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Welcome to the Transform-Domain Instrumentation GNSS Receiver (TRIGR) Blog.
Here you will find the latest news and developments on TRIGR.
This is also a place where you, the user can post questions and comments on any aspect of TRIGR for its developers and other users, share open-source code you have developed, post bug reports, or answer other user's questions.
We hope this will be a place where users, as they develop their own multi-frequency GNSS software-defined radio processing techniques, can come to share their experiences and to get questions answered.
The developers of TRIGR will monitor your posts when possible. If there is an overwhelming issue that most users are experiencing, we will do our best to post an answer here in a timely manner.
So, with all that being said, sign up as a follower, introduce yourself, post a comment, and tell us what's on your mind.
Thanks for stopping by.
The TRIGR Development Team


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/7/2010 (2581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
THOUGH Maury Chaykin was the patriarchal centre of the series Less Than Kind, the third season of the acerbically funny Winnipeg-shot show will likely go on after his untimely death, according to producer Phyllis Laing of the Winnipeg production company Buffalo Gal Pictures.
"We fully believe the show will continue," a melancholy Laing said Tuesday afternoon after a morning of conversations with the show's producers Mark McKinney, Marvin Kaye and Chris Sheasgreen. Buffalo Gal Pictures is the Manitoba producing partner of the series with Toronto's Breakthrough Films.
Apparently, if the show continues, it will do so with the blessing of Chaykin's family.
"Maury's family let us know how important the series was to him," Laing said.
Destined for a programming slot on HBO Canada, the third season of the series was scheduled to shoot in town in September and October, but Laing says that schedule will likely be pushed back in the wake of Chaykin's death Tuesday at the age of 61.
Tuesday afternoon, Laing said she was in the middle of contacting the local cast and crew of the series in anticipation of an impromptu celebration of Chaykin's life at the Bar Italia on Tuesday evening. "It will be an opportunity to laugh and cry together," Laing said. "On a series, you become a family, and he was a very important part of our family."
Winnipeg actor Stephen Eric McIntyre, who appeared with Chaykin on the first season of the show, remembered Chaykin as "a very nice, very entertaining man with lots of energy and a fabulous work ethic, but when the cameras were off between scenes, he'd just sit and chat."
McIntyre recalled an evening in late 2007 when he was staying at the Fort Garry Hotel during the shooting of the film High Life when he encountered Chaykin, at work on Less Than Kind, entering the hotel's lounge.
"I recognized him from his silhouette," McIntyre said. "He was standing under that archway at the entrance of the lounge, in his slippers. He had just wandered down to see if there was a conversation," McIntyre says. "That's probably how I'll always remember him."
-- Randall King

subset: commoncrawl


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FLINT, Mich. - A man convicted of murder in the first trial from a 2010 stabbing spree in Michigan has received a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
There is no parole for those convicted of first-degree murder. Short of a successful appeal, Elias Abuelazam will be locked up until he dies.
The 35-year-old Israeli native was convicted last month of fatally stabbing Arnold Minor near downtown Flint. He was sentenced Monday.
Abuelazam's lawyers tried to convince jurors that he was a paranoid schizophrenic controlled by demons during the stabbing spree. But the jury agreed with experts who interviewed Abuelazam and had a different opinion about his mental health.
Abuelazam is charged with two more murders and seven attempted murders, including one in Toledo, Ohio.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Red Carpet Buzz: Zoe Saldana
The Star Trek star shines in Azzedine Alaia
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
J.J. Abrams' Star Trek made its London premiere in Leicester Square Monday night; cast members in attendance included Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk), Simon Pegg (Scotty), Eric Bana (Nero), and Zoe Saldana (Uhura), who looked otherworldly beautiful in a flouncy silver Azzedine Alaia halter dress and lace-up booties. The actress, who's been turning heads with her winning fashion choices, recently signed on to star in upcoming comic-book adaptation The Losers.
More from ELLE:


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|From: Eli Barzilay (eli at barzilay.org)
Date: Tue Feb 15 06:57:34 EST 2011
Three hours ago, Hendrik Boom wrote: > > The simplest thing for the final user would be for Racket too > maintain the package-making Make targets that the various distros > use. But this might not be the simplese for the Racket devalopers. This thread is about compiling from source -- this is always separate from a packaging system. (Unless you're using the source package from your distro, for example, using rpmbuild with the source rpm.) -- ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) Eli Barzilay: http://barzilay.org/ Maze is Life!
|Posted on the users mailing list.


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Contained Places
Kingsport is a city in Sullivan, Hawkins and Washington counties in the State of Tennessee. The population according to the 2010 census is 48,205.[1]
Kingsport is the largest city in the Kingsport–Bristol–Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which had a population of 309,544 as of 2010. The Metropolitan Statistical Area is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region. Census data from 2006–2008 for the Tri-Cities Combined Statistical Area estimates a population of 496,454.
Kingsport is commonly included in what is known as the Mountain Empire, which spans a portion of Southwest Virginia and the mountainous counties in Tennessee to the east. The name "Kingsport" is a simplification of "King's Port", originally referring to the area on the Holston River known as King's Boat Yard, the head of navigation for the Tennessee Valley.
The North and South Forks of the Holston River converge on the west end of what is now Kingsport, and the town itself was known in 1787 as "Salt Lick" along the banks of the South Fork, about a mile from the confluence. The Long Island of the Holston River is near the confluence, which is mostly within the corporate boundaries of Kingsport. The island was an important site for the Cherokee, colonial pioneers and early settlers. Early settlements at the site were used as a staging ground for people taking the Wilderness Road leading to Kentucky through Cumberland Gap. First chartered in 1822, Kingsport became an important shipping port on the Holston River. Goods originating for many miles from the surrounding countryside were loaded onto barges for the journey downriver to the Tennessee River at Knoxville.
In the Battle of Kingsport (December 13, 1864) during the American Civil War, a force of 300 Confederates under Colonel Richard Morgan (1836–1918) stopped a larger Union force for nearly two days. An army of over 5,500 troops under command of Major General George Stoneman (1822–1894) had left Knoxville, Tennessee, to raid Confederate targets in Virginia: the salt works at Saltville, the lead works at Wytheville and the iron works in Marion. While Col. Morgan's small band held off a main Union force under Major General Cullem Gillem on the opposite side the Holston River, Col. Samuel Patton took a force of cavalry to a ford in the river north and came down behind the Confederates. Out-numbered, out-flanked and demoralised by the bitter winter weather, Col. Morgan surrendered. The Confederates suffered 18 dead, and 84 prisoners of war were sent to a Union prison in Knoxville.
The young town lost its charter after a downturn in its fortunes precipitated by the Civil War.
On September 12, 1916, Kingsport residents demanded the death of circus elephant Mary (an Asian elephant who performed in the Sparks World Famous Shows Circus) for her killing of city hotel worker Walter Eldridge, who was hired the day before as an assistant elephant trainer by the circus. Eldridge was killed by Mary in Kingsport while he was taking her to a nearby pond. Mary was impounded by the local sheriff, and the leaders of several nearby towns threatened not to allow the circus to visit if Mary was included. The circus owner, Charlie Sparks, reluctantly decided that the only way to quickly resolve the situation was to hold a public execution. On the following day, she was transported by rail to Erwin, Tennessee, where a crowd of over 2,500 people assembled in the Clinchfield Railroad yard to watch her hang from a railroad crane.
Re-chartered in 1917, Kingsport was an early example of a "garden city", designed by city planner and landscape architect John Nolen of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It carries the nickname the Model City from this plan, which organized the town into areas for commerce, churches, housing and industry. The result included some of the earlier uses of traffic circles (roundabouts) in the United States. Kingsport was among the first municipalities with a city manager form of government and a school system built on a model developed at Columbia University. Most of the land on the river was devoted to industry. Indeed, most of The Long Island is now occupied by Eastman Chemical Company, which is headquartered in Kingsport.
Pal's Sudden Service, a regional fast-food restaurant chain, opened its first location in Kingsport in 1956.
Research Tips


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Purpose and Profit: Uneasy Bedfellows or a Compatible Alliance?
Conscious Capitalism, Bay Area Chapter
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (PDT)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
The Bay Area Conscious Capitalism® Chapter invites you to join us for
Purpose and Profit:
Uneasy Bedfellows or a Compatible Alliance?
Bay Area CEOs Brian Burt of Maestro Conference; Monika Rose of Formium;
John Roulac of Nutiva; & Vince Siciliano of New Resource Bank will discuss
- Whether profit & purpose are truly compatible
- What it takes to create a profitable business that generates social/environmental value
- Key challenges of value-driven businesses
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue provided By Hanson Bridgett
Wine & appetizers served
5:30–6:00: Registration
6:00-6:55 Panel discussion
7:10-7:30 Breakout discussions
7:30-8:00 Networking
We look forward to seeing you there!
Bay Area Chapter, Conscious Capitalism Inc.
Chapter Co-chair, Margaret Ryan: email@example.com
Chapter Co-chair, Anna McGrath: firstname.lastname@example.com
About Conscious Capitalism
Conscious businesses focus on their purpose beyond profit. While making money is essential for the vitality and sustainability of a business, it is not the only or even the most important reason a business exists. Conscious Businesses provide us with this sense of meaning. Purpose activates, motivates and sustains us when times get tough. Purpose allows a conscious business to inspire, engage and energize its stakeholders. Employees, customers and others trust, and even love, companies that have an inspiring purpose.
When & Where
Hanson Bridgett
425 Market Street
26th Floor
San Francisco,
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (PDT)
Add to my calendar
Conscious Capitalism, Bay Area Chapter
Conscious Capitalism Bay Area offers the inspiration, "how-to", and community for purpose-driven leaders, like you, to create positive, profitable impact through business.


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Current Size: 100%
Four Stops are fitted out to allow you to wait for a car or to make you give evidence in complete safety!
+33 (0)184.108.40.206.93
Quai Bonnelle CS 61102 56360 LE PALAIS
Latitude: 47.3465 °N - Longitude: 3.1530 °W
About us
In the South of Morbihan, in 15km of Quiberon, Belle-Île-en-Mer is the second of the big islands of the Atlantic facade, after Oléron. Its climate soft and brightened up in fact a destination very appreciated by the amateurs of natural sites and by flora and fauna protected, of pedestrian and cycle ride, water sports and the well-being. Several hotels, campsites, guest houses, rents, residences and vacation villages welcome you all year long, for long or short stays, professional or personal events there.


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Arsenal's Ivan Gazidis has offered his praise to Brendan Rodger's philosophy at Liverpool, which he described as "brave".
The Gunner's chief executive believes that young players don't get enough opportunities in the Premier League and their development suffers as a result.
He used Liverpool as an example of how football clubs and players can benefit from the inclusion of more young players in the first team. He said,
"We need to create an environment where managers can be braver and we can give young players a chance. Liverpool have been fantastic this year, they have some young players coming through their system and really generating tremendous excitement within their team because they are being given an opportunity to play."
New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers took several risks with the introduction of young players such as Raheem Sterling, Suso, and Jonjo Shelvey – all under 20 years of age – in the Premier League. They have performed well and have taken plaudits from the manager, the fans, and pundits alike.
"It would have been very easy for Liverpool not to have that pathway for those young players, much easier than taking the risk of giving them a chance." Gazidis continued,
"That's critical, it's about philosophy within a club and that's what gives you resilience and gives you real strength and a foundation for success."
Gazidis has taken pressure from discontented fans and shareholder Alisher Usmanov in recently over claims that Arsenal arse a 'feeder club' who can no longer compete at the top level, under manager Arsene Wenger's policy of selling their star players at their peak in favour of younger cheaper replacements making their way through the club's ranks.
But Gazidis has stood by his manager, suggesting under new Financial Fair Play regulations, Arsenal's business model will be the most successful. He even went as far as to recommend the philosophy be introduced throughout the Premier League.
"I think people believe money can be spent without consequence and if we learnt anything from the financial crisis the world has had over the last few years it has to be unsustainable spending and unsustainable environments don't last forever."
He continued: "The Premier League owners are coming together: I think there is a developing consensus around the fact we need some form of tighter financial regulations to make sure as we look forward that the interest of the Premier League, its clubs and the fans are well protected."
image: © bernard-chan


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Ear Surgery
*Treatment results may vary
180 of 1654
Was this photo helpful? {{ voteCount + ' other' + (voteCountOthers == 1 ? '' : 's') }} found this helpful
This 19-year-old young woman had always been troubled by prominent ears that bent forward at the top, causing her to be self-conscious of her appearance. Her surgeon performed a bilateral otoplasty, or ear surgery, to "pin back" the tops of her ears so they would rest more attractively beside her face.


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NEW YORK (The Deal) -- Dollar General (DG) said Tuesday that it has raised its bid for Family Dollar Stores (FDO) to $80 per share and is threatening to take its latest offer straight to shareholders if Family Dollar refuses to engage in active deal talks.
TheStreet's Brittany Umar has details on Dollar General's latest bid for Family Dollar:
WATCH: More market update videos on TheStreet TV | More videos from Brittany Umar
Dollar General's revised bid is valued at around $9.1 billion, up from its last $78.50 per share offer, and far surpassing Dollar Tree (DLTR) 's $74.50 per share bid.
"In the event you refuse to engage with us regarding our revised proposal, we will consider taking our persuasive and superior proposal directly to your shareholders," Dollar General chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said in a statement.
Dollar General is addressing some of Family Dollar's antitrust concerns by agreeing to divest up to 1,500 stores and noted it will pay a $500 million reverse breakup fee if the proposed deal does not meet regulatory standards. The company originally said it would be willing to divest up to 700 stores, if needed. Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree is entitled to a $305 million termination fee if Dollar General succeeds with its offer.
Family Dollar chairman and CEO Howard Levine said that Dollar General's original proposal did not do much to address key Federal Trade Commission issues, even though Dollar Tree said it would only divest 500 stores, if required.
Dollar General, of Goodlettsville, Tenn., and Charlotte, N.C.-based Family Dollar would have more than 20,000 stores if combined.


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Johannesburg - Two people accused of killing a man and leaving his body in his car at Montecasino will stand trial in the High Court in Johannesburg in October.
Randburg Magistrate Vincent Pienaar transferred the matter to the high court, which would hear it from October 6 to 24.
Jean-Pierre Malan and his girlfriend, former stripper Maruschka Robinson, face murder charges after Dustan Blom's decomposing body was found in the boot of his car in the parking garage at the Montecasino casino and entertainment venue in September.
The body was discovered when security guards noticed a foul smell.
Robinson was arrested on September 24, and Malan on September 26.
The court previously heard that Robinson had made a confession.
In the dock on Tuesday, Robinson wore a white jacket, with a grey faux fur-lined hood over a black lacey top and hoop earrings. Malan wore a navy tracksuit top with white stripes down the arms.
Prosecutor Steven Rubin, who took over the case from prosecutor Yusuf Baba, told the court the indictment had been prepared.
"We are ready to transfer to the high court."
Jean-Marc de Villiers, for Robinson, withdrew from the case.
"I have not received instruction," he said.
Her defence would be taken over by Legal Aid.
Pienaar told the accused the indictment, containing the State's case, would be made available to their defence.
Both remain in Johannesburg Prison. - Sapa


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Prospective Students | Current Students | Alumni | Faculty + Staff
Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute
INDI is based on the partnership of its participating faculty, and their associated centers, departments, and schools. It is administered by a Leadership Team, with representation from its research thrust areas, and it is guided by an Advisory Board, with representation from its partnering units.
Currently, faculty from the Schools of Science, Engineering and Technology, and Medicine, are associated with INDI. The given faculty have expertise in a wide range of fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, material science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, orthopaedics, and pathology and laboratory medicine.
Visit the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute site for more information.
Science representative on leadership team: Christoph Naumann, Ph.D.


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Credit Rating Agencies, Finance and Growth
The aim of this chapter is to initiate a reflection about the potential connection between Credit Rating Agencies (CRA) performance and long-run macroeconomic performance based on the idea that inaccurate and volatile rating decisions can hinder the development of the financial system and therefore growth. This reflection is illustrated by means of the analysis of the evolution and correlations between relevant data on financial system development and growth for a sample of countries from the Euro Zone over the period 1990-2010. The preliminary descriptive analysis seems to corroborate the former concern since we found a positive correlation between different indicators of the development of the financial system, respectively, liquid liabilities, domestic credit to the private sector, and stock market capitalization, and real per capita output. The concerns with the economic impact of the functioning and performance of CRA should thus, in our opinion, also take a longer term perspective since they are a pillar of the financial system, which in turn is fundamental to sustain economic growth. Further restructuring and new interventions in the sector are needed in order to increase transparency and efficiency of CRA activity, preventing in this way longer term consequences in terms of growth potential.
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| RePEc:ibg:chaptr:euinpro-10
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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Bertrand Candelon & Amadou N Sy & Rabah Arezki, 2011.
"Sovereign Rating News and Financial Markets Spillovers; Evidence from the European Debt Crisis,"
IMF Working Papers
11/68, International Monetary Fund.
- Rabah Arezki & Bertrand Candelon & Amadou Sy, 2011. "Sovereign Rating News and Financial Markets Spillovers: Evidence from the European Debt Crisis," CESifo Working Paper Series 3411, CESifo Group Munich.
- Marwan Elkhoury, 2007. "Credit Rating Agencies And Their Potential Impact On Developing Countries," UNCTAD Discussion Papers 186, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
- Ross Levine & Norman Loayza & Thorsten Beck, 2002. "Financial Intermediation and Growth: Causality and Causes," Central Banking, Analysis, and Economic Policies Book Series,in: Leonardo Hernández & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel & Norman Loayza (Series Editor) & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel (Se (ed.), Banking, Financial Integration, and International Crises, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 2, pages 031-084 Central Bank of Chile.
- Levine, Ross & Loayza, Norman & Beck, Thorsten, 2000. "Financial intermediation and growth: Causality and causes," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 31-77, August.
- Levine, Ross & Loayza, Norman & Beck, Thorsten, 1999. "Financial intermediation and growth : Causality and causes," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2059, The World Bank.
- Thorsten Beck & Ross Levine & Norman Loayza, 1999. "Financial Intermediation and Growth: Causality and Causes," Working Papers Central Bank of Chile 56, Central Bank of Chile.
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Body-n-Balance Massage Day Spa Menu - Services & Fees
Swedish in Studio:
95 min. — $130.00
65 min. — $90.00
35 min. — $50.00
With Deep Tissue Therapy:
add $15.00 per hour
Heavenly Foot Massage
including foot exfoliation:
35 min. — $65.00
Back Exfoliation with Hot Towels:
15 min. — $20.00
Massage in Guest Room:
65 min. — $145.00 + 20% gratuity
Individual and Corporate Chair Massages:
$1.50 per min.
Descriptions and Special Services
Swedish Massage
The classic relaxation massage. Great for all ages including infants to golden years.
Deep Tissue
More technical in nature, focusing on releasing tension within deeper lying muscles, nerves, and fibers for relief of acute or chronic pain.
Maternity Massage: 65 min. — $95.00
This soothing massage provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints, neck, back, and hips. Special strokes are used to aid the Mother-to-Be and her baby to enjoy the benefits of increased circulation while eliminating much of the discomfort that pregnancy may bring.
Thai Herbal Stem Massage: 85 min. — $150.00
Traditional Thai massage treatment combining massage and warm herbal ball stems. A spicy blend of antioxidants: Lemongrass, Turmeric, Lime Peel, Sweet Flag, Mountain Ebony, and Jeang Leaves, to enhance relaxation, health, and harmony. Hand selected from the jungles of Ratchapruek, Thailand.
The Managers Special: 65 min. — $95.00
A relaxing Swedish Massage using Organic Virgin Coconut Oil applied with warm stones to the back, neck, and shoulders. This combination will allow relaxation, while melting tension away.
Ultimate Weary Traveler: 85 min.— $150.00
Combine the Executive Facial with our Heavenly Foot Massage for the most relaxing and fun-filled way to avoid the stresses of car or plan travel. Massage and exfoliation using hot towels, invigorating lotions, and natural herbs of your choice.
Hot Stone Therapy: 65 min. — $120.00 or 95 min. — $160.00
A specialty massage that uses smooth, heated Baltic rocks. Experience the warmth radiating deeply into the muscles to melt your tensions away.
Salt Glow or Sugar Shine Sensations: 100 min. — $180.00
Engage your senses and pamper your skin. A full body exfoliation with your choice of salts of succelent sweet sugar removes dead skin cells and rejuvenates new skin. A warm shower followed by a full body massage will ease away life's stress. Includes 65 minute full body massage.
The Heavenly Foot Massage: 35 min. — $65.00
Request ths one when you've shopped till you've dropped. Kick off those shoes and let us massage feet, ankles and calfs using peppermint lotions.
Executive Facial: 45 min. — $85.00
Indulge in our classical facial massage! Using all natural ingredients we customize this favorite for both men and women. Using hot towels, cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliant, and toners, a facial has a calming effect on the nervous system that aids in reducing stress and tension.
Dry Brush Exfoliation (full body): 35 min. — $65.00
Quick and easy—and the benefits are more than just skin deep. Make your skin glow and flush toxins from your body.
Hot Oil Scalp Massage: 35 min. — $65.00
This "stress buster" is a seated scalp massage. Using a combination of coconut oil and aromatherapy oils to relax the body and mind.
Chocolate Lover's Delight: 100 min. — $195.00
Enjoy the benefits of dark chocolate without the calories! The ultimate wrap using creamy chocolate mud to cover the body and detox the skin. This wonderful delight is designed for our guests that want to soften and detox the body while firming and toning the skin. Includes 65 minute full body massage.
Fire and Ice: 80 min. — $140.00
Created by our therapists, this signature Swedish massage combines the use of warm oil, selected natural herbs, and completed with a cryo-stone facial to seal the pores around a special facial moisturizer. This treatment will relax, invigorate, and make you look years younger. Try Fire and Ice and select your own herbs.


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In 1999, a group of artists, teachers, and activists, organized a community based collective called SpiritHouse. Our purpose was to create and develop grassroots programs that aimed to eliminate the negative impact of illiteracy, poverty, and racism as it impacts the Black community. Inspired by the Black Liberation Movement of the 60's and 70's era, our initial activities generated continuous dialogue where Black issues, challenges, and concerns played a significant part. Cultural enrichment, education, social change, and self-determination were the ultimate intentions of the organization. Through these initiatives, the organization soon created community projects, provided arts activities, training, and education programs where little or none had previously existed.
SpiritHouse draws on and is continually made possible by the interconnected and sometimes contradicting legacies of the Black Arts Movement and Black Feminism in the United States. We see SpiritHouse as a manifestation of those legacies AND as a way the structural, gendered and political tensions in those movements become creative energy for ongoing transformation in our communities.
Locally - Durham NC, home of Duke University, North Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park is also a city where one in three Black families live below the poverty level. Like much of the rest of the country, Durham's disparities fall along racial and socio-economic lines.
We work primarily in communities of low-income households, and inner-city neighborhoods, to bring about meaningful and positive change, through innovative projects, that involve people at all levels of life.
Nationally - Our grassroots media outreach and community partnerships with schools, churches, and other community organizations allow us to participate in national dialogs and provide workshops and performances that reach over 2000 people annually.


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Mental Health
Issues with Homosexuality
To whomever it may concern,
I am in the middle of a big problem. I do not want to commit suicide, and I am not in a situation to consult with a doctor. The problem is, I am gay. No one except me knows this. My parents are forcing me to get married. How can I marry a girl if I am gay? I don`t want to spoil that girl`s life. I cannot tell this to my parents either because I think they cannot handle that fact. Seriously, I am addicted to gay sex. I am totally desperate because of this behavior. Is there any cure for this homosexuality? This is not a joke . I am fed up. I know it`s not an emergency service. But I have been suffering from this mental problem since I was born. What do I have to do? Do you have a remedy? Please help me.
Thank you for your question. Although you summarized the major issues in the confines of this website, clearly there is much more there. It is noble of you to identify that all is not well in your concern for others and yourself.
As implied, there is no easy answer to your situation. This is not a question of taking an antibiotic for an acute infection. At the same time, help is available, as outlined below.
The first set of issues relates to your relationship with others. It would be difficult under any circumstances for a marriage to be forced. Conscientious parents want their children to be happy and would accept at some level that a marriage should be considered freely and without coercion. You can remind your parents of that.
Without entering into too many details or reasons, would your parents accept that you are not interested in marriage now? Qualifying your answer as "not now" can buy you some time. With that extra time, I strongly recommend that you seek psychotherapy in your area. You could consult with your primary care physician or another entrusted party for a referral to a psychotherapist. Privacy is crucial in any such work, and yours should be respected in session and related interactions.
In establishing an appointment with a potential psychotherapist, you may want to mention a few of the areas that concern you. Then, you can ask if this person has any experience or views on the matter. See if this response fits with what you have in mind. Keep in mind that psychotherapy is ultimately a process of discovery and synthesis ideally. It can take a few sessions to know what psychotherapy is about. The goal of that course of therapy is for you to arrive at a decision and resolution that are comfortable for you. This, too, should not be forced. Good therapy is good therapy.
May you embark on a course that leads to greater happiness for yourself and a balance regarding people connected to you.
Ram Chandran Kalyanam, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University


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The best family holiday - ever!: MSC Sinfonia Cruise Review by Barono
Overall Member Rating
The best family holiday - ever!
Destination: Europe - Western Mediterranean
Embarkation: Marseille
We usually holiday in Spain and France, but now we have been spoilt by MSC Cruises, we could never go on holiday in France again. The French simply don't know how to provide a holiday, but they know how to enjoy one, judging by the number of French people aboard. We have two children and they loved the holiday. If you want to, the Sinfonia will look after your children in a very professional, safe and secure manner. We kept our children with us for the first two days but soon gave in to their demands to join the Junior Club. There are four swimming pools, loads of activities throughout the day or you can just veg out with a book or sunbathe. There is a sunbed for everyone aboard. emergency drills for the crew are carried out every day which just goes to show how serious MSC is about their ships. The evening shows are full of energy and spectacular. The food is really healthy and good. Breakfast is a More feast and lunch and dinner are 7- course feasts. The service is better than 5 star. Cabins are serviced TWICE per day. The Sinfonia deserves 7 stars for the sheer effort, professionalism, courtesy and service. the staff speak various languages - English mainly, but Italians, French, Spanish, Germans are catered for too. We can't wait to go again soon - very soon.
The hotels in the South of France need to check out the cruising scene and take note. No 5-star hotel in France can compete with MSC Cruises. None - especially if you have children. Less
Published 05/20/12
Cabin review: 10
One of two Family cabins, two rooms with an adjoining door if you need it, one with double bed TV, double wardrobe and drawers, cupboards, window view to the ship's bow and a bunk bed if you have three children, the other room has a sofa double bed, double wardrobe and drawers, safe,TV, minibar, bathroom, port-side window. Big enough for a family of four or five. Comfortable beds. Towels changed twice per day if required. Better than some so-called five star hotels in France.
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Q: How do I get involved in Open Source?
cmw.osdude Tags: software open_source student projects open beginner student_portal openness 1 Comment 4,270 Views
This question was asked in a developerWorks forum ... but it looked like it was going to turn into more than a simple answer... so I moved it here to share with more people. Congratulations on discovering the importance and opportunity in Open Source...
from Blog: Walden's Ponderings
The top 3 things students can do to prep for the IT workplace
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When I first moved from academia (as a college student) to a cubicle it was a jarring leap. At times I felt my nights working in restaurants, juggling trays, cooks and customers, had been better preparation than my days skimming textbooks (although one...
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Ultimate Spider-man #1
(Marvel Comics)
Comic books can boast of one unique achievement. However, this very accomplishment continues to undermine the continuing survival of comic books as a viable medium of art and entertainment.
This achievement is the longevity of super-hero characters.
Can you name fictitious personalities that were created more than six decades ago and yet whose adventures and exploits continue to be presented into the new millennium?
I mean, other than Superman and Batman?
However, with this distinction, comes a deadly flipside, and this has prevented many people from perceiving comic books as an acceptable medium of art and entertainment. There is often a sense that with the long-lived history of the super-heroes, the sheer background involved when approaching a comic book for the first time is indeed prohibitive for a newcomer. Such is not the case when one goes to watch a movie or read a novel. The other difficulty the longevity of super-hero characters pose is how to keep the characters modern and contemporary. Case in point: when Superman first appeared, World War II had not even happened yet! Thus, contemporary references would occasionally be revised throughout the 60 years that the Man of Steel has been with us to maintain the veneer of reality and familiarity of the world that Superman exists in.
Which brings us, finally, to Ultimate Spider-Man.
For the avid comic book reader growing up in the sixties and seventies, Marvel Comics were really cool. Sure, DC Comics had the big guns, Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, and the Justice League of America. But Marvel Comics were still cooler. They had Fantastic Four (with the awesome artist Jack Kirby), Avengers, X-Men and of course, your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. Yes, Spider-Man.
He was Peter Parker, a geeky straight A student who had to juggle super-heroics with his pathetic adolescent life. He was strong but you never felt that he was invincible that vulnerability made him very sympathetic as well. Thanks to writer Stan Lee and illustrators Steve Ditko and John Romita, the first decade of Spider-Mans existence was classic comic book storytelling. The success of Spider-Man and the other Marvel Comics characters would ultimately lead to a domination of the comic book market by Marvel Comics for most of the '70s, '80s and even the '90s.
Well, that was then and this is now.
A couple of years back, Marvel Comics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Having recently put their affairs into order, Marvel Comics have taken steps to regain their position as market leader. The market as a whole has lost ground to video games in the competition for teenage hearts and minds (and wallets) and if super-hero comics were to have a future, the teenagers would have to be lured back.
With the success of the X-Men movie in mind (and no doubt with the highly anticipated Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man movie due in 2001), Marvel Comics hired hot writer Brian Michael Bendis to take the reins of Ultimate Spider-Man, a book that would attempt to make Spider-Man relevant to the teenagers of today. Bendis has shown with his work on Sam & Twitch and Powers, that he has an excellent ear for dialogue and an intuitive grasp of characterisation and dramatic pacing. For an up and coming writer, Ultimate Spider-Man is a plum job.
The first issue of Ultimate Spider-Man lives up to almost all of the expectations close observers of Bendis would have. Peter Parker is still the geeky grade-A student, but this time he lives in very contemporary settings. The dialogue as usual for Bendis is spot on. Peter Parker and his friends speak in a believable teenage vernacular and the references are modern. Peter Parker's guardian Aunt May (depicted as an old lady in the original comic) is a sprightly middle-aged woman who was at Woodstock along with her ponytailed husband Ben (imagine the hippie parents in the sitcom Dharma & Greg). But best of all, the origin of Spider-Man (you know, he gets bitten by a radioactive spider which grants him immense power) never gets rushed the costume doesn't even make an appearance and Bendis let's the plot breathe and find its own pace.
On the down side, artist Mark Bagley's figures are rather stiff and are clearly not flashy enough if indeed the intent was to draw the video game crowd.
Overall, it's difficult to assess the impact that Ultimate Spider-Man would have on the non-comic book reader. Nonetheless, it would be an excellent starting point for the curious comic book neophyte to take the plunge. There are no in-jokes, no 40 years of baggage or background, just an entertaining re-telling of the tale of Peter Parker and how he became the hero known as the Spider-Man.
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About Me
share smiles and hug the world
some people say i'm a bit crazy or act dumb or both... i'm just a passionate person who loves to smile and make people happy. I'm either always jumping around or quiet and observing, taking notes. i think alot and try to appreciate life as it comes. i find travelling the best way to get to know and discover different cultures and get a better consciousness of the world we re living in. I'm always singing in my head and believe that happiness is a mean rather than an end of life...
i see life as a work in process... i want to see and lived the more i can... try to make a difference and leave something to others... to say i went there, saw that and trying to appreciate every moments as singles as they are
Fais de ta vie un rêve et de ton rêve une réalité
-Saint Exupéry-
Soyez le changement que vous voulez voir dans le monde
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movies : from Fight club to La vita e bella, from V for vendetta to Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulin to Baraka
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i dont see things as amazing... just trying to smile to life and appreciating everything that comes to me.
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U.S. U-20 Men Defeat Ivory Coast, Advance to Quarterfinals of World Youth Championship
Dubai, UAE (Monday, December 8, 2003) – The U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Youth Championship this evening with a 2-0 win against the Ivory Coast in front of a crowd of 3,210 at Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. The victory advances the U.S. to the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Youth Championship for the first time since the tournament increased to 24 teams in 1997.
The U.S. will face Argentina, who topped Egypt with a 2-1 golden goal victory in the earlier game at Al-Maktoum stadium, on Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. local time at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match will be televised live on Galavision beginning at 11:55 a.m. ET (delayed on the West Coast at 11:55 a.m. PT) and can also be followed live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.
"This was really a remarkable game by our players tonight," said U.S. Under-20 head coach Thomas Rongen. "They came out, played as hard as they could and left everything on the field. I couldn't be any prouder of all 20 of those guys. We're extremely excited to be moving on to the quarterfinals and expect a tough match with Argentina, who as everyone knows has been one of the tournament favorites."
Both teams had their sights set on the opponent's goal early, as an extremely quick pace was set from the opening whistle. The first 20 minutes saw both teams with numerous chances on goal, but only the U.S. was able to capitalize.
Ivory Coast, donning their bright orange jerseys, looked as though they would be the team to strike first when they got an immediate chance in the 4th minute. U.S. right back Drew Moor played a poor pass in defense that forward Arouna Kone collected before laying it off to his right for Kassiaty Labi. With a clean look on goal, Lobi drove a low shot past 'keeper Steve Cronin, but Moor was able to make up for his earlier mistake by clearing the shot off the line.
In the sixth minute, the U.S. found their first opportunity on goal when U.S. captain Bobby Convey slipped a ball between the Coast's defense to an onrushing Ed Johnson. From the right of the box, Johnson drove his shot just wide of the left post.
One minute later, the USA found the back of the net for the first time on the night. The goal started in the midfield where U.S. captain Bobby Convey took a ball off his chest and stretched out his leg high enough to flick a ball over his head to a streaking Justin Mapp. Flying by the Ivory Coast backline, Mapp collected the ball 30 yards from goal for a breakaway against 'keeper Drissa Toure. The Chicago Fire midfielder calmly slotted the ball low past Toure and into the left side netting.
The pace remained frantic for the rest of the half, and Ivory Coast began seizing control of the game while creating most of the attack. The Elephants created havoc for the U.S. defenders and peppered Cronin by frequently taking open chances from 30 yards or more; however, Cronin and the rest of the backline were up for the challenge, sending the attackers away empty handed time after time.
In the 16th minute, Ivory Coast captain Jean-Jacques Gosso found his way through the U.S. defense, and rocketed a shot that veered wide left.
Six minutes later, Gosso again was involved in a chance for the Elephants as his deft back heel at the top of the box found Adolph Tohoua, whose strike looked destined for the lower right corner before Cronin dove to push it wide.
In the 27th minute, Labi got free on the edge of the area and powered a shot on frame, but Cronin was able to parry it over the bar. Moments later, the Elephants played in a cross from the left side that found Labi wide-open again beyond the far post. With Cronin racing off his line to cut off his angle, Labi wisely played the ball back to midfielder Tohoua, whose effort on the open net from 16 yards out was deflected away by defender Chad Marshall.
On the other end, Ivory Coast struggled with the USA's speed up front as Mapp, Johnson and Adu were continually able to brush by defenders and get behind their backline.
While still under pressure, the U.S. came back on the attack and was able to take a two-goal lead in the 43rd minute. From the left flank, Convey played a ball into the box ahead of Adu, who sprinted on to the pass before being clipped by Toure, who had come off his line. Johnson took the penalty kick, doing a small stutter-step before powering it past Toure for the 2-0 lead. The goal was the tournament-leading fourth for Johnson, and his third from the penalty spot.
Down by two goals, Ivory Coast was hit with another setback just before halftime as goalkeeper Toure was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty box trying to snag an Adu through ball intended for Johnson. Backup 'keeper Danile Yeboah was brought on at the expense of midfielder Andre Saki, leaving the Elephants to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Amazingly, it was the second time in the tournament that Ivory Coast had had their starting goalkeeper ejected for such an offense. In Ivory Coast's second group match against the Republic of Ireland, Daniel Yeboah was ejected for similar offense and was replaced by Toure, who then blanked Saudi Arabia in their group finale to earn the starting position against the U.S.
Shorthanded to begin the second half, Ivory Coast struggled to try and get back into the match as the pace of the game slowed down considerably. The U.S. adopted a much more even approach, keeping the play in front of them as much as possible while looking to take advantage of opportunities created by the Coast's need to equalize.
The Ivory Coast would be dealt their final unfortunate blow in the 75th minute, when defender Gballou Kouyo suffered a non-contact hamstring injury as he chased Ed Johnson down defensively in the corner. Already exhausting their three substitutes, the Elephants were forced to play with nine men for the final 15 minutes. The U.S. had calmly seized control of the match at that point, maturely killing off the remainder of the game.
The victory was the third of the tournament for the U.S. in four games, marking the first time in the team's nine FIFA World Youth Championship appearances that the team has ever won three matches outright.
- U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team Game Report -
Participants: U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team vs. Ivory Coast
Competition: 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
Location: Al-Maktoum Stadium; Dubai, UAE
Date: December 8, 2003
Weather: Warm; 75 degrees
Attendance: 3,210
Scoring Summary:
1st 2nd Final
United States 2 0 2
Ivory Coast 0 0 0
USA – Justin Mapp (Bobby Convey) 7th minute
USA – Ed Johnson (penalty kick) 43.
USA – 1-Steve Cronin; 2-Zak Whitbread, 4-Chad Marshall, 5-Ryan Cochrane, 16-Drew Moor; 19-Ned Grabavoy, 3-Justin Mapp, 10-Bobby Convey (Capt.) (17-Knox Cameron, 83), 11-Ricardo Clark, 12-Freddy Adu (8-C.J. Klass, 58); 7-Ed Johnson (9-Santino Quaranta, 79).
Subs not used: 6-Jordan Stone, 13-Mike Magee, 14-Clint Dempsey, 15-David Johnson, 18-Ford Williams, 20-Jordan Harvey.
CIV – 20-Drissa Toure; 2-Dan Ouehi, 4-Ayi Ahyee, 5-Gballou Kouyo, 6-Mondakan Mahan (12-Jean Kipre, 66); 7-Jean-Jacques Gosso (Capt.), 11-Adolph Tohoua, 14-Andre Saki (1-Daniel Yeboah, 45), 19-Kassiaty Labi (9-Antonin Koutouan, 68); 8-Arouna Kone, 18-Fracois Zoko.
Subs not used: 3-Dacosta Goore, 10-Raphael Yabre, 16-Souleman Bamba, 17-Herve Guy
Not eligible: 13-Almamy Doumbia, 15-Mohamed Cisse.
Statistical Summary:
Shots 7 15
Shots on goal 2 8
Saves 8 0
Corner kicks 2 7
Fouls 20 20
Offside 14 0
Misconduct Summary:
CIV – Gballou Kouyo (caution) 34.
CIV – Drissa Toure (caution) 42.
CIV – Drissa Toure (ejection) 46+.
CIV – Jean-Jacques Gosso (caution) 47+.
USA – Drew Moor (caution) 53.
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (COL)
Assistant Referee: Daniel Wilson (COL)
Assistant Referee: Eduardo Botero (COL)
4th Official: Salah Mohamed (UAE)


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U.S. Soccer Referee Week in Review - Week 19
The usssoccer.com Referee Week in Review is designed to address the issues facing referees at all levels by using video highlights from professional games as well as the U.S. National Teams. Written by U.S. Soccer Director of Referee Development Paul Tamberino and U.S. Soccer Manager of Assessment and Training Brian Hall, the Referee Week in Review will highlight specific areas of focus and current U.S. Soccer initiatives designed to improve performance and aid in the development of officials across the country.
Referee Week In Review
Week 19 – ending August 3, 2008
Five MLS games and two SuperLiga games filled this past week's agenda. The five MLS games provided many positive highlights of U.S. Soccer's theme of flow, risk taking, and game control. In last week's "Week In Review," the model for this theme was introduced.
(click on this link to refer to "Week In Review 18") Once again, referees exhibited the ability to recognize the "big picture" and provided exceptional examples illustrating the model in action. Several game time scenarios of the referee's implementation of flow, risk taking, and game control will be provided below.
The five MLS games finished with an average of 26.8 fouls called per game with the range of whistles going from a high of 40 to a low of 20. One MLS match had only 22 fouls but four yellow cards, two red cards, and a team trainer being dismissed. This dichotomy shows the need for referees to be prepared for every game and every potential situation in a game, as even games with few fouls have explosive moments.
Next week, U.S. Soccer will be conducting a referee academy for four invited referees at the "World Youth Tournament" in Lorain, Ohio. This week-long academy will provide the select referees the opportunity to referee Under 16 National Select sides from Nigeria, Venezuela, and Chile as well as top international youth club teams like Chivas (Mexico), Blackburn Rovers (England), and Club America (Mexico). These international teams are joined by American clubs PSA Academy and Rush Select XI. Throughout the tournament, feedback, instruction, training, and coaching will be provided by U.S. Soccer staff consisting of Paul Tamberino, Herb Silva, and Brian Hall.
Two additional U.S. Soccer academies kick off this week. An Assistant Referee (AR) Academy, directed by Alfred Kleinaitis, is being held in conjunction with USASA's National Cup Finals in Seattle, Washington, as well as an academy being conducted concurrently with the U.S. Soccer Under 14 Identification Camp in Concord, Massachusetts. At this camp, eight developing officials were invited for week-long training and education.
- On the ussoccer.com web page, you can listen to weekly podcasts highlighting the main issues from the "Referee Week in Review" document. On the ussoccer.com homepage, look mid page for the tab that says "Podcasts."
Flow, Risk Taking, and Game Control: The Model In Action
The model proposed by U.S. Soccer regarding flow, risk taking, and game control resonated in officials' minds this past weekend. Referees identified multiple opportunities to exercise the spirit of the model and exhibit top class officiating skills. In each case, the referee contributed to the entertainment value of the game by taking a risk that the players would play through minor contact and fouls and thereby allow the flow of the game to provide creative attacks on goal without jeopardizing player safety and without avoiding disciplining challenges that are 100 percent misconduct.
The clips below show how a confident referee with a feel for the big picture can contribute to entertaining, attacking play. The referee must understand and make an immediate calculation as to how his not blowing the whistle will affect the overall atmosphere of the game and how the balance of the game will unfold by not calling the trifling, soft, or minor foul. A referee with a strong presence (close to play and using personality to earn the players' confidence through his actions in the game) will be able to take more risks and sell the so-called "no-calls" on the minor challenges.
The first two clips in this sequence are from the same game and occur in a relatively short time span. Hence, the referee must have established his presence early and felt comfortable that the game and the players did not need play to be disrupted with a whistle for a foul.
Video Clip 1: Columbus at Houston (39:28)
This flow and risk taking clip illustrates how a referee must be able to read the game and make a determination as to the next phase of play (as contact occurs, what the clear options are for the player with the ball) and make a determination as to how the players will accept the fluidity he is attempting to direct at that point in the match. Watch as there are approximately five different challenges by defenders attempting to deny the progress of the attacking team. Despite the number of challenges, the referee reads that the attacking players are willing to play through the minor/soft fouls and determined that there is a next phase of play following each challenge.
Remember, the Laws of the Game allow the referee to come back and penalize an offense (within a few seconds) if the advantage does not materialize. Note, at 39.42, the referee announces his intention to allow the play to continue, this gives the referee the flexibility to "read" the player's reactions (taking them into consideration) to the flow and provides credibility if he decides to return to penalize.
Watch as the clip starts with upper body contact, and an attacker in possession of the ball with his back up field. This is followed by more body contact in the center circle in which the referee judges as soft or minor. Two more mis-timed tackles occur as the attacker breaks out of the center circle. Despite the defending team's attempts, the offensive player is able to connect a pass to a teammate in the attacking third. A well positioned referee is able to sell these decisions to the players due to his presence. Notice how the flow directed by the referee contributes to the entertainment value.
Video Clip 2: Columbus at Houston (42:28)
Again, there are several bits of contact initiated by defenders. However, the referee is close to interpret each contact as minor in nature and, therefore, the game does not require it to be called. Examine the three challenges and make a determination as to why the referee judges it to be trifling:
- The first challenge involves upper body contact. The attacking player goes down with minor contact. The referee is positioned close to the contact and has the correct line of vision so he can make the judgment that the contact did not cause the attacker to fall down. Key to interpreting this is the attacker's reaction: he immediately gets off the ground and chases the ball.
- The second hard challenge comes from the team just dispossessed of the ball (orange shirts). The player initiates a hard, solid tackle but it is from the side. The player slides in and sweeps the ball away. The challenge is hard but fair. Contact is made with the ball and not the opponent. The opponent gets beat to the ball and jumps to avoid the contact.
- The third and final challenge is, again, upper body and is committed by the defender (at 32:44) to prevent the attacker from running into space on a potential give-and-go. The referee is stationed adjacent to the foul and can clearly see the progress of the pass and he correctly allows play to proceed.
Overall, a superb job by the referee by allowing the game to flow without putting the player's safety at risk and without bypassing 100 percent misconduct situations. The result: attacking and entertaining soccer resulting in a goal.
Video Clip 3: Kansas City at D.C. (6:37)
This is an example of a foul that minor/trifling and a good candidate for flow. The attacking player goes down with minimal upper body. In fact, the attacker's turn with the ball causes him to lose his footing and not the contact. The referee, near the play and with clear view of the contact, decides there is no foul – this is critical to making the proper judgment. Having decided there was no initial foul, the referee correctly awards a free kick for handling.
Video Clip 4: Kansas City at D.C. (10:05)
A situation where no foul is recommended resulting in game flow. The attacker, with the ball, is being pressured by an opponent from behind. There is contact, but the contact is not the cause of the player losing the ball. The player touches the ball too far in front and loses his footing as he reaches for the ball. The contact is not the cause of the player going down nor of his losing possession; therefore, the referee should feel comfortable with taking a risk in cases similar to this.
100% Misconduct: A Tactical Foul
The referee's ability to identify tactical fouls is tested virtually every game. This is particularly the case given the speed of the modern game and the counter attack style many teams employ. In addition, the severity of punishment for tackles from behind has forced players to find other ways (holding of the shirt, interposing the body between the attacker and the ball, etc.) of stopping the progress of an attacker. The skillful and creative player in the center of the field or the speedy winger are often targets of tactical fouls. "Week In Review 7" and subsequent versions have provided multiple perspectives on this modern game phenomenon and have attempted to provide tools to assist the referee in identifying fouls that meet the tactical criteria. (Click on the link to access "Week In Review 7" for a detailed list of tactical foul characteristics)
Video Clip 5: Kansas City at D.C. (78:21)
In this clip, the skillful and creative player uses his technical ability to beat four defenders. As he beats the last player, he knows he has space in which he can attack and carry the ball. Seeing this, the defender decides he has no other option than to foul. Although the foul is not representative of the standard hard, sliding tackles common place in today's game, it does prevent the talented player from advancing and from possibly breaking down the defense further with a pass or his dribbling ability. Referees must be aware of defensive tactics and be prepared to intervene as necessary.
Handballs: Making Yourself Bigger
During the recently completed U.S. Soccer Mid-Season Professional Seminar, the topic of handballs was addressed in order to provide more clarity in decision making and to provide a common thread for the interpretation of handling decisions. The key term agreed upon as a determining factor in deciding if contact with the hand/arm is, in fact, a handling offense was: Did the player make himself bigger?
- Making yourself bigger
This refers to the placement of the arm(s)/hand(s) of the defending player at the time the ball is played by the opponent. Should an arm/hand be in a position that takes away space from the team with the ball and the ball contacts the arm/hand, the referee should interpret this contact as handling. Referees should interpret this action as the defender "deliberately" putting his arm/hand in a position in order to reduce the options of the opponent (like spreading your arms wide to take away the passing lane of an attacker).
There are other critical signs that referees should consider, in addition to "making yourself bigger," when evaluating whether a handling situation requires a foul to be called:
- Is the arm or hand in an "unnatural position?"
Is the arm or hand in a position that is not normal or natural for a player performing the task at hand.
- Hand to ball
Referees must be ready to judge whether the player moved his arm to the ball thereby initiating the contact.
- Distance
The further the distance from the defender to the location from which the opponent played the ball, the greater the likelihood of a handling offense.
- The result of the action
In considering all the "signs" described above, the referee should also consider the result of the player's action. Did the player's action (handling of the ball) deny a pass or shot on goal that would have otherwise been available to him?
As you examine the following two clips, consider the "making yourself bigger" criteria in determining why the decision to award a foul for handling would be correct.
Video Clip 6: Chivas USA at Chicago (89:05)
The defender is approximately four yards from the opponent at the time the ball is played. This long distance provides more time for the defender to control his actions. As the clip is replayed, look at the position of the defender's arm – extended out from his body thereby making his body bigger and taking away the passing lane or the angle for a shot on goal. Additionally, this is not a natural position for the arm as a defender is closing down on an opponent. Also, closely look at the defender's left arm. It too is raised up, away from his body. Given the "making yourself bigger" criteria, in this case, the referee should call a foul (handling) and award a penalty kick.
Video Clip 7: Atlante (Mexico) at New England (17:31 – second half)
This example is from a SuperLiga game. Once more, a defender has his arm extended out to a position that "makes himself bigger" and unfairly takes away opponent's space to pass/play the ball. The freeze frame clearly shows the extended arm makes contact with the ball. The referee would be correct in awarding a penalty kick for handling following the "making yourself bigger" criteria.
Offside: Giving the Benefit of Doubt to Attacking Soccer
"Wait and see." Exhibit patience. Give the benefit of the doubt to the attack. Each of these phrases are common themes in the training of ARs. Each phrase is geared toward providing simple terminology that can be followed by ARs at all levels of play. In addition to the terminology, prior "Week In Reviews" have provided recommendations for ARs that are intended to increase proficiency in decision making. The clip below provides an example of where an AR can improve the accuracy of his decisions by applying previous training and positional recommendations provided in prior "Week In Reviews."
Video Clip 8: Pachuca (Mexico) at Houston (13:43 – second half)
In this critical semifinal SuperLiga match, with the score 0-0, a team is denied the first goal of the game as a result of an incorrect offside decision. As you watch the clip, the initial "poorly placed" camera angle may lead one to agree with the decision to disallow the goal for offside. However, the replay (from a better positioned camera) shows the AR was incorrect and the goal should have counted. In reviewing and dissecting the call, the following factors must be applied to ensure the correct decision is made:
- Assistant Referee (AR) positional technique
ARs need to be square to the field as much as possible. This means that sidestepping must be the most common form of movement when the situation permits. Sidestepping gives the AR a broader perspective of the field and better positioning with the precise movements of the second-to-last defender. As the ball is played to the right winger, he takes a touch on the ball briefly slowing play. It is at this moment that the AR should transition from a forward running style to sidestepping. Notice how the AR continues running forward and does not attempt to gain a better vantage point by changing his running style from forward run to sidestepping at the critical moment of the winger's first touch on the ball. Given how close in to the goal the play is, the AR should be able to maintain the sidestepping offside position until a clearance is attempted.
- Use of field markings
A smart AR will use the markings of the field (the painted lines or the lines created from the mowing of the grass) to assist with player placement. These lines aid in depth perception and give the AR a reference point. In this clip, the AR can use the top of the goal area line as the reference point in determining player positions and closeness to goal. If this were accomplished, it would have been evident that there was enough doubt to give the benefit to the attack.
- Goal scorer's position
The player who scores the goal and is declared offside is NOT in an offside position because, as the freeze frame shows:
- He is level or behind the second to last opponent; and
- He is behind the ball at the time the ball is played by his teammate.
- Benefit of doubt to the attack
Finally, due to the close nature of all the factors above, if there is any doubt in the AR's mind (and there should be) as to the position of the goal scorer at the time the ball is played by his teammate, the AR must leave the flag down.
This is a difficult decision but with better positioning and line of vision, use of the field markings, and a better understanding of the goal scorer's position should lead the AR to the conclusion that the goal scorer was in an onside position at the time of his teammate's pass. Given the many factors addressed above, the worse case should be doubt on the AR's part – doubt which would lead the AR to decide to keep the flag down.
If in doubt, "keep the flag down!"
Lessons Learned #2: Development Academy Finals Week
The following is the second in a series of several items identified during U.S. Soccer's Development Academy Finals Week that would be of benefit to all officials.
- Bench Decorum (Behavior in the Technical Area)
The Law (3, 5, Technical Area, Fourth Official)
- Substitutes and substituted players are always under the authority of the referee, whether they play or not
- Team officials are allowed to offer tactical instructions but:
- They may not leave the technical area
- They must behave responsibly
- Managing the benches is the responsibility of the fourth official (backed ultimately by the authority of the referee)
- In the absence of a fourth official, bench areas become the shared responsibility of the nearer assistant referee and the referee
- Anyone not listed on the roster as a player or substitute who is allowed in the technical area is considered a team official and must behave accordingly
- Misconduct by substitutes or substituted players requires immediate attention when it interferes with or intrudes directly onto the play on the field – otherwise, the misconduct is better handled at the next stoppage of play
- Although team officials cannot commit misconduct, their behavior should be evaluated based on guidelines applied to player misconduct (for example, dissent, abusive language, violent conduct, entering the field during play, etc.)
- In the event of misconduct, only substitutes or substituted players on the bench may be shown the appropriate card. Coaches and other non-playing personnel may only be dismissed by pointing to them and telling them they are dismissed and must leave the area around the field of play
2. Art and Science
- Refereeing is both an art and a science – a performance on the field is a combination of these
- The science of refereeing is knowledge:
- Laws of the Game
- Official interpretations and guidelines
- Rules and procedures
- In a "science" experiment, combining the same ingredients or forces in the same amounts in the same way always produces the same results
- The art of refereeing is Fingerspitzengefühl (literally, "sensing with the fingertips"), adjusting actions and reactions based on a "feel" for what is happening at the moment
- Level of skill
- Degree of competitive intensity
- Individual player personalities
- What has gone before (team history, prior half hour, etc.)
- Art (paintings, dance, writing, sculpture) is never the same over time – there is no such thing as an individually produced piece of art work which is exactly the same as another individually produced piece of art work
- The referee is like a conductor who combines many different sounds (science) into music (art)
3. Whistle Dynamics
- The whistle is a communications tool – just like the flags, body language, hand signals
- A whistle's tone should distinguish the referee's signals from whistle sounds that might be heard from a nearby field
- Whistles that produce an overly penetrating or loud tone should be avoided with very young players
- There are no specific, standard guidelines regarding:
- Tone
- Length of signal
- Loudness, or
- Number of blasts
- However, in all these elements, the referee must vary whistle signals at minimum to distinguish among:
- Simple attention getting ("look at me" – don't start yet or the play is dead)
- Stoppages for "ordinary" fouls – imperative attention getting
- Serious events – indicating strong action to follow or seeking to disrupt retaliation
- Avoid overuse of the whistle so that, when the whistle is blown, it is more likely to draw the attention of players
- Carrying a back-up whistle is highly recommended
Team Work: The Pre-Game Discussion
Referees, ARs and fourth officials are being asked to concentrate on pre-game instructions with a focus on participation in the "critical decisions" in the game. Feedback from U.S. Soccer's Mid-Season Professional Seminar indicated that referees are not conducting thorough pre-game discussions focused on team participation at the critical moments of the match. Some of the critical areas that need to be discussed are:
- Misconduct unseen by the referee
- Management of game disrepute and game misconduct
- Counter attack fouls where the referee is not able to be close to play
- The decision on whether a foul occurs inside or outside of the penalty area
- Participation on a penalty kick decision
- The silent signals for red or yellow cards
- Management of free kicks by the AR


text:
Telecom outfit Service Stream formed Syntheo with the engineering and construction giant,
Collectively, the JV won deals worth up to $825 million in 2011 to connect homes to Labor's much-vaunted NBN.
But its fortunes have suffered a sharp reversal in recent weeks after Syntheo was forced to hand back its contract in the Northern Territory, precipitating a drastic slide in part-owner Service Stream's share price and pushing it foul of its banking covenants.
Which raises the question of what could happen to Syntheo should Service Stream fold under the intense pressure. Although the partnership faces no current threat, the persistent slide in Service Stream's fortunes places it under increasing strain.
There has been some speculation Lend Lease would simply hoover up its JV partner via a buy out.
However, it is thought the engineering and construction heavyweight has no appetite for such a move and is more likely to simply take over the Syntheo venture.
Dismantling the JV would be a legal minefield and Lend Lease could not simply walk away even though the enterprise attracts intense media scrutiny for relatively little earnings gain.
Abandoning the NBN rollout risks penalties and the JV is already far behind its agreed program of works, which in turn means fines for every premise that is running late.
Until very recently, Service Stream was able to point at its strong standalone reputation as a low-margin telco infrastructure deliverer with blue-chip customers like Telstra.
But the recent asbestos scandals making headlines across Australia have hit two Telstra contractors, one of which is Service Stream.
While the breached borrowing terms were fairly conservative, there is heightened nervousness around the telco's financial health.
Service Stream is due to report its annual earnings shortly and sources close to Syntheo claimed that if there was another substantial lurch downward, it might represent the death knell to the joint venture.
Service Stream's share price is hovering near record lows of 14.5¢ as the political furore unleashed by asbestos controversy adds to its list of troubles.
The Australian Financial Review