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The serpent deceives Eve. (1-5) Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery. (6-8) God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer. (9-13) The serpent cursed, The promised Seed. (14,15) The punishment of mankind. (16-19) The first clothing of mankind. (20,21) Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise. (22-24)
Verses 1-5 Satan assaulted our first parents, to draw them to sin, and the temptation proved fatal to them. The tempter was the devil, in the shape and likeness of a serpent. Satan's plan was to draw our first parents to sin, and so to separate between them and their God. Thus the devil was from the beginning a murderer, and the great mischief maker. The person tempted was the woman: it was Satan's policy to enter into talk with her when she was alone. There are many temptations to which being alone gives great advantage; but the communion of saints tends very much to their strength and safety. Satan took advantage by finding her near the forbidden tree. They that would not eat the forbidden fruit, must not come near the forbidden tree. Satan tempted Eve, that by her he might tempt Adam. It is his policy to send temptations by hands we do not suspect, and by those that have most influence upon us. Satan questioned whether it were a sin or not, to eat of this tree. He did not disclose his design at first, but he put a question which seemed innocent. Those who would be safe, need to be shy of talking with the tempter. He quoted the command wrong. He spoke in a taunting way. The devil, as he is a liar, so he is a scoffer from the beginning; and scoffers are his children. It is the craft of Satan to speak of the Divine law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin; it is our wisdom to keep up a firm belief of God's command, and a high respect for it. Has God said, Ye shall not lie, nor take his name in vain, nor be drunk, &c.? Yes, I am sure he has, and it is well said; and by his grace I will abide by it. It was Eve's weakness to enter into this talk with the serpent: she might have perceived by his question, that he had no good design, and should therefore have started back. Satan teaches men first to doubt, and then to deny. He promises advantage from their eating this fruit. He aims to make them discontented with their present state, as if it were not so good as it might be, and should be. No condition will of itself bring content, unless the mind be brought to it. He tempts them to seek preferment, as if they were fit to be gods. Satan ruined himself by desiring to be like the Most High, therefore he sought to infect our first parents with the same desire, that he might ruin them too. And still the devil draws people into his interest, by suggesting to them hard thoughts of God, and false hopes of advantage by sin. Let us, therefore, always think well of God as the best good, and think ill of sin as the worst evil: thus let us resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
Verses 6-8 Observe the steps of the transgression: not steps upward, but downward toward the pit. 1. She saw. A great deal of sin comes in at the eye. Let us not look on that which we are in danger of lusting after, ( Matthew 5:28 ) . 2. She took. It was her own act and deed. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, ( Matthew 4:6 ) . 3. She did eat. When she looked perhaps she did not intend to take; or when she took, not to eat: but it ended in that. It is wisdom to stop the first motions of sin, and to leave it off before it be meddled with. 4. She gave it also to her husband with her. Those that have done ill, are willing to draw in others to do the same. 5. He did eat. In neglecting the tree of life, of which he was allowed to eat, and eating of the tree of knowledge, which was forbidden, Adam plainly showed a contempt of what God had bestowed on him, and a desire for what God did not see fit to give him. He would have what he pleased, and do what he pleased. His sin was, in one word, disobedience, Ro. 5:19 ; disobedience to a plain, easy, and express command. He had no corrupt nature within, to betray him; but had a freedom of will, in full strength, not weakened or impaired. He turned aside quickly. He drew all his posterity into sin and ruin. Who then can say that Adam's sin had but little harm in it? When too late, Adam and Eve saw the folly of eating forbidden fruit. They saw the happiness they fell from, and the misery they were fallen into. They saw a loving God provoked, his grace and favour forfeited. See her what dishonour and trouble sin is; it makes mischief wherever it gets in, and destroys all comfort. Sooner or later it will bring shame; either the shame of true repentance, which ends in glory, or that shame and everlasting contempt, to which the wicked shall rise at the great day. See here what is commonly the folly of those that have sinned. They have more care to save their credit before men, than to obtain their pardon from God. The excuses men make to cover and lessen their sins, are vain and frivolous; like the aprons of fig-leaves, they make the matter never the better: yet we are all apt to cover our transgressions as Adam. Before they sinned, they would have welcomed God's gracious visits with humble joy; but now he was become a terror to them. No marvel that they became a terror to themselves, and full of confusion. This shows the falsehood of the tempter, and the frauds of his temptations. Satan promised they should be safe, but they cannot so much as think themselves so! Adam and Eve were now miserable comforters to each other!
Verses 9-13 Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was straying he could not be either happy or easy. If sinners will but consider where they are, they will not rest till they return to God. It is the common fault and folly of those that have done ill, when questioned about it, to acknowledge only that which is so manifest that they cannot deny it. Like Adam, we have reason to be afraid of approaching to God, if we are not covered and clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Sin appears most plainly in the glass of the commandment, therefore God set it before Adam; and in it we should see our faces. But instead of acknowledging the sin in its full extent, and taking shame to themselves, Adam and Eve excuse the sin, and lay the shame and blame on others. There is a strange proneness in those that are tempted, to say, they are tempted of God; as if our abuse of God's gifts would excuse our breaking God's laws. Those who are willing to take the pleasure and profit of sin, are backward to take the blame and shame of it. Learn hence, that Satan's temptations are all beguilings; his arguments are all deceits; his allurements are all cheats; when he speaks fair, believe him not. It is by the deceitfulness of sin the heart is hardened. See ( Romans 7:11 , Hebrews 3:13 ) . But though Satan's subtlety may draw us into sin, yet it will not justify us in sin. Though he is the tempter, we are the sinners. Let it not lessen our sorrow for sin, that we were beguiled into it; but let it increase our self-indignation, that we should suffer ourselves to be deceived by a known cheat, and a sworn enemy, who would destroy our souls.
Verses 14-15 God passes sentence; and he begins where the sin began, with the serpent. The devil's instruments must share in the devil's punishments. Under the cover of the serpent, the devil is sentenced to be degraded and accursed of God; detested and abhorred of all mankind: also to be destroyed and ruined at last by the great Redeemer, signified by the breaking of his head. War is proclaimed between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. It is the fruit of this enmity, that there is a continual warfare between grace and corruption, in the hearts of God's people. Satan, by their corruptions, buffets them, sifts them, and seeks to devour them. Heaven and hell can never be reconciled, nor light and darkness; no more can Satan and a sanctified soul. Also, there is a continual struggle between the wicked and the godly in this world. A gracious promise is here made of Christ, as the Deliverer of fallen man from the power of Satan. Here was the drawn of the gospel day: no sooner was the wound given, than the remedy was provided and revealed. This gracious revelation of a Saviour came unasked, and unlooked for. Without a revelation of mercy, giving some hope of forgiveness, the convinced sinner would sink into despair, and be hardened. By faith in this promise, our first parents, and the patriarchs before the flood, were justified and saved. Notice is given concerning Christ. 1. His incarnation, or coming in the flesh. It speaks great encouragement to sinners, that their Saviour is the Seed of the woman, bone of our bone, ( hebrews 2:11 hebrews 2:14 ) . 2. His sufferings and death; pointed at in Satan's bruising his heel, that is, his human nature. And Christ's sufferings are continued in the sufferings of the saints for his name. The devil tempts them, persecutes and slays them; and so bruises the heel of Christ, who is afflicted in their afflictions. But while the heel is bruised on earth, the Head is in heaven. 3. His victory over Satan thereby. Christ baffled Satan's temptations, rescued souls out of his hands. By his death he gave a fatal blow to the devil's kingdom, a wound to the head of this serpent that cannot be healed. As the gospel gains ground, Satan falls.
Verses 16-19 The woman, for her sin, is condemned to a state of sorrow, and of subjection; proper punishments of that sin, in which she had sought to gratify the desire of her eye, and of the flesh, and her pride. Sin brought sorrow into the world; that made the world a vale of tears. No wonder our sorrows are multiplied, when our sins are so. He shall rule over thee, is but God's command, Wives, be subject to your own husbands. If man had not sinned, he would always have ruled with wisdom and love; if the woman had not sinned, she would always have obeyed with humility and meekness. Adam laid the blame on his wife; but though it was her fault to persuade him to eat the forbidden fruit, it was his fault to hearken to her. Thus men's frivolous pleas will, in the day of God's judgment, be turned against them. God put marks of displeasure on Adam. 1. His habitation is cursed. God gave the earth to the children of men, to be a comfortable dwelling; but it is now cursed for man's sin. Yet Adam is not himself cursed, as the serpent was, but only the ground for his sake. 2. His employments and enjoyments are imbittered to him. Labour is our duty, which we must faithfully perform; it is part of man's sentence, which idleness daringly defies. Uneasiness and weariness with labour are our just punishment, which we must patiently submit to, since they are less than our iniquity deserves. Man's food shall become unpleasant to him. Yet man is not sentenced to eat dust as the serpent, only to eat the herb of the field. 3. His life also is but short; considering how full of trouble his days are, it is in favour to him that they are few. Yet death being dreadful to nature, even when life is unpleasant, that concludes the punishment. Sin brought death into the world: if Adam had not sinned, he had not died. He gave way to temptation, but the Saviour withstood it. And how admirably the satisfaction of our Lord Jesus, by his death and sufferings, answered the sentence passed on our first parents! Did travailing pains come with sin? We read of the travail of Christ's soul, ( Isaiah 53:11 ) ; and the pains of death he was held by, are so called, ( Acts 2:24 ) . Did subjection came in with sin? Christ was made under the law, Ga. 4:4 . Did the curse come in with sin? Christ was made a curse for us, he died a cursed death, ( Galatians 3:13 ) . Did thorns come in with sin? He was crowned with thorns for us. Did sweat come in with sin? He sweat for us, as it had been great drops of blood. Did sorrow come in with sin? He was a man of sorrows; his soul was, in his agony, exceeding sorrowful. Did death come in with sin? He became obedient unto death. Thus is the plaster as wide as the wound. Blessed be God for his Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 20-21 God named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth; Adam named the woman, and called her Eve, that is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve of the living soul. Adam probably had regard to the blessing of a Redeemer, the promised Seed, in calling his wife Eve, or life; for He should be the life of all believers, and in Him all the families of the earth should be blessed. See also God's care for our first parents, notwithstanding their sin. Clothes came in with sin. Little reason have we to be proud of our clothes, which are but the badges of our shame. When God made clothes for our first parents, he made them warm and strong, but coarse and very plain; not robes of scarlet, but coats of skin. Let those that are meanly clad, learn from hence not to complain. Having food and a covering, let them be content; they are as well off as Adam and Eve. And let those that are finely clad, learn not to make the putting on of apparel their adorning. The beasts, from whose skins they were clothed, it is supposed were slain, not for man's food, but for sacrifice, to typify Christ, the great Sacrifice. Adam and Eve made for themselves aprons of fig-leaves, a covering too narrow for them to wrap themselves in, ( Isaiah 28:20 ) . Such are all the rags of our own righteousness. But God made them coats of skin, large, strong, durable, and fit for them: such is the righteousness of Christ; therefore put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 22-24 God bid man go out; told him he should no longer occupy and enjoy that garden: but man liked the place, and was unwilling to leave it, therefore God made him go out. This signified the shutting out of him, and all his guilty race, from that communion with God, which was the bliss and glory of paradise. But man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken. He was sent to a place of toil, not to a place of torment. Our first parents were shut out from the privileges of their state of innocency, yet they were not left to despair. The way to the tree of life was shut. It was henceforward in vain for him and his to expect righteousness, life, and happiness, by the covenant of works; for the command of that covenant being broken, the curse of it is in full force: we are all undone, if we are judged by that covenant. God revealed this to Adam, not to drive him to despair, but to quicken him to look for life and happiness in the promised Seed, by whom a new and living way into the holiest is laid open for us.
Genesis 3:1-5 . THE TEMPTATION.
1. the serpent--The fall of man was effected by the seductions of a serpent. That it was a real serpent is evident from the plain and artless style of the history and from the many allusions made to it in the New Testament. But the material serpent was the instrument or tool of a higher agent, Satan or the devil, to whom the sacred writers apply from this incident the reproachful name of "the dragon, that old serpent" [ Revelation 20:2 ]. Though Moses makes no mention of this wicked spirit--giving only the history of the visible world--yet in the fuller discoveries of the Gospel, it is distinctly intimated that Satan was the author of the plot ( John 8:44 , 2 Corinthians 11:3 , 1 John 3:8 , 1 Timothy 2:14 , Revelation 20:2 ).
more subtile--Serpents are proverbial for wisdom ( Matthew 10:16 ). But these reptiles were at first, probably, far superior in beauty as well as in sagacity to what they are in their present state.
He said--There being in the pure bosoms of the first pair no principle of evil to work upon, a solicitation to sin could come only from "without," as in the analogous case of Jesus Christ ( Matthew 4:3 ); and as the tempter could not assume the human form, there being only Adam and Eve in the world, the agency of an inferior creature had to be employed. The dragon-serpent [BOCHART] seemed the fittest for the vile purpose; and the devil was allowed by Him who permitted the trial, to bring articulate sounds from its mouth.
unto the woman--the object of attack, from his knowledge of her frailty, of her having been but a short time in the world, her limited experience of the animal tribes, and, above all, her being alone, unfortified by the presence and counsels of her husband. Though sinless and holy, she was a free agent, liable to be tempted and seduced.
yea, hath God said?--Is it true that He has restricted you in using the fruits of this delightful place? This is not like one so good and kind. Surely there is some mistake. He insinuated a doubt as to her sense of the divine will and appeared as an angel of light ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ), offering to lead her to the true interpretation. It was evidently from her regarding him as specially sent on that errand, that, instead of being startled by the reptile's speaking, she received him as a heavenly messenger.
2. the woman said, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden--In her answer, Eve extolled the large extent of liberty they enjoyed in ranging at will amongst all the trees--one only excepted, with respect to which, she declared there was no doubt, either of the prohibition or the penalty. But there is reason to think that she had already received an injurious impression; for in using the words "lest ye die," instead of "ye shall surely die" [ Genesis 2:17 ], she spoke as if the tree had been forbidden because of some poisonous quality of its fruit. The tempter, perceiving this, became bolder in his assertions.
4. Ye shall not surely die--He proceeded, not only to assure her of perfect impunity, but to promise great benefits from partaking of it.
5. your eyes shall be opened--His words meant more than met the ear. In one sense her eyes were opened; for she acquired a direful experience of "good and evil"--of the happiness of a holy, and the misery of a sinful, condition. But he studiously concealed this result from Eve, who, fired with a generous desire for knowledge, thought only of rising to the rank and privileges of her angelic visitants.
Genesis 3:6-9 . THE FALL.
6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food--Her imagination and feelings were completely won; and the fall of Eve was soon followed by that of Adam. The history of every temptation, and of every sin, is the same; the outward object of attraction, the inward commotion of mind, the increase and triumph of passionate desire; ending in the degradation, slavery, and ruin of the soul ( 1:15 , 1 John 2:16 ).
8. they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden--The divine Being appeared in the same manner as formerly--uttering the well-known tones of kindness, walking in some visible form (not running hastily, as one impelled by the influence of angry feelings). How beautifully expressive are these words of the familiar and condescending manner in which He had hitherto held intercourse with the first pair.
in the cool of the day--literally, "the breeze of the day," the evening.
hid themselves amongst the trees of the garden--Shame, remorse, fear--a sense of guilt--feelings to which they had hitherto been strangers disordered their minds and led them to shun Him whose approach they used to welcome. How foolish to think of eluding His notice ( Psalms 139:1-12 ).
Genesis 3:10-13 . THE EXAMINATION.
10. afraid, because . . . naked--apparently, a confession--the language of sorrow; but it was evasive--no signs of true humility and penitence--each tries to throw the blame on another.
12. The woman . . . gave me--He blames God [CALVIN]. As the woman had been given him for his companion and help, he had eaten of the tree from love to her; and perceiving she was ruined, was determined not to survive her [M'KNIGHT].
13. beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.
Genesis 3:14-24 . THE SENTENCE.
14. And the Lord God said unto the serpent--The Judge pronounces a doom: first, on the material serpent, which is cursed above all creatures. From being a model of grace and elegance in form, it has become the type of all that is odious, disgusting, and low [LE CLERC, ROSENMULLER]; or the curse has converted its natural condition into a punishment; it is now branded with infamy and avoided with horror; next, on the spiritual serpent, the seducer. Already fallen, he was to be still more degraded and his power wholly destroyed by the offspring of those he had deceived.
15. thy seed--not only evil spirits, but wicked men.
seed of the woman--the Messiah, or His Church [CALVIN, HENGSTENBERG].
I will put enmity between thee and the woman--God can only be said to do so by leaving "the serpent and his seed to the influence of their own corruption; and by those measures which, pursued for the salvation of men, fill Satan and his angels with envy and rage."
thou shalt bruise his heel--The serpent wounds the heel that crushes him; and so Satan would be permitted to afflict the humanity of Christ and bring suffering and persecution on His people.
it shall bruise thy head--The serpent's poison is lodged in its head; and a bruise on that part is fatal. Thus, fatal shall be the stroke which Satan shall receive from Christ, though it is probable he did not at first understand the nature and extent of his doom.
16. unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow--She was doomed as a wife and mother to suffer pain of body and distress of mind. From being the help meet of man and the partner of his affections [ Genesis 2:18 Genesis 2:23 ], her condition would henceforth be that of humble subjection.
17-19. unto Adam he said--made to gain his livelihood by tilling the ground; but what before his fall he did with ease and pleasure, was not to be accomplished after it without painful and persevering exertion.
19. till thou return unto the ground--Man became mortal; although he did not die the moment he ate the forbidden fruit, his body underwent a change, and that would lead to dissolution; the union subsisting between his soul and God having already been dissolved, he had become liable to all the miseries of this life and to the pains of hell for ever. What a mournful chapter this is in the history of man! It gives the only true account of the origin of all the physical and moral evils that are in the world; upholds the moral character of God; shows that man, made upright, fell from not being able to resist a slight temptation; and becoming guilty and miserable, plunged all his posterity into the same abyss ( Romans 5:12 ). How astonishing the grace which at that moment gave promise of a Saviour and conferred on her who had the disgrace of introducing sin the future honor of introducing that Deliverer ( 1 Timothy 2:15 ).
20. Adam called his wife's name Eve--probably in reference to her being a mother of the promised Saviour, as well as of all mankind.
21. God made coats of skins--taught them to make these for themselves. This implies the institution of animal sacrifice, which was undoubtedly of divine appointment, and instruction in the only acceptable mode of worship for sinful creatures, through faith in a Redeemer ( Hebrews 9:22 ).
22. And God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us--not spoken in irony as is generally supposed, but in deep compassion. The words should be rendered, "Behold, what has become [by sin] of the man who was as one of us"! Formed, at first, in our image to know good and evil--how sad his condition now.
and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life--This tree being a pledge of that immortal life with which obedience should be rewarded, man lost, on his fall, all claim to this tree; and therefore, that he might not eat of it or delude himself with the idea that eating of it would restore what he had forfeited, the Lord sent him forth from the garden.
24. placed . . . cherbim--The passage should be rendered thus: "And he dwelt between the cherubim at the East of the Garden of Eden and a fierce fire, or Shekinah, unfolding itself to preserve the way of the tree of life." This was the mode of worship now established to show God's anger at sin and teach the mediation of a promised Saviour as the way of life, as well as of access to God. They were the same figures as were afterwards in the tabernacle and temple; and now, as then, God said, "I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims" ( Exodus 25:22 ).


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Anika Gupta's writing has appeared in India and the United States, including in Business Today magazine, where she serves as its first digital content editor, the Hindustan Times newspaper and Smithsonian magazine.
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In Part 2 of Stories From The Staff, a series highlighting stories of former Sun Valley Resort employees, guest blogger Jennifer Tuohy discusses celebrities, Hollywood action flicks and meeting his wife on the Snowball Special, with former Sun Valley photographer turned Hollywood cinematographer John M. Stephens. Read Part 1 "Marilyn and Me, John Stephens on filming Bus Stop in Sun Valley" here.
As the 1958/59 ski season in Sun Valley came to a close, John M. Stephens left behind his role as the resort's photographer to pursue his dream job as a cinematographer. But he didn't leave the mountains of Idaho empty-handed. Alongside a burgeoning Hollywood career, Stephens also picked up a wife.
"Do you remember the Snowball Special that came into Ketchum from L.A.?" Stephens asked. "They sent me down to pick up the first train in, I guess it was Twin Falls, and take pictures of the Snowball Queen. I rode up in the boxcar. Man what a party. And they'd been partying all the way from L.A."
The Snowball Special was a dressed up Union Pacific train providing service from Los Angeles' Union Station to Ketchum. Outfitted with a dance floor with bar cars on both sides and two dining cars, the Snowball was a non-stop party train, entertaining its celebrity passengers for the entire 1,100-mile, 26-hour trip to Sun Valley. It was once called "the world's biggest sanctioned wingding."
"Anyway, I met the Snowball Queen," Stephens said. "Her name was Jan McCloud. I took pictures of her and we got married and have two beautiful children."
Clearly, Stephens made the most of his time in America's Shangri La.
Once in Hollywood however, Stephens was able to fully embrace his passion for adventure. "There's more than one way to shoot a bull," said John M. Stephens in this interview with the Los Angeles Herald Examiner in 1967 titled John Stephens Makes Danger His Business. "Over the horn or under the stomach."
This theory proved to be correct, propelling Stephens into the realms of Hollywood legend over his 5 decade-long career in movie-making. If you've ever watched a golden oldie on Turner Classic Movies and wondered how on earth they got that shot, the chances are, it was first shot by John Stephens. In the golden age of filmmaking, before CGI and green screens, Stephens was the man directors sought out when they needed unusual and exciting action sequences.
His big break came on the Oscar winning Grand Prix. "The picture won an Academy Award for its special effects and it was the electronic pan and tilt head camera I invented that got those close ups of James Garner driving around the track at 160mph."
It was 1965 and the director John Frankenheimer refused to shoot slow cars and speed the film up, as had been the norm. He approached Stephens and said "How would you like to be the cameraman going 180 miles per hour in a specially built camera car while photographing the actual drivers on the Grand Prix circuit?"
"It would scare the hell out of me," replied Stephens. Instead he devised the first radio-controlled remotely operated camera head, which captured the thrill of the race from inside the race, capable of producing never before seen shots, such as panning from James Garner's face to Brian Bedford's coming up right behind him while speeding along at close to 200 mph. All the while, Stephens was able to view the footage via a remote monitor in the relative safety of a helicopter hovering a few hundred feet above the racetrack.
It's hard to describe just how breathtaking those hair-raising race scenes are, and you'll just have to check out the movie (available here) to appreciate the full extent of Stephens' ingenuity. It's easy to connect the dots between Stephens' time on skis barreling down Bald Mountain with camera in hand, to the incredible action shots he devised.
"It was totally a new process and it turned out very well," Stephens said. "They did a lot of stories [on the new technique]. Popular Mechanics wrote a story about it, I was in all the magazines and I started to get more publicity than the director."
After Grand Prix and all its related publicity Stephens was in hot demand, an Arctic action flick with Rock Hudson followed and Stephens' Hollywood status was set in stone.
50 years and over 100 films later, 80 year-old Stephens is slightly overwhelmed by his resume (here's the full list). When I ask for some favorites, he replies, "You'll have to remind me of some of the names!"
"Six Days and Seven Nights, one of the last before I retired – with Harrison Ford and Anne Heche – that was a favorite. We shot a lot of the pictures up in Hawaii for the plane crash, it was a great location. Harrison Ford was great to work with."
He had worked with Mr. Ford previously, on the classic action flick Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom. "I did all the ski action shots. When the life raft came of out of the airplane and they jumped out and landed in the snow, racing down through the trees and off a cliff into the water. I photographed that. It was about a 6 rating in heavy water. That was quite a challenge, trying to get those pictures in the boat. It was quite a bumpy ride."
Speaking of water and boats, there's a little film on his resume that stands out to a history, disaster-loving, romantic such as myself. "There's a movie called Titanic on there," I said. "That must have been quite the experience."
"Yes," he chuckled in remembrance. "I had just got back from Europe where I had been shooting commercials for Mercedes Benz. It was about midnight and I get a phone call from the production manager of Titanic. He asks what I was doing, I said 'Sleeping.' He said 'Well get dressed and join us down in Mexico we need you on Titanic.' James Cameron, the director, had been called back to Fox because the studio had pulled the plug on him and he wanted me to finish up for him.
"I get down to Rosarito beach at 6 a.m., half asleep. Jim came out and shook my hand. 'Hi Mr. Stephens, I'm glad you're aboard with us. I've been through all the film clips of the shots you're going to pick up and finish for me.' And that was it. That was my meeting."
He worked on the multi-Oscar-winning flick for 5 weeks, shooting over 160 sequences, mostly concentrated around the famous ship submerging beneath the icy water. Which wasn't icy, he pointed out. "It was a big heated swimming pool, the size of two football fields, down on the beach. It's still there."
"At the preview, Jim came up to me and thanked me for my work. Never heard from him again. When I heard about Avatar I sort of wondered…"
Speaking of working with groundbreaking directors. What was it like working with Steven Spielberg on E.T.?
"Spielberg was very adamant about the particular type of shots he wanted and we'd have to stick exactly to the storyboards," Stephens said. "There was this one scene where the kids were being chased by the police, they had E.T. in a basket and they were on bicycles going off these plateaus. I figured out, well maybe I could do something a little extra.
"I had my small camera and I thought I could fasten it to the back of the bicycle, right behind where the kid pedals. So I'm building this mount, and I'm down on my knees attaching it to the frame and this gentleman is looking over my shoulder. He says 'Hmm. That's an original idea. I don't remember putting that on the storyboard.' It was Steven Spielberg."
"He looks at me and says, 'That's a very good idea, I'm anxious to see what it looks like in the dailies.' And well, we went ahead with the shot. It turned out to be a very exciting shot and he used it in the picture. Later he told me he appreciated what I was able to add over and above what the story boards called for. That meant a lot to me." He went on to work with Spielberg on other movies, including the first Indiana Jones.
Stephens carved his career out working in the 2nd unit cinematography (traditionally the unit dedicated to high-speed action sequences or other difficult location shooting). He constantly strove to go over and above what the storyboard called for, get something just a little more exciting, something more unusual.
"I really loved doing 2nd unit work, because it's where most of the excitement is," Stephens said in a 1995 documentary by Jeff Coffman about his career. "It was the opportunity for doing the type of filming I used to do in the Navy. We do dangerous things, that's part of our business. 2nd unit photography is very exciting. You never know what's going to happen.
"I've been in this business quite a few years and its been very good to me. I've been on many, many major motion pictures, the credits are quite exciting. It's been a good career."
After Titanic came Bandits with Cate Blanchett and Bruce Willis (I wonder if they chatted about Sun Valley?), Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson, The Peacemaker with Nicole Kidman and George Clooney in Slovakia, and many more. "I was mostly brought in to do the special shots," he explained. "When they needed something unique." One such assignment was Field of Dreams. "I just did the final scene," he said modestly. Arguably, the most famous shot in the whole movie, the camera does a gravity-defying sweep from watching Kevin Costner pitch a ball to a ghostly Shoeless Joe Jackson, to seamlessly panning out and high up into the sky above the farm-turned-baseball field to reveal a line of cars snaking off into the distance.
For the farm boy from Boone Grove, Indiana, the shot was a fitting tribute to his origins. And speaking of origins, he did manage to make it back to the place he credits for his long and successful career.
"I took Barbara [his second wife] to Sun Valley on our honeymoon. We wanted to retrace some of the steps I had taken. It was incredible going back to where it all started. All the memories. To see some of my pictures hanging on the wall there in the Lodge. It was quite an experience."


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Latest Updates
September 16, 2011
Troy Davis, who was sentenced to death in 1991 for the murder of a police officer, is due to have a clemency hearing on Monday.
September 16, 2011
Beijing urged to show clemency to Syed Zahid Hussain Shah, who is due to be executed next week.
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September 16, 2011
During today's Global Day of Solidarity for Troy Davis, about 300 rallies, vigils and other events have and are occurring across the globe from Berlin to Boulder, Paris to San Diego, Oslo to New So...
September 16, 2011
Prime Minister Najib Razak plans to repeal the Internal Security Act, which allows the authorities to detain people indefinitely without charge or trial.
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Supreme Court Advocate Sees Urgency in Marriage Fight
The gay couples who successfully challenged Utah's ban on same-sex marriages have tapped Hogan Lovell's Neal Katyal to make their arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court, now that the state has asked the justices to hear its appeal.
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Narrator Davina Porter's attentively detailed performance of Moll Flanders evokes the determination and resourcefulness of Daniel Defoe's titular character with great finesse and clarity. Porter balances Moll's archness with strength of character as this heroine tumbles around prostitution, bigamy, incest, and theft, all the while inspiring the listener's sympathy - and perhaps even encouragement. Through Moll, Defoe revealed the plight women without wealth faced during his time, and how immoral choices may be necessary in order to survive. Listeners will find themselves unable to forget Porter's perceptive interpretation of this classic.
One of the most determined, energetic, and lusty heroines in all of English literature, Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders will do anything to avoid poverty. Born in Newgate Prison, she was for 12 years a whore, five times a wife (once to her own brother), 12 years a thief, and eight years a transported felon in Virginia before finally escaping from the life of immorality and wickedness imposed on her by society. She is as much a survivor and just as resourceful as Defoe's other great literary creation, Robinson Crusoe.
Celebrated as "a masterpiece of characterization" by E. M. Forster, Moll Flanders is both a cunning examination of social mores and a hugely entertaining story filled with scandalous sexual and criminal adventures. In Moll, Defoe created a character of limitless interest, in spite of her unconcealed ethical shortcomings. Taking Moll through the echelons of 18th-century English society, Defoe seldom moralizes as he champions the personal qualities of self-reliance, perseverance, and hard work - even when it takes the form of crime.
Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor
It is difficult to believe that this audacious novel was written by the same author as Robinson Crusoe, that classic among all that is definitely traditional and even somewhat staid!
Here, a very independent minded woman pretends to tell us her life story marked with bigamy, theft, incest, embezzlements, etc.
Since the overall plot is described from the start, the whole suspense lies in how what is announced will actually fit in (it does).
The novel may be read at multiple levels since the degree of truthfulness on the narrator's part is of course questionable given that she tells the reader about her life based on deceiving others.
She certainly seems completely amoral and her single motivation appears to be money. Thus, in very modern fashion, her loyalties vary according to her own interest. For much of the work, she complains that she has no friend but has no qualms time and again to abandon her own children. She does develop a very close relationship with another woman, although it seems to be somewhat unidirectional in her favour. If it was as intimate as one may deduce, it certainly would have been completely scandalous in her days. Although the author does not shy away from providing precise details in many instances, he remains elusive on this account.
This enthralling work written three centuries ago is very pertinent today and warmly recommended to all (adult) readers.
I love reading and listening to books, especially fantasy, science fiction, children's, historical, and classics.
"The Memoirs of a Mistress, a Thief, and a Penitent"
The sub-title of Daniel Defoe's novel Moll Flanders (1722) says it (almost) all:
"The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and died a Penitent. Written from her own Memorandums."
It sure is an odd book! I suspect Defoe of having his cake and eating it too, of presenting Moll's story as a cautionary tale replete with Christian moral lessons, but also writing what was for its era a titillating, suspenseful, and social novel. After a rather slow first half or so, in which Moll recounts her birth in Newgate Prison, her childhood, her youth, and her romantic relations in a well-to-do family, as well as her marrying of the first two or so of her several husbands, her story becomes more involving and exciting as she begins thieving. This second half is more compelling because it is morally disturbing and darkly revealing of human nature, and because Defoe gets the reader to root for the careful, quick, and lucky Moll as she frankly recounts doing wicked criminal acts that must psychologically and financially hurt her victims. She tells us of robbing a little girl of a gold necklace and even contemplating killing her to silence her, of robbing a woman whose house is on fire by pretending to be there to help her, and of tricking a host of gullible or unobservant maids, tavern boys, shopkeepers, traders, gentlemen, gentlewomen, justices and constables, and even fellow thieves. Defoe must have done a lot of research into the practices of pickpockets, shoplifters, and scam artists.
We know from the sub-title of the novel and hints that she sprinkles about that Moll will be caught, and one of the pleasures of the novel involves anticipating and then finding out how things that we know will happen to her (like marrying her brother) will come to pass. Despite gaining enough money from her thieving to live comfortably on and despite seeing several colleagues collared, imprisoned, and either transported to the colonies or hanged, Moll continues her criminal career, offering up moral lessons about how we should be more observant when among strangers and about how the devil, fate, poverty, and avarice can lead people into wickedness. Moll is a fascinating character: fearlessly honest to her reader in narrating her exploits and cannily dishonest to nearly everyone she encounters, from her victims to her confidante-mentor "governess" and her husbands and son.
Defoe establishes the authenticity of Moll's story by saying that he has edited her "memorandums." And it is easy to read Moll Flanders, like Robinson Crusoe, forgetting about Defoe and believing in the reality of his fictional autobiographical narrator. Although Moll is a very different person from Robinson, being more sinful and less pious, as well as being more reliant on society than on nature to make her living, both characters are intelligent, resourceful, and strong-spirited in the face of exceptional adversity.
The imagination necessary for Defoe to write in the voice of Moll Flanders as a "real" woman must have involved a good deal of empathy for women and sympathy with their plight in the male-dominated and morally corrupt early 18th century. A woman like Moll born in Newgate Prison had few opportunities to make something of herself, and she was lucky to wind up in a relatively nurturing and comfortable place, but even if she were fortunate enough to find a good husband, he would automatically possess any of her assets which she hadn't previously hidden. The end of the novel was partly disappointing, because it seems as if Moll (and Defoe?) has forgotten her many victims as she complacently lists her and her "gentleman" husband's plantation wealth and luxury objects almost as though they are heavenly rewards for having become "penitent." But throughout the novel Defoe does express through Moll many devastating insights into human nature, among them the fact that in time anyone may become used to hell, as Moll and her fellow inmates come to accept living in Newgate Prison.
Davina Porter is a clear and engaging reader, with a rich and gravelly voice, especially for men's lines, and she's quite good at inflecting her speech for wit, grief, fear, or love (though all her men sound pretty much the same).
In short, if you are interested in the early 18th century (especially in their treatment of women and criminals) and in vivid novels about frankly wicked women of a certain age and experience, you should give Moll Flanders a try.
"Marvelous story and beautifully read"
This is a delightful book! Written in the first person it chronicles the life of one Moll Flanders – not her real name but useful to sum up her life. She was born in London's infamous Newgate prison where her mother was under a sentence of death for theft. Our heroine struggled on her own to form a life for herself and goes from one adventure to another. She tells us she was married 5 times and was a whore many years (by that she means what we would call a mistress, not a prostitute). Her "voice" in the book itself is enchanting and the reader does a beautiful job of portraying her and all the other characters. I will not give away much of the plot but reading it will give you great insight into the struggles women faced over the past 200 years. I found the part when she herself was in Newgate prison for theft very touching. How easily they executed people for petty crimes – awful to think of. Anyway, the book is wonderful and I highly recommend it. Don't miss it!
"what a gal"
What a great character! I've heard the name over the years, but never had a frame of reference for it. It's amazing to imagine the challenges of the times, societal rules, etc. Even by today's standards, "Moll" would be an extraordinary woman.
"Another great classic!!"
It's a great marathon read. Very entertaining.
Wonderful job with the characters!!! She did an awesome job with the voice of Moll Flanders, as well as, the countless other characters she portrayed.
No, it's a long story.
I'm a web developer based out of Sacramento, I listen to books while I work, and love audible.
I have to admit it took me a while to realize the genius of this book, but once I got it, it is quite good. But I am wondering what happened to all those kids she had a basically abandoned.
"Salacious in its day"
Today this almost feels like a comedy or comic tragedy. The numbers of marriages and mishaps give this a sense of the absurd. Tough to go back to the early 18th century and understand the perils of caste and courtship. Stick with Robinson Crusoe.
I walk 7 miles a day and listen to about 3 audiobooks a week.
"Great performance"
This book has a good story, but it did not grab me, and take hold like a great story does. Davina Porter is wonderful and makes up for it with her reading.
Yes, just to here Davina Porter.
5 stars
"I nice and complex story"
No, I found the book interesting but a bit slow
How the main character adjusted to any situation and got herself out of trouble.
When she found her mother in Virginia!
Not sure!
"Amazingly modern for a 200+ year old manuscript"
It was the first one but I really enjoyed it even though it had old English language.
The feelings of the character are brought out by Davina Porter's expressive voice and acting expertise.
There are no listener reviews for this title yet.


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Course of theoretical physics: Electrodynemics of continuous media |
What people are saying - Write a review
Review: Electrodynamics of Continuous Media (Course of Theoretical Physics, Volume 8)
User Review - Bessel - GoodreadsOut of all the book collections out there, Dau's Course of Theoretical Physics just might be my favorite. (Yes, even more so than Feynman's Lectures on Physics!) These books are very concise and ... Read full review
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Prospect Park Zoo birthday parties combine fun activities, arts and crafts, and visits to exhibits around the zoo, with your choice of animal themes. Parties are held in our spacious party room, located in the Discovery Center. Live animal guests will visit you there! A zoo educator plus one or two additional helpers will conduct the party activities and take care of all your party needs.
In addition to birthday activities, party packages include invitations and goody bags for the kids, as well as zoo admission. You supply the cake, juice, paper goods, and utensils. There is no refrigeration available.
"Enjoyed a wonderful program in our private room… a big hit with the little ones." - TripAdvisor Review
(Ages 3–5)
Join some of our barnyard buddies for a party filled with activities such as feeding the sheep, playing barnyard games, and petting an alpaca's nose!
(Ages 3 - 5)
Why are animals brown and green, bright and beautiful, or snowy white? During this party, kids will explore the reasons behind the coloration of creatures from around the globe. They'll also make a colorful creation to take home.
(Ages 3–7)
Look, listen, touch, and smell! Learn how animals use their senses, then use your own senses to explore the Discovery Center. Afternoon times for this theme will be 2:00–3:30p.m. to guarantee private party time in the Discovery Center.
(Ages 6–9)
Here's your chance to meet some of our scaly, slimy creatures that call the Zoo home. On your Zoo Scavenger Hunt you'll encounter reptiles such as swimming turtles or slithering snakes, and amphibians like our poison dart frogs! This party will surely be a memorable one.
Play sea lion training games, investigate the differences between seals and sea lions, and find out some fun facts about mammals. Visit our zoo kitchen to meet the keepers and watch them prepare a meal for our flippered friends!
(ages 7-11)
Why do some animals dig, climb, or crawl? Party goers will learn about why different animals act the way that they do and what zookeepers do to encourage those behaviors. As a birthday treat, you will also help prepare a tasty present for an exhibit animal and see them enjoy it!
(Ages 8–11)
Have a hoot looking at feathers, talons, and bones! Visit our zoo's Great-horned owl exhibit and explore the cool ways owls survive in the wild. Get your hands dirty dissecting owl pellets like a scientist to discover what the owl ate for lunch, and then meet a real prey animal of an owl!
Birthday Party FAQs >>
Animal news and videos, special events & more
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Miami Marlins Gear
Miami Marlins Ladies
Miami Marlins Ladies T-Shirts
(91 items)
Product ID: 1294028
Main Content
Order now, receive no later than Wednesday, February 4th. Some limitations apply.
Next time you go to a Marlins game you can score a home run of your own for your cute style! In this National Title tank, you'll definitely be a winner. This comfy top has distressed "Marlins Baseball" lettering over a team logo, with another logo on the contrast-colored top panel on the back. You'll be the #1 fan in the league in this shirt!
- 100% Cotton
- Contrast-colored top back panel, collar and arm holes
- Distressed screen print graphics
- Imported
- Officially licensed MLB product
- Rounded hem
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game
or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are
received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items
are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite
number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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His attempted recovery from cancer and chemotherapy was more than his earthly body could handle. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Deering Suits; his mother, Geraldine "Whaley" Morgan; his stepmother, Louella Suits; mother-in law, Anna Lee Carroll (whom he affectionately called Miss Carroll); his baby sister, Tammy Lou; his brothers: Donald Suits, Dwight Suits, Steve Suits and Mac Suits, all of which were armed services veterans, and Ricky Suits; daughter-in-law, Joanne Arthur Suits; and his first born grandchild, Robert Joshua, born to Robert and Joanne; he was also preceded in death by his grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He started his work career at the age of 12 at Modern Tufting Company in Dalton, Ga., and continued working in Dalton for many years before his retirement in 2002 due to health issues. His other places of employment were Jonas Carpets in the 1970's, Versatile Industries, Lyle Industries in the 1980's and 1990's, where he always held the title of plant manager. His final position was at Cherokee Carpets. He was known to be a tough but a fair boss by many of his former employees.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Kay "Carroll" Suits; sons: Lt Robert Suits of the Cleveland Police Department, Mike Suits and Steve King, both of Atlanta, Ga., Lamar Suits and his love, Liberty Muse, of Chattanooga; grandsons: Nathan Suits and wife, Kelly, of Chickamauga Ga. and Jason Suits of Cleveland; granddaughters: Paige Young and Kayla Suits, both of Chattanooga; great granddaughters: Elizabeth and Sara Kate Suits, both of Chickamauga and Madison Koenig of Chattanooga; brothers: Gary Suits and wife, Bonnie, Ken Suits and wife, Janie, and Terry Suits all of Cleveland, Dennis Suits and wife, Barbara of Tullahoma; sisters: Connie and husband, Ronnie Anderson, Kathy and husband, Dan Gillum, and Kim Monroe, all of Cleveland; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is further survived by his story-telling, Cohutta school buddies and friends of which he has kept lifelong relationships and special people in his life Martha Ledford, Joyce Hall, Taylor Hardin and Sue Griffith, as well as his grand dogs: Jenny Kay, Smudge, Emma, and the half horse Maggie Mae.
He received his educational degree in management at an early age and wasted no time in putting that degree to work. After his retirement in 2002 he and his wife became yard sale junkies. Every Saturday they hit as many yard sales as they could in the few hours they would stay out and about. His favorite thing to collect was Nascar. His collection would give any professional collector a run for their money. Most Sunday afternoons he spent in the basement dusting and rearranging the NASCAR collection that he was so proud of. He would show it off to anyone that wanted to see it, "but you better not touch it without permission."
He was a member of Clingan Ridge Baptist. Bob and Kay unselfishly sacrificed time and money to provide necessities for those who otherwise would not have had them, and even further provided toys and clothing at Christmas time to make many children's Christmas happier and to give pride to the parents.
A Remembrance of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, at the North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush funeral homes with the Rev. James Vaughn and the Rev. Ricky Vaughn officiating.
Interment will follow in the Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with a white dove release concluding the service. Nathan Suits, Jason Suits, Dennis Suits, Gary Suits, Ken Suits and Steve Suits will serve as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Terry Suits, Brian Suits, Jerry "Bubba" Suits, Jim Flannery, David Griffith, James Johnson, Cecil Hall, Leo Whaley and the whole story telling Cohutta Gang.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 this evening at Clingan Ridge Baptist Church.
Please share your memories and condolences with the Suits family at http://www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com/.


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Free Shipping on Orders of $99 or More! Find out more! Having trouble logging into your account? Click Here |
For Life Bell Teapot - 16ozThe popular For Life 16oz Bell Teapot is now available in more colors than ever before.
Not only are these teapots great looking, they have probably the best design we have ever seen. This goes well beyond the lead-free, high-fired ceramics, the removable metal lid with silicone surround and the fabulous colors. It is also the generously sized infuser with handle. All of it is also BPA free. The infuser is not only ultra fine to keep even small cut teas in place, but is also quite tall, reaching to less than 1/4" from the bottom from the teapot. So, even with the largest model it is possible to make far less than full capacity of tea. These are truly great looking and incredibly flexible. Made in China by For Life. Entirely BPA and lead free. Dishwasher and microwave (without the lid and infuser) safe. 16oz, measures 6.25" x 4.5" x 4".


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Offer good through March 15th only!
Take a look at Our Flowers!
You'll find flowers and more flowers in this kit, including flower buttons, flower frames, flower ribbons, and even flower-patterned papers. Add Our Flowers to your digital scrapbooking collection and you'll be on your way to creating a true Memory Keeper's album! Our Flowers is on sale through March 7th at 30% off!
Also new this week.... is my 5th template pack!
You can snag this great pack as it is... or if you purchase $10 or more (after coupons and discounts) of Keystone Scraps products in a single transaction through March 15th... I will send you a coupon to grab this template pack for FREE!!
Because I truly appreciate the time you took to look as my post, I have a little goodie for you!
click on the image or HERE for the direct download!
Here's a little inspiration for you!


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merci leather jacket
by ACNE STUDIOS
Acne (Ambition to Create Novel Expression) is a creative collective founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1996. The collective became established as a clothing line in 1997, when co-founder Jonny Johansson created 100 pairs of jeans in raw denim with red stitching and distributed them to friends throughout Stockholm. These novel jeans became the foundation of the brand and lead to the launch of Acne Studios' first full collection in 1998. The concept behind the line is a tone of subtle luxury in understated styles feeling as though they were borrowed from another person's wardrobe. Each piece in the collection is simplistic yet stands out on its own while pairing easily with others.
Back To Product View All From This DesignerMen's Size Chart
Product Details
Slightly cropped, leather moto jacket with asymmetric zip front and snap buttons.
• asymmetric lapels
• diagonal zipper closure
• two front zippered pockets and one flap pocket
• long zipped sleeves
• buckled belt at hem
• 100% Cow Leather


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DIRECTV hereby requests an extension of its STA for up to 60 days to continue to stationkeep the DIRECTV 1R spacecraft at the BSS slot allocated to the US at 109.8 W.L. and to perform TT&C operations with DIRECTV 1R during this period.
http://licensing.fcc...erC/File Number
Hey, I guess the old gal is going to get a new lease on life. Though maybe with someone else and for some other service.
It was supposed to be headed for disposal first reported here back in early May.


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In the latest of a series of professional achievements, Dr. Thomas G. Rubino has been appointed courtesy clinical assistant professor in the department of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Dr. Rubino earned his undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University, his dental degree at the Medical College of Virginia and his master's of science in periodontology from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.His private practice has locations in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sun City Center, Florida. In addition to periodontics, Dr. Rubino has 29 years experience performing bone grafts and placing dental implants. Call (941) 792-0029 and Dr. Rubino's staff will be happy to set up a complimentary periodontal or implant examination including necessary radiographs. Also, visit bradentonperio.com for more information.
People with Parkinson Disease are faced with a number of problems, including mobility, caregiver stress, transportation, family interactions and, most distressing, uncertainty about the future. Many patients are not even aware of the questions that they should be asking. That is where the Neuro Challenge Foundation comes in.
In September, Doctors Hospital was named one of the nation's top performers on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission for heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care—one of 405 hospitals nationwide to receive this honor and the only hospital in the Sarasota/Manatee area to be recognized.
Since 1995, Take Care Private Duty Home Health Care has propelled home health care standards and continues to be on the cutting edge of healthcare in the surrounding communities. Owner and executive administrator of Take Care, Susanne S. Wise, RN, MBA, is well known for her personal touch and commitment. Wise places an emphasis on the importance of proactive planning and the opportunity to be in control of one's future stages in life and continues to embrace health care challenges and implement innovative changes to allow for older adults to age comfortably and safely in their own residence.


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Most Recent in News Ceilings
Constructing a concrete dome is a costly process, but this may change soon. A team from the Vienna University of Technology has developed a method that allows concrete domes to form with the use of air and steel cables instead of expensive, timber supporting structures.
The ROCKWOOL Group, on behalf of its ROCKFON® Group affiliate, a supplier of stone wool acoustic ceiling and wall solutions, has acquired Chicago Metallic, a global provider of architectural building products and services -- including metal panels and ceiling systems, suspended grid systems, and acoustical and sustainable ceiling panels.
Engineers at Brinjac quantify the illuminance and energy consumption levels achieved by increasing the ceiling's light reflectance.
Latest in Ceilings
A broad array of new and improved ceiling products offers designers everything from superior acoustics and closed-loop, recycled content to eased...
From metal mesh panels to concealed-suspension ceilings, here's our roundup of the latest acoustical ceiling and wall products.
An overview of the 25 most popular continuing education courses on BDCuniversity.com.


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IMAX® President Greg Foster Talks TRANSFORMERS 4 and the IMAX® 4K 3D Digital Camera; Won't Confirm J.J. Abrams Is Using IMAX® Cameras on STAR WARS: EPISODE 7
By Collider: Steve "Frosty" Weintraub à la juin 20, 2014
Last night I was able to speak with Greg Foster (President of IMAX Entertainment) on the red carpet at the world premiere of Michael Bay's Transformers: Age of Extinction in Hong Kong. As we previously reported, Bay used the new IMAX® 4K 3D digital cameras to shoot a tremendous amount of Transformers 4, and when you see it in IMAX® about 60% of the movie will use the full IMAX® aspect ratio. It's absolutely the best way to experience this movie.


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Embedded Software Partners
The Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics provides the Strategic Alliance Program. This program supports the integration of commercially available products from embedded systems vendors into Mentor Graphics' comprehensive portfolio of products to include the Nucleus OS and the Sourcery Tools embedded C++ development suite.
Development Kit Partners
Leading processor vendors include Sourcery CodeBench in their development kits. Learn more
Featured Partners
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world.
AMD is shaping the future of embedded computing with processors that empower embedded designers to create amazing visual experiences on even the smallest of devices. Mentor Embedded and AMD have joined forces to announce several embedded products for the AMD G-Series and R-Series family of processors: Mentor Embedded Linux and Sourcery CodeBench IDE tools.
Texas Instruments
Since its inception in 1941, Texas Instruments (TI) of Dallas, Texas, has been recognized as a technology innovator and leader in areas such as consumer electronics, computers, defense electronics, and software.
Today, TI focuses primarily in the semiconductor sector, which includes DSPs and other application-specific products.
View All Strategic Partners
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Want to join the Strategic Alliance Program?
Submit an application to become a Strategic Alliance Program Partner. Once we receive your request, you will be contacted.
Broadcom®, the pulse logo, Connecting everything® and the Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.


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She was born in McCaysville, Ga., the daughter of the late Floyd E. and Lola Grindstaff Patterson.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, and recently was involved with the Senior Circle at the SkyRidge Chapter in Cleveland.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, retired USAF Master Sgt. Billy Hyatt Cole Sr.
Survivors include her two sons and daughter-in-laws: Billy H. Cole Jr. and Debby of Niceville, Fla., and Robbie and Ginger Cole of Ducktown; one daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Cole Griffith and Terry of Enterprise, Ala.; brother, Bill Patterson of Michigan; sister, Patricia Stanley of Goldsboro, N.C.; grandchildren: Billy H. Cole III, Bradley S. Griffith, Scott P. Cole and Misty Southerland; and great-grandchildren: Maddox Cole, Lanaiya Southerland, Layla Kay Southerland and Myles Cole.
A graveside service was held Monday, April 15, 2013, at 3 p.m. from the Zion Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Glen Stiles officiating.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill was in charge of arrangements.


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The win was a huge Region 4-3A victory for the Trojans as they are trying to keep pace with an opportunity to finish first with two games left to play in the regular season. The triumph pushed East Side to 16-8 overall with a 6-2 mark in the region.
"This was a big win for us tonight," East Side head coach Leroy Cotton said. "They beat us at their place and tonight we came out and played good ball and we picked up the win. Now, we have given ourselves a chance to still finish first, but we have to win out in order to do that."
The Trojans will travel to Ruleville to face the Ruleville Central Tigers Tuesday in another region contest. East Side beat Ruleville 59-46 in a region game on Jan. 18 in Cleveland. The Trojans will return home after that to play Velma Jackson on Friday. Velma Jackson defeated East Side 34-31 in their previous meeting in Camden.
"We feel good about our chances of winning out," Cotton said. "We played Ruleville pretty good the first time, and we play pretty good at home so we should have a better showing against Velma Jackson when they come to town."
The Trojans and the Mustangs came out in the first quarter playing up-tempo basketball, but it was East Side's half court offensive execution that proved beneficial in giving the Trojans a 20-16 first quarter lead.
East Side's Jon Paul Davis was huge in the game and started the second quarter with the team's first two baskets to stake the Trojans to a 24-18 lead with six minutes left in the first half.
Davis and the Trojans went into halftime leading 34-24. Davis finished the game with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
"Jon Paul had a big night for us," Cotton said. "I have been begging him to be more assertive on offense and finishing around the rim. He has started to do that. Last game, he had 20 points and tonight he gave us a double-double. He's starting to really play up to his potential."
The Trojans led McClain 44-34 going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth leading 46-36, East Side put together a string of baskets from Davis and Charles Jackson to increase the Trojans' lead to 53-36.
Despite 14 turnovers in the second half, East Side maintained control of the game and kept McClain at bay as they won the contest.
Jackson finished the game with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Perry Henry helped the Trojans' cause with eight points.


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last night was so hot....dean and darren......fuckin hothothot
last night was so hot....dean and darren......fuckin hothothot
Oh, and I really miss Mercedes, Santana and Quinn. I hope we get a follow up on Karofsky to see how he's recovering and if he went back to that school full of assholes. Also interested in seeing more development of the romance between Quinn and Teenage Jesus.
where are all the hot pics form the guy s of glee? only just started watching this show and OMFG I am so in love eith the guys. especially FIN. He is so HOTTTTTT. Puck and Mr shoe are hot also can someone PLEASE do some pics for me? tks
I decided to give this another go after the absurdity that was season 3. I still loathe Mr. Schuster because he has no character depth. Good to see Rachel knocked down several pegs but to be fair, her singing was nothing great. I actually have a reason to hate Blaine now instead of dealing with his "too perfect" BS. I'm all for a newer cast but with the spinoff failing, I suspect that the cast will dwindle a fair amount before the season ends.
I like Marley(the new lead girl singer) and I like the hot stud at Nyada... I couldnt care less about Finn
the only real reason I like Rachels plot line is because of Kate Hudson, I think she is hilarious
It was ok, glee is totally going to end up being Degrassi the muscial by the end of the season i feel, the whole thing with marley and her mom is the big lunch lady everyones making fun of, just screamed degrassi to me. lol
This new episode gave me teary eyes...TWICE. So I loved it.
Yeah, I found it a bit of a jarring "tonal shift" to the New York segments. I liked them well enough, and it was a bit hard to put my finger on - and obviously the cinematography had a chance to open up for things like the exterior park shots or a little bit of architecture, but I had the slightly odd feeling I was watching a different program though I knew the characters; maybe in the writing, the editing, but it just felt like a different production sandwiched in. So I can understand completely why you surmised it might've been meant to have been a spin-off that didn't sell. The one thing they had on their side was that it was supposed to be an adventure away from the life they knew, so the slight disorientation almost works in a way since you'd expect the characters to be going through that, but I was hoping that maybe as the season progresses it'll sandwich better into the show's overall fabric instead of standing out.
I didn't think it was possible but I hate Mr. Shue more than Blaine. BTW Lea, pouting isn't sexy. I just hope Kurt and Rachel don't go RENT in an episode. I saw that disheveled loft and the stupid ♥Finn painted on the wall.
The new kids can really sing.
Glad to see Puck and Santana show up, but still missing Mercedes.
Any episode that focuses on Brittnay is always fun. Her fall from grace was a hilarious send-up of Britney's decent into madness.
Yep, Rachael is definitely going to sleep with that guy.
I don't like the new characters, I miss Finn, Santana and Mercedes. I don't want Rachel to get with that guy, but I don't blame her. I'm still watching, but it's just not as good as it was before, it's so different.
I thought this newest episode was better than all of season 3 combined... I was so over season 3 the second it started... but this new episode had be hooked again.
Loved this epidode. Sarah Jessica Parker was great and the song reference to "Annie" was hilarious. (She replaced Andrea McArdle as Annie on Broadway.)
Think the idea of Kurt switching to fashion was brilliant. He could never really succeed in NY theater. Wasn't happy about him ignoring Blaine, but their relationship needs some shaking up.
I was certain Finn would show up during the "non-date". Big drama next week.
Election stuff a cute satire of Obama and Romney. but a bit too long windwed.
Looking forward to seeing how all this plays out next week.
Last edited by josher; September 27th, 2012 at 07:43 PM.
"I'm chanting even as we speak, sweetie!"
Just a list of thoughts.
1. I remember those coffee cups from The Devil Wears Prada. Nice try Murphy. +1 pink star on my gay card for that.
2. Why do the NY scenes feel like a crappy version of Ugly Betty? Even the Vogue Vault looks like a crappy ripoff of the one at Mode.
3. Was totally expecting Blaine to go pervy and feel up Sam during the song. We know Blaine is craving some boycunt.
4. Mr. Scheuster actually had character development. Holy shit!!!
5. Sarah Jessica Parker is horrible at lip syncing.
6. Brody was totally wearing Ginch Gonch underwear. Straight? Yeah, I don't think so. The running montage was "interesting".
7. Totally saw the Finn walking in a mile away: cliche plot lines are like that.
I'm sure the typical reviewers just swoon over the songs and bypass the nuances that come with a plot.
OMG! Finn at the end,
Why Rachel? WHY?!
Nice episode this week, especially SJP's shout out to her Annie days. At least they didn't make her character a Miranda Preistly-type bitch. There's enough bitch from Kate Hudson to give everyone a taste of the bitch pudding. BLAM!.
Even Stevie Wonder could have seen the whole "Finn walks in" thing coming.
Blaine sang "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" well, but it was the wrong tone for the story. It's about fear of the misuse of nuclear technology, not actually "ruling" anything.
^ Blaine's songs always suck.
Didn't see the episode, but heard there were several times when Chord took his shirt off....disappointed no pics of that yet.....
I'm loving this season, that's all I can say.
Oh and besides the fact that Puck travelling all the way from L.A. to Lima Ohio just to give a 3 minute pep talk to his half brother that he had never seen before was very ridiculous and cheesy (well aren't most Glee things?) I loved it all about this last episode.
Brody is SLAYING me.
Dear God so much crying in this episode. I will say, this is a much better season after the travesty that was the third season.
- Still don't care for the high school BS.
- Discrete homophobia. Kurt and Blaine weren't touching in the bed yet Rachel and Finn were. I guess they reached the gay quota quickly with the kiss and for extra measure, through in the teabagging crap
- Glad they all broke up. Life moves on with or without people.
- I will take exception to Emma. Bitch doesn't wanna leave because she loves her job? Please. My hag had to uproot herself to Pittsburgh so her fiancee could go to grad school there. That's what love is Emma. Stop being a selfish twat.
- Now we just need Kurt to self-destruct by getting involved with drugs and going to circuit parties in NYC, subsequently be fired in high drama fashion literally and some how end up soliciting guilt from Blaine because "he did this to Kurt". Finn will come to the rescue despite being known as the fuck up and help Kurt get back on his feet which Rachel will see while dating Brody. Course while Finn is helping Kurt, Rachel will see those endearing qualities that attracted her to Finn to begin with and want him back. I suspect Britney will get together with Sam and piss off Santana for realz.
- Some hardcore Gleek will have to fill me on who the fuck the guy Blaine texted was.
This season is so annoying. I wish they would write Kurt and Rachel off. Those 2 characters graduate and I still can't lose them. I cringe everytime they say NYADA.
Yep, still watching just for those fleeting moments when they show Sam.
This episode was so emotional. This whole season has been emotional. Why did Finchel have to break up?
I think Maxpower has hit the nail on it's head, but to be honest, i wouldn't mind it if Sam gave Blaine some comfort after breaking up, which then leads to some steamy times which then leads to sam being all in denial and angry (a tad like Dave Karofsky did) but as long as we see some steam
Once you remove the heavily edited singing [someone said last nite that Blaine's teenage dream cover was amazing. All I heard was a heavily spliced track that made it sound out of sync. The vocals did not even come close to matching the piano at one point. Teenie boppers wouldn't be able to figure that out.], the show should essentially be a soap opera. Soap Oprah writing is quite easy if you have established characters with personas. Then you get a revolving door of guest stars to mix up the plot. I don't even have an English degree or any solid experience in writing but I know a story should work and can recognize a bad one.
I find it out of character for Blaine to cheat, poor Kurt looked so hurt.
Chris Colfer sure knows how to deliver sad faces.
The saddest of all the break-ups was Santana and Britney for me.
I liked all the songs performed last night, especially The scientist which was really good.
Katie's speech to get the new girl into her christian club had me on the floor GASPING for oxygen
Surprised she didn't throw Rachel Maddow in there too
OMG. "The Scientist" at the end was amaze-balls.
Now I don't want to just punch Kitty in the tits...I want to slice her nipples off with garden shears. I'll bet that's what Ann Coulter was like in High School.
Who the fuck did Blaine cheat with? At least it wasn't Sebastian, thank goodness. Knowing what a hack Ryan Murphy can be, it'll turn out to be a pity fuck with Karofsky.
Watching Blaine sing Teenage Dream while losing his shit was UNCOMFORTABLE. I needed a drink and a Xanax after watching that.
I cannot fucking wait until the Grease episode. Unique would make a kick-ass Rizzo.
How is everyone just flying back and forth from NY to Lima in a whim? Does Artie's wheelchair convert to a Concorde Jet?
if they get Klaine back together, it makes a mockery of all they built Kurt into the last 3 years- he wouldn't get over that!
^ Maybe he'll get together with that freckly guy that was semi-flirting.
"Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."
Richard Rahl
The Warbler thats supposed to tempt Blaine is pretty cute!
"Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."
Richard Rahl
SPOILER...... he's supposed to be str8- the tempting is to get Blaine back on the Warblers....He's not the infamous EliC Blaine cheated with.


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Teaching programs for beginners up to sixth degree Black Belt are outlined in the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do written by our Founder General Choi.
Your ITF is currently working to produce more detailed programs for each belt level and adapted for various age groups. There will be age-appropriate programs for children 3 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years old, for adolescents, for adults age 35 and older, etc.
Also planned are special programs, for example:
ITF-licensed teachers will be able to access detailed documentation about these teaching programs in the Privileged Access section of this Web site, and seminars will be organized to provide the necessary training.
More details will be provided soon…


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Providing research experience and mentoring to statistics undergrads
September 9, 2013
Research aims to improve lithium-based batteries
January 26, 2015
Research probing the complex science behind the formation of "dendrites" that cause lithium-ion batteries to fail could bring safer, longer-lasting batteries capable of being charged within minutes instead of hours.
Read Full StoryDOE selects team including Purdue for innovative energy-saving manufacturing initiative
January 20, 2015
Purdue University is part of a deep and diverse team selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to lead a $259 million initiative to develop the next generation of energy-efficient vehicles and wind energy and compressed-gas storage technologies.
Read Full StoryIndiana Farmers Playing Ethanol Guessing Game Until Fuel Standard Updated | WBAA
January 20, 2015
Indiana farmers and ethanol producers are in limbo as they wait for the Environmental Protection Agency to decide how much of the biofuel should be blended into the nation's gasoline.
Read Full Story


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You're leaving Wedding Paper Divas to see the Deal of the Day at our parent site, Tiny Prints.
You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"I personalized this card with my picture as well as size of text and with the help of the designer with wedding paper divas she zoomed out to where my feet were not cut off. I used the pearlized paper and I absolutely love the sparkle and the quality of paper even without getting the thicker paper. The designer also made sure our url was pretty on there and that it fit. I would strongly recommend this product because my wedding guests thought it was the greatest thing ever and they all range from college students to old couples from my church!"
"We were thrilled with our choice of save the dates. The quality of the pictures, the brightness of color, the lightness of weight, and so many other details made this the perfect choice for us. We have received so many compliments from family and friends. We have had ours on our fridge for a few months now and it has stayed put, no slipping or falling off. Magnet save the dates are definitely unique and creative"
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I live near Carson City, MI and am just starting with the digital scrapping.
Debbie B
I live near Carson City, MI and am just starting with the digital scrapping.
Debbie B
Welcome, Debbie! I'm sure you'll find some great things to do here--we have a lot of fun challenges that really get you into scrapping, and they come with rewards, too! How great is that! Look forward to seeing your layouts in the gallery.
I am also in Michigan. I live in Wyoming which is a suburb of Grand Rapids.
wife, mother of 2 children and three cats
Hello fellow Michiganders,
I just joined today and would like to tell you I am from Cheboygan MI, that's only about 1/2 hour from the Mighty Mac. I was born in Detroit, but have been in quite a few states untill 2006 when we retired back here to MI. I have always loved this state and enjoy living here again immensely. Hope to get to know the bunch of you!
Hello, I am born and raised here in Ypislanti/Westalnd Michigan I actually lived all over the U.S but always made my way back home. I currently living in Warren, me and my soon to be hubby are currently looking to buy a house here. (mumbles I hate house hunting, lol)
Nice to met you all!!
Another Michigander here. Moved from northern parts to western lower Michigan. It is still too cold in the winter, so us retirees are heading south for awhile!
Nice to see others from Michigan on the forums.
I was born in Michigan -- does that count? I'm newly registered here, have been getting the newsletter for a very long time, just never got in involved in the challenges & chats. Actually I live in Indiana -- about 5 miles from Michigan - an hour from Kalamazoo.


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An Oak Lawn man who was found unconscious at the door of his home last week died Monday morning, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Terrence Reichert, 51, died at 10:29 a.m. at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the medical examiner's office. His autopsy is set for Tuesday.
On Sunday, his family was searching for answers, believing he was attacked and wondering about who may have attacked him and why. But police also are investigating the possibility he may have been injured in a fall, police said.
"A lot of rumors are flying around and we're tracking them down," Oak Lawn Deputy Police Chief Mike Kaufmann said on Monday. "That's where we're at right now."
The man's brother said his family didn't want to comment.
"We need to heal as a family and if we need help, we'll reach out to people," his brother said.
Previously, he called his brother's death "very bizarre," and suggested that someone may have attacked him in the driveway of his own home.
The man, a carpenter, shot pool until about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning at Town Lounge in Hometown. Another brother then drove him to his home in the 11000 block of Komensky. The man's girlfriend found him lying unconscious at his front door about five hours later, his brother said.
The man was taken to Christ Medical Center. He initially was able to communicate, but later experienced a series of strokes that led to emergency brain surgery, according to his brother.
The man had bruises on much of his body, but his injuries were limited to his head, his brother said.
Robbery does not appear to be a motive. The man's wallet and money were found in his pockets and a gold chain remained on his neck, his brother said.
Oak Lawn police are asking anyone with information on the case to call 708-422-8292.
Bob Rakow contributed to this report


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Media | The stoning of Steven (w/ podcast)
Guardian blogger pricks both sides of US/UK sporting divide
Unable by temperament and conviction to create a "conventional" sports report, Steven Wells has built a Web 2.0 following by trusting his punk-poet instincts and inducing an irony-challenged foamy slaver among his American and UK readership.
Since the 2006 World Cup he has posted to the blog network at Guardian Unlimited (see list of articles), finding voice as a British expatriate in the City of Brotherly Love and gleefully exposing the dearly held, sometimes subconscious, shibboleths that both Americans and Brits possess about their sporting cultures.
Watching Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb guide the team on a series of downs and then suck oxygen on the sidelines as if he were leading an Everest assault, Wells asks: Is American football really a sport? In Wells's language, he has conducted a "one-man street soccer jihad" to help smooth Americans' transition to the beautiful game and to improve the country's sporting sensibility as well as its democratic processes. He quickly flips, however, and mocks English arrogance contained in tired jokes about U.S.-variety soccerball.
On suggesting that Brazil playmaker Marta Vieira da Silva, following her display in the Women's World Cup semifinal, was "probably better than at least half the players in the team you support," he revealed the biases of what Wells calls 1953-vintage Guardian Man (see "The Female Footballer Who's Better Than You," Oct 3, and "Memo to Guardian Man: Time to Leave 1953 Behind," Oct 16). Despite nominal status as readers of the most liberal mainstream English-language paper on the planet, few of the some 400 commenters to Wells's postings on the subject could handle the idea. Wells suggests "cock golf"™ as a male-affirming alternative.
"From the British perspective, football is a measure of masculinity," says Wells in our Oct 30 podcast. "It's actually more important than possessing a penis."
Reactions to Wells's writing on such matters perhaps confirm that hopes for a birthing of enlightened, blogosphere-mediated citizenship are all a bit pie-in-the-sky. With his strings of compound modifiers and playful building of false dichotomies, Wells intentionally pushes an addled readership toward cognitive dissonance. This creates personal crisis, similar to that experienced among newly arriving seminary students when told that God does not wear a beard. A punk-rock conjugator, Wells rarely resorts to passive voice. His earlier publishing venture was Attack! Books, with the following as part of the mission statement: "The self-perpetuating ponce-mafia oligarchy of effete bourgeois wankers who run the literary scene must be swept aside by a tidal wave of screaming urchin tits-out teenage terror totty …" (see interview).
His is not the pro forma sports chatter of much of the mediated world:
I don't think I'm capable of writing conventional sports journalism. I just don't find it interesting enough. My wife makes me sit through Sky Sports News, where they have these by rote interviews with players. They never say anything remotely interesting. "You gotta respect the team we're playing. We gotta take it one game at a time." Most of the football magazines nowadays end with the question, "So, Wayne, how do you find the new Nike Predator?"
Judged by the rapidity of response, Wells's most provocative commentary thus far came on Jun 15 ("Americans Are Soccer-Savvy … and That Scares Little Englanders"). He addresses David Beckham's arrival at L.A. Galaxy and takes on English and American conceptions of association football on the respective shores. To start scrolling through the 466 comments registered during the subsequent seven days is to commit oneself to a gray text stream that, for length, challenges one of the online Acts of Parliament.
Championing historian Eric Hobsbawm's attitude toward football as art, Wells writes of the rewards that association football offers the American polity:
[S]occer-playing America is massively liberal, loving, caring, socially conscious and nice. While soccer-hating America consists of increasingly isolated gangs of Bush-supporting, bible-bashing, gun-crazed, dungaree wearing, banjo-playing, quasi-fascist chicken-lovers and their twelve fingered, pin-headed, cyclopic, drooling monster children.
No problems here. Nevertheless, soon readers were tossing cultural grenades and debating the merits of American microbrews, among other tangents. Commenter 12string on Jun 18 chides Wells for a lack of social-scientific rigor: "[Y]ou show incredible ignorance of the average US population…. My kids have the normal number of fingers & are not slack-jawed, drooling idiots. You play to extreme, liberal typecasting assumptions and don't have a single clue about what normal America (between the coasts) believes or does."
Five-a-side football—one of Wells's favorite variations—provides the conceit behind this rough-cut comedy experiment, No Skillz. Not a comedy classic, but enjoy Stephen Merchant's performance behind the microphone.
Misinterpretation of Wells's column often falls along predictable lines, such that he on occasion has found the need to preempt well-worn patterns of argument: offense over the arrogance implicit in the phrase "World Series," especially when used in America unironically; rage concerning use of "soccer" to mean "football"; and the entrenched belief, despite all available evidence, that Americans do not like "soccer." One column, "For the Love of Blog" (Aug 20), consists solely of Wells anticipating his interlocutors' objections. "The nondialectical cart having been presented first," Wells imagines someone named postmodernmanpat typing, "it now falls to the mocked respondents to provide the subdialectical horse." "I think the writer should be forced to choke on the dust at ground zero," says the hypothetical kneejerk.
It would be wrong, though, to think that Wells's interest lies solely with goading and obfuscation. It perhaps has taken an expatriate from the world's most football-obsessed land to recognize the intrinsic merit, uniqueness and shortcomings of America's own soccer culture. For Philadelphia Weekly, where Wells is arts and entertainment editor, he has written about the Anderson Monarchs, rare on the American scene for facilitating the participation of inner-city, African American girls on a traveling soccer club ("Bend It Like Janiah," Jul 4). Soccer among anarchist and unabashedly left-wing American groups has also drawn Wells's interest ("The Most Spectacular Left-Wing Action since Best," Mar 14). He has chided America's soccer establishment for its monoculturalism, drawing on research suggesting that whites have adopted soccer to avoid the racial mixing implicit in other games ("Racial Divide Driving a Wedge into Soccer's Grassroots," 17 Jun 05).
Wells's wife, Katharine Jones, a professor of sociology and gender studies at Philadelphia University, has herself written on the Women's United Soccer Association and sexist language as experienced by female supporters in England.
Extending his unstinting use of language to himself, Wells chronicles his fight against lymphatic cancer in 2006 ("The English Patient," Philadelphia Weekly, 21 Jun 06). He might object, however, to use of the word "fight" to characterize the experience. "No one ever 'battles bravely against cancer,' " he writes. "This is utter bullshit. You do your chemo, take your drugs and hang on for dear life."
As to future work, Wells will continue his exegesis of the British and American cultural divide and has tentatively named his next book "The Girlie Gay Commie Soccer Threat to the American Way of Life." One might guess that, despite his writing on a developing supporter culture in Major League Soccer, Wells will not soon be serving as Alexi Lalas's marketing assistant.
"If the MLS collapsed tomorrow it really wouldn't matter that much," Wells says. Then, referring to the overwrought depictions of British sporting imperialism, he adds, "We're in their bases killing their dudes. We are the agile sporting monkeys, and we're in football's and baseball's nests and eating all their eggs."
- Clear-witted and funny to the end, Wells submitted his final column to Philadelphia Weekly 10 days before his death from lymphatic cancer on 24 Jun 09. "I blame it on the boogie," he concludes. One of the few truth-tellers in world football, Wells was remembered at the Guardian "for his irreverent, acerbic wit and prolific use of expletives." To football in the States and in Philadelphia, he lent a longtime supporter's nurturing of irony to a corporate- and suburban-based soccer culture that often takes itself far too seriously. We hope that fans of Philadelphia Union, the MLS side he did not live to see, add a punk-infused tribute to swells as part of their match-day repertoire.
- Wells mentions the fleeting thrill he felt as a seven-year-old fan of Swindon Town, within three years of England having won the World Cup, at the shocking League Cup final victory over Arsenal, 3–1, at Wembley on 15 Mar 1969. He recalls the Wembley quagmire that resulted from the stadium's hosting of a horse show not long before the match.
Not surprisingly, the final also forms part of Nick Hornby's psychic landscape. Less than one year an Arsenal supporter, Hornby describes the game, which he attended with his father, as a betrayal. After Swindon's first, mud-assisted goal, Hornby writes in Fever Pitch:
For the first time, suddenly, I became aware of all the Swindon fans sitting around us, with their awful West Country accents, their absurd innocent glee, their delirious disbelief. I hadn't ever come across opposing fans before, and I loathed them in a way I had never before loathed strangers.