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Constellation - Southern Caribbean: Celebrity Constellation Cruise Review by elmitz
Overall Member Rating
Constellation - Southern Caribbean
Destination: Southern Caribbean
Embarkation: San Juan
Embarkation -- 3
We had a nightmare experience getting to San Juan after being bumped from our flight. We actually met up with the Constellation on Sunday in the Dominican Republic. The travel department at Celebrity was absolutely NO help at all. In fact, if I could give the staff at Celebrity a negative rating here I would. However, the crew of the Constellation was very helpful and friendly: meeting us at the airport in the Dominican Republic, steering us through local Immigration/Customs, and preparing our cruise documents rapidly. Their deserved 6 star rating averages out the 0 stars for the Celebrity travel department for an overall rating of 3.
I should note that on my prior Celebrity cruise aboard Infinity out of San Juan More our embarkation was very smooth.
Public Rooms - 6
The overall architectural atmosphere aboard the Millennium ships is quite nice. Not too glitzy, not too subdued. All public areas aboard these ships are adorned with original art and photography pieces, giving them an aura of elegance without being snobby. The color scheme of the boat's interior is spot-on, but I must admit I find the exterior of the ship to not be my cup-of-tea. Rest assured that you will not find a better variety of areas more tastefully decorated on any other cruise liner currently at sea. I'm sure there are more richly/elegantly appointed boats at sea, but I doubt one could book a cruise on them at this price point. A+
Cabin - 5
Our cabin was very utilitarian and pretty, though somewhat disappointing for me after having stayed in a Sky Suite on my prior cruise aboard the Infinity. The deck is now a must have for my cruising vacations and I would recommend EVERYBODY to ensure they have their own private veranda. I spent EVERY morning on it with my coffee, reading/journaling, enjoying the scenery. My only gripe with the veranda is regarding the lack of privacy. Depending on your room's location, you may or may not have ANY privacy on your deck. We found the cabin to be lacking in storage space, though this may be more indicative of our excessive packing than a weakness in the cabin. Also, there are no irons/ironing boards aboard the ship. [I would recommend packing a travel iron if the thought of wearing wrinkled clothes or paying $$$ for pressing services bothers you. I used the laundry services on the boat and can attest that they did a nice job of stain removal on several garments and all garments were pressed perfectly, and delivered promptly.] Also on the downside, my fiancEe and I both felt the linens, particularly the bed spread, appear worn out and even, yuck, dirty.
Dining - 6
There is nothing for me to add here that hasn't already been said ad nauseam. At this price point I guarantee you will not find better food. How they can prepare such high quality food for so many passengers still boggles my mind. Not to be missed: at the aft of the 10th deck Seaside grill there is a daily luncheon pasta and salad bar. For whatever reasons, this particular luncheon spot remains relatively unnoticed by the majority of the passengers. I highly recommend it for lunch.
The Oceanliners specialty restaurant is well worth the money. I believe Celebrity's specialty restaurants rank as some of the best dining experiences PERIOD, not just at sea. If my dining companions were willing, I would gladly eat there every night. The staff can be a bit over-the-top in their mannerisms, but I appreciate their commitment to excellent service.
Room service is also a wonderful touch. I highly recommend the Chocolate chip cookies ("Warmed up please") and their Pizza. For some reason, their room service pizza is different, and in my opinion better, than that which is served poolside.
Speaking of poolside, there has been a definite drop in the service level offered by the wait staff poolside since my last Celebrity cruise. I'm not sure, but it appeared to me that there were fewer "Pool Butlers" than there used to be. Minor quibble...
Entertainment - 5
We went to one show - "Fantasea" - and it was laughable. All of the musicians aboard the boat were terrific. The pool side band "Prodigy" was great. In fact, I would recommend going down and having a listen even if you don't want to lay out - they are that good! The casino is quite nice though smoky. They offered the typical cruise line game assortment with the exception of single deck Blackjack at $10 minimums!
The in-room TV was acceptable with a varied movie rotation, CBS primetime programming and CNN International live. On board, internet access was reliable though expensive. There are art auctions managed by Park West [my advice... buy elsewhere], a nice shipping facility, movie theater showing recent films, etc. Bingos were, as usual, popular with the kids and blue-hairs.
Bottom line: You should never feel bored.
Fitness & Recreation - 6
Their health club is first rate, the spa is excellent though $$$. With the fitness facility, aerobics, spinning and yoga classes, and spa dining, if you wish to not gain weight, or even lose weight on your cruise, Celebrity makes it possible.
Value - 6
You will not find a better value for your cruising dollar. PERIOD.
My fiancee thoroughly enjoyed her first cruise, and is looking forward to cruising again. We had some horrible seas on our last night (St. Thomas to San Juan) but otherwise it was literally smooth sailing. These millennium vessels are, in a word, awesome! Less
Published 09/03/04
Cabin review: 7160
Read Cruise Critic's Celebrity Constellation Review >>
Vista and jeep tour
Staff Makes The Trip!
Awesome family cruise, great i...
Celebrity = overrated and over...
Lovely ship, good destinations...
Excellent Experience
Great service, good food.
3rd Celebrity cruise and this ...
2nd Time on Equinox, 3rd time ...
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text: Former Ute Paul Soliai, now with the Miami Dolphins, has become the latest former player to donate to Utah as it was announced Tuesday he was donating $250,000 for the new football center. His contribution will fund the Paul and LeTasha Soliai Player Lounge. "They gave me the opportunity to play and as a kid from Samoa, it's something I'm thankful for every day," he said in a release. "Without the university giving me a scholarship to play the sport I love, I wouldn't be where I am today." Soliai played in 24 games from 2005-06 for the Utes and was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by Miami. Alex Smith ($500,000), Jordan Gross ($500,000), Steve Smith ($250,000), Eric Weddle ($250,000) Brian Johnson ($50,000) and Sione Pouha ($50,000) are among the other former players who have donated to the program recently.

subset: commoncrawl


text: nsmadsen 5578 Report post Posted October 3, 2012 Hey guys, Please remember that the Music and Sound forum is for discussion, sharing one's work and getting feedback to help you improve. The Music and Sound forum isn't the place for you to try and get clients. It's also not the right spot to try and get your music placed. That's what the classifieds section is for and there's both a paid and hobbyist section which can be used. So post basically anything audio related as long as it's not you saying akin to "HEY HIRE ME!!!" Any posts that are clearly attempts at getting work will be edited then closed with a nice note from me telling you to post this in the classifieds section. There will be no warning as this IS your warning. There used to be a forum FAQ that detailed some of this but with the various site migrations and changes, that seems to have vanished. Hopefully that helps clear up any confusion. Finally please do not share anyone's personal information on this forum. If a composer gives you his or her rate, it's not appropriate to then share that info with the entire GD.net community. That information was given to you in private (and in some cases under NDA). Feel free to speak in general terms but specific details should be left out! Thanks! Nate 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 5/10/2012 (1781 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
You'll never get a view of the heating system or the parking lot at the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. As the world's tallest hotel, stretching 121 storeys high, the views get star treatment.
All of the hotel's 312 rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows. My junior deluxe suite was on the 117th floor. The ear-popping, 52-second elevator ride from the building's entrance on the ninth floor to the main lobby on the 103rd was my first clue I was really high up. The second clue was what I saw from my windows -- a cloud at eye level.
From the hotel's perch on Hong Kong's West Kowloon waterfront, you can see the eclectic mash-up of old and new China. Old-fashioned junks share cruising space with modern ferries transporting commuters and tourists between the city's shores. And surrounding skyscrapers look downright minuscule against the mountains in the distance that mark the beginning of mainland China. If you want a closer look at the vistas from your room, there's a telescope set up, ready for use.
But remember, this is a Ritz so stunning, views alone won't cut it. The rooms are plush and comfy to the max. The beds are like clouds themselves. You land in them with a gentle poof, thanks to the down mattress pads, 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and featherlight comforters. At the end of a day of sightseeing, drinking milk tea from street vendors and shopping, it was heaven to know that such a bed awaited.
And then there were the turndown treats -- a wee cardboard box containing four exquisite chocolate truffles, each uniquely decorated with a wash of gold dust, a smear of raspberry or sprinkled with crushed pistachios. It made me wonder why it's called turndown service. Would anyone in their right mind turn down turndown service? I think not.
There's a subtle touch of shimmer in the room. The decor finishes lean heavily on sheen, from walls clad in silk to leather headboards with a metallic wash. It's as if designers brought in the glittering skyline of Hong Kong right into the space. The bathrooms rely on travertine marble floors and walls, plus onyx countertops, to underscore the glam factor. A full-sized soaking tub provides a soapy setting to take it all in.
As you'd expect at the Ritz, service is fantastic, eerily good in some ways.
I had access to the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge on the 116th floor, where I had breakfast while watching the buzz of Victoria Harbour below -- and I wasn't eating cornflakes and bran muffins while I did. Club Level guests can tuck into food around the clock, with six separate food and beverage spreads offered throughout the day.
I went international on my early mornings with a pile of spicy noodles, shrimp dumplings, smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers on a bagel that must have been magically transported from a Montreal bakery. By Day 2 of my four-day stay, the staff knew my name, the names of all three of my cats, where I'd dined the night before, and catered to my odd love of capers by putting an extra dish of capers on my table.
When I wasn't eating or staring at the views, I contented myself with a soak in the indoor infinity swimming pool on the top floor of the hotel. The outdoor Jacuzzi was a bit too much for me -- a reminder that I was seriously high (I am one of those people who has vertigo standing on a chair to change a light bulb). The space here seemed ethereal, dressed in blue and white, with sun pouring into the pool, making the light dance on its surface.
I could easily have planted myself there for a long time, but I had booked a facial at Espa, the on-site pamper palace, the highest hotel spa in the world. It has just 11 treatment rooms, but each made the most of its fantastic view. The chill-out area, designed to keep the Zen state going, consisted of space-age white leather and chrome loungers facing the windows. It worked; a quick snort told me (and my fellow guests around me) that I had fallen asleep, supremely contented by the feel of my 20-something-looking skin.
My newly dewy, glowing skin and I were primed to head to Ozone, the highest bar in the world. Surprise, surprise -- it's quite the hot spot among well-heeled locals who come for an exotic selection of Asian tapas and tunes pumped to a decibel level just a smidgen under a shout. Here you can see the latest Louis Vuitton handbag tucked under the arm of a Jimmy Choo-pump wearer -- a subtle reminder that shopping tops eating and drinking as the national pastime. Where else do you find lineups outside luxury-goods stores, waiting for the doors to open?
There was one more experience I had to have before I was done at this hotel. The Chocolate Library puts a novel spin on afternoon tea by making it chocolate-centric. You can nix regular tea in favour of hot chocolate drinks (no Hershey syrup here) with global flavours from the world's primo chocolate-producing spots -- Mexico, Venezuela, Madagascar, et al. Presentation is a showstopper. A wooden book is placed on end on the table, then opened to reveal beautifully crafted chocolate nuggets arranged on shelves built into the "book." It's not surprising that the Chocolate Library is a big hit and, if you plan to go, have the concierge snag you a table.
-- Postmedia News
TO BOOK: ritzcarlton.com/hongkong
ROOMS: From C$770 (for a deluxe room)


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NY Times' Brooks Urges Romney To Peddle Economic Myth In Presidential Debate
Research ››› ››› REMINGTON SHEPARD
New York Times columnist David Brooks claimed that the "economy in 2012 is worse than the economy in 2011." In fact, measures of economic health indicate the economy is better off now than it was one year ago.
Brooks Claimed The Economy Was Better In 2011 Than It Is Now
NYT's Brooks: "The Economy In 2012 Is Worse Than The Economy In 2011." In a October 1 New York Times op-ed, columnist David Brooks advised Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to say that the economy is worse now than it was in 2011. From the op-ed:
The Obama administration, which is either hostile to or aloof from business, has made a thousand tax, regulatory and spending decisions that are biased away from growth and biased toward other priorities. American competitiveness has fallen in each of the past four years, according to the World Economic Forum. Medical device makers, for example, are being chased overseas. The economy in 2012 is worse than the economy in 2011. That's inexcusable. [New York Times,10/1/12]
In Fact, Economic Data Indicates That The Economy Is Better Off Now Than It Was One Year Ago
St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank: Since 2011, GDP Has Grown To $15.586 Trillion. According to the St. Louis Federal Reserve's Bureau of Labor Statistics data, gross domestic product -- the broadest measure of the economy -- has grown every quarter since the beginning of 2011. GDP grew by over $500 billion between the second quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012:
[St. Louis Fed, accessed 10/2/12]
St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank: Since 2011, The Private Sector Has Added Over 3 Million Jobs. St. Louis Fed data indicates that since the beginning of 2011, the private sector has added 3.193 million new private sector jobs. Since last October, the private sector has grown by over 1.619 million jobs:
[St. Louis Fed, accessed 10/2/12]
CNN Money: The Stock Market Has Increased In Value By Nearly 24 Percent. According to CNN Money, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has increased in value by 16.46 percent since the beginning of 2011 and by 23.84 percent since October 2011:
[CNN Money, accessed 10/2/12]
WSJ: "The Value Of Americans' Real-Estate Holdings Jumped About $400 billion, Or 2.1 percent, To $19.1 Trillion" A September 20 Wall Street Journal article reported that in the second quarter of 2012, home values hit their highest value since 2008. From the article:
A strengthened housing market is lifting property values and helping Americans repair their balance sheets, a trend that could spur the economy by making households more willing to spend.
The value of Americans' real-estate holdings jumped about $400 billion, or 2.1%, to $19.1 trillion, in the second quarter, the Federal Reserve said Thursday, the highest level since the final three months of 2008. The increase follows a similar leap in the first quarter and raises the amount of equity that owners have in their homes to a high since the third quarter of 2008.
Since the recession, sliding property prices have made Americans feel less wealthy and less willing to spend on everything from home renovations and appliances to restaurant meals. That weighs on the recovery, because consumer spending fuels two-thirds of the nation's economic activity. With real-estate values now rising--and housing chalking up more gains recently in sales and construction--Americans are seeing their critical assets rise in value as their disposable incomes also climb. That helps in rebuilding wealth and makes even heavier debts more manageable. [The Wall Street Journal, 9/20/12]
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Thurman Fredrick Harris
Oct 22,1918 Died Mortal wounds — France
This soilder is buried Harrisburg Ark has many descedent there in a grave with Woodsman of the World trunk on grave. He died in France and then interned to USA a couple years later there was a parade and he is beloved and recieved with pride. He has Purple Heart , Silver Star. His widow Myrtle Caroline Nance and child born after his death Freddye Frances Harris.


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(USA TODAY) The signing of a top Olympic boxing prospect Tuesday by Mike Tyson's promotional company prompted USA Boxing to write an open letter to Tyson asking the former heavyweight champion to stop interfering with the Olympic process and allow young athletes to follow their "Olympic dreams."
Tyson's fledgling Iron Mike Promotions signed Erickson Lubin, who turned 18 Tuesday, to a professional contract. Lubin, a two-time junior Olympic champion from Kissimmee, Fla., was described in the letter written by Charles Butler, the president of USA Boxing, as the USA's "best hope."
In a tweet Tuesday, Lubin said, "Officially signed to Iron Mike Promotions. My pro career starts now."
Tyson wasn't talking, but his publicist said Tuesday there was no arm-twisting involved.
"IMP (Iron Mike Promotions) and Rivalta Management signed him today on his 18th birthday," said JoAnn Mignano. "That was his choice, nobody forced him to sign a pro contract."
Mignano and IMP publicist Bob Trieger also said that nobody complained when New York-based promoter Lou DiBella signed highly regarded 17-year-old amateur prospect Junior "Sugar Boy" Younan last month. Younan is expected to make his professional debut later this month or in early November.
USA Boxing said it will pursue legislation to stop "professional promoters from attempting to sign athletes in the Olympic pipeline."
"You are offering these athletes pennies on the dollar of what they could be worth with an Olympic medal, or even potentially just being an Olympian," Butler wrote in his letter to Tyson. "You are also undermining the next United States Olympic Boxing Team in the process."
The USA boxing program has suffered in recent years. There were no male Olympic medalists in London last year, and only one, bronze medalist Deontay Wilder, in Beijing in 2008. The last U.S. Olympic gold medalist was Andre Ward in 2004 in Athens. Ward is now the undefeated super middleweight world champion.
Scott Blackmun, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, noted the rich tradition the U.S. has had in the sport, but said athletes have the right to decide their future.
"I think the reorganization that USA Boxing recently completed is going to be very, very beneficial because it brings independent thinkers to their board," Blackmun said. "At the end of the day, I don't think you can take away the choices that our athletes have. They have to weigh the importance of an Olympic medal, the impact an Olympic medal would have on their lifetime Olympic goals and weigh that against the short-term opportunity of turning professional."
USA Boxing said it had offered Lubin a spot in its residency program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where young fighters "have the ability to train full time and pursue further educational programs. The athletes in the resident program not only have all of their room and board covered but also enjoy access to world-class training facilities, medical care, and a wide array of athlete services. They receive all of these services at no cost and would not owe anyone a percentage of future earnings."


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The family of a teenager who died after being stabbed in Chigwell have paid tribute to a "talented" boy.
Ayodele Osifuwa was found with a leg wound on a grass verge at the roundabout junction of Limes Avenue and Westmede shortly before 9pm on December 9.
The 17-year-old Plaistow boy was taken to Royal London Hospital by paramedics but died there on February 7.
Ayodele was a former pupil of Nightingale Primary School in Wanstead and Wanstead High School. He also attended Constance Bridgeman School in Chadwell Heath.
At the time of his death he was attending Kensington and Chelsea College and hoping to go on to university.
The young boy's family said: "He lived all his life within the love, care and affection of his parents, Adebayo and Bolanle, and his brothers Adeoye, Adetayo and Tiwalade. Ayodele was very much loved by his parents, siblings, extended family and friends due to his very likeable nature right from his childhood.
"Ayodele was a talented and aspiring footballer. He played for the football teams in both his primary and secondary schools. He also played for many youth football teams in Redbridge area and before his death he was playing for Grays Athletic Football Club.
"There was never a dull moment with Ayodele. He was full of life, very humorous, loved practical jokes and good food. He was a very happy young man who always had a smile on his face. He had everything to live for.
"His death has created an irreplaceable vacuum within his immediate and extended families.
"Shame on the coward who perpetrated the heinous crime that terminated Ayodele's life."
The family said that they "salute the gallant battle" which Ayodele fought in hospital and thanked all emergency services and medical staff who treated him.
"We will never forget to acknowledge, with profound gratitude, the magnificent efforts of the surgeons, consultants, doctors, nurses and all the other staff at Royal London Hospital who fought tooth and nail to keep him alive up to the very last moment," the statement added.
"Although, Ayodele lost the battle to stay alive, he won our sincere respect and admiration.
"Ayodele's shocking and untimely exit from this world has permanently blighted the lives of those he left behind and he is sorely missed by his parents, brothers, grandmother, aunts, uncles and all other extended families and also his true friends.
"Words cannot sufficiently describe our loss.
"We pray that the Almighty God will grant his soul everlasting peace and eternal rest. Good night Super Dele."
A post-mortem examination was conducted but further examinations are required to fully establish the cause of death.
Marcus Audain, 20, of no fixed address, is currently in custody after he was charged with one count of causing Grievous Bodily Harm with intent. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 17.
A 20-year-old man from Ilford and a 17-year-old boy from Walthamstow are currently on police bail until March 4 pending further enquiries
Anyone with information in connection with the murder is urged to contact detectives at Harlow's Major Investigation Team on 01279 621802, email firstname.lastname@example.com call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


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Request an appointment online or by phone – whichever is more convenient for you.
Contact us – We welcome your questions and comments, so call, email or send a letter.
If you need help with directions, lodging or things to do, we can help.
At Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, we treat our patients like we'd treat a member of our own family. When you trust your child's care to us, you can expect care that is:
The Craniofacial staff at Children's provide comprehensive care to children with common and complex craniofacial disorders and plastic surgery needs. We are available to meet with you before your child is born if a prenatal ultrasound shows a cleft or another craniofacial disorder. And of course, we'll also meet with you after your child is born or whenever the need is identified.
At Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, we provide family-centered care because we know that a child's health affects the whole family. We believe that open communication is the foundation of a partnership with families, and invite their participation in care planning. We believe families' full participation is key to the best outcome.
Our goal is to support families by building on their strengths.
Our staff specializes in caring for children (though we also care for adults), and are all recognized as Best Doctors®. All of our doctors are board certified in plastic surgery with additional, advanced training in craniofacial surgery. The focus of the practice is on treating kids and adults with congenital defects.
Learn more about the conditions we diagnose and treat.
Cleft lip and palate disorders
At Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, we care for patients with cleft lip and palate disorders from birth into adulthood. Read more>>
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers evaluation and treatment of infants with torticollis and positional plagiocephaly. Read more>>
Volunteer or donate
Your gift of time or money can help children receiving care throughout our programs. Read more>>


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Be My Boyfriend: Penguin Man
Alfred David, better known by the people of Brussels as "Monsieur Pingouin," claims to share a special telepathic connection with the birds. Penguin Man waddles like a penguin (because of an old hip injury), talks like a penguin, dresses like a penguin, eats like a penguin, and actually believes he is, in fact, a penguin. Okay, I know he's a little bit old for me, and our house would smell like fish, and be packed with the penguin memorabilia he's been collecting for the last 40 years, but these are things we can work around. Also, as Jessica reminded me, penguins make great fathers. Did you see "March of the Penguins"? [Oddity Central]


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Sandy Hook Survivors Record Song for Charity [VIDEO]
While the tragedy of Sandy Hook elementary shook the nation to its core, there is no way to imagine what the students who survived are feeling. It's hard to find words to describe what they are going through. Instead of finding words to help, they used music. You're going to want to have a box of tissues handy.


text: There is a swap in the xandros system which is probably being used because you didn't create the partitions correctly. When it comes stock there are 4 partions. One of them you need for bios but the other three can be wiped. Thats all I can help you because I use my eeepc w/ sd card which I might suggest to you if your worried about the life of the eeepc. With 2 gigs or ram my eeepc boots in less than 60 secs and is ready to go.


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Keep your cool.
Sweaty palms should be reserved for horror movies and first dates, not bike rides, so Dakine hooked the Ventilator Men's Gloves up with obscene amounts of mesh to keep your hands cool and comfortable. The upper and palm are both made of mesh — stretch nylon and silicone, respectively — and the only non-mesh area is the thumb, which is made of moisture-wicking and breathable microfleece for nose and sunglasses wiping.
The palms feature lightweight gel padding to help your hands stay unbruised, and a low-profile, hook-and-loop closure that keeps dirt and grime sealed out. Dakine even integrates touchscreen-compatible fingertips so you can keep your social media game on point.
Tech Specs
View more Men's Long Finger Mountain Bike Gloves
Size chart
|5.5 - 6.5in
(14.0 - 16.5cm)
|6.5 - 7.5in
(16.5 - 19cm)
|7.5 - 8.5in
(19.0 - 21.5cm)
|8.5 - 9.5in
(21.5 - 24cm)
|9.5 - 10.5in
(24 - 27cm)
|5 - 5.5in
(13 - 14cm)
|5.5 - 6.5in
(14 - 16.5cm)
|6.5 - 7.5in
(16.5 - 19cm)
|7.5 - 8.5in
(19 - 21.5cm)
|8.5 - 9.5in
(21.5 - 24cm)
- How to Measure:
- Measure the hand circumference around your hand at the widest point excluding the thumb, just below the base of your fingers.
Reviews & Community
Junk, One ride no crashes, done
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Fit: True to size
Waste of money I got one ride out of mine before the seams all started to come apart.


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Statement by Ambassador Wittig in the Security Council Open Debate on Central Africa & Illicit Arms Trafficking
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations H.E. Dr. Peter Wittig on the occasion of the Security Council open debate on Central African Region: Impact of illicit arms trafficking on peace and security United Nations 19 March 2010
(Check against delivery)
Mr President,
I should like to thank you for providing Germany with the opportunity to participate in the open debate on the Central African Region and the impact of illicit arms trafficking on peace and security.
Germany fully aligns herself with the statement delivered earlier by the Representative of the European Union.
Your timely initiative provides the United Nations Security Council with an excellent opportunity to deliberate on an important issue. Every day hundreds of people suffer from the consequences of the proliferation of illicit arms. Implications for economic development are obvious. Illicit arms trafficking is all too often one of the causes for humanitarian tragedies.
Germany has for long been committed to a comprehensive approach to combat the destabilizing accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons as well as their ammunition.
My country attaches high importance to fully implementing and to further developing the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. It supports the "Fourth Biennial Meeting of States" in New York in June 2010, which will mark an important step in the implementation of the Programme of Action. For more than ten years, Germany has chaired the so-called Group of Interested States in New York. This group has offered a platform to the disarmament community based in New York to exchange views on how to cope with the scourge of small arms and light weapons.
In recent years, my country has paid particular attention to the issue of thorough management and security of national stockpiles of conventional arms and ammunition. Under German chairmanship a Group of Governmental Experts elaborated recommendations on the proper management of stockpiles. My government is contributing to the ongoing United Nations-steered process leading to the development of technical guidelines for stockpile management of conventional ammunition.
My country remains committed to reducing and ultimately ending the global illegal trade of small arms and light weapons. Therefore, it continues to attach utmost importance to the ongoing process towards the elaboration of a comprehensive and legally binding Arms Trade Treaty on the highest possible common international standards for the transfers of conventional arms. We stand ready to actively engage and constructively cooperate in the process leading to the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in 2012.
I should like to provide you, Mr President, with some examples of German cooperation. In 2006 my government started to support the East African Community (EAC) by implementing a project on Non-Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the EAC. As a result, networks were created that paved the way for the engagement of the EAC in maintaining peace and security. EAC has worked closely with the Regional Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) based in Nairobi, thus reaching out to countries in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
The African Union (AU) has been mandated by its member states to establish an African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Germany is assisting the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission in setting up the African Peace and Security Architecture.
One of the priority areas of cooperation in Africa is the establishment of a Continental Early Warning System. The systems will enable the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to identify the rise of a potential crisis scenario. My government assists the African Union in designing such an early warning system.
It is also supporting the development of the police component of the African Standby Force. The project is aiming at providing a minimum in civilian security in fragile post-conflict situations and at raising public confidence in the security forces.
That leads me to my last point. From the very start Germany has supported the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission. By helping societies emerging from conflict and laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development, the Peacebuilding Commission is entrusted with a crucial contribution to international peace and security. It should therefore play a central role in bringing cohesion between political, security, development and humanitarian actors. In this context, my government is of the view that the Peacebuilding Commission should strive for close cooperation with the United Nations Security Council to focus on small arms trafficking and to curb the harmful effects of these weapons.
Thank you for your attention.


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HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla.— In the opening round of the NCAA South Region on Monday afternoon, Nick Brothers fired a one over par 73 to place himself tied for 19th overall among individuals in the tournament.
Brothers shot a 37 on the front nine and a 36 on the back, when he birdied the 18th hole to finish off his round with a 73.
Leading all individuals through 18 holes is Ricardo Celia of Nova Southeastern—who shot a three-under 69 today in the opening round.
Barry is leading the team competition entering the second round tomorrow with a four-under 284, and leads second place Nova Southeastern by three strokes and third place Lynn by four strokes.
The top two participants who are not competing with a team who finish in the top three of the tournament will advance to the national tournament in Hershey, Pa.
Brothers will tee off tomorrow from Howey-in-the-Hills at 8:40 a.m. To follow his round through live stats, click here.


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A thief was caught on CCTV camera carrying out a Christmas Day heist at a popular Sydney wildlife park, escaping with 10 birds including a pair of blue and yellow macaws worth $12,000.
Police believe the offender was extremely familiar with Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside and targeted several aviaries containing the valuable birds, which are all microchipped. It is believed the birds may have been stolen for a Christmas gift.
The middle-aged thief is shown on CCTV footage wearing shorts, a hooded jumper and baseball cap as he breaks into the Kildare Road park early on Christmas Day, using bolt cutters to break the locks on the aviaries.
The stolen birds were "carefully targeted", a police spokesman said.
Among the birds stolen were a male and female blue and yellow macaw, each worth $6000. The male had a silver band on its left leg.
Also taken were two red tailed black cockatoos, which are endangered and valued at between $1500 and $2000 each, while six white breasted ground doves were also taken from a separate aviary.
Kellie Ames, a spokeswoman for Featherdale Wildlife Park, said staff were devastated at the loss of the birds, which had been at the park for several years.
She said the stolen macaws, which were a breeding pair, were extremely intelligent and would say "hello" to visitors who would stop by their aviary.
"The staff came in on Christmas morning and found that a number of the aviaries had been broken into and we were missing some of our most prized birds," she said.
"The macaws are very valued pets to have. They're very intelligent and beautiful animals. We think they have been stolen possibly as a Christmas present.
"We are absolutely devastated by the news. We love our birds, they're very friendly. Visitors used to stop and watch them in the aviaries, and they [the macaws] would say 'Hello'. It's devastating to see that they have been taken."
She said the red tailed black cockatoos, which are mainly found in northern Australia, are endangered. Macaws are native to South America.
Footage from the park's CCTV cameras has been handed to police to examine.
Police believe the thief had a vehicle waiting nearby to escape with the birds. The robbery was not discovered until 4.20am on Christmas Day.
The theft comes six months after two blue and yellow macaws were stolen from a nearby pet shop in Kellyville.
CCTV footage of that robbery at Kellyville Pets in June showed the silhouettes of two men entering the store's aviary and taking the young macaws.
At the time, a spokesman for the pet store, Jes Jonkmans, said there was an online black market for exotic birds.
"There has been a lot of theft ... in recent years. Generally the birds are taken interstate and sold online," Ms Jonkmans said.
"There was a couple of customers and people that we know through the store had their birds stolen just out of their backyards. They can't even have their bird out in the aviary in the backyard because people will jump the fence to steal them."
Police urged anyone with information about the latest robbery to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


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Drier weather last week gave farmers the opportunity they needed to make up for lost time. After struggling for weeks against the wetter weather, they were able to get 71 percent of the corn in the ground.
This is 43 percentage points higher than last week, making it the biggest single-week gain ever reported by the Crop Progress report. The previous record was set in 2011 with a weekly gain of 28 percent.
According to AgriMoney, America's farmers were able to plant an area "nearly as big of Florida" in just one week. Many experts had been skeptical that producers could advance so quickly, even with the better weather conditions. Many expected corn planting to reach 40 to 50 percent instead. Read more here.
Despite the quick turn-around, the nation's corn planting still remains below the five-year average of 79 percent. One year ago, corn planting was nearly finished.
Several states gained ground in corn planting this week, including Iowa (71 percent), Michigan (78 percent) and Minnesota (70 percent).
More emerged corn was also reported this week, jumping from 5 percent last week to 19 percent. All of the top corn-producing states have reported some progress in corn emerging.
For soybeans, the report showed that 24 percent have been planted, which is quadrupled the progress from last week. Three percent of soybeans are now emerged in most states, with the exception of Kentucky, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
Read from the Crop Progress report.
The next round of wet weather may slow corn planting again this week, according to Reuters.
"It's going to be slow going. Already the west is seeing 1.0 to 1.5 inches in a widespread area, and that will spread into the eastern Midwest early this week," said John Dee, meteorologist for Global Weather Monitoring.
Planting will slow especially in Iowa, one of the largest corn- and soybean-producing states in the nation. Currently 71 percent of corn and 16 percent of soybeans have been planted.
Read, "Rains to bog down already record-slow U.S. corn plantings"


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You exercise your body to stay physically in shape, so why shouldn't you exercise your brain to stay mentally fit? With these daily exercises you will learn how to flex your mind, improve your creativity and boost your memory. As with any exercise, repetition is necessary for you to see improvement, so pick your favorite exercises from our daily suggestions and repeat them as desired. Try to do some mentalrobics every single day!
One reason that we may forget a certain fact is because we never really learned it in the first place. This has a lot to do with attention. When your spouse or parent tells you something while you are watching TV, your attention is diverted so you will not acquire the new information. If you want to remember something, you must pay attention to it. A person can only pay attention to one thing at a time; therefore, watching TV or talking on the phone while you do your homework will not achieve optimum results as your attention will constantly be shifting back and forth.
Studies have shown that paying attention to a task is much more important than the time spent on the task. A person who concentrates completely on a task for 15 minutes may remember more than someone who studies it for an hour with the TV going in the background.
To prove that you must pay attention to something to remember it, answer these four simple questions:
1. Which way does Lincoln face on the penny?
2. On a traffic light, is red on the top or bottom?
3. Does water go clockwise or counterclockwise down the drain?
4. How many freckles are on the back of your hand?
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Over the Rainbow Shawl by Nancy Hopf/NRHDesigns
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© Nancy Hopf/NRHDesigns
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Over the Rainbow Shawl
This pattern is available for $5.95 USD
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buy it now or visit pattern website
For more information, see: http://spinayarn2knit.com/patterns.htm


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NAIT looking to sell St. Albert building
Institute to consolidate operations on main campus
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2014 06:00 am
In a move to merge its facilities in Edmonton, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is selling its satellite office building in St. Albert.
The building, located at 506B St. Albert Trail, in the Liberton Square commercial complex, has been up for sale since mid-June. It formerly housed a small business incubator, classrooms and research labs.
All three remaining tenants housed in the buildings� incubator � Swift Media, Zenovia Electronics and the Solar Energy Society of Alberta � have now moved out to other locations in St. Albert.
�We developed a long term vision that�s basically calling for bringing a lot of our sites closer together,� said NAIT spokesperson Frank Landry.
�Right now we have operations in several sites around the capital region, including St. Albert, so we want to consolidate more on our main campus.�
Landry added the building had given NAIT limited flexibility and was underused, partly due to its distance from the main campus.
The institute was also looking to eliminate duplication of services and costs, and increase student access to the main campus.
�It�s all part of a long term approach,� he said.
The St. Albert building was first constructed in 2001 for Fairview College.
In 2004, the college merged with NAIT and the building had since been used as part of the institutes novaNAIT program � an �applied research, innovation and technology transfer department.�
Landry could not comment on who would move into the building next. The building is still for sale.


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This isn't Mom's bacon-dressed spinach salad. The bacon has been replaced with a leaner, lighter and sweeter cured-pork product: prosciutto from Parma. Toasted walnuts add crunch, and the combination picks up zing from a vinegary mix of sauteed onions and apples softened by a little maple syrup. I prefer just a hint of maple, but if you'd like a stronger maple taste, increase the amount of maple syrup you use.
MAKE AHEAD: The dressing can be made up to a day in advance. Bring it to room temperature before using. You might need to mix in a tablespoon of oil or water, your choice, to loosen it up.
4 servings
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced (3/4 cup)
1 large tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 tablespoon maple syrup, or more to taste
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
About 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
6 thin slices Prosciutto di Parma (about 3 ounces total)
1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts (see NOTE)
Heat the oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion; reduce the heat to medium and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion just starts to soften, then stir in the apple. Cook, stirring every minute or so, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the apple softens. It's okay if the onion browns a bit. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small bowl.
Mix in the maple syrup, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Let cool for 15 minutes, then stir in the vinegar. Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Lay the spinach leaves out on a large shallow bowl or platter or individual shallow bowls. Tear the prosciutto into pieces about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide; distribute over and among the spinach leaves. Sprinkle the walnuts over the salad. Spoon the vinaigrette over and toss to coat evenly.
Serve immediately.
NOTE: Toast the nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, shaking the pan as needed to avoid scorching. Let cool before using.
NUTRITION | Per serving: 260 calories, 10 g protein, 15 g carbohydrates, 19 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 700 mg sodium, 3 g dietary fiber, 8 g sugar
Recipe tested by Stephanie Witt Sedgwick; e-mail questions to firstname.lastname@example.com


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Spinner posted this new video by rapper Big Freedia. He told the site, "I recorded the song in response to all the people getting mad at my success. You watch that video, feel that beat and see those dancers coming hard, and I'm like 'Na Who Mad'?" I love seeing the fringe rapper grow his profile and the video is hella fun, even with the ladies dry humping the street. Yaka yaka yaka.
The song is from the his upcoming mixtape, God Save the Queen Diva. You can download this track for free though by clicking here.
Read more Queer Music News after the jump.


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Flexible schedule is available with intern committing to 10 - 15 hours per week.
Must be enrolled in a degree program. Must submit resume, an unofficial transcript, two letters of reference and a cover letter which outlines your area of interest and your availability. Internships are on a volunteer basis.
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3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Enter another bible reference:
v 2.2.7
10 February 2011


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Bus drivers have been warned to watch their speed after one was spotted lighting up warning signs in Cheam.
The Kingston to Sutton 213 bus was spotted triggering a light-up 30mph warning sign meaning it was breaking the speed limit in Malden Road on January 20.
Sutton Bus Garage in Bushey Road
Police have visited the Sutton bus garage, operated by Go Ahead London, to flag up the incident and bosses have promised to speak to drivers about their responsibilities.
A member of the public reported the matter to police after seeing the bus illuminate the sign.
Although the incident indicated the bus was speeding, no formal prosecution can take place as the speed would need to be recorded on a speed gun or camera.
But police have been in touch with the garage to warn bosses of their responsibility.
A spokesman said: "The bus garage has been made aware of this report and the matter has been brought to the attention of the driver.
"Our safer transport team is now working with the bus garage for them to advise their drivers accordingly."
The bus in question is operated by London General, a subsidiary of Go-Ahead London.
A Go Ahead spokesman confirmed a police sergeant visited the Sutton bus garage in Bushey Road on Tuesday.
He added: "He spoke to a member of management about the speed of the bus in question.
"We will make the drivers aware of the incident by the normal means of posting notices just to remind them of the need to watch their speed in residential areas."
The incident has also been flagged up to Sutton councillors who will also be monitoring drivers' behaviour.
Coun Mary Burstow said: "The message could not be clearer - If you spot a speeding bus or lorry, take down the time of day, bus registration and bus number."
Coun Tony Shields also encouraged people to contact the police if they see a bus breaking the speed limit.
If you see a speeding bus you can contact police on 101.


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SHOPPERS at a busy supermarket were tickled pink in the name of charity.
Tesco gave their St Peter's branch a colourful makeover for a pink themed day in aid of Cancer Research UK on Saturday, with the hope of raising awareness and more than £500 in donated funds.
More than 100 members of staff turned the aisles into a sea of pink as they wore pink clothing, ate pink food in the staff room and sold pink rolls fresh from the bakery.
Joanne Pitt, services manager at Tesco St Peter's, said: "Everybody has got into the spirit of it and dressed up in pink. We even one lady dress as a lovely pink princess for all the children.
"We would really, really like to raise over £500, which would be fantastic."
The day also promoted the charity's Race For Life event which will take place at Pitchcroft on Sunday, July 6.


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A MAN has died this morning after a night drinking with friends.
The 27-year-old - named locally as Martin Ball, known as "Marve" - fell unconscious at a house in Harley Avenue, Harwood, in the early hours of this morning.
An ambulance was called at 6.32am after he stopped breathing, and he was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital, but efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead at 7.41am.
It is understood Mr Ball had a pre-existing liver condition, and had returned to the house in Harley Avenue after an evening in the pub.
Police were called by paramedics to the house at 6.54am and carried out door-to-door enquiries about the incident this morning.
However, a spokesman for the force has confirmed they are not treating his death as suspicious.
Tributes have poured in via social media sites for Mr Ball, a former pupil at Bolton College and Thornleigh Salesian College.
On Twitter Col Brooks wrote: "Would just like to say that today is a very sad day! We've lost an absolute legend.
"Marve B (Martin Ball) got some top memories."
Aggz wrote: "Such sad news... Too many young people dying these days... RIP Martin Ball."
On Facebook Steven Burns wrote: "Rip he was a crackin fella", and Rob Tully said: "Rip Marve. Gone too soon."
Phil Luti added: "Legend, sleep tight bro x".
Residents at the house in Harley Avenue said they were too upset to speak to The Bolton News.


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Discussion of the nature of Ultimate Reality and the path to Enlightenment
Carl wrote:Wtf? The show was a trading of opinions. Show me your dick and I'll show you mine. No reasoning, just beliefs. Pleasant enough, but Kevin seemed to lurch abruptly through his list of questions as if he'd never held a conversation before, and it was over in a flash.
Carl G wrote:Wtf? The show was a trading of opinions. Show me your dick and I'll show you mine. No reasoning, just beliefs.
Dan Rowden wrote:Personally I think this guy's "movement" and its catholic trappings make a total mockery of his spiritual "philosophy". Robes and crosses and sacraments? I mean, what's that all about?
tooyi wrote:Have you considered the fairness/clarity of the shows as you simply fire the questions without there being a visible agenda for the piece? Of course, the talk brings up the stuff and new questions. But, to have some kind of spine for the talk that also the interviewed could plan beforehand for.
The whole question of the relation of God's omnipotence and goodness to evil (instead of the differentiation that God accomplishes the good and merely permits the evil) is resolved quite simply in the following way. The greatest good, after all, which can be done for a being, greater than anything else that one can do for it, is to make it free. In order to do just that, omnipotence is required. This seems strange, since it is precisely omnipotence that supposedly would make [a being] dependent. But if one will reflect on omnipotence, he will see that it also must contain the unique qualification of being able to withdraw itself again in a manifestation of omnipotence in such a way that precisely for this reason that which has been originated through omnipotence can be independent. This is why one human being cannot make another person wholly free, because the one who has power is himself captive in having it and therefore continually has a wrong relationship to the one whom he wants to make free. Moreover, there is a finite self-love in all finite power (talent, etc). Only omnipotence can withdraw itself at the same time it gives itself away, and the relationship is the very independence of the reciever. God's omnipotence is therefore his goodness. For goodness is to give oneself away completely, but in such a way that by omnipotently taking oneself back one makes the recipient independent. All finite power makes [a being] dependent; only omnipotence can make [a being] independent, can force from nothing something which has its continuity in itself through the continual withdrawing of omnipotence. Omnipotence is not ensconced in a relationship to another, for there is no other to which it is comparable - no, it can give without giving up the least of its power, i.e., it can make [a being] independent. It is incomprehensible that omnipotence is not only able to create the most impressive of all things - the whole visible world - but is able to create the most fragile of all things - a being independent of that very omnipotence. Omnipotence, which can handle the world so toughly and with such a heavy hand, can also make itself so light that what it has brought into existence receives independence. Only a wretched and mundane conception of the dialectic of power holds that it is greater and greater in proportion to its ability to compel and to make dependent. No, Socrates had a sounder understanding; he knew that the art of power lies precisely in making another free. But in the relationship between man and man this can never be done, even though it needs to be emphasized again and again that this is the highest; only omnipotence can truly succeed in this. Therefore if man had the slightest independent existence over against God (with regard to materia), then God could not make him free. Creation out of nothing is once again the Almighty's expression for being able to make [a being] independent. He to whom I owe absolutely everything, has in fact made me independent. If in creating man God himself lost a little of his power, then precisely what he could not do would be to make man independent.
I'm not sure I fully understand this piece by Kierkegaard, but I think it has something to do with God and evil, which Kevin and Peter were talking about in this episode
Kevin Solway wrote:I was trying to make the point that since God is all things, evil (ignorance) is necessarily a part of God. This is indisputable, based on the definition of "God". But that doesn't mean that God is evil, because a thing is only evil if it does evil. God has evil as part of his being, but doesn't do evil. God doesn't "do" things, because he is all things. There is nothing for him to do.
Ataraxia wrote:Clearly Father Bowes is a believer in intelligent design.
Secondly on the subject of literal reincarnation not only did Kevin try and 'save' him he even agreed literal reincarnation was plausable-"entirely possible" was the term i think he used.
Well i'm highly suprised to read you say such a thing.In fact it seems you're equivocating rather like the Father.It is in fact entirely possible that the contents of our consciousness are somehow transferred to another body when we die. There's absolutely no evidence that this does happen, and there doesn't appear to be any mechanism whereby this can happen, but it's still possible.
That's what I had in mind.
For example, if we were able to download the entire contents of a person's brain before they died, and then upload it into the brain of a healthy body, that would be at least some sort of a "reincarnation" of the kind Peter wants to believe in.
Kutadanta: You believe that beings are reborn,
that they migrate in the evolution of life,
and that subject to the law of karma we must reap what we sow.
Yet you also teach the non-existence of the soul!
Your disciples praise utter self-extinction
as the highest bliss of Nirvana.
If I am merely a combination of the sankharas,
my existence will cease when I die.
If I am merely a compound of sensations and ideas and desires,
where can I go at the dissolution of the body?
Buddha: O Brahman, you are religious and earnest.
You are seriously concerned about your soul.
Yet your work is in vain because you are lacking
in the one thing that is needful.
There is rebirth of character,
but no transmigration of a self.
Your thought-forms reappear,
but there is no ego-entity transferred.
The stanza uttered by a teacher
is reborn in the student who repeats the words.
Only through ignorance and delusion do men indulge in the dream
that their souls are separate and self-existent entities.
Your heart, O Brahman, is still cleaving to self;
you are anxious about heaven,
but you seek the pleasures of self in heaven,
and thus you cant not see the bliss of truth
and the immortality of truth.
Kevin Solway wrote:I'm not sure what "beliefs" you're referring to.
Ataraxia wrote:Well i'm highly suprised to read you say such a thing. In fact it seems you're equivocating rather like the Father.It is in fact entirely possible that the contents of our consciousness are somehow transferred to another body when we die. There's absolutely no evidence that this does happen, and there doesn't appear to be any mechanism whereby this can happen, but it's still possible.
That's what I had in mind.
Carl G wrote:Kevin Solway wrote:I'm not sure what "beliefs" you're referring to.
I'd have to listen again, but I recall you kept using phrases like "in my view" and "my position is" instead of "this is logically what must be." That is the phraseology of opinion and belief. I was somewhat surprised by that, from you.
Alex Jacob wrote:Kevin wrote:I could have opened up the program saying, "I know everything there is to know about God, so I can tell you exactly where you're going wrong", but I don't think that would have gone down too well.
But you might just as well start from this assertion, it would certainly be more honest. It would likely make a more interesting show too, no pussy-footing and less mincing of words.
a naturalistic doctrine
Your model seems essentially naturalistic, or biological, and this view stands pretty starkly in contrast even with many of your own 'source books' and source personalities: Kirkegaard, Ramakrishna for example.
your---seemingly---mental ordering.
This sort of mental ordering, where the totality of the person does not really seem to appear (that is, with the emotions of the individual, the general panorama of 'experience' which is far more than the sum total of the mental aspect of the person; of sentience, a sort of internal connectedness, etc.)
in the podcast: almost astoundingly boring, quite useless, devoid of any real 'juice' of the human being
I think Father Bowles expresses what I think is a far more 'real' sort of connectedness with 'God', as an inner experience that everyone can have, if they make the effort, make the sacrifice.
the symbols and 'myths' of Christianity seem to make more sense as inner maps, or guided meditations if you will.
The symbolism is ancient, the symbols potent, and the meaning intuitively realizable.
What is being asserted and to what conduces these assertions?
Personally, I believe that the quest for absolutes is its own stumbling block.
I guess you either go into that inner world and find out what is there, or you erect all these edifices in your head, and confuse them with the inner world, that you experience yet don't control.
Kevin Solway wrote:The devil himself, so to speak, must have a great panaroma of experience - but it's not one that I want.
Peter Bowes wrote:Kevin wrote:With regard to evolution, it has been suggested that you believe in "intelligent design".
Would you mind outlining your reasons as to how you believe it is possible that God (the All) could be conscious, given that there is nothing other than itself.
Also, you said that God's consciousness was different to our own. Could you please explain exactly in what way is it different?
Further, you seemed to agree when I said that the only way God could be conscious is *through us*. Do you actually agree with this idea? Because if you do, then you wouldn't believe in intelligent design, since we ourselves are not designers of evolution (not *yet* at any rate).
God is conscious of God's Self and completely perfect in God's awareness of God's own being. Just as a human being can be aware of itself, so can God, since we are made in the spiritual image of God. We are the microcosm (little world) and God is the macrocosm (great world). If you say that since God is all, then God cannot be conscious of God's Self, then you attribute a limitation to God that is not possible for God. God is Infinite and unlimited. God can look, feel and sense within God's own being and thus be conscious of God's Self. God is a Being who personally knows and understands each human being and every other created thing within God. God is within the chest of every person and unfortunately that is the last place human beings look for God. God is not in the frontal lobe, as a concept in one's mind. God is not a contrivance for the misled who need to postulate a God to explain things to their childish fears. God is the Mother and Father of all things and is intimately and personally connected to everyone and everything. God is more than everything because God is deeper than matter and more rarified than the most tenuous ether. God is a Spirit and those who know God, worship God in spirit and in truth.
God's consciousness is different from ours in that God is big and we are little. God is the creator and we are the created. We don't create God, even in our arrogance of imagining we can conceive of God without experiencing God. God loves perfectly and we are learning to love that way. God makes all expressions of any worth possible due to the benevolence of God's intelligence. There is only one intelligence and anyone who opens to that intelligence will be able to express some portion of God's intelligence. Intelligence is infinite and does not generate from an individual person. Intelligence as well as all good things are on loan to human beings. We don't own anything except our experience.
As for intelligent design or other forms of evolution: all forms in the material world go through changes where things fall away which are no longer useful and other forms come on line that are new developments that are needed for the times. Human beings were created as a separate creation aside from and much higher than and exceptionally unique from the primate chimps and gorillas. Human beings were created as souls and not merely as an instinctual species. That primates forms resembled human beings is no proof that they changed one day into human beings. Humans were a unique creation made in God's image and likeness, not physically, but spiritually. We are creative and made to be responsible for the earth and everything on it. But even some human changes have occurred in the last few thousand years that are necessary from an evolutionary point of view. For example, we have less tearing teeth because we are more refined in our food choices. We have less hair than when we had less skill in making clothing to warm ourselves. We are losing the need for the appendix as it seems less and less useful to our needs.
The next phase will be loss of working memory due to computers and internet habits.
Hope this hleps
Father Peter
Bowes : God is more than everything because God is deeper than matter and more rarified than the most tenuous ether. God is a Spirit and those who know God, worship God in spirit and in truth.
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source GAIA package: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201310310060010_5675.zip Origin key: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201310310060010 imported at Fri Jan 8 18:18:11 2016
The Air Force could lose up to 78 C-130s as the Defense Department determines its intra-theater airlift requirement, Air Mobility Command officials said.
The results of a Defense Department study are classified, but one proposal calls for cutting the C-130 fleet from 358 to 280 aircraft, officials said.
"There is a disagreement on total numbers; I think we'll land right about 300," said Gen. Paul Selva, head of Air Mobility Command.
The conversation about how many C-130s the Air Force needs is "not over," Selva stressed while speaking to reporters during the Air Force Association's recent Air & Space Conference.
"My position is that the fleet itself is affordable," he said on Sept. 17. "The question is how we deploy the fleet and who employs the fleet."
Normally, the Air Force could cut costs by moving planes into the Air National Guard and Reserve, but more than 70 percent of C-130s already belong to the reserve component, Selva said.
"If the department were to declare them excess, it would be very difficult to move them into a Guard or Reserve unit," he said.
Once all sides agree how many C-130s the Air Force needs, Air Mobility Command will not budget for any aircraft beyond the new intra-theater airlift requirement, command spokesman Lt. Col. John Thomas said.
The idea of cutting C-130s was first mentioned by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in July when he unveiled the results of a study that looked at how the military could trim spending if budget cuts known as sequestration last into fiscal 2015 and beyond. "The Air Force could reduce tactical aircraft squadrons, potentially as many as five, and cut the size of the C-130 fleet with minimal risk," Hagel said at a July 31 news briefing.
However, Congress has the final say about how many C-130s the Air Force needs, even if that number is above the new requirement.
"We will do what Congress tells us we need to do," Thomas said.
The Air Force ended up with 32 more C-130s in its inventory than planned in 2013, after a tense battle with Congress over plans to eliminate the Air National Guard's fleet of new C-27J cargo planes. Congress directed the Air Force to retain 32 cargo planes, but told service leaders to decide whether those planes would be C-27Js or C-130s. The Air Force opted for C-130s.
Because they are flown by so many Guard and Reserve units, C-130s have many fans in Congress, including Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. In June, Wicker said he was working on an amendment that would prohibit the Air Force from divesting intra-theater airlifters until 120 days after a congressionally mandated commission on the structure of the Air Force delivers its recommendations in February.
The commission is one of two entities looking at force structure following the Air Force's disastrous attempt to cut personnel and aircraft from the Guard and Reserve in the fiscal 2013 budget. Worried about local units, lawmakers were able to reverse most of the proposed cuts, including plans to retire 22 C-130Hs.
At a June 12 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Wicker said he was concerned about the Air Force's own Total Force Task Force — comprised of one three-star general from each of the service's three components — which is looking at the most cost-effective way of redistributing missions among the active-duty force, Guard and Reserve.
"I'm convinced that some elements of the [Air Force's plans] were shortsighted and may adversely impact our intra-theater airlift capability at a time when our services are evolving toward a more rotational deployment model," Wicker said.


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CURRENT pupils or school leavers have been urged to join an apprentice scheme for Severn Trent Water.
Anyone with at least five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades A* - C , including Maths and English, or who is expecting to achieve those grades this year, can apply.
There are 16 places for either a two-year operational technician apprenticeship or a four-year advanced apprenticeship in electrical, maintenance or instrumentation skills.
Kayleigh Bessim is an apprentice operations and maintenance technician for Severn Trent Water .
She said: "I was working in a pub and saw an advert on the apprenticeship website and applied for a role in engineering.
"I was told about another role in operations and maintenance that sounded really interesting – so applied for that one as well.
"There was lots of outdoor work and it's very hands on, which I like."
More information is available at severntrent.com/apprentices. The closing date is in early March and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.


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Snag Octavia Spencer's Brilliant Blue Critic's Choice Awards Look for Less
Octavia Spencer's brilliant blue Tadashi Shoji look at the Critic's Choice Awards was a cut above the rest. Here's how to get it for less!
-Lucia Peters
Wowzers! Did Octavia Spencer look fabulous at the Critic's Choice Awards last Thursday or what? Resplendent in a blue, she wowed the crowd in a sequined Tadashi Shoji creation accessorized with teardrop earrings, peep-toe heels, a gorgeous clutch, and pink nails and lips.
Love the look, but don't love the price? We hear you—Tadashi Shoji's designs aren't cheap, after all! Luckily, we've found a lookalike outfit you can rock on your next big night out that's way more wallet-friendly. Our dress may not have sequins on it, but the crossover front mimics the gathered front of Octavia's dress, and the effect is spectacular.
Read Score Emma Stone's Red Hot 'Gangster Squad' Look for Less
Here's how to get the look:
Blue crossover front dress ($79, dorothyperkins.com), Enzo Angiolini 'Vitizzo' pump ($99.95, shop.nordstrom.com), copper-tone stone 'Montana' teardrop earrings ($36.50, macys.com), Natasha Couture 'Glitter' clutch ($68, shop.nordstrom.com), Tarte LipSurgence lip luster in Light Pink ($24, tartecosmetics.com), CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail gloss in Tickled Pink ($4.99, drugstore.com).
Lucia Peters is BettyConfidential's associate editor.


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Vancouver parks budget ends years of cost cutting
After four years of spending cuts, the Vancouver park board won't be tightening its belt any further in 2013.
"For us, it's good news," Vision Vancouver park commissioner Aaron Jasper told the Straight in a phone interview. The board votes Thursday (December 13) on finalizing its budget for next year.
Jasper explained that although the overall park budget climbed from $99.6 million in 2009 to $103.8 million in 2012, the increases weren't enough to cover rising costs. He said that the board had to trim expenses totalling $5 million during those years.
According to Jasper, the cuts included reducing the frequency of grass cutting at 14 percent of "passive areas" in parks across the city starting in 2011, which produced a "meadow look" in these spots. This has saved the board $150,000 per year.
"We want to make sure that the playing fields and the playgrounds and all that stuff is still cut, but it actually worked out pretty good," the park commissioner said. "So it begs the question: well, does every blade of grass need to be cut? Is it okay to let some of the grass be a little longer on some of the edges?"
Jasper maintained that while grass cutting in these passive areas was reduced, the park board managed to increase grass mowing in neighbourhood parks outside the downtown area from 13 times in 2011 to 15 times in 2012.
"The choice that we made was that all our core programming and recreational services were provided and affordable," Jasper said.
In an interview on December 3, Non-Partisan Association park commissioner Melissa De Genova said she's not pleased with the way parks are being maintained. "I just don't think that we're maintaining our parks and cutting our grass the way we should be," De Genova told the Straight by phone.
De Genova also indicated that she wants the park board to restore 900 operating hours at community centres across the city that were cut this year.
In 2013, the park board will spend $106.2 million. This does not include the $14 million initially allocated for capital or infrastructure expenses. In a meeting on December 11, city council approved a $3-million increase to the park board's capital budget. According to Jasper, this increase will be used to upgrade field houses and park washrooms.
2 Comments
Dec 12, 2012 at 10:22pm
They're not mentioning the sanitation services that were cut to absolute bare bones. Whatever you do, don't look into the bushes in Stanley Park. The garbage is only being picked up in places where people drive by.
Dec 13, 2012 at 1:50pm
NOT cutting grass everywhere is one of the best things they've done in years. Besides the obvious cost savings crazy things start happening when you don't mow constantly. Wild flowers start to appear, you get a more diverse range of plant and insect life and then surprise surprise, other wildlife does better too - songbirds for instance.
We're way too obsessed with this idea that "cut" grass is somehow better. Obviously nobody wants to be kicking a soccer ball around with knee-high grass everywhere, but there is certainly no harm in treating non-playfield areas a little more naturally.


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As a reflection of its growth in the Phoenix market, Bankers Trust hosted a Grand Opening celebration at its new, larger location at 2325 Camelback Road, Suite 100, just one block north of its former North 24th Street address on Tuesday. To commemorate a key factor in the branch's growth ― its emphasis on giving back to the community ― the event included presenting the first-ever Bankers Trust Community Partner Award to Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine, CEO and President of Native American Connections (NAC). Pat Rourke, Phoenix Market President for Bankers Trust Company, presented the award alongside Suku Radia, CEO and President of Bankers Trust Company.
Rourke said, "We created the $3,000 annual award to recognize an individual who shares Bankers Trust's core values in the areas of diversity, affordable housing and financial education, and who has made a significant, positive impact in the local community. Dede Devine certainly epitomizes those values, and we are thrilled to recognize and support her and Native American Connections in this way."
For more than 30 years, Devine has served as CEO of NAC, which is a Native American-operated nonprofit corporation that provides comprehensive behavioral health services, affordable housing and community-based economic development opportunities primarily to Native Americans living in Phoenix and nearby tribal communities. Radia said, "In 2011, NAC opened Devine Legacy on Central. This 65-unit, multi-family development enhances access to affordable housing in Phoenix, something we at Bankers Trust are keenly concerned about and want to support whenever possible."
Devine said, "As CEO of Native American Connections for 34 years, my leadership and values are layered across the organization and mirror the commitment of Bankers Trust to diversity, personal service, leadership and stability. Like Bankers Trust, Native American Connections' ability to serve our customers is dependent on wonderful relationships and partnerships. It is an honor to be recognized by Bankers Trust for leading a team of mission-driven employees."


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Happy Holidays friends. Last week my pal Kari and I got together to play around with some winter cocktail ideas. She came up with tasty delights that I am excited to share with you during this festive time of year.
2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Preserved Lemon Syrup
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
2 oz fresh Cranberries
Toss fresh cranberries in a dry pan on high heat until blistered and soft. Muddle cranberries in a shaker and shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and scoop some cranberry on top. Garnish with skewered cranberries.
Eggnog Cocktail
1 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup
1/2 oz Root Liquor
1/2 oz Egg Nog
Dash of Bitters
Grated Nutmeg
Combine and shake vodka, Ginger Syrup, Root and bitters. Strain into a glass and slowly top off with eggnog. Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.
Mulled Cider
1/2 Cup Bourbon
2 Cups Water
4 oz Morris Kitchen Spiced Apple Syrup
1 tbs star anise
1 tbs clove
4-5 orange slices
3-4 cinnamon sticks
makes a pot 4-5 servings


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Photos: Anne Hathaway's Wedding Gown!
Anne Hathaway pulled a fast one! She quietly married Adam Shulman this weekend in California!
-PJ Gach
Anne Hathaway's been telling everyone that she's getting married next year. Ha! This past Saturday, Anne married her fiancé, Adam Shulman, in a small ceremony at the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur, California.
Read Treat Yourself: Meet Our September Bestselling Designers!
Anne's flowing gown with lace detailing and matching organza veil was designed by Valentino. Months ago the designer told People, "I am so happy for Anne. And I would do my best creation for her.. She wears the clothes very, very well. So I would do something special."
The intimate wedding was planned by Yifat Oren and Stefanie Cove, the same planners who worked on Natalie Portman's wedding. The small wedding was held at Sunset by a cliff. The 180 guests were just friends and family of Anne and Andrew! In case you were wondering, Anne picked pink and white for her wedding colors. The room was decked out in those shades. And not a single celeb was invited to the couple's big day.
Guests sat down to a vegan menu. The dinner was decorated with $100,000 worth of flowers created by The Velvet Garden. In keeping with the vintage feel of the gown, guests listened to music from The Americano Social Cub; a jazz trio.
Congrats, Anne and Adam!
PJ Gach is Senior Editor: Style + Beauty at BettyConfidential.


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Zim Integrated Shipping Services
Zim Integrated Shipping services is Israel's largest shipping company. Established in 1945, Zim operates a fleet of 89 vessels with a total carrying capacity of 363,474 TEUs (20-foot-equivalent units), making it the world's 18th largest shipping company.
The Haifa-based company is a subsidiary of Israel Corp. Its U.S. headquarters is in Norfolk, Virginia. The shipping company posted revenues of US$3.7 billion in 2013-- down 7 percent on a year on year basis. The company recorded a net loss of $535 million, up 23.5 percent from the previous year's net loss of $433 million.
Zim was the 17th-ranked container carrier in U.S containerized import trade in 2013, with volume of 313,180 TEUs, down 5.1 percent year-over-year, giving it market share of 1.7 percent. It was No. 19 in U.S. containerized export trade in 2013, with volume of 246,790 TEUs, down 6.4 percent year-over-year and market share of 1.9 percent. For more carrier rankings see the JOC's Top 40 Container Carriers special topic.
Press Releases
- Page 1
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Yesterday, at Narciso Rodriguez's show, close readers of show notes might have noticed a little symbol next to many of the look descriptions in his running list: the Woolmark swirl. It's the latest example of what seems to me a growing trend of industry suppliers coming out from behind the curtain to promote, publicly, their raw materials as luxury brands in themselves – the luxury behind branded luxury if you will. Aside from Woolmark, the World Gold Council has also launched an up with gold initiative (that's me paraphrasing), both along the lines of what Saga furs and Swarovski did before them. Want to know why you see what you see on the catwalk? Cherchez les suppliers! Read more
© The Financial Times Ltd 2016 FT and 'Financial Times' are trademarks of The Financial Times Ltd.


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Dear All,
I'm trying to use this class to add some scheduling functionality to my application.
At now I'm working around a script configurator utility, see the attached image with name image1.jpg.
With the aid of the script configurator I should be able to choose the day of the week, the month and the starting time in a set spanning from 00 to 23 (24h format) with the freedom to choose the starting minutes that will be the same for every hour selected (if is possible select also a custom minute for every hour this should be the best choice but at this time I don't know if this is possible).
Suppose that you like to start a job every January and February on Monday and Thursday at this time 00:30, 12:30, and 23:30 In my thinking I've to set the form as shown in image2.jpg.
Now I like to know how to compose the command string that I've to pass to the scheduler in order to setup this job.
From the web page http://pythonhosted.org/APScheduler/cronschedule.html I think that the configuration string should be this one:
sched.add_cron_job(job_function, month='1-2', day='mon-thu', hour='0-12-23', minute=30)
but I'm not sure if this is correct, someone have better knowledge on the subject and can give me a hint?
Also to choose a arbitray minutes is possible to setup the scheduler with the minutes specified inside the hour tag like:
hour = '0:15-12:10-23:30'
to fire event at 00:15, 12:10 and 23:30?
Thanks in advance and
best regards


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The Crap We Missed – Monday 9.10.12
Welcome to Monday's The Crap We Missed that I actually had to whittle down because Jesus was there a ton of fuckery afoot today. I'm just gonna jump right into it with Bieber's little bro getting further with Selena than Justin ever has, Halle Berry recognizing the importance of film promotion, Meg Ryan, who apparently borrowed Madonna's arms for this shopping trip, The Smith Family Portrait that will make you want to kick your monitor into the sun, just say no to whatever the fuck these two are on, and finally, Jonah Hill holding a bag of food in public. Bad move, son. The Internet's always watching. Always.
Hell yes, today's Final Five is also today's Bonus Gallery, and if you've got a problem with that, let me point you to a post more to your liking,
- Photo Boy
Click Here To Start The Gallery
Photo: Bauer-Griffin, Fame/Flynet, Getty, INFdaily, Pacific Coast News, Splash News, WENN


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The Crap We Missed – Friday 12.27.13
Welcome to Friday's The Crap We Missed which hopefully finds you more relaxed than you were two days ago when you tried to explain why Obamacare had nothing to do with everyone's UPS packages being late until you gave up and stabbed your own neck with a salad fork. It's starting to really make sense why rich people just flee to the Caribbean every Christmas, which is exactly what you're going to find in this gallery. Most notable, is Rihanna in Barbados on a boat full of dudes, so if your coconut water tastes like buttsex for the next couple weeks, you know why. Then there's Russell Simmons and the boat he mistook for a Russian prostitute, as well as best bros Magic Johnson and Tom Arnold. Wait, what?
Back Monday for another gutshot holiday work week that made me think today was Tuesday — WHERE ARE YOUR NEW RELEASES, REDBOX?!
- Photo Boy
Click Here To Start The Gallery
Photo: Fame/Flynet, Getty, INFphoto, Pacific Coast News, Splash News, WENN


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Phils can't overcome Doc's struggles in Atlanta
Halladay allows two shots, lasts just 3 1/3; Utley breaks up shutout late
ATLANTA -- Despite reassurances and proclamations everything would be fine with Roy Halladay, privately the Phillies could not have been completely surprised with what they witnessed Wednesday at Turner Field.
Halladay has not pitched like himself in quite some time.
Nobody knows if he will regain that dominant form, but on this night, he slogged through 3 1/3 innings in a 9-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, which only swelled concerns and doubts following a troubling Spring Training. He allowed six hits, five runs, three walks and two home runs, although he also struck out nine to become the first pitcher since 1916 to strike out nine in less than 3 2/3 innings.
"I'm going to fix it. I'm going to fix it," said a visibly aggravated Halladay in front of his locker. "It will be fixed. And the results will be better.
"I'm frustrated. I should have gotten deeper than that. Not aggressive enough early in the count and went deep counts, and that's the most frustrating part, really. I'm going to clean that up and be more aggressive. I've got to be more aggressive getting ahead of guys and putting guys away. I can't take three or four pitches to put guys away. We can take ground balls earlier in the count and do something to be more efficient and go deeper. I'd rather get beat 20-0 and pitch eight innings than pitch 3 1/3. So that's got to change. But I felt good, felt good in the bullpen and felt good on the mound."
The right-hander threw 95 pitches, but just 55 strikes. Forty-seven of those pitches were offspeed, as he seemed to get away from his fastball following a rough first inning. His bloated pitch count forced Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to take the ball from Halladay's hand in the bottom of the fourth inning.
But Manuel, like Halladay, put a positive spin on things afterward.
"I still say he's going to be all right," the manager said.
The Phillies only can hope, because if Halladay continues to struggle like this, their chances to return to the postseason take a hit.
Halladay's first inning could not have gone much worse. He allowed three hits, three runs, two walks and one home run as he threw 40 pitches (23 strikes) to hand the Braves a 3-0 lead. Jason Heyward got jammed on a 90-mph cutter, but muscled the ball to right field for a one-out single. Justin Upton followed and fell behind 0-2, but crushed a 91-mph fastball to right-center field for a two-run home run.
"We talked about going away to him," Halladay said of the pitch to Upton. "If we were going in, we were going to stand him up. We went in with a low target, which isn't what we wanted to do. You're not going to get him out there. What I wanted to do wasn't executed."
Halladay walked Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla before Juan Francisco hit a 1-1 cutter past Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard for a single to score Freeman.
Halladay hit 92 mph once with his fastball, but he found most of his success with his offspeed pitches. He struck out three batters in a perfect second, coming on two changeups and one curveball. He struck out two more batters in the third, coming on changeups. Halladay's first eight outs came on strikeouts before Francisco grounded out to Howard to end the third inning.
But the Braves continued to hit anything hard, including Evan Gattis' solo home run to left field in the fourth inning. The homer came on a 0-1 cutter tracked at 88 mph.
"Not velocity-wise," said Heyward, when asked if Halladay looked like the pitcher the Braves had seen in the past. "But he has a lot of weapons. So it was no surprise to see the strikeouts. Once he gets two strikes against you with him, he can go whatever way he wants and pick at you. We did wear him down and we made sure we got some pitches to hit. When we hit him, we hit him hard."
Halladay recorded his only out on a cutter or sinker when he struck out Braves pitcher Paul Maholm for his only out in the fourth.
"The cutter was better, the sinker was better," Halladay insisted. "Everything was better, and that's the frustrating part. You go into the bullpen and feel so good, go into the game and feel good. You're making quality pitches; four or five pitches over the course of a game cost you. ... I feel the arm strength is there where every pitch doesn't have to be on the black. It just has to be down so we can get more ground balls and be more efficient. That's something we need to work on and address -- quickly."
Asked if he understood the concerns about his results or if he thought the doom-and-gloom talk was ridiculous, Halladay said, "I feel like the progressions have been there, the results haven't, and that's frustrating. But I feel like they are going to come. I want them to come sooner than they have, and I'm pushing for them to come sooner than they have, and sometimes that's part of the problem."
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Brewer at the Legislature: Wind energy is testament to greed
Groene at the Legislature: Holding NRDs responsible
More opinion
NFU urges smooth, transparent transition to Fair Trade framework
New interim executive director named for state brand committee
More Ag News
The city will spend more than $25,000 this summer for 36 new golf carts at Iron Eagle, following action Tuesday by the North Platte city council.
Miller and Sons is the largest golf cart supplier in the nation, a golf course spokesman said at the council meeting.
Under the terms, the city will lease the 36 TXT 48 golf carts (called golf cars) for $116 each per month. The lease starts in May and the term is for 55 months, which would be at the end of the citys contract with Landscapes Golf Group, the Lincoln company that was hired last year to manage the course.
The existing fleet of 36 carts at the course 2007 Yamahas will be bought by Miller and Sons for the amount the city owes on the carts about $950 each. But the city wont net much on that deal, because in turn, the city will pay Miller and Sons $900 per cart when the new lease agreement expires in five years.
Miller and Sons will toss in two gas-powered carts at no additional cost, under the agreement.
Councilman Larry Campbell asked if there was a local company to work with, but the course spokesman said Miller and Sons is the best, and besides there are no local companies, except those that handle repairs and service.
It was a short but productive meeting for the council, with all members present.
No parking
The council also agreed to ban parking on both sides and the center of the cul-de-sac beneath the overpass on Poplar St., from Front St. south approximately 140 feet.
Councilman Martin Steinbeck asked for an explanation. The citys contracted engineer Tom Werblow said vehicles that park there partially block access to a city storage building, making it difficult to get trucks and trailers in and out safely.
In other action, the council:
Approved the mayors appointed department heads: City Administrator Jim Hawks, Finance Director Dawn Miller, City Clerk Angela Gilbert, Director of Development Jim Hawks, Fire Chief Paul Pedersen, City Attorney Doug Stack, Library Director Cecilia Lawrence, Police Chief Mike Swain, Public Service Director Wes Meyer, Utility Business Manager Jim Hawks and City Physician Dr. Leland Lamberty.
Passed an ordinance on third reading establishing higher fees for renewal of operating licenses for multiple dwellings or rooming houses. The fee is $65. The city code still stated the fee was $17.50, so the code was changed to fit the current fee.
Amended the municipal code on third reading relating to free-standing signs in an F-1 district and permitted signs in an H-1 district and also amended on third reading the code relating to setback and height regulations in a hospital district, paving the way for signs for the expansions at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
Approved requests from Adams Bank and Trust, Bank of the West, Equitable Bank, Farmers State Bank of Wallace and North Platte, First National Bank, Great Western Bank, NebraskaLand National Bank, Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust, Sandhills State Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to be depository banks for city funds for 2013.
Accepted the Mayors appointment of Dan McGuire and Gayla Ward to the Library Advisory Board.
Accepted improvements and certificate of completion for street improvements downtown on East 5th from Bailey to the west right-of-way of Dewey St.
Accepted improvements and certificate of completion of street improvements on 18th St. from Hayes to Miles.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
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