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Accurate and reliable estimation of muscle moment arms is a prerequisite for the development of musculoskeletal models. Numerous techniques are available to estimate the Achilles tendon moment arm in vivo. The purposes of this study were 1) to compare in vivo Achilles tendon moment arms obtained using the center of rotation (COR) and tendon excursion (TE) methods and 2) to assess the reliability of each method. For the COR method, magnetic resonance (MR) images from nine participants were obtained at ankle angles of −15°, 0°, and +15° and analyzed using Reuleaux' method. For the TE method, the movement of the gastrocnemius medialis-Achilles tendon junction was recorded using ultrasonography as the ankle was passively rotated through its range of motion. The Achilles tendon moment arm was obtained by differentiation of tendon displacement with respect to ankle angular excursion using seven different differentiation techniques. Moment arms obtained using the COR method were significantly greater than those obtained using the TE method (P < 0.01), but results from both methods were well correlated. The coefficient of determination between moment arms derived from the COR and TE methods was highest when tendon displacement was linearly differentiated over a ±10° interval (R2 = 0.94). The between-measurement coefficient of variation was 3.9% for the COR method and 4.5–9.7% for the TE method, depending on the differentiation technique. The high reliabilities and strong relationship between methods demonstrate that both methods are robust against their limitations. The large absolute between-method differences (∼25–30%) in moment arms have significant implications for their use in musculoskeletal models.
- center of rotation
- tendon excursion
- musculoskeletal model
quantification of human muscle forces in vivo is difficult, because direct measurements are highly invasive (3, 4). Therefore, muscle forces are typically estimated indirectly using biomechanical modeling techniques. One method used to estimate muscle forces is calculation of the ratio of the muscular moment about a joint and the moment arm of the muscle or tendon of interest. A number of techniques can be used to obtain muscle moment arms, including cadaver dissection (6, 7, 11, 27), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (16, 26), and ultrasound imaging (9, 12–14).
Two of these methods in particular have become popular within the scientific community. The first technique uses sagittal plane two-dimensional MR images to estimate the center of rotation (COR) of a joint (25, 26). The perpendicular distance between the center of the joint and the line of action of the muscle or tendon of interest is then measured directly (16, 18, 26). The second technique is the tendon excursion (TE) method. The principle of virtual work (1, 28) is used to compute the moment arm as the ratio of the linear displacement of the tendon to the angular excursion of the corresponding joint (9, 17, 27). Thus it does not require knowledge of the location of the COR.
The COR and TE methods have advantages and disadvantages. One limitation of the COR method is that the multiple steps of manual MR image processing, required to determine the COR, can introduce errors in the COR calculation and, therefore, in the moment arm estimation (16). Another disadvantage of the COR method is the limited accessibility and relatively high costs involved in using MR scanners. A major advantage of MR imaging, however, is the high visibility of the underlying anatomic structures about the joint. In particular, the line of force can be easily identified. The major advantage of the TE method is that it does not require knowledge of the COR or the line of action of muscle or tendon force. In addition, ultrasonography, which is often easier to access and more time- and cost-efficient than MR scanning, can be used for the TE method. The main limitation of the TE method is the assumption that no internal forces, including friction, act in the joint of interest during a passive rotation (principle of virtual work) (1, 28). Thus it is assumed that active and passive forces within the joint are negligible and that all muscles spanning the joint of interest are inactive.
Lee and Piazza (13) used the TE method to determine in vivo values of Achilles tendon moment arms. The moment arms reported by Lee and Piazza are smaller than those reported by Maganaris et al. (16), who used the COR method. While these differences can have multiple explanations (including the use of participants with different anthropometric characteristics), these findings raise the question whether moment arms obtained using these two methods are comparable. However, to our knowledge, a direct comparison between these two methods has not been made. Therefore, differences in the moment arms reported in the literature cannot incontrovertibly be attributed to methodological differences. The first purpose of the present study was to compare moment arm measures of the Achilles tendon using the COR method (MR imaging) and the TE method (ultrasound imaging).
When scientific measurement techniques are evaluated, the reliability of the dependent measure is another important consideration. Coefficients of variation (CVs) of moment arms obtained using the COR method have been reported to be 7.9% (16, 17). The mean between-day difference in moment arms obtained from the TE method has been reported to be ∼5% (13). Together, these results suggest that moment arms obtained using the TE method are potentially more reliable than those obtained using the COR method. Therefore, the second purpose of this study was to compare the reliabilities of the moment arm measures obtained by the COR method with those obtained by the TE method.
When the TE method is used, the moment arm is obtained by mathematical differentiation of the tendon displacement with respect to the corresponding joint angle. Two methods have been used to perform this differentiation. The first method is to fit a straight line between two tendon displacement values over a given angular displacement (6, 9, 14, 16). The second method is to approximate the relationship between linear tendon and angular joint displacements by means of a second- or third-order polynomial and to perform an analytic differentiation (13, 21). Within the context of the present investigation, we sought to understand how different differentiation methods would influence the relationship between the moment arms obtained from the COR method and those obtained from the TE method and how these methods affect the reliability of the findings. Therefore, we used seven differentiation techniques to estimate the moment arm using the TE method.
Finally, there is some evidence that Achilles tendon moment arms obtained from the TE method might differ depending on the movement direction of the passive rotation during which TE and angular displacement are measured (27). It has been speculated that greater active or passive forces during loading (dorsiflexion rotations) than during unloading (plantarflexion rotations) of the tendon could contribute to these differences. Understanding this potential discrepancy is important for two reasons. 1) The presence of active or passive forces violates the principle of virtual work and could affect the accuracy of the moment arm estimate. 2) Differences in the magnitude of forces during loading and unloading could result in differences in the reliability of moment arm measures obtained during different movement directions. Therefore, we also quantified the reliabilities of moment arms derived from the TE method for two rotational directions (dorsi- and plantarflexion rotations) and their relationship with the moment arms obtained from the COR method. To explain potential effects of movement direction on moment arms, we quantified the moments about the ankle joint arising during passive ankle rotation (since the moment is the direct effect of all passive and active forces) and compared it across rotational positions and movement directions.
For comparison of moment arms derived from the COR and TE methods (purpose 1), nine healthy adults (7 men, 2 women) volunteered to participate in the study. Age, stature, and body mass (means ± SD) were as follows: 31 ± 5 yr, 180 ± 10 cm, and 81 ± 15 kg, respectively. Seven of the nine participants (age = 30 ± 5 yr, stature = 183 ± 5 cm, body mass = 85 ± 13 kg) were tested three times for the COR and TE methods to quantify the reliability of each method (purpose 2). All participants were physically active on a recreational basis and reported no recent lower limb musculoskeletal injuries. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Brunel University. The participants provided written informed consent, and they were made aware of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
Experimental protocol: MR imaging.
Participants were asked to lie supine on a wooden board (183 × 49 cm2) placed inside a 3-T MR scanner (Magnetom Trio syngo MR 2004A, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with the knee straight and the sole of the foot positioned against a custom-made wooden block, which was attached to the board by six pins and two nonelastic Velcro straps. This wooden block determined the angular position of the ankle joint. Ankle position was altered by attachment of different-shaped blocks to the wooden board. MR images (sagittal scans, TR = 600 ms, TE = 12 ms, 3 excitations, 300-mm field of view, 2-mm slice thickness) were obtained at three ankle positions (expressed as the absolute foot angle): 0° (neutral ankle position; the foot being in a vertical position) and +15° and −15° (plantar- and dorsiflexed positions, respectively). Two nonelastic Velcro straps were used to secure the foot to the wooden block in its transverse plane. One additional Velcro strap was secured around the distal part of the thigh.
Participants were instructed to remain relaxed while in the MR scanner. Before the testing, to precondition the muscle-tendon complex, participants were asked to perform three ramped isometric contractions to up to 50% of their perceived maximum at the neutral ankle angle, as well as three maximal voluntary contractions (19). For the testing, sagittal localizer prescans were used at the level of the malleoli to ensure that the orientation of the talus and the Achilles tendon was similar throughout the three ankle angles of interest (16). The duration of each scan was 147 s, and 25 slices were obtained. After each scan, the next wooden ankle block was inserted for the scanning of the foot at a different ankle angle. The order in which the different blocks were presented to the participants was from a plantar- to a dorsiflexed ankle position. Seven of the nine participants were scanned three times at each angle. Once they were scanned at each of the three angles, 1) the participants were removed from the scanner, 2) the wooden blocks were detached from the board, 3) the board was taken out of the scanner, 4) the set-up was reassembled, and 5) the participant was retested. This procedure was repeated twice (resulting in 3 independent scans at each angle) to determine the interexperiment reliability of the scanning method (purpose 2).
Moment arm calculation using the COR method.
MR images were processed using the iPACS viewer (version 4.230, San Bruno, CA). For every participant, the COR of the ankle joint, the line of action of the force (represented by the orientation of the Achilles tendon), and the Achilles moment arm were determined for the neutral foot position (ankle angle of 0°). A detailed description of this technique has been published previously (16). Briefly, with use of Reuleaux' method (25), the COR at an ankle angle of 0° was assessed using the MR scans obtained at ankle angles of −15° and +15° (Fig. 1). The tibia was assumed to be fixed, and the talus was assumed to be the rotating segment. The outline of the tibia and talus was drawn onto an overhead transparency with the foot in the dorsiflexed position (ankle angle of −15°). Two well-defined anatomic points on the talus (A and B) were chosen. On the basis of the short distance between the points A and B, two straight lines were drawn subtending at a right angle 10 cm proximal to the talus (15, 16). The shape of the tibia was then superimposed onto the image taken at the plantarflexed position (ankle angle of +15°), and the shape of the talus was drawn onto the same transparency. The same two anatomic points of the talus (A′ and B′) in this second position were marked on the initial transparency. Again, points A′ and B′ were extended and drawn 10 cm proximal to the talus using two straight lines subtending at a right angle. The COR was geometrically constructed as the intersection of the perpendicular bisector of lines AA′ and BB′ as illustrated in Fig. 1. The line of force was defined as the line connecting the point of insertion of the Achilles tendon into the calcaneus and the point 6 cm more proximal on the midline of the Achilles tendon. For the definition of this line, the MR image obtained at the neutral foot position (ankle angle of 0°) was used. The moment arm was then measured as the perpendicular distance from the line of force to the COR.
Data processing.
All morphometric measurements were analyzed three times by the same investigator for each MR image, and mean values across the three moment arm measures were taken for further analysis. The CV across all participants for analysis of an image three times (mean ± SD) was 3.3 ± 1.5%. To quantify the reliability of moment arms derived from the COR methods between interexperiment set-ups (purpose 2), the CVs were calculated using the moment arm values obtained from repeated testing as described above (see Moment arm calculation using the COR method).
Experimental protocol: ultrasonography.
Ultrasound imaging was conducted on a separate day, but at the same time of day, as the MR imaging. Participants were seated on an isokinetic dynamometer (System 3, Biodex Medical Systems) with the right ankle securely fixed with Velcro straps to a footplate to prevent heel movement. The knee was fully extended, and the relative hip angle was set to 85°. The center of the lateral malleolus was aligned with the shaft of rotation of the dynamometer. The thigh was securely fixed to the dynamometer seat with nonelastic straps to prevent medial or lateral changes in the orientation of the ankle alignment. To precondition the muscle-tendon complex, participants performed five ramped isometric plantarflexions to up to 50% of their perceived maximum, as well as three maximum voluntary contractions (19). The maximal range of motion of the ankle joint was then determined for each participant by manual rotation of the dynamometer until the participant felt discomfort; for all participants, the limits of the range of motion were greater than −15° and 30° (dorsi- and plantarflexed positions, respectively).
Before the testing, the ankle was passively rotated through its range of motion at a constant velocity of 10°/s to familiarize the participant with the rotation. For the actual test, the ankle was rotated passively through its range of motion five consecutive times: three times from a dorsi- to a plantarflexed position and twice from a plantar- to a dorsiflexed position (Fig. 2). The mechanical concept underlying the TE method is the principle of virtual work (1, 28). To minimize internal forces, we asked our participants to relax their muscles throughout the range of motion.
During the passive rotations, the displacement of the muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) was recorded using B-mode ultrasound with a 10-MHz, 40-mm linear probe (GPX, Esaote Megas, Genoa, Italy). The probe was fixed in a custom-built foam cast, which was aligned smoothly with the skin. A water-based transmission gel was placed between the skin surface and the ultrasound probe to aid acoustic coupling and to avoid skin deformation. Care was taken to align the probe with the movement direction of the MTJ in the sagittal plane. The ultrasound probe was attached to the shank with zinc oxide tape to prevent probe movement.
The same subset of participants that was tested for the reliability of the COR method was tested for the reliability of the TE method. For these participants, the probe was removed and reattached. Before reattachment of the ultrasound probe, any marks left by the gel and the probe were removed to avoid bias in the replacement of the probe. This change in set-up was repeated twice for the purpose of quantifying the reliability of the TE method between three experimental set-ups.
Data processing.
All data were collected using Cortex 1.1.4 software (MotionAnalysis, Santa Rosa, CA) on a personal computer. Raw position and moment data from the isokinetic dynamometer were subjected to analog-to-digital conversion at 1,000 Hz using a 12-bit analog-to-digital card (model PCI-6071E, National Instruments, Austin, TX). Analog ultrasound video data, sampled at 25 Hz, were digitally converted with a digital video recorder (model ADVC55, Grass Valley, Conflans St. Honorine, France) connected via the S-VHS port and saved onto a personal computer as an uncompressed AVI (720 × 576) file. Ultrasound, position, and moment data were synchronized using an electrical trigger (model DS7A stimulator, Digitimer, Hertfordshire, UK).
The MTJ of the gastrocnemius medialis was manually digitized using specialized imaging software (ImageJ, 1.42q, National Institutes of Health) for all three probe placements and five full rotations (3 plantar- and 2 dorsiflexion rotations). Raw TE, raw angular position, and raw moment data were processed in Matlab (version 7.4, MathWorks, Natick, MA). The raw angular position and moment data were filtered using a low-pass digital fourth-order, zero-lag Butterworth filter with cutoff frequencies of 3.75 Hz for angular position and 12.47 Hz for moment. The filtered position data were downsampled to 25 Hz to match the ultrasound data. Pixel coordinates of the raw TE data were converted to millimeters with a conversion factor of 9.2 pixels per millimeter and filtered with a digital low-pass, fourth-order zero-lag Butterworth filter with a cutoff frequency of 2.62 Hz. The cutoff frequencies for the low-pass filters were determined by means of residual analyses (29).
Moment arm calculation using the TE method and determination of moments about the ankle joint.
The moment arm at an ankle angle of 0° was calculated as the first derivative of tendon displacement with respect to ankle angle (Fig. 3). It was obtained using seven different differentiation methods. The slope of the lines connecting the tendon displacement data over five different angular intervals (±1°, ±2°, ±5°, ±10°, and ±15°) was calculated. Because of the relatively low resolution of the tendon displacement data, they were spline-fitted, so that the exact values at the ankle angles of interest could be found. In addition, second- and third-order polynomials were fitted to the tendon displacement data. These polynomials were analytically differentiated at an ankle angle of 0°. These seven different differentiation techniques were performed for each of the three passive plantarflexion and the two passive dorsiflexion rotations. Moment arms were taken as the average across the plantar- and dorsiflexion rotations, respectively, resulting in 14 different conditions (7 differentiation methods × 2 movement directions). To quantify the effect of passive and active forces acting at the joint during the passive rotations, which would violate the virtual work principle, we used data recorded by the isokinetic dynamometer during the passive rotations to measure moments about the ankle joint. These moments were extracted at the ankle angles of +25°, +15°, and +5° (plantarflexed position) and −5° and −15° (dorsiflexed position) for both movement directions and averaged across rotations and participants.
Statistical analysis.
To determine the absolute difference between the moment arms obtained from the two methods, two-tailed paired t-tests (with Bonferroni's correction) were performed. To determine the relationship between the moment arms obtained using the COR and TE methods, 14 Pearson's product-moment correlations and CVs were calculated. These represented the relationship between the moment arms obtained using the COR method and those obtained using each of the 14 variations of the TE method. To quantify the reliability of the moment arm measures between experimental set-ups, we calculated the CV for each participant for each method of determining the moment arm. These CVs were then averaged across participants within each condition. To compare the moments between movement directions, we performed a repeated-measures multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA). Dependent measures were the moments measured about the ankle joint at the aforementioned ankle angles (+25°, +15°, +5°, −5°, and −15°). Post hoc t-tests (with Bonferroni's correction) were then performed at each angle. SPSS statistical software (version 15.0, LEAD Technologies) was used for all analyses. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05.
Moment arms obtained from the TE method were significantly smaller for all differentiation methods and both rotational directions than those obtained from the COR method (P < 0.01; Table 1, Fig. 4). The percent differences (means ± SD) across all participants and differentiation methods were 29.3 ± 5.7% for plantarflexion rotations and 26.2 ± 6.0% for dorsiflexion rotations. Despite the absolute differences between methods, the moment arms obtained using the COR method correlated well with those obtained using the TE method. The strength of this relationship was dependent on the mathematical differentiation technique and the movement direction of the ankle used for the TE method. For the passive plantarflexion rotations, the relationship between moment arms obtained from the TE and the COR methods was stronger than that for the passive dorsiflexion rotations (0.64 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.94 and 0.40 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.60 for plantar- and dorsiflexion rotations, respectively; Table 1). With the exception of two conditions (±5° and 2nd-order polynomial during the dorsiflexion rotation), all correlations were statistically significant (P < 0.05; Table 1). In general, the use of polynomial differentiation and linear differentiation over larger intervals (±15° and ±10°) resulted in stronger correlations between both methods. The strongest relationship between the two methods was found when tendon displacement was differentiated over an angular interval of ±10° (R2 = 0.94) during plantarflexion rotations (Fig. 5).
The CV for the moment arms obtained using the COR method was 3.9%. For the moment arms obtained using the TE method, the CV was 4.5–9.7%. These CVs were dependent on the differentiation technique and the direction of the passive foot rotation. Passive plantarflexion rotations tended to produce moment arms more reliably than passive dorsiflexion rotations (Table 1). When the TE method was used, the smallest CV was found when a second-order polynomial was fitted to the ratio of tendon to angular displacement data and differentiated at 0° (CV = 4.5%). Furthermore, linear differentiation over the smaller angular intervals produced less reliable moment arms than polynomial differentiation or linear differentiation over larger intervals. The CV for the differentiation method with the strongest relationship between the two methods (linear differentiation over ±10° ankle angle during plantarflexion rotations) was 5.1% (Table 1).
The repeated-measures MANOVA revealed a significant main effect of rotational direction on moments about the ankle joint [Wilks' Δ = 0.036, F(5,4) = 21.36, P < 0.005]. Post hoc tests revealed that moments about the ankle joint derived during the plantarflexion rotations were significantly smaller than those during dorsiflexion rotations at all foot angles (Fig. 6).
In an additional analysis, we quantified the differences between moment arms derived from the COR and TE methods over a range of angles. For this analysis, six of the nine participants were tested for a moment arm comparison on three additional ankle angles for both methods (+30° and +15° plantar, −15° dorsi). For the COR method, the moment arm was derived as described for the neutral ankle angle using MR images obtained at ±15° of the angle of interest and applying Reuleaux' geometric approach to find the COR of the ankle joint and, subsequently, determine the moment arm. For the TE method, we fitted a second-order polynomial to the ratio of tendon to angular displacement data obtained during passive plantarflexion rotations, as this was found to provide the most reliable measure at the neutral angle, as well as to be strongly correlated with the COR method. The moment arms were obtained by differentiation of the second-order polynomial at the four ankle angles of interest. To test whether moment arms derived from the COR method were different from those derived from the TE method across a range of ankle angles, we performed a repeated-measures MANOVA with post hoc paired t-tests (with Bonferroni's correction). Furthermore, we calculated correlations between the COR and TE methods at each of these angles (+30°, +15°, and −15°). Finally, we quantified the CV between experimental set-ups for TE at each of these angles. The repeated-measures MANOVA revealed a significant main effect for method [Wilks' Δ = 0.015, F(4,2) = 33.37, P = 0.03]. Post hoc tests revealed that moment arms derived from the TE method were significantly smaller than those derived from the COR method at all angles. The percent differences for all participants (mean ± SD) were 35.7 ± 10.4%, 34.8 ± 7.7%, 32.4 ± 6.6%, and 25.1 ± 9.5% at +30°, +15°, 0°, and −15° angles, respectively. Correlations between the moment arms derived from both methods at the three additional angles (+30°, +15°, and −15°) were slightly lower than at 0° and not statistically significant (0.52 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.62; Table 2). The CVs were slightly greater at these additional angles (5.3 ≤ CV ≤ 7.7) than at 0° (Table 2).
The first purpose of this study was to compare moment arm measures of the Achilles tendon using the COR method (MR imaging) and the TE method (ultrasound imaging). Previous research suggests that the use of different methodologies to determine muscle-tendon moment arm of the Achilles tendon may lead to differences in moment arm estimates. However, this speculation has not been confirmed conclusively. Our results demonstrate that the moment arm magnitude depends on the method employed. Absolute moment arm values obtained from the COR method were >25% greater than those obtained from the TE method. Possible explanations for these differences in moment arms lie in the assumptions of each method. When the COR method is used, it is assumed that the ankle is a hinge joint and that the talus, as the rotating segment, moves in the sagittal plane. The fact that ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion rotations are typically accompanied by inversion or eversion at the subtalar joint (2, 8) is therefore neglected. Any inversion or eversion could change the shape and orientation of the talus and, therefore, cause errors in the determination of the two anatomic reference points needed to calculate the COR. Furthermore, the repeated need for the manual drawing of lines to geometrically construct the COR may result in an erroneous estimation of its position (22, 23). The summation of these errors could lead to an overestimation of the moment arm, which is a potential explanation for greater moment arms derived from the COR method than from the TE method. When the TE method is used, it is assumed that no forces are present during the passive rotation (principle of virtual work) (1, 28). However, during dorsiflexion rotations, we found increases in the moments measured about the ankle joint, suggesting an influence of active and passive forces on the length of the muscle-tendon unit and, therefore, on the position of the MTJ. Such forces could result in an underestimation of tendon displacement for a given joint angular displacement. A possible consequence is an underestimation of the moment arm, which is a potential explanation for the smaller moment arms derived from the TE method than from the COR method.
Our observed dependence of moment arms on the method employed has vast implications regarding the development and interpretation of musculoskeletal models. First, knowledge of the method used to determine Achilles tendon moment arm is crucial to accurate interpretation of results derived from musculoskeletal models. Second, these results need to be taken into consideration when developing such models. When developing a musculoskeletal model, it is important to test the sensitivity of its outputs to variations in the estimation of its parameters. The range for such sensitivity analysis is typically ≤10% of the relevant estimated parameter (24, 30). Our results suggest that sensitivity analyses should cover a wide range (i.e., up to 30%) when a model's sensitivity to variations in Achilles tendon moment arm is evaluated.
Our findings raise the question as to which method is the most appropriate to use. When Reuleaux' geometric approach (25) is used, the determination of the COR coordinates is susceptible to errors due to the numerous manual processing steps (22, 23). A recent study used a modified version of the COR method with fewer processing steps and, therefore, less potential for errors (20). The authors assumed the COR to be the midpoint of the line connecting the medial and lateral malleoli and measured the distance between this point and the line of action of the force. The resulting moment arms were similar to those obtained from the TE method in the present investigation. Moment arms obtained from cadavers (27) are also more similar to our moment arms derived from the TE method than those derived from the COR method. Therefore, the moment arms obtained from the TE method are potentially closer to the true moment arm of the Achilles tendon than those obtained from the COR method.
Despite the differences in absolute moment arm values, an important finding of the present study was a strong relationship between the moment arms obtained from the TE method and those obtained from the COR method when measured at the neutral ankle angle. The strength of this relationship was dependent on the differentiation method and the direction of the passive foot movement. Stronger relationships between the COR method and the TE method were found when the foot was passively plantarflexed. A possible explanation for the dependence of the strength of the relationship on movement direction is the difference in moments about the ankle joint between plantar- and dorsiflexion rotations (10). The greater moments observed during dorsi- than plantarflexion rotations could potentially result in a reduction in tendon elongation for a given ankle rotation and, therefore, a less accurate moment arm estimate and weaker relationship with the moment arms derived from the COR method. Furthermore, the moment arms derived from the TE method were more strongly correlated to those obtained from the COR method when linear differentiation was performed over larger angular intervals. When polynomials were used to differentiate the TE data, the correlations were similar to those obtained from the linear differentiation over the large intervals. The result that both methods correlated well across participants is important, as it suggests that moment arm differences and changes across participants (e.g., during growth) are independent of the method being used.
The second purpose of the present study was to determine the reliability of repeated moment arm measurements for COR and TE methods. The mean CV describing the reliability of moment arms obtained from the COR method between experimental set-ups (3.9%) is similar to previously published values (13, 17) and demonstrates good reliability of the COR method. The CVs describing reliability between experimental set-ups for moment arms obtained from the TE method ranged from 4.5% to 9.7% for plantarflexion rotations and from 7.0% to 9.0% for dorsiflexion rotations, depending on the differentiation method used. The magnitude of this variability is also comparable to that reported in previous studies (5, 9, 13). Our findings extend previous results by demonstrating that the TE method is most reliable when polynomial fitting is used to differentiate tendon displacement with respect to joint rotation. Furthermore, moment arms were more reliable when tendon displacement was differentiated over larger angular intervals (±15° and ±10°) than over smaller angular intervals (±1° and ±2°) during plantarflexion rotations. The likely reason for this finding is that minor deviations in TE resulting from errors in digitizing the position of the MTJ are magnified when tendon length is differentiated over smaller angular intervals.
Another important finding was that the variability of the moment arms between experimental set-ups was considerably greater during dorsi- than plantarflexion rotations, independent of the differentiation method (Table 1). The higher CVs observed during dorsiflexion rotations can potentially be explained by the significantly higher moments about the ankle joint for this movement direction. These are indicative of active or passive forces, which violate the assumption of virtual work and could, thereby, reduce the reliability of the moment arm estimates.
Our results have implications for researchers who wish to use the TE method to derive Achilles tendon moment arm; on the basis of the smaller CVs and the stronger correlations with MR imaging-derived moment arms, we recommend use of passive plantarflexion rotations and polynomial or large-interval differentiation. An additional advantage of using a polynomial fitting to differentiate TE with respect to ankle angle is that the moment arm can be determined over the recorded range of angles (although the validity and reliability of such a procedure were not addressed in this study).
In an additional analysis, we demonstrated that our results are consistent across a wide range of ankle angles (+30°, +15°, and −15°). For all these angles, moment arms derived from the TE method were significantly smaller than those derived from the COR method. The reliability of these moment arms and their correlations with moment arms derived from the COR method at these angles were similar to those observed at the neutral ankle position. Together, these results demonstrate that our findings are robust across a range of angles, which has potential implications for researchers who wish to use musculoskeletal models for ecologically valid tasks during which the ankle angle changes (e.g., gait or cycling).
In summary, we have found significant differences in absolute Achilles moment arms derived from the COR (MR imaging) and the TE (ultrasound imaging) methods. This result has important implications for musculoskeletal modeling, as the method used to determine Achilles tendon moment arm can substantially influence the output of such models. From our results, it is clear that when Achilles tendon moment arms are used (e.g., for musculoskeletal modeling), serious consideration needs to be given to the limitations associated with the method used to derive them. This could be done by choosing appropriate limits for performing sensitivity analyses on moment arm to account for the significant (up to 30%) between-method differences. Furthermore, the present results allow us to retrospectively compare published tendon force data more accurately, as we have shown considerable absolute differences but strong relationships between the two methods. These findings are useful for researchers who are interested in examining moment arm differences between populations (e.g., training-, sex-, or growth-related), as population differences are likely to be consistent, independent of the method used. Finally, we have demonstrated a good reliability of both methods, which suggests that they are robust against their limitations. Collectively, the present results will help researchers make more informed decisions about which method to use when determining Achilles tendon moment arm in vivo.
This study was supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (United Kingdom) Grant EP/E013007/1.
No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.
- Copyright © 2010 the American Physiological Society


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Cover Image found on Twitter: @rmayersinger
In 2007, the term "social media" was on the rise, and Twitter and Facebook were changing the landscape of the internet. As an OG internetter, I chuckled, because the web had always been social. Whether it was the Prodigy bulletin boards of my junior high years, the lively blogosphere, or any number of other online pastimes, I was equal parts in love with the new tools and annoyed by the buzz about them. But as with many OG internetters, I was able to exploit my expertise and briefly flirted with holistic digital strategy (with a focus on social media) as one of my core jobs.
Around that time, my agency colleagues gathered around the "Lunch and Learn" conference table, with the smell of greasy pizza hanging in the air. That day I gave what I believe to be my first ever "talk" in a professional context. It was boldly titled: "Knitting: gateway drug for learning new technology and a case study for online communities (all you need is a computer and some balls.)"
It began with a personal anecdote.
I recalled the first time that anyone in meatspace identified me by my online moniker "semaphoria" — it was in my local yarn store. The woman behind the counter was strangely giddy, and asked me how my sweater project was going. We had never met before, and it was oddly jarring to mix my online identity with the real world in such a palpable way.
The core thesis of the presentation was that knitters were one of the first online communities to actively defy stereotypes, breakdown demographic barriers, and embrace folks from all walks of life. Contrary to popular belief, grannies were indeed internet savvy and blogging, straight men were not wary of knitting in public (and posting photos about it), and regardless of race, gender, age or sexuality, everyone was welcome. It was arguably more controversial if someone chose to wield a crochet hook or choose cotton over wool, than it was for a punk rock grannie with a Dead Kennedys tattoo to ask for help learning to yarn-over.
Throughout the presentation I continued to argue that social media was not new. Facebook was not the first to attract a new generation to the internet, or bring people together. They just brought scale to the equation. After all, knitters were chatting online in force in 2005 when the news broke that Martha Stewart had knit a poncho in jail.
Fast forward a full decade, and the online knitting community is still making history.
This last Saturday marked what is looking to be one of the most momentous marches in American history — The Women's March on Washington — and the knitting community has been preparing for it for months. As pictures have rolled in from marches around the world, and across the nation, there is one unifying symbol: the pink pussyhat.
President Trump's infamous "grab 'em by the pussy" quote from 2005 spurred women to reclaim this moment, this word, by making and wearing pink hats with cat ears on them.
The Pussyhat is the knitted helmet of a new generation.
The Pussyhat Project was co-founded in L.A. by screenwriter Krista Suh and architect Jayna Zweiman—with the knitting Pussy Power Hat pattern designed by local yarn store owner, Kat Coyle. (If you doubted the crochet controversy of the mid-2000s, I encourage you to look at the FAQs of the Pussyhat Project, where two of the first three questions are dedicated to making the point that crochet is OK too!)
The Pussyhat Project not only provided knitting, crocheting, and sewing patterns for those wishing to march, but it also provided an incredible logistical infrastructure — knitalongs, donations, a hat tracker, official #pussyhat pick-up points for hat collection, and distribution of innumerable hats to marchers in Washington on Saturday. It was a movement from within the movement, and a very noticeable one at that.
While knitting (or any handicraft for that matter) may seem to be in tension with any feminist movement, there is strong historical precedent for feminists wielding their needles.
In her amazing, if not obscure, tome No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting, Anne L. Macdonald notes that "many White House suffrage demonstrators packed knitting as well as lunch for the Lafayette Park suffrage vigil across from the White House" in 1918. About the same time, women also began knitting "stump socks" for wartime amputees, and were prolifically knitting other practical forms of waterproof warmth for our nation's soldiers through the Red Cross.
"Certainly age was no deterrent… Grandma Parker, an acclaimed 'aged though active knitter,' completed 27 pairs of socks, three sweaters, two helmets and seven pairs of wristlets; ninety-one-year-old Hannah Eilenberger knit 11 pairs of socks and complained that the twelfth pair was unfinished because her dislocated shoulder slowed her down." These women were also teaching the next generation (of both genders) to knit for the cause. Knitting was heralded by the military and the nation as one of the most important contributions that one could make.
And please note that Grandma Parker knitted helmets. In Bernat's Handicrafter's: Handknits for the Boys in the Service, it was said that "A knitted helmet is a must for every fighting man. He wears it in his plane, under his steel helmet, and to protect him against the cold on guard duty."
This movement, like all movements, will be a part of a larger continuum in history.
Thousands of people knit pink pussyhats so others could wear them at the march on Saturday. These were a must for every fighting woman who needed protection against the cold. And just as I am grateful for the people who marched on behalf of women's rights on Saturday I am grateful to the knitters who supported that sea of pink.
At the end of the day, whether you were one of the thousands that made hats to keep those women warm and safe, or whether you were one who marched, let these pussyhats remind us that this is just the beginning of our fight.
These are our helmets. We are the Women in the Service. In service to each other and in service to the citizens of the United States. We don't know exactly what will happen in the days ahead, but it is looking likely that we will need to come together with a collective gift of warmth and solidarity.
Our solidarity now, like in the movements of the past, will inform our future.
Note: For those who marched on Washington in a pink pussyhat, please note that the Michigan State University Museum is collecting stories, selfies, pussyhats, and other items related to women's participation in the Women's March in Washington, D.C. Please consider donating relevant materials to the MSU Museum to document this historic event. Please contact Shirley Wajda, Curator of History, at email@example.com. Or, if you marched locally, please consider bringing your pussyhat back to your hometown and giving it to someone who needs it to keep warm.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Salutations to the Divine Mother who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy and beauty, salutations, O Sweet Mother, the consort of Lord Siva. O Mother Parvati! Thou art Lakshmi, Thou art Sarasvati. Thou art Kali, Durga and Kundalini Shakti. Thou art in the form of all objects. Thou art the sole refuge of all. Thou hast enchanted the whole world. The whole universe is the play of Thy three Gunas. How can I praise Thee? Thy glory is indescribable. Thy splendour is ineffable. Protect me. Guide me, O Loving Mother!
O Adorable Mother! Thou hast generated this great illusion by which all people walk deluded in this world. All sciences have come from Thee. Without Thy grace, no one can get success in spiritual Sadhana and salvation in the end. Thou art the seed for this world. Thou hast two aspects, viz., the unmanifested aspect or Avyaktam and the manifested aspect or the gross universe. The whole world gets dissolved in Avyaktam during Pralaya. Give me the divine eye. Let me behold Thy real majestic form. Help me to cross over this illusion, O Kind Mother!
O Compassionate Mother! I bow to Thee. Thou art my saviour. Thou art my goal.
Thou art my sole support. Thou art my guide and the remover of all afflictions, troubles and miseries. Thou art the embodiment of auspiciousness. Thou pervadest the whole universe. The whole universe is filled with Thee. Thou art the store-house of all qualities. Do Thou protect me. I again and again salute Thee. O Glorious Mother! Salutations to Thee. All women are Thy parts. Mind, egoism, intellect, body, Prana, senses, are Thy forms. Thou art Para Shakti and Apara Prakriti. Thou art electricity, magnetism, force, energy, power and will. All forms are Thy forms only. Reveal to me the mystery of creation. Bestow on me the divine knowledge.
O Loving Mother! Thou art the primal energy. Thou hast two aspects, namely, the terrible and peaceful. Thou art modesty, gentleness, shyness, generosity, courage, forbearance and patience. Thou art faith in the heart of devotees and generosity in noble people, chivalry in warriors and ferocity in tigers. Give me strength to control the mind and the Indriyas. Make me worthy to dwell in Thee. Salutations unto Thee.
O Mother Supreme! When shall I have equal vision and placid state of mind? When shall I be established in Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya? When shall I have Thy cosmic vision? When shall I get deep abiding peace and perennial joy? When shall I enter into deep meditation and Samadhi?
O Radiant Mother! I have not done any spiritual Sadhana or service of teachers. I have not practised any Vrata, pilgrimage, charity, Japa and meditation or worship. I have not studied religious scriptures. I have neither discrimination nor dispassion. I have neither purity nor burning desire for liberation. Thou art my sole refuge. Thou art my only support. My silent adorations unto Thee. I am Thy meek suppliant. Remove the veil of ignorance.
O Gracious Mother! Prostrations unto Thee. Where art Thou? Do not forsake me. I am Thy child. Take me to the other shore of fearlessness and joy. When shall I behold Thy lotus feet with my own eyes? Thou art the boundless ocean of mercy. When philosopher's stone turns iron into gold by contact, when the Ganges turns impure water into pure water, can'st Thou not turn me, O Divine Mother, into a pure soul? May my tongue repeat Thy Name always!
(Sri Swami Sivananda in GEMS OF PRAYERS)
(Sri Swami Sivananda)
Since the dawn of civilisation, when the primitive man lived in a matriarchal society, the worship of the Divine Mother came into practice. Later on, as civilisation progressed, the matriarchal pattern gradually faded out, and the father became the head of the family unit, where he was treated as the man in authority and to whom everyone looked for guidance and approval. Consequently, there was a change in the concept of God as such; the Fatherhood of God was established. But Mother worship persisted simultaneously, since this concept was psychologically more appealing to the devotee, the mother being nearest in filial affection to the child. Subsequently, a synthetic harmony between the Motherhood and Fatherhood of God was developed by the Hindu religion; the people worshipped Sita and Rama, or Radha and Krishna together.
The concept of the human mind is based on relative experience. Subjective idealism, therefore, in its initial stages, takes the aid of objective and relative analogies. God is neither limited to abstract or concrete concepts. But it is easier to establish a conscious relationship with the Providence in terms of benevolent fatherhood or affectionate, kindly motherhood than by the concept of an unfathomable void. God is devoid of qualities, in reality, but a relative superimposition of the positive ideals of goodness and virtue is essential for self-culture and spiritual progress of the aspirant.
Mother is very kind to her child. You are more free with your mother than with anybody else. It is the mother who protects you, nourishes you, consoles you, cheers you and nurses you. She is your first preceptor. She sacrifices her all for the sake of her children. In the spiritual field also, the aspirant has very intimate relationship with the Divine Mother.
The Upasana or the worship of the Universal Mother leads to the attainment of knowledge of the Self. The Yaksha Prasna in Kenopanishad supports this view. Approach Her with an open heart. Lay bare your mind with frankness and humility. Lay your thoughts be pure and sublime. Become as simple as a child. Pulverise your individual entity, the egoistic nature, cunningness, selfishness and crookedness. Make a total, unreserved, ungrudging self-surrender to Her. Chant Her Mantras. Worship Her with faith and devotion.
Navaratri is the most suitable occasion for doing intense Sadhana. These nine days are very sacred to Mother. Plunge yourself in Her worship. It is an occasion symbolising the victory of the higher, divine forces over the lower, negative qualities that find their expression in injustice, oppression, aggrandisement, greed, selfishness, hatred and a host of other undivine forces that add to the suffering of man.
Worship the Mother in all Her manifestations. She is the creative aspect of the Absolute. She is symbolised as Cosmic Energy. Energy is the physical ultimate of all forms of matter and the sustaining force of the Spirit. Energy and Spirit are inseparable. They are essentially one. The five elements and their combinations are the external manifestations of the Mother. Intelligence, discrimination, psychic power and will are Her internal manifestations. Humanity is Her visible form. Service of humanity is, therefore, the worship of the Divine Mother.
Feel that the Mother sees through your eyes, hears through your ears, and works through your hands. Feel that the body, mind, Prana, intellect and all their functions are Her manifestations. The one, universal life throbs in the heart of all. How can there be any room for hatred and selfishness, when by hating another you are but hating the Mother, when by being selfish to another you are but denying your own self. Drive deep this consciousness within your heart. Always meditate and practise this ideal of divine oneness.
Mother's grace is boundless. Her mercy is illimitable. She is pleased with a little purity of heart. The sacred Navaratri is approaching. Do not lose this glorious opportunity. Make a definite and sincere attempt to obtain the grace Of the Mother. She will transform your entire life, and bless you with the milk of divine wisdom, spiritual insight and Kaivalya!
May you all obtain the grace of Mother Durga!
(Sri Swami Sivananda)
Devi is synonymous with Shakti or the Divine Power that manifests, sustains and transforms the universe as the one unifying Force of Existence. In fact, worship of Devi is not sectarian, it does not belong to any cult. By Drive or Shakti we mean the presupposition of all forms of existential power, the power of knowledge, of omniscience. These powers are the glorious attributes of God—you may call Him Vishnu or Siva or as you like. In other words, Shakti is the very possibility of the Absolute's appearing as many, of God's causing this universe. Shakti and Shakta are one; the power and the one who possesses the power cannot be separated; God and Shakti are like fire and heat of fire.
Devi-worship or Shakti-worship is therefore worship of God's glory, of God's greatness and supremacy. It is adoration of the Almighty. It is unfortunate that Devi is misunderstood as a bloodthirsty 'Hindu Goddess.' No. Devi is not the property of the Hindu alone. Devi does not belong to any religion. Devi is the conscious power of the Deva. Let this never be forgotten. The words Devi, Shakti, etc. and the ideas of the different forms connected with these names are concessions given to the limitations of human knowledge; human comprehension. Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in the Gita, "This is only my lower nature Shakti, beyond this is my higher nature, the Original Shakti, the life principle which sustains this entire universe." The Upanishad says, "The Para Shakti, the Supreme Power of this God is heard of in various ways, this power is the nature of God manifesting as knowledge, strength and activity." Truly speaking all beings of the universe are Shakti worshippers, for there is none who does not love and long for power in some form or other. Physicists and scientists have proved now that everything is pure imperishable energy. This energy is only a form of Divine Shakti which exists on every form of existence.
Since Shakti cannot be worshipped in its essential nature, it is worshipped as conceived of in its manifestations, viz., creation, preservation and destruction. Shakti in relation to these three functions is Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Kali. These, as is evident, are not three distinct Devis, but the one formless Devi worshipped in three different forms. Navaratri is the festive occasion of the 'nine-day-worship of Maha-Kali, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-Sarasvati' the Divinity of the Universe adored in three ways.
Sarasvati is cosmic Intelligence, cosmic consciousness, cosmic knowledge. Worship of Sarasvati is necessary for Buddhi-Shuddi, Viveka-Udaya, Vichara-Shakti for Jnana for Self-illumination. Lakshmi does not mean mere material wealth like gold, cattle, etc. All kinds of prosperity, glory, magnificence, joy, exaltation or greatness come under the grace of Goddess Lakshmi. Sri Appayya Dikshitar calls even final Liberation as "Moksha Samrajya Lakshmi." Hence worship of Lakshmi means the worship of Divinity, the power that dissolves multiplicity in unity. The worship of Devi is therefore the explanation of the entire process of spiritual Sadhana in all its aspect.
During Navaratri, observe strict anushthana, and purify your inner spiritual nature. This is the most auspicious time in the year for Mother-Worship. Read Sapthasathi, or Devi Mahatmya and Lalita Sahasranama. Do Japa of the Mantra of Devi. Perform formal worship with purity and sincerity and absolute devotion. Cry for the Darshan of Mother Devi. The Divine Mother will bless you with the knowledge, the peace and the joy that know no end. May the Divine Mother bless you all!
! Ëiö !
OM hrãü OM
Oðö Ëiö Vl:iö c:am:ØNRy:ò ev:cc:ð
aiü hrãü klãü càmuõóayai vicce
! n:m:Á:eNRkay:ò
OM nama÷caõóikàyai
The Power Of The Transcendent Reality
y:a dðv:i s:v:üB:Üt:ð\:Ø ev:\N:Øm:ay:ðet: S:ebdt:a .
n:m:st:sy:ò n:m:st:sy:ò n:m:st:sy:ò n:m::ð n:m:H ..
yà devã sarvabhåteùu viùõumàyeti ÷abdità |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaþ ||
PROSTRATIONS again and again to the blessed Divine Mother who is the source, substratum and the ultimate goal of all creation.
The Mother is a mysterious, indescribable power of the Supreme Being. She is the dynamic aspect of the Supreme, Transcendent Being, which is infinity, eternity and ineffable peace, beyond the cognisance of the senses and the mind.
Upon this very solemn and holy occasion which marks the commencement of the sacred annual nine-day worship of the Deity in Its aspect as the Supreme Mother, the first day of the Navaratra culminating in Vijayadasami, popularly known as the Dussera, it is a great mark of divine grace and blessing that we have the privilege of gathering together and glorifying the Mother, speaking a few words about the Divine Mother, adoring Her and worshipping Her and praying for Her Grace, the Grace which alone can enable us to attain success and fruition in all endeavours be they material or spiritual, secular or sacred; by which alone a seeker is able to reach the end of his quest, and the Sadhaka is able to achieve the Thing for which he strives, the soul is able to attain perfection and to realise the Infinite. The Grace of the Mother is an indispensable factor to attain Moksha-Siddhi. Upon this sacred occasion, let us try to know a few things about the Indian conception of the Divine Mother and about the significance as well as the traditional background of this nine-day worship.
In India the Hindus fall under four or five broad religious divisions. There are the worshippers of the Supreme Being in its aspect as Siva; we call them the Saivites. Then there are the worshippers of the selfsame Supreme Being in its aspect as Vishnu. Them we call Vaishnavas. There is still a third section of people—and quite a number of them—who worship the One God, the Supreme Being, but as manifest in the form of the great Goddess, the Devi Shakti. They are referred to as Shaktas. There again are two less-known sects called the Ganapatyas who worship the Supreme Being as Ganapaty, and the Souryas or the worshippers of the Supreme Being manifest as the splendorous light as embodied in the visible orb of the sun, the giver of light, the sustainer of the life-process in this world of ours.
The Navaratra worship of the Devi is eminently a Shakta-worship, and it has come down to us through the Shakta-tradition. A very great section of these Shaktas are localised in the Province of Bengal and Assam. Their supreme scripture, glorifying the Divine mother, is known as the Durga Saptashati or the Devi Mahatmya. It is known by the name Saptashati because it is a book of 700 verses. In Bengali it is familiarly known as the Chandi; also in these parts—Garhwal—people refer to the reading of the Devi Mahatmya as Chandi-Patha. This is derived from one of the names of the Divine Mother Herself who is called Chandika.
The reading of the scripture is done in a very scientific manner. There is a strict procedure laid down by the Shastras. In the first part which was read today there is a detailed exposition of the Devi Tattva. The setting is in the form of a story; and the exposition is given by a sage to a king and a merchant. It is full of deep philosophic truth in regard to the aspect of the Deity, Her nature, how She is and what She is. There are sublime, elevating hymns glorifying the Mother; and the ways of propitiating Her are given. The very reading of the scripture from start to finish is itself a very great and effective Sadhana in the Shakta mode of worship and spiritual practice. I shall just give in a few words the essence of the scripture.
Essence of Devi Mahatmya
It begins this way. A king of the Surya Vamsa to which Lord Rama also belonged, named Suratha, is overcome and overwhelmed by his foes, who compel him to flee his kingdom. He takes shelter in a forest. He is deeply afflicted and dejected, deprived of all his wealth and retinue; and he is wandering forlorn, destitute of everything, in a very wretched condition. His mind again and again goes back to the bitter fate which he has suffered. Thinks of his kingdom, his wealth, his ministers and the way in which the kingdom is likely to be governed under the new rulers. While he is in this state of mind, he happens to come to the vicinity of the hermitage of a great God-realised sage, called Rishi Medha. He sees the hermitage with all its beauty, the disciples of the Rishi—everything pervaded by serenity, calmness and purity; and he stays there.
While he is in this hermitage he comes across a fellow-sufferer, a brother-in-distress, a man named Samadhi, belonging to the merchant community, who has also similarly run away from his home because of misfortune. He had lost all his wealth to his own relatives; and his own family had turned him out of the house. He is thus forced to wander into the forest. He also takes shelter at the feet of the sage.
They find that they are more or less in the same predicament, deprived of their wealth and ousted from their home, with their own people turned against them; and in spite of all this unkindness of their own people, both of them are intrigued and deeply puzzled to find that with all the hostility and enmity of their people, yet their minds go again and again back to these very people, to the very things which have been the cause of their sorrow, of their grief, of their deep disappointment and dejection.
They try to discuss this between themselves; what is this mysterious nature of the mind which harkens back again and again and clings to those self-same things and people from whom they have had nothing but pain and sorrow. Unable to solve this riddle, they go and humbly entreat the Rishi Medha to throw some light upon this problem. They ask the Rishi: "O Wise One, pray throw some light upon this problem; we are greatly puzzled to find this mind still clings to those very objects, is attached to those very persons, from whom it has received the greatest pain and sorrow; it knows there is no pleasure in those things, yet it will not give up its attachment to them—what is the reason for this, how do you explain this peculiar delusion of the mind?"
In answer to this query which, though it has been put into the mouth of Raja Suratha and Vaishya Samadhi, yet is a universal question which agitates the minds of all thinking men and women all over the world, Rishi Medha gives his wondrous exposition of the greatness of the Devi. He says; "O my children! A mysterious delusion dwells in the mind of man, by which his pure reason is blinded, by which delusion he is again and again made to cling and go back to those very objects and persons from which he is subject to so much pain and suffering. This delusion, this veiling power, is really the mysterious power of the divine Mother. It is She who is the cosmic illusion. It is She who is at the back of projection of this very universe itself. It is with Her mysterious veiling Power that the one seems to have become the many, the formless seems to have taken numerous forms and the unmanifest seems to have become manifest and this mysterious power is the indescribable power of the Supreme Being itself. It is Brahma Shakti; it is the Mahamaya or the great Cosmic Illusory Power which emanates from the Lord Himself, and it is through this power that the Lord sets going this universal drama of projection of creation, preservation and once again the ultimate dissolution of all names and forms back into its pristine transcendental state of Pure Being."
The King Suratha and Vaishya Samadhi want to know more about the mysterious power which Rishi Medha has referred to and to know more about this cosmic power which is at the back of all manifestation. In response to this request of theirs Rishi Medha goes into the detailed exposition of the nature of the divine Mother; and the 700-versed scripture contains this exposition. In the end, having expounded the mystery and secret of the supreme nature of the divine Mother Rishi Medha advises Suratha and Samadhi to go and practise Yoga, worship the Divine Mother, pray to Her and meditate upon Her and propitiate Her. Thus propitiated She becomes manifest to them and bestows Her Grace upon both the king and the merchant and their heart's desire is fulfilled.
This in short is the import of this supreme scripture of the Shaktas—Devi Mahatmya.
Maya and Brahman Are One
This exposition of the Devi Tattva goes to explain to us how the Supreme Shakti is all in all. It tells us that whatever we see, whatever we perceive in this phenomenal universe before us, is nothing but the outcome of this supreme power of the Para Brahman, viz. the primal force. She is called the Adi-Shakti. She is also known as the transcendental power—Para-Shakti. She is known as the superlative, the great power—Maha-Shakti.
What exactly is the relationship between this great-Divine Power and the ultimate Supreme Being the Almighty, is a question that is very interesting and which occupies the minds of all great thinkers. Varied explanations have been given but sages of realisation have stated in illuminating terms the secret of this relationship between the deity as they conceived of in its aspect of Supreme Mother and the deity in its transcendental aspect. We are told how the Para Brahman and His Supreme Mysterious Power of World-illusion whom we call Maya or Devi are in fact one and the same in essence. They are apparently different, but yet they are one. It is a distinction without a difference in fact. That is the relationship between them. As it were they are the obverse and the reverse of the self-same coin. You cannot conceive of the Para Brahman without conceiving of the Devi; and the conception of the Devi automatically pre-supposes the conception of the Para-Brahman. They explain to us how the Devi or the Supreme Divine Mother is the mysterious link between the manifest and the unmanifest. She is the medium that connects the un-manifest with the manifest. For instance, there is an effect and a cause which is responsible for this effect—but what is the thing which connects the effect with the cause and the cause with the effect? There is some mysterious link which connects these two and makes them one. Though apparently two, they are in reality two terminals of the self-same process. This process of the cause becoming manifest as the effect, this power that makes the cause appear as the effect is known as the Maya, the illusion or the Devi.
The Supreme Brahman is also described as perfectly beyond all movement and motion because being of the nature of limitlessness and infinity the very question of motion does not arise. The Supreme Power whom we call Devi is described as the dynamic aspect of the Para Brahman. They say that they are as inseparable as the whiteness of the milk and the milk; as the heat and fire; as a snake and its zigzag motion. The moment you think of milk, automatically you think of whiteness. The moment you think of fire, you posit also the heat. If the burning property is taken away from fire, you can no longer call it fire. Even so, Para Brahman and Shakti are as inseparable as the burning property of fire and fire itself. If Brahman is fire, Shakti or Devi is the burning property of fire. A more up-to-date analogy which we can draw to illustrate the mysterious connection between Maya or Prakriti or Shakti and Brahman is this. We have the power of electricity when it is inside a battery. When the power of electricity is here within the battery, it is not manifest. It is not dynamic. It is static. The battery can be taken from place to place: no one will know that it holds within itself the tremendous force.
There is no indication to give us an idea that it contains within itself this marvellous power. But the moment this self-same electric current is made to spring into dynamism through a system of wiring through a circuit, we find this static force springs into a wonderful dynamism. It travels with lightning speed; it is able to give a shock; or to make an electric bulb spring into incandescence and manifest as light; it manifests itself as the whirling motion in a fan; it manifests itself as freezing cold within the refrigerator and as abnormal power of heat in an electric heater; it is able to burn things; it manifests as sound in an electric siren—this power which is held in a static form within a battery becomes manifest as light, motion, heat, cold, sound and any number of aspects manifest and tangible and perceivable through the senses. Even so the Supreme Power in its transcendental motionless static aspect known as the Para Brahman is nameless, formless, unmanifest and the self-same supreme power when it springs into manifestation, into creativity, is projected as names and forms, into countless dynamic forces which pervade the entire phenomenal world. Mother is electricity, the brightness of the sun, the depth of the ocean, movement in the hand, the smell and fragrance in flowers, the musical note in sound, everything in this universe, invisible as well as visible, all motion, all force, all movements; and She is present in the human being as intelligence, as mind, as Vrittis, as emotions—everything that we perceive in this world either within the individual or without in the forces of nature. She is the very life of the universe. She is the very source, the sustainer and ultimate dissolver of the universe. Sarvam Shaktimayam Jagat; this is the ultimate truth. Whatever there is in the universe from the grossest thing to the subtlest, the least to the greatest—everything is the variegated manifestation of the Supreme Mother Herself, the Transcendental Power of the Supreme Being. It is this cosmic Power who appears as all names and forms, who is the very source of all embodiment, of all manifestation. It is on account of the Mother that manifestation is made possible.
It is this Supreme Force that we worship during the nine days through the medium of certain forms. This great power of all powers is conceived of by the devout worshipper in certain distinct aspects—in her three aspects as Mahakali or Durga, Mahalakshmi and as Mahasaraswati. The nine-day worship is divided into three groups of three days each—the first three days we worship the Mother as manifest in and through the form of Mahakali or Durga. During the second group of three days we worship the Divine Mother as manifest in and through our conception of the form of Mahalakshmi. And during the last three days we worship Her in and through the form of Mahasaraswati. This particular order of the worship has got a very deep and very vital meaning, about which we shall refer during the subsequent days.


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This text explores two forms of hate and prejudice – racism in contemporary American society and the historical occurrence of anti-Semitism – under a single conceptual framework.
Jack Levin, is a well-known scholar, author, and lecturer on the subject of hate crimes. In this book he shows how support for both racism and anti-Semitism can be conceptualized as occurring among four groups: hatemongers, dabblers, sympathizers, and spectators. Levin argues that hate and prejudice continue at a very dangerous level in our society, and that hate typically emanates not from the ranting and raving of a few people at the margins of society, but from ordinary people in the mainstream.
Jim Nolan , new to this edition, is an Associate Professor at West Virginia University, and a former FBI agent, specializing in hate crimes and prejudice.
Taking the position that support for racism and anti-Semitism originates in the tacit approval of mainstream society, Levin (sociology and criminology, Northeastern U.) offers a comparative study of hate and prejudice that focuses primarily on racism in American society and anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany. The societal roots of hate are examined in operative and theoretical terms. The way that tacit approval encourages of active bigots is examined and the societal benefits to dominant groups of racism and bigotry are described. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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Live Music at Water Street Grille
Every Friday - Saturday. Repeats Weekly.
November 20, 2017 - 07:00 pmNovember 20, 2017 - 10:00 pmJanuary 6 - 28, 2017, 7pm - 10pm
Water Street Grille
323 Water Street
Yorktown, VA 23690United States 323 Water Street Yorktown 23690
Enjoy your evenings with great, live music at the Water Street Grille throughout the month.
Friday, 6th: Andrew Ballentine Duo
Saturday, 7th: The Charltones
Friday, 13th: Blue Ribbon
Saturday, 14th: Jonny Cardigan
Friday, 20th: Caleb Folks Duo
Saturday, 21st: Good Shot Judy
Friday, 27th: The Love Cats
Saturday, 28th: The Dear Hearts
For details 757.369.5644 or www.WaterStreetGrille.net.


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Wright argues, but still respects the umpires
PHILADELPHIA - With the Mets trailing, 8-0, and Roy Halladay dealing, David Wright wasn't in a very good mood to begin with as he stepped to the plate in the sixth inning. But Wright ultimately snapped when umpire Ron Kulpa ran the count to 0-and-2 by giving Halladay what he thought was a low-and-inside called strike.
Wright briefly turned back at Kulpa for a few angry words, but then looked away when he really started to spout off.
"It happens," Wright said. "You're going to have disagreements, but that's all it is - a disagreement. We put it behind us and I try to hit the next pitch."
Wright didn't. He swung and missed at a slider to whiff on three pitches. But Kulpa kept his eyes fixed on Wright. When asked later if the umpire came at him, Wright didn't believe it.
"When you've got two men in a disagreement, obviously things are going to get heated every now and then," Wright said. "But I don't think either one of us crossed the line . . . You have two guys that think they're right and obviously it makes for a little bit of confrontation.
"But I have all the respect in the world, not just for him, but for all the umpires. So as long as you have that kind of back and forth, and don't cross that line, it's OK."
Wright will get a chance to continue the discussion Sunday night. Kulpa will be the third-base umpire then.
Extra bases
Jeff Francoeur, who suffered a bruised left elbow in Friday's game, convinced Jerry Manuel to play him by calling the manager later that night. Manuel has a policy of sitting players who are removed from the previous game with an injury. Francoeur's response? "Screw the policy." . . . Henry Blanco was behind the plate for the fourth straight time (in five starts) for Mike Pelfrey, but Manuel said Blanco is not his personal catcher: "As early as it is, I think right now [Blanco] is important to Pelfrey. I will say this, though: If we played two night games in a row, I probably would have stayed with Rod [Barajas]."


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I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2001 but am trying to live a normal life for a 22 year old. It's hard to keep the constant smile on my face when I feel so sick.
Post Edited (CaMama) : 10/29/2005 9:49:50 AM (GMT-6)
Hi Lynne. I'm sorry you're dealing with sore hips. I have the same problem. I was diagnosed with RA a couple of years ago, but it seems that I may have pending cd instead. Crohn's arthritis, according to my rheumatologist, normally does hit the hips, lower back, shoulders, and sometimes the neck as well. I cannot take any NSAIDS either because of possible cd (plus they just wreak havoc on your system, IBD or not). I've currently started sulfasalazine and I'm waiting for it to kick in. If I were you, I would go to a rheumatologist for the arthritis symptoms. They are specialized in that, even IBD related arthritis.
Thanks - other than a headache right now, I'm doing better than I was over the weekend. It's probably a sugar headache anyway - the kids and I were baking cookies today to pass out to her class for her birthday tomorrow. While I finished the cookies, the kids frosted christams cookies we baked over the weekend....needless to say - a lot of finger licking and cookie tasting happened and the 3 of us over did it. Like I need more calories on this extra 80 I'm lugging around!
On a better note - I had a follow up ultrasound on my liver today. The doc actually ordered a full upper abdomen check. The technician said my liver looked good! Last Dec. it was measured at 24 mm (??? is that the right unit of measure?) and today she barely could stretch it to 20...meaning it was really only 19 mm and said that is in the upper part of the normal range. She also said my kidneys looked fine (well, at least she mentioned ONE of them looked okay.) I also had my first mamogram - yikes! Doc said, '35, immono compromised, and history of benign breast tumors in your family - it's time to start." Oh joy. I was supposed to get blood work done as well, but the woman was too rough on my ONE vein and after having fasted for 11 hours at that point with only one bottle of water for the ultrasound I said, "forget it, I'll come back another day!"
I hope you too feel better! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I hang in there for a few more days - we're taking my daughter to Sea World tomorrow and I want to be able to walk! Then we're having family over on Saturday for her and I need to clean and prepare! **
Ha ha!
I'll have to answer you elsewhere Erin, I don't think Samuel wants to know how it went!
Samuel - keep up the good work, I hope you get the answers and help you need to feel better. We're always here for you.
Moanin' all,
HAH! You guys rock. You know Duck, that's my guilty pleasure...America's next top model...funny you mention it. Nah, I'm too short, 5"5....have to be at least 5"7.
The weather is giving me quite the beating. Had 10 LidoDerm patches total on my knees yesterday. Then the darn elbows started. Aaah. Never got the steroid injections....gonna have to this week though.
Just hoping to have a decent night, going to dinner & decorating our little christmas tree tonight. My honey's got about 13 inches of snow where he is. Yikes.
So Camama, it's a definite start of Enbrel in January?
Oreo, how are the sinuses? Did you get lots of snow too? I know it hit in Canada around near where you are.
Wishing everyone a good day.
5'5"! What I would GIVE to be that tall! Oy, quit your complainin' (I'm 4'11, by the way.)
The 'girls' are doing fine...thanks for asking. Guess I'll just answer how it went - they got squished pretty hard during that mamogram, but I survived. After my whiny "OW! That hurts" from the first pictures, the lady was a bit more careful for the rest. A bit, I say. NOT a comfy procedure, that is for sure and they made that room SOOOOOOOOO cold!
We're gonna probably decorate the house tomorrow as well. Possibly get a tree then as well.
So, I was sleeping tonight...exhausted and went to be later than I should have. Hubby had night off and we watched The Day After Tomorrow. about 1 a.m. I woke up with a stuffy nose and feeling like my throat was coated in yuck. So, here I am... Well, at least I made it through daugther's birthday w/o BEING sick during it....in all her 6 years, I've been seriously ill for most of her birthdays. I hope that trend is over!


text: I purchased this product today as my Toshiba Television's Remote Control was coming apart and needed replacing. It is a lovely remote control and very easy to set up. As my Toshiba was over 12 years old I carried out a search for the code. The instructions are easy to follow. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who was wishing to purchase it. I only wished I had purchased it sooner, instead of putting up with my old remote.


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John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
His first novel, Every Dead Thing, was published in 1999, and introduced the character of Charlie Parker, a former policeman hunting the killer of his wife and daughter. Dark Hollow followed in 2000. The third Parker novel, The Killing Kind, was published in 2001, with The White Road following in 2002. In 2003, John published his fifth novel—and first stand-alone book—Bad Men. In 2004, Nocturnes, a collection of novellas and short stories, was added to the list, and 2005 marked the publication of the fifth Charlie Parker novel, The Black Angel. John's seventh novel, The Book of Lost Things, a story about fairy stories and the power that books have to shape our world and our imaginations, was published in September 2006, followed by the next Parker novel, The Unquiet, in 2007, The Reapers, in 2008 The Lovers, in 2009, and The Whisperers, the ninth Charlie Parker novel, in 2010. The tenth Charlie Parker novel, The Burning Soul, was published in 2011, to be followed in 2012 by The Wrath of Angels. The Wolf in Winter, the twelfth Parker novel, was published in April 2014 in the UK and in October 2014 in the US. 2015 saw the publication of A Song of Shadows, the 13th Parker novel, and Night Music: Nocturnes Volume 2, the second collection of short stories. Charlie Parker returned in 2016's A Time of Torment, and made his 15th appearance in 2017 with A Game of Ghosts.
In 2009, John published The Gates, his first novel for young adults. A sequel was published in 2011 as Hell's Bells in the UK and The Infernals in the United States; the third in the Samuel Johnson trilogy, The Creeps, was published in 2013 in the UK and in 2014 in the US. DreamWorks Studios acquired the Samuel Johnson trilogy in 2015 for development as a possible franchise.
Books to Die For, a nonfiction anthology co-edited by John Connolly and Declan Burke, won the 2013 Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Awards for Best Critical/Biographical Book of the year.
With his partner, Jennifer Ridyard, John published Conquest, the first book in the Chronicles of the Invaders series for teenaged readers, in 2013. The second book in that series, Empire, followed in 2015, and the third, Dominion, in 2016.
Hodder will publish he, a literary novel based on the life of Stan Laurel, in August 2017.
John Connolly is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States, where the Charlie Parker mysteries are set.
Want more? Check out this selection of interviews and profiles.


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Summer is really close. For Arizona, summer starts this Friday! yikes! I am not ready!!! But for those of you who are wondering what to do this summer. I have some ideas that I think you may enjoy.
1. Niagra Falls, Canada. I remember this trip when I was younger. It was so much fun. Granted, nowadays it's a bit harder to get across the border to Canada, and back, its really worth it. To ride the boat that takes you up to the falls, and walk in the caves behind the falls. Its so amazing. I am sure it has changed a bit over the years, but at the same time, I am sure the old goodies are still there too. I remember there was this simulator ride that made you feel like you were going over the falls. It was so realistic, and so crazy. It was insane. But crazy fun. Niagra falls at night, wow. The Falls have lights in different colors that are projected onto the water itself. Its so pretty, and so breathtaking. During the day, if you are in the right angle when it comes to sun and water mist, you can see the rainbows they make. Little kids would love that.
If I remember correctly, there was this cool tower building, that you get inside, and it takes you up to the top, and spins – slowly – so you can view the entire area. Its really wonderful, and I think kids would really love it. I did when I was younger. I still have memories today.
2. San Diego. This is a place where there is so much to do. From Sea World, to the amusement park, to the beach (if you live in a place with no beaches, this is one awesome place to go), to the zoo. Everything here is absolutely beautiful. If you look now, you should be able to find some great deals on hotels close to the beach, before they fill up with all the other summer tourists. San Diego is kid friendly, and a great destination. Also – have your kids watch the 1st Madagascar movie – when they land on Madagascar, they think they are in San Diego – that's why my son wants to go so badly. He thinks King Julian lives there. LOL
Before you go, put an eggo waffle in the toaster, when its done, put butter on it, and sprinkle a mixture of sugar and brown sugar on top. Get it?! A Sandy-Eggo! Ha. love it.
3. Disney World / Land. Either one works fine. Which one are you closest to, California or Florida? Either way, it's a great option. The kids will get to see all their favorite Princesses and Disney story characters like Buzz and Woody, and maybe even some characters from Cars and other movies like that. Disney is the most magical place on Earth right? And you can find decent deals on hotels, and park hopper passes. You can find them either on Disney Parks website, or even through your travel agent ( like AAA ). I've even seen passes at places like Safeway here in Arizona. I am sure other grocery stores has these as well.
4. Personally, if I was a kid again, I would want to go to Hawaii. I have yet to go, and I know that I would have love to have gone. Between the volcanoes, and the waterfalls, the observatory, and watching the sunrise on top of the volcano, I would have been the happiest girl in the world. Its really a breathtaking place. You can go to a Luau, and see the black sand beaches (but don't take any sand, its illegal). You can take helicopter rides around the islands. Did you know that Hawaii is where that opening helicopter scene from Jurassic Park is! Yea! You can take a ride and experience that too. And with a year round average of about 70 + rainfall, your looking at a decent time, with gorgeous flowers, and a beautiful setting.
5. Now, I had to think long and hard about where I want number 5 to be. I haven't been many places on my summers growing up, as we didn't always have the money. And while I wanted to name amusement parks, and big attractions. I think theres a way to have a great summer getaway, and not have to spend too much. Where is this, your asking? Right in your own backyard. Or in the local park where your able to camp. Get a tent, airbeds, and roast marshmallows. We did something similar to this when we were younger, we had a log cabin we went to once, and we roasted marshmallows, and went horseback riding, and it was so much fun. I think this would be good for all kids. Get away from the TV, even though we really love Phineas and Ferb. Get away from the video games, even though ModNation Racers is way too much fun. And just be out doors. Breathe in fresh air, enjoy nature at its finest. Enjoy the times of OUR childhood when it felt like it was much simpler. Where it wasn't scary to let the kids play outside till the street lights came on (that was my curfew as a kid). Let the kids have the fun that we wish they would have today, play tag, and hide and seek, and duck duck goose. Let the kids be kids, outdoors in nature.
So, what are you going to do this summer? Share, I want to know!
"I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here."
Monday, May 23, 2011
Summer getaways
1 comment:
I have always wanted to go to Niagara- we are from Cairns Australia and are living the family tropical life in paradise!ReplyDelete
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Binghamton, city, seat (1806) of Broome county, south-central New York, U.S. It lies at the confluence of the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers, near the Pennsylvania border, 75 miles (121 km) south of Syracuse. With Johnson City and Endicott, it forms the Triple Cities. Settled in 1787 at the site of an Iroquois village (Ochenang), it was first known as Chenango Point and was later named for William Bingham, who owned land tracts on both sides of the Susquehanna. Laid out in 1800, the village prospered after the Chenango and Erie canals were linked in 1837 and the Erie Railroad arrived in 1848. Its transportation advantages encouraged industrial development. Leading manufactures of the area include photo supplies, machinery, and electronic equipment; book composition, printing, and binding also are important. Dairy, livestock, and poultry industries augment the economy. In 1946 Broome Community College and the State University of New York at Binghamton (Binghamton University) were opened. The city's Roberson Center is a museum complex (arts, science, and history) and includes a planetarium and civic theatre. Binghamton is the home of two operating wood-carved carousels from the 1920s. Inc. village, 1834; city, 1867. Pop. (2000) 47,380; Binghamton Metro Area, 252,320; (2010) 47,376; Binghamton Metro Area, 251,725.
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Apprenticeship Software Developer Apprenticeship (Level 3)
Job Description
Software Developer Apprenticeship – Level 3
Location: Glasgow
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- BCS Systems Development Essentials
How to Apply
Apply for this Job
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text:
With cold storms brewing in the East Coast (meanwhile I haven't seen a flake of snow on my island in the Pacific Northwest) and St. Valentine's on the way...
I wanted to heat things up this week!
Thank you to Rebecca Hamilton for giving me permission to share my favorite scene from The Forever Girl and to Winter Blogger Book Fair authors Isabella Sinclair, T.M. Franklin, and SJ Byrne.
Now let's get toasty!
TheForever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton
The seduction of the music wound around us, sinking into my skin and pressing us closer. Each bass note reverberated along my spine, playing over every nerve in my body, and every time his hand grazed a new place on my skin, my want for control melted away, replaced by my desire to return his touch. He trailed his finger across my collarbone, over my shoulder, down my arm.
Soon, the music muffled beneath a cottony sensation in my head. His hands slid up my waist, over my ribs, his thumbs barely grazing the sides of my breasts. My breath caught in my throat, and I smiled nervously.
His jeans rubbed against the bottom of my dress and my bare legs, and the heat there spread over my thighs. All I could hear was Mother's voice, telling me that this type of dancing was a sin. An invitation to Satan himself.
OLLY by Isabella Sinclair
(Note to readers: This is an erotica title)
In the distance, the deep rumble of a motorcycle engine sliced through the soundless night. Flushed with sexual heat but shivering from the cool morning air, I waited anxiously for him to arrive. The beam of his headlight flashed as he turned the corner, and my heart skipped a beat. Covered from head to toe in black, Olly was the sexiest thing I'd seen all night. Fairly bouncing from one foot to the other, I watched him slip off the bike with the grace of a dancer, and purred from the heat pooling in the center of my body. He turned me inside out just by being near. Hotter than ever, our mutual attraction pulled us together like magnets. Having been unfairly starved for a woman's attention for too long, Olly devoured me through my lips, kissing, nipping, and sucking his way through my defenses.
MORE by T.M. Franklin
He straightened, and Ava gasped as he met her eyes in the mirror, half his face covered with shaving cream. He jumped slightly in surprise, whipping around to face her.
Oh, she thought. His chest.
Her eyes raked down his body involuntarily, taking in the sharply chiseled muscle with unabated interest. He was absolutely—incredibly—perfect.
My Butterfly by SJ Byrne
Taking another step forward, Katherine paused as Brandubh turned to face her. His hands pushed through his thick dark hair, so that it stood up in spots and as his gaze focused on her; for that brief moment he became one with the mystical force surrounding them.
"Will ye follow me, Kat?" His voice was low, and the vibration of it caressed secret things buried deep within her core being.
"Where are you taking me?" The air around her stirred to life as he stepped closer with his hand held out for her to grab onto.
"Will ye follow?"
Brandubh took hold of her trembling fingers and used them to propel her forward, only letting go of her hand when they stood close enough that she could feel his breath upon her skin. Cupping her face between his hands, his thumb lightly stroked her bottom lip as his eyes bored into hers, not pushing nor demanding, just asking "will ye?"
Katherine closed her eyes to block out the intensity of what he made her feel just by looking at her. She knew the warmth of him as his hands held her, and his body stood near enough for her to lean into if she dared. She wanted to give in and follow wherever he led. It felt right that they'd found themselves together at long last. Her eyes opened with deliberate slowness, so that he reformed before her in segments: legs, hips, torso, shoulders, neck, and finally his handsome face and fathomless ice blue eyes. The strength of her decision flowed from her as she swallowed every detail before asking a final time, "where?"
They both knew she would follow him wherever he chose to go.
"Intae the rabbit hole, of course."
If you enjoyed these excerpts, make sure to check out the fun thrills in Ready. Set. Action!
For more information about these authors and more, check out the wonderful directory pages at the Blogger Book Fair site and if you're a blogger or writer, sign up for July's fair.


text: CountdownNews Top Post Today: 5 Nigerians who transitioned from being men to women (With Photos) January 1, 2017 0 1013 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Add us on BBM to Get Daily Updates - Pin: D62DA57D Nigerian who transitioned from being men to women – It's no longer news that some men around the globe are now transitioning into women which we believe you know one of the most popular transgender 'Caitlyn Jenner', oh! you don't know him/her?? then you must be living under a social media rock. Well our Nigerian men are tired of remaining men as they've shown us that they prefer being and living as women and here is a list of 5 Nigerian men who've transitioned into women. Prev1 of 6NextClick Next To Continue Reading This Post


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Results 1 to 4 of 4
07-10-08, 18:06 #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Posts
- 186
Unanswered: Advice: Where to check for duplicates
Lets say I have a proc
PROC addAuthor( @name varchar ) BEGIN IF EXISTS (SELECT * FROM authors WHERE author_name = @name ) BEGIN RAISEERROR('not allowed two authors with same name') RETURN END INSERT INTO authors(author_name) values(@name) END
Would it be better if I did that check within a TRIGGER for that table?? Or is it fine where I have it?
07-10-08, 18:49 #2SQL Consultant
- Join Date
- Apr 2002
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
- Posts
- 20,002
so it looks like you run a SELECT, followed (in most cases) by an INSERT
let's say the odds of a dupe are 3%
so out of every 100 attempts, 97 successfully insert, and, in total, you are doing 197 database operations
the alternate strategy is to let the database detect the dupes
in total, this method does 100 database operations
this is almost twice as efficient!!
all you need to do is declare a UNIQUE constraint, do not to the initial SELECT (the database will do it for you) and trap the error if a dupe is detected
neat, eh?
rudy.ca | @rudydotca
Buy my SitePoint book: Simply SQL
07-11-08, 10:34 #3Registered User
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- Jan 2008
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- 186
Thanks! I've put that on my tables and was able to remove that check condition from my stored procedures
07-14-08, 05:28 #4Registered User
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Posts
- 62
You also have to consider that in a multi-user environment, what is true at one point in time is not necessarily true at another. Doing it your way there is always an outside chance of the uniqueness changing between the check & the insert. No such problems with a UC.