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In a packet network, each data packet that is transported through the network to a destination node is assigned one of 2**N priority levels based on the type of information contained in the data packet. A data packet containing system control information is assigned the highest priority level. A data packet containing, for example, user information, is assigned a lower priority level. In addition, each priority level is associated with a respective "watermark" threshold. When a data packet arrives at a network node, the node compares the packet's associated watermark threshold with the number of data words currently stored in a common memory. The node rejects the packet if the watermark threshold is found to be less than that number to reserve space in the memory for data packets of higher priority. Otherwise, the data packet is stored in the common memory.
1. Apparatus comprising
a memory having a plurality of memory locations for the storage of data words contained in respective data packets, said data packets being associated with respective levels of priority, said levels of priorty being associated with respective priorly stored memory threshold values, and
means, responsive to the storing in individual ones of said memory locations the data words of one of said data packets, for determining the number of data words currently stored in said memory and for effectively blocking the storage of said one data packet if the value of said number exceeds the value of the memory threshold associated with the respective priority level of said one data packet.
2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for determining includes means for allowing said one data packet to be stored in said memory if the value of said number is less than the value of the memory threshold associated with said one data packet.
3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises memory read and write pointer registers, said write pointer register containing the address of the memory location at which a respective data word is to be stored and said read pointer register containing the address of the next memory location which is to be read, and wherein said number is determined as function of the contents of said read and write pointer registers.
4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a packet switch arranged to receive packets of said data words from an external source of data packets, wherein each of said data packets includes a respective class-of-service mark identifying a respective one of said memory threshold values, and wherein the memory threshold that is associated with said one data word is derived from the class-of-service mark contained in the data packet associated said one data word.
5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said memory threshold values is programmable and wherein said apparatus includes means for changing the value of at least one of said thresholds responsive to receipt from a user of said apparatus an instruction to do so, in which said instruction contains the new value of said at least one threshold.
6. Apparatus comprising
a memory having a plurality of memory locations for the storage of respective data words each associated with a respective level of priority, and
means responsive to receipt of one of said data words for storing said one data word in an individual one of said memory locations as long as the number of locations of said memory that are filled is less than a respective priorly stored memory threshold value associated with the priority level of said one data word.
7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for storing includes means for blocking the storage of said one data word in said memory if the value of said number is greater than the value of said memory threshold.
8. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said apparatus further comprises memory read and write pointer registers, said read pointer register containing the address of the memory location at which said one data word is to be stored and said read pointer register containing the address of the memory location which is to be read, and wherein said number is determined as function of the contents of said read and write pointer registers.
9. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said apparatus is a packet switch arranged to receive packets of said data words from an external source of data packets, and wherein each of said data packets includes a respective class-of-service mark indicative of said a respective priority level.
The invention relates to an arrangement for storing a data word in a buffer memory, and more particularly relates to an arrangement which either stores an incoming data word in memory or discards the data word based on the priority level of the data word.
In a packet switched network it is more economical to store system control packets and client data packets in a common buffer, rather than in dedicated buffers. However, it is possible that a common buffer could overflow during periods of heavy data traffic, thereby resulting in the loss of one or more system control packets. A loss of a system control packet could lead to a degradation in the performance and reliability of the packet switched network.
The chance of possibly losing a system control packet due to a buffer overflow condition is greatly reduced by ensuring that sufficient space is reserved in a common buffer for the storage of system control packets. Specifically, each incoming packet is assigned one of 2**N priority levels, with the highest level of priority being assigned to system control packets. In addition, so-called "watermark" thresholds in the common buffer, which may be programmed, or set, by the user, are associated with respective priority levels. Thus, when a packet is received at a network node, the watermark threshold associated with the packet's priority level is compared with the number of buffer memory locations that are filled. The packet is discarded if its associated watermark threshold is found to be below that number to reserve space in the buffer for packets of higher priority. Otherwise, the packet is stored in the buffer memory.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a broad block diagram of a packet switch node in which the invention may be advantageously practiced;
FIG. 2 illustrates the layout of the fields of a data packet transmitted and received by the node of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a broad block diagram of the packet switch of FIG. 1 embodying the principles of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between respective priority levels that may be assigned to a data packet and the fill level of a buffer memory contained in the packet switch of FIG. 3.
FIG. 1 illustrates a broad diagram of a packet switch node comprising, inter alia, packet switch 10, node controller 20 and a data terminal 15 communicating with central processor 25 via bus 4. The overall operation of a switching node employing packet switch 10 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,785 issued Mar. 15, 1988 J. F. Ferenc et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Packet switch 10 is shown connected to node controller 20 via a data bus 7, cable 8 and read enable lead 9. The function of the latter connections will be discussed below in detail. However, it suffices to say that read enable lead 9 is used to output to bus 11 information that is stored in a buffer memory of packet switch 10. Bus 7 and the leads of cable 8 are used, on the other hand, to change the values of respective watermark thresholds stored in packet switch 10. The watermark thresholds may be inputted by, for example, a system administrator operating keyboard 5 of terminal 15, which is in communication with central processor 25 via bus 4. Central processor 25, in turn, encapsulates the watermark thresholds in a data packet and transmits the latter to packet switch 10 via bus 6. Controller 20 which ultimately receives the data packet unloads the new watermark thresholds from the data packet and stores them in packet switch 10, as will be discussed below.
Specifically, packet switch 10 employs circuitry for storing in its buffer memory information received via bus 6. Such information may be a data packet comprising a plurality of data bytes, in which each data byte is stored in the buffer memory in the order in which it is received. Similarly, each data byte is outputted to bus 11 in the order in which it was stored in the buffer memory. That is, packet switch 10 functions as a first-in, first-out (FIFO) queue.
Packet switch 10 may also be thought of as being a circular storage device, in which the data bytes of a packet are stored sequentially at buffer memory locations 0,1,2, . . . N-1, respectively, where N denotes the number of data bytes that may be stored in packet switch 10. After the location with address N-1 has been filled, then the next location to be filled will be address 0. Accordingly, successive buffer memory locations may be addressed using modulo N arithmetic, in which it is packet switch 10 which supplies the write and read addresses. Packet switch 10 thus maintains an internal write pointer register containing the address of the next available buffer memory location to be filled, and maintains a read pointer register containing the address of the next buffer memory location to be read.
Packet switch 10 also uses the contents of its read and write pointer registers to calculate the number of buffer memory locations that are filled, i.e., contain data bytes which have not yet been outputted to bus 11. Packet switch 10 makes this calculation each time it stores an incoming data byte in th buffer memory. However, in accordance with the invention, the data byte is stored in the buffer memory only if the calculated number is less than a watermark threshold associated with the priority level of the data byte. As will be shown below, the priority level of a data byte is the priority level that is assigned to the data pcket containing the data byte.
It is noted that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, packet switch 10 does not use the result of the foregoing determination until all of the data bytes of a packet have been stored in the memory buffer. Packet switch 10 operates in this manner so that it does not store a leading number of data bytes of an incoming packet in the buffer memory and then discard the remaining data bytes of the packet.
(It is noted at this point that the act of discarding a packet does not mean that the packet is lost. For example, it is well-known in the art of data transmission that a sender will retransmit a data packet if it fails to receive an acknowledgement from the intended recipient.)
As will be shown below, a data packet contains a so-called class-of-service mark, or indicator, which identifies the packet's level of priority. Packet switch 10, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, uses the class-of-service mark to derive the applicable watermark threshold, that is, the "fill" level in the buffer above which packet of the respective class of service cannot be stored.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two bits of a data byte are reserved to define a packet's traveling class-of-service mark, and, hence, its priority level. Since two binary bits may be used to define 22, or four binary states, namely, 00, 01, 10 and 11, a packet's priority may then be one of four levels each associated with a respective watermark threshold in the buffer. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, only two priority levels are used. For example, a user packet, such as a data packet generated by a user, is assigned level 10 and a system control packet is assigned level 11.
Before discussing the way in which packet switch 10 implements the invention, it would be best to discuss the structure of a data packet, as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, a flag (F) comprising a predetermined pattern of binary bits precedes the first data byte of a packet. Within the system of FIG. 1, the number of bits in a data byte is--illustratively eight bits--, and the pattern of flag F is 01111110. The first field (ADD) of a packet comprises a variable number of 8-bit address bytes, which define the address of the recipient's network node. Each byte in the ADD field uses seven of the eight bits. The remaining bit, bit zero, is used to identify the end of the ADD field. That is, bit zero of the last byte "a" of that field is set to a binary one. Whereas, bit zero of each of the preceding bytes in the ADD field is set to a binary zero.
The following field, the key (K) field identifies the recipient of the packet, i.e., a data terminal. The last two bits of the first byte (K1) of the K field contain the packet's so-called traveling class-of-service mark. As mentioned above, it is these bits which are used to determine the packet's associated watermark threshold.
The CK1 field is a checksum taken over the ADD and K fields. The contents of the DC field is used to identify the logical link presented to the device addressed by the ADD and K fields. The data field (D) is of variable length and may contain up to 260 data bytes. The final field, CK2 is a checksum taken over the DC and data fields. It is seen from the FIG. 2 that the last field of a packet is followed by the aforementioned F flag, which is used to identify the end of the packet.
With the foregoing in mind, we now turn to a discussion of the manner in which the invention is implemented in packet switch 10, as shown in FIG. 3.
In particular, preprocessor circuit 305 responsive to receipt of a data byte via bus 6 checks the pattern of the bits contained therein to see if they conform with the pattern of the aforementioned F flag. Preprocessor 305 discards the data byte if it finds that to be the case. Otherwise, it temporarily stores the byte in a holding register contained in preprocessor 305. The data byte stored in the holding register is the first byte of an incoming data packet, i.e., the first byte of the ADD field. At this point, preprocessor 305 checks to see if bit 0 of the data byte is set, thereby noting the end of the ADD field.
Assuming that bit 0 is not set, then on receipt of the next data byte, preprocessor 305 (a) outputs to bus 306 the data byte contained in the holding register; (b) sets the BOP flag outputted to lead 307; (c) stores the newly arrived data byte in the holding register; and (d) checks bit 0 of that byte to see if it denotes the end of the ADD field. Assuming that is the case, then preprocessor 305 sets a flag so that it will identify the next incoming data byte that it receives as the K1 byte, and hence identify the CS bits contained in that byte. Thus, preprocessor 305 temporarily stores each data byte that it receives in the holding register and then outputs that data byte to bus 306 upon receipt of the next data byte. Preprocessor 305 continues in this manner until it receives the next F flag denoting the end of the packet.
It is seen from the FIG. that BOP lead 307 extends to write control circuit 345. Write control circuit 345 responsive to the assertion of the BOP flag on lead 307 outputs an enable address latch (EAL) signal to lead 348 extending to write address latch 365. The EAL signal on lead 348 causes write address latch 365 to store in its internal register circuits the memory write address that appears on multibit bus 361. As will be seen below, this action sets the stage for discarding the incoming packet in the event that the packet's associated watermark threshold does not exceed the number of RAM 380 memory locations that are filled following the storage of the last of the packet's data bytes in RAM 380 (buffer memory), which may be, for example, a so-called dual port RAM having 1024 memory locations of 12 bits each memory location.
The assertion of BOP lead 307 also causes write control circuit 345 to disregard the first data byte that preprocessor 305 outputs to bus 306. Write control circuit 345 does this so that the address of packet switch 10 is effectively "stripped off" the incoming data packet before the latter is delivered to the next node in the data network. In fact each packet switch that is used to deliver a data packet to its final destination removes its address from the address field. The address field of a data packet thus only contains the address of its final destination when it reaches that point in the network.
When packet preprocessor 305 outputs a data byte to multibit bus 306 it also outputs a write enable (WE) signal to lead 308 extending to write control circuit 345. Except in the case of the first data byte identifying packet switch 10, write control circuit 345 responsive to to the WE signal increments write pointer register 360 via lead 347, thereby causing the RAM 380 write address that register 360 outputs to multibit bus 361 to increase by one. Write control circuit 345 then outputs to lead 346 extending to RAM 380 a write-enable strobe signal, thereby causing RAM 380 to store the data word appearing on bus 306 in the memory location identified by the address on bus 361. Thus, except as noted above, write control circuit 345 performs the foregoing each time preprocessor 305 outputs a data word to bus 306 and a write enable signal to lead 308.
Included in packet switch 10 is CS latch 335 which is used to store a copy of the class-of-service (CS) bits when they appear on bus 306. It is seen from the FIG. that two of the bit leads of bus 306 extend to CS latch 335. It is these bit leads which carry the CS bits when preprocessor 305 outputs the K1 byte to bus 306. At that time, preprocessor 305 also pulses lead 309 extending to CS latch 335. CS latch 335 responsive to that pulse, latches a copy of the CS bits into its two-bit register. CS latch 335 then supplies the bits to multiplexor 330 via two-lead bus 336. The binary value (00, 01, 10 or 11) of the CS bits is thus used to cause one of four watermark thresholds stored in registers 310, 315, 320 and 325, respectively, to be multiplexed via bus 331 to one input (B) of comparator 340.
Comparator 340 also receives at its other input (A) via bus 351 the number of RAM 380 memory locations that are filled, i.e, contain data words which have not yet been read out of RAM 380. The number of filled memory locations is determined by calculator circuit 350 using the well-known technique of modulo subtraction operating on the binary value of the RAM 380 write address appearing on bus 361 and the binary value of the RAM 380 read address appearing on bus 371. The result of that determination is then outputted to bus 351.
Comparator 340, in turn, compares the watermark threshold that it receives via bus 331 with the number that it receives via bus 351. If the value of the threshold exceeds the number, then comparator asserts lead 341 (ACC) as an indication that the data byte should be accepted. Otherwise, comparator 340 asserts lead 342 (REJ) as an indication that the data word should be rejected (discarded). However, in the illustrative embodiment of the invention, packet switch 10 does not respond to either assertion until the last data word of the incoming packet has been stored in RAM 380, as mentioned above.
In particular, when packet preprocessor 305 detects the end of a packet in the manner described above, it appends a bit (EOP) representative of that fact to the last byte of the CK2 field and then outputs the result to bus 306. It is seen from the FIG. that the bit lead of bus 306 which carries the EOP bit is extended to write control circuit 345. Write control circuit 345 responsive to the trailing edge of the EOP bit and the assertion of the write strobe pulse on lead 346 primes itself to receive the final result outputted by comparator 340 to either lead 341 or 342.
Specifically, write control circuit 345 allows the packet that was just stored in RAM 380 to remain therein if comparator 340 asserts its accept lead 341. However, write control circuit 345 rejects the packet if comparator 340 asserts its reject lead 342. Write control circuit 345 rejects (discards) the packet by transferring the contents of write address latch into registers contained in write pointer register 360. Write control circuit 345 does this by pulsing overwrite (OVW) lead 349 extended to write pointer register 360. Write pointer register 360 responsive to the pulse allows its register to be overwritten by the address priorly stored in write address latch 365 and supplied to bus 366. In this manner, the contents of write pointer register 360 is effectively returned to the address that was contained therein just prior to the loading of the first data byte (i.e., second byte of the ADD field) of the incoming packet in RAM 380.
A data packet stored in RAM 380 may be sequentially unloaded therefrom word-by-word. Node controller 20 (FIG. 1) does this by sending a read enable (RE) signal to read control circuit 355 via lead 9. Read control circuit 355 responsive to that signal increments via lead 356 the address contained in read pointer register 370. The value of the increment is, for example, a binary one as represented by a pulse on lead 356. Thereafter, responsive to the trailing edge of the RE signal on lead 9, read control circuit 355 outputs to lead 357 extended to RAM 380 a strobe pulse. RAM control circuit 380 responsive to that pulse unloads and presents to read data bus 381 the data byte stored at the location identified by the read address that pointer 370 outputs to read address bus 371. Buffer 375 accepts the data byte upon receipt of an enable signal from read control circuit via lead 358. Buffer 375 then supplies the data byte to output bus 11. Thereafter, the remaining data bytes of the packet are outputted to bus 11 responsive to receipt of respective read enable signals from controller 20.
Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown a functional block diagram illustrating the relationship between the values of the class-of-service bits and their respective watermark thresholds (WMT). As mentioned above, the binary values of the class-of-service bits identify respective priority levels in which the binary value 00 defines--illustratively the lowest priority level--and in which the binary value 11 defines--illustratively the highest priority level. It is seen from the FIG. that the priority levels 00 through 11 "point to" respective watermark thresholds WMT 1 through WMT 4, as mentioned above. The numerical designations 310, 315, 320 and 325 associated therewith are the designations of the registers shown in FIG. 3. A watermark threshold stored in one of those registers defines, more or less, a RAM 380 fill level, as depicted by the dashed lines shown in FIG. 4. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the watermark threshold associated with priority level 11 has a value of 1023.
As mentioned above, the watermark thresholds may be inputted by a system administrator positioned at terminal 15. Central processor 25 responsive to receipt of the thresholds generates a system control packet containing the (a) address of the node whose watermark thresholds are being changed, for example, the node depicted in FIG. 1, (b) new value(s) of the watermark thresholds(s), and (c) identity of the respective register 310, 315, 320 and/or 325. The data packet is then delivered to controller 20 via packet switch 10 and bus 6.
Upon receipt of the packet, controller 20 translates the address of the register whose contents are to be changed, for example, register 310, into one of four enable leads 8-1 through 8-4 connected to controller 20 via multilead cable 8 (FIG. 1). Controller 20 then loads onto bus 7 the new watermark threshold that is to be stored in that register and enables the register's enable lead, i.e., lead 8-1. Register 310 responsive to the enable signal on lead 8-1 accepts the data present on bus 7.
The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous arrangements which although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody those principles and are within its scope and spirit.
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Ancient SummonerPlay a new CCG online!Watch your cards come alive and fight for you!Play now for free!
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Mrs. Bluebird has about had it with parents who expect teachers, at a moment's notice, to gather missing work for sick kids and then don't even bother to come in and pick it up.
« You've Got Mail ... | Main | A Teacher's Work Is Never Done »
Flu Frustrations
2 Comments
Well, sure, I can understand why that is frustrating. Now can Mrs. Bluebird understand why parents get frustrated when the shoe is on the other foot? You know, when a kid comes home needing some store-bought item not commonly found at home in order to complete tonight's homework--and the completed homework returns home ungraded the next day still in the student's backpack.
Trying to do what's right with only half of the needed communication is really, really difficult on both sides. I'm not here to make excuses for someone I don't know. But I would like to suggest an alternate explanation or target for anger. The ways in which we are accustomed to communicating are outmoded, outdated and not very effective. Notes go home in backpacks, students carry oral messages, the school secretary puts together a newsletter that might go out monthly (or far less). Telephone calls go through an overburdened central line--most often without voicemail, often answered by student helpers. The odds of a parent (calling during her fifteen minute break) reaching a teacher during her unassigned period are pretty slim. If the teacher gets the written phone message on the same day, odds are the parent won't be available when the return call is made.
Some districts are better. Some are probably worse. But, even in the districts with high percentages of low income students, many parents are online. Some have email on their phones. What if your school not just used these tools regularly, but could build a culture of reliance on them. What if a parent knew they only had to go to your web page to look up today's assignment and print it out? What if you could standardize this across the teaching staff so that this is always an option? What if every teacher had an email address on the school's website? Imagine if the line below home phone, work phone, cell phone, emergency contact phone on every form you ask parents to fill out had a space for email address? What if every parent got a Survey Monkey or Zoomerang one week before the start of school requesting all that information that is currently hand written on four or five different pieces of paper?
We are really just inches away from breaking down this teacher/parent barrier of frustration with one another that comes from messages getting through too little and too late. I think we can do better--with the tools we have right now.
I agree that we could do better on both sides when it comes to communication. I also can understand the frustration with having a completed homework assignment come home ungraded after having worked hard to finish it. However, even when information is requested through both handwritten and technology based forms, there is still a high percentage of information that is not returned in some areas. When this happens the school has to continually send forms home with students, make phone calls and send emails. I don't have a quick fix to bridge the communication gap between the school and parents. but I do agree that something needs to give.


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Legislators' priority is looking after No. 1
Talk about a double standard. State lawmakers this week increased their own pensions while reducing pension benefits for teachers entering the Teacher Retirement System.
"Lawmakers who just gave themselves a pension increase say they are underpaid and overworked. Teachers know how they feel," said Rob D'Amico, a spokesman for the Texas Federation of Teachers.
D'Amico and others aren't necessarily opposed to a pension increase for lawmakers. "We just wish they would be consistent and apply the same principle to educators, providing better pension benefits instead of more benefit take- aways," he said.
Legislators earn just $7,200 a year plus $128 a day during the legislative session. They are considered part-time because they meet in regular session for 140 days every two years.
But legislators aren't really part time. In between sessions, they serve on interim committees and work in their districts to prepare for the next session.
Still, no one should feel sorry for lawmakers who complain about hard work and low pay. First of all, they know - or should know - what the job entails when they run for office. No one is making them do the job. They elected to be elected.
Second, legislators and statewide elected officials receive a hefty pension when they retire. And we can't forget one other important perk: health insurance coverage for life.
Tied to judicial pay
Lawmakers' pension boost was part of a bill to raise the pay of state judges. For some reason, state law ties legislators' pensions to judicial pay. That, in itself, is flawed and should be changed.
Under the measure, state judges would get a much-needed raise from $102,700 to $125,000. But the bill also increased pension benefits for the so-called "elected class," which includes retired legislators and officials who serve in statewide elected offices.
Lawmakers in office at least 12 years could retire at age 50 with a pension of $34,500 a year - a $6,100 increase. Longer-serving members, such as House Speaker Tom Craddick, stand to collect pensions of more than $100,000.
To his credit, Rep. Gene Seaman, R-Corpus Christi, was one of the few lawmakers who spoke out against the pension hike.
Most legislators work hard and deserve a good pension. But the Legislature sent the wrong message this week. While House members were boosting their retirement funds, the Senate was reducing benefits for retired teachers.
To be fair, the legislation is designed to preserve the $91 billion Teacher Retirement System, which is about $12 billion short of being able to pay promised benefits.
Some retired teachers say the legislation will help reduce the shortfall and allow lawmakers to raise retirement benefits in the future.
Other groups say lawmakers need to put more money into the fund instead of cutting benefits.
Among other things, the teacher retirement bill would increase the retirement age for teachers from 55 to 60. It also changes the way pension benefits are calculated.
Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock and sponsor of the measure, told his colleagues they had a choice: Take the easy road or take a stand and make the necessary changes to preserve the system. "This is taking action," he said. "This is what we were sent here to do."
Duncan, who is one of the most respected lawmakers, means well with this legislation. He truly wants to fix the system.
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, wasn't convinced. "We want retired teachers to get an annuity increase now and for the system to provide them increases tomorrow," he said. He summed it up by saying, "This does nothing to help them."
It also does nothing to provide the incentive for people to go into, or stay in, the teaching profession.
Ty Meighan is chief of the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau and can be reached at 512-334-6640 or email@example.com.
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Do you ever see something new and not really understand it? That's the way I felt when I first picked up LocoRoco 2 for the PSP. While the game is highly addictive and quickly drew me in to the gameplay, I'm still not sure I really understand it. Maybe I am just too old? Like the first LocoRoco, the object is to tilt the world so that your little blob guy (a LocoRoco) is lead through maze like levels. While the basic plot of the game unlocks as you beat the maze and boss levels, there are also tons of minigames, cinematic interludes and side projects.
The game opens with a cute intro and then you start your first maze level, trying to get to your friend's house. You use the L/R top buttons to tilt the game and your LocoRoco starts moving with gravity; tap them both to knock the world a bit (making your LocoRoco jump). Your friend helps you find his house, and you're on your way to roll around the world, rolling into bugs (for points), items (for minigames/side quests) and berries.
While you start as a rather small LocoRoco, if you eat berries, you'll grow big and strong — which is great until you want to slip into a small cave or roll through a tight passage. Good news, LocoRoco have a very odd anatomy. If you tap the O button, your big LocoRoco will divide into as many small LocoRoco as you have eaten berries. Once you've passed the bottleneck, you can have your little LocoRoco meld back into one large one by holding down the O button.
Right, so now that you've got the basics down, your home world is under attack (again if you played the first game) from the evil Mojo. They've come back with an evil song that destroys life as LocoRoco know it; they also return with a desire to eat LocoRoco. Music and sound are a key focus of the game, and almost every level has a point in which you must have enough LocoRoco to form a choir and tap in time with the beat to access an item or secret area. Fighting with songs of happiness and a good old fashion "jump on its head to kill it," you have to return the world to life.
On your side are the MuiMui, a peaceful group of blue people whom you find in your adventures and send to the MuiMui house. Several of the minigames center around the MuiMui and their house. As you collect items in levels, you can use them to help the MuiMui improve their houses, unlocking sound checks, screenshots and other secret levels. Later, they come under attack from their evil red cousins, and you'll have to help them build defenses.
As you might notice, this game is chocked full of minigames. Even the load screen between levels almost passes for a minigame as you watch the miner get closer to bonus items each time a level loads. There is a LocoRoco race you can bet on, a whack-a-mole style minigame, a pinball minigame, and a place to use stamps to try and fill out pictures or just stamp your own picture. You can easily spend weeks just on the minigames
In addition to the extra time the minigames add, it is impossible to complete the levels on the first try. First, after you collect enough bugs on each stage, it becomes easier to beat as the bugs become drawn to you like iron filings to a magnet. Second, new special abilities have been added since the first game. You have to learn them from the MuiMui on later levels. So perhaps something was too high before or you were at a point where your LocoRoco looked confused but you couldn't advance? Now you can go back and try again. Once you have all the required abilities, you can try and beat the earlier stages to full completion, getting the extra items. This can be both fulfilling and frustrating at the same time. Fortunately, if you get too frustrated, you can always just play with some of the minigames to calm down.
I was a bit troubled by the look of the Moja. They appear to be unflatteringly based on blackface stereotypes. While I highly doubt the designers intended anything racist, they do not appear to have really taken into account American cultural history in this portion of the design. Nevertheless, like Wagner's music, playing it is enjoyable regardless.
Overall, the game is extremely addictive and fun to play. The simple bold color scheme gives it both a modern look and a comfortable classic (8-bit) feel. The music (while a little strange at times) is well thought out, and I almost wish it got more of a focus because of how central it is in the game. But that's what Guitar Hero is for; the musical minigames aren't intended to carry LocoRoco 2. On the basis of gameplay, I think most people, young and old would enjoy LocoRoco 2.


text:
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Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium
Eyes: Brown
Since I like Burt's Bees Pomegranate Oil lip balm, I thought I would try this one. Big disappointment. The texture is too waxy, not giving enough moisture. It just sits on the surface of my lips and to be honest is a bit sticky. It gives no shine whatsoever, although to be fair it is a lip balm, not a gloss. But the thing I really dislike is the scent. It's a cloying, sickly sweet parody of warm honey, which isn't just unpleasant, it's nauseating. It tastes rather like a failed chemistry experiment, which actually might explain why it makes my lips sting a bit. I'll stick to other varieties of Burt's Bees lip balms, as I'll never buy this one again. I much prefer The Naked Bee's Orange Blossom Honey lip balm.
on 10/12/2011 3:21:00 AM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm
Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Brown
Hate the smell and taste of it. Reminds me of baby powder. Usually if a product works well, I'll just ignore the scent/taste, but this product doesn't moisturiZe my lips. I love the peppermint one but I wanted to try this flavor out. I'll stick with the original one. Will not repurchase.
on 9/11/2011 9:40:00 AM
Age: 44-55
Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool
Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine
Eyes: Blue
I received this in the Total Body kit which was on clearance at a local drug store for like $3.13. It was a great deal for the Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme and this lip balm alone, and contained 4 or 5 other trial size products. I usually buy the pommegranate BB lip balm but the kit had the honey one in it. I used it this a.m. before work. I have to stay that I am happily surprised at how long lasting this balm is. I put it on over two hours ago and it is still there, with drinking coffee and water. I put some sheer lipstick over it, too, but I can still feel the balm and smell its delicious scent. I like the scent! It's not overpowering but I can tell it is there. Probably won't buy again as I like the pomm. one, or there are so many others I like (Nivea), and I like to try new ones as they come out, too. I'm a bit of a lip product junkie. lol
I must add that the quality of Burt's Bees products is great, overall, and I will continue to buy many of their products and try new ones, especially when they are on sale or when they put out coupons--I love coupons!
on 9/5/2011 3:45:00 PM
Age: 18 & Under
Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral
Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine
Eyes: Brown
To those who think this poduct smells nothing like honey go open a pot of honey and take a big whiff. Honey doesnt smell like sugar and sweet lollipops rainbows and smiles. Honey to me actually smells like baby powder. faintly thought
anyway this product smells A LOT like baby powder. its moisturizing properties are sub par. it leaves a waxy film on my lips. i hated this lip balm. its nasty. its over priced for something so nasty. i'll stick with a REAL organic lip balm like eco lips hemp seed oil from now on thank you.
on 9/1/2011 2:59:00 AM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Combination, Fair, Not Sure
Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine
Eyes: Green
I really disliked the smell of this at first, for some reason it was very unappealing to me. I was on a trip and didn't have anything else, after awhile I found the smell OK but once i got home I switched it for my reg Burts and haven't picked it up since.
on 8/16/2011 9:28:00 PM
Age: 25-29
Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm
Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Green
I like the Pomegranate version of this more, because this one is a little waxy. However, it is very moisturizing and I don't mind the smell (which others seem not to like). I use it before bed to wake up to moisturized lips.
on 8/8/2011 6:57:00 PM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral
Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Blue
Like many others have said, the smell of this is odd to say the least. And for me, the smell is the only thing that let's it down. It's a fantastic lip balm, feels great on and really moisturises but I can't see many liking the scent.
I didn't use this for a while and stuck to the original, but gave it another try and I've gotten slightly used to the scent. Saying that though, when I wear the honey one I often apply a gloss over the top, which usually diminshes the scent.
They really should reformulate this and make it actually smell like honey, instead of honey that's gone mouldy!
on 7/21/2011 2:55:00 AM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm
Hair: Brown, Other, Other
Eyes: Brown
I bought this thinking it would be great because of the natural ingredients and such. As soon as I opened the cap, I was met with a really unappealing scent. It's really difficult to describe..like smelly honey mixed with smelly flowers. I tried it on and it applied very smoothly. It makes my lips feels soft. However, the scent felt like it was lingering around my face and into my mouth. I took it off because of this and gave it to my sister, who can tolerate the smell a bit more than I do. (Though she's not to fond of it either, but decided she would wear it only during sleep, so that others can't smell it on her.) I'll try a different lip balm next time..one with no "honey" scent.
on 7/10/2011 4:34:00 PM
Age: 18 & Under
Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Not Sure
Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Brown
This stuff smells soooo bad!! I can't stand it!! Sure, its moisturizing and makes my lips soft, but I don't want to put something that smells that bad on my face. I've heard good things about Burt's Bees products and I thought that if I got the honey one, it would smell sweet but BOYY was I wrong!!! Not worth the three bucks I paid for it..
on 6/28/2011 5:23:00 AM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm
Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse
Eyes: Blue
I love the lipbalm, it is soooo moisturizing, and it keeps my lips very hydrated for a long time. It works very well under makeup, better than the original. It is very nice as a night-time treatment. But the smell! I can't stand it. It smells like honey, but a bit off... I will not repurchase, just because of the smell.
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text:
Warren, Charles, 1948-
From Library of Congress Name Authority File
Warren, Charles, 1948-
Instance Of
Scheme Membership(s)
Collection Membership(s)
Exact Matching Concepts from Other Schemes
- found: His T.S. Eliot on Shakespeare, c1986: CIP t.p. (Charles Warren) t.p. verso (copyr. Charles Elton Warren, Jr.) data sheet (b. 1948)
- found: Tel. call to pub., 4/24/95 (teaches English and film at Tufts Univ., lives in Cambridge, Mass.; formerly taught at the New School for Social Research, NYC; b. 10/3/48)
Change Notes
- 1986-08-21: new
- 2015-06-17: revised
Alternate Formats


text:
Black Coffee Pop-up
Filed under Spotlight on ...
Over the past couple of days, Mark Free and a few other coffee enthusiasts have been volunteering their time to prepare coffee in the way they love - slowly, and carefully. There's a choice of different coffees, and all are made in a way that is easy to replicate at home - a small Breville grinder, kettle and of course, pour over, Aeropress, and syphon.
The space is a small room next at the Somewhere gallery space, on Level 2, inside Royal Arcade at 314 Little Collins Street. They're open from the 8th until the 18th of August, from 10am. There's more information here.
Today on the menu is Finca La Fany from Market Lane, Small Batch, and Monk Bodhi Dharma, there's also Sidamo from Small Batch and a range of coffees to choose from for syphon.


text:
Research Forum autumn Term 2010
georgia's wall painting heritage: significance and preservation
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
18.00 - 19.00, Kenneth Clark Lecture Theatre
Detail of angel in the Dream of Joseph (late 11th century), Ateni Sioni Church, Georgia
Speaker(s): Professor David Park (Director of Wall Painting Department, The Courtauld Institute of Art)
Ticket/entry details: Open to all, free admission
Organised by: Professor David Park
From the wide expanses of the Gareja Desert in the south to the northern peaks of Svaneti in the High Caucasus, Georgia retains a vast amount of wall painting, with spectacular examples especially from the 11th to 14th centuries. Until now, these paintings have not been fully appreciated outside Georgia itself, but recent developments present exciting possibilities for their study and conservation.
This illustrated lecture will discuss the art-historical and conservation aspects of Georgian wall paintings, and celebrate the collaboration between the different bodies and individuals – the authorities in Georgia, the British Georgian Society, the Friends of Academic Research in Georgia and an anonymous US donor – which has enabled a student from Tbilisi to study wall painting conservation at The Courtauld over the next three years.
The lecture will be followed by a reception in the Front Hall generously sponsored by the Embassy of Georgia to the UK and will be attended by the Ambassador of Georgia H.E. Mr Giorgi Badridze.


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Foreign secret services taking keen interest in Belarus ahead of presidential election
11:41, 19/09/2005
Representatives of various foreign foundations are active in the country, Sukhorenko said. "Many in the West cannot live in peace with the course pursued by the Belarussian president."
Belarussian secret services may unveil results of the work to expose spies and bust the attempts to recruit Belarussian citizens, he said.
The fight against organized crime, corruption and terrorism remain priorities for the country`s secret services, the security chief said.
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Awesome shorts!
By Sunset808
from Seattle, WA
About Me Classic Dresser
Best Uses
Comments about Nike Fillmore Shorts - Women's:
These shorts fit really great. I am trying to lose the 15-20lbs I've gained after my wedding and these shorts fit very nicely without any love handle effect. The material is a little stretchy too which makes the fit form to my body. I love them! Wish they came in more colors.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Four area baseball players are going D-1
It isn't very often that a Sevier County athlete signs scholarship papers to play sports at a Division 1 university.
It's unheard of that four sign to do so on the same day.
But that's exactly what happened Tuesday afternoon, as three senior players for the Pigeon Forge Tigers baseball team and another from the Sevier County Bears all made their college choices final by signing letters of intent and scholarship paperwork.
PFHS senior pitcher Wil Crowe signed with with the two-time national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, PHFS infielder Drake Byrd chose Belmont University Bruins and PFHS catcher Ben Breazeale — who just transferred in this season — tabbed the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons.
Sevier County Bearettes pitcher Dillon Cate signed his paperwork earlier in the afternoon, choosing the East Tennessee State Bucs as his team for the next four years.
Pigeon Forge head coach Mike Guinn, who coached all four boys on the Knoxville Stars summer team, was exstatic that the players had all reached the next level.
"I'm just really happy for them," Guinn said. "I've known them their whole lives, and I've seen them develop from 8-years-old baseball until now. Watching them grow up as exemplary young men has been the most fun thing to watch, and their baseball skills have just followed suit. They've all become very good players, and that's recognized by the colleges that they're signing with."
"We've all put in the time and the work," Crowe said. "And now it's all playing off."
Wil Crowe
Crowe, perhaps one of the most sought-after prospects in the state thanks to his overpowering pitching, chose South Carolina after the Gamecocks came in late in his recruitment.
"It's been a goal since I was little, trying to make it to SEC baseball," Crowe said. "They came in about a month before I decided. They called and came and watched (me pitch). I went for my visit and just fell in love."
Crowe chose the Gamecocks over Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, College of Charleston and ETSU.
"It's pretty amazing (getting to sign with a two-time NCAA champion)," he said. "Their coaches are nice — I love them — and their facilities are top-notch, you can't get better than that. I'm pretty excited."
The program's recent successes fit in perfectly with Crowe's extremely competitive demeanor on the field.
"I love to win and they're known for winning," he said. "Really, though, I felt comfortable there. Other places didn't really click for me, but when I went there it really did click."
Guinn had nothing but good things to say about his mound ace.
"He's one of the top pitchers in the southeast, not just this state," the coach said. "He's a big arm for us, and one of the biggest things he's got going for him is he's just the ultimate competitor. He finishes what he starts.
"He's a very tough kid, and he's highly-advanced in the art of position."
Guinn also said Crowe's leadership abilities are a huge plus for the right-hander.
"He's a great kid, a humble young man that wants all the players on the team to succeed and do well, and he's always been a great leader in that regard," Guinn said. "One of the things about a pitcher that makes them great is how the team plays behind them, and our team plays great behind Wil."
Crowe said he and his teammates at PFHS have one thing in mind for his final season with the Tigers.
"We've got big expectations. Everybody around knows what we're going for — a state championship — and we don't want to settle for anything less. We have have a good class, good teammates and a great coach, so we're not going to settle for anything less."
Dillon Cate
A natural athlete, Dillon Cate could have likely chosen from sevearl sports for a college future.
The Smoky Bears all-time leading receiver on the football field, a playmaker on the basketball court and a Swiss Army knife on the diamond, Cate settled on baseball.
"Dillon has that mind-capacity where he could play baseball for a long time," SCHS Athletic Director Todd Loveday said. "If he stays healthy, keeps a passion like he has for athletics like he has for athletics right now, this kid can play as long as he wants to in my opinion."
That future will begin next fall at East Tennessee State.
"I like the leadership they've got going on up there, and all the great coaching," Cate said. "And I just fell in love with the campus when I went and visited. I liked everything they had to offer — a brand new field and everything. I just felt at home when I was up there."
Cate chose ETSU over other schools that showed interest in Walters State, Tusculum, Austin-Peay and Belmont.
For the Bucs, Cate will be a pitcher — a position his determined personality is well suited for.
"It didn't take me long to realize that this kid is a solid kid, a competitor, and a winner," new SCHS baseball coach Casey Taylor said.
Focusing on pitching will be something of a change for Cate.
"I love doing it all — I love to hit, I love to play the field, run bases, everything about baseball — and I'm going to miss that. (But) it's going to let me focus solely on pitching, and I'm just excited to see how good I really can be."
SCHS football coach Steve Brewer knows exactly how good he can be.
"He excels at whatever, whether it's in his personal life, his athletics or his school work," Brewer said. "He's just what you'd hope for in a student-athlete."
Cate said he's enjoyed his time at SCHS and looks forward to what his senior baseball season will bring.
"Coach (Lance) Traywick put me through the ringer. He's a really good coach, and he helped me become a better baseball player," Cate said. "And I've played with a great group of guys and they really helped me out. It's been a great time at Sevier County.
"(This year we'll) be the best team we can be, and I need to step up and be a leader. I think we've got a pretty good team this year, we've got a chance to make a run, and hopefully win the district tournament."
Drake Byrd
Drake Byrd, who's played nearly everywhere on the field for the Tigers and most recently shined at shortstop, signed with the Belmont Bruins of the Ohio Valley Conference.
"I stepped foot on campus and it blew me away," Byrd said when he committed to the Bruins, citing the school's castle-like buildings and spanking-new baseball facilities."I liked the coaches, and just pretty much everything else about it. I've talked to (assistant coach Scott) Hall a lot. He's a really great guy, I enjoy talking to him, and coach Jarvis is a player's coach too. I really enjoy talking to both of them."
Byrd likely figures into the Bruins' equation as a corner infielder, though he can also play anywhere in the outfield.
"Wherever they want me to go, I'll go," he said Tuesday. "I just want to play."
Wherever he ends up, the Belmont squad will get a great player and leader.
"Drake is just a complete player," Guinn said. "He's an important part of our defense — he's what we build around. Offensively he does it all well, and he's going to pitch some this year. He's just a very important player for us and he's developed wonderfully in every phase and doesn't have any weaknesses.
"Drake's work ethic is second to none," Guinn continued. "He's never asked any questions, he's just done what he's supposed to do and worked very hard."
All that work really began paying dividends last spring.
"It all started coming together for him in the last year," Guinn said. "He showed a lot of production and a lot of colleges were really drawn to him."
Off-season work added perhaps 15 pounds of muscle to his frame, and excellent play in summer leagues really vaulted his stock.
"I got really confident in myself and in my swing and I just went out there and didn't hold anything back," he said.
After a particularly big showing in Georgia, Belmont made an offer that Byrd couldn't refuse.
"I'm very excited about (signing)," Byrd said. "I've been looking forward to it. It's just signing a piece of paper, but it's a lot more than that. I've been working hard for this my whole life, so it's kind of nice to see the dream come true."
Like Crowe, Byrd isn't done with his prep goals however.
"We've got a lot of leadership on this team," he said. "And there's one goal, and that's to win a state championship. That's what we're going to work hard to do this year."
Ben Breazeale
Locally the least-known of the four players to sign Tuesday is Pigeon Forge newcomer Ben Breazeale, a catcher who transferred in from Knox Catholic prior to the school year.
"Ben's a strong hitter," Guinn, who's coached him on travel teams since he was about 12, said. "He's played with these boys growing up and he's a talented player. He should be an extremely important part of what we do up here (at Pigeon Forge).
"Obviously it's his first year playing at Pigeon Forge, but we look forward to big things from Ben. He's a talented kid that's really developed. He's improved a lot in the weight room. We hope for big things from him."
Breazeale said his choice of Wake Forest was also an easy one.
"When I stepped on campus (at Wake Forest) I loved it," he said. "The coaches there are awesome. And the atmosphere (is great) for me. It's small-school, and that's what I like."
Breazeale chose Wake over Clemson and Mississippi State.
He said he's excited about playing with long-time friends Crowe and Byrd on the Pigeon Forge team this season.
"I've played with Wil and Drake since I was 8, I'm really looking forward to it. I've been catching Wil my whole life, since I was 8, so having that connection with him is great on the field. It just adds another level for us."
Like his teammates, one goal quickly comes to mind for the coming year.
"I think we have a really good shot at winning it all this year," Breazeale said. "I think we have the talent to do it."


text:
Congratulations to all the Players listed on the Rosters. You will be contacted shortly by e-mail. If you do not receive information by e-mail from the club by November 30th, please send a current e-mail address to the administration contact listed on this website.
Thank you to all who participated in the mini-season. As well, thank you to all the coaches and volunteers who made this opportunity possible for the youth of the Thompson Okanagan region.
TOFC Management


text:
Welcome to Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center!
We are located at 901 Auraria Parkway just 50 yards from the Pepsi Center. The Pepsi Center is Colorado's premier venue for world-class concerts and shows and is also the home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth.
Reservations are encouraged. To make a reservation or for more information on catered events, please call 303.607.0002.


text:
As fall begins, I always start thinking about the holidays. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to my Grandmother's house for Christmas. We called her "Mama Tease", a name my older sister came up with before she could really talk. Mama Tease had flaming red hair and lived her entire life in a small town in Georgia. She was an amazing lady who to my knowledge never had anything bad to say about anyone. She also happened to be an amazing cook. In addition to cakes, cookies and pies, one thing that she always had in her home for the holidays was ambrosia. Now, she made a spiced up version with coconut for the adults, but for us kids I am pretty sure it was oranges and sugar and not much else. To this day, I associate eating oranges without getting sticky hands as pure luxury.
Today I thought I would share a quinoa salad that I have been toying with for a while. I got the idea from a rice salad in clean eating magazine last spring. After some tweaking, I am happy with the results. Give it a try now and if you enjoy it don't forget to try it again in a few months when citrus is at its peak.
Citrus Quinoa Salad
2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled to room temperature
1/3 cup Orange and Herb Dressing (see below)
½ cup orange slices, halved and peeled with membranes removed
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
½ red onion, diced
2 ounces pecans, toasted and chopped
Fresh baby spinach, optional
1. Combine quinoa, dressing, oranges, parsley pepper and onion in a large bowl. Toss. Top with pecans and serve. Serve over a bed of fresh baby spinach if desired.
Orange Herb Dressing
2 T fresh squeezed orange juice
2 T while balsamic vinegar
2 T olive oil – best quality
1 T Dijon Mustard
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp oregano
1 tsp orange zest
Sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
In a small bowl or blender combine all ingredients. Dressing will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks.
By the way, did you know that evidence suggests that pecans can help to lower your bad cholesterol levels? Like olive oil they have the powerful combination of beta-sitosterol and oleic acid. According to Clean Eating Mag, you should be especially liberal with them on your husband's meals because they may help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. You can eat a delicious meal and get healthier all at once!


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Stretching routine key to better flexibility
All golfers would agree that flexibility is important in producing efficient, controlled yet powerful golf swings, but most golfers fail to build flexibility in key areas such as hips, shoulders and calves.
Calf flexibility is incredibly important to one's golf swing as it allows you to keep your head and shoulder level consistent all the way through your swing.
The shoulders need to facilitate a very large range of motion in several different planes of movement as they must rotate, flex and extend. Tightness in shoulders will keep a golfer from attaining their full shoulder turn as well as changing both their angle of take away and angle of attack.
But the most important area neglected in stretching is that of the hips. Everything in golf arguably could be related to hip movement or lack thereof. A golfer's hips are the key to preventing back pain, producing power and improving consistency of ball strike.
Preparing and maintaining an efficient golf swing begins with flexibility. A player must be able to rotate his spine so he or she can hit a golf ball.
To help increase flexibility, players can use a stretching routine, which takes 5-10 minutes, and can be done on the range before the round. It's also suggested that golfers do a short stretching routine after playing.
To learn more about starting a stretching routine, contact a certified golf physical therapist.
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February 21, 2012 § 8 Comments
Yesterday, I did not eat. It was an experiment, really, spurred by a fantastic article in the most recent Harper's about the history and practice of fasting. Even if you maintain zero interest in gustatory abstinence, you should read it. It is written by Steve Hendricks and contains possibly the best sentence in the history of sentences: "Several years earlier, for reasons now puzzling, I had been a distance runner, but a pitiable knee injury ended all that, after which the lard came upon me." After which the lard came upon me. I'd give up food for a week if I could write a line like that.
It wasn't hard, really. I did get hungry, but not overwhelmingly so; by early afternoon I felt a little shaky, but it did not interfere with my work. I was able to bust out 1,000 words or so on the new book, and they might even be halfway decent (I haven't dared look at them again, the second reading being my primary litmus test). I suspect I could quite readily have extended my fast for a day or more, although of course that's entirely uncharted territory for me, so who knows.
Unsurprisingly, I thought a lot about food over the course of the day. But not in the way you might imagine. Oh sure, there were moments when I considered the pork chop, or even just the thick rind of cream that sticks to the sides of our separating bowl. I like to run my finger around the bowl and lap the cream off my knuckle. Sometimes, I even wash my hands first. Still, most of my food-related musing had to do with the enormous, almost overwhelming abundance we enjoy. We work hard for it, we know precisely where it comes from and what it took to get it to our plates – blood, guts, dirt, shit, and all of that – and this feels right to me. But there are times when I'm admittedly a little embarrassed simply by how much we have, the incredible diversity and sheer quantity stored in our root cellar, freezers, and pantry. Lamb, beef, pork, chickens. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. Dried apples, dried chanterelles, dried peppers. Kimchi. Butter. Maple syrup. Potatoes, squash, onions. It goes on.
My participation in my food is complete; I do not doubt that. But that does not absolve me of the obligation to consume it with reverence, and in this regard, I am sometimes lacking. I'm not sure fasting is the best way to maintain that reverence (though there's plentiful evidence that it might be the healthiest way), but I know one thing for sure: I damn well appreciated breakfast this morning.
§ 8 Responses to Hungry
One of my dearest friends is a Hindu. She fasts every Thursday and gives the money she would have spent on her food to a local food bank. When I asked her why she did it, I expected some Hindu belief or theological reason. Instead, Mennaxi told me that she had been hungry as a child and a food bank had fed her and her siblings. It wasn't enough to simply contribute money now that times are better for her, she wanted to REMEMBER what it was like to be hungry so that she did not lose gratitude for what she has.
oh, no! when I go to your homepage, I get redirected to "Nouse was here". Google thinks that's a bad thing…and I'm bummed because I wanted to look at your taproot post again, but that link also redirects.
Just wanted to leave a note to say how much I am enjoying your writing. While we have a large family (seven children) we do live simply and maintain a connection to most of the food we eat. I have been challenging myself to prepare our family's meals with more grace, love and care as food is so important.
[…] Hewitt's latest post is titled "Hungry". Who is Ben? " Ben was born and raised in northern Vermont, where he currently runs a […]
Hey Ben, recently did a 10 day juice fast. Felt AWESOME at the end of it, I think I'll do it again in a couple of months. I, too, feel humbled and grateful for the amazing food we consume here, so many friends have CSA's and we grow our own also. Nothing tastes as good as food from the dirt you've touched. ~Vonnie
I grew up in a very religious family where fasting was a monthly part of our worship. While I no longer subscribe to the religion I do believe there is something to fasting. Maybe I should take it up again.
Oh, and I just read the post about your car(s) bit the dust. I couldn't help but laugh out loud! Laughter is the best way to make it through tough times.


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A number of authors have written about scale-up processes for personal care products. One commonly referenced article by Dickey describes the importance of consistent tank geometry and provides a few approaches to calculating scalable mixer speeds.1 Similarly, Yacko has presented on mixing and heat transfer considerations, as well as specific parameters and variables for cosmetic emulsions.2 His work includes the often overlooked variable of shear on the physical properties of an emulsion as it is compounded and filled.
For those interested in modern technology for scale-up and mixing, simulation softwarea has evolved to an amazing degree to allow engineers to vary the parameters around different mixing systems and predict the results. These systems include models for turbulent flow (low viscosity liquids), laminar flow (high viscosity, non-Newtonian fluids such as emulsions), and combinations of different and multiple impellers on the same shaft, including the commonly used anchor mixer with side scrapers. Newer softwareb has even added a module for high shear devices such as homogenizers and mills for calculation of shear rates, pumping capacity and power consumption or torque.
Equipment Variations and Their Effects
A unique challenge to multinational companies is the wide variety and design of mixing vessels around the world, challenging scale-up engineers to make the same product with the same specifications in all different types of configurations. Processes developed for US equipment systems may require substantial modification to accommodate equipment in Europe, Africa, Asia or Latin America. Formulators can find high-tech designs, indigenous copies of well-known manufacturers and unique local variants, all of which may require adapted processes. For example, although counter-rotating, side-scraped mixing equipment is common around the world for making emulsions, a process engineer might find configurations such as a mixer with a single sweep blade whose programmed reverse cycle uses the momentum of the fluid itself to impart the turbulence and shear necessary to produce the desired viscosity and droplet size.
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What do you think? Give us your opinion. Anonymous comments allowed.
Reply+16#19 - xturboxx (04/03/2013) [-]
Maybe it's just the picture, but that looks like a tranny.
Reply+18#34 to #19 - colmcorbec (04/03/2013) [-]
Reply-22#21 to #19 - joshythehipster (04/03/2013) [-]
I am...
Reply-20#23 to #22 - joshythehipster (04/03/2013) [-]
Thats my picture...
Reply-21#27 to #25 - joshythehipster (04/03/2013) [-]
I'm sorry, but that information is classified...
Reply-21#29 to #28 - joshythehipster (04/03/2013) [-]
It obviously is
Reply+3#48 to #41 - ZenMacros (04/03/2013) [-]
No, that's only what newfags think trolling is. trolling is fooling somebody and/or utterly pissing them off or annoying them. Simply getting someone to respond doesn't make for a successful trolling attempt, especially not if the reply was the other person calling them out on it. If they realize you're a troll, you lose.
#52 to #48 - ninjaspartan (04/04/2013) [-]
Also incorrect. trolling is supposed to be clever wordplay and or trickery that fools people and as a RESULT will get them mad, or perhaps conversely they will give you props. Being annoying and stupid is not correct trolling. It is being a troll, but you are not performing the act of trolling correctly, therefore must an-hero.
Reply+2#55 to #53 - ninjaspartan (04/04/2013) [-]
Mmmhmm, no, you're right about that. Some kids just don't get the hint, retardation is not a part of the culture. It is in fact the enemy.
#67 to #56 - anonyrnoose (04/04/2013) [-]
Not really. It'd be more like that "retard" pissing the guy in the red hat off, and THEN the "retard" would be happy.
Reply-18#31 to #30 - joshythehipster (04/03/2013) [-]
What if I'm doing neither?


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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Fairfield residents can bid farewell to Sunday trips to the closest New York town for last minute alcohol purchases. Liquor stores in Connecticut can now sell on Sundays.
The Nutmeg state has joined the 48 other states in the country that allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays, only Indiana is left. And many business owners are interested to see how it will turn out for them.
According to state Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), who was at the opening of Stew Leonard's Wine, allowing stores to be open on Sunday could bring in around an estimated $5 million into the state, "We'll know better after a year of Sunday sales."
There is a convenience factor, Duff said, to pulling back from the Blue Laws. "I just like the option," said Norwalk resident Doug Hepner. He went to Stew Leonard's Wines when the store opened at 10 a.m. because, "It's Sunday sales – that's the only reason I came."
This way, people don't have to go to New York to get liquor for a last minute party, like New Canaan resident Melanie McGuire said she has had to do in the past. Having stores like Stewart's Spirits open will be really convenient, McGuire said.
But, Sunday sales could be difficult, said Nicholas Rossi, owner of Purple Feet of Westport, especially since people aren't thinking about it yet, it's still too new. He said he had opened around 11:30 a.m. and that his first customer didn't come in until around 1:15 p.m.
"The more we promote it on a daily basis the more people will remember it's an option," said Theresa Rogers, owner of Horseneck Wine & Liquor store in Greenwich.
With alcohol now available for purchase seven days a week, it could become an impulse buy for some people. Westport resident Steve Laitman said, "I saw the sign and I did need some wine," which is why he said he and his wife stopped at the Purple Feet.
Even so, some have argued that Sunday sales could wreak havoc with the mom and pop stores that fill Connecticut's alcohol-store landscape. Stamford resident Clausel Berrouet thinks that "what we're going to see is a slow leak of the mom and pop stores." He said that the bigger stores will do fine because they have the manpower and opportunity.
Rogers said that she's going to wait and see how Sunday goes before she makes any permanent decisions on when she's going to be open on Sunday. But she thinks that over time, her Sunday sales could be like Saturday.
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- 3 20-Year-Old Norwalk Man Creates Clothing Line Inspired By Connecticut
- 4 Norwalk Police: Man Reports Three Others Assaulted Him, Stole His Scooter
- 5 Man Shot To Death At Bridgeport Restaurant; Owner Injured


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Grilled Chicken Flatbread: Grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, & roasted red peppers on a flatbread crust with alfredo sauce & garlic butter.#3973
Turnip Cakes - these delicious pan fried gems are a Chinese New Year tradition.#3970
Roasted butternut and sweet potato soup with curry, wild rice, apples, and chicken sausage.#3967
A few of my favorite things, that inspire me to be creative in the kitchen,#3964
Cornbread with sweet corn, red peppers and green chillies, and baked in muffin cups.#3953
Everyday Orzo ~ The trick to this pasta dish is just turning off the heat on your burner.#3951
Pistachio Praline Paste ~ easy to make at home for a professional touch to desserts#3949
A deliciously Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe with a hearty stew and light, fluffy dumplings.#3948
When my fig tree is in season I always make Mascarpone-Gorgonzola-Fig Terrine with Almonds and Lavender Honey. Chopped, dried figs are a good stand-in and made this a holiday party hit!#3945
Meat butchered, sculpted & tweaked to look like Ben Franklin, Elvis, New Jersey, Texas & more. Channel your inner butcher at Meat America: a new food art show in Philadelphia.#3944
Gravy IN Biscuits ~ This week's Tasteologie round up comes with a great inside out breakfast!#3943
Trying to shed a few pounds after the holidays? This Silky Cauliflower Soup with Parmesan Crisps will keep you on track. No cream added!#3942
Chipotle Mac and Cheese ~ An addictive twist on a classic that will having you going back for seconds.#3941
5 Spices You Need to Start Cooking More Indian Food ~ Serious Eats stocks up their cabinet with cumin, coriander seeds, and more.#3940
Prawn and Lemon Pepper Risotto ~ Cook Sister makes great use of shellfish with this beautiful dish.#3938
10 Food Tips To Keep You Happy During Winter ~ the kitchn shares some great tips to overcome the winter blues like chocolate, citrus, and childhood favorites.#3937
Banana, Chocolate and Ginger bread..perfectly moist and spicy flavour#3933
Microwave Jam! Learn how to make small batches of jam, like this fig, orange and rosemary blend.#3931
Turn some of your family favorite recipes into meatless meals with these 5 easy tips. Plus, recipe for Vegetarian Black Bean Burritos.#3930
Slow-Cooker Minestrone ~ Tastes like you fussed over it all day, and no one needs to know that you didn't!#3929


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Publisher: Harlequin/Gold Eagle Deathlands | Date published: 10/18/2010
BETRAY THE BETRAYER In the nuke-conceived birth of Deathlands, a rare breed of warrior-survivor emerged�born into suffering, hardened by circumstance, forged by endurance and sharpened by combat. Yet in the heart of this warrior, the quest to find a place of peace beats on unrelenting....
LAND OF THE LOST The pristine coastal waters off San Clemente become a battleground over the island and its abandoned naval station. The rocky shores are rife with the sulfur mines that make Deathlands' richest jack�gunpowder. To maintain hell-fought possession, a ruthless sea baron and his fleet engage rebellion from the land. On this island populated by roaming bio-weap nightmares engineered by predark whitecoats, Ryan Cawdor is caught in a war he has no intention of fighting, but has every determination to survive.


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Originally posted by jimmiec
Capitalism occasionally needs a good house cleaning, however it does create opportunity to succeed. Your thread basically begs for Socialism of some form. That will work no better. You just swap wealthy capitalists for wealthy politicians. At least with capitalism everybody has a shot at success if they are willing to try and fail a few hundred times. With Socialism only politicians have a chance to become wealthy. There is no perfect system, nor will there ever be. Countries that embrace Capitalism generally thrive if government gets out of the way. What you propose is to let government distribute wealth evenly among the people. That is naive. The people will be enslaved while the politicians sunbath on their yachts. Effecting change in Capitalism is fine. Destroying it is suicidal.
Im not advocating that there is a perfect system and i didnt mention socialism once. I just asked what happens when the rich have everything? When every market is cornered? When social mobility can no longer occur? What then? Does humanity just slave away to keep those very few at the expense of everyone else?
The UN Commission seems to have had this in mind when it said that new allocations of the proposed global currency "can and should have built into it incentives and/or penalties to discourage maintaining large surpluses. Countries that maintain excessive surpluses could lose all or part of their quota allocations if they are not utilized in a timely manner to increase global demand."


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Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (OPDAT)
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (OPDAT)
Our Mission
OPDAT was created in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice in 1991 in response to the growing threat of international crime. OPDAT's mission is to assist prosecutors and judicial personnel in other countries develop and sustain effective criminal justice institutions. OPDAT recognizes that international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of criminals and organized crime groups is central to countering international crime at its source; and that the efficient and fair administration of justice offers the greatest protection from lawlessness and support for basic human rights.
Support of the DOJ Mission
OPDAT draws on Department of Justice resources and expertise to strengthen foreign criminal justice sector institutions and enhance the administration of justice abroad. OPDAT supports the United States and the Department's law enforcement objectives and priorities by preparing foreign counterparts to cooperate more fully and effectively with the United States in combating terrorism, trafficking in persons, organized crime, corruption, financial crimes, and other transnational crime. It does so by encouraging legislative and justice sector reform in countries with inadequate laws; by improving the skills of foreign prosecutors, investigators and judges; and by promoting the rule of law and regard for human rights.
Global Reach and Program Scope
Since 1991, OPDAT has placed Resident Legal Advisors (RLAs) in over 37 countries, providing full time advice and technical assistance to host governments in establishing fair and transparent justice sector institutions and practices. RLAs serve in a specific country for at least one year. They assess the host country criminal justice institutions and procedures; draft, review and comment on legislation and criminal enforcement policy; and provide technical assistance to host country officials at the Ministry of Justice, Chief Prosecutor's Office, or to prosecutors, judges, and other justice sector personnel working in the field. Assistance programs focusing on a specific aspect of criminal justice or designed to be completed in less than a year may be staffed by an Intermittent Legal Advisor (ILA). ILAs have provided assistance in money laundering, transnational crime, corruption, and trafficking in both narcotics and people.
Development Strategy
OPDAT focuses on long-term comprehensive, sustainable reform. When possible, OPDAT and its sister agency—the DOJ's International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP)—integrate their programs and work with other federal law enforcement agencies to develop all three pillars of the criminal justice system: prosecutors/criminal justice reform, police, and corrections.
Breadth and Depth of Expertise
OPDAT enjoys unique access to some of the most experienced criminal justice experts in the nation. The Department of Justice, with 5,000 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 400 Criminal Division prosecutors, provides a primary source of expertise. Depending upon the needs of the host country, OPDAT can also request assistance from other Department of Justice components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Agency; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Marshals Service; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. In addition, OPDAT can utilize the law enforcement expertise of other federal departments, such as Treasury, and Homeland Security, as well as state and local prosecutor offices. OPDAT can also draw upon alliances with the private bar, state and federal judiciaries; professional organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association, American Prosecutor Research Institute, and American Bar Association's Rule of Law Initiative.
OPDAT Core Competencies
OPDAT provides an array of technical assistance and training in these areas:
Criminal procedure code reform
Criminal justice sector infrastructure reform
Task force development
Streamlining of the judicial process
Organization and management of prosecutorial function
Case management
Capacity-building of foreign prosecutors, investigators, and judges
Promotion of rule of law and regard for human rights Substantive Reform
Human Trafficking & Child Exploitation
Organized Crime
Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
Computer and Intellectual Property Crimes
Faye Ehrenstamm
Director, OPDAT
OPDAT Direct Line
(202) 514-1323
|Department of Justice Main switchboard
(202) 514-2000