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Hi, I am Mark Parry the owner of N.A.C Property Clearance, we are a professional House Clearance Company covering Cardiff, South Wales, we specialise in full House Clearances, also flat clearance and garage clearance, we can clear your property in hours when other home clearance companies take days, we clear anything and everything when other domestic house clearance companies and charities are only interested in the items that have a value, we clear from inside and outside your property when other house clearance business's expect you to put it outside for collection, we clear it all, carpet and stair lift removal, shed and garage clearance, basements and attic clearance, so let us do all the hard work, call me today for advice, an estimation or to book a free quotation, we provide a reliable and efficient House Clearance Service in Cardiff.
We have been clearing houses in Cardiff for over 10 years, we believe in building trust with our customers by being straightforward, honest and professional, we have an informal and friendly approach and are sure you will feel confident and at ease with our house clearance services, what we do we do well by going that extra mile, we are adaptable demonstrating a can do attitude, we take pride in our work and have the enthusiasm to achieve our best and deliver customer satisfaction on every property clearance in Cardiff we undertake, we understand that every customer has different requirements and expectations, we will tailor our Cardiff house clearance services to meet your needs, we consider competition to be a important aspect of any type of business and recommend that you get several local house clearance companies in Cardiff to supply a quotation to clear your property but please give us the opportunity to be one of them, we are very competitive and will go that extra mile to win your house clearance business and provide you with a professional, efficient and reliable service.
How it Works
We can clear your whole property from start to finish all within a few hours without you having to lift a finger if you require us to but my advice would be for you to try to sell your items or offer them to members of your own family and friends first, then if you are able take all the smaller item's i.e. bric-a-brac, clothing, bedding, books, magazines and any other item's you could realistically fit in the boot of your car either to a local charity shop or to your local council recycling center and recycle them for free, this method can not only reduce the cost of a clearance but it also gives you the opportunity to go through the property efficiently to ensure you have not overlooked any item of a financial or personal value, this can be a very emotional process of which I'm sure you are aware, we can then give you a quotation to clear the larger bulky item's of furniture etc, but if this is not a realistic option for you then don't worry we can do everything, we do not require you to separate or bag any item's all we need you to do is search the property with a fine tooth comb to ensure there are no item's of a financial or personal value that you would like to keep and we can clear and recycle everything else for you, we clear anything and everything, we can clear carpets and stair lifts, clear sheds and garages, clear attic's and basements.

subset: commoncrawl


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It is possible that the main title of the report Anemia, Hemolytic, Cold Antibody is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Cold antibody hemolytic anemia (CAHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells (rbcs) by the body's natural defenses against invading organisms (antibodies). Normally, the red blood cells have a life span of approximately 120 days before they are destroyed by the spleen. In individuals with CAHA, the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely and the rate of production of new cells in the bone marrow can no longer compensate for their loss. The severity of the anemia is determined by the length of time that the red blood cells survive and by the rate at which the bone marrow continues to create new red blood cell production.
The immune hemolytic anemias are classified according to the optimal temperature at which the antibodies act to destroy red blood cells. As their names imply, cold antibody hemolytic anemia occurs at temperatures of approximately 0 to 10 degrees centigrade, while warm antibody hemolytic anemia (WAHA) occurs at temperatures of 37 degrees centigrade or higher.
In most cases, CAHA is a primary disorder that typically becomes apparent at 50 to 60 years of age. Symptoms and findings associated with the disorder may include fatigue; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia); persistent yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes (jaundice); and/or sweating and coldness of the fingers and/or toes (digits) and uneven bluish or reddish discoloration of the skin of the digits, ankles, and wrists (acrocyanosis or Raynauds sign).
Cold antibody hemolytic anemia may also occur as a secondary disorder in association with a number of different underlying disorders such as certain infectious diseases (e.g., mycoplasma infection, mumps, cytomegalovirus, infectious mononucleosis), immunoproliferative diseases (e.g., non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia), or connective tissue disorders (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus). Although CAHA is known to be an autoimmune disorder, its exact underlying cause is not fully understood.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Ave.
East Detroit, MI 48021
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
Cold Agglutinin Disease E-Support
c/o Betty Usdan
146 Greens Rd.
Hollywood, FL 33021
Tel: (954)961-2703
Fax: (954)961-2703
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.coldagglutinindisease.org
AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.autoimmunitycommunity.org
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Last Updated: 3/27/2008
Copyright 1990, 1997, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.


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3109 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 4R6
Phone: (204) 269-7390 Fax: (204) 261-7565
Supports Green Practices
"Supports Green Initiatives" designates a hotel's participation in an optional environmental program that includes the use of energy-efficient lighting, guestroom towel/linen re-use, and on-premise recycling. "Supports Green Initiatives" does not represent an official certification of any kind.
Join free while you book
There is no catch. Join for free, and get access to exclusive perks!
Access to exclusive promotions and low, member-only pricing
10 points per dollar that add up fast... for free nights, gift cards or your dream getaway
Instant extra rewards for your weekday travel
Exclusive flexible rate for Choice Privileges members when you book direct at ChoiceHotels.ca or through the Choice Hotels Mobile App. Valid at most International and U.S. Choice Hotels locations. Must be or become a Choice Privileges member prior to making the booking. Discount rate is non-transferable or redeemable for cash, cannot be used for future stays or existing reservations and may not be combined with other promotions, offers or discounts. Unless otherwise stated, quoted rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and do not include taxes, gratuities or incidental charges. Early departure fees, deposit and cancellation restrictions may apply and will vary by hotel. Not valid at vacation rental properties.
The Comfort Inn® South is a short drive from to IKEA Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba and minutes from the Royal Canadian Mint, the Winnipeg Convention Centre, the Grand Prix Amusements family fun centre, Assiniboine Park Zoo and the family-friendly Fun Mountain Water Slide Park.
The downtown area and many shops and restaurants are located nearby.
High-value hotel amenities include free wireless high-speed Internet access in all rooms, free hot breakfast, free local calls, free weekday newspaper, free parking and free coffee.
All air-conditioned guest rooms at this Winnipeg hotel include coffee makers, ironing equipment, hair dryers and cable television. Handicap accessible rooms are available.
Corporate travellers appreciate conveniences like the business class rooms with spacious work desks and ergonomic chairs. Pets are welcome at the Comfort Inn South with a small nightly fee.
Your Morning Breakfast is full of hot and delicious options, making breakfast at the Comfort Inn the perfect way to start your day. Enjoy our free hot breakfast featuring eggs, meat, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal and more, including your choice of hot waffle flavors.
Check-In Time: 15:00 Check-Out Time: 11:00 Guest Rooms: 83


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Runner Runner Guns is federal firearms dealer & manufacturer located in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. We carry most AR-related parts and firearms. We focus on customer service and fast service. We are US Veteran owned and operated.
Runner Runner Guns has an active presence in the DFW and surrounding area gun shows. If you want to see some our products in person before you purchase, come see us at our next Gun Show. Click here to view our upcoming shows.
2001 Central Circle Suite 100
McKinney, TX 75069
Showroom Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-6
Friday: 10-6
Saturday: 10-6
Join our email list to learn about the latest product information and special offers.


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Getty Images
We'll make the turn in the Mt. Rushmore process with the Arizona Cardinals.
A franchise that boasts far more longevity than success presents another challenge when it comes to cutting the 12 Mt. Rushmore finalists to four.
Cast your ballots below. The winner will be announced on Friday's edition of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN.
We considered making Denny Green a finalist based solely on his epic 2006 post-game rant. Other than the unexpected 2008 Super Bowl run, it's arguably the most memorable moment for the Cardinals since the days of Jim Hart.


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Cheap, Easy DIY Decorating Idea: Craft with Painted Fall Leaves
Here's an easy DIY craft for you: grab some leaves from the backyard, whip out some craft paint or thread, and go to town. If your budget doesn't allow for buying store-bought decorations, this is a cheap alternative that do-able and fun.
- Alisa Burke painted a series of leaves, then strung them up as festive garland.
- Try painting leaves still on the branch, for a great centerpiece like Rachael's.
- Or, simply tape up a collection of leaves like Elsie Marley did.
- Socks officially knocked off by this crocheted leaf from Susanna Bauer. Visit her website for lots more.
- For a sophisticated look, Elena Nuez used a restrained, earthy color palette when she hand-painted a pile.
- Gabee Meyer went more playful with brighter colors. Via Josloft.
- Our very own Sarah Dobbins marbleized a bunch of leaves, then created a festive branch centerpiece.
- Alisa Burke also fashioned a seasonal wreath from some metallic painted leaves.
- Kristen shared some abstract, painterly leaves that read thoroughly modern.
- Last but not least, Sarah & Emily contributed these glittery leaves, which they hung vertically. They used fake leaves, but there's no reason real ones shouldn't work.


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Hummus & Heirloom Tomato Pizza
So, who's afraid of a vegan hummus pizza?
One of the things I love about blogging is how we play off each other's thoughts and ideas. I was psyched to see that Susan of Fat-Free Vegan was inspired to try Portobellos Stuffed with Red Pepper Hummus after seeing my post on Tempeh Bacon -Wrapped Portobello with Baba Ghanoush, a very juicy, sexy mouthful:
Anyway, thanks to Susan for her inspiration for this post. In her post Susan recalls a hummus pizza that sounded really good, but was actually dry and tasteless. Well, you know, I love pizza, and this sounded like a challenge!
Obviously, you don't want to "cook" hummus very long, so this pita-based pizza was prepared in 3 minutes under a hot broiler. The juicy and pretty heirloom tomatoes made this pizza quite succulent and it was a snap to prepare. Of course, if I wasn't thinking vegan, I would have added feta cheese. Did I miss it? Nope. As I didn't have to worry about the fat in the cheese, I topped the tomatoes with basil pesto and salt and pepper and "oh, golly, geez, damn"....(can you name the movie this line is from?)
I used a lot of pre-prepared foods like the hummus, pesto, and Affi's smoky eggplant pesto, which made this the kinda satisfying meal you could whip up in 15 minutes. The pine nuts made this completely satisfying. Here's the incredibly simple recipe:
Hummus & Heirloom Tomato Pizza (one serving):
1 pita bread
1 tsp olive oil
4 generous pinches zahtar
1 tsp smoky eggplant pesto (or sub baba ghanoush)
1 tbsp hummus (your fav!)
1 pretty heirloom tomato, sliced
1 tsp pesto
2 tbsp pine nuts
Preheat the broiler and wait until it's hot.
Place a pita bread on a foil-covered baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with 2 pinches of zahtar. Place under the broiler for 1 minute.
Top pita with eggplant pesto, hummus and slices of tomato. Top tomato with two pinches of zahtar, pesto, and S & P. Sprinkle with pine nuts.
Place under the broiler again for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes.
Cut into quarters and serve!


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Born in 1938 as Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp, today's Philmont Scout Ranch is a bustling center for high adventure and training. Youth and adults take advantage of the ranch's camping, training, and work programs. Most activity takes place during the summer, but Philmont also offers Autumn Adventure and Winter Adventure.
More than 950,000 Scouts, Venturers, and leaders have experienced the adventure of Philmont since the first camping season in 1939. Throughout its existence, conscientious attention to low-impact camping techniques have helped maintain the ranch's wilderness flavor. The area surrounding the ranch is rich with history, from the Native Americans who made this arid land their home to the land barons of the 19th century. The town of Cimarron boasts a number of historical buildings, including the St. James Hotel-- site of at least 26 killings during Cimarron's wilder days.
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's largest national high-adventure base. Its 24 staffed camps and 55 trail camps provide an unforgettable adventure in the high country along hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky hills.


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Jump to navigation Jump to search
Dick Gephardt (born January 31, 1941) served as a U.S. Representative from Missouri from January 3, 1977, until January 3, 2005.
- Politics is a substitute for violence.
- At the 2004 Missouri Democratic Convention
- This president is a miserable failure on foreign policy and on the economy and he's got to be replaced.
- In a presidential debate on September 4, 2003


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Discussion in 'Suggest HOWTO' started by kokusoft, Jul 25, 2011.
Any possibilities for coming out with a Perfect Server tutorial for CentOS 6?
Take a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53356&highlight=ispconfig+centos
ispconfig3 and centos6 (64bits) troubles
Hello !
After following the instructions (your document) on: http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-centos-6.0-x86_64-ispconfig-3
I have succesfully have a working system.
>> During the installation I got some errors and warnings, not sure if that was all very importent yet.
FTP, http and ssh all works nice, no other tests made so far yet.
The thing is, when I do "yum update" via SSH, I get this warning:
"1015 packages excluded due to repository priority protections" (That's a lot !)
I have a server with proxmox, and I made a VM with Centos6 64bits and your nice software.
The thing is now: I want a stable VM (64bits with ispconfig3), I prefere centos.
The above error (and errors during the installation) make me insure to decide if this VM-server will be stable,
and ofcourse updates must always be possible.
So, I hope you can advise me:
1) Why I am getting these errors, and how can I solve them ?
2) Or must I reinstall a server using another kind of Linux version ?
Maybe other peoples have this same issues too ?
Please don't double-post!
Separate names with a comma.


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Contact our call center consultants today for your free needs analysis and quote at 330.532.8840 or fill out our quote request form.
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Snapshots of our Values
We have partnered with various artists to depict the value that BCGers bring to the world and to each other. The photographers at Magnum Photos and EyeEm Imagery captured moments that represent BCG as a firm and the business themes that drive our work. Parametric artist Reza Ali made digital artwork to supplement our web pages in a unique and thought-provoking way. Each of these artists tells a story, and BCG gives them a unique platform to tell it.Learn more about our artistic partnerships


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Museo Alameda must hand keys to A&M-S.A.
The languished Museo Alameda has shown its final exhibit.
The mission of the Smithsonian-affiliated facility dedicated to illuminating Latino heritage will be carried on by Texas A&M University-San Antonio under a new agreement with the city.
The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a lease with A&M-San Antonio, which will use the iconic pink Market Square building as a yet-to-be-named educational and cultural center.
Centro Alameda Inc., the nonprofit formed to run Museo Alameda, has agreed to end the 25-year contract it signed in 1997 with the city and vacate the building by the end of September.
With lackluster attendance and increasing debt, the museum faced a grim future when in 2010 the council gave it a second chance with a $450,000 bailout.
The city took over maintenance, security and utilities in a deal that's set to expire next month.
Councilman Diego Bernal said it was a decision to bolster the institution until a permanent solution could be found.
"This council decided to roll the dice and keep the doors of the Alameda open in the hopes that at the end of that time that something would happen," he said. "And I think that's exactly what's transpired."
Until A&M-San Antonio stepped in, the future of the Museo Alameda "wasn't looking good, quite frankly," Deputy City Manager Pat DiGiovanni said. "I don't believe there was any appetite to continue that relationship."
Still, he praised the museum's current board, headed by chairman Rolando Pablos, for keeping the institution afloat.
"The folks that inherited the Museo Alameda over the last couple of years have done a yeoman's job of trying to keep it open and alive," DiGiovanni said. "They should get credit for being a partner with us and extending the clock so that we could find another partner like A&M to come in here."
Pablos, board chairman since June 2010, hailed the council's decision as "a very positive thing for San Antonio, and I'm just glad that I was given an opportunity to keep that dream alive," he said.
Known as the Centro de Artes building, the Market Square facility will give a downtown presence to A&M-San Antonio, the second university system to expand into the city's urban core. It's just a few blocks east of the University of Texas at San Antonio's downtown campus.
"That's something that we had thought would be a wonderful idea," said Marilu Reyna, the A&M-San Antonio's associate vice president for institutional advancement and university communications. "We don't have a fine arts program but thought this was a fine way to get it started. It just seemed like a win-win situation."
Though it no longer will be known as the Museo Alameda, the city-owned space will continue to "tell the story of the Latino experience," said Felix Padrón, director of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs.
The council approved a new five-year lease with A&M-San Antonio, which has a 20-year renewal option. The university will pay the same rent as Centro Alameda Inc. did — $1 per year.
For the first three years of the lease, the city has agreed to spend as much as $305,000 annually for security and major maintenance. The city has also committed $150,000 annually for the first three years for exhibit programming.
"This is about maximizing dollars and expertise," Padrón said. "This is obviously a new venture for them, and I think that also we do know that we can bring some other resources to build a meaningful program."
After the initial three years, A&M-San Antonio has proposed taking over the costs associated with the building, with the support of the university system.
"What a wonderful day for Texas A&M-San Antonio," President Maria Ferrier said. "In conversations with our chancellor and with our board of regents, they have pledged total support from the system to make this a vibrant educational (facility)."
Padrón told the council that part of A&M-San Antonio's funding strategy will be to generate revenue from renting the space for special events, conferences and community programs.
The university also plans to create a robust educational component at the facility, including developing a kindergarten-to-12th-grade summer program for fine arts, a program for community-based fine arts education and college courses for its students.
A&M-San Antonio won't inherit any of the debt incurred by Centro Alameda Inc. Pablos, the nonprofit's chairman, said he hopes to make good on the $900,000 it owes vendors.
"It may be on a percentage basis, but I'm going to try to be honorable with everyone who deserves money," he said.
A&M-San Antonio is set to move in Nov. 1, Reyna said. She anticipates programming to begin in early 2013. Plans for the new center's initial offerings include an exhibit of work by San Antonio artists.
"We know the public is going to be asking for something soon," she said. "But we want to do it right, so it's going to take a little time."


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People researching Nebraska history and genealogy often marvel at the survival and stamina of pioneer women. I prefer to call them prairie mothers. Fortunately there are diaries and journals that these enduring women left for posterity.
Emma Slocum's great grandson, David L. Runner, has transcribed her dairy. She was born 18 October 1868 in Green Co., WI. In the early 1880s her family moved to Boone Co., NE, settling on a farm near Petersburg. At age 18 Emma began keeping a diary which reveals school life, friends, neighbors and also sad events, such as the death of her father in January of 1888. In November of that year, Emma, her mother and some of her brothers left Nebraska and moved to Marion Co., OR.
In 1915, Mrs. Anna Knox wrote of her pioneering adventures for The Lincoln Star newspaper. She was 90 years old, living with a daughter in Hastings. However, her accounts pertain to pioneer days near Nebraska City. She tells about hard times, with her own kind of spirit and optimism.
These are only two such publications on Internet. Books have been written about women's journals and diaries. Keep looking, you might even find one written by your ancestor!


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The Sudanese Air Force has had a turbulent history ever since its founding in January 1956, the year that the Sudan gained independence from the British. Originally trained and equipped by Egyptians and the British, it acquired aircraft and helicopters from the Soviet Union in the late 1960s, followed by Chinese examples several years later. The Sudanese Air Force (SuAF) then sought to purchase aircraft from France, but ended up acquiring U.S. F-5Es and C-130s. In the late 1980s it began receiving military aid in the form of aircraft and helicopters from Libya, followed by the delivery of more Chinese aircraft shortly after, which would continue to deliver aircraft in the last two decades. In more recent years the SuAF's core is made up by aircraft acquired from Belarus, Russia and unsurprisingly, China. This is not all however, as the SuAF also operates or used to operate aircraft sourced from a variety of countries such as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada.
While operating such a diverse fleet of aircraft ranging from several sources is already a logistical and financial nightmare, the political instability in Sudan during the 1960s to the early 1990s meant that Sudan frequently switched governments, all with different political orientations and thus different foreign policies. This meant the SuAF was unable to acquire spare parts for aircraft it had only recently acquired, resulting in decreased operational capability and eventually even the grounding of much of its fleet since its founding in 1956.
The Sudan has in recent decades enjoyed a more stable political and economical landscape, largely due to the discovery and large-scale exploitation of large oil reserves, allowing the country to purchase more advanced aircraft and equipment for the SuAF. Sudan also succeeded in establishing a facility that would allow it to overhaul certain types of aircraft and helicopters in the country itself with the aid of China, Iran, Russia and companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Safat Maintenance Center (more commonly known as the Safat Aviaton Complex, part of the larger Safat Aviation Group) was first opened in 2004, and began work on overhauling its first aircraft in 2006.
The sighting of these four BO-105s was the first indication the Sudan was working on bringing several examples of the type back to operational condition after years of being stored. Sudan had originally ordered twenty BO-105s from West Germany in 1977, which were all believed to have been delivered just a year later. At least twelve of these helicopters were destined for the Sudanese Police Force, with the other eight going to the SuAF at some point during their career. The examples operated by the police can easily be identified by their civilian paintjob, while BO-105s operated by the SuAF wore a camouflage pattern more adaptive to the Sudanese terrain.
With SAFAT's expertise growing, allowing it to service an increasing number of aircraft and helicopters (albeit with foreign help), SAFAT began to overhaul several types formerly operated by the SuAF of which it was once believed they would never fly again, including BO-105s. Four helicopters of this type, comprising three former SuAF mounts and one BO-105 operated by the police, were overhauled in 2012 with the assistance of the IHSRC (Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company, commonly known as Panha), likely by cannibalising other airframes for spare parts or by acquiring these via the black market. The work on all four helicopters was believed to have been finished in late 2012 or early 2013, when four BO-105s were spotted on satellite imagery on the the tarmac outside one of SAFAT's maintenance hangers. These helicopers would continue to show up on satellite imagery here well into 2014, possibly indicating they were still undergoing test flights or were simply waiting for their handover to the SuAF. One of the now once again operational BO-105s can be seen below.
All of Sudan's BO-105s can be armed with rocket pods containing 28x 50mm SNIA rockets and gun pods with two 7.62mms, which can be seen in the image below. Of course, compared to dedicated gunships such as the Mi-24/35s also operated by the SuAF this weaponry amounts to very little. The Mi-24/35 has secured its position as the SuAF's primary gunship, and the type's ruggedness, range and payload makes it an ideal platform for the SuAF. The BO-105 is a completely different platform however, lacking the range and armour for effective use over the hostile battlefields of Sudan. It could instead be used as an armed reconnaissance helicopter or even handed over to the police for more peaceful duties.
While the BO-105s are unlikely to significantly bolster the Sudanese Air Force's capabilities, they can be brought back to flying condition with minimal effort, presenting the SuAF with at least another four helicopters. Perhaps more importantly, the rotarcraft also represent an important step for the Sudan, one that could allow the country to become even more self-reliant in overhauling aircraft and helicopters in the future.
Sudan's commitment to Operation Decisive Storm, navigating the restless Middle Eastern political landscape


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President George F. Zook, 1925-1933
George F. Zook devoted most of his energy to a controversial plan to relocate the campus on 60 acres of open land just west of Hawkins Avenue on Akron's west side. The stock market crash of 1929 helped influence voters to reject a bond issue that would have financed the move. Still, Zook guided the University through the beginning of the Great Depression, managing to maintain both academic quality and financial solvency.
Trustees change the institution's name from the Municipal University of Akron to The University of Akron.
"Zippers" is the winning entry in a contest to choose a nickname for the University's athletic teams. The name, suggested by Margaret Hamlin, is that of a popular overshoe manufactured by The B.F. Goodrich Company. The company grants permission to use the copyrighted name, which eventually will be shortened to "Zips."
The University's Guggenheim Airship Institute is founded to conduct research in lighter-than-air craft as a joint effort with the California Institute of Technology. The Institute boasts about having the world's largest vertical wind tunnel.


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Woman, why Do You Weep?: Circumcision and Its Consequences
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Cheyenne Frontier Days 2013 Draws Big Crowds
Cheyenne Frontier Days officials say overall attendance was strong fro CFD 2013, including a new record attendance for a night show.
According to Frontier Days spokeswoman Nicole Gamst, Friday night's performance by Jason Aldean sold 25,000 tickets, smashing the previous CFD night show record of 23, 762 set by George Strait in 2004. Gamst also says the total tickets sold for Cheyenne Frontier Days night shows, including both tickets at the gate and prior to the shows, were over 250,000.
Gamst says the exact total needs to be confirmed, but preliminary numbers indicate it approaches the all-time CFD night show record which was set in 1996, the 100th anniversary of CFD. Gamst says the preliminary numbers for CFD events show total rodeo attendance of 83, 412, while the pancake breakfasts fed 31, 638. She says it looks like 59, 447 people visited the Indian Village during CFD 2013.


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You didn't have to wait until my Monday column to hear Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari went out on a date over the weekend. The once-private Cutler tweeted his plans to his 150,000 followers Friday.
"Dinner date night with @KristinCav," Cutler wrote. "She loves her creamed spinach."
This is hardly the first time the Bears quarterback and former "Hills" cast member have taken their on-again relationship to Twitter. It was just last week that Cavallari tweeted "To the man with the best butt in football, good luck tonight @jaycutler6 I'll be watching." Still, this was further proof that Cutler is more willing to address his personal life than he was in the past.
So where did the couple go for dinner date night?
From what I hear, they dined at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab before heading to Public House for post-dinner drinks (Grey Goose and soda). And while I don't know if Cavallari had creamed spinach at Joe's, I do know they ordered fried oysters, stone crab, turbot and parmesan halibut.
It remains to be seen how much longer this more public Cutler lasts. He was already showing signs of frustration with the hoopla surrounding his relationship the day after the date. When a fan tweeted a photo taken of the couple at Joe's and wrote "@KristinCav doesn't look pleased! @JayCutler6 may have been using the menu as an offensive line?" Cutler tweeted back "Could be how rude and disrespectful you were. Just a guess though."
Heads up: WWE is filming a straight-to-DVD documentary on WWE superstar and Chicago resident CM Punk. The documentary, which doesn't have a name yet, will be released some time in 2012. … WGN Radio's "Blackhawks Live" returns to Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in River North Nov. 30 and will feature the Hawks' Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo and Hawks' Vice President/General Manager Stan Bowman.
On the record: "I thought of a character, a young man that had everyone he'd ever loved systematically taken away from him. You have a guy here that was brought back to life by God himself with a new set of roles to live by and some kick-ass powers. Basically, he's sent out to do Heaven's dirty work and reclaim his faith." – Bears' Lance Briggs on the comic book he wrote, "Seraph," which hits stores Wednesday.
About this week: The Cubs' Kerry Wood and Bears' Matt Forte, Israel Idonije, Kellen Davis and J'Marcus Webb will help Trump Chicago serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Tuesday. … The Bears' Robbie Gould will host a "Monday Night Football" watch party at Rockit Bar & Grill when the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings Monday. Tickets can be purchased at rockitbarandgrill.com and benefit Gould's Goulden Touch foundation. ... Former Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy will sign copies of his fiction book, "Between the Lies," at Harry Caray's in River North Thursday.
Sightings: Michael Jordan and girlfriend Yvette Prieto went on a double-date with Scottie Pippen and his wife and "The Real Housewives of Miami" star Larsa Pippen at Epic Saturday. … Kerry Wood and the Atlanta Hawks' Kirk Hinrich had dinner, separately, at Joe's Wednesday. … The Dallas Mavericks' Shawn Marion dined at Japonais Friday. … The Cleveland Cavaliers' Baron Davis partied at Enclave Friday. … The New York Yankees' Curtis Granderson dined at Paris Club Friday. Lance Briggs hung out at Paris Club's upstairs lounge, Studio Paris, that night.
Twitter @aboutluisgomez


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The Jerusalem Post has a full package of articles on "Operation Bringing Home the Goods," the operation leading to the apprehension of the mastermind behind the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi. Here is the straight news story, here is the sidebar on Zeevi's son, here are profiles of the six wanted fugitives who surrendered, here is analysis of the operation, and here is the March 8 letter from the US and UK consuls to Mahmoud Abbas.
There is a lot of material here, all of it of interest. Under the category of "Londonistan calling," of special interest is the Post's report on British Foreign Minister Jack Straw and his antagonists on the British home front: "Straw defends Jericho withdrawal." The Post reports:
Betty Hunter, national secretary for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign [PSC], denounced the withdrawal, telling The Jerusalem Post she was "appalled at the complicity of the British government in this action".
"We have called a protest at 10 Downing Street at 5:30 tonight" to "reinstitute the protection they were to give to Ahmed Saadat" she said.
"Britain and the US had a responsibility to monitor the prisoners under the Ramallah Agreement," the PSC argued. "Jack Straw's statement that he had informed the Israelis in advance of the British and US withdrawal provided Israel with the opportunity to storm the prison and threaten to kill anyone who did not surrender."
Saadat's London lawyer, Kate Maynard, told the Post that "my fear is that my client will be killed" by the Israelis. The British government has a duty to protect" him, she argued, saying the presence of British monitors at the prison invokes the protections of British Human Rights laws. If Saadat is killed, Maynard told the Post she would seek to hold those responsible "criminally liable for murder" and seek to extradite them to Britain.
If Kate Manyard is representative, I guess the British moonbats are fully capable of going toe to toe with our own moonbats any day of the week.
JOHN adds: I have barely followed this story, but it seems obviously a good thing that this terrorist has been brought to justice. The news services have photos of the end of the standoff; here, the Associated Press shows Palestinian prisoners being marched out of the prison at the end of the stand off in Jericho:
You could have fooled me, but AFP says that this photo shows "a man who appears to be Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine," after he surrendered to Israeli troops:
The only thing I'll add is that I spent some time in Jericho some years ago; it was one of the spookiest, scariest places I've ever been. It's sad to see such ancient, historic sites in the hands of terrorists and terrorist sympathizers.


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Miles driven so far: 8359
Bookstores visited so far: 415
Books signed so far: 3355
Books hand sold so far: 191
Bookstores remaining: 85
Money spent on gas: $987
Money spent on hotels: $1122
Money spent on food: $371
Tour cost per store: $5.91
I'm currently in Florida, and will be here for the next few days. The goal of 500 seems within reach, and I'm confident my final bookstore tally will be above that.
I'm thrilled my cost per bookstore is under $6. Add the free hardcover I give to bookstores (which costs my publisher around $6 as well) and I feel I'm doing a lot of good for a total cost of $12. Compare that to advertising, or a conventional tour, and this really seems like the most bang for the buck that any author can do to increase brand awareness.
Waldenbooks is still having a computer problem where they can't order my latest book through BITS (though it can be orders through BIPS), but the last few I've visited have had many copies of RUSTY NAIL on the shelves (something I haven't seen all tour), so it looks like they are finally being shipped. Woo hoo!!! As I've preached before, taking up shelf space is essential to finding readers.
Of course, the only sure-fire way to sell a book is word-of-mouth. This can be done by the author, friends, family, booksellers, librarians, and to a lesser extent with reviews, ads, and publicity.
But word of mouth won't lead to a point-of-sale purchase if your book isn't in the store.
Like all sales, the goal is three-fold:
1. Inform consumers that the product exists.
2. Attract those consumers who are interested in your type of product.
3. Make it really easy for them to buy your product.
Writers are lucky in that readers actively seek out books. While nothing beats a solid recommendation, many books are sold accidentally, by a consumer browsing the shelves for something of interest.
Real estate plays a large part in these accidental discoveries. The more titles you have in print, and the more copies of each individual title a bookstore carries, the likelier you are to be discovered. Face out has a better chance of being sold than spine out. The new release tables, the paperback towers, the dump boxes, the end caps, the counter displays, and the staff recommended picks, all get many more looks than the books shelved in the sections. A big stack of a single title subconsciously tells buyers it's an important book that is obviously selling well.
Publishers know this. They pay big money for coop in these prime real estate places. They print oodles of books so bookstores order oodles of copies and create these displays. And there is an element of self-fulfilling prophecy at play here---more books printed usually means more books sold.
But not always.
I've learned two disturbing terms on this tour. One is called "remaindered on shelf."
When a book is remaindered, no more orders are coming in, and the warehouse discounts its copies to sell at a loss. If you've ever bought a hardcover in a bookstore for $5.99, it was a remainder. Here's how the process works:
1. A bookstore orders 100 copies of a new hardcover. They can order from the publisher at a discount of 42%-50% off cover price, or from a distributor at typically 40% off (Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Partners, CDS, Koen, etc).
2. They sell 60 copies. Then they ship the other 40 copies back and get a refund.
3. After a title is no longer being ordered, the publisher remainders it, selling it at a loss to recoup printing cost. The author makes no money from this sale, but that's not a bad thing--remember, the more books you have 'out there' the likelier you are to be discovered.
4. Bookstores buy remainder titles in bulk for a few dollars a book, then sell them for a few bucks more.
As I understand it, bookstores are fine with buying large numbers of a new hardcover, because they can return them if needed. However, the return process is a pain, and it is costly (the bookstore usually pays for shipping back the books.)
Enter "remaindered on shelf." Instead of shipping back the books, a bookstore is given a partial refund and told to keep the book and discount it 50% off. This eliminates the need for shipping back and forth (which is expensive and time consuming.)
Is this the way of the future? Time will tell.
Another current trend is called "strip and bind." When the hardcovers come back, rather than get remaindered they get stripped of their covers and rebound as trade paperbacks, which typically have a longer shelf life than hardcovers.
Is this a smart way to save some money, or is this a gentle hint to publishers that perhaps they are printing waaaaay too many books?
But therein lies the problem. The more books in print, the more that will sell. So publishers have to print too many, in order to sell a lot.
As long as books are returnable or refundable, there will be waste. If a book is lucky, the waste becomes a remainder, a remainder on shelf, or a strip and bind. Unlucky books go into the pulping machine, which isn't helpful to anyone, unless you're a spruce.
Which brings me back to shelf space. More is better. This involves an element of risk on behalf of the publisher, because a poor sell through and big returns can be a financial disaster. But if the books are good, backlist sales are steady, and word of mouth is spreading, bookstore real estate is the next logical step. Coop dollars for the new release tables, and a high enough print run to justify a bigger discount to bookstores (which is passed on to the reader as a 20% discount that most stores have) will go a long way toward making an author a bestseller.
If you need signed JA Konrath books, look to these fine establishments:
Joseph-Beth Charlotte NC
Borders Morrocroft Charlotte NC
Borders Stonecrest Charlotte NC
Borders Cary NC
BN Cary NC
BN New Hope Commons Charlottee NC
BN Sharon Charlottee NC
BN Arboretum Charlotte NC
BN Pineville NC
BAM Burlington NC
Walden Pineville NC
BAM Salisbury NC
BAM Concord NC
Walden Durham NC
BN Greensboro NC
Walden Greensboro NC
Borders Greensboro NC
Walden Winston-Salem NC
BN Winston-Salem NC
Borders Winston-Salen NC
Aliens and Alibis Columbia SC
BN Forest Acres SC
BN Columbia SC
Waldenbooks Dutch Square Columbia SC
Waldenbooks Columbiana Circle Columbia SC
The Happy Bookseller Columbia SC
BAM 4080 Forest Columbia SC
BAM 275 Harrison Columbia SC
Walden Orangeburg SC
BAM Savannah GA
BN Savannah GA
Walden Savannah GA
BN Atlantic Jacksonville FL
BAM Brunswick GA
BAM Atlantic Jacksonville FL
Sunday, August 13, 2006
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Even Brody Jenner Didn't Know Kylie Was Pregnant Until She Gave Birth
Sounds like Brody Jenner isn't exactly part of the Kardashian-Jenner inner circle as Kylie's half-brother found out that the reality starlet was pregnant when the rest of us learned of the big news.
On Thursday (February 8), TMZ caught up with Brody at LAX and he revealed that he learned about the arrival of Jenner's baby daughter, Stormi Webster, along with the rest of the world. "Well, to be honest, I didn't even know she was pregnant for the entire pregnancy," The Hills alum told the photog. "Now, I found out and would love to see her."
Brody when on to admit that it's been "a couple years" since he has spent time with Jenner, whom he shares the same parent Caitlyn Jenner, but he'd like to change that. "Relationship's always been there, but, you know, they're busy," he said the family. "It is what it is. I would love to meet the baby."
On Wednesday, PEOPLE reported that Jenner and Travis Scott are "over the moon" after welcoming their new baby into the world last week, but they are not living together at the moment. "Kylie and Travis are not officially living together," an insider told the outlet. "He has his own place. They are co-parenting though, and things are going great. They are together and happy." Jenner and Scott also don't have any plans to get married in the near future because they want to focus on what's most important: their new-found family. "They're not in rush," said the source. "They're just enjoying their little family."
Photo: AOL


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|Daniel Nava collected a pair of run-scoring doubles and reached base four times in Sunday's rout of the Indians. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff)
He's leaving an impression
Nava is starring in this short stint
When Daniel Nava was sent to Pawtucket out of spring training, he accepted his assignment with the knowledge he had made a favorable impression on Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.
"We called him up at the end of spring training and he played really well,'' Valentine said of Nava, who spent all of last season in Triple A after playing 60 games with Boston in 2010. "Of all the guys that were on the radar, he wasn't one of them.
"There were some questions that we had at the time, and he made a good impression in a couple of games he played in spring training. We told him so and he took that into his Triple A season.''
After hitting .316 with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs in 27 games at Pawtucket, Nava was called up for the start of this four-game series against the Indians Thursday.
Nava succeeded in making another favorable impression, going 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles for three RBIs, three runs, and a stolen base in Sunday's 12-1 romp. Nava reached on all four plate appearances after twice getting hit by Cleveland righthander Justin Masterson.
"He has played a very good brand of baseball,'' Valentine said.
Since his recall, Nava has reached safely in 12 of 16 plate appearances.
After spending time with the big club two years ago, Nava said he has a better idea of what to expect the second time around.
"It's just fun to be a part of wins and everyone's enjoying it,'' he said. "Being my second time around, it's not as challenging to not know what's coming up, but at the same time, I'm just going day-to-day.''
McDonald on DL
Darnell McDonald was placed on the disabled list with what Valentine called "a mild right oblique strain,'' prompting the team to summon first baseman Mauro Gomez from Pawtucket, where he hit .294 and led the team with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 83 total bases.
Gomez made his major league debut as a defensive replacement in the eighth for Adrian Gonzalez and struck out swinging in his only at-bat.
McDonald said the injury had been nagging him for a few weeks and could not be pinpointed to any particular event, including the inning of relief he threw in a 17-inning setback, 9-6, to the Orioles May 6.
"It wasn't one particular thing, it had been going on for a while, getting treatment and it just wasn't 100 percent,'' McDonald said. "So they wanted it to rest and get it right.''
Asked if it nagged him on the mound, McDonald replied, "My whole body hurt after that performance, but it wasn't any one particular thing that I could say, 'Yeah, that's when I hurt it.' It's been there for a few weeks and they just decided let's get it 100 percent and go from there.''
To make room for Gomez, the team transferred Jacoby Ellsbury, on the DL since April 14 with a right shoulder subluxation, to the 60-day DL.
"His rehabilitation is going right as scheduled, but that schedule wasn't going to put us in front of 60 days, when you backdate it,'' Valentine said.
"So the medical staff felt he'll probably be doing baseball activities before those 60 days are up, but he won't be game ready.''
A nice ring to it
Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner and president Larry Lucchino presented Derek Lowe with a 2004 championship ring before Saturday's game after his was stolen from his home in Fort Myers, Fla., last week.
"You know me, I can talk,'' Lowe told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "But it was one of those moments where I didn't even know what to say. It wasn't like they just sent over a bat boy or sent it over. All three of them came over to give it to me. They said some really nice things.''
Lowe, who went 3-0 in the 2004 postseason including wins in clinching games in the ALCS and World Series, amassed 81 saves and went 70-53 with the Red Sox. He's 5-1 this season.
"I just thought it was one of the classiest things I've seen,'' Lowe told the newspaper. "They didn't have to do that at all.''
Matsuzaka struggles
Daisuke Matsuzaka was roughed up in his fourth rehab start at Pawtucket, getting a no-decision in a 7-6 win over Columbus Saturday night at McCoy Stadium. He allowed five runs on seven hits, including a pair of two-run homers, in 5 1/3 innings.
Matsuzaka, who threw 90 pitches, also had one walk to go with five strikeouts, giving him 19 over his 18 2/3 innings.
"I didn't think he was as good as he should be, but he was pain free,'' Valentine said of Matsuzaka, who is expected to make his fifth and final rehab start Thursday in Pawtucket.
Pedroia streaks on
Dustin Pedroia doubled to center in his fourth at-bat, extending the league's longest active hitting streak to 14 games with his seventh-inning hit off Dan Wheeler, who was designated for assignment by the Indians after giving up six runs on five hits and one walk in the seventh . . . Johnny Damon seemed to finally get some love from the Fenway Faithful when he received a warm ovation after a video compilation of his heroics in the 2004 postseason was played on the center field scoreboard. Damon emerged from the dugout and doffed his batting helmet. "It's the first time I ever felt acknowledged as a visitor,'' said Damon, who was treated as a traitor for signing with the Yankees in 2006 . . . Kevin Youkilis, on the disabled list for a lower back strain, ramped up his baseball activities Sunday, taking grounders at third and some swings in the cage. "That's another step up,'' Valentine said . . . Rich Hill, Matt Albers, and Scott Atchison combined to throw three scoreless innings of relief for the Sox, giving Boston's bullpen a 1.12 ERA in 12 games in May, excluding McDonald's outing . . . Will Middlebrooks, who went 2 for 3 and hit his fourth homer, now has nine extra-base hits in his first 10 major league games, the most since Cincinnati's Chris Dickerson had nine in 2008 . . . The Sox had seven extra-base hits, including five doubles, giving them 142 extra-base hits and 100 doubles for the season, both major league highs.
Michael Vega can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Issue Index
Original Features
Food & Drink
In town for a whirlwind media tour,
Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of the Virgin Group, basked in the limelight. Chris Betros was in the wings.
If Sir Richard Branson had his
way, all women would wear miniskirts and fishnet stockings. "That's the best thing
about the latest Tokyo fashions," said the 50-year-old British billionaire during a
recent visit to Tokyo. "I wish the stewardesses, oops, flight attendants, would wear
them, too, but they get to choose their own uniforms, so it was no go. They threw the idea
back at me."
The founder and chairman of the Virgin Group said the first thing he does whenever he
comes to Tokyo is go out, notebook in hand, and see the latest trends. "Japanese kids
reinvent themselves every summer, and in a way, Virgin does, too. Any successful business
has to," said Branson, who has been coming to Japan since the early '70s. "My
first trip really opened my eyes," he recalled. "I was given a plate of raw fish
and the only thing I got up enough courage to eat was the wasabi."
It taught him something, he said. "If you aren't willing to try everything and make a
mistake, then you'll never make anything of yourself." It is a lesson that has served
Branson well. Since the '70s, the Virgin Group has expanded rapidly into industries too
numerous and diverse to list here, with the Virgin brand now being one of the best known
and most highly regarded in the world.
In recent years Virgin has seen particular expansion in Asia, and in Japan alone the
Virgin presence includes Virgin Megastores, Virgin Atlantic, V2 Records, Virgin Cola, and
Virgin Cinemas. The latest project is a massive four-story music megastore, which opened
in Shinjuku on April 21, offering more than 15,000 CDs, free Internet service and two
stages for live concerts.
Branson is also promising exciting things from Virgin Atlantic. A new upper class cabin
provides greater freedom to passengers. Business class passengers can eat whatever they
like from the menu whenever they like. New seats offering two meters of sleep space will
shortly be introduced. "We need to find new ways to stay ahead of the pack because
the best will never go bust," Branson said.
However, the real key to Virgin's success, he maintained, is its staff. Recently, a
Japanese flight attendant wrote him a letter complaining about some small things on the
Tokyo-London route. Branson immediately circulated it to his airline staff, and the
problems were rectified within six weeks.
"I get about 60-70 letters a day from staff," he said. "As a leader, my
main job is to motivate them so they can go home and be proud of their work. I want to
hear from staff on the front line, so to speak. My notebook is never far away." When
he is not making billions around the globe, Branson keeps busy ballooning and thinking up
outrageous stunts to get his name out there. "I just like to enjoy life and push
myself," he said. "Of course, there is method to my madness. When you are
entering into a new industry, for example, it helps to do something to get your name on
the front pages." A demonstration of his PR savvy was getting Sydney gold medal
winning judo star Ryoko Tamura's to appear at his Virgin Atlantic press conference.
Wrestling with the diminutive star dressed in a judogi and twirling her around
his head sent the media into a salivating frenzy, and her presence was no doubt partly the
reason for the ranks of TV cameras and photographers.
Another Branson characteristic is the way he always manages to pull some new deal out of
the box every time he appears on the verge of a cash crunch. "Fortunately, people
trust our brand name. It makes it easier for us to move into new areas and get new
partners," he said.
Branson insists he doesn't ask accountants before he makes a business decision. With the
airline industry struggling worldwide, what does he do? He buys more planes from both
Boeing and Airbus. "You can get brand new planes cheaper," is his reasoning. In
Japan, the economy is stuck in a recession, so what does he do? Opens more cinemas.
"Property prices are falling, making it easier for us to acquire land for
multiplexes," he explained. Music is where the biggest challenge lies, he said, as
the Internet threatens to swamp the retail industry.
But Branson is not too worried. "We're redefining our music stores to make them an
exciting and pleasurable place to shop. We are also selling other products, such as mobile
phones. As long as we adapt, we'll be around."
The only product that hasn't been a success in Japan is Virgin Cola. "You know, when
we started, I blindfolded some kids at my children's school and gave them a taste test.
They all preferred Virgin Cola. So far, so good, I thought," Branson said. "It
was going to be fun to take on Coca Cola, and for the first six months we took the UK by
storm. Then, Coke started making price deals with retailers, and we were squeezed
Trying to market Virgin Cola in Japan has been a nightmare, he admitted, because Coke has
a 90 percent market share. A can of Virgin Cola is very difficult to find, if it can be
found at all. "If anyone out there finds a can, let me know where and I'll give you a
round trip ticket to London," Branson jokingly said. Business class, we hope.
539: Sea worthy
Deep Blue director Andy Byatt breaks the surface after five years of filming
the ocean. Carlo Niederberger reports.
538: The public eye
Switch on a TV wide show and theres a good chance youll
see Dave Spector commenting on the news or debating panelists. Chris Betros
meets the TV junkie.
537: Casting a spell
Fans in Japan can't get enough of Harry Potter, whether it's movies, books,
merchandise or the stars themselves. Chris Betros catches some of the Hogwarts
gang in Tokyo.
536: Page turner
Longtime Tokyo entrepreneur Rick Roa has enough stories to fill a dozen
lifetimes, as his biographer found out. Chris Betros hears some of the juicy
535: Glitter twins
Will Matthew Bourne's latest reinterpretation of a classic strike a chord
in Japan? Lead dancers Scott Ambler and Richard Windsor tell Dan Grunebaum about
Play Without Words.
534: Character study
Puerto Rican star and Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro turns in another intense
performance in 21 Grams. Chris Betros reports.
533: The big freeze
Roland Emmerich and his team are chilling audiences with their ice age disaster
film The Day After Tomorrow. Chris Betros joins them out of the cold.
532: Hitting a Homer
At 40, Brad Pitt looks to be in pretty good shape after a tough shoot and
even tougher publicity schedule for Troy. Chris Betros reports.
531: Trade deficit
A new book by Robert Whiting looks at Japans latest quality export
to America: Ichiro and the boys. Rob Smaal catches up with the author.
530: Hey Jude
British actor Jude Law is very low-key about his sex-symbol status in Japan.
Chris Betros gets a close-up look.
529: Field goals
After three years as a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader, Ai Yasuda tells
Sachie Kanda the lessons she learned from the Gold Rush.
528: Voice of reason
Whether hes on InterFM or co-hosting the Japanese version of 60 Minutes,
veteran Japan resident Peter Barakan brings a mature view to the masses. Chris
Betros listens in.
527: Rock enroll
Comedian-rocker Jack Black is in fine form during a jaunt to promote School
of Rock. Chris Betros listens in.
526: Spoils of war
Director Anthony Minghella and Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger revisit
the Civil War in Cold Mountain. Chris Betros takes note.
525: Second acts
Dewi Sukarno wears many hats-social critic, TV personality and charity fundraiser.
Chris Betros visits the former first lady of Indonesia.
524: State of Grace
TV variety show presenter Hiroko Grace thrives in the hustle and bustle
of New York. Chris Betros finds out what shes been up to.
523: Manga mania
TokyoPop founder Stuart Levy has struck gold as the leading publisher of
Japanese manga in the US. Chris Betros finds out whats behind the boom.
522: Queen of hearts
Newly crowned Miss Nippon Yuriko Saga is ready to seize the day. Carlo Niederberger
meets the new belle of the ball.
521: Remember when
A beefed-up Ben Affleck says he wants to keep all his memories-unlike his
character in John Woo's thriller Paycheck. Chris Betros finds out why.
519: Bilingual beat
Red carpets at the Grammys, TV interviews and radio work keep Yuka Komaki
pretty busy. Chris Betros catches up with the globetrotting personality.
518: Full speed ahead
Australian director Peter Weir takes us back in time on an epic voyage in
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Chris Betros books his passage.
517: American dream
Switch-hitting shortstop Kazuo Matsui is set make a splash as the first
Japanese infielder to play in the Major Leagues. Rob Smaal reports on his big
516: Hail the hobbits
Accolades and awards are making it hard for Peter Jackson and his cast to
adjust to life after Lord of the Rings, reports Chris Betros.
515: In the name of love
Only 20, British actress Keira Knightley is already building an impressive
body of work, the latest being the romantic comedy Love Actually. Chris Betros
514: Horsing around
Tobey Maguire swaps his Spider-Man costume for a jockey's kit in the acclaimed
Depression-era drama Seabiscuit. Chris Betros reports.
513: Free bird
Actress-model Anna Umemiya juggles single parenthood, work and the tabloids.
Chris Betros asks how she does it.
512: Girl next door
Fame hasn't gone to Holly Valance's head, Chris Betros finds after meeting
the former Neighbours star and now Australian singing sensation.
511: Emotional baggage
Fumiko Ishioka uses an old suitcase from a young Auschwitz victim to teach
Japan's children about the Holocaust. Chris Betros hears more.
508: All that jazz
Filipino singer Charito is still winning fans after 20 years on the Tokyo
jazz scene. Chris Betros checks out her style.
507: Lord of the rings
Hollywood can't get enough Japanese horror movies to remake. Producer Takashige
Ichise loves it, Chris Betros learns.
506: Men of honor
Tom Cruise and Edward Zwick say we can all learn from the samurai code of
ethics. Chris Betros dusts off his armor for a few lessons.
505: A lofty goal
Ken Ohtaka swapped a top job at a securities company for mountain climbing
to raise money for charity. Chris Betros finds out why.
504: Gallo's humor
Vincent Gallo comes out swinging in defense of his controversial movie The
Brown Bunny. Chris Betros dodges a few punches.
503: Making J-Waves
Radio navigator, TV host, event MC and jewelry designer Chris Peppler has
a lot on his plate. Chris Betros finds out how he manages it all.
502: Glitter Ball
501: Crossing swords
Quentin Tarantino pays homage to Japan, strong women and anime with buckets
of blood in Kill Bill. Chris Betros lives to tell the tale.
500: Share the wealth
To commemorate our 500th issue, Metropolis is asking Halloween partygoers
to donate ¥500 to help two local children's charities. Chris Betros digs
499: In full bloom
Okinawan-American singer DAHLIA hits the big time, thanks to Japanese rock
icon Yoshiki and Expo 2005. Chris Betros meets the young talent.
498: Just for laughs
The Sushi Brothers have a joke for every occasion. Chris Betros meets the
wacky pair.
497: Nobel mind
At 79, former US President Jimmy Carter is a busy man championing human
rights, world peace and public health, as Carlo Niederberger observes.
496: Broad strokes
Live performances and self-promotion are all part of being a painter in
today's world, artist Ponzi tells Krista Wilson.
495: Action figure
Angelina Jolie is busy these days, kicking butt as Lara Croft and standing
up for refugee children around the world as a UN representative. Chris Betros
hears more.
494: Show and tell
Yuka Nukina brings the world to Japan on NHK's Weekend Japanology program.
Chris Betros tunes in.
493: Pasona non grata
Business maverick Yasuyuki Nambu's vision of a radically new Japanese society
doesn't endear him to bureaucrats, but Chris Betros is impressed.
492: Rain man
Author Barry Eisler takes to the mean streets of Tokyo with his second book
featuring Japanese-American assassin John Rain. Chris Betros digs deeper.
491: Golden boy
Kosuke Kitajima is the latest athlete to captivate Japan after smashing
two world records at the world swimming championships. Fred Varcoe hears about
his new life.
490: Murder, she wrote
Award-winning mystery author Natsuo Kirino proves herself a master of the
macabre in Out, her first novel to be translated into English. Chris Betros
reads between the lines.
489: Life or death
Acclaimed British director Alan Parker's latest film delves into the moral
debate surrounding the death penalty. Chris Betros listens in.
488: Work of art
Salma Hayek spent eight years bringing her passion for Mexican artist Frida
Kahlo to the big screen. Chris Betros hears the story.
487: A charmed life
Actress Uno Kanda's ultimate goal is to end up being a cute grandma. Chris
Betros asks how she intends to do it.
486: He's back
The Terminator returns after a 12-year hiatus as its star Arnold Schwarzenegger
ponders a career shift. Chris Betros reports.
485: Prime time
Thirty-something Tomoko Ogawa has found fame and career fulfillment behind
the TBS news desk. Chris Betros pays the anchorwoman a visit.
484: Screen test
Project Greenlight gives aspiring film directors a million bucks and a chance
to be the next Martin Scorsese. Chris Betros meets its first winner, Pete Jones.
483: Angel eyes
Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore thrill the faithful during their
visit to promote Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Chris Betros joined the masses.
482: No holds barred
Top female pro wrestler Chigusa Nagayo has a growing legion of fans. Sachie
Kanda finds out why.
481: Top of the hill
While heading up designer Terence Conran's Roppongi Hills projects, architect
Richard Doone took time to get lost in Tokyo. Steve Trautlein reports.
480: Inside the Matrix
Six months of Matrix fever begins this weekend with The Matrix Reloaded.
Chris Betros hears what the stars have to say about it.
479: Universal themes
The Miss Universe final is just the beginning for Miyako Miyazaki, who wants
the world to see the beauty of Japanese culture. Chris Betros hears more.
478: On the ball
Japans national soccer head coach, Zico, has big plans for the team. Fred
Varcoe finds out whats on his mind.
477: That's a rap
Director Curtis Hanson gets a surprisingly good performance out of controversial
hip-hop superstar Eminem in 8 Mile. Chris Betros finds out how he did it.
476: Say the magic word
Popular magician Dave Letendre has a trick for every occasion, Chris Betros
475: Bully boy
Bad boy Brad Renfro takes on another tormented youth role in Larry Clarks
no-holds barred drama Bully. Chris Betros tries to figure him out.
474: Inventive mind
From the weird to the wonderful, Dr NakaMats has an invention for every
occasion. Chris Betros meets the genius.
473: The king of rock n role
Montreal entertainer Martin Fontaine brings The Elvis Story to Japan this
month. Sachie Kanda meets the star of the high-energy musical.
472: Inside out
Akiko Shimizu is on a mission: to give Japanese women the skills to make
the right choices in their lives. Chris Betros gets a few tips, too.
471: Dramatic intrigue
International star of stage and screen Mozaffar Shafeie gives Stephen Cotterill
the lowdown on Tokyos theater scene.
470: Guru of gore
Bizarre movie director David Cronenberg is the most normal person he knows.
You wouldnt think so from his films, though, Chris Betros observes.
469: Female bonding
Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike leave 007 shaken and stirred in Lee Tamahoris
Die Another Day. Chris Betros hears more.
468: Baby boom
Pint-sized BRAT has Japans pop culture in his sights. Chris Betros
talks to his creator, British illustrator John Shelley.
467: Good Lord
Actor Viggo Mortensen dismisses comparisons between Lord of the Rings and
the fight against terrorism. Chris Betros lends an ear.
466: Just for thrills
Edward Norton adds Red Dragon to his impressive list of credits. Chris Betros
465: As a Matt of fact
Matt Damon is happy to take on any role, even a sumo wrestler, if the project
is right.
464: First bass
Producer and bassist Bill Laswell hits the top without even trying, he tells
Tom Bojko.
463: White lies
Aboriginal author Doris Pilkington and filmmaker Phillip Noyce lift the lid
on Australias Stolen Generation. Chris Betros reports.
462: Pottering about
Daniel Radcliffe is enjoying life in the spotlight as Harry Potter works his
magic at the box office. Chris Betros reports.
461: In Gere
Richard Gere speaks about getting old, being cool, infidelity and being an activist.
Chris Betros takes it all in.
460: Freedom of the press
Maverick newspaper publisher Kiyoharu Nakayama is taking on the big boys with
his free newspaper Tokyo Headline. Sachie Kanda reports.
457/458: A farewell to arms
Kathryn Bigelow and Harrison Ford lift the veil on a dramatic Soviet sub disaster
in K-19: The Widowmaker. Chris Betros goes below.
456: Leaders of the pack
It was mass adulation as Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese brought Gangs
of New York to Japan for the world premiere
454: Future tense
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise warn about tomorrow's grim possibilities in
their mystery Minority Report
453: Keeping the Faith
Family is the driving force in country singer Faith Hill's life whether she's
making CDs or soundtracks
451: Watts the matter
Success has been a long time coming for The Ring star Naomi Watts, but it's
all part of a learning experience
450: Class action
Batman and 007 are out, Triple X is in, celluloid superhero Vin Diesel says
449: On the rise
A newly restructured Tower Records is setting the pace in Japan's retail music
448: Tomorrow the universe
Justine Pasek knows being Miss Universe will be tough, but having faith and
a sense of humor can go a long way
447: Cyber sisterhood
Entrepreneur Kaori Sasaki is spreading the message online that Japan's male-dominated
corporate world is under threat from an army of capable women
446: Hot rod heart
The Japan Grand Prix is somewhat of a homecoming for 2001 British Formula 3
Champion Takuma Sato
445: Raking it in
Hugh Grant is in peak form, basically playing himself as the stylish layabout
in About a Boy
444: Funny business
Japan is a joke to comedian Simon Bligh, who returns to perform with the Punchline
Comedy Club
443: Cartoon Channel
An expert editor and diehard manga fan, Coamix head honcho Nobuhiko Horie
is going global with his Raijin Comics series
442: Killa' Milla
Milla Jovovich squeezes in a chat with Nicholas Coldicott about tough schedules,
superficiality and flesh-eating zombies
441: The show must go on
Japanese entertainers help to bring Broadway back to life with a charity gala
440: Hip hop pop
Japan's original turntablist tells Dan Grunebaum how music saved his life
439: The long road home
After tasting Hollywood success, Y Tu Mama Tambien director Alfonso Cuaron fled
LA for his native Mexico's "holy ground."
438: In the spirit
New Age music virtuoso Kitaro takes to the stage for his Silk Road tour
437: The Tomei express
Marisa Tomei's career is in full flight, Chris Betros observes, as the perky
actress alternates between the theater and cinema, her latest effort being In
the Bedroom
436: Wells spoken
More than 100 years after HG Wells wrote "The Time Machine," his great-grandson
Simon directs the latest movie version
435: Stepping lively
Reva Rice and Kenya Osumi promise plenty of eroticism in the newest version
of the hit Broadway musical Fosse
434: Full plate
Tokyo architect Benjamin Warner is about to add another successful design to
his portfolio with a chain of delicatessens
433: Brunch break
TV personality Tamao Sato's goal in life is to make people happy
432: Heart beat
Justin Gardiner speaks with the versatile percussionist who took center stage
at the World Cup closing ceremony
431: Hard to heart
Former sumo wrestler Konishiki is in great demand these days, but his heart
lies in his many charitable endeavors
430: Calling the tunes
Shocking peers, maverick sensei Makoto Nishimura invites foreigners into the
cloistered world of the shamisen
429: What women want
Fantasy film Kate & Leopold's Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman debate the art of
428: The write stuff
Shodo meets suspense in Todd Shimoda's new novel, "The Fourth Treasure."
427: Will and testament
Will Smith takes on his biggest challenge yet in Michael Mann's biopic Ali
426: Foster care
Now a mother of two, Jodie Foster re-emerges in Panic Room, which deals with
the issue closest to her heartfamily
425: Pop rocks
Britney Spears is big business, but the 20-year-old pop singer sees it all as
just good fun
424: No shortcuts for Morgan Freeman
Fame was a long time coming for Morgan Freeman, who gives thanks to providence
and friends
423: Universal values
Mina Chiba is equally at home on the stage as Miss Universe Japan as she is
on a car racing circuit
422: Tsuzuki style
Kyoichi Tsuzuki, writer, editor and maverick designer, is Japan's great
chronicler of the strange and exotic
421: Arnie, get your gun
Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger explains why the Sept 11 terror attacks
won't change a thing in Hollywood
420: Plenty to Crowe about
Despite missing out on the Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe is still
very much in the spotlight
419: Piano man
George Winston has made a career playing instrumental music inspired by the
American West
418: War plane
Heroes often emerge out of the blood and guts of chaos, say filmmaker Ridley
Scott and his crew of Black Hawk Down
416: The sexplorers
Killing Me Softly director Chen Kiage and star Heather Graham talk titillation
415: Don't call us retro
Stereolab take tunes back to the future
414: Running "Rings" around the
The cast and crew of Lord of the Rings talk Oscar and samurai elves
412: Lynch pin
Composer Angelo Badalamenti on Mulholland Drive and working with its famed director
411: Duality
Architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham on the beauty of building in Tokyo
410: American Woman
Natalie Merchant on her life and music
409: There's nothing like a dame
Veterans Julie Andrews and Gary Marshall team up for the Princess Diaries
408: Caiya Kawasaki
has built her image on berating Japanese men, but it's all for a reason
407: The Skys the Limit
Vanilla Sky's Cruise, Cruz & Crowe on casual sex
406: The
art of elegance
Veteran designer Takeo Nishida
404: Don't
judge an ogre by its cover
Shrek producer Jeffrey Katzenberg
402: Teen
Crime and Punishment in suburbia director Rob Schmidt
401: Life's a party
Alan Cumming
400: In the Nic of time
Nicole Kidman high-kicks in Moulin Rouge
Memento's director Christopher Nolan
American alt rockers 311 take a special interest in Japan
397:Evolution of an ex-Filer
David Duchovny explains why he went from the X-Files to Evolution
396: Rock Warrior
Former Clash frontman Joe Strummer
395: 2001's absurd odyssey
The Coen brothers pay tribute to classic American cinema
394: Jolie
good time
Angelina Jolie kicks plenty of butt in Tomb Raider
393: Keeping
up with the Jones
392: Ratner
a man in a rush
Director Brett Ratner can't wait to film Rush Hour 3 in Tokyo
391: Far
from the Madden crowd
Captain Corelli's Mandolin is more than a World War II love story ...
390: Wake-up
NHK morning news anchor Toko Takeuchi is an early bird with a passion ...
389: Gallo's
Artist, filmmaker, actor, model, Vincent Gallo
388: Reaching
for the universe
Misao Arauchi
387: Speak
softly and carry a big kick
Actor Steven Seagal
386: Paper
Italian mime Ennio Marchetto
385: A sight
for saur eyes
Jurassic Park III's Sam Neill
384: The
planet that went ape
Visionary filmmaker Tim Burton
383: Digital
The father of ambient music, Brian Eno
382: Mission
TV personality Mari Christine
381: Bombs
Long-awaited Pearl Harbor comes to Japan
380: Not
so close encounter
Director Steven Spielberg
379: Sexy
Samantha Lang, director of The Monkey's Mask
378: Hogan's
Crocodile Dundee - Paul Hogan
377: Sumo
British actress Charlotte Brittain
376: Mummy
The Mummy Returns' Brendan Fraser
375: Animal
Independent movie auteur, Michael Di Jiacomo
374: Brief
American Short Shorts Film Festival organizer, Tetsuya Besho
373: Porn
Doug Wright, screenwriter of Quills
372: Virgin
for life
Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of the Virgin Group
371: Don't
call me babe
Bombshell Charlize Theron
370: Killer
American Psycho's Christian Bale
369: Sweet
French actress Juliette Binoche
368: Playing
Nick Park and Peter Lord, the creators of Chicken Run
367: The
bite stuff
"Tony" Hopkins in a PR stupor
366: Get
Meet the Parents' Ben Stiller
365: Age
of Innocence
"Auteur" filmmaker Paul Cox
364: As the
Crowe flies
Meg Ryan promotes her new movie
363: The
hard cell
The down-low on J. Lo
362: Boy
in the hood
Actor Masaya Kato
361: Bouncing
Hollywood's queen of cool, Gwyneth Paltrow
359: Play
that funky music
Catch up with Verbal from Japan's hip-hop group m-flo
358: A heartbreak
Hotel Splendide director Terence Gross
357: Billy
Star Jamie Bell
354: In a
tranquil mood
New age musician, Kitaro
351: Bah
Jim Carrey as The Grinch


text:
Noun. The sound a person makes while giving a great deep-throat blow-job and trying to say "Oh God, I love you.".
Dude, last night I was getting this great blow-job and when she looked up at me, all I could hear was "Ogallala". I didn't want to ask her what she said because she probably would've stopped sucking. I've never been to Nebraska.
by Soon 2. B. Unemployed July 07, 2012


text:
A psychology professor at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario has instituted a "civility clause" in her syllabus, warning students that "Discriminatory, rude, threatening, harassing, disruptive, distracting and innappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated. The first offence will result in a 10% reduction in your final mark."
The professor, Jill Jacobson, says that her primary reason for adding this clause was to protect the course's TAs from being "bullied" by belligerent students. However, the university authorities are not pleased. One official said, "The inclusion of a civility clause, especially when it threatens a student's academic standing, would actively discourage the exchange of critical inquiry and free speech which are foundational to a quality undergraduate education."
I leave it to my readers to formulate their own judgments about this contretemps.


text:
BEIRUT – Activists say Syrian rebels have captured a hydroelectric dam on the Euphrates river in the country's north in a strategic victory that followed days of fighting.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Tishrin Dam, near the town of Manbij, fell to the rebels before dawn on Monday.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Observatory, says the dam supplies several areas of Syria with electricity.
The rebels have been making strategic advances recently. On Sunday, they briefly captured a regime helicopter base outside Damascus.
Syria's conflict started in March 2011 as uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime, inspired by other Arab Spring revolts.
It quickly morphed into a civil war that has since killed more than 40,000 people, according to activists.


text:
The Backspace Conference is over, and by all accounts it was a success. If you're an aspiring writer, this is a must-attend event.
I got to spend some quality time with Barry Eisler, Lee Child, MJ Rose, Jeff Cohen, Heather Brewer, Jackie Kessler, Reed Farrel Coleman, David Robbins, Harry Hunsicker, and many other more important people that I'm forgetting due to fatigue.
I was honored to win the Bob Kellogg Good Citizen Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Internet Writing Community. Lesson to writers: help each other, and one day you'll get an award. Also helping each other happens to be a nice thing to do.
A few days ago my publicist, Charlie Davidson, carted me around New York for drop-in signings, but since then I haven't been able to do much in the way of bookstore visits, having emceed this convention. But that will change today, when Barry Eisler and I tool around town in the Rustymobile, picking up the bookstores I missed.
Thanks to everyone who has called or emailed, offering to help out. I've been extremely busy and unable to reply to email, but you'll be hearing from me soon.
Miles driven so far: 5016
Bookstores visited so far: 174
Books signed so far: 1558
Books hand sold so far: 146
Bookstores remaining: 326
Awards won: 1
And for those who want to buy signed JA Konrath books in your local bookstore, here's where I've been lately:
Joseph Beth Pittsburgh PA
Mystery Lovers Bookshop Oakmont PA
Waldenbooks 1000 Ross Park Drive Pittsburgh
Waldenbooks 242 South Hills Village Mall Pittsburgh
Borders Express 100 Robinson Ctr Pittsburgh
BN 339 Sixth Ave Pittsburgh
BN Squirrel Hill Pittsburgh
BN Waterfront Homestead Pittsburgh
BN Waterworks Pittsburgh
BN South Hills Village Pittsburgh
BN 100 Quinn Drive Pittsburgh
BN Monroeville Pittsburgh
BN Cranberry Township PA
Borders North Hills Pittsburgh
Borders Monroeville PA
Borders The Mills Tarentam PA
Aspinwall Bookshop Pittsburgh
Walden Unionville PA
Borders 1 s. Bread Philadelphia PA
Borders Express 1625 Chestnut Philadelphia
BN 1805 Walnut Philadelphia
Jay's Bookstall Pittsburgh PA
Borders Camp Hill PA
Waldenbooks Camp Hill PA
Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore
BN Camp Hill PA
Walden York PA
Borders York PA
Walden Lancaster PA
Borders LAncaster PA
BN Lancaster PA
Borders East Brunswick New Jersey
BN East Brunswick NJ
BN Holmdel NJ
Black Orchid Bookshop NY
Mysterious Bookshop NY
Partners and Crime NY
Murder Ink NY
The Strand NY
Borders 461 Park Ave NY
Borders Columbus Circle NY
Borders Express Staten Island NY
BN Astor Place NY
BN Union Square NY
BN 555 Fifth Ave NY
BN 600 Fifth Ave NY
BN Lincoln Center NY
BN 2289 Broadway NY
BN 86th & 2nd NY
BN 86th & Lexington NY
BN Staten Island
Colliseum Books 42nd Street NY
After the Big Apple today, I'm heading to Connecticut.
Onward and upward...
Sunday, July 23, 2006
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text:
So, I gathered together the scraps from my October Counterfeit Kit and pulled out some additional scraps in more neutral colours. I planned a very simple design, no fancy cutting for me - just beautiful papers, colour and stitching.
I cut myself a 12x12 sheet of plain white cardstock, then arranged my scraps in a very rough order before cutting them down to size. Since I knew I would be stitching onto my project, I used a simple glue stick which has the added advantage of keeping the scraps mobile for a moment or two while you manoeuvre them into position.
To finish off the paper, I used a simple zigzag stitch on my sewing machine. And believe me when I tell you that it's not perfectly straight. Still, I seriously couldn't be happier with the results.


text:
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Battleship Texas
1 comment:
Oh, thank you for sharing this one, Caroline! Lovely as usual, but personal as well, for we have a ca. 1964 photo of my Grandpa Henry with all us grandkids standing on the deck of the Battleship Texas. He took us on a tour, showing us where he slept while onboard ca. 1930. Gotta go look for that photo! V.ReplyDelete
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text:
Sentara joins alliance to improve irregular heartbeat care
Sentara Healthcare has joined forces with four of the nation's top heart treatment centers and a leading patient advocacy organization to form the National Alliance of Integrated Afib Centers (NAIAC). These organizations will join forces to combat a growing and life threatening condition called atrial fibrillation. Also known as Afib or arrhythmia, this cardiac condition affects nearly 5.1 million people in the U.S., a number that could rise to 15.9 million by 2050. By working together, NAIAC members will improve the care delivered and enhance the quality of life for Afib patients.
NAIAC will connect Afib patients with the closest center of excellence for treatment to ensure the highest standard of care, and will provide additional educational support about their many options. The highest standard of care means that an individual is treated by a cardiothoracic surgeon who works closely with an electrophysiologist, a cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythm disorders, as well as a patient care coordinator. The health care team, along with the involvement of the patient, will design the best treatment care plan tailored to the patient's individual needs.
Sentara cardiothoracic surgeon, Jonathan Philpott, M.D., serves as the president of NAIAC. "As an Afib patient, I can personally and professionally say that we must improve the quality of care for irregular heartbeat patients," says Philpott. "Utilizing our collective resources and expertise, NAIAC will help Afib patients better understand their condition and treatment options in order to attain a much higher quality of life."
NAIAC's founding members include:
- Sentara Heart Hospital – Norfolk, Va.
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute – Los Angeles, Calif.
- St. Helena Arrhythmia Center – Napa Valley, Calif.
- St. Vincent's Medical Center – Bridgeport, Conn.
- Orlando Health Heart Institute – Orlando, Fla.
- StopAfib.org


text:
Plan Your Country Wedding
Share your special day with your new family. At Candlelight Farms Inn, you'll experience a country wedding that everyone will remember... forever.
Stay at Candlelight Farms Inn
Relax and enjoy the stunning views of the mountain in your private room. Unwind outdoors, go for a horseback ride, or enjoy a quiet chat in front of the fireplace. At Candlelight Farms Inn, life is good.
Plan Your Event
From corporate meetings to weekend retreats, Candlelight Farms Inn will create a successful and unique experience. With multiple rooms to choose from, we can accommodate groups up to 200.


text:
Desk Rail: The Digital Desk Assistant
My home office is so comedically small, I can practically touch everything in the closet-conversion from a seated position. Even if your workspace isn't this compact, keeping your daily tools within arm's length can be helpful for productivity. Here's a clever design that dropped into my inbox which eliminates the condition of "piles 'o stuff" with an industrially modern finish the late Steve Jobs might have approved of...
Designed to "bring order to desk chaos", the Desk Rail is obviously designed with the orderly Mac-owning aesthete in mind, with a machined fit and finish that looks like an extension of Apple's own peripherals and hardware vocabulary, matching the exact specs of the width of an Apple full-size keyboard to the last millimeter.
The Desk Rail not only safely holds a wide range of items upright you may normally pile on top of your desk or hide away in a drawer, the design permits connecting USB and Lightning cables to snake cleanly from underneath and out of the side.
The Kickstarter project is in its infancy of support, and early bird supporters can save $10 by jumping in now to crowd fund this project seeking to bring minimally minimal order to your desk.
The Specs:
- 16 ⅞" inches of pure organization
- About 3 inches deep and 2 tall
- 2.5 lbs of all-aluminum construction
- Anodized finish
- Resilient foam cushions
- Cabling channel and removable side doors
- Non-marring silicon feet
(Image: Desk Rail)