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2:31 pm
Tue October 16, 2012
The End of Men: A ConversationWwith Hanna Rosin
Few books have been more discussed this year than Hanna Rosin's, "The End of Men: And the Rise of Women." Through reams of data and cultural arguments, she argues that women have been eclipsing men in the workplace because they're more adaptable and communicative in a changing, information-based economy.
But is this ultimately a good thing for women? Has it made them happier? Have they finally achieved an equal status with men in the workplace? And....what about the future of men?
I discussed these questions with Hanna Rosin, who recently spoke at the Louisville Free Public Library.


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Notes from the Collaborative
A Note from the Collaborative Director
Defining Collaboration: Collaborative Undergraduate Research Across the Disciplines
Collaborative Opportunities
Research and Academic Travel Funding Opportunities
Academic Travel Award Recipients
Celebrating Student and Faculty/Staff Collaborations
Student Profiles
Important Dates
Mar. 25, 2011 Collaborative Summer-Fall Grant applications due
Mar. 31 - Apr. 2, 2011 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
Apr. 18, 2011 Collaborative Continuation Grant applications due
May 2, 2011 Student Academic Travel Grant and Attendee Grant applications due
Four scholars explain what collaborative undergraduate research entails in their academic disciplines.
The Humanities
research in the humanities and fine arts allows students to conduct in-depth
research that develops their scholarly voice and ability to think critically
from one or more disciplinary perspectives.
Students work individually with a faculty member who helps them identify
and navigate useful scholarship on their topic, apply research methods
appropriate to the field, and guides their exploration into a particular
topic. As students focus their research,
they learn to synthesize existing theory and scholarship with their own ideas
to produce innovative, original scholarship that contributes to the body of
knowledge within their field of inquiry.
- Brad Ellis, Assistant Professor of Spanish at St. Norbert College
The Natural Sciences
The undergraduate research
experience in the natural sciences incorporates students in meaningful ways into a professor's ongoing research projects or
areas of specialization. These student-faculty
mentor teams are engaged in original research with the goal of developing new
knowledge while integrating and reinforcing a student's current knowledge from
formal course and/or lab work. This
apprenticeship allows students to participate in the process of science in a
meaningful and personal way as they experience the joy of discovering something
new about the physical world. These
opportunities often help students clarify the right career path for them to
pursue and improve their written and oral communication skills. For faculty members who give their time and
energies to this process, the ideal student researcher will add data to the
overall project advancing the professor's research agenda while also informing
the professor's approach to teaching.
- Kari Cunningham, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at St. Norbert College, and David
Hunnicutt, Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Norbert College
The Social Sciences
social sciences division at St. Norbert College is proud of the many creative
ways we meet the needs of students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal
growth. One of the ways the faculty in the division strives to connect with the
students is through undergraduate research opportunities. Using multiple
projects throughout our various departments, students are using critical
thinking, research, and analysis to create new learning and applications.
Research is a hallmark of the
social sciences and the experiences that we facilitate with our students are
designed to build and maintain positive social change, deeper understandings,
and foster collaborative networks. By embedding authentic research opportunities
with the undergraduate students, the social sciences division hopes to kindle
the type of research passion that is that is the core for an effective scholar.
This type of research provides our community with a connection to learning and
research that cannot be created only through individual efforts.
The social sciences division
looks forward to continuously working in undergraduate research opportunities
with our St. Norbert College students. We are passionately pursuing
collaborative research and learning opportunities for all.
- Scott Kirst, Assistant Professor of Education at St. Norbert College
St. Norbert Collaborative
Phone: (920) 403-3147 Fax: (920) 403-4086 E-mail: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Aug. 1, 2012
The Good
- Support for Chrome features across devices
- Tight integration with Google services
- Web search from the address bar
- Performance on par with Safari
The Bad
- Not really a new browser--just Safari with a new interface
- Can't be your default browser
The Price
Here's an app riddle for you: When is Google's Chrome web browser not really Chrome? Answer: When it's on the iOS.
When Google released a version of its popular Chrome browser for the iOS, it was big news--a major desktop browser coming to compete with Safari. But, thanks to Apple rules that restrict what kind of software can be used to build web browser apps, this version of Chrome isn't the Chrome you know from your desktop or laptop. But does that make it bad? I say no, and that Chrome is the first browser app that could truly replace Safari on the iPhone.
Under Chrome's Hood: Safari
Safari and Chrome share a lot, even on the desktop. That's because Chrome is built on Apple's WebKit HTML rendering engine. Apple developed WebKit when it built Safari and then open-sourced it, allowing any other company to use the technology to build their own browsers for free. Google did that when they created Chrome.
Because of that, it's not a big surprise to discover that the browsers are about even in speed. As I do with all browsers apps, I compared the speeds of the two apps loading the desktop versions of the same five websites. The speed is in seconds, with Safari listed first:
- Apple.com: 3 vs. 4
- CNN.com: 6 vs. 7
- ESPN.com: 6 vs. 5
- Hoopshype.com/rumors.html: 6 vs. 7
- iPod.about.com: 4 vs. 3
As you can see, the browsers' performance isn't identical on each site, but on average it's so close as to be roughly indistinguishable.
What Sets Chrome Apart?
If they're basically the same apps at their core, then what's the point of having and using Chrome? The interface and integration with Google technologies and services.
The Chrome app supports your existing Google account, so if you sign into that, you're able to import Chrome bookmarks from your desktop or laptop. This is a nice touch if you're already a Chrome user. I'm not, and would have loved a way to import my Safari bookmarks into Chrome on the iPhone (though that could be done on the desktop and then brought to the app).
Google's presence plays an even bigger role when it comes to search. Unlike in Safari, you won't find a dedicated search box. Instead, search is integrated into the address bar. Begin typing there and you'll get suggestions, sites from your bookmarks, and the ability to search at Google for what you're typing. Don't like Siri? You can use Google Voice Search to search the web instead of typing.
Another major way that Chrome's interface is different from Safari's is the presence of features and settings in the app, rather than in the iOS' Settings app. This makes accessing and using those features much easier. For instance, you can turn on private browsing (called Incognito here) from the menu, making it much more usable than Safari's, which requires a trip to Settings and back.
This feature, and many others (the ability to request the desktop version of a site being another useful one) are contained in Chrome's one menu. This menu is also where you bookmark sites, reload them, create new tabs, email pages, and more. While I like not having to go to Settings to turn on some of these features, putting them all in a single menu makes for a crowded space that requires a lot of tapping.
No Default Choice
One other drawback of Chrome that isn't Google's fault, but should be mentioned, is that you can't make Chrome your default browser app. That's because Apple doesn't let you change your default apps on the iOS. This means that even if you use Chrome 99% of the time on your device, tapping a link in an email, tweet, or Facebook post will take you to Safari, not Chrome.
As I mentioned, this drawback can't be laid at Google's feet--and it's a policy Apple really ought to change; the argument in favor of it (a unified and consistent user experience) isn't strong enough--but it will affect your use of Chrome on iOS.
The Bottom Line
If you like Safari, you're going to like Chrome. That's axiomatic for a pair of apps that share so much DNA. In day-to-day use, you're not likely to find much performance difference between them. The argument in favor of Chrome really comes down to your preference for its interface versus Safari's and how many of Google's other services you use. If you're a heavy user of Google services, you'll find things to like here.
It's important and exciting to have a major alternative to Safari on iOS. It would be even better if Google could include some of its own technology (like its JavaScript rendering engine) to create some real competition.


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Sat, July 26 9:00 on ESPN
Instead of lamenting how "cheating pays," why not pay players? It's American. Column »
The game is live. It's time to get your league ready and to start drafting.
It's not just all cycling at the Tour de France, as fans and riders alike take time for fun and relaxation. Gallery
Gennady Golovkin faces his most difficult test in Saturday's bout vs. Daniel Geale. Can he win? Dan Rafael »
While the Chiefs needed Jamaal Charles in camp, the opposite holds just as true. Adam Teicher »
Raiders: Schaub is still confident. Gutierrez »
Broncos: Camp report: Day 1 » Camp dates »
Roger Goodell will regret the soft Ray Rice decision if the NFL's female fan base tunes out. Mina Kimes »
The Lakers are on the verge of hiring Byron Scott. What does this mean for the team's future? 5-on-5 »
Watch and participate with "SportsNation" TV weekdays on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. ET.


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TMI alert! Actress Susan Sarandon recently revealed that she had problems conceiving until she paid a visit to Rome's iconic Spanish Steps.
The 65-year-old actress, who has a 26-year-old daughter Eva Amurri, admitted she was diagnosed with severe endometriosis,and struggled to get pregnant.
Sarandon said, "If anyone out there's having trouble getting pregnant, go to Italy. Have a summer and don't worry about it and eat and drink and … f**k, and you'll probably get pregnant. And that's what happened with Eva on the Spanish Steps".
Susan talked about her diagnosis as a young woman, saying she was devastated to hear she might not be able to have a child.
The actress revealed her pregnancy struggle…and interesting story on finally conceiving, during a chat with Alan Cumming on "Lucid Conversations".read more


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Tag Archives: tobin ortenblad
Owen wins 7th Junior Title
Posted on 08. Jan, 2012 by lyne.
Logan Owen (Team Redline) made it seven junior national titles in a row when he dominated the Men Junior 17/18 race at the USA Cyclocross National Championships on Thursday. "It was great, I felt smooth on the course, I was making sure to pit every lap and get a clean bike so nothing broke down. […]


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SAN DIEGO — "Cookin' at the Cookery" doesn't produce a totally substantial meal, but it generally satisfies. Written, directed and choreographed by Marion J. Caffey, it's the song-spangled chronicle of Alberta Hunter, the blues singer who is legendary among musicians but less known outside that world, despite her decades of accomplishments.
Born in 1895, Hunter left Memphis for Chicago at a young age to be a singer. She reached stardom in South Side "colored" nightclubs, then moved to New York and even more success in recordings, clubs and stage shows.


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Nomura: the great sales and trading experiment
18 Mar 2014
Take a walk around Nomura's giant trading floor on the third level of its London office off Upper Thames Street and it soon becomes clear that its make-up is a microcosm of the changing nature of the bank's markets business.
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Most Read
Most Emailed
Dividends divide UBS and Deutsche
As banks aim to clear a certain capital base, it is dividends that are uncertain. Any penalties will eat into capital and threaten payouts
From The Wall Street Journal


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Submitted by Alice Ackerman M.D. on
On Monday night I watched the latest episode of the medical series "House" on Fox. I watch this program for amusement, and to some extent because it annoys my twenty-somethng daughter to hear me discount many of the thought processes the "team" is supposedly engaging in to demonstrate how smart they are. This week, for example they tried to "rule out lead poisoning" by sending someone out to the patient's home to look for something she might have been exposed to. I know this is good TV, but it is VERY BAD medicine.
As an inpatient pediatrician, I and my colleagues are often presented with patients who have problems that are not easily diagnosed. Sometimes, when I have been caring for a child with such an illness, a parent will say to me: "We wish you were Doctor House." At which point I usually engage them in a conversation about what they expect from their physician. I point out all the bad and inappropriate behaviors demonstrated on the show, and tell them that I have spent most of my professional life trying to act in a professional and respectful manner.
I had many issues with this week's episode, and it is certainly NOT my intent to write a critique of the series, or spend too much of your time recounting what went on. What I really would like is to see comments from the readers (and I know that there are several hundred of you reading this) about what you expect from your physician, in terms of ability to make the correct diagnosis, but also in terms of behavior and professionalism--with patients, with families and with colleagues.
I look forward to reading your comments.
Amy Kryder replied on Permalink
Alice, I read this post as I am logging onto the medical record system and answering emails through "My Chart" from patients that were sent on Friday night and saturday.
My children and husband are enjoying a cartoon together after Sunday dinner and I have my lap top.
What do I value in a physician and therefore try to provide? Personal touch and relationship. It is only through this therapeutic relationship that I think that physicans and families can come to the "right" answer and plan of action. Medicine is not black and white or test book. All decisions must be made in context based on the best available informationship and desires of the family. In primary care, physicians who know their families and patients are much better therapeutic healers.
Michael H. Hart, MD replied on Permalink
I agree. I believe professionalism in medicine, especially in pediatrics, is a declining art. Professionalism holds us all to a higher level of behavior and I believe we all need to act as role models for each other, our patients, and their families. Being professional to everyone you encounter is just the right thing to do. The media often would like to take medical professionals down as they would have taken a crooked politician down. It makes good TV to see the cranky "House" type doctor, but I wouldn't want that type of physician caring for my family
Alice Ackerman M.D. replied on Permalink
The other piece that I objected to during this particular episode, and which occurs during most episodes, is the way in which the new member of the team was treated; eventually intimidated to the point that she quit; feeling stupid and undervalued. Was it significant that she was a woman, or would a new male member be treated as poorly. Certainly we have seen the good Dr. House treat all of his underlings with contempt, but to me, as a woman in medicine, the depiction of the new member as pretty but dumb was really insulting to me.


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Blog History
Member Since November 2008, 861 forum posts, 27 public projects
Location: Netherlands
PeaNut Number: 400145
You are viewing a single post. Click here to visit Scarlett_m2002's Blog
Creating Cards
Hello everybody!!
I am starting a new series on creating cards in the hope that I do not completely embarrass myself. I will create a video every week and it will be available to you every Wednesday evening.
I used kraft cardstock as the base of this card and BasicGrey Nook&Pantry collection pack. Here is a complete list of supplies:
Kraft Cardstock
BasicGrey Nook&Pantry
Bazzil cardstock
Thank You stamp
Chalk Ink - Chestnut Brown
1/21/2010 2:01:01 PM | Comments (3) | Send a Message (PeaMail) | Vote for this Tutorial
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function [f,p,cvg,iter,corp,covp,covr,stdresid,Z,r2]= leasqr(x,y,pin,F,{stol,niter,wt,dp,dFdp,options}) Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear regression of f(x,p) to y(x). Version 3.beta Optional parameters are in braces {}. x = vector or matrix of independent variables. y = vector or matrix of observed values. wt = statistical weights (same dimensions as y). These should be set to be proportional to (sqrt of var(y))^-1; (That is, the covariance matrix of the data is assumed to be proportional to diagonal with diagonal equal to (wt.^2)^-1. The constant of proportionality will be estimated.); default = ones( size (y)). pin = vec of initial parameters to be adjusted by leasqr. dp = fractional increment of p for numerical partial derivatives; default = .001*ones(size(pin)) dp(j) > 0 means central differences on j-th parameter p(j). dp(j) < 0 means one-sided differences on j-th parameter p(j). dp(j) = 0 holds p(j) fixed i.e. leasqr wont change initial guess: pin(j) F = name of function in quotes or function handle; the function shall be of the form y=f(x,p), with y, x, p of the form y, x, pin as described above. dFdp = name of partial derivative function in quotes or function handle; default is 'dfdp', a slow but general partial derivatives function; the function shall be of the form prt=dfdp(x,f,p,dp,F[,bounds]). For backwards compatibility, the function will only be called with an extra 'bounds' argument if the 'bounds' option is explicitely specified to leasqr (see dfdp.m). stol = scalar tolerance on fractional improvement in scalar sum of squares = sum((wt.*(y-f))^2); default stol = .0001; niter = scalar maximum number of iterations; default = 20; options = structure, currently recognized fields are 'fract_prec', 'max_fract_change', 'inequc', 'bounds', and 'equc'. For backwards compatibility, 'options' can also be a matrix whose first and second column contains the values of 'fract_prec' and 'max_fract_change', respectively. Field 'options.fract_prec': column vector (same length as 'pin') of desired fractional precisions in parameter estimates. Iterations are terminated if change in parameter vector (chg) relative to current parameter estimate is less than their corresponding elements in 'options.fract_prec' [ie. all (abs (chg) < abs (options.fract_prec .* current_parm_est))] on two consecutive iterations, default = zeros(). Field 'options.max_fract_change': column vector (same length as 'pin) of maximum fractional step changes in parameter vector. Fractional change in elements of parameter vector is constrained to be at most 'options.max_fract_change' between sucessive iterations. [ie. abs(chg(i))=abs(min([chg(i) options.max_fract_change(i)*current param estimate])).], default = Inf*ones(). Field 'options.inequc': cell-array containing up to four entries, two entries for linear inequality constraints and/or one or two entries for general inequality constraints. Initial parameters must satisfy these constraints. Either linear or general constraints may be the first entries, but the two entries for linear constraints must be adjacent and, if two entries are given for general constraints, they also must be adjacent. The two entries for linear constraints are a matrix (say m) and a vector (say v), specifying linear inequality constraints of the form `m.' * parameters + v >= 0'. If the constraints are just bounds, it is suggested to specify them in 'options.bounds' instead, since then some sanity tests are performed, and since the function 'dfdp.m' is guarantied not to violate constraints during determination of the numeric gradient only for those constraints specified as 'bounds' (possibly with violations due to a certain inaccuracy, however, except if no constraints except bounds are specified). The first entry for general constraints must be a differentiable vector valued function (say h), specifying general inequality constraints of the form `h (p[, idx]) >= 0'; p is the column vector of optimized paraters and the optional argument idx is a logical index. h has to return the values of all constraints if idx is not given, and has to return only the indexed constraints if idx is given (so computation of the other constraints can be spared). If a second entry for general constraints is given, it must be a function (say dh) which returnes a matrix whos rows contain the gradients of the constraint function h with respect to the optimized parameters. It has the form jac_h = dh (vh, p, dp, h, idx[, bounds]); p is the column vector of optimized parameters, and idx is a logical index --- only the rows indexed by idx must be returned (so computation of the others can be spared). The other arguments of dh are for the case that dh computes numerical gradients: vh is the column vector of the current values of the constraint function h, with idx already applied. h is a function h (p) to compute the values of the constraints for parameters p, it will return only the values indexed by idx. dp is a suggestion for relative step width, having the same value as the argument 'dp' of leasqr above. If bounds were specified to leasqr, they are provided in the argument bounds of dh, to enable their consideration in determination of numerical gradients. If dh is not specified to leasqr, numerical gradients are computed in the same way as with 'dfdp.m' (see above). If some constraints are linear, they should be specified as linear constraints (or bounds, if applicable) for reasons of performance, even if general constraints are also specified. Field 'options.bounds': two-column-matrix, one row for each parameter in 'pin'. Each row contains a minimal and maximal value for each parameter. Default: [-Inf, Inf] in each row. If this field is used with an existing user-side function for 'dFdp' (see above) the functions interface might have to be changed. Field 'options.equc': equality constraints, specified the same way as inequality constraints (see field 'options.inequc'). Initial parameters must satisfy these constraints. Note that there is possibly a certain inaccuracy in honoring constraints, except if only bounds are specified. _Warning_: If constraints (or bounds) are set, returned guesses of corp, covp, and Z are generally invalid, even if no constraints are active for the final parameters. If equality constraints are specified, corp, covp, and Z are not guessed at all. Field 'options.cpiv': Function for complementary pivot algorithm for inequality constraints, default: cpiv_bard. No different function is supplied. OUTPUT VARIABLES f = column vector of values computed: f = F(x,p). p = column vector trial or final parameters. i.e, the solution. cvg = scalar: = 1 if convergence, = 0 otherwise. iter = scalar number of iterations used. corp = correlation matrix for parameters. covp = covariance matrix of the parameters. covr = diag(covariance matrix of the residuals). stdresid = standardized residuals. Z = matrix that defines confidence region (see comments in the source). r2 = coefficient of multiple determination, intercept form. Not suitable for non-real residuals. References: Bard, Nonlinear Parameter Estimation, Academic Press, 1974. Draper and Smith, Applied Regression Analysis, John Wiley and Sons, 1981.
The following code
% Define functions leasqrfunc = @(x, p) p(1) * exp (-p(2) * x); leasqrdfdp = @(x, f, p, dp, func) [exp(-p(2)*x), -p(1)*x.*exp(-p(2)*x)]; % generate test data t = [1:10:100]'; p = [1; 0.1]; data = leasqrfunc (t, p); rnd = [0.352509; -0.040607; -1.867061; -1.561283; 1.473191; ... 0.580767; 0.841805; 1.632203; -0.179254; 0.345208]; % add noise % wt1 = 1 /sqrt of variances of data % 1 / wt1 = sqrt of var = standard deviation wt1 = (1 + 0 * t) ./ sqrt (data); data = data + 0.05 * rnd ./ wt1; % Note by Thomas Walter
: % % Using a step size of 1 to calculate the derivative is WRONG !!!! % See numerical mathbooks why. % A derivative calculated from central differences need: s % step = 0.001...1.0e-8 % And onesided derivative needs: % step = 1.0e-5...1.0e-8 and may be still wrong F = leasqrfunc; dFdp = leasqrdfdp; % exact derivative % dFdp = dfdp; % estimated derivative dp = [0.001; 0.001]; pin = [.8; .05]; stol=0.001; niter=50; minstep = [0.01; 0.01]; maxstep = [0.8; 0.8]; options = [minstep, maxstep]; global verbose; verbose = 1; [f1, p1, kvg1, iter1, corp1, covp1, covr1, stdresid1, Z1, r21] = ... leasqr (t, data, pin, F, stol, niter, wt1, dp, dFdp, options);
Produces the following output
Least Squares Estimates of Parameters 1.00504 0.10259 Correlation matrix of parameters estimated 1.00000 0.57454 0.57454 1.00000 Covariance matrix of Residuals 2.6477e-03 9.7403e-04 3.5832e-04 1.3182e-04 4.8494e-05 1.7840e-05 6.5629e-06 2.4144e-06 8.8820e-07 3.2675e-07 Correlation Coefficient R^2 0.99832 95% conf region: F(0.05)(2,8)>= delta_pvec.'*Z*delta_pvec Z = 1.8909e+02 -1.2096e+03 -1.2096e+03 2.3441e+04
and the following figure
|Figure 1
The following code
%% Example for linear inequality constraints. %% model function: F = @ (x, p) p(1) * exp (p(2) * x); %% independents and dependents: x = 1:5; y = [1, 2, 4, 7, 14]; %% initial values: init = [.25; .25]; %% other configuration (default values): tolerance = .0001; max_iterations = 20; weights = ones (1, 5); dp = [.001; .001]; % bidirectional numeric gradient stepsize dFdp = "dfdp"; % function for gradient (numerical) %% linear constraints, A.' * parametervector + B >= 0 A = [1; -1]; B = 0; % p(1) >= p(2); options.inequc = {A, B}; %% start leasqr, be sure that 'verbose' is not set global verbose; verbose = false; [f, p, cvg, iter] = ... leasqr (x, y, init, F, tolerance, max_iterations, ... weights, dp, dFdp, options)
Produces the following output
f = 1.1536 2.1451 3.9891 7.4179 13.7941 p = 0.62034 0.62034 cvg = 1 iter = 7
and the following figure
|Figure 1
Package: optim


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Deep Down to feature an infinite number of randomly generated dungeons
Capcom has revealed their ambitious plans for the PS4-exclusive free-to-play dungeon crawler Deep Down.
The game was full revealed at this year's TGS and it has distinct Dark Soulsy feel to it. The majority of the gameplay will be made up by players diving into randomly generated dungeons.
In a new post on Facebook Capcom has revealed that their plan is for the game to feature an infinite number of randomly generated dungeons
The design team has been working on a new system that uses what they call and "include as intended" strategy that will generate the entire environment from the size and shape of rooms to the placement of items and traps at random.


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February 23, 2005
with a Banjo-lin on my knee
Sunday I went down to the Brookdale Guitar show where my old housemate and friend Jon Francis was giving a seminar on homemade instruments.
Accompanied by drummer Tom Bendel he demonstrated several instruments that he had created or modified using some common and some uncommon parts. His creations were received enthusiastically by the crowd, and he introduced and explained each with humor and insight. And even a little history of homemade musical instruments for good measure.
Among the instruments presented were modified banjos, a stringed box, a string cookie tin, a washtub bass, an approximation of a chinese stringed instrument fashioned from a cigar box, and a tension hoop strung with rubber bands.
Jon and Tom went into a couple of instrumentals to showcase each of the instruments. crazy loopy riffs, layered one on top of the other with the aid of a small amplifier and a digital delay.
I didn't really know what to expect coming down to see it all on Sunday, but I trust Jon to be entertaining and informative in each and every endeavor. And so, as usual, I was really impressed with everything I saw. Good stuff. Good stuff.
Jon plays and records with the band Like Moving Insects all along the east coast.
Pictured here are the Banjo-lin (above) and a washtub bass.


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First let me say that I'm almost teary eyed that I finally found people that understand what this entails. Next let me make perfectly clear - I HATE THEM! It's been about 3 months since the "procedure" and I've accepted this is now my life but doesn't make me like it any better. I had 10 teeth pulled on the upper on the Monday and was without till the Friday. Went through the pain and sores and everything ya'all did too -I had "final" fitting about a week ago. My dentist has been wonderful and I've met him at the office so many times at 7am for adjustments but nothing seems to make them feel better or fit better. I've lost 30 lbs and 2 clothes sizes in this time frame ( silver lining?) but it has not been worth it. I'm so sick of soft food I could scream - I still gag with all the glue goop - I'm tryng to sleep with them but gums really hurt in the mornings and the bottom few teeth gouge the top gums if I sleep without them.
I'm going to read every posting on here - maybe someone has "something" that will work. I actually found the web site looking for sample stuff, thinking maybe it is the glue that is the problem. It holds pretty good in the am but by mid afternoon they have dropped down.
I could go onand on - but you all have been through this so you know what I'm going through. Any and all advise would be very greatly appreciated
(from lcniles)
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lI am so sorry to hear what you are going through! I am still a newbie, so I don't have any answers. I just wanted to say that I feel for you! I had 8 pulled on top 4 days ago, and a full upper denture put in the same day. I only have a partial on the bottom since I got to keep my 7 teeth in the front on the bottom. But my dentist told me to take out all the fake teeth at night, and my original bottom teeth touch the fresh holes on the top, which wakes me up almost with a scream! This is a very difficult thing to get used to , that is for sure. I am amazed at how I can go from being mostly fine one hour, to feeling horrible the next.
(from lngtalsal)
Sorry to hear what you are going through, I am 1 month out yesterday with a full set of immediates put in (19 ext). The 1st week for me was pretty rough but not as bad as I really thought it was going to be. I still have a fulliness feeling with my top dentures and I go back to the dentist on July 7th and I am hoping they will shave some off the top. Try using the Fixodent powder extra hold since it's just for your tops I used it on my bottoms only (I really don't have problems w/top) but I had to switch to Super Poligrip because I wasn't getting that longer hold that I needed.On other sites I go toalot of people highly recommend the powder. I hope this helps! I have alot of people thattells me it just takes time and to keep going back to the dentist for adjustments until you get the fit that is for you. Also I sleep with my dentures out at night I kept waking up with really bad dry mouth, so now I soak them in cleaning solution when I sleep. I really wish you well! I'm sure you'll get there.
(from howardds)
I also had 8 teeth removed on top2 days ago. My doctor said to keep them in over night, but take them out periodically during the day to rinse with salt water. If I kept them out over night the swelling would make it difficult to put them back in. I don't understand why different dentists would issue different instructions. I also feel pretty terrible, but my husband keeps reasuring me that I will look lovely once the swelling goes down.
(from helnschool)
I got my teeth -full uppers and lowers yesterday afternoon. I found taking tylenol keeps my mouth more relaxed and from getting so tired. No real soreness. I am not liking the roof of the mouth being so close to my gag reflex area. Can that be trimmed back at all? I didn't need glue on the top until later in the evening. Then the top shifted a bit and was loose. I rinsed it and dried it and put it back in with a bit of Fixodent. It is holding well yet this afternoon. Swallowing is a trip and a half. I guess that will be better after a few days. Talking was the easy part except the ocassional whistle :) By Friday I will know where I might need any adjustments. The biggest mostivation is looking in the mirror at my smile. It was so ugly before. I am not ashamed to go anywhere in public now.
(from patandfritz)
I am so happy to have found this site!!! Like many of you it has confirmed that "I am not alone"! I had 8 teeth pulled on top back in September and still have 8 natural bottom teeth. I refused to leave the dentist's office with no teeth so my upper plate wasalready made. This was not a smart move! Obviously, the denture was not going to fit after my teeth were pulled and healed. I found out that my insurance would only pay for one set and if I needed another plate I would have to pay for it. When I went back to the dentist she took out my plate and then couldn't get it back in. She didn't like the way it fit and made some adjustments. I continued to have problems and finally after a couple of months she took more impressions and made me another plate at no charge! Bless her heart. After several more adjustments on the 2nd plate she threw in the towel!!Apparently my gums were still changing and healing even after 5 mos. I resigned myself to the fact that this was the way it was going to be and I was going to have to use a lot of adhesive. I hated using the adhesive and I tried many different kinds. It was messy and gagged me and I had trouble getting it all out of my mouth. After talking to so many people that had dentures I didn't expect to have to use adhesives. Their plates all fit with just a "pop" in the mouth! And they never took them out except to clean them. This is what I expected of my new upper plate!! So much for "expectations"! After 7 mos. I still do not have a plate that fits and I do not use the adhesives. My choice! I have gotten somewhat used to the plate but I to feel like I am "all teeth". My upper lip has disappeared and I feel like I look like Ma Kettle!! Of course my family says I look fine. I wear the plate all the time because I am more uncomfortable with out it and my bottom teeth dig into my upper gums. My bottom teeth keep my upper plate from falling out and I have sworn that I will never have my remaining bottom teeth extracted no matter how decade they get. I have medical problems, one of which caused my teeth and all previous dental work to fall out. The fact that I can't eat with my plate in I have to "gum" all of my food and find myself swallowing bites of food whole. Which is not good for my health problems. I have lost about 20 lbs and can not eat a lot of the foods I used to enjoy--so I go without! I am on a fixed income and can not afford another plate. I have not given up hope though! I have been doing some research and have found some dental clinics and dentists that may be able to help me inexpensively. The plate may not be the best but it will be better than what I have now!! I empathize with all of you.
(from sburch98)
I started out using the gel,I hated the ooze.I tried the fixadent powder and was much happier.I hope it gets better for you.
(from rallied3)
Thank you so much for sharing. I am having the exact same problems. Ive had a partial on the bottom for about 2 years but that is nothing compared to the full denture. I also got a taste of life with dentures when I had all but 3 teeth gone on top and have had a partial dentureup there for about 10 months. It was bad but 2 weeks ago I had to have the last 3 teeth pulled now I have a full denture on top and I can't stand it. They never told me the bite strength is only 1/10th of a natural bite. I have to use the goop to keep them up. I am a teacher and the first day they were slipping.Ieat what you eat I don't go out much and I feel like I got a mouth full of plastic. How long did it take for your extractions to heal?
(from wantimplants)
I know your post was back in July. Just read it as I joined group today. Hoping you are doing better. Similar position for me. Have a partial and dentist is steering me towards an upper denture. Am pretty scared. Have read great posts about experiences and some awful ones too. I am also a teacher and that makes it even a bit more scarier. Again - just wanted to see how you were doing and any advice.
Take care.
(from Trekker4)


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Following right after Canada Day is Independence Day in the US. Just try to get anything done at work that week if your company does business mostly across the border and they fall on weekdays. Hummingbird Miniature has an adorable cake and a whole bunch of other perfect pieces for miniature loving folks! These teeny tiny Statue of Liberty minis are just one example.
By Elaine Robitaille
3 Comments so far
Susan on
July 4, 2011 7:50 am
Ah this is too cool. I want a real size cake like that for tonight!!!
Elaine on
July 5, 2011 5:41 pm
oh heck, I want a real size cake like that any day of the year… and I'm not even in the US
Caroline on
August 3, 2011 10:19 pm
If you found out about my teeny tiny Independence Day items via this website then head over to my shop (http://www.HummingbirdMiniature.etsy.com) and message me for a coupon code and you can get an Independence Day item item with a discount. You don't need a dollhouse – looks so cute anywhere!


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I was looking for a way to make my own onion dip, without using packaged onion soup mix (way too many preservatives). After searching various recipes, I adapted them to my own liking. In the end I decided to roast garlic and caramelize onion. There is about 45 minutes of prep work, but it's mostly waiting for the garlic to roast in the oven, and for the onions to slowly caramelize over the stove. In the end, the result was worth it. It's a bit decadent, with calories, but once in a while-- dip in!
|large sweet onion (like Vidalia)
|head of garlic
|olive oil
|teaspoon kosher salt
|cups sour cream
|cup mayonnaise
|teaspoon garlic powder
|teaspoon ground white pepper
|teaspoon kosher salt
|tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
|Instead of the dried spices, use 2-3 tsp of Susie-Q Santa Maria Style seasoning.
For the roasted garlic: Cut the top ⅓ off the head of garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and put in a foil packet. Bake at 350F 45 minutes (or until the cloves are nice and soft). Set aside, and allow to cool; then squeeze each clove to remove the deliciously roasted garlic. It's so sweet! Mash the cloves with a fork. Dice the onion. In a saute pan over medium heat add olive oil, heat and add onions and salt. Cook the onions until they are caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. For the dip: In a bowl, add the sour cream and mayonnaise. Add the roasted garlic, onion and seasonings. Taste, and adjust the seasonings to your own preference. NOTE: Originally, I sliced the onion very thin (rather than dicing them). I didn't like how the onion became one stringy clump at the end-- next time, I'd definitely dice the onions so they are more evenly distributed.
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Latest News
Europe's Strongest Man – Results
Headingley Carnegie stadium, home of the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League team played host to the 2012 Giants Live Europe's Strongest Man contest on Saturday 23rd June. A wildly enthusiastic crowd of 5,000 spectators were treated to an outstanding event from start to finish. With a list of athletes that included six of the ten finalists from WSM 2011, it was the most competitive line-up ever seen on British soil. Twice WSM Zydrunas Savickas was in action, as were the Britons, and 3rd and 4th place WSM finishers Terry Hollands and Laurence Shahlaei. Joining them was the Icelander Thor Bjornsson. Bjornsson was on a fine run of form, having recently taken his national title, winning each of the seven events. The always consistent Serbian Ervin Katona and Lithuanian powerhouse Vytautas Lalas rounded out the WSM finalists from last September. Poland's Krzysztof Radzikowski and Italy's Alex Curletto were also in action, both of whom have WSM experience. The newly crowned Scotland's Strongest Man, Ken Nowicki was present, as were the English duo of UKSM Eddie Hall and Jay Hughes. Four-times the Republic of Ireland's Strongest Man, James Fennelly completed the field at this prestigious event.
With six events tackled in total, including two maximum efforts, the chances of a world record being broken were high given the quality of the men involved. As it transpired, one was indeed surpassed, and that was done in stunning fashion.
The first discipline of the day was the log lift for maximum weight. Savickas' pedigree in the log lift is well documented, but both Radzikowski and Lalas are phenomenal overhead lifters. On this occasion Zydrunas was pushed as hard as he has ever been in this event by his countryman and the Pole. Radzikowski in particular, was unbelievably close to hitting the 216kg mark. Ultimately though, Big Z did what he has been doing for years and took the event, with a world record lift of 216kgs, spurred on by the volume of noise from the huge crowd. What was even more impressive was that, yet again, Savickas still seemed to have strength in reserve if he had needed to go heavier. It was an explosive opening to the day, which had the crowd on their feet.
The deadlift for maximum weight followed almost immediately, and with an opening lift of 360kgs, this was always going to give an indication as to who would be in contention for the overall title. As if any more proof was needed about the calibre of the competitors, eight men all made a lift of 400kgs. More were then eliminated as the weight jumped to 415kgs, and the final lifts of the day were at 433kgs. Shahlaei, Lalas and Radzikowski were not quite up to the task on this day and remained on 415kgs. This left Savickas, who pulled his 433kg lift with relative ease, and took his second consecutive event win.
Following the deadlift, the clear crowd favourite Terry Hollands had to very reluctantly withdraw from the contest due to a serious calf injury. Disappointed as he was, there was no way that the man from Dartford could have continued. As the rain began to fall, event three was the frame carry. The 350kg frame had to be carried down a forty metre course. As at BSM, the width of the frame proved problematic for some, whilst for others it became a sheer test of grip. Shahlaei, who is known for his grip strength, demonstrated this to great effect, and he was the only man to complete the course. The Irishman Fennelly impressed in second place, with Katona edging out Lalas and Savickas. In the overall standings, at the half-way mark, Big Z was leading, with his closest pursuers being Lalas, Shahlaei and Radzikowski.
With the sun shining again, next up was the 185kg shield carry, which was going to be another lung-busting event. On the out and back course, only four men made it beyond the turning point at forty metres. Roared on by the crowd, the giant Icelander Bjornsson was in a class of his own, taking the unwieldy shield a distance of eighty metres. Bjornsson made this look effortless as he wrapped his arms around the shield and motored down the course. This was almost twice as far as Savickas, who took second here.
With two events remaining, it was still Savickas out in front, but with Lalas, Shahlaei and Radzikowski following closely behind. Given the fireworks seen in the first event, the fifth event, the overhead medley promised more of the same. There were three implements to be tackled in the following order: a 96kg giant dumbbell, a 150kg axle and a 120kg metal block. The dumbbell had to be lifted once, the axle twice, and the block once. The three men who dominated the log lift did the same here, and Savickas showed that he is the king of overhead lifting, narrowly pipping Lalas and Radzikowski. Bjornsson and Curletto also deserve praise for completing each of the required lifts.
With one event remaining, it looked certain to be Lithuanian one-two, but which would take the title of 2012 Europe's Strongest Man? With two kegs and two sandbags to be loaded onto the back of the Great Wall Steed S pick up (which was also the prize for the winner of the contest), it would be a matter of which of the competitors had anything left in the tank after a gruelling day. Lalas clearly did have the energy required as he took the win in the event, but Savickas did enough to ensure that he took the title overall.
Given the phenomenal competitors on show it came as no surprise that this contest more than lived up to expectations. There were numerous highlights, ranging from Savickas' tenth world best in the log lift and the battle in the deadlift, through to Shahlaei's blistering frame carry and Bjornsson's imperious shield walk. Another fact that cannot be stated enough was the involvement of the crowd. Although they were there in the main to support the British competitors, every single athlete, whether British or otherwise, was supported and encouraged throughout by the five thousand who were in attendance. This ensured that the atmosphere was completely electric for the entire duration of the day, and was greatly appreciated by all who competed.
For Big Z, it is another title to add to his vast collection and he has earned himself a ninth trip to World's Strongest Man. Lalas and Shahlaei will be joining him at WSM, each hoping that they can capture the biggest prize in strongman. Any who may have questioned whether Savickas still has the hunger to continue at the highest level, fourteen years since his WSM debut, got a decisive response at 2012 Europe's Strongest Man.
Final standings:
Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
Vytautas Lalas (Lithuania)
Laurence Shahlaei (England)
Krzysztof Radzikowski (Poland)
Thor Bjornsson (Iceland)
Ervin Katona (Serbia)
James Fennelly (Ireland)
Eddie Hall (England)


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More than 400 works of art by a celebrated 20th-century Dutch artist have been found in a British warehouse a decade after they disappeared, leaving the artist distraught.
The Guardian: "Karel Appel, a leading expressionist, died at 85 in 2006. He never recovered from the loss of a lifetime's worth of drawings, sketches, notebooks and other works believed to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The warehouse was bought by a UK storage and logistics company before Christmas and, in clearing out the contents, staff came across eight boxes filled with artworks. There was no documentation and it was not until a warehouse employee researched the name Karel Appel, whose notes and signatures appear on most of the works, that the company realised the boxes were worth more than mere salvage.
Unaware of their real significance, but intrigued, a manager took some 30 drawings to Bonhams, the auctioneers, to be valued. To their astonishment, they were told that these were on the Art Loss Register's (ALR) computerised database of "most wanted" stolen art.
Christopher Marinello, ALR's lawyer and chief negotiator, said: "After five weeks of intense negotiation with the logistics company … a settlement was finally reached with the company agreeing to release their claim to the artwork."
Photograph of Karel Appel by Nico Delaive/AP


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Africare News Release
The Honorable Bill Frist, Sr., M.D.
Former Senator Bill Frist, M.D.,
Joins Africare Board of Directors
WASHINGTON, DC, June 11, 2007 — Former Senator William H. Frist, Sr., M.D., was elected to the Africare Board of Directors, effective June 11, 2007, announced Board Chairman W. Frank Fountain today.
"Africare welcomes Senator Frist with great anticipation and in full confidence of his intentions to work for sustainable development in Africa," noted Fountain. "He has been a champion for international development throughout his career and continues with a sincere passion to serve others. That passion and drive for Africa will amplify the similar commitment felt by the entire Africare Board."
Frist brings extensive background in global health and foreign policy to the Africare Board. Born and raised in Nashville, Tenn., Frist received his undergraduate degree in 1974 from Princeton University, where he specialized in health care policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He went on to earn his M.D. at Harvard Medical School. In 1986, he became Director of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center's heart and lung transplantation program — later founding the region's first multi-organ, multidisciplinary transplant center, also at Vanderbilt.
From January 1995 through January 2007, Frist served two terms as a United States Senator (R-Tenn.). He was the first practicing physician since 1938 to serve in the U.S. Senate. He was also the Senate Majority Leader from January 2003 to January 2007: unanimously elected to that post after serving less total time in Congress than any senator ever to hold that office.
As Majority Leader, Frist championed U.S. leadership in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and worked to ensure that access to clean water became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign assistance. He authored the Sudan Peace Act (H.R. 5531) of 2002, which declared the atrocities taking place in that nation to be genocide. In 2006, Frist decided not to run for re-election to the Senate.
Frist strongly supports "using medicine as a currency for peace" and travels to Africa annually on medical mission trips.
With his fellow former Senate Majority Leader, the Honorable Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Frist is also serving as co-chair of Bono's ONE Campaign presidential initiative: ONE Vote '08. According to a June 11, 2007, news release posted on the ONE Vote '08 Web site, "The ONE Campaign launched ONE Vote '08, an unprecedented, high energy, non-partisan campaign to save lives and secure America's future by energizing presidential candidates and ONE's 2.4 million members to make the fight against global extreme poverty a key foreign policy issue in the 2008 presidential election." Africare is ONE Campaign partner organization.


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By Scott Levine
Herald Associate Editor
---- — I must have missed the memo, but when did going to bed become such a battle?
My wife and I don't have the problem. When I lay my head down on the pillow, I'm out, thanks to the exhausting effects of chasing around a 3-year-old girl all day.
However, that toddler seems to have warped into a night owl overnight, thanks to an overabundance of energy circulating through her body.
Despite the sun staying out much later, making it difficult for parents to put children to bed at normal times, we still stay within the 7 to 7:30 p.m. range for lights out. No matter how light it is, we still try to conserve a few hours of quiet time in the house.
Lately, though, when the lights go out, the party is just beginning in my daughter's room.
First off, it's a battle royale to get those lights off. We pick three books each night before bed, and once those are read, it's time for bed. We've done that for the past two years, but for some reason, it's a shock every night when we finish the third book that we're done for the night.
"One more book," she says to me each night. "Mom said I could."
That's interesting. Especially since Mom was the one who instituted the rule. She's only 3, but she's already starting to use my wife and me against each other.
But I've learned my lesson. In the past, I was weak, and let her rule the evening ritual, but not anymore.
She whines, but eventually lays down...for a moment.
Once she's finished asking me to sing every song ever recorded, she has an epiphany that all of sudden she has to use the bathroom. That's odd, especially since she went to the bathroom only a few minutes before.
But she knows how to the play the game. She knows I can't say "no," considering that she might actually have to go.
Finally, after using the restroom one final time and running into the living room to say good night to Mom for the eighth time, it's time for bed.
A few more requests to turn off the fan and to grab Cinderella, and the psychological warfare of going to bed is over...until the sounds of singing sneak through the walls from her room.
A few minutes later, and "Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad," makes its way to my ears, while I'm attempting to relax for an hour. I've tried to wait it out, but she's persistent, and hearing my name uttered over and over again for 10 minutes is tiring.
Once I enter her room to see what her request is, I notice that she's hiding — underneath the sheets with her doll Cinderella.
"Dad, can I tell you a secret?" she asks.
"Sure," I reply.
"Mom is going to cook your hair," she says.
Let that soak in for a moment. The first time she told me that secret, I can safely say that I wasn't expecting that out of her mouth. But for the last few weeks, that's the only secret she has for me, and I'm pretty sure she's told that to other people, so the secret's out.
I believe it's in reference to her watching my wife straighten her hair, but regardless, it's not something I need to know every night around 8 p.m.
Once I "lay down the law" and tell her to shut her eyes, she obliges, until I leave, and the party resumes with her having a detailed conversation with Cinderella. At this point, my wife and I discuss the merits of us going in again, or just letting her run the show and talk herself to sleep.
I can imagine my parents had similar conversations when my brother Jeff and I stayed up all hours of the night talking about sports and whatever else grade-schoolers discuss at night to avoid sleeping.
Just like my parents, we don't give up easily. And for the time being while my wife is pregnant, that means I play the role of bad cop.
Usually by the third trip into party central, she gives up, but not before offering up every excuse in the book, like the clock's ticking is too loud or that the monsters in the closet wouldn't be quiet.
By the end of the night, I convince myself that it could be worse. I could be waking up multiple times in the night to feed and change a baby.
And before I can think about something else, I look at my pregnant wife, and realize that day is coming at any moment.
Scott Levine is the Associate Editor of the Clinton Herald. He can be reached at email@example.com.


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NEW YORK – Ruslan Fedotenko's shot bounced off defenseman John Erskine and into the net behind Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth. The red goal light flashed and the Rangers celebrated – but the green light signifying the end of the second period was also illuminated.
It was about as close as can be to the puck crossing the line with either 0.1 seconds left on the clock or time expiring. After an extensive video review, the NHL replay review crew in Toronto ruled that the official clock at Madison Square Garden had no time left – and so the goal was no good.
Here's the official statement from the NHL:
Video review was used to determine if the puck crossed the line before time expired in the second period. The official burn-in clock on the overhead camera had time expired before the puck crossed the line. No goal.
The officials ruled it a goal on the ice, and the blue-clad crowd at the Garden was more than a little upset at this call. From several looks at the video replay, it was tough to tell whether the puck slid inside the right post before the clock expired.
NBC's broadcast appeared to show 0.1 seconds left, but that wasn't the official clock but rather the network's graphics. The green light behind Washington's net appeared to go on before the puck crossed the line.
The goal would have given New York a 2-1 lead and a ton of momentum going into the third period.


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Open Thread: 2008 vs. 2007By
So here we are again, a few hours away from another game in which the Yanks could sneak above that .500 mark. It's been quite the battle really. Since April 23, the Yankees have been no more than one game above .500, and it seems as though the team has been running in place, waiting that big blow.
For the first few weeks of the season, fans were content enough to compare 2008 to 2007. The Yanks started very slow and made a race of it in the AL East last year before walking away with the Wild Card. So why couldn't they do the same thing this year?
Right now, the Yanks are 33-33, seven games out of first. They're also five games behind Tampa Bay for the Wild Card. Last year, at this point, the Yanks were 34-32, 8.5 games behind the Red Sox and 4.5 games behind the Wild Card-leading Tigers.
So my question for you tonight as we once again await a 10 p.m. start is this: Are the Yankees in a better spot in 2008 than in 2007 or a worse spot?
I'm leaning toward better. The team has a lot more potential than the 2007 version did, and the Yanks are primed to see contributions from some of their young guns soon. Ian Kennedy will return and hopefully throw better; Phil Hughes should be back around August. Derek Jeter won't be so anemic at the plate for the duration of the year, and Cano should get back on track.
But perhaps you disagree. Perhaps you see an aging team with bad contracts and a piecemeal bullpen. Perhaps you see an offense relying too much on Jason Giambi's hot bat and Johnny Damon's fast start. Perhaps you are low on Kennedy and Hughes. But that's why we debate. So have fun; play nice.
60 Comments»
I'd say better as well. The team as a whole needs to hit better, and this is far from a bad hitting team, so give 'em time and we'll see at the allstar break.
Much better. Only five games out, despite a .500 record, a rotation that seems settled, a bullpen that has been very good lately, a revived Giambi, and some intriguing prospects in Scranton that could help tremendously in the next few months. The major worry should be Cano; this is more than just a slump.
they are better off because they have help in the minors that they have not had in yrs. are all these players going to help? NO, but they have enough options that if the Ynkees ever used these guys they could help.
WHY does Melancon, gardner,cox(now hurt) and others never given a chance? hawkins, moeller, and others are taking up spots that young guys who may contribute could fill…
3 yrs ago the minors had virtually no options….they had darrel may, redding, and other old timers… melky the 1st time called up was coming from AA, Gardner has done well at AAA, Melancon is toying with AA, etc…
GIVe the young guys a chance, at least a few of them…
i totally agree. they should call up melancon, robertson, gardner and cox. and get kennedy and hughes their innings when they've recovered.
because honestly…whats the difference between missing the playoffs and getting booted in the first round? Cashman isnt going to come out and say it…but its pretty evident that this year was a regression year to build for 09 and beyond, with the midset that –hey with a few bounces here or there– they can be in the hunt for a ring.
but this offense has been getting shut down by mediocre pitching. i shudder to think what's going to happen when october and the big boys roll around.
dont tank. but keep an ever watchful eye on preparing for a strong 09 and beyond.
"Cashman isnt going to come out and say it…but its pretty evident that this year was a regression year to build for 09 and beyond"
I'm starting to think your right.
If you're taking about the Yankees future as an organization yes their better. But I think the thread is comparing 2007 vs. 2008 not beyond.
I think worse for now. In June 2007 facing similar competition as now the Yankees went on a 9 game winning streak basically saving the season. I just don't see that from this team.
I must admit on paper the 2008 team seems better then the 2007 team, but it just doesn't seem to translate on to the field. I don't know why, but they still have a long way to go.
I have to disagree Mustang. Last year the numbers appear to be better right now but lets remember the path they took. They were at one point 14 games back of the red sox and cut it down to one, its debatable whether if the wild card existed if they would have won the division.
Also this year, Mike Mussina is far outperforming his former self and what Roger Clemens provided. Not to mention that while Andy and Wang have been off for a month, I trust the back of their baseball cards and at least Wang is not at the age to have a tale off. Plus as Ben mentioned the depth is there. I know there are issues with these kids but even if one of the three work out this year and can contribute then this team is light years ahead of last years team and to an extent the years before when they relied on blind luck (also know as Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon).
That combined with the fact that Girardi has demonstrated he knows how to use a bullpen as he is open to using all of these guys, specifically the kids in big spots and for the most part it has worked out.
This team has a huge run in it. We can look at schedule but the bottom line is they can play with anyone in the AL when things are right. They are streaky and inconsistent, a product of playing with a lot of kids in the rotation. BUT, these are the types of teams that get hot for an extended period of time.
2008 is better.
Damon, Giambi and Rivera have been great, Matsui has been very good…. but outside of that, virtually everything has gone wrong. Tons of injuries and guys playing below their potential– Pettitte, Jeter, Cano, Farns, bench, etc. Yet they're only 7 games out. I'm optimistic.
Worse! The division is much tougher. yeah yeah, the rays will come back down to earth, but its going to be much harder to come back than last year. Dont sleep on the blue jays. If they can learn to hit, they will be dangerous. Regardless, they can shut down our off and on offense with ease. We are under 500 against our division. These are not good signs.
Chew on this..
at this time last year we had a +46 run differential, were at .500, and 2nd in the division.
Boston at that time was +81 run differential and were 9.5 games ahead of us.
fast forward to 2008.
Back to this year, we have a -9 run differential, are at .500, and tied for 3rd in the division.
Boston has a +56 run differential and is 7 games ahead of us.
You can say last year we were unlucky to be at 500 with such a positive run differential.
This year we are LUCKY to be at 500 with a negative run differential…
I see no reason to believe we will come back.
Wouldn't your statistical breakdown speak to the pro-2008 argument? If the team has not played to the level of where they were at last year both in the pitching and offensive department but are still just one win shy of the 2007 total then that would make me say we have played worse and are still at the same point. So we are due for a big breakout.
I was more looking at it like, if we keep playing like this, we are going to start dropping below .500 instead of gaining games on the competition.
I'd say better but not because the Yankees themselves, rather the American League itself. There is not one dominant team in the AL, there is no team off to a hot start a la the 2007 Red Sox. I said it a couple days ago and I'm saying it again, the Red Sox are going to suffer a bad streak, a real bad one. They are heading int a part of there schedule where they will play 16 of their next 22 games away from Fenway Park, where they have 14-20 thus far. Every other division leading team in their respective AL divisions have more than a couple red flags to worry about.
I am one to never worry about a team week-to-week or game-by-game until August, late July at the earliest. Right now I just focus on a team month-by-month.
Lastly, this is a bit off-topic but for those of you who have found issues with Joe Girardi's managerial styles and decisions couldn't there be a credible argument to the idea that he is finding out what he has in his team? He is seeing what he can and can not get out of his players? Remember, not only is this his first year as the Yankee skipper but this is only his second year as a skipper in general.
I think the yanks can make the playoffs and really almost no team impresses me.. I think the sux and angels are by far the best teams in the AL..If Melancon is the real deal, if either veras, bruney, edwar, or someone from below can be a reliable 3rd pen option. if jeter and cano hit better then they are this team will be fine.
I expect Joba to be a n upgrade and hope and think Wang and Pettitte can and will pitch better, therefore they can compete for the playoffs..
man what would it be like not to have kyle, latroy, and other dead weight on the roster???
We can dream…
I tend to think worse. I don't know why. I expected them to gel last year and they did. I saw some desperation for it to gel…for them to all get on the same page. I don't see that this year. I just see too many, including Girardi, content to be where they are. I think Moose and Mo have shown some frustration and Andy to some extent but I don't see anyone else getting upset over their bad play.
I notice the offense isn't weighing in except when it comes to Joba. Comon guys let's talk about YOU. You Melky sliding into first. You Giambi muffing the defense. You Robinson Cano hacking at bad pitches and sleeping in the field. You Jeter: what the hell is wrong with you right now? I do have issues with Farnswoth and Hawkins but I find it hard to fault anyone else on the pitching staff. Andy's not playing well and Wang had a bad few games but I never think they're phoning it in. A few of the offense I think is.
I'm having issues with their ability to manufacture runs and get guys home. If they could only do that, it would be a whole different game. But as long as they're content to be where they are and Girardi thinks it's okay, well then we will be fighting for 500 the whole season and end without a shot at the playoffs.
Heh, on Monday's day off we should have an open-thread on how we would fix the New York Mets. That seems to be the biggest storyline in baseball right now, it is just scary bad at this point.
I hope your right Ben, I hope all the other posters are right also. I want to be wrong and I want to eat crow, that said I have to tell you I don't like what I see.
The thing that concerns me most has been the poor play of Cano. He is a big time talent for sure but most of his at bats this year have have been stunning lacking both focus and plate discipline. Where is there any sign he is maturing as a player ready to harnest his potential.
I think the jury is still out on the pitching staff. Mussina's season might be a case of smoke and mirrors with a bad moon rising just off in the distance. I'm not expecting much from Hughes this season, and Kennedy is a real work in progress. Andy could come around (we all hope) and Wong could be on his way to 19 again but I feel he has peaked ( I was one of the few in favor of dealing him and Kennedy for Santana). The bullpen outside of Rivera has a way to go to convince me it's little more than a haphazard operation almost as likely to fail as to get the job done.
If it was my decision I would not retain Brian Cashman, I feel he has to take the brunt of the blame for putting this underwhelming collection of talent on the field.
I hope I'm wrong, but right now I see 85 to 88 wins and an October without pinstripes.
The "…underwhelming collection of talent…" was the very much of the same group of players that was the best team in baseball last season from July till the end of the season.
and they folded like a bad deck of cards in the playoffs. Our ace sucked, Joba was clobbered by midges while Nero Torre fiddled, Jorge — red hot in the regular season was cold as ice as was Jeter. Arod wasn't his usual sucky self in the playoffs but he can't win a game by himself. Andy looked good and Phil and Moose smoked out of the bullpen. Everyone else just sucked.
In some ways I'd prefer for them to stay mediocre and not crush my hopes with a first round exit.
It sure is hard to be a fan. I agree.
According to stats from fangraphs, cano is actually swing at less pitches out of the zone than he did last year. 31% compared to 34%. The problem is that he is making contact 80% of the time compared to 69% last year! Thus the weak ground outs or pop ups instead of just a strike.
To me, these stats are very telling.
So his improvement in his swing is hurting his production, cool.
I'd say better, especially looking at the anemic offense & the untimely hitting/ untimely hitting. It seems when we score runs we don't need them, when we get great pitching we don't score and etc. This is just random lack of luck, and its bound to turn. If Giambi & Damon can keep it up & the other follow they will rip off a streak, and there's enough guys in walk years that you'd expect them to have monster seasons.
And if its not to be there as lot to look forward to
They dont capitalize on good pitching and the old offense doesnt score runs when they need too. I'm pretty close to calling it a season and looking forward to next season. The yankees barely made the playoffs last year and with young teams leading divisions all across the board, all the yankees have are the same old farts in their lineup.
Thats the same cliche about every bad team in the league. They dont score enough runs when they need to, and cant pitch well enough when they dont score runs… I dont think this is areally a bad team, but we are definitely playing badly. I do think there are some changes that need to be made.
1. they need to dfa moeller asap. Since when does rivera not climb the ladder when he has a 0-2. When moeller is catching him…
2. duncan has been figured out by the league. he needs to go
3. we need some speed of the bench. You know the bench is slow when betetmit pinch runs for giambi.
Get real dude, turn off your yankee fan perspective and look at this team. They cannot stay above .500 even if their life depended on it. That typically, is a sign OF A 500 TEAM! 500 teams never make the playoffs.This team needs some new players and quick.
and a new GM, im sick of cashman and his big signings. Did he really think Hawkins was more reliable than the Vizz?
um, viz is injured and sucks. I'm glad we didnt sign Vizz. I am upset about alot of cashmans signings, althought some of them you cant fault.
But how would this team look with Vlad in RF and Beltran in CF. Beltran may suck on the mets, but on a team where he doesnt have to carry the load, i think he can be a great player
You mean the Viz that wanted (and got) a multi year deal and then went on the DL shortly after?
Whoa, I didnt disagree with you in my post. Like i said, if you can apply that cliche to a team, that team is usually bad, or doing badly.
With the players they have (the same players that played to a +700 winning percentage in the second half of last year) they "should" be better than .500. But alot of things need to fall right for that to happen. I agree with you that the team as they are playing this year, sucks. I just havent given up hope completely.
NOOOO albaladejo is done for the season with a stress fracture in his elbow.
That SUCKS.
This is a tough one. You guys may not believe much in run differential, especially at this stage of the season, but i think it may turn out to be a very telling stat. Granted, ALOT of it had to do with Arod's amazing season, but last season even at this point when the Yankees won, they fuckin destroyed teams. Last year the weekend series vs the Royals wouldve been an easy sweep, this season it was 3 1-run games with the Yankees losing 2 of them. Also last season at this time, even though he turned out to be an slightly above average injury-proned starter, the Yankees were sky high with the Clemens signing, and the return of injury from Hughes (coming off his no-hit performance, not the crap he has pitched this season) and the talk about Joba in the minors.
For as poor as Cano and Jeter have hit, Moose and Rasner have been WAY over what anyone expected, and their coming back down to Earth is inevitable which could prove more costly than any offensive resurgence. I think the most important point has nothing to do with the Yankees, as Jamal points out the rest of the AL this season is nothing compared to last season. There is less crap (i.e. Tampa, Texas, Baltimore etc) but not nowhere near as strong at the top. But unlike Jamal, i dont expect a Boston meltdown because quite frankly they are who the Yankees used to be in the late 90′s thru 2004, a team that no matter what just wins games.
But 90 wins should at least get a Wild Card spot most likely, and hopefully Cashman pulls off some 2000 in-season trading magic, even though most of you believe just call-up guys from the minors, but i seriously believe if this team is to make the playoffs, they will need to make moves like in 2000 or the Abreu heist in 2006.
I agree.
I would like to add that trading Cano is not the answer. Ok we get Sabathia, but then who is playing 2b? If the yankees are going to make a run, Jeter and Cano need to start hitting. Trading Cano will only open wholes in the up the middle defense.
I dont mean anything crazy like giving up Cano and the farm for Sabathia. In 2000 Cashman made many under the radar moves like picking Jose Vizcaino and Glenallen Hill for peanuts. He traded for Justice out of nowhere when everybody expected the Yankees to get Sosa after the Juan Gonzalez deal fell thru. Even though Denny Neagle eventually sucked come playoff time, getting him was huge and he did pitch very good at first which helped the Yankees establish their huge AL East lead which even losing 14 of final 17 didnt cost them. They got Abreu and Lidle for nothing. I dont think they need to sell the farm to get a major move to win it all this season, not at all, but there is no way in hell with this bench and pitching staff that i believe they will be able to make the playoffs unless they make a couple of upgrades and tweaks here and there.
Calling up minor league arms who r coming off major surgeries is not the answer. Cox and Melancon should not be forced to the majors, let them pitch entire 2008 in the minors and next season by all means have them in the majors. I think if you really believe those guys will save the bullpen and pitch great come August and September you might be dreaming a bit and putting too much on them.
There are a couple of vendors at the Stadium who can field like nobody's business. I think they'd be cheaper than Robbie.
a month ago i would have said 2008 is better, no question, but we're still waiting for them to really turn it around. Last June, the yanks started playing .700 ball (and continued to do so the rest of the way). They went on a couple of major roles including a 9 game winning streak and won a huge percentage of series. This year, we're still waiting to get past the .500 benchmark. That said, we could be at 5 over 5 games from now, in which case i would argue that based on the lack of established competition (i.e. in the not-so-futile hopes of the rays, white sox, A's falling off) for the wild card, we would be in great shape. However, last years team got hot streaks, and we have yet to win more than 5 in a row (we of course followed that by losing 2 of 3 to baltimore), simply have not gotten on any sort of roll whatsoever. Wang had a great winning streak in april, but couldn't sustain it into may, pettitte has just not been good at all, neither have jeter or cano, and hughes and kennedy were horrific. Many would (legitimately) argue that that is a sign that this team will almost certainly improve by a good margin, because the law of averages dictates that if a team is .500 with such a plethora of players underperforming in relation to their career averages, when these players return to form (as they should), the record will go up, plus chamberlain hasn't truly become part of the rotation yet. However, it is equally important to remember that Mussina is 9-4 with a sub-4 ERA, Rasner has (sans last night) been brilliant, rivera hasn't blown a save (though he did lose that game against the royals), damon and matsui are both battiing .330, and jason giambi has 15 hrs. The esteemed law of averages may acquaint us with its uglier side this season, too. All that said, though, if the offense does truly perform the way it is supposed to (i.e. jeet, cano get going without anyone else slowing down much), and Wang, Pettitte, and Joba all pitch the way they are supposed to, I think our shot to make the playoffs is very legitimate this year, because i don't trust the Rays offense or back end of the pitching staff to hold up all year, and there's almost nothing i trust about the white sox or A's. In other words, I think the cutoff for the wildcard this year could be somewhere between 90 and 92, which would for the yankees mean merely sustaining their current (past 20 games or so) level of play for the rest of the year. If they put together any kind of winning streak or extended period of exceptional (.700 or better) play, then they've got an even better chance. I simply don't see 90 wins out of any other AL team this year besides Boston and Anaheim and possibly, just based on the weakness of their division, the Indians.
All that matters is what the AL is like.
Last yr we had multiple teams to hop over. Good teams.
This yr?
Whos scared of the Rays? The Central is done. The A's will sell off in a month.
We are going to cruise to the WC.
One thing I didn't see mentioned is that the Yanks' 2 best offensive players (ARod, Posada) were out of the lineup for long stretches this year. I think if they can stay healthy and the rest of the lineup continues as you'd project (Damon/Giambi regress, Melky/Cano/Jeter get a little hotter) they'll be fine offensively. It's hard to get a read on the pitching, but it's hard to imagine the starters or short relievers (non-Joba division) getting any worse.
And, I think the Sox are much less formidable this year. They're getting it done, but at some point they'll miss Papi.
So I'd vote for being in better shape this year. Which is not to say I expect another miracle.