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"Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
George Bernard Shaw
I'm developing free multimedia learning on business and project management topics, if there are any subjects you would like to see let me know.
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP who produces The Project Management Podcast™ has been working on a new podcasting project that will be of benefit to anyone studying for the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam from the PMI (Project Management Institute) appropriately named The Project Management PrepCast™.
The website is now available and contains some sample free podcasts of the content that will be available when he launches the premium content in January 2007. Judging on the standard of content Cornelius already produces with his The Project Management Podcast™ this will be a great resource.
I have authored an article entitled "Soft" Skills for Project ManagersProject Management – Our Plan for Your Plan'. Click on the link above to download the pdf of my article.
Please feel free to distribute as you see fit providing my name and the reprint permission on the last page are kept. If you are interested in the subject and want to discuss any points please let me know.
I also recommend you head over to the pmpodcast by Cornelius Fichtner and look for the podcasts on "Soft" skills.
During a project you should be communicating according to the communication plan approved for the project. This plan also needs to be re-evaluated throughout the project. You should also check to see if you are communicating efficiently to the goals in the plan.
One way to analyse this is to keep a communication record for a week of all the correspondence relating to the project. The headings you need to record are what, to whom, why, how and response. An example entry being:
Letter, project team/IT director, request for additional disk space, e-mail, no
When you have finished the record you can analyse it for patterns that should correspond to the communication plan. You may find out that you are consistently being ignored by an important stakeholder or team member or alternatively you may be getting needless communications. These need further investigation but you can also change the plan or your communication style to better suit the interested parties.
As an advocate of constant self-development I'll be introducing the occasional classic business book.
The first book is Peopleware – Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco & Timothy Lister. The first edition of this book was written nearly 20 years ago and it is still relevant to today's businesses. This is a pleasant, easy and humorous read for anyone having to deal with software development and teams. The main gist of the book is that the major issues associated with software development are not technical in nature they are in fact human.
Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams
Cornelius Fichtner of The Project Management Podcast™ provided a resource link to the ILTA Peer to Peer Project Management Issue published in February 2005podcast no 34
Two important characteristics I value is being honest and having the ability to re-evaluate past experiences objectively, so thank you Cornelius for providing me with the feedback and the lesson is learnt.
'Above all, listen.' – David Ogilvy
Listening is an important skill for anyone interacting with other people. Most people are passive listeners but to gain the most you need to actively listen. To actively listen you need to:
Active listening requires more concentration than passive listening and you also need to take into account other factors such as tone of voice and attitude.


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* Made from durable canvas
* Two side pockets to store your extra supplies
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Colorful Trach Ties has been adding color to individuals with tracheostomies since 2009. Our products are for anyone from preemies to older individuals. Because our products are not medical devices, we are not registered with the FDA and do not jeopardize the integrity of the existing trach tube holder (collar).

subset: commoncrawl


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Monoprice 8320 IEM
"I got some of these based on their crazy-good reputation. Even for the $6 I paid I feel ripped off. Worst pair I can remember. What in the world is everyone talking about? These are so gaudy looking, and feel cheaply put together. I could overlook those things if they sounded like everyone says. But they don't. I can't remember disliking the sound quality of an IEM this much. These are just..." --SethDove
Monoprice 109927 Enhanced Bass Hi-Fi Noise Isolating Earphones, Black
"I purchased these a long time ago after reading reviews that these were a good budget option in the earphone category. To save time, i am just going to jump in to the sound quality section.. Bass: A little bass light for my tastes, but i can live with it. I doubt people are going to complain with these at the price they are offered at. It has decent punch to it, but like i said, a..." --zach8278
Cowon EK2
" Not expecting much love here, because this product wasnt even listed, I thought its worth a brief comparison with the all so mighty piston. just a casual review. Cowon EK2 review, compared to Xioami Piston:- No, no formalities what so ever, No intros nothing, you are not here for intros And Add S to hits. Just to add that my piston has its filter and foam..." --suman134
Cowon EM1 In-Earphone
"These in ears are as cheap as it gets and you get what you pay for. Though when compared to similarly priced in ears a few things stand out. Build quality and looks are good. It comes with flat, relatively tangle free cord. Also its fairly resistant to micro phonics. It comes with 3 rubber tips, and I could not get perfect seal with any of them. I could hear faint noises. So its decent..." --vaibhavp
Cowon Earphone Eh2
Sound fantastic woofer and tweeter, the finest hybrid earphone
Monoprice 8322
Get your bling on with these stylish Monoprice earphones! With a sensitivity of 98 dB and a noise-isolating design, these earphones will provide plenty of volume to keep the world outside and the music inside your ears. The 47" cord is long enough to give you the freedom to move about and to keep your iPod safely in your pocket when you're mobile. It isn't enough to just have...


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Peyton Manning has two things on his mind: his brother and his health. What he's not interested in is the "Peyton vs. Eli" discussion:
"Special time," said Peyton, who watched Eli's second Super Bowl victory in four seasons from the stadium. "It was just a good crowd. Family and friends, people from all over. Anytime you can have a post-Super Bowl celebration, it's special. It's even more special when you have family and friends together."
The win allows Eli to one-up Peyton in the bling department, two Super Bowl rings to one.
"Eli and I don't play that game," Peyton said. "The relationship of Eli, Cooper and I is not about trying to rub it in or anything like that. It's about love, nothing but love.


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Two Orphan Vampires
(Deux orphelines vampires, Les, 1997)
Jean Rollin
103 min, color, French (English subtitles)
Review © 2005 Branislav L. SlantchevThis much-maligned Rollin film is ostensibly an entry in his long-running vampire series but in fact is nothing of the sort. It is a feature fantastique about dreams and reality set in unabashedly surreal and occasionally gothic landscapes. Approaching this film expecting to see plethora of skin, lesbianism, and such (that is, the usual Rollin stuff) is guaranteed to disappoint. Even the brief nudity is actually totally gratuitous and actually contradicts the main premise, so I regret the director even left it in. So, Rollin fans - beware, and Rollin detractors - do not dismiss this film lightly, it's got much more going on than the capsule reviews would have you believe.
|Two innocent orphans, Louise and Henriette
|Atmospheric shot of Mother Superior
The apparent story is easily told despite its incoherence (that is, it is incoherent if one only looks at what seems to be happening). Louise (Alexandra Pic) and Henriette (Isabelle Teboul) are two very young orphans who live at a Catholic orphanage in France. They are blind by day but see "in blue" at night. In fact, they are creatures of the night, two vampires who feed on people and the occasional dog. They have managed to conceal their nighttime hobby thus far but we soon find out that they have a long history of existing as vampires. Unfortunately, their previous lives have all ended in various "mishaps." That is, they were found out and killed only to be reborn with fading memories. In an extended flashback, they manage to remember their last deaths: they put a bite on a painter in New York but are then tracked and killed - in a beautiful scene, they stagger into an attic and collapse on the floor. Now, the nuns who run the orphanage really love the two. They pray that the girls find a good foster home, and soon god (well, someone) answers their prayers and a doctor (Bernard Charnace) takes them home.
|Prowling the night, remembering
|Their last "mishap"
No sooner that they find themselves at their new place, the girls go out, not exactly on a rampage --- although they do suck dry Brigitte Lahaie who looks quite aged --- but more like on a sight-seeing tour which invariably ends at the cemetery (which they call their real home). Their infernal nature is discovered by a man who attempts to murder them but they are saved by a "bat-lady" (Veronique Djaouti) who allows them to hide in her crypt. On their way home, the girls get smashed and they barely make it before the doctor comes back from a conference. Unfortunately, they are forced to hide in the bushes and the doctor mistakenly shoots Louise. Although she recovers, the girls decide to off their benefactor, mostly because they are afraid he will eventually find out about them. When he does discover that they are not quite blind, his fate is sealed. After stabbing him in the back with a kitchen knife and setting the house on fire, the two girls return to the orphanage. They get thirsty again and put the bite on two newcomers but the nuns stumble upon them just as they are relaxing with all the blood dripping over their night gowns. They run again, hide in a barn, but soon decide to leave with the help of the local farmer girl Nicole (Anissa Berkani-Rohmer). As she leads them to a better hiding place, the man from the cemetery recognizes them and manages to shoot Henriette. Unable to part from her, Louise resolves to die as well, and the two drown themselves in a swamp.
|An artistic drip of blood
|Gratuitous shot of the two vampires
Not much in terms of a story really, the entire film has two things going for it. First, the settings which are almost an actor by themselves. Second, it's what the story signifies that makes the whole thing worthwhile. Louise and Henriette spend a lot of time talking about themselves, their past, their lives, and their relationship to normal humans. They cannot remember many of their past lives but convince themselves that they used to be Aztec goddesses. They fondly reminisce about the human sacrifices in their honor and then bemoan the eradication of these beliefs by the advent of Christianity: the new religion has demoted them from divine beings and objects of worship to creatures of the shadows, relegated to an dangerous existence, forever hunted by the bigots of the new faith.
|The quiet life at the orphanage
|Totally unnecessary
This, I think, is the clue to what the two represent: they are our dreams, our fantasies, our existence beyond the rational. Daylight, which enables most of us to see, actually blinds them. They cannot function in during the day except as pathetic and helpless children. But at night, their strength returns and they can regain some of the power they used to wield. Needless to say, it is at night that we relinquish the self-imposed rationality that tyrannizes us during our waking hours and succumb to the pleasures of the subconscious. Two two often ask each other who they are, and we know they are not "real" vampires for sunlight does not harm them beyond the blindness, they can walk into a church, they do not react to crucifixes, and so on.
|Waiting for night at the cemetery
|The bat-lady in the church
It is quite revealing that they do not murder either of the two girls who accept them for who they are. Virginie (the little girl at the orphanage) believes their Aztec goddesses story and offers herself willingly as a sacrifice. Although Louise and Henriette make fun of her for being so stupid, they leave her alone. The other girl, Nicole, is not only unafraid, she is actually attracted to them. She wants to know more, and they willingly share with her. They give her a book with a reproduction of posters from various magic shows from the 19th and early 20th centuries, claiming that they have been participants in each of these. In other words, they are the magic that makes us wonder, that makes us enjoy life and experience it without knowing any of the answers, without even asking any questions. It is telling them, that it is the religious bigot who recognizes them and shoots Henriette in the back. Nicole begs them to stay with her to play, but they are forced to flee and they leave the innocent girl to the prison of this world that is surely coming.
|Giving each other sustenance
|Recalling their glorious Aztec past
It is worth mentioning the three strange women our two vampires meet: the she-wolf, the bat-woman, and the ghoul. It is not actually clear if these are real supernatural beings or just crazy women who have convinced themselves of it. The she-wolf never actually loses her human form, the bat-woman's wings are obviously fake, and the ghoul (who drinks blood from cadavers) does nothing of consequence. One way or the other, however, these women are fellow travelers, even if Louise prefers to insist that she and her friend are unique. They dwell in an alternate reality and it does not really matter whether it is one of their own making.
|Daylight blinds them
|Binge drinking fun
But Louise and Henriette are real enough and their struggle for existence is quite tragic despite all the exuberant blood-sucking and the occasional alcohol binge. They want to live but they know that they are doomed to be killed, to return to life and repeat the cycle. They cannot help themselves, for it is their nature that urges them on by making their mouths dry with thirst, that demands that they satiate themselves until it exposes them. In other words, they cannot simply dwell in the shadows, they have to make themselves known and in doing so meet their inevitable fate. In this non-Aztec society, where people do not recognize gods or goddesses except the One God, they have no prayer. Rollin's message is clear then: our rational society founded on the Christian religion stifles the magic, eliminates the fantastic, robs us of imagination, and dooms to a solitary existence where we can only clutch old reproductions of shows, trying to recapture their magic.
|Regaining their freedom
|Virginie accepts them for who they are
This brings me to the final point about the film: the (lack of) nudity. I think that it works best if we imagine Louise and Henriette as sexually innocent, as sisters rather than lovers. Despite all the hugging and the one nude scene, the entire story actually demands such a relationship. Yes, vampires are seductive, perhaps the most seductive of the supernatural creatures. But making the two orphans lesbian partners makes them self-sufficient in the sense that they only need blood to survive. But it is quite clear from the film that they actually need human beings to complete them: after all, what are dreams without someone to dream them? Making them asexual then renders them perpetually thirsty.
|Their last feeding frenzy
|Henriette dying
The Shriek Show DVD is average at best. Although the transfer is anamorphic at 1.78:1, the colors were muted, the balance was off, and the picture was rather flat. The screen caps for this review do not reflect the actual quality because I've touched them in Photoshop (as usual). Some of this has to do with the source: on his shoe-string budget, Rollin was obviously forced to shoot his night scenes in daylight and then filter them. The result is predictably atrocious, with all the graininess and bizarre color cast. The low budget curse also shows up occasionally when the entire picture loses focus, which is especially evident in the cemetery shots.
The film comes with an English dub but I did not bother: the French mono soundtrack is uninspired, which is a pity since the film depends so much on dialogue. However, the extras are pretty decent: a long interview with Rollin where he discusses the film, his books, surrealism, and vampires; interviews with the two leading ladies, and an isolated soundtrack (although I did not much care for the synthesizer music).
Overall an interesting surreal film that is a bit plodding in places and that requires some patience to decide, Two Orphan Vampires is nevertheless a rewarding viewing experience. In spite of the low budget, the somewhat stilted acting (first feature roles for both leads), and the lapses in logic (e.g., the gratuitous nudity), the film is not nearly as bad as many would have one believe. Incidentally, don't miss the totally incongruent shot of Immoral Tales, a great book with an informative chapter on Rollin. The DVD is atrocious, though.
November 23, 2005


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02/12/2013 | Press release
distributed by noodls on 02/13/2013 16:12
7 Times Square Tower, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10036
A live audio webcast and accompanying presentation materials will be available at http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/baml/insurance2013/id13037410.cfm. A replay of the webcast will be available on the site beginning approximately one hour after conclusion of the live event and for 90 days thereafter.
Alleghany Corporation (NYSE-Y) is a holding company which owns and manages operating subsidiaries and investments, anchored by a core position in property and casualty reinsurance and insurance. Alleghany's property and casualty subsidiaries include: Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., a leading global reinsurance organization; RSUI Group, Inc., a national underwriter of specialty property and liability insurance coverages; Capitol Transamerica Corporation, an underwriter of specialty property, casualty and surety insurance coverages; and Pacific Compensation Corporation, an underwriter of workers' compensation insurance primarily in California.


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Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system, and in composition it resembles a small star. In fact, if Jupiter had been between fifty and one hundred times more massive, it would have become a star rather than a planet. On January 7, 1610, while skygazing from his garden in Padua, Italy, astronomer Galileo Galilei was surprised to see four small "stars" near Jupiter. He had discovered Jupiter's four largest moons, now called Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In 2003 astronomers discovered 21 new moons orbiting the giant planet. Jupiter now officially has 67 moons. Jupiter has stripes that are dark belts and light zones created by strong east-west winds in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. Within these belts and zones are storm systems that have raged for years. The southern hemisphere's Great Red Spot has existed for at least 100 years, and perhaps longer, as Galileo reported seeing a similar feature nearly 400 years ago. Three Earths could fit across the Great Red Spot. Jupiter's core is probably not solid but a dense, hot liquid with a consistency like thick soup.
Throw-Away Photographs Shot During Neil Armstrong's Visit to the Moon.
"Armstrong and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin snapped a total of 122 70mm color photographs using modified Hasselblad 500EL cameras during their short visit on July 21, 1969. However, not all of them were pretty.
American Photo magazine writes that the photographic record left by those two men shows a very human picture of that first landing. Some of the "dud" photos show accidental shutter preses, focusing errors, lens flare, and even photobombed landscape shots." [x]
You can find the entire collection of 122 photographs on this NASA website, listed in chronological order.
The 2012 Geminid Meteor Shower in Pictures.
Dark Energy & Dark Matter via Chandra X-ray Observatory (Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss)"The two largest pieces of the Universe that we know the least about, yet nothing less than the ultimate fate of the Universe will be determined by them." Full size version here. Related links here, & here.
What is a lunar eclipse tetrad and where will you be able to see it [starting tonight]? | Video Credit: ScienceAtNASA | Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, & Joe Rao/Space.com.
On April 15, 2014, an extraordinary series of total lunar eclipses will begin in the United States. This series, called a lunar eclipse tetrad, will result in four red moons over the course of a year and a half. NASA explains the significance behind this phenomenon, and sheds light on how the moon transforms into a bright red orb. Via TED-Ed
When and where it will be visible:
The first total lunar eclipse of 2014 occurs in the overnight hours tonight (April 14) and will be visible across most of North America, South America, Hawaii and parts of Alaska. Depending on your location, it begins either late tonight or in the wee hours of Tuesday, but as with every skywatching event, you can only see it if Mother Nature cooperates.
Tonight's lunar eclipse runs from 12:53 a.m. EDT (0453 GMT) to about 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT). If bad weather spoils your view, or you live in Europe or elsewhere outside the visibility zone, you can always watch live webcasts of the total lunar eclipse on Space.com, courtesy of NASA, the Slooh community telescope, the Virtual Telescope Project.
What happens during lunar eclipses?
Lunar eclipses happen when the moon is in the full moon stage and passes through part or all of the Earth's shadow, darkening the moon's typically bright glow. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon is entirely immersed in Earth shadow, and can take on a dusky "blood red" colour due to the scattering of sunlight through the edges of Earth's atmosphere. Such moons are sometimes nicknamed "Blood Moons."
Tonight's lunar eclipse is the first of four consecutive total eclipses of the moon between April 2014 and September 2015 in what scientists call alunar eclipse "tetrad"
series. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on Oct. 8 and is also expected to be visible from much of North America.
Read more about 2014's Lunar Eclipse Tetrad:
A Beautiful End to a Star's Life via NASA
Composite image of planetary nebula NGC 2392 - Image: X-ray: NASA/CXC/IAA-CSIC/N. Ruiz et al; Optical: NASA/STScI
Stars like the Sun can become remarkably photogenic at the end of their life. A good example is NGC 2392, which is located about 4,200 light years from Earth. NGC 2392, nicknamed the "Eskimo Nebula," is what astronomers call a planetary nebula. This designation, however, is deceiving because planetary nebulas actually have nothing to do with planets. The term is simply a historic relic since these objects looked like planetary disks to astronomers in earlier times looking through small optical telescopes.
Instead, planetary nebulas form when a star uses up all of the hydrogen in its core – an event our Sun will go through in about five billion years. When this happens, the star begins to cool and expand, increasing its radius by tens to hundreds of times its original size. Eventually, the outer layers of the star are carried away by a thick 50,000 kilometer per hour wind, leaving behind a hot core. This hot core has a surface temperature of about 50,000 C, and is ejecting its outer layers in a much faster wind traveling six million kilometers per hour. The radiation from the hot star and the interaction of its fast wind with the slower wind creates the complex and filamentary shell of a planetary nebula. Eventually the remnant star will collapse to form a white dwarf star.
Now days, astronomers using space-based telescopes are able to observe planetary nebulas such as NGC 2392 in ways their scientific ancestors probably could never imagine. This composite image of NGC 2392 contains X-ray data fromNASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in purple showing the location of million-degree gas near the center of the planetary nebula. Data from the Hubble Space Telescope show – colored red, green and blue – the intricate pattern of the outer layers of the star that have been ejected. The comet-shaped filaments form when the faster wind and radiation from the central star interact with cooler shells of dust and gas that were already ejected by the star.
The observations of NGC 2392 were part of a study of three planetary nebulas with hot gas in their center. The Chandra data show that NGC 2392 has unusually high levels of X-ray emission compared to the other two. This leads researchers to deduce that there is an unseen companion to the hot central star in NGC 2392. The interaction between a pair of binary stars could explain the elevated X-ray emission found there. Meanwhile, the fainter X-ray emission observed in the two other planetary nebulas in the sample – IC 418 and NGC 6826 – is likely produced by shock fronts (like sonic booms) in the wind from the central star.
A paper describing these results is available online here and was published in the April 10th, 2013 issue of The Astrophysical Journal. The first author is Nieves Ruiz of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC) in Granada, Spain, and the other authors are You-Hua Chu, and Robert Gruendl from the University of Illinois, Urbana; Martín Guerrero from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC) in Granada, Spain, and Ralf Jacob, Detlef Schönberner and Matthias Steffen from the Leibniz-Institut Für Astrophysik in Potsdam (AIP), Germany.
Learn more about planetary nebulae here.
Check out Chandra's Flickr photoset here.
Dim Star Becomes 7 Times Hotter in 160 Seconds
Image Credit: Casey Reed/NASA.
"Talk about a celestial mood swing: Scientists using the SCORPIO camera of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory recently watched as a low luminosity star suddenly burst to life in an extraordinarily short amount of time — becoming 15 times brighter in less than three minutes.
Star WX UMa, which is relatively close-by in the Ursa-major constellation, is about 15.6 light-years from Earth and is part of a binary system. It's a flare star — a normally subdued low luminosity object that occassionally and unpredicably boosts its brightness and heat in a matter of seconds. But it's an effect that doesn't last long. The stars return back to their normal state in about 10 minutes.
Fascinatingly, the effect is so dramatic that the classification of the star literally changes within a few seconds. In this case, WX UMa temporarily transformed from spectral type M to B. Its temperature went from about 2,800 kelvin (K) to six or seven times that — somewhere between 10,000 to 33,000 K.
These flares happen when instability within the plasma of the star causes turbulence in its magnetic field.
"A magnetic reconnection then occurs, a conversion of energy from the magnetic field into kinetic energy, in order to recover the stability of the flow, much like what happens in an electric discharge," said a researcher when speaking to SINC. This kinetic energy transforms into thermal energy in the upper layers of the atmosphere and the star's corona, driving up its temperature and brightness."
Read the entire study at Astrophysics: Spectral observations of flare stars in the neighborhood of the sun.
Spin up of a Supermassive Black Hole
Illustration Credit: Robert Hurt, NASA/JPL-Caltech
"How fast can a black hole spin? If any object made of regular matter spins too fast – it breaks apart. But a black hole might not be able to break apart – and its maximum spin rate is really unknown. Theorists usually model rapidly rotating black holes with the Kerr solution to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, which predicts several amazing and unusual things. Perhaps its most easily testable prediction, though, is that matter entering a maximally rotating black hole should be last seen orbiting at near the speed of light, as seen from far away. This prediction was tested recently by NASA's NuSTAR and ESA's XMM satellites by observing the supermassive black hole at the center of spiral galaxy NGC 1365. The near light-speed limit was confirmed by measuring the heating andspectral line broadening of nuclear emissions at the inner edge of the surrounding accretion disk. Pictured above is an artist's illustration depicting an accretion disk of normal matter swirling around a black hole, with a jet emanating from the top. Since matter randomly falling into the black hole should not spin up a black hole this much, the NuSTAR and XMM measurements also validate the existence of the surrounding accretion disk."
Take a 3-D Journey Inside the Bubble Nebula. By Nancy Atkinson | Universe Today | Gif Made By: The Science of Reality | Video Credit: J-P Metsävainio
We've featured the unique 3-D work of J-P Metsävainio previously, but its time to check in and see what he's been working on lately. Metsävainio creates incredible 3-D animations from his own astronomical images, which he calls "3-D experiments" that are a mixture of science and an artistic impression. "I collect distance and other information before I do my 3-D conversion," he told Universe Today via email earlier this year. "Usually there are known stars, coursing the ionization, so I can place them at right relative distance. If I know a distance to the nebula, I can fine tune distances of the stars so, that right amount of stars are front and behind of the object."
In the video below is the animation of the Bubble Nebula, directly below is his extremely detailed image:External image
His observations and images are simply stunning, but he says his 3-D animations are "a personal vision about shapes and volumes, based on some scientific data and an artistic impression."
- Read about his imaging and processing techniques for the Bubble Nebula image here.
- You can check out more of his images and animations on his website and on his YouTube channel.
A grander canyon on Mars: Hebes Chasma reflects Red Planet's active past. By Sarah Zielinski | Science News | Image credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)
Hebes Chasma, a huge trough on Mars, reflects the Red Planet's tumultuous and varied past. During the planet's first billion years, the nearby Tharsis Region bulged with magma, then burst apart, forming enormous chasms such as Hebes (a majority of its 315-kilometer length shown above). More than four times as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon, Hebes may have once been filled with water; some areas have minerals that could have formed only in water's presence. New images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft show that massive landslides may have shaped and widened the trench since its violent birth.
First X-ray Vision of Martian Soil.
"This graphic shows results of the first analysis of Martian soil by the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) experiment on NASA's Curiosity rover. The image reveals the presence of crystalline feldspar, pyroxenes and olivine mixed with some amorphous (non-crystalline) material. The soil sample, taken from a wind-blown deposit within Gale Crater, where the rover landed, is similar to volcanic soils in Hawaii."
Herschel Completes Its 'Cool' Journey in Space
"The Herschel observatory, a European space telescope for which NASA helped build instruments and process data, has stopped making observations after running out of liquid coolant as expected. The European Space Agency mission, launched almost four years ago, revealed the universe's "coolest" secrets by observing the frigid side of planet, star and galaxy formation.
"Herschel gave us the opportunity to peer into the dark and cold regions of the universe that are invisible to other telescopes," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington. "This successful mission demonstrates how NASA and ESA can work together to tackle unsolved mysteries in astronomy."
Images in order from top to bottom, & left to right:
- Cool Andromeda: Andromeda, also known as M31, is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way. Image credit: ESA/Herschel/PACS & SPIRE Consortium, O. Krause, HSC, H. Linz
- Orion's Rainbow of Infrared Light: This view of the Orion nebula, taken by the Herschel and Spitzer space telescopes, highlights fledgling stars hidden in the gas and dust clouds. Image credit: NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech/IRAM
- Sonic booms in the Cocoon Nebula: Dense filaments of gas in this space cloud, called IC5146, are seen clearly in Herschel's infrared view.Image credit: ESA/Herschel/SPIRE/PACS/D. Arzoumanian (CEA Saclay)
- Ribbons of Dust: The Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy is captured in this stunning infrared view. Image credit: Herschel and NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
- Centaurus A All Prettied Up in Infrared and X-Rays: The peculiar galaxy Centaurus A as seen in longer infrared wavelengths and X-rays. Image credit: Far-infrared:ESA/Herschel/PACS/SPIRE/C.D. Wilson, MacMaster University, Canada; X-ray: ESA/XMM-Newton/EPIC
Confirmation the helium is exhausted came today, at the beginning of the spacecraft's daily communication session with its ground station in Western Australia. A clear rise in temperatures was measured in all of Herschel's instruments.
Herschel's detectors were designed to pick up the glow from celestial objects with infrared wavelengths as long as 625 micrometers, which is 1,000 times longer than what we can see with our eyes. Because heat interferes with these devices, they were chilled to temperatures as low as 2 kelvins (minus 271 degrees Celsius, or 456 Fahrenheit) using liquid helium. The detectors also were kept cold by the spacecraft's orbit, which is around a stable point called the second Lagrange point about 930,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth. This location gave Herschel a better view of the universe.
Highlights of the mission include:
- Discovering long, filamentary structures in space, dotted with dense star-making knots of material.
- Detecting definitively, for the first time, oxygen molecules in space, in addition to other never-before-seen molecules. By mapping the molecules in different regions, researchers are learning more about the life cycles of stars and planets and the origins of life.
- Discovering high-speed outflows around central black holes in active galaxies, which may be clearing out surrounding regions and suppressing future star formation.
- Opening new views on extremely distant galaxies that could be seen only with Herschel, and providing new information about their high rates of star formation.
- Following the trail of water molecules from distant galaxies to the clouds of gas between stars to planet-forming solar systems.
- Examining a comet in our own solar system and finding evidence comets could have brought a substantial fraction of water to Earth.
- Together with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, discovering a large asteroid belt around the bright star Vega.
"Herschel has improved our understanding of how new stars and planets form, but has also raised many new questions," said Paul Goldsmith, NASA Herschel project scientist at JPL. "Astronomers will be following up on Herschel's discoveries with ground-based and future space-based observatories for years to come."
The mission will not be making any more observations, but discoveries will continue. Astronomers still are looking over the data, much of which already is public and available through NASA's Herschel Science Center. The final batch of data will be public in about six months. "
M42: Inside the Orion Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Reinhold Wittich
"The Great Nebula in Orion, an immense, nearby starbirth region, is probably the most famous of all astronomical nebulas. Here, glowing gas surrounds hot young stars at the edge of an immenseinterstellar molecular cloud only 1500 light-years away. In the above deep image in assigned colors highlighted by emission in oxygen and hydrogen, wisps and sheets of dust and gas are particularly evident. The Great Nebula in Orion can be found with the unaided eye near the easily identifiable belt of three stars in the popular constellation Orion. In addition to housing a bright open cluster of stars known as the Trapezium, the Orion Nebula contains many stellar nurseries. These nurseries contain much hydrogen gas, hot young stars, proplyds, and stellar jets spewing material at high speeds. Also known as M42, the Orion Nebula spans about 40light years and is located in the same spiral arm of our Galaxy as the Sun."
Check out and read more on all of the groundbreaking scientific achievements from this past year, separated categorically as listed below, here.
"Astronomers have used the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory to measure the mass of what may be the most massive black hole yet—17 billion Suns—in galaxy NGC 1277. The unusual black hole makes up 14 percent of its galaxy's mass, rather than the usual 0.1 percent. This galaxy and several more in the same study could change theories of how black holes and galaxies form and evolve. The work will appear in the journal Nature on Nov. 29.
NGC 1277 lies 220 million light-years away in the constellation Perseus. The galaxy is only ten percent the size and mass of our own Milky Way. Despite NGC 1277's diminutive size, the black hole its heart is more than 11 times as wide as Neptune's orbit around the Sun.
'This is a really oddball galaxy,' said team member Karl Gebhardt of The University of Texas at Austin. 'It's almost all black hole. This could be the first object in a new class of galaxy-black hole systems.' Furthermore, the most massive black holes have been seen in giant blobby galaxies called "ellipticals," but this one is seen in a relatively small lens-shaped galaxy (in astronomical jargon, a "lenticular galaxy").
The find comes out of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Massive Galaxy Survey (MGS). The study's endgame is to better understand how black holes and galaxies form and grow together, a process that isn't well understood."
Asperatus Clouds Over New Zealand
Image Credit & Copyright: Witta Priester
"What kind of clouds are these? Although their cause is presently unknown, such unusual atmospheric structures, as menacing as they might seem, do not appear to be harbingers of meteorological doom. Known informally as Undulatus asperatus clouds, they can be stunning in appearance, unusual in occurrence, are relatively unstudied, and have even been suggested as a new type of cloud. Whereas most low cloud decks are flat bottomed, asperatus clouds appear to have significant vertical structure underneath. Speculation therefore holds that asperatus clouds might be related to lenticular clouds that form near mountains, or mammatus clouds associated with thunderstorms, or perhaps a foehn wind – a type of dry downward wind that flows off mountains. Such a wind called the Canterbury arch streams toward the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. The above image, taken above Hanmer Springs in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2005, shows great detail partly because sunlight illuminates the undulating clouds from the side."
It's official! Two tiny moons orbiting the dwarf planet Pluto finally have new names: Styx and Kerberos.
The International Astronomical Union — the organization responsible for naming celestial objects — has approved "Kerberos" and "Styx" as the new monikers for two of Pluto's moons that were previously called P4 and P5 respectively, but fans of TV's "Star Trek" might not be too happy about the new names.
The IAU selected the names based on the results of the Pluto Rocks Internet poll sponsored by SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), but the top vote-getter, Vulcan, ultimately wasn't chosen as a name for one of the tiny moons.
Actor William Shatner — who portrayed the Starship Enterprise captain James T. Kirk in the original "Star Trek" TV series — suggested Vulcan (the home planet of the show's pointy-eared Vulcan people) as a possible candidate, and voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots in favor of it.
In total, nearly 500,000 votes were cast, with about 170,000 of those going to Vulcan alone. In second place was Cerberus with Styx coming in third in the online poll. But for Vulcan, it was not meant to be.
"The IAU gave serious consideration to this name, which happens to be shared by the Roman god of volcanoes," SETI officials wrote in a statement. "However, because that name has already been used in astronomy, and because the Roman god is not closely associated with Pluto, this proposal was rejected."
IAU rules states that Pluto's moons should be named for mythological characters of the underworld in Greek and Roman mythology. Pluto is known as the ruler of the underworld in ancient mythos.
Cerberus, the three-headed dog in Roman mythology, came in a clear second in the Pluto Rocks ballot with nearly 100,000 votes, but IAU officials decided to tweak the name slightly, instead opting to name the moon Kerberos — Cerberus' equivalent in Greek myth.
The name Styx, the river that separates the living from the dead in ancient myth, garnered about 88,000 votes for a third place finish.


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November 10, 2006, 09:01 PM
Picked up my New(to me) 1903 Colt yesterday. It's beautiful. Really feels good in your hand. I don't plan to shoot it much, but would like to try it out and wonder if regular .32 ACP ammo is OK. It's a type 3(serial # 300xxx).


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The System of the Political Economy of the Islamic State
Masood Mashkoor Siddiqui
University of Karachi
European Journal of Social Sciences, Volume 16, Number 3 (2010)
It is a fundamental belief of Muslims that, besides being a religion in the sense of a belief system, Islam is a way of life. It has its own political theory economic principals, and a well defined code of individual behavior in the society. Our problem here is to examine the broad principles of the system of political economy which may be regarded as appropriate for an Islamic state. We would conduct our study in a comparative fashion. Capitalism and socialism will be used to compare and construct the Islamic political economy. For illustrative purposes, we will draw upon the historical experience of Pakistan.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 11
Keywords: Political Economy, Islamic State
JEL Classification: P48, P59
Date posted: August 4, 2012
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Engaging with Gen-Y
The American Express future of consumer spending survey found that three out of four Australians in the 18 to 24 age group are 'cost conscious' and more than six in 10 see themselves as 'quality driven'.
Posted Thu 21/04/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »
Consumers more cautious: report
The American Express future of consumer spending survey that found while Australia avoided the worst of the global financial crisis, 51 per cent of all consumers are now more cautious when making a purchase.
Posted Thu 10/03/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »


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A Saturday night under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway on a cool fall evening during The Chase. It doesn't get any better.
This is a premier event. It puts the stars of the sport on a big stage in prime time with an atmosphere that rivals the playoffs in the stick and ball sports.
At least it could be and should be. That is if NASCAR would put aside their short-sidedness and extremely big ego and put this event in its rightful spot: at the end of the season.
Tonight's Bank of America 500, which can be seen at 7:30 on ABC, will no doubt have some glitz, glamour, twists and turns. It will likely raise the hopes of some drivers and crush the expectations of others in the 10-race postseason sprint for the championship.
But no matter the outcome, whomever rises and falls, the evening will be lacking the sort of pop it deserves in a territory where this sport cut its teeth. Instead of being pinned in the middle of The Chase, this race should be showcased.
Not buried.
Someone needs to explain to me why the most popular motorsports circuit in the United States, one that was born and bred in places like North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, finishes its season on the southern tip of Florida.
We're not saying Homestead-Miami should be cast out of The Chase altogether, although it probably wouldn't hurt. It's just that it should be moved to this weekend, and Charlotte should be the season finale. It makes more sense geographically and demographically.
The Homestead-Miami area, which hosted its first race in 1999, has as much to do with NASCAR as Billings, Mont. There is a strong Hispanic and Latino — almost 52 percent of the population according to the 2000 census — influence that, A) barely knows what a stock car is and B) has no interest.
The place only seats 65,000 and according to the 2000 study, 31.8 percent of the population is below the poverty line. The average income per household was $26,775, so I doubt people in this community are clamoring to get a ticket to a NASCAR race with the current state of the economy and cost of living.
It doesn't make sense. Holding the NASCAR season finale at Homestead is like trying to put a size eight shoe on a size 10 foot. It doesn't work.
On the other hand, Charlotte is the perfect fit.
The culmination of any sports season is supposed to be a celebration. It is the best of the best competing against each other, with fireworks and a carnival type atmosphere. Charlotte, a city with a population of 2,389,763 by last count, provides that.
Picture it. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon or one of the Busch brothers standing on a stage with confetti flying, hoisting the Sprint Cup trophy at a place that has been holding NASCAR races in front of the hometown crowd since 1960.
Finishing the season down the road from where most of the teams are housed, it's the perfect way to cap a spectacular season.
But NASCAR doesn't seem to want to budge. Maybe it is because International Speedway Corporation, aka NASCAR, owns Homestead, while Charlotte is owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc. and rival Bruton Smith.
Survival supersedes ego, and the NASCAR brass better start embracing that fact. Especially considering the overnight television ratings for last week's race in California were down a whopping 26 percent.
This series could use a shot in the arm, and we offer some help. Shorten up the schedule a couple of weeks, move the season finale to Charlotte and open the short track next door for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Late Models and Modifieds World Finals at night.
You would combine the Saturday night local race fan with NASCAR in a four-day bonanza of competitive racing that puts the lid on the motorsports season. Grass roots meets the big time in the perfect marriage.
Now that makes sense.
Danica Patrick and JR Motorsports announced that the two would hook up and participate in the first four Nationwide races of 2011.
The races include, Daytona, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Bristol. The rest of her schedule will be finalized at a later date.
Patrick is competing in 13 races this season and plans to do the same in 2011. She will also compete full time in the IndyCar Series.
Kurt Busch is starting 15th in tonight's race, but he loves the night air in Charlotte as evidenced by his May win at the speedway.
He only has one win and doesn't boast the same stats of a Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon, but he will get it done this weekend to throw his name in the ring as a Chase contender.


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Happy Giants fan
Monday, January 16, 2012 10:18 AM
Riley cheers the New York Giants while they beat the Packers
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We would like to thank Dr Sessler for his interest in our study. We appreciate his criticism, although most of his points were already considered in our article.
The issue of hyperoxygenation and wound site infection is controversial and well discussed in the medical literature. The reasons for a surgical site infection are multifactorial, and the data interpretation can be affected by many factors. Our aim was to further illuminate the subject by choosing to study as homogenous as possible a population of patients with a surgical site infection associated with the right lower incision for acute appendicitis. In light of our introduction and expanded Comment section, we cannot ignore feeling that Dr Sessler's comments regarding the hypothesis and our clinical trial's registration are somehow surprising and "curious."
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10 stories you might have missed: Who wins the Battle for the 'Terminator' franchise rights?
Plus: Superstars line up to fill Cowell's shoes, 'Runways' gets a release date, 'Glee' star Lea Michele may head to 'Oz'
Next gallery »2010 Golden Globes Winners & Losers
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Kristen Stewart's 'Runaways' gets a March release date
The rock n'roll saga "The Runaways" may be premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan 24, but Kristen Stewart fans won't have to wait that long for the film's national debut.
Apparition has set a March 19 release date in 1,400 theaters for "Runaways" which also stars Dakota Fanning and Oscar-nominee Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road"). That means the "Twilight" stars latest flick will face off against the Gerard Butler/Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy "The Bounty Hunter," MGM's new comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine" and Lionsgate's supernatural Nic Cage thriller "Season of the Witch."
Look for complete coverage of the "Runaways" premiere from Sundance on HitFix next week.


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Celebrate London Fashion Week 2014
In honour of London Fashion Week A/W 2014, Corinthia London has crafted a fabulous selection of fashion-forward experiences.
After a long day on the runway, retreat and relax with a decadent Day Spa, indulge in a stylish Afternoon Tea, or sip a cocktail from our Catwalk Collection in Bassoon.
London Fashion Week Afternoon Tea
Indulge in our bespoke London Fashion Week Afternoon Tea with fabulous fancies inspired by this season's collection
Catwalk Cocktail Collection
Toast London Fashion Week 2014 with our Catwalk Cocktail Collection in Bassoon
Calling All Fashionista's
After a day strutting your stuff at London Fashion Week retreat and revitalise in luxury with our decadent Day Spa


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Terms & Conditions of Ticket Purchase | Terms & Conditons of Competitions
Dated 6th December 2014. Our standard conditions of ticket purchase are as follows, and that the purchasing of a ticket is deemed to legally constitute acceptance of them. These Terms & Conditons include, but are not limited to:
1. The management reserves the right to refuse admission and / or require a customer to leave the premises without a refund. We are under no legal obligation to admit a customer, nor give a reason for refusing to do so. We will not tolerate ANY abuse of our staff members, physical OR verbal, in any form. Aggressive, threatening or abusive behaviour OR language can result in a lifetime ban from the premises
2. Scott Cinemas require adults accompanying children to exercise reasonable levels of control over them to ensure their behaviour is deemed socially acceptable by other customers and staff, and appropriate to the situation/surroundings. Where this is not deemed to be the case, our staff reserve the right to intervene.
3. If forced to do so by circumstances beyond our control we reserve the right to cancel a performance, vary the film, vary the time of exhibition or change a seat allocation. IN SUCH CASES OUR LIABILITY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE REFUND OF THE COST OF THE TICKET PURCHASE ONLY, and is an all cases at our discretion. Any incidental costs (such as, but not limited to, parking fees, concessions purchases and booking fees) are the customers sole responsibility. Guest tickets are discretionary admittance tokens and have no monetary value. These may be withdrawn, or admission refused, without notice.
4. In all other circumstances tickets are not transferable or refundable less than 2 (Two) hours before the programme time printed on the ticket, and transfer / cancellation charges will apply. An e-mail to our Customer Service department (via the Contact form on our website) before the 2 hour deadline is also acceptable where it is not possible outside of cinema opening hours, and in this circumstance please be aware that we may require you to visit the cinema with a printed copy of the e-mail in order for us to process a refund. Transfers / refunds after this time will only be allowed in extreme circumstances, AND ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF HEAD OFFICE, NOT THE CINEMA DUTY MANAGER. A form and prepaid envelope will be provided for the purposes of claims under these conditions. Any refunds must be requested within 7 days of cancelled/missed/unsatisfactory performances, either by e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or using the form provided by the cinema. Forms must be received at our head office within 28 days of the performance.
5. No refunds will be made in cases where the customer has watched the whole film without alerting the management to the existence of a problem detrimental to their proper enjoyment during the performance. If we are unable to rectify a problem during the show, a full refund of the ticket price and any booking fee charged will be gladly refunded during the show, but we are not liable for additional purchases made, or other costs incurred, by the customer and no refunds are available where problems are raised with staff after the show has ended. Customers who have watched the film are deemed to have found it acceptable.
6. Both the purchaser AND holder of tickets are required to observe the conditions laid down by The British Board Of Film Classification Certificate for the film being exhibited. Young people and / or any adult accompanying them may be required to provide proof of the young person's age. The word of an accompanying adult is not regarded as proof, and in all cases it is at the sole discretion of the manager to judge the young person's age. This is a legal licensing requirement, it is not within the law for us OR the accompanying adult to allow under age viewing of any films.
7. Reduced priced tickets are available to recipients of state retirement pensions for which proof MAY be required. Children UNDER 15 (fifteen) years of age may receive a discount for U, PG, 12 and 12A certificate films only.
8. Alcoholic drinks may not be brought on to the premises, and anyone deemed by the manager to be intoxicated WILL BE REFUSED ADMISSION.
9. Smoking is now not permitted inside cinemas by law. Relatively sheltered areas can be found to the side of most sites, and films in excess of three hours generally have comfort breaks.
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13. Scott Cinemas are not responsible for errors in information received from third parties, including newspapers. These third parties may include a number of website listings that do not receive any information from Scott Cinemas. Our official website at www.scottcinemas.co.uk should always be checked for current, accurate program times.
14. Scott Cinemas takes the protection of children very seriously. For this reason we may refuse admission to adults who do not have children with them for films aimed primarily at youngsters and, if they are admitted, we may require them to sit towards the rear of the auditorium. At certain times and for certain films, we may require unaccompanied under 15's to sit in the front of the auditorium for their own safety and protection.
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17. As a courtesy to your fellow audience members, and to prevent film theft, we ask that customers do not enter any cinema auditorium using any 'wearable technology' capable of recording images. Any customer found wearing such technology will be asked to remove it and may be asked to leave the cinema.
18. Scott Cinemas reserve the right to use CCTV recording equipment in public areas of cinemas, for the protection of our customers, our staff and our business. We will comply with all local authority and police requests should they wish to obtain CCTV footage from any of our systems.
19. The above is a summary of our terms and conditions, further restrictions may apply without notice at our discretion.
20. For your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others, we strongly recommend that very young children are taken to our specially tailored and great-value Kid's Club weekend performances rather than standard screenings. However, the MAJORITY of our cinemas allow babies entry to morning and afternoon shows of child friendly U, PG and even some 12A certificate films. This is always at the Duty Manager's discretion and the decision is based on many factors, including the type of film, the audience and the numbers present for that film. If entry is permitted we ask that babies are taken out of the screen if they cause any disturbance whatsoever, and failure to do this will result in all members of the group being asked to leave. No refunds will be given under these circumstances. We may consider a goodwill refund if you bring the baby out yourself, but are unable to calm them enough to re-enter the screen within a reasonable time. Under 2's, if admitted, are free if they sit on a carer's lap, but will be charged for if they occupy a seat. All 3 year olds and over will be charged the child's rate whether they occupy a seat or not. If customers pre-book and are not permitted entry a full refund will be given excluding booking charges, so we do suggest checking film suitability with the cinema beforehand. The standard call-rate landline numbers for each cinema can be found on our FAQ page.
Dated 26th August 2012. These terms set out the legally binding terms and conditions which apply to all competitions on this website, Facebook & Twitter.
1. The primary promoter for all competitions on this website, Facebook & Twitter is Scott Cinemas Ltd. From time to time, merchandise may be provided by a third party, the details of which will be described within the promotion.
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11. The names of the major winner(s) may be obtained by sending a request along with a stamped self-addressed envelope detailing your request marked with the name of the competitions to: Promotions & Marketing, Scott Cinemas Ltd, 51 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS8 4HN.
12. Further Terms & Conditions regarding individual competitions may be specified.


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Situated in the heart of Shepparton, Friars Café is housed within the beautiful surroundings of a century-old church. Our warm and welcoming restaurant has earned a reputation as the place to go for breakfast, lunch and everything in between in the Goulburn Valley area.
Guests can dine both inside and outside the cafe, either upstairs or under the veranda. We also boast a number of pews downstairs, where diners can enjoy watching our talented chefs prepare dishes freshly in the kitchen.
We use the finest local produce where possible and are able to showcase the best that Goulburn Valley has to offer.
Our menu is sure to suit every taste, with a great selection of local wines available to enjoy alongside our dishes.
Friars Café is well known for serving delicious coffees. We utilise the coveted Dimattina Prima Tazza bean, creating great tasting hot beverages that are a favourite amongst our guests.
Alongside our café dining, we offer a reliable corporate catering service that is perfect for office meetings, seminars or as a special treat for your staff.


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Oklahoma City Thunder (2-16) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (6-11)
Wednesday, December 3
Time Warner Cable Arena
Charlotte, NC
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Since we're big shots now, you know, coming off a win and all, we get to go into tonight's game against Charlotte feeling good. Instead of the obligatory verbage about the longshot of winning, how much the losing streak is weighing on everyone and how maybe THIS could be the one – we get to talk about the, albeit far-fetched, possibility of winning two in a row.
It's a shame this one isn't at home, because I'd actually feel really good about it if it were. The hometown fans are feeling the collective sigh of relief knowing we're not going to 1-81. And I think the players can feel the improvement under Coach Scotty. It's just winning on the road is tough in any sport. Even if the game is in Charlotte.
One thing to watch (outside of the game in general)
Russell Westbrook vs. D.J. Augustin. I've been really looking forward to this matchup. For one, because as I wrote about, many in OKC wanted to take Augustin instead of Westbrook. Two, because a lot of people are in love with Augustin right now, even though Westbrook has played pretty darn well in his own right. And three, because I really think Russell will outplay him. Yeah, I really do. Westbrook will be starting his second game and he's already improved a ton since preseason game uno. I know Raymond Felton is still "technically" the starter, these two should hook up and have a good battle tonight. I just hope Augustin doesn't make us regret anything tonight. Lock him down Russell.
The Bobcats are clearly improved under the traveling man, Larry Brown, but maybe OKC can catch them napping. It's easy to do that when you're 2-16 and the other group thinks you're a pushover. Last game against the Grizzlies, OKC clicked on all cylinders getting contributions just in the way it needs. Kevin Durant had 30, Jeff Green 22 and Westbrook 13. The bench added perfect support with Desmond Mason doing a yeoman's job off it. More of that and we could be looking at two in a row because the Thunder actually matches up pretty well against Charlotte. I don't see any position other than shooting guard where you go, "Oh, the Bobcats clearly have an advantage there."
Someone will have back-to-back wins after this one as neither team has yet to string together consecutive wins.


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Some years ago, James Gould Cozzens' novel By Love Possessed appeared amid critical huzza, hailed by one and all as one of the truly great books of our generation. Sometime later, writing in Commentary, Dwight MacDonald reviewed the reviewers and found the novel wanting. As a result, the major newspapers and magazines took another look at the novel and printed what amounted to retractions of their earlier statements.
In June 1966, the Archives of Internal Medicine published my review of Lupus Erythematosus. I had read the book and found myself in disagreement with Dr. Dubois' all-inclusive definition of the disease(s). This philosophical disagreement perhaps blinded me to the good features of the volume. Rereading it, and, more important, using it as a reference work, I am convinced that it serves many uses for the clinician. The review of the vast literature is indeed a prodigious feat, and the sections written
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While it is an abbreviation for Quick Response Code, one has to admit that it is hard to see what exactly is "quick" about the QR code. Sure, there is something to be said about the ease with which one can scan a QR code and be directed to some kind of information about a brand or a business, but at first glance, there is really nothing a customer can instantly glean from what is essentially an enhanced version of a barcode.
Now, take a look at Spyderlynk's alternative to the QR code: the SnapTag. First of all, it is definitely more aesthetically pleasing than the Rorschach blot-like appearance of the QR code. SnapTags allow brands and businesses to put their definitive stamps on the codes they present to their customers—the SnapTag's "code ring" is almost like a halo over a company's specific logo, and brand recognition can be easily achieved through the use of such codes.
But there's more to SnapTags than just their obvious visual advantages. To use a QR code, a customer needs to have a smartphone with an app to scan the tag, which then transports them to what is almost always a static link. On the other hand, a SnapTag has a wider user base—a customer needs only a phone with a camera to work with a SnapTag, and the responses can be a lot more interactive than those obtained through the use of a QR code.
"You're not dependent on an app," explains Jane McPherson, chief marketing officer at Spyderlynk. "A consumer can take a picture of a SnapTag and text [or email] it to us. We read the SnapTag and return the marketing response." Of course, smartphone users have the option of using SnapTag reader apps as well. These readers can be installed by brands into their own specific apps, and thus, customers can be given a very user-friendly, engaging experience.
This level of engagement is made possible thanks to the variety of responses that can be delivered with the use of a SnapTag. Unlike a QR code that directs users to what is usually just a singular website, a SnapTag response is much more customizable—users can be sent a video, or a link to a Facebook page. According to McPherson, the SnapTag platform allows marketers to customize the responses so that consumers have a more "personalized experience" when interacting with a brand.
Brands can also configure SnapTag responses to be specific to a campaign, but since this is done by changing the positioning of the gaps in the "code ring," the different SnapTags will look virtually the same to the consumer. The SnapTag platform also allows for marketers to measure analytics for all their various campaigns with SnapTags, and this data allows marketers to better understand their customers and their preferences.
With so many advantages to using the SnapTag, it's not a surprise to learn that many big brands have already implemented this revolutionary new technology for their businesses. Spyderlynk's long list of clients includes names like Coke Zero, Dior and Toyota, and if all goes well, they could soon be adding Wonderful Pistachios to their impressive resume, since Spyderlynk is a finalist in the Mobile Commerce Challenge at ad:tech San Francisco's Startup Spotlight this year.
Catch Spyderlynk as they present SnapTags as a viable means to drive mobile purchases for Wonderful Pistachios at the Startup Spotlight Mobile Commerce Challenge at ad:tech April 10 at 3.30 p.m. Note that the company will be also present for both days of the conference in the Innovation Alley on the expo floor at Booth #2459.
This article is part of Allvoices' series on ad:tech, the largest, longest-running digital marketing and technology event. Check out allvoices.com/adtech for more of Allvoices' ad:tech coverage. This series is supported by ad:tech.


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Welcome to Direct Insurance. We help consumers find the most affordable coverage available in the market today, whether you're looking for auto insurance or other types of coverage including homeowners, renters, life and health insurance.
We give you direct access to auto insurance companies in your state, and we understand that finding the best insurance for your needs is not just about value for money, but also about getting the right coverage for your particular situation.
Direct Insurance is independent of any insurance underwriter, so we are not trying to push you into choosing any particular company or policy. We just want to help you find the policy that's right for you, at a price you can afford.
The more you can learn about the various types of coverage, the better the decisions you will make about what insurance your actually need, and what policy options are the most appropriate for your circumstances. We provide clear and concise summaries of the main types of consumer policies. If you feel the need to learn more, we also provide links to a range of reputable sources you can trust. If you still have questions about a particular policy, don't hesitate to talk to an insurance agent or insurance company representative before agreeing to any policy. It's far better to clarify things now, than have to deal with any misunderstandings in the event you need to file a claim. You don't want to leave any unnecessary gaps in your coverage.
Here at Direct Insurance you can start learning about the major types of coverage:
Auto insurance does more than protect your vehicle—it protects you from personal liability for injury or damage you cause. Learn why you really can't afford to drive without the right coverage.
Don't get caught short—safeguard your property and your family's financial security. Learn more about homeowners insurance and how it protects you, your home, and your belongings.
There are many types of life policies to choose from, but which one is right for you? Ensure that your dependents will be well taken care of by choosing the best life insurance policy for your situation.
Don't compromise your health or security by failing to have the right health care plan. Get access to the best health care when and where you need it with an affordable health insurance policy.
Insurance Basics
Have you taken the time to consider whether or not you need life insurance? You may determine you simply don't need it in your present circumstances. Alternatively, life insurance could be an integral part of your family's financial security.
What Your Car Insurance Does Not Cover
Knowing what your car insurance does and does not cover will help you ensure you have the right coverage and avoid being out-of-pocket in the event of an accident. Don't overlook policy options or assume your coverage is greater than it really is.
Paying the Price for Underinsuring Your Home
Failing to adequately insure your home leaves you exposed in the event of a total loss claim, and may even affect the amount you will receive for partial loss claims. Even if you have a valid claim, your insurer will make a proportional reduction to any claim payment if you do not have sufficient coverage.
How Best to Insure a Rental Car
Whenever you hire a rental car, you are usually encouraged to buy a range of insurance on offer. This can substantially increase the cost of the rental. Is this something you really need, or are there better alternatives?
How to Manage Your Financial Risks as a Driver
Each time you drive your car, you run the risk of being involved in an accident. In addition to causing injury, accidents can have serious financial consequences. Learn how to manage the financial risks of driving.


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We are able to courier orders to any South African address, delivery is scheduled after your payment clears and generally takes no more then 3 working days.
All orders are insured and DCB Couriers is the delivery company of choice.
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Should you wish to have orders sent to a postal address, we can ship your order using Speed Services. Delivery is normally within 2 working days.
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You may choose to collect at our showroom in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
Additionally we can arrange for your order to be collected from our parent company in Umhlanga-Ridge. Our JHB to KZN truck leaves every Thursday and arrives on Friday.


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A Practical Guide for Business Leaders
By Julie Meehan, Mike Simonetto, Larry Montan and Chris Goodin
John Wiley & Sons, $50.00, 320 pages
Pricing and profitability management may be the most powerful lever that managers can pull to give their businesses a competitive edge—in any economic climate. Yet many companies still lack the internal capabilities, organizational structure, and information to take advantage of this critical function. In Pricing and Profitability Management , Deloitte practitioners and authors Julie Meehan, Mike Simonetto, Larry Montan and Chris Goodin bring decades of experience in pricing and profitability management to support their perspectives on pricing—from decision making to the need for an integrated approach. The book highlights six core competencies of an integrated approach to pricing: Execution, Strategy, Advanced Analytics and Price Setting, Organizational Alignment and Governance, Pricing Technology and Tax and Regulatory Management. When properly implemented, the strategies in this book can dramatically improve how a company views and operates its business.


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Although the WWE is based in the United States and has largely been dominated by American superstars over the years, there is no question that foreign-born wrestlers have played a huge role in the success of the company.
In fact, some of the greatest superstars in WWE history were born outside the United States and exist as gold standards that the current crop of wrestlers aspires to equal. Whether they acted as hated, foreign heels or friendly imports from a faraway land, foreigners have always added a unique flavor to the WWE's product.
For the purpose of making things fair, Canadian wrestlers will not be considered for this list of the greatest foreign-born WWE superstars of all time. The WWE is American based, but Canada is as much a part of the company's history as the United States is and Canadians would certainly occupy this entire list if allowed. That's another list for another time.
Also, wrestlers whose gimmicks touted them as being from a foreign land won't be eligible if they weren't actually born there. For example, Yokozuna was billed as a Japanese sumo wrestler, but he was actually born in San Francisco. Additionally, loopholes such as Kane being born on a U.S. military base in Spain are disqualified from the list, so you won't be seeing The Big Red Monster.
With the ground rules clearly laid out, here are the 10 best foreign-born superstars in the long and illustrious history of the WWE.


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--All Survey Participants Would Recommend the IMF First to a Loved One with Myeloma--
North Hollywood, CA, February 06, 2007 -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - conducting research and providing education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers, and physicians - is "the number one resource" for individual patients as well as leaders of regional support groups according to an independent survey commissioned by the IMF. The survey was conducted by Target Research Group, a market research company with headquarters in Nanuet, New York.
The survey also found that the IMF excels in areas that matter most to patients: being extremely knowledgeable about issues related to myeloma, having up-to-date information, and putting the needs of patients and caregivers as the first priority. As a result significantly more survey participants indicated they would recommend the IMF first if a loved one were diagnosed with myeloma.
Steve Cook, president and CEO of Target Research noted, "During my 35-plus years in the industry, I don't ever recall seeing positive scores that were so much higher than the other organizations surveyed on virtually all dimensions."
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest organization serving myeloma patients and families, reaching more than 125,000 members in 113 countries worldwide. The survey rated four advocacy groups that serve the myeloma community*, and included more than 600 individuals and 59 people who lead independent local support groups for patients around the country. The survey found that the IMF outscored the other organizations on the key attributes important to their constituents. In addition to being their number one resource and the first organization they would recommend to family members, support group leaders indicated:
The IMF also ranked number one in providing a wide range of publications, in-depth educational seminars, information on clinical trials and helpful resources, and that it has a user friendly Website and a dedicated staff. As expected for a foundation dedicated to patient support, the IMF ranked second as a research-oriented organization.
"The survey reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, but most important, it represents our firm commitment to putting patients and their families first," said Susie Novis co-founder and president of the IMF. "It also represents our innovative programs -- traveling around the world to bring experts to meet with patients and families in regional seminars, bringing support group leaders to major medical conferences, and establishing a nurse leadership board so the full range of patient medical care is covered. We are gratified to see that in turn, patients and their families acknowledge and appreciate our efforts."
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the bone marrow that affects production of red cells, white cells and stem cells. Myeloma affects an estimated 750,000 people worldwide and it is being diagnosed in growing numbers that include increasingly younger people. This makes myeloma one of the most prevalent of the blood cancers, which are the third largest group of cancers.
*the other advocacy groups in the survey are the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society.
ABOUT The International Myeloma Foundation
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma organization, reaching more than 135,000 members in 113 countries worldwide. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families, the IMF focuses in four key areas: research, education, support and advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 100 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline, and operates Bank on a Cure®, a unique gene bank to advance myeloma research. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE or www.myeloma.org.


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New Throw Vision Preview Video + Advance Tickets
Happy Friday!!
The weekend is coming. To celebrate, check out a fun, new preview video for the upcoming album, 'In I', coming out on the 5th of February: www.throwvision.org
Also,... Read more
Throw Vision Album sneak peak + Save-the-date!
Hello Everyone!
After much hard work, we have finally set a release date of February 5th for the album, called In I. In the days prior we will be... Read more
Album Update!
Greetings Earthlings,
It's been awhile! We have been hard at work getting everything together for the album release-- meeting with our amazing art team, prototyping our custom cd-case design, and...... Read more
THANK YOU!We are completely humbled by everyone's amazing support!
We are excited to finish our mixes and send them off for mastering with Alan Douches at WWSM, who... Read more
Album Artwork Announcement
Hi Everyone--
Thank you so much for your support. Take a look at our project page-- we're getting very close to reaching our initial fundraising goal!!
We wanted to get... Read more
Thank you thank you! And check this out.
Thank you so much for your generous support!! Because of you, we are beginning to close in on our fundraising goal, and the completion of the album. In the meantime,... Read more


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When do physicians know enough about the beneficial effects of a new medical intervention to start recommending or using it? When is the available information about harmful adverse effects sufficient to conclude that the risks outweigh the potential benefits? If in doubt, should physicians err on the side of caution or on the side of hope? These questions are at the core of all medical decision making. It is a complicated process because medical knowledge is typically incomplete and ambiguous. It is especially complex to make decisions about whether to use drugs that may prevent disease in the future, particularly when these drugs are given to otherwise healthy individuals. Vaccines are examples of such drugs, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a case in point.
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This map shows the approximate location of the home where the couple was found.
HOLLAND TWP. — Carbon monoxide from a gas-powered generator used while Saturday's power outage continued may have killed a couple discovered in their Spring Garden Road home yesterday, Nov. 3.
Robert Stephens, 84, and his wife Susanna, 79, were found dead in their home of 20 years by a relative and a North Carolina electrical contractor. The contractor was assisting JCP&L utility workers in restoring power in the area, five days after a snowstorm dropped up to a foot of snow in the area. They were found shortly before 5:30 p.m. Power was restored to their home two hours later.
The couple's dog and cat were found alive on the home's first floor.
Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III said the Stephenses were described by family and friends as an "active, vibrant couple" who had been enjoying a "very robust and healthy life. They were totally self-sufficient." Mr. Stephens had worked as a contractor before retiring.
They were in regular touch with family and friends, he added, and their last known contact was Tuesday evening, Nov. 1.
According to the county's preliminary findings, the couple died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Kearns said that they had a gas-powered generator in an enclosed garage and cords running off of it to serve as a temporary source of power. The home also had a pellet stove.
The Stephenses' two-story hilltop home isn't far from the Delaware River and wasn't visible from the road. Kearns said it wasn't yet known when the couple died.
"Our hearts go out to the family," he added.
The deaths are being investigated by the county Prosecutor's Office and the township Police Department. The Milford-Holland rescue squad and fire department responded.
Kearns said that the couple didn't appear to have a carbon monoxide detector, which could have alerted them to the presence of the deadly gas, which is produced by incomplete combustion. Sources of carbon monoxide include blocked chimneys, water or space heaters, open flames or running a car inside a garage.
"People need to understand that it doesn't take a storm or a loss of power" to be overcome by the odorless, invisible gas, said Kearns. "You can succumb without knowing it's in your home. That's why detectors are so important."
Carbon monoxide detectors are not the same as smoke detectors. Symptoms of mild poisoning may include headache, lightheadedness, confusion, and flu-like feelings.
For more information on carbon monoxide, go to www.cdc.gov/co/