text:
Initial settlement placement in Catan can really affect the outcome of the game. What strategy do you follow in Settlers of Catan for initial settlement placement. Does this strategy change if you have first, or last placement? Also, when playing Seafarers, do you alter your placement strategy?
If I'm the first player, I always go for the most powerful settlement, since I have no idea what I'll get when it comes back around to me.
If I'm last, I grab spots that based on the numbers and the available ports will get me an advantage. I also like to try to place the second settlement on a brick/wood combo so I can start with a road.
The other positions are variations in between the others.
In general, I try very hard for number diversity. I love it when I can get both a 6 and an 8 placement. Next in line is at least 3 of the following: 5, 6, 8, 9.
The final thing you have to look out for is that you have somewhere to go.
8+1 for numbers. It's more important to be getting ANY resource quickly than to get a specific resource with a lousy number. – lilserf Oct 20 '10 at 7:09
1I also find that having a 4 and a 10 is helpful in providing diversity, too. – ristonj Aug 17 '11 at 17:53
Resource diversity is still important though, especially for the player who places settlements LAST. Easy to see what resources are going to be rare amongst other players, which sets you up for steady trade. – heathenJesus Oct 10 '13 at 21:38
2Don't forget that if you put down the number tokens in a random way, then you shouldn't put 6 and 8 tiles next to each other ever. (the rules state that: "In such case, the tokens with the red numbers must not be next to each other."). When we forgot to enforce this role then the first player usually steals a place with multiple red tokens which usually breaks the balance of the game – SztupY Oct 11 '13 at 12:17
There are a ton of variables to deal with, such as where everyone else has already placed, the numbers on the resources, and nearby ports.
I always like to try and get my brick/wood combo on my first placement, because that's absolutely necessary for roads and settlements. For my second placement, I'll go for whatever I'm lacking. If you have to skip out on a resource, I generally skip out on ore, because you don't need it until late game.
There are always exceptions -- I'm a sucker for a high-number resource with a matching port nearby. I'm also a sucker for placing two settlements so I can get both numbers -- yesterday I managed to get lumber and brick on 6's -- instant roads for every six.
I haven't played Seafarers, can't help you there.
2Tip: do not try seafarers. Knights and City's is the only true expansion! – Powertieke Oct 20 '10 at 6:54
3@Powertieke I like Seafarers but I'm a big fan of the map diversity. – ICodeForCoffee Oct 20 '10 at 16:46
Complementary to some of the advice above, I generally follow a two-step process, especially when I don't have first pick:
(a) see which resource is going to be rarest in the game, by the numbers; (b) pick the most advantageous point on the best number hex for that resource.
If I'm going last-first-round, first-second-round, this is especially powerful; if there's a single resource that has something like a 2-11-5 mix of numbers, I can completely monopolize the 5 with my dual placement.
I consider these in the following order, mostly because those listed first are more obvious and easier to assess:
- resources production rates
- spacing / room to expand
- resource conversion potential at ports (trading with the bank)
- dependence of strategies on trading
- sizing up opponent
Adding up the dots on the dice roll chips to get an idea of the production rates of a given vertex is like a non-committal first pass to see what spaces are immediately viable. You need to have a very pointed strategy in mind to deviate from going for these high probability spots for your initial placement simply because you're not likely to get much to pick from by the time you place your second settlement. Naturally, playing a 2-player game allows more flexibility than if you're in a 4-player game and first to place. The point is simply that the further away your turn is for your next placement the more heavily you should weight simply looking at production rates.
Beyond that, eyeing certain ports because they give an exchange rate with the same resource that they border can offer a place to settle that others might disregard or overlook. Again, however, placing your initial settlement here is probably not worth it in my opinion if it risks giving up a high production rate vertex. Being any player other than the last to place the initial settlement puts you at least two placements away from your next opportunity on a pretty small board.
Consider what resources you can imagine you'll end up securing based on your first move. As first of four players, this can be difficult and you likely should simply play the highest production rate vertex. As third of four, you might get a good idea 50%+ of the time what you may end up securing, so can consider what strategy you might use and how much it depends on trading with other players. Do you expect to have a resource that is particularly low in production probability (and thus less worry over not having particular resources on your own settlements)?
Size up the personality of your opponents. Are they straight forward by the numbers, or wild vengeful spouses who delight in attacking their partner, or meek and easily convinced. How do they perceive you? If you are the resident veteran, you might take some of the heat off of the likelihood of your opponents ganging up on you by completely forgoing the obvious best placement in favor of having solid arguments why another player is always 'in the lead'. You might take a strategy that is more transparent if players are always suspecting you and avoid placements that lean toward development cards.
Considering your opponents' tendencies is the most underutilized (and the most fun when you get it right).
I try to maximize the number of numbers I have. This works especially well when playing with the lake tile from Traders and Barbarians.
In the last game I played, I was eventually able to get something (unless being robbed or a seven is rolled) with each roll and won because of it.
I try to get a rock wheat intersection. I find I win more often if I can get cities up fast. Then I collect double on the good middle numbers as opposed to expanding to less desirable numbers. A harbor with a couple of good sources is good too. One good source is not enough as the other players can keep the robber on it if you are ahead and they work agaisnt you. A good brick wood intersection is more important on a more crowded board, 4 players, to grab up space at the beginning.
One more tip, I always size up what the most scarce resource is, and unfairly favor it. For example, if the only sheep spaces are a 5 on the coast, a 3 and 11, I'd be pretty hard pressed to not take the 5 if I know I'll be the only or 1 of two with access to it.
Depends on the starting order, but generally speaking, going for maximum number of dice opportunities is not ideal according to my experience. Getting lots of varied income will force you to either make shitty 4-1 trades or risk losing cards when someone rolls 7.
The best strategy according to me is to aim for one specific port and lots of income in the corresponding resource. This will let you complement whatever other resources you DO get to actually match the requirements for what you're going to build. This will let you buy whatever you want often enough while never losing resources to the robber.


text:
The European Parliament has resumed normal e-mail service following a suspected cyber attack.
An attack on the Parliament's systems is thought to have begun on March 24, two days after the European Commission and the European Union's External Action Service detected a sustained and targeted cyber attack on their own systems.
However, the attack on the Parliament was not in the same league as that on the Commission, a Parliament spokesman said Friday.
"Following the attack on the Commission, our IT services started looking very hard at our own system. They noticed that there were abnormal levels of webmail activity, particularly overnight, when we wouldn't expect such activity," he said.
As a precaution webmail and some other external services were shut down and staff were told on Monday to change their passwords while an investigation was carried out. "The results of that investigation show that nothing was compromised," said the spokesman. "The scale of the actual hacking problem was not dissimilar to that faced by any large organization. The high levels of activity we were seeing were due to the way in which some mobile devices connect to our webmail."
The Parliament's IT services are still monitoring the situation. The Parliament and the Commission run on totally separate networks and it seems unlikely that the two attacks were linked given the differences in scale and focus. There is still concern that professional, systematic hackers with a clear agenda are behind the Commission attack but this is not the case in the Parliament.
A separate e-mail problem in Parliament on Wednesday brought the e-mail system to a halt for three hours. The spokesman said that this was nothing to do with any attack and was simply a glitch that has now been fixed.
Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @BrusselsGeek or email tips and comments to email@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
UTM up to 1200 kN
The 1200 kN Quasar is the product of state of the art design, built to the highest quality levels and has many advanced technical features.
Programming tests and monitoring results can be controlled through our powerful and Intelligent Graphwork test software, which allows complete and accurate data management in accordance with European, North American and International Standards.
This instrument is suitable for use both in production lines where the operator has to be fast and efficient and can accurately control the test with the optional remote control unit and also laboratory environments where the advanced software lets users analyse the test data. Graphwork allows full control of processing, filing, managing, and transmitting data to the company network, database, and performs many other functions.
This Quasar frame has a flexible and modular construction. It can be equipped with various grips and fixtures, as well as extensometers, additional load cells, temperature chambers and many more accessories, for a wide range of applications (tensile, compression, flexure, etc.).
In addition, this user-friendly instrument can be fitted with additional load cells with lower capacities, providing the highest resolution and accuracy for microloads
- Two-column rigid system with 1200 kN maximum capacity
- Suitable for metals, composites and other materials
- Stylish design and advanced features
- One-Year Warranty
- Flexible and modular design for easy future expansion
- Key technical advantages include extremely high resolution af load and stroke readings, as well as minimum test speed of 0,0005mm/min, for the high performance and most accurate results
- Manufactured by an ISO 9001 –certified company
Please feel free to contact us at any time if you need more information or want to discuss your needs and requests with us.


text:
Today an image appeared on Instagram showing the track list of a new 2013 Kanye West album. It looks like the rumor is partially true and that the new album will be called "Rich Black American". If the track list is somewhat accurate, then we can all look out for some notable contributions of the album by Beyonce, Florence Welch, Frank Ocean, Pusha T, Big Sean, Skrillex and others. SOURCE HIGHSNOB
As we hear more about it, we will of course let you know.


text:
The market is ever-changing, and we're determined to be industry leaders. To achieve that, we rely on superb suppliers. Let's work together: let's make it happen.
At Unilever, we have ambitious plans to grow our business while reducing our overall environmental impact, and only through partnering with our suppliers will sustainable and profitable growth be achievable.
The one stop shop for our supply partners (members only).
We're moving to faster electronic invoicing for all our suppliers, and eliminating paper-based processing.
Learn about the USQS and making it easier to do business with Unilever.
These are the Legal Terms and Conditions that apply to you as a supplier of goods and/or services to Unilever.
We're always looking to connect with those who share an interest in a sustainable future.
Get in touch with Unilever and specialist teams in our headquarters, or find contacts around the world.Contact us


text:
Chief Innovation Officer, Maryland
A poster on the wall of Bryan Sivak's office offers up this quote from Southwest Airlines Co-Founder Herb Kelleher: "We have a strategic plan. It's called doing things." As Maryland's first chief innovation officer, Sivak has taken that example to heart over the past 10 months.
Upon his arrival last May, Sivak was tasked with helping to quickly implement some of Gov. Martin O'Malley's signature initiatives, like creating a health insurance exchange, and addressing issues like broadband access and engaging citizens in their government via social media and other technologies.
In less than a year, Sivak launched a grant program to help local governments start bike-sharing initiatives, as well as a microgrant program for the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that funds implementation of employee-generated ideas for low-cost ways to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
"The idea," Sivak said, "is that the people who have good ideas are on the ground doing the work."
He's also initiated crowdsourcing so that citizens can comment and add suggestions about ways the state can improve programs and operations. And he's working with the University of Maryland and a California design firm to redesign the state Emergency Operations Center from the ground up. "It's a complete reimagination from the physical and technological aspects," he said.
Perhaps one of Sivak's proudest accomplishments is the way he's tackled Maryland's technology transfer problem. The state ranks No. 1 per capita in the nation for the receipt of research and development dollars, he said, but falls to No. 37 when it comes to commercializing these lab-developed technologies. In response, Sivak helped launch a nearly $6 million Maryland Innovation Initiative — a partnership between the University of Maryland, Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins University designed to bolster the state's ability to commercialize research breakthroughs.
The Innovation Initiative also includes a focus on accountability. Sivak said Maryland will create a "Commercialization Stat" function within its StateStat management infrastructure to track results. "It's easy for us to announce a new technology and throw money at it, but it's much harder for any institution to stand up to what they say the technology is going to do," Sivak said.
One suspects Kelleher would agree.
Looking for the latest gov tech news as it happens? Subscribe to GT newsletters.


text:
To create an intimate, unique and personal ceremony, you'll need a professional marriage celebrant well versed in the art of writing, planning and performing a ceremony. To find your perfect match, read the celebrants' customer reviews and book an in-person consultation.Marriage Celebrant Greater Manchester
Marriage Celebrant Insights
There are 4 Greater Manchester Marriage Celebrant suppliers from which to choose. Overall, they have an average rating of 5.0 out of 5. Couples usually enquire with 6 vendors in this category and book 10 months out from their wedding date, typically after a Photographer and before Wedding Cars. Engagement Venue suppliers range between $3,000 and $7,000, averaging at $5,000. Given UK weddings typically cost £25,000, this means UK couples spend % of their wedding budget on Marriage Celebrant.
1 suppliers match your filters. Clear
Your ceremony is totally all about you or your loved one and can take place in any form that you wish.
No suppliers match your filters. Please try a different search


text:
We respect your privacy and will never sell or rent your details.
Based near Leeds, we are centrally located so that we can provide national support to the electronics industry across the UK.
Why come to Electronics Yorkshire Training? We have the UK's most highly qualified IPC trainers and the UK's most advanced IPC and electronics skills training centre, so our ability to deliver world class training is unparalleled.
Our training courses and resources
We offer:
We can train your team to understand and apply the relevant standard or to use the appropriate skills, or we can deliver 'train the trainer' courses so that you become self-sufficient, handling your own training internally.
Our customers return year after year for their training because of the excellence of our course delivery, our in-depth knowledge and experience, and our passion for customer service.


text:
The US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a report that looks at the effects that global climate change will have on the United States. Entitled Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, it draws material from 13 US government science agencies. The report is meant to be one that can be used by anyone—policymakers, school teachers, and people in industry and business. Eschewing the scientific terminology that is omnipresent in peer-reviewed science, the report uses everyday language to describe the effects that global climate change will have on various parts of the US and what can be done to minimize those risks. In general, its authors' conclusion is that the earlier we start changing, the less severe and shorter-lived the final impact of climate change will be.
This report is not out to rehash old arguments about the issue, as its opening sentences demonstrate: "Observations show that warming of the climate is unequivocal. The global warming observed over the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases." From there on out, the report focuses primarily on what will happen in the United States while highlighting current and potential responses to these changes.
Before the body of the report begins, a series of ten key findings are presented:
- Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced
- Climate changes are underway in the United States and are
projected to grow
- Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and
are expected to increase
- Climate change will stress water resources
- Crop and livestock production will be increasingly
- Coastal areas are at increasing risk from sea-level rise
and storm surge
- Risks to human health will increase
- Climate change will interact with many social and
environmental stresses
- Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in
climate and ecosystems
- Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices
made today
Under each bullet point, there's a short synopsis along with the index of the pages where more details can be found.
What's happening
The report then turns to a summary of the current scientific understanding of global climate change. Since the report is written for those who do not necessarily have a scientific background, it is a good, high-level introduction to current knowledge. They acknowledge the immense amounts of work put into the IPCC reports, along with that carried out by the US Climate Change Science Program, and state that they used these findings, and only provide a brief synthesis to integrate the latest data.
In this overview, they introduce what greenhouse gases are, the difference between human and natural influences, examine the influence of solar output on the climate, and discuss a few emission scenarios. For anyone who has kept up to date with the science of the field, this is all old hat, but they're probably not the intended audience. In an effort to make itself useful to as many people as possible, the report seeks to break down the results into small chunks, so that individuals with different needs can find the relevant sections with ease.
The authors also mention a number of phenomena currently observed in the United States that are a direct result of this global picture. From increased frequency and intensity of rainfall in the Northeast, to longer ice-free periods on lakes, to the fact that, since 1978, the average winter temperature in the Midwest and Northern Great Plains has risen 7�F.
The text highlights seven sectors that will be its primary focuses: water resources, energy supply and use, transportation, agriculture, ecosystems, human health, and society. Each sector's section is approximately ten pages long and, for those who can't be bothered to read ten pages, it has a seven or eight bullet point list of the major effects at the start of each section.
Breaking things down further, the report describes differences among nine US geographical regions. The regions are the Northeast, Southwest, Midwest, Great Plains, Southwest, Northwest, Alaska, the Islands, and the Coasts. For the Northeast, the report briefly discusses the role that its current climate has played in the character and economy of the region. The first page of the section graphically displays how increasing temperatures will make summers in New Hampshire feel over the next century by moving the state southward under two different emission scenarios.
In the Southwest, the report graphically highlights the number of days that are to be expected to be over 90�F, comparing the observed values between 1961 and 1979 to the predicted values between 2080 and 2099. In a similar fashion, the change in the number of days that reached freezing are displayed for the period between 1976 and 2007.
What we might do
Within these sections, some of the adaptations to climate change that are already in progress are discussed. So, for example, the authors describe work being done to cope with flooding and storm surges, such as the increased levee system around New Orleans. They also highlight the Deer Island sewage treatment plant in Boston as an example of taking future changes in sea level into account for buildings today. The plant was built high enough to compensate for the sea levels expected in 2050, when it should reach the end of its usable life span.
Discussion of these adaptation measures, which seek to improve our ability to cope with the changes that do occur, are joined by a consideration of mitigation measures, where we reduce the effects of climate change. A major theme throughout the report is that early mitigation will result in a decreased need for adaptation in the long run.
The authors consider a number of examples of actions currently being carried out by the private and public sectors, but the paper does not evaluate any specific mitigation technology. Early on, the authors state that "there is currently insufficient peer-reviewed information to evaluate the practicality, effectiveness, costs, or benefits of these [mitigation] measures, highlighting a need for research in this area."
The report concludes with a set of six recommendations. First, it suggests that we expand our understanding of climate change impact—more research in a wide variety of field is needed to get a clearer picture of the impacts of climate change on the world and within the US. It calls for a refined ability to project climate change into the future and predict extreme events at local scales, along with an improved understanding of thresholds that are likely to contribute to abrupt changes in the climate.
On the engineering side, the authors recommend improvement in our understanding of mitigation technologies as well as any unintended consequences of these strategies. As for the human factor, it argues for a deeper understanding of how well society can adapt to climate change—clearly we can adapt to slow changes, but now-defunct civilizations show that rapid change can wreck entire cultures in short order.
Finally, the authors make a suggestion I strongly agree with: we need to ensure that those who are making decisions and the public at large are aware of the science behind what is happening. People's capacity to make decisions should be based on sound research, not sound bites.
Overall, the message is simple. Climate change is real, and it is causing changes in the United States today. The earlier we, as a society, implement mitigation processes and strategies, the less we will need to continue paying for adaptation strategies decades and centuries down the road.
Listing image by NOAA


text:
Edwards Lifesciences Acquires BMEYE
IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 10, 2012) - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of BMEYE B.V., a privately held Dutch company that specializes in the development of non-invasive technology for advanced hemodynamic monitoring. BMEYE's technology provides continuous, real-time information to clinicians and can be used in the surgical, intensive care, emergency room and cardiology settings.
"BMEYE's unique non-invasive technology platform complements our existing portfolio and will provide clinicians with critical, comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring information for a broader range of patients. Numerous studies have concluded that therapy guided by hemodynamic monitoring improves patient outcomes and reduces complications and lengths of hospital stays," said Carlyn Solomon, Edwards' corporate vice president, critical care and vascular. "This acquisition supports our ongoing commitment to build and strengthen our offerings for clinicians and patients, and reinforces our leadership in hemodynamic monitoring."
BMEYE's monitoring products work with a non-invasive finger cuff to measure continuous, real-time information on cardiac output, blood pressure, fluid responsiveness and other important hemodynamic parameters. Currently, BMEYE's products are approved for sale in the United States, throughout Europe and in several other countries.
Rob de Ree, chief executive officer of BMEYE said, "BMEYE has a solid history of developing innovative hemodynamic monitoring solutions. We look forward to joining the Edwards team to extend the reach of our existing products, and to continue to develop novel technologies to help clinicians and improve patient care worldwide."
While BMEYE's products have primarily been used by clinicians outside of the hospital, over the next 18 months, Edwards plans to further develop BMEYE's technology and integrate it into the Edwards EV1000 clinical platform for use in the acute care setting in hospitals.
The purchase price was EUR 32.5 million (approximately $42 million). Edwards expects the net earnings impact from this transaction to be immaterial in 2012, and slightly dilutive in 2013. Additional details will be forthcoming when the company provides 2013 financial guidance in December.
About Hemodynamic Monitoring
Hemodynamic monitoring is the measurement of blood circulation and cardiac function that allows clinicians to evaluate whether enough oxygen is being delivered to the tissues. Healthcare providers use this information to detect changes or problems in a patient's status that will allow for informed, immediate treatment decisions. Edwards has been developing products and educational resources to help clinicians manage critically ill patients for more than 40 years. Its current product portfolio includes invasive and minimally invasive technologies designed specifically for patients who are critically ill or undergoing surgical procedures. With the addition of a non-invasive platform, Edwards can uniquely offer clinicians the broadest range of monitoring products, allowing them to select the most appropriate technology for each patient, and apply this important monitoring to a larger patient population.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company partners with clinicians to develop innovative technologies in the areas of structural heart disease and critical care monitoring that enable them to save and enhance lives. Additional company information can be found at www.edwards.com.
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited statements of Messrs. Solomon and de Ree, expected benefits of the BMEYE technology, plans for product development and expectations for net earnings impact. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement. If the Company does update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that the Company will make additional updates or corrections.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include unexpected results of expanded clinical experience; uncertainties associated with the Company's success in developing new products and expanding its markets, creating new market opportunities for its products and avoiding manufacturing and quality issues; unexpected delays in regulatory approvals; the availability and quality of competitive products; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which are available at edwards.com.
Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences and the stylized E logo and EV1000 are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation.


text:
Marketplace for Employers & Recruitment Agencies
Introduce Yourself to Potential Employers through Alahad Group
Find overseas jobs and employment new jobs posted daily. Choose from 19,931 overseas jobs on Alahad Group. (Help others through your experiences - Tell Others)
Looking for a job in Middle East? Post your CV and let employers reach you through Alahad Group's recruitment platform. Find the latest vacancies and jobs in Middle East.
Are you Looking for skilled manpower or office staff from Pakistan? We can help!
Post Manpower Needs for FREE!
If you are a HR professional or a hiring manager, Alahad Group makes it easy for you to find a recruiting agency. Alahad Group gives you a starting point to handle your requirements. Alahad Group offers a free and classified service to help your company find the best manpower recruiting agency for its hiring needs. We do this in the shortest amount of time possible, making the connection between you and a top recruiting agency within 24 hours, and in most cases, even faster. We do all of the legwork to find your best agency for you - all for free! We maintain an extensive nationwide network of licensed overseas recruiting agencies, including those specific to your region and industry. Using the criteria you provide, we will carefully match you with the most trusted recruitment agencies in Pakistan most likely to meet your requirements. Register as an employer today and be on your way to filling your company's requirements tomorrow!
Listing Your Overseas Recruitment Agency, Trade Test Centre or Services
Alahad Group has made it easy for overseas recruiting agencies, trade test centers to update their records to attain to over 1 million businesses in GCC. All our registering is automatic there are no maintenance costs and therefore no cost to you. If you are an overseas recruitment agency, headhunter, staffing firm or a trade test center and you are not listed in Alahad Group, you do not exist and you are definitely losing a lot of potential clients.
This submission is only for Pakistan based overseas recruitment agencies, if your business is not matching these criteria, but it is still related to the subject of our site browse our website to find the most suitable section for you to advertise your business. Every our visitor is your potential client so please, before submitting, check if you have filled in correctly the details for your company. In the field "Agency Registration" it is obligatory to write reasonable description of the activity of your agency. (Minimum one paragraph).Don't stuff keywords in the description or your listing will not be approved. Agency listings without "Logo" shall also not be approved.


text:
So…this past weekend while I was super quiet here on the blog, on the cusp of MoP, while expansion news was flowing faster than the chocolate river at Wonka's factory, and while I was completely oblivious to pretty much all things involving WoW, this happened:
It was really sweet, and under each option was commentary that made me laugh and smile. Brade really knows me very well and knew that I'd start with "no" and work my way around to "yes", observing each option, and so the answers played off of each other. I don't usually do "scrap book" type things, but I've tucked this little square of paper away to put somewhere safe so I can look back on it an smile as I remember it.
For those of you who don't know my history with Brade, I met him in WoW. We started talking about books one night while I was up late farming Night Dragon's Breath back in Vanilla, and things sort of went from there, and before I knew it I was relocating to Seattle. We've been together somewhere around six years now. He continues to make me laugh almost daily, and helps to keep me balanced. He allows me to be who I am, with all my (many) flaws, and doesn't judge me for them. He celebrates my joys and helps me through my struggles. And, without fail, he always finds a way to make me laugh – no matter how worked up I am or upset I am, he always manages to coax a smile from me. And I love him for that.
He once did a guild update that talked about defining moments in relationships. I can't say if his theory on defining moments is entirely accurate – but I can say that I have certainly had those moments where I've said to him "if I can't share this with you, who can I share it with?!". I do know that I can share anything with Brade. He is the one person that I can completely let my hair down with and know that he won't think less of me, no matter how shallow my complaints may be, or how silly the things I let frustrate me appear. Someone asked me how I thought married life would be, and I told them that Brade and I have been together so long that I anticipated it would pretty much be the same, only with better jewelry. 🙂
It's truly amazing where and how you can find happiness, and I don't think other people should define those parameters for you. When all is said and done, the truth of the matter is that I've found someone that I want to grow old with and I'm thankful every day that he entered my life. I know that I am looking forward to our future adventures, and anticipate much laughter and many more smiles along the way.


text:
FHA Premiums to Rise April 1
March 29, 2013
Starting Monday, borrowers will be charged higher mortgage insurance premiums on new Federal Housing Administration loans. The annual fee on the majority of FHA loans will rise by 0.1 percent on April 1.
This marks the third time the FHA has increased its mortgage insurance premiums in two years. And since 2008, the fee has nearly tripled.
Some borrowers are rushing to beat the April 1 deadline.
The FHA premium hikes are part of an effort by the agency to increase its insurance fund. In early June, the FHA will require borrowers who take out new FHA loans to pay for mortgage insurance for the entire life of the loan.
Source: "FHA Loans Get Pricer April 1," Bankrate.com (March 26, 2013) and "Mortgage insurers prep for FHA premium increases," HousingWire (March 28, 2013)
Read More
FHA to Raise Premiums on Its Mortgages
Latest Headlines
Latest Headlines
Updated: November 23, 2020


text:
Redlands Connection is a concoction of sports memories emanating from a city that once numbered less than 20,000 people. From the Super Bowl to the World Series, from the World Cup to golf's U.S. Open, plus NCAA Final Four connections, Tour de France cycling, major tennis, NBA and a little NHL, aquatics and quite a bit more, the sparkling little city that sits around halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs on Interstate 10 has its share of sports connections. – Obrey Brown
Today, April 23, is the 97th anniversary.
He was dubbed the Golden Streak of the Golden West.
A USC superstar.
He was Sir Charles.
Also known as the Winged foot of Mercury.
At the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Charles Paddock was a gold medal sprinter, winner of the 100-meter and part of the USA's winning 4 x 100 relay.
It was, in fact, the same Olympiad at which Redlands-based hurdler William Yount had participated.
Ted Runner, the longtime athletic director at the University of Redlands, was careful to point out Paddock's connection to Redlands. It was long before Runner's time, but as a lifetime devotee of track & field, Runner was aware of the lore that had preceded him on the venerable university's grounds.
No less than Guy Daniels, Jr. – whose dad, Guy, Sr. was a Redlands coach of that era – and another ex-Bulldog, Terry Roberts of Yucaipa, who was a student of Olympic history, had known of the legend. Throughout the years, all weighed in with me on Paddock's visit to Redlands.
Of course, neither Runner, Daniels, Jr., nor Roberts were present for Paddock's appearance.
Paddock wasn't quite track's version of baseball's Babe Ruth. Or boxing's Jack Dempsey. Or tennis' Bill Tilden. But he was a decorated sprint champion.
On April 23, 1921 – less than a year after he'd won the gold medal in Belgium – Paddock showed up at the University of Redlands. That day, Paddock broke four world records and equaled another one.
Paddock, whose historically significant role in a 1981 motion picture, "Chariots of Fire" (portrayed by Dennis Christopher), had shown up at Redlands for an exhibition. That day, he set no less than five world records.
Paddock, a 100-meter gold medalist in 1920 – the same Games competed at by Yount – was a high-profile athlete during those days.
In "Chariots of Fire," there was nothing about Redlands, of course.
There was nothing about the world marks he'd set on that April 23, 1921 afternoon.
Paddock, in fact, was a mere character at the 1924 Paris Olympics – a favorite who was chased down by Britain's Harold Abrahams in the 200-meter.
Still, Paddock was part of America's winning 4 x 100 relay that year.
At Redlands, the four marks – 100-meter, 200-meter, 300-yard and 300-meter – while equaling the world mark at 100 yards, made the tiny little San Bernardino County city a mark in international track history.
He was clocked at 9 3/5 seconds in the 100-yard dash.
For the 100-meters, he sped 10.40, cracking 1912 U.S. Olympian Donald Lippincott's mark by 1/5 second.
Multiple Olympic gold medalist (St. Louis and Athens) Archie Hahn's 21 3/5-seconds over 200-meters fell to 21 1/5 via Paddock.
The world's fastest human, Bernie Wefers' 300-yard mark of 30 3/5 seconds was broken by two-fifths … Paddock in 30 1/5 at Redlands.
As for the 300-meter mark, held by 1912 Olympian Pierre Failliott of France in 1908 and equaled by Frigyes Mezei of Hungary in 1913 at 36 2/5 seconds was smashed by Paddock's speed – 33 4/5 seconds.
At Redlands that day, there were two races.
Bob Weaver, president of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), was the starter.
No less than a reporter from the old Los Angeles Examiner had shown up that day to record the events. The local newspaper from Redlands was also on the scene.
They described conditions as "bitter" cold. Overcast, a little wind, some rain sprinkles, but it had died by race time.
According to accounts of the day, Paddock crossed two tapes in his first race, four in his second, at least five watches at each tape.
Part of the issues of the era was the eastern troops might not believe the accounts that Paddock set such records. It's one reason why so many watches were procured. That the AAU president, Weaver, was in attendance helped make it official.
Those records were verified.
Paddock's main competition came from the likes of Vernon Blenkiron, a 17-year-old from Compton High School , who had squared off against Redlands' high schooler Bob Allen in the State 100 and 220. Forrest Blalock, who spent two season on USC's track team, was also running.
Paddock was described as "two yards in front of Blenkiron." At one point, Paddock was "20 yards ahead of Blalock."
No, this field did not include the likes of Abrahams, Wiefers, Hahn, Lippincott, Failliott, Mezei or even Yount of Redlands.
According to Track & Field News, "with one jump he passed the 200-meter and 220-yard marks.
"On around the sharp turn he ran. He seemed to weaken and slow down. Finally, he reached 300 yards. His sprint was nearly gone. Fighting every inch of the way he raced on toward the last tape, the 300-meter mark. He was now on the straightaway again. Pulling with eyes half shut and mouth open he passed the finish line and fell in a heap into the arms of waiting friends."
On the shorter run that day, T&F News reported it this way:
"Down the stretch they came, Paddock seemingly unable to increase his lead. Fifteen feet from the tape Paddock gave a mighty bound and fairly flew over the finish line two yards ahead of Blenkiron. He came down heavily. Recovering, he took two quick strides and leaped for the tape at 100 meters.
"His first leap had enabled him again to equal the record for 100 yards. The two together gave him the record for 100 meters. Two such leaps as these made it appear that the boy must have had wings or a kangaroo hoof."
Three years later, in Paris, it was Abrahams who outdueled the Golden Streak of the Golden West for the gold. Paddock took the silver medal back to America.
There was a third Olympics in 1928 at Amsterdam. No medals. No finals. In 1943 at Sitka, Alaska, Paddock perished in an airplane crash. Nearly 43. Born in Texas. He was a U.S. marine. Thirty-eight years later, his memory flashed forward in "Chariots of Fire."
It was curious that Paddock was California's prep 220-yard champion in 1916, 1917 and 1918 for Pasadena High, then supplanted by Redlands' Bob Allen in 1919, then again in 1921. By that point, Paddock was USC's Golden Streak.
It brought back that Redlands Connection.


text:
Hey there! Thanks for dropping by DING MAN surfboard repair Bournemouth UK! Take a look around and grab the RSS feed to stay updated. See you around!
sup & surfboard ding repair in Bournemouth UK
Enjoy Norman 🙂
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Join 576 other followers
Email Address:


text:
Just this morning...
Evidently somebody's been reading my smokescreen article: Outrage Over AIG Bonuses a Smokescreen...
Schedule for Week of December 6, 2020
2 hours ago
World View & Market Commentary.
Forest first; Trees second.
Focused on Real & Knowable facts that filter through the "experts" fluff and media hyperbole. Where we've been, what the future may hold and developing a better way forward.


text:
A stretcher is brought from a private ambulance into the block of flats where the nurse Jacintha Saldanha lived near the King Edward VII Hospital in central London.
The family members of a nurse who apparently killed herself after falling victim to a hoax call last week from an Australian radio station, patching two disc jockeys through to another nurse who revealed details about the health of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, have begun to tell of their devastation at the nurse's death.
Benedict Barboza, the husband of the dead nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, posted on his Facebook page, according to The Daily Mail: "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances. She will be laid to rest in Shirva, India." Saldanha, who died on Friday, was the mother of two teenage children, a boy and a girl.
The Duchess, who is married to Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and the second in line to the British throne, was in the private hospital in Central London where Saldanha worked because she was suffering from acute morning sickness. The Duchess is in the early stages of pregnancy. A statement released on Friday by St. James's Palace, which speaks for the couple, says, "the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha" and that "their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time." The palace also confirmed that at no point did the palace complain to the hospital about the prank call. Nevertheless, Saldanha appears to have been deeply affected by her role in the slip-up.
Benedict Barboza's mother, Carmine Barboza, who spoke to journalists at her home in Sorkala, India, said the family had no idea Saldanha had been caught up in the controversy over the prank call.
"Benedict used to call every day but neither he nor Jacintha said anything about what had happened. Everything seemed normal," Carmine Barboza, 69, told The Guardian. "We got a call last night from Benedict informing us that Jacintha had died. He was crying and couldn't speak much. We don't know whether we'll be able to bring her dead body back to India but we desperately hope so."
"We spoke to Benedict again this morning, and he said he hasn't been allowed to see her body yet because of legal formalities and she'll not be handed over before Monday. We want to bring her dead body to India to perform her last rites."
Mel Greig and Michael Christian, the two disc jockeys who made the call, pretended to be the Queen and Prince Philip in order to obtain details about the Duchess's health. Facing enormous hostility from people in Australia and internationally, the two presenters have not made any comments in public. But Rhys Holleran, chief executive of Southern Cross Austereo, which owns the radio station the two work for, 2Day FM, told reporters in Melbourne: "I spoke to both presenters early this morning and it's fair to say they are completely shattered. These people aren't machines, they're human beings. What happened is incredibly tragic and we're deeply saddened and we're incredibly affected by that."


text:
Cardi B Deactivates Instagram After GRAMMYs Rant and BET Drama
The celebration of her huge win was short-lived
Despite making her debut at the GRAMMYs with a stunning performance, five nominations, and a huge win for Rap Album Of The Year, it seems like Cardi B is having a rough time.
Related: Cardi B, Childish Gambino, and More Keep Hip-Hop and R&B Alive at GRAMMYs
The prestigious awards show aired February 10 and everything from Cardi's red carpet look to her history-making win came as a highlight. Celebration as the first solo woman to win Rap Album Of The Year was short-lived as fans quickly lashed out at the awards show for not honoring Mac Miller with it. Cardi found herself in the middle of a huge internet storm, even if most people did agree her chart-dominating Invasion of Privacy was deserving of an award.
"I remember last year when I didn't win for Bodak Yellow and everybody was like, 'Cardi got snubbed...' Now this year's a f**king problem?" she ranted in a now-deleted video. Other deleted posts include her vow to share the GRAMMY with Mac and a strange video thanking Tom Petty for sending her flowers… the legendary musician who, yes, died in 2017.
As if her GRAMMYs debacle wasn't already enough, Cardi's drama was even further escalated by a super petty BET tweet. "Meanwhile, Nick Minaj is being dragged by her lacefront," they wrote in a Tweet celebrating Cardi's win before quickly deleting it and apologizing.
An apology to @NickiMinaj, her fans and all our readers: https://t.co/VVzuQybtbH pic.twitter.com/AUAEUfCSZh— BET (@BET) February 12, 2019
The long-running Nicki Minaj and Cardi B feud continues with Nicki pulling out of any future BET shows.
Young Money will no longer be apart of the BET Experience or award show. ♥----♥ Summer Tour dates dropping soon --— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) February 11, 2019


text:
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt's compensation fell 7 per cent last year to $19.2 million primarily because of a big drop in his long-term pay.
Immelt received a lump sum of $12.1 million in 2012 as an award for three years of work. In a Wednesday regulatory filing, General Electric Co. said that Immelt got a $2.4 million installment for the results produced during the first year of a new three-year rating period.
GE's board praised Immelt for his leadership last year, which saw the company's stock climb by 34 per cent. That was slightly better than the 30 per cent gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 index.
Immelt's pay package last year also included a $5 million bonus based solely on the 2013 results. That was an 11 per cent increase from his $4.5 million bonus in 2012.
GE, which is based in Fairfield, Conn., also boosted Immelt's salary to $3.5 million last March, marking his first raise in eight years.
Immelt also received a stock award valued at $7.8 million and other compensation totalling $424,000, including $343,121 for personal travel on GE's jets.
The Associated Press calculates an executive's compensation during by adding salary, bonuses, perks, the estimated value of stock and stock options awarded during the year, as well as above-market interest that the company pays on deferred compensation. The AP excludes changes in the present value of executive's pension benefits, a figure that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires publicly held companies to include in their compensation tables. That's why AP's calculation sometimes differs from the totals that GE and other companies report to the SEC.


text:
I have always loved those moments in life when you find yourself in a time and place that you never in a million years would have imagined. Right now is one of those moments. As I sit on the vast, green lawn, overlooking the lake at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, I am pondering, in amazement, the many dots that had to connect to lead to this moment in time.
It all started in Boston, just about one year ago, when my mother's boyfriend handed me the Kripalu catalog, knowing that I am an avid practitioner of yoga. Greatly appreciative of his thoughtfulness, I happily took it home with me to San Francisco. After thoroughly browsing through (and drooling over) its offerings, it took up a permanent residence on my coffee table.
Fast forward a few months: In the midst of a job search, I took to my regular practice of meditation, hoping to get clarity on my direction. During what would be one of those rare (but fortuitous) occasions when an insight pops into my awareness, the name "Kripalu" appeared in the forefront of my mind. If there is one thing I've learned through my meditation, it's that when these random "messages" occur, I need to pay attention.
I immediately halted my meditation and pulled out my laptop. I navigated straight to the Kripalu website, where I found a job listing that greatly interested me… this despite my deep down feeling that I really had no desire to move back east, nor to return to the harsh cold of winter. Listening to my rational mind, I applied for the job anyway.
Forever being a master networker, I reached out to my network to see who might have a connection for me at Kripalu. As it turned out, a fellow writing friend of mine happened to be friends with one of the foremost yogic scholars, a well-known author and senior teacher at Kripalu. My friend very graciously passed my resume on to this connection. But as fate would have it, the Universe had other plans in store for me. I did not get that job at Kripalu, and I eventually realized that I do belong right where I am, in San Francisco.
But this connection did bear other fruits for me, as I ended up working as a consultant to this well-known yoga author and teacher. Having the great privilege of working with this man, as I learned more about him and read his books, I recognized that this was a person I wanted to know better, and whose great work I wanted to follow and support.
And so here I find myself, breathing in the fresh and fragrant spring air of the Berkshires, having very excitedly journeyed from San Francisco to the wilds of Western Massachusetts, to attend this teacher's workshop on cultivating the practice of Loving Kindness (Metta).
As part of our meditation practice for the weekend, and in order to take advantage of the spectacular spring weather, he spontaneously changed the day's agenda and sent us out to the great lawn for some walking meditation- something I did not particularly enjoy doing just a few weeks ago, back home in California. But here, in the brilliant sunshine of Massachusetts' spring, my feet found themselves unexpectedly in paradise as I slipped off my flip-flops and stepped into the thick, lush grass, warmed by the sun. As I walked amongst the field of dandelions, each blade of grass playfully tickling my toes, I was struck by the fact that I cannot often (if ever) do this in San Francisco.
In our cool San Francisco climate, it is the exception, rather than the rule, that we get weather that is warm enough for sandals. And even the few wonderful times when it is warm enough (believe me, there is much rejoicing!), the climate of our "Fog City" very often leaves the grass wet and cold- not exactly an inviting environment for your cold little piggies! In that very moment, as my toes sank into the soft, warm grass, it occurred to me that I haven't walked barefoot in the grass for years!
I was immediately struck by how much people take for granted this simple pleasure. And in that instant, I paused and held such gratitude for my toes being able to experience this heaven beneath my feet. And at the very same time, I was grateful for my life in San Francisco affording me the opportunity for this moment of perspective and profound appreciation.
I continued to move my feet slowly, tuning in closely to the focal points of walking meditation: placing the foot, rolling the foot, lifting the foot, rinse and repeat, all the while being acutely aware of the feeling of my feet touching the Earth. As I did so, the sounds and smells of spring came into my awareness: the freshly cut grass, the bees buzzing around my feet, the soft breeze on my ears… and then there it was- the bird off in the distance singing his "see-saw" song, something that I then realized is an iconically New England sound. We don't hear that particular bird, with that unique song, in California. Once again I delighted in gratitude for the wonder of Mother Nature and all her diversity.
As I absorbed the see-saw song, I was immediately transported back to the childhood swing-set, swinging by the school yard. That bird, and that song, represent the sounds of my childhood. And then I was flooded with the countless childhood memories of running barefoot through the grass: backyard barbeques, graduation parties, badminton matches, pool parties, camping in my grandparents' back yard, summer concerts on the common- of all the moments when we unconsciously allowed ourselves to run barefoot in the warm grass, never thinking that there was anything particularly special about it.
And in this very special moment in time, here on the great lawn of Kripalu, during this very unexpected trip, I realized that never again would I take that simple pleasure for granted….and never again would I forget that feeling of heaven beneath my feet.


text:
I made this hearty salad last week as a side dish for a fish dinner, and it was delicious as well as very gourmet! I'm not sure where I bought Salad for Dinner
but the fresh combinations for these terrific salads really inspired me to make this dish. I highly recommend this cookbook!
I would make this salad again for a Rosh Hashanah or Sukkot lunch. Let me know how you like it! Marlene
Don't miss a single recipe!
p.s. CLICK HERE to get all the newest table setting ideas and easy healthy recipes once a week to your inbox!
Winter Greens and Wild Rice Salad with Grilled Yams and Lime-Ancho Vinaigrette:
- 1 3/4 pounds (about 4 thin) dark-fleshed yams, well scrubbed
- 3/4 cup wild rice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for sprinkling
- 12 cups mixed pepper greens, such as arugula, mizuna, red mustard, and spinach
- olive oil
Lime- Ancho Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- kosher salt
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup of parsley, chopped
- whisk all ingredients
- 12 cups mixed greens, such as arugula, mizuna, red mustard, and spinach
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes in wedges. Roast them with fresh chopped garlic, salt pepper and olive oil till tender. Or- you can grill them on a grill pan.
Bring the rice, 3 cups water, and salt to boil in a heavy medium saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 50 minutes. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
Add the celery, green onions, 1/4 cup parsley and 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette to the wild rice while hot and stir well.
In a large bowl, toss the greens with 3 tablespoons of Lime-Ancho Vinaigrette. Divide the greens evenly among four plates. Spoon the wilde rice salad onto the center of each pile of greens, dividing evenly. Arrange the yams over the rice, dividing evenly. Spoon the remaining dressing over the yams. Sprinkle the salds with the remaining parsley and serve.


text:
Job Application
Would you like to join our growing team? At Technoline Malta we employ a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, technicians, managerial and admin staff. We work in a dynamic environment that encourages everybody to excel in their talents and satisfy their career objectives.
We are always interested to get to know people who feel that they have the right qualities to pursue a career within our organisation. Should you be interested in joining our company, kindly submit the form below. All applications are treated with the strictest confidence.


text:
The 20 Best Action Movies on Netflix Right Now (P.2)
Posted 2018/01/31 3830 0
Netflix has a pretty swell and diverse library of action films to spice up your night.
11. Batman Begins
A young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the Far East, where he's trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows. When Ducard reveals the League's true purpose, the complete destruction of Gotham City, Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred (Michael Caine), his loyal butler, and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a tech expert at Wayne Enterprises, Batman is born.
12. Ip Man
During the Japanese invasion of 1937, when a wealthy martial artist is forced to leave his home and work to support his family, he reluctantly agrees to train others in the art of Wing Chun for self-defense.
13. Armageddon
When an asteroid threatens to collide with Earth, NASA honcho Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb. This leads him to renowned driller Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), who agrees to helm the dangerous space mission provided he can bring along his own hotshot crew. Among them is the cocksure A.J. (Ben Affleck), who Harry thinks isn't good enough for his daughter (Liv Tyler), until the mission proves otherwise.
14. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter's parentage is revealed.
15. 30 Days of Night
In the far Northern Hemisphere, the small town of Barrow, Alaska, experiences a solid month of darkness every year. Though most of the residents head south for the winter, some townspeople remain behind. However, those that stay regret their decision when, one year, hungry vampires descend on Barrow to feed. Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett), his wife (Melissa George) and a dwindling band of survivors must try to last until dawn breaks over Barrow's monthlong twilight.
It is the first year of Germany's occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a team of Jewish soldiers to commit violent acts of retribution against the Nazis, including the taking of their scalps. He and his men join forces with Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress and undercover agent, to bring down the leaders of the Third Reich. Their fates converge with theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus, who seeks to avenge the Nazis' execution of her family.
Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.
18. Inside Man
A tough detective (Denzel Washington) matches wits with a cunning bank robber (Clive Owen), as a tense hostage crisis is unfolding. Into the volatile situation comes a woman named Madaline (Jodie Foster), a mysterious power broker who has a hidden agenda and threatens to push a tense situation past the breaking point.
19. Batman Returns
The monstrous Penguin (Danny DeVito), who lives in the sewers beneath Gotham, joins up with wicked shock-headed businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) to topple the Batman (Michael Keaton) once and for all. But when Shreck's timid assistant, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), finds out, and Shreck tries to kill her, she is transformed into the sexy Catwoman. She teams up with the Penguin and Shreck to destroy Batman, but sparks fly unexpectedly when she confronts the caped crusader.
Boyka (Scott Adkins) accidentally kills an opponent in the ring, forcing him to question everything he's worked for. When he finds out his opponent's widow is in trouble, he becomes her champion in a series of seemingly impossible fights.


text:
Oct 7th Become an Affiliate and earn 20% recurring commision.
Become an Affiliate and earn 20% recurring commision for the as long as the company or person your referred stays with our services. You can activate the affiliate system on your account by logging in and clicking the activate button. All you then need to do is send your client a special link as outlined in the affiliate section with your ... Read More »


text:
LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our signature "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!
Max Minghella has been cast as Danny's younger brother Richie on "The Mindy Project" (TVLine.com); Michael Imperioli will guest on FOX's "Rake" as "a successful three-star restaurateur and father of five who is charged with bigamy" (TVLine.com); Alana De La Garza will reprise her role of Connie Rubirosa on "Law & Order: SVU" later this season (TVLine.com); and Lee Tergesen is bound for "The Following" as "a normal family man whom Ryan Hardy suspects may harbor a dark secret" (THR.com).


text:
- Site Map
- Accessibility
- By-laws
- City Council
- 2020 Minutes and Agendas
- Accountability
- Conflict of Interest Declarations
- Council Calendar
- Delegations
- Integrity Commissioner
- Regional Council
- Ward 1
- Ward 2
- Ward 3
- Ward 4
- City Staff Contacts
- City Services
- Building Division
- By-law Enforcement Division
- Chief Administrative Officer
- City Clerk
- Community Services
- Economic Development Division
- Engineering
- Fire & Emergency Services
- Human Resources
- Library
- Museum
- Operations
- Drinking Water System
- Operations Centre Build
- Rates and Fees for Services
- Storm/Emergency Information
- Water Conservation
- Winter Control Activities
- Winter Control Standards
- Overholt Cemetery
- Planning Division
- Cannabis
- Committee Of Adjustment
- Community Improvement Plans
- Development Charges Study
- 40 & 44 Killaly Street West
- Heritage Planning
- Official Plan
- Plan of Subdivision
- Planning Applications
- Planning Fees Schedule
- Port Colborne Quarry
- Site Plan Control
- Zoning Bylaw
- Treasury
- Committees
- Customer Service
- Employment Opportunities
- Energy Conservation
- Financial Reporting
- Forms and Schedules
- Grants for Non-Profits
- Hours of Operation
- Lowering of Flags
- Mayor's Office
- Municipal Election 2018
- 2018 Election Results
- 2018 Financial Statements
- Niagara Compliance Audit Committee
- 2018 Candidates
- Ward Boundaries
- Candidate Information
- Candidate Resources
- Election Signs
- Third Party Advertisers
- 2014 Municipal Election Results
- Orientation Manual
- Projects & Tenders
- Purchasing
- Strategic Planning
- Taxes
- Tax Rate Calculator - 2020
- Water
- Water Rate Calculator - 2020
COVID-19 | Service Delivery Changes
The Building Division will continue to do its best to maintain services for both Permits and Inspections during COVID-19. If you require these services, please visit our COVID-19 webpage for up-to-date information about changes to services and how we're maintaining building services, while keeping the health and safety of our staff and customers a top priority.
Ontario Building Code
What is the Ontario Building Code?
The Building Code Act, 1992 is the legislative framework governing the construction, renovation and change-of-use of a building. The Ontario Building Code is a regulation under the Act that establishes detailed technical and administrative requirements as well as minimum standards for building construction. The purposes of the Ontario Building Code include; public health and safety, fire protection, resource conservation, environmental integrity and accessibility although its primary purpose is the promotion of public safety through the application of appropriate uniform building standards. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is responsible for the development of, and the amendments to the Building Code Act and the Code.
What is a Building Official?
A Building Official is a person appointed by a municipality or other principle authority to enforce the Building Code Act, 1992, and the Ontario Building Code. They often carry different titles such as Chief Building Official, supervisor, manager, inspector and plans examiner, but all are members of the same profession.
A Building Official carries out the following activities:
- Provide technical and legislative information to designers, contractors, municpal elected officials and the public.
- Examine and inspect construction within a municipality to ensure complaince with the design plans, the Building Code and other applicable regulations.
- Applying, interpreting and enforcing the Building Code Requirements.
- Employing all of ones technical and personal skills to gain voluntary complaince to the Code.
- Emplying legislative actions such as issuing orders and initiating court proceedings to gaim complaince if not given voluntarily.
- Co-operating with other officials to act within the interest of the public.
Being a Building Official calls for a combination of technical knowledge and an ability to deal with the public, this requires tact and good judgment.
Where can I find a copy of the Ontario Building Code?
The Ontario Building Code can be found at: Ontario Building Code, 2014 Office Consolidation
Who Develops and Amends the Ontario Building Code?
The Ontario Building Code is developed and amended by the Ministry of Municpal Affairs and Housing. Information can be found on their website at: MMAH Building Regulations
Building Permits
What is a Building Permit?
A building permit is formal approval from the City of Port Colborne to construct, add to, or renovate a building on your property.
Why is a Building Permit Needed?
Building Officials require building permits to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of the building occupants is upheld. Building permits also help you, the owner, to understand what the local by-laws and regulations are. Building Officials use building permits as a vital step in the enforcement of Codes and By-laws. It is through this process that the Building Official can help to ensure that your project is built in accordance with all of the applicable Codes and By-laws. Before the start of any construction project a building permit must be issued. To commence construction without a building permit is illegal and a Procincal Offence under the Ontario Building Code Act.
Simply put, a buidling permit ensures that buildings comply with:
- The Ontario Building Code, which sets standards for design and materials
- The City of Port Colborne Zoning By-law, which provides regulations on building setbacks and uses
- Other health and safety regulations
When is a Building Permit Required?
- New construction over 108 square feet (10 square metres) in area (i.e. houses and other dwellings)
- Accessory Buildings over 108 square feet (10 square metres) in area (i.e. detached garages and tool sheds)
- Additions/Extensions of any size to existing buildings (i.e. sunrooms, porches, carports, garages, dormers, second storeys, etc.)
- Wood decks greater than 24 inches (600 mm) above adjacent finished grade
- Renovations (i.e. skylights, patio doors, rec room and other interior renovations)
- Changes in Use to a use with an increased hazard (i.e. from residential to retail)
- Structural Alteration (i.e. removing load bearing walls, beams, columns, reconstructing basement walls, foundations, floors and roof structures)
- Pre-fabricated Buildings over 108 square feet (10 square metres) in area (i.e. portable classrooms, kiosks, garages, tool sheds, patior roofs/enclosures)
- Farm Buildings (i.e. barns, greenhouses, etc.)
- Fireplaces (i.e. wood stoves, chimneys, etc.)
- Material Alterations - alterations to or new exit facilities, fire separations, fire protection systems (i.e. fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipe)
- Plumbing - alterations or new plumbing systems as well as water and sewer installations where applicable
- Swimming Pools (above-ground, in-ground or inflatable)
- Demolition (except for farm buildings)
- Permanent Tents
- Temporary Event Tents
- Any other building or structure designated by the Building Code as well as any relocated structure
Note: This list should not be considered all-inclusive. If your project is not mentioned please contact the Building Division. All buildings are required to meet certain zoning restrictions with respect to building location and use as set out in the City's Zoning By-law. These restrictions apply whether a building permit is required or not.
How do I apply for a Building Permit
Submit a completed application form with two sets of the required information. The information required is listed on the building permit application for each different section. An application is considered incomplete if the required information is not submitted at the time of application. If the application is not complete at the time of submission, delays may occur due to lack of information. To ensure a quick response it is very important to submit a complete application.
What Happens to my Application?
Municipal building staff will review your application to confirm that the proposed work complies with the Ontario Building Code and the local zoning by-law. They may also send it to other municipal officials for comments. If there are problems with your application or your plan, the staff will tell you why and will show you what you have to do.
Applications for a simple alteration or addition can be processed fairly quickly, but more complex proposals may take longer. If you need a zoning change or a minor variance from the zoning by-law, or if the work does not comply with the building code, a permit will not be issued until all the changes have been made.
If your property is covered by a site plan control bylaw you will not get a building permit until you have met all the requirements set out in the by-law.
What Happens During Construction?
Building permits often list the kinds of inspections that will have to be done during construction. A building inspector will inspect the work to determine if it is carried out in accordance with the building code, your permit, and the approved plans.
You will also be required to:
- Show your permit in a window or other place where it can be easily seen
- Keep copies of the plans on site
- Contact the municipality at the approprate stages of construction of inspections
- Tell the municipality about any last-minute changes, which will have to be approved
The inspector must always be able to see the work. If it's different from the work that was approved, you will be told to correct it. If you don't, the municipality can take legal action.
What About Demolition?
Before you take down all or part of a building, you will have to apply for a demolition permit. The process is much the same as for a building permit, but some special situations may affect your application. A copy of the Demolition Permit can be found below along with contact list for utility services and information to the permit holders.
In a demolition control area, for example, you will not be able to demolish a residential property until you have received a building permit for new construction.
Or, because of the building's historic or architectural importance, it may be designated, or be intended for designation as a heritage building under the Ontario Heritage Act. In that case demolition will require Council's approval and there may have to be negotiations over how some of the unique character of the building can be preserved.
What if I want to Change a Building's Use?
If you want to change the way you use all or part of your building you may need a change of use permit, even if you're not planning any construction. A building evaluation may have to be done to make sure that the existing building can support the proposed use.
Different uses have different code requirements.
Call the building department (see contact information below) to find out whether you will need a change of use permit.
What Happens if I don't get a Building Permit?
Anyone who is charged and found guilty of building without a permit can be fined up to $25,000 for a first offence and up to $50,000 for later offences.
Fines can also be imposed if you don't follow an order from the building department.
What Other Approvals May be Required?
In addition to planning approval and building permit which are required for a building project, there are other permits and approvals required in particular circumstances. For example, a septic tank permit is required for a new septic system. In cottage areas, a permit may be required from the Ministry of Natural Resources before you do any construction in the water (for example, a dock or boathouse with solid foundation).
To excavate, erect, alter, repair a building including a building intended for farm and farming purposes and the moving of a building various permit fees are required.
Information and Forms
City of Port Colborne Building Permit Application (Construction or Demolition)
City of Port Colborne Swimming Pool Permit Application
Building By-law Fees 6638/02/19 Schedule X
Building By-law 6023/129/13 and Building Permit Fees
Call Before You Dig (ON1Call)
Commitment to General Review by Architect and Engineer
Demolition Permit Declaration
Energy Efficiency Design Exceeding MNECB and ASHRAE 90.1 Form
Energy Efficiency Design Summary & Guide
Municipal Consent Application Form
Notice to Demolition Permit Holders
Niagara Regional Health - Special Request Inspection Application
Regional Development Charges Supplemental Economic Impacts Form
SB-10 and ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Cost Budget Compliance Report Form
SB-10 Energy Efficiency Design Summary Form Part 9 - Non Residential
Solar Panel Rooftop Installation Checklist
Supplementary Information Form for Demolition
Tents for Assembly Uses Policy
Unclaimed Building Deposit Request Form


text:
Position encoders
Higher accuracy. Easier installation. Superior reliability.
High quality optical, magnetic and laser encoders from Renishaw.
Laser encoders
Laser encoders provide high resolution and low cyclic error (SDE) linear position measurement.
They combine the measurement and positioning performance expected from a displacement interferometer, with the ease of installation and use associated with a traditional tape or glass scale based encoders.
Optical encoders
Robust and high-performance linear and rotary position measurement using a finely graduated scale and a compact optoelectronic readhead that converts motion relative to the scale into position data.
- Incremental and absolute position measurement available
- Non-contact design - zero hysteresis and no mechanical wear
- Robust optical design - high immunity to dirt, dust and scratches without compromising signal integrity
Magnetic encoders
Linear and rotary position measurement at low-cost, with high reliability and capable of operating in harsh environments.
- Incremental and absolute position measurement available
- Non-contact design ensures no mechanical wear
- Robust magnetic position sensing technology provides excellent resistance to most forms of contamination


text:
I have so enjoyed reading all of your answers from past posts. Let's keep going.
I blog. I get sick of writing about me! I want to get to know you! I have three questions.
Don't think, just answer!
- Do you read one book at a time or multiple books?
- What book or books are you currently reading?
- What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Have fun!
My answers:
- Multiple.
- How To Be Sick, The Happy Journal, The Rules of Magic
- Land of the Lost. (I didn't like regular cartoons, they freaked me out.)


text:
Taking the right turn
Divisible neck with quick release
One simple turning movement for opening and easy re-installation after calibration.
Patented thermometer extension neck with quick release for fast and easy recalibration. Fault prevention and time savings - the insert can be quickly removed. Protected against ingress of water due to protection class IP69K. No risk of mechanical damage or wiring errors during recalibration.
Significant time savings during recalibration (up to 20 min. per measuring point)
Avoidance of wiring errors during re-installation
Cost savings through minimization of plant down-times
High process and system safety
Taking the right turn
Our product finder helps you to search for suitable measuring devices, software or system components via product characteristics. Applicator leads you through an individual product selection via application parameters.
In order to detect curve drifts of the sensor element the thermometers are cyclically recalibrated with great effort. This time consuming recalibration involves risks in terms of wiring errors. The divisible extension neck iTHERM QuickNeck allows a tool-free removal of the insert for calibration purposes without interrupting the process. By turning the terminal head the insert can be removed from the protection tube and is ready for an on-site calibration.


text:
Are you totally comfortable becoming physically intimate with a new partner or do you have nagging doubts about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? How can you bring up the subject without ruining the mood?
You are lying on the couch with a new lover getting hot and heavy, about to make the big move into the bedroom to have sex for the first time. Obviously not the best time to bring up the subject of ]]>AIDS]]> or STIs. If you and your partner had already discussed this, you would probably just relax and enjoy the experience. But if you have not talked it through and you do go ahead with sex, be prepared for an experience that is less than perfect.
Open communication with a lover before you have sex is essential. Of course, talking about sexual issues is never easy. But it is less difficult when you take the time to get to know your partner and not rush into sex.
So how do you broach the subject of STIs? It may be easier than you imagine. Many people find it a relief when their partner brings up the subject since it is a concern for any responsible person. It shows that you care about your own health and your partner's.
Start by telling your partner how you feel about STIs and your experiences. You might say something like "It is gotten very complicated to be close to people these days. I feel really concerned about it so I have gotten tested for HIV and other STIs. What do you think about it? What have you done?" Or you could comment that you find it scary that people on TV and movies still seem to be jumping into bed without using protection and ask your date what he or she thinks.
If your date indicates that he or she is not being responsible in regard to STIs, you may want to rethink your relationship. Even if a partner assures you that he or she is careful, you cannot depend on that. You do not know his or her partners' sexual histories. The most prudent solution is for both partners to get tested for HIV and STIs before becoming intimate. Testing is readily available through your doctor or at clinics. You can choose to get an anonymous HIV test if confidentiality is a concern. You can also be tested for ]]>chlamydia]]>, ]]>gonorrhea]]>, syphilis, and ]]>hepatitis B]]> and hepatitis C.
Even when we know better, we may still succumb to temptation and jump into bed with someone we do not know well. In that case, you should absolutely practice "safer sex," since any exchange of bodily fluids is not entirely safe. Using a condom properly can help prevent HIV and other STIs. Men should remove the condom in a way that it prevents fluids from touching their partner.
Since genital herpes may include sores on the genitals (or may be transmitted by a partner who has no visible skin lesions but is still shedding virus), and HPV produces genital warts, both of these infections can be spread when the infected skin in the genital area of one partner rubs against the skin of the other partner. Therefore, condoms may not prevent the spread of infection.
If you do have an STI, you will need to tell your potential partners.
American Social Health Association
Johns Hopkins University AIDS Information Service
Sex Information and Education Council of Canada
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Male latex condoms and sexually transmitted diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/latex.htm. Updated February 2010. Accessed May 6, 2010.
US Food and Drug Administration. Vital facts about HIV home test kits. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048553.htm. Updated January 2008. Accessed May 6, 2010.
Last reviewed May 2010 by ]]>Brian Randall, MD]]>
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.


text:
The 2016 Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards Shortlist, Landskrona Foto Festival, Sweden
Initiated in November 2012 by Aperture Foundation and Paris Photo, the Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook's contribution to the evolving narrative of photography, with prizes in three categories. The initial short-list selection was made by Ann-Christin Bertrand, curator at C/O Berlin; David Campany, author, photographer, and curator; Lesley A. Martin, creative director of Aperture Foundation and publisher of The PhotoBook Review; Dr. Rebecca Senf, Chief curator at the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, Arizona, and the Norton Family Curator of Photography; and Christoph Wiesner, artistic director of Paris Photo.
All the short-listed books are profiled in issue 010 of The PhotoBook Review, Aperture Foundation's biannual publication dedicated to the consideration of the photobook. The PhotoBook Review is available for free at Aperture Gallery and Bookstore and is mailed to all Aperture magazine subscribers.
The short-list exhibition also includes the winning books: Libyan Sugar by Michael Christopher Brown is the winner of $10,000 in the First PhotoBook category. Wojciech Zamecznik: Photo-graphics by Karolina Puchała-Rojek and Karolina Ziębinńska-Lewandowska is the winner of the Photography Catalogue of the Year and Gregory Halpern's ZZYZX is PhotoBook of the Year. A special mention goes to Taking Stock of Power: An Other View of the Berlin Wall by Annett Gröschner and Arwed Messmer.
A jury in Paris selected this year's winners: Paul Graham, critically acclaimed photographer; Jens Hoffmann, director of special exhibitions and public programs, Jewish Museum, New York; Katja Stuke, artist, curator, designer, and publisher; Agnès Sire, director of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation; and Thomas Zander, founder of Galerie Thomas Zander.
Read more about the winners.
The shortlist exhibition will tour to the following venues:
Palm Springs Photo Festival, California, May 7-12, 2017
College of Art and Design, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 25 –October 21, 2017
Paris Photo, November 10-13, 2016
Ivorypress, Madrid, November 29, 2016 – January 19, 2017
Duesseldorf Photo Weekend, February 3-5, 2017
The Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography, Moscow, May, 2017
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Le Locle, Switzerland, June 17-October 15, 2017
Also On View:
Eli Durst: In Asmara, 2016 Aperture Portfolio Prize Winner
Aperture's exhibitions are funded in part by an award from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the Charina Endowment Fund. Additional funding for this exhibition is provided by The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Inc.


text:
Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It's free!
Wednesday February 27, 2008 1:43 pm
SOTAB Assists in Oil Spills
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation
Researchers from Osaka University have developed SOTAB 1 (Spilled Oil Tracking Autonomous Buoy 1) with imaging sensors that can spot globs from a distance. The GPS bot dives down and when it senses something that resembles oil, floats back to the surface and "swims" towards the oil spill. SOTAB then helps cleanup crews by providing data on wind speed, and depth and temperature of the water. Still in the developmental stage, head researcher Naomi Kato hopes the 243 lb. robot will be available commercially in a couple of years.
Read More | Pink Tentacle
Latest Gear Live Videos
- Subscribe:
- YouTube
- iTunes High Definition
- iTunes Standard Version
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.


text:
Keep up to date with the latest news and announcements relating to Council's projects and services. Please contact Council if the information you require is not displayed.
Whitsunday Regional Council today celebrated 10 years of Jetstar flying to Whitsunday CoastAirport with the visit of Jetstar Chief Executive Officer David Hall to the Whitsunday region.
Mayor Jenny Whitney said over the 10 years Jetstar have been operating from Whitsunday Coast Airport more than 1 million passengers have flown in and out of the Whitsunday Coast Airport on a Jetstar plane.
"Jetstar have been a great airline partner at Whitsunday Coast Airport and have helped contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in the Whitsunday region and Council looks forward to continuing to build their relationship with Jetstar in the future," she said.
"While in town Mr Hall will meet with members of the local tourism industry to talk about tourismopportunities in the region and also hear about the strategic direction of the Whitsunday CoastAirport."
Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said he was pleased to be in town to celebrate an historic milestone.
"The Whitsunday Coast Airport is one of a select group of airports we've flown in and out of since day one," Mr Hall said.
"We know our customers love the many and varied attractions on offer in the Whitsundays andwe're delighted to have contributed to the local tourism industry over the past 10 years."While in town Mr Hall gifted $1,000 in flight vouchers to the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club.
"We wanted to thank the community for their incredible support since our first flight in May 2004," Mr Hall added.
"Jetstar is all about making the world more accessible through low fares travel and we're sopleased that this small gift back to the community will help ensure local kids can compete in thestate swimming championships in Brisbane next month."
While in town Mr Hall also attended the official opening of the Airlie Beach Main Streetrevitalisation project.
Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Scott Waters said that the 10 yearcelebration caps off an excellent year for the airport with the following achievements:• October being the best month on record with in excess of 26,000 passengers passingthrough the airport• Introduction of direct Sydney flights in April• In May, the Airport achieved the best on time arrival and departure performance in Australia• The Whitsunday Coast Airport International Export Hub Project progressed in-conjunctionwith the State Government to master plan the entire airport site and providePriority Development Area status to across the site• First quarter results for the 2014/15 year achieved record results• Winning the Local Government Tourism and Business Award at this year's WhitsundayTourism and Business Awards• Maintaining capacity with all of our airline partners• Achieving the best monthly passenger number result on record in October 2014
For media enquiries, contact:Kate Lennox, Communications ManagerPhone: 07 4945 0614, 0427 458 369 or Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
We're sorry, but the page you're looking for could not be found.
Go back or try searching →
Wexel Art makes showcasing life's little pleasures simple and rewarding.
Learn more about the Wexel Art story here »
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …


text:
Top Five Old School NBA "Stiffs"
It's always fun to watch a "stiff" get dunked on.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Old school stiffs seemed somehow even more helpless, didn't they?
Yesterday I purchased a VHS copy of "All New Dazzling Dunks And Basketball Bloopers" from a local thrift store for $1. Released in 1990, hours of my childhood were spent watching this "tape" hosted by Marv Albert and the hilariously stupid Frank Layden. As I was watching it, I had a realization- certain "stiffs" kept getting dunked on over, and over.
So, what is a stiff? A tall guy who gets dunked on or posterized repeatedly by multiple dunkers, while offering little resistance, time and time again. And sure, we all know about present day NBA stiffs, but who were the forerunners? Who popularized being a stiff?
Here is a top five breakdown of some of my favorite old school stiffs.
Mark Eaton
Eaton was a two time NBA defensive player of the year and still is the NBA's all time leader in blocks in a season (456) and career blocks per game average (3.50) But what made Eaton a posterizing favorite was his hulking bulid and lack of a vertical leap. At 7-4 with a wingspan of about eight feet, dunking on him always looked cool. My favorite was this dunk by a young 6-1 Kevin Johnson.
Shawn Bradley
He always looked so hapless, didn't he? Arms flailing, head near the rim, paper thing and pasty as could be. Hapless is the perfect word to describe the 7-6 Bradley. For as big as he was, he lacked a mean streak which is why opposing players loved to challenge him at the rim. He wasn't a horrible player, leading the league in blocks multiple times and was the first player in NBA history to record consecutive games of double-figure blocked shots twice in a single season. But he got dunked on A LOT. And, had an abnormally large head.
Manute Bol
Bol lead the league in blocks twice and had an affinity for shooting three pointers making 43 of 205 career attempts. At 7-7 and roughly 200 pounds, Bol's rail thin physique was constantly assaulted near the rim.
Greg Ostertag
7-2, no vertical, rocking the crew cut. It used to be hilarious to watch Karl Malone yell at him mid-game for screwing up.
Chuck Nevitt
At 7-5, Nevitt was one of the first really big dudes/stiffs in the NBA. And he is still the tallest player to win an NBA title, winning one with the Lakers in 1985. And that mustache, oh that mustache.
Who is your favorite old school victim?Read More


text:
The Wildcats Stephen Curry outscored Wisconsin 22-20 in the second half, and the amazing fairy tale that is Davidson now has a collision with the top-seeded Jayhawks on Sunday for a berth in Final Four.
Quick, call Cinderella, the stage coach is here.
Curry scored more than 30 points for a third straight game, and the 10th-seeded Wildcats dismantled third-seeded Wisconsin 73-56.
Evidently, little Davidson has gotten so big, even NBA Goliath LeBron James is on the bandwagon, snagging a seat a few rows behind the Wildcats' bench.
Curry, the son of former NBA sharpshooter Hokie Dell Curry, outscored the Badgers all by himself in the second half, 22-20. He finished with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including six 3-pointers.
Davidson (29-6) extended the nation's longest winning streak to 25. The Wildcats will try to make it 26 on Sunday when they play top-seeded Kansas for a trip to the Final Four. The Jayhawks beat Villanova 72-57.
This marked the second time in three tournaments that a double-digit seed got this far. In 2006, 11th-seeded George Mason reached the Final Four. It's the furthest Davidson has gotten since 1969, when Lefty Driesell's squad got to the East Regional before losing to North Carolina.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Davidson Wildcats is congratulated by his teammates after he came out of the game late in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Midwest Regional Semifinal. (Photos by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Props to Greg "Washington State" Bengston for the Davidson and Goliath phrase.)


text:
Search Results
cityhealthchannelHealthy LivingRemove
- Gyms and Leisure Centres (39)
- Healthy Living (89)
- Quit Smoking (32)
Narrow Your Results
NHS Health Check
NHS Live Well
NHS Weight Loss Guide
Nuffield Health City Fitness & Wellbeing Gym
Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre4 Cousin LaneLondon
Older persons assessment unit (OPAU) at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
Older persons assessment unit Ground floor, Bermondsey Wing Guy's HospitalLondon
Otium Health and Leisure Club
Monday to Friday 6.30am-9pm. Weekends 8am-8pm. Pool hours for children: Monday to Friday 6.30am-9pm. Weekends 8am-7:45pm. Pool closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.30am-12pmOtium Health and Leisure Club facilities include: Luxurious pools Hot spa baths State-of-the-art gyms Aerobic studios Trained instructors Sauna and steam rooms Beauty treatments
Thistle Barbican120 Central StreetLondonEC1V 8DS
Perfect Balance Clinic
6 Trump StreetOff Cheapside, St Pauls/BankOff Cheapside, St Pauls/BankLondon
Phoenix Counselling Service
591 HeathwayDagenhamDagenhamEssex
Pilates Classes - Artizan Street Library
See timetableInner Body offers a selection of pilate classes for beginners to the more experienced, including group matwork, Swiss Ball and reformer machine. We also have pregnancy pilates and private pilates reformer machine lessons for a more tailored approach. We're located at Artizan Street Library and…
Artizan Street Library and Community Centre1 Artizan StreetLondonE1 7AF
The Pine Street Medical Practice
Finsbury Health Centre17 Pine StreetLondon


text:
Hyun-Jin Ryu Plays Catch with Young Fan
Hyun-Jin Ryu has been a huge asset to the Dodgers. Through his first eight starts, he's been all we hoped for and more. That's enough to make anyone a believer, but he recently did something else that shot him up the "I do super cool things" list and planted him firmly in the realm of "awesome guy." In the vein of Matt Kemp's extreme generosity towards a sick fan, Ryu decided that baseball really is a Kid's game and gave back to one young fan by playing a little catch with him in the left field of Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers. Classiest team in baseball? I like to think so.