text:
Q: Does a housing exist for my camera?
Posted 28 January 2003 - 12:52 PM
Posted 28 January 2004 - 12:06 PM
market overview of the essential equipment for digital uw photography
Posted 17 December 2004 - 02:15 AM
Posted 16 September 2008 - 01:44 AM
I found Ikelite's site. Pretty in-depth and very useful to search cameras - both compact and SLR. Maybe not the only people who make UWH, but one of the most well-know as far as I know.
Posted 24 March 2010 - 12:05 AM
Posted 26 June 2011 - 04:39 AM
Current rig: Sony SLT-alpha55 in Ikelite housing, Sigma 105mm f2.8 DC Macro w/ Ike 5505.58 flat port or Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM behind UWCamStuff custom 5" mini-dome. Dual INON z240 Type IVs triggered with DS51 for TTL mimicry, or DS51 alone with home-made ringflash assy for macro.
Topside, unhoused: Sony SLT-alpha99,
Sigma 150-500mm + 1.4TC (Saving for Sony 70-400 G2), Sigma 15mm diagonal fish, Sony 24-70mm f2.8 CZ, Tamron 180mm f2.8 Macro...all the gear and nary a clue...
Posted 26 June 2011 - 02:21 PM
I wish there were a way for us readers to submit info, and help out.
Or I guess doing it as a wiki, would work...
nikon n90s/ikelite housing/twin SS-200 canon G2/ikelite/DS-50/optical TTL slave
sony V3/ikelite/DS-51/Heinrich DA2 slave


text:
Sept. 5, 2008
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - After nearly two weeks of pre-season preparation, the Yale men's soccer team is ready to kickoff the 2008 campaign. The Bulldogs host Maine on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Reese Stadium. Live stats from the game will be available on GameTracker.
"Pre-season has gone well and the focus and commitment of the players has been very good," said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. "They are determined to compete hard and make a positive statement this weekend."
The Bulldogs feature a deep and talented defense, anchored by captain Alex Guzinski. Seniors Markus Jackson, Max Rhodes and Frank Piasta along with junior Jordan Raybould are also experienced defenders.
The Black Bears will already have played three games by the time they get to New Haven. Maine split the first two and plays at Sacred Heart on Friday. Dimitri Anastasiou scored the only goal as the Black Bears edged Adelphi last Sunday after falling to Rhode Island 2-1 in their season opener. Nemanja Kostic started the first two games in goal and had an .867 save percentage. Pat Laughlin is in his second season as the head coach at Maine.
"I believe Maine has the potential to be one of the most improved teams in the Northeast this season," Tompkins said. "They have an excellent coach who has attracted some very good players into the program. We are looking forward to a challenging game."
Sunday is the first meeting between Yale and Maine.
Related Links
Report filed by Tim Bennett, Yale Sports Publicity

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Verizon Wireless Now Testing The Company's 4G LTE Network In Mansfield, Ohio
MANSFIELD, OH — Each year, Verizon Wireless test men and women drive more than one million miles to monitor the company's and competitors' networks from coast to coast. Now, these test men and women have a new mission: to test and monitor the company's 4G LTE network reliability, as well as the high-speed data networks of competitors that use LTE and other technologies.
Verizon Wireless launched the world's first large-scale 4G LTE network in Mansfield in September 2011. The company has recently enhanced its fleet of test vehicles, including vehicles used to test the Mansfield network, with 4G testing and monitoring equipment to encompass all of the major operating networks in the United States today.
The data collected by local test men through mobile tests of Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network will be used to measure network performance, benchmark with competitors', and assist the company's network engineers who are responsible for improvements and expansions of the Verizon Wireless network.
"We have introduced our 4G LTE network with the same commitment to quality and performance for which we have long been recognized," said Mark Frazier, president–Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. "By introducing 4G monitoring into our test drive program on top of our continued 1X and 3G network testing, our network team in Mansfield can continue to provide the superior wireless experience our customers expect from Verizon Wireless."
Verizon Wireless is conducting 4G data tests in more than 140 cities where the company's 4G LTE network, the largest 4G LTE network in the nation, is currently available. Verizon Wireless will expand its 4G LTE network testing program into new markets as they launch. 1X voice and 3G data testing continue in all markets.
About Verizon Wireless' Quality Testing Program
The local test men are part of the largest single team of systems performance engineers deployed by a U.S. wireless service company. Annually, the team travels more than one million miles in a fleet of about 100 test vehicles, and conducts more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests on the Verizon Wireless network and the wireless networks of competitors in different markets across the country. These test drive results help the company direct its multi-billion dollar network capital expenditure program, including placement of new cellular sites and expansion of existing call capabilities in growing communities. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $65 billion in its network since the company was formed and more than $291 million in Ohio in 2010.
Interested reporters and other members of the news media are invited to contact the Verizon Wireless media relations representative in their region at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/contacts.html to schedule an interview or ride-along test drive with a local Verizon Wireless test man. For more information about the Verizon Wireless network, visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/bestnetwork/overview.html, or follow Laura on Twitter™ at http://www.twitter.com/VZWlaura.
About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.


text:
Rabbi's Faves
Blog Archive
- 2016 (22)
- 2015 (98)
- 2014 (89)
- 2013 (126)
- 2012 (47)
- 2011 (58)
- 2010 (57)
Blog Archive
- ► 2015 (98)
- ► 2014 (89)
- ► 2013 (126)
- ▼ 2012 (47)
- ► 2011 (58)
About Me
- Rabbi Chaim Coffman
- Rabbi Coffman has helped people from all across the spectrum to prepare themselves properly for Orthodox Conversion to Judaism. His students admire his vast knowledge and appreciate his warm, personal attention and endearing sense of humor.
Welcome to Rabbi Chaim Coffman's Blog!
I would like to thank you for visiting my blog, Beyond Orthodox Conversion to Judaism.
The conversion process can be a lengthy and daunting one to say the least and I want you to know that I am here to help you through it.
I have been teaching newcomers to Judaism for over a decade and over the last few years I have seen that conversion candidates really lack the support and knowledge they need to navigate the conversion process and successfully integrate into the Orthodox Jewish community.
I created my mentorship program in order to help make this whole experience as smooth and as painless as possible! (Can't do much about the growing pains, though ;)
Feel free to get to know me a little through the posts on my blog and visit the mentorship and syllabus page if you are interested in possible joining us.
I sincerely wish you all the best in your search for truth and spiritual growth.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Chaim Coffman
The conversion process can be a lengthy and daunting one to say the least and I want you to know that I am here to help you through it.
I have been teaching newcomers to Judaism for over a decade and over the last few years I have seen that conversion candidates really lack the support and knowledge they need to navigate the conversion process and successfully integrate into the Orthodox Jewish community.
I created my mentorship program in order to help make this whole experience as smooth and as painless as possible! (Can't do much about the growing pains, though ;)
Feel free to get to know me a little through the posts on my blog and visit the mentorship and syllabus page if you are interested in possible joining us.
I sincerely wish you all the best in your search for truth and spiritual growth.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Chaim Coffman
My Rebbe, Rav Moshe Sternbuch
In case you were wondering why I have all of these articles written by Rav Moshe Sternbuch, he is my Rebbe, and one of the gedolei hador (greatest Rabbis of our generation).
Rav Sternbuch fully endorses me and supports my mentorship program.
He is the address for all of my halachic or hashkafic (practical and philosophical) questions that I or my students may have.
The articles are based on his weekly talks on the Torah portion that the Rav gives in Jerusalem in his kollel. As a member of the kollel I get first dibbs on the photocopies and I type them up for my blog so you can all benefit from the Rav's erudition and insight.
Rav Sternbuch fully endorses me and supports my mentorship program.
He is the address for all of my halachic or hashkafic (practical and philosophical) questions that I or my students may have.
The articles are based on his weekly talks on the Torah portion that the Rav gives in Jerusalem in his kollel. As a member of the kollel I get first dibbs on the photocopies and I type them up for my blog so you can all benefit from the Rav's erudition and insight.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
10:10 AM | Posted by Rabbi Chaim Coffman | | Edit Post
By Rav Moshe Sternbuch
Assessing damages
"And Judah approached him and said, "Please, my lord" (44:18) Bereishis Rabbo: "Rabi Simon said: "In our laws it says: 'If he has nothing, he shall be sold for his theft', but this one [Binyomin] has something to pay".
We can understand this medrash in light of a dispute between the acharonim (later commentators) regarding someone who damages an object which has market value and also a higher value to its owner based on his specific situation. For example, the market value of a used item of clothing may be very low, but its owner would be willing to pay more for it than the market value, because it fits him well or he is used to it etc. How much is the damaging party liable to pay - the market value or the subjective value of the damaged item for its owner?
The Nesivos states that even if the object is worth a lot to the damaged party, the damaging party is not liable to pay more than the market value, but the Chazon Ish disagrees and holds that the subjective value of the item for its owner is the determining factor whenever a bais din decides how much damages to award to the damaged party. The prevalent custom adopted by botei din is to adopt the approach of the Chazon Ish (although only a quantifiable monetary value for the owner is taken into account, and not some sentimental value, e.g. one stemming from the fact that the owner had received the item as an inheritance from his ancestors).
Yehuda admitted that for Yosef himself the cup was worth a lot because he practiced divination with it, but its real market value was no more than that for a standard cup, and that he was willing to pay. Moreover, he was in possession of the cup itself, so that there was no need at all to sell the thief into slavery according to our laws. Yosef's entourage, on the other hand, responded that the cup had immense value for their master because he used that cup specifically for his divination purposes.
Moreover, they may also have argued that it only had the ability to serve as a tool of divination as long as it was in Yosef's possession, but as soon as it had been stolen and transferred to the thief's possession it lost this ability, so that the value of the cup - which had been enormous hitherto - had depreciated incalculably as a result of the theft, and only by serving as a slave for an extended period could the thief compensate for the loss he had caused.
The language of emotion
"Let your servant speak a word in my master's ears" (ibid) Rashi: "may my words penetrate your ears".
The Brisker Rov zt"l related that before the war the Polish government enacted a decree requiring everybody to learn Polish and mathematics. The rabbonim considered this to be a grave interference by the government with their internal affairs, and convened a meeting which was attended by many rabbonim and admorim in order to discuss ways to abolish this decree. The rabbonim decided that the best way to proceed would be to send a delegation of gedolei yisroel to the Minister of Education and explain to him why this matter was of such deep concern to them. None of the rabbonim spoke Polish except for one rov, and it was proposed to send him as a spokesman. However, the Chofetz Chaim zt"l opposed this, arguing that the authorities would be likely to respond: "You see, you can produce enlightened Polish-speaking rabbis, so why are you opposed to our new law?"
Instead, the Chofetz Chaim, who like all the others only spoke Yiddish, offered to be the spokesman himself. When he appeared for the interview with the Minister, he started to speak in Yiddish but quickly burst into uncontrollable tears. Although he did not understand a word of what the Chofetz Chaim was saying, the Minister was much moved. He said that he had not realized that this issue was so important for the rabbis, and assured them that he would issue instructions for the decree to be abolished.
Similarly, Yehuda thought that Yosef did not speak Hebrew, but he decided to speak it nevertheless in the hope that his words would penetrate Yosef's ears and heart.
Keeping Loshon hakodesh holy
"And behold, your eyes see… that it is my mouth speaking to you" (45:12) Rashi: "in the holy tongue".
The Chasam Sofer explains that Yosef wanted to convince his brothers that he had remained faithful to his religion. That is what Yosef wanted to express to them by telling them that he was still speaking Hebrew. He was emphasizing that he was still adhering to the holy way of life of the forefathers and he wanted his brothers to make their father happy by conveying this to him. Loshon hakodesh is not merely a language, but a symbol of sanctity. When the Jews were exiled to Bovel, they started speaking the local language, Assyrian, since they realized that their spiritual level had declined to the extent that it would no longer be appropriate to speak loshon hakodesh.
Until recent generations loshon hakodesh retained its quality as a language which was deemed worthy to be used only by someone on a sufficiently high level, and people were also aware of the special sanctity of Eretz Yisroel and our concomitant responsibility to behave accordingly in the eretz hakodesh. Using loshon hakodesh to speak loshon horo or other forbidden matters was unthinkable, especially not in Eretz Yisroel. However, as part of their program of "normalizing" our nation and secularizing holy concepts in order to advance their agenda, our erring brothers chose loshon hakodesh as their vernacular. This has had the tragic result that apart from the "hijacking" of holy words and concepts (such as "mishkan haknesset") ivrit is not only used to articulate loshon horo, but also contains coarse or brazen terminology.
"I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up, and Yosef will place his hand on your eyes." (46:4)
The same Hashem who took us down to Egypt also took us out of it and gave us the Torah. Life often seems like one big mystery. Why do the righteous suffer? Why do some people suffer from poverty, health problems etc. when less righteous people seem to have less problems?
Yosef did indeed place his hands on his eyes. He asked no questions. Instead of becoming embittered at his fate, or bearing a grudge against his brothers, he went out of his way to assure them that everything had turned out for the good and that they should not be upset. Hashem wants all of us to place our hands on our eyes and trust that He knows what is best for us even if cannot understand it. We will be rewarded for our faith and patience when all the intricacies of the divine plan will be revealed in the future.
Yaakov and yosef
"And Yosef harnessed his chariot, and he went up to meet Yisroel his father, to Goshen, and he appeared to him, and he fell on his neck, and he wept on his neck for a long time." (46:29). Rashi: Yosef presented himself to his father.
We can easily imagine how happy Yosef must have been upon finally meeting his father, and yet he was even happier at the joy experienced by his father after all the sorrow he had to endure thinking that his son had died. Yosef "presented himself to his father": he put his own personal joy aside in order to concentrate on increasing his father's pleasure as much as possible. This teaches us that in order to perform the mitzvah of kibud av vo'em properly, we not only have to honor and assist our parents, but also to feel joy at their happiness, thereby proving how important they are in our eyes.
Rashi tells us that Yaakov, for his part, neither fell on Yosef's neck nor kissed him since he was busy reciting Shema. By accepting Hashem's unity upon himself at the hour of his greatest joy, Yaakov was emphasizing that nothing is of any value or importance compared to the paramount principle of Hashem's unity. At the same time, Yosef became so moved at the sight of his father, who, due to his great holiness, was not willing to enjoy the sight of his son before mentioning Hashem's name and His unity that he wept on his father's neck "for a long time". He cried, firstly, because such a righteous person, who lived in accordance with an absolute set of priorities, had suffered so much, and, secondly, because his father's awe-inspiring conduct made him regret not having had the merit of being in the vicinity of such a great person for so many years and this stirred up his yearning be in his vicinity once again.
"So that you may dwell in the land of Goshen" (46:34)
Despite their yearning to be with each other after all these years, Yaakov and Yosef decided that it would be best for Yaakov and his descendants to live far away in Goshen as outcasts in the company of shepherds, even though this meant that Yaakov and Yosef would not see each other again until just before Yaakov's death. Yaakov and his sons could easily have lived comfortably in the city next to Yosef, but decided instead to say that they were shepherds, who were hated by the Egyptians. Yaakov reasoned that the only way he could be saved from the tumoh of Egypt was by secluding himself in Goshen and learning Torah day and night.
The Rambam talks about the powerful influence of the environment, and we too should not underestimate its pull. The precedent of Yaakov demonstrates how important it is for us to get our priorities right and live in the vicinity of religious people rather than living a life of luxury amongst non-Jews or Jews who do not share our values or lifestyle.
Religious dispensation
"Only the land of the priests he did not buy" (47:22)
As steeped as the Egyptians were in immorality and idol worship they still understood that people who dedicated their lives to a religious purpose had a different status to other people and must be left to lead their lives undisturbed. Even during the period of the harshest decrees against the Jews during our exile in Egypt, the Levi'im, who made up about 10% of the population were exempted from slavery, in their capacity as religious ministers.
How tragic it is that in Eretz Yisroel, of all places, some of our brethren still have to come to the realization that by encroaching on the inviolable status of bnei Torah they are only shooting themselves in the leg, because any material success which they enjoy is due to the merits created by those very same people whose way of life they completely fail to understand.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Fearless Leadership
10:57 AM | Posted by Rabbi Chaim Coffman | | Edit Post
By Rav Moshe Sternbuch
bayomim hohem bazman haze
At the beginning of World War II there was a very real threat that the Germans would invade England just like they had already managed to overrun most of continental Western Europe. Against this background, the English government decided that every able-bodied male without exception had to be recruited to the army or sent to work to contribute to the war effort. This applied especially to foreign nationals, such as the Polish Jewish refugees.
One day a government official appeared at Rav Schneider's yeshiva in London and informed the Rosh Yeshiva of the new regulations. Rav Schneider responded by saying that he could not agree to comply with it. The official pointed out that this was no laughing matter and that it would not be possible to circumvent the new requirements which were essential in light of the serious security situation.
At a meeting with Chief Rabbi Hertz the following day Rabbi Hertz told the Rosh Yeshiva that if he would agree to three boys joining the army he would use his connections with the government to obtain an exemption for all the other boys in the yeshiva. Rav Schneider was not tempted by this proposal and responded that he could not agree to even one boy being sent to the army or to work. The Chief Rabbi responded that he was not being realistic.
The committee in charge of implementing the new regulations heard about Rav Schneider's attitude and decided that he would have to be expelled from London (they would have deported him altogether from the country had the political situation allowed them to do so). Since any further dialogue with Rav Schneider was deemed to be pointless, they decided to approach the students of the yeshiva directly.
The first interviewee was a Polish refugee. "Are you aware of the fact that there's a good chance that your parents may not survive this war?" was the first question posed by the committee member.
"Do you realize that if you join the army that would increase the chances of the chances of your parents remaining alive?" the official tried again.
"I believe that by learning Torah here in this institution I am protecting my parents by increasing their merits and helping them to remain alive", the talmid responded undaunted.
The official started showing some signs of frustration, but persevered.
"Well, let's face it, if your parents won't survive this war, you will be left here all alone with no one to support you. How are you going to make a living? Surely it would make sense for you to join one of our factories. That way you could support yourself. What do you say?
"I say that by learning Torah I am helping myself to make a living!"
By this stage the official no longer attempted to hide his frustration, but he was not one to give in easily. He tried once more:
"Let's say that you are entitled to hold on to your idiosyncratic views, but what if everybody shared your opinion? Who would fight our wars and how would anyone make a living, in fact, how could we run this country at all?"
The bochur was not taken aback and replied calmly: "There was such a period during our time in the wilderness. Nobody worked, and the whole nation was sustained by manna from Heaven. G-d is perfectly capable of sustaining me in any way he deems fit. As for your question about fighting wars and national economies, this does not worry me. There will never be a shortage of people willing and able to work and fight wars".
It was now becoming clear that no further progress could be made with this particular boy, and so they called in the next interviewee.
"You heard your friend, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"I agree with every word he said".
The official had had enough. "You're all barmy [British slang equivalent of "nuts"]!" he exclaimed irately and left the room unceremoniously.
The following day Rav Schneider ordained a fast in the yeshiva. Everybody was convinced that Rav Schneider would indeed be expelled from London, and that the yeshiva would have to close down since all the boys would either be recruited to the army or sent to work. However, against all the odds, it was announced that all the students would be exempt from the army or from going to work, since they were all mentally imbalanced, and Rav Schneider could remain with them as the head of this "lunatic asylum"! That was how Yeshivas Toras Emes continued to function throughout the war undisturbed.
The lesson to be derived from this surrealistic series of events is obvious. If we remain steadfast to our principles, Hashem will help. In the time of Chanuka the many were delivered into the hands of the few, and the same has happened throughout history whenever we have adhered strictly to the Torah. During the time of the Greeks many of our coreligionists argued that it made sense to reach some compromise with the Greeks. After all, they were not interested in our physical destruction, and were in fact full of admiration for those rational principles and laws in the Torah, which accorded with their sense of reason and aesthetics. "Let's not antagonize them, we are a small defenseless minority, surely we can agree to meet some of their demands", argued the Jewish "pragmatists".
Similar "pragmatic" arguments can be heard nowadays with regard to the army issue.
It is only because of the wishy-washy approach adopted by some circles that we are currently facing problems. The legal situation of the Arab Moslem minority is identical to that of yeshiva bochurim. In theory they are also subject to the draft, and yet no one dreams of implementing this dead letter of the law, because of the resistance they would meet should they ever attempt to do so. Imagine the uproar if some Arabs would be "drafted" and subjected to the same procedures that yeshiva bochurim are currently experiencing at recruitment offices.
The truth is that even the original situation was nothing short of miraculous. Ben-Gurion only agreed to the deferment of the small handful of yeshiva students at the time after being convinced that they would be no more than a "museum" commemorating the Torah world of pre-war Europe. "These people contributed nothing before the war, and will die out very quickly anyway", he reasoned. Towards the end of his life he commented that this step had been the worst mistake of his life, because so far from dying out their numbers had only increased to an extent not imagined by anybody at the time, and, as we know, our numbers have continued to increase since his death. We must not lose heart and learn from history not to waiver from our resolute approach. If we remain consistent and resolute Hashem will protect us and our erring brethren will leave us alone.
Leadership qualities
"And they called out before him, "[This is] the king's patron [avrech]" appointing him over the entire land of Egypt" (41:43) Rashi: Rabi Yehuda expounded: avrech refers to Yoseph, who was a father [ov] in wisdom, and tender [rach] in years. Rabi Yossi ben Durmaskit said to him… avrech is only a term denoting knees [birkayim], for all would enter and exit under his hand"
Rabi Yehuda is of the opinion that if a leader is seen to be wise that is sufficient even if he is young, because he will be respected just for his wisdom. Rabi Yossi ben Durmaskit, on the other hand, responds that wisdom on its own is not sufficient for leadership purposes, and only if a leader is also strong-minded and sticks to his principles will he be respected and obeyed.
Yosef was great in wisdom, but he also stubbornly refused to diverge from his religious principles even one iota and led the nation in accordance with his plan without vacillating. Such are the qualities of a genuine leader.
A talmid chachom too must not be swayed by public opinion and fearlessly maintain strict halachik standards. When choosing a rov or leader it is of course preferable to look for a big talmid chachom, but he must also possess the ability of getting his congregants to become subservient to him. That is an indispensable requirement for any true Jewish leader, because only persons with a forceful character are capable of ignoring public opinion. Such people will enjoy success and siyata dishmaya.
living in the present
"Yosef named the first-born, Menasheh, "For G-d has made me forget all my trouble, and all my father's house" (41:51)
We would think that Yosef's father's house should have been in his mind constantly. Why did Yosef praise Hashem for making him forget his father's house and commemorate this fact in his son's name?
The Netziv says that had Yosef not forgotten his father's house he would have constantly had yearnings for his father and would not have been able to lead the nation properly. In a similar vein, the Brisker Rov explains an enigmatic gemoro which states: "what should a person do who wants to live, let him kill himself" (Masseches Tomid 30a) as follows: if a person is suffering from painful experiences in the past or present he must overcome his emotions ("kill" them) and be ruled just by his mind in order to live joyfully in the present. The Brisker Rov himself lost his wife and three children in the Holocaust and had to witness the anti-religious activities in Eretz Yisroel in the years following the founding of the Jewish state. It was extremely difficult for anyone with emotion to live through those years. This gemoro addresses those who have suffered from painful events and encourages them to refuse to succumb to feelings of despondency or despair.
We find that the same Amora Rabi Yochonon, who lost ten sons during his lifetime and comforted and inspired others with his heroic reaction to misfortune, stated that although he wanted to witness the coming of moshiach, he was unwilling to bear the birth pangs preceding his coming. How could it be that someone who had faced the death of ten of his own children with such fortitude would be afraid of this period? Rav Elya Lopian zt"l answers that Rabi Yochonon was aware of his own character and knew that he would not be able to endure the terrible chilul Hashem when so many of Hashem's nation would be slaughtered, and to subsequently have to witness the deeds of erring brethren in His country.
Yosef realized throughout all those years in Egypt how much his father must be suffering, but instead of dwelling on that and on his own anguish at being forcibly separated from his home, and from the lifestyle of a nozir for which his father had groomed him, he chose to overcome his feelings, knowing that he had to fulfill Paroh's dream and bring all his family to Egypt, in order to initiate the beginning of the Egyptian exile that was to lead eventually to the giving of the Torah and the conquest of Eretz Yisroel. With this attitude he managed to lead the Egyptian nation successfully with wisdom. He would not let his spirits fall, and in gratitude to Hashem for this called his son Menashe in the hope that he would continue to be able to forget his father's house for the time being, and perform the tasks which Hashem expected him to fulfill until the opportunity would present itself to meet his father again.
On a related note, any baal teshuva who wants to succeed must first completely forget his past, and think only about the future and building up a Jewish home full of Torah and mitzvos, because thinking about past misdemeanors would make it very difficult for him to live joyfully in the present. Part of the mitzvah of teshuva consists in forgetting about the past and living exclusively in the present. Only subsequently, once he has become totally accustomed to living a Torah lifestyle, should he contemplate gradually atoning for past transgressions.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Kibud Av
12:50 AM | Posted by Rabbi Chaim Coffman | | Edit Post
By Rav Moshe Sternbuch
"And Yaakov dwelt" (37:1); Rashi: When Yaakov sought to dwell in tranquility, the troubles of Yoseph sprang upon him. The righteous seek to dwell in tranquility. Hashem said, "What is prepared for the righteous in the world to come is not sufficient for them, but they seek also to dwell in tranquility in this world!"
Yaakov had already endured much suffering by this stage: he had, among other things, spent twenty years with the fraudster Lovon, met Eisov accompanied by 400 men, and struggled with the angel. His desire for tranquility in his old age would seem to be understandable and justified. Why, then, was it held out against him?
Each of the ovos (patriarchs) transmitted their specific qualities for all future generations. Avrohom transmitted the quality of chesed, Yitzchok that of gevuro (mastery of emotions) and Yaakov excelled in emes. Part of Yaakov's task was to sow the seeds of fortitude for his descendants, who were destined to be faced with trying circumstances during prolonged periods of golus. Trials are the main source and catalyst of a person's spiritual elevation and Hashem was telling Yaakov that his task was to continue to serve Him by overcoming tribulations thus setting a precedent for his descendants and giving them the strength to follow his example.
A bochur once came to Rav Moshe Schneider zt"l to ask for a brocho before his wedding. Rav Schneider asked him what brocho he wanted. The boy responded that he would like a blessing that everything should go smoothly in his life, and that he should have no difficulties. Rav Schneider said that that was no brocho, and blessed him instead that when he would be faced with challenging situations, he should overcome them successfully, adding that living a tranquil existence is not an ideal. Something attained effortlessly has little value, and it is by surmounting difficulties that we achieve success.
"…in the land of his father's sojournings" (ibid)
Chazal derive from this phrase that Yitzchok had been responsible for producing converts. We know that Avrohom, who epitomized the trait of chesed, brought many people closer to Hashem, but our image of Yitzchok is that of a holy self-contained individual, so how are we to understand this statement of Chazal?
Rav Schneider noted that there are two types of righteous individuals. Some, like Avrohom, actively engage in various public activities to disseminate yiddishkeit, whereas others, like Yitzchok, have an influence by virtue of their avodoh performed with dedication and self-sacrifice. Yitzchok, unlike his father, did not travel from place to place and actively spread the Word of Hashem, but he still managed to create converts, because his very avodoh exuded holiness and truth and had an immense influence on those who witnessed it.
Some situations call for tzaddikim who actively seek to influence their fellow Jews. Rav Moshe Schneider would recall the time when he was living in Memel, a town on the border between Germany and Lithuania, in which the haskolo had created an almost complete spiritual wilderness. There was, however, one exceptional individual who was a true tzaddik nistar (concealed righteous individual). On one occasion, Rav Schneider told the son-in-law of the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Hirsch Levinson, who was visiting Memel, about this tzaddik. After he met him, Rav Levinson commented to Rav Schneider that this man was certainly a great tzaddik, but Memel needed tzaddikim geluyim (revealed righteous individuals) to stem the anti-religious tide and not tzaddikim of this kind who had no influence on the population, and you must be that tzaddik, Rav Hirsch Levinson told Rav Schneider in conclusion! Rav Schneider in fact went on to found a yeshiva there, and was very successful in spreading yiddishkeit.
A time to conceal, and a time to publiciZe
"And Reuven heard, and he saved him from their hand" (37:21)
The medrash says that if Reuven would have known that the Torah would write this about him he would have brought Yosef to his father on his shoulders.
It is obvious that Reuven was not interested in having his actions publicized. Not only is the desire for honor improper, but – as noted by Rav Chaim Volozhiner zt"l – since honor is a spiritual pleasure it comes at the expense of reward in the afterlife. It is therefore in the interest of anybody who performs a good deed to make sure that as few people as possible know about it.
Here Reuven, for his part, would surely have wanted to conceal his actions, which in any case he considered to be of no great significance but merely the performance of an elementary obligation incumbent on him, but it was Hashem who wanted to publicize the fact that Reuven instead of keeping quiet begged his brothers not to leave Yosef in the pit so that he should remain alive and be returned to his father.
The medrash is telling us that had Reuven known that his action was so important that even his act of speech was considered tantamount to actually saving Yosef from his brothers, he would have taken more active steps in public to save Yosef so that his actions would be publicized and create an even greater kiddush Hashem.
Rav Schneider added in the name of the Chofetz Chaim that although we are warned against seeking honor, sometimes we should make a point of publicizing our actions and acting with alacrity if others will learn from us. If our intentions are for the sake of heaven, then acting this way is a great mitzvah.
The Draft
"And Yehudo said to his brothers, "What is the gain [beza] if we slay our brother and cover up his blood?" (37:26)
Yehuda made a compromise (beza has the same root as bizua - a compromise). Instead of saving Yosef altogether by taking him back to his father, he compromised by convincing his brothers not to kill him, but rather sell him to the Yishme'elim (see Masseches Sanhedrin 6b and Rashi there). By doing so the gemara states (ibid) that Yehuda is considered to have despised Hashem.
Compromises are forbidden. For example, some people are currently looking for compromises to resolve the issue of drafting yeshiva bochurim. We believe with complete faith that we can stand up to the nations of the world only with the help of Hashem and in the merit of the Torah. If we abandon the Torah, or if there is any interruption or attenuation in our learning, this exposes us to great danger. If we remain strong instead of looking for compromises, Hashem will surely find a solution to this issue.
ATONING For CHIlUL HASHEM
"And he returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is gone and I where will I go?" (37:30)
The medrash says that Reuven was concerned about the incident with Bilhah. Why does the medrash make this connection?
Although the gemara says that the sin of chilul Hashem cannot be atoned for even through suffering, but only through death, Rabbeinu Yonah writes that there is a way to make amends for this sin, namely by creating a kiddush Hashem by drawing people closer to avodas Hashem.
In the incident with Bilhah Reuven had reasoned that even if Rochel was to have precedence over his mother Leah, this should not apply to Rochel's maidservant. Reuven's mistake lay in failing to treat his father like a king, whose every word is accepted as being correct, even if he did not understand the reason for it. He had not honored his father sufficiently, and now wanted to return Yoseph to his father, thereby making amends for the previous transgression of kibud av. Therefore, when he came back and saw that the boy was no longer there, he was distraught, wondering how he could now atone for his previous sin.
Kibud av
"A wild beast has devoured him" (37:33)
Rashi cites the medrash that Hashem did not want to reveal the truth to Yaakov because the brothers had excommunicated and cursed anyone who would reveal the truth, and Yitzchok knew that he was alive but said, "How can I reveal it if Hashem does not wish to reveal it to him?" Why did the brothers cause their father so much distress by not revealing the truth when they could have informed their father that Yosef was still alive?
It is a general principle that Hashem does not punish a person if this causes suffering to others such as his family members, unless they also deserve to be punished. Therefore, the tribes assumed that Yaakov, who like Rabi Akiva, had asked to be judged in accordance with the strict attribute of justice, needed to atone for something, and they decided that the years of suffering which their father would have to endure would serve as an atonement for the years in which he had not sufficiently observed kibud av when he was far away from his father. Twenty years of severe emotional suffering were needed to atone for a slight defect in kibud av! This demonstrates how careful we have to be in our observance of this mitzvah.
"He refused to be consoled" (37:35)
It seems surprising that Yaakov who had already suffered so much in his private life refused to be consoled for this particular misfortune. Chazal's statement cited by Rashi that "no one accepts consolation for a person who is really alive but believed to be dead" explains why those who tried to console them were not successful, but it is does explain why he refused to be consoled, which implies that he was not even interested in hearing words of consolation. This seems to run counter to the prohibition against mourning a dead person too much.
Yaakov ovinu was not only mourning the fact that his son was no longer with him, but he felt that it was also an irreplaceable loss for the entire nation, because he had educated Yosef to serve as an example for his descendants how to lead a life of holiness even in the most immoral surroundings. In addition to the decline in the spiritual level of the nation that would now ensue, Yaakov also bewailed the chilul Hashem resulting from the fact that a righteous person of the stature of Yosef had met a cruel death in the process of observing the mitzvah of kibud av. Such a terrible event would be likely to shake people's faith.
Just like we are forbidden to divert our attention completely from the mourning for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh, so too Yaakov felt that he could not divert his attention from this mourning for spiritual destruction and the chilul Hashem that resulted from his personal tragedy. If we make a point of remembering and mourning the absence of kedusho in today's world, this will serve as an impetus for us to attempt to increase kedusho.
Our relationship with Gentiles
12:31 AM | Posted by Rabbi Chaim Coffman | | Edit Post
By Rav Moshe Sternbuch
"Yaakov sent angels ahead of him to Eisov" (32:4)
When Rav Sternbuch was a child his father asked him why Yaakov had to send real angels. Why could he not have sent ordinary people? Rav Sternbuch responded that had he done so Eisov would have killed them, but his father explained that since Yaakov had sent presents to Eisov he would be likely to think that Yaakov had become like him, steeped in the affairs of this world, and Yaakov therefore sent angels to indicate that he was still exclusively focused on spiritual issues and uninterested in worldly affairs.
600,000 angels had been dispatched by Yaakov. These were beings that Yaakov himself had created as a result of all his Torah, mitzvos and good deeds. Each mitzvah performed by a yid creates an angel which acts as his defense counsel whose importance and power depends on the concentration, dedication and joy with which the person's deeds are performed. However, Eisov remained unmoved. Having been educated in the house of Yitzchok and Rivka he knew all about the world to come, but his intense craving for "cash" here and now, for fulfilling all his material desires in this world, almost completely clouded over his intellectual knowledge. In any case, upon being faced with all these important angels, Eisov realized that Yaakov had remained the same righteous person who was totally immersed in spiritual matters.
No compromises
"I have sojourned" (32:5) Rashi: "I lived with the wicked Lovon but still kept the 613 commandments and did not learn from his wicked deeds"
Yaakov was telling Eisov that even though he was willing to compromise in gashmiyus and send him lots of presents, he should not think that in matters of ruchniyus there was any room for compromise. Even in the hostile environment of Lovon's house he had not given up even one mitzvah.
Alternatively, Eisov initially thought it was difficult to observe the Torah and therefore had not been that interested in Yitzhock's blessings, but upon seeing the presents and how Yaakov was benefiting from both worlds Yaakov was worried that he would become jealous of him. He therefore emphasized that he had lived with Lovon and had had a very difficult time observing the 613 commandments there. That way he hoped to prevent Eisov from becoming jealous.
"He divided the people who were with him… into two camps" (32:8)
Yaakov Ovinu prepared himself with presents, prayer and war and the Medrash says that each camp prayed for itself. Yaakov did not want everybody to rely on all the people accompanying him. He therefore divided up the people into two smaller camps so that each camp would pray and cry out to Hashem to save them as if they were the only camp. Being relatively small in number, their prayers would be more likely to be sincere and heartfelt instead of relying on their own prowess.
In the recent war in Gaza more than 1000 missiles were fired at us causing relatively few casualties or damage. Hashem was testing us to see firstly whether we put our faith into our strengths and wisdom and in the "Iron Dome" system or whether we rely totally on Him, and secondly, whether we react with appropriate gratitude for His protection over the nation now that the war is over.
Our enemy wants to lose
"He said, "I will not let you go unless you have blessed me" (32:27)
Chazal (Masseches Chulin 91b) say that the angel told Yaakov that from the day that he had been created his time had not come to sing a song of praise until now.
The Chebiner Rov, Rav Dov Berish Weidenfeld zt"l explained that although the yetzer horo's task is to lead us astray, since he is an angelic being who knows the truth he is happy when we overcome him. Therefore, when he saw that he was unable to overcome Yaakov, neither in his pose as a talmid chachom nor in his pose as a Gentile, he was happy and asked to be released, because now for the first time, the time had come for him to sing Hashem's praises: in other words, there had been no more appropriate time for him to be happy and sing than now when Yaakov had overcome him.
Yaakov replied that he would not release him until he had blessed them: in other words until he had confessed that Yaakov had managed to overcome him, and that the yetzer horo no longer had any power over him. Even if we cannot emulate this completely, it remains our task to attempt to vanquish the yetzer horo to the best of our ability, thereby causing our "enemy" ultimate joy and satisfaction.
"And he fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept" (33:4). Rashi: Rabi Shimon ben Yochai said: It is a well known principle [halocho] that Eisov hates Yaakov, but his compassion was moved at that time, and he kissed him wholeheartedly
Rav Menachem Zemba zt"l hy"d comments that Rabi Shimon is the one who is usually doresh ta'ama dikro (derives practical conclusions from rational reasons for commandments) but in this case he emphasizes that the phenomenon of anti-Semitism is an irrational halocho. How else can we explain the fact that the Jews are accused of being socialists on the one hand and capitalists on the other hand, of being rich and successful but simultaneously also poor and lazy and a burden on the state?
The maskilim ("enlightened ones who wanted the Jews to integrate more into secular society) argued that if we changed our external appearance and adopted the positive aspects of our host culture the Gentiles' animosity towards us would disappear. This argument was conclusively debunked when Germany, the cradle of haskolo (the Jewish Enlightenment movement) and assimilation, became the source of unparalleled cruelty, destruction and annihilation during World War II.
The Kloisenburger Rebbe zt"l, a Holocaust survivor, asked why Yaakov's sons insisted that all the male inhabitants of Shchem circumcise themselves in the parsha of Dinoh. On a plain level this was to serve as proof of their sincerity, but the Rebbe suggested a different reason. Had Yaakov's sons subsequently committed an act of "mass murder" on the uncircumcised population the whole world would have been in uproar, but now that they were circumcised the surrounding nations would consider them to be Jewish, and the murder of Jews is something that can be committed with impunity. Similarly, concluded the Rebbe, the Germans and their henchmen, could never have got away with killing six million Gentiles.
Our erring brethren were and remain unaware that, as noted by the Medrash Hagodol Eisov's hatred towards Yaakov was created by Hashem for our benefit to prevent our assimilating amongst the nations and remaining a holy nation. No amount of public relations can change this fact and the genuine response to anti-Semitism lies in increased observance of Torah and mitzvos.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Warmth, lack of snow a problem for Iditarod in Alaska
Several qualifying races have been canceled.
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- Unseasonably warm weather in parts of Alaska has complicated training for some mushers already signed up for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
It has also forced the cancellation of several qualifying races for future rookies of the famous 1,000-mile trek to Nome.
But there's still plenty of snow along much of the route, Iditarod officials said. By Tuesday, temperatures had dropped somewhat. There's no need yet to worry about drastic changes to the race, which will start March 2 with a ceremonial run in Anchorage. The competition begins the following day in Willow, 50 miles to the north.
Race marshal Mark Nordman said it's too soon to plan a repeat of 2003, when the restart was moved more than 300 miles north to Fairbanks because of too much open water in rivers and creeks that cross the route.
"If we can get out of Willow, then we have an event," Nordman said Tuesday. "No panic mode yet."
Veteran musher Jake Berkowitz of Big Lake isn't so sure. He's heard reports about overflow on the Yenta River past Willow. Unless conditions change drastically, he doesn't see how the race can start in Willow, although Alaska is a place where temperatures can plunge very quickly.
"If we get a cold spell and everything freezes up again, I think we'll be good," he said.
In Big Lake, about 15 miles southeast of Willow, it's impossible to train. There's standing water everywhere, he said. Berkowitz plans to head north and get in some 60- to 100-mile runs with his dog team to prepare for the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race in February before he runs the Iditarod.
Conditions were pretty dismal during the just-concluded Copper Basin 300 race to the east.
Berkowitz, who placed third in the 300-mile race, said the snow there was punchy with temperatures far above freezing. That made for a slow, difficult race that had his dogs sinking in the soft snow. Ideal conditions are closer to 15 below zero, so Berkowitz stopped regularly to let his dogs roll around in the snow to cool off. There was no snow in parts of the route, and sleds were covering everything from concrete and grass to gravel and rain-slick ice.
"You know, 40, 50 below - that's a tough race, but I'd take 40 or 50 below over what we had in this race any day of the week," Berkowitz said. "There's not a musher out here that wouldn't say the same thing."
The deteriorated conditions led to three qualifying races being cancelled. To qualify for the Iditarod, mushers must either complete the Yukon Quest or complete two 300-mile races and other matches for a total of 750 miles. Then they must be approved by a qualifying board. Once mushers are eligible to run the Iditarod, they generally don't have to qualify again.
Iditarod hopeful Bill Piccolo, who handles sled dogs in Willow, said he was hoping to complete two 300-mile races, but one set to begin Saturday was cancelled, quashing his dream to be in the Iditarod next year. Now he's been offered a job in Cape Cod, Mass., that he can't turn down.
"I'm angry at the weather," he said. "But you can't do anything about the weather."
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
CANBERRA, Australia — Secrets spiller Julian Assange on Thursday launched his WikiLeaks Party's Senate candidate team for Australian elections due this year.
Assange, a 41-year-old Australian citizen who last left his homeland in 2010, addressed the party launch in the Victoria state capital of Melbourne via Skype from the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where he has taken asylum from extradition to Sweden to face questioning over sexual offence allegations.
Assange is one of three party candidates in Victoria for elections that will be held before December. The party, which was registered by the Australian Electoral Commission only this month, will also field candidates in New South Wales and Western Australia states.
Assange said his party's seven Senate candidates would go to the national capital of Canberra to address what it says has been a gradual decline in Australian democracy over the past 30 years.
"Canberra needs to be a place of light, not a place of darkness," he told the launch at a library in suburban Melbourne.
Assange took asylum at the embassy more than a year ago rather than comply with a British order that he go to Sweden for questioning about sex crime allegations.
He says extradition to the Scandinavian country is merely a first step in efforts to move him to the United States, where he has infuriated officials by publishing secret documents, including 250,000 State Department cables. U.S. Army soldier Bradley Manning has admitted passing those documents to WikiLeaks.
The Australian government has echoed U.S. condemnations of Assange's publishing, but has also acknowledged he has broken no Australian law.
If Assange wins the election, he would be required to take up his Senate seat on July 1, 2014.
WikiLeaks Party national council member Sam Castro said that if Assange wins a seat but cannot return to Australia by then, the party can choose a replacement.
But she said the onus is on the Australian government to ensure an elected senator could sit in Parliament. The situation would be unprecedented, she said.
"Wow, what would that mean if the Australian government did nothing to assure the safe passage of an elected representative who has been granted asylum?" Catroa asked.
"Whether the current government or the opposition would go against the United States' wishes, I guess, is something we could find out in time," she added.
Assange spent almost two years fighting extradition over alleged 2010 assaults on two Swedish women, which he denies. In June 2012, Britain's Supreme Court ruled against him, prompting his asylum bid with Ecuador, whose leftist government had expressed support.
Assange told Australia's The Conversation website in February that he regards his bid to become a senator as a defence against potential criminal prosecution.
Assange told the website that if he wins a Senate seat, the U.S. Department of Justice would drop its espionage investigation rather than risk a diplomatic row.


text:
For over 30 years,
CLR Design has focused on zoo design. We create master plans as well as immersive, experiential exhibits that respect and challenge animals, provide state-of–the-art management facilities for staff, and enthrall visitors from the UAE to LA.
Our expertise, passion and evolutionary thinking help realize and optimize the vision of our clients.
Journey through our website and view our other videos to discover who we are, where we've been and where we are going.
Enjoy your visit!
- Architecture
- Landscape Architecture
- Exhibit Design


text: Our horny milfs are ready to talk dirty to you about your sexual fantasies. If you love the idea of fucking an amateur milf or watching a hot mom shove a dildo in her milf pussy, just choose your favorite below to start a live chat. Mature cougars are live on cam playing with their cunts, using their favorite toys to make themselves cum. Enjoy your favorite mature model for free live on our adult webcam chats.


text:
The L.A. Kings are the best team in the NHL, but those poor souls just can't catch a break when it comes to people actually knowing who the hell they are. First there was the case of the mistaken logo, an abysmal highlight package, and then a misidentification of the team's mascot.
Today, as the Kings basked in the afterglow of their Stanley Cup victory, the NBC Sports merchandise department became the latest culprit of Kings identity denial.
Multiple tipsters forwarded us the following e-mail from NBC Sports, which arrived in the inboxes of hockey fans everywhere this morning:
————— Forwarded message —————
From: NBC Sports
Date: Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Subject: Mavs Win!
To: [Redacted]
Notice the subject line, which unfortunately reads, "Mavs Win!" This is a pretty egregious failure of copy editing, and the best part of this particular snafu is that it is incredibly easy to figure out how it happened. Let me break down the scene that took place in the NBC Sports merchandising office earlier this morning:
NBC SPORTS SALES EXECUTIVE: Hey, we need to send out an e-mail blast with a link to all the Kings Stanley Cup merchandise. Can you do that for me, Intern?
INTERN: Sure thing! How is the e-mail supposed to look?
NBC SPORTS SALES EXECUTIVE: Oh, nothing too fancy, just use the e-mail we sent when the Mavs won the championship as a template.
INTERN: I'm on it! [Creates e-mail. Forgets to change subject line.] All done!
NBC SPORTS SALES EXECUTIVE: Good job, Intern! Send that baby out!
INTERN: Thanks!
And scene.


text:
W Rowing
|Associate Head Coach
|Alma Mater:
|San Diego State
|Graduating Year:
|6 Years
Dale arrived at UCSD after spending three years as the men's and women's head rowing coach at Sonoma State. During her three-year tenure at the helm of the Seawolves' program, Dale was also head coach of the North Bay Rowing Club Juniors.
While at SSU, Dale led multiple teams to awards, including a gold medal, silver medal and a sixth-place finish at the 2010 American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) Club Championship for the Varsity Men's Four, Men's Varsity Lightweight Four and the Women's Four, respectively. More recently under Dale's leadership, her Men's Novice Eight team took third at the 2011 Head of the American while her Women's Novice Eight team finished second at the 2012 San Diego Crew Classic.
Dale's affiliation with rowing began as a student-athlete when she was a member of the Orange Coast College team (2003-05). In her two years with the Pirates, Dale's Women's Novice Eight team won a bronze medal at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championship Regatta in 2005.
Upon transferring to San Diego State in 2005, Dale helped the SDSU JV Eight team to a gold medal at the WIRA Championship Regatta in her last season in 2007.
After completing her final year of eligibility with SDSU, Dale stayed on and made her foray into coaching as a volunteer assistant in August 2007.
Dale remained in San Diego after graduating from SDSU and became assistant coach of the San Diego Rowing Club in January 2009. Before accepting the head coaching position at SSU in August of that year, Dale was the Head Chairperson of the National Learn to Row Day community rowing event on June 6, 2009.
Born in Fontana and raised in Napa Valley, Dale is a 2008 graduate of SDSU, earning a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with an emphasis in physical education and multiple subject education. She also earned her Associate's of Arts Degree in general education from OCC in 2005.
Dale has certification in both CPR and First Aid as well as certification from California Boating and Waterways Safety and Level III Coaches Certification - U.S. Rowing.


text:
BERKELEY — Richard Solomon had a couple new things to deal with Monday night during Cal's 73-56 victory over UC Irvine.
The senior forward wore protective goggles for the first time after suffering an eye injury last week at the Maui Invitational.
And the 6-foot-10 senior found himself looking up at the tallest player in college basketball this season, Irvine's 7-6, 290-pound freshman Mamadou Ndiaye.
Solomon coped well in both cases, contributing 13 points and eight rebounds and helping to foul out his rival from Dakar, Senegal.
"He was giant," Solomon said. "I didn't see anything but his chest the whole game. He's huge. It was a good experience playing against a big guy like that."
It was more satisfying for Solomon than Ndiaye, who played just 10 minutes and totaled four points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
"Mamadou's a presence, no question about it," Cal coach Mike Montgomery said. "Richard did a good job of stepping away, hitting a couple early ones."
Still, Montgomery said Solomon wasn't quite as smooth or confident as he was before suffering the corneal abrasion in the Maui opener against Arkansas.
"Richard had made a comment when you miss a couple games you're not quite in game rhythm. I think that was true," Montgomery said. "I didn't see the same Richard as going into the Maui. He was a little tentative. This game was good for him."
Solomon was just happy he could see clearly again. "It hurt to blink," he said of the eye injury that will prompt him to wear goggles the rest of the season. "I couldn't really open my eye."
Solomon's presence benefitted junior forward David Kravish, who made four midrange jump shots early in the second half with Ndiaye parked near the basket in UCI's zone defense. Kravish finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging 16.3 points and 10 rebounds the past four games.
"I'm one of those guys I don't really care if I score as long as we get the win," Kravish said. "Coach is making a point of telling me I've got to take that shot. I've been working on it. They just kept falling."
Freshman Jabari Bird added 14 points, came from behind to block a shot by Ndiaye in the first half, then had the Anteaters center return the favor in the second half.
Sophomore Tyrone Wallace contributed eight points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Bears (6-2). "That's perfect," said Montgomery, pleased that his team is beginning to embrace roles.
And senior point guard Justin Cobbs, coming off a career-high 31 points in the Maui loss to Dayton, attempted just four shots but dished nine assists.
With A's manager and Cal alum Bob Melvin and 10 NBA scouts watching, the Bears met little resistance, thanks largely to Irvine's atrocious shooting.
The Anteaters (5-4) missed 10 straight shots midway through the first half, then their final eight of the period to finish the first 20 minutes at 20.6 percent. Cal led 35-19 at the half and by as many as 20 points midway through the second.
Senior guard Chris McNealy, a former San Ramon Valley High standout, led Irvine with 13 points and six rebounds.
For more on Cal sports, see the Bear Talk blog at ibabuzz.com/beartalk. Follow Jeff Faraudo on Twitter at twitter.com/JeffFaraudo.


text:
Wizard Entertainment Group, the country's foremost authority on everything related to pop-culture, comic books, gaming, anime, toys and collectibles, drew more than 27,000 fans to its annual Wizard World Los Angeles event, posting more than a 10 percent increase from last year's show. The event marked another milestone for Wizard as it was the brand's first show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, moving from Long Beach to downtown L.A. for the first time.
The three-day extravaganza drew a larger audience that is directly attributed to a virtual lineup of 'who's who' in the entertainment industry, including Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes (Clerks 2, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back), Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans (co-creators of Super Bad James Dynomite and writers/stars of Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2), Kane (WWE, See No Evil), and many more. In addition, Spike TV showcased a sneak peek of its new 'Blade: The Series,' with the show's writer, Geoff Johns, leading a panel session.
Wizard World Los Angeles also featured special content from several comic, sci-fi and horror-themed properties from seven different movie studios, which included clips from See No Evil and Clerks II. Not to mention, the dozens of industry led panels that allow fans to quiz, heckle and hear from the leading talent and executives in the comic book industry. Artist Alley also allow fans and creators a unique opportunity to meet and interact. It also gives independent creators an opportunity to showcase their talents.
The industry panels cover a large array of topics. The big two, Marvel and DC, each held several panels to discuss their upcoming launches or to talk about the current state of affairs with their line. DC hosted a number of panels discussing the Vertigo, Wildstorm and DCU lines of comics. The big question on everyone's mind is what happened during the skipped year? Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison and others weigh in with some answers, but mostly fans are told to read the upcoming weekly series 52 that follows those missing weeks. Marvel likewise had a series of panels covering specific sections of the Marvel universe. These were X-Men, Ultimate and Civil War. The upcoming civil war is Marvel's next big epic that pits heroes against each other over the issue of registration. Fans were treated to previews of the covers for issues involved in the civil war.
Not all panels are specifically about the comic book industry. Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes held a Q & A about his career in both movies and comics. Damon Lindelof, Jeph Loeb and Javier Grillo-Marxuach led a discussion about working on a show like Lost and in the comic book industry. They have found that comic books are a lot more time consuming, but a less difficult medium. It is only less difficult, because television seems to suffer from considerably more scrutiny. The major difference in the time comes from having to be explicit about each panel in a comic book, where in a television script the actor and director are more naturally limited. They talked about the series Lost and how the writing pool for the show is composed mostly of comic/sci-fi loving geeks and that this gives them a common perspective from which to talk. Most of the voice actors from Ultimate Avengers hosted a panel where they discussed what it was like getting to bring iconic comic book characters to life. The Ultimate Avengers is a more modernized version of the classic characters. The entire cast really enjoyed working on the project as well as the sequel, Ultimate Avenger 2, which was previewed at the panel.
A large draw for any convention is the opportunity for fans and amateurs to meet and interact with people in the industry. Fan based conventions have the added pleasure of celebrity attendance. Wizard World Los Angeles featured such genre stars as Charisma Carpenter, Ray Park and a variety of other stars from movies and television. The larger attraction for fans is the list of creators that attend the convention. The large distributors, Marvel, DC, Aspen and Top Cow, all had their major talent present for autographs and discussions. Beyond the major distributors, a lot of artists get their own tables in the area called Artist Alley. Some small distributors also set up booths with their creators throughout the main floor.
While the celebrity listing gets a lot of press, it is probably one of the low points of the convention. While the celebrities are present and available for autographs it's for a fee. They are there to sell photos and other merchandise related to them and their characters. Most people will take a look and snap a photo, but not much else. Most of the celebrities are not really accessible to the fans the same way that the creators and industry professionals are.
The creators and industry professionals can be found hanging out at the booths, artist alley or around the conference rooms before and after their panels. Most of them like to meet their fans and sign their work for you. Swing past the different booths and check out the signing schedules that are posted. Make sure to show up at the beginning of the signing period if not earlier as they often give some kind of token out early for the really big name creators. If you miss your favorite artist's signing at a booth, check to see if they are hanging out in Artist Alley. Beyond the large distributor booths, lots of smaller distributors also have booths where you can meet the creative teams behind their line of comics.
One such booth was Frank Beddor's Hatter M based on his novel The Looking Glass Wars. The idea behind both the comic and future novel seems to be that, Lewis Carroll took liberties with the history of an actual place: Wonderland. And not only is that other-dimensional destination real, Alyss Heart originated from that place. She happens to be the crown princess. Her bodyguard is one Hatter Madigan, a man of deadly skill with the blade, whose hat becomes something of a flying guillotine when thrown properly. In HATTER M, he has slipped through a puddle to 1859, Paris, in search of the missing Alyss. His lack of understanding of our world, and the immediate disappearance of his hat, offer only the first of many obstacles he's about to face.
No matter what, pay a visit to Artist Alley. There you will get the opportunity to meet not only some of the artists that you missed at the booths, but a lot of artists that won't be at the booths Plenty of creators, both established and beginning, reserve space in Artist Alley. Walk around and talk with the various artists, you will get a unique insight into their work, plus exposure to some of their lesser known projects.
'What an amazing third year in Southern California,' said Gareb Shamus, chairman/CEO of Wizard Entertainment Group. 'That we did it all in Hollywood's backyard allowed our partners to provide our fans with access to unbelievable entertainment of all shapes and sizes. This year's show exceeded our expectations, and it was in large part to due the commitment of our fans and partners. We can't wait 'til next year!'


text:
Branchless banking: Branching out
The banking sector in Pakistan has come a long way since 1947. With over 12,000 branches spread across the country, the banking footprint is well established. However, it is still insufficient to serve the rapidly growing population, most of whom still have little or no access to banking services.
The State Bank of Pakistan, the regulator of the banking sector, realised the gravity of the situation and once the technology was available, grasped the opportunity to bring the "unbanked" lower income groups and rural population into the fold. The solution to this situation is branchless banking that relies heavily on IT, especially telecommunications technology.Branchless banking – Rise of the unbanked
Branchless banking is defined as the delivery of financial services outside conventional bank branches, often using agents and relying on information and communications technologies to transmit transaction details – typically card-reading point-of-sale (POS) terminals or mobile phones. It has the potential to radically reduce the cost of delivery and increase convenience for customers.
Consequently, branchless banking can increase access to financial services for the poor, but only if regulation allows the following:
(i) permit the use of a wide range of agents outside bank branches, thereby increasing the number of service points.
(ii) easy account opening (both on-site and remotely) while maintaining adequate security standards.
(iii) permit a range of players to provide payment services and issue e-money (or other similar stored-value instruments), thereby enabling innovation from market actors with motivation to do so.
The basic concept is, for those who cannot or do not go to the bank for logistical or at times even social reasons, the bank comes to their doorstep or at least nearby. Major services on offer:
(i) Deposits
(ii) Withdrawals
(iii) Remittance to various cities, where the receiver may not need to have a bank account
(iv) Payment of utility bills
(v) Payments for products/services provided by vendors who accept e-payments through branchless banking channels (for example Internet Service Providers)
In addition to consumer-centric services, there is also great potential for the government. The government can use branchless banking to make or receive payments from remote areas where physical infrastructure is not present.Models
Across the globe, there are various models of branchless banking followed. The most widely followed model in South Asia is the One-to-One model, where a single bank or financial institution collaborates with a single telecom company or an organisation with a large distribution network for providing financial services.
Theoretically, either the bank or the telecom can take the lead in this model. However in Pakistan, the One-to-One model is a bank-led venture with the bank partnering primarily with a telecom company on GSM networks. The other models are One-to-Many, where a financial institution partners with many telcos for the provision of services; and Many-to-Many, with cross collaboration among various stakeholders in the branchless banking infrastructure. At the macro level comes G2P (Government-to-Person) model where the government uses the branchless banking to make or receive payments.
A typical branchless banking model is beneficial for the bank, the telco, consumers and the economy as a whole. Below is a simplified diagram of collaboration between a bank and a telco for branchless banking services.


text:
I would like to hire an Electrical Engineer
Presupuesto $1500-3000 USD
I'm looking for an engineer to design and build a working prototype of a new Vape Pen product that I intend to bring to market in the next year. The project consists of someone who is knowledgeable in design and electrical engineering for creating such a product. There are numerous Vape Pens on the market today and the technology exists currently to create this product, I need help bringing it to life.
9 freelancers están ofertando el promedio de $2751 para este trabajo
hi sir I am an expert electronics engineer with more than 8 years of experience in development of electronic products please have a look at my profike I assure you quality work and on time delivery I am waiting for yo Más
Hi, I am a post graduate power electronics engineer and having very good industrial experience of 8+ years in R&D and project development. I am excellent high frequency transformers design, circuits design, multi-chan Más
Hi, I hope you are doing well. I have expertise in embedded system design and development. Can you share more details about your project? Looking Forward, Khawaja
Hello, I have been working in the field of embedded system for 3 years. Starting from solo, now I have a team of two. I work mostly on home-appliance and robotics/automation service! Here is a channel I upload m Más
Hello Sir, i am professional engineer, and i have worked on many projects before, taking it from concept to prototyping, and deliver design and production files for the client please let's discuss your pen idea, Más
Hi Where there is a Challenge, We Create the Solution. We have tackled challenges like yours and we can help you on your project and make it a reality!!! We are a Team of quality and solution oriented engineerin Más


text:
No, Michelle Obama's "Get Moving" Campaign Isn't To Blame For Pedestrian Deaths
Blog ››› ››› OLIVER WILLIS
Somehow the conservative media found a way to link a program promoting childhood health to an increase in pedestrian deaths. The magic word? "Obama."
The Drudge Report linked to this Washington Examiner story that gave the impression that there was a link between the "Let's Move!" campaign begun by first lady Michelle Obama and increased pedestrian deaths.
Rush Limbaugh promoted the version of the story appearing on his affiliate in the DC region, WMAL. That story was headlined "Michelle Obama's 'Get Moving' Program Linked to Pedestrian Deaths." Serial misinformer Jim Hoft wrote on his blog Gateway Pundit, "Michelle Obama's 'Get Up & Get Moving' Program Linked to Increase in Pedestrian Deaths," while Clarice Feldman of Pajamas Media wrote that "Michelle's 'Get Moving' Led to Increases in Pedestrian Deaths." The Daily Caller didn't want to be left out of the story, and produced a story with the headline "First Lady's anti-obesity campaign could be causing more pedestrian deaths."
From the Examiner:
First lady Michelle Obama's campaign to get people to exercise outdoors might be a factor in an increase in the number of pedestrian deaths during the first half of last year, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
GHSA executive director Barbara Harsha said her organization doesn't know why there were more deaths in the first six months of 2010 than in 2009, but the increase is notable because overall traffic fatalities went down 8 percent during this period, and the increase ends four straight years of steady declines in pedestrian deaths.
But the "get moving" movement, led by Obama's "Let's Move" campaign to eliminate childhood obesity, could be to blame, Harsha told The Washington Examiner.
The Examiner had this tidbit four paragraphs in, however:
"There's an emphasis these days to getting fit, and I think people doing that are more exposed to risk [of getting hit by a vehicle]," said Harsha, who conceded to having no scientific evidence that the Let's Move campaign has led to an increase in walkers and runners, or deaths. (our emphasis)
In comments to Media Matters, GHSA spokesman Jonathan Adkins called the story a "total sham," and said, "some people have an agenda" to tie the non-partisan group to a "partisan" story, and noted that more mainstream outlets like USA Today reported the story accurately. Adkins said that GHSA "support[s]" the Let's Move program. Adkins also told Media Matters that none of their research showed any connection at all between the Let's Move program and pedestrian deaths.
TBD.com spoke to Harsha after the story gained traction:
Well, the folks at GHSA were awfully surprised when they read this morning's paper. In fact, Harsha tells us, she didn't tell the Examiner that at all. "It's ridiculous," she says. According to Harsha, the first lady's fitness campaign never even came up in her discussion with [Scott] McCabe. "Absolutely not," she says, adding that she actually supports the "Let's Move" campaign.
But as McCabe points out to us, the Obama nugget came from the GHSA's pitch to him for the story, which he passed along: "Why the increase? We don't really know but speculate that it could be a couple factors. One is the possible increase in distracted pedestrians and distracted drivers. We've been focusing on the drivers, but perhaps we need to focus some attention on distracted walkers! Additionally, Mrs. Obama and others have been bringing attention to 'get moving' programs, so perhaps pedestrian exposure has increased."
Harsha says her theorizing to the Examiner never went beyond the predictable and mundane: More people seem to be walking and running, particularly while listening to music or fiddling with their smartphones, and not paying attention to traffic signals. "What we were trying to say is if people do walk more, there's more risk," says Harsha. "We're concerned with the increase in pedestrian fatalities, and we need to monitor it. Maybe some education needs to be done for people who are into physical fitness."
- Network/Outlet
- Premiere Radio Networks, Washington Examiner, Pajamas Media, Gateway Pundit
- Person
- Rush Limbaugh, Jim Hoft, Scott McCabe
- Show/Publication
- The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Daily Caller
Instructions for signing up and claiming your comment history are located here.
Updated rules for commenting are here.


text:
Who is God?
Moses said to the Lord, "Please show me your glory" (Ex. 33:18). In effect, he asked, "Who are you, God?" God responded with these words: "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you …Read More
Immanuel is one of Christ's most precious names. It is a combination of two Hebrew words that together mean "God with us." The gospel of Matthew explains that Christ received this name in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. For …Read More
The Precious Gift of Baby Talk
Human language is precious. It sets us off from the animals. It makes our most sophisticated scientific discoveries and our deepest emotions sharable. Above all, God chose to reveal Himself to us through human language in the Bible. In the …Read More
Christmas According to the Angels (Part 3 of 3)
In this final part of our three-part series on Christmas according to the Angels, we contemplate the truth that the birth announcements of the angels celebrated "glory to God" and "peace for man." Consider first that the angels celebrated "glory …Read More
Christmas According to the Angels (Part 2 of 3)
In our first installment in this series, we learned that the Gospel birth announcements of the angels brought "good news of great joy" to those humbled by sin, suffering, and death. In this our second installment, we focus on two …Read More
Christmas According to the Apostle Paul - Gal 4:4-5 (Part 3 of 3)
In the two previous installment in our series on Gal 4:4-5, we have learned four features of the Apostle's answer to the question, what Child is this who was born at Christmas? We have focused on the Child …Read More
Christmas According to the Apostle Paul - Gal 4:4-5 (Part 2 of 3)
In our first installment in this series on Christmas according to Paul, we learned that, for the Apostle, Jesus is the Child for whom all of time had waited and who was born of a woman. In the second part …Read More
His Glory Is Our Story
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). I love being on a high mountain, on …Read More
The Year of Our Lord
The world is half full of half-empty thinkers, and I am one of them. Puddleglum is my patron saint. And nothing exposes the vast expanse of emptiness in the top half of the glass like listening to the evening news …Read More
Awaiting His Return
There is a widespread fascination with the end of the world. Throughout history, we have witnessed the bold assertions of soothsayers, naysayers, and doomsdayers. Every day, self-proclaimed prophets of the end times make whimsical predictions about the future. Claiming to …Read More


text:
Or Login using BecomeGorgeous
Please fill the form below and follow the further instructions.
You are about to receive a email from us please make sure to check your spam or junk folder and add our email [email protected] to your contact list.
Thank you!
Over exercising can be just as dangerous as a sedentary lifestyle. When you're wondering how much should you exercise, pay attention to the less than subtle signs your body gives you, in order to avoid the long-term health risks of over exercising. Keeping healthy and fit with regular exercise can turn into less of a benefit when it pushes the limits of your body too much. Check out the signs and dangers of over exercising that can expose you to as many health problems in the long run as not exercising at all.Signs of Over Exercising... Read More


text:
Introduction to Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1992 - Science - 306 pages
This thoroughly updated edition continues to provide a concise overall coverage of colloid and surface chemistry, intermediate between the brief accounts in physical chemistry textbooks and the comprehensive coverage in specialized treatises.
New information is included on the composition and structure of solid surfaces, dynamic light scattering, micro emulsions and colloid stability control. The book provides a sound, but easy to follow theoretical framework. It outlines relevant research techniques and considers technological applications. A basic knowledge of the principles of physical chemistry is assumed. It will appeal to a wide readership, both undergraduate and postgraduate students at universities and colleges of technology as well as scientists in industry who need a broad background in the subject.
From inside the book
46 pages matching colloidal particles in this book
Where's the rest of this book?
Results 1-3 of 46
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Kinetic properties
Optical properties
Liquidgas and liquidliquid interfaces
9 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
adsorbed adsorption adsorption isotherm approximately aqueous solution atoms behaviour Brownian Brownian motion calculated capillary cell chemisorption coagulation coagulation concentration coefficient colloidal dispersions colloidal particles colloidal systems condensation constant contact angle counter-ions critical coagulation Critical micelle concentrations curve density detergent diffusion dilute dispersion medium droplets effect electric double layer electrolyte electrolyte concentration electron electrophoretic emulsion equation equilibrium example experimental Figure film foam forces hydrocarbon hydrocarbon chains hydrophilic increase interaction interface involved ionic ions Langmuir equation light scattering liquid lyophobic material measured membrane method micelle microscope mol dm-3 molecules monodispersed monolayer monomolecular osmotic pressure phase physical adsorption polymer polymerisation pore porous protein radius ratio relative molecular mass repulsion result sample sedimentation shear sodium solid surface solubility solvation solvent spherical particles stabilising stability structure substrate surface conductance surface tension surface-active surfactant technique temperature tend theory usually velocity viscosity volume Waals wetting zero zeta potential