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Abhi Na Jao ...1:01 AM
We have spent the whole weekend indoors, hiding away from the cold. Thank God for America's centralized heating! So I do not have my sartorial experiments to share today :)
But what I do have ... are some of the shots from my brother's wedding. Is it just me or does anyone else also thinks that the photographer had a little-hand-fetish going on? I happen to find a close-up of my hand from every single ceremony. 5 to be exact, in the order -> Youngster, Sagai, Haldi, Sangeet/Antakshri, Shaadi (Wedding!)
I am officially addicted to making video out of pictures *time.for.intervention*
For the Outfit & Credits - Click Here!


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While we have finally arrived at some springtime temperatures, we have yet to see a cluster of thunderstorms. They will show themselves soon enough.
Now is a good time to plan on attending a Skywarn training session in your neck of the woods. You can search out the seminar close to your neighborhood at your local NWS website.
Skywarn schedule for central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin.

subset: commoncrawl


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I met Bridget Moynahan last week at "The Today Show" and she was totally real and down-to-earth. Bridget was at the studios to help kick-off "Read for the Record", a one day challenge created by Jumpstart, a national non-profit dedicated to increasing childhood literacy in low-income neighborhoods. Although the challenge is over, you can learn more about Jumpstart's ongoing efforts at J-start.org.
And as far as Bridget is concerned, not only is she beautiful and talented, but she is truly Pretty Powerful because she stands up for the importance of early education for kids everywhere.


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Red Lentil Soup
READY IN: 1hr
Recipe by A Messy Cook
Healthy and delicious. Serve this simple soup for lunch, or pair it with bread and cheese for a light supper.
Top Review by Charlotte J
I loved the simplicity of this recipe yet it yield a tasty filling soup. I did not puree mine after simmering them for 15 minutes. I'll add some chopped ham into DH's bowl the next time I make this recipe. Made for *My 3 Chefs Fall 2008* game for my Theme: *FALL is SOUP TIME*
See Discussion:1 Review
Ingredients Nutrition
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 1⁄2 cups red lentils, cleaned
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
- cayenne
Directions See How It's Made
- Place all ingredients in medium saucepan and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are soft (about half an hour).
- Puree soup until smooth.
- Simmer until soup is of desired thickness, stirring frequently to prevent burning.


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im obviously new to new forum but could someone tell me what a SS invite is? thanks
smfh you december niggas never cease to amaze me, LOOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuvzIEOgUvE --- someone make a gif of his fat ass
now the next time you better come correct when addressing,"THE DOG" and I won't ether your ass again lil december fag. Now fuck outta here you fat fucking piece of shit.


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Mystery, Hope, and a Great Road Crew
Trip Start Jul 16, 2004
11Trip End Aug 01, 2004
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Folks my age should well remember Jackson Browne singing the praises of his road crew "settin' up them amps" and Jesse Colin Young's "hauling ten tons of speakers and an old Steinway Grand" (in the interest of full disclosure, when I worked with Jesse he had moved on to three guitars, an effects rack, and a Lincoln Town(e) Car)
Any one of you union guys want to come out here and dig some toilets? I didn't thing so. Five guys and one woman make it happen out here, and I wouldn't feel better supported if I were riding to Madison Square Garden in a limo (and why I'd be doing that is another question). The point is that this is one crack safari crew.
Camp was nearly struck by the time we left the Khwai River yesterday. We climbed aboard the trucks around seven to game drive until late morning before moving onto our next camp here at the Savute Marsh in Chobe National Park. The crew for Alwyn's truck consisted of Jayne, Nancy, Dan, and I.
Our final game drive along the Khwai River offered a dizzying mixture of lion, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hyena, hippo, jackal... It was as if everyone was coming out to say goodbye. The floodplain spread out like a stage, all the players acting out their drama, creating an overarching story that opened a small window into the workings of the natural world for observing humans still a little awe-struck from the night before. I kept going back to the notion I was taught in basic college physics of the how the observer alters the observed (during the brief period that my basic college physics course dealt with the unwieldy subject of quantum mechanics - all of it fascinating and only marginally understandable.) It doesn't take a theoretical physicist to tell you that a consistent flow of humans, no matter how well meaning, rambling through the bush in large vehicles will have an effect on what is observed
The morning sun climbed its way up into the sky, the air warmed, and it was time to move on toward the Savute Marsh
But I'm getting ahead of myself. What about that road from Moremi to Chobe?
A tattered wooden sign nailed to an acacia tree saying "Main Road" with an arrow pointing straight up. A rutted track cut through the bush, sometimes with sand so deep that it brought to mind driving a four-wheel drive high in the Colorado Rockies in the dead of winter; only this was sand and we are in Africa (though it is the dead of winter).
It was about a five hour drive, including lunch, before arriving on the Savute and then proceeding with a two and-a-half hour game drive. The merciless road beat you down, made you dig within yourself to keep from slobbering all over your shirt, your head jerking forward in a fit of microsleep - Always, Alwyn drove on..
It would have been much worse had we not stopped under the only tree for miles around big enough to shade our two vehicles, the ten of us, and our lunch table next to a shrinking pan of water in the middle of the open savannah. One well scouted tree by our intrepid guides, I suspect.
After a fine lunch enjoyed under the big acacia tree, followed by a short walk around the pan to stretch our legs, we were off again, through the sand, toward our new camp.
Once we officially arrived on the Savute, Alwyn stopped and we piled out to reconnect with solid ground and reintroduce our legs to the idea of walking. That, a cold drink, and for some a walk behind a bush, and we were off, this time in "game drive" mode.
The hard road had taken its toll. Young Dan became quiet and, sitting next to me in the seat behind Alwyn, was looking a little sullen. When asked by his mother if we were losing him for the rest of the day, he freely admitted that we were indeed. Shortly thereafter the binoculars that he was holding in his hand dropped on the floor of the truck between us, a faraway look in his eyes
But the African road taketh away (tough, jarring desert tracks), and the African bush givith back (incomparable landscape). That this place was once under water is absolutely not in evidence now. The landscape is what I've always imagined an African Savannah would look like. Flat, low scrub brush, tall grass gently waving in the late afternoon breeze, with scattered trees - beautiful, austere, and eminently photographable - punctuating the wide open land. There isn't a whole lot of water here now, but as recently as 1980, this area was indeed a marsh and mostly underwater. As things go in this part of the world, the water moved somewhere else. Since then, three manmade pans are fed with pumped well water to support wildlife - and the tourism it attracts. The observer affecting the observed.
By the time we slid into camp over the sand covered road, the fire was roaring and the hot water for my bucket shower was waiting. Damn if we didn't keep running around in the wilderness and all the sudden there was camp
Stepping out of the truck that had massaged my butt all day long, a wave of gratitude washed over me - Camp! Tent #2! Home!
With a sudden surge of energy, Dan challenged me to a chess game. With a sudden desire to wash up, I deferred the challenge until later.
By the time we emerged from our tents, the Southern Cross shown through the wisps of smoke rising up from the campfire. I settled into the warmth with my obligatory and much appreciated glass of Chardonnay. It's a tough life out here - but maybe one I could get used to.
The lack of a permanent source of water was a change from Moremi and the delta. As a consequence, there is the concern that hyenas will come into camp and bite into the bottom of our canvas washbasins in search of water. We've been instructed to dump the water out and leave the basins overturned - and are happy to oblige. To my knowledge, no hyena approached our tent, though I have to admit that I slept remarkably well last night, not once requiring a visit to the lamp-lit stillness behind the tent at 2am.
We were out on the game drive before sunrise, the eastern sky tinged with the crimson light of the approaching sun
The morning was unusually breezy and cool (as if being in Africa for a little over a week would give me any sense of "usual"). The highlight for the morning was a pride of six lionesses keeping tabs on a distant herd of giraffe - all rather nonchalantly, as lionesses do. Soon it was late morning and time for everyone to take a nap, so we left the pride sprawled languidly in the shade of a bush, and headed back to camp. The warming sun and the motion of the Land Cruiser made me drowsy, and the conversation turned to elephant facts. Among them are that they spend eighteen hours a day eating up to three hundred pounds of, well... African bush. They sometimes sleep only twenty minutes a day. Can you imagine? Less than seven hours and I'm grouchy. I show up for work on Sunday morning at Grace Cathedral on four and-a-half hours, and somehow I manage
That's probably why the poor guy taking a nap behind a tree next to the track we were following out of camp for the afternoon game drive was so cranky with us when we inadvertently awakened him from those few precious moments of sleep. The sound of an elephant being rudely awakened is a loud, resonant and sustained wail. Much like that of many a trumpet heard in high school jazz band. Only a lot better. We heard him before we saw him, and we didn't mean to awaken him, of course. We stopped and slowly backed up to wait for him to make his next move. Best to let an elephant have his twenty minutes undisturbed.
But the real show for me this afternoon was the trees, the wide open land, and the big, blue sky. Barb and I discovered our mutual love of taking pictures of trees (fellow tree-hugger!) and so Alwyn provided us with ample opportunity to try and capture the angular shapes and stark isolation of trees on the savannah.
The evening game drive ended with Alwyn stopping in the middle of the Savute and allowing us to disperse from the truck to watch the sun set and disappear into the horizon
It was dark as we made our way back to camp. Suddenly I saw a flash in the headlights as Alwyn made a quick corrective move. I thought to myself, "Was that an elephant's butt I just saw?" Alwyn mumbled something about almost hitting something, and a second later the unmistakable scolding of a startled elephant trumpeted through the air. It is my hope that it wasn't the same elephant we upset on the way out. The observer affecting the observed indeed!
The wind has picked up tonight, making it difficult to keep the lanterns lit at dinner, and bringing a chill that beckons the warmth of my cot, complete with a hot water bottle at the foot, and a chocolate on the pillow. It was never like this when I was Boy Scout.
Jayne and I have decided to see if we can book an extra night at Victoria Falls instead of laying over in Johannesburg. Why we'd want to spent a night at a layover hotel just outside the airport is a bit of a mystery, and it seems as if that could have been presented as an option.
Not that I'm complaining.
Tomorrow we will move on to the Chobe River, our last bush camp before Vic Falls. The end of our journey is approaching.
But for now I sit out on the African savannah listening to the wind whip the tent and watch flickering light of the lantern outside. Soon I'll be straining to remember this moment, so I'd better just lie still and soak it up. The moon is now near full, and the ghostly light makes the landscape luminescent; drenched in mystery and hope, much like the feeling while watching the quelea. Mystery in the quiet workings of nature, and hope that the sun will rise once again tomorrow.
In case I haven't yet made it clear - I love it out here.
I will report in next from the Chobe River.


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super sixes
Who doesn't love a list? These are our pick of the best events from beginner triathlons to the toughest 10k's.
A fast, flat scenic route, mostly on tarmac paths. A series of 4 x 5k runs for every ability in Wythenshawe Park, South Manchester.
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June 24 -- Starting when they became friends in freshman year at Emory University in Atlanta, Jonathan S. Wolfson and Harrison F. Dillon would take off into the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado for weeks at time. They spent their days hiking in the wilderness and their nights drinking bourbon by the campfire, talking big about how one day they would build a company that would help preserve the environment they both loved. >>View Article
Monday, 24 June 2013 15:19
For Solazyme, a Side Trip on the Way to Clean Fuel FeaturedWritten by Noah Ginsberg
Published in Industry News
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Date of Stay: October, 2011
We had a great time at Otter Lake. We love the indoor pools and hot tubs. I makes the perfect place to stay when the weather is not so warm out.
Date of Stay: August, 2011
Disney's Fort Wilderness campground is a must place to stay. Between the campground's rustic charm to many activities for young and old children alike, there is never boredom. There is so much to do at the campground.
Date of Stay: August, 2011
Central Park of Haines City has been our campground of choice for several years. We and our three children are always excited to come back to this campground. We enjoy the pools, and the warm at home feeling that the staff shows us every time we are there. We are always impressed with the cleanliness of the grounds and the facility. If your coming down to Central Florida, don't miss out on this great campground.


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#1 Ranked Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report
MyPatients provides referring primary care providers with secure access to their patients' information.
Boston Children's has launched the world's 1st program dedicated to offering hand transplants to children who qualify.
Innovation insider is a semi-monthly e-newsletter analyzes innovations at Boston Children's, other academic medical centers and from industry.
Read the latest blog by a Boston Children's doctor, clinician or staff member.
There are many ways you can help children and their families get the care they need.
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a rare, deep purple, marble- or net-like birthmark. It is mostly cosmetic, and while it is present at birth, it fades considerably over a child's first year.
The Vascular Anomalies Center at Boston Children's takes an interdisciplinary approach to care with every child they see. While cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is typically only a cosmetic issue, on your first visit to clinic, several VAC specialists will often review you child's case at the same time. Our experience in treating numerous patients with CMTC gives us the depth of knowledge about what symptoms to look for and how to plan treatment accordingly.
Once a diagnosis and the extent of the disease is confirmed, the team works with you to develop and carry out a comprehensive and coordinated care plan that matches your child's specific needs. The team brings the expertise of other Boston Children's departments and services as necessary to provide your child with the best care.
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: Reviewed by Marilyn Liang, MD,
© Boston Children's Hospital, 2015
We are grateful to have been ranked #1 on U.S. News & World Report's list of the best children's hospitals in the nation for the third year in a row, an honor we could not have achieved without the patients and families who inspire us to do our very best for them. Thanks to you, Boston Children's is a place where we can write the greatest children's stories ever told."


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|MIP: Most Indispensable Player
|12.15.08 at 9:38 pm ET
Paul Pierce had been knocked down, kneed, elbowed and the recipient of more than one collision already when his knee banged into Mehmet Okur. It was his left knee, not the one he injured against the Lakers in the Finals, and it was straight, as in prone for a devastating knee injury.
Pierce was able to bend his knee a bit before Okur went crashing into him, and he avoided disaster. But it still hurt like hell, and when he went down the Garden was deathly quiet. His teammates left the bench en masse to check on Pierce and Big Baby Davis and Leon Powe had to help him get back to the locker room.
The crowd chanted M-V-P as Pierce made his way off the court, but they should have been chanting M-I-P as in, Most Indispensable Player.
"It's a little tender," Pierce said after his club dispatched the Jazz, 100-91. "The knee kind of buckled. It should be all right."
That's good news, obviously, for the Celtics, because if there's one player on the roster they can't afford to lose, it's Pierce.
That's a funny statement to make when you look at what Rajon Rondo has done this year–and he turned in another gem against Deron Williams–and when you consider that Kevin Garnett is well, Kevin Garnett. But behind Pierce on the small forward depth chart is Tony Allen, who is not, in fact, a small forward, and Brian Scalabrine, who is a perfect 10th Man, but not exactly the guy you want knocking heads with Ron Artest or LeBron James for 38 minutes a night.
It's also funny when you look at Pierce's shooting numbers. Simply put, Pierce has not shot the ball well this season. His field goal percentage has hovered around 40 percent, the lowest of his career, and his 3-point shooting is a tick off (35 percent) his career average of 36 percent.
But Pierce is indispensable because he has become a player who can be great even when he's not scoring at a high level. Take the simple act of making free throws, for instance, where he is shooting 84 percent. Pierce is getting to the line at a higher rate than he did last year, which is helping him keep his scoring average at around 18 a game.
That's important because while his shot hasn't been falling at his normal rate, he is shooting less and turning it over less than his career averages, proof that he is not forcing the issue in an effort to get himself going. Even more than last year, Pierce has been content to take his offense as it comes and let others, particularly Ray Allen, have the scoring glory.
Even when he is on the floor with the four mainstays off the bench, Pierce hasn't imposed his strong personality on the proceedings. Before his knee scare, Pierce had logged 43 minutes and taken just 13 shots, none of them 3-pointers. Think about that for a second and let it roll around in your head. He remains the Celtics' best one-on-one option. The guy you want to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line–as he proved against Toronto and Atlanta back in early November. Yet he is perfectly comfortable to not be The Man.
As great as Garnett is, Pierce's willingness to defer to others, and take the reins when necessary, are the principal reasons the Celtics have worked offensively.
Then there's the defense.
Oct. 28 LeBron James: 9-for-21, 22 points
Nov. 4 Ron Arrest: 3-for-16, 15 points
Nov. 14 Carmelo Anthony: 8-for-19, 18 points
Dec. 12: Peja Stojakovic: 1-for-6, 2 points
Nov. 1, Dec. 3, Dec. 7 Danny Granger: 21-for-55
There are all kinds of ways to measure toughness, particularly on the defensive end. Garnett is intimidating. Kendrick Perkins is, to coin a phrase, a beast. But Pierce gives the Celtics an edge, a street-tough nastiness that doesn't back down.
This was Utah coach Jerry Sloan, one of the toughest SOB's the NBA has ever seen, after last night's game:
"It looked like we were scared to play against them to start the ballgame. Looked like we wanted to play out on the perimeter and take jump shots. They're awfully hard to get the ball inside on, because they're an excellent defensive team and they knock you around a bit. Our guys wanted to stay outside because I think they were afraid they'd get hurt. They had us intimidated a great deal and had us out on the perimeter."
When Jerry Sloan says that his team was intimidated you have to take note.
People might not like the comparison, but the Celtics are an awful lot like the Detroit Pistons of the late 80's, swaggering, intimidating and defense-first. They beat you up and then they tell you about it. All that went away for the Pistons when they traded Rick Mahorn, who was legitimately scary as hell. The Celtics have more than their share of tough guys, but Pierce is the one no one outside of Quentin Richardson wants to mess with.
He has been the Captain for a long time now, but this is truly his team now. The Celtics are in his image: tough, intimidating and just a little bit dangerous.
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Team on the way to collect Congo war crimes suspectBreaking News
tags: NYT, war crimes, atrocities, Congo, Rwanda
NAIROBI, Kenya — American officials on Wednesday said that a team from the International Criminal Court was on its way to Rwanda to collect a war crimes suspect who had turned himself in to the American Embassy and that they were hoping Rwanda would cooperate.
Rwanda has indicated that it would not interfere with the transfer of the suspect, Bosco Ntaganda, a rebel commander nicknamed the Terminator, to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, where he has been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On Monday, Mr. Ntaganda, who has been accused of massacring villagers and recruiting child soldiers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, showed up unexpectedly at the American Embassy in Rwanda and surrendered. On Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson reiterated that the United States now needed Rwanda's cooperation to get Mr. Ntaganda to The Hague....
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- Historian David Kaiser says the most exciting day of his life was JFK's election
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- Jill Lepore: Americans Aren't Just Divided Politically, They're Divided Over History Too
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- Diane Ravitch says the Democrats paved the way for the education secretary's efforts to privatize our public schools


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Google's In-Video Ad Experiment
Coming soon to a vlog near you: commercials? On May 23, Google (GOOG) began inserting video advertisements within online programming. The initial ads are part of a test confined to video producers within Google's AdSense network, a collection of Web site publishers that post Google ads on their sites in exchange for a piece of the advertising revenue. If the pilot goes well, however, it's not a stretch to imagine Google inserting commercial breaks into its hosted videos—maybe even on Google video or YouTube.
Hard to Ignore
The test, which does not include YouTube or Google video clips, is the first time Google has placed ads within video streams, though it's a natural progression for a company that has become the leader in online advertising.
In May, 2006, Google began placing video ads in fixed spots on partner Web pages that played when clicked on. It has also syndicated video clips and commercials from Viacom (VIA) on its partner sites. These, too, ran in fixed places on sites (see BusinessWeek.com, 8/8/06, "Google's Duet with MTV"). Google announced the plans on its Web site and in a press release and declined to elaborate or provide names of the AdSense partners in the trial.
At stake is the market for online video ads that in the U.S. alone is expected to rise to almost $3 billion by 2010, according to researcher eMarketer. Typically, advertising in a video stream generates more revenue than do video ads placed on a page, eMarketer Senior Analyst David Hallerman noted in a November report. That's for the same reason some users dislike them: They're harder to ignore. Typically, video ads on Web pages do not even begin playing until a user clicks on or drags a mouse over them. In-stream ads interrupt what the user is watching.
Trained eyes
Google has plenty of competition for its share of the video advertising pie. Everyone from Yahoo! (YHOO) to traditional media companies to independent vloggers is trying to cash in on the video advertising market. Yahoo is testing different ways of incorporating video ads on its sites, including adding them at the beginning or ending of clips. "Obviously, there is preroll and postroll, which Yahoo has done a great deal of, and we are also experimenting with other ad formats around video," says Mike Folgner, general manager of video at Yahoo. "There is a good deal of work that we are doing in getting the experience right."
How much will Google's effort change the way we're fed ad messages online? The answer depends on which publishers take advantage of the service. Google would not say whether the AdSense partners involved in the trial are major media companies or primarily smaller Web publishers.
Large media companies, of course, are no strangers to in-stream ads. Often, they insert unskippable commercials in online broadcasts of their shows and, in some cases, before videos themselves (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/11/06, "Click Here to Catch Up on CSI"). And since users are accustomed to watching commercials on televised shows like ABC's (DIS) Lost, why not sit through an ad inserted into the online version?
Looking to enhance
User-generated videos, however, are a different story. Sites that feature them have often relied on the more passive in-page video ads. This is partially because advertisers have been reluctant to spend large sums on user-generated video, which they typically trust less than a known media company. It's also partially because the newer video creators did not want to drive away fledgling audiences.
When user-generated videos have included ads, such as with shows on video-sharing site Revver, the commercials are often appended to the end of the video where they are less likely to bother the audience and more easily skipped—and less valuable to the marketer.
In a press release, Google said that the ads will be no longer than 30 seconds and can be made skippable for users. Publishers will be able to decide where they want to put the ads in their video streams and which videos have ads. Judging from a blog post about the ads, Google will also be watching to see how users react. "We're looking forward to gathering learnings from this pilot and gaining insight into what works best for ads in video," wrote Christine Lee, Google AdSense product marketing manager, adding that users "want ads to enhance their video watching experience, not detract from it"


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Glendale, AZ, USA < change city >
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GURINDER AND AHSEIA 'S WEDDINGJuly, 2012 in San Francisco
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- DJ: DJ Adi
- Photographer: Ruby Rideout
- Hotel: Residence Inn Marriott
DJ AdiPhoenix, AZ, USA
"I highly recommend DJ Adi for any occassion. He keeps the crowd involved, on the dance floor, and has plenty of interaction with guests. He will customize the music to whatever you need, makes announcements when necessary and has great packages for all budgets!"
Ruby RideoutPhoenix, AZ, USA
"I work in the wedding industry myself and have never come across a better photographer. She is professional and personable, she has a great work ethic and truly captures those moments you will treasure forever. She is the pair of eyes that sees those special moments when people are caught up in the emotion of it. I highly recomment Ruby for just about any type of photography project, you will not be disappointed."
Residence Inn Marriott16418 N Bullard Ave
Surprise, AZ 85374
"Very clean, great service from booking to check out. Dawn Crider the sales manager worked with our budgets, took care of our guests, and made all ammenities available for us and opened up the lobby for us to all get together. The staff is professional, helpful and they have a very nice breakfast every morning with plenty of little areas to sit and many tv's to watch. The outdoor grill area is perfect for entertaining, with large outdoor furniture, and right next to the pool/jacuzzi. The rooms are great! It felt like a little apartment, everything is readily available, the area itself is very nice and green...directly next to the surprise stadium and a large park. Pets under 25 lbs are welcome! Loved getting ready for my engagement party and being able to have my little dog with me =)"


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Shanghai, June 2 – Over 25,000 visitors flocked to the Chinese circuit of Shanghai this weekend to enjoy the Ferrari Racing Days at the F1 circuit where Fernando Alonso delivered Scuderia Ferrari's first win of the 2013 F1 season in April.
The highlight of the Sunday was the third race of 2013 APAC Challenge with 32 drivers participating. Victory in Race 1 of the Trofeo Pirelli went to Ringo Chong, ahead of Pasin Lathouras and Alain Li. As for the gentleman drivers in the Coppa Shell, Eric Cheung took the win, crossing the line ahead of Gregory Teo and Junhan Zhu.
In the afternoon race Chong took a second win, beating Li and Philippe Prette, into second and third respectively. Coming out on top in the Coppa Shell Race 2 was again Cheung with David Tjiptobiantoro second and Teo taking third.
In the championship for International drivers the first victory went to Max Blancardi by almost three seconds. In the second race a controversial move by Blancardi saw leader Keita Sawa tapped into a spin and limp home in seventh position. However the Stewards gave Blancardi a penalty with the win going to Sawa.
The F1 show was provided by Ferrari test driver Marc Gené, who wowed the crowds with laps in his F10 284 2010 Formula 1 car before he lit up the tyres in an impressive doughnut display.
More than 270 Ferraris from China and Asia Pacific gathered at the festival and their owners enjoyed the ultimate driving experience with the support from Ferrari instructors, who explained to the drivers how to get the most out of their cars while driving in controlled and safe conditions.
Off track there were numerous entertainment and customer experience programs around the paddock, ranging from electric cars for kids to an F1 Tyre changing demonstration, stage performances and even a movie cinema screening, all of which brought the Ferrari life-style to all visitors.
Ferrari has been promoting safe driving all around the world, by offering the best training course 'Corso Pilota' to Ferrari owners, also for the children, an activity called "Safe Ride - Safe Kids" took place in the paddock, which aims to enhance both children's and parents' knowledge of road safety.


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Hong Kong Tax Alert: 8 February 2013
Decision of the Court of Appeal
Crux of the issue in dispute
The core issue in dispute was whether the provision of the moulds by the Taxpayer to its contract manufacturers, in order that the manufacturers could manufacture products for the Taxpayer, constituted a "lease" arrangement. If the moulds were regarded as being provided under a "lease" arrangement then they would be "excluded fixed assets" and hence not be eligible for a deduction under section 16G(1) of the IRO, section 16G(6) defining "excluded fixed asset" as "a fixed asset in which any person holds rights as a lessee under a lease."
Ordinary legal meaning of "lease" and extended meaning under section 2 of the IRO
The arguments of the two parties at the CA hinged on whether for the purpose of section 16G(6) of the IRO, the word "lease" should be given its narrow ordinary legal meaning or the wider meaning as defined in the general definition section of section 2(1) of the IRO.
It was apparently common ground of the two parties that the ordinary legal meaning of the term "lease" refers to "a contractual entitlement to exclusive possession of an asset for a defined period of time". Under this ordinary legal meaning, the provision of the moulds by the Taxpayer to the contract manufacturers would not constitute a "lease" arrangement. This is because the contract manufacturers, being only permitted to use the moulds in the specified and limited circumstances as described above, could not be said to have exclusive possession of the moulds for a defined period of time.
The definition of a "lease" as regards machinery or plant under section 2(1) of the IRO is comparatively wider, reference being made to "any arrangement under which a right to use the machinery or plant is granted by the owner of the machinery or plant to another person…" However, as with all definitions appearing section 2(1), this definition of the term "lease" is preceded by the opening words of section 2(1) "unless the context [in the IRO] otherwise requires".
Arguments put forward by the Taxpayer
At the CA it was accepted by Counsel for the Taxpayer that the statutory definition in section 2(1) of the IRO extends the ordinary legal meaning of the term "lease". Counsel for the Taxpayer further accepted that if the extended meaning in section 2(1) applied, it would cover the arrangement whereby the moulds were provided by the Taxpayer to its contract manufacturers in the circumstances described above.
Counsel however contended that the context of section 16G is such that the extended meaning of "lease" in section 2(1) should not apply to the interpretation of what constitutes an excluded fixed asset as defined in section 16G(6) of the IRO. Counsel therefore argued that the narrower ordinary legal meaning of the term "lease" rather than the extended meaning under section 2(1) should be adopted for interpreting section 16G(6) of the IRO.
Counsel noted that the extended meaning of "lease" now appearing in section 2(1) was first enacted in the context of section 39E of the IRO, when that section was introduced in 1986 as an anti-avoidance provision targeting certain "sale and lease-back" and "leveraged leasing" arrangements. By contrast, section 16G, which was introduced by amendments to the IRO made in 1998, is not concerned with anti-avoidance measures. Instead, section 16G is concerned with the provision of a form of depreciation allowance which enables the full cost of certain types of plant and machinery to be written off in the year in which the expenditure was incurred. As such, Counsel argued that the purpose and context of section 16G does not require the application of the extended meaning of "lease". As a result, the statutory definition appearing in section 2(1) should not apply.
Counsel submitted that to apply the section 2(1) definition of "lease" in the context of section 16G(6) would render section 16G unworkable or absurd and thereby defeating its purpose, namely the granting of deductions. Counsel argued that by adopting the narrower, commonly understood legal meaning of "lease", section 16G would have a wider application consistent with its purpose.
Counsel also contended that the full meaning of "lease" in the IRO required the application of both its ordinary legal meaning and its extended meaning under section 2(1), the use of the words "unless the context otherwise requires" being evidence of this contention.
Counsel went on to note that in the context of section 16G, the ordinary legal meaning of "lease" should be applied, whereas within the context of section 39E, the extended definition should apply. Counsel concluded that the application of the wider definition to section 16G(6) had the effect of reducing the full meaning of "lease".
CA rejects the arguments put forward by the Taxpayer
The CA rejected the above arguments put forward by Counsel for the Taxpayer. The CA noted that the extended statutory definition of "lease" was first introduced in 1986 when section 39E was introduced. It was contained in section 39E(5), which made it clear that the extended definition only applied to section 39E itself. However, when section 16G was added to the IRO in 1998, the definition of "lease" in section 39E(5) was repealed, but the same definition of "lease" was then inserted into the existing section 2(1) of the IRO.
The CA therefore considered that the legislative history of section 16G illustrates that the legislature clearly intended that the extended definition of "lease" should apply to both section 16G and section 39E. The CA reasoned that if this had not been the legislative intent, there would have been no need to remove the definition of "lease" from section 39E and place it in section 2(1).
The CA also reasoned that its above approach to interpreting the legislative history of section 16G does not mean it has ignored the opening words "unless the context otherwise requires" of section 2(1). The CA noted that these opening words were always there and were not specifically enacted together with the introduction of the definition of "lease" into the definition section of section 2(1) of the IRO. Rather, these opening words also apply to all other definitions contained in section 2(1) of the IRO. The CA considered that it does not automatically follow that, because the definition section provides for definitions within section 2(1) not to apply, there are necessarily contexts within the IRO to which the definition should not apply.
All that the words "unless the context otherwise requires" signify is an obligation to consider whether or not the definition is appropriate in the particular context. The words say nothing about whether any context in the IRO requiring a definition to be ignored actually exists. The CA therefore also rejected Counsel's submission that to fail to find a context in which the statutory definition of "lease" should not be applied was somehow not giving the term "lease" its full meaning.
The CA also considered that adopting the statutory definition of "lease" rather than its ordinary legal meaning to interpret section 16G(6) did not defeat or undermine the purpose of the section 16G. The CA was of the view that it was not possible to read more into the purpose of section 16G than to conclude that it was the intention of the legislature to afford a deduction to capital expenditure on fixed assets falling within the statutory definition of "prescribed fixed assets".
The CA acknowledged that to limit the availability of the deduction to taxpayers who use the plant and machinery themselves, but not to those who permit others to use the same under some arrangement, will mean that fewer taxpayers will be able to take advantage of the deduction. However, the CA considered that it could not be concluded that such a result was something other than what the legislature intended.
On the basis of the above, the CA dismissed the Taxpayer's appeal. The Taxpayer has applied to the CA for leave of appeal to the CFA. The CA will hear the leave application in April this year.


text:
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Join our cause:
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Adopting a rescued dog is most rewarding. It's two fold you save a dog in need and the dog rewards you with unconditional love and friendship you can't get anywhere else. It's a win win!
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text:
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: River (08/31/06)
TITLE: A River Sent
By Lisa Cox
So going through the motions I began to lift my hands and sing just like every other Sunday, only this time was different. The life that Jacob and I had waited for, for so long was only just now growing. My God, I had never even felt her move yet! This couldn't be happening! How was I going to tell Jacob? He would be heartbroken. Maybe if I closed my eyes and wished hard enough, I could wish it all away.
And lost in my thoughts I realized I had stopped singing. I opened my eyes and everyone had stopped singing. They were staring at me, or so I thought. That's when I noticed it.
Upon each head was a river and it was gently flowing from one head to another. That was when it hit me.
It was so hot yet it didn't burn. It was so strong yet I barely moved under its weight. It seemed to flow all through me, leaving no part untouched. Is it happening now I thought? The doctor said it would be painful, but I didn't feel any pain, only a comfortable warmth. It was at that moment deep in my belly I felt it. A gentle thump and then another. My heart stopped when I realized what was happening. The river is running right through me and she moved…my baby moved.
I knew then that God had healed me…. and I would carry this baby to full term because a river had been sent.
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text:
Town Square
PNAC founder Bill Kristol attacks Hillary's voters: "White women are a problem"
Original post made by Dr. Ferragamo, Stanford, on Feb 3, 2008
Here's are Kristol's exact words from Superbowl Sunday:
Web Link
BILL KRISTOL: Look the only people for Hillary Clinton are the Democratic establishment and white women… it would be crazy for the Democratic party to follow the establishment that's led them to defeat year after year… White Women are a problem - but, you know… we all live with that…
[Hume, Williams, Wallace, Liaison crack up]
JUAN WILLIAMS: not me…
HUME: For the record, I like white women.
Comments (13)
a resident of Southgate
on Feb 3, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Dr F, you need to get out more.
a resident of Stanford
on Feb 3, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Please, Anna, let's be serious.
As many as 4 to 5 million Iraqis have perished since 1991.
Perhaps more!
Even Madeleine Albright insisted it was no big deal that 500,000 Iraqi CHILDREN had perished as a result of UN sanctions.
Yes, I know she later retracted that statement, but that was in 1998 before the number of infant/child mortality rose to 800,000.
And for what, Anna, why would Americans want to do this to innocent, peaceful people who never, ever attacked or threatened to attack USA.
a resident of Los Altos
on Feb 3, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I happen to be a white woman, and I think Bill Kristol's comment is hysterical. I know exactly what he means and I agree with him. The bitter, militant feminists, (mostly white women), old leftovers from the "sexual revolution", are graspig at their last chance to have one of their own in power. It is all very pathetic and all very, very funny.
a resident of Greenmeadow
on Feb 4, 2008 at 7:33 am
Bill Kristol is correct. White women are the problem. I will never vote or support her, she is weak and dishonest.
Now, the little chubby pear, who Dr. F is no where near any BMI for her height, wants to Garnish wages of workers who refuse to buy health insurance.
Umm, where is my right to choose?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 4, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Kristol is, and always has been, a lightweight. He knows how to turn a phrase, but wow!, once you look beneath the surface....empty....he doesn't like white women because white women (and probably women of other colors) don't like him - - just look at the ugly mug on that guy...can't imagine him wooing any*thing* other than Anne Coulter
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Feb 4, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Patriot, you're just jealous. I personally think Anne Coulter is hot.
a resident of another community
on Feb 4, 2008 at 5:56 pm
As long as she (Anne Coulter) didn't talk. I would hit it and quit it.
Exception to my rule Hillary.
a resident of another community
on Feb 4, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Isn't Ann Coulter a guy?
a resident of Menlo Park
on Feb 4, 2008 at 8:21 pm
How any guy could stand listening to Hilary's fishwife voice beats me.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 5, 2008 at 1:08 am
David, Bill Clinton could, and you're no Bill Clinton.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:56 am
Patriot, surely you jest. Bill avoids Hillary at all costs, they don't even live in the same house. (I can't say I blame him for that.) In fact, I think Bill is subtly sabotaging Hillary's campaign when he stumps for her. I approve, she deserves it.
a resident of Midtown
on Feb 5, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Dr. F: You still don't understand who really killed the kids in Iraq, do you? Under sanctions, Kurdish life improved, childhood mortality went down, ..who controlled the funds/goods under the Sanctions to the Kurds? The UN.. AND the Kurds got less money per person under the terms of the UN agreement than the rest of Iraq got per person.
Yet, the rest of Iraq suffered horribly.
Who controlled the Funds/Goods in the rest of Iraq? Saddam. Who stole them for his own purposes, not for the good of his people. He purposely starved and withheld medical care and drained water from the Shias, ( while building his palaces and his military and his bank accounts and paying out bribes to other countries) so that he could use them for Poster propoganda to impel hatred of the US and the Sanctions.
And the media world fell for it.
Everyone else has now accepted the truth...when are you?
I thank God I am a citizen of a country which stopped Saddam from continuing his deliberate killings of an average of 70,000 people per year for over 20 years. Turning a blind eye, along with CNN and every other "news" ( aka propoganda) agency which was allowed to stay in Iraq was a shame on us, and a shame on those who traded with him.
Fewer people have died from violence in Iraq since the start of the war than died from government inflicted (Saddam) violence every year of Saddam's power. The ones inflicting violence now are those who are blowing up innocent people in pet markets trying to scare the people into giving up their peaceful and elected government of Iraq and return to the good ol' days of a dictatorship.
Ok, back to the Billy Kristol programming.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Ann Coulter or Hillary? Celibacy anyone?
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Cherries and Berries
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One more week to vote!
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text:
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date index][Thread index]
st: Multicollinearity tests for multinomial logit models
"Anderson, William D" <email@example.com>
st: Multicollinearity tests for multinomial logit models
Fri, 3 Aug 2007 11:17:11 -0500
I am running a multinomial logit model and am concerned about
multicollinearity among two of my covariates. While there's limited
information out there about how to handle this problem, I've attempted
to use the Hendrickx -perturb- ado to test for multicollinearity.
Unfortunately, I've run into an error. I'm wondering if the user group
can give me some guidance about potential fixes or other approaches.
My command line is:
perturb: mlogit dependent daytermpct2 preswlra year1 prespop presstaff
fornvote ideoldiff divgov timsempct2 gdpchan2 unempch,
cluster(prescluster) baseout(1), if year<1997,
poptions(pvars(daytermpct2 timsempct2) prange(0.68 0.825))
When I run that command line, Stata generates ML estimates and begins
what appears to be the iteration process to estimate the perturbation
effects. I believe this because the following output (following the MNL
output) is generated:
Perturb variables:
daytermpct2 normal(0,.68)
timsempct2 normal(0,.825)
There is a significant pause and then the following appears:
variable daytermpct2 not found
variable timsempct2 not found
This persists even after removing the -cluster- and other conditional
commands (if year<1997, for example).
Does anyone have have suggestions about why this might be the case and
how I might use -perturb- in light of this problem?
Or, even better, does anyone have suggestions about how to test for
multicollinearity in MNL models that might be more appropriate than the
Hendrickx -perturb- ado?
Regards, Bill Anderson
William D. Anderson, Ph.D.
Director, USD Government Research Bureau
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, South Dakota 57069
(605) 677-5708
* For searches and help try:
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text:
Weil's Views on Finance, Afternoon Edition
Back for more fun with links. Here is some of what I've been reading today.
Do you know who is caring for your elderly relatives?
Pro Publica, in collaboration with Frontline, has a magnificent series about Emeritus Corp., which owns assisted-living facilities. Lots of horror stories, heartbreaking and thoroughly documented. It's a powerful display of investigative journalism. Some industries just don't mix well with the drive to maximize profits.
Herbalife refuses to cooperate with Bill Ackman's short thesis
Nathan Vardi of Forbes tells the story. One of the downsides of being loud and proud with a big short call is you wind up getting written about in articles like this one if the stock soars on you, at least if you're a famous hedge-fund manager. "This is a nightmare situation for Ackman's Pershing Square hedge fund, which has put on a massive short on Herbalife's stock that is in the $1 billion range, betting that the shares of the company would fall," he writes. "It remains possible that Ackman's investment thesis will be proven right and regulators will deal Herbalife a death-blow and deem the company a pyramid scheme, but so far Ackman's bet has hurt him this year." Memo to file: You can't rely on the government to make a short thesis come true.
More fun ahead for JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley
Carl Levin's Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations wants a word with JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley about their dealings in physical commodity markets, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing people it agreed not to cite by name. This means there's hope for an investigation that's run competently. The panel also is seeking information from the Federal Reserve, which inexplicably let the banks get into this business.
"Electricity market rules did not provide a worthy opponent for JPMorgan's brainpower."
So says the always entertaining Matt Levine of Dealbreaker, commenting on today's settlement between JPMorgan Chase and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. And he's right: "FERC built a terrible box, and the box had buttons that were labeled `push here for money,' and JPMorgan pushed them and got money."
The truth about Publicis Groupe's deal with Omnicom
From the Onion, America's finest news source: "In a historic announcement that analysts say marks major changes for the advertising industry, senior leadership at Omnicom Group, Inc. and Publicis Groupe SA outlined plans on Sunday to merge the advertising giants into one firm, bringing together the largest collection of people with no discernible skills whatsoever." Good stuff.
(Jonathan Weil is a Bloomberg View columnist. Follow him on Twitter.)


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Despite earlier reports that ACORN, the national coalition of community organizations that some conservatives love to hate, is effectively "dissolving as a national structure," an ACORN spokesperson told The American Prospect that the national network "still exists." —KA
"TAPPED" in The American Prospect
"It is not true that ACORN is closed for business all across the country. It still exists. Bertha Lewis is still the CEO," Kevin Whelan told me. "It is true that we are shutting down operations in New York and there is this new New York Community organization," he added, referring to New York Communities for Change, the group that has emerged in ACORN's place. NYCC follows ACORN's California chapter, which in January reformed as the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE).


text:
ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
Wanda AlonsoHC03 Box 21681 Arecibo, Select State/Province Puerto Rico
Reservation Rewards A few years back (dont recall the exact year) after travelling I noticed that I was beings charge $12.00 a month on my Discovery Credit Card. Shelton Ct
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
A few years ago (I dont recall the exact date) after traveling, I started receiveing a $12.00 monthly charge on my Discover Credit Card from Reservation Rewards. I have tried to call the number 1-800-732-7031 but it tells me that they dont get calls from my area (Puerto Rico).
I try several times to cancel this charge from DiscoveryCredit Card, but they tall me that it has to be done directly with Reservation Rewards. There is no way I can contact this Company.
I will like to know how much I have paid the all this years and what I can do to get my money refund back to me.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 06/03/2013 10:27 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/wanda-alonso/arecibo-select-stateprovince-00612/reservation-rewards-a-few-years-back-dont-recall-the-exact-year-after-travelling-i-noti-1055949. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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text:
Rank Country Spending ($ Bn.) % of GDP
1 United States 597.5 3.3
2 China 145.8 1.2
3 Saudi Arabia 81.8 12.9
4 United Kingdom 56.2 2.0
United States Spends 597.5 Billion On Our Military
Andrea Picou
As in most countries, in the US the military is revered. We hold our service members in esteem, and it is continuously mentioned positively by our politicians to build support for themselves. Let's remove ourselves, momentarily, from the social and political fervor that surrounds our armed services and analyze it objectively.
Why do we pour so much energy, time, and money into the US military?
Well, it depends on who you ask. All U.S. Governmental institutions, including most politicians agree that it is to defend our country and our interests against attacks. While this is true, it is a totally incomplete answer.
When you wake up in the morning what are the biggest threats against you? Are you more concerned about putting gas in your car, paying bills and paying off loans, violence perpetrated by burglars and police, or are you more concerned with what AQIM or ISIS or AQAP are plotting on the other side of the world? The threats that the vast majority of Black Americans struggle with are not what affiliates of Al Qaeda are planning, but are with threats to their economic livelihoods and social and political rights that are coming from Capitol Hill, the State House, or City Hall.
Of course Hawks and other pro-government and pro-military supporters will maintain that we feel safe precisely because of our military, but believing them is an exercise in faith. "For security reasons" the public has no concept of the real international threats against us, or how military operations have stopped any real threats. I have heard that some information or other is classified for my own good one too many times, without any semblance of proof, to continue to have blind faith in a Government that will clearly lie and mislead for their own benefit. (Like the WMD allegations in Iraq and the "enhanced interrogation techniques are not torture" talking points as two well known examples.)
We have the largest, most well-funded military in the world, and it is just to be able to say that we do. We are not afraid to flex and remind everyone of this fact as often as possible, and the reason is purely economic. Until 1973, the U.S. currency was backed by gold. Now it is backed by faith in the stability of the United States. We have a completely overblown military to prove to citizens of the US and to citizens of the world that our money isn't total bullshit. And as long as we all believe that it is more than just very carefully printed paper, then it will survive. We just have to enforce that social contract with as much force as possible, to bolster our legitimacy.
As psychologically problematic as that is, it isn't inherently harmful. What is harmful is the terrifying amount of injury and loss to human life, of Americans and others, that results of our flawed strategy. The military continues to have one of the most successful recruitment strategies of all time with economic incentives, education and health care benefits, and guarantees life insurance and retirement benefits. This is not to mention the rhetoric that offers the chance to help others and become a hero.
For Black Americans, this is not the most potent chance to help the community, it is a chance to help CEOs of weapons companies, Multinational Corporations that depend on a strong dollar, and politicians who will use your dedication to help themselves raise money and retain power. To cause true change, we need to focus on supporting each others businesses, investing in property, educating ourselves and promoting education to younger and future generations, and coalescing real political and economic power to change problematic institutions, not joining the most problematic of all institutions.
Get The Black Mind Right
Power & Control
How Our Military Spends More Money Than Any Military In The World


text:
Hey guys...looking into some new mods that could improve the look of my car. I know it's only a 318i so I have decided to focus on looks instead of power...
What do you guys think of tinted tail lights?
Do you think it could look nice?
If ya look here for a sec you can see what I'm talking about(go down the page a bit)
Main question is - Is to too "chav" and is it also legal here in the UK?


text:
Batam (The Jakarta Post/ANN) - Indonesia's Batam municipal administration and the Batam Free Trade Zone Authority have agreed to no longer promote cheap labour to investors who wish to do business in Batam, but instead to highlight the quality human resources found there as well as available manpower and infrastructure.
Debates on the city's annual minimum wage always tend to be difficult and favour workers' demands rather than employers' needs.
Based on a survey conducted by the Batam Remuneration Council, the Appropriate Living Needs (KHL) in Batam as of September this year were calculated at 1.83 million rupiah (US$203) per month, an increase of 28.06 per cent compared to last year.
The KHL figure will be the main reference for workers in negotiating Batam's minimum wage in 2013. Even the most radical trade union for wage increase demands, the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (Fspmi), aims to set a minimum monthly wage for Batam at 2.6 million rupiah next year.
Batam Mayor Ahmad Dahlan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that his office would not base a decision about the minimum wage by comparing Batam to similar special economic zones in other Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
He said the municipality's main consideration in attracting investors would be based instead on the KHL level compared to wage conditions in other countries.
"Minimum wage levels in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam will not be the main consideration for us in determining Batam's 2013 minimum wage. It will be based on the KHL survey, which will be the focus of discussion between the government, workers and employers," said Dahlan.
Dahlan added that "cheap labour" was no longer a good slogan to draw investors to Batam.
"I don't agree we should sell cheap labour to investors. It's not good because we diminish the dignity of our own nation. We must convince investors that the quality of our manpower is good. As for determining wage levels, leave that to the existing legal system," said Dahlan.
Batam free trade authority's publication and integrated services director, Dwi Djoko Wiwoho, expressed the same view. He said Batam's minimum wage was no longer in the cheapest category in the eyes of investors. Currently in Asia, Vietnam is ranked the cheapest in terms of workers' wages, despite the country's taxation system.
"Despite the current wage scheme, Batam remains competitive. We are now focusing more on services and prime infrastructure rather than cheap labour," said Wiwoho.
The minimum wage in Batam has gradually increased year-on-year.In 2011, it was set at rupiah 1.18 million per month with a KHL level of 1.29 million rupiah, while the workers demanded 1.2 million rupiah and employers were willing to pay 1.15 million rupiah.
In 2012, the minimum wage was set at 1.4 million rupiah per month set against a KHL level of 1.3 million rupiah, while workers demanded 1.3 million rupiah and employers offered 1.26 million rupiah. The dramatic increase in the minimum wage in 2012 was due primarily to security considerations following riots by workers demanding higher pay.
Head of the Batam chapter of the Fspmi, Suprapto, said his group had conducted a survey based on 80 components to determine the 2013 minimum wage. Based on the components, the KHL level amounted to 2.6 million rupiah. Therefore, the Fspmi is demanding the same amount for next year's monthly minimum wage.
US$1 = 9,589 Indonesian rupiah


text:
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Electrical problem blamed for overnight house fire
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado Springs Fire Department says a house fire that displaced one person started accidentally.
The fire was reported just after 11 p.m. on the evening of October 15, 2013, at a home in the 200 block of North 23rd St.
Firefighters say the person living there smelled smoke on the second floor and called for help.
Firefighters say the fire started on the roof.
It took crews about two hours to get the fire under control because of the style of the home. Firefighters say the Victorian home had multiple hidden spaces in the roof for fire to hide.
The cause of the fire was traced to an electrical problem. The fire has been ruled accidental.


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|"Donald Spady" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
|st: Standardized Response Mean. Does Stata calculate this?
|Mon, 14 Nov 2005 14:35:55 -0700
Dear Statalisters Is there any way in Stata to calculate a Standardized Response Mean? I think it is also known as ES-II. It is the difference between means divided by the standard deviation of the difference. I could find nothing about it using findit. Many thanks Don Spady Donald W. Spady MD, MSc Department of Pediatrics 8226B, Aberhart Centre 1 University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T6G 2J3 780-407-1244: Office 780-407-7136: FAX Nature has no reset button! * * For searches and help try: * http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html * http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq * http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
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9' Ceilings on the Main Floor with smooth ceilings throughout
Oak Hardwood flooring on the main floor (carpet in study)
Ceramic floors in kitchen, foyer, laundry, mudroom & all bathrooms
More Light: Oversized windows & patio doors
Oversized garage for plenty of storage
Craftsman inspired exteriors
All Tartan single family homes and bungalows are 100% ENERGY STAR® qualified, certified by independent third party inspectors as saving energy costs and reducing environmental impact. Every new home will meet the most current ENERGY STAR® New Home standards—which exceed the Ontario Building Code by 20% for insulation, air tightness and indoor air quality.
Key ENERGY STAR® saving features include:


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The book that did not exist
Some years ago, when MySpace was still cool, Twitter was Twttr, and Facebook was only open to U.S. college students, I was invited to join a live talk show that aired on an Italian web TV — the first of its kind, as far as I can tell. The guests participating to the show were popular gurus of the dawning Italian blogosphere, and the host himself was — and still is — a very cool and smart guy.
I've always been very much into pranking, and back then I had a great partner for that — Luca (@lucasartoni), one of my best friends. We came up with the idea of fooling all of those people by making up a series of false information to test their reactions.
Here's how it went: At some point I was asked to jump into the conversation. So I started by mentioning Networks Trade-off and the Future of the Internet, a book written by "world-famous" author Mary Patterson. I talked about its content with great enthusiasm, pointing out that it was one of my favorite books and labeling it as "the bible of women bloggers."
None of the guests seemed to be shocked by the fact that I had mentioned a book that did not exist at all. In fact, some of them nodded in approval, as if they knew exactly what I was talking about. To further foster the lie, we encouraged some friends to write fake reviews of this book and publish them on their blogs. Some also complained about the fact that the hardcover edition was a bit too heavy to carry around and that they couldn't wait for the Italian edition to finally come out.
I still laugh when I think about it.


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|Verlon Reed
COLUMBUS — Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Verlon Reed is leaving the football program — the first to do so this offseason as the Urban Meyer era transitions into its second year.
Thus far he hasn't made any plans on where he will continue playing his college football.
"No matter where I end up, nothing changes for me," Reed stated on his Twitter account Monday. "I'm still grinding to reach my goal and I will always and forever be a Buckeye."
Reed, who started the first half of the 2011 season before going down with a year-ending knee injury, just couldn't seem to find his place in Meyer's new offensive attack as a sophomore in 2012.
The 6-foot, 205-pound native of Columbus, played in seven games for Meyer last season, but only managed to record one reception for 13 yards on the year. He also played a role on the kick coverage team but recorded just one tackle.
Reed showed a lot of promise coming out of Marion-Franklin High School, totaling 3,372 yards as a senior quarterback, while leading his team to the state semifinals. He was named all-state that season and went on to win the Big 33 All-Star game's Most Valuable Player award.
After redshirting in 2010, Reed cracked the starting rotation at receiver for the Buckeyes the following season and played the first five games, grabbing nine receptions for 132 yards. However, he would suffer a knee injury against Michigan State, ending his season and essentially his career at Ohio State.
If Reed decides to transfer to an FBS school, he will have to sit out a season, according to NCAA rule.
Losing Reed, though, shouldn't have much of an effect on the Buckeyes' receiving corp this season, as starters Corey "Philly" Brown and Devin Smith return to Columbus, as well as heavy contributors Evan Spencer, Chris Fields and Michael Thomas.
Coveting game-breakers out on the edges, Meyer has also done some real damage out on the recruiting scene at the position, picking up stellar playmaking athletes like five-star receiver Jalin Marshall (Middletown, Ohio) and do-it-all performer Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis).
Meyer also has a few more targets he would like to add to the receiving unit, most notably James Quick of Louisville (KY), who is considered the second-best wideout in the country, according to Scout.com.


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Dear Loyal Readers,
It was in February 2010 when I launched the Baltimore fashion news blog, Ms. Charm's Chic to the world.
Over the last couple of months, I have been showered with comments and e-mails about how much people appreciate my blog and enjoy what I am writing about.
I am so happy that I have such lovely loyal readers that come back to read more about the stylish city of Baltimore.
Well, I decided it's time to make a few changes.
When I say changes, I do not mean changing the content.
I will continue to showcase when fashionable events are happening, to expose you to more boutiques in Charm City, to introduce to emerging designers, and to give you original content you can not find anywhere else.
I think it's time to change the appearance, to give my readers more ways to get involved, and to add some fashion inspired resources.
I just want to thank my readers for supporting this lovely blog and I can not wait to show you the new and improved Ms. Charm's Chic on June 1st!
Paulette W. (Ms. Charm's Chic)


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Brangeless MET
Jacson/ Splash News
Not that it was a possibility. I don't think Angelina Jolie has ever been to a MET Gala. But then again, when has fashion been her thing? (By the way, Jennifer Aniston hasn't either.) Would it be unseemly of the Jolie, given her brand now, to show up at an event like the MET Gala? The MET Gala is questionable but the little league soccer game with her daughters is totally on-brand. Full Story
Twins and donuts
Brad Pitt stepped out the other day to pick up some donuts. That's the most "Celebrities...just like us!" moment we've had in a while. Or maybe that's because I'm Canadian. In Canada that's a standard. Are you going to visit someone? Stop off at the Tim Horton's on the way and get a dozen. Full Story
Brange weekend and the evil of flip-flops
FameFlynet, AKM-GSI/ SkyFall/ Splash News, Tommaso Boddi/ JOCE/ Bauer-Griffin/ Getty Images
After blasting the UN Security Council for its inaction in Syria, Angelina Jolie returned home to Los Angeles yesterday, accompanied by Maddox and her brother, James Haven. She was informed, she was passionate, she was angry, but will she be effective? The effort is there, totally. But these are people driven by their own special interests – special interests that are even more selfish and self-serving than the special interests she's normally surrounded by in Hollywood. Full Story
Dear Gossips,
US Weekly remembered it yesterday – an important milestone in the History of Gossip: A shot of Brange on the beach in Africa, playing with young Maddox, 10 years ago on April 19th, 2005. Read Full Intro
Brad Pitt's officially your dad
I posted shots of Brad Pitt's grey beard in New Orleans the other day – click here for a refresher. But he was wearing his own clothes that day and hat. This time, he's properly in costume on the set of The Big Short. And…well… the hair doesn't match the beard, for starters. Full Story
Brad's grey beard
Pacific Coast News
Brad Pitt was in New Orleans yesterday working on The Big Short. He has a supporting role in the film with Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling and he's also producing. Check him out arriving to set, his beard as grey as we've ever seen it. Greyer than ever actually? I wonder how long it's going to stay that way. Full Story
Brange: the soccer parents
OMG I love these pictures. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were photographed together on Sunday at the girls' soccer game. While watching Zahara and Shiloh play, they sat in the bleachers, at one point kissing… while 3 bodyguards hovered, discreetly, nearby. The security detail was dressed casually so as not to draw too much attention. Full Story
Smutty Roundup: Vintage Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn, Reese & Naomi
Wenn, FameFlynet
I can't wait for new Brad Pitt photos to talk about this. Annie sent this over to me the other day. It's an old interview with Brad Pitt. Like, OLD. And he's fresh in Hollywood. Working on Dallas. And faking a relationship with a co-star…which they readily admit to for a news crew! Almost 30 years ago, Brad Pitt spoke with a very boyish, gentle, innocent voice. Full Story
Brange's New Plan?
Brad Pitt was at LAX on Saturday. Some say he was heading to France to check in on their property and the wine. Brange has been quiet lately, on the Hollywood front at least. She's likely in post for By The Sea and he has yet to confirm his next acting role, although it's been revealed that he'll be producing a Lewis and Clark series for HBO with Edward Norton and Tom Hanks. Full Story
Brange's good hair night
Last night. At the American Society of Cinematographers' Outstanding Achievement Awards. Brange was there to support Roger Deakins who worked on Unbroken. Not really an event where you'd see big photo-sellable stars. So we don't have a lot of shots of them. Only these, taken from inside the event at the table, or moving around their table. Full Story
Brange, Gosling & Mendes
FameFlynet, Jon Kopaloff/ Sonia Recchia/ Getty Images
STAR Magazine is reporting that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes went over to Brange's for lunch with their baby Esmeralda recently. It was recently announced that Pitt and Gosling would be working on a new film together called The Big Short along with Christian Bale. Full Story


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UPDATED! What Are You Looking At… Outside Your Window?
'Outside My Window' is an ongoing collection of pictures from all over the world of what people look at outside their windows
How it works
1. Take pictures outside your window, any window will do.
2. Create a post on Krrb.com named "Outside my window in (your city)".
3. Add a short description, including your neighborhood.
4. Add these instructions to the post description.
5. Tag it "outside my window".
6. Post it to ANY CITY IN THE WORLD where you'd like to see outside someones window.
7. Share it on Facebook and post it to Twitter with the tag #outsidemywindow
Everyone who participates agrees to share their photos with everyone else who participates under the following Share Alike license on Creative Commons.


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Call of the Game: Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves
February 11, 2013
Listen to Radio Play-by-Play announcer John Michael's Time Warner Cable Call of the Game from Cleveland as the Cavaliers fall to the Timberwolves on Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena. C.J. Miles knocks down a triple to tie up the ballgame.
Looking for more of John Michael's Time Warner Cable Calls of the Game? Check out all of the calls from this season here.


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Ashtamudi Art and Craft Festival
by Kapil Upload a photoFestivals are an integral part of Indian culture. One such state that is extremely famous not only in India but also across the globe for its culture is Kerala. The state has been called God's Own Country because of the scenic beauty and the colourful festivals of the state. One such festival of the state is the Ashtamudi Art and Craft Festival. The festival is also known as Paramparya, which means Tradition in Tamil. The festival takes place in the city of Kollam, situated on the shores of Lake Ashtamudi.
The festival is a showcase of craftsmanship from all across India. The festival is organized in the last week of December and on the banks of Lake Ashtamudi. The whole Ashramam Maidan ground is covered with tents housing the Art and Craft of skilled workmen from all across Kerala and also many parts of the country.
It is a common ground for artisans and craftsmen to bring their work to the public arena on their own and sell. The festival includes folk dance performance by dancers from all across India and also the International Crafts Film Festival. The main attractions of this festival are the puppets, wood carvings, dolls, jewelry, and cane and coir art. Some of the organizers of the festival are the Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council and the State and Central Governments.
Tourist Essential
Tourists get a unique opportunity to interact with the artisans and craftsmen in a work setting where they can demonstrate their skills. Tourists can also purchase craft items and view the actual way they are made. The location of the festival, the Ashramam picnic village situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, is a tourist attraction in itself.


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Qantas and Virgin Blue kept the market guessing over their low-cost plans in Asia yesterday, after Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia dismissed talk it planned to set up a Singapore-based airline with Qantas.
Amid speculation that both Australian airlines might still have an interest in the planned sharemarket listing of AirAsia, chief executive Tony Fernandes told a Malaysian newspaper: "We are talking to Qantas about cheap fares."
But neither Mr Fernandes nor Qantas would explain exactly what this meant.
Virgin Blue also declined to confirm an Asian Wall Street Journal report that the airline could buy a stake in AirAsia in coming weeks.
"I'm only saying what I've been saying for three months and that is, 'Virgin Blue is in regular discussions with a number of airlines around the world'," said Virgin head of strategy David Huttner. "It has been long established that we've had talks with a variety of South-East Asian airlines."
As rumours persisted that Qantas was even looking at taking a stake in Singapore-based Valuair, some analysts expressed scepticism over the mixed signals about the plans of Qantas and Virgin in the region.
Qantas has plenty on its plate with the forthcoming launch of Jetstar and the multibillion-dollar upgrade of its fleet, while analysts questioned whether Virgin Blue had enough funds to expand outside Australia.
AirAsia also appointed Credit Suisse First Boston and RHB Sakura Merchant Bankers as book runners for its planned float,valued at up to $1.3 billion.
AirAsia said in a media statement: "The IPO strengthens our balance sheet, further cuts our existing low costs at US2.5� per ASK (available seat kilometre) and accelerates our growth plans throughout Asia."
But the airline would not give further details of its IPO.
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Marchin' in the Rain: Belding band picks up best score of season
BELDING — The Belding High School Marching Band put on a show so moving Saturday evening that Mother Nature herself was found weeping as the final note played.
With a mysterious, transic melody flowing through the air, a tranquil routine of dance and motion on display on the field, complete with a perplexing and shape-shifting marching routine, the band's performance was a fitting and impressive conclusion to a day that featured 17 high school bands and more than 1,700 students performing on Rudness Field at the second annual Redskin Invitational.
As members of the band began performing their third and final movement of their show titled "The Bermuda Triangle," the first few drops of rain began to fall.
As the band continued, the rain fell harder, and by the time the students had reached the show's dramatic end, an outright downpour from the skies swallowed up the band as if the Bermuda Triangle were engulfing Belding itself.
But the students weren't phased. They played on until the last note, and by the time the night was over, there was reason to celebrate.
With a final score of 67.4 from the judges, the band had jumped 8.85 points from a score of 58.55 a week ago, a massive improvement, according to Belding Marching Band Director Laura Hyler.
"I've been talking to them all season and telling them, don't wait to be amazing," Hyler said. "They knew that they had a lot of work to do individually tonight. It was their turn to be better, and they were. This was their turf and they wanted to do the best they could. They stepped it up."
Hyler said the band had spent the past week working diligently on music and the marching routine after receiving a subpar score during their competition in Grant the week prior.
By rule, being that the band was the host of the invitational, Belding did not place in Saturday's competition, but receives the score as an exhibition score.
"It's an awesome feeling as a directer," she said. "We worked on everything the judges suggested we worked on and obviously the score shows it."
Drum Major and senior Taylor Reeves, 17, had the duties of co-directing the band on the field and said she could tell right away that the hard work had paid off Saturday evening.
"Tonight, since we were on our home field, we wanted to blow everyone away," Reeves said. "We just played as best as we could and it went pretty well from where I was standing."
Reeves said the lower score from a week ago was likely a result of having just finished learning the show in combination of not having all of the props used to tell a story during the show.
"We had just gotten the whole show done, we didn't have any of our props, and the show didn't exactly make sense," she said. "Having more elements in place this week, it made it much better."
Those elements included a disappearing act of sorts, in which students ran across the field with a massive blue tarp, representing a wave, and carried it over a prop freighter ship on the field. As the wave overtook the ship, the ship itself disappeared, leaving the crowd in a state of amusement.
"When we accomplish something like this, it just proves to us that we can be as good as we want to be," Reeves said. "That makes us want to be even better the next week. This week at practice, everything will be hard and intense and hopefully our score will go up again."
The element of rain added an extra measure of difficulty for the band, but senior flute player Rachael Warner, 17, said she thought it was a fitting end to the show.
"We brought the Bermuda Triangle with us," she said. "I think everyone tried their hardest and did their best. Obviously the end was different, but it made it better."
Belding freshman Alec Lafler, 14, has been dreaming of performing at Ford Field in Detroit since he was just eight years old.
It was six years ago that he watched his aunt perform with the Belding High School Marching Band at the state finals.
Belding, which performs in the "Flight IV" category statewide, will make a return trip this year if they qualify, combining their two highest scores.
After Saturday night's performance, Lafler is optimistic he'll be making the trip.
"This has been so much fun, going to all of the competitions, all of the practices, being able to stay up late — all of it," Lafler said. "Anyone that can do this, I want them to do it, because it's so much fun. It's very challenging, but the payoff is so big."
Lafler said Saturday evening's performance meant that much more because it was played in front of hometown fans and visiting bands.
"Playing at home, it's thrilling, there's a lot more pride in it," he said. "You just say to yourself, 'this is my hometown,'"
Hyler said she wanted to thank all of the parents and volunteers who helped make the invitational happen.
"I have a great parent organization that helps me and we were so well prepared for the competition today," she said. "My parents worked extra hard tonight."
The Belding Marching Band will perform again next week where the students will seek to increase their score again.
Hyler said there will be more props and surprises added as the band continues to practice, hoping to make a return performance to Ford Field for the state finals again.
"It's maintain or improve going forward," she said. "Only 12 bands qualify in our flight for the state finals, so we will definitely be aiming to improve."


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Hi all,
I live in ohio and have been a LONG time subaru fan. I have been waiting a long time to get my own impreza/wrx for some time now, but they have all been so god aweful expensive that I am probably dreaming when I think of a "cheap subaru" lol. I don't mind if I have to build it from the ground up, but I am tired of driving my piece of c*%# and am sick of seeing moronic people in better cars than what they should have. I know that's a silly idea, but I am mad that I blew out a complete dofus in a black Subaru Impreza 02-04'(RS I think) in my pos 92 saturn(automatic by the way) because he didn't know how to drive the car the way it should be. I am no expert by any means, but come on! Aggrevating to say the least. Anyways...if you all have any ideas..offers..or even income solutions lol..please let me know so I can become a wise and proud owner of a suby one day! thanks..


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Berlusconi poll recovery shakes up Italy's election race
By Steve Scherer
ROME (Reuters) - Four-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi extended his surge in Italy's opinion polls on Friday, increasing prospects that the center-left Democratic Party now leading the race will have to seek a pact with Mario Monti's centrist bloc.
With a little over a month to go before the vote, Berlusconi narrowed the gap with Pier Luigi Bersani's center-left coalition by 4 percentage points versus a week ago, but still trails by 6 percentage points, a poll published on Friday showed.
His gains follow a blitz on almost every television talkshow in Italy, where the 76-year-old billionaire has mixed blistering attacks on Monti's technocrat government, Germany and the left with promises to restore growth and scrap a hated property tax.
The surge has been reminiscent of 2006, when the flamboyant showman clawed back 10 percentage points and nearly robbed Romano Prodi of what looked like a certain victory just a month before the election.
But so far, despite similar results in several recent polls, there seemed to be little chance of an election shock giving Berlusconi a fifth term after the stew of scandals and the financial crisis forced him to step down in 2011.
"This time around, Berlusconi's ability to stage a comeback is limited," said Maurizio Pessato, vice chairman of SWG polling institute, which conducted Friday's poll.
"Berlusconi has lost a lot of credibility, more than he had before the 2006 vote, because of the failure of his government in 2011, and his personal scandals."
The poll showed the center-left alliance of the Democratic Party and the leftist Left, Ecology, Freedom party at 33 percent, down from 34.9 percent a week ago, with Berlusconi's alliance on 27.2 percent and Monti's bloc 13.7 percent. Continued...


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Hope you had a nice birthday. I am in Port Hedland with Kerri and the weather is certainly the opposite to you - 31 yesterday.
Love to you.
Trip Start May 03, 2012
28Trip End Jun 14, 2012
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Idre Hostel Ulan Bator
Read my review - 4/5 stars
Read my review - 4/5 stars
Back at the guesthouse I asked if Railcom was the right building and would it open today and they said yes. So I trek back and still closed. Next door looks busy so I went in there to ask if it gonna open. Lucky a guy in there spoke english and he tells me not here
After all this fun I had a nana nap in the arvo. That was great.
Last night I went to Sukhbaatar Square to get some pics without the snow on the lens. I had dinner and found a cafe that did iced coffee so I went in and they also did the best carrot cake. I hung around the square waiting for the lights to come on. It was 9pm and still light and I had about 1hr walk back to guesthouse and getting cold so I took some shots. I got a few on the way home as well.
Today I am going to get organised for my trip and go to the Naran Tuul market. It is the biggest black market in Mongolia. Then probably come back here and chill till I leave.
Been out for an epic walk today. Walked to the Naran Tuul markets, they are nothing special, pretty much the same as every market across Asia. The size is huge and you can buy anything but nothing special. The weather has been great for the last couple of days so there are a lot of street traders around. Mostly selling fruit and vegies. I even found a couple selling meat on a stick. It was some kinda meat and something else, I dont know what it was but it was slimey and tasted crap so I spat that part out.
See ya in a couple of days in Irktusk, Siberia.
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Hope you had a nice birthday. I am in Port Hedland with Kerri and the weather is certainly the opposite to you - 31 yesterday.
Hey uncle john....i'm reading this in your truck parked at the idilic location of delawney st park, my tourguide is your girlfriend at MM ......