text:
Good morning. I am greatly honored to be here and to follow President Obama in thanking you and your families for your patriotism and service to the nation. We reaffirm our commitment to you and other Veterans by providing the benefits and services you have earned and on which you rely so heavily.
At your February mid-winter conference in Louisville, I told you that serving as secretary is a "calling," one that allows me to give back to those who served with and for me in uniform, and to those Veterans of World War II and Korea, on whose shoulders I stood, as I grew up in the profession of arms.
From my first meeting with him, President Obama's commitment to Veterans was clear. It runs deep; it is firm and unwavering. His vision to transform the Department of Veterans Affairs resonated with me, and I am here today, thankful for this opportunity to serve Veterans. Yesterday, you had the chance to hear first hand his commitment to all, who have steadfastly safeguarded our way of life.
Over the past seven months, I have visited VA facilities—large and small, urban and rural, complex and simple—all across the country. I've spoken with leaders, staffs, and Veterans. I also invited each of our 21 VISN directors to share with me their requirements; their priorities; their measurements for performance, quality, and safety; and their need for resources—people, money, time. I took the final, four-hour VISN presentation last Friday. This was time well invested—an invaluable learning experience.
Every day, 288,000 people come to work at VA to serve Veterans. We have only one mission—to care for our nation's Veterans, wherever they live, by providing them the highest-quality benefits and services possible. We must do this faster, better, and more equitably.
VFW's ministry of presence, whether to simply answer a Veteran's question or provide bedside comfort and companionship or render honors at a final formation in one of our National Cemeteries, is remarkable devotion to comrades who have served and shared hardship with us. Simple acts of kindness performed by your 2.2 million members and the more than 500,000 members of the auxiliary reach out, lift up, and sustain Veterans and their families. The VFW has set the standard in this area for 110 years, and your auxiliary for 96 of them. Your century of achievements in Veterans affairs is the drumbeat we all salute.
VA's own legacy of service is an unwavering pursuit of President Lincoln's charge "to care for [those], who have borne the battle." These words are as compelling for us today as when they were first delivered during Lincoln's second inaugural address.
The Veterans I've met in my travels have been uplifting. Many struggle with conditions inevitable with old age; others live with uncertain consequences from exposures to environmental threats and chemicals; still others have recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq bearing the fresh wounds of war—visible and invisible.
Out of my encounters with Veterans, three concerns kept coming through—access, the backlog, and homeless Veterans.
Access: Of the 23.4 million Veterans in this country, roughly eight million are enrolled in VA. Five and a half million have used our medical services at least once. Three-and-a-half million visit our medical facilities regularly. Why have over 15 million Veterans never enrolled with us? Whatever the reason, VA will continue reaching out to them to explain our benefits, services, and the quality of our healthcare system.
A major initiative that will expand access is the President's decision to welcome back some 500,000 Priority Group 8 Veterans, who lost their entitlements in 2003. We began registering them in July, and we expect 266,000 enrollments this first year, through 2010.
Another initiative to expand and improve access is the evolution of our healthcare delivery system. VA's 153 medical centers are the flagships of our nationwide integrated healthcare enterprise. About a decade ago, VA brilliantly decided to move away from the concept of "here are our flagships; come visit us" to one that endeavors to deliver healthcare to wherever Veterans live.
To do that, we have created a system of 768 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, 232 Vet Centers, outreach and mobile clinics, and, when necessary, contracted specialized healthcare locally.
Our next major leap in healthcare delivery will be to routinely connect flagship medical centers to distant Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and their even more distant mobile counterparts via an IT backbone that places specialized healthcare professionals in direct contact with patients via telehealth and telemedicine hook-ups.
Today, we are even piloting connectivity from medical centers to the homes of the chronically ill to provide better monitoring and the prevention of avoidable acute episodes. This means that Veterans will drive less to receive routine healthcare, but they will have better access day-to-day. It will be higher quality and more convenient, especially for Veterans challenged by long distances—and prevention will mean healthier lives.
The backlog: Even though less than 50 percent of the Veteran population receives care or benefits from VA, we have a backlog in disability claims. The total number of claims in our inventory today is around 400,000, and backlogged claims that have been in the system for longer than 125 days total roughly 145,000 cases. In July, we closed out 85,000 claims and received another 89,000 new ones. Regardless of how we parse the numbers, there is a backlog, it is too big, and Veterans are waiting too long for their checks.
In April, President Obama charged Defense Secretary Gates and me to build a fully interoperable electronic records system that will provide each member of our armed forces a Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record that will track them from the day they put on the uniform, through their time as Veterans, until the day they are laid to rest.
VA is already a leader in the development and use of electronic health records. So is the Department of Defense. Between us, DoD and VA have an opportunity to drive the improvement of healthcare through a fully interoperable electronic health record. Our achievements here may go beyond Veterans and service members and could help the nation, as a whole. We are working with the President's chief performance, chief technology, and chief information officers to harness the powers of innovation and technology. For VA, it will revolutionize our claims process—faster processing, higher-quality decisions, no lost records, fewer errors. I am personally committed to reducing the processing times of disability claims. We have work to do here, and we have moved out.
Homelessness: Veterans lead the nation in homelessness, depression, substance abuse, suicides, and they rank up there in joblessness, as well. Here again, this is an accumulation of neglect. We estimate that 131,000 Veterans live on the streets of this wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world—men and women, young and old, fully functioning and disabled, from every war generation, even the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of them will sleep on the streets here in phoenix tonight.
Six years ago, that number was 195,000, so we think we have the right partners, the right plans, and the right programs in place. We are moving in the right direction to remove this blot on all our consciences.
President Obama and I are committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. We are going to take those 131,000 homeless Veterans off the streets over the next five years. No one who has served this nation, as we have, should ever find themselves living without care—and without hope. I know that there are never any absolutes in life, but unless we set an ambitious target, we would not be giving this our very best efforts. To do this well, we will have to attack the entire downward spiral that ends in homelessness—we must offer education, jobs, treat depression, fight substance abuse, and offer safe housing. We have to do it all—no missed opportunities in going from 131,000 to zero and keeping it there—education, jobs, mental health, substance abuse, housing.
Education: the President and Senator Jim Webb and former Senator John Warner just kicked off our new Post 9/11 GI Bill program on 3 August. We expect roughly 150,000 Veterans to take part in this fully funded, degree-producing program at a state college or university of their choice this year. An additional 1,100 private institutions have elected to participate in a special arrangement called the Yellow Ribbon Program. This investment in America's future will go on for decades to come.
The last time we did this in 1944, after World War II, our country ended up being richer by 450,000 trained engineers, 240,000 accountants, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, 22,000 dentists, and a million other college-educated Veterans. They went on to provide the leadership that catapulted our economy to world's largest and our nation to leader of the free world and victor of the Cold War. Lightning is about to strike twice for those, who have answered our nation's call.
Jobs: I recently addressed more than 1,700 Veteran small-business owners at the 5th Annual Small Business Symposium on 21 July. I reminded them that Veterans hire Veterans because they know what they're getting. Customers and partners value their skills, knowledge, and attributes and are eager to work with them.
Just last fall, in a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, over 90 percent of employers said they valued Veterans' skills—in particular, their strong sense of responsibility and teamwork.
VA puts Veterans first in our contracting awards because we recognize the on-time, on-budget, quality solutions they bring to our contracting needs. In fiscal year 2008, our unique "Veterans first" buying program resulted in VA's spending more than $2 billion on Veteran-owned small businesses. That represented 15 percent of our procurement dollars—up five percent from the previous year.
During that time, we also doubled our support to service-disabled Veteran-owned businesses. That means 12 percent of our procurement dollars—$1.6 billion—was invested here.
At VA, our experience is that Veteran-owned small businesses have high likelihood for creating new jobs, developing new products and services, and building prosperity. As I said earlier, Veterans hire Veterans. So increasing opportunities for Veteran-owned small businesses is an effective way to help address many needs during this economic downturn.
Homeless Healthcare: We will spend $3.2 billion next year to prevent and reduce homelessness among Veterans—$2.7 billion on medical services and $500 million on specific homeless programs. With 85% of homelessness funding going to healthcare, it means that homelessness is primarily a healthcare issue—heavily burdened with depression and substance abuse. The psychological consequences of combat affect every generation of Veterans. VA now employs 18,000 mental health professionals to address our mental health needs. We know if we diagnose and treat, people usually get better. If we don't, they won't, and sometimes their problems become debilitating. We understand the stigma issue, and we are not going to be dissuaded. We are not giving up on any of our Veterans with mental health challenges, and definitely not the homeless.
Homeless Housing: We have approximately 500 partners in nearly every major town and city across the country helping us get homeless Veterans off the streets. With 20,000 HUD-VASH vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and our $500 million to invest in 2010, to cover safe housing and rehabilitation for Veterans we have been able to coax off the streets, we are going to reduce the number of homeless Veterans next year, and each year thereafter, for the next five.
So, education, jobs, healthcare, and housing: We have work to do here, but we have momentum, and we know where we are headed.
President Obama has charged me with transforming VA into a high-performing 21st century organization. It will be a different organization from the one that exists today.
Five years from now, we intend to be the provider of choice for more of that larger population of 23.4 million Veterans—in insurance, in healthcare, in education, in home loans, in counseling, and in employment.
To achieve this kind of status with Veterans, we must make it easier for them to understand their entitlements and then make it much simpler for them to access their benefits and health care services.
Beyond the five years, we're looking for new ways of thinking and acting. We are asking why, 40 years after Agent Orange was last used in Vietnam, this secretary is still adjudicating claims for service-connected disabilities related to it. And why 20 years after Desert Storm, we are still debating the debilitating effects of whatever causes Gulf War illness. Left to our present processes, 20 or 40 years from now, some future secretary could be adjudicating service-connected disabilities from our ongoing conflicts. We must do better, and we will.
If you haven't already heard, the Institute of Medicine recently released a new study on a possible link between Agent Orange and heart disease and Parkinson's. We have this study under review now, and I assure you—we will get this right.
My remarks this morning comprise a seven-month progress report on the state of your department. I intend to do this again next year. Much more remains to be done. We need your continued support and assistance, if we are to become the provider of choice. My mission is to serve Veterans by increasing their access to our benefits and services, to provide them the highest quality of health care available, and to control costs to the best of my abilities. Doing so will make VA a model of good governance. Doing so will also keep faith with President Lincoln's charge to care for those who have borne the battle and grant them the dignity and respect they deserve until they are laid to rest. That is my mission.
God bless our men and women in uniform. God bless our Veterans, and God bless our wonderful country.
Thank you.


text:
Ceramic Sketched Knobs
No longer available
- Overview
A unique and artful touch to your dresser, desk and other pieces, these ceramic knobs add personal flair.
- 1.5" diameter, 1.5" deep
- Made of ceramic.
Make sure it fits! Use our interactive room planner to design your floor plan.
- Dimensions + Care
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth.
- Shipping Info
This item will arrive in 3-5 business days. Please proceed to the Payment & Review page of Checkout for a precise delivery estimate.
- Final Sale
Final-sale items, identified by a price ending in $0.99, cannot be returned. Once placed, your order for any final sale items cannot be canceled.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Webb to throw out Opening Day first pitch
PHOENIX -- From 2006-09, Brandon Webb was the Opening Day starter for the D-backs.
This year, Webb will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Monday night's opener against the Cardinals at Chase Field.
Webb won the 2006 National League Cy Young Award and was a three-time All-Star for the D-backs from '03-09.
In his final big league appearance, Webb was forced to leave his 2009 Opening Day start with shoulder soreness. The injury eventually required a pair of surgeries and despite numerous comeback attempts, and Webb never made it back.
Just before Spring Training this year, Webb announced his retirement.
D-backs second baseman Aaron Hill will also be presented with his 2012 Silver Slugger Award.
Limited tickets remain for the opener.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Edsel Canvas Tote Bags are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Edsel Canvas Tote Bag for a special occasion, give a Edsel Tote Bag as a present or need to represent with a funny Custom Edsel Bag during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Edsel Canvas Tote Bag for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Custom Edsel Bag with the perfect design for your mother, father or children (or friends!); Idakoos offers all of its Edsel Canvas Tote Bags as Custom Edsel Tote Bags. Personalize any Edsel Canvas Tote Bag the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
Showing 1 - 24 of 157 Canvas Tote Bag


text:
DIAs Jung Chaeyeon Shares How Many Calls She Received After Unveiling Phone Number
Jung Chaeyeons phone has been ringing off the hook!
The DIA member revealed that she has received a huge amount of phone calls from fans after her phone number was released to the public during DIAs recent V Live broadcast.
Soompi.Display.News.English.300x250.BTF Soompi.Mobile.English.300x250.ATF
On April 19, the singer joined her group mates for a special showcase at Seouls Shinhan Card FAN Square to celebrate the release of their second studio album YOLO.
After my phone number was revealed, I received over 10,000 messages, she told fans at the event. I wanted to answer them, but I had to practice, so I couldnt.


text:
Medical News You May Have Missed—Week of January 21st
Medical News You May Have Missed—Week of January 21st
Linked Articles
FDA Approves New Type of Flu Vaccine
The FDA recently announced the approval of a new seasonal influenza vaccine called Flublok. Flublok is set apart from other flu vaccines because it is a trivalent vaccine made using an insect virus expression system and recombinant DNA technology.
"This approval represents a technological advance in the manufacturing of an influenza vaccine," Karen Midthun, MD, Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a press release. "The new technology offers the potential for faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process in the event of a pandemic, because it is not dependent on an egg supply or on availability of the influenza virus."
The efficacy of Flublock was studied at various sites in the US: 2300 people received the new vaccine and a control group received placebo. Flublok was about 44.6% effective against all circulating influenza strains, not just the strains that matched the strains included in the vaccine.
Flublok can be used in patients aged 18 years to 49 years.


text:
In 72 hours, more than 600,000 persons in China, and 6-7M persons worldwide, are going to turn to that little something dearest to them and say those dreaded words, "Honey, you're looking old". I'm not talking about their spouse, I'm talking about something they normally spend far more time with: their iPhones. Within 72 hours […]Read More...
Share this blog
Popular Tagsadvertising Apple baidu Beijing business China chinamobile Chinese development dollar earthquake economic economics economy environment facebook gaming global globalization google government internet investment iPhone management market marketing media microsoft online party PR qq search Shanda shanghai Shenzhen social software stevejobs technology tencent twitter US yahoo


text:
Prevent Blindness America thanks the organizations sponsoring our 2012 Most Beautiful Eyes Contest:
Marchon Eyewear, Inc. is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunwear. Headquartered in New York, with regional headquarters across the globe, Marchon distributes its products through numerous local sales offices serving customers in a network of 100 countries.
Eagle Eyes®, a leader in protective sunglasses, provides 100% UVA, UVB plus blue-light eye protection. Developed from original NASA optic technology, Eagle Eyes® recently won the Space Foundation "Technology Hall of Fame" Award and is most proud to offer our products to each state winner of Prevent Blindness America's "Most Beautiful Eyes Contest."
Experience the best golf Las Vegas has to offer. Whether you're looking to escape to a tropical golf paradise right on the Vegas Strip or test your game on the best holes of the British Open or play a Dye-Designed taste of the Carolina's –Walters Golf has it all! We look forward to making your golf experience with us your most memorable round yet!
RKS Real Kids Shades provided the first 50 contest entrants with a free pair of RKS sunglasses. Real Kids Shades provides the very best in infant and children's eyewear with their line of 100% UVA/UVB rated lenses.
Return to our Most Beautiful Eyes contest page on Facebook.


text:
Fatal error: Class 'PHG_Global_LocationTypes' not found in /var/www/html/phg_corporate/trunk/www/classes/PHG_DataStore.Class.php on line 1264
It appears you are using an older web browser! While using our site, you may encounter some trouble along the way. For PC users, we recommend upgrading to the latest version of Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Firefox. For Mac users, we recommend the latest version of Safari, Firefox, or Google Chrome.


text:
I find that very hard to believe, unless one/both takes a bit of a paycut. I don't think NBA players restructure deals (Durant/Westbrook) to try and keep players.Sam Presti said the Thunder are expecting to sign both James Harden and Serge Ibaka.
"We're looking forward to having those conversations," Presti said. "Those guys are guys we drafted and have developed internally. We see them as guys who are important to sustaining our team."
There is speculation around the league that the Thunder eventually will have to pick between Harden and Ibaka, both of whom will become restricted free agents at the end of next season.
Harden is set to earn $5.8 million and one assistant general manager believes the third-year player could command as much as $10 million per year in free agency.
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz1ssBRSlHs
I don't see them being able to keep all 4?
I think Harden benefits greatly from having Westbrook and Durant getting double teams and most of the attention from other teams. I bet his numbers go down elsewhere. Still, he's a good defender and I wouldn't mind trying to get him.
Ibaka is also a great shot blocker and has athleticism to be a great complimentary to Hibbs.
Would really love for the Pacers to go after one of these guys.


text:
FC Shakhtar Donetsk made European headlines – good and bad – as they clinched their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on matchday five.
The 5-2 win against FC Nordsjælland in Denmark showed the ruthless streak in Mircea Lucescu's team, though Luiz Adriano subsequently received a one-match ban for violating the principles of conduct – after scoring the first goal of his hat-trick following a drop ball which was meant to result in possession being given back to the opposition. After the game, the striker, his coach and even the club's president apologised, with the Brazilian certain to get a fine from his club, who are eager to preserve their good image in Europe.
The whole incident could even have a positive outcome for Shakhtar, who are sure to redouble their efforts and increase their focus when they entertain Juventus next week, keen to ensure they stand out once more for their footballing abilities. Shakhtar have already attained their first target of the year by going through the group stage, but finishing off 2012 on a high now seems like a point of honour.
Shakhtar drew 1-1 at Juventus on matchday two and might easily have won; they scored first and, while their hosts were level within two minutes, the Ukrainian side looked the more dangerous team for the remainder of the night – coming agonizingly close to a winner when Willian hit the bar in second-half stoppage time. That served as a message to Chelsea FC and Juventus that Shakhtar were not about to settle for a UEFA Europa League place.
Right after the group stage draw, Lucescu had stated his intention of reaching the round of 16 and, if that appeared a tall order given the pedigree of their Group E opponents, the Romanian coach has been true to his word. Holders Chelsea were lucky to leave the Donbass Arena with a relatively dignified 2-1 scoreline on matchday three, and doubly fortunate to beat the Pitmen 3-2 at home two weeks later with a late goal, on what was an off-night for goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.
Luiz Adriano's transgression in Copenhagen may have overshadowed the win that put Shakhtar through, yet no one could say their success has not been richly deserved. That is no small achievement considering Shakhtar finished bottom of a section featuring FC Zenit St Petersburg, FC Porto and APOEL FC last term.
Whichever way you look at it, Shakhtar are having a terrific season: 21 victories in 24 competitive outings, with an aggregate score of 70-18; 11 points clear at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League, and on course for an eighth title since 2002.
Ukrainian championships, however, are no longer the limit of Shakhtar's ambition. In years gone by, just getting a group stage place was a feat, but ever since the Pitmen lifted the UEFA Cup in 2008/09, their horizons have grown. The only way they can top that is by winning the UEFA Champions League – and seeing how they have performed against two European heavyweights in this group stage, that no longer resembles an impossible dream.
©UEFA.com 1998-2017. All rights reserved.


text:
Katz = NO!
January 02 2008 11:59PM
This strikes us as thoroughly stupid and short-sighted...
Others want out, in part because they understand the Oilers have to pay their fair share for the building or face a public crucifixion and quite frankly they aren't interested in reaching into their pockets to finance the project.
January 03 2008, 11:12AM
All the EIG wants is assurances that the Oilers won't be moved out of town and that the arena project will move forward. They are acting in the interests of Edmonton one last time, before they pass the torch on to Katz.
January 03 2008, 03:29PM
It's karma for Mr. (sellout) Nichols...first he's a no, then he gets offered a job with Katz so all for selling to his new boss...but now...he's unemployed????? HAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHA
I still think this all posturing for more money. If Katz buys the team I don't ever want to hear that an Oiler is injured again. They have an all-you-can-take pharmacy on call. I want those Oilers doped up good and on the ice!


text:
I Love Cyclists Sweatshirt
Product Color:
Product information
Sweatshirt I Love Cyclists is the all-time ultimate in comfort with its classic, relaxed fit. On the surface rich cotton with I Love Cyclists, inside flannel for the softest sensation. Medium to heavy weight ensuring warmth and makes it great, weather as a throw-over in rainy and windy weather or to protect against the snow and ice in the winter.
Crew-neck for those that don't like the common hood. Stretched cuffs and hem assure a lasting shape. Cycling Sweatshirt comes in 12 basic colors. Heather Grey: 80% Cotton/20% Polyester. Remaining Colors: 100% Cotton.
Sku: SR1BL0000007300202020152WH0000000


text:
I'm putting this under equipment because I think it is the best fit ...
This weekend I'll be playing in my first tournament (Volksfest) and it will include my first glow round.
My regular putter is a glow wizard and I'm going to buy a glow roc and a glow teebird at the event.
My question is, what is the best way to keep these discs charged during the event? My wizards hold a dim glow for about an hour ... is the innova glow blend any better?
I'm thinking I'll keep all three discs in a bag with a couple small flashlights in it to keep them charged ... but that seems a little haphazard.
I had grand plans to construct a special translucent sleeve lit by LEDs .... but the time has gotten away from me.
Any suggestions on keeping the discs nice and bright?


text:
Category: baby name Lorca
If you look at the list of popular boys' names—and some girls' too—you start to feel that almost every conceivable surname has become a first. Occupational names like Mason and Sawyer, patronymics like Jackson and Addison, Irish surnames Nolan and Quinn, Old Hollywood glamour last names such as Harlow…the list goes on.
Of course the ideal scenario for coming up with a fresher choice would be to discover some surname surprise on your own family true, but that isn't always possible.
So are there any more original choices in this category of surname baby names still to be discovered? Of course there are…in all the above modes and beyond. Here are a few ideas to get you started; some have been lightly used over the years, but they all rate consideration for wider use.


text:
The City of Aspen's ZGreen Program provides resources to help all who live and visit Aspen reduce their impacts on our environment.
Community Office of Resource Efficiency
Canary Initiative
ZGreen Event Guidelines
To subscribe to the e-newsletter, click here.
Next Green Drinks!September 20, 5-7 PM
Aspen T.R.E.E.
210 Juniper Hill Road, Aspen
Contact Aspen ZGreen
The City of Aspen welcomes other communities and organizations to use the ZGreen Program as a model. Please limit use to educational purposes (not for financial gain); do not duplicate the ZGreen name, formatting, or wording; and credit the City of Aspen ZGreen Program appropriately.


text:
McCutchen has no structural damage in sore knee
PITTSBURGH -- Starling Marte was due to miss his second start of the season, left out of the Pirates' original lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Astros. Instead, Andrew McCutchen missed his second start, scratched with a sore right knee.
McCutchen reported the discomfort following pregame batting practice and was set down as a precaution. An immediate doctor's exam confirmed the lack of structural damage, and McCutchen was confident of being able to resume playing following Monday's off-day.
"I just felt a little uncomfortable, and wanted to make sure everything was OK," said McCutchen, who revealed having felt some irregularity in the joint since Thursday's game against the Brewers.
"There was a small play where I slid home, and came up not feeling right. Something caused an uncomfortable feeling, so I wanted to check everything out. I didn't want to jeopardize the rest of the season. Better safe than sorry. I didn't want to sit out today, it's just something I had to do, but we were able to get a win, so it's OK. And I should be good to go [Tuesday]."
"I didn't want to play him [after McCutchen reported the discomfort]," manager Clint Hurdle said. "After our doctors saw him, he felt better about his situation."
"Yeah," McCutchen agreed, "it was a lot better than just sitting on it not knowing what was happening."
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Michigan law enforcement arrested a former Mendocino County man on a Mendocino County warrant alleging he had sexually abused a child under 14 over a period of several years. The man was transferred to Mendocino County Jail from the Clare County Jail in Michigan on January 24.
Conrad Arthur Aten, 44, has been charged in Mendocino County Superior Court with five separate felony counts involving sexual abuse of a child. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 20.
Aten moved to Harrison, Michigan after Mendocino County sheriff's deputies began investigating a report he had abused the child over a period of several years. After a 4 month investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing possible witnesses, detectives filed a report with the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office. A felony warrant was subsequently issued for Aten's arrest.
Aten is being held in Mendocino County Jail with bail set at $300,000.
Anyone with information that may have a bearing on this case is being asked to contact the sheriff's tip line at 707-234-2100.


text:
Intercalated Administration of PamCis With Gefitinib or Placebo as First Line Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never Smokers
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Adenocarcinoma
|Drug: Gefitinib Drug: Placebo Drug: Pemetrexed plusCIsplatin
|Phase 2
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|A Randomized Placebo-controlled Phase II Study of Intercalated Administration of Pemetrexed/Cisplatin With Iressa® (Gefitinib) or Placebo as First-line Treatment of Stage IIIB/IV Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never-smokers
- To compare progression-free survival [ Time Frame: minimum 1-year follow-up ]
from date of randomization until the date of first documented progression or death from any case.
Assessed minimum 1 years.
- To compare objective response rate (CR+PR) [ Time Frame: minimum 1-year follow-up ]every 9 weeks until PD
- To compare duration of response. [ Time Frame: minimum 1-year follow-up ]
- To compare non progression rate (CR+PR+SD) at 16 weeks. [ Time Frame: at 16 weeks ]
- To compare overall survival. [ Time Frame: minimum 1-year follow-up ]
- To compare number of Grade 3/4 Adverse Events [ Time Frame: average up to 1 year ]Participants will be followed for the duration of chemotherapy. CTCAE version 4.0
- To assess biomarker [ Time Frame: minimum 1-year follow-up ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|March 2012
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|February 2015
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|August 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: Study arm
Pemetrexed plus Cisplatin plus Gefitinib
Drug: Gefitinib
Gefitinib 250mg, per PO. daily, D 5-18 (during 14 days)
Other Name: AP-GDrug: Pemetrexed plusCIsplatin
Pemetrexed 500mg/m2 on D1 plus Cisplatin 75mg/m2 on D1 every 3 weeks maximum 9 cycles
Other Name: Standard chemotherapy
Placebo Comparator: Placebo arm
Pemetrexed plus Cisplatin plus Placebo
Drug: Placebo
Placebo 1 tablet, per PO, Daily on D 5-18 (during 14 days)
Other Name: AP-PDrug: Pemetrexed plusCIsplatin
Pemetrexed 500mg/m2 on D1 plus Cisplatin 75mg/m2 on D1 every 3 weeks maximum 9 cycles
Other Name: Standard chemotherapy
Detailed Description:
Investigators believe this PFS curve crossing-over in both IPASS and First-SIGNAL study is mainly due to early progression of EGFR mutation-negative tumors after gefitinib alone. Taken together with the FASTACT trial results, this PFS curve crossing-over may well be averted if effective chemotherapy is given together with gefitinib in a most optimum timing and sequence. Apparently, timing of EGFR-TKI administration within chemotherapy cycles is very critical, as shown in OSI 9774 trial.
In this placebo-controlled randomized phase II, Investigators propose to give gefitinib on days 5-18 of a 3-weekly chemotherapy cycle of pemetrexed/cisplatin to avoid any potential overlap of EGFR-TKI effects on chemotherapy or vice versa. Investigators would like to generate promising pilot data, which warrants a large phase III trial. Investigators hope to show that intercalated administration of Iressa® (gefitinib) and Pemetrexed/platinum regimen improves the outcome of never-smokers with advanced (stage IIIB/IV) lung adenocarcinoma.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of lung with or without BAC features; however, adenocarcinoma combined with other histology, such as small cell carcinoma or squamous carcinoma, is not allowed.
- Stage IIIB (not amenable for radical loco-regional therapy) or stage IV (metastatic) patients according to the 7th TNM staging system
- Age 18-75
- Never-smoking defined as not more than 100 cigarettes during the lifetime
- ECOG performance status of 0-2
- Good organ function
- The presence of CNS metastases is not considered as an exclusion criterion, provided that there is good control of the symptoms with corticosteroids
- Patients must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of the study in keeping with the policy of the hospital. The only approved consent form is attached to this protocol
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with prior exposure to agents directed at the HER
- Patients with prior chemotherapy or therapy with systemic anti-tumour therapy for advanced disease.
- Lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract, or malabsorption syndrome, or inability to take oral medication, or have active peptic ulcer disease.
- Known severe hypersensitivity to gefitinib or to any of the study drugs.
- Any evidence of clinically active interstitial lung disease
- Concomitant use of phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, barbiturates, or St John's Wort
- Prior invasive malignancies 3 years prior to study entry except adequately treated cutaneous basal cell carcinoma or uterine cervix in situ cancer
- As judged by the investigator, any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease
- Evidence of any other significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding that makes it undesirable for the subject to participate in the study
- Treatment with a non-approved or investigational drug within 30 days before Day 1 of study treatment.
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding (women of child-bearing potential).
- Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice acceptable methods of birth control
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01502202
|Contact: Jin Soo Lee, M.D. PhD.
|Contact: SUNG JIN YOON, RN
|Korea, Republic of
|National Cancer Center
|Goyang-si, Gyenggido, Korea, Republic of, 410-769
|Contact: Sung Jin Yoon, RN +82-31-920-0405 email@example.com
|Contact: Jin Soo Lee, MD. Ph.D. +82-31-920-1501 email@example.com
|Principal Investigator:
|Jin Soo Lee, M.D. PhD.
|National Cancer Center
|Responsible Party:
|Jin Soo Lee, Principal Investigator, National Cancer Center, Korea
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01502202 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|December 22, 2011
|Last Updated:
|June 19, 2012
Keywords provided by Jin Soo Lee, National Cancer Center, Korea:
lung adenocarcinoma
never smoker
1st line treatment
Intercalation administration
never smokers
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic
Bronchial Neoplasms
Respiratory Tract Neoplasms
Thoracic Neoplasms
Neoplasms by Site
Lung Diseases
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial
Neoplasms by Histologic Type
Antineoplastic Agents
Enzyme Inhibitors
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Folic Acid Antagonists
Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


text:
What if every state was the same size...
3 comments:
Another approach would be the National Popular Vote bill. It would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).ReplyDelete
Every vote, everywhere, would be politically relevant and equal in presidential elections. Candidates would need to care about voters across the nation, not just undecided voters in a handful of swing states.
The bill would take effect only when enacted, in identical form, by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes--that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President (270 of 538). When the bill comes into effect, all the electoral votes from those states would be awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).
The Constitution gives every state the power to allocate its electoral votes for president, as well as to change state law on how those votes are awarded.
The bill is currently endorsed by over 1,707 state legislators (in 48 states) who have sponsored and/or cast recorded votes in favor of the bill.
In Gallup polls since 1944, only about 20% of the public has supported the current system of awarding all of a state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes in each separate state (with about 70% opposed and about 10% undecided). The recent Washington Post, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University poll shows 72% support for direct nationwide election of the President. Support for a national popular vote is strong in virtually every state, partisan, and demographic group surveyed in recent polls in closely divided battleground states: Colorado-- 68%, Iowa --75%, Michigan-- 73%, Missouri-- 70%, New Hampshire-- 69%, Nevada-- 72%, New Mexico-- 76%, North Carolina-- 74%, Ohio-- 70%, Pennsylvania -- 78%, Virginia -- 74%, and Wisconsin -- 71%; in smaller states (3 to 5 electoral votes): Alaska – 70%, DC – 76%, Delaware --75%, Maine -- 77%, Nebraska -- 74%, New Hampshire --69%, Nevada -- 72%, New Mexico -- 76%, Rhode Island -- 74%, and Vermont -- 75%; in Southern and border states: Arkansas --80%, Kentucky -- 80%, Mississippi --77%, Missouri -- 70%, North Carolina -- 74%, and Virginia -- 74%; and in other states polled: California -- 70%, Connecticut -- 74% , Massachusetts -- 73%, Minnesota – 75%, New York -- 79%, Washington -- 77%, and West Virginia- 81%.
The National Popular Vote bill has passed 29 state legislative chambers, in 19 small, medium-small, medium, and large states, including one house in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon, and both houses in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The bill has been enacted by Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington. These five states possess 61 electoral votes -- 23% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.
See http://www.NationalPopularVote.com
The small states are the most disadvantaged group of states under the current system of electing the President. Political clout comes from being a closely divided battleground state, not the two-vote bonus.ReplyDelete
12 of the 13 smallest states (3-4 electoral votes) are almost invariably non-competitive, and ignored, in presidential elections. Six regularly vote Republican (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota),, and six regularly vote Democratic (Rhode Island, Delaware, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, and DC) in presidential elections. So despite the fact that these 12 states together possess 40 electoral votes, because they are not closely divided battleground states, none of these 12 states get visits, advertising or polling or policy considerations by presidential candidates.
These 12 states together contain 11 million people. Because of the two electoral-vote bonus that each state receives, the 12 non-competitive small states have 40 electoral votes. However, the two-vote bonus is an entirely illusory advantage to the small states. Ohio has 11 million people and has "only" 20 electoral votes. As we all know, the 11 million people in Ohio are the center of attention in presidential campaigns, while the 11 million people in the 12 non-competitive small states are utterly irrelevant. Nationwide election of the President would make each of the voters in the 12 smallest states as important as an Ohio voter.
The concept of a national popular vote for President is far from being politically "radioactive" in small states, because the small states recognize they are the most disadvantaged group of states under the current system.
In the 13 smallest states, the National Popular Vote bill already has been approved by eight state legislative chambers, including one house in Delaware and Maine and both houses in Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It has been enacted by Hawaii.
Yeah-- I'm opposed to the popular vote? I mean, look at stuff like Prop 8 in CA, which are basically textbook tyranny of the majority issues. Direct democracy, ugh! Republic any day over that.ReplyDelete


text:
Topic: Question for folks who have done Gem/Cis
Hi y'all. My husband's lymph node biopsy results came back yesterday - nothing but necrotic debris. The oncology team feels 95% certain that his lymph nodes are cancerous. We will try to confirm via PET scan.
This means he is no longer a candidate for Dr. Chapman's liver transplant protocol, so he will start palliative Gem/Cis as soon as possible.
My question for those who have been on it is, how did it affect your ability to carry out daily functions? Were you still able to work, play, travel?
The reason I ask is that taking the kids to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is on his bucket list. He is doing very well right now, still working and doing all of his normal activities. If he starts chemo this week, Mardi Gras week will be one of his "off chemo" weeks, following his third round of treatment. Will he be up for a 14-hour car trip (with overnight stop in the middle) and Mardi Gras fun? (We have an electric scooter we can bring if needed.) Or should we expect that the Gem/Cis will make him sick and weak and not able to travel?


text:
Italian centre-right leaders have increased pressure on Prime Minister Mario Monti to run in upcoming elections as the leader of a broad alliance of moderates.
"These could be once-off circumstances," said Angelino Alfano, secretary of the centre-right People of Liberty of former premier Silvio Berlusconi. "We are moderates who want to unite to prevent a win by the left."
His speech at a centre-right conference appealed for support for Mr Monti as the best way to continue reforms and avoid a win by the centre-left Democratic Party.
The PD now commands the largest chunk of voter support at 31%, compared to 16.5% for the PDL, according to pollsters SWG.
However support for Mr Monti is far from universal in the highly-fragmented centre-right, which includes his most entrenched critics, the Northern League, who were necessary coalition partners in the last centre-right government.
Mr Berlusconi, who addressed the conference by video, last week announced he would withdraw as an election candidate if Mr Monti were to run, in an apparent about-face shortly after his party withdrew support from the technocratic government.
The PDL's unexpected decision forced Mr Monti to announce his early resignation and brought forward elections to February from March.
According to a poll published by the Milan daily Corriere della Sera, a Monti candidacy has more support among PD than PDL voters, even though the former has repeatedly said Mr Monti should not run as a candidate.
The poll showed 44% of PD voters thought a Mr Monti run would be good, versus 50% who thought it would be a bad thing.
This compared to 19% support for the technocrat prime minister among voters for Mr Berlusconi's party, versus 78% who thought a Monti run would be negative.
The PD has expressed support for Mr Monti continuing in some role after the election, possibly as president, as the current President Giorgio Napolitano is due to step down in May.
There is another possibility that Mr Monti could run to lead an alliance of centrists and the business community now headed by the president of carmaker Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo.
Mr Monti would significantly broaden support for the centrist group if he ran as its leader, increasing votes to 15.1% from 9.3%, according to pollsters SWG.
The former chairman of Assicurazioni Generali and once a powerful business leader, Cesare Geronzi, urged Mr Monti to announce his decision.
"I would rate him better if he shook off this reserve about his candidacy. The country is dying of uncertainty," Mr Geronzi said in a television interview.
Mr Napolitano, who met with Mr Monti earlier today, said that the premier would announce his decision himself when questioned about it by reporters, but did not indicate when that would be.


text:
STANTON – A 29-year-old man from Tustin who authorities say was armed during a robbery attempt is in custody after he fled from police Thursday morning.
Joshua Mikulay, a parolee, was arrested on suspicion of attempted armed robbery, vehicle pursuit, possession of master keys, violating his parole and stealing a vehicle in Santa Ana, police said in written statement.
Mikulay was released from jail about two weeks ago upon posting bail in a drug case, online court and jail records show.
The incident was reported about 6 a.m. Thursday in the 7500 block of Santa Rita Circle in Garden Grove, police said in the statement.
Police said Mikulay approached employees arriving for work at a business and demanded money while holding a gun.
Mikulay fled in his vehicle once officers arrived, police said.
Police chased after Mikulay, who turned south on Cedar Street, past the Sheriff's Department substation in Stanton, and then fled from the vehicle on foot near Stanton Park, police added.
Sheriff's deputies and Garden Grove police cornered Mikulay, who was being uncooperative, near a McDonald's restaurant on Beach Boulevard at Katella Avenue.
Police did not locate a gun and advised the public to call the Garden Grove Police Department at 714-741-5704 if a firearm is found.
Contact the writer: email@example.com or 714-704-3795


text:
I know it was a spoof off of 300 b/c it said so during the skit, I sadly haven't seen the movie so I'm not sure what it meant.
I did think it was kinda funny. I makeup job was pretty good, and I thought whenever the director said throw the rock and Peyton just growled was pretty funny


text:
Creating a text list of policies in MMC console
This Article Covers
Windows legacy operating systems
Download Our 25-Page Guide: How to Overcome Windows 10 Hurdles
After upgrading to Windows 10, many IT departments run into challenges with the new OS. Access our comprehensive guide on how to solve the most common Windows 10 problems.
By submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.
You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.
Dig Deeper on Windows legacy operating systems
Find more PRO+ content and other member only offers, here.
Have a question for an expert?
Please add a title for your question
Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.
Meet all of our Enterprise Desktop experts


text:
A delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint when he was lured to a road by someone making a false order for Chinese food.
The victim, from South Woodham Ferrers, arrived in Middleton Row in the town where he was threatened by a man dressed in black and wearing a balaclava.
His assailant had a gun, which the victim thinks may not have been a real weapon, and struck him around the neck with it.
The driver, aged 26, suffered a minor injury in the incident at about 10pm on Saturday.
His wallet containing a small sum of cash and his car keys were stolen, and later found nearby by a member of the public.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "The suspect is described as aged 20 to 25 and of mixed heritage.
"Police believe he may be local as he seemed to know the nearby alleyway and area as he ran off from the scene."
Anyone who was in the area or has any information about the suspect is asked to contact detectives at Chelmsford CID on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


text:
Game Time Start: 7:00 PM EST
Where: The Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Officials: S. Foster, M. Ayotte, M. Smith
Media Notes: Indiana Notes, Dallas Notes
Television: FOX Sports Indiana / FOX Sports Southwest
Radio: WFNI 1070 AM / KESN 103.3 FM, KFLC 1270 AM
NBA Feeds:
*NBA Audio League Pass (available free to NBA All-Access members)
*NBA League Pass Broadband (subscription req'd)
*NBA League Pass Broadband (subscription req'd)
REMINDER: Per PD policy, please do not share a link to, describe how to search for, request a link to, or request a PM about streaming video of a NBA game that is not coming directly through the NBA. Not even in a "wink-wink, nudge-nudge, know-what-I-mean" round-about sort of way. Thank you
Danny Granger - left knee tendinosis (out)
David West - right sprained ankle (day-to-day)
Shawn Marion - right sprained MCL (probable)
Dirk Nowitzki - right knee surgery (out)
Jonathan Auping: The Emergence of Darren Collison in Dallas
"He's done this in other stops. I don't know how many games he started
in Indiana, but he played well there as a starter. Then they made the
switch, then they made the trade. They decided to go with Hill."
– Rick Carlisle on Darren Collison
The early-season struggles of the Pacers obviously have a whole lot to do with the
absence of Danny Granger. I am in no way trying to downplay anyone's claim that the
team would be playing better with Granger in the lineup. However, let us not forget that
Granger is not the only member of last year's Pacers who is not on the floor for them.
By playoff time last year it seemed apparent that at some point in the offseason the
Pacers would choose between either Darren Collison or George Hill. Hill was a free
agent who might demand a decent pay raise and neither player seemed to thrive while
having to split minutes. At times, it felt like Pacer fans had to be a part of either Team
Hill or Team Collison and they had to be willing to defend their stance.
And as you all know, the Pacers went with Hill. They gave him a $40 million contract
and shipped Collison to Dallas (along with Dahntay Jones for backup center Ian
The problem with Collison in Indiana seemed to be inconsistency and sometimes an
inability to stay involved. He gave good effort and seemingly had a good attitude, but
sometimes he just didn't have a huge impact on the game. He was a capable scorer,
but when he tried to play the role of facilitator he looked more like a bystander. Fellow
8p9s writer Tim Donahue mentioned that this was always the case for Collison in
Indiana. He said that when Jim O'Brien was around, his coaching schemes were
blamed, but it remained the same under Frank Vogel.
Rick Carlisle is not having the same problems with Collison, however. Of course, we
are still working with a small sample size, but so far Collison is thriving in Dallas.
Before the Mavericks played the Raptors Wednesday night, Carlisle talked about what
he has seen from Collison since he's been a member of the Mavericks. "(He's) even-
tempered. He's been aggressive. He's made good decisions. He's developing a feel for
attacking and being aggressive offensively."
The feeling around those watching Collison this year is beginning to be that the point
guard is playing well because...CONTINUE READING AT 8p9s
|Travis Wimberly: Thermodynamics - Week 3
Last week around this time, the Mavs were flying high. They carried a 4-1 record and
possessed what looked to be one of the best offenses in the NBA. But after some poor
performances and a 1-3 record this week—including the franchise's first-ever loss to
the Charlotte Bobcats—the Mavs have some work to do. But hey, at least they didn't
fire their coach five games into the season.
Let's take a look at the Mavs' hottest and coldest performances from Week 3.
(Spoiler alert: Cold wins this week.)
1) OJ Mayo
With a couple caveats, it was another strong week for the shooting guard affably
known as "Juice" (alternate nickname: "That guy who temporarily ruined USC's
basketball program"). Mayo shot 29-of-61 (48%) in the Mavs' four games this week,
including 10-of-20 (50%) from three-point range. He was the Mavs' most consistent
and productive scorer by a considerable margin, averaging exactly 22 PPG. For the
season, Mayo's true shooting percentage (64%) and effective field-goal percentage
(60%) both rank in the top fifteen in the league among guards who have played
more than negligible minutes. Mayo's turnovers (3.5 per game this week) and
comfort within the offense both remain issues. But if the expectation is for Mayo to
be the team's second scorer behind Dirk Nowitzki, he's currently showing why that
expectation is entirely fair.
2) Chris Kaman's Shooting
Having watched Kaman miss his first nine million (loose approximation) shots
against the Timberwolves on Monday night, my first inclination was that I wouldn't
be able to put his shooting on the hot list this week. Once I crunched the weekly
numbers, however, Kaman made the cut even despite that bad outing. Kaman shot
a combined 23-of-39 (59%) in this week's games, including terrific shooting
performances against the Knicks (86%) and the Wizards (83%). Only three starting
centers have higher true shooting percentages than Kaman (63%): Samuel
Dalembert, DeAndre Jordan, and Tyson Chandler. Along with Mayo, Kaman has
been the Mavs' most effective scorer this season.
3) Uncle Ricky's Temper
Somebody ought to put Rick Carlisle on blood-pressure watch, because his
numbers can't be good after this week. First, he watched in Charlotte as his team
turned in a comical late-game performance featuring mistake after bizarre mistake.
When Carlisle reviewed the film of those final minutes against the Bobcats, one can
only assume that he did so while blasting the Benny Hill theme in the background,
driving around the room in a small plastic car, and sporting an oversized novelty
hat. Carlisle's frustration from the Charlotte circus boiled over to the Mavs'
next game against Minnesota, a game that was less absurd but equally frustrating.
With five minutes left...CONTINUE READING AT TWO MAN GAME
Mike Wells @MikeWellsNBA
Jared Wade @8pts9secs
Tim Donahue @TimDonahue8p9s
Tom Lewis @indycornrows
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
Ed Sefko @ESefko
Brian Gutierrez @BallinWithBryan
Kirk Henderson @KirkSeriousFace


text:
One of my pet peeves is when arguments or rivalries between women are called "catfights." It diminishes the women involved and dismisses their reasons for feuding as mere gendered jealousy, rather than legitimate beefs over concrete issues. A knock-down, drag-out professional grudge between grownups should be respected — or at least enjoyed from the sidelines. So grab some popcorn and peruse our list of 10 great professional grudges between women, from the six-decade rivalry between 90-something actress sisters, to the domestic divas who can't stand to be at the same restaurant, to the writer who delivered one of the greatest insults of all time on national television. Just don't call 'em catfights.
The 10 Juiciest Professional Rivalries Between Women
- 6 years ago by Ruth Graham
- No Comments »
- Share a Tip


text:
Paula Deen announced in mid-January on the "Today Show" that she has Type 2 diabetes.
She has been diagnosed with it for three years. She turned 65 on Jan. 19.
"I told you so" rings hollow. Her career, TV shows and cookbooks are dedicated to butter-enriched, high-fat indulgences, so we have long expected diabetes to come into her life.
Leave it to bad boy TV chef Anthony Bourdain to say what many have thought. He notes that she has known about the diabetes for a long time and has had to figure out how to position herself.
"When your signature dish is hamburger in between a doughnut, and you've been cheerfully selling this stuff knowing all along that you've got Type 2 diabetes — It's in bad taste if nothing else," Bourdain said on Eater.com.
That dish is the Lady's Brunch Burger — a half-pound beef patty topped with bacon and egg fried in butter served between two glazed donuts.
I am with Bourdain on not liking the food produced from her recipes. I have gagged a couple of bites down at family functions, and one time stowed the rest of the plateful behind the Christmas tree when I thought no one was looking.
My advice is to avoid the Better Than Sex cake. It is not.
How can anyone think that is Southern cooking? I prefer collard greens.
The Butter Queen and her two sons have become shills for drug company Novo Nordisk, which manufactures a diabetes drug. That has gotten Bourdain's snarky goat.
He tweeted a comment that has been widely passed around in the Internet: "Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later."
Seems like the opportunistic Bourdain has jumped on Deen's opportunism to promote himself by knocking her for promoting herself.
Deen reports drinking less sweet tea and jumping onto the treadmill more often, and she admited her recipes "were part of the puzzle" of fighting diabetes. However, she said it is up to people to enjoy her food in moderation.
"Like I told Oprah a few years ago, 'Honey, I'm your cook, not your doctor. You are going to have to be responsible for yourself,'" she told Al Roker on the "Today Show."
She repeated her lines on "The Chew" TV program on her birthday.
"I do not eat every day like you see me cook on the show," she said.
One of her sons, Bobby Deen, has a show that premiered Jan. 4 on the Cooking Channel called "Not My Mama's Meals," where he promotes lighter versions of his mother's dishes.
Apparently it is one of the things they have been working on in the three years since Paula Deen was diagnosed. It is a positive way to build their Paula Deen Family Inc. franchise.
I have too many friends and relatives who have come to the same diagnosis. Remember your friends who have been stricken.
Genetics plays a big role in determining who gets diabetes and who doesn't. However, people who are more suscepitible can stave off diabetes by eating more healthfully, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Even someone diagnosed with diabetes can stay off or get off medication by a 10% or 15% weight loss, doctors at Webmd.com say.
Some of my friends and family members with diabetes embraced some needed lifestyle changes as if they were waiting for the challenge. They were amazing, the way they broke out of the mold their life had been poured into.
Others continued in their merry ways, unable to let go of diet and physical fitness habits that exacerbated whatever genetic disposition they had inherited. Paula Deen reminds me of the latter. Many of my diabetic friends rely on their medicines and injections, and most of them would jump at the chance to get free medicine. We can't blame her for that.
It is a lot for someone diagnosed with diabetes to accept the error of their ways and the need to change. We can't fall into the blame-the-victim trap because it doesn't address the root of the problem and distracts us from the positive things we need to emphasize.
Our industry has produce to sell, but we also have a mission, and that is to get people off the high-fat diets and eating more heathfully.
We are on the right side of this issue, so don't be disuaded.
What's your take? Leave a comment and tell us your opinion.


text:
A TEACHER has raised £15,000 for Burnley General Hospital after losing her baby son to a rare genetic disorder.
Joanne Edwards, 30, from Darwen, will donate the funds to build a second 'serenity' suite at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre – to give comfort to parents who have lost a child.
The existing suite was already being used when Joanne, deputy headteacher at Sacred Heart Primary School in Colne, suffered a mid-term miscarriage in March last year.
During several months of fundraising, she and her husband Mark also aimed to raise awareness of the rare chromosonal abnormality Patau Syndrome, also called Trisomy 13, which affected Luke, their unborn baby.
The pair, who set up The Friends of Serenity to raise the cash, hit their fundraising target after staging a glitzy ball at Eaves Hall near Clitheroe, which brought in about £7,000 from 120 guests. Joanne had previously staged smaller events and taken part in fitness challenges to raise money, while midwives at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust also held cake sales and promoted the cause.
The Jacks Key Drive resident said she was forced to remain in a clinical room after her miscarriage, as the existing serenity suite was occupied, and this did not give them as much comfort.
She added: "Initially I just wanted to raise awareness about Trisomy 13, and never expected to raise so much money. But I'm delighted we have, because it will help parents cope with what is a devastating time.
"There are over 6,700 live births at Burnley and, on average, about three families per month will lose their child.
"We'll shortly be measuring up and making estimates for the new suite and plan to purchase furniture and equipment for both the current and new suite."
As well as creating a new suite, the money will help refurbish the existing facility and offer parents memory boxes containing special handmade items such as small blankets and hats.
Joanne added: "We particularly want to create memory boxes for parents who lost their baby mid-gestation – as there is a shortage of these available.
"And we are going to continue to raise money to help other local hospitals and to fund equipment and support improvements at East Lancashire."
For more information go to www.facebook.com/hopeserenity trisomy13awareness


text:
+ Log in or register to post
Results 1 to 10 of 726
Hybrid View
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 02:45 AM #1
Novice (Lvl 1)
- Join Date
- Jul 2009
- Location
- Pittsburgh
- Posts
- 139
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block Stringbean2142
ø Friend+
Enemy Among Us (DM: Stringbean2142, Judge: TwoHeadsBarking)
An Hour Past Dawn, Morning
Captain Yurian moves slowly through the alleys, head lost in the ritual scroll he would be using to transport his team of investigators to the Isle of Haurton. In a bag on his hip, a quantity of magical residuum needed to complete the circle swings softly in the morning breeze.
Reaching the rear of the tavern, he finds the circle he had carefully prepared in the glow of the predawn morning. At the four cardinal corners, he had placed small glass beads, and a larger one lay in the direction of Haurton, just as he left it.
The emptied chamberpot in the center of the circle was new. Sighing, he kicked it aside, scowling at the sodden mess it left behind. Knowing his luck, the magics of the ritual would bring that with them as well.
Thus Far...Feel free to post your characters here, in whatever way you think is best. Right now, we have at least two spots still open. Anyone who wants in that hasn't been approved yet, feel free to post an OOC request and, if your character fits we'll get you in. Looking forward to getting to the Isle with you, mates!
Copy of Game Informtaion from The Hanged Man threadAdventure SummaryThe Enemy Among Us will be a short adventure with anywhere from three to six combat encounters and one major skill challenge. There will be one major quest, with the possibility of minor quests depending on the PCs' decisions in the adventure. The adventure will take place on the Isle of Haurton, a small isle in the Near Lands.
Animals on the Isle of Haurton have been acting strange in the past few months, being either very aggressive or obviously terrified. This has gotten worse as, in the last week, three people on the isle became aggressive as well, attacking without provocation and not stopping until they had to be killed. Each incident happened on a different part of the isle and there is no obvious connection between the three. When armed patrols went into the wilder parts of the isle, several of the men went missing. The isle government, a local council, has scraped together enough money to hire adventurers from Daunton to investigate the problem, as well as the one-time costs of round trip teleportation of these adventurers to and from the isle.
The adventure has room for up to 6 PC.
Priority will be given to players with no characters currently in adventures and then its first come first served. Below are some other details about the flow of the advneture and my own GM style.
Captain Yurian will stay in the tavern for a bit to give anyone who wants to the opportunity to roleplay their joining, but for those that don't want to it's not necessary. The adventure will start the following morning, so it can always be handwaved that you talked to him off-camera.
Skill ChallengesSince this is an investigative adventure as much as a protection adventure, skill challenges play an integral role in the adventure. The main skill challenge will be, obviously, the investigation itself. Because the skill challenge envelops so much, it will run a bit differently than a standard skill challenge.
This skill challenge will run in the background as the adventure goes on. To keep track of it, I'll have a spoiler box at the bottom of all GM posts (except those in combat) detailing your current progress on the skill challenge. The further into the investigation you get, the more options open up. To start, key skills are Arcana, Nature, and Diplomacy. I'll detail where or how you can use these skills when we reach that point. But this isn't the exhaustive lists! If you think of something else to use, use it and I'll work out how to reward/punish your rolls in it.
Because of the more overarching nature of this skill challenge, there won't be rounds for the rolls. Instead, opportunities to roll will come in the course of the game, either through my efforts or yours. When they come, it will usually be after roleplaying in a scene. I will give bonuses/penalties to rolls based on the roleplay in the scene as a way to encourage more roleplay. I tend to like roleplaying, especially as a GM. I'll give an example.
Let's say Tordek is talking with Old Man River, the resident old-timer with knowledge about the area's history. I've told Tordek that Old Man River may have information that will contribute to the skill challenge, and it takes Diplomacy to get it. If Tordek's player spends a few posts in back-and-forth conversation concerning the Mystical McGuffin, I'll give him a bonus on that eventual Diplomacy roll to get the old man to spill his guts on where the Mystical McGuffin can be found.
Likewise, if you're using Acrobatics to move across the rooftops, detailing your character's path will give you a bonus because you're doing more than just rolling and moving on, you're actually telling the story. Just don't let this become overkill; we really don't need four paragraphs describing how you opened a simple wooden door.
When the rolls come, I'll usually ask for a roll if the situation warrants it. You don't have to wait for me to ask, though. I'm pretty flexible with using rolls and roleplaying together to drive the skill challenge, rather than using the skill challenge to draw out the rolls and roleplaying. If you really knock things out of the park, I've even given auto-successes.
For instance, one party needed to get a family of four out of their house before it was sucked into another dimension, but the family didn't believe that's what would happen and wanted to stay. I'd expected things like Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate here. Instead, the wizard set the house on fire. That was an auto-success on the skill challenge to get them out, as well as a small bonus on Diplomacy ("Well, it's burning down anyway ") and a large bonus on Intimidate ("Did you see what I did there? Would you like me to do it again? Then get moving!").
The main thing that drives my skill challenges is the question, is this fun? If you think of something that works in the context and that's fun, even if it wasn't a method I had expected I'll usually work with it.
RewardsMaterial Gains
In addition to the payout from the isle council for solving their problem, there is the opportunity to acquire other treasures in the course of the adventure. I will say that the treasure is still a bit light for my tastes, so I'm hoping to be able to fit a bit more in as the adventure unfolds. When it comes to splitting the treasure, I let the party do that. In my experience, things usually shake out fairly. If I see someone being shafted, I'll probably give you a nudge in his direction. I've always hated forcing items on players, as treasure splitting rightfully belongs in the hands of the party. Just use common sense and courtesy, for my sake.
That said, I'm going to weight the magical items towards those players who need more to catch up with the group in terms of magical might. So if everyone but Tordek has a magical weapon and he's stuck with a simple axe, I'm going to throw an axe out there for the party to find.
For rewarding xp, I wait for lulls in the storm to do that. This is also when you would be able to level up if you've hit the needed value for the next level. Usually, this happens the morning after a few night's sleep, or similar times. I don't know how often this will come up in this adventure, since it is a shorter one, but if it does I wanted you to be forewarned.
CombatFor combat, I'll be using Mal Malenkirk's combat rules to streamline things. I've been through a few fights with it now, and it really helps things along, I think.Here are the rules, stolen from Mal himself.
"1 - I roll all initiatives. Waiting two days before everyone has had the chance to roll theirs is a waste of time.
2 - I roll a single initiative for my bad guys and play them all in the same turn. It loses some of the tabletop experience but it plays a lot faster than individual initiative.
3 - If you haven't posted your PC's action in three days, I usually run your PC at some point late in the fourth day of inactivity. Warn me in advance if you don't believe you can post for more than three days.
And the biggest...
4 - I don't care in what initiative order you post; your action takes place at exactly the moment you post and as long as you only act once per round, it's all good.
The initiative in practice is only relevant once; the very first round.
Let's say initiative is:
Mesa 22
Matlal 17
Tor 12
Montroya 9
Andrec 8
Jarel Karn 5
That means Mesa and Matlal get to act before the BGs. I don't care in what order! If Matlal log in the thread before Mesa, don't wait, act first!
Once they have both acted, I play all of the Bad Guys.
Then everyone act, in whatever order.
It is possible that Mesa and Matlal will log on the thread before Tor, Montroya, Andrec and Jarel Karn have all acted. It doesn't matter, they can act! Once all 6 of PCs have acted (and acted only once, of course!), I run bad guys and then it's once more your turn. That simple.
I repeat; your actions take place when you post. Should you want to delay, then simply wait for the others to post.
It is very common when you play that way for a player to log last in a turn and then be the first to log back after I have updated the fight and played the BGs. This leads to a PC acting almost back to back. It matters little; in the end he still has acted only once in either round.
This saves a lot of time especially because most players can't log on the thread thrice a day to see if it's their turn yet. If you log on at any time after I have run the BGs turn you are free to post without waiting for your buddies to act in order.
Two frequent rules issues arise from this practice:
1 - What about effects that last 'until the end of PC's X turn'?
Often a leader will grant a bonus to someone else 'until the end of the leader's turn'. This will usually be interpreted as 'Until the end of the target's turn' instead. Good old common sense. The target doesn't lose the bonus if the leader act before him and doesn't gain TWO turns of using the bonus if he manages to act twice before the leader acts again.
2 - What about PCs who purposefully delay taking their turn in order to give a chance to their allies to grant them a free save?
Ongoing damage and others conditions effect occurs at the beginning of your turn. If you know someone might grant you a free save (leaders can often do that) before you act, it may save you damage or avoid a stun effect to purposefully delay taking your turn, giving a chance for the other PCs to help you... That's cool. I don't mind. It just increases the value of team work which is a good thing.
Everything else, I play by ear."
Last edited by Stringbean2142; Wednesday, 23rd September, 2009 at 04:54 AM.
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 03:24 AM #2
Waghalter (Lvl 7)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
- Location
- Posts
- 3,064
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block CaBaNa
ø Friend+
The smoky pink and orchid robes step out from a shadow, actual pink smoke surrounding the head of the clothing.
That won't do.
The nasty mess in the middle of the circle begins pooling together, forming into a fist sized ball of excrement, which promptly rolls out of the ritual circle.
We'll need to redraw this... The hood drops off the head of the eladrin, arcane tattoos circle around his face, purple ink highlights the magenta of his orb like eyes. He moves to the circle and holds his hand out as if waiting for the chalk.
well now that the chaos has died down a bit, Veruzak looks like he'll be traveling with this group.
Let me know if someone else gets priority and he needs to gracefully exit.
Prestidigitation on the chamber-pot mess
Move to stand near Yurian
Minor to take chalk if offered.
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 04:00 AM #3
Defender (Lvl 8)
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- Roslindale MA 02131
- Posts
- 2,497
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block ScorpiusRisk
ø Friend+
After hitting the shops and picking up a few additional supplies, Bell headed back to the Monastery to get a jump on the next days chores and a short rest. She was sure be up bright and early to catch her ride to adventure.
She strolled into the alley smiling picking up quickly on the situation. Stepping up, just behind Veruzak she looked at the circle, closely.
"If you draw that Axis with Mathric style runes it would probably be more accurate."
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 04:01 AM #4
Myrmidon (Lvl 10)
- Join Date
- Jan 2002
- Location
- montreal
- Posts
- 3,834
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block Mal Malenkirk
ø Friend+
Kendrick looks at the mess caused by the chamber pot. He ponders the laws of karma. At first it seemed like throwing his chamber pot through his room's window to get rid of the smell had just come back to bite him in the ass. But hey, look at that: one of his new partners is a ressourceful mage who got rid of the mess handily enough. No harm's done. Yep, that was a freebie from lady luck.
Kendrick smiles widely.
-''This is going to be fun, I just know it.''
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 04:56 AM #5
Novice (Lvl 1)
- Join Date
- Jul 2009
- Location
- Pittsburgh
- Posts
- 139
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block Stringbean2142
ø Friend+
Yurian looks at the others, a smile of relief on his face. "Ah, excellent timing. I think I will let the professionals handle this one." He hands over a small length of chalk to Veruzak. "I hope you didn't have trouble getting those papers filed last night; it may be some time before you return to Daunton. Unfortunately, the ritual to move to the Isle and back is a bit costly, so we only have the one round trip."
He nods at the others. "Mr. Kent, Ms. Jabson. Ready for our trip, I hope? When we get to Haurton, I'm to take you to a meeting with the Isle Council. They'll bring you up to speed on everything we know about the disturbances. Also, they'll swear you in as Council Agents, a rather grandiose term that they're using to let everyone know you're operating under their authority."
BellSo, I have no idea why I thought your character was named Jacobson, so sorry about before! I considered keeping it for Yurian to constantly get your name wrong, but it seemed too much like a gag for gags sake so I decided no.
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 07:26 AM #6
Waghalter (Lvl 7)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
- Location
- Posts
- 3,064
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block CaBaNa
ø Friend+
The eladrin clasps the chalk, and before starting, takes two long draws on his pipe, staring at Bell. The pause lasts for a full minute and a half, silence save for the low crackle of herbs as they heat to a cherry red. The stone-faced-stare obscured by a pink hued exhalation, Veruzak took a deep breath, and began You look familiar for some reason, he considers her features in earnest, Something about you makes me feel, at home... the eladrin bows, and an illusory hand materializes for the shaking. Veruzak. he gives the name as if it's already known. Mathric for accuracy, Mordenkainen for distance, thats some impressive knowledge for such a young lass. Veruzak can't exactly pin it down, but he's almost positive he could be related to this girl... somehow.
Spinning back on Yurian, Veruzak snaps, Well... thank the girl, she just saved you in component costs, and embarrassment! a shake, as if he was cold runs down the eladrin, and he calms visibly, What leads do we have thus far?
as he speaks his hands trace intricate runes from muscle memory, each glyph more perfect than the last. When he is finished he steps to the side and taps out his pipe with a *tink* *tink* *tink* sound. Then Veruzak reaches into his robe and pulls a fresh pinch of herbs, lighting the new mixture for a long draw before exhaling a purple plume from his nostrils.
Arcana check to identify shadow origin in Bell 17
(Veruzak was raised by Shadar-kai, but is fey. He happens to know he's eladrin though.
Arcana check to help with ritual (!!!CRITICAL!!!) 32
Mage hand to shake, as Veruzak isn't a big fan of getting touchy...
I love Bell's story, it's great that Veruzak is getting exposed to the girl-prodigy before she gets enough sense to avoid creepy wizards!
Last edited by CaBaNa; Wednesday, 9th September, 2009 at 07:34 AM.
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009, 02:50 PM #7
Defender (Lvl 8)
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- Roslindale MA 02131
- Posts
- 2,497
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
ø Block ScorpiusRisk
ø Friend+
Bell just beams as Kendrick mentions the fun they're about to have. She looks at him for an instant but returns her attention forward excited to see the wizard at work.
Maybe I should take up smoking. . .
OOCNow worries on the name. It was very chaotic in the tavern and I though you had done so on purpose!
And Veruzak, I looked up you're character sheet last name and you should have seen my face. People may think we worked together on creating these two!
Last edited by ScorpiusRisk; Wednesday, 9th September, 2009 at 03:07 PM.
vBulletin Message
Similar Threads
[Adventure] The Broken Tower DM:Grimmjow Judge:TwoHeadsBarkingBy Grimmjow in forum Living 4th EditionReplies: 151Last Post: Friday, 5th April, 2013, 12:37 AM
Adventure: The Power of Knowledge (DM: Fragsie, Judge: TwoHeadsBarking)By Fragsie in forum Living 4th EditionReplies: 807Last Post: Saturday, 28th May, 2011, 06:02 AM
Until First Light (DM: TwoHeadsBarking. Judge: renau1g)By TwoHeadsBarking in forum Living 4th EditionReplies: 291Last Post: Wednesday, 1st September, 2010, 03:27 PM
Adv: A Night at the Opera; Judge TwoHeadsBarkingBy ScorpiusRisk in forum Living 4th EditionReplies: 846Last Post: Friday, 9th April, 2010, 04:06 PM
[Adventure] Trouble in Moonwatch (Judge:TwoHeadsBarking)By renau1g in forum Living EberronReplies: 1086Last Post: Friday, 19th February, 2010, 03:41 AM


text:
Hanging On to Intel
Worries about Intel's (INTC) capital-expenditure spending, and their impact on margins, are weighing heavily on the stock. So is the planned departure of CEO Paul Otellini. The company did beat estimates, but the initial response is the beat wasn't overly impressive, nor was guidance.
Still, the stock isn't expensive on a fundamental level, so I am going to give my long February calls a bit more time here. I already own Intel, and nothing in this report makes me want to sell the stock. This is one I've preferred to hold for the dividend and potential share-price increase, along with the ability to sell covered calls -- and that thesis is still intact. Support sits around $21 and $20.70, along with multiple levels below these prices, so I feel downside is limited here against price recovery and the dividend....322 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.
Already a Subscriber? Please login.


text:
Post Jobs
Job Seeker:
Sign Up
Career Resources
Career Events
Company Profiles
Life Sciences
Search Job Title Only
News By Subject
News by Disease
News By Date
Search News
Get Our FREE
Industry eNewsletter
Telecommuting: How to Make it Work for You
By Vickie Elmer,
If the surprise October snowstorm on the East Coast convinced you that you need to work from home more this winter, think through the advantages telecommuting may provide – to your boss and colleagues.
Then think of at least three ways working from home will improve your already stellar productivity and performance.
Make sure you can answer the question: "What's in it for your boss,
your employer
and customers?" said Gil Gordon, an experienced telecommuting consultant in Monmouth Junction, N.J. who helps employers establish successful work-at-home programs. Once you come up with some compelling reasons it works for the company, it will be far easier to sell your stay-at-home and work-in-your-sweats ideas to the brass.
Here's one tidbit to include: Staffers who work from kitchen tables are more likely to recommend their employer, and they give their immediate boss higher marks for managing staff and providing feedback than those who work at the headquarters or office cube, according to a 2007 survey by Kenexa, which provides software to HR departments and employee research.
Consider, too, your answer – and your boss's – to the questions: "Would you trust yourself to work away from the office? What's your dependability like, and deadline performance?"
Then when you're fully prepared, present your request "as a proposal, not as a plea," Gordon said. Go in and offer what clearly looks like a business proposal with the details outlined, the advantages highlighted, and potential disadvantages addressed.
If you're not sure telecommuting will work for you or for your department, here's three areas to consider:
Consider your personality. Some people "need the structure of the office. Working at home requires a healthy dose of self-discipline," said Gordon. In a blog post,
Sylvie Fortin
, an entrepreneur and author of "You Can Work in Your PJs," suggests successful telecommuters must be self-motivated, optimistic, compulsive about finishing work and a perfectionist who will find and fix her own mistakes.
Consider your entire
. "Look at the entirety of your work. What parts can be done as well or better away from the office?" Those tasks that require a few hours of high concentration – think writing a report, detailed financial analysis, or other dig deep with no interruptions tasks – may be completed more quickly at home.
Consider your home environment. If your partner already works from home every day, that may be an impediment – or a motivator. A child and nanny at home may also distract you from work, especially if your home is small. If you live very close to a quaint downtown and would be tempted to spend hours browsing the shops or sipping latte, that could cool your plans.
It may make sense to start with a trial telecommute project. Suggest you work from home two days a week for two months and then you and your boss can both evaluate its effectiveness.
The biggest hurdles Gordon sees are managers' fears that everyone will want to leave for home and a loss of control over the worker. Assure your boss that your results will be as strong as ever and ask if there are key measures of your productivity you could develop to demonstrate this.
Plus, he suggests that you remind your boss that for every huge snow storm or major event that prevents people from driving into work, "the telecommuters are the only ones working."
Have you used mobile technology in researching, applying, or interviewing for a job? How did you like it? Let us know.
Check out the latest
Career Insider
eNewsletter - December 15, 2011
Sign up for the free weekly
Career Insider
Read at
Related News
9 Ways to Limit Distractions at Work
Holiday Season 2011: Your Guide to Office Parties, Gift Giving and More
How Blogging Can Help Your Career
Burn While You Earn
How to Handle Gift Giving in the Corporate World
Hoarding vs. Being Organized at Work
Employees Bonus Expectations High In 2011, Cash Is King
6 Tips to Make Performance Reviews More Useful for You and Your Manager
Would Santa Send the Boss an E-Card?
Holiday Card Etiquette & Your Boss
Fitting in With The Crowd: Recognizing and Coping With Office Cliques
comments powered by Disqus.
comments powered by
Career - On the Job


text:
The very thought of open water swimming is intimidating to a lot of people, but as a triathlete, it's a fact that the majority of races are held in bodies of open water. Depending on the part of the country you live in, early season races held in pools, come to an end when the signs of summer start to appear. So what makes it so intimidating? Well, for one, there's no line on the bottom to follow, no wall to hold on to and usually after a few strokes, no bottom to rest on to catch a breath. Plus, most of the time you can't see "what's down there." You have to go in with a mental attitude and confidence level that says, "I can do this, I'm a decent swimmer and I can always float if I need a break." This is a good time to point out, No Swimming Alone! Ever!
I'll point out some of the things you'll want to know, and need to know before you get your toes wet.
The Body of Water
Is swimming allowed at the location you're considering? Are there any hazards (currents, sink holes, debris, etc.) you need to know about? Some lakes, ponds or rivers may have a designated swim area that might not be large enough for getting those longer laps in. You'll want to know if it's legal to swim outside this area, as fines can be imposed for doing so. Ask other triathletes what the rules are. Chances are you'll be meeting up with a group to swim right along with them.
Water Quality
Is the water regularly tested for swim quality? The last thing you want is a "bug" that shuts down your training schedule. The agency responsible for that location should have this data online or at least able to quickly find it for you. High amounts of rainfall over short periods of time can change a water's quality quite quickly. Be aware of this and make alternate plans if necessary. Brown or muddy water is a good sign things have been stirred up lately.
Water Temperature
Your agency would usually have this information too. Will temperatures require you to don a wetsuit? Cold temperatures for one person may feel very comfortable for another. Most triathlon shops have a rental program or can direct you to someone who does. Just make sure the wetsuit is designed for swimming, not diving or wakeboarding. There really is a difference here.
You may get lucky and know someone who has an extra suit you can borrow, but we triathletes can be pretty hesitant about loaning our suits out. Outside of anything related to bike gear, it's the next most expensive piece of race equipment we own, and it doesn't take much to put a fingernail through it or split a seam. Most shops will rent for several days, and apply part of your rental fees toward a future purchase. If you find a suit that fits particularly well, and you want to rent it for an upcoming race, call them ahead of time and most shops will reserve it for you.
A product called Bodyglide will reduce chaffing in key spots like the underarms or around the neck of the suit. It will also make removing the suit easier if applied to wrists and ankles. Do NOT use any petroleum based products on your wetsuit, as they will destroy some types of neoprene. This includes Vaseline.
Safety and Comfort
It's a good idea to wear the brightest (think day-glo, neon, tie-dye, etc.) swim cap you own or can buy. You will be much more visible for those on shore or in the water with you. Since you'll be outdoors, have a pair of goggles that will cut down on bright sunlight, or glare and reflection off the water. I like a metalized or mirrored finish on those clear mornings when the sun is low and you're swimming into the glare for that next buoy.
Planning Your Route
Just like any training session, your open water swim should have a purpose. How long will it be? What route or direction (out-and-back, circular around buoys, etc) will the group take? Will you be re-grouping at any point? Talk to the others and find out what the general plan is. If you are not comfortable going as far or as long as the others, make your intentions known. Don't be afraid to ask if someone might swim at your pace or for your distance alongside you. If you get no takers to help you out, you're swimming with the wrong group. Once you're out on the route, if you decide to change your plan, it's absolutely necessary that you tell someone in the group. Even better if you tell two people. Everyone should be aware of everyone else, and follow up to make sure you all get out of the water safely.
At this point, the wetsuit might feel a little restrictive especially around the chest. Get in the water and take a little time to get used to the temperature. Let the water enter your wetsuit through the neck, wrists or legs. I do this by grabbing the sleeve at the wrist, pulling it opened and closed to pump the water up my arms. Same for the ankles. This gets a lubricating layer of water against your skin, and the water warms up to keep your body warmer. Once you're completely wet inside the suit, you'll notice how much more comfortable the suit feels, and at this point you can make adjustments in the elbows, armpits and knees.
Sighting and Navigating in Open Water
Since you now know what the intended course is, how are you going to get from Point-A to Point-B? From the water level, it can be quite difficult to see smaller buoys or floating objects also at water level. Your best bet is to sight off of a distinct feature on the horizon or landscape ahead of you that aligns with your intended target. This makes it easier to navigate while swimming, rather than having to stop, look for your target, then start again. This also allows you to just take a quick peek forward every so often to check your progress. With practice, you'll be able to sight and still maintain a good rhythm while making slight course corrections.
Drafting Allowed
As you swim with your group, see what it feels like to get close to others, whether behind them or alongside. This is called drafting, and can save a fair amount of energy over a long swim. Let others draft off you, and have them tap your toes every once in awhile. The swim can sometimes be classified as a contact sport. In the case of a mass start, like an Ironman event with 2000+ competitors, it can almost be called a "combat" sport. This takes some getting used, but as with anything, practice makes the difference. Swimming in tight groups builds experience on what to look out for to avoid getting hurt.
Exiting The Water
Because you've been in a horizontal position for some time, you may feel dizzy when you first return to shore. This is more common than you might think, and it's not a symptom of being a novice. Try to first stand when you are in chest-level water, as the water will support you while you "get your legs back" before exiting completely. Remember the water I talked about that acts as a lubricant inside your wetsuit? It also makes it much, much easier to get your wetsuit off. As you exit the water, peel it down to about waist level and pull your arms free. From there, you can stand on firm ground or lean against something to get your legs out. If you are going to step on the opposite leg of the suit while pulling your other leg out, do so very carefully.
Rinse and Repeat
Make sure you rinse out the wetsuit with fresh water as soon as possible, and always hang it to dry completely before folding and storing. I always turn mine inside out to dry, as the inner fabric tends to hold more moisture than the outer, smooth skin. Try not to fold your wetsuit any more than in half if storing for an extended period.
As you get more comfortable in open water and in your wetsuit, practice taking the wetsuit off as quickly as you can. This is good training for making a smooth transition from the swim to the bike. Before you know it, you won't miss the smell of chlorine.