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Natural gas continues to attract favorable attention as a key energy source for the United States. To better understand what trends are affecting the market for natural gas and stock in the sector, we turned to four industry experts:
- Kent Croft, chief investment officer of Croft Funds in Baltimore;
- Ted Davis, co-portfolio manager of the Fidelity Select Natural Gas Fund in Denver;
- Mark Hanson, CFA, an energy-sector strategist with Morningstar in Chicago; and
- Jason Wangler, senior vice president of Wunderlich Securities in Houston.
Research: Natural gas is often cited as a key factor in America's quest for energy independence. Do you agree with that assessment? And what potential upside do you see for the gas sector for short- and intermediate terms?
Kent Croft, Croft Funds: We are very bullish on the prospects for natural gas as a key source of domestic energy consumption going forward for the following reasons: We have an immense domestic supply, and it is attractive to both sides politically to assist the industry and reduce foreign energy dependence. Natural gas is cleaner than coal and cleaner and cheaper than oil and should take share in power generation and transportation. Domestic energy production will generate significant jobs directly and even more indirectly by making U.S. industries more competitive due to cheaper input costs.
We have always seen natural gas as a long-term trend that will take time to fully play out. In the short-term, we believe natural gas prices and the stock prices of companies operating in the space will continue to be volatile. But we are mostly bullish, as we believe that the price of the commodity remains depressed versus the long-term fair value.
Rig counts are expected to be down about 40% in 2013 and are currently about 75% lower than the previous highs seen in 2008. Natural gas has taken major share of the power generation market from coal, and industry experts expect this to persist. Transportation infrastructure continues to be built out, and there has been good news flow regarding natural gas infrastructure builds on major highway corridors. Cheap natural gas prices have made it more difficult for expensive alternative energy solutions to gain a significant foothold in the U.S.
Ted Davis, Fidelity: We believe [the answer is] yes. We've discovered an enormous resource in shale gas in North America over the past, call it, 10 to 15 years. It's very economic. It's low cost, so it can be extracted at very competitive prices compared to any other gas resource in the world. So, as a function of that, we are believers that natural gas will play a very important part in the energy renaissance in the United States.
Mark Hanson, Morningstar: I disagree with the sentiment in the short- and medium-term, but believe it could be credible that natural gas ultimately helps America become energy independent in a decade or more. A lot rests on incentives.
For example, if the U.S. consumes 18 million barrels of oil a day, most within the transportation sector, the heat equivalent would be more than 100 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day. The infrastructure required to handle not only the interstate transportation of natural gas, but also the "last-mile" transportation pipelines and the fueling stations themselves, would require tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars of investment.
If demand could be incentivized by government tax credits, for example—either for consumers to buy natural gas-powered vehicles, or manufacturers to build them, or infrastructure providers to construct pipelines and fueling stations—it could help catalyze the transition to natural gas. But it would be a long process, regardless of the amount of money thrown at the problem (think of how many years would need to pass before the existing gasoline-powered auto/truck fleet would churn). So I'm far less bullish on the wide-scale substitution of natural gas for crude oil in our economy.
Jason Wangler, Wunderlich Securities: I don't know about energy independence, [since] that would [likely] be a long time, ten-plus years at least, away—if ever. But certainly, it could be a huge driver in reducing the importing of energy into our country.
The upside is basically four-fold in that it allows the U.S. to use resources that are sourced from our country (keeps money in the country by reducing imports), would reduce energy costs given the huge spread between natural gas and oil pricing, likely would reduce emissions and pollution, and could also create some stability in natural gas prices that would be a welcomed sight given the huge inventory of the commodity we now have.
In the short- and intermediate-terms, I don't believe there is much in the way of tangible upside, in that actual sizeable demand increases like natural gas-fired plants, cars running on compressed natural gas (CNG), exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), or other things would take years to develop. But longer term, it could be a huge economic driver for the country.
How do you expect the gas sector to perform in the intermediate- and long-term?
Croft: We believe that natural gas will see very large domestic demand increases over the medium to long term for the following reasons:
Cheap energy: Despite the recent increase in price, 1 mcf of natural gas still trades at about a 75% discount to a barrel of oil on a British thermal unit (BTU) basis, and we see this spread falling over time.
Power generation: Power plant's consume roughly 36% of the country's natural gas production now versus less than 20% in the early 2000s. This jumped 20% in 2012, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that natural gas will add 36.6 gigawatts (GW), while coal loses 25.6 GW by 2016.
Transportation: As the infrastructure is built out, we expect natural gas to see increased penetration beyond just municipal fleets and into long-haul trucking and consumer vehicles. (Only about 1% of vehicles in the U.S. were equipped to run on natural gas in 2012).
Domestic manufacturing: As industrials see the competitive benefits of cheaper energy costs in the U.S., we expect growth in domestic manufacturing and hiring. Exports will be a key driver of increased demand as LNG facilities become operational later in the decade. It was estimated that LNG exports could make up roughly 20% of the U.S. and Canadian's annual natural gas production. Natural gas sells for over $16/mcf in Japan and $11.70/mcf in Europe as of February 2013.
Davis: In the short and intermediate terms, we do believe that we found the bottom in natural gas prices this past year. And directionally, we think that prices ought to be supported by improving supply and demand pictures.
We're reasonably sanguine on prices. And from a supply standpoint, looking at some of the more attractive natural gas names out there with attractive resources that are low cost, we think some of those could be very interesting investments going forward.
What it really is going to require now is to honestly create the demand for the resource, and that adjustment is slowly being made. We're moving towards building export terminals. We are moving towards adding chemical-processing capacity that uses natural gas as a feedstock and various other methods through which our manufacturing sector can take advantage of this resource.
So, longer term, we think that the demand will be created but it takes some time. We think that, broadly speaking over a long-term picture, natural gas will be well supported by increased demand over time.
Hanson: I estimate the marginal cost to produce natural gas in the United States at $5.40 per mcf. Under normalized demand conditions, this implies significant price upside for natural gas over the next few years.
I see incremental demand from power generation driving a pickup in consumption over the next few years. I believe that supply can generally respond within one to two quarters once prices pick back up, but with a limited number of rigs in operation. Also, with many E&Ps continuing to chase liquids-rich plays, the lag between a pickup in natural gas prices and a pickup in supply could be longer than many expect.
Wangler: I would expect the intermediate- and long-term natural gas sector to benefit from longer-term demand increases through the [greater] assimilation of the product by the public, given it is a cheaper and cleaner fuel that is actually produced here in the US.
These are all strong points for the commodity to be used more and more here in the U.S., as in my view it can be the production that weans us off of oil and transitions us to even cleaner, potentially reusable fuels in the future.
How do you recommend investors position themselves to make profits from natural gas stocks for the intermediate and long term?
Croft: Our main focus is to use near-term volatility to make investments in companies exposed to natural gas at attractive prices in the following areas. We tend to focus on low-cost producers with significant reserves who can stay above break-even at depressed prices and manage their business until the natural gas-demand function improves …
We look for value in companies with "hybrid" models that may have some acreage for exploration and production but also other businesses that offer some diversification benefits … We also like companies that provide natural gas services such as pipeline construction or operations.
Davis: It's [about] holding the stocks that have control over the most attractive resources. What we do is try to research the individual assets for each one of these companies and understand who owns the low-cost resource and who can effectively exploit and bring that resource to production to take advantage of natural gas demand in the future; and as a function of that, investors who are positioned in the companies with those strong resources ought to benefit over time.
Hanson: Focus on the low-cost producers with lots of runway for growth and a balance sheet that should be able to survive the inevitable volatility in natural gas prices that will occur over the next few years.
Wangler: Investors who have a long-term view and can withstand near-term issues, I think, would be wise to get into natural gas names with strong balance sheets (so they can also withstand the tough times), as there is simply too much of the product for us to ignore it as a beneficial resource. That means we should focus on how to better use the product (i.e., increase demand for it), which would result in a better price for it as well. Obviously, both more stability and better prices for the product would benefit natural gas stocks.
Could you share any issues that you think investors should be aware of that could influence natural gas prices—and, hence, the sector—on the upside and downside over the next 12 months?
Croft: The overall strength of the U.S. economy and that of North America as a whole will have a significant effect on natural gas prices as more economic activity means more near-term consumption.
Davis: Weather is always a factor. As much as weather played a negative impact this past year, it's actually playing a positive impact in cleaning up the supply and demand balance over the past couple of months. March [2013] is shaping up to be one of the coldest March's on record.
People always have to be mindful natural gas is a very volatile commodity, and weather does play an important part in the short-term supply and demand picture, which can have a meaningful impact on pricing of the commodity but also [on] the equities themselves.
Hanson: The upside—if rig count doesn't pick up soon, based on historical rig count-supply-price cycles (we've identified five distinct cycles since the early 1990s), supply should fall and provide a boost to prices. Any move by the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee hydraulic fracturing could increase costs and therefore prices, as would any unfavorable change to the current federal tax code for oil & gas producers. The downside—weather is a huge wildcard for natural gas demand, and therefore prices.
Wangler: Overall, I look for the next 12 months to be more of a stabilization period for natural gas as it settles at (low) prices and the growth of the production begins to slow; and then as we proceed out the natural gas supply likely is more tempered while demand could incrementally grow.


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Orders, Shipping and Return Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
- How will my order ship?
- How is shipping calculated?
- When will my order ship?
- What is your holiday schedule?
- When will my order arrive?
- Do you ship outside the USA?
- How do returns and exchanges work outside the US?
- Do you ship to APO & FPO addresses?
- What is your return policy?
- How do I return a product?
- Damaged or Lost Shipments
- Defective Products or Missing Components
Ordering Options
We provide you with four easy ways to place an order:
- Online - available to you 24/7. Safe and Secure for you to use and our privacy policy ensures that your information will not be shared with anyone!
- By Phone - you can call us at 281-485-3330 between 9am and 4pm CST. We will gladly process your order over the phone.
- By Email - you can email us at with your order. Please do NOT include your credit card information in the email, but DO include your phone number, so that we can call you back to process the order.
- By Mail - you can mail us your order at:
Potty Training Concepts
8017 Fite Rd
Pearland, TX 77584
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel or change an order, please email or call us at 281-485-3330 - Mon to Fri - 9am to 4pm CST.
If we are on the phone with other customers, your call will be directed to our voice mail system.
Please leave us a message and/or email us your cancellation.
Orders that have not been processed will be fully refunded.
Orders that have been processed, but have not shipped, will be charged a small fee of $3.50.
Orders that have already shipped cannot be canceled.
If an order is refused, shipping charges (both ways) are non refundable and all restocking fees will still apply.
They have to be returned. See our returns policy.
We want you to be satisfied with your purchase.
For lost or damaged or lost shipments, see instructions below. Information for defective or missing components also listed below.
Please read our return policy and return instructions below.
Payment Options
We accept all major credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and PayPal.
We also accept debit cards with the VISA or Mastercard Logo on them.
On PayPal, you can use your PayPal account, or you can pay with VISA, Mastercard or Discover Card.
All personal information you submit is encrypted and 100% secure.
Our credit card processor is PayPal (formerly Verisign). Our site's SSL Certificate is by issued GeoTrust.
Our prices are in US dollars.
For international orders, the monetary conversion will take place through your credit card company.
Sales Tax
Sales tax will be charged on all Texas orders (8.25%)
Shipping Policy
How will my order ship?
We ship using FedEx and U.S.P.S., depending on the shipping method that you choose.
STANDARD SHIPPING OPTION DOES NOT INCLUDE INSURANCE. If you choose to ship using this method, we are not responsible for any packages lost, stolen, damaged, etc. We will take no responsibility for the package after it has shipped from our warehouse.
How are shipping charges calculated?
The shipping charges are calculated based on a number of different things such as:
- The weight, size and number of products that you have purchased.
- The shipping method you select - i.e. Ground, 2nd Day, Express, etc.
- Your zip code
- The zip code of the warehouse the products ship from.
- Our main warehouse is in Pearland, TX 77584, but we also do ship from other locations. Some of our products are shipped directly from the manufacturer
On the average, our shipping charges for our ground services have been ranging from $9 - $12.
If you need your package shipped by a certain date and time please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you and your timeframe.
When will my order ship?
|Time Order Placed
|When it will ship.
|Monday to Friday - BEFORE 12pm (Noon) CST
|The Same Day
|Monday to Thursday - AFTER 12pm (Noon) CST
|The Next Day
|Friday AFTER 12 pm (Noon) CST
|The following Monday
|Saturday or Sunday
|The following Monday
|Note: See Holiday Schedule for exceptions
|Note: Orders containing custom/personalized items will take additional time before shipping due to production time.
Wooden Potty Chairs and Step Stools can take 3-7 Business days to ship.
Contact us if you have any questions.
- Our goal is to get the products to you as fast as possible, so we will change the shipping option if it means that we can get product to you faster - unless of course you give us specific instructions not to do so. (For example if you select FedEx Express Saver and it will take 3 days to get the products to you while FedEx Ground will only take 2 days, - we will switch your order to go out with FedEx Ground.)
- Orders submitted with the wrong shipping information will need verification and therefore will be delayed and the above shipping policies will not apply.
- We ask that you please submit the billing information exactly as stated on your credit card statement and your shipping information exactly to the location you want product shipped, so that your order may be processed efficiently
Holiday Schedule
We observe the folling holidays and do not ship orders on these days.
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving (Thursday & Friday)
- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Also see FedEx Holiday Schedule
When will my order arrive?
We are located in Texas - so on average Ground orders are delivered within 3 working days (Tuesday-Saturday).
FedEx Ground Shipping Days. We are located in Houston, Texas. Business Days does not include weekends!
Refusal of Delivery
If a package is refused for delivery, the customer will be responsible for actual shipping charges back to our store. Once we receive the package back in our facility, we will issue a credit to the original form of payment for the purchase price less the actual shipping we incurred for the refusal of the package. This shipping charge will apply even if you were not originally charged shipping under a free shipping promotion. The purpose of this is to defray unnecessary shipping costs and to allow us to offer the lowest prices possible.
Domestic USPS Priority & First Class Mail:
That means we do not have an estimated time of delivery. We will ship them using delivery confirmation, which will give you limited amount of tracking.
We do not offer, at this time, a signature confirmation request. If you need this service, we offer it through FedEx, please contact us if you need this specific option.
We DO NOT offer insurance at this time. If you choose to ship using this method, you are responsible for any packages lost, stolen, damaged, etc. We will take no responsibility for the package after it has shipped from our warehouse.
U.S.P.S. does not have the ability to change the address once it has been shipped.
Do you ship outside the USA?
Yes, we do.
We ship to almost all countries via U.S.P.S International or FedEx International. All international customers are responsible for any customs charges, duties, or any export fees for importing from the United States . Potty Training Concepts only charges for shipping cost.
If the country you are looking for is not available, please contact us with the heading "Country Request" and we will respond to your request in a timely manner.
Contact us you have any questions
How do returns and exchanges work outside the US?
Returns - We will accept returns for all international purchases. International returns will follow the Potty Training Concepts return policy. The buyer will pay for the shipping for the return and the return will be credited to the buyer minus the restocking fee.
Exchanges - Because of the high shipping cost of international shipping we do not pay for return shipping on exchanges. If an international customer wants to exchange a product the customer will be responsible for the shipping to our company and the shipping back to the customer. We will not pay for any international shipping.
We do strive for 100% excellence, however, If the order is a personalized product and Potty Training Concepts has made a mistake, Potty Training Concepts will refund the international customer the cost of the product. If the customer wants the product redone instead of a refund, the international customer will have to pay upfront the shipping cost before the product is made.
Please remember we never refund shipping cost for any reason.
Do you ship to APO / FPO addresses?
Yes, we will gladly ship to an APO / FPO addresses via United States Postal Services.
Return Policy
Note: If outside US, please read: How do returns and exchanges work outside the US?
30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee!
- If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return any merchandise in "unopened, new, and unused" condition within 30 days of receipt for a refund, excluding shipping fees.
- To ensure product integrity AND for health, hygiene and sanitary reasons we are unable to accept returns on any kind of personal items such as potty training pants, potty seats, potty chairs, urinals, etc. - anything that may have come in contact with urine or feces if the original packaging is not fully intact.
- For hygienic reasons, we are unable to accept returns with any indications that it has been used, installed or applied. This includes, but is not limited to, items that have been assembled, unsealed videos, DVDs and CDs and any personalized items.
- "Unopened, new, and unused" means resale-able condition, not used, worn or dirty.
- We cannot refund original shipping fees or the cost of return shipping.
- A restocking fee of 15% upto a maximum of $8 will be applied to all returns.
- Exchanges may incur additional shipping charges.
- All returns and refunds are subject to final approval from our Customer Service Department.
- Understandably, personalized and custom made items cannot be accepted for return. We understand that everyone makes mistakes, so take special care when reviewing your order for personalization. Check your spelling, dates and names carefully. In the event that you made an error and need a replacement, we do offer a 15% discount off the original retail price on the replacement to try to help. Of course, if we made the error, we will replace your order free of charge to you. All exchanges must be made within 30 days of receipt.
- Please allow 1-2 weeks for your return and credit request to be processed.
Return Instructions
All returns must have a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. To obtain your RMA number:
- Please Contact us with the following information:
- Order number
- Product Name
- Reason for return
- Type of return i.e. Refund, Exchange or Replacement
- We will email you an RMA number within 2 business day. Returns WITHOUT an RMA number will only receive a 50% refund.
- Please print and include the RMA email with and mail the parcel to:
Potty Training Concepts
8017 Fite Rd
Pearland, TX 77584
- Upon approval from our Customer Service Department, the original credit card charged will be refunded the price of the returned item(s), minus a restocking fee of 15%, up to to maximum of $8, and any other additional shipping charges.
Damaged & Lost Shipments
Upon arrival of your shipment, please check the contents of your package immediately and report any discrepancies or damages within 7 business days of receipt of merchandise.
We must report all damages immediately to the carrier for inspection; therefore, we ask that you keep all merchandise and packaging in as delivered condition.
Claims issued on damaged or lost orders can take the carrier 7-10 days to process.
Once a claim has been initiated and processed, a replacement will be sent.
We are unable to accept cancellations on merchandise after it arrives damaged, or if it is lost; we will make every effort to correct this situation.
Lost packages are usually located by the carrier and delivered.
To avoid duplicate shipments, replacements will be sent after the claims process is complete.
Although we are unable expedite replacements, please be assured that we will work diligently with the carrier to resolve these matters expeditiously.
Defective Products or Missing Components
We are committed to providing the best quality merchandise and vend only top quality product from reputable manufacturers who indemnify the quality of their product.
Most, but not all, products are covered by manufacturer's warranties. Warranty information when available, is included inside the product packaging or on the product box.
We will work diligently with the manufacturer to take care of your service needs by providing part replacements.
Potty Training Concepts reserves the right to replace the defective parts of merchandise. Requests for replacement parts will be processed as quickly as possible.
Please note that we are unable to express ship replacement pieces.
If a replacement part can not be obtained, a new item will be shipped. Regretfully, we are unable to accept cancellations after merchandise arrives.
After 30 days of receipt, Potty Training Concepts will refer all issues regarding defective merchandise to the manufacturer for warranty processing, if applicable.
Heat Transfers
If the heat transfers are found defective in manufacturing, our liability will be limited to replacement of an equivalent amount of the purchased product. The transfers bear no warranty whatsoever.
**IMPORTANT** Recommendations for application of heat transfers are based on our companies experience using professional equipment. Since our company has no control over conditions of storage, equipment, or substrate once the transfers have left our facility, pre-testing is the responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for replacement to any damaged goods the buyer is applying the transfer to.

subset: commoncrawl


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Panorama Corporate Center sold, home to Comcast, ULA
Panorama Corporate Center, the 780,649-square-foot, six-building office park in Arapahoe County that's home to United Launch Alliance and Comcast, has been sold.
Holliday Fenoglio Fowler announced the transaction Tuesday. The buyer was Denver-based EverWest Real Estate Partners and Independencia Asset Management, a Chilean firm with offices in Miami. The seller was Miller Global Properties, which has owned the 42-acre campus since 2013.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the sale marks the latest in a string of big-dollar acquisitions in Denver's office market. Just last week, a South Korean firm announced it had purchased CoBank Center, the 11-story Greenwood Village office tower that houses the agricultural cooperative bank's headquarters.
Four of the six buildings at Panorama, which was developed between 1996 and 2008, are 100 percent leased to Comcast and ULA. Overall, occupancy at the park is 93.8 percent, according to HFF.


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Follow This Company
Job Class
Job Summary
Provides primary health care to a specific patient population within the guidelines of written protocols. Follows established nursing standards, procedures, and practices.
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.
Minimum Education
Master's Degree- Nursing; Nurse Practitioner Degree Emphasis or Program Certificate equivalent
Minimum Experience
No previous experience
Required Certifications/Registrations/Licenses
Specific Acceptable Credentials (if applicable)
South Carolina Official Recognition Nurse Practitioner
Prescriptive Authority South Carolina Nursing License
South Carolina Controlled Substance license; Federal DEA license
In lieu of the Above Minimum Requirements
Other Required Experience
Previous RN or NP experience - Preferred
Position Posting Category
Advanced Practitioner
Greenville, SC
GHS employs over 10,000 people. Our system includes clinically excellent facilities with 1,268 beds on 5 campuses. We offer 7 residency programs, 7 fellowships and a 4-year medical education program: University of South Carolina School of Medicine–Greenville, located on GHS' Greenville Memorial Medical Campus. We are a designated Level I Emergency Trauma Center and also have a separate research facility.
Greenville, SC is a beautiful place to live and work. Located on the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte, it is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. We are ideally situated near beautiful mountains, beaches and lakes. We enjoy a diverse and thriving economy, excellent quality of life, and wonderful cultural and educational opportunities.


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Project Description
- Biosecurity is Important in Horticulture Crops Too
- Nutrient Deficiency Guide
- Acute Pesticide Toxicity Chart for Vegetable Crops (2010)
- Practical Pesticide Application Considerations
- Understanding Pesticide Safety and Toxicity
- Reducing Spray Drift
- Quality of Pesticide Spray Water
- Pesticide Storage and Handling
- Field Sprayer Calibration
- Efficient and Effective Application of Pesticides
- Understanding Weed ID and Terminology
- Calculating Spray Application Information
- Proper Cleaning of a Boom Sprayer
- Pesticide Application Equipment
- Herbicide Group Classification
- Non-labeled Tank Mixes
- Reading a Pesticide Label
- Record Keeping
- Integrated Pest Management
Perennia's Pest Management Guides are general information only. Perennia does not offer any warranty or guarantee, nor does it assume any liability for any crop loss, livestock loss, health, safety or environmental hazard caused by the use of a pesticide mentioned in the publication. For most recent and specific product information, always refer to and follow directions on the product label. Labels can be found at Health Canada's Pesticide Label Search. The publication lists a number of brand name pesticides. It is neither an endorsement of the product nor a suggestion that similar products are ineffective. Please also note that pesticides registered in the US are not necessarily registered in Canada.


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Starting from $996 pps
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Starting from $1,326 pps
Starting from $797 pps
Starting from $920 pps
Starting from $2,045 pps
Starting from $2,855 pps
Get a Quote
888.443.5259 (USA/Canada)
+353 (0)1 293 3088
Posted by Niamh Allabyrne on the 10th of April 2014 at 10:24:51
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text: i have over 200 acre land space and i was thinking of turning it into a large wildflower meadow for a beefarm of around 1000 hives. flowers bloom all year round in jamaica where i live ( some keepers harvest once ever couple of month) and the weathers mostly sunny. can 200 acres of constantly blooming(Most of the year any way) flowers increase honey yield significantly? keeping in mind that the 4sq miles a bee travel is not not dense with flowers and they would only need a short distance to travel, saving honey on fuel. any thoughts?


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Scaling up action against NCDs: How much will it cost?
WHO report 2011
The report describes a financial planning tool for scaling up delivery of a set of cost-effective population-based and individual-level health care interventions in low- and middle-income countries. This tool can be used to forecast financial resource needs at national or sub-national level and also to generate a price tag at global level. It will enhance traditional budgeting mechanisms in countries and provide information to development agencies and international institutions on the resources needed to address the growing burden of NCDs.
Related links
Press release
New WHO study details low-cost solutions to help curb the tide on noncommunicable diseases
From burden to "best buys": Reducing the economic impact of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries
Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2011


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Regular price
This cuffed beanie is knit from 100% cotton yarn in a navy color and features a brown leather patch debossed with the Love Your Melon logo. One size fits all. Made in the USA. Machine washable.
Fifty Percent (50%) of profit from the sale of this product will be donated to Love Your Melon's nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer.


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8 oz shredded aged sharp cheddar
4 oz jarred diced pimentos, drained
1/4 cup diced fire-roasted Hatch Green Chiles
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon ground garlic
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Place all ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to overnight for best flavor.


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Photographer Greg Anderson recently returned from the National Beard and Mustache Championships held in New Orleans. You're not going to believe the things that some guys can do with their facial hair.
Anderson, who has compiled a photo essay for PetaPixel, plans on making a short picture book out of about 25 of his favorite shots. And starting next year, he'll be the official photographer for the World Beard and Mustache Championships.
His portfolio of the recently concluded contest can be found at his Facebook page. These are some of our favorites:
Much more at PetaPixel.


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The Avengers, Part 1
-By Justin Sweet
I'm proud to say I worked on Marvel's THE AVENGERS, directed by Joss Whedon. My task on this film was to develop the Aliens that the Avengers fight. It was a collaborative effort, and I worked along some very talented fellows.
Here are some of the aliens that I did ending with the last one that got the nod for the final. Fun trying to figure these guys out.
Looking forward to getting out to Spectrum Live this weekend. I'll have a booth there shared with
Vance Kovacs
Marshall Vandruff
First day on the job.
Trying to get some Kirby in there...
Production designer wanted us to cover their faces...familiar?
Trying out some chariot ideas..
Hey, where did he come from? Little sketch I did. Hulk was my favorite part of the film.


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Lana & Jon Popham loving tend the only Certified Organic Vineyard on Vancouver Island. Halfway down the driveway you'll know why it's called Barking Dog Vineyard, as George the yellow Lab trots out and woofs his greeting. John's father Ed Popham, a Victoria lawyer and lacrosse legend, dreamed of a vineyard on this well-sited Saanich farm, and Lana & Jon carry on his legacy. The main varieties are Ortega and Bacchus, two cool-climate whites that produce a crisp, balanced blend. Newer plantings include 4 clones of Pinot Noir, and Foch, a hybrid red that makes an earthy red wine.
As Lana is fond of saying, "Can you taste the love?"
Black Hills Winery sits in an enviable position on the Black Sage Bench between Oliver and Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan Valley. Don't let the Quonset hut and causal air fool you, Bob & Senka Tennant, and Pete and Susan McCarrell are serious growers and winemakers. Their Nota Bene, a Bordeaux-style blend, is one of the most sought-after reds in Canada, and their new Sauvignon/Semillon blend, called Alibi, sells out within days of release. Fortunately for us, Senka has her hands full with Note Bene and Alibi, and we're able to take the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their Sharp Rock Vineyard. The site produces grapes of deep intensity and a characteristic earthiness. Pinot is at the edge of its range here but, handled carefully, shows wonderful cherry and black fruit flavours. The ripe Chardonnay is well-suited to barrel-fermentation.
WINTER: Pruning begins in January or February when the vines are dormant. On Vancouver Island we prune down to one or two of last year's canes, and lay them out along the wire as arms. In the Okanagan many growers use permanent arms, called cordons, and prune last year's shoots down to two buds.
SPRING: There's a magical moment in late March or early April when the tiny buds break open and the first green shoots emerge. Then it's all the grower can do to keep up with a spray program (to keep mildew and botrytis at bay), and to train the growing shoots up into the trellis. The goal is a light, airy canopy that allows sunlight and air to circulate within the canopy.
SUMMER: As the fruit clusters emerge, the vine gradually shifts gears
and starts to develop and ripen its fruit. The grower responds by managing the crop load through thinning and dropping fruit, ensuring that the vine doesn't bear too much or too little crop. The keyword in viticulture is balance.
FALL: As the growing season wanes, everyone prays for a dry, warm fall. Grower and winemaker follow "the numbers" carefully: Brix (sugar), acid, and pH. But there are subtler signs of ripeness, including grape color, browning of seeds and stems, softening berries, and of course taste. Finally picking day comes and all hell breaks loose in the scramble for bins, pickers, equipment and tank space. Meanwhile the vines, having completed another annual cycle, drop their leaves and settle into dormancy till next spring.
Ken Winchester started making wine in a garage in Montreal back in 1983 and hasn't looked back. While working as Editorial Director of Sunset Books in San Francisco, Ken studied enology and viticulture at California's UC Davis. Later he moved to Paso Robles, north of Santa Barbara, planted 15 acres of Rhone varietals, and started his own label, Winchester Vineyards. Wine Spectator has described his wines as "complex, elegant and cellar-worthy" and singled out his 2000 Syrah as a "California heavyweight."
In 2002, Ken and his family decided to pull up stakes and return to Canada. They settled in Victoria and Ken immediately became deeply involved in the Vancouver Island wine industry. He is a consultant for several Island wineries, the President of the Wine Islands Growers Association, and a member of the Wine Islands Vintners Association. He has also taught Viticulture for Okanagan University College, the first such program on Vancouver Island.
They're proud to be garagistes, as the French call small, craft winemakers. It refers to a small-scale, hands-on approach to handling wine from grape to barrel. For instance we gently destem rather than crush the grapes. This leads to a slower fermentation and extraction of flavours. They punch down the fermenting red must by hand rather than pump over the juice. The finished wine is gently pressed and siphoned into French oak barrels for aging. The barrel room is their spice rack. They use different coopers, forests, and toasts for different lots: Francois Freres for Pinot Noir; Saury for Syrah; Cadus for Chardonnay. They grow, and work with other growers, to source the best fruit possible. Then they try to intervene as little as possible--a tweak here, a nudge there, good barrels and a lot of patience.


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Q. Can anyone join Friday Coffee Club?
A. Yes. Even fictional people. And fictional animals. And mythological people/animals. In fact, I split a muffin with a centaur this morning.
UPDATED: Q. Where is it? When is it?
A. It's at M.E. Swing's at 17th and G, NW. It's on Friday morning from roughly 7:30 (allegedly) to 9-ish.
Q. What if I don't like bikes and hate coffee?
A. Then you're weird. But you can still come. All are welcome. And it's a free country. For now.
Q. Do you have matching satin jackets with the name of the club written in cursive on the back?
A. Not yet.
Q. Do I have to be a witty conversationalist and/or a good listener?
A. It would help, but it's not strictly necessary. For example, I am neither of those things. You can do what I do by nodding very compellingly and insisting you just need "one more cup" and then you'll have something interesting to say.
Q. Is the first rule of Friday Coffee Club not to talk about Friday Coffee Club?
A. No. It's probably the most over-tweeted, over-photographed meeting of a dozen or so people in all of Washington. Other than a Supreme Court decision. Also, CNN reports that Friday Coffee Club is held on Saturdays.
Q. Why do you even do Friday Coffee Club? Can't I just drink coffee at home?
A. Because drinking coffee with cool people is fun. And because being late for work on a Friday coffee is some sort of protest for DC statehood or something.
Q. I'm a rich billionaire and I'd like to sponsor Friday Coffee Club. To whom should I make out this giant check?
A. Please email email@example.com and do not tell anyone else. I promise to share. Sure.
I rode East Capitol, then rounded the Capitol, took Penn by storm (where I saw Nicole and Vince [and his shameful lack of fenders] riding up 4th from SW), galavanted up 15th, darted across the White House plaza and shimmied across 17th. But before I did the shimmying, this happened.
|Don't stimy my shimmy, yo.
You, sir, are frightfully close to me. I was there first, patiently waiting for the light to change. He stepped in front. I got shoaled by a pedestrian.
After "da club" as no one ever calls it, I rode back over to 15th street and then up that-away, taking care to avoid careless pedestrians who can't but help walk into the cycle track and get indignant over the fact that bicyclists are in this space. It'd be like my riding my bike down train tracks and harrumphing at the arrival of the Acela. The cycle track is for bikes! That's why it's there! There are bikes painted on the pavement in the cycle track! There are not pictures of guys in mismatched business casual and iPod headphones!
Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs and Wraps. Pass it every morning. Have never eaten there. Great name.
Some extra sand on Massachusetts Avenue. Either this is washed up from the recent storm or they're opening another Beach Bar.
|Worst beach bar ever.


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- Crying Hands: Eugenics and Deaf People in Nazi Germany by Biesold, Horst- This is a book about what happened to Deaf people during Nazi Germany. The book was originally written in German and it was a dissertation, so it was a bit hard to read and did not flow well. But the information was important and I am glad I know more about the atrocities that deaf people had to deal with during that time.
- The Ropemaker by Dickenson, Peter- I was underwhelmed by this book. It is a young adult fantasy novel. Parts were really interesting, but it did not hold my attention very well. Some times with fantasy novels it can be hard to make thing believable. It just seems like whenever the author got bored writing he made something new up.
- The Thing Around Your Neck by Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi- This was a wonderful collection of short stories. The stories cover a lot of different topics from a wide range of perspectives. They are all rather sad. So be prepared to hearing depressing stories, but I highly recommend this to anyone who likes short stories or African literature.
To Be Read
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Rawls, Wilson
- The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Diaz, Junot
- A Walk in My World: International Short Stories about Youth edited by Mazer, Anne
- The Color of Magic by Pratchett, Terry
- Jane Eyre by Bronte, Charlotte
- The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Doyle, Arthur Conan
- The Space Between Us by Umrigar, Thirty
- The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories by Gilman, Charlotte Perkins
- Orlando by Woolf, Virginia
- Tropic of Orange by Yamashita, Karen Tei
- The Turn of the Screw by James, Henry
- The Other Side of Paradise by Chin, Stacyann
- The Ice Princess by Lackberg, Camilla
- Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Flagg, Fannie
- Helen Keller: The Story of My Life by Keller, Helen
- Like Water for Chocolate by Esquivel, Laura
- The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Lee, Jennifer
- The Namesake by Lahiri, Jhumpa
What books have you read lately? Have you read any of these books? I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.


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Was browsing videos and saw this. Not sure if it's you though http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...k&feature=fvwp
hey can you pm me a link to that halo 2 iso you gave patrickssj6? I still have my key and everything, but forgot to back up my disk
What link
Hope all is well with you man and you have kept up the halo app collection as I have. Hopefully better, I have no free time these days.
hmm well currently i am working on re-creating in game ranking for halo2, we've found the images that trigger it in game but right now i'm searching for it server sided. and for AI and map info i recommend talking with shock120 he's more familiar in that area than I am.
Hey, was wondering if there happens to be anything I can help with, I used to do a bit with halo 2, may not know as much as I used to, but I'm willing to learn too.
Also, I'm interested in learning how things like AI in mp (for turf) was done, and how I can get it work for other maps, and such.
lol don't worry about it
FUUUUUUUU meant that to be +Rep.
sup justin
whats up man
Send an Instant Message to supersniper Using...
Senior Member
¿Por que?!
Looking for his home.
In a galaxy far far away


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About Early Childhood
The Bay School offers Waldorf programs for children 18 months to 6 years old. Our Early Childhood programs honor the dream-like consciousness and sense of wonder that live in the young child. Our classrooms are designed in soft colors that reflect the beauty and light of the natural world. Teachers express a joy for life, and children are nurtured by kindness and predictability that allow them to fully experience childhood.
Our early childhood program encourages spatial awareness and fine and gross motor skills while awakening a sense of beauty and connection to the natural world. Through play, meaningful work, imitation, and a consistent daily rhythm these essential dimensions of the child unfold. This enables them to be truly ready for our academic program, which begins in first grade.
Play Play is at the center of our Early Childhood program. Through imaginative play children develop artistic and creative abilities which promote later symbolic thinking and healthy brain development. Simple toys and natural objects encourage children to draw on their imaginations. The power of fantasy allows the children to see endless possibilities in the plain wooden blocks, colorful silks, shells and stones as they become bridges, homes, campfires, wings or streams..
Meaningful Work Every child in the Bay School early childhood program takes part in the care of the classroom. . They may sweep, wash and fold, prepare and serve snack, garden and participate in other tasks of the household. Through the daily care of their environment they develop pride and a sense of interdependence with their teachers and classmates.
Imitation The young child learns through imitation, and teachers strive to be worthy of the child's imitation through their enthusiasm for their daily work, warmth for the children and compassion for one another.
Rhythm Rhythm is an essential part of our Waldorf Early Childhood program. Each day is balanced, as active times are followed by more quiet times, allowing the children's day to almost breathe in and out. Nature projects and festivals reflect the rhythms of the seasons, and give the children a sense of security, order and inner strength.


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News & Blogs
The Science Behind Arthur
Hurricane Arthur brought heavy rain and flooding to the East Coast of the U.S. over the 4th of July weekend with North Carolina's Outer Banks most affected. The storm made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane at Shackleford Banks, North Carolina late Thursday night, then continued north on Friday the 4th of July and skirted Nantucket and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, before it hit Nova Scotia on Saturday morning as a Post-Tropical Storm. Learn more on Arthur's track and formation on the Hurricane Arthur infographic by Weather Underground.


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Anserine tendinobursitis syndrome is a pain to the inner part of the leg, just below the knee joint. It is at a location where three tendons meet and connect to bone. The muscles include the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus. There are also one or more bursae at this location. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that decreases friction between bones and muscles.
When bursae become inflamed it is called bursitis . When tendons become inflamed it is called tendonitis . For this pain syndrome, the exact cause is unknown, but it may involve injury or inflammation to the tendons or bursae.
This may be a treatable condition. Contact your doctor if you think you may have this syndrome.
This condition is most commonly caused by repeated stress to the knee. A direct injury to the knee can also cause this condition
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your chance of anserine tendinobursitis syndrome include:
- History of running
Change in running routine
- More miles
- Sudden increase in workout
- Osteoarthritis
- Tear to meniscus
- Obesity
- Tight hamstrings
- Flat feet
- Genu valgum—knees touching
- Feet that roll inwards (overpronation)
- Diabetes
Anserine tendinobursitis syndrome may cause:
- Pain to inside part of knee
- Knee tenderness
- Swelling
- Pain worsens with bending and straightening of knee
- Pain worsens with exercise
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will be asked to show exactly where you feel the pain. Often diagnosis is made by physical exam alone. Sometimes an x-ray is performed to rule out other injuries.
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
You will be instructed to rest the affected knee until the pain goes away. You may also be advised to ice your knee 3-4 times a day to decrease the inflammation.
You may be referred to physical therapy.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help with pain and inflammation. Your doctor will advise you which NSAID to take and how often.
You may also receive a steroid injection directly into your knee to relieve pain and inflammation.
To help reduce your chance of anserine tendinobursitis:
- When increasing your workout or run, do so gradually
- Stretch before and after your workout
- Wear appropriate shoes for the specific activity and your feet
- Follow your doctors directions to manage any underlying conditions
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
- Review Date: 11/2018 -
- Update Date: 12/20/2014 -


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Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and it rules Sagittarius. It orbits the Sun and is positioned between Mars and Saturn. Jupiter takes 12 years to complete one rotational cycle. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. This may be the reason it is associated with abundance and good fortune. Traditionally Jupiter was considered the natural ruler of Sagittarius during the day and the ruler of Pisces during the night. However, the discovery of Neptune changed that and Pisces is now ruled by Neptune.
Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and is in its fall in Capricorn. It is a natural benefic planet and signifies generosity, expanding business, success in one's efforts, law, justice, religion. spirituality and honesty. Careers associated with it are judges, lawyers, doctors, healers, political leaders and government servants. A person ruled by Jupiter may be inclined towards obesity and could have a good complexion. Jupiter rules the thighs and the liver.


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Thomas Trotter rehearsing my Toccata Festiva on the organ of Birmingham Town Hall in March 2012 (with me as page turner). He gave the world premiere later that day. https://youtu.be/GRSZQiuPhTs Here's the great Victor Borge in a rarely seen routine with the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1986. He is one of my comedy heroes […]
Category Archives: YouTube Favourites
22/02/2015 – 15:06 | By Jeremy | Posted in YouTube Favourites | Tagged Alkan, Argerich, arthritis, Birmingham Town Hall, Boston Pops, Byron Janis, Cantabile, Cherkassky, Concerto for Solo Piano, Dance of the Comedians, Dave Lee, Godowsky, Hofmann, Horowitz, I Could Go On Singing, It Never Was You, Jack Gibbons, Jimeoin, John Gielgud, Jongen, Judy Garland, Kaleidoscop, Knickerbocker Holiday, Kurt Weill, Max Miller, Maxwell Anderson, organ, Peggy Cochrane, Piano Concerto No.3, Presidential Precedents, Rachmaninov, Sinfonie concertante, Teddy Brown, The Good Companions, Thomas Trotter, Toccata festiva, Van Cliburn, Victor Borge, Virgil Fox | Comments (0)


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A running discussion on the Cincinnati Reds and everything else in the baseball universe.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Extraordinary Homer Bailey
First, why would a pitcher voluntarily adopt the nickname "Homer"? Maybe it's high time he makes the switch back to David. Second, I'm not sure anyone in baseball gets less with more than he does.
While his problems seem somewhat clear, it's still mindboggling that he has as little success as he does.
First: The Problems
Given his less than impressive 4.65 BB/9 mark on the season, it's easy to see that control is not a strength. Still, I'm not sure that stat quite illustrates the problem. As problematic as his control has been, it pales in comparison to his command.
Control problems mean an inability to throw strikes, while command is the ability to spot your strikes inside the zone. Control problems lead to a higher number of base runners due to the extra free passes. Command problems lead to ineffectiveness in the strikezone, which can result in extra baserunners from a higher rate of hits.
Obviously, Homer is plagued by both.
Homer REALLY struggles to hit his spots inside the strikezone. That may even be too kind. In fact, I'm surprised Ryan Hanigan doesn't strain his arm with the amount of reaching he does to catch Homer's pitches. Hanigan is always reaching a LONG distance to corral Homer's pitches. It's not exactly a rare occasion to see Hanigan set up on one corner only to have to reach all the across the plate to the other corner to catch the ball.
How rough is his command? Well, homeplate is 17 inches wide. So, when Hanigan is reaching from corner to corner, he's reaching a foot-and-a-half or more. Great pitchers miss their spot by only a couple of inches either way. Homer misses by a foot or two. Suffice it to say, it's difficult to be effective with that type of command.
Many of the pitches that Homer throws are a complete waste. They are so far off the plate that they are easy pitches to take for the batter. As soon as the ball leaves Homer's hand, the hitter knows it's off the plate and he can take it. Not only are those pitches worthless in and of themselves, but they also fail to do anything to setup the next pitch. They are so far off of what Homer is trying to do that they prevent Homer from effectively sequencing his pitches.
As the saying goes, "Hitting is timing and pitching is upsetting that timing." It becomes much more difficult to upset that timing when you can't setup your pitches.
How bad is it? Well, he actually walked Bengie Molina twice in the same game last week. That's bad. Really bad. And, frankly, not easy to do.
The other problems that leaps out at me on Homer is that his offspeed pitches simply aren't consistent or effective. All to often his once hyped power curve rolls and hangs. The vaunted splitter is used too infrequently and doesn't always have the nasty bite that it needs.
He's throwing a fastball 68.7% of the time that averages 94.4 mph. He throws a cutter/slider 14.1% of the time that averages 86.3 mph. He throws the curveball 8.3% of the time averaging 76.6 mph. As for the splitter, he throws that 7.3% of the time at an average of 88.6 mph. So, the vast majority of his pitches clock in at 86 mph or higher. Working in the changeup more often to give the hitters a slower look might be a good idea.
Still, it's not all doom and gloom.
Second: The Positives
There are a number of positives that actually give me reason for optimism. In fact, I'm more hopeful about Homer than I have been in quite some time.
First, Homer has demonstrated the velocity that he has long been reputed to have. In 2007, Homer's fastball averaged 92.4 mph. In 2008, it averaged 91.5 mph. In 2009, it is up to 94.4 mph.
In the past, Bailey didn't demonstrate the type of electricity you expect to see in elite pitching prospects. In 2009, he has flashed it a bit.
Another positive that really jumps out at me is the changes in his mechanics. There were reports that he was refining his mechanics in the minors and I really like the results. Homer has eliminated the stabbing motion from his arm swing.
Before the change, Homer would stab at the ground with his pitching hand after breaking his hands. Now, Homer has a much more fluid and fundamentally sound arm swing. After breaking his hands, he uses a fluid half-circle arm action. He breaks his hands and swings his arm down from above his left thigh, past his right hip, and then up into the throwing position.
And, of course, he still has the free-and-easy arm action. He has a loose and easy throwing motion, which makes it look like he's not a max effort type pitcher.
Finally, and most importantly, he's still a light-switch guy. He has the type of upside that could make him really special once he figures it out. Unfortunately, he hasn't done it yet, but it could still happen at any time. At this point, he is clearly struggling with his arm slot, but perhaps that is not unexpected given the overhaul of his mechanics. It's not easy to make changes to the throwing motion you've used your entire life, so maybe he just needs more time to get comfortable and find a consistent arm slot. If he can do that, then he could start to unlock his true potential.
At this point, the best hope for the Reds is that Homer Bailey is the next Edwin Jackson. Some guys simply take longer to figure it all out and put it altogether. Jackson was a very highly regarded pitching prospect in the Dodger organization, but didn't put it together until this year in his age 25 season. Edwin was similar to Homer. Big time power stuff, but no ability to command it. Hopefully, Bailey can follow in Edwin's footsteps, but do it before he changes organizations twice.
Maybe as soon as 2010....
4 comments:
he pitched a good one tonight, we need him to step up big next year.ReplyDelete
Yeah, I've gotta feeling that he will. Even prior to Friday's performance I was more optimistic than I had been in a while on Homer. His mechanics are improved, his arm action is clean, and his velocity is stellar. He just needs to find a consistent release point to improve his command and polish up his secondary offerings. He's getting closer.ReplyDelete
- PeterNincompoopOctober 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Right around the time you wrote this up Homer really started to show what he can do on the hill. Going 6-1 with a 1.79 era (great) and 1.33 (somewhere around there...not 'outstanding'...but not terrible). I thought he started to show better command with his pitches in the strike zone and he showed greater control of his pitches (3.7 bb/9). Some will discount his final 9 starts due to the teams he faced, i.e, the Pirates x4. But he also faced some pretty good teams as well (LA, COL, STL, and FLA). His much improved k/9 is noteworthy as well. What's important is the fact that he shut these teams down regardless of their level of talent.ReplyDelete
His ability to use his curveball has improved as well. It has good break and he can throw it for strikes. I do agree that he doesn't use the split-finger enough. It seems like it can be a plus pitch. He made Pujols look silly during the middle of the season. Maybe he still doesn't have full confidence in the pitch. But I think it can be a good pitch to induce groundballs.
I think being humbled/pummeled was good for him. I see a more confident pitcher out there who isn't nibbling and is going right after guys.
I've been pulling for Homer since he was drafted. It's nice to see him finding success. Hopefully he can keep it up.
And for what it's worth, I like checking out your website. Very informative stuff. Keep up the good work.
Hey Pete,ReplyDelete
Thanks for the comment and kind words.
As for Homer, he really flipped the switch late in the year. His performance was truly impressive. I couldn't possibly agree more with your statement that it's the level of performance that matters, not the level of the competition.
Regardless of who he played, he was still pitching at a much higher level against MLB competition. Even poor competition doesn't help you hit your spots.
You may be right about the benefits of being pummeled. The borderline conventional wisdom is that organizations prefer to see their prospects struggle. Learning to deal with adversity is important to the development of all players and it may be more beneficial for it to happen in the minors.
Unfortunately, Bailey's plus velocity likely enabled him to succeed against all minor leaguers, but wasn't enough to enable him to succeed against big leaguers. He could get by in the minors without good command, but velocity alone doesn't cut it against MLB hitters.
Still, the adversity may have helped. His quotes from early in his career indicate that he could use a rather large slice of humble pie. Of course, I'm sure we wouldn't have been saying that if he was blowing people away. People love a cocky successful pitcher.
As for the splitter, I was really surprised at how infrequently he used it. Judging by the rave reviews it was getting in the minors, I thought it would figure prominently in his repertoire. I would have to imagine that you are right in that he doesn't entirely trust it yet.
It'll be very interesting to see how Bailey does in 2010. Suffice it to say, I think his breakthrough to a new performance level is legit. I'm bullish on his chances in 2010 and hopefully he won't let me down, because we need him more than ever in light of the loss of Edinson.
Anyway, thanks for the thoughts!


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Conference Carolinas announces the All-Conference teams during this week's upcoming Conference Carolinas Championship Volleyball Tournament. Awards include All-Conference First, Second, & Third teams, Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Divisional Regular Season Champions. Head coaches from conference member institutions nominate and then vote on the award winners who represent the best of the best for the league.
The conference championships start Saturday with the top eight teams qualifying for quarterfinal action. Semifinal play continues Wednesday with the championship final the following Saturday. All games are played at the highest remaining seed with the tournament champion receiving an automatic berth to the NCAA DII championships.
Player of the Year
Kay Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
Kay Schellenberg is the second player in school history to be named Player of the Year and the first since 2005. The senior setter from Jacksonville, Florida leads the conference in assists per set and total assists, as well as service aces per set. She directs an offense that leads the conference in hitting percentage, a total that has been ranked as high as third nationally, as well as league highs in kills per set and points per set.
Defensive Player of the Year
Payton Tipton, King
Payton Tipton has been an integral part of the Lady Tornado defense, totaling the second-most digs in conference play among her peers (226). She tallied a season-high 25 digs versus Francis Marion, just three short of her career high set as a freshman, and has seven matches with 20 or more digs even with her unselfish play. In addition to her defensive play, she has also contributed on offense, posting 20 service aces for King.
Freshman of the Year
Hannah Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
Hannah Schellenberg is the Abbey's second Freshman of the Year honoree and the first since 2007. She is the league leader in kills and points per set, and in conference matches, leads the league in kills. She has posted nine double doubles in 27 matches. She ranks fifth in the league in kills and fourth in hitting percentage.
Coach of the Year
Mary DeJute, Belmont Abbey
Mary DeJute is the winningest coach in Belmont Abbey history after just four years at the helm and becomes the first Abbey mentor to win Conference Coach of the Year honors. This season, she led the Abbey to school records in overall wins (23) and Conference wins (14). Under her leadership, the Abbey has set or tied the single season school record for wins in three of her four years. The Crusaders finished tied for first in the league standings after they were picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll.
All-Conference 1st-Team
Hannah Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
Keri Kemp, Queens
Rebekah Mayes, North Greenville
Lauren Stewart, Erskine
Caitlin Bullock, Erskine
Rebecca Kerrison, Limestone
Kay Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
All-Conference 2nd-Team
Angela Jubb, Belmont Abbey
Samantha Del Toro, North Greenville
Lindsey Everhart, Queens
Lydia Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
Summer Kremer, King
Payton Tipton, King
Larz Chabra, Erskine
All-Conference 3rd-Team
Carly White, Mount Olive
Caitlin Hankins, Belmont Abbey
Anna Gibbs, Queens
Kati Wood, Barton
Kelly Lancellot, Pfeiffer
Brittany Bass, Coker
Olivia Underwood, King


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I have this geometric optics exercise here, in which a man is looking at himself in a mirror.
- Determine the minimum height at which the bottom of the mirror must be placed so the man can see his feet (his eyes are at 1.7m).
- How does this height vary depending on the distance from the mirror to the man's eyes?
- What is the minimum length of the mirror so that the man can see his entire body (assume he is 1.8m tall).
From the principle that the reflected angle is equal to the incident angle, we show that the minimum height of the bottom of the mirror is directly between the feet and the eyes (1), and that this does not depend on the distance to the mirror (2). The top of the mirror must be directly between the man's crown and eyes at the lowest, in order to reflect the top of his head, therefore the mirror must be half the height of the man, at minimum.
Thus, the mirror reflects the man's image at a scale of 50%. But this doesn't depend on the distance from the mirror, and from what I can tell, doesn't even depend on the size of the mirror. These results, to me, indicate that no matter what kind of mirror you use or where you stand, your image should appear half way up the mirror, and at 50% scale.


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The last two days are a reminder, as we head into tonight's debate, how hard it is for either candidate to singlehandedly change the fundamentals, particularly the impact of the economy, that are driving this election. In my last post I suggested that McCain needed to issue an economic policy plan that appealed to middle-class voters in order to reframe the economy in a way that helped his campaign. He did just that on Tuesday by calling for a reduction in the highest tax rate on long-term capital gains from 15 percent to 7.5 percent in 2009 and 2010, and – in a bid to drum up support from senior citizens – he advocated lowering the tax rates on withdrawals from IRA and 401(k) accounts to 10 percent, the lowest rate, in 2008 and 2009 (this would apply to the first $50,000 withdrawn.) Early estimates are that this plan may cost more than $50 billion. This is on top of his earlier proposal to use some $300 billion of the $700 billion bailout money to buy up bad mortgages. The proposals are clearly directed toward lower-income middle class workers and retirees, two key voting blocs in swing states like Florida and Ohio that McCain must hold onto if he is to win this election.
The problem, from McCain's perspective, is that evidently Obama got the memo too! On Monday, he preempted McCain by issuing his own set of economic proposals targeting the very same voters. These included giving businesses that create new jobs tax breaks, freezing bank foreclosures and a limited government-funded public works loan program for state and local governments to rebuild the nation's infrastructure. Obama also proposed suspending penalties on retirees who begin liquidating their 401(k)'s early if the stock market has bottomed out.
Although there are significant differences in the two candidates' economic proposals, one can understand if voters who look at the two plans do not move in significant numbers into one camp or the other. Both contain elements of an economic stimulus package, both target the middle-class and both seek to minimize hardship caused by home foreclosures and shrinking retirement nest eggs. Both, however, threaten to exacerbate the expected budget deficit by reducing tax revenues flowing into the government. Critics argue that Obama's plan, with its estimated $60 billion price tag, threatens to throw his budget entirely out of whack and increase an already huge budget deficit. But McCain's proposals also create a potential revenue shortfall.
I will leave it to you to parse the details of the dueling economic policy proposals. I do not mean to dismiss their substantive significance. Instead, my broader point is to remind you why political scientists find little evidence of campaign effects, and why forecast models issued in August are often quite accurate. As we see this last week, one candidate's attempt to frame issues in ways that benefit his election chances begat a counter effort via an opposing frame. These efforts often negate one another.
It is important to remember this as we head into tonight's final debate and the inevitable spin about what the candidates must accomplish. The odds are that, like the three previous debates, it will have little impact on either candidate's standing among voters.


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Several opportunities available - the Joliet area, the Burr Ridge/Orland Park area, the Aurora area, the Naperville area and the Oswego area. Bilingual preferred.
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We also provide innovative therapies such as speech, music and pet therapy that add quality to our patients' lives.


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- Income Investing
Junk Bonds Up 0.47% In Nov, 6.83% in 2013
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
Junk bonds continued to chug along at their coupon-clipping 2013 pace, gaining 0.47% during the month of November, according to a benchmark Bank of America Merrill Lynch index. That brings year-to-date returns to 6.83%, during a year that the market began with a 6.1% average coupon.So junk bonds hold onto the role of steady, stable, predictable bond sector in a year when the usually stable higher-rated areas (Treasuries, munis, TIPS) have been notably volatile and lousy, thanks to interest-rate risk, while credit risk remains largely absent. The average junk bond today trades at 103.4 cents on the dollar at a spread of 4.27 percentage points over Treasuries and yields 5.66%, which offers a pretty good idea of what you should actually expect from junk-bond returns in 2014.Checking in with the world of exchange-traded funds today, the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (HYG) is down 4 cents to $92.94, and the SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) down 7 cents at $40.48.


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Globalstar provides affordable, dependable high quality satellite voice and data service across to over 120 countries worldwide. When your business centers on remote worksites and working in remote areas beyond cellular and traditional landline service Globalstar is the answer to your requirement for reliable and affordable communications.
Globalstar is changing the way people in remote places communicate. To help us keep up with the expanding demand for Globalstar satellite voice and data phone services, we are hiring for the following positions:


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Formed in 1967 Airmech W.L.L. was a part of M/s. Mohammed Jalal & Sons Group and then established itself as a company, maintaining the highest standards in the industry, far in excess of Quality Assurance Standards ISO 9001,14001,18001.
Airmech is primarily a company of Mechanical, electrical and Steel Fabrication Engineers and Contractors, also well known in the Gulf for providing industrial project solution services to the oil, gas and aluminum industries and for undertaking MEP works, computer room M&E services, medical facility services, fire protection systems, process engineering installations, marine vessel repairs for the U.S. Navy, pumping stations, completed building asset maintenance, FM and a full range of applied protective coatings and scaffolding solutions for various applications in our industry.
With an experienced management team, highly skilled workforce and operations in Bahrain and Oman. Airmech is a modern company built around the principles of delivering unique, value-added integrated project outcomes to clients and industry sectors. We achieve our principle by sharing risk with project stakeholders, focusing on quality and operating an incident and injury free safety environment among our workforce and those with whom we work on our project sites.
Our modern workshops fabricate a range of steel and aluminum work and regularly fabricate silos, vessels, tanks, material handling conveyors, steel structures, pipe racks, furnaces, aluminum busbars and a range of other fabricated items. Our Workshop facility has capabilities to produce GI ducting in rectangular and spiral as per BS and SMACNA Standards to cater for a variety of HVAC Applications.
Our services generically include planning, co-ordination, engineering, procurement, construction, inspection, testing, and commissioning.
We represent TRANE in Bahrain and are the Sole Distributors of TRANE Products for more than 20 Years.


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Are Anonymous Comments Evil?
from the hell-no deptThis sort of debate comes up every so often among folks who run news/commentary sites, and it seems to have boiled over again recently, as a bunch of newspapers/blogging folks got into a nice little discussion on the goodness or evilness of anonymous comments. Not surprisingly, I side with Mathew Ingram on this one. Since we began, we've always allowed anonymous comments, and, for the most part, find that we've benefited tremendously from allowing that sort of level of speech.
Does this mean we prefer people comment anonymously? Not at all. In fact, we try to encourage people to identify themselves in some manner, but we generally do so by providing greater and greater benefits for those who have verified accounts (with a lot more on the way). However, we recognize that there are times when there are benefits to having people comment anonymously, and we see no reason to take away those benefits.
Does this mean that people don't abuse this privilege? Again, not at all. However, it is actually quite rare that anonymous commenters abuse their ability to be anonymous. It does happen at times, and, in our opinion, there are ways to deal with this that don't involve banning anonymous commenters at all. Some of these methods we have not implemented yet, but we're working hard on them (and, yes, this blog post will hopefully act as a push to those doing the coding...).
Techdirt gets an awful lot of comments, and we've been at this for a long time. We've seen no evidence that anonymous comments, by themselves, are a problem. You can have an occasional annoying commenter at times, but on the whole, the quality of the discussions we see in the comments here is much better than on many other sites that do not allow anonymous comments, and seem to stall out with just a few comments on each story (even on sites that get a lot more traffic than us).
There is a bit of a balancing act that needs to go on. At times, people start demanding we moderate comments (when a particularly annoying commenter hijacks a thread, for example), but then, when a legitimate commenter accidentally gets his or her comment caught in our spam filter, suddenly they get angry and ask "how dare you moderate comments!" Of course, as we explain, if you have a legitimate comment and it gets caught, we free it up within a few hours. If your comment is blatant spam, however, it gets deleted -- and at times, we have noted that "pure trolling" is spam (i.e., comments that don't advertise anything commercial, but are so far off-topic that they are designed solely to send the discussion off-topic). We will never block commenters just because you disagree, however, no matter how wrong you might be or are anonymous. We did have an issue for a while, where our UI confused some commenters into submitting totally blank comments (which automatically get held as spam) because two submit buttons could be seen, and some people clicked the wrong one -- but we recently fixed the comment UI to solve this. Unfortunately, this did confuse some people, including some people who accused us of moderating legit comments, and we apologize for that UI confusion.
On the whole, we have a pretty great community of folks around here -- including those of you who I regularly disagree with. It makes for a fun conversation. Sure, every so often, an immature person tries to cause trouble, but those are few and far between, and it's not because they're anonymous, but because they're jerks. The vast majority of our anonymous commenters (even those we disagree with) add value to the conversation, and blocking them completely seems counterproductive.


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The cloning under the Fighter Guildmaster is obscene.
And there are so many more! All joined facebook around November 7 and 8. All the same. This cheating is disgusting. None of can compete with this level of cheating.
What will you do about it?
I will go through them one by one and get them banned by facebook if I have to.


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Newspaper advertising in 1950s strived to grab readers' eyes
It's impossible to whir through Denver Post microfilm without being captured by the advertisements. Many a reporter doing serious research has been involuntarily interrupted when encountering a color automobile ad, a fantasy of fins and fenders. Or better, a screaming movie poster with a full blast of enticement.
Housewives were often the target, as the ad featuring an actress, below, illustrates:
After all, newspapers play many roles. They were, and largely still are, community notice boards where the most important events are on view. And 'events' means a jumble of anything going on — a storm, an election, a parade or a sale at the market.
If you have a moment, enjoy some gems from the 1950s. They have come from the main news columns and the Sunday supplement, a rotogravure section that featured photographs from all over the world.
In the ad for aluminium foil, above, a line of fine print assures readers, "This is an actual photograph taken in beautiful Cypress Gardens, Florida!"
Cars, cars, cars. The 1950s seemed dominated by the huge cruisers that traveled the roads. It is considered an era of classic car design and remembered fondly by those who got to steer them.
Companies often took out New Year's ads to declare their presence. Here, Public Service Company of Colorado greets its captive audience:
And who didn't buy dishes on layaway?
Actors' images were often used in hopes of boosting a product's popularity. Throwing in a recipe never hurt:
The colors in ads printed in the rotogravure sections remain vibrant even after 60 years!


text: At Mercedes-Benz, we're not interested in building cars that are merely powerful or fast. Instead, we choose to engineer automobiles that combine the many facets of performance to create something extraordinary: sensations that can't be expressed in horsepower and torque. Because to us, cars aren't just machines. And what they make us feel can't be measured.


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Welcome to NJ Saltwater Fisherman.
Your #1 Source for all NJ Saltwater Fishing News and Information.
Please visit our Free and Friendly NJ Fishing Forums where the talk is fishing 24/7.
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© 2011 [NJ Saltwater Fisherman LLC] All rights reservedPrivacy Policy All information on this web site is provided as a free service. Under no conditions does it constitute professional advice. No representations are made as to the completeness, accuracy, comprehensiveness or otherwise of the information provided. In no event shall the webmaster accept any liability in connection with the use of the data from this Web Site. Do not download copy or otherwise reproduce any part of this website without permission. #


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Proposed $18 million ETF settlement for AT&T
AT&T has reached a proposed $18 million settlement of a class-action suit that alleged the company's flat-rate early termination fee (generally between $150 and $175) was unlawful. The wireless carrier in 2008 instituted a new policy that lowered a new or upgraded contract's ETF by $5 for each passing month.
The settlement includes $16 million in cash and $2 million in non-cash benefits for impacted subscribers.
The net is cast pretty wide for who may be included in the class. The description in this document and on the settlement website indicates that you can join the class even if you didn't pay a flat-rate ETF. All that matters is that one of your one contracts with AT&T (or its predecessor like Cingular) included a flat-rate ETF.
The Settlement Class includes all current or former customers of AT&T Mobility or its predecessors in the U.S. who paid or were charged a flat-rate ETF at some time during the period January 1, 1998 through November 4, 2009, and/or who have or had a contract for service with AT&T Mobility that included a flat-rate ETF at some time during the period January 1, 1998 through November 4, 2009, and who have not paid or been billed a flat-rate ETF.
Claim forms are due June 14, 2010. The settlement requires final approval from a federal judge in New Jersey. Preliminary approval was granted Nov. 4, 2009.
Other carriers have previously reached similar deals, including Verizon Wireless.


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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- "Babel" by the British folk rock band Mumford & Sons was named Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles Sunday night.
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra was declared Record of the Year and won the statuette for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Gotye's "Making Mirrors" won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.
FUN. was named Best New Artist and the group's hit "We Are Young" earned the Grammy for Song of the Year.
The Black Keys won the Best Rock Performance honor for "Lonely Boy" and the Best Rock Album accolade for "El Camino."
Taking home the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration award for their track "No Church in the Wild" were Jay-Z and Kanye West. The duo also picked up the prize for Best Rap Performance for "N****s in Paris."


text:
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•Please leave your feedback, requests and questions below!
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Hollywood created the myth of "Molly Brown"
How did the life of Margaret Tobin Brown become a Hollywood myth that obscured the real story?
The myth of "Molly" as an eccentric social outcast began with storytellers like Gene Fowler and Caroline Bancroft, who freely exaggerated what little they knew. Bancroft turned an article for a romance magazine into a bestselling tourist booklet, The Unsinkable Mrs. Brown. Gene Fowler, a wisecracking Denver reporter known for his ability to spice up a story, wrote that she was born in the eye of a cyclone, in a shack of scantlings and tin cans, and her impoverished father was a drunkard. She couldn't read or write and grew up to become a "high-spirited, bosomy girl" who hightailed it to Leadville to marry a rich man.
The legend continued with the 1960 Broadway play starring Tammy Grimes and the 1964 MGM movie The Unsinkable Molly Brown, with Debbie Reynolds. Even James Cameron's film Titanic, starring Kathy Bates as Molly Brown, relies more on stereotype than fact.


text:
- Mots-clés > appropriate use
- Mots-clés > cost-effectiveness
- Mots-clés > Drug and Therapeutics Committee - DTC
- Mots-clés > drug use evaluation
- Mots-clés > evidence - effectiveness and efficiency
- Mots-clés > formulary - process
- Mots-clés > Good Prescribing Practice (GPP)
- Mots-clés > medicine use - investigating
- Mots-clés > new medicines - efficacy and safety
- Mots-clés > selection of medicines
(2003; 155 pages) [French] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
Drug and Therapeutics Committees - A Practical Guide
World Health Organization
Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy
Geneva, Switzerland
In collaboration with
Management Sciences for Health
Center for Pharmaceutical Management
Rational Pharmaceutical Management Program
Arlington, Virginia, USA
Kathleen Holloway1 (Editor)
Terry Green2
with contributions from: Edelisa Carandang,1 Hans Hogerzeil,1 Richard Laing,3 David Lee,2
The text was reviewed by: John Chalker,2 Mary Couper,1 Andrew Creese,1 Marthe Everard,1 Anna Paula di Felici,4 Chris Forshaw,5 David Henry,6 Yvan Hutin,7 Sabine Kopp,1 Souly Phanouvong,8 Clive Ondari,1 Lembit Rago,1 Marcus Reidenberg,9 Budiono Santoso,10 Anthony Savelli2 and Rosamund Williams.4
1 Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy (EDM), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
2 Management Sciences for Health (MSH), Washington DC, USA*
3 Department of International Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
4 Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
5 Uganda Health Sector Programme Support, Danida, Kampala, Uganda
6 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
7 Safe Injection Global Network, Department of Blood Safety and Clinical Technology, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
8 Global Assistance Initiatives, United States Pharmacopeia, Maryland, USA
9 Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
10 Regional Office for the Western Pacific, World Health Organization, Manila, the Philippines
* The MSH Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus Program is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of cooperative agreement number HRN-A-00-00-00016-00.
© World Health Organization 2003
All rights reserved.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
The World Health Organization does not warrant that the information contained in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use.
Designed by minimum graphics
Printed in France


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Smart Football has moved!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Smart Notes - Dec. 22, 2008
Two rather dramatic referee videos emerging from this weekend. In the first, some kid in a high school game targeted the Ref (watch the left free-safety):
In the second, from the Rams-Seakaws game, the Refs get a little revenge:
2. Why Oh Why Can't We Get a Better [Football] Press Corps?
I stole this line from economist Brad DeLong, and I plan on doing a few more of these sections to point out some of the more egregious errors sportswriters and pseudo-journalists make. This isn't the worst example, but I was watching ESPN's infamous NFL Countdown show with Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, and the revolving array of NFL cast-offs. They did a piece about injuries, which was fine and all: the moral was that NFL players all play fairly banged up throughout the season. Not a surprise. But throughout the 10 minute or so segment, they never bothered to get into the nuances (unsurprising). But one thing they were interested in was comparing some guys who were tough versus others who were not. (Keyshawn Johnson flat out said that Julius Jones spent all his time in the training room.)
In Bill Walsh's amazing book, Finding the Winning Edge, he had some really insightful points about injuries. Namely, that different positions can handle injuries different. Walsh observed that offensive and defensive linemen tend to be able to play through certain injuries with greater ease, than, say, a defensive back.
For instance, imagine if two players have a gimpy or somewhat sprained ankle. The offensive guard, though it is by no means easy, can play through it. But would you really want your press-man cornerback to play with a sprained ankle? One bad step or slow recovery and it's a touchdown. The injury is far more debilitating. Walsh made the same point regarding receivers: they have difficulty playing through injuries for the same reason that a track sprinter would. Quarterbacks provide a good example, in that they can play through a lot of injuries but certain injuries -- to the shoulder, hand, etc -- are debilitating and can often render a QB inoperable.
Runningbacks are a unique case. It often depends on the type of runner and the type of injury. An injury affecting explosiveness is significant no matter what; other bruises and various other problems might not have as much of an affect. Even hand injuries can depend on the type of running back -- is he a prominent receiver out of the backfield?
But, alas, not a mention of this. Just "this guy is tough" and "that guy spends a lot of time in the tub."
4 comments:
I was watching the Navy game and was shocked not only by how bad the announcing was, but how uninformative it was about the strategy being employed. Its a very interesting offense, the coaches make a lot of adjustments, telling us that all the outside running has "softened up the defense for the inside run" (pretty typical of the quality of the analysis) is frustrating.
The moment I thought was the worst (especially since it was a very interesting strategy shift) was when in the 4th quarter, Navy ran lead option a few times in a row instead of the triple, for big yardage. Not only did the announcer not point this out (which since it was an important strategic adjustment to how wake was playing them)but incorrectly attributed the gains to failure to play assignments. (Since the guy who had the assignment for the QB just got blocked for the first time the whole game, It seemed a touch unfair).
I have more and more been trying to figure out what is more likely, that:
A. The announcers themselves don't pay attention and so the only things they can say are rather inane
B. That they don't think that the audience can understand anything particularly complicated or that we don't care
- zlionsfan said...
I would lean more toward A than toward B. I'm sure there is a feeling that the general public won't understand certain things and therefore there is no need to mention them (in fact, the producers may take this position on most telecasts), but there's certainly a reasonable percentage of the audience who wants to hear, well, everything.
Every now and then, we do get a bit more substance: why they line up this way, what the defense should be doing, what they aren't doing, and so on. The thing is that you seem to get the valuable stuff from the same group of announcers.
I think some of it is also the sheer number of games that are televised these days. It's great to be able to watch so many games, but that also means we have to have that many more announcers, and of course the networks aren't simply going to hire the best available people for the job - none of them had a solid cast to begin with.
To give announcers a little slack, it is hard to watch a game live AND explain the strategy being employed when it would take some background information to explain why it is significant. For example, that lead play that was mentioned by Andy would take some previous knowledge of what Navy was running and why this is now significant. The game moves rather quickly for explanations to be shared.
The one thing I cannot stand is misinformation. If you aren't going to be particularly insightful then at least be correct when you do speak.
Maybe this is like being the skinniest girl at fat camp, but I think Mike Tirico is one of the better NFL announcers in terms of providing nuance and substance.
And that first game, the high school game, that was a cheap shot of the highest degree. I really hope that the kid did that on his own accord and was not told to do that by a coach or parent.