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Gear & Equipment
A question of respect?
Gear & Equipment
'Tour Confidential': Aussie golfer's e-book a hit
By John Strege
Ewan Porter is an Australian golf professional, whose career pereptually foundered, notwithstanding two Web.com victories in three years. So he turned to media and already has found success easier to come by with the written word.
Last month, Porter's e-book, "Tour Confidential: Triumph & Torment -- A golfer's life on the global stage," was introduced and was the number one seller among golf books on Amazon.com's Kindle list. It also reached No. 1 among sports books on iTunes. He no doubt received an assist from the Twitter plug provided by Graeme McDowell, who wrote, "Interesting book written by one of the Aussie tour players @ewanports. Bit of an inside the ropes view of the tour."
"I have written a book that will open up people's eyes to the enjoyment, sacrifices, heartache, torture and isolation one endures in attempting to chase the dream of being a professional athlete," Porter wrote in a description of the book.
Golf Channel's Jerry Foltz in a blurb for the book wrote, "His God-given talent is world class...the flare with which he carried himself is second to none...his ability to self destruct is the stuff of legend." Trumping all that, Foltz wrote, is "his ability to openly and honestly share the emotional roller-coaster that life as an aspiring, nomadic, professional golfer dictates. That's a very rare gift."
Porter, 30, won the Web.com Tour's Moonah Classic in 2008 and the South Georgia Classic in 2010. But he made the cut in only 23 of 97 Web.com Tour starts and missed the cut in the three British Opens for which he qualified. He has said he would explore media opportunites, while still playing professional golf when opportunities present themselves.... Read
News & Tours
An indignant Norman cuts ties with course he founded
HOBE SOUND, Fla. -- The Medalist GC has always been Greg Norman's GC, but no more.
The Shark has demanded his name and that of co-designer Pete Dye be taken off the course he founded and wants his memorabilia returned, including the signature shark above the bar in the men's locker room.
Norman's issue is the club's hiring of former Dye disciple Bobby Weed to do a restoration of the original Norman-Dye design that opened in 1995.
Related: Greg Norman's My ShotIn a letter sent to Medalist President De Mudd following a board meeting in early December, Norman demanded that the club stop using his name and Dye's in reference to the design of the course. Saturday morning he called the club to arrange an evening to pick up his belongings. His name will remain on the locker room wall as winner of both the gross and net divisions of the club's member-guest.
"It's really a slap in the face at the end of the day," Norman said via email. "It's the end of a legacy by the board doing what the board is doing now. It hurts a lot to tell the truth. It's a shame."
Weed already began work on some of Medalist's bunkers this summer and was under contract when Norman offered his design company's services for free in May. Norman, who resigned as club president in 2008, points out in the letter to Mudd, "The design integrity of the original designed course has been compromised by your alterations without consultation or discussion with neither Pete Dye nor me."
Related: Greg Norman takes jab at Tiger Woods
Mudd took over in 2010 and is past president at Conway Farms in suburban Chicago. He adopted a dues-only program to tour pros living in the area that has attracted Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. As for the situation with Norman, Mudd said based on club policy he was not allowed to discuss member issues.
Follow @TimRosaforte
News & Tours
McIlroy closes on Palm Beach Gardens home
By John Strege
Rory McIlroy has closed on his purchase of a home on the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., according to realtor Jeff Lichtenstein.
The 15,286 square-foot contemporary home sold for $9.5 million and features "a center glass core and window views everywhere throughout the house," Lichtenstein's blog says. It has six bedrooms, nine baths, a private gym and a putting green, but no tennis court on which his girlfriend, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, can practice. It comes with a dock and room to park a yacht and is one mile from the Bear's Club, a Jack Nicklaus design in Jupiter.
McIlroy, 23, has put his home in Northern Ireland for sale. He is a member of both the PGA Tour and European Tour and led both in earnings in 2012.
(Photos courtesy of Jeff Lichtenstein)... Read
Health & Fitness
Fitness Friday: Making a better backswing
Backswings come in all shapes and sizes on the PGA Tour, but there is one commonality. Whether it's J.B. Holmes' short-arm approach or Bubba Watson's Gumby-like move off the ball, the best players get their upper bodies fully turned. You'll never see a PGA Tour pro take the club back solely with their arms, but it's a common occurrence among amateurs.
There are two typical reasons for this type of abbreviated backswing. The first is psychosomatic. Amateurs are afraid if they turn their bodies away from the ball, they will swing and miss. The second is a physical issue. Many players can't turn more than a few inches because of limited mobility in their hips and mid-back.
If you fall into category No. 2, Golf Digest fitness advisor Randy Myers says there are a couple of simple exercises you can do to improve your turn. Myers, who works with many PGA Tour players including Dustin Johnson, turned on the camera and had trainer Jorge Parada and PGA Tour rookie Jonas Blixt (pictured) demonstrate them. Add these moves to your workout and you'll soon be making a better turn. Click on the video below to watch.
Ron Kaspriske is fitness editor for Golf Digest. His Fitness Friday column will resume on Jan. 4th.
Follow @Ron Kaspriske
(Photo by Getty Images) ... Read
Gear & Equipment
Ping's Solheim files equipment handicap system patent
News & Tours
The 2012 Trending Awards (aka, the Trendies)
By Derek Evers
Some trends are fleeting, like parachute pants and fanny packs, while others go on to become cultural institutions -- like anchored putting (OK, bad example). And with each one, we ride the highs and lows that accompany the graduation of fads, from passing to fixtures. 2012 was no exception. With that in mind, here are the top trends from the world of golf I hope to see stick around for at least one more year.
#5. Crying at majors
While still too early to tell if this will become a regular occurrence, Bubba Watson set the bar high with his post-Masters breakdown. Of course, not every major winner has Tim Tebow's shoulder to cry on, but it's nice to see that someone had the guts to let the waterworks flow outside of a Steve Stricker presser.
Related: Trending: Michael Phelps professional golfer?
#4. Twitter fighting
We expect reality TV stars and celebrity break-ups to be the thing Twitter dreams are made of, but golfers creating controversy? You bet, and there was no shortage of it in 2012. While most of it skewed from the right side of the aisle, there was plenty of blame to go around. Luke Donald and Gil Hanse in a cock fight? Done. Does blasting the President make you a better Ryder Cup captain? Not sure, but threatening people to fights over the social-networking platform definitely won't win you many supporters. And it wasn't just the men. Brittany Lincicome and Christina Kim started a feud that drew in boyfriends and three other LPGA colleagues. Whether for entertainment or debate fodder at the water cooler, we're all a little bit better when the golf world opens up on Twitter.
#3. Tell-all books about Tiger Woods
With three victories, including his first in over two years, 2012 will be remembered as the year Tiger came back. Unfortunately for Hank Haney, it will not be remembered as the year of the Big Miss (there's an overused golf joke in there somewhere). For all the controversy it created at the start of the season -- eventually hitting No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list -- it didn't deliver much in the way of dirt slinging, which is why I want to see more unauthorized biographies on the bookshelves in 2013. Do we really need to wait for the movie version to get the juicy story we all crave? Oh wait, that already happened.
Related: Trending: Is the 'Is Tiger Woods Back?' debate back?
#2. Tour wives/significant others tweeting/Instagramming photos of their husbands/boyfriends
They seem untouchable on the course, so it's refreshing to see tour pros in some awkward moments off of it thanks to the prying camera lenses of their significant others. Whether it's as innocuous as Hunter Mahan strolling through Penn Station with his clubs as caught by wife Kandi, or as scandalous as a topless, sleeping Rory courtesy of Caroline Wozniacki, this is a trend we hope continues well into the two-thousand-and-teens.
#1. Unconventional putting strokes
The days of the long putter being a fad are well behind us, but with the new anchor ban going into effect in a mere half-decade, we can expect to see all sorts of new putting styles come into use in 2013. You thought KJ Choi's half-Sneed or AdamScott's anchor claw was unique, wait til you see the forearm grip. And the new year hasn't even started! Just another reason to hope the Mayans were wrong.
Happy new year!
Courses & Travel
Counting Down Best of Buddies-Trip Destinations. No. 7: Palm Springs
With a wide range of ages, handicaps and various levels of golf enthusiasts, the flat desert terrain, some of the forgiving fairways, idyllic weather in November and Arnold Palmer's Steakhouse were a good fit for our needs.
We stayed at La Quinta Resort & Spa, which, in 2009, was in the midst of an impressive and expensive renovation. We reserved two of the Spanish casitas, complete with lounge space, flatscreens and small pools, which would help cool competitive Ginella tempers. (I should've never had my brothers share a cart.)
After all of my travels, I still say the Mountain Course is a unique experience for the avid amateur.
There are points within the round in which you are playing along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. We couldn't resist the urge to stop, look up and around, and be in awe of what seemed to be a massive movie set.
There's nothing incredibly unique or memorable about the Nicklaus and Norman resort courses at PGA West, but they were both good additions to our itinerary.
I've played the TPC Stadium Course, but not on the trip with dad and brothers. Like the ocean (and The Ocean Course at Kiawah), I respect the Stadium for what it can and has done to me physically and emotionally, but it would've been too much for this crew.
My dad, who suffers from old Italian pride and aging knees, would've buckled under the weight of the hike, deep bunkers and testy approach shots. My brothers would've broken clubs (or each other) before we got to the fifth hole.
The Dunes, the fifth course the resort offers to its guests, is on the opposite end of the Stadium in terms of difficulty. It would be the late-afternoon option if you wanted to play an emergency bag-of-beers 18 with a scramble or alternate-shot format.
If you had connections or were owed a favor by a member, I'd try to play Palmer and/or Nicklaus private courses. The Palmer is more recognizable as the course used for the final round of the Bob Hope (now Humana Challenge), but you might be more impressed by the routing and the intimacy of the Nicklaus private:
As perfect as La Quinta was for our needs, my combative brothers still almost came to blows over, among other things, slow play.
The pool wasn't cool enough to chill this sibling rivalry.
--Matty G.
Follow @Matt_Ginella
... Read
News & Tours
Jack Nicklaus hopes to continue ceremonial tee shot tradition at Masters
This April, when the golf world's attention turns to Augusta National as it does at the start of every spring, it will mark two special 50th anniversaries.
In 1963, a then-23-year-old Jack Nicklaus, coming off his historic playoff win against Arnold Palmer at the 1962 U.S. Open, became the youngest winner in Masters history.
At the start of that tournament, Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod hit the first ceremonial opening tee shots. Now 50 years later, Nicklaus hopes to continue the tradition started in his first win, by again joining fellow legends of the game -- Arnold Palmer and Gary Player -- at Augusta.
Nicklaus is greeted by Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne in April before hitting the ceremonial tee shot, with Palmer and Player. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
"I don't think that letter [from Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne] has come, one way or the other. But I would assume that it will," Nicklaus said Tuesday in a small teleconference with some media members ahead of the 50-year anniversary of his first green jacket. "It's not my call. but I would assume we'd probably do that. And how long we do it? I don't know. It's not my call. I mean, it's the Chairman's call. We'll just go from there, on a year-to-year basis and see what happens."
Kindred: Jack, Arnie and Player hope to continue tradition
Asked also if he'd be playing in the 2013 Masters, in honor of the special anniversary, Nicklaus was caught off guard. He had just competed with son Gary in the PNC Father/Son Challenge this past weekend, finishing T-6 and just four strokes back of winners Davis Love III and his son Dru. But Jack hasn't teed it up for real in the Masters since retiring in 2005.
Golf fans, of course, would love to see the Big Three competing for real, or at least playing a ceremonial nine holes, as Hutchison and McLeod did at the start of the tradition. Player joined Palmer and Nicklaus for the first time last year, with Jack joining Palmer at the start of Thursday in 2009.
But just to hear Nicklaus recollect on his Masters victories was a nice respite from the cold December weather.
... Read
News & Tours
Stingers: Colin Montgomerie is a Hall of Famer?
By Alex Myers
I'll admit, I was never much of a Colin Montgomerie fan. But that changed -- at least, briefly -- when I drew the plum assignment of following the Scot around Winged Foot in one of Sunday's final groups at the 2006 U.S. Open.
A week shy of his 43rd birthday and with his career in its twilight, Monty managed to hold things together as well as anyone that day on the treacherous A.W. Tillinghast track, and I, a young reporter rooting for a great story, believed I had lucked my way into covering this unlikely major championship win from inside the ropes. Then, Montgomerie pulled, well, a Montgomerie.
Photo by Getty Images
Pumped up from draining a 50-footer for birdie on No. 17 to take a share of the lead with Phil Mickelson, Montgomerie found the 18th fairway (something Phil famously wouldn't accomplish minutes later), but chose a 7-iron for the uphill, 172-yard shot. He didn't come close. A pitch and three putts later, Monty, like Mickelson, wound up one shot behind winner Geoff Ogilvy. Unlike Phil, Monty didn't collect his runner-up trophy at the awards ceremony, instead storming off and reportedly having an altercation with a New York state trooper.
Related: The most grueling U.S. Opens ever
Just like that, Montgomerie's final opportunity to capture a major championship was gone. One would think his chances at being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame had vanished as well. I was wrong.
On Tuesday morning, Montgomerie was named the latest player to earn entry into the Hall (receiving just 51% of the vote on the international ballot), despite the fact he will never win one of its four biggest tournaments. Even more stunning? Montgomerie has never won a single PGA Tour event. I guess I missed the announcement that the Hall of Fame is now just the "Hall of Very Good"?
The case for Montgomerie? A sterling Ryder Cup record and 31 wins on the European PGA Tour, which he dominated during the 1990s to the tune of four Player of the Year awards and finishing first on the Order of Merit (money list) seven times, adding an eighth in 2005. Those are impressive accomplishments, but keep in mind that tour's depth wasn't nearly what it is now -- when it is still a distant No. 2 to the PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Montgomerie played his fair share of tournaments in the States and often came close to winning, including losing playoffs at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. But he never got the job done. Not in a major. Not in a Honda Classic.
Related: Ryder Cup heroes & goats
Earlier this year, Fred Couples, with his 15 PGA Tour wins and one major, was also selected to the Hall. Like Monty, Freddie was no slam dunk to get the nod, especially so soon. But the pair's speedy selection, while others with similar credentials like Ken Venturi have had to wait so long, is just the latest case of Hall of Fame standards -- not just in golf, but in all sports -- being lowered.
If guys with no major titles are going to start being inducted, what's going to happen to all the one-time winners, who have become so abundant during this recent era of parity? Good thing there's plenty of space on that St. Augustine property.
Maybe it's a little harsh, but I had a front-row seat for Monty's chance at true golfing immortality. Like that ill-fated approach shot, he came up short.... Read


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Hello, I'm Ken and I live in Austin Texas.I've been cutting stones for 25 years or so, but not for a living.I used to cut calibrated cabs that would fit into standard settings, and sometimesdabbling in old fashioned steam casting. Occasional simple soldering projects.And sometimes cutting free forms that could fit with bell cap or simple findings.The past couple of years I have been making all my own settings from sterling.I do fabrication as well as casting. I'd like to learn more designs and techniques as well as more efficient ways of fabrication and wax working. I would also like to learn how to sell online.I have a dual vertical lap Crystalite diamond demon, they don't make those anymore to my knowledge.Also a double arbor machine I made with a 6 x 1 1/2 inch diamond wheel on one sideand a 6 inch expandable drum on the other, powered by an old washing machine motor.A lortone 6 inch trim saw I run with water and a lortone 10 inch automatic slab saw which uses mineral oil.A paragon firefly kiln, a lucas long arm centrifugal casting machine, matt wax gun, an oxy/propane torch along with a mapp torch, and various bench tools.Thank you for letting me be here.
hello have you ever used crown machines
Hi Ken, welcome to Jewelry Making Daily! Thanks for introducing yourself and your work to us.
I always like to welcome new members by sharing our free eBooks and video tutorials. You can find them all here:
I hope you'll find something there that interests you and possibly that will help or inspire you as you make more of your own settings. There is a jewelry business eBook there that should help get you started selling online, too!
Thanks again for joining us. I look forward to seeing more of you and your work on JMD.
© 2015 F+W All rights reserved.Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms and Privacy Policy, updated March 2007

subset: commoncrawl


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figured out the issue i was burning to high of a speed. let that be a lesson burn at 2-4x only heh
i downloaded the config/update disc from Resources :: Wiikey for my region us/can. now i put in the wii sports , then the back up disc at the boot up screen where it says press A or in the wii menu?
or am i doing sumpthin wrong?
figured out the issue i was burning to high of a speed. let that be a lesson burn at 2-4x only heh
Glad you figured this out. You'll also need to burn/verify to a high quality DVD, most say Verbatim or Memorex DVD-R and I always check to see if the game runs before deleting it from my hard drive. If you've burned a coaster, try again at a slower speed or change media.
where do MOST SAY MEMOREX?....they sux unless mad by ridata
Wiihacks Super Mod / Admin
hi all.
i just installed my wiikey2 w/ wiiclip last night.
i think i have screwed up the ordering of the discs.
the first disc i put in was a backup of mario galaxy (ntsc).
it loaded perfectly and the opening cinematic plays at full speed so i know the wiikey2 is working. i have wiigator, gamma loader and cioscorp installed also w/ starfall.
however i tried to use the 1.2 config disc, but the wii only recognizes it as a gamecube disc.
when i try to boot the disc the wii hangs up and i have to do a hard reset to get back to the home screen.
is there something i can do to get this rectified? thanks!!!


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May 02 2010
YOUR Landscape Photos: Group 5
This is the last of the Landscape groups!
Here's Group 5 . Finalists will be posted Monday morning.
By Amy Tolar.
By MeganChaso.
By Pudgy Groundhog.
By DiGuglielmo.
By Ginamari.
By Bsktgirl.
By Julieulie.
By KM Photography.
By Campviola.
By Tonya Doughty.
By Klsoucy1.
By GardenCrazy79.
By Jani Mouse.
By Bambibabe48.
By Amy-Ever-After.
By MSullivan Photography.
By Red Canoe Cacher.
By 1Tree.
By Carrie Ann.
By Klodjanadervishi.
See you tomorrow for the finalists!
319 Comments
The Art of Doing Stuff On Sunday, May 2 at 8:45 am
These are fantastic. They make me feel completely inferior. But in a good way.
sweet lew On Sunday, May 2 at 8:46 am
love the cutouts on the keyboard – ha ha – that's awesome!
Liz On Sunday, May 2 at 8:47 am
I love the computer landscape! That one wins it for me!
Marla On Sunday, May 2 at 8:50 am
This just proves what a beautiful place we really live in. Breathtaking photos!
Lori On Sunday, May 2 at 8:50 am
I wish I knew where some of these places are, I want to go see them!
Jen at cabin fever On Sunday, May 2 at 8:51 am
I love Tonya Daughty's! How creative and cute.
My photo contest just started! Feel free to check out all the details!
Darcie On Sunday, May 2 at 8:52 am
I must get a big girl camera. Really.
Sunday Rain On Sunday, May 2 at 8:54 am
PW..I'd love to see the photos that aren't touched by computer be judged…..the raw..the natural photo vs. the manufactured or enhanced photo. Some of these are so enhanced we can't enjoy nature in it's glory. It's nature in man's glory, and that just isn't as nice. It's too sugared up. Perhaps the next contest can for straight out of the camera no messing with photos.
The Art of Doing Stuff On Sunday, May 2 at 8:55 am
Mmm! And for the record, I think I like the one with the blades of grass and the blue sky. It just seems easy to look at for some reason. Apparently my eyeballs are a bit "simple" and don't like a lot of distractions.
Michelle Jeffers On Sunday, May 2 at 8:56 am
Are these for real??? They are so beautiful!!! God is such an amazing artist!!!
The Art of Doing Stuff On Sunday, May 2 at 8:58 am
Ditto on the no Photoshopping idea. I know retouching and enhancing has a purpose, but for these landscapes, I prefer the rougher, natural landscapes as seen by the eye. My slowish, "simple" eye! Lol.
nikki On Sunday, May 2 at 8:58 am
campviola. Wow beautifully clear and crisp shot.
Rachel Spin On Sunday, May 2 at 8:58 am
Wow, just wow! Great job Ree, I don't know how you do it!
Kate On Sunday, May 2 at 8:59 am
I agree with comment #1..I feel completely inferior. But, the joy is in the learning and the journey. This group of photos is utterly inspirational. I could not pick a favorite. Great job folks!
Shannon On Sunday, May 2 at 9:04 am
Wow!!! My pics look horrible in comparison to all these beautiful pics!!
Carole & Chewy On Sunday, May 2 at 9:05 am
Love the first one – looks like a giant's toes, and the computer keyboard is great. I have to agree with others about less photoshopping -Ansel Adams is still the master, and he did it without special effects.
Kym On Sunday, May 2 at 9:05 am
I love the creativity of Tonya Doughty. Often, this as close as I get to such a beautiful landscape!
Abby (bambibabe48) On Sunday, May 2 at 9:09 am
I'm so honored to have one of my photos chosen! I've been in awe of all the amazing photos in the group and consider myself lucky to be among them!
Kate On Sunday, May 2 at 9:10 am
I love all of these…beautiful! But I do have to make special mention of Tonya Doughty's computer landscape. I just love when people get creative and see beyond the standard challenge. Woo Hoo… Great job!
Audreystyle On Sunday, May 2 at 9:11 am
Okay, very funny and creative, Tanya! I didn't even bother entering photos this time because of how over the top good the photos are for this challenge. At least in the other challenges I felt like I could tag along, but with this one, I feel light years behind.
Amazing photos everyone!
Karen Travels On Sunday, May 2 at 9:11 am
These, and all the pictures, are completely gorgeous…but I am going to say it again: I would love a "straight out of the camera, no editing" week!
Shelley On Sunday, May 2 at 9:16 am
I agree with the SOTC, no editing contest. I would rather see real photos, than doctored-up Photoshopped ones.
Renee On Sunday, May 2 at 9:17 am
Gorgeous!!! I know you have 1000 things on your plate this week (see you in DC!) but if the photographer included the location of the photo, could you include it in the finals? I would love to know where all of these breath taking places are.
Amy from She Wears Many Hats On Sunday, May 2 at 9:18 am
Renee On Sunday, May 2 at 9:18 am
Also, hear hear to the edit free photo contest
BareFeet On Sunday, May 2 at 9:18 am
Amy Tolar, Megan Chaso, & KM Photography … beautiful!
sewmary On Sunday, May 2 at 9:20 am
Add me to loving the one by Tonya. Such wit!
claire On Sunday, May 2 at 9:22 am
Laughed at the computer keyboard one – that one would get my vote just because of creativity, It would be fun to see a "faux" contest – photos of things that are not what what they seem.
KimK On Sunday, May 2 at 9:24 am
These are amazing! I love the broad range of techniques and creativity! I especially love Amy-Ever-After's. Thanks for these assignments, it's such a great way to learn!
wanda rudack On Sunday, May 2 at 9:25 am
I agree some of those photos look too professional to me..So how could you have a chance to win against something like that.
Mel On Sunday, May 2 at 9:27 am
There are so many amazing shots. Tony's is awesome. such creativity.
nikikikiii On Sunday, May 2 at 9:28 am
theses are all fantastic. I especially love Tonya Doughty's landscape! Too funny
Sophia On Sunday, May 2 at 9:28 am
LOL @ Tonya Doughty! That's great!
Kerry Shepherd On Sunday, May 2 at 9:30 am
This entire collection is the strongest Earth Day statement that can be made. We must preserve this beauty for future generations. What a diverse and wonderful world. Thank you for collecting these.
Mike Spivey On Sunday, May 2 at 9:31 am
Wonderful landscapes.
I too, would love to see some sort of caption giving location and other details.
As far as "out of camera" categories, that is just not practical. Where do you draw the line? I like to look at the most beautiful pictures and if they look unreal, it diminishes the enjoyment a little. But if you have rules, you defeat the whole purpose.
Barbara Barnett On Sunday, May 2 at 9:33 am
How can you pick finalists?!?!? These pics are all fantastic!
a chris On Sunday, May 2 at 9:35 am
These are gorgeous, and of course I love the keyboard landscape.
Hmm. While I personally prefer less maxed-out saturation and contrast, I don't understand the calls for "unaltered" photos. Carole & Chewy's (#12) example of Ansel Adams for instance — Adams controlled the outcome of the film photographic process by the film he used, the exposure conditions (of course), and by his understanding of darkroom techniques — processing by chemistry, not by numerical operations on pixels.
Even when we had our point and shoot rolls developed at the drugstore (or wherever), decisions were made as to how that print looked at the point of printing. I've had reprints done at a consumer photo service that didn't have the same look as the first prints from the same negatives.
Now, this control is held by the camera firmware at the least, and at most (if you start from a RAW file) the entire "development" is done with software. There's really no picture as we know it without this process: the simple R, G, and B output of the sensor won't look like the scene our eyes see. I don't see how the processing can be separated from the shot.
The only thing we can judge is the final product, and if our tastes in that differ, isn't that proof we're successfully "reading" what's happened to the shot without having to place constraints on the process?
Sorry for rattling on…
Kate (Little Beach Bum) On Sunday, May 2 at 9:52 am
These are all beautiful! and WOW I agree with Sunday Rain about the no-enhanced photographs…Sometimes I wonder why my camera (rebel Xsi) produces such gray, flat photographs…then I realize it's because I haven't upped the saturation or vibrance or played with the colors in photoshop – which seems to be getting more and more common! don't get me wrong, i think they are beautiful and artsy…but it would be nice to see what all these amazing photographers are actually STARTING with.
Dee DC On Sunday, May 2 at 9:52 am
I have NO idea how you can choose just one! I do love the keyboard cutouts, but the other ones are all just absolutely gorgeous! I want you to know that your photography lessons and contests have prompted me to buy a "real" (vs. point & shoot) camera and learn how to use it. I've found that I'm a much better photographer than I originally thought! So, thanks!
Sara On Sunday, May 2 at 9:53 am
So many of these photos don't look natural. They look almost like cartoons. They remind me of movies with a ton of digital effects. Just not my taste. Of this set, GardenCrazy79 is my favorite. It's like I was standing right there!
Marisa@make happy On Sunday, May 2 at 9:56 am
Tonya's idea is very creative! I am simultaneously impressed with her imagination and saddened that she doesn't get to go outside more.
Laura @ PARING DOWN On Sunday, May 2 at 9:57 am
The delicate arch shot is awesome because it can only be taken after a 4 mile fairly harrowing hike to it. GORGEOUS!
Pam D On Sunday, May 2 at 9:59 am
I have loved Tonya Doughty's work for quite a while; her site is on my blogroll just so I can visit and enjoy her creative brilliance. SO glad to see her on the list, and I love her take on landscapes! And PW, I am SO sorry that everyone keeps telling you what to do! I think it's wonderful that you give a broad theme, whether it's a color, a style, or a technique, and let everyone cut loose with their interpretation. I have learned so much just from seeing through other people's eyes and looking outside of MY box. Seems like the griping and moaning and calls of "not fair" are getting louder and more frequent (I went to Shineylewis's Flickr site to see more of her work; apparently people have gone there and left nasty remarks. Over a contest. People? Hello???). Anyone who actually follows PW knows that Photoshop is a big part of the photo part of her site. She has sets of actions (awesome ones, I might add) that she GIVES away. I have Elements (under $100… give up a few pedicures, Starbucks, or Miller Lites and you, too can own it!), and the actions are now available for that. Or go naked… it's up to you. But please stop telling PW what YOU want.. this is her site. Go eleswhere if you want a different type of contest. please.
I <3 you, PW… thanks for stretching the edges of my creativity!
Adrea (adreaplus4) On Sunday, May 2 at 10:01 am
Tonya Doughty, you make my heart sing! Don't have the Grand Canyon to photograph? No problem! Make your own grand vista!
Ambur On Sunday, May 2 at 10:06 am
They are ALL amazing, every single entry, but this Kansas girl has to cheer loudly for 'Lost in a wheat field'. I don't get to see nearly as much wheat now that I live in Missouri. Thanks, Campviola!
Rachel C On Sunday, May 2 at 10:09 am
Amy-Ever-After, I want that photo to hang on my wall.
Marian Baldock On Sunday, May 2 at 10:13 am
I'd love to know where the winners were taken.
Sue On Sunday, May 2 at 10:15 am
The photograph – By Bsktgirl.
This one is just stunning. The texture, the composition, the contrast, the colors, the subject. I would love to know where it is and have a print of this to hang on the wall. I keep going back and looking at this – so interesting..
New EYEdea Photography On Sunday, May 2 at 10:16 am
I noticed someone mentioned Ansel Adams. I was JUST talking about this subject to my husband over breakfast. While I agree some photos are over photoshoped. I'm not against photoshop done tastefully. Otherwise known as a digital darkroom.
Ansel Adams did heavy adjustments in the darkroom. What you see as his final products are not straight out of camera per se. That's right, Mr. Adams utilized the "special effects" of his age!
A few Ansel quotes…
"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships. "
"You don't take a photograph, you make it"
Rachael L On Sunday, May 2 at 10:17 am
I love the photography assignments and think all of it is fun. But I have to agree with some of the other people about how fake and doctored some of these photos look. I think it is a shame so many people don't capitalize on the natural elements of the subject matter. I understand using photoshop and other editing devices to play with photos and make them artistic but that to me isn't photography. I guess I'm just a little disappointed with the landscape pools and their lack of authenticity (or my definition of it). Some really beautiful shots otherwise though.
Jackie On Sunday, May 2 at 10:27 am
I want to travel to all these places! They're so gorgeous!!!!
Karen G On Sunday, May 2 at 10:31 am
Got quite a giggle from Tonya Doughty's pic!! Great thinking out of the box………………or at least out of the canyon, mountain, river, geographically wonderful locale! :>
James On Sunday, May 2 at 10:36 am
New EYEdea, you just beat me! I was about to respond to that error about Ansel Adams myself. There is a great 2 minute video on youtube about his darkroom manipulation:
Some quotes from it:
(The very first line) "He manipulated the work tremendously in the darkroom."
"He always said the negative was the equivalent of the composer's score and the print is the equivalent of the conductor's performance."
"The image is Winter Sunrise… if Ansel were to print it straight it would be pretty boring…"
"It was like a ballet watching him in the darkroom, jumping around and dodging and burning and saying 'I want the sky to be richer' — he really worked them over."
"Often he would work a *whole day* before he got one print from a negative right."
"Half or 40% of the creative process took place in the darkroom."
haleyinthecity On Sunday, May 2 at 10:57 am
I agree – go au naturel! A make-up free day, per say.
All the photos are beautiful, though the paper cutouts crack me up.
Tammy On Sunday, May 2 at 11:03 am
I have loved so many of the photos, but have to admit I laughed out loud when I saw the one by Tonya Doughty, that is just so clever. I also have to second a lot of the comments about liking the more natural nature photos, their purity calls to me more.
janice On Sunday, May 2 at 11:03 am
I don't know how in the world you choose. They are ALL so WONDERFUL!!!
Choosing would stress me right out
judy On Sunday, May 2 at 11:08 am
So many are so amazing…. WHERE is the one taken by bsktgirl???? What are those dwellings????
Amanda On Sunday, May 2 at 11:10 am
This has to be an incredibly tough decision. Out of the group 5 I have to saw I really LOVE Lost in Wheat Fields and Evening Grass. Beautiful. I love the light in both of them and it's almost as if I can feel and smell the air. Great job guys.
Marie M.C. On Sunday, May 2 at 11:12 am
I want to know where the yellow tulip (daffodil?) path is, I want to visit the cherry (apple?) orchard . . . . I'm gnashing my teeth looking at these wondrous photos . . . but not knowing where they are? Why the secret?
The scenes all seem to be American landscapes by non-professional — but decidedly great — photographers. Right? Dear Santa, I want 1/10th of their talent as my Christmas present this year.
MelissaF On Sunday, May 2 at 11:15 am
Love the one with the keyboard landscape…very creative! It would be great if you could have a contest where you stipulated no Photoshop. So many of these are gorgeous, but just makes me wonder what they really saw before they photoshopped the heck out of them. Not saying that there's not a time and place for every "action", but it would be nice to have a contest to see some un-retouched or just barely touched photos.
Enika Jordan On Sunday, May 2 at 11:15 am
And why am I living in the concrete jungle of So Cal? These are absolutely beautiful, thank you!
SarahinSC On Sunday, May 2 at 11:16 am
It really boils down to personal preference about the highly edited vs. SOOC shots. My preference is in the middle. Most SOOC shots aren't all they could be, but some edited shots lose all of their natural beauty by being edited to the extreme. Those shots are neat too, but not too realistic at all. Whatever way you like it, it's PW's contest so she can be the judge of what she likes best.
kelly On Sunday, May 2 at 11:19 am
God Bless America! is all i could think, these are our countries beauties!
i kind of agree with the untouched but you know which ones have been doctored and it is just another element to it.
going to zion national park today, hope to capture some similar images!
Dawn in Michigan On Sunday, May 2 at 11:24 am
Wow – all of these pics are amazing!! I think this is probably your most difficult-to-choose contest yet – I certainly couldn't pick just one!! Good Luck, Ree!!!
Jenni On Sunday, May 2 at 11:26 am
Good grief! I'm sorry, but the 2nd and 9th photos both look beyond photoshopped…they look 100% CG! Ugh…LOVE the 5th one, though…and many of the others!
Kath On Sunday, May 2 at 11:28 am
What a lot of creative people! It doesn't matter what photos have had done to them, if the end result pleases the photographer. Don't you enhance the photo of your backyard, make it lighter, darker, brighter, get rid of your husband's redeye? It's the same thing. Tonya, you are a crack-up. Everybody is a winner to me, I'm so glad I don't have to choose.
Judy, I think they they are old charcoal kilns located in Owen's Valley on the west side of the dry lake in California. Of course they could be kilns located somewhere else.
Kristine On Sunday, May 2 at 11:29 am
I have to say, out of all the photography assignments you've had, these landscape photos are some of the most stunning to me. Just absolutely amazing!
kim On Sunday, May 2 at 11:30 am
There are definitely some amazing photos to choose from. I disagree however on the comment regarding the Ansel Adams quote and special effects. While he may have used the special effects of his day, it was to enhance the natural beauty AND still have the photo look natural. What we are seeing here are very heavy hands with photoshop – completely oversaturated colors and lots of HDR technique. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.
Having said that, I do agree though that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it is PW"s contest. She can choose whatever she likes.
Monie On Sunday, May 2 at 11:34 am
These are breathtaking. I really don't know how you are going to pick one. You might just have to blindfold yourself, have your punks spin you around four times, and then stick a pin in one!
Pam S On Sunday, May 2 at 11:36 am
I want to know the story behind all these beautiful places.
Ellen Soileau On Sunday, May 2 at 11:44 am
The scenes from out west are stunning. I love them all. Everyone who submits is very talented — just look through the pool!
akrand On Sunday, May 2 at 11:45 am
Beautiful photos! I love landscape photography and all these choices are making wish I was better at it and they make me want to try my hand at HDR photography!
Pudgy Groundhog On Sunday, May 2 at 12:00 pm
Wow, I'm very flattered to have made it to group 5. I've really enjoyed looking at all the submissions – there are so many gorgeous photos!
My picture was taken at Havasu Falls in AZ (Havasupai Reservation). The histogram was adjusted in PS, as well as some contrast. But there was no extensive Photoshopping — mainly because I don't know Phostoshop very well.
I've thought a lot about the Phostoshop angle of photos and I agree with the posters above who mention Ansel Adams. I saw his exhibition at the Moma a few years ago and was struck by the prints shown side by side made from the same negative. Even with film, photos were post processed (although I can agree, probably not to the degree some are today). I'd like to learn more Photoshop, but even more so I'd like to improve my picture taking.
Datari On Sunday, May 2 at 12:06 pm
I love the composition of all of these photos, but I have to say that I'm not quite the fan that others are of the supersaturated colors or modifications that make these things look like paintings. I prefer a more natural looking landscape.
WebSavvyMom On Sunday, May 2 at 12:15 pm
–>WOW. I love the one with the tulips but the laptop one with the cutouts is SOOOO original.
esavvymom On Sunday, May 2 at 12:25 pm
Some of these shots are just breathtaking….but it's so hard to tell what's real and what's "touched up". I know it has a purpose sometimes, but for contests…>I guess it lends an unfair advantage.
shelly On Sunday, May 2 at 12:33 pm
Okay, I LOVE all of these photos (and others submitted), but I have to ask – is it fair that there are so many that have been post-processed? Why not a contest for SOOC only? Not everyone is a professional or has perfected post processing.
Lucy's Soup Can On Sunday, May 2 at 12:35 pm
I think you have managed to attract some of the most talented photographers with your blog, although my favourites are the more natural untouched photos. Just beautiful!
Sally On Sunday, May 2 at 12:47 pm
I totally heart the tulip shot! What a great perspective to get down on the ground… I need to remember to change my perspective when taking a photo more often. Way to go!
Christi On Sunday, May 2 at 1:01 pm
I'd seriously like to know ~ How you are going to pick a winner?? These are wonderful! OM goodness!
Jamie Lloyd On Sunday, May 2 at 1:03 pm
I love that you do these photo contests – but being a nonphoto person – I never realized that all these pictures are usually run thru filters and manipulated, etc. They are great – but it kind of makes me feel like its cheating. Could you do a contest for photos that are not manipulated? Not sure if people even do that anymore…
GlowinGirl On Sunday, May 2 at 1:05 pm
I love this amazing world!
marywether On Sunday, May 2 at 1:09 pm
I love the one by Tonya with the cutouts and the landscape pic on the monitor. It's almost a surreal commentary on how each of us is living our life at the moment…instead of being outside and taking in the beautiful landscapes around us, we're sitting here looking at pictures of them! LOL!
Allie On Sunday, May 2 at 1:09 pm
Ha! Tonya's cracks me up! But out of all of them, it's Campviola's that I keep going back too. So smooth and restful. And just my $0.02, but I love seeing the artistry of the digital darkroom in these contests.
mistiza w On Sunday, May 2 at 1:33 pm
congrats & good luck to all!!
Ree – thank you for taking the time and energy to hold these contest!! Learning so much looking thro all the photos!! -M
Elizabeth On Sunday, May 2 at 1:34 pm
LOVE these. Way to go 5th group…you guys rock! And I really love the tulips…super beautiful composition…amazing contrast of colors…and the computer pic… Seriously…you rock. What a creative way of looking at a contest. Love that you did that and Ree saw the creativity in it. Its just cool. Way to go everyone!
Jaesi On Sunday, May 2 at 1:35 pm
So many of these finalist pictures are from Americas South West. Where I was born and raised! (and unfortunately do not live in right now)
Havasupai holds a special place in my heart….BEAUTIFUL!
kristen On Sunday, May 2 at 1:43 pm
What a magnificent world we live in. Even without all the boosts and other actions, most of these shots are breathtaking. I think it's impossible to choose one over the others, frankly – God's work is jaw dropping, and the quality of most of the shots is not only responsible, but masterful. I think everyone should be grateful to you for giving them impetus and a venue. Wow.
Joyce On Sunday, May 2 at 1:47 pm
I have been loving the landscape photos. However, I want to know where these places are! Some of the beauty is just breathtaking…..I want to go to these places in person.
What a beautiful awe inspiring place our lovely Earth is!
coco On Sunday, May 2 at 1:51 pm
The majority of these photos -including the previous sets- are soo heavily photoshopped, look so fake that they give me nausea. There's deep beauty in nature, well with its flaws and real pureness. These remind me of nothing I've experienced, a man made, fake… Like a big and colorful cake full of food coloring and fake aroma.
sleepy4 On Sunday, May 2 at 1:53 pm
Wow!!! So happy that you folks are out there getting these shots to share with us. Thank You for sharing your beautiful photos with all of us. They are breathtaking!
kayt On Sunday, May 2 at 1:56 pm
Wow! Like many others here, I ask, "How on Earth are you ever going to choose Finalists, let alone a winner?!" Sakes alive! There are so many amazing shots and so many more in the pool that render me speechless.
Way to go on this assignment, everybuggy!
You all ROCK da mic!
Keep shooting!
Twenty Four At Heart On Sunday, May 2 at 2:06 pm
I love looking at the photos … but I HATE HDR and overly post-processed photos. They look like nice paintings but they don't look REAL. I'd love to see you pick some photos that look less processed. After all, it's a photography contest not a photoshop contest. * Just my opinion *
Twenty Four At Heart On Sunday, May 2 at 2:06 pm
And now I'll go slink away back to my corner.
Amy in Edmond On Sunday, May 2 at 2:11 pm
I wish I knew where some of these pictures where taken. I think I have been to some of those locations.
Judy Borron On Sunday, May 2 at 2:17 pm
Love the tulips..
sherry hall On Sunday, May 2 at 2:19 pm
ree, i want to thank you for so much laughter and food and all you blog.. but let me tell you, to be able to see all the photos that is sent to you is splendid! i enjoy all you do and share but to click and see such unadulterated beauty as" landscapes" makes me thank God that i have eyes to see and their are those like you whom love our earth and country to spend the time photographing it for all to see.. so words to describe its beauty fails me.. it is right up there with your family and charley…
langela richardson On Sunday, May 2 at 2:20 pm
This group has the most unique photos so far.
aimee On Sunday, May 2 at 2:35 pm
cracking up at the cutout submission…love a sense of humor.
not to fan the flames but i'd like to point out that most of us aren't complaining that people use photoshop but that some are so modified that they barely resemble the original scene. i'm not at all opposed to tweaking but i'd prefer it look fairly similar to what was originally photographed (i.e., don't add stars, birds, etc. or make the colors look like something out of a comic book).
Marianne On Sunday, May 2 at 2:42 pm
Wow. All of these are stunning! Great job guys!


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Private Villas
As well as the luxurious boutique hotel, we offer several private villas for rent. Each villa has its own unique style - from the relaxing quiet of a secluded hideaway to the exciting center of the bustling markets, cafés and restaurants in Seminyak.
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James Madison Dukes NCAA AC 59FIFTY Cap
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text: The Flyers are buying out Ilya Bryzgalov, who had an up-and-down two seasons with the team and had a sometimes-contentious relationship with coach Peter Laviolette . The Flyers will have to pay him $23 million (two-thirds of the $34 million left) over 14 years, or $1.6 million per year. They cannot officially buy him out until 11 p.m. Wednesday.


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By Linda D. KozarynAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2002 Defense officials plan to resume flight-testing the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at the end of April, according to the department's acquisition chief.
But Peter Aldridge, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, qualified DoD's approach to reporters today at a Pentagon roundtable discussion: He won't approve the resumption of flight testing until he's satisfied the test plan meets all the necessary criteria and all the recommendations that study panels made after two Osprey crashes that killed 23 service members.
After the second crash, in April 2000, defense officials canceled the Osprey flight-testing program and limited production to "the minimum sustaining level," Aldridge said. Marine officials also relieved the commander of the Osprey squadron at New River Marine Corps Air Station, N.C., following allegations he ordered personnel to falsify maintenance records.
"The Navy secretary and I will have a final 'return-to- flight' review before it actually starts flight testing," Aldridge said. The test program will be "event-driven," not schedule-driven, he stressed -- if some test points need to be repeated, they'll be repeated.
If we see some problems occurring early in the flight test program, we may not continue it," he said. "We could stop and head off in another direction."
Aldridge said Marine Commandant Gen. Jim Jones insisted on having alternative aircraft in case the Osprey runs into a problem. Defense officials are looking at several, including an upgraded versions of the CH-53 and UH-60 helicopters.
The commandant is "serious about reviewing alternatives," Aldridge stressed. "We all hope the V-22 is going to be successful, but in case it is not, he has to have something in place to replace their aging helicopters."


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V12 Boots
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Houston, TX, US
Birdwatching or rather birding, as its proponents prefer presents tremendous untapped potential for the hospitality industry.
The sheer numbers are telling. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2007, birding is a hobby for 47.8M Americans and that number is growing, up from 46M in 2003. The U.K., as another example, is known as a country of birders. Birding is appreciated by every culture and ethnicity around the world, can be shared across generations, and can be enjoyed throughout the course of one's entire life.
Of particular interest to the hospitality industry, there is a strong connection between birding and travel, ranging from honeymoon adventures, to the occasional family holiday, all the way to species or location-specific international tours for the obsessive and the rarity-seeker. Birders who travel tend to be well educated, affluent, and enjoy trying new places. In particular, U.S. baby boomers, who by 2015 will command 60% of this country's net wealth, have embraced the hobby with its elements of conservation, continuing education, and travel.
Up until now, hospitality offerings for birders tended to be ad-hoc the local motel, a camping lodge; convenience or adjacency was the prime criteria. We, however, propose to integrate luxury hospitality into the birding experience, creating a methodology that can be adapted for implementation at sites around the globe.
Geographic location and climate dictate the bird species present at various times throughout the year. Typically, a birder has to travel from point A to point B to observe different species. Our strategy is to combine these points to a centralized location.
Status: Competition Entry
Location: Koyuk, Alaska


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navy multi stripe oval cufflinks
designer's notes
Few can pull off quirky, British style quite like Paul Smith. Don't blame us if his pieces have you smiling to yourself.
color: Navy / Red / White / Blue Sterling silver Multicolor striped oval face Whale tail back Face measures 13/16" wide x �" tall All measurements are approximate Sterling Silver / Enamel; Great Britain (UK); style# 319745801


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Visit Illegal Pete's in April to Show Support for our Smother Autism Campaign
Get involved and support education for kids with autism in the month of April, Autism Awareness Month! During the entire month of April, Illegal Pete's will be working to extinguish the challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder by raising funds for The Joshua School through the Smother Autism Program. Illegal Pete's will be donating $1 to The Joshua School every time a customer smothers their burrito and will also give customers an opportunity to donate $1 in exchange for a leaf that helps grow the abilities of all and can be signed and displayed in stores. A mobile ordering app, Pete's Mobile, will give customers the chance to "round up" their order as a straight donation. Supporting sponsors of these events include Niman Ranch, Coors, and Splick It.
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For more information on the Joshua School, please visit this link.


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Store small treasured possessions in pretty bowls.
A fluted edge means this brass dish looks good filled and empty. Below, a 22 karat gold glaze turns a ceramic bowl into an eye-catching objet. Subtle stripes add detail. Splashes of gold form an artist-inspired look on the ivory ceramic.
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text: For small-market teams in Major League Baseball, most offseason wishes are not a reality. Though there are some players out there that the Rays may be able to afford. With pitchers such as Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann possible trade pieces, the trade market could be the key for the Rays to pick up some hitting. Names that maybe were on the Rays' radar before are slipping away as the offseason progresses. Carlos Beltran just recently signed with the Cardinals, and others like Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer have also found a team. However, what the Rays need is just one or two good hitters to really bolster their struggling offense. The Rays haven't found that bat yet, but there are still a few intriguing options out there for them. Take a look at some players the Rays would love to reel in this winter.


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Meditating on the free prize...
Sometime later today, visit What's Your Brand Mantra? to read the latest riffs on my around-the-blog tour for Free Prize. It continues for another week or so.
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Seth's most personal book, a look at the end of the industrial economy and what happens next.
"Book of the year," a perennial bestseller about leading, connecting and creating movements.
More than 3,000,000 copies downloaded, perhaps the most important book to read about creating ideas that spread.
A short, illustrated, kids-like book that takes the last chapter of Icarus and turns it into something worth sharing.
The end of mass and how you can succeed by delighting a niche.
The sequel to Small is the New Big. More than 600 pages of the best of Seth's blog.
« April 2004 | Main | June 2004 »
Sometime later today, visit What's Your Brand Mantra? to read the latest riffs on my around-the-blog tour for Free Prize. It continues for another week or so.
My recent Fast Company column about clowns brought this response. I like the shoes part best:
Seth, I feel I must set the record straight about clowns and clowning because
I do not feel that you truly get what clowns are all about. As a professional
clown for 18 years and as a business person I feel that your analogy is far
from accurate. Here's why:
1. I beleive that being called a clown is a great compliment no matter what
your line of work! It means that you have a sense of humor and aren't afraid
to share it. Your derisive definition of a clown offends what I am and what I
do. I hear your definiton as meaning dumb, ignorant, stupid, etc...
Clowns are far from stupid. It takes great intellect to see the humor in all
situations, good and bad. And I have medical benefits!
2. Clowns are based on us, but not neccessarily about just what's wrong with
human nature, we also like to show what is right about it. We point out what
may seem obvious. Some people can't see the forest for the trees. We show
them the trees.
3. Clowns do not ignore science. We use many of the basic principles of
science. For example: in juggling we use the principle of what goes up, must
come down. We also embody the principle that gravity does work! There is
no "magic" that can fit 16 clowns in a car, it's science, spacial relations!
We use cetrifugal and centripital forces, inertia, roatation, revolution,
momentum and many other great scientific principles and theories!
4. Clowns do not argue with gravity, it is all too real! it challenges us,
sure, but it always wins.
5. Kodak shouldn't be called clowns, they should plain and simply be called
blind business people with poor leadership.
6. Clown measure their results by audience reaction. Did it make an impact?
Did they get what I was tryoing to say? We are philosophers and commentators
on the way we all live our lives.
7. Clowns are reality!
8. Clowns plan ahead! We spend hundreds of hours practicing and perfecting
our craft for the amusement of others. I personally have spent 18 years
studying and perfecting my craft and thousands of dollars. That takes careful
9. For the sake of the squirrel I'd like to mention that if they don't plan
ahead, then what is the purpose of storing nuts for the winter if not a
10. I believe that most humans don't plan ahead and blindly stumble thru life
looking for a hand-out.
11. Clowns overreact to prove a point. (Remember the trees, some need a good
whack over the head with a our number three point may be the only one I agree
12. If clowns aren't nice to each other, then waht does that say about
humanity? we are after all only mirrors of the human condition. the stooges
are just down right stupid. Stan and Ollie are a better example, they are
natural comics, they don't try to be funny, they are just unaware of their
plight, now THAT'S funny!
Some of the best working environments I have had were working with other real
clowns. We are a team, we care about each other and work together to reach a
common goal: laughter. That sure beats any other business goal I can think of.
I think issuing red noses is a great idea! it would lighten things up and
maybe people would stop ripping ewach other appart. In stead of not being
like clowns, maybe more people should be! It would certainly make people take
notice of how utterly ridiculous most arguments are and how working together
would be much more effective.
So, before you downgrade the life of a clown, maybe you should walk a mile in
my shoes. The offer is open to you any time!
Thanks for listening.
Christy McDonald
Goodwill Ambassador (and clown)
Ringling Brothers and Barnum& Bailey Circus Hometown Edition
four new riffs as the blog book tour continues. Check it out at 800CEOREAD Blog
Here's an example: you're reading a blog, any blog. You know the blogosphere exists. Believe it or not, you're among 10% of all people who surf the net.
This hit home when I was giving a talk at Eli Lilly. Before the talk, I mentioned a blog to a senior person who was prepping me. Here was somebody with authority, experience and, I would imagine, some online chops. Not only hadn't she been to a blog, she'd never heard of one.
Listening to NPR today, I heard a bunch of talking heads ranting about Google. In particular, they were repeating the canard that Google's gmail product somehow invades our privacy. It must, they asserted loudly, because the ads are contextual, which means your mail is getting read.
News flash! It's getting read by a computer.
News flash! Computers are already reading your mail! Spam filters, for example.
News flash! If someone wants to read your mail, it's pretty easy to do.
Yet the canard persists. I'm sure Google was amazed at how vociferous the irrational attacks on privacy invasion were.
That's my point. Being smart doesn't matter. Having a blog or doing something technical is irrelevant if you're invisible or seen as a threat by everyone else.
if you have to explain that you're being ironic?
Turns out that a few stuffy people aren't getting the joke about the packaging and stuff in Seth Godin :: Free Prize Inside
No, I'm not proposing that everything look like a cereal box with a little man and with bright colors. In fact, I'm doing exactly the opposite.
It was actually painful to explain this, but hey, the customer comes first.
The book tour continues today with: Decent Marketing: On the Edge with Seth Godin
All the fun of a book tour with none of the travel.
How cool is that?
Marketers are pretty visual people. We realize that consumers get their cues primarily from visual stimuli.
Except they don't.
We all are driven primarily by the interpersonal and the interpersonal is frequently verbal.
How do they answer the phone at your office?
Just flew to Florida with JetBlue (I LOVE JetBlue) and I was reminded of this in a very busy terminal. JetBlue does everything right… and then, boom, they yell at you.
They yell at you on the PA system, and they do it with either panic or aggression. They are flustered, overworked, distraught and totally stressed out when they use the PA.
There's no way in the world the brand wizards at JetBlue would let each employee design their own graphics. So why do so many employees get to yell at me?
Why not have soothing background music and Bette Midler or Clint Eastwood doing a little tag? Why not have professionally pre-recorded announcements for 85% of the stuff they do?
How do they answer the phone at your office?
John Moore (or as he likes it johnmoore) and Paul Willliams have terrific credentials and for some reason, seem to like my new book. Check out today's stop on the blogging tour: Brand Autopsy Lots of free reading here, worth your time.
This has been a ton of fun, and these two guys are wicked smart... so, when's their book coming out???
My online book tour starts today.
First stop: A Penny For.... I field some creampuff questions from Todd.
Thanks, Todd, for setting it up. More as it develops all week.
To find BlogRunner: Business.
This is a neat blog indeed. Full disclosure: I will now be stealing ideas from them with abandon.


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There is no doubt that the unique, project-based education that happens daily at Country Day costs more than tuition covers. The Annual Fund allows us to provide the extra resources necessary to take the Country Day experience beyond what is available in most classrooms today. That's where you come in.
Your gift to the Annual Fund will allow us to continue to provide small class sizes, excellent faculty, and experiential learning. Won't you join us today?
Click here to make your Annual Fund gift.


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The LG Optimus Vu shows off a 5-inch screen with a 4:3 Aspect Ratio
The age of tablet phones is upon us once again. It seems that smart phones over 5 inches have a tendency to pop up and then disappear. This phenomenon is quite similar to the whole 3D thing that went around like a bad cold recently, but remember folks it will be back! While the 'standard' ...Tags: MWC, Android 2.3, LG Optimus Vu, leak, 5 inch smart phone


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The Catboat Sarah was designated the official vessel of the Town of Barnstable by the town council last week on an 11-1 vote.
The Sarah is the hand-made reproduction of an 1896 Crosby catboat under construction at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum on South Street in Hyannis.There were some questions from the audience as to why this vessel at this time, as well as some comments simply opposed.
Self-described "Barnstable Who" Peter Doiron, whose family once built schooners out of Centerville, said he was all for the catboat project, but the official vessel of the town should be on a grander scale. To help make his point, Doiron burst into song during public comment (see minute 49:30 in the council video replay), offering a verse from a lyrical sea chantey: "My Uncle was no shirker / An able bodied worker / As he sailed the seven seas / Away, away, away to Cape Cod Bay."
"They didn't begin civilizations or participate in world trade," Doiron said of catboats. "They're not big enough for Barnstable."
Doiron's comments also included concerns that the designation would ease the way for the catboat to float into a slip at the town-owned marina near the museum.
That was a concern shared by others, including Hyannis Councilor Gary Brown, but unwarranted, according to Sarah supporters.
Brown thought the resolve was handled poorly from a political standpoint, apparently because he was not asked to be a sponsor. Hyannis Councilor Jim Munafo wondered aloud about the appropriateness of this, a new vessel, gaining the designation and whether there's a better vessel out there. Munafo also felt that if the Sarah was to become Barnstable's official vessel, it should become an asset of the town.
The item's sponsor, Ann Canedy, said the honorary designation was about supporting an organization Council Vice President Janet Joakim felt that the council was too much in its head. "I think we think too much about these things," Joakim said. "It seems that whenever we have something that should be so easy, it becomes so complicated."
The honorary designation gains Sarah no favors when it comes to being awarded a slip. It will wait, in order, along with others if and when it wins a place on the list, which is selected by lottery.
The Maritime Museum is among the attractions at the end of the Walkway-to-the-Sea, and it actually has something to do with the sea.
Not that the state Legislature is a shining example of how to do things, but there are pages upon pages of "official" things of the commonwealth, from muffins (corn), to soil (Paxton Soil Series) to folk dance (square dancing). There's even a state schooner, the New Bedford-based Ernestina, which by the way is owned by a private, not-for-profit.
We don't begrudge anyone his/her concerns or opinions. We'd be out of business pretty quickly if we did. But we have to agree with Joakim's assessment on the unnecessary escalation of difficulty in what should be easy; but then again, easy is in the eye of the beholder.
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CONTACT US | The Barnstable Patriot | 4 Ocean Street | P.O. Box 1208 | Hyannis, MA 02601 | 508-771-1427 | Copyright © 2015 Local Media Group, All Rights Reserved.


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County football teams lose in first round of playoffs
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
By Chris Sokoloski
The 2012 high school football season came to a disappointing end last week as all four Georgetown County teams lost in the first round of the playoffs.
A Jaleel Filmore kick return for a touchdown was the only points the Yellow Jackets could muster in an 18-7 loss to Mullins.
Filmore's 85 yards on the return was more than the Andrews offense compiled in the game. The Yellow Jackets had 22 yards rushing and 35 yards passing.
Filmore led the Andrews defense with eight tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Quandre Green had 13 tackles, Monte McCrea had 11 tackles, Colton Fulton had 10, and Johnel Grant and Antonio McCutchen had eight each, and Victor Mention had an interception.
Andrews finished the season 2-9 with wins over C.E. Murray (42-14) and Kingstree (27-12), and losses to St. James (34-21), Georgetown (44-0), Carvers Bay (21-3), Stall (26-23), Lee Central (26-21), Lake City 35-12), Timberland (40-0), Lake Marion (26-6) and Mullins (18-7).
Carvers Bay
The Bears, the No. 1 seed in Class A in the Lower State, were upset by region rival Hemingway 20-14.
The Tigers got on the board first with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Carvers Bay took the 8-7 lead on a 1-yard run by Da'Shaun Aiken and extended it to 14-7 on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Shaquan Durrand.
Hemingway then tied the game with a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter and won it with a 39-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute left in the game.
Carvers Bay's offense struggled all night, managing only 118 yards passing and 20 yards rushing.
The Bears finished the season 9-2, with wins over St. John's (49-6), Andrews (21-3), Georgetown (20-14), St. James (21-13), C.E. Murray (47-0), Scott's Branch (42-8), Hemingway (32-7), East Clarendon (46-8), and Timmonsville (26-20), and losses to Johnsonville (23-18) and Hemingway (20-14).
A 40-yard field goal by Josh Huneault was all the points the Bulldogs could manage in a 37-3 loss to Marlboro County.
Marlboro County's defense held Georgetown to just 53 yards rushing and 52 yards passing and nine first downs.
Julian Lunsford led the Bulldogs' offense with 49 yards rushing. Michael Billings added 14.
Caleb Hughes was 9-for-18 passing for 52 yards and threw four interceptions.
Marquez Drayton was the leading receiver with 25 yards. Chris Gamble had 17 and A.J. Walker added 11.
Dominick Wigfall and Jordan Ward led the Georgetown defense with 12 tackles each. Anthony Blair had 11, Gerald German had nine, Denzell Archie had seven, and Zaquan Collins forced a fumble that was recovered by Billings. Wigfall also blocked an extra point and teamed up with Leon Ford on a sack.
Georgetown finished the season 6-5 with wins over Andrews (44-0), James Island (14-8), Loris (39-16), St. James (35-20), North Myrtle Beach (34-7) and Wilson (49-42), and losses to Conway (42-27), Carvers Bay (20-14), Socastee (44-14), Myrtle Beach (18-0) and Marlboro County (37-3).
The Warriors got to within eight points of Battery Creek in the third quarter but couldn't complete the comeback in a 21-13 loss to Battery Creek.
The Dolphins took the lead halfway through the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run. Waccamaw then tied the score when Scott Hiler hit Rob Ferraro from 10 yards out in the second quarter.
After Battery Creek extended the lead to 21-7 with two touchdowns before halftime, J.J. Sherman wrapped up the scoring with a 36-yard touchdown for Waccamaw in the third.
Kelton Grant led Waccamaw in rushing with 69 yards. Ferraro had 57, Sherman had 41, and Justin Holmes had 36.
Waccamaw finished the season 3-8, with wins over Green Sea-Floyds (7-0), Creek Bridge (22-0) and Hannah-Pamplico (33-27), and losses to North Myrtle Beach (50-14), Timmonsville (50-0), Mullins (40-8), Loris (49-0), Aynor (38-21), Marion (30-0), Dillon (43-7) and Battery Creek (21-13).
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Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more
AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.
Using the World Health Organization (WHO) natural interferon beta standard, Second International Standard for Interferon, Human Fibroblast (Gb-23-902-531), AVONEX® has a specific activity of approximately 200 million international units (IU) of antiviral activity per mg of Interferon beta-1a determined specifically by an in vitro cytopathic effect bioassay using lung carcinoma cells (A549) and Encephalomyocarditis virus (ECM). AVONEX® 30 mcg contains approximately 6 million IU of antiviral activity using this method. The activity against other standards is not known. Comparison of the activity of AVONEX® with other Interferon betas is not appropriate, because of differences in the reference standards and assays used to measure activity.
A vial of AVONEX® is formulated as a sterile, white to off-white lyophilized powder for intramuscular injection after reconstitution with supplied diluent (Sterile Water for Injection, USP). Each vial of reconstituted AVONEX® contains 30 mcg of Interferon beta-1a; 15 mg Albumin (Human), USP; 5.8 mg Sodium Chloride, USP; 5.7 mg Dibasic Sodium Phosphate, USP; and 1.2 mg Monobasic Sodium Phosphate, USP, in 1.0 mL at a pH of approximately 7.3.
A prefilled syringe of AVONEX® is formulated as a sterile liquid for intramuscular injection. Each 0.5 mL (30 mcg dose) of AVONEX® in a prefilled glass syringe contains 30 mcg of Interferon beta-1a, 0.79 mg Sodium Acetate Trihydrate, USP; 0.25 mg Glacial Acetic Acid, USP; 15.8 mg Arginine Hydrochloride, USP; and 0.025 mg Polysorbate 20 in Water for Injection, USP at a pH of approximately 4.8.
Interferons are a family of naturally occurring proteins and glycoproteins that are produced by eukaryotic cells in response to viral infection and other biological inducers. Interferon beta, one member of this family, is produced by various cell types including fibroblasts and macrophages. Natural interferon beta and Interferon beta-1a are glycosylated, with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety. Glycosylation of other proteins is known to affect their stability, activity, aggregation, biodistribution, and half-life in blood. However, the effects of glycosylation of interferon beta on these properties have not been fully defined.
Interferons are cytokines that mediate antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities in response to viral infection and other biological inducers. Three major interferons have been distinguished: alpha, beta, and gamma. Interferons alpha and beta form the Type I class of interferons, and interferon gamma is a Type II interferon. These interferons have overlapping but clearly distinct biological activities.
Interferon beta exerts its biological effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of human cells. This binding initiates a complex cascade of intracellular events that leads to the expression of numerous interferon-induced gene products and markers. These include 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, (beta)2-microglobulin, and neopterin. These products have been measured in the serum and cellular fractions of blood collected from patients treated with AVONEX®.
The specific interferon-induced proteins and mechanisms by which AVONEX® exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis have not been fully defined. Clinical studies conducted in multiple sclerosis patients showed that interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in cerebrospinal fluid were increased in patients treated with AVONEX® compared to placebo. Serum IL-10 levels were increased 48 hours after intramuscular (IM) injection of AVONEX® and remained elevated for 1 week. However, no relationship has been established between absolute levels of IL-10 and clinical outcome in multiple sclerosis.
Pharmacokinetics of AVONEX® in multiple sclerosis patients have not been evaluated. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of AVONEX® in healthy subjects following doses of 30 mcg through 75 mcg have been investigated. Serum levels of AVONEX® as measured by antiviral activity are slightly above detectable limits following a 30 mcg IM dose, and increase with higher doses.
After an IM dose, serum levels of AVONEX® typically peak between 3 and 15 hours and then decline at a rate consistent with a 10 hour elimination half-life. Serum levels of AVONEX® may be sustained after IM administration due to prolonged absorption from the IM site. Systemic exposure, as determined by AUC and Cmax values, is greater following IM than subcutaneous (SC) administration.
Subcutaneous administration of AVONEX® should not be substituted for intramuscular administration. Subcutaneous and intramuscular administration have been observed to have non-equivalent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters following administration to healthy volunteers.
Biological response markers (e.g., neopterin and (beta)2-microglobulin) are induced by AVONEX® following parenteral doses of 15 mcg through 75 mcg in healthy subjects and treated patients. Biological response marker levels increase within 12 hours of dosing and remain elevated for at least 4 days. Peak biological response marker levels are typically observed 48 hours after dosing. The relationship of serum AVONEX® levels or levels of these induced biological response markers to the mechanisms by which AVONEX® exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis is unknown.
The clinical effects of AVONEX® in multiple sclerosis were studied in two randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with multiple sclerosis.1,2 Safety and efficacy of treatment with AVONEX® beyond 3 years is not known.
In Study 1, 301 patients received either 30 mcg of AVONEX® (n=158) or placebo (n=143) by IM injection once weekly. Patients were entered into the trial over a 2 ½ year period, received injections for up to 2 years, and continued to be followed until study completion. Two hundred eighty-two patients completed 1 year on study, and 172 patients completed 2 years on study. There were 144 patients treated with AVONEX® for more than 1 year, 115 patients for more than 18 months and 82 patients for 2 years.
All patients had a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis of at least 1 year duration and had at least 2 exacerbations in the 3 years prior to study entry (or 1 per year if the duration of disease was less than 3 years). At entry, study participants were without exacerbation during the prior 2 months and had Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS3) scores ranging from 1.0 to 3.5. Patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis were excluded from this study.
The primary outcome assessment was time to progression in disability, measured as an increase in the EDSS score of at least 1.0 point that was sustained for at least 6 months. An increase in EDSS score reflects accumulation of disability. This endpoint was used to ensure that progression reflected permanent increase in disability rather than a transient effect due to an exacerbation.
Secondary outcomes included exacerbation frequency and results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans including gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced lesion number and volume and T2-weighted (proton density) lesion volume. Additional secondary endpoints included 2 upper limb (tested in both arms) and 3 lower limb function tests.
Twenty-three of the 301 patients (8%) discontinued treatment prematurely. Of these, 1 patient treated with placebo (1%) and 6 patients treated with AVONEX® (4%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Thirteen of these 23 patients remained on study and were evaluated for clinical endpoints.
Time to onset of sustained progression in disability was significantly longer in patients treated with AVONEX® than in patients receiving placebo (p = 0.02). The Kaplan-Meier plots of these data are presented in Figure 1. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the percentage of patients progressing by the end of 2 years was 34.9% for placebo-treated patients and 21.9% for AVONEX®-treated patients, indicating a slowing of the disease process. This represents a 37% relative reduction in the risk of accumulating disability in the AVONEX®-treated group compared to the placebo-treated group.
The distribution of confirmed EDSS change from study entry (baseline) to the end of the study is shown in Figure 2. There was a statistically significant difference between treatment groups in confirmed change for patients with at least 2 scheduled visits (136 placebo-treated and 150 AVONEX®-treated patients; p = 0.006; see Table 1).
The rate and frequency of exacerbations were determined as secondary outcomes. For all patients included in the study, irrespective of time on study, the annual exacerbation rate was 0.67 per year in the AVONEX®-treated group and 0.82 per year in the placebo-treated group (p = 0.04).
AVONEX® treatment significantly decreased the frequency of exacerbations in the subset of patients who were enrolled in the study for at least 2 years (87 placebo-treated patients and 85 AVONEX®-treated patients; p = 0.03; see Table 1).
Gd-enhanced and T2-weighted (proton density) MRI scans of the brain were obtained in most patients at baseline and at the end of 1 and 2 years of treatment. Gd-enhancing lesions seen on brain MRI scans represent areas of breakdown of the blood brain barrier thought to be secondary to inflammation. Patients treated with AVONEX® demonstrated significantly lower Gd-enhanced lesion number after 1 and 2 years of treatment (p </= 0.05; see Table 1). The volume of Gd-enhanced lesions was also analyzed, and showed similar treatment effects (p </= 0.03). Percentage change in T2-weighted lesion volume from study entry to Year 1 was significantly lower in AVONEX®-treated than placebo-treated patients (p = 0.02). A significant difference in T2-weighted lesion volume change was not seen between study entry and Year 2.
The exact relationship between MRI findings and the clinical status of patients is unknown. The prognostic significance of MRI findings in these studies has not been evaluated.
Of the limb function tests, only 1 demonstrated a statistically significant difference between treatment groups (favoring AVONEX®). A summary of the effects of AVONEX® on the clinical and MRI endpoints of this study is presented in Table 1.
In Study 2, 383 patients who had recently experienced an isolated demyelinating event involving the optic nerve, spinal cord, or brainstem/cerebellum, and who had lesions typical of multiple sclerosis on brain MRI, received either 30 mcg AVONEX® (n = 193) or placebo (n = 190) by IM injection once weekly. All patients received intravenous steroid treatment for the initiating clinical exacerbation. Patients were enrolled into the study over a two-year period and followed for up to three years or until they developed a second clinical exacerbation in an anatomically distinct region of the central nervous system. Sixteen percent of subjects on AVONEX® and 14% of subjects on placebo withdrew from the study for a reason other than the development of a second exacerbation2.
The primary outcome measure was time to development of a second exacerbation in an anatomically distinct region of the central nervous system. Secondary outcomes were brain MRI measures, including the cumulative increase in the number of new or enlarging T2 lesions, T2 lesion volume compared to baseline at 18 months, and the number of Gd- enhancing lesions at 6 months.
Time to development of a second exacerbation was significantly delayed in patients treated with AVONEX® compared to placebo (p = 0.002). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of patients developing an exacerbation within 24 months were 38.6% in the placebo group and 21.1% in the AVONEX® group (Figure 3). The relative rate of developing a second exacerbation in the AVONEX® group was 0.56 of the rate in the placebo group (95% confidence interval 0.38 to 0.81). The brain MRI findings are described in Table 2.
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