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February 14, 2013
In A Pickle
Not All Stars Are All-Stars
It's February, so perhaps it's not timely to write about the All-Star Game, but blame Sam Miller, who raised on Effectively Wild a few weeks ago the Sandy Alomar Conundrum: specifically, how did such a mediocre player manage to appear in six All-Star Games?
You know well that the selection of All-Star rosters is weird and fouled up in all sorts of ways. The popularity-contest aspect has been around as long as fan voting has, and even before that was the method du jour, you might still expect that fame played an important role because the Game had to sell tickets. Managers leaning toward their own players for reserve roles is an entirely understandable decision ("Coach, why'd you take Smith over me?") and yet one that doesn't necessarily result in the best possible roster. Starting pitchers are now routinely passed over if their spot in their real team's rotation interferes with their ability to pitch in the Game itself. Relief pitchers not named Mariano Rivera populate the rosters in a weird homage to the idea of relievers as uniquely special and valuable players rather than simply failed starters. Good measures of total player value tend to be ignored come All-Star time in favor of raw offensive stats and good players sometimes get shafted because some random hamster had a great first half that he'll never ever repeat in his life.
On and on we could go, I'm sure, but that's not the point. The point is merely that it might be fun to think about which players were over- and under-appreciated in terms of All-Star selection due to the distortions of these processes. One way to examine this is by the ratio of a player's career WARP to his career number of All-Star Game selections. Luckily, we have here at BP a highly trained team of database gurus who pulled that very thing for me. (Thanks specifically to the splendid Tim Collins and Ryan Lind for their help here.)
First, some notes on the data:
Second, some context: the mean WARP/ASG for the sample (697 players, 2882 All-Star-seasons) is 7.6, so a player with two All-Star appearances and 15 WARP represents the mean, or three All-Stars and 22.5, or four All-Stars and 30 WARP. Mark Loretta, for instance, or Joe Rudi, or Jimmy Key. These are your average multiple-time All-Star players."
The median WARP/ASG is almost the same: about 7.5, represented by Bill Monbouquette and Chuck Finley. (I'll admit that this is the first time I've ever heard of the gloriously named Bill Monbouquette, who was mostly a Red Sox starter. There's black ink six times on his Baseball-Reference player page: losses once, hits allowed twice, earned runs once, walks per nine once, and K:BB ratio once. The latter two are black ink in the positive way, but the former four are not. But hey, he made three All-Star Games, won 20 games once, and threw a no-hitter in 1962 against Early Wynn, Luis Aparicio, and the rest of the White Sox, so what more do you want? He's in the Red Sox Hall of Fame.)
Third, here are the five highest ratios of WARP to All-Star appearances, which you can read as the most underappreciated players, the ones who racked up value year after year without recognition from the fans, the managers, their peers, or pretty much anyone on earth except a lonely computer to which Colin Wyers is prone to whisper sweet nothings.
Darrell Evans, 71.3 WARP, two All-Star Games
Evans is exactly who you would expect to see at this end of the list. He provided his value via walks (1605 in 10,737 career plate appearances, leading the league twice) and power (.183 isolated power, 414 homers) and fielding (121.3 fielding runs above average), not batting average (.248 career) or RBI (he topped 100 just once). His best years came in the service of bad teams: the '78 Giants won 89 games, finished third in the NL West, and represented the high mark for team records in his seven seasons of five WARP or more. (He did play well for the '87 Tigers, but he was 40 years old by then and marooned in the same league as Wade Boggs and George Brett.)
In Evans's five best non-All-Star seasons (determined by his season-end WARP), he was beaten out by Joe Torre, Ron Cey (twice), Pete Rose, and George Brett for the starting spots. That's a list Evans shouldn't feel too ashamed about losing to (Rose aside), but the crew of backups who made the roster over him is just as illustrious: Ron Santo, Mike Schmidt, Bill Madlock, Cey, Wade Boggs, and Paul Molitor. The worst player on that list, Madlock, had 38.2 career WARP himself and in any case was the sole Cub chosen for the '75 All-Star team.
Evans, in short, saw it all stack up against him: his personal value came in underappreciated ways, his teams didn't do him any favors, and he had to compete against some all-time great third-sackers for recognition.
Really, it's a shame.
Willie Davis, 66.2 WARP, two All-Star Games
Davis was an excellent defensive center fielder (just shy of 100 FRAA for his career) and good basestealer (398 at a 75 percent clip) who didn't put up big offensive numbers that drew the eye. It didn't help that he frequently played in brutal offensive environments—in 1968, his batter park factor was a shocking 86, and his parks for his career came out to 6 percent below average in run-scoring.
The NL outfield was also loaded during Davis' prime. From 1961 to 1970, the first 10 full years of his career, he never had a WARP below 2.3, he batted at or near .300 a handful of times, and he stole bases, as mentioned before, but there was this guy Willie Mays playing center at the time. You may have heard of him. By 1961, Mays had already been an All-Star seven straight years and no Southern California upstart was going to unseat him.
Even as a backup, the All-Star lineup was tough to crack. Here were the 1961 outfield All-Stars (for the first of two games that year): Orlando Cepeda, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Frank Robinson. Yow. By 1970, things weren't much better: Mays, Aaron, and Clemente were still around and joined by Pete Rose, Cito Gaston, Rico Carty, and Rusty Staub. It's not as illustrious a list, but Staub and Gaston were the only representatives from their teams, and Carty, a starter, was batting .400 as late as June 17th. Pete Rose, sadly, was Pete Rose.
Such a shame.
Bert Blyleven, 63.7 WARP, 2 All-Star Games
I don't have much to say about this. He was a pitcher. Do you know what kind of random-ass pitchers made All-Star Games while Blyleven, from 1974 to 1984, was putting up an ERA 24 percent better than league average, completing over a third of his starts, striking out 1824 batters, and so forth? Here's one pitcher from each of those years: John Hiller, Steve Busby, Bill Travers, Jim Kern, Ben Lindbergh, Ross Grimsley, Mike LaCoss, Jim Bibby, Britt Burns, Mark Clear, Matt Young, and Bill Caudill. (I put in one ringer to see if you'd notice. I bet you can't pick him out.) I don't want to be mean to these players. Most of them had good years and are/were surely magnificent human beings. But gracious me, we couldn't find room for Bert Blyleven on at least a handful of those teams?
It's a damn shame.
Bobby Abreu, 59.7 WARP, 2 All-Star Games
Abreu is interesting because by FRAA's lights, he was not a good defender, posting just four above-average seasons out of 17 and winding up over five wins below average with the glove. He also played a corner spot and didn't rack up anything worth talking about on the bases despite being a pretty good basestealer. All Bobby Abreu did was hit. (Maybe, by the way, Abreu won't like me speaking about him in the past tense, and he might actually have something left at 39, but it's not clear that any team cares to find out.)
Abreu, of course, built his value on singles, doubles, and walks on walks on walks (.292 career average, .396 OBP). On the one hand, that's the profile that doesn't get recognized because there aren't sexy home-run numbers, there aren't .340 batting averages, and so forth. On the other hand, Abreu scored 100 or more runs eight times (and thrice more was over 95) and had eight 100-RBI years as well. (Five of those eight overlapped.) He batted over .300 six times. He stole 30 or more bases six times. Abreu played in a high-offense era, so those numbers may look better to us now than they did at the time, but if you go by rank instead of by round numbers, Abreu was top 10 in runs six times, doubles five times, RBI twice, and steals seven times. It was, I think it's fair to say, extremely obvious how good a player Bobby Abreu was. Hell, he got MVP votes in seven different seasons!
Let's play the Blyleven game. Here are some outfielders who made the All-Star team in the five years in which Abreu got MVP votes but was not on the All-Star roster: Brian Jordan, Cliff Floyd, Preston Wilson, Alex Rios, and Nelson Cruz. We're very close to Abreu's career, so saying "Nelson Cruz!" perhaps doesn't strike anyone as weird right now, but I have a feeling that in 20 years, we'll look back at him as no different from Mike LaCoss. Just a guy who, if we look deeply, probably wasn't undeserving of being on the All-Star roster, but who was not an all-time memorable talent like Abreu or Blyleven, either.
Gosh, what a shame.
Jose Cruz, 57.9 WARP, two All-Star Games
This is Jose Cruz the dad, not Jose Cruz the son. The Jose Cruz who piled up 81.9 FRAA as an outfielder and who managed a .292 career True Average despite a .420 slugging because the Astrodome attempted to bring total obliteration of the spirits and souls of Houston hitters.
It's hard to get as upset about Cruz as it was some of the other players above, though, in part because he was less excellent (6.9 career-high WARP, four seasons over 5.0) than he was relentlessly good (14 years of 1.6 WARP or more). Cruz did finish in the top 10 in the MVP voting in 1983 and 1984, though, winning the Silver Slugger at his position each season, without making the All-Star team. It's worth noting, on the other hand, that in 1984, Cruz hit .288/.350/.421 in the first half and .339/.416/.509 in the second.
For sha— well, no, not really.
Fourth, a summary. I doubt the above list has revealed anything to you, the thinking fan, but it's another lens on the questions of proper ratings and whence underappreciated value arises. Or at least used to arise. On-base ability separate from batting average, hitting in tough parks, pitching for bad teams, and defense at key positions have all in the past (and likely still do today, though hopefully to a lesser extent) been skills exhibited by top-notch players who the public and perhaps even those inside baseball to a degree have treated as merely above average.
Fifth, in near-bullet fashion, here are some other notable notes from the data:
The rest of the top 10 in WARP per All-Star Game: Roy White, John Olerud, Brian Giles, Robin Yount, and Vada Pinson.
Best player to make only three All-Star teams: Yount
Best player to make only four All-Star teams: Jeff Bagwell
Best player to make only five All-Star teams: Frank Thomas
Finally, as a tease for a later article and one more responsive to the original kernel of an idea for this piece (remember Sandy Alomar), the worst player to make 10 or more All-Star teams (non-relief-pitcher category): Steve Garvey.
Sorry, Steve.
Jason Wojciechowski is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @jlwoj
23 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Oh, the above list revealed something to me, the thinking fan: it revealed that I am old. I remember Bill Monbouquette quite well, and I remember his no-hitter. Curse you and this column for making me think about my age. (Seriously, nice stuff here.)
Feb 14, 2013 06:22 AM
I heard him mentioned on the radio when he first came up, before I saw his name in the newspaper, so for me he will forever be "Bill Mambo Cat."
Feb 14, 2013 07:56 AM
Right there with you, Bill. I'll toss out some more Sox pitchers from that era for you - Frank Sullivan, Tom Brewer, and, of course, Dick Radatz.
Feb 14, 2013 14:07 PM
"he was beaten out by Joe Torre, Ron Cey (twice), Pete Rose, and George Brett for the starting spots. That's a list Evans shouldn't feel too ashamed about losing to (Rose aside),"
Feb 14, 2013 06:44 AM
Who is the best player never to make an All Star game?
Feb 14, 2013 07:19 AM
Feb 14, 2013 08:07 AM
Thanks! Wow... Kirk Gibson never made an All-Star team. That one suprised me.
Feb 14, 2013 11:29 AM
Kirk Gibson was named to two All-Star teams (1985 and 1988), but declined the invitation. Can't blame the voters for that one.
Feb 14, 2013 14:07 PM
As to 0, as Chomsky commented, I've seen it before. Who only made one game but should have made more would be interesting, I agree, but I wanted to keep the symmetry with the idea of "who are the guys who made multiple all-star teams but shouldn't have?" (Probably I should have written about those guys first and done this one second.)
Feb 14, 2013 09:06 AM
I see your Bill Monbouquette and raise you a Kurt Bevacqua.
Feb 14, 2013 10:33 AM
When I was a kid, when you would get your Topps baseball cards, there were always players who never seemed to be in the packs, but others who were maddeningly frequent. Bill Monbouquette was one of those guys who was in a lot of packs. Five Bill Monbouquettes and no Johnny Callison? What's up with that?
Feb 14, 2013 11:57 AM
There were a number of those cards, useful for flipping, scaling, or putting in the spokes of your bicycle. Along with Monbouquette, I remember SS Jose Valdivielso, Tigers IF Reno Bertoia ("Reno was born in Italy", the back of the card informed me), and Tigers 1B Gail Harris, whose name was always good for junior high school giggle, as leading disappointments following the traditional cracking of the hard pink gum.
Feb 14, 2013 14:13 PM
Travis Leleu
I had some difficulty understanding the mean/median WARP/ASG. Initially, I interpreted as meaning that many WARP in the season they were selected for the game. That number seemed way too high, so after digging I realized it was career WARP.
Feb 14, 2013 12:37 PM
Jim Ferguson
Love that 1961 National League all-star outfield roster. Davis (and Vada Pinson) didn't have much of a chance. Plus, he NL gold gloves in the outfield '63-'68 never changed: Mays, Clemente, and Curt Flood.
Feb 14, 2013 12:54 PM
Yeah, looking back at just how stacked the league was in the outfield then was definitely one of the fun parts of doing this piece.
Feb 14, 2013 12:56 PM
The NL OF was particularly stacked defensively in that era. When your CFs are Mays, Virdon, Flood, Pinson, Davis, and Aaron, with a little Ashburn and Bobby Del Greco thrown in for good measure, it's not only tough to be an All-Star, or win a Gold Glove, but very hard to do well in FRAA or any other relative measure. Someone has to be "below average", which, in the context of that year, is accurate. But when you start looking back and see that the fifth best CF in that group has a negative FRAA (which I assume he does), you get the wrong impression as to the defensive value which all of these guys had.
Feb 14, 2013 14:37 PM
Richard Bergstrom
The ringer was easier for me to pick out because it had a different kind of blue highlight :)
Feb 14, 2013 15:49 PM
Tim Salmon Warp=42.9, zero All-Star Games.
Feb 14, 2013 16:12 PM
I haven't done my homework so I'm spewing out loud on this, but whenever I see an article with this kind of title I expect to see Al Oliver on the list; now that Blyleven made the Hall I see Oliver as the poster child of unappreciated productivity.
Feb 16, 2013 07:08 AM
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A book to help very young children cope with the trauma of domestic violence is about to go global.
Written by Wiltshire trauma parenting specialist Jane Evans, How Are You Feeling Today Baby Bear? is to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers next month. It will then be available across the UK and in the USA.
Its aim is to help parents and professionals deal with the issue of domestic violence if very young, pre-school children have seen or heard such violence taking place.
It's estimated around 750,000 children each year witness violence in the home.
Many of those children can go on to have behavioural difficulties.
Jane, who lives in Sutton Benger, near Chippenham, has written the book after spending 20 years working with children and helping families deal with trauma.
She has a grown-up son and was herself a victim of domestic abuse when her son was young.
She believes the simple story is just one way to help those traumatised by violence in the home.
She said: "At the back of the book is an easy-to-use, page-by-page guide about how to read this book with your child. Many parents who have experienced abuse get frozen when dealing with the issue with very young children. But children listen and those memories are there.
"You are doing more harm by not addressing it rather than by trying to talk about it and getting it a bit wrong.
"Children may get upset, and that's okay, just stop for a while. Or use it with a teddy bear so that the questions can be asked of the bear alongside the child."
The book can be pre-ordered by visiting www.parentingposttrauma.co.uk/my-book.html

subset: commoncrawl


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Aprepitant Effects in Intravenous Heroin Dependence
This study has been completed.
New York University
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Stephen Ross, New York University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: January 9, 2012
Last updated: April 13, 2015
Last verified: April 2015
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Current treatments for opioid addiction would benefit by the addition of a non-opioid based treatment medication. Recent behavioral studies have shown that the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor is involved in opioid reward and withdrawal. This study proposes to study a potential non-opioid treatment, the clinically available, FDA approved, NK1 antagonist aprepitant, in opioid addicted patients. Based on the unique behavioral and pharmacological characteristics of opioid addiction, and what is known of the currently employed treatments, the investigators propose that the therapeutic mechanism of any potential opioid addiction treatment medication must include the ability to reduce opioid withdrawal. This is of particular importance during treatment initiation (eg. detoxification). In addition, for long-term treatment and relapse prevention, it is important to manage drug craving and inhibit the rewarding effects of opioids if patients do experience a slip. Therefore, the investigators propose to study aprepitant using human models of opioid withdrawal, craving and acute opioid reward and reinforcement. The investigators will also include a neuro-economics choice procedure paradigm.
|Opioid Dependence
|Drug: Aprepitant Drug: Placebo pill
|Phase 1
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Clinical Laboratory Evaluations of Aprepitant for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence: Inpatient Test
Resource links provided by NLM:
MedlinePlus related topics: Heroin
Drug Information available for: AprepitantU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Stephen Ross, New York University:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Opioid Withdrawal [ Time Frame: 30 minutes pre-medication, 150 minutes post medication, 15 minutes post-challenge drug administration, 1 hour post- challenge drug administration, 2 hours post challenge drug administration and 3.5 hours post challenge drug administration ]On the 4 dosing days, opioid withdrawal will be measured using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) and the Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) at the following time points: 30 minutes pre-medication, 150 minutes post medication, 15 minutes post-challenge drug administration, 1 hour post- challenge drug administration, 2 hours post challenge drug administration and 3.5 hours post challenge drug administration
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Opioid Intoxication [ Time Frame: 30 minutes pre-medication, 150 minutes post medication, 15 minutes post-challenge drug administration, 1 hour post- challenge drug administration, 2 hours post challenge drug administration and 3.5 hours post challenge drug administration ]On the 4 dosing days, opioid intoxication will be measured using the Visual Anaglog Scale (VAS)at the following time points: 30 minutes pre-medication, 150 minutes post medication, 15 minutes post-challenge drug administration, 1 hour post- challenge drug administration, 2 hours post challenge drug administration and 3.5 hours post challenge drug administration
- Neuro-economic Choice Procedure [ Time Frame: 45 minutes post challenge drug dosing ]A neuro-economics collaborative team will perform a neuro-economic choice paradigm procedure at 45 minutes post challenge drug dosing to determine the relative proportion and amount of a further dose of drug at 3.5 hours post challenge drug administration versus receipt of a variable amount of money
|Study Start Date:
|January 2012
|Study Completion Date:
|February 2015
|Primary Completion Date:
|June 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: Aprepitant 125 mg
Day Number Dose Procedure Day 0 Aprepitant 125mg Admitting Medication Treatment Day 1 Aprepitant 125mg Saline-Saline Day 2 Aprepitant 125mg Morphine-Morphine Day 3 Aprepitant 125mg Saline-Morphine Day 4 Aprepitant 125mg Naloxone-Morphine and Discharge
Drug: Aprepitant
Aprepitant 125 mg oral tablets
Other Name: Brand name: Emend
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Day Number Dose Procedure Day 0 placebo Admitting Medication Treatment Day 1 placebo Saline-Saline Day 2 placebo Morphine-Morphine Day 3 placebo Saline-Morphine Day 4 placebo Naloxone-Morphine and Discharge
Drug: Placebo pill
Placebo oral pill- inactive compound
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 55 Years (Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male and female subjects ranging in age from 18-55 years who are currently opioid dependent based on meeting DSM-IV criteria for dependence on heroin and who are either treatment or non-treatment seeking individuals.
- Use of intravenous heroin daily for a minimum of 45 days prior to study entry.
- Urine sample (+) for opioids and prior experience with i.v. drug injection.
- Female subjects who are not of childbearing potential, (i.e. post-hysterectomy, or two years post-menopausal) or who are of childbearing potential but will either abstain from heterosexual intercourse and/or practice a medically accepted form of contraception for the study duration.
- Subjects who have experienced significant opioid withdrawal and are familiar with its effects.
- Subjects who are willing to follow the protocol requirements, including methadone and study medication schedules, as evidenced by written informed consent and an ability to read, understand, and complete the study questionnaires.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects with any significant current axis-1 psychiatric problems, other than those related to drug abuse and opioid dependence, based on a structured psychiatric interview, SCID or MINI, during the screening process.
- Subjects undergoing active treatment for any illness other than chronic stable medical conditions (Patients with HIV and/or taking anti-viral HIV medication without a manifestation of AIDS symptoms are allowed).
- Subjects with clinically significant abnormal findings as determined by medical history, physical examination, vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate), 02 saturation measure,12-lead ECG, clinical laboratory tests (CBC, chemistry panel), urine drug screen, alcohol breath test, and urine pregnancy test (for females of childbearing potential only).
- Subjects who have any acute organ dysfunction or serious unstable disease states including symptomatic heart, renal or liver disease, COPD, sleep apnea, or encephalitis.
- Subjects with 02 saturation below 90% at screening.
- Subjects taking any concomitant medications (prescription and over-the-counter therapy) including psychotropic medications for the treatment of current major depression, schizophrenia, or mood disorders, as well as medications contraindicated for use with morphine, naltrexone, aprepitant, or methadone.
- Subjects who have received any investigational drug or treatment within the thirty (30) days preceding administration of study medication.
- Females who are nursing, pregnant (as confirmed by a positive urine pregnancy test), or at risk of becoming pregnant.
- Subjects allergic or intolerant to morphine, methadone, naloxone, or aprepitant.
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01527994
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01527994
|United States, New York
|Bellevue Hospital Center & the NYU School of Medicine
|New York, New York, United States, 10016
Sponsors and Collaborators
New York University
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
|Principal Investigator:
|Stephen Ross, MD
|NYU School of Medicine & Bellevue Hospital Center
More Information
Keywords provided by Stephen Ross, New York University:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017
|Responsible Party:
|Stephen Ross, Director, Division of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, NYU/Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01527994 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
5R01DA027151-02 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
|Study First Received:
|January 9, 2012
|Last Updated:
|April 13, 2015
Keywords provided by Stephen Ross, New York University:
Intravenous heroin dependence
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Opioid-Related Disorders
Heroin Dependence
Substance-Related Disorders
Chemically-Induced Disorders
Mental Disorders
Autonomic Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Gastrointestinal Agents
Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- When I was at SXSW (that's short for South by Southwest for the uncool and uninitiated), I saw Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla Motors ( TSLA) and about 14 other companies, speak.There was a buzz in the air before his speech. The media and other SXSW attendees came off like nervous teenage girls waiting to catch a glimpse of One Direction on a hotel balcony. It disgusted me. We packed the house for a guy who made a complete fool of himself with his comments about parenting, yet no more than 100 people showed up to see the CEO of Livestrong talk about how his non-profit is dealing with the Lance Armstrong scandal that, unfortunately and inappropriately, hurts efforts to support people impacted by cancer. That's how we set our priorities on the micro level when we choose which conference presentations we will attend and, on the macro level, when we idolize somebody like Musk, who, at the end of the day, packs more bravado and bark than he does bite.
When we step back from the stuff that matters -- helping people navigate the systems and emotions that come part and parcel with a cancer diagnosis -- we're left with cats such as Musk competing for our attention. And it floors me he gets so much of it. This guy is pursuing the things that interest him. In and of itself, there's nothing wrong with that. Musk is dogged in pursuit of his goals. He does amazing things with really interesting companies, however, beyond PayPal, how has he really done anything to affect the daily lives of large numbers of people? How will he ever?
If a bunch of rich dudes in Beverly Hills or Silicon Valley use solar power and drive Tesla Roadsters or Model S sedans and Musk realizes his life's dream of landing on Mars, how do any of us -- this collective we call society -- benefit at all? We'll gawk. We'll be entertained. We'll look to Musk for tips on how to be rich, successful and well-liked, but how will Musk make the world a better or different place?


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Vanek himself probably couldn't have, a year ago. That's one of the reasons he was benched when the going got tough, and fast. Although the NHL playoffs are partly a battle of attrition, the better teams can actually pick it up a step as they get deeper into the spring. "We talked to him after the playoffs about adding certain qualities to his game," said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff. "We talked a lot about fitness and conditioning, which would add quickness. And to his credit, he went into the summer and made that commitment."'
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Dixie wrote:shokin wrote:- I've never been back to Asian continent.
But do you plan to visit India someday?
huongtrang wrote:I'm Vietnamese but I like traditional Indian songs and dance very much. Is there anybody Indian here? Can you help me to find websites about Indian songs and dance? Thank you!
shokin wrote:I was born in India but ... :
- I was adopted when I was 4 years old, to Switzerland.
- My mother tongue is french.
- I've never been back to Asian continent.
- I don't know much Asian music. Can you give me some names of musical bands and artists ?
- I don't know any Asian language (just some words). Sayonara ! Namasthé ! Hiroshima and Nagazaki !
LennyeTran wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam
This one?
I've seen those movies except the last one. hehehee... I like Ash Rai, so I've tried to see all her movies (haven't had the time to watch more of them, though). She's unearthly beautiful. *sigh*
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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.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Place chicken into skillet, and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken, and set aside. Stir onion wedges and bell pepper slices into skillet; cook until slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove, and set aside. Return chicken to skillet, and reduce heat to low. Mix in teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, black pepper, Chinese five-spice powder, red pepper flakes, and honey; stir until sauce thickens. Return onion and bell pepper to the skillet and add the pineapple and mandarin chunks. Warm through, and serve with steamed brown rice.
Total: 4 servings, 1 serving w/o rice: 30.4 g of fat, 15 g of protein, 435.5 calories, 7.85 g of fiber, 30 g of carbohydrate
What you eat affects how you sleep. One of the keys to a restful night's sleep is to be calm, rather than energized. Some foods contribute to restful sleep; other foods may keep you awake. Foods that promote sleep are tryptophan-containing foods, such as turkey; tryptophan is the amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes satiation (feeling full) and sleep. Tryptophan containing foods include dairy, nuts, meats such as turkey and carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates also help you relax in the evening. High-fat meals and large servings prolong the work your digestive system needs to do, and all the gas production and rumblings may keep you awake. Some people find that highly-seasoned foods (e.g., hot peppers and garlic) interfere with sleep, especially if you suffer from heartburn (due to acid reflux).
Eating a large meal right before bed does not, for most people, promote a restful night's sleep. While you may fall asleep faster, all the intestinal work required to digest a big meal is likely to cause frequent waking and a poorer quality of sleep. The turkey lasagna presented here, provided it is eaten early evening in reasonable portions, provides the perfect mix of protein, carbohydrate, and diary to offer those with sleep problems a good night's rest.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the sausage and cook over medium-low heat, breaking it up with a fork, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Soak lasagna pasta in hot water for 20 minutes. Drain.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, the egg, the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.Ladle 1/3 of the sauce into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch rectangular baking dish, spreading the sauce over the bottom of the dish. Then add the layers as follows: half the pasta, half the mozzarella, half the ricotta, and one third of the sauce. Add the rest of the pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, and finally, sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling slightly.
Amount per Serving serving= 2 square inch lasagna slice, Calories 252 Calories from Fat 39, Total Fat 4.31g, Cholesterol 36.94mg 12%, Sodium 637.18mg 27%, Carbohydrate 26.75g, Dietary Fiber 3.56g, Protein 26.91g
Chicken, cheese, milk and vegetables have all been shown to contain nutrients that are beneficial for dental health. The calcium in this recipe can protect tooth enamel and help remineralize teeth. A crunchy vegetable, such as broccoli, has high water content and will increase the flow of saliva in the mouth, helping to wash away the food particles that can cause tooth decay. Moreover, this recipe is a healthy play on a classic comfort dish with whole wheat pasta, low-fat cheese and fat-free milk, making it a go-to dish for lunch or dinner!
Heat a medium pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sauté a couple of minutes then add onion and cook another 5 to 7 minutes until onions are tender and chicken is cooked through. Turn off heat and reserve.
To boiling water, add pasta and salt to season the cooking water. Cook 5 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 minutes more or until pasta is cooked to al dente and florets are just tender.
While pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add flour, cayenne and paprika and whisk together over heat until roux bubbles then cook a minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Simmer until the sauce thickens about 5 minutes.
Drain macaroni or pasta and broccoli florets. Add back to the pot and add chicken to the pasta and broccoli.
Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt it in, a minute or so. Stir in mustard and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli and cooked pasta and stir to combine. Adjust seasonings and transfer to a large serving platter and serve.
10 servings per recipe, 1 serving: 383 calories, 39.4 g of carbohydrates, 4.2 g of Fiber, 13.8 g of fat, 25.5 g of protein
Orecchiette (pronounced OR-REK-I-ETTE) is a type of home-made pasta, reflective the charm of Apulia, a region of Southern Italy from where it originated. Its name comes from its shape, which is reminiscent of a small ear. In Italian, orecchio, means ear, the ette means small. One serving of this ear shaped pasta comes in at 200 calories with zero grams of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, making this a low-fat, heart healthy pasta. However, as we all know, it is often the sauce and 'toppings' that add significant fat and sodium to pasta dishes.
The pesto sauce, which is mixed into this pasta dish, consists of broccoli rabe, skim-milk based cheese, and olive oil. Broccoli rabe is a member of the brassica genus of plants and is related to cabbage, kale, cauliflower and mustard. Even though the word broccoli is commonly used in its name, it's not the same plant as the floret-headed vegetable that is most familiar to Western (North American) cuisine.
Broccoli rabe is highly nutritious and contains many of the same beneficial cancer-fighting elements as its cruciferous relatives. It is high in phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane and indoles, which are believed to help the body defend itself against certain cancers. It has a mere 20 calories per one cup raw, 3 grams of protein, 72 mg of vitamin C, and 7.6 mg of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. It is also a good source of vitamin K, as well as potassium, essential to blood and heart health. When combined with pistachio nuts, a blend of skim cheeses, and olive oil, the broccoli rabe is made into a light pesto that will have diet conscious pasta lovers wanting more!
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 12 min
4 servings
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Cook the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and then immediately plunge in the salted ice water. This will prevent the broccoli rabe from being overcooked and will set the lovely green color.
Drain the broccoli rabe and squeeze out any excess water; coarsely chop. Place the broccoli rabe in the bowl of a food processor and puree until it is a coarse paste. Add the pistachios and Parmigiano and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add the ricotta and pulse until combined. Taste for seasoning once again. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. (If you are making the pasta right after the pesto, just use the broccoli rabe blanching water.) Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the cooking time on the package.
While the pasta is cooking, place the pesto in a large skillet and add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water; place over medium-high heat. When the pasta is ready, drain and add to the skillet with the pesto. Stir vigorously to combine and cook until the sauce is creamy and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes; add salt to taste. Remove from the heat, add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, if desired, and stir vigorously. Garnish as desired.
Adding grilled, sliced, skinless chicken ('pollo') breast or thigh meat increases the protein content greatly. For added color and a slightly tangy flavor, one may add diced sun-dried tomatoes to the garnish.
Per serving: Calories 388; Fat 10 g (Sat. 2 g; Mono. 5 g; Poly. 3 g); Cholesterol 18 mg; Sodium ~100-200 mg (depending on seasoning preference); Carbohydrate 54 g; Fiber 3.5 g; Protein 22 g
Be kind to your spine! A diet rich in calcium is essential for proper bone maintenance and muscle function - two key components of good posture.
Many salad greens, such as spinach, are rich sources of calcium. Spinach contains, on average, about 150-200 mg calcium per cup. An impressive showing indeed - and mostly absorbed, despite the naturally occurring oxalic acid often present in leafy green vegetables.
Many spring salads use spinach, especially baby or 'early' spinach, since the leaves are tender, yet possess a subtle crunch. When combined with tomatoes, purple onions, and navy beans, then drizzled with a tastefully thoughtful dressing this salad is high in calcium, folate, vitamin C, and fiber and has an excellent profile of beneficial vegetable oils.
Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil.
On a large dinner plate, arrange spinach and top with navy beans, tomatoes, and onion. Pour dressing over salad and serve immediately. If you plan to use leftover salad later, keep salad dressing separate and apply just before serving. Above recipe serves 2. Calories (and fat kcals) depend on amount of dressing used.
Vegetables promote overall health and help maintain optimal antioxidant status, important in preventing skin damage due to environmental exposures. What better way to get your antioxidants than by eating delicious roasted vegetables, combined with mozzarella cheese in a basil pesto?
When it comes to skin health and sun exposure, it is important to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Researchers have found that premature aging of the skin and skin cancer involves an interplay between sun damage from ultraviolet (UV) light, nutrition and antioxidant status. UV light promotes formation of highly reactive substances called "free radicals," which damage cell proteins and DNA. Theoretically, antioxidants such as beta-carotene and other carotenoids can stabilize free radicals and end the damaging chain reactions that they start. Get your antioxidants the tasty way by trying this Grilled Vegetable Panini!
In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely. Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
Amount per serving= 1/2 slice of Panini, Calories 119.8, Calories from Fat 80; 67%, Total Fat 8.9 g, Cholesterol 14.9 mg, Sodium 203.8 mg, Total Carbohydrate 5.7 g, Dietary Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 5.3 g
It is frequently difficult to eat a healthy, nutritious meal at the workplace, especially one that is low in fat and heart-healthy. Each work day we are faced with this challenging task, and too often we settle for meals high in fat and calories, which seem appealing even when we are not that hungry. Therefore, it is of upmost importance that we think about the types of foods we are consuming before we consume them.
Rice and Black Bean Pilaf is a great way to incorporate many different nutrients for the working individual in one, heart- healthy dish. This recipe provides a tasteful combination of black beans, which are an excellent source of protein, and fiber-rich rice pilaf. When added to an array of vegetables that provide additional nutrients and antioxidants, this healthy, delicious meal will make you the envy of the breakroom!
Place rice and chicken broth in a saucepot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook rice, covered, until tender and all the liquid is absorbed, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and fluff with a fork. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, celery, carrot, cumin and chili flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender but not mushy, about 6 minutes. Stir in black beans and cook until just warmed through, about 1-2 minutes. Combine onion-black bean mixture and hot rice in a serving bowl and toss to combine.
Garnish with parsley.
(1 serving equals 1 1/2 cups pilaf). Total Calories 310; Total Fat 6 g; (Sat Fat 1 g, Mono Fat 3.5 g, Poly Fat 1 g) ; Protein 11 g; Carb 57 g; Fiber 8 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 290 mg
A diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat is key to a healthy colon.
Jambalaya (pronounced JUM-ba-LY-a) is a Louisiana Creole dish of Spanish and French influence. The vegetables, beans and brown rice in this festive Jambalaya recipe contribute beneficial fibers, which will aid peristalsis - a.k.a involuntary contractions - in the colon, which promote regular bowel movements and, in turn, colonic health, thereby minimizing the risk for colon cancer. With an array of savory spices, this delicious recipe is low in sodium and fat, but full in flavor. The beans are high in protein. However, unlike animal sources, beans have no saturated fat. The vegetables are high in fiber and contain antioxidants, such as beta carotene and vitamin E. Whether eaten as a side or the main event, this Jambalaya recipe will have you dancing to the tune of a healthy colon.
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup red or yellow bell pepper
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
1 can black beans
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
(Note: Spice to preference)
1. In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the onion, celery, bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, water, rice, parsley, black beans, salt, paprika, cayenne, chili powder and pepper.
2. Transfer to a 2-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 65-70 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Last Reviewed: Mar 20, 2014


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DuPont Creates Deeper Connections Through Integrated Campaigns
September 27, 2011
Otto Bell, creative director, OgilvyEntertainment, and Erich Parker, global director, strategic corporate communications, DuPont, discussed DuPont's new global brand campaign.
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A 'Magnifico' gesture for Brewers prospect
MILWAUKEE -- Brewers Minor League pitching prospect Damien Magnifico has a big right arm and, it turns out, a big heart.
He pitched at the University of Oklahoma, only a few exits down Interstate 35 from Moore, Okla., the suburb devastated by a massive tornado on Monday. Magnifico took to Twitter on Tuesday, hoping to raise awareness of the disaster relief efforts under way, and pledged to make a donation for every re-Tweet he received.
Late Tuesday night, he sent $330 to the United Way of Central Oklahoma. That represents nearly a third of the monthly take-home pay of Class A-ball players.
"Just trying to help out," Magnifico said Wednesday from Iowa, where Class A Wisconsin was in the middle of a two-week road trip. "Mostly, I was trying to get more people to realize how bad it actually was."
His girlfriend, Emily Nichols, was only a few miles away, bunkered down in the Sooners' basketball arena, when the mile-wide tornado struck. Magnifico was scheduled to pitch that night in stormy Burlington, Iowa, and spent the day getting updates on the safety of his friends in Oklahoma.
"Once I found out everyone was safe, I was fine," Magnifico said. "But we went out to go pitch and from the first pitch on you could see lightning. That was pretty distracting." Thankfully, the game was called in the second inning.
Magnifico, 21 and the organization's No. 18-ranked prospect by MLB.com, features a fastball that regularly tops 100 mph. He is 4-0 with a 4.91 ERA in his first seven appearances for Wisconsin, including a 3.60 ERA in four starts. Magnifico was the Brewers' fifth-round Draft pick last year.
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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Yes, I got incredibly lucky for the second time in a few months. The same company that hooked me up with Indy 500 tickets has better access for the Brickyard. We are sitting in the same Tower Terrace area, this time in section 55. This time we have access to the yellow flag hospitality room and pit passes from 10-11am.
If anyone has tips that we kinda discussed before/after the Indy 500, I would love to revisit the issue and hear some advice or feedback. I'm talking to you, Seth!
I assume this will get moved to Club Rio at some point, but I wanted it in the main forum to catch the eye of Seth and whomever else has info!
Thanks, heywoode


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Adesso Arc Lamp Collection
Adesso offers a wide variety of arc floor lamps for occasions when you need a more versatile lighting system. Position your select arc lamp behind the sofa or next to your favorite reading chair for better, more stylish illumination. Select from a wide range of colors and designs to match your existing home interior. This lamp is both modern and classic, allowing for everlasting style!
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tellyontellyon wrote:Still not sure... does a Bhikkuni wanting to be part of the Therevada tradition need a Therevadin preceptor... or is a Bhukkuni, is a Bhukkuni, is a Bhukkuni?
Is the necessity for the preceptor to be a Therevadin Bhukkuni, or would a Bhukkuni from another tradition qualify?
Does the vinaya specify that the Bhukkuni must be from the same tradition?
Do Therevadins not recognise Bukkhunis from other traditions as Bhikkunis?
Sorry to ask so many questions.
A bhikkhuni is a bhikkhuni etc, but the different vinaya lines are not all the same in the amount of rules they follow so this would or could cause problems in sanghakamma (that is to my knowledge anyway quite happy to be proven wrong).


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Rachel Weisz Photo 360x450
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Hannah Weisz (born 7 March 1970) is an English film and theatre actress and fashion model. Her breakthrough role came in the 1996 movie Chain reaction, leading to a high-profile role as Evelyn Carnahan-O'Connell in the films The Mummy, in 1999, and The Mummy Returns in 2001. Other notable films featuring Weisz are Enemy at the Gates, About a Boy, Constantine, The Fountain and The Constant Gardener, for which she received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her supporting role as Tessa Quayle.
Rachel Weisz & other news
Rachel Weisz in the new movie 'The Whistleblower'
Selena Gomez Needs Help to Find Australian Boyfriend
Halle Berry is Fine after Divorce
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Report: Moroccan guard helped Bin Laden escape Afghanistan
With US forces closing in on him during the battle of Tora Bora in late 2001, Osama bin Laden employed a simple trick against sophisticated American spy technology to vanish into the mountains that led to Pakistan and sanctuary, according to high-ranking Moroccan officials, cited by The Washington Post.
In its Tuesday edition, the Post reported that a Moroccan who was one of the Al Qaeda leader's longtime bodyguards took possession of bin Laden's satellite phone on the assumption that US intelligence agencies were monitoring it to get a fix on their position, said the officials, who have interviewed the bodyguard, Abdallah Tabarak.
Tabarak moved away from Osama bin Laden and his entourage as they escaped. The bodyguard continued to use the phone in an effort to divert the Americans and allow bin Laden to escape. Tabarak was captured at Tora Bora in possession of the phone, according to officials.
"He agreed to be captured or die," a Moroccan official said of Tabarak. "That's the level of his fanaticism for bin Laden. It wasn't a lot of time, but it was enough".
Over a year later, Tabarak, 43, has established himself as the "camp leader" of the more than 600 suspected al Qaeda and Taliban members being held at Guantanamo Bay, according to senior officials in Morocco. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
Top Headlines
- Bin Laden daughter seeks help from Saudi embassy in Tehran
- Report: Bin Laden orders followers to launch global attacks on '\'American and Jewish interests'\'
- Reports: Frenchman arrested over Casablanca suicide bombings met bin Laden
- US Considering 'Massive Retaliatory Strike' in Afghanistan as Bin Laden Declared Prime Suspect
- Report: Bin Laden Uses 10 Look-Alikes in Afghanistan


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Review of Tribe Hummus Flavors
Tribe's New Hummus Flavors: How Do They Stack Up?
Tribe's New Hummus Flavors: How Do They Stack Up?
At a time when hummus rivals cupcakes as the country's biggest trend, what's a hummus company gotta do to rise above the rest? For Nestle-owned Tribe Mediterranean Foods, it's branching out to explore new flavor horizons. At the beginning of this month, the nationwide all-natural hummus producer announced it'd be rolling out "culinary-inspired flavors" that retail from $2.49 to $2.99 and "bring in exotic spices and herbs from across the globe."
To find out how Tribe's four new internationally inspired flavors stacked up to the original, we put them through a rigorous YumSugar tasting that involved not only our own critical palates, but also an entire set of discerning office tasters. Keep reading to find out the results.
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Where to talk Free Agency, Trades, and draft picks for this offseason
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Where to talk Free Agency, Trades, and draft picks for this offseason
Smothered Chicken!
Offseason needs for Denver
A sensational season ended just shy of the ultimate goal for the Denver Broncos. But with Peyton Manning under center, there's every reason to believe the Broncos can be back in the Super Bowl in 2014. But first they have a little work to do in the offseason.
There's not a singular way to build a Super Bowl contender, but every championship team has had its share of shrewd free-agent signings, impressive draft picks and development of in-house talent.
In the case of the Broncos, the foundation was laid through each of those avenues prior to the 2012 offseason, when the most critical transaction came to fruition.
It was at that point the Broncos landed arguably the most sought-after free agent in NFL history by inking Manning to a five-year deal that immediately catapulted the team from a .500 club (albeit one that still won its division) to a Super Bowl contender.
But to examine the Broncos' success and suppose it was the byproduct solely of Manning is shortsighted, of course. The roster around him is perhaps as strong as any he has played on during his majestic NFL career, and the Broncos' ability to ensure that roster stays largely intact will be paramount to how the rest of Manning's career plays out.
With a young nucleus of talent -- something the Broncos have -- comes a list of ascending players looking for pay raises. It also leads to difficult decisions on players either entering contract years or playing under lucrative deals.
As the 2014 offseason begins (yes, it already has), here's a snapshot of three positional needs for the Broncos.
[+] EnlargeChris Harris
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY SportsIs cornerback Chris Harris in the Broncos' long-term plans?
Cornerback: Top performer Chris Harris tore his ACL in a divisional-round playoff win, meaning his status for the start of the 2014 season remains unknown at this time. The Broncos are unlikely to lose Harris, a restricted free agent, but this remains a position the team must address. Champ Bailey has slowed as age has caught up to him and veteran Quentin Jammer simply didn't perform at a high enough level as his role increased down the stretch last season. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is also a free agent, made headlines last week in suggesting that he may retire if the team won the Super Bowl, though he later backpedaled on those remarks. Nonetheless, he's an unrestricted free agent who played well at a premium position. He's due for a payday, be it in Denver or elsewhere, after betting on himself with a one-year deal last offseason. He's likely to seek long-term security this offseason.
Wide receiver: It sounds a little crazy to suggest that the greatest offense (at least in terms of points scored) in NFL history would need to consider adding a wide receiver, but consider this: Eric Decker is a free agent, while both Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas have contracts that run only through next season. Finding the cap space to accommodate extensions for some of Denver's core will be a chore for football operations czar John Elway, but Thomas figures to be near the top of the list. That being said, the team will need to make sure it has the depth behind Thomas to continue to play at its high-octane level. Manning has made a career of catapulting the careers of lesser-known wide receivers, but just as Denver made the right choice in investing in pivotal wideouts to build this offense through it's current group, it needs to continue to do so going forward.
Inside linebacker: While it may have seemed unlikely before the season, Danny Trevathan evolved into a rock-solid performer, leading the team during the regular season with 128 tackles and snagging a notable interception to turn the tide of a regular-season contest against the Cowboys. He played alongside fellow Kentucky alum Wesley Woodyard, who is now a free agent. Beyond Woodyard, next on the Broncos' depth chart was veteran Paris Lenon, who is similarly a free agent. Re-signing Woodyard would largely alleviate the need to shore up this position, though the team could also address the spot through the draft. Elway landed Trevathan in the sixth round in 2012; he'd be wise to add dept
Smothered Chicken!
The draft isn't until May which sucks especially since its safe to say the Pacers will be in their championship run.
I never pay too much attention to the draft in most years (aside from 2012 for obvious reasons), but I will have even less interest this year than I normally do. It will be irritating watching Cleveland use our draft pick. Plus the Pacers will be smack dab in the middle of a playoff run, as you mention.
Yeah this year might be a good one to skip the draft but it just reminds me football season is around the corner. Fortunately the Pacers are around till then.
At least free agency is always kind of interesting.
FA is rather overrated I just hope the Colts don't go too crazy here.
Andquan Boldin anyone?
Absolutely yes for me. He's what you need in the playoffs...a reliable receiver who has big game experience. A Wayne, Bolden, Hilton, Allen, Fleener receiving corp would strike fear into any defense.
Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.
Aqib Talib maybe?
Smothered Chicken!
I would love to have Boldin here as a reliable target and insurance on Reggie. The guy is reliable and always steps it up come playoff time. If Rogers could learn from Wayne and Boldin that would be amazing, but I do not know if Boldin would want to come here with the less targets. You would have Wayne, Hilton, Fleener, and Allen.
I think the primary focus for free agency is offensive line. I would love LOVE Alex Mack to be here for years to come and grow with Luck. Mack is only 28 years old and is already one of the top centers in the league. He would automatically improve our OL over that turn style we have now.
This line would make me feel much better going into the 2014 season.
RT: Cherilus
RG: Thomas
C: Mack
LG: Thornton
LT: Castonzo
The draft will be boring leading up to us since we do not have a first round pick and I sure as hell do not want to see Cleveland picking in that spot. We have to focus on defense and defense and more defense in this draft.
We need help at ILB, CB, Safety, and maybe OLB.
The Indianapolis Colts have signed veteran free agent safety David Sims.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder played in 15 games with one start with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 and had eight tackles, one for a loss and one pass deflection.
He was waived by the Eagles last year. Sims was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He then spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns before joining the Eagles.
Sims was a two-year letterman at Iowa State and had 188 tackles and six interceptions.. As a junior in 2009, he was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
I really just follow the draft to see what the other teams in the divison are doing, this year will be very interesting because they all have high picks and all might draft a QB.
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I think the Colts need to target a few impact players this year, we've got plenty of role players but we lack a few more top level starters on our offensive line and on defense. I don't think we need a receiver as much as some, I think the line needs to give them more time, and our young receiver just need more polish.
Alex Mack
Aquib Talib
Vontae Davis
Linval Joseph
Draft a FS like Calvin Pryor or Eddie Reynolds to replace an aging Antoine Bethea. Then a guard or ILB in round 3 to improve depth and create some competition at those positions.
Colts to have about $41 million in cap space
INDIANAPOLIS -- The salary cap has been set. Now it's up to Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson to make the right financial decisions with the money they have available.
The NFL salary cap for 2014 is $133 million, which is $10 million more than last season. That means the Colts will have about $41 million in cap space -- fourth most in the league -- to re-sign their players and improve the roster from the outside. Indianapolis' cap number is $92,903,156.
Grigson said in January that they were going to be smart and not spend just to spend because they have the money available. He reiterated the same thing during the scouting combine on Feb. 21.
Its not hard to tighten your belt when youre looking at what were looking at in 15 and 16. In future years, we have some key, key young talent -- not to even give you any names; you know who they are -- that were going to have to re-sign, Grigson said at the time. So we have to be very prudent and fiscally sound in how we move forward. We still have a plan in place and if theres a chance for us to get better at any position group, were going to try to get better, if it makes sense from a fiscal standpoint for the club.
Re-signing cornerback Vontae Davis and improving the interior part of the offensive line are two priorities for the Colts during free agency.
Report: Colts want to keep Vontae Davis, but wont tag him
It sounds like Vontae Davis wont need to call his grandma today.
According to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the Colts are continuing to work toward a long-term deal with the free agent cornerback, but arent expected to use the franchise tag to keep him.
Tagging Davis would cost $11.834 million for one season, but the Colts have the cap room to do so if they want.
If he left, theyd have to spend significantly to replace him, as hes played well for them since coming over in trade from the Dolphins.
Davis has indicated he wants to stay, so spending the next week getting a deal done should be a priority for them if theyre not going to use the tag
Draft is interesting for me because I typically follow the predraft process, I typically know the guys who are good and who are steals and also know various team needs. I always hope that guys fall to the colts and when it doesn't happen I'm like darn and when it does they often don't draft them, lol
Also not Anquan for me, not really the direction this team needs to go, I want someone who will be around for a while that can grow with Luck.
I wonder if Bryd will get the Franchise tag put on him today or not.
Also a side not FA is not overrated if you make the right moves, you have to find pieces that fit your system and guys who can come in and compete. I don't think we did a completely bad job of that, but we really overpaid and did have a few bad signings, hopefully Grigson will get it together this year.
Question does anyone know when we have to make cuts by?
Why so SERIOUS
Report: 49ers, Anquan Boldin agree on two-year deal http://t.co/D2QSPf9HqI— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 3, 2014
THIS JUST IN: Titans safety Bernard Pollard tweets he's re-signed with Tennessee. Had 99 tackles, 3 INT in 2013.— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 3, 2014
Tampa's new uniforms are atrocious
They look bad but I'd like to see them outside of the animated rendering before passing final judgement. In unrelated news, I am glad that the Colts haven't changed the uniforms signicantly in quite some time.
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10 Fun Finds for National Postcard Week
"There is nothing I want more than a weekend with my children and husband in Rome, where we have a house. What would be heaven for me is walking those cobblestone streets, having an espresso at our favorite cafe, Sant'Eustachio, followed by a great lunch at Nino or Bolognese. We'd end with a great dinner at home, out on the terrace under the stars. But really, I'd be happy just having lunch alfresco anywhere with them!" —Alessandra Branca, interior designer
"I would love to get a pair of Meyer lemon trees in nice pots for my garden in Millbrook, New York. My aunt Robin makes delicious marmalade from the fruit, and I would love to try her recipe. The trees have pretty glossy leaves and the lemons have a wonderful citrus scent. As soon as you smell one, you want a tree or two yourself!" —Katie Ridder, interior designer
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Offices from Mad Men


text: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was asked about what the next step for Travis Wilson will be in his development on Monday. He came back with a quick answer, saying Wilson needed a 'signature,' win on the road. Just as quickly, he corrected himself and said the whole team needs the win. The Utes haven't won on the road this year. Breaking that streak against Washington could be tough considering the Huskies, who are playing at CenturyLink Field while Husky Stadium is being renovated, are 4-1 in Seattle. "It's an opportunity to go in against a quality team and take the next step, not only for Travis but for the whole football team this year," Whittingham said. The Utes say playing on the road isn't any different to them, but acknowledged their record shows otherwise. "I think it's a bigger difference in basketball," defensive end Joe Kruger said. "Mainly for us, it's just preparation and schemes and if we play like we've been playing, we'll get through it." Giving the Utes some hope is their improved offensive play. Wilson continues to improve and running back John White has found his groove again. He'll continue to get a lot of carries while backup Kelvin York is out with his ankle sprain. "We're back to something similar how he was running it last year when he was topping 30 carries at times in some weeks," Whittingham said. "But he's a guy who can handle a certain number for us." White, who has had back-to-back 100-yard games, said getting the ball more is fine by him. White said he liked the 1-2 punch the Utes had with himself and York, but said he is finding a rhythm now too. "If they get the ball to me time after time I get a feel for the defense," he said. Whittingham didn't offer any injury updates on York or corner Ryan Lacy, who also missed the Washington State game. - Lya Wodraska


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The last few months in New Mexico have proved traffic stops can be deadly—for both officers and civilians.
The "number one cause of harm or death of police officers" is now traffic stops, John Schaerfl, deputy chief of administration for the Santa Fe Police Department tells SFR. (Sandoval County Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Baron recently died after being stuck on I-25 during a snowy day.)
But it wasn't a city cop that pulled the trigger when Jeanette Anaya lost her life in early November. State police officer Oliver Wilson shot Anaya after pursuing her car in what police called a high-speed chase through a Santa Fe neighborhood. Police say that Wilson conducted an "intervention maneuver" to stop Anaya. When the officer exited his vehicle, Anaya's "sedan began to aggressively and immediately back towards the officer," a Department of Public Safety press release says. Wilson then fired "multiple shots" at Anaya, say police.
First Judicial District Attorney Angela "Spence" Pacheco has turned the matter over to a grand jury that will determine if the shooting was justifiable.
State Police were already facing public outcry over an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred Oct. 28 in Taos and has resulted in a cop losing his job.
Video from the incident shows Officer Tony DeTavis citing Oriana Farrell, 39, for speeding. After arguing—Farrell didn't want to make the decision to plead guilty or go to court—the woman, who had five children in her van, sped off. Eventually stopped again, she refused to exit the vehicle. Commotion erupted after her son attacked DeTavis. Backup arrived and an officer attempted to break open a passenger window with a baton after the family locked themselves in the vehicle. She sped off, away from the cops, when Officer Elias Montoya fired three shots at her van and later got fired from his job. He's appealing his termination.
Statistics from the state Department of Public Safety show that in 2011, State Police had a physical confrontation in .04 percent of all calls for service and traffic stops. That number decreased to .03 percent the next year, according to the data.
"Given the number of calls and traffic stops the agency makes, that is a significant drop," reads a memo to former State Police Chief Robert Shilling. The memo also cited a 2008 US Department of Justice survey that showed 1.4 percent of all police contacts nationally ended in a use-of-force encounter.
Clearly, driving away from or toward police officers isn't the best idea. Neither is shooting at a car full of kids.
Don't be a hard-ass (be safe)
Although on adversarial sides of the criminal justice system, both defense attorneys and cops agree that people should remember to be cooperative with police when they're pulled over. "We have people that don't comply with rolling down windows," says SFPD spokeswoman Celina Westervelt. "It's not a question." Defense attorneys and police say to be polite, even if you disagree with an officer or feel your rights are being violated. Police record traffic stops with audio and video—which could later become evidence against the civilian or the cop. It's better to fight perceived injustices in a courtroom than on the side of a busy highway. Besides, civility can go a long way toward getting out of a violation. Officers can use their discretion on whether to give you a warning. Police must be civil too: SFPD's policy mandates that officers be respectful, professional and polite.
Don't be a dumbass (know your rights)
In New Mexico, police must obtain a warrant to search your vehicle, except in certain circumstances. Criminal defense attorney Mark Donatelli explains an entire law school class could be spent studying when an officer must obtain a search warrant during a traffic stop. But he says that generally in "exigent circumstances"—like when an officer's safety is in jeopardy or when the cop has reason to believe evidence could be destroyed—officers may search your vehicle without a warrant. "Plain view" can be another exception to warrants: If an officer sees marijuana on your dashboard, he or she might take it without a warrant. Cops may look into your car from the outside, says Schaerfl. Either way, you can state on the record that you'd like them to obtain a warrant, and if they don't, the legality of the cop's warrantless search or seizure can be debated in court. In the end, if a motorist believes a cop is acting inappropriately during a stop, they can always request to speak with the cop's commanding officer. But Schaerfl warns it might take a while for the commanding officer to show up at the scene—and that method isn't a good way to get out of a ticket.
The best way to avoid getting pulled over this holiday season is to not drive at all. This is especially important if you've had a drink, or two or three. Santa Fe County continues to subsidize cab rides for tipsy residents. Just ask the Capital Cab dispatcher for "a caddy cab" when you call 438-0000. Or take a Santa Fe Trails bus. Or call a friend. Or your mom. Just don't call us from jail. We're out of bail money.
Illustrations by Anson Stevens-Bollen


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A racing yacht named after one of the world's fastest cars has sailed into San Francisco Bay in what organizers say is the fastest passage of a single-hulled sailing vessel from New York to San Francisco.
The 70-foot Maserati sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge late Saturday morning, 47 days after pulling out of New York City.
The trip covered more than 13,000 miles in what sailors have said for centuries is one of the most challenging sailing journeys in the world.
Though calm winds late Friday pushed back the vessel's expected arrival by a few hours, organizers say the crew easily beat the most recent record of 57 days set in 1998.


text:
- Availability:
- Product Code:
- Virtuoso 50
- Brand:
- Apacs
Available Product PromotionsPeace Sale 10% Discount --OR-- Combo - Buy 2 Rackets at 20% Discount Get 20% off on all bags with this racket
Available Options
The Apacs Virtuoso 50 is a light and fast racket. Axe Shape Frame design of this racket makes it Extremely Fast for continuous drive shot and with explosive power.
- The racket was developed with the "Axe Shape Frame" that have low wind resistance and reduced torsion properties which increased the Speed and Stability in the swing, and overall improve execution with Power and more Control.
- The Racket frame was developed with the new 'Reinforced Structure' which enable string tension of up to Vertical 33lbs / Horizontal 35lbs.
- The racket is a Medium Flex racket that will deliver more power and control, as it will have a kind of sling shot effect.
- Due to the light weight and high speed frame design of the racket, Virtuoso is an extremely fast racket and is developed to suit players who wants more SPEED.
- This racket is designed to give you sharper smashes and at the same time let you enjoy the precise drop shot and netting play.
|Apacs Virtuoso 50 Specifications
|Frame Material:
|High Modulus Graphite + Axe Shape Frame
|Shaft Material:
|High Modulus Graphite
|Medium (8.5)
|77g +/- 1 (6U-G2)
|672mm +/- 2
|Max Tension:
|305mm +/- 3 (Head Heavy)
|76 holes
|Black / White
|Special Features
|Isometric head frame
Equalizes the length of main and cross strings in the stringbed, enlarging the sweet-spot for more consistent accuracy even on off-center hits.
|Light Weight
At 77g (6U) this light weight racket will enable you to move quickly and deliver fast swing to surprise your opponent.
|Axe Shape Frame
The Axe Shape Frame design is an aerodynamic shape frame designed to reduce drag and torsion on the frame during straight on swing or hit.
Resulting in a fast swing-through, control and the quicker maneuverability.
|Reinforced Structure Frame
The new material is adopted in the frame in order to make the frame Ultra high Strength & Stiffness. As a result it can handle string tension of up to 35lbs.
|Inner Muscle Frame
This design provides more stability and increases the sweet spot of the inner frame.
|Racket Specifications
|High Modulus Graphite + Axe Shape Frame
|High Modulus Graphite
|Medium (8.5)
|77g +/- 1 (6U-G2)
|Max Tension
|672mm +/- 2
|Balance Point
|305mm +/- 3 (Head Heavy)
|76 holes
|Shaft Diameter
|Black / White
|Special Features
|Isomectric head frame Light Weight Axe Shape Frame Reinforced Structure Frame Inner Muscle Frame


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Monday, November 2, 2009
+Two Note-Worthy Events+
How many Unfinished Objects (UFO's) do you have laying around your sewing room? Thanks to Jacquie over at Tallgrass Prairie Studio, we now have some major motivation to get those projects done! Not only will you FINISH all those quilt tops and projects but you could win a fun prize to boot! Click on over to her challenge and get those UFO's done... and breathe easy again!
I've counted my UFO's and I have.... 8 that I want to admit to, and not all are quilts... but all are in various stages of completion:
Baby Boy Quilt - Rylan Andrew arrived Saturday (10/31), a month early!
Vintage Goodness Quilt
Ohio Sky Quilt top:
Yet-to-be-named quilt for my living room:
Crochet Granny Square baby afghan:
A few dozen cloth baby wipes (not necessary until March but hey, why procrastinate?)
Flannel Receiving Blanket for baby, again, why procrastinate? I hope this kid likes orange!
Wonky baby quilt for my Etsy shop:
So thats EIGHT! I've got a lot of work to do between now and January 1st, but I look forward to it, and to seeing everyone's progress on their UFO's... clear sewing spaces, here we come!
I've been a follower of the Block Party! Blog for sometime now... and Alissa & Kristen have some great news! They are not only turning their blog into the Block Party Quilt Along but its going to be a book too! Anyone can join this quilt along, and your block could be featured in the book!
For the big kickoff they're having a giveaway! Here's a drool-worthy photo of one of the two prizes:
So run over there and check it out! I'm ready to learn some new block designs and see what everyone else is coming up with as well, in their Flickr pool! A very cool endeavor to be sure!
Written by Cristin on 11/02/2009
4 comments:
- Blue Is Bleu said...
Ooooh that orange birdie fabric is lovely!
- freshlemons said...
I feel your pain on the unfinished projects! :) I think us quilters are ADHD or something. LOL
- Michelle said...
what a great idea, if I only had the time!
I really like your blog and noticed you have a etsy shop too!
I'm looking for people to send me 20-25 promo items from their shop for a holiday boutique!
I need them by Dec.1st!
Those that help me out will also be featured on my blog for the whole month of December.
How cool is that?
You can see more about it on my blog here...
or send me a note with any questions...thanks!
- Aunt Spicy said...
Love the Bird fabric! And Wow, you have been so busy, everything looks amazing!!
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text:
Parts of metro Detroit had a shaky start to their morning routines Friday.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 4.4 magnitude earthquake occurred six miles below the surface at 9:43 a.m. near Shawville, Canada, about 43 miles northwest of Ottawa.
The quake was reportedly felt in Detroit, Dearborn and Columbiaville, a small town located near Flint.
No injuries or damage were immediately reported.
"Historically it's an area that does get semi-regular earthquakes, but they're not as frequent as they are say in California, for instance," said John Bellini, geophysicist at the USGS.
Bellini said the largest earthquake in that area happened in 1935, registering at 6.1 on the Richter magnitude scale.
And it's not unusual for parts of Michigan to feel a tremor from an earthquake as large as the one that happened Friday morning.
"The seismic zone for this earthquake is kind of a diffuse band that runs from where today's earthquake was to the northwest," Bellini said. "So, if you think of it trending in that direction ... when there are earthquakes in this area they are typically felt in Michigan at this size or larger."
Earthquakes Canada, a federal agency that monitors earthquakes, reported a 4.1 magnitude aftershock occurred 1at 9:53 a.m.
There are about 30,000 quakes that range between 2.5 to 5.4 on the earthquake magnitude scale per year, which are often felt but causes only minor damage.
Ontario Provincial Police in Arnprior, Ontario, not far from the epicenter, say they have received no reports of damage.
According to the USGS' website, reports of tremors in the Detroit vicinity happened as early as 1811 due to a series of earthquakes located in Missouri.
Social media websites were all shook up with dozens of comments detailing aftereffects, as well as tongue-in-cheek remarks about what caused the earthquake.
Jason White, a news reporter for various Ottawa outlets, tweeted: "My whole living room shook for about 20 seconds. Sure felt like an #earthquake. #Ottawa"
Matt Frendewey, national communications director for American Federation for children, tweeted: "Hmm, @DrewandMike leave the air and earthquake hits #Detroit. Not a coincident."
Ian Mendes, of Ottawa, tweeted: "Relax everybody: I am looking into the (Ottawa Senators) game day record when a minor earthquake is felt in Ottawa."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact staff writer Ryan Felton at 248-745-4654 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanfelton13.


text:
Friday, Feb. 11: Stevie Wonder, Christina Milian, "90210" stars Matt Lanter and Micheal Steger and more at Jamie Foxx's second annual pre-Grammy party at the Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel.
And in Las Vegas: Sean Kingston celebrating his 21st birthday party with an entourage of friends and family at Tryst Nightclub at the Wynn Hotel.
Saturday, Feb. 12 in: NY Yankees star Derek Jeter and his girlfriend, "The Roommate's" Minka Kelly, shopping at Barney's.
And in Las Vegas: Lauren Conrad celebrating her 25th birthday with boyfriend Kyle Howard, and friends Frankie Delgado and Maura McManus at PURE nightclub at Caesar's Palace.
And in the Bahamas: Singer Josh Groban partying at Aura Nightclub inside the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.
Sunday, February 13 in LA: Access Hollywood's own Billy Bush and "Jersey Shore's" Pauly D singing Bruno Mars' "Grenade" on the red carpet at the Grammys between interviews… Bruno Mars celebrating his Grammy win with Ne-Yo at Supperclub. Christina Milian and "90210" star Tristan Wilds are partying nearby…Lil' Wayne, Tyga, and the rest of the Young Money crew celebrating the Grammy excitement with an after party at Playhouse Hollywood. Lil' Wayne hopping up on stage and treating guests to an impromptu performance.
Monday, February 14, in LA: Kelly Osbourne flying first class on an American Airlines flight en route to NYC… "Superbad's" Michael Cera dining with a friend at a Brazilian Barbeque joint.
And in Las Vegas: Comedian Cedric The Entertainer launching his signature hat collection, "WHO CED?,"at the 2011 Magic tradeshow…Kim Kardashian celebrating Valentine's Day at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Rob Kardashian arriving with Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers…"Twilight" hunk Kellan Lutz enjoying the party by the pool.
And in NYC: "The Adjustment Bureau" star Matt Damon getting on the #1 subway train line at 86th and Broadway.
Tuesday, Feb. 15, in NYC: Michelle Trachtenberg celebrating her Maxim cover with Leighton Meester and Aubrey O'Day at Meatpacking District hotspot SL.
And in LA: Sophia Bush attending Brittany Snow's "Love is Louder" event at the Rock & Republic store.
Wednesday, Feb. 16, in LA: Actor/comedian Brian Posehn enjoying the Beach House show, where he was overheard professing his love of couches, at the Music Box.
And in NYC: "Jersey Shore's" Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola sitting front row at Style360's bebeBLACK Fall 2011 fashion show.
Thursday, Feb. 17, in NYC: Josh Duhamel reading the newspaper at the Trump SoHo Luxury Hotel.
And in LA: "X-Men's" gorgeous James Marsden dining with a friend at Laurel Tavern.


text:
Scott Vener is the music supervisor for How to Make It in America, which air its season finale Sunday night on HBO.
"I would say primarily a lot of the music I'm finding is sort of like what is bubbling on the Internet," Vener says.
While it may seem like he found the music first, Vener says "the people online really deserve the credit." He sees the dialogue and brings it from there to TV. Vener says his own taste obviously plays a part, "but it's almost like watching trends."
In the last scene of the pilot for Entourage, all four main characters are kind of figuring out where they fit in. Vener told the show's creator, Doug Ellin, to use Jay-Z's "Lucifer," but it wasn't the original pick for the pilot. Ellin showed the pilot to Vener after he had sold it to HBO. While Vener was watching, Ellin asked why he wasn't laughing.
"And I was like, 'Well I'm not laughing because the music's so bad I can't even pay attention to the jokes,' " Vener says.
Later, Ellin asked for music suggestions. When Vener played him "Lucifer," Ellin knew that was the one to end on.
Normally Vener picks rather obscure music, and Entourage has a lot of hip hop. But the series finale ended with a classic: Led Zeppelin's "Going to California." Vener says he knew he wanted that as the final song three years ago.
"Everyone makes the biggest deal about the final song ever, and I wanted to find one song that I felt could top all the other songs," he says, "and I would put that song as being in my top five favorite songs of all time."
Vener also chooses the music for the HBO show How to Make It in America. The show follows two 20-somethings as they try to make it big in New York City's fashion scene.
In one scene in the past season, the character Cam finally has money from selling some of his T-shirts, and he decides to buy a good stove for his apartment. The episode ends with him pushing the stove through the streets of New York City with a huge smile on his face. Then Bobby Womack's "110th Street" starts to play.
"I thought it was a not-on-the-nose way of making you feel like he's surviving, you know, he's making it," Vener says.
While Womack's lyrics are about pimps, hustlers and prostitutes in Harlem, Vener felt the tone was right.
"That's [an example of] where the lyrics probably weren't as direct at telling you the story, but the emotion was there," he says.
Vener used Theophilus London's "I Stand Alone" in How to Make It in America before the album was even released. But he doesn't want to take credit for making the song a hit.
"... It's a lot easier to recognize a hit than it is to make one," he says, "and very few of them come around."
Though he says he listened to the likes of Britney Spears and 'N Sync growing up, Vener leans toward the unusual.
"I think when I'm placing music, mostly at the end credits, what I'm thinking in my head is, 'I have 10 friends who I know love music, and if I can stump five out of those 10, then I won,' " he says. "Or if I can make them say, 'Oh my god, I remember that.' Then I won."


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Tech Sector Won't Take Over Television8/2/2013 4:12PM
Everyone from Netflix and Google to Apple and Intel think the television industry looks ripe for plucking. They're wrong. Senior editor Jack Hough previews the latest issue of Barron's Magazine. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... now welcome back to the new sub it's time for Barron's wells I'm slowing Constable Mike Mathias make bigger Watson ... this weekend's ... Barron's Newstrike ahead to help us ... Jack Palestinian at its outbound desolate slices of paper by moving map ... a total of about sixteen semi companies to be taken over TV news saying that an average exam comes as the disruptor everyones didn't just look we know you are ... we know we go you big time ... this broke the Liberal Arts ... we take a look at the content owners of the outcome is out there like ... Netflix which is to ... meet the deficit to take over the future of television Apple's rumored to have a TV device from whom all these years ... Orbitz and ... the content owners a way to secure first full valuations on some these companies are pretty low ... they've never been more prosperous than they are right now the kids are many new delivery systems with the shows they ... they ... they own ... I'm it's time for investors to take a look here and that ... you know let's ... step back from a little bit of ... hype about disruption and talk about who owns the valuable properties and whose cash flows are likely to ... rise in years so that's it don't touch that dial on the centrality dolls a reference to something they used to be on televisions for your younger viewers and with those are the guys there will be there you'll you'll tell us ... about that IPO markets baby boom let's ... not ... use for that so be hard for me to say but carry on and call the baby boom with a smack right in with the baby of a bull with or forty four deals in the second quarter and that's the most since late two thousand and six the IPO market to cool ... off ... it's starting to heat up and we gotta look at some companies out there ... aam you know that that that could go for deals and this is the market when you want to do if you're going to come is like Twitter and ... Dropbox chutzpah to find some with names that are not even sure how we'll work it might be putting on smash burger apparently that's the thing ... the isthe Internet firms out there that could be ... I'll catch you for going public soon ... the thing you've got to be all this stuff up all this effect will this too but it's the second of August to die right but that it's a it's a terrible terrible ... as it was a lighthearted look at the longest affected the oldest returns but lousy for the past couple of decades it wasn't always so ... we theorize that that could be one winery Whyalla will make your office on the price of on the of the state that one of a bigger is not because people will lose the sight of Islamic activists of Muslim men ... this is for ideas in different stages of the ... brick pattern ... I'm back to the types


text:
Duffus the Tea TipperMystery teasers are little stories where you need to figure out what happened based on the given clues.
Duffus Mcclutski loves his tea plain and hot. Every day he drank several cups which caused a rather large mess on his floor. You see Duffus didn't have the steadiest hands and he used his stove to boil the water for his tea; not wanting to buy a kettle. He also refused to have anything less than a full cup of tea (though after spilling it on the way he rarely had a full cup). You see he drank his tea out on his porch which was a good 100 ft walk through most of the house, which at the best of times was so cluttered that you could have lost a dozen small children (but that's another teaser), a large dog, a herd of sheep...well you get the picture, it was a mess.
Despite the clutter Duffus didn't like tea stains on the floor so he changed "one" thing about the preparation of his tea to make sure he would never have to clean up the floor again. He didn't use a different cup or get an electric kettle so he could boil the water on the porch or even half fill the cup. He did almost everything the same.
So what was the one thing he changed so that he wouldn't spill his tea?
AnswerHe waited until he was on the porch before he put the tea bag in. He still spilled hot water on the way but that evaporated without leaving a mess.
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
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text:
How do you post a trade idea with pics and stats?
Also could replace Wells in the trade with either Snyder or Francis (All three are about the same and all are expiring).
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How do you post a trade idea with pics and stats?
Also could replace Wells in the trade with either Snyder or Francis (All three are about the same and all are expiring).
Could we really attract an FA better than Dun after those two contracts come off the books? I just don't think so.
And you can just copy and paste it.
I'd rather trade off one of our multiple SF's for some quality depth at PG and SG that can score and defend. One might argue that if this trade proved successful, Wells and James would resign to stay with a successful team rather be stuck in their current situation of not getting any PT.
I like the way SA is built with 3 star players and a lot of small contracts. This would get rid of one of our larger contracts in Dunleavy, provide better roster balance and rid ourselves of a SF and clear PT for Danny and Shawne....
Not sure Houston would do this. They might want the expiring contracts and possibly a PF prospect like Ike... this would require more from them, then.
As for trading Dun, I'm for keeping him unless it's a no brainer trade.
Wells plays defense. Wells posts up. Wells scores.
Search for it!
He's also an expiring contract so he would be on his best behavior. He might have also calmed down in his old age as he's realizing he can't get the contract that he wants when he acts the way he did. He might also be happy to have a chance to be "Back Home in Indiana".


text:
Steve Cooper
I just finished watching 2016: Obama's America and I thought it was very interesting. I knew most of what was reported in this documentary, but I did pick up a few details. Dinesh D'Souza was very methodical the way that he laid out the facts and it kept your attention for the most part.
D'Souza focused on the psychological damage that was done to Obama when he was a child due to his father leaving him at a young age. Plus, Obama was confused about life due to his Kenyan and American background, but learning that his father was a wife beating, drunk certainly didn't help his self image.
It was interesting that D'Souza claims Obama would love to install the Communist vision of his father Barack Sr. by eventually imposing a 100% tax on the American people. Yes, that is right, 100%.
Barack Sr. wrote a Communist propaganda piece for a Kenyan Newspaper that called for a 100% tax of the people in exchange for Government services. This is your change?
I also found it interesting that Obama's mother (a Muslim loving Communist like her son) left her husband Lolo Soetoro after he got a job for a California oil company. She became outraged when her husband sold out to Capitalism. Plus, he joined the Indonesian military to fight against the Communists and that was the final straw. So, she packed up her anti-Christ bound son (Barack Obama) and left Lolo Soetoro. I guess she didn't want Barry Jr. to be exposed to something evil like Capitalism at such a young age. Very sad…
Obama's mother felt that Communist Frank Marshall Davis was more of a role model that should influence her son instead. Frank Marshall Davis was on the FBI watch list as someone to be arrested immediately if war broke out against the Soviet Union. So, I guess Frank Marshall Davis was very connected and dangerous. You can read more about Frank Marshall Davis in the book called The Communist by Paul Kengor.
I believe that D'Souza didn't tap into the Birther issue, because he didn't want the movie to be blacklisted totally. He mentioned that Obama was born in Kapiolani Hospital in Hawaii that has never produced records to prove he was actually born there. D'Souza gave the Fox News 'birth announcement newspaper' excuse that proves nothing. That is like showing me a coupon to Walmart after I ask you for your birth certificate.
Plus, there was no mention of the literary agent that claimed Obama was born in Kenyan. Literary Pamphlet More Proof That Birth Certificate a Forgery
Look folks, you are a Communist if you vote for Obama after watching this documentary. Don't give me any of your Democrat or Libertarian lies and crap, because you got the wrong one. I am onto you all.
Obama's America: Unmaking the American Dream by Dinesh D'Souza
I highly recommend this book as well. I interviewed the author Don Fredrick and it was fascinating. The Obama Timeline: From his Birth in 1961 Through his First 100 Days in Office