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On September 24, 2010, the Honorable Chief Judge Irma E. Gonzalez of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued an Order to Show Cause against Alfred Louis Vassallo, Jr. aka Bobby Vassallo ("Vassallo") requiring Vassallo to show cause why he should not be held in civil contempt for violating the Court's Permanent Injunction entered against him on August 24, 2005. A hearing on the Order to Show Cuase is set for October 7, 2010.
The Court's Order follows from the Commission's Application for an Order to Show Cause, filed on September 21, 2010, which alleged that Vassallo violated the Court's Permanent Injunction enjoining him from engaging in the offer and sale of unregistered securities in violation of the securities registration provisions and committing fraud in connection with the offer and sale of securities in violation of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The Commission's Application further alleged that Vassallo violated the Permanent Injunction by failing to disgorge his ill-gotten gains and pay civil penalties and other monetary relief to the Court-appointed Receiver for Presto Telecommunications, Inc. ("Presto").
The Commission's Application seeks an order finding Vassallo in civil contempt, an order freezing his assets, an order prohibiting the destruction of documents, an order expediting discovery, an order requiring him to provide an accounting and to repatriate funds, and an order requiring Vassallo to surrender his passport until his contempt is purged through compliance with the Permanent Injunction.
The Commission previously filed a complaint against Vassallo and Presto on January 27, 2004 that charged Vassallo with violating the securities registration provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder for Vassallo's role in perpetrating a fraudulent scheme through Presto, which the Receiver for Presto calculated raised about $20 million from more than 500 investors.
For further information, see Litigation Release Nos. 19368 (September 9, 2005), 18554 (January 28, 2004), 18616 (March 9, 2004), and 18858 (August 26, 2004).
See Also: SEC Complaint


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Most voters do not think in philosophical terms. This is not to say they don't have political philosophies. It's just that they arrive at their politics—first and foremost—according to which politicians they like most.
This phenomenon is perhaps easiest to observe at the moment in Obama Democrats, who've seen so many liberal policy promises ignored or rejected now that their guy has become president. If the Left once hated the Patriot Act and our Middle East wars with a passion, under Obama that hatred and passion has evaporated as quickly as the antiwar movement. What liberals really despised was George W. Bush. Now that a Democrat continues with the same policies, the Left magically doesn't find them so terrible anymore.
Sarah Palin is the new George W. Bush. This is not to insult the former Alaska governor, only to note that Palin has replaced the former president as a focus of Left hatred. Just ask the average liberal their opinion of Palin. The venom spewed in your direction won't have much to do with any particular policies, it will instead be an immediate and emotional rejection of her very person, combined with some snarky tidbits about her accent or intelligence.
Palin is adored by conservatives for the same—if extreme opposite—personality-driven reasons. Ask the average conservative what they like about Palin and you will hear very little if anything about policy or philosophy. You will hear is that she's a good mother. You will hear that she's all-American. Maybe they'll mention that she's a good hunter.
Much like Obama Democrats and their hero—conservatives love Palin first and foremost because they recognize her as one of their own. Palin is the purest example of what I like to call "identity conservatism" in that "who" she is—a self-identified and widely recognized conservative—is far more important than "what" she believes specifically.
The best current opposite example of Palin on the Right is Ron Paul. Ask the average Paul fanatic what they like about him and all you will hear nothing but specific policies: "Follow the Constitution!" "End the Fed!" "End the War!" Paul is the purest example of what I like to call "philosophical conservatism" in that what he believes—strict adherence to limited government and Constitutional principles—is more important to him and his followers than how his party perceives him. In fact, the problems Paul has had with Republican voters at the national level have always been to what extent identity conservatives have welcomed him as one of their own.
And the party today is now far more welcoming. If the philosophically-based Paul never changes his positions, the Republican Party that surrounds him now shifts due precisely to the current conservative identity crisis. The pro-war rhetoric conservatives loved Bush for, and John McCain led with in the last election, now firmly belongs to President Obama. Some conservatives decided this meant they should try to talk more "tough" and portray Obama as "weak." No doubt this has worked for some. But far more dominant is this narrative: Faced with a $14 trillion dollar debt, a highly questionable decade-long war in Afghanistan and a demonstrably stupid war in Libya—can we continue with our current foreign policy status quo?
Conservatives now ask this question regularly and it's become especially pertinent amongst the majority of 2012 Republican presidential candidates. When I noted this GOP shift towards Paul's politics in my last commentary ("Ron Paul Won the Debate") more than a few Paul admirers were quick to say that this shift wasn't truly philosophical, but opportunistic. They're right. But their first mistake is to assume that most Republican voters—or any voters for that matter—are primarily philosophical in their politics. They're not, they never have been, and they likely never will be.
It is a fact of politics, however frustrating or unfortunate, that most voters and candidates in both parties are driven by identity first. If Paul supporters are characteristically dismissive of a Michele Bachmann because she supports the Patriot Act or a Herman Cain because he worked for the Fed—the vast majority of voters are looking first at who to "like" or who "seems presidential." To such voters the individual policies of the candidates are indeed important—but typically not as important as the overall package. In fact, most of these conservatives like Paul's individual limited government policies—it's the strident philosophical package that sometimes troubles them. Likewise, most conservatives never bother to examine Palin's individual policies too closely because they are already madly in love with the package.
This is not to say that identity voters are dumb. In fact they simply behave the way most voters—and indeed most people—behave. Ask yourself this: How many of your family members or friends begin political discussions with a substantive examination of policies? Now ask this: How many start political discussions first with the personalities involved, who they "like," who seems "weird," who is a "nut" and who is not? Are these family members and friends necessarily "dumb"—or merely human? Most people, in their personal and public relationships, look for other people they think they can trust and then generally give them the benefit of the doubt. Also very few normal people let politics dictate their daily lives—something so many hardcore politicos (including this writer) often forget.
Few voters are driven purely by identity and few are driven purely by philosophy, but in politics the former will always outweigh the latter. Likewise, philosophical candidates can also become identity candidates or vice versa: Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan were philosophers who eventually personified conservative identity. Palin, along with her party, now reexamines her own conservative identity as it relates to foreign policy. Said Palin this month of Afghanistan's president: "If President Karzai continues with these public ultimatums, we must consider our options about the immediate future of U.S. troops in his country… (including) the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and the suspension of U.S. aid."
Needless to say, Palin's old running mate McCain does not agree with this consideration.
It is highly improbable that the masses will one day become purely philosophical in their politics. But to encourage Republican voters to finally identify more closely with true philosophical conservatism is more than just possible—it's happening. To what degree is still in question. To what end no one can currently answer. But a truly savvy minority of philosophical conservatives certainly wouldn't discourage mainstream Republicans who begin to question the status quo—much less dismiss them when they finally give the Right answers, however impure or opportunistic they may be.
Philosophical conservatives shouldn't just mock the Right's current identity crisis—they should be trying to commandeer and command it.

subset: commoncrawl


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No, no, he did. In the everything else section, at least. Officially, this makes him king.
Sam is basically right, he's just cranky.
You're basically unpaid marketing stooges for Lucasfilm, congrats.
Quote from: Krakow Sam on December 04, 2014, 01:20:34 amyou people are so god damn predictable. What do you mean you people?
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As I've said in the several threads on Prince Adam and Orko, I'm mostly an MOC collector as I don't really have much space for loose displays but have wall space for my MOTU MOCs. I'm not too happy about Prince Adam being an "accessory" with Orko as the main figure in the package.
Couldn't they have made a special window box or something? Some sort of different MOTUC packaging like they're doing with weapons packs, larger beasts, and other random non-basic figures?
I feel that Prince Adam is too much of a high profile character to be thrown in the bottom of Orko's packaging and couldve been a great bonus figure, especially that particular Prince Adam figure, which is perfect imo.
Prince Adam > Zodak (with a k)
Prince Adam > The Goddess
Prince Adam = Battle Armor He-Man (both great throwback bonus figures)
Just my opinion here and I'd like to hear everyone else's.


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Headliner's Music Hall housed a packed show for The Almost and Relient K this weekend.
Relient K played a well-rounded mix of old songs including my favorites "Mood Ring," "In Love With The '80s," and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been." They also played songs off their new album including one I particularly enjoyed named "Don't Blink." Relient K hasn't lost their original sound even though they have mellowed with age. Consequently, Relient K's lead singer, Matt Thiessen, has certainly aged since I began listening to Relient K ten years ago; however, I'm not sure what I expected to happen. I've seen Relient K three times over the course of ten years, and every time they've played a fun and entertaining show.
The Almost played before Relient K. I've only listened to their first album, but they put on a great show for hardcore fans and casual listeners alike. They did a great job of keeping the crowd entertained and involved. As Aaron Gillespie, lead singer, described when I interviewed him, The Almost's music is plain and simple rock and roll with a hint of screamo.
Driver Friendly was supposed to perform as the show opener, but the Rocket Boys played instead. They're a solid group with excellent vocals, and their music sounds like Mumford and Sons with more rock and roll.
I was unable to get very many good pictures because the security guard would not allow me near the front even though I had a media badge. Headliner's is what you would expect for a concert hall that regularly houses bands popular among angst-ridden teenagers. Headliner's saving grace comes in the form of their friendly bartending staff, and you might need a drink if there are hipster couples making out around you.
All-in-all, I had a good time reliving my youth Friday night, but I'm certainly glad I don't go to too many "standing room only" concerts anymore.


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Robbie Robertson
Photo: Mark Sullivan/WireImage.com
Robbie Robertson Visits The GRAMMY Museum
Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient (as a member of the Band) Robbie Robertson was the featured guest for a recent installment of the GRAMMY Museum's An Evening With series. Before an intimate audience at the Museum's Clive Davis Theater, Robertson discussed his seminal work with the Band, meeting and touring with Bob Dylan and his most recent solo album, How To Become Clairvoyant, among other topics.
"When we were making [Music From] Big Pink, [we'd gathered] all of these pieces of music that we got from the side of the road," said Robertson regarding the Band's 1968 debut album. "It was just a natural procedure. When we were writing and working on music, you could just feel that it had years and years of being in a wine keg."
Born in Toronto, Robertson got his career start in 1958 when he teamed with rockabilly artist Ronnie Hawkins' backing band the Hawks. The Hawks — Robertson (vocals, guitar), Rick Danko (bass), Levon Helm (vocals, drums), and Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel (keyboards) — broke away from Hawkins in 1963. The quintet landed the opening slot on Bob Dylan's 1965–1966 world tour, and would rechristen themselves the Band. The Band's debut, 1968's Music From Big Pink, reached No. 30 on the Billboard 200 and is considered a watershed for American Roots music and country-influenced rock. The Band followed in 1969, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and spawning their highest-charting hit, "Up On Cripple Creek" (No. 25). The Band teamed with Dylan for 1974's Planet Waves, an album featuring 11 Dylan compositions. The album topped the Billboard 200 and spawned the Top 50 hit "On A Night Like This." Two years later, the Band's farewell concert was captured by GRAMMY-winning director Martin Scorsese and the resulting documentary and soundtrack, The Last Waltz, was released in 1978.
Robertson subsequently worked as a composer, composing music and/or producing soundtracks for films such as Raging Bull, Casino, The Color Of Money, and The Departed. He released his first solo album, Robbie Robertson, in 1987. Featuring appearances by Danko and Helm, Peter Gabriel and U2, the album cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 and earned Robertson his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male. Robertson followed with Storyville (1991), Music For The Native Americans (1994) and Contact From The Underworld Of Red Boy (1998).
Along with Scorsese and producer Hal Willner, Robertson received his fourth career GRAMMY nomination in 2003 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture for his work on Gangs Of New York. Music From Big Pink and The Band were inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 1998 and 1999, respectively. The Band was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy in 2008.
How To Become Clairvoyant, Robertson's fifth solo album, was released in April 2011. Featuring guest appearances by GRAMMY winners Eric Clapton, Tom Morello and Steve Winwood, the album peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, Robertson's highest-charting solo album to date.
Upcoming GRAMMY Museum events include The Drop: Ruthie Foster (Jan. 31) and An Evening With Michelle Phillips from The Mamas And The Papas (Feb. 16).
For more information on the GRAMMY Museum, visit www.grammymuseum.org.


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If you haven't made it to HMNS to view the incredible array of artifacts recovered from the RSS Titanic's wreck site more than 3 miles beneath the ocean, you should be suffering from some serious FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out.)
We extended our Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition through Sept. 23 due to popular demand — and guess what? It's Sept. 17! I know, we don't know where the time went either.
But we do know that more than 300 artifacts from the ship and its passengers, their compelling human stories, and a true-to-life retelling of the night's events on April 15, 1912 are a sight to behold. So behold it, before it's too late!
Tickets are available in-person at the box office or online right here.


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Swipe to the left
Posts tagged 'apothecary style dresser'
By Blogger March 28, 2012
I thought it might be fun to start a weekly segment for everyone over how a furniture concept is turned into a design. I know a few people who have that as their sole job. They get to troll around on the internet on sites like google, pinterest and even some blogs and pick out furniture they have a connection with and translate it into their own version. Isn't that an awesome job?! I'm going to be sitting down once a week and pulling some of their conceptual designs as you watch their dreams become a reality.


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MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury isn't the only Addison Central Supervisory Union community that will feature some spirited local elections. A survey of the six surrounding towns with which Middlebury partners for school services shows some looming contests for selectboard, school board and other offices.
Candidates for local office had until the end of this past Monday, Jan. 30, in which to file nomination papers to get on their respective Town Meeting Day ballots.


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Consumer confidence declined to 58.6 from 66.7 in December.
That was well below expectations.
So, the question is simple.
What caused it?
Was it the fact that the payroll tax jumped, and people were reacting to their new, lower take-home pay?
Or was it about DC uncertainty?
Nomura writes:
While the cutoff date of the January survey was January 17, the political agreement on the fiscal cliff did not help consumer sentiment improve. Because we think that many households still have not fully realized the impact of the expiration of the payroll tax holiday as yet, there is the possibility that consumer confidence could decline further in the coming months. The Conference Board said "The increase in the payroll tax has undoubtedly dampened consumers' spirits and it may take a while for confidence to rebound and consumers to recover from their initial paycheck shock."
Here's a chart which shows the dive.


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Rebutting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's charge that minorities were feeling "insecure" in BJP-ruled Gujarat, chief minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused him of playing votebank politics with the minority community. "The Prime Minister,
who visited Gujarat today, is playing votebank politics in the name of minority and majority (communities). It is sad that the Prime Minister of the country cannot rise above votebank politics," Modi said addressing a poll rally in this town in South Gujarat.
"The Prime Minister is saying that minorities feel insecure in Gujarat. With a sad heart, I have to explain to him that Gujarat does not distinguish between minority and majority and the state government is working for the uplift of six crore people of the state," Modi said.
"You (PM) get elected in Rajya Sabha from Assam. The entire country knows about the massacre that went on in your home state six months back. Districts after districts were engulfed in communal violence," Modi said.
However, in the last ten years there had been no communal violence in Gujarat, he claimed.
Giving an example of Shaheen Dhada, who was arrested in Maharashtra for her Facebook comments about late Bal Thackeray and who later shifted to Gujarat with her family, Modi said, "She prefers to stay in Gujarat over Maharashtra. You are trying to defame the state, but girls like Shaheen have proved you wrong."
Modi also claimed that Singh was trying to disturb the atmosphere of peace, unity and brotherhood through votebank politics.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Vansada in Navsari district, said that time had come to "liberate" Gujarat from divisive politics. "We have been getting regular complaints that minorities and few other segments of the society are feeling insecure in the state," Singh said.
"Time has come to liberate Gujarat from divisive politics and to not let those people come back to power, who have been trying to get votes by dividing our society and country," the Prime Minister had said without naming Modi.
Source By:-http://www.ndtv.com/article/assembly-polls/pm-playing-votebank-politics-with-minorities-narendra-modi-303210


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Hiking from Yellowstone to the Yukon...
the summers of 1998 and 1999, a Canadian wildlife biologist and park warden
named Karsten Heuer hiked 3,400
km from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to Watson Lake in the
Yukon Territory. The trip was more than an epic adventure: Karsten wanted
to gauge firsthand the challenges wildlife face in their efforts to move
safely through a landscape increasingly dominated by human activity. In
doing so, he was testing a key theory of the Yellowstone
to Yukon Conservation Initiative -- that the best way to protect threatened
wildlife populations is to create wildlife movement corridors that will
link together our existing parks and protected areas. Travelling through
some of North America's most rugged and spectacular landscape, Karsten
alternated long periods of hiking with short visits to nearby communities
to talk about the Yellowstone to Yukon idea.


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The Home of Fashion Film and Live Fashion Broadcasting
Mulberry celebrate all things British with a stellar collection of tweed, leather pleats and poodles #LFW… http://t.co/uuR5cMTU
Breakfast at Mulberry's #LFW http://t.co/s6ojG7n4
Get the @Mulberry_Editor AW13 look: 70s polished beauty w/ hair tucked into coats + collars #Mulberry #beauty #LFW http://t.co/aoBuENej
Chunk-heeled loafer and hefty bag. On a fast-moving model at Mulberry http://t.co/3E36WVuO
Metallic Jacquard on a statement dress with full skirt. #live #LFW http://t.co/E1IfmjM2
A catwalk exclusive, the Bayswater Shoulder with intricately carved ladybird lock. #live #LFW http://t.co/yVTCIDED
Sounds of the shows: @Mulberry_Editor AW13 - Space (original mix) by Walter Gardini. Perfect rhythm for catwalk strutting. #LFW
The check design is also featured in sequins for the Soft Bell Dress. #live #LFW http://t.co/0sUviaCl
Your backstage pass to Mulberry at London Fashion Week: http://t.co/dfqJck2d #LFW http://t.co/OUWQHtco
A shot of the catwalk.... #mulberry http://t.co/QoZWJuES
The @Mulberry_Editor show set looks like a fairytale garden with nursery rhyme music as the pre-show soundtrack.
Mulberry @ClaridgesHotel for the AW13 show, live from #LFW at 11am (GMT) on http://t.co/6HxN0gYW #Britishness http://t.co/ueccQbFG
Bacon Sarnies backstage at Mulberry in Claridges. Don't mind if we do... http://t.co/h4qo9sxC
An exclusive look pre-show at a new Willow Tote. Watch the show live on http://t.co/6HxN0gYW at 11am (GMT) #LFW http://t.co/hek7Gnjf
Join us on Sunday for the live #LFW show on http://t.co/6HxN0gYW http://t.co/z3bk98Sw


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Hillary Clinton: Then And Now On Internet Freedoms And Censorship
from the not-how-it's-done deptWe've discussed how the Obama administration has spoken out in the past against online censorship. Earlier this year, Hillary Clinton famously gave a speech about the importance of internet freedom, where she stated:
For companies, this issue is about more than claiming the moral high ground. It really comes down to the trust between firms and their customers. Consumers everywhere want to have confidence that the internet companies they rely on will provide comprehensive search results and act as responsible stewards of their own personal information. Firms that earn that confidence of those countries and basically provide that kind of service will prosper in the global marketplace. I really believe that those who lose that confidence of their customers will eventually lose customers. No matter where you live, people want to believe that what they put into the internet is not going to be used against them.Others in the administration have been saying similar things. Just this week, the US has been putting pressure on Kuwait for jailing a writer for criticizing the government there.
And censorship should not be in any way accepted by any company from anywhere. And in America, American companies need to make a principled stand. This needs to be part of our national brand. I'm confident that consumers worldwide will reward companies that follow those principles.
And yet when it comes to Wikileaks, suddenly, the federal government doesn't seem so interested in supporting such things any more? Hillary Clinton says that companies should stand up for their principles or lose customers... and yet we've seen Amazon, Paypal, Visa and MasterCard do the exact opposite -- with clear pressure from government officials in doing so. Clinton herself claimed that Wikileaks' release "was an attack on the international community." Apparently she doesn't believe in internet freedoms when it exposes questionable activity on her part. Less than a year ago, she was telling private companies to have a backbone and stand up for internet freedoms on the basis of principle... and today she's a part of the federal government's pressure campaign to get them to shut down Wikileaks.
Does anyone in the federal government realize how they've just lost any leverage at all in pushing other countries to avoid internet censorship?
So far, the only national politicians I've seen who have stood up for Wikileaks are Ron Paul and Connie Mack, who pointed out that the response to Wikileaks has been much more damaging than anything in the documents themselves:
"The people are not really understanding what's happening here. The fear should be: What will our federal government do to try to punish American citizens and corporations if those citizens or corporations do something that the government doesn't like? It doesn't make sense,"It's a really sad statement that there are so few politicians actually willing to stand up for a free internet and a free press in the wake of this story.
Filed Under: censorship, hillary clinton, internet freedoms, obama administration, wikileaks
Companies: wikileaks


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Nike Bomba Finale is the top model in the Bomba series and is from the absolute top shelf when we are talking football shoes for artificial grass use. The NikeSkin upper ensures great comfort, keeps the weight as low as possible, as well as, providing a fantastic fit and optimal ball feel. It is made with a 3D structure, which, together with ACC, results in an outstanding ball control. In addition, the lacing is asymmetrical, thus ensuring a large and clean strike area. The lateral side of the boot is made of a perforated material, which provides optimal ventilation for your feet. Hereby, you will produced less sweat when compared to a regular 'unperforated' shoe. In addition, the shoe is equipped with the shock absorbing EVA material in the midsole, and the studs are optimised for optimal traction on artificial grass pitches. Bomba Finale is, in other words, an absolute top shelf solution for your feet when you are heading out for the artificial grass pitches.
Nike BOMBA FINALE II Football Boots - White Yellow
Customers who bought this product also purchased...


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A form of government initiated by protesters through protests for protesters. Frequently mistaken for military coups, citizen protestors often naively turn for help to the repressive organs of the same state they are trying to overthrow often leaving it to the Generals to decide who will be the next head of state. Protestocracies have one of the highest rates of leadership turnover and constitutional rewrites, with most issues being decided not through ballot, debate, and compromise but by counting the number of protestors each side can bring onto the streets. In extreme protestocracies, such as Egypt, as many as 40% of the population will be out protesting at any one time.
What do Egyptians really want tho? Chased out Hosni Mubarak elected Morsi and now want him out. A Protestocracy.
Example Constitution: "We the Protestors of [country name]…"
Urban Dictionary entry.


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California Department of Transportation
December 10, 2010
District 4 - Oakland
Gidget Navarro (510) 286-5574
Caltrans Completes U.S Highway 101 Paving Project in Brisbane
San Mateo County– Caltrans announced today the completion of a $2.6 million project that repaved a three-mile section of U.S. Highway 101 in Brisbane. The project was entirely funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).
"We are constantly working with the federal government to ensure Recovery Act funding is delivered to California quickly, effectively, and responsibly," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "This funding is improving our transportation infrastructure for generations to come while creating jobs and helping drive California down the road to economic recovery."
Caltrans used 16,000 tons of rubberized asphalt concrete (recycled tires) to pave both sides of Highway 101 from Oyster Point Boulevard to Harney Way. An estimated 60,000 recycled tires were utilized, keeping them out of California landfills. The new roadway surface is expected to last a decade, even though more than 190,000 vehicles travel daily on Highway 101 in Brisbane.
"With the help of the Recovery Act funding, we were able to provide a smoother and safer freeway for Bay Area commuters and truckers who regularly travel along Highway 101 in Brisbane," said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim.
Under Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership, California has obligated nearly $2.6 billion in Recovery Act funding to nearly 1,000 highway, local street, transportation projects, and job training statewide. For more information on the Recovery Act visit: http://recovery.ca.gov/
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Views: 642
There is actually an incredible announcement from the team operating the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, they have solid evidence, gathered over a long period of time, of flowing liquid water on the surface of Mars right now. This is just remarkable. Unless there's some alternative explanation, this is one of the greatest discoveries ever. We knew since Phoenix landed in 2008 that there was water ice on Mars, but now it seems that there is actually flowing water there, sustained in the liquid state by the high salt concentration and the relatively high temperatures when the planet is on its closest approach to the Sun. As we know from Astrobiologists/Biologists on Earth, where there is water, there is life.
NASA has a rover called Curiosity prepared for launch to Mars quite soon actually, this year. I wonder if they're going to change its destination to this area, to actually look for extant biology, as opposed to fossils (that it's designed to look for)
NASA footage on YouTube:
There was nothing preventing from life evolving on Mars in the past. In fact, many theorize that life could have emerged on Mars before it did here. Studying martian geology we've come to understand that some three billion years ago it used to be a very Earth-like world, but had since lost most of its atmosphere, perhaps due to solar wind erosion. There is convincing evidence, which was uncovered by the Spirit rover, that liquid water existed at least for millions of years on the surface of Mars. Some even postulate that life first emerged on Mars and was carried over via meteoroids blasted off the surface of Mars by an asteroid impact. We now know that some organisms can survive the vacuum of space, even complex ones like the Water Bear, a microscopic animal of up to 40,000 cells - a group of them were actual exposed to the vacuum of space for about 10 days in 2007 and half survived.
Either way, it'll be the most exciting discovery in the history of mankind, if we will detect either extinct or extant life forms on Mars. Whether life can exist there now... well, few years ago, most scientists would have answered no, but we've found literally thousands of fresh gullies formed by liquid. The likeliest model is that extremophile-like organisms could live deep underground (perhaps as deep as 10km) in isolated pockets of salt water (brine)
Heh, the way things are going we better start getting ready to colonize space in a few hundred. And I agree with you, we are very lucky to be alive now. We're at the point where we haven't screwed things up just enough to still have hope for the future. Lol.
I consider myself an optimist.
I would be surprised really if it took that long. Man, or life for that matter, is inexorably pushed to occupy as much space as possible. We will look for any excuse to get colonies going on Mars. Once someone figures out how to make a living there, the spaceships will start heading out. If there is any kind of profit to be made, by mining for example, that will only speed things up. And how many adventurous people are out there who would give anything to be among the first Mars colonizers? I'd certainly consider it (but I'm much too soft for all those rigors). People will head out there for every reason imaginable. Science, profit, freedom of/from religion, the desire to live according to their own political inclinations, the powerful aesthetic of it all... how freakin romantic is it to think of composing music on Mars, or advancing architectural designs on a lower-gravity planet? No way it takes thousands of years. I would really be surprised if it hasn't started happening by the end of this century, or the beginning of the next, latest.
And yeah, in some ways we are really lucky, but on the other hand I wish I lived in an advanced civilization where we actualized our political potential (i.e. some sort of socialized utopia). I feel that in many ways we are still in the dark ages, and there is so much suffering in the world because the dull masses hold back those of us who would otherwise have our act together. Sort of like the episode of Family Guy I just watched, where Brian and Stewie travel to another dimension in which Christianity had never been invented, and everyone is flying around in jetpacks and their society had advanced by 1000 years... I think all the dreaming I do makes me lean towards pessimism.
I assure you that unless our civilization literally falls apart, we will begin actual colonization no later than 100 years from now. It is likely that we will have a scientific outpost by the mid century on Mars, where people will spend a couple of years on rotational basis. Actually under the previous administration NASA had a so-called Constellation program, which planned for first Mars visitation by 2030 or earlier. But the funding was cut following the financial crisis of 2008 and it was behind on schedule anyway. The plan was to establish permanent presence on the Moon by 2020 and then on to Mars. Now this plan has been largely scrapped, but parts of the program have been preserved.
U.S. probably won't go alone to Mars, it'll be an international mission together with European Union and Japan, maybe even with China, though their ambitions are greater than their current capabilities.
Indeed. Throughout my life our understanding of Mars had shifted from hypothesizing that liquid water ceased to exist there for billions of years, then after the intensive exploration of Mars commenced about 10 years ago astrogeologists concluded that it had to have existed there just millions of years ago, in some considerable quantities and now we're seeing it actually flow on the surface today - I'm still a little suspicious, because it's so incredible, but the evidence is staring us in the face. I can't wait for NASA to place a robot right next to it and to see first video feed of actual flowing water from another world.
I don't know how old you are, but if you're going to be around in the 2030's, you'll probably see people on Mars. That is the overall consensus of people in the field. Current rovers are essentially paving the way for future human exploration and eventual colonization. It's just so damn expensive to put humans on mars that it makes more sense to do it robotically for now. But the Orion spacecraft, which has been in development since around 2005, will be capable of deep space missions, including a human mission to Mars.
Here's one of the best recent images of Vesta. Just the sheer realization that this is the first time anyone is seeing this world is pretty incredible:
For anyone who is excited about the DAWN mission, check out this presentation, it's a bit over an hour and will leave you with a thorough understanding of the importance and innovative nature of this mission.
It's surprising how there is literally nothing in the media about it.
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A sure thing and a fan favorite with a storybook tale will represent the Rockies in the 2014 All-Star Game.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was voted into the National League's starting lineup by the fans, and outfielder Charlie Blackmon made the team as a reserve via a vote by the players.
Justin Morneau, however, will have to wait for national recognition for his remarkable comeback season. The first baseman was left off the NL team that was unveiled Sunday. Now his only chance to make the roster is to be voted in by fans as the "34th man."
The 85th All-Star Game will be played July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.
The selection of Tulowitzki was simply confirmation that he's one of baseball's very best players, but Blackmon's selection came as bit of a surprise. After making the Rockies' opening-day roster despite having a difficult spring training, he hit a sizzling .389 in April with five home runs, but has since cooled considerably. Blackmon, 28, now is hitting .291 with 12 home runs and leads the Rockies with 16 stolen bases.
"This is the first time I made the big-league team out of camp," Blackmon said. "I thought I was on the bubble the whole time. I could have easily not made the team, and now here we are talking about the All-Star Game. It's a blessing, and I'm really amazed about what's happened. I'm happy to represent the Rockies there."
Said manager Walt Weiss: "I'm ecstatic for Charlie. He was a pitcher until late in college, then he had to fight through some injuries early in his pro career. Now he's gotten up here and he's made the most of it. Now he's playing in an All-Star Game. It's a great story."
There was never any question that Tulowitzki would become an all-star for the fourth time, tying him with Larry Walker and leaving him one shy of Todd Helton for the franchise record. Tulo led fan voting from the very beginning and finished with 5,349,456 votes — the most for any NL player, despite the slumping Rockies' 37-52 record.
"It's funny, during my rookie year, I remember talking to (Matt) Holliday and (Garrett) Atkins, and those guys saying that playing for the Rockies, you'll never be high in voting," Tulo said. "They said, 'You'll have to get the player voting or the coaches will have to pick you.' And I remember holding on to that thought, and thinking that one day I wanted to change that about this place.
"So hopefully, now I can tell guys that come in here that it's possible to get a start and get the fans behind you."
Tulo is having an MVP-type season and leads the National League in hitting (.350), slugging percentage (.605) and on-base percentage (.442). He previously made all-star teams in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
"This is Tulo's fourth one, and every one of them is really special," Weiss said. "He's the leading vote-getter, and rightfully so, for the first half he's put together."
Tulo also is the captain of the National League's home run derby squad and will participate in the event the night before the All-Star Game at Target Field. He said he will announce his five-man home run derby squad Tuesday.
Morneau's triumphant return to Minnesota, where he was the American League MVP in 2006, is now on hold. Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt won the fans' vote and the Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman was named the reserve first baseman.
Morneau made the American League squad for four consecutive years with the Minnesota Twins from 2007-10 before injuries — most especially a devastating concussion — derailed his career. He's still hoping to return to Minneapolis and bask in the fans' cheers.
"Obviously it's a little disappointing, because it's something you are looking forward to," he said of Sunday's announcement. "The guys that are there are deserving, but hopefully we get some people rallying behind us and get that vote in there."
Morneau's numbers certainly support his consideration. He has 59 RBIs, trailing only Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton in the National League. His .316 batting average trails only the Cardinals' Adams among first basemen.
"I'm not much of a self-promoter, but it's one of those things that at this point I feel like I have played well enough to be there," said Morneau, a native of British Columbia. "You hope that maybe you can get Canada and Colorado rallying behind us, and get a few of my hockey buddies on the Twitter and all of that kind of stuff and get a little bit of momentum going."
Fans will determine the final all-star player for each league's 34-man roster via MLB.com. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players in each league until the balloting period ends Thursday at 2 p.m. MDT.
Morneau is one of the five players on the final NL ballot. The others are Miami's Casey McGehee, Washington's Anthony Rendon, the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo and Atlanta's Justin Upton.
Patrick Saunders: email@example.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp
National League All-Stars
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
2B: Chase Utley, Phillies
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF: Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds
RHP: Johnny Cueto, Reds
RHP: Zack Greinke, Dodgers
LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Braves
RHP: Pat Neshek, Cardinals
RHP: Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers
RHP: Tyson Ross, Padres
RHP: Jeff Samardzija, Athletics (receives All-Star honors but will be inactive after trade)
RHP: Julio Teheran, Braves (replacement for Jeff Samardzija)
RHP: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
LHP: Tony Watson, Pirates
RHP: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
C: Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
C: Devin Mesoraco, Reds
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: Dee Gordon, Dodgers
2B: Daniel Murphy, Mets
SS: Starlin Castro, Cubs
3B: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
3B: Todd Frazier, Reds
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF: Josh Harrison, Pirates
OF: Hunter Pence, Giants
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
1B: Justin Morneau, Rockies
2B: Anthony Rendon, Nationals
1B: Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
3B: Casey McGehee, Marlins
OF: Justin Upton, Braves
American League All-Stars
C: Salvador Perez, Royals (starting in place of Matt Wieters)
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B: Robinson Cano, Mariners
SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B: Josh Donaldson, Athletics
OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Adam Jones, Orioles
DH: Nelson Cruz, Orioles
RHP: Dellin Betances, Yankees
LHP: Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays
RHP: Yu Darvish, Rangers
LHP: Sean Doolittle, Athletics
RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
RHP: Greg Holland, Royals
LHP: Scott Kazmir, Athletics
LHP: Jon Lester, Red Sox
LHP: Glen Perkins, Twins
LHP: David Price, Rays
RHP: Max Scherzer, Tigers
RHP: Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees
C: Derek Norris, Athletics
C: Kurt Suzuki, Twins
1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox
1B: Brandon Moss, Athletics
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Adrian Beltre, Rangers
SS: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
OF: Michael Brantley, Indians
OF: Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
OF: Alex Gordon, Royals
DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
DH: Victor Martinez, Tigers
LHP: Dallas Keuchel, Astros
RHP: Corey Kluber, Indians
RHP: Rick Porcello, Tigers
RHP: Garrett Richards, Angels
LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox


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Pitman, N.J. - Ramapo College junior Anita Rogers (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) has been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Athlete for the 2012-13 season. Her selection highlighted the 64-member NJAC women's indoor track & field all-conference team which was announced on March 5. All NJAC special awards were determined by a vote of the league's nine head coaches, while the league's all-conference honors were based on performances at the NJAC Indoor Track & Field Championships conducted at the New York Armory on February 22.
Rogers was named the NJAC Most Outstanding Female Indoor Athlete for the third consecutive season after claiming NJAC championships in both the long jump and the triple jump with respective winning leaps of 5.65 and 11.48 meters. She also claimed the NJAC crown in the 60-meter dash with a conference-record time of 7.79. Over the past two seasons, Rogers has established conference championship records in three separate events, including the long jump (5.68), the triple jump (12.16), and the 60-meter dash (7.79).
Montclair State University senior Heather Gearity (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) was named the NJAC Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive season. She finished as the conference runner-up in both the 400 meters (57.00) and the 60 meter hurdles (9.34). Gearity also was a member of the Red Hawks' 4x400 and 4x200 meter relays which placed second and third respectively with times of 4:02.36 and 1:36.03.
Ramapo College senior Michelle Favre (Saddle Brook, NJ/Saddle Brook) was selected as the NJAC Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season. Favre claimed the conference crown in the pole vault with a winning mark of 4.00 meters.
Rowan University freshman Shailah Williams (Pemberton, NJ/Pemberton Township) was selected as the NJAC Women's Indoor Rookie of the Year. She claimed the NJAC championship in the 200 meters with a Rowan school-record time of 25.83. She also was a member of the Profs' conference champion 4x200 meter relay which produced a school-record time of 1:42.22. Williams also garnered a third place finish in the 60-meter dash (8.05), and a seventh place finish in the high jump (1.48 meters).
Rowan University head coach Derrick Adamson was selected as the NJAC Women's Indoor Coach of the Year by his peers. Adamson guided the Profs to a first place finish in the 2012-13 NJAC Indoor Championships, becoming just the third program in the history of the conference to claim the NJAC women's indoor team crown.
To view the complete Women's All-Conference Team, Click HERE.


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Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and explore hiking trails on the Island of Hawaii.
Hawaii Visitor & Convention Bureau taps Hawaii Forest and Trail for initiative focused on hiking trails
"We are absolutely thrilled and honored to be selected as Google Maps' first partner to borrow a Trekker, and to have the privilege of working with one of the world's leading technology companies to enhance the way travelers can connect with the Hawaiian Islands," said John Monahan, HVCB's president and CEO. "Maps and panoramic imagery serve an integral role in the vacation planning process. Incorporating this interactive and immersive technology on our gohawaii.com site once it's processed and available online will deliver a powerful travel planning tool for potential Hawaii visitors across the globe."
"The Hawaiian Islands are unlike any other place on the planet, so working with HVCB is a perfect partnership to introduce our new Trekker loan pilot program and bring these stunning landscapes online," said Deanna Yick, program manager for Google Street View. "Finally being able to photograph and share images from a variety of different terrain, including rainforests, beaches, and even trails paved with hardened lava rock will help make Google Maps all the more comprehensive and useful for both tourists and armchair travelers alike."
Phase one of the project will commence on Hawaii, the Big Island this month with the help of Kailua-Kona-based eco-tourism company Hawaii Forest and Trail (HFT). The outfitter was selected by HVCB to help identify appropriate trails for the project, as well as provide the manpower to physically carry the 40-pound Trekker camera pack on the back of their staff and walk the trails to gather the imagery.
"It was important for us to find the right partner who understood the balance between tourism and sustainability to join us on this project," said Jay Talwar, HVCB's chief marketing officer. "Rob Pacheco and his team at Hawaii Forest and Trail have an impeccable reputation, decades of experience in the eco-tourism business, and a capable staff. We are confident they will be able to deliver with integrity."
"For more than 20 years, the mission of Hawaii Forest and Trail has been to reveal the splendor of Hawaii's treasured natural resources to visitors through meaningful, interpretive experiences," explained Rob Pacheco, HFT co-founder and president. "Our partnership with HVCB and Google Maps on this project will allow us to play a direct role in mapping the places we know so well, and to visually showcase to the world the beauty and fragility of areas in Hawaii that many may otherwise never see."
A team from Google Maps has been on Hawaii Island the past week introducing HVCB and HFT staff to the special Trekker equipment. The team has already practiced on trails from the Pololu Valley Lookout, Akaka Falls State Park, and inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as part of the training. The HFT team will officially begin collecting still images in July and they will eventually be added to and available on Google Maps later this year. The final list of featured trails will be disclosed publicly once filming has concluded.
"As one of HVCB's key roles is to create sustainable long-term demand for the Hawaiian Islands, this unprecedented partnership with Google helps us to fulfill that promise in a virtual way on a global scale," Talwar added. "The Hawaii imagery will enhance content on our gohawaii.com site, enabling kamaaina (locals) and visitors alike extraordinary access to hikes and beach walks in an experience previously unavailable."
"The natural beauty of our islands makes this the perfect location to launch the Trekker loan initiative, and we are honored that Google selected Hawaii as its first destination," said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the state's tourism agency. "This new and innovative platform will be another way for us to share Hawaii's unique sense of place, while drawing visitors to experience our destination first hand."
Phase one on Hawaii Island is expected to be completed this fall. The Street View Trekker will then make its way to the other five main Hawaiian Islands – Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. A timeline for these islands will be set at a future date.
For more information and to follow the project's progress online, please visit:
- Google's Blog about Google Maps and Street View - http://google-latlong.blogspot.com
- Hawaii Forest and Trail's Blog – http://blog.hawaii-forest.com (set to go live July 1)
- HVCB's So Much More Hawaii Blog – http://blog.gohawaii.com
About Hawaii Forest & Trail
Hawaii Forest and Trail has been exploring Hawaii since 1993. The company's mission is to deliver guests an excellent, safe and fun learning experience, to support island communities and resources through philanthropy, sustainable business practices and a conservation ethic, and to provide a healthy, profitable, and rewarding environment for our ohana (family). On each and every one of its seven adventures, private and custom tours, and Kohala Zipline Zip & Dip tour, Hawaii Forest & Trail shares the splendor of Hawaii as part of their vision to inspire a deep connection with the natural world. www.hawaii-forest.com
About HVCB
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii's tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii's economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs. For more information about the Hawaiian Islands, visit gohawaii.com.
There are other excellent tour operators offering guided tours on the Big Island:
Kalapana Cultural Tours - offers guided tours to the lava and other adventure activities, based in Kalapana, Island of Hawaii.
Native Guide Hawaii - Warren Costa, a native Hawaiian, offers custom day tours to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Puna area, Mauna Kea and many other destinations on the Big Island. He is based in Puna, but will pick up his participants at their accommodations to take them on their tour.


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For those who don't know, there's a wonderful mystery magazine called Crimespree that Jon and Ruth Jordan publish six times a year.
Each issue is crammed full of good stuff: Fiction, articles, pictures, reviews, and lots more. I've written a few things for them, one of which was released in a limited collector's edition for the Love is Murder conference.
I believe that writing humor is harder than horror, action, romance, suspense, or mystery. Let me know if I succeeded with this:
The Newbie's Guide to Writing Conferences
Every year there are dozens of writing conferences. If you're a fan of mysteries and thrillers, 2006 brings you Love is Murder in Chicago, Sleuthfest in Ft. Lauderdale, Bouchercon in Madison, Thrillerfest in Phoenix, Left Coast Crime in Bristol, Men of Mystery in Los Angeles, Magna Cum Murder in Muncie, and a slew of others, many of which suck.
What can you expect when you attend a writing convention? How can you make sure you get your money's worth? Will you get a chance to corner David Morrell and ask him to blurb your new manuscript, "The Speech Impediment Murdererererer"? (David loves this, by the way. Try to approach him when he's eating, or in the bathroom.)
Reading this short article will fully prepare you for anything a conference has to offer. It might even save your life.
REGISTRATION - If possible, buy your conference pass in advance. Bring proof of your registration to the event (a Paypal receipt, a copy of the letter saying you've been confirmed, your hard drive) because there's a 90% chance your registration was lost, and the people running the conference will have no idea who you are. A much easier, and cheaper, tactic is to simply buy a nametag and a black marker. Stick it on your chest when no one is looking, and you're in.
THE HOTEL - If possible, stay at the hotel. After the days' events are through, there are always exclusive parties where you can get free food and drink and meet cool people. You won't get invited to these parties, but you can hang out in the hallway with your ear to the door, and listen to J.A. Konrath make a fool of himself. Actually, you probably won't need to put your ear to the door to hear that. J.A.'s pretty loud.
WHAT TO WEAR - The fashionable conference-goer wears business casual. Comfortable shoes are a must, because you'll be walking a lot. A book bag is a great accessory. Not only can it hold books, but also an emergency fifth of vodka (do you really want to pay $9 for a martini at the hotel bar?)
AUTHOR SIGHTING - Imagine it: You're in the lobby, putting the cap back on your vodka, and suddenly William Kent Krueger appears out of nowhere. Do you just run up to him, squealing like a schoolgirl, and beg him to sign your paperback copy of IRON LAKE that you've read 36 times, the last time aloud to your pet parakeet that you named Cork O'Connor? The answer: NO! Kent is a bigshot author, and they all hate signing paperbacks. Go to the bookroom and buy a hardcover first edition. When you approach him, make sure it's on your hands and knees, because you are not worthy. Address him as "Mr. Krueger" or "Sir" or "Your Highness." And NEVER make direct eye contact. He's far too important to look at you.
In contrast, if you spot David Ellis, feel free to bring him your paperback copy of LINE OF VISION. Dave will be thrilled to sign that. He'll also sign other authors' books, cocktail napkins, food products, and basically anything but the check.
PANELS - If you're an author, you need to speak on a panel. But it's too late to sign up for one now, bonehead. They've already printed the programs. If you are on a panel, there's only one important rule to follow: Make sure you're on a panel with Barry Eisler. Barry is the one with the gaggle of drooling women following him around, hoping he'll suddenly keel over so they'll get to administer CPR. Don't expect anyone to remember a single thing you've said when you're on a panel with Barry, but at least you'll be speaking to a packed room.
FOOD - Conference food is usually barely edible, but it's expensive to compensate. That's why all of the popular authors usually go out to eat at the trendiest restaurant in the area. It's very easy to get invited to one of these exciting outings, where industry gossips flows fast and loose, and Barry often takes his shirt off and dances the lambada—the dance of love. If you want to go along, all you have to do is write a NYT Bestseller. If you haven't done that, then you're stuck with the hotel food. Be sure to try the potato salad. Is that potato salad? It might be rice pudding. Or lamb. Or a big dish of pus.
ITINERARY - There are many things to see at a conference, and often you'll be tortured by the dilemma of two good panels happening at the same time, and no idea which to attend. The answer is easy: Attend both of them. Authors love seeing scores of people leave the room while they are talking–they believe they're being so effective, the crowd is rushing out to buy their book. Try to do this five or six times per hour, and make sure you open and close the doors extra loudly. Also, take that extra time between panels to talk on your cell phone. If your conversation carries on into the panel room—it's okay. His Higness Krueger will forgive you.
WHERE ARE THE AUTHORS? - You've been trying desperately to get Robert W. Walker's autograph, but he's been missing in action for two days. Where is he? He's in the hotel bar. In fact, all of the authors are in the hotel bar. If you want to spot your favorite, arrive early while they're still coherent. In Rob's case, I challenge you to figure out when that is.
THE BOOKROOM - This is the most important room in the whole conference. Here, you'll find all of the books by all of the authors in attendance, expect for the one book you truly want to buy. They'll be out of that one. But don't worry, there will be plenty of pristine, unsold, unread copies of WHISKEY SOUR. Plenty of them.
BARGAIN HUNTER TIP - All the paperbacks in the bookroom are free if you simply rip off the cover beforehand! Don't be bashful–the booksellers love it!
ETTIQUETTE - It's during one of the delicious buffet-style meals. You've got your plate piled high with something that might be meat in gravy, and you're searching for a place to eat and see an empty chair between Judith Guest and Libby Fischer Hellmann. Do you dare ask to sit there? In a word, NO! That seat belongs to someone a lot more important than you are. Go sit by Jon and Ruth Jordan, who publish this magazine. Always plenty of chairs around them. The surrounding tables are usually free too.
ATTENDEES - Conferences are a great place to meet new people who share common interests. They're also a great place to get abducted by some weirdo and killed with a blowtorch. Wise convention goers avoid talking to anyone else, at all times. Try to keep some kind of weapon on you. They sell $59 letter openers in the hotel gift shop, right next to the $42 tee shirts and the $12 bottled water. If you're an author, save the receipt—it's deductible.
Or try carrying around a plate piled high with that stuff they served at lunch–the stuff in the gravy. That way, if someone tries to assault you, you can say, "Hey! I'm eating!"
AWARDS - At most conferences, the writers like to congratulate themselves by giving each other awards. They usually do this over a nine course meal that takes eleven hours, and a cash bar that charges so much for a Budweiser you'll need to put it on lay-away. Be sure to congratulate the lucky winners. It's also a lot of fun to go up to the losers and congratulate them for winning, and then pretend to be confused when they tell you they've actually lost. Do this two or three times to the same loser. They'll start to find it funny, eventually.
CONCLUSION - Remember, if you want to have a good conference, that responsibility rests squarely on one person's shoulders—the person running the conference. Be sure to complain about every little thing, at any given time, even if it's something they can't fix such as, "The carpet is too soft" or "Robert W. Walker touched me inappropriately" or "I hear voices in my head." Demand a refund. Threaten to contact an attorney. And above all, remember to have fun.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
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text: Robert Tirado describes his artworks as "consequence to the experience of traditional art techniques, which sometimes gives it a perfect balance between the particular look of digital work and the expression of real life painting" This up-and-coming artist explores an array of different mediums for his illustrations. AEI.UO is his new experimental project that puts together digital illustration, painting and graphic design, which intends to "break through with patterns in so-called digital art." Tirado also has an upcoming solo show in Valencia, Spain at La Booktique Del Diseño on June 18th! So if you so just so happen to be in Spain on June 18th check it out! His work is definitely something I would want to check out in person.


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Jill Gambon
Inside Classroom 2 at Children's Corner preschool, all eyes are fixed on Miss Cassie as she leads the students in a poem about their 10 fingers. The children, all between the ages of 3 and 5, recite the poem and act out the words, splaying their fingers wide, hiding their hands behind their backs or folding them neatly in front of them. As soon as they finish, a cry of "Let's do it again!" erupts.
On this afternoon, UMass Lowell junior Cassie Hopkins is leading seven student volunteers who are helping to teach the preschoolers. The group from UMass Lowell is participating in Jumpstart, a national program that pairs college students and others with preschools in low-income communities to help teach language, literacy and social skills. For Hopkins, an English major with a minor in education, the hands-on classroom experience has helped solidify her career plans: She's certain now that she wants to be a teacher. "I'm so glad I did this. I wanted to see if I liked teaching," she says. "This has been an eye-opener for me."
Founded at Yale University in 1993 and now with branches at colleges across the country, Jumpstart arrived on the UMass Lowell campus last August. The program uses a national, research-based curriculum to help prepare preschoolers for kindergarten and close the so-called achievement gap that disproportionately affects children living in poverty.
Jumpstart is aligned with the AmeriCorps national community service program, so students can earn stipends and recognition for participating. Thirty-five UMass Lowell undergraduates are now enrolled in the program, some of them earning work-study money, some earning AmeriCorps credit, others are simply volunteering.
"Our basic goal is to help the preschoolers develop language and literacy skills so they are ready for success," says Leslie Randall, the Jumpstart site manager at UMass Lowell. "We're thrilled with the way the preschoolers and their teachers have accepted the Jumpstart volunteers."
College students have to apply to the Jumpstart program and commit to a minimum of 200 hours (300 hours for AmeriCorps credit) over the course of a year. To prepare for their work in the preschools, the students receive training in advance of their placements and do extensive curriculum planning before their twice-weekly classroom visits. Most participants devote between nine and 14 hours per week to the program.
"This group does so much preparation," says Graduate School of Education Interim Dean Anita Greenwood. "This is great experience for our students. It builds their confidence. Teaching is not an abstraction to them – they are actually doing it."
Senior history major Derek Patno is trying to get as much hands-on classroom experience as he can. Patno, who also has an internship at Lowell High School, is planning on a teaching career. The Jumpstart program has given him a unique perspective on working with young children. "The most interesting thing to me is the way the kids are so accepting. They are so happy to see you. You can see you make an impact on them."
The presence of the Jumpstart students is earning high marks from the preschool teachers. "The Jumpstart students are a godsend," says Ali Hollowell, an assistant teacher at Children's Corner, which is located in Lowell and run by the anti-poverty agency Community Teamwork Inc. "The kids love them. They wake up from their naps every day asking if it's a Jumpstart day."
On a typical visit, each Jumpstart student works with up to three preschoolers. They read a book together and then the children do activities like drawing, creative play, puzzles or games that reinforce the book's vocabulary or concepts. At circle time, the entire group does activities that promote literacy and language development under the direction of a Jumpstart student leader.
Math major Matt Desmond believes getting involved with the program as a freshman is giving him a jump start on his career plans. Desmond, who hopes to teach middle or high school math, says witnessing how far the preschoolers have come in just a few months is the best part of the experience. "Seeing their progress is so rewarding," he says.
UMass Lowell students are currently working with three local preschools. Given the rapid acceptance of the program both on and off campus, Randall is hoping to expand next year and grow the number of student participants to 45.
Recruitment for next year's Jumpstart team will get under way in March. To apply, go to: www.jstart.org/apply


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Re: Indeterminate 6 Months (Determine & Uni Gold) (A FEW FUNNY QUESTIONS, 2009)
Hie Doc
Thanks for your responce on my Q a few weeks ago, I really appreciate your taking time to answer me on that, taking into account the gazzilion Qs you get from the Gazillion us..lol,
I took your advice, and still waiting for my WB test, the 2nd rapid test they did came out indeterminate again, this time Oral Quick and Elisa, anyway, in the meantime Ive been enjoying reading your responces, some quite interesting, some got me rolling on the floor with laughter, like liking thongs..please keep answering those please, I really get a kick out of them lol!..
I think you should also have a whacked out e-mails folder under inbox...Love you lots doc!
Either way, I will be ready for my results either way they turn to be, P/s: if my comments you feel will offend other readers, I will be all the same ok if don't publish, it wont stop me from having kick from them anyway, keep well Doc, and God bless
Hey CJ,
A "whacked-out" chapter is a great idea. Believe it or not, I don't even post the really zany ones! Just for your amusement I'll post below a few potential entries "from the vault" that might qualify for the new whacked-out chapter.
Dr. Bob
Masturbating in Class. (HELLO KITTY ERASER!!!) Jul 13, 2008
Iam a girl here in Arkansas.Well to makethe long story short I was having a little fun in English class and was masturbating with what I though was my pencil with a hello kitty eraser.Well to my surprise I saw that my gay best friend Earl had my pencil and I had his.(my initials were on the pencil he was using).Well, I know my gay best friend Earl also masturbates from behind with his pencil.Do you think I may have contracted HIV from Earl?I know he is gay and you never know....please help me IAM TERRIFIED!!!
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Little Miss Arkansas,
Let me get this straight. While in English class, you were masturbating with a pencil with a "hello kitty" eraser??????? Hmm . . . well, hello kitty indeed!!!! However, as it turns out, it really wasn't your hello kitty tickling your pet pussy after all, because you saw your gay best friend Earl had your pencil and you had his! Ohmigod!!! And you know your gay best friend also masturbates "from behind" with his pencil, so you are now "TERRIFIED" you may have contracted HIV, because Earl is gay. Do I have that correct????
Gosh, those "hello kitty" pencils sure seem to be getting a lot of action in Arkansas these days! Who knew?!?!?
Your HIV risk is nonexistent; however, young lady, I should put you on detention for either making up stories or masturbating in English class!
Dr. Bob
Will gay facesitting transmit aids Jul 1, 2007
Hello,dear doctor. Three days ago I found a man prostitute and let him sit on my face and smother me with his briefs, and i clearly remember i didn't use my tongue to lick his briefs. But because he was a prostitue, I didn't know if his briefs was stained with sperms, even if i didn't feel wet on his briefs. Could his dry sperms on his briefs transmit AIDS to me through some part of my face? Thanks in advance.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Is gay face-sitting different from straight or bi or tranny face-sitting? Whoever the sitter may be, the HIV risk is nonexistent, although there may be other health risks. For instance, if you are into bears or chubbies, I suppose you could be suffocated.
Mutual Masturbation and Pre-cum Apr 2, 2003
Dear Doctor,
I am a male who's primary sexual contact is through mutaul masturbation with other men. Highly pleasurable. However, I am always a quite apprehensive about the inevitable exchange of pre-cum which occurs during this activity. His own pre-cum on his hand comes into contact with my penis through touching each other. Wouldn't the risk of that pre-cum coming into contact with my urethra pose a risk for HIV infection? I would certainly like to continue with this activity, without having to use a condom, but NOT at the risk of my health. Could you please shed a little more light on this. I have read other posts on this subject, but I'm still not sure if I should be more concerned of less concerned about this activity; which means I'm never really able to full relax and enjoy the intimacy of the moment. Please advise. Thank you.
A little unsure
PS-You ARE a wonderful addition to a superb team of caring counselors. I wish you all the best!
Response from Dr. Frascino
Yes, its true that pre-cum can contain HIV; however, the risk of contracting HIV from mutual masturbation is essentially nil. For instance, it is possible you could be walking by a high-rise building enjoying a nice Starbucks non-fat vanilla latte, when someone accidentally drops an eggplant out their window on the 69th floor, which then happens to thwack you in the noggin at high speed, causing you to spill your hot Starbucks coffee onto a bicycle rider who veers off course and into the path of an oncoming bus of Mormons on their way to a gay circuit party. See what I mean? The possibility is there, but really, lets face it Mormons never go to circuit parties, right? It doesnt mean they cant. Its just extremely unlikely.
So, continue to enjoy your "highly pleasurable" whack offs with hunky spunkies. Its considered an extremely low-risk (but high-pleasure) activity. Stay well.
Dr. Bob
Funny Salad Dressing on my Chicken Wrap Feb 2, 2008
Hello Dr. Bob!
I have a question for you and hopefully you can answer it for me. Ok, the other day I got a chicken wrap and began eating it when I realized it had some sort of dressing on it. I opened the wrap and saw salad dressing all over the chicken, etc. and immediately began to worry if someone had tampered with the dressing and then used it to prepare other foods. Can you tell me (just to quash any other fears)if transmission would be possible if someone had "unloaded" into the salad dressing that was used in the wrap? I know this sounds crazy, but I really
Response from Dr. Frascino
". . . I know this sounds crazy . . . ." Yep! It certainly does so I won't argue with you about that! Dude, why would anyone "unload" into salad dressing? Even Mormons aren't that twisted and repressed. Well, OK, maybe they are. So just in case you do live in Salt Lake City and bought your chicken wrap at one of those ridiculously gaudy temples (the ones that look like they came directly out of Oz), your HIV risk would be nonexistent. So stop worrying about the "special sauce" on your wrap; besides the chicken will probably give you bird flu anyway.
Dr. Bob
FUCKING MYSELF WITH A PLANTAIN (SEX WITH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 2009) May 15, 2009
Hi, my name is LIVIN and i love to introduce a plantain in my ass while im jacking off. To me, is the best feeling ever, but im concern because i want to know if there are any risks of me getting AIDS or hurting myself really hard..cus i do like to do it hard with the plantain. so please Doctor if you could tell me if there is any danger on that i would really appreciate it.
sincerelly. LIVIN.
Advertisement Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Livin,
Unusual name, but not quite as unusual as your fetish for ramming plantain up where the sun don't shine while jacking your tallywhacker. "Best feeling ever"??? Well, Livin, I'll have to take your word on that. As for an HIV risk, no, of course not. Why would you even consider it? Did you think maybe the plantain was cheating on you with other horned-up hotties who like sticking veggies or fruit up their butts? I'll report some information from the archives below. It involves a cucumber instead of a plantain but the principles (like the shape) are the same.
Dr. Bob
Medical Attention needed or not (ANOTHER CUCUMBER QUESTION) Nov 16, 2008
Hi Doctor, Please help - this is an embarrassing yet worrying situation. I am a 30 year old woman and my boyfriend and I were indulging in foreplay in the kitchen. We were about to have sex and he then inserted a vertically chopped/sliced cucumber piece (cut and peeled) from the salad plate, around the length and density of a little finger in my anus. It got stuck and I'm worried about what to do. We stopped, and I have been worried since then. I have been passing stools normally since then - it has been over 24 hours. I'm not sure if it came out in the stools, or its still inside. If the latter, will it get digested or pushed out ultimately ? Is that safe ? I do not have pain so far, but yes, there is discomfort in the rectal and possibly lower abdomen area. Please advise,if i should ignore/forget about this, or go for a medical check-up. Or do some home remedy to get it out ? I swear I will never allow this again.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Cucumbers seem to be getting a lot of action these days. (See below.) I doubt you need medical attention as result of your cucumber backdoor action. As the old saying goes, "Things have a way of working themselves out in the end." I would advise against "home remedies." If your discomfort persists or increases, you should be evaluated.
Dr. Bob
Could I get HIV/STD by masturbating ? Oct 12, 2008
Hi Doctor, i know this might sound stupid but im really worried, i have been masturbating for some time now and some of the times i forget to wash my hands. My question is, could i get std/hiv or any virus by fingering my self with my hands dirty or clean? i am really worried and i would really apreciate your answer.I also have another question, could you get std/hiv by masturbating with a bottle, pickel or any thing like that? Thank you.
Response from Dr. Frascino
The answers to all your questions were waiting for you in the archives. The "cucumber" question is analogous to your pickle concerns. And for your bottle worries, check out Heineken-Up-The-Heinie Guy.
Dr. Bob
Cucumber Aug 14, 2005
Used a cucumber bought at grocery store as an anal toy. I was alone (I am a male.)I did not share it as it was a private masturbation. I put it in a stong bleach solution for 1 hour prior to use and washed it about 4 times with soap. was this an possible hiv risk.Iam married and just concerned. Thankyou
Response from Dr. Frascino
You marinated a cucumber for an hour in strong bleach and then washed it four times before sticking it up your butt, and you are worried about HIV???? Hmmm . . . just how much action do you think this cucumber had prior to your "picking him up" in the vegetable aisle? Even if the grocery store was a "Piggly Wiggly," you have absolutely nothing to fear. I suggest you spend some time on this site learning about sex, safer sex, basic HIV information and sex toys. I'm a bit concerned what might happen when you get to the watermelon aisle.
Dr. Bob
Cucumber(No Watermelons) Aug 17, 2005
Your response was funny and when i thought about it, it was silly to marinate for 1 hour.I guess my concern was that some one might tamper with food at the store, someone with bad intent who would inject body fluid ,blood ect. i believe from reading that it would not survive under those circumstances. ?Thankyou
Response from Dr. Frascino
Do you really think "someone with bad intent" would pick that particular vegetable to "inject body fluid and blood????" Dude, come on, get real. Of all the penis-shaped objects at your local Piggly Wiggly, how would Mr. Bad Intent guess you would pick that particular one for your "sit and spin?" Just how cute was that cuke???
Dr. Bob
HIV - top of a bottle (HEINEKEN-UP-THE-HEINE) Jul 7, 2008
Dr. Bob, at first, I'd like to congratulate yourself for the wonderful job that you do (I'm sorry for my English - I am writting from brazil). Here is my question: there's about a month that I travelled and spent the weekend at a hotel. There, I took a water bottle from the refrigerator and started to masturbate with it (I am a man and put it inside of me). I am afraid that someone (maybe HIV+) may have jerked on the bottle, or put some bleed over it, in the meaning that if someone used the bottle as a sextoy, it would infect the people. Do I need to get tested ? I arrived ath the hotel on a Tuesday and used the bottle at saturday Morning. I couldn't notice any secretions over the bottle. Thanks so much and greetings from brazil.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Brazil-Guy,
You're worried about a water bottle from the refrigerator in the hotel room that you shoved up your heinie??? Hmm . . . just how much action do you think that water bottle gets? Do you need to get tested? No, of course not. I can assure you most folks wouldn't even consider mounting a bottle of Perrier or spunking up a bottle of San Pellegrino. Although I do remember another guy who worried about a Heineken. (See below.)
Dr. Bob
Have you thought of a book (Heineken-Up-The Heine Guy) Mar 20, 2008
Dear Dr Bob I think the world of you and would like to know if you have thought about collecting your questions in book form. (With details changed to protect the writer) My feeling is that your website has the total pulse on what people experience in the world today, their fears, quirks, foibles, the worried well, the reckless, etc. I think it would be valuable statement of the times in which we live. Just an idea. And again please know that you are one of the true wonders of the world for the work that you do.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Actually several readers have taken the initiative to start several different books of Dr. Bobisms over the years, but so far none has made it to press. Reviewing the archives could be a rather daunting task. However, if any enterprising forum fanatics want to attempt a Dr. Bob's Greatest Hits Collection, they certainly have my blessing. Just imagine if such a book made it onto Oprah's Book Club list! Although I tend to think many questions might be more suited to Jon Stewart's Daily Show. I'm not sure what Oprah would say about Heineken-Up-The-Heinie Guy. (See below.)
Dr. Bob
Can I get HIV from dried spit inserted in anus? Mar 8, 2007
Okay, I'm really worried that I might have gotten HIV last week. I'm so paranoid that I'm having trouble focusing in school and at work. Please answer this please!!! This is what happened. I came home from work and went straight to take a bath. My dad had told me that 2 of his cousins were staying the night with us. While in the bath I saw a beer bottle and decided to use it for anal pleasure. after having it been inserted in me for a few seconds (15- 30) I relized THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MY COUSINS USED BEAR BOTTLE!!!! I immediatly stopped and threw the bottle away. I also immediatly stopped pleasuring myself anally. I'm not sure that my dads cousins have AIDS, but they are promiscuous and I don't believe I had any tears in my rectum or anus. However, 3- 4 days before this happened I had stomach problems and had to wipe my anus while on the toilet. I did this many times and by the time my stomach stopped hurting the area around my anus was very sore and I'm sure that i had a few small abrasians from wiping so much. But I do believe that these healed before my beer bottle encounter and the beer bottle was dry (the saliva was dry). Is it likly that I could have gotten HIV from this. I plan on getting tested but I need to know something while I'm in the window period. Please please please respond to this. I'm very scared and will never do anything like this again.
Response from Dr. Frascino
You stuck a beer bottle up your butt??? Hmmm . . . OK, let's review. When out drinking beer and someone yells "bottoms up," that's not what they mean, OK?
Returning now to your question, your HIV risk from your Heineken-up-the-heinie experience is nonexistent. But there can be other risks from ramming a Bud up your rosebud. So please be more discerning when choosing toys for your backdoor action.
Dr. Bob
Are my Symptoms a sign of early HIV infection Mar 16, 2007
Hi, I recently posted a question on this site about my risk of catching HIV. My post was responded and it told me I had ZERO-Risk! However, I'm still a little worried and want to know if the symptoms I'm suffering from are HIV related. My ZERO- RISK exposure happened 2 and a half weeks ago. My symptoms are as follows: 1. 1 day of diarreah (I'm not too worried about this becuase I had eaten spicy food the day before.) 2. I had a canker sore ( my doctor told me it was from stress) 3. Slight lower rib cage discomfort. 4. It's hard to explain this but my throat is slightly sore but only in my lower throat. It also feels as if I'm having trouble breathing. Like my lungs are trying to puch the air I breath out. All of these symptoms are very much mild however, I'm freakin out about numbers 4 and 3 becuase I don't recall ever feeling this way. Thankyou for your time. P.S. you might remember me "Heinikin-in the-hiny".
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Heineken-up-the-Heinie Guy,
Are you back again??? Exactly what part of "nonexistent risk" are you having difficulty understanding.
Dude, HIV is not your problem. No way. No how. Consequently, your symptoms could not possibly be HIV related, right? Of course right!
Dr. Bob
A Few more "What If's" and Risk Apr 6, 2007
Hey Dr. Bob, it's Hieniken-up-the-Hiny Guy again. I've been coping weel for the last two weeks, but I've recently put myself back into a panic. Please just entertain this one last question even though you've already answered me. Okay so the bottle... it was on the back of the toilet so the person who used it probably was taking a crap... so if a minimal amount of feces was on it and if the person using it had spit into it and had blood in their mouth is there more of a risk? Even though it wasn't used for at least 20 minutes? Also, I have a small rash, which my parent think is a heat rash, and a sore throat and a few bumps on my inner thigh. I'm so worried. I understand that there are many people who have questions far greater than mine and I understand if it takes you a while to answer this question but please do. Thanks, you're an awesome person!
Response from Dr. Frascino
OK, Heineken-Up-The Heine Guy,
Enough is enough. Looks like I'm going to have to put out a restraining order on you! Dude, it's time for you to see a psychiatrist. You are what-if-ing yourself right into the loony bin! You may think you've been coping "weel," but I can assure you, if you are concocting scenarios like the possibility of poop on a beer bottle that an HIV-positive guy with a bloody mouth then spit into before you decided to shove the whole kit and caboodle up where the sun don't shine, well, let me tell you, you don't need an HIV expert; you need a shrink's couch. Just to calm your completely whacko fears once again, see below. And why are you going to learn the correct spelling of Heineken and Heine?
Dr. Bob
hiv (SEX WITH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES) Aug 10, 2008
i'm a girl.i used to masterbate with banana/cucumber,but sometimes forgot to wash it.is there any risk of hiv?
Response from Dr. Frascino
You're worried about contracting HIV from masturbating with a banana and cucumber???? Sweetie, do you think perhaps your cutie-petutie banana and cucumber are cheating on you???? I can only assume your home schooling or abstinence-only sex education program failed to mention that HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. As such, it, like all other sexually transmitted infections, is, as the name implies, transmitted during sex from one infected person to another. So whatever you like to do in the fresh produce aisle of your local Piggly Wiggly will not cause HIV. That is unless you happen to have unprotected sex with an HIV-positive checkout boy in that aisle with all the phallic fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Bob
Masturbating with banana - HIV? (SEX WITH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE) (CUCUMBER) Nov 14, 2008
I know this is probably a stupid question but I'd just like your professional opinion. I was masturbating with a banana peel, although it had been sitting on my table for a few days. I read that it was stimulating so I tried it. However, is there a possibility for HIV transmission in this, i.e. HIV through food? Looking forward to your response.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Replacing a real banana with one's own banana can indeed be "appealing" (so to speak). As far as the HIV risk from using and abusing various fruits and vegetables, relax Max. It's nonexistent. See below.
Dr. Bob
Occupational exposure. Nov 26, 2008
Dr. Frascino-I'm a Nurse Practitioner who had an Occupational exposure while performing an I&D on a patient with end stage disease. I have read many of the posts here and when I found the "Cucumber" post, I laughed until I cried. Just what I need right now. Thank you!
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hi Nurse Practitioner,
I'm delighted I was able to provide a smile during this stressful time. I'm sending you my good-luck karma that your occupational exposure turns out to be as risk free as sex with a "cucumber."
Good luck.
Dr. Bob


text:
Isaiah Canaan scored 26 points, Stacy Wilson added 18 and Murray State ran past Auburn 79-59.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Isaiah Canaan scored 26 points, Stacy Wilson added 18 and Murray State ran past Auburn at the Charleston Classic.
The Racers (2-0) will play another high-speed opponent, St. John's, today for a spot in the eight-team tournament's championship game Sunday. Auburn (1-1) will go against the host school, College of Charleston, in the consolation round.
Canaan, the Racers' star guard, had outscored Auburn by himself in the first half with 20 points as Murray State led 45-19 at the break.
Rob Chubb and Asauhn Dixon-Tatum had 12 points each to lead Auburn. Frankie Sullivan, who scored 26 in the Tigers' season-opening victory over IPFW last week, was held to seven points on 2 of 13 shooting and left the game with a cut on his right arm after crashing hard into the scorer's table midway through the second half. Sullivan did not return.


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My Laptop a HP Probook 4510s refuses to boot Fedora or Arch Linux CD'S, but will boot and install Debian based stuff, i.e. Debian or Ubuntu.
If I put a Fedora or Arch CD in, it will just stick on BIOS screen and never do anything -- the CAPS lock key flashes and the HDD light constantly flashes at a rapid rate, no keystrokes work, and I have to reboot with the CD/USB out to work normally again. I've tried changing a bunch of BIOS settings, including SATA/IDE resetting to defaults; I tried putting Arch on a memory stick and still nothing; but if I stick the same Arch or Fedora CD/USB in my girlfriend's laptop, they work fine.
How can I boot this laptop to the Fedora installer CD?


text:
We had some great entries yesterday (Oct 22th) in the 45th Annual BGS October Family History Fair. All of the participants put a lot of time and research into their projects.
1st Place – Mary Lu Johnson
"Nelson Family Coal Mining Display"
2nd Place – Earl Massey
"Howe Sewing Machine"
3rd Place – Gary Gerlach
"Loose Records – Locked Out"


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Hizkias Assefa
Ethipian professor of conflict studies
Hizkias Assefa is a professor of conflict studies at Eastern Mennonite University's Conflict Transformation Program. Operating out of his base in Nairobi, Kenya, he works as a mediator and facilitator of reconciliation processes in a number of civil wars in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He has worked as an attorney and consultant on conflict resolution and peacebuilding to the United Nations, European Union and international and national NGOs in situations of humanitarian crises. Mr. Assefa is currently an associate faculty member at the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. He holds a master of law from Northwestern University and a master in economics and Ph.D. in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.
LLB, Haile Selassie I University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
LLM, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
M.A., M.P.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Move Crisis in Philadelphia
Extremist Groups and Conflict Resolution: The Move Crisis in Philadelphia
Professor of Conflict Studies - Eastern Mennonite University, Virginia (1995 - )


text:
2011 proved to be a particularly frenetic year for equity investors. The S&P 500 closed exactly were it started at the beginning of the year. But tremendous volatility translated into losses for many traders.
At the beginning of 2011, most experts forecasted stocks would rise by year end. Deutsche Bank's bull Binky Chadha forecasted stocks to end 2011 at 1,550, but he was horribly wrong. Only a few strategists, like Morgan Stanley's Adam Parker had the guts to make the bearish calls that ultimately proved accurate.
Click here to see the rankings >
Background Strategists like Chadha and Parker make calls on the S&P 500, which can be helpful for index investors. But not everyone is interested in index investing. Many want to invest in individual stocks, and they'd like to use the good research calls associated with those stocks.
Price Target Study We reviewed the price targets each major brokerage firm had at the beginning of 2011 for each of the 30 stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Then we compared those targets with the price of each stock at the close of 2011.
Once we figured out the margin of error for each analyst and the stock they covered, we combined those figures for each bank to determine a weighted score measuring the accuracy of each firm. The highest possible accuracy score would be 100, which would mean each analyst at the firm had price targets that match perfectly with the year end closing prices. (For more details on how we scored each firm, see our methodology.)
Findings As expected, analysts generally forecasted the stocks they covered to rise. So, the analysts who were the most accurate were also the ones who overshot by the least.
No firm completely dominated in the rankings. Most had at least one analyst who was the most accurate analyst covering their stock. But most also had an analyst who was the worst in their category.
The most inaccurate analysts were the ones covering Bank Of America, which closed the year at $5.56 after losing more than half of its market value. The average price target at the beginning of 2011 was $17.27 with a range of $13 to $20 per share.
Deutsche Bank's Chadha may have been one of the most inaccurate strategists when it came to forecasting the S&P 500. However, Deutsche Bank's individual equity analysts scored relatively well in our study.
Generally speaking, the largest investment banks scored highly on our list with Goldman Sachs leading the bulge bracket banks.
But Goldman Sachs didn't take the crown in our study.
Click here to see the rankings >
Sam Ro also contributed to this project.
Click here to read how we created this list >
Note: This feature originally appeared on Business Insider on January 6, 2012.


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Posted 7 years ago
(1 item)
Does anyone know the time period of a stand like this? It was my great grandparents. They came from Norway. It's carved stone or marble. I can't tell. It must weight about 40lbs. It has little holes in it and we were thinking those were for candles. It's very interesting and I think its from the late 1800's or there about. Can anyone help me? Is it worth anything?


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Fun City Entertainment Complex
Exhilarating High Speed Go-Kart Racing! Tear around Melbourne's Most Challenging Track. Redeem Mid-Week and Get a Bonus Game of Laser Tag. Only $19 for 80 Laps (Valued at $55) or $29 for 120 Laps (Valued at $65)
- Highlights
- Fine Print
- Company
Get your blood pumping as you fly past the scenery on Fun City's ultimate Formula E go kart track
Option One: $19 for 80 laps, valued at $55
Option Two: $29 for 120 laps, valued at $65
Two people can split the 80 laps and up to three people can split 120 laps, so bring a few speed-fiend friends
Play a bonus laser tag game when you redeem midweek (Monday-Thursday)
Bookings are available seven days a week - it's the perfect school holidays' activity!
What We Like
Fun City Entertainment Complex uses Sodi RX7 9HP karts, capable of hitting speeds of up to 62kph
The European-designed sprint track will keep you on your toes with an amazing set of challenging corners and the ambitious S bend - there are no long straights to let you catch your breath as you race around Melbourne's most challenging track!
Buy as many vouchers as you like for yourself and as gifts
Offer expires on 16 December 2013 (bookings must be made by 16 November 2013)
Strictly subject to availability and please be patient with bookings. Please note, weekend bookings are limited, please book early to avoid disappointment
Bookings are essential and are subject to availability
80 lap races must be completed within 20 minutes and 40 lap races must be completed inside 10 minutes. Your 80 laps can be split between a maximum of two drivers (40 laps each)
120 lap races must be completed within 30 minutes and 40 lap races must be completed inside 10 minutes. Your 120 laps can be split between a maximum of three drivers (40 laps each)
Please note, new clients will be required to purchase a $12 Formula E racing licence. A cap is also included in the price of the licence (cap valued at $19.90)
Bonus Laser Tag may only be redeemed when redeeming your go-karting sessions mid-week between Monday and Thursday
Members can purchase and use up to ten vouchers for themselves and buy up to twenty as gifts for different recipients
Maximum one voucher per person per visit per day
Printed voucher must be presented on arrival
48 hour cancellation policy applies, non-attendance and late cancellation voids voucher
Valid photo ID is required for racers 18 years and over. Racers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
Not valid for persons under nine years of age
Super Karts (9HP) for ages 14 and up and taller than 145cm
Rookie Karts ages 10+ years and height between 125cm-145cm
All riders must wear enclosed footwear and must not consume alcohol prior to driving
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your allocated booking time to allow time to register. Late arrivals will forfeit voucher
Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with a history of hearing conditions, head neck or back ailments, nervous disorders or seizures
Fun City Entertainment's full terms and conditions and safety regulations apply. Please consult this before purchasing the voucher (Please see Fun City 'T&C's' tab)
Not valid in conjunction with any other offer and not redeemable for cash
Redemption instructions can be found on your voucher


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30 January, 2011
Unforgettable (with a bit of help!)First U2 gig I ever saw. As I look back now at the set list and remind myself of the songs they played that night I can't help but gasp at how awesome those songs were live. Standing on the outside of the Lounge amongst a crowd of fans (with the lucky ones inside) was always a highlight at the Ent Cent. I strongly remember Edge playing piano on October, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Gloria as well as most of the others, but I did have to have a sneak-peak at the setlist to help my failing memory. The last things I remember are the band popping champagne corks to celebrate the final show of their Australian tour, and the audience singing the lyrics to "40" well after the show had finished. No photos from me at this show but the same could not be said five years later.....!!
30 August, 2010
All time best gig ever...Still has to be the best concert I've ever been to - I've never forgotten the high and by today's standards, 8000 people would be a sneeze compared to the 360 tour. I remember being so close to the stage I could almost touch Bono - bet that won't ever happen again!