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"WE'VE had a lot of people crying," said a cheery Karl Willcox, purveyor of what is billed as Swindon's hottest pub curry.
Had I not been about to try it myself, I would probably have been as amused as him.
"Grown men crying," he added, warming to his theme. "Obviously there's lots of perspiration, and we sell an awful lot of milk during that time.
"Somebody ran off to Tesco for yoghurt because we don't sell it here."
Karl has been landlord of The Abbey Mead in Elstree Way since last August, although he's been at the pub for nearly three years.
As its many regulars know, the place is a community hub as well as a local.
"We're trying to make it a traditional community pub," Karl said. "There are events and offers that attract families. That includes children's parties, the Easter egg hunt.
"Then you have the things for adults, such as live music, darts competitions, quizzes.
"It's essential for people to feel comfortable and get into a gathering place in the heart of the community that's not going to cost them anything, basically.
"We get a lot of groups coming in; school groups meeting, football teams meeting. We don't hire out parts of the pub – they're more than welcome.
"We've had church meetings here – we've got the church next door. The Wessex Male Choir practice next door and then pop in here. Swindon hockey teams come here on Saturdays after their matches.
"It's a place where all sorts can go."
The menu runs to several laminated A3 pages and lists dozens of dishes from light snacks to full meals, all of them carefully crafted to put a smile on the face of the diner.
All except one.
"When we took the franchise on in August last year, we changed the menu to include lots of things we didn't normally sell.
"One of them is a super hot curry. The original was called Cut Throat, which had a Naga chilli rating of five. That would put it alongside a Vindaloo.
"It was very popular for people to try but not a lot of people finished it."
Some did finish it though; an average of two people a month over eight months. A gauntlet had been thrown down.
"Because people were finishing it we've changed it and made it hotter," Karl added.
It's now got a chilli rating of seven, which is equivalent to a Phaal. It's called Hot as Hell.
"There's a warning on the till: when somebody orders something it comes up: 'Warn the customer it's very hot.' So there are no mistakes."
It's been on sale for three weeks. Many have tried, many have cried but only one has finished it.
Just £5.80 buys the chilli-heavy curry plus chilli or rice, chutney, naan, poppadum – and pain. Oh yes, plenty of pain.
I managed about eight forks' worth before my head turned the colour of the end of a Swan Vesta. The ensuing endorphin high was so intense that I seriously considered trying to finish the demonic thing. Then I came to my senses, for which I thank whatever deities protect fools.
Hot as Hell looks like any other curry, but the heat paints every surface of your mouth with pain in about two seconds flat.
Your experience may vary, but I found that pain to be not quite as intense as I'd feared. At least I wasn't going to end up rolling about screaming, like those nutters on YouTube who film themselves eating raw chillies. I should also point out that the pleasant taste of the chicken and spices isn't masked by the agony – which is the only point in its favour. But then Hot as Hell reached my stomach. Remember that bit in the first Alien film when somebody takes a scalpel to a dead face-hugger and its blood starts eating through the floor? Think of a bowl of that blood with some side dishes and a napkin.
If there's a hotter pub curry in this town, I'd love to hear about it. Or look at it or smell it – just not necessarily taste it.
Oh, and to answer the question many readers realise can't be asked explicitly in a family newspaper: Yes, several hours later, and worse than any torment dreamed up by de Sade.


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Winter Preparedness Information
Fairfax County Office of Public
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Nov. 30, 2005
Dec. 4-10 Is Proclaimed Winter Preparedness Week in Virginia; First Official Day of Winter Is Almost Here
County Residents Encouraged to Note Precautions for Cold Weather Season
Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner has declared the week of Dec. 4-10 as "Winter Preparedness Week" in the commonwealth of Virginia. And Wednesday, Dec. 21 will signal the first official day of winter. With the beginning of winter and colder weather, Fairfax County encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe.
Cold Temperatures and Wind Chill
The wind chill indicates how cold people and animals feel when outside. According to the National Weather Service, wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin that is caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the body's internal temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder.
For example, if the temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is minus 19 F. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes. If you are going to be outside, the American Red Cross encourages you to:
- Dress appropriately. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low.
- Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or overexertion, which can lead to heat illness.
- Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears, since most body heat is lost through your head.
- Wear mittens as they provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry, and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
- After coming inside, get out of wet clothes immediately, and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids such as hot cider or soup. Avoid caffeine or alcohol in cases of hypothermia or frostbite.
- Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
- Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
Shoveling Snow
According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, shoveling snow is hard on your body. Research has shown the energy used to shovel snow is similar to playing singles tennis or speed walking at 5 mph. If there is any reason that shoveling snow might be dangerous for you, such as a heart condition, consult your doctor before picking up a shovel.
Emergency Supply Kit
Since ice storms and blizzards can knock down power lines, freeze water pipes and prevent you from traveling, county residents should be sure to have a home emergency supply kit, including:
- At least a three-day supply of food that won't spoil.
- Three gallons of water per person, per day.
- A battery-powered radio (people with hearing impairments should consider signing up for the Community Emergency Alert Network at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean and obtaining a cell phone with text messaging capacity).
- A flashlight with extra batteries.
- First-aid kit.
- An extra supply of prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
- A plan for those with special needs that might need to stay in your home because they lost utilities after a storm. Those with special needs could include the elderly, people with disabilities and the medically frail.
Additional information on assembling an emergency supply kit is available online at the Fairfax County Citizens Corps Web page, www.fairfaxcountycitizencorps.org, as well as the county's emergency information Web page, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.
People With Disabilities
People with disabilities also may want to take extra care during the cold weather season. Since some disabling conditions may limit sensory abilities and the ability to maintain body heat, be particularly vigilant about staying warm when you are out in low temperatures. It's also a good idea to carry a cell phone. Wear multiple layers of clothing, including a scarf around your neck, a winter hat, lined boots and two pairs of socks. If possible, wear thermal gloves underneath mittens to keep your hands warm.
If you travel in a wheelchair, wrap a small blanket around your legs, tucking it underneath yourself or around your sides. This will help to maintain body heat. Wheelchair users may consider purchasing pneumatic tires for better traction. Another alternative is standard dirt bicycle tires. Use table salt or clay cat litter to clear ramps – rock salt can poison working assistance animals and also may be slippery. Remove the tires from your wheelchair and shake debris and ice off them before placing them in your vehicle. Wipe down any metal surfaces (wheelchair tire rims, walkers, etc.) as soon as possible after returning home. This will prevent rusting.
If you are a wheelchair user and unaccustomed to heavy, strenuous wheeling, be very careful when travelling through snow. The added exertion could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Freezing rain also will stick to surfaces such as canes, walkers, forearm cuffs and wheelchairs. Use gripper driving gloves to keep your hands warm and to prevent slipping.
If you use a working assistance dog, remember that dogs also can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Get a dog coat to place under the harness, and consider getting boots for the paws. Also, have a blanket in your vehicle for the dog.
Home Heating
The Fairfax County Health Department's Environmental Health Division reminds residents that maintaining a minimum house temperature in winter is for more than just comfort – it's Virginia law. The Virginia Code requires that heating systems deliver enough heat so that a home can be kept at a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit between Oct. 15 and May 1.
Health officials strongly encourage residents to check on elderly neighbors in winter months to ensure appropriate temperatures in their homes, since senior citizens are at a higher risk of hypothermia and succumbing to extreme winter temperatures.
If the main heating unit fails during extreme cold weather, homeowners can use space heaters in an emergency to provide a source of warmth. However, the Health Department advises extreme caution when using space heaters to avoid overloading electrical circuits and causing house fires. Residents should consult with the Fire Department on the proper use of space heaters.
Low-income Fairfax County residents who face an emergency heating situation this winter may be able to access assistance from the federally funded Crisis Assistance program, which is locally administered by the county's Department of Family Services. The Crisis Assistance program helps households in heating emergency situations with primary heat security deposits, utility heating bills, repair/replacement of heating equipment or primary heating fuel. The Crisis Assistance application period began Tuesday, Nov. 1, and closes on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Funding is limited and benefits for eligible applicants are based on availability of funds.
To apply for the Crisis Assistance program, call the Department of Family Services' energy assistance phone line at 703-324-7604, TTY 703-222-9452, and ask for an application to be mailed, or pick up an application at any of the department's four offices:
Fairfax – Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway
Falls Church – 6245 Leesburg Pike (Route 7)
Reston – Lake Anne Office Building, 11484 Washington Plaza West
- Richmond Highway/Alexandria – South County Center, 8350 Richmond Highway (Route 1) 703-704-6353, TTY 703-799-3435.
Shelter From the Cold
If someone you know in Fairfax County is homeless, they are welcome to come in from the cold to sleep in a safe place. Call one of the county's community shelters about the winter program:
- The Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter is located in the Bailey's/Culmore area at 3525 Moncure Ave. on the corner of Moncure and Columbia Pike at Bailey's Crossroads. Telephone 703-820-7621, TTY 711.
- The Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter is located near Fort Belvoir at 9155 Richmond Highway (Route 1). Telephone 703-799-0200, TTY 711.
- The Embry Rucker Community Shelter is located at 11975 Bowman Towne Drive in Reston near the Reston Library. Telephone 703-437-1975, TTY 711.
An additional source of shelter from the cold for people who are living outdoors is the Hypothermia Prevention Program, coordinated by FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services). County emergency personnel and shelter staff can refer individuals to this resource, if appropriate.
Fire Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the winter holidays mean more cooking, home decorating, entertaining and an increased risk of fire from heating equipment. The NFPA reports that Christmas Day was the peak day of the year for home candle fires between 1999-2002, with New Year's Day and Christmas Eve tied for second.
According to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, during the 2004 winter heating period, there were 189 reported fires involving home heating equipment, which resulted in eight deaths, six injuries, four firefighter injuries and $3,435,035 in property loss in Virginia.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recommends that residents use products such as battery-operated or electric candles and flashlights. If residents do elect to use open-flame candles, the following safety measures are recommended:
- Do not place candles near combustible materials such as upholstered furniture.
- Never leave children unattended in a room with an open flame.
- Do not place candles on window ledges or near entryways – the potential air draft can "fan" the flame, catching curtains or other materials on fire.
- Keep burning candles within sight at all times. Candles can present fire hazard outdoors on decks and patios as well as inside the home.
- Always extinguish candles before leaving the home.
- Use holders designed for the particular candle style.
- Place all candles on a protected, heat-resistant, dry surface away from anything that can catch fire and out of the reach of children and pets.
Alternative Heating Source Safety
If families use alternative heating sources during the winter weather (it's a good idea to have one available in case the furnace fails), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recommends the following precautions:
- Be sure to allow proper ventilation and place it in a safe location away from flammable objects. You should have at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heat source and anything that could burn.
- Always turn off alternate heat sources before leaving or going to bed for the evening and do not leave children or pets unattended around any heating source. This includes extinguishing the embers in the fireplace – never leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace.
- Use generators only as independent power sources. Keep them outside and run a cord inside. Don't connect generators to main service panels. This could injure or kill utility workers trying to restore power.
- Have a battery-powered weather radio or commercial radio to receive vital emergency information, along with a flashlight with extra batteries.
- Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace to avoid sparks from flying out and igniting nearby objects and burn only clean wood.
- The immediate area in front of a fireplace (approximately 3 feet) should not have a rug, carpet or exposed wood flooring.
- Allow enough clearance between a wood-burning stove and combustible materials such as walls, floors and ceilings.
- Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire.
- Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering.
- Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.
- When lighting a gas fireplace, strike the match first, then turn on the gas.
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood and dispose of the cooled ashes in a closed metal container outside of your home.
- Don't use an extension cord with a portable heater. The current from the heater could melt the cord and cause a fire.
- Make sure the room has proper ventilation before using a kerosene heater.
- Since a kerosene heater has a constant open flame, it should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, gasoline or any type of oil.
- Do not use a fluid that is not recommended for your heater. Refuel outside and only after the heater has cooled down.
- Check the heater's wick every couple of weeks during the heating season. If the wick is dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The Fire Department also recommends having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms – and changing the batteries in each device every six months. Smoke alarms should be placed near each sleeping area as well as the basement. For individuals who are difficult to wake up, it may be necessary to install an additional smoke alarm inside the bedroom. It is recommended that there be at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home.
Freezing Pipes and Plumbing
Fairfax Water encourages residents to take the following preventative actions to protect home plumbing:
- Locate and mark the main water cutoff valve for your home. This cutoff valve is usually found near where the waterline comes into your house. Damage from running water can be minimized if you can turn off this valve quickly.
- Make sure the waterline to outside faucets is turned off and the line is drained. Consider wrapping or insulating your water pipes, especially those pipes near outside walls, under the house or in the attic. Insulation supplies are available at local home improvement or hardware stores.
Eliminate drafts. Check around the home for areas where water supply
lines are located in unheated areas and take measures to prevent the
flow of cold air in these areas. Look in the basement, crawl space,
attic, garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and
cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water
line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can if water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature becomes cold.
If your water pipes freeze, never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame
or torch. You
can use a hair dryer or portable heater, but always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
- If you will be away from your home, keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature to make sure all areas with water pipes are kept above freezing.
If you suspect you have a frozen water meter, call Fairfax Water for help. Service crews are available 24 hours a day and will respond as soon as possible. You can reach Fairfax Water's Customer Service Department at 703-698-5800, TTY 711. After hours, the emergency number is 703-698-5613, TTY 711. Additional information can be found at www.fairfaxwater.org.
If you are vacating your home because you have lost your heat source, locate and turn off your main water cutoff valve. After the valve is turned off, open a faucet on each level of your home to allow for expansion should the undrained water freeze. If you are staying in your home or will be monitoring your home frequently, allow a faucet to drip cold water slowly. At a minimum, the dripping faucet should be the one that is the greatest distance from your main water cutoff valve. Consider allowing a slow drip in areas that are least protected from the cold (basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages).
Road Safety
According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, residents also should prepare for cold weather when traveling. Here are some road safety tips:
- Tell someone at home (a friend, relative or co-worker) you are taking a trip, where you are going, the routes you will travel and when you expect to arrive.
- Before you leave town, fill your gas tank. While traveling, frequently refill the gas tank.
- Don't get on the road without a winter travel survival kit. Your kit should include items such as a cell phone, blankets or sleeping bags, water, high-calorie foods that don't require refrigeration or cooking, a flashlight with extra batteries and a first-aid kit.
- If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far off the road as possible. Your greatest personal danger at this point is being hit by passing cars.
- Stay in the car if visibility is poor. You may become disoriented and lost while wandering in a snowstorm, making it more difficult for rescuers to find you. If you have a cell phone, call for help.
Pet Safety
Pets should be kept indoors during winter months. If a pet is outdoors it must be provided with shelter. The pet's house should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.
- Dogs lose their sense of smell in the cold, so don't let them off their leash or they may get lost.
- Snow and salt should be removed from pets' paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care.
- Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm so feed your pet a little more during cold winter months. Be sure your pet's water doesn't freeze while outdoors by using a heated water source.
Cats, house pets and wildlife may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth
during cold
weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the
horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside.
Ice Safety
Ice skating on county ponds, lakes and retention ponds is prohibited for safety reasons. Due to fluctuating temperatures, it is not safe to venture on any ice-covered lake, stream or stormwater retention pond. Even if the ice is a foot thick in one area, it can be 1-inch thick just a few yards away. It's impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature or snow cover alone. Ice strength is actually dependent on all four factors, plus water depth under the ice, the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents and distribution of the load on the ice.
If you fall through the ice, don't panic. If there is someone with you, have them lie down on the ice to distribute weight over a wider area and pass you the end of a branch, rope, belt, coat sleeve or whatever is available to help pull you onto the ice, where you can roll or wiggle to safety. Several people can form a human chain with the lightest person reaching out to you. If you're alone, get your arms onto the ice and kick hard with your feet to help lift you onto the ice, then roll to safety.
Additional Information and Resources
In cases of extreme weather, Fairfax County residents concerned about the safety or well-being of children, elderly adults or adults with disabilities can contact Fairfax County Child Protective Services at 703-324-7400, TTY 711, or Adult Protective Services at 703-324-7450, TTY 711. Information from the Water Authority can be found at www.fairfaxwater.org. Fire safety information is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire. Winter safety reminders from the Health Department are online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/hdpdf/winter.pdf.
Further information is available on Fairfax County's emergency information page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency as well as the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's Web page at www.vaemergency.com. During times of emergency or crisis, residents also may call the Fairfax County Government Emergency Information Line, which is available 24 hours a day with recorded information, at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.

subset: commoncrawl


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Quote of the Dayby Suzanne Calvin
From Jay Hunter Morris, about to embark on a voyage through the South Seas as Captain of the Pequod. The quote: "It's going to outlive us all." The topic? Something tells me you can guess, even without this link. Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR


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MARTINEZ — The former Lesher Center for the Arts employee at the center of a Contra Costa theater community and Walnut Creek City Hall scandal was sentenced Friday to 90 days in jail.
Jason Pedroza, 27, took a plea deal in August, pleading guilty to a felony count of using minors to engage in child pornography and misdemeanor child molestation. The former actor and theater teacher may have to only serve home detention if the county jail approves his request, said deputy district attorney Chad Mahalich. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.
Pedroza still may face charges from a San Mateo County case involving a minor that resulted from a Walnut Creek police supplemental investigation.
Pedroza's case sparked an internal child abuse reporting investigation within Walnut Creek's administration. The investigation examined whether city employees followed state law by reporting child abuse suspicions involving Pedroza to authorities after firing him from the Lesher Center for inappropriate contact with teenage girls. Four workers were placed on leave but returned to work after the report found they acted appropriately overall.
The investigation also revealed the city manager knew as much as the employees on leave and resulted in the resignation of the city attorney, who complained that he was pressured by council members to derail the investigation, something they denied. The human resources director has since retired as well.
Two accusers spoke at Pedroza's August hearing, sharing with the courtroom how Pedroza's actions have permanently affected them and caused them to be shunned by the theater community.
Pedroza did not address the judge at Friday's sentencing.
Contact Matthias Gafni at 925-952-5026. Follow him at Twitter.com/mgafni.


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The Presidential Search Screening and Selection Committee was established by the Board of Regents to review and evaluate application materials, select and interview leading prospects, conduct and/or review reference checks, and recommend to the Board of Regents no fewer than four candidates who agree to become public finalists for the position.
The 13 members of the committee include:
The Board also has established a separate Presidential Search Outreach and Advisory Committee to work with the consultants from Isaacson, Miller, the national search firm engaged by the Board, to solicit stakeholder input on issues facing the university and qualities the university should seek in the next president, conduct a broad and inclusive search, seek nominations and applications for the position, and determine how well potential candidates meet criteria established by the Board.
Final selection of the next president will be made by the Board of Regents following university visits and public forums by the finalists that will provide opportunities for Nebraska citizens and university constituents to meet the candidates and provide feedback to the Board.


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Ellen Posner Receives Transportation Achievement Award
Fairfax County Office of Public
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
May 9, 2005
Ellen Posner Receives Transportation Advisory Commission's
Transportation Achievement Award
Fairfax County Assistant Attorney Ellen Posner today received the Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission's Transportation Achievement Award at the Board of Supervisors meeting. The annual award was presented by George Barker, chairman of the advisory commission.
"Ellen has been vital to the success of numerous Fairfax County transportation projects and funding agreements for many years," said Barker. "She has contributed to funding pedestrian, roadway and transit projects and services through her role as the principal attorney for the Department of Transportation. Although Ellen has been an important part of transportation project development over the past 16 years, her hard work and dedication were particularly important during the past year." Posner was further cited for her proactive and creative approach to intergovernmental transportation, which has allowed projects to move forward expeditiously.
Barker cited Posner's contributions in several areas:
- Metro Matters Funding Agreement — In a very short time frame, Posner assisted the Department of Transportation in negotiating the agreement between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the local and state governments that fund Metro. This agreement provides $3 billion over the next five years to help meet Metro's critical capital funding shortfall, which will keep the existing Metrorail and Metrobus systems in good repair and allow them to accommodate current and future ridership growth.
- Richmond Highway Public Transportation Initiative — Posner has been instrumental in the continued development and success of the initiative, a series of projects aimed at increasing transit ridership, effectiveness and efficiency, in addition to improving pedestrian safety while complementing community development along the Richmond Highway corridor. Posner helped the Department of Transportation advance funding agreements to enhance 20 bus stop locations and adjacent intersection improvements.
- County-State Transportation Coordination — In a vital effort between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services to change, improve and expedite project agreements between the Virginia Department of Transportation and the county to receive approved federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, Posner spearheaded the coordination between the County Attorney's office and the commonwealth's Office of the Attorney General. As a result, the amount of time it takes for the county to receive the pass-through federal funding from VDOT has been substantially reduced.
The Transportation Advisory Commission, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, advises the board and provides information and comments on major transportation issues faced by the county. It also provides recommendations to the board regarding the overall planning and programming of transportation improvements in the county.
For more information about the Transportation Advisory Commission or the Transportation Achievement Award, please visit the advisory commission's Web page at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/tac/ or contact Jay Guy, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, at 703-324-1100, TTY 703-324-1102.
L. to R.: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly;
Fairfax County Assistant Attorney and award recipient Ellen Posner;
Transportation Advisory Commission Chairman George Barker; and Fairfax
County Department of Transportation Director Young Ho Chang.


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With just over 12% voter turnout, the election results for Greene County are in. View a summary from the County Clerk's office.
The General Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, April 8. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Be sure to bring one valid form of identification [pdf] with you.
If you aren't sure your registration is valid or where your polling place is, go to the Voter Registration Lookup and enter your personal information. You will see a result that verifies that you are registered to vote at your current address and lists your polling place.
The ballot includes many issues across the community, including Board of Education choices for the following Greene County school districts:
Several city government positions are open for election as well, including spots for alderman, council member, and mayor in the following communities:
Three communities will have a choice to make regarding board members for Fire Protection Districts:
Residents of the city of Springfield will decide whether to repeal the 3/4-cent pension sales tax. A "no" vote will continue the tax. You can view the full ballot for the county on Greene County's website [pdf].
The following websites and articles provide further information about the local ballot issues and election coverage:
Find this article at


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In my travels around the world, and intense training with Zen teachers and practice environments (including Theravadan centers) over many years now I have come to learn a few things:
1. The promises and premise of Zen Buddhism is true -- truer than the golden fields of grass that beckon warmly on a warm and which bring a smile, unbidden, on a beautiful Summer's day / truer than the inhalation of fresh, exquisite air on a wonderful dusk morning / truer than the joy of laughter in your baby's eyes or the genuine smile of one whom you love
2. That even though it is true - to say so, is already too - too - much. To express so is to risk misunderstanding, knowing that the inexpressible is hard to convey through words. And that there are levels and revelations in practice that can only be known by a practitioner who bears those fruits - and not by any other
3. I have learnt that there are genuine shades of a Buddhist practice that is not encapsulated by fancy terms and sayings like "Just let go" or "Just be nice" or "Zen has no morals". People who say and repeat such platitudes reveal their own lack of depth in the Buddha Dharma practices
4. And I have learnt that there are many people who operate in the field of Zen Buddhism in this world - who are fraudsters and tricksters - but also that there are jewels still scattered gently around
5. Who can tell the chaff from the wheat is probably a matter of great karma but also great hope
For this reason, I hope that there is an awareness of persons who have committed great wrongs and who should now rightly not be able to teach, and to also face the consequences of their actions.
, is one such teacher, who has at long last been revealed publicly for his crimes and actions of harm. The issue, as pointed out on , is not about sex or purity - neither of which I believe Zen Buddhism has a problem with - but with devious manipulation, predatory abuse, harm, financial abuse and manipulation, and overall fraud in presenting what he is.
It is a shame, our shared shame, when someone abuses the Dharma so.
And at the same time, I have been heartened to meet genuine Zen teachers. There are those with heart in this world who lead it as so. Who do their best genuinely, who are true and closer to themself, their true heart, than others, and who also have real - and sustained -- insight into genuine Buddha-Dharma. And for this reason, there are also those who we may rightfully call Roshi, teacher, master and guide.
There are some of us in the West who jump on cases of abuse and manipulation as clear examples and justification to why we will not ever choose a teacher, bow to another. Perhaps we would trot our the Kalama Sutra or point out that the Buddha said be a light unto yourself. And these are not incomplete truths. As always, there are elements of truth. Of course we keep our heart, of course we walk these steps ourself, of course we are the ones who agree to sit nightly on that zafu cushion, of course we do not throw our head out of the window. But also -- as pointed out by all the ancient Masters of the past, as verified by the Sutras, there are also subtleties to Buddhist practice, there are complexities that are not evident, that can never be learnt simply by just reading a textbook or repeating platitudes like "Just let go, dude", and that one of our deepest challenges is for delusion to be overcome - for can the curtain over the eyes be revealed by other than that which is beyond that curtain.
For that reason, there is a possibility of guidance. There is such a thing as a Zen Master - even in this day and age, although I admit readily that it would be few and far between - too much so, too much so. And to be able to tell the wheat from the chaff, well how much harder still. And yet, and yet.
The workings of karma is one of the four imponderables - and yet we whom call ourself Buddhists, or identify and recognise the value of Buddhist practices in whatever form - can only choose our own way. To tread this path as best as we can, to follow the practices laid down by our many good guides and Masters of the past, and to always try to live wholeheartedly within the realms of compassion and responsibility for more than myself. I know it is hard, because I have also faced that challenge, I have also failed, and I have also woken up, at times..If we are fortunate, then we do find good guides within our path - we do see truth where we go.
The world is before us and it is not always pretty. The entrenchment of greed, selfishness and harm is strong in this world today, perhaps stronger than we have ever known...so we are all called this time to duty, we are all called together to generate an awakening which is larger than any of us have ever known in this lifetime.
We are called together so that we can again bring beauty and truth into a realm which has by and large mostly forgotten the value and innocence, beauty, and potentiality of the human heart, that those of us lucky enough to know, call me. Except to do so would be an error, so it is a silent path really.
The practice of Zen is hard, in many ways, and it is hardest because there are no real rules, no real handholds, we float in the realm of uncertainty (if we are lucky) and move along doubt and the beauty of insight in a parallel zig zag of life...but this much I know: the premise and promises of Zen Buddhism, of the sutras, are not wrong, and they do offer a chance at genuine truth, liberation, freedom and above all - clarity even amongst the storm - for those whom are interested.
I urge you to not give up and to live, whilst devoting some time to a genuine Buddhist practice, so that yours too will flower when we are ready.
With best wishes,
What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
8 posts • Page 1 of 1
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- mindyourmind
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Re: What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
A beautiful post, Abu
Dualism is the real root of our suffering and all of our conflicts.
Namkhai Norbu
Namkhai Norbu
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Re: What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
does anyone know how difficult it is to 'just let go'? (dude). but in order to arrive at unknowing or uncertainty we must let go of our favourite concepts. we are not holding onto anything at all. not even that. in the end what do we know about zen/life? anything at all? im just not sure.
we have changed on the journey. theres been so much pain. keep on going.
respect, Tom.
we have changed on the journey. theres been so much pain. keep on going.
respect, Tom.
in any matters of importance. dont rely on me. i may not know what i am talking about. take what i say as mere speculation. i am not ordained. nor do i have a formal training. i do believe though that if i am wrong on any point. there are those on this site who i hope will quickly point out my mistakes.
Re: What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
All things are unworthy of clinging to (sabbe dhammā nâla abhinivesāyā). --Shakyamuni Buddha
Wanting to grasp the ungraspable, you exhaust yourself in vain. --Gendun Rinpoche
Wanting to grasp the ungraspable, you exhaust yourself in vain. --Gendun Rinpoche
Re: What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
Thank you
The substance of the Absolute is inwardly like wood or stone, in that it is motionless, and outwardly like the void, in that it is without bounds or obstructions. It is neither subjective nor objective, has no specific location, is formless, and cannot vanish. ~Huang Po
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Re: What I have learnt about Zen & those that are called teacher
topic split: discussion on teachers' ethics and realization in the light of Victoria's _Zen at War_ and so on are available here:
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Pentax K-5 II SLR Camera
A camera you can grow into
Ralph Graves is one of Crutchfield's blog editors, and part of the company's social media team. He writes about home audio/video gear, specializing in Apple-related and wireless technologies. Ralph holds a master's degree in music composition, and his works have been released on various labels. He's served as product manager for an independent classical and world music label, produced several recordings, and worked extensively in public broadcasting. Since 1984 he's hosted a weekly classical music program on WTJU, and is also active as a blogger and podcaster.
More from Ralph Graves
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
It's called the paralysis of choice, when you're so overwhelmed with options you can't decide at all. That's how a lot of folks feel when they first fire up a DSLR camera. When the camera's display comes alive with a plethora of icons and options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But before you give up and return that digital camera, read on. There's a way to push past the paralysis and experience the pleasure of high-end photography.
Graduating from Point-and-Shoot
I had outgrown my small point-and-shoot camera. The shutter wasn't responsive enough to get good action shots, the lens wasn't good enough to get proper focus on close-up shots, and the display was too low-rez for me to tell if everything was in focus.
So I was very glad for the opportunity to try out a Pentax K-5 II. This 16-megapixel DLSR camera came with a 18-135mm 7.5X zoom lens, ready to go. If I was purchasing a DSLR to replace my point-and-shoot, I would have chosen one just a little more advanced than my old camera. But I couldn't pass up the chance to try a top-of-the-line piece like the K-5.
All those controls can look overwhelming. But with a little practice, you can quickly navigate through the settings.
Freeze frame
I fired up the camera and admired the big, beautiful display. The camera had a substantial heft, and it just felt like something I could take great pictures with. Then I looked at the back of the camera and froze. All those buttons! All those dials! All those on-screen choices! I didn't know what to do.
Running on automatic
Fortunately, I didn't need to know what to do. The K-5 has an automatic setting, just like my old point-and-shoot. The electronics in the K-5 are much more powerful and sophisticated, of course. Plus, the lens was much, much better than that of my little compact camera.
It only took a simple decision to break the paralysis. Rather than trying to puzzle out all the options and settings, I just set the K-5 to automatic and started shooting. The picture below is one of the first ones I took. It looked great in the display, and equally well when I transferred the file to my computer.
Quality does matter, especially in a camera. Most of the shots I took with the K-5 were great. They were full of detail, both in the foreground and background, with rich, natural-looking colors (like the image at right). I hadn't set the camera to capture at the highest resolution, and was surprised at how much detail the K-5 captured. And all on the automatic setting.
To operate the camera, I only needed to know three things; where the power button was, which button to press to take the picture, and which button changed the display from viewfinder to review images mode.
Growing into the camera, one step at a time
When I found how to switch from display to viewfinder, I felt good. I hadn't mastered all the ins and outs of the K-5, but it was a start. And really, that's the secret to enjoying photography with a DSLR. You don't have to do everything right off the bat. Just take it one feature at a time.
Once I was comfortable shooting in automatic, I decided to add just one option to my repertoire. We were going to a steeplechase, and I wanted to capture the action as the horses jumped over the barriers. Before the races, I spent a little time and learned what settings I needed.
The K-5 lets you dial in how many shots you want in burst mode, plus how closely together you want to take them. I quickly found out that resolution was an important factor, too. The higher the resolution, the longer it takes the camera to process the image. Which meant that if I set the camera to take 40 pictures a tenth of a second apart, it might only take five before the processor maxed out. The camera would resume shooting once the backlog of images was processed, but that meant it would miss all the action that happened in the meantime.
I took some practice shots and learned how to balance all the settings to capture the action I wanted beforehand. When those riders rounded the course in the first race, all I had to do was set the K-5 to burst mode, and press the button. Beautiful.
Using burst mode, I was able to capture the moment when the horse was perfectly posed over the barrier (center). (click on image to enlarge)
And when the action was over, I put the camera back to automatic mode and took some more great pictures, like the one below.
The Pentax K-5 as a point-and-shoot. This candid photo was taken with the camera in automatic mode.
Plan B: Automatic setting
Over the course of my time with the camera, I slowly added to my knowledge of how to use the K-5. I learned how make manual adjustments for low light photography. I discovered what settings were best for shooting at extreme magnification. And a few other things, as well.
By the time I had to return the camera, its controls were no longer daunting. I still didn't know what all of them were for, and I didn't use all the ones I did know about. But I had learned to take advantage of some of the features the K-5 offered, just by trying them out one at a time. And if I wasn't sure about what to do, or didn't quite remember the settings I needed to dial in, there was always Plan B. I flipped the settings back to automatic.
And the Pentax K-5 II performed just fine.


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Far From Quiet on the Wireless Front
From Power-Gen to Petrochem, Fiber Production to Gas Distribution, Wireless Field Networks Continue to Prove Their Process Automation Mettle
Despite the economic downturn of recent months, the global application of wireless field networks continues apace. Indeed, today's economic realities are in many ways a perfect fit for wireless: With capital at a premium, process manufacturers are looking for quick investments that cost little and save even more. Or, for cost-of-doing-business applications such as for satisfying regulatory requirements, they're looking for solutions that will help them toe the line as quickly, easily and cost-effectively as possible.
In the course of this article, we'll visit seven industrial sites around the world – all of which have turned to Emerson Process Management's Smart Wireless field networks to cost-effectively enable compliance, boost productivity, improve safety or increase reliability (and sometimes a combination of all of the above!).
Predictive monitoring enabled at Total
Our first stop takes us to Total Petrochemicals in Carling, France, where Rosemount Smart Wireless temperature transmitters provide the information needed to infer changes in boiler wall thickness. The boiler provides steam for the plant's cracker, and monitoring wall thickness enables personnel to anticipate when the boiler might need replacement.
By going wireless, Total Petrochemicals avoided the need for a kilometer of new wiring, while reducing the need for personnel to move into and around at-risk areas.
"Our plant is more than thirty years old," explains Jerome Uszes, electricity control & regulation maintenance manager for Total Petrochemicals. "With the rising cost of copper and the ageing of existing wiring—from corrosion, infiltration, armature degradation—it's essential to find alternative methods to carry data throughout the plant. We believe in wireless technologies and Emerson is a pioneer that is on the right track to offer a solution that meets our needs."
This non-critical monitoring of the boiler walls presented Total Petrochemicals with the perfect opportunity to evaluate Emerson's Smart Wireless technology on a large scale and in a real industrial environment. The application would also enable the company to determine the current limits of the wireless devices and to direct future developments made by Emerson's research and development department.
"We were very pleased with Emerson's responsiveness. Delivery, installation and a successful startup was completed within just ten days of our order," says Uszes.
Water usage monitored at E.ON
Across the channel at the E.ON Kingsnorth power station, a 1940-MW unit located on the Medway Estuary in Kent, U.K., Smart Wireless technology is helping to accurately monitor and measure treated water usage.
"E.ON is keen to adopt the very latest technology to help improve productivity, efficiency and availability, and wireless technology provides the ideal networking solution to access the flow measurement data from the turbine building without having to install new cabling," says Chet Mistry, E.ON UK team leader.
Having initially undertaken extensive trials of Emerson's Smart Wireless technology, E.ON selected the Emerson solution because it offered high levels of reliability and long transmitting distance, as well as the ability to add additional devices to the network without the need for additional infrastructure.
"We have great confidence in the technology. The self-organising network provides redundant routes for the data to pass back to the gateway. The resulting wireless mesh network delivers high reliability, "says Simon Lark, C&I engineer, E.ON UK.
"We were initially a little skeptical of the claims made for wireless, especially considering the environment we would be placing it in. But installation was quick and easy and we just switched them on and they all worked," continues Lark. "The gateway is situated in a windowless room within the main building. Despite being totally surrounded by brick walls, when switched on the wireless transmitters were all clearly visible and immediately connected to the gateway."
"This initial installation of wireless is providing us with valuable experience," adds Mistry. "We are now hoping to be able to use this experience to apply the technology to a range of applications including accessing valve diagnostic information."
Remote reactions tracked at Nu-West
At Nu-West Industries' phosphate-based fertilizer plant in Soda Springs, Idaho, U.S., a self-organizing Smart Wireless system is tracking 16 pressure and temperature points on a reaction tank located about 250 feet from the central control room.
Emerson's Smart Wireless technology was selected by Nu-West, a subsidiary of Agrium US, because it proved to be the easiest to install, most secure, and most reliable solution to the problem of retrieving essential operating information at an extended distance. The remote tank is 40 feet high and has four different beds of gases used to react with certain process chemicals. Even though this is not classified as a hazardous area, the tank layout and distance involved made running wires to the tank and mounting instruments both difficult and expensive.
"Hard wiring this installation would have been very challenging due to the location of the vessel," according to Brian Wood, DCS specialist at the Nu-West plant. "The self-organizing architecture was the clincher since less than perfect line-of-sight to each device is not a concern with this system. We already have plans to add more devices to the network."
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When:September 25th
Time: 9:30 PM EST
Where: Disc Golf Talk Radio Live
Facebook: Facebook Event page-Let us know your coming
Also check out our website for previous shows and advertisement opportunities.
Disc Golf Talk Radio Your live Disc Golf Internet Radio show.
Any questions you have for Paige please post them here.


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Because of higher yields, higher commodity prices and higher costs of crop inputs, growers are reviewing all potential barriers to crop growth and production, including micronutrient deficiencies.
For most micronutrients, crop uptake is less than 1 pound per acre. But that doesn't mean they are unimportant. To the contrary, in spite of this low requirement, critical plant functions are limited if micronutrients are unavailable — resulting in plant abnormalities, reduced growth and lower yields.
Check out this edition of Pioneer Hi-Bred's Crop Insights that discusses general micronutrient requirements, deficiency symptoms, soil and plant sampling and fertilization practices.
Source: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.


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Renowned broadcast journalist Soledad O'Brien, who has been honored with the Peabody, Emmy® and duPont Awards for enterprising reporting during her accomplished television career, has joined the team of HBO's 'Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,' it was announced today by Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports.
"Soledad is a perfect fit for Real Sports, said Hershman. "She's an extraordinary interviewer and storyteller, and we're thrilled to be able to add her to a franchise where the emphasis is on finding and presenting thought-provoking stories in the diverse and ever-fascinating world of sports."
In addition to joining Real Sports, O'Brien and her production company, Starfish Media Group, will have an overall relationship with HBO granting the network first look at scripted projects and long-form programming concepts that she and her team develop.
O'Brien has reported on breaking news from around the globe, making her one of the most recognizable names in journalism. In 2011, she won an Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story Long Form for "Crisis in Haiti." O'Brien was part of the coverage teams that earned CNN a George Foster Peabody award for its coverage of the BP oil spill and Hurricane Katrina, and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for its coverage of the Southeast Asia tsunami. The National Association of Black Journalists named O'Brien Journalist of the Year and the Edward R. Murrow Awards lauded her with the RTDNA/UNITY award in 2010 for "Latino in America."
O'Brien has been integral in developing and hosting the award-winning "Black in America" franchise, one of CNN's most successful international franchises. In 2010, she wrote the critically acclaimed memoir "The Next Big Story: My Journey through the Land of Possibilities," which chronicles her biggest reporting moments and how her upbringing and background have influenced these experiences. She is a graduate of Harvard University and will serve as a visiting fellow for the 2013-14 school year at the university's Graduate School of Education. She is also a member of the board of directors for the Foundation for the National Archives.
"Soledad's a respected journalist with a proven track record," says Bryant Gumbel, host of Real Sports. "Her credibility, broad interests and passion make her a wonderful addition to our program. I'm thrilled to have her on our Real Sports team."
O'Brien says of the new partnership: "HBO is undeniably a leader in meaningful storytelling in a wide array of formats. I'm honored to join the Real Sports team and look forward to continuing my fervor for uncovering unique and impactful stories."
In the course of 194 editions, Real Sports has earned its reputation as sports television's gold standard for sports journalism. The monthly series has won 25 Sports Emmy® Awards since its debut in April 1995. At the 34th annual Sports Emmys presentation on May 7, Real Sports was recognized with two awards, including one for Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology. The show has been honored with the Sports Emmy® for Outstanding Sports Journalism 15 times, and is the only TV sports program to receive a duPont Award (winning in 2006 and 2012). On May 20, Real Sports was the only sports program honored among the 39 recipients of the 2012 George F. Peabody Awards from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication for outstanding electronic media coverage.


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UPLAND — The Uplanders Club will hold its monthly general meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, at 11:30 a.m.
The group will meet at Pine Haven Cafe, 1191 E. Foothill Blvd.
The guest speaker will be Sandee Hayden of the Visiting Nurses Association of Claremont. She will speak about services they offer seniors at no charge to the patient. The public is welcome to attend.
RSVP by Friday to Sandy Sieber at 909-982-9882 or Elaine Rohr at 909-920-5925.
The Uplanders Club is a non-profit organization that fosters friendship through social activities and community service. The Uplanders Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at different local restaurants.


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Academic-Community Roundtable: Creating a New Curriculum for Higher Education
Premiere Date: 5/26/2003; 59 minutes
UC Riverside presents an Academic-Community Roundtable entitled "Creating a New Curriculum for Higher Education". The roundtable explores three contemporary challenges: the university and sustainable regional development, diversity and the academy, and the development of new professional schools. (#7430)
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Disclaimer: The above list of funding organizations is provided as a courtesy to assist you in your funding research and we do not promote the use of any particular entity. Neither the JGSB nor Rice University receive any form of compensation, monetary or otherwise, from the organizations listed and the University does not assume any liability. Students must research, contact the organization directly, and confirm their eligibility to apply for funding through these organizations and institutions.


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As the new online editor of Quilting Daily, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Brenna Riley Gates and I am delighted to take on this role within the Quilting Daily team! Vivika is still our Editorial Director, and her team will continue to provide you with the best quilting news, techniques, and projects through Quilting Arts Magazine, Modern Patchwork, Quilting Arts TV and all our other publications and video resources.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's get to know each other. Here's a little bit about me and how I got started:
I fell in love with sewing the first time I picked up a needle. In what I'm now sure was an attempt to get me to sit still and be quiet, my grandma taught me how to embroider when I was just a little girl. To me hand embroidery was like coloring, but instead of using crayons in a book, there was the added responsibility of using a needle and thread. My first project, which took me years to complete, is still on display in my Aunt's guest bedroom–who doesn't love an embroidered cat pillow?
As I was in college pursuing a degree in metalsmithing, my passion for sewing was reignited when I took my first fiber arts class. There I expanded my horizons by learning to weave, screen print, and dye. I reveled in learning about textiles throughout history, experimenting with batik, and even attempting to print yardage that repeated perfectly. Eventually my love of fibers started to seep into my projects for other classes as I added stitches to my drawings and then created a series of embroidery hoop necklaces.
I was finally bitten by the quilting bug when I found myself standing in front of a table brimming with 8 x 8" squares of printed fabric at a warehouse sale for a favorite clothing company. Ten printed squares in a bundle that were just dying to be pieced together for only a dollar! How could I possibly pass this up? It turns out I couldn't. The next day I bought myself a sewing machine of my own and a quilting book with a pattern I could modify, and then set off to teach myself how to quilt with a mix of the printed knit and cotton fabrics.
After spending the past year and a half in the Quilting Daily family, I'm thrilled to be taking over as the Online Editor. I can't wait to share some of my favorite techniques and tips with you, and I am looking forward to learning helpful hints from our favorite artists and from all of you in the Quilting Daily community.


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Arizona Cardinals Ring
What better way to show off your team pride than by wearing a ring of your favorite team! This piece is a great add on and must have accessory for any fan who is gearing up and completely dressing themselves in their favorite teams gear for the big game. These Pewter Rings are hand painted and fine sculpted with your favorite team logo. They come in 4 sizes, size 8, 10, 12, 14
How long will my items take to ship?Most of the items we sell will ship within 1-2 business days from the date ordered. Every item on our website will tell you how long it takes to ship under the availability section when that item.
Once an item leaves the warehouse, Regular Ground shipments will be in transit for 2-5 business days & expedited shipments will be in transit for 1-3 business days.
You can click the "Estimated Delivery Dates" link next to the add to cart button on each product page to get an idea of when your merchandise will arrive to you.
How much does shipping cost?Our shipping charges are automatically calculated by our shopping cart after you enter your shipping information. Our shipping rates are based on the total cost of merchandise in your order:
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*To obtain the shipping costs to Hawaii, Alaska, APO addresses & also for expedited shipping, please add your items to the shopping cart, enter your shipping address and use our shipping calculator for current rates.
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Crucial v4 (256GB) Reviewby Kristian Vättö on November 22, 2012 1:01 PM EST
Performance vs. Transfer Size
ATTO is a great tool for quickly measuring performance at different transfer sizes. The v4 performs similarly to the m4 connected to SATA 3Gbps port in the read test but its write performance is poor between transfer sizes of 2KB and 64KB.
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mattdobs - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - linkSounds like Crucial needs to buy OCZ's Indilinx controller to make a wining drive. Reply
extide - Friday, November 23, 2012 - linkUhhhh.... I don't think you get the point of this drive.... And they should definitely not buy an OCZ controller. Reply
Beenthere - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - linkAlmost no one could ever actually tell the performance difference between any SATA 2 vs. any SATA 3 SSD in actual use, unless you run the benches - which may be inaccurate as we see with compressible data and SandForce controllers. I suspect SSD makers have also learned how to inflate the numbers just as GPU makes have.
That being said there is a price point at which people will buy anything they perceive is of value. ~$100 for an ~128 GB. SSD is enough for many people to buy. Quite frankly only a small percentage of consumers acuti\ully need a large capacity SSD/HDD. Most folks can get buy with 60-128 GB. capacity but naive consumers have been programmed to believe they need a 500 GB. drive. Few people do but when you can buy a 500 GB. HDD for $100 many people take the bait. Reply
yyrkoon - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - link"Few people do but when you can buy a 500 GB. HDD for $100 many people take the bait."
How do you know what people need ? You don't.
At any rate. I'd say many people who feel they need a SSD for $100 are swallowing the bait. hook, line and sinker. Until prices drop significantly. There are many reasons why to opt for more storage versus performance. Very few productive applications take advantage of that much disk performance. Unless you will propose that running multiple SSD's in one large RAID array to play the latest greatest game is something most consumers do . . . Or sit and stare at how fast windows boots.
See, most people have a life that does not revolve around computers. Novel idea I know. Then when they do use a computer, they generally do not care if it takes a few extra seconds to load something from disk. But they *do* care if the disk they use wont hold their family pictures, videos, or audio collection.
Also, you can buy a good 1TB 2.5" HDD for less than $100 now days . . . Reply
Chaser - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - linkAnandtech consistently recommends not filling a SSD to capacity and leaving a portion of it unused for performance purposes. So for me I go with a 240GB SSD so that I don't have to "swap out" games. Yes I want higher performance in gaming with zone/instance loading etc.
I ALSO use a 500GB magnetic drive as my media drive for docs, pics, music, data in general.
So this is what I NEED and enjoy using. Reply
Zanegray - Friday, November 23, 2012 - link"Very few productive applications take advantage of that much disk performance. Unless you will propose that running multiple SSD's in one large RAID array to play the latest greatest game is something most consumers do . . . Or sit and stare at how fast windows boots."
Honest question, have you used an ssd before? Because your post sounds like you've never touched one. Boot times are not the reason I run an ssd. I run an ssd because nearly every application benefits - from app start up to saving a file to browsing the file system to caches (you must use an Internet browser). SSD's are the new client side storage paradigm and until you realize that you are stuck in the past. Reply
Beenthere - Friday, November 23, 2012 - linkSSDs are an "immature technology" as Anand has stated. While they can offer improved performance over a HDD, they still have teething issues in many cases. Until all of the Bugs are resolved, a lot of people will wait to upgrade as the hassles aren't worth the modest performance gain, based on my testing. Reply
extide - Friday, November 23, 2012 - linkSadly, you are doing it wrong if you are only getting a moderate performance increase. Terribly wrong :/ Reply
hp79 - Sunday, November 25, 2012 - linkI only have one comment for you. You must be stuck in 2007. Reply
erple2 - Sunday, November 25, 2012 - linkI think that you're right. The average consumer doesn't want the hassle of trying to remember where they put thing on which drive, plus have to manage the hassle of 2 drives. So until these are cheap at about 500 gigs (~$200), were stuck with the false promise of 120 gig ssd's.
I have a laptop with a 160gig ssd plus a 250gig spindle drive, and I gave up on the general hassle of remembering what goes where and where I put things. I had to go to the internet to figure out "esoteric" windows CLI utilities to move my user profile to the magnetic drive (how freaking hard, Redmond, is it to mimic 'ln -s source destination'?????? Why are files treated any different than directories?????). And I'd consider myself a much more patient (and advanced) user than ordinary consumers. I now just do the uninstall/reinstall swap instead.
I suppose that I mostly blame steam, but that's not fair for the finger pointing share. Reply


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From what the description reads, these will compliment the diamond in their line of easier to throw/lighter discs, interesting
Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
JimW wrote:If the answer isn't PD you asked the wrong question.
ForeverBlue232 wrote:It seems most talk about these discs being good for kids. Would they also be good for anyone I try to introduce to the sport for the first time? If so it might be worth it to have 2 sets to use for friends I drag to the park to play. hehehe
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text:
Tony Gonzalez could return to the Falcons after saying he was all but retired following January's playoff loss in the NFC championship game.
Yahoo! Sports reported the team is "cautiously optimistic" and sources close to Gonzalez said he's seriously considering coming back for 2013 under certain conditions.
The report said the 37-year-old Gonzalez wants to miss some or all of training camp this summer, not to mention salary requirements.
A person familiar with Gonzalez's thinking told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday that the veteran tight end is expected to inform the Falcons that he will return for another season.
Gonzalez is an unrestricted free agent who caught 95 passed last season and showed no signs of slowing down physically.
"He will come back if they pay him $7 million and he doesn't have to do training camp," one Falcons player familiar with Gonzalez's thinking told Yahoo! Sports.
Gonzalez earned $3.9 million last season in base salary plus an additional $1 million roster bonus.
"The money is there," a source close to Gonzalez told Yahoo! Sports. "Working out the days he can miss is the biggest holdup."
Gonzalez said he was "95 percent" certain he would retire after the Falcons' 28-24 heartbreaking loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game.


text:
tiltbillings wrote:pink_trike wrote:You're the only one here saying "all".
Then you agree that all such experiences cannot be explained away as being other things.
How can anyone make any claim to that effect without KNOWING them all?
They may or may not, I for one wouldn't claim to be able to pinpoint even a single one to a definite cause ...
I have read PT's statements to suggest that there might be other reasonable explanations to account for such "images" other than past lives, not that it is not feasible for them to be related to past lifes.


text:
Starting Saturday, local Girls Scouts will be out in force selling eight different kinds of cookies.
This year, there's a new cookie in town -- Mango Creme.
The cookie consists of a crunchy vanilla and coconut sandwich with a mango-flavored creme filling.
And for those who need more information before they take a bite, the mango creme cookies have zero grams of trans fat per serving and no hydrogenated oils or preservatives.
The other cookies available are Thin Mints, Caramel DeLites, Thanks a Lots, Lemonades, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Patties and Peanut Butter Sandwich. Each box of cookies costs $3.50. Cookie season will run through March 3.
If you don't know a Girl Scout, call 566-9433.


text:
"My new, post-nursing breasts are a bit deflated compared to the ones I had when I got pregnant. I thought I would care, but I actually don't. The only person who sees them all the time is my husband, and to me, they are a badge of pride and honor. After all, I fed my amazing daughter from my own body for a full year." — Felicia B., 38
"If there's music, I want to dance. I feel sexy as soon as I start moving. Who knows how I actually look to anyone else? I feel sexy, and that's all that matters. You can always tell a woman who knows she's got it. It's almost impossible not to believe her." — Jenny Block, relationship writer and author of Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage


text:
Spa Valley Railway » Enthusiasts » For sale
Taylor & Hubbard DE Crane DRT 81339
A 15ton capacity heavy duty travelling Diesel Electric rail Crane with jib runner (DB70277). Built 1969 for British Rail. Withdrawn in operable condition for full overhaul which has been partially complete. The jib runner is a former SR PAN EMU under frame. Deamed surplus to requirements hence overhaul halted and now for sale.
Taylor & Hubbard DE Crane DEC622
A 6ton capacity travelling Diesel Electric rail Crane with jib runner (JC689). Built 1964 (jib carrier 1925) for London Transport. This crane is standard gauge but constructed to London Underground Tube loading gauge for tunnel transit, and is now the last survivor of its type. A damaged slew box gear and case caused its withdrawal. It has not run for a number of years, but was operational prior to withdrawal apart from the damaged slew box. A number of spare parts are available. Weight approx 43tons, length over jib carrier approx 65ft.
Benzene Tank wagon no.2018
Former National Benzole 4 wheel 14T tank wagon built by Cambrian wagon works. 10ft wheelbase. Oil boxes. Good chassis/running gear. Poor cosmetic condition. Ideal for restoration and use in demo freight trains etc.
All serious enquires please email: email@example.com.
Please note, photographs in use on this webpage are from our archive and may not necessarily show current condition. We are happy to arrange inspection for serious enquirers or to forward current photographs of any item.


text: +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | TPWD News Release 20140508a | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | This page contains only plain text, no HTML formatting codes. | | It is not designed for display in a browser but for copying | | and editing in whatever software you use to lay out pages. | | To copy the text into an editing program: | | --Display this page in your browser. | | --Select all. | | --Copy. | | --Paste in a document in your editing program. | | If you have any suggestions for improving these pages, send | | an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com and mention Plain Text Pages. | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ [ Note: This item is more than three years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ] [ Media Contact: TPWD News, email@example.com, 512-389-8030 ] May 8, 2014 Gulf Shrimp Season Closing May 15 AUSTIN -- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on May 15 until a still-to-be determined time in July. The closing date is based on samples collected by the Coastal Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department using trawl, bag seine and other information gathered from the shrimping industry. Data collected regarding TPWD bag seine catch rates of brown shrimp, mean lengths of shrimp in April 2014, percent of samples containing shrimp, and periods of maximum nocturnal ebb tidal flow indicate a May 15 closing date is appropriate. Typically, once the shrimp reach about 3 1/2 inches long, they begin their migration to the gulf. "The purpose of moving the closure date this year is tied to when the shrimp are projected to leave the bays," says TPWD's coastal fisheries science director Mark Fisher. "Due to cooler spring temperatures and higher salinities, shrimp growth rates appear to be slower this spring." Fisher says the data suggest that keeping the closure date will afford protection to small shrimp as they begin their movement from the bays to the gulf. "The closure is designed to allow these small shrimp after escapement to the gulf to grow to a larger, more valuable size before they are vulnerable to harvest," said Robin Riechers, TPWD coastal fisheries division director. "The goal is to achieve optimum benefits for the shrimping industry while providing proper management to protect the shrimp." The Texas closure applies to gulf waters from the coast out to nine nautical miles. The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced federal waters out to 200 nautical miles also will be closed to shrimping to conform to the Texas closure. While the statutory opening date for the gulf season is July 15, TPWD's Coastal Fisheries Division will be sampling shrimp populations to determine the optimum opening date. The date of the re-opening of gulf waters will be based on data collected in June, but the closure may not be longer than 60 days. -30-


text:
Heisey chases again and hits a weak come-backer
Heisey chases again and hits a weak come-backer
10-1 Bats
Hacker is done
Code:Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Hacker 5.1 13 10 10 1 4 3 4.99
Francisco with an opposite field shot. That one looked gone off the bat. The kid has some power.
Watching Sulbaran tonight and seeing a guy with absolutely no business in this league. Three homers allowed to the first seven hitters. Last 35.1 innings: 44 runs allowed. Confidence has to be completely shot.
Dorn singles to center
He's 3 for 4
Valaika pop fly out ends the inning
Going to the 7th, 6 Bats have multiple hits
Maloney at 98 pitches and Ramirez comes in.
Valaika is out, Bolivar moves from 2nd to SS and Griffin now at 2B
1-2-3 7th for Ramon Ramirez
The move to the pen seems to be a good thing
Nothing in the 7th for the Bats
Carolina gets 3 in the top of the 6th
And gives up 3 in the bottom of the 6th
Code:Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Ramirez 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.02
Indy brings in Braodway, a lefty side-armer
Let's see what Dorn and Cisco can do with that.
Well, McDonald can double down the LF line
Heisey can pop weakly in foul ground
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.


text:
How to raise happy toddlers
Welcome to the happy toddler zone that has everything parents need to know about this oh-so special age group. more
A cat scan, also called computed tomography, computer assisted tomography, or a CT scan, is a test that may be used to determine if your child has cancer, where the cancer is located, and how well cancer therapy is working.
Cat scans use x-rays and computers to take pictures of what's going on inside your child's body. A computer takes the x-ray pictures that are like slices of your child's body. These "slices" can then be reassembled to give doctors a piece-by-piece image of what's going on inside your child.
The CT machine is big and noisy, and the process can be scary for your child. He will have to lie down on a big table. The table then moves inside a large square machine with a hole in the middle. The machine then takes a series of x-rays that the computer turns into a two or three dimensional image of the area, or areas, of the body being examined.
Because the process can be pretty frightening, many children are given a mild sedative to calm them before they are subjected to the test. They have to lie perfectly still so that the pictures don't turn out blurry. After the cat scan, he might have to remain in the room until the technician verifies that the scan took good pictures. If the pictures aren't good enough, your child may have to have the scan done again.
Your child will hear clicking and buzzing noises as the machine spins and takes pictures. He will also probably notice that the table moves. That's because the machine is repositioning his body to take more pictures.
A cat scan doesn't hurt, but, again, it can be very scary; especially for young children. If possible, be sure to explain to your child what to expect so that he knows what is going on at all times. Scan technicians are used to working with kids and will talk to your child in a way he can understand to help him through the procedure.
Written by Rebecca Stigall for Kidspot, Australia's parenting resource for family health. Sources include Better Health Channel, NSW Health, and Health Insite.
Last revised: Thursday, 29 April 2010
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.


text:
Jewelry Making Is The Best Apron
Product Color:
Product information
Wearing this Apron Jewelry Making Is The Best proves to everyone that you really CAN cook. I mean, who else would put on an apron for no other reason? And everyone knows that a Barbeque is a messy (and yummy) ordeal. Jewelry Making Is The Best might even protect you from extra heavy duty splatters and spills.
The Jewelry-Making Apron includes neck ties and extra long waist ties and makes any cooking experience rewarding. You are sure to receive many compliments! 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable.
Sku: MD0BL0000021132525250220WH0000000


text:
Hi guys,
I am just wondering if I'm doing things right here. From the feeling I get it feels right, but of course I may be totally off, so your opinion is much appreciated.
I simply seat on a garden chair, which is quite confortable to be honest. My arms rest on the armrests, my feet both touch the ground side by side, my spine relatively straight but not straight as an arrow, since I'm sitting in this chair.
I start by focusing my attention on the rising and falling of the abdomen, rising and falling, feeling my breath, trying to become one with it, and quickly this gets quite blissfull and I'm absorbed. Because I'm confortably seated I do not get disturbed by any aches which can come from lotus, and am able to stay absorbed for much longer periods of time than I used to in lotus positions. Is this ok or am I just fooling myself as my back should be straighter or something?
Thanks for your inputs!


text:
Choose a Quality Strategy
It's hard to believe that Monday's 200-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average was the first such drop in nearly four months. Complacency can be treacherous in investing. Yesterday's drop was blamed on the election gridlock in Italy. If Italy is causing such volatility in the U.S. markets, what are we in for when the Federal Reserve decides to abandon its low-interest policy, stops buying securities and hands off the fate of the U.S. economy to the consumer and corporations?
For what it's worth, I think the handoff will be better than most expect it to be, but perhaps not as smooth as any of us would like. Stocks aren't cheap today. They aren't at crazy valuations either, but the pool of multi-bagger investment opportunities is all but extinct -- unless you are willing to dig deep into special situation investments. Never mind multi-baggers, even finding securities capable of 15% annualized returns is not as easy as it once was. Still, with banks paying less than 1% and having to lock up your cash for five years or more to earn 3% a year, achieving a 6% to 10% annual return from the stock market over the next several years would be a stellar result for most investors today....365 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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text:
LAKEPORT -- Three Sonoma County men charged in an alleged biker-gang fight at a Lakeport casino nearly two years ago are set to receive a new trial date.
Timothy R. Bianchi, Nicolas F. Carrillo and Josh L. Johnson were set to face a jury in two weeks, but retired Lake County Judge Robert L. Crone Jr. vacated the trio's trial date during a Tuesday hearing at the Lake County Courthouse, deputy district attorney Art Grothe said.
Bianchi, 35, Carrillo, 34, and Johnson, 37, are due to return to court May 29 to set a new trial date, Grothe added.
The three men have denied wrongdoing for charges stemming from a June 4, 2011 incident during which authorities allege the trio -- along with a fourth man who remains at large -- acted as Hells Angels Motorcycle Club members and assaulted a Vagos Motorcycle Club member during a tattoo convention at Konocti Vista Casino.
A key issue at trial is expected to be the question of whether the Sonoma County Hells Angels is considered a criminal street gang.
The case gained added notoriety because of the involvement of Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero, whose personal participation in the investigation included obtaining surveillance footage from casino officials.
Grothe said in February that he does not intend to call Rivero to testify during the trial, but the defense indicated it would consider using Rivero as a witness if the prosecution does not.
The polarizing sheriff, now the target of a recall effort, might not take the stand in the Hells Angels case, but if he does, his credibility could be called into question.
Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson determined in February that Rivero lied to officials after a 2008 on-duty shooting -- information the DA intends to give to defendants in criminal cases involving Rivero.
The sheriff denies being untruthful after the Feb. 19, 2008 incident, during which then-deputy Rivero shot at, but did not hit, a suspect in Whispering Pines.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or email@example.com. Follow his court coverage on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #Lakecourt.


text: Kelsey strapless dress in Leavers lace Item B7678 Color: Size: All sizes are US sizes. 2 4 6 8 Size Charts Quantity: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prices do not include taxes. Add to Bag Wishlist Add to Bag Add To Wishlist share: size & fit Fitted silhouette. Interior boning for added support. Falls above knee, 39 1/2" from high point of shoulder (based on size 6). Product Details This dress is made from a corded Leavers lace that we sourced from a sixth-generation, family-owned mill in Rhode Island (it's been perfecting the art of lace making since 1859). The sleek body-skimming silhouette has a gathered detail at the neckline to give it a modern edge, and secret boning at the bust keeps the top from sneaking down while you're on the dance floor. Viscose/cotton/nylon. Back zip. Lined. Dry clean. Import. Online only. Item B7678.


text:
Nieuwenhuis a late scratch due to stiff neck
OAKLAND -- Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was a late scratch from Wednesday's game against the A's with a stiff neck.
Nieuwenhuis, who began feeling neck pain on the Mets' cross-country flight Monday night from New York to Oakland, received a treatment of electrical nerve stimulation on Wednesday morning. He said he was feeling "much better" at the time and apparently convinced manager Terry Collins, who slotted him into the lineup as his starting right fielder.
But Collins altered the lineup shortly thereafter, shifting Curtis Granderson to right field and inserting Eric Young Jr. into left.
Nieuwenhuis, 27, is batting .233 with two homers in 84 plate appearances split amongst four Major League stints. He has spent most of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.
Collins also gave regular center fielder Juan Lagares a routine day of rest on Wednesday, starting Matt den Dekker at that position.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
The International Monetary Fund has slapped down a line of argument run by Prime Minister Tony Abbott ahead of a visit to Australia by its chief, Christine Lagarde.
Dr Lagarde will attend the G20 finance ministers meeting in Sydney on Thursday and Friday and take part in an ABC Q&A special on Thursday night. In an interview with Fairfax Media's Good Weekend, Dr Lagarde urged Mr Abbott not to abandon Australia's role as a ''pioneer'' in the debate on climate change, saying previous Australian governments had played an important role.
In a working paper released separately in Washington on Saturday IMF staff take issue with claims made by leaders including Mr Abbott about high levels of government debt. Titled Debt and Growth: Is There a Magic Threshold? the paper fails to find any evidence of a threshold above which medium-term growth is dramatically compromised.
Mr Abbott told the World Economic Forum at Davos in January that stronger growth required ''getting government spending under control''. ''You don't address debt and deficit with yet more debt and deficit,'' he said.
The IMF working paper takes issue with those who say high levels of debt are associated with ''particularly large negative effects on growth''.
A much quoted series of papers by US economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff found that above 90 per cent, the debt-to-GDP ratio was associated with dramatically weaker growth. But other economists found the apparent threshold vanished when the study was corrected for a coding error and the weighting of data.
The IMF study assembles more than a century's worth of data on GDP per capita and the debt-to-GDP ratio from 34 member nations. The Australian data goes back to federation. It finds that, rather than weakening growth as is sometimes claimed, high levels of debt seem to weaken ''the association between debt and medium-term growth''.
''We find the debt trajectory can be just as important, and possibly more important, than the level of debt in understanding future growth prospects,'' the paper says. ''Indeed, countries with high but declining levels of debt have historically grown just as fast as their peers.''
But all is not lost for leaders including Mr Abbott who argue that high debt impedes economic growth. The study finds that high levels of debt are ''weakly associated with higher output volatility''.


text: Greetings from Chiapas, our last stop on this harvest visit to Mexico's coffee states. Starting in Veracruz, we've woven our way south through Oaxaca and witnessed the tail end of what has been a trying harvest. Estimates of production are at forty percent reduction due to poor weather and roya, the leaf destroying fungus I wrote about in our visit to Guatemala last year. It's been a whirlwind of a trip, with long days on windy mountain roads, numerous cupping sessions, and meetings with farmers. Here are some of the highlights:


text: Evans heir to job as Herd's No. 2 target By Doug Smock April 10, 2013 Story Share HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - It doesn't take an aeronautical engineering major to figure out who is Marshall's top returning wide receiver this spring.That's Tommy Shuler, the man with the 110 receptions for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns last season as a sophomore. His role this spring is to baffle a rebuilding defense, and he's doing a fine job at that.So, after the departure of NFL prospect Aaron Dobson, Antavious Wilson and backup slot man Andre Snipes-Booker, who is the No. 2 returning wide receiver? No peeking.That honor goes to Demetrius Evans, the star-crossed senior-to-be who stayed healthy enough to catch 32 balls for 284 yards with two touchdowns. (He finished behind tight end Gator Hoskins, who scored 10 TDs out of his 35 catches.)Evans started three games, but he played all 12. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound senior from Belle Glade, Fla., didn't play that many in his first two seasons."Last year, I kind of count it as my freshman year, after two season-ending injuries," Evans said. "My freshman year I had a labrum tear, and my sophomore year I was done after Southern Miss, the second game of the season, after a PCL tear."Posterior cruiciate ligament tears are unusual, and so is this: "The weird part about it, it doesn't hurt," Evans said. Now, he is battling a conga line of receivers in the wide receiver room this spring, both at Dobson's old "X" position and elsewhere in the Thundering Herd's varying formations. And the roster doesn't take into account injured contenders Davonte Allen and Jazz King.The warm-body count has new receivers coach Mike Furrey enthusiastic and ready to put his NFL experience to work."We have a lot of depth with a lot of guys who want to play," Furrey said Tuesday. "The will to play and the desire to play sometimes, and often, overtakes talent. A talented guys will show up every once in a while, make plays here and there [but be] pretty inconsistent."The guys we have in this room are sponges right now; they want to learn. Still, they're in denial [in] receiving the information because they've done things a certain way for so long, even all the way back to high school." Or at Penn State, which is where Shawney Kersey toiled until he followed cornerback Derrick Thomas and diminutive receiver Devon "Moo-Moo" Smith to Huntington.Last year, Kersey caught five passes for 35 yards in the Nittany Lions' opening loss to Ohio, then had a single catch for 9 yards in a setback at Virginia. After that, he left the program, citing personal reasons.Thomas, Smith and Kersey all will be seniors this fall. Smith redshirted after his arrival, but he knows what Marshall's hyper-tempo offense is all about. Evans is very, very familiar.Kersey, who backed up Evans at "X" on Tuesday, is still undergoing culture shock. After all, he played in Big Ten, where even the no-huddle offenses have been known to take their time. The Herd did not, averaging 90 snaps per game. It almost exhausted Kersey to watch it on video."Whewwwww, man! And then coming out here and actually doing it? It's tough, but it's fun," Kersey said.Several receivers are making some eye-popping catches this spring. On Tuesday, that started when Evans "snow-coned" a downfield shot from quarterback Rakeem Cato. Later, Cato put a perfect amount of air under a shot down the sideline, hitting DeAndre Reaves perfectly.Look for that to continue for the final seven practices, right up to the April 27 Green-White Game."When you've got guys who want to learn and want to play, and they respect you, you can coach," Furrey said.Reach Doug Smock at 304-348-5130, firstname.lastname@example.com or follow him at twitter.com/dougsmock. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Cabin Creek Health Systems 2 Teen pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Oakes Field shooting 3 'Report for America' pilot project begins in Appalachia 4 Rhode Island bank claims Justice companies owe $4.2M on helicopter loan 5 Congressional opioid investigation targets drug wholesaler Miami-Luken Beckley man wins NASCAR contest Previous Story Dozie's journey to WVU has been a doozy Next Story