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Liverpool Message Board
Replace Suarez with Damiao
I hope we don't keep Suarez now he has said he wants to leave. I can't think of one instance where a player kept against his will performs well. I also can't think of a better player to replace him with than this Brazilian kid. Seeing his finishing at the Olympics - he has the lot and was even better than that lazy b@stard Neymar. If we get 40 for Suarez, 15 for Carroll, 10 in other sales and the owners throw in the reported 25, that's 90 bags of sand to spend on the squad - a serious pile of cash and we wouldn't even need to spend all of it anyway!Sort: Newest | Oldest | Most Replied Expand all replies
dsteer_lfc_68 dsteer_lfc_68 Jun 3, 2013 16:52 Flag
Personally I'd like to see the dust settle before we start shopping around. Yes the quotes in the press don't look too good, but then again is this the first time we've seen quotes come out in the foreign press that look one way when the reality is quite the opposite?
However being pragmatic, while I'd prefer that Suarez stays, if in fact he wants out, then we let him go in exchange for a healthy transfer fee. He is currently our best player, however an unhappy player is rarely a productive player. If he does go, I'd say the fee would be closer to 50M, add in the 15M for Carroll plus 10 for other sales, and we're at 75M before the owners kick in. That is more than enough to bring in an adequate replacement, and still have money left over to fill other holes in the squad, and build some depth.
But the numbers work the other way as well, so we don't need to sell him to improve the squad. I know some moan about the owners not putting in enough cash, but if Suarez stays we have a proven 20+ goal scorer up front, and if your numbers are correct (and I'd say they are there or there about's) we'd still have 50M to improve the squad, which is not a bad kitty.
LFC_Armchair_Supporter LFC_Armchair_Supporter Jun 1, 2013 16:06 Flag
Was Torres wanting out or did the the club force a move?
LFC_Armchair_Supporter LFC_Armchair_Supporter Jun 1, 2013 16:03 Flag
So has Suarez handed in a Transfer Request? If thats so then he's worth more than Torres he's gotta go for no more than £70m. £40m would be an insult.. he's better than Torres and if Bale is worth £85m then Suarez must be worth around the same..
Hi Loki. It's an interesting point keeping Suarez now that he appears to be fishing to leave. Normally you're right but look at the Tevez situation at City - they kept him and he performed.
If the quotes are to be believed, then Suarez has said that if he remains at the club he will continue to give his all. If he's a man of his word, then I see no reason to sell him.
I've been pondering various replacements myself, and Damaio has always been a favorite. He's big, fast, powerful and clinical. Also great aerial prowess, and is only 23 years old, along with countless numbers of his fellow Brazil teammates jumping into the EPL and fitting in seamlessly, makes it a pretty obvious/realistic option especially when I recall the price was around 20 - 25M.
Since I can't go more than a day without mentioning the name as you all well know, if Suarez is to end up at Madrid, that takes away the # 1 preferred destination (as quoted by his father) from another Uruguayan who is the world's best, and primed to leave Italy sooner or later.
Taking the 40M for Suarez, 15-18M for Carroll is enough right there to trigger Mr. EC7's clause, and he makes a good - very good side, an instant contender. Toss in that other 25M from other sales and TV money for a CDM, CB and squad player/winger, and I don't think many would complain starting off 2013-14.. As long as he's at Napoli and not an another club, I'll harbor some hopes it could happen, albeit Damaio, Higuain, Benteke all more realistic of course..
- 4 Replies to Jason
LFC_Armchair_Supporter LFC_Armchair_Supporter Jun 1, 2013 12:15 Flag
I think £40m will be the start price we'll go from.. he's worth more than Torres and LFC know it.
Jason Damaio would be my choice too he has it all..BUT ..once again Spurs will run us all the way on this one they have been reported as showing keen interest in signing him so hope our backroom boys are up to it. Better to move on it right now as Levy at Spurs will always wait on cash coming in from sales ..BALE ?...before splashing anything... we could get the jump on him this way .
You could be discribing Andy Caroll two years ago. He was also big fast and powerful. Well worth the money,,,,Not!!!
A Yahoo! User Jun 1, 2013 11:03 Flag
Well of course if Suarez wants to go and we get loads of cash to spend on players who want to play for us. Its a no brainer imho. We looked an all round better team without him tbf as we were not playing to suite on player. And Sturridge was one who really seemed to blossom.
But i think this story will be one of those that could just run and run.


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VIENNA - Hundreds of supporters of the Camden Clark Foundation turned out for the third annual charity gala on Saturday evening at the Parkersburg Country Club.
"The funds raised tonight will go towards the Camden Clark Diabetes Diabetes Education and Wellness Fund," said foundation director Kim Couch.
Couch said the foundation expected to raise between $20,000-$30,000 for the program, which provides dietary counseling and day-to-day management of diabetes as well as training and oversight of those diabetic patients using insulin pumps.
Article Photos
Anne Coffman, of Parkersburg, inspects the real flower decorations by Keith McClung in the Parkersburg Country Club for the Camden Clark Foundation's third annual charity gala on Saturday evening. (Photo by Jolene Craig)
Parkersburg High School Red Wings Brooke Taylor, left, and Ilaine Braham, right, hold the door open for guests at the Camden Clark Foundation's third annual charity gala at the Parkersburg Country Club on Saturday evening. (Photo by Jolene Craig)
"We always try to give the funds to something that directly benefits and goes to the community," Couch added.
Funds from last year's gala went to the cardiology department while the first gala benefited the cancer program.
One reason the foundation chose to aid the diabetes fund is because West Virginia has the highest number of adults with the disease than any other state.
"One in three children in West Virginia will develop diabetes and if we can educate the community and prevent it before these children develop it, it can help not only the local community, but also the state," Couch said.
The decorations and entertainment for this year's event were the talk of the evening with club employees, those in attendance and event coordinators chatting about how the building looked.
"We decided on this year's theme of 'Mistletoe and Magnolias' as a tribute to the Deep South with the decorations and food," said Couch.
The idea for the theme came from Keith McClung and his Crown Event Rentals business after McClung and his wife spent some time in Savannah, Ga., this summer.
"I just loved the city and told Kim that it would make a great theme for the gala," McClung said.
The decorations included live flowers and fresh fruit, unlike many holiday decorations.
"When the board approved the decorations, I contacted people in Savannah about how to do the decorations and they suggested fresh magnolia leaves and evergreens with flowers," McClung said.
"Really, these live flowers just add something to the place with the magnolia leaves and evergreen," said supporter Anne Coffman of Parkersburg. "It's really just beautiful."

subset: commoncrawl


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Bounder Classic creates a "theater-style" home entertainment experience with standard LED televisions surrounded by a Home Theater Surround Sound System for added quality.
Fleetwood's patented Power Platform Plus® is the envy of our competitors. The ultra-strong chassis provides enormous storage space, lined with molded plastic for easy cleaning and lit to help you see after dark. The holding tanks are positioned in the bottom to enhance balance, and enclosed so they can be heated in cold weather to help prevent freezing.
Packed with features owners love, the Bounder Classic offers value and all the latest conveniences.
Options are yours with a choice of inspired interiors that provide the icing on the cake that is Bounder Classic.
Fleetwood RV employs 21st century construction materials and techniques when manufacturing its motorhomes to provide the latest in durability and safety. We call it the F-21 Advantage, an industry-leading approach to motorhome engineering, manufacturing and materials that exceeds the standard. F-21 is demonstrated by 21 key proof points shared throughout all Fleetwood product classes, some of which are shown here.


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Shaheen celebrates $2m federal grant to pay for Market Basket water and sewer work in Rochester
ROCHESTER - City officials and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen were at the City Hall Wednesday morning, celebrating a $1.9 million grant the city has received from the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA).
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Well, nothing, really. As a chronic and long-time insomniac, I've seen a lot of late night infomercials, and thought I'd try their approach with our latest and greatest product. (At this point, pretend that I'm TALKING REALLY LOUD and gesturing wildly at you to get the full effect.)
Introducing the incredible ups.com iGoogle™ gadget!
At ups.com, one of our goals is to make it easier for our customers to use our services and features. That's why UPS has taken five of its core features and rolled them all into one multi-function gadget – just like one of those kitchen gadgets that will make a smoothie, carve a radish flower, and practically clean itself!
How will my life improve with this great new product?
The new UPS gadget lets customers track, ship, find UPS locations, calculate shipping costs and transit times, and request a pickup – all from iGoogle and all without logging in to ups.com. It won't slice a ripe tomato, but it will impress your friends and neighbors!


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Women's Reebok Dance Drape Capris
Dance into style in the Reebok Dance Drape Capris. Stylish, yet functional, these capris can take you from the gym to a post-workout date without missing a beat!
Feauring capri-length legs and a loose, drapey fit, these pants give you plenty of room to move. A bold colored belt at the waist adds interest and extra style, while the polyester blend fabric helps to keep moisture at bay. Banding just below the knee ensures these pants aren't too loose, while the front slash pockets are perfect for storing small items.
- FABRIC: Polyester blend
- FIT: Fitted at the waist, slightly loose legs for freedom of movement
- CARE: Machine wash


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TAHOE/TRUCKEE - Changing your vehicle's oil and filter regularly is a simple way to increase your vehicle's performance, fuel economy and engine life.
Unfortunately, most of us drive in severe service conditions. This includes frequent short trips of less than 10 miles, stop-and-go city traffic and/or driving in dusty or extreme hot or cold conditions or at sustained highway speeds.
Whatever your driving conditions, frequent oil and filter changes are recommended. The reason - as an engine accumulates miles, engine oil breaks down, and accelerated wear can occur and all the engine problems come with it.
Remember when you change the oil, it is recommended you change the filter too. It's the engine's main line of defense against abrasion and premature wear.
It's an easy way to keep your vehicle's performance and avoid unnecessary costly breakdown.
- This article was submitted to the Bonanza by Tahoe Blue Automotive.


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Skechers Sassy Stars Preschool Shoes
Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store
The Skechers Sassy Stars Preschool Shoes will glam up your style with maximum sparkle! The high top lace-up shoes feature sequins on the sides, glittering laces and twinkling studs on the toes for so much sparkle you won't know what to do. A full-length side zipper makes it very easy to get the shoes on and off. Rubber outsole completes the Sassy Stars with added traction for sure footing.


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Sarasota County to revisit 2050 plan
Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 9:13 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 9:13 p.m.
To hear the speakers tell it, a lot was at stake.
Sarasota 2050 offers alternative development strategies for the unincorporated area, especially east of Interstate 75 and the county's urban services boundary.
In rural Sarasota, developers can still build large-lot subdivisions dependent on wells and septic tanks.
If they want higher densities, however, they must comply with Sarasota 2050's rules describing villages and hamlets. Those rules say:
• The new Urbanist-style developments are supposed to comprise interconnected, walkable neighborhoods with a variety of housing types and community parks and other gathering spots.
• Developers transfer development rights off land to be kept as open space to increase the number of homes above the one unit per five or 10 acres ordinarily allowed by rural zoning. Half or more of village land could be devoted to open space.
• The developments are supposed to be "fiscally neutral" and pay the full cost of any government services they receive so they are not subsidized by existing taxpayers.
Jobs. The environment. The integrity of public officials. Sarasota County's future as an attractive place to live.
It all came out in a sometimes testy discussion Wednesday over the county's regulations governing large new developments in rural areas.
In the end, a majority of county commissioners seemed inclined to loosen the development rules.
To what extent is unclear, but the commission voted unanimously to revisit the 2050 plan, a long-debated series of growth management rules that require developments outside the county's urban core to be compact and walkable, and preserve large amounts of open space.
Developers have been complaining that 2050 is commercially unworkable.
Growth control advocates say developers want more leeway to build sprawling communities and not pay for the impacts on government services.
The debate over 2050 is viewed by some as a potential bellwether for how far the reshuffled commission has swung in favor of spurring growth and development.
Control Growth Now President Dan Lobeck grew so heated at one point during Wednesday's discussion — accusing commissioners of catering to developers who donate to their campaigns — that Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason moved to temporarily adjourn the meeting if he did not calm down.
"Impugning our integrity like that, it's not civil," Mason said.
But it wasn't the only sharp exchange.
Commissioner Nora Patterson suggested that accepting all 37 changes proposed by developers would gut the 2050 plan, which was designed to create communities that mimic traditional cities and villages, where a mix of housing types are tightly clustered around a central shopping district.
Developers say many of those "new urbanism" principles are not practical or marketable. They also are attacking a 2050 provision that could require large payments if a development is having greater than expected impacts on roads and other public infrastructure.
"If the majority of the board really wants to do just about all of these things, which I don't know that you do, I would suggest we just wipe out the whole plan," Patterson said.
Commissioner Christine Robinson took offense.
"You were inferring we've agreed to accept all of these — and that's by far not the case for any of us," Robinson replied.
Patterson apologized.
Still, it was clear most of the commissioners believe substantial changes to 2050 may be warranted.
"It just doesn't work," Commissioner Joe Barbetta said of the plan.
Sarasota County is losing out on tax revenue and jobs by not making it easier for developers to get started under 2050, Barbetta said. The fact that little new development has taken place since the plan was finalized proves it is too restrictive, he said.
Neighborhood activist Lourdes Ramirez said growth has been constrained by the overall economy, not by 2050 rules.
"I think they are trying to cater to the development industry," Ramirez said after the meeting.
One of the large land owners pushing for 2050 revisions is Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, which wants to expand south into Sarasota County.
The company's vice president of planning, Todd Pokrywa, said he does not believe the proposed 2050 changes alter the plan's "broad goals," like preserving open space and clustering development.
"We heard they want to look out the windshield rather than the rearview mirror," Pokrywa said of the commission debate.
County planners will host a series of public meetings during the next 90 days to gather community input on the developers' list of proposed changes. A refined list will go back to commissioners for another discussion and a possible vote.
Patterson is the only commissioner who was on the board when 2050 was originally approved in 2002 and finalized in 2004.
She noted that opening up rural areas outside the "urban service boundary" to development was hugely controversial at the time because it could strain government services and lead to sprawl.
Patterson is willing to tweak 2050, but does not want to see major changes.
"I was out in the community selling 2050, saying, 'No we're not going to wall-to-wall pave it all,' " Patterson said. "I feel like I've made a promise to people, and I won't be able to vote to gut that promise."
Patterson questioned whether 2050 is truly unworkable, or whether developers are simply hoping to boost profits.
"I don't blame them for asking" for changes, Patterson said. "I think it's perfectly logical for them to ask because it makes their land more valuable."
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Customer Service Center
The Facilities Services Customer Service Center provides a central point of contact for the campus community.
Questions and requests regarding any of the services provided by Facilities Services can be addressed by calling us.
In cooperation with the UAF Fire and Police Emergency Dispatch Center, we provide 24-hour customer service, 365 days a year.
Contact Us:
- Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Phone: (907) 474-7000 or 1-877-474-7010
- Fax: (907) 474-5656
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com
- Online Work Request (EWORF)
- In Person: Physical Plant Building
For after-hours emergency maintenance requests, please call 474-7000.


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Are African-American clergy doing enough?
The late Rev. James Bevel, an adviser to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., referred to preachers like Father Divine (pictured) as "religious entertainers." (St. Louis American File Photo) Has the African-American Christian church lost its influence? Has it become weaker? Do some pastors spend too much time hiding in their churches? These are questions many people are asking, so it is time to examine and consider the power the Black church and Black preacher have had on our lives and history.


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The South Lake Tahoe Senior Center will host a Pre-new Year's Eve dance party on Friday.
The Tahoe Dance Band, which plays a variety of music for listening and dancing, will perform and a raffle will be held. Admission costs $10 per person and includes appetizers, desserts, wine, other beverages and a free door prize ticket. Attendees younger than 21 will be admitted for $5, which includes everything but wine.
Dressy clothes are optional. The dance will take place from 7:30-10 p.m. at the senior center, which is located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.


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Well we got another pin for 17 along with 2 placements. Both gonna be tough
2's, it's across the road probably close to 350' or 330' right now its in the longer of the two.
Its supposed to be a practice basket.
Too bad we didn't have it in last weekend.


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Vineet Kannan and Aparna Jain, two software engineers in their 20s, are making a move that is increasingly popular among the Bay Area's young professionals: They're abandoning their apartment in Mountain View and buying a townhouse in an urban infill development in San Mateo.
And what made their move even easier: soaring rents and low mortgage rates mean their monthly mortgage payment is less than they'd pay to rent an equivalent apartment.
So on one recent morning, they were making a final inspection tour of their new, three-bedroom townhouse in the Landsdowne development at San Mateo's Bay Meadows, a few blocks from the Caltrain they use to commute to work -- Kannan to a new job at Netflix in Los Gatos and Jain at Zynga in San Francisco.
Seeing a growing number of potential buyers like Kannan and Jain, Bay Area builders are scrambling to meet the demand.
New building permits for detached homes and townhomes are up 39 percent from last year in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties, 35 percent in Santa Clara and San Benito counties, and almost 19 percent in the East Bay, according to the California Homebuilding Foundation.
Permits for multifamily housing, including condos -- which are particularly attractive to young, first-time buyers -- are up 38 percent across the Bay Area, with San Francisco-Marin-San Mateo leading the way with an 82 percent jump over the first 10 months of 2013. However, permits in Alameda and Contra Costa counties dropped by 4.5 percent.
"Everybody is at full velocity," said Chris Foley of Polaris Pacific, a marketing and sales company for high-density urban condo developments. "The condo market is very strong. No new condos have been delivered for five years and people want to buy condos."
Housing experts say younger buyers like Kannan and Jain are favoring urban infill projects like Bay Meadows that are close to shopping and where they can abandon their cars and use public transit.
"We're getting a brand new house, Whole Foods is right next to us and there's a community garden, which is exciting for me," Jain said.
Their three-bedroom, three-bath unit cost $845,000 six months ago. With a 20 percent down payment, the monthly mortgage is about $3,400 -- a little less than the $3,540 average monthly rent for a comparable unit in San Mateo County reported by the rent-tracking company RealFacts.
"When we build out, we will have a total of about 1,000 homes and around 2,000 to 2,250 people, predominantly young couples with a couple of kids -- people in the family formation mode," said Janice Thacher, a partner with Wilson Meany, which developed Bay Meadows.
That's also the profile of a development across the bay in Livermore, where Kevin Sun, 26, and Jennifer Songa, 27, moved into their new townhouse in Shea Homes' Montage development purchased for $605,000 in October. They had been renting in Dublin. Sun works in information technology at a company in Pleasanton and Songa takes BART to a job in San Francisco.
"Our neighbors are moved in and they're all pretty nice," Songa said. "They're all around our age and building families and we're hoping to build a family too and that's why we decided to buy a house. It's a very cozy neighborhood, one of those neighborhoods where you get to know your mailman by his first name."
Another builder, D.R. Horton, will begin selling units this month in a project near the Dublin BART station, pitched toward the younger first-time buyer.
"We have started seeing a shift," said Stephen Smiley, a vice president for the Northern California office of Meyers Research in Danville, an advisory firm to the building industry. "Two or three years ago, everybody's idea was that high-tech folks want to live in nicer apartment buildings and be mobile and not buy." But "rents got so high and you have number of choices for good townhomes and locations," and interest rates are still historically low.
A report released last week by the Urban Land Institute in San Francisco predicts that Generation Y's impact on real estate could be the "most dominant trend for many years."
According to the Institute's Bay Area executive director, Elliot Stein, "The young generation seems to want a higher density urbanized environment, close to public transportation and things they can walk to right out their door. (And) not all of them can or want to live in San Francisco."
The report, based on a survey of builders and other real estate professionals, ranks the San Francisco metro region, which includes the East Bay, first in the nation's top 20 markets for real estate investment, development and homebuilding, and the San Jose metro area third.
"Everybody is feeling pretty confident that if they can bring a product to market, there will be a pretty strong demand," said Paul Desmet, president of the Ryness Report, a Danville company that provides builders with reports on the housing market.
In mid-November, there were 95 developments actively selling in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, according to the current Ryness Report, up about 20 percent from last year.
Contact Pete Carey at 408-920-5419. Follow him on Twitter.com/petecarey.


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Lee H. Hamilton is director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University, a non-partisan educational institution seeking to improve the public's understanding of Congress and to inspire young people and adults to take an active part in revitalizing representative government in America. Established in 1999, the Center developed out of Hamilton's recognition during his 34 years in the United States House of Representatives (representing Indiana's 9th District, 1965-99) that the public should be more familiar with Congress' strengths and weaknesses, its role in our system of government, and its impact on the lives of ordinary people every day.
While in Congress, Hamilton's chairmanships included the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran. He also was chairman of the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress and worked to promote integrity and efficiency in the institution. Hamilton was also a primary draftsman of several House ethics reforms.
Hamilton remains at the center of efforts to address some of our nation's highest-profile homeland security and foreign policy challenges. He is a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council, the CIA External Advisory Board, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Task Force on Preventing the Entry of Weapons of Mass Effect on American Soil.
At Indiana University, Hamilton is also a Professor of Practice in the School for Public and Environmental Affairs, is a Distinguished Scholar in the School of Global and International Studies, and serves as Co-Chair for IU's International Engagement Advisory Board.
Hamilton served as Vice Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, Co-Chair of the Iraq Study Group, and Co-Chair of the Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future. Until recently, he served as Co-Chair of the U.S. Department of Energy's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future.
From 1999 through 2010, Hamilton was President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., where scholars, policymakers, and business leaders engage in comprehensive and non-partisan dialogue on public policy issues.
Hamilton is a graduate of DePauw University and Indiana University School of Law. He is the author of three books: How Congress Works and Why You Should Care; Strengthening Congress; A Creative Tension – The Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress; and co-author of Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission and The Iraq Study Group Report. He writes twice-monthly commentaries about Congress and representative democracy.
Register Now!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Marian University Theatre
Featured Speaker:
Representative Lee H. Hamilton
Representative Lee H. Hamilton


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Brandon Rios Training
Brandon Rios is in Oxnard Ca. preparing for his fight on Feb 26th against Acosta... read more »
Mosley vs Pacquiao - LA Presser
Sugar Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao were at the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA to kickoff the press tour for their May 7th fight in Las Vegas. read more »
Friars Club - Bob Arum
Steve Molitor
Steve Molitor, world champion signed by Top Rank. read more »
Pacquiao and Senator Reid
Superstar boxer and Filipino congressman Manny Pacquiao attends a rally for US Senator Harry Reid,D-Nevada at Orr Middle School in Las Vegas Friday. read more »
Stadium Slugfest - Cotto vs Foreman
Fight night pics from Stadium Slugfest read more »


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Good day to all. First, allow me to tell, that "PS3 Media Server" is a truly amazing program. It plays anything! Respect to creator.
I seek for some advice since I've runned into little trouble with ps3mediaserver.
Specs: 2,4 Intel Quad + 2Gb RAM + wifi connection. App vers 1.10.51 & 1.0.4 Tried on 2 PC's with diff. versions
Some videofiles, for example, some HD "RAW" files (format - wmv container - asf) cannot be played properly - after few seconds they start repeat few last seconds - it seems like "one step forward - two steps backward". After minute or so video freezes or disappears sync between audio and video. buffer of ps3mediaserver isnt full. Ps3 displays bitrate between hundreds kb and few Mb, but seems like stream is getting interrupted. Rest HD (mkv's) content is playing without problems.
Network is fine.
Tried all presets for transcoding (default - good quality for HD wifi). Tried avisynth-ffmpeg-"corrupted data", avisynthMencoder gives same "repeating and freezing". Tried remove checks on " Remux.." in audio section of transcode tab in app. set audio to stereo. All operations did not lead to successful resolution.
Codecpack - "CCCP". Oh yes, the problem seems to be in the .ass format subs, because without it video runs much much better.
I'd be grateful if someone could give advice how to make video "watchable".
Thanks for attention.


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Technological advances making surgeries less invasive
These expectations have also extended to the medical industry where doctors and patients alike want more efficient and less invasive ways to diagnose and treat diseases. As an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, I have seen this firsthand in the field of arthroscopic surgery.
Arthroscopy is a form of surgery where small incisions are made in order to introduce a camera into a joint. Attached to the camera is a fiber optic light cable that illuminates the joint. The camera basically acts as a camcorder with the image displayed on a video monitor.
The picture's quality has recently been enhanced with the introduction of high definition capabilities in the equipment. The surgeon watches the images on the monitor while holding the camera in one hand, and surgical instruments in the other.
Also attached to the camera apparatus is an inflow tube which delivers fluid into the joint. The pressure is closely monitored and controlled by a special pump. The fluid helps distend the joint and aid in visualization. The small incisions that are made are called portals. Multiple portals can be made to place various instruments into the joint in order to cut, remove, or debride tissue.
By working through small incisions measuring only 5 to 10 millimeters in length, large incisions are avoided. This means less soft tissue dissection and decreased risk of injury to surrounding structures such as arteries and nerves. Because less soft tissue is violated, patients typically have less pain after surgery. Arthroscopy can theoretically be performed in any joint, but is most commonly done in the knee, shoulder, ankle, wrist and hip.
The knee is the most common joint in which arthroscopy is performed. According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, more than 4 million knee arthroscopies are performed worldwide each year. The camera (or arthroscope) commonly used in the knee measures 4 millimeters in diameter. With only two portals made, a surgeon can trim a meniscus tear, remove a loose body, or shave articular cartilage. Sometimes, additional portals are made to gain better access to hard to reach areas.
Ligament reconstruction, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), can also be performed arthroscopically. For routine procedures such as meniscectomies, patients can place weight on their leg immediately after surgery and begin range of motion exercises. With appropriate rehabilitation, athletes can return to sport within 3 to 6 weeks.
Significant advances have also been made in arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder. This involves the instrumentation used as well as implants that are placed for rotator cuff and labral repairs. Patients who have experienced shoulder dislocation and recurrent instability typically injure the labrum which is a ring of cartilage around the socket of the joint. This can be repaired through three portals with implants measuring as small as 3 millimeters. Unlike the knee where the skin incision is very close to the joint, shoulder portals have more soft tissue to traverse and are usually maintained with a cannula. This allows easy passage of instruments in and out of the joint without getting hung up in the soft tissue. Another common injury in the shoulder is a rotator cuff tear. This involves the muscles that raise the arm up overhead.
Through three to four small incisions, the tendon can be repaired back to the bone using various instruments that help pass the suture through the tendon as well as placement of the implants. When open incisions are made, muscles and tendons have to be dissected to gain access to the site of injury. This can mean more pain and swelling postoperatively, as well as a longer recovery. The advances in shoulder instrumentation and implants have revolutionized the field of shoulder arthroscopy, particularly over the last 10 years.
Medical advancements seem to be keeping pace with technology, and this is improving the quality of care to patients. The progress of arthroscopic surgery is a perfect example. With newer instruments and cutting-edge video technology, orthopaedic surgeons can treat joint-related problems in a way that is less invasive and more tolerable to patients.
Dr. Dennis Rodin is a physician at Waterbury Orthopaedic Associates with Drs. Eric Olson and Michelle Mariani.
The medical advice in this column is offered by Rodin, and not the Republican-American.
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This blog explores some of the security features of Oracle Solaris. In particular, topics such as Role-Based Access Control and Labeled Security are my special interests.
Recent Posts
- Applying Rights Profiles to RAD Modules in Oracle Solaris 11.3
- Oracle Solaris 11.2 Authenticated Rights Profiles
- Oracle Solaris 11.2 Qualified User Attributes
- Oracle Solaris 11.1 Gets Common Criteria Certification
- Adding Users with OpenLDAP
- Getting Started with OpenLDAP
- New Sun Ray Software for Trusted Extensions
- Permissive and Restricted Policies
- Oracle Solaris Extended Policy and MySQL
- Application Containment via Sandboxing
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Close MenuGoGoSee All MSG Network TalentSee All MSG Network TalentGoGoGoGoGo
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MSG Networks names Brendan Burke the new play-by-play announcer.
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Colonial Candle Room Spray - Simple Breeze
Color: White
Candle Scent: SIMPLE BREEZE
Product Form: 4 OZ AEROSOL ROOM SPRAY
Dimensions: 4 oz
Product InformationRelated ItemsRecently Viewed Items
Take in the fresh outdoor feeling of dewy greens and a hint of lavender and geranium. Complementing our most popular scents, these 4 ounce non-CFC aerosols are delightfully powerful and safe to use. One simple touch sends a burst of your favorite fragrance into the air and lingers long after you first spray. No air shipments available for this product, ground shipping only.Fragrance Notes
Top: Dewy Greens, Ozone, Citrus - Middle: Lavender, Geranium - Bottom: SandalwoodReviews


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Coos County commissioners clash over bid
Then, however, Samson pointed out that several people had told him that they had spotted Grenier having lunch with former commissioner Burnham "Bing" Judd of Pittsburg and county treasurer/former Sen. Fred King of Colebrook at Howard's Restaurant in downtown Colebrook before that meeting took place. He implied that it was then that Grenier had inappropriately discussed the bid award with Judd and King.
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The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is a lush and productive ecosystem of wetlands and grasslands that evolved after the glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago. The PPR has the world's best waterfowl nesting habitat, producing a fall flight of ducks unrivaled anywhere on earth. Healthy wetlands are crucial for prairie-nesting ducks, providing nutrients for egg laying and nursery grounds for broods.
Tragically, these vital wetlands continue to be drained and degraded. Grasslands are also vital for nesting waterfowl, but they too are being destroyed at a rapid pace. These ongoing losses make the Prairie Pothole Region one of North America's most threatened waterfowl habitats. The PPR has always been a focus of Ducks Unlimited's conservation work, and that priority remains strong today through the Preserve Our Prairies Initiative. To fill the skies with ducks, DU must continue to safeguard prairie wetlands and grasslands.
We must work together to overcome challenges and protect our waterfowling legacy.
A total of $100 million in philanthropic investment is needed over the next five years to make this effort a success. These funds will be leveraged with $150 million from our conservation partners to safeguard nearly 1 million acres of key prairie habitat. It will take a concerted effort by all who care about prairie wetlands and grasslands to protect these precious landscapes for future generations.
Preserving our Prairies Initiative at a Glance
Five-Year Initiative Goals (FY 2012-16)
Habitat Delivery Acres: 575,110
Influenced Acres: 8,021,892
Public Revenue: $243.8 million
Philanthropic Revenue: $100 million
Total Revenue Goal: $343.8 million
Initiative States and Provinces:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
Conservation Focus:
Protecting and restoring grasslands and wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region
Prairie-nesting ducks are extraordinarily adaptable. Individual birds often return to a location where they bred successfully the year before, but if that area is dry, they may travel hundreds of miles in search of favorable wetland conditions. This strategy has served ducks well, because there are almost always areas of the Prairie Pothole Region that receive ample moisture. Even though these production hotspots change from year to year, ducks still find them. Hedging our bets against localized drought to provide ducks with options is why DU must conserve breeding habitat in both the United States and Canada through the Preserve Our Prairies Initiative.
Providing Landowners Incentives to Conserve
More than 90 percent of the Prairie Pothole Region is privately owned. That is why Ducks Unlimited and its partners work closely with farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners across the region to promote working lands programs that achieve our conservation mission. With a simple stroke of a pen, federal, state, and provincial governments can enact laws that greatly impact the future of waterfowl habitat and our cherished hunting traditions.
Continental waterfowl populations and the key landscapes they depend on throughout their life cycle will be greatly impacted (positively or negatively) by the outcomes of public policy decisions. DU and its supporters must stay educated and engaged on these mission-critical issues in order to sustain healthy waterfowl populations now and into the future.
Your gift to Ducks Unlimited is key to our success, and it is truly the greatest contribution you can make to secure the future of wetlands and waterfowl. Every dollar you give to Ducks Unlimited is leveraged to create a conservation impact far beyond your initial gift. In addition, we invest at least 80 cents of every dollar received in our conservation mission. Start making a difference today for waterfowl, outdoorsmen, and future generations of wildlife and people by making your gift to DU's Preserve Our Prairies Initiative. Help conserve more than 575,000 acres of key breeding habitats in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada and the United States with your gift today.
Don't wait.
Call DU at (701)355-3500 today to speak with fundraising staff in your area.
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act into law.
First duck stamp, designed by Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist, Jay N. "Ding" Darling, issued.
Prairie drought peaks.


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"Music Is The Best" - That's right folks, you heard Right. Don't touch that dial! Zapparama & Randomonium too. Puts the Hrz on your nose. KILL UGLY RADIO!!!!!
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Yankees fear Teixeira could be lost
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
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It's been more than 15 years since the late Norm Petersen was a regular at C.B. Hannegan's in Los Gatos.
Really? Norm Petersen hung out here?
Indeed he did, but our Norm was real, as opposed to the fictional Norm who became famous on the hit TV sitcom Cheers.
Norm Petersen's name might just come up on July 14 when the History Museum of Los Gatos presents a trivia night that will test people's knowledge of local drinking establishments. The trivia night will be held at Mountain Charley's Saloon, 15 N. Santa Cruz Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event is in conjunction with the history museum's current exhibit that's called "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." The exhibit encompasses the history of alcohol in the U.S., including interesting tidbits about Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell and San Jose.
"In 1905 Saratoga became one of the first cities in California to adopt prohibition," history museum curator Amy Long said. "Los Gatos and Saratoga both had tons of saloons back then."
Saratoga would remain dry for 40 years.
The Los Gatos chapter of the Women's Temperance Movement took on saloon keepers beginning in 1885, and in 1906 townspeople voted 199-169 to stop issuing new liquor licenses. A 1910 ordinance also gave the town board the power to issue licenses to restaurants.
The city of Campbell's relationship with alcohol is a unique story in its own right. "Campbell was dry," Long said. "Benjamin Campbell made people who wanted to live or work his land sign an agreement saying they'd be dry. Up until the 1980s people sometimes still asked Campbell's descendants to sign property release forms."
Long said the strategy of the exhibit is to "emphasize the social culture that bars bring to a community."
"When the Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower, the first thing they built was a tavern and a church," she said. "The Revolutionary War started in a tavern." In fact, the Sons of Liberty planned the Boston Tea Party at that city's Green Dragon Tavern.
Closer to home, Long dedicates exhibit space to downtown San Jose, where the huge Fredricksburg Brewery once stood and Patty's Inn at 102 S. Montgomery St. is the oldest joint in the city, having opened in the 1930s.
The exhibit also teaches visitors about the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and gay rights. Seems that back in the late 1940s and early '50s the law said police could shut down "any resort for sexual perverts."
"They could just walk into a bar and shut it down," Long said. "The owner of the Black Cat gay bar in San Francisco went to court saying his rights were being violated. He sued and won and was able to keep his bar open."
According to accounts of the day, the state Supreme Court's 1951 ruling in favor of the Black Cat was one of the first affirmations of gay rights in the U.S.
Long worked at Los Gatos bars like Mountain Charley's and Carry Nations before earning a degree in history from San Jose State University. She also has a master's degree in public history from Sacramento State. She joined the Museums of Los Gatos in February.
"I understand why bar culture is important," she said. "I came back to Los Gatos after being gone for two years, and the only businesses I recognized on N. Santa Cruz Avenue were the bars and Bunches flowers."
Long calls the "cherry" of the exhibit a 1982 videotape of the St. Patrick's Day "shooter scooter" races that were run between 1978 and 1982.
"This was not a town-sanctioned event," she said. "There were hundreds of people on N. Santa Cruz watching guys and gals race on scooters from Number One Broadway to C.B. Hannegan's. They stopped at all the bars in between, did a shot, recited a limerick and scooted off."
Long hopes the exhibit attracts a new demographic to the history museum and is promoting it by keeping the museum open until 8 p.m. on Thursday nights through Aug. 28. "Thursday Night at the Museum" includes a glass of wine with each paid admission.
Visit museumsoflosgatos.org for more information. The History Museum of Los Gatos is at 75 Church St. at Forbes Mill. Hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., except as noted above. Admission is $5. "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" runs through Aug. 31.


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Barbara Walters now has chickenpox, castmate Whoopi Goldberg said Monday on "The View."
"You all know that she fell and cut her head 10 days ago, and then was running a temperature, but it turns out it is all the result of a delayed childhood," Goldberg said. "Barbara has the chickenpox. She'd never had it as a child. So now she's been told to rest, she's not allowed any visitors, and we're telling you, Barbara, no scratching!"
"We love you. We miss you. We just don't want to hug you," Goldberg said.
According to the ABC News website, Walters was transferred to a New York hospital late last week and expects to be home very soon.
Chickenpox is common in children but considered much more rare, and severe, when adults get it. The disease can be fatal in adults if not treated promptly.
Walters, 83, fell on a stair at the British ambassador's residence over inauguration weekend, and out of an abundance of caution, was taken to the hospital to be examined by doctors.
In a statement last week, Walters said she wanted to "thank all the people who have called, written and been concerned about me."
Contact Tony Hicks at email@example.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks.


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The Best Jobs Start Here!
For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:
Admissions Office
fax: 605-995-3067
[email protected]
Career and technical education students learn and perform in settings that mirror real-world workplaces. When you're done, you'll not only understand the complicated processes of your chosen field, but you'll have the knowledge, savvy and hands-on experience to solve problems in your new occupation. In two years or less, you will be able to live your dream in a career suited just for you. The best jobs start here! Apply now online!
When to Apply
Class enrollments are limited so early application is to a student's advantage. MTI semesters begin in August and January.
Tuition Deposits
Tuition deposits will be required once a program is full. The tuition deposit of $150 will be applied to the student's tuition the first semester of class. In case a student opts not to attend, the tuition deposit is non-refundable.
Star Scholarships
During your application process, if we see that you have an ACT score of 24 or higher and a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, you will automatically qualify to be an MTI Star Scholar. You will receive $1,000 your first semester! Your Star Scholarship award will be applied to your first semester's tuition bill. View Details
Legacy Scholarships
If your parent, step-parent, grandparent or sibling graduated from MTI, use your legacy status to earn up to $500 to help with the cost of your education. Tell your Admissions representative about your family member and, upon verification, you will be awarded $500 when you enter MTI. Application deadline is June 30 annually. View Details


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Discover a selection of top forums adult unit on the internet. Come to share your passion on forums adult unit and meet other fans of adult unit. Then, why don't you create your own forum of adult unit ?
A Star Citizen player organization for mature adults from all time zones.
intersun, aerospace, star, citizen, #adult, multinational, austalia, australian, aussie, zealand, adults, older, gamers, organization, real, life, first, respect, europe
Free forum : Adult Gaming Community
A Play-by-Post RPG forum set in the fantasy realm of Enferia. Be advised: Adult themes within.
enferia, adventures, play-by-post, forum, fantasy, realm, advised, #adult, themes, within


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This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.
June 07, 2006
New Iowa Legislation to Boost Renewable Fuel Use
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed a legislative package on May 30th that is expected to significantly increase the use of ethanol and biodiesel throughout the state. The legislation creates a tax credit for selling E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol with 15 percent gasoline) that starts at 25 cents per gallon and phases out by 2021, and another tax credit of three cents per gallon for diesel blends containing at least 2 percent biodiesel. The legislation also sets an additional tax credit of 6.5 cents per gallon of ethanol sold, but the tax credit is lowered if the retail dealer falls short of the state's goals for total biofuel sales. For dealers that sell more than 200,000 gallons of motor fuel per year, the biofuels goal starts at 10 percent in 2009 and ratchets up to 25 percent in 2010. For dealers that sell less than 200,000 gallons of motor fuel per year, the biofuels goal starts at 6 percent in 2009 and increases to 25 percent in 2021. See the bill, House File 2754, on the Iowa General Assembly Web site.
The legislation also includes cost-shared funding to encourage biofuel conversions at fuel terminals and retail stations, and a separate bill appropriates $13 million for that purpose. See the press releases from Governor Vilsack and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC).
While Iowa is working hard to encourage biofuel sales within the state, for some cities and states, it's a breakthrough just to make E85 legal to sell. Arizona recently relaxed restrictions on E85 sales in the Phoenix area, which were put in place because of concerns about ozone formation, while Florida just removed a statewide ban on E85 sales. Meanwhile, in New York, Governor George Pataki has directed the New York State Thruway to start installing fuel dispensers for E85, B20 (a diesel fuel blend containing 20 percent biodiesel), and compressed natural gas (CNG). The governor also signed legislation that creates a tax credit of 20 cents per gallon for home heating oil that is blended with biodiesel. See the NEVC press releases about Arizona and Florida and the press release from Governor Pataki.


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I think that the U.S. needs to stop trying to convert the world. We are completely self sufficient and need nothing from any other country. We have hungry people here, Many, many more people out of work that this administration reports, VETS, injured and begging on the streets. We need to take care of our own and screw the rest of the world as they screw us every chance they get.
Primary tabs
How should the United States handle the chaos in Egypt?
5 Comments
We don't give a shit and STOP giving 1.5 Billion in aid. What about our wounded military, they could use the money!!!
The philosophy of life is so different from ours in these countries that we need to let these people decide for themselves, what kind of life they want to have in their own countries.
We should not be providing any financial or military assistance while they are in the middle of a civil war.
If they don't settle this themselves, there will never be peace!
We need to get out and stay out!!!
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. - George Washington
Well, if mind your business, then you wont be mindin' mine. - Hank Williams
We have plenty to keep us busy right here at home. There is border security (or lack thereof), repeated violations of the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth amendments, lack of a constitutional currency, and other problems too numerous to mention.
Egypt is not on the list. When I see the Egyptian army crossing the ocean and invading the United States, then by all means let's get involved. Until then, don't interfere... at all... on any level!
Stay the hell out of the internal political affairs of all foreign countries unless there is a clear and present danger to the safety and security of the United States. The U.S. may not like Russia's policies on gay and lesbians and Egypts political issues but that is their problem, not ours. Our government and liberal media needs to focus on the issues internal to the United States instead of diverting attention from Bengazi, IRS scandles, drones, etc. to such things of world wide importance such as Paula Deen, Russia's gay and lesbian laws and Egypts internal strife.


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It takes over 275 donations of blood every day to meet the needs of the 38 area hospitals supplied by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. A CBCO blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at State Fair Community College at 3797 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite C-2, in Osage Beach.
Location, ST | website.com


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Supporters of Pakistani Sunni cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, unseen, listen to him speak in Islamabad, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. Qadri is demanding the government be dissolved and replaced with a caretaker administration formed in consultation with the judiciary and the military. He also wants electoral reform to weed out corrupt politicians and prevent them from winning elections in the future. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)


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PhRMA Conversations - Clinical Trials Data Sharing and Patient Privacy
Balancing the Public Health Benefit of Clinical Trials Data Sharing with Patient Privacy and Continued Innovation
08.27.13 | By John Castellani
Last month, PhRMA and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) endorsed joint Principles for Responsible Clinical Trial Data Sharing: Our Commitment to Patients and Researchers. At the time, I wrote that "these principles reflect the biopharmaceutical sector's strong support for responsible data sharing that recognizes the importance of protecting patient privacy, respects the integrity of national regulatory systems, and maintains incentives for continued investment in biopharmaceutical research."
The biopharmaceutical industry is hardly the only group with an interest in clinical trials data. Public health organizations, patient associations and academic researchers share our interest in finding solutions to complex medical challenges through the clinical research necessary to bring new medicines available for patients. Given different backgrounds and constituencies, opinions on how best to do so can differ.
That is the genesis behind this week's question:
How do we balance the public health benefit of sharing clinical study information with the need to respect patient privacy and encourage continued innovation?
Given the nature of the question, we expected interesting and divergent responses from our diverse group of contributors. We were not disappointed.
Responding this week were Peter Pitts of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, Rebecca Li of Harvard University's Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT), Kenneth Getz of the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, and Douglas Peddicord of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations. The responses illustrate the complexities that accompany sharing clinical study data and I encourage you to read them in full.
Rebecca Li shares the principles that the MRCT identified as being critical to leverage the value of clinical data while protecting both patient safety and innovation. Douglas Peddicord expresses concern that without guarantees of privacy, patients may be reluctant to participate in clinical trials. Without patients, there can be no clinical trials - and no new medicines.
Kenneth Getz argues that the traditional research and development framework is no longer viable in today's quickly changing environment. He suggests a more viable framework such as open innovation which depends upon collaborators sharing intellectual property and proprietary knowledge.
Peter Pitts cites the reams of information on ClinicalTrials.gov and commends the Food and Drug Administration for its incremental and collaborative approach.
These are the types of discussions we had in mind when we launched the Conversations forum. Recognizing the different priorities of stakeholders in the health care ecosystem, disagreements are inevitable. These differences of opinion do not need to be a roadblock – instead they can help focus the discussion on shared goals and potential areas of compromise.
In this case, we all share the goal of advancing scientific knowledge to benefit patient care and public health while respecting the privacy of the patients who volunteer in clinical trials. What clinical data is shared and with whom is still under discussion.
We think we found the right balance in the new joint Principles for Responsible Clinical Trial Data Sharing. PhRMA and EFPIA member companies committed to enhance data sharing with qualified researchers, share results with patients who participate in clinical trials, enhance public access to clinical study information, and reaffirm their commitment to publish clinical trial results.
An ongoing and open discussion about the issue should bring us closer to a workable solution that, above all, benefits the patients of today and tomorrow.


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STOCKTON - The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide after a man was shot to death Thursday morning in a southeast Stockton neighborhood, authorities said.
Deputies responded to a report of a shooting about 2 a.m. When they arrived, they found 31-year-old Robert Lee Collins lying in the front yard of a home in the 3900 block of East Horner Avenue near South Hinkley Avenue, just east of Highway 99, officials said.
Collins was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition to undergo emergency surgery.
Collins succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead about 6:45 a.m., authorities said.
Location, ST | website.com


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Irish American comedian Colin Quinn is a stand up's stand up. This summer the writer and actor will take to the stage to star in his own one-man show, "Colin Quinn Long Story Short", directed by Jerry Seinfeld. Along the way he'll also appear in the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups".
Colin Quinn made his name when he landed a spot on Saturday Night Live, where he entertained audiences for five seasons with unforgettable characters and brilliantly funny segments like "Colin Quinn Explains the New York Times," before stepping in as anchor for SNL's popular "Weekend Update."
But Quinn first got his start at the Irish Arts Center in the early 1990s with his play "The Irish Wake", a side-splitter that often blurred the line between theater and standup. It was an instant success and is still talked about with reverence in theater and comedy circles.
This month Quinn, 49, is back onstage again in "Colin Quinn Long Story Short", produced and directed by none other than Jerry Seinfeld. It's a measure of Quinn's talent that Seinfeld signed up to helm the project sight unseen, because Quinn's name on the first page was all it took. Talk about a vote of confidence.
So how does he do it? How does an Irish American boy from a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn convince the bigwigs he's got the goods?
"I'm only a comedian because of the Irish," Quinn tells the Irish Voice during a recent interview.
"Growing up I watched my uncles and aunts listening to that first album of George Carlin's called Class Clown at parties. I loved it, but I didn't appreciate it as much as people who grew up in his era did. I think the Irish thing is that I love language and I love the sacred and the profane, which is how Irish people speak."
Quinn's first play about growing up Irish American was performed at the Irish Arts Center in 1994.
"It was about all the people on my block growing up, a couple of whom were from Ireland. In the beginning it was called "Sanctifying Grace" but it ended up being called "The Irish Wake"," he recalls.
"I got wise. I finally realized who else but the Irish would go to see a play called "Sanctifying Grace"?"
Quinn was born and raised in Brooklyn, and Irish America runs in his veins. Few people know the city and its characters like him.
"Well actually, I'm from Park Slope. We lost all our street credibility 15 to 20 years ago," he says.
"Our neighborhood used to be considered a kind of tough neighborhood, you know? Now when I say I'm from Park Slope they say, 'That's not Brooklyn!'
"We were the real deal back in the day. Now it's just baby carriages. We look like a Swiss village. But guess what? There was a time when, and that's all we're going to say."
Quinn is quick to point out that for all its yuppie hordes, things in Park Slope could have been much worse.
"It's not hipsters in Park Slope, all the hipsters are in Williamsburg. We're just soccer moms and lesbians and lesbian soccer moms," he says.
But back in the day Park Slope was filled with unforgettable first generation Irish people like his aunt, who had a classic Irish immigrant's take on life.
"My aunt would invoke a different saint for everything. Everywhere she went she was always having some kind of drama," Quinn recalls.
"It was her against the car service drivers she would hire. You'd hear her saying, 'That son of a bitch, I had to say a prayer to St. Dympna.' She was always giving out money too, throwing $10 bills at the local kids and then yelling and cursing at all the different ethnicities of car service drivers."
Another unforgettable Irish old-timer in the hood was Irishman Aidan Donovan.
"He who was one of those literary Irish guys who would say things like this to the Russian barmen, 'Listen, you little f***ing Rasputin, go over there and get me a scotch and water.'
"And the young kid would always get the order wrong and then he'd get more abuse for it. 'This little f***ing Barabbas would sell you out,'" says Quinn, quoting his old pal, and then erupting with laughter at the memory.
"The beauty of the Irish people is how they can turn a phrase and make me laugh. There's just something so down to earth about them."
Quinn clearly treasures that defiant Irish stance, especially when it comes to the powers that be.
"About five years ago my brother had his daughter christened. Aidan Donovan shows up in the church. He's really old now," Quinn remembers.
"We're in the church and I promise you this is true, the priest says over the baby and says, 'Do you renounce evil?' Suddenly you hear piping up from one of the pews, 'No!' Donovan's heckling the priest during the ceremony.


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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
{Seville: Day 2}
33 comments:
We've got a trip planned to Cadiz/Seville/Gibraltar over a week at the end of July- you've got me so excited, especially for the churros! We just went to Barcelona in January- they've got great donuts, and as long as you find the right shops they're 3/€1. Have fun there!!ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness, all these pictures are breathtakingly beautiful!ReplyDelete
You are seriously transporting me there with these posts doll :)
does this post mean we are one step closer to scotland?
patience is not one of my strong suites.
Everything is SO gorgeous. I can't even handle it. Love, love, love! I can't wait to hear more about your traveling so I can get some ideas for when I go to Europe. Cheers!ReplyDelete
these are such gorgeous pictures! it looks like you guys had such an amazing day... i'll have to add seville (and their churros) to my list :)ReplyDelete
Crikey! These are the best of your Seville snaps yet - LOVE!ReplyDelete
Those little streets are the cutest! And all is so colorful! Must be a beautiful city... And beer for 1 EUR? Bought!ReplyDelete
so colourful & warm. enjoying your photos so much.ReplyDelete
i must go! your pictures are seriously dreamy!!ReplyDelete
xo the egg out west.
beautiful pictures! love the pink jeans with the leather jacket too :)ReplyDelete
your photos are getting better and better!ReplyDelete
Seville looks amazing, what a fun weekend getaway!ReplyDelete
Wow, gorgeous!! I have never had a churro before, never even heard of themReplyDelete
Ok. I have officially added Seville to my list of places I must visit. Beautiful photos, Liz! :)ReplyDelete
What cheery colors! I LOVE your pictures!ReplyDelete
Such lovely pics! I love Seville, Churros and happening upon pretty Spanish squares! Gosh, I miss Spain so much! xReplyDelete
Absolutely gorgeous!! I am loving the pink skinnies and ballet flats too :)ReplyDelete
Beautiful pictures! and I really love your outfit!ReplyDelete
First of all, i LOVE those hot pink pants and those flats. Second of all, those pictures are breathtaking! And I can't wait to go to Seville now. And and and, I also hope the Edinburgh pictures are coming soon! You've got quite the life :)ReplyDelete
These photos are stunning--Seville is now on my list of places to go, with nearly the rest of the world ;)ReplyDelete
And loving your trousers!
Are those pink pants from H&M? I neeeeeed.... You're so cute! Miss you! SO glad everything is going so wonderfully!ReplyDelete
What a gorgeous place! And your pink pants are ridiculously cute!ReplyDelete
Oh these pictures make a lovely place look even lovelier!! Thanks for sharing! So beautiful!ReplyDelete
These photos of Seville are so beautiful! It looks as if y'all had an amazing time! So jealous of y'alls travelsReplyDelete
I love those alleyways, so picturesque. Love your pink skinnies, too. I tried a pair on, can't pull off that trend - you rock it though!ReplyDelete
love these so much Liz! the photos are so gorgeous too - and you can feel how much fun you're having through them (: BEAUTIFUL!ReplyDelete
gorgeous pictures liz.ReplyDelete
these are stunning photos!ReplyDelete
ah, these are great. sunshine + love (europe) = awesome. :)ReplyDelete
This place looks seriously AMAZING. What beautiful photos!!ReplyDelete
Your Seville pics bring back so many lovely memories. I went there in January and it was ah-mazing! And you're right...the churros were delish!ReplyDelete
Can't wait to read about your trip to Barcelona in a few weeks! I was there in 2006. Isn't Spain amazing :)
those turquoise shutters -- gah I want those!ReplyDelete
You did a phenomenal job capturing this city my friend!
Every thing is so dreamy....fantastic.ReplyDelete
window shutters clayton, ca


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The Propane Safety Scenario tool allows you to reuse any Module, Lesson or Page from the six PERC e-Learning programs. This updated tool allows you to build a catalog of learning activities or pages that you can use in a training class or a safety meeting.
New User?
Click here to watch the tutorials.
Returning User?
Click here to access the tool.


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Richmond County sheriff's investigators have arrested five suspects and are looking for several more after a shooting at a south side gas station Monday, July 3.
Investigators are not saying much about this investigation because they are close to making several arrests, but they do say two local gangs are involved.
After initial uncertainty about what led to a 40 round shoot out at a south Augusta gas station Monday, investigators now have a good idea.
"Just gang tension, just opposing gangs doing what they do," says Lt. Scott Peebles of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
Lt. Peebles says interviews with witnesses and suspects, including these two now in custody, have authorities saying the Tobacco Road shooting that wounded a 18 year old woman is the work of two Augusta-area gangs: the O-Dubs and the Sunsets.
The Sampson family lives in Barton Village in south Augusta. That's the neighborhood investigators say the O-Dubs claim. The Sampsons say the gang typically hangs around a basketball court at the McDuffie Woods Community Center, constantly causing trouble.
"Saying their name, 'O-Dub', and fighting people, jumping people, saying this is the neighborhood they represent," Jaleco Sampson says.
Investigators believe the other gang, the Sunsets, live in or around the Cherry Tree Crossing apartments on 15th Street.
When we talked to people living in the apartments, most told us "Sunset" is another name for the area, and say they're unaware of any gang activity.
"I don't even know what they talking about," said a resident called "Tee". "Ain't none of that stuff going on around here."
But investigators say surveillance video and other evidence supports their belief that these two gangs were responsible for the shooting.
"Well, we've identified about 20 people who were there, and right now, we have arrested approximately five people," Lt. Peebles says.
And they expect to make several more arrests.
At first authorities were not sure if the 18-year-old woman who was shot in the incident was connected to one of the groups fighting.
Now Lt. Peebles tells us investigators do not believe she was involved.


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Ashley Hoehne's three-point basket at the buzzer sent the game into overtime and the Montevideo girls basketball team scored a 55-49 overtime win over Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta on Friday at Montevideo. Hoehne finished with 21 points for the Thunder Hawks who are now 2-2 on the season.
More in this week's American-News on page 1B.
Location, ST | website.com


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Apartments Pointlookout - Zaboric
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Comic Life Magiq
Quantum evolution of Comic Life.
Your life in a comic, magiq! With creative features rivaling 'Pro' applications, while retaining plasq's signature ease-of-use, Comic Life Magiq is a Quantum Evolution of Comic Life.
We worked with a bunch of great designers and illustrators to include a collection of Templates, Props, Balloons and Spraycans. Your comics will help you tell any story.
The underlying engine can handle complex panels, speech balloons and captions. Vector brushes, bezier paths and many compositing options allow you to create professional works for yourself or a client.
Required OS: not specified
Tags: image , comics , photos , design
4 Opinions
Don't waste your hard-earned cash. Plasq.com forums are unkempt, riddled with spam. Magiq was garbage 2 years ago and the last update was in November 2009. Garbage. Save your money.
Amazingly buggy. Amazingly premature 1.0 version, totally disappointed. This should still be in early beta-testing. I've been a big fan of Comic Life, but Magiq is a disaster. The GUI is an abortion, it's slow even on a fairly new intel MacBook Pro, saved files are missing data left and right and the app crashes as if there's no tomorrow.
Don't buy this yet.
Amazingly user-friendly
Astonishing results
if you liked comic life you will love Magiq


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How to Stash More Cash in Your Emergency Fund
Before I jump into today's topic, I want to thank the personal finance bloggers who contributed to Kip Tips while I was out on vacation. I hoped you enjoyed their advice.
I returned from my trip to find my inbox full of e-mails. Among all the press releases and pitches for new products or Web sites, one e-mail from Bankrate.com stood out. It said that according to a new Bankrate.com poll, one in four Americans has NO emergency savings.
Another 22% said their savings would only cover three months' worth of expenses, although most financial planners now say you need an emergency fund to cover at least six months' of expenses.
Disturbing as the Bankrate.com Financial Security Index poll results may be, they don't surprise me given that the economy still is weak and the unemployment rate is about 9%.
I'd like to know how many of you have an emergency fund. Would you be able to cover a month's, three months', six months' of expenses or more? If you do have an emergency fund, how have you managed to stash cash in it in this economy? Share your tips in the reader comments box below.
And here are several tips from Kiplinger's on how to spend less and save more so you can build up your emergency fund:
10 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Saving
7 Sneaky Savings Strategies for Generation Y
SLIDE SHOW: 25 Ways to Stop Wasting Money
32 More Ways to Stop Wasting Your Money
How to Save on Utility Bills and Trips to the Gas Station
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CORPUS CHRISTI – Texas A&M - Corpus Christi women's basketball player Alisa Roberts has been named the GoIslanders.com Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by Pepsi. Roberts earned the award following her performance last week.
Roberts came off the bench to post a team-high 12 points and tie a season-high four steals in 25 minutes of play against Texas-Pan American in the Islanders 58-56 heartbreaking loss in the final seconds at home. Roberts went 5-for-9 from the field and grabbed five rebounds.
In the Gene Hackerman Rice Invitational on Friday in Houston, Roberts knocked in two free throws in the final four seconds to seal the 64-61 victory over Rice to advance to the championship game. The Darby, Pa. native tallied a season-high 14 points and tied a season-high four steals in her first start of the season.
On Saturday in the championship game, Roberts registered nine points, two assists and two steals in 16 minutes of play in the Islanders 72-58 loss to North Texas. Roberts is averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and an average of 19.1 minutes per game.
Roberts and the women's basketball will be in action on Wednesday, Dec. 7, against Texas-Pan American at 7 p.m. in Edinburg.
Keep up-to-date with GoIslanders.com each week to see who is named the GoIslanders.com Student-Athlete of the week, presented by Pepsi. Also, for the latest information, follow Islanders Athletics on Twitter (@Go_Islanders) and Facebook (Islanders Athletics).
2011-12 GoIslanders.com Student-Athlete of the week, presented by Pepsi Weekly Winners:
9-7-11: Jessica Korda, Volleyball
9-13-11: Brooke Alverson, Volleyball
9-20-11: Patrick Kimeli, Cross Country
9-27-11: Aurelien Tave, Men's Tennis
10-4-11: Isabella Arcidiacono, Volleyball
10-11-11: Nikki Dunn, Women's Golf
10-18-11: Ryann White, Women's Golf; Micah Nolan, Volleyball
10-25-11: Logen Bourque, Volleyball
11-1-11: Logen Bourque, Volleyball
11-8-11: Patrick Kimeli, Cross Country
11-15-11: Patrick Kimeli, Cross Country
11-23-11: Myeisha Myles, Women's Basketball
11-29-11: Myron Dempsey, Men's Basketball
12-6-11: Alisa Roberts, Women's Basketball


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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Fansedge Inc at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Show everyone what feminine team pride looks like with this Boston Red Sox Women's Beach Resort Hooded Tunic. Features large screen printed team graphic on front. Hooded v-neck top is long to give you more coverage and great style Team logo embroidered on left chest 3/4 sleeves for comfort 100% cotton jersey is machine washable Officially licensed by MLB Sports apparel that's great for any fan! This item ships same day if ordered by 4pm Central (M-F). This Product Makes a Great Holiday Gift!. Price: $29.99
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NEW YORK -- The A's won the longest game in their history, a six-hour, 32-minute affair against the Angels Monday, but they keep losing players to the disabled list because of that 19-inning marathon, most recently outfielder Chris Young.
The A's put Young on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin problem, which makes him the third A's player to be disabled after having participated in that game, joining left-handed starter Brett Anderson (right sprained ankle) and center fielder Coco Crisp (left hamstring).
Young tried to run and test his leg Friday, but it was less than he'd hoped.
The A's called up outfielder Michael Taylor for the third time in just the first six weeks of the season to take Young's place on the roster. Taylor figures to start against left-handed pitching.
"I was jogging fine, but I can't turn it up; it's not ready,'' Young said. "If I can't steal bases and play the outfield, my value is not as high. They decided to make a move. We're hoping I can come back at 100 percent instead of a 75 percent. I understand the move.''
Manager Bob Melvin said he never recalled losing three players to the disabled list in one game "especially significant guys'' like this group.
The trio comprise three of the four most highly paid A's players, and they are fully one-third of the A's $61 million payroll with Young at $8.5 million, Crisp at $7 million and Anderson at $5.5 million for a total of $21 million.
Melvin said it was likely that Young would join Anderson and Crisp in Oakland to work on his injury rehabilitation, but that no decision had been reached.
Young said he would like to think that he'd be ready before his 15 days are up (the DL move was backdated to April 30), but he's not ready yet.
Young will stay with the club through the weekend, and he'd like to remain with the team throughout the rest of the trip to Cleveland and Seattle, but Melvin said the outfielder might be sent back to Oakland, although no decision had been made.


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The perfect cocktail ring for those special occasions. Crafted of polished sterling silver and palladium with 18K yellow gold embraced™ accents, this beauty is topped with one oval checkerboard cut 28 x 22mm smoky quartz in a claw setting. Two round cut 1.5mm rubies in bead settings provide a hint of fire to this sensational design with a lovely two-tone ornate side gallery.
Vendor warranty: One year limited warranty from date of purchase. Includes a gemstone romance card with purchase.
Part of the Gems en Vogue Collection. Made in China. All weights pertaining to diamond weights are minimum weights. Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone enhancements and special care requirements.
Vermeil Plating:
Pronounced "vermay," vermeil is an electroplating process in which 14K gold or higher is coated over sterling silver. Officially designated by the jewelry industry, items may only be sold as vermeil if they have a minimum thickness of 100 millionths of an inch (2.5 microns) of gold over the silver. Regular gold plating is less than 2.5 microns.
The "vermeil" technique of plating sterling silver with gold originated in France in the 1750s. It differs from "gold filled" or "gold plated" in terms of the thickness or thinness of the microns over sterling silver. "Gold filled" pieces have a much thicker layer, between 15 and 45 microns, which is mechanically bonded to the base metal with heat and pressure. Vermeil is a more expensive version of "gold plated". It does not wear off as quickly as gold plating does. However, over time, vermeil wears off and therefore will require re-plating.
Gold/Platinum Embraced Silver or Bronze:
Our platinum and gold embraced collections feature layers of platinum or gold over sterling silver or bronze for a lustrous, radiant finish everywhere you look and touch.
To care for your plated jewelry items:
With its uniquely mystical appearance, quartz was the "rock crystal" used in ancient times to make crystal balls. It was believed to attract energy and is still considered to be spiritual today. The gemstone was once believed to be a compact form of ice. In fact, the Greeks originally named quartz "krystallos," meaning ice, but this terminology soon applied to any type of crystal.
Often identified by its six-sided prism shape, quartz is the most common mineral on Earth, found in nearly every environment throughout the globe. With a ranking of 7.0 on the Mohs Scale, it is a component of almost every rock type and occurs in virtually every color imaginable. Quartz has a great amount varieties that are well-known by other names, including amethyst, citrine, ametrine, rock crystal, agate, druzy, chalcedony, tigers eye and many more. There are also several varieties that hold the name "quartz," including rose quartz, smokey quartz and rutilated quartz.
The pale pink color of quartz is known as rose quartz, the traditional gift for couples celebrating their 2nd anniversary. It is a delicate powder pink color that ranges from transparent to translucent. Transparent rose quartz is quite rare and is usually so pale that it does not show much color, except in large sizes. The translucent quality of rose quartz is much more common and is used for jewelry and carvings.
Rose quartz is probably one of the most prized stones for its mystical properties. Known as the "Heart Stone," it is believed to have incredible powers to balance emotions and open the heart. Folklore says rose quartz can comfort brokenhearted people, bringing healing and clarity to the heart and allowing the wearer to learn to trust again. The stone is also said to foster happiness and the joy of life by bringing about contentment in love and filling one with optimism, tenderness and gentleness.
In addition to helping with romantic love, rose quartz is believed to enhance all other forms of love as well, including self-love, platonic and maternal. Its loving, nurturing energy is said to take away fears, resentment and anger and replace them with feelings of higher self-esteem and confidence. This soothing stone is also thought to balance emotions and heal emotional wounds. It is said to be especially powerful in times of stress or loss, bringing peace and calm to the wearer.
Ranging in color from nearly black to smoky brown, smoky quartz is transparent and owes its warm earthen hue to exposure to natural radioactivity. Care must be taken since its rich color will fade in the sun. Spelled either "smoky" or "smokey," this variety of quartz is often incorrectly called "smoky topaz."
Smoky quartz is believed to help dissolve negative energy, release stress and relieve depression. It is said to be a mild sedative with a relaxing effect that calms, soothes and restores balance and harmony. Folklore says the gem can embrace dark areas with light and love and therefore clear and cleanse the body both physically and emotionally. Smoky quartz is thought to be a warm, friendly and down-to-earth gem.
Rutilated quartz is a type of transparent rock crystal that contains long, fine needles of rutile crystals (titanium dioxide). These highly valued inclusions form a landscape of shining gold needles in an array of patterns that is breathtakingly beautiful. These golden inclusions are also known as Venus hair, Cupid's darts and fleches d'amour ("arrows of love"). There is a less well-known variety called tourmalinated quartz that, instead of golden rutile, forms black or dark green tourmaline crystals.
Although rutilated quartz is usually cut as a cabochon, it can be a difficult stone to attain a smooth surface without pits. This is because rutile ranks a 6.0 on the Mohs Scale, while quartz ranks 7.0. The difference in hardness between the two materials, and because of the way rutile forms inside, causes problems when cutting. Each final cut piece is unique, with no two being exactly alike. Modern folklore says rutilated quartz brings forth each person's strengths, originality and ability to relate to others.
For thousands of years, ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. It is called the "King of Gemstones" and known as the stone of love. The gem is the red variety of the mineral corundum, and while any other color of corundum is denominated as "sapphire," only red corundum may be called "ruby." Pure corundum is colorless, but slight traces of elements are responsible for ruby's purplish bluish-red to orange-red color. In fact, the name "ruby" was derived from the Latin word "rubens," meaning "red."
The finest rubies are an intensely saturated pure red with no overtones of brown or blue. They are readily available in sizes up to 2.00ct and have incredible durability, ranking a 9.0 on the Mohs Scale (second only to diamonds in hardness). Rubies may show very different shades of red depending on their origin, and the range of these reds is quite considerable. The gem's intense color was once thought to come from an undying flame inside the stone, while other legends say each stone is a piece of the planet Mars.
Some rubies distinguish themselves with a wonderful silky shine, called the "silk" of the stone, which is created by fine rutile needles within the gem. The rutile mineral is also involved within very scarce "star" rubies. As can be found in sapphires, there is a translucent variety of ruby that displays a six-point star when cut into a smooth domed cabochon. Rutile is embedded in an asterisk-shape within the ruby, causing a captivating light effect called "asterism." Six-ray stars appear to magically glide across the surface of the stones as they are moved. Star rubies are expensive rarities and should always display the stars exactly in the center of the gem. The star stone is said to be the home of each person's angel, who lives there in contentment with the ruby's spirit.
Rubies are found in many countries throughout the world, each location producing rubies of specific qualities and colors. Gemstone experts agree that the Burmese ruby is the most valuable and luxurious category of the stone. The former country of Burma, now Myanmar, is situated in a mountain valley surrounded by high summits. Rubies that are mined from this "Valley of Rubies" feature an exceptionally vivid red color with a slightly bluish hue. The stones display their unique brilliance in both natural and artificial light.
Rubies from Thailand, another classical supplier of the gem, are often dark red tending towards brown. This "Siam color" is considered almost as beautiful as the Burma color. Rare rubies from Ceylon are mainly light red, like ripe raspberries, while rubies of Vietnamese origin generally display a slightly purplish hue. Rubies are also produced in India, where relatively large ruby crystals have been discovered. These particular rubies, however, have many inclusions, but are excellently suited to be cut as beads or cabochons. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia have also produced occasional top-quality rubies, but the rough terrain in these areas has made mining difficult.
Top-quality rubies are quite rare and are often considered even more valuable than colorless diamonds, particularly in sizes above 5.00ct. High prices tend to reflect their tremendous value. In 1988, a 16.00ct ruby sold at auction for $227,301 at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland. A 27.37ct Burmese ruby ring sold for $4 million at Sotheby's in 1995, which was an astounding $146,145 per carat.
It is possible that no other gemstone has been as prized as the ruby. Celebrated in the Bible and in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, rubies have adorned emperors and kings throughout history. Until improvements in chemical testing in the 1800s, most red gem-quality stones were called rubies. Thus, many of the famous "rubies" in the crown jewels of Europe, including Britain's "Black Ruby" and the "Timur Ruby," have since been identified as red spinels or garnets. Today, rubies continue to decorate the insignia of many Royal Houses.
In the 13th century, traveler Marco Polo wrote that Kublai Kahn, the Mongol Emperor of China, once offered an entire city for a ruby the size of a man's finger. In ancient Hindu writings, the ruby represents the sun power. In China, the stone was given as offerings to Buddha.
Rubies were also given as offerings to Krishna in India. For a long time, India was considered the classical country of rubies. Their literature offers a rich and varied knowledge of the stone that was collected and handed down for over two thousand years. In the Sanskrit language, ruby is called "ratnaraj," which translates as "king of gemstones." Whenever a spectacular ruby was found, the emperor would send out his notables to welcome the precious gemstone in an appropriate style fit for a king.
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that a ruby could change color and grow darker to warn its owner that danger or illness was near. Thought to ward off misfortune, it was believed to chase away evil spirits and the spirits of the dead. The deep red color of rubies has been used for centuries as protection and to convey invulnerability. Soldiers wore them into battle to guard against wounds and promote healing if they received a wound. The color of blood, the stone is symbolic of courage and bravery. Warriors were said to have implanted rubies under their skin to bring them valor in battle, make them invincible against enemies and ensure victory.
Rubies have also been historically thought to bestow wisdom, wealth and love. In China and Europe during the 10th century, dragons and snakes were carved in the gems' surfaces to increase the flow of money and power to their owners. A common belief was that dreaming of rubies meant the coming of success in business and money matters. Rubies were also used to capture a mate and light the passion of romance. The gem was believed to have the magical powers of sexual fire and success in love. It has also been said by ancient lore to be capable of reconciling lovers' quarrels.
When combined with gold and worn on the body, it is said that rubies can cause the body to rejuvenate and absorb energy from the sun to heal all types of body sickness and skin afflictions. It is believed that it should be worn with gold to banish sadness and bring joy.
Given as a symbol of success, devotion and integrity, the ruby is July's birthstone and the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Rubies have symbolized passion and romance for centuries, so when placed in engagement rings, they express unbridled love and promise of the heart.
A selection of our jewelry is made of sterling palladium alloy. Palladium is a member of the platinum group of precious metals. By replacing a portion of the copper content used in standard sterling silver with palladium, this proprietary formula renders a precious metal with superior performance attributes. Sterling palladium is five times more tarnish-resistant than standard sterling silver and has strength similar to that of 14K gold.
Palladium has been used as a precious metal in jewelry since 1939, originally as an alternative to platinum for making white gold. Its naturally white color requires no rhodium plating. Additionally, palladium is proportionally much lighter than platinum and is ideal for use in heavier gemstone jewelry. It is a more expensive alloy than nickel, but it seldom causes the allergic reactions that nickel alloy can.
To care for your plated jewelry items:


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We've written about how a bad economy is indeed good for open source software. We've also recognized that with open source software's maturity and place at the enterprise software table, a bad economy can be a double-edged sword for open source since the failure or fade of large enterprise customers, say big banks, hurts open source vendors right alongside traditional software providers.
What is interesting is …[Read more...]