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Reader Mail
Man's Search for Meaning
More reactions and welcomes to The American Prowler. Plus your thoughts on the meaning of marriage, geography, Janet Reno, blogging, and Joe Conason.
I am glad you are back. Just glancing at the article titles and authors, for the first time, on this website, I clicked on "Add to Favorites." Good Luck.
-- John Macchia
This is the second week I believe, I can say that I've visited several times, I'm so glad to see this type of site back, I'm doing double cartwheels, and I'm too out of shape to keep that up. Thanks folk for a great site.
-- George Roper
Glad you're on the net. Look forward to your views.
-- G. Lloyd
Charlottesville, VA
Welcome back. I'm just now realizing what I missed from your earlier web pub -- you remain on target and perceptive. Thanks.
-- Robert L. Taylor
Birmingham, AL
I miss the old magazine, but it looks like I've found a replacement in the "Prowler." Thanks Again, I already check it every day!
-- Vernon Rocco
Freeland, MD
Thanks for regrouping. Even up here in the Great White North you were missed!
-- Nick Chadwick
Moose Creek, Ontario
What a refreshing addition to online media sites. Lucianne.com is a several times a day habit, and now you will be, also. .. All is well now that my familiar scribes and curmudgeons are available at TheAmericanProwler.org.
-- Linda Culbertson
Just found you. EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Alan Walton
Love it! Just keep on keepin' on! Keep Smiling,
-- Andy B.
Appreciate your new site, a welcome addition to the web. Please continue the fight to bring honest reporting and conservative opinion to the American people.
-- Patrick McDonough
Good to see you back! Congratulations.
-- Ed Maciula
Glad to have you back. "The Weekly Standard" and "National Review" are good stuff but lack your always on target rapier wit and poison pen. Expectantly,
-- Robert C. Royce, Esq.
Due to financial reverses I haven't been able to get my news stand magazine fix of the "American Spectator" and other magazines, so when the online site went away I was almost despondent. Ever since I read the line ".... and his lovely wife Bruno," I have been an addicted fan. Of course I realize your crack staff of writers will constantly scoop the competition and keep the citizens informed, but it was the sinking of the verbal bodkin into the enflamed kidney of the leftists that made my day.
-- Douglas Chandler
I liked the "American Spectator" and am so happy to be able to get some news to offset the horrible biased garbage the regular news media passes out.
-- B. Knight
Thanx for giving us the opportunity of tasting the delicious prose of Wlady and R. Emmett again! Bon appetit to all.
-- A. Robinson
Buchanan, TN
Welcome back. I've missed that conservatism with an edge without whining outraged indignation. Refreshing indeed.
-- [unsigned]
BTW, I am here because Howard Kurtz mentioned [your site], so be nice to him.
-- Patrick McGuinness
Austin, Texas
It's good to have you guys back; we need to stay alert and watch out for a new Bill Clinton. Eight years of him is a lifetime for anyone. We need your voice to point out what the major media is covering up for the Democrats.
-- Bill Schafer
Edgewood, MD
Thank you for all you're doing. Your website is a wonderful political deep-thought resource. Keep up the good work!
-- Barry Mann
Thank God you're back -- life was really meaningless there for about a year.
-- Mark Stoffel
Please bring back "Ben Stein's Diary." Ben is a rarity in columnists these days: he is both optimistic and grateful. Being grateful to others for their help and for what you have is a rare thing these days. It is extremely rare in media people of all stripes. His remembrances of his parents are beautiful and his recounting of his father's last days were heartrending.
Can we at least get "Ask Ben Stein" back?
Grateful for any Ben Stein you can give us,
-- John Clark
Joe Conason -- I can't believe he still spews his DNC marching papers. How come we don't know anything about this guy? I'd love to see the "Prowler" do an expose on Joe. Or at least some pithy analysis. I mean, why is this guy still employed?
-- Mike Baron
In "Is the Web Driving Us Nuts?" Wlady Pleszczynski writes:
"[H]ow long is anything said by a so-called "blogger" ... to remain valid?
"'The Weekly Standard' this week posted a definitive parody of run-amok blogging and the wacky back and forths and cross-linking and self-referentiality and full immersion in the increasingly ephemeral that the genre inspires. In this climate, it seems, nothing lasting can be said, nor even anything remotely serious."
This from a veteran of a medium that is notoriously used to line
Is Mr. Pleszczynski willing to bear the test he imposes on Josh Marshall? Let us examine his first published impressions of George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and maybe one or two others, and demand that he either stand by them or admit he cannot remotely be taken seriously.
-- Fritz Anderson
Chicago, Illinois
Loved the article but am amazed you did not reference Glenn Reynolds's InstaPundit blog. Far and away the best pure blog out there.
-- Mike Daley
Thanks for Reid Collins's common sense article "What Would Have Worked." Unfortunately, Americans don't have much regard for common sense any more, thus the author's solution will be roundly ignored, if not laughed at. Today's Americans have joined their English-speaking brethren around the world in holding to the ridiculous principle, "The more helpless we are the safer we are."
-- Keith Collins
Cody, WY
Mr. Shiflett may need some remedial geography lessons, and perhaps history lessons as well. In "Check, Please" he says: "Enron, as most readers know, was a Texas-based house of ill repute, much like the Mustang Ranch in nearby Nevada but without meaningful state oversight or lasting financial stability." While his simile is colorful, and conveys a certain meaning, it is quite wrong in geographical terms and perhaps a bit misleading in historical terms.
Geographically, few would consider Houston, Texas, and Reno, Nevada nearby.
Historically, the Mustang Ranch has been closed since 1999 when the Federal Government (IRS) took it over in an income tax case.
-- Warren Stewart
Dave Shiflett replies: As a former westerner, I can assure readers that anything within 3-4 states is thought of as in the neighborhood.
"'At least I have a track record of proving that it doesn't affect my work ability,' she said," according to Washington Prowler.
I've long wondered: What, exactly, is her work ability? To look the other way? Seriously, I can't think of a lasting positive thing Janet Reno did in the eight years she "served" as attorney general. Can you?
-- William M. Macfadyen
Santa Barbara, CA
I enjoyed the wit of Messrs. Mason and Felder in their article "The Pope and Jewish Lawyers," but I must throw some cold water on the spirit of their argument. First, I would say that I have not read the Pope's edict regarding the lawyers use of their profession for "an end that is contrary to justice, like divorce," therefore, I would not even try to interpret or characterize the Pope's statements, but we should all be aware of the cost of divorce.
Weddings, though ritualistic by nature, are replete with meaning and substance. Should anyone take casually vows made before God and man with the caveat "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder"? The responsibility of marriage is upon the man and woman, there is no question, but spiritual leaders have both an interest and a biblical mandate to shepherd the flock. The Bible declares that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16), I believe, because He knows the high cost it imposes on humanity. In my opinion, it is from there that all pastors, as voiced by the Pope, have, in fact, a vested interest in "marriage and divorce."...
The blight of divorce spoils all it touches. I would be the first to agree that there are some instances which there really is no alternative, but in reality that is not what we are talking about here. The casual approach to marriage and divorce has waged a high toll, however. It can be seen in the ruined lives of men, women, and their children. We should all be concerned, including the lawyers.
-- Brian Prunty
I'm not a Catholic, but I don't think the Pope's proclamation represents any kind of breach between Church and the State. He did exactly what the Church is supposed to do, set a standard and apply church discipline to those who don't follow the rules. The state is not involved at all. If the state wants divorce available, it can certainly have it without the participation of the faithful.
-- Hunter Baker
Jonesboro, GA
"We pride ourselves on having a separation between church and state. Even in countries that do not have this absolute prohibition, governments -- outside of totalitarian states -- do not attempt to pass laws that affect church practices. Yet this is exactly what the Pope now attempts. He attempts to affect the business of the state by a declaration of church law."
Nice try, but you've got it backwards. The Pope is pronouncing on an institution whose origins are prior to the State (Genesis 2:24). The covenant between husband and wife before God precedes the establishment of any and all governments. The Mosaic marriage laws in Deuteronomy are religious, not secular. The pronouncements by Jesus in Matthew 5:31, Mark 10:3-9, and Luke 16:18 forbid divorce for virtually any reason, and claim that to marry a divorced person constitutes adultery. Therefore, the Pope is, as always, telling us to do what we are commanded by God to do. The Church yields jurisdiction to the State only those aspects of a broken marriage -- property distribution and child custody and care -- which properly fall to the State. He takes that "What God hath joined together let no man put asunder" stuff very seriously.
Unfortunately, a lot of Catholics also don't understand this about the Catholic Church. We don't get a vote on this stuff. We're an orthodox religion and the Pope is defending the teachings he inherited. That's his job. The Pope will never cede to the State on matters such as divorce, contraception, abortion, and extra-marital relations (whether hetero- or homosexual). We're free to ignore him, but he's not out of line. The Church's position is that the State has no business undermining traditional Judaeo-Christian morality.
By the way, all priests are born into married families, most are heterosexual, and all hear more about marriages in the confessional than most of us would ever care to hear. They get all the complaints and none of the good stuff.
-- Dennis DiMuzio
Cincinnati, OH
I'm a Jackie Mason fan, but "The Pope and Jewish Lawyers" was not funny. Criticizing religious beliefs never is.
And criticizing a defense of marriage on a "conservative" site just doesn't make sense. The jury is still out on "The Prowler".
-- W.R. Watts
Crockett, VA


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10th Anniversary Celebration of the 2002 Winter Games
This year is the 10th Anniversary celebration of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. There will be competitions, Olympic related activities, exhibits, athlete appearances, autograph sessions, receptions and community gatherings to help celebrate the anniversary.
10th Anniversary activities include:
- Celebration on Park City's Historic Main Street on February 1st, from 5pm-10pm, with a number of Olympic-related activities preceding a free concert by Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Pre-concert activities include a Torch Relay.
- 2002 Olympic highlight videos; a commemorative 10-year Olympic Anniversary pin; official Olympic mascots on Main Street; recognition of 2002 Olympians and Paralympians, current Olympic team members, and future Olympic-sport development teams in Park City; and a fireworks show to close out the night of festivities.
Three Olympic-sport competitions will take place in the month of February-Freestyle World Cup at Deer Valley Resort (Feb 1-4); Skeleton Intercontinental Cup at Utah Olympic Park (Feb 6-11); and US Snowboarding & Freeskiing Grand Prix at Canyons (Feb 9-12).
Regardless if you are a local or visitor to Park City, be sure to get out and enjoy the festivities!
Snowpapa Jeff
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subset: commoncrawl


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Ethnic backgrounds of parents and miscarriage?
I know this is a odd question, but can anyone shed light on this? I am trying to find out if differing ethnic backgrounds of the parents make a difference in miscarriage due to chromasomal abnormalites. I am caucasian and my DP is from Argentina. Would we be more or less likely to have one of these or does it not make a difference?
Posted: 08/04/2013 by silverback_hottie
Mom Answers
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It doesn't make a difference. The few genes that are different between the different races that cause different skin color/hair type/etc are not the ones that are medically involved in a miscarriage.posted 08/05/2013 by a BabyCenter Member
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Rated 3.7 out of 5 by 832 reviewers.
Rated 4 out of 5 by BRYAN1989 room was not ready I love this hotel and stay there very often for business my last stay I was very disappointed with the staff while checking in. I know I was early it was about 1130 am and I was told there were no rooms available at that time which was fine I was told I would receive a phone call when my room was ready. So I sat down in the lobby for about 45 min and noticed several people were checking in and receaving rooms at this point I went back up to the front desk and a room was available. I just hope my next stay they will treat platinum members a bit better other then that I love the hotel March 5, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by platinumguest needs better tv I really like this hotel, it is comfortable, conveniently located and only a little expensive for the city. However, it really needs better TV channels. Vegas is known for bad TV to discourage people from staying in their rooms but this is way overboard. Channel selection is the worst ever. March 4, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by rae379 A clean, quiet room in Las Vegas - what a concept! This hotel was a welcome respite from the craziness of the strip. I am not an old lady who can't handle the strip - I am in my late 20's and was visiting with my similarly aged husband. It was just nice to have a room that didn't smell bad, a Heavenly bed to fall into, valet/taxi staff not in a massive hurry, and a lobby that wasn't full of smoke. Breakfast simply rocked, which I chose as my platinum benefit. Eggs benedict on a buffet? Yes, please! Loved the casino - very laidback dealers and low table minimums (even $3 craps from 5:00 to 8:00!) I also had my resort fee waived as a platinum member, which was great. I love when hotels do this, and I hate it when they don't since the resort fees usually just cover what I already get as a platinum anyway (internet, newspaper, water, etc.). No upgrade, but I verified on the website that the hotel was booked. So no problem - they are running a business after all. And really, the hotel does a great job of minimizing the smoke from the casino in the lobby. I am extremely sensitive to smoke, and I didn't smell any smoke during the entire visit. I am not sure what everyone is complaining about in other reviews. Try not sitting right next to a smoker. There were only two things that got on my nerves. First, the elevators are extremely slow. Half the time we couldn't even get the doors to close after hitting the floor button minutes before. Very strange, and did not instill confidence as we rode up 15 floors. Secondly, the prices in the hotel convenience store are ridiculous. Such ridiculous prices (nearly double normal prices) cost the hotel about $100 of our business - we walked 50 yards down the street to buy our drinks/snacks at a local store instead. Overall though, a good stay. March 4, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Ria30 This hotel has a great location to everything in Las Vegas! The staff was very professional. I liked the go green program that you are running throughout the hotel. The room was clean, comfortable, safe and relaxing. All services were quick and effeicient. Would recommend to anyone traveling to Vegas who wanted something classy that was not on the strip. Food was excellent and healthy. March 3, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by FrequentTraveler13 Fabulous SPG VEGAS property. I loved this hotel so much that I canceled my bookings at other non-SPG luxury hotels to extend my stay here. The hotel staff was amazing and upgraded me to an executive suite. Book your stay here and you will be amazed. Its highly recommended. March 3, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by PointsJunky Oldie but a Goodie OK right off the bat you gotta realize this is an old property and it shows! Not a superb location and the views aren't "wow!" The spa is nice though, and free sauna and steam plus 24 hour pool and hot tub is nice. Smelling the smoke throughout the property sucks, but it is NOT in the room which is good. The staff were fantastic though, and it made the stay worth it. I appreciate that for Platinum guests they let you have the full buffet rather than going cheap and just giving you a Danish like some other properties do. I would definitely stay here again (especially since I'm a points junkie and I would stay for free). March 2, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by AJ35 One night stay We were only there one day, but our room (very nice), the staff (friendly) and the food (nicely served) was wonderful. What more can you ask for? Will diffently stay again. March 2, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by Mick Bizarre Restaurant I know new year's eve is a busy time but we sat in the restaurant on the evening of the 30th along with six other tables with no apparent staff working there. No one was eating, no one was serving. We left after one-half hour of silence. March 1, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by jay14 staff was friendly and helpfull At check in, the staff was very informative, signing up and detailing the spg program. March 1, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by LLB28 Not up to business trip standards I stayed at the Westin this week on a business trip to Vegas as the hotel was on our approves hotel list. The lobby had a terrible smell that gave me a headache every time I walked through. Not enough outlets in my room to easily plug in all my electronics for charging. Minibar wasn't turned on and cold. No phone on the desk and the phone by the bed was old and the receiver button stuck so I had to use a fingernail every time I answered the phone or wanted to make a call. Not up to standards I expect on a business trip. Very expensive room service breakfast. March 1, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Iam47 spa features I really like the gym and spa features. Happy hour is a bonus February 27, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by joe62 my "home" I am a frequestn Starwood guest...and the Westin LV is a great place for me to stay when in LV! Thanks for the courteous and professional staff. The upgraded room this time was superb...thanks. February 27, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by bill Always have alot of fun. Will be back. Always have alot of fun. Will be back. February 26, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Linda63 good location just off the strip, nice and quiet location to get away from the maddening crowd of Las Vegas Blvd. Rooms are extrememly comfortable and the restaurant, Suede, has great service and great food. February 26, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Lulu Staff was superb The moment of arrival, the staff was full of smiles, great hotel greeting and very helpful. February 25, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by JerseySean Customer Service Lacking... How many times do I have to tell Westin that I don't like USA Today and want the WSJ? Yet, they repeated give me (and charge me) for the USA Today while giving away the WSJ to other guests (yet I'm a Lifetime Platinum). They promised me an upgrade to a suite on the last day of my stay and said they would get back to me. Guess what? Never did. I had to track them down daily to ask if the upgrade was available. Oh, and they didn't ask me if I wanted the "Green Service". They simply didn't send housekeeping to my room and put a $5 voucher under my door. While I don't mind green (and frequently use it), I specifically wanted my room cleaned on this trip. February 23, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Ninedriver Great staff. Check in staff was nice, helped us with all our needs. February 19, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Juan23 Location off the Strip adds to confort Overall this facility met our needs. The room was open and inviting, the bathroom is large and well lit and ventilated. The breakfast buffet has good fresh fruit. During our stay the pool was closed, bummer and the workout facility was in a convention room, not good. February 19, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Vegasgals $19.95 extra for what? We checked in at 5:00, not terribly late. We were charged a hotel tax that was for pool, Which was closed, hot tub, which was closed, steam and sauna room was never mentioned that it was located in the spa even after speaking with women at spa desk, then closed when we did find out it was in the spa, which is not stated anywhere. Difficulty trying to print out boarding documents since business center was closed, however 3rd person we spoke with showed us the printer. Maybe the tax should be determined if the facilities are actually available February 19, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Robb Comfortable, clean room Very close to the monorail, clean room, comfortable bed. February 19, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by Ammar Not as a expected Unfortunately, my last visit to the Westin was not as expected ... the room (bathroom) was not clean when I checked in, the towels were mostly worn out, the room was very noisy in the early morning and when I contacted the manager and requested to change, I was told the hotel was sold out. I canceled the rest of my stay as well as my stay next week and booked somewhere else. As a 11 years SPG member, 6 as Platinum, my expectations were higher. February 19, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by WorldWideTraveler Room I felt the room was very nice. The sink was clogged but staff took care of that. The caulking around the tub and tile was ok. It was different colors, missing in some spots. The shower head did not adjust. Hard water has gotten the best. Did not report that. Didnt use any of the facilities. Not far off the strip. 5min walk to flamingo tram pickup February 18, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by cywy Eeh Of every hotel within Starwood, this has been my least favourite. Little things like one pair of slippers for two people. One chocolate for 2 people (there were two used beds, two types of deoderants, Two completely different luggage sets so I dont think they could say they didnt know two people were staying in the room). The cleaning staff threw out my shampoo and conditioner and also played with my prescription toothpaste and electric tooth brush that I ended up having to throw them out. I love Starwood. I love Westin. I really dont love this location February 16, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Sunny Very comfortable Warm and friendly staff and a very comfortable bed. February 14, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by VegasMom not what I expected I was very dissapointed. My shower head was coming out of the wall (not very heavenly) and there was mold in the tile. My linens were not pressed nicely as I am used to. (I have photos of all of this if you would like to contact me) It was not my typical "heavenly bed" or Starwood experience for that matter. There was a fire alarm and when I took the stairs, I got lost near the "being renovated" gym. As I was walking to the "meeting room" that had been converted, I tripped over a very large carpet coming up in the middle of the hall way. It was a 5 ft ridge of lifted carpet in the middle of a hallway! I happened to read the "fine print" about the $50.00 per day incidentals fee so I was aware of it but feel it is excessive for this hotel. I will say the gentleman that checked me in was exceptional. The room service food was good. Please read the section of the room service menu at the bottom of the page that states the fees: it is confusing. In 2 sentences it clearly states the convenience charges and 22% gratuity and then goes on to say in third sentence, gratuity is not included? I called for clarification regarding leaving a tip to my delivery person and even your food and bev could not answer my question if it was included or not. February 12, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by MGDO Westin Las Vegas Hotel was excellent and the staff was extremely friendly. February 11, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by Lifetimer STRIP HOTEL Although this property is tired from all the traffic, the staff makes up for any lack in accommodations. Perhaps a more aggressive refurbishing program would be appreciated. It is the only Las Vegas Strip location of all SPG properties. I am a life platinium member. Would I recommend this property? If you want to be on the strip - no choice.. Would I love to see another SPG on the strip - YES. Restaurant is small, so expect crowds. February 10, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by yankee219 Home When I walk in the front door of this hotel it feels like I am home. The staff, every member, is exceptional. February 10, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by VictoriaCR I wanted to like this hotel but I couldn't. I keep trying to find a good option to stay off the strip and really wanted to like The Westin LV. It's super close to the strip but without all the typical Vegas hoopla. Unfortunately, service fell flat and our room so noisy, we had to ask to move (despite the dreaded hassle of re-packing and unpacking). When we first arrived, my husband dropped me off in front along with my purse, coat, two suitcases, a garment bag, a backpack, and a computer bag. He assumed the valet guy, bellman or doorman would help me (there were 3 uniformed guys near the front doors). He was wrong. I struggled to get everything inside and they didn't do a thing. Finally, my husband yelled something out the window and one said, "Well, I guess we can help her." By then I had already managed to open the door (yes, I am remarkable!) and struggled in on my own. When I mentioned it to the girl at the SPG check-in desk, she had no reaction. It wasn't until my husband said something to her about it that she said, "Well, I guess we can look into that." They guess a lot at this hotel but then they don't do anything. If you are SPG Platinum (I am), do not expect an upgrade here. There are only ten suites in the whole hotel and they are mostly full of people using their Suite Rewards. We didn't get an upgrade to a suite. Instead we got a room that had an adjoining room wherein a guest with anger management issues kept us from enjoying our stay. We could hear him swearing and yelling all night. In all fairness, we could also hear him speaking in normal tones, watching TV and going to the bathroom so it wasn't just the yelling and swearing that kept us up. The rooms have no insulation so it's like the people next door to you are actually in your room. They ran loud machinery in the hallway at 9 am (I am guessing it was a vacuum cleaner) and the housekeepers turn on the TV to watch television while they clean the room. You can hear it and when we were walking down the hallway, we saw it. In a town like Vegas where people stay up late and want to sleep in, I was surprised the staff had so little consideration for their clientele. Once we checked in, somebody from the service desk called to see how it went. When I told them about the unresponsive guys at the door, they offered us a free breakfast or star points. There was one nice employee (Samantha) who did make sure we got moved to a more quiet room for our second night. She was sweet and sent up a fruit and cheese plate for our troubles. She was appropriately apologetic and helpful to boot. I had a couple of those "You've made my stay" cards (they give them to SPG member to acknowledge employees who try hard) and I've been dying to give them away. Since Samantha was the only one who acted like she cared, I wanted to give her one. I asked for her at the front desk and was simply told, "She works in back." They didn't offer to get her or inquire why I was asking. Maybe they thought I was just taking a poll or something. Unbelieveable. I'm not sure who is training the staff at this hotel; but it's my turn to guess and I'm going to guess "nobody". February 8, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by wayne58 Handicapped Bathroom. Was put into a room with a disabled compatible bathroom. While I applaud having these facilities, the room was very poorly designed. the shower curtain was set to the standard height as if a bathtub were installed and the floor actually sloped away from the wall less shower resulting in water one half inch deep in the entire bathroom. Had to use every single towel to try and get a dry spot to stand in. The shower rod should be placed lower in these rooms to enable the curtain to reach the floor. Furthermore, the management should try using these rooms to assure that it is actually usable! February 7, 2013


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Definition of stickball in English:
noun[mass noun] North American
An informal game played with a stick and a ball, derived from the rules of baseball or lacrosse.
Example sentences
- We played great games of stickball, punch ball and three man basketball on snowy playgrounds when I was a kid without an adult in sight.
- Even baseball has been translated into an urban street sport with stickball.
- I always think of him playing stickball with the kids of New York after a major league game.
Definition of stickball in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
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= trending


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Bork, whose failed nomination made history, dies
ARLINGTON, Va. — Robert H. Bork, who stepped in to fire the Watergate prosecutor at Richard Nixon's behest and whose failed 1980s nomination to the Supreme Court helped draw the modern boundaries of cultural fights over abortion, civil rights and other issues, has died. He was 85.
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May 3, 2012
Members of the Jefferson City Cantorum practice last week ahead of their performance Saturday under director Glen Webb, left. The group will perform songs from favorite movies and plays.
Stories this photo appears in:
Cantorum to celebrate movie, Broadway hits Saturday
The Jefferson City Cantorum will sing the hits of stage and screen Saturday in its 44th spring concert.
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text: Gold Dusted Shell Statue Item #: 123099 $7.99 $3.97 Qty: Sorry, this item is currently unavailable online. Ship to Home Ship to Store (FREE) You'll fall in love with the Gold Dusted Shell Statute! Available in three styles, all shimmering in gold, you'll be reminded of a warm, breezy day on the beach every time you look at this shell. Sold separately Shell measures 8L x 3.5W x 3.25H in. Conch measures 7L x 4.25W x 3H in. Starfish measures 10L x 10H in. Crafted of ceramic Available in three (3) styles Gold dusted for metallic shimmer Perfect for coastal themes! Sorry, this item is currently unavailable online.


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age revision
Should we list him as 26 since that is obviously wrong? It's 2-3 vs 1.
- databook says he is 26 (1)
- databook also says he became Genin at 9 (against 1)
- manga says the academy massacre had happened 10 years prior to Part I. by his yet-to-be-a-ninja-himself hand (against 1)
- obviously, the earliest Obito could control Yagura and create Bloody Mist was about 20 years back at most (maybe against 1)
Well, 29-20/21=8/9, fits within the range for its sake, just barely though. So 26 only could be correct by assuming that Obito was fast enough to become "4th Mizukage" at his 13-14 just after massacring those Mist nin. Possible, but not that probable, more likely Obito took control of Yagura a bit later, rendering Zabuza's age wrong again. Even if not, there's still the incident of academy massacre stated to had taken place 10 years prior to Part I. as his Genin age as 9.
So I think the "26" from his infobox should definitely be removed and replaced with "18-19" or "late teens" --Elveonora (talk) 16:40, July 11, 2013 (UTC)


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|Winners of the 2008 Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest
|News/Features - Literature
|Wednesday, 14 May 2008 02:24
For the second year, the River Cities' Reader is publishing winners from the Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest.
The awards ceremony for the 35th-annual contest will be held on on Saturday, May 17, at the Butterworth Center in Moline.
First Grand Prize: Jean Slover Chellos of East Moline for "Timber Talk."
Second Grand Prize: Gayle Rein of Geneseo for "Survival."
Adult General. First Place: Pat King of Albia, Iowa, for "Curried Chicken with Friends"; Second Place: Julie Meylor Simpson of East Providence, Rhode Island, for "Memorial Day Morning in an Iowa Cemetery"; Third Place: Nedra Rogers of Lawrence, Kansas, for "I Buy the Dress."
Grade School. Winner: Rob Meyer of Rockbridge, Ohio, for "I Am from."
Middle School. Winner: Mary Reeves of Davenport for "Sunshine"; Honorable Mention: Mary Reeves of Davenport for "Night Road."
High School. Winner: Jeffrey Wellman of Silver Spring, Maryland, for "Night"; Honorable Mention: Christina Beasley of Vienna, Virginia, for "How to Care for Your Phoenix."
Ethnic. Winner: Daniel Gildersleeve of Rock Island for "Akinyi, Nyar Kadem"; Honorable Mention: E.P. Shultz of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, for "Were You the Winter?"
Humorous. Winner: Lisa Michelle Atkinson of Kent, Connecticut, for "In Love Again"; Honorable Mention: Betsy Humphreys of Granite Falls, North Carolina, for "Island in the Sun."
Rhyming. Winner: Ginna Wilkerson of Tampa, Florida, for "Raining in Sedona"; Honorable Mention: Lisa Michelle Atkinson of Kent, Connecticut, for "Deadheading."
Religious. Winner: Sharon Wilhite of Eldridge for "Refreshment"; Honorable Mention: Mark Davidsaver of Bishop Hill.
Senior Citizen. Winner: William Perry of Rock Island for "Dime Store Music"; Honorable Mention: Brooks Carver of Canton, Illinois, for "Our Lives Are Measured in Good-byes."
Haiku. Winner: Elizabeth Matt Turner of Bettendorf; Honorable Mention: Cynda Strong of Springfield, Illinois.
Mississippi Valley. Winner: Michael E. Strosahl of Elwood, Indiana, for "Mishigami"; Honorable Mention: Jill B. Weissbrot of Moline for "In Autumn."
Timber Talk
by Jean Slover Chellos
The timber is talking.
the mighties and the mulls,
the shags and the pines.
Cloaked in ice and dusted with snow,
all tremble and shake, pushed by a winter wind.
Shaped of tall, tall bodies with arms twisting toward the sky, or,
fallen, ill-fated, lying distorted and criss-crossed on the ground,
the timber is a safe home.
Safe for the roosting and the hiding,
for climbers and crawlers.
In the cover of dusk grazers come out,
dropping out, plunging down, rising up,
the longbeards and the coons.
Into the open, from the fringe of their friend,
stepping, pausing, then stepping again,
come the toms and their hens, the bucks and the does.
Searching after the same supper,
they crack acorns and chestnuts to eat.
Pheasant cocks and their mates crouch close
to masking grasses or strong, stout stubble.
They peck and scratch, barely causing a rustle.
Then the hunters appear, revealed by the moon's light,
standing in wait on a ridge.
The dogs of the timber and flatlands drool
lusting after their soon-to-be feast.
Here are the true hunters. Not men, but beasts.
A howling begins.
The timber is talking, carried howls in the wind.
The hunters are hunting.
Hooked teeth slashing and tearing;
a feasting begins.
Back in the center, in a still, quiet world,
an owl asks, Who-o-o-o? Who-o-o-o?
curious about those sipping at the spring
that bubbles out of the ground.
The timber's river runs under its ice,
with a few open spots giving drink
to light-weight moles and thoughtless mice.
The timber babies feel lonely, the adults gone to hunt.
The pups whine and yelp.
Piles of fur pulse and emit squeaks.
Frady cat babies, at first, just cry.
If no one comes soon, they'll snarl and growl.
By dawn,
the responsible have fed the inconsolable.
Some, who live in father timber, will bed down.
But others, like the woodpeckers,
tap for creatures who are stirred
by the warmth of mother sun.
Awake for the day, squirrels chatter in clicks
and play as they run.
Music floats all through the timber.
Cardinals' songs and screeches of jays,
cat birds in mimic
and calling crows, gathering their stray.
Just before sleep, before the sun glares into its eyes,
the owl inquires, Who-o-o-o?
Who-o-o-o do I hear?
It's the city all around; it, too, comes awake.
Talking motors make noise as do faulty brakes.
The timber calls out to the city where it lives
smack in the middle,
surviving because of its deep gullies,
where man found things unbuildable.
Please leave me to stand, the timber begs,
though in years I may fall.
My river, I'll run, for you to enjoy.
City, we can talk and share every day.
Please listen when I speak, if I may.
Curried Chicken with Friends
by Pat King
Invite six friends who already know each other
and two known only to you.
A variety of faiths will enrich the mixture
even if no one talks about religion.
Let each bless the food and the evening.
Light candles, one for each guest.
Stew the chicken with onion and celery until it falls off the bone.
The dark meat, the bits closest to the backbone, are best.
But getting at them requires patience, a delicate touch
and willingness to get your hands dirty.
Listening is important, even when Luke
who comes very early and stands in the kitchen choking back tears
while you chop onions, asks you six times
"Why did he leave me? Why couldn't we talk it over?"
Discard the stewed celery.
The curry needs only its invisible essence.
Guests will wonder about the flavor
and Joel will ask for seconds.
Slice and stir in fresh mushrooms
even if you do not like mushrooms alone.
Brush off the loose dirt first, but don't be too fastidious.
When you cut them, notice how white and delicate they are inside.
They will add texture to the curry.
Their flavor will blend with the others
and you will learn to love them.
Give some extras to Margo to take home for soup.
Serve with garnishes of chopped green onions,
whole cashews, curved like little moons,
flakes of coconut, and dark chutney.
The chutney may smell mysterious
but diversity is important to the success of the evening.
Each guest may help himself to as many garnishes as he wishes.
If Alison wants to bring the chutney, let her,
even though yours is better.
The most essential condiment is crystallized ginger,
to give the curry a sweet bite.
Josie and Michael may be nervous about controversy
but no matter how much ginger you chop
the ginger dish will always be empty
at the end of the evening.
And you, remembering laughter illuminated by candlelight
and even Luke's tears,
will always be filled.
I Buy the Dress
by Nedra Rogers
Because I love
aquamarine. I don't
need it, and I've never
spent so much
on a dress. A luxury.
That's what it is.
Because it's pastel,
perfect for a summer
wedding, should there
be one. That's not
true. I buy the dress
because I want
to look beautiful
for you.
Because I hear
a woman in the mirror
whisper please. Because
I want to slip
myself into a sea
of blue and green.
Aqua marina, salty
waves breaking against
my knees. Cold foamy
ocean I can't keep
from flowing through my toes.
I buy the dress
because I know
it's what I'll need
to wrap myself in as I watch
your mighty vodka
ocean swallow after
swallow win.
I Am from
by Rob Meyer
I am from maple syrup,
From the hills and the trees.
And from the big pine tree.
I am from the old dogwood in my backyard.
I'm from sweets that melt in my mouth,
And from the Fahrenholz.
I am from the mash
potatoes on the kitchen table.
From hand-me-downs,
To boom-boom and tiger.
I am from my broken leg,
To my father's heart surgery.
From my grandparents who passed away.
Growing each year,
Learning new things,
I am from the woods.
by Jeffrey Wellman
At night came news of our departure,
We took our packs and then not much more.
To those who warned us in their grief,
We looked on them in disbelief
They shrunk our world with barbs and wire,
And yellow bands on our attire.
Then herded us in cars like cows,
Until we came to Birkenau.
Faster, faster lazy swine!
Loved ones split in separate lines.
And there before the fiery grave,
I lost my faith, I filled with rage.
They stole our names and shaved our heads,
We clung to life on crusts of bread.
And yet some hung onto their faith,
And chose to fast for God, to wait.
They hung a child, we watched and cried,
And turned to God and asked him why?
Forgotten were the dead among us,
We lived to serve our hungry stomachs.
They beat my father 'though he was old,
Then took my tooth to harvest gold.
We marched in fives, a bleak procession,
Those of us who passed selection.
A march to death on weary feet,
We left our dead in frozen heaps.
To their amusement, bread as feast,
Sons fought fathers beast on beast.
When last I law my father's face,
'Twas bludgeoned in his weakened state
I felt his weight, I felt the burden,
And in my heart I had deserted him.
When bombs at night brought liberation,
Too late for my divine salvation.
In my reflection I do not see,
The hopeful child I used to be.
We lost our faith, we lost our light,
Now all that's left is one long night.
Akinyi, Nyar Kadem
by Daniel Gildersleeve
You listen to the faces in a Kenyan field,
each one a blank expression of earth
and you smell the dirt, its fidelity
on the skin, a sweat that clings to everything.
There are days where you can taste the crop
of empire rotting between your perfect teeth
and when you cry at night alone
you are crying from the centre of the world.
Teacher, now you know what it is to build with mud.
Whatever you imagined, treading into Africa,
you will not leave unspoiled. Your white skin,
your hips, even your eyes will be bent by dust
and on a foul Chicago street you will recall -
not the sunset - but, the stampede of nature followed
by silence and the words that emerged, a mother-tongue
that nursed you in your early twenties.
You were not dreaming - you could not sleep -
the world came to you with all its dark hands
reaching. They dragged you under to the place
where living stops, then, mother to child,
gave you the gift of sense again and every hand
carried you, every head balanced
easily your burden. It wasn't giving up, but learning
how to carry everyone else's unwanted things.
In Love Again
by Lisa Michelle Atkinson
Your love drives me mad with emotion,
So you get all my devotion
Till Death do us part -
you'll live in my heart.
But, what did you put in that potion?
Island in the Sun
by Betsy Humphreys
"Do you ever miss the mainland?"
I ask the old islander,
and a tsunami of Nevers
drenches my wispy question.
He drowns my tide of Buts,
licks the ebbing salt of neap,
consumes the catch-of-every-day,
and pays I'll Hop, his wet mistress,
to stock the larder each month.
He etceteras his assets -
fish, beer, nails, books -
to confirm the debits
of urban honks,
endless plains,
interstate tangles,
legislative dumps.
He ignores my parting wave,
my continental drift,
my insularity.
by Lisa Michelle Atkinson
Where we now dwell so
satisfied there is no hell
but fertile earth. We feed the soil
of paradise without turmoil and
strands of us wind up to creep at
night sometimes into your sleep.
Our hair: your grass, a tangled treat:
the tickling morass beneath your feet.
Our Lives are Measured in Good-byes
by Brooks Carver
Open your paint box again
Squeeze paint onto your pallet
Use luminous primary colors
On a large brush loaded
With bright swirling brilliance
Just let it flow freely
Don't stay in the lines
Only you will see the finished product
Only you will know when it is final
Only you understand when it is
Truly good-bye
But it is still there on your canvas
Living in that personal place
Where good-byes dwell
Now tuck your new painting away
Into the personal scrapbook
Of private masterpieces
Carefully saved
by Elizabeth Matt Turner
Backlit locust pod
Dangles from bare branch. Dark mate
Of white crescent moon.
by Michael E. Strosahl
it was all a joke
when that Frenchman
named the great lake
after the Ouinpegouek,
misunderstanding the honor
bestowed upon them
by the Mesquakie,
who named them
people of the algae waters,
people of the river
and of the great lake.
it was just arrogance
for that Frenchman
and the others that followed
to name and rename
what has always been,
what the great spirit himself
left beautiful and nameless.
Those French may call it
Lac des Puans -
lake of the stinking people -
and laugh,
but we Ojibwa
know these waters
and we know the land
of the mishigami -
the great water -
and there is no joke.
by Mark Davidsaver
Sacred music surrounds
Prisoner and child
Dance slowly
Listen, learn
Sad rhythm of the heart
by Sharon Wilhite
Up on the mountain
I hear the sighing of the wind,
The whisper of the pine needles,
Far from the sound of men.
My spirit stretches Heavenward,
My cup of joy is full,
My whole being revitalized,
No wish to return below.
But, God gently nudges me downward,
Down toward the noise of men.
"Lo, I am with you always ... "
His promise comes to me then.
Lord, give me stability as this mountain,
The gentle strength of the wind,
The endurance of the pine trees,
And the courage to descend.
by Gayle Rein
Far from the highway
grafted onto the soil
for windbreaks,
silhouette small and scorched
against the dusk-red sky.
Wind scours
the April earth,
land so flat
the devil has nowhere to hide.
have scratched dirt and
coaxed seeds
with prayers, potlucks,
and fingers
crossed in pockets -
tight bargains
for sun
for rain,
for bounded rows
complete, contained, controlled.
Our heads
bent in to the wind,
struggle to ignore the caws
from distant wooded ravines,
gnarled oaks rooted in
ancient leaf mold,
dionysian dance floors
toeing the edge of order,
by Cynda Strong
Frosted pumpkin fields
Crystallized words in mid-air
October's brisk breath
In Autumn
by Jill B. Weissbrot
Across your upturned face I move.
I see your stalks bend toward the sun,
lean away from the wind,
golden in their death and shining,
less their corn,
before the men will come
and crush them for another harvest.
Your fields are knit in patchwork,
slipping from the crotches of the forests and the stiffness of the roads.
Greens dim beneath the rising mists
barely white, ghostly in the day,
rising slowly with me, with my
slow heart, as I take all of you in,
cold and clammy still in morning, warming.
Demure, you cross your legs, arch forward your neck
beneath your blanket and drink,
cool, from your trough.
Shake your white mane
flecked with gray and
see me not though you look up.
Your trees are as knots,
rising up from their gray Earth.
Twisted, shocked, dead things -
follicles stretch above
the life that looms below -
the living, breathing, spreading roots that
pulsate in the Earth.
Calves mild judiciously their cows,
lowing in a voice I do not hear.
We nurse at the swell of the road beneath us,
all the colors of the changing leaves feed us,
greedy as we roam.
We do not stop, and
you do not cry out.
Memorial Day Morning in an Iowa Cemetery
by Julia Meylor Simpson
Stray scraps of gray wool weave
above ancient humus, new grass.
Purple irises in aluminum foil
guard names on ordered marble.
Breeze embraces earthworms,
lilacs, a child's laughter shushes.
Old farmers finger dull medals,
shattered boy memories unvoiced.
A family encircles a slight stone
leaving them wordless long ago.
Minister's wife assembles children
to place plastic wreaths on cue.
Taps from lone high school bugler
patter off grain elevator on Main.
Later, iron gates keen in rusty alto,
meadowlarks resume their matins.
Raining in Sedona
by Ginna Wilkerson
Red earth uncleft is not defiled by touch
By sudden rain anointed, sanctified
With halting fingers parted, reddened blush
The smallest opening, smallest movement tried
Falling wet and trickling down my hand
The dust of waiting earth is moistened new
Enjoining passion, melting tight-closed land
Red-earth is cleft and glistening with dew
If holy tender rain becomes a storm
My hand, my touch, your body sorely bruised
And hot with hurt the crevice that was warm
Should love's soft earth become so roughly used
Only gentle rain the earth takes in
Only touching tender hand to skin
Were You the Winter?
by E.P. Schultz
As these gray days grow longer,
or, perhaps night's restive purpose shorter;
turned over and the bottoms up,
leaving me all out of sorts.
Winter's sleep lies to me with stealth,
whispering cold forbearance into bitten ears.
This pale mask prone to physical demise, and I
half asleep, weak-hip somnambulant -
congenital German dysplasia predisposed to therapy.
Thanks Gramps!
The piano closed to little boys'
life's purpose, "worn boots, torn gloves."
But I found a piano, and as well,
the will you gave me in the truth of spring;
when hard matter melts in the credulous sun
and pours through a stream of conviction, dreams ...
Were you the winter?
You with your hard truth that my soft britches
thought untrue.
Gray lands find me here,
looking back into gone-away hills,
thankful for you, and winter.
Thankful for finding out
that there are many truths, and no real lies,
only childish musings and things wished for.
You old German, old winter wind
bellowing to fill my languid sails,
come, come to me this night's shallow sleep
Tell me more, whisper again to this childish mind.
Night Road
by Mary Reeves
Falling down into the night road I see the snow.
Each individual flake flutters down from the sky.
The darkness does not consume such beauty.
Such glittering is defined.
You, I watch from behind the plastic and glass.
The liveliness of the snowy mass.
Cold air will carry you safely.
And ever most soundly.
Onto the night road.
How to Care for Your Phoenix
by Christina Beasley
You see, she is a painter. She draws her lines in thick black contour,
draws and redraws them with horsehair bending to fit the plane,
and tonight
she will ask you to let her break for a while.
She will ask for the feeling of joints against palms,
to snap limbs,
echoes of stalks breaking and petals tousled regressing
brushes living branch and bough: she will place them at the wrist newly
formed; smelling of pine sap.
Her eyes will beg for sunlight
and her respiration measures
one part stardust, two parts carbon dioxide.
Do not be surprised when each bramble catches, ignites,
it will smell of bread burning in the oven and she
will inevitably wake.
There is only the occasional rupture in her canvas, but you must sew quickly.
Too much oxygen to the fire, and the entire undergrowth will burn to ashes.
by Mary Reeves
Stepping out I saw the sun shining.
Like it did before.
Bright & blue ...
Like it was before.
Sadness compels me as I stare
Starting to cry,
Absorbing the air.
Stepping out the sun is refreshing.
Crisp & intense.
Bright like it was before.
Stepping out I become saddened.
Sad like before.
Overwhelmed with emotion I stay out.
Stay with the sunshine.
Until it must go.
And the brightness is gone.
For now I must stay.
Stay for the day.
Until the sunshine goes away.
I will stay & share.
Share the memories with the air.
Until then I'm with you.
You, sunshine.
Dime Store Music
by William Perry
I see it even now,
This bazaar of many-faceted artifacts.
Think of a glossy Xanadu with wax
Apples, punk and penny pencils -
Something for everyone in that well -
Preserved Howdy Doody Generation swell.
Dime stores kept our nation intact
And our houses from crumbling, and
Some said, an Empire of hum drum necessities
When Anne of Green Gables type girls
And two to a counter at $17 a week
Smiled pretty for the rush of hoi polloi.
Red silk stockings and green perfume,
Oil cloth and plaster saints where Sentinels
Of swat floorwalkers shepherded swarms
Through piano music hawking syrupy pops.
But Hey, a thin dime was passport when
"I Met a Million Dollar Baby in the 5 and
10¢ Store" where dreams were smaller - Wow,
rubber half soles and 2500 hardware items
Easy on as multitudes advanced like armies
Crazy over hat pins, gold fish and the
Photo booth producing grinning Kewpie dolls
Anticipating forever and a day.
But now dime stores are defunct,
Gone with the curving wind of change,
And with them their cargo of precious
Junk: tie pins, incense and fat jelly beans
With two girls to a counter at $17 a week
Smiling pretty for the masses,
Their heads happy as a May morning
And just for the heck of it.
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Changes related to "Help35:Extensions Module Manager Articles Newsflash"
← Help35:Extensions Module Manager Articles Newsflash
This is a list of changes made recently to pages linked from a specified page (or to members of a specified category). Pages on your watchlist are bold.
27 April 2016
20:19 Chunk30:Help-3x-module-site-common-tabs (diff; hist; +4) MATsxm (→Menu Assignment)
25 April 2016
m 09:38 Chunk30:Module Details (diff; hist; +6) MATsxm (t9n tag fix)


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One of my many roles here at Symantec is testing software compatibility with SVS. In this role, I basically test to see if a program -- virtualized with SVS -- runs as if it was non-virtualized. However, I really don't do GUI-based testing and so if it's a process I can automate via VBscript (using WMI, COM or whatever's available) I prefer to write a script that will do the work for me while I do something else.
Back when the new WMI provider came out for SVS we were supposed to release some official documentation with the SDK (that I don't think ever came out) but you don't need the SDK to use SVS's WMI provider.
There really hasn't been much talk about SVS and WMI on the Juice outside of one tip that suggested using a WMI code generator from Microsoft. This is helpful to a point. There are several tricks to get SVS's WMI provider to work in VBscript that I've learned, and spent way too much time on the MSDN researching workarounds to not share with the community. First off I'm going to cover the actual WMI provider for SVS, listing the classes and methods. Then I'll go into how to use the WMI provider with VBscript.WMI Documentation
VirtualSoftwarePackage Class
This is your layer class and is where all the standard SVScmd/SVSadmin functions are located the descriptions here are provided by Jeremy who wrote the WMI provider.
|Layer Id.
This is a GUID.
|Layer Name. Writeable.
|Current active/inactive state of the layer
|The layer is activated automatically when the system is started. Writeable.
|Type of the virtual software package.
0 = Application
1 = Data
|When the layer was created.
|When the layer was last activated. May be null if the layer has never been activated.
|When the layer was last reset. May be null if the layer has never been reset.
If you're familiar with SVS in any way, these should be self explanatory. If there's a switch for in SVScmd you can do it with WMI.
static uint32 Import( [in] string Filename, [in] bool Overwrite, [out] string PackageId )
Imports a new layer. Once the import is complete, the layer can be enumerated, and the other (non-static) methods can be called.
uint32 Activate( )
Activates a layer.
Activating a layer through SVSAdmin or SVSCmd will result in the current user's desktop being refreshed. Due to security limitations, activating through WMI will not refresh the desktop, nor will it refresh SVSAdmin if it is open.
uint32 Deactivate( [in] boolean Force, [out] uint32 ProcessId )
Deactivates a layer. Optionally, you can force the deactivation if there is a process still running from the layer The same security limitations that apply to activation apply to deactivation.
uint32 Reset( [in] boolean Force, [out] uint32 ProcessId )
Resets a layer. Similar to SVSAdmin, this call will deactivate the layer if necessary, and thus supports the same parameters as deactivate. The layer will be returned to its state from prior to being reset: e.g., if active prior to being reset, it will be restored to the active state afterward.
uint32 SetAutoActivate( [in] boolean AutoActivate )
Sets the value of the AutoActivate property.
uint32 Export( [in] string Filename, [in] bool Overwrite )
Exports the layer to an archive file (.vsa) on the disk.
uint32 Delete( )
Deletes the layer. The layer must be deactivated prior to being deleted.
uint32 Rename( [in] string Name )
Renames the layer.
VirtualSofwareSublayer Class
Here's the class for pulling information about each sublayer, the read-only and the read/write layers, there are no methods for this class.
|Layer Id.
This typically takes the form of a GUID.
|Package Id. This is a foreign key to a VirtualSoftwarePackage class instance. [In the current implementation this is also the same as the Id of the primary (non-peer/read-only) sublayer.]
|File system path where the redirect area of the layer is
|Registry path where the redirect area of the layer is
|Type of the layer.
0 = Normal
1 = Peer
2 = Data
Object Binding
To use all the methods in SVS you'll need to switch between objects you're binding too, which can be annoying at first but are easy to work around. I'll cover each below as well as give some sample subroutines that you can use to do the work for you.
To access several, but not all, SVS methods you need to bind to \root\default:VirtualSoftwarePackage this will give you access to Import and Export, you'll notice the Restor and Backup impersonation are set, this is because Import and Export require them to function.
To quickly switch just copy and past the following code into your script and then call setWMIForSVS.
SUB setWMIForSVS SET objWMIService = GetObject( _ "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate,(Restore, Backup)}!\\" & _ strComputer & "\root\default:VirtualSoftwarePackage" ) WScript.Echo "WMI Set to SVS mode" END SUB
For the rest of the SVS methods you'll need to bind to \root\default, here we have Debug set, you might need this impersonate level if you're trying to deactivate a layer, like Apache, that has a process that's not owned by the user that launched it-it depends on you're set up and it's worth trying without the debug level before running your script with it since setting your level to debug removes many security barriers. It's also worth noting that if you're using the cimv2 object to kill a process in a layer you'll need the same debug impersonation level.
To quickly switch just copy and past the following code into your script and then call setWMIToDefault.
SUB setWMIToDefault SET objWMIService = GetObject( _ "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate,(Debug)}!\\" & _ strComputer & "\root\default" ) WScript.Echo "WMI Set to default mode" END SUB
While there are no SVS methods attached to this object you'll probably have to use it in a VBscript so I'm placing it in here for sake of completeness. Note that I do have the Debug impersonate level set which you'll need to have if you try to kill any process you don't own when not using SVS's Deactivate method.
To quickly switch just copy and past the following code into your script and then call setWMIToDefault.
SUB setWMIToCimv2 Set objWMIService = GetObject( _ "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate,(Debug, Restore,Backup)}!\\" & _ strComputer & "\root\cimv2" ) WScript.Echo "WMI Set to cimv2 mode" END SUB
Sample Functions
I've written up some sample SVS functions that deal with Import, Activate, deactivate to show how those methods are used, these are all intended to be used with ON ERROR RESUME NEXT for error handling.
'function activate(guid) - Activates a Layer by GUID ' guid: String --guid of VSA to be activated ' Returns Success: Boolean FUNCTION activateSVS(guid) SET objItem = objWMIService.Get( "VirtualSoftwarePackage.Id=" & _ """"& guid &"""" ) IF Err.Number <> 0 THEN activateSVS=false ELSE WScript.Echo "Activating layer: " & objItem.Name x = objItem.Activate() IF Err.Number <> 0 THEN activateSVS=false ELSE activateSVS=true END IF END IF END FUNCTION
'function deactivate(guid) - deactivates a Layer by GUID ' guid: String --guid of VSA to be deactivated ' Returns Success: Boolean FUNCTION deactivateSVS(guid) SET objItem = objWMIService.Get( "VirtualSoftwarePackage.Id=" & _ """"& guid &"""" ) IF Err.Number <> 0 THEN deactivateSVS=false ELSE WScript.Echo "Deactivating layer: " & objItem.Name x = objItem.Deactivate() IF x <> 0 THEN WScript.Echo "Error Code: " & x deactivateSVS=false ELSE deactivateSVS=true END IF END IF END FUNCTION
'function import (vsa,path) - imports the VSA into SVS ' vsa: String --Name of VSA to be imported ' path: String -- path to VSA ' Returns Success: GUID or False FUNCTION importSVS(myVSA,myPath) WScript.Echo "Importing layer: " & myPath & myVSA result = objWMIService.Import( myPath & myVSA , True, packageId ) WScript.Echo "Importing Finished" IF Err.Number <> 0 THEN importSVS=false ELSE importSVS=packageId END IF END FUNCTION
Sample Scripts
These are simple sample scripts that show what you can do with SVS and WMI.
Enumerating Active Layers
strComputer = "." SET objWMIService = GetObject( _ "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _ strComputer & "\root\default" ) SET colItems = objWMIService.ExecQuery( _ "Select * from VirtualSoftwarePackage Where Active = True" ) FOR EACH objItem IN colItems WScript.Echo "Id: " & objItem.Id NEXT
Finding Sublayers for a Layer
strComputer = "." SET objWMIService = GetObject( _ "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _ strComputer & "\root\default" ) SET colItems = objWMIService.ExecQuery( _ "Select * from VirtualSoftwareSublayer " & _ "Where PackageId = ""guidguid-guid-guid-guid-guidguidguid""" ) FOR EACH objItem IN colItems WScript.Echo "Id: " & objItem.Id NEXTConclusion
This article is meant to cover the core of WMI for SVS and give you enough to build the scripts you need to automate SVS processes. If you feel anything was left out of this document or have more specific questions post them in the comments below and I'll try to keep this article updated with any information that I left out.


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Reviews by Shreyan
One of the hardest and most exciting platformersShreyan | Nov. 21, 2013 | Review of Super Meat Boy - PC
Super meat boy is the dark souls of platformers. You will die again and again only to come back for more. The levels feel unique and actually take very less time to complete(1-2 minutes tops). But completing it might take hours. The music is top notch and suits the mood for each level. You can unlock other characters from other indie games by completing hidden levels or collecting bandages. Collct enough and you can unlock a character. Each of them have their own unique power. Pick this game up for it's intensity. Also a controller is highly advisable for playing the game.
A fantastic racing gameShreyan | Nov. 21, 2013 | Review of DiRT 3 - PC
Dirt 3 is the successor of Dirt 2. The game has a new feel to it and the menus and all have been completely red-designed. The graphics have been improved and the locations have been very nicely crafted. The game contains your standard fare of trailblazer races,rally,head2head etc. The main highlight is gymkhana where you have to do donuts,spins,jumps and drifts to rack up points. It is a lot of fun. The game also supports local split screen play with another player. The graphics are good and the cars sounds distinct. AI has also been improved. One complaint with the game is that it does not have enough tracks. If you are out in the market for a good racing game, take this one for a ride.
One of the most brilliant shoot and loot gamesShreyan | Nov. 18, 2013 | Review of Borderlands 2 Overflow 1 - PC
Pandora is taken over by handsome jack under the hyperion co-operation. Bounty hunters from all across the galaxy are invited to pandora. They are killed by Handsome Jack as soon as they arrive in a train. You however survive and you start your epic quest to free pandora from jack and stop him from opening the vault. You can chose out of 4 main characters from the base game each with their own special ability and skill tree. There are 2 DLCs which add 2 extra characters to the game. This game has perhaps the most varied selection of weapons in a game. Shotguns that shoots missiles,guns that explode like a grenade when you reload them,grenades that teleport to a target,sticks to it,explodes into smaller grenades and causes even more mayhem and the list goes on and on. On an average playthrough it might take you around 30 hours to complete the game. However it shouldn't stop there. Start the game again in true vault hunter mode and you can play the game with all the loot and levels you have acquired. Also co-op is amazing. It is a different game when you play with friends. This game is pure entertainment. My only complaint is that there are DLCs which can increase the level cap. Those should have been free,released as updates. If you want more shoot and loot, get the season passses. I can guarantee that you will be playing thsi game for months.
Beautiful gameShreyan | Nov. 18, 2013 | Review of Bastion - PC
What happens when you wake up to see the world as you know it crumbling before your very eyes? When everyone you love is gone? And you have no idea what happened? In bastion, you play as a nameless protagonist referred to as 'the kid'. The game play is fun. A controller is recommended for the best experience. The art style of the game is just beautiful and the music is awesome. The game is part RPG,part action and the camera is set at an isometric view. The action always feels fresh and the levels are superbly designed. I have absolutely no complaints with this game and you will be want to go for a second playthrough of the game after you complete it.
A superhero game worth your timeShreyan | Nov. 18, 2013 | Review of Batman Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Overflow 1 - PC
Probably one of the best super-hero games in the industry. The fighting mechanics is very fast and fluid. As Batman you will have access to a variety of gadgets like the batrang,explosive gel, the line rappel,cryptographic sequencer and more.The stealth sequences are very good. The game world is scattered with maps,riddler tropies and riddles to find,collect and solve. This unlocks challenge maps which are divided into two types-Predator(where you have to take out an area full of henchmen quietly completing some objectives while you are at it) and beatdown. The game looks very good and the voice acting is top notch.You will encounter some well known villians like poison ivy,joker and scarecrow. The story is great. I have no complaints with the game.


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A long time in the making, we're more than a little excited to announce the imminent arrival of Rick Redbeard's debut album 'No Selfish Heart'. Released on January 28th 2013, the album represents the solo debut of Rick Redbeard aka Rick Anthony aka Rick, the lead singer with The Phantom Band. For lovers of beautiful, melancholy, spartan folk, prepare to be comprehensively smitten.
Here's the press release to whet your whistle:
With an act as stylistically restive as The Phantom Band, you'd expect at least some of their number to harbour a renegade alter-ego or two. In the case of their vocalist-in-chief Rick Anthony, his 'Rick Redbeard' doppelgänger has been hiding in plain sight since The Phantom Band's critically feted debut in 2009, with some material on 'No Selfish Heart' pre-dating 'Checkmate Savage' by as much as five years.
Originally conceived as an outlet for Anthony's quieter, more introspective material, it's fair to say that Redbeard's 'songbook' has outgrown its brief, developing into much, much more than a dead letter office for The Phantom Band….MORE
Press Coverage
On No Selfish Heart…
"An album that might have been captured any time over the past 50 years" MOJO [4/5]
"Something akin to a masterpiece" The List [4/5]
"Superb… beautiful…. a glorious album" Uncut [9/10]
"The entire album exudes a seductive yearning" The Scotsman [4/5]
"Simple yet beautiful" The Skinny [4/5]
"A delightful record to treasure" Drowned in Sound [8/10]
"This album in a word? Astonishing" The Herald
"Compelling… a raw statement of intent" Scotland on Sunday
Featured Video
This video was posted on youtube to promote the split single that the rather fantastic record label Gerry Loves Records released with Rick and (the equally marvellous) Adam Stafford. We'd wholeheartedly encourage you to support a great label (and a great single) by buying it here.


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Researchers transplant bacteria to cure intestinal infectionsOctober 6, 2013 Updated: October 7, 2013 3:03pm
Photo: Gary Fountain, Freelance
Doctors at St. Luke's Hospital and the University of Texas School of Public Health have started to employ an emerging science that could save thousands from a life-threatening intestinal infection that attacks people overexposed to antibiotics, with greater applications on the horizon to combat a wide variety of other conditions and diseases.
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Perhaps those anger management rumors about Nicki Minaj ARE true. We just got word that Minaj went OFF big time on celebrity facialist Dawn DaLuise after she supposedly didn't satisfy Nicki's requests.
Star magazine is reporting that this tirade was so bad that it shocked the heck out of her.
Details below.
Dawn DaLuise Skin Refinery owner DeLuise told Star, "After I waxed her eyebrows and lip, she started screaming 'Who the f**k do you think you are? Look what you did to my damn face! You think this sh*t is worth 170 dollars?'"
And apparently after the verbal tirade, Nicki threw a bunch of money at her and stormed out the damn door like a got damn diva.
DeLuise added, "It's a shame when you see a darling girl turn into a temperamental diva."
But apparently this isn't the first time that DaLuise has seen Minaj acting a fool.
"I arrived at her condo one afternoon, her eyes were dilated, her wig was falling off, her face was covered in red sores and she was perspiring heavily. She was swearing and screaming at her assistant."
Yikes that sounds like a time-of-the-month moment times ten.
Image via Wireimage.com


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13,129pages on
this wiki
this wiki
- "Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead."
- —The riddle[src]
Fire Protection Potion[2] is a potion used to move through flames unscathed. When drunk, it induces a sensation of ice and frigidity in the drinker, and provides protection from most magical fires.
Professor Severus Snape could brew this potion and did so in September of 1991 as part of his protection of the Philosopher's Stone[3].
- Slice bursting mushrooms with knife, add to cauldron and stir clockwise until potion turns blue.
- Add salamander blood to cauldron, stir anti-clockwise until potion turns green.
- Crush Wartcap powder in pestle, add to cauldron and stir clockwise until potion turns red.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Handheld Only)
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game (First identified as Fire Protection Potion)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Handheld Only)
- ↑ "Powerful Potions Revealed for New Game" at the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)" Official Site
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Chapter Sixteen - Through the Trapdoor)


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LONDON - Intelligent Marketing plans an integrated campaign for the launch of the Solio solar-powered, pocket-size battery charger, seeking to play on its environmentally friendly aspect and desirability to gadget owners.
Intelligent Marketing will use PR, direct marketing, packaging, point of sale and digital media to reach both retailers and consumers.
Created by Better Energy Systems, Solio is the world's smallest solar charger with a fully integrated internal battery. It has three solar blades that swivel on a central boss to gather the sun's rays. When not in use, the three blades close to create a smooth, organic-looking pod the size of a mobile phone.
Solio's interchangeable tip system allows a wide range of gadgets such as mobile phones, PDAs or iPods to be charged at the same rate as a wall charger, but without the need to be near a power source and carry electric chargers and adapters.
It is due to go on sale in the first week of November at Selfridges, Micro Anvika, Field & Trek and the iPod World website.
Uwern Jong, director of Intelligent Marketing said: "Solio is a revolutionary product sure to make heads turn in the mobile electronics market.
"Our approach is to communicate both lifestyle and environmental benefits to a complex market place through an integrated campaign and quickly build a momentum of interest in the product."
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.


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Seven Hills Village
- Free WiFi in lobby and free parking
Main amenities
- 200 apartments
- 3 restaurants
- Nightclub
- Seasonal outdoor pool
- 24-hour fitness center
- Airport shuttle
- Garden
- Computer station
- Convenience store
- Snack bar/deli
- Self-serve laundry
- Multilingual staff
What's around
- In Cassia
- Olympic Stadium (7.1 mi / 11.4 km)
- National Gallery of Modern Art (7.4 mi / 11.9 km)
- Bioparco (7.8 mi / 12.5 km)
- Castel Sant'Angelo (8.8 mi / 14.2 km)
- Trevi Fountain (8.9 mi / 14.3 km)
Seven Hills Village
Hotel Info: 866-539-8117from $22
- Mobile Home
- Standard Apartment
- Bungalow, Ensuite
- Twin Room, Shared Bathroom
- Double Room, Shared Bathroom
- Single Room, Shared Bathroom
Also popular with travelers from the USA
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 200 rooms
- Check-in time 2 PM-10 PM
- Check-out time is noon
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
Travelling with others
- Children (4 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Pets not allowed
- Free WiFi in public areas
- Airport shuttle (available on request) *
- Free self parking
- RV/bus/truck parking *
- Area shuttle within 2 km *
In the hotel
- 3 restaurants
- Bar/lounge
- Coffee shop/café
- Snack bar/deli
- Poolside bar
- Outdoor seasonal pool
- Children's pool
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Playground on site
- Golfing nearby
- Nightclub
- Pool sun loungers
- Fitness facilities
- Billiards or pool table
- Computer station
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Concierge services
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Laundry facilities
- Wedding services
- Year Built 1970
- Garden
- Picnic area
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
In the room
- Housekeeping - once per stay
Special features
DiningCorvo Allegro - Overlooking the garden, this restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and serves dinner only. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Reservations are required.
Wild West Steak House - Overlooking the garden, this restaurant specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine and serves brunch and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Reservations are required. Open select days.
Picchio Rosso - This poolside restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and serves dinner only. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Reservations are required. Open select days.
Seven Hills Village's small print
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2999.99, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
Children under 5 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool or fitness facility without adult supervision.
For transfers, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.
Mandatory fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at check in or check out:
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 3 per person, per night, up to 10 nights. This tax does not apply to children under 10 years of age.
Breakage deposit: EUR 50 per stay
Optional extras
The swimming pool is accessible for EUR 3 per person, per day
RV/bus/truck parking is available for an extra charge
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of EUR 65 per vehicle (one way)
Area shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
We have included all charges provided to us by this hotel. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.
Is the description of this hotel not correct? Tell us


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Out of Thin Air:
The Untold Story Behind Everest's Greatest Mystery
Endorphin Academy: Adventure Racing 101
Working the Space Station
L.A.'s Secret Wilderness
As Conrad Anker and Jake Norton studied the mummified body lying among the rocks, their three teammates made their way one by one to the site. The going was treacherous; a slip here could mean a fatal fall of 7,000 feet [2,135 meters] to the upper Rongbuk Glacier. As each searcher arrived, the gestalt of the detailsthe ragged edges of the torn-away clothing, the fingers planted in the scree, a thin white rope tangled about the torso, terminating in a frayed loose endstruck home. Below the base of the back, the right buttock had been eaten away by goraksthe prehistoric-looking ravens that haunt the upper reaches of the Himalaya. The birds had used this orifice to ravage the man's internal organs. The left foot was bare, the lower leg folded atop its companion, as if to shelter it from further harmfor the right leg, hobnailed boot intact, lay hideously bent, both tibia and fibula plainly broken.
"I was pretty blown away," recalled Tap Richards. "It was obviously a body, but it looked like a marble statue."
For half an hour, a sense of taboo hung over the stark tableau. At first, the five men could not bring themselves to touch the body. Instead they took photographs and pointed out nuances that might bear on how the man had met his end. Jake Norton sat down with a flat stone in his lap and began to carve a memorial to Sandy Irvine.
"It didn't hit me on a personal level until we started working on him," said Dave Hahn. "Then he became a real man."
With great care, the men used their axes to chip away at the ice that froze the victim to the slope. As they got closer to the body, they switched to pocketknives, carving with an archaeological delicacy. While Hahn and Andy Politz shot video footage, Richards and Norton bore the brunt of the excavation, as they cut away beneath the corpse in hopes of finding what might lie in his pockets. Then Norton came across a name tag on the collar of one of the man's garments. It read "G. Mallory."
"That's weird," said Norton to his teammates. "Why would Irvine be wearing Mallory's shirt?"
Get the answer, and the full story, in the Fall 1999 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE. (Subscribe today.)
ADVENTURE Online Exclusive
Profile: Conrad Anker
In this Q&A, meet the man who found Mallory.
Related Web Site
Everest: Measure of a Mountain
Earth's highest peak is growing. But by how much? Follow an intrepid team's climb for the answer.
Finally. After slowly jogging up a steep fire road in the scruffy southern California hills for half an hour in 80-degree [27°C] heat, negotiating switchback after déjà-vu switchback, our shirts and clunky packs now thoroughly drenched in sweat, we at last come to a reasonably flat stretch of trail. Unfortunately, it's not really much longer than the train of a modest wedding gown.
"Take advantage," advises Tony Molina, the co-owner and operator of Adventure Fitness Training (AFT) in Santa Monica, California. "Rest your mind," he urges. "Relax and rejuvenate."
Easy for Tony to say (Tony's not carrying a pack), but my mind doesn't need rejuvenating. It's my body that could use a full massage and a blood transfusionand maybe a week on the beach in Waikiki. Ain't gonna happen, though; not today. Not while I'm a guest-masochist attending AFT's Phase I entry-level adventure-racing course.
Get the full storyplus a guide to adventure racing schools and competitionsin the Fall 1999 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE.(Subscribe today.)
ADVENTURE Online Exclusive
I Was an Adventure School Dropout
Everyone knows adventure racing's cardinal rule: Don't quit. Everyone but writer Peter Winkler.
I am floating down the length of the International Space Station somewhere 250 miles [402 kilometers] above the North Atlantic, going about 17,000 miles [27,353 kilometers] per hour. If I tilt my head down as far as my space suit will allow, I can see the edge of my helmet and even my boots. As I jet around the exterior of the station, the misty Earth below seems like a blue and living cell. Now Africa heaves into view toward the east. The Niger, like a great snake, undulates down its belly.
This is my first EVA, or Extra-Vehicular Activity. The exterior of the space station, almost blinding in the airless sunlight, has golden handholds bolted all over it, each a glittering treasure of safety, labeled with numbers and letters to tell me where I am in the confusion of this mammoth structure. I can read the labels vividly in the blazing sun as I drift down toward the open cargo bay of the space shuttle. It's still docked there from our arrival on station, and the 50-foot [15-meter] Canadarm (used for grappling satellites and pieces of the station) is folded up now, at rest.
Soon the space shuttle will close its doors, back away from us, and blast home in a fiery de-orbit. We'll watch it burn in the night sky as it disappears into the blue. Night and day alternate every 45 minutes herea sunrise and sunset 16 times during every normal Earth day.
Off to my right, I see another astronaut in his brilliant white space suit, working on something, perhaps a communications antenna. As he works, twisting a torque tool, he suddenly loses his grip, his tether fails him, and he is kicked off the station. I watch in horror as he goes tumbling head over heels toward a half moon, which hangs in the black sky like a child's paper boat.
He's moving away fast. I see him grab for the controller of his SAFER unit, the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue, which we all wear when working outside the station. It's a small nitrogen jet tank with a minute of fuel. By carefully controlling the jet, he can maneuver back to the station. That's the theory. Now he punches a button with his big white-gloved finger, and the device automatically fires, calculating the force required to stop his rotation.
Gradually, his tumble stops, but he's still drifting away. I breathe a sigh of relief, which I can hear in the headphones of my helmet. "Is he all right?" I ask.
Get the full story in the Fall 1999 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE.(Subscribe today.)
ADVENTURE ForumWhere should NASA boldly go next?
The meeting in Beverly Hills had gone on all morning. When it was over, I stepped out onto Rodeo Drive, America's most exclusive shopping district. Stunning women in scant spring dresses mobbed the sunny boulevard.
A Jaguar nearly mowed me down. I made it to my car and slipped the valet a couple of bills. Seven minutes later I turned north off of Sunset Boulevard onto Beverly Drive and proceeded up the hill. After traveling a mile [1.6 kilometers], I turned onto Franklin Canyon Drive and continued north, following signs for William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom. Within a half hour, I was parked just off a wild road, changing into shorts and a T-shirt in my car, and checking my water bottles.
People who live in Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, or Alaska may scoff at the idea: Hiking in L.A.? Yeah, right. Don't forget your gas mask. On the other hand, everything is relative, isn't it? Could I find better hiking if I flew to Kalispell, Montana, drove to Apgar, and backpacked two days into Glacier National Park? Yes, I could. But I don't always have five days, and I love hiking. In fact, most months, I hardly have three hours. And when I'm trapped in L.A. on business, the Santa Monica Mountains certainly look as beautiful as the Sierra Madres.
Get the full storyplus an Adventure Guide to L.A.in the Fall 1999 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE.(Subscribe today.)


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Elvis Presley's daughter and his ex-wife thrilled fans by joining them for a candlelit vigil on Wednesday night to mark the 35th anniversary of The King's death.
Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley joined fans at the graveside of Elvis, 35 years after his death
Lisa Marie Presley and her mother Priscilla turned out to greet thousands of Elvis devotees who flocked to the late star's Graceland mansion in Tennessee to pay their respects in what has become an annual event.
It marked the first time Lisa Marie and Priscilla have joined in the vigil, which ran throughout the night and into Thursday morning. Pictures here...
They both thanked fans for their devotion and Lisa Marie revealed why she had never joined in before, telling the crowd, "I've always avoided this because I felt that it would be too emotional, but I really felt it was important to come down here tonight. I love you very, very, very much."
Priscilla added, "This is something that Elvis would never, ever have believed could have taken place here."
Presley died on 16 August 1977 after suffering a heart attack at the age of 42.
Remembering Elvis...
(FILES) Rock'n roll legend Elvis Presley shows his sergeant insignia on February 14, 1960 in Friedberg, Germany, during his military service. Elvis spent 17 months in Friedberg, Germany, between October 1958 and March 1960 as a GI. Elvis Aaron Presley was born 08 January, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi and was found dead 16 August 1977 from a drug-induced heart attack in his bathroom at Graceland, a colonial estate in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Undated picture of US rock star Elvis Presley, born in Tupelo Mississipi on January 8,1935 and dead 16 August 1977 in Memphis. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STF/AFP/Getty Images)
FILE - This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, during a performance. Digital Domain Media Group announced Wednesday, June 6, 2012 that it is creating a Presley hologram for shows, film, TV and other projects worldwide, including appearances. Digital Domain is linking with Core Media Group, which handles various brands, personalities and properties. (AP Photo, file)
FILE - In this undated file photo released by NBC-TV, singer Elvis Presley is shown in concert in the later part of his career. On June 6, 2012, Digital Domain Media Group announced it was creating a hologram Presley for shows, film, TV, and other projects worldwide, including appearances. Permission was granted from Elvis Presley Enterprises.(AP Photo/NBC-TV, FILE)
Elvis Presley in a promotional photo for Jailhouse Rock released by MGM on November 8, 1957 (PA)
Elvis Presley photographed during a promotional shoot for his first role in a film 'Love Me Tender' (PA)
Elvis Presley photographed during a promotional shoot for new film 'King Creole' (PA)
Elvis Presley. Circa 1962 (PA)
Elvis Presley is shown in a U.S. Army uniform (PA)
American rock and roll legend Elvis Presley smiles after he is promoted to army sergeant at the U.S. Army Unit's maneuver headquarters in Grafenwoehr, Germany in this Feb. 11, 1960 file photo. A belt worn by Presley during his 1972 performance in Honolulu has been auctioned for $66,000, more than six times the auction estimate. The belt was among several celebrity items that were sold to bidders in an interactive auction held Saturday in New York by Los Angeles-based Julien's Auctions. (AP Photo/File)
Elvis Presley poses by his Christmas tree at home in Memphis, Tenn., in 1960. (AP Photo)
Elvis Presley poses by his Christmas tree at home in Memphis, Tenn., in 1960. (AP Photo)
Singer Elvis Presley, 21, takes his pre-induction written examination as he is processed for the U.S. Army in Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 4, 1957. (AP Photo)
Elvis Presley is shown in uniform at company D 1st Battalion 32nd U.S. Army Armour at the barracks area in Friedberg, Germany, 1958. (AP Photo)
Elvis Presley photographed during a promotional shoot for new film 'Flaming Star' (PA)
South African dancer and actress Juliet Prowse and Elvis (PA)


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(From a dharma talk given by Roshi Janet Jinne Richardson,csjp
Zen Community of Baltimore/Clare Sangha)
The old song "It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it" is a song about being distracted from what's going on, from action, by art. To the accompaniment of a magnetic melody, the singer talks about misplaced priorities and the lyrics tell of allowing the means to take precedence over the goal. "It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it." Are the means important? Is art important? Go to a museum any day; listen to a concert; read a book and the answer resounds loud and clear. Must we cherish the means? Of course. The challenge arises when we upset the priorities, as the song says, and allow the WAY it is done to obscure WHAT is done. "It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it" is a songwriter's warning, a red flag. Be alert, be attentive.
Look at that famous observation: "She can't see the forest for the trees." She is so swept away by the parts that she can't see the whole. Her attention is fixed on the small units—the trees—so that the total picture—the forest—is lost. Her life is off-balance.
Look with me at the experience of a contemporary American woman poet. She writes: "Customs clinging to my skirt like bits of tawny straw or briar from my day walks through interminable countryside." Fixed ideas and attitudes hang on us. Moving through the interminable countryside that is our life, things attach themselves to us like bits of straw or briar. Sesshin is a time to let go everything that clings to our clothing, that is our skin, our minds, and hearts. These precious hew hours of sesshin are a cleansing bath, refreshing and reinvigorating. We rejoice in this opportunity to distinguish between WHAT is done and the WAY it is done, to look at both the forest and the trees and perceive which I swhich in our lives. We celebrate these customs that cling, bits of tawny straw or briar from our day walks through life. We celebrate the practices that sheds them to reveal the beauty of the interminable countryside that is our life
Look at that familiar lovely picture of the mother teaching the child cradled in her arms about the moon. The mother points her pretty finger at themoon and her gaze is fixed there as she describes the science and symbolism of the heavenly body to her child. But his attention is fixed on her pretty finger, and everything Mother says about the moon, Baby attributes to her pretty finger. His perception of reality is off track.
Look again at Zen Master Judi and his student as in Case 3 of the Mumankan. The young man saw Judi raise one finger to questions about Zen. So the young man imitated his master and missed out on this own direct experience of reality. This sesshin, give old Judi a thrill: shed light on the DOING as well as the WAY is done, see the forest AND the trees, see the briars and bits of tawny straw that are fixed ideas, fixed behaviors and customs. With that contemporary American woman poet, walk free, live in your own direct experience of reality.


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Complete List of Moorings US Virgin Islands (USVI) – Including the islands of St. Johns, St. Thomas, and St. Croix.
|Cruz Bay
|St. John's, USVI
|Cruz Bay, a port of entry into the USVI, is a well-protected anchorage offering basic services from banking to dining. This settlement is the most populated on St. John's and is often crowded.
|Caneel Bay
|St. John's, USVI
|Caneel Bay is home to one of the oldest and most well known resorts in the Caribbean "The Caneel Bay Plantation". Visitors are welcome into the bay and ashore to browse the gift shop or enjoy the "Beach Terrace". Making reservations at the "Equator Restaurant" is highly recommended.
|Trunk Bay, Johnson's Reef
|St. John's, USVI
|Trunk Bay, one of the most spectacular beaches in the Virgin Islands, is the site of a superb underwater snorkel-trail. Take caution around Johnston's Reef. Although it is well-marked, this reef continues to claim its toll on the inattentive captain.
|Cinnamon, Maho, and Francis Bays
|St. John's, USVI
|These bays lie just northeast of Trunk Bay. Each of these bays have their own unique charms. Francis Bay offers a relatively deep anchorage.
|Leinster Bay
|St. John's, USVI
|There is excellent snorkeling on the southern side of Watermelon Cay. In the southwestern corner of the bay there is a trail that leads to the Annaberg Suger Mills. These ruins have been restored by the National Park Service
|Coral and Round Nays, Hurricane Hole
|St. John's, USVI
|The Southeastern corner of St. John's is comprised of a series of bays, coves, and fingers of land containing these three main anchorages.
|Great and Little Lameshur Bays
|St. John's, USVI
|Anchoring is limited at Great and Little Lamesure Bays. However, the US Virgin Islands National Park Service maintains morrings at both bays. Great Lameshur is well-protected and excellent for over-nighting. Little Lameshure to the west is condisered an exceleent spot for day trips
|Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Harbor
|St. Thomas, USVI
|Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is named after a Danish Queen. This duty free, bustling commercial port, is a yachtsman and cruiseship center.
|Benner Bay a.k.a "The Lagoon"
|St. Thomas, USVI
|Benner Bay, locally known as "The Lagoon", is probably the most protected anchorage for small craft on the island. There are full service marinas, restraunts, and a variety of marine service companies available here.
|Christmas Cove
|St. Thomas, USVI
|Christmas Cove, located adjacent the Current Cut Channel, is a favorite first and last night stop for many charter boats operating out of St Thomas.
|Red Hook Bay
|St. Thomas, USVI
|This bustling and ever growing harbor is a center for barboat charters, crewed charters, fishing charters, and a multiude of other marine-oriented buisnessses. There are numerous private moorings and a good deal of boat traffic with ferries departing for Crux Bay and St John's every hours.
|Christiansted Harbor
|St. Coix, USVI
|The island of St Coix lies 35 miles south of the other Virgin Islands and is the largest island in the group. Christiansted is the main settlement on the island and offers a full-service marina.


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Home Standby Generators
Provide Backup Power for Emergencies
Home generators provide power for essential appliances and equipment.
Rolling blackouts, power failures, or downed lines can occur at any time. For many this can be an emergency situation. Even localized problems in your own neighborhood electrical grid can mean an unexpected, critical power loss.
Don't get caught unprepared. Stay connected!
From routine utility maintenance, to ever more commonplace natural disasters, power interruptions are becoming more frequent. Critical electrical power can be lost without warning. These days, it's not a matter of if, but when.
A permanently mounted backup generator that is connected to your electrical panel can quickly re-energize, essential, pre-selected circuits and help keep your family safe.
Did you know…
- Generators run on the readily available natural gas or propane already supplied to your home.
- A system as small as 8000 watts can easily power your essential circuits.
- Most homes have a readily accessible main panel (breaker panel) where the transfer switch can be installed.
- The home emergency power generator is usually located outdoors, like an A/C compressor or heat pump. In fact it's comparable in size to these appliances. (Local city and county ordinances may affect the placement of your generator)
- The emergency generator is self-starting upon power loss, and goes into self-shutdown upon restoration of the utility-supplied power. And many models are self-testing.
- In many cases you may select which circuits you want backed up with emergency or standby power.**
- The noise level of a running emergency generator is comparable to a car idling.
Some typical essential circuits and/or devices are:
- Refrigerator/Freezer
- Lighting Circuits
- Sump pump, well pump
- Kitchen circuits, appliances
- Medical Equipment
- Furnace and thermostat
- Garage Door Opener
Among the most immediate concerns:
- Food
- Freezer/Refrigerator
- Kitchen Appliances
- Communication (Internet, TV, Phones and Chargers)
We recommend Generac/Guardian Emergency Generators
Why Generac?
- An Industry Leader. Worldwide name recognition and established reputation
- Unique Load-Shed technology (on larger models) Selects and balances circuitry to be energized automatically, based on demand
- Generac makes one product – generators
- One of the top manufacturer's warranties in the industry
**Circuits controlled from sub-panels elsewhere inside the home may not be as readily accessible.
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