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Ricoh MP-201SPF Package w/ Reverse Feeder, Print, Scan, Fax, Supplies, Shipping
Ricoh MP-201spf Copier package deal comes standard with Reverse Document feeder, Network Print, Scan & Super G3 Fax with 250 Sheet cassette. Including supplies ( drum unit and toner cartridge).Also you get free shipping.
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Bizhub C252, Feeder, 2 X 500 Cassettes, Cabinet, Supplies & Shipping
Minolta C252 Package deal comes standard with Reverse Document Feeder, Copier Cabinet, All supplies, Network Print & Scan Ready, All shipping charges.
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Copystar CS-3040, 2 X 500 Trays, Duplex Feeder, Super G3 Fax, Print System, Stand, Supply, Free Shipping
Copystar CS-3040 package Deal comes standard with Auto Document Feeder, 2 X 500 Sheet cassettes, Duplex Unit, Copier Stand, All Supplies, Free Shipping and 12 Month On-Site Warranty Nationwide!
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Copystar CS221 Copier, 50 Sheet RADF, 2 X 300 Sheet Trays, Duplex Unit, Copier Stand, Supplies, Delivery & Set Up.
Copystar CS221 copier is offered in a package deal that includes Copystar CS221 copier, Reverse Document Feeder, Copier Stand, Duplex Unit, supplies and free shipping at a very low price.
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Copystar CS-2540, 2 X 500 Trays, Duplex Feeder, Stand, Supply, Free Shipping & 12 Month On-Site Warranty Nationwide!
Copystar CS-2540 package Deal comes standard with Auto Document Feeder, 2 X 500 Sheet cassettes, Duplex Unit, Copier Stand, All Supplies, Free Shipping and 12 Month On-Site Warranty Nationwide!
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Copystar CS-2550, Document Feeder, Duplex, Stand, Supplies & Shipping
Copystar CS-2550 copier comes with Standard Network Print and Interface. Standard 300 Sheet Paper Drawer and 50 Sheet MPT. 50 Sheet Document Processor, Duplex. Optional Scanning and Fax, Network Fax.
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Copystar CS-2560, 2 X 500 Trays, Duplex Feeder, Stand, Supply, G3 Fax, Free Shipping & installation & Set Up.
Productivity For A Low Price! The package deal comes standard with the following features: Copystar CS2560 copier, network printer, color scanner, network fax, internet fax, 2 X 500 sheet cassettes, copier cabinet, all supplies, free shipping and 12 month on-site warranty nationwide.
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* Canon 1025IF Copier, Duplex Feeder, 2 X 500 Cassettes, Stand, Toner, Drum, Shipping
Canon imageRUNNER 1025iF with full-color document distribution capabilities at 25 page per minute printing provides stability and reliabilty when you need it. Plus, the Canon 1025IF copier offers powerful Super-G3 Fax technology to send and receive documents with speed and ease.
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Price Drop: $100.00
* Canon 1025N Copier, 2 X 500 Cassettes, Cabinet, Supplies & Free Shipping
The Canon imageRUNNER 1025N is designed with small businesses and workgroups in mind. Operating at speeds of up to 25 pages-per-minute (LTR), the imageRUNNER 1025N model supports digital copying, network printing, automatic duplexing, and color scanning features, along with the added convenience of a 50-sheet Duplexing Automatic Document Feeder.
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* Canon 1025IF Copier, 50 Sheet Auto Feeder, (1) Drum, (1) Toners, Shipping
Operating at speeds of up to 25 pages per minute (LTR), the image Runner 1025iF offers high-end capabilities for small businesses and work groups. We made it easy for you.
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Price Drop: $100.00
Kyocera FS-C2626MFP Package Comes w/ 250/500 sheets Paper Feed Units, Printer Cabinet, Supplies & Free Shipping
Kyocera FS-C2626MFP Package deal comes standard with 2 paper cassettes at 250 sheets and 500 sheets. Also includes the supplies and a cabinet for stand alone with wheels. Plus shipping charges included.
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Sharp MX-M232D Copier w/ 40 Sheet Feeder, Supplies & Cabinet
The Sharp MX-M232D Copier Package Deal comes in a package deal that includes 40 sheet single pass feeder, full toner cartridge (16K), developer unit (50K) and drum (50K)plus the cabinet.
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Sharp MX-M260 Copier, 2 X 500 Trays, Network Fax, Scan, Print, Stand, Shipping, Supplies, Delivery, Installation & Set Up.
The new Sharp MX-M260 copier is very dependable and reliable copier just like the Sharp model AR-M257 copier with a more powerful 64 bit microprocessor and new 8.1-inch touch-screen LCD display. Sharp MX-M260 provides productive printing and document management solutions at your finger tips. Sharp MX-M260 brings a new level of performance to your workplace and offers busy workgroups the power they need to get the job done. The Sharp MXM260 printer, copier comes standard with dual paper cassettes, 100 sheet reverse feeder and duplex capability right out of the box. There is no other copier in its class that can stack up against the Sharp MX-M260 copier's price or performance
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Sharp MX-M264N Package Includes 100 Sheet Duplex Feeder, Network Print/Scan, Stand, Supplies & Shipping
Sharp MX-M264N copier at 26-PPM monochrome workgroup document system with standard out-of-the-box copy, PCL6 network print and network color scan capability, auto Duplexing, electronic sorting, card shot copy, dual 500 sheet cassettes and 100-sheet bypass tray. Sharp MX264N Copier's scan feature includes Scan to E-mail, Scan to Desktop, Scan to FTP, and Scan to URL.
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Sharp MX-M260 Copier - Cabinet, Delivery, Installation & 36 Month Service Contract Nationwide (All Parts, labor & Supplies).
Sharp MX-M260 is an exceptional multifunctional system offering reliability and functionality to your office. The Sharp MX-M260 also gives you speed and features that you don't pay for them like 100 sheet feeder, dual 500 sheet trays and more. You also get 36 month warranty nationwide. copier, printer combines a This package deal comes with Deluxe copier stand, all supplies, FREE shipping and 12 month on-site service contract for 48,000 copies. You can't miss a deal like this! This special offer is for limited time only. While supplies last.
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We're a week away from March Madness, meaning everyone conveniently forgets about the NBA to go ga-ga over a bunch of amateurs dribbling around the perimeter and bricking threes. (I'm kidding college basketball fans. But only a little). That's your right, I suppose.
However, you'll end up missing a key part of the NBA calendar. March is when the contenders push for the playoffs and the pretenders start tanking. March is when we figure out who enters the playoffs hot and who enters the playoffs stumbling. March is when teams become settled after the trade deadline and really show us who they are.
If you're playing well in March, chances are you're going to play well in April, May and June. The Spurs used to own March, using the month as their sign the real season had begun. Naturally, the Spurs won several championships and became the closest thing to a dynasty that we saw in the NBA this decade. The Celtics went 21-4 in March and April of 2008, which spurred them to the title that season. In other words, March matters a lot.
March also helps us get some separation in our power ranking tiers. We know now for a fact that ten teams are completely out of it. Depending on how the Bucks and Spurs do the rest of the season, we also know for a fact that there are 12 shoo-ins for the playoffs and eight more teams fighting for positioning. Finally, depending on how Boston responds this week, we know there are six or seven teams that are a threat to win it all. By the end of the month, we'll probably have even more clarity on these tiers.
I guess it's not March Madness, because it's not as exciting. But it's also certainly not March Meaningless. And since that was a horrible pun, let's get on with the rankings.
30. New Jersey Nets: 7-56 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: NetsDaily
Last week: 30.
The Nets have won two games in two weeks. Rejoice!
In all seriousness, they are playing much better recently, and a big reason is Devin Harris. Since the all-star break, Harris is averaging 20.6 points and 7.5 assists per game, which is a significant improvement from where he was in the first half of the season. Toss in an improved Courtney Lee, and the Nets are actually getting some legit production out of their so-called Big 3 (Harris, Lee, Brook Lopez). Sure, the other 11 players on the roster stink (especially Yi Jianlian, because we have to get our shots in at Yi Jianlian), but they're not really a part of the future anyway. Things are looking up.
(Think of this after the Nets drop to the fourth pick, select Derrick Favors and overpay for Rudy Gay with their cap space this summer).
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: 14-50 overall, 0-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Canis Hoopus
Last week: 29.
I guess it's understandable for a team to start tanking in March, but damn, they could at least be subtle about it. In last night's loss to Dallas, Kevin Love played 12 minutes. That's it. As I mentioned last week, Kevin Love is all sorts of awesome. If you look at the advanced stats -- you know, the kind that do a better job of measuring real impact on the game -- Love is having a historically good season for young forwards. How he plays only 12 minutes in a game is beyond me. I'm going to assume the Wolves are tanking, because no coach could be that stupid.
Earth to Kurt Rambis, you're not dealing with the video game version of Kevin Love here. (Warning: language not safe for work)
28. Golden State Warriors: 17-46 overall, 0-5 last week.
SBN Blog: Golden State of Mind
Last week: 28.
Warrior fans are among the most loyal in sports. Don't believe me? Take one look at the stands at a Warriors home game. They're pretty close to full, even though the Warriors have made exactly one playoff appearance in 16 years. So when one rabid Warriors fan writes that he's reached the breaking point and will not renew his season tickets, it speaks volumes about just how bad it's become. Even Warriors fans, who are predisposed to failure and incompetency, are fed up.
For everyone's sake, I hope Larry Ellison from Oracle buys the team already. Can I get an amen?
27. Indiana Pacers: 20-43 overall, 0-4 last week
SBN Blog: Indy Cornrows
Last week: 26.
Coaching is a tough profession, don't get me wrong. You only have a certain amount of control over your team, and it's much less than any fan thinks you have. Still, Jim O'Brien committed a pretty epic blunder this week. The Pacers hung around in the first half against the mighty Lakers last Wednesday, led by strong play from Josh McRoberts. But when asked about McRoberts' play, here's what O'Brien had to say.
"It's irrelevant," O'Brien said. "Try to do it in a winning effort. It's really irrelevant."
See Josh, you gotta show more fight when it matters! Like this.
Wait, nevermind, that was in a losing effort too. I guess you're screwed then.
26. Washington Wizards: 21-39 overall, 0-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Bullets Forever
Last week: 22.
Last week, the Wizards faced two elite defenses (Milwaukee and Boston) for the first time since they blew up their team. The result? They couldn't score. I guess they are who we thought they were.
25. Detroit Pistons: 22-41 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Detroit Bad Boys.
Last week: 25.
I have nothing snarky to say about Rodney Stuckey's scary collapse. Here's hoping he'll ultimately be okay. I'm also happy to see the Pistons respond with a big win over the Rockets without Stuckey on Sunday. In Stuckey's absence, Will Bynum had 12 points, 11 assists and just one turnover. He's also a free agent, and you'd think he'd like to go somewhere else where he won't be stuck behind three other guards in the pecking order. Whoever gets him will be getting one hell of a bargain.
(You hear that, Wizards? Whoever gets Will Bynum will be getting one hell of a bargain.)
24. Philadelphia 76ers: 23-39 overall, 1-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Liberty Ballers
Last week: 24.
The fact that they beat Toronto in the impossible early-afternoon Sunday game the Raptors always seem to win just underscores why this team is so frustrating. They have talent, but they have no cohesion and terrible coaching. It should come as no surprise that Eddie Jordan is on the chopping block.
It also should come as no surprise that Sixers fans would rather have Jordan Sams from SB Nation's Sixers blog Liberty Ballers be the team's next coach than Doug Collins.
23. New York Knicks: 22-41 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Posting and Toasting
Last week: 27.
There are three constants in this world. Death, taxes, and the New York Knicks being confusing. I don't even bat an eye when they follow up a 20-point home loss to the Nets (which included an 0-18 performance from three-point range) with a one-point win against the Hawks. Just sit and nod.
22. Sacramento Kings: 22-41 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Sactown Royalty
Last week: 22.
Someone needs to teach Spencer Hawes how to rebound. In the wake of Sunday's loss to Oklahoma City, a game in which the Kings were outrebounded 45-33, Sactown Royalty crunched some numbers and found that Hawes is pretty much the only one to blame. In 24 minutes, Hawes grabbed two rebounds. The last time those two teams played, he had three rebounds in 31 minutes. Since Tyreke Evans is the only one allowed to score on the Kings (slight exaggeration), Hawes needs to rebound. Unfortunately, since rebounding can't really be taught, Hawes is kind of screwed. As are the Kings.
21. Los Angeles Clippers: 25-38 overall, 0-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Clips Nation.
Last week: 21.
20. Houston Rockets: 31-31 overall, 1-2 since the break.
SBN Blog: The Dream Shake
Last week: 19.
The Rockets are struggling since the trade deadline, but it's not Kevin Martin's fault. The Mongoose has stepped up his game in Houston, averaging an efficient 23.3 points per game on just 15.9 shots. Whose fault is it? Well, they miss Carl Landry a lot (and Landry misses them too), and their lack of interior defense and rebounding is really catching up to them. Therefore, it's looking like no playoffs for them.
Which is okay. The Rockets were punting this year anyway after the Yao Ming injury, and they now have a ton of draft picks and assets at their disposal (thanks to Donnie Walsh). I just wish they went back to being plucky overachievers like they were earlier in the season.
On the bright side, Shane Battier does karaoke, in a tongue-in-cheek way.
19. New Orleans Hornets: 32-32 overall, 1-2 last week.
SBN Blog: At the Hive
Last week: 15.
With the news that Chris Paul's injury is more serious than initially expected, let's reopen the debate about Darren Collison. We know Collison has been outstanding in Paul's place. We also know that it's hard to justify keeping both players around when the Hornets have several other weaknesses at other positions (as well as a hefty luxury-tax bill already in 2010-11). It would seem logical to trade Collison this summer to upgrade another position and/or to help cut costs by forcing anyone acquiring Collison to take on one of the Hornets' bad contracts.
But what happens if Paul's injury problems continue? Paul doesn't exactly have the body of a player who will stand the test of time. He's had two serious injuries already in his career, the other one being in 2006-07. Isn't it nice to have Collison around as insurance? Collison's cheap too (on a rookie contract), so it's not like you're paying through the roof for a backup point guard.
There's one other option (and I'm going to be killed for even bringing this up). What about trading Paul? If you're the Hornets, you have to be concerned not only with Paul's longevity, but also his frustration with the direction of the franchise. This year will mark the second straight year where the team has fallen in the standings, and there isn't too much hope for a major roster reconstruction in the near future. With Collison already in tow, don't you have to at least consider trading Paul while his value is high? I know this is bordering on blasphemy, but you have to at least think about it.
Anyway, none of these questions would have been relevant if Collison wasn't playing out of his mind like he is. So I guess it's a good problem to have.
18. Chicago Bulls: 31-31 overall, 0-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Blog A Bull
Last week: 14.
Here's a lesson for all those teams that actually make money: do your due dilligence when filling out the end of your bench. Otherwise, you could end up like the Bulls, who are in deep trouble now that Joakim Noah is out for at least three weeks. Noah's a valuable player, but he becomes more valuable when his backups stink. Brad Miller lost about five steps this summer, and the only other center on the roster is Noah's college teammate Chris Richard, who isn't exactly lighting up the D-League. Naturally, the Bulls have lost four in a row after surging into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
But hey, this is what you get when you strive to win the profitability title instead of the NBA title.
17. Toronto Raptors: 32-29, 1-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Raptors HQ
Last week: 14.
I really don't want to come across like one of those "offense wins games, but defense wins championships" curmudgeons, but the Toronto Raptors are currently surrendering an average of 112.4 points per 100 possessions this year. This is 1.5 points worse than the 29th-best defensive team. Keep this in mind anyone starts to talk about the Raptors as a dangerous first-round opponent in the playoffs.
16. Charlotte Bobcats: 30-31 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Rufus on Fire
Last week: 29.
Crazy stat of the day: the Bobcats are 4-2 this season against the Lakers and Cavaliers and 26-29 against everyone else. This will become relevant if they make a deep playoff run. In other words, it won't be relevant.
15. Memphis Grizzlies: 33-31 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Straight Outta Vancouver
Last week: 18.
I can't begrudge someone for creating a Hasheem Thabeet mix, not when you can find mixes of the most obscure players in the league on YouTube. But could you at least not make it public while Thabeet's in the NBA Developmental League? By doing that, you're just asking me to mock you.
I think it's safe to say timing isn't a strong suit for most YouTube users.
14. Miami Heat: 32-31 overall, 3-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Peninsula is Mightier
Last week: 20.
I hate this team. Just when we thought they were floundering, they win three straight, including an instant classic against the Lakers on TNT. It's not their fault; in fact, you have to give them a lot of credit for being a .500 team with that roster. But if I'm the Grizzlies, I'm sitting there and thinking, 'How the hell is that team a playoff team? Why can't we be in the Eastern Conference?'
Look at their roster beyond Dwyane Wade. Jermaine O'Neal is having a really good year, but he's your second-best player. Michael Beasley remains terribly inconsistent. The team's two point guards are Rafer Alston, who is threatening to retire after skipping practice, and Carlos Arroyo, who wasn't in the NBA last year. They've given nearly 2700 minutes combined this season to Dorrell Wright, Joel Anthony and Daequan Cook. On paper, they stink. But despite that, they're one game over .500 and could be a dangerous matchup for a team like Atlanta, who they've beaten three of four times this year.
Usually, it's fun to watch a team play better than they should. For some reason, though, Miami is no fun. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that management clearly doesn't care about this season. The Heat, like the Knicks, have had their eyes on 2010 for over two years now, yet they escape the criticism the Knicks get for punting two years of Wade's prime. I want to see Miami's brass criticized, so therefore I want the Heat to miss the playoffs. Instead, they're winning, and I'm mad.
13. San Antonio Spurs: 36-25 overall, 2-1 last week
SBN Blog: Pounding the Rock.
Last week: 10.
Dear television commentators,
Do me a favor. Don't look at the name on the front of the jersey when talking about the Spurs' chances this spring. Look at the facts.
FACT: Tony Parker is hurt and might not be back this season.
FACT: The Spurs have the most difficult closing stretch of any team in the league. Twelve of their final 21 games are on the road. They still have to play Orlando twice, the Lakers twice, at Dallas, at Denver, at Phoenix, at Atlanta, at Boston, at Oklahoma City and at home against Cleveland. That means 11 of their last 21 games are against teams in the top 10 of these power rankings.
FACT: The Spurs still lay eggs in games they should win. Last night, they lost to Cleveland without LeBron James. Here's a visual reaction by a Spurs fan on Pounding the Rock.
At this point, the question shouldn't be whether the Spurs can win the title. Instead, it should be whether they can hold on to a playoff spot. They are five and a half games ahead of Memphis right now, but that closing schedule is brutal. It's totally conceivable that the Spurs fall apart without Tony Parker and miss the playoffs, which I'd personally prefer since I'd love to see a Grizzlies-Lakers first-round series.
So please, ignore the name on the front of the jersey and focus on the facts. If this were any other team, we'd be writing their eulogy already.
12. Portland Trail Blazers: 38-27 overall, 2-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Blazers Edge
Last week: 12.
This season has seen two firsts for Andre Miller. Earlier this season, he scored 50 points in a game for the first time in his career. This week, he dunked the ball on the fast break for the first time in his career.
Who said he was a bad free agent signing?
(Disclaimer: I'm sure Miller has dunked before, so this is obviously an exaggeration, but I think we can all agree he rarely does it, if ever).
11. Milwaukee Bucks: 33-29 overall, 3-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Brew Hoop
Last week: 13.
The best team in the league right now that nobody's heard about. Since the trade for John Salmons, the Bucks are 9-1, with their only loss coming on the road in overtime to the Hawks on the second game of a back-to-back. They're so good that fans don't really know how to act.
Salmons and the Bucks have been a perfect match. The Bucks needed someone to score points, even if he's not much of a passer, and Salmons needed to go somewhere where he could shift back to small forward and get his touches. That's the thing about Salmons: he needs minutes and touches, but if he gets them, he suddenly becomes a great two-way player. With the Bulls this year, Salmons was forced to play shooting guard and stand around while Luol Deng took his shots. His defense and passing suffered tremendously. Now, he's getting his minutes and touches, and his defensive intensity has skyrocketed. He looks like the John Salmons we saw in the playoffs last year, if not better.
If I'm one of the top four teams in the East, I'm praying I don't have to play the Bucks. They're so good defensively, particularly with their ball pressure, so they'll tire our guards out. They're not a great scoring team, but they have the two things you need in the playoffs at a bare minimum: an elite post player (Andrew Bogut) and a wing player capable of creating his own shot (Salmons). If Brandon Jennings gets overwhelmed by the playoffs, they have a great, experienced backup in Luke Ridnour that can step in. I don't think Milwaukee will win a series, but I do think they'll tire out whoever they play enough to prevent that team from making a deep playoff run.
Tonight's game against Boston will say a lot about the Bucks. Here's hoping they win.
10. Atlanta Hawks: 40-23 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Peachtree Hoops.
Last week: 8.
Last year, the Hawks surged to the top of the league early on, only to fall back to the middle of the pack. This year, the same pattern is happening. The Hawks were 20-8 at Christmas; they're just 20-15 since. They haven't beaten an elite team (i.e. a team ahead of them in these rankings) at full strength since January 29, when they beat the Celtics for the fourth time this year (they did beat the Jazz, but the Jazz were playing without Deron Williams). The league has caught up with how the Hawks play, and because they're coached by Mike Woodson, the Hawks haven't adjusted.
Making matters worse, this is the Hawks' time. Joe Johnson's a free agent after the year is over. If they let him go, they fall way back in the standings. If they overpay him (which is what it'll likely take), they stagnate as a team that's about as good as they've been the past couple years. So their time is now either way. Unfortunately, it's looking more and more like the Hawks aren't going to be a major threat in the playoffs.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder: 38-24 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Welcome To Loud City
Last week: 9.
An area of concern for the Thunder: their once stout defense has been leaking recently. They allowed 107 points to the Kings, 119 to the Nuggets and 102 to the Kings again. They managed to win both games against the Kings, but for a team that needs to defend at a high level to compete, their recent performances are concerning.
On a completely different note, I've decided Nick Collison is a chill bro, or at least more of a chill bro than Michael Scott of the Office.
8. Phoenix Suns: 40-25 overall, 2-1 last week
SBN Blog: Bright Side of the Sun.
Last week: 7.
The Suns are 29th in defensive efficiency, 30th in forced turnovers and 29th in defensive rebounding, yet they're potentially headed for 50 wins again. It's really amazing they're winning so many games.
Speaking of amazing, how crazy is it to see Grant Hill play this well again? I won't say he's the Hill of old, because that would be crazy, but he looks young again. He scores so many points in transition, beating younger players in the dust. He handles the ball when he has to, defends at a high level and makes athletic plays that guys 15 years younger couldn't make. Like this one:
Watching Hill gives me hope that Gilbert Arenas can get his act together, overcome his injuries and be somewhere close to the same player he used to be for the Wizards. If Hill can recover from his injury problems, why can't Arenas? Then, I remember that there's a big difference between the Suns' training staff and the Wizards', and I get depressed again.
7. Boston Celtics: 40-21 overall, 4-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Celtics Blog.
Last week: 12.
They've won four in a row, so I'll put them back into contender status even though they still looked pretty bad in slipping by the hapless Wizards on Sunday. Maybe they can do it again. Who knows? Maybe there aren't chemistry problems after all. Maybe the Celtics are like that married couple that overcomes all their problems to succeed. Maybe they can win the title again.
Or ... maybe they're winning because they played Detroit, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Washington. The Celtics have games in Milwaukee and Cleveland this week, so we'll find out
6. Utah Jazz: 40-22 overall, 2-0 last week.
SBN Blog: SLC Dunk
Last week: 6.
It's good to be the Utah Jazz right now. Sure, you've got a pesky luxury tax bill, and you have a big decision to make on Carlos Boozer this summer. But you've also won 21 of your last 26 games, even with an undrafted rookie starting at shooting guard. You also have a likely high lottery selection this year, courtesy Isiah Thomas. Finally, nobody is paying attention to you, even as your tear up the league. Everyone's touting Dallas and Denver as the teams with the best chance of dethroning the Lakers, but nobody's mentioning you. That's just how you want it to be.
5. Denver Nuggets: 42-21 overall, 3-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Denver Stiffs.
Last week: 5.
I still believe the Nuggets have the best chance at beating the Lakers in a seven-game series when it's all said and done. Nobody on the Lakers can guard Chauncey Billups, and the Lakers in general struggle with Denver's speed. But the Nuggets are in big trouble with the losses of Kenyon Martin until the playoffs and Ty Lawson for a while. An already shallow team now has to give heavy minutes to Malik Allen and Anthony Carter, two guys who haven't deserved big minutes since 2004. Dallas has already passed them, and Utah is hot on their heels. Hell, Phoenix could overtake them. Playoff seeding matters, because as good as the Nuggets have played the Lakers, they've also let down against other teams.
Denver's also like Atlanta in that this is their best shot. The Nuggets already have $70 million committed to just six players last year, meaning they're going to have to go into penny-pinching mode soon to avoid a huge luxury tax bill. Billups is getting older, as is Martin. Other Western Conference teams are getting better. If the Nuggets don't win this year, they probably won't win in the near future either.
To Denver's credit, at least they're in a better spot than the Hawks because they'll have their core players no matter what. But it's still armageddon for them, and these injuries really don't help.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: 46-18 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Silver Screen and Roll
Last week: 2.
Three-game losing streak! Panic!
(I have nothing more to say about this team that hasn't already been covered by Kelly Dwyer. Just read this. Yes, that means you, Kobe).
3. Orlando Magic: 44-20 overall, 3-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Orlando Pinstriped Post.
Last week: 3.
Let me take you back to the summer of 2008. The Wizards had just signed Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison and were ready to compete for a title (stop laughing please. I said STOP LAUGHING!). Arenas had generously left a little bit of money on the table, enough to sign a backup small forward for about half of the mid-level exception without going over the luxury tax. Arenas' buddy Matt Barnes was then a free agent, having fallen out of favor in Golden State. Arenas never told the Wizards to sign Barnes outright, but that was the implication.
Instead, the Wizards signed Dee Brown. Barnes went on to Phoenix, where he flopped, and now he's in Orlando, where he's become an indispensable player for cheap. He's given the Magic toughness, and, as Orlando Pinstriped Post notes, he's making a tangible difference too. Isn't that exactly the type of player the Wizards have missed the last few years?
That's why Orlando's management is great and the Wizards' isn't. Well, it's just one reason. Imagine Barnes doing this to LeBron James as a member of the Wizards. Of course you'd find that awesome.
2. Dallas Mavericks: 44-21 overall, 4-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Mavs Moneyball.
Last week: 4.
Dallas has now won 12 games in a row after fleecing Washington in the Caron Butler/Brendan Haywood trade. They're clearly the second-best team in the league at this moment. And yet, Shawn Marion is indicating he isn't so thrilled with how many shots he's getting. This is unbelievable. Marion has played nearly his entire career with Steve Nash or Jason Kidd, and all he's done is complained about it. I'd tell him to go play for the worst team in the league to gain some perspective, but he's already done that (Miami in 2007-08) and nothing has changed.
Can you overcome someone grumbling like this? Yes, of course. Should you have to? No, absolutely not. When is Shawn Marion going to cheer up and realize he's in a great, great situation?
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: 50-15 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Fear the Sword
Last week: 1.
The Cavs lost this week, but it was to red-hot Milwaukee without LeBron James, so they're still atop this list. Cavs fans, be happy?
However, I gotta take a shot at LeBron James while I can. (Be proud, Cavs fans. I haven't taken a single shot at my least favorite player in the league until now). Apparently, Brandon Jennings was a little excited about the win and showed it. This reportedly pissed off LeBron, who told friends he wasn't enthused by Jennings' conduct.
Uhh ... seriously? Pot, meet kettle.
I rest my case.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A-list braided hairstyle inspiration, from fishtail plaits to cornrows and beyond
How to get a body like Cheryl Cole
It's not easy staying slim and athletic-looking when you're only 5'3". Just ask singer Cheryl Cole, who has to work hard to stay looking so deliciously hot. Pack on too much muscle and you appear stocky, like a rugby player. Get too skinny and you are in danger of disappearing altogether, and indeed Cheryl has at times been criticised for being too skinny.
The trick is to strike a balance, says personal trainer Gavin Walsh: "Cheryl Cole obviously looks after her body and is admired by many of us for having a slim, toned figure without being overly muscular.
"Because Cheryl has a petite figure both muscle and fat can be an issue. If she has too much fat it will show far quicker than on a taller person and if she has too much muscle she will look slightly stocky. Neither of which is a good look, especially if you live your life in the public eye."
How our Cheryl trains
Training to suit your body type is essential, but squeezing sessions into a packed diary is easier said than done, especially if - like our Geordie songstress - you're constantly jet-setting between LA, London and other glam locations.
Walsh has this advice: "Cheryl no doubt has a very hectic lifestyle so ensuring she gets a decent workout can be tough. Of course, practising her many dance routines will help keep her in shape, but when it comes to working out, she makes use of toning exercises in the gym as well as aerobic dance workouts.
"Like many women, Cheryl is conscious of becoming too bulky and worried that certain exercises might make her legs appear bigger. Although this "bulky" look is difficult to achieve for most women unless you're lifting heavy weights consistently for several months like Jodie Marsh has."
Our Cheryl often spends long periods in the gym, something which doesn't appeal to everyone. If the very thought is enough to bring you out in hives, then fear not, it's intensity rather than duration that matters. Walsh says: "Cheryl apparently recently trained an hour and a half a day, six days a week, for 30 days to get in shape for a tour. This is not something most people have time for, including myself, but fortunately you don't have to do hour-long workouts to get great results. That's not to say it's easy, it just means you have to train harder with the time you've got available. For example, if you've only got 30 minutes a day to spare, you could rotate your workouts between high intensity cardiovascular exercise and toning exercises in the gym or at home."
Rex Features
Working up a sweat
Of course, not many of us get paid to sing and dance for a living (not yet anyway!), but it's not hard to find exercises that closely mimic the workout Cole's getting while up on stage. "Dancing is very much an aerobic exercise and so any exercise that gets your heart rate up and your lungs working will replicate this type of exercise," says Walsh. "That said, if you can't resist the urge to move your feet, then look for local dance classes. It's a lot more entertaining than plodding along on a treadmill."
You could also try interval training, signing up for a boot camp, or spin class, taking up tennis or even trying a martial art to get your heart pumping.
That's the cardio side of things taken care of, but what about those muscles? Walsh says: "In terms of toning exercises, it's best to focus on full body workouts that target as many muscle groups as possible. For beginners, body weight exercises like squats, press-ups, lunges and tricep dips will be very effective in toning those wobbly bits and improving metabolism.
"For those that have mastered the body weight exercises, I would recommend using some form of weight training to further their progress. If you're still worried about becoming bulky, simply use a tape measure to keep an eye on the circumference of parts of your body. If you need to lose a bit of weight to begin with, the inches will come off with a combination of toning exercises and card."
Where there's a celeb, there's a strict diet regime, and Cheryl is no different. Walsh says: "In preparation for her recent tour Cole had to tweak her diet to ensure she was looking her best. This involved cutting out junk food and eating plenty of greens and protein and cutting back on starchy carbs such as bread, pasta and cereals. Although, you will be glad to hear she does enjoy the odd chocolate bar."
The good-for-nothing footballer ex-husband and regrettable tattoos are, of course, optional.
related stories on msn
She's not exactly natural, she has fake teeth, fake hair, wears loads of make up.
She probably doesn't eat anything.
All the picture of her in the magazine will have been edited the life out of to make sure she looks as flawless as anything.
Take all those things and people away from her and she'd look very normal.
Think about it, if we had all of those people around the clock we'd look like her.. just look at Tulisa it didn't take her long to look like a spitting image of Cheryl.
It's wrong what beauty is drawn upon nowadays, it's just an image you can't achieve unless you have the lifestyle and money the celebs have.. this is how you end up with poor young girls starving themselves to death
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Massachusetts defensive back Devin Brown (10) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Miami Ohio in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Massachusetts won 17-10. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
FOXBOROUGH — After a season-and-a-half of very little bouncing its way, the ball caromed in the University of Massachusetts' favor on three big plays in the second half Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
A.J. Doyle's 47-yard touchdown pass to Rob Blanchflower was deflected and nearly intercepted, but the senior tight end hauled it in for a score. Another deflection pinballed to Khary Bailey-Smith for an interception that set up another score as the Minutemen held on for a 17-10 win over Miami (Ohio).
Blanchflower's touchdown may have turned the result.
After RedHawks defensive back Dayonne Nunley tipped Doyle's pass in the air, Blanchflower twisted his neck back and forth scanning the Gillette Stadium sky for it.
The ball had wobbled upward, but didn't completely change trajectory, splashing down right in the Leominster native's arms at the Miami 19-yard line. Blanchflower shoved aside one defender and raced into the end zone to complete the 47-yard scoring play.
"I have to thank the man upstairs for that one. It landed right in my breadbasket," said Blanchflower, who had five catches for 98 yards. "It was more luck than skill. Luckily I was able to track it and not fall over. I was a little dizzy running to the end zone."
UMass (1-5, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) will try to produce its first winning streak as a Bowl Subdivision team when it travels to Buffalo on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
"It was a great feeling," UMass coach Charley Molnar said. "You play these games to win. For these young men who work so hard and believe in what we're doing and want to be champions. For them to experience that great feeling for 66 men working together is what makes football such a great game."
Tied 7-7 at halftime, Miami pulled ahead when Kaleb Patterson made a 45-yard field goal with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter to put the RedHawks up 10-7.
Doyle regretted the throw before Nunley had even touched it, but when Blanchflower hauled it in, he celebrated.
"I wanted it back right away. I was like 'oh god, oh god,'" Doyle said. "I was thinking another pick, I'm going to go to the sideline and get chewed out. Then I see Blanch catch it. I was ecstatic."
Another fortunate bounce led to another UMass score. RedHawk quarterback Austin Boucher's pass skipped off the hands of Dawan Scott into the hands of Bailey-Smith, who took the ball back to the Miami 26. Seven plays later, Blake Lucas kicked a 25-yard field goal to give UMass a 17-10 lead with 11:49.
It was the second time Bailey-Smith intercepted Boucher in the game. The first came in the end zone to end a promising second-quarter drive with the game tied 7-7.
Doyle, who completed 19 of 35 pass attempts for 249 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, shook off an early interception at Miami's 1-yard line and directed a 55-yard drive that gave the Minutemen a 7-0 lead when he connected with Elgin Long on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 5:51 left in the first quarter. Boucher hit Steve Marck with a 13-yard TD pass in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime.
Matt Vautour can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage .


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Route Guide - iPhone / Android - Partners - Forum - Photos - Deals - What's New - School of Rock
Select Route:
Angel Dust is the splitter hand and finger crack that runs straight up the middle of PCP pinnacle. Clearly visible in the photo as well as from the road it is the most prominent feature on the wall. There are two ways to finish this climb. The splitter crack ends at a horizontal ledge about 25 feet from the summit. The standard and easier finish traverses left on this ledge about 15 feet and then goes up a delightful and well protected right leaning hand crack. This way goes at solid 5.7. The direct and much more difficult finish goes virtually straight up the steep wall at the end of the splitter crack. This variation has little or no pro and is solid hard 5.10. It is easy to top rope but daring to lead. The crux of the regular route comes about half way up at a rattly flake inside the crack. It is a thoughtful spot. Still the pro is mostly superb and the rock enjoyable. A well worth it route. Together with the "Mirror Crack" on Rosy Lane wall these two routes well exemplify the unusual qualities of Taylor Canyon climbing.
Standard Taylor crag rack. A little of everything from wires to wide. The route has really good gear most all the way.


text:
By Julie Manganis
SALEM, Mass. — A well-known Salem witch admitted yesterday in court to attacking a rival business owner in downtown Salem last summer.
As a result, Laurie "Lorelei" Stathopoulos, 52, of 125 Essex St. will spend the next two years on unsupervised probation, after a Salem District Court judge continued charges of assault and battery and malicious destruction of property without a finding for two years.
"She's a bully," said Joanna Thomas, 39, who said she was punched and had her head slammed repeatedly against the window of her shop, New England Magic, on the afternoon of Aug. 13.
Stathopoulos is the owner of Crow Haven Corner. Both shops are on the same block of Essex Street just past the downtown pedestrian mall.
"There's a big history here," said Stathopoulos' lawyer, Scott Dullea.
Thomas, meanwhile, said she's felt harassed by Stathopoulos since opening her shop in 2005.
Long-simmering tensions between the two boiled over on that afternoon, as Thomas was outside her shop taking photographs of oil that had been poured on her front step.
As crowds attending a street fair outside milled about, Stathopoulos walked up to Thomas and slapped the camera out of her hand, witnesses told police.
Stathopoulos then grabbed the necklace Thomas was wearing and ripped it from her neck, began hitting her, and then struck Thomas' head against the glass window of her shop, prosecutor Jay Flynn told a Salem District Court judge.
Thomas' boyfriend, Karl Sirois, repeatedly warned Stathopoulos to stop, then used a canister of pepper spray, which finally ended the confrontation. (Sirois, who had a license for the spray, was charged with assault and battery but was cleared following a trial last month.)
Both Thomas, who suffered a concussion, and Stathopoulos, who had been hit by the pepper spray, were taken to local hospitals, and Stathopoulos was later summonsed to court.
Stathopoulos and a friend who was with her both claimed that she was acting in self-defense. Yesterday, she told the judge she was trying to protect her Chihuahua, though she admitted that the police report read in court by Flynn was accurate and that she had assaulted Thomas.
Witnesses, including several tourists, indicated that Stathopoulos had started the confrontation.
Thomas said that nearly a year later, and even with a civil harassment order against Stathopoulos, "I still feel harassed and threatened by her and her associates."
The attack left her not only physically injured, with a concussion that caused her to suffer nausea whenever she drove, but with emotional scars.
"I don't feel safe walking around Salem, and I love Salem," Thomas said, her voice choking up. "I don't understand why they do this to people."
Flynn urged Judge Michael Uhlarik to find Stathopoulos guilty and sentence her to two years of probation.
But Stathopoulos' lawyer urged leniency for his client, suggesting the allegations were exaggerated by someone looking to file a civil lawsuit (a claim Thomas and her lawyer disputed after the hearing).
Dullea said Thomas had called the police numerous times to complain about his client, claiming that Stathopoulos had poured oil on her doorstep.
In addition to unsupervised probation, Stathopoulos will have to pay $500 in court costs and a $90 victim-witness fee, as well as a $50-a-month probation fee for the next two years.
The judge ordered her not to have any contact with Thomas and her store, whether face-to-face or through social media, and added a specific warning about indirect contact through third parties, including the dozen or so witches who filled three rows in the courtroom yesterday.
If Stathopoulos stays out of further trouble during the next two years, the charges will be dismissed.
Dullea said outside court that there was "mutual provocation" that day and pointed to the large group standing with Stathopoulos.
"She's got the support of the Wiccan community," Dullea said. "It's a strong community filled with good people."
But Thomas doesn't share that view, saying she believes Stathopoulos brought the large group to court — as she has done throughout the case — to try to intimidate her.
"The nature of our business is spiritual," Thomas said, "and to have to deal with harassment and being assaulted intentionally by someone who considers it normal, business competition — well, it's not normal, it's not spiritual, it's criminal."
Courts reporter Julie Manganis can be reached at 978-338-2521, via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter @SNJulieManganis.


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|My dear Brother
|The Hague 23. December 1795.
It has been announced in the Dutch Gazettes as an extract from those of London, that you had delivered Credentials to his Majesty as Envoy from the United States. The article somewhat terrifies me, from the apprehension, that your visit will be protracted, beyond the term of our first expectations. Mr: Pinckney is probably in England by this time, as he was some weeks since said to be at Paris upon his return. Your next letters will I hope clear up my doubts to satisfaction: that is, announce the probability of your speedy return, which is wished for by many, but by none so earnestly as myself.
I have enquired of Mr: vanSon respecting the case of the William Penn, and from what he says, should suppose it desperate. The papers, Cargo, and Captain were entirely French.
The business upon which I wrote you at full by Mr: Calhoun, rests in the same state, except that the French Government has refused to grant Mr: Monroe's demand for an escort to accompany the specie hither; but gave no answer as to the liberty of exportation. I have recommended a resort to the Bill on Hamburg, in case the remittance from Paris cannot be effected. Since then however, Mr: Monroe advises me to draw upon him if possible for the money, & I have consulted the Bankers upon the expediency of such a measure, but have not yet received their answer. Mr Monroe's letter was in answer to my first, and did not arrive until after my second had gone. I know not therefore what will be the result of the proposal to use the other Bill. Some delay will I fear be inevitable in the payment at Amsterdam.
The only interesting news in this quarter is relative to the military operations upon the Rhine. The series of illsuccess on the part of the French is yet unbroken, except a momentary advantage gained by the Army of Sambre & Meuse, in the affair of Kreutznach. Later accounts say that this army has since received a severe shock, but that Pichegru has been successful in his quarter. As yet however there is nothing but rumor. Some general affair has probably taken place, but the French are out of the habit of giving Official details, & the Austrians too, when they are unfavorable to them, so that the only sure indication, on which side the balance of success preponderates, is by the retreat of one or other of the Armies. The surrender of Manheim operated extremely to the disadvantage of the French, as it reduced their numbers when they had most need of them, and gave their enemies greatly the advantage of situation. The reinforcements that have arrived to the French have not apparently given them the superiority, because the desertions, which had previously taken place were scarcely supplied by the fresh troops. It seems to be the opinion that Dusseldorf cannot be retained, & if that falls, the operations will be entirely transferred to the left side of the River.
As a counterbalance for the defeats on the Rhine, some details have been published of signal victories gained by the Army in Italy over the Austro Sarde's.
Every body seem to turn their attention most to England at present. The King's message to Parliament, which declares a disposition to treat for peace, produced a gleam of hope in many; but the distance between such an event and the commencement of negotiation, is perhaps wider than is generally imagined. It would puzzle me not a little I confess to divine, what those honorable terms will be, that all parties will insist on. Necessity must be the final umpire; no other can ever graduate the scale of pretensions. The age of miracles is passed, but a general peace in Europe very speedily would deserve to be ranked among the wonders of the world. I think with you that a prospect of Famine is much more visible.
You need not be told, that this Country afords little matter for a letter of news. Since the decision of the question for calling a Convention, nothing remarkable has occurred. The three Provinces, still hold out in opposition to the measure, it is therefore doubtful whether it will take place so soon as was expected.
The news from Paris of late, has been sufficiently uninteresting. The sudden command given to M Carlette to depart the territory of the Republic without delay has excited some speculation. Conversing with your friend the Baron upon the subject, he observed—"we have probably not had the whole truth of this business. Either M. C's note was dictated by his superiors, or he must be a man sans tête. The probability is, that this occasion was seized as a pretext, but the real motives must have been founded upon something behind the curtain." The Baron is among those who have expressed regret at the news of your new Commission.
The List mentioned in my last, was accidentally omitted, I forward it now, requesting as before, that it may be sent to its address; the Gentleman for whom the articles are intended, assures me it will not make a large packet, & may easily be conveyed by private hand, with out trespassing much upon the corner of a Trunk. The Bill, you will be good enough to forward to me, as I hold myself accountable for the amount to you. If you should send them by a vessel, they may be addressed to me, to the care of Mr Beeldemaker or Mr Bourne.
I have two letters from our mother dated September 17. 18. but you have later doubtless, as we have news here via London as late as the 10. Novr: from the U.S. It is bad enough to have been forged where it came from last.
The winter has not yet seriously commenced here; there have been fogs enough, but scarcely any frost.
Remember me to all friends that you may meet, and dont forget to forward me the Newspapers, which are in great demand.
With real affection I am your Brother
Thomas B. Adams.


text:
« Hopeful, but not convinced | Main | Shhh! »
Strategic swearing
I use this tool in meetings all the time, in fact, we actually train people on the value of it. I simply slip in a subtle "shit" near the beginning of the meeting e.g.
"Yeah, the weekend was great thanks, although the weather was a bit shit"
I generally say the shit part in that loud whispery tone, with the mouth stretched wide and the eyebrows raised, you know the one.
Then a funny thing happens, everyone else sees they have permission to swear, everyone else does, everyone relaxes and speaks in a fashion more conducive to strategic conversation, and I get the work. Really. Try it.
(if they don't take the bait, it's happened once or twice, you leave it at that and no-one minds).
If people swear at home, it means it's what they do when they're being themselves, real business happens when people start being themselves.
Make it fucking happen.
This post, is dedicated to Rose...!
Posted by Rich...! | Permalink
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Shit, now the secret's out...!
You're 100% correct, Polite Lingo often screws up efficient (and effective) communication.
Let's drop the crap, and communicate intelligently!
Posted by: Martin | 7 Jan 2005 07:52:09
And if people use profanity to express themselves, we might actually see a decline in the 'jargon-wars' that clutter and extend every business meeting.
That'll be a blessing.
Posted by: D'ave | 10 Jan 2005 10:56:23
yip you are right you fucking wanking poesklap....!
Posted by: rooibos | 10 Jan 2005 14:40:45
good one! you nailed it! :D
Posted by: ivan | 10 Jan 2005 21:40:25
I recently had a bit of a running altercation with a PC supplier about a defective piece of equipment that turned out not to be defective. I had to eat humble pie phoning the techie back, and I just said "I'm really sorry, I feel like a complete *doos*" I think that got the point across, he laughed and was immediately cool about it. Choosing one's cuss-words wisely can definitely help to break the ice :-)
Posted by: Colin | 12 Jan 2005 23:45:06


text:
A Greenville woman said she is hopeful someone has seen her late sister's pet tortoise that got loose.
Nikki Greene told FOX Carolina that her family went on vacation around Labor Day and the tortoise has been missing since.
The pet is named Lucky and is an African spurred tortoise.
She said she thinks people were fishing on their property and left the gate open, allowing Lucky to walk off. Greene said there have been a few sightings of the reptile, but she has not had any luck locating it.
She said hopes to find Lucky because the tortoise was her sister's, who passed away.
Lucky is described as 10 years old and a little bigger than a basketball. He was last seen in the areas of Shannon Drive and John Knox Church, according to Greene's post on the FOX Carolina Lost and Found pets section here.
If anyone sees Lucky, email email@example.com or respond to Greene's post.
Greene is offering a $300 reward for the return of Lucky.
Copyright 2013 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


text:
After pinning the Huskers at their own 5 and not letting them past their own 20, the Wildcats managed to march the ball to the Nebraska 29 for a 46-yard field goal, cutting the Huskers' lead to 4.
It took Nebraska only eight plays to eat 87 yards and score a responding touchdown on a 35-yard Taylor Martinez run. ("Run" is a bit of a misnomer; it was more of a duck-and-weave, but 35 yards is 35 yards.) Following a Wildcat three-and-out, Martinez ripped off a monster 54-yard scramble to set up a 59-yard Husker field goal.
At the half, Nebraska leads K-State, 17-3.


text:
Town Square
A great article on "Why we need to get rid of anonymous comments".
Original post made by peter carpenter on Mar 10, 2011
Two excerpts:
" Anonymity has long been hailed as one of the founding philosophies of the Internet, a critical bulwark protecting our privacy. But that view no longer holds. In all but the most extreme scenarioseverywhere outside of repressive governmentsanonymity damages online communities. Letting people remain anonymous while engaging in fundamentally public behavior encourages them to behave badly. Indeed, we shouldn't stop at comments. Web sites should move toward requiring people to reveal their real names when engaging in all online behavior that's understood to be publicwhen you're posting a restaurant review or when you're voting up a story on Reddit, say. In almost all cases, the Web would be much better off if everyone told the world who they really are."
"What's my beef with anonymity? For one thing, several social science studies have shown that when people know their identities are secret (whether offline or online), they behave much worse than they otherwise would have. Formally, this has been called the "online disinhibition effect,"
As I have stated elsewhere on this forum "The people who post on this forum anonymously do so, by their own admission, for the very reason that they wish to hide something (definition - 1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.
2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author.
3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction).
What exactly they wish to hide can only be guessed - it may be their name, their actual place of residence, their occupation, their experience or lack thereof, their otherwise known biases and conflicts of interest or the fact that they have also posted under numerous other noms de guerre. What these anonymous individuals opine must then be filtered though the lens which they themselves have created. In a discussion such as this one about the airport it is always helpful to be able to assess the knowledge base of the poster - which is difficult to do if we have no idea who they are or of their competency on the subject matter. Each reader must therefore use their own judgment in evaluating such postings.
Let the anonymous attacks begin.
Comments (7)
on Mar 14, 2011 at 11:36 am
Jennifer Bestor is a registered user.
As someone who cares deeply enough about Menlo Park to write letters to the editor, Guest Opinions, and other submissions that (hopefully) shed perspective on the challenges we jointly face, I politely disagree with you. I think the wheat of anonymous posting outweighs the chaff. That said, the Almanac might want to boost registered submissions to the top of the pile, out of respect for their authors' commitment.
To my mind, losing anonymous comment loses something very valuable. I am very interested in what people think about topics I care enough about to research (of late, commercial property tax and redevelopment revenue) -- but realize that they pull their punches when their names are attached.
Unfettered, people let us know what they are thinking ... as disappointing to many of us as that content often is. This raw feedback, in turn, helps me -- either in rephrasing what I've learned so it doesn't trigger an automatic reaction ... or in suggesting to me additional analysis that goes to the heart of their objections. So, selfishly, I value it.
Furthermore, one of the great challenges in understanding the public political sphere right now is figuring out the core heart-held beliefs that motivate "liberals" and "conservatives." (And, no, I do not believe these beliefs are "free the downtrodden" and "no new taxes.") Both groups are motivated by deep fears and hopes -- which increasingly sophisticated political PR efforts manipulate with catchwords -- but which the rest of us can only tease out of their anonymous postings.
Finally, looking at the San Jose Mercury's forums, I feel a tremendous amount was lost when they required Facebook registration. Now every submission has the lifetime of a letter to the Editor. Why bother?
on Mar 14, 2011 at 4:19 pm
peter carpenter is a registered user.
Jennifer - Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Perhaps the solution is to have unrestricted threads for the purpose of providing, as you say, 'raw' input and then threads which are restricted to registered users (and only permitting one such registered user per IP address) to permit more thoughtful exchanges of facts and information. And then finding some way to preserve civility in all of these postings.
on Mar 14, 2011 at 8:15 pm
menlo voter is a registered user.
Peter state: "Perhaps the solution is to have unrestricted threads for the purpose of providing, as you say, 'raw' input and then threads which are restricted to registered users (and only permitting one such registered user per IP address) to permit more thoughtful exchanges of facts and information."
That's exactly what occurs here. If one that starts the remarks sets it up that way. If not, anyone can post. What's the problem? I post here repeatedly. I prefer to remain anonymous. I work in this community and prefer not to have my opinions held against me, thus impeading my ability to make a living. You are retired Peter and have no such concern.
on Mar 14, 2011 at 8:17 pm
peter carpenter is a registered user.
Perhaps the solution is to have unrestricted threads for the purpose of providing, as you say, 'raw' input and then threads which are restricted to registered users (and only permitting one such registered user per IP address) to permit more thoughtful exchanges of facts and information. And then finding some way to preserve civility in all of these postings.
on Mar 14, 2011 at 9:28 pm
menlo voter is a registered user.
"Perhaps the solution is to have unrestricted threads for the purpose of providing, as you say, 'raw' input and then threads which are restricted to registered users (a nd only permitting one such registered user per IP address) "
Peter, as I said, I think this is already available under the current set up. When one sets up posts they can require it to be only by registerd users. Remember Peter, registered users are not required to use their actual names. So, it doesn't really accomplish what you truly desire. Bottom line - anonymous posts are here to stay. If the almanac does what you desire and makes it impoossible to post anonymously, you will be left talking to yourself and maybe three or four others. Think about it.
on Mar 14, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Jon Buckheit is a registered user.
I think all of the following are true:
1. Anonymity permits (encourages?) people to behave with (much) less circumspection than those who post using their own names (if they so choose).
2. As Menlo Voter said, there are legitimate reasons for people to want to remain anonymous (posting strong views about controversial topics, while retaining the need to earn a living in this community).
3. Many of us (including myself, and Ms. Bestor) have found value from anonymous comments.
4. There are a handful of people who do not have financial freedom but have consistently posted using their own names on very controversial topics. (I'm not one of them). It takes a lot of courage. Ironically these people tend to be attacked the most by anonymous posters.
on Mar 15, 2011 at 7:48 am
peter carpenter is a registered user.
I think Jon summarizes the situation well. The missing ingredient is some method of protecting posters who use their own names from the personal attacks by anonymous posters - perhaps better moderation, suspension of posting privileges, censure by other anonymous posters who wish to maintain the civility of this forum or whatever.
If you were a member and logged in you could track comments from this story.
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Ranch hunt opinions
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Black Bear
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: chicago
Posts: 382
Ranch hunt opinions
Just wondering what everybodys thought on fenced ranch hunts are? The reason I ask is I'm looking for something to hunt during my vacation in November. My Bison hunt fell through because my buddy decided to redo his basement and tells me he wont have the money for that hunt. Most deer hunting guides are really high cost here and I'm saving money for elk next year. I'm thinking of going to Nuges ranch for Russian Boar, but I'm not sure whether or not ranch huntings right for me. I do however feel as though after an unsuccessful bear hunt it would be a good oppurtunity for me to harvest an animal (other than duck or geese). Just wondered what everyones opinion is since I respect the members here.
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Somebody sent quite a fun little game to the mailbag at the Ring Magazine this week and I thought I would post it here to see what people's responses were. The format is very simple. From the field of current boxers who would you most like to:
1. Have a discussion with about the current economic crisis?
2. Punch in the face?
3. Give a hug to?
4. Have a boxing lesson from?
5. Match them up with any other boxer of your choice?
6. Advise to stop boxing?
7. Invite to a dinner party?
8. Work out with?
9. Get drunk with?
10. Work their corner?
(Editor's Note: I used that photo, because when else could I ever use that photo?)


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So I did this last year and enjoyed it so I thought I would try it again. Here is my best guess at how the standings will look by the end of this season. This is assuming that key players don't go down via injury, even though we all know that will happen. So have a look. Tell me what you think.
Eastern Conference
1.) Washington Capitals - This is by far the easiest pick. Weakest division in the Eastern conference and a dominant offense equals a first place finish for Alex Ovechkin and company. Additionally my gut says that between Semyon Varlamov and Michael Neuvrith that the goaltending is going to be superior to years past.
2.) Boston Bruins - This one was a bit tricky but makes sense to me. Tuuka Rask is an excellent goaltender and Tim Thomas is no slouch either. Additionally they have depth down their lineup. I'm convinced that this year they will refind their mojo and score at a much better rate. Add to that a solid blueline led by Zdeno Chara and what's not to love.
3.) New Jersey Devils - I know they are going to lose a few bodies in the near future. But seeing that line of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, and Ilya Kovalchuk is more than enough to make up for any depth loss. Adding Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder to the blueline was a great move by Lamouriello. And I think that Martin Brodeur has at least one more Vezina qualifying season left in him.
4.) Pittsburgh Penguins - Missing Jordan Staal to begin the season will sting a little bit. There is a very high probability that if Evgeni Malkin is healthy that Pittsburgh will take the Atlantic crown from New Jersey. I expect it to come down to the end of the season. But New Jersey wins in one major category to me and that is goaltending. Marc Andre Fleury is not Brodeur.
5.) Buffalo Sabres - Ryan Miller made his name seriously known last year and I'd expect that he continues to win games. If key players perform well they could give Boston a run for its money. To do so they will need Thomas Vanek to step up his game and play like he did in 08-09 and less like he did last year. Additionally they'll need a full season from Tim Connolly and for Tyler Myers to repeat/improve on his Calder winning performance.
6.) Philadelphia Flyers - The goaltending is a mess but this team has lots of offensive weapons and serious grit. Add to that an impressive blueline with Chris Pronger leading the way and they will have no problem making the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how Ville Leino and Nikolai Zherdev do, however. Will Leino repeat his playoff magic and can Zherdev ever escape being an enigma?
7.) Ottawa Senators - The big question in my mind is who will be in goal. Brian Elliott or Pascal Leclaire, neither is a terrible option but one of them needs to up their game. Aside from that the Sens added Sergei Gonchar who should definitely help their powerplay, which was a slight weakness last year. Losing Volchenkov will hurt a little but this team should still make the playoffs.
8.) New York Rangers - Honestly there are a few teams that could possibly fill this spot. But seeing as I'm a Rangers fan and I like to be optimistic I'm putting the Rangers here. There are a lot of good pieces on this team. Henrik Lundqvist is an elite netminder. Marian Gaborik is a game-changing scorer. Marc Staal is a premiere defensemen. They just need to find offense outside of Gaborik and play smart hockey.
9.) Tampa Bay Lightning - This is my dark horse pick in the east. There are still questions about just how good their goaltending and defense is but there is no doubt about the offensive potential this team has. If Simon Gagne can light a fire under Vincent Lecavalier then there is the potential to have a potent one two punch. The problem is that I get the feeling they will give up just as many goals as they get. But maybe they will prove me wrong.
10.) Montreal Canadiens - I know that they were a playoff team last year and they are putting out a similar unit this year. My problem lies with Carey Price. I think he is going to melt under all the pressure and Bob Gainey is going to look like an idiot for getting rid of Jaroslav Halak. Their offense will win them enough games to keep them competitive but I just don't see how they make it unless Price proves all his pundits wrong.
11.) Atlanta Thrashers - The addition of Chris Mason was good. I also like all the scraps they managed to scavenge from the champion Chicago team. But this is the year for them to tread water I think. Unless some of the young guns on this team really step up I just don't see how they make the playoffs. They will be a pain in the ass to play against but I think they are a year away from really making a run.
12.) Carolina Hurricanes - If Carolina can avoid losing two of its best players for significant time this season they will do better. But it seems like it will be a year of middling for the Hurricanes. After Eric Staal the best scorer on the team is Jussi Jokinen and I have my doubts about Jokinen having another season like last years. They will not be total pushovers but they will be in a rebuilding phase this year.
13.) Florida Panthers - Florida still has Tomas Vokoun who is a legitimate elite goalie. But they have a lot of youth on their blueline. There are questions abound about what they can produce and they traded away Nathan Horton who was one of their top scorers.
14.) Toronto Maple Leafs - The Phil Kessel express can only carry this team so far. Dion Phaneuf will definitely make an impact. You know that any team assembled by Brian Burke is going to be a major headache to play against, but they are a star or two away from making any kind of splash.
15.) New York Islanders - They are in one of the toughest divisions in hockey. They have a great youthful core. But they will be without their number one defenseman in Mark Streit for the majority of the season and now have lost Kyle Okposo for two months possibly more. Its not looking good for the Fish Sticks.
Western Conference
1.) Vancouver Canucks - Two healthy Sedins will make a world of difference especially if Henrik continues to put up the points he did last season. They have a solid offense and a serviceable defense along with Roberto Luongo. They have the opportunity to win the west, its on them to capitlize on it. Which I think they will.
2.) Detroit Red Wings - They will benefit from the blowout sale that was the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason. With a full season from rookie phenom Jimmy Howard and hopefully more of a season from Johan Franzen they should be able to win the division. If they can stay healthy they have every chance to make a run for the cup.
3.) Los Angeles Kings - This was the toughest division to pick a winner for. But with a lot of depth with players like they have. The next great defenseman in Drew Doughty and a goaltending duo of Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier. They will have every opportunity to take Pacific division crown.
4.) San Jose Sharks - The only reason they don't take the Pacific crown is because their defense will be in transition mode. I say that referring to both the goalies and the defensemen. They will still be an excellent team that can score with the best of them. It's just hard to pick them to win the division when they have Antero Niittymaki and Antti Niemi minding the crease(despite the fact that Niemi won the cup).
5.) Phoenix Coyotes - As long as Ilya Bryzgalov plays like he did last year this team should be just as good. They did lose Zbynek Michalek which is significant but they upgraded their offense and have more than enough suitable replacements on defense. Dave Tippett worked his magic once all ready its no stretch that he'll be able to do it again.
6.) Chicago Blackhawks - They just can't be as good as they were last year. They lost way too many pieces. However, it does not mean they will miss the playoffs. The core is still there. The defense is incredibly solid. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are always a threat. I'm curious to see how Marty Turco does, my guess is a whole lot better than last year.
7.) Nashville Predators - They swapped out Dan Hamhuis for Ryan Parent. They added Matt Lombardi after he had a breakout season in Phoenix. They always find a way to make the most out of very little. It's just hard to bet against them. All though its unfortunate that a perennial playoff team is never good enough to win a playoff series.
8.) Colorado Avalanche - Last year I was very wrong about them. This year I'm more of a believer in Craig Anderson being capable as a starter. They have a lot of young talent that will need to at least match last year's performances. But if they surpass expectations like they did last year there is no reason they won't make the playoffs.
9.) Calgary Flames - They brought in the old this offseason. Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay were the big names added. If Tanguay finds his chemistry he once had with Jarome Iginla then he could definitely make up for a dissappointing season in Tampa. I just don't see how they can be much improved over last season. But they will definitely be waiting in the wings if someone stumbles.
10.) St. Louis Blues - This is my dark horse pick for the western conference. They have a young core, that if they step up as expected, will be a great group of players. Add in Jaroslav Halak, who has proven he can win games on his own and they may surprise some people. I'm just not overly confident that they can pull it all together this season.
11.) Anaheim Ducks - They play in a tough division. Scott Niedermayer retired. They still have one of the most potent lines in the whole NHL. Jonas Hiller has played well enough. But they are just not good enough to compete with LA, San Jose and Phoenix.
12.) Columbus Blue Jackets - Columbus is hoping Steve Mason is not the next Andrew Raycroft. I am not yet convinced he isn't. They have some talent but they fail continually to win consistently. It remains to be seen how they will really play under their new coach but odds are they won't be making playoff appearance number two.
13.) Minnesota Wild - Niklas Backstrom is due for a bounce back season. Minnesota added some interesting pieces. But they truly lack a game changer. Mikko Koivu is no slouch but he is not the game changer they really need. Additionally the additions they made were more supporting characters not the main attractions.
14.) Edmonton Oilers - They have people talking. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajavari look like they could seriously do some damage. It will be interesting to see how Khababulin does. They could be the Avalanche of this season to come. But my money is on them spending another year in the western conference basement.
15.) Dallas Stars - It was the end of an era in Dallas this offseason. Marty Turco and Mike Modano are out and they will be missed. Kari Lehtonen is the new number one, and is all ready hurt. I honestly don't know who his backup is and that is a little scary for them. Their defense has to improve this year or it will be a long season in Dallas.
So there you have it. My "predictions," let me know what you all think. And as a last prediction I say that San Jose will finally raise a cup at the end of this season.


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When you think of Connecticut baked goods may not immediately come to mind. However, Connecticut has some of the best bakeries. Don't try just one … try them all!


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Electronic wallets: Google working to allow MasterCard, Citigroup mobile payments on Android phones
Mobile payments are expected to be the wave of the future, adding more purchasing power and features to smart phones. And that future may be sooner than later.
Basically, you could make payments from MasterCard or Citigroup-issued credit and debit cards at cash registers. You would likely also be able to check and manage accounts from Android apps. As for Google, it would offer retailers information about customers that would allow companies to send tailored advertisements and discount offers. The search-engine giant would make money off those ads.
AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Discover Financial Services have been working on their own version called Isis. The system also would allow mobile payments via smart phones.
Is it safe? Many analysts predict mobile payments will be as safe or even safer than using traditional credit cards. But I wouldnt use the method unless you have the same lost or stolen-card protections offered from credit card and other financial institutions as they offer on credit cards.


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Root completes half-century on debut (From The Bolton News)
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Root completes half-century on debut
5:48am Friday 14th December 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2014
Debutant Joe Root completed an admirable half-century as he and Matt Prior took England's sixth-wicket stand into three figures on the second morning of the final Test against India.
Prior (57no) was the first to twin 50s, defying the physics of this deathly slow pitch to bag a trademark square-cut off Pragyan Ojhan for his sixth four to reach the milestone in 124 balls.
Twenty-one-year-old Root (50no), a surprise inclusion for this match which England need to at least draw to complete a historic series victory here, needed 154 deliveries to pass his 50.
There were only two boundaries along the way for him in a nonetheless convincing innings which hinted at the Yorkshireman's significant potential as a Test batsman.
It was a telling performance too in the context of the match, after Root and Prior had joined forces on a vulnerable 139 for five yesterday but progressed to 241 together an hour into day two.
Their first task on Friday morning was to negotiate another spell from Ishant Sharma, on this low surface which has made India's solitary seamer a bigger threat than any of their four spinners.
There were no scrapes against any of the bowlers, though, as England's batsmen kept their patience and tailored their shot-making to the limitations of the pitch.


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Friday, January 17, 2014 - 520 hits
As part of the 2014 African American Read-In Monday Marathon, Ronnie Burrage will present "Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poetry" on Monday, February 24, 2014 from noon - 1:00 p.m. in the Pond View Lounge of the Slep Student Center.
Percussionist, musician, and composer Ronnie Burrage is considered one of the best jazz musicians on the world scene today. He has played with Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Archie Shepp, and many others, and is featured on more than one hundred recordings.
"Burrage is not only known for his virtuoso ability with all forms of percussion, but as an innovative composer and program designer who can put together dramatic musical programs which are deeply educational and altogether entertaining. I am writing these things because I think more people need to know Ronnie Burrage, who has been on the scene, like they say, and has been saying something musically, at a very high level." - Amiri Baraka
The presentation is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be served.
For more information about the African American Read-in, visit www.altoona.psu.edu/now/news.php?value=4472 online.
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43 U.S. Code § 1221 - Issuance of patents; application
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Whenever it shall be shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Interior that a tract of public land, lying between the meander line of an inland lake or river in Wisconsin as originally surveyed and the meander line of that lake or river as subsequently resurveyed, has been held in good faith and in peaceful, adverse possession by a person, or his predecessors in interest, who had been issued a patent, prior to January 21, 1953, for lands lying along the meander line as originally determined, the Secretary of the Interior shall cause a patent to be issued to such person for such land upon the payment of the same price per acre as that at which the land included in the original patent was purchased and upon the same terms and conditions. All persons seeking to purchase lands under this subchapter shall make application to the Secretary within one year from August 24, 1954, or from the date of the official filing of the plat or resurvey, whichever is later, and the Secretary of the Interior shall cause no patents to be issued for land lying between the original meander line and the resurveyed meander line until the conclusion of such periods.
Source(Aug. 24, 1954, ch. 900, § 1,68 Stat. 789.)
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Student's jewellery design displayed in show (From Brentwood Weekly News)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting BWNNEWS to 80360 or email us »
Student's jewellery design displayed in show
12:00pm Tuesday 31st December 2013 in News
A STUDENT from Brentwood had jewellery she designed displayed as part of a exhibition at her college.
Jessica Sheaf, 18, was among the South Essex College students who had their work shown off during the Series and Sequence exhibit at the venue.
The teenager art and design pupil got inspiration for her designs including a necklace based on symbols of African culture from visits to the British Museum.


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I wasn't going to say anything about this but it has just been bugging me. I heard Coach Saban say that he appreciated the fan support Sat. night and no disrespect to him, but as a fan I'd give our support no better than a C.
To begin with we were not that loud. Compared to my recent experiences in Fayetteville and Columbia we were down right quiet. And, those folks had far less people!!! I don't think we were close to the volume we had last year in BDS for LSU and that was with 10,000 less people.
Where I was sitting the fans pretty much sat down the whole game. I stood up tjhe whole game because I always stand up...I'm too nervous to sit down, it helps you yell louder, and it is too tight where I sit to sit down anyway (the guy who holds the seats next to me is huge and takes up 1 ½ seats...if you are reading this Steve...I AM talking about you.) At any rate some of the fans behind me, Alabama fans mind you, even got mad that I was standing up. I definitely stood out like a sore thumb.
But to me the worst part was the way many of our fans left early. To begin with the South End Zone Upper Deck was about half empty at half time. I don't sit up there, but we need those folks to be engaged. I'm guessing a lot of it may have been students...but the lower bowl student section did stay together pretty well and they did yell.
Then, when we missed the final field goal with still enough time (about 2 ½ min.) for Ole Miss to actually come back it was mass exodus. True, it would have been a great comeback...but it could have happened (have you seen us defend the onside kick?) Why, just last year we had the ball with about 3 ½ min to go, up 9 against UT, and we had to block a last second kick to win!! And, have we forgotten 98 in Baton Rogue. We were down 16-7, and stunk all day, with 3 minutes to go we were on our own 40 and then we won by 6. Don't tell me Ole Miss, with Massoli, playing against our D was not capable of that. But then again I actually thought we still had a chance at SC when we got it back with like a minute to go.
I'll admit the game was very late (I actually had to drive 350 miles after the game to be in church the next morning so I was wanting the game to end as quickly as it could but, it just drug on) and I'll admit we were not playing very good. But...don't talk about how the team was not fired up etc. Julio freaking Jones played with a hand still recovering from surgery and GMac, (for all his bad play) took some hard shots but did not leave the game. I'd say the players were playing with more heart than I saw in the fans except maybe the students.
So, the bottom line is do we, the fans, really think we have a small part in the team's success? If you don't, and you have Tide Pride Tickets, how about giving them up so the thousands on the waiting list can buy them. And, if you are coming to the game, and you are just going to sit on your hands and watch the game, I've got news for you...all the games are on TV now. Stay at home, or just hang out on the quad and watch on TV. Just be sure to sell your tickets to someone who cares.


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The last college football game of the 2009 season is upon us this evening - the BCS National Title game between the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide. While our beloved Huskers aren't directly involved in the game, we will be hearing (repeatedly, most likely, until we plot the deaths of every announcer and pundit involved or maybe you've already gotten there) about that one second that was brought back from the dead after the Big 12 title game had ended. ESPN will replay the last minute or so of the game and it will bring back all those feelings about how close we were to being champions.
Texas comes into the national title game as the underdog, a lot of that having to do with the hurt that the Blackshirts put on them in the Big 12 title game. The fact that the defense shut them down so badly has lead pundits to question Texas' offense rather than giving the Huskers credit for having an exceptional defense. No shock there, though, that's how the media works - tearing down anything on top and building up anything that's on the bottom - it's how they create stories that grab people's attention.
There's also a double standard at work here. For some reason, if a Big 12 game ends up as a low-scoring defensive affair, it's because the teams weren't very good, their offenses were flawed. If a SEC game ends up as a low-scoring affair (a redundant statement, mostly) it's because the teams are all great, the players are great and the conference is the greatest ever, yada yada yada.
I most likely will be rooting for Texas (I'm saying "most likely" because it just might happen that seeing that last second against Texas pisses me off so much that instead of rooting for them I wish the Longhorns would get destroyed). I tend to root for the other Big 12 teams in most their games for reasons of familiarity and the belief that if the rest of the conference is winning it ultimately makes Nebraska look better. The latter concept is especially true in tonight's game.
If Texas can score points against Alabama - another team with a great defensive line but unlike Nebraska and Oklahoma only an average pass rush - then maybe people who weren't paying attention to our Huskers might realize how special our defense was this season. The adverse will be true if Alabama holds Texas under 13 points, and it will be much worse if the Crimson Tide blow the Longhorns off the field. On top of that, we'll have to hear about SEC domination all over again.
There are a lot of Husker fans who wouldn't root for the Longhorns if they were the last team on earth and I don't blame them. Given the success they've had against us, and all the breaks they've had, it's hard not to feel that way.
As for Alabama, well, they have more national titles than Nebraska. We have five, they claim 12 (or 16, depending upon whom you want to believe). They have the man recognized as the greatest college football coach of all time, Paul Bear Bryant, while we have the actual greatest college football coach of all time in Tom Osborne. God only knows what kind of award they'll make for Nick Saban should Alabama win tonight, but I'm sure that it'll be huge, probably a life-size solid-gold statue of the merc hisself complete with 10-carat diamonds for dimples.
Then there's the bizarre level of conference allegiance amongst SEC fans, the ability for them to take collective credit for anything done by any team in their conference their own. Perhaps that's the result of having a conference that's as as old as carpetbagging, but I am not looking forward to hearing S-E-C chants from tomorrow night's crowd, should the game came to that.
Add all this up, even the hate you have for Texas, and I have to ask - if you're rooting for the Crimson Tide and you're a Husker fan, why?
(CN will be running an open thread this even if for no other reason than we can get together and take shots at both teams. Plus, it's a long offseason. )


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My morning was like any other morning. I was awakened by a coughing fit well before dawn, while the smog still smothered the city. I gradually worked my way to the bathroom, my fourth floor apartment silent except for the buzzing of the cheap fluorescent bulb in my bathroom. The plaster was peeling from my ceiling, and the blinds were dusty with disuse. As I brushed my teeth, I turned my television to the news. As my screen crackled to life, a cheery forecaster predicted mid 60's, with a possible chance of sunshine in the late afternoon, so he recommended I be sure to wear my UV Sunblock 200. I grunted my agreement, then leaned back over my sink to spit.
As I put my pants on, I changed the channel to business news. Soybean prices had risen, while beef prices had fallen again. The Yen was again wavering past the dollar, and IBM had taken a nose-dive to 120 points.
As I buttoned my shirt, I flicked the television off, and booted up Marty, my computer.
My screen slowly resolved to show a sphere, which in turn turned around, as if it was the back of a head, to show Marty's smiling face.
"Hello, sir."
"Hi, Marty," I said, as I plopped into my office chair in front of him. "Got any messages for me today?"
"Oh, yes," he said in his excited way, "Four messages, for a total of 5 minutes, 34 seconds of playing time. Would you like me to play them for you?"
"Sure, sure."
A window slowly zoomed closer from the upper left corner of the screen, to show Sheryl, my girlfriend, bent toward the monitor, waving her finger slowly in and out of my view of her. "Hey Mike, hi ... uhmmm ... you didn't like, return my calls, and I am like wondering are you dead or what, and I am just curious, you know, so like gimme a call, okay? Bye."
The next message showed Sheryl leaning on one elbow toward the monitor and saying in a singsong voice "Mike, Mike ... Wwheerrreee aaarrreee yyyyooouuu???? Wwwwhhhheerreee aaaaarr -"
"Skip it." I said, as I got up to zap some water in the microwave for coffee.
The next message began with a computerized person saying, "Tuberculosis got you down? Tired of waiting for the next antibiotic to get stronger, just to have it fail too? Why not try the better way, with Micro Pore. Yes, Micro Pore, the cheap, easy, effective way to -"
"Skip it."
The last message began playing just as my microwave beeped. It was my boss warning me about the Heller file having to be in on time, and how important it was to The Weekly Tribune, and where was I at 1: 00 a.m?
I dumped in the instant coffee, and slowly drank my breakfast as I sat down on the sofa, facing eastward, looking out my window at the first streaks of sunshine as they hit the city.
I swiveled my head toward Marty, my post-sleep feeling still with me.
" Yes?"
"A little music, perhaps, sir?"
I smiled and said "Canon," then turned back to watch day reclaim my city of sound and light. ^
This piece has been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.


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Clean Sweep: Aesop + Marimekko's Limited-Edition Beauty Collaboration
Now the company is taking its love of the Nordic tradition one step further. "Our designers were inspired by sauna culture as a source of well-being and health, the relaxed feeling you get from it, the particular scents you associate with the surrounding woods," says Kemell-Kutvonen of teaming up with Aesop, the renowned Australian beauty brand, to capture the essence of the steam-cleansing ritual in a pair of plant-based body products this month.
Launching on Monday, the Aesop-Marimekko Sauna Duet consists of a gentle polishing scrub that's spiked with fine-milled pumice and bamboo stem extract; a lush corresponding body balm is loaded with enough skin-nourishing vitamins, antioxidants, and seed butters to banish dry winter elbows and knees for good.
Even their aromatic scent—a blend of fir needle, sage leaf, and pine essential oils—pays tribute to the natural Finnish landscape. And while the chic recyclable brown jars are definitively Aesop's, Marimekko has lent its black-and-white Vellamo print to the labels and accompanying cotton pouch. The signature pattern, which was originally conceived as a whimsical interpretation of flowing water, will also appear on a selection of Marimekko summer totes made for holding sauna essentials like robes, towels, and bench covers. We predict a wait list.
The Sauna Duet, $75; available at aesop.com and us.marimekko.com
From what the stars should wear to who we think will win—here is everything you need to know about the 2014 Emmy Awards.
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