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The Jazz.com Blog
June 11, 2008 · 3 comments
Smooth Jazz Obits Are Premature
Editor's Note: Alan Kurtz, jazz.com's resident curmudgeon, is our fledgling site's most widely read and fiercely debated blogger. Wherever he goes, he kicks up a storm, and we feel the reverberations around here for days afterward. Say what you will about Alan, you can't accuse him of not taking his curmudgeonly responsibilities seriously. I thought he might be going too far when he made unkind insinuations about Elvis. After all, a million people visit Graceland every year, and I was worried they might do to jazz.com what the King did to a displeasing TV show. I had unsettling visions of Mr. Kurtz following in the unfortunate footsteps of Robert Goulet.
As it turns out, Elvis fans were hardly fazed by our flagitious blogger. Yet when Kurtz criticized the fraternity of bass players, you could hear the fuss all the way from here to low E. Who would've thunk it? Those quiet unassuming folks who hang out with that big piece of furniture over by the drummer . . . they turn out to be high-strung. (Hmm, I think there is a paradox somewhere in that sentence.) They even organized a concerted attack on Kurtz via underground bass web sites (yes, there are such things) and (here's the kicker) managed to get bass players of the past to rise from the dead to join their cause. Hey bass players, how low can you go? (There may be a bad pun in that sentence.) I know I'll think twice before saying anything against Mr. Bassman again. Start doing that and you will find yourself on (the chords to) "A Slow Boat to China," when all you want are the changes to "C Jam Blues." And that is not just an instrument they are playing . . . it is a potentially lethal weapon.
Thank goodness, Mr. Kurtz has finally found something he loves and admires. We can now show jazz.com visitors his warm and fuzzy side, as Alan sings the praises of . . . Smooth Jazz. Readers are invited to share their own opinions by adding their comments or emailing them to email@example.com. But please . . . no correspondence from the afterlife. It gives me the spooks. T.G.
Gloating is unbecoming. Journalists, though—by nature a loutish breed—have lately been at full gloat over the alleged demise of Smooth Jazz. The New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff, for one, observed with barely concealed satisfaction in February that a New York radio station boasting Smooth Jazz's biggest U.S. market share has succumbed to a rock format. Moreover, saxophonist Kenny G—whom Ratliff sarcastically dubs "Regent of the Smoothiverse"—sells fewer records these days and, "as a consequence" has been demoted from headlining arenas to performing at such paupers' dens as Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The Times even supplies an unsolicited epitaph for Smooth Jazz: "For 20 years it has appealed across race and class and gender," Ratliff writes, "partly because it asks so little. It is a physical presence but an intellectual absence. It is an unverified claim." The Times does not divulge what said claim might be, only that it's unverified. And note the casually dismissive nod to Smooth Jazz's decades-long appeal across race, class and gender. Intellectual absence or not, that is no mean feat.
Not to be outdone, PopMatters.com's Will Layman soon chiseled a headstone with "R.I.P. Smooth Jazz, 1985-2008?" By then, a Smooth Jazz radio station in Washington, DC, had met the same rocky fate as its New York counterpart, prompting Washingtonian Will to laud the "ongoing demise" of Smooth Jazz as "a hopeful sign for our civilization." Thus buoyed, Layman unabashedly paraphrases The Times' characterization of Smooth Jazz as "an unverified claim," by calling it "an answer without a question." Ridiculing Smooth Jazz's "overriding aesthetic of cheesiness," Layman scoffs at Smooth Jazz as a mere "product, an assembly line of Twinkies. Easy to eat, hard to digest." But, unable to settle on quite the right mercantile metaphor, he also calls it "nothing more than aural air freshener." Please don't eat the cheesy air freshener. It's harder to digest than Twinkies.
The scribes doth protest too much, methinks. Gloating at a funeral is rude enough, but it's downright churlish to lower the casket while its occupant is still warm. We are reminded of Mark Twain, who after protesting that reports of his death were greatly exaggerated, lived for another 13 years. Most premature obits result, like Twain's, from misinformation. Others stem from wishful thinking by those proclaiming the anticipated demise. The current celebrations of Smooth Jazz's "ongoing demise" are clearly more wishful than misinformed, which only makes them worse. Such self-congratulatory "I Told Ya So" smugness ought to be beneath even the marginal ethics of music journalism.
Besides, what the hell is (or was) Smooth Jazz's biggest sin? One-word answer: popularity. Attracting the masses across race, class and gender lines is lowbrow, and therefore makes Smooth Jazz unfit for critical consumption. Pretentious institutional jazz, by contrast, has snob appeal. Don't get me wrong. Jazz is a great institution. But who wants to be confined to an institution? (Henny Youngman, 1953)
True, Smooth Jazz has exceeded its wretchedness quota. But so has every other subgenre of jazz. Is Kenny G's "Songbird" really more excruciating than, say, John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things"? Hearing "Songbird" is on a par with undergoing root canal without anesthetic. Trane's "My Favorite Things" is like undergoing root canal minus anesthetic while enduring bag- pipes on headphones. At least "Songbird" is over in 5 minutes. "My Favorite Things" drones punishingly on for nearly a quarter of an hour. Yet despite its excesses, Smooth Jazz kept a brand name before the public for two decades during which jazz might otherwise have gone the way of Green Stamps, Pan Am, Nash Rambler, Tandy and LSD.
There is also something to be said about the virtues of background music. Generally speaking, elevator music has been given the shaft. (Okay, it's an unforgivable pun. But, hey, I'm talkin' about Shaft!) According to Joseph Lanza's Elevator Music: A Surreal History of Muzak, Easy-Listening, and Other Moodsong, music was first piped into these claustrophobic enclosures in 1922 to calm riders for whom the elevator was a new and unproven technology. Obviously, music that does not scream for undivided attention is subliminally more reassuring than distracting fare. (Do you really want to hear Sun Ra in the elevator?) Smooth Jazz is thus part of a socially useful tradition, which is more than can be said about jazz critics.
There is, of course, a more sinister possibility—namely a hoax. That would not be unprecedented. In 1999, pianist/prankster Friedrich Gulda faxed a bulletin to the Austrian News Agency reporting that he had only moments before died at the Zurich airport. Following publication, he announced that he was very much alive and, to prove it, would be staging a Resurrection Recital accompanied by go-go dancers. At this point, perhaps the only thing that could annoy the critical establishment more than Smooth Jazz itself is for Kenny G, like Dracula at sundown, to spring upright in his coffin, shake the cobwebs from his curly locks, and commence a Resurrection Recital of "Songbird." Payback is a kitsch.
This blog entry posted by Alan Kurtz.
// Jun 12, 2008 at 03:28 PM
if you call 15 minutes of Elvin Jones "excruciating", you aren't qualified to speak on the subject. Further, all of the essence that is in Elvin Jones' playing is removed from what is called 'smooth jazz'. I would say this essence is the essence of jazz. Keep trolling ; )
Bill R
// Jun 12, 2008 at 08:40 PM
OK, people, I think we've all had about enough of Mr. Kurtz. His fifteen minutes were up a long time ago, doncha think?. I know, I know, it's *fun* kicking trolls around. The temptation to respond in kind to Kurtz' imbecilic posts is nearly irresistible. But I think, for our own sakes, we should resist said temptation, the way we would resist that third helping of dessert. It's just not healthy. (Attempting to respond seriously to a troll is, of course, out of the question; its provocations are meant to provoke, not to start a serious discussion. A troll, being basically a rather stupid & limited creature—which could readily be replaced by a bot--wouldn't know how to have a real discussion even if it wanted to.) Furthermore, the problem with kicking trolls is that, as we all know, it makes them just too damn happy. A well-kicked troll (viz. Messrs. Kurtz & Gioia) hops merrily about from foot to foot, chortling with trollish glee. This is a queasy-making, if not downright obscene, spectacle, from which all decent people should avert their eyes. (Hey, ask Miss Manners what she would do if a troll crossed her path; I'm pretty sure that would be her suggestion.) So, in future, let's all just ignore the trolls in our midst. Let them--deprived of the morsels of tainted sustenance for which they beg so pathetically--slink off to their dank abodes and chew their own limbs & spleens. That's a plan, no?
Paul Rinzler
// Jun 15, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Hilarious, if incorrect at points (there's more to a critique of smooth jazz than its popularity). Loved the elevator pun, and while My Favorite Things has gobs more music than Songbird, the bagpipes in the headphones line was great. The comedy was funny, but the issue of smooth jazz is more substantive than comedy will allow.


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Hey friends. Last week was totally awesome with the brewing of the Eataly beers with Brooks. We made some really neat beers with some really exciting ingredients. The fermentations went as expected and our attenuation goals were met. We'll be tasting the finished beers soon enough. If the initial fermenter tastings are any indication, we are in for a real treat. I'll keep you posted as to when you can give us some feedback on them so we can make them as great as they can be.
So today... like in ten minutes... we will have another pub exclusive on tap. That makes five! I don't think we've done that since 1997. The beer brewed by the engineering/maintenance department and me is finally ready. The Quartier Rouge is a reddish hued Belgian-style Tripel flavored with grains of paradise and guarana seeds. The beer is just under 9.5% ABV served unfiltered and 100% keg conditioned. Jason and I along with a few bar patrons had a sneak peak and we were all excited for today. Nice work Greg and Jon for putting together this great recipe!
There's more brewing excitement right around the corner so stay tuned.


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Thursday Cubs Headlines
After Kaplan claimed Kerry Wood was close to moving on, he then took credit that his story spurred the Cubs to up their offer for Kerry and that he should be signing with the Cubs soon. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports broke the news saying it's likely to be a one-year deal with some sort of 2013 option.
- Theo downplayed talks regarding Matt Garza, claiming more has been reported in the media than has actually happened. The Tigers (as they should) seem more than content with keeping Jacob Turner as their 5th starter this year (he won't last long there).
- Kevin Goldstein tweets that the Cubs are "definitely interested" in Yoenis Cespedes who signed up with a Dominican team today, which should give scouts even a better look at him. Rumor is that Jorge Soler probably won't sign until the season starts.
- The cops will have a little chat with Starlin Castro next week over the sexual assault allegations.
- The Cubs baseball ops department is now working with Bloomberg Sports on a "state-of-the-art player evaluation system". Hopefully they've moved Ari Kaplan's office out of the maintenance closet by now.
- Darwin Barney is not taking for granted that he'll be the starting second baseman. I promise to not take it for granted either and will openly root for an upgrade.
- At some point it seems the Cubs signed C Juan Apodaca out of the Indians organization on a minor league deal. If you haven't heard, "popular" Cubs backstop Koyie Hill(as coined by Jon Morosi) signed with the Cardinals on a minor league deal.
- A fun graph on which hitters are left on the free agent market, with Fielder and Pena leading the group.
- In Bears news, Mike Tice isn't buying the current pass-happy trend in the NFL. In personel news, I just slammed my head into the wall.
- The Bears have also received permission to interview four candidates: Marc Ross - director of college scouting, New York Giants, Jimmy Raye III, director of player personnel, San Diego Chargers, Jason Licht, director of pro personnel, New England Patriots and Phil Emery, director of college scouting, Kansas City Chiefs. Knowing nothing about them, I vote for the Patriot guy.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
Apropos the "FanGraphs: Alfonso Soriano's Platoon Value" twitter link.
Interesting article, but they lost me at "underrated fielding skills". Although, if they're referencing common complaints such as "a brick can field better than Sorryano, luz", then yeah, underrated sounds about right.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
I kinda liked one of the comments:
"The UZR/eye-test discrepancy is enough to make a man drink at night"
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
5.1 and 3.4 UZR in 2010/2011.
yeah, that's enough to walk away from this stat along with about 100 other players currently playing.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
He's got a good arm for a LF. But since 2008, teams have been wise not to run on him, and the effect of that advantage is less visible. The rest of his "game" speaks for itself.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
He does have a strong arm, but his fielding is garbage and his accuracy isn't nearly what it was his first year in Chicago. Maybe I haven't been paying attention properly, but I've been thinking that (despite his initial success) everyone is running on him now. Am I wrong?
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
You're right. His cannon turned into a popgun last year. Inaccurate too.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
I always felt like Soriano's was an average arm but his quick release and accuracy resulted in him throwing out base-runners.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
"Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have offered Jamie Moyer a minor league contract."
go moyer.
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
Is he 50 yet?
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
very close...turned 49 this past Nov.
charlie hough was a quitter... =p
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
He's just going to Coors Field to pad his HR allowed record
Re: Thursday Cubs Headlines
Reds sign Ryan Ludwig, $2.5M with up to $3M if incentives happen.
Recent comments
Rizzo in, Zobrist out, Willson in LF, Montero back and Almora batting 9th ... let's score some runs
Time for Mr. Oh to get some save chances.
Rosenthal does it again! Comes in with a 3-1 lead in the 9th -- double, BB, HR...ballgame.
Very nice win last nice -- could have caved in after the bottom of the first. It would be OK if guys stopped getting hurt, and if SF would lose a few.
Awesome. It wasn't long ago that he was kind of the best prospect coming through the system.
Javy's grunge dive into the stands for the popup was awesome - the hitting into the double play not so much
Third time I've tried to post this (forgive me if it winds up appearing three times)
Junior Lake, batting 9th and playing RF for the Blue Jays...
*That was a fun HALF inning.
this game is no longer awesome.
he did...it was awesome.
I'm pretty sure that Len called Bryant's home run a Brexit.
everyone but heyward with a hit and a 3 run lead with coghlan on 3rd through 5 batters. hell yeah.
okay, this is just silly. 19 pitches in, 1 out, 4 runs in, men on 1st and 2nd...hendricks up to bunt.
...and almora contributes the final out. that was a fun inning.
this game is awesome already.
also, there's a lot of cubs fans in the park tonight.
Clearly, Joe Maddon is a Lineup Wizzard.
"Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Anthony Rizzo (back) is feeling better and it's "possible" the first baseman could return to the lineup Saturday."
Maddon shore isn't afraid to bat a rookie 4th in the order.


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Jessica J. Radcliffe, MD, MBA, FAAP
Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Associates
5875 Bremo Road
MOB South, Suite 306
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: 804-287-7322
Fax: 804-281-8380
Maps and Directions
Hospital Affiliations
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Certified Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics
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Pediatric Endocrinology
Certified American Board of Pediatric Endocrinology
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Medical School
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Dr. Radcliffe attended Reed College for her undergraduate degree. She received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Colorado. In addition, she completed a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Radcliffe is board certified in pediatric endocrinology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics.


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Regional semifinal schedule, Thursday at Mt. Vernon:
Center Grove (15-2-1) vs. Warren Central (6-6-4), 5:30 p.m.
MV (11-6-2) vs. Southport (12-7), 7:15 p.m.
Championship is Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Regional semifinal schedule, Wednesday at Shelbyville:
Perry Meridian (14-3) vs. Center Grove (12-4-2), 5 p.m.
Greenfield-Central (11-6) vs. Warren Central (12-6-1), 7 p.m.
Championship is Saturday at 7 p.m.
1st-ROUND SECTIONAL MATCHUPS
Friday, Oct. 19, all games 7 p.m.
Class 4A Sectional 13
Greenfield-Central [3-5] at Muncie Central [2-6]
Delta [5-3] at Frankfort [3-5]
Muncie South [5-2] at Pendleton Heights [6-2]
Mt. Vernon [7-1] at New Palestine [3-5]
Class A Sectional 37
Indianapolis Scecina [5-3] at Cambridge City Lincoln [6-2]
Knightstown [5-3] at Indiana Deaf [1-7]
Hagerstown [8-0] at Eastern Hancock [3-5]
Tri [0-8] at Northeastern [4-4]
Class 4A Sectional 9 at Greenfield-Central
Thursday, Oct. 18
Pendleton Heights vs. Connersville, 6 p.m.
Greenfield-Central vs. Richmond, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20
PH-CO winner vs. GC-RI winner, 11 a.m.
New Castle vs. Anderson, 12:30 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
Class 4A Sectional 13 at Franklin
Tuesday, Oct. 16
New Palestine vs. Greenwood, 6 p.m.
Franklin Central vs. Center Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18
NP-GW winner vs. FC-CG winner, 6 p.m.
Whiteland vs. Franklin, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Championship, 10 a.m.
Class 3A Sectional 26 at Brebeuf
Thursday, Oct. 18
Guerin vs. Arlington, 6 p.m.
Howe vs. Mt. Vernon, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20
GU-AR winner vs. HO-MV winner, 11 a.m.
Chatard vs. Brebeuf, 12:30 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
Class 2A Sectional 41 at Eastern Hancock
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Hagerstown vs. Cambridge City Lincoln, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Eastern Hancock vs. Centerville, 6 p.m.
Knightstown vs. Union County, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Northeastern vs. HA-CC winner, 11 a.m.
EH-CE winner vs. KN-UC winner, 12:30 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
Boys and girls sectionals
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Top 15 individuals and top five teams advance to regionals.
At New Palestine, 5 p.m.: Beech Grove, Eastern Hancock, Franklin Central, Greenfield-Central, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Marshall, Indianapolis Scecina Memorial, Morristown, New Palestine, Roncalli, Triton Central, Warren Central.
At Pendleton Heights, 5:15 p.m.: Alexandria Monroe, Anderson, Blue River Valley, Daleville, Elwood Community, Frankton, Lapel, Liberty Christian, Mt. Vernon, Pendleton Heights, Shenandoah, Yorktown.
For more state tournament info, visit www.ihsaa.org


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Last edited by via suryantono; 27-05-13 at 21:04.


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Based in Warwickshire UK, I have recently rediscovered photography and have enjoyed documenting my travels and day to day life, as well as helping to document the school year in photographs.
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Skern Lodge 2013 Published June 16, 2013
Bilton Grange French Trip 2012 Published April 16, 2012
Skern Lodge 2011 Published September 07, 2011
Barbados 2011 Published August 03, 2011
Barbados 2011 Published July 27, 2011
Going to Barbados Published July 23, 2011


text: Hi, I'm not familiar with starting vnc at bootup, but i may be able to offer a few troubleshooting tips. Look in /var/log for messages relating to vnc. touch /tmp/now /etc/init.d/vncserver start grep -i vnc $(find /var/log -newer /tmp/now) Run the startup script with script tracing on: bash -x /etc/init.d/vncserver start Maybe it will reveal something. You can also start it with full tracing of system calls. strace -o /tmp/tracefile -f /etc/init.d/vncserver start The output will be difficult for a newbie to understand, but sometimes is's obvious. If you are still stuck, send the info you gather and someone else may be able to find the problem. -Adam jdf wrote: > I had vncserver installed and working fine but somethings different now and > it won't start on bootup. Since I'm a newbie I don't know what changed. I > have RH7.1 and am using the included rpm. I've uninstalled and installed > vnc a few times and still the same problem. If I run /etc/init.d/vncserver > start, it says everything is ok, but then if I check the status it says Xvnc > is stopped. Can anyone help? > > jd > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, send a message with the line: unsubscribe vnc-list > to majordomo "at" uk.research.att.com > See also: http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/intouch.html > --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send a message with the line: unsubscribe vnc-list to majordomo "at" uk.research.att.com See also: http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/intouch.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------


text:
Volunteer Center
Volunteers help us reach our mission to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of the James River and its natural resources. There are many different opportunities for you to explore. Whether it's getting your hands dirty with one of our watershed restoration projects, lending a hand to our education program, giving a voice to the river through our advocacy efforts, or helping our staff with office tasks, there is a place for everyone to play a part in making a cleaner James River!
Check our calendar for upcoming volunteering events and training sessions.
• Planting: Help JRA with reforestation efforts, stream side buffer enhancement, rain garden plantings, and installing native plants for habitat restoration.
• Invasive Species Removal: Assist JRA with removing invasive species from local parks and natural areas. • Garden Maintenance: Join us in maintaining many of the rain gardens, buffer plantings, and other projects that JRA has previously installed. This includes weeding, replanting, mulching, and other annual maintenance needs.
• Trash Clean-Up: Make the James River cleaner by helping JRA pick up trash in our watershed.
• Leader: Assist JRA staff with volunteer registration and/or leading volunteers at our Watershed Restoration events.
• Staff Informational Tables/Booths: Help JRA set up and staff educational booths at local events.
• Assist with Field Programs: Give a hand to JRA staff in one of our canoe trips, camping events, or other outdoor education programs.
• Assist with Classroom Presentations: If you enjoy working with students, join our staff at local schools. Present environmental education lessons such as the EnviroScape, a tool used to help students understand pollution and how to prevent it.
• Capture Photos, Videos, and Information: Join JRA at one of our events to take photos and videos.
• Send a Letter: Take a look at current issues affecting the health of the James River and send a letter to your local representative.
• Office Assistance: Assist staff with a variety of tasks including mailings, research, and data entry.
• Special Events: Help with preparation and lending a hand during the event.
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• RiverRats: This program engages volunteers to get out on the water and patrol the James River and to take action in their community. A scientific background is not required.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Collect water samples and record data to track the environmental health of the James. Sampling will occur weekly from May to September, and data will be made available to the public on JRA's James River Watch website (thejamesriver.org/jrw).
If you have any questions, please contact Amber Ellis, JRA Volunteer Coordinator, at firstname.lastname@example.com (804) 788-8811 ext. 205.


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The corporate PR world can be dull - no really. Come ride with me as we take a weekly sideways glance at the world of PR in the lofty world of big business, from someone who has been there, done that, and was mostly fired.
Let's all take a moment to reflect on the fact that a master has rejoined the game. That's right, Microsoft is back, and back with a bang.
I have been so impressed with its recent media campaigns that I have dedicated this whole column to it rejoining the big leagues.
Since Lord Bill left, Microsoft has been a bit in the doldrums. Yes it had Ballmer, and yes he had passion (watch the video below), but it was a shadow of its former self.
2014 though, 2014 seems to be the ripsnorter of a year where Microsoft came back with a winning media strategy.
In late January it announced a set of results that wowed analysts and Microsoft trolls alike. Surprisingly high sales of its Surface tablet, a big big Christmas for its Xbox console and its cloud division delivering a 107 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year meant that people sat up and took notice.
Oh yeah, and even its dull software-to-businesses sales were up, bucking the industry trend and making the likes of IBM look like Sally slow coaches.
The only criticism it got from the analysts was that it had yet to announce its new CEO. Microsoft had that covered though and was pulling a bit of a PR masterstroke.
The tech geniuses could have announced their new CEO on the same day as its results. In fact, if their results had been negative, I expect they would have wheeled Satya Nadella (their new CEO) out on that same day, it would have deflected attention away from the bad stuff.
But no, Microsoft had a game plan for two bites at the media cherry and it rocked it.
A few weeks after results day it announced that Satya was getting the top seat. The same guy who had been behind the 107 per cent sales increase in its Cloud division.
The naysayers mentioned he was a safe choice and people outside of Microsoft knew little of him. Bah, Microsoft comms people smashed that one out of the park.
Before you could say "where would you like to go today" the comms people had set up a page with all the info you would ever need to know about him. Family, career, interests, you name it, it was all there. Kudos.
The story was global news, not least in India where it was a front page story given Satya hails from those parts. Just when the story was slowing a little, the PR masters tickled it along again by releasing the all-staffer email that he sent round on his first day in the job.
Usually, this kind of thing would have been leaked to the media via a social media account and have the comms people on the back foot. By pushing it out themselves they had control of the story.
And what about the email itself you ask? Well, it read like an internal communication manager's wet dream. Lots of emotional and empowering words like honour and pride and even some top line vision "stuff" that no one understands but sounds awesome.
Microsoft, I salute you and the rest of you, mark my words, 2014 is the year that the company got back in the game.
Do you have a strong opinion on a topical industry issue? To submit a comment piece, please send a short summary of your idea to firstname.lastname@example.com. Views of writers are not necessarily those of The Drum.


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Guys stripped for blackmailingbodybuilder
- 16
Fri 14th Sep, 2012 in Local News
A Melbourne bodybuilder has pleaded guilty to 47 charges of blackmail after he posed as a woman to convince guys to strip and perform sex acts online, then threatened to make video footage of them public on gay websites.
23-year-old Shawn Rye (pictured) from Croydon even threatened to put pictures and videos of guys on their Facebook pages, alerting their friends and family to their sexploits if he didn't receive hundreds of dollars from them.
The Age reports that Rye would pose as a "young and sexually available woman" and trick the guys – some local, some overseas in the UK, America and Canada – into stripping and masturbating, promising "she" would then do likewise.
Telling them he'd recorded video of the encounter, Rye would then demand between $100 to $500, saying he'd leak the footage if the money didn't come through. It worked – he got almost $8,000 from various men before the police caught up with him.
He'll be sentenced next week, and may face up to five years in jail.
A former youth champion bodybuilder, Rye was unemployed at the time of the incidents and said he needed the money to pay for the $300 worth of protein powder he drank each week.
Here he is ironically dressed as a cop…


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Which baby bottle would you recommend?
I'm a first time mom and will be due in about a month. I've been preparing for my baby, but i dont know anything about baby bottle. I will be breastfeeding for the time i'm on leave but will switch to bottles after. What bottle's do you recommend?
Posted: 06/28/2010 by augbaby14
Mom Answers
Sort by: best answers | most recent answers
1 - 10 of 19 answers
I LOVE playtex drop ins. I used regular bottles (Medela ones that came with my pump) when I first got home with my daughter. The nipple kept collapsing on her and there was a bunch of bubbles in the bottle. Finally i listened to my mom who recommended the drop ins (she used them 22 years ago with me) and they're awesome. It's super easy to make a bottle at night and there's so much less to clean.posted 01/03/2013 by bookwormartist
soothiesposted 07/23/2010 by Stacipooh07
I originally used Playtex dropins and HATED THEM. My son switched between breast and that nipple well enough, but they didn't travel well (lids didn't fit securely), the drop-in bag didn't deflate like it was supposed to in order to help reduce air swallowing, and it was difficult to read the measurement lines on the drop-in (and they often didn't match up with the measurement lines on the bottle) so it was difficult to make a bottle from powder or tell how much my baby had drank. On top of all this, the drop-ins are expensive over time and make excessive trash. I switched to classic glass Evenflo bottles and wouldn't trade them for the world.posted 09/15/2010 by CMY/JNB
I use the Playtex Drop-ins...I LOVE them. They're easy to make, clean, and travel with. I tried Dr. Brown's, Soothies, and Evenflo unsuccessfully until we tried these. My son just didn't seem to latch correctly or like the nipples on the others and I HATED the Dr. Brown's. They have far too many pieces to clean. And making one in the middle of the night was a nightmare with all the little steps to get it together right. I was too tired to be that confused and frustrated. We all (baby, hubby, and me) love our bottles, but your little one will let you know what bottle they want to use, or not use for that case!posted 07/29/2010 by angiekincheloe
I also use the Playtex Drop-Ins and LOVE them! This is our 3rd, we have used drop ins for all three. Great for preventing gas, and helping with spitup. Only have to clean the nipple and rinse the nurser occasionally. New feature can be hooked up directly to the breast pump and pump your milk into them, then put on the cap, turn upside down and store, when ready defrost or warm milk and plop it right into the nurser. NO extra bottles to wash for storage and no waste from "storage bags" then transfering to bottle for baby to drink. It has been awesome for us! Good Luck!posted 07/29/2010 by momtovance
I love Avent. I have the "original ones", not the amber colored ones. I have heard the amber colored ones leak. The clearish ones I use have never leaked on me. There is an extra little ring you have to wash, but they are definitely worth the effort. You can buy them at Babies R Us or Target.posted 07/29/2010 by jessicawolfe
Born Free!! All the great things about Dr. Browns and tons easier to clean.posted 07/24/2010 by thegermanbaby
Born Free!posted 07/20/2010 by a BabyCenter Member
playtex vent air. they are my ABSOLUTE favorite :)posted 07/11/2010 by MommyRossi2010
I absolutely love playtex bottles! The drop ins are so cool because they collapse as baby drinks so there is less air getting into the tummy. Once you fill the bottle and close the cap gently squeeze the drop in to let out excess air in the bottle (you will hear it). Playtex has a wonderful assortment of nipples to choose from as well. I was really pleased with the ones shaped like a mommy's nipple which helped my babies easily go from breast to bottle. My babies didn't have trouble with a lot of gas i.e. excess air in bottles). The drop ins are disposable so there is less mess and you don't have to struggle cleaning the corners in the bottom of the bottles (cuz there isn't one). I could go on forever. Two words...Playtex rocks!posted 07/11/2010 by fab77
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Our special guest today is Rudy Mazzocchi, author of the entrepreneur book, Storytelling: The Indispensable Art of Entrepreneurism. Rudy is best known as a medical device and biotechnology entrepreneur, inventor, and angel investor, with a history of starting new technology ventures throughout the U.S. and Europe. He's been privileged to have the opportunity to see the newest innovations in healthcare and work with some of the most brilliant researchers, scientists and physicians in the industry.
Authoring more than 50 patents, he has helped pioneer new companies involved in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery and even embryonic stem-cell development. Through these efforts, he has become the recipient of many technology and business awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Healthcare (2004), Businessman of the Year Award (2005), and Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2013).
Combining these experiences and opportunities, with thousands of hours of travel and long evenings in hotel rooms, he found the initiative to start writing a collection of award-winning business/medical thrillers based on true events, known as The EQUITY Series. STORYTELLING was his debut non-fiction business book released in November 2013.
Thank you for this interview, Rudy. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you've been writing?
I've had a wonderful 25+ year career as a start-up CEO in the medical technology industry, including several years as a venture capital and private angel investor. It has provided me with the opportunity to witness the development of many incredible developments of new medical sciences that have or will greatly impact the longevity and quality of life of our bodies and minds. Some of these technologies are early in their research phase and have the potential of completely changing our moral, ethical and political views on many topics that impact us today. All of this "information" has provided for endless materials for a series of business/medical thrillers that are now referred to as The EQUITY Series.
I have previously authored several journal articles and over fifty patent applications, but started writing my first novel manuscript about five years ago while taking a cruise with my wife down through the Panama Canal. Now with a literary agent, publisher, editors and several publicists in tow, I'm working on my third novel after having just released my first non-fiction business book just two months ago.
Can you tell us briefly what your book is about?
STORYTELLING – The Indispensable Art of Entrepreneurism is a practical and candid analysis one of the most essential elements of being an entrepreneur… the ability to tell the proper story to the appropriate audience. I've used over a dozen stories based on my own experiences, providing the good, bad and ugly of hard lessons learned in the trenches that meant the difference between success and failure. This book focuses on a key component of business that is not actively taught in business/entrepreneurism programs in university classrooms today. It should be of value to anyone who needs to tell a story, whether as a first-time or experienced entrepreneur, a business manager, or salesperson.
Why did you choose your particular genre?
It was an easy extension of what I do and who I am! After being the recipient of several business and entrepreneur awards, I was nominated a second time for the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. While being interviewed by the judges, they spent considerable amount of time trying to determine what may have been the one most important element of my success. After a great deal of discussion, it was obvious that it was simply my honed ability to tell the story. They encouraged me to write this book.
What was your greatest challenge writing this book?
After spending the past four years writing "fiction", I constantly had to fight the urge to convert the content of my chapters into active "scenes". Mid-way through the manuscript, my editor convinced me to use such a writing style to help tell my story in this book about storytelling. It made perfect sense and helped me finish the manuscript in a shorter time. (However, it did require a substantial amount of 'fact checking'!)
Are you published by a traditional house, small press or are you self-published?
Since the completion of my debut novel, I've gone the traditional route with a literary agent (Trident Media Group) and a small press publishing house (Twilight Times Books). I've used Twilight Times for both my novels and non-fiction book, STORYTELLING.
Was it the right choice for you?
My publisher has been doing a tremendous job – no regrets! Given the demands of my 'day job', I need to rely on others to help me move these projects forward. Marketing and promotional activities never seem to be enough, but I'm not sure a larger publishing house would be doing much for this first-time author with limited brand recognition.
How are you promoting your book thus far?
I've engaged numerous publicists over the past five years, all of which have a slightly different approach to marketing and promoting my books. I believe this provides good "cross-coverage" for various media sources. We usually start with those critical Press Releases and then expand into various on-line, radio and newspaper interviews. I've then used various groups to help with virtual book tours, the most comprehensive of which is PUYB ("Pump Up Your Book") with Dorothy Thompson. Here we attack the social media sites with numerous book reviews, interviews and guest blogs. I also use an independent email program that goes after various hi-end media sources (including possible TV and magazine interviews), and in the case of this business book, we've done a mass-mailing to over two dozen universities who have well-respected business/entrepreneurism programs.
How is that going for you?
STORYTELLING has consistently been in the Top 100 Business/Entrepreneurism books on Amazon since its release on November 1, 2013. We also have received orders from several businesses and venture capital firms for significant volumes to be given to their senior managers and business leaders. So far… so good!
Can you tell us one thing you have done that actually resulted in one or more sales?
Well, this might sound a little "sneaky", but in the Acknowledgement of the book, I thanked many people who had a direct impact on my career. Upon notifying them of the release of this book (via email), I mention that I have recognized them in the opening section. Needless-to-say, they are very appreciative for the "shout out" and immediately buy a copy of the book. Several have gone further and purchased multiple copies to give out as holiday gifts!
Do you have another job besides writing?
Yes, as you may find in the BIO of my website, I am currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a medical technology company in the field of Ophthalmology. I also continue to invent new technologies, file patent applications and strive to fund various new start-up ventures. In addition, I currently serve on the Board of Directors of five other companies.
If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?
Outside of hiring a publicist (or two), try to identify three or four social media activities that you can personally manage on a daily basis. I've established a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN and my own Blog site. Here I try to contribute something – anything – on a daily basis just to stay in front of existing and potentially new readers.
What's next for you?
I've recently completed the research for my third novel in The EQUITY Series, to be titled, EQUITY of LIFE. Like the previous two bold (and somewhat controversial novels in this series), this will touch on some scary medical sciences as they relate to another controversial theme… this time dealing with the topic of euthanasia. This will most likely take another year to complete before it's ready for professional editing.
I then intend to focus on the sales and promotion of these three novels and this non-fiction book (STORYTELLING). We are already in discussion with several potential screenwriters for EQUITY of EVIL, as my literary agent has been approached by various producers for movie rights. Exciting times!
Thank you for this interview, Rudy. Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?
Author Website: http://www.rudymazzocchi.com
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_A._Mazzocchi
Blog Site: http://rudymazzocchi.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RudyMazzocchi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MazzocchiAuthor
LinkedIN: http://linkd.in/JeeuHN
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1caSDwq


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Six O'Clock Saints – May 1st .21+ to enter. 10 PM. @ canal street Pub, 515 Canal street, Reading, Pa. 19602
Only $5 to get in. See you there, if not, the NEW CD is available everywhere Tuesday, May 4th.
NEW video: Watch Video HERE !
GLOOMINOUS DOOM : Sat. May 1st: Behler-Hein Legion [...]


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|Donation Receipts and Eligible Programs FAQ's
Donation Receipts and Eligible Programs FAQ's
Q - Who is Equine Canada?
A - Where a registered charity receives a cheque from a corporation and is subsequently asked to issue the official donation receipt in the name of an individual who controls the corporation, the charity must refuse to issue the receipt to the individual. The charity may only issue a receipt to the individual if there is evidence to show that the individual is the true donor, for example, the donation is by way of that individual's personal cheque or by way of the corporation making the donation in the name or on behalf of the individual (for example, a corporation accounts for the donation from a shareholder in the shareholder's account). This guideline also applies to a gift from a partnership in which both spouses are business partners.
Q - Can we solicit donations on behalf of a specific discipline?


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A Red Bluff events promoter pled no-contest Friday morning in two cases in exchange for probation.
Joe Froome, 50, entered pleas to charges of maintaining a place for sales or use of narcotics and failure to file corporate tax returns. Both charges are felonies.
Froome was arrested in October 2009 when agents raided four buildings he owned that had elaborate indoor marijuana growing systems. He will file both his corporate and personal tax returns for 2008 and 2009 and pay any taxes due as part of the agreement
His case has been referred to the Tehama County probation department. Both cases were investigated by the Tehama County District Attorney's Office, Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement (TIDE) and the California Franchise Tax Board.
Froome will be back in court for sentencing on March 18 at 9:00 a.m.


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Lightyear Wireless offers three websites for representatives to use for a monthly fee of $49.99. The websites are optional, meaning that as a representative if you don't want to use them, you don't have to. However, the representative websites are great tools for your business and most representatives who are serious about their businesses choose to use the websites.
The three websites that Lightyear offers are:
Retail website
The retail website is where representatives can send their potential customers. Customers can learn about the company, the products available, and can even order products and services through this website.
Recruiting Website
The recruiting website is the best place to send people interested in starting a business with Lightyear wireless. Representatives can send their prospects here for a brief but informative overview of the company and the business opportunity.
The main website
The main website is more comprehensive than the previous two, including information about both the products we offer and also about the business opportunity.
Lightyear representatives can use all three of these websites to help their business succeed.


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Undergraduate Programs
Learn new skills. Get more experience. Make a difference.
Penn in Washington
Penn in Washington supports and encourages students who are interested in pursuing public policy internships and careers in the nation's capital. PIW maintains an extensive database of opportunities in Washington and has enlisted more than 500 alumni in the Washington area who meet with students throughout the year.
Participants in the semester program are taught by active policy professionals, meet in small groups with dozens of policy leaders, and are challenged by some of the best internships available. During the summer PIW arranges several events a week for all Penn students spending the summer in Washington.
Penn in Washington is co-sponsored by the Robert A. Fox Leadership Program and is housed in the department of political science. More information is available at https://piw.sas.upenn.edu/
Fox Leadership
A partner and neighbor of Fels, the Fox Leadership Program offers a number of leadership-development programs and service projects to Penn students.
Each year, one or two college students are selected to submatriculate into the Master of Public Administration program. The selection process is competitive and students should have significant internship and/or volunteer experience in the public sector prior to applying. Learn more about submatriculation policies.


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Affluent Lifestyle Guide
You might like Best Runway Models >
In an age of rising food costs, food stamp recipients at an all time high, fast food prominence, and a society where our closest relationships are nurtured via text messaging and social media, there is a disconnect that needs to be linked.... Read More
Food and Spirits: The Folly bills itself as London's secret garden, but it's clear this little gem is no secret. It's packed the Friday night my friends and I decide to pay it a visit.
... Read More


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There is a V8 bike on ebay right now that is built by a guy in LA.
Has anybody ever seen it before? It looks pretty nice to me. Check it out on ebay item #140423649395. Squirm
There is a V8 bike on ebay right now that is built by a guy in LA.
Has anybody ever seen it before? It looks pretty nice to me. Check it out on ebay item #140423649395. Squirm
Yea! Interesting! It might catch a bid! LS1 Efi, Very Nice! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...item20b1e6d873
He did an above average job for a home built. Nice looking chopper.
Ride Smart
V8 Chopper
V8 Choppers* If you don't have fun on a V8 Motorcycle...GIVE UP !
my web site's HOTRODELVIS.COM & bighornvalleyranch.com
it does look damn good for a home built that doesn't look home built.
Darryl Campbell
Sweet !! I'm not sure about the $79,000.00 though .
Jack DeLelys......2000 Boss Hoss 350/400 HP
Jack D , You and I are thinking
the same thing $79,000 ??????
Naaaa not this time.
Paul H
WELLLLLLLLLL La De Da
i didn't notice the cost... till you mentioned it.
Darryl Campbell
That is a buy it now price, it could possibly sell as low as 21000 as I don't think there is a reserve. It will be interesting to watch, as of now there are no bids. Squirm
Check out the kick start pedal . Are you sh--ing me .
Jack DeLelys......2000 Boss Hoss 350/400 HP
It does look good
People are lonely because they build Walls Instead of Bridges.
Am I alone on this thought.... but does the frame look like too light of tubing? He DID mention that the kicker peddle was just a show piece... just for fun. It looks hauntingly familiar to a V-8 Chopper by proxy... however, the motor looks like an LS1. I'm agreeing that the amplified price is just a leader... but that's a risk. A V-8 Chopper is a KNOWN product that doesn't request those dollars to own one! Worth watching, to see what it lands...
The bike never got one bid, not even for 20 grand. I figured the owner had a better chance of being behind a brinks truck when a bag of cash fell out then to get a bid for even half of his fantasy BUY IT NOW price of 79000 dollars, but I did think someone would at least bid 20000 bucks for it. Its definitely a buyers market today. Dave


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Mortgage insurance, it does not benefit homeowners.
With the government forcing homeowners to pay mortgage insurance for the life of an FHA loan, there has to be a better option. FHA loans are notorious for being the first time buyer ticket to getting into a home. Your credit doesn't need to be perfect, you only need 3.5% of out of pocket money for a down payment, and the rates are low. However the costs you will incur over the first 5 years are astronomical.
As of a few months ago, HUD decided to adjust their guidelines for any new loans written. You will continue to pay the upfront mortgage insurance premium and you will pay monthly mortgage insurance as well. Before the change you were required to pay the mortgage insurance until your home reached a specific loan amount. Now you will pay mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. For example, on a $200,000 home purchase you will pay a monthly mortgage insurance premium of $216.67 a month. Amortized over 30 years and you have sacrificed $78,001.20 of your hard earned money. Tack on the up front mortgage insurance premium and you are over $80,000 invested into your home that has nothing to do with paying the mortgage off.
If you're required to pay mortgage insurance know your options. There are three types of mortgage insurance programs available to consumers: monthly premium, single premium, and lender paid premium. Each option can impact your pocket differently, but each will offer a much cheaper solution.
Paying a monthly mortgage insurance premium is beneficial in certain situations. Similar to FHA loans, you pay a monthly premium that is included in your mortgage payment. You will pay this premium on a monthly basis until your loan balance reaches 78% of the appraised value or by requesting the lender to drop the premium. To eliminate mortgage insurance early, the servicer would require a home appraisal of some sort to verify the value. Typically you're required to carry monthly mortgage insurance for a minimum of two years before you can request to have it removed.
Single premium mortgage insurance gives homeowners the opportunity to pay the lump sum mortgage insurance premium up front at the completion of a purchase or refinance transaction. The benefit of this option is that because you're paying a lump sum, the cost is much less, compared to the amount of money that is paid for monthly mortgage insurance. For example, you may pay $13,000 in monthly mortgage insurance over the life of your loan. With the single premium option you may only pay $6,000. Which would you rather pay?
Lender paid mortgage insurance is the third option. This is when the lender pays the mortgage insurance for you. So the good news is there is no monthly payment nor is there a single premium lump sum payment. The bad news is that your interest rate is affected. With this option you can take a higher than market interest rate and have no mortgage insurance.
At the end of the day you have to weigh your options and see which option is most cost effective for you.
☛ How to contact me:
☎: 843.834.5251
✉: email@example.com
☛ Visit my webpage: https://timothyloss.phmloans.com/
☛ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.loss
☛ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetimloss


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TEST DRIVE: The Kia Optima Hybrid Offers an Unexpected Option for Green Drivers
BY: Laura K. Cowan
Start Slideshow
- Kia Optima HybridInhabitat recently test drove the new Kia Optima Hybrid, one of a few dozen new hybrid vehicles set to hit the market over the next year or two. We didn't expect much in terms of efficiency or style, seeing as how Kia is a budget brand, but boy did this car surprise us. Our runs in the Optima Hybrid averaged nearly 40 miles per gallon--hardly what you would get from the mild hybrid we were expecting--and a friend even commented that the style had hints of Aston Martin. That's pretty high praise, but come along with us for a little ride to find out why the Kia Optima Hybrid surpassed nearly all our expectations and makes our list of decent options for green drivers.1
- Kia Optima Hybrid Front Quarter RightTeardrop-shaped rear windows, an unusual grille, side vents, and a stretched shape lend the Kia Optima Hybrid a much more upmarket look than you might expect from the brand.2
- Kia Optima Hybrid Front Quarter LeftWe took our tester for a drive over the river and through the woods to grandma's house for the holidays and found that the Optima Hybrid stuck to slippery roads quite well.3
- Kia Optima Hybrid HeadlightThough some elements of the Optima Hybrid, such as the foot pedal parking brake, are holdovers from an older generation of cars, most exterior and interior details are quite up to date.4
- Kia Optima Hybrid WheelThe wheels aren't exactly upmarket, but this unique design on the hubcaps hints at an attention to detail throughout the new Optima.5
- Kia Optima Hybrid VentSide vents like this are usually only functional on performance cars, but they still make a nice exterior detail.6
- Kia Optima Hybrid RearNote the sharply raked rear window and split taillights.7
- Kia Optima Hybrid Rear Quarter LeftThe Optima is packed with Sirius satellite radio, Microsoft-powered infotainment system, Bluetooth, push button start, and even heated and cooled seats.8
- Kia Optima Hybrid BadgeThe Optima Hybrid starts at only $26,500 and presents a quite comprehensive package for the money.9
- Kia Optima Hybrid Badge 2We expected a mild hybrid, a system in which a car only makes use of the motor for starting, but the Optima seemed to engage its motor quite often, leaving us with 40+ mpg.10
- Kia Optima Hybrid TrunkKias are famous for small trunks, and we're afraid this one is no exception. It will hold groceries competently, but forget about bulky items.11
- Kia Optima Hybrid Trunk FloorWe managed to fit 3 coolers in the trunk but had to jam the last one in at an angle.12
- Kia Optima Hybrid CockpitThe cockpit of the Optima Hybrid is much more upmarket than you would normally expect in an affordable hybrid, which takes the Optima from being a budget green car to a real bargain.13
- Kia Optima Hybrid Front RowThe seats in the Optima have both heating and cooling and power lumbar.14
- Kia Optima Hybrid Steering WheelYou can control the display screen options on the instrument cluster, Bluetooth, phone, and the infotainment system from the steering wheel controls.15
- Kia Optima Hybrid Window ControlsPower mirrors and locks with high-quality controls. Think we're obsessing a bit? Compare these with the mechanical locks on a Smart car or the cheaper electronic controls in a Prius and you get an idea for how this car stacks up overall against otherhybrids.16
- Kia Optima Hybrid Instrument Cluster 1From the instrument cluster you can monitor the hybrid system and watch your fuel economy.17
- Kia Optima Hybrid Instrument Cluster 2This image of the Optima on the display screen gives you another look at its raked profile.18
- Kia Optima Hybrid Instrument Cluster 3This gauge gives you a running estimate of the number of miles you have before needing to fill up. The gas tank is small to conserve weight, so a full tank of 8 gallons will take you over 300 miles.19
- Kia Optima Hybrid Instrument Cluster 4This gauge tells you if you are using the motor in EV mode, or using it as a supplement to the engine. Stay out of the red zone, which is saved for aggressive acceleration using the engine only.20
- Kia Optima Hybrid Parking BrakeA hint that this car isn't quite as fancy as it sometimes appears. An old-fashioned foot pedal parking brake is hidden under the dash.21
- Kia Optima Hybrid Navigation 1CD, satellite and AM/FM radio, media connectivity, navigation--all the options are here.22
- Kia Optima Hybrid Navigation 2The Optima is a hybrid for grownups, but without the grownup price.23
- Kia Optima Hybrid HVACDual zone heating, et cetera et cetera. You're getting the idea.24
- Kia Optima Hybrid AUX OutletPower and media connectivity outlets are stashed under the center stack above a handy tray for phones.25
- Kia Optima Hybrid Center ConsoleSee the plus and minus signs on the gear shifter? You even get manumatic shifting with the Optima. How did they fit all these features in at this price level?26
- Kia Optima Hybrid Center Console 2Dual level storage compartment. Other than a few details, we're really hurting to figure out what Kia left out of the Optima that might go into a mid-level hybrid sedan.27
- Kia Optima Hybrid Driver DoorDoors are heavy, a sign of quality construction but also an area where Kia might save weight in the future for even better fuel economy.28
- Kia Optima Hybrid Rear DoorThe rear seats don't have a ton of leg room, but it's adequate for hauling children around town.29
- Kia Optima Hybrid Rear SeatsLeather. Like we said, you're getting the idea.30


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AP Photo/Altaf Qadri
The shift in the focus of modern warfare to counterinsurgency has created a need for a new kind of warrior - a warrior with the ethics to protect all life, and with the training and intelligence to respond with the correct and appropriate level of force.
Counterinsurgency puts warfighters into very difficult situations, often amidst unarmed civilians, where the line between innocents and hostiles is blurred. Recognizing ethics and character training as central requirements for the modern warrior, Marine Corps Order 1550.54 officially established the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program in 1999.
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP for short, is modeled after Eastern martial arts. The program focuses on the threefold development of mental discipline, character discipline, and physical discipline to create the ethical Marine warrior.
Like traditional martial arts, MCMAP uses a belt-ranking system. The ranks range from the lower belts of Tan, Green, Gray, and Brown, to six degrees of Black Belts. Instructor-qualified practitioners are entitled to wear an additional stripe on their rank belts.
The belts are standard issue web belts, and since every Marine is required to participate in MCMAP, every Marine wears a rank belt with his or her Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. This is perhaps the most overt symbol of how MCMAP is deeply embedded into Marine Corps culture and doctrine.
MCMAP is not the first attempt to introduce Eastern disciplines to the military - there have been others, such as the Trojan Warrior Project, and the semi-mythical Project Jedi. These programs tried to inject external disciplines into the cloistered culture of the military but were never fully assimilated into that culture.
MCMAP, on the other hand, was built from the inside out, with the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment at the core. The goal was to create "a martial arts lifestyle created for Marines by Marines." MCMAP was integrated fully into the Marine Corps' daily life, with its lessons permeating all aspects of Marine doctrine, training, and operations.
To develop physical discipline and ensure that every Marine is capable in close combat, MCMAP combines unarmed techniques from karate, jiu jitsu, judo, and other disciplines, with knife, bayonet, baton, and other weapons combatives. In keeping with the ethical goals of the program, the focus of many techniques are non-lethal applications. In addition to extensive full-contact drills, physical conditioning is emphasized. The difficulty of the MCMAP instructor trainer course is informally believed to favor comparably with the U.S. Army Ranger course.
A key aspect of the training is to learn to use the appropriate level of force:
Applying the right technique with the least required force to prevent situations from escalating beyond control is especially important in military operations other than war.
Mental discipline is developed through constant study of the art of war - from classroom training in decision-making, risk assessment, and other skills, to professional reading programs. The goal of mental discipline is to enhance situational awareness through technical and professional knowledge, and to educate warriors who:
possess the virtually instinctive impulse to do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
Possibly the most critical discipline for modern warfare - and the practice that sets MCMAP from traditional military training - is the emphasis on character and ethical discipline. As such, the ethical warrior training component is considered to be the core of MCMAP.
Under certain circumstances, character discipline and ethics have proven to be far more effective than firepower in the modern battlefield. The U.S. Army Field Manual on Counterinsurgency vividly illustrates this point by relating the story of an American patrol that, when confronted by an angry Iraqi crowd whose mood was rapidly deteriorating into potential violence, took a knee and pointed their weapons at the ground.
At the sight of the kneeling soldiers, the crowd's anger rapidly dissipated, and a violent confrontation with unarmed civilians was avoided. MCMAP attempts to capture the ethics and decision-making that led to this courageous order by the commanding officer of that unit:
Without an inculcated code of ethics, U.S. warriors might win the war and still lose in the court of world opinion if the methods they use are dishonorable. MCMAP aims to develop self-discipline and self-control to restrain oneself in the heat of the moment and to use force responsibly.
When the ethical and character component of MCMAP is distilled to its basics, the central tenet of the ethical warrior training is the protection of life:
The ethical warrior shows respect for the value of life, regardless of the relative values of culture and behavior.
All life. Not just innocent civilians, but, under certain circumstances, even those of enemy combatants. However, the idealism is tempered with a dose of reality:
Let's not be naive. Marines will close with and kill insurgent combatants. That is our job. However the role of an ethical warrior is not only to kill but also to protect life.
The ethical warrior is primarily a "defender/protector" rather than a killer, and a protector of life, not just for the benefit of others but for the benefit of retaining one's own humanity under the most appalling circumstances:
...there is a great measure of satisfaction in a life lived according to the precept of protecting others - and is the key to trumping the conflicting relative values between us.
Like many traditional martial arts, MCMAP seeks to develop the ethical warrior holistically, and with the implicit goal of improving the whole person. It requires the warrior to protect all life, not the least of which is his or her own.
The Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu school of Japanese swordsmanship makes the distinction between satsujinken, the sword that takes away life, and katsujinken the sword that gives life. Yagyu practitioners are admonished to wield katsujinken, the life-giving sword. It is with a modern reflection of this admonition, that the today's ethical warriors are sent into battle.
This article is dedicated to Marine Officer Candidate Michael Miller of Chicago, an Aikidoka who heard the call to serve his country and is currently undergoing the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico.


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College Hockey:Massachusetts assistant Quesnelle departs after nine seasons
Although not acknowledged by the school, Massachusetts assistant coach Len Quesnelle has left the program, according to masslive.com.
Quesnelle has been at UMass nine seasons and was the lone holdover from Don 'Toot' Cahoon's staff when John Micheletto was hired last summer.
Quesnelle spent four years as the head coach at Princeton, where also served as an assistant to Cahoon prior to taking the head coaching job.
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Is This The Best Snow Blower For You? Craftsman is offers a snow blower for every homeowner; from "good" models that are the least expensive on the market to a "premium" model that is larger than you tractor mounted snow thrower. This new Craftsman 88172 is a "good" 24 inch snow blower and one of the cheapest 24 inch snow blowers on the market. It is designed for a 2 car drive about 2 cars long. Read on to find out if it is the best snow blower for you.
What makes this snow blower good but not better or best?
- Craftsman has gone back to the gray, red, black designations for the different classes of snow blowers. Gray is good, Red is better and Black is best. This snow blower is gray and I'll explain what that means to you.
- With this Craftsman 88172 you get a good, basic snow blower. But it is better than many of the cheap ones you are going to find at the discount stores this fall (the Chinese have landed). It is very similar to the wildly popular Craftsman 24 in 179 cc Model 88957 from the previous 4 years.
- It has Poly skid shoes that don't mark your new patio or stained driveway yet are as tough as the steel shoes on other brands.
- Six forward, two reverse speeds. Most other snow blowers in this price range only have one forward speed and no reverse.
- It does not have 4-way chute control. It has the standard chute that has been around for years. You can rotate the chute with a crank below the dash and the manually move the deflector. The biggest problem with this type of chute over the newer styles is under the right wind conditions you get a lot of snow blowing back in your face. (Many operators wear goggles or a faceshield.
- It has an efficient 179 cc Overhead Valve motor with electric start is sized to get you job done. It has enough power for normal snows. If you want more power there is a new 24 inch model with a 208 cc motor.
- It has 13 x 4 tires. These are adequate for hard surface snow blowing, borderline for gravel drives and too small for cleaning off that patch of grass for your dog. If you never go "off-roading" with your snowblower it will work fine for you.
- No light. Sears does offer a battery powered LED Snow Thrower light that you can clamp to the handle for those 4 am snow clearing chores.
This snow blower by Craftsman is a basic snow thrower at a "great" price. If you follow Craftsman you know this snowblower will be one of the most popular ones this year simply because of the great price.
What you can use this snow blower for: For paved and gravel surfaces, patios, sidewalks and walkways. I don't recommend this snow blower for clearing grass areas. This snow blower will clean the snow plow drift at the end of your drive. You can use this to clean your patio and deck and the poly skid shoes will not scratch the surface. This is the right snow blower if you have a stained concrete drive. This snow blower will easily handle 6-9 inches of snow. The six forward and two reverse speeds will let you go slow for the heavy stuff and faster for the lighter snows. If you usually get heavier snows, buy a Craftsman with a larger motor.
What you may not like: This is a basic snow blower. It will take you longer to move snow than a more expensive Craftsman and will take more effort on your part to drive it. The chute is shorter than most other 2-stage models so the snow will blow back into your face more often. The engine is adequate, but a larger engine will allow you to take a lot less time moving snow. The tires are adequate for a cement or blacktop drive but will be too small if you blow snow where you have loose gravel or grass. If you have issues using a snow blower I suggest you go with a model with power steering. This snow blower is 24 inches wide and will fit through the side door of your garage.
Sears is the Official On-Line Retailer: Click Here To See Current Price, Order Online, Pick Up at your local Sears store, or have it delivered to your home:Craftsman 24″ 179cc Dual-Stage Snowblower 13″ x 4″ X-Trac tires
Be Careful! This snow blower is sold through Sears.com, Sears Full Line Stores and Sears Hometown Stores ONLY! You may find other "factory-direct discount" stores and websites trying to sell it, but make sure they are authorized Sears sales representatives.
Is This One Of The Best Rated Snow Blowers for 2012 – 2013? This snow thrower is new. It has not been rated yet. That said, It's predecessor has a great service record over the last two years. The drive system has been around for many years and is one of the most dependable around. The transmission is proven reliable on this size. The impeller, auger gearbox and shear pin system has proven itself over the years.
Does This Get a Best Snow Blower Rating For 2012-2013? In the Good, Better, Best rating system this snow blower rates a "Good" for ease of use, durability and long life. Inexpensive, basic controls, standard chute, adequate engine all factor into this "good" rating. It uses a Craftsman motor that has been sized for 6-9 inch snows and the 24 inch size. In fact the motor is one of the most dependable on the market today. Don't be afraid to buy this snow blower if it fits your needs.
Is This One Of The Best Snow Blowers for the Money 2012-2013? I normally don't give you my opinion, but I do expect many of you to buy this machine. It is a convenient size, has enough power to 6 to 9 inches of snow, and and is a really great value.
Customer Satisfaction: I don't expect any mechanical issues with this snow blower if you bought it for your size drive, but here are a few tips to get the best out of this snowblower. 1. Read the operator's manual and familiarize yourself with the operation of the machines BEFORE you have to blow snow with it. 2. The 3 or 5 year home protection plan can be a great value. Sears will fix your snow blower and give the satisfaction that it will work for you for the 3 or 5 years. 3. Practice using the chute so you really understand how to use it. The deflector has a tensioning adjustment that you can change it for light or heavy, wet snow. 4. When you get your new blower home, get it out of the box, learn how to start it and use it before the first snow. Take it out and practice with it in the driveway. (If there is a manufacturing defect, you will find it now instead of when the snow is 12 inches deep.)
Value: At around $599 it is a good value. Watch for special "Shop Your Way Rewards" sales, no interest or cash back with a Sears Card, Family & Friends, and Midnight Madness Sales.
Service & Parts Availability: With this snow blower you have the choice of calling 1-800-4MY-Home and have a tech come out and fix it OR take it to your local Sears and they will have it serviced for you. With a protection plan either way is no-charge to you.
Ease Of Use: This snow blower is fairly lightweight so most of you can use it. It does not have power steering and the 4-way chute so it is a little harder than other Craftsman models. This snow blower has a solid axle, so when you turn it around the wheels skid. This gives you the best traction all the time, but does make it harder to use than one with power steering. Under normal snow removal conditions you will appreciate the traction this unit has. Yes, you can buy this one for your wife and she will be able to use it. It is balanced well so you if you do have to lift up the front to go over an obstruction you easily can do it.
Key Features and Benefits: (From Sears.com)
This 24 in. Craftsman® Dual-Stage Snowblower has a 179cc* 4-cycle OHV engine.
- 179cc* 4-cycle OHV Craftsman® engine provides more power, longer life, and improved fuel economy – no mixing of gas and oil required
- Push-button electric start allows for easy and sure starts in cold temperatures
- 24 in. clearing width and 21 in. intake height lets you clear more snow with each pass, ideal for medium to large paved and gravel driveways and sidewalks
- 12 in. serrated steel auger and 12 in. impeller breaks up hard-packed snow and discharges heavy wet snow
- 6 forward and 2 reverse, power-propelled speeds save time and energy, allowing operator to adjust speeds to match need
- Remote crank chute control – 180 degree chute rotation to discharge the snow where you want it, without leaving the operator's position
- 13 in. x 4 in. X-Trac tires provide superior traction in snowy conditions
- Glide-Tech™ skid shoes eliminate garage rust stains and driveway damage by sliding along pavers and bricks
- Mitten-grip starter handle – easy to grasp and turnover recoil start while wearing gloves
- Plow style handles for comfort and control
- 2-year limited warranty
- * As rated by engine manufacturer.
Sears is the Official On-Line Retailer: Click Here To See Current Price, Order Online, Pick Up at your local Sears store, or have it delivered to your home:Craftsman 24″ 179cc Dual-Stage Snowblower 13″ x 4″ X-Trac tires
Craftsman 88172 (24″) 179 cc Two-Stage Snow Blower (2013 Model) Review at Sears
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