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While the iOS 7 software update has brought along a total design revamp, with it has also come irritating wallpaper settings. Not being able to scale your photo to the sizes you'd like and more have been just some of the newly associated issues. The new application Wallpaper Fix claims to be the perfect fix for all of your wallpaper problems. Is Wallpaper Fix the app that will help you get your wallpapers the way you want?
Take a look at Wallpaper Fix and find out what you think.
This is a Cult Of Mac video review of the iOS application Wallpaper Fix brought to you by Joshua Smith of "TechBytes W/Jsmith."


text: Eli's was recently mentioned online in Northampton Chronicle & Echo's Restaurant Review as the dessert of choice at The Cordwainer for one particular writer. Amanda O'Hare, praised Eli's Original Plain Cheesecake, which was served with strawberry and blueberry compote, for being "delicious" and "well presented". Eli's is glad to see our Cheesecake being enjoyed so fondly across the pond in the United Kingdom. Read the review here at: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/lifestyle/restaurant-review-the-cordwainer-northampton-1-4203212

subset: commoncrawl


text: Crystal Morey: Owen Williams Interview By Crystal Morey I'm gonna just start this whole interview with a disclaimer... I love Owen dearly and really want to do this interview, but he's one of my best friends and partner in crime so this is bound to get real messy, real fast. That being said I do think, for the record, that he's über talented. Each new piece he does leaves the last in the dust... Sucking its thumb and crying for its mother. While he is without a doubt one of the loudest people in the industry, he is also incredibly modest and hard-working. His artwork is insane, be it portrait work, Japanese inspired pieces or pin-ups - the end result is always jaw-dropping. I think he's a bit of an idiot savant... CM: So let's start at the beginning... How did you get into tattooing? You were doing nails at a little mani/pedi salon if I remember correctly and someone noticed how well you painted dolphins and recommended you try your luck tattooing? OW: Ah ha ha! Yeah, but when those dolphins turned into a complete underwater scene that took over the whole hand I started dreaming of bigger and better things. I kinda fell into it really. After doing a few years of random jobs (including digging a pool by hand and reconditioning engines) post failing high school, I decided to try to find a job using my artistic interest. I was doing an airbrush course for helmets and automotive airbrushing when I met a girl there whose dad was a tattooist so I started making enquiries. All he did was make me buy the A to Z of Tattooing by Huck Spaulding, but that's as far as it went. It wasn't 'til I went to buy some equipment that I landed an apprenticeship. CM: What was your apprenticeship like? Don't leave out any backroom hijinks either... I'm willing to bet good money your formative years were rife with indiscretions... OW: Actually my apprenticeship was pretty traditional which I'm very thankful for. I was making needles and drawing flash sheets to start out then learnt how to pierce (everyone had to) and make tattoo machines before i started any tattooing Most the hijinks came from me being a clumsy buffoon like getting hit by a car on my motorbike two weeks after starting and ending up in hospital or crashing my push-bike in front of the shop trying to show off doing endos or spilling coffee on myself in the street trying to dance like MC Hammer. It was a street shop so there was plenty of action on the street too. Regular fights between bicyclists and car drivers/motorcycle riders. They were fun times looking back on it, we had a good crew there. CM: Where was this? OW: A place that no longer exists called, Advanced Art tattooing in the northern 'burbs of Melbourne. CM: And you went from there to Tattoo Magic before opening your own shop? OW: Yeah, Magic was the last place I worked at and it was a real honor to work there. It was really the shop that changed everything for me. I first went in there to get my first tattoo outside of the shop I was working in back in 2000 an it just blew my mind. Back then it was Geordie Cole, Sara Bowyer and Claudia Kuster and I were deciding if this whole tattooing caper was really for me... When I went in there I couldn't believe the level of tattooing they were doing. All the stuff I was told couldn't be done was their standard! They are some of my greatest influences in tattooing and I still keep in touch with all of them, so to work there really was something special. It's also where I honed my TOTO karaoke skills. It wasn't an easy decision to leave but I needed a new challenge in life. It was either move overseas or open a studio. Considering I'd worked in this city for 13 years it'd be stupid of me to walk away from that. CM: So you left and started Tama... how has that been? Why Tama? OW: Oh, come on don't be coy, you suggested it and it ticked both boxes for us. We were looking for a name that combined our interest with the Japanese style of tattooing and our love of hair metal. Tama is the name of a drum company that sponsored half of the bands we love and the drum kit I wanted so badly when I was learning to play years ago. It's also the name of the ball that dragons hold or is under the foo dogs' foot at the temple statues and so forth... It sounded good to me, I was drunk at the time. Ha! The studio has been great. It's set up in the heart of the city and is really easy for our clients to get to, especially the interstate clients who don't have a car and need hotels, etc. We wanted to set up a quiet space that's focused on the people getting tattooed. Privacy was the only real issue in the last shops I've worked for, and nowadays we are doing a lot of private tattooing. We do most of the consulting/answering questions via e-mail and make appointments for people to come down and get tattooed or further consultation. It gets kinda awkward when you're right up in someone's butt-crack with a shader and someone comes in asking about pricing or something as we don't have a counter person. Also if we're tattooing someone in a really painful spot it's best just to keep going and get it done rather than stopping to answer the phone or make appointments. CM: Yeah, that no phone policy in the shop is entirely for your clients. You are so very considerate! Your frickin' halo needs a good polishing! And Tama is a rad name! So many deep meanings... like an onion. Okay so getting back to this, who inspires you artistically? Who do you reference? Look up to? OW: My halo needs more sticky tape, it's falling to pieces! That 'ol chestnut... ugh, how to shorten the list? Outside of tattooing it's artists like Frank Frazetta, William Stout, Robert Williams, Rick Griffin, Drew Struzan... There is also a whole bunch of Chinese painters I have books of that I have no idea how to pronounce their names, as I can't read Chinese. Within tattooing it's been pretty much everyone I've ever worked with as they have all had an influence on me. It's really hard to make a list, there's so many that I've looked up to over the years, but I guess the main ones have been (and still are) Filip Leu and Grime. Those guys have set the standard over the years and continue to raise the bar, plus they are really nice guys too. Others on the list would be Mike Roper, Mick from Zurich, Luke Atkinson, Dean Sacred, all the guys from Skull and Sword, Andre Malcolm, Shige, James Tex, William Yoneyama, Geordie Cole and of course Evan Griffiths, who I now work alongside, but I think the one I look up to most would be Claudia Kuster as she has been a mentor for so long. She always pushed me to try harder and her phenomenal drawing ability was the benchmark that I've aspired to since I first walked into Tattoo Magic over 10 years ago... Plus, she's been a great friend over the years. CM: I'm telling RJB that he got shortlisted... Tell me your most off-the-hook tattoo experience... OW: SHIT! Of course!! Rockin' Jellybean is a MASSIVE influence! See that's why I hate lists... I knew I'd forget someone. Oh! Throw Aaron Horkey and Ken Taylor on there too while you're at it! Off the top of my head it's hard to pick one story. Every trip overseas I've ever done has been related to tattooing in one way or another and it's taken me to some amazing places and given me some crazy stories, from an insane tattoo convention in Austria where the first course descended from the roof on a huge round table with mimes who prepared the main course before your eyes... Getting tasered in L.A., to a friend nearly getting his throat slit by some crazy dude who climbed through our third-story window in Edinburgh! The true value of tattooing for me has been in traveling and the people I've met. The kindness and hospitality of strangers to crazy times with good friends. It's a world with a lot of genuine people and real characters and I hope it stays that way. CM: You got tasered? I haven't heard that story yet... I don't think! So while you rounded that last question off nicely and we really should stop there, I feel honor-bound to ask just one more before I let you go... What is it with you and IKEA? OW: F**KIN' IKEA! That place is a inhumane experiment to see what people can possibly endure in terms of frustration and disorientation. It's a maze of dawdling elderly and indecisive couples with screaming babies and rocket powered kids where everyone moves in the 'roughly' one direction at completely different speeds, where I only want one thing and yet still have to walk through the whole damn store, the staff are useless and the pencils are too short! I can't even write with them... (Pauses for breath...) And every time I get near the checkout I realize I have to go back in against the flow to get something I forgot from near the start of the maze! Ugh! You had to bring that up didn't you? We went there for a lot of stuff when setting up the shop as it was cheap but it's not worth the mental torment. I never ate the food... Everyone I've spoken to that likes IKEA eats the food, I reckon they put stuff in it. I don't know maybe I'm jaded... Not crazy, just jaded, REALLY jaded... CM: A-Mazing! Ha-ha-ha, oh wow! (Owen can be found at Tama Tattoo Studio in Melbourne, Australia.) (Crystal Morey works for Gomineko Books and is a contributing blogger for Tattoo Artist Magazine. For more info on Gomineko Books please visit their website: www.gominekobooks.com.)


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Quinnair has strategically been in the area of Jefferson County, CO since 2005 offering our broken furnace repair and installation services. We know that there are times when it is necessary to turn on the heater to keep our families comfortable and safe during those cold winters, and there is nothing as upsetting as to find out at the last minute that something has gone wrong. No heat is coming out of the vents, or the thermostat doesn't work. The same situation can happen for air conditioners malfunctioning during summertime. Quinnair offers a variety of services covering the different types of needs a household may have. Our experienced technicians know how to fix every problem you may be having with your broken furnace whether it is summer or winter. For the client that seeks a well-done job and a great deal; we offer free estimates and evaluations of the problem. Allow Quinair to be your to go HVAC repair company that can guarantee and assess any job. Call us today for more information, or you can visit our website for more details on how you can obtain a free quote from us. Don't run the risk of sleeping through a cold night. Call today!
There was a time when we all knew that the job of a thermostat was to turn on the heater and regulate the indoor temperature. Well, those days are gone. Thermostats have changed, and with that change, they have brought the ability to control more than heat. One can control lighting, temperature, broken furnace for all homes you may own and all their rooms. You can choose to have a different setting in each room, even the garage. It's incredible what we can do with our smartphones nowadays. You may be asking, do I need all of that? We'd say, no, you don't. This kind of technology may apply to folks that are interested in monitoring their state of the art homes from afar, but we know it isn't for everyone. Take a look at our website to understand more on the subject. We are experienced technicians and can help you in your search for your next new HVAC system. We are in Jefferson County, CO so feel free to visit us during business hours. Give us a call or email us or visit our website to schedule your subsequent evaluation. Call us today!
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems control the temperature in homes to bring comfort to those in it. HVAC systems have changed through the years, but they are mostly the same. Their job is to circulate air in the house or building at a temperature of one's choosing. Depending on the climate of where you live, it is vital to have airflow that allows for moisture to dry out thus preventing mold build up on the walls and furniture. One other function is to warm up the house during a cold night or to circulate cold air. One older type of system called a Swamp Cooler is a handy way to cool down a structure which can save you some money. broken furnace is a perfect way to control your indoor's space for your comfort. Quinnair can service either of these systems, replace them entirely with a new one. We have been in Jefferson County, CO since 2005. Visit our website to schedule an appointment or request a free quote. Today is the day to consider our service. Call now!
Our expert staff is on standby eager to help you or walk you through your HVAC problems. Our expertise gives us the confidence to bring functionality back into place for your broken furnace, whether for replacement or straightforward repairs. Quinnair has been in the area of Jefferson County, CO for over 12 years offering a great deal to its surrounding communities. We provide state of the art systems, conventional swamp coolers, and heaters. We specialize in residential and light commercial installations and repairs. We know that quality is necessary when it comes to HVAC products and repairs, so we deal with the best distributors in the industry to ensure your satisfaction. We are the best, and like the best, we offer free estimates and evaluations. Call us today, don't hesitate. Visit our website for more information and contact us for a free quote. Keep the quality of your indoor air flow at its best. Call us today!


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Peter Parker originally got his superhuman powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Now, as if inspired by a comic book, scientists working with the Forensic Genomics Consortium in the Netherlands want to mix the genomes of spiders and humans to create — though not quite a real-life spiderman — a superhuman with silk-like, bulletproof skin, according to the Daily Mail.
It sounds unbelievable, but the research is already well underway. The project is being called "2.6g 329m/s" after the weight and the velocity of a .22-caliber long rifle bullet from which the genetically modified human skin could presumably withstand a blast.
So, why spiders? The key to the technology is in the protein that makes spider silk. It turns out that spider silk, when spun out and weaved properly, can be made into a material that is not just bulletproof, but 10 times stronger than steel. The idea is to replace our keratin, the protein that makes up human skin, with a modified version of the protein in spider silk.
"Imagine replacing keratin, the protein responsible for the toughness of the human skin, with this spider silk protein," said Jalila Essaidi, one of the Dutch researchers behind the project. "This is possible by adding the silk-producing genes of a spider to the genome of a human: creating a bulletproof human. Science fiction? Maybe, but we can get a feeling of what this transhumanistic idea would be like by letting a bulletproof matrix of spider silk merge with an in vitro human skin."
The technology only gets weirder. To test it, researchers genetically engineered a goat to produce milk that is packed with the spider silk protein. The material was then milked out of the goat and weaved together, creating a bulletproof substance. Researchers then grew a layer of real skin around a sample of the bulletproof substance produced by the goat, so that bullets could be fired into it.
The following video, posted by the researchers on YouTube, depicts these experiments (Note: the video is all in Dutch):
Also on MNN: 20 impressive high school science fair projects


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To some, mah jongg is nothing more than a free game on the Internet. For millions of dedicated players throughout the world though, the leisurely tile game is an inherited hobby. Made popular in the United States during the 1920s, the Chinese game was given English numerals and standardized rules and was quickly adopted by women's groups both as a pastime and a means of raising funds for their organizations. The National Mah Jongg League was established by a group of mah jongg enthusiasts in 1937 to standardize the game's rules.
"One of the remarkable things of that is of the 200 volunteers who showed up at the first meeting for the National Mah Jongg League, they were all Jewish women," says Melissa Martens, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York.
Project Mah Jongg, a traveling exhibition from the Museum of Jewish Heritage, comes to the Maltz Museum Jan. 24 to examine the game's role in historic and contemporary Jewish-American life. The exhibit includes films, vintage game sets and original artwork from New York artists inspired by the game, including designer Issac Mizrahi. Martens talks to us about tiles, styles and other mementos.
Q. Can people actually play mah jongg during the exhibit?
A. The center of the exhibit has a table where visitors can sit and play pick-up games of mah jongg. So the visitors become the highlight of the exhibit itself, and they're on display playing mah jongg with their own traditions.
Q. How does this exhibit bring mah jongg fans together?
A. I think it gives people a chance to come together over a shared table. Visitors have different ways of playing. People of different age groups or different ethnic backgrounds, whether they're Chinese or Jewish or brand new to the game, can teach each other different styles and variations.
Q. What is your favorite part of the exhibit?
A. I love the historic artifacts that show that mah jongg has been in America almost 100 years now, which I think is the most surprising part of the game and the history.
Q. What is the mah jongg scene like today?
A. We're experiencing a resurgence of the popularity of mah jongg. New generations of mah jongg players are surfacing, ... and they're deciding to pass their time in this old-fashioned way and to pull on the memories of their own heritage.


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Logistics is exciting, varied and has a great future. And so are your career prospects at Logwin. Discover the multi-faceted perspectives that we can offer you for your career within our business segments and fields of activity in your home country and around the world. Your career can take off in a variety of ways, whether through vocational training, a degree course or direct recruitment. We are looking forward to receiving your application.
School Students
If you are still at school and not sure what career is the right one for you then work experience is a good way of finding that out. Simply take a peek at an area that interests you and get to know a little about the practical side of day-to-day logistics. Exciting and varied tasks await you.
And what do we expect from you?
Curiosity and the desire to join in actively. If you take a look at the job description before you start your work experience you will be able to compare whether real-life practice matches your expectations.
Things to note.
It would be best to apply at least six months before your work experience begins since this increases your chances of getting a place in the desired period. The duration of the work experience should be at least one week. Check beforehand with your school that it has an insurance certificate. This will simplify the application process.
Training occupations and combined study
Almost there at last. Your school days are nearing their end and the wide world beckons. What is now important is to find the right beginning to the world of work. If you are looking for an exciting and promising professional future, choose Logwin. With us you can really put your foot down.
We offer first-class development perspectives, exciting challenges, comprehensive support and individual advancement. Enjoy varied vocational training where no two days are the same. Our active trainers will enable you to get to know a wide range of fields at individual places of work and learning. We will show you that small things can make a big difference.
Students and Graduates
If you have had enough of grey theory, we can offer you the possibility to gather professional experience in a wide range of fields as part of an internship. Show us what you can do. Ideally an internship should last between four and six months.
Final assignments
If you are nearing the end of your degree course and need to take the final hurdle – writing your final paper – we can offer practice-related subjects, or you can bring your own subject with you. Experienced supervisors will be on hand to provide help and support while you write your assignment.
It is advisable to submit your application six months in advance so that we have sufficient time to check with our specialist departments to see whether they can support you and your final paper.
Joining Logwin direct is the ideal launch pad for your career. We offer first-class entry-level and advancement opportunities in our individual business segments. Exciting and varied tasks await you. Training is "on the job", meaning that you can expect to assume responsibility from day one.
You will find all the current openings under "Vacancies". If you cannot find a suitable position on our careers page and you think you match the profile we have described, then simply send us an unsolicited application.
If you are looking for a new challenge and have a track record of relevant practical experience in logistics, you are the person we are looking for. Whether business specialist, skilled tradesman or graduate – we need every single employee with their specialist expertise and experience. We can offer you challenging tasks and opportunities for development – at all career levels, at home and abroad.
Your prospects and what sets us apart as an employer:
- Whether you join us at project, specialist or management level, you will find support for your personal career development. Our employees take part in a wide range training seminars to support their work, both 'on the job' and 'off the job'.
- Owing to the many fields of logistics in which it operates, Logwin offers the possibility of getting to know other areas of activity and hence actively promotes exchange within the company as well as internationally.
- We give our employees scope to act and we promote individual responsibility.
- You can work abroad on a temporary or permanent basis. There are over 50 international locations open to you.
Who we are looking for:
As an experienced professional, you know what is important in your job. You welcome new challenges, show personal initiative and a high level of commitment. You are by nature team-oriented, socially competent and open to other cultures and you are also customer focussed.
Do you recognise yourself?
If so, give your career a decisive boost and join in Logwin's success story.


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TV Stand, Natural Oak-stained Mango Wood & Brass
Edition limited to 12
Inspired by a vintage find, the Luiz is quintessentially mid-century in style, and a master of symmetry with its striking brass painted handles.
Have a look at more designs from our Luiz range!
Designs are made with natural materials and are handcrafted one at a time. There may be natural variations in colour and texture that are not product flaws, they make your design truly one-of-a-kind.
An original piece for the contemporary home, progressive and beautifully designed. In the Swoon Studio, we create with urban landscapes as our point of inspiration. Cracks running through concrete on city streets, the architecture of an old railway station, the birds-eye view of paths in a green space. We see the extraordinary within the ordinary. We use it to fuel a new wave of design.


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Flora-Bama, Live Musical Entertainment Daily at The Flora-Bama
Thursday, 14 December, 2017|
Email to a Friend
Live Music Daily at the Flora-Bama
Enjoy Live Music every day at the Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar in Perdido Key Florida, located at the Alabama/Florida state line. The Flora-Bama is a gulf front oyster bar, beach bar, and Gulf Coast cultural landmark, touted as being America's "Last Great Roadhouse". The Flora-Bama takes its name from its location on the Florida-Alabama state line.
This famous Gulf Coast establishment has been entertaining locals & visitors since 1964. Featuring live music 365 days a year from top regional and national acts - it's home to the world famous "Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party" and other popular festivals that are held throughout the year.
The Flora-Bama
17401 Perdido Key Drive
Pensacola, FL 32507
Pensacola, FL 32507
Event ContactFlora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar
Phone: 850.492.0611
Website: Click to Visit


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Josh Hamilton's photo-documented backslide onto a bar-top covered in whip cream while being groped by strange women was potentially disastrous, but he responded with a shockingly disarming press conference. But Hamilton's fans (Hambone Heads) went predictably berserk on us anyway.
Obviously, there were many people displeased with our decision to run the photos on Saturday (besides David Ortiz, of course) that besmirched the blessed persona Josh Hamilton created for himself since he crawled out of a crack den four years ago. Casting stones is God's job and God's job only — especially when it comes to those who slurp body shots off of a giant pair of heaving breasts in a Tempe bar.
Many took their righteous outrage to our inbox. Here are a few choice selections:
Just wanted to let you know that I think your site stinks. I know you and all of your staff make no mistakes and are so perfect. It takes a lot to stay on the totally righteous path. Josh has done an exceptional job at remaining fateful to his wife Katie, his teammates, and his Savior. Does GOD condone our transgressions? No, but he does FORGIVE us no matter what, no questions asked. We all fight our personal demons everyday. Most of us have it easier because we don't have to worry about jackasses putting us in print. It takes a real man like Josh to be able to admit what he has done wrong to the whole world. He didn't make any excuses; he just acted like the man whose faith in GOD will get him, his wife, his teammates, and his fans through it all. Josh is a wonderful Christian role model for inspiring kids in keeping GOD first. I know that the devil needs to try and take people who help others find the light of Jesus down, but it is a shame that people like you doesn't realize that we all are human. Next time you want to drag someone down in the dirt with you, think about how you would feel if your life will feel when GOD reviews your life to be judged.
AJ Daulerio,
I have a tip for you, stop smearing Josh Hamilton because your workers have no writing talent and you produce an tattle-tale, garbage website. It is hacks like you that are ruining the country by turning American culture into a joke. You abuse the American right to freedom of press, intended to serve and protect her citizens and hide behind it, enabling yourselves to advertise racy and private things, in order to grab the attention of desensitized citizens and in turn mark-up the cost your affiliated commercials. Do you care that baseball is America's past-time and is currently struggling to recover from a black eye due to steroids? No. That Josh Hamilton is a hero to many kids and sports fans of all ages and that he should be entitled to his private life as I'm sure all of your alleged "writers" enjoy theirs? No. I bet if you saw your neighbor with another woman behaving inappropriately at a bar, you wouldn't send his wife an email with pictures, captions, and poorly written story would you? Especially if the man was in the physical shape Hamilton is in, because he would kick your ass you little back-biting pussy. What would the collective pulse of the other neighborhood men be if they heard you went around tattling on guys for basically being guys? You would be treated like the degenerate you are. Lucky for you Josh can't call you on behaving like a little bitch, because he'd be shunned again. As such, and in defense of one of my favorite players, I took it upon myself to personally email you and let you know that in 50 years people will remember Josh Hamilton for his HR derby display in Yankee stadium, for his honesty and character, for his undeniable athletic ability, and for his ongoing struggle that media assholes such as yourself have forced him to bear so publicly. However, no one will remember deadspin.com, or you because you are a scumbag that led your life without honor and chased the coattails of great men hoping to shame them for a dollar. Fuck you, and fuck your entire staff of bumbling retards,
Mike R
So you feel real proud of yourselves by posting pictures of Josh Hamilton like a second rate National Enquirer.
Everyone who works for this trash tabloid website are just a bunch of jerkoff douche bags who never amounted to anything. A bunch of jock sniffing faggots who can't even report for credible news sources.
Fuck you losers, and please make everyone happy and just die.
I, like most people, am totally annoyed by Josh Hamilton's God talk. However, why run those pictures? I'd like to think I would be more inclined to sit on those and check with the team and his agent to see what's going on for his own good instead of trying to monetize his problems. I don't know, you guys win me over for a little but then somehow always manage to creep me out. I say this with little or no malice but it must be hard to feel good about yourself with some of the shitty things you do to people.
And my personal favorite:
Subject: Loser
faggot ass motherfucing moron!
Update: A man named Travis has a few things to get off his chest...
o steal a headline from you, predictably the media and blogosphere are quick to jump all over someone like Josh who has professed his faith publicly. Predictably you are quick to shout "hypocrite" and various other "I told you so" euphemisms in order to tout yourself as above such mentally bankrupt philosophies as Christianity. By publicly humiliating Josh for his misgivings, you are able to make yourself and others feel a little bit better and a little bit more validated for not being a believer or not going to church. This is likely because we all have a whole lot riding on such choices, and if you were to admit that Josh was right, well then you'd be in a heap of trouble.
Is this a valid story? Without a doubt. Am I upset with you publishing the story? Not at all. But to try to use the story as a way to denounce religion and faith is not only a gross misunderstanding of Christianity and its principles, it's also insane. The only thing Josh has done is profess his faith, which he feels strongly about, and he's admittedly done so quite often. In no way has he ever implored others to join him, or condemned others for not sharing his beliefs. He hasn't forced you to listen. But somehow you guys try to act as if he has, or as if his message is now less true or less valuable. If you knew what his message was you would know that this is not only false but it's poor reasoning. I know you guys don't purport to be a true news outlet, but if you did this would also be very sub-par journalism. That being said, even commentary ought to be honest commentary, and I don't think you have any reason to believe that honesty is what you have engaged in with this story and your constant insinuations that because of this story, now Josh and all other Christians are forever hypocrites.
Why don't you publish this criticism along with the 4 bumbling idiots' emails you trotted out to embolden yourself?
- a not-terribly-religious person that's not trying to make excuses for Josh and still finds your treatment of this story deplorable.
Second Update:A man (woman?) named Ami has something to get off his/her chest.
You are a real asshole for writing that article on Josh Hamilton. I hope you get hit by a truck and die. Who cares anyways whether he is out having drinks? All you are doing is trying to hurt him and other athletes with your stories. The media and paparazzi suck.


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On November 19, 2006, Alfonso Soriano signed the 5th-largest contract in Major League History (to that point, by total dollars). Coming off a season in which the Fonz hit .277/.351/.560 and joined the 40/40 club, the deal looked like a pretty good sized overpay, but the cost of doing business with a premier free agent (and no mistake, averaging 36 homers and 41 doubles a year to that point in your career is valuable no matter how few walks you might draw). I'm not sure anyone thought he'd live up to that contract the day it was signed, but he'd be valuable nonetheless…
At first, the contract did not look all that terrible. In 2007, Soriano would have long dry-spells where he'd swing at pitches that hadn't even been thrown yet, or pick off attempts to first. Other weeks, though, he'd single-handedly win you 2 or 3 games. He was a boom or bust player, with just enough booms to live by.
Then, 2008 happened and everything (sort-of) changed.
Soriano lost another step to another injury. The hop that was endearing to some at first quickly became "how could you not catch that fly ball?" Soriano missed 53 games, and while his numbers were essentially unchanged, people started railing on the leftfielder. It didn't help that he now made 14 million, and was about to make 17.
2009 was, simply, a disaster. Soriano missed another 45 games and played the rest of the season hurt. His numbers plummeted to .241/.303/.423 off of a .279 BABIP. The times were rare that anyone did anything but boo Soriano.
After 2009, though, Soriano has quietly been pretty productive. Even his 2011 season (.244/.289/.469) wasn't a killer (if not exactly what you want from your LF). I can't begrudge anyone for signing the contract that's put in front of them; take the money out of it and Soriano has been a pretty good leftfielder for the past 6 years, with some definite bumps in the road.
Soriano is what you would call a "free swinger." He strikes out a lot, and doesn't walk a lot (premium analysis from the new guy). Most of his offensive value is derived from his huge ISO numbers: he was 6th in the league out of qualified leftfielders, and that was the primary driver of his .350 wOBA last year (good for 11th out of qualified LF). A 7.2% walk rate isn't pretty, but keep in mind the league average last year was only 8.0% and he still exceeded the league average in OBP last year (though it was essentially a tie).
To get a better idea of how much Soriano hates to leave the bat on his shoulder, consider the fact that he swung at 36.6% of pitches out of the zone last year, according to PITCH f/x. That was 7.6% more than the league average and 7.3% LESS than his percentage of pitches he swung at outside the zone last year. Predictably, he does not make contact with those pitches and never has; his contact rates are poor even looking at only pitches in the zone. Soriano averages 13.9% swinging strikes in his career; that's 7th most in baseball, along luminaries such as Delmon Young and Josh Hamilton.
As Soriano ages, his speed has regressed considerably, and that part of his game has essentially vanished, but an encouraging trend is his relatively static BABIP. As his speed regresses, you'd expect his BABIP to fall too; it hasn't, and that's most likely because Soriano isn't getting cheap hits (and never really was). As long as Soriano's power continues to hold up (and his HR/FB% rate was pretty high last year, something to look at), Soriano should keep most of his value.
Soriano's defense is the subject of a ton of debate. I can physically see why people hate Soriano's defense in left. He looks slow, and his stride has never been elegant even when he was very fast. He also does that weird hop thing from time to time. However, Soriano has a perfectly average arm at this point, and UZR has loved his outfield range forever (cue the UZR is bullshit chants). I'm not sure how dWAR is measured, but I also am pretty dubious that Darwin Barney is Brooks Robinson reincarnate so I'm inclined to think that it's a ways off in it's estimate of Soriano. I think the truth is that Soriano is a perfectly average defender and that Sveum (or whoever did defensive alignments in 2012) is a very good manager. That being said, seeing Soriano in 2 years in left is almost certainly going to remind me of Barry Bonds (without the offense, unfortunately).
Soriano has value to a lot of teams, including the Cubs. That contract that Hendry gave to him (and let's not forget that Soriano was a part of two divisional champions in the beginning of that contract) is a sunk cost; we can only recoup whatever we don't eat in a trade. If you forget about the contract and market Soriano as a 2/$10 guy, he has a good chunk or surplus value.
Please forward this article to the Phillies.


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RM has grown another tentacle with the acquisition of education technology supplier Orchard Partners Ltd.
The firm, which trades as EasyTrace, has been bought by RM for a total consideration of up to £2.8m.
UK schools computer supplier RM will initially pay £1m in cash and £1.3m in loan notes redeemable after more than two years. A deferred consideration of up to £500,000 is payable in cash over the next two years, subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions.
RM already works with EasyTrace, which claims to be the market leader in smart card and biometric products, on Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and other projects.
Orchard Partners' revenue for the year ended 31 March 2008 was £1.6m, double of that in the previous year, while it saw pre-tax profit for the year of £0.46m.
RM CEO Terry Sweeney explained the rationale behind the buy-out: "We are increasingly being asked to supply and integrate the smart card and biometric solutions they specialise in - particularly by our BSF clients. With growing demand for these technologies, it makes sense to have this kind of capability within the Group," he said.
The move suggests that RM is not fazed by the occasional shouts of protest from parents and child rights groups about the increasing use of biometric technology in schools, to relieve staff of laborious tasks such as taking the register or taking dinner money.®
Sponsored: Webcast: Discover and secure all of your attack surface


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-- Records are available in a variety of places: Different branches of the National Archives, on microfilm, and online at Ancestry and Fold3. Some are digitized; most are not. Some are indexed; most are not.
-- Not everyone who served will be found in the pension files. Several laws were passed over the years that qualified the soldier or the widow. Your ancestors may not have lived long enough to qualify.
-- Research the captain, the colonel, and the other members of the unit. This is especially useful if you cannot find a compiled military record or pension application for a particular person. By discovering where the unit was at specific times you will compile your own idea of your ancestor's service. Also, members of the unit were probably neighbors and maybe relatives.
These are points that apply to other records as well:
-- Spelling of names varies. Do not be rigid.
-- View the original record whenever possible. Use indexes to guide you to the actual record.
|War of 1812 file card available at Ancestry.
Note that the full names of all three wives were included. This is a great find.


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Believe it or not, the appearance of Donald Trump at CPAC was not the most surreal moment of my first day at the conference. That came later, but not by much.
In his second "surprise appearance" this week, the curiously coiffed real estate mogul, and "reality" TV star, was introduced as a "novelty speaker." (Which is even more curious than his coif, if you ask me.) He wasn't there to announce his candidacy, so much as to announce that he might announce in June.
Taking the stage to thunderous applause, Trump — without a hint of irony — to the rest of the world. (More applause.) He then proceeded to rattle off a number of obligatory-but-guaranteed-to-get-applause-from-the-Tea-Party lines. During which he made a promise that as president he would not raise taxes, but would raise tariffs on China instead. (Wish him luck on that, should he get the chance. The House passed a measure to do that in the last Congress, and it died in the Senate.)
No, the most surreal moment came when Trump had the temerity to speak truth to the Tea Party concerning the father of its new favorite son: Ron Paul.
Donald Trump angered supporters of Rep. Ron Paul at the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday when he said the Texas congressman, who is mulling another longshot presidential run, "honestly, he has just zero chance of getting elected."
What the Washington Times blog post above doesn't mention is that Trump was loudly booed by a sizeable part of the audience.
While Paul's young fans booed, a large portion of the crowd - surely growing impatient with Paul's continuing presence at CPAC (he won the straw poll last year) - rose to their feet and cheered Trump.
Trump was prompted to address Paul's chances of winning after some in the audience began cheering for Paul during Trump's speech.
(Another surreal moment came when both Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed by the younger set at CPAC. Rumsfeld was here to get and award, and Cheney to introduce him.)
It was surreal moment, yet one that — along with the GOP's trouble keeping the Tea Party contingent in line on the Patriot Act — illustrated the reality the GOP is facing.
Within 24 hours this week, House Speaker John Boehner's team had to pull a trade bill from the chamber floor, suffered an embarrassing setback on a USA Patriot Act vote, and failed to recoup money paid to the United Nations.
And in electoral politics, the tea party's threat to Republican incumbents came more into focus. Three GOP senators up for re-election in 2012 could be looking at challenges for their party nominations. One of them, five-term Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, crossed town Tuesday to tell the tea party's national town hall that he has supported its budget-balancing, smaller-government agenda for decades.
Democrats and Republicans said the events show that GOP leaders have yet to gauge the full extent of libertarianism and independence in their newly swollen ranks. Republicans gained control of the House thanks to sweeping victories last fall, many involving tea party loyalists.
"If they're divided on an issue like the Patriot Act, it's a bad omen for things to come regarding unity on their side," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "It's only going to get tougher for them when it comes to budget issues."
And, as Van Hollen said, they haven't even gotten to budget issues yet. But, like that prototypical psycho ex-girlfriend from the movies, the Tea Party won't be ignored. But they'll continue making life difficult for the GOP establishment as long as they're around
Surreal as the moment was, Trump was just being real. Winning a CPAC straw poll is a long way from winning the Republican nomination, let alone the presidency.
But can Trump win? We'll have to wait until June to find out, because that's when the latest season of "The Apprentice" to wind down.
Oh, and no mention of a plan to create jobs was made by Trump. Understandable, for a guy who's most famous for saying "You're fired."


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Sure, you know about Alan Moore's must-read work on Watchmen, From Hell or Swamp Thing. But one of his earliest triumphs has been out of print for a long, long time. Now, it's returning and we talk about whether Miracleman is worth your time.
Along with the long, unseen Miracleman, Stephen and I discuss EGOs by Stuart Moore and Gus Storms, a new Image comics which looks at what happens when superheroes get desperate to stay in the limelight.
Here's the rundown of comics discussed this episode:


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Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre has announced its "17th Spectacular Season." Tickets for all of the 2009 2010 Season productions are now on sale. Main stage show prices range from $27 to $53 with group and children's prices available. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings (no Tuesday evening performances June through October) with selected matinees.
Married Alive (August 13 September 26, 2009)
Wedding bells are ringing in this very funny and touching new musical that takes a peek at two married couples, one newlywed and onemore experienced. From new babies, to empty nests, job stress and domestic bliss. Join us as they experience life from Niagara to Viagra! Season Opener Special Price of $35 for dinner and show.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (October 1 November 14, 2009)
Based on the popular 1988 film, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the story of two con men living on the French Riviera. One of the con men is suave and sophisticated and the other is a small-town crook. A hilarious battle of the "cons begins that will keep audiences laughing and guessing who wins in the end!
A Christmas Carol (November 19 December 26, 2009)
Based on the story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, is a musical version of the classic Christmas tale of grumbly old Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas Eve visit by three spirits in hopes to change his outlook on life.
George M! (December 31 February 14, 2010)
The musical based on the life of America's first show business mega-star, George M. Cohan. Includes the songs Give My Regards to Broadway, Yankee Doodle Dandy and You're a Grand Old Flag.
The King and I (February 18 April 10, 2010)
The moving story of a determined English schoolteacher and the powerful King of Siam. Set against an exotic background, the timeless love story features the songs Hello Young Lovers, I Whistle a Happy Tune and Getting to Know You.
Ring of Fire (April 15 June 5, 2010)
The Broadway hit that celebrates the songs of the legendary Johnny Cash. His remarkable life story is told through his music and features over 30 Johnny Cash hits. You'll hear Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, I've Been Everywhere and The Man in Black.
Footloose (June 10 August 7, 2010)
The story of a mother and her son, Ren, who move from Chicago to a small religious farming town. Ren finds out that the town they've moved to has banned dancing and decides to shake things up. The Oscar-nominated Top 40 score includes the hits Holding Out for a Hero, Let's Hear it for the Boy, Somebody's Eyes and the title song, Footloose.
The Off Broadway Palm Theatre is Broadway Palm's second performance venue. It's a 90-seat general admission theatre off the main lobby. The Off Broadway Palm's 14th Season begins August 27, 2009 and runs through May 2, 2010. Ticket prices range from $25 to $44. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees.
Bill W. and Dr. Bob (August 27 October 3, 2009) The amazing, and sometimes humorous, story of a stockbroker and a surgeon, both alcoholics, whose relationship becomes the inspiration for the Twelve Steps of AA. One of the most enduring success stories in American history.
Special Engagement Prices: $35 for dinner and the show and $20 for show only.
Winter Woderettes (November 5 December 26, 2009) It's 1968 and the Marvelous Wonderettes are the entertainers at the Harper's Hardware holiday party. You'll be dancing in the aisles with holiday classics that include Santa Baby; Santa Claus is Comin' to Town; Jingle Bell Rock; Run, Rudolph, Run and Winter Wonderland.
Are We There Yet (January 14 March 7, 2010) A rollercoaster ride that explores the trials and tribulations of family life; from child-birth to senior prom, to empty nests and everything that's encountered on the wonderfully bumpy road of life. There's even a song titled CHA-CHING, which pays homage to all the visits to Wal-Mart and Target!
Love, Sex & the IRS (March 11 May 2, 2010) The story of two out-of-work musicians who room together in New York to save money. One of them has been filing tax returns that list the pair as a married couple. However, the day of reckoning comes when an IRS investigator shows up!
Broadway Palm Children's Theatre shows are fun for everyone. The chef's buffet includes children's favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, french fries and more. All productions are matinees with lunch at noon and show at 1 p.m., unless indicated (* Indicates early matinee with lunch at 10:30 a.m. and show at 11:30 a.m.). Tickets are $15 for all ages.
Alice in Wonderland (November 29 & December 1*, 2*, 4*, 8*, 11*, 12, 15*, 17*, 18*, 22, 2009) The adventure of a little girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit-hole into a fantasy world inhabited by unusual creatures.
The Emperor's New Clothes (April 28*, 30* & May 2, 6*, 7*, 8, 12*, 14*, 16, 20*, 21*, 22, 27*, 28*, 30, 2010) The Hans Christian Anderson classic about an emperor who cares more about his clothes than anything else in his kingdom.
Cinderella (June 25, 27 & July 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 30, 31, 2010) All of your favorite characters come to life on stage, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Stepmother and the stepsisters.
Tickets for Broadway Palm's 17th Spectacular Season are on sale now. For reservations and show information visit www.BroadwayPalm.com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.


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antum necesitaba un nuevo diseño de banner publicitario y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 37 diseños de 17 diseñadores freelance.
We're looking for some fresh new designs for our Flash Banner ads, however we're only looking for Photoshop mock-ups at this stage (we'll convert them to Flash down the track).
We provide a full Numerology Reading service to our customers. The banner ads you'll be designing should grab the visitors attention and at the same time convey trust and hope to the visitor.
We don't have any pre-conceived ads, or pre-conceptions in our head, the only limit is your imagination.
Unfortunately we can only award one winner- however we'd like to review each ad (that we privately shortlist) on a case-by-case basis and offer a consolation prize to use in our future advertisements.
I'd like to re-iterate that the Ads will be made to be interactive I.e: they will allow users to enter their name and birth date- however there is no need to include this functionality in your mock up- merely provide an area for the user to enter their details that could conceivably be reproduced in Flash.
Please let me know if you have any questions- I'll be checking in on entries at least twice per day.
You can choose to use the sample text from the Ad below, or use some placeholder text that we can later change.
The banner will most likely run on the Google Ad Network and therefore must abide by the common sense "Image Ad" terms at:
I'll be checking this contest twice per day so please feel free to ask questions, leave comments and submit frequent changes.
Here's some sample text for the Ad, it should also give you an idea of what the visitor can expect from one of the free readings we offer:
Headline: Your Name Is No Accident
Copy: 7 Facts You Don't Know About Your Personality And Future. But Should!
URL: Numerologist.com/
Many Thanks and Good luck!
- Banner Ad mock-up in multi-layered PSD file
- Text box for user to enter first name
- Month/Day/Year selector's for Birth Date
- Prominent Headline
- Banner in Format 120x600 (Skyscraper Ad- Width X Height)
- There's really no restrictions here- we'll work together through constant feedback to get the best possible entries.


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Holy wow, what the hell did my eyes just see. I feel like I'm sexist just for watching this music video for "Hit You" by Playboy Playmate turned "DJ" Alie Layus. Summary: Sexy models getting pummeled with junk food in slow-motion.
As for "Hit You", the song, I don't really want to get into it—I'll just note that it's a crime against good taste. But, man, the aesthetic of this video is unbelievably compelling and beautiful, even if it's also so so so wrong on an infinity of levels. There's really not a whole lot left to say but:


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Colleague passing me my nail package that was delivered to the office.
Colleague: So what did you buy?
Me: Nail Polish.
Colleague: Huh? In this time, still got people buy nail polish meh? I thought people all do gel nowadays?
Yeah. Still got.
Me and a whole bunch of other people who still prefer doing our own nails and whenever we please.
Picture Polish Spring,
2 coats + HK Girl TC.


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Servo drive
3phase 320-528V +/-0% ,VN=400V
Power 3 kW
Amp. 7
Unità compatta, protezione IP20 con funzionalità elevata
Material generally in stock.
Contact our commercial office to verify the availability of:
- a new servoinverter
24 months warranty
- a refurbished servoinverter
12 months warranty
- or for the reparation service
12 months warranty
- Complete disassembly of the drive for the general cleaning and ultrasound washing with specific detergent
- Components regeneration
- Reparation on traditional electronics or SMT, substitution of boards in case of graves damages only
- No fixed charges, but reparation quote for each equipments
- Service on speedy time and low costs
- Save of parameters
- Report of reparation at the end of the work


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What better way to ring in a new marriage than a destination wedding with your nearest and dearest? To find the perfect elopement or destination wedding package, start with a rough idea of your wedding style, location and estimated budget. Don't forget to read customer reviews to ensure you receive exactly what you're after!Destination Weddings Sydney
Destination Weddings Insights
There are 6 Sydney Destination Wedding suppliers from which to choose. Overall, they have an average rating of 5.0 out of 5. Couples usually enquire with 4 vendors in this category and book 5 months out from their wedding date, typically Destination Wedding suppliers charge between $35,000 and $35,000, averaging at $35,000. Across Australia, the average cost is $16,725. Given Australian weddings typically cost $83,755, this means Australian couples spend 20% of their wedding budget on Destination Wedding.
0 suppliers match your filters. Clear
No suppliers match your filters. Please try a different search


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|Source: http://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x13hd/theconscienceofthekinghd293.jpg
(McCoy uses his iPad to tweet during the Michigan/Penn State game. The word "Dammit" was used a lot.)
I like to think that I have become a better college football fan in the last five years. Better, not in the sense of cheering louder or harder, but simply in the sense of understanding more of the whys and hows of the game, of looking for contrary opinion, of understanding the larger context of what is going on in the landscape of the game, and of trying to enjoy the game on a rational level. The one problem with this approach was vividly exposed to me on Saturday night during the Penn State game. I was frustrated, angry, and eventually just depressed. All of the arguments, all of the numbers, all of the explanations didn't seem to matter. All that seemed to matter is that a former walk-on quarterback was ripping Michigan's defense apart and no matter how brilliant Denard Robinson can be, and let us be clear, the moments of brilliance Denard had in this game were exceptional shining moments, it is wholly unfair to tell the offense that the only way Michigan can win is to score every time they have the ball. It's a seemingly impossible task and while Michigan's offense did its best job (31 points should be enough to win most Big Ten games), the defense was such a colossal letdown that no chart, graph, data mining, or statistical analysis could make me feel better. It was just depressing. In the words of puppet Brian Kelly from Stuffing the Passer: "No…I'm, er, uh, too angry to sing."
This isn't one of those "I'm giving up on Coach Rodriguez" post, nor is it a rant that calls down the thunder and curses all which is evil. I'm not a ranting angry person, I'm a sullen one. I sit there and I stare a thousand yard stare and I just wonder why. I question things in my mind. I want explanations, and when none are forthcoming, all you're left to do is to stare blankly at the wall, a wall that isn't changing either, and come back to one fundamental realization: Where people are involved, math and science can only tell us so much. We're flawed, it makes us who we are, and when combined with other flawed individuals, we can make a combustible mix of failings. We like to preach that there is strength in numbers, that the team is stronger than the individual, that the strength of the wolf is in the pack, but the flip side to that, the side the motivational gurus want you to ignore is that groups are only as strong as their weakest point, that groups allow for blame to be distributed outward and not taken inward, that collectively fear is more powerful in a group because it can be amplified, and that while a person is smart, collectively, people are dumb. In theory, fandom is a collective activity, but the reality is that it is an individual pursuit. Our own experiences will instruct is as to our meaning, and no matter the rational desire to look at the data and draw a rational conclusion, emotion is still present. Quite simply, no matter how often we want to be college football Spocks, we usually end up being McCoys, we let the emotional side win out, because it is tribal, it is speaking to something about us. ("Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a defensive coordinator!")
I know from my experience that history can be instructive, but it is not fate, that history rarely repeats itself, but it does echo itself, and that the moment that we begin to believe that our fate is sealed is often the moment it is. But I come back to one thing. We only get 12 of these a year. They are rare and precious moments, something that while taken individually, are part of a collective experience, something that does tie us to a larger whole, makes us a part of something. If the mood is dark, the best we can do is be a light, hope for the best, and remember that while anger and fury are part of the emotional spectrum of fandom, so are hope, joy, and passion. They are opposite sides of the same coin. Hopefully the next time that coin flips, it comes up on the bright side.


text: BUSINESS Licensing Show looks ahead a year 5:00 AM PDT 6/19/2007 by Gail Schiller , AP FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Empty NEW YORK -- Licensing Show opens Tuesday amid concern that there are few, if any, major blockbusters slated for 2008 that can match the enormous merchandising success of this summer's megahits "Spider-Man 3," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Shrek the Third" as well as the highly anticipated "Transformers."But with CBS hosting its first booth ever at Licensing Show and increased primetime offerings from NBC and ABC, the major networks are making their strongest showing yet, with more opportunities for primetime licensing. Fox, which through 20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising has had a strong presence at the show for years with "The Simpsons," is back in full force as "The Simpsons Movie" opens in theaters in July."It's going to be very, very difficult across all product categories to match the (retail) numbers against this year," said Jonathan Samet, publisher of the Licensing Book and the Toy Book. "There are just not that many 'Spider-Mans' and 'Pirates' out there. A lot of the studios really just don't have anything new on the horizon from a merchandising standpoint. With the lineup that's coming out next year, I don't see anything that's going to match the merchandising numbers from this summer."One sign of the less robust film merchandising slate for 2008 is the decline in studio ads in the Licensing Book, he said. "I don't have as much movie advertising in my publication. Our advertising is up, but it's not from the same big studios that used to take four, six and eight pages at a time because they don't have the properties to be promoting at this time."Charles Riotto, president of LIMA, the licensing industry's worldwide trade organization and sponsor of the Licensing Show, said he was expecting 2007 to be "the biggest year ever for sales of entertainment-based licensing merchandise because of all the blockbuster movies we've had this year and all the ones that are still to come like 'Transformers,' 'The Simpsons Movie,' and 'Ratatouille.' I don't think we've ever had a year like this where we've had so many great movies with such significant licensing sales potential."Riotto is also set to report at the show Tuesday that U.S. retail sales of licensed product were up 1.5% in 2006 to $108.7 billion, a slightly smaller increase than the 1.8% rise reported in 2005. Entertainment licensing fared better but still experienced a bigger percentage gain in 2005. U.S. retail sales of entertainment-based licensed product rose 2% in 2006 to $48.2 billion, up from $47.3 billion in 2005, when sales rose 2.4%.Of all the major studio offerings, the two films drawing the most interest so far are both from Warner Bros. –- the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" and "Speed Racer," a live-action movie based on the TV series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. The film, set for release in May, marks a reunion for directors Larry and Andy Wachowski and producer Joel Silver, who last worked together on the "Matrix" trilogy. But with the "Batman" sequel being described as a bit dark, there was concern it could limit sales among younger children who may not see the film. "The Incredible Hulk" from Marvel also is attracting some interest going into the show.But for the most part retailers and licensees will be working very hard at the show this year to figure out the best bets for boxoffice and merchandising success in 2008. "I think retailers are going to be looking to figure out how to anniversary some pretty significant sales they had in 2007," said Vince Klaseus, senior vp franchise development and marketing at Disney Consumer Products. Added Samet, "There are no surefire blockbuster titles or slam dunks like there were this year."Among the many possibilities for 2008 are Disney/Pixar's "Wall-e," Disney/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" and Disney's "Bolt," "Space Chimps" from 20th Century Fox, "Kung Fu Panda" and "Madagascar 2: The Crate Escape," from DreamWorks Animation, "Inkheart" and "Journey 3D" from New Line Cinema, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" from Sony Pictures Animation, "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" from Warner Bros., "Indiana Jones 4" from LucasFilm, "The Tale of Despereaux," "The Mummy 3," "Coraline" and "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" from Universal Pictures," "The Spiderwick Chronicles" from Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures and "Sweeney Todd" from Paramount.While the original "Indian Jones" trilogy in the 1980s had no major licensing program, Lucas Licensing on Monday announced a broad merchandising and promotional campaign for the film with Hasbro, LEGO, Hallmark, Random House, Scholastic and DK Publishing signed on as licensing partners. "Nothing is in the league of 'Star Wars,' but we think this film has enormous potential," Lucas Licensing president Howard Roffman said. "We have 19 years of pent-up demand since the last film. We're taking a different approach now because of the legacy of 'Indiana Jones."The Licensing Show -- which runs Tuesday-Thursday at the Jacob Javits Convention Center -- kicks off with the Radio City Rockettes and Warner Bros. unveiling the new Batman vehicle from "Dark Knight" and the Mach 5 vehicle from "Speed Racer." Immediately afterwards, Miley Stewart, star of Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" will unveil a fashion line based on her show. Disney Channel Worldwide President Rich Ross and Disney Consumer Products Chairman Andy Mooney will announce other new extensions to the "Hannah Montana" brand, including youth electronics, and disclose details about Miley's upcoming CD and concert tour. Then there will be a meet-and-greet with the Naked Brothers Band from the hit Nickelodeon series and the three girls who voice the "Wonder Pets" Nick Jr. operetta series will perform live accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra during a screening of a new episode. At a briefing later in the day Tuesday, Mooney will announce that Disney Consumer Products has doubled in size in just five years from $13 billion in retail sales in fiscal 2002 to a projected $26 billion in fiscal this year, an increase of $3 billion over 2006. He also will report that the girls' tween business is the fastest-growing segment of DCP and is expected to generate $400 million in retail sales in fiscal year 2007 from "Hannah Montana," "High School Musical," "That's So Raven" and "The Cheetah Girls." Disney also is expected to announce a new line of electric and acoustic guitars inspired by "Hannah Montana," marking the company's first official entry into the musical instrument business.Also during the show, the winners of this past season's reality series "The Amazing Race: All-Stars," "Survivor: Fiji" and "America's Next Top Model" will make appearances at CBS' booth.For the first time in four years, Paramount will have its own licensing booth while Universal Studios handed responsibility for licensing its films to the Beanstalk Group licensing agency in a rare move for a major studio. On Monday, Paramount announced it will be the North American licensing representative for the Smurfs brand. "To have the Paramount name front and center in the licensing world again is very exciting for us," said Mike Bartok, executive vp of licensing for Paramount Pictures. Previously Paramount films were represented by Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products.The global presence at the show is also expected to be stronger than ever, with networks and studios bringing in more of their international licensing executives and an increased number of international retailers and manufacturers attending the show."We have our international people coming in from all over the world, and it's a much bigger group than we've ever had," said Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. "I think people are looking for growth, and I think they see it in international."Led by Nickelodeon and Disney, there is also expected to be more discussion about the licensing of entertainment brands for healthy food items and healthy lifestyle products. "I think it's great that a lot of people are starting to be aware that the power of these characters can be used in some of these categories that up until now have not had licensees," Brodsky said.There is also expected to be an increasing number of agencies seeking licensing partners for celebrities at the show this year. Among the celebs expected to be represented are Paris Hilton, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Salma Hayek, Ashley Tisdale, Hilary Duff, Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, Halle Berry and Quincy Jones.In addition to focusing on their new properties, most studios are working on turning some of their hit films into evergreen brands or on building momentum for already established evergreen brands by creating alternative forms of content. Lucas Licensing will be looking for more "Star Wars" partners ahead of the early 2007 release of its next generation video game "The Force Unleashed" and to an even greater extent for the anticipated fall premiere of its new CGI-animated series "Clone Wars," which will mark a "brand new phase" in the ongoing 'Star Wars' licensing program, Roffman said.Disney is launching a number of new DVDs for "Cars" and a new series of video games and books around "Pirates of the Caribbean," developing a new theme that is based on one of the story lines in "At World's End" -- calling together pirate lords from all over the world. DreamWorks is building up the "Shrek" brand around the "Shrek the Third" DVD release, an ABC holiday special called "Shrek the Halls" and a new Shrek Broadway musical in the spring of 2008. Hasbro will be talking to licensees about ways to extend the "Transformers" brand. And Sony will be seeking to build up its licensing and retail programs around the fourth quarter DVD release of "Spider-Man 3." With its presence at Licensing Show for the first time, CBS will be seeking licensing partners for the "CSI" franchise, "Criminal Minds," "Numbers," "Ghost Whisperer," "Survivor," "Amazing Race," "America's Next Top Model" and the "Star Trek" franchise. NBC will mostly be represented by the JTMG LLC licensing agency at the show for "30 Rock," "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "House," produced by NBC Studios.JTMG will also be seeking partners for shows from Bravo, USA, Sci Fi Channel and CNBC. Universal Consumer Products, which handed most of its own licensing over to the Beanstalk Group, will actually be handling licensing for NBC's new hit "Heroes." ABC, which will be at the Disney booth, will be launching new licensing programs for "Ugly Betty," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Bingo" as well as seeking additional partners for "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives."FremantleMedia will be seeking partners for "American Idol," "The Next Great American Band," "America's Got Talent" and its new syndicated game show "Temptation." Through its licensing agency Brand Central, Mark Burnett Prods. will seek partners for "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"Fox will be talking about its plans for "The Simpons" brand following this summer's theatrical release including a new video game, the film's DVD release and a new theme park ride at Universal Studios. It also will be seeking partners for "Family Guy," "24" and "Prison Break."Fox Licensing also will announce that it will handle all licensing for Walden Media films. At the show it will be seeking to license Walden titles "The Dark Is Rising," "City of Ember" and "Nim's Island." FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Gail Schiller firstname.lastname@example.com @thr AP firstname.lastname@example.com @thr


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The beginning fall semester marks the beginning a new school year, which means students need to buy supplies necessary for class: things like pens, pencils, paper, and binders. These items are usually cheap and reasonable. The real concern are textbooks. Textbooks prices are expensive, and resources provided by the library aren't always reliable. The public would think that publishers would make textbooks more financially accessible for students, however, students end up leaving the bookstore feeling like someone still digesting that they were mugged in broad daylight.
Every year a new edition is published for most textbooks. A few new words equate to a higher price, and it's not a coincidence. An article from Huffington Post asserted that, "Just five publishers control more than 80 percent of the market, meaning they can effectively lock out any competitors that try to undercut them." In other words, their control over the supply/demand resembles a monopoly. The reason why Benjamin Franklin made a public library was to spread knowledge, not capitalize on it.
One solution that students should consider is that some textbooks are put on hold at the library by professors. It's usually easy to access this resource, however later in the year it becomes a hassle to obtain the textbook due to others also having a need for it because of midterms and research papers. Also, some professors use textbooks that are not accessible in the library.
Other solutions have also been created over the few past years. For example, pdf files, E-book, audio books, and photocopying classmate's textbook. E-books are cheap and convenient if you're a person who uses a lot of technology. Audiobooks are rarely unaccessible and help students who are auditory learners. All of these solutions were given to me by fellow classmates. Students become optimistic when they find others that are struggling in the same way, and help as much as you can.
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Textbooks are modern robber barons
Buying Textbooks Discussion, new and used Textbooks
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CHALK Wine & Beer Labels (ENGAGEMENT PARTY)
or make 4 interest-free payments of $2.50 AUD fortnightly with More info
Personalised Wine & Beer Labels
Personalised Wine & Beer Labels are a Gorgeous and Unique Addition to your Engagement Party.
'Chalk' Personalised Bottle Labels come in 6 x Designs and are Available for Wine Bottles & Beer/ Pre-Mix Bottles.
A Photo can be Included on the Label. Please select this Option from the Drop-Down menu and use the Photo Upload Tool to Crop your Image.
All Labels are WATER-PROOF and feature a High Quality Professional Print of up to 1440DPI.
To Order, just select the Product/s that you would like from the drop-down menu above.
Ordering in Bulk? Discounts may Apply. Please Contact Us for a Quote.
Useful Info
Product Info
Our Party Range is both WATER-PROOF and FADE-PROOF for 3 years featuring a High Quality Professional Print - up to 1440DPI.
All Products are PROFESSIONALLY HANDMADE & Created Once an Order has been Placed.
Simply Peel and Stick on Bottles of your choice.
Wine Bottle Labels are approx. 14cm (h) x 10cm (w)
Beer/ Pre-Mix Bottle Labels are 9cm (h) x 8cm (w)
(Stickers Only – No Bottles Included)
Please keep in mind that colours may vary slightly since not all monitors and screens are the same. We recommend viewing on a Desktop computer for best results.
Personalisation Info
Personalisation is ONLY for the Particulars Pictured in the Design. It is Not for your Own Personal Message/Custom Text.
Each 'Pack' of Labels is for ONE DESIGN/ONE PHOTO/ONE PERSONALISATION. It is cheaper to Buy more copies of the Same Label.
Uploading Your Photo
How to Use the Photo Upload Tool
Click 'Upload' and Select your Image. Edit your Photo using the Menu Bar Icons and the Crop Circle as a Guide. When you are happy with your Photo select the Green Crop Icon from the Menu Bar. You will now be able to Preview your Cropped Image if you are happy with this Image Click 'Submit'. If you would like to change your Photo click the Red X and start the Upload Process Again.
Photos are Printed as they are received. They are Not Edited or Photo shopped in any way by me after they are received. If you would like to edit your image, please do so before you upload it. If your Photo is of Poor Quality then it will also print this way. A Clear & High Quality Image is strongly recommended as with a Strong Fill light. This will produce the best print results.
Katie J Design and Events takes no responsibility for images that are uploaded using the Photo Upload tool. Please ensure that you have permission to use an image before it is uploaded. This includes both the Personal Rights of any Identifiable Individuals that are pictured and the use of Copyright & Intellectual property. By Using this Upload tool, you are verifying that you have permission to use any images uploaded and are responsible for any legalities that may arise from doing so.
Katie J Design & Events has the right to refuse printing of abusive, pornographic, obscene, defamatory, slanderous, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate images. Your Order will not be accepted and will be Cancelled and Refunded if your image is deemed inappropriate.
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Please allow 4 Business days for your Order to be Print & Cut before Shipping.
Standard Shipping via Australia Post is a Flat rate of $4 and usually arrives within 7 business days of Shipping.
Express Shipping via Australia Post is a Flat rate of $5 and usually arrives within 3 business days of Shipping depending on your location.
An Email will be sent to you with Tracking details once your Order has been packed for shipping. Shipping times shown are an Estimate Only. Please check the Australia Post website for up to date information including any postage delays that may affect the delivery of your order. If you are using the Australia Post Shipping Calculator, orders are shipped from Beenleigh, Qld 4207
Refund & Returns
All products created at Katie J Design & Events are Professionally Handmade. If an Error has been made on our behalf please send us a message and we will Organise to have your Order replaced as a Priority.
Unfortunately we are unable to accept Returns or Exchanges Due to Change of Mind or Party Theme. All Products are Custom made and we are unable to Accept an Item for Return as they cannot be re-sold or re-used.
If you have any Questions or are Unsure about an Item, please ask before Purchasing. For Full Terms & Conditions, please see: www.katiejdesignandevents.com.au/pages/terms-conditions
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A plea hearing is postponed for a college student who told authorities he killed a man and ate his heart and parts of his brain.
Alexander Kinyua was scheduled to appear Monday in Harford County Circuit Court, but judge Stephen Waldron says the hearing was canceled because Kinyua wasn't transported to the courthouse. The state's attorney cited administrative reasons. Waldron says the hearing might be rescheduled for August.
No other details about why Kinyua wasn't transported from the psychiatric hospital where he's committed indefinitely were available.
He's charged with killing a 37-year-old man from Ghana who was staying with Kinyua's family outside Baltimore in 2012.
Authorities say Kinyua ranted about ``human sacrifices'' on Facebook before the slaying.
In a separate case, Kinyua pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible to attacking a man.


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As manufacturing and supply chain processes become more complex and competitive, procurement, management and coordination of international projects prove to be increasingly challenging. Our expediting service adds value to your projects through the inspection of manufacturers and assessment of manufacturing production plans and capacity.
Our comprehensive expediting services help you to avoid delays and ensure compliance with contractual conditions and specifications as well as applicable international codes and standards.
Our experts bring global experience and can provide close cooperation with technical and scientific institutions to support your industrial project anytime, anywhere.
Our experts actively keep an eye on the deadlines and manufacturing schedule to help you reach defined project milestones and ensure that equipment, materials and components arrive at the right place, at the right time. We also help you prevent long capital stock and safeguard company reliability and integrity.
Our experts work with you to set timelines and meet payment and delivery deadlines. We promptly identify potential bottlenecks and threats to avoid costly delays and liability penalties.
To achieve project goals, field and desk expediting should play a major role in professional project planning and management.
We inspect manufacturers and assess manufacturing production plans and capacity utilizing our global network. Our full range of expediting services help you ensure that final delivery is made on time. Services include, but are not limited to:
For over half a century, TüV Rheinland has been ensuring quality and timely delivery of industrial equipment, machinery and components. Today we serve global projects in over 65 countries.
With global experience and permanent cooperation with technical and scientific institutions, our expediting experts are extremely proficient and technically knowledgeable in a wide range of industries.
Contact us to talk about expediting services and request a quote for your industrial project.


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The bookshop has a angobookstore the distribution warehouse of books in every state. Each warehouse has its own autonomous information systems that communicate with the headquarters through sockets. when an order is made, the venue makes a query to the warehouse of the state where the customer resides in stock and if there in that warehouse, the headquarters sends an electronic order to the warehouse for order processing and shipment to the customer. in the warehouse of the state where the customer resides, there is no stock of some items to order, the headquarters makes a query to other warehouses, and those that have greater stock of each item will then be notified to refer these items to the warehouse of the state of client. customers make requests through a portal accessible via the Internet and that installed at Headquarters.
a) what the system architecture of enterprise information.
b) script of the database with customer requests at headquarters.
c) forming a first version of the code which responds to solicitation of orders.


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December 28, 2018
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join Art Bar 39 for fun, cocktails and creativity as you create your own piece of artwork! No Experience required to join in the fun, just a good attitude and Art Bar 39 will help you with the rest.
Wine, beer & snacks available!
Walk ins welcome! Register for an upcoming event by visiting www.artbar39.com


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President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are deeply at odds over how fast the clock is ticking toward possible military action against Iran's nuclear program, and their talks on Monday are unlikely to change that.
Even though Obama has offered assurances of stiffened U.S. resolve against Iran before the White House meeting, the two allies are still far apart on explicit nuclear "red lines" that Tehran must not be allowed to cross, and they have yet to agree on a time frame for when military action may be necessary.
Obama wants Israel to hold off on attacking Iran's nuclear sites, insisting there is still time for sanctions and diplomacy to work. But he also vowed in a speech on Sunday to the largest U.S. pro-Israel lobby that he would be ready to act militarily - with all "elements of American power" - to prevent the Islamic republic from building an atomic bomb.
Israeli leaders, who see Iran's nuclear advances as a looming existential threat and reserve the right to act alone in self-defense, have made clear they are operating on a far shorter, more urgent timeline.
Their most immediate concern is that Iran be prevented from reaching nuclear weapons capability, not just from developing an actual device, and they worry that time is running out for an effective Israeli attack as Tehran buries its nuclear facilities deeper underground.
While Obama and Netanyahu - who have had a strained relationship - will share intelligence information on Monday, a source close to the administration said there was little reason to believe they would make significant progress toward bridging key differences on a common threshold for military action.
"They'll be looking for mutual understandings and may find a few, but the biggest problem is they're working on different clocks," the source said.
Obama's meeting with Netanyahu comes amid U.S. fears that Israel might opt to strike Iran on its own if it is not convinced of Washington's determination to do whatever is needed to rein in Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran remains defiant but says it wants nuclear technology strictly for peaceful purposes.
The geopolitical drama is being played out in the midst of a U.S. presidential campaign, with Republican presidential contenders accusing the Democratic president of being too tough on Israel and not tough enough with Iran.
Israel comes to Monday's talks with a firm belief that Iran has decided to seek to develop nuclear weaponry and is gathering the necessary components before attempting a "breakout."
Israeli officials maintain that once Iran moves forward, it could enrich uranium to weapons grade and have a rudimentary nuclear device within months, though constructing a deployable warhead would take longer, perhaps until mid-decade.
U.S. officials do not believe the situation is that close to the brink. They say that while Iran may be maneuvering to keep its options open there is no clear intelligence that the country has made a final decision to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Both sides agree that it is impossible to know the full extent of Iranian intentions. American spy agencies are wary about drawing any categorical conclusions after an embarrassing intelligence lapse that led to erroneous accusations of Iraqi nuclear arms work, which the Bush administration used to help justify the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Still, Obama - in an Atlantic magazine interview published on Friday - insisted that Iran "is not yet in a position to obtain a nuclear weapon without us having a pretty long lead time in which we will know that they are making that attempt."
And Obama warned in Washington on Sunday against "loose talk" of war with Iran, saying such "bluster" was counterproductive because it has been driving up global oil prices and boosting demand for Iran's oil exports.
That may have been a message to Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, whose have engaged in a strident exchange of recriminations with Iranian officials in recent months.
Daniel Levy, an analyst at the New America Foundation think tank, said Obama had "offered clarity and commitments on mainstream Israeli concerns without capitulating to the Netanyahu narrative, which is far more dismissive of diplomacy."
Speaking in Ottawa, the right-wing Israeli leader ignored Obama's appeal to let sanctions run their course and focused on the president's insistence on keeping the military option open and backing Israel's right to defend itself.
It was unclear whether Obama's sharpened rhetoric against Iran and calls for restraint by Israel would be enough to delay any Israeli military plans against Tehran, which has called for the destruction of the Jewish state.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned that Iran is approaching a "zone of immunity," when Tehran is able to shield its nuclear facilities from Israeli air strikes. The United States, however, would still likely have the firepower for a more sustained air assault to destroy the sites.
Obama took a significant step forward in Israel's eyes when, in the Atlantic interview, he ruled out accepting, then acting to "contain," a nuclear-armed Iran.
While U.S. officials insist that Obama will not publicly lay down any new red lines for Iran during Netanyahu's visit, they do not rule out the possibility that the president might try to mollify some Israeli concerns in private.
"They're going to sit down and they're going to talk through the tactics involved," Obama re-election campaign strategist David Axelrod told the ABC "This Week" television program.
Still, U.S. officials doubt that Netanyahu will provide Obama with any guarantee that Israel will consult Washington - its biggest source of military assistance - before launching any strikes on Iran.
Even if Obama assures Netanyahu that the United States has the firepower to deliver a devastating blow to Iran's nuclear program further down the line, the Israelis have made clear they cannot rely on that commitment alone.
One line of thinking within the Obama administration is that keeping it in the dark about any Israeli military plans might be best for the United States since any sign of complicity would inflame anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world.
Dennis Ross, Obama's former Middle East adviser, suggested, however, that the "noise" from Israel over a possible strike was geared more toward pressuring the international community for tightened sanctions than foreshadowing an imminent attack.
"Now that it's an issue of the world against Iran, Israel likes it that way and would not be inclined to act precipitously," Ross said last week.
But others who know Netanyahu well say he is approaching the Iranian challenge with a sense of historic responsibility to ensure Israel's survival, what some have called the "Holocaust factor."
He has made clear that Israel, believed to be the Middle East's only nuclear weapons power, will do what it takes to prevent Iran from getting the bomb.
Additional reporting by Caren Bohan in Washington, Jeffrey Heller in Ottawa and Dan Williams in Jerusalem


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Is IU Taller Than Harvey Keitel?
Who is taller?!
IU is shorter than Harvey Keitel by 11cm.
That's roughly 4 inches or 0.11 metres.
Have a look at IU's and Harvey Keitel's pages to see some more information about their heights and names.
You can also check your height against theirs and see how you compare.


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As the current generation of consoles get older and older, we're seeing PC games like Battlefield 3, Crysis 2 and even Max Payne 3 already start to look decidedly next-gen.
At least, they do if you've got a decent rig. If you don't, then your games won't look as good as they do in official screenshots. They may sometimes even look as bad as these.
This wonderful NeoGAF thread is collecting screenshots of PC games running on the lowest settings possible. That means the lowest resolution, the lowest sliders, options, the works.
If you wanted to know what Battlefield 3 would have looked like on the Wii, well, this is your chance.
Of interest is that, at the link below, you'll actually find a few games, like Crysis 2, Metro and Mass Effect, that don't look that bad!
PC Low Settings Screenshot Thread [NeoGAF]


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My Parents' Experiences as Polish Slave Laborers in Nazi Germany and Displaced Persons after the War
Friday, June 19, 2009
Happy Father's Day
My father was probably the hardest working man I knew.
When I was a kid he would work double shifts, 16 hour days, and some years he wouldn't take vacations because the bosses at the factory where he worked would pay him double time. They would give him his vacation pay, and they would give him the week's salary on top of that.
Double time. He loved earning double time. He'd laugh and say it was one of the best things about America. Like getting something for nothing.
When he wasn't working at the factory, he was working around the house. Five years after coming to America, my parents bought a five-unit apartment building. Nine years after coming to America, they sold that one and bought a six unit on Evergreen Street in Chicago. My dad--and my mom--were always working on these buildings to maintain them and spruce them up. They plastered ceilings, painted walls, and stripped and varnished floors. When he wasn't doing that kind of work, he would be outside chopping wood to feed the massive furnace we had in the basement, or he'd be in one of the apartments with his pliers and hammer working on a leak. He didn't know a thing about pipes, but he was sure that sweat and hard work could fix them.
He was always like this.
Toward the end of his life when he was dying of cancer, he was still hauling new orange trees -- with their roots bundled up in burlap -- into the back yard and trying to plant them. Sometimes he just couldn't do it, didn't have the strength to stand up, and he would ask me to help. He'd sit on a chair in the backyard, trying to breathe and pointing to a spot where he had lugged the orange tree.
"Plant it there, Johnny," he'd say in Polish. "Plant it there."
Sometimes, he'd have so little breath that the words would be a whisper. You know what I mean.
Here's a poem about my dad and why he worked so hard. It's part of a sequence of poems about his working that appears in my book about him and my mom, Lightning and Ashes:
From "Looking for Work in America"
What My Father Brought With Him
He knew death the way a blind man
knows his mother's voice. He had walked
through villages in Poland and Germany
where only the old were left to search
for oats in the fields or beg the soldiers
for a cup of milk. He knew the dead,
the way they smelled and their dark full faces,
the clack of their teeth when they were desperate
to tell you of their lives. Once he watched
a woman in the moments before she died
take a stick and try to write her name
in the mud where she lay. He'd buried
children too, and he knew he could do any kind
of work a man could ask him to do.
He knew there was only work or death.
He could dig up beets and drag fallen trees
without bread or hope. The war taught him how.
He came to the States with this and his tools,
hands that had worked bricks and frozen mud
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For many Georgia lawyers, March Madness has two meanings. It's the month when our attention moves to the NCAA basketball tournament. It's also the deadline for us to complete our prior year's twelve hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to maintain our Georgia Bar licenses. So sometime in March, many of us trudge downtown to sit through two days of tedium and meet our requirements.
This past Friday I had a different experience. I attended a sobering presentation on ethics delivered by Egil (Bud) Krogh, one of the White House officials convicted of conspiring to violate civil rights during the Watergate crisis.
Forty years or so ago, Krogh was a 30-year old lawyer reporting to John Ehrlichmann, his mentor and one of President Richard Nixon's senior advisers. Krogh went from a rising star to a convicted felon. His path to prison, disgrace and disbarment started when he compromised his conscience and values.
Ultimately, Krogh helped orchestrate the ransacking of a psychiatrist's office in search of "evidence" regarding the physician's patient, Daniel Ellsberg. Then and now, Bud Krogh struck me as a decent person and I wondered how he could have acted as he did. After hearing his talk, it's easier to understand.
Krogh let his powerful superiors, including the President of the United States, dictate his direction and over ride his own judgment and principles. He followed the lead of his mentors when they maintained that national security superseded the rule of law. Additionally, he operated in an environment where those at the top would not listen and did not want to hear positions at odds with theirs. And he occupied an intoxicatingly powerful job. That's the awful mix that led to his outrageous actions.
Today, we focus on distributing Codes of Conduct, policies, check the box learning and other communications to prevent compliance and ethical disasters. Krogh's message suggests we give greater emphasis to basic leadership and citizenship, not just rote standards. We'd all do well to remember and apply these principles:
- Use your values when you make workplace decisions. If something doesn't feel right, don't ignore your ethical compass.
- It's hard to speak up. Leaders need to encourage people to raise objections and listen when they do. It's dissent which can avert disaster, not blind agreement with authority. At several junctures during Watergate, if someone had simply said this isn't right and others had reflected and acted, the magnitude of the disaster we, he and others faced could have been averted.
- Mentors matter – those who hire us, train us and lead us also help us understand how to interpret and apply values. This is a key leadership responsibility.
- Strong leaders choose to have people around them who are self confident, have strong values and challenge potentially wrong headed actions. Krogh contrasted President Roosevelt who expected his Chief of Staff, George Marshall, to speak his mind and disagree with bad decisions with President Nixon whose aides lacked those qualities.
- The real risk in not adhering to values and failing to speak up can be far greater than that which appears most immediate – the loss of influence in a job or, at worst, the actual loss of position.
In March or any other month, madness would be ignoring Bud Krogh's simple, tragic lessons. Many have over the past 40 years. And all of us have paid a price.