text:
If you have followed energy issues from anywhere other than a cave on a mountain peak, you've probably heard technoutopians utter some variation on the following sentence two or three hundred times "We walked on the moon – of course we can do whatever it takes to shift from fossil fuels to some other source of energy." The moon shot is perceived as the ultimate example of "put in a quarter and get out the technological outcome you want" in our history. If we could set out to put a man on the moon and do it in less than decade, can't we do anything we want to, with just enough ingenuity?
Because I am married to The Astrophysicist (more often known as Eric when I am playing him for comic relief ;-)) who among other things teaches the history of space exploration, the moon shot comes up more than perhaps in most marriages. Over the years we've both been struck by the disparity between how people view the moon shot (as proof that anything technically feasible can be promptly enacted) and how the actual history of our space program and the moon shot actually teach very different lessons – lessons equally relevant to our energy future, but not nearly as palatable. In this essay I am joined by the Astrophysicist as a collaborator.
Let's take the perceived lessons of the moon shot and subsequent space program as they are perceived, and then as they actually are, distinguishing myth from reality.
Myth : We walked on the moon – that means all we have to do is see a need for a new technology and turn good old American ingenuity towards it, and it will be accomplished. Thus, no need to worry about the transition away from fossil fuels.
Reality: It is tempting to retroactively write a story in which a united society saw the need to win the race to the moon and worked in unity to achieve it. In fact, however, it is a story about political manipulation and technical limits as much as achievement. The space race was a comparatively unimportant part of the conflict between the US and Soviet Union in a military or economic sense – but one with enormous political importance – a huge and expensive publicity stunt.
The perception that we were losing the space race and that the space race was of great geopolitical importance to Kennedy, reeling from various other disasters. Kennedy saw a political opportunity to emphasize the importance of the space race and manipulate events so that America could "win" a particular victory.
In fact, the history of the moon shot is mostly about the implicit acknowledgement of technological limits. We know for a fact that Kennedy and his scientific advisors considered a number of space related projects, including the building of a space-station (more on that later) to give Americans the necessary victory that would distract from a whole host of more important political issues. The reason the moon shot was chosen was not because we wanted so desperately to make "one giant step for mankind" – we imputed that significance later – but because it was virtually the only space-related project that we were fairly certain we could "win" at, because the Soviets weren't yet focused on it. Various other space projects were considered and abandoned as technically possible but not likely to win – Kennedy evaluated that the Soviets recovery from World War II would delay a moon landing long enough for an American "victory.". After considerable analysis, the moon shot was selected as both politically appealing and within our extant technical capacities. We had the technology.
Going to the moon was impressive, but it wasn't a case of taking an extant need, determining to fill it, and doing so rapidly and in response that need. Instead, it was about creating a need and moving a sideshow (the space race) to the center of things (this is, of course, normative in politics and always has been). It was an important sideshow for any number of historical reasons but not in any way parallel to facing a national crisis and engendering a technological response that prevents disaster. Indeed, it involved us acknowledging, with the case of the space station, that time was inadequate to complete many desired projects.
Myth: We can do what we want, unencumbered by limits, and go on doing it, expanding to fill available needs.
Reality: These two myths go hand in hand with the re-writing of our space narrative as the turn towards a kind of national unity. The previous lesson points out that the moon shot isn't a good parallel to the need for a response to an energy crisis, because we didn't need to go to the moon. On the other hand, the time horizon does seem to be inspiring. Kennedy announced that we would get to the surface of the moon within a decade, and to nearly everyone's surprise, 8 years later, we did. That is an impressive technological achievement. It belies the fact that the moon shot didn't take us into a new space age where those technologies were widely implemented and impacted most people's daily lives – something that would be necessary in a even broadly parallel "energy race."
As the Astrophysicist puts it to his class, saying "isn't it great to live in the space age" is rather like saying in 1986 "Isn't it great you live in the internet age?" More than 50 years into the "space age" fewer than 500 human beings have even entered low earth orbit (which my husband correctly describes to his undergraduates in Albany NY as "about as far away as New Jersey") and only 24 have ever gone further. Manned space flight has remained an occasional sideshow, but has never generalized or spread, despite the claims that regular commercial space flight will happen any day now (for those of you with a few hundred thousand bucks to spare). The difference between the internet is that it actually came to have a regular impact on ordinary people – space never did.
Moreover, what isn't widely known but is important is that this decline in manned space flight was something that began immediately after the moon shot itself – Apollo 18, 19 and 20, all expansions of the moon program, were cancelled within months of the moon landing. Indeed, due to lack of general interest and problems in the Soviet Space program, there was some consideration of cancelling the moon landing itself. The public's passion for the space race had waned and new political priorities had taken their place – there was debate over whether the expense was justified, but since most of the 20 billion dollars had already been spent, it was seen as a go-ahead.
What we can see is that manned space flight and the race to the moon are not only bad parallels in many ways to the kind of radical societal transformation that would enable us to replace oil and other fossil fuels with renewable energy in an equitable and widespread way, but also that the moon landing and the subsequent manned space program were not, in fact cases of the successful and scalable achievement of a technological goal that could be further built upon, but instead, an example of hitting a demonstration high note that was barely reproduceable and never had a meaningful impact on most lives. That's not what's needed, obviously, in regards to energy.
Myth: The arrow of technological progress always points straight towards the bullseye.
Reality: Eric has a children's book from 1960 that sat on his shelf during his boyhood in the 1970s called _You Will Go to the Moon_. Besides the humorous pictures of a little boy who travels to the moon as one routinely did in this imagined future. What's interesting about it is that the boy makes his moon launch from a 2001-style rotating space station in orbit. This was the original vision of a moon launch, and the original imagined purpose of space stations – rather than taking incredible quantities of energy and resources to launch to the moon directly from the ground, which was clearly not feasible if scaled, moon launches would necessarily occur from orbit where you wouldn't need to fight gravity or atmosphere.
When JFK announced that we would shoot for the moon by the end of the decade he functionally put an end to this kind of moon launch model. By focusing on the quick and dirty from-the-ground launch using disposable rockets, he shifted attention away from building a space station that would make this act reproducable and enable further (ideally) deep space missions. In a way, the nail in the coffin to going into space regularly was the first shot to the moon.
Because all resources were focused on these kinds of expendable rocket surface launches, and indeed because a generation of space-related expectations were built upon witnessing these kinds of surface launches, no extra-atmospheric space station that could have launched further exploration was ever built. By the time of the moon shot, the political will and economic resources to build such a space station were gone.
Remember those cancelled Apollo missions? Well, Skylab, the only space station the US has ever launched independently, was built with repurposed pieces from those cancelled space missions. The goals and purpose of a space station in 1973 were also repurposed from old Apollo missions – ie, to stay competitive with the Russians whose space station (also not a platform to further exploration) was launched in 1971, and who were dominating the study of long term human presence in space,
To the extent that Skylab had any goals that furthered expansion of the space program, it was to see how people survived in space over the longer term. Before the launch of Skylab the longest any American had been in space was about 2 weeks, but during the year Skylab was in use, the longest stay there was 84 days, well below the Russian record at that point. So even as a possible research step towards more manned space flight or long term life support, space stations were faltering, and the US space station program failed to take us in that direction – or rather, took us in the direction we were actually already heading – towards the abandonment of manned space flight for the most part.
It is here, i think that the parallels between the Moon Shot and our current need to make an energy transition are clearest and most important. We picked, for the purpose of political distraction, a goal that actually took us away from being an effective presence in space – by focusing on something that looked impressive but didn't get us anywhere important and that we knew couldn't easily be generalized, we failed to hit the "bullseye" of an actual "space age" in which manned space flight was meaningfully integrated into our future.
Looking ahead 40 years from the last moon landing (which happened four months after Sharon was born) none of the nations with space programs that either involve manned space flight or ambitions to entry into that club are all floundering to decide what the actual point of manned space flight is. The moon shot in many ways was not the beginning of anything except the end of real progress in manned space flight. It marked, in many ways, the start of a decline. We can't afford to have that be true of a transition to renewable and other energy sources. In this sense, the message of the moon launch is very different than most people think.
At the end of his class on the history of space exploration, when discussion turns towards the future, Eric shows his class an image of abandoned Apollo-era launch platforms from the 1970s (not the one above, the other is from an old documentary and not available to us, but the image at the top will give you a general sense) that look like nothing so much as a modern Stonehenge, concrete trilithons with a patina of age and a clear air of decrepitude. It is this, perhaps that people should (but often won't) take away from the moon shot – not that it proves we can do anything we want, whenever we want, but that we must choose carefully our goals and recognize our limits more clearly than we have in our past.
Sharon Astyk and Eric Woods


text:
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Friday allowed two Italian marines charged with the murder of two fishermen off the coast of India to return home to vote in a parliamentary election this weekend.
The sailors, members of a military security team protecting a cargo ship from pirate attacks, are accused of shooting the fishermen they say they mistook for pirates off the southern state of Kerala in February 2012, sparking a diplomatic row between New Delhi and Rome.
"The judges were sympathetic to the marines' request to exercise their democratic right of casting their votes," in the February 24-25 poll, Diljeet Titus, one of the lawyers representing the Italians, told Reuters.
Last month, the Supreme Court said in a long-awaited ruling that India had jurisdiction to try marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, setting the stage for a criminal trial that could further sour ties between India and Italy.
Italy had challenged India's right to try the two, arguing that the shooting had taken place in international waters.
"It is a very positive development and I feel great satisfaction," Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said in a statement.
"It allows our two boys to exercise their right to vote and to spend four weeks with their family in Italy, and the decision confirms a spirit of trust and cooperation with the Indian authorities that gives us hope for a positive outcome."
The Italians spent Christmas in Italy, after a Kerala court allowed them to join their families for the holiday, on condition they returned to India by January 10, which they did.
The marines are held at the Italian embassy in New Delhi and report to a police station once a week.
(Reporting by Annie Banerji; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Alistair Lyon)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Version 20 (modified by 7 years ago) (diff),
Agilo for Scrum
See also TracBacklogPlugin, BacklogPlugin, AgiloForScrumPlugin, IttecoTracPlugin.
New Agilo Pro 1.0 Released with Agilo for Scrum 0.8
The new Agilo Pro version adds to the already complete feature set of Agilo for Scrum also a very nice virtual Whiteboard, where very intuitively Team Members and Scrum Masters will be allowed to swap tasks around just by dragging and dropping them, and the Daily Scrum will probably be a more effective meeting. If you are interested, please download it from Agilo for Trac website and give us feedback for improvement via the Agilo User Group or the Get Satisfaction portal.
New Version Released 0.7.4
With the last release of Agilo we increased a lot the compatibility with Internet Explorer (IE6, IE7 and IE8) and fixed some more issues which were becoming annoying. The complete release note can be found on the Agilo Blog. You can find a complete list of the improvement made on the Agilo Development Portal.
New Version Released 0.7.3
We recently release a new version of Agilo for Scrum 0.7.3 that works with Trac 0.11. Major changes include the removal of dependencies with matplotlib and numpy, now all the charts are generated using a fully client-side solution- based on javascript, no plugins - Agilo can be downloaded from this website.
Agilo for Scrum is a simple, web-based and straightforward tool to support the Scrum process. Agilo is based on Trac a very successful and widespread Ticket Tracking System, and developed using the Python programming language. Agilo is distributed as Open Source Software according to the Apache Software License 2.0 and can be:
- either freely downloaded from this website or
- tried out on our online test server.
Just register and you will receive further information.
Related Plugins
ScrumBurndownPlugin is a similar plugin providing burndown charts.
Bugs/Feature Requests
We have a Google User Group where you can ask support and questions :-)
Agilo is not really a plugin, and should probably be moved to the Trac patches section. In particular, it has issues coexisting with standard Trac installations. While these can sometimes be worked around, it's definitely fair to say that Agilo is closer to a patch than a plugin.
Download, Source
Source code and egg versions are available at agile42 website.
Here there's a pretty comprehenssive HowTo and after registering you can access the Online Demo server too.
Recent Changes
Author: andreat
Contributors: fschwarz, garbrand, jvposer, sschulze, taz, mhaecker
Attachments (2)
- agilo_products.jpg (31.7 KB) - added by 10 years ago.
AgiloForTracScreenshots_small.png (209.5 KB) - added by 7 years ago.
Download all attachments as: .zip


text:
Mass. residents arrested in Bedford in stolen car
February 07. 2013 1:29PM
BEDFORD - Two Lowell, Mass., residents are under arrest after a motor vehicle stop determined they were in a stolen car.
Alesandra Castro, 30, and Ashley Dallaire, 28, were arrested about noon Wednesday after police pulled their car over at South River Road and Hull Lane.
The car was reported stolen out of Lowell.
Both were arrested and, while being booked at the police sation, were found to be in possession of controlled drugs.
Castro is charged with receiving stolen property, possession of controlled drugs and driving with a suspended license. Dallaire is charged with receiving stolen proeprty and possession of a controlled drug. She also was arrested on a bench warrant.
Both are being detained at the Valley Street jail in Manchester, he on $10,000 cash bail and she on $3,000 cash bail, pending arraignment Thursday in 9th Circuit Court, Merrimack District Division.


text:
Welcome to FDI:
FDI – the common solution to device management
The five major automation foundations, including the FDT Group, Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communication Foundation, PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, and OPC Foundation have developed a single common solution for Field Device Integration (FDI).
FDI technology will provide a common solution for managing information of intelligent field devices for the various tasks associated with all phases of their lifecycle, from configuration, commissioning, and diagnostics to calibration. This makes different solutions for different devices obsolete. FDI is a truly unified solution that addresses end user requirements across the spectrum.
You want to know more? Read more on our pages or download the brochure ...


text:
Log in
Signup now!
Search Orchids
Search Genera
Orchid Groups
Most Popular in ORCHIDS.ORG
Most Popular Orchids
Article Blog
Article Index
The Orchid Doctor
Article Categories
Categories Index
Plant Vendors
Other Vendors
Public Gardens
Judging Centers
Organizations: Newer
Events: All
Past Events
DETERGENTS: As Wetter-stickers
Orchid Doctor
by Robert M. Hamilton (Compiler)
Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988
Posted by
Sys Admin
over 1 year ago.
Article Blog
Article Index
Mild detergent, such as "Palmolive Green" can be used as an addition to a spray; use lightly, about 1/4 tpg. A63-213; A76-611
Share on Social Media:
Log in to Add a Comment
New Topics
Raina Steiner asked question
Ellison Onizuka
in category General Discussion
Adrienne Alexander asked question
How to add a not-listed plant
in category General Discussion
Juan Martin Cabrejos asked question
Any idea of this Cattleya?
in category General Discussion
Karl Olsen asked question
Phalaenopsis Hope Star
in category Phalaenopsis
Brenda Sharpe asked question
Dendrobium clavator
in category General Discussion
Ask a Question
Start a Topic
New Comments
Kathleen Kust commented on topic
"Ellison Onizuka"
by Raina Steiner
Adrienne Alexander commented on topic
"How to add a not-listed plant"
by Adrienne Alexander
Carol Holdren commented on member plant
Rly. Raspberry Lemonade
by Paul Keller
Sys Admin commented on topic
"Any idea of this Cattleya?"
by Juan Martin Cabrejos
Sys Admin commented on topic
"Phalaenopsis Hope Star"
by Karl Olsen
Carol Holdren commented on topic
"Dendrobium clavator"
by Brenda Sharpe
Greg Barne commented on topic
"Using triacontanol on orchids"
by Greg Barne
Carol Holdren commented on member plant
Phal. bellina
by Andry Harmony
Sys Admin commented on orchid
Doc. teretifolia
Sys Admin commented on orchid
Den. clavator


text:
Comet Wild2: First Evidence of Space Weathering
The traditional picture of comets as cold, icy, unchanging bodies throughout their history is being reappraised in the light of analyses of dust grains from Comet Wild2. A team led by the University of Leicester has detected the presence of iron in a dust grain, evidence of space weathering that could explain the rusty reddish colour of Wild2's outer surface. The results will be presented by Dr John Bridges at the National Astronomy Meeting in Manchester on Tuesday 27th March.
The Wild2 grains were collected by the NASA Stardust mission and returned to Earth in 2006. The fast-moving dust grains were collected in arrays of aerogel, a silicon-based foam that is 99 per cent empty space, which slowed the particles from velocities of 6 kilometres a second to a halt over just a few millimetres. Since then, an international team of scientists has been analysing the samples and the carrot-shaped tracks that they left in the aerogel. Microscopic samples dissected from the grains have been analysed at facilities around the UK, and in particular this work was performed at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Oxfordshire and Leicester University. Through a range of analytical techniques, scientists in the UK have been able to fully analyse the mineralogy and isotopes of the samples.
"The total mass of Comet Wild2 grains returned is less than a milligram, so these samples are incredibly precious and a considerable analytical challenge," said Bridges, of the University of Leicester.
The analysis from the Microfocus Spectroscopy beamline at the Diamond synchrotron shows that the surface of Comet Wild2 has been bombarded by particles in the solar wind and micrometeorites throughout its 4.5 billion year history. This space weathering has deposited nanometre-size grains of iron metal and reddened the surface of the comet.
This is the first mineralogical evidence for space weathering that has been identified in the Wild2 samples that was hinted at by other spectroscopic observations of the comet," said Bridges. "It adds another piece of the puzzle to our understanding of the life history of comets."
Images of the Stardust mission and aerogel can be found at: http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/photo/index.html
Aerogel sample with track #170
Dr John Bridges
University of Leicester
Tel: +44(0)116 252 2007
NAM 2012 Press Office (0900 – 1730 BST, 27-29 March; 0900 – 1630 BST 30 March)
Room 3.214
University Place building
University of Manchester
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 7313
Dr Robert Massey
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)794 124 8035
Anita Heward
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7756 034 243
Dr Klaus Jaeger
Pressereferent / Press Officer im Vorstand der Astronomischen Gesellschaft
Tel: +49 6221 528 379
Dan Cochlin
Media Officer (Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences)
University of Manchester
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 8387
Bringing together more than 900 astronomers and space scientists, the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2012) will take place from 27-30 March 2012 in the University Place conference centre at the University of Manchester in the UK. The conference is a joint meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the German Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG) and is held in conjunction with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP: www.uksolphys.org) and Magnetosphere Ionosphere Solar Terrestrial (MIST: www.mist.ac.uk) meetings. NAM 2012 is principally sponsored by the RAS, AG, STFC and the University of Manchester.
The Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS: www.ras.org.uk), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3500 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
The Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG)
The Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG: www.astronomische-gesellschaft.de), founded in 1863, is a modern astronomical society with more than 800 members dedicated to the advancement of astronomy and astrophysics and the networking between astronomers. It represents German astronomers, organises scientific meetings, publishes journals, offers grants, recognises outstanding work through awards and places a high priority on the support of talented young scientists, public outreach and astronomy education in schools.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC: www.stfc.ac.uk) is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar. It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities for example in the area of astronomy, the European Southern Observatory.
Diamond Light Source
Diamond Light Source is funded by the UK Government via the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and by the Wellcome Trust.
For more information about Diamond visit www.diamond.ac.uk
Diamond generates extremely intense pin-point beams of synchrotron light of exceptional quality ranging from X-rays, ultra-violet and infrared. For example Diamond's X-rays are around 100 billion times brighter than a standard hospital X-ray machine.
Many of our everyday commodities that we take for granted, from food manufacturing to cosmetics, from revolutionary drugs to surgical tools, from computers to mobile phones, have all been developed or improved using synchrotron light.
Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JBCA: www.jb.man.ac.uk/) is part of the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Manchester. JBCA is split over two main sites: the Alan Turing Building in Manchester and the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire. At Jodrell Bank Observatory, the new Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is a key focus for our work in public engagement and education. Jodrell Bank is a world leader in radio astronomy-related research and technology development with a research programme extending across much of modern astrophysics. The group operates the e-MERLIN national radio astronomy facility and the iconic Lovell Telescope, hosts the UK ALMA Regional Centre Node and is home to the international office of the SKA Organisation. Funded by the University, the Science & Technology Facilities Council and the European Commission, it is one of the UK's largest astrophysics research groups.


text:
Simple Mod Paper Mobile
I'm forever redecorating my mantle. It's a super quick fix to changing the look of the room, and it satisfies some sort of home-designing need in me without costing me too much time or money. And once the Christmas mantle was put away I had to fill that space with something, right? So I borrowed our Cart sign from the studio, slapped some white paint on that big househead sculpture that I made in college that has been living in the closet, and found a place for my new ukulele. But is still was lacking something. I was thinking that maybe something hanging from the ceiling would be nice. So I got to tinkering and came up with this--
All I did was take a bunch of my cardstock scraps and cut them into a variety of strips. Then I glued them to embroidery floss with white glue, and glued another little bit of paper on top. Like so--
Then I made more and let them dry overnight.
This morning, I tied a heavy beads to the bottoms to give them a bit of weight, and I was done. I just pinned them to the ceiling using clear push pins.
I like them! And they spin prettily with any breeze.
8 comments:
Simple yet effective, great idea!ReplyDelete
I just came across your blog while peeking at a few Pinterest boards...WOW! you have amazing talent! I have been so inspired by reading through several of your past posts and I'm looking forward to more to come! Thanks,ReplyDelete
what fun....they're just perfect!!! thanks for the inspiration! happy new year!ReplyDelete
So much fun.. I am art teacher and that easy idea could adapted to do with kids... Thanks for sharing it!ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
hi there
my recently got DSL installed on his pc
now here's the question he has taken the speed of 64 kbps and i have taken the plan of speed 256 kbps now when i tried to access my account thru his pc it worked!!! does that mean that his DSL modem is able to provide the speed of 256 kbps even though he ha taken the 64 kbps plan!!!
P.S.: we both have different modems of different manufacturers


text:
Casa Lakeville, Phase III development of the Lakeville high-end residential community, offers a total of 474 units in 11 towers, with 1-bedroom unit to 4-bedroom units and penthouse. Size of the apartments range from approximately 90 – 426 sqm. Residents are able to enjoy the exclusive residential clubhouse facilities,24 hour individualized VIP service include transportation service, postal service, air ticket booking service, food ordering service,etc
Casa Lakeville, Lakevil... more


text:
Home / Boxing / BOXING UNIFORMS / Boxing Shoes / Everlast Contender Lo Top Boxing Shoe
Model Number: P00000063
6" Low-Top with padded ankle support. Grooved rubber sole for extra traction.
Reinforced for increased durability and maximum safety.
Available Options:
Boxing, Martial Arts, Mixed Martial Arts, Kickboxing and all other contact sports are high risk sports and users of these products are subject to personal injury. These training and fitness accessories provide a degree of protection but are not warranted to protect the user from injury. The user must assume full responsibility for any injury sustained through the use of these products. Depending on usage, the protective quality will diminish in time and require replacement.
© Copyright 2018 Full Contact Sports
Privacy and security | Return policy | Shipping policy


text:
Auto Transport Services Idaho
Are you starting the process of moving from Idaho? Is there a vehicle you would like to move as well? If so, it's important to find a reputable and reliable company that offers auto transport Idaho services that fit your needs and will ultimately meet your expectations. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for Idaho auto transport services. First is Cost, shipping a vehicle across country or state to state can fluctuate greatly in price when choosing Idaho auto transport services. So it's imperative to get an estimate based on your move and the distance of travel, along with your vehicle specifications. Another important factor to look for when finding Idaho auto transport services is if they offer any insurance or recovery plans. You should never put your vehicle in the hands of any auto transport services that are not insured, doing so will give you peace of mind knowing if something were to happen to your vehicle during transport you are covered.
The Importance of Idaho Auto Shipping Reviews
Before deciding on your Idaho auto transport company, it's important to read auto transport reviews. Taking the time to read auto transport reviews will allow you to get some insight on how other parties feel about the potential company and the services they provide. It would be in your best interest to read Idaho auto transport reviews for Idaho auto transport services so you can weigh the pros and cons and make your own judgment on whether you want to leave the responsibility of transporting your vehicle in the potential company's hands. When all is said and done, you want to find an Idaho auto transporter that has best auto transport reviews given by satisfied customers.
Idaho Car Shipping Companies
Do you need to ship a vehicle from Idaho? When moving to a far place, Idaho Auto transport companies are the easiest and most convenient way to relocate your vehicle. When choosing Idaho auto transport companies in it's important to compare pricing and quality of the service they provide. Pricing can vary and it's important to get an estimate from the Idaho auto transport company based on your vehicle specification before committing to one. As a potential customer, you are able to ask for documentation such as permits and licenses from the Idaho auto transport companies to ensure the Idaho auto transport company is operating legally. One last recommendation for when you have finally chosen an Idaho auto transport company is to always be on time when dropping your car off and document the condition of your vehicle before its loading on the truck.


text:
Mayan Mural Found in Family Kitchen
Get the full story from National Geographic here. The Ramirez family made an incredible discovery behind old plaster in their 300 year old home.
– It used to be an ordinary family kitchen. Now, it's an archeological treasure.
While scraping his walls five years ago in an effort to renovate his kitchen, Lucas Asicona Ramírez, discovered pieces of a Mayan mural centuries old.
Now, the Ramírez family of five is currently looking to convert the room into a small museum but lack the funds, according to the National Geographic.
Scientists are racing against time in an attempt to preserve the mural, before the light disintegrates the artwork and erases any unlocked secrets it may hold.
The mural, hidden behind plaster that makes up the 300-year-old home discovered in the Guatemalan village of Chajul, is authentic, according to Nat Geo.
"We don't get a lot of this type of artwork; it's not commonly preserved in the New World," said Saturno, a National Geographic grantee. "It'd be neat to see who the folks were who painted on the wall and why."
The paintings can be dated back to after the 16th century after the Spanish conquest of Guatemala.
In one portion of the mural you can see "accompanied by a flutist, a Spanish-garbed drummer plays for a figure in a Maya headdress in the Ramírez's main living area, used as a kitchen and living-dining area."
Illustrations in the murals have text that dates back to 17th and 18th centuries.
"From the waist up" these figures are "typical Maya," with long capes, archaeologist Jarosław Źrałka, said to Nat Geo. "But they also have Spanish clothes"—pants and European-style shoes, for example.
The key behind the origins of the paintings lies in the location of the Chajul village. Many mayan cities mysteriously disappeared around 900 AD but some places, such as the Chujal village, survived the Spanish conquistadores longer than its' northern brothers.
As for the effort to save these murals - scientists say the Ramírez family should have stopped scraping the plaster back in 2008 when he first noticed the mural, but they now must balance preservation versus private rights.
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino


text:
TORONTO (AP) — It began with Canada tweeting some not-so-friendly travel tips for the Russian military: a map showing Russia and labeling Ukraine as "not Russia."
That opening shot was enough to launch a Twitter war of words — and maps.
Canada's NATO Twitter account posted the map Wednesday with the explanation: "Geography can be tough. Here's a guide for Russian soldiers who keep getting lost and 'accidentally' enter Ukraine."
The tweet went viral, being retweeted more than 25,000 times by late Thursday, including by U.S. U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power.
Russia struck back by tweeting its own map showing Crimea as part of its territory. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March.
Kiev accused Russia on Thursday of sending tanks, artillery and troops across Ukraine's border.
Russia says its only active duty soldiers in Ukraine were the 10 captured earlier this week, who Moscow insists had mistakenly wandered across the border.
NATO estimates that as many as 1,000 Russian troops are fighting inside Ukraine with an additional 20,000 soldiers massing on the border for support or possible reinforcements.
"It's important to look at this exchange through the current context," said Rick Roth, the top spokesman for Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. "The original tweet was in the context of Russian military personnel being found in sovereign Ukrainian territory, claiming they were lost. Nobody believes that."
Dutch Brig.-Gen. Nico Tak said there has been a significant escalation in both the level and sophistication of Russia's military interference in Ukraine.
"We have also detected large quantities of advanced weapons, including air defense systems, artillery, tanks, and armored personnel carriers being transferred to separatist forces in eastern Ukraine," said Tak.
Baird called the recent events a "significant provocation" in advance of next week's NATO summit in Wales, where the alliance's leaders are expected to hold a special meeting with new Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Ukraine is not a member of NATO, so the alliance is not automatically obliged to come to its defense.
President Barack Obama ruled out the possibility that the U.S. will take military action over Ukraine and declined to characterize the assault as an invasion.


text: Warning: Creating default object from empty value in /home/cerebel6/public_html/idol/amplicate/amp.php on line 27 Why Do People Love Movie Plus? 50% People Do (2 opinions) SEARCH Main > Software > Video Editing Software > Movie Plus What do you love or hate about Movie Plus? Join conversation by posting a tweet char Choose Love Hate Tag Loves Hates All Tweets Facebook More Share your opinion Movie Plus Loading... 50% of 2 people Love Movie Plus. Related CategoriesVideo Editing Software Popular Topics Basketball Football Soccer Taylor Swift Beyonce Rihanna Chocolate Cooking The Cloud Dropbox iPhone Harry Potter Glee Disney Barack Obama Top CategoriesElectronicsEntertainmentEnvironmentFinanceFoodHealth and well beingInternetLifestyleMedia and communicationsPeoplePlacesServicesSocietySoftwareTravel and transport Related Categories Video Editing Software About Goal Company People Partnership Opportunities API (coming soon) Contact Us Follow @FANpeeps Copyright 2013 FANpeeps.com (No copyright claimed on portions created by others or on information used under various creative commons licenses.)


text:
IMPORTANT: Please click "End Session" to clear your personal information. (Credit Card info is always hidden from view).End Session
Cookies are not enabled in your browser.
You must have Cookies enabled for the best experience on our site and to make a purchase.
Learn how to enable Cookies in your browser or call 1-800-426-8020 for assistance.
Shown in:
Made for versatility, this fleece jacket moves easily between activities and seasons. Our guides regularly take it to the Himalayas, and it's just as at home in town. Use as outerwear, or layer it under a shell when the weather turns nasty. Soft fabric and breathable stretch panels provide warmth and mobility in any situation.
Active: Our most athletic fit. Close to body without restricting mobility. Designed to fit over baselayers and lightweight midlayers.
Every product we sell carries a lifetime warranty. If you are unhappy with it for any reason, you may return it for an exchange or refund.Learn more
RETURNS & EXCHANGESLearn more


text:
- Previous
- Next
1 / 7
Hi! I am a french fashion designer (Victorian Woman by Manuela Biocca fashion accessories www.victorianwoman.fr) and I would like to share with you this easy tutorial to sew a sewing pouch to bring with you all your sewing tools.
Pattern based on a burda Style Magazine pattern a bit modified. Very easy pattern even for beginners.
Instructions are in french but the photos will help you to understand the different steps easily.
You can find the 2 downloadable PDF files on my blog :
Step 1 : http://blog.victorianwoman.fr/LeBlog/tabid/40/EntryId/51/Tutoriel-pochette-de-couture-Victorian-Woman-1.aspx
Step 2 : http://blog.victorianwoman.fr/LeBlog/tabid/40/EntryId/52/Tutoriel-pochette-de-couture-Victorian-Woman-2.aspx
Please if you like the tutorial, write a comment on the blog. Thank you very much! Happy sewing!


text:
- Buy 5 each and save 5%
- Buy 24 each and save 15%
- Description
- Reviews
- Product Q&A
Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta)Latin Name: Aframomum melegueta
Common Names: Grains of Paradise, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains, and Guinea pepper
Origin: West Africa
Grains of Paradise are the seeds from the Aframomum melegueta plant, which is an herbaceous perennial plant found in West Africa, and is part of the ginger plant family. The seeds are produced in pods that are borne from the flowers of the plant. The seed from this plant is approximately the same size as cardamom seed, about one-eighth of an inch in diameter. Aframomum melegueta seeds have a peppery taste, and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Grains of Paradise, which goes by the common names of Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains and Guinea pepper, has been in use since ancient times. In the fifteen and sixteen hundreds, the spice was used in Europe as a substitute for pepper. The name comes from the Middle Ages, when the spice was considered to have a high value.
Today Grains of Paradise spice is used for flavoring certain types of drinks, most notably some aquavit, beers and gins. It can also be used to flavor vinegar. You can grind the seeds in a mill as you would peppercorns, and it can be used in recipes much as cardamom is used. Some people like to include it for a piquant bite in a fruit pie, such as pear or apple. It can also be used in tagines, which is the name of a dish but is also the name of the pot with the cone-shaped lid in which the food is cooked, usually in an oven. It is a North African delicacy that is reminiscent of a stew, and includes meats such as lamb or chicken along with vegetables, and Grains of Paradise can be used as part of the seasoning for the dish.
When you buy Grains of Paradise from Starwest Botanicals, you can be assured of receiving the highest quality dried herbs and spices. We offer quality dried herbs and spices with superb customer service and fair prices for your complete satisfaction guarantee.
There are no reviews for this product, yet.
Write Your Own Review
Questions & Answers for Grains of Paradise
You may also like
Please enter your email address and we will notify you as soon as is back in-stock.
Your request has been submitted successfully. As soon as the item is back in-stock we will notify you via email.
Thank you for your patience.Close


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hip-hop artists including rappers Nas and Somalia-born K'naan will take center stage in an unexpected place next year, highlighting their generation and art form alongside opera, ballet and theater at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The center, a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, announced Tuesday that its 2013-2014 season would include the weeklong festival "One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide." It also plans to feature an international theater festival with works from at least 10 different nations and new American works commissioned in theater, opera and music.
The 2014 hip-hop festival will open with Nas rapping with musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra on music from his classic debut album "Illmatic." The festival will also feature Puerto Rican musicians Calle 13 and a graffiti exhibition.
The mix of rap, DJing and graffiti with more traditional arts at one of the nation's busiest performing arts centers will make the year unique, Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser said.
"Hip-hop is clearly something new and different for us," Kaiser said, noting the center had also created festivals around country music and gospel, which are also less familiar in its concert halls. "I think to do something very current is important. We're trying to speak to many different audiences."
The season will include more than 2,000 performances in a wide array of theater, music and dance. It includes the center's first international festival devoted to theater, featuring companies from Chile, China, Israel, Kuwait and the United Kingdom, among other places.
Separately, the Kennedy Center will host the Bolshoi ballet, which is especially notable because of recent scandal in the famed Russian dance company. In January, an assailant threw acid in the face of the company's artistic director, possibly in retaliation for his selection of certain dancers over others for coveted roles. Police in Moscow announced Tuesday that a suspect has been detained.
In musical theater, the Kennedy Center is developing a new production of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's "Side Show," with La Jolla Playhouse — the first major revival since the musical's original 1997 run on Broadway. Oscar-winning director Bill Condon, who recently directed both parts of the "Twilight" series "Breaking Dawn" is directing the show.
Opera star Renee Fleming will lead a three-day festival of "American Voices," examining the different ways Americans sing, from country to jazz and gospel to pop.
The Washington National Opera's season at the Kennedy Center will underscore its vision to embrace American and nontraditional productions. It includes a new holiday opera for families entitled "The Lion, the Unicorn and Me," with a score by musical theater composer Jeanine Tesori. It will tell the Christmas story from the perspective of the donkey. The season also will include the East Coast premiere of "Moby-Dick," Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde," and new productions of Verdi's "The Force of Destiny" and "The Magic Flute."
Kaiser said the season endeavors to make opera "more accessible to some audiences and ... more up-to-date for audiences — but also putting a focus and an emphasis on the American achievement in the opera field."
In the year ahead, the National Symphony Orchestra will host a two-week festival combining new musical works with newly commissioned choreography in "New Moves: Symphony + Dance." The orchestra also will offer an homage to George Washington in a new co-commission and a performance of "Der Rosenkavalier," featuring Renee Fleming as a tribute to Richard Strauss' 150th birthday.
This is the last full programming slate Kaiser will lead at the center before stepping down at the end of 2014.
"For me, it was a very personal season," Kaiser said, as he prepares to help hand off leadership to a new president. "Every decade or so, an institution like this needs a fresh artistic voice."
Follow Brett Zongker at https://twitter.com/DCArtBeat
The Kennedy Center: http://www.kennedy-center.org/index.cfm


text:
Meet thousands of West Branch singles through one of the best West Branch online dating sites. Matchmaker.com has great instant messenger and live video West Branch chat service for our members. West Branch dating has never been easier with our show interest feature that will allow you to break the ice with attractive local singles.
Matchmaker.com has some great services for West Branch singles looking for a longer term relationship. Besides our great West Branch chat product with live video matchmaker users can send email messages to people in the area. The West Branch dating scene can be hard to find the right person at times; however, we are here to help and our West Branch online dating service is free to register.
West BranchJoin Now Free!
West Branch Girls | West Branch Men | West Branch Gay | West Branch Lesbians
More West Branch Links:
West Branch Personals | West Branch Speed Dating | West Branch Chat | West Branch Singles | West Branch Love
Senior Dating | Catholic Dating | Christian Dating | Muslim Dating
Black Singles | Asian Singles | Latin Dating
Try our West Branch dating service today. Matchmaker.com is one of the oldest West Branch online dating services on the Internet and has brought thousands of couples together from the area. Test drive our West Branch Chat room with one of the best online communities for the West Branch single person. Also, keep in mind that we have a huge member base of West Branch singles and that we also cater to members of the many backgrounds.
Still not convinced that matchmaker is the free West Branch dating service for you? Once you've filled out the quick registration process you will be to see full size photos and profiles of thousands of West Branch singles. Did you know that free West Branch dating is a few clicks away? Find love and romance in West Branch at matchmaker today!


text:
Stockton, CA
Aurora "Patty" Vergara
Mar. 17, 1932 - Nov. 11, 2012
Aurora (Patty) Vergara, born March 17, 1932 passed away on November 11, 2012 surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted and survived by their children, Kathy and Ted, 3 grandchildren: Brandy, Rob and Jackie, 2 great grandchildren Aurora and Robbie. Also preceded in death by her sister, Lola Morales, she leaves 2 sisters Lydia and Belen and brother, Tony, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Vigil at the DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California St., Stockton, CA on Thursday November 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gertrude's Catholic Church, 1663 E. Main St. Stockton, CA. There will be visitation at DeYoungs on Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Burial will be at the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to Hospice of San Joaquin. Online guest book at deyoungchapels.com


text:
I know I shouldn't say this but...
Is that the same 'star' that invisible friend worshipers believe heralded his birth?
Whoops, bit of a chronology problem there.
NASA says it has put to rest any lingering doubts about the identity of the first recorded supernova, described in the Chinese historical work Book of the Later Han as having taken place in 185 A.D. As strongly suspected by observations made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton …
Is that the same 'star' that invisible friend worshipers believe heralded his birth?
Whoops, bit of a chronology problem there.
be careful or some Christian will go thermonuclear on you.
Perhaps the big fella sneezed?
Wouldn't it be closer to 1 BC? ( Funky dates notwithstanding)
...but you will have created a simple error of chronology, by attempting to relate two separate and unrelated things. Have you seen someone about that cognitive dissonance problem of yours?
I am a Christian and no, I do not propose "going thermonuclear" - I will simply shake my head at the lengths some people go to in trying to discredit my beliefs.
"Halley's appearance in 12 BC, only a few years distant from the conventionally assigned date of the birth of Jesus Christ, has led some theologians and astronomers to suggest that it might explain the biblical story of the Star of Bethlehem. "
(disclaimer: wikifact and IANAC)
Not so much 'discredit' as 'mock'... in a way that they'd never dream of doing for other religions.
(I'm totally agnostic BTW, just sick of this sort of childish hypocrisy.)
You are free to believe whatever you like, but please don't present your beliefs as facts.
I have nothing against Christians, but I harbour a deep dislike of those who believe the young-Earth creationism nonsense and try to prevent it as scientific fact* whilst maintaining that evolution is 'just' a theory**.
Anyway, shake your head all you like. While you're at it, feel free to put your fingers in your ears, shout, "La la la I'm not listening", and screw your eyes up really tight. Other people are perfectly capable of forming a world-view that is both internally consistent and externally consistent with observable facts without invoking invisible omnipotent beings. This does not demonstrate congitive dissonance, a quite remarkable amount of which CAN be seen amongst religious types. Resorting to the argument, "It's like that because God did it" is a perfect example.
*There is no such thing as a scientific fact, science works on the basis of forming and testing hypotheses to form a systematic understanding of the universe that is consistent with observation.
**Evolution is a theory, creationism isnt even that, as it relies on no evidence and makes no testable predictions. The fact that scientific theories can be tested, whereas faith-based belief systems cannot, makes them falsifiable. The fact that evolution hasn't been falsified by experiment, despite having been around as a scientific theory for over a century makes it a pretty strong contender for being right. The fact that religious beliefs tend to include a clause along the lines of, "Don't test the truth of this, or God will get angry" implies pretty strongly to me that they stand on shaky ground to begin with.
Ask the most prominent scientists about the origins of the big bang and then tell me believing in a God is any different.
While science explains the world around us it does not, nor ever has managed to disprove the origins of that which science explains, believers of science are themselves religious, with no methods to test big bang theories and prove or disprove the source of the universe your beliefs are no more valid than a Christian, or any other religious believer for that matter.
Yours and many others mockery of religion is unscientific at best and plain pathetic and hypocritical at worst, evolution is still only a theory, creationism less so, but until the indisputable evidence is in one way or the other the pro-science mob have to accept their belief in science is no different from the belief that bearded super-being made all this.
Science makes no claims to explain the cause of the big bang. The evidence points towards the big bang happening, but no further. It is generally agreed that there is no way of telling what happend 'before' the big bang, and even that 'before' means anything in this context. So yes, some supernatural sky fairy could have clicked his fingers and cuased the big bang to happen, any other unprovable and made-up explanation could also be true too.
I personally have no 'belief' as to what 'caused' the universe to exist one way or another. Your argument is flawed because you conflate the idea of belief without questioning with the idea of acceptance of the evidence.
The mockery of religion by others may well be unscientific, and hypocritical. Unless you can point me to something that I have written that is either unscientific or hypocritical, I would ask you to refrain from ad-hominem attacks as it does nothing to strengthen your argument.
My objection, which is also the objection of many others, is the claim that evolution is 'just a theory'. This conflates the scientific use of the word theory (an internally consisten and testable evidence-led hypothesis) with the common usage (any old idea). This is a deliberate misrepresentation, and you know it.
This is over a century after the time of Augustus (he who issued the decree that all the world should be taxed) and Tiberius (in whose 15th year Jesus began His public ministry) so the answer to your question must be a definite no.
Was this supernova noted by any other contemporary people - in particular the Babylonians? This is where scholarly opinion suggests that the (unspecified number of) Wise Men came from.
(I'm too nice a guy to go thermonuclear on anybody.)
LC Said:
"You are free to believe whatever you like, but please don't present your beliefs as facts."
in response to:
"...you will have created a simple error of chronology, by attempting to relate two separate and unrelated things."
OK, I might be a bit slow, but I don't see any presentation of beliefs as facts, here. He merely stated that the "fact" of the supernova was not related to his "belief" in what happened on the vicinity of 1 AD. I don't see him saying that his beliefs are fact.
I believe mine's the one with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in it.
"Ask the most prominent scientists about the origins of the big bang and then tell me believing in a God is any different."
I've always been an athiest but do enjoy this one.
Ask a person this "Would you say a good description of the big bang could be 'Let there be light'"
I'm just throwing it out there :)
So there *is* interstellar gasoline (and oxygen too) in space.
I'm off to Alpha Centauri with my Hummer.
To be accurate, the star was a white dwarf whose stellar wind blew a giant cavity in its environment, that allowed the later explosion more room to expand into. It also sucked massive amounts of matters from a companion star, so much that it ended up blowing up, fulfilling the definition of a type 1a supernova.
White dwarfs have no stellar wind. The progenitor star might have blown the cavity, but more likely it was a companion star (Type 1a supernovae are produced by binary stars where one of the partners is a white dwarf).
As Rik notes here, the cavity seems to have been produced not by either the predecessor to the white dwarf or its companion star blowing away stellar material, but rather by the latter sucking up enough material in its vicinity to clear the way - a mechanism which is new to science. For more on this matter, see the article on the NASA website (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/news/spitzer20111024.html)....
While I am white and I may be vertically challenged, I doubt if I qualify as being a dwarf, however I do have a Stella (Artois) wind and blow my cavity regularly - see icon.
Why isn't Galaxy upholding the Dwarf Tossing Ban Act?
Would that be a dwarf made from tachyons? :D
... "go thermonuclear"
Erm, so what were they doing beforehand...?
They were being very hot and very dense, but not being thermonuclear, since all thermonuclear activity has ceased in a white dwarf. The heat and light from a white dwarf comes entirely from the tremendous pressure its gravity exerts on the degenerate matter that comprises it. Remember, compression produces heat - in the case of a white dwarf, enough heat to make it glow for hundreds of billions of years.
Thermonuclear reactions in a white dwarf can only occur when fresh, non-degenerate matter falls onto its surface (as from a main-sequence / red-giant companion star) and is compressed by the white dwarf's gravity to the point where thermonuclear reactions can begin. When the amount of material reaches a sufficient amount that the thermonuclear activity can finally break free of the white dwarf's intense gravity, it does so - in a single brilliant burst, known as a Type 1a supernova.
BTW, regarding the plural query in the article - the correct plural of supernova is in fact "supernovae", not "supernovas".
If a word has been taken fully into English, then the English pluralisations are used, not the victim languages.
Eg, the correct plural form of stadium really is stadiums, except for anything historical.
Not sure if this would apply to supernova.
At the risk of getting drawn into a long and pointless argument about grammar, the 'correct' plural of supanova is either supernovas or supernovae, both are in common enough use to be understood.
I can think of many cases where the correct plural in English is not just the word with an 's' tacked on the end, such as bacterium -> bacteria, if you were to use the word 'bacteriums' in conversation around microbiologists, you'd most likely get the piss taken out of you pretty thoroughly. English benefits from having assimilated words from a number of other languages, many of which have retained their original plural forms - there is no 'correct' systematic way of pluralising a word that has originated in another language.
"Nova" is a latin word, so the correct plural form (even in English) is "novae".
I myself have fallen victim to Muphry's Law.
I should, of course, have written 'supernova', not 'supanova'.
Without getting bogged down in enymology, the correct term used in ASTROPHYSICS is supernovae.
'etymology'. Running away now before I screw up something.
Yes, all very true; and I too don't really have the energy for a long drawn out pluralisation debate.
That said, I put it to you that the majority (microbiologists notwithstanding) would use the word 'bacteria' as both a singular and plural; so the use of 'bacteriums' is really a moot point, given that english has 'singularised' (for want of a better word) the latin plural.
"there is no 'correct' systematic way of pluralising a word that has originated in another language."
Yes, I agree and happily concede the point.
Not good enough. Also, in a previous paragraph, the word should be "known", not "know".
Silly bugger.
Anybody else noticed it looks like a square jawed emo crying?
No, but I'll have some of whatever medication you are on.
Horrid little things with their beards and axes.
Why, yes, that is my hooded cloak with the AD&D Players Manual in the pocket.
Baruk Khazâd!
No, dwarfs is a miss-spelling, while Dwarves is the correct plural.
Normally, it should be dwerrows ...
"nearby" galaxy M101 is currently (well, millions of years ago, but now in out frame of reference) host to a type Ia supernova. It was visible in binoculars just a few weeks ago, but now is borderline in my 8" scope.
Any one else reminded of the restaurant sketch with Mr Creosote? Or am I just showing my warped mind?
Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at nine hundred miles an hour,
That's orbiting at nineteen miles a second, so it's reckoned,
A sun that is the source of all our power.
The sun and you and me and all the stars that we can see
Are moving at a million miles a day
In an outer spiral arm, at forty thousand miles an hour,
Of the galaxy we call the 'Milky Way'.
Our galaxy itself contains a hundred billion stars.
It's a hundred thousand light years side to side.
It bulges in the middle, sixteen thousand light years thick,
But out by us, it's just three thousand light years wide.
We're thirty thousand light years from galactic central point.
We go 'round every two hundred million years,
And our galaxy is only one of millions of billions
In this amazing and expanding universe.
The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
In all of the directions it can whizz
As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know,
Twelve million miles a minute, and that's the fastest speed there is.
So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,
How amazingly unlikely is your birth,
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space.
'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth (and on this forum - sometimes). :-P
"I myself have fallen victim to Muphry's Law."
Wow, a Murphy's Law reference which itself suffers from Murphy's Law. Slef-reeferential...
Muphry's Law:
If you pour gasoline on a white dwarf will it really explode?
Surely "will he explode". Dwarves are people too.
I must try it, though...
no it'll just get soggy and unreadable - will probably light quicker though.


text:
As the San Jose Earthquakes continue their preseason camp with an eye toward MLS home opener against Real Salt Lake, the team also is fervently preparing for the start of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and a two-match date with Mexico's Toluca.
Although the Quakes topped their three-team group last summer, becoming one of eight teams to advance in the tournament, they were the bottom seed of the survivors and face a difficult challenge in high-flying Toluca. Fellow MLS sides LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City also qualified and will face Mexico sides Tijuana and Cruz Azul respectively.
"It's an incredible opportunity," said forward Mike Fucito, who has scored five career goals in the CCL. "It's a great competition that allows you to see how you measure up against some of the best teams in the region."
If San Jose can get past Toluca in the two-game aggregate goal series, then it would face the winner of the series between Alajuelense of Costa Rica and Arabe Unido of Panama. Toluca has a storied history in the tournament, having won it twice during its previous incarnation as the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
"Toluca is a heck of a team," said forward Chris Wondolowski, who scored both game-winning goals in the group stage to secure the Quakes place in the CCL quarterfinals, "and we know it's going to be a huge task and a tall order."
And if the task of beating their neighbors south of the border was not hard enough — in the past five tournaments, only one MLS team, the Seattle Sounders in 2013, has managed to advance past a team from Mexico. The Earthquakes will face a Toluca team that is already in the thick of its regular season. In fact, seven matches into the Liga MX Clausura, Toluca sit comfortably in second place behind fellow CCL quarterfinalist Cruz Azul.
The Earthquakes know the task at hand will not be easy, and the hope is that the squad, fresh off of preseason and unburdened by injury and fatigue, can peak in time for the series opening match on March 11 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
"We are shaping up nicely and getting guys fit and healthy," said Wondolowski. "We are going to take these next few weeks seriously and hopefully be ready for them."
Only two days before its visit to San Jose to kick off the CCL quarterfinals, Toluca will host struggling Puebla at its home Estadio Nemesio Diez. The quick turnaround for Toluca could play in the Quakes favor, as the Mexico side might look to sit back in the series opener and wait for the return leg on March 19 to play a full-strength squad. Throw in a league match on the road against Queretaro between its games against San Jose, and Toluca faces the difficult challenge of managing its roster over the two competitions.
From the Quakes point of view, if previous two-leg CCL ties involving MLS and Liga MX sides are any indication, San Jose will need to get off to a strong start at home to have much of a chance of surviving the second game in Mexico. The atmosphere at Toluca's home stadium is very intimidating, as it can be across the country, and the Earthquakes will face their sternest test so far in 2014.
"It's definitely a unique experience," said Fucito, who played in Mexico against Santos Laguna when a member of the Sounders. "You can't really grasp it until you are down there in the thick of it. You get to see what passion is like down there. It is getting better here, but it is a different animal down there."
With less than three weeks until they face Toluca, the Earthquakes will cap off their preseason by participating in the Rose City Invitational in Portland. Two of the three matches on the docket are against MLS foes, including the competition's opener against the Portland Timbers, and a sell-out crowd is expected at Providence Park.
"The upcoming tournament in Portland comes at a good time for us," said Fucito. "Playing there is the closest we can get to a real game in terms of atmosphere and opponent."
The Earthquakes are likely to use their first-choice line-up when it comes to the tournament as the coaching staff does little more than some fine tuning ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal. Toluca will be hardened with regular season experience coming into San Jose on March 11, but the Quakes will be fresh and focused.
"It's going to be a great test of where we are as a team," said Wondolowski, "and it's definitely going to be a big battle."
Robert Jonas is a writer for CenterLineSoccer.com and SJEarthquakes.com. Send him feedback on Twitter: @RobertJonas


text:
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Freshman Demetri Goodson streaked the length of the court and made a short, running bank shot with 0.9 seconds left, lifting fourth-seeded Gonzaga over Western Kentucky 83-81 Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Gonzaga (28-5) advanced to the South Region semifinals to play top-seeded North Carolina on Friday in Memphis, Tenn. The Tar Heels defeated LSU 84-70.
Steffphon Pettigrew hit a tip-in for the 12th-seeded Hilltoppers (25-9) that tied it at 81 with 7.2 seconds left. But Goodson took the inbounds pass and went straight to the basket, hitting from close on the left side.
Western Kentucky, which made a surprise run to the regional semifinals last year, was led by Orlando Mendez Valdez with 25 points.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Why did the Enumclaw City Council vote unanimously for a 55 percent sewer rate increase a few weeks ago? As a member of the City Council, I'd like to explain my reasons for voting for the rate increase. I have two reasons for making this very painful and expensive decision.
First, I voted for the rate increase because I felt like my back was to the wall. I didn't feel I had a choice. If I voted "no," the sewer utility's costs would continue to hemorrhage (more money going out than coming in) and the rate increase down the road would be even higher. I don't believe that would be good stewardship of the ratepayers' money.
Secondly, the mayor's plan was to increase rates by 35 percent in September and then another 20 percent in January. Doing that would mean our reserves would continue to drop and we wouldn't be getting on a sound financial footing. Our credit ratings would be lower and the long-term costs to the ratepayer would be even higher since we couldn't get low bond interest rates.
It's like borrowing money for a house. If you have a good credit score the cost of borrowing is cheaper. If costs outrun income, credit ratings drop. In the next couple of years the city will have to borrow money to finance the sewer treatment plant debt. All the ratepayers, including me, would have to pay more down the road in higher interest rates if I would have voted "no."
The choice facing me was, "Do I decide for the long run, bite the bullet now and pay the price early, or do I take the politically easier short-term approach and raise taxes twice in smaller amounts?"
I chose to act in a way that I felt was in the best interests of the citizens of Enumclaw, even though it wasn't going to win me any popularity contests. The rest of the council, the city finance director and eventually the mayor, agreed that raising the sewer rates by 55 percent was the most financially sound decision under the circumstances. That's why the vote was unanimously in favor of it.
I hope my letter answers some of the ratepayer's questions about such a stiff increase. Believe me, it wasn't an easy decision to make.
The question I haven't answered that you'd like to know is, "How did we get into this mess in the first place?" The original cost of the project was between $16 million and $17 million. The final cost will be $33.4 million. The project was three to four years late in its completion.
Some of the delays and costs were unavoidable due to the state's indecision over environmental rules and the steep rise in steel prices, but that doesn't explain all the costs. In my opinion, had the council been more frequently appraised of the cash flow problems with the utility it's likely we would have been able to avoid such a steep rate increase.
To defend the actions of the council, let me clarify the roles of the different branches of city government. The council's role is to set policy. The administration is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, including the budget.
My heart goes out to all of the city ratepayers for having to bear this increased utility burden in the middle of the greatest economic downturn since the 1930s. I wish I did not have to vote for such a large rate increase, but I saw it as the only choice before me.
Richard Elfers
Enumclaw City Council


text:
|Information has
been derived from these sources:
|Allen, Gay
Wilson. A reader's guide to Walt Whitman. (1970)
|Kreig, Joanne P.
A Whitman Chronology. U of Iowa P, 1998.
|Loving, Jerome. Walt
Whitman: The Song of Himself. Berkeley: University of California Press,
|---. Whitman
in his own time : a biographical chronicle of his life, drawn from
recollections, memoirs, and interviews by friends and associates (1991).
|Reynolds, David.
Walt Whitman: A Cultural Biography. New York: Knopf, 1995.
|Price, Kenneth,
ed. Walt Whitman : the contemporary reviews. Cambridge U P, 1996.
|Zweig, Paul. Walt
Whitman: The Making of the Poet. Basic Books, 1984.
presentation was originally created to accompany a lecture and is used my
American literature classes. It is used for non-commercial, educational
purposes only.


text:
A project that would develop wind farms and build a $3.5 billion transmission line from far western Oklahoma into Tennessee has cleared a regulatory hurdle that allows a company to being lining up customers.
A project that would develop wind farms and build a $3.5 billion transmission line from far western Oklahoma into Tennessee has cleared a regulatory hurdle that allows a company to being lining up customers.
The Plains and Eastern Clean Line project won approval Wednesday from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to strike deals with utilities to purchase up to 75 percent of the 7,000 megawatts of electricity that'll be distributed through the line.
The Tulsa World reported (http://is.gd/Hk0VSB ) Wednesday that Clean Line has already lined up contractor agreements, including a $300 million deal with a Claremore-based Pelco Structural LLC to supply support poles for the line.
The project would involve stringing 800 miles of transmission lines from the western end of the Oklahoma panhandle through Arkansas and into Tennessee. The project is to be developed in two phases of 3,500 megawatts each.
The Plains and Eastern Clean Line could be completed by late 2017. Once done, the electricity would be enough to power 2 million homes.
Construction is projected to begin on the line in 2014 and last two or three years. Wind turbines in western Oklahoma, southwestern Kansas and the Texas Panhandle will supply the energy. The company says that wind farms that are to connect to the transmission line can be built in less than two years.
The project would be funded through the sale of transmission capacity to wind energy producers or utilities receiving the electricity.
Plains & Eastern estimates that 10,000 construction jobs would be created to build the line and the wind farms. And about 1,000 permanent workers will be needed to maintain and operate the transmission line and the wind farms.
"This approval takes Clean Line a step closer to building a clean energy future for the Southeast," parent firm Clean Line Energy Partners LP CEO Michael Skelly said in a news release.
Last year, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission approved the project's utility status.
"The Plains & Eastern Clean Line will create jobs, while enabling billions of dollars of investments in Oklahoma's clean energy industry," Oklahoma Secretary of Energy Michael Ming said. $3.5B Okla. wind energy power line wins approval


text:
Easy, convenient and lightweight walk-behind, battery-powered lawn mower joins the STIHL Battery-Powered Equipment line-up. Battery & charger sold separately.
The RMA 370 battery-powered, walk-behind lawnmower expands the versatility of the 36-volt lithium-ion STIHL Battery-Powered Equipment, which allows you to power multiple tools with one easily interchangeable battery. No gas to buy or mix and instant startups make mowing easy and convenient. This walk-behind lawn mower is lightweight, easy to maneuver and much quieter than gasoline-powered mowers –...Read More
Standard Features
Locking Key
Key prevents accidental starting of the motor.
Convenient Handle
Lightweight (only 27 lbs.) with folding handles, making it easy to transport and to store.
See it in action!
Lithium-Ion battery power eliminates the mess and expense of fuel mixtures.
See it in action!
Battery Life
No gradual drop in power, so you can work at full speed until battery is depleted.
See it in action!
Power Switch
Instant startup, just push the button and pull the switch lever.
See it in action!
Reduced-Emission Engine Technology - Caring for Nature
The STIHL Inc. "Caring for Nature" seal identifies its powered products that are more environmentally conscious, producing zero or low exhaust emissions. STIHL Inc. defines "low exhaust emissions" as being cleaner than EPA and/or CARB exhaust emission standards.
Important Information
WARNING! Improper use of any power tool may cause serious or fatal injury. Read, understand and follow carefully the operating and safety instructions in your instruction manual before using such products.Click to view the STIHL Limited Warranty Time Periods
STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL Dealers are for distribution in the United States only.
STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL Dealers are for distribution in the United States only.
We Also Suggest
AP 300 Lithium-Ion BatteryThe AP 300 Lithium-Ion battery is the most powerful handheld battery in the STIHL line – 28% more power than the AP 180, while remaining the same weight (3.8 lbs.). And all STIHL batteries are based on 36-volt Lithium-Ion technology, hitting the "sweet spot" of power and run time. They are also engineered to last, keeping 80% of their battery capacity after 500 charges. The AP 300 even features specialized voltage monitors and temperature sensors to help ensure optimal operation and a long service life. Have questions? Contact us today and we'll help you find the right battery equipment for your needs.
View Our Usage Chart
Mulching Kit for RMA Lawn MowersOur new mulching kit is as environmentally responsible as it is user friendly. Our mulching blade and insert generate shorter grass clippings, which serve as a natural fertilizer for your lawn. Our kit is quick and easy to install and reduces the amount of clippings that need to be landfilled. You can also collect and remove the grass clippings from your lawn simply by switching out the mulching insert for the included grass catcher. The mulching kits are available for the RMA 370 and RMA 410 C STIHL Lithium-Ion mowers.
AL 300 Rapid Battery ChargerYour advanced STIHL battery-powered equipment deserves an equally advanced charger. The STIHL AL 300 rapid battery charger fits that bill perfectly. Designed to charge your STIHL Lithium-Ion batteries in approximately 25 minutes*, the AL 300 is exactly what you need to power through your lawn care tasks. It features an onboard cooling fan and bright LED display to indicate current charge level. This smart charger even switches off automatically once your battery is fully charged.
View Our Usage Chart
For Your Safety
Camo GlassesStyle and protection come together with STIHL Camo Frame Glasses. These eye protection goggles are wrapped in camouflage print and provide 99% UV protection. Soft rubber temple tips and nosepiece help maintain fit and while reducing slippage.
STIHL Landscaper Series™ GlovesExclusive deerhide leather provides fantastic wear properties and excellent sense of touch and feel. Naturally soft leather provides all-day working comfort. Sizes available S, M, L, XL.
Reusable Ear PlugsTop-quality hearing protection you can keep in your pocket. NRR 27 Reusable Ear Plugs from STIHL feature multiple layers of air cushioning for superior noise reduction and long-lasting comfort. Their tapered design provides a secure seal that keeps you protected almost anywhere – from the shooting range to the job site. And thanks to the included nylon cord and carrying case, you can keep your ear plugs handy for the long haul.
Reserve with STIHL Express for In-Store Pick Up
With STIHL Express, you can reserve the STIHL product you need right from your home or office and pick it up at your local STIHL Dealer.
- Compare STIHL products online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Pick up products assembled and ready to go
- Get the ease of reserving online while still having access to advice from your local STIHL Dealer.
Distributor Suggested Retail Price
All pricing on this site is Distributor Suggested Retail Price. This site strives to maintain accurate and current suggested retail pricing. However, dealers' actual prices may vary or change. Please confirm pricing with your dealer
Buy Now for Home Delivery
STIHL OUTFITTERS™ goods are sold and shipped by authorized STIHL OUTFITTERS™ Licensees. Ordering online is easy and items can be delivered directly to your address.
Show off your STIHL pride today!
RMA 370 Description
The RMA 370 battery-powered, walk-behind lawnmower expands the versatility of the 36-volt lithium-ion STIHL Battery-Powered Equipment, which allows you to power multiple tools with one easily interchangeable battery. No gas to buy or mix and instant startups make mowing easy and convenient. This walk-behind lawn mower is lightweight, easy to maneuver and much quieter than gasoline-powered mowers – making it an ideal choice for users with smaller yards or in noise-restricted areas.
Batteries and chargers must be purchased separately. Run time may vary based on battery type, charge level and capacity, model, operating style and conditions.
View Our Usage Chart
Batteries and chargers must be purchased separately. Run time may vary based on battery type, charge level and capacity, model, operating style and conditions.
View Our Usage Chart
Please provide your email to receive this special offer.
Thank You!
Thank you! You will now receive this special offer within your email, so that it may be printed and redeemed in-store.
RMA 370 is rated out of 5 by 34.
Rated 5 out of 5 by CatM from FABULOUS mower! Definitely a great purchase! Dependable, instant start, quiet, no fumes/gas needed. Battery holds a great charge and enables me to cut what I need to without recharging (dog's large pen area inside and around the exterior, roadside length of property and around tight areas). Battery recharges incredibly quickly with the AL 300 charger. Mower is not self propelled, so does need "pushing", however, mower is fairly lightweight, so not a problem. Definitely would recommend!!
Date published: 2018-07-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by Clifford1 from No gasoline to have to deal with. It's a pleasure using all of Stihls battery powered units. I currently have 4 models and look forward to getting more.
Date published: 2018-05-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by JackA from After Three years of Ownership I have used my RMA370 for three seasons and have found it's light weight and Lithium batteries to be real advantages. Because my small yard is on two levels the ability to carry it is important to me. i started with the 180 batteries and have purchased the higher capacity packs as they became available. The AP300 is the best battery by far. I have not had any mechanical/electrical issues. During the mowing season about May through October (north central Washington State) I mow on average 35 minutes a week. Because I have the blower and string trimmer the interchangeable battery is essential. I was concerned about the plastic mower deck but after this much use with no issues I can recommend it.
Date published: 2018-01-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by margo from This lawnmower PROVED itself to me . I thought about spending the $$ on this unit. I have found it to be worth every penny.LIGHT Weight, PLENTY of battery power , very easy to use, cleans easily with the hose. I wish I purchased years ago and saved all that Landscaping $ .I highly recommend this GREAT Lawnmower.
Date published: 2017-11-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by tweety14470 from Small, light, powerful. Powerful and very light weight; perfect for a trim mower. Small enough to fit into tight places. LOVE IT!
Date published: 2017-06-22
Rated 4 out of 5 by J250 from Great Cordless Lawn Mower Great cordless mower that cuts through tall grasses as easily as short grass. Used for cutting grass under trees and along fence lines where the riding mower is unable to reach. With over 30 trees and over 600 feet of fence line, just a single charge of an AP180 battery does it all.
Date published: 2017-03-06
Rated 1 out of 5 by MaritimeTim from RMA 370 I purchased the RMA 370 2 years ago and just put it in the dumpster today.I originally purchased it from my local Stihl dealer. As a mower I did enjoy the fact I didn't need to keep gas on hand. I also enjoyed the quiet operation and the lack of smelly fumes. The greatest advantage for me though was it's light weight made it excellent for mowing the steep side hills of my ditches. It was so easy and looked a lot better then trying to do it with a trimmer. The battery life was excellent and always surprised me how much I could do before needing to recharge. The downside to this mower is that if you want to use the catcher it fills very fast to the point where it seems you hardly get going and need to dump again. If you choose to take the catcher off it tends to "clump" the grass in clumps under the mower and bog itself down quickly. Also in wet areas of my lawn where the grass grows heavier it tends to lack the torque I am used to in a gas mower. So at times if I let my grass grow too long I knew I would not be able to use my Stihl mowers in some areas because it would not have the power. I would then revert back to my gas mower for those times. The biggest negative on this mower for me however was it's lack of dependability. Arriving towards the end of it's second season of use this fall I noticed a "slipping sound". It sounded as if the mower had a belt that was slipping. Whenever the mower came into any resistance this noise would occur and you could tell the blade was slowing down. IF you tilted down on the handle to lift the blade off the ground the rpm would resume to full speed again. I took it to the local dealer and they informed me it needed serious repairs for some parts in the motor that had gone bad. The cost to repair it was for more then I could justify putting into a used mower and still only having a used mower when it is all said and done. So I saved the repair money and bought a gas mower for less then the repair cost!I just can't justify the original cost for such a short product life to purchase another one.
Date published: 2016-10-31
Rated 5 out of 5 by Drew6805 from Great Mower I liked mower so much I went back and bought trimmer and blower. It's so nice not having to deal with oil/gas mixture getting all over the place. The mower is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.
Date published: 2016-09-14


text:
Meet thousands of West Liberty singles through one of the best West Liberty online dating sites. Matchmaker.com has great instant messenger and live video West Liberty chat service for our members. West Liberty dating has never been easier with our show interest feature that will allow you to break the ice with attractive local singles.
Matchmaker.com has some great services for West Liberty singles looking for a longer term relationship. Besides our great West Liberty chat product with live video matchmaker users can send email messages to people in the area. The West Liberty dating scene can be hard to find the right person at times; however, we are here to help and our West Liberty online dating service is free to register.
West LibertyJoin Now Free!
West Liberty Girls | West Liberty Men | West Liberty Gay | West Liberty Lesbians
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
More West Liberty Links:
West Liberty Personals | West Liberty Speed Dating | West Liberty Chat | West Liberty Singles | West Liberty Love
Senior Dating | Catholic Dating | Christian Dating | Muslim Dating
Black Singles | Asian Singles | Latin Dating
Try our West Liberty dating service today. Matchmaker.com is one of the oldest West Liberty online dating services on the Internet and has brought thousands of couples together from the area. Test drive our West Liberty Chat room with one of the best online communities for the West Liberty single person. Also, keep in mind that we have a huge member base of West Liberty singles and that we also cater to members of the many backgrounds.
Still not convinced that matchmaker is the free West Liberty dating service for you? Once you've filled out the quick registration process you will be to see full size photos and profiles of thousands of West Liberty singles. Did you know that free West Liberty dating is a few clicks away? Find love and romance in West Liberty at matchmaker today!


text:
Blog Archives
San Diego Padres Payroll In 2013: And Contracts Going Forward
Like us on Facebook here
Thursday, February.21, 2013
By Chris Lacey (Baseball Writer) Follow @aecanada12
The San Diego Padres 2012 season is one that can be split into a tale of two seasons. There was the first half of the season where they struggled to score runs and their record reflected that. They went 34-53 and only managed to score a total of 305 runs as a team. The first month is what really set them back; they had a team batting average of .215. The second half of the season the Padres did a complete 180 degree turn in the way that they played. They scored 346 runs and their record was 42-33 in second half of the season. The team batting average increased to a season high in September of .267. The Padres can carry over what happened in the end of 2012 season into 2013 this could be a very competitive division.
General Manager Josh Byrnes did not do much in free agency. He did sign former All-Star pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal. The Padres have a history of not having a high payroll. They prefer to use their farm system to generate their major league talent, rather than spend money on Free Agents.
Chase Headley 2012 Highlights. Mature Lyrics – Parental Guidance is Advised:


text:
The Alexa Web Information Service (AWIS) offers a platform for creating innovative Web solutions and services based on Alexa's vast information about web sites, accessible with a web services API.
|Developer Guide
Provides a conceptual overview of Alexa Web Information Service and includes detailed development instructions for using the various features.
For older versions of this documentation:


text:
"I liked them before they were famous." The phrase is at once a badge and memorial for early adopters. They are proud of their foresight, but then, tragically, when the rest of the world has caught up, that same pride forces the early adopter to abandon his discovery. He cannot bear to share his discovery with so many people and so he must shun that which he once loved. He will become bitter, he will say that they have "sold out," and he will shoot the messenger.
So let me shun that which I once loved. Let me shoot the messenger and say, Damn you, Jersey Shore.
I liked making fun of Guidos before they were famous.
I consider myself a scholar of the Guido. I have lived among them. I have studied their ways and mannerisms for years now, observing closely, but trying not to become involved. And here is what angers me about The Jersey Shore and the Guido becoming the nation's new punchline: you you who come from outside the Tri-State you do not understand them well enough to make fun of them yet. And even more, you do not have the necessary respect for the Guido, something he holds in high regard.
When you watch The Jersey Shore you see a crew of juiced up hedonists with outrageously tacky style and ridiculous dance moves, right? You watch each week as these classless Italians fight each other as if you're the Emperor of Rome watching gladiators at the colosseum, don't you? And you laugh at them. You laugh at their music, the clothing they wear, the enormous Map of New Jersey painted like the Italian flag that hangs in their house and the way they tawk. But do you stop to ask yourself why they listen to that music? Or why they wear those clothes? Perhaps you'd like to learn.
The Guido of today did not come into existence fully formed; he evolved. Going back to the 19th century, Italian immigrants placed a high cultural value on the ability to look good, to dress sharp, to own valuable material things. Since so many of those immigrants were desperately poor, a nice suit or a fine watch would be a sign to the others in the neighborhood and to potential mates that you were on the up and up. And so it has gone for the last hundred years. A flashy suit and fedora gave way to slicked hair and a silk shirt which then gave way to blow outs and Ed Hardy. But how has the Guido grown so ridiculous?
Because the Guido evolved in isolation.
What gave Darwin the idea of the theory of evolution was the various finches of the remote Galapagos islands. The finches of each island too far from each other to interbreed had developed physical traits each suited specifically for their island. And so it is with the Guido, in a way. The Guido is mostly located in the Tri-State New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and it is in the Tri-State that the Guido will likely grow up, grow old, and die. Because the Guido harbors no desire to leave home, to go west, or undertake any of the adventures many of us consider rites of passage, his has become an isolated culture. Ask any true Guido what he wants from life and the answer will be to get a job, marry a nice Italian girl, get a house, get a shore house, have some kids, and retire. That's it. No "I want to be a movie star," or "I want to backpack through Europe." Just a simple, happy life in New Jersey or Long Island with a little place down the shore for the summertime. So for years now, the Guido has evolved away from the prying eyes of society at large. What maybe started as a little hair gel has become a multi-hour daily ritual because nobody from the rest of our society ever pointed a finger and laughed. The Guido is like a kangaroo; when you see one without any context, it's ridiculous. When you understand how and why it came to be that way, it's still ridiculous, but at least it makes sense.
And now that you understand how they came to be, you must learn to respect them.
Why must you respect the Guido? Because how many of you can look in the mirror and truly say you are happy with yourself and your life? I know I can't. Sure, I'm fairly content with the man I've become and the life I lead but there will always be things about myself that I can't stand. The Guido has learned to filter these little insecurities out of his personality so that he is a man totally content with his station in life. When you watch The Situation attempt to pick up a woman after woman and fail more often than not all while fully aware his actions will be on TV. Is he ashamed? Of course not. He feels no shame. Having lived among Guidos for many years now, I can tell you the behavior you see on The Jersey Shore the fighting, the ridiculous dancing, all of it is not being manufactured or exaggerated for TV. If there were no cameras, if there were no one watching, they would be the same and they still wouldn't care what you think of them. They don't care if you think their hair is stupid, if their music is awful, if their clothes are tacky, their steroid use is shameful, and their culture is an all around joke because they like it and that's all that matters.
You have to respect that kind of blind confidence. I know I do.
Perhaps I am taking this too seriously. Perhaps I am a little hurt that I now have to share what, for so many years, felt like my personal infomercial of humor ("You know the Guidos wear shiny shirts, style their hair in blowouts and enjoy house music, But Wait! There's More! They're also orange!") Perhaps I'm just not ready to find something else to make fun of and, honestly, can you blame me? Once you've seen the wealth of things to pick on in Guido culture, everyone else just seems to be boring. Gay people? Meh. Nerds? Yawn. No other culture has that mix of confidence, tackiness, and absurdity I look for in a target. But this is all my problem.
As you people go forth and make fun of the Guidos, try to remember what you've learned here today: that they are not doing this to amuse you, that this is merely the latest expression of a fiercely independent culture, deeply rooted, and enormously important, in American history and that that culture, however absurd it may seem at times, deserves your respect for the mere fact that it is so damn content.
Oh, and also, I liked making fun of Guidos before they were famous.
Like this? Follow Streeter on Tumblr, Twitter and/or Facebook


text:
Celebration III: Indianapolis / Re: Star Wars Celebration 3« on: April 18, 2005, 08:50 PM »
I can't find the directions to the hooters, can anyone help me out. Hard to believe but this is one of my wifes favorite places to eat.
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


text:
La Cala Resort is located between the mountains and the sea, only 20 minutes from Marbella and 30 minutes from Malaga Airport, in the Costa del Sol, Spain.
At La Cala Resort our food philosophy is quite simple – the freshest quality ingredients, locally sourced and cooked to perfection.
Each of our bars & restaurants has its own unique style and character, but they all have one thing in common, a genuinely warm and attentive service.
La Cala is renowned as one of the finest golf resorts in Andalucía. Three superb championship courses, each presenting its own unique challenges, slot seamlessly into a natural undulating backdrop of stunning beauty.
Guests & residents can enjoy a wealth of activities to include horse riding, hiking along nature trails, mountain biking, Pilates and Yoga, tennis and more. The resort has its very own professional football pitch. Water skiing, sailing, kite surfing, scuba diving and canyoning are all available in the locality.
Your wedding means everything to us – it's the moment you've always dreamed of and a day you'll never forget. La Cala promises an enchanting setting for a wedding ceremony. Nestled between the arresting beauty of the Sierra de Mijas Natural Park and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, this gorgeous natural retreat is a magical place to exchange vows under the warm Andalusian sun, or to celebrate the union of two families with a wonderful banquet.
Take a look at our gallery of images and experience the charm of La Cala Resort and its environment, including the hotel, three golf courses, spa, golf academy, restaurants & bars, events & wedding facilities and the football pitch.
Click Here »
Our idyllic rural retreat is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the busy coast, yet we're just 10 minutes from the sweeping Mediterranean beaches of the Costa del Sol and only 30 minutes from Malaga International Airport and yet 20 minutes from Marbella. La Cala is in the heart of the Costa del Sol.
Urb. La Cala Golf s/n.
Mijas Costa
29649 Malaga
Tel.: (+34) 952 669 016
Fax: (+34) 952 669 007
Email: email@example.com
GPS: Lat. N 36º 32' 32" - Lon. W 4º 43' 12"
Click here for a detailed Weather Forecast of La Cala Resort in the Costa del Sol »