text: Server Help :: View topic - Machine Wars Server HelpCommunity forums for Subgame, ASSS, and bots FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Statistics Register Profile Login to check your private messages Login (SSL) Server Help | ASSS Wiki (0) | Shanky.com Machine Wars Server Help Forum Index -> Zone Hosting / Advertising Printable version New Directory Server Mirror ssdir.play... :: CZ Biller Access! Author Message Guest Offline Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 1:25 pm Post subject: Machine Wars I need someone to make me an entire zone with myself as owner with full sysop access. MACHINE WARS! Upon an ocean of thick waves, a hero emerges from the darkness. Kondosaur is his name, and he is who shall be the bringer of Machine Boats. Machine boats are small tiny boats that race amongst the rivers, seas, and explore the ocean. When I mean explore, I do mean treasure finding as in greens. The greens will be marked by bots in case a player lands on one - eats the green - and earns a point registered with the bot. The points earned registered with the bot from eating greens allows you to buy new products from !buy to the bot. When a boat has enough points he can open up new areas in the map such as castle openings. Although if a boat 5-8 ship set attacks you ( a PK ( player killer ) ship set ) they receive a bounty worth of points. Would anyone like to add to this idea. I was kidding about zone ownership ( maybe not sysop access ) I just would like to see this going. Mooker/OutlawGene - Zone idea developer Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Server Help Forum Index -> Zone Hosting / Advertising All times are GMT - 5 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Random Spam----------------AnnouncementsTrash TalkZone Hosting / Advertising Assistance----------------General QuestionsASSS QuestionsBot QuestionsLVZ/LVL Questions Coding----------------ASSS Custom ProjectsMisc User AppsNon-Subspace Related Coding You can post new topics in this forumYou can reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou can attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum View online users | View Statistics | View Ignored List Software by php BB © php BB GroupServer Load: 135 page(s) served in previous 5 minutes.


text: There is a well-kept secret hiding within a new and intriguing capsule at the Mykonos Grand's Althea Spa Center. Open it up, recline in its sleek, ultramodern embrace and take pleasure in the curative powers of hydrotherapy in the most innovative of what the spa world has to offer today. The new Dermalife Spa-Jet system is designed to stimulate the body, invigorate the senses and tend to the skin's needs through a sublime fusion of ancient knowledge and modern technology.

subset: commoncrawl


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- / World & News
- / Countries of the World
- / Jamaica
Facts & Figures
Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II (1952)
Governor-General: Patrick Allen (2009)
Prime Minister: Portia Simpson-Miller (2012)
Land area: 4,181 sq mi (10,829 sq km); total area: 4,244 sq mi (10,991 sq km)
Population (2014 est.): 2,930,050 (growth rate: 0.69%); birth rate: 18.41/1000; infant mortality rate: 13.69/1000; life expectancy: 73.48
Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Kingston, 571,000
Monetary unit: Jamaican dollar
- Jamaica Main Page
- Tourism Fuels Economic Growth
- Three Prime Ministers in One Year
Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, 90 mi (145 km) south of Cuba and 100 mi (161 km) west of Haiti. It is a little smaller than Connecticut. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains, a group of volcanic hills, in the east.
Constitutional parliamentary democracy.
Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians when Columbus explored it in 1494 and named it St. Iago. It remained under Spanish rule until 1655, when it became a British possession. Buccaneers operated from Port Royal, also the capital, until it fell into the sea in an earthquake in 1692. Disease decimated the Arawaks, so black slaves were imported to work on the sugar plantations. During the 17th and 18th centuries the British were consistently harassed by the Maroons, armed bands of freed slaves roaming the countryside. Abolition of the slave trade (1807), emancipation of the slaves (1833), and a drop in sugar prices eventually led to a depression that resulted in an uprising in 1865. The following year Jamaica became a Crown colony, and conditions improved considerably. Introduction of bananas reduced dependence on sugar.
On May 5, 1953, Jamaica gained internal autonomy, and, in 1958, superheaded the organization of the West Indies Federation. A nationalist labor leader, Sir Alexander Bustamente, later campaigned to withdraw from the federation. After a referendum, Jamaica became independent on Aug. 6, 1962. Michael Manley, of the socialist People's National Party, became prime minister in 1972.
Tourism Fuels Economic Growth
The Labour Party defeated Manley in 1980 and its capitalist-oriented leader, Edward P. G. Seaga, was elected prime minister. He encouraged private investment and began an austerity program. Like other Caribbean countries, Jamaica was hard-hit by the 1981–1982 recession. Devaluation of the Jamaican dollar made Jamaican products more competitive on the world market, and the country achieved record growth in tourism and agriculture. While manufacturing also grew, food prices rose as much as 75% and thousands of Jamaicans fell deeper into poverty.
In 1989, Manley was reelected, but he resigned in 1992 and was replaced by P. J. Patterson. In May 1997, the government signed a "Ship-Rider Agreement," allowing U.S. authorities to enter Jamaican waters and search vessels with the Jamaican government's permission in order to fight drug trafficking. In 2001, violence between politically connected gangs escalated in Kingston, promoting fears that the tourist industry could suffer. In Oct. 2002, Patterson won his third term in office.
In Sept. 2004, Hurricane Ivan, the worst storm to hit the island in decades, destroyed thousands of homes.
In March 2006, Portia Simpson Miller of the People's National Party (PNP) became Jamaica's first female prime minister. In the country's general election in September 2007, the opposition Jamaica Labour Party narrowly defeated the center-left People's National Party, 50.1% to 49.8%. The People's National Party had been in power for 18 years. Bruce Golding took office as prime minister days after the election.
Dozens of people died in the Tivoli Gardens section of Kingston in late May 2010 in clashes between police and supporters of drug lord Christopher Coke, who is wanted in the U.S. on gun- and drug-trafficking charges. When police entered the neighborhood to search for Coke, they were fired on by his supporters. About 75 civilians were killed. Coke was arrested in June and extradited to the U.S., where he will face trial in New York.
Three Prime Ministers in One Year
In September 2011, Prime Minister Bruce Golding resigned. Golding's political standing never recovered after his handling of the Christopher Coke case. For nine months, Golding resisted a request from the United States to hand over Coke. His resignation was seen as an effort to help the Jamaica Labour Party, his party, in the upcoming general election.
Golding was replaced by Andrew Holness. However, Holness was only Prime Minister for ten weeks. Holness called for the 2012 general election to be held on December 29, 2011. He lost the election to Portia Simpson Miller. Having already served one term as Prime Minister, Simpson Miller won in a landslide victory. Her party, the People's National Party, took 42 out of 63 seats. Simpson Miller's previous term was from March 2006 to September 2007.
See also Encyclopedia: Jamaica .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Jamaica
Statistical Institute of Jamaica www.statinja.com/ .


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Electron tunneling in superconducting Cd-Al2O3-Al junctions
Cornell University, 1967 - Technology & Engineering - 172 pages
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40 Cu wires advance wires APPENDIX ari3 arl3 bakelite plate Bardeen BCS theory bell jar cadmium films carbon resistor Cd Al Cd Cd film Cd metal CMN salt Cold Trap collodian cooling coil foil critical field cryostat current source density derivative direct current dV/dl electrons energy gap evaporated exchange gas extra structure Fermi surface germanium Ginzburg-Landau theory glass substrate helipot Helmholtz coils I-V characteristics indium insulator KCr alum kilohms lead heat switch magnetic field main coil main peak measuring coil foil negative resistance normal metal normal resistance nylon form obtained ohms ori3 phonon Phys Power supply presence of magnetic pumping tube resistor salt pill Sample holder shown in Fig sri3 strip superconducting magnet superconductor teflon holders temperature measuring coil thermal contact thinner films transition temperature tunneling current tunneling junction ture vacuum


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Triple Layer Business Cards
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Story highlights
- LZ Granderson: Thomas Bridegroom died in a fall, leaving his partner bereft
- He says Shane Crone was kept from attending the funeral in state without gay marriage
- Granderson says attitudes need to change in state legislatures to enable change
- He says homophobia and cowardice keep states from enacting marriage equality
Winamac, Indiana, is pretty much how it sounds.
Small -- home to fewer than 2,500 people -- rural, and it has more churches than libraries, schools and liquor stores.
About 20 minutes north is a similar town by the name of Knox. This is where Thomas Lee Bridegroom was born.
And just on the edge of Winamac -- between West Main and West Adams -- is a small cemetery by the name of Crown Hill. This is where he is buried.
He tripped and fell off of a roof while working. He was 29 years old.
In my 20-plus years as a journalist, I've written a lot about death. Thankfully, it hasn't gotten easier. The stories still touch me, although some more than others. Bridegroom's passing would be one of those.
"It wasn't easy going back there because it was the most difficult time in my life," Shane Britney Crone, Bridegroom's partner, told me on the phone. "But it helped me draw out the positives of who I am. Finally, for once, I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in and I'm proud, not ashamed, of being gay.
"Hearing from people, thanking me for sharing our story, thanking me for reminding them how important marriage equality is ... it makes me feel like I've done the right thing by making the film."
The film he's referring to is aptly called "Bridegroom" and it chronicles the couple's relationship as well as the legal fallout stemming from their inability to get married. Fallout such as the hospital not giving Crone any details regarding the cause of death.
And being barred from the funeral.
"They told me that if I showed up Tom's father and uncle planned to attack me and knowing how his dad reacted when (Tom) came out, I had real concern for my safety," Crone said.
How did Tom's father react?
Well, according to Crone, he pointed a shotgun at his son before beating him up -- one of the more jaunting details revealed in the documentary. Bridegroom's parents have yet to publicly comment on the film and declined to participate in its making.
"A year later, I snuck into town by myself," Crone said. "I knew it was going to be very difficult and I just wanted to be alone and feel whatever it is I had to feel without someone else being there. I spent an hour there, crying, talking to Tom ... the hardest part was driving away ... in that moment it finally hit me that he was gone ... that all of this was real."
When I spoke with Crone, he mentioned he was nervous about sounding stupid in the interview. Little did he know it was I who was fighting back tears with each detail of their story that he shared. In the end, the only thing that sounded stupid was the notion that the love he and Bridegroom shared was inferior to anyone else's.
"Sadly, what happened to Shane after Tom's tragic death is not uncommon for couples without the protections that marriage equality brings to their relationships," said Brian Silva, Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA. "It is unconscionable that anyone already suffering the loss of someone they love, should be forced to go through this horror. This is just one reason why this fight must continue until every LGBT couple can live in safety and equality."
A fight in which New Jersey's Republican governor, Chris Christie, finally admitted defeat.
A fight Michigan's Republican governor, Rick Snyder, tries hard to avoid talking about, even as marriage equality heads to his state's court.
A fight that even spilled into the supposed gay- friendly streets of Springfield, Ill where Democrats -- not Republicans -- are in power and yet afraid to vote on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages.
I joined the thousands who recently came to the state capital to offer encouragement/pressure via a rally and march. All of which reminds us that homophobia and cowardice are not exclusive to a particular party.
Bridegroom and Crone, who grew up in a town in Montana similar to Winamac and Knox, met at a bowling alley in L.A. back in 2005.
At the time, they were both closeted though they would later learn that their meeting was not by chance -- a mutual friend set it up. What no one could predict was how quickly they would fall in love or how that love prompted them to come out to their families a short time later.
Crone's embraced him when he told them.
Bridegroom's clearly had the opposite reaction.
"He was so heartbroken about the whole thing because he always wanted me to see where he grew up," Crone said.
Despite this, the two would go on to buy a home together, start a business, build a life. One day in May 2011, Bridegroom -- a budding photographer -- was on the roof of a friend's building taking photos when he tripped and fell several floors down.
On the one-year anniversary of his death, Crone uploaded a tribute to Bridegroom on YouTube, detailing their story.
Crone's tribute went viral, capturing the attention of Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, creator of "Designing Women." She convinced him to turn the clip -- and his pain -- into a documentary. He agreed, and it debuted at Tribeca on April 23, one day after what would have been Bridegroom's 31st birthday.
George Takei, who helped Crone produce the YouTube tribute, was in attendance. As was President Bill Clinton who introduced the film, saying, "It's a story about our nation's struggle to make one more step in forming a more perfect union, for which marriage is both the symbol and substance."
It was a bittersweet moment for Crone, who moved to L.A. hoping to work in the entertainment industry. Equally as bittersweet was being in Washington when Proposition 8 -- the law that prevented Crone and Bridegroom from marrying in California -- was overturned this summer.
"I was outside the Supreme Court and it was a very emotional moment for me," he said. "It was wonderful because I knew my friends could finally get married. But I was also sad because I knew that Tom and I could finally get married now ... if he were here."
Months before Bridegroom's passing, he had given Crone a ring.
If you're one of those individuals still undecided on the whole same-sex marriage issue -- like some state legislators in Illinois I know -- I encourage you to watch the film. It's available starting Sunday, October 27, on Netflix and it will air that day on Oprah Winfrey's OWN. It puts a face, and heart, on a conversation that far too often gets muddied by politics and irrational fear.
Two things that have nothing to do with love.
"I haven't dated anyone since Tom passed away," Crone said. "It's not that I'm against the idea of it, it's just right now I'm still focused on the film and the story and just trying to heal.
"If there's any good that can come out of this, it's by using our story to educate people. ...


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Book your entire journey online
Now you can book your entire flight itinerary – including destinations outside the Emirates network – through emirates.com using our online booking system.
In addition to flights to over 100 destinations, Emirates now offers travel to more than 300 other cities around the world – with more coming in the future – through our extensive airline partnerships.
Booking your complete trip through emirates.com allows you to travel on one ticket for the entire journey, and allows you to check your baggage through to your final destination.
It also gives you peace of mind that your entire itinerary will be guaranteed according to your fare rules – meaning one delayed flight won't derail your whole journey.
To make a booking to a destination beyond the Emirates network, simply search for your desired start-point or final destination through our online booking system.
You can also use the 'multi-city' tool to book more complex itineraries, letting you build your own personalised travel plans from start to finish.
and Pay online
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Ladies of SEMA 2011: 10
Going to SEMA is awesome, but for the course of the week, 99% of the people you'll see are old fat dudes. Fortunately, the other one percent are girls being paid to be there, and Patrick Rall took their pictures. Meet the ladies of SEMA 2011! More Ladies of SEMA >>>>


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Former baseball players have big, strong bones in old age
Decades after exercising, male athletes see health benefits persist
Rena Schild/Shutterstock
Got baseball? Spending one's youth playing catch is good for the bones, with benefits that last a lifetime.
Years of hurling balls boosted bone size, mass and strength in the throwing arms of current and former professional ballplayers, researchers report March 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Though bone mass withered away when players retired, some of the extra size and strength stuck around — even 50 years after the athletes last played ball.
"If you exercise when you're young, it makes your bones bigger and stronger for life," says study coauthor Stuart Warden, a bone physiologist at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
Scientists have known for years that childhood physical activity makes bones stronger. But no one knew just how long the benefit lasted or whether it fended off fractures and bone


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Also view video highlights from MACC.
The Regional Works Councils were created by unanimous vote during the 2013 legislative session. Each of the 11 council are comprised of approximately 15 local education and workforce leaders from within their respective region. The Works Councils are charged with facilitating sector partnerships within their region and enhancing the career readiness of Hoosier adults and high school students through the development and support of innovative career and technical education (CTE) curricula. This is achieved by expanding new approaches toward earning industry-recognized certifications, increasing dual credits attainment, and creating both project-based learning and work-based learning opportunities designed to align curriculum with regional workforce needs.
The Regional Works Councils staff provides each council with administrative support, consultation services, grant administration, project management, and board instruction and development. The staff also collaborates the efforts of each council through the development of best practices and the planning of regional and statewide conferences.
"All students deserve the same opportunity for success, whether they want to go to college or start their career right out of high school. This is not about a Plan A and a Plan B –this is about two Plan A's." ~ Governor Mike Pence


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Government brain drain: hearing before the Subcommittee on Civil Service, Post Office, and General Services of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session, September 14, 1981
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Hon Stan Parris a Representative in Congress from the State of Virginia
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Administration agency attract average bonuses brain drain candidates career executives Civil Service Commission compensation congressional Consumer Price Index cost of living cost-of-living Department Deputy Devine dollars Eisenhower Avenue eligible executive compensation executive pay executive positions executive salaries experienced Federal employees Federal executives Federal Government Federal pay Federal service Government service higher Honorable Ted Stevens impact incentive income individuals inflation institutional memory leave legislation letter lifting the pay loss ment month move NASA NLRB pay cap pay ceiling pay compression pay increase pay raise pension percent Personnel Management power system President private industry private sector problem promotion qualified Reagan receive recent recruitment and retention Regional Director reimbursement relocation resigned responsibility result retirement rate salary ceiling salary increases Secretary Senator Stevens Senior Executive Service Sincerely situation Socolar Subcommittee on Civil talent top-level transfer United States Senate Wiseman


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May, 2003
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Yale men's golf team will participate in the 2003 NCAA East Regional Championship on May 15-17 at the Auburn University Club in Auburn, Ala. It is the seventh time in the last eight years that Yale, which has won 21 national golf titles, has made the NCAA Regionals. The Bulldogs earned an automatic bid to the Regionals by winning the Ivy League title on Apr. 27.
The top 10 teams and the top two individuals not on those teams will advance to the NCAA Championships on May 27-30 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Joining the Bulldogs in the field will be Clemson (Atlantic Coast), Augusta State, Wake Forest, Florida (SEC), Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina, College of Charleston, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech (Big East), East Tennessee State, Duke, Georgia State, North Carolina-Wilmington, Alabama, Jacksonville State (Atlantic Sun), Georgia Southern (Southern), Penn State, Charleston Southern (Big South), Maryland, James Madison, Rhode Island, Binghamton, Liberty and Jackson State (SWAC).
There also were six individuals selected - Gareth Maybin, South Alabama; John Humphries, LSU; Ryan Gildersleeve, South Alabama; Andrew Svoboda, St. John's (New York); Ted Brown, Virginia Commonwealth and Alvero Velasco, Coastal Carolina
The five Bulldogs that will compete in the regionals are Neel Williams, Steve Gray, Gabe Borrud, Brian Kim and Andrew Vitt. Kim won the Ivy League individual title, while Williams finished second.


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AUBURN, Ala. – At one of the bigger tune-ups before the conference meet, Lipscomb track and field put together a number of solid marks that will hopefully translate into top finishes at the Atlantic Sun Outdoor Championships, April 20.
Sophomore Dani Walker continues to improve in the mid-distances after injury robbed her of much training during indoor season. She finished second in the 1500m run with a school-record 4:32.76s run, and followed it up in the 800m with an impressive 11th-place, 2:14.35s mark.
"Dani's 1500 was a big race for her today," said Lipscomb assistant coach Luke Syverson. "She had been struggling a bit so it was good for her to get a good race in."
Walker also helped break the women's 4x400m record, running the second leg of a race that featured senior Valerie Winkler, freshman Brenna Thompson and junior Sara Stephens. They finished 12th with a 3:52.34s mark.
The 4x400m relay team of freshmen Matthew Deery and Colin Dempster, sophomore Kenny Smith and junior Bobby Bassett finished ninth; the Bison set a school record with a 3:16.13s mark, breaking the mark that had stood since 1976.
"The 4x400m is my favorite event in track," said Lipscomb head coach Bill Taylor. "It's the foundation on which a program is built, so I'm thrilled to see both the men and women break school records."
Syverson was impressed with Walker's relay contributions.
"Dani came back and gave us a big lift in the relay," Syverson said. "Both 4x400 teams have set themselves up well for conference. It was very exciting for the men to break an older record."
Also in the women's 1500m, sophomore Katie Bunker came in fourth at 4:33.71s; she also eclipsed the former school record.
In 3000m run action, sophomore Alex Newby shattered her personal-best with a 9:59.87s mark, becoming just the fourth Lady Bison to break the 10-minute barrier. She finished third.
"Our women's distance team posted some very exciting results for us at Auburn," Taylor said. "So happy with Dani and Katie in the 1500; that's big!
"I'm also very excited for Alex Newby breaking the 10-minute mark in the 3000m run. That's a big confidence boost for her."
In the women's 3000m steeplechase, freshman Minna Fields finished less than two seconds off the school-record with an 11:07.91s mark; she came in third. Junior Emily Longden was fourth at 11:16.83s.
"Minna is the third different women's competitor in the last three years to get within two seconds of the record," Taylor said. "And that was in her first-ever attempt at the steeple! Emily Longden's personal-best was big for her confidence as well."
Freshman Colin Dempster earned a nice tenth-place finish in the men's 400m dash with a 48.34s mark. That is one second behind Jim Bloomingburg's 1976 school record.
In the field, sophomore O'Neisha Smith placed sixth in the invitational high jump with a 1.70m (5' 7") height; she attempted the school record but was unsuccessful.
Freshman Houston Ward finished ninth in the discus with a personal-best 47.68m (156' 5") toss.
"Very big day for Houston," Syverson said. "He had been stagnant in his throws the last few weeks, so this was a breakthrough for him."
In late Friday night action at the Stanford Invitational, freshman Kendra Lobley lowered her school-best 5000m time to 16:41.84s, finishing 13th in her section. Sophomore Tessa Hoefle was also 13th in her heat of the 5000m, finishing at 17:13.75s.
"Kendra ran another great race on Friday night," Taylor said. "The Stanford 5K was a big learning experience for both Kendra and Tessa. Adjusting to the feel of big and fast races is really important. Both girls learned a lot that will make them much better in the future.
"Kendra's newest school record led a nice list of new school marks. And she performed at an elite level at the best regular season meet in the nation. It's another big step for our program."
The Lipscomb track and field teams will be in the Nashville area Saturday, when they compete at Tennessee State's Boston Moon Classic.


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UPDATE: We have a winner (this giveaway is closed).
True Random Number Generator 28 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Congratulations to Nicole – Comment #28
Enjoy your dress from Shabby Apple!
I have a great way to start your weekend! Are you familiar with the online, vintage-inspired dress boutique called Shabby Apple? If you aren't, you definitely should be. Shabby Apple is a fun, unique online boutique specializing in flattering dresses for women, maternity dresses, preteens, little girls, and babies – as well as shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They have been featured in magazines such as Lucky, Marie, Claire, and Redbook.
To brighten your day, I am excited to offer a giveaway of the gorgeous dress you see in this post. It is called Happy Talk and I just think it's super bright and cheery and would be a perfect spring dress.
Here is your chance to win the Happy Talk dress from Shabby Apple (an $88 value)!
1. Visit Shabby Apple and leave a comment letting me know one item you like.
1. Follow Divine Party Concepts on Facebook.
2. Follow Shabby Apple through Facebook and leave a comment on this post.
3. Follow Divine Party Concepts on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.
This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end March 16, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be chosen by random.org and posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile).


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Jan. 27: A theft was reported in the 100 block of South Birch Street.
Jan. 28: Subjects reported that a juvenile displayed a knife to several other juveniles. Officers arrested a person in the 300 block of South Washington Street on an outstanding warrant. Officers picked up lost property at a local business and then returned it to its owner.
Jan. 29: A person reported a juvenile party involving alcohol.
Jan. 30: Vandalism was reported in the 500 block of East A Street. Officers returned lost property to an owner.
Thursday: Officers returned seized property to an owner.
Friday: A dog complaint was reported in the 100 block of South Birch Street; officer verified the pit-bull dog had been removed from town. Officers assisted Kansas Highway Patrol with a driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol arrest after searching a vehicle for marijuana. Officers discovered a water leak at Lincoln and A Street.


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Fly fishing in Tasmania with experienced trout fishing guide Mike Tenner will get your blood racing as you face off against wily Tasmanian trout and salmon. Mike has been successfully teaching the art of fly fishing and holding guided trout fishing tours in Tasmania for over 30 years.
Mike's love of fly fishing was spawned on glassy English lakes and wild swift Scottish rivers. The skills and knowledge that began there have been enhanced by a lifetime's experience on the waters of the world's favourite fly & trout fishing playgrounds, and can now be passed on to you.
Rod and Fly hold trout fishing workshops on land and water to help anglers develop and hone essential fly fishing skills, and then implement them on his trout fishing tours. Mike's warm personality and easy-going style have enabled him to pass on his casting and fly fishing skills to students from around the world.
Fly and trout fishing classes are based in Hobart, Tasmania, and Mike teaches all aspects, including fly fishing equipment; fly selection based on the area's native insects; and casting techniques with overhead casting and line loop presented in detail.
Practicing basic fly casting techniques on land will ensure a swag of trout when you hit the water and make the most of your guided trout fishing tour around the lakes of Tasmania.
Rod & Fly's Mike Tenner is an experienced instructor & guide who offers friendly , caring and patient instruction in the craft of fly fishing.
Introductory fly fishing classes offer comprehensive instruction in essential fly fishing skills. Mike's technique is designed to give you the confidence as well as the skills to cast a fly comfortably and accurately. You will complete the class ready to experience the joy of frustration-free Tasmanian fly fishing.
More details on Rod & Fly's
Fly Casting Tuition Page
Enjoy outstanding fishing trips to the trout producing waters of Tasmania's Central Highlands lakes where you can enjoy comfortable country accommodation and guided trout fishing.
Witness a trout feeding frenzy caused by a sudden dun fly or gum beetle hatch. Tremble at the sight of water boiling with trout!
More details on Rod & Fly's
Guided Trout Fishing Tours Page


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QlikView Designer Training
13 juni 2016 –
Duration: 2 Days
Recommended Prerequisites: Knowledge of basic computer concepts, Understanding of Key Performance Indicators and how they are used
Who Should Attend: QlikView Business Users, QlikView Designers, QlikView Developers
Course Description
QlikView Designer is a scenario based course covering the fundamentals required to get started building QlikView applications. The course is a mixture of demonstrations and hands-on exercises which include user interface layout, design fundamentals, how to create a QlikView application with sheets as well as best practices in design. Additionally, the course will take an in-depth look at the different charts and graphs available to developers and business users inside of QlikView applications. This course includes a case study that provides you with the opportunity to build your own QlikView application.
Language: The training can be provided in Dutch, English or French.
Location: Training are offered in Tessenderlo (Credon office) or Wilrijk.


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Fairy Godmother's Banana Bread
A few years ago I met my Fairy Godmother, and she offered to grant me three wishes. She told me that the wishes had to be personal, that is, not things like feeding starving babies in Africa or the MN Vikings winning the Super Bowl. Fairy Godmother explained that the babies and Vikings had their own fairy godmothers, (some obviously better than others), and they were careful not to step on each others toes, so to speak. She also warned me that each wish would be granted with a provision.
My first wish was easy. I asked for Good Health. Nothing else matters much without good health.
Fairy Godmother said that would be fine, conditional upon my not taking good health for granted, ie: not drinking, smoking, eating junk foods or abusing my body in any way. Since I have always been pretty good about taking care of myself, (at least since I quit smoking), I figured that would be easy enough.
For my second wish, I asked for Good Friends. Life has no meaning without good friends to share it with.
Fairy Godmother agreed, on condition that I also be a good friend myself. This is also something I've generally tried practice anyway, so that was taken care of.
Then Fairy Godmother asked for my third wish. I replied that with good health and good friends I didn't really need to wish for anything else. Fairy Godmother informed me that rules were rules. She could not grant just two wishes. I needed a third wish. That's the way it's always been.
I honestly couldn't think of anything. I didn't want to get my fairy godmother in trouble though. Finally I asked her if she had a good recipe for banana bread.
"Why, yes I do!" she exclaimed. "I'll write it down for you."
As she wrote down her recipe, I asked her what condition would be attached to the third wish.
Fairy Godmother thought for a moment, then said, "That your friends and neighbors shall never want for banana bread."
So, every week when I bake banana bread using Fairy Godmother's recipe, I take some to my friends and neighbors.
For friends too far away for direct gifting here is her recipe:
Fairy Godmother's Universal Banana Bread
For one 9 x 5 inch loaf (double recipe to make three 4.5 x 8 loaves) (I usually make a double batch and bake one 9 x 5 and three 5 x 3 loaves because the smaller ones are nice for gifting)
All Ingredients at Room Temperature
Pre-Heat Oven to 350 degrees
2 Eggs
1 Cup (10 oz) VERY RIPE Bananas*
1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/4 Cup Milk
2 Cups Flour (AP/part Whole Wheat/KAF White Whole Wheat or, best of all Whole Wheat Pastry Flour)
1 Cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
* VERY RIPE means as black as you can find. If mottled yellow is the best you can do, lay them on a baking sheet, poke a few slits on the top side of the peel, and roast them at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, until they're black and leathery. Let them cool and squeeze from peel. (I freeze these in 10 oz portions)
Additions: (see other suggested adds below) (the important thing is that the additions be about Chip size and their total weight be not much more than 6 oz/loaf)
4 oz Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup (@ 2 oz) Nuts
Mash together Eggs/Bananas/Oil and Milk (I use an old potato masher) Stir until well blended
Whisk together Dry Ingredients
Toss Additions lightly with a bit of Flour to coat them
Stir Dry Ingredients into Egg-Banana MIxture until just evenly moistened
Fold in Additions
Pour into well greased pan. (If you use Chocolate Chips or Fruit it's a good idea to use Baking Parchment to line at least the bottom of your pan)
Bake about an hour, until center is dry to toothpick test, which will be 190 degrees (about five-ten minutes less for 4.5 x 8 loaf, ten-twenty minutes less for 3 x 5's)
Cool in pan on rack for ten minutes. Run a knife or spatula around the edges and remove loaf to rack to cool completely.
Here are some items I've used as Additions:
White Chocolate/Butterscotch/Cinnamon Chips/Toffee Chips
Raisins or Dried Fruit (Apricots/Dates/figs/Passion Fruit/Pineapple etc) in 1/4 - 1/2 inch pieces
Coconut/Dry Breakfast Cereal (flakes or shapes)/commercial Granola/Trail Mix
Sunflower Seeds/Soy Nuts
Suggested Combos:
Semi-Sweet Chocolate/Toffee Chips & Sunflower Seed
Butterscotch Chip & Date
Dried Cranberry or White Raisin & White Chocolate Chip
Mini Chocolate Chip & Banana Nut Crunch Cereal
Pomegranate Arils & White Chocolate Chip (very good)
Raisin & Fruity Peebles Cereal aka Josephs Banana Bread of Many Colors (fun for kids)
Prune and Licorice (very ... interesting?)


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The Vat Hosian Voravihan buddhist temple and its stupa on Phothisalath road in Luang Prabang, LAOS, is one of the less visited temple of the royal city.
Asia is the biggest continent on Earth, a darling little gem floating around in space.Hm, what is Asia? Who's in on it?China and India are safe bets for Asian nations. Korea, Japan, Thailand, you're fine.Europe? No. Europe would sort of be on the "Asian continent" if not for those pesky Ural mountains dividing things up in the middle, and then also the whole lineage of kings and wealth and nations and the EU and all that "give me my respect" stuff.Russia would probably be happiest as its own continent, so for now we'll leave it in "Eurasia" and just hope the natural gas supplies keep flowing.Pakistan and Afghanistan are dang close to Asia, but politically they show up in "Middle East" news stories an awful lot. Verdict: Eurasia.I guess we'll actually have to consider everything from Turkey on eastward to be "Eurasian", although the moniker seems overlappitory of the territory.The Asian economy is now officially raging like a wild furnace of lava that consumes everything in its path. Japan has had the largest individual economy in Asia for decades, but it is forecast that both India and China will outstrip Japan within twenty years.China is the largest holder of United States debt and is positioned to become the world's next superpower, provided that Godzilla doesn't return and decide to stomp everybody back into the Shang Dynasty.Text by Steve Smith.


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Professional buyers reveal how they buy supplies for their companies.
Few individuals in the U.S. spend as much money each year on supplies as farmers. Even small farm operations require hefty checking accounts to cover seed, chemicals and equipment.
How well a farmer purchases inputs can greatly affect his farm's bottom line. "There are farmers out there who if they can't get their inputs at the lowest cost, they can't farm," reports Frank Dooley, agricultural economist at Purdue University.
However, the decision to purchase an input should include far more than just its price. Dooley says farmers need to start thinking like their suppliers and set up a buying strategy to consider other factors such as service and delivery.
Major companies, including the suppliers of farm inputs, hire specialists trained to buy. These professional buyers set standards for purchased materials and then regularly evaluate a supplier's performance.
Here are five professional buyers, with tips to growers about how to better purchase supplies.
Paul Schreier Director of network supply Company: Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods Buying tips: Develop a supplier scorecard for evaluating companies. Hone personal skills to be a better buyer.
If you spread Land O'Lakes butter or cheese on your bread, chances are the orders for those products passed across Paul Schreier's desk. Schreier makes sure the Arden Hills, MN, based food company has the raw materials needed for its manufacturing plants. Each day, he buys commodities such as butter, cheese and soybean oil.
"What we look for as we buy goods from a supplier is breadth and depth," Schreier says. "For breadth, we want to know if the supplier is capable of performing a lot of different things and providing a variety of products for us. Do they have multiple production capabilities?"
Then he considers a supplier's depth or the ability to bring innovative products and technology to the table. "I want someone who is willing to work with very specific specifications and provide all the ancillary things to make that purchase work," he adds. "In other words, it's not just the product, but how it is shipped and wrapped and the ease of making payments and billing."
Land O'Lakes' buyers also evaluate their suppliers. Shreier says they use a supplier scorecard to measure performance. Items on the scorecard include:
v How product specifications were met
v Cost of the product and transaction
v If the order was complete
v If the order was shipped and delivered on time
v Number of consumer complaints linked to a supplier
v If information needed to complete the transaction was included
Purchasing for a major company like Land O'Lakes is no stroll at the mall. Over the years, Schreier has seen what characteristics it takes to be a good buyer of any materials. Most important, a buyer must know the industry and its products. He or she also must be a good negotiator.
Excellent interpersonal skills rank high on the list, too. "You have to be very straightforward and firm but willing to work with others to form a good business proposition," Schreier says.
And last, he says a buyer must be creative to help put together programs and alliances that are win/win for purchaser and supplier.
Matt Titus Logistic planning analyst Company: National electronics/appliance retailer Buying tip: Watch for supply chain opportunities; they are the future.
Matt Titus looks at long-term strategies for purchasing millions of dollars in electronics and appliances each year as part of his job with a major retailer.
What does he see ahead? "The whole concept of using the supply chain as a competitive force is going to be huge," he predicts. "For the food industry, it will be links between the grower and their suppliers to the end product like a box of cereal. The chain that satisfies the end user most efficiently will be the most successful."
Many growers already see the development of more complex supply chains in agriculture. Every year, more processors and food manufacturers offer contracts to growers for certain crops and supplies. What the grower buys and raises is determined by the end user, and the crop commands a premium price.
"We're just beginning to leverage our supply chain," Titus admits. "But we can envision we will have to have the most efficiently delivered product on the shelf."
This means collaborating with manufacturers on everything from product creation to order fulfillment. For example, his company may ask Sony to make a VCR with particular features that appeal to its customers.
Collaboration also occurs in transporting products. If Titus's company can save money by doing its own shipping or combining shipments from multiple vendors, it will do it. But it needs an open collaborative relationship with the manufacturer to discover these opportunities and their value.
For growers to successfully participate in the supply chain, they need to ensure equally open communications with their supply chain partners.
Tom White Manager of strategic sourcing Company: John Deere Buying tips: Align with leading technology suppliers for highly engineered products. Use the Internet for commodities.
For 35 years, Tom White has helped oversee the purchase of manufacturing supplies for John Deere. Now ready to retire, White says he's leaving just as the field of supply management booms.
Deere employs about 1,000 people around the world in supply management divisions. The company seeks new employees schooled in purchasing to replace people like White who have spent their careers learning how to buy. The demand for purchasing expertise is so great that Deere has a special master's degree program in supply management through Arizona State University available for employees. The company also hired 82 interns this past summer in supply offices, hoping to attract future employees.
"A lot has changed [in 35 years]," White says. "We've become a much more professional group."
After all, few activities impact Deere's bottom line as much as supply management. Today, purchased materials account for approximately 70% of Deere's cost of manufacturing. "So the significance of purchased materials and buying them well is very high," White admits.
Over the years, Deere has developed a detailed process to determine the best way to buy key materials. When the company applied the process to highly engineered products such as hydraulics and hydrostatic transmissions, it found it was in its best interest to form a close and committed relationship with two or three world leaders. "If we want to be on the leading edge of technology and distinguish our products with those features, then it is important for us to find the suppliers who bring that to us," White states.
"We still measure those suppliers for their ability to bring us cost-effective solutions. But there is much more to buying effectively than finding someone who can offer you that extremely low price.
"A farmer has to align himself with an industry leader, too," White claims. "There is value in quality [products], high resale value and productivity."
Farmers also can learn from Deere's extensive supplier audits. "We measure our suppliers in some pretty basic things like delivery performance, quality performance and cost competitiveness," White explains. "We also measure in support areas like technical support."
The evaluations provide suppliers with feedback so they can make changes and improvements. Farmers also can initiate improvements in a supply company by letting it know when product performance is poor or service falls short.
Deere joins many other e-commere buyers by going online for less engineered products. For items with well-established industry standards, White says they will prepare a package of materials they want to purchase. They notify suppliers about the package and the time of the upcoming Internet auction. Then during the one- to two-hour auction, suppliers place bids and Deere accepts the most competitive offer.
Growers may try similar strategies, watching Internet sites and auctions for products. Or a grower could put together a package of needed products and services, post it on various supplier sites and request bids.
But White says it is important that farmers, like the buyers at Deere, recognize that for certain items it is better to seek value and service rather than just the best price.
Travis Gullickson Business analyst Company: National grocery chain with $20 billion in annual sales Buying tips: Consider the cost of capital before buying supplies ahead. Adversarial supplier relationships cost money.
When Travis Gullickson used to combine wheat on his dad's North Dakota farm, he never dreamed he would someday be involved with buying tons of wheat products for a major grocery chain.
Today, Gullickson analyzes the procurement of thousands of food products from applesauce to zucchini in his Minneapolis, MN, office. He looks at not only the cost of the products, but how purchasing affects company productivity. What Gullickson learns applies to farmers as well.
"We worry about the cost of capital and storage," he says. "For example, what if I can get a certain product at a discount by purchasing in larger quantities or by making a purchase months in advance. Is this the best thing to do? The question to ask is, What does it cost to finance and store that product? How long can we store it before we're only breaking even?
"Our look is economic and by the numbers," Gullickson continues. "If a farmer buys $10,000 of something today and sits on it for six months before using it, that is $10,000 not used to pay down a note. What is the cost associated with that capital?"
Gullickson also looks at improving relationships with suppliers to improve the company's bottom line. Food companies and grocery stores traditionally have had adversarial relationships. "Now the trend is to work with these companies and identify the behaviors that drive up supply chain costs," he explains. "If we make all purchases in full pallet quantities, the supplier may give us 10 cents off per case to reward us for reducing their handling costs. We may chose this option, depending on its effect on our total costs."
Growers may try similar tactics. For example, a grower might find out what volume of product the manufacturer can handle most efficiently and negotiate a price break.
Better business relationships also cut the expenses related to conflicts. Gullickson says his company and its suppliers now try to resolve a price issue without wasting time and money researching, documenting and then arguing the issue.
The same applies to strained grower-supplier relationships. Drawn-out price disputes only cost everyone money, including the grower. Fostering good relationships with trusted suppliers should lead to better prices and service.
Developing these relationships takes time, however. Gullickson says his company ends up working with fewer and larger suppliers. "It is tough to sit down and have conversations about taking costs out of a system and working cooperatively with a thousand different companies," he says.
Jerry Warner Executive vice president Company: Farmers National Co. Buying tips: Scutinize bundles and special promotions for what fits your operation. Monitor the Internet for special buys.
As more farm land moves into the folds of management firms, professional farm managers like Jerry Warner wind up doing more and more input buying. Warner helps buy supplies and directs farm management for Farmers National Company, Omaha, NE, the largest farm management firm in the U.S. Farmers National manages 3,600 farms in 22 states.
Managers purchase inputs such as seed, chemicals and fertilizer for about 75% of the farms. Because Warner helps with these negotiations and decisions, few promotions and bundling programs have escaped his notice.
"With chemical companies owning seed companies, there's more bundling," he says. "We're also seeing risk management tied into the programs. If you use a certain seed, you are eligible to buy additional insurance coverage. I suggest farmers look at what they can afford and then what gives the best protection if there is a loss."
Warner admits the bundling programs pose a headache for farm managers. "We don't like bundling programs," he says. "They are tremendously complex from the standpoint that you have difficulty determining what the best program truly is for your farm. I suggest growers do the best they can to sort out the program that fits and then take advantage of it. We are starting to see more regional opportunities.
"Everyone is crying out to simplify [these bundling programs]," he continues. "On the other hand, as companies merge and acquire other companies, these programs will not go away."
When considering special promotions, farmers should check the cost of money and when they can pay for the products. Warner says a lot of programs offer deferred payment.
"If you need [deferred payment] for cash flow, it may make sense," he says. "On the other hand, if you can get more for the money by paying early, do it. While a lot of input financing is available, in reality you're paying for the use of the money one way or another."
Warner can see the day when farmers and managers will purchase more inputs on the Internet. Right now, he monitors what's available on different Web sites.
"If buying electronically fits the needs of a customer, we're prepared to do it," he says. "We haven't bought much electronically yet. We try to work through local vendors and maintain the service aspect. But we think the Internet is the way some products will move."
After 28 years of professional farm management, Warner says good buying still comes down to developing good relationships. He states, "In order to purchase, you need to know people who are leaders in the business and establish relationships with them."


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Thursday, August 6
Parking Lots are all Equal
For your viewing pleasure, the Fort Worth Cabela's parking lot. Actually, it's mainly the parking lot service road. Cabelas has the only parking lot around locally that has a six lane service road, complete with median and left turn lanes. They even have Bott's Dots for Doohickie's amusement. If you were so inclined, you could even ride on wide sidewalks as long as the landscape maintenance guys weren't busy. There's actually one at work in the circled area of the top photo.
The only motorist interactions I've ever had in this lot are an occasional 18 wheeler rumbling out to the I-35W service road. It's kind of like one of those sci fi movies where everyone disappeared except for the hero of the movie.
This parking lot is so special, that I happily make a run down the Alliance Gateway Freeway to get to it on the way to work. It would not work in the afternoons, since the roads aren't aligned to use it going south, and Cabela's is actually open.
(click on any picture except the last one for a bigger, more luxurious view)
7 comments:
- Doohickie said...
See, and now I'm trying to avoid parking lots. At your insistence.
Make up you mind!
- August 6, 2009 at 10:06 PM
- Steve A said...
Wait, there's more. In the spirit of true confessions there are TWO other parking lots I also ride through on my commute in to work. One of them also gets used on the way home, but only when the temperature's above 100F. Those will be revealed in future posts.
You have to admit, however, Cabela's lot is quite different than the typical Kroger. I didn't even bother getting off the bike to take the photos.
- August 6, 2009 at 10:19 PM
- Rantwick said...
I don't care how nice any parking lot is, I don't ride in them unless I'm going to a store.
This is largely due to the fact that my mother always told us that parking lots were "some of the most dangerous places in the world" when we were little kids. It stuck with me, it would seem.
- August 7, 2009 at 1:21 AM
- Steve A said...
I'll just continue to have Cabela's all to myself!
- August 7, 2009 at 5:46 AM
- Rollz said...
Steve is that access road only for Cabelas? That is one grand entrance for just one store.
- August 8, 2009 at 6:40 AM
- Steve A said...
Rollz, it's even grander than that. The top picture is the Cabelas "perimeter" service road. It's got its own RT only lane coming off of Alliance Gateway Freeway. My ride only encompasses the "perimeter" road. The middle picture is the Cabelas "entry approach" service road. It's a mere four lanes.
Off to the north and east of the perimeter road are pastures, occupied only by buffalo.
I suspect all this road frenzy was part of the package that Fort Worth kicked in to lure Cabelas. It certainly contrasts with Westport Parkway, which is my alternate route to Alliance Airport.
- August 8, 2009 at 7:04 AM
- Steve A said...
As I said, this is parking nirvana. These roads put the Six Flags equivalents to shame.
- August 8, 2009 at 7:06 AM


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Spokane 12/16
Make concert plans with your fellow TABN citizens here.
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Spokane 12/16
Anyone going to this show? I'm driving from Tacoma and my buddy I was going with bailed. I'm going anyway and since I made a trip out of it would love to meet up with some fellow fans! If anyone would wanna meet up my Instagram is barlocktom and we can chat on there. Guess I'm also gonna have an extra ticket to but I ordered will call
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Cudworth Stainless Steel Money Clip
NEW! Made from solid stainless this version is finished in ultra durable IP black plating bands. Personalize with initials or logos to create a great gift for any occasion. Handmade from start to finish, this money clip is made with the highest precision and care.
- Hand finished
- Stainless steel components
- IP Black Plating
- Size:52x20mm
- Hand polished and assembled
- Covered by our 1-year warranty
- Comes with a presentation box
- WARRANTY Theodore Designs products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year
Unavailable Available Only few left Out of stock Pre-order
Money clip/key ring
so within 7 days of purchase, however we do NOT REFUND for change of mind..
We do not refund unless faulty (deemed by the manufacturer as faulty), please contact us via email to get your RA.We do not refund unless faulty (deemed by the manufacturer as faulty),
please contact us via email to get your RA.
All of our products are delivered nationwide from our distribution centre based in North East Melbourne.
Your purchases will be delivered quickly and safely.
Quick Delivery
We use a courier service to deliver the majority of our customers jewellery parcels. For parcels such as wallets and passport covers we use Australian Post Tracked Service. Please note this applies to delivery addresses within Australia only.
Courier Service.
All parcels dispatched by courier will be delivered Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.30pm and will require a signature upon delivery. Please kindly ensure that there will be someone to sign for the parcel at the delivery address.
Australian Post tracked Service
All parcels dispatched via Australian Post will be delivered Monday to Saturday. Australian Post aim to deliver your parcel the next working day but this is not guaranteed.
All Australian orders of cufflinks or other men's accessories over the value of $100 will receive free express delivery. All other orders are charged at
Orders under $100 - $4.99 regular shipping charge
Orders under $100 - $8.00 express charge
International orders $25 delivery.


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Laguna Beach Unified School District is widely recognized as an outstanding district throughout Orange County and the state. This is the result of many years of leadership, vision, planning and execution of strategic goals.
Our theme for the 2013-14 school year is "Fostering Quality through Habits of Mind – Moving Forward to Achieve our Strategic Goals."
Renowned educational leaders Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick have compiled a list of thinking behaviors and habits of mind that ensure students will lead richly rewarding lives. These habits of mind form the underpinnings of the Common Core State Standards. They include: thinking and communicating with clarity and precision; managing impulsivity; gathering data through all senses; listening with understanding and empathy; creating, imagining and innovating; thinking flexibly; responding with wonderment and awe; meta-cognition; taking responsible risks; striving for accuracy; finding humor; questioning and posing problems; thinking interdependently; applying past knowledge to new situations; and remaining open to continuous learning.
Laguna Beach students are among the highest-achieving students in the state because they experience a learning environment where these habits of mind are honed and polished. They are able to choose among a wide array of activities and learning experiences that combine to form a strong foundation for future success in college, careers and beyond. Our focus on the whole child enables us to attend to the social-emotional needs of students, which are so important to academic success.
Student achievement continues to be strong. Our districtwide Academic Performance Index is 918, far surpassing the 800 API state benchmark of excellence. The Orange County Register and California Business for Education Excellence both have recognized Laguna Beach as an exemplary school district. With a dedicated school board, excellent teachers, principals, staff and a supportive, invested community, Laguna Beach Unified is the gold standard of education in the county, state and nation.
On behalf of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education and staff, I welcome our students and families to the 2013-14 school year!
– Sherine Smith is the superintendent of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.


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Many Texans may be on a diet, but the trucks on their highways certainly aren't.
Many Texans may be on a diet, but the trucks on their highways certainly aren't.
A record 58,514 oversize/overweight permits were issued in January, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The previous one-month high was 57,139, in August, the agency said Tuesday.
At the current pace, Texas could issue about 700,000 permits during fiscal 2012, which ends Aug. 31, a department spokesman said. Last year, 590,980 such permits were issued to trucks -- less than 1 percent of the state's truck traffic.
Those permits generated $114 million for state coffers to offset the cost of at least some wear and tear on the highways.
In August, the state launched the Texas Permitting and Routing Optimization System, which allows haulers to secure permits round-the-clock.
The automated system now issues more than 60 percent of permits, department spokesman Adam Shaivitz said.
Permits may be on the rise because the new system is quick and easy for haulers to use, an official said, and it lessens the motivation to cheat.
"There was a time when carriers might have waited several hours to get a permit, and for them time is money," said Jean Beeman, manager of the department's business services section. "If they felt they were waiting too long, they could possibly just go without it, and we would not know about it unless by happenstance they got stopped by police.
"Carriers can now go on at midnight and put in specifics for their load, get their permits right there and get their routes."
Read the complete story at star-telegram.com


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At this point in the World Cup, the Dutch know plenty about Costa Rica — once one of the surprise packages of the tournament. What they may not have heard is that Costa Rica's Jorge Luis Pinto learned his coaching from the Dutchman who invented 'total football.'
Pinto, a well-traveled Colombian, studied at the University of Cologne early in the 1980s when Dutch coach Rinus Michels was coaching the city's Bundesliga club.
"In those years I spent my time watching him training and talking to him," Pinto said. "When I didn't have classes, I went to see the club practice. I saw many things and learned a lot."
Michels was a good teacher — a few years later he would lead the Netherlands to its one and only international title, the 1988 European Championship, having pioneered the 'total football' approach — where players can change their positions during a game.
Now Pinto aims to stop the Dutch taking another step toward their first world title when his Costa Rica team meets the Netherlands on Saturday in the quarterfinals at Salvador's Arena Fonte Nova.
It is not only Pinto who knows the Dutch game well. Bryan Ruiz had a successful spell with FC Twente before joining Fulham and now plays at PSV Eindhoven alongside likely Netherlands starter Georginio Wijnaldum and super-sub Memphis Depay.
Ruiz said he has shared what he knows about the Dutch players with his coach.
"Pinto asked me about it and I provided a bit of analysis of the ones I know," he said Thursday.
"I haven't had any contact with Memphis or Georginio," he added. "Of course, the day of the match, we will greet each other, chat a bit and then get focused."
Ruiz has teamed up with a strong, fast-paced striker in Joel Campbell, propelling Costa Rica to the surprise top spot in a Group D that also included England, Italy and Uruguay. Pinto's team also has a miserly defense that has conceded just two goals in the tournament so far.
"Costa Rica has a very good team," in-form Dutch forward Arjen Robben said. "I think before not a lot of people would have expected them to go through to the next round but I think they are a very strong team and it's going to be another very difficult game for us where we have to give everything to go through to the semi-finals."
Not surprisingly, Costa Rica will be attempting to shut down the Dutch striking partnership of Robben and Robin van Persie, who are looking to get back on the scoring sheet after combining for six goals in their team's first two matches but failing to find the net since.
"We just can't afford to give them any room to maneuver," midfielder Celso Borges said. "They can make you pay if they get an opening."
The winner in Salvador goes on to a semifinal against either Belgium or Argentina in Sao Paulo on July 9.
Costa Rica will be without defender Oscar Duarte, who was sent off in the 66th minute of the penalty shootout victory over Greece. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas skipped training on Wednesday with a sore shoulder, but he has been declared fit to play.
The lengthening Dutch injury list is creating problems for coach Louis van Gaal, who is fast running out of fit midfielders.
AC Milan strongman Nigel de Jong may have played his last World Cup match in Brazil after tearing a groin muscle early in the second-round defeat of Mexico. Leroy Fer also is in doubt with a hamstring injury he picked up in training the day after scoring the crucial opening goal in the Netherlands 2-0 defeat of Chile.
Van Gaal could push left back Daley Blind from defense to midfield or opt for Feyenoord's Jordie Clasie, who has yet to play in Brazil and has only eight caps to his name.
Van Gaal's most experienced midfielder, Wesley Sneijder, appears to be running into form at just the right time.
The team's top scorer in South Africa four years ago broke his Brazil duck against Mexico with a sizzling drive in the 88th minute, after substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar had headed the ball back. Substitute Huntelaar then calmly slotted home a stoppage time penalty, but he said the assist for Sneijder was his most important touch.
"That moment was so intense," he told Dutch website Nu.nl. "It was an explosion of joy and adrenaline that gave us the feeling we could force a result in the regular 90 minutes."
Your guide to the latest cricket World Cup stories, analysis, reports, opinions, live updates and scores on https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019.html. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or like our Facebook page for updates throughout the ongoing event in England and Wales.
Updated Date: Jul 05, 2014 16:32:58 IST


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River Clyde
The River Clyde, is the most important river in western-Scotland and, at 158 km (99 miles) long, is the second longest river (after the Tay) in Scotland. It is formed (at the aptly named Meetwater) by the confluence of Daer Water and Potrail Water in the Lowther Hills of Lanarkshire near the sources of both the Tweed and River Annan. It wanders off to the north-east as far as Biggar before heading more or less north-west past Lanark, Clydesdale, Glasgow and Clydesbank then enters its estuary, the Firth of Clyde, near Dumbarton.
The Firth flows another 105 km (65 miles), initially west then with a sudden turn to the south to meet the so-called North Channel, part of the Atlantic Ocean, at the rocky islet, Ailsa Craig, off the coast of Ayrshire. Large scale dredging of the waterway between Port Glasgow near Greenock and Glasgow itself during the 18th century brought ocean-going vessels to Glasgow, and made the river a conduit for much the industrial produce of south-western Scotland on its way to the New World, and the area the site of a booming shipbuilding industry. The first sea-going steamboat, Bell's Comet was built at Port Glasgow in 1812.
(The Old Celtic name, possibly meaning "cleanse", may have derived from the Indo-European clou, and was also possibly the name of a river goddess. The Roman historian Tacitus refers to it as the Clota. It became the Gaelic Clutha. Today it is the Cluaidh. The word "Firth" used by the Scots to describe an estuary or arm of the sea derives from the Old Norse. It has the same root as "fiord".)
And on a lighter note.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZX0h4X7s1c The places mentioned seem to refer to the "Firth" as much as the "River".
- Brewer's Britain and Ireland, pp. 254-5.
- Webster's Geographical Dictionary, p242


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Say hello to Australia's closest east coast neighbour. Escape for a tropical long weekend away and discover where France meets the Pacific.
The thriving, indigenous Kanak culture and the influence of French colonial history on the language, food and lifestyle of Nouvelle Caledonie have created a cultural mix that's both beautiful and unique.
While Noumea has a delicious Riviera-style vibe with cafes, restaurants and an active night life, the further you travel from the capital the more you'll experience more traditional ways of life. The east coast is sumptuous and green, home to a larger Melanesian population. The north west region is 'cowboy country' with its wonderful mix of French farming communities, while the great south is brimming with nature reserves – an outdoor adventure playground. And the islands surrounding the Mainland, Grande Terre, are pristine gems waiting to be discovered.
Noumea, New Caledonia
Noumea is the cosmopolitan capital of New Caledonia offering French sophistication in a picturesque island setting, surrounded by gorgeous bays and splendid beaches.


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The Beatles wrote a song about Anna, Rilo Kiley wrote a song about Jenny, and, er... the Fountains of Wayne wrote a song about Maureen (which would be the unabridged version of "Moe") but a lot more songs have been written about Jezebel, which is one of the things that initially made us, er, a bit skeptical of the name (ahem, Natalie Merchant!) But eventually, as with many things about words synonymous with "whore" and "slut", all the musical inspiration began to facilitate the process by which "Jezebel" grew on us, er, Jezebelles.
There is the Dizzee Rascal song, a decent if somewhat depressing ong you can dance to, and the Iron & Wine sleeper, which we generally find more ideal for the consumption of fair-trade coffee and Odwalla beverages. The Natalie Merchant track, stripped of all the gross Merchant baggage, is pretty depressing, while the Joan Jett song is suitably perky. By far our favorite all-around "Jezebel" (though not, necessarily, the office's) is the Reverend Horton Heat cover of the Frankie Laine classic (and by "classic" we mean "song whose actual original performer no one generally knows") but there is really only one "Jezebel" suitable for sex, at least at the pace you sluts like it. Anyway, here it is. We'd do like Idolator and try to get you the songs for free, but we are really stupid about technology. Because, you know, we're GIRLS.
The Jezebel Imix


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This is the 'lite' version of Spiral Galaxies. If you like it please consider getting the full version. :)--Spiral Galaxies is a puzzle where you have to fill an entire universe with galaxies. At the start of the game you only have the centers of the galaxies, it's up to you to expand these so that they take up all available space.The tricky part is that all galaxies have to be "spirals" more or less; they have to have 2-fold rotational symmetry. In other words, if you rotate a galaxy 180 degrees it should look exactly the same as it did before the rotation. This means that if you expand or shrink one end of the galaxy its counterpart at the other side of the galaxy will also expand or shrink.The "Spiral Galaxies" puzzle type was invented by the Japanese puzzle magazine Nikoli (the guys behind the famous Sudoku puzzle type). The Japanese name for "Spiral Galaxies" is "Tentai Show". The Japanese name is a play on words where "Ten" means dot, "tai-Show" stands for symmetry and "Tentai" is "astronomical things".In the original game play you draw/erase the walls of the galaxies around their centers (represented by dots). In this Winterdust version of the puzzle the cells that touch a center (represented by a circle) is converted to a galaxy at the start of the game and you then expand/shrink the galaxies by dragging its edges.Features:+ 41250 predefined puzzles in total, counting all difficulties in all 5 predefined puzzle sizes!+ All puzzles are sorted by their difficulty. Select Easy, Medium or Hard for the puzzle size you want and a fitting universe is picked at random from its 2750 available puzzles!+ The game remembers which predefined puzzles you have already played to avoid making you play them again.+ Random puzzle generation! Simply select desired width and height and a universe is generated for you. There is no size limit, if you think your device can handle a huge puzzle - go for it!+ Quite fast generation/presentation of a universe. The engine is designed to build the puzzles over several frames so you'll see it grow while you wait for it to finish (unless it finishes in one frame of course).+ Auto-solve option! Can't figure out a puzzle? At least you will know the correct solution when you give up, just let the game auto-solve the puzzle for you.+ A experience/level-Up system has been implemented to give you some form of reward after solving a puzzle successfully.+ Zooming/panning of the puzzle is possible.+ You can lock (and unlock) a galaxy and in that way mark it. Useful if you are 100% certain of some galaxy shapes and want to highlight them.+ Automatically saves your game! Stop playing whenever you want and pick up again from right where you left off.Spiral Galaxies is the perfect puzzle for you if you want a logical puzzle. Use it to keep your logic in top shape! It's also perfect for children of all ages; an excellent tool for enhanced development of the brain!
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|Compatible with: iphone3gs, iphone3gs, iphone3gs, iphone3gs, ipadwifi, ipadwifi, ipadwifi, ipadwifi, ipad3g, ipad3g, ipad3g, ipad3g, ipodtouchthirdgen, ipodtouchthirdgen, ipodtouchthirdgen, ipodtouchthirdgen, iphone4, iphone4, iphone4, iphone4, ipodtouchfourthgen, ipodtouchfourthgen, ipodtouchfourthgen, ipodtouchfourthgen, ipad2wifi, ipad2wifi, ipad2wifi, ipad2wifi, ipad23g, ipad23g, ipad23g, ipad23g, iphone4s, iphone4s, iphone4s, iphone4s, ipadthirdgen, ipadthirdgen, ipadthirdgen, ipadthirdgen, ipadthirdgen4g, ipadthirdgen4g, ipadthirdgen4g, ipadthirdgen4g, iphone5, iphone5, iphone5, iphone5, ipodtouchfifthgen, ipodtouchfifthgen, ipodtouchfifthgen, ipodtouchfifthgen, ipadfourthgen, ipadfourthgen, ipadfourthgen, ipadfourthgen, ipadfourthgen4g, ipadfourthgen4g, ipadfourthgen4g, ipadfourthgen4g, ipadmini, ipadmini, ipadmini, ipadmini, ipadmini4g, ipadmini4g, ipadmini4g, ipadmini4g


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A June world agricultural outlook report from USDA estimates 1.5 million fewer acres of corn planted in the U.S. compared to the March USDA survey. The outlook report stated planted U.S. corn acres are now 90.7 million. Planting delays in the eastern Corn Belt and northern Plains were reasons cited for the lowered number of corn acres. However, analysts did increase the number of corn acres planted in the western Corn Belt and central Plains where growers were able to plant on time.
The area harvested for grain is projected at 83.2 million acres, 1.9 million below the May USDA forecast. The large reduction reflects expectations that some planted acreage was lost to flooding in the lower Ohio, lower Mississippi, and Missouri River valleys.
A change in corn acre estimates in the USDA world report is infrequent since USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started conducting a June planting and harvested acreage survey. Darrell Good, economist at the University of Illinois, reports that the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) have only changed in 1995, 1996 and 2002.
Good reports that the corn acreage changes in the June WASDE have been accurate. In the three years cited, the June forecast of harvested acreage differed from the final estimate by 0.8, 0.2, and 1.7 million acres, respectively.
On the supply side, the market's attention will now turn more to yield prospects, Good says. For the most part, those prospects will be based on the USDA's weekly estimates of crop conditions.
"The near completion of planting, except for double-cropped soybeans, and less threatening weather, may reduce crop concerns for now, resulting in some modest price weakness," Good adds. "The June 30 USDA Acreage and Grain Stocks report will provide additional price direction."


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· Artikelansicht
"Deutsche Wertarbeit" [Quality German workmanship] is a long forgotten jewel of German electronic music, made by the Düsseldorf keyboard player and composer Dorothea Raukes. Originally released in 1981 on Sky Records. No stomping of military marches, as the title may imply, but six beautiful synthesizer treasures gathered together on the only solo album she would release, artfully unifying the so-called Düsseldorf School (Kraftwerk etc.), the Berliner School (Tangerine Dream etc.) and elements of Jean Michel Jarre's music with sounds of the inceptive 1980s. From the hypnotic to the cosmic, sometimes pulsating, sometimes evincing accharine melancholy. The cool, almost technical artwork does not really fit the warm, sensitive music either. Dorothea Raukes was not exactly an unknown quantity when the album appeared. She had been playing keyboards and writing for the Dusseldorf rock band Streetmark for years. The group—as was typical of the period—operated on democratic principles, which meant that she was never quite able to follow through on her own musical ideas one hundred percent. A solo album, however, would allow her to do just that. One of the reasons why it turned out tob e a purely electronic album was Raukes' sponsorship deal with Korg, giving her access to the full range of the company's gear. Listening to "Deutsche Wertarbeit", those familiar with the history of Streetmark will find themselves reminded of Wolfgang Riechmann's solo LP "Wunderbar" which appeared three years earlier and traced a similar musical pattern (reissued on Bureau B in 2009). Wolfgang Riechmann himself had been a member of Streetmark not all that long ago. Nonetheless, the two projects were entirely separate and had no immediate influence on each other.
01. Guten Abend, Leute, 02. Deutscher Wald, 03. Unter Tage, 04. Auf Engelsflügeln, 05. Intercity Rheingold, 06. Der große Atem