text:
The Myths Behind "THE RED ROAD"
THE RED ROAD's creator Aaron Guzikowski drew from the myths of many cultures—many of them Native American—for inspiration for the series. Along with the video companion "So It Begins," the descriptions below allow you to dig deeper into the rich stories that inspired each episode's title in Season 1.
Episode 1: Arise My love And Shake Off This Dream
Origin: The Netherlands
This Dutch fable is also a folk song about newfound wisdom emerging from the loss of something beautiful. A man filled with happiness and prosperity plants a flowering tree. During one cold harsh Winter, the beautiful tree loses its flowers, withers and dies. But the earth absorbs this tree back into the soil so that in the Spring, new plants and life emerge from the decaying remains. Life feeding off death reflects both the past glory of the tree and what beautiful things can come from something grievous. The past will not be forgotten. To the contrary, it echoes and haunts the present.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk about the Dutch fable and how it relates to Episode 1 of THE RED ROAD.
Episode 2: The Wolf and the Dog
Culture of Origin: Cherokee
In this Cherokee myth, a dog is put on the mountain while a wolf stands by the fire. When winter comes, the dog confronts the wolf and chases him away from the fire so the wolf runs to the mountain where the dog came from and ends up prospering there even though there's no fire or warmth in the mountain. Eventually, the wolf returns to his own hunting grounds: He comes down from the mountain and eats the livestock. The people and the dog—angered by the wolf's actions—track him down and kill him for raiding their territory. In revenge, the wolf's brothers find the people and the dog and execute them. Ever since this event, the people and the dog have been afraid to hurt a wolf and the dog and the wolf have been enemies, even though the wolf and the dog are part of one another and closely related. This Cherokee myth, like many other Cherokee cultural teachings, is concerned with balance and interconnections.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk about the Cherokee myth and how it relates to Episode 2 of THE RED ROAD.
Episode 3: The Woman Who Fell from the Sky
Culture of Origin: Seneca
According to a Seneca legend, a Chief's daughter fell ill so to cure her, he had to lay her beside a tree then dig the tree up. The chief then dug a hole and carefully placed his daughter beside the tree. But the tree caused a hole and the daughter fell through. The new world she finds herself in is our world except at the time, it's all water. The chief's daughter lands in the water with a splash, and a turtle, hearing this, goes to see what fell from the sky. The turtle finds the Chief's daughter and puts her gently on his back and carries her. After the turtle gets tired, Earth is created from his back so that the woman has a place to live. This place grew wide and strong. The woman's resting place becomes the start of a new existence for the Seneca people.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk about how the Seneca legend relates to Episode 3 of THE RED ROAD.
Episode 4: The Bad Weapons
Culture of Origin: Blackfoot
In this Blackfoot legend, an old man loses his weapons while hunting. Since he still needs meat, he quickly makes weapons out some wood he finds. These weapons are not particularly sturdy so he has to make them work until he had time to craft new ones. The man forgets about hunting when he came upon a bear and decides to have some fun. The old man calls the bear names while hiding behind a log: "HEY! You dirt-eater!" The bear tries to ignore the man and keeps foraging for huckleberries, but the man continues his taunts. "No-tail animal: What are you doing?" The bear is not amused. He starts to chase the man. The man falls and tries to stab the bear, but his knife handle breaks because it isn't well-made. He shoots arrows at the bear, but the points break off the arrows. He runs some more because there's no one to help deep in the woods. By this time, the man is desperate and fears for his life. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a bullhorn on the ground. He pauses, picks up the bullhorn and places it on his head. He then bellows as loud as he can and shakes his whole body. The bear, surprised by this sudden outburst, stops in his tracks, and runs away from the man in confusion.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk how the Blackfoot legend relates to Episode 4 of THE RED ROAD.
Episode 5: The Great Snake Battle
Culture of Origin: Seneca
According to the Seneca myth, you reap what you sow. One day, a hunter tortures a rattlesnake because he is bored. Over the course of a week, word spreads to the other snakes about this horrendous act. The snakes gather to take revenge by battling the man's tribe. The tribe hears about the snakes' preparations for battle and build a great fire to surround the Seneca people to protect them because everyone knows that snakes are afraid of fire. But so many snakes come to avenge their snake brother that the snakes are able to put out the fire and reach the people. The Seneca Chief realizes that the snakes beat the tribe and he promises the Chief Snake that they will never injure or torment snakes ever again. Although misunderstandings occasionally occur, snakes and humans share the earth in relative peace since this agreement was made. Senecan people don't abuse their power over snakes because they know there are more snakes than people.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk how the Seneca myth relates to Episode 5 of THE RED ROAD.
Episode 6: The Snaring of the Sun
Culture of Origin: Winnebago
According to this Winnebago legend, a little boy wearing a beautiful prize feather-robe made by his aunts goes on a long journey. He becomes tired from this trip and falls asleep under the sun. While he sleeps, the warm, bright sun ruins his prize robe. The destruction of his beautiful robe makes the boy very angry so he decided to catch the sun and punish him. To do this, he creates a special snare that's long and strong. He waits until the middle of the night when the sun is sleeping the he catches it. As a result of his actions, there is no day, no light and no warmth from the sun. This worries the animals and they get together to discuss what should be done. They decide that the giant door mouse should go and free the sun from the boy's snare. She chews through the snare and releases the sun back to its rightful place in the sky. All the animals realize that the boy who snared the sun is the most powerful being in the world and they make him Chief to honor his importance and power among the living.
Hear Aaron Guzikowski talk how the Winnebago legend relates to Episode 6 of THE RED ROAD.
Find out more about THE RED ROAD.
Author Bio: Chris Finley is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and co-editor and contributor to Queer Indigenous Studies: Critical Interventions in Theory, Politics, and Literature (2011). Currently, she is a visiting instructor at Oregon State University.


text:
My Trackers
my Nutrition
my Fitness
my Weight
Other Goals
my SparkPoints
Community Home
Community Feed
Message Boards
Challenge Central
Member Blogs
What's New
Health & Wellness
Weight Loss
Stuff We Love
Healthy Family
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Instant Inspiration
Food Database
Lifestyle Centers
The SparkPeople Blog
Stream hundreds of free workout videos and track them in one click. Get fit at home, at work or wherever you are!
Today's Featured Video:
Visit SparkPeople.TV
Access hundreds of thousands of recipes that are healthy and easy to make. Get full nutrition info for every recipe and track with one click!
Today's Featured Recipe:
Slow Cooker Raisin-Flax Oatmeal
Visit SparkRecipes.com
Jan 3, 2010
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Wow, I didn't blog for the entirity of 2009. That's pretty sad. Didn't post for the bootcamps I did. Didn't even post when I hit my 2 year spark-aversay. This is pretty indictive of how the year has been. I've been here (on SP) all along. Log in most days. But the level of activity has really fallen off. Food tracking the past few months has been sparatic at best. Busy-ness is up and exercise is down. I think I fell off the wagon at the end of summer and I keep trying to climb back up but just haven't been able to stay onboard. I ended the year a full 10plus pounds over my goal weight. Thru December I focused on just trying to stop the damage and get some healthy habits in place during the crazy and stressful holidays. I am ready to get back the energy and focus I had before and those healthy habits. I am reading The Spark, which has already highlighted for me some of the things I need to do to help. 1) Help others. Before I was participating more in the community here on SP and I have totally dropped that. Encouraging others keeps me motivated. 2) Streak. I bought a little calendar to track my streaks to motivate me to keep it going. I think this visual will really help. 3) Vision. I need to refocus on my goals. While the scale is a good, easy way to measure, its reading is not my ultimate goal. The goal is a healthy body. I need to re-do (and post) a vision collage as this will help keep me focused on that goal and be motivating. With the kids back in school I can work on that this week. I know that with the synergy effect I can get where I want to go with these things in place. This is just a little bump, an new hill to climb, on my lifelong journey. But with everything I have achieved and learned I can get where I want to be.
Share This Post With Others
Report Inappropriate Blog
Member Comments About This Blog Post
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
I hope that you were able to conquer this hill or are on your way to the top of it! You can do it!
2748 days ago
Add Your Comment to the Blog Post
Log in to post a comment
Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.
Get An Email Alert Each Time
CONNECTED1 Posts
See Today's Featured Member Blog Posts
More Blogs by CONNECTED1
May 12, 2010
- 5/12/2010
One Year
- 10/2/2008
- 5/21/2008
Program Review
- 3/12/2008
View All ›
close ×

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Stylish Purses, Handbags and Shoulder Bags at GREAT Prices!
My site is dedicated to all women who want to be stylish, have nice clothes and a great selection of purses and handbags. Janice Chow.com is a collection of styles for ladies in all price ranges. We have designer handbags from Coach, Guess, Hamilton, Hello Kitty, Haan, Hampton, Hobo, Jacobs, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and lots more.
So is a new handbag really going to make a difference? Surely you don't need to ask. Style is the difference between you looking like just another frumpy lady or someone who has style and knows how to dress.
Your handbag can either be a color match or it can be a contrasting color that makes the ensemble all pull together.
Of course, you DON'T want it to be a giant color clash that makes you stand out. Of course, when in doubt you always have the basic black or brown hand bag. These can be used with almost any outfit. Myself, I still believe that color coordination most of the time is SOOOO much better than just relying on the basic brown or black handbag .
But trust me you WILL still want to have black and brown handbags. They DO fill out the wardrobe and are a good choice for every day use.
Showing "him" that you have style is essential on that special evening out. You might want a "flashier" handbag to make your outfit sparkle. Colors and contrast are all important here.
Think about this for a second. If you spend money on a special dress or blouse, why wouldn't you finish off that outfit with a knockout purse?
Make *HIM* remember you on this special occasion.
One trick I always recommend is to make your purse match either your shoes, your belt or make all three match. It is like finish trim to give your ensemble that polished look that says "I know what I'm doing".
Part of the problem is the vast array of styles and colors. Frankly each have their place. Nothing ruins the look of a cute little skirt than a giant shoulder purse big enough to put a laptop in it.
On the other hand, if you are going to the mall with 2 kids you may need the full size purse to carry all the necessities.
Sure it costs more to have a variety of colors and styles available in your closet. But it is an investment. With a variety of purses you don't wear them out very fast. So you will have those extra colors and styles for years to come.
Don't forget..."You are worth it!"
One more thing to keep in mind is the handbag material. Leather is great. No question it is the time honored classic for a reason. It is virtually bullet proof. It wears well and has been around and will BE around for years. Unfortunately, unless it has been sprayed with a waterproof solution it does not take water very well. That is, of course, if it is a natural leather purse and not a vinyl of some kind. Some of the higher gloss handbags tend to shed water better. But of course, the plan is to keep your handbag dry anyway. Purses made with synthetic materials handle water MUCH better, but some think they have a poor feel to them and look cheap. But between us girls, sometimes they are just fine and also keep costs down. You will have to decide for yourself if you are comfortable with these lower cost materials. And don't forget a lot of the bright colors are often only available as synthetic materials. So that is just what you get. I prefer leather, but don't ALWAYS have to have it.
Now here's what I would like you to do. Take a look around at my website for the perfect clutch, handbag, purse, shoulder bag or whatever to suit your style and price range. But keep an eye out for all the great bargains too. This is your chance to have a look that says you are put together properly. Take advantage of it and show your style. All your friends will wonder how you always look great. Our little secret will be that you spent some time putting together your look and "they" just brought along what they had. Too bad!
Pretty soon they will be asking where you found your purse. You can play coy for awhile and then tell them about Janice Chow.com and they will thank you for it.


text:
I have been quilting for the past 4 to 5 yr. Have been sewing something since I was a young child . Just didn't start quilting until after aai retired. Now I feel like I have lots of quilts to do before I run out of time and energy,
These are 2 hand towels and 2 dish towels that I made for Halloween. My DH has been wanting embroidered towels ever since I purchased the new embroidery machine.
This is a boy scout themed quilt top that I just finished.
Also a close up of the center block with embroidery and patches.


text:
Boch Collision
Review for Boch Collision
Caryl M. on 03/27/2014
Caryl said she really has not looked at the vehicle and chose not to evaluate them. The repairs were delayed by two days. The staff had to go back and make repairs that they missed.
Category: Collision
Service Date: 03/17/2014
Review Created: 03/27/2014
This review was collected via phone interview by Customer Research Inc.


text:
All Posts (SeanG)
Re: Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
Just popping in
2014/7/27 23:44
Thats brilliant, thanks Stu. It surprises me that this information is not easier to find, especially given an author with such a high profile.
I have seen the item listed on ebay for £192.00 which seems a little extreme:
eBay Item #231215044580
Yet there is a mint copy going for £10 with 5 days remaining & no bids:
eBay Item #151365297064
As we said this is a fantastic book with such amazing artwork. Why would anyone want to give it away for the price of a couple of pints?
Posted on: 2014/7/28 2:27
Re: Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
Just popping in
2014/7/27 23:44
Thanks Stu, yeah its funny how these book are so much more valuable to have as an owner than as a seller.
How do I tell that it is a first edition? It says published 1979 & I can't see that earlier ones were made. I would imagine that if it were for example second or third, then this would have been mentioned in the forward notes.
There is no mention of an edition at all.
Cheers again for your reply, good stuff.
Posted on: 2014/7/28 0:50
Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
Just popping in
2014/7/27 23:44
Hello, I don't know if any of you would be able to help me?
I have a book called: Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien. I am keen to find out more about it, for example, how many were made, whether it is first edition, potential value (although unsure if I would want to sell it), etc.
I have searched & searched online but there is next to nothing other than a few references. I know there were calendars featuring the prints & later versions without the slipcase, but other than that I am at a dead end. The information I have is:
Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Foreword & Notes by Christopher Tolkien.
George Allen & Unwin.
Hardback. Issued in a slipcase.
I love the passion you guy's have when commenting on Tolkien & his work therefore it makes sense to me to ask those who know the most about this subject to comment. I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can help me. Thanks very much.
Attach file:
image.jpg (184.80 KB)
image.jpg (190.33 KB)
image.jpg (160.19 KB)
image.jpg (225.71 KB)
image.jpg (248.27 KB)
image.jpg (209.90 KB)
Posted on: 2014/7/28 0:20


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Nov 9, 2010
|Filing date
|May 13, 2004
|Priority date
|May 15, 2003
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Matt Gleeson, David Hoogstrate, Sandy Jensen, Eli Mantel, Art Medlar, Ken Schneider
|Original Assignee
|Symantec Corporation
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (71), Non-Patent Citations (20), Referenced by (14), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/471,242, filed May 15, 2003, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
The present invention relates to filtering electronic mail (email); more particularly, the present invention relates to filtering email spam using email noise reduction.
The Internet is growing in popularity, and more and more people are conducting business over the Internet, advertising their products and services by generating and sending electronic mass mailings. These electronic messages (emails) are usually unsolicited and regarded as nuisances by the recipients because they occupy much of the storage space needed for the necessary and important data processing. For example, a mail server may have to reject accepting an important and/or desired email when its storage capacity is filled to the maximum with the unwanted emails containing advertisements. Moreover, thin client systems such as set top boxes, PDA's, network computers, and pagers all have limited storage capacity. Unwanted emails in any one of such systems can tie up a finite resource for the user. In addition, a typical user wastes time by downloading voluminous but useless advertisement information. These unwanted emails are commonly referred to as spam.
Presently, there are products that are capable of filtering out unwanted messages. For example, a spam block method exists which keeps an index list of all spam agents (i.e., companies that generate mass unsolicited e-mails), and provides means to block any e-mail sent from a company on the list.
Another "junk mail" filter currently available employs filters which are based on predefined words and patterns as mentioned above. An incoming mail is designated as an unwanted mail, if the subject contains a known spam pattern.
However, as spam filtering grows in sophistication, so do the techniques of spammers in avoiding the filters. Examples of tactics incorporated by recent generation of spammers include randomization, origin concealment, and filter evasion using HTML.
A method and system for filtering email spam using email noise reduction are described. According to one aspect, the method includes detecting, in an email message, data indicative of noise added to the email message to avoid spam filtering. The method further includes modifying the content of the email message to reduce the noise, and comparing the modified content of the email message with the content of a spam message.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.
The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.
A method and apparatus for filtering email spam using email noise reduction are described. In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.
The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.
A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes read only memory ("ROM"); random access memory ("RAM"); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); etc.
Filtering Email Spam Based on Similarity Measures
The control center 102 is an anti-spam facility that is responsible for analyzing messages identified as spam, developing filtering rules for detecting spam, and distributing the filtering rules to the servers 104. A message may be identified as spam because it was sent by a known spam source (as determined, for example, using a "spam probe", i.e., an email address specifically selected to make its way into as many spammer mailing lists as possible).
A server 104 may be a mail server that receives and stores messages addressed to users of corresponding user terminals sent. Alternatively, a server 104 may be a different server coupled to the mail server 104. Servers 104 are responsible for filtering incoming messages based on the filtering rules received from the control center 102.
In one embodiment, the control center 102 includes a spam content preparation module 108 that is responsible for generating data characterizing the content associated with a spam attack and sending this data to the servers 104. Each server 104 includes a similarity determination module 110 that is responsible for storing spam data received from the control center 102 and identifying incoming email messages resembling the spam content using the stored data.
In an alternative embodiment, each server 104 hosts both the spam content preparation module 108 that generates data characterizing the content associated with a spam attack and the similarity determination module 110 that uses the generated data to identify email messages resembling the spam content.
The spam content parser 202 is responsible for parsing the body of email messages resulting from spam attacks (referred to as spam messages).
The spam data generator 206 is responsible for generating data characterizing a spam message. In one embodiment, data characterizing a spam message includes a list of hash values calculated for sets of tokens (e.g., characters, words, lines, etc.) composing the spam message. Data characterizing a spam message or any other email message is referred to herein as a message signature. Signatures of spam messages or any other email messages may contain various data identifying the message content and may be created using various algorithms that enable the use of similarity measures in comparing signatures of different email messages.
In one embodiment, the spam content preparation module 200 also includes a noise reduction algorithm 204 that is responsible for detecting data indicative of noise and removing the noise from spam messages prior to generating signatures of spam messages. Noise represents data invisible to a recipient that was added to a spam message to hide its spam nature.
In one embodiment, the spam content preparation module 200 also includes a message grouping algorithm (not shown) that is responsible for grouping messages originated from a single spam attack. Grouping may be performed based on specified characteristics of spam messages (e.g., included URLs, message parts, etc.). If grouping is used, the spam data generator 206 may generate a signature for a group of spam messages rather than for each individual message.
The spam data transmitter 208 is responsible for distributing signatures of spam messages to participating servers such as servers 104 of
The incoming message parser 302 is responsible for parsing the body of incoming email messages.
The spam data receiver 306 is responsible for receiving signatures of spam messages and storing them in the spam database 304.
The message data generator 310 is responsible for generating signatures of incoming email messages. In some embodiments, a signature of an incoming email message includes a list of hash values calculated for sets of tokens (e.g., characters, words, lines, etc.) composing the incoming email message. In other embodiments, a signature of an incoming email message includes various other data characterizing the content of the email message (e.g., a subset of token sets composing the incoming email message). As discussed above, signatures of email messages may be created using various algorithms that allow for use of similarity measures in comparing signatures of different email messages.
In one embodiment, the similarity determination module 300 also includes an incoming message cleaning algorithm 308 that is responsible for detecting data indicative of noise and removing the noise from the incoming email messages prior to generating their signatures, as will be discussed in more detail below.
The resemblance identifier 312 is responsible for comparing the signature of each incoming email message with the signatures of spam messages stored in the spam database 304 and determining, based on this comparison, whether an incoming email message is similar to any spam message.
In one embodiment, the spam database 304 stores signatures generated for spam messages before they undergo the noise reduction process (i.e., noisy spam messages) and signatures generated for these spam messages after they undergo the noise reduction process (i.e., spam message with reduced noise). In this embodiment, the message data generator 310 first generates a signature of an incoming email message prior to noise reduction, and the resemblance identifier 312 compares this signature with the signatures of noisy spam messages. If this comparison indicates that the incoming email message is similar to one of these spam messages, then the resemblance identifier 312 marks this incoming email message as spam. Alternatively, the resemblance identifier 312 invokes the incoming message cleaning algorithm 308 to remove noise from the incoming email message. Then, the message data generator 310 generates a signature for the modified incoming message, which is then compared by the resemblance identifier 312 with the signatures of spam messages with reduced noise.
Referring to
At processing block 404, processing logic modifies the spam message to reduce noise. One embodiment of a noise reduction algorithm will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
At processing block 406, processing logic generates a signature of the spam message. In one embodiment, a signature of the spam message includes a list of hash values calculated for sets of tokens (e.g., characters, words, lines, etc.) composing the incoming email message, as will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
At processing block 408, processing logic transfers the signature of the spam message to a server (e.g., a server 104 of
Referring to
At processing block 504, processing logic modifies the incoming message to reduce noise. One embodiment of a noise reduction algorithm will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
At processing block 506, processing logic generates a signature of the incoming message based on the content of the incoming message. In one embodiment, a signature of an incoming email message includes a list of hash values calculated for sets of tokens (e.g., characters, words, lines, etc.) composing the incoming email message, as will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
At processing block 508, processing compares the signature of the incoming messages with signatures of spam messages.
At processing block 510, processing logic determines that the resemblance between the signature of the incoming message and a signature of some spam message exceeds a threshold similarity measure. One embodiment of a process for determining the resemblance between two messages is discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
At processing block 512, processing logic marks the incoming email message as spam.
Referring to
At processing block 604, processing logic calculates hash values for the sets of tokens. In one embodiment, a hash value is calculated by applying a hash function to each combination of a set of tokens and a corresponding token occurrence number.
At processing block 606, processing logic creates a signature for the email message using the calculated hash values. In one embodiment, the signature is created by selecting a subset of calculated hash values and adding a parameter characterizing the email message to the selected subset of calculated hash values. The parameter may specify, for example, the size of the email message, the number of calculated hash values, the keyword associated with the email message, the name of an attachment file, etc.
In one embodiment, a signature for an email message is created using a character-based document comparison mechanism that will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction with
Referring to
Processing logic begins with comparing a parameter in a signature of the incoming email message with a corresponding parameter in a signature of each spam message (processing block 652).
A decision box 654, processing logic determines whether any spam message signatures contain a parameter similar to the parameter of the incoming message signature. The similarity may be determined, for example, based on the allowed difference between the two parameters or the allowed ratio of the two parameters.
If none of the spam message signatures contain a parameter similar to the parameter of the incoming message signature, processing logic decides that the incoming email message is legitimate (i.e., it is not spam) (processing block 662).
Alternatively, if one or more spam message signatures have a similar parameter, processing logic determines whether the signature of he first spam message has hash values similar to the hash values in the signature of the incoming email (decision box 656). Based on the similarity threshold, the hash values may be considered similar if, for example, a certain number of them matches or the ratio of matched and unmatched hash values exceeds a specified threshold.
If the first spam message signature has hash values similar to the hash values of the incoming email signature, processing logic decides that the incoming email message is spam (processing block 670). Otherwise, processing logic further determines if there are more spam message signatures with the similar parameter (decision box 658). If so, processing logic determines whether the next spam message signature has hash values similar to the hash values of the incoming email signature (decision box 656). If so, processing logic decides that the incoming email message is spam (processing block 670). If not, processing logic returns to processing block 658.
If processing logic determines that no other spam message signatures have the similar parameter, then it decides that the incoming mail message is not spam (processing block 662).
Character-Based Document Comparison Mechanism
Referring to
At processing block 704, processing logic divides the document into tokens, with each token including a predefined number of sequential characters from the document. In one embodiment, each token is combined with its occurrence number. This combination is referred to as a labeled shingle. For example, if the predefined number of sequential characters in the token is equal to 3, the expression specified above includes the following set of labeled shingles:
In one embodiment, the shingles are represented as a histogram.
At processing block 706, processing logic calculates hash values for the tokens. In one embodiment, the hash values are calculated for the labeled shingles. For example, if a hashing function H(x) is applied to each labeled shingle illustrated above, the following results are produced:
In one embodiment, processing logic then sorts the hash values as follows:
At processing block 708, processing logic selects a subset of hash values from the calculated hash values. In one embodiment, processing logic selects X smallest values from the sorted hash values and creates from them a "sketch" of the document. For example, for X=4, the sketch can be expressed as follows:
[163393269 200404023 220443033 244485639].
At processing block 710, processing logic creates a signature of the document by adding to the sketch a parameter pertaining to the tokens of the document. In one embodiment, the parameter specifies the number of original tokens in the document. In the example above, the number of original tokens is 15. Hence, the signature of the document can be expressed as follows:
[15 163393269 200404023 220443033 244485639].
Alternatively, the parameter may specify any other characteristic of the content of the document (e.g., the size of the document, the keyword associated with the document, etc.).
Referring to
If the token number in the first signature is outside of the allowed range with respect to the token number from the second signature, processing logic decides that documents 1 and 2 are different (processing block 808). Otherwise, if the token number in the first signature is within the allowed range with respect to the token number from the second signature, processing logic determines whether the resemblance between hash values in signatures 1 and 2 exceeds a threshold (e.g., more than 95 percent of hash values are the same) (decision box 804). If so, processing logic decides that the two documents are similar (processing block 806). If not, processing logic decides that documents 1 and 2 are different (processing block 808).
Email Spam Filtering Using Noise Reduction
Referring to
At processing block 904, processing logic modifies the content of the email message to reduce the noise. In one embodiment, the content modification includes removing formatting data, translating numeric character references and charcater entity references to their ASCII equivalents, and modifying URL data.
At processing block 906, processing logic compares the modified content of the email message with the content of a spam message. In one embodiment, the comparison is performed to identify an exact match. Alternatively, the comparison is performed to determine whether the two documents are similar.
Referring to
At decision box 1004, processing logic determines whether the found formatting data qualifies as an exception. Typically, HTML formatting does not add anything to the information content of a message. However, a few exceptions exist. These exceptions are the tags that contain useful information for further processing of the message (e.g., tags <BODY>, <A>, <IMG>, and <FONT>). For example, the <FONT> and <BODY> tags are needed for "white on white" text elimination, and the <A> and <IMG> tags typically contain link information that may be used for passing data to other components of the system.
If the formatting data does not qualify as an exception, the formatting data is extracted from the email message (processing block 1006).
Next, processing logic converts each numerical character reference and character entity reference into a corresponding ASCII character (processing block 1008).
In HTML, numeric character references may take two forms:
Some times the conversion performed at processing block 1008 may need to be repeated. For example, the string "&" corresponds to the string "&" in ASCII, the string "#" corresponds to the string "#" in ASCII, the string "3" corresponds to 3 in ASCII, the string "#56;" corresponds to 8 in ASCII, and "#59;" corresponds to the string ";" in ASCII. Hence, the combined string "&", when converted, results in the string "&" that needs to be converted.
Accordingly, after the first conversion operation at processing block 1008, processing logic checks whether the converted data still includes numeric character references or character entity references (decision box 1010). If the check is positive, processing logic repeats the conversion operation at processing block 1008. Otherwise, processing logic proceeds to processing block 1012.
At processing block 1012, processing logic modifies URL data of predefined categories. These categories may include, for example, numerical character references contained in the URL that are converted by processing logic into corresponding ASCII characters. In addition, the URL "password" syntax may be used to add characters before an "i" in the URL hostname. These characters are ignored by the target web server but they add significant amounts of noise information to each URL. Processing logic modifies the URL data by removing these additional characters. Finally, processing logic removes the "query" part of the URL, following a string "?" at the end of the URL.
An example of a URL is as follows:
Processing logic modifies the above URL data into http://www.foo.com/bar.html.
An Exemplary Computer System
The computer system 1100 includes a processor 1102, a main memory 1104 and a static memory 1106, which communicate with each other via a bus 1108. The computer system 1100 may further include a video display unit 1110 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1100 also includes an alpha-numeric input device 1112 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1114 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1116, a signal generation device 1120 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1122.
The disk drive unit 1116 includes a computer-readable medium 1124 on which is stored a set of instructions (i.e., software) 1126 embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies described above. The software 1126 is also shown to reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1104 and/or within the processor 1102. The software 1126 may further be transmitted or received via the network interface device 1122. For the purposes of this specification, the term "computer-readable medium" shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by the computer and that cause the computer to perform any one of the methodologies of the present invention. The term "computer-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, and carrier wave signals.
Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims which in themselves recite only those features regarded as essential to the invention.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jun 8, 1993
|Dec 27, 1994
|Digital Equipment Corporation
|Method and system for sorting and prioritizing electronic mail messages
|Mar 31, 1994
|Aug 1, 1995
|Microsoft Corporation
|System and method for facsimile cover page storage and use
|Nov 30, 1994
|Apr 8, 1997
|Lucent Technologies Inc.
|Message filtering techniques
|Jun 4, 1996
|May 27, 1997
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|System for automatically sending mail message by storing rule according to the language specification of the message including processing condition and processing content
|Apr 28, 1995
|Oct 7, 1997
|Bobo, Ii; Charles R.
|Message storage and delivery system
|Aug 25, 1995
|Oct 14, 1997
|System and method for restricting user access rights on the internet based on rating information stored in a relational database
|Jun 6, 1995
|Dec 9, 1997
|Lucent Technologies Inc.
|System and method for database access control
|Aug 2, 1996
|Aug 4, 1998
|Suarez; Larry
|Method and architecture for the creation, control and deployment of services within a distributed computer environment
|Nov 12, 1996
|Aug 18, 1998
|Cohen; Elliot D.
|Offensive message interceptor for computers
|Apr 19, 1996
|Sep 15, 1998
|Juno Online Services, L.P.
|Electronic mail system for displaying advertisement at local computer received from remote system while the local computer is off-line the remote system
|May 13, 1997
|Oct 13, 1998
|Digital Equipment Corporation
|Method and apparatus for information stream filtration using tagged information access and action registration
|Apr 5, 1996
|Oct 20, 1998
|Sun Microsystems, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for receiving electronic mail
|Oct 31, 1995
|Nov 10, 1998
|Herz; Frederick S. M.
|System for generation of object profiles for a system for customized electronic identification of desirable objects
|Jun 16, 1995
|Dec 1, 1998
|High Technology Solutions, Inc.
|Interactive visual ordering system
|Sep 27, 1996
|Jan 19, 1999
|Intermind Corporation
|Computer-based communication system and method using metadata defining a control structure
|May 22, 1996
|Jan 26, 1999
|Sun Microsystems, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions to distribution lists
|Apr 5, 1996
|Feb 9, 1999
|Sun Microsystems, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for altering sent electronic mail messages
|Mar 12, 1996
|Feb 23, 1999
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Interactive rule based system with selection feedback that parameterizes rules to constrain choices for multiple operations
|May 15, 1996
|Mar 16, 1999
|Spyglass, Inc.
|Internet filtering system for filtering data transferred over the internet utilizing immediate and deferred filtering actions
|Mar 29, 1996
|Mar 30, 1999
|Trend Micro Incorporated
|Apparatus and method for electronic mail virus detection and elimination
|May 30, 1997
|May 18, 1999
|At&T Corp
|Finding an e-mail message to which another e-mail message is a response
|Oct 21, 1996
|Jul 27, 1999
|At&T Corp
|Communications addressing system
|Jan 20, 1998
|Oct 19, 1999
|Aurora Communications Exchange Ltd.
|Device and system to facilitate accessing electronic mail from remote user-interface devices
|Sep 27, 1996
|Nov 2, 1999
|At&T Corp.
|Intelligent pager for remotely managing E-Mail messages
|Jan 13, 1998
|Dec 7, 1999
|Bright Light Technologies, Inc.
|System and method for filtering unsolicited electronic mail messages using data matching and heuristic processing
|Aug 17, 1997
|Dec 7, 1999
|Sundsted; Todd
|Electronic mail filtering by electronic stamp
|Jun 17, 1997
|Feb 8, 2000
|Cranberry Properties, Llc
|Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communication
|Dec 22, 1997
|Feb 8, 2000
|Accepted Marketing, Inc.
|Method and system for filtering unwanted junk e-mail utilizing a plurality of filtering mechanisms
|Dec 23, 1997
|Apr 18, 2000
|Bright Light Technologies, Inc.
|Apparatus and method for controlling delivery of unsolicited electronic mail
|Jul 29, 1997
|Jun 6, 2000
|Jfax Communications, Inc.
|Filtering computer network messages directed to a user's e-mail box based on user defined filters, and forwarding a filtered message to the user's receiver
|Aug 6, 1998
|Aug 29, 2000
|Heiner; Jeffrey Nelson
|Filter-in method for reducing junk e-mail
|Dec 2, 1997
|Nov 14, 2000
|Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
|System and apparatus for selectively publishing electronic-mail
|Jan 26, 1998
|Dec 5, 2000
|Motorola, Inc.
|Communications system with radio device and server
|Jun 23, 1998
|Dec 12, 2000
|Microsoft Corporation
|Technique which utilizes a probabilistic classifier to detect "junk" e-mail by automatically updating a training and re-training the classifier based on the updated training set
|Oct 27, 1997
|Jan 30, 2001
|Cranberry Properties Llc
|System and method for distributing electronic messages in accordance with rules
|Jun 16, 1997
|Feb 13, 2001
|Digital Equipment Corporation
|Technique for dynamically generating an address book in a distributed electronic mail system
|Jun 23, 1998
|Feb 20, 2001
|Microsoft Corporation
|Methods and apparatus for classifying text and for building a text classifier
|Sep 29, 1997
|Feb 27, 2001
|Ericsson Inc.
|Messaging application having a plurality of interfacing capabilities
|Aug 26, 1997
|Mar 6, 2001
|Christopher Alan Cobb
|Method and system for filtering electronic messages
|Jun 23, 1998
|Mar 6, 2001
|Omron Corporation
|Electronic mail determination method and system and storage medium
|Nov 30, 1999
|Apr 10, 2001
|Robert Thomas Woltz
|E-mail paging system and method
|Jul 22, 1998
|May 1, 2001
|Compaq Computer Corporation
|Method and apparatus for filtering incoming information using a search engine and stored queries defining user folders
|Jul 7, 1998
|May 8, 2001
|Microsoft Corporation
|Electronic mail interface for a network server
|Jul 1, 1998
|Nov 6, 2001
|Sony Corporation
|Method and apparatus for certified electronic mail messages
|Jun 24, 1998
|Dec 4, 2001
|Nec Corporation
|System for broadcasting electronic mails that separately stores and sends a portion of electronic mails with an access code for filtering and retrieving purpose
|Sep 11, 1998
|Dec 25, 2001
|Nec Corporation
|Electronic mail server in which electronic mail is processed
|Jul 7, 1999
|Jul 16, 2002
|Accepted Marketing, Inc.
|E-mail filter and method thereof
|Jun 22, 2001
|Jan 7, 2003
|Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc.
|Method and system for management of message attachments
|Dec 31, 1998
|Nov 25, 2003
|Brightmail, Incorporated
|Method and apparatus for filtering e-mail
|Dec 13, 2002
|May 4, 2004
|Networks Associates Technology, Inc.
|Comprehensive anti-spam system, method, and computer program product for filtering unwanted e-mail messages
|Jan 31, 2001
|Aug 16, 2005
|Yahoo! Inc.
|Processing of unsolicited bulk electronic communication
|Dec 1, 2000
|Nov 15, 2005
|Yahoo! Inc.
|Processing of unsolicited bulk electronic mail
|Jul 3, 2001
|Jan 17, 2002
|Reuning Stephen Michael
|Candidate chaser
|May 22, 2002
|Dec 26, 2002
|Jean-Christophe Bandini
|Method and system for filtering communication
|Apr 16, 2002
|Oct 16, 2003
|Kontact Software Inc.
|Intelligent message screening
|Sep 4, 2003
|Apr 15, 2004
|Milliken Walter Clark
|Hash-based systems and methods for detecting and preventing transmission of unwanted e-mail
|Feb 20, 2003
|Aug 26, 2004
|Mailfrontier, Inc.
|Using distinguishing properties to classify messages
|Apr 17, 2003
|Oct 21, 2004
|Chadwick Michael Christopher
|Mail server probability spam filter
|May 13, 2004
|May 19, 2005
|Matt Gleeson
|Method and apparatus for filtering email spam based on similarity measures
|Mar 24, 2004
|Jul 27, 2006
|Mr. Marvin Shannon
|System and method for the classification of electronic communication
|Jun 20, 2005
|Dec 21, 2006
|David Cowings
|Method and apparatus for maintaining reputation lists of IP addresses to detect email spam
|Dec 20, 2006
|May 10, 2007
|Bellegarda Jerome R
|Method and apparatus for filtering email
|Nov 10, 1989
|Jun 27, 1990
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Restricting electronic message traffic
|Aug 29, 1990
|Apr 3, 1991
|International Business Machines Corporation
|User selectable electronic mail management method
|Nov 21, 1995
|Jul 3, 1996
|AT&T Corp.
|Message filtering techniques
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|May 8, 1996
|Nov 14, 1996
|Compuserve Incorporated
|Rules based electronic message management system
|Feb 24, 1998
|Aug 27, 1998
|Intervoice Limited Partnership
|E-mail server for message filtering and routing
|Dec 22, 2000
|Jun 28, 2001
|Mark Raymond Pace
|Distributed content identification system
|Clark, et al.; "PCMAIL: A Distributed Mail System for Personal Computers"; May 1986; MIT Laboratory for Computer Science; 24 pages.
|Damashek, Marc, "Gauging Similarity with n-Grams: Language-Independent Categorization of Text", Science, vol. 267, Feb. 10, 1995, pp. 843-848.
|Gaskin, J.E., "Don't get spammed", Information Week, Aug. 18, 1997, retrieved from Internet: http://www.informationweek.com/644/44olspm.htm, 9 pages.
|Harker, R.; "Selectively rejecting spam using sendmail"; Proceedings of the 11th Systems Administration Conference, San Diego, CA, Oct. 1997, 17 pages.
|Office Action of Jan. 4, 2008, in U.S. Appl. No. 10/846,723, 13 pages.
|Office Action of Jan. 4, 2008, in U.S. Appl. No. 10/846,723, 14 pages.
|Office Action of Jul. 14, 2008, in U.S. Appl. No. 10/846,723, 43 pages.
|Office Action of Oct. 16, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No. 10/845,648, 17 pages.
|PCT Search Report, Int'l Application No. PCT/ US2004/ 015383, mailed Sep. 8, 2004, (7 pages).
|Ranum, et al.; "Implementing a generalized tool for network monitoring"; Proceedings of the 11th Systems Administration Conference; San Diego, CA; Oct. 26-31, 1997; pp. 1-8.
|U.S. Appl. No. 10/117,065, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Weighted and Aging Spam Filtering Rules", by Paul, et al., filed Apr. 4, 2002.
|U.S. Appl. No. 10/845,648, filed May 13, 2004.
|U.S. Appl. No. 10/846,723, filed May 13, 2004.
|U.S. Appl. No. 10/871,583, entitled "System and Method for Filtering Spam Message Utilizing URL Filtering Module", by Cowings, et al., filed Jun. 17, 2004.
|U.S. Appl. No. 10/949,465, entitled "System and Method for Filtering Fraudulent Email Messages", by Bengzon, filed Sep. 24, 2004.
|U.S. Appl. No. 11/048,958, entitled "Method and apparatus for determining the source of an email message", by Mantel, filed Feb. 1, 2005.
|U.S. Appl. No. 11/116,572, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Creating Anti-Spam Rules", by Chin, et al., filed Apr. 27, 2005.
|U.S. Appl. No. 11/127,814, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Detecting Spam in Email Messages and Email Attachments", by Cowings, et al., filed May 11, 2005.
|U.S. Appl. No. 11/157,327, entitled "Method and apparatus for grouping spam email messages", by Jensen, et al., filed Jun. 20, 2005.
|U.S. Appl. No. 11/270,246, filed Nov. 8, 2005.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Dec 14, 2009
|May 29, 2012
|Sonicwall, Inc.
|Classifying a message based on fraud indicators
|Mar 12, 2004
|Oct 30, 2012
|Cloudmark, Inc.
|Method and an apparatus to screen electronic communications
|Jan 21, 2010
|Nov 20, 2012
|Symantec Corporation
|Systems and methods for identifying spam mailing lists
|Nov 8, 2010
|Mar 19, 2013
|Symantec Corporation
|Method and apparatus for filtering email spam using email noise reduction
|Sep 27, 2011
|Dec 17, 2013
|Google Inc.
|Reverse engineering circumvention of spam detection algorithms
|May 3, 2012
|Feb 25, 2014
|Sonicwall, Inc.
|Classifying a message based on fraud indicators
|Feb 7, 2014
|Mar 17, 2015
|Sonicwall, Inc.
|Classifying a message based on fraud indicators
|Nov 26, 2013
|Jun 21, 2016
|Google Inc.
|Reverse engineering circumvention of spam detection algorithms
|Jun 30, 2011
|Jan 31, 2017
|Onavo Mobile Ltd.
|Apparatus and methods for bandwidth saving and on-demand data delivery for a mobile device
|Mar 12, 2004
|Sep 8, 2005
|Prakash Vipul V.
|Method and an apparatus to screen electronic communications
|Apr 10, 2006
|Feb 5, 2009
|Bertrand Mathieu
|Method of combating the sending of unsolicited voice information
|Dec 14, 2009
|Apr 15, 2010
|Jonathan Oliver
|Classifying a Message Based on Fraud Indicators
|Nov 8, 2010
|Mar 3, 2011
|Symantec Corporation
|Method and apparatus for filtering email spam using email noise reduction
|Jun 7, 2011
|Sep 29, 2011
|Cloudmark, Inc.
|Method and apparatus to screen electronic communications
|U.S. Classification
|709/206, 709/208, 709/211, 709/207, 709/210, 709/209
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Mar 7, 2005
Owner name: SYMANTEC CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:BRIGHTMAIL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:016331/0802
Effective date: 20040618
|Nov 5, 2010
Owner name: SYMANTEC CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JENSEN, SANDY;GLEESON, MATT;MEDLAR, ART;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090910 TO 20101105;REEL/FRAME:025320/0455
|Apr 28, 2014
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4


text:
A Peach Waits for No Man
My friend Edwin dropped by a few days ago with a big box of fresh peaches.
Edwin lives in East Texas, the last identifiably Deep-South region you pass through as you head west, a vast, piney country that stretches from the Louisiana line almost to Dallas where, as Will Rogers observed, 'the East peters out'.
They grow nice produce out Edwin's way, peaches being not the least of it.
Stuck as I usually am with rock-hard grocery-store peaches picked green and trucked from Lord knows where, I should have viewed that box of tree-ripened fruit as an unalloyed blessing. But as I picked up a peach from the box and felt its flesh yield to the touch, part of me, the part that clings to the illusion that my time is my own, realized that a piece of my day had just been hijacked — gently and benevolently, but hijacked nonetheless.
Few things short of a wet baby or an engine fire demand attention as urgently as a ripe peach."
Few things short of a wet baby or an engine fire demand attention as urgently as a ripe peach. It will turn from soft, fragrant and juicy to squishy, brown and disgusting in an eye blink.
I wasn't about to let that happen, of course. To squander a peach, let alone a whole box of them, is unthinkable. The season is too short; the consequences are too dire. Unlike, say, a cucumber plant that will bury you in fruit with shameless abandon for weeks on end (and admit it, you lose some respect for it when it does), peach trees are prima divas. When they are good and ready they will offer you their sublime, fleeting gift. And if you decline to partake right then — well, Buster, you will wait a long time for another chance.
This sweet tyranny of the peach had already been on my mind for several days before Edwin's visit, ever since a family reunion the previous weekend in Chilton County, Alabama. Chilton County is to peaches what the Côte-d'Or is to pinot. It is, one writer friend effuses, a "towering testament to the fruit that makes the region famous."
Headquarters for the reunion, our old family church and cemetery, happens to be next to a pretty little peach orchard. The trees and my ancestors are planted, as it were, within yards of each other, an aspect of the terroir that, now that I think about it, may be best left unexamined.
Arriving at the church Saturday afternoon, I found that my cousin Debbie had commandeered the kitchen in the fellowship hall and was feverishly working her way through a great pile of peaches, cutting them up and packing the freezer with plastic containers full. Except for a few left out for immediate consumption, they had to be frozen, she said. Tree-ripened and just picked, they were at peak flavor — a state of grace so fleeting that their goodness wouldn't even survive her drive home to Atlanta after church Sunday.
Debbie knows a lot about peaches, as one would hope from a woman who lives in a city where half the streets are named Peachtree. Peaches are different from other fruits, she explained. It won't do to pick a peach as soon as it's mature. Maturing and ripening are two different things with a peach. You have to be patient, let the mature fruit stay on the tree until the sugars develop and the flesh softens. It's the only way to get that gorgeous peachiness you're after. But then, having attained it through patient restraint, you had better hurry and grab a sharp knife and get busy.
And so it was that as soon as Edwin left I canceled a social engagement and instead spent the evening in communion with that box of peaches. It was the most peaches I had ever dealt with at one time. For the first little while, I found a certain Zen serenity in peeling them in my accustomed way, turning the fruit against the edge of a paring knife, letting the blade lathe a spiral ribbon of soft peel. Peaches thus denuded have a rough-hewn, folk-artsy look that I like.
After a couple of dozen, however, and with many more to go, I became aware of a question starting to peck at a back corner of my mind: Do you think there might be a faster way to peel a peach?
It seemed like a good question. I rinsed the peach juice off my hands and reached — purely out of academic interest, you understand — for the venerable culinary encyclopedia, Larousse Gastronomique. The Larousse people are not infallible authorities on matters Southern. They report, for example, that the "pecan nut" comes from the northeastern United States. But they are aces when it comes to peach peeling. I tried their recommended method — again, strictly out of academic interest — and had the rest of the peaches peeled in minutes.
This technique may not feel as artisanal as the other, but it has its own aesthetic appeal in the end. Dunk the fruit in boiling water for 30 seconds. After that you can strip off the delicate peel almost as cleanly as a silk stocking, leaving you with a soft orb of smooth, perfect flesh.
From there, slicing takes no time. And it results in a bonus: a pile of peach pits. Most people throw them away, unaware that every pit has a prize in the middle, an almond-like kernel called a noyau.
Noyaux, found also in other stone fruits such as apricots, are good for adding a rich almondy flavor to everything from cobblers and ice creams to booze infusions.
But maybe the best thing about them is, you can set the pits aside and crack out the noyaux whenever you get around to it. It's the one thing about a peach that can wait.
Do you feel the pressure when ripe, ready-to-go peaches are in your kitchen?
Photo credit: David Culp
Love & Greens: The Story of Sky Farm
Chris Regan and Ashley Mayne produce a wide array of delicious greens for the Hudson Valley.
Handmade tacos in the heart of Woodstock, New York.
With his new book, Forrest Pritchard tells the stories of 18 farms from all across America.
Forrest Pritchard and Smith Meadows are prime examples of sustainable family farming.
Jonathan Waxman shares his food philosophy with Slow Films.
A group of star chefs play with fire for a good cause.


text:
QUICK KICK (v3)
Series: Twenty Six (2010)
Quick Kick (version 3) was released in the first wave of Toys R Us exclusive figures for the Pursuit of Cobra line in 2010.
Quick Kick came with a black, yellow, and red sleeveless uwagi, two black gloves, a black sheath, a silver and black sword, a black submachine gun, yellow and silver nunchuks, and a black display stand.
Packaging Information
No variations of Quick Kick (v3) are known to exist.
Body Construction
Quick Kick (version 3) was created using the head, torso, waist, and arms of Quick Kick (v2) (2008), the hands of Storm Shadow (v38) (2010), and the legs of Storm Shadow (v32) (2009).
Reference InformationThe below information contains information about references to various collector's guides, Hasbro references, original retail prices, and other reference material related to Quick Kick (v3).
Original Retail: n/a
Product Number: n/a
Lee's Guide: n/a
The Ultimate Guide: n/a
Desimone Guide: n/a
Tomart's Guide: n/a
RAHC/Rank & File: n/a
Action Figure Archive Guide: n/a


text:
Report: Liverpool offer Ex-Chelsea striker Eto'o one-year contract
Liverpool has reportedly made former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o a contract offer as it looks to bring the player to Anfield.
Liverpool, which is on the verge of signing Mario Balotelli from AC Milan, is also ready to push through a deal for Eto'o as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his attacking options before the close of the transfer window.
Eto'o is a free agent after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs in Europe, North America and the Middle East. It is understood the Cameroon international's preference is to remain in England and the Premier League after enjoying his one season at Chelsea last term.
Ajax and Everton have both expressed an interest in Eto'o, but it appears Liverpool is now in pole position to land the former Barcelona and Inter star. Liverpool has offered Eto'o a one-year deal on €93,000 a week, with performance-related bonuses and the option of another year if he impresses at Anfield. Should Eto'o and Balotelli join Liverpool it would see the two strikers link up for a second time after they played together at Inter.
Rodgers has made no secret of his wish to bring in a new forward following Luis Suarez's summer departure, but any chance of Balotelli coming appeared dead in the water earlier this summer.
Speaking on Liverpool's tour of the United States, Rodgers said: "I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool."
Rodgers was instead targeting Monaco's Radamel Falcao, but the Colombia striker's preference is a move to Real Madrid. Balotelli's three seasons at City were blighted by trouble, on and off the field, although he did manage 30 goals for the club in all competitions.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Balotelli would be an automatic starter at Anfield.
"They definitely need a striker, there's no doubt about that," he told Sky Sports. "At the moment they only have Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert – it looks like Fabio Borini is going to move on – and you need strikers. Would he be the final piece of the jigsaw? Would he make the starting XI if everyone was fit and firing? Who knows?
Carragher added: "At the moment Daniel Sturridge has got 36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool and at this moment he is the main man up front. Would Brendan then accommodate another striker, whoever that may be, like he did with Luis Suarez? He has lots of options now, Brendan Rodgers, and I don't think he will play the same team too often so they do need those options."
FOXSoccer.com's newswire services contributed to this report.
FOX Soccer and Goal.com have teamed up to bring you the best in world soccer coverage. Visit Goal.com, and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
More from Goal.com:
Live transfer blog: Latest news from summer window
The summer's most expensive transfers


text:
Focus on the meeting, let our meeting planners handle the rest
Book your very own dedicated Secretary for minutes taking, interpretation, and translation requirements. CEO SUITE's catering options feature a whole range of menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and light snacks to facilitate a compact meeting day.
Make bookings for
To Enjoy an Additional 10% Discount


text: Ok i have everything setup, i can even HEAR the ps2. I have the female to female connectors hooked up and everything but i am only getting sound, no visual. I can here the ps2 sound and the game, but there is not visual. I have it on the right input and i have disconnected and connected everything and its not working. One problem i thought of was the input connector i was using was from another portable dvd player, so maybe the video plug isnt fitting in right. I may have to take a trip to radio shack. IT ALSO could be because the portable dvd player is barely charged, that is one reason the sound is so low too. So i dunno. any help?


text:
Agency acts over Great Lakes pollution
The Environment Agency has ordered Great Lakes Chemical to monitor releases of brominated compounds from its Newton Aycliffe site and investigate ways of reducing them.
Sorry you do not have access to this article. Please contact Customer Support at
or call 020 8267 8120


text:
Biography: Bill Nighy
Bill Nighy is an award-winning actor of the stage and screen. His more recent film work includes the blockbuster Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...
'The Tick' Star Griffin Newman on Acting in a Superhero Suit
"You very quickly realize there's a certain iconography and a power to wearing one of these suits." - Griffin Newman
Why Idris Elba Believes His "best performance is yet to come"
"There was a time when I was a job actor and I didn't know what I wanted to learn from it – I just wanted to get paid." - Idris Elba
Frances McDormand on "Being the Other" Actress
McDormand talks about her unique approach to her career and uses her latest acclaimed role as an example.
J.B. Smoove Tells the Story of His Audition For 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
"You don't know how the universe is gonna work for us. But all this plays a part in our journey" - JB Smoove
Watch: Denzel Washington Explains Why He Passed on a Role Early in His Career
Washington explains why he turned down a role -- and how it worked out for the best.


text:
Contact Info / Websites
Latest Favorite People
Latest Favorite Movies
Leo & Satan II Rated 4.4400 Stars Leo's sugar goes missing. Hilarity ensues. Comedy - Original Leo & Satan III Rated 4.4300 Stars Leo and Satan do anything but eat pancakes. Comedy - Original Leo & Satan Rated 4.4400 Stars Satan helps Leo with his Algebra Homework, Kind of. Comedy - Original Tekken the Piss : Mokujin Rated 3.6400 Stars Tekken the Piss : Mokujin Comedy - Parody It's a Nice Day Today Rated 4.4000 Stars Why aren't you outside? Action Narwhals Rated 4.4300 Stars Narwhals!! Music Video Metal Gear: Codec moments Rated 4.3900 Stars "Snake?" "Otacon!" "Snake!" "...what...?" Comedy - Parody
Latest Favorite Games
Kamikaze Pigs Rated 4.2600 Stars Join the fun in this chain reaction game, and send these porkers to their doom! Action - Other Lab of the Dead Rated 4.3200 Stars Experiment on zombies with weapons, food and objects as a scientist survivor. Simulation - Pet / Buddy Pyroscape 3 Rated 3.8100 Stars Fire Zombies, fire, and fire! Oh my! Adventure - Other LARRY: Pup Run Rated 4.4300 Stars Ever wanted to race at lightning speed on a drunk 3 legged dog?... Now's your chance! Skill - Avoid Feudalism Rated 4.3200 Stars Choose a hero, recruit powerful army and capture the whole world in this RPG game! Strategy - Other Kaboom-BOT Rated 4.2800 Stars WARNING: MAY CAUSE SEVERE LOST OF ORIENTATION Skill - Other Santa Can Fly Rated 4.2400 Stars Use cannons, bombs, and grenades to shoot Santa as far as possible! Skill - Collect Echoes: Act 1 Rated 4.4200 Stars Command and build an epic army, fight along with it by also controlling your hero Strategy - Real-time (RTS)
Latest Favorite Audio
|king dedede
|Video Game Song


text:
[1] U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012. Retrieved fromhttps://www.census.gov/library/publications/2011/compendia/statab/131ed….
[2] Child Trends. (2014). Making the Grade: Assessing the Evidence for Integrated Student Supports. Retrieved fromhttp://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-07ISSPaper2.pdf
[3] The Statistics Portal (n.d.) Unemployment Rate of High School Graduates and Dropouts Not Enrolled in School in the United States from 2000 – 2013. (Data file). Retrieved from http://www.statista.com/statistics/184996/unemployment-rate-of-high-school-graduates-and-dropouts/.
[4] The Alliance for Excellent Education. (2015). The Graduation Effect: The Economic Impact of a High School Diploma. Retrieved from http://impact.all4ed.org/#national/increased-investment/all-students.
[5] U.S. Department of Labor (2010). America's Youth at 23: School Enrollment, Training, and Employment Transitions between Age 22 and 23. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/nls/nlsy97.htm; Andrew Sum et al. (2009). The Consequences of Dropping Out of High School: Joblessness and Jailing for High School Dropouts and the High Costs for Taxpayers . Boston, MA: Center for Labor Market Studies; Lochner and Moretti, "The Effect of Education on Crime", www.nber.org/papers/w8605.
[6, 7, 8] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/by-the-numbers-dropping-out-of-high-school/ "


text:
Yong Teck Lee:
"This is my promise to you, that our struggle continues and I will
always be by your side"...."Trust and integrity of the leaders are
fundamental to the future of a country or a government or, in our case,
SAPP as a serious political party of the future"
Send us yours to publish
Tawau, Sep 13, 2009: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Vice President and
Member of Parliament for Tawau Datuk Chua Soon Bui, urged the Prime
Minister, YAB Dato' Sri Najib bin Tun Razak to extend the National Energy
Commission to Sabah in view of the repeated power disruptions that have
haunted the people of Sabah especially Tawau for more than 20 years. Up to
now, no assurance has been given by the SESB/TNB on regular and reliable
power supply.
She asked how much longer does the people of Sabah have to suffer and
how much longer does the business sectors have to 'succumb' to huge
Chua said energy is a national security item and it is the government's
duty to supply and protect it for the interests of all Malaysians
including Sabahans. She also said while TNB celebrated its 60 glorious
years of powering the nation on the 1/9/2009 with its continuous
resilience and commitment to powering the nation's progress and enhancing
the quality of the life of Malaysians, why can't TNB do the same in Sabah
with its long experience in national power supply?
"The National Energy Commission should take up the task to re-evaluate
the power planning, management, maintenance, enforcement of SESB/TNB in
Sabah, so that a holistic approach can be implemented to achieve high
quality services comparable with those of peninsular Malaysia.
"The Malaysians in Sabah are tired and fed up with all the excuses or
temporary measures of SESB/TNB.
She urged the government to be sensitive to the suffering of the people
especially, at the height of the power disruption, everybody experienced
around 7 'dark hours' daily at the beginning of August, as it is the real
concern of the people. Although the supply has improved in the past 2
weeks, she has continued to receive complaints that the power supply is
still unstable in the rural areas.
She hoped that the SESB/TNB would ensure that the Malaysians in Sabah
especially in Tawau would be able to celebrate a 'bright' Hari Raya
Aidilfitri like all other Malaysians in the peninsular Malaysia, in line
with PM's motto of 'One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now'.
She also urged the Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Sri Najib bin Tun Razak to
enforce KPI (Key Performance Indicators) through the relevant ministry on
SESB/TNB so that Sabah can enjoy a continuous and reliable power supply
within a stated time frame. She hoped the power disruptions would be a
nightmare of the past for the people of Sabah through close monitoring of
the KPI.
On the related matter of proposals of power supply for the East Coast
of Sabah, she strongly felt that it is a matter of immediate concern
because the present west-east coast grid is said to be unstable, that
means the power supply at the end of the grid, i.e. Tawau power supply
can't rely on grid system and it suffers the most during load shielding.
The planning of a power plant in the East coast is of utmost urgency.
On the recent announcement by the chief minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk
Musa Aman, with the option of setting up a 100MW Geothermal power plant in
Andrassy, Balung, she urged the government to seek views from foreign
experts from Japan. Apparently, the geothermal reservoirs with underground
chambers where hot water is turned into steam by the magma of the earth
core may contain traces of dangerous elements such as mercury and arsenic,
which if leaked into the river will be hazardous.
Studies on geothermal power were done more than 10 years ago in Tawau
and it was found non-viable due to several environment hazards. Fluids
drawn from deep earth core may carry a mixture of gases, notably carbon
dioxide and hydrogen sulphide pollutants can contribute to global warming,
acid rain etc.
She said she doesn't want to see a repeated case of the coal power
plant announced by SESB/TNB without the blessings of the people. It would
be a worse political time bomb that could cost the ruling government in
the coming elections as voiced out by both the ruling and opposition YBs
and leaders. Don't lie to the people because the people always know the
"Apart from the problem of frequent power breakdowns, the people of Sabah also face difficulties due to cuts in water supply, unsatisfactory
roads and other infrastructures. It is also the government's
responsibility to provide the above facilities to improve the quality of
life for the Sabahans. It is hope that with the PM's visit to Sabah, the
PM and his central government will give immediate attention to the problem
of lack of infrastructures in Sabah. In line with the PM's wish to prioritise the people, it's high time now to deliver these long awaited
facilities to the Sabahans who are sick and tired of empty promises. It is
hoped that the performance of the government is prioritised; concrete
actions are always welcome, not empty promises," Chua said.
Coal's Assault on Human Health
Coal pollutants affect all major body organ systems and contribute to four
of the five leading causes of mortality in the U.S.: heart disease,
cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. This conclusion
emerges from our reassessment of the widely recognized health threats from
coal. Each step of the coal lifecycle-mining, transportation, washing,
combustion, and disposing of post combustion wastes-impacts human health.
Coal combustion in particular contributes to diseases affecting large
portions of the U.S. population, including asthma, lung cancer, heart
disease, and stroke, compounding the major public health challenges of our
time. It interferes with lung development, increases the risk of heart
attacks, and compromises intellectual capacity.
Oxidative stress and inflammation are indicated as possible mechanisms in
the exacerbation and development of many of the diseases under review. In
addition, the report addresses another, less widely recognized health
threat from coal: the contribution of coal combustion to global warming,
and the current and predicted health effects of global warming...more
Nov 29, 2010 -
Malaysia: A Coal Plant in paradise
Nov 27, 2010 -
plant a revenue killer, say NGOs
Oct 05, 2010 -
akan batalkan loji janakuasa arangbatu
Aug 26, 2010 -
Are nepotism and corruption behind the Sabah coal plant?
Aug 21, 2010 -
Build more gas power plants as soon as possible
Aug 19, 2010 -
Coal plant DEIA rejected
Aug 18, 2010 -
SAPP vows to scrap controversial dams and coal plant proposals
Jul 29, 2010 -
EIA report on controversial coal plant flawed
Jul 27, 2010 -
Sabah coal-fired plant 'far from eco-friendly'
Jul 23, 2010 -
British environmentalist leads fight against Sabah coal plant
Jul 17, 2010 -
Hundreds gather at site for proposed coal-plant
Jul 17, 2010 -
MP calls govt's bluff over coal power
Jul 16, 2010 -
Chua urges protection of biodiversity in Sabah
Jul 06, 2010 -
Green Surf wants coal plant scrapped
Jun 15, 2010 -
Parliament to debate Sabah's coal power
May 18, 2010 -
Sabah says
No to coal!
Apr 21, 2010 -
Sabah, a dumping ground for dirty coal
Dec 15, 2009 -
Q&A on power plants at parliament
Dec 15, 2009 -
Commitment an irony, claims SAPP
Dec 01, 2009 -
Chua: Terms
of reference on EIA
Nov 29, 2009 -
express concern over report on coal-fired plant
Nov, 27, 2009 -
important is Bakun power to Peninsular Malaysia?
Nov 25, 2009 -
flip flops again!
Nov 18, 2009 -
Melanie engages in verbal spat over coal plant
Nov 17, 2009 -
Objection to the building of Coal Power Plant
Nov 16, 2009 -
assembly: Coal-fired plant against green policy
Nov 15, 2009 -
Coal plant idea not supported by public
Nov 13, 2009 -
China eyes
closing coal-fired power plants in capital
Nov 13, 2009 -
Coal Power
Nov 9, 2009 -
SAPP: Coal
power plant at Tungku tainted with power abuse
Nov 9, 2009 -
China eyes
closing coal-fired power plants in capital
Oct 27, 2009 -
Power from
West-East Coast Grid only by end 2013
Oct 21, 2009 -
motive on the coal fired power plant
Oct 19, 2009 -
Power entity
should be under state gov't
Sep 13, 2009 -
Chua: Extend
National Energy Commission to Sabah
Aug 19, 2009 -
cries falling on deaf ears
Aug 16, 2009 -
Stop holding
the people to ransom over power supply problem
Aug 12, 2009 -
Enough! Stop Power Disruptions in Tawau
Jul 30, 2009 -
National Green Technology Policy the way forward for renewable energy
Jun 24, 2009 -
defects in China's Shanxi show human price of coal
Jun 23, 2009 -
to Raymond: Don't insult Sandakan folks
Jun 17, 2009 -
opposes coal plant wherever sited in Sabah
May 30, 2009 -
SAPP Yes
to gas-powered but No to coal-fired plant
May 26, 2009 -
discriminated by BN government
May 18, 2009 -
says no to coal-fired plant again
Apr 30, 2009 -
Sarawak power to Sabah and not Indonesia or Brunei
Feb 19, 2009 -
welcomes assurance, calls for gas-powered plant for Sandakan
Feb 18, 2009 -
to continue its campaign against coal plant
Feb 17, 2009 -
Tennessee Coal spill and destruction
Feb 16, 2009 -
objection of coal-fired plants in Sabah
Feb 15, 2009 -
shows up at anti-coal protest
Dec 24, 2008 -
Alternative Power Plants
Dec 24, 2008 -
Economic reasons over Health and Environmental concerns
Nov 13, 2008 -
coal-fired plant in Sekong
Oct 07, 2008 - Don't
force the coal plant on Sandakan
Nov 06, 2000 -
Tenaga eyeing renewable energy - Blowing Hot Air or Talking Bull?
State's sovereign rights on oil ....
Jul 01, 2010:
Questions on Blocks L & M not fully answered
Jun 25, 2010:
Murky oil blocks deal could cost Sabah billions of ringgit
Jun 11, 2010:
Is Maritime District 14 a Malaysian maritime territory?
Jun 07, 2010:
Edward: People deserve to know what happened
May 12, 2010:
Dullie to Mojigoh: Who are you helping?
May 12, 2010:
Be honest about oil blocks, Kitingan tells govt
May 10, 2010:
SAPP: The
fact speaks for itself
May 05, 2010:
SAPP news in FreeMalaysiaToday
May 05, 2010:
Malaysians only found out via NYSE: Yong
May 04, 2010:
Sabah rights and interests have been sacrificed
May 04, 2010:
Oil blocks deal: Huge financial loss to Sabah
May 03, 2010:
SAPP: Ceding of blocks L and M to Brunei unconstitutional
May 02, 2010:
Najib: M'sia, Brunei border talks will lead to a win-win solution
Apr 30, 2010:
Statement by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on two oil exploration fields
Apr 30, 2010:
Abdullah says cabinet approved boundary pact with Brunei
Apr 30, 2010:
Pak Lah gave 'RM320b oil rich areas' to Brunei
Apr 29, 2010:
Malaysia's generosity by Dr Mahathir
Nov 23, 2008:
Oil royalty:
SAPP not giving up
Nov 20, 2008:
Royalty Warrants Review
Destruction of famous tourist attraction sites
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Kinabatangan Ramsar Site, Sukau Resorts
Island Resorts off Sandakan, Selingan Turtle
SAPP's 17 point Manifesto - Sabah deserves better in
terms of more equitable distribution of opportunities, in
social, economic and infrastructural development and a
better quality of life. [BM][Chinese]
SAPP's Economic Plan for Sabah - SAPP aims to achieve
economic prosperity and financial self-reliance for Sabah.
Version in [BM]
SAPP's Land Reform Policy - To promote and protect the
rights and interests of local natives and other citizens in
Sabah [BM][Chinese]
Oil Royalty - SAPP is not giving up its struggle for
more oil royalty payment for Sabah.
SAPP's Eight (8) Points Declaration
- Whereas our mission is to establish a trustworthy govt and
a progressive ...
SAPP's 14 point memo in 2006
- Time for Direct Preventive Actions
Constitution (booklet)
Books on ....
RCI Report on Immigrants in Sabah
The Birth of Malaysia
Malaysia Agreement
Article 1-11
The Original Agreement of Malaysia
Heroes of Kinabalu 神山美烈誌
Schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution
more on ...
Twenty points safeguard
20 Perkara
Illegals & IC issues
No to coal-fired plant
Sabah Gas pipeline
3 million
acres oil blocks ceded
The Formation of Msia & Devt in Sabah
Proclamation of Msia 1963...details
Restore Sabah's right to appoint JCs,
Ex-minister: Review 20-point
Supply Sarawak power to Sabah...
Sedition Act 1948
Continental Shelf Act 83 (1966)
Petroleum Development Act 144 (1974)
Petroleum Oil Agreement
SAPP bid to discuss Sabah claim rejected
Take action against anti-Malaysia elements
Call for Philippines Consulate in Sabah
Get the RM1 billion and solve the QEH debacle
SAPP's objection of coal-fired plants in Sabah
SAPP: Explain the RM 601 loan to KL company
The missing billion ringgit
"special grant"
SAPP on SEDIA Bill 2009
SAPP supports the call for the abolishment of Cabotage
Probe illegals having Mykad also
Political Autonomy for Sabah
Sabah Schools still awaiting share of RM30 million
Special fund: Eric wants ACA probe
Oil royalty: SAPP not giving up
Bernas monopoly on rice
More News in Search Archive.....
------------------------------------------------------- More Updates


text:
So in my last post I was bragging that I had started walking just a little bit. Well, you should see me now! I can run! And, boy, do I love to run. I also love to climb. I have recently discovered that I can climb up Mom's chair, climb over the arm rest, and drop safely down to the other side. I like to do this over and over. I imagine that I am a mountain climber scaling the highest peaks. It is so exciting!
Back in April, Mom and Dad took me to the most wonderful place! They called it the zoo. It was amazing! So many animals, many I'd never seen before. There was a horse as tall as a tree! Mom said it was a giraffe. There was also a really funny-looking, hairy baby. I know he was a baby because he crawled around on his hands and feet. And his mommy didn't even have a diaper on him! Dad said it was a baboon. That's a really funny name for a baby.
There was also a train ride, and I got to try ice cream for the first time. It was very cold, but very delicious! Since I know how to walk, Mom and Dad let me get out of my stroller and walk with them. I felt like such a big girl! I even helped Daddy push the stroller! It was a marvelous day!
I have been having so much fun playing, but I have been learning, too! I know so many words! I know names for people in my family, like Mama, Daddy, Papa, Paigey, and Cake! My uncle's name is Jacob, and I try to say "Jake" but it comes out sounding like Cake. That's ok. I love Cake- the food and the uncle! I also know names for some of my favorite things: Cat, dog, bites, juice, bottle, crackers... I will tell people yes, no, bye-bye, hello, night-night, thank you... When I eat my food (I am getting better at trying new things), I say "Mmmm... Good!" When you sneeze, I even say "Bless You!" I know. I'm so polite!
I love being called a "good girl." When I do something that I'm not supposed to (Who me? Never!), I will stop when you tell me to, and then tell you I am a good girl for doing so. Then, I will pretend to do it again so you will tell me no so I can obey you and be a "good girl" again! I love compliments! I try to be on my best behavior. Mom and Dad do not let me have fits; believe me, I've tried. But apparently it is ok for other kids to have fits. Like the little boy in Target. He was screaming so loud he hurt my ears. And my mom did NOTHING!! If I had been doing that, she would have been upset with me. So since she wasn't going to handle it, I took it upon myself to do something about it. I looked at that little boy from my seat in the buggy and told him very clearly: "No-no. Stop." He didn't hear me over his screaming, but his mommy did. His mommy seemed to get mad at my mommy. Mom pushed me away quickly. I said, "Uh-oh..." Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything, but something had to be done to stop his screaming.
So I've got talking and walking down pat. I have recently taken up the drums. I'm not very coordinated yet, so my Neil Peart impression is still a little off. I'm not worried. Drumming runs in my family. Both of my grandfathers, my daddy, and my uncle Anthony are great drummers. If I keep practicing, I know I'll be as good as them!
Now that it is summer, Mom and Dad get to stay home with me everyday, and we are making the most of it! We play outside and inside and read stories. We go on errands all around the town. I love getting to spend time with them!
Between my birthday and turning 15 months old, we celebrated Easter and Mother's Day. I got my mom a beautiful ring with my birthstone. She loves it so much! We also went to a family reunion and helped Mom's childhood friend celebrate graduating from medical school! She has a little girl like me, so it was fun getting to play with her!
I am excited to keep learning and keep growing. Speaking of growing, I am 30" tall and still weighing 19 lbs, 4 oz. I am in the 20th-30th percentile for everything. My doctor says I've leveled off. I'm just going to be petite.
I have been so busy these last few months! Never slowing down; that's my motto. Running and talking and playing... it's good to be a toddler!
Until next time!
Parker E. Poe


text:
It looks like you've lost connection to our server. Please check your internet connection or reload this page.
log in
scroll to top
An Analysis of Differences and Similarities Between Socialism and Liberalism and Theories of Karl Marx
Page 1 of 5
Continue for 4 more pages →
Read full document
← View the full, formatted essay now!
Download this essay
Print this essay
Read full document
Get full access to this
document and many more!
Document details:
Words: 3,251


text:
New York based Incentient, is a Full Service Software Company with both Owned and Managed Networks. Specializing as a Total Digital Solution Provider in Custom Interactive Hospitality Technology.
Since its' inception in 2004, Incentient designs – develops – installs and supports, bespoke interactive technology solutions for discerning premium hospitality venues of every kind.
With clients in 23 countries, Incentient has established itself as a world leader in Virtual Concierge Software – Interactive Hotel Technology – Digital Wine List Software – Interactive Restaurant Menus. Patented SmartTouch and SmartCellar technology incorporate Web, Mobile and dedicated platform solutions into one intuitive, turnkey, digital solution – Manageable by our clients from a centralized administrative hub. The Incentient Luxury Resort Network is the latest in premium OOH digital advertising.
Industry leaders and hospitality professionals worldwide continue to choose Incentient as their single source, Guest Experience, Digital Solution, Hospitality Technology provider.


text:
Ignoring - wilfully or not - the Gonski review's conclusions
It's as if nobody wants to understand the Gonski report.
The greatly anticipated Gonski review of school funding was released a week ago, and so far everyone has - wilfully or not - ignored its conclusions.
This is perhaps because it doesn't feed into the tedious obsession both sides of politics have with the public-private school divide. Instead, the report is interested in outcomes and the complex, misunderstood issue of state and federal roles in education.
The product of nearly two years of research and more than 7,000 submissions, the Gonski review provides comprehensive and compelling evidence for what we already know – that Australia's current school funding arrangements lack clarity, equity and efficiency, and that this situation compounds disadvantage and limits the nation's scholastic performance.
It proposes a new Commonwealth funding model – the schooling resource standard. All schools would receive a base amount of funding per student, with additional money for educational obstacles such as socio-economic disadvantage, remoteness, non-English speaking background and indigeneity. This would be applied to all schools in all sectors – public, private, and Catholic. The neediest schools would receive the greatest public funding. Schools serving disabled students would be fully funded. This is all good, overdue common sense.
But the true significance of the review lies elsewhere.
Gonski says the Commonwealth should back off schools. The report repeatedly states that the complex ethical questions and challenges in Australian schooling should not and cannot be fixed by the level of government that commissioned the review itself.
Instead, it argues that state governments and the non-government school authorities should continue to run schools. Furthermore, it declares that state and non-government authorities should determine the funding allocations to individual schools based on their own assessment of needs, rather than have those allocations decided for them by Canberra.
In Gonski's own words, the existing school system authorities "are better placed than the Australian government to determine the most effective allocation of available resources in their particular circumstances." As long as they are transparent and fully accountable, system authorities can take the Commonwealth dollars, and (ignoring the schooling resource standard on which that funding was based) redistribute as they see fit.
Indeed, Gonski considers state and non-government systems' local knowledge and administrative capacity so superior to the Commonwealth's, that it urges the Commonwealth to institute individual and flexible school funding agreements with each state and territory government, rather than pursue a uniform national agreement.
Why haven't you heard about this?
In part, because Gonski is coy – you have to read the full report to find the big stories. The full rationale and recommendation that the Commonwealth pursue bilateral agreements with each state is buried in the middle of page 194 of its 319 page report.
It's also because the recommendations are so counter to the accepted wisdom of the education establishment - that a national and uniform system is the key to greatness. And the recommendations completely outflank the 'class warfare' narrative; a term that might sell papers, but belittles us all.
Gonski's argument is grounded on the principle of subsidiarity – that matters are best handled by the lowest level of government - and informed by the realities of Australia's fiscal federalism. Cognisant of the states' tiny and diminishing revenue sources, it further recommends that the Commonwealth increase its share of school funding and then 'respect the role each jurisdiction must fulfil'.
This makes perfect sense when you think about it. The vast differences between and within states and school systems, as well as temporary or localised educational challenges, necessitate system autonomy and flexibility.
Different school funding policies in each jurisdiction also provide valuable opportunities for system-wide policy experimentation. The successes can be transferred – in whole or part – to other jurisdictions. The failures are contained. It's a perfect opportunity to explore the virtues of vouchers versus centralised systems, or of school-based teacher employment versus central allocation.
States and non-government school systems have strong incentives to be educational leaders. No one wants headlines declaring that their schools have the worst literacy results, falling numeracy or the highest staff turnover, lest they lose those students, or worse, an election.
Finally, given the current instability of the federal parliament, individual bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and each of the states and territories provide a real possibility of reform where a straightjacket national model does not.
Unfortunately, Gonksi does not take his conclusions far enough.
The quickest way to reduce duplication and direct resources to where they're most needed is to eliminate the Commonwealth's role. In education policy-making, there are too many cooks spoiling the broth.
It's a situation that works well in Canada. It has neither a federal education department nor minister. Yet, their students are continuously at or near the top of international academic tests. What's more – and unlike Australia - this excellence is spread quite evenly, with only small achievement gaps between the strongest and weakest students, and between students from different socio-economic backgrounds. By leaving matters to provinces, they've maximised their students' potential.
The Gonski report's 41 recommendations emphasise just how limited the Commonwealth role currently is – and why that limitation should remain.
Regrettably, the chances of this are slim. Reduced federal involvement in education goes against the policy of every Commonwealth government since Menzies.
And neither side of politics would voluntarily relinquish control of such an electorally popular area – particularly in what is shaping up to be a vicious federal election.
Another opportunity lost. Or perhaps it is wilful ignorance after all.
Bronwyn Hinz is completing a PhD at the University of Melbourne on federalism and education policy. Follow her on Twitter @BronwynHinz. View her full profile here.
Topics: education, government-and-politics


text:
9 DAVID WEBER HONOR HARRINGTON HONORVERSE Lot FIELD OF DISHONOR, FLAG IN EXILE,
Sold for:
Start Free Trial
or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Sold Date:
- Source: eBay
Nine "Honorverse" booksSeven "Honor Harrington" novels by David Weber: ASHES OF VICTORY ECHOES OF HONOR FIELD OF DISHONOR FLAG IN EXILE THE HONOR OF THE QUEEN ON BASILISK STATION THE SHORT VICTORIOUS WAR Two anthologies of "Honorverse" stories: MORE THAN HONOR
Includes three stories, one each by Weber, David Drake, and S.M. Stirling,
plus the 80-page "The Universe of Honor Harrington" by Weber WORLDS OF HONOR
Includes five stories: two by Weber and one each by Linda Evans,
Jane Lindskold, and Roland J. Green ABOUT THESE BOOKS These are standard-size paperbacks (about 4" x 7"). On a scale of poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent condition, the books range from fair (rather heavy wear, use, or aging, but perfectly readable) to good (average wear). All the books have their covers, some with creasing, a corner chipped off, or other minor flaws. All the books have strong bindings. In a few of the books the insides of the covers, and the pages, have some age-tanning, and pages may have other flaws not affecting the reading, such as minor stains, smudges, or curled corners. Pages are otherwise clean with no writing, highlighting, underlining, or odors. These are NOT ex-library books. ... read more


text:
Pake PHP5 project build system
in PHP added by goodphptutorials, on 5/8/2009 ant build make pake
Often, while working on software projects, one finds, that there are repetitive tasks, which would be much easier to deal with, if automated. In the C/Unix world, this task is often solved by Make, Java programmers prefer Apache Ant, Ruby programmers use Rake. The fact, which is not commonly known, is, that PHP also has such instrument, and it is called Pake. It was originally created by authors of Symfony framework. Unfortunately, they never wrote any documentation, which killed adoption rates.comment save report are you sure? yes no
no comments