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Thursday, July 1, 2010
What I Learned About Blogging in Walla Walla
1. To be a good wine blogger, you not only have to learn about wine, you also have to learn how to write! Not sure I signed up for this. Isn't it enough that I know a little bit about wine and took typing in high school? Those seem like solid wine blogger credentials to me. Now it turns out I have to find my "voice." I don't even know what that means. People can't hear me on this blog. I don't need a voice. I have Twitter. Which is like vuvuzelas--if you played them with your asshole.
2. Just reviewing wines doesn't make for a good wine blog. Then why do they give an award to Best Reviews on a Wine Blog? I'm going to go with this lesson, but I still think people are really interested in my reviews. And why wouldn't they be? Nobody knows more about Wines under Eight Dollars than me. I think the problem is bloggers who talk about really expensive wine and about wines from grapes nobody has heard of, like Mourvedre. Who the hell has heard of Mourvedre? Wasn't that the guy who created "Jeopardy"'s real first name? What turns people off is talking about great wines. Come on, people, let's stick to what wine bloggers do best--recommending reliably mediocre wine!
3. I'm really famous. Everywhere I went around the hotel, people knew me. It's like I had a name tag. Oh.
4. There were wine writers before Robert Parker. Apparently, this is true. But most of them were British and white and had a hairy wah and a huge Johnson. But they are the past and we are the future, and somehow we're supposed to feel good about this.
5. Marketing people are really nice, but you can't trust them. This is kind of hard to believe. All the ones at the conference were really, really nice to me and only said good things about my blog and how good I am at matching wines with reality TV shows, which is something I thought of myself and is really way more clever than matching wine with music or old movies. Like with "Biggest Loser" I said you should drink K-J Vintner's Select Chardonnay because it's really fat and hopeless. And why wouldn't I trust marketing people when it's marketing people who gave the Best Writing on a Wine Blog to marketing people who write fluff about wineries and wines they represent and are major sponsors of the WBC and also sponsor the European Wine Blog Conference (where I hear the girls go topless!)? That seems fine to me. Theirs really was the Best Blog. And it's not just a blog, it's paid advertising! It's a blogger ideal. I guess they mean don't trust marketing people who don't have a blog.
6. Bloggers don't like criticism. That's what so great about blogging. We're all nice to each other. It's like we all have the same defective gene. Except that HoseMaster guy. But I'm guessing he's just mad about his hairy wah. Plus, I hear he's been in prison for identity theft. He stole Hitler's.
7. Publish as often as possible. I kind of knew this anyway, but it's good to have it reinforced. Content needs to be slapped together as quickly and as often as possible. It's quantity not quality. With enough quantity, quality will come. We know this from Harlequin Romances and Cook's Champagne and Orson Welles. So don't sweat the facts, don't worry about originality, just crank it out. Whew. This one I can do.
8. Walla Walla is the Lady GaGa of wine regions. I made this up, but it's really catchy. Walla Walla=GaGa. And there are so many other similarities. Lots of fancy packaging with basically nothing inside. And next year we won't be talking about either one of them.
9. Speed tasting wines and posting about them is fascinating and educational. For example, I learned that most red wines taste exactly the same. Kind of like spit does. And that tasting notes are best when written quickly because you can just use the same words over and over and nobody really notices. For fun, I often write descriptions, and then shuffle the descriptions and the wines so they don't match! Know what. It's hard to tell the difference. And it turns out that's what most wine bloggers do! Now they tell me. That's how you know you have good tasting notes, they're interchangeable. This is liberating and should cut the time I spend on my blog in half, so I'll have five extra minutes to read Catavino and thrill at the prose.
10. Credentials can be fabricated. This is the most important thing I learned at the WBC. Your readers know a lot less than you do, so knowing what you're talking about is irrelevant. It's that you say stuff often and with a unique voice. So now I'm going to be the Selma Diamond of wine bloggers! And if someone stops by your blog and does happen to know more than you, you can delete their comments. But how likely is that? With a stunning dearth of talent, just look around, wine bloggers don't get comments.
86 comments:
oh oh oh
and did you know that the Hospees doo Rown started out as a Veeyownyay festival?
and that there are 22 varietals grown in the Rown valley?
and that the Caucasians is where wine making started?
and that you're not supposed to smell the cork at a restaurant?
and and and.... - July 1, 2010 at 4:27 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Okay I have not even read this post yet but I think Charlie must take back my First Worst Picture Award. You win....dude. Gonna go read now.
- July 1, 2010 at 6:50 PM
- Thomas said...
I don't often say this out loud--This Post Made Me Laugh Out Loud.
Oddly, I twice had the #10 experience--me being the one who knew more than the blogger and me being the one whose comment never made it to the blog, but the original post was amended based on my information.
Each time, the blogger who did it to me was among the so-called top bloggers. That was when I began to become suspicious about this blogging gambit. And Tom Wark wonders about my curmudgeonness... - July 1, 2010 at 7:10 PM
dude, those are some awesome tightie whities. I bet they'd look like Madonna's wedding gown on Lady Gaga
- July 1, 2010 at 7:23 PM
If that is you in the photo, I have to know - what kind of food and how much to get those attractive chocolate pancake nipples? Are you Luciano Pavrotti's twin we keep hearing about? I understand that, unlike your bro who sang tenor, that you sing soprano because you lost your nuts inside your belly fat and you can't dig them out. I was at the conference and I didn't see you. Were you hiding as a reputable reporter under poodle clothing?
- July 1, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Is that the love child of Osama Bin Laden and Paul Prudhomme on steroids or maybe just McHappy Meals?
- July 1, 2010 at 8:17 PM
- Charlie Olken said...
I am not convinced that Ron has taken the title of Worst Picture in a Blog. After all, both his and yours are big tubs of goo.
I like your ideas for monetizing your blog. Sell the samples. I wonder if newletters can do that as well? - July 1, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Peeps should quit kissing the smooth baby rumpus of Tom Wark. He is suffering from short man syndrome and hates fat girls.
- July 1, 2010 at 8:20 PM
- winebookgirl said...
Yet you used no content from my emails?
I suppose I should thank you for that.
I'd talk about the school bus experience but prefer to think about Paul Gregutt taking us to a really great bar. - July 1, 2010 at 8:33 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Hey Gang,
All the yahoos that went to OOPS seem to have posted a Top Ten things they learned post. Alfonso Cevola called my attention to it, and I took it from there. I thought it was appropriate to do the same without having been present, which, having read several of them, wasn't apparently necessary. They all just said the same inane thing. "I learned that I should write for myself." Might as well, Poodles, that's what you are doing.
Glad it made you laugh out loud, Thomas. Thanks for that.
I think it's interesting, and also heartening, that no one cares that Catavino won for Best Writing when it is so transparently fixed. Oh well, I guess that's just controversial in my small mind.
Anonymous the XXXIV, short man's disease is rampant among bloggers. Tom Wark is a nice guy that I relentlessly harangue because he can't stop being a marketing guy and surrender to being truthful and transparent. As for fat girls, well, are you one? I aspire to be, but am sadly deficient in at least two categories.
Amy Love,
What happens in our emails, stays in our emails. - July 1, 2010 at 10:23 PM
- Wilma said...
Funniest blog post I've read in ages. Thanks for making me crack up on a mundane Thursday night.
- July 1, 2010 at 10:44 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Fat Girl checking in and for the record Tom Wark likes me just fine. Ron My Love I had to laugh through this post because the conference read throughout the blog world just like a sample cycle....everyone writing about the same crap at the same time.
If people got something out of it I think it is all good but I have to say I am so with you on the Best Writing Award deal, total scam...and here I thought Chronic Negress was a joke. Now I see she was merely a "fluffer". Ah well as long as someone got off, in this case it was the cats making the money by telling people how to make money. Talk about Circle Jerks.
There are a few people that I happen to like that went and had a blast, (one of which just kind of took me to task and called me bitter...um, ouch) and if people had a great time, learned about Lady Gaga wines and came away feeling like they got something out of it...well, shit I am happy for them. I adore you! - July 1, 2010 at 10:55 PM
- Thomas said...
Are they still doing that "speed tasting note" thing at the conference?
Truly idiotic, but a perfect example of honing quantity over quality.
And yes, I recognize the Catavino scam, but it's so obvious I couldn't believe that it wasn't a joke on everyone.
verification is: dedlyaps, as in new Apple apps that kill? - July 2, 2010 at 6:15 AM
- PaulG said...
I have no comment on the Catavino award, as I was one of the bridesmaid also-rans (and Heimoff looked much cuter in his pink tutu)... but you failed to mention the flaming pasties that were clearly the Friday night highlight, if not the Best of Show. And abc did herself proud at jgb - she's got her own permanent barstool for life. See ya next time Hoseman...
- July 2, 2010 at 8:44 AM
There's no money in Truthful and Transparent.
Tom Wark... - July 2, 2010 at 9:10 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Hi Kim (aka Wilma),
So sweet of you to comment. Thank you so much. Glad it made you laugh.
My Gorgeous Samantha,
What's interesting, of course, is that Walla Walla puts on a big show for the bloggers, rolls out the red carpet that is covered in Stain Guard for Poodle Protection, opens all their best wines, and then the Poodles go home and write about, what else, themselves! Look out, Virginia, you're next.
I love you!
The Catavino whitewash hasn't been mentioned at all, except by me. Which, honestly, is good. It shows how little the world cares about the Poodles, how little value the awards have.
I told STEVE! he wuz robbed, and I'll tell you the same. You wuz robbed! That said, it's pretty damned funny the way you wuz robbed. Thugs from Iberia picking your pocket. And we all know the award belonged to ChronicNegress. Man, I wish I'd thought of that moniker. I wonder if she'll trade me for HoseMaster.
I doubt you'll see me at OOPS. But one day we'll meet and I'll borrow Amy's Memorial Barstool. And I am not surprised at her doing herself proud, though I am surprised at her doing herself.
I was so bored yesterday I watched part of STEVE!'s keynote address and he emphasized being transparent and being careful around marketing people and wineries. Which I found funny considering that many of the bloggers there dream of getting hired as marketers, or being overwhelmed by samples from marketing departments. You're right, as always, my friend, there's no money in Truthfulness and Transparency. Unless you're a stripper. - July 2, 2010 at 9:28 AM
- wild walla walla wine woman said...
Gregutt may have been robbed, but he wouldn't have been there to accept the WBC poodle collar anyway and the presenters knew that. So, they chose to give the diamond studded collar to the poodle who came the furthest. Besides, didn't they have awards to give out at the Waitsburg Wine Bloggers Conference? Gregutt, were you stone walling or just stoned?
Now I totally get why Wark won't look or barely talk to me. Oh well, who needs him when I have three of the only men in the world I can trust - Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. - July 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM
- Charlie Olken said...
I object. Anything short of transparent and truthful in winewriting is unacceptable and is not only grist for the Hosemaster, it should be considered as something we would not want to step in, will not support and will expose at every turn.
Screw the sellouts. Call them out at every turn. And if they cannot make money honestly, then the world should dump on them in the manner they deserve. - July 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM
- July 2, 2010 at 11:22 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
STEVE! would have gladly accepted the award. Don't, pardon the expression, dog Paul. He had the sense to stay away. Last year the Poodles were in Sonoma, near where I live, and I didn't even think about attending. Of course, I'd probably get stoned. And I don't mean on wacky tobaccky.
I'm surprised Tom wouldn't talk to you. Did you forget to address him as "Your Highness?" He's touchy about that.
I'm with you. The whole Poodle voting process was intentionally opaque and misleading. It's small potatoes, but still annoying. Catavino winning for Best Writing? Only if you use the same kind of officiating as the World Wrestling Federation.
Essentially, OOPS was all about creating a nation of wine blogger sellouts. Who can get the most ads on their blogs? Who can get a job working for a winery while promoting their mass-produced swill? However, I don't care, I just love it for satirical purposes. You can smell the sellouts. The distinct aroma of Poodle poo follows them around.
Anonymous Arthur,
Not sure what that link is about except a Poodle realizing his own foolishness at speed tasting in Walla GaGa. Now he'll just get a bunch of hits he doesn't deserve.
Don't go there, folks, nothing there to see. Keep movin'. - July 2, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Watch out Poodles.
You just got nominated for Vintners Hall of Fame. (well, for Alder's list). - July 2, 2010 at 11:55 AM
- 1WineDude said...
Arf! Arf! Arf!
- July 2, 2010 at 1:01 PM
- Thomas said...
I don't think that the poodle realized his own foolishness--all he realized is that he should taste wine more than once before proclaiming it is a 97--that makes it a 91!
What he doesn't realize is that speed tasting is the antithesis of wine tasting or sensory evaluation. What he also didn't realize is that such wines as the one he blogged about are produced to appeal on the initial attack, get your attention and then hope to keep you focused on what was, rather than to focus on what is--a syrupy concoction that has the life span of a caterpillar--if only it had the characteristic of a caterpillar and could become a beautiful butterfly. - July 2, 2010 at 1:08 PM
- 1WineDude said...
Thomas - somewhat ironically, during one of the WBC dinners we actually tasted wine made from caterpillars ( http://www.armywormwine.com/info.html )...
- July 2, 2010 at 1:45 PM
- Sip with Me! said...
Voia voila. It's almost as if you were there! Your words about talent equating with lack of comments make me sad. Hope you're feeling less bitter about it all next year, I'm honestly looking forward to putting this topic to bed — it's very tired.
- July 2, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Hose Master,
After nearly 2 years of trying to make sense of the idiotic world of wine related social media, twitter, and wine blogs I've stumbled in here. In a feeble attempt to not sound like one of your meek blogger kiss-asses, your blog has given me hope. While most wine-blogs read like they were written by an inebriated 3rd grade girl with a speech impediment trying to bribe her mother for another free drink your predilection for poking people in the eye while generally giving accurate information is inspiring.
Oh, and your fan club of bloggers cracks me up. They continue to bow before you after you've kicked them in the nuts. hilarious!!!
Unfortunately, your work has just made me realize that quality content is possible. Damn it! I was ready to give up. - July 2, 2010 at 3:39 PM
- Thomas said...
It's a good thing he used "highly sterile equipment."
I do hope no one tasted cat pee from this wine--that would be disgusting. - July 2, 2010 at 3:41 PM
- Sip with Me! said...
And Samantha, see I'm sad about Ron's bitter take too. I'm an equal opportunity feeler and look forward to not hearing about those silly awards again till next year when they overlook you both again. :)
- July 2, 2010 at 4:08 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Just thinking the word bitter is an unwise choice. Implies that we are upset because we were not included. We could have shelled out the bones and gone but at least for me, I just had no interest in going. Like I told you over on my blog, those kind of things are what I do all day every day....what would make me want to do that on my off time?! See what I mean? - July 2, 2010 at 4:20 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Wow! I love that in the article the wine connoisseurs who tasted the caterpillar wine said it tasted a little bit like pinot grigio. I think I've had that pinot grigio.
What goes with that wine? Raid?
Tamara Tamara Tamara,
I sometimes think you haven't a clue. Unlike you, I write my blog simply to entertain myself and to exercise my tired old comedy bones. I don't want awards. I've got a wall full of awards, and they don't mean much to me. This topic might be tired to you, and you're entitled to your opinion, but you're one of the bloggers who posted a Top 10 List about OOPS. And one of those heavily into self-promotion, and social media. That's not tired?
Aside from that, I wrote the post in character--ostensibly the fat guy at the top of the post, but as imagined by another character, the HoseMaster. Maybe he's bitter. I'm not bitter. I've been calling the Poodles bogus for several years, and not because I don't get nominated. The WBC was designed to be a Circle Jerk wrapped in a drunkfest and by all accounts it succeeded. God knows I went to dozens of similar events in my years as a sommelier. But in the company of far more knowledgeable and experienced folks--and far better drinkers, as well.
Perhaps others see this post as a bitter take. Maybe you're the only one courageous enough to say so. Perhaps I'm completely wrong about my own motivations. Yeah, and Catavino has the Best Writing on a Wine Blog.
I'm not sure why you posted anonymously. I'd be happy to plug your blog, if you're still doing it. Thanks for all the undeserved praise. Imagine how good I'll be when I'm not dealing with tired subjects!
There is quality content on wine blogs. If you don't read the blogs on my small blog roll, you should. These are talented and interesting and knowledgeable people, or they bribe me, or a little of both.
What got me started was the sanctimoniousness and lack of writing skills on wine blogs. Is Twitter the new standard of journalism? My mother taught high school English and the stuff that's out there would have left her hopeless and bereft. So I just started having fun with it. It's been amazing the response I've received, both positive and negative. And your note definitely brightened a lousy day in my life. Thanks. And don't be shy about revealing your true identity. It's very liberating. - July 2, 2010 at 5:09 PM
- Thomas said...
and anyone else interested.
One reason that you won't find me attending a blogger's convention is that I can't imagine anything more stultifying than listening to the personal pronoun for three straight days. - July 2, 2010 at 5:37 PM
- Sip with Me! said...
Samantha, bitter may perhaps be a bad choice of words, but what other impression is left when people harp on so negatively about something from which they were excluded. If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have waxed on about them. You know how much I love and respect you, but your actions ring bells for me, that's all.
Ron, you are actually my idol and you're true to form in calling me out as clueless, I will deny it though anywhere but here, k? As for my blog, yes it's true, it's not all written for myself. I am new to this genre (wine writing, not freelance writing) and I'm sure that shows to someone as seasoned with salt as you are. I've committed myself to a certain mission and am trying to maintain a certain amount of integrity with that, I am also trying to stay true to myself at the same time; it is a precarious balance at best. Ultimately I permitted myself to doing branching out and writing for myself and have looked back every moment since. It's not easy to throw yourself out there to be called clueless or just ignored (crickets on my daring post today). And for the record, I might have been the first to post the Top 10 list, everyone just copied me. Ron, I'm not courageous, just thinking you're beating a dead horse here a and Catavino will always have the best writing on a blog. - July 2, 2010 at 11:03 PM
- Sip with Me! said...
Btw, I'm a fantastic drinkers, at least give me a chance and don't pre-judge me there and will you ever forgive my shameless self-promotion? And my next confession, I am very tired.
- July 2, 2010 at 11:28 PM
- Thomas said...
Maybe you can see now why blogging gets so negative a view from some of us. Promotion itself isn't shameless. What's shameless is when it is wrapped in a package that claims the opposite goal.
A blogger supposedly represents what's great about this so-called social media thingy--you know, it's a community; it's taking wine writing away from the stuffy snobs who worked to get there and giving it to the "drink, therefore I know" crowd; it's liberating us from the bombardment of unintelligible prose to speedy prose; most of all, it's anti-hype, truth, justice, and...you get the point.
Is that why Catavino won? - July 3, 2010 at 6:18 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Thank you. Poor Tamara's "bells are ringing" and I am blue in the face. I was not going to say another word, no sense in trying to un-stick what is in someone's head but....excluded?! That actually made me laugh out loud. I was cornered by my beloved Mr. Wark three times about attending....before the nominations were handed out, (that counts as an invite right?) and I told him each time that it was not gonna happen. Not excluded, chose not to go long before the seeing that Ron and Alfonso were cut from the nomination list, (which is where I think you are getting hung up Tamara). I will however agree with Ms. Tamara about one thing, this is getting really tired and now it's beginning to sound like those New Jersey Housewives, "They make fun of us but it's only because they're jealous"....um. okay.
For the record I think my post on the conference was not at all negative, not to the attendees....I pointed out the Catavino thing but never cracked on the people that went and got something from it. If you are reading anything more than that then I think you are trying to. - July 3, 2010 at 8:15 AM
- winebookgirl said...
As much as I adore you, the bar stool is mine. Happy to have you next to me though.
Amy - July 3, 2010 at 9:44 AM
- Ron Washam said...
First of all, I'd like to apologize for my tone with you. It was inappropriate and far too harsh. I've had a very difficult week, on a personal level, the kind of week that reminds me that the wine business is just a playground and that there are adults out there in the other rooms doing adult work. I took my sadness and anger out on you. You didn't deserve it. I'd like you to accept my apology.
If I'm actually your idol, I don't know whether to say thanks, or I'm sorry.
Harping on a subject is one of the great tools in the comedy tool belt. I often use a nasty aside to make a point, but it's repetition that's useful to make a point stick. Every marketing person recognizes that. I might agree that Catavino has the best writing on a Marketing Blog. But at least concede the point that it is at the very least unseemly, and most certainly intellectually dishonest, to accept an award from a ceremony you're sponsoring. Anyone with the least amount of integrity would have not allowed themselves to be nominated much less accept the award. I just come at it from a satirical point of view because it's what I do. I've looked at Catavino once. It's edited to death and lifeless as a crash test dummy. But my opinion doesn't count. Except here.
When you've been in the business as long as I have, and Thomas, and Samantha, affairs like the WBC are old hat. I certainly remember the thrill of the first few I attended, the camaraderie, the feeling of self-importance, the drinking and flirting. Good for you that you were able to enjoy all of that. It's fun. And then it's not. It's why so few professionals attended and left it to the wide-eyed bloggers and newbies. For us, it would have been just another day at the office.
If it gets under your skin to be called clueless or to be ignored, well, you're in for lots of misery. You should see my mail. You have to develop a very thick skin if you want to perform in public. If you don't, they'll wear you down and beat you to death. Whatever your mission is, Tamara, I wouldn't anticipate a wine blog accomplishing much. A handful of the thousands of bloggers have gotten a job or recognition or money from blogging. Those are stupendously horrible odds. Doing the blog for the pleasure of finding your voice, for the community that can accompany it (I've somehow been extraordinarily lucky on that count--don't really know why), and finding joy in that, well, that's the real joy.
As Thomas so eloquently points out, trying to fool your audience, insulting their intelligence, won't work. Not in the long run. Writing and marketing are two different skills. Pick one. Stick with it. Engage your bulletproof shield. Go get 'em. - July 3, 2010 at 9:52 AM
- Charlie Olken said...
I am headed up to Portland next week for a few days of R & R, and I looked in on some of the blogs that Tamara mentions on her blog roll. Some interesting stuff that I don't normally see, but so much of it, even the best of them, are like blogs everywhere. Lots of self-promotion and not a lot of directly usable information.
I don't read Catavino. Can't. But I do read this blog and Sam Sans for good writing that is about wine, and I read Heimoff, Alder, Wark, Doc Vino and Asimov every day. Sometimes they have topics that interest me and sometimes they dont.
Sometimes WineDoodie and Good Grape grab me and rope me in. But, if good writing that interests, challenges, enlightens, entertains is the standard, then the blogosphere is no different from the Safeway wine shelves. You have to know your onions to pick a good one because there is so much generic, dull plonk out there. - July 3, 2010 at 11:18 AM
- Sip with Me! said...
Samantha, sorry for the confusion. I meant excluded from the awards, not the event. No one needed an invitation from Tom Wark to attend. On another note, "Tom Wark" were actually the first words my son read to me this week from over my shoulder as I was reading his blog. Very sweet.
Ron, let me clear something else up, because being clear and conveying my point in a comment stream seems to be something of a challenge for me as of late. I was being entirely sarcastic when I said Catavino will always have the best writing on a blog and I'm in complete agreement with you 100% - perhaps I should have included more smiley faces.
Thank you for both your thoughtful response and your apology, which was entirely unnecessary but appreciated nonetheless. Your tone was more honest than harsh and your message an important one for me to hear. I'm not pretending to be anything else and my readers (all 2 of them) know what they get from me is always real. As for thick skin, I get that. I'm more of a freelance rejectee than a writer anyway. I'm still finding my voice in the wine community, but you're a brave man and the way you remain true to form no matter what the backlash, is a great example to any person, (writer or poodle). Thanks for the encouragement and advice and hope you enjoy the long weekend. - July 3, 2010 at 11:36 AM
- Ron Washam said...
I love Portland. I've only been there twice, but loved it both times.
I'm flattered that anyone reads my junk, but especially flattered when someone I admire reads it. Thanks for that. I spend an awful lot of time alone, in front of a blinking cursor, trying to make folks laugh at this business. I ask myself every day, why? Haven't found an answer. I think just to surprise myself. The inside of my head is a scary place.
I am casually bashed all over the blogosphere, which is how I know I'm being read. I never react to the criticism. If you dish it out, you have to be prepared to take it. And I consider the sources. There is, honestly, so little actual talent in the blog world, that the sniping makes me laugh. And I also tend to get more praise than jeers, so I'm OK with all of it. I pretty much don't believe either.
More and more the wine blog world is breaking up into little cliques. They spend most of their time patting each other on the back, writing "Great post!" to each other, and actually believing that what they're doing is useful and interesting. It's not. But it makes them happy, and it makes them feel important, and they can pretend their opinions and thoughts matter. I KNOW mine don't matter. Sadly, if I only had two readers, I'd still do this.
I save my admiration for the small handful of bloggers I wish I were as talented as. This is a small list. Samantha, for her passion and unique voice. She might need polish, but there's more raw talent there than I've ever had. Alfonso Cevola has brilliant moments. He says more original things in one post than most say in a year. AND, and this is a big AND, he actually knows what he's talking about (as does Samantha). As journalists, I admire STEVE! and Paul Gregutt. They have style and charm and wit and well-earned authority. Thomas has his own way with words and I admire the preciseness and command he displays, as well as his thoughtfulness. And, hell, I wish Charlie would write a blog because he is a damned fine writer. After that, no offense to anyone, I don't see much I admire. Admittedly, I don't spend much time reading wine blogs. If anyone knows of someone I haven't mentioned who possesses real talent and voice, please let me know.
OK, I'm done. Happy Fourth of July to everyone. We are truly blessed to live in a country so devoted to freedom of expression. - July 3, 2010 at 3:59 PM
- Charlie Olken said...
The check is in the mail--along with the Pastis. Better you than me.
It astounds me to hear anyone describe me as a good writer. I struggle to write. Sure, I have plenty of snarky opinions, but if I tried to write like you or Sam, or with the volume that STEVE! can generate, I would fall flat on my derriere.
But, you must be biased for some reason. I see where you nominated me for the Vintners Hall of Fame, and I am a worse vintner than I am a writer.
Still, you get two checks this week. And I thought Amy was supposed to be doing my PR. I guess I have to wait for the book to come out. It's a race between the blog and the book at this point.
It's 4th of July weekend. I am going to throw out all the leftover Chinese and cook a big double brisket Texas style (slowly over two days) and drink copious quantities of American wine--because STEVE! told me to. - July 3, 2010 at 6:11 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Awe c'mon Charlie Baby drink your Pastis. If it helps imagine someone running their fingers through your hair while the sweet elixir passes your lips. Warm hands holding your strong jaw as you swallow. A loving face looking back at you, nodding and telling you, "it's okay. You've done it. It's all over now". It might help and if Ron is busy that day I can stand in.
Happy 4th Sir Charles...I adore you. - July 3, 2010 at 6:26 PM
- Thomas said...
On the 4th, I shall finish a 5th...
- July 3, 2010 at 6:28 PM
- winebookgirl said...
Just spent some time in Portland and environs tasting and eating. Email if you want recs.
What about the Red Sox game?
-A - July 3, 2010 at 6:49 PM
- Charlie Olken said...
OMG,Sam. That's bloody hilarious. Perfect buildup. Perfect timing. Then, wham. The punch (in the gut) line.
I love it. - July 3, 2010 at 6:53 PM
- Charlie Olken said...
" Ron
What about the Red Sox game?
You cannot miss this one. As it turns out by amazing coincidence, Amy and I have tickets in the same section, in the same row.
And, at this writing, I have an extra ticket. Wed, July 21 A's vs Red Sox. Day game.Come and watch me suffer. The Sox never win when I go to games. - July 3, 2010 at 7:45 PM
- Ron Washam said...
Someone jokingly nominated me for the Vintners Hall of Fame, Poodle Wing. That's funny. But, Charlie, I think you belong in there one day for CGCW. If Three Puffs isn't a famous wine expression in California, I don't know what is. No matter how much you hate "puffs."
No, thanks on the Pastis. I don't hate it, but I don't like it either.
As for baseball, sure, why not! I love baseball. Your Sox seem cursed with the injury bug this year, which doesn't bode well. But it's a long season. Count me in. We'll make arrangements away from here. Thanks. - July 3, 2010 at 9:05 PM
I'll gladly drive down to Signal Hill and have that pastis with Sam.
Or, Sam, you can bring that bottle up here and we can have it in my vineyard while we count sharpshooters in the traps. - July 3, 2010 at 10:40 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Thanks kid! Finally someone that wants to have a goddamn drink with me! - July 4, 2010 at 7:32 AM
- Ron Washam said...
There are a few sharpshooters from Walla Walla in my vineyard too. I can see their scopes reflecting the sun. - July 4, 2010 at 8:06 AM
Now, now, Samantha. It is not you, it is the Pastis. Arthur is just taken advantage of the fact that anise-flavored anythings make me gag.
Besides, what a deal. He wants you to count bugs with him. Frankly, I don't trust him. Bugs? - July 4, 2010 at 8:06 AM
Always, Ma'am. You and Irene can hang out and chat and I'll do the counting.
As long as their bullets are not coated with X. fastitdiosa, you should be fine. Especially if they shoot like they type...
You still have a gag reflex at your age? ;)
I was hoping to utilize Sam's discerning eye to make sure I am not misidentifying those suckers. - July 4, 2010 at 10:23 AM
- Thomas said...
Well, I still have a gag reflex, and after reading these comments, I find that it works just fine...
- July 4, 2010 at 10:55 AM
OK, I searched, maybe not enough. But why don't I see any bloggers titillated by Lettie?
(They should have invited Will Lyons, he's a writer I'd be proud to have in my stable.) - July 5, 2010 at 4:06 PM
- ryan said...
Please point me to the fluff that we so called write about. Also where we write about our clients?
We are not sponsors of the WBC, though we founded and organize the EWBC to help bloggers do a better job of blogging. If you come you will see that we spend the conference teaching bloggers how to do research and fact checking, something that you might want to check out.
We do marketing, and social media consulting to make a living but we also keep that very separate from when we write about Iberian wine and food culture. We do not write about our clients. - July 5, 2010 at 10:39 PM
- Gabriella Opaz said...
To add to Ryan's comment, I think it's important to recognize that Catavino Marketing and Catavino.net are not the same creature. Though under the same umbrella, and run by Ryan and I, the award was for Catavino.net - a website founded in 2005 for Iberian wine. This same site has been nominated in previous years for an award, well before we were asked on as judges for this year's edition.
The judging we did partake in this year for the Wine Blog Awards was strictly for 2 categories, neither of which included our names, or the names of our clients.
To clarify, we do not financially have any stake in the WBA, we did not have any sway in categories involving us or any of our clients, and beyond all else, we are dedicated to honesty, transparency and full disclosure.
We believe in helping the wine blogging community at large, and therefore, we feel its imperative to lead by example. We do our research, admit our faults and do not slander our fellow wine bloggers.
We work hard for whatever recognition we have received, and whether or not you feel it was deserved, please recognize that there was zero foul play in its presentation. - July 5, 2010 at 11:52 PM
- Ron Washam said...
Ryan and Gabriella,
Oh my, I've awakened the sleeping giants.
For the bloggers who were nominated and didn't win a Poodle, let's make it clear. The WBC is about marketing wine, and not about wine writing and reviewing. The judges, as far as they've revealed themselves, are in the marketing business and judge accordingly. Which wine blogs serve the wineries, some of which are your clients, and how do we bring them recognition? Awards work. I guess I'd be happy if the Poodles would admit they're meant to be more like the CLIOs and not at all like the Pulitzer.
As a friend of mine pointed out to me, journalism is undermined just as much by the appearance of conflict of interest as it is by actual conflict of interest. I don't see Steve Heimoff calling his blog "Wine Enthusiast's Steve Heimoff", and not just because they might not let him. And winning a Poodle for your blog is certainly a tool you'll use to attract more clients to your business. You'd be foolish not to use it that way.
You're dedicated to honesty, transparency and full disclosure and you just now admitted you were judges? It's unimportant whether you judged your own category, you should have graciously stepped aside, as Tom Wark did. It's certainly not necessary to do so, but when the entire group of judges is anonymous and then it turns out some of the judges win awards, well, kids, that stinks. For Heimoff and Paul Gregutt and even the Chronic Negress, that stinks. Just imagine the scandal if the Poodles weren't so trivial. Imagine a Nobel Prize judge winning for Literature even if he's judging for Chemistry. Wouldn't happen. They might be political awards, but they have integrity.
This is, in fact, a perfect display of leading by example. Can I be a judge next year? I want to win! Hey, I know judges, they are going to vote for other judges.
And, finally, fact checkers, it's libel I practice here, not slander. Teach the bloggers you so graciously teach to be fearless, to have opinions that stimulate rather than euthanize, to laugh at themselves. It's a tough world outside of the sandbox we call the wine business. There's always an asshole like HoseMaster making fun of you when you're just doing your best to succeed at something you're not good at. Get used to it.
And never get down in the mud with the guy who's slinging it. - July 6, 2010 at 8:28 AM
From my standpoint, you started to go downhill when you nominated me for the Vintners Hall of Fame. Now, look what's happened.
You are backing the wrong horses. Need to get back to the winners' table with some kind words for fluff and Siberian wines.
The magic word today is: gonesain. Gee, I hope not. - July 6, 2010 at 8:37 AM
- Joe said...
I figured all those top ten lists would be a softball for you. Glad you came out to play.
For the record, Army Worm Wine does not taste like Pinot Grigio. It tastes like Pinot Gris. - July 6, 2010 at 1:03 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Hey Joe,
I wonder why Dr. Vino, or someone else, isn't commenting on the impropriety of the Poodle awards. Sure, Parker's flunkies take freebies and everyone's all over Parker. The Poodles give awards to the judges and no one says a word. Says volumes about the credibility of bloggers. They certainly learned to be uncritical in Walla Walla. Probably too busy barking at the mirror.
Actually, I was thinking it didn't smell like pinot gris, but more like its oceanic cousin amber gris.
I didn't check. Did you do a Top 10 Walla Walla GaGa list? - July 6, 2010 at 6:15 PM
(sniff sniff)
sweet, earthy with notes of petrol... dead dolphin... and whale vomit
That be the Nantucket-grown amber gris, arrrrgh!
Hmm, the idea of amber gris vaguely reminiscent of the final scene of "Let's Go To Proison". - July 6, 2010 at 8:09 PM
- ryan said...
Your right "And never get down in the mud with the guy who's slinging it."
but oh well
as for judging, No judge knew any other judge. so to claim that being a judge somehow influenced anything is just wrong. Yes maybe we shouldn't have voted in 2 categories, but we felt that our knowledge of the wineblogging world would be valued. Either way we're happy to give you our poodle, since you seem to covet them so much.
"You're dedicated to honesty, transparency and full disclosure and you just now admitted you were judges?" No again please do some fact checking, after we were told we could, we did tell people we were judges for the categories we did not take part in. But I guess you still see no value in fact checking, rather than just making false claims to fit your arguements.
"Which wine blogs serve the wineries, some of which are your clients, and how do we bring them recognition? Awards work. I guess I'd be happy if the Poodles would admit they're meant to be more like the CLIOs and not at all like the Pulitzer."
Not even sure what you mean here. The WBA's have never claimed to be like the Pulitzers, nor tried to play that role.
I still see no way that we influenced or caused a conflict of interest. We were not aware of any judge till after the event, we are not sponsors of anything you claimed we were and we are in the end very happy that people we still don't know the names of took the time to read our site and see some value in it. As did the http://www.louisroedererwritersawards.com where we are not judges, nor affiliated or influencing, paying or bribing. This year they must have decided to drop their standards though according to your take on our site.
Please continue to sling your mud, and raise hell all you want. Just take a second to do a little research so as not to give the collective wineblogging community a negative sheen as people who claim we're all amateurs gain ammo for their cause.
So please now tell us we're wrong, bad people who are doing nothing morally right and then continue on your rampage against all other injustices and blogging crimes. Sling away...I'm going to go create a new award, with gilded poodles for the prizes and the requirements for entry that you are my friend. - July 7, 2010 at 3:47 AM
- Joe said...
Sadly, I feel the "top ten list" has jumped the shark, so I didn't go that route. Sorry to not cotton to your reindeer games.
With all due respect to the nuances of Amber Gris, Army Worm Wine actually smelled like pumpkin guts, and I drank a whole glass because I:
1) Am a middle child and crave attention and the approval of others (textbook poodle behavior)
2) Will succumb to peer pressure, except when it comes to making top-ten lists
On another note, I think your credential is too short. Can you change your name to "Her Majesty's Royal Hosemaster of Wine", thus upping your stock with post-credential "HMRHMW"? Or, perhaps you have a British doppelganger who already holds this prestigious moniker... - July 7, 2010 at 7:45 AM
- Charlie Olken said...
I have given this little tiff a great deal of thought, and I have concluded that what you need is a MISSION STATEMENT.
A Mission Statement will clarify once and for all why this blog exists and what its purpose in life is.
And because I am very good at writing Mission Statements, I have drafted one for you. I admit up front that it has somethings in common with the Mission Statement I just drafted for STEVE!, but then, you have so much in common with him.
So here is my draft. And, oh lord, please do not let me be misunderstood.
–This blog exists because I enjoy writing it. Its mission is to entertain me first and you second. I know a thing or two about wine. I have a thought or two about wine. I have a big pen. My name is STEVE!. (That is where you will insert "His or Her Majesty's Royal Hosemaster of Wine). I put it at the top of my blog because this is my blog. At the end of the day, if I have had some fun talking to you about wine and you have had some fun reading what I talk about, then this blog has fulfilled its mission. It's not any more complicated than that. Have a nice day and come back tomorrow for more. Don't let the swinging door hit your poodle in the ass as you exit.
I added that last bit especially for you, Your Majesty. - July 7, 2010 at 8:27 AM
That should read:
"By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queeen Hosemaster of Wine" - July 7, 2010 at 8:27 AM
- Joe said...
BAHMQHMW does have a ring to it. For grins, let's add a "doctor" before and an "esquire" at the end:
Dr. BAHMQHMW, esq., MD
okay, this is getting ridiculous - July 7, 2010 at 10:27 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Thanks for the civilized debate. Please don't forget my role here at HoseMaster. I play the time-honored part of the Fool. The Fool's role is to speak truth to power and make fun of the vain and greedy and pompous. All while trying to make everyone laugh, even those being belittled. You are more than welcome to join the enormous ranks of those who detest me--Alice Feiring, Ken Payton, Alder Yarrow, those Corks and Afghans people... But I'll just continue to play the Fool.
Instead of debating small points, I'd like to pose two questions that all 8 people who read HoseMaster can answer for themselves.
In responsible wine blogging is the appearance of impropriety important?
Is there another award anywhere that has been given to one of the judges of the awards?
Those questions sum up my
Good luck to you and your wife, Ryan. I certainly wish no one any ill will, and even after winning and judging awards, we're all just a bunch of no ones.
Joe and Arthur,
If we're going to bastardize my esteemed initials, I prefer HMWILF.
I'm not sharing anything with STEVE! And the only Mission Statement that everyone who reads HoseMaster wants to see is, "This blog will self-destruct in ten seconds." - July 7, 2010 at 10:55 AM
- Thomas said...
Ron, that's not a mission, that's a prayer--by some.
looks like an actor named Gary is following you around--word was snesse. - July 7, 2010 at 11:43 AM
I agree, Joe
- July 7, 2010 at 11:49 AM
(This blog theme dishonors my ancestors)
Arthur Esteban Franciso Maria Conchita Alonzo Conception de Corazon de Jesus de la Vina Przebinda, MD, PhD, PDQ, ret. - July 7, 2010 at 11:51 AM
- 2011 WBA Judge Daddy said...
I volunteer.
I hereby toss my hat in the ring to be a judge in next year's WBA.
I am the perfect candidate. I know a thing or two about wine. I have no idea who Catavino is. I don't have a blog. I have a big mouth. I can read. Name me eleven other people who are more independent, more outspoken and judgmental, more used to putting bad wine and bad back labels in their places.
I am perfect for the job and I hereby volunteer. Anybody else here not have a blog but willing to cowtow to Siberian wines? Step right up. Maybe we can go as a group. - July 7, 2010 at 2:03 PM
- Ron Washam said...
Charlie, and everyone else who's still hanging around my tired post,
I just read through all 71 comments and can't make sense of them. It could be the horrific flu I'm suffering from which may have caused me to hallucinate that Ryan and Gabriella are right and that it was Puff Daddy that gave them the award for Best Writing even though he's never read the blog and his seeing-eye dog just pooped in my foyer.
So, everybody, give me a day or two to get over my horrific case of Poodle fever, which is related to Swine Flu only it makes me chase cars. - July 7, 2010 at 4:09 PM
I know you are sick and tired but could you please post something so I don't have to look at the fat picture? I thank you in advance.
As a non - but potential - blogger and former judge, editor and sometimes rejected commentator, I have a lot more to say but won't.
So, good night, sleep tight and don't let the blog bugs bite. - July 7, 2010 at 5:17 PM
- Ron Washam said...
I love my fat guy photo. I may just leave him there permanently. No, actually, I'm sick of looking at him too.
I do wish you would say more, but it's probably best that you don't. In the long run it's all just a hill of beans. Beans, man, that's the last thing I need. - July 7, 2010 at 6:25 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
I don't know, the Goo Guy is kind of working for me. I have perversions beyond my anise adoration so it seems.
- July 7, 2010 at 8:41 PM
It sucks to have a flu in the summer...
Take two of anything and call me in the morning. - July 7, 2010 at 9:51 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
What summer? It's like 58 here right now. But it does however break my heart that you are not feeling well Ron. Get better you adorable man you. I miss your voice and the laughter along with the conversation it inspires.
A million tiny kisses
Where ever you may need them
Samantha - July 7, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Don't any of you recognize the guy in the photo? Why, it's The Wine Advocate's very own Dr. Big Jay Miller, taken when he was younger, lighter and frankly, much more attractive...
- July 8, 2010 at 5:33 AM
Ok, so I have been otherwise busy- Who is this Tamara you all were talking about?
confused... - July 8, 2010 at 7:01 AM
- Ron Washam said...
My Gorgeous Samantha,
Day Two of my nasty virus and I'm spouting like the BP oil well. Not feeling particularly funny. Runny, maybe, not funny. So, the usual. Thanks for the sweet thoughts and kisses.
Welcome to the ol' HoseMaster's asylum. I don't know Dr. Jay, but didn't he play for the 76er's? This guy looks just a little out of shape.
Tamara is the lovely woman who has a blog named, and posts here as, Sip With Me. She also posts on virtually every blog in existence, so I'm not feeling all that special. Tis the way of the Poodle, Grasshopper. - July 8, 2010 at 8:45 AM
This post made the top 3 of winebusiness.com's blog round up! - July 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM
- Ryan O'Connell said...
I've already nominated this comment thread for Best Fighting in a Wine Blog Comment Section for the 2011 Wine Blog Awards. I hear 2011 is going to be a really good vintage for flaming comments. Undervalued by Parker.
- July 9, 2010 at 4:20 AM
What the hell do poodles have to do with anything? Seriously, I'm like totally confused.
- July 9, 2010 at 11:14 AM
- Jo Diaz said...
Now I'm wishing I had gone, and followed you the entire time...
- July 9, 2010 at 4:01 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Spume, aka Wolfgang,
Spoken like an Irish setter.
Here at HoseMaster Central I refer to wine bloggers as Poodles, as in the blurb under the title of my blog. Yeah, I know, it makes no sense, which is kind of my specialty.
And thanks for reminding me that the rest of the world could not care less about what goes on here.
Oh, oft-mentioned friend of STEVE!, you never want to follow me around at a bloggers conference. They mostly aim for my back. - July 9, 2010 at 4:58 PM
- Jason Phelps said...
I thought I would seize on something you wrote and ask a question to clarify. You have a wall full of awards but they don't mean much. Really?
I find that hard to believe.
Aren't the memories of the fun you had doing whatever it was that you ended up winning an award for meaningful?
You must have met people through those activities that you cherish and care about. So I must protest. The awards do mean something, but the right kind of something, a personal something that isn't just about the medal or the award on the wall.
You had me laughing again!
Jason - October 29, 2010 at 12:14 PM


text:
NEW YORK (AP) — Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is one of five finalists for the AL MVP award in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
The Detroit third baseman is joined by Texas' Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton, the New York Yankees' Robinson Cano, and Los Angeles Angels rookie Mike Trout, who also is one of three nominees for AL Rookie of the Year.
For the first time Wednesday, the BBWAA announced finalists for its awards. The winners will be revealed next week live on the MLB Network, beginning Monday with the two rookies of the year and concluding Thursday with the MVPs.
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has a chance for a repeat as NL MVP. He's pitted against San Diego's Chase Headley, Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen, St. Louis' Yadier Molina and San Francisco's Buster Posey.
Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is among the three finalists for the NL Cy Young Award. Washington's Gio Gonzalez and 2011 winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers are also competing.
Detroit's reigning AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander has another shot for top pitcher in the AL. Tampa Bay's David Price and the Angels' Jered Weaver are the other two finalists. The winner in each league will be picked Wednesday.
Trout is competing with two foreign-born stars Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics and Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish of the Rangers for Rookie of the Year in the AL.
Washington's Bryce Harper, Cincinnati's Todd Frazier and Arizona's Wade Miley are the nominees in the NL.
Of the six finalists for Manager of the Year, only White Sox rookie skipper Robin Ventura is not a previous winner. He was nominated along with Bob Melvin (2007) and Buck Showalter (1994, 2004) in the AL.
In the NL, the Reds' Dusty Baker (1993, 1997, 2000), World Series champion Giants Bruce Bochy (1996) and Washington's Davey Johnson (1997) got the nod.
The two top managers will be announced Tuesday.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Open Embedded
Open Embedded is the name of a project which seeks to provide embedded Linux distributions, built from scratch. Open Embedded is not, itself, an embedded Linux distribution. Rather it is a meta-distribution.
(See also: poky) The Project is now being carried forward by the linux foundation named as Yocto Project. even with the new name most of the core components remain same. Yocto project uses Poky as their default distribution platform.
While the distribution used for most embedded systems has many custom elements, there are significant portions of the software on consumer electronics products which could be standardized and utilized from the same source.
Open Embedded may represent a possible software base that could become a de-facto standard embedded distribution of Linux.
There are no CELF specifications related to Open Embedded.
How To Use
See the Open Embedded wiki, at: http://wiki.openembedded.net
There is also an Eclipse plug-in available from buglabs which provides a graphical view of an OE tree here: http://community.buglabs.net/kgilmer/posts/93-BitBake-Commander-6-5
How to validate
[put references to test plans, scripts, methods, etc. here]
Sample Results
Case Study 1
Leon Woestenberg wrote (in Sep, 2007):
I became an OE user when I found that OE automated a lot more than buildroot when I started adding packages. After that experience I decided to use OE at work.
At work we create firmware, which is read-only embedded software which the user cannot install to, or modify in any way (other than overwrite) for 24/7 99.999% availability applications. Also, no build dependency on target availability during build: No on-target post-install scripts, the final image must be fully host-created. That means, having full control of what happens, minimal cruft. Must build on a multiple of (modern) Linux hosts distro's.
Bottom-line: paranoid control freak approach
I am the OE evangelist, that is, had to persuade to have my co-workers see the benefits of using OE. That worked best when I showed them how I could solve a problem more quickly than they could with buildroot, or LFS. The problem often remains the steep learning curve, i.e. people do often have some Makefile/autoconf experience but not necessarely python/bitbake.
Bottom line: Show when OE works when the 'problem solving' leverage is highest.
How do we use OpenEmbedded:
- We cannot afford to follow the org.oe.dev. head developments. The head is where fixes get fixed. Takes too much time away from the developers.
- We cannot afford to follow head, but fix package versions. The OE framework (bitbake, variables, behaviour) changes too much.
- We pick a fixed OE revision and stick with it during a project (could be 2 years).
- I try to track OE head on several targets, to stay up-to-date when I need to start a new project.
- Some of the packages have too much build and/or run-time dependencies. Yes, both.
- We create a private overlay of minimal-configured packages and discard redundant dependencies, we keep it in CVS (yes, I know...)
- We add our custom packages to our private overlay.
- I bring some new packages or fixes upstream, only for head.
- We do not use task-base approach, because it builds dependencies we
did not have before (a dependency regression).
- We have to keep good track of bitbake version, OE revision, private
overlay revision and host distro version, and know-good-combos'. We need to be able fix a bug in the firmware in three years without any regression. Virtual machines help.
Bottom line:
- OpenEmbedded works perfectly for our use, if we take very much care in the way we use it. We might not do things the OE-way, simply we may lack in-depth knowledge, or exposure to it.
- Dependencies. The standard OE config seems targetted towards small (handheld) computing devices, not necessarely with embedded software. Everything with an installer is non-embedded software, IMHO.
- I would like to see a OE group focus on minimal dependency distro.
I would join such a group, but cannot do that alone.
- Angstrom seems the de-facto distro OE is tested against, at least
upstream. Angstrom is excellent, but testing OE against Angstrom only drives OE away from the embedded domain IMHO.
- Unbitrot (Refresh) a distro other than Angstrom, preferably a more
minimal one.
- Documentation.
- It's there, but you have to know what you are looking for. Most people don't know, or don't look.
- I have yet to see a developer walk in with OE experience. Buildroot
knowledge is a big plus though.
The best thing I would envision (and I would propose as a OE vision), is that OE would be funded by the semiconductor and board manufacturers to support their silicon and boards, so that in 3 years, everyone of them could mention "Enabled by OpenEmbedded".
Case Study 2
Future Work/Action Items
Tim Bird met with Phil Blundell and Tim Ansell at Linuxconf Australia in 2005 and discussed some possible ways the forum might sponsor Open Embedded.
Here are some ideas:
- create an installer, which automatically copes with weird distros (I had problems getting OE installed, but then I use Mandrake)
- it should validate that all required packages are installed, and if not present, install them
- OE has a somewhat long list of pre-requisites
- it should validate that all required packages are installed, and if not present, install them
- sponsor a conference/retreat of the core OE developers
- do nightly builds (and testing?) of various full-distro recipes
- do improvements to bitbake to solve the memory/performance problems.
- need to identify if these are python issues (dependency graph memory consumption seems to be)
- try to make bitbake less fragile
- have a way to freeze/sign a recipe collection for a known-good distro?
- canonicalize workarounds to issues caused by autoconf badness (inability to support cross-building)
Tim and Phil both said that contract money might not influence their contribution levels (they are maxed out now). Changing their focus with money might be detrimental (it might just take the fun out of it.) So, outside contractors seems like the better way to go for now.
CELF sponsorship
The CE Linux Forum sponsored some work on open embedded. In 2006, CELF hired a contractor (Marcin Juskiewicz) to work on a few items. Marcin created an celinux-test distribution for the CE Linux Forum test lab. Among other things, this distro included a package of the Linux Test Project software. This distro should be available in the OE snapshot from February 27, 2007. He also built a system to mirror OE sources onto a machine in the CE Linux forum test lab.


text:
A southeast Kansas farmer whose video parody "What Does the Farmer Say" went viral last month has a new hit with his take on a Miley Cyrus song that features twerking cows.
Derek Klingenberg's spoof of "What Does the Fox Say?" got more than 4 million views online. The Peabody resident's new video dubbed "Feeding Cattle in the USA" — a parody of the Cyrus hit, "Party in the USA" — also is gaining traction, with nearly 11,000 views by Friday morning.
The video features the overall-wearing farmer singing into an ear of corn and doing light tricks with his iPhone. It also includes cows doing their own version of the provocative dance move called "twerking."
Klingenberg majored in agriculture at Kansas State University.
Associated Press information from: The Kansas City Star


text:
Why Egyptian Cotton
Throughout the past three centuries, Egyptian cotton has prevailed as one of Egypt's biggest competitive advantages. With an established reputation of being the "best" cotton in the world, its softness, strength and superior characteristics, have positioned products made of Egyptian cotton as the world's finest.
Egyptian cotton has not gained such a reputation without reason. Egyptian cotton "is" the world's finest cotton and the following characteristics are what sets Egyptian cotton apart from other natural fibres:
The length of the fibre makes it possible to make the finest of yarns without sacrificing the strength of the yarn
The strength of the fibre makes fabrics more solid and more resistant to stress
Its ability to absorb liquids gives fabrics made of Egyptian cotton deeper, brighter and more resistant colours
Its softness feels like nothing else in the world
Egyptian cotton is hand picked which guarantees the highest levels of purity. In addition, hand picking puts no stress on the fibres - as opposed to mechanical picking - leaving the fibres straight and intact.
All these factors have resulted in Egyptian cotton being by far the best cotton in the world. Fabrics made of Egyptian Cotton are softer, finer and last longer than any other cotton in the world.
What thread count for me?
The thread count is the number of threads in each square inch and generally speaking, the higher the thread count, the more luxurious, dense and soft the material will feel. The quality of the yarn is also very important in the feel of the product, so thread count alone does not always tell the whole story.
120-180 Thread Count | This range is most suitable for rentals and basic domestic use, the type often found in hospitals, and certainly good for a spare room and where the usage calls for material of a more basic nature.
200 Thread Count | A very cool and light percale cotton, mostly used in summer. Found in many hotels, this product is ideal for contract or domestic usage where the requirement is for cool crisp bed linen within a certain budget.
400 Thread Count | Definitely our best selling cotton product. A soft yet more substantial Egyptian cotton than the 200 count, favoured for it's cool feel and durability, with a universal appeal. This product is what you expect to find on the beds of major hotel chains worldwide.
600 Thread Count | Here is where the exclusive end of quality begins, made possible by the use of compressed air technology in the weaving process. It is a beautiful lustrous, uniform, soft and very smooth fabric, the best selling Luxury cotton in our upper range.
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text: Good morning. I'm David Greene. Maybe I'm over caffeinated, but is that an elephant in the parking lot. OK, not here, but that's what customers at a coffee shop in Cork, Ireland must've been thinking. They looked outside and saw a two and a half ton elephant. The animal, named Baby, had escaped from a traveling circus. Circus employees got Baby back within minutes. The coffee shop manager said things began when a customer said, look, there's an elephant. And he replied, yeah, OK. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Building 31, Room 9A04
31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts, supports, and coordinates research on diseases affecting public health, including erectile dysfunction.
1000 Corporate Blvd
Linthicum, MD 21090
The Urology Care Foundation offers this site where you can find information on pediatric and adult conditions. You can also search for a urologist and learn more about this field.
Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardAdrienne Carmack, MD


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At McCardel Restoration, LLC, our professional cleanup crew handles each crime scene cleanup with utmost respect and discretion.
At McCardel Restoration, LLC, we care about helping you transition from this difficult time. For your safety, we take care of biohazardous materials, which include blood, bodily fluids, and human tissue. Since human blood can carry diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, it's important that you contact us for proper cleanup and sanitation. Whether the crime or trauma happened in your residential or commercial space, McCardel Restoration, LLC is here to help. Accidental industrial deaths can be a crisis in the workplace, but our team's compassion and professionalism help make the process easier for everyone involved.
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text:
Obama risks overplaying his hand
So far the post-election politics in Washington are looking a lot like the pre-election politics, and at this point President Obama shares the bulk of the blame.
The fiscal cliff, a kick-the-can-down-the-road construction caused by a past impasse between the White House and the Republicans who control the House, is an opportunity. Both sides should be motivated to avoid the across-the-board tax increases and large budget cuts that will result at year's end if the two sides cannot reach a compromise on fiscal policy. And while going over the cliff would mean a big reduction in deficit projections, tax increases that size combined with such a sharp and sudden decrease in federal spending could trigger another recession.
President Obama is correct to point out that tax policy was a central theme in the presidential campaign. He pledged to work towards letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire for those making $250,000 or more. His opponent wanted to double-down with more tax cuts, and offered vague promises of making up for the revenue loss by eliminating some tax deductions. President Obama won, and exit polling showed an even greater majority than elected him agreed with his tax policy.
With that victory, the president concludes he has the upper hand and is insisting that House Republicans endorse his policy by voting to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for those making $250,000 or less, while letting the tax break expire on the wealthy.
But he is in danger of overplaying his hand.
If he wants to help Republican House Speaker John Boehner peel off enough Republican votes to approve this tax increase on the wealthy, the president has to offer something in return. Most of the House Republicans will return when the new Congress begins its terms in January. And most won re-election by promising voters to hold the line on taxes and cut spending. For many their greatest political fear is facing a future Republican primary foe who takes them down for being too soft on tax policy and spending.
Some may be ready to support a tax increase if they can return to their districts and say it was part of a compromise reducing spending and improving the deficit outlook. But none, we suspect, will be willing to go back to their districts and say they caved on taxes, which is seemingly what the president is asking.
On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner met with Speaker Boehner and other Republican leaders to discuss the president's proposal. It reportedly contained $1 trillion in new tax revenues by raising taxes on the wealthy, $600 billion in additional revenue through tax reforms next year, $50 billion in spending for a quick public works stimulus program and extension, again, of unemployment benefits, with a $30 billion annual price tag.
Budget cuts? Those would be $400 billion in entitlement savings to come, details to be worked out later; hardly a concrete assurance or a major deficit reducer.
We agree with Speaker Boehner's assessment: "Despite claims that the president supports a balanced approach, Democrats have yet to get serious about real spending cuts."
Rather than staying in Washington and negotiating, the president headed out to essentially campaign, appearing in Pennsylvania to chide Republicans for their unwillingness to tax the wealthy. That theatrical "going to the people" approach didn't work before and it won't work now.
Perhaps this is only an opening gambit by the White House. Put down a hard line, show political confidence, and negotiate from a position of strength. But unless President Obama can get his own party to back some genuine entitlement reform, or other serious budget cutting measures, we cannot see how Speaker Boehner can play ball.
Alternatively, the president may be ready to go over the cliff and blame recalcitrant Republicans. Politically, it may work in the short term. But if President Obama wants to get his second term off to a good start, if he wants to boost business and consumer confidence and get the economy growing, he needs a deal.
Yes the Republicans have to bend because they lost; but breaking them? That goes too far.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.


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Full-Service Suicide Cleanup in Imperial Beach, CA
Superior Restoration serves the needs of individuals, businesses, healthcare facilities, and geriatric care facilities with 24-hour services. Our experts are well prepared and well equipped for hoarder clutter removal, crime scene cleaning, unattended death cleaning, suicide cleanup, and similar situations. To help with your recovery, our crews discreetly and efficiently minimize further disturbance to your life.
Suicide cleanup demands special training. Following blood cleanup by a biohazard specialist, you require expert knowledge and experience for stain prevention and stain removal. In crime scene cleanup, situations like pepper spray or tear gas residue could leave you with days or weeks of burning eyes or other irritations. Only professionals can assure the best results in carpet and upholstery cleaning, and the restoration of treasured items. A full-service company such as ours can also deal with additional restoration needs such as painting and repairs.


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Digital Solutions: The EU's FENIX project – a platform for more efficient and climate-friendly logistics chains
FENIX = Federated European Network of Information eXchange in LogistiX
Development of a European federated architecture for data sharing serving the European logistics community
- More transparency through real-time information
- Standardized interfaces for ETA, etc.
- Innovative software modules (SDK) from the cloud
- Intermodal transport solutions within EU guidelines
Development, testing and validating practice-relevant services, e.g.:
- Container arrival times (ETA)
- Digitization of customs systems
- CO2 monitoring
Project goals:
- Overcome the fragmented goods transportation causing economic bottlenecks in the EU member states
- Harmonize and optimize cross-border logistics along selected European transport corridors
- Establish ICT standards for seamless communication of cargo flow addressing all modes of transport
Partners with profound market knowledge develop an architecture for a collaborative IT environment bringing together logistics information systems on an operational level
Achieving more together: international collaboration
How can international corporations put sustainability strategies into practice across borders? Deutsche Telekom employs CR managers for the relevant business segments and national companies to reach this goal. They use the CR Manager Network to regularly share best practices and discuss new challenges, thereby jointly promoting essential CR issues. The central Group Corporate Responsibility (GCR) department is responsible for managing the network. In the year 2021, the CR Manager Network encompassed more than 100 CR Manager from 34 subsidiaries based in 20 countries across the globe.
The participants are regularly invited to virtual meetings and capacity building calls by Group Corporate Responsibility. In 2021, content and likely implications of the EU Green Deal were discussed as well as progress within the #GreenMagenta programs and the new strategic stream "Positive impact on society" defined by the EU segment. Furthermore, the network members could gain insights into issues like Impact measurement and the future of a greener mobility.
"IT remarketing" project
Our "IT remarketing" project involves reconditioning our used IT hardware to make it suitable for further use. We continue to maintain our partnership with "AfB gemeinnützige GmbH", which offers job opportunities to people with disabilities. Within the scope of this partnership, we are giving some of our used IT hardware (e.g. laptops) to the organization for reconditioning and reselling. This will support us to save resources and to create jobs for people with disabilities as well as extend the life cycle of our used hardware.
Together against conflict resources
Telekom has been supporting the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) since 2008. The RMI is the largest initiative in the economy for responsible raw material procurement. Its aim is to identify conflict raw materials and to prevent their extraction and trading with them. The RMI goes back to a working group founded in 2008 by the Global enabling Sustainability Initiative and Responsible Business Alliance for the sustainable extraction of raw materials. Since then, the number of metalworking and smelting companies that participate in the RMI has grown steadily.


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CHAPTER 10: The Sixth Generation
Christian Frederick Martin IV was born on July 8, 1955. He then attended UCLA, majoring in Economics. In his free time, he helped in the guitar repair shop of Westwood Music in West Los Angeles, and this also gave him a valuable insight into the retail end of the music business.
When Chris was small, he helped box strings, 6 to a box. In 1972 and 1973 he became more active in the business, helping in the office and attending the NAMM Trade Show in Chicago. He also worked in the machine room cutting out guitar neck blanks on the bandsaw.
During the summer of 1973, Chris spent his time learning every operation and assisting with the construction of a D-28S guitar. This and his apprenticeship in the shop was an invaluable experience when he took his place in the family business.
Chris joined the Martin Guitar Company full time after his graduation from Boston University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the School of Management. Chris worked in many departments, learning how the business functioned from the bottom up. In 1985 he was appointed Vice President of Marketing, and he took an active roll in the day-to-day challenge of running a traditional business in a modern world. After the death of his grandfather, C. F. Martin III, on June 15, 1986, C. F. Martin IV was appointed Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, indicating his responsibility for leading Martin into the next century.
Under Chris' management, the Sycamore Street facility was expanded, the successful Backpacker travel guitar was introduced, and the limited edition guitar program was expanded to include signature models of significant artists like Gene Autry, Eric Clapton, and Marty Stuart as well as unique collaborations like the 1996 "MTV Unplugged" MTV-1 guitar. Perhaps the boldest new direction that Chris took was the development and introduction of the patented "1 Series" guitars, which thoroughly re-examined the way guitars are designed and constructed. Through the use of innovative processes combined with computer aided manufacturing, the "1 Series" models offer an affordable acoustic guitar without compromise of tone or craftsmanship.
The Martin Guitar Company is thriving under the direction of Chris, whose management style is friendly and personal, yet firm and direct. Chris travels extensively world-wide in order to stay abreast of market trends and to do instructional clinics at Martin dealerships around the world.


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14KT 1.25CTW Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
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- Low stock - 1 item left
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We offer free shipping on all orders!
We send all orders over $1,000 UPS 2nd day air. For orders under $1,000, we ship USPS.
We are typically able to fulfill orders to ship within 1-4 weeks or less.
Please feel free to Contact Us with any questions.
(Items marked as "Special Order" are non-refundable)
At Thompson Jewelers, we want to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase. We offer to fully exchange your purchase (of equal or greater value) within 30 days, providing the merchandise has not been worn or altered.
We offer a full refund to your original form of payment if you decide to return your product within ten days of purchase (providing merchandise has not been worn or altered). Thompson Jewelers will not refund any products that are custom-made, specially ordered, altered, or custom engraved. We will not refund any purchase ordered outside of stock size and gold color.
All special orders are non-refundable. Semi-mount rings that we have set with a loose stone are also non-refundable.
(Please call one of our in-store locations if you have any questions regarding our return policy)


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I am constantly impressed by the ability of people just like me who have had no formal training to produce professional quality photos. Even starting their own photography businesses on what began as a hobby. With today's photo imaging technology it's easier than ever to take quality shots.
Which is why I'm so excited to share a great resource with you other budding photographers out there. A couple weeks ago I saw this e-book on Made. I emailed the author, photographer Katie Perkes, for a chance to review it and give a few away. And happily, she agreed to offer three copies to three Grosgrain readers.
What caught my attention with this ebook was the info on getting good natural lighting. So often I see these great shots of kids whose faces seem lit up but you can tell the photo is not taken in full sun. Katie goes into detail about how to get those great shots and more.
Did you ever see that saying "You are not a photographer. You just have an overpriced camera." I feel like that is true for a lot of people. So often I see parents at school events with their obviously very expensive Canon DSLRs that are using the flash pointed directly at their subjects while indoors with decent lighting. Or paying no attention to any of the manual settings and using only the options on the 'auto' side of the wheel. (Here's a tip, if you know your manual settings it is very rare that you have to use that ugly flash).
Katie helps people with great cameras, take those great photos that they bought their great camera for in the first place! In her second chapter she discusses all the basics of SLRs. That being shutter, aperture, ISO. If you know the very basics of these three settings your photos will improve 100% percent. I promise. And it's not rocket science. Katie explains everything in very everyday terms. No professional words here. If you know zero about the manual settings of your DSLR by Chapter three you won't ever need to switch that dial to 'Auto' again.
Those are the most important parts of photography but they are certainly not the only great pieces of advice Katie offers. She also goes into detail about how to create a great shoots and how to compose the subjects in your photos for a great look.
And finally Katie goes into a chapter about something that I think should be a must for any photographer and that is a great photo editing software. Using a powerful photo editing software can sometimes take a really dull looking photo and turn it into the best of your shoot.
For those of you who've never even opened a photo editing program, Katie explains some very basic tools like contrast, vibrance and blacks and tells you how to use them to make your photos POP! But she also mentions some more in depth tips like converting to black and white the proper way, actions/presets, using brushes to highlight specific areas, fixing overexposure, using a really amazing tool called 'clarity' and many other highly useful tools.
So don't be one of those people with a great camera who takes mediocre photos. You really don't have to be scared of your manual settings! It's not like you're wasting film, right?! Katie's great ebook is a fabulous start to becoming a photographer and not just someone with an expensive camera.
And for those of you who would like some one on one experience with Katie she is currently offering a great workshop for beginners! In it, learn:
- the in's and outs of your camera so you can finally get it off auto.
- all about aperture, ISO, and shutter speed and how they relate.
- easy tips and tricks to get sharp crisp pictures.
- what kind of light to look for, how to position your subject in regards to the light and how to take a good picture in any lighting situation.
- how to compose a striking picture and what to look for in regards to composition through your lens.
- her entire editing process from start to finish.
Here's some of Katie's work from her website:
If you'd like to purchase her ebook right now, Katie is offering Grosgrain readers a $2.00 of discount of her ebook! Use coupon code: grosgrain at checkout.
For your chance to win ONE OF THREE COPIES of Katie's ebook, Grosgrain giveaways can be entered by any ONE of four ways:
2) By leaving a comment
3) By FOLLOWING Grosgrain using this link. If the link is not working please use THE LINK IN MY RIGHT SIDEBAR.
4) By following me on Twitter
Just remember to please leave me a comment telling me what you did so that I can go back and look for your entry. Either give me the link that you posted for the giveaway to or tell me that you began to follow me.


text: Products we could feel good about using When the opportunity came to review some of the happytails Spa product line, we jumped at the chance. We love the fact that these eco-friendly, all-natural, cruelty-free products were ones we could feel good about using on Irie and Tiki. We spoke with happytails specifically about Irie's itching and they recommended four products from their line: Our dogs need extra protection and there are products that can help with that! Flea the Scene by Happytails, an EcoWellDog brand, is one of the best products I have had the pleasure of trying out on the girls. Instead of the horrible smell that usually accompanies all-natural sprays aimed at knocking the socks off of those pesky critters, Flea the Scene has a pleasant aroma!. Next we tried the Outdoor Shampoo with Citronella from their Dirty and Hairy line of products on our dog Sammie. read the entire review on Mommyandmegiveaways.com Prevent the build-up of plaque As with humans, one of the best ways to prevent the build-up of plaque on a dog's teeth is with regular tooth brushing. Do not use toothpaste for humans on dogs since human toothpaste foams and requires rinsing unlike dog toothpaste which is specially formulated for dogs and does not require rinsing. The Kissable Pet Toothbrush and Toothpaste Combo from the Cain & Able Collection includes both a toothbrush with three heads that makes it easier to clean all surfaces of your dog's teeth and a tube of Kissable All Natural Pet Toothpaste made with an all-natural tartar control formula containing vanilla and tea tree oil. Daily brushing is ideal, but it may take time for your dog to become accustomed to the process and even a few times a week is helpful. read the entire review on Beauty News NYC Lilly and the miracle drops With her best friend gone, Lilly went into a serious depression. It has been months now and Lilly has slowly gotten better, but she has serious separation anxiety. She cries and cries for at least 20 minutes after my daughter leaves. She refuses to leave her blankets or my daughters room. If I remove her myself and keep her in my lap, to try and soothe her, she still cries and shakes and gets more nervous trying to get back to my daughter's room. It is VERY sad.


text:
Happy Camper 3D Customized Quilt Blanket
Happy Camper 3D Customized Quilt Blanket
Hippie Lyric Song 3D Customized Quilt Blanket
Quilt Blanket is unique design using high quality thread; all stitches are even, tight and dense which makes it durable. A traditional double-fold coordinating binding with decorative stitching around the edges ensures this quilt will stand the test of time!
- Hippie Lyric Song 3D Customized Quilt Blanket is a design that is different by using good quality thread; almost all stitches are dense, tight, and even making it long-lasting. A regular double-fold coordinating binding with decorative stitching within the edges guarantees the Quilt Blanket will stand the check of time!
- Quilt blankets are a perfect display of decoration as well. They can be used to cover your body during chillier nights or even shown on the couch for extra color and warmth in an otherwise simple room setting.
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You will receive an email once your order ships that contain your tracking information. If you haven't received tracking info within 5-7 days, please contact us.
We ship to more than 200 countries (United States US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, etc…), and you can enjoy on all items sold on the Store.
Explore more items in our Quilt Blanket collection Here >>.!


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The condition has left her partially blinded
Add to Lightbox DownloadEXCLUSIVE: Battling a rare health condition that has left half of her face disfigured, a 24-year-old Indian woman says she tries to live positively despite jeers by people. Sasikala K, from Chennai, the capital of India's southern Tamil Nadu state, suffers from plexiform neurofibromatosis, which has taken a toll on her face, affecting the right side. However, she admits her confidence has taken a hit of late. Sasikala, who prefers to live boldly and does not cover her face, likes dressing up and wearing make-up, much like girls her age, though she finds it difficult to execute them owing to her complications. She was only six-months-old when her parents noticed a part of her face swelling. However, they waited for another one and a half years to get medical help. "I have always been very bold, however, with age, the condition progressed and no one has come for help," she says, adding, "I am slowly losing my confidence." According to medical experts, her condition affects the face and craniofacial region of the body. It can also affect the neck and other parts of the body, depending upon the host. The family had not considered the deformity to be a big issue until Sasikala turned six and the face started to swell at an unusual rate. Now, almost 18 years later, she finds it difficult to execute daily chores like eating and brushing. The 24-year old is an employee at an embroidery unit run by a trust. Sasikala took it up as a means to support her family after completing her diploma in nursing and unable to land a job in the hospitality sector. Kumar, 54, Sasikala's father, says his daughter has been under the knife four times, but it has only gotten worse. "She was six when doctors operated upon her for the first time," Kumar says. "The result was satisfying and she looked normal," he added. However, the joy was short-lived, as the tumours grew back again. Kumar says upon approaching the doctors again, he was told that it could be controlled but wou
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Sasikala K Fascia Lata Sling 24-year-old Indian woman's face medicine shops rare health condition medical help rare disease left half of her face Dr. Ashwini Dash two-stage procedure complete procedure 24-year-old Indian woman medical experts southern Tamil Nadu state paltry income sling thorough check-up Madhya Pradesh half years unfailing spirit family capital of India Sasikala's father cost of the surgery previous surgeries high school facial nerve big issue medical intervention Kumar man doctors normal life cosmetic surgeon long time high school student six-months-old plexiform neurofibromatosis patient's original face tough battle Sasikala's life Dr. Dash lack of empathy part of her face swelling deformity face daughter age condition people health experts joy Chennai doctor fame girls help appearance USD Indore hope times toll jokes video first time India situation customers 24-year old nature lakh confidence escalation diploma parents nurse neck employee wife girl knife mechanic job fun education tumours pain first stage of the operation site desire employment sight younger son feature complications host trust porter ear Sasikala Milaap partner Fascia Lata 24-year eight years 70 percent six-months 18 years 54-year
- Contained in galleries
- Indian woman's face 'melting away' due to rare disease - 19 Sep 2019


text:
Oil spill planning and response remains the primary use of these maps, however they are finding ever-widening use in such areas as coastal resource inventories and assessments, coastal planning, and recreational planning.
The Time Period section in this metadata record represents the dates when the data and information were collected to prepare the GIS products and atlases. Hence, the actual observation of the resource status was completed on, or most likely before, this date. See the atlas-specific metadata for actual survey and data publication dates.
SHORELINE CLASSIFICATION - ESI maps include a shoreline ranking, based on a scale relating sensitivity, natural persistence of oil, and ease of cleanup. The shoreline classification scheme combines an understanding of the physical and biological character of the shoreline environment, as well as the substrate type and grain size. Relationships among physical processes, substrate type, and associated biota produce specific geomorphic/ecological shoreline types, sediment transport patterns, and predictable oil behaviors and biological impacts. The sensitivity ranking (Rank 1 - Rank 10) is dictated by the following factors: relative exposure to wave and tidal energy, shoreline slope, substrate type (grain size, mobility, penetration and/or burial, and trafficability), and biological productivity and sensitivity.
Methods for classifying shorelines include review of existing maps, literature, and remote imagery, incorporated with observations from low-altitude aerial surveys and ground observations.
Base maps, shoreline, wetland boundaries, and aerial photographs are gathered prior to a survey. Using this information, along with any previous studies of the area, the geologist completes a preliminary shoreline classification. This classification is modified during the fieldwork process.
Fieldwork consists of two parts: aerial surveys and ground verifications. During the overflight phase, the geologist annotates the shoreline base map with ESI Rankings, carefully noting transitions in habitats. Shorelines with more than one ESI type in the intertidal zone are annotated on the map in order from landward to seaward ESI classification. A segment of coastline may be assigned up to three ESI shoreline types. In areas where the coastline has changed significantly from the base map (either through natural or artificial processes), the geologist modifies the base map by hand. In addition to classifying the shoreline, the observer takes representative low-altitude, oblique photographs for each ESI habitat.
Ground verification consists of spot-checking to confirm aerial observations. Ideally, an example of each habitat is visited and photographed from the ground. At a minimum, ground verification concentrates on confirming grain-size classification for sedimentary substrates, since this can be difficult to recognize from the air. If a portion of the coast is identified during the overflights as problematic or difficult to classify, that segment is ground checked and maps are updated according to the ground observations.
Once the field component of the project is complete, the maps are scanned and the digital shoreline arcs are updated with the ESI attributes noted in the field. The shape and position of the digital shoreline may also be modified at this time to reflect field observations. After the information from the field map has been incorporated into the digital database, the ESI shoreline is color-coded and replotted at the same scale as the original base maps. The geologist then compares the classified shoreline plots to the original field-annotated base maps and any errors in shoreline attributes, as recorded in the GIS database, are corrected.
SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - ESI maps depict oil-sensitive animals and rare plants, as well as habitats that are used by oil-sensitive species. Some habitats, such as submersed aquatic vegetation and coral reefs, that are themselves sensitive to oil spills may also be depicted.
Biological resource information is gathered from local officials who provide expert knowledge and suggest relevant source materials for biological resources in the study area. When the data have been collected and reviewed, the biologist plans how each resource will be mapped throughout the entire study area. During this process, it may be necessary to prioritize the species to be mapped in order to avoid excess clutter, which makes the final product difficult to read or interpret. Considerations may include species that are rare or listed as protected or endangered, or those species that have a particular commercial, recreational, or cultural value in the area. It may also be appropriate to limit some species-mapping to particularly critical life stages, such as nesting or spawning.
Biological features are mapped as points, polygons, and lines, and are given unique numbers corresponding to associated data tables, for easy identification and editing.
HUMAN-USE RESOURCES - ESI maps also include human-use areas that could be impacted by an oil spill, or that could provide access for spill response operations. They include areas that have added sensitivity and value because of their use, such as beaches, parks, and marine sanctuaries; water intakes; and archaeological sites. Human-use resources are divided into four major components: high-use recreational and shoreline access locations, management areas, resource extraction locations, and archaeological and historical cultural resource locations. Each human-use resource is assigned a feature type and feature code. Management areas are typically mapped as polygons, while the remaining socioeconomic resources are generally depicted as points.
For more information about the data sources and process for a particular resource, refer to the metadata record for the desired resource in the ESI atlas of interest.
Animals, plants, and habitats potentially at risk from oil spills are segmented into seven elements based on major taxonomic and functional groupings. Each element is further divided into groups of species or sub-elements with similar taxonomy, morphology, life history, and/or behavior relative to oil spill vulnerability and sensitivity. Attribute data include: species names (common and scientific), the legal status of each species (state and/or federal threatened, endangered, and special concern listings), concentration/abundance, seasonal presence by month, and special life-history time-periods (e.g. spawning, nesting).
Human-use resources can be subdivided into four major components: high-use recreational and shoreline access locations, management areas, resource extraction locations, and archaeological and historical cultural resource locations. Each of these elements is further subdivided based upon types of use.
The files included at https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/data/NOAA/nos/EnvironmentalSensitivityIndices/VirginIslands/ include the individual map PDFs, as well as files containing ancillary ESI map information: GUIDE.PDF, INTRO.PDF, INDEX.PDF, LEGEND.PDF, SEASON.PDF (for some atlases), and METADATA.PDF. In order for the links between the various documents to work properly, users must maintain the same directory structure and file names on their personal hard drive.
To view a map of a particular area, the user should open the INDEX file and click a region of interest on the map. The map file will open, displaying the ESI for that region. To ensure that the user has seasonality information for each region, the appropriate seasonality table has been packaged as part of each map file. (To view the seasonality information for that map, click the title, óóóEnvironmental Sensitivity Index Map,óóó or simply scroll down to the next page. To return to the ESI map, click the seasonality page title, or simply scroll up until the map is in view.)
The PDFs can be used online or can be printed as individual atlas pages.