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Sunday, December 6, 2009
By Patricia MacLachlan
This is probably my second favorite book by Patricia MacLachlan. Throughout her books I get a sense that she views her pets as great companions who have very human like qualities. This book definitely portrays that, as a dog and a cat of a family discover the new born baby, Bittle. At first they do not like her and are afraid to be around her. With time, and after she shares her food with both of them, they realize that they in fact love Bittle. They are then very protective of her. I think this is a very true story in that pets react very similarly to a new baby in the family. I also think that the author probably did not make this story up completely because during the A/P/I study I could tell that she uses real life experiences for her books. The illustrations were very cute and appropriate for the story; Bittle a little girl with a few tufts of hair and a dress on, a large dog named Julia, and a curious cat named Nigel. Overall, a very cute story!
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:34 PM No comments:
Drip! Drop! How Water Gets to Your Tap
By Barbara Seuling
This was a book I used for my text set on water. This book addresses a common question of just how we are able to get clean water but simply turning a nob. The illustrations help explain the rather complex system of taking water from a resevoir, through many filters, to the mixing basin, to the water treatement plant, and into water mains in the city. The water cycle is also briefly discussed. I think that this book is a good resource to have as it is non-fiction but includes illustrations instead of pictures and has large text so students are not so overwhelmed with information.
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:33 PM No comments:
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
By Rochelle Strauss
This book is one of the first that I chose for my text set. This is probably the first book I have blogged about this is non-fiction. It has very beautiful illustrations throughout. The text is set up almost like a graphic novel; there are short paragraphs all around the page. The opening statement on the first page titled "One Well" sends a very powerful message to readers--that all of the water on the Earth is connected so everyone around the world should be responsible for taking good care of it. It breaks down where the water on earth is located (in the atmosphere, underground, oceans, lakes, etc). The web that I created for my text set follows along with this perfectly. It is a great book that encompasses many of the functions of water and the pictures are very vibrant and beautiful!
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:32 PM No comments:
How To Cross a Pond: Poems About Water
By Marilyn Singer
This is a book of poems that I used in my text set on water. I had mostly picture books in my text set and this book takes a slightly different perspective of water. The poems are about the sounds water make, how water can "talk", and how it can dance as if to perform an "underwater ballet". There is a poem about the water from a fire hydrant that is titled "City River". I did not realize that fire hydrants could be used as a water source in the summer(other than for fires) in large cities--because I grew up in the suburbs on a quiet street. I thought the poem about the moon's gravitational pull would be a good poem to read aloud to get a discussion started on what the gravitational pull of the moon does to the oceans. The last two poems, "What Water Can Be" and "Meandering" would be fun poems to sort of 'breathe life into' like we did in our reading and responding class. Those poems would be fun to play around with and would make it a lot more interactive.
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:29 PM No comments:
Mama One, Mama Two
By Patricia MacLachlan
This was such a sad book! From the title of this book I thought it was going to be about two mothers raising a little girl, but instead it was about a biological mother and a foster mother. From the text I inferred that the little girl's biological mother, mama one, has depression. A social worker was notified and took the little girl to a foster mother while her biological mother went through therapy at a hospital. While at her foster mother's house, the little girl asks mama two to tell the story of how the little girl came to have two mothers. The little girl is happy and seems to feel at home with both mothers, so the story could also be viewed as a positive outlook on foster homes. I think that this book would be a valuable piece of literature to have in the classroom because it goes against the norm or the typical nuclear family that is often portrayed in children's books.
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:28 PM No comments:
A/P/I Study
I did my Author/Poet/Illustrator Study on Patricia MacLachlan. I was a little overwhelmed at first with the long list we had to choose from for this project. Finally I went to the Curriculum Lab, randomly selected this author, and looked up books she had written that were available. Before doing so, I had never heard of Patricia Maclachlan but I did remember reading Sarah, Plain and Tall when I was younger. She is now one of my favorite authors! Through her literature, I have come to find that we have a lot of the same interests. Her stories often include dogs, beautiful landscapes, and family(all the things I love!). Not to mention she has a daughter named Emily that she writes about in the very cute story The Sick Day. Also now that her daughter is older and has a family of her own, they write books together. I think that Patricia Maclachlan has a great gift for finding the beauty in man's best friend, the everyday experiences that families have, and the calm countryside landscape.
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:26 PM No comments:
Final Reflection
Over the course of the semester I feel that I have learned quite a bit about children's literature. I have read a lot of great books that I would love to add to my collection for my future classroom library. I felt that a lot of the controversial books that I read and that we read as a class were actually very good books and definitely had something to offer for kids. Like we discussed in class, when controversial books are banned, it is as if we are trying to silence issues, many times issues that students are experiencing. The message banning certain books sends is that certain lifestyles, divorce, etc. are not okay because they are not normal. Before this class I did not realize how important literature can be; for some students it is a way to relate to others and not feel like an outsider or a misfit. I have read over fifty picture books through the semester, for this course and many others, and have found many similar qualities. I believe that what makes a good piece of literature is unique and creative illustrations, has a good story line that keeps the reader interested, allows students to connect/reflect on their own lives, and has a multicultural perspective. The best thing that I will take away from this class is the confidence to pick out and recommend children's literature to students, parents, or other teachers when I become a teacher myself!
Posted by Emibugg22 at 8:25 PM No comments:
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magic -- fiction
It was the goat that gave it away.
Some young wizards-to-be discover their destinies through an engraved invitation. But for Sparrowhawk, unscrubbed and unbiddable goat herder on the island of Gont, an overheard word in the true, magical language was enough to get him started. Not just one stubborn goat but the whole herd was brought to heel with a single word. Clearly the lad had potential.
Cassel Sharpe, wearing only his underwear, awakes to find himself slowly slipping off the icy roof of his school dorm. He's clueless about what landed him in such a precarious position (with certain death below) and is equally unsure about navigating his way back safely. Thus begins White Cat, the first book in The Curse Workers series, by Holly Black.
Cassel comes from a family of workers, a worker being someone—who with the slightest touch of a fingertip—has the power to place spells, change memories, or even kill. Although his grandfather, mother and brothers each possess one of the above-mentioned skills, Cassel appears to have been skipped when the special talents were being passed out. He tries to live a normal life away from the family madness by attending school at Wallingford.
Princess Celie's favorite day of the week is Tuesday because that's the day Castle Glower usually grows a new room or two, or a turret, or passage. Castle Glower's favorite person is Princess Celie, the only one who has ever tried to explore and map the ever-changing structure. Castle Glower is not shy about making its opinion known. When the Castle decides Prince Rolf should be the King's Heir, he awakes one day to discover his bedroom has been moved next to the throne room. Unwelcome guests find their quarters growing smaller and shabbier, while favored residents are housed in spacious comfort in Tuesdays at the Castle, by Jessica Day George.
When the King and Queen disappear--ambushed and presumed dead--visitors from foreign lands arrive suddenly to advise Celie, Rolf, and their sister, Lilah, during the time of transition. But the Castle seems to know that something isn't right and the plotters underestimate the Castle's abilities. They also underestimate the courage and intelligence of the Royal children. The Castle creates a turret, stocked with useful items, that appears when Celie and her siblings need it. It provides a passage to a hidden room where the children can overhear the council's scheming--complete with a magic cloak that muffles sound so the children will not themselves be overheard. Celie's maps and her relationship with the Castle are the keys to saving the kingdom, the castle's inhabitants, and the castle itself.
Peter Dickinson's The Tears of the Salamander begins with a simple gift and ends with a magical legacy. When his seldom-seen, rich Uncle Giorgio gives young Alfredo a strange present on his name day, his parents aren't sure they want him to have it. The golden chain doesn't have the expected cross on it—from it dangles the golden image of a strange animal—a little lizard with splayed feet and other peculiar features. Alfredo's older brother is very jealous. He sees nothing special in Alfredo. Sure, he can sing like an angel, but that's not much use to a baker's boy, is it?
The local priests see Alfredo's gift differently. They want him in their boys' choir, and he is happy to be there for he loves to sing—but he also loves baking and hopes to follow his father into the trade. When catastrophe strikes leaving Alfredo alone and friendless, the priests urge him to join the choir permanently, and he would have done so even though it would have meant giving up a normal life. But just at the crucial moment, his Uncle Giorgio comes to take him away to reclaim his birthright—the birthright his father refused by choosing instead to become a simple village baker.
Entwined, by Heather Dixon, is a new take on the fairytale of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." The twelve sisters live in the kingdom of Eathesbury where their father the king rules with a firm and practical hand. Their mother loves to dance, and her joy and optimism are passed down to her eldest daughter, Azalea. On the eve of her death, their mother makes Azalea promise upon a silver handkerchief that she will take care of her sisters; and Azalea does just that, with the fulfillment of her promise being enforced by the magic of the silver handkerchief.
In A Tale of Two Castles, by Gail Carson Levine, young Elodie embarks on her journey to Two Castles with the warning of her family ringing in her ears: beware of ogres and dragons, and, even worse, the whited sepulcher. Elodie's parents think she will apprentice to a weaver. But headstrong, independent Elodie dreams of becoming a mansioner--an actress. As she nears Two Castles, Elodie discovers that the free,10-year apprenticeships have been abolished. She does not have enough money to pay for an apprenticeship or to pay for the voyage home. What will she do? How will she survive?

subset: commoncrawl


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Ian Rigby remembers Sir Tom Finney as a gentleman of football.
Rigby is secretary of the Preston North End Former Players' Association, an organisation of which Sir Tom was president.
While he never got to see Sir Tom play a competitive game, the pair spent much time together in their work with the former players group.
Rigby said: "I think the first game I ever went to at Deepdale was Sir Tom's testimonial game after he had retired. But speak to those fortunate enough to have watched him play, and they described him as the best.
"He was the Lionel Messi of his era, and his name is known throughout the world.
"Sir Tom became the first player to score 30 goals for England, and remember that he was not an out-and-out striker.
"He scored on his Preston debut and his England debut, and could play anywhere along the forward line. Sir Tom played in all five forward positions for Preston, and scored in his first game in each position.
"He was known world-wide. If you go on holiday and have a Preston North End shirt on, someone somewhere in the world will point to the badge and say 'Tom Finney'.
"His passing is sad for Preston North End, for the city of Preston, for English football and world football."
Recalling Sir Tom's work with the Former Players' Association, Rigby said: "We set up the organisation in 1998 and asked Sir Tom if he would like to be the president of it.
"He accepted straight away and has stayed with us ever since, although his health meant he had to take more of a back-seat role in later years.
"We had the Sir Tom Finney Golf Day for our members and Tom would attend that.
"A few years ago, a handful of us went for a night out at the dogs. We had a table and just chatted all night. Sir Tom had seven winners that night!
"A memory of him which I will always have is that he never refused to sign an autograph."


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SHANGHAI, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Chinese conglomerate Fosun International Ltd is bidding 451 million euros ($580 million) for Portugal's Espirito Santo Saude (ESS), weighing into a takeover battle for the hospital business of the indebted Espirito Santo family.
Fosun bid 4.72 euro per share through its Portuguese subsidiary Fidelidade, Fosun said in a statement on Tuesday, trumping earlier bids from Portuguese healthcare firm Jose de Mello Saude and Mexico's Grupo Angeles. The latter bid 4.5 euros per share earlier this week.
Fosun, China's answer to Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, has been increasingly active on the global stage, snapping up Portuguese insurer Caixa Seguros e Saude in January and upping a bid for holiday group Club Mediterranee SA this month.
Fosun is also looking to boost its private healthcare business, a growing area in China as the government looks to open the sector up to private capital. ESS owns hospitals, clinics and elderly care homes around Portugal.
ESS is 51 percent owned by the beleaguered Espirito Santo family, whose main holding companies need to sell assets after filing for creditor protection in July under a mountain of debt.
The takeover battle has helped drive ESS's shares up 51.6 percent this year, far outflanking the wider market.
$1 dollar = 0.78 euro Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Christopher Cushing


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Until we moved to Charlottesville, I'd never actually had a kitchen with a pantry. Obviously I'd had kitchens with shelves and storage, although some of those have been very much on the small side. But I'd never had a dedicated pantry space until we moved into the house across the street. There we had a large, double-door, slide out pantry and it was heaven. But pantry's are one of those things, like dishwashers and garbage disposals and a washer and dryer of your own that, once had, are hard to live without again. Not impossible, mind you, but once you've tasted the freedom of scraping your dinner dishes right into the sink and flipping a switch (a garbage disposal is on the list BTW) it's just no fun to go back to scraping into the garbage.
So you could say I was a leetile excited when we finished up the pantry Sunday night. Finished, is of course, relative in our house. There is still trim to add and we had shelves but no brackets, but for all intents and purposes, we had a pantry. Yesterday flew by in a whirl of I don't even know what and I never had a chance to go hunt up some brackets but today I was at Lowes bright and early(ish) so I could get to work on moving out of the tiny, cramped space we have been using and into my brand spanking new and much bigger space. Ahhh....space.
Once the island cupboards were cleared out I was able to shift some of the other kitchen things around so that we no longer have to pull out tumbling piles of plastic IKEA cups to get to the slow cooker or the yogurt maker. And while I realize it wont last, I'm far to lazy with things that cant be seen to keep everything tidy all the time, I love having everything straight and orderly.
I also scrabbled up some magnetic spice jars for the inside of the door to the "baking locker". Because it was an experiment I only made four but now that they are done I'm planning on heading back to the grocery store for more of the cute, squat little jars I found before they run out for the season. Whoo-hoo organization!


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Israeli Nobel Laureate, a Moment of National Pride
The celebrations over Israel's Nobel prize win are diluted by concern that these prizes are fruits of past greatness, of years when Israel's educational system was outstanding and produced renowned scholars and leading scientists.
The awarding of the Nobel Prize in chemistry to Prof. Dan Shechtman - the sixth Israeli in a decade to win the Nobel for scientific research - is a moment of national exaltation. Two researchers have won the prize in economics and four in chemistry, two fields of academic research in which Israel now looks like a world power.
Nevertheless, the celebrations are diluted by concern that these prizes are the fruits of past greatness, of the years when Israel's educational system was an outstanding one that produced renowned scholars and leading scientists. The past two decades have seen a deterioration in our education system: Israel now ranks 40th in the world on international achievement tests, and it is suffering a serious brain drain as brilliant scientists abandon local academe for better-funded research institutes abroad.
There are grounds for believing that this decline in educational achievement was one of the driving forces behind the summer's social protests. While education here is ostensibly free, it is of poor quality, and the public is no longer willing to accept such poor service from its government.
Fortunately, Israel's embarrassing international showing has spurred the government to act. The past four years have seen an incredible burst of activity in the realm of education: the New Horizons reform in the primary schools, the Oz Latmura ("Power to Change" ) reform in the high schools, and a reform of the higher education system that started last year.
Higher education has been given a budgetary boost of NIS 7.5 billion spread over five years. By 2016, the universities' annual budgets will have grown by NIS 2 billion and they will have another 2,000 faculty members. There has also been a change in the way universities are funded: They will now receive incentives to encourage outstanding researchers, and 40 "centers of excellence" will be established, whose aim is to lure back some of the outstanding scientists who have moved abroad.
The reform of higher education is meant to give a much-needed boost to academic research in Israel, after years of eroding budgets and brain drain. It's too early to tell, of course, if these various reforms will be enough to restore Israeli research to its former glory. But at least there is reason to hope that the phenomenon of Israeli Nobel Prize winners will not become a thing of the past.
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Q: I own a Russian Dwarf Hamster named Eva. I really like having a hamster, but I have a fear of her. If I touch her cage with my finger, and she sees me, she runs up to where I have my finger and claws (looks like digging) and tries to bite, almost as if she is trying to attack me through the cage. I am terrified to hold her, although I want to. I put a sock on my hand when I replace her food inside the cage because she will bite me. I'm not sure what causes this, or how to fix it. I've googled how to overcome such problems, but I can't find anything about my exact situation. Also, all she does is bite the metal bars of her cage. She does it all the time, and if something is sitting in her reach outside of the cage, she attacks it. She very seldom runs on her wheel. I put her in the rolling ball for a bit to let her freely run around my house. I do not pick her up and place her in there. I put the opening of the ball on the opening in her cage and wait for her to climb in. Another thing, she snatches treats out of my hand, so I've gotten to the point where I just drop them in there and let her retrieve them on her own. Her cage has add-on tubes, a spiral ladder leading up to her wheel, a separate bedding area, and a treat zone. I also have a mineral block in there for her. I am not sure why she acts like she does. Please help. I don't want to have a hamster for no reason, I would like to hold her and play with her, but I don't understand her actions.
A: I understand your frustration and applaud your wanting to understand Eva. Dwarf hamsters that weren't bred for good temperament and handled when young can be very territorial, and others will have a period of this behavior as they mature. It sounds like Eva's an extreme case, but even extreme cases come around with a bit of care and creativity.
First, let's look at the things that aren't problems, so you can dispense with worrying about them. Somehamsters of all species like to bite their bars for exercise — even more than they like running in their wheel. It doesn't mean they're unhappy. If Eva's wheel has a solid running surface and is big enough for her to keep a good, straight-backed posture while running (like a Wodent Wheel or Super Pet Comfort Wheel), this is not a concern.
Hamsters bite out of fear or discomfort. We can also unwittingly teach a hamster to bite to get what she wants — that biting will make us go away. Unless Eva is in distress, try not to let biting mean anything.
Now the best news: batting at your fingers is Eva's way of warning you rather than biting you. When she bats at you, reward that by immediately leaving her alone for a bit. She's not ready to play the way you'd like right now.
Make a space where Eva can be around you and watch you — maybe where you watch TV or use the computer. Set her cage as close to eye level as possible, with the distance she needs to be confident moving around her home while you're there. Chat with her and make brief eye contact, but keep your hands away from her home. Move the cage a few inches closer every day she shows interest rather than fear.
For now, don't put your hand on or in her home while she's in it. Offer her another way out. She can walk out the door into her play ball, or climb into a mug or ladle. Eventually she'll comfortably walk out of those onto your hand, but don't rush her. Until then, let her hop out on another surface.
Take care of the food dish and other cage duties during ball time each day, and keep that time consistent. A predictable schedule is important to hamsters, especially nervous ones.
When you're ready, lay a towel or blanket in a dry bath tub or other new and neutral territory to allow Eva to explore some tubes, boxes and tiny treats. Wash your hands with the same soap each time before you interact with her (one with no food scents). Keep your hands nearby in the new turf so she knows they belong there. Pet her lightly while she's busy. Offer your hand for her to sniff at and walk over without moving it. The back of your hand is less scary than your palm, and keeping your fingers pressed together instead of spread apart is less scary too. You can even sit in the tub with her and let her climb and play on you.
A hamster will be less nervous when she's handled with confidence. Take a deep breath and don't let her feel your anxiety.
See more hamster questions and answers>>
See Martha Boden's Author Bio>>


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How Do I: Create a Custom HTML Helper for an MVC Application?
In this podcast, the speaker will explain the user how to create a custom HtmlHelper that is not available in the standard set in an MVC application. First, a sample MVC application is created with a demo controller and view to test the custom HtmlHelper.
Provided by: Oleksiy Kovyrin Topic: Data Management Date Added: Nov 2011 Format: Podcast


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July 2, 2009 BY X
This past week Jordan Brand sponsored the Quai 54 2009 Tournament in Paris, which featured 16 of the world's best streetball teams. In addition to the streetball tournament a dunk contest was also held where participants wowed the crowd with some of their amazing dunks. Last but not least Usher and Ludacris came out to perform a number of songs. Players in the tournament wore the new Air Jordan Elements sneaker. Gentry Humprhey of Jordan Brand was seen rocking a pair of un-released Air Jordan IX's. via THE B.O.P.
Filed under: Air Jordan Events


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- Product Overview
Short description
Blackmores KickStart Detox contains herbs that have been used in traditional western herbal medicine for their actions on the kidney, liver, gallbladder, bowels and skin. These are 5 organs of elimination.
A simple yet holistic approach to detoxification, helping to cleanse, purify and detoxify your body in the first stages of a healthy diet and lifestyle campaign.
- Assist the detoxification function of the liver, digestive system and the skin (as used in traditional western herbal medicine)
- Support liver function and aid elimination of waste from the body
- Reduce digestive sluggishness and help restore an efficient flow (qi) in the digestive system (as used in traditional Chinese medicine)
- Help flush the urinary tract and assist in the elimination of waste and toxins via the kidneys (as used in traditional western herbal medicine)
Suggested dose
Adults - Take 1 capsule three times a day before meals for the first two weeks of a healthy diet and lifestyle program.
Cynara scolymus (Globe artichoke) ext. equiv. to fresh leaf 2g Arctium lappa (Burdock) ext. equiv. to dry root 2g Citrus aurantium (Bitter orange) ext. equiv. to dry fruit 1g Choline bitartrate 100 gm No added salt, yeast, gluten, milk derivatives, preservatives, artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding consult your healthcare professional before use
- Bitter orange may slightly increase heart rate and blood pressure. Use caution with cardiovascular disease
- Globe artichoke may increase bile secretion. Consult your healthcare professional before use if suffering from gallbladder or bile duct disease
- Specifications
0.3 kg
42 capsules
Maximum Quantity Allowed per customer:
- Customer Reviews


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ATLANTA, March 12 (UPI) -- Traumatic brain injury -- a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating injury -- contributes to U.S. deaths and permanent disability, officials say.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said about 3.5 million people have a TBI in the United States and:
-- 2.1 million received care in emergency departments.
-- 300,000 were hospitalized.
-- 84,000 were seen in outpatient departments.
-- 1.1 million received care from office-based physicians.
-- 53,000 died.
Previously referred to as the "Silent Epidemic," individuals with a TBI might not have any visible scars, and symptoms might not show up or be noticed until hours or days later, but it can cause short or long-term problems seriously affecting thinking, learning, memory and/or emotions.
A TBI can affect all aspects of an individual's life, as well as that of their loved ones. It affects the injured's ability to work, be employed, do household tasks, or drive a car.
Ways to reduce the risk of a TBI include:
-- Wearing a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
-- Never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
-- Avoiding distracting activities while driving such as using a cellphone, texting and eating.
-- Wearing a helmet and making sure children wear helmets while riding a bike.


text: News tech Pandora fires shot at streaming industry Pandora has stepped up the fight against other music streaming services. INTERNET radio leader Pandora unveiled plans to challenge streaming stalwarts such as Spotify by undercutting them on price and matching them with on-demand music. The move comes after prolonged market jitters over the future of Pandora at a time that on-demand streaming is reshaping... #music #pandora #streaming Tweet Source: www.news.com.au Read More


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Post-holiday sales, returns draw shoppers
Christmas is behind us, but the holiday music still blares at Garden City Center in Cranston.
"I'm actually returning something from J. Jill. I got it as a Christmas gift that it would match my outfits but it didn't so I had to return it," said Amanda Devonis.
"I actually bought a shirt. It was very similar to a shirt (a family member) already had and it didn't fit as well," said Jamilyah Richardson.
Whether it was too big, too small, the wrong color or just not someone's style, many stores were busy Thursday cashing out returns.
Workers at Black House White Market had a healthy mix of new sales and shoppers returning gifts on the day some industry experts dub the 5th busiest shopping day of the year.
The returns, however, weren't confined to shopping centers.
According to the National Retail Federation, 50 percent of holiday shopping took place online. So some shoppers aren't going back to the stores, but instead shipping boxes from Amazon.com back.
But not everyone was making a return Thursday.
"Oh no. I never make returns. I'm just so thankful I'm able to accept the gifts that people give me," said Barbara Polciak.
"I was fortunate this year I didn't have any returns to make," said Irene Zanni.
Zanni said a new grandchild and the lure of holiday sales drew her to Garden City.
"Sales are always great," she said.
Zanni wasn't alone.
The bright signs promising discounts of more than 50 percent were too much for many to pass up.
"With the sale, now I can do this and also buy Christmas gifts and still save some money," Richardson said.
Retailers said the combination of sales, returns and gift cards is why Dec. 26 remains one of their top 10 busiest days.


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Release Date: 1986 |
Mikesn EMERITUS (4.5)...Nagrarok (4)Mustaine sells......Venpts16 (5)Though this may not have been the earliest or the best Thrash Metal album, it certainly co...Bfhurricane (4.5)Time to put Rust in Peace away for a minute, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? puts up a gr...
FirstStrikeIsDeadly (4.5)"This IS the news!' Less raw than Killing Is My Business, yet still their heaviest album, ...power_lutin (4.5)...Spaten (3)Occultism, arena rock and a blues cover...manuscriptreplica (5)...
Jonahdeth (5)Classic thrash metal, needless to say...stalinrules (3.5)The most overhyped thrash metal release ever. boring and unmemorable...skeletorissatan (5)Fucking Perfect...sonictheplumber (5)...
ubercow (4.5)...Apathy (4)...LaughingSkull (4)Huge moments interspersed with mediocrity...Paralized (5)Megadeth's Peace Sells is a timeless classic of the thrash metal genre, easily at the top ...
Album Rating: 4.5i know F.O.T aren't metal, but i recommmended them because of their guitar work
Thanks for the mention!
I guess.....
Album Rating: 4.5lol, ok, what do you think? lol
Good from someone that isn't familar with the band.
Yeah, that's pretty much it.
And you can hear Dave E. alright most of the time, just listen to the classic intro to the title track.
Megadeth are in a way new to me, the songs that is. I really like them, I've listened to alol of Metallica and Megadeth seem to more heavier.
Nice review, I love Peace sells.
Album Rating: 4.0hey innerdark, respect for reviewing something outside of your usual tastes. it speaks volumes about the quality of megadeth's music that a non-metal fan can get into them so easily, especially considering how unaccessible they can be (it took me ages to get into them to start with, back when i was a metallica/offspring/radio-rock fan lol!).
great review!
Album Rating: 4.5thanks for that, i'd been meaning to do this for a while
This is a purely awesome CD...Megadeth are one of my all time favourites. 5/5 material.
Excellent review, as well.
Album Rating: 5.0I love this album. Megadeth rule. This Rust in Peace are my fav megadeth albums.
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


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I am not snobby about work; I've been working in some capacity since the age of 13 and in that time I've been a cleaner, a dish pig, a driver, a phone sex operator, an office temp and even a one-time electrician's assistant. A friend and I used to go to an Irish pub in Adelaide and interpretive ballet dance on the stage, but we weren't paid for it. We weren't even really asked to do it, but that's a minor technicality. The point is, I'll try anything once except golden showers and that coffee that uses melted butter instead of milk. But if there are no jobs to go around, what's a lass to do?
With the Government's proposed changes to Centrelink payments, jobseekers (particularly those under the age of 30) would be forgiven for worrying that a life of starvation and professional impotency awaits them. From July 1 2015, the worker ants in Tony Abbott's strictly segregated Australian colony will be collectively be required to apply for more jobs than actually exist at an individual rate of 40 per month.
If it sounds harsh, it's because it is. There are few things more ironic than a government opposed to bureaucratic red tape creating an entire system made of nothing but the stuff. But it's not actually as dire as it seems. After all, this is Abbott's Australia! And that means two things:
1. It's an unapologetically regressive feudal system of governance; and
2. It's open for business.
In the spirit of creativity (which, if you are to listen to Abbott's Australians, actually has a monetary value in the negative), I've provided a list of jobs that enterprising young women can apply for in the coming years.
1. Position of King's Mistress
Marriage has always been a political institution, designed to benefit patriarchal overlords via the exchange of properties and titles. Kings laugh in the face of marrying for love! After all, a love match might feel nice in the beginning but it's unlikely to secure you an alliance with Germany. Nor does it ensure the kind of pragmatism demonstrated by sensible women who understand the benefit in accompanying their husbands to state events or visits throughout the fiefdom. You may not see them at any other point throughout the year, but that's because their busy washing the grease of compromise from their milk bathed skin.
On the other hand, Kings are Very Important People who have the enormous task of governing communities by leaching off the hard work of peasants. It's a pretty stressful job, and they need some downtime. Part of that downtime includes rambunctious naked play with nubile and ambitious young maidens whose young age belies their ability to expertly navigate a codpiece. It's as legitimate a job as any, and I've a feeling that there are plenty of ongoing positions available in the Australian Court.
Where to send your applications: The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
2. Official food taster
In the feudal system, it's not unusual for Important Leaders to be met with dastardly assassination attempts from political opponents or serfs. Consequently, it's necessary to employ the services of food tasters to test for poison. If Joffrey Baratheon's food taster had been available during the Purple Wedding, he wouldn't have ended up a bloated mass of blood and froth, dead before he could even sadistically consummate his marriage to Lady Margaery Tyrell. The dreams of Cersei Lannister, dashed on the rocks of retribution.
Why not apply then to be Official Food Taster to the Office of the Prime Minister and/or the cohort of Lords and Advisors which serve him? Sure, you run the risk of consuming a fatal amuse-bouche, but the time preceding your death will be a gastronome's delight. As an added bonus, you could probably spit in each dish before passing it on. It's the little perks of a job that really make it enjoyable, don't you think?
Where to send your applications: The Office of the Prime Minister, The Office of the Treasurer
3. A Knight's Squire
As we're retreating to feudal times, we'll have to endure the indignity of reversing the noble goals of equal opportunity. The glories of battle and high adventure are not for the ladies, who must instead fill their days as seamstresses or old crones. This isn't to say that you can't sneak into the position of squire though. All you need is to embrace a look of androgyny (which is quite high fashion anyway, when you think about it) and learn how to spit (a sideways career move for previous food tasters who want to get out the game, perhaps).
Where to send your applications: The Australian Senate, The Australian Christian Lobby, The Australian Young Liberals
4. Wicked Stepmother
There are few positions of power available to women under a feudal system, save for Soothsayer and Paternal King's bargaining chip. But if you're willing to allow a torturous origin story turn you into a bitter, twisted woman with evil powers and an arsenal of magical implements (aka a feminist AMIRITE?!), then you can really find no better option than Wicked Stepmother.
It's a job with a limited lifespan and an almost guaranteed sour ending, but it will keep you in furs and servants for a period of at least 16 years.
Where to send your applications: Frances Abbott (c/o The Whitehouse Institute)
5. Village Idiot
Sorry, this position has already been filled.


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2015 Dave and Dan Classic shatters last year's fundraising record.
Celebrity-laden California golf gathering garners $380,000 this year to boost 13-year total.
Keep calm and carry on" is not just a saying on a coffee mug but how Michele DeBuhr, vice president consumer credit administration at Portland, Ore.-based OnPoint Community Credit Union lives.
Credit union donations
Promotions, retirements, personnel changes.
Promotions, hirings, personnel moves.
Personnel news from across the country.


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Sir Ian McKellen is taking over the world. Evidence? He's starring on Broadway in Waiting For Godot and No Man's Land, and he'll be back on the silver screen as Gandalf in December with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and again in May 2014 as Magneto in X-Men: Days of Future Past. He will also play a retired Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's A Slight Trick of the Mind, while his British sitcom Vicious will air in the U.S., thanks to PBS.
According to Deadline.com, PBS, which wisely imported Downton Abbey from across the pond, has inked a deal with Shine International to air Vicious in 2014. The comedy series stars McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi (The King's Speech, Gladiator) as a constantly bickering old gay couple who've lived together for almost 50 years. The six-part first season was a British hit when it aired on ITV this past spring. The show was created by playwright Mark Ravenhill (Shopping and F*ing, Mother Clap's Molly House).
As previously reported, Vicious, which was the highest-rated comedy launch on any U.K. channel in 2013, was given a second-season order by ITV back in August. We have our fingers crossed that the show performs well enough in the good ol' U.S. of A. to bring the second season over this way, as well. Right now, you can see McKellen, along with Patrick Stewart, Billy Crudup and Shuler Hensley, in No Man's Land and Waiting For Godot, playing in rep, at the Cort Theatre.
Watch the video below to get a sneak peek at the first season of Vicious!


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Paralyzed dog "rolls" into new life
Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:27:50 GMT —
Toto, a three and a half year old Chihuahua with paralyzed hind legs, has called Albany Pet Partners home for nearly half his life. That changed last February when Ann Davis walked through the door.
"The minute I saw him, I just knew; he wasn't in his chair or anything, he was just sitting there, he was just so sweet," said Davis.
After a brief trial period, Davis decided to adopt Toto and she took him home to be introduced to her five other dogs.
Davis says "they just all fell in love with him and actually adore him; I mean, they play like he's a big dog, he plays like he's a black lab."
Toto isn't the only special needs dog that has called Albany Pet Partners home, Bubba, a one-year-old German Sheppard, currently lives there.
Bubba was surrendered to Albany Pet Partners after his leg got tangled in his tie out and his owner couldn't afford the amputation required to save him.
"We found a doctor that was willing to do the amputation at a fair price, so we paid for that," said Dr. Fred Freeland, President of Albany Pet Partners.
That's right, Albany Pet Partners a non-profit Veterinary clinic paid for his surgery with the fees they charge for basic services,
This type of generosity is common for the folks at Albany Pet Partners, as they also paid for Toto's wheelchair.
They say they do it to provide the animals with a chance at a normal life.
For information on adopting any of the animals at Albany Pet Partner visit there Facebook page or give them a call at (229)432-0717.


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September 23, 2012 BY Aaron Hope
Reebok has reinvigorated its Classics division with a variety of '90s-era retro releases, but one model has remained a core component of the Vector brand's casual catalog for three decades. The Reebok Classic Leather is a timeless icon on the order of an Nike Air Max 1 or Converse Chuck Taylor, one of those styles for which you can reach in enough different scenarios that not having a pair is most definitely a sneakerhead foul. You can thank an impeccably elegant design for the CL's staying power, and a new video after the jump below shows just how beautiful it is to watch a pair come to fruition.
Tags: Reebok Classic Leather


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by Portfolio Grader | October 8, 2012 11:00 am
For the current week, the overall ratings of four Media stocks are worse, according to the Portfolio Grader[1] database. Each of these rates a "D" ("sell") or "F" overall ("strong sell").
Arbitron (NYSE:ARB[2]) is on the decline this week, earning a D ("sell") after receiving a C ("hold") last week. Arbitron is a media and marketing information services firm. To get an in-depth look at ARB, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of ARB stock[3].
Grupo Televisa (NYSE:TV[4]) experiences a ratings drop this week, going from last week's C to a D. Grupo Televisa operates media and entertainment businesses in the Spanish speaking world. For more information, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of TV stock[5].
Focus Media (NASDAQ:FMCN[6]) is having a tough week. The company's rating falls from a C to a D rating. Focus Media Holding operates an out-of-home advertising network in China. For a full analysis of FMCN stock, visit Portfolio Grader[7].
Slipping from a C to a D rating, Entravision Communications (NYSE:EVC[8]) takes a hit this week. Entravision Communications conducts television, radio, outdoor, and publishing operations. To get an in-depth look at EVC, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of EVC stock[9].
Louis Navellier's proprietary Portfolio Grader[1] stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being "strong buy," and F being "strong sell." Explore the tool here[10].
Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2012/10/4-media-stocks-to-sell-now-arb-tv-fmcn/
Short URL: http://invstplc.com/1nvDoDb
Copyright ©2017 InvestorPlace Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 700 Indian Springs Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.


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AFRICA/SUDAN - The kidnappers of the two priests have demanded a ransom for their release
Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - "The two priests are held near the town of Wadakona, on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. We asked the authorities in Juba (South Sudan) not to intervene, so as not to endanger the lives of the hostages", say to Fides sources of the Archbishopric in Khartoum, in an update on the situation of the two priests, Father Joseph Makwey and Father Sylvester Mogga, kidnapped on January 15 in the parish of Saint Josephine Bakhita, in Rabak, 260 kilometers south of Khartoum (see Fides 18/01/2012 and 19/01/2012). "The kidnappers have demanded a large sum for the release of two priests: 500,000 Sudanese pounds. Negotiations are in progress" continue our sources. "Yesterday we had a meeting with Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, Archbishop of Khartoum, to try to assess the facts. One wants to resolve the situation without creating precedents that encourage other kidnappings of priests. The situation is followed by the Nunzio and by the Human Rights Commission", concludes the source of Fides. In the area there have already been several kidnappings, which have seen the ransom payment by phone. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/01/2012)


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Olmert Orders Roadblocks Removed
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instructed the security establishment yesterday to implement steps to make daily Palestinian life easier, including allowing a greater volume of merchandise to be taken across checkpoints, shortening lines at roadblocks, and issuing an increased number of permits allowing merchants, VIPs and international organization workers to cross into Israel.
Olmert told the heads of the security establishment, Shin Bet security service and police that he hopes the steps will be carried out by the Muslim holiday of Id al-Adha, which takes place next week.
"My hope is that by the Id al-Adha holiday, the Palestinian population will feel a significant improvement in the fabric of their lives," Olmert said. "That doesn't mean that we are relaxing in our war on terror, and we will continue to fight those who instigate terror with the same determination."
The decision comes in the wake of the meeting Saturday between Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).
"I want to make Palestinian lives significantly easier," Olmert said at the beginning of the meeting. "I won't say one thing to Abu Mazen at night and then carry out something different during the day."
After the initial steps are taken, Israel will remove 49 roadblocks in two stages, subject to a final decision by government officials within a week. The plan, which was developed by Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, calls for the removal of 27 roadblocks in the first stage and the rest in the second. All but one are dirt roadblocks that separate groups of Palestinian villages from the large West Bank cities. The more established checkpoint slated for removal is located in the northern section of the Jordan Valley road, which will be used as a crossing point for merchandise.
In addition, Israel Defense Forces troops will no longer thoroughly examine every vehicle at 16 of the more established roadblocks, a change due to take place relatively soon. There are about 400 roadblocks in the West Bank.
Israel also plans to build several bypass tunnels below Route 60, which passes through Israel and the West Bank, to make Palestinian movement easier and reduce friction between the Palestinians and the Israel Defense Forces. The Prime Minister's Office said the tunnels, which are expected to cost NIS 70 million, will reduce friction on West Bank roads by 40 percent.
Olmert said at the meeting that budgetary concerns should not be taken into consideration.
"If a Palestinian has to stand for three hours, then we will add lanes in the [security] check," he said.
However, security officials said yesterday they doubted whether a budget would really be approved for the ambitious, long-term tunnel project, which has been on the table for two years without significant progress.
GOC Central Command Yair Naveh, who presented the plan for the bypass tunnels, objected to the removal of the roadblocks.
"These are risks that we cannot allow ourselves," he told Olmert. "You're making your calculations and taking away from me one of my capabilities."
Olmert responded that other officials have said that the plan "involves a minimum of risk."
Defense Minister Amir Peretz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday that reducing the number of roadblocks in the West Bank is part of Israel's approach to security because the easier the Palestinians' lives become, the fewer sources of unrest there will be.
MK Silvan Shalom (Likud) opposed the removal of roadblocks, saying they are meant to prevent terrorism and their absence could lead to a renewal of terror.
Peretz also released a statement after the security officials' meeting with Olmert saying that the central principle of the security officials' plan lies in adopting a different approach to the West Bank than to the Gaza Strip. The main change that will take place in Gaza will be the establishment of new observation systems at the Karni crossing and the extension of its hours of operation: There will now be two shifts, allowing for an increase in the movement of goods. In addition, the Erez crossing will be augmented and the Kerem Shalom crossing for goods will be reopened.
Meanwhile, Peretz told the foreign affairs committee yesterday that he will soon make a decision on a suggestion by a Defense Ministry advisory body that some of the illegal outposts in the West Bank be removed. He said the Yesha Council of settlements has agreed to the evacuation of some of the outposts.
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Running Time: 113 minutes
Released: 01/2006
Studio Name: Man's Best Media
Director: Roman Czernik
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I have all sorts of other posts in the pipelines right now but those are going to have to wait because: I've achieved one of my goals for 2012!
Originally when I sat down to plan these goals I wanted to make sure they were achievable and measurable. I used to set goals like "exercise four times a week" or "eat at least one vegetarian meal a week" but I always became frustrated with those. What if, one week I exercised and the next week I didn't? What if I was mostly good at exercising but every few weeks I slacked off, could I really consider that goal achieved? Instead, when writing my 2012 goals, I made sure that they were measurable, that there would be a specific, definable moment where I could point at that goal and say "I've done it."
Today I get to point at one of my goals and say "I've done it."
As of today, I've officially cleared $7,500 in debt since December 31st.
That's $7,500 in about five months, or about 21 weeks, or exactly 145 days.
I'm just going to take a moment and say: Hells yeah I did!
That wasn't all through my sheer hard work. It's not like I achieved my 2012 goal in less than half a year by being frugal. I had some help. About $4,000 of that total was from my monster tax return, which obviously boosted this number in a huge way. I'm still counting it though because I could have spent that money on meaningless consumer products instead of putting it towards debt. You can see from the graph below that there was a pretty big drop in March, that's me kissing my massive tax return goodbye.
Another way to look at it is how much principal I've cleared monthly by the numbers. I figured this out a few days ago and I'm happy with the results, but there's a lot of room for improvement.
My average debt principal cleared per month is around $650. There are a few spikes there because of five paycheque months and income tax returns, but overall, that's what my debt is lowered by every month. I'd really like to get this number up and of course it will as the average daily interest charge decrease, more of my payment will be going to principal instead of interest. Another reason that I'm not paying as much on my debt as I normally would be is because I'm also saving for my wedding. Once I've got that squared away, I'll redirect that money onto my debt, which will get that number up nice and high. That probably won't be until 2013 though.
Where To Go From Here
Since I've already achieved my debt repayment goal for 2012 and it's not even June yet, where should I go from here? I think I should set a secondary debt repayment goal.
Yesterday I wrote about how pointless debt repayment schedules are, and I stand by that. A lot could happen in the next seven months, so what target would be a realistic goal for the end of 2012? I think, since I had such an easy time reaching this goal, my secondary debt goal for 2012 will be a bit of a stretch goal.
What's a Stretch Goal?
A stretch goal is a goal that is achievable, but that can only be achieved by stretching resources. It's not an easily achievable target, you can't coast along to achieving a stretch goal. You have to work for it.
My stretch goal for my 2012 debt repayment is to pay off a total of $12,000 in debt principal. $12,000 in twelve months just has a nice ring to it. According to my calculations, if nothing changes in my situation, I'll be able to achieve this goal, it'll take some work and I'll probably have to stretch my finances a bit to reach it, but I'm confident in my abilities.
So let's all give three cheers for achieving measurable, definable goals!
Have you set any goals for 2012? How are you doing with them? I want to know!


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ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech's game against Fordham has been canceled because of a severe winter storm.
The Rams were scheduled to play in Atlanta on Monday night, but they couldn't fly out of New York because of a blizzard that is expected to dump more than a foot of snow in the Northeast.
More than 1,400 flights were canceled Sunday out of the New York City area's three major airports, and more cancellations are expected Monday.
The game will not be made up. Georgia Tech says fans with single-game tickets can exchange them for a game against Mercer or Charlotte next weekend. Season-ticket holders will be credited $20 toward their accounts next season.


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It's a monkey-see, monkey-do business. First it was offer sheets to RFA's…now it's claiming other people's contracts.
It happened to St. Louis twice this season…
- They signed Marek Svatos and Nashville claimed him.
- They signed Kyle "Me So Hungy" Wellwood and San Jose claimed him.
So when Detroit went out and signed Evgeni Nabokov to a bottom-dollar deal, Garth Snow figured he'd get in on that action. I can't say I really blame him. He was well within the rules – but that doesn't mean that the rules aren't flawed – they are.
If these teams were interested in attaining additional help – why didn't they go out and pursue the players themselves? I'll tell you why – because they can benefit from the rules which allow them to sit back and let other teams do all the work seeking out players, negotiating with their agents, signing the player to contract….and then people like Doug Wilson, whoever the hell runs Nashville, and mediocre back-up goalies turned general managers simply point and say "I want that!".
So Garth Snow claimed Nabokov…Garth puffed up his chest and patted himself on the back and probably put on his best suit when he called Nabby who subsequently hung up on him immediately. Why? Because he doesn't want to play for your bottom-dwelling team. That's probably why he didn't SIGN with your team. I get that guys like Svatos and Wellwood were probably just happy to be playing in the NHL again, but Nabokov is standing firm. He won't report to the Islanders…so Garth Snow suspended him from the team he doesn't want to play for in the first place.
True to form, Bill Daily tells NHL.com that as long as what is written down in paper is followed – then he is in full, blind support:
"Those clubs know full well when they go ferreting around Europe looking for players who might want to play in North America that this prospect exists. It's likely that if the player's good and the contract is a good one, they may lose him. It's a bit of a disincentive to go looking for those players." –Bill Daily
Ok….great. But why? Why put a system in place that doesn't allow players to play where they want if they so happened to play in Europe? Nothing wrong with Peter Forsberg coming back and being able to choose where he plays – but only because he didn't play in Europe. I get it…the rules are set up that way – what I don't understand is why.
People have tried to compare this act of suspension to Alexi Yashin not honoring his contract with the Ottawa Senators back in the day…but the difference between these two cases is that Yashin signed his contract with the actual Ottawa Senators. Nabby signed with Detroit because he wants to play in Detroit – not Long Island.
I'm curious as to what everyone else's thoughts on this matter are – but I wanted to get mine out there.
The rules need to change.


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Last week, conservative writer and talk radio host Erick Erickson took to the Twitters with the news that The Nielsen Company had ranked talk radio as the most preferred format among radio listeners in 2013.
I was intrigued by the claim, though not necessarily surprised, so I sought out the Nielsen rankings, which are available on the company's website.
And Erickson was right — talk radio, recorded by Nielsen as the "news talk information" format, is indeed tops in radio, according to the rankings — attracting 9.3 percent of people ages 6 and older listening to the radio in the 48 major markets across the country where Nielsen uses its Portable People Meter technology. As further background, the data are measured in average quarter hours between 6 a.m. and midnight. Or, as Nielsen helpfully explains on its website ranking of the top 10 radio formats in the country, "Read as: Year-to-date (through Nov 2013), 9.3 percent of U.S. radio listeners aged 6+ were tuned to a news/talk/information station during any 15-minute period during the day."
Second place in the Nielsen yearly rankings for ages 6-plus went to "pop contemporary hit radio" at 8.2 percent, with country music claiming 7.8 percent of listeners during an average quarter hour.
What's interesting about the Nielsen yearly rankings, and what, presumably, the 140-character Twitter limit didn't allow Erickson to note, is that "news talk information" radio is ranked ninth among the formats preferred by listeners between 18 and 34 years of age, at 3.7 percent. Pop contemporary hit radio led that demographic, with 12.4 percent.
The "news talk information" format fared somewhat better among people ages 25 to 54, ranking fourth at 6.8 percent, just behind country music radio at 7.5 percent.
Please understand that I'm not here today to knock talk radio. As I've noted in this space before, I'm a regular listener to conservative radio talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. And, as an occasional participant in the local public radio show "Athens News Matters," I'm a part, albeit a small one, of that particular Marconian milieu.
I'm using Erickson's declaration, and the somewhat more nuanced underlying data, as a means of illustrating that taking much of anything at the face value of someone's say-so isn't necessarily a guarantee that you're getting the full story, even when what you're hearing is the truth.
Interestingly, the same digital arena that allows for the unfettered propagation of shaded truths, and in too many cases, outright lies — from all across the political spectrum — can also be the venue from which the truth can easily be surmised. So, the next time you hear something you don't quite believe, dig a little deeper.


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What Does Your Conference Room Say About You?
Does it show that you care about your clients? When they step foot into your office, do they see a trustworthy, prepared attorney? Before you get a chance to do one hour of billable work, do your clients have faith that you're a competent lawyer?
Whether your clients are filing for divorce, inking an important business transaction, or crafting a will, they are often coming to you in a time of stress. They are putting their trust in you, most likely without much legal knowledge at all. Will they care about where in your class you graduated 20 years ago? Maybe. Will each interaction they have with your firm influence how they see you? Absolutely. The experience you create can win – or lose – clients.
At my company, Ruby Receptionists, we consistently create remarkable customer experiences, and I was delighted to share our approach as a presenter at MILOfest. We talked about how touchpoints can have a big impact on how clients see your firm, and I wanted to share three tips you can apply to your practice to make a great impression:
1. Define your brand.
Are you a traditional suit-and-tie attorney? An innovative lawyer on the cutting-edge of legal technology? Family-values-oriented counsel? Hone in on what you stand for and what you'd like to communicate to your clients first.
2. Identify all of your client touchpoints.
A touchpoint is any interaction your client has with your firm that could make an impression. There are dozens of touchpoints; take your conference room for example. Does it anticipate your clients' needs, reassuring them that you're prepared and care about their wellbeing?
How you answer your phone is another touchpoint. Is your receptionist friendly, patient, and willing to go above and beyond for clients, in keeping with your compassionate, responsive brand?
And what about your billing statements? If your invoices are unpredictable or error-ridden, it can undo all your trust-building.
3. Create systems for each touchpoint.
Once you have a list, determining processes for each touchpoint will ensure a consistent experience.These systems could be as basic as a checklist to a more in-depth section of your employee training.
When you've addressed each touchpoint, every client will have a fantastic impression of your brand.Best of all, they will show their appreciation by telling their friends and sending you even more business.


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The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal Media. The opinions expressed below are the author's own.
A cartoonish look at life...
When I was still in single digits, my grandmother gave me my very first cartoon book. It was a collection of Peanuts comics and I was instantly hooked. I must have read that book hundreds of times and laughed over and over again. In the mid '80s I had the privilege of meeting Charles Schulz in his Santa Rosa studio and was instantly impressed by what a gracious guy he was. I'm not the kind of person that usually gets starstruck, but that meeting was definitely an exception. On Saturday, August 8, I will be visiting Santa Rosa again, as I have had the honor of being asked to be the artist in residence that day at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. If you happen to be in the area or have friends in the area, I will be putting on my cartoony show from 1 to 3 in the afternoon. (http://www.schulzmuseum.org/) Gosh, just thinking about going there makes me feel like a kid again. I think I'll go reread that book. (Yep, I still have it!)
For a little comic relief, visit: www.rubescartoons.com
Chalie Brown was always belittled by his freinds. Is that why WE HAVE SO MUCH BULLYING IN OUR SCHOOLS! cOME ON LET HIM [CHARLIE] KICK THE FOOTBALL!


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I don't mean to speak for Fluff, but if she means to campaign everyone to vote Penny rather than Ken, maybe.
Although at that point I think they were all totally snowed by the "We might vote out Ted" theory.
Too bad Ken lost immunity. Of course, if he hadn't... Jake could very well have been gone.