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'Grey's Anatomy'
Posted 09 April 2005 - 03:44 PM
By Lynn Elber
LOS ANGELES - The new ABC drama "Grey's Anatomy," which has proved a strong Sunday night partner for "Desperate Housewives," will keep its time slot and cut short the season for "Boston Legal."
"Grey's Anatomy," about first-year surgical interns at a Seattle hospital, debuted March 27 and improved on the ratings in the 10 p.m. EDT Sunday time slot that had belonged to "Boston Legal." Maximizing that period is key for ABC since the show preceding it at 9 p.m. EDT is "Desperate Housewives," the big freshman hit, and the network wants to keep as many of its viewers as possible tuned in.
"Desperate Housewives" and another newcomer, "Lost," have helped pull the network out of a ratings slump. Both "Grey's Anatomy" and "Boston Legal," a reworking of the long-running ABC series "The Practice," were winning the time slot among total viewers and with advertiser-favored adults ages 18 to 49. But "Grey's Anatomy" has averaged 17 million viewers compared with 12.5 million for the legal drama from veteran producer David E. Kelley ("Ally McBeal," "Boston Public").
Kelley had no comment Friday on ABC's plans, a spokeswoman said.
The blow for "Boston Legal" has been softened by the fact it will get a run of 27 episodes next season, which includes the five that were to air this season. The network was in the "enviable position" of having two strong shows for the time period, Stephen McPherson, ABC Entertainment president, said in a statement Friday. "However, with this embarrassment of riches comes a tough decision," he said. "Ultimately we decided that, without having adequate lead time or marketing dollars to devote to moving either show so late in the season, we'd continue to let 'Grey's' build on its tremendous momentum through May."
Posted 01 May 2005 - 11:55 AM
By KATE AURTHUR
Grey's Anatomy" - ABC's hourlong hybrid of "Ally McBeal," "Sex and the City" and "ER" - is the most-watched midseason drama in 12 years, since CBS's "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." When you parse its ratings, "Grey's Anatomy" underscores one of the real lessons of the current season, a month before the fall schedule is set: men will watch shows with a female lead. That goes against conventional wisdom, which dictates that it's easier to get women to watch shows aimed at men. But Steve Sternberg, a media analyst with Magna Global USA, pointed out that "Desperate Housewives" was one of the highest-rated shows among men and added: "So was 'Ally McBeal.' Even though the stars are women, that type of quirky humor also appeals to men."
According to Stacey Lynn Koerner, an executive vice president at Initiative, a media services agency, the sudden success of "Grey's Anatomy" - which arrived after most potential pilots had already been chosen - will cause some rethinking of the fall schedule: "The networks will be looking at their bench and saying, 'What have we got that looks like we can get that 'Grey's Anatomy' audience?"
A number of shows might benefit. Among the Fox pilots is "Amy Coyne," in which a twentysomething lawyer (Ashley Williams) inherits her father's sports management agency and has to deal with wacky athletes. On UPN, Lara Flynn Boyle plays a behavioral therapist who could use therapy herself in a show called "Crazy." ABC has "Introducing Lennie Rose," about a struggling musician in New York. WB has two shows with young female leads: in "Pepper Dennis," Rebecca Romijn plays an ambitious television reporter, and on "Halley's Comet" (with Audrey Marie Anderson and Adam LaVorgna, above right) a medical student who conquered a life-threatening illness finds herself working at the facility where she was a patient. The executive producer of that show is David E. Kelley, the creator of "Ally McBeal," and therefore the daddy of the whole genre.
But to make it onto the schedule, these shows need to be good, right? "Are you sure about that?" Ms. Koerner asked. "That's not how it's happened in the past. There's always the wannabes that follow the shows that break the mould. And they always pale in comparison."
Posted 01 May 2005 - 01:45 PM
Grey's Anatomy
So tonight was originally the night that Boston Legal was set to return to this slot and I, like many, was stoked. But since Grey's Anatomy has been doing so well after Desperate Housewives, Boston won't be tossed into the schedule until the fall. The only reason this doesn't p--- me off is that I also enjoy Grey's.
For the most part, I liked tonight's episode, especially when they were at the hospital. How weird was it to see that towel pulled out of Kathryn Joosten's lung area? If you're reading this without having seen the show, I can imagine how strange my last sentence sounds. Imagine seeing it. Kathryn's second only to Madchen Amick in juicy guest-starring roles this year. First she's a cranky, curmudgeonly neighbor on Desperate. Now she's a cranky curmudgeon getting her second lung surgery. If you want a cranky curmudgeon, get Kathryn! I'm thinking best guest actress in a drama series Emmy nomination. Brilliant.
What I thought was quite lame were some of the nonhospital scenes. I'm so sure that Meredith, normally resistant to the flirtations of Derek (the suddenly studly Patrick Dempsey), ended up having sex with him in his car and then (please!) caught by Dr. Bailey. And Izzie's boyfriend getting mad at her ("This is my life now. These are the people I hang out with.")? Whatever. It was nice that Cristina finally got some, though. When she locked that door, I was like, "You go, Sandra Oh!"
#4 Guest_ranster627_*
Posted 23 May 2005 - 05:59 AM
Grey's Anatomy
Well I'd been waiting for those "last 5 minutes" since last week's previews. Very interesting. Derek Shepherd has a wife! But now we have to wait until the fall to find out if Addison Shepherd is a recent ex-wife, or if they are going through a separation or who knows? Very primetime soap. But that sort of fits after watching Desperate Housewives, eh?
Since George is my fave character, it was great that he had to expose himself to and (literally) get poked by Alex, Izzie, Cristina and Meredith. Loved it when he had to tell Mayim Bialik, I mean Olivia, that he had syphilis. Loved it even more when it was revealed that it was Alex who gave Olivia and George "the syph." My favorite moment was Cristina and Dr. Burke standing in the syphilis line telling each other they hadn't had sex with anyone else. "Do I need to be in this line?" "No." Then they walk away in unison loved the smile on Sandra Oh's face!
And, of course, I must mention the obscure guest stars. First there was Lauren Bowles as the bitchy daughter of the man with the enlarged stomach. It was driving me crazy trying to think "where have I seen her before?" Voila! She's Julia Louis Dreyfus' real-life sister and played her sis on Watching Ellie. But portraying her mother (and you don't get more obscure than this) was the barely recognizable Patty McCormack. TV fanatics will remember Patty as Jeffrey Tambor's wife on The Ropers, but movie fanatics go way back with child actress Patty as the title character in The Bad Seed. Dave Anderson
Posted 25 May 2005 - 02:15 AM
From blueiiss: On Grey's Anatomy, please tell that is not Shepard's current wife. Please tell me they are divorced or something. Please!
I'm 99 percent certain it's a blast from the past. But that is far from the last of her. His lady's entrance last night was just the beginning of a storyline that will drive Meredith and the Seattle Grace staff up the wall. She'll be around for a six-episode arc, at least. As of now, there are no plans for her to become a regular cast member, but you can definitely expect to see her face in the hospital halls when the show returns next fall, working on a case that requires her special expertise.[/color]
#6 Guest_ranster627_*
Posted 26 September 2005 - 06:45 AM
Grey's Anatomy
I would like to first clarify something I wrote in my Watercooler recap of the season finale back in May since I got a few feedback replies about it. When I referred to George telling Olivia he had syphilis and I called her Mayim Bialik, I was kidding. One of my many middle names, especially if you've read my Being Bobby Brown recaps, is "Sarcastic." Olivia was actually played by Sarah Utterback, an utter Mayim clone. OK, got that out of the way. Awesome season premiere. I love that we now know that Addison Shepherd was the actual cheater in the marriage with McDreamy, not the one being cheated on â and she cheated with his best friend! Why do I keep relating to the characters I write about? I had a similar experience once and it was an extremely hurtful experience so I know exactly how McDreamy feels. The fact that he's McSeparated and not still McMarried makes him look so much less like a McJerk. Meredith still ain't havin' it, though â but I bet that changes in future weeks.
Meanwhile, back in the Cristina ranch, she has got to tell Dr. Burke she's pregnant â especially since the bastard just dumped her. And I was happy that George stood up for himself and refused to be the "sponge" for Dr. Webber. Alex hugging George was a great moment at the end. But the best moment of the entire episode was Addison shockingly defending Meredith to the patient who was just cheated on by her husband. Kate Walsh kicks butt as Addison and I hope she sticks around. She adds spice to an already hot show. And finally, in the "obscure guest star" department, I must point out that Joe the bartender was played by Steven W. Bailey. If you think he looked familiar, maybe it's because he was the title character in Fox's "reality" show My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. Obscure with a capital O! Dave Anderson
Posted 03 October 2005 - 09:09 AM
By R.D. Heldenfels
The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Oct. 2--Former Clevelander James Pickens Jr. started the new TV season in a hospital bed. But it was a very nice place to be. The bed was in Seattle Grace Hospital, the dramatic center of Grey's Anatomy.
The ABC medical drama became a big Sunday hit last season and continued its winning ways when it premiered a week ago. Following mega-hit Desperate Housewives on the ABC schedule, Grey's attracted 18.9 million viewers, ranking fifth among all prime-time shows for the week.
Starring Ellen Pompeo as surgical intern Meredith Grey, the show originally had a midseason tryout. It proved such a good fit with Housewives that ABC kept Grey's on the air and held former time-slot occupant Boston Legal. Boston has since been moved to Tuesday nights. "We knew we had a good show," Pickens said recently. "We knew we had a good product. But it became this juggernaut that nobody had control of after a while, and the audience just really latched onto it like nobody's business. We're going along for the ride, man."
On the show, Pickens plays Dr. Richard Webber, the hospital's chief of surgery, a tough boss both for the interns and for the doctors overseeing them.
Webber was recently bed-ridden after brain surgery. But even lying down he has been a tough authority figure, whether picking his temporary replacement or demanding that an intern keep him up to date on the hospital gossip.
And in tonight's show -- at 10 p.m. on ABC -- we'll also get a closer look at Webber's personal life. According to an ABC synopsis of the episode, "As Dr. Webber recovers... it seems that his wife (guest starring Loretta Devine as Mrs. Webber) has some concerns about the state of their marriage."
Asked about coming plot developments, Pickens smiled and said, "I can't divulge it right now, but it's going to be interesting." Also hard work. Hourlong dramas can be demanding for a cast, Pickens said, "especially a show of this nature, a medical drama that's technically heavy. It can be long days." As a result, on his summer break, he said, "I just kind of relaxed, man, and took it easy. The wife and I took a little trip, and that was great." But he's not complaining about hard work when it has led to such a big reward.
Pickens has labored long in TV without being part of this kind of success. He found a niche as authority figures, notably in a recurring role on The X-Files, but that did not always translate into long runs. His last series before Grey's was The Lyon's Den, a Rob Lowe drama that didn't last a full season.
But Grey's has benefits beyond being a hit. Pickens is not only playing a boss, he is playing the boss of a diverse group of characters at all levels of responsibility.
In contrast to a show where ethnically diverse characters are window dressing, Grey's has "real diversity," Pickens said. "And it also shows that these people are in their positions because of their expertise. It's not so much their color. It just so happens that they're African American, or Asian American. And it just works, you know? And it resonates with what society has been trying to do and hasn't been able to do quite yet," he said.
He credits Shonda Rhimes, Grey"s creator and executive producer. "I'm so proud of Shonda, who has really gone to bat... to make sure that the show is diverse," he said. "I think that was another thing that audiences have latched onto. They see themselves in the show."
#8 Guest_ranster627_*
Posted 06 October 2005 - 05:11 AM
Grey's Anatomy
This show keeps getting better and better. The main story line of tonight's intense hour the car-crash family with the abusive father was made even more intense by the constant pounding of the son's fists on the hospital bed. It made you think: Would you save your alcoholic father by giving him your liver even though he continually beat up your mother? The end result was a great one, but only because the son said, "I have a couple of conditions." Good for him especially the "You and I are moving out enough is enough" line. Best moment of the show. As for the other story of the dude who swallowed 10 doll's heads, I'm glad we never got to find out why he did it. That would have been TMI, for sure.
Meanwhile, the soap-opera portions of the show went a bit further (well, except for the Meredith-Shepherd situation she's still not budging). I'm glad Cristina and Burke are being nice to one another, and it was very nice of George to finally be honest with Olivia maybe too honest. George is still my favorite character, and that's because T.R. Knight makes him so likable. Nice to see Waiting to Exhale and Boston Public's Loretta Devine on the show as Richard's wife.
Another great thing about this show is the music it just adds to the mood of each episode. Apparently the creators of the show agree, since they released a soundtrack CD last week. Of course I'll be getting that. Dave Anderson
Posted 10 October 2005 - 08:19 PM
Laughing and pulling pranks on each other is the only way the cast of Grey's Anatomy can survive the long and gruelling hours of working together.
Just ask cast members T.R. Knight, Chandra Wilson and Isaiah Washington. "It's hard, believe me it's really hard ... I still don't know how we get any work done with all the laughing and joking around and silliness, but we do, and that's what makes it so much fun," Wilson says. "Especially the little comments to each other and the inside jokes, sometimes all it takes is a look from one to the other and we all crack up laughing."
Grey's Anatomy tells the story of young people trying to become doctors and doctors struggling to stay human. It's a drama about the intensity of medical training combined with the sexy, funny and painful lives of interns who are realizing that there's more to medicine and relationships than what they had realized.
Coming out of the film world, Washington knew the show would be a hit but was expecting to get the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd instead of Dr. Preston Burke. "I knew this would be good no matter who would be on it or who I played," Washington says. "But I was genuinely hurt that I didn't get the role of Dr. Shepherd but I didn't care I just wanted to be a part of this because it was something really special, I wanted to be a part of the team."
But for Knight, the baby of the Grey's Anatomy crew, the best part is working alongside actors who can help him better his craft through their advice and in watching them work. "It's fantastic being on this show and just having landed the role, because as an actor there's a lot of unemployment," Knight says. "So although sometimes it's tough and painful watching my performance it's great to watch and learn from these people."
And those people all mesh to put the show together. "There's nine totally different personalities but we all complement each other somehow," Wilson says. "And there's so much to learn all the time ... and to be able to make mistakes and go on with each other's help is a good thing."
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Posted 27 October 2005 - 12:35 PM
Grey's Anatomy
I knew this would be an especially good episode since series creator Shonda Rhimes wrote it. And I've been fond of Shonda ever since the show began, but I've never admitted it. What I have been verbal about is that George is my favorite character and he was at his very best tonight, both as a serious doctor and as his hilarious self. Best moment was George performing open heart surgery all by himself inside the stalled elevator (with the aid of Burke, who was instructing him through the top of the elevator door like the "Who rang that bell?" guy in Wizard of Oz). Burke's complimentary "O'Malley, you just flew solo!" gave me chills. Funniest moment was all of them watching the porno that the patient needed to watch to release endorphins in his brain to help manage his pain, and then George walking out of the room with his lab coat covering his crotch. I laughed so hard I had to rewind that scene. Of course, a close second in the funny department was Cristina talking dirty to the same patient after the power outage. Of course, Bailey had to be the one to catch Cristina doing it. Speaking of Bailey, she certainly "cleaned up good" at the end. Who knew she had a husband of ten years? First Nina on Desperate Housewives, now Bailey all the crabby people are getting laid, thus making them less crabby. And why is Alex acting so weird? Why didn't he at least kiss Izzie on their date and why did he freak out during the elevator surgery? And they're certainly keeping us waiting on the "Will Derek sign the divorce papers?" question. Enough already. At least Meredith poured it all out to him, declaring her love, making his decision even more difficult. DA
Posted 29 October 2005 - 02:35 PM
Four Series Are the Ones to Watch
By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY
(Oct. 28) -- Looking for the best shows on TV? Look no further than these four, which actually have strengthened in their second year:
"Lost" (ABC, Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET/PT)
Each week, this brilliant, beautiful, intricate series about life lived in doubt has strengthened its claim as TV's top series. Start with the perfectly pitched season premiere, which ingeniously negotiated the dance a series like Lost must master: doling out enough information to keep an audience involved without depleting the series' store.
From there, it has been one high point after another all leading to the show's Nov. 9 return and the threatened loss of one of the main characters. It's a testament to the writers and the actors that many fans would no doubt be happy if the network promos proved to be misleading. I can't think of a single castaway I'm willing to lose. (Related story: Second-year series are the class of 2005)
"Veronica Mars" (UPN, Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET/PT)
What do you do when you've built your show around a mystery and then solve it in the first season? If you're Veronica Mars, you come back with an even stronger story, one that throws the show's smart-as-a-whip teen detective into the middle of the divide between the local haves and have-nots.
Yet as intriguing as the main plot may be, there's far more to Mars than its mystery. Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni are playing the funniest and yet most touchingly realistic father-daughter team on TV. Now if only they were doing so in front of a larger audience.
"House" (Fox, Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET/PT)
If you were afraid that House might start to soften its fabulously abrasive main character, you can stop worrying. This excellent medical drama has deepened our understanding of its curmudgeonly diagnostician without rubbing away his rough edges or succumbing to the TV urge to make every character easily likeable. When the series returns from its baseball hiatus Tuesday, House will be horrid to a fellow doctor because he resents the doctor's popularity. What makes him behave so badly? Wait another week, when you meet his father.
The writing this season has been first rate, as the show learns to tweak its format and our expectations. And the show's incredible star, Hugh Laurie, is playing the most difficult and yet engaging TV character since Andy Sipowicz and that's as high as TV praise gets.
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, Sunday, 10 p.m. ET/PT)
Some shows sort of sneak up on you. Arriving last spring as no more than a decently designed companion for Desperate Housewives, this female-centric medical drama has blossomed in its second season. Clearly, Grey's has found its stride and its confidence, as witness Sunday's terrific episode, which lightens the drama with jokes about the show's own all-seeing narrator device.
In a flawless supporting cast, the standouts have been Sandra Oh, as an unabashedly ambitious young surgeon, and Chandra Wilson, who brings warmth and nuance to a character who could have been a standard-issue taskmaster. But the real spark this fall has come from the romantic equilateral triangle of Ellen Pompeo, Kate Walsh and Patrick Dempsey, who ideally captures both the charm and the selfishness that so often comes with being considered "McDreamy."
Who does McDreamy pick? You'll have to watch Sunday to find out.
Posted 01 November 2005 - 10:35 AM
Grey's Anatomy
Usually, if I use the words "train wreck," I am referring to a show like Being Bobby Brown. But this edge-of-your-seat hour was all about a train wreck. The main story about the man and the woman stuck together by the metal pole going through each of their bodies was extremely powerful. Can we talk about how phenomenal Monica Keena was as the woman? That gal has come along way since being such a beeyotch on Dawson's Creek. Interesting how Meredith related to Monica's character at the end, since Derek chose the salmon-scrubbed Addison over Meredith. "What about her? You can't just abandon her!" I guess it will make it a more dramatically interesting show with Addison sticking around, but poor Meredith. You knew it killed Derek to have to give Meredith his decision: "She's my wife." Something tells me he hasn't left Meredith for good, though. The other story line of the two best friends who both got pregnant via the same sperm donor just so they could be mothers together and have their babies be siblings was really cool. Loved Izzie asking "so how long have you two been together?" Loved even more that the blonde woman (played by the awesome Cynthia Ettinger) was smilingly like "We're not lovers" without giving a look of disgust. So glad Alex saved the day with the missing leg. Hopefully his confidence will improve and he'll get back to his old self. Yes, I know he failed his boards and only has one more chance to pass, but I didn't think that would cause him to freak out during last week's elevator surgery and to not at least kiss Izzie. I was wrong. Apparently he's not as much of a horndog as I thought he was. DA
Posted 01 November 2005 - 10:53 AM
October 31, 2005
One of the happier surprises of this TV season has been my deepening crush on Grey's Anatomy, which has taken advantage of Desperate Housewives' sophomore malaise to become the water-cooler show on Sunday night. (And a show I gave a lukewarm review when it premiered last spring.)
This week's (Oct. 30) episode may have been the best yet, a scintillating mix of soap opera and medical drama with just the right blend of mordant comedy (Cristina's hunt for the missing leg) and wrenching tragedy (the two train passengers impaled by a metal pole, only one of whom could possibly survive).
Grey's is a fabulous show for "shippers" who groove on will-they-or-won't-they dynamics, epitomized by Meredith's mortifyingly drunken wait for Dr. McDreamy's answer will he pick her, as she asked him to do to his face, or will he stay with his intimidating estranged wife Addison (a name I've loved since All About Eve). He picked Addison, but for how long?
Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey are perfectly sympathetic and swoony as the star-crossed couple, but there's also the compellingly tentative relationship between another young doctor and her aloof boss, with Sandra Oh's voraciously ambitious Cristina Yang battling her feelings for Isaiah Washington's coolly efficient Dr. Burke.
Adding new wrinkles to the show's relationship romp is the Izzie-Alex flirtation, nicely underplayed by Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers. Izzie is justifiably puzzled over obnoxious hotdog Alex's sudden ambivalence toward his work and his play. (He didn't even kiss the former underwear model on their date.) How long before everyone realizes that Alex's medical career is in the balance?
And then there's my absolute favorite, George (T.R. Knight), a mouse who roars when the circumstances are right. He stepped up like a champ when he and Alex were stuck in a stalled elevator with a patient who needed emergency open-heart surgery. (Alex, struggling with self-doubt, froze.) At home with Meredith and Izzie, George is treated like one of the girls, with the condescension you'd give a tagalong brother or maybe a pet. He writhes with comic frustration at not being taken seriously, as either a doctor or a man. But we can see what they don't, that he's got the goods.
The other great performance on Grey's Anatomy is Chandra Wilson's brusque, funny and ferocious Dr. Bailey, supervisor of the young docs. A tiny dynamo of attitude and barely disguised compassion, she's a role model in many ways, not the least being the fact (which came as a surprise to all) that she has been happily married for years.
Grey's Anatomy has charisma and tremendous entertainment value and buzzes with the glorious hum of all cylinders working, reminiscent of ER during its early days. (That original cast is taking on a mythic hue, kind of like Saturday Night Live's classic ensemble of the first five years.) Though ER has badly faded into a mopey bad habit occasionally brought to life by a memorable patient, Grey's and House (which makes a welcome return this week) prove that the TV medical drama is far from dead.
Posted 01 November 2005 - 02:03 PM
GREY'S GETS XL AUDIENCE: The tens of millions of viewers tuning in for ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XL will be handed off to Grey's Anatomy when the Feb. 6 football championship concludes on or around 10 pm/ET that night. "The producers are preparing a great episode that will appeal to new viewers as well as devoted fans," ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson said in making the announcement. "It's the perfect conclusion to one of TV's biggest days." That and a Tums.
Posted 07 November 2005 - 08:10 AM
Grey's Anatomy
It used to be that when you were watching Desperate Housewives and then a promo for Grey's Anatomy came on, you'd think "Hmm maybe I'll watch it." Now, when you see a promo for GA while watching DH, you're more like "Can't ****ing wait!" OK, maybe some of you don't swear when you say it, but I do. The show just keeps getting better and better. So many highlights, so little space:
- Have you ever seen a husband react the way the husband did when he was told his curmudgeon of a wife survived her fifth open heart surgery, even after her heart caught on fire? The way he was covering his face when you thought he'd be crying but was actually hysterically laughing was brilliant. "She's like some mythical monster she's never gonna die!" and then "You tell her she'll survive without me," as he walked out. Wow. Props to veteran actor Reni Santoni for that scene alone.
- So glad the pregnant man wasn't actually pregnant. Nuff said.
- I love that it was Bailey who told Derek to lay off Meredith. "She's a human traffic accident and everybody's slowing down to look at the wreckage. Leave her to mend!" Loved it even more when Meredith said to Derek: "And what are you looking at?", leading him to tell the couples therapist "Meredith is not an issue she's out of my life." Yeah, right. Kate Walsh is now in the opening credits so we shall see how long this situation lasts.
- Very valiant of Burke to tell Webber about his relationship with Cristina.Last but not least, the biggest Watercooler moment was Alex finally kissing Izzie, literally sweeping her off her feet. Glad it took his patient Nicole to knock some sense into him. DA
Posted 14 November 2005 - 03:12 PM
Grey's Anatomy
Right away, I've got to mention how funny it was to see Sandra Oh in that tight blue dress one hour after seeing Eva Longoria squeeze into basically the same dress. I love how Cristina and Burke's first real date went from a disaster ("You eat red meat?") to the "best date ever" after they saved a man's life. Great line (after Burke asked Cristina to operate the saw during surgery): "You won't let me pick the wine, but this you'll let me do?" Other highlights:
- George was his usual hilarious self. I knew his day wasn't going to be a good one after the pigeon pooped on his bagel and then the man fell from the sky on top of the pigeon. Awesome moment when George realized the man jumped from the scaffolding on purpose. It's all about George's facial expressions.
- Nice to see Shelly Berman in a hospital but not as a patient this time, like he was on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Even nicer seeing an elderly couple still so much in love after 60 years of marriage. Made perfect sense that neither of them wanted the other to know the wife was dying.
- Glad that Bailey told Webber she was pregnant. (Chandra Wilson just had her baby in real life two weeks ago if you want to know more about her, pick up the new issue of TV Guide.)
- Beautiful ending with the Shepherds' friend Weiss showing up just in time for his wife's double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Interesting to see Derek and Addison attempting to make their marriage work.
But poor Meredith. The episode began with Addison catching her popping a zit and it ended with her telling Derek "I miss you" and Derek answering with "I can't." Somehow I think the next time he says those two words, they'll be followed by "resist you." DA
Posted 21 November 2005 - 03:13 PM
Grey's Anatomy
Who knew that Meredith would be the one to help Derek move on and go back to being intimate with Addison? How very adult of "miserable diseased dirty ex-mistress" Meredith to be so supportive. Luckily it helped her own sanity and confidence, since she met that new guy at the end. Loved that she asked if he was a doctor. Other highlights of this thankfully non-"very special" Thanksgiving episode:
- So great to see Burke being social and cordial ("call me Preston"), as well as being such a good cook.
- Brian Kerwin was extremely effective as the guy who woke up after being a vegetable for 16 years. How horrible for him to find out his wife got remarried and is pregnant, but I liked that he wanted to hear this news from Meredith.
- I could somewhat relate to my favorite character, George, since he has a dad and two brothers who he doesn't have much in common with. (My dad and two brothers are very much into sports and I'm so not). But in the end (no pun intended since his dad got shot in the butt), I could also relate since we got to see that they still love and support each other. Best line was George to Izzie when he finally showed up: "Today, I committed bird murder and I was forced to touch my dad's ass. I get extra credit for showing up at all."
- Glad Alex opened up to Meredith and told her he failed his medical boards. Hopefully he'll tell Izzie soon, too.
- Too funny that Bailey didn't let that temporary attending physician know she was "the Nazi" his face at the end was priceless.
- Cristina not being able to do Thanksgiving without liquor hit home for me. What am I bringing to my friend's house for Thanksgiving on Thursday? Beer and wine. DA
Edited by Dade, 21 November 2005 - 03:14 PM.
Posted 28 November 2005 - 02:06 PM
Grey's Anatomy
Well, you learn a new word every day now I know what "priapism" means. Interesting that the guy Meredith had a one-night stand with was admitted to the hospital because his erection would not go away, but Alex had the exact opposite problem. Little did Izzie know that Alex's emotional feelings for her were what caused that since he apparently didn't have the same problem with Olivia. Of course, in true soap-opera style, Izzie just had to walk in on them. Even with a condom, what was Olivia thinking? Alex gave her syphilis he should be off-limits. But back to Meredith, I loved when Derek found out the erection guy had just been with Meredith. The best line was right before that, when Derek entered the room: "Hello, everybody what's up?" George's moment with Meredith sitting on the stairs was short but sweet ("not every guy's a nightmare"). Cristina freaking out that Burke gave her a key to his place cracked me up ("I am keyed up and cranky!") and Burke's face when he saw Cristina's messy apartment was even funnier. ("You still want to live together?") Speaking of freaking out, will Curtis Armstrong ever play someone who isn't a freak? OK, maybe that's a bit harsh, but he played an annoyingly eccentric man with a tumor and no friends or family who was caught drinking out of a toilet. Not much of a stretch from Miles in Risky Business, Booger in the Revenge of the Nerds movies, Herbert from Moonlighting and Sal the Pig-Boy from Sci Fi Channel's The Chronicle. I enjoyed the main story line about the quintuplet births better. An awesome ending to a mostly great episode. DA
Courtesy of: TV GUIDE, ASK MATT
Question: I, too, was not a big fan of Grey's Anatomy, but I am so glad that I stuck with it. The only thing that has bothered me about this season is Meredith's pining for Dr. McDreamy. Maybe I am in the minority, but I actually like his wife. Addison is a strong, sensitive female character who obviously made a mistake, but at least she doesn't spend her days whining about him. The whole woe-is-me was really getting on my nerves, but I think Meredith finally hit a turning point last week (Nov. 20) with fireman waking up from a coma. Do you think she can finally stop whining and become that strong female lead character that I know she can be? Colleen
Matt Roush: We can only hope. But it's also refreshing that, unlike on some TV shows, Meredith has been allowed to wallow for a while and not bounce back immediately from this crushing romantic setback. Being around someone so miserable all the time isn't the most fun, but there's no reason to think she won't eventually snap out of it although working in close promixity with McDreamy keeps the wounds very (and entertainingly) fresh. (Plus, who's to say circumstances won't bring them back together?) I also think it's very cool that the writers have developed the Addison character in such a way that she's nearly impossible to hate, when at first it looked like she was going to be introduced as a typical bitchy TV vixen. Her insecurity as she tries to earn McDreamy's affections, mixed with her cool and tough professionalism on the job, makes her a welcome addition to this already terrific cast. Speaking of which...
This from H.P.: "I have noticed that in Grey's Anatomy, aside from the funny Sandra Oh, there has been a handful of Asians playing supporting roles. I am an Asian-American myself and find it very surprising to see such consistency. I would like to give major kudos to the show for being more representative of minorities. What are your thoughts on this phenomenon? Do you think we're likely to see more minorities on TV? Or is there a risk to not having an all-white cast?"
Grey's seems to me one of the most sensationally diverse and color-blind shows ever on TV. I hope it becomes an inspiration for more producers and casting agents to vary the mix, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more ensembles in the near future reflect this. But as this show has jelled (as Colleen noted above, I wasn't an instant fan, either), I have come to appreciate this cast as something pretty magical, something that will be difficult to replicate even nearly as well, regardless of ethnicity. I will note, however, that the real breakthrough will come when a lead character in an ensemble drama such as Meredith, who really is first among equals is allowed to be of a minority.
Edited by Dade, 28 November 2005 - 02:17 PM.
Posted 05 December 2005 - 01:20 PM
Grey's Anatomy
Memo to ABC we like the theme song, so why skip over it? "Nobody knows where we might end up. Nobody knows...." Am I alone iin this? Anyway, four out of the five quints made it and I loved that it was Meredith who thought to put two of the quints together in the same incubator, thus saving the day, even impressing Bailey. But poor Izzie what an unfortunate lesson to learn. At least Addison's tough-love mission was accomplished. George pining away at Meredith is cracking me up, but I could've done without that shot of him leering at Meredith and Derek while they were standing next to each other all smiley and friendly. As usual, great guest stars tonight. Margaret Welsh (hilarious on Jake in Progress) did an intensely effective job as Dorie, the mother of the quints. Timothy Bottoms kicked butt as the guy with the skin melanomas. PETA will adore that he wanted to keep as pets the leeches that were used in his treatment. Of course, George had to compare Alex to a leech when talking with Olivia. Rosanna Arquette has been a "Special Guest Star" on several shows and never disappoints. Her line to Cristina "I only murdered three people and none of them were doctors" killed me because of Sandra Oh's priceless facial expression. Cristina had lots of zingers tonight. "Sleep with a snake, you get bit" and "Hell hath no fury like a girl who's non-boyfriend screws a nurse" were funny enough. Then she topped herself when she said to Izzie: "You're not going to have a nervous breakdown and kill yourself are you?" Izzie: "No." Cristina: "So there's no chance you'll kill us?" Izzie walks out. George: "That was wrong on so many levels." Cristina: "But so good." George: "That was that was good." Just like the episode. Dave Anderson
Posted 12 December 2005 - 04:07 PM
Grey's Anatomy
That little C.J. Sanders sure knows how to pull at our heartstrings, doesn't he? First, he captured our hearts as the young Ray Charles in Ray, followed immediately by his awesome appearances on Six Feet Under. Tonight he gave yet another stellar performance as Justin, the kid in need of a second heart transplant. I was so glad it was Cristina who revived him and then gave him a good talk and it was her positive mental energy that really saved him in the end. I really liked how Burke told Cristina there was a difference between being religious and being spiritual. Her smiling when she saw the decorated tree and then the menorah was great. Also great was how everyone helped Alex study for his retaking of the boards, even Izzie ("because it's what Jesus would freakin' do!"). Nice moment with Izzie crying like that towards the end you could really tell how sorry Alex was. Then there's Bailey the more pregnant she gets, the more supportive she is of her interns. So cool of her to allow Meredith and the others to help Alex, but the best Bailey moment was when she asked George to be tough with that obnoxious family. Speaking of which, did you notice Helen Slater playing the woman with the gastric ulcer? Kind of a blah role for Supergirl, but actors need work, I guess (her not-so-exciting role reminded me of the one John Stamos played on ER last month). I always love the final moments of this show Meredith's narration sums up the basic theme of the episode while something pivotal happens right at the very end. In this case, Meredith explained how important our friends, in addition to our real families, are during the holidays, and then Derek told Addison he was still in love with Meredith. Care for another hot-buttered rum, Addison? Dave Anderson
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TALLAHASSEE -- Between conversations with their younger teammates and discussions with you guys, the fans, it became quite clear that the veterans on Florida State's 2012 team were a beloved bunch. Often the group of fourth- and fifth-year seniors spoke about how they wanted to change the culture of winning at FSU, and how they wanted to breed success.
With an ACC championship and a BCS bowl victory last fall, their mission was accomplished.
A case could be made that those wins were a direct product of the coaching and guidance that went on inside the locker room. A measure of focus was instilled in last season's team (some players are quick to add the veterans from the 2010 and 2011 teams had something to do with that) that hadn't been seen so consistently at FSU in about a half-dozen years.
Players like EJ Manuel, Dustin Hopkins, Lonnie Pryor, Chris Thompson, Brandon Jenkins, Rodney Smith, Vince Williams, Nick Moody, Everett Dawkins, Anthony McCloud and even juniors Xavier Rhodes and Bjoern Werner were respected by their peers and heralded by their supporters. Beleagured cornerback Greg Reid, kicked off the team last preseason, was one of those players, too.
Now, they are all gone. Off to life beyond college football, where they are each attempting to provide for themselves and their families as professional athletes.
So who, then, are FSU's stars and leaders of tomorrow?
Who will be the ones picking up the mantle where the aforementioned left off? Who will be the player fans will be proud to praise and teammates will be honored to pick up? Who will be the faces of a program that appears to have finally turned that corner and rid itself of the mediocrity that defined much of the last decade?
At this point, only time will tell.
On the overall, the Seminoles will be a comparably young team in 2013.
After featuring one senior in its primary rotation last season (Daniel Glauser), the offensive line will only have one again this year (center Bryan Stork). Instead of having two seniors in the backfield, FSU will only have one this year in fullback Chad Abram. Months after a fifth-year player called out plays and managed their offense, the Seminoles will be handing the quarterbacking reigns to either a junior, a sophomore or one of two redshirt freshmen.
Defensively, seniors Christian Jones, Telvin Smith, Terrence Brooks and Lamarcus Joyner are expected to be key players. On the defensive line, however, a sophomore defensive end and a redshirt freshman end could end up being the stars next to a junior defensive tackle and another redshirt freshman.
In the kicking game, there won't be a player with more than one year of college experience under his belt.
At receiver, a totally different story will play out. A year after having just one senior, the Seminoles will have four. It is their deepest and most experienced position.
Of course, when you think about who some of the younger players are that are being hinted about above, and when you think about what you've heard or seen about them, you probably are actually getting rather enthusiastic about seeing them play. You should be. FSU certainly has recruited the type of talent recently that should get its fans excited about watching games. But also bear in mind, an important part of a winning program is team chemistry and leadership and direction and focus. Without it, we've seen even the most talented teams underperform. As the Seminoles move forward with six new assistant coaches, having players who won't be scared to be that bridge between their teammates and the staff will be that much more important.
So the point bears repeating: who then are FSU's stars and leaders of tomorrow?
The spring practice season is one time for those individuals to begin stepping up and taking over if they haven't already done so. Helping organize summertime workouts will be part of that process, as will performance in preseason sessions. By the end of August, those leaders should be clear and distinguishable.
In the meantime, here are a couple of names to consider as we inch closer to spring ball, which begins March 20:
---We've already mentioned Jones, Smith, Brooks and Joyner as key players on defense. Each already played modified leadership roles as juniors last season. Jones' and Brooks' play spoke for itself. Smith and Joyner could motivate with words in addition to their action.
---On the defensive line, defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan will probably have to begin shifting his thought process from being the young defender amid a sea of veterans, to being the veteran surrounded by younger teammates. After looking up to Dawkins and McCloud the last two seasons, Jernigan (along with senior Jacobbi McDaniel, who is returning from an ankle injury suffered in 2011) now is the one who has some mentoring to do. Redshirt freshmen Eddie Goldman and Justin Shanks in particular are among the young tackles who will look his direction for guidance on the line.
One year after having three veterans to look up to at the defensive end positions, the Seminoles playing there will have to become instant leaders themselves. Sophomores Mario Edwards Jr. and Giorgio Newberry will be part of an end unit that also is expected to showcase the talents of redshirt freshman Chris Casher.

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Agreeing with the reviewers' comments on how beautiful and nice this RV park is. I just want to add that entering and exiting the park is a breeze. This is a popular RV park, therefore, it's very busy so expect some noise, however, it's quite at night. Definitely will be back.
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Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
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The location makes this a nice RV park. It's very kid, family, pet, and couple friendly. I'm not going to comment on the rate but I will say paying an additional "daily camping tax" made the small things noticeable (i.e. paying $10 a day with a $40 dollar cash deposit to rent a fire pit). Like I said, this park is in a good location allowing you to do fun and wholesome things. We will be back to do more things in the area.
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I must admit I like going to nice and upscale RV campgrounds that have scenic views and are in prime locations. That's how this website lured us in. This RV campground did offer a scenic view, restrooms were clean, and the grounds were maintained, however, that was it. Most RV campgrounds offer the same if not more. Our concrete site was not level (this was the first time we had trouble leveling our RV); you could really hear the hwy noise at night, and like some mentioned, it's overpriced. My niece came and visited with us and we had a great time. She helped us get over the shock that we paid that much for ordinary. We would come back only if they have a 'buy one night and get one night free' offer.
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Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground
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We brought our grandchildren and niece with us and had a good time despite the summer heat. We enjoyed the river, pool, and playground as well as our visits to Zion and Bryce NP. The facilities were nice, clean, and the staff were friendly. Maybe in the future they could give you tokens to use the showers instead of charging you money. We hope to be back in the spring.
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Even though we did not get an electrical site, the sites are large not close to each other. The view of the lake was nice and the stars at night were nice. The park seemed like it was dominate-occupied by local residents. It was well patrolled and was surprisingly quiet at night. For right now, we don't have a compelling reason to come back but you never say never.
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Strange Beauty: The Work of Ruud van Empel
Ruud van Empel's first American solo exhibition invites us to contemplate vibrant photo-art collages of fabricated realities. Strange Beauty features over 40 of van Empel's digitally enhanced pieces, displaying images of perfect beauty with sinister undertones. Van Empel constructs his works through staged photography, digital enhancement and collage.
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Strange -Yes
Beauty - Shiny and Colorful but ....
It has been 6 months since the Photo Museum changed its main exhibit. It will be 6 more til this 2 rooms of photos moves on. It is this immobility of exhibits as much as their content and meagre offering that troubles me. I really like photography, I really do not like the operation of this museum.
As for this exhibit- what is it that gives it a high Squirm Factor? That is my honest reaction...discomfort and not for any outrage or strong concept. Am I alone in reacting to this as special effects as art? Did the use of way too cute and artificial black children as props not seem to others to have a wrong feel? Not cute, not otherworldly, let us say...peculiar and not quite right. I must say there is also a bit of that old big eyed children on velvet effect. There is a dazzle of color and detail, it is not uninteresting but it also is creepy in a way not having to do with art.
Eight bucks for 20 minutes in the gallery if you take your time. For me that is excessive. And given the impact....not recommended.
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Wellington newsagent takes on Royal Mail with hand-delivered postal service (From This is The West Country)
Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting COUNTY GAZETTE to 80360 or email us
Wellington newsagent takes on Royal Mail with hand-delivered postal service
12:10pm Monday 23rd December 2013 in News By Michael Marsh
WHEN it comes to delivering letters, this Wellington newsagent has the opposition licked.
Lorraine Lettley, 62, and daughter Trish, 37, have set up their own Welly Post service at EJ Teare after customers complained about the rising cost of sending mail.
The service, which is half the price of a first class stamp, guarantees next day delivery by hand and the team is now posting 250 items a day since launching the venture two weeks ago.
Lorraine said: "Trish thought up the idea because we thought we do deliveries from the shop already, why not offer even more of a service to our customers.
"We had heard people mentioning about the cost of the Royal Mail and we felt it was something that we could possibly help out with."
Shoppers drop off post at the shop, on South Street, where staff guarantee next day delivery within two-and-a-half miles for just 30p.
And for just 10p extra they will collect letters from customers' homes – 20p cheaper than a first class stamp.
Husband Richard, 66, delivers to half the town on his bike, cycling for up to two hours away day to ensure customers cards arrive on time, while Trish drives to villages where she parks up to hand-deliver post.
Lorraine added: "My husband recently retired and we were looking for something to keep him busy on his bike so this seemed perfect.
"We are thrilled by how it has taken off. People are really grateful for the extra help - and love that it costs less.
"People are so enthusiastic and it is bringing people out of their shells a bit too as it has become a bit of a talking point.
"The reaction has been nothing but positive and we are finding that people are really eager to be loyal to an independent business."
Lorraine, who worked in the shop for 18 years before she took it over seven years ago, said she plans to run the service all year round.
Mum-of-four Julie Watkin, 55, used the service to deliver a dozen Christmas cards last week.
She said: "It is really great. You know that it is going to get there - and you know who is going to deliver it - and you can't beat the price.
"It feels good to support the local community and be part of something too."
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6:32am Tue 24 Dec 13
Somerset.SocialistParty says...
If you don't like the 60p stamp, wait till you see Royal Mail privatisation
Royal Mail may be viewed with a high level of affection by the public now, but will that still be the case after it's privatised?
The inevitable has happened. The government has announced its schedule for the privatisation of the Royal Mail, due to begin in 2013.
It's not clear yet whether it will be full privatisation or part-privatisation, whether it will be sold off to another mail company or to a private equity firm, or whether it will be floated on the stock market as an IPO (initial public offering) and advertised to the public in the manner of the "Tell Sid" campaign for the sale of British Gas way back in 1986. "We see no reason why this company should not be IPO-able," said one senior figure. "Royal Mail is viewed with a high level of affection by the public."
The reasons given for the privatisation were outlined in the Hooper report in 2010.
They are as follows:
1) Falling volumes of mail due to competition from electronic media such as email and texts.
2) The inefficiency of the Royal Mail compared with its competitors.
3) The need for modernisation and the private investment to complete this.
4) The pensions deficit, the headline figure for which seems to rise on a yearly basis. It currently stands at £9bn according to some reports, less according to others.
Hooper consulted widely throughout the industry. However, he has never, as far as I know, spoken to any postal workers.
What we would have told him is that while it may be true that mail volumes have fallen, staff numbers have been falling at a faster rate. Up to 50,000 job losses since 2002.
In other words, the weight of mail for the average postal worker has been increasing. We are carrying more mail, to greater numbers of people, on larger rounds than ever. Our sacks are heavier. We work longer hours, and we've taken an effective pay cut since the postal agreement of 2010 in which door-to-door (junk mail) – which we were previously paid for separately – has now been incorporated into our workload. In other words, falling mail volumes have been more than compensated for by staff efficiencies.
We would also have told him that the so-called inefficiency of the Royal Mail is due as much to market liberalisation as it is to anything inherent in the company.
Private mail companies have access to the Royal Mail network through a mechanism known as downstream access. They bid for the most lucrative contracts from corporate customers, but have no obligation to deliver the letters. They leave that up to the Royal Mail, dropping it off on our doorstep for final-mile delivery. In other words, our so-called competitors have a peculiar market advantage. They take a cut of the profits, while we do the actual work.
As for modernisation, that is being subsidised by the taxpayer. The government has already loaned the company £1.7bn and is proposing to write off £1bn of that.
Which brings us to the pension deficit, which has already been taken into government hands. Even then it was never as great a problem as has been made out. The deficit currently stands at £9bn but the assets stand at £28bn. That's three times as much. The deficit only becomes a problem if all Royal Mail workers cash in their pensions immediately, something that is not going to happen.
These are just some of the ways in which the argument for privatisation has been skewed.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the event, the new regulator, Ofcom, has announced a lifting of the cap on how much the company can charge for first-class mail. The public are hardly likely to enjoy that. Nor is this going to increase public affection for the company.
However, here's the problem. The cost of mail delivery has been way too cheap for way too long. Sixty pence to deliver a first-class letter from the Outer Hebrides to the Scilly Isles: it's still a bargain by anyone's reckoning.
Traditionally the profitable parts of the company were used to supplement the unprofitable parts. This is the means by which the Royal Mail has been able to deliver the universal service obligation (USO).
It is the breaking up of the company that has lead to the threat to the USO, one of the reasons Hooper gives for the need for privatisation. (Indeed, his report is called "Saving the Royal Mail's universal postal service in the digital age".) The irony here is that the USO might be dropped in order to sweeten any future deal.
Anyone who wants to know what privatisation means for staff only needs to look at the Dutch model, where postal rounds have been franchised out to home workers in a system known as "sort and deliver". Boxes of mail are dropped on a home-worker's doorstep, who then has to sort the mail and deliver it on an agreed day. The worker is paid per item, not by the hour.
The trick here is that there is often a gross underestimation of the time it takes to do the work. Casual workers get no sick pay, no holiday pay, no health insurance, no pension and – depending on how long the round takes – often end up being paid below the minimum wage.
All of which is likely to erode that "high level of affection" felt by the public for the Royal Mail.
For more information, or to joint he Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
6:58am Tue 24 Dec 13
Somerset.SocialistParty says...
Leaving the typical Gazette-Sub-Standard
-Pun aside, does this claim stand up to closer scrutiny or is it merely a...
....sign of things to be expected from a newly privatised Royal Mail (ex-service) business?
Originally posted in the Guardian Wednesday 28 March 2012
Anyone who wants to know what privatisation means for staff only needs to look at the Dutch model, where postal rounds have been franchised out to home workers in a system known as "sort and deliver". Boxes of mail are dropped on a home-worker's doorstep, who then has to sort the mail and deliver it on an agreed day. The worker is paid per item, not by the hour.
The trick here is that there is often a gross underestimation of the time it takes to do the work. Casual workers get no sick pay, no holiday pay, no health insurance, no pension and – depending on how long the round takes – often end up being paid below the minimum wage.
Originally posted in The Socialist newspaper, 9 October 2013
The postal service is being taken out of public ownership and ripped to shreds by private institutions and investors, all hoping to make a fat profit from our 497 year-old national treasure.
Postal workers are bitterly opposed to the sell-off, because they know it will lead to job losses and cuts in terms and conditions.
In a desperate attempt to divide the workforce, Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene tried to bribe posties with the promise of £300 to cross picket lines.
But we know it's the banks and advisers that helped cause the financial crisis in 2008 who stand to make millions as Royal Mail is flogged off cheaply.
No wonder the government has rushed through privatisation, the overwhelming majority of the public do not support the sale.
Royal Mail will now dance to the tune of shareholders - spending millions on dividends and fat cat bonuses, while services face terminal decline until the daily delivery to 29 million homes across the UK can no longer be maintained.
It will only be a matter of time before jobs are lost and services scaled back as the drive for profit takes over. How long before Royal Mail ends up in need of a taxpayer bailout?
Anger is being directed at the Con-Dem coalition but also at Labour, who once again proved they no longer represent workers.
At the Labour Party conference, delegates unanimously passed a motion which called on the next Labour government to renationalise Royal Mail.
This could have seriously dented the floatation. Yet shamefully the Labour leaders ignored the vote and refused to make such a commitment.
A growing number of CWU members are now questioning the link between Labour and the union. The need for a new mass workers' party has become clearer now and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is a step in right direction.
The CWU ballot is expected to return a strong 'yes' vote for industrial action when voting closes on 16 October, with strikes likely to take place within weeks.
CWU leaders should coordinate joint strike action with all the other unions that are in dispute and bring this weak Tory-led coalition down.
Moya Greene receives 72 times the average pay of a postal worker
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
Comments are closed on this article.


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What are Anger Outbursts?
Anger is a basic human emotion and a natural reaction to situations beyond our control. While we have all experienced anger at some point, we all have different ways of dealing with it. For some people, anger is experienced as extreme emotional outburst that lacks reason and may be very difficult to control.


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Not many frontmen did it better than the late Freddie Mercury, whose charisma and killer vocals helped launch Queen to megastardom in the 1980s.. The singer had a way with the mic, and he also wrote some of the catchiest rock n' roll tunes out there.
Watch the classic video for Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" below.
Justin Starling for Cumulus Media © 2012


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Every student, faculty member and corner of campus benefits from the Chapman Fund. It is truly our most powerful tool in unlocking Chapman's potential.
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The Gamecocks (11-10, 5-1 OVC) scored three runs in the eighth inning after falling behind 6-4 in the top of the inning. The two go-ahead runs scored on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Paschal Petrongolo. SIUE (5-10, 3-3) broke a 4-4 tie on two-run homer by Devin Caldwell.
The Gamecocks hadn't been over .500 since the final game of the 2011 season. They were 28-30 last season and never closer than within one game of a .500 record.
The series sweep was their first in Ohio Valley Conference play since the final regular-season series of that season against Morehead State. They have now won five straight OVC league games.
"The over .500 thing is not as big to me as sweeping the series," JSU coach Jim Case said. "Last year we got off to a rough start and we fought the whole year trying to get back to .500. It's nice that we are over .500, but the big story of the weekend is that we were able to sweep."
After two brilliant pitching performances the first two games of the series, the Gamecocks had to come back twice to win the getaway game at Rudy Abbott Field. They fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and trailed 3-1 in the third, but took a 4-3 lead in the fifth on Michael Bishop's two-run homer.
They opened the decisive home eighth with three consecutive singles and pushed in a run on a bases-loaded walk before Petrongolo's fly was misplayed by left-fielder Matt Seevers, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement.
"I think that just shows the character of the team and the trust we have in each other," Miller said of the rally. "Before the eighth inning I walked up to Mike Bishop and told him you get on, I'll get you over and Griff (Gordon) will hit you in. Griff tried to get him in but third base kind of got in the way.
"It just comes down to trust. We all trust each other and we know that if one of us doesn't get the job done the guy right behind us is going to get it done for us."
Bishop, Miller and Gordon – the first three hitters in JSU's lineup – had two hits apiece. Gamecocks closer Travis Stout, who entered in the eighth, finished off the game for his first win of the season. Stout earned a win and a save in his two appearances this weekend.
For Miller, a senior outfielder, it marked the first time in his JSU career he had a winning record during the season.
"As far as the .500 record goes, I don't think it means as much as we're now 5-1 in the league and we just swept the team who was the conference leader," he said. "It means a little bit to be above .500, but I think if you ask anybody on the team they're more than happy to be 5-1 in the league. I think at this point in the season that's what matters."
After the game, the JSU players held down Miller in front of the dugout and drenched him with the water bucket to celebrate his birthday. Relief pitcher Graham Officer got the same treatment.
Sports Writer Al Muskewitz: 256-235-3577. On Twitter @almusky_star.


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CONCORD, N.C. — There is a cool picture of Bruton Smith sticking his head into a tiger's mouth. You can find it in the media center of Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of eight NASCAR tracks Smith owns scattered throughout the country.
But another visual comes to mind this week when thinking about Smith: The unflattering picture of Smith sticking his foot in his mouth.
Smith, who has a knack for eccentricity and controversy, amped up the noise again by suggesting he might move an October race from Charlotte to Las Vegas, one of his other racetracks.
It was a poorly disguised power play by Smith, clearly upset that the county government has not ponied up enough money to meet his business needs. He issued a statement saying as much:
"We've invested $100 million in the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex in the past six years to make it even better for the fans. We've expanded our fan zone, added pit road suites and built the world's largest HDTV for every fan to enjoy. We've put more people to work with these projects and we've added more events to the calendar to bring in more tourists and fans. And we've done this during the worst economy since the Great Depression.
"We've done this without asking for a handout from the government, like we've seen from so many other sports facilities, teams or franchises, and yet at the same time property values are falling during the recession, our Cabarrus County taxes have doubled since 2005. ... The Cabarrus County politicians may say nice things to the media, but raising taxes does not support the tourism business, the area economy or companies trying to grow."
Gotcha. But sorry. Hard to muster sympathy for a billionaire complaining about taxes.
Smith also didn't get a sympathetic nod later in the week when he failed to make the final cut for the 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Granted, Smith was a long shot as a first-time nominee, but the public skirmish obviously was bad timing from a public-relations standpoint.
But fuel in the fire is how Smith rolls on a daily basis. (See eccentric, controversial.)
One of his most infamous rants involved his displeasure with NASCAR staging its season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Smith didn't deem it worthy of such a prestigious honor, so he suggested that NASCAR move the event to — envelope, please — his track in Vegas.
"If you're going to do a championship, you've got to do it at the proper place, and I don't think North Cuba is the proper place," Smith said in 2010.
As a proud Cuban-American, I say, "Ay Caramba!" to Mr. Smith's silly rant. Then again, I think "North Cuba" rocks. Cheap espresso, empanadas, arroz con pollo and spicy salsa music. Sign me up, please.
The obvious takeaway here is that Smith has deemed the world revolves around him, and we're just space travelers along for the ride.
He's a shrewd and brilliant businessman, and deserves credit for a portfolio that includes hosting 13 Sprint Cup races on his eight tracks. But you can't escape the ego.
Smith most definitely will attract attention again this weekend when Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the Coca-Cola 600. NASCAR has embraced the Memorial Day patriotic theme with great pride — from the "Support Our Troops" logo on Goodyear tires to a special red-white-and-blue patriotic bear Pillow Pets giveaways.
Mr. Smith tripped over the bully pulpit early in the week. Let's hope the weekend brings better tidings to NASCAR's Mouth That Roars.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if those lessons from past indiscretions have sunk in yet. Smith always seems precariously close to having that tiger snap his jaws shut.
That's painful, no matter how much money you make, or how many tracks you own.
Read George Diaz's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/enfuego or e-mail him at firstname.lastname@example.com


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In addition to the new GH-200 pistol-grip ball head, Vanguard also had its new BBH Series of pro ball heads on display at CES 2012.
I've been a big fan of Vanguard ball heads since I picked up the SBH-250 a couple of years ago. The new BBH Series builds on the good stuff from the SBH Series and then adds some more oomph for the professional touch and feel. [click to continue…]
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Los Angeles Times (12.07.12)
Researchers, led by Kim Woodrow at the bioengineering lab of the University of Washington, have produced electrically spun cloth with nanometer-sized fibers that can dissolve and release drugs to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. The fabric is formed through electrospinning, which uses an electric field to turn jets of fluids into fibers so thin that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. The fibers can be made from a variety of polymers, made thicker or thinner as needed to dissolve, hold their shape, or deliver one or several drugs at the same time. The meshes of the fibers can be shaped in different ways to create a physical barrier like a diaphragm or cervical cap or a fast-dissolving device such as vaginal contraceptive films that are wrapped over a finger and inserted into the vagina. The films dissolve on contact with moisture similar to breath strips that melt in the mouth.
The team tried various compounds including glycerol monolaurate, a food and cosmetic additive which has been shown to inhibit transmission of HIV and other viruses in mucus. The study showed that this compound also has spermicidal properties. According to Woodrow, the long-term goal is to create a technology that can provide contraception and HIV prevention simultaneously. It is also important that women can control the products and use them discreetly without having to negotiate with their partners.
Woodrow stated that the team has been thinking about Africa, where the majority of the 34 million people with HIV live. She also noted that the technology could be adapted easily to meet the needs in different places in the United States, by providing an easy birth control method that would also protect against STDs. She is very interested in delivering nonhormonal chemical contraceptives in ways that are as effective as the hormones, but without the adverse effects.
The study, "Drug-Eluting Fibers for HIV-1 Inhibition and Contraception," was published online in the journal PLoS ONE (7(11): e49792. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049792).
Copyright © 2012 -CDC Prevention News Update, Publisher. All rights reserved to Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.


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For the more experienced rider looking to improve their riding skills.
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Staff-recommended reading from the
KPL catalog.
"A dark night. Fox breaks into the henhouse. He reaches in. He grabs a chicken!!! He stuffs it in his pocket. Fox runs!"
Uh oh. When fox gets home and pulls that chicken out of his pocket he gets a big surprise. Outfoxed has comical illustrations that add a hilarious angle to this picture book.
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This chicken sandwich goes a bit upscale with mascarpone cheese, fresh dill and raisin-nut bread. Assemble in 10 minutes and enjoy!
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ImagesSee All 332 Images
VideosSee All 106 Videos
The Story So Far - Desmond's Story - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far Part 5 of 5 - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far Part 4 of 5 - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far Part 3 of 5 - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far Part 2 of 5 - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far Part 1 of 5 - Assassin's Creed II
Uplay PC - Launch Trailer
Former Ubisoft developer accuses Shadow of Mordor of using code from Assassin's Creed
Combat gameplay programmer says that Shadows of Mordor borrows coding and animation from Assassin's Creed II.
Assassin's Creed II now free on Xbox Live
Gold subscribers can grab digital version of 2009 action game for free until July 31 as part of Games With Gold promotion.
Game Music Connect debuts in London this September
Music festival to feature four speaking panels; event created by BAFTA award winner James Hannigan and John Broomhall.
Xbox Live Gold subscribers get free Assassin's Creed II later this month
Major Nelson confirms that Assassin's Creed II will be offered for free to Xbox Live Gold subscribers in the second half of July.
With Connor Gone, Where Could Assassin's Creed Go Next?
Martin picks out the places he wants to travel to in the next Assassin's Creed.
Escape From Mount Stupid - Assassin's Creed
Danny stabs his way through history without the need of a memory machine in Escape From Mount Stupid's history of the Assassin's Creed series.
The Story So Far - Assassin's Creed II
The Story So Far continues as we travel forward in time to join Ezio Auditore da Firenze and bring you the full story cinematics and gameplay highlights from Assassin's Creed ...
Pursuit of AAA is a 'cancerous growth' - AC3 dev
Assassin's Creed 3 creative director Alex Hutchinson believes aiming for graphical fidelity and scale will make AAA games "nothing more than the last of the dinosaurs."
Ubisoft registers mobile domains
French publisher picks up pair of portable-related URLs; company has no comment on the matter.
Recent Forum ActivityGo to Assassin's Creed II Discussion
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Annika Riya W
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Parents:Yvonne and Vikas
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We need a feature back no doubt but we also need openings for that back, he can't run without the blocks, so maybe this is where Hal Hunter comes into play. Where's the tape when Redman and Dwyer both had 100 yrd. games, and who was starting on that line at the time?
1.15 WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
2.46 TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
3.97c CB Philip Gaines, Rice
4.118 ILB Shayne Skov, Stanford
5.157 OT James Hurst, North Carolina
5.173c RB Jerrick McKinnon, Georgia Southern
6.192 CB Walt Aikens, Liberty
6.215c DE Deandre Coleman, California
7.230 NT Zack Kerr, Delaware
Playing Fantasy Football does not qualify you to be the in the front office or on the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are professionals and you are not!
2014 Draft
1. Eric Ebron, TE
2. Calvin Pryor, S
3 (Comp). Jaylen Watkins, CB
4. Justin Ellis, DT/NT
5a. Brandon Coleman, WR
5b. Brent Urban, DE
6. Prince Shembo, OLB
7a. Aaron Colvin, CB
7b. Storm Johnson, RB
All this talk about the RB vs. the OL...just solidifies my thoughts that I would have no issue adding a stud OT if available at 17. If somehow Eric Fisher is there at 17 he has to be the pick. I'm not sure if I would say the same about Warmack. I'm not a fan of the extremely overweight type OL.
Lacy is a step better than Bam was, even if Bam wasn't high. Lacy has a much better ability for YACs then did Bam. Look at how many YACs Lacy has, and those have little or nothing to do with his OL. He has a nice combination of quickness, fluidity and power. Bam was more of a straight ahead pounder with little moves. Lacy had a good deal of moves and spins (not overboard spins like Mendenspin).


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Top Stories
Helicopter crash victims upgraded to stable conditionTwo men have been upgraded to stable condition following an early Thursday afternoon helicopter crash on the border of Delaware and Union counties.
Step By Step Academy
Autism center adds live-in componentSeveral months ago, when Elijah Glen Root was in crisis and out of control, his parents could find no placement for the tall teen with autism.
Extension rolls from Polaris to County Line RoadAfter nearly two years in development, the extension of Worthington Road between Polaris Parkway and County Line Road is in its final stages of construction.
Earth Day marked by beetle release at Enchanted Care preschoolThousands of ladybugs took flight in Gahanna on Tuesday, April 22.
Artistic message of hope adorns libraryA mural commissioned on the Near East Side last summer by ADAMH was so successful in bringing home the message, "Treatment Works, Recovery Happens," that officials have turned photos of the project into a traveling exhibit.
Special Features
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alerts on your smartphone
Jefferson Township rescinds proposed JEDZ
The Jefferson Township trustees voted April 23 to rescind a resolution that would have given township residents an opportunity to establish a joint-economic-development zone contract between the township and Gahanna.
Mumps outbreak
District tells unvaccinated students to stay home
Olentangy schools will keep five unvaccinated students home from school for almost a month as the district continues to deal with central Ohio's mumps outbreak.
Police records lawsuit
Slow-build led to Westerville native's fight with Otterbein
Anna Schiffbauer has lived within Westerville her whole life. She graduated from Westerville South in 2010 and moved around the block to attend Otterbein University.
Racetrack departure spells end for balloon festival
The closing of Beulah Park has popped Balloons and Tunes.
Judge sides with Upper Arlington in Tree of Life lawsuit
U.S. District Court Judge George C. Smith has ruled that Upper Arlington did not discriminate against a religious organization that wants open a school in the city's largest office building.
Transmission headquarters
AEP will move facility to New Albany
American Electric Power is moving its transmission headquarters to New Albany, next door to its central operations center on Smith's Mill Road.
CAC's letter futile; Clinton Annex soon will be razed
People hoping to preserve the Clinton Annex are pinning what would seem their last faint hopes on a letter from the Clintonville Area Commission asking members of the Columbus school board to "stay all efforts to demolish the building."
Keeping a positive attitudeWhitehall-Yearling High School senior Madison Pharo always has been a fighter.
Boys Basketball
Riggs steps down after 27 seasonsThe most successful era in the history of the Canal Winchester High School boys basketball team has ended.
Boys Basketball
Miller era comes to close at ThomasWhen Bob Miller announced his retirement as coach of the Thomas Worthington High School boys basketball team earlier this month, it ended one of the most enduring and winningest coaching careers in Ohio.
Boys Tennis
Raiders' duo one and the sameBecause Reynoldsburg High School seniors Isaac Khan and Yosef Maher already are taking classes at Ohio State University, they often end up car-pooling.
Area players excited for North-South Classic
During his senior year, running back Jordan Jarrell led the Pickerington High School Central football team to the 2006 OCC-Ohio Division championship and scored on a 70-yard run to help the South all-stars win the 2007 Ohio North-South All-Star Classic 50-7.
Latest competitive balance proposal most fair to date
To the best of anyone's knowledge, no athletics directors, coaches or Ohio High School Athletic Association officials have confessed to waking in the night, shuddering from competitive balance-induced nightmares.
Track & Field
Coffman's Fries close to return after freak injury
The decision to partake in a child's game changed the course of Julia Fries' running career.
Track & Field
Grove City girls roll at Best of South-West
Micaila Mountain and Sydney Smith's domination of the 1,600 meters and 3,200 for the Grove City High School girls track and field team is nothing new this season.
Table Talk
Neapolitan-style pies the specialty at Pizza CucinovaThe second local quick-serve artisan pie shop recently opened at 1187 Olentangy River Road.
Fischer's Fab 10BalletMet Columbus closes its season, artistic director Edwaard Liang's first, with a dazzling program of works new to Columbus and, in one case, totally new.
Self-taught songwriter happy with road she's takenJessica Hernandez, who heads up the Detroit garage-soul outfit Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas, admits that when she was getting her start writing songs, she didn't know what she was doing.
'Other Desert Cities' to be presented
Gallery Players will stage the Central Ohio premiere of Other Desert Cities, a 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist, May 3-18 in its Roth/Resler Theater at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave.
Community lectures
Kearns Goodwin, Glenn up next in Jefferson Series
The Jefferson Series of community lectures continues May 20 with author Doris Kearns Goodwin and June 12 with astronaut and politician John Glenn at New Albany's Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.


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Welcome to Loyola's Women's Center. Our mission is to inform and empower members of the Loyola community on issues of gender that are of special interest to women.In collaboration with other offices and departments, the Women's Center serve as advocates for women, planning educational programs for faculty, staff, students and the general public.The Center welcomes new women's groups and creative ideas for women's programming. Stop by and visit our library, study in one of our quiet rooms or watch a video. All are welcome.
Last spring the Women's Center sponsored the creation of the Loyola AIDS Memorial Quilt


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With the ABC version of "One Life to Live" now a thing of the past, and with it airing only 9 episodes during the 2012 eligibility year, one would think that the show would not have received any Daytime Emmy Award love. While the show only received 3 nominations for its ABC incarnation, 3 noms is just great!
During tonight's 65th Annual DGA Awards Dinner, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles, "One Life to Live's" Jill Mitwell beat out "General Hospital's" Larry Carpenter, Scott McKinsey and William Ludel and "Days of our Live's" director Albert Alarr in the category of Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials. Mitwell won for her direction of the episode "Between Heaven and Hell," which aired during "OLTL's" final week on television (week of January 9, 2012). Coincidently, the title of the episode is based on the fact that prior to its 43-year run on ABC, which began July 15, 1968, "One Life to Live" was initially titled "Between Heaven and Hell."