text:
Is Chris Evans' Profile In GQ Awesome Or Out Of Line?
I wasn't expecting too much when I cracked the spine on the latest issue of GQ and began to read the cover story of Chris Evans. Captain America has always struck me as, well, pretty boring. But the article, written by Edith Zimmerman of The Hairpin, ended up being fascinating if a bit solipsistic. Basically, it's about the reporter's flirtation with Evans, which starts innocently enough but builds to him inviting her to parties, introducing her to his mom, and eventually being called the "mystery maiden" on his arm by the NY Daily News. It ends with the writer getting drunk at his house, passing out in a guest bedroom, and eventually climbing out a window to get a cab home.
Here, some choice excerpts.
Since we're both single and roughly the same age, it was hard for me not to treat our interview as a sort of date. Surprisingly, Chris did the same, asking all about me, my family, my job, my most recent relationship. And from ten minutes into that first interview, when he reached across the table to punctuate a joke by putting his hand on top of mine, Chris kept up frequent hand holding and lower-back touching, palm kissing and knee squeezing. He's an attractive movie star, no complaints. I also didn't know how much I was supposed to respond; when I did, it sometimes felt a little like hitting on the bartender or misconstruing the bartender's professional flirting for something more. I wanted to think it was genuine, or that part of it was, because I liked him right away.
Is this the part of a celebrity profile where I go into how blue the star's eyes are? Because they are very blue. We both drank too much and said too much. I never opened the notebook of questions I had brought with me.
"Is it going well?" he asked.
"It's going really well," I said.
"Nailing it?"
"You're nailing it."
"You're nailing it also," he said. "I'm going to write an article about you."
And although no, I don't smoke, yes, I absolutely would join him outside, and can I actually have a drag? Maybe they make cigarettes differently in L.A., but when you share one with a movie star they're amazing. Everyone should try it.
This type of story seems to be becoming a trend for GQ. Get a pretty, young female reporter to interview a young, hot actor, preferably in a space where drinks are flowing freely. In March, Jessica Pressler of New York was sent to spend 24 hours with Channing Tatum in the California desert. The story begins:
I wake to see Channing Tatum's face, framed by a camouflage Snuggie, wobbling above me. "Hey," he whispers, exhaling a cloud of booze so thick I can practically see it in the chilly air. "I think we should go into the house before anyone sees us out here and shoots us or something." Near us, beneath the bushes we slept under, are a half-empty bottle of Patrón, a glow stick, an unopened bag of Stacy's Pita Chips. I'm wearing a Snuggie, too. We are probably not exactly what the residents of this tiny mining town deep in the California desert would expect to find outside their windows.
And in Esquire this month, Lisa Taddeo had Bradley Cooper over to her apartment to cook dinner for their interview.
This story has inspired a lot of headlines along the lines of "Chris Evans Gets GQ Reporter Hammered After Night Out." It has a lot of people talking—is this kind of reportage responsible journalism? And is it demeaning to have one of the few articles penned by women in men's magazine be so fan-girl?
I'm not really here to make assertions about that. Personally, I think it's entertaining. And way more interesting than hearing an action star go on about his workout regime. As a young female reporter myself, I can attest to the fact that there is often an oddly flirtatious vibe that develops when you interview an actor, artist, or musician who is around your age. It makes sense—you're asking them a zillion questions about their life and, in a way, playing amateur therapist to figure out who they are and what makes them tick. It's natural that they then ask the same types of questions, so it doesn't feel horribly one-sided. Often, a special rapport develops (sigh, the time I baked cookies with the All-American Rejects for Jane Magazine)—though I've never had anything near the flirtation Zimmerman had with Evans. So I think there is a certain honesty in making that relationship the center of the article.
But I'm more curious what you think—did you love this Chris Evans profile or did it make you roll your eyes? Sound off in the comments section.
[Think Progress]
[Business Insider]
Want to contact the writer of this post? {encode="[email protected]" title="Email her"}!


text:
Practice Director - Consumer / beauty
- Recruiter
- PR Futures
- Location
- London
- Salary
- £80-£100k+bonus+package
- Posted
- 23 Jul 2013
- Closes
- 23 Aug 2013
- Sector
- Consumer, FMCG, Media and New Media, Retail / Wholesale
- Hours
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Permanent
We're seeking a Practice Director to join this award winning top 10 global PR agency. They have one of the best cultures in the market and a name that everyone knows in the PR world. They offer staff outstanding opportunities along with training and career development, fun culture with an impressive client list. The role sits in the senior management team and will work across a broad range of high profile beauty and consumer clients. Essentially you will have expert experience within the beauty and or consumer markets, with strong leadership skills and the ability to manage international projects.
The Role:
- Provide strategic insight and high level client consultancy to meet client's requirements.
- Drive relationships and business, provide senior counsel
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with key media.
- Write proposals, strategy documents, global and pan European toolkits,
- Coach and support team
- Develop the brand (s) and be the strategic lead on accounts
- Be part of the senior management team forming the structure and growth of the division and team
In return:
- They are offering a base of £80 - £100k
- Outstanding bonus
- Pension, health, dental
- 25 days holiday, Christmas closed, Birthday off
- Flexible working
- Expense account
- Global clients
- Supportive management
- Great team
- Lots of support and development
More jobs like this
- Full Time CSR Head of Group / Department Consumer jobs in London (Central)
- Full Time CSR Head of Group / Department FMCG jobs in London (Central)
- Full Time CSR Head of Group / Department Media and New Media jobs in London (Central)
- Full Time CSR Head of Group / Department Retail / Wholesale jobs in London (Central)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Rowe Home Run In the 12th Gives Nevada 4-3 Win
Nevada Plays New Mexico Thursday Nigh At 7 p.m.
Nevada Ends Regular Season At Fresno State
All three games start at 6:35 p.m. beginning Thursday night.
Errors And Wasted Opportunities Costly In Loss To UNLV
Senior Day Sunday At 1 p.m.
Nevada Hosts UNLV For Final Three Home Games This Weekend
Games Part of Governor's Series Presented by NV Energy
Nevada Hosts Second Place San Diego State This Weekend
Shipley And Cederoth Face Off Friday Night
Nevada Senior Day vs. UNLV
Nevada Senior Day vs. UNLV
Will fill the same role as last season working in middle relief on the weekends and battle for the starting spot in midweek games ... Senior who is expected to log more time on the mound in his second season in the program
2012 (Jr.): Appeared in 10 games with four being midweek starts in his first season in the program ... Two decisions were losses in a start at Santa Clara and in relief versus San Francisco State ... Pitched a season-high three innings at San Francisco ... Earned first baseball letter.
Irvine Valley College: Spent two seasons at Irvine Valley playing for head coach Kent Madole. High School: Earned three letters at Green Valley High School in Las Vegas for head coach Nick Garritano ... Part of three Sunrise Region championship teams from 2007-09 ... State runner up in 2008 ... Team pitcher of the year in 2009.
Community health sciences major ... Son of Neal and Heidi Levine ... Enjoys going to the lake and reading in his spare time ... Chose Nevada for the atmosphere surrounding the baseball program and University as a whole ... Lists his most memorable sports moment as going to the Nevada state baseball tournament in three consecutive years ... Sports heroes are Roger Clemens and Derek Jeter.
Innings pitched: 3.0, at San Francisco, Feb 21, 2012
Strikeouts: 4, at San Francisco, Feb 21, 2012
Batters faced: 16, Fresno State, Apr 28, 2012


text:
1. How does my Mavs MVP Card work?
Your Mavs MVP Card works similar to a gift card. Your ticket inventory resides in your AccountManager account and is associated with your MVP card unless it has been otherwise removed from the card and forwarded, printed or resold.
Present your Mavs MVP Card to a ticket taker upon entry into American Airlines Center. Your card will get scanned as you enter the building and a small receipt will be printed with your seat location on it. You'll receive a receipt for each seat which will be needed for you and your guests. If you and your guests are not arriving together, you can split up your seats and forward your tickets to your guests online through AccountManager.
New this season, you can also enter by simply logging into your account via your smart phone and presenting your ticket to the ticket taker. The ticket will be displayed using a QR code and the ticket taker will provide you with a seat locator receipt similar to if you had entered using your Mavs MVP card.
2. How do I log into AccountManager?
From the Ticket Info button on the menu above click on AccountManager. You will need your email address on account and Mavs password to access your account. If you do not know your password, please call your account representative to retrieve that information or call 214-747-6287. If you have multiple accounts that all have the same email address, you will be able to view all of your accounts in one place.
3. What if all my guests are not with me?
We would suggest electronically forwarding (through AccountManager) your tickets to your guests in advance, in order to provide them with the most efficient entry into the building. Your guests can choose to print the ticket, forward the ticket, assign it to a credit card for entry or enter via having the ticket scanned on their smart phone.
Should you have a last minute change of plans, you can still forward your tickets (through AccountManager) on your smart phone and your guests can enter by simply presenting the accepted ticket on their smart phone.
4. Is there a fee to electronically forward my tickets?
There is no fee to forward or print your tickets through AccountManager.
5. Can I have multiple Mavs MVP Cards for my account?
Yes, initially you will be issued one card per account, but a second card can be issued if desired. Should you need an additional card for someone that you want to have full access to your account, we can issue a second card that provides that access. However, this approach is not recommended for most customers. A second card with full access requires both card holders to be in complete sync with every aspect of managing the inventory on account.
Most customers needing a second card will want them for share partners. In this case, we can issue a second card with a unique card number so the share partner does not have access to the primary account. The primary account holder would be responsible for electronically forwarding specific games and seats to the share partner and their card would only have access to that specific inventory.
For additional Mavs MVP Card requests, please call 855-MAV-S411 (855-628-7411) and we'll discuss your needs and what will work best for you.
6. Can I forward multiple games to my ticket partner?
Yes, you can do this by logging into AccountManager and forwarding games/seats to your share ticket partner(s). This can be done one game at a time or in bulk if to the same email address.
Your ticket partner(s) will have the ability to print, transfer or resell their tickets and they can enter the building by using a print at home ticket, assigning the ticket to a credit card or by using their mobile device.
Recipients of a forwarded ticket via email will need to "accept" the ticket and then they can choose to print, forward, resell or assign the ticket to credit card. Just like you the season ticket holder, they can then enter the AAC by using a print at home ticket, credit card to which they assigned the ticket or smart phone.
7. Can I print my tickets at home or office and not use my Mavs MVP Card?
Yes, you can choose to print your tickets by logging into AccountManager and following the "Print @ Home" option. Once you do this, your Mavs MVP Card will no longer have those specific ticket(s) stored on the card and you will need the printed ticket to enter the arena.
8. Is my parking pass on my Mavs MVP Card?
No, your parking pass is a physical pass and is not stored on your Mavs MVP Card. A printed parking pass is necessary to enter any Mavs controlled prepaid parking lot.
9. Can I forward my parking pass?
Yes, you can forward your parking pass the same way you forward a ticket. Once you forward a specific parking pass, it will void the original printed pass. A forwarded parking pass will need to be printed and presented to the parking attendant for access to a specific lot. Your Mavs MVP Card will not have parking stored on it. You will need a printed parking pass to access any Mavs prepaid parking lot.
10. If I buy additional single game tickets through my Mavs account representative or through NBATickets.com Resale Marketplace, can I access those tickets through AccountManager and can the tickets be used via my Mavs MVP Card?
Yes, as long as your additional single game tickets were purchased through your Dallas Mavericks account representative or on-line through NBATickets/Resale (using the same email address as is used for your primary season ticket account). This transaction will be linked to your account via the common email address.
You can then handle the additional single game tickets the same way you handle your season tickets. You will be able to forward the additional single game ticket(s), print them at home or use your Mavs MVP Card to enter the building. Individual game tickets purchased through mavs.com, Ticketmaster.com or at American Airlines Center box office cannot be managed on AccountManager and therefore cannot be assigned to your Mavs MVP card.
11. What happens if my Mavs MVP Card is lost or stolen?
Please call the Mavericks immediately and we will void the lost or stolen card and issue you a new one.
12. Does a print at home ticket, forwarded ticket or ticket receipt printed when using my Mavs MVP Card show the normal face price of a ticket?
Yes, it will show the seat location and price normally printed on a ticket for that respective game. Additionally, a print at home ticket will show the account holder's name, a forwarded ticket will show the recipient's name and a ticket receipt printed when using your Mavs MVP Card will show the primary ticket holders account number, but not the name.
You can elect to "not" have the printed price shown on a forwarded ticket by selecting the appropriate box during the transaction process.
13. How do I securely resell my tickets?
If you are unable to attend a game and want to resell your tickets to other Mavs fans in a secure and convenient environment, you can do so by logging into AccountManager and selecting the game of choice, then "Manage My Tickets", then "Sell Tickets on NBATickets.comResale". It's simple and easy and you will receive 90% of your posting price. There are several tools available to help guide you through the process and to set your desired pricing and posting times.
For additional Digital Ticketing or Mavs MVP Card information, please contact our hotline at 855-MAV-S411 (855-628-7411).


text:
Skacel opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a wonderful left-footed strike from 20 yards.
The Czech midfielder made it 2-0 after 15 minutes, when he drilled home a Calum Elliot pass.
Allan Walker pulled a goal back for Livi after 62 minutes with a low drive from 22 yards out which gave Craig Gordon no chance.
Hearts had started slowly in their first two games under head coach Graham Rix, at Aberdeen and Motherwell but they were quick out of the traps in front of their own supporters.
There was no surprise when the home side took the lead in the eighth minute and even less surprise that the scorer was Skacel with his 12th goal of the season.
The Czech midfielder picked the ball up in midfield, sped towards goal shrugging off three Livi defenders before unleashing a drive from 20 yards out which gave Ludovic Roy no chance.
In the 15th minute, after a brief promise of a fight back by the Lions, the Tynecastle side found themselves two ahead and again Skacel was the scorer.
The impressive Roman Bednar chested the ball down to Elliot at the left hand side of the penalty area and when the youngster's cross came into the middle, the Czech star controlled the ball with one touch before slamming a left-footed drive past the helpless Roy.
The Livi keeper then made a good double save from midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas and then Bednar as the hapless visitors looked like collapsing.
Livi striker James McPake had a great chance from a Jason Dair corner just before the break but the youngster missed his header altogether from only eight yards out.
Normal service resumed as Hearts stormed into attack at the beginning of the second half.
Brilliant play on the right by Mikoliunas gave Bednar a golden opportunity from 16 yards out but the Czech striker's effort went wide, this time past the right hand post.
However, the visitors were back in the game just after the hour-mark.
When the ball broke from a Julien Brellier interception to midfielder Allan Walker 20 yards from goal, the Livi midfielder wasted no time in drilling a shot past Gordon and into the corner of the net.
Hearts, stung by the audacity of the Lions goal, stormed up the park and almost hit back immediately but Bednar's shot came back off the post.
A nervousness enveloped Tynecastle but in the 85th minute Hearts substitute Michal Pospisil, who had replaced Bednar minutes earlier, sent a high, swirling cross in from the right which fooled Roy but bounced off the far post.
Then, in a remarkable incident, Vincze sent a throw-in straight into the Hearts net but the 'goal' was disallowed.
Booked: Brellier.
Goals: Skacel 8, 15.
Livingston: Roy, Mackay, Pinxten, Strong, Tierney, Brittain, Walker (Scott 84), Vincze, Dair, Dalglish (Snodgrass 82), McPake. Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Dorado, Boyd, Adam, Tesevic.
Booked: Tierney, Walker, Dalglish, McPake.
Goals: Walker 63.
Att: 16,583
Ref: A Freeland


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|PCT number
|Publication date
|Jan 18, 2005
|Filing date
|Feb 20, 2001
|Priority date
|Feb 21, 2000
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Hans-Paul Carlsen
|Original Assignee
|Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (19), Referenced by (70), Classifications (14), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application claims priority of International application number PCT/NO01/00061, filed Feb. 20, 2001, which in turn claims priority of Norwegian application number 20000836, filed Feb. 21, 2000.
The invention relates to a device for intervention of a subsea well by means of a tool or the like suspended by a cable, fed from, respectively withdrawn to a vessel or the like, and driven by a drive mechanism located on the vessel, said device comprising a lubricator adapted to be located at a subsea Christmas tree in the well, and having a tool housing, for the insertion of the tool into the well, and sealing means, which encloses the cable in a slidable and sealed manner after the tool is inserted into the well.
Moreover, the invention relates to a method and a cable for use together with the device.
Works are performed in an oil or gas well to stimulate or treat the well, whereby the production is increased, to replace various equipment such as valves, to make measurements, to monitor the state of the well, or anything else being required.
Treatment of the well to increase the production rate or volume is made after a cost/benefit evaluation. Even if the production from a well may be increased by several factors, the intervention costs may become too high or the work considered too difficult and time consuming. For onshore or platform wells, having easy access into the Christmas tree and infrastructure in the form of lifting equipment etc., the costs of performing the well intervention will be less relatively to the benefit of the operations. An intervention of subsea wells is much more expensive. A vessel (drilling rig or the like) has to be used, involving large daily expenses and, in addition, time consuming transit to and from the field, and large costs as the work is much more time consuming. Because of this, the production volume from a platform or onshore well is up to twice the volume of a subsea well with similar reservoir conditions. As mentioned above, this is caused by the more easy access making a better programme for well maintenance practically possible and profitable.
A well intervention may be difficult, as existing barriers have to be removed before entering the well. There are strict rules regarding which measures being required to prevent an uncontrolled blowout during such works. Thus, when well intervention shall be performed, a provisional pressure barrier has be established in the form of a blowout preventer. Depending on the work to be performed, this may vary from simple stop valves to large drilling BOPs.
In accordance with standard practice the vessel is positioned vertically above the well, i.e. mainly in an extension of the well axis. If an uncontrolled blowout should occur, the vessel may lose buoyancy due to the gas flowing to the surface from the well, resulting in loss of human lives. Another disadvantage of this position involves that the vessel must be provided with heave compensator means to balance wave motions during the operation.
By performing works (intervention) in a well many types of equipment are used: a coiled tubing, wire or possibly just a string (so-called "slick line"). The various types of intervention equipment for wells have to be selected depending on the complexity of the works to be done. As mentioned above, all of the intervention types have in common that the well is "opened" against the surroundings. Therefore, to avoid discharge of hydrocarbons, the tools have to be inserted in a sealed but, simultaneously, slidable manner into the well, whereby the tool may be lowered in the well.
Coiled tubings are used during larger works and, in particular, when there is a need of performing circulation, as during stimulation of the well (chemical treatment or fracturing). The disadvantage is that this intervention type is very expensive as the use of a drilling rig is required.
Wires are used when there is no need of circulation, e.g. during measurements. Wires may also be provided with conductors for power supply and signal transmission. Often, wires are used for the intervention due to their large rupture strength and, thereby, may be used when the tool is relatively heavy.
Because of the spaces between the wire components, the disadvantage of the wire is that a particular injector for grease (so-called "grease injector head") must be used, by which grease under pressure is continuously injected to seal around the wire. Thereby, the tool may be lowered in the well without discharge of oil and gas from the well while securing a pressure-proof barriere. Even if the grease provides relatively low friction and enables lowering of the tool by its own weigth, this method requires large investments for equipments and materials, in particular grease. Therefore, large quantities of grease are consumed during this procedure. The used grease may not be directly discharged into the sea due to the risk of pollution and, therefore, it will normally be led to the vessel for a cleaning and possible recovery. As a result, the vessel has to be relatively large (and thereby expensive) due to all of the equipment located on the vessel.
A lubricator of the type discussed above is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,722.
In some cases, when the tool to be lowered is not too heavy, for example during sample collecting, a string may be used. By the use of such a thin string, the grease injector head mentioned above may be replaced by more simple sealing means, for example a so-called stuffing box. The stuffing box comprises a tubular sleeve of rubber or the like. The cable is tightly enclosed by the tubular sleeve in an extent preventing discharges but simultaneously without making the friction between the string and the sleeve too large. This is an inexpensive method of well intervention.
However, a disadvantage of the previous stuffing box types is that the providing of such a sealing around the string may result in a too large friction. Another disadvantage is that such strings have a limited strength, and also a limited usability as power supply or signal transmission means are not included.
As both wires and strings are flexible, these are only appropriate in vertical wells, and when the weight of the tool is sufficiently to draw the wire or string through the stuffing box. On the contrary, in horizontal wells the tool must be provided with a tractor for the drawing of the tool and wire, or the string.
An object of the invention is to be able to perform the intervention in a manner enabling that the tool cable may both be driven to move the tool in the well and in response to the movements of the vessel at the surface.
Another object of the invention is to be able to perform the intervention having the vessel in offset surface positions in relation to the vertical axis of the well.
A further object of the invention is to be able to perform the intervention from a smaller and, thus, more inexpensive vessel.
Still another object is to be able to perform the intervention by means of a cable combining advantages of both wires, i.e. a high rupture strength and possible use of copper lines, and strings, i.e. the possibility to use much more simple sealing means, such as a stuffing box.
According to one aspect of the invention, the present device comprises an injector located on the lubricator, by which the cable is driven in the well, and as the drive mechanism located on the vessel and the injector located on the lubricator are independently controllable, the cable may both be driven to move the tool in the well and in response to the movements of the vessel at the surface.
According to another aspect of the invention the injector, driving the cable in the well, is replaced by a self-movable tractor fastened to the cable or tool.
According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of use together with the present device, wherein the cable is driven in response to the movements of the vessel by the drive mechanism located on the vessel, and downwards in the well by the injector located on the lubricator, respectively the self-movable tractor fastened to the cable or tool, whereby the movement of the vessel is permitted from a position in extension of the well axis, and wherein the drive mechanism is controlled in a manner maintaining the cable in a slacked arc in the sea.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a cable for use together with the present device and/or method, which comprises a plastic material reinforced by carbon or glass fibre, whereby the cable achieves the desired degree of rigidity, and a coating of a material having low friction coefficient.
Thus, potential dangerous situations during, for example, a gas blowout may be avoided, as the vessel can be situated aside the well. On the contrary, if the vessel is situated straigthly above the well, a gas blowout might involve that the vessel loses buoyancy and sinks, causing loss of human lives.
Another important advantage of the invention is that the vessel, to some extent, may be drifted by the weather and wind and, thereby, be adjusted to the varying conditions at the surface. The vessel may drift as far away as permitted by the length of the cable and/or umbilical.
Another great advantage of the invention is that different lengths of the cable and umbilical may be present in the sea. For example, during a situation in which the cable has to be cut, it will normally be sufficient of time to close all of the valves, detach the umbilical from the seabed in a controlled manner and withdraw this to the vessel. Vice versa, if the umbilical has a defect or has to be cut (involving that all of the valves in the lubricator and well have to be closed), it will normally be sufficient of time to withdraw the cable slack before this is cut.
The cable may readily be fished out by means of a ROV, and the work continued when the dangerous situation has been remedied.
One particular advantage of the invention is that a light vessel may be used. When the injector is used together with the preferred lubricator, the unwanted fluids may be circulated in the well, as discussed in NO Patent No. 309439. This might result in great savings, as there is no need of large and heavy equipment for the treatment of the hydrocarbons on the vessel.
Moreover, the cable may be provided with friction at the same level as a string and, therefore, the use of a more simple type of sealing means is enabled.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the dependent patent claims and embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter.
The invention shall hereinafter be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.
A Christmas tree 4 for a well 10 is situated at the seabed 3, which Christman tree is completed and made ready for production in accordance with standard practice. Produced oil and/or gas flowing upwards from the well is led through a pipeline 6 to a production facility, such as a production vessel.
The vessel includes a tower 11 comprising a drive mechanism 12 for cable 9. The drive mechanism may be a motor-driven drum, which may unwind or wind the cable, although an injector located on the tower 11 is preferred, as indicated in FIG. 1.
Moreover, storing means 13 for a tool cable 9, and a storing drum 14 and storing drum 17 for an umbilical 16 and umbilical 7 for a subsea robot (ROV) 15, respectively, are located on the vessel.
A lubricator assembly 5 is mounted at the top of the Christmas tree 4 in the well, providing controlled access into the well. Generally, such a lubricator comprises a pressure controll assembly including valves to controll the well during the intervention procedure, a tool housing assembly comprising an insertion column for a tool or the like to be inserted into the well, and means for slidable but sealed leadthrough of the wire or string suspending the tool, i.e. a grease injector head or stuffing box. The components are removably connected to one another using connector means. The lubricator may be of a prior art type, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,722, but is preferably of the type described in the applicants own NO Patent No. 309439, and it is referred to the latter for a further description of the lubricator.
According to the present invention, a cable having specific properties in respect of the surface and the tensile and bending strength is developed for use together with the present intervention device.
An appropriate cable must have a low density in the range of 1-2 g/cm3 but, preferably, not more than 1,5 g/cm3. This provides a cable having approximately neutral buoyancy in oil (i.e. in the well). The low density also results in more easy storing and transport of long cables because of a lower total weight. Moreover, the forces required to withdraw the cable (with the tool) from the well are reduced by the lower weight.
The cable must have low thermal conductivity in the range of 0,25-0,35 W/mK, and low thermal expansion coefficient in the range of 0,00013 per � C.
The rupture strength of the cable is about 46 kN, i.e in the same range as steel wires having the same external diameter, tensile strength in the range of 850-1600 MPa, and an elastic modulus in the range of 40000 (glass fibre) −135000 (carbon fibre) MPa. This flexibility provides a cable both being relatively rigid and windable on a drum for transport to and from the field (i.e. as a coiled tubing). Due to the rigidity of the cable, it may be pushed into the well having a low angle, or into a horizontal well (as a coiled tubing), which is impossible for wires or strings.
The cable surface should have a friction coefficient of less than 0,2, preferably down to 0,1. For example, this is achieved by means of a cable coated by an external layer of a material having low friction coefficient.
The feed mechanism 50 comprises connecting means (not shown) for the connection at the top of the tool housing 25. As shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the present device, an endless belt or the like may be driven by one or more motors, as shown in
The two main parts are symmetrical. Upper 359 a and lower 359 b drive rollers are arranged in one of the main parts, and are rotated by one common or its own motor 361. In addition a further free roller is arranged. A belt 365 runs above the rollers. The roller 367 may be provided with means to tighten the belt, for example the hydralic actuator 374, pressing the roller 367 from the center line 90, i.e. to the right in
The other of the main parts 358 is identical to the first one of the main parts 357 but inverted in relation to this. Thus, it includes corresponding drive rollers 360 a, 360 b, 368 for a belt 366.
Preferably, the inside of the belts is formed with teeth for engagement with corresponding teeth on the drive rollers as depicted schematically at 359 a′ and 365′ but may also have, for example, a frictional coating. The outside of the belts is preferably coated with a frictional coating of an appropriate material and is provided with a suitable groove as depicted schematically at 365′ for the cable.
When the two main parts are moved towards one another, the cable will be clamped between the belts. The starting of the motor will move the belts and, thereby, the cable will be moved out from and into the well.
The main parts 357, 359 must be able to be moved radially out from the center, whereby the stuffing box might be led through the injector.
Preferably, the motors are hydralically driven motors, as such are favourable for use in sea water, and a hydraulic medium is available via the umbilical. Possibly, these might be driven by sea water from a pump located in connection to the lubricator. An advantage of having hydraulic motors is that these might readily be coordinated to provide the same rotating velocity and torque. However, the motors might be of any desired type, for example electrical motors.
The injector shown in
During the intervention of a well by means of a cable of the type above, sealing means have to be provided, which are able to seal against the cable, avoiding discharge of hydrocarbons while keeping the friction between sealing/cable as low as possible, whereby the cable may slide through the sealing means.
An end piece 85 is arranged at the end of the first portion, and defines a piston chamber together with the housing 80. The end piece 85 is fastened to the portion 81, for example by screws 86.
The end piece 85 has a portion 87 providing a stub 87 facing upwards, and having an external diameter 88. A center bore 90 extends through the end piece. The bore has a first lower portion having an internal diameter 91, which enables the cable to pass with a small clearance, and a second upper portion having an internal diameter 92, which is larger than the first diameter and intended to receive a stuffing box sleeve.
A piston 100 is movably arranged in the housing 80. In
As the use of complex hydraulic actuators within the stuffing box should be avoided, transmission pins 119 moving the piston 100 are arranged in the preferred embodiment. In
Alternatively, the piston may be actuated by supplying hydraulic fluid into the piston chamber 108, whereby the piston may be moved upwards into the upper position in the housing 80. If so, sealings, i.e. O-rings 125, 126, 127, must be located between the piston 100, housing 80 and end piece 85. In such a case means, i.e. connectors, have also to be provided for the supply of hydralic fluid, increasing the complexity.
A sleeve 111 of an elastic material is removably arranged in a portion 92 of the bore 90. The sleeve is formed as a sealing sleeve intended to be pulled on the cable with a small clearance. For this purpose, the sleeve 111 has a hole 113 therethrough, in which the cable shall slide. In a preferred embodiment the sleeve is manufactured of one piece, which is pulled on the cable before the use. However, it may consist of two semi-cylindrical parts having grooves in the planar surface, whereby it encloses the cable when the two halves are joined. The sleeve has an external diameter 112 slightly smaller than the internal diameter 112 of the portion 92.
Appropriately, the sleeve is manufactured of an elastomer, such as rubber, for example of hydrogenated nitrile rubber. Other materials may be thermoplastics, for example polyurethane or PTFE (TEFLON). The latter has particularly low frictional properties.
A further sleeve 114 is located in the housing, and serves as a compression sleeve. The compression sleeve 114 has an internal bore therethrough having a larger diameter than the external diameter of the cable 9, whereby the cable may slide through the sleeve without hindrance. The compression sleeve 114 comprises a first portion 115 having an external diameter, whereby it may slide with a small clearance in the bore 91 of the bottom piece 85, and a second upper portion 116 having an external diameter slightly larger than the first portion. The sleeve has a flange 117 between these two portions having an external diameter which enables the flange to slide in a sealed manner within the stub 103 of the piston 100.
A nut 128 is screwed inside the stub 103. A lock nut 129 is screwed on the nut 128 in order to lock this
A first spring 110 is located in the spring chamber 89, and is intended to force the piston into its lower position. Around the upper part of the compression sleeve a second spring 118 is located. This spring rests on the flange 117, and it is affected by the nut 128.
The spring 118 transmits its force to the flange 117 and, thereby, it provides a force directed at the top of the rubber sleeve via the first portion 115 of the compression sleeve.
As the sleeve 111 is manufactured of a resilient material, the axial pressure of the spring 118 against the upper surface of the sleeve 111 will provide a radial expansion of the sleeve, whereby this is pressed against the wall 92 and cable 9 and seals against both of these.
When the piston 100 is situated in its upper position, the compression sleeve 114 is in its upper position and exerts no pressure against the sealing sleeve 111. The relief of the piston will involve that this will be pressed downwards by the spring 110. Because of this the spring 118 will press the compression sleeve 114 downwards against the sealing sleeve. Thus, the stuffing box exhibites a fail-safe function, whereby losses of the hydraulic pressure will result in a maximum sealing of the cable.
Preferably, the device comprises different measuring instruments monitoring the work, condition of the stuffing box, pressure and temperature, etc. In particular, it is important to have a leakage detector monitoring whether hydrocabons leak through the sealing sleeve, and a frictional sensor measuring the friction between the cable and sealing sleeve. For example, this may be intended to measure the force on the hydraulic motors. The measurement of the friction involves that the piston may be controlled, whereby the pressure exerted by the spring against the sealing sleeve is controlled. The pressure around the cable may thereby be adjusted. The spring and sleeve are selected from a material enabling achievement of an optimum sealing around the cable in the stuffing box.
Preferably, the stuffing box housing is provided with locking means, for example grooves or ridges, which cooperate with corresponding means in the device to maintain the stuffing box in a fixed position during use.
During the intervention of a well according to a prior art technique, the vessel is positioned to be situated approximately in the extension of the axis of the well 4. Moreover, it will normally be attempted to keep the vessel at this position during the operation, either by means of the anchors or dynamic positioning.
By the method according to the invention the vessel 1 will be located straigthly above the well 4 only in a first stage of the work. In a first stage of the work the lubricator assembly 5 is lowered to the well and connected to the Christmas tree. The lubricator may be lowered as several components but, preferably, it will be made ready on the vessel, and lowered as an assembly. This results in the advantage of enabling the connectors to be pressure tested on the vessel. During this stage the umbilical 7 also is connected to the lubricator.
Now, the stuffing box and tool are made ready on the vessel. The cable 9 is led through the stuffing box and its free end is attached to the tool 8. Then, the drive mechanism 12 is used to lower the stuffing box towards the lubricator, with the tool 8 suspended by the cable 9. In the injector the drive belts have been moved away from one another, whereby the tool and stuffing box may be inserted into the tool housing and the stuffing box locked, for example fastened within the injector housing, as shown in FIG. 5. This and later operations are monitored by the ROV 15.
As described above the injector head is constructed in a manner enabling the components to be moved from one another and permitting the insertion of the stuffing box with the tool suspended by cable, and the locking to the injector housing or tool housing. Locking means, such as pins, snap rings or the like, fasten the stuffing box during the work.
During this part of the operation, the vessel is situated vertically above the well, as mentioned above, and the heave compensator on the vessel is used to secure a safe lowering. This is the situation shown in FIG. 1. During this stage of the operation, there are no risks to the vessel, as the well is closed completely in this stage, i.e. all of the valves in the Christmas tree are closed.
Now, the vessel is moved away from this position, possibly by permitting the vessel to be drifted by the wind, whereby the vessel is moved away from the well while feeding the cable from the injector 12 and the umbilical from the drum 14. The movement is monitored and controlled from the vessel by means of the dynamic positioning. The controlled feeding is effected in such a manner holding the cable 9 (and possibly the umbilical 7) in a desired S-shaped arc where these extend between the vessel and the well (FIG. 2). This continues until the vessel is situated at a certain distance, for example about 200 meters, aside of the well.
Thus, in
Now, the valves in the Christmas tree may be opened. The injector 50 is started to push the tool downwards in the well. Simultaneously, the drive mechanism 12 is started to feed the cable from the vessel. The desired S-curve of the cable is maintained by such a coordination of the two injectors.
When the tool has reached the desired depth in the well, the injector 50 is stopped and the required measurements (or another operation) are performed. If the vessel should have been moved in relation to the well during this stage, the injector may be started to feed, respectively withdraw, the necessary length of the cable to maintain the desired S-curve in the sea.
It shall be noted that when it is desired that the cable extends in an S-curve in the sea, this first of all is due to practical reasons. The arc will provide a slack in the cable, whereby the movements of the vessel may be absorbed without subjecting the cable to strains which may result in rupture. Regardlessly, the dynamic positioning system on the vessel has a response time which has to be taken into consideration.
After the works are completed the injector is restarted to withdraw the cable. Simultaneously, the drive mechanism 12 on the vessel and the drum 14 for the umbilical are started. During this stage the vessel also is aside of the well and the process is monitored, whereby the cable also now maintains the required S-curve. When the tool is situated within the tool housing, both of the injectors are stopped. The injector 12 on the vessel is only started if the vessel moves. Unwanted hydrocarbons may now be circulated out of the lubricator, as discussed in NO Patent No. 309439. Then, the valves of the Christmas tree and the lubricator are closed. Now, the propulsion machinery of the vessel also is started to move the vessel backwards into a position straigthly above the well. Simultaneously, the injector 12 (and the drum 14) are driven to withdraw the cable and the umbilical. When the vessel again is situated straigthly above the well, the situation shown in
After the works are completed in the well, the injector is opened and the stuffing box retrieved together with the tool. Both the cable and the sealing sleeve may thereby be inspected for wear and possible replacement. If another invention type is required in the well, another tool may be attached to the cable, and the operation discussed above may be performed.
Because the preferred cable has a large elastic modulus (larger rigidity), it may be pushed into sloping and horizontal wells. Because it is desired that the cable might be winded on a drum, it may not be too rigid. It may thereby be pushed longer into horizontal wells than a wire but there is a limit to how far it may be pushed. However, the described method may also be used in such cases. The tool may be connected to a self-movable tractor 18 in stead of, or in addition to the injector 50 on the lubricator, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The movement of the tractor is coordinated with the injector on the vessel, in the same manner as by the use of two injectors. In deviation wells all of the shown feed mechanisms may possibly be used, using for example the injector 50 in the vertical portion while operating the tractor in the horizontal portion of the well.
|Cited Patent
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|Frank Mohn
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|Title not available
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|Feb 19, 2003
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|Jun 30, 2003
|Jun 15, 2006
|Haheim Svein A
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|Feb 18, 2005
|Aug 24, 2006
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|Dec 4, 2006
|May 8, 2008
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|Feb 6, 2007
|Aug 7, 2008
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|May 12, 2008
|Sep 4, 2008
|Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
|Subsea Well Communications Apparatus and Method Using Variable Tension Large Offset Risers
|Jul 17, 2006
|Sep 25, 2008
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|Feb 15, 2006
|Sep 25, 2008
|Tom Kjetil Askeland
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|Jun 4, 2007
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|Brian Skeels
|Lightweight device for remote subsea wireline intervention
|Jun 19, 2007
|Dec 25, 2008
|Andrea Sbordone
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|Nov 20, 2008
|May 21, 2009
|Millheim Keith K
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|Oct 16, 2008
|Jun 11, 2009
|Joseph Varkey
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|Dec 12, 2007
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|John Johansen
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|Mar 27, 2009
|Jul 16, 2009
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|Apr 8, 2009
|Oct 22, 2009
|Henning Hansen
|Rigless well completion method
|May 23, 2008
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|Andrea Sbordone
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|Aug 4, 2009
|Feb 18, 2010
|Daniel Sack
|System and method for deployment of a subsea well intervention system
|Mar 18, 2008
|Jun 10, 2010
|Andrea Sbordone
|System and method for performing intervention operations with a compliant guide
|Apr 3, 2008
|Jul 1, 2010
|Andrea Sbordone
|Intervention system dynamic seal and compliant guide
|Mar 18, 2008
|Sep 23, 2010
|Andrea Sbordone
|System and method for performing intervention operations with a subsea y-tool
|Jul 18, 2008
|Sep 30, 2010
|Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As
|Composite cable
|Mar 7, 2011
|Jun 30, 2011
|Fmc Technologies, Inc.
|Fracturing isolation sleeve
|Jan 11, 2010
|Jul 14, 2011
|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
|Electric Subsea Coiled Tubing Injector Apparatus
|Apr 14, 2011
|Aug 4, 2011
|Millheim Keith K
|Offshore Coiled Tubing Deployment Vessel
|Aug 12, 2009
|Aug 18, 2011
|Jonathan Machin
|Umbilical management system and method for subsea well intervention
|Apr 27, 2011
|Nov 1, 2012
|Corey Eugene Hoffman
|Emergency disconnect system for riserless subsea well intervention system
|Aug 7, 2012
|Nov 29, 2012
|Millheim Keith K
|Offshore Coiled Tubing Deployment Vessel
|May 8, 2014
|Aug 28, 2014
|Keith K. Millheim
|Offshore Coiled Tubing Deployment Vessel
|Aug 18, 2014
|Dec 4, 2014
|Schlumberger Technology Corporation
|Methods of Using Enhanced Wellbore Electrical Cables
|Mar 25, 2015
|Mar 9, 2017
|Aker Solutions As
|Tool arrangement connected to a christmas tree and methods for installing and removing of a christmas tree
|Jul 18, 2008
|Apr 20, 2011
|FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
|Composite cable
|Jul 18, 2008
|Jan 29, 2009
|Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As
|Composite cable
|Jul 18, 2008
|May 28, 2009
|Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As
|Composite cable
|U.S. Classification
|166/355, 166/360, 166/77.1, 166/77.3
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Dec 16, 2002
Owner name: FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS, NORWAY
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CARLSEN, HANS-PAUL;REEL/FRAME:013977/0309
Effective date: 20020904
|Jul 18, 2008
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jun 20, 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Jul 7, 2016
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12


text:
Ask a Mechanic Online and Get Answers to Your Car Questions
Hi, welcome to jA.
When the car overheated and you saw the coolang gushing out - did it not come out of the overflow bottle? When the car overheats the coolant overflows...are you loosing a small amount of coolant over a long time period as well?
It must be a leak that does not show when the system is under pressure...it must leak as the engine cools slightly...seems like all the standard basis have been covered. Coolant can leak from nuemerous points on this engine, the best step to take next is have flourecent dye added to the cooling system. Drive the vehicle untill you need to fill the resevoir next...than take it back to the shop and have them use an ultraviolet dye to locate the EXACT point of leakage. The dye will mark the area the coolant leaked out and using the light will verify this. You can even purchase your own coolant dyes and lights if you want to attempt this yourself, but if the leak is somewhere difficult to see with the car on the ground, you'll need access to a vehicle lift.


text:
iOS Game Development Workshop by Emmett Butler
Pace University
Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM (EST)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
On February 23rd, Pace University's Seidenberg School will be hosting a workshop on "iOS Game Development." You're invited to join us and our expert guest instructor to learn how to put together your first game.
Developer and game designer Emmett Butler will lead the workshop with the assistance of experienced students available for discussion and guidance.
"I'll be giving two sessions on programming games for iOS using the cocos2d and box2d libraries, a sprite animation tool and a 2d rigid body dynamics simulation engine.
The first session will comprise a crash course in Objective-C and an introduction to the basic concepts of game development via the cocos2d paradigm. We'll also play around a bit in a live XCode environment to see some concepts in action.
The second meeting will be a livecoding session and workshop in which I'll lead the group through building a physics and animation sandbox that runs on the iPhone and uses many of the core techniques of game programming, including sprite animation, collision detection, time-based event handling, and more." - Emmett
Note: Beginners are welcomed! We strongly encourage that you bring your own decive (Mac laptop and iOS devices), since we have a limited amount available. Pair programming is also enouraged
Workshop Details
10:30 - 11:00 am - Arrival & Registration
11:00 - 12:00 pm - Session 1
12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch Break
1:00 - 4:00 pm - Session 2
When & Where
Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
163 William Street
New York,
Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM (EST)
Add to my calendar
Pace University
Seidenberg School
Preparing students for lifelong participation, research and professional work in a new and dynamic information age.
Career Services
Career Services offers all Pace University undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni programs designed for career exploration, development of life-long career management skills and resources to obtain employment.


text:
Dimension Data Consolidates Its Cloud Brands
Dimension Data Consolidates Its Cloud Brands And Positions for Further Growth
New Zealand, 12 October 2012 – Dimension Data, the global ICT solutions and services provider, today announced that it has consolidated its cloud businesses, OpSource and BlueFire1 under the Dimension Data corporate brand. This move enables Dimension Data to further accelerate its cloud strategy by allowing the company to deliver cloud services under one consistent global brand.
1Dimension Data made its first strategic investment in BlueFire, Australia's original and most progressive managed and cloud IT and telecommunications services company in 2008. In mid-2010, it took a further stake in the company and, at the same time, acquired a majority stake in Netforce. As a consequence of the investment, the two companies merged operations under the BlueFire brand. In December 2011, Dimension Data acquired the balance of shares in BlueFire.
Steve Nola, CEO of Dimension Data's Cloud Solutions said, "The combined competencies and capabilities of Dimension Data, OpSource and BlueFire are key differentiators for the Group: each bring unique skills sets, business processes and intellectual property - cloud orchestration, management, and over-the-top services.
"By rebranding OpSource and BlueFire to Dimension Data, we will be able to leverage our collective experience, including our Managed Cloud Platforms (MCPs), CloudControl cloud management system, and public and private cloud service offerings, to execute complex, multi-national cloud projects. In addition, our clients will be able to engage with us seamlessly for not only cloud, but also across the Group's numerous solutions and service offerings. To support our growth plans, we will be adding a significant number of new employees to the Cloud Solutions Business Unit in 2013. We are confident the Dimension Data Cloud strategy will accelerate, and allow us to become a leader in the computing industry," said Nola.
To enable businesses to transact online and purchase cloud computing resources on demand, Dimension Data this month launches its cloud services website. The service supports the provisioning of cloud compute, storage and networking infrastructure across its public MCPs in the US, The Netherlands, Australia, and South Africa, with Hong Kong set to go live in November this year. The online sales process is backed with live chat abilities and an inside sales support team that makes it easier to transact online.
Since Dimension Data acquired OpSource in June 2011, the company has moved fast to extend its cloud leadership:
• July 2011 – Created Cloud Solutions Business Unit.
• February 2012 – Launched a broad portfolio of public and private cloud services, and introduced the Dimension Data MCP, a platform for delivering public and private cloud services and CloudControl, its cloud management system; and deployed five Public MCPs San Jose, CA and Ashburn VA, United States; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Sydney, Australia; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
• June 2012 – Announced its Cloud
Services for Microsoft which provides managed Microsoft
Exchange 2010, SharePoint 2010 and Lync 2010.
• July 2012 – Launched the OneCloud Partner Programme.
About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT
services and solutions provider that uses its technology
expertise, global service delivery capability, and
entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions
of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group.
In Asia Pacific, we operate in over 60 offices across 13 countries. We help clients plan, build, support, manage, improve and innovate their ICT infrastructures. It combines an expertise in networking, security, data centre solutions, Microsoft solutions and converged communications and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration, training and managed services. www.dimensiondata.com


text:
Crystal Serenity Cabins
- Pro: Out-of-this-world service, fabulous enrichment activities, inclusive fares
- Con: Can feel clubby with older, repeat passengers and formal atmosphere
- Bottom Line: You'll be pampered but never bored on luxury's largest ship
Crystal Serenity Cabins
- See all outside cabins
- See all balcony cabins
- See all suite cabins
A major plus for Crystal Serenity passengers is that the ship has a higher percentage of cabins with balconies (85 percent) than its sister, Crystal Symphony (65 percent). During the 2011 refit, the cabins, all of which are outsides, received the bulk of the $25 million in upgrades. All new fittings, furnishings and carpeting give the rooms a chic, almost edgy look, complete with white or black leather tufted headboards and the occasional zebra-patterned furnishing.
Cabin sizes and levels of luxury range across the board. The entry-level staterooms measure 226 square feet. While that's slightly larger than most big-ship cruise lines' comparable accommodations, the cabins can feel pretty squinchy, mostly because you expect a bit more from a luxury line. Also, these cabins look out onto the promenade deck, albeit through one-way glass that hides any views from curious passersby during the daytime. Balcony cabins are the same size and layout as the outside accommodations, but with 43-square-foot verandahs.
Crystal has revised the number of room categories to 13 aboard Serenity (up from five, including "Pure" rooms for passengers with allergies). All have 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens, wireless in-room Internet access, Frette robes, Aveda bath amenities, turndown service and more. Even the smallest -- deluxe staterooms with large picture windows -- have seating areas and all the amenities like in-suite satellite TV, movies available from the library and complimentary minibar offerings. Upgrade, though, and the rooms are an even better value.
We stayed in a 538-square-foot penthouse suite with a verandah. Toronto's II BY IV has remodeled the rooms, which have classic, clean lines and walls of chocolate brown with cream trim. The sizeable bedroom could be curtained off from the living room with its convertible sofa for our daughter; both had flat-panel TVs with Blu-ray DVD/CD players that could be played at the same time without bothering either of us. The best part of the room was the bathroom, with side-by-side sinks, a separate shower and a full Jacuzzi bathtub with jets. The penthouse comes with many perks, including same-day pressing and a gratis self-serve laundry room, pre-dinner canapes, in-room dining (even from the Silk Road and Prego menus), constantly replenished fruit, minibar and chocolate truffles. Passengers booked in Penthouse rooms are also invited to a private Captain's quarters cocktail party. One of the most thoughtful additions is an electronic 'do not disturb/please service" system so housekeeping will never have to knock and disturb you.
The Crystal Penthouses are an impressive 1,345 square feet apiece, and each comes with a very large private verandah, two walk-in closets and even a private workout area. The space was reconfigured in the new design to add a shower to the guest powder room, so the media/library/den with a sleeper sofa can function as a second bedroom.
There are cabins designed for folks with disabilities in all the major categories, including cabins on the penthouse levels.
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The Learning Support Network provides 24-7 online tutoring for students convenience. This service is offered through a consortium of Northwest colleges and Universities.
To log in, please follow this link: Etutoring.org
Steps to log-in:
1.) Go to Etutoring.org
2.) Click on the tab that says 'Login Now!'
3.) On the pop window, select 'Western eTutoring Consortium' and then select Seattle Central Community College from the drop down menu.
4.) The next page allows you to log into the service.
5.) Your username can be found here by last name. Your password is set to a default one, "Central1" which you will need to change
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A dump truck rear-ended a school bus full of children Monday morning when the truck driver's foot slipped off the brake at a red light, a police spokesman said.
Mike Chustz, a spokesman for the East Baton Rouge Parish Emergency Medical Services, said paramedics transported the bus driver and two students to hospitals with minor injuries.
The incident occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of South Choctaw and Airway drives, Cpl. Don Coppola Jr., said.
The driver was cited for following too close, Coppola said.
The bus was carrying students bound for Belaire High School, said Keith Bromery, spokesman for East Baton Rouge Parish School System. He said there was damage to the back of the bus, but he was unsure as to the extent of the damage.


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Statue of Princess Iset Unearthed in Luxor
Friday, March 07, 2014
LUXOR, EGYPT—Reuters reports that an alabaster statue of Princess Iset has been unearthed in Luxor at the temple of her father, Amenhotep III, who ruled Egypt during the 18th Dynasty. Iset's figure was found between the feet of her father's colossal, seated statue, and although her name and royal title are inscribed near her feet, her face has eroded. A statue depicting Amenhotep with all of his children is on display at the Egyptian Museum.
First World War booze, Russian bear grease, Mediterranean mystery religion, and exploring under Algiers
A venerable bead


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Nikon has posted 10 full-resolution sample photos taken with the Nikon D600, a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera sporting a 24.3-megapixel sensor. Captured at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 3200/36°, with a variety of lenses including the AF-S Nikkor .24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR, 85mm f/1.8G, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II (with teleconverter), 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D and PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED; the Nikon D600 samples are all presented in JPEG format (though some of them were shot as 14-bit NEFs). To view and download the sample photographs, visit the website below.
Website:, Nikon D600 Samples
Discover a wide range of digital cameras at low prices. Buy cheap cameras from Sony and Canon. Share your photos thanks to digital photo frames.
Varnam offers digital photo frame with built-in memory & battery.
© Copyright 2003-2008 Photo
360 Limited
Best Viewed at 1024x768 Screen Resolution


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"Live Well for Life" Benefits Companies and Workers
Sutter Health Partners' Wellness Program Proves Cost-Saving for Employers and Life-Saving for Employees
SACRAMENTO, Calif., September 19, 2008 - Kurt Wetzel lost 65 pounds in one year. Donna Rosenbusch, R.N., is completing triathlons. Marcia Augsburger is seeing decreased absenteeism and lower levels of stress and burnout among the attorneys and staff at the law firm where she is a partner. And a recent study shows that employers are seeing initial cost savings of approximately $1,000 per employee per year. This all results from participating in Sutter Health's employee wellness program – Live Well for Life.
Live Well for Life is a comprehensive program that teaches healthy lifestyle behaviors. Employees team up with trained wellness coaches who provide direction and motivation as they work toward their health goals. Based on individual needs, participants receive anything from diet and exercise action plans, to stress management and work-life balance tools.
"Sutter Health Partners is building a culture of wellness," said Margaret Sabin, CEO Sutter Health Partners. "Over the past six years we have worked with several employers across Northern California to create tailored lifestyle management and wellness programs for approximately 20,000 people."
An analysis of Sutter Health Partners' Live Well for Life program – modeled from data published by professional services firm Towers Perrin – found that the estimated initial cost savings per employee per year is nearly $1,000. Clients who have implemented the Live Well for Life program report that many employees have realized major improvements in their health – with a significant percentage moving from a high-risk to low-risk category within their identified condition.
Some specific clients' results include the following:
"This recent study confirms that our programs not only help employees improve their long-term health, but also help employers reduce their overall health care costs," added Sabin. "Sutter Health Partners is truly a partnership between employees and their workplace. By working together employees can improve their health and employers can help moderate the rising costs of health care – and even pass those savings along to their hard-working staff."
A recent report by the Integrated Benefits Institute concluded medical costs (direct expenditures) are the "tip of the iceberg and represent only 26 percent of the total health care costs; fully 74 percent of the costs are indirect" (these include: lost productivity, subpar quality, temporary staffing, absenteeism, employee and customer dissatisfaction, and replacement training expenses).
Sutter Health Partners was a 2008 finalist for the prestigious ABBY award as part of the 10th annual Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Innovations in Healthcare event. Sutter Health Partners was nominated for the award, which honors health care providers executing innovative and successful approaches to enhancing quality and affordability in health care.
Live Well for Life - Real Results
Kurt Wetzel, a Sutter Health employee, hoped Sutter Health Partners could help him lose 65 pounds. One year after his wellness coach helped him create a tailored weight loss program, Kurt was not only 65 pounds lighter, but also healthy enough to no longer need high blood pressure medication. "What I really like about Live Well for Life is that it's all about balance and not making drastic changes that I can't sustain," said Wetzel. "It's a great way to ease into a healthy lifestyle. Not only do I feel physically healthier, but I find I have more energy and manage stress more effectively. However, the greatest benefit is the increased quality time I'm spending with my family. This is time I might not have if it wasn't for the Sutter Health Partners' program."
Donna Rosenbusch, R.N., a labor and delivery nurse at Sutter-affiliated Marin General Hospital believed Sutter Health Partners could help her find better balance in her life after she switched to late-night work shifts. "I was never really overweight, but I was working 12 hour night shifts, and I knew I had to fight off the tendency to pack on those extra pounds by eating late at night." After working directly with a wellness coach, Rosenbusch has been inspired to start doing triathlons. Her commitment has also inspired friends and family around her and even encouraged her husband to lose 30 pounds over nine months.
In the Sacramento area, McDonough Holland & Allen PC has been working with Sutter Health Partners for about two years. "The personalized attention that the Sutter Health Partners coaches bring to our wellness programs is truly unique and has had a significant positive impact on our company morale, retention and absenteeism," said Marcia Augsburger, attorney and head of the firm's health care practice group. "Like many folks, our attorneys and staff struggle with stress and workload management. The Sutter Health Partners coaches have offered us unique, effective tools and techniques to help our partners, associates, administrators and staff adopt healthier lifestyles."
Sutter Health Contacts
Brian Hudson
(916) 286-6680
Media Line
(916) 286-6695


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The new U.S. consumer finance watchdog is gearing up to monitor how millions of Americans use credit cards, take out mortgages, and overdraw their checking accounts.
Their bankers aren't happy about it.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is demanding records from the banks and is buying anonymous information about at least 10 million consumers from
companies including Experian.
While the goal is to sharpen enforcement and rule-making, banking executives question why the bureau is collecting so much without being more specific about the benefits.
Story by Carter Dougherty for Bloomberg News.
Similar Posts:
- U.S. Consumer Hotline Has Technical Glitches Preventing Complaints To Reach Banks
- Major Banks' Overdraft Fees Being Scrutinized Again
- Consumer Protection Bureau Hits the Ground Running
- Correcting Your Credit Report Gets Easier
- Warren Wants To Make Credit Card Agreements Understandable
- FBI Investigating AT&T Security Breach Of iPad 3G Email Addresses


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Ask Health Experts and Get Answers to Your Health Question ASAP
Hi Beth,
Good to hear from you!
In terms of the flu shot...I am an advocate for flu shots and always get one every year. There are people who have allergic reaction from the flu shot (those who are allergic to eggs cannot have flu shots) but a lot of people say "I got the flu shot and I got the flu after that, that's because of the flu shot". Well, that's a false statement. One cannot get the flu by having a flu shot but many people believe that and it is hard to convince them otherwise. Last winter my husband didn't get the flu shot (he always says no because he doesn't like needles) and he got the flu. He couldn't get out of bed for 5 days and then it took him extra 2 weeks to get his strength back. I think this year he will take the needle :)
Flu can be devastating for older people and I think your uncle should get the flu shot. I am not sure if you can request to have a visiting nurse to have a flu shot but you can definitely try. For sure people can be carriers and for your aunt it is very dangerous.
However, you can definitely tell the nurse that you don't want her talking bad about flu shots and trying to talk your uncle out of it. Its important that your uncle gets his flu shot.
In terms of the nursing home...I am not sure why your uncle would want to put your aunt in the nursing home when you are there 24/7. No matter how expansive the nursing home is going to be, she will NEVER get as much care and attention as she gets from you. He must have some other issues going on why he would want her to be out of the house but medically, you do way more then a nursing home would. She would decline in a nursing home very quickly. You need to try to talk your uncle out of this. I am not sure financial aspect but Medicare would only pay for short-term nursing home stay (I think up to 30 days?), everything after that will be coming out of pocket. But don't quote me on this, I think it all depends on your uncle's financial situation, supplemental insurance if him and your aunt has any, etc. I can definitely understand how upsetting this is for you!
Let me know if I addressed all your questions. I have to leave the house for a little bit but will be back tonight to get back to you.
I think its your right to ask for the nurses that had flu shot and I also think you should say something about the comments she made. Unless asked, she really should keep that opinion to herself. I am surprised to hear that she would be so outspoken. In our hospital, if 80% of the hospital staff receives a flu shot, everyone gets 4 hours off so that encourages a lot of participation. I always get one and will continue to do so, I do believe they help.
I think next time your uncle brings up nursing home issue for your aunt, you should at least ask why and tell him that you take much better care of her than any (even most expansive) nursing home will. I don't think there are "free" nursing homes, at least something will need to come out of his pocket but from it sounds, he won't be able to afford a nice and expansive nursing home. This is something that you will need to take one day at a time, maybe it won't happen. You always need to stay positive :)
In terms of your symptoms, vertigo, which is what you are having, doesn't always come from middle ear problems, sometimes it just occurs from no specific reason at all. But if you have chronic sinusitis and allergies, vertigo can definitely be associated with them.
Meclizine, unfortunately, does not cure vertigo, it only improves symptoms once they are present. Some people can take Meclizine only as needed when episodes occur and other people need to take Meclizine every day because without Meclizine they have recurrence in symptoms. But Meclizine does not clear up inner ear issues.
There is no danger to take full tablet of Meclizine or 1/2 tablet two to three times daily when you have the symptoms. They only problem is that Meclizine can make you sleepy but if it doesn't, no problems taking it more often. If you take Meclizine at bedtime, you should take a full tablet.
Good morning Beth,
Let me know how the conversation with the social worker goes.
If 1/2 Meclizine doesn't make you tired, a full tablet should not make you so tired either. It may make you a bit sleepy but not to the point where you don't hear your aunt.
Yes, chronic allergic sinus problems can cause vertigo and symptoms will vary depending on how your sinuses are doing. Because all of the ear, nose and throat systems are connected, they are all dependent on each other. If you have chronic sinus problems, you should get some treatment such as nasal spray and anti-allergy medication (like Claritin or Allegra). It will help you with breathing better and hopefully minimize the vertigo symptoms. I doubt that the "hair" accident that you had have anything to do with your current symptoms. Misalignment in the neck, can!
I am glad you had conversation with the social worker. At least, now, you got it off your chest. I am glad the regular nurse told you she gets her annual flu shots, it really is the right thing to do when one works with elderly people so much.
I am glad you have no vertigo today. Vertigo can be very disabling. If you get it again, try full Meclizine pill but, in general, consider treatment for your chronic sinus issues.
No, I don't think its a concern. Your aunt has chronic swelling in her ankles and feet and sometimes swelling moves up to her legs if she has been sitting for a long time.
Most likely this is due to immobility and besides elevating her legs, there is not much that can be or needs to be done (especially if your aunt, herself, is not bothered by it). Giving her water pills will only make you work harder because her urination will increase and you will need to clean up more often. Sometimes wearing compression stockings (especially during the day) will minimize swelling so you can talk to her dr about presribing them. I would get the ones that are not very tight so that she is not uncomfortable. The stockings will help blood circulation and decrease the swelling. You will take them off at night.


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Rachel Weisz's Sporty Big Apple Stroll
Getting around the city in her sporty attire, Rachel Weisz was spotted in New York City on Monday afternoon (July 30).
"The Bourne Legacy" actress looked fabulously fit in black yoga capris, a see through white top and black sneakers as she gave the awaiting shutterbugs a quick smile.
In related news, the 42-year-old actress recently spoke with Sun Times and opened up about her views on marriage.
As previously reported by GossipCenter, Miss Weisz and actor Daniel Craig wed in June of 2011, but according to the English beauty she never expected that day to come saying, "In my twenties I never imagined I would marry or be a mother. I didn't ... you know... I think some young women imagine their wedding dress. I think it was an enjoyable idea. I just didn't have it because I was unmarriable in a Jane Austen kind of a way."
Aside from marriage, the "Dream House" starlet didn't think being a mother was in her plan either, but things have definitely changed. Rachel is now a proud mom of her six year-old son from a previous relationship and she explained, "There was a moment when I really thought I wanted to be a mother and I was surprised. It wasn't something I had thought about. I just think it was instinct."


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|From: Greg Woodhouse (gregory.woodhouse at sbcglobal.net)
Date: Wed Feb 22 13:28:32 EST 2006
Does Scheme provide a standard way to do this? I wrote a little ad hoc function, but it seems that this ought to be common enough an operation to have a standard solution. ;;zip two list (e.g., (zip (1 2) (3 4)) is ((1 3) (2 4))) ;;(list, list) -> list (define (zip ls1 ls2) (if (equal? (length ls1) (length ls2)) (if (null? ls1) '() (cons (list (car ls1) (car ls2)) (zip (cdr ls1) (cdr ls2)))))) === Gregory Woodhouse <gregory.woodhouse at sbcglobal.net> "All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." --Arthur Schopenhauer
|Posted on the users mailing list.


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Singing songs of freedom
Page Tools
An old Italian song, reprised years after the event, brings cherished memories flooding back. By Rachel Buchanan.
Some people say that smell brings back the past. For me, it is sound. On Sunday, I sang Bella Ciao, an Italian song that I heard many times in 1990 when I worked on an organic Italian vineyard for the "vendemia" (grape harvest).
The farm, in the Piedmontese mountains just south of Milan, was run by communists. I had hitchhiked there with my boyfriend. We had shown the driver of a rattling Fiat the address on the letter I had from Lydia, a Dutch woman who had worked with my dad in New Zealand. Lydia was the former lover of one of the members of the vineyard cooperative and she had written a reference letter for us. It was in Italian, so I had no idea what the letter said, but it must have been all right because we were given a bed and put to work slashing the leaves off vines with sickles.
At the end of the first morning, my hands were blistered and pink. I had worked on farms before, but not with such ancient implements: the long, sharp, curved blade and the shapely wooden handle worn smooth by many hands.
It was so exhilarating to feel the tiredness in every muscle, watching my skin turn brown and the palms of my hands become as tough as the shiny black bodies of the scorpians that used to hide in the sink.
We worked with a Dutch couple, Pim and Chris, who lived on the farm in an old school bus that they had driven halfway across the Sahara. Their friend, an artist whose name I forget, had a house in the village and he helped with the harvest, too. There was a fat German man, another Dutch woman with a squeaky voice and an Italian, Marco, who turned up one day from Turin with a sports bag overflowing with cartons of cigarettes.
Some days, we were also joined by a guy from Tunisia, the lover of one of the cooperative members, a tough woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.
We all had lunch and dinner together every day, drinking gallons of Dolcetta and Barbera from earlier harvests.
When I ran out of tobacco, I used to walk up the dry hill and through a grove of hazelnuts to the next village. The shop was small and dark, guarded by a curtain of furry tubes that bumped against my cheeks.
One afternoon, Caesare let me climb up the ladder and look into a wine vat. The pinkish foam bubbled and muttered like a living thing. These sensations and many others returned when I sang that song again in a choir. It was a song that our Italian hosts and the people who lived around there used to sing at parties. One night, we ended up at a hall and a band appeared: an accordion and wind instruments that looked a bit like clarinets. The men in the band were old and so were many of the revellers: small people with neat, bright features and strong bodies. They sang with gusto as we all whirled around the room, faster and faster. "O partigiano, portami via. O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao."
Someone said it was an old communist song. Yeah, yeah. To me, it was just a fun drinking song. After downing a crate of beer, NZ men liked to do the haka. After drinking the equivalent in wine, Italian men liked to sing Bella Ciao. How ignorant I was.
So often in life, we can only experience something a long time after it has happened, when we have the knowledge or the insight that we lacked in the event. This was the case for me when I read the translation of Bella Ciao on Sunday. The song was sung by Italian partisans people like writer and philosopher Primo Levi who resisted fascism and fought for justice and liberty in World War II. I am sure there are old partisans in Melbourne who once sang that song, too.
The Italian version has meanings that I am unable to appreciate, but even in English, the song is exquisite: "This morning, I woke up and found the enemy is here, O partisan take me to the mountain for I feel death is near. And when I die bury me under the shade of a flower. And when people pass they will say: What a beautiful flower and this is the flower of the partisan who died for freedom."
As I sang with 400 others on the weekend, the beauty and simplicity of the three-part harmony was embellished by other voices, the voices from that summer in Italy. It had taken me 15 years, but I could finally hear those old people in the Piedmontese mountains singing about the ones who died in that awful time. Their voices are pained, but they are not without joy.
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Jonah Goldberg : "If the GOP wants to win more black votes, it will need to get a lot more 'racist.'" Yes, if there's one thing black voters are waiting for, that might bring them back into the warm embrace of the GOP, it's the enticing prospect of attending an endless pity party with a 'liberals – and blacks! – have wrongly accused the GOP of racism' theme. (Because, after all, the Davis-Bacon Act was totally racist!) But Charles Murray gave Goldberg a run for his money, in the anti-Dale Carnegie sweepstakes, with his hypothesis that the reason Asians don't flock to the Republican Party is that, as a group, they have a 'ludicrously inaccurate' view of … well, of political reality.
Note: Contains racial language


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Flames NewsFlames Home > Women's Tennis Home > News
Lady Flames Take Commonwealth Clash
The Liberty women's tennis team rolled off its sixth-straight win, Tuesday afternoon, defeating Commonwealth opponent Longwood by a score a 5-2 at the Hershey-Esbenshade Tennis Courts.
The win ups the Lady Flames' record to 11-6, including a 4-2 mark in matches on Liberty Mountain. Longwood falls to 3-6 on the season with the defeat.
The Liberty women jumped out to a 1-0 lead by sweeping the doubles matches. Carol Lobel and Valeriya Klintsevich wrapped up their No. 3 match first, taking down Hannah Hill and Nicole Parker, 8-2. Jordan Jenkins and Hannah Fick then took down Marta Pinyol and Zsofia Jakab, 8-3 in the No. 1 matchup, while Cameron Richard and Alexandra Sheeran defeated Bethany Law and Allison Shulman, 8-6 in the No. 2 contest.
In singles, the Lady Flames quickly pushed their edge to 2-0 behind a 6-3, 6-0 win from Sheeran in the No. 3 position over Veronika Bohm.
Longwood then posted its first point of the afternoon by winning the lead match. However, Lobel added another straight-set victory for the home team, winning 6-2, 6-3 over Shulman in the No. 4 slot.
The Lancers added their second win of the day at No. 2 singles, where Richard's seven-match singles win streak was snapped. Meanwhile, Annisha Domenech and Klintsevich wrapped up the match with victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Despite dropping the opening set, 6-2, Domenech bounced back for sets of 6-1, 6-0 to defeat Sarah Moomau. Similarly, Klintsevich fell behind after dropping the first set, 6-3. She would rebound as well, notching sets of 6-4, 6-2 to add to the Lady Flames' final 5-2 tally.
Liberty returns to action tomorrow, as they travel to take on Radford in a Big South Conference contest. Action is slated to get underway at 2 p.m.
Liberty 5, Longwood 2
1. J. Jenkins/Fick (LU) def. Pinyol/Jakab (Longwood) 8-3
2. Richard/Sheeran (LU) def. Law/Shulman (Longwood) 8-6
3. Lobel/Klintsevich (LU) def. Hill/Parker (Longwood) 8-2
1. Jakab (Longwood) def. Fick (Liberty) 6-3, 6-4
2. Pinyol (Longwood) def. Richard (Liberty) 6-4, 6-2
3. Sheeran (Liberty) def. Bohm (Longwood) 6-3, 6-0
4. Lobel (Liberty) def. Shulman (Longwood) 6-2, 6-3
5. Domenech (Liberty) def. Moomau (Longwood) 2-6, 6-1, 6-0
6. Klintsevich (Liberty) def. Law (Longwood) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2


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Sophie Monk Gets Revenge On Cheating 'Dr. 90210′ Boyfriend
Ever wanted to get revenge on a cheating boyfriend? Well, you and Sophie Monk have something in common.
Actress and former girlfriend of Benji Madden spilled the details on how she got revenge on a cheating boyfriend to Australian radio show on 2DayFM. (Rest east Good Charlotte fans: The cheater wasn't Benji.)
The 30-year-old actress related how she walked in on her boyfriend–plastic surgeon and Dr. 90210 star John Diaz–with another woman:
"I rock up in the morning with a coffee and presents and he had a present there – a chick. I walked back in and went, 'What's going on?' and actually had a conversation. I spoke to the girl. She was in shock. I didn't know her. She was innocent. [Then] I spilt coffee on his car very strategically."
Just spilled coffee? It sounds like he got off easy.


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2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems
RepairPal has identified the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid based on complaints from actual vehicle owners. We'll tell you what the problem is and what it'll take to fix it.
An abnormal noise may develop from the transfer case. At this time parts are not available to repair internal damage to this type of transfer case, replacement is the only option. It is not uncommon for irregular tire wear to cause a similar noise. Diagnoses should be performed to confirm the actual cause of the driveline noise. Tire noise can be reduced by rotating the tires at least every 5000 miles.
The hybrid models have a coolant pump that cools control electronics. The pump can fail or spin slowly, which causes a Check Engine Light to illuminate and complete engine shut down.
Hard driving conditions, including quick starts from a stop and hard acceleration up hills, can cause the rear motor mount to crack. The broken motor mount needs to be replaced, otherwise damage to the hybrid drive system may result.


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PILCHER DOES IT AGAIN!!! May 14, 2009
by thespokenword
What is the cost of a dream? Based on the novel this is a romantic's seven course meal plus a fantastic dessert! A story to hold you to the very end. If you've read the book you will want to own this movie on DVD or on VHS. Highest recommendaton to all Pilcher and romance fans!


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Melbourne Storm second-rower Ryan Hoffman has urged his teammates to get in early and hard against Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
The Panthers notched a big win over Newcastle last round and feature a dangerous mix of powerful front-rowers and halves pairing in Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace.
Hoffman said the Storm could not allow the Panthers' forward pack to gain big metres when pushing up the field. ''We have based all our games on defence and if you are playing a team with a good forward pack then we must stop them going forward,'' Hoffman said.
''They have the likes of Brent Kite, Sam McKendry, Adam Docker and Nigel Plum in their pack, they have some quality ruck blokes in the middle and if they get going it will create too many chances for their players out wide.''
While the Storm players have focused on stopping the Panthers' attack, the club has spent the week celebrating important milestones for captain Cameron Smith and full-back Billy Slater, with Smith to break Matt Geyer's club games record when he runs out for the 263rd time, while Slater plays his 250th game.
The Storm will also play two Victorian-raised players for the first time in Melbourne, with Mahe Fonua joined in the side by Northern Thunder winger Junior Tonumaipea, who made a promising debut last weekend.
''It's brilliant,'' Hoffman said. ''It's two Victorian-born and bred kids who are playing in the best rugby league competition in the world. We don't give out jerseys at Melbourne Storm, Mahe and Young have those jerseys because they worked hard for them. Young is a quiet bloke who is very determined – he took his opportunity last week and it's up to him to keep on doing that for the rest of the season.''
Storm half-back Cooper Cronk trained on Friday and is expected to play his first game of the season. With the game shaping as a big occasion, Hoffman said his side had to keep its eyes on the contest.
''It's a big day for the club and a big occasion,'' Hoffman said. ''The best way we can pay tribute is by getting our processes right and doing what we know we do best at Melbourne Storm. If we do that we have the upmost confidence that the result will look after itself.''
The Storm plays the Panthers at AAMI Park on Saturday at 5.30pm.


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I have a desktop PC with Vista x64 installed and fully patched up to date. I
am trying to setup Media Player sharing so that other devices on my network
can access my files.
I have enabled Media Sharing through Media Player and set it so that all
devices are able to automatically connect. If I go into the Network and
Sharing Center it shows Media Sharing as 'On'. Everything would seem to be
working however no other devices on the network are able to see it, this
includes another Vista Laptop and a Playstation 3 - for the sake of testing
I disabled the Windows Firewall to rule out any problems there.
I've had a search around and this seems to be an issue quite a few people
are having, but so far have been unable to find a solution to other than
'reformat'. I would really rather not reinstall Vista if at all possible,
but does anyone know of a way to get Media Player sharing its files? Or is
there a way to force Vista to run a reinstall of Media Player or repair it?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.