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Returns & Exchanges
Once Upon a Skirt prides itself on offering the highest quality merchandise and fulfilling our customer's orders accurately. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return the unused item in its original, unworn and unaltered condition within 14 days of receipt and we will provide you with a refund minus all shipping costs. If you prefer, we can accept items returned physically to the return address, but please allow up to 5 days for your refund to be processed. We do not guarantee exchanges.
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Liquors Galore-always a step ahead. Our upgraded selection provides our customers with the highest quality, regional and international wines and whiskys available on the kosher market. Not only does our friendly and professional staff assist you in matching your specific taste and needs, but we educate our consumers to become knowledgeable in self-selecting the perfect wine for any occasion-all in a comfortable, spacious, state-of-the-art environment.
Here are a few tips to enhance your wine buying experience.I expect this will expand your knowledge the world of wine.
What do I look for when buying a wine?
When selecting a wine make sure to look for three points which are Price, Preference and Pairing. Keep these in mind when purchasing at our store and you will likely come away with a winning wine.
The price you are willing to pay for a bottle of wine is a key determining factor in selecting a wine that is right for you. Gone are the days when you could only buy a "good" bottle of wine for over $30. In today's market there are plenty of great wines available for around $15, some for considerably less. So rest assured that you won't have to drop a bundle of money to experiment with various wines. In our store you'll find a big enough selection to suit your price range.
Preferences. ……we all have them and they often change in a moments notice, but with wine preferences, consider what you will be drinking them with or who you will be sharing them with. For example, if you are hosting a get together, your preferences might lean towards "safe" reds and whites. For people that may not be accustomed to heavier-bodied, heartier wines, give them a break – buy a softer Merlot or Pinot Noir. For a white, if you are new to wines and are looking for a few suggestions – try a Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, or a Muscat dessert wine if sweeter wines suit your fancy. If you prefer a dry white wine then look for a Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc. As for reds, start with a Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Merlot if you do not want anything too complex or full-bodied. If you are looking to turn up the complexity meter, then go with a great California or Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or a Zinfandel.
If you are looking for a wine specifically to pair with dinner tonight, then take into account what the key ingredients will be. Will it be white or red meat? Will you be using fresh or dried herbs and what types? Will the dish be spicy or fruit-filled? These questions can play a key role in deciding which wines will pair well with specific entrees. In general, white wines accent lighter flavored meals really well; while, red wines often compliment heartier meals a bit better. Keep in mind that pairing foods and wines is 99% personal preference and 1% science.
Why do some wine labels list the name of the grape and some the name of the region?
Wine labels can be straight-forward or fairly tricky to decipher, depending on whose you're trying to read and where it's from. New World labels tend to be easier to read, with the varietal or blend clearly labeled, the producer, where the grapes were grown and the alcohol content right there in plain view. Old World wines have a reputation for being tougher to interpret. Instead of the varietal being the primary piece of information on the Old World label, it is the location – where the wine is from. Old World wines are heavily invested in their individual terroir, not necessarily the specific grape.
Does the "Vintage" from one year to another really make a difference?
Most consumers don't pay attention to vintage reports from year to year, they know that they like "wine X" and they continue to scout for it year in and year out, they may notice that it doesn't taste quite like the last bottle and maybe even that the year has changed on the label, but beyond those details they press on and stick with the particular wine.
When in reality, the wine could be dramatically different from year to year depending on the weather patterns hitting the vineyards, the harvest time and how a unique micro-climate was affected by both obvious and subtle nuances in the weather. Was it unusually hot this year, but last year they battled an ongoing soggy season? Were there any unusual early or late frosts this year?
Grapes varietals are affected by weather in various ways. The Riesling grape, for example, thrives under cooler growing conditions, however, if you have a particularly warm, dry growing season, the Riesling vintage could suffer that year and the same producer that offered the Riesling you fell in love with the year before, might not meet prior expectations this vintage and you could be left waiting to see what the next year's weather will bring to a region and ultimately a vintage.
Skilled winemakers can really work their magic. If poor weather patterns prevail for a given region, an experienced winemaker can salvage the vintage by employing various interventions and techniques during the process. Whether, the vintner brings the wine around via blending, utilizing different fermentation processes or considers additives – it takes a knowledgeable winemaker to "save" a potentially sour vintage and keep reasonable consistency in a specific wine between vintages.
Aaron Zimmerman
[Mr Zimmerman owns and operates Liquors Galore, 1418 Avenue J (between 12th and 13th Streets); Brooklyn, NY 11230-3702; Telephone: 718.338.4166. The above post is part of a multi-part series we'll be posting once a week on these pages)

subset: commoncrawl


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I have been really bad with this A to Z challenge, missing Days -Missing Alphabets but I just cant seem to do it correctly.
Anyway right how many of you have used or Have checked Google Earth.. I am sure we all have at some point done it , before I go on to the point that I think is funny let me tell you that It took a long .. long time to make.. they spent months and months photographing the roads.. Each road was photographed and then somehow they were all put together.
It is awesome .. and its fantastic.. I got very excited when I first saw the application , downloaded it all .. you go on to the computer and you grab the little man and drop him .. and it takes you to the road.
It is amazing..
and here is the fun part when it begins 🙂 so we switch on our highly sophisticated computer or laptop, sitting in our house .
You are thinking where can I go .. We can go any where in the world .. ANY WHERE .. The key word here is ANY WHERE ..
But what do we do, where do we all go on the first try..
OUR OWN HOUSE (now tell me , how many of us did that.. I bet EVERYONE)
even though at that particular time, you are sitting in your own very house .. Inside the Room of your OWN very house..
It will be far easier to get up.. walk out and LOOK AT YOUR HOUSE .. a LIVE 3D image of your very own house 🙂
Anyhow not only that you will do all the dramatics to reach your house, go up and down the street instead of landing directly on your house.. you have to move around this way that way , Till you are right there ..
oh yes THERE IT IS .. MY HOUSE ON GOOGLE EARTH awwwwwwwwwwww 🙂 I am so happy
Then you shout to someone in the house .. come and look come and look
awwwwww thats my car near my house .. then it suddenly dawns on you .. But that's the green colour, I don't have a green one .. I have a red one and mine is a Mitsubishi .. this looks like a BMW or a MERC..
Who was that in my house .. I don't recognise the car, I want to know what time the picture was taken, who was that in the car Whose car is it .. was the person inside my house .. Or did they just park in front of the house ..
ahmm ahmm fishy fishy who – why – what could possible it mean 🙂 I leave you with your imagination now he he he he ..
So who all have tried Google Earth 🙂


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Fashion Bracelet
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Prosecutors played audio and video tapes of the interviews that Zimmerman had with Sanford Police investigators Doris Singleton and Chris Serino in the hours and days after he fatally shot the Miami teen.
In an early interview, just hours after the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting, Singleton recounted that Zimmerman noticed a cross she was wearing and said: "In Catholic religion, it's always wrong to kill someone."
Singleton said she responded, "If what you're telling me is true, I don't think that what God meant was that you couldn't save your own life."
But in an interview several days later, Singleton and Serino suggest Zimmerman was running after Martin before the confrontation. They also ask the neighborhood watch volunteer why he didn't explain to Martin why he was following him. The officers insinuate that Martin may have been "creeped out" by being followed.
"Do you think he was scared?" Singleton asked Zimmerman in one video interview.
Under cross-examination, though, Serino said Zimmerman seemed straightforward in his answers and didn't show any anger when talking about Martin. Serino said the increasingly pointed questioning was a tactic known as a "challenge interview" where detectives try to break someone's story to make sure they're telling the truth.
Zimmerman has said he fatally shot the teen in self-defense because the Miami-area black teenager was banging his head into the concrete sidewalk behind the townhomes in a gated community.
Zimmerman, 29, could get life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The state argued during its opening statement that Zimmerman profiled and followed Martin in his truck and called a police dispatch number before he and the teen got into a fight. He has denied the confrontation had anything to do with race, as Martin's family and their supporters have claimed.
In his first interview at the police station, Zimmerman said he saw Martin walking through his neighborhood on a dark, rainy night while Zimmerman was driving to the grocery store. He told Singleton that he didn't recognize Martin and that there had been recent break-ins at his townhome complex.
"These guys always get away," Zimmerman told Singleton, a statement similar to one that prosecutors have used previously to try to show that Zimmerman was increasingly frustrated with the burglaries and his encounter with Martin was a breaking point.
Zimmerman told the police officer that he lost track of Martin and got out of his truck to look for a street name he could relay to police dispatcher. When the dispatcher suggested Zimmerman didn't need to follow Martin, Zimmerman started to head back to his vehicle. At that point, Zimmerman said Martin jumped out of some bushes, punched him and he fell to the ground.
Zimmerman said that Martin began hitting his head against the sidewalk as Zimmerman yelled for help and that Martin told him, "You're going to die tonight."
With Zimmerman's shirt and jacket pushed up during the struggle and his holstered gun now visible, he thought Martin was reaching for his firearm holstered around his waist. Zimmerman told the officer that he shot Martin and the teen said, "You got me."
In a written statement, Singleton read in court, Zimmerman refers to Martin as "the suspect." Singleton said it didn't appear that Zimmerman showed any anger when talking about the teen. Prosecutors must show that Zimmerman acted with ill will or a depraved mind in order to get a second-degree murder conviction.
Zimmerman also acted surprised when Singleton told him Martin was dead.
"He's dead?!" Singleton recalled Zimmerman saying, before he lowered his head toward the table in the interrogation room.
Earlier Monday, prosecutors called FBI audio expert Hirotaka Nakasone to focus on the issue of who was screaming for help on 911 calls during the confrontation. Jurors were played the 911 calls several times last week.
The recordings are crucial pieces of evidence because they could determine who the aggressor was in the confrontation. Martin's family contends it was the teen screaming, while Zimmerman's father has said it was his son.
Even though he was a pre-trial witness for the defense, prosecutors called Nakasone to set up later testimony from either the teen's mother or father that they believe it was their son yelling for help.
During his pre-trial testimony, Nakasone testified that there wasn't enough clear sound to determine whether Zimmerman or Martin was screaming on the best 911 sample, an assertion he repeated Monday.
The FBI expert said that it's easier for a person with a familiarity of a voice to identify it than someone who has never heard it previously. That is especially true if the recording is of a subject screaming and the person trying to identify the voice has heard the subject under similarly stressful circumstances previously, Nakasone said.


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You've likely encountered a foam roller lurking in the corner of your gym, but you're probably a little clueless when it comes to actually using it. As it turns out, foam rollers are one of the most powerful tools for alleviating muscle soreness, preventing injury, and enhancing athletic performance. A foam roller is simply a cylindrical piece of foam (almost like a firm, wide pool noodle) that is roughly six inches in diameter and anywhere from a foot to three feet in length. The technique involves rolling your body back and forth across the foam roller, applying direct pressure to trouble spots on the body, increasing blood flow and loosening muscle knots in those areas. Think of it like giving yourself a deep tissue massage, but for a fraction of the price.
"From constantly training, muscle and tendons tend to get tight, but unfortunately, not everyone can afford a sports massage," says Dr. Scott Weiss, D.P.T., A.T., CSCS, a licensed physical therapist and board certified athletic trainer based in Manhattan. That's where foam rollers come in: "They offer relief to tight, stiff, and sore muscles through mechanical rolling of tissues."
Foam rollers allow you to hit every sore spot on the body, including the spine, IT band, calves, glutes, hip flexors, and so on. By foam rolling for just a few minutes a day, you can prevent injury and loosen tense muscles, which in turn can keep you on track with your fitness goals.
Not just for hardcore athletes or marathon runners, foam rollers can benefit virtually anybody, especially those who are afflicted by chronically tight, stiff muscles (which, sadly, most of us are). We'd be lying if we said foam rolling didn't hurt, though—it does. But the short term pain is definitely worth the long term gain (i.e., no overuse injuries).
Although you can foam roll before or after a workout, Dr. Weiss suggests whipping out the foam roller after you exercise to reap the most benefits. "Foam rollers can be used both before exercise to help limber up, but I prefer them during the cool down portion of the workout to thwart a muscle hangover and help reduce some muscle soreness," he says.
So you want to start foam rolling but have absolutely no idea where to begin? No need to worry—we've got you covered. Below, Barry's Bootcamp Nashville trainer Megan Conner leads you through five basic foam-rolling moves to get you started on your way to DOMS relief.
Low Back:
IT Band:
Megan Conner has been in the fitness business training and teaching for almost 15 years. From New York City to Nashville to LA, she has traveled the country helping people reach their goals and their fitness potential. Megan currently lives in Nashville where she teaches at Barry's Bootcamp and has recently opened Megan Conner Fitness, a personal training studio in 12 South. Read Megan's blog at http://inspireatrun.com/


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Conifer by Ernst Haeckel Fine Art Print
SKU: kite-290249803
- 200gsm museum grade fine art paper with a textured, matt finish
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Wild Chihuahua
Rumors of a parallel Hueco universe lure an intrepid team of American climbers into the unforgiving Mexican desert. By Matt Segal Photos by John Dickey
Hueco Tanks, El Paso's crown jewel, is widely regarded as the best bouldering in North America, but I'd heard rumors of an undeveloped area called Peñoles south of the border, in the middle of nowhere, with no crowds or rangers, and endless fields of sick monzonite blocks. This new area sounded promising and adventurous, and you wouldn't have to wake up before sunrise just to wait in line for an elusive entry pass. My friend Robert Thoren and I made it our mission to collect beta on this mythical haven and quickly discovered there wasn't much to be found. I grew discouraged that our quest for a new climbing area wouldn't materialize, but figured at worst I'd spend a few weeks with good people drinking tequila and eating delicious tacos, rellenos and tamales in Mexico.
We rallied Will Stanhope, John Dickey and Sarah Watson, packed my van to the brim with everything from bouldering pads to trad gear, and crossed the border into Juarez, Mexico, with nothing but a vague gas-station map and even worse directions from rockclimbing.com. Even though Mexico's border towns have recently been the subject of U.S. State Department travel alerts, we assuaged our fears of beheadings with the speculation that the American media had probably exaggerated the violence for TV ratings. Blazing down highway 45, 350 miles into no man's land, we dreamed of five-star lines.
Eight hours and zero epics after leaving El Paso, we were in the middle of the Chihuahuan desert surrounded by gnarly desert cattle. Luckily, the dark horse of Mexican bouldering and sport-climbing, Diego Montull, had agreed to give us the tour of Peñoles. Diego is originally from Mexico City, but has spent the last five years either living in Europe or on the road in his El Camino. Diego was welcoming and showed us many established problems up to V14 and dozens of projects that were waiting for the right first ascentionist. He has been exploring Peñoles for the last three years and has ticked the biggest, proudest lines in the area, which is impressive considering that some of the boulders are massive, up to 60 feet high. We ran around with Diego like schoolgirls at a Justin Timberlake show, amazed by the climbing potential. There are three main mountains, and like Hueco each mountain is carved with many side canyons. Every once in a while you can find a nice block in the desert, but for the most part the best rock is in the maze-like chasms that scribe the slopes and keep the compact rock cool in its shady chambers.
The climbing is a blend of crimps, slopers and pockets, a mix between Hueco, Bishop and J-Tree. Getting to the boulders is half the crux – from bush-whacking through thick cactus to dodging the killer bees that inhabit holes in the rock, Peñoles is no walk on the beach. You must be motivated to climb here. When we mentioned to some locals who weren't climbers that we were camping at the rocks, they thought we were insane; Don't you know the area is infested with African Killer Bees and rattlesnakes and los narcos?
Though we were spooked by the locals, Diego assured us it wasn't that bad. For starters, what few climbers are around have scared off the drug cartels. The bees and snakes are a different story. We saw plenty of both. In contrast to Hueco, the only rule at Peñoles is: Be aware of your surroundings – a small price to pay for some of the best bouldering in the world.
Matt Segal is a leading trad climber in the U.S. with ascents of Cobra Crack (5.14) and Smart Went Crazy (5.13). He lives in Boulder.
At present I would not recommend driving to Peñoles since the border towns, according to the U.S. State Department, are not safe. Luckily you can often find cheap flights to Chihuahua City, which is about three hours from Peñoles. Highway 45 South will take you straight into Jimenez, the closest town to the climbing. Stock up on food and water. Don't forget to hit up a taco stand for some of the tastiest Mexican food you'll ever eat.
From Jimenez follow signs to Hidalgo del Parrel, then Villa Lopez until you see Peñoles on your right. Simply weave your way through the desert on dirt roads heading towards the rock. A few pull outs are ideal for camping. Since there are no facilities, remember to pack everything out.
The best months to climb are November through February. No topos have been published, so you're on your own. Diego marked the majority of established lines with a small circle of chalk and an arrow by the starting holds.


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"I don't care about Skype!" millionaire Jaan Tallinn tells me, taking off his blue sunglasses and finding a seat at a cozy open-air restaurant in the old town of Tallinn, Estonia. "The technology is 10 years old—that's an eternity when it comes to the Internet Age. Besides, I have more important things going on now."
Tallinn has five children, and he calls Skype his sixth. So why does he no longer care about his creation?
On August 29, 2003, Skype went live for the first time. By 2012, according to Telegeography, Skype accounted for a whopping 167 billion minutes of cross-border voice and video calling in a year—which itself was a stunning 44 percent growth over 2011. That increase in minutes was "more than twice that achieved by all international carriers in the world, combined." That is to say, Skype today poses a serious threat to the largest telcos on the planet. It also made Jaan Tallinn and other early Skypers rich.
But something changed along the way. Skype is no longer the upstart that refused to put signs on its offices, that dodged international lawyers, and that kept a kiddie pool in the boardroom. This is the real story of how a global brand truly began, told in more detail than ever before by those who launched it.
In the year 2000...
In 2000, as dot-com fever swept America, an entertainment and news portal called Everyday.com brought together a sextet of European revolutionaries.
It began with two people from the Swedish telecom Tele2—a Swede named Niklas Zennström and a Dane named Janus Friis. Zennström was Tele2 employee no. 23; Friis worked his way up in customer service for a Danish operator.
The Swedish owner of Tele2, Jan Stenbeck, was determined to launch the Everyday portal and launch it quickly. As the Swedes were having trouble, Stefan Öberg, the Marketing Director in Tele2's Estonian office, proposed finding some Estonians for the job. In May 1999, Tele2 published an ad in a daily newspaper calling for competent programmers and offering the hefty sum of 5,000 Estonian kroons (about $330) a day—more than an average Estonian earned in a month at the time.
The work went to Jaan Tallinn, Ahti Heinla, and Priit Kasesalu—Estonian schoolmates and tech fans. They had been into Fidonet, a computer network which preceded the Internet, since the Soviet era. They started a small company, Bluemoon, which made computer games such as Kosmonaut. (In 1989, Kosmonaut became the first Estonian game to be sold abroad.) The game earned its creators $5,000 dollars, which at the time was a large sum for any Estonian. But by the turn of the century, the three friends were down to their last penny and Bluemoon was facing bankruptcy.
Short of money, they applied for and got the Tele2 job. The PHP programming language needed for the work was new to them, but the team learned it in a weekend and completed their test assignment much faster than Tele2 requested.
The last of the Skype sextet, Toivo Annus, was hired in Tallinn to manage the development of Everyday.com. The site would soon be complete, with Zennström and Friis working in Luxembourg and Amsterdam, and Annus and the Bluemoon trio working from Tallinn.
Tele2 was thrilled with the Estonians, but the Everyday.com portal failed commercially. Zennström and Friis left Tele2 and lived in Amsterdam for a while. The homeless Friis stayed in Zennström's guest room, and they turned the kitchen into a temporary office.
Together, Zennström and Friis pored over new business ideas. As the US was fascinated at the time with the scandal surrounding Napster, Zennström and Friis planned something similar. But where Napster infuriated the music and movie industries, Zennström and Friis hoped to cooperate with them. They didn't have the slightest doubt about where their new product should be created—in Tallinn, obviously. Kazaa was born.
Kazaa's P2P file-sharing program allowed files to be transferred directly from one computer to another without an intermediary server, thus solving one of Napster's problems. Jaan Tallinn developed the program in a nine-floor, Soviet-style brick building on Sõpruse Puiestee in the Tallinn suburb of Mustamäe. The apartment was actually Jaan Tallinn's home, and at the time, Tallinn was a work-at-home dad. (He only sold the apartment in 2012 and told me that he contemplated attaching a memorial plaque to the wall stating, "Kazaa was created here.")
Kazaa, ready for service in September 2000, swiftly became the most downloaded program on the Internet. The service picked up users at the rate of one per second. Heinla, Tallinn, and Kasesalu were sipping fine wine in their headquarters and thinking, "So this is what it feels like to have half of the world's Internet traffic go through your software."
But on the business side, Zennström and Friis failed to seal a deal with US film and music companies. Kazaa was sued for enabling piracy. "Stolen" music, films, and pornography were being distributed via the application, and the Kazaa owners soon found themselves hiding from an army of ferocious US lawyers.
Zennström repeatedly dodged court summons. One time, he went to see a play at a Stockholm theater and was approached by a stranger. The individual handed Zennström's wife a bunch of flowers and held out an envelope containing a summons for Zennström. The Swede made a run for it; the summons failed to be duly delivered. He was similarly pursued in London, this time by a motorcycle, but service again failed.
When Zennström went to Tallinn for visits with his team, he did so by ferry as he was too scared to fly (by now he's clearly gotten over this, as he owns a private jet and all). And once there, he remained nervous about visitors. "When someone came in through the door and we weren't certain who it was, Niklas would hide under the table," an Estonian coworker reminisced.
The Bluemoon boys began encrypting all of their correspondence and their hard drives. E-mails were not stored for longer than six months. No one wanted to know more than they absolutely needed to know. Zennström changed his phone number as often as he changed his socks.
Charges were never pressed against the coders Heinla, Tallinn, and Kasesalu, but they were involved in the Kazaa proceedings as "an important source of information." A California court requested that the men be questioned and that business secrets concerning Kazaa be confiscated. At first the Estonian government rejected the request, but after a second appeal, the trio was interrogated in the presence of US lawyers.
For the Estonians, the Kazaa proceedings were like playing with fire—a little dangerous but still exciting—and their names began to pop up in the international press.
Afraid of being arrested, Zennström and Friis avoided flying to the US for several years, even though Kazaa had been promptly sold (at least on paper) to Australian businessmen, and its headquarters had been moved to the island nation of Vanuatu. The duo failed to make peace with the US for several years, and their ultimate redemption cost Friis and Zennström big money. The two eventually contributed to a more than $100 million payout for the music and movie industries.


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Blog Listing
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- SciFiChick.com
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Monday, May 20, 2013
Guest Post: The Truth Behind a Legend by D.E.M. Emrys
Have you ever met a legend? I have. I've stood on the walls of a doomed-to-fall fortress with men too old, too young, and women who fight like lionesses; I've been chased across enemy territory by wild beasts, but rescued by a deformed cripple who was turned on by everyone he has ever known yet he still cared; I've gone behind enemy lines to cut the head from the snake's body; I've met killers who would turn on country and kin, who have committed the most violent of acts, yet they would sacrifice themselves for the sake of children; and I have fought and fallen besides heroes. I am a soldier, and I have 'been there, done that', but these are legends. And the first legend that I met was not a soldier. He was a writer and his name was David Gemmell.
David Gemmell was a fantasy writer. That's the truth of it. He was and still is regarded as the British 'King' or 'Father of modern heroic-fantasy', a title worthy of his legendary status. To eleven year old me the big-daddy-of-heroic-fantasy was a fireside mythmonger. But behind every legend there is a human being, and you couldn't get more human than David. For all his renown, David was simply known as 'the big man' to his fans and readers.
I picked up my first Gemmell novel when I was eleven, back in 2001. At the time I hated reading, so much so that I was classed under 'special measures' at school. So when my mother gave me £5 pocket money in a book shop as a last attempt at kindling an interest in reading, she fully expected me to pick-up a pack of stickers or a Pokémon magazine at best. Needless to say she was shocked when I chose a novel, let alone something from the adult 'Fantasy' section. Thinking back on it, I'm surprised that my mother didn't tell me not to waste the money – me being me, at first sight I honestly only wanted the book for the cool picture of the axe on the front. I'm eternally grateful that mum didn't talk me out of it.
That novel was 'Legend'.
An eleven year old with an adult fantasy novel? Spotty pre-teen vs. violence, cursing, death, sorrow, tragedy…and courage, love, friendship, too. Above all else David Gemmell wrote passion. I laughed and I cried. I discovered a world where men stood against death – and in many ways life – not because they had to, but because it was the right thing to do. I wanted to be like one of these men. (Or women for that matter! Gemmell also catered to the strong female archetype. The character Virae from Legend will always have a place in my heart. As a boy, when I'd rather wipe a bogey on a girl's back than play kiss chase, to have strong female role models was a real eye-opener. Though I still didn't play kiss chase.)
Gemmell wrote 'lightly'. Don't take this the wrong way. He doesn't skim on detail nor does he info-dump pages of history in a single go. His voice is light as it's easy to read, so easy in fact that eleven year old me who didn't EVER-want-to-read finished 'Legend' in a single night. My mum wasn't impressed with the bags under my eyes, but she was speechless that I had actually read a book, let alone in a few hours.
I was young and impressionable, and Gemmell's stories cast a spell over me. Where most teens my age had sports stars or pop sensations for idols, I had the heroes and heroines of Gemmell's books. I was not alone in my fascination. One reader reportedly saved a woman from being attacked by two men, all because of Gemmell's influence. If there's one thing that has stayed with me over the years, it's a code. A code of warriors, 'The Iron Code', something that Druss the Legend said. Something that Gemmell wrote.
"Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men."
"Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil."
"Never back away from an enemy. Either fight or surrender. It is not enough to say I will not be evil. Evil must be fought wherever it is found."
When asked by one of my fellow soldiers how we should act in Afghanistan, I showed him this quote. Need I say any more?
In 2006 two men, whose words I valued the most, both passed away. My father and David Gemmell. Sounds odd to put both of them side-by-side like that, and please don't mistake me for being cold-hearted towards my father for comparing him to a writer I never met, but when you're a sixteen year old boy going from school to college to real life, you sometimes need a steer.
My father was an engineer, but he was also a fighter. He fought mental illness for much of his life. Writing this is already making me a little…well, you know. My father battled the worst bout of his illness in 2006. I do not condone nor condemn what he did, but in November of that year he took his own life. In his eyes, rather than let the illness take what little he had left, he went down fighting. My father always did right by my sister and I. Whenever I read a Gemmell novel the Iron code would come to mind, and I would immediately think of my father. That was how he lived. I wanted to be a fighter. Like my father and like the characters that Gemmell created. So I joined the army. This is when fantasy became reality.
Gemmell's stories are real as real can be. He knew what he was writing about. Gemmell's characters aren't knights in shining armour that ride in at the last minute to save the day. They're normal everyday people like you and I. They had heart. Gemmell might never have stood on the front lines of a battlefield, but somehow he encompassed even the minute details of conflict. That's because he wrote with heart. He didn't just write about the implications of two countries, kingdoms, or even empires going to war with each other, he wrote about the human element of each individual in the press of humanity. Armies weren't faceless ranks of soldiers, they were men and women with dreams, hopes, fears and problems of their own.
It's a testament to Gemmell that people like me want to write about him. Though my scant few words will never do the justice that the big man deserves, when you think about it, if a soldier-reader-writer wants to spin up an article over someone he's never met, it's something special. Gemmell left a legacy behind him.
This legacy is something that if you are a fantasy reader you've almost definitely encountered, even if you didn't realize it. Renowned writers such as James Barclay, Conn Iggulden and John Gwynne credit Gemmell as an influence. There's a whole generation of writers who at one point have read a Gemmell book, and now write with a semblance of his influence. And now David's wife Stella, who also finished Gemmell's last book 'Fall of Kings' after his passing, has released her debut novel 'The City'.
Stella's dedication in 'The City' simply says:
'For Dave, of course.'
That sums it up really, doesn't it?
And I can't forget, The David Gemmell Legend Award. Divided into three categories: Ravenheart (best book jacket/cover), MorningStar (best newcomer to the fantasy genre), and Legend (best release of the year), the DGLA is an annual award that celebrates fantasy literature in the name of Gemmell. It's highlighted the successes of writers like Helen Lowe, Joe Abercrombie, Elspeth Cooper, Peter V Brett, Trudi Canavan, Glen Cook, Kate Elliott, the list goes on and on. And the best part about it? It's done by votes from you and me, the readers, because as many who knew Gemmell will testify, the readers are the ones that mattered most to him. After all we're the little guys that made it into his stories.
David Gemmell wasn't just a writer. Nor was he just the British Father of Heroic Fantasy, or a figurehead for the genre's popularity. David Gemmell inspired me to write. Me, a little guy. A dumb soldier who didn't want to read as a child. Talk about a square peg and a round hole! We've all got dreams of our own, and it's safe to say that though I'm only a self-published author now, one day I aspire to reach the nominations of the DGLA. Heck, all this because I read a book when I was a child.
I'd like to thank Mihir for inviting me to sum up my thoughts on David Gemmell on this esteemed blog. I could have rambled on all day (as you can see) about the big man, but if there's any single way to put it all into words (without stealing Stella's – which I thought were perfect!) it's this:
David Gemmell. Legend.
Lastly here are a few thoughts/comments from some authors who label the big man as an important influence and my thanks to them for their time and contributions:
Marc Lawrence, 'Prince of Thorns', DGLA Morningstar nominee 2012:
"Gemmell captured what I loved about fantasy in the 80s and felt I'd outgrown, but somehow repackaged it in a way that still appealed. That's something I owe him considerable thanks for. There's a fire in Gemmell's work that keeps me reading, keeps me involved. He is in fact the only author I've ever taken the trouble to find out more about."
John Gwynne, 'Malice':
"David Gemmell set a new bar in fantasy. When most fantasy was full of shining hero's and black and white causes, David smashed an axe into the genre and chopped down that wall. His flawed characters, gritty worlds and fast-paced plotting were fresh and exciting, and a re-read of them today proves that they still are. My personal favourite is 'Sword in the Storm,' but he was so prolific with never a slip in quality that it is almost impossible to choose a 'best of.' He is, beyond all doubt, a legend, and 'Malice' would have turned out a very different book without him."
Helen Lowe, 'Heir of Night', winner of the DGLA Morningstar award 2012:
"Growing up, so many aspects of David Gemmell's novels "spoke" to me: the grand sweep of the stories and their sense of contending light and dark, the way the characters' choices are so often around sacrifice and duty, yet friendship and love are always the heart of the story. And yes, I then wanted to write stories 'just like that' myself."
Stan Nicholls, 'Orcs', chair of the DGLA:
"Dave Gemmell's greatest influence on me was as a man, and as a friend. You have to understand that his fiction wasn't some kind of artifice; it was a genuine expression of his personality and beliefs. He really did lay great emphasis on honour, loyalty and the desire of decent people to try to do decent things, while acknowledging that none of us our perfect beings. It was how he tried to live his life, and he imbued his characters with those qualities."
James Barclay, 'Dawnthief' and Chronicles/Legends of the Raven, DGLA nominee:
"The greatest inspiration was the man himself, not his work. To sit with Dave Gemmell for an evening was to realize that every word he spoke was laced with the passion and belief that filled his novels. He didn't imagine it, he lived it."
Growing up with the heroic tales written by authors such as David Gemmell and James Barclay, D was inspired to write stories of his own. After joining the army D used his free time to focus on his dream of sharing shelf-space with his idols.
D lives where the army send him, but home is in Chelmsford with his fiancé. They say that behind every great man there is a woman pulling the strings, but she lets him dance to his own song whilst being the perfect partner in step. D claims that his books would not have been written without her.
David Emrys is not his real name. Nor is D.
Official Author Website
Read my review of From Man To Man by D.E.M. Emrys
Read David's review of The Grim Company by Luke Scull
NOTE: David Gemmell cover montage courtesy of Alaa_Mk_2020. David Gemmell picture courtesy of WFC 25 and Patricia McKillip. All author pictures courtesy of the authors themselves.
12:00 AM | Posted by The Reader | | Edit Post
2 comments:
Wonderful tribute to a wonderful writer xx
- May 20, 2013 at 1:57 PM
- Helen Lowe said...
Thank you for an excellent article, D--and also the opportunity to provide a quote for. As the quote indicates, I share your enthusiasm for David Gemmell's legacy. I also feel your post underlines how profound the connection between books and readers can be, which I is both humbling and inspiring for me as an author.
- May 21, 2013 at 5:52 AM
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Hamilton experienced the paranormal during January 1954, with two separate "flying saucer" sightings.
From a Trove search of "flying saucers" I found during the 1930s the only flying saucers were those thrown across a room accompanied by a cup, but by the 1940s the flying saucers we know today began to make the news. Many of the articles I saw were about experimental trials of flying saucers by earthlings. But by the 1950s, "sightings" of flying saucers, presumably crewed by aliens, were commonplace.
A search of "science fiction" produced similar results. There was no mention of the term during the 1930s, but by the 1950s it had reached meteoric heights.
The Science Fiction film genre changed during the 1950s. Science Fiction films of the 1940s were horrors like Frankenstein and Dracula or superheroes such as Batman and Robin. The Invisible Man and Flash Gordon were also popular. The 1950s Sci-Fi films took to the universe with life on other planets a major theme. The film Flying Saucer was released in 1950, War of the Worlds and Invaders from Mars in 1953 and that year even Abbott and Costello went to Mars.
No wonder Hamilton residents were on high UFO alert. While the film version of War of the Worlds had not yet reached the town, to add to the hype, their holiday reading may have included instalments of the H.G. Wells' 1898 novel which ran in The Argus from 24 December 1953 until 7 January 1954, the same day as the Hamilton flying saucer sightings.
***If anyone finds Dr Hopper's cosmic ray research balloon he would appreciate its return to Melbourne University.


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The year was 1990 and despite the achievements of female surfers in and out of the water, women hadn't garnered the fame or the support that guys had long enjoyed. Then came Roxy, a pioneering brand for females that recognized the changing of the tide and saw the rising swell of more and more girls chasing waves. Initially a swimwear line, Roxy quickly grew to include sportswear by 1991. The next year saw an expansion into denim and the start of Roxy's domination into all boardsports categories by introducing a capsule snowwear collection. 1993 was the birth of the iconic Roxy logo, a heart-shaped crest that paid homage to its Quiksilver roots. And then, a moment in history happened. That same year, as the Roxy crew was sitting on a beach watching the surf, they came up with the idea of the women's boardshort. Offering fit and flexibility while still managing to be feminine, the women's boardshort was an innovation that forever changed the women's surf industry. Roxy not only created an entirely new product for the market but also a new concept – fashion meets surfing – a mantra still taken to heart in the Roxy brand today. A truly authentic surf company, Roxy recognized the need to give a voice to the core of what Roxy stands for, the athletes and fans that love boardsports. By 1994, Roxy signed its first athlete, the legend Lisa Andersen, who would go on to become a four-time world champion in surf. Roxy became the platform for a new cultural movement, a calling to females everywhere and a voice to those that shred and to those that wanted to. Eventually the surf team would grow to over 100 global athletes and include iconic surfers and world champions such as Sofia Mulanovich, Kassia Meador, Jen Smith and Sally Fitzgibbons. Roxy is also home to a world-class snow team that includes the 2010 Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe Torah Bright, 2006 bronze medalist Kjersti Buaas and many other Olympic contenders such as Lisa Wiik and Lesley McKenna. As the company grew, so did Roxy's support of the boardsport lifestyle. Roxy produces some of the biggest and best surf and snow competitions on the competitive circuit including the Roxy Jam Biarritz, the Roxy Jam Gold Coast and the Roxy Chicken Jam US. Roxy can now be found on all six continents and in over 700 company-owned stores. Roxy's breadth of product has also increased to include Teenie Wahine, Roxy Girl and other product categories such as watches, eyewear, hardgoods, accessories, jewelry, perfume, electronics, home goods, and movies. Roxy has grown to a $600 million lifestyle brand. What started out as a kernel of an idea in the water in 1990 has become the largest and most recognizable boardsport lifestyle brand for females everywhere twenty years and counting.
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Cynomolgus DR3, Fc Tag (TN5-C5257) is expressed from human 293 cells (HEK293). It contains AA Gln 20 - Gly 203 (Accession # G7NTB5-1).
Predicted N-terminus: Gln 20
Request for sequence
蛋白结构(Molecular Characterization)
This protein carries a human IgG1 Fc tag at the C-terminus.
The protein has a calculated MW of 46.3 kDa. The protein migrates as 50-60 kDa under reducing (R) condition (SDS-PAGE) due to glycosylation.
Less than 1.0 EU per μg by the LAL method.
>90% as determined by SDS-PAGE.
Lyophilized from 0.22 μm filtered solution in Tris with Glycine, Arginine and NaCl, pH7.5. Normally trehalose is added as protectant before lyophilization.
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Cynomolgus DR3, Fc Tag on SDS-PAGE under reducing (R) condition. The gel was stained overnight with Coomassie Blue. The purity of the protein is greater than 90%.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 25 (TNFRSF25) is also known as Apo-3, Death receptor 3 (DDR3 or DR3), Apoptosis-inducing receptor AIR, Apoptosis-mediating receptor TRAMP, Lymphocyte-associated receptor of death, Apo-3, which is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFRSF25 is a homodimer protein, which can Interact strongly via the death domains with TNFRSF1 and TRADD to activate at least two distinct signaling cascades, apoptosis and NF-kappa-B signaling. TNFRSF25 is receptor for TNFSF12 / APO3L / TWEAK.


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Shagged: Maine's Shag Crag Deals with Perma Draws
Fixed Up or F'ed Up? Perma-gear sparks debate at one of New England's finest sport crags.
Tucked away in the quiet woods of western Maine, Shagg Crag is an unlikely setting for the latest dilemma in sport climbing. Here, a crew of Maine climbers outfitted the routes with 80 PermaDraws, a gesture they saw as community service. Not surprising to those familiar with New England's traditional heritage, the draws also created the region's latest controversy.
Across the country, as accidents become more common from sun-bleached slings breaking and deeply grooved carabiners cutting ropes, many sport climbers are fixing steel gear on popular climbs. Steel is more durable than aluminum, which can groove sharply in a matter of weeks or days if left up on popular sport climbs. The ClimbTech PermaDraw, a burly swaged cable with a steel carabiner, joins chains as being one solution. Fixed steel hardware is convenient, long lasting and safer than fixed aluminum.
So why, given these benefits of fixed steel hardware, are some New England climbers so opposed to the changes at Shagg Crag?
On June 14 the Maine Climbers' Alliance sent out an e-mail to its members regarding Shagg: "Bill [Morse] has raised $500 and purchased 80 [PermaDraws]. Here's an opportunity to improve climbing in this area. Hang draws, have a BBQ and meet fellow climbers."
Erik Eisele, a 29-year-old journalist who used to live in Portland, Maine, but now lives near North Conway, New Hampshire, saw the proposal as no improvement.
"My first reaction was, well, as a Shagg climber, I don't want to see it fixed," says Eisele. "The people I know are a little more traditional than most climbers." Many of his climbing friends, he says, were "disgusted" by the idea.
A number of Conway-area climbers quickly followed Eisele's cc'd vote against the fixed hardware, and voiced their opposition. For instance, on June 15, Bayard Russell, a 33-year-old guide, wrote: "I would prefer to see a draw-cleaning barbeque, but I appreciate the time you're putting in anyway. My experience with this kind of thing is that everybody has the best interests in mind, just different perspectives. I just want you to know that there are quite a few folks who don't want to see fixed draws out there, and miss the way it used to be as a wild little crag in Western Maine."
In the next 39 days, more than 60 messages were sent in an email thread that involved over 30 people.
Some climbers in the Northeast are sentimental about Shagg Crag, nostalgic for a time when there were no fixed draws. But at least as of last summer, many routes were "fixed" with abandoned nylon tat and quickdraws.
Eisele recalls rounding the trail on his first visit and suddenly coming upon the beautiful overhanging mass of blank white granite. "It was astonishing," he says. "In my perspective, a fully fixed cliff takes away from some of the adventure. I'm not opposed to fixed draws and I know it's sport climbing, but sport climbing can have adventure, too."
Shagg Crag is 5.12 heaven, with about 15 distinct and high-quality routes from 5.12a to 5.12d. There are about three routes of 5.9 and below, and a good handful of 5.10s and 5.11s. Counting extensions and link-ups, there are about 10 5.13s.
The routes are from 20 to 200 feet tall (with some two-pitch climbs that can also be linked in one excellent mega-pitch). Each route has unique features and distinct cruxes. The scenery is spectacular, stretching from Shagg Pond to tree-covered hills.
As a student at Portland's Maine College of Art until 2003, Joe Kinder logged many days at Shagg. "It was amazing. I still consider it my favorite granite sport-climbing cliff," he says. "It's got the perfect climbing, perfect round holds. It's in the middle of nowhere. It's just one little gem that New England is lucky to have."
Noting Shagg's friendly routes, Kinder says fixed gear isn't necessary there. "Shagg never had a big-shot connotation," he says. "It was just a small locals' crag that was really good. Hang your draws for the season, but take them down when you're done."
Randy Baker is credited with "finding" Shagg Crag. Sometime around 1990, he recruited Brian Delaney and together they plucked the first modern ascents. While scrambling up an easy and naturally protected route, they found an obscure piton, discovering that Shagg has an undocumented climbing history. Baker and Delaney established a 5.8 and a 5.10 ground-up and on trad gear (both routes have since been retro-bolted) before installing the cliff's first rap-bolted route. They named the blocky and technical 5.12a It Ain't Pretty Being Easy.
Word of the new cliff spread quickly, and soon other climbers swooped in. "I'm not sure we could have kept it a secret very long," says Delaney. "Not that we'd want to."
In 1992, Jerry Handren, a Scottish ex-patriot working as a guide in North Conway, drove over from New Hampshire and bagged the FA of Shaggin' Wagon (5.12a), a powerful undercling route with smears for feet. In the same year, Bob Parrott, a builder from Western Maine who seems to have established at least one route on every cliff in the state, put up Ginseng Route, which may be the best 5.12c jug-haul in New England.
Erik Mushial and Nate Kimball—with the help of the then teenagers Dave Graham and Luke Parady (both raised in Maine)—established Diesel (5.13d), Fat Lady (5.13b/c), Aggro Shagg (5.13c/d) and The Ritual (5.13a) during the 1990s.
Between 1995 and 2004, Bates College students and recent graduates such as Dave Sharratt, Greg Shyloski and Taki Miyamoto became fixtures at Shagg.
Since 2003 Bill Morse, who has lived and climbed around the country with his wife, Nora, has probably spent more time climbing at Shagg than anyone. "Shagg is what kept me in New England," he says.
For a few years after 2004, Morse noted that Shagg's traffic dropped. He says, "I felt like I was one of the new people pioneering Shagg again—climbing this place again. [Today], there's a lot more people rediscovering Shagg. That's one of the reasons why I hung the PermaDraws."
Morse's reasons for installing PermaDraws at Shagg were, first, to give back to a place he loves, and with the cliff's increasing popularity, he thought fixed hardware would be safer and make everyone's lives easier and more fun.
"[Morse] was trying to do a good thing, something generous. That shouldn't be lost," says Eisele, "but it was from his own perspective of what a climbing area should be like."
One part of the perspective, Morse admits, is that many of his regular climbing partners—especially those balancing babies, spouses and dogs (sometimes all three at the crag)—appreciate convenience.
"We all have kids and our time is limited," says Morse. "The sport-park mentality has been really appealing to us in the past few years. It's like, hike up—that's a good warm-up—climb, and then blast back out of there without having to go back up for our draws."
Ironically, for the last five years, Shagg has been equipped—with unsafe and deteriorating hardware. PermaDraws, Morse and others reasoned, reduce the threat of draws failing or ropes being frayed.
For a wider perspective, in Rifle Mountain Park, Colorado, for instance, at least two sun-bleached nylon quickdraws on separate routes have snapped in the last three years. Recently at the Red River Gorge, Kentucky, a climber sustained head injuries in a ground-fall when a deeply grooved carabiner on the first bolt of Tapeworm (5.12d) severed his rope. There are other examples of ropes becoming core-shot or "sheathed" on sharp rope-worn carabiners.
Tom Armstrong, of Rumney, New Hampshire, says that a fixed nylon draw recently broke under a climber's body weight. Guessing that half the draws at Rumney are "ticking time-bombs," Armstrong feels that the rugged all-steel PermaDraws would be a welcome addition there and anywhere else where nylon draws are hung and left.
"When someone gets killed or seriously injured," he says, "this whole ethics argument will seem pretty weak."
The heart of the matter at Shagg, though, was respecting different perspectives concerning a crag that everyone thought was worth fighting for.
"I felt Shagg is the only place worthy of hanging draws like these," Morse said. Some other climbers, he says, "felt the polar opposite—that Shagg is the only place worthy of not hanging fixed draws."
Morse got an earful of opposing perspective in the days following Erik Eisele's initial response. As in many online spats, some adults that had never met slung regrettable insults. By mid-July the e-mail attacks were scaling up and becoming increasingly personal and hurtful. Some people called Morse "arrogant," and "an ass," and he volleyed back with caustic messages of his own.
One concern involved whether visual impacts of the PermaDraws could threaten access at the cliff. Some took particular offense to the prominent translucent blue rubber sheath that covers the steel swage. Those in favor of the PermaDraws thought they were an aesthetic improvement over the previous assortment of nylon draws and two-foot slings.
"We are impressed with the discourse we have seen so far," Robinson wrote, referring to the communication he'd received. "There are unfortunately many examples of other groups of climbers handling similar situations with far less civility. We suggest that this be resolved within the community with a mind to reduce visual impacts while taking practical realities into account."
And the community did, thankfully, find a peaceful resolution.
"We avoided a war," says Eisele. "We avoided an explosion at Shagg."
In a compromise, both sides of the argument agreed that PermaDraws are safer than ratty nylon draws and should remain on the routes that are the hardest to clean and the most popular. However, both sides agreed that it's not necessary to equip every route and that the blue casing on the draws should be spray-painted a neutral color to reduce visual impact.
Morse says, "[Eisele] was big in initiating the compromise. Everyone felt so relieved. All of a sudden a lot of apologises went around."
"Everyone gained," says Eisele. "I don't get exactly what I wanted, they don't get exactly what they wanted, but we all get to climb at Shagg."
Pat Bagley, a former Rock and Ice intern, lives in Boston and is inching his way toward medical school.
The Great Escape (5.10c/d): Does 5.10 get any better than this? Wrapper jugs traverse up and right through the central white wall. This route got its name because it's an easier and shorter variation of Bob Parrot's original line, the burly Zag Shagg (5.11c).
Shaggin' Wagon (5.12a): Make a hard move off a flat boulder, then work the obvious left-arching lieback/undercling flake to a juggy finish.
Ginseng (5.12c): Steep jugs with interesting moves and a wicked pump. Classic.
Shagg It (5.12c/d): One of the longest and proudest lines on the cliff. Recently led on trad gear (not recommended) by Chris Deulin, a bold and talented local.
Aggro Shagg (5.13c/d): Probably the best hard route at Shagg. Difficult snatches down low lead to a technical headwall and a slabby glory romp to the chains.
Season: Shagg Crag gets sun from late morning to last light, plus the steep white rock can act as a solar oven. Fall is best. Spring is great before the bugs come out. Winter is pretty good if it's sunny and you're willing to post-hole up to the cliff. Shade from trees makes summer better than expected.
Approach: A 30-minute hike. Walk along the wide, relatively flat trail for about 10 minutes. When you reach a small pond (Little Concord Pond), take a sharp right up a steep single-track trail. Follow this over a series of rocky slabs, and almost to the summit of Bald Mountain. About five minutes shy of the summit, take a right onto a subtle climbers' path and descend to the cliff. While this trail is obvious enough once you know where it is, it is also easy to miss. You may find it easier to spot the trail by walking to the summit (the view is great) and looking for the climbers' path on the way down. Climbers currently enjoy a great relationship with the landowners. Please keep it that way.


text:
Kent Bush: Was any of it actually true?
Reporting on campaigns in real time is not as easy as it looks.
There are a lot of moving parts. The campaigns put out information that may or may not be accurate. Voters are hard to predict and sometimes lie to pollsters. And some information is just impossible to gather.
Less than a week before the election, 11 percent of Iowans claimed they were still undecided about which presidential candidate would receive their vote. What were they decided about? I bet they had an opinion on which "Family Feud" host did the best job. I know they have a favorite Kid Rock album. But a week before the election, they had no idea who they were going to vote for.
It is especially difficult to report and forecast accurately when the facts are even in question.
The job is so difficult that a pollster who got it right became a rock star for about three days. We'll hear about him again in three and a half years.
There were so many things that were wrong, I thought it would be good to look back at some of the campaign details and debates and see what turned out to be true.
47 percent again?
Mitt Romney's 47 percent comment was named the top quote of 2012 by a Yale University librarian.
"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what ... who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims. ... These are people who pay no income tax. ... and so my job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives," Romney said.
Believe it or not, Romney got about 47 percent of the vote. Now, six weeks after the election, Romney's approval rating is 47 percent. The coincidence is hard to fathom.
Regular Mitt … or premium
During the campaign, information was released about the Romneys shopping at Costco. Many people found that hard to believe since they also had a dressage horse that merited more tax breaks than most of us make in a year.
But since the election, Romney has been photographed in Costco buying Cheerios by the crate.
Romney also pumps his own gas. You would expect a man who brings in the money he does to have a limo driver who made enough money to have his own butler.
But a disheveled Romney, with wind-blown hair and dressed in khakis and a loosely buttoned shirt with was photographed pumping his own gas.
It seems that Romney - despite having a bank account that is anything but normal - really is just a down-to-earth grandpa who wanted to be president.
Gas prices after the election
I don't know how many Romney supporters jumped on social media sites to discuss how "convenient" it was that gas prices were decreasing as the election drew near. You know, because the president controls gas prices.
Actually, gas prices trade on a volatile supply and demand driven speculator-controlled commodities market. If someone in Iran sneezes, futures go up a nickel. If a hurricane threatens to drop an inch of rain near Houston or New Orleans gasoline refineries, futures go up a dime.
Futures contracts come due, winter mixes cost less to produce and prices drop, and about 40 other issues factor in to prices. A call from the president's campaign manager is not one of those factors.
Paranoia aside, it is nice to see prices at the pump continue to slide as we head toward Christmas. Is Santa Claus up for re-election?
Still dropping?
Those same people who questioned the permanence of low gas prices also found it odd that unemployment rates dropped below 8 percent for the first time in years just in time for the election. Things couldn't be getting better. Seasonal hiring couldn't explain the drop.
Something smelled fishy. I'm afraid that was just fish because the unemployment rate has continued to drop even after the election.
This economy isn't close to healthy yet. But a few indicators are moving the right direction. Hopefully, it is the beginning of better times.
It's funny how both sides are seeing their campaign narratives and negative characterizations fall apart after the election.
I hope we can all learn from this and give the candidates in 2016 a little bit more of a benefit of the doubt.
We need to find the candidates with the best ideas.
But we don't need to demonize our enemies - or even our friends who disagree with us.
Kent Bush is publisher of the Augusta, Kan., Gazette.


text:
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text:
On the day known as "Black Sunday," Iraqi militants ambushed an American platoon escorting an Iraqi sewage truck in the Sadr City section of Baghdad. Convoys sent to rescue the stranded soldiers repeatedly came under attack, and the firefight left eight Americans dead and more than 60 wounded.
Martha Raddatz, an ABC News correspondent, tells the poignant story of that disastrous 2004 battle and its effect on the soldiers' kin in her recent The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family (Putnam, $24.95). In the opening scene Captain Ramon Pena, an Army chaplain, looks at the body of a 24-year-old soldier who died in the battle, his face covered by his T-shirt and camouflage top, and remembers the prayer he recited to the members of a rescue convoy an hour before:
"Lord, protect us. Give us the angels you have promised and bring peace to these soldiers as they go out. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Comment by Janice Harayda:
Many of the most moving scenes in military history or fiction involve the words said to soldiers who may soon die in battle. Some of the finest of these include King Henry V's St. Crispin's Day speech in Shakespeare's Henry V ("We few, we happy few, we band of brothers") and Cornelius Ryan's account in The Longest Day of the invasion of Normandy, when loudspeakers on British ships broadcast over and over to men going ashore: "Remember Dunkirk! Remember Coventry! God bless you all." What other messages deserve to be included in this category?
(c) 2007 Janice Harayda. All rights reserved.


text:
Joint X-ray with Contrast Dye
(Arthrography, Arthrogram)
Procedure overview
What is joint X-ray with contrast dye?
Joint X-ray with contrast dye is used to examine a joint, such as the knee or hip, when standard X-rays are not adequate. A series of X-rays is taken with the joint in various positions after contrast dye is placed in the joint. The doctor may use fluoroscopy, CT, or MR imaging to better visualize the joint.
While joint X-ray is most commonly used to examine the knee and shoulder joints, it may also be used to examine other joints, such as the wrist, ankle, hip, or elbow.
Anatomy of the shoulder
The shoulder is made up of several components, including the following:
Bones. These are the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the upper arm bone (humerus).
Joints. These facilitate movement, including the acromioclavicular (AC) joint (where the clavicle meets the acromion) and the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) that facilitates forward, circular, and backward movement of the shoulder.
Ligament. A type of tough, elastic connective tissue that surrounds the joint to give support and limits the joint's movement. The ligaments of the shoulder include the joint capsule (a group of ligaments that connect the humerus to the socket of the shoulder joint on the scapula to stabilize the shoulder and keep it from dislocating), ligaments that attach the clavicle to the acromion, and ligaments that connect the clavicle to the scapula by attaching to the coracoid process.
Acromion. This is the roof (highest point) of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula.
Tendon. A type of tough connective tissue that connects muscles to bones and helps to control movement of the joint.
Muscle. A strong, contractile tissue that helps support and rotate the shoulder in many directions.
Rotator cuff. Composed of tendons, the rotator cuff (and associated muscles) holds the ball of the glenohumeral joint at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).
Bursa. A fluid-filled sac located between bones, ligaments, or other adjacent structures that helps cushion joints. In the shoulder, the bursa is located between the rotator cuff muscle layer and the outer layer of large, bulky muscles and keeps the rotator cuff from rubbing on the shoulder joint.
Anatomy of the knee
The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities such as jogging and aerobics.
The following parts form the knee:
Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.
Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.
Patella. This is the kneecap.
Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is two long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
There are two main groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles (located on the front of the thighs), which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles (located on the back of the thighs), which bend the leg at the knee.
Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments of the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia (shin bone).
Why might I need a joint X-ray with contrast?
A joint X-ray with contrast may be done on a joint when there has been persistent and unexplained pain, discomfort, and/or dysfunction in the joint. Other reasons to do this test may include:
To identify abnormalities (for example, acute and chronic tears) in the soft tissues of the joint, such as ligaments, cartilage, and joint capsules
To evaluate damage from recurrent dislocations of the joint
To locate synovial cysts
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend joint X-ray with contrast.
What are the risks of joint X-ray with contrast?
You may want to ask your doctor about the amount of radiation used during the procedure and the risks related to your particular situation. It is a good idea to keep a record of your radiation exposure, such as previous scans and other types of X-rays, so that you can inform your doctor. Risks associated with radiation exposure may be related to the cumulative number of X-ray exams and/or treatments over a long period of time.
People who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dyes, local anesthesia, iodine, or latex should tell their doctor.
Some potential risks of X-ray include, but are not limited to, the following:
Infection at the puncture site where the contrast dye is injected
Allergic reaction to the contrast dye; however, such a reaction is rare because the substance is not injected into a vein
Joint X-ray is not recommended for people with active arthritis or with joint infections.
If you are pregnant or think you may be, tell your doctor. Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. If it is necessary for you to have a joint X-ray, special precautions will be made to minimize the radiation exposure to the fetus.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
How do I prepare for joint X-ray with contrast?
Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and ask if you have questions.
You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
Generally, there is no special restriction on diet or activity prior to the procedure.
Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, latex, tape, anesthetic agents (local and general), contrast dyes, and iodine.
Tell your doctor of all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medications prior to the procedure.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, tell your doctor.
Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
What happens during joint X-ray with contrast?
Joint X-ray may be done on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in the hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.
Generally, joint X-ray follows this process:
You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the scan.
If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
You will be positioned on the exam table in the procedure room.
X-rays of the joint may be taken prior to the injection of the contrast dye for comparison with the images obtained after the substance is injected.
The skin around the joint to be examined will be covered with sterile drapes and cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
The area around the joint will be numbed by injection of a local anesthetic. You will feel a numbing sensation.
If there is fluid in the joint, this fluid will be aspirated (removed) with a syringe.
The contrast dye will be injected into the joint. After this injection, you may be asked to move the joint so that the contrast dye can be distributed evenly throughout the joint. You may be asked to exercise the joint. In the case of knee X-ray, you may be asked to walk around for a few minutes.
Once the contrast dye has been distributed through the joint, multiple X-rays will be made with the joint in various positions. In some cases, a special frame or traction may be used to spread out the joint for a wider view of the joint. Items such as pillows or sandbags may be used to help position the joint. You may have an MRI, or less commonly, a CT, after the arthrogram has been performed to obtain full evaluation of the joint.
While the joint X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, having to hold the joint still in certain position for the procedure might cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.
What happens after joint X-ray with contrast?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about movement of the joint, pain medication, care of the affected joint, symptoms to watch for, and any activity restrictions.
You may be asked to rest the joint for several hours after the procedure.
Some mild swelling may be noted in or around the joint. Your doctor may suggest that you apply ice to the joint if swelling occurs. If swelling continues or increases after a day or two, tell your doctor.
Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.
After a knee X-ray, the affected knee may be wrapped with an elastic bandage for several days. You will be shown how to apply the bandage and remove it for bathing and dressing.
You may notice some clicking or cracking noises with movement of the joint for a few days after the procedure. This is normal, and should resolve within a few days.
Tell your doctor if any of the following occur:
Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the injection site
Increased pain around the injection site
You may resume your normal diet unless your doctor advises you differently.
Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.


text:
With the coming of the holidays we think, perhaps, more of eating than we do of browsing art. These days of pies, cakes, and puddings recall any number of Dutch still lifes from their Golden age. But it is Abraham van Beyeren's Banquet Still Life where I most want to be. I can smell the warmth and feel the heat of the steamed food. The citrus peels sting the nose. I can taste the wine on my lips. The translucent grapes are the best examples I've ever seen for the study of how to paint water droplets. The senses blur as I imagine the smooth, cool grape skin on my tongue.
Thanksgiving definitely makes us hunger for normal sustenance, but people's introspective behavior at this time of year also makes our minds flip toward other nourishments. It becomes mawkishly routine, this strange fall slump. We might get the idea lodged in our brain that hope and well wishes become the only necessary commodity of exchange. The simple machinations going on throughout our bodies blur from focus. Potassium keeps the heart beating. What is it that happens when we drink that warm cup of black coffee? We are too busy focusing on what is external, what is behind us, or what is ahead. Food brings us back to the moment. If your Thursday night dinner table doesn't bring that home for you, perhaps seeing Beyeren's still life in the gallery might.
Laura Cherry, Collections Management Intern


text:
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Fan mail, I guess
place for the men and women who have died protecting this great
nation, that has even protected your rights to be idiots.When the
families come with the torches and pitchforks they will even protect
you and after they are killed you will spit on them because you
wouldnt want to see the cross that reminds you that you are a sinner
and you will burn in hell. Unless you change your ignorant
ways.regardless the Christians put up with a bunch of your ignorance
but we only have 2 cheeks Lord says I have to turn the other cheek and
I will but dont forget how many we have this is not a threat just
important information you may want to know."
43 comments:
Concise, cohesive and well-written.ReplyDelete
The irrational mind's ability to reconcile contradictory ideas never ceases to amaze me.ReplyDelete
An what's with the families with torches and pitchforks coming to protect you? Is there some context I need to understand that?
- Anonymous8/19/2010 1:27 PM
One more for the "What...?" file.ReplyDelete
It's disappointing not have any ALL-CAPS outrageReplyDelete
I may be a bit new to seeing this sort of thing, but what. the. fuck.ReplyDelete
No to worry! Jesus in his infinite mercy, has given us four cheeks to turn!ReplyDelete
It's like every internet asshat thinks that as long as you add the disclaimer "this is not a threat", you can change a violent threat into notathreat.ReplyDelete
Sadly, no.
Is there some specific method to help us remember how many cheeks 'they' have? Should we use simple multiplication? Or can you to pray to jesus for exponential cheek growth?ReplyDelete
- Anonymous8/19/2010 2:30 PM
Does he understand we have veterans in our group?ReplyDelete
- Anonymous8/19/2010 2:37 PM
I think this guy is talking about the Utah highway patrol cross ruling yesterday, right? What a great win for the 1st amendment. These things were blatant: 6 feet tall with official state emblems on them.ReplyDelete
Important information, let me write that down: "two cheeks." Ok, got it. Anything else?ReplyDelete
PF, it reminds of this scene in Talladega Nights:ReplyDelete
Ricky: With all due respect, Mr. Dennit, I had no idea you'd gotten experimental surgery to have your balls removed.
Mr. Dennit: What did you just say to me?
Ricky: What? I said it with all due respect!
Mr. Dennit: Just because you say that doesn't mean you get to say whatever you want to say to me!
Ricky: It sure as hell does!
Mr. Dennit: No, it doesn't--
Ricky: It's in the Geneva Conventions, look it up!
Somebody needs to go back to school (maybe still goes there?) to learn about readability (and subsequent credability in argumentation), by putting a few commas and periods in. All that nonsense in only two sentences...ReplyDelete
I do believe we have 4 cheeks. Some of them indeed do need to be slapped.ReplyDelete
This guy (and others) need to pop the dictionary open to "Threat", and "ignorant" too, while they're at it.
We're not unaware. We're unaccepting.
And yes, I would defend their freedom to be christians. I'm actually engaged in defending the muslim "controversey" in the wild wild world of facebook, now, with words. I'm sure that's not what this guy had in mind, though.
"When the families come with the torches and pitchforks..."ReplyDelete
...that must mean it's Halloween!
Klebber wrote:ReplyDelete
"I think this guy is talking about the Utah highway patrol cross ruling yesterday, right? What a great win for the 1st amendment. These things were blatant: 6 feet tall with official state emblems on them."
I agree. By the way, the Utah crosses are 12 feet tall and six feet wide.
I've seen in news stories that the suit against Utah was brought by an atheist group from Texas. Maybe this person googled and assumed that you were the party who brought suit?
Tracie says "Does he understand we have veterans in our group?"ReplyDelete
Like Matt?
I also happen to be a vet.
I guess he figures the only way to honor someone is with a cross. That having some other polyhedron memorial (like say the Washington War Memorial) doesn't do soldiers proper justice? *shrug*ReplyDelete
Is this in reference to the 10th circuit appeals court ruling in favor of American Atheists about the memorial crosses? Are you guys even affiliated with them?ReplyDelete
Who is "attacking" memorials? Doesn't the writer know that many of our military are not Christians and so a cross would not be an appropriate memorial for them? Does religion make people stupid or are the stupid just disproportionately sucked in by religion?ReplyDelete
Maybe this letter was meant for Fred Phelps-- he seems to be more of a detriment to soldier's memories than any atheist.
I think this guy is talking about the Utah highway patrol cross ruling yesterdayReplyDelete
In case he drops by and reads this. Dude, it might be a god idea to actually state what it is you have a problem with. It's annoying to have to guess.
@articulett: Of course there are no non-Christian soldiers or patrolmen or anything like that. You know why? No Atheists In Foxholes, that's why! Thbbbttt!!!!ReplyDelete
Just like every atheist in the world converts on their deathbed, and Christopher Hitchens is going to learn the Truth of God from his illness. Reality be damned, their Jesus-Sense tells them it's true! So it doesn't matter how many servicepeople were outspoken non-Christians or outright non-believers and how many died that way, they know far better than anyone else that those people learned the Truth of Christ the moment they were aware of their imminent death and became True Christians (tm) at that moment, because it couldn't be any other way. Could it?
At least, that's how I imagine they justify it, if not consciously then in the twisted subconscious of their over-Christianized brains.
But guys! This guy isn't a real good christian! Just because he's mean and violent doesn't mean that Christianity is wrong! Jesus was such a good guy and preached only forgiveness and love! He had a potential infinite numbers of cheeks! SEEK THE SOURCE.ReplyDelete
I really can't read this letter in any other voice than Uncle Rukus from Boondocks.
WWJT: Who Would Jesus Threaten? Gotta love seeing religion bring out the best in people.ReplyDelete
Oh god...how funny would it have been if Mel Gibson's call to hiw wife ended with a suddenly calm and pleasant "this is not a threat justReplyDelete
important information you may want to know"
Ah... so the self-righteous letter writer is confusing The Atheist Experience with the American Atheists --And playing the martyr card. Figures.ReplyDelete
This would not be an issue if Christians didn't ask for privileges they'd never allow for those of another faith. If they wouldn't want a 12 foot Jewish Star or Statue of Buddha or Scientology Symbol on public property to honor a dead person of that faith... then they shouldn't demand their own giant tacky religious symbols (with UHP's beehive symbol) on public property either.
Hehe, loved the title.ReplyDelete
Oh, yes, this was the information I ALWAYS wanted to know. As I'm going to hell, because, as a friend stated, some of my prayers weren't fulfilled and I became an atheist, hell awaits! BTW, not a threat, just something I always wanted to tell to myself.
God is love, isn't he?
I wonder if the writer ever served in the military or as a piece officer. It sometimes seems that these memorials mean more to those who never served.ReplyDelete
I know that at least three members of the board of the ACA would not their military service memorialized with an instrument of torture.
As long the author keeps alternating he can keep turning the other cheek forever. I somehow doubt that "take two hits then kick ass" was the intent of the biblical Jesus. Of course I might have misinterpreted the "good book".
I'm sure there are athiest highway patrol officers, even in Utah. You don't have to use a cross to memorialize someone. Last time I drove through Arkansas, there were stretches of highway named for fallen officers. It was a simple roadsign naming the road, not some giant cross.ReplyDelete
I get sick of people thinking athiests don't serve the community or country. When I was in the navy, my dogtags read "no relg pref." There is an option for that when filling out the paperwork, so that is the box I checked.
I could have sworn that people were supposed to be memorialized at graveyards rather than by giant crosses on the side of the road. Should everyone have a cross on the side of the road? Wouldn't that get a little crowded? Sign me up for a twelve foot cross on the side of the road!ReplyDelete
I have the right to be an idiot? Sweet!ReplyDelete
You know those giant crosses are denying some village somewhere of important dental hygiene instruments...
It's like every internet asshat thinks that as long as you add the disclaimer "this is not a threat", you can change a violent threat into notathreat.ReplyDelete
You'd think the fact they even need to contemplate writing that disclaimer, would suggest a rewrite was in order.
Wasn't "No Relg Pref" a spell in Ultima?ReplyDelete
@George from nyReplyDelete
I can't say, I never played that one. I missed quite a bit of game culture in the 90's, but I've played many games since Pong. I still have an Intellivision. Remember those?
Maybe Glasser (Kazim) would remember. Speaking of whom, is Kazim pronounced "kazeem" or like "chasm?" Chasm would be funny.
You know what would bug me as a vet is that laziness of this 'memorial'. A religious symbol t hat's easily made by wood that any pleb can make. Yeah, thanks you really put a lot of effort into that. How about next time actually commissioning some of our nations very talented artists to make a real memorial?ReplyDelete
Goign by how they pronounced it on the Non-Prophets, it's "Kazeem".
And Phil Plait stands around telling *us* not to be dicks!ReplyDelete
Only Christians (OK, other believers too to be honest) can make me laugh and annoy me at the same time.ReplyDelete
If I had to take one line out of the Bible and apply it to the believers, I think it would be: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Actually screw that, don't forgive them! I'm all for the Jeff Dee approach of not letting them go off easy when they make their little threats. (Of course, that email was only a "Christian insult" from the believer and clearly not open to discussion.)
He forgot two cheeks...ReplyDelete
Well, unless of course hsi ass what shot off.
I think Ing is right. It is the lazy way to do it. My opinion is that being a "believer" is the lazy way to go, and it's hard to keep the lazy from affecting other aspects of your life.ReplyDelete
For instance the cut and paste change from "creationism" to "ID." Also most of the arguments are used over and over instead of actually thinking of new ones.
Those cheap roadside memorials are just an excuse to shove a cross in your face.
Damn, "enter" does not = preview. I was gonna thank Lukas. Kazeem does have a nice prince of persia sound to it so if his toon is olive complected probably appropriate. I still think chasm is funny.ReplyDelete
"For instance the cut and paste change from "creationism" to "ID."ReplyDelete
That's literally what they did in Of Pandas and People.
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