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New Students
General Seminary Launches Episcopal Wellness Program
11 August 2011
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Media Contact:
Bruce Parker
Senior Vice President for External Relations
The General Theological Seminary
440 West 21st Street
General Seminary Trustees Appoint Two New Faculty Members
May 20, 2011
New York City – Trustees of The General Theological Seminary (GTS) meeting on May 17, 2011 unanimously approved the appointment of two new members to the Seminary faculty. The Rev. Dr. Amy Bentley Lamborn will become Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and the Rev. Dr. Clair McPherson will become Visiting Associate Professor of Ascetical Theology. The two scholars were selected by Seminary search committees and presented for Board approval by General's Interim Dean, the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee. "We are delighted to be able to add to the Seminary's faculty two new professors, both of whom are excellent teachers and possess the highest levels of scholarly ability," said Bishop Lee. Both professors will begin teaching at GTS in the fall of 2011.
The Rev. Dr. Amy Bentley Lamborn, the Seminary's new Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, currently serves as Theologian-in-Residence at Christ Church, Bronxville. Dr. Lamborn received both her M.Phil. (2007) and her Ph.D. in Psychiatry and Religion (2009) from Union Theological Seminary. Both degrees were earned with distinction. She earned the M.Div. degree from the University of the South (1996). Ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in 1998, she is currently an analyst-in-training with the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association. She has previously served as adjunct professor at Auburn Theological Seminary and Marymount Manhattan College and a lecturer at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Lamborn is well published. Her most recent paper is "The Fourth/Reduction: Carl Jung, Richard Kearney, and the Via Tertia of Otherness" for the Fall 2011 Psychology and the Other Conference in Boston. She is the recipient of many awards including the Robert Wood Lynn Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching. She is currently at work on a book entitled Figuring the Self, Figuring the Sacred: Imagining Unity and Multiplicity in Depth Psychology and Theology.
The Rev. Dr. Clair W. McPherson, the Seminary's new Visiting Associate Professor of Ascetical Theology, has taught at a variety of colleges and seminaries, including Union Seminary and General Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity (1982), Seabury-Western in Chicago, the University of Missouri, and Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned his Doctorate in medieval literature (1980), with a specialty in Old English and Latin. He is currently Adjunct Professor at New York University's Gallatin School and at Fordham College Lincoln Center. Among the papers Dr. McPherson has presented have been "Spirituality and The Arts," at the Spirituality Summit, Charlottesville, North Carolina, 2003-2004; and "Satan in Gregory the Great," at the Medieval Academy, Harvard, 2006; "The Genoels Diptych: an Early Medieval Paradigm" at the Medieval Congress in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 2010, and "Medieval Time" at the Medieval Forum, Plymouth, New Hampshire, 2010. He has published three books on Spirituality, translations, original poems, book reviews, and has served as Contributing Editor of Spirituality and Health. His current project is The Angels: a Study in Medieval Tradition.
In other trustee actions, retiring professor of Ascetical Theology, Dr. Elisabeth Koenig and professor of New Testament, the Rev. Dr. John Koenig were elected Professors Emeriti/ae of the Seminary, having served with distinction for 25 and 33 years respectively. Both departing professors were honored at a lovely reception in Seabury Auditorium on May 4. Trustees also received with gratitude a beautiful portrait in oil of Professor J. Robert Wright, the gift to the Seminary of Paul and Mitzi Noble. Bishop Lee also noted with pleasure that the Seminary's Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology, the Most Rev. Peter Carnley AC will be returning to GTS to teach once again this fall.
The Seminary's selection process continues for a New Testament professor with a scholarly concentration in the Pauline and Johannine texts. Bishop Lee successfully petitioned the trustees to empower their Executive Committee (which meets more frequently than the full Board) with the right to approve the search committee's New Testament candidate so that all three professors would be able to begin teaching at the Seminary in the fall of 2011.
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Media Contact:
Bruce Parker
Executive Director of Communications
The General Theological Seminary
440 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 243-5150 x285
GTS Hosts Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt
General Seminary Hosts Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt
New York City--The General Theological Seminary (GTS) in the heart of Chelsea invites one and all to its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m. on the Seminary's beautiful park-like grounds on West 20th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. This is the sixth year GTS has hosted the happy event which typically draws hundreds of children and their parents from throughout the Chelsea neighborhood.
Participants are invited to gather at the gate in front of the Seminary's chapel across from 422 West 20th Street shortly before 3 p.m. The pealing of the Chapel's bells precisely at 3 o'clock will signal the beginning of the hunt at which time the gates will open and visitors will be invited in to search the Seminary grounds for brightly colored eggs containing candy and toy surprises—1400 of which will have been hidden throughout the Seminary's lovely gardens. Younger children and those in strollers will be invited to enter somewhat before 3 p.m. so that they may be escorted to an enclosed playground area where eggs will have also been hidden.
With the Seminary's deep appreciation, Chris Ballard, a former GTS staffer and now a fulltime student, has retired after five years of dedicated service as coordinator of the popular event. This year he turns this responsibility over to Gale Jones, the spouse of a current student. To assist her in welcoming guests and coordinating the event, Ms. Jones will be recruiting a small group of volunteers from the GTS community. "Easter is the most joyous holiday of the Christian year," said Bishop Peter James Lee, Dean of the Seminary. "We are delighted to be able to share our beautiful grounds with our neighbors and to have their children join with those from our own community in this fun-filled event."
The General Theological Seminary, located in the heart of New York City, educates and forms leaders for the church in a changing world. Founded in 1817 as the first theological seminary of the Episcopal Church, General offers certificate and degree programs including the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Theology. The Seminary is also home to the Desmond Tutu Center, a full-service conference center with sixty modern guest rooms.
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Media Contact:
Bruce Parker
Associate Vice President for External Relations
The General Theological Seminary
175 Ninth Ave
New York, NY 10011
voice: 212-243-5150 ext 285
fax: 212-243-5150
web: www. gts.edu
GTS Trustees Strengthen Management Team
General Theological Seminary Trustees Strengthen Management Team
Professionals from Law, Finance and Business Join GTS Leadership
December 20, 2010
New York City – Meeting on December 20, Trustees of The General Theological Seminary (GTS) elected three new board members, Sanders Davies, Kenneth M. Kramer, Esq., and James K. Murray, Jr. In accordance with recommendations from the Trustees' Executive Committee which met earlier in the month, trustees also approved important leadership roles for the new trustees. Sanders Davies will serve as Chair of the Trustee's Audit Committee. Kenneth M. Kramer will serve pro bono as the Board's Chancellor (chief legal counsel), and James "Jack" Murray will serve as the Board's Treasurer succeeding retiring Treasurer Stephen Burrill. In additional actions, Trustees approved the appointment of trustee Sandra Johnson as Interim Chief Financial Officer, at the same time accepting her resignation from the Board so that she might assume this staff position.
"I believe that these elections and appointments of eminently qualified and deeply committed leaders of our Church to these vital positions on our Board of Trustees is a crucial step forward on our long yet promising journey toward achieving the goals envisioned in our Plan to Choose Life," said Board Chair the Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, Bishop of New York, referring to the school's comprehensive plan to reduce debt, build its endowment, and balance the budget.
Sanders Davies, chair of the audit committee, is a certified public accountant and senior partner of O'Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP, an accounting firm of over 250 professionals with offices throughout the New York tri-state area. Mr. Davies serves in a firm-wide managerial role while serving his clients in the areas of audit, tax and consulting related engagements. His client experience includes an extensive list of both commercial and not-for-profit engagements. A graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. Davies is a member of numerous professional societies and has served as a board member of several commercial and charitable organizations including the Salvation Army Advisory Board where he was Co-Chair of its Finance Committee. He is an avid sailor and with his wife, Ann, resides in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Sandra Johnson, Interim Chief Financial Officer, is a retired senior banker and senior credit officer. Ms. Johnson started her banking career with Citibank in 1975 and has handled large corporate accounts, syndications and workouts, served on credit committees and financed mergers/acquisitions and LBO's. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she has served as Junior and Senior Warden of Christ Church Riverdale and Treasurer of the Diocese of New York from 1989 to 2002. In the latter capacity she was a founding Board member and Treasurer of Episcopal Charities, a Trustee of The Diocesan Investment Trust and a Trustee of the Diocese of New York. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Diocesan Investment Trust of the Diocese of Newark, is an EFM mentor at Christ Church in Short Hills and has facilitated Careers in Transition at the parish for 13 years. Ms. Johnson and her husband, Bill, reside in Short Hills, NJ.
Kenneth M. Kramer, Seminary Chancellor, is a retired senior partner in the international law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP. His private practice focused on commercial litigation with specialization in financial service industry disputes, securities class actions, antitrust actions, and corporate governance and contract cases. Mr. Kramer headed his firm's litigation group and served as a member of the firm's Practice Management Committee. On his retirement from Shearman & Sterling he joined JAMS, a leading alternative dispute resolution organization, where he serves as an arbitrator and mediator. Mr. Kramer is a 1965 graduate of Colgate University and a 1972 cum laude graduate of Albany Law School. He is active in community affairs and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Episcopal Social Services and Music for Life International. Mr. Kramer and his wife, Susan, reside in Brooklyn Heights.
James ("Jack") K. Murray, Jr., Treasurer, currently serves as Chairman of Murray Corporation, a private merchant company. In 1970 Mr. Murray was one of the founders of a company that is today HealthPlan Services. In 1978, the company was acquired by The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and in 1989 Mr. Murray assumed the position of President of Dun & Bradstreet Credit Services. In addition, he held the position of Corporate Senior Vice President of D&B. In 1993 Mr. Murray retired from Dun & Bradstreet and, with other financial partners, acquired HealthPlan Services from Dun & Bradstreet in 1994. In May 1995, HealthPlan Services became a public company and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Murray serves as a trustee of numerous institutions in Tampa, Florida including Sykes Enterprises, Inc. (SYKE, a public company listed on NASDAQ). In addition, he has served as senior warden for St. John's Episcopal Church, as a trustee of numerous schools in Tampa and currently serves as a trustee of the University of Tampa. He and his wife, Sandy, live in Tampa, Florida.
"While the Seminary's mission is to prepare leaders for the church and the world, we have been reminded by our financial circumstances that we must become much better at attending to our own internal business practices," said GTS President Lang Lowrey following the meeting. "Jack, Sandy, Sandra and Ken are at the top of their professions and will bring to the Seminary a wealth of experience not only to assist in our financial turnaround but to rebuild our business practices and systems as well. I continue to be grateful for the willingness of so many who love General to respond actively by getting involved to make the Plan to Choose Life a reality."
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Media Contact:
Bruce Parker
Associate Vice President for External Relations and Alumni/ae Affairs
The General Theological Seminary
175 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
(212) 243-5150 x285,
The Rev. Canon Denis O'Pray Closing Prayer
The General Theological Seminary
October 16, 2010
The Rev. Canon Denis O'Pray
On the occasion of the first plenary session to be convened following the Board's heroic approval of the Plan to Choose Life.
Whew…what a hard climb, Lord Jesus! Reminds me of ascending Mount Arbel in the Galilee: exhausting, but the view is incomparable. Below, the wadi though which you so often made your way from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Out there, the Sea of Galilee, across, the Golan heights, below, Tiberius, and low on the horizon, Capernaum. To see in one glance Lord so much of your life's journey. Thrilling. Worth the climb.
So was this ascent of ours. And now, with our future claimed, from this high place that we have reached, thanks to our skilled guide, we can see and appreciate so deeply where our old school has been, and, more exciting, where the new one will rise.
I see students, another century's worth, coming toward the close, there to be formed and educated to be leaders for the church in a changing world. I can see generations of children sweetly touched by Godly Play trainers who have certificated here. I see our struggling church being renewed, almost against its will, it would seem, by those who have grasped here a theology and liturgy fit for a new age, taught by a great faculty. I see field placement students trudging from 23rd and 8th [the subway stop] on their way back to school from their assigned parishes. I think they are shaking their heads in disbelief at what they have found out there. I can see in the distance the dean and president who will one day stand on the strong shoulders of Lang and Peter, ready to work, but unaware of all that had to be done to prepare General for their season of leadership.
What a climb! What a view! What a future you show us , Lord.
Oh, look down there where Fulton's Fish Market used to be: I see Trustees whose names will never be known by future generations, whose contribution to this vision will go unnamed. Their work done, they slip off the scene, tired but happy.
Lord Jesus! Look! Do you see me among them? I'm smiling, satisfied, fulfilled. My work is done.
Thank you. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, and Amen.


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Friday, April 7, 2006
© Copyright 2015 Gwinnett Daily Post
Rick Burlingame is in his second season as athletic director at Hebron Christian School. The 1966 graduate of Albion High School (Mich.) will be in charge of overseeing the school's newly-formed eighth-grade football team. It will be the third football program Burlingame has started from scratch.In this latest installment of "Getting to Know...," Burlingame talks with staff writer Corey Clark on a variety of subjects, ranging from his wife Lila to his favorite TV show to his plans for the future. CC: How long have you been married? RB: It will be 37 years this June. CC: Where did you go on your first date? RB: Well, they call it The Dipper. It was a little snack shop on campus (at Pillsbury Baptist College in Minnesota). CC: So 37 years, huh? What's the secret? RB: (laughs) Find a good wife, that's the secret. There has to be consistency, trust. And she's always been very supportive of me and I think that's what has made it so easy ... having a Godly wife like that is truly a treasure. I probably wouldn't have made it without her. She's always so supportive and so uplifting. When difficulties arise, especially in coaching you're always dealing with some difficulties, she was always there for me and encouraging me. CC: Do you miss coaching? RB: I miss coaching football quite a bit. I'm excited about getting back into it, and I'm especially excited about starting a program from the ground up (Burlingame also started the programs at North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1971 and Colonial Hills Christian School in 1973). I think one of my strengths is starting things and organizing things and getting things going. CC: Is being an AD harder or easier than coaching? RB: Coaching is probably easier than being an AD, just because you're solely dealing with the sports themselves. As an AD, there are so many things going on, you have your hands in so many different areas. And there's a lot of troubleshooting, a lot of long hours. And there are more long hours with an AD since he's going to all the different athletic events. But I really enjoy both of them. I enjoy working with the kids. CC: You were in the 10th grade when it happened - how did you find out that Kennedy had been shot? RB: I was at school and I think it came over the intercom system. That's what I think happened. I just remember everybody couldn't believe it. Things kind of came to a halt for a while ... (laughing) that's a long time ago though. CC: What's your favorite hobby? RB: My favorite hobby is sports. I love swimming and tennis. Unfortunately I've had back surgery so I haven't done as many things as I'm used to doing. CC: What's your biggest fear? RB: I don't really have one. CC: Like not even a fear of snakes or a fear of heights or anything like that? RB: No, not really. I know if I die I'm going to heaven. So whatever happens, happens. CC: What's your favorite TV show? RB: Oh, 24. CC: I understand it's pretty good this year? RB: Oh yeah. Of course, Jack is kind of going on a killing spree. It seems like he's eliminating everyone, but '24' has to be my favorite. CC: Hebron is in just its second year of GHSA competition, but you guys have a chance to be a real power in the future, don't you? RB: I think we will have a very successful program in the next five to 10 years, just because of the area we're in, and the amount of people we have coming into the area - especially ones that are wanting a Christian education ... it's an exciting time to be here, and almost being here on the ground floor. You can see things moving in the right direction, and the Christian leadership we have from the principal and the president is really great, from the school board, too. I think it's just an exciting time for everyone at Hebron. CC: How much longer do you see yourself doing this? RB: I guess as long as the Lord wants me here and I'm physically able to do it. I'm definitely looking for some retirement down the road, but it's not in my plans right now. I'm just really enjoying what I'm doing. And as long as you're enjoying what you're doing and you're physically able to do it, then why stop?
More like this story
- Football era starts at Hebron ( August 10, 2006 )
- Hebron coach resigns ( December 30, 2008 )
- Hebron forced to take it on road ( August 21, 2009 )
- Temple 32, Hebron 9 ( August 30, 2008 )
- Getting to Know ... Cass Cassell ( November 4, 2005 )

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We offer discount to nonprofits, government agencies, and federal contractors
AILA created this PSA, in English and Spanish, to inform DACA grantees who received 3-year work permits erroneously issued or mailed after 2/16/15
AILA Doc No. 09073167 | Dated July 30, 2009
On 7/30/09, the Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Kennedy (D-MA) and Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Protect Citizens from Unlawful Detention Act (S. 1549).
Senators Gillibrand (D-NY) and Menendez (D-NJ) also introduced the Strong Safe Treatment, Avoiding Needless Deaths, and Abuse Reduction in the Detention System (STANDARDS) Act (S. 1550).
Cite as AILA Doc. No. 09073167.
American Immigration Lawyers Association
1331 G Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Copyright © 1993-2015
American Immigration Lawyers Association.


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Maybe they were moved by Blades of Glory's Humps. Or maybe they see the crossover potential of Ice Cube, Ice-T or Vanilla Ice. Whatever the case, one of the world's top figure-skating pairs wants to cold kick it by bringing beats and rhymes to the rink.
After getting a positive response to a routine that included some Justin Timberlake, U.S. ice dance champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto announced that they'd like to take it one step further and use hip-hop in their routines. "We're trying to push hip-hop and it's never been accepted in the current international community," said Belbin. "Hopefully someday we'll be able to spice up the competitions." "Hip-Hop is a huge part of (American) culture," added Agosto. "We'd love to tap into it."
Tap away, guys. And bring home some Olympic bling while you're at it.


text: The Jago wiki last edited by filemon204 on 11/20/13 03:09PM View full history ProfileAge: 21 Height: 5' 6" Weight: 190 lbs. Weapon: SwordFamily Mother: Unknown Father: (Adoptive) Master Zen' keth Sister: B. Orchid (Upon discovery in Killer Instinct II.) Killer InstinctMaster Zen' keth of the Tiger Shrine was approaching his departure from America when he was struck by seeing a baby in a dumpster. He decided it was best to take the child back with him to Tibet. He named this child Jago. Jago showed amazing potential in learning the way of the Tiger Shrine and during his time growing up it was revealed by Master Zen' keth himself of Jago's discovery as a child and how he ended up with the Tibetan Monks. This ultimately didn't concern Jago because he knew who his real family was. They all believed he had potential to achieve great things with his powers. Jago wanted to test all that he had learned and decided to enter into the Killer Instinct 7 tournament being run by Ultratech. During his time in the tournament he ran into B.Orchid and that what Ultratech was doing with the tournament was a much bigger picture. He eventually came upon and fought Fulgore in a brutal battle resulting in the Cybernetic Soldier's defeat. This granted him the right to face Eyedol in battle but ultimately lost the chance when B. Orchid in her haste to stop Ultratech killed Eyedol. Fulgore thus returned and challenged Jago once again but Jago was successful in destroying Fulgore in combat. Killer Instinct 2With Eyedol defeated Jago and Ultratech are plunged 2000 years into the past. It is here that Fulgore 2 is activated from a transmission of the previous Fulgore and so thus has the same objective to find and Kill Jago. Jago also learns during his time in the past that the Tiger Shrine was a Shrine erected to worship Gargos The Demon and over the many years leading up to Jago's present it was turned into the image of a Tiger. He decides to abandon the Tiger Shrine upon discovery and its way. He also learns of B.Orchid being his sister by blood. Encouraged by these new developments he seeks to uncover his past with her but cannot locate her thus he is now alone in the search of his identity. Special Moves Key FP= Fierce Punch FK= Fierce Kick MP= Medium Punch MK= Medium Kick QP= Quick Punch QK= Quick Kick Jago's play style is similar to characters like Ryu of the Street Fighter Franchise. He has a fireball for zoning, a Shoryuken move for Anti-air and countering. He also has a flying kick. This makes him very versatile in any situation during a match. Endokuken (Fireball) - Down Forward Any punch button ( a yellow colored variation can be executed by holding QP then doing the command and releasing QP) Tiger Fury (Jago's Shoryuken) - Forward Down Forward Any punch button Sliding Tiger Fury - Forward Charge( 2 second hold on the Forward movement on the joystick) Down Forward Any punch button Laser Sword - Forward Down Back FP Wind Kick - Forward Down Back Any kick button Fast Wind Kick - While Holding either FK or MK Forward Down Back release FK or MK.


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The Slow Art of Italian Cuisine: A New Master's Program
03 Apr 14
Slow Food's University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG), based in Pollenzo, Italy, has launched a new cookery-based Master in The Slow Art of Italian Cuisine. The one-year course will focus on cooking techniques, as well as develop students' knowledge of food products and how they are produced.
The course offers an original and innovative teaching model that focuses on cuisine that is linked to passion, sharing and pleasure. It will include a strong practical element with study trips to food producers, training experience in osterias and restaurants, and practical lessons from experienced and Michelin-starred chefs.
The Slow Art of Italian Cuisine will run in English from January 2015 and in Italian (Master in Cucina Popolare Italiana di Qualità) from September 2014.Find out more at www.unisg.it
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30/07/2015 | Gob-smacking facts about the one-third of food produced for human consumption that never makes it to our...
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DALLAS — Mark Cuban won a years-long fight with the federal government Wednesday when jurors said that the billionaire basketball owner did not commit insider-trading when he sold his shares in an Internet company in 2004.
The jury in federal district court in Dallas found that the Securities and Exchange Commission failed to prove several key elements of its case, including that Cuban traded on nonpublic information.
The nine-member jury deliberated for about four hours. The trial spanned three weeks.
The SEC accused Cuban of using inside information to sell $7.9 million of stock in Mamma.com Inc. in 2004 after he learned confidentially of a stock offering that would send the share price down. The agency wanted Cuban to repay $750,000 in losses that he avoided, plus pay a penalty. It was a civil lawsuit, so the Dallas Mavericks owner and regular on the ABC reality show "Shark Tank" didn't face criminal charges.
Cuban testified that he never agreed to keep information about the stock deal private and told the company that he would sell his shares.
The SEC sued Cuban more than four years after he sold his stake in Mamma.com, a search engine company that was based in Canada. The company's CEO testified by video that Cuban agreed not to disclose information the CEO told him in 2004 about a pending stock offering that would lessen the value of Cuban's 6 percent stake in the company.
The CEO said that Cuban, the company's largest shareholder, acknowledged that he couldn't sell his shares on the news. He sold them a few hours later, however, before the company announced the stock offering to the public.
The jury foreman was an older woman from the Dallas suburb of Rockwall who works for an insurance company and previously worked for a Texas state judge.
The woman said during juror questioning that she had served on a jury that acquitted a defendant charged with fraud. She gave no other details of the case.
When the SEC sued Cuban in 2008, he went after the regulators. He accused SEC staff of bias — targeting him because of his political views and wealth. He and his lawyers argued that insider-trading laws didn't prohibit him from selling his shares.
U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater agreed and dismissed the lawsuit in 2009, but his ruling was overturned by an appeals court, which sent the case back to Fitzwater for the trial that ended Wednesday.
Sports Illustrated listed Cuban among the 50 most powerful people in sports. He's known for building the Mavericks into a winner and drawing at least $1.5 million in league fines, mostly for berating referees.
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Forum: Dr. H. Zis Weisberg
Choosing a home birth can be dangerous
Few events are as exciting and terrifying as delivery of a baby. It's as true in 2007 as it was in 1907. The difference is that over the last 100 years, maternal mortality has declined almost 99 percent; infant mortality has declined 90 percent.
In the early 1900s, for every 1,000 births, almost nine women died of pregnancy-related complications. Today, the number is closer to eight out of 100,000 births. Many of the preventable deaths a century ago were due to a combination of home births, care provided by poorly trained medical practitioners, and the ineffective response to obstetrical emergencies. Nearly 30 percent of infants died before reaching their first birthday during the year 1900.
As a board-certified obstetrician, I was disturbed to read the "Ladies only" article in the Feb. 20 Caller-Times under the headline "Special delivery." It discussed the benefits of giving birth in the home, and provided a phone number and Web site for those interested in home birth.
In October 2006, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a statement opposing out-of-hospital births. Studies have shown twice the rate of neonatal death in home births versus hospital births. The Caller-Times' article reported several misleading facts. The serious nature of childbirth should be given more respect than comparing it to a "slumber party." Also alarming was the statement that "using a midwife is not that much different than using an obstetrician/gynecologist." First and foremost, the term midwife requires clarification.
A certified nurse midwife is a highly educated and skilled medical practitioner. A certified nurse midwife (CNM) must graduate from an accredited registered nursing program, typically have labor and delivery experience, and then successfully complete a masters-level midwifery program approved by the American College of Nurse Midwives. After high school graduation, this takes around eight years. Most CNMs work closely with an obstetrician.
An obstetrician/gynecologist must have a high school and college diploma, graduate from medical school, and successfully complete a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency. After high school, this usually takes 12 years. Obstetricians are trained to promote the natural onset of labor, intervening when necessary. We are trained to recognize and remedy life-threatening delivery complications. The goal during childbirth is a healthy mother and baby.
To my knowledge, the only home births occurring in the Corpus Christi area are supervised by certified professional midwives (CPM). Compared to a CNM, there are important differences. According to the Texas Midwifery Board (www.dshs.state.tx.us/midwife), the requirements for a licensed CPM include a high-school diploma or GED, current CPR certification, completion of a midwifery course (on-site or correspondence), passing the state exam, and a one year clinical apprenticeship that includes participating in at least 20 births, and serving as the primary midwife in at least 20 births. No college education, nursing school, or labor and delivery experience is required.
The Texas Midwifery Board allows home births even for breech deliveries and vaginal births after Caesarean. These high-risk deliveries are difficult, even in the hospital. In the home, they can be disastrous. A seemingly uncomplicated delivery can become extraordinarily complicated in seconds.
A good outcome depends on the judgment and skill of the medical team. I have seen the outcome of a home birth that resulted in a mom who almost died and a baby who did not survive. Choosing a home birth is like going from 2007 to 1907.
As parents, we make decisions to protect our children. We try to decrease the probability that harm should fall upon our little ones. Parents have choices today to deliver in the hospital or in the home. The perilous process of childbirth can be supervised by a highly educated and skilled practitioner, or a high-school graduate with limited medical training.
These choices have consequences that can increase or decrease the likelihood of a healthy mother and a healthy baby.
I urge parents to weigh these choices thoughtfully.
Dr. H. Zis Weisberg is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist. He has been practicing in Corpus Christi for eight years.
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"The 75%, that was the intangibles," Bell recalled. "It's intestinal fortitude. It measures how well you can bounce back from a bad day, or especially whether you can bounce back after many bad days."
Bell was one of the rare ones to have that fortitude. Drafted by the Braves, Bell had a 14–year career, playing for four major–league teams including the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers. But most recruits lack the guts, Bell said, a key component of that all–important 75% of Snyder's pie chart.
It's like that in hiring, too. Managers responsible for bringing in new personnel can't rely on a recruit's resume and past history. Instead, it comes down to an often–difficult–to–gauge combination of motivation, skill set and personality.
For many companies nowadays, hiring is seen more as a science than an art, relying heavily on personality tests and day–in–the–life tryouts. But any manager who's recruited regularly knows that, even with those tricks, hiring remains perhaps the business world's biggest gamble. Successful hiring relies on both science and intangible qualities.
To avoid pitfalls, hiring managers should rely on three factors, said Jeff Keener, president of Black Bear Consultants, which assists companies with human resources needs.
The most important factor is passion. It's not just that the candidate is excited about the job but she has shown demonstrable evidence of this passion. Perhaps the candidate revamped her previous role or restructured her department. How she describes those changes – passionately or workmanlike — is an indicator of whether the recruit will bring true excitement to her new role.
Qualifications come second, Keener said. Hiring managers ought to make a list of all the skill sets needed for the position and determine how many of them the candidate matches. This tally allows for a somewhat clinical way to compare two candidates and figure out which one ticks more boxes.
And finally comes whether the recruit's motivation matches the company's motivation. Maybe your company has cutbacks planned, and then you want someone who has experience cutting costs and increasing margins; a qualified candidate who hasn't had experience downsizing or had difficulty with it before probably isn't the right fit.
During the interview, managers need to determine those three factors with questions that focus on behavioural interviewing. "You want questions that will get to the personality of the person," Keener said from his office in Asheville, North Carolina. Ask the candidate about a time he was particularly stressed out. Or for sales jobs, inquire about a difficult customer and how the challenge was overcome. For managers, it's best to ask about a difficult employee.
Because of employment rules in certain parts of Europe, such as the UK and Germany, these questions often have the feel of a standardized test, listed off lock–step by a hiring manager. Regardless of where you are, listen for the nuance and proof points in the responses. Answers to those questions aren't necessarily wrong or right.
"It becomes an issue of culture," Keener said. "You have to ask, 'Will this person fit into the culture of this company?'"
Even with all of those steps, hiring is still something of a crap shoot, Keener said, so more companies have begun putting serious applicants through rigorous testing. Managers should expect tests on finance and math skills. Some companies may even put potential hires through lengthy psychological reviews meant to put them under emotional pressure.
Other companies have developed a series of steps to ensure they're finding the right people. St. Louis–based financial services firm Edward Jones instituted a new system two years ago that puts recruits through a 16–step weed–out process before they can become one of the company's 13,000 financial advisors.
John Rahal, principal overseeing financial advisor talent acquisition at Edward Jones, said the system is designed to be a "competency–based hiring process." It begins with weeding out people simply based on their resume, progresses to phone and face–to–face interactions, and ends with putting them through challenges. Candidates will be sent out to the territory they would be assigned to if hired and expected to make new contacts. The "virtual day in the life assessment" lasts four–and–a–half hours and includes people pretending to be clients.
"When you're talking about investing the general public's money, it's integral that we evaluate candidates well and protect our clients from hiring the wrong person," Rahal said.
A lot is on the line for Edward Jones; one of North America's fastest growing financial services firms, it plans to bring in 2,500 to 3,000 new hires each year.
"They say hiring is an art, not a science," Rahal said. "As much as we can, we're looking to boil it down to a science."
And in a way they have made it a science, with quantifiable successes or failures along the 16 steps. But there's still the human equation, namely how well the recruit does communicating with customers, which remains the most important step of any hiring process.
For Bell, he spent his baseball career thinking about that pie chart, using it to evaluate fellow players. He watched more talented ball players wash out because they couldn't take the pressure of pro ball. Others fought their way to the majors, despite far fewer abilities.
Bell, now the senior vice president and general manager at the minor league baseball Hudson Valley Renegades, uses that same pie chart to evaluate recruits — on the field and off.
"There is always someone more talented out there," Bell said. "The key is to find the person who has talent and has whatever it is that gives them the will to win."
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Readers' Advisory
Grab your passport and join tour guide Pam Spencer Holley as you travel together via booktalk from Afghanistan to Iraq, Kenya, England, and places in between.
Parents are faced with ever-expanding media options to share with their children, and many children's librarians are beginning to incorporate apps and eBooks for young children into their collections and programming to satisfy the growing need for reader's advisory in the app space ("Appvisory"). This webinar will explore why and how incorporating digital media into our collections and programming is now an essential part of children's librarianship, and tips and tricks for translating traditional storytelling techniques into the digital realm.
Learn how to become more comfortable providing readers' advisory (RA) services. Through practice sessions, learn how to use RA tools, craft annotations, read in genres, articulate appeal, and experiment with methods to offer RA services. Readers' Advisory 101 is tailored for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians, and those librarians who want to brush up on their skills. The topics covered are introductory in nature. Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries.
You want your users to have more confidence, be more independent, and be able to find the right book. By rearranging your children's collections you will be able to accomplish this and more. We can show you where to start, point out possible potholes and give you a map to the future. Join the library team from the Ethical Culture School which 2 years ago began to look at alternatives to Dewey and chose to implement the Metis Classification System to great success increaseing both circulation and patron satisfaction.


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MAPP Online Pro
|MAPP Online Pro
|Quick Start
|Loudspeaker Measurements
|Acoustical Information
MAPP Online Pro Features
Sound Field Display
The sound field display shows the coverage a loudspeaker or system will provide in a venue. A multicolored graphical display illustrates sound pressure level through the venue at a specified frequency and bandwidth. A variety of viewing options enable users to look at predictions from both "macro" and "micro" points of view, yielding a well-rounded perspective on the performance of the proposed configuration.
This makes it easy to analyze loudspeaker interactions in the low frequencies or spot coverage holes at higher frequencies. Overall trends and localized phenomena can both be identified.
Since MAPP Online Pro's calculations take only seconds, you can modify a configuration repeatedly until the configuration that gives the best coverage is determined.
Virtual SIM
MAPP Online Pro contains a virtual version of Meyer Sound's SIM audio analyzer. By placing virtual microphones in the sound field it is possible to see frequency and impulse responses, band spectra, and SPL level at any location in the venue. When a microphone is moved, the frequency response is automatically updated, simplifying the identification of localized interactions.
Architectural definition
In most cases, users want to predict how a proposed system configuration will perform in a specific venue. MAPP Online Pro provides features for defining the parameters of any venue, including separate activation and location of surfaces (walls, ceiling, or floor), choosing from a broad selection of surface types for each of those, and even adding in visual aids like balconies. MAPP Online Pro factors these parameters (except for visual aids) into its calculations, so that it accurately shows how primary surface reflections affect response.
MAPP: Predicted &
Curvilinear arrays
Center Of Gravity (COG) Display
MAPP Online Pro graphically shows you the center of gravity of an array. Specifying a grid with a center pickup bar, such as the MG-MICA with MGCP shown here, MAPP Online Pro will even show you which mounting hole to use.
Rigging Calculator
When designing an array, it is crucial to understand rigging details such as total array weight and center of gravity, load distribution, and so forth. MAPP Online Pro's rigging calculator supplies this information, even telling the user the array's physical dimensions (height and depth). Change the array definition and the rigging information is automatically updated.
Virtual EQ
With Virtual SIM, MAPP Online Pro the frequency response at any location can be viewed. Naturally, a user looking at a frequency response will want to figure out how the response could be flatted with equalization. MAPP Online Pro includes Virtual EQ taken from the Galileo loudspeaker management system, providing a visual aid to constructing an EQ curve for correcting response anomalies.
(Because loudspeaker responses are displayed in MAPP Online Pro at full output, the use of Virtual EQ in prediction calculations is limited.)


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American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2007 Four soldiers have died and three more were wounded in two roadside-bomb explosions in Iraq in recent days.
Three soldiers were killed and one wounded yesterday when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb while they were clearing a route southwest of Baghdad.
Another soldier was killed and two wounded Feb. 26 in an improvised–explosive-device attack on their humvee near Diwaniyah in south-central Iraq.
The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the identity of a soldier who was killed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Army Spc. Ethan J. Biggers, 22, of Beavercreek, Ohio, died Feb. 24 in Indianapolis of wounds suffered while on combat patrol in Baghdad on March 5, 2006. Biggers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)


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Obama is running out of places to go. There are just so many college campuses, and even his advisers must know that only a fraction of those kids are going to turn out to vote. He can't go into swing districts for mega-events, because he's likely to generate as much (if not more) opposition as support for his Democratic candidate. So it wasn't unreasonable for him to go to small, supposedly friendly audiences. He wants to be shown "relating" and "empathizing" with ordinary Americans. But that, too, has gone very, very wrong. It seems they are quite miffed with him.
The Washington Post reports on his trip to Iowa:
Standing in the back yard of a resident, Obama stood patiently as one woman described, at length, her fears that the U.S. health-care system will soon resemble that of Great Britain. Next, a man spent several minutes describing the way his small business works – and his unhappiness with the prospects of a tax hike.
When the man veered off into his thoughts on Chinese currency, Obama interrupted.
"Okay, we're going way afield now," Obama said, jumping in to address part of the man's earlier observations.
Too far afield, or he wasn't briefed on it? And as for the rest, it's about time Obama heard some unfiltered, unspun public reaction.
But Obama is still ambling down memory lane, recalling better days ("it was also a little bit of a nostalgia tour: Obama dropped by Baby Boomers Cafe, the restaurant that serves a chocolate chip cookie made popular by Obama and his campaign staff in 2008″). It is hard to see how any of this is helping Obama or Democratic candidates, and it is a measure of how far his political standing has fallen that it is hard to come up with a better alternative.


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The ActiveE lease program has officially kicked off and one of these has already been delivered to a site member – MITE46. This member has been driving a MiniE and is able to offer his comparison between the ActiveE and MiniE.
Full review and photo set can be found inside.
The second trailer has been released for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, which hits theaters December 2011. As this film's main automotive partner, BMW will participate heavily in the next installment of the Mission Impossible franchise.
One of the feature vehicles will be Tom Cruise's BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car, which will spawn the production BMW i8 in 2014. The F12/F13 BMW 6 series will also see some action in the film.
"We are thrilled to be involved again in another Hollywood Blockbuster," said Ian Robertson, BMW AG … CONTINUED
Individual mobility is increasingly defined in terms of sustainability. The BMW Group has taken on the challenges of a rapidly changing world and is now developing serial production solutions to meet the mobility needs of the future. As an integrated part of the BMW Group, BMW Motorrad is also addressing issues of individual single-track mobility and future customer needs. In this connection, BMW Motorrad is expanding its business activities to include a new facet: that of "Urban Mobility".
Building on almost 90 years of experienced in the … CONTINUED
Interesting op-ed piece and discussions on the end to the horsepower wars and the anticipated upcoming weight wars. As we transition from the age of horsepower to the age of light weight material, will a new number begin to dominate the discussion – Pounds per horsepower?
With BMW investing in lightweight carbon fiber production/construction techniques, BMW may be taking a critical leap forward in future performance. See the full discussions inside.
Munich/Los Angeles. Back in Hollywood. BMW is pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming Paramount Pictures release "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" as the film's main automotive partner.
High performance with fewer emissions is the name of the game: One of the BMW vehicles provided for Tom Cruise´s next film is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. It has been recognized as having the most sophisticated technology and the most striking design among the current concept electric supercars. In a few years the BMW i8, which … CONTINUED
The new trailer is out and the movie looks good! Whats so special is that the BMW i8 will have a starring role in the movie, but the film is full of BMW product placement. The BMW 6 series, 5 series, Concept CS, and various Rolls Royce's will also be in the movie. If you love BMW, you'll probably want to see the movie.
The Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept stars in a video promoting BMW innovations. Watch the VED Concept in its best driving footage yet, and boasting its 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds with a consumption of only 3.8l/100km.
BMW's current focus on reducing its overall fleet CO2 emissions is clear to anyone following the company's newest models and technologies. As with all of the world's auto manufacturers, the company is preparing to meet more stringent emissions standards in the next few years. How well is BMW doing with regard to this goal? Compared to Daimler AG, extremely well.
As cited by Autonews, the current estimate of BMW's green lead over rival Daimler is valued at approximately 2 billion euros. The estimate comes by way of … CONTINUED
See many Bimmerpost members' ActiveE questions answered in this replay of BMW Conversations: BMW ActiveE, that aired at the NY Auto Show on April 20th, where questions were answered by ActiveE experts submitted through Facebook.
Do you have any questions (i.e. what makes this electric car unique? Is it right for me? How does it charge? How fast can it go?) about the ActiveE you would like answered? Submit your questions by replying to this thread so that it can be answered live by the ActiveE experts on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BMWUSA) during the next BMW Conversations: BMW ActiveE tomorrow, Wednesday at 5:30 PM EST/2:30 PM PST.
Submit your questions directly in this thread, which BMW will be monitoring.
BMW has launched the BMW Evolve App, an iPhone app which is a virtual electric vehicle simulator which uses data from your current driving habits to help determine if a BMW ActiveE or an upcoming BMW all-electric vehicle will be right for you.
The program uses the iPhone's GPS to track your driving habits and distances and lets you charge virtually as you would with a real electric vehicle.
The data you collect will not only help determine if you're ready for a BMW EV, but can also … CONTINUED
BMW just announced the details for their ActiveE lease program. The BMW ActiveE will be available for lease in select markets beginning in Fall 2011 for $499 per month for 24 months with a down payment $2,250. It will be available for lease in the metropolitan markets of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York and Boston as well as the state of Connecticut.
The ActiveE has a maximum power output of 170 hp and a maximum torque of 184 lb-ft, the latter is available … CONTINUED
BMW Furthers Commitment to Mobility in Urban Environments with plans to renovate its NYC BMW and MINI dealerships for a sustainable future, the introduction of the BMW ActiveE full-electric vehicle and lease pricing for use in major US urban environments, including metropolitan NY area, and the introduction of the Z4 sDrive28i, the first vehicle to mark the return of powerful, efficient and clean 4-cylinder BMW engines back to the US.
We had a chance to get up close and personal to the Vision ConnectedDrive Concept roadster today. It was the star and focus of today's press conference and the BMW exhibit. Enjoy the additional photos.
In a big fundamental change for the upcoming BMW i8, the future BMW halo car will be powered by a gasoline engine instead of diesel. It was previously intended to be powered by a 161-horsepower 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo DIESEL engine mated with a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle (80HP) and full electric motor on the rear axle (51HP), to give a combined 292HP. The diesel motor will now be replaced by a traditional gasoline engine.
According to R&D chief Klaus Draeger (via Autocar), the i8 … CONTINUED
The BMW Vision ED (i8) has been spotted in Vancouver on the set of Mission Impossible 4 in which it will appear along with other supercars, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and top end Porsches such as the Carrera GT.
The original BMW 1-Series ActiveE said hello to the world in December of 2009, but now the car will go into production with a test fleet of over 1000 vehicles to be shared between the North American, European and Chinese markets. This marks the second electic vehicle in the BMW lineup (after the MINIe) and will make its official world debut at the upcoming Geneva Autoshow.
Just to recap, although this car is in the shell of a 1-Series, it features a totally unique drivetrain good for … CONTINUED


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Just one day after the Bears signed Michael Bush to most likely take his job, Marion Barber III decided to retire at the age of 28.
Barber who did a decent job last season backing up Matt Forte eventually lost the starting job after Forte went down with an injury. His inability to do much besides run between the tackles and eventually gettting hurt lead the way to Kahili Bell taking his place.
I will always remember Barber lining up offside against Kansas City, helping the Bears get to OT against the Broncos before then costing them the game but most of all I will remember the play below.
Seriously if you are unsure if you can pull off a backflip you shouldn't try it at all.
Barber, who is due to turn 29 in June, played six season with the Cowboys before playing last season with the Bears. He totaled 4,780 yards on 1,156 carries to go along with his 53 touchdowns. And while he didn't show it with the Bears he did have a decent set of hands out of the backfield catching 179 balls for 1,330 yards and six touchdowns.


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If the results of the most recent international achievement tests were graded on a curve, U.S. students probably would rank somewhere in the B range. They placed 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in mathematics among 70 countries whose 15-year-olds participated in the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing, the latest figures available.
How could U.S. students make it to the top tier and thus maximize their chances of competing in a global economy? It would require that radical reforms in curriculum, testing and funding be instituted at the national level, says the nonprofit National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), which has investigated the educational systems of high-ranking countries like Canada, China, Finland, Japan and Singapore to distill best practices.
The NCEE's report, "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: An American Agenda for Education Reform," and the book Surpassing Shanghai, from which the report is adapted, include recommendations for both students and schools. Students should be required to study content in depth and show they can think critically about it through standardized but essay-heavy tests before finishing their education. School systems should spend more money on training and paying high-quality teachers, and less on state-of-the-art facilities, new textbooks and central office administrations.
Marc Tucker, president of NCEE and author of Surpassing Shanghai, says U.S. educators typically have not been receptive to adopting best practices from foreign nations, but he believes their resistance is thawing."We've encountered a view of real suspicion, and often outright rejection, because Americans of many stripes, both left and right, viewed the experience of other countries as irrelevant for a long list of reasons," he says. "People would say, 'Those countries are all homogeneous; we're very heterogeneous. Those countries educate some people, and we educate everybody.' The evidence that other countries were outperforming us was rejected out of hand because American educators felt they were unfair comparisons."


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How do you think the government would be if there was only one political party?
This message board is only an archive. Click here to go to the current message board.
How do you think the government would be if there was only one political party?
I lived in Mexico for 4 years, and that was pretty much their situation for several decades. One party stayed in power. Their was plenty of corruption (there is also plenty here as well). They finally voted in a new party around the time I was leaving, I think it was 2000 or 2002. I'm not sure about the other aspects of the country, but what friends I have talked to since then, say the drug cartells grew in power, and created many problems for the country. It is hard to look at Mexico alone, since it was a place companies rushed to for NAFTA; then China, India, and other countries jumped out with tremedous growth; and many companies switched their manufacturing to them leaving Mexico less stable.
....no way!!!!...them politicos like playin' spin the intern and pin the tail on the democrat to much to have but one party!...
When I'm feelin' all warm fuzzy, and not just a little delusional, I, like Numero Uno Big Cheese In Charge G.W., I like to fantasize with the number none...but maybe mostly 'cause though laws yes how I looooves me some bananas, a fan of fruity republics on me breakfast cereals, not so very much.
What I would prefer to try is NO parties! And even better, no lobbyists, put in term limits at all levels, put in limits on how much they could spend and how far in advance candidates could run their campaigns, and repeal the Citizens United loophole (NO, corporations are NOT people--the individuals who make them up are and they can donate as THEY see fit) for a start.
We do only have one party. It's called the "Corporate Donation Party." We have two branches of that party that say different things but when it gets down to the nitty gritty, they both act the same.
I'm with Ms Mod, No Parties is what I would prefer.
The designers of our government ALL warned against Parties. They were quite up front about it, pointing out that the checks and balances were not designed with Parties in mind. If the people who DESIGNED our government think they would be a disaster, I kind of think we should trust them.
I would rather there be no political parties, but if that is impossible I'd rather they be a metric ton of them to make it impossible for Lobbyists to pay everyone off as well as making governing by compromise and coalition the norm.


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• Journey Emmalynn Grace Taylor, born June 20, daughter of Ashley Davis and Jonathan Taylor of Sanford. Grandparents are Jerri Gibson of Church Hill, Tenn., Doug Davis of Kingsport, Tenn., Samantha Taylor of Sanford and Sherman Taylor of Kingsport, Tenn. (CCH)
• Billy Joe Dunn Jr., born June 23, son of Danielle Nicole Locklear and Billy Joe Dunn of Sanford. Grandparents are Geraldine and Pedro Cardoro of Sanford, Debbie and David O'Quinn of Broadway, and James Dunn of Sanford. (CCH)
• Esabella Rose Alston, born June 24, daughter of Elizabeth and Steven Alston of Sanford. Grandparents are Lynda and Rick Kirk, and Belinda McLean, all of Sanford, and Steve Alston of Pittsboro. (CCH)
• Noah David Tyndall, born June 24, son of Taylor Turigliatto and Matthew Tyndall of Sanford. Grandparents are Laurie Heidemann, and Jane and Ward Tyndall, all of Sanford. (CCH)
• Isabella Rose Decker, born June 25, daughter of Angela and Steven Decker. Grandparents are Robert and Kathy Forsythe of Madison, Ala., Joe Decker and the late Sara Decker of Mt. Gilead. (CCH)
• Amaya Madison Hamilton, born June 25, daughter of Tara Langston and Kelvin Hamilton of Sanford. Grandparents are Sonja and Paul Langston of Sanford, Lynette Frye of Woodbridge, Va., and Kevin Reed of Landover, Md. (CCH)
• Alexis Makenzie Willett, born June 26, daughter of Lierin Renee Lindquist of Sanford. (CCH)
• Shane Trent Cummings, born June 26, son of Marisa and Bruce Cummings of Moncure. Grandparents are Ciro Assante of New York and Elizabeth Cummings of Florida. (CCH)


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This is the ninth installment of "Cat Trax," a series of feature stories that will periodically appear on the UNH athletics web site.
By Patrick Villanova, UNH Athletic Media Relations
DURHAM, N.H. -- Ever since he could walk, Willie Ford has been on a pair of skies, carving his own trail on the slopes. Years of training led him to the University of New Hampshire, where he has quickly ascended into the elite tier of collegiate skiers. But despite all of the individual accolades and success he has enjoyed this season and throughout his career, Ford is not done.
After placing 11th in the slalom in last year's NCAA Championships and missing All-America honors by the narrowest of margins, the standout junior is set to compete again next week and has high hopes for this year's event.
"I want to come back with some hardware and get on the podium in one or two of the events," Ford said. "I'm just thinking about carrying what I've done this year into the NCAAs."
It comes as no surprise that the Plymouth, N.H. resident qualified yet again for the NCAA Championships. While he experienced success in his first two seasons at UNH, during which he finished as men's alpine point champion of the team both years, Ford has been especially good this season.
In six carnivals, Ford recorded three first-place finishes, one second-place finish, two third-place finishes and one-fourth place finish to help the men's alpine team capture first place in both the slalom and giant slalom in five of the six carnivals and garner All-East First Team recogntion.
Ford's most impressive outing on the year came at the Dartmouth Carnival in February, when he astoundingly secured first place in both the slalom and giant slalom. That performance has undoubtedly helped him garner the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association's No. 2 and No. 3 rankings in the giant slalom and slalom, respectively.
Even with all the success Ford has had this season, he realizes he is a piece of the larger puzzle that is his team.
"Through our team atmosphere we build on each other and get better," Ford said. "We all motivate each other and that carries over to the races."
Although he has established himself as one of the top racers on the squad, he rarely feels pressure to carry the load of the team and place first in every event.
"This year we have a lot of depth," Ford explained. "That's why (we're) having such a great year. We have five guys capable of having a good run every time. I wouldn't call it pressure, but there definitely is a feeling that I want to do as well as I can in the carnivals. Not only for myself but for the team."
Ford grew up in Plymouth, but his skiing career was hatched on the slopes of Okemo Mountain in Vermont, where his mother was a coach and his aunt was director of racing. He started racing competitively at age nine, and attended Holderness School in New Hampshire for high school. When it came time to select a college, Ford chose to remain in-state for his collegiate career.
"UNH was always in my mind. I've always loved skiing New Hampshire, but my main goal was to ski for a Division I team – wherever it was possible – and fortunately it was here."
In addition to piling up points for the Wildcats this season, Ford has also stepped up into more of a leadership role, according to teammate and co-captain Michael Cremeno.
"Willie is very motivated and a very hard worker," Cremeno said. "He's basically a third captain and tries to lead the team in all aspects.
"On the hill he is always pushing everyone," Cremeno added. "When you get tired and cold, he makes sure everyone stays upbeat and positive about the training."
In his first two seasons for the Wildcats, Ford said that balancing skiing and school, on top of a personal life, could be difficult at times. Perhaps his success this year can be attributed more than anything towards knowing what it takes to be a collegiate skier and prioritizing his life better during the season.
Unlike other athletic teams, Ford and his alpine teammates must practice off-campus, which can be difficult on one's schedule. On Monday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, the team practices for the slalom at Pat's Peak in Henniker. On Wednesdays, Ford and company leave campus at 5:45 a.m. and travel to Attitash in Bartlett for giant slalom practice.
"It's hard and I definitely have gotten a lot better at it as time goes along," he said. "You learn to set your priorities. In the winter it's school and skiing and that's your life. I think a lot of it has to do with me being a junior. I understand the circuit better this year."
Ford also credits his own improvement this season to a more intense off-season training program, during which he worked hard on building endurance and agility.
"We trained really hard this fall," he stated. "I'm stronger this year than I have been in years past, especially in the giant slalom."
When it comes to preparation for a race, Ford is unique in that he does not memorize the entire course and every gate, as most racers tend to do. Instead, he opts for memorizing only certain portions of the course.
"Right before I go out of the gate I just try to relax," Ford explained. "Either you're prepared or not so it's not worth worrying about it then."
After his career at UNH is complete, Ford hopes to make the U.S. Ski Team and join his younger sister Julia, who currently skies on the U.S. Development Team.
"That's a long-shot goal, but I'd like to think that I haven't reached my prime yet," Ford said.
If that does not pan out, Ford says he hopes to apply his degree in communications and minor in business in either the field of snow sports or renewable energy.
But for now, the speedster is focused on the opportunity he has at the NCAA Championships next week.
"I wanted to win some carnivals and I wanted to qualify for the NCAAs," Ford said of his expectations for the 2009 season. "But I want a podium (there)."
Ford will compete in the giant slalom event on Wednesday, March 11, and then in the slalom on Friday, March 13. Bates College will be host of the NCAA Ski Championships from March 11-14.


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All immigrants in Italy who applied for regularisation are entitled to register with the National Health Scheme (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) and to have a personal doctor, the government has said.
Some people are spreading rumours that the government of Italy has suspended the plan toregularise illegal immigrant workers. The people behind such rumours claim that other EU countries have forced Italy to reconsider its decision to allow employers of illegal immigrants to regularise their workers.
From now on employers of illegal immigrants in Italy will face heavy sanctions under the Legislative Decree No. 109 of 16th July 2012, which enters into force today.
The Decree adopts the Directive 2009/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 providing for minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals.
According to government estimates, up to 150,000 illegal immigrant workers in Italy may be regularised.
Integration Minister Andrea Riccardi said the law to regularise illegal immigrant workers was clearly asked for by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Italy's Ministry of Home Affairs today issued a Circular Letter shedding more light on immigrants who will be admitted for regularisation.
The Circular Letter confirms that applications will be submitted from 15th September to 15th October 2012, according to instructions which will be given by an Inter-ministerial Decree to be published soon.
Italy will soon be issuing the EU Blue Card to highly skilled people from outside Europe to come and work in the country.
The Legislative Decree introducing the EU Blue Card in Italy has finally been published in the Official Gazette and will enter into force on 8th August 2012.
Democratic Party has once again attacked Roberto Maroni, leader of Northern League Party for opposing regularisation of irregular immigrant workers in Italy.
Leader of Northern League Party Roberto Maroni has described the government's measure to regularise illegal immigrants in Italy as a "criminal act".
The government has not yet indicated the procedure for submitting applications for regularization of illegal immigrant workers in Italy.
Many of our readers have been contacting us seeking to find out the income requirement for employers who would like to regularize their illegal immigrant workers.
The new measure to regularise illegal immigrant workers in Italy gives employers a chance of transforming undeclared employment relationships into regular employment, Integration Minister Andrea Riccardi has said.
President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano has signed the measure that will allow illegal immigrant workers in Italy to be regularized.
The law will be published in the Official Gazette within days.
Applications for regularisation of illegal immigrant workers will be submitted from 15th September to 15th October 2012.
Secretary General of the Democratic Party Pier Luigi Bersani has once again defended immigrants' right to citizenship.
The EC long-term residence permits can only be issued to non-EU foreigners who are clearly integrated into the local society.
This is why the law states that such permits can only be revoked under serious circumstances
Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced that the price of a standard UK passport will be reduced by £5 from this autumn.
From 3rd September 2012, the standard adult passport fee will be reduced by almost seven per cent from £77.50 to £72.50.
Northern League Party has accused the Italian government of only thinking of illegal immigrants while forgetting victims of earthquake in Emilia.
Fabio Rainieri, MP of the Northern League Party said they'll reject the government's measure that will give a grace period to employers of undocumented immigrants to regularise their workers.
Reforming Italy's citizenship law is a question of justice, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini has said.
Mr. Fini observed that children born in Italy of immigrant parents know Italian language, go to the same schools with their Italian counterparts, and share the same interests and dreams.
Italian government has approved a measure that will enable all irregular immigrant workers in the country to be regularised while their employers will be exempted from sanctions prescribed by the law for hiring illegal workers.
Australia has created a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration (MACSM) to provide the Government with expert advice on the role of skilled migration in the country's economy.
Roberto Maroni, the new Secretary General of Northern League Party has called for tough action against illegal immigration.


text:
On September 30, the Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program (PREP) conducted a CLE ethics training at Catholic Charities Legal Services, Inc. Miami Law students Darci Cohen and Amanda Hirst discussed ethical dilemmas that lawyers may encounter in the context of a high volume, pro bono immigration practice.
The first topic involved the duties owed to prospective clients, the formation of the attorney-client relationship and impact of unsolicited electronic communications. The presentation highlighted the new ABA Ethics Opinion released in September 2010, concerning the problems posed by general e-mail and website inquiries to attorneys.
The second topic discussed the ethical obligations owed by attorneys to their clients in the attorney's use of social-media networks, as well as permissible social-media interactions between attorneys and judges.
"These presentations always help us to take a fresh look at the rules that govern [attorneys'] everyday tasks and how to improve our overall professionalism," said Catholic Charities Legal Services Managing Attorney, Callan Garcia.
"Interacting with the lawyers and staff at Catholic Charities revealed how the realities of working in a busy immigration law firm can complicate the ethical obligations that attorneys owe to their clients," said Hirst.
Cohen said that "Catholic Charities was a very vibrant group. Their dedication to ethics was apparent throughout the entire discussion."
The Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program was established in 1996 as part of the Center for Ethics and Public Service to provide the local legal community with analysis on cutting-edge ethical issues that attorneys face daily. The program has dedicated countless student hours to public service and has educated thousands of members of the Florida bench and bar. As the students teach, they learn and strive to make a difference, prompting organizations to pause and reconsider their approaches to some of the toughest ethical dilemmas.
Need assistance with contacting our world-renowned scholars and former practitioners for commentary? Click here for more information.
View photos of the Miami Law campus, students, events, faculty and many more in our Flickr photo gallery.
View our Miami Law YouTube channel featuring videos covering academics, student life and news from the University of Miami School of Law.


text:
New at Glassworks!
Visit the new Mark Payton Glass Center, offering "edutainment"opportunities
in the Walk-In Workshop, tours, flameworking experiences,
and a gallery containing flameworked glass, flat glass and jewelry.
Find Flame Run's creative energy at Glassworks
operating the hot shop, a welding shop, and a glass gallery and gift shop.
Flame Your Own Snowman
Work one on one with Mark Payton to create your own snowman!
To book an appointment call
SM Snowman $44, MD Snowman $64, LG Snowman $78, Snowman Head $54. Pictures of projects are listed on paytonglasscenter.com.
_ _ _ _ _
Glassworks is a multi-use facility located in the heart of Downtown Louisville, Kentucky and dedicated to the art of glass featuring:
|2 working glass studios
|2 glass galleries
|a walk-in workshop
|daily tours
|events spaces
|and much more!
Two exciting glass studios under one roof make Glassworks one hot attraction. Daily tours through Flame Run's Hot Shop and the Mark Payton Glass Center introduce you to the world of glassmaking. Their work and fine contemporary glass from many regional and national artists are for sale in the 2 Glassworks galleries in the heart of Louisville's Museum Row on Main Street.
Add all of that glass and art to unique spaces for your special events, apartments and condos, office spaces, and you have Glassworks, the anchor of the Glassworks District in downtown Louisville.


text:
Artisphere to feature Warhol installation
WASHINGTON — Andy Warhol's "Silver Clouds" creation is coming to the Artisphere arts center in Arlington, Va.
Artisphere announced an exhibition of 150 of Warhol's "clouds" in a free show planned for September and October. The installation is being loaned by the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.
Warhol first exhibited "Silver Clouds" in 1966. It was the product of Warhol's collaboration with electrical engineer Billy Kluver from Bell Labs, combining art and technology.
"Silver Clouds" opens Sept. 12 in Arlington, Va. Artisphere says this is the first time it's been shown in the Washington area.
Bus boycott play to open in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A stage play inspired by the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott will have its premiere July 26 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center.
The play was written, produced, directed and staged by faculty, staff and alumni of Alabama State University.
The play, "The Meeting at Mount Zion," is based on the writings and notes from a meeting of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the group led by the Rev. Martin Luther King which helped lead the boycott.
Tonea Stewart, dean of ASU's College of Visual and Performing Arts, said the play honors the people and places made famous by the boycott. Characters include boycott leaders King, Ralph Abernathy, E.D. Nixon and Rosa Parks, who sparked the boycott when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.
Versace mansion heads for auction block
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The South Beach, Fla., mansion once owned by Italian designer Gianni Versace and the place he was fatally shot is headed for the auction block.
Fisher Auction Company is handling the sale, set for Sept. 17. The 23,000 square-foot oceanfront mansion had previously been listed for $125 million.
Originally built in 1930, the 10-bedroom, 11-bathroom, gated home features a 54-foot long mosaic pool lined with 24-karat gold. It also includes numerous frescos, ornate statues, arched doorways and an open air courtyard.
In 1997, the 50-year-old Versace was killed in front of the property by a man who later committed suicide.
Associated Press
The South Beach mansion once owned by Italian designer Gianni Versace is headed for the auction block.×
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|69 posts found
Associate Editor - News Manager
Joined: 6/28/10
In Tingle's Touchy Subjects, we take on the hot discussion topics of the day when it comes to MMOs. In our latest column, we take a look at the much debated subscription vs F2P argument. See what we've got to say before heading to battle in the comments.
Read more of Adam Tingle's Tingle's Touchy Subject: Subscription & F2P.
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Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
when people say ¨you get what you pay for¨ jsut to bash F2P (and even B2P) mmos. I ask my self. As a cash shop supporter, if i pay more money than a subscriber in one month, why do i get less game than the subscriber? That ÿou get what yu pay for¨ phrase doesnt work very well there.... Its not about being able or unable to pay money for a game. Its about a commitment that not everyone agrees with. If i stop paying i cant play anymore with a subscription. And if i pay it i feel that i signed a contract and have to play every day until the contract ends.
I, and many others i know happily support games with cash shop as long as i can lift every limitation permanently through the cash shop. If im going to spend a good chunk of money just to keep my character locked from content and cant even be competitive... no money to them. SWTOR is the worst case because of what i said. Do not force me to either subscribe or quit. I like the game, i like the cash shop, i do not like the sub,. At least sell me every limitation unlock in cash shop or my money goes somewhere else.
let the F2P hate begin in 3,2,1.....
Apprentice Member
Joined: 1/08/07
What a fantastic quote:
"Ultimately it makes me feel less valued; it makes my sub fee feel less cherished. It makes me feel like we're headed in the wrong direction."
Hard Core Member
Joined: 9/13/08
People who claim they feel like they are forced to play every day if they sub to game, do they feel the same way about their internet access? Do they enjoy the unlimited access(bandwith throtling not withstanding) the monthly fee provides? Would they prefer a f2p package instead?
Roses are red
Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
Originally posted by lugal
i surely get my moneys worth on internet acces because i use internet every single day, on my pc, on my consoles, on my phone, etc. for many different reasons. If i could do that in a sub based mmo then sure, a small 15 bucks sub would do fine. Meanwhile, a gaming sub is not for me. I am not 100% against it, i pay it if the game is totally worth it. But i dont pay every month. Because of what i said before. Dont try to look for excuses because everyone is different and comparing a bill like internet, phone, gas, or whatever house bill with a gaming bill for 1 game that might not even worth it doesnt even make sense.
You dont have to agree with my opinion jsut like i dont agree with yours. Theres no problem with that. People jus thave to stop pretending a sub is a saving grace or some godsend salvation
Apprentice Member
Joined: 4/24/10
I play 2 P2P games, 1 F2P very sparingly and 1 B2P sparingly.
The 2 P2P games both have F2P models which I messed with at times but when I am seriously playing them and have time I am an active sub. Some companies can do a great F2P model while most are too restrictive and segregate the populations.
Iugal I also use my internet access everyday.
Originally posted by lugal
daily internet and phone use is part of our lives if you're not in the third world...this is a stupid question. there's no goddamn question about it becauseyou can't do your work or school work or keep in touch with your friends and family without a phone or internet.
Elite Member
Joined: 5/14/09
The real problem is not P2P or F2P. The real problem is there are too many MMOs out there today and too few players for these new MMOs. When you pay $200 Million to create an MMO you need to aim to have the same amount of players as WoW did.
If you dont think there are too many MMOS out there think about this, most people can name 36 MMOS, and only 10 to 15 million MMO players. Too few players spread over too many MMOS. O and there are at least a half dozon MMOs coming out this year alone.
seeing how many P2P mmo's have been shit over the years, and borderline scams themselves it's funny that people have this attitude. you sure as FUCK do not get what you pay for with MOST MMO's, no matter how you pay. unless you pay for poor quality and the right to make a damn fool out of yourself defending it on the internet.
Originally posted by Wicoa
It is a good quote. Good article.
Currently Playing: ESO and FFXIV
yea, the p2p brigade beating the chest on tera, tsw, swtor, etc. man's game, adult game ault model, honest business, pay for quality....that went well. and the upcoming batch of p2p's this year will be f2p this time next year.
but hey, keep it up.
Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
F2P/B2P vs P2P will always bring mixed opinions both positive and negative from each side. People just need to stop being narrowminded and accept that every model is viable. Even if you dont agree with one. Just because a person doesnt support a cash shop model, it doesnt mean that a subscription is some godsend salvation. Its just an opinion. And dont compare a gaming payment with bills that are actually important and necessary in real life....
Originally posted by Rthuth434
As long as they have a sub option for those of us who have money and prefer quality, that is fine with me. It's the F2P's with no sub that are a bad idea. This is just for me of course, more power to anyone who loves the F2P stuff :)
Currently Playing: ESO and FFXIV
Apprentice Member
Joined: 5/24/07
I don't understand why more mmo's go for the B2P model (buy to play). Guild Wars 2 for example is a wonderful way to implement that. The MMO developer gets a large cash injection at the start of the project and for every expansion from box sales, and they have in the shop a bunch of items you don't really need.
In Guild Wars 2 you can enjoy all content, races, classes, pve and pvp without a subcription or using the shop. In the shop are a bunch of xp and crafting boosters you don't really need since levelling and crafting can be done fast enough as it is. Theres also a bunch of other stuff like outfits and such which are nice to have but not needed to enjoy the game.
A solid model that is fair to people that don't want to subscribe yet offers some nice toys for those that don't mind spending extra money.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 2/09/13
In f2p so you can afford when you're comfortable, without obligation to pay every month. I released all LOTRO by the cash shop, while I as a subscriber(for 3 months) I entered the game once every 3 days.
The game is now really free for me(i do not need to pay for access to it) and can stay a year without play without worrying about the bill my card.
Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
Originally posted by Aeonblades
that little part right there only shows ignorance. Indirectly (or rather directly i should say) saying people who prefer f2p automatically dont have money is just ignorant. I do agree with the rest of your post. As long as the game has more options then its fine.
f2p is only a bad idea in the wrong hands, and that applies to p2p as well.
Novice Member
Joined: 2/25/13
So many things to say... let's see if I can stay on track and get them all out.
For the most part, I have no problems with a sub. I have had at most, 7 WoW accounts on the go at the same time, as well as probably a couple other games subbed at the same time. I've spent easily over 100 bucks a month on subs and felt I was getting my money worth with the time I was putting in. I could *easily* spend over 100 bucks on a night out with friends, or a nice meal, or some silly tech toy I felt I had to have, and then never used it. I think if most people sat down and calculated how many hours they played divided by the 15 bucks they spent it would probably be something much less than a dollar an hour (easily) and for a lot of people it would be in the 50 cent range. Tell me where you can get that sort of cheap entertainment anywhere else from the privacy of your own home.
Moving on to the F2P vs P2P. I understand that MMO's cost money to make and maintain. A lot of money. I have no problems with a company wanting to make money. If I made an MMO.. I would want to make money too. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to make a great game that appealed to the masses, but ya.. I would also want it to prosper. There's nothing wrong with that, until you start getting greedy and create a shitty game. (*cough* Diablo 3 *cough*) I think F2P is a great way to introduce your game to people, but people also need to understand that the company DOES have to pay for it.. somehow. Don't expect to have the same benefits of the sub players or have nothing really useful in the cash shop JUST so you can enjoy the game and expect everyone else to pay for it. That's selfish, and pretty stupid. Sadly, that also describes a lot of gamers these days.
IF I like a game, I will pay for it, but I also don't want my F2P experience to be bogged down by so many restrictions I can't enjoy the game. I'll never be tempted to sub if I can't get a feel for what the game is past level 10, or without access to certain classes or weapons or bag space, etc. There has to be a happy medium between not giving away the game and allowing people to experience it to the point where they would like to see more. I also do not like the new direction of buying the game, and then the next day paying for DLC. This WILL change if people refuse to "pay up", but apparently this is not the trend as it is becoming more popular. As Gordon Gecko said... Greed is good. Again.. there also has to be happy medium between making money, and giving the customer a fair price for what they expect, but in the end if the company can charge you more and you'll pay it.. they will.
Give me the MMO that has EVERYTHING I am looking for and I'll pay 100 a month. Give me a PoS like SWTOR and I'll cancel right away. Create something great, and people will gladly pay the sub. Create crap, and people won't even play if it is free. Simple enough to me, and it should be simple enough for the companies designing games. It's not really a hard concept.
Elite Member
Joined: 6/10/09
I'm not renting temporary access to my games anymore. That's the foundation of my move away from sub-locked games. The money I spent on renting temporary access is basically flushed down the sewer until and unless I cough up more cash. I don't find value in that payment model.
Sub-free monetization isn't any more confusing than the sub-locked p2p model. Every major sub-locked game (I'm sure there some niche game that is an exception) out right now also monetizes their xpacs, rmt for game time tokens, rmt for game cash, and micro-transactions.
I do pay for my games and I do buy premium status for games that offer that. I'm currently subscribed to Tera. Why? Because when I want to stop and cancel that I can still play the game. I still have access and my account has been improved by purchasing the elite account status. The beauty of that system is I can still play and advance and if I want to sub again later I can.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 11/22/05
Play games because they're fun. If $15 a month is enough to make you feel like you're better than someone else.... it doesn't say a whole lot about your worth.
It shouldn't matter what payment model a game has. If it's fun for the people playing, it's a fun game. The amount of money we're talking about for an idividual is so small it's really quite pathetic that it's even an issue.
Personally i don't even consider the cost of playing each month and don't consider myself a p2p or f2p player. I play both. It all depends on what I want to play not the cost of the game.
Originally posted by rojo6934
Would like to clarify, didn't mean this to come out that way but I see what you are saying. Not that people don't have the money in general, just those of us who do want to spend the money is what I should of said. Apologies.
Currently Playing: ESO and FFXIV


text:
the noughties
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Silver Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 660
Re: the noughties
the 00's have been a weird decade for me. I was 19 in 2000 a young freshman in college, not really bright eyed already jaded. I just remember thinking I had about 10 years before I had any real expectations of me to have a career, family, or a home.
I was really excited about the band I was in back then, really thought I had a chance to make it big. I learned alot about the music business since then though. I actually am making a living now as a professional musician. I learned not to hitch my wagon to just one horse. I realize for some thats the only way to make it, but it didn't work out that way for me.
I also really looked up to musicians who were just a little bit older than me because they had all the cool gear and road cases. It really just takes time, you get a little bit of stuff every year and eventually you have all the tools of the trade, and then all the toys too.
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