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I think Johnson did benefit from a terrible defense, but our defense is pretty bad too. They're giving up 176 RYPG..but we're giving up 140 lol.
I think he'll get around 100 yards.
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I think Johnson did benefit from a terrible defense, but our defense is pretty bad too. They're giving up 176 RYPG..but we're giving up 140 lol.
I think he'll get around 100 yards.
Smothered Chicken!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Last edited by spazzxb; 10-26-2012 at 02:37 PM.
That's not much of a prediction I only say this because Chris Johnson rarely runs for very much against us if there's any RB in our division that makes me scared its been MoJo Drew (and might as well throw in Arian Foster the past couple seasons) he's owned us for years.
Javon Ringer and the other Titans RBs have done more damage to our Run D than Chris Johnson has.
Speaking of Ringer he's on IR
Titans place Javon Ringer on injured reserve
Posted by Josh Alper on October 26, 2012, 5:20 PM EDT
Getty Images
When the Titans were struggling to get Chris Johnson going earlier this year, the absence of Javon Ringer as an alternative at running back was mentioned as a problem for the Tennessee offense.
You havent heard much of that over the last two weeks with Ringer out of the lineup thanks to a knee injury. Johnson has run for 286 yards and put to rest some of the doubts about his ability to be the back he was before getting a big contract from the Titans.
And now the prospect of turning to Ringer has disappeared as well. The Titans announced Friday that they have placed Ringer on injured reserve with a torn MCL. The typical recovery time for such an injury would leave the door open for Ringer to get back to the team before the end of the season, but they did not designate him for return so his season is over.
It has been a rough year for Ringer. He battled back from an infection that threatened to cost him his arm early in the season and then suffered the knee injury during Tennessees loss to the Vikings. Had he been healthier when Johnson was struggling, he might have gotten an extended chance to prove himself as an NFL running back, but he didnt and now heads into free agency without much to use to sell himself around the league.
Jamie Harper will continue as the Titans primary backup running back. Safety Tracy Wilson has been promoted from the practice squad to take Ringers place in the lineup.
History doesn't matter. This is a much weaker Colts team than the Titans have faced in years. I can't see the Colts defense stopping the run....
But CJ has fallen off considerably the Bills game was a mirage especially since how horrible their defense is too
For the record, I could run for a 150 and 2 TD's on the Bills defense.
The colts defense should be able to keep him in...just contain don't let him outside the numbers. That's the playbook on guys like him, and to say this team isn't as good as the colts were last year is clearly a baiting comment and before we have mass exodus here I feel like the mods should do something.
Colts have always done at least better than average against CJ (knock on wood), he is a scat back, and our D usually does have speed, (expcept with Zbikowski), so hopefully they can keep him hemmed in. We win this game and we are firmly in the playoff race. Pretty crazy to think that is even a possibility.
Well, they aren't as good as last year so call the mods. They dropped to many really good players and replaced them with rookies and castoffs. I am not talking about Saturday, Dallas Clark or Brackett. They may have won one more game but they are not as good. That said, they are more dangerous because their QB, low rated as he is, can take advantage of opportunities and can make an occasional big play to give them a chance to win. Painter and company could not do that. But the rest of the team is markedly worse.... What makes you think the mods should do anything about someone thinking that?
An offense with just Luck and wayne. We need help.
Commentators are raving about how good Luck has been so far this season. I guess they're Colts homers too?
On the flip side, I hate this defense so much. 3 minutes left in the first half and the Colts' offense has been on the field twice.
That td should have been pass interference number 4
Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.
The Ttitans have been pushing off all day long, that touchdown was a pushoff too.
Edit Signature
Secondary cant cover anybody
Larry Bird and Ryan Grigson- wasting the talents of Paul George and Andrew Luck
I really hate that delayed handoff BS.
Larry Bird and Ryan Grigson- wasting the talents of Paul George and Andrew Luck
So put on your big boy pants, suck it up and lets try to all get along.....The Colts are still in this game. Let's hope they have a better second half....
Luck got lucky there.


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SANDUSKY -- Two Amherst residents were rescued from a sinking boat in Lake Erie on Sunday afternoon.
The Sandusky Fire Department, along with the Huron Fire Department and U.S. Marblehead Coast Guard, rescued the couple about three miles off the coast of Cedar Point, according to Sandusky Fire Capt. Jim Green.
"From what we can tell, they hit a wave and started taking on water," Green said. "It was pretty choppy out there."
The 25-foot Sea Ray was towed by TowBoat U.S. to Cedar Point beach shortly after 1:30 p.m., Green said.
"They were pumping water out the boat," Green said. "There was a danger of it sinking, so they just wanted to get it out of the water as fast as possible."
The boat was saved and the Amherst couple were unharmed, Green said.

subset: commoncrawl


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I've been searching for hours on how to implement two sided texture on polys but found nothing of good use. Anyone have done this before?
I draw my scene twice and this works. But, is that the right way to do that? Doesn't OpenGL support texturing both side of a poly?
could you set the cullmode to none, that should make the texture visible on both sides of the poly. not sure if it will give the effect you desire but should work.
Yes I did that, but It doesn't look like we can set a texture for each side of a poly. Is there?
no i don't think so, the way you described looks like the best way if wanting a unique texture on both sides.
you can do it with shaders, just take use the angle between the surface normal and the camera/pixel ray to swap between textures.
Or if you want a simple solution, just create two polygons a tiny amount apart.
Why would they need to be a tiny amount apart? They can share vertices. Just make sure you use the appropriate backface culling mode so at any given time only one of the two polygons will render.
It's pretty common to actually have two polygons when rendering doublesided materials anyway. The cost of that couple of extra indices outweighs the cost of the culling mode state change and extra drawprim call.
You can determine back/front facing in shader (gl_FrontFacing in OpenGL) and then sample different textures.
Yes. A similar flag exists in HLSL. Don't forget to negate the normal on the back side as well, to get correct lighting. (Or light from both sides, if you want the impression of a translucent surface.)
Normally I would create two polygons in this instance and let the cull mode determine which one gets drawn in a lazy render. I'm not sure how important it is for you to have a double sided polygon, but I would pretty much do what .oisyn mentioned, although without sharing vertices. I would split the texture coordinates so that the front face maps to the left side of the texture and the back face maps to the right side of the texture (assuming this texture or purpose is specific here). No need for special logic and dot products in the shader. Just race it through the pipeline in a quick and simple draw and let the cull mode do its thing. This is also backwards compatible with ancient hardware.
I would try it out and look at what you get, sharing verts can produce z fighting on some platforms from some view angles.
Thanks guys for the tips. What I ended up doing is to cull the back faces, draw the front ones, then cull the front and draw the back ones. Works perfect!


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Pretty simple question, where do you think Kobe should be rated at and why?
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Pretty simple question, where do you think Kobe should be rated at and why?
Top 7 or 8 at absolute worst. I could honestly put him fifth after Jordan, Magic, Bird, and Jabbar. I would assume that most people would still have Wilt and Russell ahead of him though.
1. Jordan
2. Magic
3. Bird
4. Jabbar
5. Wilt
6. Kobe
He could get to number 2 when it is all said and done.
1. Jordan
2. Magic
3. Bird
4. Russell
5. Abdul-Jabbar
6. Wilt
7. Kobe with Duncan extremely close
The fact that Kobe has just one MVP is crazy. Shaq only has one too. Steve Nash has as many MVP's as Shaq and Kobe combined. Shaq should have definitely won the 04-05 one that Nash won. Shaq transformed the Heat into an elite team while the Lakers crumbled and missed the playoffs without him. Nash made the Suns great, but the Mavs were still an elite team without him. 04-05 Shaq was the epitome of an MVP in every sense.
Strongly disagree. He'll never pass Bird or Magic.
3. (MJ, Wilt) It might be pushing it, but I think when it's all said and done, Kobe could end up #2. (Particularly if he gets one or more ring)
I think the fact that people don't rate him in the top 5 automatically is crazy. I know he has some obvious flaws in his game, but Kobe often wins in ways only Kobe can.
I think by the end of their careers, it'll be:
1. Jordan
2. Kobe
3. LeBron
I'll admit thought I was young while Magic and Bird were nearing the end of their careers, and it's hard to compare PGs vs. wings vs. front-court players.
Yeah I'm not a Kobe fan but you have to admire the guy, his work ethic is amazing, I think he is at least in my top 5.
Like other people said I think he has a chance to be number 2.
Well theres Magic and Bird who brought the game to the masses, then there is Jordan who took it to an unbelieveable level. Kobe almost can't pass them, there's just not as much to accomplish in the big picture to reach that level. I saw Bird and Magic their entire careers, just a whole other level on making players around them better and clutchness. Jordan was simple unbelieveable almost every night, played both ways. Kobe is great, but he'll never pass those 3 in my book, not even close. Guys like Wilt, Russell, are just before my time. Jabbar was an older version by the time I was watching. Hard to say. I will say those 3 were great, I put Jabbar a clear notch below Wilt and Russell, though.
Alot of other great players. Like Shaq, Hakeem, then probably Duncan (in retrospect, in a couple of years) Stockton, Malone in the conversation. Where's Barkley fall, he was unstoppable for awhile. I mean their could be an argument for 20 players in the next tier, I'd have Kobe towards the top of it, but a fair distance from the top 3, imo.
PS I think Lebron will reach that next group fairly easily and should already be part of the conversation.
I don't put him as high as most others might in the all time conversation. I still feel like he's a chucker, who was fortunate enough to have the green light since the beginning of his career thanks to the early successes he had with Shaq. If you take each of these players at their absolute peak, and ignore the accumulated stats over however long their careers were there are sevarl players I would choose in a playground pickup game before Kobe. His career is built on longevity, similar to John Stockton. Here's my list in order...
-Bill Russell
All Time Greats:
-Tim Duncan
-Karl Malone
-Oscar Robertson
-Moses Malone
-David Robinson (member of the quad-double club)
-Scottie Pippen
-LeBron (Yeah, I hate him as much as anyone else, but let's face it he's special)
-Sir Charles
Last edited by glazedham42; 12-06-2012 at 02:12 PM.
In sentiment...no. As a career, one more ring might do it. And I hate the dude.
top 15
Smothered Chicken!
Wow.... I think I am checking out of this discussion. Toodles!!! :
Behind Shaq.
Best I've ever seen considering I'm only able to remember the end of Jordan's career.
It's hard to pass ambassadors of the game. Which Magic and Bird, and later MJ were. But take that out of context, look at their games, longevity, their numbers and there's no way anyone can say that Kobe just CANNOT pass Magic or Bird. He's passed Bird in rings, and his numbers blow Magic's out of the water. Yes Kobe has gotten to play with Shaq, and later Pau, but those guys (Magic and Bird) played with HOF starting lineups throughout most of their careers. As Speed said, they brought the game to the masses. You can only do that once, and once you've done it, you're legacy is sealed no matter what anyone AFTER you has done. But that shouldn't diminish what Kobe has done.
If Kobe wins one more ring his resume will read:
6 rings, 30,000 plus points, 6500 rebounds, 6000 assists, 2000 steals, close to 1300 games, close to 250 (or 3 more NBA seasons). I mean you can hate him all you want, but don't deny his greatness due to your dislike of Kobe Bryant--the man. Kobe was essentially the first player within the post-Jordan era to not only have the hype as the "next great player" but to surpass the hype. He came into--and played in the league at a time where ESPN picked up some serious steam, and NBATV/NBA.COM was launched. This is a much different time than when Magic, Bird and even MJ played. Nowadays a player is being watched and or talked about nearly 24 hrs a day, on a DAILY basis. It's a lot easier to hate someone with all the media nowadays because of the never ending coverage.
Last edited by Ace E.Anderson; 12-06-2012 at 03:22 PM.
I have
Bird, and
Jerry West as my top 8.
I'm fine to mix him somewhere in the next 7, with
Moses Malone,
Isiah Thomas
(but in any order you wish).
I would put that bunch above the next cluster of
Karl Malone,
Elgin Baylor,
Elvin Hayes
Bob Petit
Bob Lanier
by my count that's 23.
I might be forgetting somebody
The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!).
This is all opinion so please do not resort to name calling. Thank you
I have to put him below Bird, a by a lot, just on skills.
Who was a better shooter? Bird, easily
Who was a better passer? Bird, easily
Who excelled an another offensive category? Bird, rebounding
Who was better defensively? Kobe
Bird will get shortchanged in career numbers analysis, due to 5 years in college and a career-ending back problems
The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!).
I'd rate him as a first ballot HOF'er. The number ranking is a little beyond where I want to go, as I don't feel my opinion is that set-in-stone about a large number of players.
He's maybe 10-15 for me. Maybe.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
To me, and obviously this is all opinion, but when you talk about greats, its not as black and white as "who's a better shooter", etc.
I mean hell Bird was a better shooter and passer than MJ and a wayyyy better shooter than Magic. (come to think about it--Bird is close to being the best shooter ever lol) Outside of Bird, most great scorer's aren't necessarily GREAT shooters. But if he played all three (including Kobe) in one on one, he probably loses. Obviously it's a team game--but you get what I'm saying.
Rebounding--well Bird plays forward. Forwards rebound better than guards.
Kobe is the not only the first, but he may be the ONLY high school to pros player that went on to have a legendary career. KG has had a HOF career no doubt, but he trailed off eventually. Kobe has been great for what, 10, 12 straight seasons now? He's been playing this long and hasn't slipped a bit. In fact, he's probably gotten better as his athleticism has eroded--which is unheard of for a guard.
Like I said, IMO it's just hard to say "well he's the better shooter, he's the better passer" when it comes to greats.
And I'm not saying he's better. ((Though I think he will be when it's all said and done))--I'm saying its debatable.
Last edited by Ace E.Anderson; 12-06-2012 at 04:15 PM.
There's this LeBron guy...
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Or throw in a first-round pick and flip it for a max-level point guard...


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.204 BA, but also 41 HR.
Discuss the most polarizing player in my Reds history.
.204 BA, but also 41 HR.
Discuss the most polarizing player in my Reds history.
sorry we're boring
I'm surprised his teammate Alex Rios didn't win it.
Probably the worst batting average ever for anyone who won the award.
My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!
I heard that some outfit gave it to Fernando Rodney, which I found puzzling because he didn't really "come back" as much as "come."
The .204 batting average doesn't mean much of anything, but the .333 OBP suggests that he hasn't really come back to where he was even in 2010. I always hated the Dave Kingman comparisons but if he doesn't start getting on base again, those comparisons will become fair.
". . . acquiring J. Blanton from Oakland for, apparently, Bailey/Cueto, Votto and a lesser prospect. I do it in a second . . . The Reds' equation this year is simple: Make Matt Belisle your #3 starter . . . trade for Blanton, win 85 or more, be in the mix all summer." - Paul Daugherty, Feb. 8, 2008
Dunn's 2012 might be the worst 40 HR season in history.....
"This isnt stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
I would rather have him still in a reds uni than Stubbs ANYDAY.
I can spell,I just can't type!!
"I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful
Congrats Adam! Nice job this season.
Some people like to focus on stats like Batting Average and Strikeouts.
Some people like to focus on his .800 OPS, 41 Home Runs, 96 RBIs and 87 Runs Scored.
Adam Dunn has 400 Home Runs, 1000 RBIs and 1000 Runs Scored at the age of 32. That is a rare breed of hitter.
The guy is a solid hitter. He is not a superstar like Albert Pujols or Joey Votto -- never was and never will be. Too many people have held that against him. He has been a very productive hitter in unconventional ways. Some people just don't want to give him credit for his production because they don't like the way he does it. Production is production no matter how you get it done. Adam Dunn simply puts runs on the scoreboard for his team despite his AVG and Ks.
"Hey...Dad. Wanna Have A Catch?" Kevin Costner in "Field Of Dreams."
At the complete other end of the BA/HR spectrum, I think I would have given it to Mauer.
"Reality tells us there are no guarantees. Except that some day Jon Lester will be on that list of 100-game winners." - Peter Gammons
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ezetimibe (generic name)
It can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke
(ez ET i mibe)
Table of Contents
Top Learning Centers(Recursos en Español)
What is this medicine?EZETIMIBE (ez ET i mibe) blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the stomach. It can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
How should I use this medicine?Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
What should I watch for while using this medicine?Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have your cholesterol levels checked. If you are also taking some other cholesterol medicines, you will also need to have tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
Tell your doctor or health care professional if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness.
You need to follow a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet while you are taking this medicine. This will decrease your risk of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Exercising and avoiding alcohol and smoking can also help. Ask your doctor or dietician for advice.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where should I keep my medicine?Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.


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Topic: Delerium
My mother was just diagnosed with advanced cc about 2 weeks ago. In the course of these 2 weeks her main tumor increased by 50%. She is experiencing what I looked up to be delerium. She has almost no short term memory, forgets where she is, mixes up words (which wouldn't be so bad, but she also makes up words and combines words and says sentences that make no sense at all). She'll sometimes just say words out of the blue that make no sense. Has anyone else experienced this? What have you done for it?


text:
Among countries that qualify as "nanny states," Sweden ranks right up there.
So, it will be interesting to watch what happens in Sweden now that the country is on the verge of bucking dietary recommendations that have laid much of the blame on fat.
Following publication of "Dietary Treatment for Obesity" by an expert committee of Swedish health professionals, the country may recognize that a low-carb diet is the best way to fight obesity. Read more.
Saturated fat (from animal sources) may lose some of its stigma as a result. One of the committee members, Fredrik Nystrom, is quoted as saying the "deep-seated fear of fat is completely unfounded."
In the United States, people are starting to look at saturated fat with less skepticism. See "Finally some common sense on saturated fat."


text:
Burton Big Kettle Backpack
Bell-to-bell school pack with the capacity and intelligent features to carry all the tools of your trade.
A bigger brother to the Burton Kettle Pack, this 26 liter two-pocket, back-to-school pack upgrades capacity for the honor student who simply needs more space. An internal padded laptop sleeve keeps expensive electronics protected from books, binders, and gym clothes, while tough external materials prevent blowouts during after school activities. The zippered organizer pocket with a secure key clip offers an easy spot to store pens, pencils, protractors, and other tools of scholarly pursuits.
- Cush Ergonomic Shoulder Harness
- Adjustable Sternum Strap
- Padded Laptop Compartment [11.5in x 10.5in] [29cm x 26cm]
- Large Zippered Pocket with Internal Organization and Key Clip
- Lifetime Warranty


text:
It almost always pays to buy fear and sell confidence.
When investors panic and stock prices tumble, options volatility rises. This creates opportunities for bold investors to take advantage of the market mob's fear by buying quality stocks at a discount to recent prices.
The opportunities are sometimes stunning.
By selling one...


text: The Ricoh GR camera has a long history within Stussy's roots. From the late 90's onto today, the GR's stealth design, easy-carry pocket size and ability to capture all the grit of the streets has made the GR an icon within our culture. In celebration of the Stussy x GRIII Digital camera collaboration, Stussy wanted to share the GRIII's capabilities by way of creation, so they gave 10 photographer friends the GRIII to shoot what they see and feel. Photos from Peter Sutherland and Tyrone Lebon can be seen below.


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Disclaimer: This items ships with a 2 3/8" backset which works for most doors.
If you need a 2 3/4" backset just ask for it in the note section of your order.
|Disclaimer: The distressing process used to create the Vintage finishes on solid brass makes each individually crafted item unique from the other. Finishes will vary in color and in darkness. These finishes will change in time and are not guaranteed.


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Lake County plans to begin a new approach when it comes to the investigation of potential cases of less serious child abuse or neglect.
The county Job and Family Services Department hosted a community breakfast Wednesday with JFS officials from the state and the American Humane Association to discuss the county's inclusion in the Differential Response program.
Lake County will participate in the new program based on a results from a successful pilot project and will join with 39 other counties in the state, said county JFS Director Matthew Battiato.
"Being chosen as a pilot county for the Differential Response program is a wonderful opportunity for Lake County Job and Family Services to provide child protective services to the community in a way that eliminates some of the barriers that are inherent with a traditional response," Battiato said.
Differential Response gives social workers the freedom to use an alternative approach when investigating some reports of child abuse and neglect. The concept aims to keep families together and reduce the number of children placed in out-of-home care without compromising child safety.
Differential Response begins with a non-threatening, non-adversarial family assessment that allows social workers to guide the family to local social service programs that might meet the child's and family's needs, Battiato said.
In some cases and those that involve suspected physical harm or sexual abuse, a traditional child-protection response is needed to ensure a child's safety.
Carla Carpenter, Differential Response manager for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, said the program transforms the front door of child protective services in Ohio and the country.
"It fundamentally changes the way public children services do business," Carpenter said. "The way we engage family and it moves us away from a one-size-fits-all investigative mandate."
She said it will allow for more flexibility that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of families that need attention.
Ren� King is the Differential Response manager for the Washington, D.C.-based American Humane Association, an organization that works with Ohio.
"We have embraced the idea that we have to build safety through engagement," King said. "That is a different concept that we have to tap into family resources and we have to partner with our community resources in a different way."
Reports from other counties that use Differential Response show there is increased satisfaction by parents, children and caseworkers, Battiato said.
The program saves taxpayer dollars because it leads to fewer subsequent referrals of abuse and neglect and to fewer out-of-home placements, he said.
For more information about Ohio's Differential Response program visit: http://law.capital.edu/adoption/AR.


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Katherine's Red Hot Smartphone on Desperate Housewives
Katherine's Red Hot Smartphone on Desperate Housewives
Now that Katherine is getting hot 'n heavy with Mike, it's no wonder she has a new phone to suit her lifestyle; and no I don't think the red lipstick, red blouse, and red phone were a coincidence. On a recent episode of Desperate Housewives, Katherine showed off a sexy little smartphone, the Centro by Palm.
This PDA is one of the most affordable phones on the market right now — it's practically free! With a full QWERTY keyboard, a built-in camera, speakerphone, Bluetooth, a memory card slot, and a web browser, this is one fashionable phone that we can't wait to see more of in the show.
And if you want to find out any fashion info about the show, be sure to check out CelebStyle!


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Alpine Lakes Wilderness > Mount Defiance > Climber's Log
Mount Defiance Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
|Combined with P3
Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
|No. 006, personal climber's log.
Combined this with Putrid Pete's Peak to the West; easy ridge traverse from the two, which I actually had to cross twice because of a lost cell phone which I actually found.
|Posted Nov 28, 2010 1:13 pm
|Started Late
Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2009
|Having Hiked Bandera only a few days earlier I took a few work buddies up to hit Defiance. We hit the trailhead after work and reached the summit at at about 8-9PM and weren't back to our cars till well after dark. The headlamps came in very handy on the trail back.
|Posted Jul 18, 2010 1:18 am
|Via Talapus Trailhead
Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2010
|Rainy day, no view, at least 1/2 of the trail still under snow, the rest very muddy. Trail obvious to Rainbow Lake, then a little bit of route finding needed to get to the base of Defiance due to the snow cover. 15 mile round trip. Good conditioning hike.
|Posted Jul 1, 2010 12:19 am
|Some snow
Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2009
|Weather not as bad as forecast. No views, socked in.
|Posted Nov 2, 2009 11:05 am
|Cascade Scrambler
|Fresh tracks
Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2009
|The fog was thick and rolling today. Reached a light dusting of snow at the talus field. From the turnoff to Bandera all the way to the summit, I made first tracks in four to six inches of fresh snow. Views from the summit were partially obscured by fog, but the views of P3 were great, and that was good for me because it was my next stop.
|Posted Nov 1, 2009 8:05 pm
|Great Fall Hike
Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2009
|Hiked up via the Mason Lake trail. Straightforward good hike with a summit worth sitting at for a while.
|Posted Oct 23, 2009 1:37 am
|Sometime in 93
|Mason Lake Trial, then snowshoe to summit.
|Posted Oct 8, 2009 1:35 pm
|P3 to Defiance Traverse
Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
|Bryan and Dane and I were thinking of Mount Washington but we decided to do something with "more meat on it's bones". We decided on the approach that it was not going to be fun to hike down such a steep loose face so we agreed to traverse over to the summit of Defiance and descend from there via the old Old Defiance Trail. We found the ridge top near the summit of P3 to be very exposed and so we only made it to the east summit but this is where the summit register is located. I would think that the west summit is rarely done. It was good to be back on Defiance for the third time.
|Posted Jun 9, 2009 11:49 pm
|up July 2000
|by myself but blocked for a time from summit by an aggressive doe!
|Posted Dec 20, 2008 4:55 pm
|Via Mason Lake
Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2008
|Great peak with good views. Cheack out the TR
|Posted Oct 28, 2008 1:50 am
|Dan Winter
|Old Trail Approach
Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2000
|Beautiful warm autum day. Nice colors and wonderful sweet smell of huckleberries in the wind.
|Posted Apr 30, 2008 1:33 am
|Old trail is in good shape
Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2007
|We took the old Mason Creek trail and found it to be in good shape. Also, the final trail up the SW ridge is in great shape for a climbers' trail. I think Redwic may have gone up an earlier trail that we considered using. Here's our route.
|Posted Sep 24, 2007 12:12 am
|A Great Workout!!!
Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
|I took the "old trail" from Mason Lake to Little Mason Lake, then used my GPS to determine the best route through the forest to the Mount Defiance Trail. The slope leading to the summit is STEEP; I chose to go down the slope via the groundcover bushes rather than the "trail". The fog all around the mountain, including the summit & lakes, was THICK. I took the "newer" Mason Lake Trail on the way back.
|Posted Sep 15, 2007 4:51 pm
|Skippitty Doo Dah
|I sprained my ankle on Defiance! Trail ran the way down. Watch the roots. Probably one of the best hikes on the 90 corridor. Nice open trail, lake and traverse, short steep stint to the top!
|Posted Jan 19, 2007 10:53 pm
|Defiance Scramble
Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005
|Took the backside scramble route up. A really nice day out.
|Posted Nov 27, 2006 11:27 pm
|Route Climbed: Mt. Defiance Trail via Mason Lake Date Climbed: August 27, 2006
Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2006
|Did a quick climb after work. Really nice day, although quite hot. I saw a bear at Mason Lake, surprising considering the amount of people in that area, especially on a sunday. I tried to get a picture but it ran away, I guess thats a good thing. Great views from the top, Mt. Rainier was almost completely obscured by smoke from the fires in that area.
|Posted Aug 28, 2006 6:19 am
|Brian Massey
|Route Climbed: From Mason Lake
Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2006
|Quick overnight outing... Spent an amazing night under the stars at Mason Lake. Then, a quick trip up the ridge, through the meadows (still a few wildflowers in bloom) and then up the steep final slopes to the summit. All alone for hours to enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding peaks and wilderness area. Even time for a bit of a nap. Back down to the car, and home in time for lunch.
|Posted Aug 22, 2006 7:05 pm
|nice views
|really great views for the effort. did a quick jaunt up on the way back from thompson lake.
|Posted Jul 22, 2006 6:31 am
|Rain, Snow, and tree melt-off
Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2006
|Nasty weather today but we were determined (OSAT). We made use of the super-secret goat trail that veers off to the left at 3000 feet on the Mason lake trail. This route proved to be more direct. Not much of a view at the top.
|Posted Apr 10, 2006 2:39 am
|Route Climbed: From West Defiance Date Climbed: May 7, 2005
|Looking for a trifecta, of peaks that is. Well, I got two. Only one other car in the lot at 8:00 am. Left the TH and stayed straight at the big bend in the road/trail. Sure enough, good trail takes off west. Eventually it started up. This 'way trail' is as built and maintained as they come. About 3500' the party ended. After battling some bushes, I crossed the bottom of a talus slope. See another good trail heading east and down, wonder where it came from, and then follow pink flagging up. More sketchy path across another talus field. Break out of the trees and about 4500' the path is gone for good. Just pick your way mostly straight up. The rib became more prominent, and it led directly to West Defiance. I was now in heavy clouds again. A cool mist could not muffle the sound of many gunshots from the valley below. As I followed the ridge east, the fog lifted. Slippery granite was a new experience for me. I dropped 500' to Defiance Pass and then headed up Mt Defiance west side. There are many times when the path is not apparent, but if you can read a map, the way is obvious. I topped out in time for more mist. It was only wet on the peaks. Due to time constraints, Bandera was not to be. Some well booted snow and mud on the way down to Mason Lake. I thought about taking the old Mason Creek trail down. Instead, I checked the new trail, just to see what it was like. Long, hard and meandering. I don't know if it will ever recover from all the trekking pole wounds it has. The upper part of Bandera does not appear to have been upgraded. These three go well together, with the bonus of starting and ending at the same place.
Loop: 9 miles, cumulative gain 4000', five hours car to car. Add 800',1 mile, and one hour to include Bandera.
|Posted Sep 7, 2005 12:01 am


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Helping first responders: First, do no harm
Emotional trauma after violent events such as shootings can have a ripple effect -- it doesn't just affect the victims and witnesses, but also their families and those who rushed in to help.
Mental-health providers say they have learned a lot in the past decade about the best way to help those who were first on scene.
One important lesson is that "talking about it" doesn't work for everybody. In fact, it can be harmful for some people.
In the '90s, an approach called "debriefing" became very popular. First responders had to discuss what they had seen and lived through with mental-health professionals or in groups. The debriefing would happen within days or hours of an incident.
University of Pennsylvania psychiatrist Steven Berkowitz says studies later showed that this actually caused symptoms in some people who were doing OK. For others, it was inefficient.
Today, he says, the approach is giving people information.
"So we really focus on providing education and coping skills, rather than asking for what happened," said Berkowitz.
Berkowitz was involved in creating crisis response protocols after 9/11. He says those affected by tragic events should first learn to identify when they're having trouble and then get some practical guidance.
"To teach some basic coping skills, how to manage some of these reactions, how do you manage what is irritability and tension, helping with sleep and sleep hygiene," he said.
Berkowitz says mental-health professionals have developed and distributed protocols to make sure people use the most effective approaches in caring for those affected by tragedies.
He says another important aspect of care is a clear command structure where providers are not rushing in and tripping all over each other in an effort to help.
Support provided by


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Library News :: List
Learn about the major physiologic differences between the sexes and the implications for policy, medical research, and health care from this free course provided by NIH. Lister Hill Library is promoting this online course as part of the NIH Women's Health Resources Dissemination Outreach project. More information about this course and women's health resources from NIH and LHL can be found in our new LHL Guide on Women's Health.
Posted on July 22, 2013@ 10:16 AM by Peggy


text: This page contains a wealth of resources related to using technology for teaching and research. The list includes links to professional organizations, publications, technology tools and software, education resources from vendors, and much more. Please feel free to contact us and suggest additional resources that can be added to this growing list.


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Just how transformational will be Sesame Street's role in the produce department be in the next two (plus) years?
On Oct. 30, First Lady Michelle Obama today said that Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association joined the Partnership for a Healthier America in a two-year agreement to help promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption to kids. The amazing part of the piece is that the agreement allows the industry to use the strength and influence of the Sesame Street brand without a licensing fee for that two year period.
Characters like Big Bird, Elmo and Abby Cadabby will help deliver messages about fresh fruits and vegetables, with Sesame Street characters on display in retail produce departments as early as mid-2014.
I requested from QScores.com the Q Scores (a number that measures the appeal of a brand, characters, licensed properties, celebrities, et cet.) of Sesame Street characters relative to other Disney characters, but I received no quick response to that query.
Still, suffice it to say Ernie, Bert, the Cookie Monster and Big Bird carry some swag among both the very young and the not-so-young.
The show has been on since 1969, with Big Bird, Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Oscar, Grover, and Cookie Monster all "original" characters. I was ten at the time, and I recall my toddler/preschooler cousin Sarah was a big fan of the show. Other Sesame Street characters added over time were Snuffleupagus (1971), The Count (1972), Elmo (1980), Zoe (1993) and Abby Cadabby (2006).
By the time the show turned ten in 1979, press accounts said that nine million American children under the age of six were watching Sesame Street daily.
A six-year-old in 1979 would be 40 years old today, so the images and the characters of Sesame Street will ply their influence over both young and the nearly middle aged.
Much remains to be seen on how the produce industry will use the marketing ooomph of Sesame Street at the retail produce level.
Is the Sesame Street image one that all produce marketers will want to "buy in" with to the consumer? Definitely not.
Some folks dig a NASCAR promotion, while others might be attracted to cause marketing like Fair Trade or a pink label for breast cancer awareness.
Other produce brands may not need further embellishment by Sesame characters.
And how much is too much Elmo? What happens to all the other licensed characters in the produce department? Finding Nemo may really be hard. And what happens after two years of high intensity exposure?
One of the important factors in this program's success will be PMA's role in the deal. They are tasked to:
- Review all requests by its growers, suppliers and retailers for Sesame Workshop assets for use in the promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables and permit use only on eligible products and according to the terms of the license agreement between Sesame Workshop and PMA;
- Provide assistance and widely promote the opportunity to participate in the Sesame Workshop licensing program; and
- Share with PHA the results over a two-year period from the Performance Start Date, with metrics including number of products given Sesame Workshop assets through the program, number of companies participating and estimated sales impact.
That's a ton of work, a ton of expectations to meet.
So we ask again; just how big a footprint will Sesame Street have in the produce department over the next two years?
It could be Big Bird huge.
I had to chuckle at one of the observations of Bruce Peterson in a recent conversation with him about trade shows in general and the PMA show in particular.
Peterson, president of Peterson Insights, Fayetteville, Ark. and former Wal-Mart produce executive, said that the idea of new product introductions at trade shows is all well and good. But from the perspective of a retail buyer, Peterson said that approach may not cut it.
"I don't care if you are Kroger or Safeway or Wal-Mart or whatever, if I (as a buyer) was to actually walk into a show and saw something new from a supplier that we were doing a reasonable amount of business with, that would have been a problem for the supplier," Peterson said.
Surprises are not welcome from business partners, the message seems to be.
Interestingly, Peterson said the growing concentration of market share among retailers is a trend that may affect the value of trade shows going forward. With the concentration of procurement, or buying power among retail chains — he said six U.S. chains now may account for 70% of purchases — many retailers are meeting suppliers outside of the trade show realm.
Meetings can now occur online or with a Web conference, so Peterson said the allure of trade shows may diminish among the technologically savvy younger professionals in the business.
In a conversation with Dick Spezzano, owner of Spezzano Consulting Service in Monrovia, Calif., the always informed retail consultant said that the cost of exhibiting is one factor in the industry's push for one national trade show.
Spezzano said every produce company has to make business decisions on whether to support both organizations and both conventions, and also what size booth to exhibit and what the spend is going to be. Expenses for a large booth and related expenses for transporting people and product, along with food and lodging costs can run well over $100,000, Spezzano said. "It is not hard to get over $100,000 and get near the area of $200,000," he said.
Spezzano said there are many ways to participate in trade shows. Some may elect to have a big presence on the floor, while others might choose to have zero presence on the floor and instead step up with sponsorships. Others may have no floor presence, no sponsorships but only work the floor and cocktail parties.
And so while the conversation about the failed merger has ended, the adjustments by the industry in its roiling wake may have only just begun.


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Castellanos seems to have regained hitting stroke
CHICAGO -- Rookie third baseman Nick Castellanos could easily have lost enough faith in himself and be playing for Triple-A Toledo right now. The Tigers, already missing their starting shortstop because of injury, were weak offensively on the left side of the infield through the first two months because of Castellano's ineffectiveness at the plate and a platoon at shortstop.
Castellanos hit just .217 in the month of April, but started to find some success when the calendar turned to May. With a hot first week of the month, he worked his average up to .248 on May 10, but watched it plummet to .233 on May 31. Castellano's unwavering belief in himself, however, is starting to pay off. He seems to have rediscovered his stroke in June, during which he's hitting .467 in eight games.
"I mean, to be honest, I never really lost confidence," Castellanos said. "In the big leagues, everybody's going to go through growing pains. It's tough up here, so it's just a learning curve. It's something I'm going to have to adjust to and just continue to learn every day. The one thing I've realized is the moment you think you have it figured out up here is the day you get knocked back down. So, you've always got to be learning."
Castellano's strong self-confidence was also helped by the Tigers allowing him to play every day and work through the struggles.
"It's an experience that will make him a better player for sure. We've talked about how the league was going to adjust to him and he would have to adjust back, and I think you're seeing him adjust back," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He's adjusted mechanically with his hands and spreading his feet out.
"The one thing I will say about Nick, which is a tough attribute to teach, is Nick believes he can hit, and he believes he can hit anybody. I think that's the one thing that he's held fast to and it's helped him get through that rough patch."
Castellanos' hitting struggles early in the season could have also been tied to playing a less familiar position. After playing 183 games at third from 2010 through part of 2012 across the lowest three levels of the Minor League system, Castellanos played the majority of his games at Double-A Erie in 2012 in right field, and in 2013 played all 130 games at Toledo in left field.
Castellanos said that he's feeling more comfortable at the position, and is thankful he has first-base coach Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glover, and defensive coordinator Matt Martin at his disposal. Like his manager, though, he knows he still has plenty to learn.
"Yeah, he's done a good job, especially for a guy who hasn't really played there. But he's still learning the position," Ausmus said. "Make no mistake, he's still unsure at times where he should be positioned. I think sometimes the speed of the game ratchets up on him, but overall he's done a solid job."
Joe Popely is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Davey entertains with stories of Spring Training past
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The trip from Viera to the Phillies' Spring Training complex here isn't a quick one, Davey Johnson reconfirmed Wednesday morning. A full-time Florida resident, Johnson became traffic-trapped as he approached Tampa on Route 4 en route to the complex. And he assumed the Nationals' bus from Viera was similarly trapped. The Nationals' manager assumed he'd hear some griping when he arrived.
"Everyone wants to play at home," Johnson said. "But I don't think every team can."
He was quite aware his starting pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, would have preferred to pitch in Viera. "He wants to pitch at home, Gio [Gonzalez] wants to pitch at home ... hey, I want to manage at home," Johnson said. But the likely sequence of the Nationals' rotation demands certain pitchers throw on certain days. Strasburg is on track to start against the Marlins April 1, Opening Day.
It wasn't always that way for Johnson's teams and his team's No. 1 starters. Dwight Gooden lived in Tampa, and the Mets trained in nearby St. Petersburg in 1984, Gooden's first spring. Long trips were uncommon then. And Johnson occasionally allowed Gooden to drive from home to games in Tampa, Dunedin and Cleawater. As springs passed, Gooden avoided long trips and bus rides altogether, and not merely because he was who he was or because of convenience.
Gooden used bribery to stay at home.
He was well aware of the sweet tooth of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and he fed it as a means of avoiding road exhibition starts. Stottlemyre loved Gummi Bears and any Gummi candy. Ice cream was his greatest vice, but it didn't travel well.
Risking his good standing with his coach, Gooden bought a large jar of Gummi worms and made his payment though, unbeknownst to Stottlemyre, he had slipped a brightly colored finishing lure that closely resembled the Gummi worms, into the jar.
Stottlemyre would load up the back pocket of his uniform pants with his in-game snacks.
On judgment day, Gooden waited and watched from the dugout bench. He saw his coach stuff a few worms -- and one lure -- into his mouth. The rubbery plastic lure didn't chew well. Gooden wound up on the dugout floor, holding his belly as he laughed. But he still didn't pitch on the road. "The deal was I had to supply Mel with Gummis," he said. "And I did."
When his workday was done Wednesday, Strasburg chuckled about the Gummi anecdote. Two of his three starts thus far have been in the road, and he recalled last spring when Gonzalez didn't make a home start. He acknowledged he might have to find the weakness of pitching coach Steve McCatty.
Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Declan Greene
Merlyn Theatre
Until December 9
LOS Angeles is fast-forwarding towards doomsday. The dream factory churns out a nightmarish reality, a world where the talk show host is the prophet: ''Everything gets too big and then it ends.''
Playwright Declan Greene melds the pop cultural obsessions of his work in trash theatre duo Sisters Grimm with the apocalyptic anxiety of his Malthouse debut Moth, turning his acerbic and irreverent wit on washed-up child stars.
Under Matthew Lutton's direction, the production is as ostentatious as the city itself. Nick Schlieper's design emphasises spectacle, including a smashed Porsche, glass raining from the sky, neon backdrops and actors bathed in television static.
The spectre of Judy Garland (Belinda McClory) haunts this chaotic present, the prototypical young actor destroyed by a rapacious studio system.
But once tension builds to the point of eruption, the pace becomes surreally distended as we are confronted with what's left in the ashes: a scared boy alone in a hospital bed. It feels like an anticlimax, but the reality of a young man sprawled across a bonnet is not as thrilling as the tabloid coverage.
Pompeii, L.A. is explosive, intoxicatingly alive. It doesn't quite live up to its promise, but its audacity should be lauded regardless.
Garland's opening question - ''Is there any hope?'' - addresses a vast and urgent cultural malaise.


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It's true that the site has been dormant for some time. Look out below, changes are coming! Freelancing is a HUGE topic and while the archives of this site concentrate on what it's like to be a freelance writer, there are other, equally relevant topics about the art, science, and lifestyle of freelancing as a full-time creative person.
Stay tuned for new posts about freelancing as an artist–the lifestyle and labor alike. I've owned this site since 2003 and while my own personal freelance landscape may have changed (yes, I am still a full-time freelancer), there is plenty to write about. More updates coming!
–Joe Wallace


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>Racing>Wilne 10k (incorporating the Midland Counties AA 10k Championships, the Midland Masters AC 10k Championships and the Derbyshire AA 10k Championships)
Only five more days left to enter the Wilne 10k 2012!
Prince of Fatness
At first glance, I thought this said "Wine 10k" and got really excited. Running and wine? Two of my favorite things. I don't know what Wilne is, but it's probably not wine-related.
Break on through
They probably have to use fine print to fit all of that on the t-shirt....
"Not to touch the Earth, not to see the Sun, nothing left to do but run, run, run..."


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Is skipping the ads stealing the content?
Would you pay to filter out every online ad in your home?
Ad-blocking is a sensitive subject, especially when your income comes from editors whose budgets are funded by advertising. At the risk of biting the hand that feeds, I think it's worth looking at AdTrap - a crowd-funded Kickstarter project designed to filter out every ad from your home internet connection.
Ad-blocking is nothing new and we've had browser-based ad-blocking for years. AdBlock Plus is probably the best known browser plugin. I started experimenting with AdBlock Plus back when mobile broadband was insanely expensive and I didn't feel like paying for the privilege of watching multimedia ads.
These days I use AdBlock Plus on all my computers and only turn it off for specific sites. It's not that I have some kind of moral objection to advertising. Like I said, without advertising I'd be out of a job. I don't mind online advertising until it becomes so intrusive that it jumps in front of what I'm trying to read, or makes my browser grind to a halt. You might even consider blocking all Flash and social media content by default for these reasons. Every time I turn off AdBlock Plus the intrusive advertising is even worse than I remember it, just like the odd occasion when I listen to commercial radio or watch live commercial television.
If the advertising isn't too over the top then I'm usually prepared to disable AdBlock Plus on specific sites to support them. I guess that leads into the big question here - if you block the ads, are you "stealing" the content? You could ask the same about skipping ads in television shows. It's a grey area and everyone tends to draw their own moral line in the sand.
And so we come to AdTrap, a $120 box designed to sit between your broadband modem and your home network. This way it can filter out ads not only on computers but also smartphones, tablets and any other internet-enabled device. It even targets the pre-roll ads in online videos. I can see how this would appeal to some people but personally I think it's overkill. The ads on smartphones and tablets don't tend to be as intrusive as desktop ads so they don't bother me too much.
If you're blocking absolutely every ad coming into your home, do you support the provider in some other way such as subscribing or donating? When you're supporting the provider you're also helping people put food on the table. It's amazing how many people expect all their content to be free yet presumably still expect to be paid for their own job.
Does the AdTrap grab your interest? Where do you draw the line in terms of advertising, online or otherwise?
Adam Turner is a gadget guru who contributes news, features, reviews, blogs and podcasts to various publications


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And, of course, the fine print:
Get free shipping on your next order when you spend over $100. The discount will be automatically applied to your purchase; no promo code required. The subtotal of your purchase must be $100.01 or greater after any promotional discounts have been applied. Additional fees such as tax or shipping and handling do not apply toward your minimum subtotal requirement of $100.01. Offer applies to standard shipping only. Certain items that require additional shipping and handling are excluded from this promotion and do not apply towards your $100.01 subtotal minimum. Offer subject to change.
Even the saltiest of sea captains can use a good sudsing now and again. And this duo of Doldrums herbal soaps is sure to do the trick. They're cold-pressed the old fashioned way and cured for a minimum of four weeks for maximum sudsing. This, the sleepiest of soaps, has a soothing lavender scent with rolled oats for extra skin-calming perks.
- Includes 2 bars
- Each bar is 4.8 oz.
Ingredients: Olive oil, water, white beeswax, coconut oil, palm oil, sodium hydroxide (lye), lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil, and rolled oats.
This product ships from the maker within 5 days, via USPS
Unused and unopened items may be returned within 14 days


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A MISTAKE at the controls is believed to have been the cause of a light aircraft crash which left a Dudley pilot's plane upside down in a field near Halfpenny Green Airport, a report has revealed.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch's report into the crash, which happened just north of the airfield near Stourbridge on October 19 2013, says the pilot of the aircraft – a 1982 built Cassutt Racer – "may have inadvertently selected the mixture control to fully lean on the downwind leg instead of applying the carburettor heat".
Private pilot, Terence Dennis Gardner, of Gorge Road, Dudley, had been engaged in circuit practice – the report states.
Unable to reach the runway, the 65-year-old - who has 303 hours' of flying experience - crash landed upside down in a muddy, ploughed field nearby and was left trapped in the cockpit of the single-seater craft until the Airfield Fire Service arrived.
Miraculously he walked free from the incident unscathed after crews righted the plane – which suffered damage to its fin and propeller.
The report said after carrying out pre-take off checks "everything was normal as the aircraft climbed to the circuit height of 1,000 feet but, a few seconds after turning onto base leg for Runway 16, the engine started to run down".
It continued: "The pilot found he could keep it running in bursts by pumping the throttle, but this was insufficient to maintain altitude and he declared an emergency to the control tower.
"He initially thought he might be able to reach the runway but soon realised that he could not."
The report concludes: "The pilot is of the opinion that he may have inadvertently pulled the mixture lever instead of the carburettor heat.
"He advised that the mixture control on the Cassutt was in a similar place to the carburettor heat control on the Taylor Titch aircraft that he had flown for five years."
The AAIB report said the pilot may also have been distracted by a number of exchanges with the tower over other circuit traffic at the point that he would normally have selected the carburettor heat.


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(1939-76) This accomplished amateur astronomer was a member of the Hamilton Centre and recieved the Society's Service Award in 1976. The Society's Chilton Prize is named for him.
KENNETH E. CHILTON (1939-1976) was a teacher by profession. He joined the Hamilton Centre in 1966 and during his short life, served as Director of Observations, Treasurer, Editor of Orbit, Vice-President, and President. He received the national Service Award in 1976.
His expertise as an educator came to the fore in a series of Cable TV programs which he started in 1971, called The Sky Tonight. Thirty-eight programs were aired in the next year.
As an observer, he made magnitude estimates for AAVSO from 1966-73. He took part in visual meteor programs, searched for transient lunar phenomena, timed a transit of Mercury, sketched Venus and observed its polarization, wrote articles on observing Mars and observing asteroids, found a correlation between the intensity of Jupiter's South equatorial belt and the position of the satellite Callisto, and studied Saturn's belt zones and rings with his 32 cm Gregorian reflector. Chilton was the obvious person to serve as the national Co-ordinator of Planetary Observations in the late 60's and early 70's when the Society attempted to systematize observations from active members across the country. Under his direction, the Planetary Section was one of the most active in the program. He was also the Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee for the 1972 Solar Eclipse, visible in many parts of Canada.
Ken Chilton took a great interest in the organization of amateur astronomers. He was very eager to promote liaisons between RASC Centres in Ontario and clubs in Western New York State, and served a term as chairman of NFCAAA. But it was as President of the International Union of Amateur Astronomers that he received the recognition which he undoubtedly relished most The IUAA was founded in 1969 as a sort of counterpart of the professional IAU, and indeed was recognized by that body and affiliated with it. Although he endured several years of illness, his energy and enthusiasm were an inspiration to everyone. The Kenneth E. Chilton Prize was established as a tribute to his accomplishments and his spirit.
—Peter Broughton (from Looking Up)
Further Reading
- Obituary, JRASC (April 1977)
- JRASC articles by Ken Chilton.


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In a report released last week, research firm Gartner said Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android was strengthening its hold on the smartphone operating system market, growing to a 70 percent share in the last quarter of 2012 from 87.8 percent in the same quarter of 2011. Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS, meanwhile, declined slightly from 23.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 to take a 21 percent share of the market, the report said.
However, while the numbers showed an overpowering Android dominance, Apple's iOS had a lot of things going in its favor, according to Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt. McCourt wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday that Apple continued to hold several advantages against Android when it came to services and content related to the software.
"Although the unit stats are staggeringly in Android's favor, we believe app monetization and app developer resources continue to dramatically favor Apple," the analyst wrote, according to Barron's. "Essentially, there are parts of the world where a smartphone is simply a touch screen with an effective web browser, and in those parts of the world, Android is dominating. In the parts of the world where a smartphone ecosystem matters, it is a much more even match between Android and iOS."
Overall, the Gartner data clearly indicated the ongoing shift from traditional mobile phones to smartphones, McCourt added…


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Posted 5 years ago
(27 items)
This is a lovely item I found when conducting a coin appraisal. I was drawn to it's tiny, delicate size. It's a vintage perfume bottle and still contains some perfume from a previous owner. It's in good condition, no dents or obvious damage. The stem is a tiny spiral/corkscrew attached to a screw-top cap. There is a lovely color/patina from age.
The engraving on the bottom is worn but still readable. It says EMP PLATA MEX S.A., Sterling 0.925, ME-15.
Dimensions: Height approximately 43mm (or 1-11/16"), width 45mm, depth 15mm
I would love to know more about this little bottle. Does anyone know the approximate age or the value? I am only aware of the obvious markings and purpose of the bottle so any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


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Mar 15, 2010
How Exercise Can Help Your Ears
Do you exercise at the gym every day, without fail? Yeah, me neither. But a very interesting recent study from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has given me a lot more motivation to hit the elliptical...
Erica Patino
Living Well With Hearing Loss
Life With Hearing Loss
Living with Hearing Loss
Jan 6, 2010
What It's Like to Live With Hearing Loss
I'll start this blog with a confession: My hearing loss is one of my least favorite topics to talk about. So why, then, would I start a blog on the subject? Because for anyone else who has a hearing loss or suspects they may...


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The world's second-largest home improvement retailer posted its first quarterly comp-store sales gain since the second quarter of 2006.
In its first quarter earnings report released today, Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's Cos. showed comparable-store sales increased 2.4%. The company also reported net earnings of $489 million for the quarter ended April 30, a 2.7% increase from the same period a year ago.
Sales for the quarter increased 4.7% to $12.4 billion, up from $11.8 billion in the first quarter of 2009. Comparable-store sales for the first quarter increased 2.4%.
"Consumers are showing signs of reengagement in home improvement, including discretionary projects and purchases of bigger ticket products, which had taken a back seat during the worst of the economic downturn," commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "This, combined with the government stimulus programs and favorable weather in March and April, drove solid quarterly sales and earnings that exceeded our guidance."
During the quarter, Lowe's opened 11 stores. As of April 30, Lowe's operated 1,721 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 194.3 million square feet of retail selling space, a 2.9% increase over last year.
For the full year, the company expects to open 40 to 45 stores in 2010 reflecting total square footage growth of approximately 2%. Lowe's expects total sales to increase 5% to 7%. The company expects comp-store sales to increase 2% to 4% in 2010.


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The Study Abroad Blog is about Nate Nault's experience as a study abroad student.
He's currently living in Scotland for a year, and travels to other countries across Europe as often as he can.
Nate started this blog when he began applying for study semesters abroad.
"I had tons of questions about the application process, getting acclimated, course work, traveling," he says, "and there were very few websites out there that were written by students addressing all these questions."
What he did find, was a lot of corporate websites that had a ton of generic information that he assumes were probably written by someone who had never actually studied abroad.
Nate gives all kinds of personal information based on his own personal experience of studying in a different country.
"I cover everything from choosing a location, going through the student visa process, making travel arrangements, what to bring, what to not bring, what to do when you get to your abroad university, what to do while you're there, and everything in between."
On the personal end, Nate's blog is his own way of keeping everyone back in the States up to date on his life abroad, but it also serves a much bigger purpose as a resource for the rest of the study abroad community.
So far, he's been to the Scottish Highlands, Barcelona, Rome, London, Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Amsterdam, with plans in the works for trips to Paris and Dublin.
His more practical posts include tips and advice on flying, booking hostels and hotels, packing, where to go, and what to see.
He's also just started an eight part email series called: "Traveling Cheap: A Guide for the Student Traveler", where he shows readers how to enjoy a weekend in a European city for under $300.
"Studying abroad provides students with the ultimate opportunity to travel the world," Nate says.
"We're probably only going to have this opportunity once, so I encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity they can to travel, and appreciate every moment they're abroad."


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Malcolm wrote:The five elements permeate all matter. They are a phenomenological observation about matter, about how we experience matter viz. solids, liquids, gases, heat and dimensionaility.
Has anyone here experienced the unusual sensation of these elements being physically present in their own body? My understanding is that the idea of the five elements originated this way.


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This Week's #FollowFriday
If you love stats and NYC then you should be following Crain's New York Business to get your daily dose of metrics about The City.
#followfriday #ff #b2b #nyc B2B Marketing Posse follows: @CrainsNewYork @StatsAndTheCity
If you love stats and NYC then you should be following Crain's New York Business to get your daily dose of metrics about The City.
#followfriday #ff #b2b #nyc B2B Marketing Posse follows: @CrainsNewYork @StatsAndTheCity
What is #followfriday?
It started with Micah Baldwin (@micah) over a year ago as a way to recommend people on Twitter whose tweets he enjoyed. It quickly became a phenomenon. Every Friday thousands of people on Twitter use the hashtag #followfriday or #ff to suggest people to follow (in a single tweet). For example:
#followfriday B2B Marketing Posse likes to follow: @ntos @tferriss @answeryes and @wendymarx
It is recommended you keep it to one tweet a week (this is not about tweeting everyone you know with everyone you know). Ideally, try to pick less "popular" people even if they don't have a lot of followers. Rather, recommend people because they consistently have something useful or entertaining to say. The truth is you don't have to recommend the Twitterati as even n00bs will have no trouble discovering Robert Scoble, Pete Cashmore, and Ev Williams in short order on their own. If you are truly interested to see who endorses whom then TopFollowFriday.com does the job.
It is very important to include #followfriday or #ff somewhere in your tweet so others can find it on Twitter Search. Also important, don't start your tweet with an @ or Twitter will think it is a reply.
Taking it one step further…
Now that Twitter has Lists (and Annotations are just around the corner) you might think that a kitschy meme like #followfriday will fall out of favor. But according to LetsTell's Twitter Hash Tag Indexer, it still remains in the top 10 of all hashtags on any given day. Quite frankly, it is the only hashtag that has lasted with any measure of consistent meaning. Most hashtags tend to be extemporaneous, best used to inspire conversations (and in the process get new followers) around a campaign or an event.
Using #followfriday to tweet a list of people you endorse is fine but why not send them to your blog? Chris Brogan made a simple suggestion on his blog recently: tweet a link back to your blog where the list of people (Twitter links) reside in a post. Yes, of course, do this and reap the benefit of the extra web traffic.
Schedule a new post every Friday with different themes like favorite authors, success coaches, or b2b marketing gurus (wink). You could even recommend your own Twitter Lists!
By the way, if you are having trouble deciding who to endorse, The Twitter Tag Project has a niffy little tool to help.
Happy tweeting!


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The Republic of Armenia's capital of Yerevan is home to one million people, and a key hub for the South Caucasus' industrial and financial epicentres, powering the economy of this newly emerging Eastern European location.
Book a flight to Yerevan with Qatar Airways and you'll discover a destination with a strong regional identity and modernist aspirations that make it an exciting and entertaining place to visit.
This modern city is the brainchild of Soviet architect Alexander Tamanyan, who envisioned and designed its streets and boulevards in the neo-classical revivalist style reminiscent of Paris and Saint Petersburg.
Flights to Yerevan allow the adventurous traveller to discover the true delights of the 'Pink City' – a unique and vibrant destination, with many other interesting and unique things to do.
Although much of the city is recent (built during the Soviet era), one of the key attractions is the ancient Erebuni Fortress.
There is evidence that the fortress has been located on this spot for at least 3,000 years, and the current and exceptionally well-preserved structure is the best example of Urartian Period construction in the country.
At the very heart of the city is the stunning Opera House, a beautiful building believed to be modelled on the SemperOper of Dresden.
Music lovers taking a trip to Yerevan can look forward to an extensive programme of concerts and operas, and thanks to Armenia's position as a rising star in the South Caucasus region, the Opera House now attracts high profile musicians and singers from around the world.
Just north of the Opera House is the visually stunning Cascades, Sculpture Park and Cafesjian Museum.
The Cascades is a towering Art Deco representation of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, while the surrounding Sculpture Park is a delightfully well-maintained park with waterfalls and excellent views of Mount Ararat from its highest point.
Museums are very popular in Yerevan. One of the most visited museums is the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran), built in 1957.
In 1962, Matenadaran was named after Surb Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet. Later in the 1960's, large statues of famous Armenian scholars like Toros Roslin, Anania Shirakatsi, Movses Khorentasti, Mkhitar Gosh and Firk were placed on the left and the right sides of Matenadaran's entrance.
Today, the Matenadran holds an impressive collection of nearly 17,000 manuscripts and 30,000 other documents.
Yerevan is a city that loves its music and song, and the Opera House's programme offers affordable and superb quality entertainment all year round.
Concerts are also performed in the Cascades and Lovers Park, and throughout the year a series of festivals and events brighten up the streets and parks.
Film lovers will particularly enjoy the Golden Apricot film festival held every year in July.
The Yerevan Green Belt is a series of parks and open spaces that offer you the chance to relax in beautiful surroundings.
The most popular are the Paplavok Park and the Circular Park.
No matter where you are inside the city, you can be guaranteed to find a café, restaurant or snack bar.
The restaurant scene in Yerevan offers everything from authentic local cuisine, to international fare.
The traditional Armenian cuisine has a large variety of richly flavored dishes. No Armenian celebratory table can be imagined without the all time favorite barbecue, kyufta, tolma or khapama.
There is also a traditional dish called khash, which foresees a great ritual, starting from its preparatory process until the last moment at the table.
During your trip to Yerevan don't miss the traditional sweets, gata and pakhlava.
If you're looking to shop for souvenirs during your visit to Yerevan then head to the Vernissage, an open air market held every weekend and located east of Republic Square.
Here you'll find everything from rugs and folk art to paintings and trinkets.
There is also the art market, which is a wonderful opportunity to pick up work by local artists and artisans.
Carpet and rug-making is traditional in Armenia, and there are plenty of emporiums throughout the city specialising in hand-made examples of this complex craft. If you buy an old rug, make sure that your seller obtains an export certificate from the Ministry of Culture so that your rug is not confiscated at Customs when you leave the country.
New rugs do not require certification, but it is best to keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
Flights to Yerevan arrive at Zvartnots International Airport, 14km from the city centre.
Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure.
So before you fly to Yerevan click here to check the visa and passport requirements.
Currency: Armenian Dram (AMD)
Voltage: 220 V 50 Hz
Plugs: Type C or F
Language: Armenian
International dialing code: +374
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Explore Discover Qatar's stopover packages offered by Qatar Airways Holidays. Book hotels, desert safaris, city and architectural tours including visits to Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif and The Pearl.


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Seahawks try to overcome missed chances
RENTON, Wash. (AP) Drops.
A problem that has plagued Seattle's wide receivers in the past has not been an issue throughout most of the 2011 season. The one time it was a problem was in the Seahawks' first meeting against the San Francisco 49ers in October. The two teams meet again this Sunday night in Seattle in a key NFC game.
According to STATS LLC, the Seahawks have the fifth-fewest drops in the league this season. Through 14 games Seattle has just 19 drops. The San Diego Chargers have the fewest with 15. Last year, the Seahawks were tied for 14th with 27 drops on the season.
Golden Tate was targeted three times against the 49ers and didn't make a catch. It was the only game this season when Tate didn't have a reception. Both of Tate's drops this season came against San Francisco. With Seattle holding a 6-3 lead, Tate bobbled a third-down pass that would have kept the chains moving into San Francisco territory early in the third quarter.
Backup running back Robert Turbin broke free behind the 49ers' defense in the first quarter for what would have been a big gain and possibly a touchdown. But the pass slid through his fingers.
In a game decided by just a touchdown, the missed chances proved costly for the Seahawks. If Seattle wants to end the 49ers' four-game winning streak in the series, it can't expect to overcome the same mistakes this weekend.
Tate said his zero catch performance and the loss to the 49ers were tough to move on from.
"For me it was tough. The last time we played them was a Thursday night game, so we had the whole weekend to think about it. Had a little time off, so it was frustrating to think about it. I was ready to get that one out of my system for the next week," Tate said.
"I want to be a player that we count on a consistent player more importantly. Really I've just been trying to be consistent. That game I showed inconsistency."
Quarterback Russell Wilson wasn't fazed and never showed outward frustration over the inability of his receivers to hang on to the football.
"He's not going after anybody, he's not going to get bothered by it, and he's just going to go to the next play," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He really believes that something is going to happen there. It's easy for him in essence because his mindset is so strong, so that doesn't affect him at all."
Wilson was just 9 of 23 for 122 yards and an interception against the 49ers. His 38.7 passer rating against San Francisco is his lowest mark this season. Yet Wilson doesn't see the point of dwelling on a missed opportunity.
"There's times where you're like, 'Oh man I wish he caught it' ... You have emotions but the key is staying even-keeled as possible, I think," Wilson said.
"I let the receivers know I'm coming right back to them. You don't think that they're not going to catch the next one, so you've got to keep playing."
Seattle's offense has greatly improved since the initial meeting in October. Wilson has a passer rating of 111.3 over the seven games following the loss to the 49ers. Wilson has thrown 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions and Seattle is 5-2 since then.
With the Seahawks able to clinch a playoff berth with a win, they are looking forward to judging how far they've come in the last seven weeks. For Tate, it's a chance to finally wash the bad taste from his mouth.
"We didn't play our best game the last time we played them, so to get another chance in such a crucial moment of the season is going to show everyone everything they want to know," Tate said. "We're definitely excited about it."


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Pumpkin Pecan Pie Candy
It's the third day of A Week of Pumpkin. And today we're going to mix it up a bit. I don't make candy. It's just not my thing. I like to make things that go into the oven. But I wanted to step out of my comfort zone for a minute to try these candies.
My friend KT really liked these candies. I thought they were a bit too sweet. I know I used sweetened coconut instead of unsweetened, but I reduced the sugar by 1/2 cup. If I made these again, I might reduce the sugar by another 1/4 cup or so. These candies taste like a pumpkin flavored pecan pie and were really fun and messy to make. These would go great on a holiday treats tray for sure.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie Candy
Yield: 30 pieces
1 (15oz) can pure pumpkin
2 cups white sugar - since my coconut was sweetened, I cut the sugar down to 1 1/2 cups
2 cups unsweetened coconut - I couldn't find unsweetened, so I used sweetened coconut
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
In a medium saucepan, combine the pumpkin, sugar, coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. On medium heat, cook and mix together and allow sugar to dissolve. Continue cooking and stirring until mixture forms into a ball, about 15-20 minutes. Have patience, it will eventually turn into a ball once the liquid evaporates.
Remove mixture from heat and add in vanilla. Transfer to a heat safe bowl and cover mixture with plastic wrap so a skin does not form. Chill in refrigerator until cool.
Using a cookie scoop that is about a TBSP size, scoop up balls and roll in the palm of your hands. Roll balls in the chopped pecan, coating all sides. Put back in fridge to let set.
Store in airtight container up to a week.
Recipe from Cathy's Kitchen Journey
And don't forget about my Power of Pink Challenge going on all month.
Check out my week of pumpkin here.
10 Responses to "Pumpkin Pecan Pie Candy"
yours looks awesome too!
I have now seen these on a few different blogs…guess I have to break down and make them soon! They just look so dang tasty!
These sound great. Do they have to be served chilled? I'm bookmarking to make for the holidays. Thanks!
I served them at room temp. They are just a bit more firm directly out of the fridge.
Mmm! I'm always looking for new ways to bake/cook with pumpkin and these look fabulous. Great to put in a little tin for a holiday gift 🙂
These look great! I bet they would be great rolled in crushed graham crackers too. Mmm.
I was thinking that too Elly! I had some crushed graham crackers in the pantry, but I wanted to try them true to the recipe for the first go at it.
They are so adorable:) You should submit them in a blog event another blogger and I started. They look so delicious!
You were pumpkin-busy!!! YUM!
They look good but I'm not sure of the coconut, pecan, and pumpkin together.


text: Interesting read, but kinda doesn't make sense, if they are talented enough to play in the DLeague for one year, (Kobe, Garnett, that type of talent) why not just move them into the real NBA.The NCAA are a bunch of horses asses, one source said. If they dont get their heads out of the sand and help these kids who come from nothing, then you will see the NBA make a move toward salaries way more attractive than they are now at the D-League level. Why not invest $100,000 or $200,000 in a player, put him in the D-League and let him stay there? At that age, you need to get them away from home and you need to get them on the court.


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I have re-written this report a few times. My feelings about this race keep changing, but I know if I don't publish something now then it will never happen. Here goes ...
I have mixed feelings about my race at Pine to Palm this year. I am proud of my accomplishment – I always said my goal was to finish - but it is distinctly unsatisfying. I know this sounds ungrateful. Here's my race recap.
The forecast on race day was for very hot weather, 38C. I have never run in temperatures that warm, so I had no idea how I would respond to this. I decided I would try to go a little faster in the morning/evening and just survive the hottest part of the day. Pushing myself in the heat would just make me sick.
At 6am the race started. I'll try to stick to the pertinent details as this race report could get very long very quickly.
All of the uphill trails on this course had very moderate grades with meandering routes. This was a very runnable race if you could handle the downhills.
Despite the moderate grade, the hike up to the summit of Little Greyback was slow. Near the summit it was maddeningly slow. I resisted the urge to pass people.
The view at the top was beautiful and I was in a happy place.
The descent from Little Greyback was steep. Again the pace was slower than I would have liked and I resisted the urge to pass anybody.
The stretch of road from O'Brien to Seattle Bar was loooong. It got hot during this stretch. I started to feel my legs tighten up. I do not run much on the road at all, especially in the summer. The road took a lot out of me. I began to feel slight twinges in my IT bands
It felt like heaven to get back on some single-track a couple of miles before Seattle Bar. The smile was back on my face
I got into Seattle Bar nearly an hour ahead of my arbitrary schedule. Matt was there to refill my pack with ice and fill up a handkerchief with ice for around my neck. I took a quick dip in the river before heading out. My legs felt tired but I was otherwise good.
I hiked up to Stein Butte at a moderate pace but still passed several runners. I met up with a 4-time veteran of P2P and hiked at his pace for a while until he told me to move on ahead. The view on Stein Butte was beautiful and I made a conscious effort to appreciate it despite the fact that the heat was starting to get to me. Downhills were getting quite painful with the tightness in my IT bands. I vaguely thought that I should increase my electrolytes. I never did.
I arrived at Stein Butte with 2 sips of water to spare. They refilled my pack while I drank a cup of Sprite and had a sponge shower. It was wonderful. I sat for a couple of minutes, but sitting is a waste of time so I grabbed a can of Sprite for the road and took off towards Squaw Lakes. It was around this point that I realized there would be no more downhill running for me today. I wasn't even 60km into the race and my IT bands were totally seized up.
The steep descent to Squaw Lakes should have been fun, but every time I tried to increase the pace the pain in my knees was sickening. It would literally take my breath away, and I had to stop and regroup several times. I was so thankful for my poles, they were the only thing that allowed me to keep moving.
Squaw Lakes was awesome! I arrived at the aid station and was cheered on like some kind of rock star. This was one of the highlights of my race. Matt and Mike were waiting at the aid station and I complained to them about my ITBs and some blisters on my heels. Mike was kind enough to tape up my heels and lend me his Tiger Tail to roll out my legs. Matt refilled my pack and handed me my handheld. We ran around the lake together at a slow pace. Matt was so happy and talkative, the conversation really lifted my spirits.
We got back into the aid station and I rolled out my legs one more time. While I was rolling, my friends Adam and Kim arrived. Kim was obviously suffering badly from the heat. I had never seen her look like that before. I told Matt and Mike to look after her before I took off down the road.
**First organizational issue - I later found out there was no medical help at Squaw Lakes. Kim was really sick, I was genuinely afraid for her. I strongly believe that medical professional should have been at this aid station. If it was a choice between medical at Seattle Bar or medical at Squaw Lakes, it should be at Squaw Lakes, simply because Stein Butte really beats people up.**
The Tiger Tail worked temporary wonders. I was able to run much of the downhill to the next water stop. I played music over my speaker phone and my spirits were high as I sang along. Soon I began the long climb up to Hanley Gap. I passed a few more people and I began to wonder if maybe my ITBs were recovered enough for me to salvage a decent time from this race. They weren't.
I enjoyed the single-track up to Hanley Gap, and I was very pleased to make it up there before sunset. When I reached the aid station I discovered that Matt was not there yet. Matt had my headlamp, so this was a bit of a deal, but not a huge panic. It was only a mile up to the summit of Squaw Peak , so I opted to hike up there headlamp-less and hope that Matt would appear by the time I made it back.
Squaw Peak was another highlight of the race for me and I sat down on the cot at the top to enjoy the sunset. After a few minutes I hobbled back down, possibly faster than a walking pace. Matt's smiling face was at the bottom to greet me. I guess the crew driving instructions had a typo on them. A lot of crews were lost.
**Second (and last) organizational issue - crews should have accurate directions with signs at important intersections. End rant**
I changed my shoes from Altras to Pure Grits before leaving the aid station. I didn't notice the blisters on my heels again (I should have changed shoes sooner). I also put some topical pain reliever on my knees to numb the pain. Matt mentioned he had beer in the car, that made me smile. I enjoyed ½ a bottle before letting him finish the rest.
There was a long section of gravel road from Hanley Gap to Dutchman Peak, but for some reason it didn't bother me much. I had my phone on speaker and I hike/ran my way along the road. I stopped for too long at the next aid station and enjoyed a couple of cups of broth. Finally it was time for the long grind up to Dutchman. I was in good spirits until I heard the music drifting down from the aid station. I turned my speaker phone off and I think this is exactly where my spirits dropped. You could hear the music from Dutchman for miles before you ever got there. It was torture.
Sometime after midnight I finally arrived at Dutchman's Peak where I met my pacer Dan. He had been waiting for hours (and hours) for me, I felt terrible. I said 'hi' to Matt before collapsing in a chair by the fire. I was spent.
I sipped on some coffee and Coke, put on some warm clothes and grabbed some Twizzlers for the road. I love Twizzlers and I was super excited to munch on them during the long hike on the PCT towards Long John Saddle. I was unable to run down the hills and I was so sorry that Dan had to wait for me. I tried snacking on a Twizzler for energy but quickly found out that American Twizzlers are not the same as Canadian Twizzlers. I was so disappointed that I couldn't even get myself to eat it. I spent much of the rest of the hike on the PCT trying to wash the taste from my mouth.
As time passed I was feeling increasingly sleepy so I bargained with Dan to let me nap at the next aid station. The promise of a nap motivated me to keep walking as fast as I could manage. After what seemed like forever we arrived at Long John Saddle. I ate some grilled cheese sandwiches, a tiny bit of Pepsi, and some broth. Then I had a 20 minute nap on a cot, it was over too soon, but I think it helped.
It took me awhile to get going post-nap, but eventually I was able to run a few strides mixed in with the walking. We arrived at the base of Wagnar Butte as the sun was lightening the sky. I sat down on a chair and nodded off while Dan went and changed into shorts. While we were hanging out Adam caught up to us. It was great to see him as he brought some much needed energy to our somber pair. The three of us headed up to Wagnar Butte in somewhat better spirits. Only 20 miles to go …
True to form, the trail took the longest possible route up the mountain. I was feeling a little homesick for my steep but direct Rocky Mountain trails. We left our packs at the start of the out and back to the summit. This was a mistake. The out and back was much longer than expected. I started to get grouchy. Again.
I was silently dreading the scramble to the summit. How was I going to scramble when I couldn't bend my knees? Somehow I made it up and we sat up there for a moment. I tried to enjoy the views and not think about the long 15 mile descent ahead of me.
The scramble off the summit was excruciating and I was temporarily crippled. Adam decided to go ahead while I slowly regained my ability to walk on the steep descent down Wagnar Butte. If only I could run, this would be so much fun…
I didn't spend much time at the last full aid station, but they had some peanut butter Gus there, as well as Coke, so that cheered me up a bit. I stuffed by pockets in anticipation of the long hobble to the finish line.
Dan and I walk/ran the road to the finish. I felt encouraged as my runs were slowly getting longer. I was impatient to be done.
Suddenly I had to use the washroom. I stepped off onto the embankment, lost my footing, and sh&t myself a little in the process. I couldn't help but laugh at my predicament. I used my last wet wipe to clean up. Dan and I had a good laugh, I hope I didn't smell too bad.
After my tumble there was a pain at the top of my calf that I just couldn't run through. It felt like my calf was going to rip in two. I walked from there all the way to the finish line. It was torture to be so close to the finish, all downhill, and not be able to move any faster.
Prior to the race I thought the finish line would be filled with joy and happiness, but the biggest feeling I had when I got to that line was relief. Relief that it was over. Relief that I am as tough as I thought I was. Relief that I wouldn't have another DNF to add to my resume.
This was my first 100mile race, and I am very happy to have finished it without any lasting injuries. I am proud of the determination I showed – even when it hurt to run very early on in the race, I never questioned that I would find a way to the finish line. At the same time, this race was distinctly unsatisfying. The lack or running meant that never once was I out of breath during this race. I never felt like I was pushing the limit, I merely survived until the end.
I have a distinct feeling of unfinished business – there will definitely be more 100milers in my future and possibly a future P2P. Hal says next year there will be more trail …
Post-race ramblings:
As soon as I finished the race I sat down on a cot and Hal brought me chocolate milk and ice water. I thought it was awesome that Hal was there taking care of all the runners, especially since his wife was due to have a baby at any moment.
Another volunteer wrapped some ice around my injured calf. This seemed like a good idea until I tried to walk and discovered my calf was totally seized. I couldn't straighten my leg and my foot was frozen in a pointed position. It took two days before I could walk somewhat normally again.
We spent the next day in Ashland and stopped by Rogue Valley Runners before exploring the rest of the town. Ashland is a very cool little city and I only wish I wasn't crippled so that I could enjoy it more. Another reason why I might be back at this race …
Overall I would recommend this race. I found the course markings obvious, not overly abundant, but very clear when they needed to be. The volunteers were awesome and the aid stations were well-stocked. I love my finisher's swag, especially the necklace and stein. The views were excellent and I feel a little guilty that I wasn't in a better mood to enjoy them.
Best of all, I am now qualified for Western States, UTMB and Hardrock