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5 Tips for Dealing with Project Burn Out
Happy Sunday everybody! We finally got started with our new medicine cabinet project and I'm hoping to show you the video next week. The build is going very fast. I've only put in around 2 hours of work and I'm nearly finished. Ideally, I'll be painting it later this week. That's going to be a challenge in this bitterly cold weather, but I'll figure it out.
In today's post, I wanted to talk about project burn-out. Project burn-out comes in all forms. It's not just mental or physical exhaustion. Often times for me, it's just a general lack of motivation. During the week it's especially hard to overcome. After work, I get home and eat dinner with the wife and kids, have some family time and then after the kids are in bed, I maybe have an hour or two for projects or writing. So that means I can either do some DIY work or skip it and do something else, but I can't do a ton of stuff. That small window of time makes it really, really easy for me to blow off a home improvement project.
When I'm in the middle of a huge project, like when we were remodeling our home office, taking a couple nights a week off can drag that project on for a longer time than I'd like. In fact, sometimes with the larger projects it can feel like you're never going to finish them.
I know what that's like. It's no fun. Home improvement projects are hard enough technically. Add to that the stress of working on your house for several weeks and months and it can get to you.
Here are 5 tips for dealing with project fatigue that will help get you through those DIY doldrums. These tips are strategies I use when I'm knee deep in drywall dust and still have weeks and weeks more work ahead of me.
1. Take a Break. Intentionally take some time off. In fact, plan those breaks ahead of time. Taking some time off away from the project space is probably the best way to recharge your mental batteries. If you're physically tired or just tired of working, taking a night or two off from a project is supremely helpful. After a long day at work, sometimes you just need to skip the project and relax. Catch a movie or go to bed extra early are a couple options. This is especially true if you are stuck. Go clear your head for a while.
2. Get Ready for the Next Work Day Ahead of Time. Often times when I'm starting day two or three of a multi-day job, I'll waste maybe 30 minutes or more just setting up my tools and materials. So instead of doing your setup for day two during day two, setup for day two at the very end of day one. After a couple hours of work on day one, you'll probably be in a groove and setting up for the next day will be easier than doing it later. You can even leave a note for yourself reminding you of where you stopped last time. This technique can be effective since it makes it easier for you to start the project again and get busy working right away. Some examples of prep work you can do the day before include setting up the table saw with the right blade, adjusting the fence setting and blade height or putting the router bit in the router.
3. Smaller Tasks and Smaller Time. If you really need to work on your projects, but don't want to take on any big power tool work, you can always concentrate on some smaller maintenance tasks. These smaller tasks include cleaning up your work space, putting away tools you're finished using and doing some of those minor chores that slow you down. If you have two hours to work before bed time you can always just do these smaller tasks for just an hour and take the other hour off. It will feel like you kept working and moving the project along even if you didn't do a whole hell of a lot.
4. Motivate Yourself. What pumps you up? Heavy metal music? A coffee? Whatever it is, try to incorporate it into your work schedule to keep yourself moving. For me, I love putting on some AC/DC to keep my blood pumping and I try to have a little bit of caffeine with dinner if I want to avoid fatigue. Just don't go crazy. If you're going to be using power tools, you still want to be calm and careful.
5. Ask for Help. A great way to break up the monotony of a big project is to enlist the help of a friend or family member for a night. Obviously having another set of hands will help move the project along, but it will also get you talking about the project. Talking about the project can be motivational. I know it is for me.
I hope this tips help you get through your next long project! If you found this post helpful, please share it.
What techniques do you use to use to stay motivated and avoid project burn out?
In today's post you'll learn:
– How to Scribe a Cabinet
In an ideal world, all walls and floors would be square and true (and all mortgages paid off). Since that never seems to be the case, you need to know how to modify your cabinets or built-ins to account for uneven walls. If you want a professional look to your work, this is a must read. Luckily, this process is fairly simple and only requires a circular saw and one of those compasses you used in grade school art class. Whoever thought you'd need one of those again?
Let's start with reality. Here's one of our home office cabinets pushed tight into the corner.
You can see it's tight against the bottom of the cabinet, but open along the top. No bueno. Could you caulk that seam? Sure you could. I actually plan on caulking it. However, you shouldn't caulk anything wider than 1/4″ or it will look sloppy. That opening at the top is around 5/16″ wide so it's much too wide for caulk.
Here's what we'll do to fix it.
First, we'll take a look at the top of the cabinet to see what kind of overhang I have on the face frame.
In this photo you can see that the face frame overhangs the side of the cabinet by about 1/4″. If I was smart and better prepared, I would've designed in a larger overhang, say 3/8″, to allow for scribing as-is. Alas, I only gave myself around 1/4″ (probably closer to 3/16″).
Since I don't have enough "meat" overhanging the side, I'll just add some more wood and make it work.
I start by measuring the gap between the edge of face frame and the wall. It's about 5/16″. I then cut a strip of wood 5/16″ wide and I glue and nail it to the side of the cabinet.
Now I have plenty of overhang on that side of the cabinet.
Next, I shove the cabinet back in the corner. The gap will be identical before I tacked on the wood strip, since the wall is still curving away from the cabinet.
Now I take my compass and I set the distance between the needle and the pencil to the same distance as the gap between the cabinet and the wall.
Then I just run the compass down the curve of the wall with the pencil on the cabinet. The compass will mark out a line on the cabinet that matches the curvature of the wall.
The last part is easy. Just take your circular saw and cut along the line. You'll be removing material from the strip so it will then match the wall.
After the cut has been made, the cabinet gets shoved back into the corner and we can see that the gap is pretty much gone. Any open seam can be filled in with a much smaller amount of painter's caulk.
To finish the project, I'll just make sure I fill in any gap between the wood strip and the cabinet with wood putty and I'll sand and paint it.
I'll have to repeat this process for the top cabinet that sits above this lower unit.
If you can't tell, I'm intentionally trying to keep the reveal of this project as hush hush as possible. Thus, the lack of pictures of all the cabinets.
Now that you know how to scribe, do you think you'll use this trick?
P. S. I also had to use this technique for my raised panel wainscoting.
In the past week or so, we started hanging drywall in our home office. It's not a terribly quick process and it's been consuming a few hours a night. Consequently, our post frequency has been low lately. Whenever we're knee deep in home improvement projects, that sort of thing is going to happen. Today, I want to share with you some general DIY advice for hanging drywall or sheetrock (if you call it that too). This weekend we're going to be applying the first coats of joint compound and my goal is to put together a video tutorial for that process.
In other news, in last week's newsletter, I asked our readers to tell me what set of woodworking plans they'd like to see next. The response was unanimous. Everyone wants the router table plans. Look for those next week.
1. Proper Framing. The most important part of a quality drywall job, in my opinion. The drywall gets secured to the framing lumber on the wall. If that framing is incomplete, poorly done or didn't take the drywall into account, then the drywall is not going to be done well either. Everywhere you have a seam in the drywall, which is everywhere one piece meets another, there should be a 2x piece behind it. When we designed our coffered ceiling, I intentionally took the drywall into consideration and it wasn't an afterthought. This may mean adding more boards than is required by framing code.
2. Use the Right Drywall Thickness. Drywall sheets come in 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ and 5/8″ thick. 5/8″ thick is typically used for ceilings and is required for fire protection in certain spaces. Our garage, for example, should have 5/8″ thick drywall throughout, but most of our interior walls probably just use the 1/2″. The thinnest drywall, the 1/4″ sheets are mainly used on curved walls since it's not as rigid as the thicker material. The 3/8″ sheets can also be used in place of the 1/2″ sheets in some situations. You'll want to double check with the builder's code before you tackle a larger job to verify what thickness you should use. Since we're covering over coffered ceiling framing that actually sits beneath a finished ceiling, we're just using 1/2″ thick drywall.
3. Drywall Screws. Use the right drywall screw length. I mainly use the 1-1/4″ long coarse drywall screws, which don't go all the way through a 1-1/2″ thick 2×4. Anything longer than that and I'd need to be aware of what's on the other side of the 2×4, since the screw can go through the board and make contact with anything on the other side. Also, make sure to protect any electrical work with the appropriate cover plates so you don't accidentally drive a screw through a wire. That would be bad.
4. Drywall Driver. This is my biggest pet peeve with drywall installation. There is a special bit that you can buy for your drill that is specifically designed for installing screws into drywall. It dimples the drywall board and sets the depth of the screw to just the right amount. I pull the hair out of my head when I see people on TV (typically, Renovation Realities, go figure) using a regular Phillips head bit. These drywall bits are majorly inexpensive. I got 4 for $5 at Home Depot. Don't work without them.
5. Use Chalk Lines. My chalk line tool is easily becoming my favorite tool on this office project. So let's say I need a 5″ wide piece of drywall at some length. I measure down 5″ from the edge of each side and then snap a chalk line down the entire length of the sheet from one end to the other so the 5″ mark is visible. Then I just trace the line with my box cutter and I know I have a nice accurate piece.
6. Use a Rasp. The best way to get clean pieces of cut drywall is to use a hand held tool called a rasp. The rasp is basically a cheese grater that you use to clean up the cut edge of a freshly cut piece of drywall. It removes any high spots, smoothes out the cut and must be done before you throw the drywall sheet onto the wall. It will help keep your drywall seams much tighter.
7. Protect your Floors. When you cut and rasp drywall, it gets all over everything in the space. I protected our new hardwood office floor with some rosin paper I had left over from the floor install. I prefer this over plastic as it doesn't move around and is much more durable. You can also use general construction paper since it's cheaper. Don't skip this step though unless you're working right over the subfloor.
So that's all I got for hanging drywall. I still need to add my corner beads all over this ceiling and I'll be starting my mudding process this weekend. Good times.
Do you have anything to add to this list? Have you every hanged drywall before? What is the hardest part for you?
Tips for Passing an Electrical Inspection
Just this morning, my local township electrical inspector stopped by and reviewed the electrical work I had performed for our home office improvement project. He gave us a passing grade, which means I officially have approval to cover the framing with drywall and finish the room. He pointed out a couple changes I need to make before he returns, so I do need to take care of those issues. This is probably the third or fourth time he's been out to our house for an inspection so I've learned to prepare for the things he likes to see.
9 Tips for Passing an Electrical Inspection
If you are considering attempting your own electrical work on your next project, I implore you to apply for electrical permits from your local government.
Applying to do my own work was a simple process. In this case, all I did was fill out a couple of simple forms where I stated my name, address, the scope of the work being performed (adding 4 recessed lights) and the estimated cost of the work related to the permit. After about two weeks, the township called me and let me know my permit was approved and ready for pickup. I paid a $61 fee to the township and got started on the rough-in work. Once I complete the rough-in work, I schedule the inspector and he pays me a visit.
The most anxiety inducing part of this process is the rough-in inspection, but if you follow these general guidelines, you'll be much more likely to pass the first time.
1. Ask the Inspector First. When you schedule the inspector, try to actually have a conversation with him or her about what they expect to see and what pitfalls you can avoid. All inspectors should be looking for the same checks, but some have additional requirements or pet-peeves that can fail you. Checking with them first is a great way to establish a name to a face and get a sense of their general requirements.
2. Don't Add Any Devices. During the rough-in inspection, there can't be any devices on the circuits you are adding. No outlets, no lights, no switches, nada, nunca. If you are adding an outlet to an existing circuit, then the NEW outlet should also not be installed either. The rest of the outlets on that circuit that were originally there are probably fine, but if you disturbed the wiring in any outlet, it shouldn't have a device for the inspection.
3. Tie Your Grounds Together. In each outlet or electrical box location, the ground wires should be tied together. This is something my inspector noted today. Don't tie anything else together though. The hot and neutral leads should remain separate.
4. Fire Block. Any holes or penetrations from one floor to the next or from one wiring passage to the next needs to be blocked so as to prevent a fire using the hole as a breathing hole or chimney. Typically, you can use fire block expanding foam (which is bright orange in color) or regular fiberglass insulation to fill or plug these kind of holes.
5. Plug Holes in Boxes. This one was new to me and I'll have to fix it. The electrical box I used have these bendable tabs where the cable enters. Well one of these tabs snapped off. The inspector told me I need to plug it. I'll probably use insulation and jam it in the hole here.
6. Use Correct Breaker. Another correction I'll have to make is the circuit breaker I installed. The breaker in this application needs to be an 15 amp Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) and I had installed a regular 15 amp breaker. The AFCI's prevent arcs and are required on all circuits that feed living spaces (I think). You can buy AFCI's in any hardware store and they are several times more expensive than regular breakers.
7. Don't Power the Circuit. Although the wires for the new circuit can be tied into the new breaker, the breaker needs to remain off or unpowered. It shouldn't be powered up until all the devices are installed.
8. Cover the Wires with Wire Nuts. All the wire ends need to have wire nuts on them even if they don't have any exposed conductor. Same goes for the ground wires.
9. Secure Cables with Staples. Cable runs need to be secured to framing every so many feet with cable staples.
That's pretty much all I have for the rough-in inspection. If you have any others, please leave them in the comments. If you've never done your own electrical work, then I suggest you work with someone more experienced before you attempt it yourself. Be safe and good luck.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it.
Have any inspection horror stories? I'd love to hear those too, so leave them in the comments section.
What I've Learned About Flower Beds
Instead of bringing you a post on some of our latest outside work as I'd planned, I'm forced to goto Option B and discuss something else. I was hoping to come home from work and snap some quality photos of our mums, and the finished front door paint. However, due to some pretty nasty weather, those pictures will have to wait for now. So, onto Option B, What I've Learned About Flower Beds.
Full disclosure: Lisa and I still do not consider ourselves to be green thumbs. I think I can say with some level of confidence that when we moved into our current home, we had sort of a blackish gray thumb. Let's call it a charcoal thumb. We killed plants. It happens. They just tended to die on us. We've since improved our game through many lessons learned. Our garden isn't perfect, but I think we've learned enough to dispense some garden advice.
What I've Learned About Flower Beds
1. Curved lines are more attractive than straight. This one is a biggie. If you're just starting to make flower beds, try to add some curves. Professional landscapers rarely lay down straight flower beds. Some straight sections you may not be able to get away from, but when possible go round or go home. If you already have straight beds, it's easy to add some curvature. Just shape a garden hose to the profile you like and mark the outline with spray paint or a shovel.
2. Use landscape fabric to keep weeds out. Unless you love spending your free time yanking weeds every week, I'd pop for the fabric. It's not hard to incorporate it if you already have beds. It's also perforated enough to allow water to run through it. They tend to come in varying levels of quality identified by their life expectancy. I'd go with a good 15 year roll or better.
3. Add a drip irrigation system if you don't already have a sprinkler system for your lawn. These systems consist of a roll of flexible tube that gets run in the flower bed. You punch holes in it or add nozzles and you connect the hose to a battery powered control valve/timer that sits on your outside faucet. It's very inexpensive and supremely DIY. The hose can sit under the landscape fabric or over it, so if you already have an established bed, you can add this and throw some extra mulch over the hose to hide it. It's a great way to keep your plants alive without having to water them everyday by hand. After all, these plants can get pretty expensive.
(via greengardenista)
4. Add depth by planting flowers or shrubs with varying height. In my opinion, this is the hardest part of having a sweet looking flower bed. Staging the plants appropriately so they all show off their natural beauty yet getting the height and depth right to maximize the wow factor. If you stick with plants that all have roughly the same height, you could be losing out on some visual interest and curb appeal. We need to add a lot more depth in our garden. Right now it's too one dimensional. This mailbox photo is from Lisa's Outside To-Do List. We're hoping to get to that mailbox project done in the spring.
I'm hoping to get some much needed outdoor work done before it starts to get too cold. This weather is perfect for garden work.
What are your tips or suggestions? Are you planning on any Fall garden upgrades?
Thinking about building a new home? It can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life, but it can also cause a lot of stress and aggravation. Here are 5 tips for new home builders that we've learned from the build of our new home in 2010.
Before you Build
1. Did you know you can use a realtor even with a new construction builder? Yep. As a buyer, you're entitled to use a realtor regardless of the type of property you're buying. Before we decided to build our current house, we were concentrating our home searches on local builder's websites and it never occurred to us to enlist the help of a realtor. We were mainly looking at new developments in our free time and thought it was a little liberating to deal directly with the builder. However, more than one of our neighbors used realtors during their build and they had a positive experience. Using a realtor to deal with a builder can be advantageous if the build process becomes problematic. They can help negotiate prices and options on your behalf, which can end up saving you big money, which brings us to our next piece of advice..
2. You can haggle with the builder over the home price and upgrade options. We didn't really know this was an option when we built. We treated it like it was going to Walmart and picking items off the shelf, it costs what it costs. However, had we known better we may have tried to negotiate a few additional options. All in all, we got what we wanted and we were very happy with the price. Some of the features we would have liked but didn't pop for, we're adding ourselves at our own pace. The important take away from this tip is don't treat the process any different than buying a pre-built home. You can make an offer lower than the stated value of the home and the options. It doesn't mean the builder will take them, but you may get a few additional options thrown in. The state of home sales and local demand are likely to be key factors in how likely a builder is to adjust their price for a sale.
3. Take a serious look at the other homes in the development and pay particular attention to their features. If your home will be one of the later homes added, you can get a feel for how many homes have brick, stone, siding and their colors. The current neighborhood inventory may be likely to affect your home's features. A lot of builders won't let you build a home that is identical to the home next to it in order to preserve some individuality. If the builder doesn't stop that sort of thing, then be aware that someone may be able to build next to you with the same exact features as your house. This all may play into your decision on which lot to pick and what elevations are available. Plus there may be options you weren't aware of like bigger basement windows or egresses.
4. Our builder had us come through the house before they insulated and dry walled it to pick security system locations and to perform a general inspection. The project manager advised us to take a lot of pictures so we know what's behind the walls. Why would we want to know that? In case we want to know where wires, pipes and gas lines are run. It's not crucial, but it certainly helps during some home improvement projects or repairs.
For example, if the upstairs heating or A/C doesn't seem to be working properly, we know what the distribution system looks like….
Or what if we want to hang a flat screen TV on the wall and we're not sure where the studs are (plus our stud finder isn't working)…
Get the idea?
5. Addition by subtraction. While you will undoubtedly need to pay extra for added features, it may not cost you anything to remove something from your plans if you really don't want it. Case in point: Those huge builder grade mirrors in the bathrooms that everyone ends up ripping out when the renovate the bathroom. Even if you get an upgraded bathroom package, they usually still come with those huge mirrors. If you're a fan of them, good for you. I've seen a lot of people dress them up with window trim and they're totally okay with them. If you're not, you can ask your builder to just leave them out. There's nothing in the international builder's code that requires gigantic mirrors in the bathroom for an occupancy cert. Your builder will probably be open to doing slightly less work, especially if you ask nicely for it. We were able to swing this no-mirror move in both our master and our hall bathroom. Right after we moved in, we popped by Ikea and installed these Kolja mirrors. They're cheap, but they're more attractive and a lot easier to remove than the giant Hubble telescope like space mirrors they were going to put in.
Any new construction advice to add? What would you do differently?
Add Trim without the Tape Measure
Lisa and I are still basking in the awesomeness that is our new hardwood floors. They're so shiny and clean that I almost don't want to walk on them… almost. Lots of sliding in socks going on around here. On Monday morning, I took a brake from basking and sliding and I started installing the shoe molding, aka the quarter rounds. Bruce makes a matching shoe molding, so we just picked up a couple boxes of those when we ordered our floors. Now, I've already done a post on molding installation, but I thought this post would make a nice little tutorial on how to make your molding installations faster. Having trouble figuring out which angle your wall is at? Read this tutorial.
Obviously, speed isn't the name of the game when it comes to home projects. Quality and safety are number one. However, it doesn't hurt to learn a few tricks now and then to reduce your work time AND get a more accurate result with fewer errors. Our family room is around 400 square feet or so and I managed to install all the shoe molding in under 30 minutes using this trick.
First thing's first. You generally don't need to use a tape measure to make accurate measurements. I just use the piece of molding I'm going to install and I mark that piece. In the photo above, you can see that I've already got a section of shoe molding installed to the left. I cut the end of that piece at a 45 degree angle (the pieces are only 6′ long so I need a few of them in a row to cover the wall). My next piece will start with a matching 45 degree angle. In this example, I need to determine how long this last piece will be in order for it to meet the end of the wall.
To get that measurement, there's two ways.
1. Use a measuring tape and try to get the distance from the end of the last shoe molding to the corner of the wall. The only problem with that method is that it's more prone to errors because you're resting your tape measure on a piece of molding that's been cut to an angle. So which part of the slice do you measure?
2. Use the molding itself. I cut the next piece of molding to match the one already installed and I lay it on the floor like I'm going to install it. That way the 45 degree cuts lap together nicely. Then I mark the piece where it meets the corner with a pen or a pencil.
For outside corners like the one above, I can even mark the backside of the molding by running my pen along the baseboard molding, creating a perfect line on the back that marks the edge of the wall exactly.
For inside corners, I usually make my cut for the inside angle ahead of time on the molding and jam the molding into the inside corner of the wall first and try to mark the other side of the piece. This method essentially makes all your inside corners into outside corners. You're just working in the other direction. Get it? If this verbiage is confusing, let me know and I'll add some additional pictures to clarify. Maybe I'll make another video to show how to do this throughout an entire room.
The speed of this method is best realized by allowing the molding to lay past whatever you're measuring it against. For the examples above, this is done against an outside corner, but it could easily be against another piece of molding.
Hope that helps. If employed properly, you could really move through a molding job. I started using this a while back when I kept mis-measuring my cuts with a tape measure. I'd be off by about 1/8″ and it was driving me nuts!!
Have any additional tips for making molding fly besides throwing it?
Lessons Learned #1: Pro Painter Skills
I want to try something a little different here so bare with me. I've said before that I'm not a fan of hiring a contractor to do something that I can do on my own. It's just not in my nature. I'll make exceptions to that rule, like when I'm too afraid of heights to paint our 2 story vestibule or like when the scope of the work is above my time and capacity (like building a home myself). Other than that, if I can do it, I want to do it. That's why they call us DIYers right? So when I DO hire someone, in addition to getting the work done, I'd like to learn something from the experience. That's why I'm starting this post category, to share what I've learned from an experience after the fact, whether it be from a contractor or from a job that I've completed myself.
The first time I had the idea to learn something from a contractor I was in a bind. Way back in 2004, I had just bought my first home and some guys were hanging drywall (I didn't really know how to do much DIY back then). My father was over and we were doing some other small project. All of a sudden, we had water pouring into our living room. We had no idea where is was coming from. It was raining at the time, but not heavy enough to account for the amount of water building up in the house. I immediately turned off the water supply and we discovered that one of the drywall hangers had punctured a copper pipe with a drywall screw. To make matters worse, it's 6pm and the next day I was going to Japan for two weeks and I had a roommate that needed that water while I was gone for obvious reasons. No problem. My father and I would repair it. We went to the local hardware store and got some couplings, some flux, sandpaper. We got this. After four hours of trying, we failed. This little pipe kept leaking. At 10pm we made the decision to call an emergency plumber. At around 1am this guy stopped by and knocked this repair out in 5 minutes flat. For $250! Knowing this would not be a cheap fix (relative to the size of the work), I asked the plumber to show me exactly how to do this and he explained to me what I was doing wrong. I felt much better about the expense of the repair knowing that I basically got a plumbing lesson out of it.
When I hired the painter for my vestibule, I genuinely didn't think I would get much of a lesson out of it. But I did learn a couple things.
1. Taping. This guy didn't tape a thing. He free-handed everything. I did a comparison to his work in the vestibule to mine in the living room. Despite the fact that I tape my trim, his cutting-in was cleaner. Let me show you what I'm talking about.
I taped and painted the molding around this banister. You can clearly see that I had bleed thru from the paint. That occurs where the tape doesn't create a solid seal. I have this problem in several areas throughout the room. It's not a big deal, but it does require some touching-up.
Now take a look at his trim painting. It's perfect.
What was his secret? He used a quality brush and he has a LOT of practice. According to him, he uses a Wooster brush. For the rest of our painting, I picked up a Purdy brush, so we'll see if I can improve on my earlier work. I'll try working without
a net tape.
2. The roller. He used a serious roller. They looked like mops. I've always used disposable rollers and haven't had any issues. I like the idea that you can take them off and throw them out when you're done with them. But my rolling occasionally makes areas with varying shine to them, almost like I missed a spot. And that's with two coats. His work was even with a consistent appearance. He told me he uses Colossus rollers by Purdy.
So that's my lesson's learned from hiring a pro painter. I hope you get something out of this, I sure did.
Have you ever learned some tips from hiring a pro? Did it make it easier to justify paying for it?
Hey! Thanks for stopping by. We're Lisa and John and this is our DIY and Home Improvement blog. Feel free to browse our DIY project gallery or our latest posts. You can read more here.
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Kurt's Hot Jock Fantasy - FratBoy
Models: Dorian Deschain and Kurt Summers
Studio: Frat Boy
Our boys are enjoying a summer barbecue by the pool and even more fun indoors. Dorian and Kurt enjoy a little herbage then Kurt's jock fantasy with Dorian begins. Shirtless body contact turns into a sloppy stoner 69 which leaves Kurt craving hard fratboy dick up his tight and tender boy hole. Dorian mounts Kurt's creamy smooth ass and digs his cock into his insides. By the end of all this dynamite college boy fuck session, Dorian is drenched in sweat, but Kurt has never been so drenched in sticky hot cum. Cut to Dorian fast asleep while Kurt blows his wad from his hardcore daydream.

subset: commoncrawl


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Concert of Song and Story with Father Joe Rodrigues at St. Cecilia
Father Joe Rodrigues returns to St. Cecilia Parish for "A Concert of Song and Story" at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22 and "The Paschal Mystery in Everyday Life," a time of prayer, story and music.
This Lenten series will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 24; Tuesday, March 25; and Wednesday, March 26.
Father Rodrigues will also preside at 9 a.m. Mass each morning, followed by a modified version of the evening presentation.
Suggested donations for the concert are $10 for adults, $30 for families; and $5 for students.
Fr. Rodrigues studied at Boston College, University of San Francisco, and at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif. He has served parishes, hospitals and prisons and has facilitated retreats and workshops nationally and internationally, using drama, conversation, song, and multimedia presentations to create a dynamic experience of inspiration and faith. He is currently the Provincial Superior of the USA Province and Vocations Director for The Society of The Divine Savior, the Salvatorians, an international community of priests and brothers.
His music CDs include "Sing Divine Fire," "Chorus of Faith," "Desert Rain" and "Spirit of Christmas."
For more information, call 206-842-3594.
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text:
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Willie Wilson stared at the burning home of his elderly grandparents and immediately thought, "No, God, not like this."
It was all he had time to think before he and his cousin, 23-year-old Cordell Wilson, rushed in the smoke-filled home to try to save the couple and their cousin from the pre-dawn fire on Sunday.
"Cordell kept saying, 'We've got to get Granddad,'" said Willie Wilson, 29. "I don't know how many times he said that."
It was about 4:30 a.m. Sunday when Cordell Wilson spotted fire at his grandparents' Burwell Street house and, not having his cell phone with him, broke out the window to his uncle's home across the street, yelling inside for them to call 911
The two cousins then fought the smoke and flames to go into the home. "The smoke was so thick it felt like knives and broken glass cutting your lungs," Willie Wilson said. "Cordell grabbed me and went back in. He was just a warrior."
Asleep inside were Myrtlene White Wilson, her 88-year-old husband of 70 years, James Wilson, and grandson Desi Wilson, 26, whom the couple had raised after his mother's murder.
Food left cooking on the stove sparked the blaze, authorities said.
The two were barely able to pull out James Wilson but couldn't reach their grandmother and cousin. Firefighters arrived and brought out the other two.
Myrtlene Wilson was taken to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead from smoke inhalation at 5:24 a.m. said Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Pat Curry.
James Wilson was taken to Princeton Baptist Medical Center where he was in critical but stable condition, Monday. Desi Wilson was taken to UAB Hospital where he, too, was listed, in critical condition. Both are on ventilators and have not yet regained consciousness.
Friends and family gathered in the Hillman Estates neighborhood in southwest Birmingham, where most of the Wilson family lives. Myrtlene Wilson was mother to 14 children and grandmother to 26. Two of her daughters had been slain; a son died from cancer.
Son Walter Wilson, 40, said their pain would be even greater if not for the heroics of the grandchildren and firefighters who rescued James Wilson and Desi Wilson from the burning home.
"They risked their lives to go in and save the people we loved," Walter Wilson said. "And we're so thankful for the community that continues to pray for my father and Desi."
He said his mother was the quintessential matriarch of the family, and everything a mother should be: nurturing, stern and fair. She was, family members said, the epitome of a true Christian.
"She was one of the sweetest women you ever met," Willie Wilson said.
Both Myrtlene and James Wilson were born in Elmore County. They bought their Birmingham home in 1963 and never left. James Wilson retired from U.S. Steel in 1983 after working there 32 years. His wife reminded him often, her son said, that she worked just as hard at home. She was especially proud of her cooking, Walter Wilson said, but boasted in recent years that she had "retired" from the kitchen.
Myrtlene Wilson turned 85 in June and told her family she wanted a party like none other.
A video of the family get-together showed her grandchildren singing "Happy Birthday" to her. When they finished, said told them, "Hit it again," and made them sing it one more time.
The family got together again to celebrate the Fourth of July. It would be the last time they all were together with Myrtlene Wilson.
"We went from such a high a week ago to such a tragic low now," Walter Wilson said. "But my mom always said, 'The Lord works in mysterious ways.'"
Walter Wilson said Monday he knows it's wrong to mourn death.
"We cry because we're going to miss her, but that's selfish because we know she is OK," he said. "The lessons she taught us will stay with us for the rest of our lives."


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Everything seems symbolic to me... an object, an expression, a geometry between people. By cork-screwing around I find alignments of symbols.
I like reflections, emotions in banal locations, abstraction, signs and other text that seem to comment on the subject, things that make me laugh.
One summer when I was a kid a friend and I bottled bees. We'd catch ten per milk bottle, and watch them buzzing around inside. That's what I do with meanings.
The cool thing with these meanings is how different they look from person to person. One sees a bee, another sees a dragon. I'm drawn to images that have subjective meaning.


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FLINT, MI – Hospitalized children will get some candy on Halloween, thanks to local officials.
Councilman Sheldon Neeley and former councilman Michael Sarginson will hand out candy and toys to kids at Hurley Medical Center at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31.
"It's important that every child have a full opportunity to enjoy the holiday," Neeley said in the statement.
It's the fourth year Neeley is hosting the event.
Flint police Chief James Tolbert, fire Chief David Cox Jr., Flint School District board member Isaiah Oliver and television reporter Cheri Hardmon also will hand out candy, the statement said.
Neeley, who represents the Sixth Ward, also will host "Hide and Seek Trick or Treat" from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway.
Dominic Adams is a reporter for MLive-Flint Journal. Contact him at email@example.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.


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KINGSTON — A 22-year-old Kingston man was treated for an accidental gunshot wound to his left hand and sent to Harborview Medical Center Jan. 5.
Kitsap County sheriff's deputies were called to an accidental gunshot wound on Pennsylvania Avenue at 7:57 p.m. According to the report, the man was lying on the floor of his kitchen with his legs elevated. He told deputies he had dropped the gun earlier and "it wasn't acting right." He was inspecting the gun when "the hammer released" while he was cleaning it, according to the report.
The bullet, full of "small pellets like a shotgun bird shot," went through his left hand, grazed his wife's arm and hit the wall on the west side of the room.
The man, a former Marine, applied a bandage and pressure to his hand. Medics said he would likely need surgery for his hand and transported him to Harborview Medical Center. His wife declined medical aid.
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All rights reserved.
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9:30 a.m. Basketball: Dec. 2014: Bethel girls vs. Phoebus.--LSC 48
11:30 a.m. Football: Sept. 2014: Kecoughtan vs. Hampton.-- LSC 48
2 p.m. Football: Liberty Bowl: Texas A&M vs. West Virginia(in Memphis, Tenn.).--ESPN
2:30 p.m. Basketball: Feb. 2013: Kecoughtan boys vs. Henrico.-- LSC 48
2:55 p.m. Soccer: English Premier League: Swansea City at Liverpool.--NBCSN
4:30 p.m. Field hockey: Sept. 2013: Bethel vs. Kecoughtan.-- LSC 48
5:30 p.m. Football: Russell Athletic Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Clemson(in Orlando, Fla.).--ESPN


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Print publication: Friday, April 1
Wolves in Oregon
Regarding the article "There's howling on all sides in wolf fight" (March 31): It's hard to credit rancher Karl Patton's claim that he was awakened last March by six wolves "coming full speed" unless he was sleeping outside -- and the wolves were wearing heavy boots.
Crying wolf won't help resolve this issue.
Northeast Portland
MAX crime
In responding to citizen alarm over the recent stabbings at TriMet MAX stations, management tells us not to be concerned, the system is safe.
I'm curious, does the TriMet "policy manual" provide guidance to riders on what the "acceptable stabbing quota" is over a given time period so they will know when it's all right to be concerned?
Women in the military
As a retired Navy captain, I hasten to add my admonition to that of what I hope are countless other readers regarding your editorial "Women in combat, and as officers" (March 24). Instead of keeping to the specific issue you claim to be addressing -- women and minorities as leaders in the military -- you have, regrettably and wrongly, treated the underlying general issue of leadership in the military as a function solely of the officer ranks. Whether that gross misconception emanates from your editorial board and/or from the military commission whose study you refer to, it does inexcusable injustice to the solidly professional and indispensable senior enlisted leadership ranks.
Without the sustenance of their day-to-day guidance (read, leadership) -- up, down and sideways -- the military services would be hard-pressed to come close to meeting their readiness and mission goals.
Obama in Libya
Come on, Congress, put on your big-boy pants and quit your whining. Your carping about how your feelings have been so badly hurt by our president not consulting with the full Congress before his decision to join our allies in enacting a no-fly zone over Libya is disappointing. His decision to join our allies in this action has prevented the slaughter of thousands of civilians. This constant complaining makes you all sound like a bunch of crybabies. How many more lives would have been lost if Congress had been allowed to endlessly debate a decision that had to be made quickly?
Frankly, your inability to even agree on a budget displays how dysfunctional Congress has become. How about knuckling down and doing the job America sent you to Washington to do?
Southeast Portland
President Obama's actions in partnership with other nations to support the rebels in Libya were thoughtful, intelligent and reasonable. No wonder the Republicans were so opposed to his decision.
As each and every conservative pundit, talk-show host and politician lines up to criticize President Obama's policy toward Libya, I am reminded of the days when the Iraq War was descending from early success into a quagmire. Those who raised questions about the conduct of the war, not to mention the false pretenses by which many of us were led to initially support it, were called "traitors" by daring to criticize the president while the military was engaged in conflict. Yet this is exactly what Republicans are doing now. Does this mean that it is the Republicans who are the real traitors? If not, they are certainly hypocrites.
Southwest Portland
I'm continually astounded at the velvet-glove treatment this president gets from our media -- especially evident in The Oregonian on March 30. First, we get a FactCheck that clearly shows how Obama has lied and misled the public regarding Libya, yet the most this article will say is that "there may be less than meets the eye ..." ("For U.S., giving control to NATO doesn't mean much").
Then we have oped columnist David Ignatius of the Washington Post working his gymnastic verbiage to explain President Obama's indecision in a partisan puff piece titled "Offering clarity on the case for military force." What?
I ask, where's the outrage over this travesty of truth about Libya? Where's the outrage regarding lack of congressional approval? Where's the outrage over hiding behind NATO, which is dominated by U.S. forces? Where's the outrage over new reports of al-Qaida and Hezbollah appearing in rebel ranks? Where's the outrage about a new war we cannot afford?
If you factor in the cost of war, approximately how much per gallon are we actually paying?
Southwest Portland
Paying for illegal immigrants
I am outraged that our state senators have decided that funding college for noncitizens of Oregon is a priority for our cash-poor state.
For the moment, let's remove the names and faces on the bill allowing illegal immigrants to get subsidized tuition to state universities and see if it passes the smell test.
Suppose a bill allowed any nonresident in-state tuition if his or her parents, through no fault of the child/student, decided to live in Washington or Iowa or Canada? Wouldn't pass, correct? So, why then for Illegal immigrants?
I have a suggestion: For those lawmakers and supporters of this bill, I'd support them starting, on their own time, a charitable foundation with privately raised money whose goal is to help pay the tuition for any group they choose versus spending tax dollars. This way, they can do all the good they want and not ask the rest of us to pay for their do-good deeds.
Northeast Portland
Portland water bills
So city water customers paid for renovating a run-down building to be used as Rose Festival headquarters ("Water users paying for more than just water," March 30). The article called it "mission creep," but water users might say it was just another creepy mission by the Water Bureau.
Southwest Portland


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By George Weigel/The Patriot-News
Q: Our condo complex is being invaded by Japanese beetles. My plantings are all annuals, and I've been trying to find if there are specific ones that either attract or repel beetles. Anything I can do to protect the plants the bugs are likely to attack?
A: I just saw my first beetles today, and they were really swarming all over a pine tree, of all things. I think they're going to be especially bad this year.
Japanese beetles will eat at least 200 different species, and some of their favorites are roses, hibiscus and most fruit trees. They also seem to like the color yellow.
I'm not aware of any lists of beetle-favorite annual flowers, but I can tell you from first-hand experience in my yard that I've been able to grow marigolds, wax begonias, vinca, geraniums, dusty miller and blue salvia without any beetle trouble. On the other hand, they do seem to like zinnias.
Some people use beetle traps to lure beetles away from their flowers and toward the hormone used in the traps. These can be effective if you can place them far enough away from your plants that you don't attract additional beetles that feast on your flowers on the way to the trap. This might not be easy to do in a small condo setting.
A better idea might be to see if the beetles go to any particular flowers and then spray them with neem oil, which is a non-chemical oil that repels beetles. It's not harmful to people and pets. Most garden centers carry it these days. Sevin (carbaryl) is one of the most effective chemical controls, and rotenone is a good botanical-based insecticide for beetles.
Of course, there's also the old method of taking a bucket of soapy water into the garden and shaking beetles off your plants into the water.


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No products
Prices are tax included
Chrome plated flat steel frame. Loose cushions filled with PU-foam on saddle leather straps. Coverings made of individually stitched and piped leather pieces. Semianilin or aniline leather (+ 200 €)Dimensions: 75 x 75 x 75 cm ( W x D x H ) Show colour samples
Seat, back and headrest made of molded plywood with rosewood, cherry or walnut veneer. Aluminium cast five star swivel base. Removable polyurethane foam cushions covered with semi aniline or finest aniline leather (+200 €). Dimensions: Chair 81 x 82 x 81 cm (seat height 40 cm) Show colour samples
Chrome plated cast aluminium structure. 5-star swivel base, tilting and height adjustable. Padded with finest aniline leather. Dimensions: 50 x 57 x 101-112 ( W x D x H ) Show colour samples
Chrome plated tubular steel frame on matt black lacquered base. Mattress and headrest, upholstered in semi-aniline leather or the finest aniline leather. (+ 100 €) Dimensions: 160 x 56 x 70 cm ( L x W x H ) Show colour samples
Black or white marble top on cast aluminium base 120 x 70 cm ( Diam. x H )
Molded plywood on chrome plated tubular steel base. Dimensions: 54 x 43 x 79 cm ( W x D x H ) View colour samples
Chrome plated tubular steel frame. Loose cushions filled with polyurethane foam and dacron wool. Covered with finest aniline leather or fabric. (+ 300 €) Dimensions: 130 x 67 x70 cm ( W x D x H ) Show colour samples
Steel Tube on cast iron base. Shade made of aluminium. Painted in white or black. Dimensions: 35 x 21 x 56 cm ( W x D x H ).
Our furniture is simply exceptional
When it comes down to the quality of our design classics, we make don't compromises.
Every single piece of furniture is still hand-crafted by our suppliers in the heart of the Toscana.
They are made from gleaming, chrome plated steel pipes, fine-smelling leather and other selected materials. All of it EU certified, of course.
This level of craftsmanship and quality is not as inexpensive as some apparent bargain from the Far East. But based on the life span of our furnishings, any price difference is relative.
At the end of the day, it is truly good value for money.
Satisfied customers!
Everyday we are proud to receive the praise from satisfied customers.
Whether by phone, email or our new Trustpilot platform, customers regularly let us know that we've done everything right.
See for yourself... And soon you'll be writing us as well.
10 year guarantee
We are so confident in our products that we promise to correct any flaw resulting from a material or manufacturing defect, free of charge.
And up to 10 years after delivery!
Our 10 year guarantee is a promise we are committed to. We've been doing business online for 18 years and in one case we replaced damaged upholstery after nine years.
Within continentel Europe.
Any questions ? We will have an answer for you.
COD possible.


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The first Arab Open University International Conference on Open Learning: Role, Challenges and Aspirations will take place on 25 – 27 November 2013 at the Arab OU in Kuwait.
The conference will explore the future tools, techniques and challenges associated with the development of an effective educational system. It is organised jointly by the Arab Open University (AOU) in collaboration with RedSOFT (Regional Center for Development of Educational Software).
The conference aims to increase awareness of the importance of open learning and its role in development in the world and specifically in the Arab region, provoke interest in independent learning, prepare different educational system stakeholders for lifelong learning, spread awareness of quality standards and quality assurance in open learning and suggest solutions for the different technological, psycho-social and bureaucratic challenges in open learning.
A second call for papers has just been issued – see the Conference website for further details http://arabou.edu.kw/col/.
The three themes are:
The deadline for papers is 30 April 2013.


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This deal has ended.
This Puma Blueprint Laptop Backpack drops from $65 to $37.99 at 6pm. Plus, shipping is free making this the lowest price we could find by $22. This has a padded laptop compartment (fits most 17" computers), internal mesh zippered valuables pocket, fleece-lined media pocket on top and rubber cord port. Sales tax is charged in most states.No longer available


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Hi, welcome to Viewtiful Joe Wiki! Thanks for your edit to the Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble page.
If you need help, and there are no local admins here, you may want to visit the forums on the Community Central Wiki -- Uberfuzzy (Talk) 07:46, 2010 March 22
Hey! Sala! What's up!? Sonic & Scrab Master
Admin Edit
Hi i made you an admin, but you cant request to be an admin and not edit for like a week. Also if your not an admin contact me.HazeShot 04:08, August 21, 2010 (UTC)
new name Edit
You know thats not a bad idea we should work together to think of something cool. HazeShot 10:20, August 24, 2010 (UTC)
Ya something to do with a movie theater does sound pretty good and those names aren't that bad. Some names i came up with are "Viewtiful Joe World Cinema" or "Viewtiful Joe Home Movies."HazeShot 20:19, August 24, 2010 (UTC)
Thank You.HazeShot 00:29, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
I like the name, if you like we will go with it. HazeShot 00:51, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Cool. Also you are a admin... I checked.HazeShot 00:56, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Hey you know the logo do you have a program to make it?HazeShot 01:04, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Ok cool, if your busy theirs a LogoCreation Wiki you can go to and make a request.HazeShot 01:09, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Awesome.HazeShot 01:17, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
That Logo is Awesome.HazeShot 03:31, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
True true so do you think we should put the logo up.HazeShot 03:44, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Ok I will but do you know how large the logo is.HazeShot 03:49, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
I uploaded the logo...I think. If its not their tomorrow i have to upload it again. HazeShot 04:16, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Hey can you shrink it to 216 x 155 that should fit.HazeShot 04:32, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Sure that might work.HazeShot 04:48, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Do you think this will work or should it be smaller.HazeShot 05:11, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Alright we got the logo.HazeShot 05:14, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Ya is their anything else that we can do.HazeShot 05:21, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Thanks.HazeShot 05:51, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
? Edit
What did I do wrong on the Dr. Cranken page?Egg genisis00 11:25, August 24, 2010 (UTC)
OkEgg genisis00 11:56, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
Thanks Edit
Thanks i think he's pretty sweet.JetMaster 00:14, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
I know i feel the same way.JetMaster 00:18, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
I can't wait to see all the new characters.JetMaster 00:23, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
Me to that sounds interesting.JetMaster 00:48, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
Featured Article Edit
Hey its the end of the month and i was wondering what do you think should be the new featured article. HazeShot 23:57, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
Ya i was also thinking of picking Alastor.HazeShot 00:04, September 1, 2010 (UTC)
I cant deicedHazeShot 00:08, September 1, 2010 (UTC)
Alastor is a good choice.JetMaster 00:09, September 1, 2010 (UTC)
Should i edit the main page or should you or JetMaster.HazeShot 00:13, September 1, 2010 (UTC)
Ok cool.HazeShot 00:16, September 1, 2010 (UTC)
October Article Edit
Ya Fire Leo is a good choice. Also sorry for not responding sooner i have been really busy lately.HazeShot 04:17, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
True.HazeShot 04:21, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
Sounds cool
JetMaster 04:29, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
Yep JetMaster 04:33, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
How bout you since you have'nt done it yet.HazeShot 04:36, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
CoolHazeShot 04:38, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
Good work JetMaster 04:44, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
Ya thats a good idea also nice work.HazeShot 04:48, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
Great idea JetMaster 04:52, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
How to extend articles? Edit
Hi SalaComMander,
First off, I'd like to thank you for welcoming me to this wikia page. Secondly, I have a question for you. I'd like to try to add a Trivia section to the Sexy Silvia article in order to mention her cameo in Joe's endiing in Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes and I have no idea how to add something like that to an article. Could you help me?
Thanks and Hension a-bye-bye.
Featured Article Edit
Its almost November so what do you think the new featured article should be. HazeShot 21:08, October 30, 2010 (UTC)
I nominate Charles JetMaster 22:14, November 1, 2010 (UTC)
Both those are a good choices, but if I had to nominate one i would nominate Viewtiful Joe. HazeShot 22:09, November 2, 2010 (UTC)
Good idea but a featured article should also have a lot of information.HazeShot 02:16, November 3, 2010 (UTC)
I get rid of my vote for Joe.HazeShot 23:16, November 3, 2010 (UTC)
Well I dont know.HazeShot 02:22, November 4, 2010 (UTC)
I am in favor of Joe. Sinslayer7 12:31, November 4, 2010
So Joe won.HazeShot 21:18, November 4, 2010 (UTC)
Happy ThanksGiving Edit
Almost forgot Happy ThanksGiving.HazeShot 03:15, November 26, 2010 (UTC)
Ya but tomorrow im going to be saying I should of eaten more.HazeShot 05:01, November 26, 2010 (UTC)
December Edit
Hey Its december so what are your thoughts for the featured article.
Mine is Frost Tiger.
P.S. I been wondering when you sign your name do you push the Signature button or just spell your name.HazeShot 23:19, December 2, 2010 (UTC)
Ok that sounds good.HazeShot 05:08, December 3, 2010 (UTC)
I agree on Frost Tiger as well.
JetMaster 05:20, December 3, 2010 (UTC)
How do you like my new avatar.JetMaster 21:38, December 24, 2010 (UTC)
January Edit
I vote for Captain Blue Junior.HazeShot 22:49, January 3, 2011 (UTC)
Feburary Edit
Ya I think she is a good choice.HazeShot 06:32, February 1, 2011 (UTC)
What should be the featured article this month.
JetMaster 01:19, March 7, 2011 (UTC)
How about Cameo Leon JetMaster 02:55, March 12, 2011 (UTC)
Sorry it took so long I was busy, but I finally got the featured article done.JetMaster 03:28, March 18, 2011 (UTC)
Thank you. JetMaster 03:43, March 18, 2011 (UTC)
Hey I just got a message from the Community Support Team. So what do you think we should do HazeShot 23:36, March 22, 2011 (UTC)
Hello! I'm part of the Community Support Team at Wikia, and I want to let you know about a change that just took place on this wiki.
This wiki was using a feature called CreatePlates, which was old and buggy. It has been replaced with a newer feature called LayoutBuilder. LayoutBuilder is slightly different than CreatePlates in that it lets you create highly structured page layouts that maintain their shape over time. If you'd like to see it fully in action, you can try it out on our test wiki, which allows anyone to create new templates.
Another thing you may choose to adjust is your "Standard Template" page, which is an additional option presented to users when they create new pages. Standard Template is different from LayoutBuilder templates-- it's just a content starting point for an otherwise normal, non-templated page. You can change the appearance of your Standard Template at MediaWiki:Newpagelayout.
If you have any questions, you can get in touch with me here, on my talk page, or through Special:Contact. Thanks for maintaining such a wonderful wiki!
--Dopp (help forum | blog) 23:20, March 22, 2011 (UTC)
April Edit
Ya thats cool. have you played that game.HazeShot 00:57, April 10, 2011 (UTC)
Ya I got the game last week and Dante is AwesomeHazeShot 01:04, April 10, 2011 (UTC)
- )HazeShot 01:09, April 10, 2011 (UTC)
Great work on the featured article I love that game.JetMaster 17:26, April 11, 2011 (UTC)
Why is it so hard to find pictures of enemies from Viewtiful joe double trouble?
JetMaster 02:31, April 25, 2011 (UTC)
Thank you SalaComMander that sure makes it hard on are wiki though.JetMaster 04:12, April 25, 2011 (UTC)
I know right. The series is great and deserves it.
JetMaster 04:49, April 25, 2011 (UTC)
Does that mean we should start editing their pages? HazeShot 15:45, May 1, 2011 (UTC)
Ok i wasn't sure what you were talking about. Also sure. HazeShot 21:11, May 1, 2011 (UTC)
I couldn't really think of anything so if you come up with something better you can change it. HazeShot 21:30, May 1, 2011 (UTC)
June Edit
Is it my turn to do the featured article? If so i nominate Jet Black. JetMaster 22:31, June 6, 2011 (UTC)
Cool HazeShot 14:51, June 10, 2011 (UTC)
Reporting image abuse Edit
Hi there it seems that user Heuheuheu is uploading some NSFW images to the Red Hot Rumble page http://viewtifuljoe.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Contributions/Heuheuheu I'd remove them if I could but I don't know how to use a wiki for love nor money =,=. I think I've done this message right, but again I'm very much "how do I wiki" I've also left the same message on admin user HazeShot's page, so apologies in advance if this is considered spam Buzzthebatgirl (talk) 10:21, March 3, 2015 (UTC)
Thank you for the response and the removing of the offending images. I've got some time spare today so I'll see if I can lean enough wikia code stuff to help around here :) Buzzthebatgirl (talk) 11:14, March 4, 2015 (UTC)
Well, thank you. It's a little dead around here, but if you see anything you think needs adding/correcting, feel free to do so.
-SalaComMander 18:19, March 4, 2015 (UTC)
Thank you. I'll try my best not to break anything. Hey I didn't come here for the activity, the content is all that matters to be honest. I was trying to add screencaps of Junko and Jasmine from the PSP RHR to their respective pages, but I seem to have done it wrong. I managed to upload the pics but not actually attach them to the pages - hmmm, I'll look at it again later on. Should there be a page detailing the new First 4 Figures Joe statue? Heck should there even be a merchandise page since there is little VJ merchandise it should be easy enough to catalogue but then again this is a knowledge database, not a catalogue, what do you think? Buzzthebatgirl (talk) 18:33, March 4, 2015 (UTC)


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Is the Year 2000 bug a problem for your firm? If it is, what is your firm doing about it?
Thirty years ago when computers were in their infancy, their memory was very limited. To conserve and maximize the use of their available memory, programmers used only two digits to represent years. Instead of "1960,'' they used "60.'' This seemed reasonable, since at the time computer systems were not integrated into almost every daily business and personal transaction. Most general correspondence also used the format "1/1/60'' to represent January 1, 1960.
Past vs. present. Consider how primitive the technology was back then. In the early 1960s, for example, we developed an advanced, state-of-the-art anti-submarine torpedo that used telephone-type stepper switches for its command-and-control system. Today, we would use integrated computer chips.
In those early days, immediate priorities overshadowed any other concerns. No one worried whether the software would misinterpret the abbreviation "00''in the year 2000 as the year 1900. Ironically, one reason the Y2K bug has survived is the concept of "backward compatibility," which was implemented to assure that clients would not have to buy new software each time they purchased a new hardware model.
Theoretically, fixing the Y2K problem is simple. Examine every line of computer code, locate any instructions involving dates, and rewrite them to accept 2000 as a year designation, then test the system to assure that it performs properly and creates no adverse side effects. As simple as it sounds, this solution will require serious effort for it to be achieved on time.
We are months away from what could be a very critical time. Just after midnight, December 31, 1999, thousands of computers could interpret the year 2000 as the year 1900 and make a real mess of daily and corporate life, unless the Y2K bugs have been identified and eliminated.
Firms must ensure that they update all of their internal systems, including payroll, accounting, manufacturing, engineering, distribution, purchasing, and sales tracking. However, the Y2K problem could also be embedded in chips in various controllers, automated teller machines, process-control equipment, CAD-CAM, power grids, and systems used by suppliers, government, banking, insurance, and customers. One weak link in an entire chain could cause a whole system to fail.
A further complication. In addition, many of our trading partners, such as the European unions and Japan, are not making it a priority to solve this problem. Right now, many of them have significant other problems requiring their attention.
The Y2K may or may not create problems for every firm, but can anyone afford to wait until January 1, 2000 to find out? If there are problems, precious little time is available to identify and fix them, including system verification testing. Unlike most projects, the launch date cannot be slipped even one second.
It is difficult to overstate the chaos that will occur if a Y2K problem is not fixed. For you and your firm, it would be beneficial to determine now whether you have a Y2K problem than to be taken by surprise. With so much at stake, you should be prepared.
Please fax or mail your firm's Y2K problem and what your firm is doing about it.
Q: I'd like to learn more about the Year 2000 bug. Where can I get more information about the Y2K problem?
A: For starters, I would try to search the Internet. Try logging onto the Internet and searching on the term, 'Y2K.' You'll find many suggestions. Here are couple of sites: www.IT2000.com , a national bulletin board relating to the problem; www.y2k.com , a Dow Jones business directory site; or www.year2000.com , which offers many articles. All can give you up-to-date information, but as always, it might be best to verify any and all information you read over the 'net.
Q: I understand that The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge lists and discusses some interesting laws. Could you list them for us?
A: In his book, Peter Senge devoted approximately one page to each "law." I will simply mention each one:
Today's problems come from yesterday's 'solutions.'
The harder you push, the harder the system pushes back.
Behavior grows better before it grows worse.
The easy way out usually leads back in.
The cure can be worse than the disease.
Faster is slower.
Cause and effect are not closely related in time and space.
Small changes can produce big results, but the areas of highest leverage are often the ones that are the least obvious.
You can have your cake and eat it too, but not at once.
Dividing an elephant in half does not produce two small elephants.
There is no blame. You and the cause of your problems are part of a single system.


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Related quotes
"Craft your life; waiting for events to do it for you is the worst human affliction. Fledge your wings and learn to fly."
"The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms."
Contributed by: Michelle
"Social media is one of the newest dream killer, the new tv and relationship destroyer. I'm not saying, that they are bad! (Fine print) "in moderation" But it is good to keep track of the things you are doing. Especially if you have dreams, goals and a relationship worth while that might be affected by it. Ask yourself "is this taking me a little closer to my dream/goals, perfect relationship?"


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What's happening this month at the Family Resource Center
Welcome to all new and returning students and families to the 2012-2013 school year.
A special welcome to South Whidbey Academy, the South Whidbey School District's new K-12 alternative program, located at the former primary school. Look for the big Bayview School bell in front. We hope each student finds success and excitement in learning this year!
Author talks about teen communication
Readiness To Learn Foundation and the South Whidbey School District present author Vanessa Van Petten for a free, one-night talk, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.
Van Petten is the author of "Teen Secret Communication 101: The Science of Relationships."
She teaches parents how they can use scientific research to get what they want from their relationships, stop fighting and understand their sometimes frustrating counterparts.
Using social and emotional literacy, Van Petten provides parents with a new strategy to fight bullying, lying and teen drama.
She is also a CNN columnist, winner of the Mom's Choice Award, was featured on The Dr. Drew Show, CBS News and Fox News, The Doctors, The Real Housewives of Orange County and has been in the Wall Street Journal, Teen Vogue and is author of "Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I'm Grounded?"
For more information or to register, contact Lauri Johnson at the South Whidbey Family Resource Center at 221-0484.
Back To School Project is successful
We have completed our 14th annual Back to School project with great success, assisting 260 students, and want to take this time to thank each and every person who dropped off school supplies, donated supplies and money to the donation boxes, for all the banks and business partners who provided a space for our donation boxes, Webb's Department Store for contributing 150 Jansport backpacks, The Goose Grocer, Whidbey Coffee and the entire community for supporting this popular and much-needed program. This could not have been accomplished without everyone's cooperation. Again, a huge "Thank-you" for seeing that all our students began school ready to learn.
Readiness To Learn continues to provide school supplies throughout the year to students in need.
donations needed for Laundry Fund
Last year we put a call out for laundry funds for families who didn't own a washer and dryer and found that paying $6 per load at the laundromat was a struggle.
We are once again asking for small donations to fill our depleted laundry fund. We also received a small supply of laundry detergent last year and would like to be able to offer detergent as well.
If you think you can chip in $5, send it to SW Family Resource Center, P.O. Box 346, Langley, WA. 98260. Thank you in advance!
Relatives As Parents Program
Are you raising a relative's child? Is the child your grandchild, niece or nephew? Would you like to join an informal group of relative caregivers who understand what you are going through?
You are invited to attend a RAPP meeting once a month. We also welcome drop-ins. Bring a guest!
For more information or to sign up, call Marilynn Norby at 221-0484.
Single Mom's Group meets
Feeling isolated? Just want a night out? Would you enjoy someone to talk to confidentially, who, like yourself, is parenting alone … or feels like you are? Want to know what community resources you can access?
Our group is open to any mom who is parenting alone, or feels alone, and needs the support of other single moms. Join this great group in a casual and confidential atmosphere. We meet once a month from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Join us for a complimentary dinner, potluck style and free child care (upon request, in advance). To RSVP for child care, call 221-0484.
Parents of Special Needs Children
All parents and caregivers of special needs children of any age are welcome to join this monthly support group.
Lend support or get support and relax with other parents who share the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs.
Meetings take place in the Family Resource Center the second Friday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Child care is provided upon request and in advance.
Call the Family Resource Center at 221-0484 to RSVP and for more information.
The Family Resource Center is located at the South Whidbey Primary School Campus, located at 5476 S. Maxwelton Road in Langley.
For more information, visit rtlearnfoundation.org.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For the seventh consecutive year, the Archdiocese of New York was found to be in full compliance with the Bishop's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, created in 2002 in response to the grave problem of child sexual abuse in Catholic institutions.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released its annual summary indicating that since 2003, the Archdiocese of New York has completed a total of 87,926 background checks on clergy, employees, and volunteers, including 7,588 for the most recent calendar year of 2011.
Additionally, during the same time period, 78,893 people have received safe environment training, including more than 7,800 in the past year. A total of 157,479 school children received age-appropriate safety training in the 2010-2011 school year.


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From the Indiana University School of Medicine (Drs Khan, Hui, Buckley, Farber, and Boustani), Indianapolis, IN; Department of Pharmacy, Westchester Medical Center (Dr Guzman), Westchester, NY; Regenstrief Institute, Inc (Drs Khan, Campbell, Hui, Zawahiri, and Boustani and Mr Perkins), Indianapolis, IN; Wishard Health Services (Dr Walroth and Mr Tricker), Indianapolis, IN; Indiana University Center for Aging Research (Drs Khan, Campbell, Hui, and Boustani), Indianapolis, IN; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University College of Pharmacy (Dr Campbell), West Lafayette, IN; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Dr Ely), Nashville, TN; and US Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (Dr Ely), Nashville, TN.
Correspondence to: Babar A. Khan, MD, 410 W 10th St, Ste 2000, Indianapolis, IN 46202; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: Dr Boustani has received grant funds from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institutes of Health, grant funds from Forest Pharmaceuticals and Novartis, and serves on the speakers' bureau for Pfizer Inc and an advisory board for Eli Lilly and Company. All other authors have reported to CHEST that no potential conflicts of interest exist with any companies/organizations whose products or services may be discussed in this article.
Role of sponsors: The sponsor had no role in the design of the study, the collection and analysis of the data, or in the preparation of the manuscript.
Funding/Support: The study was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging [Grant R01AG034205-01A1].
Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission from the American College of Chest Physicians. See online for more details.
Delirium evaluation in patients in the ICU requires the use of an arousal/sedation assessment tool prior to assessing consciousness. The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) are well-validated arousal/sedation tools. We sought to assess the concordance of RASS and SAS assessments in determining eligibility of patients in the ICU for delirium screening using the confusion assessment method for the ICU (CAM-ICU).
We performed a prospective cohort study in the adult medical, surgical, and progressive (step-down) ICUs of a tertiary care, university-affiliated, urban hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The cohort included 975 admissions to the ICU between January and October 2009.
The outcome measures of interest were the correlation and agreement between RASS and SAS measurements. In 2,469 RASS and SAS paired screens, the rank correlation using the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.91, and the agreement between the two screening tools for assessing CAM-ICU eligibility as estimated by the κ coefficient was 0.93. Analysis showed that 70.1% of screens were eligible for CAM-ICU assessment using RASS (7.1% sedated [RASS −3 to −1]; 62.6% calm [0]; and 0.4% restless, agitated [+1 to +3]), compared with 72.1% using SAS (5% sedated [SAS 3]; 66.5% calm [4]; and 0.6% anxious, agitated [5, 6]). In the mechanically ventilated subgroup, RASS identified 19.1% CAM-ICU eligible patients compared with 24.6% by SAS. The correlation coefficient in this subgroup was 0.70 and the agreement was 0.81.
Both SAS and RASS led to similar rates of delirium assessment using the CAM-ICU.
Delirium has been defined as a syndrome of altered consciousness, with a reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention, that occurs over a short time with fluctuations over the course of the day.1 It is a highly prevalent brain syndrome in critically ill patients in the ICU.2‐7 Patients with delirium in the ICU have a longer stay in the ICU, greater number of ventilator days, and higher mortality after adjusting for age, sex, race, and severity of illness.3,4
Due to the significant burden of delirium, US national guidelines recommend daily delirium assessments as part of standard ICU care.8 The confusion assessment method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) is one of the most commonly used, reliable, and valid tools to diagnose delirium in a time-efficient manner (Fig 1).9 A prerequisite and "sister instrument" to delirium evaluation is the assessment of a patient's level of arousal using standardized, validated arousal scales, also referred to as sedation-agitation scales. Since there is some difficulty defining the gray zone between coma and alertness, sometimes referred to as stupor, a decision was made early in ICU delirium work to categorize patients as "unable to assess" if they were in a comatose state, which is an inability to respond at all to verbal stimulation. This arousal level has been defined by the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), developed by Sessler and others,10‐15 as having a RASS score of −4 and −5 (Table 1). If a patient is at this reduced level of consciousness, the ICU teams do not perform a delirium assessment at that time. While the RASS is a common arousal scale used worldwide,16 a significant proportion of the ICUs use other sedation scales.17‐20 The Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) developed by Riker et al18 is a common sedation assessment scale that has been validated in ventilated and nonventilated patients in medical and surgical ICUs (Table 2).21‐25 Though SAS has been used as a sister instrument prior to delirium screening in multiple studies,26,27 its reliability in conjunction with the CAM-ICU compared with RASS has not been investigated.
Using the data of a quality improvement project to standardize delirium assessment in the ICU of an urban hospital, we evaluated the correlation between RASS and SAS and their agreement on patients' eligibility for delirium assessment using the CAM-ICU. We hypothesized that the correlation between these two scales and their agreement in identifying patients eligible for CAM-ICU assessment would be > 0.5 among both ventilated and nonventilated patients in the ICU.
Consecutive patients admitted to the medical and coronary ICU (MICU) or surgical ICU (SICU) services of Wishard Memorial Hospital (WMH) from January 1, 2009, to October 1, 2009, were included in the study. WMH is a 457-bed, university-affiliated, urban public hospital staffed by Indiana University School of Medicine faculty and house staff. It has three types of ICUs: an 8-bed SICU; a 14-bed MICU; and a 29-bed progressive ICU (PICU), a step-down unit from other ICUs. The MICU and SICU are staffed identically with registered nurses at a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2, or 1:1 when necessary. In the PICU, the nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:3. The ICU teams rotate every month and consist of a faculty member, a critical-care fellow, four residents, one nurse practitioner, and one critical-care clinical pharmacist.
The following inclusion criteria were used to enroll patients in the study: 1) admitted to the WMH ICUs, 2) age ≥ 18 years, and 3) able to speak English. Patients were excluded if they were (1) not English speaking, (2) hearing impaired, (3) legally blind, (4) admitted with alcohol intoxication, (5) prisoners, or (6) diagnosed as having an Axis I psychiatric disorder. This study (Internal Review Board number 0812-01) was approved as a continuous quality improvement delirium project by the Research Compliance Administration of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. We were given permission to use RASS, SAS, and the CAM-ICU scales, and they were not modified in any manner. As RASS, SAS, and the CAM-ICU are routinely used for patient care, the continuous quality improvement qualified for exemption from informed consent from the patients by the local research compliance administration.
After familiarizing themselves with the scales through printed manuals and online videos, two critical-care pharmacists, as part of their daily clinical routine, performed the RASS, SAS, and CAM-ICU assessments 48 h after patients' ICU admission and then daily afterward until the patients became delirious, died, or were discharged from the ICU. The SAS was applied first, immediately followed by the RASS. Assessments were made by the same pharmacist, who was not blinded to the initial SAS assessment. A cutoff of RASS > −4 (ie, any response to verbal stimulation) and a SAS > 2 (ie, difficult to arouse, but awakens to verbal stimuli or gentle shaking; follows simple commands, but drifts off again) were used to identify patients eligible for CAM-ICU. Patients were considered delirious if they had a positive CAM-ICU result, achieved by showing signs of acute change in mental status or fluctuating course, displaying features of inattention, and either disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness. The average time taken by study personnel to administer RASS or SAS was < 30 s. Baseline demographics, including age, sex, race, and mechanical ventilation status, were also collected prospectively.
The primary analysis was based on all concomitant RASS/SAS screens performed during the stay of all admissions to the ICUs in the study period. Patient characteristics of all admissions were described using mean and SD for continuous variables, frequency and percentages for categorical variables, and median and interquartile range (IQR) for ordinal values. RASS and SAS scores were reported as median and IQR and their rank correlations were estimated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Their agreement in identifying patients eligible for CAM-ICU was estimated using κ statistics. These analyses were also performed on the subset of assessments made on patients while they were on mechanical ventilation and based on their MICU, SICU, or PICU status. All data analyses were performed using SAS version 9.3 software (SAS Institute).
During the study period, 2,469 concomitant RASS/SAS assessments were performed on 975 consecutive patient admissions to the ICUs. Table 3 describes the patient characteristics of these admissions. The mean age at admission to our ICUs was 52.3 years (SD ± 15.8), with one-third being ≥ 60 years. The prevalence of delirium was 13.1% in the overall patient population and 50.6% in mechanically ventilated patients. The median RASS score over the course of the ICU stay was 0 (IQR, –4-0). Thirty percent of RASS scores were –5 and –4 (coma), 7% were in the range of –3 to –1 (sedated), 62.6% were 0 (calm), and 0.4% ranged from +1 to +3 (restless, agitated) (Fig 2A). The median SAS score was 4 (IQR, 2-4). For the SAS assessments, 66.5% of screens corresponded to a calm state (SAS 4), 32.8% to being sedated (SAS 1-3), and only 0.6% were characterized as anxious or agitated (SAS 5-6) (Fig 2B).
Data given as No. (%) unless otherwise indicated. MICU = medical and coronary ICU; PICU = progressive (step-down) ICU; SICU = surgical ICU.
The RASS and SAS scores in the overall patient population are cross-tabulated in Table 4. The Spearman rank correlation between the scores of these two instruments was estimated to be 0.91. Showing remarkable similarity, 70.1% of screens were eligible for CAM-ICU assessment using RASS of ≥ −3 compared with 72.1% using SAS ≥ 3. The agreement between the two screening tools for assessing CAM-ICU eligibility as estimated by the κ coefficient was 0.93.
Bold text indicates patients eligible for the confusion assessment method of the ICU who were identified by both screens. RASS = Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale; SAS = Sedation-Agitation Scale.
Table 5 shows the cross-tabulation of RASS and SAS scores in the mechanically ventilated subgroup. In this subgroup, the Spearman correlation coefficient between the two scales was 0.7. Using RASS, 19.1% of screens were eligible for CAM-ICU, compared with 24.6% using SAS. The agreement between the two scales for CAM-ICU eligibility had a κ of 0.81. The correlation between RASS and SAS and their agreement on CAM-ICU eligibility based on patient location are presented in Table 6.
Bold text indicates patients eligible for the confusion assessment method of the ICU who were identified by both screens. See Table 4 legend for expansion of abbreviations.
See Table 3 and 5 legends for expansion of abbreviations.
Correlation as measured by Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
Agreement as measured by κ statistic.
Our study found a high level of agreement between the RASS and SAS in identifying patients eligible for delirium assessment in the ICU. The study also confirmed the high correlation between the two scales in evaluating arousal status among diverse patients in the ICU, a high proportion of whom were of black race. Thus, both SAS and RASS can be used interchangeably alongside the delirium instrument CAM-ICU. Prior to our study, Sessler et al10 had performed a RASS and SAS correlation in their initial report on assessing the validity and reliability of RASS in patients in the MICU and found a correlation of 0.78. Our study confirms their findings and extends them to a larger medical and surgical cohort.
Optimal sedation in the ICU is imperative as inadequate sedation and analgesia can have hazardous consequences, including inadvertent removal of central venous catheters, arterial catheters, endotracheal tubes, aggressive patient behavior resulting in harm to patient and health-care providers, and patient-ventilator dysynchrony.28,29 Excessive sedation can lead to increased duration of mechanical ventilation; longer length of hospital stay30,31; and delirium6 that, in turn, leads to increased length of ICU and hospital stay4 and is also an independent predictor of mortality.3 A protocol-driven approach to sedation may minimize these dilemmas. The Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines8 emphasize the importance of establishing a sedation goal or endpoint that should be regularly redefined for each patient. Use of validated arousal/sedation assessment tools will help achieve the desired level of sedation. The desirable features for any arousal assessment scale include high feasibility for clinical use across various populations and strong psychometric properties, including interrater reliability and sensitivity to change.8,32,33 Given the strong agreement between RASS and SAS screenings as a component of the arousal evaluation to accompany delirium assessments in a mixed ICU population, either of these tools could be used as the sister instrument to the CAM-ICU to assess level of consciousness.
The strengths of our study include its sample size and its diverse patient population. Our cohort has a large proportion of minority patients and includes both medical and surgical inpatients, thus increasing the generalizability of our results. In addition, this is the first study to specifically address whether a specific arousal tool might affect the subsequent decision of conducting a delirium assessment. The major limitation of our study is the inclusion of patients in the PICU, the majority of whom were not mechanically ventilated. This resulted in a large number of screens with a RASS score of 0 and SAS score of 4, which could have resulted in an artificially inflated correlation coefficient. Still, the correlation between the two scales remained high (although lower) when our analysis was restricted to mechanically ventilated patients, although the majority of assessments were in the comatose range. Finding such a high number of comatose assessments in our study prompted a closer inquiry into the sedation practices that resulted in the institution of a "wake up and breathe protocol"34 at the WMH ICU that couples daily interruption of sedation with spontaneous breathing. Due to a small percentage (7%) of patients in the mildly to moderately sedated range (RASS score: −1-−3), applicability of our findings to other ICUs may be limited. Of patients with a RASS score of −5 (unable to rouse, no response to voice or physical stimulus), 75% had a concomitant SAS score of 2 (arouses to physical stimuli, but does not communicate or follow commands; may move spontaneously). We believe that this discrepancy was due to human errors, including errors in judgment and recording. However, a misapplication of the RASS and/or SAS methodology by the raters cannot be ruled out. Another limitation of this investigation is the concomitant assessment of SAS and RASS by the same person. However, other studies have demonstrated that these instruments have high interrater reliability and reproducibility, and thus, the potential bias of this limitation is minimal.
There is a strong agreement between RASS and SAS screenings as a component of the arousal examination to accompany delirium assessments in a mixed ICU population. In screening for delirium, either of these tools could be used as the sister instrument to the CAM-ICU to assess level of consciousness.
Author contributions: Dr Khan had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Dr Khan: contributed to conception and design of the study; data acquisition, analysis, and/or interpretation; writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; and approval of the final manuscript; and served as principal author.
Dr Guzman: contributed to conception and design of the study, critical revision of the manuscript, and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Campbell: contributed to conception and design of the study; data acquisition, analysis, and/or interpretation; writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Walroth: contributed to conception and design of the study, critically revising the article, and approval of the final manuscript.
Mr Tricker: contributed to conception and design of the study, critically revising the article, and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Hui: contributed to data analysis and interpretation, writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final manuscript.
Mr Perkins: contributed to data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation; writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Zawahiri: contributed to data acquisition, writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Buckley: contributed to conception and design of the study; data acquisition, analysis, and/or interpretation; writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Farber: contributed to conception and design of the study, writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Ely: contributed to conception and design of the study, writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final manuscript.
Dr Boustani: contributed to conception and design of the study; data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation; writing or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; and approval of the final manuscript.
confusion assessment method for the ICU
medical and coronary ICU
progressive ICU
Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale
Sedation-Agitation Scale
surgical ICU
Wishard Memorial Hospital
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