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From our sponsors at Helium:
JB Smoove
Thursday, November 1 @ 8 p.m.
Friday, November 2 @ 7:30 & 10 p.m.
Saturday, November 3 @ 7:30 & 10 p.m.
Tickets are $17 general or $22 reserved seating
For tickets and more information, please visit www.heliumcomedy.com/portland or call 888-64-FUNNY.
Helium Comedy Club
1510 Southeast 9th Avenue Portland, OR 97214
(888) 643-8669 | More Info: www.heliumcomedy.com/portland/
JB Smoove, currently staring as a series regular on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," is a gifted writer, comedian and actor, who continues to entertain audiences all over the world with his unique brand of comedic funk. In September of 1999, he moved to Los Angeles and landed a recurring role on MTV's "The Lyricist Lounge Show," as well as featured guest spots on "The Chris Rock Show" and "Premium Blend." In June 2000, he landed his first big feature film role narrating and starring in the now cult classic Pootie Tang with actor/comedian Chris Rock.
In March 2001 he paired up with Adam Sandler to co-star in Mr. Deeds. The collaboration between the two was so successful that Smoove signed a writing deal with both Revolution Studios and Happy Madison on the feature Drivin' Down South. After an amazing yet short lived season as a cast member on Fox's "Cedric the Entertainer Presents," he moved back to New York City where he landed a writing position on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." In the stand-up and acting worlds, Smoove has been featured on Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd," "Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza," SNL sketches, and a regular on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Be sure to catch JB as the hilarious Leon in this season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and as Manny on Fox's "Everybody Hates Chris."


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Satisfying the Analytic Needs of Enterprise Users
in Business Analytics, Data Visualization, Self Service
Business Users/Operational Employee:
Your organization is made up of many different types of information consumers. When implementing self-service environments, the unique needs of each must be addressed if you are to achieve truly pervasive analytics.
Factors such as the type of information to be accessed, how it will be used, and the technical proficiency of the end user should be taken into account. This will promote broader user adoption by ensuring that everyone gets exactly what they want.
The return on your self-service investment increases as you expand it to more users and user types. For example, giving your executives instant access to information will deliver tremendous returns through improved strategic planning and decision-making. As you make the same capabilities available to larger audiences (tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of users) for operational analytics – like employees, customers, and business partners – the financial and productivity benefits grow exponentially.
Read on to learn how to satisfy three of five different user groups and their particular needs.
Executive buy-in is a must if your self-service initiative is to succeed. Instantaneous access to high-level business information in the form of self-service metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), scorecards, and dashboards will give executives an "at-a-glance" view of operations and allow them to track progress towards performance objectives, which will foster better planning and decision-making.
Associated Wholesalers, a cooperative food distributor, created an executive dashboard that features sales by department and commodity, updated every hour. It compares current sales metrics with the previous week, month, or year, with drill downs to identify potential problems within each department. The executive team now has near real-time visibility. They can see a particular department's numbers rising and falling over time, or uncover potential trouble spots that need further investigation.
Business analysts serve as the go-to contacts whenever executives need information. The analyses they conduct are more sophisticated than those performed by operational users. They need more advanced tools for deep data manipulation, such as data visualization and predictive modeling, so they can slice and dice information to obtain valuable insight into organization, industry, and customer trends.
Analysts at Neways, a manufacturer of personal care products, have access to self-service reports to monitor finances, anticipate trends, and predict results based on current insight. They can track metrics daily, weekly, and monthly, which is helping the company to boost revenues and profitability.
Business Users/Operational Employee:
Business users want to analyze and visualize real-time, relevant data in a straightforward, intuitive, and engaging way – without learning complicated tools or worrying about data preparation. They want access to immediate insight, not only from their desktops and laptops, but from their smartphones and tablets too. These users need highly interactive analytic content such as charts, graphs, and reports, delivered through an easy app store-like experience.
Leading hamburger chain Wendy's improved cost control and increased profit margins with self-service analytics. Managers in franchise and company-owned restaurants have direct access to vital sales trends, food service metrics, and other operational data, so they can make more informed decisions about food preparation, labor scheduling, and other factors that boost the bottom line.
For more on how IT can empower different user types, check out our complimentary white paper, Reinventing Self-Service for Wide-Scale Adoption of Analytics.

subset: commoncrawl


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TEL AVIV (Aug. 9)
Some 30 members of the militant Jewish Defense League were forcibly evicted by the police from the Finnish Embassy today after they invaded the Embassy offices demanding a halt to all Russian trials against Jews. Police had to drag out the activists after all attempts by Embassy officials to persuade them to leave quietly failed, and in the process police detained 10 of the members for resisting eviction. The Finnish Embassy has represented the interests of the Soviet Union since relations between Israel and Russia were ruptured during the Six-Day War.
The JDL militants said they staged the invasion in response to this morning's news of a renewed wave of trials against Jews in Russia, especially that of Vladimir Markman, the Soviet activist who went on trial yesterday in Sverdlovsk on charges of hooliganism and engaging in anti-Soviet propaganda. One of the JDL youths rang the Embassy bell, and as the door was opened, all 30 pushed their way in, declaring they intended to remain in the office until Russia discontinued the trials.
In another JDL development, Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the JDL, now residing in Israel, announced the establishment of a Jewish Identity Center in Jerusalem, a school which he said was designed for foreign youth instructors to teach JDL principles to other youths upon returning to their country. Rabbi Kahane also told a news conference that some 22 young people from the United States and Canada between the ages of 17 and 22 would take part in the first course, to be held in Jerusalem. The curriculum will include Jewish history, the Holocaust, Jewish "Resistance," and Zionism and "Hebrew Power." Kahane also said the JDL plans to start a course for Israeli youth shortly.
Gen. Chaim Laskoff, former Israeli Army Chief of Staff, has been named ombudsman for the Army, He will deal with complaints by or against servicemen, and military institutions.


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Documentary-trained directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly bring local texture to familiar narrative terrain.
Every generation needs its own stir-crazy small-town movie. Set against the hardscrabble backdrop of northern Maine potato country, "Beneath the Harvest Sky" offers a heartbreakingly authentic, vividly realized account of adolescent frustration and yearning, as co-helmers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly draw upon their documentary background to bring specific local texture to this familiar narrative terrain. A standout amid the film's overall impressive ensemble, Emory Cohen shines as a teen whose choices threaten to destroy his chances. If life were fair, a major studio would release this treasure. In the right indie hands, it could find its audience, boosted by marketing ideas already implemented by a team from Harvard Business School.
Aimed at those who grew up reading fantasy fiction instead of "The Outsiders" and therefore don't know what they're missing, "Beneath the Harvest Sky" feels like a throwback to an earlier tradition of coming-of-age dramas grounded in real places and judged by how well they capture life — movies like "All the Right Moves," where a brink-of-adulthood character dreams of escaping his dead-end steel town on a football scholarship. In Van Buren, Maine, the dominant industry is potato farming, which doesn't promise enough of a future for either Casper Cote (Cohen) or best friend Dominic Roy (Callan McAuliffe). Nor can they count on either sports or academics to create other opportunities.
The two high-school seniors have made a pact, pooling their earnings to buy a car and skip town. Communities like Van Buren offer limited opportunities for making money, and Dom goes the honest, above-board route, working the fields, while Casper relies on illegal shortcuts, hustling prescription meds for his drug-dealing dad ("The Wire's" Aidan Gillen). Meanwhile, both boys' plans are threatened by the young ladies in their lives. Casper's 15-year-old girlfriend, Tasha (Zoe Levin), surprises him with news that she's pregnant, and Dom finds a case of "harvest friends" blooming into something more with college-bound Emma (Sarah Sutherland).
As often happens, the two buddies' boyhood promises are strained by the simple realities that arise just as they near the point where they can finally make good on years of planning. While escape from Van Buren represents a symbolic victory, Gaudet and Pullapilly's script pays more attention to the fabric of the lives they would be leaving behind. The film opens with Casper and Dom throwing rocks against a giant, rusted water tower, and it returns throughout to observe the various activities they use to fight off boredom: blasting spuds against the walls of crumbling buildings with their potato cannon, conducting slumber-party experiments with vodka-soaked tampons, and rounding up the gang for a late-night "moose safari."
Given their documentary background, the co-directors insist on authenticity as much as possible, creating countless production headaches for themselves that ultimately pay off to the film's benefit. The crew astoundingly managed to capture a terrified moose galloping in the headlights of a speeding pickup truck, and later rigged a rotting house to collapse during a heavy storm. Such practical effects remind that these characters live in the real world, as does the generally agitated handheld lensing throughout. And yet, it's hardly dull kitchen-sink behavior on display.
The script feeds the dramatic fire by bringing law enforcement into the picture, setting up a betrayal between brothers in the Cote family drug-running operation. The helming duo clearly had "At Close Range" in mind when modeling this subplot (which also suggests the desperate-straits border crossings of "Frozen River"), and it certainly adds a level of tension to the story, enhanced by the elevated pulse of composer Dustin Hamman's steel-guitar score. But the pieces don't quite fit together, as important last-minute revelations fail to get conveyed, and the inevitable bust interferes with the wonderfully relatable quality of everything that has come before.
That universal appeal represents what's so great about Gaudet and Pullapilly's approach: Although the details are nearly all unique to these characters and the region in which they live, their dreams and emotions will be familiar to any teenager who grew up in a small American town. The cast proves just as committed to this philosophy, disappearing into their characters' skin, tricky accents and all (a product of their French Canadian neighbors to the north).
Cohen and McAuliffe are meant to represent two sides of the same dream. If Casper is the hard, hearty tuber, then Dom is its delicate, vulnerable blossom. Watch carefully to find a lesson in the potato harvest that serves as metaphor for their journey, which just goes to show that the filmmakers are more than mere chroniclers of the life they observe, but poets as well. This exceptional debut surely marks the beginning of a very fruitful journey for both of them.
Toronto Film Review: 'Beneath the Harvest Sky'
Reviewed at Toronto Film Festival (Discovery), Sept. 13, 2013. Running time: 116 MIN.
A Sunny Side Up Films production. (International sales: Paradigm, Los Angeles.) Produced by Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly, Kavita Pullapilly. Executive producers, Allison Jones, Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly.
Directed, written by Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. Camera (color, widescreen), Steven Capitano Calitri; editor, Gaudet; music, Dustin Hamman; production designer, Michael Bricker; art director, Anthony Lavadera; costume designer, Danielle Bernier; sound, Stephen Nelson; sound designer/re-recording mixer, Martyn Zub; supervising sound editor, Paul Timothy Cardem; visual effects supervisors, David Lebensfeld, Grant Miller; visual effects, Ingenuity Engine; line producer, Kavita Pullapilly; associate producers, Benjamin Barber, Michael Bricker, Josh LaJoie, Christopher J. Maldonado, Julie Robinson, Sarah Sutherland; assistant directors, Leo Doyle, Jason Swanson; casting, Allison Jones.
W. Earl Brown, Joe Cobden, Emory Cohen, David Denman, Carla Callo, Aidan Gillen, Zoe Levin, Callan McAuliffe, Micahel McGrady, Josh Mostel, Carrie Preston, Timm Sharp, Tim Simons, Sarah Sutherland, Delaney Williams.


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Dr. Eger donates much of his time to community activities and organizations. He was a 17-year member of the Moon Township Rotary Club, a past president and past chairman of all executive offices and committees. Dr. Eger also served as chairman of the Rotary's District 730 Conference.
Additionally, Dr. Eger's involvement in the Moon Area School District is extensive. As a member of the PTA, he was on the Afterprom and Blast-Off Committees, which promote and sponsor alcohol and substance-free events for high school students. Dr. Eger also served on two advisory committees concerning special education and basic educational requirements within the district. He served as the school district's optometrist for over twenty-five years, conducting visual screenings on every first grader each year. He has also implemented school screening programs in other area public and private elementary schools. And, he has been involved with other professionals and businessmen to promote optometry at career day conferences for high school students.
As a member of the Health Care Team for the Holy Family Institute, a residential treatment center for children in crisis, Dr. Eger has provided free comprehensive vision examinations to every young person entering the institute in need of eye care. He serves as the optometrist for a local ARC, a retarded citizens center. Additionally, Dr. Eger was a scoutmaster, a chairperson for the Coraopolis and Western Area YMCAs, past president of the Montour Heights Country Club, a member of the advisory committee for Moon Township Parks and Recreation, and was a host of a local cable TV program, which introduced local leaders and groups to the community.
As a 37-year member of the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. Eger has served as a Regional Chair, National Vice-Chair, and National Chair of The Committee on Admittance. In 1998 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Academy, which is an international optometric organization of more than 5,000 members dedicated to vision research and education. He has served the Academy as its Secretary-Treasurer, President-Elect, and will serve as President of the Academy during the years 2009 and 2010. He has also served as a charter member and chairman for a regional task force involving local optometrists and ophthalmologists studying the impact of managed care in the area. In 1998, Dr. Eger was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania to serve on the State Board of Optometry, and completed a four-year obligation.
Dr. Eger along with three other local optometrists in 1995 founded the AllSight Laser Center located in Wexford, PA, which provides laser vision correction to nearsighted patients. Today the center is the TLC Laser Center of Pittsburgh. TLC is the largest provider of laser vision correction in the nation with 55 centers in major cities across the country. He has served both businesses as a Board member and officer. In addition, he has served as president of Resident Eye Care Associates of SW PA that provides in-the-facility vision care to nursing home residents.
Dr. Eger was a board member of the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society, served on the Contact Lens Prescription Release Task Force, and is a member of the Optometric Foundation that sponsors vision research.
Dr. Eger has been married to his wife Susan for 41 years. They have two sons, Noah Michael, also an optometrist, and a partner in the Eger Eye Group; and Jason Aaron, a Penn State graduate, currently working in Pittsburgh, PA as a Director of Project Management for an international software company.
In 1994, the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society awarded Optometrist of the Year for Western Pennsylvania to Dr. Eger. In 1996, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association awarded Optometrist of the Year for the State to Dr. Eger.
Kevin D. Clark, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist and primary ophthalmologist and consultant to the Eger Eye Group. Dr. Clark specializes in bifocal and toric implants. He also has a great deal of expertise in corneal and refractive surgeries, laser retinal treatments and glaucoma laser treatments. Dr. Clark graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985, where his educational emphasis was in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and French. Dr. Clark earned his medical degree in 1989 from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. After completing an internship at The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Dr. Clark entered his ophthalmology residency at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Clark has also served as an assistant clinical instructor in ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. Among his many achievements, Dr. Clark has earned special certifications in many specialized procedures, including custom LASIK, Intralase, PRK, Intacs, and premium implants including ICL, Verisyse, Acrysof Toric, Crystalens, ReSTOR and Rezoom.
In his free time, Dr. Clark enjoys playing music with several local bands, and has written music for several local orchestras, including the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, McKeesport Symphony, Edgewood Symphony, and Wheeling Symphony.
Dr. Holly Burkert is the most recent addition to the Eger Eye Group, having joined our practice in May 2012. She completed her undergraduate work at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2008. She went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Visual Science in 2009 and her Doctorate of Optometry at Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2012. She graduated from optometry school with highest clinical honors. When not in the office, Dr. Burkert sees patients at Friendship Ridge Rehabilitation, Villa St. Joseph Nursing Facility, West Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center, Hillview Home and McGuire Home. Prior to attending optometry school, Dr. Burkert spent her summers and breaks from school working as an optician and technician at an optometry office in Seven Fields, PA. Dr. Burkert is a member of the American Optometric Association, Pennsylvania Optometric Association as well as the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society.
Dr. Burkert is a Beaver County native graduating from Riverside High School in 2004. She currently resides in Cranberry Township. In her free time she enjoys running, skiing, attending concerts with her friends and boyfriend, and spending time with her family locally and in Macon, GA.
Dr. Noah Michael Eger joined the practice in 1997 and represents the third generation of optometry in the family. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Vertebrae Physiology from the Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Science from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In 1997 he was graduated with honors, with a Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
Noah is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association. He has performed vision screenings and acted as the eye consultant for local school districts: Moon Area, Cornell, St. Joseph, and Rhema. As a member of the Health Care Team for the Holy Family Institute, a residential treatment center for children in crisis, he has provided comprehensive vision examinations to those young persons in need of eye care. Dr. Noah has participated in VisionUSA by providing gratis services to the indigent. He serves as optometrist for a local ARC, and was the consultant to the Robinson Development Center for the mentally and physically handicapped. Noah also provides geriatric eye care to several nursing homes in Western Pennsylvania. Additionally, Dr. Eger had been the staff optometrist at Vencor Hospital in Pittsburgh.
In September 1999, Dr. Eger was published as the feature article in Optometric Management titled Taking a Closer Look at Nursing Homes. Dr. Noah has also conducted an Ellerbrock continuing education lecture entitled "Nursing Home Eye Care" for the past three years at the American Academy of Optometry. At the 1996 Academy meeting in Orlando, he presented a poster on Coats Disease. Dr. Noah frequently lectures at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to third year students. He is an adjunct professor to the Salus University/Pennsyvania College of Optometry.
Dr. Eger is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Coraopolis and was a founding member of the Coraopolis Downtown Restoration and Management Team. Noah is a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, sat on the board as president of the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society, and sits on the POA Legislative Affairs Committee. He has been a member of the Corporate Advisory Committee for Citizen Care, Inc., which pursues employment opportunities for the mentally handicapped. Dr. Noah also is a founding member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Partnership for Progress. Noah was also the team eye doctor of the Pittsburgh Forge junior ice hockey team.
In 2000, the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society awarded "Young Optometrist of the Year for Western Pennsylvania" to Dr. Eger. And in 2008 the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society named him "Optometrist of the Year." Dr. Noah Eger lectures nationally on a variety of topics that include ocular allergies, viral eye infections, therapeutics, glaucoma and technology.
He currently resides in Moon Township with his wife Michele, newborn daughter Ella Rose and son Elijah Michael. Dr Eger is an avid golfer, Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers fan, as well as the Nittany Lions.
After 27 years of practicing in Moon Township, Dr. Tim Corcoran is happy to be joining the team here at Eger Eye Group. Dr. Tim is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. and he graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Dr. Corcoran is a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and a member and past president of the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society. In 1997 the Western Pennsylvania Optomectric Association honored him with "Optometrist of the Year". Dr. Tim provides eye care for senior citizens as part of Life Pittsburgh. He performs school screenings for Cornell and Moon school districts and has been part of a team of doctors providing health care for the athletes of Robert Morris University. He provides eye care for Girls Hope and participates in Mission Vision, which enables low income families to receive eye exams.
Tim and his wife Katie live in Sewickley and are the parents of three wonderful children; Annie, Mike and Cassie. Tim enjoys cycling on the Montour Trail with Dr. Noah. Tim and Katie have ridden much of the Great Allegheny Passage and C and O Canal trails together. Some of Tim's favorite family activities include; running road races with Annie, competing in triathlons with Mike and skiing with Cassie.
Dr. Corcoran looks forward to providing you and your family with quality eye care in the years ahead.


text:
- Description
DetailsNGK Standard Spark Plug BR2-LM. Manufacturer Part Number 5798. NGK Standard Spark Plugs use a copper core and standard electrode configuration. Suitable for car, motorcycle and garden equipment applications. Made in Japan.
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Manufacturer NGK Electrode Projection non projected Gap Size Preset Hex Size 20.8mm Resistor Yes Seat Type flat Standard Type Compact Terminal Type Removable Thread Diameter 14mm Thread Reach 9.5mm Part Type Standard Spark Plug
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text:
Author has written 27 stories for American Dragon: Jake Long.
My name is Torie, or just Monkeysrcomintogetu (or some people know me as my other username, Aloha6292). I'm a tight American Dragon fan, that is addicted to this show and many others! I'm a real nice person to talk to, so drop a message at me:)
(If I'm not here, you can always find me on the Tv.com forums of American Dragon:Jake Long xD) Imma have to give a shot out to all my friends from there!! xD
Update 10/12/10- My plan was to finish up my current unfinished stories, and began on a few couple more stories. However, I have been caught up in random events this summer, and now I am hooked onto the novel I am currently working. I might post it up for my fans to read it before I publish it... :D But I am into my novels, as my plan is to write all four of my installments by the end of next year, this first one to be done by the end of this year.
I recently made a fictionpress account, same username, to post up some of my poetry and the novel I am currently writing. Check it out if you like (Wait until 10/14 to see, my account still needs to be activated :( )
Name: You call me Torie :)
Age: 17 years of age!
Gender: Imma girl
Home: Las Vegas. LV REPRESENT!!
Hobbies: Watching tv, and playing on the pc (I know I'm boring x( ) TWILIGHT NOW XD
Favorite Types of Songs: I like some rap, but mostly Hip-hop and R&B. Also I like some rock, and other types of songs.
Favorite TV Shows: American Dragon, Hamtaro (though it's canceled x( ), Fairy Odd Parents, couple things on MTV... reality shows (Big Brother, Surivor, Amazing Race).. and I've recently started getting into Avatar...
Favorite Movies: I LOVE ALL DISNEY MOVIES :) And others I can't recount.
More stuff About me:
I APOLOGIZE FOR ALL THE SPELLING MISTAKES IN MY STORY AHEAD OF TIME! :P I'm not the best speller or best at typing and grammar...so I often have a lot of mistakes in my writing. :P But I'm too lazy to get myself a beta reader :(.
(if you haven't notice, I use a lot smilies in my stories. It's a habit, I can't break xD)
Biggest place of Inspiration: The shower :P
If you are wondering why my username is Monkeysrcomingtogetu, I have an answer. See, I was being stupid, as usual. When I get bored, I write stupid songs that my friends laugh at. About... five or six years ago, I made up a song called, Monkeys are coming to get you. So I know use that as my usernames. :)
I am very competitive. One of my mottoes, is to always win at life, or else your just a loser. I don't know why, just losing always makes me so mad xDDD. At times, I can be a bit funny. And sometimes my jokes, are so funny to people. But I try to keep my jokes to a minimum, so no one gets their feelings hurt.
I will never judge anyone on appearance. I feel that everyone should get a chance, before you can just judge them like that. If I do think of someone with a problem, I will never tell them to their face. I feel to be that honest, is just rude. On that note, I always try to help anyone in need. Sometimes I might complain about it, but most of the time I will be wiling to help.
I have a very addicting personality. By that, I mean I get addicted to things very easily (American Dragon for ex.). When I set my heart to something, I always to for fill it, even if people disagree with me.
And just for your information, none of my stories will ever have any drinking, sex, smoking (okay, there was one scene in Exposed, but I had to portray the troubled businessman.), or any other bad acts. The only thing that might be for older adults, is cussing. Other than that, my stories are clean :) I believe in nice, kid-friendly stories (I'm a kid at heart). However, that will not keep me from reading your stories. xD
I really do like to here peoples opinions on my stories (even bad ones) because I was thinking of an career as a writer or maybe an animator, though I have many career paths I not sure which to choose. So people's put into anything will help them for better or worse. But I do love when people review my stories, or when people read it. Sometimes I feel no one is reading my stories, so when someone does comment about them, at least I know they read it. :)
If you want to chat with me, I do have aim/msn/yahoo all that good stuff. I always love discussing ideas and stuff! If you want my sn's, feel free to ask :)
Favorite quotes from my stories:
Last Week
Last Week
"So I grabbed that last skull
And made a wish I would regret.
Because everything we've been through
Very soon you will forget."
The New Amdrag in Town
"Well, let's state the fact that it's the middle of SPRING! Who wears a jacket in the middle of spring! And those pants; ok I know I don't want to see your knees, I think the rest of the world agrees with me!"-Charinady, ch.3
"I told you already, I'm fine. I was Huntsgirl you know, I am stronger than I look."-Rose, ch.1
"Hey, don't ask me. I might be Chinese, but I don't know anything about my heritage…"-Jake, ch.5
"Please, with this face? How can anyone this fine, get into trouble." -Jake, ch.5
"So let me get this straight. That was a talking dog, and we are going to Central to beat down a magical creature? Maybe it's because I'm new, but something here doesn't seem normal…" -Roxanne, ch. 3
"Oh my god daddy it was amazing! First, we went to the skate park. I fell but whatever. Then we went to Central Park, and Rose and Jake beat down some goblins!! It was so cool!!" -Roxanne, ch. 4
'Okay, even Jake couldn't believe that. It was impossible; they killed him in the last story!! We all saw it!!'-Narrator referring to Huntsman, ch.8
"So, what did you two do all night?"
"Really. It doesn't seem like that to me."-Roxanne to Jake and Rose, ch.14
"What's a 'gramps'."-Roxanne, ch.2
"Did anyone notice the talking dog, besides me!?"-Roxanne, ch.2
"So do they do this, type of thing, everyday?"
"Everyday. See Jake is the American Dragon. It's his job, to protect the magical world, and all."
"Oh. I just thought he was just weird and had dragon powers."-Roxanne & Trixie, ch.2
Dragon Fever
"Mommy, normally I wouldn't argue about your nutritional and delicious meals, but I'm gonna have to pass on this one."-Haley, ch.7
"Dragon Fever? That sounds like some made up disease."-Trixie, ch.6
"This chapter has been brought to you by Lysol."-Narrator, ch.6
"Is my face really that bad?"-Haley, ch.8
You Would Know
"One thing you do know,
Is my gift to thank you:
By erasing your life,
And everything we knew."
The Present, Past, and Future
"What about your name. Jake Long! What's a Long!?"-Opal Hope, ch.2
"Dang, Chang's only friend was the Dark Dragon?"-Jake, ch.6
Pranks and Mischief
"Rawr, I'm a big scary…Ahh…hey Gramps,"-Jake
"…Is…your refrigerator running…?"
'I hope it is…'
"Well then you better go catch it!!" "Awww come on, that was classic!!"-Spud
"Old lady twelve o' clock!"-Spud
"This for sure will get me on the newscaster position! TAKE THAT TOD PERRY!!" -James Paulwell, ch. 3
"Do you know what this means? Think of what we could expose, think of the fame! This video is for sure going to get our ratings higher than channel 8!!"-Daniel Sands, ch.4
"Uhh…I'm not really into the news,"-Jake, ch. 5
Diaries from a Lost Soul
'Normally, I have this thing called "personal space". But right now, I didn't feel like telling her to get off of me.'-Morocca, ch.1
'Because ever since I discovered them, my life has shifted downward. And now, the most possible thing has happened; my parents and my baby brother are dead!!'-Morocca, ch.2
'But I couldn't tell my new friend that I couldn't skateboard. What if she decides to not be my friend? Maybe, she only hangs out with skaters? So I decided to lie instead.'-Morocca, ch.4
'But like I was really going to get my cell phone out, and go, hey Auntie I'm going out! LOVE YOU! Please…'-Morocca, ch.8
'How can people, actually be dragons? What, do they terrorize the whole city, scaring people?'-Morocca, ch.8
"Hey Morocca, eat some of dad's tatoes!"-Sammie, ch.3
Huntsclan History 101
"My name is Huntsmaster Manual. You shall address me as Huntsmaster Manual, or Huntsmaster, but nothing else." -Huntsmaster Manual, ch.1
"I was a commanding officer back when I was in the field. But I retired, to teach you little brats. So don't make me regret it."-Huntsmaster Manual, ch.1
A Broken Family
"Jake, it's time to get your lazy ASS up. Your kids need your help!"-Haley, ch.12
'She is very pretty, and doesn't look a day over 35 (actually, I don't know her real age).'-Written by Natalie, ch.2
The Baby Born Dragon
"Well you're a girl right? Don't you know how to take care of a baby?"
"I will disregard that you said that."-Jake & Haley, ch.4
"Jake, are you stupid or something!?"
"She's an infant. She can't even fit that burger in her mouth. She needs smaller food!"-Haley & Jake, ch.5
"Haley, remind me to, never have kids."
"Me too."-Jake & Haley, ch.5
The Dragon of the Elements
"This Chapter has been brought to you by...Corn Flakes! Nothing says corn, unless they are in flakes!!"-Narrator, ch.6
"Once again, life sucks. Today Jason picked on me today, but I settled it out my own way. I hope and pray tomorrow will be a better day, but it never does."-Journal Entry from Bianca, ch.3
"Well tomorrow I have dragon training with Master Kulde, great! I wonder when this old dude is going to die, I mean really how long has he been on the council? Forever!? Oh well, let's hope I survive him…"-Journal Entry from Bianca, ch.3
"Hey I know you. You're that brat me and Jake watched a long time ago."
"Yeah I remember you. You were about 6 months old. And this is the thanks we get!?"
"Yeah basically!"-Haley, Jake & Bianca, ch.9
"I'm not sure if we should help her? What do you think Enfermis?"
"I don't know Lumidel. I think we should show her whose boss."
"Sorry honey…"-Lumidel & Enfermis, ch.10
"Hey, whatever you guys feel like doin'. It's okay with me."-Verlice, ch.10
"Look, all my life I just wanted people to respect me, and treat me right. If it means enslaving the whole world, then so be it."-Bianca, ch.10
"A seed may follow the wind, and there are many currents in the wind. But the seed must choose its own way, to sprout into something beautiful…"-Lumidel, with reference to Councilor Andam, ch.10
"Hmm… seems like you're on the wrong path kid."-Lumidel, ch.10
You can Chat with me on:
Aim: Aloha6292 (Don't talk much on there though)
Msn: firstname.lastname@example.com
Though recently I haven't been talking that much :( sorry.
Email me at the address above to probably get the fastest response


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Tourists flock to Taiwan town to tickle cats
Feline fans visit Houtong – a decayed town home to 200 people and 100 cats – to tickle the animals with feathers.
Rave reviews given to the destination on local blogs have attracted cat lovers Houtong, one of many former industrial towns that has undergone a seemingly irreversible economic decline as coal became less important to Taiwan's economy.
But the tiny, 200-strong population of Houtong is community is reinventing itself as a cat lover's paradise.
The visitors get to photograph the cats, tickle them with feather-tipped sticks, and buy a range of cat-related souvenirs. 'It was more fun than I imagined,' said one visitor from Taipei. 'The cats were clean and totally unafraid of people. I'll definitely return.'
A major reason for the town's unexpectedly high number of cats is 58-year-old retiree Chan Bi-yun, who inherited a number of cats which rapidly started producing more cats.
'I started raising five cats that belonged to a neighbor who passed away nine years ago and they gave birth to more and more kitties,' she said. 'Now I feed about half of Houtong's cat population.'
Chan, who now also owns a cat-souvenir stall, said most of her cats wander freely and she only provides special help for abandoned kittens. She also gets help from volunteers who provide free veterinary care and cat food.


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For the previous Health Wonk Review, Brad Wright chose a Baby New Year theme. However, there were some problems with the new beginning represented by the turnover from 2012 to 2103. For example, with the New Years fiscal cliff deal, one might have hoped that we would leave our budget crisis behind for a while and start with a fresh fiscal slate. But of course, that did not happen. Not only did we not escape our budget crisis, it multiplied into three crises: the debt ceiling, the still looming sequester, and the coming expiration of government funding –"The Trouble With Trillions," one might say.
So I decided to give us a fresh chance at a new start by choosing an "Inauguration" theme for this Wonk Review, referring both to Monday's celebration of a new presidential term but also to the word's broader meaning of a formal beginning. And in the spirit of looking forward, we'll lead with a post from Health Wonk Review cofounder Joe Paduda laying out his health policy predictions for the coming year. At Managed Care Matters, Joe offers five predictions, including these: most states will end up expanding Medicaid, and there will be a lot more mergers and acquisitions at the highest levels, among providers, health care systems, and payers.
Health Care Spending
Speaking of trillions, several posts in our collection focus on the trillions of dollars spent on health care in the United States. Jason Shafrin at Healthcare Economist presents some informative visuals and text from the report on 2011 national health expenditures by Micah Hartman and colleagues at the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, published in Health Affairs. And at Drug Channels, Adam Fein takes a deep dive into what the CMS spending numbers tell us about who paid what for prescription drugs in 2011. Among the highlights: For the second year, spending on outpatient prescription drugs grew more slowly than overall national health expenditures, with Medicare Part D as the fastest growing source of Rx drug expenditures and the consumer share of such spending dropping to a new low.
Using a recent JAMA essay by Victor Fuchs as an example, Roy Poses at Health Care Renewal suggests that one reason U.S. health care costs so much is that the policy community avoids talking about certain issues, such as problems of leadership and governance and widespread unethical behavior. And Jaan Sidorov questions claims by Richard Kronick and Rosa Po at HHS that the Affordable Care Act deserves credit for Medicare per-beneficiary spending growth of only 0.4 percent in 2012. (When the first sentence of Jaan's post contained the words "North Korea," I had a sense this wasn't going to end well for the ACA.) At the Disease Management Care Blog, Jaan notes that the 2012 claims database isn't complete. Even if costs remain low, he says, it's too early to give credit to value-based purchasing; fraud and abuse remains rampant; and Medicare's innovations are years away from being completed.
Here at Health Affairs Blog, in a Contributing Voices post, Arthur Kellermann and David Auerbach focus on the impact of health care costs on consumers. In 2011, Kellermann and Auerbach wrote a Health Affairs article documenting how increases in health care costs had consumed the 1999-2009 income gains of a median-income family. In their post, they say that things have only gotten worse in the two years since then:
To put the cumulative effects of health care cost growth in perspective, consider this: If health care costs over this 12-year interval had kept pace with the growth of other consumer prices, this family would have had an extra $6,000 to direct towards other priorities in 2011 alone. Imagine what that might have meant to them, to millions of middle-class families like them, and to our struggling economy.
At his eponymous blog, John Goodman offers five principles for thinking about the relative costs of public and private insurance. John observes that some providers seem to be responding to incentives to lower costs "using some of the techniques the Obama administration says it likes (medical homes, coordinated care, evidence-based medicine, etc.) and that appear not to work well when the government funds pilot programs to try them out. Even more surprising, where these efforts to make medical care more cost effective are most visible is in the Medicare Advantage plans — the very plans that president Obama and many Democrats in Congress seem to be hostile to."
Health reform critics claim Americans will soon feel "sticker shock" over climbing insurance premiums, but at healthinsurance.org Blog, Maggie Mahar says they aren't telling the whole story. Thanks to tax credits, lower administrative costs, and an influx of younger customers, many small firms and individuals will pay less for coverage, she states.
And writing on the eve of Governor Jerry Brown's presentation of his proposed 2013-2014 California budget, Anthony Wright says that the new budget cycle offers an opportunity for a positive health policy agenda after years of tough cuts. At Health Access Blog, Wright says California can leverage federal funding not just to expand Medicaid, but to improve it along with the entire state health infrastructure.
Risky Behaviors, Nursing Workforce Projections, And Workers' Comp Issues
At Colorado Health Insurance Insider, Louise Norris examines the question of whether smokers should pay more for their health insurance. Under the ACA, smokers can be charged up to 50 percent more than nonsmokers. Some have called for a higher tobacco-use surcharge, but Norris notes that premium tax credits will be calculated before any tobacco rate-up, meaning that low-income smokers may find coverage unaffordable and end up uninsured. Moreover, she says, the ACA protects overweight Americans, who are far more numerous than tobacco users, from premium surcharges. Norris prefers the carrot over the stick, endorsing the requirement that all plans cover tobacco cessation programs as part of the ACA's preventive services mandate, although she cites evidence showing that implementation of this requirement has been inconsistent.
At his blog Wright on Health, Brad Wright takes a look at the recent Institute of Medicine report on the U.S. health disadvantage relative to other wealthy nations. Brad says the report's data on preventable deaths among young people points to the importance of public health interventions such as reducing access to guns, discouraging drug use, and encouraging safer driving.
In a post at Health Business Blog, David Williams continues his skepticism regarding claims of a looming nursing shortage. David says that warnings of a shortage when older nurses retire fail to take into account the sort of technological changes that have eliminated the need for many flight engineers, actuaries, and junior lawyers and paralegals; he reiterates predictions that robots will take over many nursing functions over time.
At Workers' Comp Insider, Jon Coppelman points out that our century-old workers' comp system is not designed to handle the increasing numbers of older workers in the modern workforce. To illustrate, he describes the case of Von Brock, a 77-year old greeter at Walmart. After Brock was permanently disabled, a Mississippi appeals court reduced his lump-sum workers' comp award based on his age and on actuarial tables, despite Brock's good health and his already having beaten the odds on mortality. "Even if Brock had prevailed, the nest egg represented by the maximum lump sum settlement would only have covered his expenses for a few years; as it is, he now walks away with a substantially lower amount…. Mr. Brock is in the vanguard of a multitude of aging workers in a dire situation," Jon writes.
Flu Vaccines, Co-Ops, And Cognitive Screening
The severe influenza season has produced many calls for people to get vaccinated, but Brad Flansbaum at The Hospitalist Leader suggests that some claims about the vaccine and about Tamiflu amount to "oversell." We've entrenched our focus on influenza into routine, Brad says, not considering the "opportunity cost" — whether the same efforts transferred to other areas might bring an even greater return on investment.
What do Freelancers and co-ops have in common? The answer, says InsureBlog's Mike Feehan, is that the Freelancers Union received a co-op start-up loan under the ACA. This and other existing loans were not affected by the fiscal cliff deal's shutdown of new loans, but Mike questions whether co-ops will be able to compete with established insurers, and he suggests that co-op funding is an example of the government making investments it does not understand.
Finally, at Innovative Health Media Blog, David Wilson explains the benefits of cognitive screening during Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit. Catching any impairment early can give patients and their families more time to intervene or prepare and can save money over the long run, he writes.
That's it for now. Watch for the next Health Wonk Review on January 31, hosted at healthinsurance.org Blog.


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Well, I gave Oscar-winning documentarist Barbara Kopple the benefit of the doubt. After watching Gunfight on HBO, I can state without equivocation that it was a heavily tilted, barely disguised polemic presenting the argument for gun control. In fact, you could call it the Colin [Goddard] and Paul [Helmke] Show . . .
Goddard, the high-cheekboned gun control advocate who survived the Virginia Tech massacre, was clearly the "star" of the doc. His experience opened the film and closed it. And ran all the way through it. The President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence played best supporting crusader; Kopple turned to Paul Helmke for narrative sound bite action no less than ten times.
Sympathetic is just a word. Let's just say that The Brady Campaign will be using this documentary for fund-raising for years to come, without feeling the slightest need to counter any of the statements made by pro-gun people in the film. Except, of course, to mock them.
That won't be hard. At all. The pro-gun folks were, as predicted, OFWG (Old Fat White Guys). With the exception of, wait for it, Sarah Palin. But we did get to hear the immortal line (so to speak) "Jesus Christ supported the right to carry."
If Koppel was going for "balance," introducing the pro-gun side of the program with a movie montage edited to portray gun enthusiasm as a homo-erotic phallocentric fetish (e.g., Chuck Connors rapid-firing his rifle from crotch level) wasn't going to get it done.
Nor was giving airtime to an academic's (later) claim that the OFWG gun owners (representing the NRA) were angry about blacks and immigrants taking their country away from them, which gave birth to an insurrectionist Second Amendment movement, which unleashed Timothy McVeigh on the world. See? There's the building. And McVeigh wanted to stop the ATF, with an office inside, from grabbing his gun.
Kopple's use of news footage was, perhaps, her most blatantly biased technique. While we did get news clips of the Supreme Court gun rights rulings, Koppel sampled the media again and again to express the inexpressible (her bias against gun ownership). The threat of an armed militia MUST be real: Newsweek had it on the cover! Fox News, always good for a laugh, was notable by its absence.
As predicted, the man tapped to give the film its "objectivity," Richie Feldman, was mostly used to kick the NRA in the balls. Which the former NRA lobbyist did, but good. While I agree that the NRA is a fear-mongering fund-raising machine, set in the context of Gunfight, I found myself cheering for Wayne LaPierre. Note to new readers: that's not something I do very often.
Other than that, your five-minute takeaway: Kopple put the "gunshow loophole" squarely in her sights. She allowed a blatant falsehood to underpin her fascination. Some smooth-talking guy said "It's no secret how guns get in the hands of criminals . . . The gun show loophole is another very common way." Uh, no. Less than three percent of firearms used in crimes are purchased at gun shows.
Facts schmacts. For me, the film's highlight was a visit with two inner city gang bangers. The masked men displayed their "jawns" without a HINT of muzzle discipline. At the end of the tour, one of them seemed to be scratching his Johnson with the business end of a .22, as he talked about where his survivors planned to put his Darwin Award. Or something like that.
I reckon I deserve an award for sitting through this rubbish. Not that I expected any more from Koppel. The fact that she only made a half-assed attempt to hide her obvious anti-gun leanings speaks volumes about the elitism that infuses the gun control movement. Which is a blessing, I suppose.
22 Responses to HBO Documentary Gunfight: Anti-Gun Sandbag Job
I can't wait to see this. Sounds like something that'd get the blood boiling fast.
1) They show people using guns illegally and then blame people who use guns legally.
2) The cats out of the bag. There are hundreds of millions of guns in the US. If ban them, then the good guys will abide by the law and the bad guys will not, leaving them with guns and us without them…
3) In this joke of a documentary they arm students with guns and have them try to return fire when a shooter comes in. An untrained kid with a big white t shirt covering his gun can't get it out in time while a trained gunmen comes in shooting….If I was in that class, just like most veterans, we would return fire and would stop them from continue their killing spree.
4) Drugs are illegal in the US yet hundreds of thousands are killed every year. Guns are illegal in Mexico and there were 47,00 gun deaths there in 2010.
There is a reason why people don't commit crimes out in the country…….Country folks are more likely to be armed…..and THAT deters crime…
These no good commies should all be sent to a prison camp in Siberia.
Yes -HBO advertised as a "gun debate" however there was no debating. Purely leftist and outdated facts.The theme other then obvious calls for gun control was the "gun show loophole" which they lumped in Loughner and the Virgina Tec shooters( which neither one used). Stay vigilant the left will stop at no boundary to take your firearms.This may have been one more piece of operation fast n furious.
"Jesus Christ supported the right to carry."
Well, in fairness, He did:
Then said he to them, But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his sack: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:36)
Jesus was preparing His disciples for their journeys into the wilderness where they might encounter bandits and beasts during their travels, and it was customary to carry a sword–the common weapon of the time–for self-defense. Today, we still must be concerned about bandits and beasts (generally, one more than the other depending on where each of us is) during our travels and even at home, and we would do well to be similarly prepared with contemporary arms.
Thank – you, Robert , for taking the time and enduring the pain of watching this propaganda. I couldn't do it, I knew anything from Koppel and HBO would be nothing but lies, propaganda and a clear slant to the civilian disarmament crowd. You confirmed my suspicions.
@ Bill, I think the same as you. If, it comes from those turds IT IS UNADULTERED BULLSHIT!
Well said Robert, I to sat through most of the Colin and Paul show, and in disgust had to turn away. All of those on the anti-gun side were portrayed as well meaning, "we just want sensible gun laws to stop the violence" folks, in their suits and ties, and those on the pro gun side, well we were all kooks, and racist wearing our bib overalls (camouflaged of course), wanting to overthrow our government. I would imagine that if Ms Kopple had really done her homework, and interviewed the vast majority of gun owners, she would have found an overwhelming cross section of America. Liberals, Conservatives, Libertarians, Atheist, Christians, Gays, you name it. But that would not have helped her agenda, or Colin's and Paul's, they were out for blood, and passed off a documentary as fair and balanced, but was anything but. In their "documentary" they portrayed all gun owners as hicks, far right, christian, white (except for the gang bangers, that was a nice touch), government haters. And couldn't be farther from the truth, but as I said, truth was not what they were looking for.
And as the old saying goes "yesterday over 90 million American gun owners did nothing illegal" Guess Ms Kopple never heard that one!
HBO is anti-gun. Always has been. It's done this before and will do it again. They also support anything and everything far left of center. Who would have figured that? I would have because my litmus test has always been gun control. If they weasel word at all they are one of two things, a standard lying politician or a dyed in the wool Marxist/Democrat. If they are associated with Democrats, the former my be assumed with safety because that has been THEIR litmus test, for years.
Since propaganda and indoctrination must be conducted and truthful information suppressed, it simply makes sense that the information and "entertainment" brokers would produce this type of dis-information. The only difference now is that they feel very comfortable in doing so because they now believe, that they cannot be stopped and that the country will now fall right into their hands.
I watched this load of ^$@! last night. Awesome. The numbers were from the brady bunch and vpc. Nothing like checking your sources/numbers before throwing them out there. It was a total load. The only thing missing was a redneck holding an Uzi while stomping a puppy…
I told them I wouldn't appear on camera, and it was a sons of guns lunchbox gun. Oh yeah, it had both an assault clip AND a shoulder thing that goes up.
Oh yeah, it had both an assault clip AND a shoulder thing that goes up.
Classic, typical liberal anti-2A drivel…. it hit all the typical talking points (oh, the kids…the gun show 'loophole'…as well as all the inaccurate/exaggerated Brady Bunch statistics), with just a token attempt at showing the opposite (pro-2A) argument. Propaganda at best, and keeping in line with HBO's left turn over the last 10 years.
Anyone take note of the 'bait and switch' and deceptive editing used throughout the show? A couple examples..
– Hidden camera interview at a VA gun show showing a wall display of full auto guns, followed by a legal purchase (private party sale) of a semi-auto AKS-74…implying that this was a legal purchase of a full auto assault weapon requiring no background checks or ATF application/tax stamp (etc)…
– An anti-gun doctor who now gives presentations on gun violence and 'easy availability of illegal guns', making a big and ominous point of leaving his will in an easy to find location before every public appearance – because, you never know, those insanely violent gun people might take offense…
There were probably more examples but I used the fast-forward button too many times in the last half to be sure.
I like how Colin Goddard said that he was going to turn in his recently purchased "AK-47" (which the seller clearly told him was an AK 74) to the police as soon as he test fired it.
The writer of this article is 100% correct. I feel like I should have gotten an award for sitting through this biased piece of crap.
The whole so called "Documentary" was completely one sided, and did not show even one instance in which a gun was used in self-defense or prevent a crime. People need to check out http://www.gunfacts.info for a real documentary.
HBO must not think very much of this documentary. Already I am not seeing adverts for it on their channel. Also, the HBO Go iPad app has come out today. "Gun Fight" is nowhere to be found on it.
I am a pro gun person, I do feel that the gun show loopholes should be changed.I also feel that Elected officials should start putting criminals to death right away when they are convicted of a deadly crime no matter what the choice of weapon. Any human who knows that they will be put to death "right away" for taking a life will think twice about this action. There is no excuse for taking a persons life unless it's your life being threatened. I'm not saying your choice of battles is wrong but if you would put more time in to fighting our current policies on prisoner releases and feeding killers in prisons with tax payers money you would see a drastic reduction in violent crimes in the US. People kill people, the method is never going to change but the consequenses for doing so should!
i watched it,and ya its like 55 mins of pure anti-gun anti-american bullshit and maybe 5 mins of facts if you squint and look side ways.
if the crooks and criminals in power want my guns,i would say they can pry them from my cold dead hands…but since they dont have the fire power i got good luck with that.
and the militia's= true patriots with out them we would still be a colony.
way things getting seems im gonna have to join one.
I just finished watching this propaganda. I must say I fast-forwarded through most of it. Especially the news clips and the victim society play. Your article sums up my feeling about this gun-control commercial. Yet I'm not an OFWG nor a WG but a mere proud Citizen.
If I didn't know I'd say Michael Moore produced this crap.
The only thing I learned from this show is that I need to join a gun ownership rights movements. BTW any advice on a good organization? I know many were mentioned in the film.
Two more things I'd like to add:
1. The liberal program 20/20 deduced from its experiment with the armed students who were supposed to protect themselves from an armed attacker that the inexperienced student who could not pull his gun out did so because he was too frightened and hence even if we allow concealed-carry it wouldn't help according to the dishonest narrator. These guys expect a brainless audience to be in front of tv. First they focused on only the one student, repeating the scene over and over and second how come they state he is too frightened while this was a staged exercise and all students are wearing protective gears waiting for the action to begin.
2. How come it's the gun shows' fault that people are being killed in Philly, Chicago and DC???? When the film makers went to the slums and talked to heavily armed criminals they were told, quote: "we all get our weapons from the STREETS" NOT from gunshows, not from dealers, but from the STREETS.
This is again a propaganda film to support the passage of H.R. 591.
HBO carries the pathetic anti-gun standard with Bryant Gumble's Kids and Guns. The show tries to tie American civil rights to soliciting guns to children. I learned to shoot as a child under the supervision of my father. These are some of my most fond memory and HBO tries to say this irresponsible and would like it to be illegal.
So one has to ask what kind of network makes the decision to attack the US Constitution with misguided attempts to villainize American rights, heritage, and freedom of choice. It's difficult to think how this propaganda gets approved and distributed but for the anti-gun media being in bed with those who seek to assault citizen rights. Congrats for siding with the enemy of the people HBO.


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As part of the Wyoming Department of Health's Behavioral Health Division, the Wyoming Life Resource Center (WLRC) is a residential community with therapeutic and medical support services for adults located in Lander.
WLRC provides the least restrictive, most appropriate, most integrated environment possible with informed choice.
Canyons Intermediate Care Facility
- It is licensed as an intermediate care facility for people with disabilities.
- Each person served has an individual plan for training, work, health care and recreation.
- Residences are home for three to nine individuals, providing a comfortable, family-like setting in an accessible neighborhood.
- Independence promoted in life skills, community access, social interaction and leisure activities.
Visions - Acquired Brain Injury Program
The program provides 24-hour care, 365 days a year for adults who have acquired brain injuries.
- Each person served has an individualized plan to address the restoration of skills leading to a more independent lifestyle.
- Independence is promoted in life skills, community access, vocational skills, social interaction and leisure activities.
- The Visions team of brain injury professionals specializes in complex medical, physical and behavioral issues that may be difficult to address by community based programs, family members or at home.
- Residences are home for small groups of individuals with brain injuries, providing a comfortable, personalized, family-like setting in an accessible neighborhood.
Horizons Healthcare Center
An array of health services are offered at WLRC, including both inpatient and outpatient care. Services available to clients on campus are:
Respiratory Therapy
Limited Radiology
The Horizon Healthcare Center Inpatient Unit is used for patients requiring observation or significant medical care.
Rothwell Training Center
The Rothwell Training Center provides a full curriculum of training for caregivers and professionals who provide services to persons with disabilities. Employees of WLRC are trained on site in a comprehensive orientation and ongoing training is offered to employees. Some of the classes are:
- Support of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Brain Injuries
Meal Time Challenges and Nutrition
Behavior Support
- Use and Care of Mobility Devices
Physical Challenges
Interaction Skills
Abuse/Neglect Reporting Policy
Client Rights
- Infection Control and Health
- Assisting Individuals in Personal Care
CPR and First Aid
- Supporting People with Epilepsy
- Workplace Discrimination


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The JMEC shall oversee the work of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (and its successor mechanism, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism), the Economic and Financial Management Authority (EFMA), the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSRB), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and all other transitional institutions and mechanisms created by this Agreement and established as part of the TGoNU. The CTSAMM, EFMA, the SDSRB, the NEC, CTRH and other institutions and mechanisms created by this agreement shall present regular reports to JMEC for this purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, JMEC may request further reports from any transitional institutions and mechanisms, as it deems necessary.
The JMEC shall be responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the Agreement and the mandate and tasks of the TGoNU, including the adherence of the Parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedule. In case of non-implementation of the mandate and tasks of the TGoNU, or other serious deficiencies, the JMEC shall recommend appropriate corrective action to the TGoNU.


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I am mostly asking this opinion with regard to the "samatha variant" of anapanasati. The title is fairly self-explanatory. I've tried both myself. I find that allowing it to happen spontaneously leads to a greater refinement of the breath/concentration and a more concrete sense of the "unity of breath and body," but the spontaneous expansions of awareness (from breath at nose, to entire body, to mental state and body) don't always happen.
So, I'd love to hear everyone's opinions on which method of awareness expansion is more common and more beneficial to samatha practice. I'd also like any general advice you lords and ladies might throw my way.


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Bestselling 39 Clues Author Peter Lerangis Writes Epic Adventure Series For HarperCollins
- SEVEN WONDERS BOOK 1: THE COLOSSUS RISES publishes worldwide February 2013 -
- Free original ebook THE SEVEN WONDERS JOURNALS: THE SELECT available December 2012 -
Sep 12, 2012, 14:05 ET from HarperCollins Publishers
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HarperCollins Publishers announced today the forthcoming worldwide publication of Seven Wonders, a gripping new seven-book series by Peter Lerangis, author of three books in the New York Times bestselling series The 39 Clues. This multifaceted program includes seven hardcovers, which release once every nine months starting February 2013, original novellas available seven weeks before each new hardcover title starting December 2012, and an interactive website for young readers to explore. The first book, The Colossus Rises, will be on sale worldwide on February 5, 2013.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120912/NY73188 )
This fast-paced tween series about four friends on an epic quest to unlock the secrets of an ancient world has already received high praise from bestselling author Rick Riordan, who called it "a high-octane mix of modern adventure and ancient secrets. Young readers will love this story. I can't wait to see what's next in the Seven Wonders series!"
"It's the story of a lifetime," says Peter Lerangis. "A combustible mix of ordinary kids thrown into an extraordinary world of mystical settings, history, humor, science, odd characters, and a barefoot burping giant named Torquin. I am having way too much fun writing this series. I can't wait for readers across the world to discover Seven Wonders."
"We are thrilled to be publishing master storyteller Peter Lerangis at HarperCollins," says Susan Katz, president and publisher of HarperCollins Children's Books. "With Seven Wonders, Peter has created a new series filled with adventure and excitement that's perfect for young readers."
The Colossus Rises begins just before thirteen-year-old Jack McKinley is brought to a mysterious hospital as a captive of a secret organization. Told he has a rare genetic disorder that will soon kill him, Jack realizes he has one hope and one hope only: help the organization retrieve seven magical objects that have been lost among the ruins of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World for thousands of years. With little hope left and only each other to turn to, Jack and his three newfound friends have no choice but to undertake the impossible adventure. First stop: the Colossus of Rhodes, where they quickly realize that there's much more at stake than just their lives.
The Select, a prequel to the Seven Wonders series, will be released as a free original ebook on December 18, 2012. It traces the story of thirteen-year-old Burt Wenders, as told through his recently unearthed journal. Burt is the first-known carrier of the same genetic disorder afflicting Jack, and The Select is the tale of his adventures over serpent-infested waters and through beast-filled jungles in a vain attempt to find a cure. It's a stirring first-person account of one kid's heroic struggle to save himself—and the first installment of an adventure greater than Burt could have ever imagined.
In addition, beginning December 2012, young readers can go to www.sevenwondersbooks.com and continue their involvement in the story. Fans will be able to:
- Explore an interactive map of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Watch videos featuring Seven Wonders clips for tweens and educators
- Download original ebooks and world-building activities
- Discover early chapter reveals and series teasers
- Meet Peter Lerangis on a dedicated author page and hear all about his nationwide tour in February 2013
- Register for Seven Wonders e-newsletter alerts
PETER LERANGIS is the author of more than one hundred and sixty books, which have sold more than four and half million copies and been translated into twenty-eight different languages, including two books in the New York Times bestselling The 39 Clues series (The Sword Thief and The Viper's Nest) and one book in The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series (The Dead of Night). Peter is a Harvard graduate with a degree in biochemistry. He has sung in a Broadway show, run a marathon, and gone rock climbing during an earthquake—though not on the same day. He lives in New York City with his wife, musician Tina deVaron, and their two sons, Nick and Joe. In his spare time, he likes to eat chocolate.
HarperCollins Children's Books is one of the leading publishers of children's books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures—Charlotte's Web, The Chronicles of Narnia, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, the Ramona series, Where the Wild Things Are; and popular new classics—The Graveyard Book, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Warriors, and Fancy Nancy. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children's Books delights young readers through engaging storytelling in all formats, including ebooks and apps. HarperCollins Children's Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the leading English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and India. You can visit HarperCollins Children's Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and HarperCollins Publishers at www.harpercollins.com.
SOURCE HarperCollins Publishers


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Assessing quality of life in the elderly: a direct comparison of the EQ-5D and AQoL
As more research is undertaken on the elderly, accurately assessing changes in their quality of life becomes increasingly important. Generic instruments are the most popular method to assess quality of life, and one of the most widely used is the EQ-5D. However, the range of dimensions, sensitivity of scales and completion rates have been raised as concerns when using this measure with the elderly. The AQoL is a newer instrument which offers greater richness in dimensions of health covered, and potentially offers greater sensitivity to changes in quality of life. This paper presents the results of a 'head-to-head' comparison of the EQ-5D and AQoL in terms of practicality, construct validity, agreement (of absolute scores and their change over time) and sensitivity to change, as part of a randomised controlled trial in the elderly. Poor agreement was found between both the absolute scores from each instrument and change in scores over time. Although the AQoL appeared to have more favourable construct validity, the EQ-5D was easier to administer, had a higher completion rate, and appeared more sensitive to change. We conclude that the AQoL is probably less well suited to measuring health status in a very elderly population than the EQ-5D. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Volume (Year): 13 (2004)
Issue (Month): 8 ()
Pages: 793-805
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| Web page: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/5749
References listed on IDEAS
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- Paul Dolan & Claire Gudex & Paul Kind & Alan Williams, 1995. "A social tariff for EuroQol: results from a UK general population survey," Working Papers 138chedp, Centre for Health Economics, University of York.
- Torrance, George W., 1986. "Measurement of health state utilities for economic appraisal : A review," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 1-30, March.
- Dolan, P. & Gudex, C. & Kind, P. & Williams, A., 1996. "Valuing health states: A comparison of methods," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 209-231, April.
- van Agt, Heleen M. E. & Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise & Krabbe, Paul F. M. & Bonsel, Gouke J., 1994. "Test-retest reliability of health state valuations collected with the EuroQol questionnaire," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 39(11), pages 1537-1544, December.
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would any other sport other than basketball even think about deserving money to represent their country?
would any other sport other than basketball even think about deserving money to represent their country?
the nba has the most spoiled athletes in the world and it has happened to them their entire lives. it is why the term developing my brand is used in the nba.
they also design the simplest and easiest courses to make sure their recruits meet grade standards that were put in place to stop them from having to actually provide the education they say they are providing. in actuality the only benefit young players have in the ncaa is the chance to work with top notch coaches.
i think that wade answered without thinking or knowing where the profits of usa basketball go to. if anything he should be on telling nike they owe him money for wearing their clothes in the olympics.
the olympics in themselves only make profits for tv companies, advertisers and the tourist industry. if he thinks or others think that the country or programs they are there to represent are profiting off of them then the ncaa really fucked out on its promise to give these players college educations.
Last edited by Miekenstien; Fri Apr 13th, 2012 at 04:42 AM.
This is an awesome take on the situation in my opinion.
Pay For Play: Miami star Dwyane Wade created a bit of stir yesterday when a reporter ran quotes from Wade suggesting that Olympians, namely USA Basketball players, should be compensated for their efforts.
A few hours after this story started to get some buzz, Wade put out some clarifying comments via Twitter, suggesting that his comments were a response to a direct questions asking, if he thought Olympians should be compensated.Its a lot of things you do for the Olympics a lot of jerseys you sell, Wade said. We play the whole summer. I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated, as well. Unfortunately, its not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it.
The biggest thing is now you get no rest, Wade said. So you go to the end of the season, [Team USA] training camp is two weeks later. Youre giving up a lot to do it. Its something you want to do. But its taxing on your body. Youre not playing for the dollar. But it would be nice if you would get compensated.
Michael Wallace | ESPN.com
Now there are a couple of points worth noting.What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of and its a complicated issue.
BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any $$$ amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the bronze medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. Its always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family and Im looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.
Dwyane Wade via Twitter
USA Basketball has a budget of more than $6.8 million annually. These funds cover all of the tournament costs associated with the National team program, which for the Senior team includes every imaginable cost, including food, travel and lodging at the worlds best hotels.
The National team offers training and coaching in the offseason that players would normally be paying fees for.
Almost every Olympian, or would-be Olympian is compensated by their shoe companies for making the team and the endorsement value for an Olympian, especially a gold medal Olympian, is said to be worth more than $1 million per year.
USA Basketballs financial records are public, and looking at 2011 and 2010, USA basketball isnt exactly rolling in cash.
Last year, USA Basketball spent $398,833 on the Mens National team, a year in which Team USA did not play or practice because of the NBA Lockout.
In 2010, USA Basketball won the World Championship in Turkey to the tune of $3,282,623 in costs.
USA Basketball brings in roughly $2.5 million per year in sponsorships and endorsements, closer to $5 million when major events are taking place.
Dwyane Wade commented last night that he thought proceeds from jersey sales and licensing should be shared with the players.
I think [jersey] licensing could be a way maybe licensing may not be fair because everybody wont get the same amount. [There] should be some way. But thats something theyve got to worry about because this will be my last time around.
The problem is, thats where the funds come from to pay for the other programs USA basketball funds.
Even if Team USA were to give the players, say, 20% of their licensing income (In 2010 it was $4,609,120) would $60,000 really mean anything in the big picture for Dwyane Wade?
What it would mean is that USA Basketball would have to kill off the Womens Senior Nation Team or stop participating in Under 16 tournaments.
Its not as if USA Basketball is raking in the billions and not sharing the proceeds.
Maybe Dwyane needs to look at the numbers.
My beef would not be with USA Basketball, but with the money made in other ways by IOC and related organisations. The tickets for the basketball final in London are between about $ 800 and $ 1500 (12.000 seats). That's the most expensive final I could find (this quickly) even though basketball isn't that big of a sport in Brittain. It's the allure of the NBA stars. And that's just on entree fees; a lot more will be made on television rights. USA Basketball won't see a lot (if any) of this money. And than there are sponsorship deals and such by IOC.
Now this wouldn't be bad if the money would be used e.g. to support the organization and to support sports programs. And part of that will be used for that. But IOC (again, like Fifa) isn't historically a morally sound organisation, where the money just is used for people to earn a paycheck. Historically there is a lot of corruption and some people getting filthy rich. I don't know how this situation is ever since Jacques Rogge took over from Samaranch, this is why I refered to Fifa, a comparable organisation, whose boss now is one of the richest people in the World (he must have some sports program lined up for himself). During the Samaranch era there was a lot of (now documented) corruption, going well beyond a statement that there is corruption everywhere.
In short, I would be ok with them not being paid (in fact I'm not an advocator of our football teams getting a bonus for winning a medal at the World or European Championship exactly because our Football Organisation isn't corrupt and this money is being used for the betterment of the sport e.g. by youth and amateur programs). But I'm not ok with the situation (of the athletes not being paid) when there are some people who are getting filthy rich instead of the IOC (and related organisations) using the money for this and other kinds of (social) sport programs. In that case, and I am highly suspicious that this is the case, the question, who deserves this money isn't a weird question (in my opinion).
Professional athletes should not be in the Olympics - period - in my opinion.
However, they are and the money they generate is the reason why.
The reality is their participation pays for a lot of events that otherwise wouldn't exist at an international level - both for other Olympic events and their own sport in their home country.
So in terms of the good they do and athletes choosing to represent their country for the 'good' reasons, I stand by it. The HoopsWorld.com article in post 44 is still a good one.
As for the people making money off them, I don't know what to say. Do we all stop donating to charity because there are a few scams out there? Probably not the best analogy but whenever there is money to be made, people will take advantage.... right Billy Hunter?
Athletes do benefit from the commitment though. Athletic patriotism sells...... even for these guys:
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Easy way to divide Team USA value from NBA stardom: endorsements Brad Miller, David Wood and Michael Hawkins signed in '98.
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Contest: Cutest Smile Host: Double.The.Trouble FINAL RESULTS Show Rules
Any age
Any age
Include Child's name and Age
Post 1-2 Photos
If you're posting more than one child do it separately
No advertising votes for yourself CONTEST ONLY!
There will be two rounds of voting, May the cutest smile win :wink:
Cαtwomαn Nb Votes: 8 By : Cαtwomαn Preview
MichaelLeif&HadleyElise Nb Votes: 7 By : MichaelLeif&HadleyElise Preview
Michael Leif
Michael Leif
2 years old
Mrs.Dani Nb Votes: 7 By : Mrs.Dani Preview
My baby Alistair. 5 months:
FanGirl Nb Votes: 4 By : FanGirl Preview
4 months
Cap'n Obvious Nb Votes: 3 By : Cap'n Obvious Preview
Emma 7 months
Rianna Bailey Nb Votes: 2 By : Rianna Bailey Preview
2 months old
Double.The.Trouble 2 kids; Florida 2260 postsDec 11th '12
Cαtwomαn 2 kids; 1 angel baby; Gotham, DC, United States 15131 postsDec 11th '12

Quoting Melxx:" Siggies :) "

Aw yay! Thanks!


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TV's beloved JUDGE JUDY is said to be stunned over demands for a criminal investigation into her son's connection to a child rape case – and if charges are brought and proven, he could land in jail for four years!
Judge Judy's son, Putnam County, N.Y., District Attorney Adam Levy, is being accused by a state senator of improprieties in the case, which involves an illegal Romanian immigrant who Levy calls a "close friend."
"Judge Judy has blown a gasket that her son has been caught up in this sordid mess," declared a close source.
Although the outspoken TV jurist insists her son is the target of a smear campaign by political enemies, N.Y. State Sen. Greg Ball is asking the governor to open an independent investigation into Levy's activities.
"I don't care who his mother is or where he comes from – this is about Putnam County," declared Ball.
And Bennett Gershman, a judicial ethics expert at Pace University School of Law called Levy's alleged behavior "a serious and dangerous conflict of interest."
Fighting back, Levy has hired publicist Hank Sheinkopf, who insisted: "Mr. Levy's conduct has been entirely ethical and he welcomes any inquiry."
The ENQUIRER reveals ALL the details of the exploding controversy in a gripping story that you won't want to miss. So pick up the latest issue today – on newsstands now!


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San Francisco: Twitter announced Thursday, in a tweet, that it has submitted papers for the most hotly anticipated stock offering in the tech sector since Facebook's last year.
"We've confidentially submitted an S-1 to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for a planned IPO. This Tweet does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale," the company tweeted.
Moments later, in typically breezy style, the company tweeted a picture of its staffers, and said: "Now, back to work."
Twitter's market value has been estimated around $10 billion based on early venture capital investments, but the initial public offering (IPO) is likely to bring a higher amount.
"We expect @Twitter to price #IPO conservatively at 20-30x revenue, or $15 billion, with about $500 million in revenue," said a tweet from the private company research firm PrivCo.
The firm added in another tweet: "Unlike $FB (Facebook) which waited too long to IPO (growth rate decelerated) Twitter will IPO at just the right inflection point."
Lou Kerner at the Social Internet Fund, said he expects a big reaction from investors.
"Given Twitter's significant growth, and the market's love affair with social media, the Twitter IPO is posed to be a home run," he said in an email.
Twitter has become one of the fastest-growing and most influential social media services, used widely by celebrities, journalists, politicians and others.
The company said earlier this year it had "well over 200 million" active users, although some analysts place figure much higher.
Twitter said this week it was moving deeper into mobile advertising with the purchase of MoPub, a start-up focusing on mobile ad exchanges.
The acquisition was announced late Monday. It was estimated to be worth some $350 million, according to the technology news site TechCrunch.
The fast-growing social network is expected to earn $582.8 million globally in ad revenue this year and nearly $1 billion next year, according to industry tracker eMarketer.
The San Francisco company provided no details on the IPO dates or pricing.
It is taking advantage of a rule adopted last year by the SEC, which allows "emerging growth" companies with revenues of less than a billion to keep financial details confidential until they get closer to the IPO.
Under those rules, Twitter can keep its financials private until 21 days prior to its presentation to investors, known as a "road show."
But Trip Chowdhry, analyst at Global Equities Research, said Twitter is undermining confidence by keeping its finances private.
"The idea of doing a confidential IPO undermines the credibility of the Twitter IPO," he told AFP.
"If they are not transparent, it is that they have something to hide; we know nothing of how their company has been going for the last two years."
An analysis by the website Statistic Brain says Twitter has some 554 million active, registered users and is adding 135,000 on a daily basis.
In a sign of Twitter's growing influence, tweets have been analyzed en masse to measure happiness of cities and countries, and some scholars claim Twitter was an important factor in uprisings such as the Arab Spring.
Twitter is used to measure the popularity of TV shows, and some programmes go to it for instant feedback.
"Twitter has firmly established itself as a social tool that people love to use and that the press loves to reference—and more than 60% of US marketers are now on Twitter as well," said Nate Elliott, analyst at Forrester Research.
"And Twitter works hard to serve those marketers: the company learned how to sell sponsored tweets without upsetting users, when critics weren't sure it was possible, and it offers more useful marketing measurement tools than bigger competitors like Facebook."
But Elliott said Twitter needs to do more to demonstrate it is a viable business.
"Marketers aren't yet fully satisfied with the results they're achieving on Twitter, and the company still has to improve its ad targeting and find additional ad formats to sell," he said.
The company was started by Jack Dorsey who proposed the idea for Twitter, while working with Biz Stone and Evan Williams at podcasting company Odeo. Dorsey later stepped aside to run another startup, Square.
A year ago, chief executive Dick Costolo said the time was not ripe for a Twitter IPO but indicated Twitter would remain independent.
Some of the concerns over social media companies have faded with Facebook, whose shares lost 50% after its May 2012 IPO, hitting an all-time high in recent days.
Facebook shares debuted at $38, and languished for months before recovering this year. Facebook hit a record above $45 this week, and closed Thursday at $44.75.
According to the analytics site Dashburst, at least 170 billion tweets have been posted since the company's launch in 2006, with users spending an average of 170 minutes on the site each month.
Dashburst estimates 80% of Twitter users access the site via a mobile device.
The most popular person on Twitter is Justin Bieber, with some 44 million followers, while Katy Perry has 42 million and Lady Gaga 40 million, all ahead of President Barack Obama at 36 million.


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The Sixth Annual Cannes Airshow, held in early June, drew nearly 8,500 visitors and provided a venue for a number of pleasant surprises.
Despite its billing as a general aviation gathering, the event now fields a strong showing by business aviation exhibitors. Dassault was there with a Falcon 2000LX and Hawker Beechcraft with a King Air 350i and C90GTx. Several other manufacturers brought light-to-medium jets and turboprop business aircraft to Cannes, including Cessna, Daher-Socata, Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft, Piaggio Aero and Pilatus. Also present and a long way from home was California-based Robinson Helicopter, aware that the Cote d'Azur is home to half a dozen helicopter charter operators.
According to show organizer Adone Events, the 150 exhibitors this year equaled the number at the 2011 event, and Cannes-Mandelieu Airport recorded an average of more than 300 movements a day throughout the three-day schedule.
Among the visitors was a large delegation from Africa, "supporting the fact that this is a rapidly growing region for the aviation market, and reflecting the strong ties between northern Africa and France," said Adone Events managing director Didier Mary.
Yousif Al Hammadi, acting general manager of Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Middle East's only dedicated business aviation airport, took advantage of the international stage to announce that the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2013, also organized by Adone Events, will be held from March 5 to 7 in the United Arab Emirates.
Next year's Cannes Airshow Salon International de l'Aviation Générale will be held from June 6 to 8, and Mary said that more than 80 percent of participants and exhibitors, including Cessna, have already confirmed they will return.


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Turns out the Sweeper Vac is just what I was looking for!!! A lightweight, cordless crumb machine! I'm excited 🙂
Today I actually woke up cold with the fans blowing on me, so it was a good day for a bowl of oatmeal.
I made a caramelized peach + walnut topping
The Mix:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- Pinch salt, splash vanilla
- ~1 tbsp dried raspberries
- Tbsp flax
- 1 chopped peach
- ~1 tbsp chopped walnuts
- Pinch brown sugar
- Sprinkle coconut
- Tbsp Artisana walnut butter
+ tea
My friends at Lipton sent over the research reports in their quarterly lit. review:
- Individuals consuming three or more cups of tea each day could lower the risk of ischaemic stroke by 21 per cent. These findings relate to black and green tea but not herbal teas or infusions. It is too early to single out a particular constituent of tea – such as theanine, flavonoids or catechins – as causal.
- A study conducted by scientists at the Lipton Institute of Tea in the Netherlands investigated the mechanism of action underpinning the cholesterol lowering effects of black tea theaflavins which had previously been poorly understood. These results show that black tea theaflavins can reduce the uptake of cholesterol into micelles in vitro. A typical cup of black tea contains on average ~15-25 milligrams of theaflavins (~75-125 mg/L).
- Drinking three cups of tea per day can cut the risk of breast cancer in women under 50 by more than a third. The authors reported an inverse association between tea consumption and breast cancer risk in younger women (defined as those aged under 50). Those reporting three or more cups of tea per day five years prior to the interview had a 37 per cent reduced breast cancer risk when compared with women reporting no tea consumption.
- A recent US study by Kevin Maki from the Provident Clinical Research in Bloomington, Indiana examined the effects of green tea consumption and fat loss. After 12 weeks, there was a significant change in total abdominal fat mass and subcutaneous abdominal fat mass in the green tea group compared with the control group. This was accompanied by a significant decline in the markers of fat in the blood, compared with the control group. The researchers also observed a trend towards greater weight loss in the catechin group.
- A research team from the University of Oxford, in the UK, and the University of Oslo, in Norway, have recently reported that a combination of wine, chocolate and tea – all in moderate amounts – enhances cognitive performance in the elderly.
I'm planning to work on the computer for a while and then do some yoga. I've really been slacking in yoga frequency and want to get back into it.


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Is it possible for fiction to surpass real life when it comes to Valerie Plame Wilson, the CIA agent whose cover was famously blown during the Bush administration? She makes the case that it can.
She joined us today to talk about her debut novel, Blowback, which she co-wrote with suspense writer Sarah Lovett. It's set to be the first in a series of international spy thrillers detailing the work of fictional operative Vanessa Pierson. But before talking about how her fictionalized spy Vanessa Pierson stacks up against her own CIA career, Valerie Plame Wilson weighed in on the government shutdown, the U.S. Invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the CIA under John Brennan's leadership.
Also on today's show:
- Christopher Lydon picked up where Valerie Plame Wilson left off , offering his take on U.S.foreign policy and American exceptionalism by way of the new Stephen Kinzer book, The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles and Their Secret World War
- Kara Miller dropped by to talk about how the business model of the blockbuster movie is now shaping TV, publishing, and music
- Todd Zwillich joined us for an update on what the end of the government shutdown means and the price the US has paid for it, literally and figuratively