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5 U.S. Code § 7114 - Representation rights and duties
§ 7114.
Representation rights and duties
A labor organization which has been accorded exclusive recognition is the exclusive representative of the employees in the unit it represents and is entitled to act for, and negotiate collective bargaining agreements covering, all employees in the unit. An exclusive representative is responsible for representing the interests of all employees in the unit it represents without discrimination and without regard to labor organization membership.
(2) An exclusive representative of an appropriate unit in an agency shall be given the opportunity to be represented at—
any formal discussion between one or more representatives of the agency and one or more employees in the unit or their representatives concerning any grievance or any personnel policy or practices or other general condition of employment; or
Each agency shall annually inform its employees of their rights under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection.
Any agency and any exclusive representative in any appropriate unit in the agency, through appropriate representatives, shall meet and negotiate in good faith for the purposes of arriving at a collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the agency and the exclusive representative may determine appropriate techniques, consistent with the provisions of section 7119 of this title, to assist in any negotiation.
(5) The rights of an exclusive representative under the provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to preclude an employee from—
being represented by an attorney or other representative, other than the exclusive representative, of the employee's own choosing in any grievance or appeal action; or
except in the case of grievance or appeal procedures negotiated under this chapter.
(b) The duty of an agency and an exclusive representative to negotiate in good faith under subsection (a) of this section shall include the obligation—
to be represented at the negotiations by duly authorized representatives prepared to discuss and negotiate on any condition of employment;
to meet at reasonable times and convenient places as frequently as may be necessary, and to avoid unnecessary delays;
(4) in the case of an agency, to furnish to the exclusive representative involved, or its authorized representative, upon request and, to the extent not prohibited by law, data—
which is reasonably available and necessary for full and proper discussion, understanding, and negotiation of subjects within the scope of collective bargaining; and
An agreement between any agency and an exclusive representative shall be subject to approval by the head of the agency.
The head of the agency shall approve the agreement within 30 days from the date the agreement is executed if the agreement is in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and any other applicable law, rule, or regulation (unless the agency has granted an exception to the provision).
If the head of the agency does not approve or disapprove the agreement within the 30-day period, the agreement shall take effect and shall be binding on the agency and the exclusive representative subject to the provisions of this chapter and any other applicable law, rule, or regulation.
(Added Pub. L. 95–454, title VII, § 701, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1202.)
Partial Suspension of Federal Service Labor-Management Relations
Subsec. (a)(1) and (4) of this section suspended with respect to any matter proposed for bargaining which would substantially impair the implementation by the United States Forces of any treaty or agreement, including any minutes or understandings thereto, between the United States and the Government of the host nation, see section 1(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12391, Nov. 4, 1982, 47 F.R. 50457, set out as a note under section 7103 of this title.
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After a particularly cold, snow-filled winter, many Americans are looking forward to spring break this year. Take a look at some of the best spring break destinations based on affordability, accessibility, popularity and nightlife.
10. Sanibel Island. For a calm week at the beach, head to Sanibel Island. In place of a raucous boardwalk, you'll have an avenue lined with cute boutiques and a quiet shoreline littered with shells.
9. Playa del Carmen. This hot spot is often compared to Cancun with its affordable accommodations and popularity with twenty-somethings. However, Playa del Carmen is far more laid-back, and without as much debauchery.
8. Cabo San Lucas. Although the accommodations tend to run on the expensive side here, Cabo San Lucas stands as the party capital of southern Baja. Beautiful beaches like Playa Medano appeal to students in need of some R&R.
7. Jamaica. Jamaica has been a go-to spring break getaway for years. The resort-laden Caribbean island boasts aquatic activities by day and plenty of low-key venues for drinking and debauchery at night. Montego Bay and Negril are particularly popular spots.
6. Puerto Rico. It may not have a stereotypical spring break reputation, but Puerto Rico offers visitors a taste of the Caribbean on U.S. soil. During the day, Puerto Rico's pretty beaches beckon to sun-seekers, swimmers, and windsurfers. And by night, music spills out of bars and clubs across the island.
5. The Bahamas. The Bahamas' gorgeous sands and cerulean waves lure hordes of sun-seekers year after year. There are plenty of activities that cater to outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking in Lucayan National Park.
4. Puerto Vallarta. By day, Puerto Vallarta is tailor-made for outdoorsy types, with its powdery sands and hidden coves. And once the sun sets, abundant happy hour specials cater to those on a tight budget.
3. Cancun. This spot has long held its reputation as a popular spring break destination in North America. The city exudes a more laid-back attitude than many American destinations when comes to late-night partying.
2. South Padre Island, Texas. During the rest of the year, South Padre Island ushers in families to its luxury resort hotels and beautiful beaches. But when springtime rolls around, temporary revelers flock here and all-night parties fill the streets throughout the entire month of March.
1. Miami Beach. Although a Florida vacation can be pricey, this Miami mainstay is surprisingly accessible. Clubs and bars line the colorful streets, encouraging night owls to stay out until the wee hours. And by day, the city's long sandy stretches make a pleasant place to perfect a tan.
To read more about these spring break hot spots, please visit travel.usnews.com.
To see our list of 10 sunny, affordable winter escapes, click here.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Last week we asked you to share your stories on your journey to the 2013 PruHealth London Grand Final with us. You responded and in a big way. With the last World Triathlon Series race before the Grand Final just days away in Stockholm, today we highlight some of the stories you sent in. It's also not too late to have your story featured. Simply email us a 300 to 500 word recap of your journey and a picture to accompany it at firstname.lastname@example.com. Every week until the Grand Final, we'll share your story with the triathlon family.
Canada's Warren Parker
I am thrilled to be coming to London from Canada to participate in both the standard distance and sprint in the men's 45-49. Even more special as I was born in UK and moved at 13 but still very proud to be born in UK. Ten years ago I donated a kidney to a sick family member. I often say its the best thing I ever did. My cousin is now healthy for the first time in his life from 18 to 28 as years 5 to 18 he was often fighting cancer. To continue reading how the donation of his kidney affected Warren's road to London, click here.
Thailand's Nini Ruttanaporn
My name is Nini (Nichakarn Ruttanaporn) competing as an age-group (20-24yr F) athlete of Thailand in a standard distance in ITU World Triathlon London this year. Ten years ago, when I was 14 I got bullied very badly in school. They called me bad and very rude names, ganged up on me, even cut out pen ink and put in my backpack and many more. Read how triathlon helped Nini battle back from bullying here.
New Zealand's Michael Cousins
Back in mid 2012, a friend of mine from Christchurch signed up for the 2013 Lake Wanaka Challenge Half Ironman. When I saw this I thought, this looks like a great challenge, as we were both putting on a 'middle aged spread' – in other words getting too comfortable with minimal exercise and a not so healthy lifestyle. The challenge was on. Read how Michael battled the middle age spread on his Road to London here.
Canada's Bonnie Slowley
Not sure my story is that exciting but I'm probably one of the newest to the sport entries this year. I signed up for my first triathlon in 2011, a friend talked me into it after a few glasses of wine and before I knew it I was signed up for the Lake Chaparral Sprint Distance, in August. If your triathlon journey also started over a glass of wine, continue reading Bonnie's story here.
Love triathlon? Love taking scenic shots or happy snaps? Then have we got a competition for you. Win great prizes and get a FREE E-book.
Next month more than 5000 triathletes will land in London to compete in the 2013 World Triathlon Grand Final London and this year, we're keen to share all the stories that make the World Championships such a special event.


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Guide to Geologic Hazards in Alaska
- Strudel scour
- Drainage of large volumes of fresh water through sea ice at holes and cracks (strudel) causes scour depressions in the sea floor below. In Alaska these scour depressions have been observed to be more than 4 m deep and as much as 20 across. (Reimnitz, Erk and others, 1974)


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OREGON DAILY EMERALD: Group takes Colombian displacement issue to the government
Activists from the Latin America Solidarity Committee visited the federal courthouse yesterday afternoon to urge members of the U.S. Congress to support a new House resolution that addresses the large-scale internal displacement of populations in Colombia.As part of their "Face the Displaced" campaign, members of the Eugene organization are focusing on publicizing Colombia's current political situation, which has led to millions of displaced civilians, by urging people to support House Resolution 1224, a bill that would pressure the Colombian government to deal with the large-scale displacement.Forty years of multi-party conflict between the Colombian army and armed groups, including insurgent groups — notably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — has fostered the internal displacement of almost 5 million Colombians, or about 10 percent of the country's population, according to the Consultancy on Human Rights and Displacement. Solidarity committee spokesperson Scott Miksch said because Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his administration have done little to fix the problem — and in his estimation may actually be contributing to it — responsibility resides with the U.S. to reduce financial support of the current paradigm."We're gonna bring the notice to our representatives here that there's legislation in Congress that puts pressure on the Colombian government," Miksch said. "By withholding military aid, by ending assistance to the so-called 'war on drugs,' we can put pressure on the Colombian government to make things right."The committee is also part of a campaign to shut down the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, a Spanish-language combat training school located at Fort Benning, Ga., formerly known as the School of the Americas."Our main focus is, of course, the internally displaced people of Colombia, but we are raising the issue of the School of the Americas at the same time because there's a real intersection in Colombia with the amount of soldiers that go to the School of the Americas, get trained by the U.S. in various military tactics, and then go back into their native country and create the situation that leads to so many displaced people," Miksch said.Miksch said despite the school's renaming in 2001, notable reorganization had not occurred. He also said the school, which is still contributing to political violence in Latin America, has often come under public scrutiny for training notorious human rights violators such as Manuel Noriega and Leopoldo Galtieri."There wasn't any real change that we know of; the trainers, the philosophy they are teaching, the facility where they train them at, none of that changed at all," he said. "You're still having people graduate from WHINSEC — that's what they're calling it now — who go on to commit human rights violations."Peg Morton, who visited Colombia in 2006 with a group that accompanied thousands of displaced Afro-Colombians outside Bogota, said the armed groups on all sides often target civilians because of land interests."Colombia is a very rich country as far as the resources it has under the ground and as far as its soil," she said. "It's various economic interests that are involved in pushing the ordinary people, who are just trying to survive with dignity, off of their land."She agreed with Miksch that the Colombian government is perpetuating the problem of displaced peoples.To read this article in the Oregon Daily Emerald, click here.


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The other day someone asked me, just as a part of some rocking chair on the porch kind of conversation, "if you think this Obamacare is ever gonna work." This person I knew was of decidedly Conservative and Republican inclination. Fox News was a constant feed for him. Yet I also knew him as a considerate man who had asked me genuinely wanting hear things from my perspective. Ever the one for bold pronouncements, I announced that it would work out… and that it wouldn't. There were parts that would accomplish good and others that would involve unintended consequence, that would call for reform of the reform. The day I hoped for, I said, was when they would stop calling it Obamacare �naming it thus the political football of the moment. I dreamed of the day they would simply recognize it as the current state of regulatory policy and public resource addressing access and quality of healthcare.
They don't call Social Security "FDR-Care" anymore, if they ever did. Your occasional history buff might recall that it was a part of the 'The New Deal' �but even when Conservatives with a less than fond place for it in their hearts talk about wanting to reform the system they are now obligated to explain what they find wrong and what they mean to fix �and how. But for the extremists few try to argue that simply tearing down the entirety of the extant system is a reasonable goal for the public endeavor.
It was then that I came up with this idea about how to counteract the inanity of the persona bashing politics of personal destruction. What if we took away the names and the faces? Maybe even the brands? No more donkeys and elephants. We could still use our politics as entertainment. One can entertain an idea after all. But if we simply pitched our proposal and countered with critique that was anonymous in a way. We all know that doesn't work so well in comment threads after news and opinion pieces online or blogs. But maybe we have the model backwards there, with the public faceless and the candidates on blatant display, shining like product. What if we made them the shadow figures and asked them to advance their causes only on the merit: sight unseen but substance examined?
I may have come up with a new format for future political debates. Something somewhere between 'The Dating Game' and 'What's My Line?' �of course now I'm probably dating myself.


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The Phillies Drop 2 of 3 To The Red Sox
I am grouchy. It happens. Two straight losses to the Red Sox will do that. So, the Phillies have an off day tomorrow and boy, oh boy, do they need it bad. This team looks like they may be headed for trouble if they don't quickly regroup and find a way to put the wheels back on the track. Having lost their last 3 series now, they will come back on Friday to face the 1st place Angels, one of the best base running teams in the AL. And when you look as tired and run down as the Phillies do right now, the last thing you need to see is a team that is ready to burn up the base path.
As usual, it boils down to starting pitching and today, the Sox made Kyle Kendrick look like a minor leaguer. He gave up 6 runs and 2 walks with 2 homers in only 3 innings and had to be pulled early.
Our bullpen was excellent as usual, giving up only 1 more run and giving the team a shot at getting back in the game, but as has been the trend of late, the offense could not get the job done. As a team, they mustered up only 6 hits and struggled again to advance runners. Chase Utley continues to battle at the plate, jumping his no hit streak to a massive 0 for 20. His reaction to this?…see photo. What??? Yeah, right there with ya…we all have no clue what is up with this funk he's in. Well, it happens to the best of them.
Well, as I always say, tomorrow is another day. Unless it is the last day of the season and we miss the playoffs…don't talk to me on that day. But for now, it is only June, let's try to think happy thoughts J Sunshine, flowers, ocean waves….did it work? Ok, yeah, I am still in a bad mood too…sorry, I tried. I'll get over it later…for now, I'll use it as an excuse to eat some chocolate…. Have a happy day off everyone!
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I'm not going to push the panic button, but Utley is going to have to figure out where he swing has disappear to. I hope all of the praising that he has been getting lately hasn't somehow short circuited his brain cells. Otherwise, this is going to be a real long summer.


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Anna Ho
I would never have thought that I'd take an interest in plants but Mihai's introductory course proved otherwise. Plants are living organisms that we are constantly surrounded by but sadly we pay very little attention to them. I'm glad that BI266 is a required course for biology students and I hope that everyone finds plants as exciting as I do!


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Style. It's a word that gets bandied about a lot: I wish I had her style, she's so stylish or …in the style of for example. Is style just a matter of looking good or being pretty? Of course not; it's about so much more than that but to actually pin-point what style is, to really quantify the word is a matter of personal opinion. So on to me and my opinion: someone head to toe in designer clothes with immaculate make up and 500 dollar highlights (you know the type of lady I mean, every city has them) is what the term style over substance was invented for.
And what about the girls who have to have the handbag of the season, or the apartment with the right address? So you have a girl with the apartment, the clothes, the bag AND the highlights but of course this doesn't guarantee style.
To be beautiful is not enough, to be rich is not enough but to be happy and comfortable with who you are, THAT to me is style (and of course a cool look won't hurt either!) I guess what I am trying to say is that style is not entirely about how you look, it's about who you are and what you choose to do with your time.
Yes, Chloe Sevigny and Erin Wasson have bucket loads of style but so does my seventy year old neighbour Maria who baked me a cheese cake yesterday because she thought I might like it. Thank you Maria!
Here are some photos that I have taken of people (for my blog) that I believe have true style:


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Get the most innovative ideas and proven case studies in digital marketing.
Here are some of the speakers from 2016. Check back to see who's coming in 2017.
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Get informed and inspired at more than 200 sessions and labs across eight tracks.
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Last year Weezer performed. Stay tuned as we announce the 2017 band.


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We thought so many of your awesome scripts were awesome, we've had a last-minute hoarding instinct surge and decided to shoot not one, but TWO of the submitted sketches. Colin Elzie, as our runner-up, you can look forward to seeing your sketch too featured on the Cracked front page, and a relatively modest hundred dollars for your efforts. Sweetness!
Hey, rubes, how's it going? Nice job with the sketches.
For those of you who missed it, a few weeks back, we announced that we'd be willing to let one lucky reader do our job for us. The winner would get to see their script turned into a video on the front page of Cracked.com and $300. Meanwhile, we'd spend the extra time basking in tropical sun on a little island nation called SuperTahiti.
Heard of it? Didn't think so. It's above Tahiti. WAY above.
So while the Cracked staffers were seeing who could fit the most paid models onto the prow of their yacht without capsizing, you folks were apparently hard at work. So hard at work, in fact, that sifting through your many, many excellent submissions and selecting the one that is unequivocally, without question the best took us much longer than expected. Why, it took all the way until...NOW!
So without further ado, we're pleased to announce that for once, we will not be exploiting the fact that nobody called "No Takebacks" when we made an announcement. The winner of CRACKED's first thing like this is...
His entry "Timed Presentation" so dominated everyone else's that we're positive all the entrants will join us in our chorus of contest-rules-mandated praise. CONGRATULATIONS, CONTESTANT!
You can look forward to seeing your sketch brought to vivid life by the CRACKED team and featured on the very front page, as well as 300 bucks, AKA what we found in the cracks of Soren's waveless waterbed after "Make It Rain" night.
Enjoy our orgy-stink all up in your Paypal, C.J.
And to all those who entered, a hearty thanks from the CRACKED team. There were so many good sketches submitted, we plan to do this again soon, and may in fact never have to do our jobs again. Keep living our dreams, kids.
Keep living our dreams.
If you missed this contest, or were one of the many fantastic entries who didn't get selected (as opposed to the entries that were just racism in rhyming couplets) it's NOT too late. You can post your videos in the forum any time. If we like them, you'll be on the front page of the site and marginally wealthier in no time.
If you don't make movies, but have an idea in mind that would make a great article, sign up for our writers workshop! Do you possess expert skills in image creation and manipulation? Mediocre? Even rudimentary? Are you frightened by MS Paint and simply have a funny idea? You can create an infograpic or just write a script for one and you could be on the front page of Cracked.com tomorrow!


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From the Pulpit: Trust God in prayer
Today's text: Mt. 6: 1-8 (NKJV)
The World is not a Stage: The words of Jesus in paraphrase. I have not reflected on the words of Christ.
"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.
"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure – 'playactors' I call them – treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get.
When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it – quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Pray with Simplicity
"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.
Trust God in Prayer: Reflections on the words of Christ: Focus on: Mat. 6:7-8
Do not use empty repetition: Read Mat. 23: 4, then the text below.
There is nothing wrong with saying a memorized prayer but it should not be repeated without thought. Written, well-worded prayer is fine but again, the heart must be offering the prayer and not the mind or ego.
Do not use "ritual prayer," nor formalized worship prayer, as it can become habitual instead of heartfelt.
Do not use "thoughtless" prayer, letting the mind wander or become insincere.
Do not use habitual words or references, for example are you often using the same words and titles "Lord this and Lord that," "in Jesus name," etc. (Is. 9:6)
Several things can keep us from using repetition in prayer:
Have a genuine heart. Pray with thought and concentration. Every Christian has a desire for fellowship with God. Preparation and meditation on God's word ensures our prayers are heard!
Do not speak much
Length of prayer does not mean you are more spiritually devoted. If your intent is to impress God or others that you are more spiritual, you have missed the point of prayer!
Prayers are not automatically heard by God. Again, the intention of the heart of the one praying makes all the difference. If you are trying to impress God or someone else, you've missed the point! Sometimes, our prayers rise no higher than the ceiling.
There is nothing wrong with a long prayer, nor short prayer, if the prayer is heartfelt. Clear your mind, go before the throne of God and pray with boldness and sincerity!
Trust God
God knows our needs before we ask. Prayer demonstrates our need for God.
God is the believer's Father. We ask in faith, trusting God to do the best thing for us.
God desires to hear the prayers of His children. (Rom. 8:23-27; 8:28-39, Is: 65:24)
God has ordained prayer as the way that He blesses and moves among men. (Ps: 31:9; 32:10; 125:1.)
In Conclusion
When we have an active, vibrant, private prayer life, it overflows into our public prayer life. Prayer is a discipline. The Holy Spirit will teach you this discipline and He will speak for you when words cannot express our heartfelt needs!
In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint.
If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
May the grace of God be with you and your loved ones!
("From the Pulpit" is a weekly sermon provided by the clergy members of The Weirton Ministerial Association)


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A blog about my journey with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome including HHV 6, EBV, C. Pneumonia, Bartonella, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and Biotoxin Illness
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Still Here
I'm glad no one told me I just need to think positive. It's hard to think positive when ill and having neurological issues. Actually, here's a positive thought: "I'm positive that I'm very ill."
When I feel a little better I'm going to write about a post an article on the dangers of the positive thinking (when its extreme).
The truth is I'm using every tool available to deal with all of this.
And to Vanessa who came over on Saturday and a new friend who called me out of concern Thursday-thank you for your support, concern, and validation. It really helped me clarify and solidify things.
I've been feeling very ill since a week ago Monday. I don't know if its another virus or a flare up or what. I've been reading other people's blogs as well as a thread on lymenet and find it rather fascinating how many of us are suffering from a flare. I wonder why.
I have a return of night sweats as well as terrible sweating throughout the day. I get a bout of chills but only on one part of my body then it will move to another part. For example my calf will get the chills, then later it might be my thigh etc...It's quite strange. I'm going through two t-shirts per day.
The sweating could be do to five things: 1) viral infection 2) bacterial infection 2) babesia 3) decline in autonomic nervous system functioning 4) messed up hormones, and/or 5) detox (maybe the methylation protocol is starting to kick in?).
I'm so fatigued it's making me dizzy and faint at times. It really feels like a virus.
Yesterday I had my brain PET Scan. On Sunday I was supposed to eat a high protein diet consisting of absolutely no sugar, milk, fruits, veggies, carbohydrates. I basically ate nuts and a little turkey.
I hope to get the results soon. The one good thing about this level of fatigue was that I had little energy to get nervous.
Saturday evening our kitty had a mild seizure.
To sum it all up. I feel bad physically and still having a rough time emotionally but I really think its this latest virus is doing a number on me.
9 comments:
- Daphne said...
Love you. You are doing great.
- September 1, 2009 at 4:31 PM
- Jenni Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom) said...
These viruses, on one top of the other, when we already have compromised immune systems, are so hard to cope with. {hug} I just posted more updates too. www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com. Thinking positive only goes so far, you have to face reality too. Loved your "positevly sick" statement. ;)
- September 1, 2009 at 8:22 PM
- Jo said...
Even when you are feeling at your worst you still find time to support others online. How amazing is that?
Sometimes I get the 'perfect storm' of causes that make my thermostat malfunction. I can relate to most of what you put here. I'm usually either hot or cold, no in between. I blame hormones and CFS. If I have a virus on top of that it's a nightmare.
'I'm positive I'm very sick' made me laugh out loud.
- September 2, 2009 at 1:42 AM
- At Home on the Rock... said...
Thinking of your Terri. I meant to comment on your last post....but see I didn't. My brain fog is quite bad some days.
You're an inspiration to me (as well as many others, I'm sure). I'm looking forward to your post on positive thinking. You're right...positive thinking can only go so far.
- September 2, 2009 at 8:23 AM
- Renee said...
I like your "positive I am ill" statement! We have a prime example of that with Joel's mom who is 92 and is an avid watcher of JOel Osteen...she told Joel he just has to believe he will get well and be positive about it and he will get well. We don't argue with a 82 yr old, but she is not the only one who has spoken to us this way. Also, I have had people tell me that to express my negative feelings about being ill is drawing more illness into my life. Expressing where we are at does not mean we live there all the time. We need balance, not denial. I really like what you are saying about using every tool available for us....
- September 2, 2009 at 10:25 AM
- Pris said...
Terri, it does sound like a virus. When I get the inner shakes now and sweats I can pretty much put money in the bank that it's either a virus or a bladder infection. Trying to figure it out is the hardest part, isn't it?:-)
Rest and let yourself get through this period.
And yes, you're right. A lot of us seem to be struggling extra right now. You're the best! I always look for your new entries. Your blog helps keep me going. Thank you for that.
(As for the 'positive thinking solves all' people, I'm training my dog to attack at the sound of those words:-)
- September 3, 2009 at 6:00 AM
Your night sweats (and day sweats) plus fatigue sound like you could have Babesia - one of the Lyme Disease co-infections. It is a protozoan infection like Malaria. Have you been treated for Babesia? There are no good tests - it should be a clinical diagnosis. Best of luck.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
i also feel completely abandonned by God now and havent been able to pray properly for years or feel a connection because of the severe and all-encompassing fog.
i am still convinced i have HHV6A infection that is not responding to valcyte, as only 50% of those infections do. i guess i was unlucky enough to get a bad strain.
i really really hate saying this here and do not mean to discourage anyone from fighting - it is a very worthwhile fight! - but i have stopped...and started making arrangements for the inevitable.
how on earth can one think positive when one cannot think???
those in america can at least look forward to starting ampligen when it is approved, which HAS to be this year.
- September 5, 2009 at 2:33 AM
- Hege - said...
My name is Hege Renate and I am a ME sufferer from Norway.
I love your blog and are following it with RSS.
My blog is www.TiredofME.com and there you will find articles in both english and norwegian.
I would very much like you to follow my blog.
Hope to see you!
- September 8, 2009 at 12:27 PM


text:
As Leonardo DiCaprio is speed-bragging and snorting cocaine off a naked lady, he's acting so hilariously deranged, and like such a spectacular dick, that I can't take my eyes off his "Wolf of Wall Street." Only I suddenly have to, because my chicken nachos are just arriving.
Should somebody yell cut?
OK, cut.
The Pitch: The Academy Awards are a little more than a week away, so I thought it'd be fun to get up-to-speed for the Gigantic Oscar Night Telecast. But while scrambling to cram in all those still-gotta-see Best Picture nominees, necessities like eating can eat up valuable time. Enter the growing list of one-stop-shopping theaters that — instead of just offering gouge-priced econo-sized candy, stale salty popcorn and enormous flat sodas — will actually feed you full and substantial, booze-accompanied meals at practically the same cost.
The Script: This would write itself after I visited every local dine-here theater and described how it worked — or didn't. Obviously prominent in my reporting would be what kind of — and how — food was served.
The Cast: The Torpedo Room/Gateway Film Center, Studio 35, Studio Movie Grill (formerly Arena Grand), Dine-In Theaters at Easton, Movie Tavern 12 at Mill Run and a short feature on Heirloom Cafe/The Wexner Center.
OK: lights, menu, action.
Indie Classic: Studio 35
Ticket Prices: $8/ Wednesday $6.50
Setting: Studio 35 is a justly beloved vintage single-screen neighborhood treasure — and local eat-and-drink-here moviehouse pioneer — radically improved after decades of hard use. Anterior to the well-soundproofed theater now is a big and cushy rectangular bar, where savvy Clintonvillians often just hang out and drink — even without movie-going plans.
To Drink: Forty craft-focused (if not cheap) taps gushing with the hottest new releases. Some are produced for '35, by a moonlighting Barley's brewer/'35 employee, to coincide with big movie debuts — e.g. "Sex Panther" stout premiered here with "Anchorman 2." There are also specialty cocktails inspired by films, like the deservedly popular (and Ironman-influenced) "Pepper Potts," a spicy, sweet and pickly "dirty" vodka martini.
To Eat: Most of the not-small menu from not-bad Pizza Primo a few doors down is available. My thin and crispy-crusted medium pie starred pleasantly crunchy, bacony pepperoni ($11). For more heft, spice and texture, try the cut-into-shareable-strips, thick and crackly shelled Buffalo Chicken Calzone ($11.40; big breaded poultry clumps, bacon, provolone, onions galore and a fiery sauce). The solid Italian sub is also popular.
How It Worked: Since there's no "waiter" service in this charming old-schooler, show up early (say 20 minutes) and order food at the counter when purchasing tickets and drinks. Then grab a seat in one of the back three rows — they're equipped with tables and are extra-roomy. After 20 minutes (it's up to you to monitor time), go back to the counter, retrieve your grub and ferry it to your table-seats. It's dark in there, so aim to get "situated" and complete this task while the previews are still playing so you can relax when your movie's on.
Second Run: Movie Tavern 12
Ticket Prices: Weekday $7/ Weekend $7/ Matinees $5
Setting: Movie Tavern 12, like the others on this list, shows first-run flicks. I'm only calling it "second run" because, since pioneering cinema waiter-service in Columbus in 2007, this Dallas-based operation suddenly feels refreshed. So though Tavern's screening areas are well-worn-in, you now step into what looks like a modern and fully equipped suburban restaurant with a large, TV sports-beaming bar.
To Drink: Tavern's minor renaissance extends to its beer list, whose eight taps are currently half-occupied by Ohioans, like the amber ale from Cincinnati's Mount Carmel and CBC's stellar IPA ($6). These get poured into frosty pint glasses — or liter steins for serious imbibers. Other beverages include predictable wines and a few better-than-they-sound "schlock-tails" (e.g. a surprisingly tart and spicy "Blackberry Kicker," $8.50).
To Eat: From easy-to-share appetizer platters to pita sandwiches to pizzas with a revamped crust style, many of Tavern's eats have goofy, movie-inspired monikers. And they overachieved the night I dined there. Though the rice was marginally clumpy, the Island Skewers kebab-a-thon ($11) — lemony shrimp, tangy chicken and zingy beef — was flavorful and tender. Similarly, the Cuban Sandwich ($10, with crispy and ungreasy fries) outperformed most Cuban Sandwiches from local restaurants. Slider pilots should fly Tavern's "Kobe" (Akaushi) beefers ($12), served with soft and herby purple, sweet and Yukon roasted potatoes.
How It Worked: Theaters (all seating is general admission) are stocked with big, swiveling and detached desk chairs positioned either at two-tops or long and narrow communal tables with legroom galore and menus readable via unobtrusive desk-style lighting. There are "waiter-hailing" buttons, but they weren't necessary during my off-hour (i.e. sparsely attended) movie because a just-like-in-a-restaurant server regularly checked in (not extra-distractingly so). Compared to newer places on this list, this loosey-goosey system might seem outdated, but it worked for me.
The Sequel: Studio Movie Grill
Ticket Prices: Weekday $7.50/ Weekend $10.25/ Matinee $5
Setting: Texas is the hotbed for the growing movie-eatery movement, and this successor to the former Arena Grand space is a chain link of Dallas-headquartered SMG (spearheaders of dine-in viewing since 1993). The new owners have implemented a slight makeover I'd describe as slate-gray, institutional and sensationally devoid of style. On the plus side, its bare-bones ambiance comes with good prices, daily specials and extra-friendly service.
To Drink: The small bar has genre-surpassing wines, featured cocktails ($7-$10; mostly '90s-style, but a Buffalo Trace Manhattan too), $8 hooch milkshakes (spiked with stuff like "whipped cream vodka"), plus eight beers ($5.75/pint) starring a Great Lakes selection, i.e. the only Ohioan.
To Eat: From burgers to ribs to pastas, SMG offers plenty of stuff — my accomplice and I took advantage of the two large entrees plus appetizer for $25 bargain. Our chicken nachos were like something you'd get at a professional sporting event. I'd say the large, garlic-and-oregano-spiked, sweet-sauced, crispy-enough "Meat Trio" Pizza was better than national chain efforts. And the huge, junk-tastic (ranch dressing and gazillions of spice-crusted tortilla crunchies) Blackened Chicken Salad with corn and black beans superseded anything you'd get at Taco Bell.
How It Worked: Every purchasable-in-advance seat is reserved. And each car-like and numbered theater chair is comfortably wide-armed and equipped with menus (it's only semi-dark in there, which isn't as distracting as you'd think). Chairs also have cup holders, a swivel-into-place airplane-sized dining tray and "push for service" buttons. Whenever I pushed that button, a conscientiously crouched-down server quickly scuttled out and took my order. This included getting me another beer or just another huge plastic glass of water. Service was prompt, and the check was quietly presented about a half hour before the movie's conclusion.
The Blockbuster: AMC Easton 30
Ticket Prices: Fork and Screen: $13/ Matinee $10
Cinema Suites: $15.50/ Matinee $12
Setting: An upstairs multiplex in an upscale mall with a dramatic lobby and helpful "Guest Services" desk. Dine-in viewing — called "Fork and Screen" and "Cinema Suites" (the latter are 21 and over and come with recliner upgrades) — is assigned seating limited to the 13 screens located on the theater's right side, where there's also a you-will-be-carded bar.
To Drink: Decent hard stuff (starring Knob Creek), grocery store-style wines and eight fair-priced but play-it-safe taps, the best (and only Ohio representative) being Great Lakes Burning River. There's also a full slate of touristy cocktails (e.g. Hurricanes, Long Island ice teas, sissy-tinis).
To Eat: Relatively ambitious selections with fresh-tasting quality similar to higher-end sports pubs. Smoky and spicy Loaded Chipotle Chicken Chips ($10) topped robust housemade "Ruffles"-type ridged potato crunchers with good nacho garnishes plus bacon and impressively tender grilled chicken. The garlicky mayo-ed and gently crisp BLT "pizzetta" flatbread ($11; with melted cheese and arugula) was also nice. Had the smoky and full-flavored beef been trimmed and sliced-thin-and-against-the-grain, the sliced-into-wedges Smoked Brisket Quesadilla ($11) would've been a cheesy and greasy big hit.
How It Worked: Easton easily has the swankiest set up: date-perfect, paired-up duos of new and big padded chairs with XXL-sized elbow rests. Like other state-of-the-art places, these sit in an it's-not-an-issue semi-dark theater, and are each equipped with cupholders, swivel-into-place narrow-ish trays plus waiter-summoning buttons. While the staff was quite friendly, waits for service were longest here, and a couple drink requests needed to be repeated. Like others, the check was presented with about a half hour left in the feature.
Sci-Fi Fantasy: The Torpedo Room in the Gateway Film Center
Ticket Prices: Weekday $7.50/ Weekend $10/ Matinee $5.50
Setting: To the far left of the Gateway concession stand is another gateway — a door with a portal window leading to the battleship gray, Liz Lessner-launched Torpedo Room. Once transported there, you'd hardly know there was a spiffy 21st century theater nearby. Bare metal — decorative cogs and gears, light fixtures and a faux-rusty wall — looms large in the Torpedo Room. So do delightful woodcut-like depictions of sea monsters seen through other, submarine-like "portals."
To Drink: A couple giggle-inducing house cocktails (e.g. the punch-like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Breeze") and five serious beer taps — all from Columbus breweries, natch — plus (likewise local) Rambling House's terrific ginger beer.
To Eat: A huge menu with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Though I hit some still-early-in-its-voyage choppy waters execution-wise, these unequivocal winners were easy to love: a nicely seared, just-spicy and locally sourced Bratwurst Torpedo sub ($8); creamy, cheesy and comforting Betty's-like Housemade Mac & Cheese; a meaty and simple chili (i.e. soup du jour, $3). Intrepid mates unafraid to veer off safer courses might try the unusual Black Garlic and Furikake Wings ($8) — which seem designed for lovers of soy saucy, oily and fish-funky things.
How It Worked: The logistics are still being hammered out. As of my last visit, though, the moviehouse and restaurant were functioning more as separate entities. BUT you could easily carry Torpedo's great beers in with you (after decanting them into plastic glasses) and leftovers could be wrapped up for in-theater snacking.
The Auteurs: Heirloom Cafe in the Wexner center for the Arts
Regular Ticket Prices: $8
What do you get when you pair the only movie theater in town specifically catering to cinema connoisseurs with a fiercely scratch-cooking/grows-its-own cafe that makes flavorful, creative and healthy food? Well, you get a match made in eat-and-watch heaven. Unfortunately, you can only get 'em together on Thursdays and Fridays, when Heirloom (which usually closes at 4 p.m.) stays open until 8 p.m. (most movies begin at 7).
So show up early (carry-in is verboten), have a beer (a few Great Lakes bottles are offered for $3.50) and/or a glass of wine ($5) and power up for the flicks. Heirloom's southwestern-inflected free range turkey meatloaf sandwich (Gila Monster, $9.75 with a side) is justifiably popular. And — heads up! — now that the Wex's Via Brasil programming is in full swing, thematically consistent specials are being offered — like black-bean-and-meaty feijoada, Brazil's stewy national dish.
Photos by Tim Johnson, Meghan Ralston and Will Shilling


text:
Skip to comments.FedEx the Supremes about Obama's eligibility
Posted on 12/01/2008 8:06:15 PM PST by ckilmer
WASHINGTON You can make sure the Supreme Court justices have a piece of your mind when they review a case Friday challenging the eligibility of Barack Obama under Section 2, Article 1 of the Constitution, which stipulates the position can only be filled by "a natural born citizen."
Because the Supreme Court justices do not accept faxes, e-mails or telephone calls, there is only one way to make your voice heard in time for Friday's preliminary hearing overnight delivery of your letter.
To make that process simpler, more convenient and less expensive, WND has devised a plan to get a concise letter on the subject, over your name, delivered to all nine justices by FedEx for the price of just $9.95. This offer ends Thursday at noon Eastern time to ensure all letters are delivered by Friday morning to the Supreme Court.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Farah personally drafted the letter that will be sent to the justices above the name and address of all those participating in the program.
"I hope our effort helps inspire you to take a minute of your time to weigh in on this issue," he said. "Feel free to send your own letters by overnight delivery, if you have the time and don't mind the extra cost. But this program will allow more Americans to have their say."
Farah launched a petition drive on WND two weeks ago that calls on all controlling legal authorities to ensure the Constitution is followed on the question of eligibility and for full public disclosure of the facts of Obama's birthplace and parentage. More than 125,000 people have signed on to the petition in that time.
Obama has claimed in his autobiography and elsewhere that he was born in Hawaii in 1961 to parents Barack Hussein Obama Sr., a Kenyan national, and Stanley Ann Dunham, a minor. But details about which hospital handled the birth and other details provided on the complete birth certificate have been withheld by Obama despite lawsuits and public demands for release.
The letters will be individually addressed to each justice over the names and addresses of those who take part in the limited-time program. The body of the letter reads:
Dear Associate Justice ______:
If the Constitution doesn't mean precisely what it says, then America is no longer a nation under the rule of law.
A nation no longer under the rule of law is, by definition, under the rule of men.
Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution clearly stipulates "No person except a natural born Citizen" shall be eligible to serve as president of the United States. That statement has clear meaning, and the Supreme Court of the United States is one of the controlling legal authorities in ensuring that the Constitution is enforced even if doing so may prove awkward.
With the Electoral College set to make its determination Dec. 15 that Barack Hussein Obama Jr. be the next president of the United States, the Supreme Court is holding a conference Friday to review a case challenging his eligibility for the office based on Article 2, Section 1.
I urge you to take this matter most seriously and judge it only on the clear, unambiguous words of the Constitution: A president must, at the very least, be a "natural born citizen" of the United States.
If you agree that this clear constitutional requirement still matters, the Supreme Court must use its authority to establish, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Barack Hussein Obama Jr. qualifies for the office under that standard.
There is grave, widespread and rapidly growing concern throughout the American public that this constitutional requirement is being overlooked and enforcement neglected by state and federal election authorities. It's up to the Supreme Court to dispel all doubt that America's next president is truly a natural born citizen of the United States.
I urge you to honor the Constitution in this matter and uphold the public trust.
Your name
Your address
"My letter is going out today," said Farah. "I hope yours is, too."
Yeah Im sure a million letters will change the justices minds. Sounds like a plot from FedEx to extort the conservatives in the US.
I really do not think that Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Scalia and Alito need us to explain Art. II Sec I of the Constitution to them.
So I've never done it, but if I wanted to run for office, I would have to file for it with the Secretary of State, and presumably present proof that I am eligible. Didn't Obama already have to present similar proof to 50 different Secretaries of State to get on the ballot in each state?
Having the same form letter sent by different people over and over again is a sure way to tick somebody off and have all such letters ignored. Everyone would have to write their own letters.
It's actually a means by which the Left will harvest the names/addresses of every conservative who opposes them.
It's easier than more fun than getting a supoena, since conservatives are gullible enough to think that their voices can be heard.
Gee good thing I snail mailed 8 letters in the last 2 weeks! I knew email was useless. It is too easy for the email box to be overloaded, or they just press delete and they are all gone. Real US Mail is the only way to go on this. Physical evidence of our vital national interest in this issue, is best shown in the form of letters through the US Mail, Fed Ex or other carriers of physical letters of communication. Flood them with letters! Do it tomorrow!
I hope what you suggest is never successful in any case before the Supreme Court.
The purpose of the court is to rule on the constitutionality of an issue. An effort to sway a decision is off base.
>Yeah Im sure a million letters will change the justices minds. Sounds like a plot from FedEx to extort the conservatives in the US.
Wowm that's really cynical. And might be correct.
This is a money maker for Farah and WMD. They can put 50 letters in ONE FedEx envelope — better yet 500 in one FedEx box -- and get paid $500 to $5000, for each.
Well I spent the 10 bucks, it made me feel like I was doing something on this issue instead of just complaining about it on FR and Digg.
This is exactly why Republicans keep losing, because we are cheap and don't put our money where our mouths are. The libs have no compunction at all about sending their people money when policies they want are at stake. We need to start doing the same.
No one here knows for sure that the Justices will NOT receive these letters. Unless that can be proven I think 10 bucks is nothing for such an important issue.
Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. They aren't congressmen whose re-election chances hinge on being responsive to their constituents. Justices don't read mail. They have clerks who only bring to the justices' attention matters that pertain to their personal or court business. They aren't swayed by sacks of mail or demonstrators outside.
Yeah - but there are 5 others that probably haven't read it - at least lately!!!
Will do.
"Its actually a means by which the Left will harvest the names/addresses of every conservative who opposes them."
IP addresses are just as good.
In a word. No. You presume too much. Apparently NO ONE is tasked under the law to ask for such documentation from would be "public
servants masters". In some states, apparently the parties are supposed vet their candidates, but no government authority checks up on them.
You don't know that for sure, the Supremes are political animals just like everyone else in Washington. They read the newspapers, they go online, they read their mail, not all of it is kept from them or filtered.
The way Republicans are these days, trying to find excuses not to send money to support their candidates or on issues that are important to them, I would be surprised if the Supremes DID get "sacks of mail" on this issue.
How do you think so many RINOs have been representing us for so many years? WE put them in office! It's far easier to sit in an armchair and type on blogs, but actually spending some money now and again, writing letters, telephoning your representatives, are all things many Republicans have gotten out of the habit of doing. No WONDER the left is whipping us good!
>>IP addresses are just as good.
Gosh, are these the same type of Republicans who brag about supporting gun rights and arming themselves, quaking over the prospect of an IP being taken down?
I'm telling you, this is why we are losing. There are too many Republicans who have given up and aren't willing to take a real stand for their country, the Constitution, and the foundations which made America a great nation.
New TV ad produced by Faith2Action? Haven't seen or heard about this, anyone know more?
Excellent YOUTUBE ad. Thank you for posting.
December 2, 2008
The Honorable Associate Justice Clarence Thomas
United States Supreme Court
One First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20543-0002
RE: Leo C. Donofrio v Nina Mitchell Wells, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey
United States Supreme Court Docket No. 08A407
Dear Justice Thomas:
I am writing about a possible threat to all of humanity.
Under present law the President of the United States has sole authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons. The possibility of holding the fate of the entire human race in ones hands is an awesome responsibility. The person to whom we grant that responsibility must be of the highest moral and ethical character. While the popular vote is a necessary prerequisite to assume the powers of the presidency, it should not be sufficient.
I have become aware of serious questions regarding President-elect Barack Obamas qualifications to become President of the United States. Lawsuits, including the one reference above, argue that insufficient processes have been applied to determine if Mr. Obama meets the Constitutional test that he be a natural born citizen. These lawsuits point to fairly convincing evidence that he does not pass this test.
Most disturbing of all is that Mr. Obama could have settled this issue long ago by merely making public, documents as called for in some of these lawsuits. If Mr. Obama is not qualified to be President, then he is engaged in a fraudulent act to conceal the truth from the American People. The thought that a man could assume power over the nuclear arsenal of the United States by fraud should bring us to our knees.
I urge you and the Justices of the Supreme Court to pursue the truth in this matter. I do so for myself and for all of humanity.
Very respectfully submitted,
Glenn Spencer
cc: John Roberts, Chief Justice
Samuel Alito, Associate Justice
Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice
Anthony Kennedy, Associate Justice
Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice
David Souter, Associate Justice
John Paul Stevens, Associate Justice
Glenn Spencer American Patrol;
"You are a good example of whats wrong with the republican party - arrogant, uninformed, very distracted and good at being an ass."
I thought personal flames weren't allowed on this site? You don't even know me and you're calling me names? I'm not an "ass" I'm a stay at home mother with 5 children and I am fighting breast cancer. Sorry, I think YOU are the "arrogant Republican". You lash out personally for no reason other than I disagreed with you. I sure wouldn't want to be your friend or spouse.
Good day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
You could argue that the CD player could just as likely belong on this list. With the popularity of MP3 players and satellite radio, CDs are fading and cassette decks are all put a distant memory.
Some automakers, such as Lexus, still offer vehicles with cassette decks, but more and more are focusing on new technology. According to the market research firm iSuppli, USB ports were available on 25 percent of all 2009 vehicles, up from 12 percent in 2008, and iPod interfaces were offered on a full third of all 2009 models.
Apple, meanwhile, claims that around 80 percent of cars have iPod compatibility, although the company includes even simple line-in jacks that work with everything from iPods to old Walkman cassette players.
Manual locks
Today's drivers have become so reliant on power everything that a Florida woman called 911 in 2009 because she was stuck inside her powerless car unable to figure out how to unlock the doors.
The fact is the days of the old manual "pull-up" locks are just about gone. In a time where many people don't even use a key to enter or start their cars, the manual lock is just about extinct.
Again, like the crank windows, the manual lock seems to have found a final holdout in economy models, as some automakers seek to limit auto features to only the most essential items in their cheapest models. If you're buying Kia Rio, for instance, you will only get power locks as a standard feature in the more expensive SX version.
But even those numbers are waning. Cars that used to feature manual locks as a standard feature, including the Toyota Corolla and lower-priced models of the Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent, have all shifted to standard power locks.
Yes, today's driver has likely forgotten entirely, if they ever knew, what it was like to have to stretch across into the backseat to unlock the rear passenger side door.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Constructing Winning Stock Screens
Over the years, we have studied the works of many famous and successful investors.
Our goal has been to learn from the winning strategies and techniques of investment legends, modern day invest-ment professionals with a proven record of long-term success and even prominent academic research on investing. We have found that it is easy to come up with a list of meaningful screening criteria, but building and applying a cohesive set of criteria can be challenging.
Screening is the application of quantitative criteria to a broad universe of stocks in order to narrow the list down to a few companies. It allows you to focus your attention on a smaller but more promising group of stocks. It also forces you to use a consistent framework to decide which stocks to add or remove from your portfolio. Discipline is a common trait shared with the successful investors that we have studied. It is too easy to let our emotions such as greed, fear and even pride take over the decision-making process and ignore the rational side of investing.
We illustrate how these approaches can be translated into a series of practical rules or screens that our members can use to build stock portfolios. AAII's Stock Investor Pro and the Stock Screens area of AAII.com have over 50 different approaches that you can follow. But how do you pick an approach that is right for you, and how did we construct the mix of criteria that make up each screen? This article provides an overview of the stock screening process and illustrates how to design or select a stock screen that makes practical sense.
It is best to look at screening as a multi-stage process:
- You must first clearly define the objective of your screen.
- Next, you must construct primary criteria that locate the stocks that match your desired characteristics.
- Then, you will need to construct a set of secondary criteria that ensure the companies passing the primary screen did so because they truly meet your objective and not by coincidence.
- Keep in mind that even the best screen represents a starting point for in-depth analysis.
- And last, you may wish to construct a set of criteria to highlight companies in your portfolio that no longer match the objective of your screen.
Defining a Clear Objective and Approach
An objective should always be established before constructing a screen. The objective should reflect your return ob-jectives, risk tolerance and investment philosophy. Return objectives encompass not only the total return, but the relative contribution of dividend income versus capital gains. Risk tolerance refers to how easily you can cope with volatility in an absolute and relative sense. Relative risk deals with the performance of a stock in relation to the market; whereas, abso-lute risk is concerned with the performance of a stock independent of the market. Investment philosophy encompasses the style an investor uses to select stocks.
For example, a young couple usually has little accumulated wealth and a long time horizon. They are seeking to build wealth and are willing to accept greater short-term risk (volatility) for the prospect of greater long-term returns. They might choose to focus their investment on smaller companies that have greater growth potential. On the other hand, a retired couple will likely have a shorter time horizon and will be more concerned with preserving their wealth. Therefore, they might choose to focus on stocks that pay greater dividends and have lower price volatility.
Clear, focused, narrowly defined objectives lead to the best screens. Some common broad screening objectives in-clude seeking growth stocks, value stocks or even stocks with positive price momentum. But before the stock screening process is started, these broad objectives should be further refined to reflect the specific type of stocks that you are seek-ing and the best way to identify these stocks. The young couple in our example may decide to seek growth stocks in the expansion stage of their life cycle with strong earnings momentum, understanding that the portfolio will have to be monitored carefully and the portfolio turnover is likely to be high. The retired couple in our example might seek out our undervalued companies paying above-average dividends, understanding that the portfolio will likely lag the market during strong bullish periods, but should decline less during bear markets. With either strategy there will be periods during which the portfolio underperforms other approaches. It is important to have conviction in the soundness of your ap-proach to avoid jumping to last year's hot trend just as it has already run its course.
Primary Screening Criteria
The primary screening criteria should flow naturally from your objective and should attempt to filter only those companies that meet your objective. If you are a growth investor, your primary screen should provide you with a list of companies that are in the growth stage of their life cycle, not mature cyclical firms. If you are a value investor, it does not make sense to spend time looking at stocks with uber-growth if they cannot be purchased at attractive prices. Good companies do not always make for good stock investments.
Screening criteria filter stocks by comparing a company's numerical ("quantitative") figures against some base figure. When defining your criteria, you will need to decide if you wish to compare on absolute or relative conditions. Relative conditions compare a company's figure against a number adjusted for the current level of a company, industry or market benchmark. For example, you may be screening for companies whose price-earnings ratio is less than that of the S&P 500 index. As the S&P 500's price-earnings ratio goes up, the screen will get less restrictive, allowing stocks with higher price-earnings ratios to pass.
Some criteria should only be used on a relative basis. Ratios such as price-to-sales, profit margins and turnover are very industry-specific and become meaningful only when compared to the norm for an industry or against a company's own historical norm. Price-to-sales ratios have shown an ability to highlight attractively priced stocks, but the test for stocks with low price-to-sales ratios is tied to the normal profitability level for the industry in which a firm competes. A screen for stocks with low price-to-sales ratios will highlight industries with low profit margins.
Screens that compare company data to other company elements or historical averages can also be useful. Because of growth prospects, some companies normally trade at a higher price-earnings multiple. Screening just for companies with price-earnings ratios below that of the market may lead to a collection of stocks with poor prospects and high risk that deserve low price-earnings ratios; such companies are not really underpriced. Using a relative screen that compares a company's price-earnings ratio against its historical norm or against its expected growth (PEG ratio) may be a better way to point out potentially mispriced stocks that warrant a closer look. Alternatively, you can choose to compare a company figure against some constant that does not fluctuate over time. An example would be a screen for companies with a price-to-book-value ratio below 1.0. As higher overall market levels lead to higher valuations for all stocks, the number of companies passing the price-to-book-value ratio will decrease. If market levels go to extremes, no suitable investments may pass the screen. Some value investors use absolute screens such as this to modify their exposure to the markets. During periods in which the market is priced rich, fewer attractive investments appear to replace the overvalued securities that have been sold, which leads to a net reduction in the equity allocation within the portfolio.
One of the biggest mistakes in criteria construction is having a list of criteria that are reasonable individually, but when combined turn out to be contradictory. If you are looking for potentially emerging high-growth companies in the early stages of their life cycle, then you should not team up a requirement for high earnings growth with a requirement for a high dividend yield. Companies that are truly growing usually need to use cash for expansion and can't afford to pay high dividends. Combining the criteria in this way will negate the objective of the screen, probably leaving you with a list of oddball stocks that don't really fit into any category.
By the same token, it is also a mistake to combine too many criteria filtering for the same type of companies. If you are looking for contrarian or out-of-favor stocks, screening for low price-earnings, price-to-book or price-to-cash-flow ratios will, for the most part, list the same type of stocks. Your screening efforts would be better spent focusing on the criteria that best indicate the type of companies you are seeking and on criteria that you really understand well. Each pri-mary filter has its own nuances and tendencies. With clear-cut primary screening criteria, you can then add secondary criteria to capture the type of companies you are seeking.
The box below displays sample primary screening criteria used in the many stock screens built into Stock Investor Pro and incorporated into the screens presented on AAII.com.
Secondary or Conditioning Screens
Even with a clear objective and well-built primary filter, you can expect a number of companies to slip past your screen that do not embody the type of company you are seeking. Your high dividend yield screen will probably contain some companies ready to cut their dividend, and your historical earnings growth screen will probably capture some mature cyclical companies examined during their normal cyclical upturn.
While screening is designed to be a preliminary stage in the security selection process, the screening process should include a secondary, or conditioning screen. The conditioning screen should help establish that companies passing the primary screen did so because they meet the screen's ultimate objective. These differ from the primary screening criteria in that, if used by themselves, they would not identify companies that meet your primary value or growth objective.
A primary screen for high-dividend-yield stocks may include a criterion for companies whose dividend yields are above that of the company's five-year average high yield. This will lead to a list of companies with relatively high divi-dend yields. A conditioning screen would analyze those companies to help establish that the dividend is secure and poised to continue to grow, as opposed to being at risk of being reduced. The conditioning screen might include a crite-rion that specifies a maximum payout ratio (dividends per share divided by earnings per share) of 50% to seek out com-panies that are not paying out more than half of their earnings in the form of dividends. It is a conditioning screen for the dividend yield scan because, by itself, it does not indicate if the dividend yield is high or low, nor will it indicate if the stock is priced attractively.
Most screens should include conditioning screens that look for a minimum level of growth, profitability and financial strength. The box below also lists sample conditioning criteria for a range of value and growth screens.
Monitor Your Holdings
Screening provides a quantitative mechanism for selecting stocks, but it can also provide a decision framework for pruning your stock holdings. The criteria used to highlight passing stocks can be adjusted to highlight stocks in your portfolio that might be sell candidates. The factors for selling should be decided in advance to avoid the emotional traps of selling, which range from "falling in love" with a company to avoiding the sale of a stock that is down because it forces you to admit that you made a mistake. Good companies can become bad stock holdings if they no longer match the objective of your investment approach.
The purchase and sale rules of the AAII Model Shadow Stock Portfolio help to illustrate this process. The Model Shadow Stock Portfolio focuses on value-oriented micro-cap stocks. The Shadow Stock screen uses price to book value as its primary value factor. The price-to-book level is set to match the stocks within the lowest decile (lowest 10%) of stocks trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). NYSE-listed stocks are used to establish valuation levels, but all exchange-listed stocks (NYSE, NASDAQ and Amex) are considered for purchase.
The cutoff is adjusted over time based upon the market valuation levels. The maximum initial price-to-book-value criterion has ranged from 0.60 to 0.85. Stocks are sold not when they exceed the initial price-to-book cutoff, but when their price-to-book-value ratios go three times above the initial criterion.
The primary size factor for the Shadow Stock screen is determined through market capitalization. Here, the screen looks for companies that have a market cap among the lowest 10%, as defined by stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The screen looks for NYSE, NASDAQ and Amex-listed stocks with market cap below $200 million. This figure has edged up over time. The original cutoff in 1993 was $55 million. Stocks are sold if the market capitalization goes above three times the initial maximum criterion.
Conditioning criteria for the Model Shadow Stock Portfolio focus on liquidity and financial strength. It is important to eliminate stocks that are in danger of being delisted and do not have an adequate market for the individual investor to take a position. To help ensure adequate liquidity, stocks must have minimum market capitalization of at least $17 mil-lion. Bulletin board and pink-sheet stocks are filtered out. Stocks must have a price above $4 per share. Stocks with low average daily volume are bypassed.
Financial conditioning criteria for the Model Shadow Stock Portfolio focus on profitability. First, the company must report on a timely basis, and the screen eliminates any company that failed to file a 10-Q (quarterly) report in the last six months. A stock is required to have positive earnings from continuing operations over the last quarter and trailing 12 months. The Model Shadow Stock Portfolio avoids any stock that was sold from the portfolio in the last two years. These are likely marginal stocks that are forever marginal, creating high transaction costs. The Shadow Stock screen avoids foreign stocks due to the potential for different accounting procedures. Financial stocks and limited partnerships are excluded because high levels of acceptable liabilities make it difficult to make meaningful comparisons of popular ratios. The price-to-sales ratio must be less than 1.2.
Beyond exceeding value and size limits, stocks are sold from the Model Shadow Stock Portfolio if they have negative earnings from continuing operations for a protracted period.
The lesson here is that your quantitative sell rules should grow out of your objective and investment philosophy and will likely be related to your original rules used to select the stocks.
All Screens Are Preliminary
When designing stock screens, keep in mind that there are no miracle screens that produce lists of only guaranteed winners. A well-designed screen, however, should provide you with a preliminary list of stocks that hold some promise. A screening system also provides you with a framework to ask intelligent questions about the stocks you are considering as well as the stocks you currently own.
In developing a screen, keep the following points in mind:
- Develop a clear, narrowly defined objective, keeping in mind the types of stocks that will meet your invest-ment objective and philosophy.
- Construct primary screening criteria that will locate stocks matching your objective. In constructing primary screening criteria, avoid using rules that cancel each other out or that are redundant.
- Develop a set of conditioning criteria that will help ensure that a company passed the primary screen for a fundamentally sound reason and not just by chance.
- Look toward your primary and secondary screening filters as guidance for monitoring your portfolio to ensure that the reason you selected a stock still holds true.
- Remember that even the best designed screen is only a preliminary search for investments using a small set of quantitative factors. A complete in-depth analysis that explores quantitative and qualitative factors should be employed. The fewer stocks that you hold in your portfolio, the closer you should examine and monitor each stock.
Primary and Secondary Screen Examples
Value Screening
Objective: To identify companies whose market price is low relative to value measures based upon factors such as sales, earnings, dividends, cash flow or assets.
Price-Earnings EmphasisPrimary Screen Examples
Current price-earnings ratios can be computed using historical (trailing) earnings or projected (forward) earnings. Benjamin Graham and Robert Shiller have even used an average of past earnings for the construction of the price-earnings ratio:
- Price-earnings ratio below an absolute level
- Price-earnings ratio below firm's historical average ratio
- Price-earnings ratio below industry norm
- Price-earnings ratio below market average
- Percentile rank of price-earnings ratio is below a given measure (i.e., percent rank less than or equal to 20%)
- Price-earnings relative below historical norm
- Relate price-earnings ratio to historical or expected earnings growth rate (PEG ratio)
Focus on the earnings potential of a company:
- Require minimum level of historical or expected earnings growth
- Require minimum level of historical or expected sales growth
- Require positive historical earnings
- Require increasing or stable profit margin over time
- Require profit margin above industry norm
- Require positive cash flow
- Require strong or improving return on assets or return on equity
- Specify maximum level of debt to assets, capital or equity
- Specify minimum level of current or quick ratio
- Require improvements in financial leverage or working capital
- Company has consistent record of paying a dividend
Price-to-Book-Value EmphasisPrimary Screen Examples
Current price-to-book-value ratio can be computed with or without intangible assets:
- Price-to-book-value ratio below an absolute level (i.e., below 1.0)
- Price-to-book-value ratio below the firm's historical average ratio
- Price-to-book-value ratio below market average
- Percentile rank of price-to-book-value ratio is below a given measure (i.e., percent rank less than or equal to 10% of the firms trading on the NYSE)
Focus on quality of book value:
- Low ratio of intangible/goodwill to book value
- See secondary/conditioning variables for price-earnings emphasis
Dividend Yield EmphasisPrimary Screen Examples
Current dividend yield is computed with the expected dividend payout over the next four quarters (indicated dividend):
- Current dividend yield above the stock's long-term average yield
- Current dividend yield above the industry average yield
- Current dividend yield above the market average yield
- Current dividend yield high relative to bond interest yield
- Current dividend yield above an absolute level (i.e., greater than 2%)
Focus on maintenance and growth of dividend payment:
- Specify maximum level of payout ratio of dividends relative to earnings or cash flow
- Specify minimum level of earnings or cash flow growth
- Specify minimum level of interest coverage
- Specify minimum number of dividend increases annually
- Require no history of dividend reductions
- See secondary/conditioning variables for price-earnings emphasis
Price-to-Sales EmphasisPrimary Screen Examples
Price-to-sales levels tend to be tied to profit margins and growth rates:
- Price-to-sales ratio below firm's historical average ratio
- Price-to-sales ratio below industry norm
Focus on conversion of sales into profits and cash:
- Require increasing or stable profit margin over time
- Require profit margin above industry norm
- As companies get larger, their price-to-sales ratios normally get smaller. If the primary price-sales ratio screen is not compared against the company's average, then a maximum size may be specified.
- See secondary/conditioning variables for price-earnings emphasis
Growth Screening
Objective: To identify companies in a stage of rapid and expanding growth with earnings momentum. Growth inves-tors also tend to focus on price momentum.Primary Growth Screen Examples
Focus on earnings growth:
- Specify minimum absolute level of historical earnings per share growth
- Specify minimum absolute level of forecasted earnings per share growth
- Specify growth rate above industry average growth rate
- Specify industries that are expanding at rates above that of the economy
- Require positive increase in annual earnings for each of the individual periods of analysis
- Require increasing growth rates in earnings from period to period
- Require year-over-year quarterly earnings increases
- Require acceleration in year-over-year quarterly earnings growth
- Require improvement in consensus earnings estimates
- Company price increasing faster than market price increase (high relative price index)
- Company price increasing faster than other stocks (high relative price percentile rank)
- Company price hitting new 52-week high levels
- Short-term relative price strength greater than long-term relative price strength
Focus on expanding level of sales to support earnings:
- Specify minimum growth rate in sales
- Require profit margin above industry norm
- Require increasing profit margins over time
- Specify minimum level of sustainable growth [return on equity × (1 – payout ratio)]
- Require strong or improving return on assets or return on equity


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Robert and Victoria Hanson of Beverly announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Jessica Marie to Dwight Allen Offenberger, son of Virgil and Marlene Offenberger of Lower Salem.
The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Andrew and Peggy Brooker of Churchtown, and the late Pete and Sue Hanson. She is a 2008 graduate of Fort Frye High School and a 2011 graduate of Washington State Community College, and is currently employed at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Al and Bernadine Tidd of Marietta and the late Lawrence and Pearl Offenberger. He is a 2003 graduate of Marietta High School and is employed at Zimmer's Farm.
A wedding is being planned for Oct. 12, 2013, in Beverly.


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Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are placing a wager on the outcome of Sunday's Packers-Vikings playoff match-up with Minnesota's two senators.
Johnson and Baldwin said they will send Sen. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar a selection of Wisconsin microbrews and traditional label beers if the Vikings get the best of the Packers.
"It's not often we have the chance to beat Green Bay two weekends in a row," Klobuchar said. "There will be no better way to wash down the sweet taste of victory than with an ice cold Wisconsin beer from my friends across the border."
Klobuchar said she and Franken are putting up a case of Minnesota beer for their part of the wager.
The teams meet at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Saturday afternoon.


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Apr 6, 2011 0
Fantasy Guru Daily: 4/6/11
HAPPY COURT DAY! Ah, yes, the long countdown ends. After weeks of pointless bickering via Twitter, the NFL and its players will be meeting again today – this time in front of U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson in Minnesota.
Brady v. NFL commences … Three and a half weeks after endless mediation sessions got us nowhere, the battle between the NFL
and the players' union trade association heads to court for a hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction that could prevent the lockout and force the league to operate as usual. Of course, we don't know how Judge Nelson will rule, we don't know when she will rule, and the granting of an injunction will result in an appeal by the league anyway. Still, even in the event of an appeal, she could order the lockout lifted while we wait. What could that mean? Well, free agency, trades, and all the usual fun that we enjoy in the off-season. Sure beats talking about the lockout. Another possibility is that Nelson could order the [...]


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Learning about STDs
Published On: Jul 28 2011 03:56:06 PM CDT Updated On: Aug 29 2011 12:42:26 PM CDT
Sexually transmitted diseases can bring with them a variety of symptoms, risks and cures. Are you properly educated?
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


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University News
Alumnus Explains Importance of Campus Interactions
Although athletics was the reason Forrest Barnes '85 came to Pacific, he stay
Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable: Advice from an Alumnus
It wasn't until Cisco Reyes '03 stepped out of his comfort zone and did somet
Alumna Follows Mom's Footsteps into Pharmacy
"I am never bored," says alumna Krista Burnham '11, PharmD '14.
Banned Books Week Celebration at the Forest Grove Campus Library
Faculty, staff and students are invited to have their picture taken with a beloved banned book from the display on the mezzanine.
New MSW Program Offers Needed Skills
Pacific University's new master of social work program is preparing students to work in high-need areas. The program was featured in the Forest Grove Leader.
Pacific University in the News: Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2014
Selected news stories featuring or mentioning the university.
MyPacific Landing Pages Visual Update
Curious about MyPacific landing pages? Haven't even noticed them at the very top of the new university website? We're not surprised.
Reuniting at Homecoming
Friends and alumni reunite at Homecoming 2014
Physician Assistant Studies Students Ready for Ebola
Assistant professor Liz Crawford and Physician Assistant students from the class of 2016 discuss their readiness for the Ebola virus.
Pacific Honors Alumni at Homecoming
Pacific University will celebrate some of its finest alumni on Oct. 3, as Homecoming 2014 kicks off.


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The ATA conference opened its doors yesterday and is now buzzing with over 4000 researchers, clinicians, administrators, technicians and entrepreneurs, all focused on the development of telemedicine. This is one of the world's largest conferences about telehealth and Vidyo is extremely excited to be a part of it.
… And we're all the more thrilled today by this morning's news: After partnering with Massachusetts General Hospital last week to support their TeleStroke program, Vidyo furthers its involvement in healthcare and telemedicine and announced today a partnership with American Well, whose Online Care Suite connects providers and patients for live, immediate, and clinically meaningful encounters using the Web or phone.
"Telehealth is playing an increasingly important role in American healthcare delivery, and at the heart of that shift is the high quality of the Online Care interaction," said Roy Schoenberg, MD, MPH, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Well Systems. "Vidyo's platform will offer our customers the opportunity to further enhance both the clinical and the personal experience for patient and provider alike – through its ability to deliver reliable, HD video quality over the Internet."
American Well partners with health plans, delivery networks and pharmacy chains to enable Online Care services that allow patients to connect live and on-demand with primary care and specialty physicians, as well as other clinicians, whenever they have a health need, from their homes or workplaces. Providers are able to review the patient's clinical information, discuss symptoms, diagnose, and prescribe medications as appropriate, for anything from common illnesses such as colds, flu, and sinus infections to chronic care management, behavioral health or nutrition. At the end of the consultation, the patient is encouraged to share a full record of the conversation with his or her primary care physician, maintaining continuity of care.
If you're at the conference, please don't hesitate to come see Vidyo's technology in action at our booth (#1517).
Related Links:
– Full Vidyo press release: "American Well Selects the Vidyo Platform to Provide Enhanced Video Conferencing Capabilities for Its Online Care Suite"
– Our blog post: "Massachusetts General Hospital Chooses Vidyo's Technology for Telestroke Program"
– Full Vidyo press release: "Massachusetts General Hospital Telestroke Program Chooses Vidyo for Healthcare Video Conferencing and Telemedicine "


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THAT'S MY BOY!!! THAT'S MY BABY!!! Yes, the hero of yesterday's game was no other than my beautiful Macedonian, KOOOOOOOOOOZ!!
Aw man, it was a great, great game. We played so well! We played like I know we're capable of playing.
Josh Geer threw six innings, allowing three runs with no walks and six strikeouts. He was pretty sharp.
He allowed one run in the top of the first, but his boys picked him right up in the bottom of the inning.
Tony Gwynn singled and David Eckstein doubled him home to tie the game. Brian Giles flew out and sent Eck to third. Then Adrian Gonzalez singled him in. Yay!
In the fourth, Franklin Guiterrez homered, tying the game. In the top of the sixth, he homered again, giving Seattle the lead.
But in the bottom of the sixth, Adrian finally broke out of his homerless slump to hit his 23rd home run of the season. It was a blast, man. Dead center, gone.
The game stayed tied. Greg Burke and Edward Mujica threw a scoreless inning each. Then Heath Bell threw two innings, the ninth and the 10th.
On to the tenth. David Eckstein grounded out and Brian Giles flew out. But then Adrian doubled for my boy Kouz.
Two outs, tenth inning, Kouz was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts so far in the game. He worked the count to 3-1 before breaking his bat and sending a pitch to left field. Adrian chugged around third and home, and scored the winning run.
It was an incredible game. We played so well! The pitching was amazing, and the hitters never gave up. We had nine hits.
Adrian went 4-for-4, which was huge for him. He's been struggling a lot lately because guys just won't pitch to him. But yesterday he had a home run, a double, and two singles. He drove in two runs, and scored two, including the winning run. What a great day for Adrian!!
David Eckstein had three hits and an RBI, which was great.
Kouz had that one hit, and that was the one that really mattered. He's been incrediblely hot lately. What a great way to end the series! I can't tell you how excited I am for my boy. Man, I love this guy!!!
Great great great game. That's all I can say. We played hard, we didn't give up, and we pulled out with a win. Great effort by my boys, and hopefully that momentum can carry into the next series.
We are playing the A's for three this weekend. It's going to be very interesting to see if we can play like we did yesterday. Wade LeBlanc will be starting tonight. I remember his starts from last year. Let's just say that they weren't the greatest starts ever. He just needs to keep us in the ballgame, and the offense will take care of the rest.
6 Comments
What a game. Down to the wire and it ends in a walk off. The best way to end a game.
I knew you were going to be so happy as soon as he got the game winning hit (: What a great game yesterday! We have to continue playing like this especially right now since it's interleague time. I was very pleased with Eck as well. Go Padres!! Let's beat those A's!
Nothing better than watching one of your favorite players win the game for your team. That's awesome!
Aren't walk-offs the best!?
Are you going to be to any of the games with the Dodgers? I was thinking of not going since I was there for the first 3(or was it 4) games of the season but now I am thinking that maybe I will go afterall.