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Tangled up in EU Administration?
Do you ever get tangled up in EU administration?
The European Ombudsman can help you! Visit http://ombudsman.europa.eu to find out more about how to solve problems with the EU administration.
The video made by Emakina for the services of the European Ombudsman might inspire you…
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about administration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union.
Any citizen or resident of the EU, or business, association, or other body with a registered office in the EU, can lodge a complaint. You don't need to be personally affected by the maladministration to complain.
EuroLynx Partner in Czech Republic AC&C wins 6 PR Awards
AC&C Public Relations, the long standing EuroLynx partner in the Czech Republic, has again scored high in its local communication competition, the Czech PR Awards.
Martin Frydl and Jan Klima left yesterdays´ gala ceremony with three Golden Awards, one Special Award of the jury, one Silver and one Bronze Award. With this impressive award list, the agency ranked amongst the most awarded agencies on the market, after already being the most awarded one last year.
AC&C PR with LMC taking over two Golden awards
Golden Award – Crisis Comms category, client: LMC
Golden Award – Business to Business category, client: LMC
Golden Award – Technology/IT category, client: Nokia Czech
Special Award – Technology/IT category, client: T-Mobile Czech
Silver Award – Business to Consumer category, National Deposit Insurance Fund
Bronze Award – Social responsibility and Philanthropy category, T-Mobile Czech
Dr. Haffa & Partner celebrates 25 years of success
A pioneer's anniversary
The EuroLynx partner in Germany – Dr. Haffa & Partner – is celebrating its 25th year in business this fall.
Founded in 1986 by Dr. Annegret Haffa and Dr. Horst Höfflin, the agency was one of the first in Germany to concentrate on PR for high-tech and IT companies. While remaining true to its focus on technology for more than a quarter of a century, the agency has also expanded its services over the years considerably.
In addition to traditional public relations work, the agency now offers a broad range of services including marketing and sales support, corporate publishing, online communication, and social media. This rare combination of technological knowledge and expertise in numerous vertical industries, the focus on benefits, the skilled consultancy, and of course exceptional content writing have made Dr. Haffa & Partner extremely successful over the past two-and-a-half decades.
Dr. Annegret Haffa and Dr. Horst Höfflin, co-founders of the German EuroLynx partner agency
Still going strong
The communications sector has changed dramatically. Yet Dr. Haffa & Partner remains as one of the few agencies from the early days of high-tech and IT public relations in Germany that is still independent and owner-operated to this day. Dr. Haffa & Partner is a member of AIKA, an association for owner-operated communication agencies, and the independent international agency networks EuroLynx, ComVort, and GlobalFluency. This benefits international clients seeking to remain within a particular agency network while still utilizing a best-of-breed selection process. As one of six lead agencies in the pan-European network EuroLynx, Dr. Haffa & Partner participates in large communication projects for the European Commission.
Back to the Future
"This anniversary is an opportunity to look to the future," says Dr. Annegret Haffa, founder and managing partner at Dr. Haffa & Partner. "We work with interesting clients on exciting projects — in our area of expertise, high-tech and IT, new developments and markets are continually emerging. And we shouldn't forget the transformation of both our target groups' information behaviour and the communication tools we use. That's what makes this job so incredibly exciting to me — everything is in a state of flux, and we are forced to keep re-inventing ourselves."
"If I go all the way back to 1986 and compare the communications industry then to what we have now, it feels like they are separated by much more than just 25 years," explains Dr. Horst Höfflin, founder and managing partner at Dr. Haffa & Partner. "It sounds so unbelievable today when you tell stories like how we landed an account back then simply because we already had our own fax machine and an address database. It's also interesting to note here that we were one of the first agencies in Germany to have its own website and one of the first to use e-mail. Actively contributing to the transformation in communications has been and remains one of the most challenging aspects of our business over the years.
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About Dr. Haffa & Partner
The Munich-based communications agency Dr. Haffa & Partner specialises in public relations and marketing for high-tech and IT companies. Founded in 1986, the full-service PR firm's portfolio of services ranges from strategic communication consulting to customised public relations and traditional media services through to marketing services, social media, website consulting, and sales support for both German and multinational enterprises. Dr. Haffa & Partner is a partner in the agency networks EuroLynx, ComVort and Gllobalfluency, and a member of AIKA, the German association of owner-operated agencies. Dr. Haffa & Partner's clients include AKI (Print Management), art of defence, ECA International, the European Commission, IndoGerman Business Network, Funkwerk EC, Master Climate Solution, Microfin, Rumsauer/Robomow, SAS, SoftconCIS, Sparxent and syngenio.
Additional information
Dr. Haffa & Partner
Dr. Horst Höfflin and Dr. Annegret Haffa
Burgauerstrasse 117 81929 Munich, Germany
Tel +49 89 993191-0
SME Week 2011- Giving Business a Second Chance
From 3 to 9 October 2011, the 3rd edition of the European SME Week takes place. It focuses on business transfer and a second chance for entrepreneurs.
People considering becoming an entrepreneur often forget that starting a new firm is not the only way to go into business. Every year, thousands of existing small businesses close down, as their owners retire or seek new challenges, but cannot find anybody to take over the firm. Only 50% of businesses survive the first 5 years after they are created. Of all these closures bankruptcies represent 15%.Therefore business failure, closure and restart should be seen as a natural process, just like the first-time creation of a start-up business.
3 inspiring examples of entrepreneurial success
Anna Rizzo lives in Rome, Italy. She took over the company of her father when he died. Volker Geyer lives in Wiesbaden, Germany. He founded a painting business after having gone through a very difficult bankruptcy. Tuomas Pahlman lives in Tampere, Finland. He was 21 when his father passed away, leaving him at the head of a struggling company. They accepted to tell their story.
European Single Market: tell us your story
The European Single Market is an important achievement. But good can still be made better…
Have you faced cross-border challenges, causing problems in your personal life or your business?
Or did you discover excellent support and achieved success despite initial
issues in your cross-border EU adventure?
The little clip says it all…
On www.tellusyourstory.EU , you can now share your real-life story on travelling, working, doing business or living abroad inside Europe.
Inspire the decisions on the future of the European Single Market!
The five best stories will be filmed and you can be invited to the Single Market Forum in Cracow, Poland.
Who says Europe does not talk with its citizens? They say: Tell us your story!
EU Commissioner Dalli visits Vet Week stand
EU Commissioner John Dalli visited the stand at the Berlaimont building this morning.
The Directorate for Health and Consumers is very active in support of the Veterinary profession. The World Veterinary Year 2011 is a year-long celebration of the founding of the veterinary profession in Lyon, 250 years ago.
The European Union has come a long way in its efforts to better protect Animal Health, ensuring along the way Food Safety. The role of the veterinary profession, which celebrates this year its 250th anniversary, has been pivotal in making food in the EU safe.
The European Commission and the OIE have been working together to promote the Year's goals through their "vets in your daily life" campaign. Its objective is to raise awareness about the diverse, and often unseen role, vets play in society, be it through protecting animal welfare, carrying out controls at borders, or looking after our pets. A worldwide photo competition was also part of the activities planned. This week, the five winners will be honoured in Brussels, as part of the Vet Week conference.
European banks survive stress test? Aaaah!
The stress tests of 91 European banks in 20 EU countries indicates "the banks are doing well". Good news, no doubt.
At least, the results sound a lot better then some thought. With some relief, media across Europe announced "only seven failed". Yet most European print media mainly showed doubt about the credibility of the exercise. A similar test last year on 19 banks int the US gave a red card to 10 American colleagues. But the check up was not the same, and this one was widely criticized as being too weak.
If you want to check for a blood ilness, it is not enough to look into the throat of a patient and ask him to say 'AAA'. Clearly, the test was designed to show the world that a full-blown euro crisis would not topple the local banks, calm spirits and regain confidence of investors. A charm offensive, in short. Too weak, too little, etc.
Maybe so. But still, from an image point of view, this is a good move, bringing good news. At least it is news that is not built on lies, as was the case in the Greec drama the world witnessed not so long ago. Combined with the spectacular jump of the German business sentiment in July and the UK growing faster than expected, the mood is up, while the US is showing signs of slowing and the housing market is still suffering. There are still bizarre 'for sale' signs on ebay for both common and spectacular houses in the US. So is it 'Sweet Europe, Sour America?', as Reuters asks?
One thing is clear, you cannot build your house on lies, debts and mortgages. Hard work, honesty and a tight reign on your home economics are the only way forward, for home owners, banks and governments alike. Then all can say AAAh with confidence.
Is Europe's crisis over?
So… is the crisis in Europe over?
Rupert Murdoch made a new bold move that would point in that direction. His News Corp. offers to pay $11.5 billion for the remaining shares of British broadcaster BSkyB. Murdoch as the herald of a sunny new day over the old continent? Michael Corkery at the WSJ seems to imply this in his article "is the Crisis in Europe Over? Just Ask Rupert Murdoch". He reads the big bid as the Aussy tycoon's way of betting that the problems in Europe aren't so bad as they seem after all. Or on a more sober note, at least it indicates Murdoch believes the crisis will not reduce the Briton's hunger for pay TV consumption, making the bid on one of the largest satellite broadcasters in England and Ireland logical.
The Financial Times calls the move Mr Murdoch's most significant strategic manoeuvre in years. It quotes a financier with knowledge of the Murdoch move: "By investing in a pay-television business, he is derisking the whole News Corp portfolio away from advertising-dependent businesses". The FT adds conventional wisdom would suggest to spend the cash in geographic growth markets such as India and Brazil, or in sub-sectors that are riding the growth in internet advertising, education spending or video games sales. Instead, Mr Murdoch is returning to the slow-growing UK market.
So, is Murdoch betting on Europe's recovery? Let's not get our hopes up to high. Theodora Zemek, head of global fixed income at AXA Investment Managers, says in The Telegraph about he Eurozone that having over-riding legal powers "is a precondition for the system to work but it doesn't exist in Europe and the bond markets are starting to figure this out. We are looking at a noble experiment on the brink of failure." The French analysts see it possible that the eurozone would break in half or disintegrate.
Let democracy be our currency! The danger exists that economical problems would destroy the reality of democratic freedom in Europe as a whole and in specific weakened countries, as Barrosso recently warned. Let us all agree that nationalism, selfishness and mistrust are not an option, as says Tahar ben Jelloun on Presseurope:
Regardless of the outcome of this crisis, Europe is no longer a utopia, or a virtual place, but a real entity that is still in the process of construction, which still needs our determined support and good will. Europe is a blessing. The idea that several countries should join together to form a union based on geography, history and on the values of democracy and freedom remains the positive legacy of the Second World War. But does anyone spare a thought for the early years of the union that grew from seven to 27 countries?
Is the Europe-China love affair in trouble?
Is the love affair between China and Europe in trouble?
At the EU pavilion in Shanghai, the sun is shining on the alliance between the EU and the Middle Kingdom. The European Union shares a pavilion with Belgium at the 2010 World Expo. Under the "Movement and Interaction" theme, the presence is positive and dynamic. After Europe Day on May 9, next Sunday the Belgian Day is on the programme. Prince Filip of Belgium will pay a visit to the event.
But will high hopes, positive thinking and royal visits be enough to maintain the marriage between Europe and China? Under the title "How China walks over Europe", Presseurop picks up the article of Pramit Pal Chaudhuri of the Hindustan Times. The EU became China's number one trading partner, but the trade deficit ballooned to nearly 170 billion euros — in Beijing's direction, the Indian editor writes. The Tibetan riots in 2008 and the disappointing Copenhagen climate summit further tainted the happy couple's pictures.
What can be done? On foreignpolicy.com Jonathan Holslag of the Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies wrote that "Europe cannot back up its soft power with hard economic capabilities" in the green debate. The European Commission must better pool research projects scattered through Europe and persuade member states to do more.
The same applies to diplomacy. Europe should speak in one voice and with one mouth. With a clear position and insight in the logic and culture of the Chinese decision makers. The gap is real. And unity is the only answer. It is a necessity, in facing the growing Chinese dragon. Then the love between China and Europe can pick up and become truly passionate.


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Fresh Take Keeps No. 5 Trojans Undefeated in Sweep of Bobcats
Aug. 25, 2012
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - It was a youth movement for the fifth-ranked USC women's volleyball team (3-0) as a trio of freshman carried the Women of Troy to a 3-0 victory (25-18, 25-19, 25-22) over Texas State (0-3) at Reed Arena in the Texas A&M Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 25. In the win, the Trojans got 16 kills from freshman outside hitter Samantha Bricio (3e, 31att, .419) who also posted her first double-double with 10 digs.
At the conclusion of her first three collegiate matches, Bricio was named the MVP of the A&M Invitational. The freshman phenom logged 37 kills (3.70 kps) while hitting .322 and had 26 digs. Senior opposite Katie Fuller and junior libero Natalie Hagglund were also selected to the all-tournament team along with Bricio.
First-year middle blocker Alicia Ogoms got the second start of her young career and made a splash as she logged nine kills (1e, 13att) for a .615 hitting percentage. Freshman Kiara Wright provided a spark for USC in the third set as it closed out the Bobcats and finished with six kills (2e, 12att, .333) and the Trojans' only solo block.
Sophomore setter Hayley Crone had 41 assists and six digs and Hagglund led all players with 13 digs. The Trojans attacked at a .321 rate with 47 kills (13e) on 106 attempts in the match.
For Texas State, Ashlee Hilbun and Morgan McDaniel each had 11 kills apiece while libero Caylin Mahoney led her squad with 10 digs. USC held the Bobcats to a .212 attack percentage on 104 swings (37k, 15e).
Right out of the gate, the Trojans put their youth on display as a pair of freshman carried the team to a 25-18 win in the first set. Ogoms and Bricio each had five kills apiece without error as USC posted a .424 hitting percentage to open the match (3e, 33att). Bricio's fourth kill of the set made the score 15-10 and the Trojans maintained their distance from that point on; never allowing the Bobcats to get closer than three points. Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Schraer got her two first-set kills on the final two plays. The first was a quick set from Hayley Crone to give USC a 24-18 set-point lead. The second kill secured the win as Schraer terminated on a set from Fuller.
USC cruised out to a 10-3 lead to open the second set as its offense continued to click. The Bobcats made a little push to get back into the set, but the Trojans pulled away again and led by nine points, 16-7, on a service ace by Crone. Bricio logged her 10th kill of the night to set USC up with a 20-13 lead heading down the stretch of the second set, but Texas State made one last push to tack up four straight points before USC put the set away on a pair of kills by Wright. The Trojans had 15 kills (5e, 31att) for a .323 hitting percentage in the second set. Texas State had 12 kills (6e, 31att, .194).
Texas State claimed the first three points of the third set to get the Trojans' attention, but USC caught the Bobcats at 10-all on senior Erin Yoder's second service ace. In all, Troy finished with six service aces in the match. A block by Wright gave the Trojans a brief lead, 12-11, but Texas State responded to go up, 17-13. That was before Bricio returned to the match and notched four straight kills to bring the teams to an 18-all tie. She terminated a fifth play to put the lead into the Trojans' hands for good at 19-18. A kill by Wright gave USC set point before Ogoms came up with the final point of the day to seal a 25-22 win for the Women of Troy.
The Women of Troy return home to host the Jiangsu Chinese Team in an exhibition match at Galen Center on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. PT. It will be the first-ever women's volleyball event to be carried live on the new Pac-12 Networks. Please check your local listings for availability.
2012 Texas A&M All-Tournament Team
Ronni Munkeby (North Dakota)


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Reviews written by registered user
|5 reviews in total
Basically, this is a movie that for all intents and purposes, doesn't
quite exist. I don't remember having heard anything about the movie,
but came across it by accident while flipping through the movie
listings on TV. And that is a shame! Okay, it hasn't gone completely
unnoticed, as the tumblr blog people have an extensive post about it.
Synopsis: young brilliant musician goes into a deep depression with the death of his wife and stops music. Instead he spends his time in the hotel room where he first met her, waiting for her to call. A young woman, who doesn't want him to see her face and who lost several years of her youth to being in a coma, forms a friendship with him through the bathroom door. And, like magic, and with the help of the kindly chess playing hotel desk man, the two eccentric people tentatively and quirkily begin to live. He, again, she for the first time.
And it is the quirkiness that I can see being a thumbs down for some. Why? I've been struggling to articulate my thoughts, but it comes to what may be an odd split in the human population between those who delight in Magical Realism versus those who delight in cartoon violence or the un-magical realism of saccharine sentimental (happy / sad) movies. The emotional life of the characters is brought forward in the storytelling through exaggerated setting and character. So the young woman struggling to find her place in the world hides in the bathroom of the man having lost his place. Each have erected a wall between themselves and the world which, by the magic of life, is embodied in the locked bathroom door.
And thus we see a visual metaphor dance around the theme of finding/losing/rediscovering one's voice. The metaphor is re-enforced with the subplot of the young musician who has to struggle to keep his own musical voice while it is being excoriated by the good-intentioned father.
And, in the best of a magical realism typical of many Canadian writers, such as Barbara Gowdy and Margaret Atwood, the theme is explored in different ways. The young woman begins to find her voice using mute media: she uses film frames clipped from the movies she's paid by a theatre company to project and, with a kind of homage to Timothy Findley's novel Famous Last Words, journal writing on the wall of her loft that she would paint over until the day she met Sam.
This is a fun movie. The directing kept it light, and the performances by the leads are engaging and don't fall into maudlin sentimentality. Forest Whitaker as their unassuming spiritual guide was perfect in the role. The filmography is good and contributes to the story with its own subtle quirkiness. And the music is also excellent. As is noted, Charlie Winston contributes perfectly to the sound track, including Rupert Friend's extemporaneous blues/jazz 'hit' I'm in Love With a Bathroom.
Post Review: This movie participated in a delightful little synchronicity that, for the curious can be found at egajd.blogspot.com
I watched this, by accident last night, and thoroughly enjoyed it. When
I turned to it, I didn't know anything about it, but quickly realized
that it was a Canadian film. There is some weirdness in how Canadians
see sex/love, and this film captures that in spades. There is nothing
clearly explicit, except for a couple of naked buttocks. However, the
scenes of sexual exploration are invariably just slightly off centre
and very funny. Does Sammy learn the difference between sex and love?
The acting is excellent, and I enjoyed the quirky characters and pacing of the film. In typical Canadian fashion, the denouement is surprising, but ends hopefully. Sook-yin Lee, with the delightful Cristin Milioti as Sammy Smalls, makes this a gentle film with a crunchy satisfaction to it. A surprising delight.
I have watched this movie several times through my idiot box, without
having any awareness of how it did at the box office or of its reviews.
(I don't remember even noticing it or anything about it when it was
released.) Even before seeing the director's cut, I thought it very
Tonight I watched what I didn't know existed - the director's cut. Even having seen just the box office release I would have rated TCOR about a 7 to 7.5, mostly because of the excellent special affects and the quality of the action sequences, but also because of the intensity of Diesel's portrayal of the anti-hero struggling with his feelings for Kyra.
The director's cut completes the story's continuity, and removes what had until tonight puzzled me. And so the 7 easily becomes a 9 or even 9.5.
The only thing that keeps me from giving it a ten is that the parameters set out for the atmosphere of Cremotoria are quite blatantly violated. A small quibble, I assure you, but just enough for me to keep it from a 10.
It is a very dark, and funny, and sad, and very entertaining sci-fi action movie. A fully satisfying movie.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
This infectious quiet comedy grabbed me by the heart and didn't let it
go. As a movie it worked at all levels - script, production, acting.
The concept of the drunk killer being played straight could have fallen
miserably if any of these parts of the film had failed. But every part
contributed to the whole, to which I would like to particularly commend
the director/producers for the beautiful restraint they showed with the
film's score and music.
Some of the commentators here expressed concern over the mobs of Buffalo, but that was one of the straightest jokes on film! The Polish and Irish squabbling over pennies and snow removal as if these were the meaning of life!? This sets the counterpoint for Kingsley brilliant portrayal of Frank, the reluctant AA member who begins to leave his old ways of living and join the living. He's left the dead of winter for the possibility of life while learning to dress dead bodies. In SF he discovers that he is no longer bound by tradition, in which like a loser he had done as he was told. And this counterpoint is extended by the petty mobsters moving with puffed up TV melodrama towards their deaths because they are bound to a code that they are unable or unwilling to break.
Frank's hesitancy in embracing AA is well scripted and acted, but becomes brilliant once he decides to join and takes the part about honesty to heart. Following his motto about the importance of precision, Frank conscientiously chooses to be 100 percent honest. Some have said that anyone could have done that role, but I don't think many could have made it believable. It was scripted and acted well enough that I did not have a credibility problem with Frank's honesty.
However, the brilliance of the movie comes fully to life with the introduction of Leoni 's portrayal of Laurel and the development of the relationship between her and Frank. In a very few short lines the two characters establish an awareness that they have a common quirk - unflinching honesty, which was affirmed with Laurel's humorous acquiescence to Frank's observation that the dead step-father's toes would need to be broken in order to fit his feet into the stolen bowling shoes.
And I would like to stand and give Leoni my ovation and apology. I had made a point of avoiding her films until I accidentally saw "Spanglish.' In that movie she opened my mind to the possibility that she has some acting skill, because she managed to keep a thoroughly unlikable neurotic character human and interesting when it would have been very easy not to have been able to do that. Here, as Laurel, the subtlety of her reactions of surprise, disappointment, and the myriad other emotions she needs to act is a brilliant dance of words and discovery with Kingsley, who portrays with straight man comic brilliance his surprise and fear at wanting to reach for something in life other than a bottle or a gun.
When Frank reveals to the group that he kills people, the reaction of everyone in the room is wonderful, especially Laurel's. You can see in their faces a bit of disbelief, then a kind of shock. But, as Frank continues to tell his story as a drunk, their initial shock is replaced by the alcoholic's recognition of his or her drunken stories in him. What he does for a living falls away as less important than living in the moment, alive, one day at a time. "I think it went better than you think," his sponsor says after the disclosure. And isn't that a beautiful and affirming life message from a hit man's AA sponsor? Too, too funny!
I was so surprised at how good I found my first viewing of this movie that I watched it a second time, the following night. And it was even better the second time. Bravo!
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
I loved this film! It has a great heart and great bones. I stumbled
onto it by chance and I had no recollection, not even an inkling, of
this movie from promos or reviews or word of mouth. I remember
reading, many years ago, a journalist who commented on the value of
watching movies without having them contaminated by the pre-judgement
of reviews or the false shill of the promos. And this seems to be the
single most common source of the critics' negative reaction to the
film: it failed to meet expectations of it being a comedy, or a slice
of life, or character driven. I had no expectation about the film, and
so it was comedic - but I only laughed once or twice - without being a
comedy; it was about a person, but so eccentric that it wasn't slice of
life; it was about a character, but the character was so intelligently
optimistic and trusting of her instinct to life, that it wasn't the
angst-driven sentimental melodrama so typical of American 'serious'
film - as I wrote that I realized that writer/director Lisa Krueger
managed to poke fun at this schlock American sentimentality in the
husband! And very cleverly too! And Kreuger was able to keep the
cloyingly sentimental ending from the screen, when the
wayward, not prodigal, husband returned with his tail shrunk between
his legs. Bravo, Ms. Krueger, bravo! (Now I will be watching this film
again, as it is getting better and better as I reflect on it.)
Graham's performance as Joline is brilliant. I loved how subtly but completely she was able to portray and convey intelligent awareness of her committable commitment to honouring her words and actions - she knew that in keeping her word with a band, or friends, or husband that she was setting herself up to ridicule and/or disappointment in a world that was unable to honour commitment as she was able to do. But even with that strength, she was fully connected to humanity, and embraced with a fully committed heart their frailty and failures. The character of Joline was amazingly well acted, and I left the film surprised that I had no recollection of awards nominations for it. Okay, not that surprised, as American awards tend to go to women in 'serious' roles, filled with angst and the proper amount of nudity, which this film did not have. What it has was far better, which was heart in this woman's discovery of herself with the assistance of new friends and a self-deprecating shaman.
I admit to being a bit of a soft touch for eccentric characters who manage their peculiarities while remaining honest and true to themselves as they move through the minefield of what comprises 'proper' societal behaviour and 'acceptable' interpersonal discourse. So, if people must conform to normality in your world, then this film will not be to your liking. And that was, it seems, one of the common threads in the critiques.
And I am always a sucker for a good play on words when it raises questions of human behaviour and ethical/philosophical values. Until this movie I hadn't made the emotional connection between being committed (to a cause or honesty or something) and being committed (to an insane asylum). At what point does one's commitment to a personal sense of truth and action in life become a one way ticket to insanity? This sounds like a simple question, or one that is easily dismissed as being rhetorical. But is it? And yet few of the critics - I think maybe two, commented on this aspect of the film either directly or indirectly.
A lovely film. 8/10.


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Contact Information
- Chris Harper
- 07917 097190
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About Autotest
UPDATE 25/02: Unfortunately the field was too wet for use to hold the event today. We are going to eat all the burgers and sausages tonight at Carl's (GFF, 27 Redland Grove) at 7pm with Top Gear. We hope to reschedule the autotest on either Sunday 4th or 11th March - confirmation will follow.
As usual, there will be a BBQ to warm the fingers and stomach, and plenty of low speed fun :) As this is the first one we have been able to run this academic year, don't worry about being a beginner! Most of our seasoned members agree that autotests are just about the most fun events we have, so don't miss out, be there!
Date and Time
Sun Mar 4, 2007 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm (GMT)
Location and MapA field near Bristol airport (better directions available)
Bristol, Avon
United Kingdom


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IT Service Management AND Automation: Now That's A Double Whammy Of Business-Enabling Goodness
Posted by Stephen Mann on June 21, 2012
- 920 Recommendations
- 2 comments
A recent Forrester report helps IT infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders understand the business and IT impact of service management and automation (SMA). While both IT service management (ITSM) and automation can be used effectively in isolation, I&O organizations should be seeking to use them in tandem for an "amplified" business impact.
The General Benefits Of Service Management And Automation
The general benefits of SMA can be divided between the I&O organization and the business, though these benefits often overlap:
While SMA is much more than the adoption of IT infrastructure library (ITIL), the ITSM best practice framework, thinking and processes — ITIL's benefits are quite reflective of the general benefits of broader SMA. In a survey of 491 members of the USA chapter of the IT Service Management Forum (itSMF), Forrester found that organizations which adopted ITIL experience the following benefits:
- Improved staff productivity that allows the business to become more competitive (85%).
- Heightened quality of service that improves business uptime and customer experience (83%).
- Reduced operational costs to reinvest in new and innovative initiatives (41%).
- Improved reputation with the business (65%).
The Benefits Of Automation
Cloud computing and DevOps are accelerating the evolution of automated service management, with service management itself evolving to adapt to automation. There is a symbiotic relationship between these movements. Neither cloud computing nor DevOps is truly feasible without extreme automation, and automation needs the economic force of movements like cloud and DevOps to compel the market investment necessary to deliver capable technology solutions. It's becoming increasingly obvious that service management in any form will be impossible without significant improvements in automation and the inherent benefits:
- The acceleration of process execution.
- The reduction in human errors and the unwanted consequences.
- The ability to rapidly adapt as both business and IT needs change.
- Reduction in the cost of IT operations.
- The ability to proactively respond to the shrinking "available resource pool."
- Freeing highly skilled and knowledgeable staff from the repeatable, mundane tasks.
An automation example from the report is shown below:
But remember that for a bad process with a bad business outcome, automation just lets you get to the bad outcome more quickly.
Combining Service Management And Automation Amplifies Benefits
While the SMA report looks in detail at service management and automation used in isolation, the benefits can be extended by using both disciplines in tandem. Self-help password resets is a common but powerful example; FastPass Corporation estimates the fully burdened cost of a password reset is $18 per support call, not factoring in loss of productivity. Other common examples include service catalog workflow, automation for provisioning, or remote support and chat (a chat example is shown below).
Leveraging automation for ITSM brings with it a number of benefit-enhancing advantages: It helps to remove people dependency, people costs, and human error; it speeds the time to enact a given process; and it results in a better IT service delivery experience and hopefully a better customer experience (and greater customer satisfaction).
In Forrester's opinion, automation is the future of IT service delivery (please don't read this as contradictory to my continued push for greater customer-centricity — the two aren't mutually exclusive) and as my esteemed colleague Glenn O'Donnell says:
What do you think?
If you enjoyed this, please read my latest blog: http://blogs.forrester.com/stephen_mann
Related Forrester Research
When ITSM integrates with IT Process Automation
Comment from Gabby Nizri (not verified) on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 16:39
The integration of IT Process Automation with ITSM tools lets you automate the reporting, resolution, and closure of incidents within the ITSM system. Instead of manual data entry and long service delivery procedures, you can create an automated closed-loop process that accelerates incident management and resolution.
we have done the first integration with eyeShare and Service-Now ITSM
A good example for password reset savings ...
Comment from Stephen Mann on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 04:07
TNT saves £1m after automating password resets - ComputerworldUK.com http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/it-business/3365590/tnt-saves-1m-aft...
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Sneak peak at the new plant light!
At 10:10 minutes, you'll get a sneak peak at the new light!!
We took your feedback and put it into our new light at ECOXOTIC, Current-USA's sister company!
leaked features:
PAR: 120+ micromoles at 12 inches! with one row of EXTREMELY bright LEDs
will come in 12, 24, 36, 48 inches with extendable legs
comes with inline ramp timer with automated ramp and moonlight and remote!
dynamic settings like lightning, cloud cover
This light is SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR YOU. Comment if you want your recommendations and feedback to be incorporated! No other questions will be answered because everything finalized has already been stated above. Pricing, timer specs, functions etc. are still in the process of being finalized.
Looks very interesting!
Is the pricing going to be significantly more than the Satellite+ line? I have the 48" version and like it a lot. Does this control the regular lights and moonlights independently? Or do the moonlights just stay on? It would be nice if they could ramp down too at some point so you could have total dark time. It would be cool if there was a way to adjust the overall brightness easily, too, so that if you didn't want high light, you could pull it down to, say, medium light.
Cool, but no 18" or 20"?
Sweet! Me wants! :)
Not sure what you're referring to. The white and RGB LEDs can already be controlled separately on the Satellite plus and can also be dimmable. The remote and controls will almost be identical to the Satellite plus.
A ramp timer is useless to me if I can't set my moonlights to come on for a few hours after my regular lights go off.
If that won't be possible then I need to know ASAP so I can return my Satellite + while it's still covered by the store I bought it from's return policy.
This new light is exactly what I was hoping I'd be able to do with the Satellite+ from the looks of it.
Super nice light! Hope it'll be out before Xmas :)
"comes with inline ramp timer with automated ramp and moonlight and remote!"
So yes, moonlight will be automated with the controller that comes with this light as well as the ramp timer pro.
Okay, so... to confirm. If I buy a ramp timer pro for my Satellite+, I will be able to accomplish the same thing as this new light is capable of... I just won't have the same par rating from the sounds of it.
Sorry if this is confusing, just trying to ensure that I'll be able to use my Satellite+ ramp up/down both daylights and moonlights if I have the right controller.
I am hoping to get one of these when they are for sale. Will it have the thunderstorm mode like the Sat+s do? Will the ramp timer be able to do blue LED moonlights after the light fades out? Any ETA on when this will be available?
January?? :eek: I'm turning blue from holding my breath! :D I can't even show it off for my thanksgiving or christmas parties....
okay okay, where are my manners. Thanks for coming through with it. Can't wait!
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I am doing research to get silicone implants in January 2013. I am 5'10" and 154 lbs. Have 2 kids (4.5yo and 1.5yo). Nursed them both and have saggy barely B cup boobs. Looking to go to a large C/small D.
I have consulted with 7 plastic surgeons and have 2 more consults next week, but I'm trying to find better reviews to figure out which one to go with. It's not an easy decision and I'd love some help! Who was your surgeon and how was your experience? Thanks!


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text here. Few sentances.PROS
List, of, prosCONS
List, of cons
The Singing Machine ISM-1028Xa is a more sophisticated karaoke system than the top-rated Electrohome EAKAR300 (Est. $70) . It includes a built-in screen, dual microphones and two powerful external speakers. While it has more features than the Electrohome, it also gets more complaints about durability, despite its higher price tag. Also, while it has a dock for an iPod or iPhone, it lacks an auxiliary port to connect other types of MP3 players.Features
Feature packed. The ISM-1028Xa offers a wealth of features, including dual speakers, a built-in monitor, two microphones and separate volume controls for vocals and backing tracks. There are also various voice modulation options, such as echo control, digital key adjustment and auto voice control (AVC). However, it's not as versatile as some other players. It can play CD+Gs and stream music from an iPod or iPhone, but there's no way to connect any other type of MP3 player. Note that you'll need an adapter for the latest Apple mobile devices, which use a Lightning connector. Also, though the ISM-1028Xa has a built-in radio, you can't sing along with it; all karaoke features automatically switch off when the radio goes on.Pros
Sound performer. Reviewers generally describe the ISM-1028Xa as very easy to set up and use. Owners are particularly pleased at how easy it is to stream YouTube videos via the karaoke machine's iPod/iPhone dock. Thanks to this feature, reports one satisfied owner at Amazon.com, "I have yet to need to buy any of the CD+G disks." Most reviewers also say this machine delivers good overall sound quality and volume, though some warn that it's not really professional quality. The ISM-1028Xa's weakest point seems to be the microphones; some users say their gain is poor and you must get very close to them for the vocals to be audible.
A bit flimsy. The reviewer at KaraokeMachineCritics.com says that the machine's mostly plastic construction is "a bit of a bummer," though everything still worked on their machine. Not all users were so lucky, however: Many reviewers at Amazon.com and Walmart.com say the machine either stopped working soon after purchase or never worked properly at all. It's backed by a 90-day warranty that covers "defects in material and workmanship," but that won't protect you if the machine gets knocked over -- which some owners say is quite likely to happen, as it's very top-heavy.
Singing Machine iSM1028Xa, Editors of KaraokeMachineCritics.com, Not Dated
The Singing Machine ISM-1028Xa is one of the top three home karaoke players at KaraokeMachineCritics.com, with an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5. The reviewer praises its sound performance and great features, but notes that it's hampered by the lack of an auxiliary input jack.
2. Amazon.com
Singing Machine iSM1028Xa 7-Inch Color TFT Display CDG Karaoke Player, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of March 2014
There are over 80 reviews for the Singing Machine ISM-1028Xa at Amazon.com, with ratings averaging 3.6 stars out of 5. Owners praise the karaoke machine's sound quality, and they love how easy it is to view YouTube videos on it. However, there are quite a few complaints about durability.
3. Walmart.com
The Singing Machine iSM1028Xa Pedestal CD+G Karaoke Player, Contributors to Walmart.com, As of March 2014
The Singing Machine ISM-1028Xa has about 50 reviews at Walmart.com, with an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5. Owners say the machine sounds good and is very easy to assemble and use. However, we also saw many complaints that it's unreliable and the mikes are of poor quality.
Singing Machine iSM-1028 Review, Editors of KaraokeMachineReviews.org, June 8, 2013
Editors at KaraokeMachineReviews.org say the Singing Machine ISM-1028Xa is "the karaoke machine to get." They love its features and find it very easy to set up and use. It's not clear why they award the machine only 4 stars when others on the site get 5.
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|Topic Review (Newest First)
Re: Immersion Suits
As mentioned earlier in the thread, the full survival suits allow survival, but not too much else. They are quite bouyant and those gloves are almost like baseball mitts and there is no way one could press single buttons on any device. Here's a picture of me floating in freshwater in my suit (a Helly Hanson offshore coldweather suit, which I almost overheated in since the water I was in was warm)
|Alex W
Re: Immersion Suits
Quality dry suits can be found for reasonable prices at the end of summer kayaking season around here. I was an active kayaker (and still enjoy it) so I have two dry suits. One was $600 used from a local outfitter (Kayak Academy), the other was about $300 in the return pile at Seattle REI and required a single patch. Both are Kokatat Goretex suits and I'm comfortable wearing them all day for multiple days in a row (and would do that while kayak touring). Retail on these are around $1000-$1400 depending on the options. Kokatat has the best warranty in the business and will service them for a long time, making it easy to get a decade out of one suit that has regular use.
This is a good time of year to try out your immersion gear and see how it works, at least in the northern hemisphere. With wool long underwear and a drysuit I'm good for about an hour in 40 degree water (colder than our local salt water) and PNW winter air. I've also used a two-part 7mm wetsuit (so 14mm of neoprene over my torso) in similar conditions while scuba diving and I was a lot colder. With the drysuit I had a lot more dexterity than I did with the wetsuit.
Re: Immersion Suits
I'm pretty cheap guy, I don't make much, and what I make I prefer to spend sailing. However, I have very expensive dry suit. It is my only piece of nasty weather protection. It is so universal. I can it wear it in about any condition. I use it to clear a bottom. I'm going to clear my boat's bottom tomorrow, and I'm in New York City. I use it while sailing. I used it while delivering Oceanis 43 to St Marteen last year through the storm Sean, I wearied it through storm Irene while sitting on my boat, I sailed many of the tough small boat races in one. the only annoying point is that the gaskets need replacement every two years.
Re: Immersion Suits
No experience with an immersion suit but used to dive for abalones off the Northern California coast with water temps in the low 50's. I wore a 1/4" full wet suit with a good hood and gloves. After fighting the surge and getting bashed on the rocks I got tired before I got cold. I could do a little over an hour and then had to rest. I also dove in Lake Tahoe in the winter time, water in the low 40's, and could stay in for an hour or so before my hands started to get numb. The wet suit may take a little longer to get into? I guess immersion suit are on the market for a reason?
Paul T
Re: Immersion Suits
The only thing I don't particularly like about the drysuits is that, as mentioned above, they do have tight openings. The neck opening particularly, if cut so it's really watertight, is very uncomfortable. It's like having a rubber band around your neck. Every time I've worn mine, it's a relief to get it off. They come with very small diameter openings. Unless you have a very small neck, wrists and ankles, they require careful cutting (directions come with the suit). They are certainly NOT one size fits all. The neck and sleeve rubber can be renovated when it wears out. Keeping them from drying out is the same as for any wetsuit or rubber product. The prices on these things has really skyrocketed as has any Goretex product.
Re: Immersion Suits
Modern dry/survival suits are made from gore-tex, they are light, waterproof and breathable.
they are easy to put on and off. In case of a hole, everything can be holed, there is a survival knife on a lifejacket, right? Just cut a leg off the suit.
They also cost more than a small lboat, it is why we still see these bulky last century neoprene suits....
Musto HPX Offshore Dry Suit | Musto Foul Weather Gear | Musto Sailing Gear
I wearied one below for 25 days, i survived
Kokatat | GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit - Men - Dry Suits - Products
Re: Immersion Suits
We used to do a lot of early spring whitewater kayaking/canoeing, Even a full 1/4" wetsuit only keeps you warm for a short time in 30+ degree water. I've had to pull people out of the river who literally could not move anymore with wetsuits on. Drysuits are a much better option nowadays. If contemplating getting into the liferaft in cold water, I would certainly opt for the drysuit with plenty of fleece underneath. They probably would not keep you alive for as long as a survival suit in cold water but would allow complete movement which is probably very important in the case of being in a liferaft. They are also not bulky and are easily stowed, unlike survival suits which are pretty bulky. I have an older version of the Kokatat dry suit which I bought originally for sea kayaking and now goes in my ditch bag.
Re: Immersion Suits
Originally Posted by JulieMor View Post
......Anyone knowledgeable about SCUBA may be able to comment about how long he might have been in the water and what kind of suit would allow him to remain in the water that long...
Typically, these suits are made of a thin material and one wears insulation beneath. They do make crushed neoprene versions, but the insulation just gets lighter.
Water will conduct heat off your body at an incredible rate, so just staying dry has a huge impact. However, for any length of time, one needs insulation as well.
They do make immersion suits with these same dry seals, but they must be trimmed to fit your specific neck and/or wrist size or they will either choke you or leak. That's why you don't find them as generic suits.
Re: Immersion Suits
When I was young, which I realize is about the same time John Paul Jones joined the Navy, I frequently dover under the ice at Beaver Dam Quarry, which is now Beaver Dam Swim Club. The only protection we had back then was a 3/16-inch thick wet suit. We were good for about 30 minutes, then the cold set in. I later went to a 1/4-inch wet suit, which added about 15 minutes to the time. Of course, I was young and dumb at that stage of life, but the suit did a great job. A few years later I tried the same dive with a dry suit over the wet suit, added another 15 minutes, taking the total dive time to an hour. Ironically, the water was warmer once we got below 25 feet, but only a few degrees. The thermocline essentially reverses during the winter months.
The coldest dive I took was while stationed aboard ship in the North Atlantic near Oslow, Norway. After just 15 minutes in the water wearing a Mark5 rig and full suit I thought I would freeze to death. Checking the zincs on the ship is a routine job that I did monthly, and beieve me, it could be a nasty, dangerous job.
Re: Immersion Suits
They are large so that they are relatively quick and easy to get into with your clothes on (emergency). They will keep you afloat, and prevent hypothermia for quite a long time. We carry them on both boats, and I also have a 7mm wet suit and scuba gear on the sailboat in case I need to dive. Our water never gets much above 50F so you are only going to live about 30 long, miserable minutes if you go in without a gumby suit on. They've never won any fashion shows.
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(12/8/2010) NEW HAVEN- Following a favorable vote of 24-1 by the Board of Aldermen earlier this week to accept $16 million in TIGER II funding, the City of New Haven hosted a news conference today to announce next steps in the Downtown Crossing Project. The Downtown Crossing Project will convert Route 34 from a limited access highway to an urban boulevard that will reconnect City neighborhoods as well as support the growth of the medical district.
�Nearly 50 years ago the Route 34 Connector was built as part of a national push to create highways as a remedy for urban conception blight. In New Haven, this �highway to nowhere� for the last 50 years has separated both the central business district of Downtown with Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Medical District and the Hill Neighborhood,� said DeStefano. �Monday night, the Board of Aldermen took the first step towards removing that scar, and fostering economic growth�as a city, and in a democratic manner with the acceptance of the $16 Million TIGER II Grant Funding.�
Next steps in the infrastructure and design process for Downtown Crossing focus on:
? Grant agreements with Federal and State authorities
? Accelerating design for Phase I infrastructure
? Development agreement for Parcel D (100 College Street)
? Infrastructure start of construction in late 2011
? Development start in 2012
TIGER II funding was awarded to the City on October 15th after receiving strong legislative support from Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Senator Chris Dodd and Senator Joseph Lierberman. TIGER II funds will support the development of the first phase of Downtown Crossing, which includes the conversion of North and South Frontage Roads to boulevards with road, streetscape, bike and pedestrian enhancements, as well as the reconstruction of College Street to grade level. All elements of this conversion follow the City�s Complete Streets standards, a rigorous set of criteria that ensures City streets and sidewalks are safe for all forms of transportation.
Downtown Crossing will stimulate New Haven�s economy, create jobs at all skill levels generate tax revenue and increase livability throughout the City. This project will open up 10.5 acres of developable land Downtown�this becomes particularly important considering the fact that New Haven is fully developed and has under 2% developable land. The project will reunite neighborhoods, enhance traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety and enhance economic conditions particularly for medical and emerging technology businesses in the area.
The project will create 2,000 immediate construction jobs, and 960 permanent jobs in the first phase project. Looking ahead to the full build out, there will be over 1,500 jobs in the corridor generating well over $150 million in economic activity. The jobs created will be at all skill levels and economic spin-off will help businesses across the city and the region.
�This project will have a positive economic boost to the city, thus generating countless jobs created and supported because of the businesses brought to these parcels of land.
Restaurants, Retail, and Entertainment Venues in the city will all benefit from the influx of business due to the construction of Downtown Crossing,� said Kelly Murphy, Economic Development Administrator. �The thousands of employees and patients at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Medical District each and every day will easily be able to access all the things that Downtown New Haven has to offer, without being separated by a highway which currently creates a barrier to these folks.�
Phase One of the Downtown Crossing Project also sets in motion the development of 100 College Street under a separate project. This new 400,000 square foot health sciences building will be located adjacent to a growing cluster of research and development facilities associated with Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Yale School of Medicine, including Smilow Cancer Center, 55 Park Street and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. The development of 100 College Street will result in approximately 2,000 construction jobs and up to 1,000 permanent jobs.
�This is a great day, and a day to celebrate this project, but make no mistake: we have many more steps ahead of us, and more hurdles to cross to make Downtown Crossing a reality,� said DeStefano. �We will continue our dialogue with the community as this project moves forward and I stand before you all today, ready to see this project through, and to build a better New Haven for everyone.�
Over the next several weeks and months there will be continued work on the overall Downtown Route 34 infrastructure design. The public can expect to participate in the this process via briefings and neighborhood meetings in early 2011. The Office of Economic Development expects to provide development documents to the Board of Aldermen in the first quarter of 2011.
Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga
Contact Email: email@example.com
Contact Phone: 203-946-7660


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Jay Mohr Sports: Stephen Jackson
New LA Clipper Stephen Jackson joined Jay Mohr Sports on Friday and we asked him if he could become the missing veteran, tough guy piece, they need to win the West ......
Mohr: "The biggest knock on the Clippers is that they are not tough enough, they need an enforcer. Are you that guy?
Jackson: "That's the way I play the game. That's the way I came into the game, I play hard on both ends and I try to play harder than anybody on the court. No coach has to tell me to play hard, no coach has to tell me to go out there and defend. This is just how I approach the game. I'm not going out there to make any friends. I'm going to play basketball and win and if anyone has a problem with it, we can handle that too".


text:
Rittz Announces Sophomore Album, Drops "Turn Down" [VIDEO]
1. "Intro" (Produced by Corbin King)
2. "Explode" (Produced by Five Points Music Group)
3. "Turn Down" (Produced by Lifted)
4. "Crown Royal" (Produced by Seven)
5. "LAF" (Produced by Matic Lee)
6. "Bounce" Feat. Twista (Produced by Lifted)
7. "Living A Dream" Feat. Trae Tha Truth (Produced by Seven)
8. "In My Zone" Feat. Mike Posner and B.o.B. (Best Kept Secret)
9. "Call 911" (Produced The Avengerz)
10. "Basket Case" (Produced by Reklis Beatz)
11. "Profit" Feat. Yelawolf and Shawty Fatt (Produced by WLPWR)
12. "Going Through Hell" Feat. Mike Posner (Produced Best Kept Secret)
13. "Wish You Could" (Produced by Seven)
14. "Blow" ( Produced by Kato)
15. "White Rapper" (Produced by Track Bangas)
16. "Turning Up The Bottle" (Produced by T. Stoner)
Pre-order on iTunes here.


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This last Saturday of late goose had to be one of the best days of waterfowling that I've had in some time. Set up the decoys, finished around 6:55. Went about 1/4mi. down Rt. 388, up Rt. 422 E, had a big breakfast. Came back; as I was putting on the warm jacket & socks I heard honking behind my buddy's house ( a ways back - just far enough to get you excited). Got into my "blind" - basically, a small tree & some 3ft tall brush & weeds. Gave a couple of clucks to let the geese know I'm there.
8:30 - I heard clucks. Loud, getting louder. Here come a pair; they see the dekes. I gave them first the "duh, duh, duh" feeding calls. They're sort of interested. When they flew out to about 100yds I started the comebacks. Boy, was I pleading w/ that pair! That comeback got 'em; some more feeding chuckle put them right in. A blast of steel no.2 put one down. Then - my gun jammed (o.k., I probably short - shucked); the other got away . A slapper load finished off the one on the ground.
As I walked back to my blind, I heard distant clucks. More! Got some more shells, started the feeding chuckle/ comeback routine. They committed. Another blast, another bird. Cleanly missed another . But, w/ that much success this late in the season, I could not have been happier. Two in the freezer, more if I can make it out Tuesday afternoon - or, more likely, next September.


text:
Free personalized radio that
plays the music you love
I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Features of This Trackswing influences
a tenor sax solo
a horn section
acoustic piano accompaniment
a lazy swing groove
lyric-centric composition
major tonality
and many other similarities identified in the Music Genome Project
These are just a few of the hundreds of attributes cataloged for this track by the Music Genome Project.show more
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue
One of the tough processes couples have to go through before tying the knot is the wedding planning process. Choosing a venue has proven a hard nut to crack for most people. The wrong choice of venue can end up ruining your big day one way or another. Problems resulting from that include insufficient seating space for your guests or too much space than required for the occasion. It is therefore important to think carefully for a given amount of time before picking your venue. This can be a year or several months before the event to allow you prepare financially as well as budget for the wedding.
Many issues arise that you need to settle before picking a perfect wedding venue. But first, you need to know what kind of venue you would like to book. Early reservations is mandatory in case you are eyeing one of those serene wedding grounds for your special occasion since they are always on high demand throughout the year. Here are some valuable information regarding great wedding venues.
The number of guests expected in the wedding should be your initial factor to consider with regards to the venue choice. Secondly, is the place accessible or not? The essence of proper roads is to allow easy accessibility by both esteemed guests and the bride and groom. Informal, formal or traditional set ups are some of the set ups where your venue can fall under depending on your requirements. This way you will be able to either go urban or rural with your wedding, whichever is convenient for you and the guests.
Another important factor important not to overlook is the weather. Your desire may be to hold the wedding in the open air or outdoors such as at the beach, poolside or a rooftop. With such outdoor sites, the rain can really embarrass you if you don't account for the weather in your wedding plans. You can be smart and have a backup plan such as a tent o a rented hall nearby in case you are faced with a situation. The dressing matters too, especially if you would like your guests to be comfortable, hence inform them of the venue early enough.
Another requirement that comes with the venue choice for your wedding is the parking. Is the space enough for your guests to park their automobiles as they grace the occasion? Such a situation is very common mostly in the urban areas where congestion as well as traffic snarl ups are the order of the day. The key to a good wedding full of memories is a good venue, therefore explore various options for the right choice.
Source: https://www.ultimatelifestylist.com/the-wedding-of-your-dreams-is-just-a-few-steps-away/


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By Chris Harris
It's too simplistic to blame a lack of experience for Arsenal's failures this year, according to Arsène Wenger.
The Club's last trophy came in 2005 when Patrick Vieira secured the FA Cup from the penalty spot with his last kick as an Arsenal player. Since then Wenger has overseen a string of near-misses but another season of promise has faded away in recent weeks.
Critics say that Arsenal lack the experienced players they need to land silverware and argue that Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to keep faith in the evergreen Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes has helped Manchester United stay at the top.
So should Wenger have tried harder to keep hold of Vieira in the summer of 2005?
"Patrick is a great player but it's difficult to know what would have happened," he replied.
"The team has accumulated a lot of experience despite their age. They are 23 on average but football-wise they are 26 or 27. I gave them a chance to play at a young age and I don't regret that.
"Maybe I could have got some more experienced players but it is too easy to say that.
"They [the current squad] are very close to their peak," he added. "We need to strengthen some areas but we have the quality.
"At the moment we have to face some scepticism, but we have to keep believing in our strengths. These players all started at a very young age and they should be ready."Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source


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Calculating with value instead of symbol
I need to calculate the following sequence:
Y[x_]:=x W
If I differentiate Y[x] in respect to x,
I get different solutions, depending on the employed function,
Y'[x] or D[Y[x], x],
because Y is defined as Y[x]=x W and not as Y[x]= x^3.
How can I get Mathematica to work with the value of W to receive the
Y[x]= x^3?
Thank you very much for your help,
Andreas Groehn


text:
Japan ex-ruling party chief urges Abe to erase doubts over war history
By Linda Sieg and Yuko Yoshikawa
TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must erase doubts - sparked by his own words and deeds - that he wants to water down accounts of Japan's wartime wrongs, a former leader of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party said on Tuesday.
Yohei Kono, who as chief cabinet secretary issued a landmark 1993 apology over women forced to work in wartime military brothels, said one source of such doubts was Abe's push for a more muscular military unfettered by the pacifist constitution.
"Mr. Abe talks of a 'proactive contribution to peace', but what does that mean?" Kono said in an interview with Reuters, referring to Abe's signature security policy that includes ending a ban on the military fighting abroad, allowing arms exports and revising the post-war, U.S.-drafted constitution.
"Simply put, it is a rash way of thinking that would create peace even with military force," Kono said. "I have great anxiety about that and so do the Japanese people."
Kono was deputy premier in a coalition government in 1995 when Socialist Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a historic "heartfelt apology" for wartime damage and suffering caused by Japan. Now retired from parliament, Kono is a rare moderate voice in the increasingly conservative LDP but public opinion polls show many ordinary voters share his concerns.
Abe, who has expressed reservations about both the Kono and Murayama Statements in the past, has more recently said he intends to uphold past apologies. But he has signaled that he wants to issue a forward-looking statement in his own words to mark this year's 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
"Why would he need to change the words? That is why people have doubts," said the 78-year-old Kono. "He must erase those doubts and the simplest way to do so is to uphold the Murayama Statement unchanged."


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Estimate Horsepower/Torque on my Chevy please
Hi all again, I'm here to try and get a rough figure for just how much horsepower my '73 chevrolet Malibu 4DR is running, I'll tell you what I can, but my dad's the mechanic, I'm just learning so bear with me.
Okay, all I know is it has a built 350 V8 with a 4 barrel carb on it. It has speiclal pistons + rings on it, it's been bored and flowed (to make all the places where air flow through line up real good, not sure if that's the term though). Um, I think my dad replaced the cam in it, but I'm not sure.
Back when it was running he ran it down to the beach to have his friend put a new exhaust system on it. There was a piece of junk rebuilt carb on the motor at the time and when my dad was on his return trip home he had it wide open on this long stretch and got it up to 135Mph. Later on he found out that on that trip home on that stretch when he had it wide open, the secondaries in the carberuator (sp?) were frozen shut and he had scored two cylinders on the car and it ran steadily worse until it ended up where it is today, right in front of our house waiting for the engine to be rebuilt.
Anyway, it also has a Turbo 350 tranny in it with front + rear sway bars, and performance suspention, it took corners real good.
Do you guys think you could come up with a estimation of what HP/torque it was running. I know if you had more info like the compression ratio and whatnot you could make a better estimation. But that's all the info I have now, I'll see if I can find out some more for you guys. If you could tell me what you needed to know to give me a better estimation, please tell me and I will try to find it out for you.
Sorry for the lond post
Thanks in advance
Yea dude we gotta have more info.
For a HP figure were gonna need to know
carb cfm
intake type
heads(what type/brand etc.. any porting??)
compression ratio(or at least type of pistons and head cc so we can guess)
cam specs
Okay, i will try a find that stuff out for you guys, one thing i do know is we have headers on it, if that's what you were asking.
Malibu 73 is a funny guy! I like this post! I think the 4 dr given the fact that something was polished and/or ported and that it has some kind of cam in it, not to mention that it has a 4 bbl carb, should EASILY be pushing 700-800HP! Did you say which oil pan you were running? Cause if you are running a blue one, that could be an extra 50HP or so.
L8r G8r!
ps, don't worry about that piston scoring from running it too lean, that will cure itself as soon as you get the high flow fuel pump installed in the washer reservoir! Hell, it should be good for 150mph after that!
Malibu73, you say your dad is a mechanic and he built the motor. Why don't you ask him how much horsepower it makes, he knows a lot more about it than any of us.
Once you go flat black you never go back.
1966 El Camino
1992 Dodge Shadow
1986 S-10 Blazer 4x4 Hot Rod
1970 Chevelle
1966 Chevelle 4 door
Home Made Go Cart
But I was just curious as to what it was running before it died. That's all..
And I don't need to be mocked, not from the likes of you tommytempest. I'll thank you not to do that in the future.
dude go to autozone and get whats called a dyno 2000 its a cd rom and its pretty accurate thanks
Sorry man! Its all good!
The engine was built 9 years ago for crying out loud!!
This is thebeginner section, I'm a beginner and I'm trying to get help. Sorry for being a NOOB but if you need to say anything, critique me, don't criticize or mock me please, thank you.
Last edited by Malibu73; 09-07-2004 at 08:30 PM.
In all fairness to tommytempest, he beat me to it.
He was just picking at you a bit, no real malice that I could see. I wouldn't take it personal. Best I can tell - being a beginner hotrodder, you'll probably soon learn to laugh at yourself when you goof up or you'll find another hobby. With gearheads though, if you ask not to be made fun of or picked on it usually doesn't produce the results you want (grin). Free advice, take it for what its worth and all that jazz.
Actually this is the friggin HOTRODDING BASICS section of the board. People should expect to get some very BASIC questions asked on here and most of them know that and try to help newbies like us.
So if you think that we should know everything and anything there is to know about hot rodding you're obviously not getting the point of Hotrodding Basics. And if you wanna talk with the experts like yourself you could've gone to the Advanced Hotrodding section back when it still existed but it got shut down because not too many people frequented there soooo, don't mock the beginners since you were one yourself someday.
Wow dude! I DID apologize, I mean WOW! Little sensitive on this board huh?? Cant we all just get along?? I am changing my original HP estimate. 1000HP!!! Does that make it better?
Peace out!
And to be helpful, like suggested above, here is some of the info required to guess at horsepower. The only REAL way to know is to take it to a shop that has a dyno.
Cubic inch
Compression ratio (which is figured by a formula that consists of bore, stroke, deck height, piston volume, head gasket thickness, and combustion chamber size)
Cam specs (intake duration @.050, exhaust duration @.050, intake lift, exhaust lift, and lobe separation)
Head specs (casting number, runner volume, valve size, combustion size and shape, port matching, polishing, spring rate)
Intake Manifold
Have a nice day Malibu73, and TAKE A CHILL PILL!
Last edited by tommytempest; 09-08-2004 at 01:46 PM.
I am sorry for the outburst, but I am a beginner in here trying to find out some info about my engine. Now I know that it's not that simple, so I think I'm just going to wait until we rebuild the frickin' thing and have it DYNOed as suggested on here.
But posting some questions about my engine and getting mocked does not make a beginner feel too great, I was just looking for some help or somebody to tell me politely (not mocking) the answer, or just simply that we need more info.
I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot tommy, but when I'm just trying to find out some info, and I'm a beginner on the subject, I don't like being mocked. I'm sure you were just having a good time and all that but, I didn't find it funny.
Anyway, thanks for all the help you guys, I'll post back if I ever find out the info you need, otherwise I'll just wait until the rebuild which I'm going to help through the WHOLE thing so I'll know all the specs.
No hard feelings tommytempest
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text:
posted by Chemistry .
How do you know which elements are solids, liquids, and gases at STP?
Get you self a copy of the periodic table that shows pictures of the elements. This one is good:
You will see that the majority of the elements are solids, so the easiest thing to do is to look at those that are not solids.
There are a few gases, H, He, N, O, F, Ne, Cl, Ar Kr, Xe. These are either low atomic number elements (H, He) or in the top right of the periodic table (N, O, F, Cl) or are noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe), again far right of the periodic table.
There are only two elements that are liquids at STP, Hg and Br.
I remember that these few are liquids or gases, then the rest are solids.


text:
Juelz Santana's Girlfriend Joins VH1's 'Love & Hip Hop'
Juelz Santana's model girlfriend Kimbella has been announced as the newest cast member on VH1's popular reality show 'Love & Hip Hop.'
Currently gracing the cover of 'Black Men Magazine's June issue, Kimbella, an aspiring singer and actress, joins the top-rated show for its second season, along with returning stars Somaya Reece, former G-Unit artist Olivia, Jim Jones' girlfriend Chrissy Lampkin, his mother Nancy Jones and Fabolous' baby's mother Emily Bustamente.
"I'm trying to transition into acting and singing," Kimbella told AllHipHop in a recent interview. "I'm launching my pop career and as we speak I'm recording in the studio. My sound is definitely not Beyonce, but more of a Fergie, Rihanna type sound."
'Love & Hip Hop' has begun taping its second season in New York City. Somaya Reece tweeted photos from the set of the show on July 3, claiming that the new series could begin airing as soon as August.
Kimbella and Juelz met over Twitter, and have been an item ever since. The power couple have a 10-month-old son named Juelz Santana James.
Follow @theboombox on Twitter | Like the BoomBox on Facebook


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Commissioner of EducationRead Bio
The following are considered eligible entities and may apply to the State Board of Education to create an open-enrollment charter school:
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 6-23-103(4)
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Learn more about the standards that define the knowledge and skills Arkansas students should have in order to be ready for college and careers.Learn More
Find critical information about renewing Arkansas educator licenses, adding areas of licensure, licensing by reciprocity from other states, background checks and more.Learn More


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U.S. Stock Futures Gain as Greek Polls Ease Exit Concern
U.S. stock-index futures advanced as Greece's pro-bailout New Democracy party came top in opinion polls before next month's election, boosting speculation the nation can implement austerity measures and keep the euro.
Alcoa Inc. (AA) and Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) each rose 1 percent in German trading as copper climbed amid dwindling Chinese stockpiles. Apple Inc. (AAPL) gained while Facebook Inc. (FB) declined.
Standard & Poor's 500 Index (SPX) futures expiring in June increased 0.5 percent to 1,321.1 at 10:16 a.m. in New York. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures increased 41 points, or 0.3 percent, to 12,470. The U.S. equity market is closed today for the Memorial Day holiday.
"The polls suggest that the New Democracy and Socialist parties would have enough votes to form a coalition and hence stem the tide of negativity surrounding an immediate Greek default," Gerard Lane, an equity strategist at Shore Capital Group Ltd. in Liverpool, England, wrote in a note to clients.
New Democracy, which supports the austerity measures imposed by the European Union, came first in all six opinion polls published on May 26 as campaigning continued for the general election on June 17.
Party leader Antonis Samaras sought to sketch out the consequences of a euro exit, saying Greek incomes, bank deposits and property values would lose at least half their value within days, while food prices would rise by a quarter.
Irish Referendum
In Ireland, supporters of the EU's fiscal pact lead before a May 31 referendum, according to a poll for the Sunday Independent. Excluding undecided voters, the yes camp leads by 60 percent to 40 percent, the Dublin-based newspaper said.
The S&P 500 gained 1.7 percent last week, its first weekly rally since April, as investors were lured by the cheapest valuations since November.
Alcoa, the largest U.S. aluminum producer, rose 0.9 percent to $8.71 and Newmont Mining added 0.4 percent to $49.
Copper climbed for a third day in London as inventories monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange slumped for a seventh week, the longest losing streak in a year.
Heath Jansen, Citigroup Inc.'s head of research for European metals and mining, wrote in a report today that in the "short term," his view on the industry changed to "neutral" from "bearish" because of higher-than-average dividend yields offered by the companies.
Apple, the maker of the iPhone and iPad, added 0.7 percent to $566.17 in Germany.
Bank of America Corp (BAC), the second-largest U.S. lender by assets, advanced 0.8 percent to $7.21.
Facebook, the world's biggest social-network website, fell 1.1 percent to $31.55 in Germany.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tom Stoukas in Athens at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew Rummer at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Westerly, RI, USA < change city >
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See All Vendors >
Nic & Jim's Wedding
Ceremony at Avondale Chapel
Reception at The Up River Cafe
Westerly Wedding In August
Erin and Karl's Wedding
Ceremony at The Weekapaug Chapel
Westerly Wedding In June
Reception at Venice Restaurant
Jen and Jeff's Wedding
Ceremony at Shelter Harbor Beach
Reception at Windjammer Beach Resort
Westerly Wedding In August
Ceremony at St Clare Church
Reception at The Venice
Westerly Wedding In November
Justin and Celeste 's Wedding
Ceremony at Mystic Shipyard LLC
"We had a SPECTACULAR day! Mystic was the perfect "destination" to show o..."
Jennifer and Pedro 's Wedding
Ceremony at Mystic Seaport
Reception at Seaport Boatshed
"Our wedding in Mystic could not have been better. Having it in the earl..."
Geoffrey & Heather's Wedding
Ceremony at Weekapaug Chapel
Reception at Mystic Seaport
"Our wedding was picture perfect. Everything we wanted it to be and more..."


text:
New comp is up! It's a backwards time trial on Mushroom Gorge. Karts only and ends on the 10th. There are multiple ways to go so it's up to you to find the best path... Anyways I had a go and got 2:09. Not too impressive, I know, but I'll wait to see what times are good ones.
Nintendo Network ID: RedYoshi999


text:
Arizona Rookie League A's
On Tyler Vail:
"I like him quite a bit. Just a strike-thrower. For a high school kid just to fire strikes, that's impressive. You hate to kind of say a young Trevor Cahill, but very well could be. Sinks the ball, throws the ball in the high-80s, low-90s. Pretty good feel for a change-up and the breaking pitch is coming. He has only thrown it for a short period of time, so it's in the development stage. But he'll spin a good one every now and then."
On Omar Duran being back to 100 percent after battling injuries last season:
"I'm not sure since we are trying to keep him at a 40-60 pitch max this season, but he has stayed healthy. I'm very happy with Duran overall. Ariel [Prieto, the A's Rookie League pitching coach] has done a nice job with him. He's a left-hander throwing 90-93 [MPH]. He'll touch higher, but he's 90-93 and it's around the plate, throwing strikes. He's made some nice strides this year."
On Argenis Paez:
"He has impressed us quite a bit in Arizona and honestly if there would be a need almost anywhere in Stockton, Kane County or Vancouver for a starter, I would not hesitate to send him whatsoever. That's how much he has improved under Ariel. It's great to see. I like the kid a lot and he's probably going to come to our Arizona Instructional League."
On Jose Macias, who was a position player in college until this year, when he moved to the mound and dominated for Franklin Pierce:
"This kid, when he got here, had zero innings the past couple of years because he had been a positional player. Then he threw 90 [this season for Franklin Pierce College]. We always ask a guy [when they report to Arizona after signing], 'how are you feeling?' He says, 'I'm hanging.' [laughs] So we were very, very cautious with him early on and we've continued to be.
"But the thing with him is that he will go one inning and throw nine pitches when we gave him a one [inning] or 25 [pitch limit]. So I'll give him a two innings or 30 [pitch limit], and he'll go two in 25 [pitches]. And I'm, like, 'holy cow, throw more pitches so they aren't tempted to use you again.' They just got caught in a position where they had a double-header the other day and I said, 'okay, three and 50 [pitch limit].' Well, he goes like four [innings] in 49 [pitches].
"He's unbelievable. He's a strike-throwing machine, changes speeds, locates well and can throw a little slider. He's been a pleasant surprise because you don't know what you are going to get. The guys who scouted him did a heck of a job. I can see him fighting for a job [on a full-season roster next year]. You say 'Gil, he's only pitched out of the bullpen in Arizona and now you have him fighting for a job in Kane County with 15 other guys from Vancouver and pitchers in Arizona?' And it's like, 'yeah, watch him pitch.'"
On Ryan Hughes:
"He's only thrown something like 13 innings his past two years in college, but, if you look at him, he's a left-handed power guy. He only pitches at 90, but it's strong. And it's going to get better. He has a very good split-finger and a good slider."
On Jeff Urlaub:
"He lives in Arizona in our backyard. He's almost like a Jerry Blevins. He doesn't throw as hard as Jerry, but locates it, throws a little slider, throws a little change-up. One inning, nine pitches. Two innings, 22 pitches."
On Andres Avila:
"Another guy named Andres Avila, who has come from Mexico, when you look at his delivery, it's a good solid delivery. I look at him for one game it is two innings, 18 pitches. Then I read in the report the next day and it's one-third [of an inning] and 17 [pitches] with 14 balls, and it's like 'what?'"
On the news that Michael Ynoa is going to miss a year with Tommy John surgery:
"Yes [it was disappointing]. But in a sense, if you are ever going to totally resolve something, this is the way. At least now we know that after they go in, there's not going to be anything left. No more rest and let's try this. Go in, get it cleaned up, fix it and let's go. I'm just certainly hoping that when they get in there, everything that is in there that needs to get fixed is easily fixed.
"One game it was like, alright, this is the guy. He went two or three innings, 36 pitches and 92 [MPH] average, 82 [MPH] curveball. So I'm hoping at the very least when they get in there they can get it all fixed."
Vancouver Canadians
On Matt Thomson, who was promoted to Stockton on Thursday for what is expected to be a one-stint promotion. Thomson threw five shut-out innings, allowing only two hits and two walks and striking out 10:
"Thomson is just off-the-chart number-wise. He's not overpowering, but he throws strikes. He's not afraid. He can spin a breaking ball and change speeds enough and the ball has some movement."
On A.J. Griffin and Jacob Brown:
"[Griffin] has done a nice job, along with another lefty Brown. Heck, my first video of Brown, I saw that from behind his throwing motion looked just like Mark Buerhle's. And boy if we have a Buerhle on our hands, we'll take him. [laughs] Griffin has thrown the ball very well. I am very happy with him."
On whether Deyvi Jimenez has fulfilled pre-season expectations:
"For the most part, he has. He did go down with a sore elbow last week, so whenever someone goes down, I'm always concerned about that. You'd like the hit number to be down and the strike-out number to be up a little bit. But I am happy with his progress. I still think that there is more to come. He has to get this sore elbow problem resolved, but I still think there is more to come for him."
On Jonathan Joseph [who started the season in Kane County, then pitched for Vancouver and is now back in Kane County]:
"I'm happy with Joseph's progress, but he has not reached his full potential yet. There's a lot more there. I believe he is coming to our Arizona Instructional League. He's getting there. He's better than he was two years ago."
On Ryan Doolittle and Michael Hart, who both battled injuries last year and graduated from Vancouver to Kane County and Stockton, respectively:
"Both of them, I've been very happy with, especially Doolittle. The last game or two he has struggled some in Kane, but he had almost 40 innings for us [in extended spring training] in April and May in Arizona and he is going to finish with close to 75 or 80 [innings]. So it has been very good for him.
"Hart is the same way. He started off in Arizona and couldn't wait to get out and I said, 'listen, you are not getting out. You aren't going to jump above people. It's just the way it is. So you'll pitch in Arizona and then go to Vancouver and then you never know what is going to happen.' And now he is in Stockton. And that's the way it is kind of supposed to be. He wasn't going to jump over guys who were pitching well. You hate when guys get hurt, but he wasn't going to jump over them [if they were healthy]. But he pitched well in Vancouver and when a spot opened, it was like 'ok, who do we have in Vancouver who is capable of pitching in Stockton?' And he was that guy because he pitched last year and he did okay in Kane County and he had a little bit of that Midwest League experience. So I am happy with both of them."
On the draft class in general:
"Drew Tyson has been impressive. You know how you can sometimes look at numbers and they can be a little bit misleading, but every guy that we have had [from the 2010 draft class], we have seen positive signs in. Josh Bowman has made some good strides, as has Blake Hassebrock. Logan Chitwood went from Arizona to Vancouver and has pitched well.
"Zach Thornton throws like the old Ron Gator [Guidry] and looks like he might be something. Even though sometimes you might look at the numbers and say, 'that's not something to be happy about,' but all of the guys have shown signs. And even some of the guys that we signed that were free agents [have looked good]. A left-hander named Charles Mye. He's thrown the ball really well and has helped Ariel. As I have seen both clubs, I have just been very happy with what I have seen."
Dominican Summer League
On the Dominican hurlers in general:
"There's no 95 mile-per-hour guys down there other than David Mota, but he is still coming back from the Tommy John surgery, although he has thrown the ball well."
On Robinson De Los Santos:
"Robinson De Los Santos is a right-hand pitcher who has a pretty good fastball, a breaking curveball and a change-up mix. Throws the ball over the plate. Repeats his delivery pretty good. There is some sharpness to his breaking ball. Robinson is a nice little pitcher. He's got an idea. He doesn't just try to over-throw and throw pitches too hard. He just pitches."
On Kevin Rodriguez:
"The left-hander Rodriguez, it's the same thing. He's got a little bit of a live arm. He's been in the high-80s, low-90s. 91-92 [MPH]. But he threw his breaking ball pretty well. The change-up needs a little bit of work, but, for the most part, a strike-thrower. Being left-handed and being able to spin a breaking ball, you like to see that."
On Carlos Navas:
"Navas is just a young kid. I think he is 17 [turned 18 on August 13]. It's going to be neat to kind of see him grow. Right now, the velocity isn't there. We are hoping that the conditioning that we give him and with him growing, he'll add [velocity down-the-line]. But Navas is a good, young pitcher. Kind of a follow guy. He'll probably stay in the Dominican again for next year, but it is nice to see someone who has a repeatable delivery, can spin a breaking ball, has a feel for a change-up, can locate a little bit and is not afraid. All good qualities."
On Leonel Benzant:Note: Benzant was suspended 50 games on July 27 under Minor League Baseball's steroid policy for testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.
"Benzant is just a big, strong kid. He hit 90-93. I really don't know the whole story [in regards to his suspension], but our complex in the Dominican, we have a good enough [conditioning and education] program that people don't need help with anything. We've got them covered pretty good. That's the frustrating part sometimes. That all said, I believe he can pitch again during the [Dominican] Instructional League and I am looking forward to working with him again then."
On Jose Azor:
"He's an interesting guy too. He throws a sinker a little bit firmer than the other guys, 90-93 [MPH], 90-94. Keeps the ball around the plate and he has a decent breaking ball. As a matter of fact, I believe he was supposed to come over this year, but I think he had some visa problems.
"I'm scheduled to go back and see these guys again during the Dominican Instructional League. All of those guys are going to be ready to come over here, probably not in March of next year, but in April hopefully [with the exception of Navas]. Or, at the very least, they will be ready to pitch with us next year in the Arizona Summer League. To get those guys over here would be a nice mix and I think when I go down [to the Dominican this fall], I'll get to see a few more of the other guys, so that will be good for me, as well."