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tags are in many of the products that we already buy today and the
promise of RFID in the future is that we may not even have to stop at
the register to checkout at the store. In the future, with prolific
RFID tags more powerful than what we have today, all we might need to
do is walk out the door with our carts and our total would be
computed automatically. Today's RFID technology, however, is prone to
hacking, which was demonstrated when researchers were able to clone
an RFID passport while driving by it.Before we can
get to the point where store inventories are able to be done in
real-time using RFID tags, we need to have cheaper and more efficient
methods of producing the tags and the tags need to hold more
information and use less power. Researchers at Rice University and
Sunchon National University in Korean are working on a joint project
using RFID tags that are printed on a roll-to-roll
process that uses inks embedded with carbon nanotubes.The
printing process is able to make RFID tags continuously with a cost
of pennies each. The technology for the ink was first invented in the
Rice lab of James Tour and was at the time used to print thin-film
transistors, which are a key part of RFID tags printed on paper or
plastic. Gyou-jin Cho from the Sunchon National University in Korea
says that professor Tour was the person who recommended using single
wall nanotubes in the ink.Cho said, "Professor Tour
first recommended we use single-walled carbon nanotubes for printing
thin-film transistors." Tour says that Rice owns half the patent
that is pending on the technology and states, "Gyou-jin has
carried the brunt of this, and it's his sole project. We are advisers
and we still send him the raw materials." Tour's lab is where
the carbon nanotubes needed for the ink are produced.Most
RFID tags that are in use today are made from silicon-based
materials. Paper or plastic tags that can be printed would
dramatically reduce the cost of making RFID tags. Printed tags could
also replace the bar codes that are printed on all packages now.The
process developed by the researcher is able to print one-bit RFID
tags complete with an antenna, electrodes, and dielectric layers on a
roll of plastic foil. The process still needs to be refined and
improved before it is practical. Cho is working on 16-bit tags that
could hold enough data to be useful in real world applications and
still be printable on paper.The printed RFID tags are passive
and need no power source, which is what makes them so cheap to
produce. The tags only give off the data on them when hit with radio
waves at the correct frequency. The RFID tags also have to be reduced
to about a third of their current size to be printable on
packages.The team is also working on increasing the range
that the tags can be read from. Currently the printed tags can only
be read from a very close distance to the transmitter. To be useful
in inventorying an entire store or warehouse the tags need a range of
about 300 meters. "Right now, the emitter has to be
pretty close to the tags, but it's getting farther all the time,"
said Tour. "The practical distance to have it ring up all the
items in your shopping cart is a meter. But the ultimate would be to
signal and get immediate response back from every item in your store
– what's on the shelves, their dates, everything. At 300 meters,
you're set – you have real-time information on every item in a
warehouse. If something falls behind a shelf, you know about it. If a
product is about to expire, you know to move it to the front – or
to the bargain bin."
quote: No. A FFT just transforms a signal from the time to frequency domain or vice versa. If you have one signal of a certain frequency buried in noise of million different frequencies, a fourier transform can extract it...but if you have several thousand transmitters all on the same frequency, it's not going to help.Some combination of discrete time signal processing and adaptive beamforming on the receiver end might work in theory, though...essentially taking advantage of the fact that each tag has its own unique position in 3D space.
quote: Maybe treating it more like phased array radar would simplify the whole thing. With a phased array receiver, you could "aim" it at a certain spot in the store


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Even the bench got in on this win.
A night after getting doubled up by Glenwood Springs on Thursday, the Durango High School girls basketball team rode contributions from all 13 players, not to mention 26 points from Molly Barnes, to bounce back and beat Steamboat Springs 54-49 in overtime Friday night in the Southwestern League/Western Slope League District Championships in Grand Junction.
�Even the bench,� DHS head coach Nancy Smith said. �They were just loud and annoying.
�The girls said the other team just started rolling their eyes like �Oh my gosh; I have a headache already.��
Good shooting from the Demons turned out to be the Sailors� biggest headache, starting with Barnes, whose 26 overcame the troubles she�s had in getting her shots to fall for much of this season.
Shanelle Bogus added eight points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Durango, which adjusted well to Steamboat Springs� full-court press and half-court zone defense to find space for open looks.
�We hit our shots (Friday night),� Smith said. �That was a huge difference.�
Turnovers still plagued Durango, as they ended up with more than two dozen, and that allowed the Sailors to hang around. Steamboat Springs fed the post for points at the end of regulation.
But Katie Wiegert and Jessi Sigillito, who also scooped up seven steals, followed Barnes� lead.
Sigillito hit one free throw, then Wiegert hit two �at the end to give us breathing room,� Smith said.
�Gosh, it was a great confidence booster,� Smith said.
�It was thrilling.�
No. 4 DHS (12-9) will play No. 8 Palisade (10-12) for fifth place at 1 p.m. today at Grand Junction Central High School.
No. 6 Steamboat Springs (11-11) will play No. 7 Eagle Valley (12-10) at 10 a.m. today for seventh place.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jonathan Mostow is one of the "that guys" of the directing world: you almost always recognize his handiwork, but you're not quite sure who he is, because his films maintain a more assertive sense of themselves than they do of him (and we mean that as a compliment). Although he did some smaller films before then, 1997's Breakdown was his calling card as a filmmaker, and contained all of the elements that would signify something made by him – namely, an interesting idea that was executed with mastery of form and a comfortable grasp on genre conventions. Subsequently he directed the submarine thriller U-571 and Terminator 3, and his latest, Surrogates, is another example of high-concept storytelling streamlined to maximize its entertainment potential.
Cinematical recently sat down with Mostow in Los Angeles for an exclusive interview about the ins and outs of the film, which follows Bruce Willis as a cop investigating a murder in a futuristic society where humankind interacts through android proxies of themselves, called surrogates. In addition to explaining the film's world and surrogates' place within it, Mostow talked about his technique as a director marrying interesting ideas to effective storytelling, and reflected on his expansive career both as a director and producer.
Cinematical: What is the point of the surrogates for the people in this film? How does it revolutionize their lives?
Jonathan Mostow: It's not so much that it revolutionizes their lives. It's just kind of like it's the extrapolation of where we're going, which is more and more we seem to be able to do stuff through our computer and online. Like right now, you can stay in touch with all of your friends via email or Facebook or Twitter; you can get all of the information in the world from AP.com or NewYorkTimes.com, whatever. So the only thing you need to leave the house for is to go to your job, and if you really wanted to socialize in person with somebody. What if there was a machine to enable that to happen as well? Where we're going with robotics and this whole new developing field of brain stuff, it feels like it doesn't take a lot of speculative science-fiction to imagine we could sort of get there. This movie isn't really asking the question, gee, if in the future this technology existed, what would actually happen?
Surrogates is really a metaphor for asking the question, today, right now, we live in a time where we are swamped with all of this technology; we love it and we're addicted to it, but we also can't let go of it. What's that doing to us as human beings? That's really kind of to me what this movie is fundamentally about, so the appeal to people of having a surrogate is extrapolating out where we're already at. We're all constantly seeking convenience and a better existence, so if you can live with a surrogate, you have no personal jeopardy, moral boundaries are conveniently erased, and you also just feel better. It's why video phones never took off; there have been several iterations of video phone technology, and they never took off because ultimately people didn't want to be shown to the person they're talking to. The internet gives you that anonymity – you could be anybody on the internet. So it's the same thing with surrogacy; it affords you that cloak of hiding your personal identity, and that's the other necessary requirement of any of these technologies succeeding.
Cinematical: How important was the conceptualization of surrogates in developing your story? Was the priority telling a compelling story that you then seeded with the idea, or did the idea come first and then you figured out how to tell a story about it?
Mostow: It's funny – a cart before the horse question, and I'm not sure which is which. The reason I don't make more movies is because it's really hard to find ideas that I go, yeah, I could spend two years of my life doing this. Mostly what I do is say no to movies, because I go maybe I would see that, but I don't think I could spend two years on it. I'd go nuts. For me there has to be the idea, but I'm also a very mainstream, middle-America moviegoer, so I don't have patience for a lot of movies that feel like they're medicine, or are preaching to me. I want to be entertained; if I'm going to spend my nine or ten bucks, I want to have an escapist entertainment.
I look for both, so for me the thing I initially responded to when I read the graphic novel is I went, oh, that's a cool idea! Then when I started working on the movie, I said, well, the reason it's cool is because it's a metaphor for how we're living right now, it's connecting to something I'm feeling inside, but it's also cool to have these really good-looking robots going around. So those two things kind of go together. It's kind of like my submarine movie [U-571]; when I had the idea to do that, I was on an old WWII submarine you can take a tour through, and I was like this is cool, and then once I started understanding the history of it, I realized this was fascinating. Cool and fascinating are sort of the two things that I need, and those are the litmus tests for every decision I make in the movie. I don't know if that quite answers your question...
Cinematical: I'll rephrase: How important is it that the idea you come up with maintains a sense of accuracy or continuity if it "interferes" with telling a story that's more interesting?
Mostow: That's the best question I've heard all day. I think for filmmakers, that is the most difficult thing that you deal with, because if you're working on a movie that gives a hoot about the audience, you hear the phrase "serve the story" a lot. Because everything's got to be in service of the story; my philosophy about movies is the star of the movie is the story, and by the way, behind any star that's had longevity, they know that too, [because] the audience is there to see a story. They like whoever the movie star is and that may have enticed them to come see the movie, but really what they want is story.
So once you have the basic story, which for whatever reason you've decided is what you're doing, then you have to service it, in a movie like this where there's a million cool ideas, and you can't fit them all in. First of all you couldn't fit them in even if you had a story that enabled them all because you only have your two hours or whatever, and then once you have the story set that's like the foundation of the house. so if there's a frustrating aspect, you wish you could get it all in but you can't, particularly in a movie like this where there's so many interesting things to talk about that some people may go see the movie and go, "well, I thought that was cool but I thought they were going to deal with [this or that]. What happens when you have to go to the doctor?" We couldn't get to that because we just couldn't fit it all in the movie. This is one of those things where there was a wealth of cool ideas and we just could only fit so many of them into the movie.
Cinematical: Is this a world where this technology is fully developed but fundamentally flawed, and a person discovers that flaw? Or is it about a technology that is genuinely beneficial to humanity, but because someone is abusing or exploiting it, it needs more control or vigilance?
Mostow: I'd say it's a third thing. The technology exists, it's great, everybody uses it, and there's a little problem off to the side that someone has developed this device that can use this technology to kill people and that's certainly not a good thing. But from the emotional character journey that Bruce's character goes through in the movie, it's more about a guy waking up and smelling the coffee and going, wait a second. I know we're all living like this and I know this is better for a million good reasons, but is this really the best way to live? And do I really want to live like this? I don't know. It's sort of asking those questions. [But] in a movie where the macguffin is something very gimmicky, like a time-travel movie or something, that could be a cool movie, but it's hard to relate to that macguffin because there's nothing in my own personal experience that has anything to do with time travel. But this is a movie where it's so metaphorical that it enables a different kind of vibe. Once you see the movie, I think it becomes clear; it's not a movie that says, gee, some day this technology will exist but we should be very afraid of it. it's a movie where it's talking about the here and now through this macguffin and what exactly happens with surrogates is actually less important than what it refers to in our current existence.
Cinematical: How do you decide which movies you prefer to produce instead of direct, and how are those producorial efforts a creative stopgap between your directorial efforts?
Mostow: Most of the things I've had a producorial involvement on began as things I was going to direct or I set out to direct my self and realized either I don't have the fire in my belly to do it, or I don't feel like I've licked the story enough. It takes such a commitment of passion and energy and time and it's all so encompassing to direct that you've got to see the bullseye and you know you can hit it, or at least get awfully close. When you're not quite sure how you're going to get to the bullseye, for me I feel that's when it's time to sort of step aside and go, you know what? I'm going to let someone else do it. There's movies where the schedule just didn't permit me to do it so I segued over into a producing thing, but I don't have anything I can think of where I produced it where I didn't at least start out thinking in wanted to direct it.
Cinematical: You've been attached to Sub-Mariner and Escape From New York. Are you planning to direct either, or both?
Mostow:Escape From New York is just a rewrite I did for New Line a couple of years ago and I was sort of briefly attached to direct, and then New Line got folded into Warner Brothers so it's sort of under a whole different thing so I don't see myself doing that. Sub-Mariner is something that I am developing, but again that's one of those superhero movies you have to get exactly right, and if you don't then you shouldn't make them. That's one that's sort of in there. I don't develop a whole bunch of stuff and unfortunately the internet tends to aggregate and accumulate old projects. I used to have a company at Universal and we had like 40 projects in development, very few of which I had an involvement in in any capacity. It's one of those things where it's like, don't believe everything you read on the internet – except your site, of course.
categories Interviews, Cinematical


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7 Ways Batman Is Objectively Better Than Superman
Arguing about Batman versus Superman is like masturbation: A lot of people do it online, often instead of sex, and it's a lot of fun. Also like many arguments online, one side is backed up by intelligence and careful preparation while the other only keeps going because arguments just bounce off its stupid invulnerable skin.
Even Superman looks bored by his own comic.
#7. Batman's Regular Stories Are Interesting
Superman is the icon, the original comic book superhero as we now understand the term, and 80 years later he's still kicking ass. But like many 80-year-old men, he repeats his stories too often. He's practically a mythological figure, but mythological figures are only interesting in epic confrontations. Zeus doing battle with the Titans is world-shaking. Superman facing the Prankster is about as interesting as Superman facing the mirror, super-flossing his super-teeth.
Yep, that's a weedy strip of organic matter he could get rid of by spitting hard. The Prankster's greatest crime was theft of the reader's time.
These monthly non-entity villains are the super-equivalent of rain on your way to work: It's never going to stop you, it just makes this regular chore slightly more annoying as you proceed in a straight line to the inevitable conclusion. Superman could solve most of his problems by flying toward the bad guy and then nothing else.
Helpfully demonstrated by the Authority's Apollo.
Not killing people is an important part of Superman's character, but there's a huge gap between "a moral code against murder" and "letting any idiot who can afford fancy dress waste four months of everyone's lives." Batman's insistence on the same code is much more impressive because he's actually risking himself for it. And Batman's everyday confrontations are still interesting. You know he's going to win, but he always has multiple methods, none of which are "Just be immune at them until they die of old age." He can turn one thug with a gun into one of the coolest takedowns of all time.
Batman disarming the good guy instead of the murderer, just to keep things interesting.
This is why Batman has brilliant video games and Superman doesn't. In the Arkham titles, Batman is far superior to his enemies, but will still be shot to death the second he screws up. That's what makes victory fun. Superman games are all annoying because he has to be ridiculously weakened, because challenge is impossible when you're a walking God Mode.
Titus Software
Making Superman magically depowered and forced to fly through hoops to get to the end, Superman 64 was mocked, but is actually based on 90 percent of all Superman plots.
A true Superman game would have an immortal main character racing against time to save innocent civilians with unavoidable consequences -- meaning it would be the worst game ever, based on time limits, escort missions and permanent failures.
#6. Batman Gets to Be Himself
That title might sound odd when you're talking about a man with a secret identity dressed up as a giant latex rodent, but Batman has never been exposed to anti-vengeance-ite. Because Batman writers don't have to fight their own main character to write a story. Superman is only barely short of flying out of the page and punching the author for daring to inconvenience him. Powers are meant to define a hero, but Superman suffers superpowers like rising damp: They start out manageable but keep climbing until you have to tear the whole thing down and start again.
Sometimes with tragic results, like Roller Disco Superman.
Super ventriloquism, logo-throwing, existential micro-self projection -- no one has been given more ridiculous powers in fewer lines of writing since Mussolini. Which is why Superman has been affected by more chemicals and forces than hydrogen. Magic, hypnosis, an entire anti-rainbow of Kryptonite that made him suck ("anti" because regular rainbows are linked to strong men sucking in a good way), and whenever things get too troublesome they just block out the sun.
Which finally makes their capes useful, and adds yet another reason it sucks to be a female superhero.
Depowering Superman is meant to make us appreciate his inner resolve and true heroism, but actually makes us endure the non-adventures of Man-man. If he's not Super, we could be following any idiot, and seeing him running away is even worse than watching him effortlessly punch his millionth giant robot. One of the worst examples was Aliens vs. Superman. A Kryptonian finally teaching those literal-dickhead xenomorphs that attacking strangers in space is a bad idea would have been awesome, but instead he's depowered and spends four issues running away so hard that an entire world dies.
#5. You Don't Have to Care About Batman
The best Superman stories require that you care about him in the first place. Red Son, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow, All-Star Superman (you're simply not qualified to talk about comics if you haven't read that), For the Man Who Has Everything ... they're all fantastic for fans and meaningless to anyone else. Red Son asks "What if he'd landed in Russia?" which means you care about him in America. Whatever wonderfully ends his story, which means you had to have been reading it until then. All-Star simply is Superman, and smelts the insane Silver Age junk into a shining piece of precious storytelling, but only fully works if you already knew about that crap.
But seriously, read it.
One of the greatest Superman stories ever written is Garth Ennis' Hitman/Superman.
Supes struggles with his inability to save everyone while an Irish-American murderer explains what he truly stands for. It's one of his finest moments, but only if you're all Nietzschean (and already care about the struggle of the Superman). You can't base your regular stories on how hard it is for you without being an emo whiner or a male porn star. Superman stories not based on his history or emotional struggles boil down to beginner Street Fighter: holding "forward" and "punch" and hoping it works. The only difference a really strong enemy makes is how hard he grimaces in the process. The worst example was The Death of Superman. DC promoted this as the story that would change everything, where Superman and Doomsday ineffectually punched each other for six issues until -- gasp! -- they punched each other even harder!
This was the 40th time he'd reminded us he had to hit the bad guy.
Batman's best stories are tough smart guy versus the villain. You don't need 40 years of back story to appreciate that. We enjoy that story with new characters in new movies and video games every week of the year. The recurring Bat-characters only make it even cooler for longtime fans.
Especially when he's fighting KGBeast, the only villain to beat Batman in the "costume is clearly a sex thing" contest.
Batman suffered just as much '50s lunacy as his Superfriend, but they've been bonuses in some modern plots, not the entire point.
You don't need to know about Planet X to understand how much ass Technicolor Dreamcoat Batman kicks.
#4. Batman Is Smarter
Superman is meant to be super-intelligent, but his solution to every problem is either charging straight at it with his fists up or throwing things. If any Kryptonian kindergarten teachers had survived, Superman would spend most of his life in timeout. That's why his most famous villain is mastermind Lex Luthor: Someone has to do interesting things to keep the story moving. But because evil plans end the instant Superman finds the planner, they're based on distraction and deception, so we get to follow a confused man who mindlessly punches everything for four issues until he stumbles into someone who knows what he's doing. That's the exact plot of ending up in a mental institution.
Action Comics
Batman is the Master Detective. With him, we're actually following the trail instead of playing Kryptonian Whac-A-Mole until the Daily Planet or S.T.A.R. Labs or the Justice League Satellite or his super-vision suddenly tells him where to go punch things next. You know they're both going to save the day, but with Batman, you still get to wonder how. With Superman, you just flip a coin as to whether he'll end the movie by punching or lifting.
Warner Bros
Superman Returns added variety by choosing "lifting," but it was a mistake.


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I love all of the discussion going on here, I think a key thing to keep in mind is that I doubt there could ever be a single programming language that solved everybodies problems. As Herb mentions a few times in this video "The Right Tool for the Right Job".
As somebody who has programmed in far more languages then I can even remember, I enjoy getting into the groove of each one and appreciating the features and capabilities they bring to the table.
FORTH may have never been a terribly practical programming language, but it was a lot of fun, at times almost seeming like playing a game of Tetris :->... Modula-2 was a well structured language with a great balance of polite power. C, when I was first coding in it, was sort of like a challenge to see how tightly you could wind your code, and in a sadistic sort of way trying to make it do something in a next-to-unreadable way (you've got to remember, I was just a fun-loving kid back in those days! :->)
I've been using C# for many years now, and find it both comfortable and familiar, but seeing some of the new capabilities working their way into C++ makes me realize that it's probably time to take a look at it again.


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NASHVILLE, TN. – Just in time for spring, Cheekwood's treasured Dogwood collection has been granted membership in the North American Plant Collection Consortium (NAPCC), making it the first NAPCC Collection in Tennessee. It is also the first dogwood collection in North America to be recognized by the organization.
This membership status places Cheekwood among a prestigious group of 62 gardens and arboreta across the U.S. committed to the conservation and care of specific plant collections, managed at the highest professional level.
"We are thrilled to accept our membership in the NAPCC," said Jane O. MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood. "This recognition is not only a reflection of our long-term commitment to the conservation and care of our collections, but another important step in growing Cheekwood's national reputation as one of the country's most beautiful gardens."
The NAPCC organization functions as a special network, striving to coordinate a continent-wide approach to collections management and the genetic preservation of plants (germplasm). The collections within the NAPCC –which now include Cheekwood's dogwoods-- are available to other member gardens for reference, comparisons, taxonomic studies, evaluation, breeding and other research.
"This recognition comes at a perfect time," said Leigh Anne Lomax, Botanical Garden and Horticulture Manager at Cheekwood. "Our dogwoods are will be blooming in just a few weeks, and earning NAPCC membership status gives us another reason to celebrate this incredible collection with our visitors."
Cheekwood currently exhibits 13 species and 52 cultivated varieties of flowering dogwood tree (Cornus Florida). The collection highlights species and varieties native to both North America and Asia that thrive in Middle Tennessee's climate, with particular emphasis on varieties exhibiting superior disease and insect resistance, bloom, foliage, growth habit, hardiness, and vigor.
Cheekwood's magnificent flowering dogwoods will begin blooming in late March.
About Cheekwood
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Our mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, seniors $10 and children 3-17 are $5. Parking is $3 per car. Admission during Bruce Munro Nights will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17, and $5 for Cheekwood members. For further information call 615-356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.


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During staffed hours, teens can use the computers without having to login with their library card. Teens can also check out laptops and iPads for use within the space. Gaming, including PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, will be available.
For teens in 7th-12th grade.
This event is open to the public.
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Welcome to my blog and world of art, craft & creativity!
After my family, friends and Miss Smilla (the cat) happiness comes to me in the form of Creativity. I'm passionately in love with creating and I do live by it religiously and faithful – every single day. Creativity is my religion.
I come to my blog with a openhearted state of mind to write about the things that make me happy. I try to be conscious of what I experience and I willingly share it here. Happiness is something that is important in all our lives but something we rarely talk about. I have many blue days that won't let me enjoy life fully all the time, but on other days I catch up with a vengeance!
As a journalist I love writing and that is a big part of my life. I also am passioned about knitting, making collages, sewing, taking photos with my Nikon d50 camera, playing in my Art Journal, crocheting, making softies, reading books, drinking coffee while I work and being on the lookout for even more inspiration!
Other things that I believe in and consider to be my passions in life are research (life-long learning), documenting what I see (collecting, saving, savoring), the power of the mind, Love and finding happiness in the small things that surrounds us.


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Top Definition
a person known otherwise as an immatureintellectual, compulsive liar, make-up skills of a 2 year old
Look at that crack clown scaring away the boys with her make-up!
by barrybenson February 18, 2015
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
Crack clown is a derogative term used to make fun of or piss of your friend. A crack clown refers to a friend who resembles a clown who is a dysfunctional crack abuser. These people are often bald and quickly get upset when called a clown,crack clown, or moron. Also know as C.C.
Scott your a crack clown hahahaha.
by JHavoc November 14, 2008


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Stetson University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be hosting a movie night at Melching Field this Sunday, March 24.
Angels in the Outfield will be shown on the video board in left field at 7:30 p.m.
Those who attend are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit in the outfield.
The event is open to the public. The gates will open at 6:30 p.m. for those who may want to arrive early.
SAAC will not be charging for entry into the event but instead will be accepting donations that will go to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
Popcorn, soft drinks, and other movie snacks will be available for purchase.


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Alastor Moody's wand
this wiki
The wand of Alastor Moody is of unknown length, wood, and core.
Like most wizards and witches in Great Britain, it is likely he purchased it at Ollivanders Wand Shop at the age of eleven before beginning his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was able to perform powerful magic with this wand, such as being able to cast a Disillusionment Charm, as well as defeating many Dark Wizards during his career as an Auror, personally killing Evan Rosier. Barty Crouch Jr was able to cast all three Unforgivable Curses with this wand while impersonating Moody via Polyjuice Potion during the 1994–1995 school year at Hogwarts. The wand was lost during the Battle of the Seven Potters, when it was blown out of its owner's hand and fell hundreds of feet to the ground, shortly followed by Moody himself.
Behind the scenes
- In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, his wand is shown to be quite short with battle marks over it. It is unknown if the battle marks are part of the design or real.
- A new version of the wand was released by the Noble Collection. It is larger than the original that was available in an Ollivander's box and it has two rings with a metallic look.The likeliest explanation is that they wished to make the wand more attractive, but an in-universe explanation would be that the wand shown in the fourth film was actually Crouch's wand, although it's unlikely that both wands beared such a resemblance and that Crouch used his wand while being disguised.[1]
- Barty Crouch Jr may have won this wand's allegiance when he overpowered, defeated and kidnapped Moody before the start of Harry's 4th year. It is most likely he did, considering he was able to cast many difficult spells without any apparent problems. Furthermore, it is unknown how it worked for Alastor Moody after he was freed, as it is never stated how a wand that has been won behaves towards it's original master afterwards.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Very briefly)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Very briefly)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Harry Potter: The Character Vault


text:
Source: University of Maryland
quote: The New York bill was proposed by State Senator Carl Kruger, a Brooklyn Democrat who has grown alarmed by the amount of distraction he sees on the streets in his neighborhood and across New York City. Since September, Mr. Kruger wrote in the bill, three pedestrians have been killed and one was critically injured while crossing streets and listening to music through headphones. "We're taught from knee-high to look in both directions, wait, listen and then cross," he said. "You can perform none of those functions if you are engaged in some kind of wired activity."


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on December 3, 2012 - 12:01 AM
, updated December 3, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Your call, Bills fans. You decide how it feels to see the Bills blow out a bad opponent on a rainy day at The Ralph, to finally witness the sort of dominant performance we expected of this team from the start.
If you want to find hope in a 34-18 win over the Jaguars, be my guest. Knock yourselves out. This is the NFL, where parity makes all things possible. They won. They're one-third of the way along the heroic run to 7-7, and renewed comparisons with last year's Giants.
Sorry, but I can't get worked up over 5-7, not after 12 years of this. I'm just not in a very charitable mood, maybe because I haven't had my annual viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life." George Bailey is still in the water.
Any reasonably skeptical Bills fan has to be feeling the same way. In some ways, a game like Sunday's makes it even worse. Where has it been all year? How could the team that danced all over the Jags be struggling to stay in playoff contention in the sinkhole of mediocrity known as the AFC?
That's how it should feel – maddening. The worst thing about the victory is knowing that the Bills might have squandered a wondrous opportunity to end their playoff drought.
Imagine if the defense had been prepared for the opener against the Jets. Really? They gave up 48 points to a team with Mark Sanchez at quarterback? And what if they had been able to finish against the Titans, or if Ryan Fitzpatrick hadn't thrown that interception late against the Patriots?
OK, I'm not showing proper deference to a stirring victory over Mike Mularkey and the Jaguars. The Jags had been competitive on the road this season, losing three times in overtime and winning in Indy. They were coming off a win and figured to put up a fight in Mularkey's return to Buffalo.
Maybe it was seeing Mularkey on the opposite sideline, but Chan Gailey decided to get smart for a change. He coached to his talent. The Bills – brace yourselves – ran the ball 46 times and threw only 17 times.
They ran the ball 46 times for 232 yards, a 5.0 average. They've been averaging 5 yards a carry for the last two seasons, which led us simpletons to believe they're a running team. See what happens, Chan, if you commit to the run! All together, fans:
What took you so long?
"All I can do is go out and make plays when my number is called," said Fred Jackson, who had 25 carries for 109 yards, his first 100-yard day in more than a year. "You know things aren't always going to go the way we wanted them to. It's an up-and-down game. So hopefully, we can just keep making plays like we did today and take all the other things out of it."
C.J. Spiller had 14 rushes for 77 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown dash around left end. He now has 907 yards on the season. His average dropped a notch to 6.6 per carry. At that pace, he would finish with the highest average per rush of any 1,000-yard NFL rusher since 1934.
That would lead the casual observer to believe the Bills are strongest at running back. Jackson agreed. He said the team's best players are in the running back room. The question all year has been, why doesn't their head coach/offensive coordinator give them room to prove it?
Jackson said Sunday was the blueprint for the season. Remember the blueprint? A strong running game. A dominant, playmaking defense anchored by Mario Williams and a penetrating front four. Fitzpatrick taking care of the football and making the solid throws. Good special teams.
It was all there against the Jags. But we've seen them play to form over the years against bad and mediocre opposition. The Bills were 5-6 or 4-7 in 10 of the last 11 seasons. They beat teams, generally bad teams. When the good teams show up, the blueprint disappears into a black hole.
The defense has put together a decent string of games. That doesn't excuse what happened early in the season. Mario Williams' sore wrist doesn't explain how poorly they played while the Bills were digging a big hole for themselves.
"There's no magical thing," said safety Jairus Byrd, who had another diving interception. "It's just little things, like people being out of gaps, assignment errors, small things that have big consequences.
"Honestly, we've been in this position before," Byrd said. "We don't like it. Ever since I've been here, we've been in this predicament. But a win's a win. I'm not going to sit here and talk about the past and what should have been. I'm excited about this win, and we've just got to keep building."
The players should be excited. They're still alive in the playoff chase. An 8-8 record might be good enough in the AFC. They played with passion and purpose against Jacksonville. They haven't given up on the season, which is admirable. But it's time they won a game that really mattered.
By the start of the second quarter, the Jaguars were on their fourth running back. Chad Henne is an upgrade at quarterback over the injured Blaine Gabbert, which says more about Gabbert than Henne.
Defensively, the Jags were without their starting cornerbacks. They got absolutely no pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick, who still threw a bad interception and missed badly on some other passes. There were several plays in the red zone where Gailey had Spiller on the bench. They had to waste a couple of timeouts.
That might seem like splitting hairs after a 16-point win, but you don't judge a team against bad opponents. Sunday's game reminded me of last year's win in Toronto over the Redskins, a dominant effort against a bad team in a downward spiral. The Bills then went right in the tank.
We'll find out more next week against the Rams, who beat the 49ers in overtime Sunday. One week after that, they'll face Marshawn Lynch and a rising Seattle team in Toronto.
Take solace and hope from this game if you choose. Hold it, embrace it, wrap it up for Christmas and give it to your loved ones. I remain skeptical. The Steelers and Bengals both won on the road Sunday. Good teams win when it matters. Bad teams find a way to lose.
Beat the Rams and Seahawks before you expect anyone to believe you're even average.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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TWC9: C9 Live at PDC, Teamprise, SDKs galore,
- Posted: Nov 14, 2009 at 8:28PM
- 5 comments
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"- Dan's pick: Dragon Age Origins the game and the awesome toolset and developer wiki for building your own adventures."
I Like this game, simple and fun.
dragon age rulez im having some problems getting the toolset though, word on the street is that its a steam issue but i dunno.. it asks for the serial but it then it doesnt except it.. anyone else having simlar trouble with steam copies of the game?
I sure will love to see Office 2010. There are some stupid calculation errors in Excel 2007. I hope MS can solve it before release 2010.
Looking forward to listening in! Sounds like a lot of useful and great information!
Dragon Age rules, slight correction in the vid though. Bioware Made Neverwinter Nights, at least the awsome version with the toolset. Neverwinter Nights 2 was made by Obsidian Games, (if memory serves me correct, through a license from Bioware) this is before the sell off of the computer licenseing of DnD to infrogames AKA Atari, which has basically sat on the license since then.
Comments have been closed since this content was published more than 30 days ago, but if you'd like to continue the conversation, please create a new thread in our Forums, or Contact Us and let us know.


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Beware of the dog, cause this handsome hound is making one serious fashion statement. Luxury dog clothing and accessories brand Ware of the Dog is inspired by the graphic sensibility and humor inherent in "Beware of the Dog" signs. From their stylish collection come these brightly hued nylon leashes and collars, which can be purchased separately, or as a set.
When extended to its full five feet length, two things become evident about textile artist Savannah Hayes' Zadar Throw Blanket. First, the bold graphic patterning is balanced (in this instance) by the subtle pewter and white coloration and the light blue accent. Second, it's a product made to be used—crafted from cotton and polyester to encourage warmth when it's needed. Hayes' eponymous brand is only a year old, but the Zadar Throw Blanket (and her array of other graphic textiles) have us excited for what's to come.
A super-functional backpack, the Osprey flap-style Pixel Daypack offers almost every feature a savvy commuter would need. From a mesh back panel to keep you dry when it's swampy weather, to a padded laptop sleeve as well as a separate tablet sleeve. Another desirable detail is the scratch-free pocket for sunglasses—for those who forget their case. Available in blue, gray or black, the Pixel is comfortable to carry and minimal in its design—making it wearable for all genders and styles.
Handmade, a bit clever, and sure to brighten any room with positive energy, this planter is crafted to look like a "Thank You" shopping bag. Measuring approximately 10 by 6 inches, it comes with an airplant and Hello Happy Flowers even offers a discount on your purchase if you sign a petition to get plastic bags banned in Florida.
A beautifully written book, Emma Cline's debut novel "The Girls" explores the secret lives of adolescent girls; the perils of the in-between. Set in the late '60s in Northern California, it's a story not just of young women, but an of era and a Manson-like cult set within. This compelling read balances a scandalous story with fascinating characters and genuine emotion. It's a tale all can devour.
Made for a Monday, Lazy Oaf's new "Not Now" hoodie is technically part of their men's range, but we think its boxy shape (and universal sentiments) means it's really unisex. With 3D embroidery on the front and back ("Lazy" and "Not Now" respectively) this sweater embodies bad moods, but in an almost sweet way. Made from 100% cotton, it's available in small, medium, large and extra large. Price is in British Pounds.
Designed by Sabina Gibson, this peach-colored Stegosaurus is much smaller, cuter and cuddlier than the real thing. Made for kids aged three and up, the jurassic creature has a wool felt body and polyester filling—so s/he is snuggly. Available on its own, or as a set of four (along with a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus and Triceratops) this little pal will encourage tots to use their imagination and maybe even learn about the prehistorical world.
VOGUE's "Voice of a Century" is a 448-page anthology for serious fashion experts and collectors. The leather-bound tome has been made to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the magazine, and includes iconic photographs, illustrations and interviews—from Kate Moss talking about riding an elephant to gloriously illustrated covers from yesteryear. Signed by eight contributors and stamped by Mario Testino, this book tracks not only style and fashion, but trends and history through a very specific and significant lens.
As those in the Northern Hemisphere start thinking about sweater weather, long-lost items like scarves and beanies start being remembered. Maison Kitsuné's simple ribbed beanie (available in burgundy or navy) is one way to enjoy winter a little more. Made from 100% lambswool, the beanie is unisex (of course) and very warm. The brand's trademark fox (Kitsuné comes from the Japanese word "kitsune" meaning "fox") is embroidered to the front in the French flag's blue, white and red. Price is in Euros.
Toilet Paper Magazine, Daft Punk and The Vinyl Factory have come together for a highly covetable collectible. Made in an edition of 1000, the French duo's 1995 tracks "Da Funk" and "Teachers" (both from the iconic Homework album) have been rerecorded onto a gold record, embellished with trademark Toilet Paper-style art by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari. Price is in Euros.
Inspired by the dovecotes of India's Mughal architecture, this geometric rug is one of five just launched from Block Shop. The bold structure of the pattern is offset somewhat by the subtle gray and cream coloration, making it a piece that will standout all while matching almost any style of interior. In fact, the team at Block Shop designed it for their very own cabin in Joshua Tree, a bird-watching haven. Dyed and woven by hand, this piece is made of 100% Indian cotton and available in three different sizes.
As with so many of The Arrivals' pieces, the unisex Han bomber jacket carries super-functionality. Padded with real European goose down and sporting a wind-protecting zipper placket, it will keep wearers warm in the colder months. The minimal look is jazzed up by our favorite colorway—one the brand calls "Bandaid"—a dusty rose hue that will lighten a gloomy winter day. Also available in black or fir (a rich olive green), the Han jacket is comfy and cozy.
Writer Kate Schatz and artist Miriam Klein Stahl (who created the New York Times bestseller "Rad American Women A-Z") have come together again for another feminist-leaning tome: "Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History." Featuring cut-out portraits and short profiles on everybody from Poly Styrene (lead singer of X-Ray Spex) to Malala Yousafzi and Chimamanda Adichie, the book will inspire and impress readers of all ages, races and genders.
Designed by Swiss-Argentinian Alfredo Häberli and made from gorgeous green glass specially developed by Georg Jensen and the Glafo Glass Research Institute, the Alfredo Vase is the result of many visionaries coming together. Looking like something from the past and the future at the same time, its curves are exaggerated and delightful. The vessel (available in two very different shapes and sizes) is such a pretty piece, you might not even bother putting flowers in it.
Whether using it for a picnic, weekend away or to lug your groceries around town, Topo Designs and Woolrich's collaboration Cinch Tote is super-functional and its USA woolen fabrics means it's great for transitional seasons. Made in Colorado, the bag is fully lined and features four exterior pockets. Best of all, the Western Print fabric will vary with each bag—so chances are yours will be one of a kind.
If you find yourself discussing (or arguing) how to pronounce words like "pho," "niche" or "acai," new book "You're Saying It Wrong: A Pronunciation Guide to the 150 Most Commonly Mispronounced Words and Their Tangled Histories of Misuse" could be a useful book to carry on your person. Not only illuminating the correct pronunciations, the book also explains phrases' and words' origins and common misuses. May you never mispronounce schadenfreude again.
One of our favorite online destinations for sophisticated tokers, Tetra has just released their first self-branded pipe. Created by NYC-based designer Jamie Wolfond, the blue glass pipe is made from incredibly high-quality borosilicate glass that doesn't conduct heat—meaning the smoke produced is cooler and smoother. Also available in clear, the beautifully designed piece is clever and classy.


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September 03, 2010
September 03, 2010
Billie Joe posted on the Official Green Day Twitter:
Yeah!!! Irvine!! CA! Highlight?-my headstand.. I'm such a fucking idiot..
Join Green Day's Official Twitter: HERE.
September 01, 2010
New photos from Denver added to our online gallery: HERE.
August 31, 2010
It seemed as if the Green Day Twittyerverse was exploding between 8:30-11:15pm last night. Everyone that had a phone and two fingers was punching away furiously to friends, Facebook or Twitter about one of the best concerts of the decade. There were nearly a dozen "Oh my God, you'll never believe what song Green Day is playing right now!" moments.
Yes, of course this sounds like an overstatement, but it was this feeling that swept the crowd during the show and stayed with us on our drive home. You don't have to believe me, just search Twitter and you'll see what I mean.
August 31, 2010
Billie Joe Armstrong and company reinforce their scrappy punk status at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, inviting fans to come on stage and sing along.
Heads up, Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman: You may be in for some unexpected company come November.
"I'm running for governor of California!" Billie Joe Armstrong revealed Tuesday night at Irvine's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, where Green Day played one of the final dates of its U.S. tour in support of last year's "21st Century Breakdown."
That this announcement came not long after the frontman declared (in slightly saltier language)


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Navigate Your Journey to Cloud
Access Cisco and IDC tools and resources to help you optimize your cloud strategy.
Executive Perspectives
Evolve your cloud strategy to meet tomorrow's business challenges.
Our Cloud Strategy
The implementation of the Internet of Everything (IoE) is leading to rapid innovation and business opportunity, along with new challenges for IT leaders. Many companies like yours are looking to improve business with new online services that foster growth while reducing costs, minimizing risks, and increasing agility. Multicloud environments are increasingly becoming the answer.
Cisco and our partners are connecting private, public, open, and hybrid clouds with the globally connected network of clouds, the intercloud. The best mix of private, public, and hybrid cloud is different for every company. To help you navigate your journey to cloud, Cisco in collaboration with IDC, compiled insights from more than 3400 organizations across 17 countries, and created tools to help you develop an actionable cloud adoption plan based on your business goals.
Unlike other hybrid approaches, our cloud strategy allows for workload portability across the entire Intercloud. An open, standards-based global infrastructure makes this possible. We can help you overcome the security, regulatory, and compliance issues you're facing with existing public and hybrid cloud solutions.
Our approach gives you the choice of hundreds of enterprise-class cloud services with the compliance and control you need:
A Complete Cloud Strategy: Spanning Private and Hybrid Clouds
Our Cisco cloud solution portfolio and partner ecosystem offer you the choice to build clouds or consume Intercloud Services from your trusted Intercloud Provider.
To help build hybrid-ready private clouds, our products and solutions deliver open and highly secure portability of your workloads across heterogeneous environments. We offer world-class cloud applications and services directly and through partners for public, as-a-Service options as well. Or, we can manage your cloud infrastructure for you, while you retain full visibility and control through our Cisco Managed Cloud Services.
We help public cloud providers deliver differentiated cloud services through Cisco Powered architectures and our leading partner program.
To help you consume cloud, we provide world-class cloud applications and services directly, as well as through partners.
From your decision to buy or build all the way to your application migration, Cisco Cloud Professional Services can help you plan, build, and implement the right cloud strategy.
Additional Cloud Solution Resources
- Cloud Security: Trust Cisco to Protect Your Data (PDF - 403 KB)
- A Strategic Approach to Meeting the Demand for Cloud (PDF - 512 KB)
- Cisco Intercloud Bundles At-a-Glance (PDF - 385 KB)
- Cisco Intercloud Bundles Accelerate Your Transition to Hybrid IT Solution Overview
- Cisco Cloud Strategy for Businesses At-A-Glance (PDF - 179 KB)
- Cisco Cloud Portfolio for Businesses At-A-Glance (PDF - 267 KB)
- Cisco Cloud Strategy for Cloud Providers At-A-Glance (PDF - 447 KB)
- Cisco Cloud Portfolio for Cloud Providers At-A-Glance (PDF - 187 KB)
Partners and Services
- Locate a Cisco Provider or Reseller
- Cisco Powered Cloud and Managed Services
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Thought Leadership
Cloud Traffic and the IoE
Our research breaks down the numbers and puts them into perspective.Learn How


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Systemwide Events Calendar
Education Final OralJanuary 23, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Manoa Campus, Wist 233
"Being Lahu in a Thai School: An Inquiry into Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Schooling."
Event Sponsor
Matthew Juelsgaard, Education, Manoa Campus
More Information
(808) 956-8500
|Wednesday, January 23
|The Wellness Center - Fitness Class Schedule
Maui Campus, Pilina Bldg., Wellness Center
|10th Annual Study Abroad Spring Fair
Manoa Campus, Hawaii Hall lawn
|VL - Exercise for Longevity (1 of 4)
Windward Campus, Hale Kuhina 115
|Student Involvement Fair
Manoa Campus, Campus Center
|Education Final Oral
Manoa Campus, Wist 233
|"Foucault after Discourse: The Dispositif"
Manoa Campus, Burns Hall 2118, East-West Center
|German Film Series - Spring 2013
Manoa Campus, Moore Hall 259
|Online Student Success
Maui Campus, The Learning Center
|Japan Club Official Meeting
Hawaii Campus, UHH CC Plaza Room 306 (17th) and 301 (23rd)
|Study Keys
Maui Campus, The Learning Center
- Highlighted dates have scheduled events.
- Select the date to view all events for that day.
Ongoing Events
- Scholarships Available!
- Lineage : A Family Tree of Printmakers
- Diversity and Equity Initiative Grants for Spring 2013
- 35th Annual Graduate Art Exhibition
- The White Rose : nonviolent resistance against the Nazi regime
- Biggest Loser Challenge Sign-Up
- Arts Exhibition: Ainu Treasures: A Living Tradition in Northern Japan
- Ayad Alkadhi Lecture


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BaBylissPRO Miracurl Professional Curl Machine
- Overview
- Features
- Create any size and texture of curl perfectly every time
- On/Off button with 3 heat settings (375 degrees/410 degrees/450 degrees)
- Timer settings for different curl effects (:0/:08/:10/:12 seconds)
- 3-direction curl control (right/left/alternate) for uniform or more natural curls
- Powerful heating system - ready in seconds with ultra-fast heat recovery
- Nano titanium curl chamber for smooth curling action and shiny results
- MaxLife Pro brushless motor for precision styling and longer life
- Smart Tech Safeguard and Energy Saver: Auto Shutoff + Sleep Mode + Motion Sensor
- 8 ft Professional length swivel cord
- About the brand
The BaBylissPRO MiraCurl Nano Titanium Curl Machine is a the world's biggest innovation in hair curling since the invention of a curling iron. Simply put the hair you would like to curl in the machine and within seconds you will achieve the perfect long lasting curl.
The MiraCurl lets you control temperature, time and curl direction, providing the flexibility to form loose waves, soft swirls, defined curls, and more. It even signals when it's time to release the curl, so perfect results are foolproof. Instant heatup and recovery, up to 450°F, produces curl after curl with consistently flawless results. Elevate your art and exercise your creativity with MiraCurl.
Watch this video to learn more
BaBylissPRO is a world leader in hair care and styling tools, known for creating endless possibilities. These professional tools help you get salon-quality results at home.
You May Also Like
#long-life / #made in italy
NEW from Babyliss! Powerful 2000 watt hair dryer made in Italy with long life AC motor. Combined effects of ionic generator with nano titanium, conditions hair, making it soft while adding shine. Available in black or blue.New Price:
Life Saver...I bought the miracurl over Christmas. And I have to say that I absolutely love this product! I was in a bad car accident in September 2013 which damaged my right dominant hand. And I've always been one to curl my hair or straighten my hair or do something fantastically different with my hair. And I was devastated because I can no longer use that hand to do the things that I used to do. I saw the commercial for the Conair version of this machine and decided to research other models. I came across this one and decided to suck it up, and pay for it. It is been a lifesaver. I can curl my hair in 15 minutes from roots to ends and get to work on time. You have three different heat settings and three different time settings which gives you nine different ways to curl your hair. For the first time I tried the hottest and longest setting and the curls in my hair well over a week. Just say that I had to wash my hair because it was dirty but the curls were there still. This machine is well worth the money, and investment. I have thick course island hair which is unruly at best. And this machine not only curled my hair but smoothed it out and made it super shiny too. For those of you that are scared about getting your hair caught in the machine… My hair is down to the small of my back and I did not have a problem. My hair did get caught one time, but the machine has an auto shut off and rewind built-in. I didn't even lose a strand of hair.Mar 12, 2014Feisty F. / British ColumbiaHAIR TYPEBlack / Oily Hair / Dry Hair / Color Treated Hair / Thick or Coarse Hair
Use this link to send this review via e-mail, Twitter, or to post to your blog.Close
Amazingit works great. I curl for only 3 to 4 seconds and curls stay there for 4 straight days. I'm really happy with the results. just use a heat protecting hair spray before curling.Mar 5, 2014Iram R. / United StatesHAIR TYPELight Brown / Curly Hair / Color Treated Hair / Fine or Thin Hair
Use this link to send this review via e-mail, Twitter, or to post to your blog.Close
Awesome Tool!I bought this because I have never been able to do curls with a regular curling iron. The miracurl is awesome. Easy to use and excellent results. The curls will last long too... which is a plus. I am very pleased with the results!Jan 30, 2014Xiomara / Cleveland, OhioHAIR TYPEAuburn / Curly Hair / Color Treated Hair / Thick or Coarse Hair
Use this link to send this review via e-mail, Twitter, or to post to your blog.Close
AwesomeMy hair is dark brown, color treated, and tends to be frizzy.
I bought this product because I read a lot of reviews and watched a lot of videos about this product, and I was really impressed with the way it worked. I'm impressed I'm able to choose the temperature and length of heat exposure to my hair with this product. A straight piece of frizzish hair goes in; a nice smooth curl comes out.
I use the Miracurl Pro about every 2 or 3 days. When I wash then condition my hair once a week and totally dry it, I use the Miracurl around my whole head. Then every 2nd or 3rd day I only use it on the ends and the front of my hair.
My results are beautiful. I have had one friend compliment me twice in one evening, and she is someone that has never given me a compliment. Then today I was in line at Cost Co. The clerk asked me if my curls were natural. I told her no and told her what I use. She wrote down all the info and told me a couple times how much she loved the curls in my hair.
It gives me great pleasure to recommend this to other people. I know how it feels to not be happy with my hair, and I like to help others be happy with themselves.
My final thoughts for this review is I am confident buying from Folica. I've heard so much about fake products being sold on the internet and elsewhere, and I feel 100% confident that I received a genuine product.Jan 9, 2014Janny F. / OregonHAIR TYPEDark Brown / Fine or Thin Hair / Chemically Treated Hair
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I Do Not Recommend This ProductWe had a very bad experience with this product.
My teenage daughter and I both watched the instructional video and read the directions, but the first time we used it her hair became completely entangled in it. We thought it was going to catch fire (it was actually smoking) but the hair broke off before fire broke out. Her hair is now six inches shorter on one side - right in front - so we will remember this experience for a very long time as her hair grows back.
My daughter's hair is very long, so perhaps that was part of the problem (I'm not sure). I think we'll stick to a curling iron from this point forward!Jan 7, 2014Jenni B. / DallasHAIR TYPEAuburn / Thick or Coarse Hair
Use this link to send this review via e-mail, Twitter, or to post to your blog.Close
Awwwsome And FunI received my Mira-Curl and could not wait to use it. I am a hairstylist and it so happened that it arrived just in time for my wedding party up do's. Let me say it was so fun to use and so easy and the talk of the salon. Perfect curls, easy to use, and beautiful results. My girls loved it. I would recommend this to everyone.Jan 6, 2014Mary S. / FloridaHAIR TYPEBlonde / Fine or Thin Hair
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Works As "promised"!My hair is about shoulder length, fine and straight . The Babyliss Pro Miracurl gave me a head full of beautiful spiral curls on my first try in about 20 minutes. The curls held up for two days. It's much easier to use than expected. Love it!Dec 18, 2013Susan M. / USAHAIR TYPELight Brown / Fine or Thin Hair / Chemically Treated Hair
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Wonderful Product!! Highly Recommended!I've only used this once and the learning curve doesn't seem too steep! I was amazed at how quickly I had curls AND how long they stayed -- it's been 4 days and the curls are still there! I can't wait to use this again soon. I recommend it for anyone and everyone!Dec 18, 2013Jean
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Love It!This product is AMAZING! It only takes me about 10 minutes to get the perfect hair style I always want to have. I have dry and damaged hair. I was worried this product would make my hair fuzzy. So I also bought Babyliss Pro Miracurl Curl Foundation. It helps! I end up have very shinny curls.Dec 13, 2013Claire / United StatesHAIR TYPEDark Brown / Dry Hair / Chemically Treated Hair
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Best Curls, Long Lasting And I Have Straight Hair, Normally!I was skeptical of the Babyliss Pro Miracurl but has it ever proved me wrong! I have enjoyed having very naturally looking curly hair or gentle waves depending on the settings I have used and I have only just begun to play. I went today to have my hair color touched up and my stylist was amazed at how great my "curls" looked! All the girls in the shop wanted to try it, as I took it with me,so I ended up leaving it with them to try themselves. To do your complete head is a bit time consuming as you only do in one inch sections but I am hoping as I become more use to using it I will become quicker. I did my hair from end to root on Friday and the curls were beautiful and I slept on it, finger brushed it through Monday morning before my color appointment and the curl was still beautiful! My husband of 41 years even remarked on my hair and how much he liked it which is very rare! I did get impatient a few times and try to speed it up by doing larger sections of hair only to have them become entangled inside but with gentle tugging I always got my hair out with no damage. A reverse just for this situation would be a definite plus OR follow the instructions and only do the one inch sections as advised. All in all I am very happy with this purchase and would buy do so again!! Happy CustomerDec 9, 2013Debbie H. / TNHAIR TYPEBlonde / Dry Hair / Color Treated Hair / Fine or Thin Hair
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on December 5, 2012 - 7:38 PM
, updated December 6, 2012 at 1:56 PM
For many teens, following childhood dreams seems to have become a thing of the past, especially in an area as big as the music industry. For Williamsville South High School senior Colby Hampton, though, he hasn't given up on reaching musical success.
Rochester-born Richard Colby Hampton is a 17-year-old who brings a lot of talent to the table. Unlike the typical dream chaser, however, Colby's plans are within his grasp. If you haven't yet seen his musical stylings on the Internet, drop what you're doing, search for him on YouTube, and prepare to get a taste of what the class of 2013 can accomplish.
"I kind of joked around with it, like, when I was a freshman, as a joke with my friends, but, I mean, now I'm kind of taking it a little bit more seriously," said Colby.
The Williamsville South senior does not restrict his music to the digital screen. Colby, the older brother to 11-year-old twin boys, has already had the experience of performing live: twice at Club Infinity in Clarence, once in West Seneca and once in Syracuse.
On the topic of performing live shows, he said, "I love it, it's so much fun. Especially getting the crowd really hyped. And the way, like, as an emcee you really control the crowd. But there are some people who have it and some people who don't, so I guess that's just how it works."
Colby says that when he does perform, he prefers more "pumped-up stuff." Though he's only performed through rapping and singing, his interests are certainly not limited to vocals. A former violin player, the young musician also includes piano, harmonica and guitar in his musical repertoire.
Formerly known as "Mr. Boi," Colby says that that was "just a filler name" and now he prefers simply "Colby."
When surfing around his YouTube collection, you'll notice great variety – remixes, original songs, harmonicas, even some Spanish lyrics.
"I definitely prefer to write my own stuff. I mean, I've always written my own music, but as far as making songs goes, like the music behind it, I was more interested in remixes, but now I'm definitely more interested in producing my own music."
He seeks to inspire, explore and establish himself in the world of music through his own compositions.
He is not without inspirations himself, though, and his preference as far as listening to music comes in a wide range of styles and talents.
"One of my big inspirations is Chilly Gonzales, he's a piano composer," Colby said. "He's really amazing. I listen to a lot of his stuff."
Colby also said that he looks up to some of the "big, major artists," too. Performers such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Kanye West keep the South senior dreaming big.
"I look up to them because they got to that point, which means that they did something right," he said.
To say that music is a part of Colby's life would be a gross understatement. In actuality, it would be hard to look at Colby's schedule and see anything but music. Every Friday he travels to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester to work on new piano compositions. With occasional performances of rapping and singing, and YouTube videos all over the Web, he is certainly not afraid to show the world what he's got.
He first started to share his talents when he put himself on YouTube.
"I guess that's what everyone does, so I kind of gave it a shot," he said.
His music videos have given Colby a small taste of fame, as the occasional recognition from fans fuels his ambition.
"We get that kind of [recognition] around town. It's pretty cool," he said.
Colby uses high-quality equipment in his videos, readily admitting that he's always been "tech savvy" and has accumulated equipment over the years.
"From the first time I started, my music wasn't sounding so good," he said, "but by now like it's almost sounding professional with the same equipment. So it's not really what you have, more how you use it."
The buzz surrounding this local rising talent hit a peak recently as rapper Kyle Harvey (known to fans as K.i.D.) plans to feature Colby on his next album, "Beautiful Loser."
"I've been a big fan of [Kyle Harvey] for about two years. He's not like a huge artist but he's pretty big, so I found him on Facebook. I added him, I added his producer, and one day after I posted one of my videos up, his producer messaged me and he's like, 'Kid, I really like your stuff.' "
So what's next for Colby?
"Right now I'm trying to focus most of my attention on recording, and [preparing for college]," he said. He hopes to attend New York University next fall to study in its Creative Music Program.
"I mean, as like a dream, yeah, that would be awesome to become a successful, famous musician, but I produce my own music and stuff like that so I think that's a venture I'd rather take versus being a performer, because it's a lot tougher to make it as a performer," Colby says. "But I think I have an even chance of doing either."
Rachel Whalen is a sophomore at Williamsville South High School.


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was invented in MacDonald by mistake, someone actually ate that gerkin shit and then everyone kinda called the person queer and weird at the same time, thus the word qweirdo.
Usually has the word fucking before it.
OMG, that fucking qweirdo at that fucking shit, jesus, he's a fucking qweirdo.
লিখেছেন- sesh 15 de মে de 2004
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Chris Bosh, Tiger Woods, Dallas Mavericks and Saturday's Late Sports News
When it comes to breaking sports news, this Saturday has had plenty of it!
The Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards have all been busy trading players today as Rashard Lewis and Gilbert Arenas (along with other players) have new teams to call home.
Chris Bosh, LeBron James and the rest of the Miami Heat continue to make headlines after providing the New York Knicks with a beat-down last night, and this isn't the last we've heard from the "Big Three" from South Beach.
Tiger Woods' story of infidelity, humility and redemption has been named the "Sports Story of the Year" by the Associated Press, and we have all the details about Woods' most recent endeavors.
So if you're looking for all the newest sports news, look no further!
Read on for the latest...


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Looking for a sugar daddy? You're in luck if you live in one of these 15 sugar daddy capitals of America. View the list here.
Sugar daddy capitals of America
Published On: Apr 18 2013 02:54:08 PM CDT Updated On: Apr 18 2013 03:02:07 PM CDT
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TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. - Connor DiNapoli joins the talented staff at InnerRhythms with three new tap dancing classes offered on Monday evenings. Connor started dancing at the age of 4 under the tutelage of his aunt Sheri Lynn Vandervoort, continuing the legacy of dance within his family where recitals were more of a family reunion. It was at that early age Connor found his love for tap that continues today. Connor has competed in many state and national competitions earning the title California State Champion in Tap at the age of 12. Connor has studied many styles of dance including jazz, ballet, hip hop and musical theater. He has choreographed and starred in such productions as "West Side Story," "Guys and Dolls," "The Music Man," "Crazy for You," "A Chorus Line" and the lead role in "Singing in the Rain." Connor has been teaching tap since 1999. He currently splits his time between Reno, Nev. and his hometown Santa Cruz and is excited to call InnerRhythms his new home. For more information call 530-550-8464 or email email@example.com.
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on March 10, 2013 - 12:24 AM
George Saimes, who many regard as the finest defensive safety in Buffalo Bills history, died of leukemia Friday in his native Canton, Ohio. He was 71.
Not only was Saimes a member of the Bills Wall of Fame and one of 26 players selected to the team's 50th anniversary all-time team in 2009, he was named to the American Football League all-time team when the AFL merged with the National Football League in 1970. Five times he was selected to the All-AFL team. He also is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Saimes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 1963 AFL draft. However, Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who had followed Saimes' career at Michigan State, arranged a deal with Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt for the draft rights to Saimes.
At Michigan State, Saimes was a consensus All-America in 1962, playing as a linebacker on defense and fullback on offense for coach Duffy Daugherty. That was the era of limited substitution rules in college football, which required all but a few players to play both offense and defense. Saimes excelled at both. He was recruited by Hank Bullough, one of Daugherty's assistant coaches, and a Canton native himself.
Saimes played on outstanding Michigan State teams that included future NFL stars such as Herb Adderley, Fred Arbanas, Dick Gordon, Sherman Lewis and Wayne Fontes. During his three years on the varsity, the Spartans went 18-8-1, 12-7 against Big Ten opponents."He runs, he blocks, he tackles, he plays defense, he calls singlas, he makes key blocks, he's our bread-and-butter runner captain and he gives us leadership," Daugherty said in touting Saimes for the 1962 Heisman Trophy. He finished seventh in the '62 Heisman voting.
When Saimes came to the Bills, coach Lou Saban gave him a brief trial as a running back but soon found Saimes' ideal position — strong safety. Saimes was one of the anchors on the Bills defense that led the AFL in 1964 and '65 and won the league championship year.
Buffalo News sports columnist Larry Felser once wrote that Saimes was "the finest open-field tackler in the league."
"When he got to you with his arms and shoulder you were more or less tackled," said Booker Edgerson, who played cornerback in the secondary with Saimes in those years. "I think he went a whole season with just two or three missed tackles. We used to kid him and say: 'Too bad those hands weren't as good at intercepting passes.' He saved a lot of touchdowns, though, knocking down passes."
As it was, Saimes intercepted 22 passes in the 81 regular season games he played for the Bills, none for a touchdown, however. His only score for Buffalo came on a fumble return.
"He was the most amazing dad," Saimes' daughter, Linda Durley, told the Association Press. "He was amazing and strong. he loved his family, he loved his grandchildren and he loved my mom so much."
Saimes is survived by his wife, Betsy, three daughters and eight grandchildren.
A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday at the Community Christian Church in North Canton, Ohio.
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n. spongitude: The ability to multitask by auditing while listening to your managers rant and rave.
Bob demonstrated some solid spongitude the other day while Carl was complaining about his other engagement teams. He got all of his testing and reviews completed.
โดย nym1 09 พฤศจิกายน 2011
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Police are seeking the man responsible for the stabbing death of a 28-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident early Saturday morning near Americana Village Suites on Pioneer Trail.
The incident was reported at about 3:30 a.m. when someone flagged down firefighters who were on their way to an unrelated medical call, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
Firefighters told police there was a man lying on the ground along Pioneer Trail with a small crowd of people in the general vicinity. When police arrived they found the victim had already been transported by family members to the hospital.
Those who remained said the man had been stabbed during a fight and was bleeding profusely, according to police.
Soon afterward police learned that the victim had been delivered to the emergency room of Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. Medical officials confirmed the victim had been stabbed in the torso area and died despite resuscitation efforts. His name has not yet been released.
Authorities are seeking a white male adult in his early 20s. According to the preliminary investigation, the stabber was walking westbound on Pioneer Trail when he encountered a trio of men talking near Americana Village.
A confrontation turned into a fight and the attacker used an edged weapon to stab the victim in the side, according to police. The man was able to flee the area without being identified. Police say there's no indication of gang involvement in the incident.
Authorities are reassuring residents that the incident does not appear to be a random act of violence, and there's no indication people are at any risk.


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In the 50 years since the assassination of John F. Kennedy, many of us have played the "what-if" game.
What if Lee Harvey Oswald's shots had missed? Or what if Oswald had never been born?
What if Kennedy had survived his wounds? Of what if he had cancelled his trip to Dallas?
What if……?
But no matter the what-ifs, political scientist Larry Sabato writes HERE that "JFK was unlikely to have made it out of his presidency alive":
John F. Kennedy's assassination might have been almost inevitable. It didn't have to happen on Nov. 22, 1963, but given a host
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on December 17, 2012 - 12:28 AM
TORONTO – Marshawn Lynch stayed true to form, both during and after the game Sunday.
The Seattle Seahawks' star running back rushed for another 113 yards on just 10 carries in a 50-17 demolition of the Buffalo Bills in the Rogers Centre.
As easily as he brushed off tacklers, he gave reporters looking to speak with him after the game the slip, just as he has all week. Dressed in a black hoodie with a pair of Beats headphones over his ears, Lynch offered a simple "no, I'm good" when asked to talk about running wild all over his former team.
No problem. His teammates were happy to do it for him.
"Marshawn runs so hard," Seahawks center Max Unger said. "He's got to be one of the hardest-working guys in the NFL when he has the ball in his hands. He makes us want to do our jobs that much more.
"Extra incentive for him, obviously, coming against the team he was drafted up here by. He wanted it. We all knew where we were going and what the deal is. It's special for any guy who gets to play the team that he previously played for. It meant a lot."
Lynch's big gain came on a 54-yard run in the second quarter, when a Grand Canyon-sized crevice opened in the middle of the Bills' defense. Lynch took the ball down to the Buffalo 4-yard line, and on the next play rookie quarterback Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Miller, giving the Seahawks a 24-7 lead and officially signaling the rout as being on.
Led by Lynch and the read option offense run by Wilson, the Seahawks rushed for 270 yards.
"We knew we had our work cut out for us," said Bills safety George Wilson. "We had a productive week of practice, but it all comes down to execution on game day. They executed better than we did."
Wilson is one of just three defensive starters for the Bills to have played with Lynch, who spent the first three full seasons of his NFL career with the team that drafted him 12th overall in 2007. Lynch, 26, has thrived since heading west four games into the 2010 season, rushing for 1,204 yards last year. He's got 1,379 through 14 games this year, trailing only Minnesota's Adrian Peterson in the race to be the NFL's leading rusher.
Lynch added a 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the 28th of his Seahawks career.
The Bills as a team have rushed for 27 since Lynch was traded. He was expendable in Buffalo in part because of the presence of C.J. Spiller, whom the team drafted in the first round in 2010. Spiller finished with 103 yards on 17 carries. The two met on the Seattle sideline in the fourth quarter after a Spiller run.
"He just bumped into me, we didn't exchange no words. That's just Marshawn being Marshawn," Spiller said. "I thanked him [after the game] for everything that he taught me in the time he was here. I told him he's a great player. Everybody knows that."
Lynch's average per rush of 11.3 yards narrowly missed the career high he set last week, when he gained 11.6 yards per carry. That came in a 58-0 rout of Arizona in which Lynch rushed just 11 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. That makes for a two-game total of 241 yards and four touchdowns on just 21 carries. He's topped 100 yards eight times this season.
Lynch came into the game probable because of back and foot injuries, so the Seahawks were more than happy to limit his carries.
"He was just rock solid. I didn't have to say anything to him," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "I asked him if he was OK going back, and he said he was fine. He played great."
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School administrators have an advantage their students don't: In effect, they grade some of the tests used to determine how well they are performing. Some of them are cheating, according to the Ohio Department of Education.
Much of the data used by the state - as well as taxpayers and students' parents - to learn whether schools are doing a good job is prepared by school district administrators. Information on matters such as student attendance is submitted to the state, which posts it online. It is in school district officials' best interests for the numbers to look good, of course.
Last week the ODE revealed the Loveland school district, near Cincinnati, reported false data on student attendance, in an effort to improve its state "report card" appearance. Evidence of cheating on attendance numbers in the big Columbus and Toledo districts also has been found.
State school Superintendent Stan Hefner hinted that other districts may have been caught manipulating the statistics, too. He added investigations may lead to criminal charges against those responsible.
Where the evidence merits it, criminal charges should be filed. This is fraud, after all. And again, it is self-serving.
Hefner added that state law gives him the option of withholding some state aid to school districts caught cheating. But he noted he doesn't "want to do anything that hurts the opportunities of students because of bad behavior by adults."
Of course not. State funding should not be withheld - providing dishonest school administrators are rooted out and kicked out of the education profession.
State school officials should conduct a thorough investigation - including at least a spot-check of district reports throughout the state. The findings of that probe should be reported. Anyone involved should, at the very least, be fired and if intent to deceive is involved, criminal charges should be filed.
Students caught cheating on tests suffer consequences. So should education administrators.


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Powerful dubstep track with a catchy, melodic chorus. Two different melodies are incorporated to give the song more of a voice.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to use a free version of my music for your videos. I am happy to work with anyone who would like to cross-promote.


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The sooner you begin planning National Public Works Week events and activities, the more successful you will be.
The following is a sample calendar for the Planning Committee.
Early February
Late February
Other topics:
Committee Structure
APWA Support
Schedule a kickoff meeting to organize the celebration. Invite individuals from all public works departments, the chamber of commerce, public affairs office, community schools, and area businesses (vendor-partners).
The following committee structure is suggested:
Oversees and manages all activities and events.
One committee per event; organizes and completes all tasks associated with the event.
Organizes all activities associated with the educational objectives of the celebration.
Organizes all activities associated with the promotional objectives of the celebration.
If you have questions or need help contact:
2345 Grand Avenue, Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64108-2625
Phone: 816/472-6100
Fax: 816/472-1610


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on March 26, 2013 - 9:52 PM
, updated March 27, 2013 at 12:43 AM
WASHINGTON – Like many a nervous suitor thinking about popping the question, several Supreme Court justices Tuesday pondered making gay marriage the law of the land and said, each in his or her own way, "I'm just not ready."
Hearing its first-ever gay-marriage case, on whether the Constitution allows California voters to ban such unions, the high court seemed to be seeking an escape hatch.
And while there was no majority consensus about what that escape hatch might be, at least three of the justices indicated that perhaps they had made a mistake in taking the case – a mistake they could correct by dropping the matter and letting stand an appeals-court ruling legalizing gay marriage in California but not in other states that have banned it.
"I just wonder if the case was properly granted," said Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who is often the swing vote on the nine-member court.
"Why did we grant cert?" asked Justice Antonin Scalia, using Supreme Court slang for granting certiorari, the legal term for taking a case. "We should let it percolate."
Even one of the liberal justices, Sonia M. Sotomayor, appeared to agree. "If the issue is letting the states experiment and letting the society have more time to figure out its direction, why is taking a case now the answer?" Sotomayor asked.
Those comments came amid an impassioned 80-minute argument that centered on two key legal questions: Whether the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law gives gays the right to marry, and whether the gay-marriage opponents who brought the case even have standing to sue.
In response to the first question, Theodore B. Olson – the Republican lawyer who successfully argued another case before the Supreme Court that resulted in George W. Bush winning the presidency in 2000 – contended there is no doubt that California's marriage ban treats gays as unequal citizens.
"It walls off gays and lesbians from marriage – the most important relation in life, according to this court, thus stigmatizing a class of Californians based upon their status and labeling their most cherished relationships as second-rate, different, unequal and not OK," said Olson, who joined his Bush v. Gore opponent, Democrat David Boies, in arguing for gay marriage.
Attorney Charles J. Cooper argued on behalf of the supporters of Proposition 8, the 2008 California referendum that overturned state court decisions and banned gay marriage in the state. "The concern is that redefining marriage as a genderless institution will sever its abiding connection to its historic traditional procreative purposes and refocus the purpose of marriage and the definition of marriage away from the raising of children and to the emotional needs and desires of adults, of adult couples," he said.
In response, several justices indicated the court should proceed with caution.
Justice Samuel A. Alito said gay marriage didn't exist anywhere until the Netherlands approved it in 2000. "You want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution, which is newer than cellphones or the Internet?" he asked.
Kennedy – the author of landmark decisions overturning state sodomy laws and a Colorado referendum that prevented localities from passing gay-rights legislation – noted that gay marriage is so new that it's difficult to know what its impact on society will be: "We have five years of information to weigh against 2,000 years of history or more."
Meanwhile, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said it's wrong to view marriage as an institution that is deliberately exclusionary.
"When the institution of marriage developed historically, people didn't get around and say let's have this institution but let's keep out homosexuals," he said. "The institution developed to serve purposes that, by their nature, didn't include homosexual couples."
Those purposes included, first and foremost, supporting procreation, Cooper argued, opening up a discussion about gay parents and their children.
Scalia noted "considerable disagreement" among sociologists about the consequences children face when both their parents are of the same sex.
But Kennedy noted that California has long allowed gay adoption and that many of those adopted children strongly favor gay marriage. "There are some 40,000 children in California ... that live with same-sex parents, and they want their parents to have full recognition and full status," he said. "The voice of those children is important in this case, don't you think?"
Kennedy was not the only justice who appeared to be arguing both sides of the case.
Most notably, Sotomayor pondered if a federal right to gay marriage would open the door to a similar ruling legalizing polygamy, but she also asked Cooper if there was any rational basis for discriminating against homosexuals in any cases other than marriage.
When Cooper said no, Sotomayor asked: "If they're a class that makes any other discrimination improper, irrational, then why aren't we treating them as a class for this one thing?"
It's quite possible that the court may not even have to answer such questions when it issues its opinion, likely in June.
While the justices could rule that there is a constitutional right to gay marriage, they also could drop the case or affirm the appellate court ruling, which is tailored narrowly to California.
Other options are upholding the California gay marriage-ban or ruling that the gay-marriage opponents who appealed the case, only after the state refused to do so, don't have legal standing to sue.
The court dwelled at length on that last option.
"Have we ever granted standing to proponents of ballot initiatives?" asked Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"No, your honor, the court has not done that," Cooper conceded.
To have standing to sue, the gay-marriage opponents have to prove that they have been harmed by the federal court decisions overturning California's gay-marriage ban. Sotomayor, for one, couldn't see the harm: "How does it create an injury to them separate from that of every other taxpayer to have laws enforced?"
The case. called Hollingsworth v. Perry, is the first of two gay-marriage cases before the court.
Today, the court will hear arguments in U.S. v. Windsor on whether the federal government's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to couples in state-sanctioned gay marriages, is unconstitutional. That case has special resonance in New York and the eight other states that, along with the District of Columbia, allow gay marriage.
But both cases have great resonance in the gay community, which sees marriage rights as the key to full equality.
The excitement that gays feel about the cases was palpable outside the Supreme Court, where hundreds voiced their support for gay-marriage rights.
The crowd included the Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. "Who would have ever thought we would live to see this?" Robinson, 65, said.
But nearby, a smaller contingent of gay-marriage opponents made their point clear.
Among them was Mike Krzywonos, 57, of Pawtucket, R.I., who wore a button that read "marriage 1 man + 1 woman." He told the Associated Press that his group represents the "silent majority."
Polls, however, show a rapid swing toward support for gay marriage – a fact that may or may not influence the justices.
After the argument, Cooper, the lawyer for the gay-marriage opponents, voiced confidence: "We thought the hearing went very well."
But Olson, one of the nation's top Supreme Court litigators, echoed the thoughts of many veteran court-watchers.
"Based upon the questions, I have no idea" what the justices will do, he said.
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