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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'food' tag.
A new law designed to enhance the safety of America's food supply is speeding through Congress. If passed, it won't work, but it might in its failure do lasting damage to the quality and healthfulness of the food we eat.
The most far-reaching effect of the bill is a new annual registration fee of $500 in 2009 dollars1 imposed on all producers—effectively killing off small and struggling farms (the bill has an exemption for "farms," but on closer inspection, the exemption turns out to refer only to those farms that don't sell any food). The accompanying documentation must be submitted electronically, notwithstanding a farmer's religious objections, something I suspect the Third Circuit is going to take a rather dim view of.
The actual safety part is addressed by a government-bureaucracy-style labyrinth of hazard analyses and prevention controls that will, like the fee, impose an equal burden on all producers and therefore a proportionately greater burden on smaller producers (that is, Lexcorp Agricultural Enterprises can simply hand the forms off to its Form Filling Out Department, while Ma and Pa Kent have to take time away from their actal lives to do it).
In general, in fact, the bill suffers from the FDA's tendency to treat small organic farms the same as large conventional ones. The FDA, as Michael Pollan documented in The Omnivore's Dilemma, has a bit of difficulty getting its metaphorical head around the notion that there are ways of doing things other than Big Agri's. Smaller and organic farms, then, have to scramble to keep up or have to make their case to an unsympathetic government agency.
It's really kind of a shame, in fact, that many of the people coming out against this bill are crazy. The Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which has a rational and lucidly written Web site, is against this billl for the logical reason that " it would adversely impact small farms and food producers, without providing significant reforms in the industrial food system. [The current version of the FSEA] does not address the underlying causes of food safety problems, including industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply." I mention this because it's easy enough to discredit a position by noting its adherents' rants on, say, the government trying to take your car away if you put groceries in it, or Monsanto taking over the FDA.
It's bad enough that the bill violates the Fourth and Fifth Amendments and threatens small farms and organic food production. Don't let crazy people scare you into acting against your own interests.
1Or $1000, depending on what Web site you read.
Have you heard the latest outrage by Barack Obama? He's spending a whole $200 of taxpayer money—enough to buy David Paterson a toaster—to put a vegetable garden on the White House grounds (or, rather, Michelle is, being the woman, because according to the media Y chromosomes apparently interfere with plant growth).
This just demonstrates how little respect Obama has for the institution of the presidency. He's selfishly using the space for his own personal projects, unlike the putting green built for notorious golf-hater Dwight Eisenhower. From the liberal side, supporters of this have been compared to the Khmer Rouge.
According to the plan of the garden, there will be space for a greater variety of crops than is feasible for the average American (not to mention beehives). However, "green living" isn't an all-or-nothing propsition; even doing what you can is better than nothing.
Following in the footsteps of popular New York Governor David Paterson and his tax on non-diet soda, a group of Scottish doctors are calling for a tax on chocolate.
This is different from the soda tax for the very important reason that I don't drink soda and I do eat chocolate. I also need chocolate; six months ago I was underweght by anyone's standards and my adult weight has varied over a range of 135 pounds. So when the British Medical Association and David Paterson and all such are trying to modify my behavior through tax policy, they are actually acting against my interests.
That's because there are no panaceas, no nutritional or medical approach that is always and only good for everyone. Is chocolate bad for you? Proabably not, but I know someone who's allergic to it. On the other hand, there's some evidence chocolate is actually good for you. That's not even a contradiction—chocolate, like anything else, contains multitudes. As does the populace
Peanut Corporation of America may have poisoned over 630 Americans before going bankrupt this past weekend—because no one was paying attention. Last fall melamine got into baby formula because no one was watching; now salmonella-tainted peanuts reached shelves because no one was watching
The devil is in the details, of course, as he so often is. While there is strong evidence that the Chinese inspection system was hamstrung by corruption, the inspection system here that missed tainted peanuts simply collapsed under its own weight. As part of the government's duty to protect its people, there needs to be a better system in place for food safety oversight. Split among the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, and about ten other agencies, American food inspections are an illogical mess that provides no accountability—a problem that was recognized a decade ago (PDF).
Now The New York Times is holding the administration's feet to the fire on this, calling for President Obama to fulfill his promise "to create a government that does a better job of protecting the American consumer." New technology, both of government and of food production, makes it possible and necessary to coordinate and consolidate inspection dutiesin a way that we could not have dreamed of a generation ago. This is an important step to secure the safety of all Americans when we're universally vulnerable.
Whille I'm one of those people who feels caffeine is somewhat the point of coffee, I acknowledge there's a health benefit to cutting back, particularly for expectant mothers. That's why it's possible to get decaf, and to test the caffeine content of your drinks. The product is essentially a pregnancy test for coffee, looking for caffeine by causing a chemical reaction.
Now it's possible to be sure you're not getting too much . . . or too little.
I like to cook. A large portion of my bookshelf space is devoted to cookbooks and books on food. So I was drawn to this New York Times story about cooking with Shirley O. Corriher.
I actually have Cookwise (er, somewhere; that was a metaphorical bookshelf I was referring to up there), as well as Harold McGee's On Food and Coking, also mentioned in the article. One thing I find interesting about their work is the focus on science, the key to which is replicability.
That's because cooking is a science; in particular, it's mostly chemistry. The task of the cook is to facilitate chemical reactions (there's also physics and biology—e.g., yeast used in baking). And science is repeatable.
Too often the words "science" and "cooking" call to mind Ferran Adrià and his ilk, turning olives into olive-flavored green spheroids and the like. In fact, Corriher says, all cooking is science:
I see a little technical information as liberating, something that enhances creativity. If you know the limiting factors in a recipe, you're free to go wild with the rest.
That said, of course, cooking is older than science as we know it and the scientific method. However, knowing how it all works is useful in perfecting and improving traditional recipes—and creating new ones.
Looks like The Not Scientist independently read the same article and felt the same way. Howdy!
In an effort to trim the fat from the state budget (due April 1), Governor David Paterson is proposing a number of new regressive taxes, including one on soda. This isn't really a bad idea, since soda is a popular product with fairly inelastic demand, and a relatively modest tax will provide a steady flow of revenue.
Unless people drink diet soda. It turns out this brilliant plan to close the budget gap is not ostensibly intended to raise money. No, no, Albany is kindly worried about my health1. This new tax on non-diet soda is intended to keep the fat fatsos who populate New York2 from being so fucking fat.
There are a couple of problems with this. First, tax policy is neither an effective nor a proper technique for shaping behavior. Taxation is not an end run around freedom. Taxes are how the government raises money, nothing more
Second, the direct connection between weight and health is probably bullshit, and studies supporting it are typically produced by (unconsciously) biased researchers. Not all fat folks are unhealthy, and being fat doesn't make you (or anyone) unhealthy. Many people who acknowledge this counter that being fat doesn't cause illness but constitutes it. This is a complete departure from what constitutes physical illness in most other contexts.
Third, soda doesn't make you fat. Researchers are regularly discovering hormones, enzymes, or viruses that are implicated in weight.
Fatness is not a crime, and it's not an expense, and a recession is the last time we should be using taxes to shape people's lifestyle habits.
1Well, not my health, because I've largely stopped drinking soda, but other people's health.
2And who populate New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Vermont and work in New York, and who follow the Canadiens or Maple Leafs or Senators3 to HSBC Arena, and who come as tourists, and. . . .
3I don't know where Ottowa is.
Want some space beer?
Sounds like the perfect refreshment for a MST3K marathon, doesn't it? In fact, it's a fine product of the Sapporo brewery, reports Science, Not Fiction.
This strange brew is made from barley sent into space as part of an ongoing experiment to see if food can be grown in space. If successful, this can eliminate an obstacle for long-term—and distant—missions.
Now if only there was some way to watch the game.
Today's Times brings us the tale of Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician in California who strove to have himself certified organic.
Organic foods in the United States are certified under rules developed by the National Organic Program of the USDA, though the actual certification is done by private groups that may be for-profit. If a product bears the seal, it means at least 95% of the ingredients are organic, a designation that presumably includes (filtered) water. For an ingredient to be organic, it needs to be raised without antibiotics or hormones or grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizer (as appropriate) and producers—a loaded word, that—must follow soil and water conservation procedures and treat animals with a minimum of humaneness. I was surprised to learn that; I hadn't realized organic meat was antibiotic-free. Michael Pollan notes in The Omnivore's Dilemma that antibiotics are needed to produce maketable meat from cattle raised on a maize-based diet because cattle do not thrive on a maize-based diet.
The system isn't perfect. For often perfectly benign reasons, regulations such as those for organic foods tend to be written and enforced to favor industry. The cost of certification—not organic practices, maintaining the paper trail and paying the inspectors—can be more easily borne by large businesses.
The biggest problem is that the regulations govern technique, not outcome. So the oregano you grow in your window box or the tomatoes you grow in your garden are not organic, no matter what you did or didn't do in growing them. More seriously, a farm such as Polyface in Virginia can't be certified because it's a lot of frankly unnecessary work to maintain the necessary records. Organic livestock has to eat only organic foods for three years, just as Dr. Greene did, and they won't just take the farmer's word for it. This doesnt mean the farm doesn't operate under principles that I, at least, trust will produce food that's no less healthful or sustainable than the duly inspected products of the nutrition industry.
One benefit of the system, however: when you eat organic, you know what you're getting, which is more than you can say for processed foods.


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Lucas Moura and Manchester United saga rolls on
July 23, 2012 at 09:31 2 comments
A possible move for Lucas Moura from São Paulo to Manchester United is still on, but no deal has been reached between the clubs.
Yesterday evening, a report in the Daily Mirror declared that the player had signed for United for £26million (€33million). Soon after, Rádio Jovem Pan in Brazil reported that São Paulo president Juvenal Juvêncio and the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro had denied the transfer had gone through.
Ribeiro told Gazeta Esportiva on Monday morning: "This is just speculation from the English press. All the parties have to agree: the player, the buying club and the seller. I guarantee 100% that Lucas has not done a deal [with United]. He is focused on the Olympics".
Also on Monday, Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the situation: "It's not correct. We haven't reached an agreement for the player. We have shown an interest, but until such time we get a deal agreed, we can't say he's our player."
19-year-old Moura is currently on duty with Brazil's Olympic squad. His official buyout clause is £62 million (€80 million).
Entry filed under: Lucas Moura, Manchester United rumours. Tags: Lucas Moura, Lucas Moura agent Wagner Ribeiro, Manchester United, Wagner Ribeiro.
2 Comments Add your own
Ferg he should look after Nuri Sahil and forget challenges
whether sao paulo want it or not lucas moura is a man u player
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subset: commoncrawl


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Playoff Picture
Last Modified:
Above records are for the season series between the two teams
x-Clinched Playoff Berth | o-Eliminated from Playoffs contention | e-Clinched Eastern Conference | w-Clinched Western Conference
nw-Clinched Northwest Division | p-Clinched Pacific Division| sw-Clinched Southwest Division | a-Clinched Atlantic Division
c-Clinched Central Division | se-Clinched Southeast Division
*-Games remaining vs.Teams Over/Under .500
- (-) Tie breaker not needed (better overall winning percentage)
- (1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
- (2) Head-to-head won-lost percentage
- (3) Conference won-lost percentage
- (4) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
- (5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
- (6) Net Points, all games
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Teams 1 to 4 in each conference are the three division winners and the team with the next best regular-season record, with the seeding of these four teams determined by regular-season record. The playoffs seedings of Teams 5 to 8 are based upon regular-season record. Ties are broken pursuant to the rules set forth below.
Ties for playoff positions (including division winners) will be broken utilizing the criteria set forth in subparagraph a. below (in the case of ties involving two teams) and subparagraph b. below (in the case of ties involving more than two teams), and the guidelines set forth in subparagraph c. below.
c. Guidelines For Applying Tie-Break Criteria. The following guidelines shall be used when applying the above criteria to break ties for playoff positions:
(1) (a) Since the three division winners are guaranteed a spot in the top four, ties to determine the division winners must be broken before any other ties.
(b) When a tie must be broken to determine a division winner, the results of the tie-break shall be used to determine only the division winner and its playoff position, not any other playoff position(s).
(2) If a tie involves more than two teams, the tie-break criteria in subparagraph b. shall be applied in the order set forth therein until the first to occur of the following:
(a) Each of the tied teams has a different winning percentage or point differential under the applicable tiebreak criterion (a "complete" breaking of the tie). In this circumstance, the team with the best winning percentage or point differential under the criterion will be awarded the best playoff position, the team with the next-best winning percentage or point differential will be awarded the next-best playoff position, and so on, and no further application of the tie-break criteria will be required.
(b) One or more (but not all) of the tied teams has a different winning percentage or point differential under the applicable tie-break criterion (a "partial" breaking of the tie). In this circumstance: (x) any team(s) that performed better under the applicable criterion than any other team(s) will be awarded a higher playoff position than such other team(s); and (y) teams that had equivalent performance under the applicable criterion will remain tied, and such remaining tie(s) will be broken by applying, from the beginning, the criteria in subparagraph a.(1)-(6) above (for any remaining tie involving only two teams) or subparagraph b.(1)-(5) above (for any remaining tie involving more than two teams) and the guidelines set forth in this subparagraph c.
(3) If application of the criteria in subparagraph a. or b. does not result in the breaking of a tie, the playoff positions of the tied teams will be determined by a random drawing.
d. Home Court Advantage:For purposes of home court advantage, ties will be broken pursuant to the procedures used for breaking two-team ties for playoff position.
Strength of Schedule:
Looks at the opponents for your remaining games, their winning percentage on the road or at home, and whether or not either team is on the second night of a back to back.back to top
|Games Remaining


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|Built By:
|Beardmore (Clyde)
|Build Group:
|H Group 2
|9 July 1929 - Sank off Pembrokeshire Coast following collision with HMS L12
|20-11-1917 :
|Laid Down
|19-11-1918 :
|25-02-1919 :
|09-07-1929 :
|HMS L12 was at sea with an Officer Training Class; at the same time H47 was on independent exercises in the Irish Sea. At 0800 both submarines were off the Pembrokeshire coast with L12 ahead of H47. L12 suddenly altered course to starboard. H47 at once went full astern and to collision stations. The two submarines crashed together with L21 bow penetrating about 2 feet. In only 15 seconds H47 began to sink. L12 also began to take in water but her crew managed to control the flood.
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text: M. C. A. Hogarth (haikujaguar) wrote, 2016-12-14 17:07:00 M. C. A. Hogarth haikujaguar 2016-12-14 17:07:00 Share Music: Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son *wave* I have shut down my Livejournal! You can find me now on Patreon. I hope to see some of you there. If you'd like to participate in the Patreon but are short on funds, the community's got you covered! Read here to see how you can apply for a one-year grant.Be well! Subscribe Comments for this post were disabled by the author


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In a world in which ruthless exploitation and competition, self serving behaviours and instability seem to be the norms, value based leadership holds a number of extraordinary promises that any sensible leader would dream of: self managing employees; lesser need for supervision and control; greater respect between people; increased enthusiasm and dedication to the task; service oriented mentalities; more genuine corporate culture; socially responsible and environmentally friendly work practices; reputation of reliability, fairness and honesty; team bonding; more humaneness in relationship; trust and loyalty; enhanced integrity and accountability; enhanced decision making which contributes to the vision whilst building on trust; greater commitment of team members, customers and shareholders; increased flexibility and 'intelligence'; enhanced performance; better integration work / personal life; clarity of purpose, mission and vision; increased job and personal satisfaction through a deeper sense of meaning; increased self esteem; role modeling in society; potential legacy; etc. The list could be longer.
The essential characteristic of values based leadership is the belief that the welfare of people is the end of leadership and not that people are the means to the leader's goals.
Mother Theresa spelt out the ultimate secret of leadership when she was invited to speak at a leadership conference and captured the attention of participants with this 'definition', "If you want to lead your people, you first have to understand them. If you want to understand your people, you have to love them. Do you love your people? Ultimately, it is not the magnitude of our actions that matters but the amount of love that we put into them."
Is it so simple? Yes and no. Yes at the level of your attitude where the answer is absolute; no at the level of 'organising' your business where it takes some work to set up a structure that will reflect values and the concern you have toward your business, your people and you world.
In concrete terms, value based leadership is the intention given to and the attention paid to aligning a community or an organization's values, mission and vision with its strategy, performance management, rewards, processes and systems. It is essentially about cultivating a purposeful consistency in your organization, allowing a culture of genuine sincerity, trust and collaboration to flourish and endeavoring to do what you say at all times. Value based leadership is a system; it takes into consideration the whole organization that it organizes around well defined core values.
Core values are the "sacred" fundamental convictions that employees have about how they want – and therefore must – behave in the context of the organization's mission.
Core values are timeless and changeless guiding principles which underlie and reflect an organization's or an individual's mission. Core values guide behavior – they guide the behavior and the decision-making of the entire workforce on a daily basis. They form the enduring character of a community, team or an organization – its identity in a sense. Vision, strategy, processes and systems can change in response to changes in the economy or in market trends but a company should not change its values …[read more …]


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Thursday, 22 November 2007
crafty hound
talulla was under the weather from the moment she eventually dragged herself out of her bed - which was a good while after the rest of us
she refused tasty treats
she would not let bean lay near her
and she refused a walk
talulla has never refused a walk
i coped with the food refusal and the lay-in, but turning her nose up at the thought of a walk........
i panicked just a little as i had seen this before whilst working at the vets - she was a likely candidate for a pyo which is often fatal
i dragged her to the vets
5 minutes and £25 later she SKIPPED OUT OF THE VET WITH A FULL BILL OF HEALTH
she travelled home in the car looking gaily out of the window, ate a lunch topped with fresh chicken and then whinged because she had not been out for a walk
damn dog
i promised myself not to be caught out again
but i know it is just a matter of time......
the way i see it (looking back wisely) is that she could have just been worn out from all of the excitement yesterday
tasty treats from this lovely ladies two bee-yoo-tee-full girls xx
they had a great time unwrapping and then arguing over the contents!
but the happiest camper by far was twigs pigs x
t x
7 comments:
- Suzie Sews said...
you know what they say about brown paper packages!!!
Suzie Sews
- 22 November 2007 at 14:46:00 GMT-8
- Love Honor Disobey said...
Has T been talking to Jake again? I thought the 'miserable-moany-old-hound' trick was exclusively his. They aren't dumb our dogs.
sick + scared mommy = treats
The problem is, you never know for sure if it's for real...and who wants to take a chance? Jake wins every time!
So glad she is ok.
Hugs xx
- 22 November 2007 at 15:01:00 GMT-8
- Rowan said...
Glad that it was all a false alarm with Tallulah and that all is well now. Love the picture of twigspigs in the box, all my cats have loved climbing into cardboard boxes too.
- 22 November 2007 at 23:01:00 GMT-8
- Samantha said...
Glad to hear that Tallulah is fine.
It's amazing isn't it, the fascination that cats have with cardboard boxes!
- 22 November 2007 at 23:49:00 GMT-8
- Kitty said...
Cats and cardboard boxes - a match made in heaven. Mine tries to cram herself into the tiniest boxes, even when we can all see she's never going to get more than her feet into them!
So glad Tallulah has perked up. Take care :-) x
- 23 November 2007 at 04:37:00 GMT-8
Love to you all,and lot's of snuggly hug's.Glad to hear all is well,remind's me of all the little note's i have written for school,......!
still doing it!!!!!
Love Mummy.xxxxxxxxxx
- 23 November 2007 at 08:05:00 GMT-8
- Clare said...
Hi Tracy! Aaah, perhaps she just wanted to test your love - mind you, I can't see any animal relishing a trip to the vets, so perhaps she won't do it again!!
Twigspigs looks nice and cosy! We have a cat called Tilly whose name has also become Twigs or twigspig over the years!!!!
Have a lovely weekend.
Clare x
- 23 November 2007 at 08:43:00 GMT-8


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Prosper | Celina
Ebby Halliday Realtors
1170 N. Preston Rd. Ste 160 Prosper, TX 75078
- Direct (972) 893-3130
Ebby Halliday Realtors' new Prosper I Celina Office opened in July 2017. The approximately 5,000-square-foot office, at the northeast corner of Highway 289 (Preston Road) and Prosper Trail in fast-growing Prosper, serves the residential real estate needs of the greater Prosper/Celina area.
"This state-of-the-art office greatly enhances our ability to serve the needs of the area's growing number of home buyers and sellers for many years to come," says Mary Frances Burleson, president and CEO of Ebby Halliday Realtors.
"The location of our new office is phenomenal," says Ebby Halliday Chief Financial Officer Ron Burgert, who was instrumental in selecting the new site and building out the new office. "Strategically situated along State Highway 289 (Preston Road), it offers easy access to the 289 and U.S. 380 corridors, as well as the Dallas North Tollway."
"Ebby's Prosper I Celina Office features collaboration centers where Associates and clients may meet to discuss residential real estate needs," says Cathie Skinner, sales manager of Ebby's Prosper I Celina Office. Cutting-edge technology helps the office's Associates assist buyers with their home searches and sellers with their understanding of local market trends. Skinner, who has been a real estate agent for seven years, joined Ebby three years ago. She has been a multimillion-dollar producer every year since she entered the real estate business.
A very open, authentic person, Skinner is a mentor-teacher at heart. "I love to see others succeed, and I'm excited about this opportunity to use my enthusiasm and sales skills to 'sell' Ebby as a company," Skinner says. "Agents have choices and they can't choose a better company than Ebby Halliday Realtors. I really enjoy investing in our Prosper I Celina agents by encouraging them and giving them the tools to be the best they can be."
Manager: Cathie Skinner
Manager Phone: (214)843-6010
Manager Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Loan Officer: Rob Parham
Loan Officer Phone: (972)665-1958
Loan Officer Email: email@example.com
7513 Beacon Hill Road McKinney, TX 75072
5 Beds 5.1 Baths 7,830 Sq Ft
1271 Shelby Lane Celina, TX 75009
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 4,156 Sq Ft
1600 Winding Creek Prosper, TX 75078
5 Beds 4.1 Baths 7,897 Sq Ft


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Viva Las Vegas - What I Bought/
I went through my bank statements and now know I spent about £1200 in Vegas. This doesn't incluce flight, hotel, Dita Von Teese tickets, Viva Las Vegas pass or anything else I bought prior to the trip. Considering all I gambled was $5....its worrying how easy it is to spend that amount, and not really have much to show for it.
Two Victoria Secret bras - can I just say how amazing these things are, and I wish we had them in the UK. I find strapless bras so hard to find that work, and this nude one is a beauty to wear. The leopard print one is the most insane bra I have ever seen, and it increases your bust two cup sizes. I have never seen a push up bra like it. Ever. And I used to work for a bra company.
Finally found the red lip glitter from Mac, bought a new Bettie Page dress (see below but mine is sleeveless)
First day at Viva, I bought a vintage white bag (50s/60s), five head scarves, a Viva t-shirt and a cardigan. I love the bag because it is waterproof (the flowers are behind a clear plastic) and it is oversized and can fit everything a lady needs (including a book).
I also bought some blue converse shoes to give my poor blistered feet a rest on last couple of days. There was another vintage bag, but the photos of that are stuck on my camera for the time being. I got a real cute business card holder with a vintage/retro mermaid on it.
I got two tattoos (pictures to follow when scabs come off), and some other bits and bobs, but it still a challenge to see where £1200 went. I suppose with eating out for each meal, taxis to and from Viva, and enjoying a holiday, eats into your bank account quickly!
I've now got a very tight couple of months....with a big tattoo booked in next month....whoops.


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Elizabeth has a passion for performing. Her diverse performing experience combined with her education make Elizabeth the vocal coach you need to take you to the next level. Already have a voice teacher? Add Elizabeth to your arsenal in your preparation for your upcoming audition or performance. She will give you the extra performance coaching you need to make it your best! Never had vocal instruction? Elizabeth will help you shine on the stage you know you were born to own.
Vocal Coach
Watch and hear Elizabeth perform, and you will know you are in good hands as she guides you into stardom...and she has the education to back it up. She holds a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance and a master's degree in Vocal Pedagogy. Your audience will NOT be disappointed!!!
Elizabeth's performances range from singing opera roles to rocking with a professional band on stage. She has a gift for capturing an audience with her emotional connection to the music, and she loves to bring that gift out in others. Her teaching background includes working with local school districts teaching hundreds of students, instructing them in vocal technique and preparing them for multiple auditions and performances. She has her own private studio where she has provided this same type of instruction, on a more personalized, in-depth level.
Presently, Elizabeth is focusing primarily on coaching students to performances and auditions. Her students come to her for the finishing touches in their performance preparation process. Often, her students study regularly with another vocal instructor, and come to her for vocal polish and stage performance sculpting.


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Dorian forecast to dissipate; no Florida impact expected
The forecast shows Dorian fading to a remnant low by Tuesday morning. (Credit: NOAA/ NHC)
5 PM UPDATE: As expected, Dorian has degenerated into an open tropical wave with no center of circulation, the National Hurricane Center said. The remnants should move into the Southeastern Bahamas in two to three days, but redevelopment is unlikely.
* * *
ORIGINAL POST: Tropical Storm Dorian was expected to dissipate in the next few days, battered by high wind shear and dry air, National Hurricane Center forecasters said.
The season's fourth named storm was barely clinging to life on Saturday with 40 mph sustained winds as it struggled west through the Central Atlantic. The remnants of Dorian may move toward Cuba or the Florida Straits by the middle of next week, but forecasters said conditions will not be conducive for regeneration.
New convection fired up on Saturday and Dorian appeared to be hanging on, but NHC forecaster Jack Bevin said the burst was probably "short-lived." He said it "could degenerate into a tropical wave at any time during the next 72 hours."
The remnants of Dorian should pass to the south of the Florida peninsula "with no significant impact" on local conditions, National Weather Service forecasters said in their Saturday analysis.
* * *
The high at the Palm Beach airport was 93 on Friday — the sixth day in a row at 90 or above and the 11th of the month.
However, cooler and wetter weather may be on the way next month. The NWS' Climate Prediction Center is calling for below normal temperatures in South Florida through Aug. 9 with above average precipitation.
Dorian's last gasp? A Saturday satellite image showed the storm surrounded by dry air. In addition, wind shear of 40 knots await the system north of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. (Credit: NOAA)
* * *
Today is the 70th anniversary of the first U.S. Army Air Force flight into the eye of a hurricane. Lt. Col. Joseph Duckworth was working at Bryan Air Field in Texas teaching British pilots how to fly using instruments-only. A hurricane hit Galveston and all classes were canceled. So Duckworth took the time to fly into the hurricane to see if he could find the eye.
He located it over land and took a meteorologist up on a second flight to record storm data. After Duckworth proved that such flights could be accomplished safely, several other missions were run during the 1943 season, including one flight into a hurricane east of Miami during which information was relayed to meteorologists to help with the forecast.
(Credit: NOAA/ Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory via Palm Beach County Skywarn)


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http://www.JenniferGermain.com - Beautiful home in much sought after neighborhood. Spacious kitchen with large granite bar and eating area, opens up to elegant family room with cathedral ceilings,wood stove and Brazilian cherry floors . Finished third floor and basement area perfect for home office and kid space. Screened in porch for summer evenings and beautiful deck for sunny days with a hot tub. Level lot with above ground pool and woods for tree forts. AC, irrigation and so much more. Close to commuter rtes and beaches.
Real estate video tours by http://www.NashuaVideoTours.com


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City, University of London
Careers services
Please comment on the support you've had from the careers services, the type of employers that present and recruit on campus, the effectiveness of the alumni network, as well as fairs and on-campus recruitment activity.
"I have been to many events and, while they are ok, they did not really help me much."
"The careers service is great as they help structure your CV and prepare you for interviews if you need help."
"I haven't had any information on placements or work experience. The careers service help with CV writing and interview prep and they sometimes even hold mock assessment centres. We have many reputable employers from a vast range of business fields coming to display their companies."
"The careers service is available when you need it but could be more helpful with finding work experience."
"I've had help with checking my CV and preparing for interviews."
"A mentoring scheme is available to grant students insight into professionals in the industry they select. There is also a careers service for CV writing and mock interviews that can be utilised through booking appointments."
"I'm constantly receiving emails regarding the workshops for how to obtain a pupillage etc."
"Good professionals and good advice. They've been helpful with my CV and other assistance."
"Career services are really effective and helpful. There are many workshops available for us to choose from."
"The careers office is there if you need any extra help finding a job. There are plenty of workshops to gain skills in as well as a lot of opportunities to meet future employers."
"The careers centre has always been helpful but it's important to be proactive. Lots of prestigious companies come to campus but it's up to the student to approach them. I would have liked to see even more companies come down to do skills sessions, though."
"There's great support from the careers services if you utilise them and career fairs are held throughout the year as well."
"I received great help with my CV as well as valuable advice on how to find internships and placements."
"There was an employability module that was compulsory in my first year. I also received constant lectures from professionals and skill workshops and the alumni network was used effectively."
"I've gone to the careers services for CV and application checking. They're really helpful but, if you go to see two different people within a short time period, you may get some conflicting advice. This is especially true regarding CVs as that subject matter itself is really subjective. Lots of named employers come to give talks as well as for the careers fair. The alumni network is strong in my opinion as second year (and up) students have the opportunity to be paired up with a professional mentor, who is usually an alumnus."
"The careers department is very good. However, it is quite hard to get an appointment sometimes."


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If we didn't know the pain, we'd never know the gains. Every drop of blood, sweat and tears. That's what it takes to make a dream come true. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger and that's how we know the gain. Remember that the next time you're laying in that warm, cozy bed. Get up, get out there and get some.
Know Pain, Know Gain bicycle headset cap.
Colo-Rad-O! Looking for the perfect pride for the ride? This is it! Colorado flag headset cap ready to proudly sit atop your steerer tube and remind you that you live...
YODA Yo! Suffering up that climb like a weak-thighed wuss? Look down! Do or Do Not! There Is No Try! Now hammer that climb, clean that peak and get moving...


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Earlier this week, Facebook announced that it is developing a search feature for the information contained on its website. Currently you can search for names of people or businesses on Facebook, but you can't search for all of your friends who liked the movie "Les Miserables" or who live nearby and like sushi.
That's about to change.
What Is the New Facebook Search?
While traditional search engines such as Google allow us to search for websites, images, maps, news, mathematical formulas and even recipes, Facebook's new search, called Graph Search, will allow you to search information provided by your friends, your friends' friends, and anyone else whose information you have access to on Facebook. You'll be able to find information about:
- people
- places
- photos
- interests
The search categories are limited to those four categories initially but eventually you'll be able to search for other information, such as information in their Timeline posts or News Feeds (for example, "which of my friends have listened to Jay-Z on Spotify?").
Graph Search also allows you to search for people based on their stated profession, marital status, location and other profile information. Facebook could be used as a employment search tool similar to LinkedIn or as an online dating site. You could use Facebook Graph Search for travel information, for example, searching for pictures of Paris from your friends who have visited and/or lived there.
If Facebook search doesn't produce any results (let's say none of your friends have pictures of Paris on their Timelines), your search automatically will go to Bing. Facebook has partnered with Bing to provide search results when Facebook search doesn't provide results, saving you from having to do a second search on the Internet.
Want to find out which friends have tastes most similar to yours? Search for "people who like things I Like."
For examples of Graph Search results, check out Mashable's 10 Things We Learned From Facebook's Graph Search.
Because there is no Dislike button, you won't be able to search for your friends who don't like peanut butter, Angelina Jolie's dress at the Academy Awards, or the name that Will and Kate choose for their new baby (or babies?).
The search results will also be limited to the content on Facebook. Looking for your local friends' favorite plumber? You may be out of luck, a plumber will only show up in your Facebook Graph Search results if that plumber has a Facebook page.
Do Your Friends Like to "Like"?
Your Graph Search results will also depend on how active your friends are on Facebook. If your friends regularly Like their favorites, your search results will be more valuable than if your friends rarely go on Facebook.
TechCrunch has implied that Graph Search may confer upon us a social duty to Like our favorite things to improve our friends' search results on Facebook. Facebook Graph Search Makes Privacy Seem Selfish
Before you panic that suddenly your preference for _________ (fill in the blank with your most embarrassing Like on Facebook) will now appear in public search results, know that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, assured reporters that nothing that wasn't made public before will become public on Graph Search. "Nothing is visible now that wasn't before," said Zuckerberg at the press conference launching Graph Search.
What This Means for You
If your privacy setting is restricted to friends only, then only your friends will see your Facebook information in their search results. If your settings allow the public or friends of friends to see your Facebook information, then those people will see your information in their search results.
If you embrace the idea of Facebook searches, you may want to make your Timeline more public. You may want your Likes to matter even more than before. Check out Mayura de Silva's article, Let Anyone Follow Your Social Updates on Facebook to make your Timeline updates available to anyone, without having to bother with actually friending them on Facebook.
On the other hand, if you want to be certain that your Timeline posts are restricted only to your Facebook friends, you should check your privacy settings now. 3 Privacy Settings You Must Change Before Using Facebook Graph Search from Gizmodo explains how to make sure your current, past and future posts are private.
Getting Started with Facebook Search
If you want to give Facebook Graph Search a try, well, you can't do that quite yet. Facebook isn't making this available to everyone right away. Instead, it's asking for volunteers to try it out in Beta, a testing phase, so it can squash the bugs before making it available to all members. If you want to volunteer, go to Facebook sign up and cross your fingers that you'll be among the first to test it.
Your Thoughts?
Reactions in the press have been extremely mixed, with some claiming that this is a game-changer from Facebook (see, Slate's Look Out, Google: Facebook Unveils Personalized Search Engine), while others aren't nearly as impressed with Facebook's news (see, Facebook's 'Graph Search' No Google Killer by The Fiscal Times).
What do you think about Facebook Graph Search? Are you excited to use this feature? Vote in today's Wonder of Tech poll and let us know your thoughts!
Bottom Line
Facebook's Graph Search will provide us with a new way of finding out information about friends' photos, places and interests. While the search results won't be as broad as a those from a traditional search engine, Facebook's results may be more personal, and perhaps more valuable, to you.
Have you signed up to test Facebook Graph Search? Do you think this will have an impact on Google? Are you changing your privacy settings? If so, are you making your Facebook more or less public? Will you Like more things to improve your friends' Graph Search results? Let us know in the Comments section below!


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Demonstrators clash with police in Egypt
May 4 - Protesters threw rocks at troops guarding Egypt's Defence Ministry on Friday as thousands marched in Cairo to denounce violence against demonstrators and the exclusion of candidates from the presidential election. Deborah Gembara reports.
In Cairo, protesters clashed with toops guarding Egypt's Defence Ministry Hundreds took to the streets in city to demand the ruling military council transfer power immediately. Demonstrators say they've been subject to violence for speaking out against the military and are furious that some political candidates were excluded from the election. Earlier in the week, the military council promised to hand over power to the new president by the middle of the year. Tension regarding the country's leadership coupled with an economic crisis has complicated Egypt's efforts to move forward. Deborah Gembara, Reuters.


text: Which Wing Are You? At Four Feathers School of Witchcraft and Wizardry you are sorted into one of four "Wings." Which Wing do you belong in? white_wings01 published on February 01, 201416 responses 0 4.7★ / 5 Questions in vertical order The History of Magic teacher asks you a question that's not even in your years curriculum. How do you answer? You already know the answer cause you're way ahead in your studies. You brainstorm with facts you already know about the subject and answer to the best of your ability. You ask if she just wants an answer or if she wants the right answer. Then you ask to go to the library to look it up. You use a spell you learned to peek at the answer in the teachers notes. You summon a beast for the first time in your 6th year. What do you summon? A Fire Pixie. A Jackalope! A Tengu? A White Buffalo. You are lost in a forest alone and have nothing but those cloths on your back and your wand, what do you do? You've studied maps and star charts. You use your great wealth of knowledge to lead yourself out. You remember a spell that will lead you to a person you trust. You use this spell to guide yourself out. You're not worried at all. You climb one of the nearby trees to get your bearings then skip and whistle you way out. You're never lost. With a quick swish of your wand the trees around you bow in the direction you want to go as if to open a path. You walk out casually. There is a troll loose on the grounds. What do you do? Trolls are stupid. You set a pit trap and then whack it into submission with your staff. You team up with a few of your Wing-mates and corner the troll in a hall and hold it a bay until a teacher comes to remove it. You share you lunch leftovers with the troll and make friends with it before leading it back to where it should be. You hop on your broomstick and fly at ground level with the troll chasing you until it tires and passes out from exhaustion. Your friend has injured their leg, you are the only other person around and the injury is more than you can handle. What do you do? Pick them up and carry them. It doesn't mater how far you have to go or how heavy they are, your friends are important to you and you'll do whatever you can to keep them safe. You use the heeling spells that you know to alleviate the pain so that you both can make it to someone with more experience without causing further damage. You cast a spell to shield your friend and order your Familiar to guard them while you go to bring back help. You send your Familiar to get help and stay with your friend, telling them stories and keeping their mind off the injury until help can arrive. You would describe yourself as.... Insightful and Non-combative Reliable and Exuberant Smart and Straightforward Bold and Contrary A strange man approaches you in Dogtooth. He gives you a rare seed that he claims will grow into Moly plant. What do you do?(Moly: a magical Greek herb with a black root and white blossoms) You take the seed and give it to the Herboliogy teacher the next time you see her. Secretly plant it somewhere so that if it turns out to be fake you don't loose face. Give it to your mother as a Christmas present. She likes plants. Plant it in the greenhouse without telling anyone just to see what happens. You are most afraid of... Loss Heights Spiders Failure It's cold outside and there is 2 feet of snow on the ground. What do you do? Stay inside and wrap up in a soft blanket in front of the fireplace with a text book. Go outside, dressed warmly, and build an igloo! Start a snowball fight with my friends, neighbors, or family members.... INSIDE! It's time to make snow ice cream and brew up some hot cocoa while watching the snow fall. You just remembered that you have a 4 scroll paper to write on "The rise and fall of Meander Quiggly" and it is due tomorrow morning. What do you do? I have an idea about what I want to write. I grab a self writing quill and walk around the room as I recite my paper and the quill writes it down. I rush to the library and pull out every book that mentions him and, using my amazing speed studying technique, write the paper in just 2 hours. I dig in my trunk for blank scrolls and then effectively take up the whole floor as I spread out my research, spending until just before dawn writing and re-writing my paper. I sit around the common room fireplace with my Wingmates and discuss the topic, get a good nights sleep, and then write all four scrolls while scarfing down breakfast an hour before it's due.


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Taktix solutions - home189902attr:commercialresidential
Be the first MLive.com user to add photos or videos of Taktix Solutions
Taktix Solutions is located at 211 W Fort St Ste 1620, Detroit, MI. This location is in the Downtown neighborhood. This business specializes in Real Estate.
Taktix Solutions Llc was founded in 2002, and is located at 211 W Fort St Ste 720 in Detroit. Additional information is available at www.taktixsolutions.com or by contacting Lawrence Marantette at (313) 237-6380.


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Thursday, May 9th - 7:10
sold out
Thursday, May 9th - 7:10
15 minutes photography time (7:10-7:25 PM)
Location: 2908 S 64th Street West
Mother and children only
Images delivered in online gallery w/ Print Release
Add To Cart
These will be done at my home on the far West End of Billings. I will include detailed directions in your follow-up email, please read it carefully as your time will not be extended if you are late.
Session includes:
15 minutes of photography time
All useable images taken during that time in an online gallery for downloading & sharing (this number will vary depending on client cooperation)
Print release
Please choose your time slot below.


text: DigitalDavid Favrod Wins 2010 Aperture Portfolio PrizeBy Stephanie Murg|December 23, 2010 ShareBy Stephanie Murg|December 23, 2010 Share David Favrod's "Autoportrait" and "Souvenier de ma grand-mère" (both 2009)Our friends at the Aperture Foundation have just announced the winner of the third annual Aperture Portfolio Prize competition: photographer David Favrod. Born in Japan (to a Japanese mother and a Swiss father) and raised in Switzerland, 28-year-old Favrod grapples with the culture of his birthplace in "Gaijin," a bold, playful, and spooky search for meaning and identity amidst Japanese stereotypes that range from bathtub koi and sumo wrestlers to majestic mountains and Godzilla. "The aim of this work is to create 'my own Japan,' in Switzerland, from memories of my journeys when I was small, my mother's stories, popular and traditional culture, and my grandparents' war narratives," wrote Favrod in a statement.A jury led by Aperture publisher Lesley A. Martin also sifted through the more than 900 Portfolio Prize submissions to select four runners-up: Kathryn Parker Almanas, Anne Golaz, Julian Röder, and Jordan Tate. Favrod receives $5,000 and an exhibition at Aperture Foundation, while all five photographers will have their portfolios featured on the organization's website for the next year or so. Inaugurated in 2008 to replace the foundation's biannual portfolio reviews, the international competition was created to "identify trends in contemporary photography and specific artists whom we can help by bringing their work to a wider audience." Sharehttp://adweek.it/2kkhi9l copy Adweek Adweek


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Michelin Pilot NOS Front Rain Tire, 12/67-17"
I have some rain tires left over from prior race efforts. As I live in Arizona, rain is not much of problem until the monsoon's in the early summer. Therefore, I do not really need them. Pick up an inexpensive tire for your race efforts.
Will ship through my discounted sources to your destination.
We Also Recommend


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Places of Interest in Britain
Vibrant and culturally rich, the United Kingdom is one of the most popular tourist destinations today. Boasting some of the world's top tourist attractions, the UK – which comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
If you're travelling to the UK, there are plenty of attractions you simply cannot miss – from Palaces and Castles to Piccadilly Circus. If you give yourself enough time to explore the region, you'll discover some of the most fascinating sights you're bound to see in your lifetime.
Top places of interest in London
The city of London is one of the greatest crowd-pullers in the UK. It's in this bustling metropolis that you'll find famous art galleries and museums, magnificent architecture and dramatic historical sites.
Visit the notorious Tower of London, once a terrifying castle designed to keep foreigners at bay and locals in line, but which today is one of the world's premier tourist attractions. Discover the London Eye, a spectacular feat of modern engineering, and marvel at the life-like wax figures at Madame Tussauds. London is one of the best cities for theatre, art and dining out, and it's also a fantastic shopping destination, featuring top international labels and sought-after local brands.
Attractions in the UK
Venture out of London to explore other superb places of interest in the UK; Three new national parks have been established in England, Wales and Scotland to protect the magnificent landscapes of these regions. Stonehenge in Wiltshire is one of the world's most mysterious prehistoric monuments, while Hampton Court Palace and Edinburgh Castle offer equally eerie insights into the aristocracy of yesteryear.
The countryside itself is well worth seeing, if only to appreciate its verdant hills and old-world architecture. If you have enough time to spare, be sure to visit Scotland, Wales and Ireland. For mountain bikers, fantastic cycling opportunities exist in Scotland, while for those in pursuit of new culinary experiences, Ireland's traditional dishes – and its famous Guinness beer – are a must. The country of Wales, smaller than England and ideal for family holidays, offers a host of attractions for all ages, including zoos, museums, outdoor pursuits and family adventures.
Booking a UK holiday
These days, it's possible to plan your entire holiday from the comfort of your home. Simply browse online to book plane tickets, plan your itinerary or to find a hotel in the UK. It's always a good idea to books accommodation in advance, especially if you're travelling during peak holiday seasons.
Browse the Internet now for the most affordable UK hotel deals – finding cheap hotel accommodation will give you extra cash to spend on the things you most want to see.
Whichever places you are interested in visiting, book all your London and UK hotel accommodation with StayinUK where we can help you to find cheap hotel accommodation in the UK. Book London hotel accommodation via the site, or use the search function to find cheap hotels in the UK.


text: I feed my two full grown chickens on organic corn that I got from a farmer. I just (today, yay!) had a new chick hatch and was wondering if I can make homemade chick food? I was thinking maybe a bit of bread, corn and sunflower seeds blended into a powder? Or is it wiser to stop being a hippy and get store bought chick feed?


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We want to thank all of those that participated in this years March Madness at OSC. It wouldn't be any fun without you. We hope to have even more entries next year. Invite your friends and family to play as well. It is free and there are great prizes. Keep a look out for an email next February or March with instructions on how to play. It is easy and fun! Who knows, maybe next year both Oregon and Oregon State will be in the tournament. Cross your fingers.
Congratulations Katie! She has won 2 years in a row, which is hard to do. For winning the final round this year she gets a $20 gift card to the movies. Not to mention all of the other gift cards and prizes she won.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our Blog to keep up to date on all of the fun contests we have.


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What can you spot in 10 seconds? Science Brainbox is an innovative memory recall game for all the family.
Pick a card, turn the timer, and use the 10 seconds to memorise as much as you can. Once your time is up turn the card over, roll the dice and answer the corresponding quick fire question correctly to win the card… The player with the most cards after 10 minutes wins the game! The 71 picture cards were designed by an experienced primary school teacher and explore many areas covered in Key Stage 2 science. From magnets, and materials, to human body and plants, the cards can be used in a variety of ways and are a fantastic tool to increase children's concentration and visual memory skills. Players: 1-6


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Welcome to our website and enjoy
Leave your hand or paw print and donate to a great cause that helps people and animals in need.
Thank you,
Jill Davis
Beef was adopted 12 years ago from AHH HHA. He is such an awesome dog!
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"…the hysterical Kenneth Moraleda (Kulyghin), who steals every one of his scenes with his elegant physical comedy and immaculate timing.
"…there is not a single weak link in the cast."
"Justin Stewart-Cotta as the ennui-drenched and thoughtless romantic is the production's yin to pompous klutzy cuckold Kenneth Moraleda's yang and both are riveting to watch."
"uniform excellence of the performances make for a remarkable experience"
"…the company and director Kevin Jackson have conjured a rich, funny, poignant and fresh theatrical experience out of this 100+ year-old favourite. Its exceptional clarity lies partly in the staging and partly in the performances and either way, rarely will three-and-some hours pass as quickly or as pleasurably as these. Recommended."
"Noel Hodda is also inventive as the old doctor with a conscience lost to drink, as is Kenneth Moraleda as the cuckolded teacher."
"Sport for Jove has hit another six."
"The delightful ensemble of twenty diverse actors (resplendent in costumes by Emma Vine) is teeming with vigour, and evenly impressive."


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Neck Lift
Neck lifts are often used to correct localized deposits of fat in the back of the neck, under the chin, and lower face. People with muscle laxity under the chin, sagging skin folds in the back of the neck, or lower face can benefit from a neck lift. A more youthful neck with an attractive contour can be achieved through a neck lift. Having a facelift, PrecisionTx liposuction, and/or chin enlargement may enhance the result of a neck lift. We also offer a non-surgical procedure called Ultherapy.
How is a neck lift procedure performed?
Completed as an outpatient procedure while the patient is under is either under local or general sedation, a neck lift requires an incision under the chin. After an incision is made, fat is then suctioned or directly excised, muscles are tightened, and a small amount of skin may be removed. Skin removal is dependent on individual case.
Recovery after a neck lift
The patient goes home with chin and neck dressings or an elastic sling. Initial discomfort can be controlled with oral medication. Swelling and bruising typically disappear over 2 weeks. The final result should be evident in 1 to 3 months.
Insurance Guidelines
Because this procedure is considered to be cosmetic, the cost is not covered by insurance and must be paid by patient. The cost of a necklift can be determined during a consultation with one of our surgeons.


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Los Angeles, Part 2
I'll only be posting a fraction of the images I took whilst in LA, but you can click this pic to access all of them, if you wish. Also, the original size pics are only a click away from the pics I posted here, so get that mouse to moving!
Our only two forays into Touristville was our trip to the La Brea Tar Pits museum (the Mother Unit and I went to the pits last year, but did not go into the museum.). I don't think I've ever been in the presence of so many bones and fossils. It was awesome.
Then Andy needed to go to the Harley store to get his sister-in-law a shot glass that said Los Angeles on it, so we found ourselves battling the cast of thousands on the streets, who oblivious to nothing but the stars embedded in the sidewalk, and legendary locales like Grauman's Chinese Theatre. I stayed in the car while Andy ran his Harley errand. I would only have slowed him down, and the clock was beginning to tick by then.
After escaping the tourist traps, it was off to House of Pies. This is a great hang-out place, and my biggest regret is not actually getting a piece of actual flipping pie from there! There's always a next time, and a slice of blueberry cheesecake with my name on it, trust me.
Now, I was under the impression we were meeting only Paul, because Richard was in Las Vegas. When I got a text on the way to the restaurant informing us that we were on for 3 PM, I thought it was Paul. Andy and I got there a little early to get us a booth and, shortly thereafter, Paul showed up. I was taken aback a little, because I had forgotten he'd shaved, so I was expecting the furry edition of the beleaguered Jack Cucchiaio. We gleefully chatted for a few minutes and Paul and Andy got acquainted, when Richard Gale showed up, which surprised the fuck out of me. I figured we wouldn't have a chance to meet him, because he was out of town, and all. He even brought me a Ginosaji spoon, which is the last thing I expected, because I contributed without requesting any perks. The perk for me is to see this film come to fruition. If I had my way, the people with the real talent, in my opinion, which is the only one that matters, would have endless funds for their projects, frighteningly organised promotional work, everything they need at their fingertips, and 100% creative control of their own work. It was the only way to change the music business, which we've seen on almost every level, and I believe that's how it's going to end up in what we still call "Hollywood." Anyone with any shred of talent, and imagination, and a Tribe that will back them up no matter what will eventually own the world. Jeff Lynne found that out initially at Hyde Park. He's still being shocked by it all. It couldn't happen to a better person, except people like Barry Andrews and Richard Gale.
The Spoon of the Ginosaji has found a place of honour next to my baby dancing Groot. Behold the oddest couple in fandom!
Our early dinner lasted longer than expected. We talked movies, film-making, music, and general tomfoolery until it almost ran Paul and Richard late. I thanked them for being two of about ten people on this planet to make me genuinely happy and laugh since 2011. That means more than most everyone can possibly realise.
Richard introduced Andy to the wonders of Uber, which saved our butts as far as getting to the Hollywood Bowl in time, we took an awesome picture, courtesy of the kind cashier at House of Pies, and reluctantly parted ways, promising to do it again soon.
Both Paul and Richard are funny, talented, delightful souls, filled with stories about what it's like to live and work in Los Angeles. It was deeply insightful, none of which I'm sharing here, because I haven't asked permission to share, and there are some things that just shouldn't be public without the consent of the persons to whom it happened.
I will say that the Ginosaji movie is progressing nicely and is beginning to live up to its description as epic on a level that's hard to imagine. Impressed doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about the project. I can't wait for it to all be a reality.
Before heading back to the apartment, Andy wanted to go get the tee with the space cat invaders, so we hied down to the shop to find it. Whilst there, I found a shirt that was so anti-this trip, I knew I had to have it. I'm not one to buy frivolous stuff for myself, but I knew this would always conjure the memory of the grooviest birthday I've had so far whilst incarcerated in this current veil of tears, and it was only $10, so I took my chances, in more ways than one. They only had the one shirt, and it was a woman's medium. Since I'm still having problems figuring out what can and can't fit me, I decided to go for it anyway. Luckily, it fit perfectly, so I wore it with my galaxy pants, because you can't go to an ELO concert without having the cosmos nearby for their spaceship to have a place along which to triumphantly coast.
Jumping into our Uber with a tad of time to spare (we would have been woefully late, had it not been for Richard's suggestion. Thank you for that!), Andy and I were on our way to what I believed would be a defining Life Moment, and Andy was keen on a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. He specifically said that he wasn't tingly like I probably was.* Since I tend to try to keep my emotions in check, my tingle factor was definitely present, but I did my level best to keep it together as we hunted for our seats, which was relatively. The folks who work at the Hollywood Bowl are quite courteous and helpful. They'll also read you the riot act and not give you entrance if you have a camera that even vaguely looks professional. Mine does not, but I didn't want to take the chance of losing my camera, so I took my iPhone, which has a very good camera, so I wasn't too very lower-lippy about leaving the camera at Brian's apartment.
Andy's phone had very little charge and he was responsible for the Uber ride back from Hollywood Bowl, so it was up to me to get as many decent pictures as I possibly could. I even managed to get part of All Over the World, which was personally important, since it was Xanadu that officially introduced me to the Electric Light Orchestra.
The concert began with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by unspeakably cool Thomas Wilkins, playing pieces from English composers, like the lush Nimrod by Edward Elgar, which thrilled Andy no end, considering it's one of his favourite pieces and and he can play it on organ. I wish I had that kind of talent.
Being raised on various Classical composers (like Antonín Dvorak and Johann Strauss) along with the Beatles, the Carpenters, and early Electronica like Popcorn by Hot Butter, I was eating the opening act by the orchestra up like a thirsty dude in the desert who just found a water fountain.
When Jeff Lynne and his band finally took the stage, it was nothing short of a religious experience, especially since the opening song was Tightrope, which is one of the closest songs you'll ever get Jeff Lynne to being cynical. Even then, it turns out in the end. Yes, I admit, I got teary.
All of the songs the band played were their classics, and they were played with precisions. The only exception was the single release from the new album, Alone in the Universe, When I Was a Boy. Despite his hearing the new album prior to the concert, Andy was very deeply impressed with Jeff Lynne's autobiographical opus.
After the concert, I said on Facebook, "No words." Honestly, I'm still having problems putting into words the experience I had at the ELO concert. It turned me into Ellie Arroway, no doubt about it.
I had a suspicion he might do All over the World, but knew there was no hope for Xanadu or the title track from Eldorado. Jeff just doesn't consider Xanadu to be his best work, and Eldorado is just too obscure for your "basic fan", whatever that means.
There was one song that brought me by surprise, and that was Wild West Hero, which they did with the a cappella in tact. I thought I was taping that portion of the concert but, unfortunately, I screwed that up big time. Wild West Hero is my second favourite ELO song, specifically because of the a cappella portion of the piece. You can hear the breath, albeit very slightly and you need headphones, in between each phrase in the song. It makes it real. It makes it human. It makes it breathtakingly beautiful. Anyone interested in seeing the concert, along with this exceptional performance, you need only click the embedded video here, with the masterpiece in question beginning at 50:30:
As Richard and I had discussed earlier, the subtly of sound makes all the difference in anything, be it music or film. If you can't appreciate that, you're losing a completely vital portion of your creative process. Unless it's a silent film or sommat, then you have to be living in the 20s or be Mel Brooks!
I must freely admit that it was during this song that I lost my shit. I never expected to hear Wild West Hero live. Ever. EVER. EVER EVER EVER. And that harks back to my initial statement that you never know what's going to happen in this crazy existence. Ten years, I never expected to be in England meeting one of my heroes. Ten years later, I never expected to be in the presence of my first ever hero singing a song that only hardcore fans know by heart and audiophiles need a cigarette after hearing it.
Just as I'd heard from concert goers from previous concerts, there were moments Jeff would forget the lyrics. None of that mattered, though. The audience, most of us who had already forgotten what we had for breakfast that day (except for me and the Popeye's Breakfast I'm craving like crazy right now), filled in the blanks for him. Besides, it showed that Jeff Lynne is human and aging along with his fans, both older hardcore fans, and his new generation. It shouldn't be held against him for interchanging the occasional lyric the man wrote 40 years ago. We should all just be lucky he's willing to get up there and sing it live for us, when none of us expected to ever see him on stage again, especially not in this capacity.
His typical banter in between songs was "Thank you so much," with his thumbs in the air. This wasn't surprising, coming from a man who said four words after being cornered in a studio back in 1979, that made me fall in love with him. He was ambushed by an interviewer who asked why the band were named "Electric Light Orchrstra." Jeff's reply, short, sweet, to the point, was, "Uhm...well… why not?" Right then and there, I wanted to be an eccentric recluse. Got my wish. Haha! What surprised me was that, even after all the concerts he's done since Hyde Park, and the worshipful reception he's gotten every single place he's played, he's still shocked and humbled that so many of us are there for him, singing with him, celebrating his life like he never expected it would be.
Paul saw the band at their lowest point in 1986. I wish he could have been there to see how drastically times have changed that ebb in their career, and see how the band was always supposed to be seen live. Even though always called Electric Light Orchestra, the orchestral part would still be lost to the electric instrumentation, despite the sound department doing the best they could with what they had to work with at the time. Technology has finally caught up with Jeff Lynne's vision, and we who never got to see the orchestra during their supposed heyday, got to see and experience something that is unique and miraculous to our times. We got to see ELO the way Jeff Lynne always envisioned it. There were live bands, then there were bands whose light shone brightest in the studio. What Jeff Lynne finally got to do was bring his fans into his studio and let us see, at least in part, what he sees in his mind when making the music we so adore.
Prior to the concert, Andy asked me what I thought their opener and encore would be. Getting it completely wrong, I suggested Last Train to London and Mr. Blue Sky. As mentioned above, Tightrope opened and the perfect marriage of Rock and Classic closed us out with Roll over Beethoven along with perfectly-timed fireworks.
It took us a while to get out of the area, and it was such a relief to get back to the apartment and just lie there, basking in the glory I just had the honour of experiencing. Even though I was exhausted, I didn't sleep the entire night. My inner vision was too filled with astronomical imagery, and my inner song was pure harmony. I figured I wouldn't sleep the night of the concert, so I had it in my head to do all the laundry and perform any other duties to ensure Brian's apartment was exactly as he had left it, or at least as close to that as possible. The problem was, I didn't know where the washer and dryer were and couldn't find them. Texting Brian, I revealed my intentions, but he would have none of it. So I limited my restoration to cleaning everything I could, and triple-checking everything I could think of… I haven't heard any complaints, so I'm hoping we left Brian's uber-groovy pad just as fabulicious as it was when we arrived.
*I would like to note that, by the end of the concert, Andy admitted to being more than a little tingly. HA!


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BOSTON — There will be no pinch-hit single to center, driving home the winning run. No big smile and on-field interview beneath a sea of raucous cheers.
BOSTON — There will be no pinch-hit single to center, driving home the winning run. No big smile and on-field interview beneath a sea of raucous cheers.
"2005," Sox manager Terry Francona said earlier this week, "seems like a long time ago."
If nothing seems as bad after a win, it could barely seem worse after four errors and the sort of fundamental gaffes the Cape Leaguers in attendance for Recognition Night would be castigated for.
Three years ago on July 31, Jon Papelbon debuted before Ramirez' heroics, and the Sox won the fifth of an eight-game tear. Today? The 4 p.m. trade deadline falls on an off-day, and Manny Ramirez is "¦
Headed to the Marlins for outfielders Jeremy Hermida or Josh Willingham, plus a pitcher. Headed to the Marlins, but with Boston then sending pieces to Pittsburgh for two-time All-Star outfielder Jason Bay. Headed to the Phillies or Dodgers, both of whom denied interest on Tuesday. Headed to the Mets or Diamondbacks, who'd denied interest before that. Headed to a mystery suitor or latecomer. Headed nowhere, meaning his Red Sox career won't end with a premature roar, his eighth-inning drive to left-center falling harmlessly short of the Monster.
"I think more times, when you say you're getting traded," Mike Lowell chimed in, "you don't."
Lowell declared today good for "a mental break," so take it as such.
Action or inaction today, on fronts Manny and beyond, will mean nothing in and of itself.
The players' words and Theo Epstein's afternoon telephone missive will hide as much doubt as they wish it to, in the unlikely event there's any doubt at all.
"We've had a little bit of everything right now," Jason Varitek said. "The team around here, we've been there before. We've always run into rough spots. You run into rough spots, you're playing against teams that are playing well. They get exploited.
"We need to find a way to come out and play good baseball."
That, for Pudge Rodriguez's new pinstripes, L.A.'s continued slaughter of the AL's steel and anything else that piles on these Sox, remains elegant in its simplicity. They — as in 'not us' — need not panic.
Not because the Sox still have baseball's second-best run differential, scoring 82 more than they've allowed. Not because they remain their league's current wild card. Not because of whom they play and where they play them.
But because it is that simple, and it is in their control. They control Ramirez's future, for all his bluster. They control whether they make a trade.
They control two of the last four World Series championships, and the cushion they'll provide if this year simply isn't to be.
"We've been pretty honest with what we feel about our organization.
Building from within and staying consistent in some areas," Francona said. "When it's not easy to adhere to that, I think we probably will."
It worked so well in 2004, when a petulant icon was dealt for the complementary pieces that pushed a contender over the top. It failed spectacularly in 2007, when the presumed prize of the deadline came and did nothing but disappoint.
Both years ended in celebration. Both could just as easily — 0-3 to New York, 1-3 to Cleveland — have meant a nine-decade title drought with Manny pouring gas on the fire.
It is not Theo Epstein's greatest test, but it's another in a long line.
This team is going from 'veteran' to 'old' by the day. Even if he stays, Ramirez's best production is gone. Varitek is riding the cliff's edge.
The opposition is closing in.
He can blow it by doing nothing, and he can blow it by doing something.
Those in uniform can only blow it, though, one way.
By forgetting what their job is.
"We need to pay attention to detail, and we'll sit down Friday as a team and try to sort some things out," Francona said. "I think we need to spend our energy on trying to make our team better."
How different will the personnel be when they meet again? We'll find out soon enough.
But the team better be, and they know it.
"Every year it is like this. It is so out of our hands," Varitek said.
"Hopefully we can get this team on the same page, and just go out there and do what this team does. This team knows how to grind, and we need to find a way to do that."
Jon Couture covers the Red Sox for The Standard-Times. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Who are we that follow events in Iran?
Do you ever wonder how so many activists emerged from something as trivial as a message board or chat room? Certainly the majority following Iran on Twitter did not start because they expected to be deeply involved.
One of the many amazing things to come out of these online phenomenon is the bond between total strangers. These bonds cross all social and geographical barriers. Anonymity, while still a source of uncertainty, is also met with respect. Who are we that support Iran? Even we do not know. Traditional notions of identity have ceased to matter. Scattered throughout the community- like precious shells on the sand, we have friends who speak to us from Iran.
However active we are, however many messages we post- when we hear from Iran, we are momentarily silenced. With that silence comes the realisation that we have been occupied, but really we were always waiting. Waiting for word from Iran. And as we sift, and analyse, and interpret each word we are humbled by the privilege of bearing witness for those brave ones in Iran.
There has not been much news from Iran. And what there is can often be painful. News that stuns you to silence and shocks you to stillness. News that makes your very soul tremble and all your instincts scream out in horror. Those of us that remain, after all these weeks, are the steadfast. We have found the strength to stay because we know if we run away, Iran will be alone in it's darkest hour.
We stay because we have been given a chance to make a difference, which will have impact for the ENTIRE WORLD. We stay because it is the right thing to do; the only thing worth doing. We stay because we have managed to achieve the unimagined, and we intend to keep doing it. And we stay because, weeks later, our pleas for help from political organizations still fall upon deaf ears.
Who are we? We are mothers who grieve alongside those whose children are missing, imprisoned or dead. We are fathers who understand the difficulty of providing for a family in a turbulent world. We are sons who refuse to surrender our hope for the future. We are daughters who dared to believe in justice and equality.
We are not the ones who try to divert attention away from Iran by invoking the ghosts of old news. We are not the ones who try to undermine the events in Iran using baseless arguments on unrelated subjects. We are not those who hope to profit from prolonged unrest or bloodshed for their own evil aims. We are not the hypocrites who pretend to care, but are ready to line their pockets and turn their backs on Iran. We are not those who try to impose their own agenda, calling for a different colour, a different flag.
We are Green. We are Iran.
We are not under any illusions. Iran is not looking to us for instructions. We are not in charge of a revolution. We are supporters. We are witnesses. We are journalists. We are diarists. We are historians. We are the media.
Yes, we write words. But our words are bullets. We are warriors for Iran. Those of us here from the beginning, have been proud to echo the chants heard in Iran.
A lifetime ago, we all said "Don't be afraid: we are all together". We still are ALL together.
Who are we? We are many. We are countless. We are. Ma hastim!


text: Schedule 5E - Weekly tax table with no and half Medicare levy - flood levy exemption Incorporating Medicare levy adjustment to half levy - table. End of attention How to obtain this pay as you go (PAYG) withholding publicationWarning: This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances. End of attention You can download this publication in Portable Document Format (PDF) - download Weekly tax table with no and half Medicare levy - flood levy exemption (NAT 1008E, PDF, 347KB). End of further information To obtain a printed copy of this publication: use our automated self-help publications ordering service at any time. You need to know the full title of the publication to use this service phone our Publications Distribution Service on 1300 720 092. You can speak to an operator between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Before you phone, check whether there are other publications you may need - this will save you time and help us. For each publication you order, you need the full title. More information Tax tables Tax withheld calculator Last modified: 10 Jun 2011QC 28023


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It is a truism that a skilled architectural photographer can give glamour to the least likely subject. Hence the photographs that usually appear in architectural magazines are only partial guides to the look of the built world, the more so because they tend to isolate buildings rather than portray them in context. The images in Open City are different.
The exhibition features the work of 19 photographers from the past 50 years. Its title refers to Roberto Rossellini's 1945 film Rome, Open City, whose neo-realism brought urban life to the screen in a new, uncosmeticised way. The curators argue that this had repercussions on other media, with photographers of the city developing attitudes and aims that were distinct from those of 'humanist' pre-war practititioners, such as Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
To support this proposition, the 'international' selection of participants has a strong American bias: Robert Frank, William Klein and Garry Winogrand are here with oftreproduced images - raw, grainy, and disenchanted. British representation is sparse, so while the Smithsons' one-time collaborator, Nigel Henderson, appears (a Bethnal Green shopfront), there are none of Roger Mayne's shots of 1950s West Kensington and nothing from the magazine Picture Post, whose photographers were often out on the streets.
But as so many of the images here are arresting, omissions scarcely matter; and if they vary enormously in what they reveal of urban fabric, they do give food for thought.
Some of these photographs, you feel, could have been taken almost anywhere;
others are far more specific in their sense of place. It is examples of the former that visitors find in the first gallery: a wall with 54 prints by Beat Streuli, arranged in a grid.
These shots of self-absorbed passers-by, all taken in Oxford, are almost interchangeable with the much larger, individually framed prints of New York pedestrians that Streuli shows in the big upstairs room. The city is erased, while a look, a gesture, a moment of absent-mindedness is preserved.
Philip-Lorca DiCorcia also photographs passers-by but their urban context is more obtrusive: a New York avenue whose pavements are mirror-like after rain, a Tokyo of gleaming corporate chrome. DiCorcia's subjects are picked out by sensor-activated lights that they have inadvertently triggered, which gives these scenes the look of theatrical tableaux.
As this implies, there is a subtext to this exhibition: are we looking at a captured moment of 'reality', or at something staged? The aesthetic of post-war street photography was quickly appropriated for advertising and fashion magazines, as in Terence Donovan's series, Top Coats. One man-in-an-overcoat, posed in a patch of wasteland, could be the young Michael Caine in The Ipcress File. More recently, a Post-Modern knowingness, where everything is in quotation marks, has reinforced this tendency to stage things for the camera, as in Jeff Wall's elaborate light-box images included here.
It is with five of the photographers above all that we really scrutinise the built world.
Lee Friedlander surveys a street in Kansas City and intersections in New Jersey and New Mexico: these are inventories of signs, street furniture, telephone wires - the visual consequences of unconsidered design.
William Eggleston's small colour photographs in the American South offer seemingly random glimpses of places where 'urbanism' has never been on the agenda.
Last year's Turner Prize winner, Wolfgang Tillmans, is surprisingly impressive with six tall inkjet prints hung as a group, juxtaposing aerial overviews of cities with more intimate details - the abstract pattern ofroadworks seen from an upstairs window, human shadows on the pavement.
In an exhibition where the city, whether visible or not, seems to have largely negative connotations, two 1995 photographs by Thomas Struth - both taken in Wuhan, Japan, and rich in incident and information - suggest a more harmonious balance between a place and its inhabitants. People look at home in these busy but suitablyscaled streets, with their bicycles, market stalls and produce spilling on to the tarmac.
Earlier in his career, however, Struth's urban images were usually depopulated; there are some of Edinburgh in Open City.
The emptiness is not, as it can be, disquieting - there's nothing eerie - but it makes you look closely at the built fabric it exposes. The mask of human activity is removed - as it is in the two most haunting photographs in this show.
These black-and-white panoramas by Catherine Opie are both of St Louis, Missouri: a city seemingly in serious decline. A concrete-framed building stands alone in a void left by demolition; an empty parkinglot dominates its backdrop of redundant factories. They could be cliches of urban exhaustion and might well have been taken in other US locations, but Opie gives them a real power.
They certainly have no truck with glamour. But whether just dispassionate in intent, or more consciously dystopian, they are hardly an advertisement for urban design.
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text:
GV2 Scacchi Men's Black Dial Calfskin Leather Watch
Quality and fun combine with this playfully designed exquisite Gevril men's watch. Encased in black IP stainless steel, its chess designed dial is sure to bring a smile to your face, with its chess pawn indices and king shaped crown. Featuring the convenience of a date window, second hand and minute track, the accuracy and convenience of this timepiece are unbeatable. Soft genuine black leather straps with an alligator pattern comfortably close with a tang buckle for safe and secure all day wear. Powered by Technosablier Swiss Automatic movement and water resistant to 50 meters, it is an ideal addition to any timepiece collection


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Winston-Salem Fairgrounds to Host the Largest Mime Conference in the Nation!
The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds will host Paneh Mime International April 27-29.
Paneh Mime International: presents D4H Mega Mime Conference & Concert, taking place at the Winston-Salem Fairground's in the Annex, Education Building and Bolton Home and Garden Building on April 27 thru 29. For three days in Winston-Salem, over 1700 individuals representing over 60 ministries from thirty states and two countries will be joining a unique and outstanding conference and perform in the largest mime and dance concert in the country. Featuring the Paneh Mime Troop, Dr. Delainey Bouie, Pastor Vernon Gordon and many others through the leadership, of founders Pastor Timothy & Chandra Midgette. Registration is now open for the conference. For more information and a complete list of speakers, visit www.panehmime.org.
The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds and Annex continue to keep community entertainment a priority moving into 2017. The Annex has also recently completed minor renovations as part of its aesthetic improvement process, fresh paint, updated signage and a new lobby flooring are noticeable changes along with a new roof coating and other operational improvements. The Bolton Home and Garden Building and The Education Building has recently upgraded sound systems as well as made other operational improvements.
In 2006, The Paneh Mime Ministries International of Durham established a mime troop from ages 5 and older. The Paneh Troop provides individuals and groups with choreography, training, conference development and production. The Troop involves adults, high school, college students, and youth. Due to the rapid growth of "D4H Mega Mime Conference & Concert" Paneh Mime International designed and established the iCan! Scholarship Program and the Paneh Mime Arts Training Center which transforms the youth through educational and fine art programs, which provide, hands-on workshops, tutoring and technique classes. Paneh offers scholarships and internships for students in areas of the performing arts field.
ADMISSION: Registration starts at $40, www.wsfairgrounds.com , www.panehmime.org
WHEN: April 27th thru 29th
WHERE: Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
WHO: Paneh Mime International
Visit www.wsfairgrounds.com for a full list of events and for more information.


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RARE Sniperscope M2 Infrared Granddaddy of Night Vision
Here is one rare bird… Developed in 1944 and used at the tail end of WWII and Korea, this is the forerunner of night vision technology. This rig is set up for a Sniper's spotter – I think. Fixed with a rare handle and not mounted to the M1 Carbine as originally designed. How many have you seen?
Call Skip at 336-918-5913


text: I know some of you might think this is an oxymoron, but its a serious question. The thumpy sound of flats is great, but they have to have SOME life in them! I would like to know which flats do the best job at accomplishing their classic sound while still keeping good definition in the mix? Am I dreaming or do these exist? Thanks


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PRESSKITGame Name: Minescape
Developer: Umbrella
iOS Release Date: Jun 22 2016
Website: https://www.umbrella.games/minescape
AppStore link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1084930110?mt=8
DESCRIPTIONMinescape is an addicting puzzle game that requires you to think fast. Use the numbers as clues to find all the mines before they go off.
CREDITSMikael Tyrsen @mudloop Programming, Sound and Game Design Ivan Isaev Programming Mikael Tyrsen @mudloop Producer
CONTACTInquiries: [email protected]
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqersN5XZJ4


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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A Florida court has awarded $186,000 to the owner of sex toy and novelty retailer and distributor Best Sensation Corp. who accused BenWa International chief executive David Gordon for backing out of a multistate franchise distribution deal and pocketing upfront fees.
Best Sensation owner Roy Ojala, in his original complaint, said he met Gordon at an industry conference last year in Miami, where the two hammered out an agreement for a three-state exclusive franchise distribution deal for BenWa Balls in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The deal between the two provided for BenWa to provide "free inventory" in the deal.
Ojala, however, said the verbal deal was fraught with "excuses and delays" and ended up without a contract ever being signed or any inventory delivered despite the fact that Gordon received $62,000.
After a review of the pleadings, evidence and affidavits supplied in the case, Circuit Court Judge William Ruby sided with Ojala, who alleged one count of civil theft, and granted summary judgment. Ruby also agreed to allow treble damages against Gordon, or an award three times actual damages.
Gordon, who represented himself in the case at St. Lucie County, Fla., Circuit Court, didn't respond to XBIZ for comment or questions on whether he'll appeal the judgment.
Ojala told XBIZ that he relished at the opportunity to sell BenWa products because the brand is one of the oldest in the sex toy and novelty business.
Further, Ojala said he liked prospects of the original deal with BenWa because Gordon said "they had deals going with gynocology associations where they spent tens of thousands on these deals which we would take over."
BenWa balls, which have been sold for decades, are small, marble-sized balls — hollow and containing a small weight — that roll around and are used for sexual stimulation by insertion into the vagina.
"Given it was a 70-year-old company, we fell for this hook, line and sinker," he said. "Regardless ... we invested the monies for the distribution deal, which never happened, and when I realized I had been scammed I contacted our attorney to file a suit."
The $186,000 judgment against Gordon, which hasn't been satisfied, does not include Ojala's attorneys fees.