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Obi-Wan, Anakin And The Jedi Face Tougher Foes And The Return of Darth Maul...
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I've been a Star Wars fan my entire life and have enjoyed the last few years as the back story to some of my favorite characters has continued to grow thanks to Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Now, fans of the animated, fan-favorite series can pick up The Complete Season Four on blu-ray and DVD wherever fine home video is sold.
This season fans engaging in more Clone Trooper and Jedi Knight adventures featuring fan-favorite characters like Jedi Master Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano and a number of Clone Troopers as they face the evil Separatists and Sith, including Count Dooku, General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, Savage Opress, the Nightsisters and a newly returned Darth Maul. For fans like me, who've been waiting decades to finally see the Clone Wars stories told, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a dream come true.
While the ongoing plot follows the ever-growing strife within the Galactic between the Republic, its Jedi protectors and the Separatists and the growing ranks of the Sith, some of the episodes in Season Four are single-part stories while most are multi-episode story arcs. Both types of episodes help build the storyline and characters as well as move the series along, though I must say two story arcs in particular impressed me: the "Obi-Wan Undercover" arc, which sees Obi-Wan fake his death, return as a bounty hunter, and gain employment by the Separatists to gather information and maybe every fan's favorite arc from last season, "Darth Maul Returns," which sees Opress find his brother Maul and together the pair face Obi-Wan, the Jedi responsible for wounding Maul so terribly over a decade before.
These arcs as well as a number of other episodes drive Season Four and make it one of the best - if not the best - season so far in the series. No doubt the final episodes featuring Maul's return will keep fans engaged and excited entering this new Season Five (which is on Episode 6 this weekend). Sure to shake things up with Maul and Opress venturing the galaxy on a mission of revenge and the Jedi seeking to defend Republic worlds against Separatist forces as they continue to grow and expand, this new fifth season is a fine place for any and all fans to start watching...though they'd no doubt appreciate seeing Season Four if possible.
The blu-ray video and audio continue to impress with gorgeous animation in full 1080p hi-def video. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio picture is fluid, bright, clean and all-around beautiful. Likewise, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track delivers plenty of use of the sound stage, with laser blasts and light sabre clashes filling the air and dialogue clear and easy to hear from the front.
As for extras, the blu-ray set includes five informative and engaging video commentaries focused on the individual multi-episode story arcs by various creators, including supervising director Dave Filoni, CG supervisor Joel Aron, animation supervisor Keith Kellogg, lead designer Kilian Plunkett, supervising editor Jason Tucker, writers Henry Gilroy and Katie Lucas, and voice actors James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Sam Witwer (Maul). These commentaries feature everything from concept art and info on the stories to behind-the-scenes per-visualization and details about the writing. The five individual commentaries included here are the three-episode arc "The Battle of Mon Cala," the four-episode arc "The Darkened World of Umbara," the three-episode arc "The Slaves of Zygerria," the four-episode "Obi-Wan Undercover," and the four-episode arc "Darth Maul Returns."
The blu-ray set also includes the expansive Jedi Temple Archives, which features everything from deleted scenes, development reels, vehicle and character turn arounds, and concept art to design work, character designs, storyboards, and more. Almost ridiculous in the amount of information included, die-hard Star Wars fans will appreciate this Archive and spend hours and hours combing this feature for in-depth information.
If you're a fan of Star Wars and you're not watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars, there's something wrong with you. Unlike anything you've ever seen, The Clone Wars continues to prove itself a series worth watching. While the affects of the sale of LucasFilm to Disney have yet to be revealed, we can only hope we'll continue to see more new episodes of this amazing animated series as it grows towards the ultimate face off between Obi-Wan and Anakin seen in Episode III.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Fourth Season is available now on both DVD and blu-ray wherever fine home video is sold.
- Jess C. Horsley


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My wife, Becky, recently informed me that my dog might not be bound for heaven. Don't worry, she doesn't mean "all dogs" -- just my dog. Still, her comment has generated a mini theological crisis in my home.
To give Becky's remark some context, you should know first, Becky loves animals. She even bought our son a corn snake and our daughters, guinea pigs.
As a schoolteacher, she encouraged her classes to raise mice. She adores the fairground piglets and is mesmerized by zoo elephants. She's been a docent for Sand Hill Cranes and she's an adventurous whale watcher.
But here's her big "however" -- she's never had an affinity for household pets that live outside a cage. It was only after one of my particularly difficult deployments that she sympathetically agreed to adopt a pound puppy I call "Toby Dog."
Three years later, Toby has grown into 30 pounds of half Jack Russell and half Lhasa Apso. His Lhasa part resembles the sweet, mixed-breed "Benji" of Hollywood fame, but the Jack Russell can be a body-double from the Poltergeist movie.
Last week, while I was out of town speaking at a Florida veteran event, Toby began testing Becky's tolerance, barking at each household sound. At one point, he woke Becky by pouncing on her recliner during an afternoon nap. Later, he pooped on her newly mopped floor and then nagged her for walks in the heat of the day.
Finally, hours prior to my homecoming, when the airline had me stranded me in airport purgatory, AKA Atlanta, I received this theologically perplexing text from Becky.
"I'm taking your crazy, hell-bent dog for a walk."
I blinked my eyes in disbelief. It seemed as though her text hinted of the possibility that Toby Dog could go to... And I just can't bring myself to quite say it, so I'll spell it -- H-E-double-doglegs.
Happily, Toby was not been privy to Becky's doctrinal missive. He would be hurt to think his immortal soul was being questioned by a layperson, a non-dog-lover.
By now, I'm sure most of you hear the tongue and cheek nature of this column and you realize neither one of us have ever seriously contemplated Toby Dog's eternal destination. That's because we know two things.
First, my love for Toby Dog is but a microcosm of the love God has for us.
God loves us, (including Toby) in ways we can't imagine, even though we do a lot more dumb stuff than pooping on a newly mopped floor. Seriously, our "bad dog" stunts outweigh all the stuff Toby's ever done.
Yet God still loves us. In fact, the Apostle Paul found God's love certain enough to proclaim, "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God."
Secondly, none of us are equipped to speculate on the eternal destination of a dog -- much less that of our neighbors. That sort of speculation is merely an effort to establish a celestial caste system.
At the end of the day, it's probably best to leave the eternity questions up to Dog.
Whoops. Sorry. That was Toby's effort to help me with this column. I meant, "God." We should leave the eternity questions up to God.
Finally, don't worry. Toby Dog and Becky are doing much better now. I know she loves Toby, but it's still probably better that I stay home for a while.

subset: commoncrawl


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I'm in Chicago on business - and just got freed up tonight, so my wife and I are going to the game!
Anyone else going?
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I'm in Chicago on business - and just got freed up tonight, so my wife and I are going to the game!
Anyone else going?
I am - although I don't know where my seats are located quite yet.
Any chance we actually play well tonight?
I'm taking my family up to Chicago today, for a mini vacation, and was wondering where I could find some $10 tix for the game.I tried tixmaster, but no luck. I have no idea if I could even find any on the streets. Any suggestions?
Yes. Taking into account that we are .5 team there is a high probability for a win. Besides, O'Neal is taking it personly. It's interessting how everyone response.Originally Posted by Mushmouth
OTOH if we take into account playing against loosing teams... oh... nevermind...
I'm really sorry because of my english (which is my 3-4 language) and I really appreciate Your patience. I hope this board will make me better
Scalping should be in full effect... cheap tix will be available, although I'm not sure about $10. Otherwise, they have an American Express discount on ticketmaster online that'd get you $18 tix (I believe you just have to use an AmEx card and the discount kicks in).Originally Posted by IndyHoosier
IndyHoosier -
There are a number of ticket brokers in the Chicago area that will be desperate to get rid of thier tickets as tipoff approaches. You can get a deal from them. BUT - they usually aren't the types to buy the $20 seats in the first place. It is legal to scalp (with a license) in Chicago so it doesn't hurt to drive past the arena and look for someone who is looking to unload. $10 a piece is definitely a tough order to fill -
Mushmouth (and anyone else who wants to stop by) - I'll be up in Section 316, Row 1. I'm wearing a black T with orange sleeves and a black leather jacket. I can PM my cell if anyone wants to meet up during a break. I know there won't be much time, so I understand if it doesn't happen. Could be fun though!
I'm hoping we at least pretend to get it together and put on a show... (not holding my breath though.
Thanks Mushmouth. I hope we get a win tonight!!Originally Posted by Mushmouth
If you have no problem missing the first 5 minutes of the game, 10 dollar tickets are easy to find.
I always find ten dollar tickets.
*removed* Just keep politics and religion completely out of it, please.
Thanks everyone, I hope to get in, sounds like fun.
Don't forget, our Serbian and Lithuanian friends in Chicago have gobbled up the available tickets for this game.
Might not be as easy to get a cheap scalped ticket as other games.
I'm going to sit this one out - I'm afraid I'd get in a fight with someone that's upset that Saras is sitting on the bench.
Why do the things that we treasure most, slip away in time
Till to the music we grow deaf, to God's beauty blind
Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart?
Till we fall away in our own darkness, a stranger to our own hearts
And life itself, rushing over me
Life itself, the wind in black elms,
Life itself in your heart and in your eyes, I can't make it without you
Signing out - Y'all know where to find me.
I'll be sitting behind the Pacers bench.
I'll have on a white Jack jersey from last years design.


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Topic: Please review and share if you can
I have been visiting this site for about 4 months now (without posting) as my 72 year old dad was diagnosed with cc back in April.
Let me start by saying I like both of my dad
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Por favor publique sus preguntas en Español y un intérprete le va responder.
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Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Discussion Board → General Discussion → Please review and share if you can
I have been visiting this site for about 4 months now (without posting) as my 72 year old dad was diagnosed with cc back in April.
Let me start by saying I like both of my dad
Dear Bz, my husband has a klatskin tumor starting in the gall bladder going into both bile ducts and both sides of the liver. In Australia no treatment is offered as it has not proven to extend life. It seems very different in the US I find it hard to believe how many different treatments are offered.
My husband can be so well one day and just by over doing it of eating the wrong thing he will end up in bed with bloating pain high fevers for a couple of days and then the pendulem swings the other way and he is back in the garden working and living a normal life. It is all about finding a balance, my husband has an amazing outlook and doesn't ever think of himself as being sick, I think it is harder on me as the carer watching him fade away, he has lost 16kg since Jan 07 and though he staberlized after having 2 stents put in in March he seems to be losing weight at about 2kg every couple of weeks or so. I find Bowen therapy helps a lot with his bloating as I am a bowen therapist. I do the reflux moves that are used on babies and find that helps on accasion if you know of a Bowen therapist over there.
Hope this helps you, Fran
Thank you for your post. I am unfamiliar with the therapy you mentioned - but I will look into it.
Since my post - dad has seen his oncologist and news was not good. His CA19-9 is up (went from 1400 in late August to 1797 in mid-October) and his continued fluid build up is concerning. Dr started new cycle of Gemzar with Xeloda. Doing 2-weeks on then one week off. Will check Ca19-9 again next week and will get results at 11/7 appointment. Depending on results current chemo combo will be repeated or an alternate (final) combo will be tried.
My mom has Alzheimer's and my dad is trying really hard to out live her but I don't know that this is going to be enough. Prayers are good!
Dear Bazel, I wish you luck with your dad and your mum. Yes prayers are good, I will put you in mine, Fran
Bazel--I'm new to this site. My mom is 77 years old and was diagnosed with a sizable tumor on the bile duct in Dec. 2006. Originally the head of oncology at NW Memorial in Chicago suggested resection for my mom. She was symptomatic but CT scans showed no signs of metatices. In Feb. 2007 she had surgery only to find that the cancer had spread to her abdomen and nodes. Due to complications with her incision and stents (infection), she was unable to start chemo until May. She began chemo then and was doing quite well. Many ups and downs, but carried on a semi normal life. A few weeks ago, however, even with lowered tumor markers, she began having frequent diarreha (not sure if chemo related). She's on Gemzar, like your dad 3 wks on 1 off. She also had increased stomach upset, acid stomach and fatigue. A recent hospital stay last week, after a night of vomitting, turned up no blockages, which is what they had expected. A few days on IV fluids and keeping down minimal food allowed her to come home. The same night she came home, she was vomitting again. She's been returning back and forth to the oncologist's office for IV fluids and this weekend has perked up. There are so many ups and downs it's difficult to know if she's really worsening. I too am the only one active in my mom's caregiving. I'm thankful for this site. Sometimes I think the doctors spare my mom the details on how this disease progresses. Hope you dad perks up too. I just keep praying for quality days, or hours or even minutes.
Stay strong
The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.


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As new Boeing 787s continue to stack up at Everett and others remain idle around the world, the airframer's battery crisis is finally coming to a head as the FAA decides on whether to approve a company plan to return the aircraft to the skies.
If the FAA says yes, airline sources tell Aviation Week that the first 787s could begin operating again with an interim battery system modification as early as the third week of March. If it says no to the near-term proposal, then Boeing faces the far more painful and expensive alternative of developing and certifying a longer-term fix while the fleet remains grounded.
There are no easy decisions facing FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, who is scheduled to hear Boeing's proposal from a delegation led by Commercial Airplanes President Ray Conner on Feb. 22. This marks the 38th day since the agency grounded the 787, one more day than the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 grounding in 1979.
The FAA response, which is not expected until Feb. 25 at the earliest, and perhaps not for several days beyond that, also requires approval from Ray LaHood, the U.S. transportation secretary. LaHood earlier raised the bar on conditions for a 787 reprieve by saying the aircraft will not return to service until authorities are "1,000% sure" it is safe.
Adding to the pressure on the FAA is the ongoing review of its original certification of the 787, as well as the yet-to-be-completed National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the first lithium-ion battery failure on a Japan Airlines aircraft Jan. 7 at Boston Logan International Airport. The NTSB, and its Japanese counterpart, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB), are still evaluating the root cause of multiple battery failures that prompted a world-wide grounding of the 787 on Jan. 16.
As part of the investigation, engineers are looking at what could have caused a mechanical flaw inside the battery in service. While even the NTSB has stated that it has found no signs of overcharging, one part of the research still focuses on how a faulty charging process could lead to damage and subsequent overheating and smoke, ultimately causing the destructive sequence known as a thermal runaway. If confirmed, that would be a significant finding because it would redirect attention to the charging system, rather than the battery.
However both investigations so far have failed to pinpoint an exact cause, and with Boeing and its customers facing growing costs over the grounding, there are signs the FAA may be increasingly open to a compromise to get the jet back into service. The multi-point Boeing plan is thought to cover a phased approach toward a fully modified lithium-ion battery system. The short-term fix focuses on a new containment system for the existing unit, together with added venting ducts for smoke and additional monitors. It also is thought to incorporate additional crew procedures to check battery health and status via the engine indication and crew alerting system before, during and after flight.
Boeing is not discussing details of its proposal, but the supplementary venting understood to form part of the plan is expected to be routed to a dedicated overboard vent valve already built into the aircraft's equipment cooling and ventilation system.
The short-term fix package, if approved, would be flight-tested immediately to satisfy the anticipated FAA requirements, as well as to pave the way for a fast-paced retrofit program. Boeing is already reporting "good progress" on tests of the revised configuration, which up until now has been evaluated only in its systems integration and component laboratories in Seattle.
Conner's proposal package is also believed to include longer term options for a revised configuration that would minimize the chances of a battery overheating in the first place, as well as from being destroyed in a thermal runaway. These would include a more significant redesign of the battery itself with the provision of interstitial space and possibly insulation between individual cells, additional voltage and temperature monitors and cooling. The longer-term fix likely would be undertaken through a supplemental type certificate, say regulatory agency sources.
Boeing, which revealed additional details of the aircraft's battery and related electrical system features on Feb. 20, says only that it is "working tirelessly in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities. Everyone is working to get to the answer as quickly as possible, and good progress is being made."
Boeing's move comes as investigators from the JTSB reveal that two cells in the second battery of the All Nippon Airways (ANA) 787 that made an emergency landing at Takamatsu Airport on Jan. 16 were "swollen" Although the emergency was prompted by problems with the main battery, which was badly damaged by burning electrolyte, the signs of apparent degradation were found in the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery located in the aft electrical/electronic equipment bay.
The APU battery in the ANA incident was initially thought to be undamaged, but JTSB says subsequent tomography scans have revealed evidence of slight swelling in the cells. The agency also reported signs of miswiring around the battery, although the significance of this has not yet been explained.
If the FAA pushes Boeing toward the longer-term solution only, the manufacturer almost certainly will face new questions over its 787 production and storage plans. While Boeing is adamant it will not slow down production and has told its suppliers not to expect any changes, not all of them are convinced. The CEO of one major 787 supplier says his company already has run separate calculations on several slowdown and subsequent ramp-up scenarios. He doubts that Boeing can sustain its current strategy beyond a period of months and would be forced to react more forcefully if it turns out the grounding will be extended beyond the summer.
Saying it is "incredibly hard" to judge what is actually going to happen, the executive notes that at some point his company is likely to make its own decision on 787 parts production, even if Boeing has not changed its stance by that time. Jefferies & Company analyst Howard Rubel believes that "pushing the solution to May is probably as far as the program can be stretched."
Boeing's position to stick to lithium-ion-batteries has been dealt a further blow by Airbus's decision to drop the technology for now. Airbus reverts back to nickel-cadmium-batteries for the A350 program, although the initial flight tests will still be performed with the lithium-ion devices on board as it is too late to change the design before first flight, which is anticipated for May or early June.
Airbus says the decision is not safety-related. But the manufacturer is concerned that possible additional regulatory requirements to be imposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) could put the current program schedule at risk, which will see first delivery of the aircraft in the second half of 2014. According to industry sources, Airbus has also dropped the idea of using lithium-ion for the A320NEO family.
Even though the battery design on the A350 differs materially from Boeing's design on the 787, different suppliers are used and the A350 has fewer electrical systems than the Boeing aircraft, Airbus made design changes to the battery system one year ago. The modification addressed safety concerns, Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier said earlier this month, and Airbus claims it is still confident in the technology. It plans to work further to mature it and could look at retrofitting the lighter and more powerful batteries even on the A350 at a later stage once the current uncertainties are sorted out.
Airlines, meanwhile, continue to make contingency plans to cover for the continued grounding of the 787. United Airlines expects to see the aircraft remain out of service through March 30, while Air India expresses hope that the 787 will be back in operation by early April.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
July 21, 2011
The BP Wayback Machine
The Dos and Don'ts of Trade Rumor Mongering
While looking toward the future with our comprehensive slate of current content, we'd also like to recognize our rich past by drawing upon our extensive (and mostly free) online archive of work dating back to 1997. In an effort to highlight the best of what's gone before, we'll be bringing you a weekly blast from BP's past, introducing or re-introducing you to some of the most informative and entertaining authors who have passed through our virtual halls. If you have fond recollections of a BP piece that you'd like to nominate for re-exposure to a wider audience, send us your suggestion.
With the deadline approaching, revisit Jim's advice on responsible rumor mongering, which originally ran on July 27, 2004.
Before fantasy baseball usurped nudism as the nation's third-favorite hobby, one of the most popular topics on sports call-in shows was speculative trades. Prior to having the opportunity to make these moves for oneself in the alternate universe of fantasy team ownership, fans would use radio hosts as sounding boards for their swapping whims. It was pretty obvious that everybody harbored dreams of being Frank Lane, and that radio hosts, desperate for something to talk about, would let these callers concoct insanely one-sided deals that would often sound a little something like this:
Caller: First time caller, long-time stalker of you and your family. How ya doin'?
Host: Good. You?
Caller: I got a sciatic nerve condition and I'm three months behind on my mortgage. Thanks for asking.
Host: What's on your mind?
Caller: How about this for a trade: Angels give
Host: You think the Dodgers would go for that?
Caller: Huh? Yeah...why not?...
Host: Well, it seems a little tilted the Angels' way, doesn't it?
Caller: How you mean?
Fortunately, those days are mostly behind us as the people responsible for screening such calls rarely let them through anymore under threat of beheading. This doesn't mean the urge to trade still isn't out there among the populace--regardless of how much tradelust has been sated by the fantasy/rotisserie construct. This is especially apparent this time of year, as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.
We've all got trade fever. Everybody is obsessed with the possibility that massive amounts of jockflesh will be migrating around and about the American and National Leagues. In many cases, it's not even important that these trades ever even take place. No, what matters is the mere possibility that they might.
Which leads us to the advice portion of today's effort: How to start, spread, and maintain your very own trade rumor. "Why would I want to do that?" some of you might be asking. So that you can leave a mark on society, of course. So that you say that you did something with your life. Not everyone can be a big shot and start a corporation, but anyone can start a rumor. The true test of a person is not how much money they make, but how much misinformation they can circulate among the populace.
Here are some hints about how to do it:
Now that you've figured what your rumor is and how you plan on "verifying" it, you need to figure a way to get it in front of people. Here are a few ideas:
Write me with it.
Send it in an e-mail.
Send this e-mail to 324 people you know in the next 10 minutes or something horrible will happen to your most intimate parts. A woman in Brisbane, Australia failed to do so and she was bitten by a shark six years later! A man in Vancouver did as he was supposed to and his gas mileage increased by 14%.
State it as fact.
"Hey," you say, "how do I know when I've succeeded?"
It's obvious: when the rumor comes all the way back around to you. That's when you know you're a big league trade rumor monger.
5 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Oh god, I hope I never read the phrase, "massive amounts of jockflesh will be migrating around" ever again. Ever. Please. Yikes.
Jul 21, 2011 09:51 AM
I always start trade rumors within my fantasy league. It wreaks havoc and creates panic. Loads of fun.
Jul 21, 2011 15:02 PM
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|Boston, MA 02421
United States
|Full Time
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|Boston, MA 02421
United States
|We are a stealth, VC-backed start-up in Boston that is focused on one of the internet's hottest spaces: providing publishers a profitable solution for delivering premium content to consumers over the internet. Our approach is radically different from anything else being contemplated in this space, and it has the potential to benefit publishers and consumers in a groundbreaking way. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on a product that will have first-mover status and be visible to lots of people, including the biggest players in media and entertainment.
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Pulmonary Hypertension
Asplenic Patient/Pulmonary Hypertension
I am an asplenic patient and maybe at risk for Pulmonary Hypertension. Is it important to have a lipid panel? Should my cholesterol levels be of special concern because of my lack of a spleen. The Spleen was surgically removed because of a inflammatory sutotumor tumor.
There is no association between the cholesterol level and development of pulmonary hypertension. Your lipid panel should be checked as per the recommendation of your primary care physician.
Namita Sood, MD, FCCP
Associate Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University


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The World of Eternia Is Brought To Life In Miniature Scale...
In past two years Icon Heroes has truly earned a name for themselves by attempting to deliver a more cohesive world for the two most iconic cartoon properties of the 80s Thundercats and Masters of The Universe. After delivering an iconic Cats Lair diorama and Thundertank vehicle for the Thundercats Line along with some awesome classic Minimates sets that are perfectly in scale with the polystone pieces. And now the company has shifted the efforts towards creating a miniature Masters of the Universe world with the release of their amazing Castle Grayskull statue and the just-revealed expansion set consisting of an iconic bone base, Point Dread, Talon fighter, flag and cannon accessory. The estimated retail value for the expansion set will be $175 and is expected to release in the 4th quarter of this year.
Aside from this incredibly detailed Caste Grayskull environment, an unpainted prototype of an enormous Snake Mountain diorama which is twice the size of Castle Grayskull. While no price or release date has been announced, this new diorama is sure to be a huge hit with Masters of the Universe fans once it is released. Now all we need is Masters of the Universe Minimates to go with these amazingly-detailed environments. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed for that.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.


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This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. The first day of snow this winter!
After a quick breakfast, the children bundled themselves up in last year's snow gear (snow pants were a little short all round!) and headed outside for some fort building.
Given my unease at driving in the snow, my planned day of Hatha yoga, some deep discount shopping (60% off all fall styles!) at Vive and a mid-morning coffee stop at my favourite local caffeine joint got nixed for a yoga DVD,
some home-made black bean soup (see recipe below),
and getting re-acquainted with my knitting,
(pattern is Irish Coffee, yarn is Madelintosh Vintage in Briar; so lovely!).
Of course, there will be burpees later. I have to catch up on the ones I missed yesterday; given the snowfall warning, I decided to get downtown yesterday, rather than today. Had to exchange a pair of boots that I ordered online. Ended up coming home with these babies,
What are your favourite things to do on a 'snow day'?
Do you exercise at home when you can't get to the gym?
Veggie and Shrimp Black Bean Soup
- 1 large zucchini
- 2 peppers (I used one red, one yellow)
- 1 large, yellow onion
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 Tbsp oregano
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes (add more if you like things hot!)
- 2 cups no-sodium vegetable stock
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced, no-sodium tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (12 ounces) corn kernels
- 30-40 cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp (you could sub cooked turkey or chicken here or leave the protein out entirely)
- Warm 1 Tbsp EVOO in large stock pot.
- Add veggies and saute until soft.
- Stir in spices and cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add vegetable stock, tomatoes and black beans. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 min.
- Puree mixture (as smooth or as chunky as you like). Add corn kernels and protein. Heat for 5-10 minutes and serve!
- Makes 6-8 servings, depending on how big a bowl you eat!
Great way to warm up after playing in the snow with your kids!


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FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State's Travis Beck didn't hesitate when asked how fellow linebacker Grant Olson could top last week's record-setting, 29-tackle effort in a playoff victory over Wofford.
"He'll probably break it again," Beck said.
A crazy notion, perhaps, but Olson should be the center of attention again Friday night in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinal against visiting Georgia Southern, like Wofford a triple-option team that runs the ball almost all the time.
Olson, a 6-foot, 223-pound junior from Plymouth, Minn., cracked a wide smile when asked if he enjoys playing an option team.
"For me, yes. For other guys, not so much," Olson said. "I know the defensive line doesn't exactly enjoy taking on blocks the entire time. For me, you get to play the run and tackle people. It's a lot of fun."
Olson said he was hoping, for the sake of his defensive linemen, that the defending FCS champion Bison (12-1) would play Old Dominion, a passing team, so the players up front would have a chance to do what they enjoy the most — sack the quarterback.
"But unfortunately for them, they don't get to do it," he said.
Georgia Southern leads the country with a rushing average of 409 yards per game. The Southern Conference team has not thrown the ball more than 10 times in a single game and went one contest — against Wofford — without attempting a single pass.
The Eagles (10-3) have a former running back at quarterback in Jerick McKinnon, who leads the team in rushing with 1,736 yards, and ran for 316 yards in one game. They have a running back, Dominique Swope, who has piled up 1,169 yards and 16 touchdowns despite missing three starts with a concussion.
Some believe that the Bison, who rose to prominence in Division II with an option game, dumped that offense because it couldn't work in Division I. Three teams run it in the Southern Conference.
"It works at this level. Georgia Southern has proven that. A number of teams have proven that," NDSU defensive coordinator Chris Klieman said. "It just goes to the old adage, if you can run the football and play defense, you're going to have the chance to win a lot of football games."
The key to defending the Eagles? Olson said the Bison should have a "guy on pitch, guy on quarterback, guy on dive." Klieman said the Bison linebackers need to get a clean shot at the ball carrier and finish their tackles.
"That QB has made a ton of people miss," Klieman said of McKinnon. "And if you make the first guy miss it's a foot race. Not too many people are catching him right now."
Like Wofford, Georgia Southern's offense neutralizes NDSU's most explosive defender, two-time All-American cornerback Marcus Williams. Even though most teams throw away from him, Williams has five interceptions, including one he returned 98 yards for a touchdown.
Olson said Williams has a difficult assignment trying to stay sharp for a surprise pass.
"He has to cover his man every single play. And 65 out of 70 snaps they're not even going to pass the ball so he's running downfield doing nothing," Olson said. "But it's those five other snaps when they throw it deep, he has to be perfect."
The game is a repeat of last year's semifinal in which the Bison defeated the Eagles 35-7 at the Fargodome. Bison head coach Craig Bohl said this year's edition of Georgia Southern is more athletic and explosive, especially at quarterback, than last year.
Conversely, Georgia Southern head coach Jeff Monken, whose team played Alabama last year, said NDSU is the closest thing to the Crimson Tide he's seen in his three years with the Eagles.
"They've got a great defense," Monken said of the Bison. "They don't hold people to 11 points a game because they have one player. They've got a bunch of guys who play good and they are well-coached."


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Essential thrombocythemia is an uncommon disorder in which your body produces too many blood platelets. This condition may cause you to feel fatigued, lightheaded and to experience headaches and vision changes. It also increases your risk of blood clots.
Essential thrombocythemia (throm-boe-sie-THEE-me-uh) is more common in people over age 50 and slightly more common in women. Young people can develop it as well.
Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic disease that has no cure. If you have a mild form of the disease, you may not need treatment. If you have a severe condition, you may need medicine that lowers your platelet count, blood thinners or both.
The first indication you have the disorder may be the development of a blood clot (thrombus). Clots can develop anywhere in your body, but with essential thrombocythemia they occur most often in your brain, hands and feet.
Signs and symptoms depend on where the clot forms. They include:
Less commonly, essential thrombocythemia may cause bleeding, especially if your platelet count is extremely high (more than 1 million platelets per microliter of blood). Bleeding may take the form of:
If a blood clot occurs in the arteries that supply the brain, it may cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. A TIA, or ministroke, is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. Signs and symptoms of a stroke or TIA develop suddenly and include:
Seek medical attention immediately:
Bone marrow — spongy tissue inside your bones — contains stem cells that can become red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets (thrombocytes). Platelets stick together, helping blood to form a clot that stops bleeding when you damage a blood vessel, such as when you get a cut. A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
If you have essential, or primary, thrombocythemia, your bone marrow makes too many platelet-forming cells (megakaryocytes). The excess platelets may not function normally, leading to abnormal clotting or bleeding.
The exact cause of essential thrombocythemia and similar conditions, known as myeloproliferative disorders, isn't known. About 80 percent of people with the disorder have an acquired gene mutation contributing to the disease. This may involve the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), calreticulin (CALR) or MPL gene mutation.
A high platelet count that's caused by an underlying condition such as an infection or iron deficiency is called reactive, or secondary, thrombocythemia. People with secondary thrombocythemia have less risk of blood clots and bleeding than do people with essential thrombocythemia.
People with essential thrombocythemia who are older are at risk of complications, as are people who've had prior blood clots or bleeding problems related to the disease.
The abnormal blood clotting of essential thrombocythemia can lead to a variety of potentially serious complications, including:
Essential thrombocythemia can also cause bleeding with significant blood loss. A small number of people with essential thrombocythemia may later progress to these potentially life-threatening diseases:
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and to know what to expect from your doctor.
For essential thrombocythemia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you during your appointment.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
If your blood count is above 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood, your doctor will look for an underlying condition. He or she will rule out all other causes of high platelet counts to confirm a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia. Blood tests may include:
Your doctor may also suggest two bone marrow tests:
Treatment of essential thrombocythemia depends on your risk of blood-clotting or bleeding episodes. If you're younger than 60 and have had no signs or symptoms, you may simply need periodic medical checkups.
Your doctor may prescribe medication if:
Your doctor may suggest one of the following prescription drugs, perhaps along with low-dose aspirin, to reduce your platelet count or clotting risk:
A medical procedure called platelet pheresis is used only in emergencies, such as after a stroke or other dangerous blood clotting. It temporarily lowers your platelet count. A needle connected to a tube allows your blood to flow into a device that removes platelets, after which your blood is returned to your body.
If you have essential thrombocythemia, your doctor may recommend you regularly take low-dose aspirin. Aspirin makes platelets less sticky and your blood less likely to form clots. It's often used in pregnancy because it has a low risk of causing side effects to the fetus.
Also try to choose healthy lifestyle habits to lower your risk of developing conditions that may contribute to blood clotting. These include diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Take steps to:
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
At Mayo Clinic's campus in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, specialists in hematology/oncology and other areas, as needed, treat people with essential thrombocythemia.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
At Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, specialists in hematology/oncology and other areas, as needed, treat people with essential thrombocythemia.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 904-953-0853 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
At Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, specialists in hematology and other areas, as needed, treat people with essential thrombocythemia.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
Essential thrombocythemia in children is extremely rare. Treatment for children is coordinated by specialists in pediatric hematology/oncology in Minnesota. Children needing hospitalization receive care at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
See information on patient services at the three Mayo Clinic locations, including transportation options and lodging.
Mayo Clinic leads many international efforts for essential thrombocythemia and similar disorders, including roles in the national Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium. Mayo Clinic also hosts conferences on myeloproliferative disorders, which include essential thrombocythemia.
See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic doctors on essential thrombocythemia on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocythemia/care-at-mayo-clinic/appointments/con-20034386
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


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Hart thrilled with recovery milestone
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Corey Hart was not exactly sure Saturday morning about the next step in his rehabilitation from knee surgery, but he was thrilled about one positive result of his encouraging MRI scan: He can drive again.
"I hate depending on people," Hart said, looking around the clubhouse. "A lot of these people in here found out where I live. Especially the guys in Scottsdale, I would say, 'If you just take me, I live real close.'"
Not exactly. Hart lives in a community west of Phoenix -- on the opposite side of town from Scottsdale.
"[Bobby] Crosby took me one day, and I was like, 'Dude, I just live on the other side of [U.S. Hwy.] 101,'" Hart said. "Then we cross the 101 and I say, 'See those mountains way out there? I live on the base of those mountains.' But guys were definitely helpful."
Now, Hart will be free to help himself. A follow-up MRI scan Friday morning confirmed that the defect on the joint surface of his knee has "filled in" since Hart's Jan. 25 surgery. He no longer has to walk around on crutches, and he will slowly graduate to new exercises intended to build strength and increase range of motion.
The Brewers' original estimate had Hart sidelined until late May. Hart remains optimistic about beating that prediction.
"It was good news, but I still don't know exactly what the game plan is yet," Hart said. "It was good enough news that I don't have to wear crutches anymore and I can start driving, but I still don't know if there is a timetable or a plan. I just know I'm about to do more."
"I think [an April return] is more a possibility now than it was," said Hart. "I think they were -- not surprised, but they weren't sure what it was going to show. All of a sudden, it showed it was good enough to where I can move forward. I know I'll do more than I've been doing. I know I can do more, I just don't know how much more. I can't jump to doing full bodyweight stuff."
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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A MAN was left with facial injuries after he was assaulted while collecting his son from school.
The incident is believed to be part of a long-running dispute and it happened in Yates Hay Road, Malvern, at about 3.40pm on Tuesday as the man and his child were walking home when a couple in a silver/grey people carrier pulled up.
The male got out and began threatening the man before punching him in the face.
A 35-year-old Malvern man has been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and was released on police bail pending further inquiries.
PC Frances Thorpe of Malvern police said: "It is believed the people involved knew each other and the incident was part of a long-running dispute.
"However, we are very keen to talk to anyone who was in the Yates Hay Road area of Malvern around the time when this assault took place."
Anyone with information should call the police, quoting incident number 378s 140114, on the non-emergency number 101.


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Out of the Humidor
(continued from page 7)
One of my friends was in a custom shirt maker's shop in New York. While waiting to be helped, he lit up a fine Dominican cigar. Immediately, the sales lady demanded he put it out. He could not "indulge in such a nasty habit" in the shop. The proprietor happened to overhear the order and broke in, "Ignore her. Here let me offer you a light." Just at that moment, a white stretch limo pulled up out front. Sylvester Stallone strolled in puffing a foot long import. Nothing more was said.
Whatever happened to the days of service? Shopping in an exclusive gentleman's establishment should mean a comfortable chair, an adult beverage or cup of coffee and yes, damn it, an ashtray.
Leo Dowell
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
* * *
Dear Marvin:
Although my schedule is hectic, I still find time to read and I am looking forward to reading CIGAR AFICIONADO.
Bill Clinton
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
* * *
Dear Marvin:
My wife and I have three children and have been married for 20 years (truly married, much like tobaccos are). We do everything together. About ten years ago) we started drinking wine together for my wife's health. This year my wife's physician told her that she needed to smoke a cigarette occasionally to calm her nerves. Although we learned how to drink moderately without any problems, I thought that smoking would be too big a challenge, so we put the idea off and searched for better solutions. The other alternatives included taking medication daily, but since my wife is only 37 years old, it seemed that we should put that off also.
Finally, for some unknown reason we found ourselves standing in front of the tobacco section of a local supermarket, and I said, "Let's smoke some of these small cigars." We laughed at the idea, bought them and enjoyed them (last June, 1992).
Since then we have found a world of enjoyment in trying the many different premium cigars that are available here in the U.S. Our family and friends are surprised to see both of us smoking cigars (especially my wife), but we feel that they don't know what they are missing. Strangely enough we feel that we are members of a special class.
Lately we have been feeling other things too; one afternoon we were smoking some Arturo Fuente robustos (we use our CIGAR AFICIONADO as a cigar smoker's handbook), and I remarked to my wife that this cigar was making me feel amorous. Of course she laughed and said that I was just making excuses. Well, recently we purchased some La Gloria Cubana robustos and she not only told me that she felt amorous while we were smoking, but also described the event to one of her girlfriends, who wanted to borrow one for herself and husband to share.
It may not be a good idea to publish this. If the birth control people got wind of it they too would want to ban cigar smoking.
Yours truly,
Ed Sams
Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Editor's Response: I'll tell you a secret. Just reading your letter was a turn on. But let's keep this to ourselves. If the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) catches wind of the side effects from cigars, they might try to classify them as aphrodisiacs.
* * *
Dear Mr. Shanken:
President Fidel Castro has asked me to thank you in his name for sending the first issue of CIGAR AFICIONADO.
Perhaps the possibility for a meeting with President Castro exists during one of your next visits to our country.
I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for the superior quality of the new magazine, for which we are pleased to pass along our best wishes.
Dr. José M. Miyar Barreuco
Secretary of the Council of State
Havana, Cuba
Secretary of the Council of State
Havana, Cuba
* * *
Dear Marvin:
Please reevaluate the number of women cigar smokers. I bet there are a surprising number of women in my age group partaking in this wonderful luxury. I am a 28-year-old, fairly successful executive in the entertainment industry. I have been enjoying cigars for more than half my life. Oh yes, Marvin, I am a woman.
My work allows me to travel, so I have been fortunate enough to be able to obtain the cigar of my choice. I prefer Cohibas.
No one would have the balls to stop me from smoking my cigar in my home. I own my own house, and if someone doesn't like my cigar smoke, he is free to leave. All summer I go to restaurants with outside cafes, so I can enjoy my cigar after dinner.
I only date men who have enough good taste to appreciate my cigars.
New York, New York
New York, New York
[The writer asked us to withhold her full name and title.]
* * *
Log in if you're already registered.
Or register for Cigar Aficionado today—it's free.
Registration allows you to:
Keep track of your favorite cigars in your personal humidor.
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Ratings & Reviews
Search our database of more than 17,000 cigar tasting notes by score, brand, country, size, price range, year, wrapper and more, plus add your favorites to your Personal Humidor.


text:
|Latest & Greatest
Teleflex Morse Tilt Helm
By Capt. Patrick Sciacca — October 2002
I don't like my helm wheel to be completely horizontal or vertical; I think a bit of an up angle offers the best fit from an ergonomic standpoint. If you want your boat's wheel to suit your preferences, Teleflex is offering you an option.
The company's TFXtreme ball-bearing helm offers five wheel-position settings. Twenty-two stainless steel ball bearings provide flexibility in the wheel and prove durable over the long haul as well. To ensure the unit's ruggedness, Teleflex subjected it to a 1,000-hour salt-spray test and a back-and-forth test, where the wheel was maneuvered continuously one million times throughout the wheel's five positions.
The TFXtreme helm is available with a tapered or spline shaft to suit your boat's design and is said to be compatible with many mechanical steering systems, some of which include NFB Safe-T II, NFB 4.2 Rotary, NFB Pro Rack, HPS Steering, and SafeT QC. The TFXtreme ball-bearing helm is available through Teleflex Morse dealers. Pricing was unavailable at presstime.
Teleflex Morse Phone: (610) 495-7011. Fax: (909) 394-7050. www.tfxmarine.com.
This article originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.


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Los Angeles says taxes were driving car dealers out of town. Now it's trying to lure them back.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed an ordinance on Monday that exempts dealers of new cars from the city's business tax.
The mayor says the tax drove away dealerships along with potential jobs and the sales tax they generated.
Los Angeles has lost 95 dealerships in the past 25 years to neighboring cities such as Burbank and Pasadena that have lower business taxes on new car lots or none at all.
The mayor's office says last year, Los Angeles received about six times as much money from the sales tax paid by new car dealers than it did from their business tax revenue.


text:
Posted 6 years ago
(52 items)
I inherited this frame from my great grandmother and belonged to my great great grandfather. The cloth inside was a piece of her drapery that she had in the 40's. Don't you wish we still had some of those good old drapes today. This piece was near rotten when I remember her cutting it out to put in this frame she was in 87 when she did this. She lived to a nice age of 96 years old. And its a pleasure to have this gift from her. Thankyou,Nina


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Bulbrite brand 50 Watt halogen capsules. JD type with double-contact bayonet base. 50 Watts and 120 volts for bright, high intensity light.
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50 watt 120 volt T4 clear halogen DC bul
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Comments about Bulbrite 50W 120V T4 Clear Halogen DC Bayonet Bulb:
The lulbs are very expensive locally, so I purchased online for much less than at a lighting store. The bulbs do not last more than 8-10 months. Used in kitchen above counter top. Very difficult to remove from the fixture, but that is an issue with the lamp manufacturer.The bulbs provide excellent lighting in the kitchen.
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Bulbs.com has a hard to find bayonet bulb the goes in our bathroom fixture. [...]
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I ordered about half a dozen of these bulbs as I have 3 places I use them. I installed 3 new ones this fall (2010). Within a week or so one had already burned out. I replaced it. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and the others will have long-life. The bulbs are too expensive and too difficult to obtain to be running through them all the time. The jury is still out in my book on the value of this type of bulb.
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At Hand Theatre Co Presents LETTERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD, Previews 4/29
At Hand Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of LETTERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD, written and directed by Anton Dudley (Slag Heap, Substitution, Getting Home). Previews begin April 29 at Theatre Row Studio Theatre with opening night set for Sunday, May 2.
LETTERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD revolves around Todd, a twenty-something gay man in New York City. After reading an article in a fashion magazine, Todd begins writing letters to a woman in Zambia at the forefront of the African AIDS crisis. What starts as a pen pal relationship turns into an unexpected friendship that takes him halfway around the world. He soon discovers that Africa is much closer to his heart than he thinks.
The production stars Shannon Burkett (Dead City), Francesca Choy-Kee, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson (The America Play, The Tempest with Patrick Stewart), and Charles Socarides (2006 Tony-winning Awake & Sing!), with set by Eli Kaplan-Wildmann, lighting by Ryan Bauer and costumes by Nicole Wee. The Production Stage Manager is Donald Butchko.
Anton Dudley's Off-Broadway productions include Substitution (Soho Playhouse), Getting Home (Second Stage) and Slag Heap (Cherry Lane). Other productions include Honor and the River (Walnut Street Theatre, Luna Stage, New York Stage & Film), Cold Hard Cash (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Circumvention (Keen Company), Davy & Stu (Ensemble
Studio Theatre), The Lake's End (Adirondack Theatre Festival), BOB (New York Stage & Film). Anton's work has been published by Playscripts, Inc. (Honor and the River and Circumvention), Heinemann Press, Meriwether Publishing, The Dramatist, Paper Theatre, and New American Short Plays 2005 (edited by Craig Lucas). The award-winning short film of Davy & Stu, for which Anton adapted the screenplay, appears in Boys Life 6, and was an official selection of over 60
international film festivals. He is a member of MCC Theater's Playwrights' Coalition, New York Theatre Workshop's Usual Suspects, Partial Comfort Productions, and Lark Play Development Center.
At Hand Theatre Company (Daniel Horrigan, Artistic Director; Justin Scribner, Executive Director) was founded in 2007 with a mission to produce new plays in greener ways. At Hand's theatrical productions are created using environmentally conscious means, with limited materials. They explore simple, creative solutions that are cost effective, eco-friendly and engage the imagination of the audience. Their directors, designers, and actors work collaboratively with playwrights on original texts - helping them shape the script, negotiating the language of the play, and focusing the storytelling. Past productions include the World Premieres of Lila Cante by Mark Snyder, Dan Horrigan's one-man show My AiDS, Brian Dykstra's Silence!, Andrea Lepcio's One Nation Under, and Jono Hustis' Cake and Plays... But Without the Cake, as well as the New York Premiere of Trickster at the Gate by John Patrick Bray. At Hand also produces an annual one-act festival entitled POP! and a Staged Reading Series of new plays. For more information visit www.athandtheatre.com
LETTERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD runs April 29 - May 16, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm & Sunday at 7pm. Theatre Row Studio Theatre is located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th/10th Aves -- accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street). Tickets are $18, available at 212-247-4200, www.ticketcentral.com or www.athandtheatre.com.


text:
Access the videos and documents below for full demonstrations, online trainings, and guides to help familiarize yourself with the GL Wand, Reports Wand, and Budget Wand reporting and inquiry solutions for your organization.
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Francis Nocom, Applications Manager, Cochlear
Michael Hinck, Finance Systems Project Manager, HBO
Martin Stanton, Chief Information Officer, Destination Hotels & Resorts
Paul Simpson, Lancashire County Council


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Hi, i m working on my website. i want to remove the inner border so that every picture isn't surrounded by a 4 border. if i remove border of right side. the last picture right border also goes. i don't want it go. i tired border-collapse but still there is gap. what should i do?
To me, it's not really clear where you do and don't want borders. Could you post an image of what you want?
see the left of previous one and right on next one? i just one it one. one border in common dividing the both pics
OK, I see. But you've changed the design now. Do you still want the borders? It looks better like it is now.
Well I honestly don't see where in the live link ...so I'm sorry.
But if you want the last image to have the border stay, I'd attach a class to taht and then specify in the CSS you want hte borders to remain.
I'll assume that you still want a border between pictures, but you don't want a "double border". I also could not see your markup, so I will make the assumption that you are working with only IMG tags.. move my code to the appropriate tag and it should work for you.
Lets say you had this mark up:

You could use this CSS:
.images img{border:1px dashed #000;}
.images img+img{border-left:none}
This essentially "collapses" the adjacent borders into each other. Well not really, but that's what the effect looks like.
Of course IE<7 is going to be a problem. If you need old IE support, you will have to do it this way:

.images img{border:1px dashed #000;border-left:none}
.images .first-img{border:1px dashed #000;}
Hope that helps
Sorry for late reply. i wasn't around. i have a issue. if u see the top navigation and click on some page the navigation doesn't work (clickable) :/
This is a separate issue, so you are better off starting a new thread, or at least making some comment about the help offered above!
Pardon my bad manners. well i used the css3 drop shadow etc, but thanks for letting me know. doesn't matter for IE.but now i got some serious issue help pls?


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We've been writing about the fact that up to 90% of the wood furniture you see in America today is imported and furthermore, it is likely that the wood was harvested illegally from one of the world's rapidly disappearing rainforests. Well, I guess others are beginning to write about that too and happily, we're seeing more and more customers asking about where our wood furniture comes from.
It's not just the environment and the fact that American made furniture is superior in terms of quality that customers are concerned with. Another part of this equation is that Americans want to support sustainable communities and help provide American jobs. Over the last 30 years, tens of thousands of jobs for highly skilled furniture makers have been moved overseas, as so called "American furniture companies" have moved their manufacturing operations to China, Vietnam and other third world countries. In the process, many skilled workers (and their families) in North Carolina, Maine and Vermont have suffered job loss and their once-vibrant communities have turned into ghost towns.
At Vermont Woods Studios Furniture and other American furniture companies like Moosehead Furniture in Maine we're working to restore those high quality jobs and help maintain the tradition of fine handcrafted furniture in America. You can help us by becoming a fan on facebook or following us on Twitter. Thanks!
Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter
This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.


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JCB is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2013, Arjun Mirdha will be appointed the Chief Operating Officer of JCB, Inc. overseeing Sales, Commercial Operations, Parts and Service, Manufacturing, Marketing Communications and Product Marketing.
Mirdha joined JCB in 1996 and through his 17 years with the company has gained substantial experience in various roles that include dealer development, parts, service, sales, marketing and new product development. He has also held various management positions in the UK, India and North America.
"It's been exciting to be a part of the tremendous growth JCB has experienced in North America since returning here last year," said Mirdha. "I am pleased to be able to serve in this new role, and I believe with JCB's world class product and the talent and dedication of the JCB team, we will all continue to impact that growth in a positive way."
Serving in his current role as Executive Vice President of Sales / Marketing and Service, Arjun has overseen a 62% increase in overall sales and a 48% increase in parts and service revenue. In addition, the JCB dealer network has expanded national coverage by 25%.
"It is important to JCB to not only attract world class talent, but to develop our existing leadership team as well," said John Patterson, Chairman and CEO of JCB North America. "Throughout his career at JCB, Arjun has provided key guidance and leadership, spearheading many successful initiatives that have led to revenue growth and promotion of the JCB brand. His new role will be pivotal to our continued success here in North America."
Mirdha will continue to serve as the Executive Vice President of Sales / Marketing & Service until assuming his new responsibilities effective January 1. For more information about JCB visit www.jcbna.com.
JCB, the world's third largest construction equipment brand, has 22 plants on four continents: 11 in the UK, six in India and others in Brazil, the USA, China, Germany, France and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide.
JCB manufactures more than 300 different machines including: backhoe loaders; Loadall telescopic handlers; tracked and wheeled excavators; wheeled loading shovels; articulated dump trucks; rough terrain fork lifts; mini excavators; Robot skid steer loaders and JCB Vibromax compaction equipment. For agricultural markets, the company produces a range of telescopic handlers and the unique Fastrac tractor. JCB also manufactures the Teletruk forklift for the industrial sector.
JCB has also established a comprehensive generator range of 77 models. There are 19 standard build power outputs from 8-600 kVA, with bespoke builds from 860-2350 kVA. This covers both 50 and 60Hz, single and three phase technology. These generators cover open, canopy, rental and telecommunications models.
JCB is privately-owned by the Bamford family and Chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, has been at the helm of the company since 1975. The company officially marked its 65th anniversary on June 21st, 2011, the 95th anniversary of the birth of company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.


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So I am curious about a new putter...
Specifically the MVP putter Anonde?
Anyways I throw a SS wizard right now, honestly no huge complaints. I love throwing up shots with it I was going to get a harder plastic to drive with. But heres my problem I love the flight path of the disc when I putt. But I hate the feel of the plastic. I like the softness of it but like the "Powederyness" (yeah made up word) of the plastic. My other problem is it drops a little quick on me (probably user error but just want to make sure)
So I was wondering if the Anonde would be a good inside the circle putter. I am a pretty good putter, Im rather new to the game so when I play doubles people look to me as the Putter of the team.


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Dozens of Vehicles Vandalized
Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
News Release: 13/011/LHC/(1)
January 11, 2013
Dozens of Vehicles Vandalized
Sully Police District – Police are investigating reports of over 40 cases of property destruction and larcenies that took place in the early hours of Thursday, January 10.
Suspects smashed passenger side windows of 44 vehicles parked in the Centreville area between 1 and 5 a.m. Thieves rummaged through the glove boxes and stole an assortment of items; GPS units, iPods, sunglasses and loose change.
Areas targeted were: Bent Tree Circle, Little Rocky Run, Summer Tree Road, Glade Spring Drive and Cider Barrel Circle.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.


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The latest in dairy reproductive technology will be showcased and discussed at the 2012 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council Annual Meeting, Nov. 8-9 in Sacramento, Calif.
Topics included on the agenda are:
- Heifer development focused on early, successful reproduction.
- Communication and labor training with an eye for reproduction.
- Heifer reproduction monitoring and performance.
A poster session and networking opportunities also will be a part of the program. More information


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Click Here To Download:
Guest Column: Email And e-Discovery: Tips For Archiving Elusive Digital Content
By Jim Thumma, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Optical Image Technology
The Association of Records Managers and Administrators website (www.arma.org) indicates about 90% of records created today are digital, with most growth in communications attributed to email and instant messaging. Not surprisingly, AIIM's 2010 State of the ECM Industry survey shows managing electronic records (including email) is one of the highest priorities for organizations implementing ECM. Over 56% of respondents have limited confidence that emails documenting staff commitments are recorded, complete, and retrievable. Although 88% have policies for email usage and content, many lack strategies for managing email for routine processing or recordkeeping.
Effective email management ends cumbersome searches. Communications are retrieved securely and instantly. 'Effective' is the operative word: it depends on choosing technology that's right for you and assembling the right team to implement it. This checklist will help you to choose software that meets your needs.
Although the imaginary visage of a colorful digital sentry overseeing and guarding important communications and may sound enticing, success requires a well-conceived strategy and solid technology that can implement it. An email management system that is part of integrated ECM leaves nothing to chance, following your rules consistently and ensuring communications are handled and guarded appropriately. With an efficient (and effective!) curatorial system in place for your email communications, maybe you'll even have some spare time to enjoy a digital game or two.
Click Here To Download:
Guest Column: Email And e-Discovery: Tips For Archiving Elusive Digital Content


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So I've been slowing building my Eurorack Modular and I'm realizing a few things. First the size of the modules are important to me. I want to get to a Monorocket 104HP Skiff for a first system. With that case I can take my system around to friends studio and convince them they to get into Eurorack too! To do so and get everything I want well I need to watch it. Width and depth matter. The other thing is there is some really unique and interesting modules that modulate stuff and those are fascinating to me. Take a look at the Intellijel µFade linear crossfade or "micro Fade". I'm not going to try and explain what it does so watch the video above ok? The µFade goes for about $140 USD.
Linear crossfader in 4HP. DC coupled linear crossfader. External cv to control fade position. Special circuitry limits the range of incoming cv so that the xfade boundaries are not exceeded (when summing external plus offset position). Switch to change direction of xfade." intellijel.com
For more info: intellijel.com/eurorack-modules/ufade/


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With the season now headed into its fourth month, FC Dallas remains top of the table in MLS with 27 points. June starts with a challenging trip to Denver for a match with Colorado who is definitely a different looking squad than the team Dallas defeated 1-0 in the year's first match. Here's a peek at ten key stats heading into trip to the Mile High City(8PM Central, TWC Sports Channel 148 HD).
4.1 saves per match by FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez which leads MLS heading into the weekend. Fernandez stopped six shots last week as FC Dallas withstood a throw-the-kitchen-sink-at-them effort in the last 15 minutes from San Jose. The effort by Fernandez was one of his best of the year with several big saves late to preserve the three points, now he and the FC Dallas defense will attempt to transfer that success to the road.
2.2 goals against average in road games for FC Dallas which is the highest in MLS. In 5 games away from FC Dallas stadium, opponents have scored 11 goals. FC Dallas' strong start has been aided by quality defense at home, but with the summer months tilting to a more road-weighted schedule they'll have to find a way for their solid defense to travel.
READ: Go behind enemy lines scouting the Colorado Rapids with Drew Epperley
37 consecutive games played for FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges. A hamstring injury ended his consecutive start streak last week against the 'Quakes, but Hedges subbed on late for a three-minute appearance as FC Dallas needed to bolster their defense clinging to a one-goal lead. Hedges was fit enough to play 48 minutes in their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win in Ft. Lauderdale on Tuesday and should be available Saturday to extend his streak which is currently tied for the 8th longest consecutive games played streak in FC Dallas history. David Ferreira is the record holder at 66.
4 combined goals and assists for Fabian Castillo last season against Colorado. The 20-year-old Colombian made a habit of showing out against countryman and former FC Dallas assistant, now Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja last year. Castillo had a goal and an assist in each of FCD's two wins against Colorado last season. Castillo made it ten career MLS goals with his winner against San Jose last week.
Earn cool prizes by interacting with FC Dallas through social media with FCD Rewards.
13 complete games for right back Zach Loyd this season. Loyd worked through a leg injury that limited his training last week, but didn't prevent him from playing the full 90 against San Jose. Loyd has been on the field for every minute in MLS this year for FCD, the only player to do so. Loyd was in the 18, but got a well deserved rest Tuesday when FC Dallas defeated the Strikers in the previously noted US Open Cup win.
5 different starters in the projected Colorado starting XI from the one that took the field at FC Dallas Stadium for the opener on March 2nd. Goalkeeper Clint Irwin, defender Chris Klute, forward Edson Buddle, and midfielders Nathan Sturgis and Martin Rivero were either subs, hurt, or out of the 18 when Colorado opened the season with a 1-0 loss at Dallas. Rivero did injure his foot last week against Chivas USA, so he is questionable for Saturday night's contest.
READ: MLS announces 2013 All-Star Game opponent AS Roma
10 starts for Rapids 'keeper Clint Irwin, the first starts of his MLS career. Irwin has 5 shutouts joining former FC Dallas man Kevin Hartman and Henry Ring (once traded to but never played for Dallas) as the only keepers in MLS history to record five shutouts in their first ten starts. Steward Ceus made his only start of the season in the opener against FCD and veteran Matt Pickens lasted only two games before an injury put him on the shelf. Irwin has stepped up to lead a resurgent Rapids team. Irwin also has a history against FC Dallas as he was in net for the USL Pro Charlotte Eagles in their 3rd round shutout of FC Dallas in the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
0.77 goals against average as a team for Colorado, which, of course, is a big reason for the aforementioned resurgence for the Rapids. The ten goals allowed in 13 matches is only bettered by New England so far this season in MLS. Colorado has allowed two goals in a match only twice this season and and allowed just three total goals over the last eight games for the Rapids.
1 career goal for Nathan Sturgis of the Rapids before scoring in back-to-back matches against San Jose and Chivas USA. Sturgis has bounced around the league now on his fifth different team in eight seasons as a mostly part-time player in MLS. Sturgis was part of the Omar Cummings trade between Colorado and Houston in the off-season. Colorado has taken points in every game Sturgis has played this season including three wins and two draws in their five game unbeaten streak coming into this match with FC Dallas.
325 games played for Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, the leader amongst active field players in MLS appearances. Mastroeni was limited to only two games due to concussion issues last season. He has made seven appearances this year including one of his five starts in the opener at FC Dallas. Teammate Brian Mullan is second in MLS games among active field players at 319.


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Lenny WrapTai is a combination of a Mei Tai carrier and a wrap. It has a very comfortable panel that snugs your baby but it also has a four-way wrap straps that will distribute the weight evenly over the shoulders and the upper body. You can use the Lenny WrapTai for front and back carry.
Lenny WrapTai is reversible! Both sides can be worn :)
Every Lenny WrapTai is a wrap conversion which means it is made of the same high quality fabrics we use for manufacturing our wraps :)
- Longer length shoulder straps (~81"/205cm) = fancy tie offs and enough length for plus sized wearers!
- Unpadded shoulder and waist belt and shoulder straps are 13" wide.
- Integrated sleep hood; attaches to loops on shoulder straps with simple ties.
- 100% Cotton
- Weight : 240 g/m²
LennyLamb Mini (mini) - Recommended for children aged between 5 -18 months
Maximum child's weight - 40 lbs
LennyLamb toddler (maxi) - Recommended for children aged over 10 months
Maximum child's weight - 44 lbs
Permissible measurement error is ± 3 cm
- Mini Panel size: 35x45 cm or 13.75" x 17.7"
- Toddler Panel size: 40x55 cm or 15.75" x 21"
Due to these differences Mini can perfectly adjust to the body of a baby under 18 months, while Toddler proves to be more comfortable for carrying a 2-3 year-old child.
Lenny Lamb does not recommend carrying children younger than 4 months in a structured carrier such as a mei tai or SSC. They recommend woven or elastic wraps are a better choice for newborn to 4 months old. Should you decide that you and your baby are ready to use this mei tai, Lenny Lamb recommends that you adjust the carrier panel to your baby by rolling up the waist belt in the proper way.
Recommended spot clean only. Handwash gentle on cold if necessary. Line dry only. Do not iron.
All images of products on this website are for representation purposes only. Please be aware that the final product in hand may have slight variations in color and texture when compared to the product photo.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
November 9, 2006
Predictatron Recap
We Have a Winner!
Just as I did last year, I'm here to follow up the HACKING MASS Wrap with a look at this year's Predictatron results. This is the second year we've done the Predictatron contest, and it continues to be popular, for obvious reasons--trying to predict the order of finish and teams' eventual records is one of the oldest hobbies of baseball fans.
For those that haven't had the pleasure to compete, Predictatron is the annual contest at Baseball Prospectus where entrants can win $500 by predicting the total wins for each of the 30 major league teams, and the results of the playoffs. Basic scoring is set up so that everyone starts with 1000 points, and you lose points for every win you are off for each team; you can win points back with the playoffs. There are also a few wrinkles, like the Mortal Lock, so I'd encourage everyone to read the full rules.
This year, we didn't have time for the detailed statistics investigation, but we will take a look at the entire pool of Predictatron guesses, the winning ballot, and a comparison to some other preseason predictions. We'll start by going through each division and seeing how the Predictatron guesses picked the playoff teams. To avoid any allegations of falling victim to media bias, we'll traverse the divisions randomly...well, pseudo-randomly, anyway.
AL West
By a pretty healthy margin, readers pegged the A's to take the AL West. In fact, the A's had the highest average win guess amongst all MLB teams, just barely higher than the Yankees. Curiously, the A's managed to outperform their third-order wins by a little over 10 wins to reach their total of 93 wins on the year. In instances where ballots didn't favor the A's to win the West, they almost all picked the Angels. The division shook out as expected, with the average guesses for the A's and Rangers basically dead-on, and the Angels and Mariners about three wins off.
NL Central
Over 90% of ballots correctly picked the Cardinals to take the division, but like most preseason guesses, overestimated their actual wins. Predictatron ballots were optimistic about the Brewers, but were likely disappointed when they only won 75 games--injuries to their pitchers, especially to their frontline starter, Ben Sheets, didn't help. The Cubs vastly underperformed expectations, and didn't come close to the average prediction of 82 wins; they underperformed the average ballot prediction more than any other team. The average ballot pegged the Astros' win total, and were pretty close on the Pirates. The Reds almost made it to .500 this year, overperforming the average ballot by a few wins, even after a late season swoon following their trading two key hitters to Washington.
AL Central
Most readers liked Cleveland to win the division, despite a tight bunch of three teams at the top. Of course, the division did play out with a relatively tight three-team race, but it was the Tigers in the thick of things, not the Indians. In fact, no team in the AL underperformed expectations as much as the Indians did. Readers picked the Royals for mortal lock 35.4% of the time, the highest for any team, and contestants were rewarded accordingly, as the average ballot was within a win and a half of their actual wins, which is critical for the mortal lock pick. Ballots were also close on the White Sox, but the other three teams' average win guesses were all off by at least 11 wins.
AL East
The Yankees and Red Sox tied for the lowest standard deviation of win predictions for all teams, meaning that readers tended to agree about how many games they would win more than any other team. Both teams were picked to make the playoffs the large majority of the time, usually with the Yankees taking the division and the Red Sox the wild card. Of course, the Red Sox disappointed everyone and underperformed by roughly six wins, and also finished third in the division and well out of the wild card race. Usurping second place in the East were the Blue Jays, who finished about four wins ahead of the average prediction. The Orioles and Devil Rays were both content to finish out the set in more typical fashion, although both underperformed expectations, by five wins and 10, respectively.
NL West
The NL West seems like it is consistently a little bit zany, and last year was no exception. The Giants and Diamondbacks looked like they might make a run at the division or the wild card, but faded down the stretch, leaving the Dodgers and Padres to duke it out. Predictatron ballots picked the Dodgers by a few wins, but anticipated a tight three-team rumble, similar to the AL Central. The majority of ballots had the Dodgers winning, analogous to the Indians, only this time the ballots got it right, while the Dodgers and Padres both made the playoffs.
NL East
This was the most hotly contested division in terms of picking the division winner. We have seen other divisions where the average win guesses for the top teams were very close, especially the AL Central, but in all other cases the leader for division winner was favored by at least 59% of ballots. Here, though, we saw the Mets and Braves basically splitting the bill, with the Phillies picking up some votes as well. We all know now that the Mets cruised for most of the year, overperforming the average predicted win total by almost 10 wins. The Braves stumbled, falling to third behind the Phillies (whose win total was basically pegged by the Predictatron ballots). Nobody saw the Marlins doing as well as they did, and they over shot the projection by about 11 wins. The Nationals' average win guess was basically dead on.
Now that we know how the divisions looked, we can break down how the Predictatron ballots envisioned the playoffs working out. We've already seen that the ballots favored the A's, Cardinals, Indians, Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves to win their divisions. That leaves the wild cards, which shook out as follows:
American League Wild Card
This is basically as expected, as the Red Sox and Yankees have been so strong in recent years that most people expected the wild card to come out of the East. That thinking gave the Red Sox over 40% of the wild card votes, while the Yankees also got almost 30% of the wild card votes, likely from those voters that gave the Red Sox the edge in the division.
National League Wild Card
Similar to the American League, the majority of ballots saw the wild card winner coming out the East. The top two teams on this list came out of the East, obviously, and the Braves also had 23% of the wild card votes, mimicking the Yankees wild-card voting in the American League. To summarize the wild card, 74.6% of wild card votes in the American League came from the East and 75.7% of wild card votes in the National League came from the East, which is pretty astonishing.
Once the entrants completed their predictions for the standings, each balloter was required to predict how the playoffs would proceed. We'll only consider analyzing the playoff ballots for teams who were picked to make the playoffs over 10% of the time. This excludes the random ballot picking the Mariners to win the World Series and its brethren.
Below is a chart describing how the playoff ballots shape up. Before you get too engrossed in the details, allow me to explain what the numbers are showing. The first column is simply what percentage of ballots picked the given team to make the playoffs. Each of the next six columns describe the team's performance in all ballots where it was picked to make it to the given round of the playoffs. Each pair of columns is the team's record and winning percentage in the Division Series (DS), Championship Series (CS), and World Series (WS).
For example, that means that the Padres were picked to make it to the playoffs 158 times; the were picked to go 27-131 in the division series, so they were on the ballot for the Championship Series 27 times. In those 27 chances, ballots picked them to win and advance to the World Series six times. In those trips to the World Series, balloters had them winning zero times.
So, without further ado, let's dig in...
As you peruse the table, here are somethings you might notice and find fascinating:
There are also a few other tidbits and curios which are not shown on the chart:
Like Nate Silver did recently, we'll compare the Predictatron average guesses to the PECOTA projections, the ESPN experts' average predictions, and the Diamond Mind simulation predictions. Below is a listing for all teams, similar to the one that Nate ran in his piece but not broken out by division.
Below is a chart showing how each set of guesses correlates with the actual wins:
As you can see, Predictatron has the closest correlation with the actual wins, narrowly edging out PECOTA. This lends credence to the theories that support the wisdom of crowds. Compared to PECOTA, the Predictatron ballots did especially well with the Angels, White Sox, and Pirates. Since both systems did so well, we can't really say that Predictatron is a superior method to forecast team wins, but it is pretty fascinating that a large group of relatively well-informed guesses could match wits with such a finely-tuned system.
Both Predictatron and HACKING MASS continue to bring entrants back, and we enjoy reviewing and recapping things every year. Thanks to everyone who competed, and we hope you're excited about taking another crack at it next season.
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Indiana residents may register to vote at a license branch or credential-issuing partner location when processing any type of credential transaction..
You may register to vote at any time, however, to vote in a primary or general election, you must be registered at least 29 days before that election. A mail-in voter registration application must be postmarked at least 29 days before that election. Some military voters and their family members can register until noon on election day.
Some of Indiana's document requirements include birth certificates or other pieces of identification available from state or county offices of vital records.
Additional voter information can be found by visiting the Secretary of State's website below.
Indiana law requires residents to present a government-issued photo identification before casting a ballot at the polls on Election Day. Your photo identification must meet all of the following four criteria to be acceptable for voting purposes:
The BMV offers identification cards for Indiana residents who do not drive. To obtain an identification card, you must visit a license branch and present the required documents of identification. To obtain a free identification card for voting purposes, you must visit a license branch with the requirement documentation and state that you need a free identification card for voting purposes.


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Enjoy your posts. You bring a nice outside viewpoint to this forum. Outside only because your a Pistons fan first. Which is OK.
I post this only because I've noticed that you are being attacked (myself included) now that the new rivalry is getting so heated.
I myself have been one to take the other side with some of your comments. I noticed (I may have been imagining it) that you seem a little bit frustrated and I hope that you don't take offense to this.
It's only going to get worse. I hope you can take the heat. It's not personal, we're just rabid Pacers fans. I, for one, appreciate your views (most of the time). Basically, I'm just saying keep the faith, bro.


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Awhile back I bumped into a young man on another forum who was having a VERY bad time. I don't remember all the details (my long term memory stinks) but he was suicidal that night. Myself and some others spent time with him for a few hours. I think we talked about Nature, Chaos, Western Civilization, the Universe, how messed up humans are. I didn't mention the Dhamma specifically but fairly sure we talked about how order and beauty does exist in our Universe, that there is chaos but also many things are well-organized, and lawful.
He seemed to get himself off the edge he was on that night. Didnt hear from him for a long time then last week he sent me a message, asked me to look at a video he put together and placed over at youtube. He had an epiphany of sorts, and with his creative talents made this: