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nehopsa's Profile
|Last Reply
Yes, the chopper is crap and not worth the shipping. Worth some 2 bucks. It is exactly the same "innovative" type I had used (and threw away after it got blunt in short order) some 30 years ago in a communist country back then. Cleaning the chopper is a pain. Well, they did a little upgrade so now it can be at least assembled/disassembled but a pain it is.
Update: THE PAN ARRIVED AS THEY PROMISED. They sent me a 11" lid I did not ordered originally instead of 11" pan I did. It scared me out as I considered that another round of unfair sale tactics. I am so happy it was not and they seem not to be that bad after all. It took some three weeks for the pan to arrive but arrived it did.
As for the pan itself after 3 weeks it still performs nicely. It is my favorite for breakfast eggs/sausage/bacon. It takes much less time to heat up than electric griddle or even other pans and the results are superior w/o any oil. Even if it can SEEM it sticks from time to time (at first after you cover colder surface with egg) it does not in fact. You just leave your eggs in a little longer and sure they will peel off nicely. (I am not using it that heavy as other users reporting problems and I will see later if it keeps this way after longer period).
I am not a very proficient cook. My experience is very positive so far.
I have to confirm some of the underhand practices. On the other hand the pan feels solid and so far delivers as promised.
I ordered after an infomercial on Dec 16 but the pan arrived only today Jan 13. This is because I refused to pay a surcharge for "speedy delivery". Not only do I consider such an extra unfair but it was doubly unfair that they wanted it. I ordered right when the infomercial boomed promise of speedy delivery for no extra charge "if you order right now". Bad faith. What promised denied.
The saleswoman was very articulate and well spoken and seemed to have some patience with me, which was nice. But at the same time she tried very hard to stretch me at all possible moments. I was determined to get JUST the pan and nothing else. First she wanted to sell the whole set. Declined. Then half a set. Declined. Finally just one more larger pan for the price of the first one and without additional shipping. Accepted. Then she was pushing lids for both pans. Declined. I had her read the final order twice. She was trying to sneak in the lids. I had the order re-read to make sure no lids were there.
There was no confirmation email after the deal even though I requested it. I called in and they said they send the email only after shipping.
Today I received the order and got violet with rage. There was the 9" pan I ordered. And there was a large 11" LID I NEVER ORDERED and did my best to avoid!! And there was no 11" pan.
I read the invoice. It said that I ordered "orgreenic essentials" for some 40++ bucks. What is "orgreenic essentials??!! What a code language is that. Instead of itemizing plainly and clearly 9" pan for 19.99 and 11" pan 19.99 they muddled up. At this point I did not believe it was a mistake...it felt like one big intentional strategy to stretch me and erase the evidence. I called them immediately. (No, I did not tell the guy I was livid with rage). I explained I received 9" pan and 11" lid that I NEVER ordered. The guy asked whether there was also 11" pan. NO. To my surprise he will send me the missing second pan.
If he does I am happy about this part. (I will let you know if he did.)
I fully understand mammahonee and her decision to return the shipment immediately. Had they not set the things straight my package would have been on its return trip at this very moment.
There is this issue with web page. When I was looking for it high and low the day after I ordered I could not find anything. There was just one defunct domain no longer in use with dubious references. No confirmation email either. So I though I was taken in. Strangely, I remembered the phone number (even though not written down) and got their explanation (above). Now after a month they set up their web page and advertised the fact on the invoice. I checked the same web address I tried a month before and expected nothing. But the web is there. Including unbelievably inflated prices. So I could be even happy that I got my pan for "just" $19.99 (the web would charge me miserly $129.99). The lid that came in error was offered for $9.99 on the phone but you can see it on the web for $39.
Unbelievable. So I guess I can be happy even for the bad lid.... as a "good value" after seeing all that.
So you can see those guys have their fair share of unfair sale tactics.
About the pan itself I am VERY HAPPY so far. I did the seasoning (put oil all over the green surface and let it on medium until it starts smoking). I will care not to stress it with temperature extremes. I will not use dishwasher. Thank you for advice.
I did eggs w/o oil. Fantastic. It peeled off nicely and did not stick. Also it tastes differently than the oil shell you get from a regular pan with oil. It even creates tasty crusty surface. The pan itself retains heat much longer than a regular metal pan.
For now I am happy about my order.
I will not run my truck over the pan (as in the infomercial). But I will let you know if the pan develops issues.


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Unified Communications
Even if the words Appliance and Service normally belong to different ways to approach IT solutions, the innovative boxedUC model merges these two scenarios by bringing the service experience onto the customer premises.
boxedUC is an appliance
A single box that is installed on customer's premise which locally provide all the Unified Communications services from Microsoft Wave 14 (Exchange 2010, Lync, Sharepoint Foundation 2010). Because it is an appliance, it is engineered to be Plug'n'Play, so very smart and quick to set up and it includes smart self-management tools - developed by FD - allowing the end-users to manage UC resources themselves.. The box will come with the Appliance Governance System (AGS), a system which takes care of the health of the system.
boxedUC is a Service
It introduces a brand new model, typical of cloud services. With a stack of remote services (called The Extended Cloud), provided by infrastructures co-located in professional IDCs and managed by a skilled staff of engineers, boxedUC could be considered a black box. In this way the end-user will have an experience similar to the SaaS / In the Cloud services which allows them to concentrate on their core business and forget the issues connected to running an IT infrastructure. The appliance is monitored 24x365,continually updated with security critical patches and both application fixes and updates.Specialized live support, in ITIL standard, is also available to help to fix any issue.
- Lite
- Voice
- Silver
- Gold
- Extended Cloud
- For more info www.boxeduc.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Blog — What's New
Let's meet in the Forest on the Down Under server on Thursday 3rd July. Here are the times:
* 4pm East Australian Standard Time
* 6pm New Zealand Standard Time
* 11pm Penguin Standard Time on Wednesday 2nd July for everyone over in the US and Canada
* 7am on Thursday 3rd July for my pals in the UK.
Waddle on!
- Club Penguin Team
Where on earth is the Spoiler Alert?
hey chattabox just saying your amazing i love you if we meet again plz friend me thxs
My favorite outfit is the Shadow Guy outfit because, it reminds me of being a real super hero. I stop other players (villans) to keep CP safe.
I really like this game and want to be a member of this game. I would also want to download and start playing this game.
I wonder who won...
Besides that thank you for the amazing party! It was great, but I was mostly on the iPad.
Don't tell my mom but it is 11:45 pm in Canada right now and I am not supposed to be awake right now!
Oh oh
See you guys later,
Speaking of clothes...could you please make some better ones for us non-members? I've played since 2008 and I have gotten a lot of good stuff but not much hair or shoes.
yay first comment!!!! :] ;]
Hey, Chattabox! At the last party, you asked themes for your party and I decided to look for some and here they are:
You could make a Summer/Cold party... Earth Day party, Pirate party, Fruit party, Puffle party, Card-Jitsu party or, a party of 80s? :P
Slumber Party or colors? (example: you say a color and we come to your party with that color), a Monster/Fantasy party? You say what fantasy we need to go (like puffles, fruits, etc) and we go!
Well, that's it, enjoy! :D
Waddle on!
dont cha dare forget the teddy bear party!!!!!!!!!! its neeeeeeeeeeeds to happen! i want a cuddly tye dye bear like my Fuzzy :3
When is the mod monday?
Yeah, good job. How did they get in the lead by so many points?!! Anyway, well done and cool. I will definitely try to turn up to one!! :)Oh and I saw Aunt Arctic!! Cool!!
Sharks won because everyone knows it is the main team on CP. I already knew Sharks would win because that team is popular. Good Game everyone!
1st comment!!!
Sorry, I can't come. Can you try switching up the time a little bit so that people living in the Eastern part of the world and go by Eastern Standard Time can come?
Maybe I am first comment!
ill be there
As always, cant come. Please make the times earlier.
-Gabel03 :(
Cool Pink Chattabox Pink I Love You
No. I WILL BE UP LATE TODAY AND EVERYDAY until 2:00 AM. ;)
OMG!Yay! first comment!
can u please change the time for people in the us and Canada because 11pm pst is 2am real time
My favourite costume is my Darth Vader suit from the star wars party but I can not wear it because I am not a member please let me wear it club penguin your my only hope!
I won at the penguin cup because I"ll was a shark!!(sweet!)
When you can't be in the world yet you can still have fun! Because of the sushi mini-game!
I like it.
hi I'm in the puppy bowl coin-toss!
Are you doing operation ninja ?
hey chattabox! I cant wait to see you but im not sure if im going to the party first comment yay
Im so going to be there
yay! YOUR ON SPACE SQUIDS! ME TOO!
cool i love that im going to be in the 4th of july parade
lol im going to be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well first I can not believe I am the first person to write to a post on the blog and two thank you for posting witch team won because I did not have a computer during the event and I was on the sharks team so YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again chatbox -waddle on
Oops I meant to say Chattabox.
Thanks for winning
Lets go sharks
My first comment COOL......want to meet u..
if anyone wont to be my friand meet me on the sever big foot at the plazza
who won! and first comment
First comment! ok chattabox can you please do a better time because my mom would never let me stay up that ;late and I have never gone to any your parties. Thank you Waddle on!
your spoiler alert is over due!!!
Wish I could come! I can't though D: Hope everyone else enjoys the ChAT-Walk though.
Why midnight for everyone in the us?
I hope this is the first comment.
Great job
yaaa u were on the space squids team
I love all the old items. If I come I could wear some maybe...
Can't wait to come! :D
Well done Sharks.
Hooray Penguin won the Cup! :D My favorite style is my hair with cool phone, my glasses or mask ninja, my shirt is written 'Club Penguin' and my red shoes! I hope Chattabox you there! :D
I absolutely love the clothes and the mini-game. The shoes were a excellent idea and non-members also got really good items.
Thanks club penguin team. I love the Penguin Cup!
First Comment, I can't meet up with the CP staff sometimes in CP....Not a fan of waking up early :(
FIRST COMMENT! And when will Mod Monday be? Also, can you have an earlier Chattabox meetup next time please? I'm in EST and I don't want to go on CP at 2:00 in the morning. Thank you!
Go Sharks! They're my favorite team!
Well, Chattabox, it sounds like a lot of fun, I will try to come. On the fashion topic, I would just like to say that my favorite kind of penguin items are the ones that scream "awesome" to me, and the thing that screams out to me most are the hair and headphones hat combo :) I find the headphones to be cool.
Waddle on!
That's sounds awesome I will make sure to born my best fashion!
Sure! Maybe I can come,if I'm not on vacation! I have a cool outfit I'll show off! Plz reply chattabox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So ready for my vacay!
I love this idea I am tots going I can't wait see you there!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why are they all at midnight in America?
FIRST COMMENT! I'm on the Sharks and I like all the teams. And I liked the party. When can the party come back?
All the time when I get on for those at the right time nothing happens. I go to the right place on the server. I don't know what to do. Could some one tell me? :) have a good day:)
Awesome post Chattabox... I'll definitely be there!
this will be the first time i will see Chattabox
guess what July 3rd is my birthday lol
can i pleas be penguin of the week
can i pleas be penguin of the week thank you maia2931
Ok, Chatta :)
-Mr Napo
is there also gonna be a party?
YAYZ sharks won!!!!! I enjoyed the penguin cup i have to admit it that it was the best cp party of 2014 so far!!!! GO SHARKS GO BLUE! And I have a little message for all of the penguins! Teams hot sauce, space squids, and fluffies tried their best to win the cup i would like to say that they did a fantastic job!!! Great job everyone, try to be a good sport to the other teams!
Ur friend-pinkleyfun1
But not a member to get cool clothes but... Who cares LETS PARTY
Too late for me. :( If I could I would come. I actually have a summer outfit that I wear most of the time.
Please, let Amy80047 be the penguin of the week. She is the most polite,helpful,and caring penguins you will ever meet. Please consider this idea. She deserves this.
With Care,
Hey Chattabox!
Unfortunately, I can't attend your ChAT Walk on 03/07/2014!
I can't be there!
I'm sorry!
Have fun at Chattabox's ChAT Walk on 03/07/2014 everyone!
When is there going to be a summer party? What about a pool party?
Aw i wish i could come but it's WAY to late for me. Can u try to move it back to 9:00 pst sometime? We in the us would b happy if u could.
Why is it midnight real time for everyone in the US and Canada?
Could u make the times earlier please? 11pm PST is 2am in the United States. That's when we are asleep!
Can you please change the US and Canada time because it will be 2 am for the people following eastern standard time in the US.
Sorry, I can't come!!
It's 11pm for me.
It's too late for me.
I'll be there! (I hope.)
Idk where is the new game i try to find it oh and by the way HI!!!! Chattabox
YAY! The Sharks Won!!! check it out! Penguins everywhere on the sharks team are holding THE PENGUIN CUP!!! AND, JUST LOOK AT THE SOCCER BALL AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN!!! IT SAYS, SHARKS WIN!!!
How do you place things in your igloo? I'm new so I'm a bit of a noob
Ugh my membership will expire on 3rd July. :(
hello cp! i just want all the MODs to see this message, although ik that it takes money to run cp but some ppl cant afford plz get some fecilities
for non members too! also whenever u give out times for event or smthn PLEASE PLEASE give out times for IST! (Indian Standard Time)
my greatest regards!
It's my birthday next month!
i cant be on for long if thats the time its on.i can come,though.
It was good a good match
I love shootouts!
Can you put me in spoiler alart,It would mean a lot to me.Your biggest fan edds0725
I'm having a baby brother THIS WEEK <--- look at the capital letter words! Plus I can still make it to the party :D
This is so exciting! Congratulations!
- The Club Penguin Team
Plz friend me plz and cool
11 pm post for US? That's like two o clock in the morning for me.
I will be there
I hope I will be there
I Be There
The soccer cup waz fantastic but I have a question. Since you make the spoiler alert episodes who is in charge of making the parties and cp catalogs? Plz reply!!!
I was on the sharks team
who got the most pionts
Was there rocked that runway I can't chat on my cutsie account when I got it I did not have a chat thing so I may not see what your saying to me
Waddle on
Who are the down under servers and what are they for
Chatta are you thinking of others not the united states and canada? it's bedtime there! plz reply, thx
Good luck others, and waddle on! ;)
Go space squids and friend hkgirl09
I am actually very happy CP is back to normal. I'm not really one of those "World Cup Fans" much less "CP Cup Fans"................................
What server is down under server?
chatta could u plz plz plz add me i met u but u didnt add me.
my name is elias711 k.
hope u reply.
I Was there but my computer was too slow and I couldn't add Chattabox. :'(
OK i ave a good idea for igloos........ WALLPAPER!! its kind of like flooring but for walls inst it a GREAT IDEA?! please think about it and reply
waddle o
waddle on
waddle o
I am to lazy to do the rest LOL
I would go, but I wouldn't have much fun. I'm not a member, and I only have a couple of unlock items clothes. Like maybe only four:c
Try finding me !...just for fun
FRUITCAKE!!! I wanna be on the spoiler alert!!!!
good job for suporting thinknoodles you are great noodle on ,charlean7
First comment! Can you change the times? Because I can not make it. When you guys are doing the party I would be sleeping. At my time it would be 2:00am. Oh and anyone in the cp team plz reply!


text:
Hanley Ramirez would like to remain a Dodger for life, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. Hanley Ramirez said that if the Dodgers approach him at any time about extending his contract, he would be open to talking. "Definitely, because I want to stay here," Ramirez said. "I want to stay here forever." Ramirez will become a free ... Read More »
Rumor Mill: Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, Lucas Tirado
With the emergence of Yasiel Puig — and, to a far less extent, Scott Van Slyke — the rumors surrounding Andre Ethier being dealt have understandably cropped up once again. A couple of teams have called the Dodgers, and apparently he is available, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. Teams are internally starting to discuss Ethier's availability, while ... Read More »


text:
Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about commercial real estate and development.
West Allis proposes financing to expand Summit Place parking structure
West Allis would provide $2 million to help add more parking spaces at Summit Place business park, under a new city proposal.
The funds would be part of the proposed $3.25 million expansion of a tax incremental financing district at Summit Place, 6737 W. Washington St.. Summit Place was developed by Whitnall Summit Co., led by Richard Carlson, within portions of the former Allis-Chalmers manufacturing complex.
Tax financing districts are created to help pay for development of apartments, industrial buildings, offices and other commercial real estate. Typically, a city will borrow money to do road work, buy and clean up blighted properties, and take other steps to encourage new projects.
The property taxes from new or improved buildings within the tax district are used to pay off that debt. Once that occurs, the property taxes then flow to the community, its school district and other local governments.
A tax district created in 2004 to help finance the Summit Place redevelopment has resulted in 650,000 square feet of office space, hosting 50 businesses with 2,300 employees and adding $47 million in new property value, according to the West Allis Department of Development. Tenants include Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.
The tax financing district's debt is to be paid off by 2016.
Under the proposed $3.25 million expansion, which requires Common Council approval, the debt would be paid off by 2018, according to the city's estimate.
A new parking structure, with around 200 spaces, would cost $2 million and help attract additional Summit Place tenants, said Patrick Schloss, West Allis community development manager.
The proposed tax district expansion also would provide $500,000 in grants for businesses that locate at the office park, he said.
Another $500,000 in loans would be available for homeowners living within one-half mile of the tax district to make improvements to their houses, with $250,000 set aside for administrative and legal expenses.
A public hearing on the expansion proposal is set for Jan. 29 before the Community Development Authority..
Comments »
Read and share your thoughts on this story.


text:
Brett Ratner has decided to team up with Disney, in a fairly unlikely marriage, to put out that remake of the 1984 film The Flamingo Kid. The original film starred Matt Dillon as a high school-grad-turned-cabana boy who shunned his working-class roots to masquerade as a slick playboy.
Because it's Brett Ratner, and nothing about this makes any sense at all, the script is penned by Nzingha Stewart, who's a hip-hop video director by day, and a rebooter of oddly esoteric 80s coming-of-age films by night.
No word yet on who could play The Flamingo Kid, but because it's Brett Ratner, we're going to slide our betting chips over to the "41 year-old Chris Tucker" spot on the gaming table. Now we play the waiting game.
Finally, we can bet that the film will come in way under budget due to the omission of money-wasting rehearsals.
Consider posting a comment.


text:
Death notices 1/31/2013
Lorene M. Armstrong
STAMFORD — Lorene M. Armstrong, 80, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Abilene. Service 2 p.m. Saturday at Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home. Burial to follow in Bethel Lutheran Churchyard Cemetery in Ericksdahl. Post condolences at www.kinneyunderwoodfuneralhome.com.
Charles Bryant
VALERA — Charles Bryant, 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Arrangements pending with Stevens Funeral Home of Coleman.
Feddy Ruth Button
Feddy Ruth Button, 85, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South. Service 1 p.m. Saturday at Broadview Baptist Church. Burial to follow in Elmwood Memorial Park.
Glendon Dale Carr
HAMILTON — Glendon Dale Carr, 72, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. Service 2 p.m. Friday at Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home.
Juanita Chrisco
BALLINGER — Juanita Chrisco, 86, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in San Angelo. Arrangements pending with Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger.
Paul Dugan
CLYDE — Paul Dugan, 80, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. Visitation 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at Bailey-Howard Funeral Home. Service 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Clyde Church of Christ. Burial to follow in the Ross Cemetery Annex in Baird.
Mark Ellsworth Fisk Jr.
Mark Ellsworth Fisk Jr., 76, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Memorial service 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wylie Church of Christ.
Luis Manuel Flores
WINTERS — Luis Manuel Flores, 49, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Rosary 7 p.m. Friday at Heritage Family Funeral Home of Ballinger. Service 11 a.m. Saturday at Carmel Catholic Church in Winters. Burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery.
Kimberly Annette Lanham-Giddens
Kimberly Annette Lanham-Giddens, 50, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. Visitation 6-8 p.m. today at Girdner Funeral Home, 141 Elm St. Service 2 p.m. Friday at Church on the Rock. Burial to follow in Caps Cemetery.
Lillie McKnight
Lillie McKnight, 80, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Service 10 a.m. Friday at the chapel at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Burial to follow in the center's cemetery. Arrangements by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St.
Nelda Stewart
Nelda Stewart, 59, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. Arrangements pending with Girdner Funeral Home, 141 Elm St.
Ercel Ray Warren
Ercel Ray Warren, 70, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. Graveside service 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Arrangements by Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Highway 277. Post condolence at www.elmwoodfuneral.com.
William 'Bill' Woodruff
ANSON — William "Bill" Woodruff, 50, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Jones County. Arrangements pending with Adams-Graham Funeral Home.
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text:
Bitcoin-Status API
Bitcoin-Status is a site that monitors the uptime of the major bitcoin exchanges, wallets, and other services. The site monitors if they are online, if they have had downtime in the last 24 hours, last 60 minutes, or currently. They also provide charting of up & downtime, reaction time, and loading time. The Bitcoin-Status API provides users free access to the data feeds for all of the tracked exchanges and service sites. Users can get the data in XML, JSON, or ARR.
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text:
An electronic device (10) such as that of the micromechanical type having a time-released source of a passivant (20). This source (20) is preferably comprised of an impregnated molecular sieve/binder combination, preferably being a polymer. The passivant may be PFDA. The time-released passivant source continuously over the life of the device reduces any tendency of engaged or contacting elements to stick, adhere, or otherwise resist separation. The present invention finds particular use in spatial light modulators of the DMD type. The molecular sieve/binder can also include getter/desiccant source, such as a non-evaporable getter to remove moisture from the hermetically sealed electronic device.
1. A device comprising:
a sealed enclosure surrounding a micromechanical device; and
material disposed in said sealed enclosure, said material including a long-chain aliphatic halogenated compound passivant, whereby said material releases said passivant continuously to coat contacting surfaces of said microelectronic device.
2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material further comprises a desiccant (getter).
3. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material is impregnated with said passivant.
4. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material is a polymer.
5. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said passivant comprises PFDA.
6. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said desiccant comprises an alumino-silicate.
7. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material comprises an adhesive or paste.
8. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material comprises a molecular sieve/binder.
9. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said electronic device is a micromechanical device.
10. The device as specified in claim 9 wherein said micromechanical device is a spatial light modulator.
11. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said enclosure is hermetically sealed.
12. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material is disposed on an interior surface of said enclosure.
13. The device as specified in claim 12 wherein said material is affixed on a top interior surface of said enclosure above said electronic device.
14. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said material is polyvinyl butyral.
15. A device comprising:
a sealed enclosure surrounding a micromechanical device; and
material disposed in said sealed enclosure, said material including a passivant comprised of a perfluoroalkanoic acid, whereby said material releases said passivant continuously to coat contacting surfaces of said microelectronic device.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/015,185 filed Apr. 12, 1996.
______________________________________SERIAL NUMBER TITLE FILING DATE______________________________________08/311,480 Manufacturing Method for 08/23/94 Micromechanical Devices08/239,497 PFPE Coatings for Micro- 05/09/94U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,374 Mechanical Devices08/220,429 Use of Incompatible Materials 03/30/94U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,878 to Eliminate Sticking of Micro-Mechanical Devices08/400,730 Micro-Mechanical Device 03/08/95 with Reduced Adhesion and Friction08/401,048 Micro-Mechanical Device 03/08/95U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,438______________________________________
This invention relates to improved micro-mechanical devices and to a method for producing such improved devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to micro-mechanical devices having relatively selectively movable elements which may engage or contact, any tendency of the engaged or contacted elements to stick, adhere or otherwise resist separation being ameliorated or eliminated in the improved device through the use of the method according to this invention. The present invention relates to an improved micromechanical device, including micromechanical devices such as actuators, motors, sensors, and more specifically, a spatial light modulator (SLM), and more particularly, to a packaged SLM of the digital micromirror device ("DMD") variety having improved operating characteristics.
SLM's are transducers that modulate incident light in a spatial pattern pursuant to an electrical or other input. The incident light may be modulated in phase, intensity, polarization or direction. SLM's of the deformable mirror class include micromechanical arrays of electronically addressable mirror elements or pixels which are selectively movable or deformable. Each mirror element is movable in response to an electrical input to an integrated addressing circuit formed monolithically with the addressable mirror elements in a common substrate. Incident light is modulated in direction and/or phase by reflection from each element.
As set forth in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,049 to Hornbeck, deformable mirror SLM's are often referred to as DMD's (for "Deformable Mirror Device" or "Digital Micromirror Device") and are manufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas Texas. There are three general categories of deformable mirror SLM's: elastomeric, membrane and beam. The latter category includes torsion beam DMD's, cantilever beam DMD's and flexure beam DMD's.
Each movable mirror element of all three types of beam DMD includes a relatively thick metal reflector supported in a normal, undeflected position by an integral, relatively thin metal beam. In the normal position, the reflector is spaced from a substrate-supported, underlying control electrode which may have a voltage selectively impressed thereon by the addressing circuit.
When the control electrode carries an appropriate voltage, the reflector is electrostatically attracted thereto and moves or is deflected out of the normal position toward the control electrode and the substrate. Such movement or deflection of the reflector causes deformation of its supporting beam storing therein potential energy which tends to return the reflector to its normal position when the control electrode is de-energized. The deformation of a cantilever beam comprises bending about an axis normal to the beam's axis; that of a torsion beam comprises deformation by twisting about an axis parallel to the beam's axis; that of a flexure beam, which is a relatively long cantilever beam connected to the reflector by a relatively short torsion beam, comprises both types of deformation, permitting the reflector to move in piston-like fashion. Thus, the movement or deflection of the reflector of a cantilever or torsion beam DMD is rotational with some parts of the reflector rotating toward the substrate; other parts of the reflector rotate away from the substrate if the axis of rotation is other than at an edge or terminus of the reflector. The movement or deflection of the reflector of a flexure beam DMD maintains all points on the reflector generally parallel with the substrate.
When the reflector of a beam DMD is operated in binary fashion by its addressing circuit, it occupies one of two positions, the first being the normal position which is set by the undeformed beam, the second position being a deflected position. In one of the positions, the reflector reflects incident light to a selected site, such as a viewing screen, the drum of a xerographic printer or other photoreceptor. In the other position, incident light is not reflected to the photoreceptor, and may be reflected to a light absorber.
A typical DMD includes an array of numerous pixels, the reflectors of each of which are selectively positioned to reflect or not reflect light to a desired site.
Because a potential difference must exist between the reflector and the control electrode to deflect the reflector, it is undesirable for these two elements to engage. Engagement of a deflected reflector and its control electrode effects current flow therethrough which may weld them together and/or cause the thinner beam to melt or fuse. In either event the functionality of the involved pixel is destroyed. In response to the foregoing problem, a landing electrode may be associated with each reflector. Typically, in the case of a cantilever- or torsion-beam DMD, the landing electrode resides on the substrate at a greater distance from the rotational axis than the control electrode, both distances being taken parallel to the reflector in its normal position. In a flexure-beam DMD, the top of the landing electrode may be elevated above the top of the control electrode. In view of the foregoing, the deflected reflector ultimately engages the landing electrode, but not the control electrode. To prevent damage to the reflector, the landing electrode is maintained at the same potential as the reflector. Again, see commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,049.
Notwithstanding the use of a landing electrode, it has been found that a deflected reflector will sometimes stick or adhere to its landing electrode. Such sticking or adherence may prevent the energy stored in the deformed beam from returning or "resetting" the reflector to its normal position after the control electrode is de-energized. It has been postulated that such sticking is caused by welding or intermolecular attraction between the reflector and the landing electrode or by high surface energy substances sorbed or deposited on the surface of the landing electrode and/or on the portion of the reflector which contacts the landing electrode. Substances which may impart high surface energy to the reflector-landing electrode interface include water vapor and other ambient gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen), and gases and organic components resulting from or left behind following production of the DMD, including gases produced by outgassing from UV-cured adhesives which mount a protective cover to the DMD. A protective cover and other DMD "package" is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,511 entitled "Package for a Semiconductor Device", the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Sticking of the reflector to the landing electrode has been overcome by applying selected numbers, durations, shapes and magnitudes of voltage pulses ("reset signals") to the control electrode. One type of reset signal attempts to further attract a reflector toward its landing electrode, which the reflector already engages. This further attraction stores additional potential energy in the already deformed beam. When the control electrode is de-energized, the increased potential energy stored in the beam is now able to unstick the reflector from the landing electrode and return the reflector to its normal position. A variant reset signal comprises a train of pulses applied to the control electrode to induce a resonant mechanical wave in a reflector already engaging a landing electrode. De-energizing the control electrode as a portion of the reflector is deformed away from the landing electrode unsticks the reflector. For more details concerning the foregoing and other unsticking techniques, see commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,279 and co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/311,480, entitled "Manufacturing Method for Micromechanical Devices" filed Sep. 23, 1994, the teachings incorporated herein by reference.
In commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,454 entitled "Low Reset Process for DMD", there is disclosed a technique for passivating or lubricating the portion of the landing electrode engaged by the deformed reflector, and/or the portion of the deformed reflector which engages the landing electrode, so that sticking or adherence therebetween is reduced or eliminated. Passivation is effected by lowering the surface energy of the landing electrode and/or the reflector, which is, in turn, effected by chemically vapor-depositing on the engageable surfaces of interest a monolayer of a long-chain aliphatic halogenated polar compound, such as a perfluoroalkyl acid. This acid is characterized by a chain having an F3 C molecule at a first end, a COOH molecule at the second end, and intermediate CF2 molecules. The COOH end becomes firmly attached to surfaces of the DMD--following pretreatment of such surfaces, if necessary, to achieve same--to present the very low surface energy F3 C and CF2 molecules for engagement. The application of such a compound to at least that portion of the landing electrode which is engaged by a deformed reflector has resulted in an amelioration of the sticking or adhesion problem.
Objects do not easily, if at all, stick or adhere to low energy surfaces, which are also usually expected to be resistant to sorption thereonto of the above-discussed high-surface-energy-imparting substances, such as water vapor. However, while DMD's on which the above-described anti-stick monolayer has been deposited initially exhibit little, if any, reflector-electrode adherence--as evidenced by the low magnitudes of reset signals--after time, higher magnitudes of reset signals are required. Similarly, when protective, light-transparent covers are mounted to DMD's with adhesives, such as UV-cured epoxies, a need to increase the magnitude of reset signals over time has been noted. A similar effect has also been noted in DMD's after several hours of "burn-in." The foregoing suggests that substances--in the first case from the ambient, in the second case outgassed from the adhesive, in the third case outgassed from the DMD--are adhering to or becoming incorporated into the low surface energy anti-stick deposit, possibly due to defects or discontinuities in the films (or coatings) thereof.
Elimination of the sticking phenomenon described above over the lifetime of the device is an object of the present invention.
The present invention achieves technical advantages as a micromechanical device having an enclosed source time-releasing a passivant, whereby the tendency of engaged or contacted elements to stick, adhere, or otherwise resist separation is ameliorated or eliminated over the life of the device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a molecular sieve or binder is impregnated with a passivant, this binder being disposed within an enclosure of the micromechanical device. Over time, this molecular sieve or binder will time release the passivant to continuously coat the surfaces of engaging elements. By continuously coating the surfaces of the engaging elements, the tendency for contacting elements to stick, adhere or otherwise resist separation is ameliorated or eliminated continuously over time. The present invention is particularly useful for reducing the tendency for elements to stick that repeatedly engage one another, such as micromirrors of a DMD device manufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas Texas. The present invention is also useful for other types of devices, including micromechanical devices encompassing actuators, motors, sensors, and spatial light modulators.
The present invention comprises a device having a sealed enclosure surrounding an electronic device. A source material is disposed within this sealed enclosure. This material includes a passivant, whereby the material releases the passivant over time to maintain a passivation coating of the electronic device. Preferably, the material comprises a molecular sieve or binder. Such a material could also comprise of an adhesive or a paste. Preferably, the passivant comprises PFDA. In addition to the time-release passivant, the material may also comprise a desiccant or getter. This material is also impregnated with the desiccant, the desiccant preferably being an alumino-silicate. The device is preferably a micromechanical device, however, limitation to such a device or circuit is not to be inferred. The enclosure is preferably hermetically sealed to reduce the tendency for moisture to enter the sealed enclosure. The impregnated material is preferably disposed on an interior of the surface, preferably, above the electronic device such as on the lid of the device.
The present invention is particularly useful to continuously reduce the tendency for movable elements to stick or adhere to one another over an extended time. The present invention supplements the passivation provided on the engaging surfaces of the device at the time of manufacture, allowing the engaging elements to remain passivated over the life of the device, even when the moving elements repeatedly engage each other.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a package for a spatial light modulator (SLM) device of the digital micromirror device (DMD) type, having a material impregnated with a passivant being located within an enclosure of the device;
FIG. 2 is an underside view of the lid taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 illustrating the material applied as strips, one on each side of a window, the material being a paste or adhesive; and
FIG. 3 is flow diagram of a method for impregnating the material with a passivant after the material is applied to the lid.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is generally shown at 10 an electronic device of the micromechanical type. By way of example and for purposes of illustration, device 10 is a spatial light modulator (SLM) being a digital micromirror device (DMD), such as that manufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas Tex. For further description and understanding of the DMD, reference is made to those patents discussed earlier in the section Background of the Invention, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is described and illustrated with regard to use in a DMD, however, limitation to such uses is not to be inferred. For instance, the present invention is well suited for use in other micromechanical devices including actuators, motors, sensors, spatial light modulators, etc.
Still referring to FIG. 1, device 10 is seen to have a ceramic base 12 with a DMD die 14 attached thereto. DMD 14 is an integrated circuit comprising an array of tiny micromirrors suspended over an array of address electrodes. Each of these mirrors is bistable, capable of rotating on either side of a torsion axis to modulate incident light directed thereupon when implemented in a display device, such as a projector or T.V., or in a hard copy printer. The mirrors land upon landing electrodes, the subject of the present invention.
Although shown in exploded form in FIG. 1, a ceramic lid 16 having a window 18 is hermetically sealed upon base 12. Affixed along a pair of opposing edges of window 18 is a pair of material strips 20. Strips 20 are preferably a molecular sieve/binder combination. The material is preferably a polymer, such as polyvinyl butyral. The material is adhered to the underside of lid 16 as a paste or adhesive. Referring to FIG. 2, the location of each strip 20 when affixed to lid 16 each side of window 18 is shown. As will be described in regard to FIG. 3 shortly, the material strips 20 are impregnated with a passivant, preferably a long-chain aliphatic halogenated polar compound, such as perfluoroalkanoic acid (PFDA), although limitation to these particular passivants is not to be inferred. For a general teaching of applying PFDA to the landing electrodes of a DMD device, cross reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,454 entitled "Low Resist Voltage Process for DMD". The teachings incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention is particularly characterized in that the material strips 20 are impregnated with a passivant, the material time-releasing the passivant within the enclosure of device 10. By time releasing this passivant, repeatably engaging surfaces of the micromechanical device, such as the mirror tips and the landing electrodes of the DMD device, are continuously passivated. While passivating the landing electrodes and/or the mirror tips at time of manufacture as taught in the co-pending patent application and commonly assigned patent is beneficial, the present invention continuously passivates these engaging moving surfaces over time to reduce the tendency for these moving devices to stick, adhere, or otherwise resist separation. In the case of the DMD device, it is expected that the mirrors will land and separate up to 1012 times over their lifetime. Considering the significant number of times the mirrors will land and release, whereby the passivant on the surfaces could otherwise tend to wear away, the present invention achieves technical advantages by continuously passivating these engaging surfaces.
Preferably, strips 20 are also impregnated with a desiccant (getter) to absorb any moisture which may enter the chamber of the hermetically sealed device 10. Such getters may be of the non-evaporating type, such as those disclosed in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/401,048 entitled "Micro-Mechanical Device", the teaching of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a method for impregnating the molecular sieve/binder materials 20 once adhered to lid 16. The molecular sieve/binder is applied as a paste or adhesive to the underside of lid 16, adjacent window 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Care is taken so as not to obstruct any light from being transmitted through window 18.
At step 30, lid 16 is placed in a vacuum oven at 100° Celsius along with 55 to 165 milligrams of solid, high purity (>99%) PFDA. Preferably, the lids are placed upright in slotted tray. The amount of PFDA is proportional to the number of windows being passivated.
At step 32, the oven door is closed, and the atmosphere inside the oven is reduced to below 10 torr. This removes air from the oven.
At step 34, immediately after reaching the low pressure of 10 torr, the oven is backfilled with dry nitrogen to a pressure of about 600 torr.
At step 36, the lids 16 are kept in the oven for 120 minutes at the 100° Celsius and 600 torr pressure.
At step 38, the oven is then pumped down to between 10 and 30 torr for 8 minutes to remove excess PFDA vapor.
At step 40, the oven is then backfilled again with nitrogen to atmospheric pressure (760 torr), and the lids 16 are subjected to this pressure for 30 minutes.
At step 42, the lids 16 are removed from the oven, and are stored in a dry atmosphere (<1,000 PPM moisture) until they are to be hermetically attached to base 12. When attached to base 12, the lids are seam welded to a package seal ring (not shown), that is interposed between lid 16 and base 12, which ring is preferably a refractory material (ceramic).
Although the preferred method for impregnating the molecular sieve/binder strips 20 has been set forth in FIG. 3, other methods for impregnating the material strips 20 with a passivant can be performed without departing from the scope of the present invention. This preferred method effectively impregnates the strips 20 and has achieved desirable results.
The present invention achieve technical advantages by providing a continuous source of a passivant within a sealed enclosure of an electronic device. The impregnated material strips 20 provide a continuous source of a passivant such as PFDA whereby the movable engaging elements of a circuit, such as the mirrors and landing electrodes of a DMD 14, are continuously passivated throughout the life of the device to minimize or reduce sticking, adhering, or resisting separation (collectively stiction). While the present invention finds desirable use in a micromechanical device, providing a time-release passivant source within an enclosure of an electronic circuit, such as actuators, motors, sensors and spatial light modulators, is encompassed by the present invention. The present invention is also well suited for use with a getter to remove moisture from the enclosure of the electronic device.
Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.
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Recently the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia announced that it would no longer hire tobacco smokers. This seemed like a smart move for several reasons. There are some pretty obvious benefits for the institution including reductions in employee health care costs, reduced rates of absenteeism due to sick days, fewer employee breaks, and the more minor advantages such as fewer people smelling of smoke. There are similarly benefits to individuals who can be convinced not to smoke by such policies. A longer healthier life spared of the expense and inconvenience of procuring these dangerous and addicting instruments should be reward enough. Thus firms which ban hiring of smokers help advance the cause of providing the twenty some percent of adults who still smoke a reason to quit. Moreover health care organizations seem to be the natural groups to take the lead in instigating this sort of social progress.
This is not a new trend. Turner Broadcasting System banned the hiring of smokers in the 1980s and has maintained this policy since. Similar bans on hiring smokers have been implemented by the Cleveland Clinic, Baylor University's Hospital and the Geisinger Clinic. It all seems to make so much sense. Nevertheless there has been a reaction. Smokers are not a protected class under federal law. Federal law permits a company to discriminate against smokers. However no less than twenty-nine states , including here in New York State, have laws outlawing bans on the hiring of those who smoke. A list is provided here. This is a testimony to the power of the tobacco lobby.
The Alden March Bioethics Institute offers a Master of Science in Bioethics, a Doctorate of Professional Studies in Bioethics, and Graduate Certificates in Clinical Ethics and Clinical Ethics Consultation. For more information on AMBI's online graduate programs, please visit our website.
|0 comments | Topics: Discrimination | Health Care Policy


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Elizabeth Young, Collar City CrossFit
Monthly Archive for February, 2010
The Show Must Go on!
Yes, it snowed yesterday. Yes, it looks like it is going to snow tomorrow. But, we live in the Northeast – we signed up for this. We should all have the gear – a brush for the car stowed under the back seat, snow boots, snow shoes, snow skies, snow tires, snow shovels. It just […] [Read More]
Eclectic Interior Decorating
I have several titles – and one of them is Interior Decorator. I am often asked what my favorite personal interior style is. I can list off so many that I love – so many that I incorporate into my personal space. The best way to describe my style is eclectic. For a Decorator, making […] [Read More]


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The goal of the San Francisco State Identity System is to present a coherent, distinctive and memorable image of our University in a full range of printed and electronic materials. By practicing consistent and conscientious application of the identity guidelines, you will help differentiate San Francisco State as the intellectual thought leader of the San Francisco Bay Area, and clearly express to all of our constituents the values and excellence of our institution.
The San Francisco State Identity System features a coordinated set of key components:
- SF State Logo
- SF State Seal
- Typography Guidelines
- Color Guidelines
- Editorial Style Guidelines
To support the implementation of this system by users with a wide range of skills, objectives and resources, this Web site offers a number of easy-to-use templates, kits and tip sheets as well as access to online stationery ordering.
If the assets on this site don't meet all of your design needs or answer all of your questions, please contact University Communications.
Thank you for creating materials that comply with the San Francisco State Identity System Guidelines. Your efforts will enhance the clarity and impact of our University communications and help maintain SF State's visibility and recognition.


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The structure of Out of Sight is anything but conventional. There are more flashbacks here than in any movie I can think of. But, somehow, it works. It is not overly confusing. It is not disturbing to the plot. And the way director Steven Soderbergh compiles the shifts in time, it all makes perfect sense. The plot deals with a prison escapee Jack Foley (played by George Clooney) who meets a US Marshal (Jennifer Lopez) while escaping and after a clean getaway, cannot stop thinking about her…and vice versa. Jack continuously puts himself in situations where Karen, the Marshal, could take him in. But, Jack just cannot help himself. And neither can she. He calls her at home. She fantasizes about him. If they do get together, Karen knows that at the end of the day, he's a wanted man and she's a member of the US government. Just as Jack knows that if he takes the risk of seeing Karen, it could backfire and she could arrest him. Or it might not…. Regardless, these continual dilemmas make a very satisfying film…with equal elements of comedy, crime and the all-important romance.
Posts Tagged: robbery
For those of us who have fallen in love with Danny Ocean and his crew through the first installment, 2001's Ocean's Eleven and with the harder-to-love second in the series, Ocean's Twelve (2004), this film is a must! Where Ocean's Eleven was glitzy and stylish and Ocean's Twelve was more convoluted and mysterious, this one is a mesh of the two. Admittedly, even the cast and crew says that Twelve did not live up to the high entertainment standards set by Eleven. I'm not sure if I totally believe that, but I can say that Eleven and Twelve do seem like completely separate movies…both with different agendas. Thirteen was their way of rectifying the public dismay with Twelve so when it came to glitz and glamour and entertainment, they held absolutely nothing back. The plot (does plot really matter in these films?) revolves around Vegas developer Willie Bank (played with lots of zip by Al Pacino) who fleeces Reuben (Elliot Gould as one of the "eleven") out of his share in Bank's new casino. Enter the rest of the "eleven" to right Reuben's wrong and get even with Bank. The plot, though, is overshadowed by good looking people, good looking sets, and snappy, witty dialogue that Eleven did with perfection. Apparently, this will be the last in the series, but who knows since, at the end of this one, there seemed to be the perfect entree for a number 14.
Where the first one was slick, this one is stylized. Where the first one was clever, this one is intellectual. Where the first one is glitz, this one is glamour. Basically, Ocean's Twelve is for adults…not only for action movie-crazed adults but for adults who need more plot, structure, and development. The look of this film is almost a night and day difference from the first, mostly because there is no "Vegas" in the second film. (I use Vegas here as a noun because in the first film, Las Vegas became an entity onto itself by contributing highly to the slickness and glitziness of the first film.) Amsterdam, Rome, Naples…where the second film is set…lend to more of an old world sophistication that Vegas can't touch. Vegas is a playground and looks the part. Europe is cultural and classic and looks that part. Director Steven Soderbergh does many of his same tricks with the camera here to try and pump up the pace and plot. But, again, taking Vegas out of the equation brings the movie out of the realm of the fantastic and into the world of the real. Concerning the plot in this second film…well even that seems to lack some of the "Vegas" feel to it. The first one seemed faster and filled with more vigor. Tricks happened right until the every end and the audience enjoyed the ride. The characters looked good and moved quick to keep up with the Vegas scene. In Europe, there seems to be a more laid-back feel to the characters. The film starts off with Andy Garcia's Terry Benedict character (who was the victim – if you can call him that – in the first film) giving each of Ocean's men two weeks to return his money. Two weeks!!! They should all be running around frantic. But, they are not. They act like they have all the time in the world. Does the European setting have that much to do with the pace? Maybe or maybe Soderbergh just wanted to make a film that was more intellectual than eye candy. Hey, don't get me wrong, I LOVE eye candy. But, I also like a good movie. Both of these are good films in their own unique ways, but keep in mind that one is more the kid in you and one is for your adult side trying to break through.
OK—I know. It's not the BEST movie ever made. But, it's just plain fun to watch…in more ways than one. It's a highly entertaining action caper. You will not be bored at all during this one, trust me. Also, the entire cast is just a pleasure to look at (you can trust me on that one, too). Basically, it's just two hours of good times and enjoyment. The plot revolves around ringleader George Clooney's decision to rob three casinos owned by power-monger Andy Garcia. Clooney takes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould and six others along for the ride, including ex-wife Julia Roberts. Based on the 1960 Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack film of the same title, this 2001 movie takes little from the original other than the basic premise (casino theft), the number of players, and the name of the man in charge (Danny Ocean). By adding style, class, glitz, high-tech gizmos, and a lot of good looking people, this Ocean's Eleven will certainly satisfy your craving for entertainment.


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Duke women's basketball vs. North Carolina live updates
Duke 60, North Carolina 42 (12:32 second half): North Carolina matched its first half scoring output within the first six minutes of the second period, storming back to keep this game within reach. The Tar Heels opened the half with a string of easy layups and 3-pointers to rim Duke's once-commanding halftime lead to 18 points. The Blue Devils have not been a second half team this season and have failed to play a full 40 minutes of basketball against a quality opponent this season. This game appears to serve as no exception, and as Duke takes a timeout, it appears to be clinging on for dear life.
Duke 50, North Carolina 19 (halftime): On the road against a ranked North Carolina team, Duke was purely dominant in the first half, taking a 31-point advantage into the locker room. Despite 11 turnovers in the first half, the Blue Devils were so disruptive on the defensive end that the Tar Heels were on their heels throughout the half. Duke's scoring effort was a balanced one, with seven players scoring at least five points in the first half.
Chloe Wells has put on a clinic with her long-range shooting, knocking down 4-of-5 shots from beyond-the-arc in the first half en route to a team-high 12 points. Strong rebounding on the inside by Elizabeth Williams and Haley Peters, who lead the team with five boards apiece, has given the Blue Devils a 25-17 advantage on the glass in the first half.
Despite Duke's 31-point halftime lead, the second half will likely be a physical one. Duke did not waver after play got chippy in the first half, when Chelsea Gray and North Carolina's Xylina McDaniel were issued technical fouls after some pushing and shoving.
Here are some notable halftime stats:
- Duke shot 55.9 percent from the floor, compared to North Carolina's 21.9 percent.
- The Blue Devils were 7-of-9 from 3-point range.
- Duke has forced 13 North Carolina turnovers.
- Just three players have scored for the Tar Heels. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Waltiea Rolle lead the team with seven points and Megan Buckland has added five off the bench.
- Waltiea Rolle and Xylina McDaniel—the Tar Heels' two primary post players—each have three fouls.
Duke 34, North Carolina 7 (7:45 first half): The pace of play slowed considerably and emotions flared in the last few minutes in Chapel Hill. Duke's Chelsea Gray and North Carolina's Xylina McDaniel were each issued technical fouls after some extra-curricular activities ensued following a loose-ball tie-up. Once both teams settled down their emotions, it was the Blue Devils who ultimately prevailed. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Tricia Liston and Chloe Wells sent the Duke bench into a frenzy and extended the team's run to 27-3. The Blue Devils are 6-for-8 from beyond-the-arc thus far, shooting 59.1 percent from the floor. North Carolina has managed just three field goals and is shooting a 15.8-percent clip.
Duke 24, North Carolina 6 (11:50 first half): The Blue Devils are continuing to let it fly at Carmicahael Arena, and they can't seem to miss. Jones paced Duke in transition, making a nifty move in the lane to drop in a runner, and Gray knocked down a long 3-pointer on the team's next trip down the floor to extend its lead. Gray then dished to Haley Peters, who knocked down another outside jumper with her toe on the line to extend Duke's early lead to 18 points.
Duke 17, North Carolina 4 (14:07 first half): The Tar Heels have looked out of sorts and it has been all Duke thus far. The Blue Devils have controlled the pace on both ends of the floor and the Tar Heels have yet to find their rhythm in the early stages of the game.
Duke has held a solid advantage on the glass, scooping up loose balls to create second-chance opportunities and keep possessions alive. Chloe Wells hit a long 3-pointer to give the Blue Devils an early 5-2 lead and Chelsea Gray followed with an explosive drive to the hole and a slick behind-the-back dish to Elizaeth Williams for the lay-in. Williams has controlled the paint thus far, dominating Tar Heel center Waltiea Rolle.
Duke's Alexis Jones added a long 3-pointer of her own and then found Chloe Wells with a no-look dish on the Blue Devils' next trip down the floor for another triple, capping a 15-2 run for Duke.
Welcome folks to your live updates for Duke women's basketball vs. North Carolina today at Carmichael Arena. Make sure to follow along here all night for analysis and follow @chroniclesports on Twitter for the most up-to-date game news.
Pregame: Two of the ACC's best square off in Chapel Hill today as another chapter of the Tobacco Road rivalry is written between No. 5 Duke and No. 11 North Carolina. The Blue Devils (19-1, 9-0 in the ACC) currently sit by themselves in first place in the ACC standings, but the Tar Heels (20-2, 8-1) should pose a challenge playing on their home floor. As if this rivalry didn't place enough at stake in this afternoon's game, North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell has a chance to earn the 900th victory of her coaching career should the Tar Heels triumph today.
This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Blue Devils embarrassed the Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium last February—the game's 96-56 margin was the second-largest by Duke in its 83 meetings with North Carolina. The teams met again three weeks later and played a physical battle, with Duke ultimately prevailing by a 69-63 final.
Duke starters: G Chelsea Gray, G Chloe Wells, G Alexia Jones, F Haley Peters, C Elizabeth Williams
North Carolina starters: G Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, G Brittany Rountree, F Krista Gross, F Xylina McDaniel, C Waltiea Rolle


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USBFever.com ships new video iPod cases
updated 10:15 am EDT, Tue June 26, 2007
Leather video iPod cases
USBFever.com has begun shipping four new protective cases for Apple's video iPod that feature a butterfly, a heart, and two separate flower designs. Each case is made to fully protect the iPod from bumps as well as scratches, and offers easy access to all of the portable players' vital controls. The cases are constructed from high-grade textured leather, offer a magnetic closure, and fit the 30GB as well as 60GB and 80GB video iPod models. All of the four new cases are individually priced at $20, and come with a carrying strap.


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DVD Extra
Is that DVD you've got your eye on really worth the investment? Should you wait a few months until the "Special Edition" hits shelves? DVD Extra lights the way.
Monthly Archive for May, 2010
June 1 DVD roundup
This week's new (rebooted) releases: "Alice in Wonderland" (the Tim Burton version), "The Wolfman." BD reissues: "Bad Boys," "War of the Worlds." Three NFL sets. Several BBC and other British TV shows. Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in […] [Read More]
May 25 DVD roundup
Not too much in mainstream releases this week: "Dear John" and "The Road." Two Internet favorites: "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog" and "The Guild: Season Three." Several British television series and films are available, and a few American TV seasons as well. Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is […] [Read More]
'Invictus' uses a small chapter to tell a larger tale
It would seem a strange way to tell the story of one of history's most intriguing figures. Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa after the fall of apartheid, took one of the blacks' most hated symbols of white oppression, the (nearly) all-white national rugby team the Springboks, and made them the first […] [Read More]
Harrelson, Foster deliver the bad news in 'The Messenger'
For families of the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, there can be nothing more devastating than being notified of the death of a husband or wife or brother or daughter. This sensitive issue is explored in one of 2009's highly acclaimed dramas, "The Messenger." Staff Sgt. Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) returns from […] [Read More]
Gibson serves up revenge in 'Edge of Darkness'
I have a real fascination with revenge films. What most people are capable of is an everyday mystery. With revenge films, you will – hopefully – be led through a real character piece about a person who's finally pushed way too far. And its usually through such films that we take stock of our lives […] [Read More]
May 18 DVD roundup
Big releases this week: "Extraordinary Measures," "Invictus," "The Messenger," "Valentine's Day." Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at […] [Read More]
'Legion' turns out to be rather talky action/horror flick
We've all experienced it at one time or another. We see a preview for a film, either in the theater or online, it looks good, we make plans to go see it. Yet we are disappointed to find out that we could have saved our time and money, because everything that was worth seeing was […] [Read More]
'Daria' box set is the beginning of nostalgia for a child of the '90s
Guest review by Stefanie Arias I was 16 years old when "Daria" first graced MTV airwaves, and my attitude was never the same. The brilliance of Daria Morgendorffer is that she was one of the few high school girls of the late '90's — animated or otherwise — who spoke her mind. And even though […] [Read More]
May 11 DVD roundup
Only two big films this week: "Edge of Darkness" and "Legion." However, there are some good collections for sale, notably the Mexican "Cantinflas" series and four classic "Robin Hood" films. BD reissues include "The Karate Kid" box set, "The Edge," "Marked For Death" and three Mel Brooks comedies. On the TV front, "Daria" finally gets […] [Read More]
The Devlin Is A Liar in 'Preacher's Kid'
Guest review by Tunette M. Powell Oh, I know that's right. No hidden secrets here, writer and director Stan Foster wants his audience to know that "Preacher's Kid" is a Christian film. From his cliché title "Preacher's Kid" to the name of the characters, Bishop King, Angie and Devlin, we get idea that the movie […] [Read More]


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The Wildlife Research Institute and the North American Bear Center need your help!
The non-profit North American Bear Center's (NABC) mission is to advance the long-term survival of bears worldwide by replacing misconceptions with scientific facts about bears, their role in ecosystems, and their relations with humans.
The NABC works closely with the non-profit Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) to create and update exhibits for the Bear Center. WRI's world-renowned trust-based research methods allow close observation of wild black bears as they go about their lives. WRI's video footage—which documents wild black bear behavior and food choices—helps keep the Bear Center exhibits fresh. Bear Center staff provides a wide variety of foods to the Ambassador black bears Ted, Honey, Lucky, and Holly. Nuts are an important part of their diet. Send the bears some of their favorite nuts! When you donate nuts, the dollar amount will be put on our account. This gives us the flexibility to purchase bear food that we need and when we need it. It helps us manage the highest quality foods and eliminates storing excess food.
Plus, when you donate nuts, you will also be helping the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI). The NABC and the WRI coordinate their needs from your donations at nuts.com. The WRI also uses nuts as part of their ongoing research with habituated black bears. Quality nuts are essential to the success of this trust-based research.
To donate nuts for the bears, visit www.nuts.com/gifts/lily.html
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Student Transition Programs' role is to advance UWF's mission, vision, and priorities by empowering students and their families to develop holistically by building a foundation for their success.
STP promotes inclusion and collaboration through programs and experiences that equip students with resources, guidance and peer connections. Through the Office of Family Programs, we strive to support the partnership between students, families, and the University in order to foster a successful transition into the Argo campus community.


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The Deadly Duo
Those who have been here for some time now are probably familiar with a recent argument I got into with Orac over at Respectful Insolence on the dangers of Second Hand Smoke. I mentioned that recent science indicates that spending eight hours in a smoky bar is no worse for your heart, than drinking a can of pop every day.
Well it looks like pop isn't the only thing that's worse than working in a smoky bar. Turns out that a couple bags of microwave popcorn is even worse! Wayne Watson, a Colorado man, who consumed two bags of microwave popcorn every day for the past ten years has been diagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans or Popcorn Lung, an often fatal lung disease. Apparently the chemical diacetyl, which occurs naturally in butter, and gives it that delicious flavor we all love, can be deadly when vaporized and inhaled. So if you can smell butter, you are being exposed to toxins.
But where is the legislation? Where are the lobbyists? Where is the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation? How come this threat to humanity is still allowed to be sold in grocery stores all over America, even to little children!
I know that the risk can be avoided simply by customers selecting the butter free variety (or not eating popcorn). But what about the children that work in movie theaters? What about the workers that are exposed? According to research the risk to popcorn workers of contracting Popcorn Lung, is roughly the same as coal miners contracting Black Lung (3%) which means working around buttery popcorn, is thousands of times more dangerous that working in a smoky bar.
During our heated and extended debate, the Great Orac once said "There's nothing inherent in the work required in bars or restaurants that demands exposure to SHS, other than tradition."
By the same token, there is no reason to put butter on popcorn, outside of tradition. When will we start caring for the victims of popcorn? Certainly those who wish to eat buttered popcorn, can step outside the theater to indulge in their deadly habit. I SHOULD be able to enjoy a movie without exposing myself to second hand butter.


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Are self-respecting males and adults welcome on this voyage? Should we be? Someone said to me recently that Duffy is truly a character for artists and creators (of all ages), and the only way the mass market can understand him is by crippling his true potential, dumbing him down, and cheapening the brand until all that's left is, "Oooh, cute!" Is this true, and are we glad about it? Do we accept and embrace it? Do we accept and embrace stereotypical limitations about what boys or girls or grown women and men are allowed or not allowed to like just because society says so? Do we accept some things as "creepy" just because they're ingrained? Isn't Duffy fundamentally about fresh perspectives and challenges to traditional perspectives? Isn't he also about a love so universal that it embraces anyone and so positive that anyone who embraces it is someone we respect? Is mass awareness worth the loss of the core elements of the character and the culture of love, thoughtfulness, creativity, playfulness, experimentation, innovation, craftsmanship, integrity, independence, community, celebration and adventure that have driven the Duffy fan community? As Duffy's presence grows, I feel these are questions worth asking and examining. I hope others agree.
As so often happens, what started as a simple desire to explain myself more clearly in another thread became an essay that would have been off-topic unless it has its own. I hesitated about posting, cos of the length, but woke to find that theead veering off-topic and thought perhaps others are actually interested in such a conversation. Feel free to ignore what follows if you dislike long, thoughtful, or controversial posts. But I would really love to talk about this earnestly with some genuine investment. For me, that's what MiceChat is all about. It should be remembered that everyone here loves the MiceChat community and its members, as well as both Disney and Duffy a great deal, or we would be spending our time otherwise.^^
Growing up, there was no part of me that felt teddy bears were "for girls," even in the mainstream brainwash vision of the order of things. When I look back on the eighties, it seemed that teddy bears, while non-gendered, of course, were push-to-shove, the boys' answer to dolls as a "badge of childhood." Teddy bears and army men and dump trucks. And Transformers. I had them all, but the teddy bear was for us "sensitive" boys. My G.I. Joes negotiated peace treaties and married COBRAs...seriously, literally. I feel that BAB has changed that, but that's very recent. Teddy bears were first and foremost born from political satire and a story of mercy and kindness. They were a cultural phenomenon across all age and gender lines before settling into the child's room. And though they may belong to boys or girls; Christopher Robin and Pooh, Paddington, Teddy Ruxpin, UK Rupert, Stewie's Rupert, Garfield's Pooky, even the recent film TED all of these are in line with placing the teddy bear as the little boy's symbol of childhood and sugarplum dreams. I cannot think of the same list for girls (though Lancelot from LABYRINTH is memorable, there's no comparison to the above). Keep on mind that for boys, any interest in "girly" things is met with painfully serious scorn, while girls who like cowboys and construction are "tough" and "cool." Certainly all of the teddies I mentioned have been relevant to many females, but Christopher Robin is a boy, as are nearly all teddy bear characters, including the aforementioned Lancelot. This is one of the things that helped ShellieMay establish herself so quickly; iconic female teddies are so hard to think of that I can't think of any others. Also, I think cars and construction sets are iconic in the same way. Of course, these are symbols for boys, too, but the teddy bear is the magical companion, much akin, in my mind, to girls' dolls in numerous stories. Teddy bears are little boy dreams and imagination, fantasy and social play. They don't serve the same function as cars and battle toys; they are soft and safe. The teddy bear is the sensitive side of the male, something powerful and potentially violent made cute and cuddly. They are not only for boys by any means, but the media message has been ingrained fairly clearly and consistently over the past century, though the marketing message is admittedly different.
I hope that no one imagines even for a moment, though, that I personally think in a "for boys/for girls" paradigm... I'm like a broken record about the damage done by both age and gender pre(mis)conceptions in our societies, and the fact that so few dare to challenge them...and the unfortunate judgments and consequences when they do. What bothers me is that such a paradigm exists for anyone, anywhere. I hope and believe that Duffy is beyond such limitations. In case I did somehow misrepresent my thinking, I just wanted to set the record straight. I'll see you out on the limb where I'm always sitting, relaxing and reading and enjoying the view. Bring snacks!^^
One other thing you said confused me, Aimster, about the men with the dolls. It feels like you're making two opposing points, so I feel sure I've misunderstood you somehow, which I pre-apologize for. Why is it "creepy" for adult men to take photos of dolls in parks? How is that different from Duffy? You don't think when men take photos of Duffy that's creepy, do you? Is this something that's "ok" for a woman, but not for a man? Or is it that as adult Duffy fans, we know we're likely being perceived as "weirdos" so we point out someone else's hobby that's "actually creepy, not like us?" I can't imagine that you think any of that, so...Idongetit. Cos they're men with dolls? That seems antithetical to the point I thought you were making, so I can only really feel more confuzzled. Please help me understand about the "creepy."
I agree completely with the strategy re-think, though. Duffy had an installed collector appeal before the Disney "debut," due largely in fact to the MiceChat community. Though there were many lurkers, myself and a couple of others were the only people in the English-speaking world who talked positively, publicly, and regularly about the significance of Duffy for both Disney and the world before Disney took him back. We were often ridiculed, even on MiceChat, before the Duffy forum was created. There were only really the three of us for years, before the Disney marketing team started driving out the bandwagon of mediocrity. That wagon, armored in "the real Disney" brand, has forced through a dishearteningly "toddlered-down" version of Duffy that has alienated collectors to the point of, I imagine now, making that market utterly uninterested and unreachable. Not that Disney is really interested in connecting Duffy to that market anyway. If Tokyo Duffy had been in 2008 what global Duffy is now, I would never have been the slightest bit interested. The energy that's fueling Duffy fever is still the heat of the people who are invested in something not offered by the American/global releases, but more and more that energy is becoming the very simple enthusiasm of a trend. Disney's marketing strategy has made it so that the public at large will never see Duffy as a collector's item (though they may someday make "collector's editions" as a cash grab and scalpers will snatch them up to force fans to pay premiums on the secondary market). And now he's headed away from park-exclusivity, which means that to the vast majority of the public, if you are an adult Duffy collector, not only do you not only have what you paid for, but you also get put very quickly into the "creepy" box if you choose to continue to love the character and your collection anyway.
It's a real shame, too, because Disney could have controlled the message. Even if consumers had stubbornly clung to the notion that a teddy bear is not a collectible premium character object that adults can feel good about because it inspires something good in them, Disney could have limited its marketing to that message anyway and demanded that Duffy be taken seriously, that he mean something. They could have focused on Happiness and Luck, Love and Joy, Sailing and Adventure. Not just as dumbed-down versions of Japanese creative genius, but fully developed concepts filled with the magic, heart and commitment to realization that only Disney is capable of. Duffy could have been a renaissance, a legend. If only someone who really believed was at the helm. They have not done that, and show no signs of intending to do so. They have taken a generic failure crafted by unnamed visionaries into a luxury iconic juggernaut filled with genuine heart and made it into a generic flash in the pan again.
Instead of pixie dust, what seems to be happening is the gradual roll-out of the dusted off Disney Bear concept, an entire reversal of all the relentless labor undertaken by the Japanese team of unsung heroes whose names we'll never know to birth their superstar. All the while, Dara Trujillo and Monty Maldovan lap up more kudos from press, company, and fans. I won't be surprised if a whole family of multicolored teddy bears will be the global answer to ShellieMay - who needs a "girlfriend" (she is NOT his "girlfriend" ) when you can be a big stud with a whole harem? What was once a failed concept made successful in another land, by another country's artists and supporters is becoming another Disney fad. No different from the Fairies. They are methodically stripping Duffy of every single thing that makes him Duffy except the Disney brand, and it doesn't help that so many Duffy "fans" celebrate these moves and show their support with their wallets and their full-throated defense of Duffy's exploitation for cash...on the cheap.
It took less than a year for Disney to offer Duffy on the web through the Disney Store site, although they themselves made much to-do of park exclusivity at launch, totally destroying the exclusive premium element of the brand. Then they marketed cheaply constructed clothes with thin fabrics and few elements for barrel-bottom prices, along with a thoroughly gutted retelling of the Tokyo Duffy storybook which, by the way, removed "the Bear of Happiness & Luck" moniker which had historically been OLC's replacement for "the Disney Bear." No mention was made, either, of Cape Cod. A travesty. Now they're moving to go globally local and have Duffy available in your nearest Disney Store, all rifled through and marked way down...no Happiness or Luck, Love or Joy...no finely-crafted clothes...no hand-created art books...no Cape Cod...obliterating the oeuvre meticulously crafted and powerfully established over the past near decade by OLC, and operating on such a large scale that by the time they finally kill and retire the concept - again - most of the Disney fan world will know Duffy fairly well, and will think anyone holding on to that "failed Disney bear-thing" is an idiot at best, or at worst, a "creep." I cannot understand why anyone supports this.
None of the substance that transformed the failed Disney Bear concept into the astronomic achievement that is authentic Duffy has carried back over to the US or its global rollout. It has been, in every way, on every level, a complete backwards step. The wider they stretch, the less they seem to innovate. The less they seem even interested, because the market they are trying to reach is responding. The "mass" market, the followers, the "this-is-trending-now-and-I've-got-it crowd, the look-at-me's." They are taking Duffy and making him into "the Disney Bear" all over again. But that is not what Duffy is about, and it never has been. No matter how some "fans" may have misunderstood it, Duffy has always had the potential to reconnect Disney to the core of its heart, to its roots, and that path is not being taken. The same as Tokyo DisneySEA would not exist at all, had it not been envisioned, paid for, and managed by the Oriental Land Company. A pity, and a waste.
The Paris debut we were all so excited about turned out to be just more of the same. I will be truly shocked and eat my words if it turns out that Disney is in with Duffy for the long haul, if someday they aim to genuinely acknowledge the Japanese artists who created Duffy, the Cape Cod birthplace and hometown in the most beautiful theme park on Earth, or the adult fans who have believed and created him into an astounding success; but it seems to me at this point that they are using the energy of people like me and you and Duffeteers everywhere to create buzz for a product they only ever invested in primarily because they didn't like seeing all that money being generated by their licensee, and that they only continue to invest in looking for the big payout.
The global Duffy venture, despite my brightest initial hopes (and in line with my darkest initial misgivings and fears), has never looked and does not look to me now to be charged with Happiness, Luck, Love or Joy. It seems totally money-fueled, and once the money runs out, Duffy will be gone again...at least outside Japan. When they build something as detailed and permanent as the Village Greeting Place outside Japan, or even mention Cape Cod, or when the Japanese design team who actually created and continue to develop the character of Duffy are openly acknowledged and celebrated, and their work is the gold standard for Duffy around the world, I'll believe in Disney's commitment. Until then, I just wish this whole thing would hurry up and they'd get all the money they can, and leave Duffy back to the people who actually understand and genuinely love the character.
I have said it many times, but it has never been more true -
I would rather have people never be exposed to Duffy and have the chance to discover him someday, than see some pale shadow and be so certain of the accuracy of their perception that they feel nothing but derision or aversion for it and those who love it, and never have even a hope of glimpsing the real deal.
Here's an article from Canadian Business, from round the time of Duffy's Disney rollout. Underline, bold and blue mine:
Originally Posted by Canadian Business
Is there anyone who doubts that the "whole thing" Trujillo is talking about is the HUGE profits? 40% of park merchandise revenue is unbelievable for one merchandise line built around one character available exclusively in the second-gate park; with no movie tie-ins, TV shows or any presence whatsoever outside of being park merchandise. Until I read this, I had understood it to be about 20%, which I thought was amazing. Duffy got bigger than Mickey and now they are castrating him. If they'd really wanted to import the "whole thing," Duffy wouldn't have been available online so soon, his clothes would be more expensive and higher quality and the storybook would not have been rewritten, re"illustrated" and dumbed down. Cape Cod would be his hometown and the "Happiness and Luck" moniker would stand. Perhaps OLC said they'd have to pay to use those elements; who knows the details of that relationship in this regard? And if that's the case, and they refused to pay, thinking they didn't really have to have all that, what does that say about integrity and commitment?
"It started off as a wonderful piece of product that was unique to the theme park," says Trujillo...and now they're eviscerating that, as they have already done every other element that sets Duffy apart from the Disney Bear. Equally frustrating is the fact that all this history and "company lore" is presented as if the birth of Duffy from the ashes of the Disney Bear was the genesis of some Disney team, which is not at all the case. Duffy was tossed in a dumpster of has-been ideas, lovingly found and nurtured by the OLC and made into a phenomenon. Disney didn't care about the concept anymore at all until they understood how much money they were missing out on.
Disney's plan was predicted by me, as well as these analyst experts. It's all very "by the book." Jim Silver was wrong about the "slow program," though. They've completely muddied the Duffy brand in the first year. They could have made even more money by doing it right, and probably also doing it more slowly, more carefully. They could have loved Duffy, and Duffy would have lead them back to loving their own legacy as much as you and I do.
Imagine if the Walt Disney Company had fully embraced Cape Cod and taken us on a sailing, exploring adventure. Imagine if they had embraced the Minnie's Co-op Workshop/every Duffy concept and each individual Duffy had incredible history as so much more than "Mickey's bear." Instead they have underscored that Duffy is MICKEY'S teddy bear every chance they get, to the point of alienating people, to the point of now marketing Duffy with Minnie. Still missing the point that Duffy's identity is his own, and each Duffy belongs to each Tender who loves Duffy...and Disney, from the bottom of our hearts.
Can you imagine the incredible merchandise that might have come with a full-on Disney investment? Brass harmonicas with Duffy paws or hidden Mickeys, Cape Cod sheets and towels, gorgeous maps and storybooks, replicas of postcards from the Village Greeting Place, a Jim Shore or Olszewski Cape Cod light-up display... Disney could choose to do all the things Oriental Land Company can't or won't with the character, not just make him mass-market discount and more child-targeted, limited, throwaway. They could have taken him deeper rather than cheaper. Duffy has all the potential magic of any legendary character who has ever captured the hearts and minds of people anywhere, but you have to tell his story honestly, with integrity and sincere commitment. Isn't that what Disney does? Isn't that what defines the magic that defines the company's entire legacy? You might say, "the public would never have gone for that," but Mickey Mouse was not a "child's thing to make money" first. Walt Disney believed the public could be shown great things and respond in ways no one, including themselves, had yet dared imagine. And he was right.^^
Plus, there was a HUGE opportunity for sincere promotion of the partnership with Oriental Land Company and its creative team on a global stage, and a full acknowledgement of all the honor that Tokyo DisneySEA deserves. Instead they have exploited the energy, hard work and support of the Japanese Duffy creative and fan community and are actively using it to erode the character these same people have built and loved to life. I simply cannot understand why anyone supports this.
MiceChat is a forum for discussion and I feel it's been too long since we had a lot of people engaging with a topic like this. I passionately believe in what Duffy, done right, represents and inspires. He's so much more than "Mickey's cute bear." Isn't he? Or is that message also becoming accepted and ingrained even among fans?


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I think the ADD is acting up today, kids. My thoughts are all scattered. So instead I'm just going to tell you some things you would have done today if you were me, which you're not, but if you were:
- Spent over an hour on IM with two friends discussing recent crazy happenings. After that, I felt much much better that I'm not the only one who's affected by the crazy.
- Had a lunch of salmon and mixed vegetables.
- Spent way too much time editing XML. Briefly contemplated throwing PC out of the window. Decided to instead avoid work for a while by reading Salon.com and solving the New York Times crossword. Then went back to the XML.
- Stopped at the farmers' market on the way home for some heirloom tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant. After that I went to the dairy store for my cheapo milk.
- Had a dinner of shrimp and tomato and cucumber salad. Fabulous!!!
- Went to Starbucks with my friends P&G. This was my first weeknight Starbucks outing since my surgery, and oddly enough, it really helped me feel more normal. I had a grande decaf nonfat two-pump sugar-free vanilla latte. I feel totally high-maintenance that I now have such a long-named drink. I think they should just call it The Lesley.
- Calculated the number of protein grams I had consumed today and realized it wasn't enough. So you must excuse me, but I need to eat some cottage cheese (12 grams).