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Is your job making you fat? No, that caramel doughnut latte is probably to blame, but your job may not be helping. I had this revelation – not so stunning or original, I'll admit, but it felt like mine, so shut up you – hopping on the scales for my Friday morning weigh in, last week. The fourth week of a crushing book deadline.
Here's the thing about crushing book deadlines, they're all crushy and hurty. You crawl from the bed to the keyboard via the toasted sandwich maker and you don't really leave the keyboard until you need another toasted sandwich or a bottle of wine.
You can see where this is going, right?
A month into my deadline, my waistline was showing it.
In the previous two months I'd dropped six kilograms. I needed to. A broken toe and a stress injury to one of my knees last year had brought my cardio workouts to a halt. (Yeah, I could have swum, but then I would have been swimming. Ugh.)
It became serious enough that I even… I even… Oh god, … I even bought a pushy and rode it around the park. Just to hold the flab back.
Maybe it helped, but not enough. By Christmas I was back above 90 kilograms, which for a 178 centimetre male put me right on the edge of obesity. Again.
So Santa brought me a Fitbit, which was cool, because I do love me a shiny gadget, and it was great fun data mining my bad habits. (Example? Sixty per cent of my nutrition between Christmas and New Years Eve came from wine). But having to record all of the calories I took in, and tracking all of the calories I burned was a shocker. I was drinking too much, and bakery treats were not my friend.
With my various injuries fixed up by a qualified physio I could finally get back to cardio intervals, although not the hill sprints I used to favour for their brutal efficiency. (Especially when you're running with the Zombies, run! app playing through headphones).
I cut out the grog and the Portuguese custard tarts, and got my calorie burn up above my intake.
The weight fell off. Like magic, except it wasn't. It was just physics and chemistry.
All that is unremarkable, and of little interest to anyone but me or those few other nimrods who like to geek out on fitness and weight loss tech.
But here's the bit that might be relevant to you.
The deadline.
When the deadline closed in, the first thing to go was the daily exercise. The hour to an hour-and-a-half I spent working out was a thousand words I could be adding to my daily total. Twenty, thirty thousand words over the month. The pressure eventually ramped up to the point where it was irresistible. I could finish the book, or do the exercise. But not both.
And then, of course, without the motivation of that daily burn session to eat well, and stay off the grog, I started throwing down the drinks at night, because why the hell not? When you've already been at your screen for ten hours you need something to keep you there for another five or six. And a schooner of Pendleton whiskey is a damn fine motivator. And you already blew your health and fitness cred with crap food and sitting on your butt all day, anyway. So hell yes, pour me my goddamned drink!
I'm lucky I only went up a kilo.
But it got me to wondering about you. About normal people, with normal jobs. The sort of jobs and lives that don't afford them the luxury I enjoy of controlling my own day. Mostly. When I'm not on hell deadline.
Most of you don't have hell deadlines, but you do have the weight of work that isn't flexible, and for many, the added complication of family responsibilities. (It's hard to find an hour for exercise when you're spending two hours a day driving kids around to various activities. Let's not go all derpy about whether that's a thing or not. For some people, it's just unavoidable).
I don't know where this leads in the end.
There are many, many other contributing factors to high rates of obesity. The modern diet, the additives in processed food, the amount of sitting down we all do now, they all play a role.
But having just had a month where I had to make a choice between getting the job done and getting my exercise in, I feel a lot more privileged to have a job which normally doesn't demand that choice of me. And a lot more understanding of those who cannot the escape the bind.
Gaining kilos at the keyboard
Is your job making you fat? No, that caramel doughnut latte is probably to blame, but your job may not be helping. I had this revelation – not so stunning or original, I'll admit, but it felt like mine, so shut up you – hopping on the scales for my Friday morning weigh in, last week. The fourth week of a crushing book deadline.
45 comments
JB - I live a life of literary deadlines too. Well literature is a bit of a stretch, actually more like turgid military policy and doctrine; but, its a living.
Anyway, the all-nighters occur regularly to meet the deadlines and I still do my damndest not to miss the exercise. And its the diabetes that will get you (The total number of Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes is estimated at 3.2 millionhttp www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/Understanding-Diabetes/Diabetes-in-Australia/
I've discovered swimming in my advancing years. Get yourself a snorkel, mask and fins and give it a try. Its almost zen like and no injuries.
p.s. Missed your 26 Feb column; what are the libs going to do, well get rid of all subsidies to private schools and replace the money with values. Isn't that what Pyne said?
- Commenter
- kepler-22b
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 5:55AM
Yeah, but swimming.
- Commenter
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 8:41AM
TRUE, lately i've spent more time at the keyboard than normal way more than normal, in part..chasing work, in part, the exercise too slowed up due to injury and hwne its arm related, things like the rowing machine and weights go out the fkn window. I'm 175cm and now at 90 kgs JB....middle distribution of weight, shit, out of 8 business shirts
The key boards got a lot to answer for really!
That and the Microbrewery BREW BARN in Hoppers Crossing, 23 bucks for a slab of their brew which is WICKED....ya just gotta bottle it ya self and have a couple whilst doing it to.
- Commenter
- Location
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 6:35AM
The way you smack the keyboard HAVOCK, I reckon you could push in one doughnut per hour and be energy neutral.
- Commenter
- Mulga
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 8:37AM
I experienced an upward trend in pant tightness when i went from a physically demanding job on a cattle property to a screen starer. Fortunately I discovered smoking. In addition to nicotine acting as a very effective appetite suppressant, the hourly cravings force me to get up from my desk and walk outside for a bunger, win win
- Commenter
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 7:24AM
'an upward trend in pants tightness'
This my new favourite phrase in the whole world.
- Commenter
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 8:42AM
@ B I very much like your hypothesis and would like to subscribe to your pamphlet.
Since stopping smoking in September I've gained 12kg.
Stopping smokng and visiting the PDRB (People's Democratic Republic of Boylanstan.)
Those USAnians can't do bacon to save themselves but Dog Almighty can they BBQ.
- Commenter
- NBob
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 9:44AM
So true - there is a point where you can just get steam-rolled by work.
Having just done nearly 8 months of basically continuous tender response writing, the impact was pretty clear. The workday (normally 8 -6/7) went out to 8 - 12/2. Christmas basically didn't happen. I honesty feel for Doctors and Nurses and other hospital stuff that are on call/around the clock Sitting in a "war room" with 7 other people all eating chocolate and charging coffee and lollies like no tomorrow was just like a slow mo health train wreck. Everyone pulled through OK though and luckily it's only like that every 8 or so years (and it all paid off) but even eating healthy (minimal choc/sweets and generally fresh veg/good protein low carb etc) I still put on. It's actually not just the putting on either - it's the loss of muscle etc that just goes soft. And the energy. Tried working standing up for a while which was good but a little hard to do all day in a pure desk environment.
To B&H - I couldn't agree more. Working on cattle stations is the best way to lose weight and tone up. Not bad for destroying a body and Flying Doctor trips too either mind you...
A good day to all!
- Commenter
- hambone
- Location
- about to be hospital. wisdom teeth bye byes today
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 7:49AM
"It's actually not just the putting on either - it's the loss of muscle etc that just goes soft. And the energy."
Oh hell yes. I had my first workout apres deadline yesterday. Damn near killed me. Think I lost about half of my awesome. I drained out the arse of my Aeron chair over the previous month.
- Commenter
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 8:44AM
"It drained out the arse of my Aeron chair over the previous" well that's just entered the visual Lexicon of my nightmares at number 4 with a bullet.
- Commenter
- Barnesm
- Location
- Melbourne, watching, waiting , prepared
- Date and time
- February 28, 2013, 1:21PM


text: Inspired by the spirited, industrial character of an early 20th-century workbench, this table provides a bold backdrop for creative entertaining. Oversized bolts on the legs and tabletop add to its rustic feel, and two drop-in leaves allow seating for a large gathering. It's paired with the classic Parsons-style Grayson chair to make this an elegant and inviting set.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
There's not even a questions who win's the cowboys and Indians debate, and this Adult Native American Sexy Indian Sweetie Costume. This costume comes with a brown halter top that ties in the back and features fringing and beaded accents on it. A short skirt is also included that also features a butterfly design, fringing on the hem, as well as slits where beaded designs are attached. A brown headband has attached black dangling feathers to it and the necklace features a classic Native American necklace. This costume is going to make you really feel like a true Native American princess. Purchase a pair of leg warmers from our site to complete the look of this tribal cutie this Halloween. Everyone will want you in their tribe when wearing this costume.
Our Price: $28.99
Our Price: $27.99
Our Price: $4.97
Our Price: $39.97


text: Jennifer Taylor has been writing Mills & Boon novels for some time, but discovered Medical Romance books relatively recently. She was so captivated by these heartwarming stories that she immediately set out to write them herself! Having worked in scientific research, Jennifer enjoys writing each book, as well as the chance to create a cast of wonderful new characters. Jennifer's hobbies include reading and travelling. She lives in northwest England.


text:
Urban Renewal Collection by Feiss
Bring that vintage look to your house with the Urban Renewal Lights by Feiss. Choose from table top, floor, or ceiling mounted lights to best suit your space and needs. Durable materials and stylish finishes abound in this line. Get ready for compliments from all your guests when you include these lamps in your decor!


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Rightly earned Viking. Congrats.
Created in: Photoshop
From the initial inception of this piece it was clear that it was going to be something really special. Months of labor have succeeded in bringing to life the potential that was there from the beginning. Skenth is a very fine example of a fantasy map, and a welcome edition to our Cartographers Choice section. Exceptional work Viking.
Original threadsOriginally Posted by -Viking-
Click here to view the Finished Map thread.
Click here to view the WIP thread.
Last edited by arsheesh; 09-11-2013 at 12:38 AM.
Rightly earned Viking. Congrats.
Art Critic = Someone with the Eye of an Artist, Words of a Bard, and the Talent of a Rock.
Please take my critiques as someone who Wishes he had the Talent
Thank you for selecting this map! I am really honoured to be featured! It's very gratifying
Thanks Korash!
Last edited by Viking; 09-11-2013 at 12:29 AM.
Happy Days, Viking! Congrats, well deserved!
told you now i need to start working on something new to get onto the front page :pOriginally Posted by Vorropohaiah
great work. now start bugging the admins to give you your badge!
My W.I.P Elyden globe map thread - please check it out and let me know what you think
my gallery
my worldbuilding and cartographical blog please sub!
my Patreon!
Great choice and well deserved for such a fine work. Congratulations!!
When its over and you look in the mirror, did you do the best that you were capable of? If so, the score does not matter. But if you find that you did your best you were capable of, you will find it to your liking. -John Wooden
* Rivengard * My Finished Maps * My Challenge Maps * My deviantArt
Beyond impressive Viking. Makes me want to redo my map all over again.


text:
Allegra Hicks Flower Arranger
Act fast! Items with prices ending in $0.99 are final sale.
No longer available
Easily arranged. Created in collaboration with designer Allegra Hicks, this Flower Arranger makes it simple to create bouquets that stay upright and in place. It can be used on its own or placed within larger vases and containers.
Created in collaboration with Allegra Hicks.
Learn more
9.25"diam. x 3.7"h.
Hand wash.


text:
Metallic Owl Cookie Jar
Act fast! Items with prices ending in $0.99 are final sale.
No longer available
A real hoot. Our Metallic Owl Cookie Jar is crafted from glazed stoneware with a silver finish. Fill it with cookies and other treats to spread cheer all year.
Glazed stoneware.
Metallic silver.
7.4"diam. x 10"h.
Hand wash.


text:
May 6, 2016
A family in Carteret County spent Thursday cleaning up after their homes were in the path of an EF1 tornado that touched down in Beaufort Wednesday.
Beverly Turner says it was a scary few minutes for her and her husband Randy who were inside their home when the twister went through their backyard. She says, "I felt like the roof was coming off and I thought this is a tornado and I rolled up in my comforter and rolled to the floor."
Turner says, "To me the amazing thing is it broke tops out of pine trees and they landed in our yard and barely missed the back of our house and to take his boat, a piece of metal. You know you hear the stories but who would have thought it would have happened here."
Randy's mother's yard was scattered with debris as well. Randy had just moved his boat there from Craven County to use this weekend, but it was severely damaged.
While the Turner's home, Randy's sister's home and their mother's home all had minor damage, they're all thankful no one was injured.
Beverly Turner says, "It's a very big blessing none of us were hurt and that was a gift from the Lord."
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
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text:
Thursday, March 13, 2014
5 comments
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
13 comments
I already wrote a race report, but I forgot one VERY IMPORTANT detail:
This was my first marathon in MINIMALIST SHOES!!
I ran this marathon in my Saucony Hattoris, t... Read more
Monday, July 16, 2012
20 comments
Saturday, July 14, 2012
9 comments
Moment of truth:
My eating yesterday & today has been off the charts!!
What is it about running a marathon that drives me to a Munchies binge?? LOL Of course, I'm sure my body can use the extra calories starting in about 8 hours. But... Read more
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
15 comments
Wow, it's coming up so fast! I will be running the Make It By Midnight Marathon in Macon Georgia with Marathon_mom (Becki) & Runtrilaugh (Wendy) & a couple of other Sparkers. This is my first marathon Stateside, my first race after being back to... Read more
Saturday, July 07, 2012
14 comments
I am one of those people that use a scale religiously. I have used the scale as my goal guide for a long time....
I know, I know, there are a LOT of scale haters out there. BUT I do realize that it is just a number, I don't base my life's h... Read more
Monday, June 25, 2012
16 comments
So, Friday, June 22nd, marked ONE MONTH of us being back in the USA! Has it really been that long? It's almost been that long since I've blogged last too. But I have just been SOOOOOOOO busy having a great time being back, there just hasn't bee... Read more
Thursday, May 31, 2012
12 comments
Wow. The mayhem of our international move has really come to a peak this week!!! From trying to buy a car, to having to get a new driver's license, to trying to find a house, & trying to deal with borrowing other people's cars until we get ours.... Read more
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
19 comments
Yep, that's right, folks!! After 25 hours of travel time, we made it safely to my sister's house in Port St Lucie last night at 10 pm EST. I can't believe I'm here!!! I can't believe it's been 5 YEARS since I have even been in my home country!!... Read more
Thursday, May 10, 2012
9 comments
Things are 'bout to get CrAzY up in HERE!!! Today is the LAST DAY before our container comes! One moment, I feel like we are pretty much ready.... the next, I look around & see all the crap that's still sitting around, & I start to panic!!
... Read more
Friday, May 04, 2012
16 comments
Well, we already sort of knew, and I already sort of blogged about it, but it's DEFINITE now!!
DH has been in close contact with his former employer for months, and they told him they had an opening they thought would be perfect for him in ... Read more
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
24 comments
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
6 comments
Better BELIEVE IT!!! We are flying into Miami 4 weeks from today. Today, it REALLY hit me, when I realized our moving container arrives THE WEEK AFTER NEXT WEEK!!! I have to admit, that did make me feel a little panicky for a second. We have onl... Read more
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
5 comments
OH, yes, I have all kinds of crazy countdowns going on!!! In 5 weeks, I should already be in FLORIDA!!
**My 10 in 10 Challenge**
That means, I have a little less than 5 weeks to lose another 2-3 pounds, since I have been doing FAR better... Read more
Saturday, April 14, 2012
10 comments
Here's a little running motivation for the day! LOVE THIS!
My philosophy exactly.
So, It's April 14th!!! I set my goals to reach by April 15th, but figured I'd go a... Read more


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Docent Ann Ditlefsen is Master of Biofacts here in the Zoo, making sure we have teaching aids for every animal.
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On Friday of this week, the Oldham-La Grange Development Authority and Talmage Hocker, president of The Hocker Group LLC, are expected to sign an agreement forming a partnership to develop the Oldham Reserve Business Campus. This will mark the first public/private partnership for both entities.
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A legal battle of uneven proportions is brewing in Maine. It pits a small familly-run restaurant against a national chain of high-end eateries and nightclubs that operates venues in New York and Las Vegas. Tom Porter has more.
A visit to the Web site of the Vegas club TAO (left) shows hundreds of revelers dancing to loud techno music while scantily-clad dancers strut their stuff and hang from trapezes. TAO Vegas is owned by TAO Licensing, of Delaware, which operates venues frequented by millions of people a year, including many celebrities.
TAO Vegas, according to Bloomberg Business Week, is the most successful restaurant in the U.S. and grosses close to $60 million a year.
Meanwhile, in the small college town Brunswick, TAO Restaurant (below right) seats 40 people and has been offering what it calls Pan-Asian style cuisine with a touch of Maine since it opened five months ago.
Taking a quick break from prepping lunch, co-owner and chef Cara Stadler explains that the name of restaurant was chosen by her Chinese grandfather.
"We were looking for a name and he told us about 'Taohuayuan," which is the old Chinese fable about man who finds paradise in a peach grove, and that is how we chose the name," she says. "So it's sort of reminiscent of we wanted to create a place where people could go to escape the rest of the world."
Tom Porter: "But you've not been able to escape the rest of the world have you?"
Cara Stadler: "No."
TAO has had to defend its name in a trademark infringement lawsuit launched in October by TAO Licensing. Attorneys for TAO Licensing declined to comment for this story, but according to their complaint, the TAO venues are "well-known for the quality of their food, service, and atmosphere."
The claim is that by using the same name, the Brunswick venue is trading on that goodwill, and attracting customers who may be misled. TAO'S owners reject that idea as absurd. Cecile Stadler is Cara's mother, and the restaurant's other co-owner. She says that although the name uses the same letters in English translation, the two TAOs are very different.
"We like the name and we like the connotation of it, and it's not at all the same word, the same character, the same concept as the restaurants, or the nightclubs in Las Vegas and New York," Cecile Stadler says.
The other TAO, she says, uses a different character and means "way" or "path." Furthermore, she adds, the two names don't actually sound the same in Chinese. "Ours is TAO - it goes up. It means 'peach.' it's a completely different character. Theirs is TAO (with a 'd' sound) - it's falling."
Attorney James Goggin of Verrill Dana in Portland is representing TAO of Brunswick on a pro bono basis. He says the other flaw in the complaint is this: "They allege that consumers in Brunswick, Maine, would likely be confused into thinking that when they were going into the restaurant in Brunswick, that they were actually going into the restaurant in Las Vegas, which on its face is ridiculous," Goggin says.
Goggin says the TAO Group has asserted claims against other restaurants using the TAO name. But, he adds, there are many, many more restaurants using the name. "We did a quick Google search on 'TAO restaurant' and we got 270,000 results in 0.27 seconds," he says.
And this, he says, weakens the strength of the trademark. Restaurant owners Cecile and Cara Stadler say they've had many messages of support from the Brunswick community. Local resident Eileen Boardman describes the lawsuit as a case of corporate bullying, "where someone with more assets and deeper pockets are using the legal system to take advantage of small business, small business owners."
Attorney James Goggin says the next stage will involve requests for more evidence from both sides. He doesn't expect it will come to court before next fall.
Photos of TAO in Brunswick by Tom Porter.


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UPDATE: Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Thanks to IgorStack http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=593&top=16
I am planning to drive to Niagara Falls to see it from the Canadian side. I have heard good things about seeing it from the other side. So, I want to stay in Toronto for a day, see Niagara Falls and come back.
I have a green card, and, my wife is a citizen from US.
I have read this link, http://www.niagarafallslive.com/niagara_falls_travel_tips.htm, and this doesn't talk about person with a green card. So, could you advise if I can go to the Canadian side or give me links on this one? I am on an Indian passport.
EDIT: My experience:
Crossing: We went there at around 7:30 in the morning to avoid the long queue. The border security official asked us to give us our passports, I have given my green card as well with the passport, she asked the purpose of our visit and how many days we were planning to stay. The whole process took around 10 minutes, 7-8 minutes for waiting and 2-3 minutes with the official.
Visit: It is almost an unbelievable sight, you definitely have to see it. Not only that you get to go through the tunnels and see the water flowing in front of you (there is a railing to stop you if you slip, but exercise caution.) As far as I can tell, Canadian side is so much better to view than American side. Also, don't forget to go to the biggest butterfly museum and botanical gardens (1000 acres of it). Also, go on to the top of Skylon tower, I thought it is worth it. Although, our room view for the falls was also very good. Toronto takes more than a day to visit. May be next time, I will have time to see more. Experience the trip yourself, don't go with the travel bookings.
Food: We went to some small villages to experience local food and also went to AG (highly recommended on Trip advisor and me too but you will be spending at least 100 if you are a party of 2). The food was very delicious, makes me want to go again just for food. Enjoy!


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Wildebeest on the Serengeti plains. Source: Stefan Swanepoel
The Serengeti is a plain immediately south of the equator in eastern Africa covering over 30,000 square kilometers (12,000 square miles) east of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya which is home to the largest herds of grazing mammals in the world.
In the heart of these wide-sweeping grasslands and associated Acacia-Commiphora woodlands, the world's most spectacular migration of large mammals occurs each year. An estimated 1.3 million blue wildebeest, 200,000 plains zebras, and 400,000 Thomson's gazelles traverse the Greater Serengeti ecosystem, triggered by cyclical wet and dry seasons. The area included withinin the migration zone is about 25,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles).
The world famous Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are here in the Tanzanian part of the plains; both designated as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. The smaller Kenyan Masa Mara National Reserve protects part of the northern reaches of the Serengeti. A large portion of the eastern Serengeti falls within the multiple-use Ngorongo Conservation Area.
The chief threats to the ecoregion are the same as other savanna areas in the region, poaching of large mammals for body parts and meat, and expansion of pastoralism and agricultural use of the area with associated loss of tree cover.
The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language, Maa; specifically, Serengit means endless plains.
On the eastern edge of the Serengeti is Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge, where some of the earilest humanoid fossils have been discovered, and as a result is often called "the cradle of mankind."
Physical geography
The Serengeti is just south of the equator, extending between latitudes 1o and 3o30' S and longitudes 34o and 36o E.
The physical boundaries of the Serengeti are:
In the north - the Isuria Escarpment and Loita Plains of Kenya,
In the east - the Loita Hills and Nguruman Escarpment of Kenya; and the Gol mountains and Crater Highlands of Tanzania. Beyond these higlands lies the Albertine Rift (or the Western Rift Valley), part of the Great Rift System.
In the south - the Lake Eyasi escarpment and an area of rocks and dense miombo woodlands
In the west - the Seeregeti does not reach Lake Victoria because of cultivation (in the northwest) and rocks and dense woodlands (in the southwest), execept for the "western corirdor" between Mbalageti and Grumeti rivers which extends alomost to Speke Gulf.
Topography and geology
The Serengeti Plain sits atop an elevated plateau that slopes west to Lake Victoria. The highest part of the Serengeti is on the eastern plains near the Gol Mountains (1850 meters), with the lowest elevations toward Speke Gulf (920 meters) The majority of the ecoregion falls between 900 and 1200 meters (m).
West of Seronera, the entire area is underlain by Precambrian basement rocks (up to 2.5 billion years old) that have been deformed, then eroded over hundreds of millions of years. Ultisols and alfisols lay over basement rocks, with patches of vertisols close to Lake Victoria.
The hills in the ecoregion are formed of more recent sedimentary rocks, and some are recent volcanics with some active volcanoes. In many areas late Precambrian outcrops of granitic gneisses and quartzite project from the surface as inselbergs (locally called kopjes).
The underlying soils and materials of the Serengeti plains are comprised of volcanic ash derived from a number of local volcanoes. The dormant caldera of Ngorongoro, the Kerimasi Volcano and Mt Lengai (last eruption in 1966) have all contributed volcanic ash to these soils (vertisols). These soils have characteristic plant communities, distinguishing the ecoregion from its neighbors. Topographically, the ecoregion is comprised of flat to slightly undulating grassy plains, interrupted by scattered rocky areas (Kopjes) which are parts of the Precambrian basement rocks protruding through the ash layers.
A rock outcropping, or kopje, on the Serengeti plain. Source: Steven Pastor
The Serengeti is drained by several rivers that from from the higher earea in the east and north into Lake Victoria, and thus the region is part of the the Nile watershed.
The Mara River rises in the of Mau Escarpment of Kenya north of the Serengeti, flowing southwest through Masai Mara Game Reserve before turning west at the Kenya-Tanzania border and continuing through Serengeti National Park and on to Lake Victoria at Mara Bay.
The Mbalageti and Grumeti rivers, and their tributaries, drain much of the central Serengeti before flowing nearly parallel through the western corridor of Serengeti National Park to Speke Gulf of Lake Victoria.
Source: Stefan Swanepoel
The climate of the Serengeti is a result of several factors including the prevailing regional climate pattern, Lake Victoria, and local topography.
Because of its location just south of the equator, the climate is fairly steady throughout the year. Temperatures are moderate with mean maximum temperatures as high as 30°C at lower elevations and as low as 24°C at the highest parts of the ecoregion. Mean minimum temperatures are between 9° and 18°C, and normally between 13° to 16°C. At Seronera, the following figures show average temperature an rainfall.
Source: World Weather Online.
The rainfall is seasonal, falling in a bimodal pattern. The longer duration rains occur from March to May, and the briefer rains from November to December. Mean rainfall is 600 to 800 millimeters (mm) annually through most of the region. Extremes include 500 mm in the dry southeastern plains and 1200 mm in the northwestern region located in Kenya. Rainfall is variable, such that the short rains may fail in a given year or rain may occur between the two rainy seasons, thereby joining the two.
The Crater Highlands that reach 3000 m in altitude and bound the Serengeti in the southeast create a rain shadow to the northwest. As a result the southeast of the Serengeti receives far less rain (approximately 500 mm) than the northwest (about 1200 mm), where the rainy seasons also end later. The southeastern plains are considered arid, the north as subhumid, and the rest semiarid.
This annual cycle of climate drives the great migration cycle of wildebeests, plains zebras and Thomson's gazelles.
Protected areas
Much of the Serengeti is under some level of protection, including:
|Serengeti National Park
|Ngorongoro Conservation Area (extends beyond the plains and includes the Crater Highllands)
|Maswa Game Reserve
|Grumeti Game Reserve
|Ikorongo Game Reserve
|Loliondo Wildlife Management Area
|Ikona Wildlife Management Area (proposed)
|Masi Mara National Reserve
Source: protectedplanet.net
Serengeti National Park. Source: Tim Smith/YouTube
The entire region is often referred to as the Seregeti-Mara ecosystem. However, two World Wildlife Fund ecoregions cover most of the Serengeti: Southern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets and Serengeti volcanic grasslands.
In the Southern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets ecoregion, the predominant plants include species of Acacia, Commiphora, and Crotalaria and the grasses Themeda triandra, Setaria incrassata, Panicum coloratum, Aristida adscencionis, Andropogon spp., and Eragrostis spp. Within Tanzania, the ecoregion is bisected by two patches of Serengeti Volcanic Grassland and patches of East African Montane Forest. The volcanic grasslands are an integral habitat of the greater Serengeti ecosystem. However, the grasslands are considered a separate ecoregion due to their unique grassland communities, found only on the fine volcanic soil, or vertisol.
During the long dry season (August to October), the grasslands can become extremely parched, and many of the trees and bushes lose their leaves. Fires occur naturally in the ecosystem. Both fire and elephant browsing play an important role in converting dense thicket and bushland into grassland. However, a large number of fires are started by pastoralists to promote new vegetative growth for their livestock.
With so many large herbivores, grazing is clearly a significant disturbance in this ecoregion. Different herbivores tend to feed on different graze species and components, enabling grazing sequences by different ungulate species at the landscape scale. For example, Grant's gazelle prefer herbs and shrub foliage, wildebeest usually feed on a wide variety of nutritious, short grasses, and topi tend to eat long grass leaves. Studies here have shown that when ungulate grazing is removed, plant species composition and growth form changes relative to those under grazing, and that some important grass species (e.g., Andropogon greenwayi) eventually disappear in the absence of this disturbance. Other studies have found that the grasses found in grazed patches are more productive than ungrazed patches, and that these patches are able to support larger concentrations of herbivores than stocking rates would suggest.
The great migration
In the heart of these wide-sweeping grasslands and associated Acacia-Commiphora woodlands, the world's most spectacular migration of large mammals occurs each year. Wildebeests, plains zebras, and Thomson's gazelles traverse the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, triggered by cyclical wet and dry seasons.
Although populations fluctuate, there are an estimated 1.3 million blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), 200,000 plains zebra (Equus burchelli), and 400,000 Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsoni) migrating between the Serengeti volcanic grasslands ecoregion and the Southern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets ecoregion each year.
These species do not migrate in one synchronized trek; rather the migration occurs in waves in response to the area's seasonal rainfall, and resulting available grazing. The plains zebras arrive in an area first and begin grazing the coarse grass stalks. Wildebeests follow and graze on the smaller grass leaves and forbs visible after the zebras consume coarse material. Thomson's gazelles, with their smaller mouths and higher relatively energy demands, then graze the small, tender new shoots. During the wetter half of the year (December to June) the animals use the short-grass plains of the Serengeti volcanic grasslands ecoregion. During the long dry season, the animals move northward into the grasslands, savannas and shrublands of the Southern Acacia-Commiphora Bushland and Thicket. During the driest months (July to October), the animals move to the extreme northern section of the ecoregion, into Kenya's Masai Mara game reserve. Both the distance and direction of the migration varies in relation to fluctuations in ungulate population density and rainfall patterns. Human-wildlife conflicts often occur when the ungulates traverse areas outside the gazetted protected areas, moving into agricultural lands.
Wildebeest migration. Source: National Geographic.
A large number of associated mammalian predators are also involved in these movements. Contrary to popular belief, the Serengeti's large predators account for no more than one-third of all deaths among the migratory herds. Thousands of years of predator-prey coexistence have resulted in a number of anti-predator life history traits among prey species. Many live in large herds, to reduce individual chance of falling victim to predators. Some animals, such as Thomson's and Grant's gazelles (Gazella granti) may hide their young until they are strong enough to flee an attack. Most large prey species living in big herds with precocial young (e.g. wildebeest, topi (Damaliscus lunatus) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer)) display highly synchronous birthing seasons. Most large predators are territorial, and only hunt until satiated. Since young are at their most vulnerable in the first month or so of their lives, the chances of being killed are much lower for each calf if they all offspring are born within a short time period. Calves of these species born outside of the synchronized birth period seldom survive.
The Serengeti National Park provides lists of of the most notable animals and plants found on the Serengeti which are reproduced here:
Ungulates (28 species)
Aardvark: Orycteropus afer
Pro Boscids
Odd-toed ungulates
Even-toed ungulates
Spiral horned bovines
Duikers: Grey duiker: Sylvicapra grimmia
Dwarf Antelopes
Reedbuck and allies
Horse-like Antelopes
Topis and allies
Hares: Cape Hare: Lepus capensis
Hyaenids, Hyaenidae and Protelinae
Scaly Anteaters: Ground Pangolin: Smutsia temminckii
Bats: Order Chiroptera
Wildebeest crossing river. Source: Stefan Swanepoel
BBC Nature Documentary hosted by Michael Praed and published by BBC broadcasted as part of BBC Natural World series in 2005. Source: BBC/You Tube
Savanna Vegetation
Serengeti National Park is made up of grassland and woodland, plains, kopjes, and marshes; all of which comprise a savanna.
Savanna is a general term for any type of semi-arid land from open grassland to woodland and all mixtures of grass and trees in between. Savannas cover one quarter of the worlds land surface and can support more animals than any other land type.
One common feature of savannas is fire. Unless savanna grass is completely consumed by animals or frozen, it will occasionally burn. With the potential to have massive numbers of resident animals and frequent fires, savannas are dynamic landscapes and tend to change rapidly in time. This makes them both very interesting scientifically, and important to understand for management purposes.
Commonest plant species
Sausage tree (Kigelia africana)
This large tree is spread sparsely throughout Serengeti. It produces characteristic long
Strangler fig (Ficus thonningii)
The Strangler Fig begins life as a small vine-like plant that climbs the nearest large tree and then thickens, producing a branching set of buttressing aerial roots, and strangles its host tree. An easy way to tell the difference between strangler figs and other common figs is that the bottom half of the strangler is gnarled and twisted where it used to be attached to its host, with the upper half being smooth. The strangler fig is a common tree on kopjes and along rivers in the Serengeti; two notable massive fig trees near Serengeti are: the "Tree Where Man was Born" in southern Loliondo, and the "Ancestor Tree" near Endulin, in Ngorongoro. Both specimens are significant for the local Maasai peoples.
Wild Date Palm (Phoenix reclinata)
Palms are monocotyledons, the veins in their leaves are parallel and unbranched, and are thus relatives of grasses, lilies, bananas and orchids. The wild Date Palm is the most common of the native palm trees, occurring along rivers and in swamps. The fruits are edible, though horrible tasting, while the thick, sugary sap is made into palm wine. The tree offers a pleasant, softly rustling, fragrant-smelling shade; the sort of shade you will need to rest in if you try the wine.
Candelabra Euphorbia (Euphorbia candelabrum)
(Yes, the names are supposed to reversed) The Candelabra tree is a common species in the western and Northern parts of Serengeti. Like all Euphorbias the Candelabra breaks easily and is full of white, extremely toxic latex. One drop of this latex can blind or burn the skin. Traditional people plant the tree as cattle fencing, as predators will not attempt to push their way through the dense and poisonous stems. Some circles of Candelabra can be seen in the park, where seasonal dwellings existed before the establishment of the park.
Commiphora (Commiphora africana)
Commiphoras can easily be distinguished from Acacia tree species by the Commiphora's peeling, papery blue/yellow bark. These trees occur throughout Serengeti, and are the dominant species in the eastern part of the park. Local medicine makes use of the bark, roots, and berries for a variety of treatments, including stomach complaints, liver problems, colic children, and rashes. While there are several species of Commiphora in Serengeti, Commiphora africana is the most common.
Yellow fever tree (Acacia xanthophloea)
The Yellow Fever Tree is a common site in Serengeti in wet areas of black-cotton soil, such as in riparian zones. Early settlers in Kenya and India knew that malaria was more common near standing water, but blamed the Yellow Acacias there instead of mosquitoes; thus the name "yellow never tree".
Umbrella tree (Acacia tortilis)
The tree that has come to represent Africa. Acacia tortilis arches dramatically over the savanna throughout Serengeti. The seedlings of this tree are favored by elephants and cannot survive bush fires, so only twice in the past one hundred years have tortilis trees been able to grow. As such all of the tortilis trees in Serengeti are either 100 or 20 years old.
Whistling thorn (Acacia drepanolobium) (Ant-galled Acacia)
Tap a "drep" and you are in for a surprise. This odd-looking tree has hard, hollow spheres at the base of its thorns, filled with biting ants. The tree actually encourages these ants by both providing homes and food in special flower-like structures called "extra-floral nectaries". These tree grow in abundance wherever the soil is saturated.
Desert date (Balanites aegyptia)
The Balanites tree is often confused with Acacia trees, but can easily be identified by its green thorns. This tree produces a date-like nut that is tasty both raw and roasted (with cinnamon). The green thorns are rumored to be photosynthetic, so the tree is both happy and alive even without its leaves.
Toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica)
The toothbrush tree is a low bush with characteristic long, arching shoots. These shoots, when green, are cut by locals and used as toothbrushes. First, they chew on the end until it resembles a normal toothbrush, and then they brush their teeth with it, spitting out the fragments of wood all the while. It may sound unpleasant, but their smiles tell of a job well done.
Red Grass (Themeda triandra)
Turning a dark reddish color as it dries, Themeda is one of the main grass species in the long-grass plains and woodlands of Serengeti. This grass normally grows as a dense bunch, though on the long-grass plains it can become the dominant grass and grows widely spaced like a field of wheat. Wildebeest eat Red grass, though it is consumed generally after more palatable grass species are exhausted.
Pan Dropseed (Sporobolus ioclados)
This Sporobolus species is one of the two dominant species on the short grass plains along with Digitaria macroblephora. Both species grow in a dwarf form, so that they are difficult to recognize. The hardpan layer in the soil prevents grasses from producing deep roots, and high levels of wet season herbivory combine to produce these dwarfed grass forms.
Red Dropseed (Sporobolus festivus)
The grass species is not common in Serengeti, but it is included here, because it is so amusing to say: pronounce the name out loud .. "Sporololus festiiiiiiivus"! Named for its "festival-like" arrangement of seeds, the species typically grows in association with red grass in the long grass plains, and as a thin perimeter ring around many kopjes.
The El-Nino Flower (Hibiscus cannabinus)
During the last El-nino rains, this plant grew in abundance throughout Serengeti, thus acquiring the local name of "El-Nino" flower. An annual, it grows most years along rivers or in wet-season boggy areas throughout East Africa. Watch out if you are taking a picture of hibiscus flowers; most of the species in the genus have poisonous hairs that break off in your skin and cause irritation and lots of grumbling.
The Mexican Poppy (Argemone mexicana)
This is an alien species in Serengeti, recently introduced southwest of Ngorongoro with a shipment of wheat seeds. Along with other invasives such as prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), and custard oil (Rhyciuus sp.) the Mexican Poppy may pose a very serious threat to the survival of the Serengeti Ecosystem. During the 1960's Prickly Pear ruined thousands of square kilometers of Australian savanna ranchland, while the Mexican Poppy is making some areas near Karatu unfarmable, competing with both crops and native plants. The threat of an invasive species changing the vegetation structure of Serengeti and thus the wildlife appears both real and immediate; Karatu is only eighty kilometers from the entrance gate of Serengeti National Park and individuals have already been found within the park.
Maasai man in the eastern Serengeti, October 2006. Source: Steve Pastor/Wikimedia Commons
In 1890, an infectious disease known as rinderpest (German for "cattle plague") arrived in East Africa and within two years killed 95% of the buffalo and wildebeest and at least half of the cattle in the region before recovery began. Rinderpest outbreaks swept across other parts of the world, include recurrances in Africa, before and after the East Africa outbreak. It was eventually eraticated worldwide, with the last case reported in Kenya in 2001. However, Rinderpest had long-term social and ecological consequences for the Serengeti.
The cattle-herding Masai people were dramatically impacted with devastating poverty and starvation. Coupled with smallpox and impacted of colonialism, the Masai population dropped by as much as 60% during this period.
The ecological impacts of rinderpest rippled with the ecosystem with large declines in species dependent on the ungulates. These ranged from tsetse fly (which transmited blood based diseases like sleeping sickness) to lions (some of which turned to humans and established their popular reputation "man-eaters"). The dramatic drop in both grazing animals and humans allowed thickets to establish themselves on what had been and are again today grasslands or cultivated areas.
The later recovery of ungulates in the early twentieth century also revived the tsetse fly which slowed or even prevented the return of humans to parts of the landscape. In the 1930s, mechanized bush-clearing methods reversed the revival of the tsetse fly and the numbers of people and cattle (also helped by a vacine for rinderplast).
Rinderplast had important, but far less dramatic, outbreaks in 1917-18, 1923, and 1938-40; particularly impacting young "yearlings." A comprehenive immunization effort directed at cattle occured in the early 1950s had good initial results, but the disease resurfaced in 1957-59. By 1962 it had largely disappeard from wildebeast; and by 1963 in buffalo. The populations of both species began to recover rapidly in the 1960s.
The impact of rinderpest disapearance (simplfied) is shown in the following figure:
Source: A.R.E Sinclair in Serengeti: Dynamics of an Ecosystem.
Humans on the Serengeti
This area is of great interest and importance in terms of human evolution. Olduvai Gorge on the eastern edge of the Serengeti is the site of the discovery of the 1.75 million-year-old remains of Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis by Louis and Mary Leakey.
Originally, the presence of the tsetse fly, which carries sleeping sickness, limited the development of much of the ecoregion. Its partial eradication has made human settlement possible throughout much of the area.
Outbreaks of rinderpest dramatically impacted with devastating poverty and starvation for the cattle-herding Masai people. Rinderpest coupled with smallpox and impacted of colonialism, reduced the Masai population by as much as 60% at the end of the nineteenth century. Continued outbreaks led to conflict between pastoralists and wildlife managers over buffer zones between protected areas and grazing lands.
Today, much of the land outside the protected area system has been converted to agricultural and intensive-use livestock areas. Within the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania, local people and their livestock utilize resources in multiple-use areas, conservation areas outside of the gazetted national parks.
While Masai pastoralists occupy the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, there are no people living within the Serengeti National Park. However, the western frontier of this Park has a dense resident population, growing at 4 percent a year. Not only is the human population increasing, but there is also a concomitant increase in livestock numbers, and much of the area is being converted into cropland, while the demand for land rises. Although agriculture is the main source of income, many people have been attracted to the area by the wildlife resources and tourism opportunities the park presents. At present, it is estimated that 200,000 animals within the Serengeti National Park are killed annually, in poaching operations that have graduated from subsistence to commercial levels. It is hoped, however, that schemes to give local communities legal rights to manage the wildlife around their villages will reduce this. There are also plans to channel more money earned from tourist activities within the park back into the community, as the contribution from tourism to the local economy has been relatively low.
In the past, severe elephant poaching has occurred in many areas. This has largely been stopped due to CITES restrictions on ivory trade from declining elephant populations, and the efforts of the Tanzanian government, which brought in the army to solve some of the worst problems. Poaching of black rhinoceros has been even more severe, and the species has essentially been extirpated from most of the ecoregion, except for a few heavily protected sites.
Outside of protected and multiple-use areas, almost all the land suitable for large-scale agriculture has already been converted. This conversion reduced the number and variety of corridors available for wildlife to move between protected areas. For example, the number of available corridors between Tarangire National Park and nearby protected areas has decreased from 30 to 4 viable corridors since the early 1970's. Overall, the most damaged habitats in the ecoregion are located close to the mountains that rise from the plains. These areas provide a reliable source of rainfall and water for irrigation and are important for both large-scale commercial and subsistence agriculture. The areas close to Lake Victoria are mainly agricultural and have higher-than-average human population densities.
Expansion of the human population into the remaining habitats outside protected areas, and the increase of dryland agriculture (e.g. for tobacco) could also have a major effect on the habitat. Tobacco is a particular problem as it not only needs space for growing, but also requires fuelwood for drying. Even in the larger blocks of protected areas, competing demands between wildlife and burgeoning human populations near the borders is leading to increased conflict for resources and space.
Charcoal is made from many of the woodland tree species and is heavily used for daily cooking needs as well as for drying tobacco. The cutting of woody materials for firewood and charcoal production threatens almost all areas that have any type of human settlement. Tree regeneration is commonly very low in densely populated areas. Woodland removal results in loss of many of the small ungulate species as well as birds, reptiles and small mammals. Illegal taking of bushmeat, both for subsistence and trade, is a growing concern. An increasing reliance on bushmeat as a major protein source has resulted in localized depletions of many wildlife species, especially in areas adjacent to protected areas.
One of the largest problems associated with the growing human population is the bushmeat trade. Subsistence hunting for meat has been a part of the ecosystem since early hominid evolution. However, increasing markets for bushmeat for both rural and urban people is leading to the depletion of several antelope species. This problem is most severe in the areas outside and adjacent to the protected sites. Hunting and taking of bushmeat is an ever-increasing and serious threat to all animals throughout the ecoregion.
Uncontrolled trophy hunting within some of the Tanzanian hunting concessions may be a problem. Quota-setting and enforcement need to be carried out over an ecoregion scale, rather than by individual hunting blocks. Illegal trophy hunting and poaching are not currently large problems, partly because most black rhinoceros have been already been killed. Careful monitoring and patrolling activities need to be continued, however, to protect the large elephant populations and the few remaining black rhinoceros.
Serengeti sunset. Source: Vincent van Zeijst
- Sinclair, A.R.E., Serengeti Past and Present, in Serengeti II: dynamics, management, and conservation of an ecosystem, edited by A.R.E. Sinclair and Peter Arcese, The University of Chicago Press, 1995 ISBN 0226760316
- Sinclair A.R.E., The Seregeti Environment, in Serengeti: Dynamics of an Ecosystem, Editors, Sinclair, A.R.E. and M. Norton Griffiths, University of Chicago Press. 1979, ISBN 0226760294
- Serengeti III: Human Impacts on Ecosystem Dynamics, Editors, Sinclair, A.R.E., Craig Packer, Simon A. R. Mduma, and John M. Fryxell, University Of Chicago Press, 2006, ISBN 0226760332
- Africa's Great Rift Valley''. Nigel Pavitt. 2001. Page 122. Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York. ISBN 0-8109-0602-3.
- Serengeti National Park
- Trees of Kenya. 1989. T.C. Noad and A. Birnie. Self Published, Box 40034 Nairobi, Kenya. With assistance of Kul Graphics, Nairobi, Prudential Printers, Nairobi, and General Printers, Nairobi.
- Collins Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. 1987. Sir Michael Blundell. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. London.


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1: Introducing Kush and the Adobe Ones
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- Nov 28:
- After mostly silence, Tampa socialite defends herself in Petraeus scandal
- Nov 19:
- FBI detoured from usual path in investigating Broadwell e-mails
- Nov 16:
- Panetta wants ethics review in wake of Petraeus scandal
- Nov 15:
- Lawmakers investigate widening scandal with Petraeus, Allen
- Nov 14:
- Who's who in the Petraeus scandal
- Nov 13:
- FBI searches Broadwell's home
- Petraeus case shows FBI's ease in reading emails
- Nov 12:
- Congress wants answers on David Petraeus affair from FBI, CIA
- Nov 11:
- Threatening e-mails sparked Petraeus probe, officials say
- Nov 9:
- David Petraeus resigns as CIA director after admitting to affair
- CIA Director David Petraeus resigns
TAMPA, Fla. — If you were to diagram the increasingly tangled sex scandal surrounding former CIA Director David Petraeus, nearly all lines would lead back to one person: Jill Kelley, a 37-year-old Tampa socialite who hosted parties for the nation's top military brass.
Kelley's complaint about anonymous, threatening e-mails triggered the FBI investigation that led to Petraeus' downfall. And now she is at the center of an investigation of the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan over alleged "inappropriate communications" between the two.
Kelley is a close friend of the Petraeus family, and photographs circulating in the media show the dark-haired woman posing for pictures at parties with Petraeus, his wife, and her husband, Scott, a cancer surgeon. She served as a sort of unofficial social ambassador for U.S. Central Command in Tampa, holding gatherings for the general when he was commander there from 2008 to 2010.
She also met Gen. John Allen while he was at Central Command, and now investigators are looking at 20,000-plus pages of documents and e-mails between Kelley and Allen, some of which have been described as "flirtatious." The general has denied any wrongdoing.
For her part, Kelley has taken a low profile since Petraeus' affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, became public. The Kelleys have hired Washington lawyer Abbe Lowell, who has represented corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former presidential candidate John Edwards. Lowell did not immediately return a call.
On Tuesday, Kelley could be seen through the large windows of her South Tampa home, a stately two-story brick house with a half-dozen white columns and a manicured lawn. Kelley's identical twin sister, Natalie Khawam, a lawyer, also lives at the home.
In the afternoon, Kelley, wearing dark sunglasses, left through the front door and ignored reporters' questions as she drove off in a Mercedes.
South Tampa has a conservative Southern upper class, with big houses, big bank accounts, garden clubs and wives who pride themselves on volunteer work. MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., which is headquarters to Central Command, is a big deal in the community, in part because a lot of the brass lives or socializes in South Tampa. Helping members of the military is a major volunteer activity in the community.
Ken Walters, a neighbor known for hosting a Frank Sinatra-themed party each year, called the Kelleys good friends and said he went to a party the couple had to celebrate their first son's baptism. The Kelleys have two other children.
"Natalie and her sister, they're certainly not shrinking violets," he said. Walters recalled that when the sisters first entered the South Tampa social scene, they "rubbed people the wrong way. I think they probably stepped on a couple of toes."
In another strange footnote, before the scandal involving Petraeus, an FBI agent had sent Kelley shirtless photos of himself, according to a federal law enforcement official.
Kelley's brother, David Khawam, told WPVI-TV in Philadelphia that his family left Lebanon for suburban Philadelphia's Huntingdon Valley in the 1970s to escape the turmoil and fighting in their homeland.
"My family is very patriotic," he said. "We came from Lebanon at a young age."
Kelley regularly kept in touch with Petraeus when he became commander of the Afghanistan war, the two exchanging near-daily e-mails and instant messages, two of his former staffers said. But those messages were exchanged in accounts that his aides monitored as part of their duties and were not romantic in tone, the staffers said.
Jill and Scott Kelley have been involved in at least nine legal actions since arriving in Tampa, according to court records. Most of them involve real estate transactions, including one foreclosure and an $11,000 judgment against the couple in a Pennsylvania case.
Victims of the "Afghan Curse"
A look at what went wrong for the four U.S. generals who have led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan since 2008:
Gen. David McKiernan, June 2008 to June 2009: Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked for McKiernan's resignation a year before his term as commander was set to end. The firing was seen as a rejection by newly elected President Barack Obama of McKiernan's conventional warfare approach in favor of the more targeted "counterinsurgency" strategy of working to undermine insurgents' pull on the population.
Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, June 2009 to June 2010: With a background in special operations, came in with a mandate to remake the war effort with the help of "surge" troops ordered by Obama. A year into that push, an article in Rolling Stone magazine quoted members of McChrystal's team making disparaging comments about Obama and other senior administration officials. Obama called McChrystal back to Washington to explain and forced him to resign.
Gen. David Petraeus, July 2010 to July 2011: Took over for McChrystal and agreed to serve one year. He completed that term and retired from the military to become CIA director in September 2011. Petraeus resigned as CIA director on Friday, saying he had an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. The affair came out as part of an FBI investigation into suspicious e-mails between the biographer and another woman, Jill Kelley.
Gen. John Allen, July 2011 to present: Appointed to oversee the drawdown of U.S. and international forces ahead of the planned transfer of security responsibility to the Afghan government in 2014. Pentagon officials said early Tuesday that Allen is under investigation for thousands of alleged "inappropriate communications" with Kelley . Allen's nomination to become the next commander of U.S. European Command and the commander of NATO forces in Europe is on hold.
The Associated Press


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To the point. This collection is a result of our collaboration with Potter's Workshop, a collective of South African artists known for their signature bead-like patterns. To bring their unique process to the product, we worked with artisans in India to hand-silkscreen each piece. This collaboration will help support the continued growth of Potter's Workshop, while maintaining the integrity of their process and bringing their designs to a global audience at a great value.
• Created in collaboration with Potter's Workshop. Learn more.
• Hand silkscreened.
• 100% cotton.
• 14"w x 19"l.
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• Machine wash.
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• Join us behind the scenes of our South African adventure.


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This primitive lifeform Ahmed has recently been discovered living in Southern England. This lifeform Ahmed is a direct descendent of rock dwelling creatures e.g.the devious lying snake. This lifeform Ahmed is known to prey on women, especially those of virginal status. Women should bewary of contact with the lifeform Ahmed.
Girl 1 - Whats that in the rocks?
Girl 2 - I think its a Ahmed.
Girl 1 - Really?!! Quick run then!! We're both virgins!!
Girl 2 - I think its a Ahmed.
Girl 1 - Really?!! Quick run then!! We're both virgins!!
by King Biyatch Ass July 28, 2013
Top Definition
Ahmed is a popular Muslim name, but now is associated with Big Brother's Ahmed and the legendary song of A-H-M-E-D; i.e., A: Amazing, H: Hero, M: Mega or Magnificient, E: Easy and D: Delirious
The legend, the unique and Real Ahmed of Big Brother 5. BB Fans will always remember him.
by Avvocato June 02, 2005
Ahmed. The most amazingly perfect person you could ever meet. He is perfect in every way, and every person he meets adores him. He is loved by so many, yet loves only one other more than his own life. An Ahmed always has beautiful eyes and isn't afraid to use them to his advantage. Even though he loves only one other, he will flirt with people of the opposit sex. If you know an Ahmed, look after him. He is the greatest treasure you could have.
Me: Hey, is his name Ahmed?
Friend: It must be, look how unbelievably perfect he is!
Friend: It must be, look how unbelievably perfect he is!
by Wanabenediiiik June 21, 2011
Common Muslim name for males. Comes from a nickname for the Prophet Muhammad and means "praised one" in Arabic.
Also spelled Ahmad.
Also spelled Ahmad.
Starkecia: Yo dawg u hear about that fine boy Ahmed? He just owned us on that last bio test.
Charles Everton III: Fo shizzity?
Charles Everton III: Fo shizzity?
by john_d May 10, 2005
A guy who is always up to party and have a good time! Makes you laugh and smile at the same time! Very attractive, athletic, smart, genuine & sweet. He's the total package. If you don't have a Ahmed in your life you're missing out on something amazing.
Hey whose the new guy? he's sooo cool and friendly.
He's definitely a Ahmed!
Ah, I want one
He's definitely a Ahmed!
Ah, I want one
by Ella tiene muy grande corazon July 01, 2011
An exotic blend of old holborn tobacco and high grade cannabis. Only avaliable from West Hendon. Usually smoked in a large joint.
Do you wanna roll some ahmed.
this Ahmed joint is the nicest i've ever had!
this Ahmed joint is the nicest i've ever had!
by Ahmed111 January 13, 2008
a unstoppable wrestler and really awsome. More awsome than Nishat
Nerd:"Oh man i'm fighting a bully because i was trying to stand up for myself. I wish i could be a Ahmed so i can be a wrestler and never get wedgies and be awesome"
Nerds best friend:" Why dont you become a Ahmed.
Nerds best friend:" Why dont you become a Ahmed.
by ksiolajidebt November 17, 2012
Ahmed is the name of a crazy, awesome, funny and sweet boy. He makes a great boyfriend and normally has curly hair. Ahmeds tend to speak more than one language.
Girl 1-Did you see what Ahmed did for his girlfriend?
Girl 2- is Ahmed the curly haired boy that is crazy?
Girl 1- Yep, that's Ahmed!
Girl 2- Yeah, I saw what he did for her, he is so sweet!
Girl 2- is Ahmed the curly haired boy that is crazy?
Girl 1- Yep, that's Ahmed!
Girl 2- Yeah, I saw what he did for her, he is so sweet!
by Datgirlkaren March 14, 2015


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OK so I know quite a few bought this programmer (although not in thousands like other boards). Hopefully this will be useful for those who are completely new to this. When I searched I could not even find a working hex file for the USBTinyMkii. The only one I found out from psxscene is not working. So here is a complete howto with pics and a working hex file.
PSGroove Guide for USBTinyMkii Programmer tifozi1
The USBTInyMkII is an avr programmer that uses the LUFA firmware to emulate an Atmel AVRISP-MkII. It can be purchased for $33 shipped from the following URL
All instructions are for Windows and can be suitably adapted for Linux.
1)Download and install FLIP 3.4.1 atmel. The following is the most common setup file you will need(assumes you have a JRE installed)
2)Remove the jumper cable that is attached to the PDI header. Tom ships them out this way because it was not originally intended for PSGroove but to program other MCUs.
3)Make sure that power mode is set to USB (Switch should be pushed to the left as shown in pic). This is the default position so most likely you do not have to change this.
4)Connect the USB --> USB Mini B adapter or cable to USBTinyMkii programmer and plug the other end to the PC.
5)The LED will turn orange, Windows will detect new Hardware Device USBTinyMkii and you will be prompted to install USB Drivers. You can select cancel as you do not need this to flash the PSGroove hex file.
6)Press and hold the PGM button for a second(shown in pic). The LED will turn itself off. You will hear the Windows device disconnect and reconnect button and will be prompted with another Hardware Device Found window. This means you have successfully put the USBTinyMkii into DFU programming mode. LED will turn off whenever you enter DFU mode in future.
7)Select to install the driver manually and browse to C:\Program Files\Atmel\Flip 3.4.1\usb. Click Next and have Windows install the necessary DFU drivers. After successful installation you will see it in Device Manager under Atmel USB Devices as AT90USB162 (shown in pic)
8)Open "C:\Program Files\Atmel\Flip 3.4.1\bin\flip.exe" via the start menu shortcut. Press Ctrl+S and select AT90USB162 as the device selection (shown in pic)
9)Press Ctrl+U or Click on the USB cable icon (second button from left) and click on Open. This should now make the USBTinyMkii ready to be programmed (shown in pic)
10)Make sure that the boxes next to Erase, Program and Verify are checked as shown in the pic above. Press Ctrl+L and navigate to the directory where you extracted prgroove.hex from psgroove_usbtinymkii_patched.rar. Select/highlight it and press OK.
11)Select Run and wait for the hex file to be written. The USBTinyMkii is now ready to jailbreak the target device Remove it from the PC and hook it up to the console.
12)Shutdown the console completely by pressing the switch in the back. Plug the USBTinyMkii to one of the USB Ports of the console. Start the console from the switch in the back, then the on/off button in the front and quickly press the Eject button next to it for a second or two. Wait a couple of seconds, the LED will turn green and the console will be in jailbreak mode!
Shoutout to PSGroove team, CJPC, PS3News and Tom Light.
Guide written by your friendly neighborhood pirate tifozi


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If you are looking to add warm floors to your Bathroom, Kitchen, Living Room or Outdoors and need to know what options you have - you are in the right place!
We specialize in electric floor heating and have several perfect solutions that would help you install warm floors quickly and easily.
Let us know what you need & we can help you find the right solution
Call Us at: 1-866-558-3369 or ask us here!


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Tanzania, like many other African countries, still suffers from bad leadership nearly fifty years after independence. From boardrooms to political podiums, we are still managed by bad leaders who got leadership through either corruption or by sheer accident.
Whether you look at the way government business is managed or how corporate affairs are managed, what you see is poor leadership. Let's hasten to point out, however, that poor leadership doesn't necessarily mean that someone is not educated or civilised.
First of all there is no special university or college which trains presidents, ministers, chief executive officers, board chairpersons or managers.
Writing about leadership in June 2008, Anver Versi, the executive editor of African Business magazine, put it this way, "When there's a gap between the position of leadership and the qualities of the person holding that position, you better start looking for the exit sign. When the gap becomes so large that monkeys end up wearing the crown, it's definitely time to move on."
He went on, "Good leaders take you from here to a better place…bad leaders plunge you into darkness, and the difficulty is that once someone is sitting in a position of power, like the captain of a ship, the vessel will continue on the course he or she has decided on, even if it's headed straight to the rock."In Tanzania we are confusing popularity and capability; charisma and performance; loyalty and discipline.
Sometimes we believe that when people fear you most, then you are a good leader. But, in reality, fear is the opposite of faith. We also confuse family, friendship and leadership. We believe that our children can manage our political parties, businesses or anything we did or initiated.
That's why when we quit power, we leave our children behind as our successors or we create a system by which our friends inherit us political positions, and ditto in business.
Sometimes we also think that a first class graduate can be a good manager, minister, chief executive officer or head of state. What we don't understand is that academic success is one thing and being a good leader is another thing entirely, though education will still play a vital role in any credible leadership.
At one point in Zanzibar, a politician who happened to be a polygamist, wondered why he garnered just a single vote in an election in which his four wives also took part. He had counted on getting at least five votes from his household alone! But, alas, it wasn't to be, for his wives ended up voting for his opponent, who won the election.
When he furiously demanded explanation why the wives didn't vote for him, they replied by saying, "For bedroom matters you are the best, but for managing people you are poorer compared to your opponent."
If you look at the immense resources we have in this country, you wonder why we are still beggars, begging mosquito nets to end malaria in our homes.
Our leaders enjoy begging for condoms to prevent HIV/Aids from the developed world. The most challenging task is that even the corporate world in Tanzania is also in a pathetic situation when it comes to leadership. Managers are appointed based on nepotism, loyalty, ethnicity, sex and many other factors which have little to do with able leadership.
This goes to explain why Tanzania's private sector is still limping compared to some East African countries such as Kenya. If our voters had the courage of the four Zanzibari wives, Tanzania would not be the same. Bad leaders would be fired or rejected, even if in so doing you would risk losing your position as a citizen or a manager in a public or private sector.
But if we continue to retain bad leaders in both politics and business, hoping that they will change in future, we are totally wrong because, in the end, these types of managers will only plunge us into doom.
When monkeys adorn the crown, it's time to leave town. Our challenge therefore is to ensure that not a single monkey even comes close to the crown, let alone wearing it. In politics that's possible by rejecting 'monkeys' through the ballots box, while in business the best option is to tell the truth, even if it will cost you your job.


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It's all too easy to sulk these days, so dire are the dispatches which daily pummel even the casual consumer of news.
The news business depends on bad tidings, of course — the assorted awfulness that afflicts our world is as essential to the media as forage is to the cattle rancher.
People complain that they're bludgeoned by this onslaught of negativity but I think they'd miss it if went away altogether. We are, most of us, attracted by stories of disaster and despair — mainly, I suspect, because they remind us that no matter how rotten we thought things were going for us, we're better off than those poor people who were just on TV.
This is at best a meager and brief sort of solace, but accept it.
The tenor of things has turned particularly pessimistic, it seems to me, during the second half of 2008.
There has been but little respite since the start of summer. First fuel prices rose to unprecedented heights, then the housing and financial markets sunk to levels unimaginable mere months before.
Just recently, though, weather, that old reliable troublemaker, has shoved presidential succession and economic recession from the tops of front pages, and seized control of television cameras.
There's significance in this, it seems to me, something more than our collective fascination with scenes of cars sliding across ice-skimmed streets and slamming into all manner of unyielding obstacles.
When the biggest story going is whether people can get to the grocery store today, it simply rings false to me the notion that our country lies on the verge of catastrophe.
It wasn't so long ago that the specter which truly frightened us was not that a storm would close the factory outlet stores a week before Christmas, but that some lunatic would fly an airliner into a skyscraper.
Which thought brings me to the real inspiration for this column.
A few days ago a letter arrived here at the Herald. It was sent to me by a local woman whose son is a paratrooper in the U.S. Army.
She asked that we print a poem which a friend had e-mailed to her.
"Many of our sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and fathers and mothers are now serving in the armed forces," the mother wrote. "And, many will be away from home this Christmas season. Please remember them in your prayers!"
As poems go this one, which was written by a U.S. Marine, is no prize-winner.
But even a writer who lacks the talents of a Yeats or a Frost or a Dickinson can extract from plain words a sort of power.
Maybe you could even call it magic.
he lived all alone,
in a one-bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one-bedroom home.
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured
A United States soldier.
of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve
in a land far from home.
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
and I heard a rough voice,
'Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice."
I don't ask for more,
my life is my God,
my country, my corps."
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on, Santa,
it's Christmas day, all is secure."
and I knew he was right,
"Merry Christmas, my friend,
and to all a good night."


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Calendar of Events
Red Cross Babysitter Training
Sat, May 11, 2013
9:00am - 4:30pm
Teen Programs
Learn how to safely care for children and infants, handle emergencies, find babysitting jobs, and more.
Choose from two separate one-day courses (participants only need to attend one class):
- Saturday, May 4, from 9 am-4:30 pm
- Saturday, May 11, from 9 am-4:30 pm
For ages 11-15.
Instruction fee $85. Register online beginning April 1 at www.redcross.org (click "Take a Class") or by phone 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Deadline to register is May 1. Class minimum: 5. Bring a bag lunch.
Classes fill up extremely quickly, so register early.


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Two city workers are being credited with pulling a 2-week-old baby girl from train tracks in Southern Colorado.
Pueblo police tell 11 News that it happened around 2:15 Friday afternoon on the north side of Pueblo, near 29th and Lowell.
Onlookers watched in horror after reporting seeing a woman leave a newborn on the tracks, then running away. Some witnesses told 11 News that at first, they didn't realize the suspect had dropped off a baby, as the little girl was so tiny.
Others said they didn't want to believe their eyes.
"I thought this there's no way this could be a baby. I said this has to be a doll. She has to be in on some joke."
But shaking off their shock, people sprung into action.
"I was freaking out," Eduardo Fontes told 11 News. "On the first car, I knocked on their window and was like hey man this woman just left her baby. The baby is on the tracks right next to the train."
Others chased the woman, caught her and held her there until officers arrived. Authorities say when police got there, a group of people were with the woman, keeping her from leaving.
The baby was taken to the hospital to be checked out and she appears to be okay.
The woman has been identified as 31-year old Jessica Sloan. Officers say she was incoherent when being taken into police custody.
Sloan faces charges of attempted first-degree murder. Authorities say she also has a number of local warrants, including a $500 failure to appear warrant for theft.
Sloan is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
KKTV firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKTV 11 News.
If you believe that any of the comments on our site are inappropriate or offensive, please tell us by clicking "Report Abuse" and answering the questions that follow. We will review any reported comments promptly.powered by Disqus


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Mavi Zach Jean
- Slim fit jean
- Stretch fabric
- Straight from knee to hem
- Mid-rise, 16 1/2" bottom opening
- Embroidery on pieced back pockets
- Hand sanding, whiskering and grinding details
- Zip fly
- Leather Mavi label on back
- 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex.
- Machine wash separately. Colors will fade.
- This quality denim has been hand finished for a unique, individual look. It will wear like your old favorite jeans, with each abrasion continuing to wear over time. We hope you love the vintage appearance and comfort of wearing jeans that have the look and feel of years of wear. Thanks for making the Buckle your denim destination.
- Made in Turkey.
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Men's Jeans
Men's Mavi Jeans
- Model Info: Height: 5'10" | Chest: 38" | Waist: 33" | Hip: 39" | Wearing Size: 31x32
|Men's Jean Sizes
|Slim Fit
|24-24 1/2" thigh
|Regular Fit
|25-25 1/2" thigh
|Relaxed Fit
|26-26 1/2" thigh
|Loose Fit
|27-27 1/2" thigh


text:
May 6, 2016
Beginning Monday, all Illinois children will have to be vaccinated against chicken pox before they can attend school.
Families that object to the vaccine for religious and medical reasons can be exempt from the requirement.
The new requirement is meant to keep the disease from spreading from child to child.
Chicken pox is generally mild but sometimes can be deadly. Children entering childcare or preschool programs also will have to get the shot.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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May 4, 2016
Ohio corrections officials say Ariel Castro, the man who held three women captive in his home for around a decade, has committed suicide at a state prison facility.
A spokeswoman says 53-year-old Castro was found hanging in his cell around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient. Prison medical staff performed CPR before Castro was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The three women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. They escaped May 6, when one of the women broke part of a door and yelled to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested that evening.
Castro was sentenced Sept. 1 to life in prison plus 1,000 years on his guilty plea to 937 counts including kidnapping and rape.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Diversity director Kirkpatrick 'really proud' of accomplishments
By Dwight Hobbes
Contributing Writer
The Metropolitan Council has been responsible to serve, in the region, Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Carver, Scott and Dakota counties. The 17-member municipal entity, with main offices located in St. Paul, is charged to provide essential service critical to the public good, working with local communities to, among other duties, operate the region's largest transportation system, collect and treat wastewater and provide affordable housing opportunities for citizens of low and moderate income. Accordingly, it is no small matter that such a body includes an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, accountable to ensure, as the Council's Pledge of Nondiscrimination states, "access to all our programs, services and benefits without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or socioeconomic status."
Heading up that department over the past five years is Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity Director Wanda Kirkpatrick. "When I took this job," she states, "the Metropolitan Council [was] well on our way to having diversity, inclusion, affirmative action, [and] equality opportunity be a part of everything we did. Continue Reading →


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31 U.S. Code § 1119 - Pilot projects for performance budgeting
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(a) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after consultation with the head of each agency shall designate not less than five agencies as pilot projects in performance budgeting for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. At least three of the agencies shall be selected from those designated as pilot projects under section 1118, and shall also reflect a representative range of Government functions and capabilities in measuring and reporting program performance.
(b) Pilot projects in the designated agencies shall cover the preparation of performance budgets. Such budgets shall present, for one or more of the major functions and operations of the agency, the varying levels of performance, including outcome-related performance, that would result from different budgeted amounts.
(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall include, as an alternative budget presentation in the budget submitted under section 1105 for fiscal year 1999, the performance budgets of the designated agencies for this fiscal year.
(d) No later than March 31, 2001, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall transmit a report to the President and to the Congress on the performance budgeting pilot projects which shall—
(1) assess the feasibility and advisability of including a performance budget as part of the annual budget submitted under section 1105;
(3) recommend whether legislation requiring performance budgets should be proposed and the general provisions of any legislation; and
(e) After receipt of the report required under subsection (d), the Congress may specify that a performance budget be submitted as part of the annual budget submitted under section 1105.
[1] See References in Text note below.
Source(Added Pub. L. 103–62, § 6(c),Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 291.)
References in Text
The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), is Pub. L. 103–62, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 285, which enacted sections 1115 to 1119, 9703, and 9704 of this title, section 306 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and sections 2801 to 2805 of Title 39, Postal Service, amended section 1105 of this title, and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 1101 and 1115 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1993 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.
Section 9703, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), probably means the section 9703 added by section 5(a) ofPub. L. 103–62, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 289.
No provision or amendment made by Pub. L. 103–62to be construed as creating any right, privilege, benefit, or entitlement for any person who is not an officer or employee of the United States acting in such capacity, and no person not an officer or employee of the United States acting in such capacity to have standing to file any civil action in any court of the United States to enforce any provision or amendment made by Pub. L. 103–62, or to be construed as superseding any statutory requirement, see section 10 ofPub. L. 103–62, set out as a Construction of 1993 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title.
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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2nd Congressional District
With the exception of the northern ends of the 6th District, there are few areas of Minnesota more strongly Republican than the 2nd Congressional District.
The 2nd District is the poster child for political power now wielded by Minneapolis-St. Paul's suburbs. It encompasses the fast-developing communities of Eagan, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Cottage Grove, Mendota Heights and Burnsville in the Twin Cities' southern region. The district also includes farm communities and college towns, such as Northfield, home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College.
This area once was marginally Democratic, but was in play in 1998 when Jesse Ventura carried each county in the district. In 2000, George W. Bush narrowly won Dakota County. In 2002, the district also went big for Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Republican John Kline captured the seat in 2002 and has easily won re-election since then. In 2004 George W. Bush defeated John Kerry 54 percent to 45 percent, and in 2008 John McCain won 50 percent of the 2nd District vote compared to Barack Obama's 48 percent.
Answer a few questions to learn which candidates align with your views.