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User Group Meetings Next Week (free training everyone!) July 11, 2014Posted by mwidlake in Exadata, Meeting notes, UKOUG.
Tags: exadata, knowledge, Meeting, UKOUG, user group
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I know, posts about up-coming user group meetings are not exactly exciting, but it's good to be reminded. You can't beat a bit of free training, can you?
On Monday 14th I am doing a lightning talk at the 4th Oracle Midlands event. The main reason to come along is to see Jonathan Lewis talk about designing efficient SQL and then he will also do a 10 minute session on Breaking Exadata (to achieve that aim I suggest you just follow the advice of the Oracle Sales teams, that will break Exadata for you pretty efficiently!).
If you are not familiar with the Oracle Midlands events, they are FREE evening events run in Birmingham, just north of the center in Aston, at the Innovation Birmingham centre. See the web site for details and to register. The great thing about them being in the evening is you do not have to take time out from the day job to attend. The disadvantage is they are shorter of course. (And for me personally, I feel morally obliged to pop in on my dear old Mother on the way and listen to her latest crazy theories. I think it's what Mum's are for). Samosas were provided last time to keep you going and I know a couple of us will retire to a near-by pub after, to continue discussions.
I'll be doing just a short talk, along with half a dozen others, my topic being "is the optimizer getting too smart to be understood".
This is a user group in the truest sense of it, organised pretty much by one chap (Mike Mckay-Dirden) in his spare time, with help from interested people and some financial input from the sponsor Redgate.
I get a day off and then I am at the combined RAC CIA and Database SIG on Wednesday 16th. This UKOUG SIG is probably the other end of the user group experience (as in from an organisational and size perspective). They both fulfill a need and I have no problem being involved in both. In fact, I now notice that Patrick Hurley is going to be at both events too.
The RAC CIA & Database SIG is also free, IF you are a member of the UKOUG. You can also attend if you pay a one-off fee. It's an all-day event and as it is a combined SIG it is a two-track event. It's almost a mini-conference! Presenters include myself (doing my intro to Exadata talk, probably for the last time), Julian Dyke, Patrick Hurley, Martin Bach, Neil Chandler, Neil Johnson, Martin Nash (twice!), Ron Ekins, John Jezewski, Alex Evans and David Kurtz. If that is not enough, Owen Ireland is going to give a support update and then we have Mike Appleyard giving a keynote on a brand new 12.1 feature, Oracle Database In-Memory option.
I'd be going along even if I was not presenting or helping run the RAC CIA SIG and I'm retired for goodness sake! (well, sort of, my wife has not ordered me back to the working life yet). And of course, we will no doubt retire to a hostelry after (to count how many Neils and Martins are involved).
I hope to see as many UK people as possible at these two days. As I said at the top, it's free training, you can't get better than that.
London Oracle CLub June 30, 2014Posted by mwidlake in Meeting notes.
Tags: Meeting, user group
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Some of you will be aware of the LOB – London Oracle Beers. It is an informal group of us London- based people who work in the Oracle sphere and who also like to have a pint (be it beer, cider, larger or diet coke). We mostly just catch up as friends and talk rubbish and, amongst that, discuss topics related to Oracle technologies. Something we occasionally talk about it whether we should make it a little more formal and have presentations on Oracle topics.
Well, thanks to Jonathan Lewis and with the support of e-DBA, I'm pleased to say that Club Oracle London is born. I wish they had called in London Oracle Club :-).
If you follow the link you will see that it is an evening event in central London, 96-100 Clifton Street, the Workers Educational Association, being held this Thursday 3rd July. The event is FREE. It follows the format of the Oracle Midlands meetings that started recently, where there are a couple of talks provided by experts, some refreshments in the middle and the chance to meet up with like-minded Oracle professionals in your areas.
This first London Oracle Club will have presentations by Jonathan Lewis on upgrading, Jason Arneil on upgrading to 12C and Dominic Giles/James Anthony on using tools to upgrade, like Swingbench (which Dom wrote and most of us will recognise as the workload generator used by soooo many demonstrations of RAC) and SLOB. You would be correct to detect the running theme of upgrades.
You need to register for the event (see the link above) and I have no idea how many spaces are left, but with that set of presenters I already know half a dozen people intending to go along, including myself. Weeeellll, I have to go along to make sure Jonathan gets what he says correct…. ;-)
I'm looking forward to this initiative, I strongly support user groups of all formats. One of the best ways we learn is to teach each other.
I hope to see some of you there. And for those living no where near London or the UK, ask yourself if a little local user group could work where you are? If you keep it simple and use local (or visiting) talent, what is to stop you?
SBC June 26, 2014Posted by mwidlake in humour, off-topic, rant.
Tags: Humour, private, rant
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When I was about 14 or 15 years old I had this idea that I could create a company selling stuff and make a fair amount of money at it, very easily. What prompted these thoughts were advertisements that attempted to persuade you to buy things that were not at all special or unusual or even good, but the ads claimed that they were in fact fantastic and desirable and having them would significantly improve your life. Often the ads were for really quite rubbish things. It was blatantly obvious that, whilst no factual lies were uttered, the promise of the sun always shining, the big smile on your face, the family joy (with mandatory cute dog) and the inner glow that comes from the product were ludicrous. The product was not going to do that, the whole underlying premise of these adverts were ludicrous lies.
In particular, I was struck by breakfast cereal advertisements.
When I was a kid I had most of the main brands and I can tell you, a bland product based on flattened corn, puffed wheat, mashed wheat, wheat in long strands woven into a small hard cushion, abused oats or any other tortured grain was fine to stop you feeling hungry before being booted out the house to walk to school – but it was not actually adding to the joy in my life. They were OK. Actually, without the sugar and the milk they were a bit shitty. And I knew they were cheap.
This summed up many products – not at all exciting, nothing special, in fact a bit crap. But they did the job and they were cheap.
So why not sell them as such? would people not prefer the honesty of a product and advertisement that fundamentally said "buy this because it is shitty but cheap"? I would have, I would have loved the base honesty of the proposition and not having to wonder why grey-brown food that tasted only slightly better than cat litter was not making me smile and the sun shine. (I was fine about not having the dog though.)
So I was going to create a company called SBC Limited that made basic, cheap stuff that you had to have and that it was ludicrous that anyone was telling you it would improve your life. Shitty But Cheap Limited. Breakfast Cereal would be one of the products for sure.
Role forward about 10 years and I created my first company, as most computer contractors in the UK do, back in 1995. Guess what I was going to call it? Yep, SBC Limited. But my wife took a firm stance (and by this I mean she set her feet a good foot and a half apart, the better to give her purchase as she slapped sense into me) and said I could not do this, as I would be incapable of not telling potential clients what SBC limited stood for.
Of course, I now realise that my outlook on things and sense of humor is not universally shared and, sadly, there are a lot of dull people who are swayed by those facile advertisements. My company to sell fundamentally bland but cheap morning foods would probably have failed. That and the Swiss Banking Corporation or SBC Telecomm or, more likely as I reside in the UK, the Scottish Borders Council might have got in touch to object.
But imagine my joy today when I was sent a potential job by SBC Recruitment!
And the icing on the cake was the job was for an APEX developer with HTML 5 proficiency. No mention of those skills on my CV, my CV makes it pretty clear that I am a DBA-type, so a fairly shitty attempt by the agency to fill the needs of the client. So presumably the recruitment company pretty much matches my intention for a company called SBC…
(* Note to lawyers, SBC Recruitment could be the best agency in the country, this post is humorous. But I really was not at all suitable for the job, very poor targeting).
Friday Philosophy – Why is my Manager a Moron? June 20, 2014Posted by mwidlake in Friday Philosophy, humour.
Tags: behaviour, Humour, Management
3 comments
We've all been there. We are trying to do our job, get the work done, fix people's problems and make the systems we work on better. But our manager is a Moron. How can we do what needs to be done with that idiot in charge? How did they get to be the manager?
Why is my manager a Moron?
The simple answer is that he/she probably is not a moron at all. But you have to blame someone for things not being the way they are:
- You could lay some of the blame with your co-workers (especially Richard, Richard's are almost always pretty useless :-) ) but you are all in this together, right?
- The clients/customers are idiots of course, we all know that, but those problems are usually more to do with identifying what needs doing (and the clients should be handled by that idiot in charge).
- You could blame the people below you but you might not be in a position to do that (see later).
- You certainly can't blame yourself can you?
- So that leaves the moron manager.
There are of course managers who are poor managers, and even some who really are not that clever and should never have been put in charge. They get there due to a number of reasons such as being in an organisation where you get promoted just for having been around for a certain length of time or because they play golf with the right people or have had carnal relationships with their superiors…. But many people become managers because they were simply the best out of a limited choice or they simply did not run away quickly enough.
And of course, there are good managers.
On thing I have become aware of over the years is that the loudest and most persistent critics of managers tend to be those who have never managed anyone or anything themselves. I came across one chaps a few years back who was constantly complaining about his manager, his manager's manager, his previous manager. They were all stupid, they all had no idea about the job, all of them were lazy. I asked him how many managers he's had "Dozens! And they were ALL Idiots! All of them!". Guess what. He had never been a manager of anyone or anything. And was unlikely to ever be a manager as all the current managers (a) disliked the complaining little sod and (b) knew he would be a nightmare manager, let alone a moron one.
Now that I'm old and bitter, I tend to be a lot less critical of managers, especially if they are at a level or below where I've managed at any point (I've managed teams, projects, managers of teams and, for a little while, a chain of 3 levels down – so senior middle manager I guess). The reason for my leniency is I have some understanding of what being a middle manager does to you.
- You get told stuff that is not to be passed on and decisions are made for reasons not to be divulged. Which only makes you wonder what stuff and reasons are being kept from you by the management layer above you…
- You are told to lie to your staff about things. Which only makes you wonder which of the things *you* are being told are lies.
- You have to make decisions about limited resources and opportunities – I can only give one person a promotion so do I promote the best person or the one who will complain the loudest if passed over? I wonder if I should shout louder to my manager about my salary?
- About the only time your minions come and see you it is to complain, tell you stuff is wrong, let you know that they want time off at short notice for {spurious reason that is actually they have a new girlfriend and a terribly strong need to spend a week with them in a tent in the Lake District}.
- You can see ways you could improve things but it is blocked by your manager, who is a Moron.
The bottom line is your manager is probably acting like a Moron – as they are too stressed out by being a middle manager to function properly any more and are constantly being sniped at by you, telling everyone (s)he is a Moron.
Yep, it really is your fault.
So stop complaining, do your job, give them some slack, stop slagging them off and take your manager to the pub for a pint, they need it. And if they are still a moron in the pub then, sorry, you've got one of the real Morons.
Time to wake up April 1, 2014Posted by mwidlake in Meeting notes, Private Life, UKOUG, Uncategorized.
Tags: Meeting, private, UKOUG, user group
3 comments
This post is nothing more than a line in the sand, really.
After my post on "retiring" in November last year and then the one about working to network, as opposed to working to network just prior to 2013 year end, I have been very, very quiet. Well, I had things outside of Oracle and IT to do and they were more important to me. I'd say I have made a reasonable stab at them. My wife would say I have been a lazy and good-for-nothing so-and-so. If you do not know me, trust my wife. If you do know me, you already know to trust my wife :-) .
I do need to nod my head at a few friends who got in touch when it all went quite after my retirement post and privately checked I was not dying. I'm not, I'm fine, and I was touched by the concern. I do seem to be currently surrounded by people who have died or are dying, but so far no one I married, lived with, am related by blood to or bought (The CAT, you strange people – but she is old and was "odd" last month, I did think for a while it was white-coat time) has hit that particular end-point, but has become a constant background concern. Hmm, sometimes foreground, but still part of the benefit of not working is being able to be there when others need.
However, in my state of not-working, I did a rare check on the calendar this week and saw that 1st April 2014 was approaching – and that is my line in the sand. I had to make a break from working in London (or, rather, commuting in and out of London) and also sort a few non-IT things out in my real life, which I think I have. So I am entering the weird world of Oracle IT once more. Last week I went to the second Oracle Midlands user group meeting and it was very, very good. If you are within 100 miles of Birmingham, google it and get along. The next meeting is 20th May and Christian Antognini is doing a double-header presentation and you will benefit from being there.
The next day I was in a meeting in London about organising the next UKOUG tech conference. This year it will be in Liverpool and a week later than normal. That might sound negative (way out THERE and THAT late?) but the venue is just right for the conference. There is more to do around that area of Liverpool than last year in Manchester or ineed there was for so many comfortable years in central Birmingham {I did start to drift more to locations in central Brum these last 3 or 4 years but it was a real effort to get people to go with me} and a lot of effort is going in to looking at the feedback from prior events to improve this net event in 2014. I am determined to get some of that feedback through. Though I would say that seeing as I am involved :-). I'll mention some more details later this week or next week, depending on how my non-Oracle life taking it's demands.
Tomorrow (today?) I am at the next UKOUG AIM SIG – it needs a better title – but it is the old RAC-HA SIG conjoined with my SIG that was about managing Oracle in large, complex or demanding environments, called the AIM SIG – but as it had the word "management" in it, so it scared many IT people away (it was more about *coping* with corporate management than being *about* corporate management). Anyway, we need to re-title it so you buggers realise it is actually a technical SIG aimed at helping us look at at and handle cluster issues and massive-system issues. Yes, it need to be two SIGs again, but the UKOUG is struggling with that, partly as your companies stopped letting you lot come to these meetings. I despair of large corporations, I really do… :-)
So that was a load of fluff about me coming back to the user-based fold and playing a role. I do intend to do some technical posts too, but that take a lot of effort. I have some half written but as I have lost access to the systems I did the real work on {hmmm, some I can still access but, legally, I should not even be TRYing} that make it less-than-easy for me to demonstrate my points with real-world but obfuscated examples. Recreating those examples on play systems is NOT a piece of play-time.
Which leads me on to one odd point I am sure I will come back to:
I'm "retired".
I do not need to earn.
Do you have an interesting performance/architecture issue with Oracle you are stumped with?
I won't work for free (after all, some people pay the bills doing this stuff and I DO need to earn enough to go and present/teach and the garden needs my free time). But I am kind of an easy mark at the moment.
Anyway, April 1st and I need to be in Reading for the next AIM SIG so I better finish this off.
So finally….
It's (worryingly) good to be back.
Martin W
Friday Philosophy – Network to Work or Work to Network? December 20, 2013Posted by mwidlake in Friday Philosophy, Private Life.
Tags: behaviour, Humour, perception, private, rant
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A couple of months ago my friend Big Dave Roberts blogged about the benefits of networking – as in social/business networking as opposed to using hairy string to connect bits of IT kit together – after we had met for a drink in Birmingham.
His point was that, though he had made a positive effort to network more to help his career (along with several other steps) networking had not in fact, as far as he could tell, helped his career. But he still did it because of the other benefits – meeting diverse people with different experiences and ideas and enjoying it.
By the way, I really do dislike the use of the word "Networking" in the social/business context as it smacks of PR/Sales type people just developing more contacts in order to make more money out of them, somewhat akin to milking cows. IE, in a totally self-centered manner where they really don't give a hoot about the people they are fawning to. This is what business networking is anyway, isn't it? I mean, do people really play golf for enjoyment?!? Or just to schmooze and get the contract or a promotion? :-) {Apologies to Carol and Rob, I know you really do enjoy golf. Oh and Neil. I think I just lost some friends…}.
I also made a decision way back in about 2002 to meet more people and build better links in the community. I was having to design some very large databases and there was not a lot of information out there about doing so as most people building VLDBS would not or could not talk about them officially. Then when I went self-employed again in 2007 I once more made a conscious effort to promote myself and network more, in order to help me get more work (in exactly the way I don't like PR/Sales people doing it!).
I can't say it helped me much either time. For one thing, despite the presenting and blogging and London Oracle Beers, I'm rather poor in the social skills area. I can come across as a bit of an idiot to my friends, who only let me off as they are friends. I actually find it a little hard to keep a conversation going with someone I do not already know, I can end up either being silent or I just come out with a random and never-ending stream of rubbish. For another, I just can't fake sincerity. I could never be an actor. If I am not enjoying talking to someone I think it is obvious to them and I fall flat on my face. I can't make myself laugh at someone's anecdotes if, to me, they just are not entertaining. And I certainly can't pretend to like someone who just isn't someone I get on with. I can manage to be civil to them and work with them but I just can't make myself spend any social time with them if I don't have to. I'll just invent dead Grandmother's funerals to escape – see, I can't even come up with convincing reasons to avoid networking with people who I don't mesh with.
So I stopped networking. I just couldn't do it.
I am now in the situation where I am aiming to only do only consultancy work and recruitment consultants are useless at getting you short-term consultancy work. Well, most of them are just useless at being human beings, but not many companies go to them to fill short-term needs and the agencies would make less money than they would spend filling the position. So if this is going to pan out for me, I need to get my work from my contacts, my network. Hell, I surely need to start Networking like some sort of crazed PR madman!
Well, I am not. I know it is just not in my nature and I am poor at it.
Something odd struck me about 4 years ago. I realised that half my work was coming about via friends. And when I was getting work via agencies, it seemed that either a friend had mentioned my name to the agent or the person interviewing me knew a friend of mine. Not someone I had networked with, but a proper friend, someone I would go out of my way to share a beer with or a coffee.
What I am going to do is what Big Dave and I have both ended up doing. I am just going to socialise more, for the primary reason of just wanting to socialise. A big part of the presenting and going to conferences is, for me, simply about meeting friends and having some fun. The London Beers is totally about that. I've discovered that despite me having no memory for names, an ability to insult people without trying and at times a total lack of comprehension of what is going on in other peoples' heads, I actually enjoy meeting people. Well, most people. And Dave? I think having more friends does indeed lead to more work, but it takes a long time to pay dividends. Longer than most people (well, I) can fake it for via Networking, and the other benefits are more significant and immediate than the financial ones.
In fact, when my wife and I were talking about my "retiring" and she was asking me what I wanted to do over the next few years, one of them was to keep going to conferences and presenting. But that costs money. "So how are you going to pay for that Martin?" she asked – " I'm not going back to work to pay for you to swan off to conferences and drink and discuss bloody block buffer latch chains and enjoy yourself!". Well, I am still going to try and do this mythical consultancy work. Our agreement is that I can go to conferences if I earn enough to pay for it.
So, I am not networking to work. I am working to network.
And in fact the title of this blog is a lie. I am working to socialise. In my experience, for me, Networking fails. I hate Networking. I can't Network. I can just about manage having some friends. Like Big Dave, Networking has not really got me any work, but being more sociable has allowed me to meet some very nice and/or interesting people and has led to *some* work.
So get out there and socialise more, it's great. Just don't Network and don't play bloody golf.
Friday Philosophy – The Passing of Nelson Mandela December 6, 2013Posted by mwidlake in Friday Philosophy, off-topic, Private Life.
Tags: ethics, genetics, private
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As this is a blog on the technical aspects of the Oracle RDBMS and management in IT, it is not really the correct place to pass comment on the passing of a political figure, let alone touch on the politics of race and discrimination.
But I don't care, it's my blog and I can do what I want.
I'm partly saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela even though I never met him as I think he was one of those rare things – a politician who was actually a good person who was trying to right wrongs. Thus I think humanity has lost a very good human. But he had been suffering from very poor health for a long time and maybe he would have been happy for it to come to an end. I do not know of course.
I do know that tonight's next glass of wine will be lifted to him, even though I never met him and know less about him than really I probably should. Personally I think I agree with his politics but only in that fairly nebulous "we should all get on and act as a community" left wing type of stuff.
What I am finding interesting is watching the media output on the death of Nelson Mandela, the rounds of significant people queuing up to praise him and the footage I am seeing of people in South Africa who seem to be more celebrating his life than suffering in mourning. I'm a bit cynical about the world leaders and politicians but rather affirmed by the SA nationals saying "Let us celebrate this person". That agrees with my philosophy on life.
Any time I check the web to see if I am being mentioned (something I do every few months, mostly just due to narcissism but also to see if anyone has mentioned me and I should say thanks) I will come across Brian Widlake, who is a journalist who got to be about the last person to interview Nelson Mandela {and one of if not the first to do so for television} before his incarceration and when Mandela made a comment that maybe peaceful methods of protest were not going to be enough. So I am constantly reminded of Nelson Mandela.
I'm actually named after a similar person, Martin Luther King. It must have been my Father's doing as my mother, as she creeps up on senility, is showing a level of casual racism that bugs the hell out of me.
Anyway, I started by saying this is not the place to pass comment on politics and I am not really going to as I have no position of authority or knowledge to do so. But I do have a fair knowledge of genetics and biology, what with it being the subject I was trained in at University.
Racism is rather knocked into a cocked hat (from a biological perspective) when you understand genetics. We are all one species with really very, very minor differences between us all and, if you go back just a few thousand grandparents, well we all had the same "grand" mother – and at a similar point maybe one grandfather too but that is harder to track. However, as humans are all so very, very similar genetically/biologically, how come some people are so fundamentally good and some people are fundamentally not and most of us bob around in the middle somewhere? It's a complex question and though I think I understand some of the factors, I *really* am not going there. I'll just have another glass of wine and ponder them.
Maybe in my "retirement" I will stop being a moderately successful geek and become a really very poor philosopher.
Time for Bed, said Zebedee November 15, 2013Posted by mwidlake in Private Life, Uncategorized.
Tags: behaviour, private, rant
6 comments
Zebedee has just boinged onto my TV screen on his big-spring lower body and told us all that it is "time for bed". I concur Zebedee. Good night everyone!
For those of you who are not of UK origin and of "a certain age", Zebedee was a character on the BBC Children's TV Program The Magic Roundabout. At the end of the program (5 minutes of oddly surreal kids entertainment) more often than not Zebedee would arrive (if not already present as part of the narrative arc) and announce "Time for Bed" and that would be the end of the program. I won't go into the rest of the details but for those of us who grew up with it, Dougal, Florence, Brian, Zebedee and Ermintrude the cow were large in our childhood. Dylan though was odd… {for anyone wanting a nostalgia trip, try this episode}
Well, for me it is "Time for Bed" children. I started working in IT almost exactly 24 years ago on the 13th November 1989, arriving wearing my new (cheap) suit with (shiny) briefcase clutched in my hand at a (tatty) office block in Bristol owned by the NHS. It housed their regional computer department for the South West of England.
And on the 15th November 2013, I will exit a much plusher office, no suit on, no briefcase, and I will go home and, for many complex reasons, I will "retire". This does not mean I will stop working in IT and it *may* result in me being a more regular blogger and more of a teacher than I have been for 2 years, but let's just see, Boys and Girls.
What it does mean is I am stopping doing the 2 hour commute into and out of London every day, wasting my life. It means I am not signing up for 6 months on a single project on the basis of a couple of 30 minute interviews. I am also not signing up for 4 weeks and then finding it becomes six months – as when that happens it is *always* 6 months of misery trying to undo the work of a dedicated hoard of hopeful but under-skilled youngsters being forced to do a job they lack the training for by people who should not be allowed anywhere near management positions (as they see "management" as a way to gauge their importance, polish their egos and garner more cash – rather than as a role that should encompass "nurturing, developing, admonishing and making the most of your team(s)".). It means I won't have to play by corporate rules any more, which is good as I am finding it harder and harder and harder to do that without coming home and being really quite mean to my cat, and she does not deserve that as she is friendly and quite forgiving really. Neither does my wife deserve it, but if I am mean to her, she punches me.
What I do hope will happen is that, after a couple of months to get a few things sorted, I will continue to get the odd call I seem to get about once a month where someone would like me to just help out with a specific problem. Occasionally I have been able to say "yes" and it has been interesting and enjoyable, but usually I have been in the middle of one of the situations that resulted in my rant above and have had to say no. If I do get the calls, it will be great. I would like to earn enough so I can still do the conferences and present and meet people and talk about interesting problems and drink beer. If not, I have a lot of other things I want to have a crack at.
So I am not sure what awaits me now. But I am "retired". I have calculated that from now to my demise I can afford to buy a tin of beans every day until I die. Plus some bread, so beans on toast is possible. That is enough. I did not retire 9 months ago (as was my original plan) so, as a result, now I can afford once a week to buy a very cheap bottle of wine. Something better than Blue Nun. If I get more work, I could step up to beans and cheese on toast. Hmmmm!
A loss from the UK User Community – Graham Gilbert July 17, 2013Posted by mwidlake in Perceptions, Private Life, UKOUG.
Tags: behaviour, private, UKOUG, user group
4 comments
Last week, as part of organising the AIM and Database Server joint UKOUG SIG tomorrow {which I should have blogged about but just never got around to}, I was made aware of the fact that a man called Graham Gilbert died back in April.
Anyone who has anything to do with the RDBMS parts of the UK Oracle User Group probably knows Graham as he ran the RDBMS SIG for years and years and years. For the rest of you, you missed out as Graham was a Jewel. I can't say he was a close friend, after all I was not aware he had died, but I was saddened by it – and that is unusual as I am particularly sanguine (callous?) when if comes to death. {For example, on hearing about the death of my own father, who I did actually like and get on with, my immediate and on-going response was "damn, that's inconvenient"}.
I was saddened as Graham was one of those rare beasts – a person who helped, encouraged and supported people. Everyone who met him seems to have liked him. {If you DID meet him and not like him – I don't want to talk to you, OK?!} In fact, when I got the first hint of Graham having died, I got in touch with some mutual friends and asked if they had heard anything. The response was a consistent "No – but let me know as Graham … (various citations about how he had encouraged, helped or been kind to them)" followed.
You can see this if you look at {and I really hope this works} this section in the UKOUG 50th Anniversary edition. I could not put better what Patrick Hurley said about Graham gently encouraging people to be part of the community.
As I have said, I did not know Graham well, but I did share a few pints with him after RDBMS SIGs on a couple of occasions. On one such occasion we were discussing the fact that he had run the RDBMS SIG for so long – I was thinking of stepping down from the SIG I was running but no one was showing signs of stepping up if I did. Graham gave a gentle sigh and observed that "many people would like to help – but the day job or the effort or a lack of confidence gets in the way. You just have to encourage them." So why had he been the RDBMS SIG chair for so long? "Well, I would rather not, but it just seems to fall to me. It needs doing and it is not really a burden, I just don't want to be seen as making it my empire. I can ask people to present but not take on the whole thing!". My quotes will be inaccurate but that was the gist of it. He encouraged people to advance themselves or take part but seemed reluctant to burden anyone. I wonder now if he ended up running it for so long as he was just so damned good at it and we wanted to keep him? I bought him a pint (I nearly had to argue with him on that one) as he was being so nice to me and encouraged me to keep doing my SIG so long as punters turned up.
Graham, for me, epitomises the User Group mentality. We help one another and we do it as we want to, well, help each other. I've met a fair few ….arseholes… who do user group stuff for the CV or to get recognition or some other personal gain. You can quickly spot them as they want the label but do very little for it, or do loads for 6 months and then drop out the picture when they realise it is not giving them that immediate reward they wanted. I don't like those people, it's like people who do stuff for charity and then thrust it down your throat. They did it for themselves, not the recipient. Thankfully I know many people who do the user group stuff because they "just want to help" and many of them never present (as presenting is not their thing) or blog or crow. They just help. I must try and be more appreciative of them.
Well, Graham did his bit quietly and consistently for years and years, because he wanted to help. He helped a lot of us. A round of drinks will be bought tomorrow after the SIG in his honour. It's the least we can do – and I mean the least.
Hey Mum, I'm Famous!!! April 28, 2013Posted by mwidlake in Private Life, Uncategorized.
Tags: private
6 comments
I got a mail this week from Richard Harrison:
"Hi Martin
See you made it in to oracle magazine this month.That's the pinnacle of any oracle professionals career – all downhill from here on in :-)"
I was not aware of my sudden raise to fame, but Richard is right – I'm in this month's "peer to peer" section, which just gives some details about recent Oracle Ace's I think. I'd forgotten that I had done a form they sent me before Christmas, answering a set of questions. It is interesting to see what they picked out of all my answers to include.
I think most of us would feel it is nice to see something about ourselves in print (so long as it is not derogatory or critical, of course!), though when I come to think of it, I don't really know why it is nice – other than the rather self-serving feeling of having our egos polished. And as my friends I drink with would (and probably will) comment, my ego certainly does not need much polishing :-). I've of course made it worse by blogging about how famous I now am. Polish, polish, polish.
Don't worry, my wife stepped in to put me back in my place. "You could tell your mum when you next ring her – not that she'll be impressed at all!". Thanks wife. She's right. My mum will just say "that's nice" in a tone that in no way convinces me she means it, and will then proceed to talk at me about her new cats, what's on TV and all the terrible things going on in the world, according to the "Daily Mail" (An utterly horrible and vacuous daily tabloid paper her in the UK).
So thank you for the heads-up Richard. I'm looking forward to the rapid decline of my career as you predict… :-)


text:
Follow FEMA:
Aerial of flooding in Minot, North Dakota
Main Content
Photo by David Valdez - Jul 05, 2011
Minot, N.D., July 6, 2011 --Aerial of flooding in Minot, North Dakota. FEMA is supporting the emergency management team in providing disaster assistance to those affected by the flooding. Photo by: David Valdez/FEMA - Location: Minot, ND

subset: commoncrawl


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The Tonight Show - April 2nd
Jimmy Fallon and Denis Leary, long-time supporters of The Cam Neely Foundation, talk about the Foundation on The Tonight Show, tonight on NBC at 11:35 pm. Tune in!
Foundation Makes $1.5 Million Pledge to Tufts Medical Center
In March 2012 The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care announced a pledge of $1.5 million to Tufts Medical Center towards the creation of The Marlene Neely Endoscopy Suite. The new clinic will be named in honor of Cam's mother, Marlene, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 1987. The pledge will be used to expand Tufts' existing gastroenterology clinic and endoscopy suite by adding a wide range of procedures and services. View press release here.
$1 Million Annuity Gift to Foundation
The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care and the Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center are honored to establish the Cam Neely and John Davis Myeloma Fund, created through the generosity of Rhode Island resident, John Davis. Mr. Davis made his gift in recognition of the philanthropic spirit of Cam, on behalf of patients with cancer. Mr. Davis established the Fund with a charitable gift of $1,050,000 after the Boston Bruins' 2011 win of the Stanley Cup and his personal pride in Cam for his achievements as President of the Bruins.
Cam Neely Invitational
The 2015 Cam Neely Invitational will be held on June 8th at Charles River Country Club. For more information, please call (617) 346-5900.
Comics Come Home 20!
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Purchase a Sons of Neely t-shirt and a percentage is donated to The Cam Neely Foundation! Click on the picture to purchase yours now!


text:
Female , 13-15
Feeling stressed
i am a me! who is a lover of everything weird and awesome. I love things that make me think and i love mangas, comics,books and video games. Oh, and of course my beloved criminal minds! And i am quite strange too. And proud!
Last Seen Oct 23, 2013
Member Since Jun 02, 2012
Favorite Quote Nothing in life is to be feared, It is only to be understood.
- a little Irish
Horoscope Pisces
Special day 2-27
Books Skulduggery Pleasant, Heist Society, Harry Potter, and loads more :))
Music EVERYTHING.
Movies Harry Potter, Moulin Rouge, Sweeney Todd,Ever After,Inception,Titanic and lots more!! including all the disney films :D :D
Local Time
This Movie Is Awesome If everyone could please excuse my excessive fangirling I ADORE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's one of my favorite movies and musicals of all time. I think that the script and songs were... [more]
Me And Pictures. Just....*cringe* Okay so here's the deal. I always look stupid in pictures. It's actually disgraceful. And seeeeeeeeeeeriously embarrassing. Sometimes I end up making faces that i didn't even know were possible to mak… [more]
Musicals Are Awesome musicals are one of my favorite things ever! I am listening to a song from a musical right now as a matter of fact. For good from wicked. I could listen to musicals all day long....… [more]
Yes I Am I am very much a hopeless romantic. I can't watch a movie that contains even just a tiny bit of romance without squealing or grinning like an idiot! I have a huge list of love … [more]
I Most Certainly Do Believe In Love I believe in love. I strongly believe in it. And to quote Moulin Rouge if i may "Above all things I believe in love. Love is like oxygen. Love is a many splendid thing, love li… [more]


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Apple Earbuds (White with Gray Earbuds)
The iPod In-Ear Headphones have great sound quality and bass response, and come with three different sized caps to ensure the headphones fit comfortably and securely in your ear.
Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic
"Hi people. I have owned a pair of these earphones for over a year now, and this is what I think about them. I am a beginner reviewer so please, have some understanding. Also, English is not my native language, I am from Croatia. Build quality: I bought my Apple earbuds exactly one year ago, and they feel/look/sound just the same as on the day that I bought them, even though I..." --donniefalcone
Apple In-Ear - Headphones (ear-bud)
Great sound quality and bass response / Includes three different sized caps to ensure the earphones fit comfortably and securely / For all iPods
Apple In-Ear Headphones (White)
" I don't know whether it's a conspiracy or a joke, but Apple's talk of these being good quality just makes them seem like hilarious liars who could sell ice to eskimos. If their intent is to drive aftermarket sales, then they've managed it. As far as I can tell these things literally don't play bass. It's just not there. The midrange is ok, and if you're tired, they're ok for watching movies..." --BBBS
Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic
" Prelude Apple's stock earbuds that have been shipped with every iPod since its inception are quite possibly the most prolific and widely distributed tech accessory of all time. It's hard to go anywhere without seeing a pair of these things dangling from someone's ears. Casual listeners are bound to be satisfied by the decent performance of the earbuds but what about audiophiles? It's..." --TheGame21x
Apple iPod Earphones Headphones for iPod Nano, Touch & Classic
"I'm not sure if this is the same model I got with my iPhone 4s or not. There have been tons of different models of these buds released for different i-devices. The ones that I received with my 4s are (In my opinion ) absolutely worth at least 30-45 $ in my opinion. No they don't sound like my SENN HD 600 by any means at all, but for an earbud they are exceptional. The..." --GoldenGuy66
Apple iPod M9394G/B In-Ear Headphones
Crystal clear iPod sound! These in-ear headphones are a perfect iPod accessory for anyone. With fantastic sound quality and bass response you will feel like you have front row seats to your favorite band. The headphones come with three different cap sizes to guarantee a comfortable no-slip fit . You will never have to worry about noise pollution again, these headphones block out outside noise...
Apple M9128G/A iPod Remote Earphones iPod Remote And Earphones
Listening to your iPod on the go is even more convenient with this wired remote and high-quality earphones set. Compatible with all iPod models except iPod with video, iPod nano and iPod shuffle.
Ipod Earbuds Headphones for Nano
" 6.50 on ebay brand new 9.50 for the pair with a remote for that price. you gotta love it lol " --jockhater2
T-PEOS 3Way Hybrid Premium Sound Earphone H-150
"T-PEOS is known for their creativity and at times unique sound. They have truly been pioneers in the hybrid market. The H-150 marks their first hybrid with a combination of dual dynamic and single balance armature drivers. This combination provides the listener with a unique listening experience and something that is a touch different than many other hybrids on the market. ..." --faithguy19


text:
based in Paris, FRANCE
Imerys, the world leader in mineral-based specialties for industry, transforms, enriches and combines a unique range of minerals, often extracted from its deposits, to offer features essential to its customers' products and production processes.Whether mineral components, functional additives, process enablers or finished products, Imerys' solutions contribute to the ...
NOXERIOR s.r.l.
based in Grosseto, ITALY
NOXERIOR focuses on all aspects of the non-cryogenic on-site generation of nitrogen and oxygen; we help our customers to reduce their expenses for nitrogen and oxygen by offering a customized solution based on either PSA or hollow-fibre membrane technology. The unique and patented technology applied for our NITROSWING® and OXYSWING® modular PSA generators have set market ...
Ningbo Runsun New Energu Technology Co.,Ltd.
based in Ningbo, CHINA
Ningbo, Ningbo Runsun New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise committed to development, manufacturing, sales of solar, wind and other renewable energy conversion products and design of photovoltaic power generation system.
Ekotoxikologické centrum Bratislava s.r.o.
based in Bratislava, SLOVAKIA
Ecotoxicological Centre Bratislava, s.r.o. (ETC) is an independent private company focused on consultancy and research in the area of environment protection and human health concerning adverse effects of chemical substances.
Complianz World
based in Phoenix, ARIZONA (USA)
Complianz World, a leading GRC training provider, brings a range of topics related to compliance, delivered through webinars by industry experts. Complianz World is established to impart high quality training on governance, regulations and compliance (GRC) through webinars and seminars. We are passionate about processes, procedures, safety and regulations across ...
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
based in Camp Hill, PENNSYLVANIA (USA)
Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure firm that provides planning, design, technology, and construction management services for a diverse range of markets and disciplines. With 2,000 highly qualified individuals across a global network of 60 offices, we are united in our passion to deliver excellence. We have played a part in shaping infrastructure and improving ...
based in Montreal, QUEBEC (CANADA)
A technology leader in the Air Filtration & Dust Collection industry, we deliver reliable products manufactured to perform correctly in your application. When designing Fume & Dust Control products, our first priority is worker safety. Keeping unbreathables away from the operator's repository zone requires capture-at-source equipment that is easy-to-use, ...
Linddana A/S
based in TørringDK-7160, DENMARK
Linddana is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of wood chippers for use in gardens, parks and forests. Linddana successfully sells TP Wood Chippers in Denmark and abroad. More than 30 years experience within development and production of wood chippers has made TP Chippers to reliable, functional and durable machines, with more than 10.000 machines sold worldwide.
based in Victoria, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA)
FTS is a leading manufacturer of remote environmental monitoring systems, instrumentation and communications technology. We focus on hydrology, fire weather and specialized meteorological applications. Our equipment forms the backbone of some of the world`s most sophisticated and demanding environment monitoring networks. For over 3 decades, FTS weather and water ...
Pulsar Instruments plc
based in Filey, UNITED KINGDOM
Pulsar Instruments Plc have over 45 years of experience in the noise measurement sector. The company designs, manufactures and markets from their head office in the UK compliant, common sense, practical solutions for industrial, occupational and other noise measurement applications in the work environment via a global distribution network. From the beginning, Pulsar have ...


text:
Morgan Stanley fires employee who leaked sensitive client data
Investment bank Morgan Stanley has fired an employee who briefly posted account names and numbers for 900 clients on the Internet.
Investment bank Morgan Stanley has fired an employee who briefly posted account names and numbers for 900 clients on the Internet.
Would iconic ride-hailing startup Uber Technologies CEO still be worth its US$40 billion valuation if founder and CEO Travis Kalanick were in prison?
A request to the Chinese government by U.S. diplomats to help crack down on North Korean hacking underlines the important role the country plays in keeping the dictatorship online.
Sony Pictures says it hasn't bowed to threats to pull "The Interview" and audiences will get a chance to see it -- it's just not sure how at present.
The hack of Sony Pictures, blamed on North Korea by the FBI, was not an act of war, President Obama said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Denying responsibility for a major hack on Sony Pictures, North Korea has proposed a joint investigation with the U.S. but promised "serious consequences" should its offer be rejected.
President Obama believes Sony made a mistake in canceling release of "The Interview" following a major cyberattack and said the U.S. is prepared to respond to the attack, but he wouldn't say when or how.
North Korea was responsible for the devastating cyberattack on Sony Pictures, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation said Friday after a two-week investigation.
North Korea or not? There's still a lot we don't know about the attack on Sony Pictures and those behind it.
An Uber driver in the Boston area is facing rape and other charges for allegedly beating and sexually assaulting a passenger earlier this month.
Sony Pictures has been hit by a second lawsuit alleging it didn't do enough to safeguard the personal information of employees that was lost in a major hack in late November.
Sony Pictures on Wednesday canceled the Dec. 25 release of its controversial comedy, "The Interview," after theater chains decided not to play the film following terrorist threats after a cyber attack.
Two former employees of Sony Pictures have filed a lawsuit against the company alleging it didn't do enough to safeguard their personal information and prevent its loss in a massive cyberattack in late November.
The hackers who attacked Sony Pictures have apparently moved on to a new tactic: attempting to spread fear among the general public.
An Illinois hospital says someone attempted to blackmail it to stop the release of data about some of its patients.
The latest business news, reviews, features and whitepapers
Visit our shop for the best deals on hot products
Watch our video news and reviews from around the world
Comprehensive buying guides, features, and step-by-step articles
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
For work use, Microsoft Word and Excel programs pre-installed on the device are adequate for preparing short documents.
The Fujitsu LifeBook UH574 allowed for great mobility without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky. Its twelve hours of battery life did not disappoint.
The screen was particularly good. It is bright and visible from most angles, however heat is an issue, particularly around the Windows button on the front, and on the back where the battery housing is located.
My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.


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U.S.A. Deep South. Jan-March
View Single Post
In Garrison.
Joined: Jun 2013
Location: Roanoke Valley, Virginia
Oddometer: 2,163
Day 4
Wilmington, N.C.
Window of opportunity was open to ride deeper into Dixie.
I did not sleep well knowing that I had a cold day of riding. It was 24 degress F in Wilmington, and still below 30 F when I pushed off around 0930.
I was on the north side of town, so I got on the 17 south/I-140 to make for good time. Too bad I did not pack my heavy Spartan riding gloves. Man, if felt like I was kind of putting my hands in ice water. Just south of town I stopped and picked up some hunter gloves (two pairs). It rain me just below $10, so I did not like that, but the gloves were worth it.
I was shivering quite a bit. I had my joe rocket gear, but only shorts on underneath. After stopping and getting off the bike, when I got back on I would shiver a lot. I was doing some good isometric contractions to prevent this.
I stopped again at the S.C. visitor center, and ate/hydrated, and picked up a S.C. map. The DR was barley giving off any heat on its oil/air cooled engine. My feet were even getting really cold. It was much warmer by the time I left just afternoon.
I went on the 31 to go around Mrytle Beach.
I had a miss q getting back on the 17, but was good all the way to my next stop, Georgetown. I put in 2.3 gallons ($7.56), and ate and hydrated. I got there at about 1318 and left at about 1350. I had done about 131 miles so far.
From then on out I was pushing hard, and barley drank or ate any thing.
I took the by-pass at Charleston, but got off too early. It took me a while to find the 17. I did not have a gps garmin device, but just my map and notes from google maps.
My next exchange was going to be highway 21. Easy to remember seeing how it was a Wood Brothers car.
It took a while to get there, so I pulled over at Jacksonboro to fuel up {16:36/ 1.8 gallons/ $5.77}
The map says I was still a good ways away. Blast. I had 240 miles down. by now it was well into the low 50s and perfect riding conditions.
Once I got on the 21, things started to get better. I had to guess on the 170, because I thought it ran north and south, but it was east west. The DR helped me out by changing lanes at the light while traffic was still. Within a few hundred meters I saw my first of just two Bluffton signs. 25 miles to go.
The last hour of the trip was the best (much better than super cold Wilmington), the views going over the 170 was great. It was about 20 mins from twilight.
I had to go into Jasper county for a minute, but the small bridge that takes you back into Beaufort County is really scenic. One has arrived into swamp country for sure.
For good measure, I made one more mistake. I went the wrong way on the 278, has I was hitting the ramp, I noticed the 2nd Bluffton sign, so at the next light I turned around and soon after pulled off into my contacts neighborhood. It was about 1800. I had done 300 miles.
Once again, this was just a tarmac day with no pics or talking with anyone. I saw a few other riders out, but none on Dualsports.
It was good to get at this base camp. I dropped some latitude once more, and had good folk to stay with.
Furthermore, another cold front was coming in.
Tarmac: 300 miles
Off road: 0 miles
Total miles: 300 miles.
Total cost: $22.77
Total miles/tour: 650
Total cost/tour: $226
count: 4
2014: 166 days of touring:
The_Precious_Juice screwed with this post 04-07-2014 at
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Bust out all your moves in the Samurai Hat With Braid. Show that you're a true samurai in this red satin cap with yellow embroidery and attached braid.
Create or complete your Samurai costume with this Samurai adult wig. Master your skills and serve the nobles in any way you can with this authentic-looking wig!
Take down the enemy when you use your sword skills to win the battle while wearing the officially licensed 300 Rise Empire Proto Samurai Mask. This silver, injection molded plastic features awesome Proto Samurai details.
Make Up Tips Complete your Geisha girl costume or Kabuki Maiden ensemble with this Geisha makeup kit.
The power of the wind, the whisper of the blade...this sword is what makes the Ninja such a marvelous adversary! This is the ideal elegant weapon for any of our intrepid ninja costumes, or to spice up a samurai costume.
Classic and simple! This woven straw hat resembles the hats worn by Asian peasants. For a complete costume, add some authentic Asian accessories, such as a kimono or chopsticks!


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Results 11 to 20 of 31
Veridian - put up or shut up.
To everyone else - the third girl from the right is hot."I'm offering straight punch, kick while downed to the ribs or head, and of course- the german suplex...which is one suplex quickly followed by another." - Guerilla Fists
Matt Thornton explains "aliveness": http://www.bullshido.com/videos/sbg2.wmv
West Wind Karate / West Wind Bok Fu / West Wind Kung Fu thread
West Wind Karate / West Wind Bok Fu / West Wind Kung Fu archive thread
(experiment to see if I can boost the thread's Google rank)
lord of the glen
- Join Date
- Sep 2003
- Location
- deep in the mountains
- Posts
- 2,165
Posted On:
2/23/2004 4:38am
Style: Karate--Originally posted by manchuria
well if you want to just be yourself why not post an actual pic for your avatar?
I actually tried to do that once, but it said you need to have at least 500 posts to do it.
Am I wrong? Is there another way?
Plus I'll admit I am not very good on computers, if it is complex at all I'll never figure it out. (not saying that it is, I don't know)
lord of the glen
- Join Date
- Sep 2003
- Location
- deep in the mountains
- Posts
- 2,165
Posted On:
2/23/2004 4:47am
Style: Karate--Originally posted by bunyip
Veridian - put up or shut up.
To everyone else - the third girl from the right is hot.
She isn't really that hot, plus she looks way too young, plus the picture doesn't have good enough resolution to see her face well or body at all. (I'm only assuming you are talking front row)
When you said that I quickly went to the link to see someone hot but was disappointed.
Don't cry wolf.
Actually the REALLY hot one is on the back row, farthest to the left.
Just kidding, I don't really mean that.
Style: Karate--Originally posted by manchuria
send it to phrost and he will put it up for you, regardless of post count.
I really appreciate that manchuria.
Well, the story goes I have pics of myself online at yahoo photos, and it has an option to email them to people. But when I have done that in the past it basically just sends them an email with a link which sends them back to the photo on their page. Or that's what I get from it anyway. I really suck at this kind of stuff.
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
- Posts
- 1,012
Posted On:
2/23/2004 5:11am
Style: Karate--Originally posted by Mr.Miyagi
That website is made very badly. I hate them just for that...why are they so happy??
Ok here goes, Mr.Miyagi, the reason they look happy is because it is a common custom in many places in world to smile when posing for a photo. And people who smile tend to look happy.
But don't worry Miyagi. Beneath the happy facade, they are tortured, tormented souls, asking themselves every day why they bother to go on.
I'm not kidding either. If I were in that picture, dressed like that and looking like them. I would feel that way too


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November, 2013: Carolinas HealthCare System Issued a Challenge
Take a prediabetes risk assessment.
The result?
A Quick Chat with Shelly Stroud
Meet Shelly. While at the University City YMCA, she took a free risk assessment for prediabetes and eventually received a diabetes blood sugar screening at the McCrorey YMCA, both part of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Her screening results suggested she was at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and has since enrolled in a Diabetes Prevention Program with Carolinas HealthCare System and the YMCA.
What was your motivation for even taking the prediabetes risk assessment to begin with?
I knew Type 2 diabetes is serious, and I have a predisposition for getting it because of my weight, family history and race. I also have a supportive family that inspires me to continue to remain healthy, so I wanted to find out if there were changes I needed to make.
When you found out you are at risk for diabetes, what was your reaction?
I wasn't surprised that my blood sugar results were in the prediabetic range, due to the fact my father and brother are diabetic and the lifestyle choices I had made. I wanted to be proactive and prevent the onset of diabetes.
What is the Diabetes Prevention Program like?
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it has really made a difference for me! They taught us how to keep track of our fat grams, which is important. I've learned how to prepare food in a healthy way – I now bake, broil and limit fried foods to a minimum. And, because it's an encouraging environment, I've been able to get into a more regular schedule of staying active. All of those things are helping me feel better and have helped me successfully lower my blood sugar to a normal range. And that's the point.
Programs & Expertise
Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious and costly health problems if not treated. However, the risk can be reversed if identified and tackled early.
About the Challenge
What was the goal of the challenge?
Through an effort dubbed "Pre-D Challenge: Reverse the Risk," Carolinas HealthCare System partnered with YMCA of Greater Charlotte to reduce the rate of prediabetes in the community.
The challenge was to engage 50,000 people to complete a risk assessment within one year, with a goal of identifying 10,000 individuals at risk for developing prediabetes or diabetes.
Did Carolinas HealthCare System meet the goal?
Is it over?
The challenge is over, but Carolinas HealthCare System is more committed than ever to continue helping those at risk prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes!
How can I find out if I'm at risk?
Follow a three-step process:
Diabetes 101
Whether you are at risk or not, learning more about diabetes is important. That's because Type 2 diabetes is one of the most important health challenges we face in the United States. You probably know someone - a family member, neighbor, coworker - who struggles with the disease. Understanding how diabetes affects individuals and the population as a whole is the first step in reversing the risk. Consider:
Prediabetes: The diabetes wake-up call
If you have prediabetes, then your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as having diabetes. People with prediabetes usually don't see many signs or symptoms. Knowing your risk allows you to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reverse the risk of diabetes. The likelihood of developing full-blown diabetes, in the next 10 years, increases by 50 percent, if you have prediabetes. Some people with prediabetes will progress to diabetes even sooner.
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very different
While there are definite similarities between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes - namely, they both involve elevated levels of blood glucose - they are very different in terms of scope. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. It accounts for less than 10 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs in children and adults and is usually the result of obesity and inactivity. Carolinas HealthCare System's "Reverse the Risk" Pre-D Challenge is focused primarily on Type 2 diabetes.
Who gets Type 2 diabetes?
A diabetes diagnosis is determined by measuring your blood glucose level. Usually, people who are 45 and older, inactive, obese, or have a family history have the highest rates of diabetes.
However, in recent years, more children and young adults have tested positive for Type 2 diabetes.
How is diabetes tested?
One of the best ways to test for high blood sugar rates is the A1C test. A blood sugar level of 6.5 percent or more means you have diabetes. There are other tests, including the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test which tests your blood sugar level after abstaining from food or water for eight hours.
Managing diabetes
Managing Type 2 diabetes depends on lifestyle changes more than anything else. A balanced diet and regular exercise are the best ways to control diabetes. Medications can also help manage diabetes. The bottom line: The more weight a diabetic loses, the lower the blood sugar and therefore the less risk of complications from diabetes. Talk to your doctor before beginning a weight-loss program.


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Rolex Girls Junior Championship
The Country Club of Rochester
Rochester, N.Y. • June 9 - 13, 2014
American Junior Golf Association • Contact: Chris Richards • (678) 644-4258 • email@example.com
Quick Facts
- All-girls, ages 12-18, 72-player field
- 72-hole stroke play Invitational
- 23rd annual event
- 25 Rolex Junior All-Americans
- 47 AJGA champions
- First AJGA event for The Country Club of Rochester
- Past champions: Inbee Park (2002), Paula Creamer (2003), Morgan Pressel (2005), Brittany Lang (2001) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2011, 2012)
Tournament Storylines
|College bound: 58 players have committed to play golf at the college of their choice.
|A special invitation
|As one of 13 Invitationals on the AJGA schedule, the Rolex Girls Junior Championship brings together the top junior girls. The criteria to receive an invitation includes: 2013 Rolex Junior All-America accolades, a top-10 finish at the 2013 Rolex Girls Junior Championship, AJGA champions between April 30, 2013 through April 29, 2014, international invitees and Polo Golf Rankings.
|Competing at the U.S. Women's Open
|Three players in the field have qualified for the U.S. Women's Open including Madison Kerley of Scottsdale, Arizona, Megan Khang of Rockland, Massachusetts, and Kathleen Scavo of Benicia, California, while three were named alternates: Isabella Dilisio of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, Maria Fassi of Mexico, and Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, Hawaii.
|Schmitt represents local talent
|Our Lady of Mercy graduate Christine Schmitt of Pittsford, New York, will compete in her first AJGA Invitational. The Georgetown commit previously competed in seven AJGA events, with her best finish coming on home turf at the 2011 Ravenwood Junior Championship at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, New York, where she tied for fifth. Schmitt will begin her collegiate golf career at Georgetown in the fall.
|Morales returns to New York for first appearance at Rolex Girls Junior Championship
|Two-time Rolex Junior All-American and 2014 graduate Nicole Morales of South Salem, New York, will return to her home state to compete in her first Rolex Girls Junior Championship. Morales transferred from John Jay High School in South Salem, New York, to Orlando, where she attended Lake Mary Preparatory School and worked on her game under golf instructor Mike Bender. At No. 19 in the Polo Golf Rankings, Morales has three AJGA titles on her record including Invitational wins at the 2011 Polo Golf Junior Classic and the 2013 Thunderbird International Junior. She previously competed in the Rolex Tournament of Champions, finishing T4 and T6 in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
|Rolex Junior Players of the Year made at Rolex Girls
|The Rolex Girls Junior Championship is one of the most prestigious titles for a female junior golfer. In the history of the event, 11 champions have won en route to being named Rolex Junior Player of the Year, including 2013 champion Alison Lee.
|2013 results
|Alison Lee of Valencia, California, opened the 2013 year with a victory at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. She held her lead through all four rounds, finishing at 7-under-par 281 on the par-72 course at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A month later, Lee went on to win the AJGA's flagship event, the Rolex Tournament of Champions, becoming the first girl since 1992-93 Rolex Junior Player of the Year Kellee Booth to win both the Rolex Girls Junior Championship and Rolex Tournament of Champions in the same year.
Schedule of Events
|Monday, June 9
|8 a.m. shotgun
|Practice Round
|6 p.m.
|Junior-Am Awards Reception & Dinner
|Tuesday, June 10
|7 – 8:50 a.m.
|First Round off Nos. 1 & 10 tees
|Wednesday, June 11
|7 – 8:50 a.m.
|Second Round off Nos. 1 & 10 tees
|Thursday, June 12
|7 – 8:50 a.m.
|Third Round off Nos. 1 & 10 tees
|Friday, June 13
|7 – 8:50 a.m.
|Final Round off Nos. 1 & 10 tees
|2 p.m.
|Awards Ceremony
Top Players to Watch
|Kristen Gillman, Austin, Texas (2016)
|Gillman, a 2013 second-team Rolex Junior All-American, is currently the No. 5 player in the Polo Golf Rankings. In 2013, Gillman won the Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open title. In 2014, she tied for second at the Goodman Junior Networks at Traditions and tied for third at the Thunderbird International Junior. Gillman has verbally committed to the University of Alabama.
|Megan Khang, Rockland, Mass. (2015)
|Khang, a 2013 first-team Rolex Junior All-American, currently holds the No. 2 spot in the Polo Golf Rankings. Khang claimed the 2013 PING Invitational title for her first AJGA victory and tied for second at the 2014 ANNIKA Invitational. She has played in five U.S. Girls' Junior Championships and will also compete in the 2014 U.S. Women's Open.
|Nelly Korda, Bradenton, Fla. (2016)
|Korda is currently the No. 4 player in the Polo Golf Rankings. The 2013 second-team Rolex Junior All-American was runner-up at the 2013 and 2014 TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Sean O'Hair.
|Amy Lee, Brea, Calif. (2015)
|Lee, a two-time Rolex Junior All-American, is currently the No. 7 player in the Polo Golf Rankings. The USC-commit has finished in the top-10 in five of her last eight tournaments. Lee also won the 2013 Junior PGA Championship.
|Bethany Wu, Diamond Bar, Calif. (2015)
|Wu won back-to-back titles at the ANNIKA Invitational in 2013-14, becoming the first repeat winner in tournament history, and currently holds the No. 3 spot in the Polo Golf Rankings. The two-time Rolex Junior All-American has verbally committed to UCLA.
2013 Results
Rolex Girls Junior Championship
Dalhousie Golf Club (June 10 - 14, 2013)
|Alison Lee
|Valencia, Calif.
|Karen Chung
|Livingston, N.J.
|Abbey Carlson
|Lake Mary, Fla.
|Allisen Corpuz
|Honolulu, Hawaii
|Lauren Stephenson
|Lexington, S.C.
|Andrea Lee
|Hermosa Beach, Calif.
|Samantha Wagner
|Windermere, Fla.
|Hannah O'Sullivan
|Chandler, Ariz.
|Shawn Rennegarbe
|Addieville, Ill.
|Marijosse Navarro
|(Mexico) San Antonio, Texas
|Casey Danielson
|Osceola, Wis.
|Nelly Korda
|Bradenton, Fla.
|Kathleen Scavo
|Benicia, Calif.
Media Accommodations
The Rolex Girls Junior Championship will have AJGA communications representatives on hand to assist media throughout the week. Prior to the tournament the AJGA will provide information about the event and its participants, as well as assist with player interviews.
After each round, media officials on-site will write a recap with the day's results. These will be emailed to all media outlets. Interviews with AJGA Tournament Directors, Tournament Chairmen and juniors may be conducted before or after tournament rounds.
For more information about the AJGA and tournaments, please refer to ajga.org. Tournament websites are accessible from the homepage and include recaps, list of participants, tee times, live scoring, course and sponsorship information.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-18) of more than 6,300 members from 48 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf's next generation.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 600 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Jordan Spieth, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Stacy Lewis, Vicky Hurst, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel.
Tournament field
|Alyaa Abdulghany
|Newport Beach, Calif.
|Lakareber Abe
|Angleton, Texas
|Alison Armstrong
|Tampa, Fla.
|Shannon Brooks
|Vienna, Va.
|Sierra Brooks
|Sorrento, Fla.
|Julia Calbi
|South Barrington, Ill.
|Emily Campbell
|Lewisville, Texas
|Abbey Carlson
|Lake Mary, Fla.
|Jennifer Chang
|Cary, N.C.
|Yu Ju Chen
|Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
|Lydia Choi
|Beverly Hills, Calif.
|Alisa Chong
|Carrollton, Texas
|Youngin Chun
|Austin, Texas
|Gabriela Coello
|(Venezuela) Winter Garden, Fla.
|Rachel Dai
|Milton, Ga.
|Mai Dechathipat
|(Thailand) Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
|Monica Dibildox
|Saltillo, Mexico
|Isabella DiLisio
|Hatfield, Pa.
|Courtney Dow
|Frisco, Texas
|Alexandra Farnsworth
|Nashville, Tenn.
|Maria Fassi
|Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico
|Ashley Fitzgibbons
|Sammamish, Wash.
|Ariadna Fonseca
|(Venezuela) Winter Garden, Fla.
|Mariel Galdiano
|Pearl City, Hawaii
|Kathleen Gallagher
|Greenwood, Miss.
|Allyson Geer
|Brighton, Mich.
|Kristen Gillman
|Austin, Texas
|Maddie Rose Hamilton
|Louisville, Ky.
|Claire Hodges
|Sorrento, Fla.
|Emilee Hoffman
|Folsom, Calif.
|Jillian Hollis
|Rocky River, Ohio
|Katie Holt
|Clermont, Fla.
|Rong Ji
|(China) Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
|Alice Jo
|Shanghai, China
|Kayla Jones
|Milton, Ga.
|Madison Kerley
|Scottsdale, Ariz.
|Megan Khang
|Rockland, Mass.
|Gina Kim
|Chapel Hill, N.C.
|Cheyenne Knight
|Aledo, Texas
|Nelly Korda
|Bradenton, Fla.
|Stephanie Lau
|Fullerton, Calif.
|Amy Lee
|Brea, Calif.
|Ailin Li
|(China) Orlando, Fla.
|Maddie Luitwieler
|Katy, Texas
|Ashley Malinchak
|Parkland, Fla.
|Maddie McCrary
|Wylie, Texas
|Brooke McDougald
|The Woodlands, Texas
|Maria Andreina Merchan
|(Venezuela) Weston, Fla.
|Morgan Messick
|Tucson, Ariz.
|Haley Moore
|Escondido, Calif.
|Nicole Morales
|South Salem, N.Y.
|Vinh-Hop Ngo
|Newton, Mass.
|Hannah O'Sullivan
|Chandler, Ariz.
|Paola Ortiz
|Morelia, Mexico
|Riley Rennell
|Columbia, Tenn.
|Jackie Rogowicz
|Yardley, Pa.
|Alexis Sadeghy
|Edmond, Okla.
|Kathleen Scavo
|Benicia, Calif.
|Christine Schmitt
|Pittsford, N.Y.
|Jacqueline Setas
|East Lansing, Mich.
|Natalie Srinivasan
|Spartanburg, S.C.
|Khushboo Thiagaraj
|(India) Haymarket, Va.
|Taylor Tomlinson
|Gainesville, Fla.
|Lou Daniella Uy
|Antipolo, Philippines
|Ana Paula Valdes
|(Mexico) Bluffton, S.C.
|Samantha Wagner
|Windermere, Fla.
|Brynn Walker
|St. Davids, Pa.
|Elizabeth Wang
|San Marino, Calif.
|Kelly Whaley
|Farmington, Conn.
|Bethany Wu
|Diamond Bar, Calif.
|Anna Zhou
|Palo Alto, Calif.


text:
VIDEO: Sorrell talks 'horizontality', frenemies and his new tech alliance
By Daniel Farey-Jones, campaignlive.co.uk, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 09:00AM
WPP's chief Sir Martin Sorrell talks about the logic of partnering with an IT company, his desire for "horizontality" and his mixed feelings about Google, Facebook and Twitter.
Speaking at the offices of WPP's new ally Infosys on Monday (23 April) to inaugurate the latter's new "customer experience centre", Sorrell expanded on the background to the tie-up with Infosys, which has produced a cloud-based marketing platform dubbed "Infosys BrandEdge in partnership with Fabric" (Fabric is a WPP company).
Sorrell explained his latest buzzword – "horizontality" – his label for pulling together all WPP's businesses to work together, "because clients don't hire agencies but people".
Asked what he thought would happen to WPP's peers if they didn't follow it down the road of applying technology, Sorrell was measured, responding that "we all" managed to survive the rise of Google and then the recession.
He went on to claim WPP had "good relationships" with key digital players – companies he has previously described as "frenemies" – predicting it is on course to spend $2bn with Google and $400m with Facebook this year.
True to form, he turned critical, accusing them of being new media owners masquerading as technology companies and comparing their pitch to Rupert Murdoch going "straight to our clients".
He suggested it would be wise for marketing services companies to strike alliances with technology companies which have relationships with chief technology officers or chief information officers.
"We'd better prepare for the day when we engage just as much with CIOs as CMOs," he concluded.
Follow Daniel Farey-Jones on Twitter @danfareyjones
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
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text:
Times Are Changing
December 26, 2012 As schools have re-organized and in some cases, closed their doors completely and dissolved, one casualty that is easily forgotten is the athletic conference that the school participated in. more »»
Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus
December 20, 2012 One of the most famous newspaper editorials of all time has to do with Christmas. It first appeared September 21, 1897, in the pages of a leading newspaper of the day, the New York Sun. more »»
Readin' & Writin' And Other Stuff
December 18, 2012 How important is penmanship? It was a huge disappointment to me when I heard that schools will not be teaching cursive writing as part of their curriculum. Don't misunderstand, it will be taught... more »»
New To Town
December 13, 2012 "Sorry, I'm new here," has been a common phrase for me these days. I am surrounded by new places, new faces, new events and new wor. more »»
A Day Of Infamy
December 11, 2012 As one drove around the area on Friday, you might have noticed flags flying at half-staff, and many might not have given that fact a second thought. more »»
Let's Celebrate
December 6, 2012 The weekend was bustling with holiday events The lighted Christmas Parade was a big hit. It almost looked like St. Pat's weekend with all the people downtown. more »»
Let's Make A Deal
December 4, 2012 OK, I will confess. I am a vehicle junki. more »»
It's Christmas!
November 29, 2012 It's that wonderful time of year when Thanksgiving transitions to Christmas. It's time for decorating and baking, in anticipation of time with family. more »»
Reality Check
November 27, 2012 Wanna hear a good one? This has to be the ultimate in whining... more »»
Let's Go Shopping
November 23, 2012 oliday shopping. It's the day before "Black Friday" -- followed by "Small Business Saturday" -- and wrap it all up with "Cyber Monday. more »»
Dare To Imagine
November 20, 2012 In these times of economic hardship, many entities are struggling with finances. more »»
Do People Really Read Public Notices?
November 15, 2012 We hear this question time and again and the answer is always: YES! People do really read public notices. more »»
The List Game
November 13, 2012 Even though you may not believe it, once in awhile, it gets mighty tough to come up with an idea to write a column about. more »»
The Three Rs
November 8, 2012 Some of us in the "older generation" remember the three Rs as reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmetic. Today, the three Rs have a whole new meaning:?reduce, reuse, recycle. more »»
The Final Countdown
November 6, 2012 In the world of rock music, the group "Europe" released a song a few years back titled "The Final Countdown. more »»
Sick Day Blues
November 1, 2012 Over the last week I've spent a majority of my time sleeping and watching TV. Sounds like a great vacation, right? Wron. more »»
Cast Your Ballot
October 30, 2012 We received another reminder about early voting for the General Election last week. I'll share it with you...but first... more »»
October 25, 2012 With the political campaigns rising to new levels of disgust and contempt, I turned to the internet to try and find something lighthearted to improve my day, and wouldn't you know it, I found... more »»
Every Day Is A Holiday
October 23, 2012 A few years ago my sister would keep a calendar of strange holidays on her dry erase board on her refrigerator. Every day had to have something on it. more »»
Sights, Sounds And Smells
October 18, 2012 Fall is a great time of year to pay attention to sights, sounds and smells. For example: The Iowa DNR brought 12,000 young walleyes to be released into Five Island Lake last month. more »»
News, Blogs & Events Web


text:
Barbecued Cabrito
29 May 2009
|5 Clove (25 gm), chopped
|Vegetable oil
|4 Cup (64 tbs)
|Cider vinegar
|4 Cup (64 tbs)
|2 Cup (32 tbs)
|Worcestershire sauce
|1 Cup (16 tbs)
|Bay leaves
|2 , halved
|Seasoning salt
|3 Tablespoon
|3 Tablespoon
|1 Tablespoon
|Goat loin
|10 Pound, split
|Goat hindquarter
|10 Pound
Combine garlic, oil, vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves.
Squeeze lemons, add juice and lemon halves to mixture.
Set marinade aside.
Combine seasoning salt, pepper, and paprika; rub into goat, and place goat in a large shallow container.
Add marinade.
Cover and refrigerate 8 hours, turning meat once.
Place 2 pieces of oak (each the length of the grill) at front and back of grill.
Place charcoal in middle.
Start fire, and let burn until coals are white.
Remove goat from marinade, reserving marinade.
Rake coals to one end of grill; place goat at opposite end with bone side down.
Cover with lid, and cook over indirect heat 4 hours or until meat starts to shrink from bone, basting with marinade and turning every 20 minutes.
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Barbecued Cabrito Recipe


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Stream it now
Life or Something Like It 2002
A reporter interviews a psychic, who tells her that she's going to die and her life is meaningless...
- Release Date:
- April 26, 2002
- Duration:
- 103 min
- Director:
- Stephen Herek
- Cast:
- Angelina Jolie, Berend McKenzie, Jill Krop, Tony Shalhoub, Alexander Kalugin, Apollonia Vanova, Peter Kelamis, Amanda Tapping, Gregory Itzin, James Gammon, Stockard Channing, David Dunard, Max Baker, Melissa Errico, John C. Havens, Christopher Shyer, Edward Burns, Tracy Trueman, Christian Kane, Lisa Thornhill, Andromeda Dunker, Jesse James Rutherford, Veena Sood, Eric Snellman, Theron Zahn, Paul Morgan Stetler, Johnny 'Sugarbear' Willis, Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Vince Flueck, P.J. Prinsloo, Tony Doupe, Jamie Moss, Barry Michael Greene, Pamela Martin, Johnathan Brownlee, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Dan Lewis, Margo Myers, Steve Pool, Michelle Esteban, Suleka Mathew, Marika Anuik, Ashlyn Morgan Williams, Kasey Stevens, Sean Watson, Shannon Powell, Kristine Beuerleine, Scott Beuerleine, Bruce Dawson, Blake Willett, James Owen, George Catalano, Patrick McEnroe, Shawn Bordoff, Angela Moore, Dick Henley, Rick Tae, Eileen Pedde, Victoria Deschanel, Henry O. Watson, Timothy Watters, Brent Mendenhall, Jack Heptonstall, Lyle Campbell, Riley Cantner, Ken Whelan, Michael Arthur, Peter Epstein, Heidi Hoppenfeld, Gary Lindsay, Natasha Smith, John Sharify, Tracy Vedder, Mike James, Paul Becker, Jacob Davis, Brian Donahue, Laurie Murdoch, Julio Perez, Amy Esterle ...
- Country:
- Language:
- English
|watch movie
|100% 10/10 10/10
|4 months
|n/a n/a n/a
|4 months
luther L
|n/a n/a n/a
|1 year
|n/a n/a n/a
|over 2 years
Life or somthing like it is one of Angelina Jolie's lesser acknowledged roles, but I think she is quite good in it.
Jolie stars as a sophisticated, determined, and rather vain news anchorwoman at a local news station in Seattle, whose life is perfect. She is rich, has a great apartment and a sports-star boyfriend, but when a homeless psychic tells her she has only a week to live then her life turns kinda upside down.
Life or somthing like it, is a rather sweet film which carries a rather potent message about life which is represented well by Jolie. The whole concept of wakinng up and smelling the roses, and getting whats really important out of life is the key theme of this movie.
Even though Jolie's "love to hate" character tries to stick to that theme, it's not realy supported by anthing else though and the movie really becomes to contrived to really make it's message have much of a strong impact.
The idea for the film is a clever one, but this romantic comedy dosn't really have a lot of comedy or romance. The gags could'nt necessarily be called gags, and don't really make you laugh, your not even sure if it's supppossed to. I also found Edward Burn's to be an awful feature to this film. It's not a very good bit of casting and him and Jolie's don't really have any chemistry and it's hard to beleive that the character's could get romantically involved.
Overall an original idea with a good message and appealing performance from Jolie. however the message is lost in the predictability of the story and altogether it falls kinda flat!


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You can now invite anyone to meet at your favorite Starbucks.
Limited-time feature
36 year old woman | Porter, TX, USA | Seeking men 27-36 within 35 miles
Buckle up Buttercup!!
I want to live life to the fullest as much as possible. Can't change the past but only make the best out of the future. I have been blessed to the fullest with a loving family, two beautiful girls, and awesome friends. Everyday is an adventure and excited to see what my future holds.
Dining out , Movies/Videos , Music and concerts , Exploring new areas , Travel/Sightseeing , Watching sports
Aerobics, Dancing, Walking / Hiking
I exercise 3-4 times per week.
I like Dogs, Fish
I don't have a new pet yet, but I work at a veterinary hospital so get to see lots of cute puppies and dogs everyday!!
Italian & mexican food, Dancing with the Stars, Nashville, Mistresses, The Big Bang, Grey's Anatomy, country, pop, rock music, all the Fast and Furious movies, Sweet Home Alabama, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, snickers ice cream bars, reeses
I love movie nights! Really enjoy going to dinner, bowling, games, skating?! Yes skating....why not?! Also enjoy just getting in the car and taking a drive! Love dancing! And want to learn how to play the piano and guitar one day!!
Just for Kicks
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What she is looking for
|5'1" (154cms)
|5'10" (177cms) to 6'6" (198cms)
|Body type:
|About average
|About average, Athletic and toned
|Dark brown, Blonde, Dark blonde
|No Way
|No Way
|Social Drinker
|Social Drinker
|Administrative / Secretarial
|Technical / Science / Computers / Engineering
|I'll tell you later
|$35,001 to $50,000, $50,001 to $75,000, $75,001 to $100,000, $100,001 to $150,000
|Never Married, Divorced
|Have kids:
|Yes, and they live at home (2)
|Yes, and they sometimes live at home, No, Yes, and they live away from home, Yes, and they live at home
|Wants kids:
|No, but it's OK if my partner has kids
|No, but it's OK if my partner has kids
|White / Caucasian
|White / Caucasian
|Christian / Other
|Christian / Other
|Some college
|Some college, Associates degree, Bachelors degree, Graduate degree


text:
Dia de los Muertos
Wynn Seale students honor the dead with artwork
Art students at Wynn Seale Academy of Fine Arts buzzed with activity last week as they put the final flourishes on artwork for their Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrenda, an altar displayed at the front of the school through Nov. 5 in honor of loved ones who have passed away.
A black tri-fold display board trimmed with vibrant orange and red tissue-paper flowers serves as a backdrop for artwork that incorporates crosses, other religious iconography and pictorial tributes to family members and friends.
The ofrenda is part of a Latin American custom that honors the dead with a three-day celebration meant to attract their souls. Wynn Seale, other schools, churches and community organizations will display their altars this week.
Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at the school already have logged weeks of class time working on their Día de los Muertos artwork, which includes paintings, drawings, photography pinholes and much more. Earlier last week, volunteers began installing the student works.
"The majority of it comes through our visual arts department. Spanish classes contribute. In core areas, we encourage students to submit writings on the people who have passed on," said Annette Leal, the academy's Dean of Fine Arts.
Teachers supplemented the art with history lessons on the background of el Día de Los Muertos. The cultural enrichment project has been an annual tradition at Wynn Seale for the past 13 years.
Art teacher Danny Grande said he knew little about the celebration prior to his involvement in the annual art project.
"People talk about the tombstones and the skeletons, but it is so much more than that," he said.
The festivities derive from Mexico's indigenous culture during pre-Columbian times, when festive mourners erected ofrendas that included incense, flowers, bread, candies and religious articles to memorialize the dead, said Dr. Cristina Cabello de Martínez, a lecturer of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Texas-Austin. The mementos also were meant to attract visits from the souls of the deceased.
In central Mexico, the festivities start on Oct. 31 and last through Nov. 2, All Souls Day, when it is believed that the visiting souls depart, Cabello de Martínez said.
"They sing, they dance, they eat thinking that the soul is here with us (because) that is what the indigenous cultures believed," she said.
In discussing the cultural significance, instructors at Wynn Seale urged students to bring pictures of loved ones who have died.
"There's a value in remembering those who are near and dear to us, and students know that their school is an extension of their family. We support and embrace their families," Leal said.
Among the altars' many honorees are deceased staff members, including Raquel Morante, a sixth-grade math teacher who died in September.
The kids really connect because building the altar is personal, Leal said.
"All of us have loved ones who passed away, and this is our way of remembering them," said Kim Delgado, who teaches photography, painting and drawing at the middle school.
The project opens the doors to a candid discussion of a sometimes delicate topic.
"That's what is so neat about the whole celebration. Death is not a scary thing. This is a pleasant time to remember the people who have passed away and who were special to us. This (occasion) gives us time to breathe and remember them because we don't always make time to do that," Delgado said. "I hope it's meaningful."
Contact Lisa Hinojosa at 886-3617 or firstname.lastname@example.com
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text:
Home heating tips
The Four P's of cold weather
• Protect People: Pay careful attention to children and elderly, who are especially vulnerable to cold weather. Dress in layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing and consider wearing a hat when outdoors.
• Protect Plants: Bring potted plants indoors. Keep outdoor plants watered.
• Protect Pets: Bring all pets indoors. If that is not possible, make sure pets left outside have an enclosed shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind.
• Protection against fires in the home: This is one of the most important considerations with cold weather. Take time to prepare and inspect heating equipment before using. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of home fires is the incorrect use of heating equipment.
Source: Corpus Christi Fire Department, city of Corpus Christi
Home tips
• Choose electric space heaters and use only those that are UL approved. Look for models with safety features such as automatic shut-off if tipped over.
• Avoid using extension cords with space heaters. n Keep heaters at least three feet away from furniture and other flammable items.
• Install recommended smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries regularly.
• Never use charcoal grills or other fuel-burning devices indoors.
• Keep a close eye on children and pets whenever a space heater is in use.
• Always turn heaters off when leaving home.
For information, call the Corpus Christi Fire Department at 826-3900.
Source: Corpus Christi Fire Department, city of Corpus Christi
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Found inside The Hedge Hollow at 1011, 8, -628 . Eight of these bats accompany Raven, but die upon her death. They are one or two levels above yours, and are vvv con mobs.
|Nights of the DeadOccurs annually around the end of October.
Nights of the Dead 2014 will run from 10/9/2014 through 11/3/2014.
(Introduced in 2009)


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