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Super Mario Sunshine
Review by discoinferno84
"I'm walkin' on sunshine...."
Let's flash back to late 2002. I remember being engulfed in the hype surrounding Super Mario Sunshine. One of the most anticipated games for the Gamecube was about to be released just in time for the fall semester. It was supposed to be the must-have for any Gamecube owner. After all, with the success of Super Mario 64, how could Nintendo possibly go wrong with another Mario game? Of course, there was an underlying tension with regards to the newer gameplay aspects to be implemented. We were all familiar with the new standard of Mario platforming, but what was this water gun thing that he had strapped to his back? Would this new Mario be a rehash of Luigi's Mansion, except with another gizmo? Praying for something to get rid of my doubts, I bought the game a few months later and visited Mario's latest incarnation.
Almost all Mario games have exhibited cases of simple, yet workable plots. The plot of Super Mario Sunshine offers little, but it fulfills its overall purpose. In this latest installment of the Mario franchise, it seems that our favorite plumber has decided to take a break from his heroic deeds. While his brother is off vacuuming a dirty old mansion, Mario has whisked Princess Peach off to a beautiful island called Isle Delfino. But Mario's romantic getaway is cut short by a mob of angry townsfolk. It seems that someone that resembles the plumber has been spraying graffiti all over town. It's so hard to believe that our hero would do such a thing. Has all the stress from the previous adventures secretly turned Mario into a paint-wielding gang member? But the issue at hand isn't really about defacing public property. All of the paint, slime, and general mess have caused a mass exodus of the Shines. The Shines are the key source of the island's sunlight. For tropical tourist locations, sunlight is an absolute must to attract customers. Thus, the townsfolk completely ignore the concept of a fair trial and sentence Mario on the spot. Mario is given the F.L.U.D.D., a powerful water gun. Mario is basically sentenced to do community service. He must revive his tattered reputation, get rid of the mess he supposedly created, and bring back the Shines.
So you're equipped with a high-powered Super Soaker. But the basic gameplay setup hasn't changed, right? Well, yes and no. Like Super Mario 64, you have to travel to various areas and perform certain tasks to earn your Shine. You've still got to figure out your way around the level to achieve your goal. Thankfully, those aspects haven't changed much. But the key difference comes in the form of the water gun. In Super Mario 64, your gameplay was limited to Mario's capabilities. The levels were designed to cater to Mario's specified moves. All Mario could do was perform some fancy flips as he jumped from platform to platform. But in this game, there is plenty of more freedom of movement. Your trusty water gun opens up a whole new range of aerial acrobatics for our hero. If there's a seemingly uncrossable gap, you can use your device to aid your passage. If there's some rooftop or vantage point that you want to check out, you can use it to get where you need to go. You can convert your weapon into a water-powered hovering jetpack, a propeller, or a rocket. The jetpack is the basic method used to get across gaps and tricky ledges. The propeller is used mainly for speed, and the rocket is best used for increasing the height of your jumps. Since your progress mostly revolves around the use of the F.L.U.D.D., you need to become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations and how they can be used to their fullest extent.
While there is a greater freedom of movement, levels take away much of the appeal. Now, don't get me wrong. The levels here are visually spectacular. The levels are so dynamic with real-time action. You fell as if you're right there in the hustle and bustle of the resort's daily activities. The realistic portrayal adds so much to the presentation. Sadly, the levels are an example of the phrase too much of a good thing. Unlike the varied level designs of its predecessor, Super Mario Sunshine features levels that have a distinct tropical theme. Sure, it makes sense considering that Mario's latest adventure is on a resort. But seeing the same scenery, enemies, and certain tasks can get monotonous after a few times through. Your first few levels take place in a small villa near a hill. You'll move onto levels that include sunny coastlines, lagoons, and ship harbors. While these levels vary in overall design and gameplay strategy, everything starts to look the same after a while. Also, certain tasks will happen in every single set of levels. There will always be a level where you chase your nemesis. There will always be a level that strips Mario of the water gun and forces us to make use of Mario's limited abilities. And there will always be a level where you have to go hunting for some red coins strewn throughout the level. In the end, you're basically performing the same task under new surroundings. If you're a perfectionist like me and need to get every last Shine, you'll be spending countless hours searching for hidden coins and other surprises. Although everything presented is fresh with remarkable graphics and detail, you're still apt to give up or get bored.
Also, the sheer difficulty of the levels can add to the aggravation. These levels are built around the fundamentals of all platform games: getting to the next platform or destination by using the character's abilities. Your objectives seem so simple and straightforward, but don't let the peaceful atmosphere deceive you. These levels are designed to keep pace with Mario's maneuverability. Sure, you can blast your way over a gap using the water gun or do an aerial somersault. But if you time your jump badly, or start the jump at a bad angle, you'll likely fall down the chasm and have to start your climb anew. I've spent more time trying to climb a certain ferris wheel than I'd care to share. This game is a true testament to the gamer's patience. Anyone can pick up this game at the start. But some of the later levels require more advanced and technical gameplay. It's up to the gamer to pay close attention to the game's learning curve.
Also, the difficulty is supplemented with some questionable controls. The camera angle problem has been greatly improved since the days of Super Mario 64, but it still takes away from the overall experience. Also, toggling between the different perspectives can be a little awkward at times. Luckily, the controls are quick and responsive, but require some learning on the part of the gamer. After a few sessions with the F.L.U.D.D., you'll be slinging water like a pro. Also, Mario is incredibly agile even without his trusty water gun. He can perform midair somersaults, dives, and spins. But with such a free range of movement comes with a price. Unlike its predecessor, Super Mario Sunshine relies more on intuitive controls as opposed to button combos. What does that mean? Well, take the somersault for example. In order to execute the maneuver, you've got to push the Control Stick in the opposite direction you want to go, then quickly press the A button and slam the Control Stick back into you're desired direction. If performed properly, Mario will stop and somersault gracefully. But the emphasis isn't placed so much on pushing the buttons or Control Stick, it's about learning to do the maneuvers on instinct. If you're in the thick of a boss battle with Petey Piranha, you're not going to be thinking about how you've got to push the Control Stick in whatever direction. If you're faced with a tricky jump that requires perfect angling and timing, you might want to practice you're moves before you attempt the jump. Thus the controls themselves have a learning curve that requires attention.
It kind of sounds bad, what with the repetitive levels, difficult gameplay and a slightly steep learning curve. So what exactly does this game have that can appeal to the regular gamers who won't necessarily put up with all of this technical stuff? As I've said before, these levels all have the same tropical theme. But the attention to detail can't be ignored. I've spent enough time south of the border to recognize a tourist haven when I see one. Isle Delfino is set up to look like a Caribbean port town. The small fruit stands, the dock, the cafes, everything adds to the charming atmosphere. There are birds fluttering around the buildings. The palm trees come with an abundance of fruits. With a nod to Mario's traditional profession, there's a network of sewer pipes running through some of the levels. Although the cobblestones don't look too realistic, the graphical quality of the water is top notch. You can hear and almost feel the water splashing around you. And the Shines are true to their name. These precious items positively glow with the sun's golden rays. If you're sick of trying to get some seemingly impossible Shine, just spend some time in town. There's nothing quite as fun as blasting around town or jumping around rooftops. And lest we forget, there's always our favorite sidekick, Yoshi. There are plenty of random things to do when you need a break from your quest for the Shines.
So, where does this leave Mario's tropical fun under the sun? Super Mario Sunshine is not for everyone. For those of you that hated Super Mario 64, you may or may not find solace in Mario's latest adventure. Ironically, the same can be said for those of you that loved it. If you hate repetition, avoid this as if it were a plague. If you are iffy with platform games, give this game a rental and see how it grabs you. The gameplay demands are not going to appeal to those that can't stand above average difficulty or learning curves. If you want a game that can be taken both seriously and fun, give it a shot. The fun aspects of this game balance out the negative aspects. And if you're into collecting objects and completing certain goals, give this game a look. For some reason, Super Mario Sunshine is a game that caters to each gamer's individual tastes, as opposed to an overall genre. For those of you that show some mild interest in what this game has to offer, give it a rental and see if the game shines for you.
Reviewer's Rating: 4.0 - Great
Originally Posted: 06/08/04
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Editorial: No, Mr. Safire, the Sky Isn't Falling
Safire's column last week, "Age of Consent," raises the usual sky-is-falling scenarios, but, unfortunately, he has a following that believes his every word. He says there are people online who still think their "visits to offbeat sites are anonymous." He mentions consumers being tracked when buying condoms or pregnancy-testing kits at the supermarket. Or while browsing the Net, he says, people may stumble into a pedophile chat room "being monitored by the FBI." I don't think chat rooms of this nature would be collecting name and address registrations, but, more importantly, what does the possibility that someone could inadvertently come under FBI surveillance have to do with marketing or advertising? Last I checked, marketers gathered information to sell things. Sounds like Safire's beef is with the government.
If you're buying something that you don't want others to know about, pay with cash. What marketers must do is to be upfront about the information they collect. Disclose how you are using it, not to manipulate consumers into buying something but to build a trusting, ongoing relationship. "In pious press releases about their reverence for privacy, they place the burden squarely on the customer's back. If you don't want us to sell a profile about you, say the datamongers, it's up to you to direct us to stop. ... The datamongers know that most people don't know the dangers of target marketing and won't take the trouble to protect themselves." The dangers of target marketing? Yeah, getting offers that you're truly interested in. Better not do that, people might actually stop calling it junk mail.

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You can be reassured that your baby is eating enough and is well nourished when he or she:
Most mothers become more confident that their babies are eating well after a few weeks of breast-feeding. It usually takes some time to establish a routine. You will learn to recognize and respond to your baby's feeding signals.
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Listen Simon Halsey talks to Euan Kerr about the program he'll do with VocalEssence
Listen Simon Halsey talks about how the economy has effected classical music in Europe
Listen Simon Halsey brings a 'British' program to Minneapolis
One of the biggest names in choral music is in the Twin Cities this week to lead the VocalEssence singers.
Grammy award-winning conductor Simon Halsey is chorus director for the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus. He is also chief conductor of the Berlin Radio Choir.
In those jobs he's collaborated with many of the world's great orchestras and conductors.
However he told Euan Kerr he couldn't pass up the chance to come to Minnesota.


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Northeast Florida's premiere hot dog cart mobile food business. We have been an established, licensed and insured mobile food vendor since 2006, serving the TASTIEST dogs in all of Northeast Florida.
We serve only the best Nathans 100% all-beef hot dogs and Azar sausages. We are known for our unique specialty dogs and quality food. We have 28 different toppings and 19 unique specialty dogs. We make several of our own toppings and sauces.
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Only 9 all-stars remain on Dancing With the Stars!
In a double elimination on Tuesday night, two celebs were sent home.
Going into the double elimination night, Kelly Monaco, 36, and Melissa Rycroft, 29, were tied for first place with 27 points after their performances on Monday. Bristol Palin, 21, landed in last place with 22.5 points.
After fan votes were added, Kirstie Alley, 61, and Drew Lachey, 36, were the first stars announced as being in jeopardy of going home. And it was Lachey and his partner Anna Trebunskaya who were the first couple to be sent home during the night.
"I can honestly say I would not change a thing," Lachey said. "I came back because this is fun."
The final two stars who were placed in the bottom were Sabrina Bryan, 28, and Helio Castroneves, 37. Sadly, it was Castroneves and his partner Chelsie Hightower who were eliminated.
"I want to thank my family, Chelsea and America," he said. "You guys, voted for me and I couldn't be happier. Thank you."
Tell Us: Were you sad to see Drew Lachey and Helio Castroneves go home?


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|2009-07-13, 11:13
|Link #81
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Spoiler for game spoiler:
|2009-07-15, 05:07
|Link #82
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 31
Seeing them handle the Isara and Rosie story already makes me worry that we won't see you know what happen to Rosie later on. Though saying that. Rosie did say in this episode that she was singing for everyone, and when Isara dies she'll be singing just for her.
|2009-07-24, 21:34
|Link #84
Observer/Bookman wannabe
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 32
On Max and Selvaria's subplot, I can only say that Max is Genre Blind. Seriously, never, ever underestimate anyone/anything, especially in war. Victory/defeat can be decided by some of the most insignificant things.
|2009-07-25, 03:37
|Link #85
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 31
I just can't see the anime killing off Selvaria. They'd probably do something cheap where she will live out her life in peace. Though if Max still dies then this show will officially blow, because it's not paying respects at all, and showing how important their relationship is, especially to Selvaria.
|2009-07-25, 05:39
|Link #86
Onani Master
I'm just saying...
|2009-07-25, 05:45
|Link #87
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
I can see it now!
About to sacrifice her own life to destroy the Marmota rather than return to her lobotomized boyfriend Welkin or the clingy jealous yandere Faldio who shot her, Alicia is stopped by Selvaria who tells her to go back to the ones who care for her!
Selvaria then goes and hugs Max before making herself go "BOOM". That day being saved, Alicia returns home to wipe the drool away from Welkin's slack-jawed mouth while simultaneously making out with !!!SUPER FALDIO!!! who singlehandedly defeated the rest of the Empire's army with a rusty spoon!
|2009-07-25, 08:52
|Link #88
The Dang-meister
Hmm...I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to ask in, but considering that this is involving speculations, I'll start here.
Anyone have any idea of what the rank badges look like? Or at the very least, what the rank markings on say...Edy's, Marina's, and Aisha's shoulders are? Sergeant and Lieutenant are easy enough because of Largo and Welkin respectively, but what about Corporal, or Private 1st/2nd Class?
|2009-07-25, 11:17
|Link #89
Zetsubou gunsou
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Switzerland
Age: 36
Marina and co all have the badge of private. I don't remember meeting a PFC at any point.
Captain (as worn by Varrot) is the same as lieutenant but the shield border around the three crowns is a larger more elaborate line.
Shouldn't that be in the settings thread btw?
|2009-07-27, 05:07
|Link #91
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Er. Except that it was what... Episode 5? 6? When he saw it first hand after she got "shot". That was the first time. Which he ignored. And didn't even realise anything when they went to the ruins.
So if he goes "Hurf Durf, I R A ACARACGEOLOGIST! ALICIA R VALKYRUR CUZ SHE IZ HEALIN'!" from seeing her heal then well... >_>
|2009-07-27, 05:17
|Link #92
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 31
|2009-07-27, 10:15
|Link #93
The Dark Knight
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: From the deepest abyss in the world, where you think?
Age: 31
First time healing maybe but now that he's seen it a second time it's more than enough to draw some attention.
|2009-07-27, 17:10
|Link #94
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
The ruins spelled out for people who bothered to read them that:
A) Only Valkyria can enter them so they can read the true history.
B) The ruins said "WELCOME SISTER".
C) The ruins likely had explanations on the extent of the Valkyria's powers. I can't understand how Selvaria would know about the Valkyria's Final Flame otherwise. Healing likely would have been explained there as well.
Aside from the above, the smart, coldly logical game!Faldio would also notice that:
D) Maximillian was there with Selvaria. One of them must have opened the door.
E) Previous visits by Faldio and many many others turned up nothing from the ruins. No secret doors, no nothing.
F) Alicia opened a door with no issues.
So while none of it conclusively proves Alicia is a Valkyrur, a patriot like game!Faldio would consider it enough of a chance to continue to investigate.
|2009-07-27, 17:13
|Link #95
The Dark Knight
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: From the deepest abyss in the world, where you think?
Age: 31
|2009-07-27, 21:53
|Link #96
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
That's what I'm saying though. In the anime, they didn't read them. And now they're destroyed. Therefore Faldio has a knowledge base about Valkyria about as large as he would about the military uses of Uranium in a world that doesn't have the atomic bomb. He knows zilch. Nada. Zip. Selvaria hasn't even really been unleashed upon soldiers in the anime yet, so all he knows about the Valkyria are the blatant fabrications which they themselves created to hide their purpose and history.
In the game, he goes on leave specifically to study the ruins. His squad faces Selvaria directly and gets devestated. He knows specific knowledge from the Valkyria themselves and has come into close contact with one.
In other words, there is nothing that he can base his hypothesis that Alicia is a Valkyria on in the anime. For all he knows she may just be a mutant human.
|2009-07-27, 22:48
|Link #97
Onani Master
|2009-07-29, 15:22
|Link #99
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
Age: 34
Speaking of a general thought... when I remember the days of Gundam Seed Destiny and other series from 3-4 years ago, there used to be small spoilers in magazines announcing a little of what's to be seen in episodes ahead for all main anime series. How come there's nothing such these days?
|2009-07-30, 08:39
|Link #100
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 31
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The Disabled Veterans program provides a market value exclusion for property tax purposes for the homestead property of an honorably discharged veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.The annual verification letter from the Veteran's Administration must accompany the application. Disabled Veterans with a rating of 70 percent must re-apply annually.
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For the first time ever, three pharmaceutical companies are poised to test whether new drugs can work against a wide range of cancers independently of where they originated— breast, prostate, liver, lung. The drugs go after an aberration involving a cancer gene fundamental to tumour growth. Many scientists see this as the beginning of a new genetic age in cancer research.
Great uncertainties remain, but such drugs could mean new treatments for rare, neglected cancers, as well as common ones. Merck, Roche and Sanofi are racing to develop their own versions of a drug they hope will restore a mechanism that normally makes badly damaged cells self-destruct and could potentially be used against half of all cancers.
No pharmaceutical company has ever conducted a major clinical trial of a drug in patients who have different kinds of cancer, researchers and federal regulators say. "This is a taste of the future in cancer drug development," said Dr Otis Webb Brawley, the chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. "I expect the organ from which the cancer came from will be less important in the future and the molecular target more important," he added.
And this has major implications for cancer philanthropy, experts say. Advocacy groups should shift from fundraising for particular cancers to pushing for research aimed at many kinds of cancer at once, Brawley said. John Walter, the chief executive officer of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, concurred, saying that by pooling forces "our strength can be leveraged".
At the heart of this search for new cancer drugs are patients like Joe Bellino, who was a post office clerk until his cancer made him too sick to work. Seven years ago, he went into the hospital for hernia surgery, only to learn he had liposarcoma, a rare cancer of fat cells. A large tumour was wrapped around a cord that connects the testicles to the abdomen. "I was shocked," he said in an interview this summer.
Companies have long ignored liposarcoma, seeing no market for drugs to treat a cancer that strikes so few. But it is ideal for testing Sanofi's drug because the tumours nearly always have the exact genetic problem the drug was meant to attack—a fusion of two large proteins. If the drug works, it should bring these raging cancers to a halt. Then Sanofi would test the drug on a broad range of cancers with a similar genetic alteration. But if the drug fails against liposarcoma, Sanofi will reluctantly admit defeat.
"For us, this is a go/no-go situation," said Laurent Debussche, a Sanofi scientist who leads the company's research on the drug.
The genetic alteration the drug targets has tantalized researchers for decades. Normal healthy cells have a mechanism that tells them to die if their DNA is too badly damaged to repair. Cancer cells have grotesquely damaged DNA, so ordinarily they would self-destruct. A protein known as p53 that Dr Gary Gilliland of Merck calls the cell's angel of death normally sets things in motion. But cancer cells disable p53, either directly, with a mutation, or indirectly, by attaching the p53 protein to another cellular protein that blocks it. The dream of cancer researchers has long been to reanimate p53 in cancer cells so they will die on their own.
The p53 story began in earnest about 20 years ago. Excitement ran so high that, in 1993, Science magazine anointed it Molecule of the Year and put it on the cover. An editorial held out the possibility of "a cure of a terrible killer in the not too distant future".
Companies began chasing a drug to restore p53 in cells where it was disabled by mutations. But while scientists know how to block genes, they have not figured out how to add or restore them. Researchers tried gene therapy, adding good copies of the p53 gene to cancer cells. That did not work.
Then, instead of going after mutated p53 genes, they went after half of cancers that used the alternative route to disable p53, blocking it by attaching it to a protein known as MDM2. When the two proteins stick together, the p53 protein no longer functions. Maybe, researchers thought, they could find a molecule to wedge itself between the two proteins and pry them apart.
The problem was that both proteins are huge and cling tightly to each other. Drug molecules are typically tiny. How could they find one that could separate these two bruisers, like a referee at a boxing match?
In 1996, researchers at Roche noticed a small pocket between the behemoths where a tiny molecule might slip in and pry them apart. It took six years, but Roche found such a molecule and named it Nutlin because the lab was in Nutley, New Jersey.
But Nutlins did not work as drugs because they were not absorbed into the body.
Roche, Merck and Sanofi persevered, testing thousands of molecules.
At Sanofi, the stubborn scientist leading the way, Debussche, maintained an obsession with p53 for two decades. Finally, in 2009, his team, together with Shaomeng Wang at the University of Michigan and a biotech company, Ascenta Therapeutics, found a promising compound.
The company tested the drug by pumping it each day into the stomachs of mice with sarcoma.
A week later, Cedric Barriere, the scientist conducting the experiment, went to his boss, Debussche, saying, "Laurent, I have a problem." He confessed that he had treated some of the mice only once. And their tumours had vanished.
Debussche was stunned. "We have to reproduce it," he said. They did.
Debussche popped open a bottle of Champagne, but his team tempered its hope.
"The joke is if we were trying to cure mouse cancer we would have done it 30 years ago," said Dr Donald Bergstrom, a vice president at Sanofi. ©2012/THE NEW YORK TIMES


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Fides quaerens intellectum, faith seeking understanding, is a venerable phrase in the Christian intellectual tradition, associated especially with Augustine of Hippo (354–430), and Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109).
It was chosen as our lecture series title because it suggests our view at Gordon College that faith should not be a matter of self-satisfied piety and isolation from the life of culture and intellect. Rather, we should be engaged in the great issues, ideas, and debates of our day.The speakers we invite each year seek to nurture both faith and understanding and explore the relationship between the two.


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Further Analysis of the Zipf Law: Does the Rank-Size Rule Really Exist?
The widely-used Zipf law has two striking regularities: excellent fit and close-to-one exponent. When the exponent equals to one, the Zipf law collapses into the rank-size rule. This paper further analyzes the Zipf exponent. By changing the sample size, the truncation point, and the mix of cities in the sample, we found that the exponent is close to one only for some selected sub-samples. Using the values of estimated exponent from the rolling sample method, we obtained an elasticity of the exponent with respect to sample size.
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- Jan Eeckhout, 2004. "Gibrat's Law for (All) Cities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(5), pages 1429-1451, December.
- Xavier Gabaix & Rustam Ibragimov, 2011.
"Rank - 1 / 2: A Simple Way to Improve the OLS Estimation of Tail Exponents,"
Journal of Business & Economic Statistics,
Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1), pages 24-39, January.
- Xavier Gabaix & Rustam Ibragimov, 2007. "Rank-1/2: A Simple Way to Improve the OLS Estimation of Tail Exponents," NBER Technical Working Papers 0342, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Shunfeng Song & Kevin Honglin Zhang, 2002. "Urbanisation and City Size Distribution in China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 39(12), pages 2317-2327, November.
- Xavier Gabaix, 1999. "Zipf's Law for Cities: An Explanation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 114(3), pages 739-767.
- Xavier Gabaix, 1999. "Zipf's Law and the Growth of Cities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(2), pages 129-132, May.
- Nitsch, Volker, 2005. "Zipf zipped," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(1), pages 86-100, January.
- Nitsch, Volker, 2004. "Zipf zipped," Discussion Papers 2004/16, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
- Gabaix, Xavier & Ioannides, Yannis M., 2004. "The evolution of city size distributions," Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics,in: J. V. Henderson & J. F. Thisse (ed.), Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 53, pages 2341-2378 Elsevier.
- Xavier Gabaix & Yannis M. Ioannides, 2003. "The Evolution of City Size Distributions," Discussion Papers Series, Department of Economics, Tufts University 0310, Department of Economics, Tufts University.
- Gan, Li & Li, Dong & Song, Shunfeng, 2006. "Is the Zipf law spurious in explaining city-size distributions?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 92(2), pages 256-262, August. Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)
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Detail Information
- The efficacy of intraoperative methylene blue enemas to assess the integrity of a colonic anastomosisStanton Smith
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
BMC Surg 7:15. 2007..Intraoperative testing of colonic anastomoses is routine in assuring anastamotic integrity. We sought to determine the efficacy of the methylene blue enema (MBE) as an intraoperative test for anastomotic leaks...


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Lest We Forget
Carl Bachenberg,
Carl Riepe,
Paul Riepe,
Darrell Shurtliff,
Charles Teachman,
Roy A. Teachman,
William A. Teachman,
Frances Gallagher, World War I, Minnesota Corps, 135th Infantry, 34th Division. Gassed in France. Died in 1927.
Elizabeth C. Mann, World War I, Red Cross nurse.
David Pells, Civil War, Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin. Died 14 October 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia. (National Park Service photo)
Jeremiah Pells, Civil War, Company E, 1st Heavy Artillery, Wisconsin.
William Pells, Civil War, Company D, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin.
Joseph H. Teachman, Civil War, New York 2nd Heavy Artillery.
Leander Teachman, Civil War, 50th New York Engineers.
Luke Nicholas Teachman, Civil War, 50th New York Engineers.
William Allen Teachman Jr., World War II, U.S. Navy.
Return to Shurtliff family home page.
This page was last updated 15 November 2003. It was created by Joan Shurtliff on 5 November 2003.
Census Records | Vital Records | Family Trees & Communities | Immigration Records | Military Records Directories & Member Lists | Family & Local Histories | Newspapers & Periodicals | Court, Land & Probate | Finding Aids


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|Trad, 1 pitch, 60'
|YDS: 5.10d French: 6b+ Ewbanks: 21 UIAA: VII+ ZA: 21 British: E3 5b [details]
|Page Views:
|Submitted By:
|Joey Faust on Jun 15, 2006
|Comments on Impossible Dream
|Add Comment
|Show which comments —
By Granger
Aug 30, 2006
rating: 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
The only "good" hold immediately above the overhang includes a loose rock that happens to be wedged in just right; it spooked me pretty bad when I first reached for it. It's actually in _really_ good; we've tried to remove it and won't come out.
There's nothing else to get you over the lip except a crack that will allow a single finger, and a slick sloper up high. If you can't get it (and don't want to weight the rope), you can go along the left edge of the arete a few feet, then come back around. That feels like it makes the climb about an .8 or .9, however.
By Tristan Higbee
From: Ogden, UT
Mar 31, 2008
|I love this route! It's a trad climb but climbs like a sport climb. What I mean by that is that it protects with gear but you don't really need to do a whole lot of jamming or anything. The gear is solid, the holds thin, and the moves fun.
By Brian Koralewski
From: Springville, Utah
Aug 13, 2012
rating: 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
|Didn't use the arete, and didn't notice any loose rock. From a big hold just over the lip of the roof, went up & left to 2 crimpers (the upper one a real skinny fit that is hard to get the fingers in). Cranked on them, got the feet up to smear, then got a foot up onto the good hold. That move seemed about 11a, then one 10a move and the rest is 5.4.
By Aaron Shields
From: Lehi, UT
Aug 30, 2012
rating: 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
|This route made me wish my fingers were smaller. The thin stuff at the crux bled me while I tried to get more finger in the crack. You just have to deal with the tiny holds, trust your pro (or TR) and make the move. I would call this a 5.9+ climb with a 5.11 crux.


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Join the Vermont Paralegal Organization Today!
The VPO Board and Members appreciate your support and interest in the State's only organization devoted to paralegals. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you and provide you with resources, education, contacts and support to help you in the legal field. As a member of the VPO, some of the many benefits you will receive include: our quarterly newsletter Paralegal Focus, salary surveys, Membership Directory and Resource Manual and CLE opportunities.
Please contact our Membership Chair Evelyn Wetzel for more information.
Membership Application and Renewal Form
Employer Affidavit and Supervising Attorney Affidavit for Independent/Freelance Paralegals
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The Vermont Paralegal Organization is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Lorman Education Services. In order to stay up-to-date in today's ever changing regulatory environment, you are now eligible to receive a 20% discount on all programs offered by Lorman. We invite you to take advantage of this discount in order to stay up-to-date on all aspects of our industry. Click here for more information.
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Vermont Paralegal Organization member benefits include savings on auto and home insurance! As a VPO member, you qualify for a special group discount* on your auto, home, and renter's insurance through Group Savings Plus® from Liberty Mutual. This unique program allows you to purchase high-quality auto, home, and renter's insurance at low group rates through the convenience of automatic checking account deductions or direct billing at home. For a free, no-obligation coverage evaluation and rate quote, contact Jennifer Goeke at (802) 747-0600 x52652. More information.
* Group discounts, other discounts, and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.
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By joining the VPO, you automatically become a member of NFPA® (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). For more information on the benefits of membership with NFPA, go to our National Affiliation page.
Vermont Bar Association:
Being a member of the VPO, makes applying to become an Associate Member of the Vermont Bar Association ("VBA") simpler. For more information about the Associate Membership, view the VBA Info Page. Applications for Associate Membership can be found on the VBA's website and should be submitted to the VBA together with a check made payable to the Vermont Bar Association in the amount of $90. If you are supporting your VBA application based on your VPO Membership, the VBA requires certification from the VPO that you are a voting member in good standing. Please contact Laurie Noyes, and she will process this certification. More information on the benefits of membership with the VBA.
American Bar Association:
The American Bar Association ("ABA") also offers an Associate Membership to paralegals or legal assistants. For more information about the Associate Membership, view the ABA Info page. The online Associate Enrollment Form can be found on the ABA's website. Dues for the General Associate Membership are $175. For more information on the benefits of membership with the ABA go to the ABA website for Membership Services and Benefits.


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 7:31 AM
Town Square
Richmond refinery fire largely contained; BART, bridge traffic back to normal
Original post made on Aug 7, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 7:31 AM
Comments (2)
a resident of Foothill High School
on Aug 7, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I guess gas prices were getting too low so they had to do something about it.
a resident of Parkside
on Aug 8, 2012 at 6:44 am
If you look at the larger picture, all the pieces begin to add up. Obama Administration, Bay Area liberalism, nearby BART, explosions before the fire. Looks like an effort by the environmentalist oddballs to claim yet again that global warming is on the rise. It's so obvious.
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Central Oregon population is soaring with former Californians
By Tim Hunt | 7 comments | 632 views
What Exactly Is FAFSA and Why Should You Complete It?
By Elizabeth LaScala | 0 comments | 246 views


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50% OFF! - Play Day Photobook
By Albums to Remember
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- Type: Photobook Template
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Photobooks for use with My Memories Suite Software only. This 21 page photo book includes a title page and 10 two page spreads for a total of 21 pages. Use your favorite page for your title page, add your photos and your book is ready. Created with my Play Day kit.


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All good college football programs have an identity.
Several teams, such as Oregon, Texas A&M and half of the Big 12 have established their identities on the offensive side of the ball. Nobody questions whether those units will score a lot of points. That much is taken for granted.
There are other teams which play good offense, but aren't necessarily known for it. Because they don't break the 40-point barrier on a regular basis, these teams' strengths typically show up in efficiency statistics more than in conventional ones.
The following five squads fit that mold in 2012. They were much better offensively than most people realized, and because of returning experience, there are good reasons to believe they'll have breakthrough seasons on offense in 2013.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Nobody questions the Crimson Tide's recent track record, but many college football fans have yet to recognize that Alabama excels on more than one side of the ball. On Twitter, and even in the hallways at ESPN, I still read and hear suggestions that Alabama is a pedestrian offensive team and "can't score."
That could be attributed to the Tide having such a strong defensive identity. I'm sure some of that opinion is residue from the 9-6 loss to LSU in 2011, but it might also be a result of so many people being conditioned to look at the wrong statistics.


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Powerful starting line-up features 33 drivers from 12 nations, with Jordanian and German ladies in the hunt The Dubai International Rally is ready to provide a powerful climax to the 2001 FIA Middle East Rally Championship next week. Any fears...
Powerful starting line-up features 33 drivers from 12 nations, with Jordanian and German ladies in the hunt
The Dubai International Rally is ready to provide a powerful climax to the 2001 FIA Middle East Rally Championship next week.
Any fears that the eighth and final round of the regional series could be hit by travel concerns have been dispelled by an impressive final entry list issued today by the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE (ATCUAE), the rally organisers and national motor sport authority.
Thirty three drivers from 12 countries, including challengers from Great Britain, Australia, Germany and the Czech Republic, will go into action when the rally roars to life at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel at 10.30am on Wednesday next week (November 14).
Headed by 13-times Middle East champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the starting line-up consists of another 10 drivers from the UAE, four from Jordan, three each from Great Britain, and Qatar, two apiece from Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus, and one each from Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Sulayem's top-seeded Ford Focus World Rally car will lead a procession of 13 vehicles classified in Group A, and 20 contesting Group N production class honours.
While rallying remains a male-dominated sport, the presence of Jordan's Nancy Al Majali and Germany's Edith Weiss brings extra interest, and competition for the ladies' prize.
Another lady driver, Ruth Paterson, this time takes the co-drivers' seat to assist husband Howard, the 1999 Middle East Formula Two champion who runs his own rally driving school in the UK.
Paterson, Formula Two winner in Dubai two years ago, will have to replace his Group N VW Golf in the future if he is to challenge for more official titles as the car does not qualify for the new Super 1600 series for two-wheel-driver cars. He was leading Formula Two driver overall in Bahrain earlier this year before oil pressure problems put him out of the event, and he will be looking for better fortunes in Dubai, even if Cypriot Nearchos Nearchou arrives to confirm his Super 1600 title success.
Another Cypriot, Menelaos Melissas, gives a competitive debut to his newly-converted Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, and will be aiming to build on his seventh place in Dubai in 1999 and sixth in last year's UAE International Rally in Abu Dhabi. Syrian driver Yazan Rijleh is another hoping to at least go the distance in his Group N Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 after failing to finish in Dubai last year because of gearbox problems, and retiring in Abu Dhabi in January, at the start of this year's Middle East series, with engine problems.


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Average Customer Rating
(based on 14 reviews)
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
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Turned out beautiful!
By Lynda the Decorator
from Ashburn, MO
I completely redid my guest room. This added a nice black statement in my room. It was put on my beige wall behind my golden arm chair. Really pops the corner look!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Lovely wall decal.
By Autumn
from Ireland
I like this product, looks great and is a point of interest in a formerly bland wall.
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
My daughter loves it and so pretty!
By Shea decorator
from Jersey
My daughter loves it! It's great quality and easy to put up. Changes the room. Beautiful!
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Cheap and cheerful way to add whimsy
By Sara
from Australia
I had read an earlier review that it wasn't cut out right on the black edge of each sticker, and the half a centimeter of clear border was really visible and cheap looking. So I did take the time to hand cut out every single leaf. The sticker sheet is just a mishmash of bits, not laid out like the final picture, so you need to place each sticker free hand. I liked modifying to suit my own style. I also ironed each piece on a low heat between towels. I just found that the postal cylinder had made the stickers curl and I wanted to avoid lifting. All in all it did take me a few hours of cutting, placing and then sticking, but it was a really nice creative project. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, but don't expect to just peel, stick and walk away.I was sticking onto a plastic window blind and it doesn't seem to be lifting.
Parisian Spring Bird in Tree
By JESSE
from Wash DC
So easy to apply, make up your own design.
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deep-linking (linking to a page within another site, not the sites homepage) is starting to cause a few problems around the 'net. companies are starting to send out letters to websites deep-linking to their site and even taking them to court over the matter. the most prominent case at the moment is the danish newspaper publishers� association taking netbooster(an online marketing and web promotion company) to court.
some major websites that rely mainly on advertising revenue as an income stream argue that by linking to pages within their site advertising revenue is lost, copyrights are being violated, traffic is been redirected and web surfers are being confused.
although not on the same scale as protests against file-swapping software it is still seen as a problem for some sites. most companies only target the smaller websites and turn a blind eye to larger websites that link to pages inside their site. by only targeting the small sites they don�t risk legal fees and get their way mainly through intimidation.
there is currently no precedent set for what you should or shouldn�t link to and no major court cases as of yet. if there are restrictions enforced then the web will lose some of its basic functionality.
read more at cnet
matthew's opinion
i know that sites want to protect their ad revenue and copyright but this seems a bit silly. i would want people to link to my site because it would direct traffic to my pages. the larger sites basically need to take into consideration deep-linking and design the pages around this to ensure that the user recognises they are on their site and still see all the important adverts.
if this does gain momentum then the internet will suffer as fundamentally it is just a huge network of links and information, if suddenly restrictions are put on what you can and cannot link to it introduces limits and restrictions which is not what the �net is about.
user comments comment(s)


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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Berlin, Germany, 2009/06/02 - Migration from TDM to NGN backbone using TELES technology completed, freenet carrier customers also benefit.
Following the installation in 2007 of a carrier-grade Class 4 TELES NGN solution one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe freenet's migration from TDM to NGN has now been successfully completed. The solution enables freenet to migrate from TDM to a full next generation network (NGN) backbone from which its carrier customers will now also benefit.
Stephan Esch, freenet's CTO, has been keeping a close eye on progress: "The TELES solution built a bridge to our existing VoIP services and now we have been able to integrate our DSL-based VoIP-subscribers and all legacy services into a single, standard-based NGN architecture." Apart from an increase in QoS and functionality, Andreas Jürgensen, managing director of the business unit fixed line technology of freenet Cityline GmbH, is also impressed with other benefits gained: "The replacement of our existing system with NGN backbone means a reduced carbon footprint thanks to lower power requirements. Also, less space is required to house the hardware, there has been a substantial reduction in costs, and maintenance is now centralized."
Frank Paetsch, TELES CTO, has followed each step of the deployment through to full migration and believes that the project represents a significant achievement for TELES: "We are very proud to have been given the opportunity by freenet to demonstrate our ability to take on a large-scale and complex project such as this, and we are also very proud of the work we have done to see this deployment through to its successful conclusion."
TELES Class 4 Softswitch cluster technology provides freenet and its customers with five-nines availability, geographically distributed redundancy, support for up to 10 million busy hour call attempts, an advanced and programmable call routing engine, and any-to-any protocol interworking. In addition to its cost-effectiveness and scalability, the Softswitch can be remotely managed, configured, and deployed.
Written by / Agency / Source: TELES
Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)
Traffic Booster: [/] Quick Newswire Today Visibility Checker
Distribution / Indexing: [+]


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Insurance AAE Big Data Senior Consultant
Work you'll do
- AAE Big Data Senior Consultants will be responsible for designing and implementing strategies, architectures, ingestion, storage, consumption and delivery processes for complex, large-volume, multi-variate, batch and real time data sets used for modeling, data mining, and research purposes.
- Design and implement data ingestion techniques for real time and batch processes for video, voice, weblog, sensor, machine and social media data into Hadoop ecosystems and HDFS clusters
- Perform data studies and data discovery routines for video, voice, weblog, sensor, machine and social media data sources or mash ups of new and existing data sources.
- Visualize and report data findings creatively in a variety of visual formats that appropriately provides insights to the organization.
The Team
Financial Services
Deloitte Consulting's financial services industry practice provides comprehensive, integrated solutions to the banking & securities, insurance, real estate and investment management sectors. Our breadth of services and industry knowledge allow us to understand each client's unique business needs and the ability to create and deliver real, lasting value.
The insurance industry is facing change on an extraordinary scale, encountering new challenges at every turn. As the industry moves forward, insurance companies must seek ways to improve profitability, while at the same time balancing the demands of regulatory change. And today everything's connected - from Strategy and Operations, to Human Capital, to Technology, that's where we can help. We bring every aspect of your business into focus – together. Our unrivaled multidisciplinary approach accompanied by comprehensive and innovative solutions can keep you ahead of the trends.
Whether you are a life insurance company, a property and casualty company, a reinsurer or broker, we help our clients meet these challenges by providing world-class strategic, financial, operational, human capital and IT services. We draw on deep insurance industry expertise to deliver results you can rely upon.
Analytics and Information Management
At Deloitte Consulting LLP, our Analytics and Information Management team is responsible for transforming numbers and statistics into actionable information for our clients. We help them predict, plan, and adapt their business strategies to meet real-time challenges and confidently help navigate past whatever obstacles come their way. We take a holistic approach to data and offer a broad range of integration and analytics capabilities, including: Information Delivery, Data Management and Architecture, Performance Management and Advanced Analytics Enablement. Learn more about our Analytics and Information Management practice.
- 3+ years of relevant technology architecture consulting or industry experience to include Information delivery, Analytics and Business Intelligence based on data from hybrid of Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), non-relational (NoSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra) and relational Data Warehouses.
- 1 or more years of hands on experience with data lake implementations, core modernization and data ingestion.
- At least 1 year hands on working experience with Big data technologies; MapReduce, Pig, Hive, HBase, Sqoop, Spark, Flume, YARN, Kafka, Storm etc.
- Experience working with commercial distributions of HDFS (Hortonworks, Cloudera, Pivotal HD, MapR)
- 1 or more years of hands on experience designing and implementing data ingestion techniques for real time and batch processes for video, voice, weblog, sensor, machine and social media data into Hadoop ecosystems and HDFS clusters.
- Bachelor's Degree or 4 years equivalent professional experience
- Ability to travel 80-100% of the time (Monday – Thursday/Friday)
- Experience designing and implementing reporting and visualization for unstructured and structured data sets
- Experience in designing and implementing scalable, distributed systems leveraging cloud computing technologies like AWS EC2, AWS Elastic Map Reduce and Microsoft Azure
- Experience with data integration products like Informatica Power Center Big Data Edition (BDE), IBM BigInsights, Talend etc Experience designing and developing data cleansing routines utilizing typical data quality functions involving standardization, transformation, rationalization, linking and matching
- Cloudera certification
- Experience working as a Data Scientist
- Experience designing and developing data cleansing routines utilizing typical data quality functions involving standardization, transformation, rationalization, linking and matching
- Experience designing and implementing reporting and visualization for unstructured and structured data sets
- Knowledge of data, master data and metadata related standards, processes and technology
- Experience working with multi-Terabyte data sets
- Experience with Hadoop Cluster Administration
- Experience with Data Integration on traditional and Hadoop environments
- Ability to work independently, manage small engagements or parts of large engagements.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills (MS Visio, MS PowerPoint).
- Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment.
- Eagerness to mentor junior staff.
- An advanced degree in the area of specialization is preferred.
How you'll grow
At Deloitte, our professional development plan focuses on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there's always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the global, fast-changing business world. From on-the-job learning experiences to formal development programs at Deloitte University, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career. Explore Deloitte University, The Leadership Center.
At Deloitte, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits. Learn more about what working at Deloitte can mean for you.
Deloitte's culture
Our positive and supportive culture encourages our people to do their best work every day. We celebrate individuals by recognizing their uniqueness and offering them the flexibility to make daily choices that can help them to be healthy, centered, confident, and aware. We offer well-being programs and are continuously looking for new ways to maintain a culture where our people excel and lead healthy, happy lives. Learn more about Life at Deloitte.
Corporate citizenship
Deloitte is led by a purpose: to make an impact that matters. This purpose defines who we are and extends to relationships with our clients, our people and our communities. We believe that business has the power to inspire and transform. We focus on education, giving, skill-based volunteerism, and leadership to help drive positive social impact in our communities. Learn more about Deloitte's impact on the world.
Recruiter tips
We want job seekers exploring opportunities at Deloitte to feel prepared and confident. To help you with your interview, we suggest that you do your research: know some background about the organization and the business area you're applying to. Check out recruiting tips from Deloitte professionals.
Requisition code: E18NATCSRCVS013-T
See Inside the Office of Deloitte
One of the largest professional services organizations in the U.S., Deloitte delivers innovative solutions to the complex business problems facing companies around the world. Deloitte offers rewarding careers in four businesses—audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory. Widely recognized for its inclusion initiatives, Deloitte is committed to building a workplace environment that allows people from all generations, ethnicities, and cultures to be their authentic selves.
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text:
Contact information
Mailing Address:
Department of Mathematics
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-3476
About Me
I did my advanced degrees in Cambridge England (MASt), and Edinburgh Scotland (PhD). I've been in Houston pretty much since then, except for two years at U.C. Berkeley and University of Missouri. I was born in London, but was raised in South Africa. Trung, who designed this website chose the pictures above for me without asking me, but they are fun...
Most of you probably know me as your Calculus teacher. I am also involved in mathematical research, in operator algebras, and functional analysis. Most of my research is concerned with the new field of operator spaces, also known as noncommutative functional analysis. For a gentle introduction to this subject, which I wrote for undergraduates, read
Notes for a graduate course on this topic may
be found on my research page.
Currently I am serving as Associate Chair of the Mathematics Department. I am also an Associate Editor of the
Journal of Mathematical Analysis, and
and an editor of the Houston
Journal of Mathematics (HJM). Papers for JMAA should be uploaded
directly to the JMAA/Elsevier website
, and it is quite probable that I
will not be the editor assigned to your paper. If you wish to
submit a paper for HJM follow
these instructions.
My CV
click here to view
Publications, etc
Click on buttons at top of this page (under the top photo) to view.
Google Scholar
click personal page and citation indices
Conferences 2011
I am coorganizing two meetings in South Africa in November-December
2011, a special session "Operator and Banach algebras, and non-commutative analysis"
at the November 29-December 3
AMS/SAMS meeting in Port Elizabeth, and then a follow-on
conference in Abstract Analysis on 5--7 December at the University of Pretoria.
Email me if interested (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Conferences 2012
Great Plains Operator Theory Symposium , May 30--June 3 at the University of Houston.
Family Photos


text:
Avis and Budget Offer GPS Navigation
Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car will be offering Where2 GPS navigation systems in their rental cars. Where2 is based on Garmin's StreetPilot c550 and will include many of the features covered in our review, including real-time traffic updates, 3D maps, multiple-language support, a wireless Bluetooth phone interface for hands-free calling, and a text-to-speech feature that actually announces street names. In addition to an extensive Points of Interest database, Where2 will include all Budget and Avis locations, reservation and roadside assistance contact information, and a guide to nearby AM/FM radio stations. The fully portable unit can be used in any Avis or Budget vehicle.
Where2 will be offered in 125 locations throughout the US and Canada at $9.95 per day, or $49.95 per week.


text: On 7/25/2012 6:07 PM, Pauli Virtanen wrote: > There are no code changes in Scipy 0.8.0b1...v0.10.1 (which are > the versions I guess apply for your issue, please clarify) for > the `bisect` and `brentq` routines. Thank you for confirming. I am using 10.1. I'll check my student's version. My student is using the EPD for Mac, the distro with Python 2.6.5. I'll seek more details if needed. I encountered two oddities. 1. The same code behaved differently in the two settings. 2. brentq was returning a zero even though that was outside the bound we provided (1e-04,10). Should brentq be able to return a number outside the bound? Is there any unusual circumstance that might cause brentq to return a 0? If I changed the bound to (1e-02,10) so that it was bounded slightly slightly farther than zero, then I was able to get a good match to my student's results. (Again, changing only this but otherwise using the *same* code.) Thanks, Alan


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WCL Summer Happy Hour!
Wednesday July 24
- By: Washington Council of Lawyers
- Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
- Time Zone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Laughing Man Tavern1306 G Street, N.W.Metro CenterWashington, DC
Nancy LopezWashington Council of Lawyers(202) 942-5063
- Website: www.wclawyers.org
The Washington Council of Lawyers will return to the Laughing Man Tavern for it's Summer Happy Hour. Located at 1306 G Street NW, this event is a great opportunity to learn from each other in a relaxed setting. You'll have access to the entire (cash) bar, and light refreshments provided by WCL.
All are welcome!


text:
Discussion in 'Entertainment Forum' started by SteveJ, Dec 20, 2011.
I have 3 books sitting on the bedside table that I haven't started yet: a collection of George Orwell's essays, a biography of Brendan Behan and something by Will Self (can't remember the name of it).
Edit: 4,000 posts.
Puzzles, eh?
There's a massive fecking one on the front cover.
I was given The Great Gatsby for Christmas. I'm yet to read it though- or anything else by Scott-Fitzgerald for that matter. Obviously I'm familiar with Benjamin Button, but that's about as far as my knowledge of his work goes. Has anyone read Great Gatsby? I know it's considered his magnum opus, so I'm looking forward to starting it if I ever get the chance.
I have and I quite enjoyed it. It's a very polarizing novel, especially because of the hype that surrounds it. I'm not a lit-major or anything but I can see why its so highly rated, the prose flows very freely and the characters and especially well written. The romanticism of the Jazz age is something I didn't quite get into or understand very well but even despite that I can see why people consider it to be a masterpiece. It's on my list of books that I will definitely re-read again at some point.
Just finished reading Brotkhers Karamazov and can I just say that my mind has been BLOWN. I'm so glad I stuck with it. I'm still digesting all the little bits and layers and intricasies but wow, I'm so glad I stuck with it ... what a rewarding reading experience.
Paris Review - The Art of Fiction. An Interview with Ray Bradbury
How Bram Stoker's Count created the template for modern vampires:
The Many Lives of Count Dracula | Fortean Times
Where did the decadent novel go? | guardian.co.uk
Margaret Atwood: Haunted by The Handmaid's Tale | The Guardian
I've just started on that, so far so good.
The primary texts I need to read for this semesters lit module are as follows:
D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover (1928; London: Penguin, 2006)
Walter Greenwood, Love on the Dole (1932; London: Vintage, 1993)
Lewis Jones, Cwmardy (1937; Cardigan: University of Wales Press, 2006)
Sam Selvon, The Lonely Londoners (1956; London: Penguin, 2006)
John Braine, Room at the Top (1957; London: Arrow, 1989)
Buchi Emecheta, Second-Class Citizen (1974; London: Heinemann, 1994)
Pat Barker, Union Street (London: Virago, 1982)
Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting (1993; London: Vintage, 1994)
Just started reading Love on the Dole which is pretty interesting as it's set in 1930's Salford.
Not generally a Lawrence fan, but I enjoyed that one.
Just some light reading for me currently;
Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus
Goethe, Faust I & II
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown
Nietzsche, Will To Power
Schopenhauer, The World As Will and Representation Vol. 1
Aside from the last two, I've read them all.
100 novels everyone should read - Telegraph
I've cheated and downloaded the audiobook...
I've read a grand total of 7 out of that 100
This Nietzsche fella is quite clever, he's also approaching meta-astrophysical levels.
Anyway, Middlemarch 1st? Atonement before LOTR?
LOTR at 100?
Moby Dick at second is quite cool though.
Lucky Jim at 36 is a joke.
Where are you reading literature mate?
As long as words are cool, the novel will flourish | The Observer
Lorenzo Carcaterra does good crime fiction:
Sleepers and Gangster are two of my favourite novels ever. You've probably seen the Sleepers film
I know I went all modern (by that, I mean post 1750!) and weird in my last post but lets go back to my specialist area with some medieval literature.
I read 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' and Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte Darthur' last semester - really excellent literature and fantastic tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - some of the best works of the middle ages. Malory's has easier language and is more dramatic but Gawain was a simpler story (although the Middle English is very complicated in that one).
I've read 43 of those.
It's not a very good list though (some glaring omissions).
I studied Gawain in the first semester of my first year, I liked the bit where they rip on wirral folk.
Despite being Welsh, I missed out on Gawain. And I only read Wolfram and Chrétien de Troyes because I was madly in love with the whole Rennes-le-Château mystery biz. What a twit.
It's very good but I think Malory is better for a definitive Arthurian legend.
A member of my family just gave me a £50 Amazon gift card thingy, so I'm going to order a few books.
Ya'll seem to know your stuff, so any recommendations? I'm drawing a blank here for some reason.
I'm open to anything except the effeminate vampire genre.
Give us a clue about your interests, mate.
Robert Musil's 'The Man without Qualities' it's leering at me (unread) from the bookshelf.
Colin Wilson is interesting on Moosbrugger, mate. Y'know...back in the day when Wilson's writing & ideas seemed fresh.
Once it's not crime or romance, I'll read anything.
And I'll give that a look, pete.
Susan Hill and Jane Goldman on The Woman in Black novella, screenplay & film:
Touched by evil: Susan Hill and Jane Goldman on what inspired The Woman in Black | The Observer
The Vampire Novel of the Century | guardian.co.uk
I've read 43 plus a couple of volumes of Proust and parts of a few others! Yes!
Courtesy of Jennifer Weiner:
Are books and the internet about to merge? | guardian.co.uk
Absolutely they are. Tablets allow books to be far more interactive than ever before and allow the insertion of movies or sound to enhance the reader experience. The best example I've seen recently is the Scam School book (I follow the author's internet shows pretty religiously) which is kind of a textbook for fun magic and mind tricks/illusions.
Brian Brushwood - Bizarre Magic: America's #1 College Magic Show - Books
Each separate trick comes with a video showing you how it's done and audio commentary talking about context or interesting stories about how the author has used the trick before.
This is all stuff we've previously seen on web pages, and it's fantastic to see them incorporated into books. After all most of the encoding behind eBooks is based on html anyways. I'm excited for what this means for textbooks and education in general.
Drinking Vodka Makes You Talk More Better
Why English culture is bewitched by magic | guardian.co.uk
Separate names with a comma.


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Giant Eagle Gift Card Giveaway
Update: This Giveaway has ended. Congrats to Nicole "nikkimommy"! Stay tuned for more giveaways!
As a special "Thank-You" to my readers I am going to be giving away a $10 Giant Eagle Gift Card to 1 Lucky Winner 🙂 Enter thru November 10th at 9am EST!
This week is Super Simple!
I want my site to be as user-friendly as possible. John recently emailed me and told me how much he likes the "old style" coupons.com versus the new style. I had never thought to embed the coupon printing sites onto my blog….which is the only way to view coupons.com the old way. You can now find all of them (including the old-style coupons.com) listed right below my header! (Thanks John for that suggestion!)
I also have the quick-links to the Giant Eagle Weekly Ad Match-ups (This brings up ONLY the Full Match-ups) and to the Giant Eagle Deals (this will list ALL posts about Giant Eagle) on the right-hand sidebar. I hope that this saves you time while looking for the deals!
Lastly, I've started doing a weekly round-up of the Best Deals on Saturday or Sunday especially for those that just want to run in and get the HOTTEST Deals that week.
Anyway………my question to you guys……is there something else you would like to see on Lady Savings? Something that would make my site more user-friendly? I'd love to hear your ideas! If you don't have a new idea, is there something you like that you want me to keep doing? Would you like a mobile friendly site? Are you a beginner and need the deals explained better? Just let me know! It's just me (Tammy) and hubby that work on the site so I can't promise that I can do everything but your suggestions will be a great help in letting me know what my readers would like to see!
To enter for the $10 Gift Card, please leave just one comment below with an answer to the question above (it can be as long or short as you like!)
I will announce the winner on Saturday or Sunday in the "Best Giant Eagle Deals Round-up" that I post every weekend so be sure to check back! You have until Saturday morning at 9am EST to enter! This is not sponsored by Giant Eagle.


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Forge is an item-crafting piece of furniture from The Sims Medieval.
The Forge and Anvil are the two items needed by Blacksmiths to craft items. It is found in Furnish Mode under Domestic, Professional tabs and costs 620 Simoles to purchase.
"The forge is the center of life for any town's professional blacksmith. The science may be simple, but the art of the forge is still a skill requiring years of patience and practice to master. However, a few scraps in the right blacksmith's hands can be turned into something truly magic!"
Using the ForgeEdit
To use the forge, one also requires an Anvil, resources (collected by mining or purchased in the village shop), and possibly a known recipe. With the blacksmith hero as the main character, select the forge and then "Craft" (needs/focus must be above distress levels to use profession items successfully) and select an item you have the resources to craft. The Smithy will then fire up the forge and begin to heat a piece of metal. When the metal is in the Orange range (Not red or blue, this leads to poor quality), click on the Anvil and select "Hammer Metal" to begin the creation process. keep an eye on the temperature of the item, if it drops into the blue range, you will have quality issues. Keep the temperature in the orange range by clicking on the forge and reheating the metal if need be, repeating the process until the progress meter fills.


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A Tale of Two Shootings
Illustration by Ward SuttonOn May 20, LA's Staples Center featured a never-ending night of big-hair rock & roll. REO Speedwagon, Journey and Styx—a Who's Who of Where Are They Now?—each took the stage, delighting fans with tight pants and a vast repertoire of guitar-hero antics. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the wheel in the sky, but for Derrick Watkins, a Santa Ana police officer attached to the department's gang unit, it was just too much of a good thing.
After the show, Watkins carpooled back home to Orange County with several pals—most of whom are gang-unit prosecutors with the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA). As their SUV raced down the 91 freeway through Compton, Watkins took out his police-issue handgun, aimed it out the window and started shooting.
Rock & roll!
Also in the SUV was the wife of a high-ranking OCDA official as well as Larry Yellin, an OCDA homicide prosecutor, and Alison Gyves and Mark Geller, both of them gang-unit prosecutors working alongside Watkins in an office at the SAPD.
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According to a source who requested anonymity, a few weeks after the shooting, Waktins was injured on the job and placed on medical leave. Sgt. Baltazar De La Riva, a SAPD spokesperson, refused to comment on Watkins' status, saying that he was prohibited by law from doing so.
It should take only a few hours to investigate gunfire witnessed by several people who were riding in the same vehicle as the alleged shooter, but more than two months after the incident occurred, SAPD is still investigating. Watkins has yet to be charged with any crime, although the LA County Sheriff's Dept. has finished its investigation and handed it over to the LA County District Attorney's Office. Sgt. De La Riva said that agency is expected to decide whether to prosecute Watkins in "two to three weeks."
In contrast, Gustavo Orejel—charged last year in a similarly victimless shooting in Santa Ana—faces a long jury trial and, if convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. About a year before the Watkins incident, on June 30, 2002, the 21-year-old Orejel allegedly fired two shots outside his home in the 1600 block of South Woodland Place. Police located two bullet holes in Orejel's house. A police officer also noticed bullet casings on the front lawn, but found no physical evidence inside the house linking Orejel or anyone else to the crime.
The officer returned to the police station and allegedly met with a witness whose identity remains secret, even to Orejel's defense attorney. The witness reportedly said he heard several gunshots, saw a dark-colored Ford Thunderbird leave the area, and then saw a Hispanic male in his early 20s who had a shaved head and was wearing a blue and white checkered shirt. The witness said the person was carrying a handgun and had quickly left the scene in the backseat of a light blue or green Honda that was carrying two other passengers.
The witness, who apparently knew Orejel, identified him as the man with the handgun. But since he didn't see the first burst of gunfire—and because those bullets were apparently aimed at Orejel's house—it's likely the shots came from the fleeing Thunderbird. Another witness who also apparently knew Orejel somehow failed to identify him until 10 days later. That's when she accompanied the first witness to SAPD headquarters, met with a gang-unit investigator, Donald Stow, and said she was certain Orejel did the crime.
Two days after that meeting, the SAPD arrested Orejel when an OCDA prosecutor—REO Speedwagon shooting witness Alison Gyves, to be precise—charged him with four separate crimes: actively participating in a street gang, carrying a loaded firearm in public, shooting at a vehicle, and carrying out those crimes on behalf of the Alley Boys street gang.
It's said that justice is blind—that the law is supposed to treat people equally without regard to race, religion or haircut. Or job classification. So why, two months after he shot a weapon from a moving car on a busy freeway, hasn't Watkins been charged with anything—not even littering—while Orejel faces a lengthy prison sentence? Let's see: Shooter No. 1 is a gang-unit cop. Shooter No. 2 is a crew-cut Latino who lives in a gang-infested neighborhood. You do the math.
The arrest wasn't Orejel's first brush with the law. In October 1999, he had been interviewed by SAPD in connection with a shooting involving the Alley Boys and Delhi gangs. During that investigation, he allegedly told a police detective that he had been "hanging around" with the Alley Boys gang "since the sixth grade."
Later, in April 2000, Westminster police arrested Orejel for carrying a firearm while riding in a car with his brother, Juan Orejel, and two Middle Side gang members. Orejel told police he wasn't affiliated with the Alley Boys gang but police still believed he was an active member of the gang, and that his brother was a "hard-core" Alley Boys gang member.
A major piece of the evidence showing Orejel is a gang member is a shoebox decorated with Alley Boys graffiti. Police found the box in Orejel's home shortly after the June 30 shooting. Much later, in court, Investigator Stow cited the shoebox as "a portion of what I base my opinion that he's an Alley Boys gang member."
But under cross-examination by James Crawford, Orejel's defense attorney, Stow acknowledged that the shoebox had been retrieved from under Orejel's brother's bed. While under oath, Stow also acknowledged that Orejel had neither a gang moniker nor any tattoos that linked him to the Alley Boys.
The courtroom phase of the case against Orejel began in December 2002, and was handed over from Gyves to OCDA prosecutor—and fellow Watkins shooting witness—Mark Geller. Besides the two anonymous eyewitnesses, the only witness against Orejel was Stow. In court, Stow testified that his witnesses had seen Orejel fire a gun, but he didn't testify that those witnesses saw Orejel shooting at the Thunderbird that fled the scene.
Because of the lack of any physical evidence or testimony that Orejel shot at anyone, Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno dismissed the most serious charge—shooting at a vehicle. On February 25, 2003, shortly after Briseno's ruling, Geller withdrew the entire case against Orejel—and then immediately filed a new case against him.
The following month, when People vs. Orejel got under way for the second time, Stow's story had changed. This time, he testified that one of his confidential witnesses did in fact see Orejel shooting at the dark-colored Thunderbird. Under cross-examination by Crawford, Stow insisted that he hadn't actually changed his testimony.
"You did not testify that this individual had [seen] a person that he knew as Gus [Orejel] fire the firearm at or in the direction of the vehicle," Crawford said.
"I believe I did testify to that," Stow answered.
Crawford then asked Stow to review a transcript of his previous testimony.
"It appears I didn't," Stow said.
"Is that a 'no'?"
"That would be a 'no,' according to this," Stow said.
Crawford then asked Stow to look at his police report on the shooting, which Stow had typed up about an hour after the incident took place.
"In your report, did you make any mention that [the] witness saw him fire the firearm at a motor vehicle?" Crawford asked.
"It doesn't say that I—that he—saw [Orejel] fire the firearm at the vehicle," Stow testified. "Just fired two rounds."
At press time, more than a year after his arrest, the evidentiary hearings surrounding Gustavo Orejel's trial have just finished and the case is about to go to a jury. Meanwhile, to the dismay of his prosecutors, Orejel has posted bond and remains free, pending the outcome of his trial. But attorney James Crawford still hasn't been permitted by the court to interview the two confidential witnesses who supposedly fingered Orejel.
Crawford says he has no idea how he's supposed to do his job without being able to question the eyewitnesses whose identification of Orejel provides the only evidence against him. The situation reminds him of the plot of a Hollywood movie starring Michael Douglas, The Star Chamber, in which judges meet secretly to review secret evidence against suspected criminals, who are then dealt "justice" as the Star Chamber sees fit.
"From the very beginning, Gustavo has adamantly denied being anywhere near the scene of the crime," Crawford said. "There's no physical evidence against my client. And there are no identifiable witnesses—just two secret witnesses, which is tantamount to a 'Star Chamber.' It's unfair to allow the prosecution not to disclose the identity of the witnesses to the defense attorney, particularly in a case where the witnesses' credibility and ability to perceive what happened is so essential."
Crawford said he is particularly troubled by what he claims he heard Deputy DA Mark Geller say during a break from one of Orejel's recent courtroom hearings. "Geller was bragging to another prosecutor about how he routinely charges defendants with life sentences to get them—and their attorneys—to settle their cases, despite the weakness of the evidence," he said.
"Logically, the defendants would be inclined to plead guilty because of their fear over the severity of the sentences if convicted," Crawford added. "It's inherently unfair and unjust to seek a life sentence against someone who has never harmed anyone or ever been convicted of causing anyone a physical or emotional injury. And to have a prosecutor charging people with life counts to strong-arm defendants? I think that's corrupt."
In the meantime, the worst thing that will likely happen to Santa Ana police officer Derrick Watkins is that he will be reprimanded or suspended from his job—possibly even fired. If by some bizarre twist of fate he is charged with a crime, there's almost no chance he'll spend even one day behind bars.
There's a bitter irony here, given that two of his fellow passengers, Gyves and Geller, are directly involved in a prosecution that could send Orejel—whose behavior seems no more reckless than Watkins'—to prison for the rest of his life. Because the REO Speedwagon shooting took place in LA County, it's outside the jurisdiction of the Orange County District Attorney's Office. But there's no evidence the agency is conducting an internal investigation into the behavior of its employees who were in the car with Watkins. In fact, according to sources who spoke with the Weekly, the agency is doing everything it can to keep the embarrasing incident under wraps. Given that (outside this paper) there's been only one other story written about this—a whopping 355 words in the Los Angeles Times nearly two months ago—they're doing a pretty good job.
Rock on!
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Fire scorches, consumes and destroys. But in nature, where wildfires burned unabated before humans emerged with bucket teams and hose crews, the blazes also offer animals and plants a chance to start anew.
That's the case in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where 14,100 acres of sand and chaparral that are home to well-established palms and a herd of endangered bighorn sheep have gone up in smoke. Longtime observers of the area's remote vistas and canyons said occasional burns like the ongoing Eagle fire, which investigators said was caused by arson, create opportunities for Anza-Borrego's distinctive inhabitants.
Peninsular bighorn sheep, which roam the steep hillsides and deep canyons carved into the rocky reserve, offer the best example of making lemonade out of fiery lemons. The herd — just more than 500 living in the tract of land between the Mexican border and Mount San Jacinto — will have new paths to travel and nutrient-rich green to munch on after the fire recedes, said bighorn expert Mark Jorgensen.
The park has long been a refuge for the local bighorn population, which has waxed and waned sporadically since its federal listing as an endangered species in 1998. Bans on hunting and shooting within the park, plus the steep terrain that's mostly protected from human development, draw the sheep to Anza-Borrego and keep them there, Jorgensen said.
"They find it to be the excellent sheep habitat," said Jorgensen, who formerly served as the park's superintendent. "Habitat has evolved with fire, so it doesn't really get destroyed. The habitat will come back."
The Eagle fire, which started July 21 on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, had dwindled to a few scattered hot spots by Friday. Cal Fire officials said the blaze was 95 percent contained as of 6 p.m., and they expect full containment today.
The fire, which burned into canyons in the north of the park and out into the eastern desert, hasn't moved swiftly enough to trap or kill groups of bighorn sheep, Jorgensen said. Instead, it could benefit the herd.
Fire "means more habitat," Jorgensen said. "It means expanding populations who find usable forage. It's going to be very rapid new growth (because) the soil will be very rich with ash and other nutrients."
Unlike the sheep, massive groves of century-old palm trees that sprout from canyon bottoms and creek beds in some of the most heavily burned areas of the park could not move out of the way of the blaze.
The towering palms, many of which grow to 40 feet tall, still are resilient enough to avoid damage from all but the hottest fires and will likely suffer only a few losses to their age-old thickets, Jorgensen said.
When a 2007 fire tore through the groves, eating up the massive skirts of dead fronds that encircle each tree and destroying the still-living top branches, regrowth was swift.
"In a few days after the fire, we'll see green emanating from the crown of these palms," Jorgensen said. "They'll produce fruit in a couple of years. They're resilient."
The recently cleared forest floor, which piles up with decades of detritus and dead palm fronds in periods of infrequent burn-offs, will experience a surge in new growth, as buried seeds germinate in the ash-rich soil.
"Quite a few wildfires have burned through those very same areas, maybe a dozen or more," Jorgensen said. "Once this is done, things are really going to flourish."


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Picitinny rail?
Ok I just pickes up my 21SF and it has the new picitinny rails on it. What is the differance for and do I have to watch what I buy as far as accessories go to be compatible?
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Abbey Clancy makes wedding dress boob to leave Peter Crouch grinning
Abbey Clancy naturally had all eyes on her yesterday as she finally married
Peter Crouch, but although she looked stunning in her white gown, it was a wardrobe malfunction that stole the attention.
Model Clancy wed her England striker in the stunning Leicestershire countryside yesterday but despite looking elegant as she arrived for her big day, she later fell victim to the ultimate fashion no-no as she went to throw her bouquet of flowers in the air but accidentally let her boob pop out at the same time.
As the pair stood in the driveway to the plush four-star Stapleford Park Hotel after marrying in the 18th-century church situated in its grounds, Abbey punched the air with her bouquet. But she should have realised that strapless dresses donât defy gravity because, as she made the move, her dress slipped down a notch revealing her right nipple.
Rather than rush to his new wifeâs rescue and shield her from any more embarrassment, 6ft 7in Crouch simply broke into laughter at his wife's expense while she looked none-the-wiser at the fashion faux-pas.
However, after a rocky 12 months in their relationship which saw the lanky Tottenham Hotspur striker accused of cheating on the leggy blonde with Spanish prostitute Monica Mint, nothing was going to ruin Abbeyâs day as she simply hitched the bespoke Giles Deacon dress up and carried on posing.
The pair decided not to sell their wedding photos for a lucrative magazine deal, as many celebrity couples do, and instead opted for a few photos in the grounds of the hotel, as well as reportedly banning their guests from taking any snaps.
Their marriage comes 14 weeks after the birth of their first child, Sophia Ruby.
Rumours circled in the days prior to them tying the knot that two trained falcons would be swooping into the church to deliver their wedding rings. They also apparently put all of their 200 guests up in the luxury hotel which they had hired in its entirety.
Meanwhile, fellow WAG Coleen Rooney, married to Manchester United striker Wayne, sent her congratulations to the happy couple via Twitter.
Writing on her page, she wrote: 'Congratulations abbey and Peter on your wedding day!!! Look gorgeous x xâ
See more pictures of Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch's wedding here:


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Michael Jackson's 'Xscape' Continues Conquest of Worldwide Digital Charts
According to thegrapejuice.net, Michael Jackson is moving up the digital charts and has hit #1 in over 50 countries. After winning over fans and critics alike with his latest single "Love Never Felt So Good" freaturing Justin Timberlake, Jackson is poised to reign over charts once more with its parent album "Xscape".
Check out "Love Never Felt So Good" HERE
Within 24 hours of its official release, the album has become number one in over 50 countries. With United Kingdom, Japan, and France amongst countries helping launch "Xscape" into the stratosphere, will the United States follow suit?
Xscape is the second posthumous compilation album of previously unreleased tracks by Michael Jackson. It was released on May 9, 2014 by Epic Records and MJJ Music. Early reviews have been mixed to positive. "Love Never Felt So Good" was announced as the official lead single to premiere on May 1, 2014. A deluxe edition of the album will also include all of the songs in their original forms as well as one bonus track and two videos.


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Saturday, May 22, 2010
Red Polka Dot Umbrellas
This Marilyn photoshoot wasn't even in my mind when I played pin-up at the beach last week, but now I've remembered it I have an idea to try do some Marilyn-inspired shots down at West Wittering beach sometime this summer. And if you fancy doing the same, here are my picks of the best red polka dot umbrellas:
Clockwise from top left: £10, Miss Selfridge; $65, Moschino Boutique; £7.95, John Lewis; £17.95, ebay; £15, Heal's; £8, New Look.
I have the New Look one, as seen in my tropical photo shoot in Hua Hin, Thailand:
Posted by Charlotte at 10:33 AM
Labels: Pin-up and Burlesque
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If you missed Suburbia Fest over the weekend, we've got you covered! Let's take a walk down memory lane and relive some of our favorite moments in six-second increments. Thanks, Vine!
Justin from Blue October twerks for the people!
Tegan & Sara sing an a cappella version of their hit "Everything is Awesome".
Tanner Patrick played a round of "Whack-a-Mole" with the guys from Smallpools. **UPDATED**
Zac and Dave from American Authors were goofing off during a commercial break. Would you call this singing?
Larry Gee does his rendition of Pharrell's song "Happy" while wearing Julie's hat.
David Guetta got the crowd raging!
Check out the full-length interviews with your favorite artists plus Zazza, Julie and me right here!


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The big US carriers are currently falling all over themselves to tweak their plan offerings to be more competitive with each other. After changing the upgrade window of its Edge plans last month, Verizon is now preparing to offer more data on some plans, reduced prices for Edge customers, and more. The More Everything campaign starts on Thursday, and we've got the promotional material sent out to representatives. The 500MB, 1GB, and 2GB Share Everything plans are getting boosted to 1GB, 2GB and 3GB caps. Edge customers are also seeing a price break of $10 for plans on 8GB or less of data, and $20 for 10GB or more. Existing Share Everything users will automatically be migrated to the new plans too. Verizon is also following AT&T's lead and offering Edge early upgrades to on-contract customers who purchased a phone prior to 11/13/13.
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"Report: Verizon's 'More Everything' Offers More Data for Less Money, Launches Thursday" by @ShellyPalmer
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