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SALT LAKE CITY -- NBA career assists leader John Stockton plans to retire after 19 seasons, and he met with Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and owner Larry Miller to tell them.
"I think I'm finished," Stockton said Friday. "I informed those guys and that's the direction I'm headed. I just said, 'I think it's time to move on.'"
The 41-year-old point guard's 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals both rank first in league history. And all came with the Jazz.
Utah's season ended Wednesday with a 111-91 loss to the Sacramento Kings, who won their first-round playoff series 4-1.
During the season, Stockton shrugged off queries about his future, repeatedly answering the question "Will this be it?" with the answer "I don't know."
Despite his age and playing his fewest minutes since the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, he remained among the league leaders at point guard, finishing fifth in the NBA with 629 assists.
Stockton averaged 10.8 points this season, down from his career high of 17.2 in the 1990s.
He was selected one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, and he played in every game in 17 of his 19 seasons.
Stockton was drafted 16th overall by the Jazz out of Gonzaga, the school in his hometown of Spokane, Wash.
He was hardly known -- just a quiet, skinny 22-year-old with a thatch of jet black hair.
His appearance never changed much, but his anonymity vanished quickly once former coach Frank Layden made Stockton a starter in the 1987-88 season.
That's when Stockton and forward Karl Malone established themselves as one of the top tandems in NBA history.
Stockton went on a five-season spree averaging at least 1,100 assists and 200-plus steals while scoring between 14.7 and 17.2 points a game.
Establishing himself as one of the top point guards in the league, he earned a spot on the 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team, along with such stars as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
He was an Olympian again in 1996, the summer before the Jazz went from contenders to Western Conference champions.
Stockton and Malone led the Jazz to back-to-back conference titles in 1997 and 1998, when Jordan and the Chicago Bulls spoiled Utah's best chance for an NBA title.
Stockton will always be known more for his pinpoint passing and tenacity on defense than his shooting. But some of the Jazz's most memorable baskets came from Stockton's hand.
It was Stockton's 26-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer in Houston that gave Utah its first trip to the NBA Finals in 1997.
In the 1999 playoffs, his 22-footer at the horn saved the Jazz from elimination, and Utah went on to beat Sacramento in the first round.
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50-year-old computer technician Michael Drysch was embraced by an unexpected person after making a half-court shot that won him $75,000 at AmericaAirlines Arena on Friday night: LeBron James.
James ran from a timeout huddle during the Heat's 110-88 win over the Detroit Pistons to tackle Drysch with a hug after the fan's miraculous hook shot. The money came from the LeBron James Foundation, which flew him from Illinois after he was selected from a drawing, according to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst.
"It's a great way to meet somebody like that," Drysch said, as he was presented the oversized check. "I had no idea he was coming over to me like that. That was amazing. What a great feeling to experience something like this."
Drysch said he had been practicing the shot the past two days and only made it once during his workouts.
James said after the game that his reaction was purely "instinct," via Fox Sports' Chris Tomasson:
"It didn't matter what consequences came with it. Ain't going to be none. I was excited about it. I'm excited for him. Excited for the moment. It was pretty awesome. That's just who I am.''

subset: commoncrawl


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I am going to their Vancouver show on Dec 18th. The ads say the show starts at 8:00pm. Just wondering when will they actually start to sing.If they start too late, my parents may kill me...
When i saw Axl last year in Australia, Korn started at like 7:55 and played till 9:10. And then Axl came on at 9:55. Reports said he was two hours late tho....but you can get lucky with Axl. Good luck
Your parents are gonna kill you!I've seen "new" GNR three times and Axl usually hits the stage around midnight and plays to just over 2am.and you being in Vancouver... you guys like to break shit, so if your young, good luck convincing your parents
I can even f...ng remember what time did they come out when I saw the band back in.. 2006? at the hammerstein ballroom...Time went fast .I was talking to other fans waiting since 3pm I think...They openned doors at 7:30pm and it was about 10:00 that bullets of my valentine started playing ... :~nobody cared about them... and they played for about an hour I think...All I remember is Axl being soooo cute!!!!!
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text: My gf had a beautiful baby boy on May 1st they named Oliver. I have been a bad friend, and hadn't made it over there to meet him yet. I had wanted to make him a quilt, but didn't have time before he was born. I finally found some perfect fabric to match the nursery, and got it done start to finish in three days! Quite a feat for me!! I think gingham it is so cute but won't be using it anytime soon. I never realized what a b**** it is to work with! I am happy with it and the size was great to machine quilt. I met Oliver today, he is such a cutie!! I hope you like it!


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For the first time since 2006 an Australian has won a stage on the Dakar Rally, with quad racer Paul Smith setting the fastest time in the category on today's 11th stage from La Rioja to Fiambalá in Argentina.
On a day where the weather once again forced officials to all-but cancel the car and truck category, the quads and bikes completed the tricky stage.
34-year-old Smith is the first Aussie to win a stage since the late Andy Caldecott, who won the third stage of the 2006 Dakar in Africa before tragically losing his life on the same event days later.
The wet weather compacted the sandy surface and Smith took advantage of the conditions to win the stage by a healthy four minutes from Gaston Gonzalez and overall leader Marcos Patronelli.
The result places Smith eighth overall.
"I've been a Dakar tragic for years, ever since guys like Andy Caldecott were racing," Smith told SPEEDTV.com.au
"It might sound cocky, but yeah, I thought a stage win could be possible. I've been racing for years in Australia and won plenty of events there."
For the cars a simultaneous flash flood in two rivers forced the race directors to halt the stage. Subject to the race officials' decision, Robby Gordon, who was in front at the time of stoppage, should be awarded the stage victory, making it his eighth on the Dakar. Stéphane Peterhansel still retains command of the general standings with a lead of just under 52 minutes over South African Giniel de Villiers.
Geoff Olholm remains the best-placed Australian in 11th overall.
The bikes completed the test with American Kurt Caselli winning his second stage of this year's event. Cyril Despres further increased his lead over Ruben Faria by over 13 minutes.
Ben Grabham was the fastest of the Aussies on the stage to be 17th overall just two places behind Rod Faggotter who fell during the stage.
"I came off a sand dune, hurt my left shoulder, hit my head and popped my camel back," said Faggotter.
" The worst bit was no water for 150km."
Just three stages remain in the Dakar with crews to face a 319 timed stage from Fiambalá to Copiapó tomorrow.
Stage 11 highlights


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BorderWare Technologies specializing in Email compliance softwares have been around the messaging security scene since 13 years ago. They boast of 19 different awards and reviews from professional sites all around the net. From what I understand, BorderWare is more focused on information security of emails. Solutions involve mostly on email security and anti spam. As an ex-employee of a MNC, I can understand why monitoring emails and messages in & out of the company is so important.
Not all employees in an organization is tech-savvy. They may not realize when they have received messages that are spam and not work related. The mail may have links that will bring them to porno or gambling sites. So it's really important that mails should be scanned for bad links and keywords before reaching the receiver. This process will save the company a lot of time.
Attachments are usually the cause of malwares and viruses. I believe that every email system in the world should have an excellent attachment scanning software to discover and eliminate bad attachments like BorderWare's MXtreme Mail Firewall. The software solution can also check not only incoming but outgoing mails as well.
BorderWare has other Messaging Security Products that are more specific like firewalls for servers, voip, video conferencing and other appliances. The products will benefit all companies alike by reducing unwanted problems and increasing productivity and efficiency. Check out the products section.
Internet communications made safe


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IT stocks traded higher for a seventh straight session even as the broader Sensex inched towards the key 20,000 mark amid a global rally. The BSE IT benchmark traded 0.5 per cent higher as of 10.15 a.m., outperforming the broader Sensex, which traded with 0.35 per cent gains.
Strong buying interest was seen in Tata Consultancy Services, India's biggest outsourcer, after global investment bank UBS retained its "buy" call on the stock with a price target of Rs 1,850.
Infosys, which reported subdued earnings in the fourth quarter, gained 0.4 per cent after UBS said the stock can hit a high of Rs 2,900.


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Eamon Del Giacco
Senior Development Officer
work(802) 443-3002
700 Exchange Street 212
Eamon joined Middlebury in the fall of 2013 as a Senior Development Officer and covers all of New England. He started his career in Higher Education at Hamilton College as an Assistant Men's Hockey Coach, and from there went on to run the Young Alumni Program at Union College. Most recently he spent three years in development at Colgate University, working with alumni and parents in the Midwest, and managing the fundraising for a new athletics facility.
Eamon received his BA from Colgate University, where he was an English major and a member of the Men's Hockey Team. He went on to receive his Masters in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, with a concentration in management, finance, and leadership. He and his wife, Meghan, have two young boys, Rhys and Matthew.


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In demand Blackburn defender Chris Samba, who handed in a transfer request yesterday, is expected to sign for four London clubs in the next few days. The unique transfer deal will see the current Blackburn captain sign contracts with London rivals Tottenham, QPR, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Samba was a target for Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer transfer window but no deal was forthcoming, in January when the window re-opened QPR and spurs joined the hunt, and now Samba stands to become the first footballer to join more than one club concurrently.
Groundbreaking deal
It is thought his agent, Mr G.Bastard negotiated the incredible groundbreaking deal, which will see Samba job share by playing for Arsenal in the first week of the month, Tottenham in the second week, QPR in the third week and Chelsea in the fourth. He will not be eligible to play against another of his teams. It is not clear how he will pay his tax and national insurance.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean said "he's not keen to stay"
The short term deal will expire in six months, giving FIFA a chance to consider whether they will allow this type of deal to become 'the norm'


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Like it or not, these deaths are being bought and paid for by our welfare dollars through a system that outright rewards illegitimacy, laziness, drug use and every kind of wretched behavior imaginable.
I'm not against helping the infirm or elderly, but it's about time we removed perfectly healthy adults from the welfare roll and, as harsh as it sounds, it will be to their advantage and to their children's advantage to face the struggle of raising families with coupon clipping, financial sacrifices and headaches that strengthen us and create good role models to follow. We are robbing ourselves of the pleasure of accomplishing things in our lives that we worked for by ourselves.
Sadly, we have created excuses to drop out of school and not pursue further education. In fact, education, the key to getting ahead, is mocked by new generations of TV-watching, drug-sedated young adults. And we have destroyed our families by making it so easy for welfare to pay for the fallout of divorce — that is, if anyone bothers to marry.
Further, we prop up and funnel billions of tax dollars into the illegal drug world by allowing youngsters to begin life in broken homes and then drift into drug use.
But thanks to welfare, we have replaced morality with lifestyles drawn from the sewer of celluloid Hollywood. Saving for a rainy day has become live for today. Hard work and sacrifice is looked down on as something only a stupid person would pursue.
My dad saw the problems ahead back in the 1930s when Roosevelt introduced welfare. He accurately predicted that it would grow like a cancer and it would ruin our country.
Like the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and the welfare system has become the general contractor in this sorry situation.


text: I really like the idea of the type class directives. Not just for their ability to improve error messages, but they can also be used to perform optimizations in jhc. They would also be useful for enforcing class invarients, such as the class IsChar in Text.Printf in the fptools libraries, which must only have a Char instance and no others. John -- John Meacham - ⑆repetae.net⑆john⑈


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SpringPad and Evernote seem to do the same thing, so which would win in a fight and why?
Chat Forum
SpringPad v. Evernote
Evernote here. Not used Springpad.
Evernote gets a 10/10. Sounds sad, but I couldn't imagine my digital/working life without it.
Am I right in that they do indeed do the same thing? Is one more android and one more Appley?
chipsandgravy - why is it so useful to you/what do you use it for?
I downloaded it and it seems cool but I haven't used it much.
I use Evernote but would only rate it 6/10. The issues I have with it are the poor formatting support (particularly cut and paste from MS Office) and the amount of resources that the Windows application consumes. If these issues were resolved I would use it far more.
Might check out Springpad to see if that is better.
Glad I'm not the only one frustrated by the formatting issue in Evernote. If they get that sorted I could use it for almost all my work stuff.
Tried Springpad a while back when I was choosing which of these apps to go with but didn't get on with it.
Might also want to look at Catch if you want something lightweight.
Have used Evernote for about 4 years and find it the best tool for 'filing stuff' by miles - approx 1500 snippets and counting. The lack of formatting is properly irritating though. Then again, I don't use it for creating stuff, only for storing.
Had a go at Springpad a few weeks ago and wanted to like it but found it completely sh1t IBH. Tries to be clever but ends up being a mess.
I use Springpad, tried Evernote but couldn't see any advantage. I use the Chrome extension, all syncs nicely from pad to phone to computer.
Evernote here across mac/tablet/phone and PC. Formatting is rubbish but otherwise I love it. Also use the audio recording for making lists. Works really well.
chipsandgravy - why is it so useful to you/what do you use it for?
I mainly use Evernote for:
Note taking - be it on phone, ipad, or laptop
Project planning - to do's
Grabbing and storing files, pdf web clips
Peace of mind that the all this stuff is in one place and nicely syncing across devices
Another Evernote user here (been using it since 2008). I can live with the formatting problems - great for scans, snippets of code / text etc.
Topic Closed
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Seattle Mariners July Lineup GradesAugust 2, 2009
Ichiro had yet another great month in July, racking up 39 more hits and hitting .336 in 27 games. The flashes of power he was showing earlier in the year completely disappeared this month, not hitting a single home run, but he continued to make up for his lack of power by getting on base and scoring runs.
He scored 19 runs on the month, stole five bases, and posted an OPS of .762. Still no signs whatsoever of slowing down.
Russell Branyan—D
Russell "The Muscle" had a rough month in July, mainly due to his BABIP severely regressing. His power numbers were there, as he hit five home runs and drove in 15, but he hit .159 in the month with a .262 OBP and a pedestrian .637 OPS. He'll keep hitting homers, but his average is probably still due for more regression.
Jose Lopez—B+
Loafie had a great month of July, doing just about everything well, aside from drawing walks. He only drew three all month, but he still posted a decent on base percentage of .327.
More importantly though, he hit for some power, and 15 or his 32 hits on the month were extra base hits. If he continues at this rate, he should be able to surpass the 20 home run mark for the first time in his career.
Ronny Cedeno—F
Ronny was having a really bad month before he was traded. He didn't get on base, and he hardly hit for any power. He hit for a .198 batting average, a .207 on base percentage, he walked once, and struck out 18 times.
Jack Hannahan—C+
Hannahan had an arduous task of filling in for Adrian Beltre, but in the 17 games he played he did a pretty decent job of it. When you watch him hit, it's tough to believe that he has a track record of being an awful hitter at the major league level.
In his time with the Mariners, he's hit .240 and posted a .704 OPS. He hasn't been an offensive force by any means, but he's done a nice job for someone we acquired primarily for defense.
Rob Johnson—B+
Rob Johnson is actually, amazingly, starting to look like a major league player. He hit .269 in July, with a .387 on base percentage and an .810 OPS. His K:BB ratio was 10:10, and he had six extra base hits. At this point, I'm fine with him getting the majority of the starts.
Kenji Johjima—D+
Wow, it's hard for me to swallow, but Kenji Johjima was worse than Rob Johnson offensively in July. Kenji only had one extra base hit in the 11 games he played, walked only once as opposed to four strike outs, and had an OPS of .626.
He's had his fair share of bad luck, but he still hasn't hit nearly well enough to make a case for himself to take the starting role from Rob Johnson.
Franklin Gutierrez—A
Gutz had another great month in July, hitting .353 on the month and posting a Godly OPS of .943. Ok, not quite Godly, but still really really good for a center fielder than can play defense like he can.
He had 33 hits, only six fewer than Ichiro, and blasted five home runs, raising his season total to 12. He also had an on base percentage of .390, good enough for best on the team. He's incredible.
Ryan Langerhans—C+
Langerhans got the majority of the starts in left field during July, and he made the most of it. He is by no means a great hitter, but despite his low average he posted a respectable OBP of .343, mainly because of the spectacular patience he shows.
Wladimir Balentien—N/A
He only played in eight games in July, but the one thing he continued to show was poor pitch recognition. He remained unable to get on base at any kind of a consistent level, and the flashes of power he showed were far too spread out. He seems like a nice kid, and hopefully he can find some success in Cincinnati.
Michael Saunders—N/A
He only has 25 major league at bats under his belt, so it's impossible to make any real judgments this far, but he hasn't done a whole lot yet. He has a 10:0 K:BB ratio, and all four of his hits have been singles (although he did have a home run stolen from him). Still really excited about him.
Ken Griffey Jr.—C-
Griffey's production still was nowhere near what you'd hope to get from your DH, but he continued to draw walks in July, so that's something.
He walked nine times in the month, compared to 10 strike outs. Despite the good K:BB ratio, his OBP was down to .316 for the month, and he posted a .644 OPS. He also only hit one home run all month.
Mike Sweeney—N/A
His sample size of eight games for the month is really way too small to judge, but I'll just throw out some stats. In July, he went 3-for-24, with two of those hits being doubles, while walking three times and striking out five times.
It's not quantifiable, but based on how likable he seems, I have to hope the improved clubhouse chemistry helps make up for the terrible hitting at least a little bit.
Chris Woodward—D-
We never really expected to be much of a hitter, and he wasn't. In the 20 games he played in July, he hit .192 with a .444 OPS, and only one of his 10 hits was an extra base hit. I would not be surprised to see him be DFA'd in the very near future, with Beltre returning.
The only player I left out was Jack Wilson, and he only played one game in July, so there you go.
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"The Vagina Monologues" has gotten scores of famous actresses to discuss their sex organs with total strangers lately, but these days male actors are increasingly called upon to do more than talk about theirs. More and more plays are requiring them to exhibit their privates publicly, including "Kit Marlowe" at the Public Theater, "The Full Monty" on Broadway, and "Naked Boys Singing!" at the Actors' Playhouse.
The phenomenon is not completely restricted to males: "The Blue Room" and "Wit" featured some female nudity, as did a stage adaptation of "The Graduate" that played in London earlier this year (and may yet make it to New York). However, it is a sign of the times that in each of those shows, one woman was naked. "Marlowe" has two naked men, "Monty" has six, and "Naked Boys" has eight, plus two others who, to use the technical term, swing.
Multiply that by the various past, present, and future "Naked Boys" companies—in Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego, Portland, St. Louis, Rome, Oslo, Sydney, and Capetown—and it works out to more than 100 jobs for actors who don't mind putting the "show" in "showtime." A dozen more men who are willing to demonstrate their cojones onstage will be hired if "The Full Monty" producers put together a national tour, as is now under consideration. In addition to the six hired to ungird their loins eight times a week, six more will cover the parts of the guys who uncover their parts.
With the market for beefcake constantly expanding, Actors' Equity has nudity explicitly covered in its collective bargaining agreements. Rules prohibit the naked exploitation of performers in all Equity-approved shows, from showcases to regional theatre to Broadway. In the current Broadway production contract, for instance (language varies slightly in different rulebooks), Equity forbids nudity at auditions except under certain conditions: performers must be auditioned as a principal actor or chorus singer or dancer before being required to disrobe (even "in part"), and then only in front of people whose "direct professional and artistic capacity [is] attested to by the producer." Also, an official Equity representative or Equity stage manager must be present.
Whether required to audition nude or not, actors must be informed of the need to perform nude (or "perform acts of a sexual nature," for that matter) "by the time of the actor's signing the contract." In addition, "the script must be submitted for review if [the performer] so requests."
Once the show opens, the producers must also ensure that nude actors never physically come in contact with audience members. One actor in "Naked Boys" has a moment where he interacts with the audience while he is (as the cast dryly puts it) "in costume," but the performer is strictly forbidden to shake audience members' hands.
Naturally, as with all Equity shows, the use of recording equipment or cameras is prohibited. In addition, the union limits production photography, and has an official consent form that the producers must have the actors sign before they can set up nude photographs, motion picture filming, videotaping, or other forms of visual recording. Photos, tapes, and the like must be shown to the actors who appear in them, for their approval and an officially sanctioned "Equity Nude Photograph/Video Release form." Finally, as Al Hirschfeld has no doubt discovered by now, even artists' renderings require the actors' prior written consent.
Producers must be scrupulous about following those rules, or Equity will fine them at least one week's contractual salary per violation, per actor. Tom Gualitieri, an actor who has been with "Naked Boys Singing" since it opened in New York 18 months ago, said his producers are more than happy to follow those instructions, and probably would do so even if there were no such requirements.
"It's a marketing thing," he pointed out. "We're not going to give that much to the public for free! They have to pay to see it."
Two Stories from the Naked City
Gualitieri was not submitted for "Naked Boys" by an agent, but saw the casting notice while poring over Back Stage one week. He had auditioned for the show's casting director, Alan Filderman, for other projects, and was able to speak to him directly about "Naked Boys" before trying out. "I wondered if I should even audition," he said in an interview last week. "I though, 'Oh, a naked show'—so I asked Alan, who said he thought it was worth doing, and I trusted his opinion.
"The first call was pretty standard; they asked me to come in with an uptempo number and a ballad, and we were all fully clothed." Only later, when he made it to callbacks, was he put to the test. "After we learned the dance combination, and had done it a couple of times, they had us do it nude once so they could see how comfortable we were with it," he told Back Stage.
"Fortunately, the heat was turned up."
The experience was a little different for Jimmy Smagula, a "Full Monty" cast member who understudies the part of Dave, the huskier of the strippers, normally played by John Ellison Conlee. Smagula auditioned long after Conlee was hired, and never had to strip at the audition, possibly because when he came in for his final call, there were no other auditioners. "It was just me and [choreographer] Jerry Mitchell," he told Back Stage, "and I guess he felt odd about asking me to take my clothes off.
"I would have, though. It's a magnificent role."
So far he has only played Dave three times, when Conlee took time off to attend a wedding during the show's pre-Broadway run at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, but when the time came, he called friends to tell them. "Then, after I hung up from the tenth phone call, it suddenly hit me: What am I doing? Do I really want everyone to see me standing around in my boxer shorts for 10 minutes, or Saran Wrapping my belly? And then I thought, 'Yeah, for this role, in this show, I do.' "
Smagula, who is 6'2" and about 240 pounds, said it helps that "I'm really comfortable in my skin. I have friends who say, 'How can you do that? I couldn't ever do that,' but it's such a wonderful role I'd love to be able to do it all the time." Now he says he can't wait to play Dave in New York, and hopes he'll be called upon to get naked for theatregoers across America when the producers put the national tour together. "I want that tour," he said. "You can put that in capital letters. It's such a wonderful role, and the audience really connects with the character."
As for the famous flash of flesh that gives the show its name and notoriety, he added, it really isn't that difficult to do. "Everyone else on stage is doing it at the same time," he pointed out, "and you know you have to do it, so you just do it." It also helps that "this is the most supportive group I've ever been with, from the rest of the cast all the way to the producers, the writers—everybody. I couldn't ask for more for my Broadway debut."


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The documentary Searching for Sugar Man uncovers Rodriguez, a turn-of-the-seventies singer-songwriter from Detroit who faded into obscurity after the release of two albums. Though his tuneful protest music would eventually find cult status within the young, white anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, for decades the light-psyche folk troubadour was mostly an unknown. Clues to his persona were available only through his music. Here's what his songs (all available now on the soundtrack to the film) tell us about the dude in the dark sunglasses.
- That he was acquainted with Detroit's inner-city drug scene:Sugar Man, the song, is a lightly chugging tune with strings and horns. The title character is a dealer: "Silver magic ships you carry / jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane."
- That he had money and talent behind him:Sugar Man is the lead track on 1970's Cold Fact, an album produced by Detroit guitarist Dennis Coffey. On the same record, the short, chorus-free I Wonder moves to the bass riff of Bruce Babbitt, the Motown studio bassist and member of the Funk Brothers. Rodriguez's 1971 LP Coming From Reality was recorded in London, produced by the hit-maker and talent scout Steve Rowland. On guitar was the talented session man Chris Spedding.
- That he was heavily influenced by the popular sounds and songwriters of his day: The song Like Janis jangles like the Byrds and jingles like Bob Dylan – "A monkey in silk is a monkey no less."
- That he was civic-minded and socially conscious: The rapped blues of This is Not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, the Establishment Blues has this verse: "Garbage ain't collected, women ain't protected / Politicians using, people they're abusing / the mafia's getting bigger, like pollution in the river / and you tell me that this is where it's at." Anyone listening knew just where this cat Rodriguez was at.
- That he marched to his own drum beat, and that he was plotting his escape: On the Carole King-admiring I'll Slip Away, which was recorded shortly before he quit the music business in 1972 or '73, Rodriguez sings about pursuing his own ideas of happiness and leaving to mend his shattered dreams. "Cause I'm losing who I really am, and I'm not choosing to be like them."
Searching For Sugar Man screens at the Fox Cinema (Dec. 17, 7 p.m.; Dec. 18, 9:30 p.m., 2236 Queen St. E.) and the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (Dec. 15, 9 p.m.; Dec. 16, 4 p.m., 506 Bloor St. W.).
Sobey Art Award
An exhibition shows off the talents of the annual award's four runners-up and the $50,000-winner Raphaëlle de Groot, the Quebec artist whose work in a variety of mediums reflects her interactions with people from different milieus, such as a community of nuns, workers at a textile factory, domestic workers and students. To Dec. 30. PWYC. Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, 952 Queen St. W., 416-395-0067.
The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas
With this fandango of East Coast music, the notion of regional musical sameness is dispelled. The clan from Cape Breton headline the concert, with Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea), David Myles, Jimmy Rankin and Meaghan Smith testifying to a rich and varied song-based tradition. Dec. 15, 8 p.m. $29.50 to $69.50. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255.
Lemon Bucket Orchestra
Before one dies, one must witness a self-described "Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-party-punk-super-style" band perform a Ukrainian Christmas show. Tonight offers one the opportunity to cross that experience off one's, ahem, bucket list. Dec. 15, 9 p.m. $10 to $15. Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., rockethub.com.
Doug Paisley
His baritone croon is the comfort food of the Queen Street country scene, and his songcraft and mellow charisma make for a likable package. The Toronto troubadour does a casual supper-hour show at the Cameron House. Dec. 18, 6 to 8 p.m. PWYC. 408 Queen St. W., 416-703-0811.
The spirited troupe is led by the author and former Rheostatic Dave Bidini. Anything is possible, and rumours persist that singer-songwriter Selina Martin will be on hand for an interpretation of the Rush classic Spirit of Radio which, according to Mr. Bidini, is a "colossus re-working" that finds the undreamed middle ground between Heart and the Decemberists. Dec. 20, 7 to 9 p.m. $5. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
Without You
An autobiographical one-man show comes from Anthony Rapp, an original cast member of Rent who uses the that hit musical's backstory and music to explore love, loss and borrowed time. To Jan. 6 (Dec. 18 and 20, with post-performance talk). $29 to $69. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., 416-872-1212.
The Wizard of Oz
The wizard behind the curtain is Andrew Lloyd Webber. A stage adaptation of the MGM classic film includes new music and beloved chestnuts within an over-the-rainbow spectacle. Opens Dec. 20. $35 to $130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212.
An Intimate XXXmas
The rhinestoned ladies of the Skin Tight Outta Sight burlesque troupe grind a crowd Grinch-less, for a happy night of jumping jazz and whirling pasties. Dec. 18, 9 p.m. $12. Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., 647-213-5239 or skintightouttasight.com.
Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre
On the occasion of the winter solstice, a new production (Sama-e Rast ) gets its world premiere. The collaboration of renowned Azerbaijan singer Alim Qasimov and the charismatic dancer Sashar Zarif re-integrates the lost dance element back into the ancient practice of Mugham, involving music and poetry. Dec. 21, 8 p.m. (7 p.m., gallery exhibit opens). $35 to $100. George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St., 416-250-3708.
Choir! Choir! Choir!
More! More More! The three-part harmonizers, with a rotating membership of more than 3,000 vocalists, branch out from their regular gigs (on Tuesdays at No One Writes to the Colonel and Wednesdays at the Monarch Tavern) to belt out pop hits to patients tomorrow at Sunnybrook Hospital (2 p.m.) and North York General Hospital (3:15 p.m.). Dec. 15. Donations benefit The Stop Community Food Centre. choirchoirchoir.com.
Christmas Flower Shows
They put the holly in holly-jolly. Events of festive topiaries happen at a pair of conservatories, where, on certain nights, extended hours accommodate candle-lit tours. To Jan. 7. Allan Gardens (19 Horticultural Ave.,416-392-7288) and Centennial Park (151 Elmcrest Rd., 416-394-8543). toronto.ca.
Miracle on 34th Street
That's little Natalie Wood who plays the Santa-skeptical daughter of a New York department store event planner who hires the white-whiskered Kris Kringle for the holiday season. We think you know what happens. Dec. 16, 2 p.m. Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E., 416-691-7330.
Bud Light Pre-Game Festival
Sure, licensed food tents, a concert by Juno-winning blues band Fathead and a Quarterback Challenge too. But at the big NFL game tomorrow involving the Bills and the Seahawks, we're holding out hope for a celebrity groin-pull demonstration. Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Front Street between Blue Jays Way and John Street. BillsinToronto.com.
Christmas By Lamplight Dec. 15 and 22. Black Creek Pioneer Village, 416-736-1733.
TSO: Handel's Messiah Dec. 18 to 23. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.
Tafelmusik: Handel's Messiah Dec. 19 to 22. Koerner Hall, 416-408-0208.
Elvis: The Wonderful World of Christmas Dec.21. Markham Theatre, 905-305-7469.
Aradia Ensemble: The Dublin Messiah December 22. Glenn Gould Studio, aradia.ca.
Sing-along Sound of Music Dec. 22. Rose Theatre Brampton, 905-874-2800


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30.79 acres of prime commercial property in Waupaca Industrial Park. 20,000 square foot building with access to Railroad spur. Property has a lot of asphalt for easy use of forklifts/equipment outside of building. Also has extra building for office space that is finished. 3 Outside loading docs. Call to schedule your showing today.
Features Commercial/Industrial
|Commercial Type: Manufacturing
|Business Type: Manufacturing
|Lot Size:
|Approx Acres: 6.0
|Taxes: $18,705
|Tax Year: 2014
|Building Size: 20000


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With the official "holiday of love" just around the corner, we connected with four inspiring Etsy stores to create a special-edition, Valentine's Day "Shop the Trend" collage. From Dansko flats to "I Love You" pillows, you'll discover five compelling reasons to shop the colors of cupid.
Dansko Neely: At first glance, Neely looks like a traditional Dansko flat with a playfully-colored upper. With a second look, you'll uncover all the details: intricate laser-cut leathers, a supportive memory foam footbed, a lightweight, flexible construction…
From cable-knit scarves to minimalist ankle boots, we have the natural trend covered. Check out our favorite items below:
1. Cable-Knit Scarf: Encounter the cold in comfort and style with this cable-knit scarf, complete with a buttery-soft texture and a patterned honeycomb design.
From: AnytimeScarf
2. Poplar Wood Bowl: Gracefully crafted from recycled poplar trees, this 14" wood bowl adds beauty and versatility to every kitchen--whether used as a center piece or a special-occassion salad bowl.
From: oneofakind2woodbowls
3. Jute Tote Bag: Laid-back, casual and ready for inner-city shopping or warm-weather vacations, this woven linen tote offers long-lasting durability and everyday style.
From: IndependentReign
4. Dansko Maria: Maria, a contemporary wedge ankle boot, pairs clean architectural styling with softly-curved lines and smooth nubuck uppers.
From: Dansko
From fun and festive scarves to ceramic owl mugs, we have the cranberry trend covered. Check out our favorites by following the links below:
1. Holiday Scarf: This nordic-inspired scarf will keep your neck feeling warm—and your outfit looking fresh—all season long.From: Northernly
2. Beaded Necklace: Vintage beads, a classic brass chain and a hook-and-eye clasp turn this beaded necklace in a year-round must-have.From: puffluna
3. Professional Clog: With a stylish felt upper and a playful floral design, our Professional Clog will keep you moving through the holidays in comfort and style. From: Dansko
4. Ceramic Mug: From morning coffee to afternoon tea, enjoy your favorite beverage in this ready-for-anything owl mug. From: BlueMoonCeramic
From aluminum water bottles to comfy sneakers, we have the active trend covered. Check out our favorite items below:
1. Yoga Mat Bag: Meet yoga's cutest (and most functional) accessory: the mat bag. With a convenient outside pocket, sturdy construction and drawstring closure, this yoga mat carrying bag will keep you organized and ready to go, regardless of the day and time. From: effiehandmade
2. Reusable Water Bottle: Never forget your H20 with this reusable aluminum water bottle. Featuring a vintage graphic of a pointed finger and an easy-on, easy-off cap, this bottle will keep you hydrated from work, to gym and beyond. From: JoyMerrymanStore
3. Elastic Hair Ties: Say goodbye to damaged, crimped hair with these playful hair ties. Whether you wear them for morning yoga or afternoon errands, these ties will keep you focused on what matters most—while adding a touch of color to your active outfit! From: MadebyMegToo
4. Dansko Sabrina: Lightweight, supportive and fun to wear, Shayla offers everything you ever wanted in a sneaker—and so much more. Pick your color and enjoy comfortable travels. From: Dansko
From terra cotta tiles to nubuck leather shoes, we have the cobalt trend covered. Check out our favorite items below:
Strand Necklace: Let this elegant, single-strand necklace add a Mediterranean-inspired pop to your favorite outfit. Complete with a gold-plated chain and intricate brass beads, this crisp and clean necklace deserves a spot in every summer wardrobe.From: That's Mine Boutique
Suede Clutch: Grab hold of this handmade suede clutch, stash your cards and cash, and hit the town. A metal stud closure and roomy interior pocket present a flawless blend of function and style. From: Disco Lemonade Designs
Talavera Clay Tiles: Ready for countless summer DIY projects, these terra cotta tiles feature a white glaze finish and a natural distressed look. From coasters, to garden crafts, to playful mosaics, add a bright-blue hue to your next home project. From: Joyride Vintage
Dansko Lulu: Turn up the style quotient with Lulu, a soft and smooth ankle-strap shoe. Wrapped in cobalt nubuck uppers, and featuring a beautiful crepe-textured rubber outsole, Lulu offers modern style for every day of the week.From: Dansko
Dansko Footwear


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: Movies and TV
Game of Thrones (spoiler-free zone)
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Mr. Laz
Don't Tease Me
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: KS
Casino cash: $1047137
i wonder what is going to happen between the dragon clan and the horse clan? I mean once the leader died, she is outcast. Now that the leader is dead and she is outcast there is no reason to attack the Iron Throne. The Dragon lady doesn't really even have a reason to go after the Iron Throne because the King that tried to kill her is dead already.
I imagine they will find some excuse for the perfect storm though.
Gotta have the blond brat king,Dragon lady,Horse Clan and White walkers all attacking the poor people of the north at the same time or it wouldn't be as depressing as it seems like it's going to be.
of course i have no idea what's going to happen ... just guessing.
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This property was formerly a successful veterinary and is still in full functional use to become once again. The interior layout as it sits could also be made into 5-6 separate offices with very minimal renovating. And if you're more interested in just high traffic lot location, tear down and build to suit for your needs. Property next door is also available if more space is needed.
Features Commercial/Industrial
|Commercial Type: Office, Retail, Warehouse
|Business Type: Veteranarian
|Lot Size:
|Approx Acres: 0.0
|Taxes: $2,237
|Tax Year: 2013
|Building Size:


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Garber made his final journey this morning on his own.
He was 2 years and 11 months old.
For those who might not have seen the thread in Pet Health: a recent vet appointment showed that both of Garb's lungs were inflated. Yesterday he would not eat nor drink and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was ready to go. He passed away just twenty minutes before the vets opened... today was the day I was going to help him to the bridge by having him PTS. I am glad he was able to go peacefully on his own instead of having to make a stressful trip to the vet. My heart is still broken, though...
This rat meant so much to me. He was such a big, squishy lovebug. He was always one of the first to greet me when I walked in my room; when I would let him out of his cage he would run straight up my arm onto my shoulder. He would stay there for hours if I allowed it. He had a marking just above his tail in the shape of an upside-down heart... something I always loved to point out to people. Gosh.. I'm going to miss this little bugger.
Rest Easy, Garbie. I hope you are having a marvelous time up at the RB with your old buddies Sid, Venny, and Otto. The group is finally back together again. I will always hold a special place for you all in my heart.


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Chapter Three – Crossroads
Septimus pointed. "That road leads to the Market. You should find a good job there and someone to help you. Call yourself..." He hesitated. "Judith Underhill. Your parents are dead and you are seeking work. If you're low on money and...acquaintances, contact me, don't try anything desperate. Do you understand?" His dark blue eyes stared deep into mine, of a lighter shade.
We were standing at a crossroads a few miles south of the Palace. I was in a plain red dress, my dark hair done up on top of my head, carrying a basket full of food, drink, maps and, for some reason, a necklace that had belonged to my late mother. Septimus had packed it. Once I stammered out my cause of leaving to him, only a few hours earlier, he commanded me to change, packed the basket, took two horses and – bang – we were out of the Palace. I was prepared to leave my life as a princess behind me. He was prepared to see me off.
"D'you want me to tell anyone else about you..." He didn't need to finish his sentence.
I thought about that. "Tell Primus. And tell our lord Father that...that he doesn't need to worry about me finding out about our mother anymore. That I'll stay away from him now." A lump rose in my throat and I looked away, embarrassed. I wasn't one for sentimental goodbyes and farewell speeches.
He hugged me tightly in response. "I love you, Una," he whispered into my hair.
"I love you too, Septimus," I whispered brokenly. I would miss him so much. "I'll write, I promise, as soon as I can. I might even visit one day when...when..."
"When?" he prompted.
I was going to say, When our lord Father is dead and Primus is king, but that sounded treasonous and I only shook my head.
His eyes narrowed for a moment, then he looked away. "Judith Underhill," he muttered.
I nodded. "Judith Underhill."
He sighed and hugged me quickly, one last time, then hopped onto his horse and rode away into the horizon, where I could see the sun setting – the end of the day.
That was the last time I saw Septimus as a playful young boy and my beloved brother.
I had been traveling for about two hours now and was exhausted. Septimus, trying not to make my escape look obvious, wouldn't let me take a horse, so I now had to walk. I was not used to such long distances and how stumbled along, tired, hungry and aching.
"Why my dear," said a soft voice from my left. "What are you doing out here on such a dark night?" I turned around, suddenly alert.
It now strikes me, nowadays when I don't have much to worry about, what could have happened and what could not have happened if I did not turn around and simply carried on my way. If I had kept walking I would've missed out on twenty years of miserable boredom, but I also would've missed out on who are currently the three most important people in my life right now. So I settle for the first option in these confusing crossroads.
There was a yellow caravan drawn by a handsome light brown horse at the side of the road. A woman sat in front of it, stoking a fire. She was perhaps in her thirties, with wild red hair and dark, shrewish brown eyes. Her pursed lips were turned into a winning smile as she stared at me. "And such a pretty little thing like you, too?"
I opened my mouth to say, My name is Judith Underhill, I'm on my way to the Market and would like a lift, if you would be so kind. But exhaustion overwhelmed me; my eyes half-closed and I swayed on my feet. Black dots swam before my eyes.
Before I knew it the woman was at my side, supporting me, helping me towards the caravan, relieving me of my basket. "Oh, you poor dear, you seem so tired! You must've come such a long way! A pretty girl like you can't be safe on the country roads for long – why not spend the night in my caravan? At no cost, too. Oh, yes, my name is Sal. Dearest, what's yours?"
"Una," I mumbled stupidly, then my eyes flew open with shock when I realized what I had done. Una, you idiot!
If Sal had been surprised, she showed no sign of it. Inside, she handed me a warm cup full of a thick, brownish liquid. "There you go, dear. It'll wake you up slowly and tenderly. That's right – sup it up." I had grabbed the drink from her hands after a brief mumble of "thanks" and was gulping it down, parched and hungry.
It was warm at first. Then a paralyzing cold shot through my body, followed by a wave of aching – everywhere. I gasped and fell to my hands and knees, my natural defenses willing me to vomit. I could feel my eyes rolling back into my head – a grotesque feeling, do all in your power to avoid having this done to you – and everything slowly faded away to black.
The last thing I saw was Sal's face, no longer smiling warmly and sympathetically, but jeering at the fainting princess in intense pain in front of her.


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Sonnets 153 and 154 are very much alike. There is a deeper purpose to these sonnets than first meets the eye.
Sonnet 153 begins with Cupid, and Sonnet 154 uses 'little love-god' rather than Cupid.
The Sonnets are based a poem believed to from the Greek poet Marcianus Scholasticus. So why use Latin Cupid rather than the Greek name Eros?
I have been investigating the Sonnets for many years, and I think I now have the answer.
If anyone cares to discuss the matter further, please message here.
Note: the subject is highly intellectual.
The administrator has disabled public write access.


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Articles for storage and transport of implements and devices in association with personal manicure and pedicure activities
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text: 3 Then Satanr entered Judas, called Iscariot,s one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guardt and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.u 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.


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Aug 18, 2011
Denton & Austin, TX — August 18, 2011
20 year, $20 million investment designed to advance technology on campus and expand facilities for UNT students
Apogee, the nation's largest provider of managed residential network (ResNet) services to higher education, today announced the unveiling of Apogee Stadium at The University of North Texas. The 20 year, $20 million dollar deal was designed to expand facilities for UNT students, but also features targeted investments to advance student technology for the entire UNT campus.
"Apogee has grown and evolved over the past twelve years," said Chuck Brady, Apogee CEO and founder. "Over the last decade, Apogee has made ResNet outsourcing a low-risk, high value proposition for universities, as evidenced by our client campus' long term success."
According to Brady, the new partnership is only one of many ways that Apogee will support the University.
"At the end of the day, we're a student-focused company. If we can find ways to re-invest in our partners in ways that elevate and expand the student experience, we're fulfilling our mission," said Brady.
Since 2007, Apogee has partnered with The University of North Texas to provide advanced ResNet service to the more than 6,000 students living on-campus.
"There's always an element of uncertainty when you're making a decision like this, but, looking back on it, the decision to outsource ResNet turned out to be a safe bet," said Joe Adamo, UNT's Senior Director of Communication and Collaboration Services. "Apogee made it a great decision by meeting and exceeding our expectations on a regular basis. They stood behind their service 100% of the way and I don't think we could have asked for anything more. "
While many schools are facing budget constraints and reducing staff, UNT has been expanding faculty and campus facilities to meet the needs of their growing enrollment. With less time spent managing the student network, University IT has been able to maintain focus on supporting this growth.
"Like many Apogee clients, UNT is a very progressive campus — a true model of innovation and vision," said Brady. "They've invested strategically over the years, building on a broad plan for technological growth and campus expansion. Over the past decade, UNT has made critical decisions that have positioned them as a uniquely successful institution, and partnering with Apogee was one component of a larger strategic vision. The explosion in student enrollment at UNT is just a byproduct of the tremendous foresight shown on the part of the University."
Adamo considers the decision to outsource a key component in the University's ability to deal with the challenges ahead for campus IT.
"Outsourced ResNet positioned UNT strategically to meet future technology demands and reorganize existing resources to focus on other emerging challenges and opportunities on our campus," said Adamo. "There are a number of things my staff should be focused on, but day-to-day management of the student network simply isn't one of them. It's been a no brainer"
The first game at Apogee Stadium will feature the University of North Texas vs. the University of Houston and will take place on September 10, 2011.
About Apogee
Apogee is the largest, most innovative provider of on-campus residential networks (ResNet) in higher education. Partnering with Apogee for ResNet services allows colleges and universities to enhance their network infrastructure while offloading the growing volume of administrative responsibilities associated with managing a student network. This partnership allows IT to focus on the mission-critical tasks of the university, such as growing the enterprise network and facilitating the development and use of e-learning tools and content. For more information about Apogee and its services, visit www.apogee.us.
About the University of North Texas
As a student-focused public research university with more than 36,000 students, the University of North Texas is the nation's 33rd-largest public university. UNT offers 97 bachelor's, 88 master's and 40 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. UNT is the flagship of the UNT System.
UNT is committed to providing students the best undergraduate education in Texas and is known for keeping high-quality public higher education affordable and accessible to a diverse population. UNT has awarded more than 200,000 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees with about 100,000 alumni living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A nationally recognized university, UNT maintains a legacy in music, art and education excellence as it is growing as a major research university.


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DETROIT (WWJ) – It's a first for Michigan. Two military veterans received free burials Monday through the Dignity Memorial Burial Program.
Full military honors were given to U.S. Army veterans Anthony Bullock and William Roland, Jr. at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.
Vern Pixley of the Pixley Funeral Home spoke at the funeral services.
"Often times our homeless veterans remain unclaimed in hospital morgues or the medical examiner's officer. And they're abandoned by family and friends sometimes not knowing where they are," said Pixley.
The two Detroit men died of natural causes over a year ago and their bodies have been unclaimed at the Wayne County morgue for more than a year.
Wayne County Director of Senior and Veteran Services Kevin Kelley says an exhaustive search has been done to find the next of kin.
"A large percentage of our homeless population are veterans. Some estimates are as high as 20 percent. And it's a very sad situation," said Kelley.
The two veterans were given military-style burials through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, and the group has agreed to bury unclaimed bodies of military vets in Wayne County from now on.


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Wants to Meet Up
- Last login over 2 years ago
Join Couchsurfing to see florian's full profile. It's free!
About Me
my PHD project and travelling and to get to know other cities countries and their people
I'm a researcher on spanisch history and former Newsreporter. this years now i'm spending for my PhD-Projekt i also want to spend with a lot of travelling to conferences and to visit other places. i'm very urban so i love to visit other large Towns, learn about there history and social live and i always looking for people to how want to show me their city.
i want to maintain being flexible and open-minded by learn every day new things and living new experiences.
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
well i'm starting here, as my journy to The USA is the first time that there is no friend or friend of a friend were i can stay. I also looking forward to host people from other country here in vienna, something already i often did and enjoin. i like it to show vienna, its sights and its history.
I don't have any expirience with this internetside, but i often hosted finds of friends, as i was hosted, so in Paris, Rom, Berlin, Prague, London, Istanbul, Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Naples, Barri.....
well now I got some really nice expiriences with cs in New York, Boston, Rome and Barcelona. I have to say it was only possible to finde hoste in Boston, but in all this towns i met with locals who showed me around and it was allwas a big pleasur to see there cities with there eays.
History, Socienty, Architecture, Film
- architecture
- cooking
- traveling
- communications
- history
Music, Movies, and Books
all kind of musik, rock, hip hop, electro swing i like allot but only for dancing, which i do often with out really knowing it :) reading is some thing i would like to do much often but as i have to read tausends of tausends of pages a year for my work, its not really relaxing for me. i realy like europeian movies and us-indipendent movies. action movies i like to but only to fall asleep, as i start sleeping initiatly when i hear gunfire or car persecutions.
One Amazing Thing I've Done
there are so many things wich are amazing :)
Teach, Learn, Share
history, sociologie, media sience, filming,film cutting cooking and eating :)
Countries I've Visited
Croatia, Cuba, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom
Countries I've Lived In
Belgium, Spain


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Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd said it would sell the western part of its Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad to U.S.-based Genesee & Wyoming Inc in a deal worth about $210 million.
Canada's second-largest railroad operator said it expected the sale to result in a writedown of $240 million, which will be recorded in its fourth quarter.
Canadian Pacific said it did not expect any material effect on future earnings.
The deal is expected to immediately add to Genesee & Wyoming's earnings per share, Canadian Pacific said in a statement.
The transaction is expected to generate about $65 million in annual revenue for Genesee & Wyoming, which owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads. (Reuters)


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Brad Paisley Reveals Little Jimmy Dickens Wax Figure: 'I'm Floored at the Likeness'
With the help of @bradpaisley we unveiled the long-time @opry legend Little Jimmy Dickens' figure at tonight's Opry at the @theryman show. Brad celebrated the occasion by singing his fav Little Jimmy tune "Out Behind the Barn." #madametussuadsnashville #bradpaisley #oprymoment #onlyattheopry #opry #ryman
The Opry at the Ryman was the place to be on Saturday night (Dec. 17) when Brad Paisley helped unveil Madame Tussauds Nashville wax figure of Grand Ole Opry legend Little Jimmy Dickens.
While the new location for Madame Tussauds is set to open in spring of 2017, country fans got an early glimpse at Dickens' exhibit during Paisley's performance.
"I'm floored at the likeness," Paisley says of the wax figure. "Jimmy gave the Opry the personality it deserved. He was the kindest to new artists of anybody. He was never judgmental and he was always extremely supportive. He was a man who loved everyone and I'm honored to sing one of his songs."
Paisley performed Dickens' "Out Behind the Barn" while the life size imitation of the late icon sat beside him on the Ryman stage as a sold-out audience looked on. The wax figure portrays Dickens from the 1960s, complete with his signature rhinestone-studded suits designed by his original tailors as well as a JD ring, cowboy boots and cowboy hat.
According to a press release, Dickens' friendly, relaxed expression was decided by his wife so guests had the opportunity to "experience the twinkle in his eye."
Little Jimmy Dickens was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry over 60 years ago. He was the oldest living member of the Opry before his death in early 2015.
The Nashville location of Madame Tussauds will be the first in the U.S. that
focuses solely on music icons that have shaped America's musical landscape. In addition to a wax figure of Little Jimmy Dickens, the establishment will include Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Minnie Pearl and Johnny Cash with additional artists being announced in the coming weeks.
See Pictures of Little Jimmy Dickens Through the Years


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A year old and still worth reading...
More war at MWD -- from what I understand, San Diego is still battling MWD. When will they read my dissertation and adopt its recommendations to end this pointless battle?
Travelblog: Fiji environment (went to Fiji; didn't drink Fiji Water).
The Limits to Growth -- The Review -- a book that every politician (and citizen) should read -- if only to understand the relations between resources and the environment.
Crude World -- The Review -- great book on the politics of oil. This week's Economist notes that oil "benchmark" prices are starting to disagree (supply! demand! politics!)
19 Jun 2011
1 comment:
- Anonymous20 Jun 2011, 05:59:00
I was not following this blog 1 year ago and found your review of Club of Rome's report to be fascinating.ReplyDelete
I think I have a reason why people don't want to hear the fact that continuous growth is unsustainable. The only way capitalism is not a zero sum game is for the pie to become ever bigger. So when growth is good, everyone gets happy. When growth stalls or there is a contraction, then suddenly there are significant losers and the fights, blaming, etc. start. (sound familiar?)
Just my $.02 worth,
Spam will be deleted. Comments on older posts must be approved.
If you're having problems posting, email your comment to me
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Pastor Ashimolowo's 2nd Son, Tobi's Traditional Wedding Photos
Oct 18, 2014 – Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo's 2nd Son, Tobi's Traditional Wedding Pictures
On Thursday, the 2nd son of KICC GO, Pastor Ashimolowo did his traditional wedding ceremony.
Tobi and his beautiful fiancee Omotayo Toyin got married traditionally in Romfod Essex on the 16th of October 2014.
Check out photos from the traditional wedding ceremony:
This is coming weeks after his brother Tomi married a Sierra Leonean lady, Dorothy Jeneba.
Congrats to the couple.
Visit NaijaGists Weddings For More Wedding Gist & Photos


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I love those junky, raggedy rag dolls in the Junker Jane style. When the Fantastic Art Dolls group on swap-bot hosted a Junker Jane inspired doll swap – I was all in! I played around with all the vintage fabrics in my stash and some free motion embroidery. I liked how these 2 turned out.
I've decided to send this one to my swap partner, although it was a really tough call on which one to send and which to keep. ((I wanted to keep both) Here's a close shot of her face with free motion stitched features, a flowery eye, and patches of linen, cotton and aqua silk.
Here's her full body shot.
And a close-up of her skirt and legs. I just used some thin quilt batting in the arms and legs, then added some decorative stitching. I liked the flat limb look on all the inspiration I saw, so I stuck with that.
And here's the other doll which I decided to keep for myself.
Her little beige flower was sent to me for a fabric flower swap, and that's how I decided to keep this one. Here's her full body shot
And her skirt/legs showing the stitching and inking…
I really, REALLY loved making these. This craft combines my love of old fabric and trims, altered art, decorative stitching, and dolls all into one project. It's so great to sit down and develop a doll's personality in a few hours. I hope to put my fabric stash to good use and make more of these dirty looking dollies.


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Teen gets her booty fucked
Duration: 3min 00sec Views: 2 003 Submitted: 1 year ago
Description: Gorgeous blonde teen babe Lila decided to do something pleasing for her boyfriend. She has worn black lingerie and black stockings and her guy was given to understand that she allows him to do everything he wants. He fucks all her holes back and forth and Lila will amaze you with her great desire for anal sex.
Sponsored by: NylonsX


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21st Century Wood Bridge
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- Surmount bridge-construction obstacles. Moore, Tim // Grounds Maintenance;Jun98, Vol. 33 Issue 6, pG4
Discusses the basics of determining actual bridge needs pertaining to timber bridges used on golf courses. Determining the need for bridges; Replacement of three land bridges at the Eagle Haven Golf Course in Virginia; Structure and construction choices; Primary components of a bridge;...
- Improving transportation networks. // Forest Products Journal;Feb98, Vol. 48 Issue 2, p9
States that the program originally funded by the US Congress in 1989 as the National Timber Bridge Initiative is now known as the Wood in Transportation Program. Expansion of the program; Fourth Timber Bridge Design Competition; Publications from the Wood in Transportation National Information...
- A qualitative evaluation of the U.S. timber bridge market. Smith, Robert L.; Bush, Robert J. // Forest Products Journal;Jan1997, Vol. 47 Issue 1, p37
Investigates factors affecting the timber bridge adoption in the United States highway system. Includes initial cost, resistance to natural deterioration and maintenance requirements in Mississippi; Maintenance requirements and part performance of materials in Virginia; Maintenance and...
- Timber helps build bridges from past to future. Savoye, Craig // Christian Science Monitor;7/17/2000, Vol. 92 Issue 164, p2
Reports on the increasing popularity of wooden bridges in the United States.
- Timber carries Pennsylvania roads. Powers, Patrick S. // Roads & Bridges;Aug96, Vol. 34 Issue 8, p58
Reports on the development and standardization of hardwood glued laminated (glulam) timber bridges in Pennsylvania. Environmental acceptability of cutting trees for use as construction material; Coating of the hardwood with a creosote mixture.
- BRIDGES TO THE PAST. Holm, Matthew // Country Living;Dec2001, Vol. 24 Issue 12, p28
Focuses on the efforts to preserve wooden bridges in the United States and re-create the 19th century designs for new ones, including the Red Mill Covered Bridge in Little Hope, Wisconsin.
- Autumn in the Midwest. Huyser-Honig, Joan // TravelAmerica;Jul/Aug99, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p34
Describes several covered bridges during the autumn season in the Midwest of the United States. Why the Ashtabula County calls itself as the `Ohio's Covered Bridge Capital'; Information on the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in Indiana; Red Covered Bridge in Princeton, Illinois.
- HO timber highway overpass. McGuirk, Marty // Model Railroader;Aug96, Vol. 63 Issue 8, p34
Evaluates Accurail's timber highway overpass. Use of injection-molded styrene body; Description of the decks, the bridge and other parts; Assembly process; Dimensions.
- Warm Wooden Spans. Conte, Jeanne // World & I;May2003, Vol. 18 Issue 5, p154
Deals with the popularity, builders and stories behind the covered bridges of Ohio. Reason for building the bridges near mills; Description of early bridges in the state; Use of trusses, which are rigid construction of timber posts; Evolution in the development of covered bridges. INSET:...


text:
Type: Bug
Status: Closed
Priority: Major
Resolution: Cannot Reproduce
Affects Version/s: 0.10.1
Fix Version/s: None
Component/s: None
2007-01-26 01:14:37,509 INFO org.apache.hadoop.ipc.Server: IPC Server handler 7 on 8020 call error: java.io.IOException: java.util.ConcurrentModificationException
java.io.IOException: java.util.ConcurrentModificationException
at java.util.AbstractList$Itr.checkForComodification(AbstractList.java:449)
at java.util.AbstractList$Itr.next(AbstractList.java:420)
at org.apache.hadoop.dfs.FSNamesystem.chooseTargets(FSNamesystem.java:2282)
at org.apache.hadoop.dfs.FSNamesystem.startFile(FSNamesystem.java:484)
at org.apache.hadoop.dfs.NameNode.create(NameNode.java:238)
at sun.reflect.GeneratedMethodAccessor60.invoke(Unknown Source)
at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25)
at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:585)
at org.apache.hadoop.ipc.RPC$Server.call(RPC.java:337)
at org.apache.hadoop.ipc.Server$Handler.run(Server.java:538)
Not sure if it's related, but this exception happend when namenode was replicating many blocks.
Issue Links
- depends upon
HADOOP-692 Rack-aware Replica Placement
- Closed
- All
- Comments
- Work Log
- History
- Activity
- Transitions
chooseTargets() iterates over the heartbeats list. Looks like somebody else modified the list during iteration.
chooseTargets() should synchronize on the heartbeats list, since we have the heartbeats lock separate from
the global namespace lock now.
We should also check other places where heartbeats is used, and make sure both locks are enforced.
pendingTransfers currently iterates over all the elements of 'heartbeats'. Instead can it be changed to invoke heartbeats.get and then catch the ConcurrentModificationException? Maybe we can get away with not locking 'heartbeats' in the most frequently traveled codepath.
Is there any reason that the heartbeats need to be a list? If not, then we could use java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap as a set (use a constant value). This would give much more concurrency than locking the whole collection. This change would also be beneficial for the other instance maps in FSNamesystem.
Catching ConcurrentModificationException is not acceptable. You are not guaranteed to always get the exception. The race condition needs to be identified and prevented.
I haven't used the java.util.concurrent containers yet, so I don't know what the gotchas are. At the very least, we need to be conscious of memory usage in the namenode.
One of the differences in using ConcurrentHashMap is that it offers slightly weaker semantics for some Map operations. For example, iterators are "weakly consistent" - that is, they don't freeze the collection while it is being iterated over. Often this doesn't matter - indeed it's one of the trade offs that we might be looking for - but it is worth bearing in mind.
Brian Goetz has written extensively about the concurrency collections. These are worth a read (despite being a few years old): http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-jtp07233.html and http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-jtp08223/
His book, Java Concurrency in Practice (http://jcip.net/) is good and very detailed.
I guess we can find out memory usage by running some benchmarks. I haven't seen anything on the web comparing ConcurrentHashMap to HashMap in terms of memory usage.
IMO this issue is the race condition bug and should be fixed in a traditional way.
ConcurrentHashMap is an interesting concept, we should definitely take it into consideration
when we decide to optimize our data structures and locking.
I cannot estimate the amount of changes the name-node code will require at this point
if we introduce ConcurrentHashMap because of its different semantics.
And we should not forget in chooseTargets() the name-node is under the global lock.
Fine grained locking under that lock seems to be a waste of resources.
The rack-awareness patch in
HADOOP-692 completely rewrites chooseTargets method. Do we still want to fix this bug ? Because it would be irrelevant when that patch is applied.
I saw another instance of this one. The unit test caused the namenode to to into a 99% CPU. This thread has the FSnamesystem lock and was looping. All datanodes timed out. The stack trace shows that thread 27163 is using all 99% CPU and the state is "IN_JAVA". But it does not show the stack trace in detail. I am assuming that this is another case of using a HashMap without appropriate locking. The complete stack trace is attached here. Here is the Java bug that explains this behaviour:
This problem does not happen any more because this entire section has been re-written.


text:
For the past couple of years I have been participating in a special event called Pet 'Net. This event brings together bloggers, journalists and websites for a great cause – Pets.
Now in its 4th year, Petside.com's Pet 'Net Event maintains its commitment to educate people and honor the pets who love them. This year Petside has teamed up with Iams to donate food to local animal shelters. Please continue to read this post (especially towards the bottom) to find out how YOU can help (and it won't cost you a dime).
We have six adopted pets. Five of them (four cats and a dog) were adopted from our local animal shelter. One of our cats was adopted as a stray kitten. Our pets are members of our family and they mean the world to us.
My heart breaks whenever I go to our local animal shelter. There are so many beautiful and loving dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals that are desperate to find a loving "forever home". Every time I see their precious faces I just want to hug them and take them home with me. Sadly I know that is not possible. These animals need to find loving homes.
I volunteer at our local animal shelter as a photographer. I go to the shelter a couple of times a week to take pictures of the animals.
Many shelters utilize local publications and events to show the public animals that are available for adoption. Other shelters use online resources such as PetFinder.com.
It's hard to convince someone that they need to come in and meet an available pet with mere words along. What you need is some great photos to accompany the pet's description. Often shelters will snap photos of the animals in their cages or kennels. To be honest with you it's really hard to see the beauty in an animal through bars. It's also not easy to showcase their individual personalities with those kind of photos.
Here are a few examples.
You can tell from the photos that these are beautiful animals. What you can't tell from these photos is what kind of personality they have, how big they are, and what they look like from head to tail.
As a volunteer photographer it's my responsibility to showcase each and every pet that I photograph and to bring out the best in them.
The first thing I do is remove the animal from it's cage or kennel and try to place the animal in a more natural environment, or at least in a situation where it mimics a family's home or backyard. That way prospective adoptive families can get a better sense of what the animal might be like in their home.
Our local animal shelter has large, fenced off areas in their backyard where dogs can run around. I'm grateful for the dog runs because it gives me the opportunity to play with the dogs I photograph and also the opportunity to let their personalities shine through, which I try and capture in photos.
Here are a few examples of dogs I've photographed at the shelter.
As you can see the dogs in the photos are in a more natural setting. Looking at the photos, potential adoptive families can "see" what the dog might look like in their backyard. It also gives an idea of how large the animal is as well as what it looks like from head to tail.
Here is an example of a dog in a kennel and running freely in a dog run. This is the same dog. Which picture do you think showcases her beauty and personality better?
When you are taking photos of animals that are available for adoption it's a good idea to snap several photos. Not only does it show how the animal looks from all angles, but it also helps to give a glimpse of the pet's personality.
Take for example Getty. I took several pictures of him. Hopefully his personality comes across in these photos. He's a very sweet, calm and gentle puppy.
Sometimes photos do not always turn out their best, therefore making the animal not look their best either. If you are handy with a photo editing program you can "tweak" the photo to really make the animal shine.
Here is a photo I took of a dog name Butch. The second photo is the same photo that I "tweaked" a bit to really who off just how handsome Butch is.
I find cats to be a bit more challenging when it comes to taking their photos. Unlike dogs, cats don't respond to basic commands like sit and stay. The trick is trying to find something the catch the cat's attention long enough for you to snap their picture. Cats also tend to lose interest quickly so when you are working with cats you need to be prepared to snap a few shots right away. A high quality camera with a good sport/action mode would be helpful (but not necessary).
Here are a few examples of cat photos taken when the cats were out of their cages.
It's much nicer to see a cat lounging around or being playful rather than hiding away behind the bars of a cage.
Here are a few helpful tips when photographing shelter pets.
– Use a quality camera, preferably one with a good action/sport mode if possible.
– Have toys and treats on hand to reward the pets and to grab their attention so you can take their picture.
– Use props whenever possible like sheets (backdrop), pillows, scratch pads, dog toys and so forth.
– Try to capture the animal's personality and their best angles. Avoid photos that might make an animal appear aggressive. I took a picture of siblings (a brother and sister) playing. I know they were playing but the photo makes it appear as if they were violently attacking each other.
– HAVE PATIENCE! It can take a while to get a few decent shots. Don't give up. Just exercise some good old fashion patience and you'll find that you can take some beautiful photos of the animal.
– Introduce yourself to the animal. Let them sniff you so they feel comfortable with you. Some animals are at ease right from the start. Other animals are very fearful and might run and hide or lash out at you. Play with the animal. Talk to them. Pet them. Do whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable with you.
– If possible have an assistant. It helps to have someone interact with the animal. It also allows you to focus on snapping pictures instead of having to get a pet's attention. Photos with animals interacting with people also make great shots.
– Make sure the pets are being photographed in a secure location. The last thing you want is for a dog or cat to escape as you are taking their photo.
– Have fun with it! If you don't truly enjoy interacting with the animals, getting to know them and taking their pictures then you are not going to do your best work. If you find that taking pictures is not something you truly want to do perhaps you can volunteer in other ways, like taking photos at pet related events and fundraisers.
You do not need to be a professional photographer, or have an expensive camera with all the "bells and whistles", to take photos of the shelter animals. Simply volunteer at your local shelter. Most shelters will welcome you with open arms. Often shelter staff and employees are too busy with the day to day operations of the shelter that they don't have the time to take quality photos of the pets. That is why they rely on volunteers.
The only expense to you would be your time. Digital cameras allow you to take photos for "free". You can also use props like old sheets and pet toys that you have lying around your home.
If you love animals and you love photography please consider volunteering at your local animal shelter as the pet photographer.
Another thing I would truly love for you to take into consideration is helping to feed hungry shelter pets. Here's how YOU can help, and all it will cost you is a few minutes of your time.
Share and Donate with Pet 'Net's interactive social media campaign. To show pet lovers that there are many ways to support local shelters, Iams© Home 4 The Holidays and their Bags 4 Bowls initiative will donate 25 bowls of food to local shelters for every mention of the Pet 'Net hashtag (#iheartshelterpets) and @IAMS handle on Twitter.
You can use this tweet to make it easier (just copy and paste it into your Twitter feed).
Tweet @Iams with the Pet 'Net hashtag #IHeartShelterPets and Iams Home 4 The Holidays will donate 25 bowls of food to local shelters
Users can also "Like" Petside's Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/Petside) for an additional donation of 25 bowls and share a personal adoption experience on Petside's wall for a chance to be featured on Petfinder.com as a Happy Tail story!
You can also find links to over 20 pet-centric websites and read articles on topics ranging from the benefits of adopting a senior pet to personal stories of strength. The site is www.PetSide.com/PetNet2011.
Also available on the Hub page is a voting tool where you can vote on your favorite article/blogger. The blogger with the most votes will receive a $500 donation from Petside to the shelter of their choice. I would love you forever if you could vote for me! If I won I would donate to the shelter where I volunteer.
Our local animal shelter has had funding cut by $26,000 by our local government. The shelter cannot afford repairs to the roof, heating system or kennels. They are overflowing with so many cats that they are stacked in crates almost to the ceiling. Needless to say they have very little funds. That $500 would go a long way. It can help spay and neuter shelter pets to help control the pet population, or used to buy food or medical supplies.
All of our pets came from our local animal shelter. We adopted our first pet there 13 years ago. We even fostered kittens from the shelter (one had to be put to sleep, the other one we adopted). For all the years of unconditional love my pets have given our family the LEAST I can do is give back to the shelter who helped to bring them into our lives.
♥ Please vote for me! I would appreciate that more then mere words can express.♥
If you are looking for a dog, cat, rabbit or other type of animal to bring into your home and make it a part of your family, PLEASE DON'T SHOP – ADOPT! There are thousands of beautiful animals desperate to shower you with love and affection.
Please also consider adopting an older pet or a pet with a disability. They have just as much love inside (even more!) then adorable little puppies and kittens.
November is Adopt a Senior Month. If you pledge to adopt a senior pet you could win a BISSELL Lift-Off® Deep Cleaning System for YOU and a shelter of your choice. For more information please visit http://www.petfinder.com/promotions/adopt-a-senior-pet-month.html.
PetFinder.com showcases hundreds of available pets in your area. You can select what type of animal, breed, age, size and more.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I hope you will take a moment to tweet and "like" the PetSide Facebook page to maximize the amount of food that will be donated to animal shelters across the country. I would also love it if you could take a moment to vote for my post so that I could win that donation for my local animal shelter.
*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this because I love animals and I want to do whatever I can to help them find "forever homes". Any opinions expressed are my own.
**All the pet photos found on this page are copyrighted to Kimberly Vetrano, with the exception of the four stock photos of pets in cages appearing at the top of the post. Please do not use my photos without permission. Thank you!


text:
If only Sam Jacks had been around to see this.
But Lisa Brown knows exactly what he would say: "I knew this would happen."
Jacks, a Scottish immigrant who died in 1975, invented ringette in the early 1960s and Brown, one of the game's legendary players, says she wishes he could have been around to see yesterday's introduction of the National Ringette League.
"He foresaw this 40 years ago," said Brown, a three-time world champion in the 1990s. "He said women are going to come into their own in sports. He was a real visionary that way."
The eight-team league, in which Brown will lead the Calgary Rath, boasts three divisions -- West, Ontario and Quebec.
"This is the culmination of two years of hard work and getting all our homework done," said president Jim Dawson of Edmonton. "We've always had a number of teams around the country but they only play each other at nationals one week a year."
Now, they're playing for a league championship title, plus berths at the nationals in Winnipeg April 11-16.
And, he said, the NRL is a great way to promote the game.
"We can now see ringette played at its highest levels across the country," Dawson said. "We can get to know some of these athletes and develop some heroes for girls to follow."
The West Division, which kicks off action next weekend at the Bernadette Price Memorial Tournament in Saskatoon, is comprised of eight teams.
Calgary hosts the teams in its Golden Ring tournament Jan. 21-23.
The Rath is anxious to sink its teeth into the Edmonton Wam, whom head coach Steve Hutchison expects will be Calgary's chief rival.
"That team has eight players on the national team going to the worlds (at Stockholm, Sweden, Nov. 23-27)," he said.
The Rath is anchored by Brown, the 37-year-old veteran.
But she shifts the focus to the goaltenders, Shannon Hutchison and Stacey McNichol.
"They are formidable," said Brown. "They're both in their third year and it takes a while at the open division to understand the level of play."


text:
A screwy at times, outdated in some big ways (and still spot-on in others), and always entertaining CinemaScope parody of Executive Suite, with the women taking center stage this time. 20th Century-Fox's Cinema Archives line of hard-to-find library and cult titles has released 1954's Woman's World, Fox's sleek, broad boardroom farce from director Jean Negulesco and a half-dozen top-flight screenwriters, and starring Clifton Webb, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Lauren Bacall, Fred MacMurray, Arlene Dahl, Cornel Wilde, Elliott Reid, and Margalo Gillmore. Aimed squarely at the ladies in the audience (with that title, the guys down to the plant weren't exactly queuing up), Woman's World makes noises like it's saying something about marriage and business and a woman's place in the world, but don't believe any of it for a second. They knew it was cartoony fantasy, then, too. No extras for this unfortunately underwhelming, flat letterboxed transfer.
1954 in New York City's jungle of concrete and steel and glass. Luxury motorcar manufacturer Gifford Motors is a "healthy, happy company" in need of a new general manager...after the old one dropped dead. The selection process for the new G.M. falls on Gifford Motors's arch, snobby owner, Ernest Gifford (Clifton Webb), who summons his three best salesmen/district managers to the Big Apple--with strict instructions to bring their wives for "minute inspection," because the choice of the right man for the job is not just dependent on his skills and ability, but equally upon whom he chose for a wife. From the Great Midwest, regular Joe family man Bill Baxter (Cornel Wilde) flies in with his golly gee whiz tomboy wife, Katie (June Allyson), who just blurts right out whatever honest goll-durned thing that comes to mind, and who's as cute as a bug...and about as polished as the barnacle-encrusted hull of the Titanic. Bill just smiles alot and makes excuses for her. Sophisticated Philadelphians Sid Burns (Fred MacMurray), a workaholic, and his fashion plate wife, Elizabeth (Lauren Bacall), are sophisticated because they're separating, with Elizabeth promising to pretend to be a good wife for the trip only...and then it's splitsville because Sid cares more about a job that's killing him (he has an ulcer) than her. Sid just grimaces a lot and whines for her to stay with him. And Lone Star state couple Jerry Talbot (Van Heflin) and his pneumatic slut of a wife, Carol (Arlene Dahl), ride the rails into town, pragmatically laying out their game plan: he's going to win the position on his machine-like abilities to motivate men and get the job done, and she's
They don't still do this in corporate America, do they? Check out the spouses as seriously as the candidates in line for high-level positions? Considering the degree of divorced reality movies have always promoted, I couldn't even say for certain such practices as illustrated in Woman's World were widespread back in 1954...but the set-up seems right for those times...or more accurately: our now-smug, "enlightened" movie-soaked perception of those times. Of course what's most dated about Woman's World is the notion of "woman as helpmate," rather than as a potential candidate for the top job herself...although a look at the top honchos of the Fortune 500 list might make you wonder just how dated that notion is. Depending on how pissed-off you are, you can also successfully mine Woman's World for blatant sexism (Webb calls the wives, "the prettiest set of tax deductions" he ever saw, before telling them that a wife always comes second to a husband's job). However, getting your panties in a twist over Woman's World's goofier politics would seem to be beside the point--then and now. This is glossy, escapist comedy melodrama, first and last, and unless you truly believe (amusingly like so many overemphatic reviewers today) in things like the Easter Bunny and the movies' so-called power to significantly alter sociology and people's behavior and the Earth's axis, you'll already know that Woman's World largely provided pretty, Sunday newspaper supplement fantasy for its mostly-aware audience--not a primer on how the sexes should interact in business and at home (I'm always amused at how the latest crop of moviegoers and reviewers--no matter what the decade--invariably describe their sorry predecessors as naive dolts who swallowed all that so-called "propaganda" whole).
Although Woman's World's ostensible story crux is which husband will become Gifford Motors's new general manager, far more screen time is paid to the wives' social and thus political (in terms of business) jockeying in service of their husbands' advancement. Broadly designed along established movie stereotypes, these three wives offer up a variety of schematics that the women viewers can like...or dislike, as they pick and choose. June Allyson, enjoying heavy box office at this time as the epitome of the wholesome, spunky, all-American wife and pal, is the viewer identification figure calculated for the widest possible sympathy and appeal (it's no coincidence that her earnest, unaffected, loving, intensely loyal character is from smack-dab in the middle of the country). She's meant to be liked by the audience--a spitfire Dorothy from Kansas caught in the dizzyingly perplexing Oz/New York City. Lynx-eyed Lauren Bacall--too, too chic in the latest couture and indignant at her workaholic husband--is at first cool and intimidating (she tells MacMurray to get lost when he wants sex) and ever-so-slightly condescending as we might imagine a wealthy Philadelphian society woman to be, before she lets her hair down and decides to help Allyson. Her sophisticated suffering is the perfectly safe romantic daydream fodder of the magazine serials of the time. As for the stupendously pneumatic Arlene Dahl, heady and overripe like a Texas yellow rose in the sweltering heat, her surreal parody of a 50s pin-up, bolstered by an avaricious desire to "make it" (in all meanings of that phrase), is at its core an amazingly apt physical representation of spiritual corruption and materialistic venality (the movie makes no bones about her admitting she whored herself to get her husband his business contracts). She's clearly the outright villain of the piece...while at the same time providing a no doubt deliciously naughty little secret fantasy for the women watching: social-climbing feminist power through sex.
By contrast, the supposed objects of Woman's World's primary suspense--the men fighting for the top job at Gifford's--are quite dull. As drawn by screenwriters Claude Binyon (Holiday Inn, North to Alaska), Mary Loos (Mr. Belvedere Goes to College, The French Line), and Richard Sale (Suddenly, Torpedo Run, Abandon Ship), with additional dialogue by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Life with Father, The Sound of Music)--with producer Charles Brackett (The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard) no doubt throwing in a line or two--the three male characters form a fairly recognizable (and by 1954 already trite) 50s sociological dynamic. SPOILER ALERT! Van Heflin, the consummate organizational man, has that certain "X+" factor needed to consolidate "family first" Cornel Wilde and "business first" Fred MacMurray, into a powerhouse, unbeatable American business team. Surprisingly, considering the caliber of the cast (both men and women), the men come over as distinctly muted, with an inexpressive, weirdly detached Wilde riding out his final contract commitment to Fox, normally intense Heflin uncharacteristically subdued, and MacMurray so humorless and dour and weak that you want nothing more than for Bacall to haul off and smack him one. Clearly, smooth-gliding director Jean Negulesco is more interested in the women's travails, as well as creating a super-lush approximation of tony Madison Avenue/Long Island (I doubt, though, that he was personally choosing those impressive second-unit Manhattan CinemaScope vistas), rather than seriously exploring any testosterone-fueled, proto-Man in the Gray Flannel Suit angst.
No, whatever fun comes out of Woman's World--and there's quite a lot of it--comes not from the big male stars aping the equally humorless Executive Suite, but from the bright, funny, scheming girls: Allyson, Bacall, Dahl, and Webb (oh relax; he would have laughed at that...in private). Top-lined Webb isn't believable for a second as the owner of a major automobile company (can you see him, even in a peripheral fashion, dealing with the unions and shop foremen?). However, toning down his deliciously arch bitchiness here, he comes over as a bemused ringleader, coolly pleased at how nervous he's making the men, while enjoying the spectacle of the women maneuvering for pole position (talented, imperious Webb knows just the right amount of sardonic sneer to add to lines like, "[Gifford's latest automobile] has been designed to convert your bank account into our dividends," or "Mama had a deadly aim," when showing off a wall of stuffed and mounted wildlife). Bacall's performance suggests real layers (she's believably repulsed/conflicted whenever MacMurray comes begging), while Dahl's scheming vixen is perfectly--if superficially--drawn (watch something like Slightly Scarlet to see how much more effective her rather startling physical presence could be utilized). Most of Woman's World's outright comedy is supplied by June Allyson. It's quite broad and coarse for such an otherwise sophisticated outing, with Juney Pie hiccupping and growling in that hoarse voice about the simple things in life that she so much more prefers, contrasted by Webb's smooth incredulity at the grotesquerie of her manners. It's not subtle by any means, and that "love me because I'm a clumsy bourgeoisie dolt" can get irritating quick, but you have to give her credit for sticking to it and pushing right through without let up. The biggest joke of all in Woman's World, though, may be that ending. One might be tempted to see the final resolution as screwily perverse in terms of perceived 50s movie morality: divorce is offered up as the only option for a successful corporate leader to show commitment to his company. However, the remaining two couples' "happy to be losers" clinches, with love triumphing over ambition, commerce, and personal satisfaction from individual striving, are straight out of Reader's Digest, cannily pre-digested for all the women in the audience looking for Woman's World's expected happy ending.
The Video:
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Final Thoughts:
Paul Mavis is an internationally published movie and television historian, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, and the author of The Espionage Filmography.


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The American Lighting Assn.'s Lighting Your Life brochure is the last (but not least) in a long line of ALA literature to be treated to a much-needed makeover.
ALA Consulting Director of Education Joe Rey-Barreau led the charge with the help of ALA Certified Lighting Consultants, updating the booklet with new information, photographs and line drawings. It has been more than 10 years since the document's last revision.
Lighting Your Life is the ALA's primary consumer brochure aimed at educating homeowners about the proper application of lighting, as well as urging them to purchase products from ALA member showrooms. While the ALA sends a brochure to those who respond to its national advertisements, consumers can also pick up the informational booklet in member showrooms.
Cash Prize Offered for Compliant Torchiere Technology Innovations
The American Lighting Assn. continues to lobby Congress for a technical correction bill that will extend to Oct. 1, 2007, the deadline for torchieres to comply with the requirements commanded by the Energy Act of 2005. Meanwhile, ALA Director of Technology Terry McGowan is working on an engineering fix that will prevent tochiere lamps from operating above 190W, bringing the products into compliance. So far, two technologies are on the table: a power-limiting device and a plug with fuses.
To expedite a resolution, the ALA is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who can develop an economically efficient solution.


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On behalf of the London Business School Middle East Club, we are delighted to welcome you to the 15th Annual Middle East Conference.
This year's theme, "The Middle East: Paradigm Shifts", will explore the changing dynamics in the Middle East, as the fall in oil prices, emergence of new industries, and the prolific use of social media continue to drive stakeholders to rethink the way they do business. Focused panels featuring industry leaders will provide unique insights on the business outlook and changing entrepreneurial ecosystems in today's Middle East. The conference will be followed by a networking reception with students, alumni and professionals from and working in the region. Refreshments and canapés will be served.
The Middle East Conference is the flagship event of the Middle East Club at London Business School. It attracts more than 250 guests including diplomats, corporate executives, professionals, academics and students interested in the Middle East.
A word of gratitude to our speakers, sponsors, partners and London Business School for the support provided in planning and hosting the Middle East Conference in its 15th cycle. We hope that you will enjoy this year's conference, and we look forward to your continued support and participation.
Nayla Tahan & Georges Abou Nader
Co-Chairs of the 15th Middle East Conference