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October 30, 2013
Web Audio API enabled by default in Firefox 25
Great news! As of v25, Firefox now comes with the Web Audio API enabled by default on Mac, Windows, and Linux versions, bringing us near parity across browsers for advanced audio support! While there is much to do still, it is exciting to see Firefox finally get their implementation out the door so developers can start producing better audio right away. At the moment, there are some differences between the implementations in Firefox and WebKit-based browsers, so Mozilla has provided a tutorial on what to look out for. Soon, however, we'll see all implementations become the same, as the Audio Working Group is striving hard for universal compatibility and implementation.
Unfortunately, we're still stuck with lack of codec support for H.264, AAC, and MP3, as Firefox will only decode those using OS or hardware support, which leaves it only usable in the Windows version.
September 25, 2013
Audio looping issues in browsers
A while back I posted an example that demonstrated the new inner loop marker functionality in the Web Audio API. At the time I noted that I used a WAV file in my example because it inherently looped correctly on the first try. It seems I wasn't the only one who wondered about seamless looping audio in a browser.
Daniel Gagan went another step and discovered that identical files are being decoded as different lengths on different browsers. With the notable exception of WAV format, every audio format is supported differently in every browser, and sometimes between operating systems, despite being supplied the same files.
In my view, Daniel is actually too lenient. So long as the loops come out relatively close to the same length, he gives the browser a pass. But I would say there seems to be a significant lapse of sample accuracy across browsers, which is something that definitely needs to be fixed.
September 3, 2013
Charlie Roberts has created a new JavaScript library that provides interesting, simple access to complex audio coding. It's called GIbberish and it's designed with JIT in mind, but could be useful in lots of applications. As he puts it:
Gibberish is different from other JavaScript audio libraries (such as audiolib.js or Audiolet) in that it generates code that is heavily optimized for JIT compilation. The code that is generated is arguably not human-readble, hence the name Gibberish.
Gibberish comes with a long list of pre-defined oscillators and effects and there's a live demo which I was able to try effortlessly on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and even Mobile Safari on the iPad!
For extra credit, you might also find of interest a research paper titled The Web Browser as Synthesizer and Interface, published by Roberts, along with Graham Wakefield and Matthew Wright.
July 29, 2013
Josh Nielsen sent me an interesting synth he recently built. The synth has the ability to create patches, work to a metronome, and even lets you record loops and store them inside the Loop Module. (Incidentally, the Loop Module also supports microphone recording, so there are all kinds of ways this synth can be used.) I love the fact that there are realtime waveforms being displayed, both when playing the synth and for the Loop Modules, courtesy of Wavy-Jones. Oh, and it provides Web MIDI API support, too, relying on Chris Wilson's polyfill.
And best of all it is open source and available on GitHub!
Sympathetic Synthesizer
Stuart Memo sent me his new synthesizer a while back and it got stuck in my backlog. I must admit it's the simplest example of a Web Audio API synth I've seen so far. The code is quite easy to read and comprehend and should make an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to write their own Web Audio-based synthesizer.
The Sympathetic Synthesizer is also available as a Chrome app. And the code, like all of Stuart's other excellent examples, is available on GitHub.
component.fm — web audio components
Remember the idea suggested a year ago about building a standardized framework for Web Audio API-built effects? Jordan Santell and Nick Thompson have picked up the gauntlet and released the Web Audio Components specification and built an implementation of their own. So far they've got a comb filter, overdrive, delay, simple reverb, white noise, pink noise, and more. And you can submit your own creations to be included, something already done with WAAClock!
Also be sure to check out the discussion group.
WAAClock.js - Scheduling audio events made easy
Sébastien Piquemal has created a small open source framework that provides comprehensive event scheduling for Web Audio API implementations. From the documentation:
Because Web Audio API events cannot be cancelled, WAAClock simply queues all events, and schedules them only at the last moment. In fact, each event has a tolerance zone [t1, t2] in which it should be executed. Each event is scheduled as soon as the clock enters its tolerance zone. On the other hand, if the event hasn't been scheduled when the clock gets out of the tolerance zone, the event will be dropped. Therefore, you should use this setting wisely : a too tight upper bound (lateTolerance), and the event can be dropped abusively, a too loose lower bound (earlyTolerance), and the event will be scheduled too early.
You can set the default tolerance with the options lateTolerance and earlyTolerance. You can also set the tolerance on a "per-event" basis, by calling the tolerance method of the event.
There are two working examples you should definitely check out, too: simple repetitive pattern and basic sequencer.
June 28, 2013
Web MIDI API available in Chrome Canary!
Chris Rogers posted on the Web Audio Dev Community Group to let folks know that initial experimental support for the new Web MIDI API has shipped in the latest Chrome Canary. Chris Wilson also provided a more detailed post with information, including some documentation about SysEx support, name changes, and other updates to the API and his polyfill.
May 24, 2013
Web Audio API finally appears in Chrome for Android beta
Excellent news from Google, who have released a new beta of Chrome v28 for Android which includes a flag to enable Web Audio API support in the Android version. I don't currently have an Android device to test this on, so I'm anxious to hear about people's experience with this! Please send me feedback!
May 16, 2013
Chrome Racer
David Lindkvist from 14islands sent me their latest fun app (another collaboration with Plan8), Chrome Racer, which makes use of the Web Audio API for sound and music, and falls back to the <audio> element when Web Audio API is unavailable. There's also a nice "behind the scenes" article and video about the music and sound design.


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(BlackDoctor.org) — Following up from our last article on hepatitis B infection in HIV disease, we will now discuss another one of HIV's party companions, Hepatitis C. In the last article, I introduced HIV as a "party virus" to convey the point that other infections commonly occur along with HIV infection.
Many of these other infections, such as the hepatitis viruses, herpes, and human papilloma virus, are also sexually transmitted or transmitted by sharing needles for intravenous drug use. Recall that there are several different hepatitis viruses, but they are not related at all.
The only thing they have in common is that they attack the liver, but they are structurally different, infect liver cells and reproduce differently and even damage the liver by different methods. Hepatitis C (HCV) is mainly transmitted by intravenous drug use, when infected needles are shared, while about 10% of individuals are infected through sexual intercourse with an infected person.
However, among gay men, there is a growing epidemic of HCV infection among individuals who do not use intravenous drugs. It appears that anal intercourse without the protection of a condom can increase the risk of sexual transmission of HCV. It can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her infant. Overall, in the US, about 30% of HIV patients also have HCV infection (perhaps 300,000 people). However, in clinics where I have worked in Washington DC and Baltimore, as many as 50% of patients have both HCV and HIV infection. A small percentage have HIV and both HBV and HCV. Much of this disease stems from heroin use.
About 15% of people infected with HCV can eliminate the infection by their own immune system. The other 85% or so develop a chronic infection that is around for life. Chronic HCV infection may not present with symptoms, however, soon after infection, some people will experience certain symptoms and signs such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark-colored urine, grayish-colored stools. The skin and the whites of the eyes (the sclera) may appear yellowish. These symptoms do not linger and may soon go away. The patient may have increased levels of liver enzymes in the blood, which indicate that liver damage is occurring, but these levels can fluctuate. The best test to diagnose this infection is the test for the presence of HCV antibodies in the blood.
In a previous article, I described the dangers of HBV infection and HCV infection causes the same risks. Our biggest concerns are that HCV can cause cirrhosis of the liver, which is a serious, life-threatening condition by itself. It may take 20 years or more for HCV infection to progress to cirrhosis but having HIV infection can accelerate this process. Even worse, liver cirrhosis often can progress to liver cancer, which has no effective treatments. African-Americans have 5 year survival rates for liver cancer almost half those of whites, which are only about 5%, but this varies from study to study.
Just as with HBV, HIV infection increases the progression of liver disease for a patient who is also infected with HCV. So, for patients with both HIV and HCV, the first step in managing these conditions should always be to control the HIV disease first. This is usually the easiest step. Also, for both HBV and HCV infection, it is imperative that the patient stop drinking because alcohol can also increase the damage to the liver. Unlike HBV, there is no vaccine effective yet for HCV, however, there are some effective treatments discussed below. There are 6 strains of HCV called genotypes. These different strains of the virus do not respond the same to HCV treatment. For example genotype 2 has a high cure rate from treatments where as genotype 1 has the lowest rate of cure.
Good news and bad news.
Unlike the situation for HIV disease, treatment for HCV can often lead to a cure. If the treatment successfully reduces HCV virus to an undetectable level, and remains so after several months of treatment, the virus may continue to be undetectable after the treatment is stopped. HIV is different because the virus comes back as soon as the medicines are stopped.nThis "cure" is referred to as a sustained virologic response (SVR). This is very good news! But….(seems like there's always a "but"), HCV treatment is no picnic. Unlike HIV treatment which can be as simple as one pill once a day, with few side-effects, such is not the case for HCV treatment. HCV therapy can be a challenging course with the patient at risk for many side-effects, and no definite promise of a cure. We'll talk about the treatment regimen later. African-Americans have two more pieces of bad news. I mentioned above that different strains of HCV respond differently to the currently recommended best treatments. It turns out that most African-Americans (virtually all of the cases I've personally seen) are infected with genotype 1a or 1b, the strains that respond least well to therapy! As if that weren't enough, African-Americans have been recognized for some time to have lower responses rates to HCV treatment, even after accounting for the effects of HCV strain. We now think that African-Americans have genetic variation in the way the body processes a key component of the HCV treatment, the drug interferon. This can result in a diminished response to interferon in some individuals, while others have a perfectly good response. So the combination effects of HCV strain and genetics resulted in lower expectations for good treatment outcomes in African-Americans treated for HCV.

subset: commoncrawl


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James Marsters Movies and Career Information
Aug 20, 1962
Aug 20, 1962
James Wesley Marsters is an American actor and musician. Marsters first came to the attention of the general public playing the popular character Spike, a platinum-blond English vampire in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series, Angel, from 1997 to 2004. Since then, he has gone on to play other science fiction roles, such as the alien supervillain Brainiac on the Superman-inspired series Smallville, the omnisexual time traveller Captain John Hart in British science-fiction show Torchwood, and terrorist Barnabas Greeley in Syfy's Caprica. Marsters appeared in a supporting role in the 2007 movie P.S. I Love You. He appeared as a recurring character in the first season of the revival of Hawaii Five-0.
- James Marsters Movies 2016
- New Life (Nouvelle Vie) 2016
- James Marsters Movies before 2015
- Dragonball: Evolution 2009
- P.S. I Love You 2007
- Chance (2002) 2002
- Winding Roads 2000
- Shadow Puppets
- Spike
- Dudes & Dragons (Dragon Warriors)


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Tom Berenger does not have a scar, it was placed on his face as part of his character "Sergeant Barnes" in the 1986 movie Platoon. Sources suggest that this lifelike scar required three hours of makeup work every day of shooting.
Platoon was written and directed by Oliver Stone, who fought in Vietnam and who has tried to make a movie about the war. It was narrated by a young soldier Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), a college student who quits school to volunteer for the Army in the late '60s.
He's shipped off to Vietnam, where he serves with a culturally diverse group of fellow soldiers under two men who lead the platoon: Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger), whose facial scars are a mirror of the violence and corruption of his soul, and Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe), who maintains a Zen-like calm in the jungle and fights with both personal and moral courage even though he no longer believes in the war. Read more of the summary here.
The movie starred Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe. See full cast and crew at IMDb.
Check out tips on how to prevent, reduce or minimize scars at WebMD.
Speaking of scars, insights gleaned from salamanders may help keep people scar-free after surgery, University of Florida researchers say. They're focusing on a type of salamander called the axolotl, which can regenerate lost limbs and re-grow its own spinal cord. Find out more at Doctors Lounge.


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With your support, the Nancy and Lester Fraser Outpatient Burn Center at Mass General can provide the most effective and innovative treatments for patients with thermal injuries and degenerative skin disorders.
The Fitzgerald and Fraser families invite you to an evening hosted by Jacob Wirth
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Jacob Wirth 31 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116
Starts: Nov. 8, 6 p.m.
Ends: Nov. 9, 2 a.m.
Tickets are $45 online in advance (online registration will close Tuesday, November 6) and $50 at the door and includes a buffet dinner, wine and draft beer. (Hard liquor and bottled beer are not included but may be purchased separately). The first 150 guests to purchase a ticket will receive a t-shirt! Fantastic raffle and silent auction items! All proceeds will benefit the Nancy and Lester Fraser Outpatient Burn Center at Mass General.
Evening agenda: 6 p.m. doors open 7 p.m. remarks 7:40 p.m. entertainment begins (the famous Jacob Wirth sing a longs!)
Can't attend? What about making a gift:


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Sorry. Didn't mean to cry wolf, but I always think of that great (as in camp and amusing) ending scene when I think of The Fly. The movie, anyway. (That's in the original 1958 movie version – clip at bottom of this post.) Now there's an opera! I am not joking. David Cronenberg has teamed with composer Howard Shore to create an opera. (You know the work of both of them rather well, actually, from film work together, and separately – Shore did the wonderful music for films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Cronenberg the film director needs no introduction.) I love the play on Da Vinci's iconic drawing for the production's publicity and so forth. See above right.
The artists are of the opinion (and I agree, in principle) that the themes visited in the story are powerful and resonant enough for an opera. Science, science ethics, new technology, fear of same, mercy killing… and presumably devotion to a cause, understanding (or lack thereof?) of those close to you… Definitely excellent themes for any drama, so why not opera? Specifically, from the science side of things, there's genetics and genetic modification on the program…and teleportation (see my earlier comments on teleportation in a film here). The story (from a 1957 short story by George Langelaan – nice summary here) concerns a scientist who, while trying to perfect and test his newly discovered form of transportation (a kind of teleportation), gets himself horribly mixed up with a fly. Yeah, I know – Don't you just hate when your physics experiments inadvertently turn into biology experiments, or vice-versa?
I learned a good deal about the opera from this excellent report (with interviews) on NPR's All Things considered. Have a listen. Pity that (from the picture caption there) NPR seems to be playing up the all-too-tired "mad scientist" cliche, though. I wonder if that is the thrust of the opera? Will be interesting to see what they do with this.
What do you think? Will you be in line when it premieres in your city? It makes its American debut at the Los Angeles Opera this season, directed by Cronenberg, conducted by Plácido Domingo. I think I'll try to go!
P.S. And here is the promised clip:
On this day on Asymptotia...
- Seminar in Progress - 2013
- Arithmetic! - 2012
- Categorically Not! - Mistakes! - 2007
- Funky Hideaway - 2007
- Little Open String Prince - 2006
- Not the Jet Propulsion Laboratory - 2006
Some Related Asymptotia Posts (not exhaustive):


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Travelling with child alone to Disney; first time on plane... how to plan/prepare...
I will be travelling with my soon to be 22 month old for first time to disney, on a plane, alone. family will meet me on other side, but i have no idea what to bring, how to prepare her for the drastic schedule change, the fact daddy will be missing for a week (has to work) etc. Do I bring a stroller (or do the parks have one), a diaper bag, luggage, snacks, milk, toys??? what should I bring on the plane to what should be checked. Any help with the plane ride itself... not potty trained or weaned completley yet (trying). Once I am there, how will it be getting around with her? Anyone done the Disney trip yet???? thank you!
Posted: 09/15/2011 by Debra from NYC
Mom Answers
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Take a sippy (TSA might test the liquids) and snacks. Also bring books, toys, coloring books, stickers, etc. Something to occupy her time. I would take a stroller, and check it at the gate. Parks have them, but you have to rent them and they are not very comfy. Bring her favorite blanket too because it gets cold on airplanes. I would recommend combining your purse and her diaper bag into one carry-on to make it easier on you both. But yes, bring the diaper bag. They have changing areas on the airplane. Not very big, but they have them. And, they provide nags for the diapers too. I would also reccomend checking her car seat so you have it when you are there. We did Disney this summer with our 26 month old. It had it's challenges, but it was ok. We just did Magic Kingdom one day and Blizzard Beach another. There won't be a lot of rides she can go on at Disney, but there will be a few.posted 09/15/2011 by MommaSherman
I have never taken my 24 month old on a plane but we have gone on tons of road trips and she has gone to Disney 10 times. My recommendation for a great baby bag that will fit everything you need for the plane is the Okkatots Travel "Baby Depot" bag. I have their Baby Depot bag and the Diaper bag and they are both amazing. You should bring your own stroller. In regards to the rides she actually can ride almost everything except for maybe 7 rides. I am an over packer and the one time I decided not to bring my "just in case" stuff is the day that I needed all that. So don't forget to bring Baby Advil and Thermometer and anything else you can think of that your baby needs occasionally.posted 10/18/2012 by a BabyCenter Member
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We experience Christmas in July for retail to boost sales, but Christmas in August? Shoppers are already seeing signs of Christmas on store shelves and in aisles.
A friend of mine saw the ribbon display pictured on the left at a Costco in the Chicago area on August 3rd, and researchers are already publishing trends for Christmas 2014. Is it because retailers and brands don't want another gloom Christmas season for sales?
Just like last year, there are few days between Black Friday and Christmas (only 26 days), so retailers and brands must plan accordingly. So far the forecasted trends for Christmas 2014 are mixed. A1 Retail Magazine in the UK, reports Savvy Marketing optimistic findings that 25% of UK shoppers plan on spending more this Christmas season. But, Deloitte is reporting a prediction of overall rise in sales, but a flat margin in Australia. Deloitte's Retailer Survey Counting On Christmas is a cautionary report, but at least retailers are better prepared for the multichannel shopper. Macy's just published a cut in their sales forecast because they don't see Back-to-School and Christmas making up for their sluggish sales for the first half of the year.
It looks like most retailers are planning on not having successful numbers, but they're still going to tailor their message to hope for the best. But is pushing seasonal items to shelves in August the best way?
Anthony Morley, a store manager at Card Factory in Portsmouth, UK said, "Lots of our customers like to spread the cost of Christmas so we make sure we launch our Christmas range in plenty of time."
photo via portsmouth.co.uk
As people are becoming more frugal with their money, stocking stores with Christmas goods may be the right thing to do, but are shoppers really ready for the Christmas cheer? What do you think? Have you seen other signs of Christmas in your local stores?
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From 1 ratings
Flower colour
Skill level
Globemaster' is a welcome addition to the garden with its rounded heads of deep violet flowers in summer. The flower-heads are enormous, measuring from 15cm (6in) across to 20cm (8in) and look great in pots or borders where they can be seen in their full stately glory.
Family: Alliaceae
Genus: Allium
Cultivar: Globemaster
Flower colour: Violet
Feature: Flowers
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light
Skill level: Beginner
Height: 80cm
Spread: 20cm
Time to divide plants: September to November
I have these in my garden and I love them, I leave the flowerheads on once they have faded to add interest in the garden throughout the rest of the season. I can't wait to add more Alliums to my collection, i just love them.


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Category Archives: Cancer
Importance of nutrition for cancer patients
If you're fighting cancer, nutrition is a big concern. Our registered dietitian explains. Continue reading
Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits: Great nutrition for cancer patients
These fruit and yogurt parfaits are considered a multipurpose snack, packed full of nutritious benefits. Continue reading
Springtime lessons from Botsford Cancer Center
Nicholle Mehr, director of Botsford Cancer Center, reflects on the lesson that Spring delivers. Continue reading
Breast surgeon's secret weapon against cancer isn't a scalpel — it's a nurse navigator
Nurse navigators advocate for breast cancer patients by making sure they know about all the resources available to them. Continue reading
How to lend a helping hand to someone diagnosed with cancer
Fighting cancer is best done with a support system. But when a loved one is first diagnosed we're often not sure how to help. Find out what you can do from someone who's been there. Continue reading
How to read food labels
Our registered dietitian explains those sometimes daunting nutrition food labels. Continue reading
Detroit Catholic Central High School student fills cancer center with music
The Botsford Cancer Center is filled with live instrumental music thanks to 14-year-old musician volunteer Jonah Lyon. Continue reading
Helping patients navigate the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis can create a devastating financial toll, but a new member of the Botsford family helps to change that for our patients. Continue reading
2012 Women's Health Day: Saving lives while having fun
If you missed this year's event, here's a recap and photos of all the fun. Continue reading
Is a Mammogram Painful?
Good news! Don't put off that first mammogram because you think it will be painful. Our mammography coordinator explains what the exam is really like. Continue reading


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We manufacture excellent quality Bhujia, that is not only delicious but also has a high nutritional value. The ingredients used in the product are well researched by our experts. The bhujia is spicy and will remind you of the home made taste. It has been approved by ISO so you need not think twice before going for this pack of Bhujia. This snack packet comes in sizes of 25.00gm, 85.00gm, 170.00gm, 400.00gm.
Cashew Nuts
The liking for Cashew Nuts is the same for all of us, and that is - we all love to eat them. Keeping this in mind we produce mouthwatering cashew nuts. Organically processed, you can eat them sugared or salted and add flavour to your cup of tea. These cashew nuts are rich in proteins and thus can be a health booster for your family. Use them in your cuisines, be it Indian or any other and make your food richer. You can also take them with milk or give it to the young ones at home without hesitation. These cashew nut packets are available in 100.00 and 50.00gm.
Chanachur, the first love of all Indians and merely the name of which is mouthwatering is available with us. You will relish the taste of the variety of spices we use in chanachur. The vegetable oil and other ingredients we use while preparing it are tested well in advance before it reaches you. Authentic and top class we assure you the most hygienically processed chanachur. You can also eat them with meals or eat it plain. The packets are available in sizes from 25.00gm, 85.00gm, 170.00gm, 400.00gm.
Garma Garam
We offer our customers the unparallel taste in namkeen- Garama Garam. Available both in salty and sweet flavours this namkeen will add to the taste of your coffee or tea. The namkeen we offer is not oily and you can take a break with it even at your office desk. Its special features include:
- high quality vegetable oil
- hygienically processed
- authentic spices
- low on calories
Khatta Mitha
If you have a liking for snack then Khatta Mitha is your answer. This snack can be simply carried in hands while you hang out with friends. You can gorge on it on a boring evening and like every bit of it. When mixed with rice flakes or taken with Aloo chat this will add the flavour.
Magic Matar
Any Indian plate is considered incomplete without Matar or pea so how can a snack be left behind. An edible seed, the Magic Matar we provide is ever fresh and you can eat them in any season. These matar are processed organically with safe fertilizers. The magic matar will not rise your weight graph, so be assured with your waistline. Even it is a packed snack, the nutritional value of matar remains unchanged.
Fried Moong Dal
We make Moong Dal which is of a superior quality and will stimulate your taste buds for sure. This moong dal packet is available in 25.00gm, 85.00gm, 170.00gm and 400.00gm. The speciality of this moong dal is as under:
- low on calories
- prepared by skilled professionals
- high quality vegetable oil
- authentic flavour
- not high in spices
Pudina Bhujia
|Available in:
|30.00 gm
|80.00 gm
|170.00 gm
To,MPS Food Products Limited


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Euclid Gray
"Unleashed" is the first of the 8 for 8 product line to be released from Malaco Records. That's right...8 songs for only $8.00. "Unleashed" is built from powerful, hand-clapping, foot stomping songs that will make you want to get up and dance!
Track Listing:
- 1. Let Me Praise Him
- 2. Ain't Gon' Get Mine
- 3. Keep Your Focus Man
- 4. Ain't No Sense In Running
- 5. You Must Go
- 6. Do You Really Want To
- 7. You Know I Love You Jesus
- 8. Gospel Man (Euro House Mix)


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Hard To Fathom Tour - Part Two
3 hours ago
I always have my eyes on the lookout for critters furry and feathered. I think that is all part of the fun of being out on the road or trail?
I've never seen a scarlet tanager up in this neck of the woods.
Thanks man, for breaking the ice. I was always a little reluctant to talk about my bird watchin' Way Out There. And here in Florida we got 'em.
One day while riding some remote gravel I was impressed by how lifelike some guy's Plastic Mailbox Bald Eagle was, then it turned it's head to watch me go by not ten feet away. I guess eagles don't scare that easy. I'll keep an eye out for one of those scarlet tanglers.


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Dad, let's make a list of the best and worst jobs for dads. I'm not talking about how much you make, but is it a family friendly job.
Does it give you plenty of time with your family? Is it flexible? Does it have good vacation perks (like teaching school)? OR does it demand time on the road, a large amount of weekly hours, weekends and evenings?
So let's do it this way:
Put the type of job first and then on the next line gives us the pros or cons. And then put your first name and where you live.
Like this:
Can be hard on a family as you have to do some travel…along with training. But the view is nice.
~ Uri, Russia


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New with tags. Never worn and purchased earlier this year (2013) on an impulse. Has not been altered.
- Alterations:
- Preservation Method:
- Terms of Sale: All Sales Final
- Original Owner: Yes
- Has Original Receipt:
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Will Ship to: Anywhere at Owner Expense
- Payment Methods Accepted: Escrow.com
Please read our BUYER'S GUIDE before purchasing a dress online.


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10 comments
how'd you do that
March 11th
Jan 28th
Let's hope they know how to climb/dig up
Jan 14th
They're in for a bad day! lol
Jan 9th
Oops! What's gonna happen when they meet up.....
Jan 8th
Jan 8th
This is kind of like mine!
Jan 8th
Well, it was worth a try.
Jan 8th
I dont have anything to say. But I shall still comment.
Jan 8th
The DEFINITION of trouble!
Jan 8th


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The Chicago Bears moved to 0-2 on the preseason after suffering a 32-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders at Soldier Field Saturday. Linebacker Brian Urlacher suffered a calf injury in the first quarter, and did not return. His status was unknown as of the end of game.
Jay Cutler was 7-9 in the game, and Matt Forte rushed for 109 yards, highlighted by a 89-yard dash in the first quarter. Oakland would counter though with an impressive 170-yard passing performance from Jason Campbell, and a five-sack performance from the defense, including four by Kamerion Wimberly.
Chicago will try to straighten things out next week in a matchup Saturday at Soldier Field against the Arizona Cardinals.


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Sophomore Dominik Koepfer is 6-0 in singles and 5-1 in doubles
Feb. 14, 2014
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 73rd-ranked Tulane men's tennis team begins a long stretch away from home this weekend when they visit UAB at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and No. 69 Samford at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday for dual matches.
The Green Wave (5-1) are a perfect 5-0 at home this season, but have dropped the only match on the road, 4-3, at Wisconsin two weeks ago. Tulane is coming off a pair of wins last weekend, including a 5-2 win against North Florida on Sunday.
UAB, a Conference USA opponent for Tulane, is 2-3 this season and fell to conference foe Charlotte, 5-0, last Sunday. The Blazers and Green Wave will square off at the Lakewood Tennis Center.
Samford (1-3) has lost three straight matches and hosts UTSA on Friday. The Bulldogs will face Tulane at the Samford Tennis Center.
"These two matches will be a big test for us," Tulane head coach Mark Booras said. "Both UAB and Samford have solid programs and have the advantage of playing at home. We have been playing well at home and will have to remain focused for the entirety of both matches this weekend."
Tulane is led into the weekend by a trio of sophomores that have not lost in singles this spring. Dominik Koepfer, Ian Van Cott and Alex Van Cott are each 6-0 this spring. Koepfer is 5-0 on court one, while the Van Cott twins are both 3-0 in courts five and six.
The Green Wave have also claimed the doubles point in five of the six matches this spring and are led by duo of Koepfer and Jao Chi-Shan who are 5-1.
Tulane will continue the six-match road swing when they travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, for the two-match HEB Invitational on Feb. 28.


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Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening
An extensive criminal background check (CBC), including, but not limited to, a seven-year county of residence and nationwide criminal history check, national sexual predator screening, Social Security check, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud screening is required by all clinical affiliates. All Allied Health Service students participating in clinicals are required to complete these background checks and a drug screening test by the Allied Health Division Office deadline and prior to the first clinical rotation. Any positive findings may be subject to review by the clinical affiliates and could prevent the student from completing clinical requirements.


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ELYRIA — The second phase of the Elyria High School construction project is behind schedule and various portions of the building will not be open when students return Sept. 6.
The gym isn't done. When school resumes, the cafeteria will be a dining-only facility because the kitchen isn't completed. Gym classes will be postponed until at least the second quarter. And volleyball games once again will be played at the Administration Building on Griswold Road.
"The building is not where we want to be, but I like to ask people, 'What's more important — getting it done or getting it right?' " Elyria Schools Superintendent Paul Rigda said.
The second and third floors of the renovated Washington Building are near completion and set to open on time. The space will add 17 additional classrooms to the building. In addition, the first-floor rathskellar — a sort of student union for seniors that will be more of a meeting place than cafeteria — is set to open when classes resume. Located in the Washington Building, the space transforms what used to be useless catacombs into a college-like lounge for older students.
Kevin Wise, construction operations manager with Regency Construction, said the delays have been nearly all weather-related with a snowy winter and rainy spring making the ground too wet to work with.
As a result, the construction calendar got pushed back six to eight weeks.
"We are making up as much ground as we can, but there are still some areas that have to just wait," Wise said. "You have to pace the work so one area of work can be started when another ends."
The new timetable has the kitchen and food preparation areas opening in mid-October and the athletic complex opening the first of November — in time for basketball season. Most grand opening events will be postponed until spring 2012 to give crews time to finish.
"We are putting all efforts into getting all the other areas that are directly related to student instruction done," said Rich Nielson, the district's business services director. "The weight room, wrestling room and gym may not open until November, but the extra classrooms will be a huge relief from where we were last year with two and three teachers sharing a classroom."
Nielson said there will be some additional costs for the delays, but no dollar amount is available. A contingency fund for such cost overruns has been in place since the start of the project.
Rigda said the overrun amount should be no more than $500,000, which is much less than the money in the contingency fund. Much of the overrun stemmed from the replacement of a roofing contractor, which occurred after a dispute about the work.
The announcement of delays comes when the district is deciding whether to seek a bond issue in November to partially fund an $84 million project to build five new elementary schools.
Rigda said the delays are not a sign that the district cannot handle large construction projects. Instead, the beauty of Elyria High illustrates the exact opposite, he said.
"The magnitude of this project is huge," he said. "We did not build on green space, which will likely be the case with the elementary schools. We built on an existing site while 2,000 students attended class around the construction and increased the site to two city blocks at the same time. If we can do this and have it all done seemingly by November — six weeks after we were supposed to open — surely we can build a handful of elementary schools."
New Principal Tom Jama said he is in awe of the building.
"This is not a school,'' Jama said. "This is a campus, and you see that with every phase that opens."
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or email@example.com.


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All right, my i7-920 is running at stock, however it is idling at 70-80c and under load 90-95. I'm running the stock heat sink on top of it, there is no dust, it's all very clean and airflow in the case is good running at an ambient/system temperature of 29c - I live along the coast.
However, my the thermal paste on it is old, there is basically nothing left, and my heat sink is touching the CPU well enough since it's rather hot so it's definitely transferring the heat correctly but can be greatly increased with thermal paste. If I apply a paste, will it lower the temperatures significantly? I'm at a loss here, everything seems to be perfect besides the thermal paste which I am going to buy soon hopefully tomorrow or by the latest the day after. Note that I have no performance hits due to these temperatures. Just wondering if I'm overlooking anything here. Will a good thermal paste reduce my temperature significantly?


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Strategic Positioning
Positioning your business in the marketplace.
A key step on the path to profitable business is the strategic market positioning of your enterprise.
Our learning center's resource library will help identify ways to develop an effective go-to-market strategy to establish your brand.
- What is strategy and how will your business position itself on the marketplace?
A market is never saturated with a good product, but it is very quickly saturated with a bad one.
" -
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Strategy is a proprietary set of actions that serve targeted customers better than competition, while strategic positioning consists in defining the focus point of a company's resources.
Strategy links vision and mission to their implementation through the organization:
Vision & Mission:
- Aspiration
- Raison d'être
- Broad direction
- Definition of business boundaries
- Competitiveness model
- Structured resources and capabilities to implement the strategy and pursue the vision
- Why is strategic positioning important?
Determining the strategic positioning of your business is a key step in developing its go-to-market strategy and placing it on the path to success. Strategic positioning involves clear choices that you will have to make for your business.
Strategic choices determine the competitiveness model that your company decides to follow.
There are three models of competitiveness:
Cost leadership
: Companies draw competitive advantage from lower cost position than competitors.
This model nearly always requires scale leadership in a properly defined market
: Companies have brand, product or service differentiation.
In this model, companies do not have to be scale leaders e.g. followers can create leadership in a niche segment
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Companies in this model are often scale leaders
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For example, a cost leader will focus on reducing costs in all steps of its operations. In contrast, a company pursuing a differentiation model will focus on ensuring that its operations support the premium commanded by its brand.
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The first book on todays Super Soul Sunday book list is The Mindful Brain by Daniel J. Siegel. The complete title is
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being "A new framework for maintaining mental health and well-being" (source).
I love the fact that humans are spiritual animals capable of keeping an open mind and also capable of critical thinking. Personally, I recognize patterns and take note of coincidences... all with the magical wonder of a child grown into a woman.... while managing to keep my superstitions in check and my beliefs sure. So, anytime I find access to a window of wellbeing that is framed by scientific research, I'm interested! Siegel is a teacher of mental health who approaches the art of mindfulness using a lens of neuroscience.
"The result is a groundbreaking approach to not simply mental health, but life in general, which shows readers how personal awareness and attunement can actually stimulate emotional circuits in the brain, leading to a host of physiological benefits, including greater well-being, resilience, emotional balance, and improved cardiac and immune function" (source)
Thanks goes to Oprah Winfrey for recommending Dr. Siegel's book. Also check out his earlier book, The Developing Mind.
Oprah also presented three books by Mitch Albom: Tuesdays With Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven.
Albom's third and most recent is a tear-jerker for anyone born to a woman called For One More Day. For One More Day is the story about loss, love and things left unsaid.


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Alex Terrier: Tompkins Square
Tompkins Square
Alex Terrier (soprano sax)
Roundtrip (Barking Cat Records BCR1001)
Alex Terrier (soprano sax),
Roy Assaf (piano), Francois Moutin (bass), Steve Davis (drums), Edouard Brenneisen (guitar).
Composed by Alex Terrier.
Recorded: April 27 & 28, 2009
Rating: 92/100 (learn more)
Alex Terrier can play all the saxophones, but his soprano is one of the more poetic and naturally sounding expressions heard out of that horn in a long while. "Tompkins Square" makes a good demonstration for this unique talent of his. Against the backdrop of a pondering but lightly swinging melody, Terrier's sax sings with the articulation and cadence of a mockingbird, using the instrument as an extension of purely human expression. Terrier's soliloquy is interrupted for a while by Brenneisen's spacious, intelligent and bop-minded guitar. Terrier returns with a series of smoothly connected phrases that are personal and original.
On "Tompkins Square," one understands the notion that jazz is not about scales, notes and structures; it's about making a joyful sound.
Reviewer: S. Victor Aaron
Tags: 2000s jazz
Comments are closed.


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When you run a firmware upgrade on the WebSphere DataPower XC10 Appliance on the original firmware that shipped with the appliance, no Java processes start.
The following steps are necessary if you have Version 126.96.36.199 or Version 188.8.131.52 firmware on your appliance. You can check your version number by running the show version command. On Type 7199-92x appliances, the current firmware level is also displayed on the LCD module on the front of the appliance.
After you run the firmware upgrade process, run the clear-all command. You can use the start-progress command to monitor the percentage of completion for the restart. When the start-progress command displays a response of STARTED, you can log into the user interface.
Do not run any other commands while the clear-all command is running. Only use the start-progress command to monitor the progress.
Related information
Version 1.0: Initializing IBM WebSphere DataPower XC10
Version 2.0: Initializing and configuring IBM WebSphere


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Visit the house that George Lucas' Star Wars built – or is it the house that built Star Wars? See icons from, and the future of, Sci Fi movie history in hi-res pictures.
Sorry if these take a little while to load. These pics are all 1200 across – you can click on them to go bigger, or 'open image in new tab'. I figured if you're going to have a look around Industrial Light and Magic, you might as well have a GOOD look. The joy really is in the details.
Sure, it's just a place of business, but for a Sci Fi fan, it's a very special place of business. Walking around it was a thrill for me. Hopefully you can share in some of that right now.
When you enter and leave ILM through the front door, this is what you see.
A huge lobby area is surrounded by cool statues, posters and yes, some Star Wars stuff.
Like this! This is the original Darth Vader costume, used in the original trilogy (Return of the Jedi, I believe).
George Lucas has a simply mind-boggling collection of vintage movie posters. They line the walls up to the cinema (of course they have a cinema).
Let's have a close up look at Darth Vader, shall we? Check out the usage on the gloves. That's from force-choking minions.
ILM is set up a bit like a university campus – it's a mass of buildings, all linked together, and the corridors are filled with incredible props and models from an amazing array of films.
See, that's what it looks like from inside.
Industrial Light and Magic have picked up a few awards along the way. They're doing all right.
Walking around, it was okay to stick your head in to offices and say 'hi'. The decor is completely up to the occupant, and is usually littered with things they find awesome or have worked on.
Like the Saucer Section from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Holy Star Wars/Star Trek nerdgasm!
Some corridors are just lined with the films that ILM have worked on.
You'll also bump into people just going about their business. Like this chap in a MoCap suit.
How many movies has ILM worked on? Hundreds and hundreds.
Like Inner Space! This is the FULL SIZE capsule before it was miniaturised. So cool.
Such a cool place obviously has a cool rec room.
The walls and ceilings are full of surprises. Hi Draco!
Each office is unique. Noel Coward once said that 'work is more fun than fun' and it seems these chaps have taken that to heart.
Ghostbusters fans, settle down. But yes, that is Slimer. Sadly, it's Slimer from Ghostbusters II, but still.
There are a variety of workspaces. There's always something fascinating that just pops out at you.
You did see that pic of JJ Abrams and George Lucas mucking about with a light saber, didn't you?
A piece of Sci Fi history. This one stopped me in my tracks. This is the original puppet used on the set of E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. Mind blown.
ILM has a lovely view out to the Golden Gate bridge.
I'm sure the people at ILM work really, really hard.
So you look up, and there's a mini Tom Cruise (no, not actual life-size, don't be mean) hanging from a mini helicopter. It was used for the iconic scene at the end of Mission: Impossible.
What else is ILM's coffee shop going to be called? Java The Hutt is perfect. George Lucas favours a sweet, milky, caramel concoction.
The artwork that goes into the creation of the images you see on screen are sometimes more beautiful than what ends up on celluloid.
Here's another chap going about his day, setting up MoCap cameras for a session.
The walls of the MoCap studio are studded with cameras. Those pipes are cables that lead directly to servers.
This is the model of the spaceship 'Messiah' from Deep Impact. Yes, that is indeed a little Robert Duvall (Spurgeon 'Fish' Tanner) in the cockpit.
Yeargh! Pirates of the Caribbean loom large in ILM's history.
When you're at ILM, you get a sense of calm, of people enjoying their environment, and happy in the knowledge that this, career-wise, is pretty much the shizz-nitt.
And to say 'adios' here's that granite sculpture of Darth Vader you always wanted for your living room.
- Oscar Hillerstrom


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Math I Can Do Solutions Incorporated, which operates MathICanDo.com, is a privately held corporation with operations in British Columbia and Ontario Canada and Washington State. It has received financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), in addition to technical and business-oriented advisory services.
About our Logo and Favicon:
The graphic you see in our logo comes from a proof of Pythagoras' Theorem.


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BYU junior guard Tyler Haws added another award to his collection on Monday, March 31 as he was named an honorable mention to the AP All-America team.
Haws is the first AP All-American at BYU since the great Jimmer Fredette swept college player of the year awards and was a consensus All-American in 2011.
This is the second big honor for Haws, who already won the West Coast Conference player of the year award.
He averaged 23.2 points per game for the 23-12 Cougars -- who were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament round of 64 by Oregon, 87-68.
BYU had a tough road to hoe against Oregon, whom the Cougars had already lost to in overtime earlier this season. That journey was impacted more when Cougar forward Kyle Collinsworth suffered a knee injury that shelved him for the tournament.
Kyle, he's a guy that you can't replace, and he brings so much to our team but, you know, even with him out, I thought we had chances to win this game," Haws said in a post-game press conference. "We cut it to three, and I thought we had momentum and guys stepped up. Even when shots weren't falling, they stayed in mentally. So, even with him out, I'm proud of the way we fought and thought we had our chance."
As for Haws, he'll get his chance as a senior to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in a row -- and collect even more postseason awards.
Haws only needs to average 19 points per game over 35 games next season to eclipse Jimmer's all-time scoring mark at BYU.
Suggested Links
- BYU basketball: Cougars guard Tyler Haws is helping fans forget about Jimmer
- BYU basketball: Women end season at NCAA Sweet 16, fall to No. 1 UConn 70-51
- BYU basketball: Women getting tons of national pub leading up to NCAA Sweet 16
- BYU basketball: Cougars next opponent San Francisco talking big before WCC semi
- BYU basketball: Why Jimmer Fredette should go pro right now


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Rockstar Games officially announced GTA 5 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC during E3 2014 earlier this week and revealed that the next-generation version of Grand Theft Auto V would receive a number of visual enhancements and performance perks. According to a report by the ibTimes from June 13, the graphics of GTA 5 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC blow away the PS3 and Xbox 360 version of the game. To better prove this, several GTA 5 PS4 versus GTA 5 PS3 comparison screens have been released.
As you can see in the images found in our media gallery – click here to see the GTA 5 graphic comparison, the PS4 version of Grand Theft Auto V looks considerably better not just visually, but the scenery is more fertile, the roads more populated, and the environments are far more detailed. With more enhanced lighting and more detailed textures, GTA 5 is looking quite sharp and impressive on the PS4 – expect the same visual detail to be found on the Xbox One and PC version of the title.
Separately from the much improved visual display, Rockstar Games will be making additional changed to the game's environments. The PS4, Xbox One, and PC version will have new wildlife, denser forest settings, increased street traffic, more detailed vehicles, and there will be weapons, jobs, and properties made available in GTA Online.
Currently, Rockstar Games has yet to announce an official release date for Grand Theft Auto 5 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. However, the company did share that the game will be released sometime during the fall season of this year. Some have speculated that a Sept. or Oct. release date seems highly likely. Pre-order the title here.
We hope to hear more on GTA 5 for next-gen systems and PC in the coming months as the fall release date approaches.


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Apr 10, 2013 8:55 AM
There might be a million ways to wear this Full Tilt Floral Peplum Tube Top ($20), but it demands the right accompaniments to maximize its fun, retro appeal. We're thinking white skinny capris, sky-high wedges, and a fruity cocktail (preferably with an umbrella in it). Lawn flamingos optional.
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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This is a discussion on New guy from Connecticut within the New Members Introduce Yourself forums, part of the DefensiveCarry.com Forum Office category; Hi there....
Hi there.
USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
― Thomas Paine


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SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS - Due 1st DAY OF SCHOOL
Download Summer Assignments Today!
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The mission of The Life Academy is to promote the excellence of Christ through academic and behavioral success, based on Word of God.
The Life Academy uses the Abeka Curriculum for all students. Abeka's outstanding reading program has a strong, systematic phonetic approach. It builds independent, confident reading.
The curriculum is geared towards the average to above average learner. We encourage and expect all students to provide their maximum effort on all academic work. By the third grade, students can read basically anything. Even lower ability students learn to read successfully!
Our website provides all documents and
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Meowings of My Life...Or..How This Butterscotch See's It
(Page 2 of 4: Viewing Diary Entry 11 to 20)
1 2 3 4
A Few Little Things About Special MeMarch 27th 2014 8:38 am
[ View A Comments (2) ]
It's been too long since i wrote in mai diary. Meowmy has been busy taking pictures of me. And thought got me finking ~ I don't believe Meowmy has ever let anyone know just how special I really am.
Many Many Thanks Fur Mai Daily Diary Pick and Cat of The- Day!!!November 3rd 2013 8:56 am
[ View A Comments (2) ]
Oh my catness!!~Catsterland has been so very kind to me the last couple of days. I have been a Daily Diary Pick for Friday, Nov. 1/13 and then Cat of The Day for Saturday, Nov. 2/13!! Wow!! Thank YOU so very much, I sure was surprised *wipes tears of joy with her paw*
Hey!! What Happend to Mai Background???October 24th 2013 8:28 am
[ View A Comments (4) ]
I had a real purrty pink background and now its not showing!! I went into my funstuff and look to view and it shows and x and myspace and that's it. Can't even see the preview of it.
Mai 4th Gotcha Day Already!!~Wow Time Pawese Stand StillJuly 22nd 2013 9:17 am
[ View A Comments (4) ]
I had a very special day yesterday and it kind of sneaked up on us!! Well Meowmy has been working lots more lately and then trying to keep up on everything, my Gotcha Day was here in no time!!
I'm Gonna Shopping!!June 27th 2013 7:44 am
[ View A Comments (2) ]
YUP!!~that's fur sure, MOL!! ~ Petsmart here I come, MOL!!
PawShucks, A Daily Diary Pick!!~Go On!!June 11th 2013 11:52 am
[ View A Comments (3) ]
Wow weee was I evfur surprised yesterday when Meowmy came and told me I was a Daily Diary Pick!!
Thank YOU Soo Musch ~ Anfur DDP On May 30/13June 1st 2013 5:34 am
[ View A Comments (2) ]
Wow WEEE!~I had anfur Daily Diary Pick on Thursday, May 30/13~Tank you soo musch Catster Diary Gurl and tank YOU to alla mai wonnerfur furineds who helped me make more precious memories!!
Oh My Goodness!!~Mai Wonnerfur Furiends TANK YOU!!May 28th 2013 7:56 am
[ View A Comments (1) ]
I'm taking dis time to write down and record for memorial sake (Meowmy will be able to look back and read this day and rememeber it wif the help of alla of you)
Daily Diary Pick?? OH Oh OH!! Lookie at This!!May 27th 2013 12:29 pm
[ View A Comments (3) ]
Mai oh mai, what a bewtifur day it is indeed!!~I am sharing the Daily Diary Pick wif mai Pap Friday and our good furiend, Angel Aggie along with our Catster furiends~just pawsome!!
Did Ya Know?May 22nd 2013 8:21 am
[ View A Comments (6) ]
I'm a snugga bug baby…I don't like to be picked up or held. I say, NO!! and Meomwy listens, have been like this since the day I came to live wif mai furmily.
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Faust, Economics, Psychology, and Models
I propose that we review this Faustian bargain.
Here are the basics for financial models. No financial model has the status of a physical law (regardless of who is pushing the model, regardless of whatever mathematical framework is being used, regardless of how sophisticated it is, and regardless of whether fat tails are in it or not). Any financial model is really only a phenomenological construct. The parameters that are needed to specify the model are "implied". In practice this means that a model, intended to price some security, first prices other securities or quantities in accord with market prices. Other parameters are determined by fits to historical data, and/or using "fundamentals".
But this procedure, which the finance industry has used since the beginning of the "Quant Age" in the 1980's, has now broken down for many securities. Models that are constructed using the best information, using the best attempts at consistency, and using conservative assumptions on the fundamentals, cannot describe the insanely low market prices for many securities. This is a huge problem. It cannot be said too strongly – the implied parameter approach used to specify model parameters is now dysfunctional in some markets.
Whose fault is this? Does the fault lie with the Faustian bargain?
Let's start with economics. It is clear now that market prices do reflect economics – e.g. the recession. For example, long-term debt clearly has a component that is ruled by economics (and not just default). Spreads for bonds are now so high that they imply unbelievable default rates. The Fed stress tests are macro-economically driven. So why aren't economic variables found in models for bonds? Answer: The Faustian bargain.
Actually, there is at least one model that started to address the issue of economics and financial modeling, the "Macro-Micro" model. Also, factor models provide a framework for including many variables. I believe such models should be taken more seriously and made more explicit. This is a daunting challenge, but I believe we can no longer avoid it. We need to get away from the Faustian bargain.
What about psychology? Market prices are now at least partially ruled by psychology, involving e.g. fear and damage control. The so-called "investor rationality" has disappeared (actually this statement is just a tautology that re-expresses the breakdown of the financial axioms; investors individually under the circumstances are actually being very rational). Psychology has always been instrumental in the markets, but now psychology has broken the markets. However, we have no "psychology" parameters in models. Is this a fundamental error? Yes, I think so. Can we get away from the Faustian bargain here? I don't know. It is a humbling experience.
In this space of fog, there is at least one clear point. Can't we just blame the quants? Here the answer is clear: "Nope". Quants just implement the general religious dictum provided by the academics (naturally with bells and whistles). For the record, the recent catastrophic mortgage meltdown is not the first time quants have been blamed. I remember an incident once reported to me where a particularly obnoxious mortgage trader got up in front of a group meeting and demanded that the head quant apologize for his model, which the trader accused of causing mortgage-trading losses! Ugh.
What does the future hold? The banks have argued that we cannot mark-to-market for securities if there is no market for those securities. They certainly have a point. So they argue that we should mark-to-model. Uh-oh. No more constraints on the models from the market? What is going to constrain the models now? Certainly not "model validation", which doesn't address the fundamental problem - as I said no model is "valid" in the sense of physics. What about "parameter reasonableness" criteria? The answer would be "Yes" for some parameters, but "No" for other parameters that depend on the broken model vs. market consistency. We are in uncharted waters. I can foresee the emergence of two classes of models: #1 for traders that need to trade on the market, and #2 for capital determination and regulatory reporting. Confusion will reign.
Now by no means do I want to imply that models are useless. We need models. Nor do I want to imply that we abandon implied parameters. We want to have models that describe market prices, if possible. But current models may be too narrowly focused. At least with present horrible market conditions, and maybe in general, I believe that we need, somehow, to include economics and psychological constructs in the models.
Maybe someday with a return of confidence, the blue skies will re-emerge, investors will again become "rational", and the current models relying on the Faustian bargain will again have reasonable implied parameters that do describe the traded market prices. And maybe not.
In any case, we should keep in mind that even if the good times return, the entire financial system could well exhibit systemic fragility again – that is, it could break again.
Faust was a winner for a long time. However, Faust had his problems. Where did he wind up? For the quant modelers reading this, I recommend that for background you get a CD or DVD of the opera "La Damnation de Faust" by Berlioz, and listen closely. Then shut off the CD player, go to your local University, look up a friendly Economics professor, and then find out where the Psychology Department is located. That's where I'm headed.
1. Fed SCAP stress tests:
2. Market vs. Model: Andrew Davidson Industry Insight - Proposed FSP FAS 157-e:
3. Bond spreads and defaults:
4. Macro-Micro Model: Chapters 47 – 52, my book:
5. Faust:
© 2009 Jan W. Dash. All rights reserved.