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Again anything he says doesn't matter. You all are confusing talent with personality. Great people are usually not nice people. If Kobe had been playing SG instead of Cat and he didn't act an ass we would have gone to the Finals .Maybe won. He would have been great no matter who was the coach or who he played with. If he and Shaq didn't act like spoiled children they could have had a monster dynasty.
Ali was a jackass of the first order but he is still (wrongly) considered The Greatest. Ali called Frazier a gorilla. MJ is a jackass but he kept his mouth shut. Who cares what Kobe said about management? Does that make him less of a player. Anybody who says that they wouldn't want him on their team if there isn't another MVP player is crazy. MJ had Jackson as coach. The Celtics had Auerbach. Did that make Mr. Russell or MJ average players? Magic and Kareem had Riley. Would they have been average without him. Malone is an a***** of the first order. He refused to play with Magic but wouldn't you want him on your squad if you didn't have BG? He refused to see his own son because he was afraid the son wanted some money. All the guy wanted to do is meet his father. Dr J refused to acknowledge his own daughter in a basketball camp. This is way worse that saying your management sucks. Kobrick? Most people who know basketball (I'm not saying you don't) consider him in the top 10.
MJ, Wilt, Oscar, Russell, Magic These are generally considered the top five in no particular order then fill in the blanks for the next five. He's in the top ten. I don't care if he dropped drawers and pinched a loaf on the Clippers' floor I would still applaud his talent. Give the devil his due.
Remember when we had Baron or during the days of Keith Kloss we sucked stump water as the Lakers do now. What's the problem?
Hold up, who's on the high horse here? Fans sticking up for their team or Kobe making a underhanded joke at the expense of someone else to feel better about himself? Even at his lowest, he deflects his own shortcomings onto others to stay on that high horse.
By your rationale, anything said in a joking manner that is factually true should not make anyone feel insulted. That's exactly what you're saying here. Sorry, that's absurd.
Oh, and Kobe was an amazing player. Now he's just a player breaking down on what people would consider casual basketball movements.
Yeah... once upon a time, kobe was a great player and the Clippers sucked.
And once upon a time kobe faced criminal charges for sexual assault and had to buy his own wife and children back for a $4,000,000 piece of jewelry.
See, snake-boy? ...we've all got cliche lines we can use, so don't quit your day job. Oh... my bad... he already did quit his day job when he realized that his team still sucks with him in the lineup, so he pretends he's still injured and blames everybody else. They call that "plausible deniability'.
The thing about snakes is... they have really big f*cking mouths, but not much in the way of brains.
I was done for the night but is Durant so tall that there's no oxygen up there and he's brain dead? Kobe Bryant the GOAT? That's like saying Sarah Palin is the GOAT or is that goat? I think Glen Rice might agree. Not that she's a farm animal but that she's GREAT. She was supposed to have been a dirty girl.
But back to the subject at hand. Kevin have you been huffing glue?
Godawful- Over the hill- Aging- Turd
Yes he's the GOAT
I can't speak for all but I think the problem,in my mind,is we are tired of being the whipping boys of the league , we are a top tier team now and not the Clippers of 5 years ago, and we still get picked on by the media, we fans and team alike. Kobe could have used the Kings or the Bucks or a myriad of other teams but he choose us to use in his jabs and really, how many years do we have to keep hearing this crap. We would win the Finals 3 times in a row and I'll bet we still get pounded on.
I actually think this thread would have existed no matter who made the statement though,Kobe, ZBO, doesn't matter. Clipper Nation is just tired of the jokes at our expense. All we ask is to give us our due for once.
The point is that the truth is its own defense. Like it or not he's right. Because of DTS we sucked but that was yesterday. We can erase that all by winning. We are now getting respect
This team made some of the most boneheaded moves imaginable, Olawakandi and that Russian dude, Sterling dumped good players to keep salary low thereby making HUGE profits. He didn't give a rat's rump about winning. We were according to many the worst franchise in professional sports. We stuck in there. Finally DTS spent the bucks and we were on our way to the WCF's but Sam boneheadedly took over 8 seconds to get to front court and turned it over. Then a boneheaded move. Ewing a nobody guarding Bell. Many say Bell pushed off. The next year we were a dark horse for the WCF's but the locker room became so toxic that we didn't even make the PO's We hung in there. DTS forks out the $$$ to build a super team but our franchise player bolts (Thank goodness). We hung in there. We keep Baron but he's a cancer.
Loss after loss disappointing after disappointment but we hung in there
A disappointment much of his own making and he folds. No he doesn't know what it's like to be a Clipper fan because we hang in there. Doesn't bother me a bit
Every dog has his day and bulldogs get Sunday. Services start at noon Rev. Chris Paul presiding
First,do you ever ponder what we would look like had EB and Corey stayed,I assume we would have sucked enough to get BG32 but maybe not enough to get CP3. It would be so different. Wonder who our PG would have been because Boom Dizzle would have cheeseburgered himself out of a job by now,although he did seem to perk up a bit when BG32 played that first year.
I remember all the time, every year we get voted as one of the worst sports franchises (ESPN would lump all sports franchises together and we were always on the bottom),but also many polls would say Clipper Nation was one of the most loyal fanbases in the US of A because we stuck with our horrific owner and his boneheaded decisions.
I've been a Clipper Fan since 1992 and a HARD CORE CLIPPER FAN since 2005 when The Lakers traded away Shaq and not Kobe. It was another reason why I think Kobe was such a punk. Dude, just wait until Shaq gets older and then it will be your team. To force the hand there when you have a championship team and more chance at rings, was ridiculous. I was SO PISSED when the Pau Gasol trade went down and gave Kobe a chance at more championships and to his credit, he won two more. No doubt, Kobe is one of the top 10 best players to ever play and possibly Top 5. But as the years go by and his character comes out... we will see his true colors. And as his skills diminish and he no longer wins... and the Lakers stay irrelevant, we will see the true colors of Laker fans... some who are decent, but others who have been some of the most arrogant fans in the history of sports.
ONE Bad season and look at how they're acting this year. They are so entitled.
This is why I don't just wish for The Clippers to win a championship but for the Lakers to toil in misery for 5 years. They really need to experience it for at least 5 years to get a taste.
To have one bad year and say "now we know what its like to be Clipper fans" is an insult and slap to our face. KOBE, STFU. We'll see you next year when the Lakers will won't have an excuse. And with Kobe + Nash + Lottery pick + free agent, they will be the 9th seed for the next two years.
Here's the thing though... and we all know it. The only way to really win, is to win it all. And with Blake's dramatic improvement this year, and his work ethic....
This is the most excited I have EVER been as a Clipper Fan, as a basketball fan.... I think we all are.
Kaman, Brand, Corey, Cat Sam. We were touted to have one to the best front courts in the league. Not nearley as good as now but not bad and DTS would have forked out the $$$. Magette was going to take a pay cut. Corey was~ 20/5 and Brand was 20/10, Cat was ~15 ppg Sam was a cold blodded closer.
Also if good players wanted to play with Kobe and he signed for minimum remember he got $24 mill in endorsements and the lottery draft being a lottery team would be good for them it wouldn't be so bad for so long. Like it or not the LAL name does draw players. With minimal cap and no good players an aging star no draft picke and Kobebeing a worse jackass that ever it will b e2016-17 till they begin to rebuild unless Kobe retires.


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Birmingham manager Lee Clark has ruled out the prospect of allowing Chris Burke to join Derby on loan.
Birmingham winger Chris Burke remains a target for Derby boss Nigel Clough as he looks to sign a right-sided midfielder.
Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has revealed Leeds made an enquiry for Chris Burke before the transfer deadline.
Birmingham have extended midfielder Chris Burke's contract by another 12 months.
Chris Burke is adamant there are only 'positives' to take for Scotland following the 2-1 home defeat by Wales.
Charlie Mulgrew and Chris Burke praised the impact of new manager Gordon Strachan after Scotland's 1-0 win over Estonia.
Chris Burke says he is happy to still be at Birmingham City after the winger was targeted by rival Championship clubs.
Birmingham are mulling over a vastly-improved bid from Nottingham Forest for Chris Burke.
Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish believes he needs to make the acquisition of creative wide-men a top priority.
Sky Sports understands Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Birmingham winger Chris Burke.
Marlon King is one of a host of Birmingham's players told to find a new club, due to Blues' financial situation.
Sky Sports sources understand that Birmingham have rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest for winger Chris Burke.
Lee Clark is confident he can hang on to the rest of his players as he plans his first season in charge of Birmingham City.
Lee Clark has rubbished suggestions that Chris Burke will be leaving Birmingham City before the start of the season.
Chris Burke is positive about Birmingham's chances in the play-offs, despite his painful past experiences of the end-of-season lottery.
Birmingham winger Chris Burke believes he is playing the best football of his career since moving to St Andrew's in the summer.
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton breathed a sigh of relief after his side managed to beat Burnley 2-1 courtesy of a late Chris Burke winner.
Striker Jay Bothroyd has been released by Cardiff after failing to agree new terms with the Bluebirds.
Craig Levein has seen his Scotland squad disrupted by nine withdrawals ahead of facing the Faroe Islands.
Craig Levein has praised David Goodwillie after calling the Dundee United striker into his Scotland squad.
Watch every goal from every game in the Football League
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McKinzie McLeod - ASA Fastpitch '09 -'12
ASA Fastpitch Age 10 - 13
By Christina McLeod
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Whether you're a beginner or an experienced finisher, you'll find a wealth of must-have information in this DVD. It's based on the "Finishing Flowchart," a step-by-step process that guides you seamlessly through the finishing experience. You'll learn which steps to take and which to omit to create any finish, simple or complex, as well as what materials to use and exactly how to use them. It's both a guide and a course on the path to a perfect finish every time.
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Great for beginners (and those who didn't realize they were)!Posted January 12, 2014
I didn't know I've been sanding wrong for decades! I also thought you needed to sand with the grain, but Michael's trick of sanding across the grain at opposing diagonals as you increase in grit made my next sanding job three times faster! I think that was worth the price of the DVD alone. Just wished I'd viewed it years earlier.
comprehensive, illustrating best practices and inspirationPosted January 9, 2014
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Chimney collapses in town's oldest house (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting HMSNEWS to 80360 or you can email us Click here for details »
Chimney collapses in town's oldest house
4:00pm Monday 20th January 2014 in News
BUILDERS evacuated one of Harwich's oldest homes as the chimney stack collapsed.
Renovation work is ongoing at the roof of the house in Church Street, which acts as history group The Harwich Society's headquarters.
But contractors heard the initial warning signs of the chimney giving way.
Evacuating the building, the chimney then suddenly collapsed causing minor damage to the landing but no injuries.
Harwich Society chairman, Colin Farnell, said: "The one vital fact is that no one was hurt.
"The building will be repaired and this incident will become another chapter in the Harwich Society's history."
The timber framed house, built around 1450, is thought to be the oldest house in Harwich.
It was the Foresters Arms public house from 1800 to 1940 when it was hit by a bomb during the Second World War.
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The Climate Reality Project
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Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau
The Deposit Telephone Company, a subsidiary of TDS Telecom, was awarded $3,143,839 in stimulus funding Wednesday to expand broadband service in Delaware and Chenango counties.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Congressman Michael Arcuri and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the funding during a teleconference. The project will bring highspeed DSL broadband service to rural areas.
TDS Public Relations Manager DeAnne Boegli said the $4,191,785 project will make broadband available to 1,188 properties and will create 83 jobs for contractors and skilled laborers.
Boegli said TDS is investing $1,047,946 in matching funding. "If you think about what it is like living with dial-up service, these people are going to be just thrilled," Boegli said.
Boegli said the project is scheduled to take 24 to 36 months once the paperwork is completed and the funding is released. She said TDS was awarded thirty-nine broadband expansion grants from USDA totaling $85.9 million. The projects are located in 18 states.
"We will be prioritizing the projects," she said. "And in some areas, like Deposit, the weather is going to have implications in getting the work done."
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the stimulus bill, contains $7.2 billion in funding for broadband deployment across the country, helping communities create jobs in the short term and lay the groundwork for future economic growth.
Vilsack said high-speed broadband "will move rural America into the 21st century. It is comparable to what the Rural Electrification Administration projects did in the 1930s." Vilsack said broadband gives emergency services better methods of communications, allows schools to participate in long-distance learning and gives farmers instant access to up-to-date weather forecasts and crop prices.
"To create the vibrant Upstate New York economy of tomorrow that creates and sustains the jobs of the future, we must build rural broadband and high-speed internet networks today," Schumer said. "The difference between economic success and failure in a digital world will be in large part determined by access to high-speed broadband."
Schumer said the U.S. rates 15th in the world in terms of broadband availability. He added that the goal is to bring access to broadband to every community in the state.
"There are areas in our region that currently do not have access to cable television, much less highspeed Internet," Arcuri said. "Our ability to compete in the global economy depends on widespread, affordable access." Arcuri said broadband will encourage companies to come to the area and will help small businesses expand by helping them sell their goods and giving them access to supply sources.
PATRICIA BREAKEY can be reached at 865-5175 or at patriciabreakey@yahoo. com


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And the two competitions for international ranking points are Hollins and Wintersun.
(I think it's much smarter to have two instead of one.)
And the two competitions for international ranking points are Hollins and Wintersun.
(I think it's much smarter to have two instead of one.)
Is Stephanie Zhang planning on continuing this season after making her big comeback last year?
I forgot to post earlier that Australia has a new Senior B! Skate DownUnder (all disciplines), Aug. 20-22, in Brisbane. Source thread: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...ns-for-2013-14
"Randy [Starkman (1960-April 16, 2012)] lived by the same motto as the rest of us. The Olympics isnt every four years, its every single day. He just got it." --Canadian Olympic kayaker Adam van Koeverden
Skate DownUnder will be held in Sydney, not Brisbane as originally thought. It's likely the official announcement will be circulated in the coming days. Its a first ever for Sydney to have an international ISU figure skating event. Very exciting.
SkateDownunder will be held at Canterbury Ice Rink. Hotels nearby still require a car or taxi ride. There's Comfort Hotel in Burwood, Spanish Inn at Strathfield South about a 5 min drive but not many services nearby. I suspect most people will stay at Bankstown International (15 minute drive) because there is a big shopping centre across the road. The other fabulous option is Sydney Olympic Park - which is a lot of fun and where the Sydney Olympics was held. Also a 15 minute drive
Public transport is not great around Canterbury Ice Rink but it is only a 10 min walk from either Canterbury or Campsie Railway Stations, but I wouldn't recommend walking to Canterbury Railway Station at night (through a park)
Great news! No exact date yet? Oo, just saw it, sorry.
I guess the hard thing for a lot of people to accept is why God would allow me to go running through their yards, yelling and spinning around.
How is Canterbury? Is it up and running yet?
When you are up to your arse in alligators it is difficult to remember you were only meant to be draining the swamp.
Last edited by essence_of_soy; 05-18-2013 at 05:40 AM.
I heard Canterbury decided to do some big renovations after the fire.
Canterbury Ice Rink update: Called in there yesterday: The ice is due to melted early next week and a new ice floor laid. That means all sand up and pipes relaid, then ice relaid. A new roof has been installed, builders are working and painting is happening - but bear in mind the facility is 43 years old. For those who don't know, Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink is a Co-Operative that was built with $30,000 seed money donated by skaters in 1969 after every rink in Sydney was closed and there was nowhere to skate. Opened March 5, 1970 and housed in what could only be described as a tin shed - those echos remain, but much had changed also. It is a "work-horse" rink with a heart. Every dollar - to this day - that is earned by the operation of the rink, goes back into sustaining the rink for all skaters (figure,hockey,speed, public, skating school) and in supporting and providing the best ice time possible for each discipline. The rink has been the training ground for almost every Australian figure skating Olympian since 1984 (Peter and Liz Cain, Vicki Holland, Tracy Brook, Monica McDonald and Rodney Clarke, Cameron Medhurst, Stephen Carr and Danielle McGrath, Joanne Carter, Stephanie Zhang, Cheltzie Lee) and also Olympic Gold Medallist Steven Bradbury. Canterbury was also home to Australia's first ever Winter Olympic medal (short track bronze) at Lillehammer 1994. There is much to be proud of, but always much more to do. The challenges to keep the rink going over the decades have been immense, but to be able to hold Skate DownUnder as an historic first-ever ISU figure skating competition this August in NSW will be absolutely fabulous. There will be an enormous welcome to all visitors for Skate Downunder at Canterbury. (Please remember that it will be at the end of the Australian winter and still quite chilly).
I made a mistake. Canterbury Ice Rink opened March 5, 1971 (not 1970).
How is Sydney paying for this competition ?? They have no money especially after the renovations ??
I loved watching Tracy compete at '88 Nationals held at Canterbury and Macquarie along with Melanie Reyner and Sabrina Moreth. The junior ladies championship was outstanding, too.
Whenever I hear the Princesse Zenobia Ballet from On Your Toes, I still thing of Reyner's gorgeous short program as well.
Last edited by aussieSKATES; 05-18-2013 at 04:53 PM.
Geez Rae, that timeline's going to be a bit tight for Hollins, isn't it?
It can't be that long till Hollins because the Autumn Trophy's next weekend and that's usually three weeks before Hollins.
Hollins is being held at Penrith this year because its unknown if COIR will be 100% ready to go.


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Galloway, OH
via sears.com
Easy to install and cuts very well. No problems with it at all.
via sears.com
Nice, easy to put on.
Clinton, NY
via sears.com
This is an excellent standard blade.
Stockton, CA
via sears.com
Quality product, as always with craftsman!
Clinton Township, MI
via sears.com
Chicago, IL
via sears.com
Watford City, ND
via sears.com
We ordered the blade as per our model.....the blade rubbed the deck on the top of the underside.....my husband had to grind it down.....I don't understand.....buying a replacement blade should be a walk in the park.....this was NOT!!!
via sears.com
Washington Depot, CT
via sears.com
What a difference a new blade makes! This was so simple to replace: no scraped knuckles or cussing! I'll be doing this more often than once a decade, I'm not afraid of the job anymore :) I ordered online, then picked up at my nearby Sears; fast and efficient!
Warren, RI
via sears.com
easily Bolted up to mower . Was nice and sharp. Cuts great.
easily Bolted up to mower . Was nice and sharp. Cuts great.
- Free shipping! Orders $59 or more Offer ends 31-Aug-2014 See details.


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Gold Cup races head to VIR this weekend
- Last Updated on 03:26 PM 10/04/12
- BY Joe Chandler
Race fans and participants will take a step back in time this weekend as VIRginia International Raceway will pay tribute to the great drivers and cars of yesteryear with the annual Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races & Car Show.
A long-standing event at VIR, the Gold Cup Historic Races, set for Friday through Sunday, fans will see a wide variety of historic cars speeding around the fabled 17-turn VIR layout in exciting competition.
Fifty-five years have passed since the first race was held at VIRginia International Raceway. This year's Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races & Car Show will pay tribute to the great cars and drivers that were present at VIR on the historic weekend of August 3-4, 1957 when the track first opened its doors.
The car show will take place on Saturday, and is included in the cost of a Saturday or Three-Day ticket.
Car Show registration will be at the Gallery on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the car show running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Two trophies will be awarded, one for Peoples' Choice and one for Sponsors' Choice.
Touring laps for car show participants will be held on the Patriot Course on Saturday afternoon.


text:
Consumer Reports tested a number of detergent brands – plus some products that claim to replace detergent altogether.
Video Archives
The City Manager approved a plan to combine Phases Two and Three of the project.
Sheriff Ken Irwin was named the Grand Marshal for the 53rd annual Yakima Sunfair Parade. He has been the county Sheriff since 2001 and was born here in Yakima.
The Red Cross Yakima Chapter is holding multiple events next week to help Washington wildfire victims.
Authorities say another small fire in Naches Heights appears to have been on purpose. They say this fire seems to be related to the other ones recently started in the area.
Two years ago, 81 cases of gonorrhea were reported in Yakima County. That number more than doubled last year.
Authorities are seeing more heroin in Yakima County. The rising cost of pharmaceutical drugs has people turning from that addiction, to heroin.
Sticking with carry-on luggage can be a big savings for air travelers. Consumer Reports tells you what to look for when choosing a new bag.
Yakima pest control services say this past month has been the busiest yet. Action News learned this has nothing to do with cleanliness and how you can protect your own home.
It's been nearly a decade since a water park was first pitched for Ellensburg.
Yakima was proud to boast a drop in stolen cars, but now the number of people stealing car parts is on the rise. Action News looked at why this could be happening.
Washington was the first to create a gun offender registry. But no one seems to have heard of it. It functions sort of like the sex offender registry, but keeps track of firearm offenders. KEPR found out why it's off to a slow start.
The Historic Geddis Building in Downtown Ellensburg is now on the market.
Costco is known for delivering quality for a good price, but not every product is a top bargain. Consumer Reports looks at which are worth getting and which should be forgotten.
The Saddle Mountain Fire is nearly fully contained in Kittitas County. The wildfire started Friday and grew by tens of thousands of acres in just hours.
Consumer Reports tested some products that promise to give your grilling that extra boost.
Another fire has left a family homeless. The fire broke out this afternoon on the 600 block of South 13th Ave. It's believed the fire started in the attic.
You might have seen the drills in Terrace Heights involving local crisis response units. The team went through different scenarios in their yearly training.
Deputies want criminal charges brought against a car prowl victim. Deputies say he should not have shot the man breaking into his car.
Parent on Zaepfel Stadium: 'Electricity is seriously out of date, bathrooms are horrible'
Parents and teachers are pushing the Yakima School District to do something about Zaepfel Stadium. Plans for a major overhaul stopped when money ran out.


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Mastering Apple Aperture
save 15%!
save 37%!
|Also available on:
- Learn how to use the advanced features of Apple Aperture
- Become well-versed with advanced topics such as curves and how raw conversion works
- Written in an easy-to-follow conversational style and packed with tips and tricks for optimizing your workflow
Book DetailsLanguage : English
Paperback : 264 pages [ 235mm x 191mm ]
Release Date : August 2013
Author(s) : Thomas Fitzgerald
Topics and Technologies : All Books, Other, Web Graphics & Video
Table of ContentsPreface
Chapter 1: Advanced Importing and Organizing
Chapter 2: Advanced Adjustments
Chapter 3: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Curves
Chapter 4: Aperture in Action
Chapter 5: Extending Aperture
Chapter 6: Exporting and Outputting to the Web
Chapter 7: Making Metadata Work for You
Chapter 8: Getting Better Prints from Aperture
- Chapter 1: Advanced Importing and Organizing
- A closer look at the import dialog
- Managed versus Referenced
- Converting between referenced and managed
- Adding keywords while importing
- Importing images to an album
- Creating presets for your camera
- Real world examples
- Making Aperture's library work for you
- Projects, folders, and albums
- Root level versus project level
- Organizing your library
- One-shoot-at-a-time approach
- Casual shooting approach
- Creating project templates
- Merging and splitting projects
- Managing multiple libraries
- Switching libraries
- Exporting a project as a library
- Importing a library
- Library troubleshooting
- Managing RAW + JPEG
- Working with in-camera black and white images
- Shooting tethered
- Requirements for tethered shooting
- Starting a session
- A tethered shoot
- Summary
- Chapter 2: Advanced Adjustments
- Understanding Aperture's adjustment tree
- RAW versus RGB
- Demosaicing
- Linear gamma
- RGB adjustments
- Working on RAW data versus RGB data
- Adding default adjustments
- Multiple adjustments
- Brushes-tips and tricks
- Adding brushes to an adjustment
- Painting with brushes
- Editing brush masks outside of Aperture
- Editing the brush masks
- Cloning and healing
- Using the retouch tool
- Highlights and Shadows tool
- Using the Highlights and Shadows tool
- Saving, editing, and managing effect presets
- Saving an adjustment recipe as an effect preset
- Sharpening
- Sharpening in the RAW Fine Tuning Brick
- Edge sharpening
- Understanding how it works
- Be careful not to oversharpen
- Noise reduction
- Chroma versus luminance noise
- Noise reduction options in RAW fine tuning
- Getting the best noise reduction results in Aperture
- Summary
- Chapter 3: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Curves
- Curves basics
- Referring to the tones in an image
- Putting the Curves in the Curves adjustment
- Controlling contrast and brightness with Curves
- Controlling brightness with Curves
- Contrast and the S-Curve
- The difference between contrast with Curves and the contrast slider
- Creating a high-key and low-key look
- Warming up and cooling down
- Adding warmth to an image
- Cooling down an image
- Tinting shadows and highlights with Curves
- Tinting shadows
- Tinting highlights
- Faded Shadows and Highlights
- Using the eyedropper and automatic modes
- Using the eyedroppers
- Using the automatic adjustments
- Extended range Curves
- Multiple Curves adjustments
- Curves adjustment versus Levels adjustment
- Real world examples
- Real world example – darkening skies
- Real world example – vignettes
- Real world example – controlling highlights
- Summary
- Chapter 4: Aperture in Action
- Controlling clipped highlights
- Step 1
- Real world example
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Real world example
- Finishing touches
- Fixing blown out skies
- Real world example
- Finishing touches
- Removing objects from a scene
- Fixing dust spots on multiple images
- Tips for fixing chromatic aberration
- Fixing purple fringing
- Real world example
- Finishing touches
- Creating fake duotones
- Fixing scanned negatives
- Summary
- Chapter 5: Extending Aperture
- When and why you need to go outside Aperture
- What Aperture does when you use a plugin
- Mountain Lion and Gatekeeper
- Where to find plugins
- Recommended plugins
- PTLens
- Silver Efex Pro
- Dfine
- Honorable mentions
- Color Efex Pro
- Photomatix
- Working with external editors
- Setting external editors preferences
- Working with Photoshop
- A quick way to create panoramas in Photoshop
- Photoshop alternatives
- Pixelmator
- Key advantages
- Disadvantages
- Acorn
- Key advantages
- Disadvantages
- Honourable mention – Photoshop Elements
- Working with third-party RAW converters
- Catapult
- Using Catapult
- Working with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- Setting up Lightroom and finder
- Summary
- Chapter 6: Exporting and Outputting to the Web
- Setting preview settings
- Using OS X media browser
- Exporting versions
- Setting export presets
- Filename and folder templates
- Blogging from Aperture – the easy way
- What is wrong with this method
- Blogging from Aperture – the proper way
- Export plugins
- TwitExport
- BorderFX
- 500-Wide
- iStockPhoto Uploader
- PhotoShelter Uploader
- Exporting to Facebook and Flickr
- Managing Facebook
- Managing Flickr
- A better option for Flickr
- FlickrExport
- Sharing with Photo Stream
- Creating a quick iPad Portfolio with Photo Stream
- Summary
- Chapter 7: Making Metadata Work for You
- Why good metadata is important
- Aperture's Info tab
- Metadata View templates
- Name Only
- Caption Only
- Large Caption
- EXIF Info
- IPTC Core
- Creating your own templates
- Create a preset to view all EXIF information
- Creating metadata templates
- Different ways of entering keywords
- Entering keywords from the Info tab
- Using the keyword HUD
- The Keyword Control Bar
- Lift and Stamp keywords
- Entering captions and titles quickly
- Using TextExpander to speed up data entry
- TextExpander
- Entering long strings of text for captions
- Keyword sets
- Using OS X's built-in autocomplete
- Batch changing metadata
- Adding custom metadata
- Some examples of when to use custom metadata
- Searching and smart folders
- The search HUD
- Smart albums
- Summary
- Chapter 8: Getting Better Prints from Aperture
- Calibrating your display
- Choosing a display calibrator
- Calibrating your screen
- Calibrate often
- The limitations of calibration
- Onscreen Proofing
- The print dialog
- Show all the options
- Print resolution
- Print sharpening
- Creating print presets
- Issues to be aware of when creating print presets
- Printing and saving to PDF
- Creating a digital contact sheet to e-mail to clients
- Printing to a JPEG file
- Using the book tool for elaborate print layouts
- Printing your page
- Ordering prints using Apple's print service
- Ordering prints from a third-party service
- Summary
Mastering Apple Aperture is a terrific read for photographers of any level who want to get a grip on their post-production workflow. It is very well written, concise and offers a deep insight into the true power of Aperture without getting too technical. Highly recommended. - Chris Beile
I found the book very approachable, although the pace is quite quick this is because the writing style is succinct and does not waste time padding out the text with irrelevant or really basic information. - Michael Butterworth
Submit Errata
Please let us know if you have found any errors not listed on this list by completing our errata submission form. Our editors will check them and add them to this list. Thank you.
Sample chapters
You can view our sample chapters and prefaces of this title on PacktLib or download sample chapters in PDF format.
What you will learn from this book
- Master importing your photos into Aperture
- Understand how raw conversion works and how it affects your photographs
- Explore Aperture's adjustment panel and learn advanced processing techniques
- Master the art of entering metadata and learn why it is important
- Get the best results when outputting your photographs for the Web or other online services
- Learn how to use other software in tandem with Aperture
- Optimize Aperture with essential third-party plugins
- Fix common image problems with Aperture's toolset
In Detail
Apple Aperture is one of the leading photo editing software packages available in today's market. It provides you with all the tools to organize, browse, and perfect your images, so you can make every shot your best shot.
Mastering Apple Aperture aims to teach you the skills and knowledge necessary to become a master of the Apple Aperture software. It will build upon your existing core skills and show you new and advanced ways to get things done in Apple's powerful photography software.
Mastering Apple Aperture starts by showing you the most simple and efficient ways to import and organize your images. It then takes you through the techniques for processing photos before moving on to cover advanced topics like working with tethered shooting, multiple libraries, curves, and metadata.
You will discover how to edit images in Aperture and will gain complete mastery over processing images. You will also explore ways of extending Aperture through the use of plugins and third-party software. This book concludes with tips and tricks for the best ways to output images from Aperture, whether for print or for screen.
This is a practical, step-by-step guide that aims at taking your understanding of Aperture from novice to master.
This is a practical, step-by-step guide that aims at taking your understanding of Aperture from novice to master.
Who this book is for
This book is written for photographers who have an understanding of digital photography and who have a basic level of familiarity with Apple's Aperture software. It is assumed that you have used Aperture and are familiar with the basics of the software.
This book is written for photographers who have an understanding of digital photography and who have a basic level of familiarity with Apple's Aperture software. It is assumed that you have used Aperture and are familiar with the basics of the software.


text:
Newest Easter Eggs14420 Total Easter Eggs, 0 New in the last two weeks!
If you've never heard of "Easter Eggs" in software, movies, or DVDs, find out more!
Gravity Falls
Posted Monday, December 30 in TV > TV Shows
In every episode of Gravity Falls there is a reference to the number 618 (kind of like with Weird Al and 27 or Pixar and A113), which is Alex Hirsch and his twin sisters birthday. 618 appears on the cash register, in magazines and even on banners.Step By Step- New Kids On The Block
Bandmate Brother/original Member
Posted Monday, December 30 in Music > Music Videos
In the step by step video where Donnie Wahlberg is on a motorcycle surrounded by friends, brother/actor/original nkotb member Mark Wahlberg appears right next to him holding a basketball.Portal
Are you dead or not?
Posted Monday, December 30 in Software > Video Games
At the last battle between Chell and GLaDOS you are trapped in a room where she is filling it with a deadly neurotoxin and you are trying to kill her. Destroy all but the last core "eyeball" in the emergency intelligence incinerator, but hold on to the... moreSSX On Tour
Fable Reference
Posted Monday, December 30 in Software > Video Games
When creating a snowboarder for SSX On Tour's Tour Mode, one of the faces is called "Hero". It looks exactly like the player character from the 2004 Xbox exclusive Fable.Friday Night Lights
Hidden Reference to the Permian Panthers
Posted Monday, December 30 in TV > TV Shows
In all the episodes, the players have a letter "P" on their helmets as a decal. However, they are the Dillon Panthers. Realistically, the decal would be a D, as that would stand for Dillon High School. This "P" is actually a reference to the Permian Panthers,... moreResident Evil 3: Nemesis
Dino Crisis Refference
Posted Monday, December 30 in Software > Video Games
That perhaps no one has discovered, in Resident Evil 3, upon entering the hospital with Carlos, the scene when it is the first hunter, you can see on the wall, on the bulletin board on the left, a poster of Dino Crisis , Check it yourselfFallout 3
The Ruins
Posted Monday, December 30 in Software > Video Games
If you go east at the beginning of the game instead of west to Megaton after you get out of Vault 101, you will find a town named Springvale. If you countinue to go east and follow the bridge, you will find a place with raiders called Bethesda Ruins.... moreGolden Sun : The Lost Age
Hearing Music from the First Golden Sun
Posted Monday, December 30 in Software > Video Games
You have to go into the Arena mode, then press both the L and R buttons and talk to the woman in the bottom left hand corner : you will be able to hear soundtracks from the previous Golden Sun !Power Puff Girls
Crack McCraigen
Posted Friday, November 22 in TV > TV Shows
If you watch the episode Mizzen in Action,look at the part where the professor gets captured and the captain speaks to him.listen to the captain say his name Crack McCraigen.That means if you switch the words craig and crack to it's rightful place,it... moreMist, The
Bad Planet #2
Posted Friday, November 22 in Movies > Movies
At 1:18:18 into the film, when Thomas Jane's character David is taking a "Hellboy" comic from the rack in the Pharmacy (presumably for his son, who said he didn't want a comic book), a copy of Thomas Jane's own book "Bad Planet" is revealed underneath.... moreGotcha Force
Capcom Logo
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Video Games
From the main menu select Story mode. When at the map screen Press X to edit force. Search through your Death Borgs until you find Death Borg Omicron, then press X to view specs. Once on the specs screen use the C stick to rotate the camera to view the... moreStreet Fighter X Mega Man
Capcom Logo
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Video Games
You must go on Chun Li's stage, and then proceed through the level. When you get to the part where you must fight Chun Li, look at the top right hand corner. You can see the first three letters of the Capcom logo.Starship Troopers
Bug Evolution
Posted Friday, November 8 in Movies > DVDs
On the first disc, go to "special features", then to "filmographies", on the Paul Verhoeven filmography press up, the eagle icon from the film will cover over Verhoeven's head, press enter and enjoy the evolution of the bugs' digital rendering.Battlefield Bad Company 2
Faith from Mirror's Edge
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Video Games
In the beginning cutscene of the level "Heart of Darkness", when you are in the Generals office, wait until you see a near full body-shot of the General. Look at the picture hanging on the wall in the background. It is Faith, the main character from "Mirror's... moreResident Evil 6
Ghost N' Goblins Arcade Game
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Video Games
Play The Mercenaries game, choose either Leon, Chris, or Jake. go to the China level, then go to the arcade. There you will find the Ghost N' Goblins game which was also made by Capcom.Windows XP
Microsoft Bear
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Operating Systems
1. Open Windows ExplorerAmazing Spider-Man, The
2. Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32
3. Look for a file named "jdbgmgr.exe"
The icon of it is a grey teddy bear!
Fun Fact: Its actually a picture of a teddy bear one of the Microsoft employees used to carry around.
Stan Lee in Spider-man
Posted Friday, November 8 in Movies > Movies
In the scene where Spider-Man and The Lizard fight at the school's library. You notice a librarian listening to classic music and arrange the books. That person is Stan Lee.Ratchet and Clank 2
Dan Johnson's Hidden Picture at the Insomniac Museum
Posted Friday, November 8 in Software > Video Games
1. When you go to the Museum go to the Garage DoorsGrand Theft Auto 3
2. Unlock the doors usin your Electrolyser
3. When you unlock jump off the cliff in the middle (NOTE: Turn your camera around because the picture is at the wall)
4. (Optional) Use your Quick Select... more
Reference to Carmaggedon
Posted Friday, June 28 in Software > Video Games
On the first island, next to the Head Radio building, near Saint Marks, there will be a building with Borgnine Taxis, and out the front there will be a red Cabbie with big spikes on the front and rear bumpers. This is a reference to Borgnine Taxis on... moreMinecraft
Pirate Talk Easter Egg
Posted Friday, June 28 in Software > Video Games
Lauch minecraft.Torque
Go into the menu where you can change your language.
Change it to pirate talk.
Enter a world.
Pause the game and go into the achivements menu. The achivements will be called different things! "The Lie" achivement is now called "Pirate's... more
Posted Friday, June 28 in Movies > Movies
Right after the opening credits after the guy gets knocked of the bike, and he chases down the other guys during their fight on the bike you notice they pass an orange car then when one biker locks up his brakes to avoid hitting a semi truck... well the... moreHow I Met Your Mother
Secret Countdown
Posted Friday, June 28 in TV > TV Shows
In the episode 6x13, there's a countdown from the number 50 to the number 1. You can see them all here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sPQkKMo5sRobot Chicken: Star Wars III
50 Pamphlet on doctor�s desk
49 Pamphlet on doctor�s desk months later
48 Ketchup bottle
47 Laser... more
Gas Station Video
Posted Friday, June 28 in Movies > DVDs
From the Main Menu, go to Special Features. Go to Deleted Scenes and Animatics. Highlight "State Dinner" then press the up arrow. A red light on the dashboard turns on. Press enter to see a picture in picture of the gas station sketch with reference... moreTUFF puppy
A Sound from "Back at the Barnyard"?
Posted Friday, June 28 in TV > TV Shows
It's in the episode where Kitty and Dudley saving Christmas. After the cinematic where the T.U.F.F. guys are opening the weapons storage, there will be a Country music sound played. This sound is from the TV serial "Back at the Barnyard"! Some of the... moreLollipop Chainsaw
Reference to Zombie Movie Legend George a. Romero
Posted Friday, June 28 in Software > Video Games
The name of Juliet Starling's high school is San Romero High School, a reference to George A. Romero, creator of zombie movies
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pain management support group
For all of the chronic pain sufferers out there, whether it be from ... more
See All
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests
I am new to the boards, but I desperately need some advice. A few years ago, doctors discovered that I have a major issue with one of my discs. There's a bulge, a tear, and there is no fluid left in it. We've tried everything, and doctors have finally said that without a fusion, I will not improve. Doctors didn't want to do it initially, because of my age. I'm 35. They said when I'm 50, I can have it. They've changed their minds.
The problem is that I do not have just the one disc out. The disc above and below it are having issues, too. One has a tear, and the other is bulging. My fear of this surgery is that after a year or two, I'll need the other discs fused. It's another reason why doctors have said they don't want to do it until I'm older. I'm at a crossroads.
I need to decide if I will have the worst disc fused. I would like to hear the experience of someone who had multiple disc problems, but only had the worst disc fused. If you had it fused, did you have to subsequently have other discs fused? Was the fusion successful? Did you have to have the other discs fused? If so, how long after the first fusion did you have the others? How much limitation to your life is there? Also, if you had a failed fusion, can you share your experience with me?
My fear is that the fusion will fail and I will end up in worse shape than I am now. I do understand that is a possibility regardless. I just so happen to be that person...if the doctors say something has an 89% success rate, I'm the 11% that fails.
Initially, the surgeon ignored my other 2 discs. I also have a compressed nerve. He was rude to me, and kind of a jerk, to be honest. He thought I made up the nerve pain. He thought I was overreacting and being overdramatic, that my pain and limitations were in my head. After I allowed him to run further tests, he realized his mistake. He saw the compressed nerve, and told me during a follow up that it was really bad. He also saw the additional damage to my discs. I only let him run them, because whether it was him or another doctor, I needed them done. When I ask him what the risks are, his answer was "Well, it's better than what you have now."
I have children and a job. I'm unable to keep up with my life. I'm a slave to my pills, and I hate it more than anything. If the fusion will give me my life back, then I will be on the table tomorrow. Before I make this decision, I need more information.
First, you don't "fuse a disc." You fuse the vertebra surrounding the disc.
Second, you did not mention where the problem is. Are you describing lumbar discs? Cervical discs? This can make a huge difference in that cervical discs can be replaced with a new artificial disc. But there are no artificial discs today that can sustain the weight of your lumbar spine. So where are these bad discs?
Third, you can have spinal fusion AT ANY AGE. I had multilevel lumbar fusion (L3 to S1) at age 38. In fact, that was my fourth spine surgery. There is no age requirement.
Fourth, how many opinions have you had? No one, but no one, should walk into any type of surgery (let alone spinal fusion) without obtaining at least two ADDITIONAL opinions, after the first one. So, how many other opinions have you had? Did they all agree on a surgical intervention?
Fifth, are you seeing spine surgeons? A spine surgeon is an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon who has completed a following in spine surgery (about 3 years of training AFTER a residency). No physician comes close in talent and experience to a spine surgeon. They know and use the very latest breakthroughs in technology and procedures. I would not allow an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon to ouch me unless she or he has a fellowship in spine surgery. These specialists can often be found at or near teaching hospitals. Why trust your health to someone with less training and experience?
Sixth, how many comprehensive pain management programs have you attended? A comprehensive pain management program, or pain clinic will offer dozens of treatment options, most of which are non-invasive or minimally invasive. A person with your conditions can try:
spinal decompression, a corset, brace, TENS, traction, acupuncture, biofeedback, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, injection of steroids and anesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, cortisone, rhyzotomy (radio frequency denervation), spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal infusion pump, off-label medications (anti-depressants, anti-convulsants), combination of long-acting pain medication with breakthrough meds, counseling, hypnosis and meditation. How many of these have you tried?
I've been through it all. My first disc herniation was at age 17, when my L5-S1 disc literally exploded in a football game. Since then, I've herniated two more discs, with more on the way. I've had four failed spine surgeries, including multilevel fusion and I've been through two comprehensive pain management programs. I've tried virtually every combination of medications and treatments.
Before you take another step, get referred to two spine surgeons for opinions. If they both recommend fusion, then you'll know that it is the best option. Good luck.
My medical problems are extensive due to failed therapies. The medical professionals that I have seen for my spine range from physical therapists to orthopaedic surgeons to neurosurgeons. When I said that we have tried everything, I wasn't exaggerating. I've done all on your list except hypnosis, which I won't do.
I saw on your profile that you have similar problems to mine, though you have much more than I do. I am unable to sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time. I walk with a cane most of the the time. I cannot lift anything, etc.
When your surgeries failed, did your pain worsen? What is your range of motion? When you had your multi-level fusion, was that after a single fusion failed?
I suppose using the word "advice" wasn't quite the right word. I want to know what to expect if I proceed with the fusion and it fails.
There are different ways to fuse a spine. Many people who have the metal hardware screwed onto their vertebra later complain about it impinging nearby tissue and creating as much pain as the patient had pre-surgery, or about it feeling "cold" in winter. I'm glad that mine is bone, harvested from my own hip, which can never be rejected. So what if the recovery is longer? It's going to hurt like hell either way.
As I mentioned before, I would not be wheeled into any operating room without first obtaining opinions from TWO SPINE SURGEONS. If they don't have a fellowship in spine surgery, I don't want them to touch me. A spine surgeon understands the very latest and greatest surgical techniques, implant materials, operating aspect perspectives and procedures — all collected AFTER a residency. I was amazed with the latest, greatest techniques that my spine surgeons had, over my neurosurgeon and over an orthopedic surgeon. Your health is simply too important to trust to anyone with less training, talent and experience. Never fear doing this "around your current surgeon," to avoid hurting her or his feelings. Do you really want to risk paralysis or a lifetime of agony and incapacity, just to avoid insulting a surgeon's huge ego? I went to a fellowship-trained surgeon in An Arbor (University of Michigan) and the one in Cleveland. When both of them agreed that I needed surgery, I was satisfied.
Spine surgery carries the worst odds for success of all major surgeries. I've had Lasik surgery twice (success rate 95%). My wife is having knee replacement in a few weeks (success rate 98%). Spine surgery today has a success rate of about 65%. Don't take my word for it. Here is the latest, most comprehensive research on all major spinal interventions: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2009/july/2009;12;699-802.pdf . The truth can be hard to take.
Which long and short-acting opioid combinations have you tried? What about off-label drugs. Have you used biofeedback?
Fentanyl Transdermal added 9 wonderful years to my career. At first, it eliminated 80% of my pain. Of course, after a number of years, we become tolerant. Later, I learned to combine a short-acting opioid for breakthrough pain (Oxycodone 10/325). Later, I added an anti-depressant (Trazadone) and an anti-convulsant (Lyrica). Only when I combined all of these together at the same time did I feel that I had successfully managed my pain. Remove any of them and the pain management collapses. Some people might believe that this is too much medication. For me, it's perfect. Have you experimented with all long and short-acting pain medications, plus off-label drugs? If not, now is the time to start (before you have fusion).
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I won't be going with the current surgeon, if I do have the fusion. Now, it turns out, surgery is a minimum of 6 months away for me. I've had some pretty serious complications from "normal" treatments that have damaged my heart and stomach.
When this began, a doctor sent me to a chiro, who put me in decompression. They said it had 89% success. I ended up in the 11%, and I got a lot worse. I have a pretty severely compressed nerve, which is helped with the stimulator. Steroid injections damaged my heart and stomach. I went into anaphylaxis with the oral. I cannot take most medications now. The pain management doctor I've been seeing finally changed my medications and so far, I am managed better. I went from a pain level of 6 all the time, and I'm functioning at a 2 now.
Fentanyl helped with my nerve pain, before I had the stimulator, but it did nothing for my disc pain. It was the worst 6 months of my life. It also, ironically, affected my ability to eat. Normally, it makes eating better. But, combined with my numerous ulcers, I couldn't eat at all. I lost 40 pounds in 2 months. I tried Lyrica, but it didn't do much for me. Neurontin made me hallucinate, and I couldn't speak without tremendous difficulty. I tried Cymbalta, which helped. Unfortunately, the side effects made life unlivable. (I have a list of 20 medications that I keep on a notepad. I've learned to keep good notes of medication name both generic and brand name) Previous doctors over-prescribed ibuprofen based medications, and my gastroenterologist has diagnosed me with ibuprofen induced ulcers.
As I said, though, my new pain medications help a lot. I actually got to clean my house today for the first time in a year, without any help. I consider it a huge victory.
Thank you again for all of the information, and input. I will look into biofeedback further. With a 35% failure rate, and my ability to always be in the failed category, I'm going to avoid surgery as long as I can stay managed without it.
Wow,you certainly have been through alot of surgery and have alot of knowledge,I think its great that you care and share!!
I have had 2 major neck surgeries and I have alot of scar tissue too!I know the 2nd surgery,part of it was to clean up some of that!What a mess,the first surgery was much more invasive but I had to stay in the Hospital 2 weeks after the 2nd one!I guess it was something to do with spinal fluid?
I I did not know that the scar tissue causes that much pain and is that damageing!
Have a great weekend 77grace
It's smart to avoid surgery as long as possible, assuming you don't have significant instability. But you might not be able to do that forever. It's a shame when patients like us cannot benefit from pain medication, anti-depressants and anti-convulsants. I'm lucky that it still helps a little, although tolerance is unavoidable. When all else fails, there is the SCS and IT pump. Good luck to both of you.
I'm sort of familar with the pain pump,but I realy don't understand how it would work better than the Methadone I am currently taking?Also muscel relaxers and such!Do you like one mucsel relaxer better than others/ also why??
I am taking Zanaflex for that and valium for muscel spasm and stress!
I am waiting for my husband to get home and help me put on my new Tens unit and see how that works!
Have a great one.77grace
The Intathecal infusion pump is for patients unable to obtain significant relief from pain management treatments and medications. It uses a much smaller dosage of common pain medication, with one exception. Prialt is a powerful pain medication derived from the venom of snails found only in the South Pacific. Prialt is only available for IT pump delivery.
I do not use muscle relaxers, as my pain is primarily neuropathic. While I also have nociceptive pain from fibrosis, bone damage and osteoarthritis, those conditions do not produce muscular pain. Therefore, I'm not a candidate for muscle relaxers. I used Soma 40 years ago, when I had muscular contractions secondary to central canal stenosis. Today, there are newer and better muscle relaxers, with more manageable side effects.
Good luck with your TENS. I hope it helps.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I'm somewhat of a ledite these days. How is the TENS working?
I have an SCS and though it works well, I know it will fail soon. The scar tissue around my implant is excruciating, especially in the cold. Though my battery pack is the worst part of having it. Talk about uncomfortable! But, no major complaints.
When I took muscle relaxers regularly, I took Valium as well. The anxiety relief was a happy side effect. Eventually, though, I didn't need the assistance with the anxiety, so I switched to Robaxin. I LOVE it. It doesn't make me loopy or sleepy like Flexeril, Zanaflex, and the others do. I really liked Soma, but since the FDA changed the classification, doctors won't prescribe it anymore.
I'm starting to have some neck problems now, which I understand can be pretty normal. Did you get an artificial disc? If you don't mind my asking, what surgery did they do and did it give you any relief or make it worse?
Hope you're doing well!
I want to thank you for all of your great advice. Thanks to you, I've finally found the information I needed to make my surgery decision. With that failure rate and the problem of multiple discs out, I'm not going to have surgery. When my kids are older, I'll revisit the issue.
So far,I'm functioning well on my new medications. I actually went back to work, which is a huge step forward for me.
I hope you're doing better. I know it's a one day at a time,and I hope you have more better days than bad. Thank you again!
Suzie, it's always better to make an informed decision. Consider that ten years ago, disc replacement surgery was brand new. Today, it's standard. But today, it's still not available for lumbar surgery. Perhaps it will be soon. People almost always do the same thing. They wait until they can't tolerate the pain a moment longer, then they have surgery. The other downside (even when the surgery is perfect) is fibrosis (scar tissue). We each grow it at a unique rate. If you are like me, you'll grow it like it's going out of style. Scarring can impinge a spinal nerve root just like osteophytes or a piece of extruded disc. And while it technically can be removed, it's considered unethical, since at least as much will grow back. After surgery, you can grow osteophytes (bone spurs) which can cause just as much pain. That requires more surgery to remove. And if you have 3 or 4 surgeries, as I have, the next one will be fusion, because so much bone has been removed that the spine is unstable.
For what it's worth, I think you're making the right decision. Buy yourself some time. Then, when you can't stand it a moment longer, when you can't work, sit, stand or sleep, you'll benefit from the latest techniques.
My only final recommendation would be to have no one but spine surgeons operate. In other words, if she or he has not completed a fellowship in spine surgery, don't let them touch you. There are many good neurosurgeons around. There are some terrific orthopedic surgeons. But they all pale in comparison to one of their colleagues who have been through a fellowship in spine surgery. Find them at your nearest teaching hospital. Would you want to risk your health to anyone but the best? Of course not. Good luck!
There are still some options. Here is a link for the most comprehensive research I've seen covering all major forms of spinal interventions http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2009/july/2009;12;699-802.pdf . The SCS and IT pump are really last-resort options for chronic pain patients who cannot benefit from medications or non-invasive treatments.
Have you tried biofeedback, systematic relaxation, meditation or Yoga? Mind-body treatments are unlikely to remove most of your pain. But they can help a great deal temporarily. I can drop my pain by up to 20% with biofeedback alone. When people say, "pain is in the mind," they are mostly correct. It is possible to train the mind to temporarily push some pain aside. The same applies to distraction therapy. When I'm wrapped up in a good book, or when I'm focused on my writing, research or editing, my mind is pushing aside some of the pain as it focuses on something else. The cost to use this (after learning how) is nothing. There are no side effects. Just less pain.
I have also tried acupuncture, TENS, corset, brace, PT, exercises, swimming, injections and a host of other options. What I've learned is that the road to success lies in multiple options used together. That means a long-acting pain medication plus a short acting medication (for breakthrough pain). It means using an off-label drug (anti-convulsant) plus an anti-depressant (to inhibit the reuptake of Seratonin). It means using biofeedback plus systematic relaxation. All of these treatments, used together, make my life more tolerable. I still can't sit or stand for long periods of time. But without the combination of treatments, daily life would be intolerable.
Good luck!
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By Jean Cole
The hope of bringing art and culture to downtown Athens year-round instead of just once a year has fueled a plan to turn an old cotton warehouse into an incubator for local artists.
For several years, Athens has hosted an annual September art show called Art on the Square.
While the event is popular, local art advocates have hoped for more.
Trisha Black, executive director of Spirit of Athens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalize downtown, said she has watched over the years as local artists, unable to afford downtown rent, take their business elsewhere. Several have gone to Lowe Mill in Huntsville, an historic building that leases work and display space to more than 100 area artists.
But a door opened for local artists when H.C. Blake Co. of Huntsville recently bought W.E. Estes & Son plumbing and electrical services business on West Washington Street in Athens. Behind the store is an old cotton warehouse. H.C. Blake President Jim Batson needs only a portion of the warehouse.
"Jim initially thought of using it as a farmers market, but we already have one on the pavilion on Green Street," Black said. "So, I knew an artist incubator would be a good fit for this space."
The plan is to renovate 7,500 to 8,000 square feet — about three fourths — of the wood-beamed, brick warehouse for use as work and display space for artists, she said.
"Not many cities have this kind of opportunity to do something like this," Black said. "We've had artists comes to us but they can't afford the space downtown."
Main Street Birmingham has already developed a much larger version of an incubator for businesses with an artistic bent at 55th Place Arts in downtown Woodlawn.
Because the Spirit of Athens is part of the national Main Street Program, Birmingham Main Street told Black how to get started.
Members of the AOTS committee would determine what type of space and utilities are needed to serve local artists, including paint sinks, etc.
"We will soon be looking for an architect to draw plans for the renovation so we can get an idea how much it would cost," Black said.
On Tuesday, she hopes to meet with City Planner Mac Martin to identify with what city codes the renovation must comply.
Once SOA and AOTS have an estimate to build out the warehouse, then they will seek funding for the project, Black said.
Among the trees they may shake are various foundations in the state and the Alabama Arts Council.
"We will see what opportunities are out there," Black said. "Birmingham raised all of the money for its build out, so they will be a lot of help in helping us identify funding sources."
So, too, will members of the AOTS Committee who know how to write grant applications, she said.
When will it arrive?
It could be a year or more before the incubator is a reality in downtown Athens.
Before the space can be renovated, a committee must determine how to divide and supply the space. For example, the space needed by a painter is different from the space needed by a potter. A painter may need a sink in the general area but a potter may need water right inside his or her individual space, Black said.
Athens State University Professor Gail Bergeron, an AOTS Committee member who works in all mediums, will be a great resource in helping determined what is needed in the warehouse space, Black said.
Security is another issue. At Lowe Mill, chain-link fencing separates artist spaces. This allows the artist to use the space and display work but still keep materials and creations secure.
Who will be chosen to rent the space is another consideration.
Artists would probably be selected through a jury process, Black said.
"Artists would apply and be selected based on what kind of work they do and what their needs are," she said.


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By NICK HAMPTON
FORT GIBSON — It was a history making night for the Lady Tigers of Fort Gibson as they became the first girls soccer team in school history to win back-to-back district championships with a 2-0 win over Keys in District 4A-6 play Friday night at Leo Donahue Tiger Stadium.
"Winning back to back titles is really big for this program," said Lady Tigers coach Jaime Snyder. "It's really a credit to the hard work the girls have put in over the years, not just in high school, but in youth and club soccer, and it's paying off now for our program."
Although most of the first half was played at the Fort Gibson offensive end, Class 4A's fourth-ranked Lady Tigers were only able to muster six shots on goal. The best opportunity came late in the half as sophomore speedster Jordan Raynor dribbled from midfield to get a shot off just inside the goal box. The shot bounced off the goalkeeper back to Raynor, who passed to Lillian Bear who put it in the goal. But Bear was ruled offsides on the play and the goal was disallowed.
"We possessed the ball well in the first half ,but Keys' physical play just knocked off us the ball when we got close," said Snyder. "At halftime I just told the girls to be more physical and keep going and it would eventually go in."
And the Lady Tigers did just that. Raynor and Sanya Januszweski both had shots in the opening five minutes of the second half and both went just wide. Finally freshman Gabby Escamilla got loose in front of the goal and blasted it past the keeper to give Fort Gibson a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Later in the half the Lady Tigers added some insurance. With the ball deep on the right side, junior Brooke Benham crossed the ball perfectly on to the foot of Raynor in front of the net and she knocked it in to make it 2-0 with 15:25 to play in the game.
"I saw Jordan (Raynor) in the box and she was right there," said a beaming Benham. "Lillian (Bear) played me a perfect ball and it just worked out. It was just perfect just like in the pros."
The Fort Gibson defense made it an easy night's work for goalkeeper Kyndra Johnson, one of six Lady Tiger seniors honored on the night, as Keys (7-3, 3-2) had only two shots on goal for the game.
The Lady Tigers (8-1, 5-0) close out the regular season Tuesday at Heavener and then a get a week off before hosting a playoff game on April 30.


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Phiaton PS 210 Sound Isolating In-Ear Earphones with 4 Silicone Sizing Buds and Carry Case
" First, I want to thank Phiaton for the review sample. As a headphone brand, Phiaton is relatively new to the scene. But as a company, it has a rather long history. Phiaton was setup by Cresyn Korea in 2008 as an initiative to launch its own high end headphone line. Up to that point, Cresyn has been very successful in the headphone OEM/ODM business all over the world, yet not quite known..." --ClieOS
Phiaton PS 200 Sound Isolating In-Ear Earphones with Dual Micro Transducers (Woofer andTweeter)
" Fit and finish The PS200 fits well in my ear canals, although the body is on the large side. Because of this, they constantly push against my antitragus, making it sore after a while. However, I doubt this will happen to other users. Isolation is quite good; they isolate about as well as my ER6s, despite using single-flange tips. However, the tips are quite thick, and don't squish down quite..." --12345142
Phiaton PS 20 Half In-Ear Premium Earphone (Glossy Black)
"MaxBass Reflex" Dual chamber structure delivers wide frequency response, commanding bass, and crisp high definition sound.Optimized airflow provides acoustic efficiency creating a more natural sound Ergonomically designed for superb comfort and fit."Half In-Ear" hybrid earbud design combines the best features of both "In Ear" and "Open"...
SMS-EB-BLK - STREET by 50 Professionally Tuned In Ear Earphones w/Apple 3-Button Remote/Mic - Black
Take it to the street. Bring your music with you in luxurious style with STREET by 50 In-Ear Headphones. In-line Apple control mic cord for tangle free streetwear and transport, plus a professionally tuned 11mm driver and 6 silicone passive noise cancelling tips ensure a comfortable ride no matter where your music takes you. The STREET by 50 wired in-ear headphones feature crystal clear sound,...


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The entire Fantasy Feud experience exudes professionalism and really shows the attention to
detail that the development team has taken.
I think my favorite feature of the product is the unique pricing engine. Each day brings
a new puzzle that daily fantasy players will have to solve to win their games.
The player pricing is reactive to recent events while also taking in some aspects of the
day's matchups. It's always a good challenge to build the optimal line-up.
Fantasy Feud is a great site that I stand behind. It is a very polished product with
an easy to use interface. I have recommended it to my friends and I wouldn't hesitate
to recommend it to yours. Feud is on the rise big time.
The website is fast and easy to navigate and the salary structure is both fair and challenging. With some early success on
the site I have been lucky enough to get some payouts and promotional cash.
Fantasy Feud has the fastest payouts in the industry. I really like all the data/player & info included on the player selection screens.
So far the development team is quick to adapt and there is no reason to think that
more exciting contest and promotions aren't on the way. Looking forward to the continued growth of the Fantasy Feud community. Keep up the great work guys!
If you play fantasy sports it's time to take your passion to a new level at FantasyFeud.com. Fantasy Feud
offers daily fantasy sports contests where you can play in leagues that last 1 day instead of a full season.
Simply sign up a free account, draft a team, follow the live scoreboard, and collect your winnings. Draft,
Play, & Win Today!
For fantasy football fans there are multiple daily fantasy sports contests offered for the NFL which include
NFL Season Leagues with weekly payouts,
Survivor Fantasy Football Leagues,
and the $100,000 Feud of Champions. Over $25,000
in free cash prizes will be awarded in daily fantasy football contests this season at Fantasy Feud. Don't
forget to play free fantasy football each week in the $50 NFL freeroll. NCAA football contests are also
available and a $25 free entry contest takes place every Saturday.
For fantasy basketball fans there are multiple daily fantasy sports contests offered for the NBA. Play free
fantasy basketball each week in the $25 NBA Friday Freeroll. A multitude of guaranteed prize pool contests
serve as qualifiers for the 2012-2013 NBA Money Ball Invitational,
which will be offered on Wednesday, Friday,
and Saturday's throughout the season. NCAA basketball contests are also available. Be sure to play in the
$25 NCAA BB Saturday Freeroll.
Once the fantasy hockey season and fantasy baseball seasons start you will also be able to play in NHL and
MLB contests. You can also invite your friends to face you in a
Fantasy Feud Home Game where Fantasy Feud
puts up the prize pool for your league. Try it free today!


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Taking its title from the parallel universe where most of the action takes place, Kim Harrison's 11th Hollows novel has the author using a line most fantasy/sci-fi fans associate with Douglas Adams — "Don't Panic!" — to reassure puzzled readers. Blame the Brothers Grimm, Andrew Lang or Walt Disney, but most of us grew up with a strong association between the phrase "Ever After" (preferably "Happily Ever After") and the end of a story. Not so in this case. Harrison quickly points out that there are two more books planned for the series. And this book is not a fairy tale, and protagonist Rachel Morgan is definitely not a princess.
In Ever After, Rachel is being framed. OK, maybe she did tear a teensy-weensy little hole in the Ever After, causing it to leak magic and shrink slowly into oblivion. But now someone has turned that hole into a gaping rent, and Rachel is being blamed for the Ever After diminishing visibly every day. The demons who live there think the solution is simple: kill Rachel and the hole created by her magic seals itself. Rachel thinks she just needs a little time to fix the damage — as soon as she figures out how. Good thing the demons like her. Sort of.
Harrison has always used her ongoing urban fantasy series to explore human issues; witches have boyfriend problems, vampires have crises of identity and pixies worry about their kids. Told from the first-person perspective of Rachel, a bounty-hunting witch, the series has primarily followed her spectacularly bumpy road of self-discovery and maturity. Rachel's struggles often mirror our own. In a world where terrorist attacks and senseless shooting sprees have us debating vengeance vs. forgiveness, food for thought is worth hearing wherever it comes from — even from a fictional elf with blood (and regret) on his own hands. As he tells Rachel, in one of the book's more poignant scenes: "I want you to keep what you can of the person you want to be. Don't sacrifice it for this.
" 'Don't let your desire for revenge give him the power to make you what you don't want to be.'
" 'It's hard,' I said, and the demons around me began to shuffle, eager to be gone.
"But he smiled and stuck a strand of hair behind my ear. 'Of course it is. If it was easy, everyone would do it.' "
The story isn't over, but the stage is being set for the conclusion of the series. No character reaches the end of the novel unchanged, and the idea that growing up is hard mentally and emotionally has become a prevalent recurring theme. But Harrison isn't turning preachy. The action is tense and thrilling, and how Rachel will escape her various troubles is never easy to predict. Will she get to put a "happily" in front of her ever after? We'll find out all too soon.
John Williford is a writer in Miami.


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Dan Colen 'Out of the Blue, into the Black'
Dan Colen 'Out of the Blue, into the Black'31/05/2012
Dan Colen's exhibition Out of the Blue, into the Black is soon to open at the Gagosian Gallery in Paris.
12 - July 28, 2012 4 rue de Ponthieu 75008 Paris
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny
Yasmine Eslami for Maison Kitsuné
Yasmine Eslami for Maison Kitsuné31/05/2012
Maison Kitsuné just upped their sexy. They are collaborating with the super chic Parisian lingerie label Yamine Eslami, producing three beautifully simple sets of underwear.
It's all about clean lines, soft tulle, and sophisticated French girls.
Items will be available on their webstore and at Maison Kitsuné in Paris (52, rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris) and New York (1170 Broadway 10001 NY) mid September 2012.
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny
Boris Kralj | Interview
Boris Kralj Interview
"My Belgrade YU & Me"
Young, talented and optimistic, Boris Kralj is a photographer who captures the attention with his traditional personal approach that unearths emotion. Having published the book "Belgrade", a body of works that is defined by a profound look into his family roots and one that can only exist through the eye of Kralj. As a fashion photographer, Kralj has another side to his work that extracts a clean, minimal, contemporary approach to capturing the feel of another element of life that is also close to him.
James Oliver
Bella Howard Interview
Bella Howard Interview30/05/2012
Bella Howard is having fun, it's pretty easy to tell when you look at her work. Her photography is good times. She's an antidote to the overly earnest, to those who take themselves a little too seriously. The result of which is compelling, unfeigned photography, the sort you want to see more and more of. It's addictive stuff.
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny: I know it's all about film for you – why is it your medium of choice?
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny
Tracey Emin 'She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea' at Turner Contemporary
Tracey Emin 'She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea' at Turner Contemporary30/05/2012
Tracey Emin is paying heed to her roots, with her first solo exhibition in the little coastal town of Margate, where she grew up.
The exhibition includes drawings, watercolours, neons and tapestry, and as is often the case with Emin it is likely to be both loved and loathed.
A change of disposition is evident in these works, noticeably different to her often provocative pieces. Here she is quieter, more reflective, of both herself and her surroundings. A sense of calm exudes, resonating the reposeful seaside setting.
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny
Second Skin
Second Skin29/05/2012
Vara Fine Arts and VPL present Second Skin, an exhibition and book curated by Victoria Bartlett and Renée Vara. Including works from David Armstrong, Hrafnhildur Arnardottir aka Shoplifter, Mark Borthwick, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Judith Eisler, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sarah Lucas, Joe Maloney, Adam McEwen, Collier Schorr and more, all surveying Bartlett's fascination with muscular anatomy and human skin in this two part project. For the book, INPUT #4: Second Skin, artists were asked to blindly contribute 6 works exploring the idea of corporeality.
// VPL, 5 Mercer Street, NYC 10013
Megan Christiansen
This Is Noise 003: Anthony Valadez
This Is Noise 003: Anthony Valadez29/05/2012
KCRW has stood on the crust of progressive music in the states for sometime, becoming the catalyst and model for which not only public radio but progressive music programming to admire to be. One of those individuals whom continue to carry the flag for the station today, Anthony Valadez, needs no introduction to those familiar with his work. The multi talented DJ curates a highly diverse show that draws influences from Jazz, Soul, Broken Beat, and World Music to an audience eagerly tuned in to his radio show, or one of the many live sets.
Anthony Coleman
Walk In The Park
Walk In The Park
Margaret Howell S/S 2012
Margaret Howell is known as a hands-on designer with a focus on "make", Howell has been able to refine how a piece of clothing is worn. Walk In The Park provides an insight into the natural look of the clothing, relaxed yet defined by the structure, feel and functionality elements that define Howell's aesthetic. Inspired by the ethos of the brand, nature, people and places we put these all together for this short piece that highlights the authentic feel of each garment.
James Oliver
Dan Colen BLOWIN' IN THE WIND
Dan Colen BLOWIN' IN THE WIND28/05/2012
Colen's new works reference his 2011 Trash exhibition, in which the debris of the everyday was given a new identity, simultaneously as tools in the creation of the works as well as becoming parts of the works themselves.
Source - Gagosian
Clementine Widdowson - de Pressigny
Richardson A6
Richardson A626/05/2012
The latest issue of Richardson Magazine is set to hit shelves. Richardson A6 is entitled The Love Issue and will be available early June, along with what we expect will be a series of new tee shirts to add to my collection. Cover star, Belladonna is shot by Terry Richardson and interviewed by founder, Andrew Richardson. Contents include art superstars of the likes of the late Mike Kelley, Pierre Le Tan, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Dan Colen, and much more.
Adam Bryce


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4th Annual
Winnetka Turkey Trot 5k
November 28, 2013
9:00 am
Skokie Lagoons Trail
Winnetka Current News Article:
Unfortunately we are unable to to Transfer bibs for next year or give Refunds.
Questions, please contact: Race Director, Colleen Montgomery: firstname.lastname@example.com
Rain, Snow or Shine, the Race will go on!
See you on Thanksgiving!


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Local, Pulitzer Prize winning author Jerry Cleveland explores how the modern bicycle attracted the attention of forward-thinking military commanders worldwide by using cutting edge technology and design when it was developed. Although eventually overshadowed by such legendary transporters as the jeep, "deuce and a half," C-47 Dakota and LST, the bicycle nevertheless played an important role. Inexpensive, efficient, and easy to maintain, bicycles are still in use in some military units.
Learn about the rich military history of Denver's two oldest cemeteries, Fairmount and Riverside, going all the way back to the Civil War, including eight Medal of Honor recipients. Bring an unopened toiletry item to be donated to the Denver Veteran's Hospital for veterans in need. Presented by Fairmount volunteer Garry O'Hara.
Ann Alexander Leggett and Jordan Alexander Leggett will discuss not only the history of Denver's Croke-Patterson Mansion, but also the spirits that still roam the mansion's hallways!
Whitlock's book Captain Jepp and the Little Black Book is the biography of Elrey Jeppesen, the Colorado aviator who, in the 1930s, invented the aerial navigation system that 95% of all pilots and airlines use today, and for whom the main terminal at DIA is named. Join us for a journey into aviation history!
Join staff from Four Mile Historic Park to learn about the history of Denver's oldest standing house! Pick up some "genuine" fool's gold for the kids and coupons for free wagon rides at the Park, learn about family-oriented programs, birthday parties at the Park, and more!
What secrets are lurking in Denver's cemeteries? Find out about the scandals that were taken to the grave in Fairmount! Presented by volunteers from the Fairmount Heritage Foundation.
Whether your interest is your home, neighborhood, Colorado, or the West, Denver Public Library's Western History collections support your research. Learn about books, broadsides, photographs, maps, art, manuscripts and more. Explore how you might use our collections and discover the digital materials now available online.
Learn about the Civil War history contained in Denver's own Riverside Cemetery. Presented by volunteers from the Fairmount Heritage Foundation.
Gail Lindley, a third generation bookbinder at the family-owned Denver Bookbinding Company, will present a history of bookbinding. She has examples of books published in the 1600s through the 1940s. Why does some paper get brittle and crack after 1840? Get this answer and more from an expert!
Learn how to navigate Ancestry-Library Edition and discover your family history. This class will help the beginners and seasoned researchers get the most out of this rich resource.
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