text: Joanna Montgomery 2016-05-31T18:04:04-04:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=joanna-montgomery Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Joanna Montgomery Good old fashioned elbow grease. I'm Okay, You're Okay - But Are We Really? tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.4344988 2013-11-26T13:56:29-05:00 2014-01-26T05:59:02-05:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-montgomery/ It's one thing encouraging someone to try and cheer up, but are we taking it too far by enforcing this elated belief that we have to be able to instantly bounce back from anything? Last week, an acquaintance of mine published a rawly honest and inspiring blog post; How to be Strong and When to be Weak. It is a tale of a lengthy battle with pain culminating in some important lessons about both life and business. The upfront honesty of her blog post left me feeling a combination of unsettled and amazed. Initially, I wasn't sure how to feel about someone I respect so much being so fragile. Seeing someone so strong express vulnerability was new to me and I felt something not too dissimilar to guilt as her words sank in. But why did I feel like that? Because everything I have been exposed to so far - in business, education, society - has conditioned me to believe that strong figures should remain firmly upon their pedestals of greatness. Unfaltering, uncompromising and never showing any signs of weakness. The feeling of needing to show the world we can cope with anything is one that most of us are probably familiar with. The concept of even admitting to a struggle is something most of us actively avoid; we'd rather fight on with a forced smile fixed upon our faces. And I find myself wondering how we, as a society, have ended up here. Completely invincible: is this how we have become forced to portray ourselves as individuals, business leaders, human beings? When did we reach the point where not feeling 100% was seen as a weakness? As a 26 year old businesswoman, it's something I battle every day. When I started my company there were a lot of doubters around me, so right from the get-go I felt like I had a lot to prove. In almost everything I've done, I have felt pressure to do it to the maximum of my ability, if not beyond. My successes are loud and widely-publicised and are followed by waves of affirmation and admiration. But in my failures, shortfalls and darker moments, I am closed off. I hide behind the billboard labelled 'successful young entrepreneur' and I deal with them quietly and in solitude, because to expose them to the rest of the world is not an option. Anyone who knows me well will be able to tell you I don't do anything by halves. I pursue things with an arguable level of obsession and I carry the inability to admit any hint of frailty across every area of my life. Once, near the end of a session, my personal trainer asked me how I was doing, because I "have a good poker face when I'm tired". It would appear I also believe I am also so super-human that being tired after sixty minutes of intense exercise is a failing on my part. My circle of trust, the small group of individuals I can confess my true emotional status to, is getting smaller and smaller. With every difficult day, every bad meeting, every awkward situation; there's someone else I opt to keep it from. Soon, I will have reigned it in so far that I am standing in a walled garden on my own. And the sad thing is, everybody does it. We greet people with an automatic, almost rhetorical "how are you?" and we all say "I'm fine". We say we're fine even when we're not. There's even an almost heroic side to 'pretending to be okay'. The social media platform Tumblr is full of positive, inspirational quotes - but for every one of those, there is also a much darker, sinister statement or image about pretending not to love someone or struggling through nights alone. I haven't studied the demographics, but I imagine that the latter are circulated and shared by a much younger audience. We must ask ourselves if we are encouraging this. Do we want teenage girls thinking if they feel broken hearted, the best way to deal with it is to lock themselves in their bedrooms and listen to sad music? The concept of revealing a chink in our armour feels, to many of us, like a failure. But that chink, that weakening of your protective outer shell, has probably come from protecting you throughout many battles. Whilst you set out at 100%, over time you have fielded blows, pushed through conflict and subjected yourself to the general wear and tear of everyday use. If we roll with this metaphor - do you think a mighty knight would have felt shame in asking a blacksmith to repair his kit? Would he have felt guilty or ashamed, like the damage sustained was somehow his fault? No. And neither should you. Life is most definitely not a fairytale, but there are still some lessons we can learn from our mythical counterparts. Admitting when you are struggling can help you, rather than hinder you. Even trusting a select few, close friends or colleagues with a problem can make your life easier, and their support can enable you to focus on the things you really need to. Strength is indeed a desired attribute, especially in the business world, but with such strength should also come the ability to recognise when to be weak. Asking someone to help mend your armour is not a weakness. Our emotions are bigger than our best intentions and I think it's time we all stopped kidding ourselves that pretending to be fine is an acceptable, or in any way constructive, solution. There is no permanence in a lifestyle where you are consistently deceiving yourself and others. So next time someone asks you how you are, before you let "I'm fine" tumble out of your mouth, take a deep breath and ask yourself: how are you really?]]> How to Take Care of Yourself When No One Else Will tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3981105 2013-09-24T08:26:05-04:00 2013-11-24T05:12:01-05:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-montgomery/ Last week I lost my last remaining grandparent. It was an event which, although loosely manageable in its own entity, kick-started nearly a week of endless headaches. Cancelled business trips, re-arranged meetings, car accidents, delayed flights... it was a feature film in the making, but without the cinematic ending. By the time the weekend rolled around, I felt like someone had scooped my brain out and whizzed it through a blender before pouring it back into my hollow skull. I had given everything I had to other people; every decision, every thought, even every penny of my bank account had been drained from me and channeled into someone else's wellbeing. I ploughed on, adamant that I could take care of myself - and I can, I know that. On Friday morning, as I dragged my defeated body out of a personal training session, my trainer reminded me of my own strength, adding "you have to take care of yourself, because nobody else will". Well, his language was slightly more tarnished, but I think that's the point he was making. And he was right. As I arrived home to face reality, everything was still there, just uprooted, like my world had been built on the floor out of Lego and someone had accidentally tripped over it. There was still washing to be done, shopping to be collected and the decision to be made about what was for dinner. Selfishly, all I really wanted was for someone to make me a cup of tea. I don't know whether everyone burns themselves out every so often or if it is a trait particularly predominant in those who work for themselves, but I'm sure we all have times when we fail to look after ourselves as well as we should. And whilst it's not always practical to put yourself first, you do have to be mindful of your own wellbeing. When you are balanced, you make decisions and draw boundaries thoughtfully, interacting with others with integrity and certainty. Looking after yourself means knowing how to manage your time and lifestyle to meet your needs, so you can be better to yourself and your tasks. I haven't exactly done a great job of it this week, but there are always a few gentle ways you can take care of yourself. Write a worry list Stress makes us vulnerable and worrying never helped anyone. Write a list of everything you are worried about and add to it whenever something is on your mind. It sounds stupid, but being able to 'park' your worries makes it easier to set them to one side and deal with them later. Do the worst tasks first They are the toughest to face but once they're done, everything else will seem a little easier. Walk everywhere You might be busy or pressed for time, but taking the opportunity to walk somewhere is worthwhile. You'll boost your endorphin levels and hopefully get some fresh air but, most importantly, it gives you some alone time to think and refocus. Drink tea Coffee can perk you up but can also make you crash. Tea is hot and comforting but won't dehydrate you or gives you the shakes the way coffee does. Besides, is there any situation a cup of tea can't improve? Do something you're good at Take some time every day to do something you excel at. Cook a cracking meal, look fierce in your favourite outfit or show your whole spin class how it's really done. Remember how it feels to be great and then try to hold onto that feeling when you have to bury yourself in work again. Eat healthy food Whilst eating for convenience is tempting, it pays off to cook and eat fresh produce. Rubbish food makes you feel sluggish, which isn't what you need when you're under enough stress already. Fuelling yourself nutritiously will take care of your body and boost your mood. Honour your limits Set some limits or goal points and stick to them. When you have a lot on your plate, it's easy to feel like you're never quite done. Set clear restrictions or goals and respect them, eg. "I am going to focus on this report for one hour". Outsource and delegate Outsource anything that makes your life easier, eg. cleaning or laundry. For everything that's left, use other people for support when you need it. Everyone has a team, whether at work or home. Go for a run (or a long walk) I love exercise but am not generally a fan of running unless I have a lot on my mind. The monotony of repeatedly putting one foot in front of the other can give you the space to work out what's going on inside your head. Say no to anything that isn't important to you Grant yourself permission to focus on what is important. Shedding things which aren't priorities not only leaves you with more time to deal with the important things, but lightens the burden you're feeling of keeping up with it all. Postpone all major decisions Times of crisis make us fraught for change, but now isn't the time to be moving house, quitting your job or breaking up with your significant other. Trust me. Save the big stuff for when you can think more clearly. Remember that you are only human You are doing exactly what you need to do. Trust your instincts, know you are doing your absolute best and do not let anyone else tell you otherwise.]]> One Year On as a 'Woman of the Future' tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3908322 2013-09-11T14:14:53-04:00 2013-11-11T05:12:01-05:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-montgomery/ write about my experience of being a young, female technologist running a business in a predominantly male landscape. A year has passed since then. I am a year older, hopefully somewhat wiser and I am lucky enough to have another three hundred and sixty-five days of business experience under my belt. Oh, and I own a lot more shoes - because I'm a woman, you know? I started my business straight out of university, so every day throws up new challenges. A lot can happen in a year - especially when it's 1/25th of your life and a whopping one third of your career to date. Over this time, I have realised that there are lessons to be learned, areas in which to grow, and things you just have to accept. Other people are amazing. As a person, I don't really lack confidence. I've always known what I want, where I want to be and how I intend to accomplish everything. I don't know whether it's down to being young, naive, (female?) or all of those things combined, but I used to feel a bit like I had something to prove. I wasn't ashamed to ask for help, but always did so with a minor feeling of defeat. Opening myself up to other people has helped me in more ways than I can list. I learn more, I understand myself better and I have access to years of experience. Best of all, I have an incredible support network behind me regardless or whether I have a business problem or am just having a bad day. The independent, sole warrior may be ferocious, but she sure gets lonely sometimes. Girls are special. Alright, let's just get this one out of the way. I am a girl. I wear make up, I paint my nails and my hair gets all messed up when it's windy. It shouldn't matter that I run a business, or that I work in technology, but to some people it does - and that's fine. We won't bother with the 'women in business' discussion but I have learned that if you happen to be one, people are going to want you to talk about it. A year ago, I wasn't really sure how I felt about the whole thing or how comfortable I was being placed on a giant pedestal of femininity, but today I am forthcoming with my opinion and respect that I am fortunate enough to be in a position to do some good with it. At the end of the day, the statistics remain the same: there are fewer women then men in both the business and technology worlds so ultimately, anything we can do to encourage more young girls to pursue their ambitions in these areas, the better. You're always learning. If I could, I would go back and sit through my university lectures all over again. Well, apart from the ones about the Harvard Referencing system; I'd probably give those a miss. I like to expand my horizons and one of the things I love most about my career is that I'm learning every day. It can be exciting, eye-opening and exhausting - sometimes all at once. As a young founder, I definitely underestimated just how much I was going to have to take on board in short periods of time. It can be pretty taxing, but it's worth it when you look back and realise you now pack a mighty skillset that far surpasses the humble foundations you started out on. Whether you realise it or not, you take something away from almost every experience - and that's pretty magical. Setbacks happen. If you happen to be one of the people waiting patiently for my product to launch, I don't need to tell you that things go wrong. Deals fall through, suppliers don't deliver or prototypes don't work. It's not just work-related either; your personal life can really screw you over if it wants to. And trust me when I say you always get the flu when you have the most work to do or an awesome party to go to. More often than not, it's not even your fault, but when things go wrong it can be frustrating, disheartening and can throw you off course. Riding out the bumps can be tricky, but it is how you deal with these setbacks that can really define you as a person. When I started Little Riot I battled business problems as if they were my own personal shortcomings, whereas now I aim to gain something positive from every situation. Let your setback be the platform for your comeback. Never underestimate yourself. I think this is the greatest thing I have learned in the past year. Never underestimate what you are capable of and, more importantly, do not let anyone else tell you what you can or cannot achieve. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but who cares which side of it you fall on if it gets the job done? I am shamelessly proud to be able to say I have accomplished things in 2013 that people told me I would not be able to - and I wouldn't have managed any of it had I listened to the doubters. No one ever got punished for pursuing their passion (apart from witches, but I think you can even try that today if you really want to) so a big life/business lesson for me has been that anything is worth a shot. The harder you work, the luckier you get, so with enough commitment there's a good chance your own self-belief will deliver results. Success is a fickle beast and can be defined and quantified in many ways. If I can sit here in a year's time, having grown as a person and learned as much as I have in this past year, I will consider myself a very lucky person. If I still have a company, that will just be a bonus. Oh, and our parents were right; for every year you age, your birthday gets less exciting. Joanna Montgomery was shortlisted for the 2013 Women of the Future Awards. For further information click here. The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 13 November and is hosted by Real Business in association with Shell.]]> Three Years Later: 6 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Graduated tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3453085 2013-06-17T08:03:42-04:00 2013-08-17T05:12:01-04:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-montgomery/ It has been three years since I emerged from the world of academia, triumphantly brandishing the piece of paper which, in its fragile entity, personified four years of blood, vodka and tears. I graduated from the University of Dundee in 2010 with a degree in Digital Interaction Design. My final year at university was the home straight - one project, for the entire year - yet it felt like running a marathon, backwards, whilst being shot at. The poignant yet sobering end of my time at university triggered a rush of mixed feelings that I neither saw coming nor knew how to deal with. Part of me was crawling out of a battlefield, battered but triumphant, knowing I was going to need some time to piece myself back together before even thinking about what I was going to do next. But another part of me was waltzing out of those university gates, through shoves of gospel singers belting out 'Aquarius', heading off into the sunset towards the magical kingdom of future employment and splendor. Marrying the experience of what you've just been through with your hopes moving forward can be difficult. I started my own company almost straight after university and, to be completely honest, for the last three years I've felt like I've been stumbling along, defiantly trying to find my way in the world. And then this week, a newly graduated student from my old university approached me and asked if we could go for coffee. Sitting across the table from her as she animatedly talked about her work and what she was going to do next, I could spot the flashes of uncertainty and trepidation in amongst her ambition. It was in that instant that I realised how much I have learned since I graduated. Sitting opposite the 2010 version of myself made it impossible to ignore how much I have grown as a person and, as I chatted to her, it struck me that there were actually quite a lot of things I could have done with hearing at that point in my life. 1. It's okay to have absolutely no idea what's coming next As I said above, you will probably feel like someone has thrown your brain into a blender on the highest setting and then poured it back into your skull. This is normal and it's just the way you feel after anything that you've worked really hard at. If you need some time to regroup, take it. Don't rush into anything when your head is still swirling. I had a brief flirtation with a PhD when I graduated, but when I look back now, I can see I made that decision before I was ready to. Something that feels like a great idea today might not feel like a great idea tomorrow, so watch out for that. 2. Trying things will help you work out what you want to do Test the water. Internships get a lot of bad press these days but - even if they're unpaid - if you make them work for you, they can be worthwhile. I did some work experience as a web designer... which made me realise I didn't want to be a web designer. If you don't know what you want to do, that's fine - but don't sit around thinking about it for too long. If you're not sure, some trial and error will, at the very least, help you eliminate some options. Take the odd opportunity that might seem like a strange fit - you never know what you will enjoy. 3. If you want to go it alone, now is the best time to try When I decided to turn down two job offers and start my own company, most of my friends and classmates told me I was out of my mind. To them, the idea of forgoing the security of a job and the comfort of a regular salary for something uncertain was ridiculous - but the reality is, you have nothing to lose. For the previous three or four years you've been flat broke and living on beans on toast, so your life won't really change, will it? I mean, don't hold me to that when your Council Tax bill arrives, but other than that, you have no commitments and are perfectly placed to give self-employment or enterprise a shot. It will be harder (but not impossible!) further down the line with a salary rolling in and bigger bills racing out so if you fancy being your own boss, now is the time to give it a shot. 4. Never settle I watched fellow graduates accept any old job, purely because it was a job. I understand the importance of survival - but don't get stuck in a rat race that doesn't interest you. If you have to take a job but know it's not what you want, keep an eye open for other opportunities and use your spare time to work towards them. If something's not working for you, drop it as soon as you can and move on. You are a point in your life where you can really choose who and what you want to be so don't be complacent about it. Feeling lost or undecided for a little while is fine, but feeling unhappy or unfulfilled is not. 5. Things probably won't pan out the way you expect them to And that's okay. Just run with it. I'm a big believer in following your gut instinct, so if something feels right and you're enjoying the journey, see where it leads. Just because you have a degree in politics doesn't mean you need to become a politician. A bachelor of textiles needn't spend the rest of her days sewing. Don't feel bad if your path veers away from the subject you studied because you don't owe your degree anything unless you want to. Regardless of the title on your certificate, you learned discipline, problem solving, collaboration, commitment and a whole host of other transferable skills that will benefit you no matter what you choose to do. Three years ago, I could never have imagined being where I am now, but I'm glad I am - and no one throws me out of meetings because I don't have a degree in business studies. 6. Trust others No one expects you to know everything. Be transparent about your fears as well as your ambitions because it shows an understanding of self. Speak to anyone who will listen and anyone who interests you because surrounding yourself with good people makes everything far less scary. That big job interview you're worried about? Just be honest with them - they're interested in your potential, not your shop talk. I was desperate to write my business plan on my own, but the reality is that I needed the support of those more experienced than me - and no one thought any less of me because of that. As my rendezvous with the 2010 Version of Myself came to an end, I was hit by some new mixed feelings of my own. We headed out of the coffee shop and parted ways, but later that day I found myself wondering if I was glad to be three years into my career, or envious of her. Would I do things different now, given the chance? Graduating is exciting because you have the whole world at your fingertips, and it's terrifying because you have the whole world at your fingertips. There is one mighty adventure ahead of you, but trust me when I say you're going to be just fine.]]> Pretty Face and Thick Skin: Flourishing in a Male World tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2121482 2012-11-13T19:00:00-05:00 2013-01-13T05:12:01-05:00 Joanna Montgomery http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-montgomery/ Two years on, my experience has broadened and my knowledge has increased, but every day I fight two battles; I have to prove myself as both a businesswoman and a technology pioneer. I don't feel like I struggle as a female in a very male-dominated industry, more that I just constantly have to work around - and indeed defy - the assumptions people make about me based on my gender. Many women I've met feel disadvantaged by the attitudes they encounter, but I like to think that there is something positive to be found in every setback. Over time, I have become familiar with the preconceptions I face and have learned how to ensure I make them work for me. "So you just came up with the idea, right?" This is the most common and by far the most frustrating assumption people make: that I came up with the concept but had to get someone else to make it for me. Like I wrote down my idea with a pink gel pen, dotting my i's with love hearts, and then fluttered my eyelashes as the nearest male until my product popped into fruition. It verges on insulting when men stare at me, either wide-eyed with amazement or with questioning disbelief, when I tell them that no, actually, I did the lot. I had an idea, I built the circuit and I wrote the code to program it. I manage my team of engineers and programmers with watertight specification documents and I quite literally know my product inside out. Secretly, I quite enjoy surprising them. It's like slapping a Royal Flush down on the table when they realise just how badly they have underestimated you. Once you've moved past this point, their preconception rapidly transforms into a very pleasant attitude of awe and admiration. I've found this can actually establish a really good starting point for a business relationship, too. "So when are you going to get a CEO to run your business?" It is usually other technologists or designers - but always men - who enquire as to whether I intend to replace myself as the top dog in my company. I generally find this retort somewhat ironic given the longstanding joke that it is our male counterparts who cannot multitask! A lot of people seem to think that I wish I could spend all my time locked in a dark room with an endless supply of coffee, manicly scribbling down endless product ideas. The reality is that I love running a business. I have been very fortunate in that I've ended up creating a company doing what I'm passionate about, but if you took technology out of the equation, I'd still be running a business of some kind. I don't even fully believe it comes down to being female; I suspect there are men who have started a company as a platform to distribute their technology, who face the same problem. There aren't many good things that can come out of a conversation after this; the individual in question thinks you're incapable of doing your job and you just resent them for it. Personally I'm not really interested in acquainting myself with those who doubt me, so it's best to just be grateful you're not that ignorant and move on. "You don't look like I thought you would..." This can go one of two ways and I have discovered I can delight or disappoint in equal measures. As Pillow Talk is arguably a very romantic and heart-melting concept, a lot of people seem to instinctively assume that I'll be as girly as they come. "I was expecting you to be dressed head to toe in pink!" a man once joked as he shook my hand, having already heard about the product before meeting me. Depressingly, this preconception usually comes as part of a package deal, lavishly wrapped up in pink ribbon with an "I doubt she knows anything about running a business" attitude. At the other end of the scale are the stereotypers who ignorantly believe that any female in the technology world is a geek and that any girl geek is, by default, well... really ugly. Sometimes men can't hide their surprise when I walk into a room or introduce myself. I can see them observing me with an air of suspicion, like I'm a mythical creature who has been sent along to their nerdy event to try and somehow catch them out. Sorry boys, I know in your head I am watching Star Trek, pushing my thick-framed glasses up my nose and contemplating my next fix of World of Warcraft, but today I'm just a regular girl who happens to like technology. Although amusing, neither of these are deal breakers. If there is business to be done, it can be a tiring and repetitive exchange to get out of the way, but most of the time it triggers light-hearted small talk and starts conversations. Too often nowadays when we talk about women in technology - or indeed business - we reflect upon the inequality and struggle endured in this apparently bitter, unjust world. It can, at times, be overwhelming and indeed quite depressing when considered in that light. I have recently been shortlisted in the Science and Technology section of the Woman of the Future Awards, in association with Shell. My nomination ranks me among a collective of women who are all facing, or have faced, the issues I mention above. All of these extraordinary individuals have tackled similar obstacles throughout the course of their careers and you can be damn sure they never let it hold them back. Fortunately, attitudes towards women in technology are beginning to change and female participation continues to increase in this sector. Lazy, sexist and archaic stereotypes are slowly falling away to be replaced with a quiet appreciation of the valuable and significant roles women play in driving innovation forward. Whilst the statistics still show that there are more men than women in this field, perhaps we need to consider changing the conversation rather than the ratios. By understanding the part women play and highlighting what they bring to the technology sector, we can pave our way towards a world which revels in the success stories rather than the gender imbalance. Although the small shift we have already seen is arguably victorious in laying the foundations, it won't be easy breaking through decades of male-orientated attitudes and expectations. Women in the technology business are just as capable and vivacious as men - but we still need the respect, appreciation and support from them that we deserve. So to all the men reading, I'll give you this one for free; in future, talk to my face - because my tits ain't listening. Joanna Montgomery is a shortlister of the 2012 Women of The Future Awards. For further information click here. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 20 November and is hosted by Real Business in association with Shell.]]>


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Butte County Fire Department is the largest fire department north of Sacramento, California to Eugene, Oregon. We are a combination of career and citizen volunteer firefighters.
Our Mission: "To provide professional services to protect lives, property, and environment to those residing, working or traveling with in the unincorporated areas of Butte County, the cities of Biggs and Gridley and the Town of Paradise."
Thank you for visiting your Fire Department website. The purpose of this website is to give you an overview of the commitment the fire department's personnel have to the communities we serve. We hope you find this site informative and helpful.
Butte County Cooperative Fire Protection is a full service regional fire and rescue provider that dates back to 1931. With the combination of State, county, and local resources, the citizens and visitors of Butte County benefit from a cost effective organizational structure of the highest level. The collective effort of this cooperative system is provided by CAL FIRE, Butte County, the Cities of Gridley and Biggs and the Town of Paradise. We are grateful to our elected and appointed officials for embracing the regional fire protection model which builds a strong relationship and commitment to serve with integrity.
It is with great pride that I am able to serve as your Fire Chief and share with you our department's Mission, Vision and Core Values.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Butte County Cooperative Fire Agencies to provide professional services to protect lives, property, and environment to those residing, working or traveling within the unincorporated areas of Butte County, the Cities of Biggs and Gridley and the Town of Paradise.
We are CAL FIRE serving the Butte County Fire Department, Biggs & Gridley Fire Departments and the Town of Paradise Fire Department providing public safety and all risk emergency services to the citizens and visitors of Butte County as part of a dynamic and cooperative regional response team. Our career and volunteer members, work side by side as a team, proud to serve the communities in which we live. We treat one another with respect and dignity and are guided by our core values. We are focused on comprehensive training, supported with quality equipment, and fire apparatus, and guided by policies and procedures that enable our Department to deliver quality emergency services to the citizens of Butte County.
It is the responsibility of each member to support the mission and vision by subscribing to the following values:
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Darren Read
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Fedora 10, kickstart install (booted netinst image CD) - cannot eject CD during install
- From: Peter Schwenk <schwenk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 11:00:50 -0400
Let me start with some background to the problem. I'm performing kickstart installations by booting the system with a CD made from the F10 netinst ISO. My installation RPMs are stored on an NFS server. I've got the updates repository being served up by an HTTP server.
Now for the problem... With previous versions of Fedora (and other Red Hat-related distros, like CentOS), I was able to push the eject button on the CD drive DURING THE INSTALLATION and get my boot CD out of the machine. This was handy because I could start the installation, get my CD back and walk away from the machine. Now, with Fedora 10, I am unable to get my CD out of the drive during the installation. It is a minor hassle to have to come back later to retrieve my CD. Plus, if I want to kickstart install multiple machines at once, I have to have many copies of the boot CD.
Setting up a PXE boot scenario is not a good solution because I do not have control over the campus' DHCP service.
Does anyone know how to eject a boot CD during a kickstart install? Thanks in advance for your help.
Peter Schwenk
Campus IT Associate 3
Mathematical Sciences
University of Delaware
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eric ripert
Beard Awards Recap, Straight From NY (Or How to Feel Like a Groupie)
I just got back from a four-night trip to NYC. Although I was there with Joe for his birthday, it just so happened that the Beard Awards were last night. The Twitter board was jumping with SF chefs tweeting about their flights out to NYC (Coi's Daniel Patterson is apparently no longer a virgin on Virgin America).
Which Chef Does Eric Ripert Think is an S.O.B?
Chef Eric Ripert of NYC's Le Bernardin was in town last week to promote his excellent new cookbook, On The Line (Artisan). Co-authored by Christine Muhlke, it's a look behind the scenes (danger, drama!) at one of the country's most revered fine-dining restaurants. Twenty years into it, Ripert has a lot to say.
Ripert is close friends with chef Laurent Manrique of Aqua, so he's spent more than the usual amount of time eating around SF. Ripert and I sat down for dinner the other night and had a chat. Turns out he's a seriously nice, soft-spoken guy.


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Convention Center labor pact ignites controversy
The news last week that organized labor had dropped its opposition to the planned San Diego Convention Center expansion after securing a union-friendly construction agreement has reignited still simmering controversy over such pacts.
Backers of a successful ballot measure earlier this year that bars San Diego from requiring so-called project labor agreements on city construction projects are already threatening a fight that could potentially include litigation.
The city's chosen contractor for the $520 million convention center project said last week that it had entered into an agreement with local unions, independent of the city, that will guarantee employment for both union and nonunion workers while ensuring local hiring and union-level wages and benefits for all workers. City leaders, as well as the contractor, insist that such an agreement is entirely legal.
While acknowledging that a privately arranged labor pact does not violate the ballot proposition that voters passed last June, critics say it represents an end-run around a measure backed by 58 percent of the electorate.
"They're clearly violating the spirit of the measure and going into a town where the vast majority are non-union workers and in a county that has passed five different project labor agreement bans, including the city itself," said Eric Christen, executive director of the Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction, whose mission is to fight project labor agreements.
"There will be a backlash legally and public relations-wise. We want to get our hands on the PLA, and if there's any opportunity to stop this legally, then clearly we will."
Whether opposition to the privately negotiated pact could delay or, at worst, derail the expansion project remains to be seen, but it nonetheless underscores the strong passions aroused when unions and high-profile developments come together.
At stake in the proposed center expansion are as many as 4,000 construction jobs.
When Mayor Jerry Sanders, joined by San Diego labor leader Lorena Gonzalez, announced last week that the city's unions would be reversing course and supporting the project, he made no mention of the labor pact. He focused instead on agreements the city had worked out with the unions to resolve environmental and worker safety issues they had raised that could have put the waterfront project in jeopardy when it goes before the California Coastal Commission next year.
Sanders later stressed that the city of San Diego, although it will contribute funds toward the expansion, had nothing to do with the pact worked out between the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and a joint venture of the Clark and Hunt construction groups, selected as the contractor.
"In the end, labor came to believe that local jobs and the hotel tax revenue from the expanded convention center were more important to our community than delaying the project," Sanders said in a statement.
Project labor contracts, supporters point out, have become increasingly common when it comes to complex, costly projects that depend on a highly trained, stable workforce.
Locally, such agreements have been used by the San Diego Unified School District for projects worth more than $1 million under its $2.1 billion Proposition S construction program, and a similar pact was in place for the construction of Petco Park in the early 2000s.
"Labor has the absolute right to enter into project labor agreements with contractors. This is not connected in any way to the city proposition," said Tom Lemmon, business manager for the Trades Council.
Lemmon was unwilling to provide a copy of what he says is a private agreement but said it will define the number of permitted nonunion employees, augmented by workers from organized labor. It also will ensure benefits equal to or better than those provided by union trades. Because the expansion project sits on state tidelands and will have some state funding via the Port of San Diego, prevailing wages, similar to union pay, must be paid.


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Lolë Intown Short - Women'sView Larger Image
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The smart and smooth Lole Women's Intown Short features eco-friendly fabric, temperature-regulating powers, and a relaxed, easy style. This lightweight, sweat-wicking, quick-drying short performs like a serious, high-tech garment but looks like it hiked off the high-fashion runway. Hem adjustments and fun, ample pockets add worldly style and convenience to its allover comfort for the perfect travel companion.
- Eco-friendly, temperature-regulating Urban Tencel Tech dries quickly and wicks away sweat for enduring comfort
- Relaxed fit, elastic waistband, and ample inseam length give comfortable freedom of movement and easy style
- Adjustment tunnel at bottom hem let you get a secure fit for every activity
- Two patch with snap closure and two hand pockets secure essentials
- Reviews


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View Album
Transfer, plane, Coca - boat, hike, canoe - Sacha Lodge
Galapagos and Amazon -Feast for the senses (and stomach)
After a brief snack at the lodge's in-town reception we hop a boat for the 2 hour ride down-river.
We get a short time to settle into our raised platform lodgings at Sacha before orientation.
After dinner we take an hour night walk and mostly find insects and lizards.
The jungle is warm and humid but the room fans make sleeping tolerable.


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Seattle Pacific University's men's team is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II coaches poll, the highest ranking in the school's 70-year basketball history.
Seattle Pacific University's men are No. 2 in the NCAA Division II coaches poll, the highest ranking in the school's 70-year basketball history.
The Falcons, who were No. 3 last week, moved up one spot after beating Western Washington 72-70 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship game Saturday night.
West Liberty (30-1) of West Virginia remained No. 1 and defending national champ Western Washington (27-2) dropped from second to fourth.
"Up to this point they've been able to do some things that nobody else that's come before them have been able to do," fourth-year SPU coach Ryan Looney said of his players.
- Seattle's vanishing black community
- Bellevue School District seeks to fire football coach Goncharoff over scandal
- Designed in Seattle, this $1 cup could save millions of babies
- Infections are the culprit in Alzheimer's disease, Harvard study suggests
- 1,000 fraternity, sorority members trash Lake Shasta campsite
Most Read Stories
SPU (25-3) needs two wins to match the school record set in 1999-2000.
The eight-team West Region tournament begins Friday at Carver Gym on the WWU campus in Bellingham. SPU plays Grand Canyon (23-7) at noon, and WWU meets Chaminade (19-10) at 7:30 p.m. The region champion advances to the Elite Eight in Louisville, Ky.
Western Washington is also hosting the women's regional, which starts Saturday. The Vikings play Academy of Art at 7:30 p.m.
• Luke Lockhart scored twice in the first nine minutes as the Seattle Thunderbirds beat Tri-City 8-3 in a Western Hockey League game in front of 5,034 at the ShoWare Center in Kent. Seattle clinched a playoff spot with the win. The T-birds (24-37-7-2) will host Games 3 and 4 of a first-round playoff series against either the Portland Winterhawks or Kelowna Rockets. Game 3 will be March 26. Tuesday's scoring was a season-high goal total for the T-birds. Connor Honey, Seth Swenson and Roberts Lipsbergs each had a goal and two assists.
• Sean Narby and Chris Jaeger drove in three runs apiece as Seattle U beat Saint Martin's 13-7 at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue. Narby had a bases-loaded triple for the Redhawks (6-11). Chandler Tracy had a pinch-hit homer for the Saints (3-15).
• Washington's game against Portland was rained out and rescheduled for 5 p.m. March 19 at Husky Ballpark.
• Brittney Lott and Brianna Guerrero each went 3 for 4 and Richelle Ashburn tossed a three-hitter as Seattle U (10-14) beat visiting Yale, 6-1.
• Maria Gau tossed a two-hitter and two other Central Washington pitchers teamed on a three-hitter as the Wildcats swept Northwest University, 5-0 and 8-0 in Ellensburg.
• Seattle U finished 13th in the 14-team Sacramento State Invitational in Elk Grove, Calif. The Redhawks' Colter Morton tied for 44th at 9-over par 225.
• Eastern Washington's women finished runner-up to Houston Baptist in the Jackrabbit Invitational in Primm, Nev. Marissa Borja of EWU finished second overall.
• Washington State's women lost 4-3 to UNLV in Las Vegas, Nev., despite singles wins by Elizaveta Luzina, Andjela Kankaras and Charlotte Koning.


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Clankers vs. Darwinists: An Alternate Version of WWIPosted On: Nov 6, 2012 In: In the Spotlight, Staff Picks
I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite authors speak at YALSA's Young Adult Literature Symposium this past weekend. Scott Westerfeld, who is most famous for his popular Uglies series, has also written a fantastic series for young adults that blurs genres. It is at once steampunk, science fiction, historical, and speculative fiction.
Leviathan is an alternative history of World War I. This period of time always interested Westerfeld, and he was particularly intrigued by how the tragedy of one family — the death of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife — could start a war that would leave 37 million people dead and Europe devastated.
When planning out his trilogy, Scott Westerfeld took inspiration from real rumors about the plot to assassinate the Archduke, followed the timeline of the real war, but centered the story on the Archduke's (fictional) son, Alek. After his parents die Alek finds himself on the run with little more than his meaningless title and a few followers who remain loyal though his people have turned on him. His path crosses with Deryn, a girl who wants nothing more than to be a pilot in the British Air Force but must disguise herself as a boy and adopt the name Dylan in order to enlist.
In Westerfeld's re-imagining, the Germans and Austrian-Hungarian Empire are known as the Clankers because they have steam-powered machines: enormous tanks on legs called Dreadnaughts, and Stormwalkers, which are two-legged machines operated by soldiers and meant for combat. The British and French are Darwinists, named for their genetically engineered beasts made possible by of Darwin's discovery of DNA in this alternate universe. The Darwinists have message-delivering lizards who repeat what's spoken to them, Huxleys, which are giant jellyfish-like creatures fabricated from the life threads of the medusa jellyfish, and the creature that gives the book its name, a large, fabricated airwhale that serves as Alek and Deryn's transportation during the book.
This highly imaginative and action-packed story is enhanced by illustrations drawn by Keith Thompson. Westerfeld got the idea to do an illustrated novel after finding out that all Japanese genre fiction written for adults and young adults contain pictures when he received the Japanese version of Uglies. In fact, this was the case until the early 1900s in American fiction as well. With the advent of the camera, illustrators were largely out of work and illustrations in books became less common outside those published for young children. From witnessing his fan's reaction to knowing that Japanese readers got pictures in their version of Uglies, Westerfeld knew that drawings weren't absent because of a lack of interest.
During his closing speech at the YA Literature Symposium, Westerfeld discussed how we worked in tandem with the illustrator Thompson to write Leviathan. The story evolved and new elements were added due to their collaboration. Particularly with a story involving complicated machines and frightening beasts, the illustrations bring the story to life and help the reader envision this alternate version of the war.
If you're a fan of war stories, steampunk, or science fiction, Leviathan is a book you can't miss, and you might want to place holds on the sequels Behemoth and Goliath when you check it out. If you are looking for more illustrations of the Leviathan world, check out The Manual of Aeronautics which contains more drawings of the machines, uniforms, creatures, and characters of the Leviathan book series. I also highly recommend the audiobook version, which is narrated by Scottish actor Alan Cummings. If you're interested in exploring more young adult steampunk, check out this list of YA novels with steampunk elements.
- Molly, YA


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Democratic governor candidate Nan Rich voted for Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law when she was a state Senator in 2005, but says the law hasn't been implemented the way legislators intended and should be changed.
A fundraising e-mail from Rich last week did not mention Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman, but seemed timed to cash in on anger over the recent not-guilty verdict in Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial.
"The 'Stand Your Ground' law is broken. Until it's fixed, justice will never be fully served in Florida courts…As Governor, I would immediately call the legislature back into session and hold them there until they closed the loopholes in this law that allow criminals to get away with murder," Rich's money pitch said.
Rich also plans to join in stand your ground protests that were prompted by the Zimmerman verdict.
But in an interview with The Palm Beach Post, Rich said she doesn't believe the stand your ground law was "determinant" in the Zimmerman verdict.
"That doesn't change the fact that stand your ground needs to be changed," Rich said.
Subscribers to MyPalmBeachPost.com can read more about how Rich and other Democrats who backed the law feel about it now by clicking here.


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Come in for a Free regular ice for the Grand Opening May 5th. We're located at 3841 W. Kennedy Blvd. (Directly next to FIVE Guys Burgers) Bringing Philly to Tampa one bit at a time
Eagles fans in Tampa
Started by TDog141 , May 02 2008 02:47 PM
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American Idol 9: Top 24 Jermaine Sellers
It is now up to the American voters. Which males and which females from the American Idol top 24 will make it into the top 12? That decision will be made over the next 5-6 weeks, so until then get to know your American Idol top 24 and pick your favorites. Who will you vote for?
American Idol 9: Top 24 Jermaine Sellers
Age: 26
Hometown: Joliet, IL
Auditioned in: Atlanta
Jermaine lives in his hometown of Joliet, IL, and began singing at age 7. Before auditioning for Idol, he was singing in his local church and helping take care of his mother.
American Idol 9: Question & Answer
Question: Do you have any formal singing training?
Answer: None
Question: When did you first start to sing?
Answer: At 7 years old.
Question: Do you have a favorite quote or personal motto?
Answer: Sometimes you lose just to win again.
Question: Favorite Female Artist:
Answer: Patti LaBelle
Question: Favorite Male Artist:
Answer: Stevie Wonder
PREVIOUS: Janell Wheeler
NEXT: Joe Munoz


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Weve seen New York cops, navy cops, bush cops, cops on motor cycles and cops on foot. Lets face it, weve seen them all - at least we thought we had, until we met Constable Benton Fraser of the Canadian Mounted Police. No, this is not a throwback to Nelson Eddie and Jeanette MacDonald ("when Im calling youoooooooooooo "), in fact the most appealing co-star in this show is a real bitch (thats not strictly true, but well come to that later). The story is set in Chicago, where Fraser helps out local detective Ray Vecchio in his quest for justice.
This show has more than a few interesting features, apart from the obvious attempt to find a new twist to the formularised cop format - a Canadian Mountie on the American streets (sounds like an episode of "Get Smart"). But theres more to it than a gimmicky premise. Like most of the better shows, its character driven, and like its not too distant second cousin "Northern Exposure", it relies on a certain out-of-left-field quirkiness. The connections with "Northern Exposure" abound. The native Indians (the Inuit) of Frasers youth taught him respect for the land and some amazing tracking skills, and sometimes in surreal moments he discusses life with his dead father - as in "Northern Exposure", everything is possible and credible (remember when Ed searched for his father in "Northern Exposure"?).
Constable Fraser is straight down the line, determinedly moralistic to an annoying degree, and by the book in the way that we romantically imagine a Canadian Mountie would be. Fraser cannot abide by any transgression of police rules, even a minor traffic infringement. There is a nice trade-off with his American counterpart, though this is a plot technique we could have picked a mile off, sort of East Meets West (except its North Meets South). Like sending a boy from rural Tasmania to work the vice squad in Kings Cross. What they have in common is a tenacious commitment to getting the job done.
Then theres the wolf - well, more about him later. Fraser grew up in the Northwest Territories - this is like saying you grew up in Tenant Creek, except its a lot colder. So, how did Fraser end up in the windy city? His father was murdered, and a lead sent him to search for the killer in Chicago, where he hooked up with Vecchio of the Chicago Police Department. But this did not endear him to the powers that be in the R.C.M.P., and they got him transferred to consular duty in Chicago.
Constable Benton Fraser is in his mid-thirties and has been in the Mounties for about 15 years. His mother died when he was young, he trudged through the snow and ice to get to school, and his mountie father was hardly ever home. Fraser knows a thing or two about doing it hard, which will stand him well in the frozen wastes of Chicago. This is an interesting sub-plot, because Fraser clearly has his problems adjusting to the most basic kinds of city life, let alone a city the size of Chicago. His father may be dead, but hes still the guiding force in his life. Fraser seems to be evolving in the Windy City, perhaps he's a little less remote, but like his father he always gets his man and he never gets his uniform dirty. He was a voracious reader as a child.
Detective Ray Vecchio is of course chalk to Frasers cheese. For one thing, he was not a lonely child in the tundras - he comes from a large Italian family, and he still lives with most of them. Hes about the same age as Fraser, but his working habits could hardly be more different. Hes not the spit and polish type, thats for sure. Where Fraser loves dog sleds and huskies, Vecchio is devoted to his 1971 Buick Riviera.
Okay, this is where things begin to get confusing - can you hear the theme music to "The Twilight Zone", because Ray is no longer Ray, although he pretends to be Ray. Is this making sense? No? Good, you passed the sanity test. Stanley Raymond Kowalski (get it? Have you read/seen "A Streetcar Named Desire"? Would you believe his ex-wife is named Stella?) enters in the third season, pretending to be Ray Vecchio while that Ray is allegedly undercover as Armando "the Bookman" Langoustini - so the new Ray has to pretend to be the old Ray to maintain the illusion. Whew! By the way, Stan is an accomplished ballroom dancer. And he's very brave, is capable of bending the rules, and often puts his heart before his head.
Lt. Harding Welsh manages the detective division at 27 District, is in charge of the Violent Crimes section, but he sometimes wonders what the hell he's "managing", given the unorthodox methods of some of the detective crew. And more than anything, he wonders why Fraser is always putting his Canadian nose in the affairs of his Chicago District, although he's sort of gotten used to the big guy.
Inspector Margaret Thatcher is not a retired British politician. She's a strong willed Liaison Officer with the Canadian Consulate, and she wasn't thrilled to find Fraser at her doorstep (in fact sometimes guarding her doorstep). On the other hand, he's handy when the dry cleaning has to be collected or she needs that special bottle of wine. But is she really attracted to him? She certainly seems to have realised he's quite a guy.
Francesca Vecchio is a Civilian Aid at District 27 and the younger sister of Ray Vecchio. She's a whirlwind and a bit of an entrepreneur, and gets attention with her provocative dresses. In other words, your typical member of the Vecchio clan. Sometimes known as Frannie. She is divorced but definitely has her eye on Fraser.
Robert Fraser is Benton's father, a first class legendary officer in the RCMP. The death of his wife caused him to be quite isolated form his son, and Benton went to live with his grandparents. He was murdered whilst investigating the alleged corruption in the energy industry, and this led Benton to search relentlessly for the killer. That's how he came to be in Chicago, where he believed the killer might be found.
Detective Jack Huey was Louis Gadino's partner before taking up with Detective Thomas Dewey, and wondered whether Benton was some kind of kook. A competent detective.
Detective Thomas E Dewey is also at PD 27, and partners Huey. Is he happy as a detective? Sure, but he'd also like to be a stand-up comic! An excellent detective who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to say so.
Stella Kowalski is the ex-wife of Stan, and an Assistant States Attorney in Cook County. She split with Ray due to differences in their ambitions. She's also very good at her job.
If it's at all possible, Constable Renfield Turnbull is even more upright than his fellow Mountie Fraser. In fact he's modeled himself on his Mountie mate, but he's hardly in the same league (and he's not very smart).
Diefenbaker is in truth a sort of a dog, in an evolutionary sense. Okay, he's a wolf. And if thats not enough, the wolf is deaf. And he loves junk food. Now, before you go running for the stop button, lets make one thing clear - Diefenbaker is the real star of this show. He knows how to compensate for his disability - hes learned how to lip read (DON"T HIT THAT BUTTON). Fair dinkum, this dog (sorry - wolf) belongs in the Canine Disability Hall of Fame. Not only can he lip read, but he refuses any special treatment because of his disability. Hes so independent it sometimes drives Fraser crazy. There is a "Mother and Son" sub-plot here, too, because occasionally were not quite sure if Diefenbaker is really as deaf as he makes out. And his lip reading seems selective as well.If you want to get on his good side, offer a donut (or a Mars Bar - Fraser put him on a diet). And never attempt to harm Fraser whilst his wolf is on the job, unless you want to see your arm severed at the elbow. Dief was born in the Yukon and abandoned until Fraser rescued him from a mine shaft.
Paul Gross plays Constable Benton Fraser. Gross was born in Canada, but moved around America and Europe with his army father. He studies drama at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Like most small screen stars, he got his training in the theatre, though perhaps more successfully as a playwright than an actor. He has appeared in numerous television dramas and series, and he has written for "Due South". If thats not enough, he is a singer/songwriter, and intends to release a country album in 1997. And if thats not enough, he is the Executive-Producer of the third series.
David Marciano plays Detective Ray Vecchio. Marciano (any relation to Rocky?) went to university in Boston (Northeastern, not Harvard) before he answered the call of the muse. He was out of luck until he scored a guest spot in the television series "Wiseguy", followed by "China Beach" and the movie "Lethal Weapon II". "Due South" is his big break so far. He should be seen soon in Australia in the mini-series "the Last Don", based on the fabulous Mario Puzo novel (not that this has anything to do with "Due South", but this book is perfect for summer beach reading).
Callum Keith Rennie plays Detective Stanley Raymond Kowalski. Born in England, Callum was raised in Canada and took advantage of the propensity of American producers to shoot TV shows in the cheaper northern landscape. He appeared in "X Files", "Lonesome Dove", and "Highlander"; following "Due South" he appeared in "Mastermind" (a decent film, by the way, starring "Star Trek's" Patrick Stewart).
Camilla Scott plays Inspector Thatcher. She's got her own talk show in Canada, "The Camilla Scott Show", where she plies her ample and disparate talents. She played Polly in the stage production of "Crazy For You" for a solid two years, and she was in the megasoap "Days Of Our Lives" for two years as well.
Tony Craig plays Jack Huey. Tony has the distinction of having played drums with the likes of Dan Hill (who will be remembered by some of our seventies boomers) and the amazing Etta James.
Anne Marie Loder plays Stella Kowalski. She made her mark opposite Anjelica Huston in the American ABC's excellent miniseries "Family Pictures", and after a number of guest spots in Canadian filmed series, she joined "Due South". She has a Bachelor of Commerce.
Detective Louis Gardino was the partner of Jack Huey. He was the victim of a bomb that was meant to kill Ray, and was buried with full honours.
Dean McDermott plays Constable Renfield Turnbull. He did various TV commercials and movies before going to "Due South" (where he initially played a baddie).
Lincoln plays Diefenbaker. (Dont read this if you want
to preserve the illusion!!!).
This is a joint Canadian-American production (CBS and CTV). The second season had some financing problems, as did the third, though this seems to be a way of life for all but the most mega-successful shows on the small screen. "Due South" is not filmed in Chicago - if you were Canadian you could probably guess that it is filmed in Toronto.
Fraser and Vecchio
Fraser and Women
Stan and Women
Fraser and Diefenbaker
Diefenbaker and Maggie
"Due South" met its fate at the hands of the CBS Network in America last year. But the story now has a happier ending. The show has been refinanced and will get a guernsey for at least another season.
"Due Souths creator and executive producer Paul Haggis has left the show, though hes still credited as "Creative Consultant". He is now the exec of "EZ Streets", which stars Jason Gedrick, "Murder Ones" Neil Avedon.
Paul Gross also acts as Executive Producer.
Okay, weve left the worst till last. Be prepared for a shock - the latest is that Lincoln, the actor who plays Diefenbaker, may not have his contract renewed this season. Here at Law in the Lounge we are outraged. What goes on here? Its not the dogs (wolfs) fault if the show wasnt a mega-hit. Typical, blame the animal. So whats the truth? Did Lincoln demand another increase in his meaty-bites allowance? More editorial control? Did he put his paw down about shopping centre promotions? Have there been better offers a split-level kennel with a video and episodes of "Lassie"?
Fraser wears a holster but no gun. Why? (tick, tick, tick ) He doesnt have a licence to use his .38 revolver in the U.S.
The show won four major television awards in Canada in its first season, including Geminis (Canadian type Logies or Emmys) for best drama and best actor (Paul Gross). It won even more of these awards in its second season.
And it continues to garner these awards: in 1988 it snagged best writing (for Paul Gross).
What do we know about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? Theyre mounted, right? They tend to sing in baritones in black & white movies? They always get their man (lucky for the female criminals)? On the evidence of "Due South", that motto is entirely deserved. They began getting their man in 1873. Here at Law in the Lounge we thought they were only found in the northern-most backwoods, like a wintry Foreign Legion. In fact theyre a police force like any other. We like to think theyre different - more honest, less worldly. Or maybe its the way Fraser says "thank you kindly" to all and sundry.
They just love the literary allusions in this show. Not just Stan's name, but check out these titles: "Call of the Wild"; "Mountie on the Bounty"; "I Coulda Been Defendant" etc.
Callum Keith Rennie accepted a Genie Award for best supporting actor for his work on the movie "Last Night". He will also be seen in cult director David Cronenberg's sci fi movie "eXistenZ" (we think that's the way it's spelt).
Look for Beau Starr in the Oliver Stone production "The Corruptor".
Nice to see they have Smarties in Canada - Stan puts them in his coffee.
Dief's three illegitimate children are named Buster, Sunshine and .... what was the name of the third puppy?
Lt. Welsh was named Captain Walsh in the first series.
In the episode "We Are The Eggmen" (hello out there you beatles fans), Fraser saves the driver of a truck in a rescue that requires a fair amount of guts he saves the man but his stock of eggs are destroyed. And what is his reward? The driver sues Fraser, the Mounties and the Government of Canada for $100,000 to cover the loss of the eggs. Could this really happen? The simple answer is yes, allowing a little leeway for dramatic licence.
This is to do with the law of negligence, which is civil law (not criminal law). How is negligence established?
First, there has to be a "duty of care" on the part of the person who is allegedly negligent, which means there is a legal obligation to avoid the harm that is caused, and that harm had to be predictable. Second, that duty has to be breached. Lastly, there has to be damage suffered as a result of that breach.
So whats the situation for Fraser? Well, he had to try and rescue the eggman, but in doing this he also had to exercise some care. Now heres the rub - who or what is that care owed to? In the opinion of the reviewer, his first duty is to save the eggman, not his eggs!
But what, you may ask, if he was really negligent with the eggs and he could have easily save them as well as the eggman? Well, the law has anticipated your question! This is embodied in the legal notion of the "reasonable person" (it used to be called the "reasonable man", but even the law has to change sometimes!). Under negligence law, liability depends on what the "reasonable person" would have done in the same situation. This fictitious "person" is assumed to be in the actual shoes of the person, so if the allegedly negligent person is a lawyer, you have to ask what the "reasonable lawyer" would have done. In Frasers case it would be in terms of how the "reasonable police officer" would have reacted in the situation. Did our boy Fraser act reasonably? Of course he did - not guilty!
Here at Law in the Lounge we were big fans of "Northern Exposure", so it goes without saying we will give this show another serious look in the next season. Its got a quirky way of looking at life that skirts the edge of sentimentality but never quite loses it. The odd couple cops routine is tried and true ("Lethal Weapon" amongst hundreds), and theres nothing wrong with that. After all, were not always looking to be enlightened by our viewing. Sometimes we just want to relax after a hard day - go on, lets put our feet up, weve earned it. This show is definitely in the "quirky" category, full of whimsy ( a lip-reading wolf?) and surreal humour. But we never doubt Fraser's basic integrity, his adherence to the principles of the Mounties and dedication to the truth. Sometimes he's apparently naive, but more often that is mistaken for his inherent moral rectitude. This is good versus evil in the best traditions of television.
People love a uniform (well, maybe not prison guards or parking officers). And parents can point to Frasers unfailing politeness as a positive role model, if their children can suspend their disbelief long enough to buy that one! And were betting this show gets renewed again at the end of its current season - as long as the producers can reach a deal with Diefenbakers manager. We hear hes tough, a real mongrel!
Want us to tell you when we review another TV show?
Read this: The legal information contained above is intended to be general information about the law. It is not a substitute for legal and other professional advice. Lawscape Communications P/L does not accept responsibility for loss to any person, who either acts or does not act because of this information.


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Event Details
East/West: A Survey of Contemporary Printmaking
|Date & Time:
from 02/07/2013 to 03/14/2013
|Star Store Campus - University Art Gallery [map it]*
|Sponsored by:
|University Art Gallery, CVPA
| Viera Levitt
|The University Art Gallery is pleased to present East/West: A Survey of Contemporary Printmaking from February 7 to March 14, 2013. The opening reception is Thursday, February 7, from 6 to 9pm, with an introduction to the East/West Portfolio by printmaker and UMass Dartmouth faculty member Marc St. Pierre at 7pm. The following Thursday, February 14, 2013, the gallery will offer demonstrations of printmaking techniques from 6 to 8pm. Visitors will get experience with several printmaking techniques, creating a small Valentine print to take with them. This event will take place on AHA! Night (downtown New Bedford's monthly celebration of culture and the arts held every second Thursday).
East/West: A Survey of Contemporary Printmaking is a printmaking portfolio that reflects and celebrates the pluralistic existence of printmaking practice and printmaking education in the United States. This portfolio showcases 100 of the most prominent printmakers/educators representing every state in the USA. Unlike most portfolios, this project asked participating artists not to respond to a certain theme but rather to express their current image-making techniques and conceptual concerns. The result is a portfolio of diverse prints that embrace and celebrate the traditional and alternative printmaking techniques found in lithography, intaglio, woodcut, silkscreen, archival pigment, hybrid, intaglio types, and photo-relief prints.
The artists featured in the East/West: A Survey of Contemporary Printmakingportfolio were chosen based upon their long and distinguished careers as both artists and teachers practicing the art of printmaking in a fashion coined from the tradition of the major mid-west universities in the 1960's – "the artist/teacher in residence."
This portfolio celebrates these artists as innovators for their continued development of the printmaking medium and their own unique artistic visions as evidenced by their work and continued success as educators. These printmakers have had and continue to have a dramatic impact on printmaking education, their institutions, and printmaking workshops.
The book The Printmaking Bible: The Complete Guide to Materials and Techniques, by Ann d'Arcy Hughes and Hebe Vernon-Morris will be available for viewing for the duration of the exhibition at the University Art Gallery.
|Additional Info:
|University Art Gallery
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BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2 Release on 4th of November in Europe for 3DS and PSP!
Europe gamers don't need to wait so much now for their next BlazBlue game.
The BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2 release in November for Sony PSP and Nintendo 3DS.
The second chapter of popular 2D fighting game from Arc System Works, the BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2 going to release in Europe also.
The exactly release date is 4th of November for both platforms (Sony PSP, Nintendo 3DS).
Please read the details which comes from directly Arc System Works Europe.
At the end of the post you will find screenshots from the PSP and the 3DS version (in 2D view).


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Have Legal Questions? Ask a Lawyer Now.
Good evening! I can help you out with your legal question tonight. Yes, the judge can take other facts into evidence in order to make a ruling. Have you spoken with the DA with regards XXXXX XXXXX reduction yet?
No I have not spoken to anyone yet and court date set for the 26th. How do I go about contacting the DA? Is he the one who recommends the penalty? I have done research and believe that law states first offense penalties are mandatory, does this mean if found guilty or no contest to excessive speeding judge has no option? So I'm hoping he has power to reduce offense....
Hawaii has very strict guidelines regarding speeding. In 2004 this excessive speeding bill was passed and put into effect. Intent is to curb excessive speeding and discourage racing on roadways...
If you don't have a lawyer, you can call the DA directly and request their discovery packet. Yes, they are the entity who recommends sentence and presses charges against you. Yes, the judge has to stick to the sentencing guidelines, however, he/she can hold you to a lesser offense if the facts so warrant. The DA is the main party that you need to negotiate with though and not the judge.
So I guess my
I didn't get your entire response.
So my plea is the circumstances I shared with you, I can elaborate much further but it is the honest truth. I'm not sure how fast I was actually going, but I did think I was on freeway. Was I speeding, probably, could they still reduce the offense taking other information into consideration.
If you don't have a serious record, then yes, the DA can still reduce the offense after taking the other considerations into mind. It will be completely be up to the DA's office.
You can get a public defender also if you have no money.
My court date is in 6 days. The day after Christmas at 8am on another island. Too late to hire an attorney?
How do I contact the DA?
No not at all. You can find one tomorrow and if you are having problems finding one, then you can request a continuance.
I'm sure the number is XXXXX It will be your county's District Attorney's office.
Call and tell them you have a clean record and the charges are very serious.
And that you want a plea bargain.
Thank you sir. This information is going to be helpful for me.
You are very welcome! Good luck and have a good night! Please give me feedback so that I can continue to help others.
You get the happy face....
DISCLAIMER: Answers from Experts on JustAnswer are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney. JustAnswer is a public forum and questions and responses are not private or confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. The Expert above is not your attorney, and the response above is not legal advice. You should not read this response to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law that might affect the situation you describe. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken with you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction to which your question pertains.
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Hassan Abbas is a Fellow at ISPU and Professor of International Security Affairs at the National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs (CISA). He was previously the Quaid-i-Azam Chair Professor at Columbia University. Dr. Abbas was also previously a Research fellow at the Kennedy School of Government and a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School. He is currently a Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society and Senior Advisor at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He also runs the blog WATANDOST. Dr. Abbas received an LLM, International Law from the University of Nottingham and a Ph.D. in Security Studies from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Ph.D Security Studies, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, LLM International Law, University of Nottingham
South Asian Politics , Afghanistan , Foreign Policy , Pakistan


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David Letterman Surprises Amy Poehler With a Kiss (VIDEO)
David Letterman is taking full advantage of Amy Poehler's status as a newly single woman!
The talk show host caught the funny lady off guard during her Late Show With David Letterman appearance while the two were discussing Amy's recent Parks and Recreation scene with Vice President Joe Biden.
"Oh, I thought you were going to go in for a kiss," the actress remarked after David moved a bit closer to the actress.
Not missing a beat, David made the final move and surprised Amy with a big, fat kiss.
"Tell that to your little buddies back there at NBC," he stated triumphantly.
What do you think of the duo's spontaneous liplock?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Fall in Like with us! For the latest from Wetpaint Entertainment, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.


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Contact Us
International Product Solutions
34 Blackburn Center
Gloucester, MA 01930
34 Blackburn Center
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: 978-281-4600
IPS is a trusted name in consumer product development and manufacturing. All of our products are safety tested to the highest standards and thoroughly quality inspected. Our products have been distributed through many major big box retailers for over 15 years.
Our wholesale and distributor pricing is available by request. Please contact us via phone or with this form to get more information.
Custom sound and song messages are available. Custom packaging and displays are available.
Our technology is U.S. Patent pending. All characters and logos used on this website are trademarked by International Product Solutions.
Call Us: 978-281-4600


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A replacement of Google-based technology at a local distributor of Global Research Data Analysis software, products and services has resulted in a vastly enhanced technical operation and empowered communications.
The service provider focuses on the distribution of consumer research data analysis software products and services for cross-tabbing databases including Analysis Software and Cube Viewer Analysis Software and Services, among others.
Google Docs and products formed the basis of the company's core business environment. This posed a number of challenges to the overall operation of the business, including the high cost of the products and limited functionality and collaboration capabilities required to interact with its customers.
Dac Systems proposed the implementation of Microsoft Office 365 as a replacement solution to the Google product.
"The core implementation was focused around Microsoft Exchange for e-mail and calendaring; SharePoint was implemented and configured to provide a suitable platform to collaborate with customers and branches. SharePoint also acts as the repository for all documents in the organisation as well as the distribution environment for large data files to customers," said Aldo van Tonder, Solutions Executive, Dac Systems.
"The biggest component of the solution was the implementation of Microsoft Lync. This enabled the customer to communicate quickly and easily to branches. It also meant that, if and when required, video conferences could be facilitated to discuss key topics that would have typically taken many times longer and was very much more costly," Van Tonder continued.
Executive management at the client confirmed that, as a result of this investment in Dac Systems and Microsoft Office 365, costs had been streamlined and glitches with communication across the company had been successfully addressed.
Dac Systems
Dac Systems is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with over 17 years' experience in the full turnkey implementation of leading-edge industry solutions to help solve common business problems and processes.
Through its offices located in Johannesburg and Centurion, and a global partner network, Dac Systems leverages the expertise of its in-house business analysts, consultants, systems architects and developers.
Dac Systems supplies information and communication technology solutions in the productivity, governance and enterprise layers, and industry solutions for professional services, manufacturing and always-on-learning, among others.
Its solutions are designed to ensure a cost-effective way for clients to integrate information and strengthen their operations, either through on-premises or cloud-based implementations.
Technical advice on next-generation solutions that impact the business environment is guaranteed through the company's rich pool of experts – including professionals with degrees, Microsoft-accredited certifications and industry experts.
The company also features a strong social development and corporate social investment (CSI) element, with a track record of meaningful contribution to several projects and partnerships, including The Nkomazi Trust and the company's annual team building, which is used to build a house for disadvantaged individuals in the rural community of Shongwe.
Dac Systems is founded on a solution philosophy that incorporates several key aspects: delivery is key, a solution for real people, harmony and convergence.
It is the combination of these principles that has helped the company to carve out a solid leadership position within a competitive marketplace.
Web site: www.dac.co.za
Editorial contacts
Dac Systems
MicroZone PR
Our comments policy does not allow anonymous postings. Read the policy here


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Jack laments missed opportunity
by Stuart Vose
Midfielder reacts following cup reverse.
Jack Colback couldn't hide his disappointment following the cup defeat to Middlesbrough on Wearside.
A lone goal from Scott McDonald proved enough for the visitors as Sunderland missed out on a place in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.
"It was a massive opportunity for us and we've let ourselves and the fans down with the performance," Colback said after the game.
"Going into the game we were looking to start well and get through but it didn't happen on the night.
"We knew it would be tough. They have been going well and it was a derby game.
"We let Boro get into the game and get the goal and that goal hit us harder than it should have done."
Meanwhile Colback says the squad must show their character and bounce back quickly.
The Black Cats welcome Aston Villa to Wearside this weekend and manager Martin O'Neill will be looking for a response.
"There were a few times where we didn't play well last year and we always came out fighting in the next game," Colback explained.
"We have to deal with the pressure as players. The fans had a right to get on our backs tonight because it wasn't good enough.
"We've got to handle that, come out on Saturday and make sure we get the three points."


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world news
- Philippines hit by killer typhoon
A deadly typhoon has been lashing the Philippines, causing flash floods and landslides. Typhoon… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- OPEC countries may increase oil output
Leaders of the world's oil producing countries have been arriving in the Saudi Arabian port of… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- Berlin could send 1,000 extra troops to Afghanistan
Germany could boost its military presence in Afghanistan by sending in an extra 1,000 soldiers… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- Leading war crimes suspect sent to Hague Tribunal
War crimes suspect Stojan Zupljanin has been transferred to the International Criminal Tribunal for… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- Tibetans in Nepal protest over Olympic flame
Exiled Tibetans in Nepal have taken to the streets in protest against the passage of the Olympic… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- Summer solstice sparks celebrations
Midsummer has been marked in Finland amid revelry and ritual. Bonfires were lit in a tradition… 21/06/08 19:32 CET
- Football fans clash in Mostar
There were violent clashes in the Bosnian town of Mostar after Turkey beat Croatia in the Euro 2008… 21/06/08 13:38 CET
- Teenagers die in nightclub stampede in Mexico
At least 12 people have died in a stampede during a police raid on a nightclub in Mexico City. Nine… 21/06/08 13:38 CET
- Optimism as Fragile Gaza ceasefire holds
Palestinians enjoyed a rare day of peace in Gaza after a six month ceasefire agreed between Israel… 21/06/08 09:19 CET
- Czech problems continue to threat EU treaty
At the end of a two day summit in Brussels the EU faces further obstacles to salvage the Lisbon… 21/06/08 09:19 CET
- Berlusconi fails in bid to get corruption charges dropped
A corruption trial chaired by Milan Judge Nicoletta Gandus will go ahead despite the Italian Prime… 21/06/08 09:19 CET


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Welcome To EUBAM's Website
The European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah – code name EUBAM Rafah – was launched within the framework of the European Union Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) on 24 November 2005. Its role is to monitor the operations of the border crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, after the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority concluded an Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) on 15 November 2005. The Council of the European Union welcomed the Agreement and approved that the EU should undertake the third-party role proposed.
The operational phase of the Mission began on 30 November 2005. The Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) was last opened with the presence of EUBAM monitors on 9 June 2007. Between these two dates, a total of nearly 450 000 passengers used the crossing.
On 13 June 2007, due to the hamas takeover in the Gaza Strip, the Head of Mission declared a temporary suspension of EUBAM's operations at the Rafah Crossing Point. Since then, the Mission has maintained its operational capability and has remained on standby, awaiting a political solution and ready to re-engage.
On 17 November 2009, the Council confirmed the EU's readiness to redeploy at short notice at RCP, should circumstances allow. Despite the suspension of operations, the Mission is maintaining its operational capability.
The regular opening of the Rafah Crossing Point is a vital issue for any future agreements concerning the Gaza Strip. Under the 2005 Agreement, the EU third-party presence takes into account Israel's security concerns and ensures the freedom of movement of the 1,5 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.
Welcome by the Head of Mission of EUBAM Rafah - Colonel Alain Faugeras
Colonel of the French Gendarmerie, I have been appointed as EUBAM Rafah Head of Mission in November 2008.
Since I took the command of EUBAM Rafah, the Mission has been continuously supported by EU member states to remain in theater, ready to deploy at short notice. Together with my team, I constantly worked in maintaining the Mission's operational capability and as soon as the political situation allows, EUBAM will be able to fulfill its third-party role at the Rafah Crossing Point. Full deployment could take place in three weeks. In the meantime, the Mission constantly maintains operational contacts with the Parties involved in the 2005 Agreement and shares its expertise of the customs and borders management with relevant international actors in the region.
EUBAM Rafah participation to the regular opening of the Rafah Crossing Point made a significant difference to the lives of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip. Based on these achievements, I would like to look at the future. The Mission expresses the commitment of the European Union to the peace process in general and to the Agreement on Movement and Access in particular: my aim is to ensure that EUBAM Rafah remains fully prepared and stands ready to support the Parties in any way it can.
Colonel Alain Faugeras


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Related Movies
|Release Date: March 03, 2006
|Running Time: 109 mins.
|MPAA Rating: PG
|Box Office: $18,595,716.00
|Genre: Adaptation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Emma Roberts
Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
Sara Paxton
All Cast & Crew >>
Summary:Claire and Haley, two 13-year-old best friends, embark on the adventure of their lives when they discover a mermaid named Aquamarine in a swimming pool. Aquamarine had washed ashore after a big storm battered the small town Florida beach club where Claire lives with her grandparents. Claire and Hailey are trying to come to terms with Hailey's impending departure: She's moving to Australia with her marine biologist mother after this last weekend of the summer. The beautiful, blue-haired, 18-year-old mermaid swam away from home just before her arranged marriage, in search of real love. If she can prove to her father that love is not a myth, he'll let her out of the underwater wedding, but he's... Full Summary >>


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Can't be any under pressure to perform on the Ducati when the world and its mother can't, bar Casey Stoner. As the satellite sibling the pressure will be on Hayden & Dovi and pramac doing a supporting role so if he does well great but he's under no pressure to outperform so compared to last year on the Yam.
Melandri, he did zero on it and thought about retiring as he had lost the plot but did better on the Kwak / Hayate and look how well he's done (although a bit dirty with the riding antics and moves) in WSB, he can certainly ride.
Hayden lets not forget used to have the RCV211 990 sideways pretty much everywhere and was always up front and won a World Championship so knows how to ride.
Ducati need to fix the bike so anyone can work with it as the guys that have failed are proven winners and going by the numbers they can't all be wrong as i think Stoner is quite unique in his ability. 1st year on Honda developed around Dani for years and he wins Championship and Dani is trying how lon


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We chose our top 41 supermarket foods in 20 categories. By: Cindy Hatcher
Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Jarrow Formulas
The coconut flavor is more on the neutral side, which makes it ideal for both baking and cooking. Nuanced flavor without the knock-you-out, faux-tropical perfume of some oils.
TASTE TEST AWARD: La Tourangelle
A superstar for cooking, it provides a buttery texture with no slickness or grease. It yields a stronger flavor in baking recipes, though, which some testers preferred.


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USC Academic Senate
Health Care Costs, Preferences, Risks, and
now the initial shock of the increase in health care premiums has likely
moderated for many members of the University community. But the recent article
in the USC Chronicle (September 30) on the projected increases in health care
costs in the next five years should be sobering indeed. In this article, the USC
health care benefits team predicts that total health care costs will increase
from about $50 million in 2003 to more than $90 million by 2008. While the total
cost of health care to the University and its employees has been about the same
as total retirement costs for the last five or so years, if these projections
are even close to correct, health care will outstrip retirement costs by a wide
margin in a very short period of time.


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Sticking It In The Wrong Hole
Pornstar babe gets a surprise when the guy she is filming a scene with accidentally sticks his cock in her ass.
Video added on: 04/28/2011 09:05:00 by Stiff
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The technology sector has been performing well, even during the recent market turmoil.
Now, with the markets being picked up by the Fed's rate cut, this sector could really have some room to run and Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL), a manufacturer and seller of business applications, could be one of the best in the sector right now.
The Oracle Omen
Oracle boosted confidence in the tech sector recently when it releasing earnings that showed considerable strength and growth in the underlying business. Starting three years ago, Oracle went on a tear, buying up more than 30 small competitors to try to eat the lunch of SAP AG (NYSE:SAP). (For greater insight, check out The Advantages Of Investing In Aggresive Companies.)
While Oracle is still trailing SAP in revenues from business application sales, the moves from Oracle CEO Larry Ellison have been paying off in a big way. The company has been consistently producing great numbers, and this recent quarter saw sales grow at the fastest rate in seven years (since the dotcom boom drove demand in 2000).
The benefits of these consolidations have surpassed most expectations. For its fiscal first quarter, Oracle earned $840 million, or $0.16 per share, up 25% year over year.
Another positive from the quarter is that the company reduced its debt by $1.36 billion to bring their total debt balance to $6.24 billion. This looks nice along side Oracle's $6.2 billion in cash on its balance sheet. The company also bought back $530 million of the stock last quarter, and the company's cash position gives the impression that there is room for more. Oracle has a plethora of options to deploy cash, and with how effectively management has been running the ship, I think there is solid room for more growth.
The Whole Picture
Not everything can be good, right? Well, there were some negative points in the quarter. For one, operating expenses were higher than anticipated. Another problem is that about 4% of the revenue growth was from currency valuations. Also, some of the growth was due to Hyperion and Agile, businesses that Oracle acquired in March and May, respectively. I don't think these are major concerns.
The growth in earnings, despite higher operating expenses, signals to me that there is just more opportunity to improve the bottom line. To the latter concern, I think Oracle has been impressive in management of its acquisitions to grow the company.
The Bottom Line
Tech looks attractive, especially now that a weight has been lifted off the market. With money freeing up (or at least unfreezing) in the economy, Oracle should be able to benefit from demand from companies investing in new technologies. The company's management continues to spur growth. I would keep my eyes on other names in technology as well, companies including Google (Nasdaq:GOOG) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN), which have also been providing nice returns.
Looking to cook up a market-stomping stock portfolio? Check out our FREE report "7 Ingredients to Market Beating Stocks" and get started right now!


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As it was cold, the boys spent some time warming up with a visit to "The Hill", before doing some exercises with the bags.
It was then time to get the games under way, but as it was cold, there was no time to waste and they started sooner than normal.
Conditions were bad, with the mud being heavy under foot, and the rain was making the ball very slippery. This combination made it hard to play flowing rugby, with everyone dropping the ball on occasions. As the games went on though, the rugby improved as the boys got used to the slippery ball.
The first game between the A teams was a very close encounter, with Ruislip coming out 2-0 winners and both tries being scored by Avi.
The first game for the B's was a great team effort, with Ruislip winning the game 5-1 but scoring all 6 tries. Congratulations to William for scoring his first try since coming back from injury, even if he was on loan to Crewe at the time.
The second game for the A teams saw Ruislip put in much stronger performance, winning the game 5-1.
The second game for the B team started badly, with Crewe scoring a good early try. Some strong pressure from Ruislip saw them score 2 tries and briefly take the lead, before Crewe bounced back with a couple of tries and taking the score to 3-2. Ruislip dug in hard and played some great rugby, scoring 3 deserved tries, taking the final score to 5-3 and winning the game
Results Summary:
Ruislip A 2-0 Crewe
Avi (2)
Ruislip B 5-1 Crewe
Glenn, James, Nia, Jamie, George
Ruislip A 5-1 Crewe
Tariq (2), Owen, Avi, Joe
Ruislip B 5-3 Crewe
Glenn (2), Callum (2), Toby
Well done to all the players. The conditions were very difficult, and the weather was very cold and wet, but they still managed to play some exciting games of rugby.
It was great for the Crewe teams to visit us on their tour, and to bring such a friendly group of players, coaches and parents. They were all a great credit to their club.