quick dinner.
"Think another student broke something?" Laoise asked from her side of the table after taking a sip of tea, her long white hair was held back in a ponytail.
"If they did I have a few ideas for how to start punishing them," Ruarc said as he stood up with a slight growl.
He opened the door with a creak, expecting to see a student or professor coming to report some new chore for him to handle. To the tired druid's surprise, the knock came from a person he had not seen in a couple years.
"Evening Mealla. Need something?" Ruarc asked as he looked out at his Druid counterpart standing in the fading light.
"What? I can't just stop to see my favorite subordinate?" the woman responded. "I could even make you a really good dinner, followed by a really good dessert."
Just about eleven years had past since Mealla seemed to have taken a special interest in Ruarc by giving him a special mission. She had been striking then, in her late twenties, and a decade later she was still quite able to turn heads; a fact that she was using to try and fluster the younger man. Her jet black hair had grown longer and was neatly trimmed, and her skin was still smooth with just a hint of sun; aside from her almost punkish clothing, she definitely gave off the airs of a noblewoman.
Ruarc hadn't taken the last few year quite as well, looking somewhat older than most men of twenty-eight. His eyes looked tired beneath his glasses with a couple of wrinkles around their edges, a rough short trimmed beard sat on his chin, and his once long brown hair was cut to just a few inches and it seemed to have lost some of its luster. Seemingly unimpressed by the pose and wink that Mealla gave him, he looked down at the shorter woman while giving her a wary look.
"Boo, you're no fun," Mealla said, giving in first before getting serious. "I do, actually, have some business with you. May I come in?"
"Aye, you may," Ruarc said as he turned to head back to the table, leaving Mealla to shut the door and take her own seat.
Upon entering, the female Druid greeted Laoise kindly. "Good evening, dear. Mind if I impose and steal Ruarc for a bit?"
"Good evening, Mealla. I suppose I can head to the main house for a while and visit, but you should stick around after you are done. It has been awhile since we got to visit," Laoise said as she got up, giving Mealla a quick hug as she passed to the door.
"Of course, love," the other responded.
With Laoise gone and the door closed Mealla took a seat opposite Ruarc. "Now, are you sure I can't interest you in that offer? We could even skip to dessert." She rest her elbows on the table and put her chin in her hand while batting her eyelashes.
"I thought you had business?" Ruarc responded, unimpressed.
"Oh come on, Ruarc, a lady likes to feel loved," she pouted.
"Not my fault you turn down all your suitors," he replied.
"It kind of is, actually. The others are all stuffy traditionalists. They are boring. You; you are interesting."
At that, Ruarc snorted.
"I mean it, if we married and joined forces we could run the Druid Order. Between my management skills and connections, and your determination to utilize new knowledge to get the job done without being bogged down by tradition and taboo. I know you have been in a bit of a rut, but I remember the young Flynn some years back that accomplished some truly great things."
"Tempting, but still not too keen on political marriages. Let's start with a movie sometime, work our way up," Ruarc said back before taking a drink from his tea. He probably would have been more in the mood for his usual back and forth with Mealla had it not been for the long day he had.
"Aww, but I am almost forty, I don't have time for dating," Mealla pouted, her reaction seeming a bit more genuine. "It's husband or bust."
"Alright then," Ruarc sighed, at which Mealla perked up a bit. "Let's upgrade the movie to a candlelit dinner. Now, was there any actual business you had here?"
"I suppose that will have to do, but yes, there is actual business I have here," she started in. "So, do you primarily stick with groundskeeping? Rather, how much teaching do you do?"
"Basics in runecrafting, some in magic channeling, and I once taught a magical history class. Though, I suppose I should say once in regards to all of them. Didn't teach this past year so I could focus on constructing some renovations."
"So you are planning on teaching again, yes? Very good. There is one more class I would like you to teach."
"Oh, that so?"
"Aye. Introduction to the Druid Arts 101."
"I'm not much of a painter, in all honesty."
"Funny, love. I mean I want you to take on a protege'. I found promising young girl, and I think both she, and you, would really benefit from this. Besides, you've been a card carrying Keeper for almost fifteen years, and have easily experienced more than even some of our Order's eldest members who never leave the Keep's Grand Library; Hell, I am sure some of our older Keepers could take pointers from you."
"This one of your usual not taking no scenarios?"
"Her plane lands tomorrow morning. Do be on time picking her up."
"She gets to use a plane? No fair."
"Hey, i just told you to get to Japan, not once did I tell you to walk here."
At that, Ruarc chuckled and gave a defeated shrug and a sigh. Mealla slid a piece of paper across the table to him.
"This is her flight time and where to pick her up."
"Gonna tell me what she looks like?"
"Goodness, and rob everyone of seeing you stand around with a sign? Not a chance."
With everything said that she needed to say, Mealla finished off her tea and stood up. With a wave and a wink the female Druid left the cottage, leaving Ruarc to sit in a bit of silence. After some time of just sitting he drank down the rest of his own tea before polishing off the remained of his light meal; and after setting his dishes in the sink made his way to his bedroom.
After he was already in bed and half asleep, he heard Laoise come back inside and go to her own room.
The next morning, Ruarc had the luxury of sleeping in a couple hours more since he has finished with the groundskeeping for the week. By the time he had woken, the sun had been up for almost a half hour, and he wasn't the first one up. Wafting through the door came the smell of eggs and coffee; Laoise had gotten up first. Swinging his legs out of bed, he made his way out to greet his familiar.
"Thanks for making breakfast," Ruarc said to her. Thanks to their mental link she knew he was awake before he got out of bed, and thus already had a cup of coffee sitting for him.
"Just wanted you to start the day off well, after the mood you were in yesterday," Laosie replied as she finished up cooking. "And since Mealla mentioned that you had Order business to take care of today."
"Appreciated," he grumbled into his mug. "She tell you want it was?"
"No, just bits here and there from what she told me and what I gleaned from your surface thoughts. You're meeting someone, right?"
"Aye, gonna be taking the car for a bit to go meet them and bring them back here. Want to come along?"
"No thanks. I have some things to take care of today that I should get done."
Ruarc noted that she was twirling her hair a bit absentmindedly as he finished off his coffee and dug into his breakfast. The two remained silent for the rest of the meal. Ruarc finished first and excused himself from the table.
Stepping out of his cottage, it was after seven-thirty now and a couple of the more active students were up for a morning exercise session. They greeted the Druid respectfully as he passed by on his way to the garage, and he gave a nod in return.
It was about a half hour drive from the mansion grounds to Osaka International Airport, and this morning wasn't too bad as far as traffic was concerned. All things considered the day seemed to be starting off well; he did end up having trouble finding a parking spot at the airport though. Once at the airport, he still had some time before the plane got in, so he grabbed some coffee as he settled into wait; enjoying the down time.
Once the time came for the plane to arrive, Ruarc made his way to the designated area; he even had a sign that read Willow. Awkwardly he stood around in a group of others waiting for their arrivals, a full head above the next tallest. By the time the Willow in question retrieved her things and got out the the waiting group, Ruarc must have appeared very disinterested.
"Are you the man Ms. Brennan mentioned?" she asked confidently in English as she strode up to Ruarc and stood in front of him.
"Depends on if you are Willow or not," Ruarc replied, his tone snarky. "Anyway, got everythin'?"
The girl scowled lightly, but the looked dropped before too long and seemed to perk up. "Yup yup! Ready when you are!"
Turning on his heel, Ruarc gestured for Willow to follow, who in turn happily skipped along happily behind him. The Irishman placed the girl's bags in the car before getting in himself and pulling out of the parking lot. For a while it was a quiet and somewhat awkward ride, Ruarc was focused on the road while Willow wasn't quite comfortable trying to ask too many questions. Once they were about halfway back, Willow finally spoke up.
"So what kind of a school is it?" she asked lightly, her words breaking the silence.
Ruarc thought about the question for a minute before answering. "It's not so much a school, more along the lines of an artisan's guild of sorts. There are many older members, of varying ages, who conduct missions in various places, and the younger children gathered there learn how to better control their abilities. In the same manner of a master and apprentice system."
"So," Willow started, her words ponderous. "A group of people with supernatural abilities, gathered together in a mansion, the older ones conducting missions around the world while the younger ones learn how to control their powers."
"Aye," Ruarc agreed, wondering why Willow was repeating him.
"So you guys are the X-Men?" she concluded.
To this, Ruarc's knee jerk reaction was to strongly disagree, but as his mind began to formulate why she was wrong he was shocked by the strong similarities. As such, his mouth sort of just hung open as he tried to speak. Under his breath Willow could make out "Son of a…"
"Anyway!" Ruarc spoke up, trying to continue with his point. "Our students will generally have one to two mentors that fit with the magic of their focus, and some of the members will conduct seminars and lessons that coincide with their expertise."
"So do you teach? Or have apprentices?"
"I've taught a few times. Some history of magical and magical cultures, some languages, but mostly runecrafting and basic magical channeling."
"And apprentices?"
"Helped a few in their studies, but you will be my first official apprentice."
"Why's that?"
Ruarc was silent for a moment. "Lack of interest mostly."
"Commitment issues?"
Ruarc shot her a sideways glance.
"I'm gonna guess that you got were committed to a student, who then disappointed you." She was running off of her gut feeling. "Did you have feelings for her?"
"She wasn't a student," Ruarc started, and he could feel Willow perk up; too which he immediately shot her a full, imposing stare that radiated "Don't."
After that, Willow's gut told her she shouldn't press the matter. The remainder of the drive was once again in silence. Willow spent the time looking at the scenery out the window as the novelty of being in a foreign country really started to set in. The city of Osaka was a real site to see, one that she looked forward to exploring more, but the approach to the mansion began to almost feel familiar. It was tucked away in the woods, and the mansion plus grounds were very Western; it was comforting in a way. Once the car pulled into the separate garage, Ruarc got out and unloaded the luggage.
"So these are the grounds, and there's the mansion. The mansion is around fifteen thousand square feet, and it sits on a dandy parcel of land twenty-five acres total; of which the main grounds occupy roughly six acres. The mansion is where the apprentices are housed, sharing rooms on the second floor; the elder members occupying rooms on the third; and lessons taking place outside, and in some select rooms on the first floor and in the basement," Ruarc began into his tour as he walked along one of the paths.
"So you mean I get to stay in a mansion?!" Willow exclaimed right before almost bounding off towards the mansion doors. Almost, since Ruarc used his free hand to grab her by her collar, lift her a couple inches off the ground, and redirect her.
"Nay, lass, you are a Druid's apprentice, and a Druid above all must be in touch with nature, as well as modest," Ruarc told her. "So you will be staying there." At which ruarc gestured towards the ivy covered groundskeeper cottage near one of the side walls.
"Aw! I have to stay there?!" she whined.
"There is my home," his voice was stern. "Show some respect, lass."
Willow was chagrined, and remained silent as they walked to the cottage and opened the door. Ruarc sat Willow's luggage down to the side of the room before looking back to the girl to gauge her response to seeing the cottage he had sunk much time into. Seeming to relent, Willow looked appreciative of the state of the cottage. While the mansion would have been luxurious to be sure, the cottage felt like an actual home; it was cozy, felt warm, and smelled earthy.
"Laoise! You in?" Ruarc called suddenly, surprising Willow.
"You don't have to shout, ya coodle," a voice called back from a side room. From that room emerged a lovely white haired girl, a cleaning rag in hand.
"Your wife?" Willow asked Ruarc, causing Ruarc to balk and Laoise to fluster.
"My familiar," Ruarc responded, and sensing an obvious quest on Willow's tongue continued without much pause, "I'll explain later. Laoise, this is Willow Fairburn. Willow, this is Laoise. Willow is going to be staying here with us; she is to be my apprentice, I'm going to teach her to become a Druid."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Laoise said with a big smile, immediately going to Willow and taking her hand. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Where is she going to stay? We have no extra rooms," Laoise asked Ruarc mentally.
"In the guest room," Ruarc replied in kind.
"Oh, right. Wait! You're giving her my room?!"
"No. I am giving her the guest room. Not my fault you want to continue playing human."
While all this was going on Willow simply saw the kind looking Laoise's face go from a smile to a very sharp glare directed at Ruarc. After Laoise dispensed with her pleasantries she parted and stuck up her nose at Ruarc before walking into the main bedroom and shutting the door firmly; until a few moments later opening it up just a crack. Ruarc just rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, you will be staying in the guest room for the duration of your time here," Ruarc said turning back to Willow. "Tomorrow we will begin training, you will be getting up same time I do, helping me in my work, after which will be your lessons. I'll be starting you off with channeling, just like what you did with Mealla. As for the rest of today, spend it getting better acquainted with the grounds. Explore."
Willow perked up at the last word.
"But, since it is almost noon already, have a seat, and I'll make us up some lunch."
[Prologue] Fresh Start (or Ten Years Time)
The story unfolds around Osaka, Japan, with the unlocking of one girl's hidden potential, and a gathering of Young mages whom are destined to change the fate of the Earth.
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1


text:
In one of the country's first nationally televised criminal trials, of the smirking serial murderer Ted Bundy in Florida in 1979, jurors and viewers alike were transfixed as dental experts showed how Mr. Bundy's crooked teeth resembled a bite on a 20-year-old victim.
Mr. Bundy was found guilty and the obscure field of "forensic dentistry" won a place in the public imagination.
Since then, expert testimony matching body wounds with the dentition of the accused has played a role in hundreds of murder and rape cases, sometimes helping to put defendants on death row.
But over this same period, mounting evidence has shown that matching body wounds to a suspect's dentition is prone to bias and unreliable…..
The lack of a scientific basis for bite-mark identification was stressed by the National Academy of Sciences in a 2009 report on forensics. The academy said that such analysis could not reliably identify one individual, among all others, as the source of a bite.
Bite marks on the skin change over time and are easily distorted, the academy said, while there is a huge potential for bias when an expert is asked to match a bite wound with the teeth of a known suspect.
Dr. Peter W. Loomis, a consultant in dental forensics in Albuquerque and president of the discipline's professional body, the American Board of Forensic Odontology, did not dispute the academy's conclusions but said that bite-mark analysis still had a useful role in court.


text: Korean Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - What kind of meat is this? Speak Korean Now! Korean Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in What kind of meat is this? Goto page Previous 1, 2 Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Off-Topic Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message TobyJoined: 15 Jan 2003Location: Wedded Bliss Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject: Son Deureo! wrote: Yes, but they aren't PUPPIES, they're grownup dogs. OOOh. Burn. BURN. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Off-Topic Forum All times are GMT - 8 HoursGoto page Previous 1, 2 Page 2 of 2 Jump to: Select a forum Forums:----------------FAQJob-related Discussion ForumGeneral Discussion ForumOff-Topic ForumTravel ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumBuy/Sell/Trade Forum You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe


text:
Hi guest ·
Log in
Log in to check your private messages
Mitt Romney as the savior of American jobs?
iWindsurf Community Forum Index
Politics, Off-Topic, Opinions
View previous topic
View next topic
Joined: 07 Mar 1999
Posts: 15665
Location: Berkeley, California
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:35 pm
Post subject: Mitt Romney as the savior of American jobs?
Only a portion of this was reprinted in the SF Chronicle:
By SHARON LaFRANIERE and MIKE McINTIRE
The tale of Asimco Technologies, an auto parts manufacturer whose plants dot eastern China, would seem to underscore Mitt Romneys campaign-trail complaint that Chinas manufacturing juggernaut is costing America jobs.
Asimco, an auto parts maker with plants in Beijing and elsewhere in China, bought two Michigan factories with 500 workers but shut them down in 2007. It is now owned by Bain Capital.
A Zhengzhou outlet of Gome Electrical Appliances, a major Chinese retailer that Microsoft has accused of selling computers with pirated software. Bain invested $234 million in Gome in 2009.
Nine years ago, the company bought two camshaft factories that employed about 500 people in Michigan. By 2007 both were shut down. Now Asimco manufactures the same components in China on government-donated land in a coastal region that China has designated an export base, where companies are eligible for the sort of subsidies Mr. Romney says create an unfair trade imbalance.
But there is a twist to the Asimco story that would not fit neatly into a Romney stump speech: Since 2010, it has been owned by Bain Capital, the private equity firm founded by Mr. Romney, who has as much as $2.25 million invested in three Bain funds with large stakes in Asimco and at least seven other Chinese businesses, according to his 2012 candidate financial disclosure and other documents.
That and other China-related holdings by Bain funds in which Mr. Romney has invested are a reminder of how he inhabits two worlds that at times have come into conflict during his campaign for the White House.
As a candidate, Mr. Romney uses China as a punching bag. He accuses Beijing of unfairly subsidizing Chinese exports, artificially holding down the value of its currency to keep exports cheap, stealing American technology and hacking into corporate and government computers.
How is it Chinas been so successful in taking away our jobs? he asked recently. Well, let me tell you how: by cheating.
But his private equity dealings, both while he headed Bain and since, complicate that message.
Mr. Romneys campaign insists he has no control over his investments since they are held in a blind trust. That said, a confidential prospectus for one of the Bain funds, obtained by The New York Times, promotes China as a good investment for some of the same reasons that Mr. Romney has said concern him: Strong fundamentals like manufacturing wages 85 percent lower than what Americans earn, vast foreign exchange reserves and the likelihood that China will surpass the United States as the worlds largest economy.
Accordingly, Bain Capital expects to see an increasing array of high-growth companies available for investment, the prospectus says, noting the relative dearth of private equity in China.
Among the companies in which the Bain funds have invested is a global auto parts maker that is in the process of closing a factory in Illinois and moving most of the equipment and jobs to Jiangsu Province, where the Chinese government has built it a new plant; a Chinese electronics retailer accused by Microsoft of selling computers with pirated software; and a Hong Kong-based Chinese appliance maker that was sued for copying another companys design for a deep-fat fryer.
Asked if Mr. Romney sees any conflict between his Bain investments in China and his policy positions, the campaign said: Only the president has the power to level the playing field with China. No private citizen can do that alone.
The campaign said Mr. Romney put his fortune, estimated at $250 million, in a blind trust when he became Massachusetts governor in 2003. The trustee of the blind trust has said publicly that he will endeavor to make the investments in the blind trust conform to Governor Romneys positions, and whenever it comes to his attention that there is something inconsistent, he ends the investment, the statement said.
Should Mr. Romney become president, however, the structure of the trust would most likely not meet the federal requirements for independent management. It is managed by a Boston-based law firm, Ropes & Gray, that has a long history of doing legal work for both Mr. Romney and Bain Capital, including representing some of the same Bain funds in which it invested Mr. Romneys money.
Mr. Romneys trustee, R. Bradford Malt, who is chairman of Ropes & Gray, declined to comment.
Bain Capital declined to comment on specific investments, but said in a statement that its Chinese holdings are consistent with the widely accepted principle that the private sector has a critical role to play in the continuing interdependence of the worlds economies.
For many sophisticated and wealthy investors, as well as for ordinary workers invested in pension funds, China is a part of any diversified investment strategy. President Obama, a former Illinois state senator, has as much as $100,000 in a state retirement plan that contains shares of Sensata Technologies, the same auto parts company controlled by Bain that is closing its Illinois factory.
Last year, Mr. Romneys trust sold its stake in an array of foreign holdings, including two Chinese state-owned companies: an oil company and a bank that have done business in Iran. But Mr. Romney continues to have money in Bain funds with sizable holdings in China.
He has as much as $250,000 in the Bain Capital Asia Fund and as much as $1 million each in Bain Capital Funds IX and X, all Cayman Islands entities used by Bain to make sizable investments in China, according to the 2012 candidate financial disclosures and confidential Bain prospectuses obtained by The Times through a public records request.
Among those funds holdings is $234 million that Bain invested in 2009 in Gome Electrical Appliances, a major Chinese retailer that was accused by Microsoft this year of selling computers with pirated software. In 2007, Bains Asia fund also invested $39 million in Feixiang Group, a Chinese producer and exporter of chemicals that is a designated state high-tech enterprise, making it eligible for tax breaks and other government incentives. Ropes & Gray represented Bain in the partial sale of Feixiang three years later for a 53 percent return on the funds investment.
The Asia fund withdrew from another deal in 2008 that could have proved politically embarrassing to Mr. Romney. After the Bush administration objected, Bain dropped plans to team up with a Chinese technology giant, Huawei, to buy 3Com, a network equipment maker that supplies software and equipment to the Pentagon and other federal agencies.
The administration said intelligence reports indicated that Huawei, which was founded by a former Peoples Liberation Army officer, posed national security problems, according to a lawsuit stemming from the deals collapse. A House Intelligence Committee report released Monday said Huawei continued to have troubling connections to the Chinese government, something the company denies.
Bains interest in China dates to when Mr. Romney ran the firm. During a panel discussion at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston in February 1998, he told of touring an appliance factory in China where 5,000 employees were working, working, working, as hard as they could, at rates of roughly 50 cents an hour.
Not long afterward, a Bain affiliate, Brookside Capital Partners, acquired about 6 percent of Global-Tech Appliances, whose factory in many ways matched Mr. Romneys description. The next year, Brookside and another Bain-related entity increased their stake to 9 percent, before selling their shares in 2000.
Just before Bain bought shares, a French firm accused Global-Tech of stealing its deep-fat fryer design. In a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2011, the company was found to have willfully violated the French firms United States patent, selling the knockoffs even after it was sued.
Mr. Romney also has millions invested in a series of Bain funds that have a controlling stake in Sensata Technologies, a manufacturer of sensors and controls for vehicles, aircraft and electric motors that employs 4,000 workers in China. Since Bain took over the operation in 2006, its investment has quadrupled in value. Bain continues to own $2.6 billion worth of Sensatas shares.
Two years ago, Sensata bought an operation that made automobile sensors in Freeport, Ill. At the first meeting with the plants 170 workers, Sensata managers announced that by the end of 2012 all the equipment and jobs would be relocated, mostly to Jiangsu Province. Workers have staged demonstrations, pleading for Mr. Romney to intervene on their behalf.
Chinese engineers, flown to Freeport for training on the equipment, described their salaries as a pittance compared with Freeport wages. Tom Gaulrapp, who has operated machines at the factory for 33 years, said he fears he will go bankrupt after he loses his job on Nov. 5.
This goes to show the unbelievable hypocrisy of this man, he said of Mr. Romney. He talks about how we need to get tough on China and stop China from taking our jobs, and then he is making money off shipping our jobs there.
It is often difficult to determine precisely how much Mr. Romney benefits from specific investments by Bain funds, since his money goes into a pool used to buy stakes in companies. In the case of Sensata, however, it is clearer because he reported a charitable donation of $405,000 in Sensata stock that he received as partnership distributions in 2010 and 2011, according to his tax returns.
Jiangsu Province, where most of the Freeport jobs are moving, is one of Chinas designated export bases for auto parts. Asimco, the other auto parts manufacturer in Bains portfolio, also has factories in Jiangsu Province and three other regions designated as export bases.
The Chinese government incentives offered to companies in those bases set off a complaint from the United States to the World Trade Organization last month. The United States asserted that in 2011, China spent $1 billion on grants, tax preferences, lowered interest rates and other subsidies to increase exports of auto parts in violation of fair trade rules.
Mr. Romney has been critical of these types of Chinese incentives to bolster exports.
The state-controlled Chinese Academy of Sciences has provided free research and development to Asimco, which exports at least 15 percent of its products, primarily to the United States. The authorities also gave the company land to build the factory that replaced the plants in Grand Haven, Mich.
Asimcos China operations became a point of contention in bankruptcy proceedings that accompanied the closing of the Michigan plants. The bankruptcy trustee said that internal Asimco e-mails showed the company had transferred money to China to qualify for a Chinese tax rebate available only to manufacturers of exported products.
Jack Perkowski, the former longtime chairman of Asimco who now advises Western companies seeking to enter the Chinese market, said Asimco never benefited from export-related subsidies because most of its customers are in China. I honestly cant think of anything we could have gotten that was tied to the fact we were exporting, he said.
But the company is striving for more overseas buyers. Last year Zhang Dejiang, the Chinese vice prime minister in charge of transportation, visited an Asimco assembly line and offered encouragement to workers. According to a statement on the companys Web site, Mr. Zhang was particularly impressed that the companys products can rival their Western counterparts.
Keith Bradsher contributed reporting from Beijing. Amy Qin and Shi Da contributed research from Beijing. Jeffrey E. Singer contributed research from New York.
Now I have no trouble with Mitt making money. But for his experience offshoring jobs, and making boatloads of money doing it, to be paraded as business acumen that is important to his qualifications as President is lunacy. Of course, the same could be said about some commentors arguments that tithing through his church white washes his dishonesty and hypocrisy.
Back to top
Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 7837
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:55 pm
Post subject:
Last time I checked, Mitts job as a businessman was not to create jobs, it was to make money for his company, shareholders, etc. I am pretty confident he did what most businesses in America do, just like Apple, Nike, GE, GOVERNMENT MOTORS(GM) and countless others.
But like most other libs you would rather talk about big bird, condoms and attack Mitt with baseless nonsense. But I guess you have few options considering barrys dismal record.
Back to top
Joined: 19 May 1998
Posts: 3393
Location: OnUr6
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:09 pm
Post subject:
mat-ty wrote:
Last time I checked, Mitts job as a businessman was not to create jobs, it was to make money for his company, shareholders, etc. ..
Thus he has no proven track record of creating jobs, one of the many things he claims he has a plan for. Why would anyone concerned with future jobs outlook vote for this guy?
Back to top
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Posts: 2743
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:36 pm
Post subject:
And why is there this accepted idea among the right that a businessman would make a good president? Our government is not a for profit business.
Back to top
Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 8743
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 6:17 pm
Post subject:
If Mitt could just "offshore" all govt jobs, we'd save trillions....Hell Yeah.
Back to top
Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 9883
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 7:26 pm
Post subject:
Bard, I think that you're missing the picture. While Romney's about offshoring manufacturing, he'll also promoting illegal immigration. It's the double whammy. Now, you might think that Romney might be against the latter, but there's no way in hell that he's going to come out against corporate agriculture. No way! And, that is the seed stock that spreads to what we have today. If young folks don't come out of the educational system ready for a productive future, they're doomed to cheap labor either offshore or locally onshore.
Back to top
Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 8743
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:33 pm
Post subject:
SWC, the proverbial Cat is out of the bag when it comes to trade. I thought Ross Perot had it right, and I voted for him. However, now we have it. Hopefully Romney will stop debasing our currency, and get China to stop doing the same. This would help our manufacturing base. Reducing regulations carefully and implementing a flatter tax with less deductions will also help growth. This would also cut the need for so many lobbyists.
If Romney takes the lead he could make a difference. No one knows whether this will happen, however IMO if we stick with BO, we get more of the same.
Back to top
Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 19995
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:35 am
Post subject:
stevenbard wrote:
Hopefully Romney will stop debasing our currency
If you're referring to printing play money, the "Aftershock" authors give him/us no alternative at this point. According to them, this process, aka QE, is what's artificially inflating the stock market, it cannot succeed for more than another year or three, and the longer we delay the inevitable, the harder the fall.
Here are some election outcome prospects:
1. "Aftershock" is right, Romney wins, but nothing even Romney can do will save the world from prolonged financial collapse during his first term, dooming the Republican Party for decades.
2. "Aftershock" is overstated, the global collapse can possibly be mitigated by superior fiscal management, Romney succeeds, and we'll never know whether "Aftershock" was wrong, Romney is magic, or both, or neither.
3. "Aftershock" is right, Obama is in the White House, the collapse is wildly exacerbated by his total fiscal ineptitude, and things get even worse than the book forecasts ... if that's possible. (You guys interested in this book are in for a mind-blowing, very well supported, very frightening scenario that more economists and blue chip and Wall Street CEOs espouse every week or so. Anyone who has -- or loves anyone with -- a life expectancy over 4 years from now (or advises others on financial matters) owes it to himself and anyone dependent on him to at least skim this book.
I'm not turning my family fiscal paradigms upside down -- yet -- based on this book and its international supporters, but it sure as hell is
my purchases, investments, and planning. Heads up. (Just one tiny, barely consequential example: We're likely to replace my wife's '06 minivan sooner rather than later, in case Aftershock is right that import car prices will increase by 300-400% and gasoline will hit $15, in today's dollars, before our minivan hits 120,000 miles (it's @ 86k now) ... even if the middle east does NOT blow up. Remember: this book is not political.)
And heads up to anyone considering reading this fascinating, apolitical, detailed but very understandable, highly logical economics book: there are two books out with that name. I'm referring to "Aftershock: Protect Yourself and Profit in the Next Global Financial Meltdown" (Second Edition, published in 2011) by Wiedemer and Spitzer, the ones who predicted 2008/09. I am definitely NOT referring to the "Aftershock: I'm a Lying, Deceptive, Extreme Left Political Hack Paul Krugman Clone" written by that dishonest lunatic, Robert Reisch.
As for "voting for Perot" ... Anyone voting for any third party candidate in a Presidential election is voluntarily throwing away a right that millions of men have died to establish and defend: our right to vote, even if it IS just for the electoral college, not directly for a candidate.
Back to top
Display posts from previous:
All Posts
1 Day
7 Days
2 Weeks
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
Oldest First
Newest First
iWindsurf Community Forum Index
Politics, Off-Topic, Opinions
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Jump to:
Select a forum
Windsurfing Discussion
Regional Discussion: Places, Sessions, Events, Access, Associations
Southwest USA, Hawaii, Mexico
Northwest USA & Canada
Eastern and Central USA & Canada
Europe, Caribbean & S. America, Australia & NZ, Africa, Asia
Industry News & Promotions
Politics, Off-Topic, Opinions
Lost and Found
Self-Help Forum
WeatherFlow Labs
post new topics in this forum
reply to topics in this forum
edit your posts in this forum
delete your posts in this forum
vote in polls in this forum
attach files in this forum
download files in this forum
Log in
© Copyright 1999-2007
WeatherFlow, Inc
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Ad Marketplace
Powered by
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group


text:
Bochy hopes Pablo, Belt can mimic Pence's turnaround
SAN FRANCISCO -- Pablo Sandoval entered Tuesday night's matchup with a history of success against Padres' left-hander Eric Stults, and Giants' manager Bruce Bochy was hoping that could help shake Sandoval out of his current slide.
The former All-Star third baseman and World Series MVP has two hits in 14 at bats this homestand and both of those came in Sunday's win over the Cleveland Indians.
Brandon Belt is in even worse shape. He's hitless in his last 16 at-bats, 10 by strikeouts. He's struck out in 12 of his last 19 at-bats.
Bochy pointed to Hunter Pence's recent success for why he remains patient and confident with Sandoval and Belt.
Pence, who was hitting .181 on April 20, entered Tuesday night's game with a seven-game hitting streak, batting.444 (12-for-27) over that span, which includes five extra-base hits and six RBIs.
"Talent is going to surface," Bochy said. "He's getting his timing and he's hit missing pitches like he was before. It was really a matter of time before he got this thing turned around."
Bochy said he expects the same from his two other slumping sluggers.
"These guys are good hitters," he said. "It's the same thing. They will get it turned around."


text:
Some brides just like to keep things simple, whether it's the actual wedding or the wedding dress she will be wearing. Simple wedding dresses are perfect for informal or intimate weddings. The setting is pretty casual so it would look a little out of place if the bride was in something ultra fancy. Many brides choose this type of wedding dress even for a large and more formal affair, because her style is rather simple yet sophisticated. She will feel uncomfortable and not herself if she changed her look too drastically.
Simple wedding dresses are just that, simple. You will know it when you see it, there is little or no simplestartllc embellishments. Don't expect to find a lot of beading, trim, lace or any other type of adornments. There is no fancy train either, the most common silhouette for this type of dress is A-line. An A-line dress has a fitted bodice and flows out from the waist down. Sheath dresses that go straight down from the waist are also known for being quite simple.
Simple wedding dresses are known to be more affordable, however you are not limited to finding them off-the-rack at department stores. Many bridal boutiques carry a good selection of simple dresses. In fact, a lot of of the top wedding dress designers in the industry have simpler dresses in their collection. These dresses can be quite sleek and sophisticated, making it a hit with a lot of modern women. Since there is not a lot of frills, you can pretty much find one on any budget. Just keep in mind that the pricier ones will probably have better fabric and cut.
Brides who want simple wedding dresses are usually looking for something comfortable. If they are going to be in the dress for an entire day, it's better to have on something they can move freely in instead of say a ball gown dress. There is no standard for length, some like it long while others prefer it short. If the wedding is outdoors, it's better not to have a dress that is too long, tea length would be perfect.
Unlike most traditional dresses, a simple wedding dress is much more versatile. You can probably find another occasion to wear it out again without it looking like a wedding dress. For the record, just because it's simple does not make it boring. There are different necklines that will make your dress look totally modern like one shoulder or off shoulder. You can also play up the dress by adding some bold jewelry or accessories.
The fact that more and more brides are choosing to go for a much more simple wedding day look has prompted many clothing retailers to start a wedding collection. J. Crew was the first to launch a wedding line and has had a lot of success. Women are loving their casual but elegant wedding dresses. Ann Taylor soon followed suit and now there are many more retailers looking to do the same. So even if you don't find the perfect dress at a bridal boutique, there are so many more places to look.


text:
The Welsh Books Council is a national body, funded by the Welsh Government, which provides a focus for the publishing industry in Wales. It provides a number of specialist services (in the fields of editing, design, marketing and distribution) with a view to improving standards of book production and publication in both Welsh and English. It also distributes grants to publishers. The Books Council actively promotes reading and literacy in Wales.The Welsh Books Council is a unique, national organisation with no direct comparisons. It has grown organically, responding to the particular needs of Wales. It combines some of the roles of several organisations in the UK: the Reading Agency, Book Trust, trade organisations supporting publishers and booksellers, and aspects of the grant-awarding work of the Arts Councils.The Books Council has a staff of 48 (FTEs), most of whom work in a number of specialist Departments which provide services to the book trade. The largest Department is the Distribution Centre which provides a wholesale distribution service to publishers and booksellers. Unlike the rest of the Council's work, this Centre is self-supporting and does not receive any subsidy from the public purse. The Books Council also has a Publishing Grants Department, which is responsible for distributing grants towards the cost of publishing books, magazines and related material in both English and Welsh.The Books Council's headquarters are at Castell Brychan, Aberystwyth. The Distribution Centre is situated in the Glanyrafon Enterprise Park, on the outskirts of the town.
Return to top of page
Books from Wales on-line
The Welsh Books Council's information resource for the book trade.


text:
Did FBI dupe Boston bombing witness?
BOSTON — A five-day hearing that wrapped up Tuesday will determine whether potentially self-incriminating statements made by Dias Kadyrbayev, a friend of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect, will be admitted at Kadyrbayev's Sept. 8 trial.
No ruling was issued Tuesday, but the hearing did provide insights into the lives of the Russian-speaking, pot-smoking college students who comprised bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's close circle of friends.
Kadyrbayev, the 20-year-old Kazakh national facing up to 25 years in prison on obstruction of justice charges, testified Tuesday that he had suspected his friend was behind the April 15, 2013, bombings that left three dead and more than 260 injured.
That's why he allegedly disposed of Tsarnaev's backpack, which contained fireworks emptied of their explosive powder.
"You suspected he was the bomber, correct?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Siegmann asked.
"Correct," Kadrybayev said.
Kadyrbayev did not say what, if anything, he knew about Tsarnaev's activities and potential motives in the run-up to the bombings. But because Kadyrbayev faces criminal charges of his own, the world might never find out.
"He has a Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination," said David Frank, editor of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, which covers local legal affairs. "I would be extremely surprised if the day ever came when he would be on the witness stand testifying in the Tsarnaev trial."
After the hearing, Kadyrbayev attorney Robert Stahl said it's too soon to surmise what he knew about Tsarnaev's activities.
"I think you have to wait to hear the complete evidence about that before anything is concluded," Stahl said. "There's a lot more to come."
Kadyrbayev's comments came as prosecutors questioned his claims that he didn't understand his rights before talking with FBI agents for more than four hours on the day Tsarnaev was captured. On the stand, he answered questions about his life in the United States and about documents he signed regarding his rights.
What surfaced was a picture of Kadyrbayev's life as a partying teenager and small-time drug dealer who drove a BMW, sold marijuana to friends, seldom attended class and paid people to deceive his mother about how he was doing in school. He told FBI agents he planned to smoke pot soon after their questioning was finished.
In redirect examination, he expressed regret for some of his past behavior.
"You lied to your mom. Is that something you are proud about?" Stahl asked.
"No. I'm ashamed," Kadyrbayev answered.
For Kadyrbayev, the hearings are now finished because Judge Douglas Woodlock denied a motion to extend them. Stahl had sought to question state troopers on whether they failed to tell Kadyrbayev about an attorney who was trying to contact him during his FBI questioning. But Woodlock said no.
"The federal law on this issue is pretty clear: The defendant has to initiate the request for an attorney," Woodlock said. "He didn't."
When Woodlock rules in August on the motion to exempt Kadyrbayev's initial statements from the pool of evidence, the judgment will send a signal about how the court views the massive bombing investigation and manhunt that brought Boston to a standstill.
"This is the first time that judge will weigh in on the constitutionality of law enforcement conduct" in the investigation, Frank said. Regarding Kadyrbayev's initial statements, "the judge is going to have to decide if these are the kind of statements that pass legal muster."
Two other friends of Tsarnaev's also have trials coming up for their alleged roles in interfering with the investigation. Azamat Tazhayakov will be tried June 30. Robel Phillipos will be tried Sept. 29.
Tsarnaev is scheduled for trial on 30 counts on Nov. 3. If convicted, he could receive the death penalty.


text:
REDWOOD CITY — The father at the center of the Peninsula stolen yacht kidnapping case claimed Monday in court that he abducted his children to protect them from abuse.
But authorities say they have no evidence Christopher Maffei's allegation is true, and they are moving forward with a variety of felony charges against him, including kidnapping
Maffei made the statement during his first court appearance Monday in San Mateo County Superior Court.
"Judge, with all due respect, my children have been put right back in the place where they were being abused," Maffei, 43, told San Mateo Superior Court Commissioner Stephanie Garratt. Maffei went on to say it was the very place he'd taken the children from, before Garratt cut him off.
Maffei faces eight felony charges, including kidnapping and child endangerment, after his young daughter and son were snatched from their mother's South San Francisco home Sept. 4. His purported effort to spirit the children away on a stolen yacht ended Friday when he surrendered to authorities and turned over the kids, who were unharmed.
The mother of 3-year-old daughter Brooklynn and 2-year-old son Devin couldn't be reached for comment on the abuse allegations. However, chief deputy district attorney Karen Guidotti said the claims are unfounded.
"I have no reason to believe that's true," said Guidotti, who added Maffei is likely laying the foundation for his defense. "I think he is working his case."
Maffei didn't enter a plea to the charges and Garratt ordered him held in lieu of $500,000 bail. He's due back in court Sept. 17.
A few new details emerged Monday, including that it was a lack of wind that may have led to Maffei being caught off the Monterey County Coast.
After Maffei allegedly stole the yacht, the winds were calm and he used the motor for two days, prosecutors said. The Unleashed, which had been docked at Ballena Isle Marina in Alameda, ran out of gas.
Guidotti said Maffei pulled the stolen 41-foot yacht alongside a tuna fisherman early Thursday and tried to buy some fuel 50 miles off Pillar Point Harbor in San Mateo County.
The fisherman refused to sell the fuel and instead reported the encounter to authorities later in the day, Guidotti said. The Coast Guard and FBI then began following the Unleashed from a distance. They moved in late Friday, arrested Maffei and turned the children over to their mother, Jennifer Hipon, 37, Maffei's ex-girlfriend.
The same day Maffei is accused of taking the children, Hipon filed for a restraining order against him. The couple had no formal arrangement for custody, but Maffei had reportedly gotten angry when she declined to let him see the children.
Contact Joshua Melvin at 650-348-4335. Follow him at Twitter.com/melvinreport.
Contact Joshua Melvin at 650-348-4335. Follow him at Twitter.com/melvinreport.


text:
Paul Joseph Watson
April 28, 2011
Despite the establishment media declaring "case closed" on the birther issue, the release of what purports to be Barack Obama's long form birth certificate has only caused a firestorm of new suspicion amongst Americans, with the document only serving to confirm unexplained anomalies, such as why Obama's birth certificate number is higher than that of people born after him at the same hospital.
If early reaction is anything to go by, the deluge of editorials in outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times claiming the birther movement is dead are completely off the mark. A poll taken by the Colorado Springs Gazette shows that 55% believe the birth certificate is "probably forged" with only 31% believing it to be genuine.
As we have illustrated, when subjected to in-depth analysis, there are so many inconsistencies within the document itself that it's almost as if the White House wanted to get caught releasing a dud – it's that bad.
"When sections of the document are enlarged significantly, we discover glaring inconsistencies. For instance, it appears the date stamped on the document has been altered. Moreover, the document contains text, numbers, and lines with suspicious white borders indicating these items were pasted from the original scan and dropped over a background image of green paper," writes Kurt Nimmo.
But it's not only the forensic aspects of the birth certificate that don't stand up to scrutiny, the details contained on the form only serve to confirm inconsistencies first highlighted by the "receipt" of birth form that Obama released in 2008.
Leading "birther" Jerome Corsi has highlighted one anomaly in particular that the new birth certificate does nothing to dismiss. Corsi writes that the issue represents the, "Rosetta Stone of deciphering both Obama's previously released short-form Certification of Live Birth and the newly released purported copy of his long-form birth certificate."
It centers around the fact that two twins born in the same Kapi'olani hospital listed on the Obama document the day after Obama was purportedly born actually have birth certificate numbers lower than Obama. The number should be lower on the Obama certificate if he was born before the twins.
As Corsi explains, "Susan Nordyke, the first twin, was born at 2:12 p.m. Hawaii time Aug. 5, 1961, and was given certificate No. 151 – 61 – 10637, which was filed with the Hawaii registrar Aug. 11, 1961.
"Gretchen Nordyke, the second twin, was born at 2:17 p.m. Hawaii time Aug. 5, 1961, and was given certificate No. 151 – 61 – 10638, which was also filed with the Hawaii registrar Aug. 11, 1961."
"Yet, according to the Certification of Live Birth displayed by FactCheck.org during the 2008 presidential campaign – and now according to the long-form birth certificate the White House released today – Barack Obama was given a higher certificate number than the Nordykes."
"Note, Obama was given certificate No. 151 – 1961 – 10641, even though he was born Aug. 4, 1961, the day before the Nordyke twins, and his birth was registered with the Hawaii Department of Health registrar three days earlier, Aug. 8, 1961."
The Nordyke twins' birth certificates appear below.
The birth certificate numbers were not assigned by the hospital, they were the responsibility of the Hawaii Department of Health at the main office in Honolulu, which stamped them with an automatic stamp that increased in number by one each time it was used, rendering obsolete the theory that the Nordyke twins had earlier numbers because their mother entered the hospital before Obama's mother, Ann Dunham.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
- {openx:49}
Why does Obama have a higher birth certificate number than the Nordykes when he was born before them and his birth was allegedly registered with the Hawaii Department of Health registrar three days before the twins?
Does this indicate that the birth certificate number on the Obama document is fake? If so, someone born in Hawaii at the Kapi'olani hospital in August 1961 has a birth certificate with the same number as the alleged Obama birth certificate, which would demolish the notion that Obama was born in the U.S. completely.
Did the people behind the forgery deliberately choose the number on Obama's form – 10641 – because the real person born with that number is now dead and unable to contradict the anomaly?
Again, this brings back into focus the alarming concept that if the document is a fake, it's a really terrible ham-fisted effort that will only serve to make the spectacle rumble on well into the campaign season. It forces us to ask whether the Obama administration is deliberately fanning the flames of the controversy so that Donald Trump – a massive donor to the Democratic Party – can be used as a spoiler to ensure an Obama victory in 2012.
As CBS News reports, "Billionaire Donald J. Trump, an early presidential favorite among tea party activists, has a highly unusual history of political contributions for a prospective Republican candidate: He has given most of his money to the other side."
Stock up with Fresh Food that lasts with eFoodsDirect (Ad)
If Trump ends up running as a third party candidate, either on a Libertarian or "Tea Party" ticket, he could siphon away enough votes from a Republican to help Obama secure a second term in the White House. Otherwise, he could just be denigrated as a birther buffoon by the establishment media and used as a weapon through which to discredit Republicans, including Congressman Ron Paul, who as has been documented, is the only GOP candidate that stands a good chance of defeating Obama.
There are so many questions swirling around the birther controversy that Obama's decision yesterday to publicly wade into the issue for the first time can only mean that the White House has embarked on a deliberate political ploy to embrace the topic and use it towards its own ends.
Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a regular fill-in host for The Alex Jones Show.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


text:
Baltimore County police arrest 2 in Charles Village Pub stabbing
Suspects in pub stabbing face attempted murder, assault charges
Two men have been charged in connection with an early-morning stabbing that occurred at a popular pub in Towson, according to Baltimore County police.
Police were called to the Charles Village Pub at 19 West Pennsylvania Ave. minutes after 1 a.m. Saturday for a report of an assault.
Nicholas Jarrad Jones, 22, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. He is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Robert Lee Blackshire II, 21, was charged with second-degree assault and is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $7,500 bail.
Investigators determined that Jones was arguing with a woman inside the Charles Village Pub when the victim attempted to intervene in the argument, and the defendant stabbed him several times.
The victim, who remains unidentified, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, Blackshire, who is an acquaintance of Jones, assaulted a friend of the victim, police said. Both suspects were placed under arrest at the scene.
Two bystanders, a man and woman, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries unrelated to the fight, police said.
The Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate the incident.