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T-VEC Tablular Modeler Examples
This section first introduces the SCR modeling approach that has been extended by TTM.
Example Links
SCR Methods Supported by TTM
This section discusses a few details about the SCR modeling concepts and rules through the TTM tool.
SCR Basics
Simplistically stated, the SCR method is based on the use of decision tables and state machines to describe required behavior of some component. The structure for organizing and relating SCR model elements is based on tables. Tables are used to define data types and variables of the problem. Variables can be defined in terms of primitive types (e.g., Integers, Float, Boolean, Enumeration), or user-defined types. The behavior is modeled using combinations of tables that define functional aspects of the problem using a form of state machines (called Mode Tables), Condition, or Event Tables.
The development of a model relates what system components have to do and how they have to do it. Then, through the generated tests, the model provides a measure of how well a target implementation satisfies the modeled requirements. The elements of "how" a system has to do its function is defined in terms of a set of interfaces specified with model variables and their associated data types. From a high-level perspective, models specify behavior relating input variables to output variables. Models also can represent behavior in terms of historical variables that are referred to as modes or terms.
TTM Extension Overview
Requirements Management
TTM manages requirements through a hierarchical decomposition (i.e., outline format) where each requirement is composed of the following:
- Tag. A unique identifier for the requirement comprised of letters, numbers, underscores and periods.
- Description. A single line of text further describing the requirement.
- Comment. Any additional text.
The hierarchy of requirements is managed through the model view, and requirements are decomposed by creating child requirements that display below their parents within the model view
Requirement-to-Test Traceability
This section provides an example to explain the process for linking DOORS requirements to the TTM requirements model. The tool support for requirement-to-test traceability involves linking various sources of requirements through the model. The model transformation, test vector generation, and test driver generation provide the tool support to link the requirements to the test vectors, test drivers, and test reports. The process has three basic steps:
- A DOORS module is imported into the TTM. There are options to add or delete a DOORS module to TTM or synchronize DOORS modules when they are updated. There is a one-to-one correspondence between a DOORS ID and a TTM requirement ID.
- Imported requirements maintain the outline structure that they have within the DOORS environment. One or more DOORS requirements can be linked to an element of a TTM model (e.g., condition/assignment), or linked to a higher level in the TTM model, such as a condition, event, or mode table.
- The model translation maintains the link between the requirement ID, and during test generation, the requirement link is an attribute of the test vector. During test driver generation, requirement IDs can be output to the test driver to provide detailed traceability to the executable test cases.
TTM provides requirement management functionality that is similar to a DOORS module. Imported DOORS modules are linked into TTM as read-only modules. Changes to the requirements must be made within DOORS and then synchronized within TTM. Additional requirements can be created directly in TTM if they are not contained within DOORS or if the source requirements are not in a requirement management system such as DOORS. The process to link a requirement to the model is the same.
Model Includes
TTM models support the inclusion of existing models of other requirements, interfaces, or functional behavior. As a result, this feature helps consolidate behavior common to multiple models into a single model and includes it in other models where needed. This feature also supports partitioning a model to allow multiple engineers to work on it in parallel. It is described below.
Structure Types
Structure types are represented hierarchically. Structure field names and types must be provided as shown below
Structure Usage
Output assignments for structures assign a value to one or more field elements terminated by a semicolon. In a condition table reference structure fields are referenced using a dot notation.
structure_name.field1 = scalar structure1.field1 = structure2.field_n structure1 = structure2 structure_name.field1 = function(param,…);
Assignment Usage
For outputs or terms, such as the vertical tracker3 example that is provided as part of the installation, an output that is a structure type such as trackingStateStrType with two fields is referenced as follow:
tState = FAIL; tStatus = currentStatus;
Note that only the field elements need to be used on the left side of the assignment. Individual field elements of an inputs such as sensorData.trk1 shown in the example with functions below, can be fully qualified.
Functions are parameterized condition tables. For example the tracking avoidance example provides several uses of functions such as:
- trackAttributes(sensorData.trk1)
- advisoryStatus(sensorData)
Note, the return value associated with the reference to advisoryStatus is associated with an intermediate values called an INTERM. An INTERM variable are local temporary variables that can be assigned from the return of a function. Reference to that INTERM variable can be made in an Assignment or Condition Reference form such as:
INTERM_x := function(a, b, c)
Note INTERM assignment operator is := as opposed to equality relational operator =
- INTERM variables can be constrained in condition, but must be assigned from function before additional constraints are applied as shown in the example.
- INTERM variables can be assigned to output variable associated with table
Single dimensional arrays are supported for structures and scalars.
Modular Organization
Most organization start their model-based development efforts with a small thread of functionality and transition into one that is performed by a team of developers. Some have evolved to support product lines. This requires coordination with the design team, system engineering team that write the product technical specification, test team, and the quality assurance organization.
This example shows an example function such as Check that might have many different types and combination of filtering, matching. This example discusses the organizational and process impacts of developing a feature for the Check component that impacts Filter, Match, and Select.
This example discusses a chronological perspective because the integration of the entire model-based method impacted many different organizations within a company. Before the of model-based development, the components of the Check function were not partitioned with well-defined interfaces; rather, the functionality was coupled, which made testing the functionality in each subcomponent (i.e., Filter, Match, and Select) more difficult. However, there is a verification requirement to demonstrate that every thread through a component or subcomponent is completely tested. Tight coupling makes this requirement difficult to achieve and demonstrate.
The team used interface-driven requirement modeling that starts early during the requirement and design phase. This early modeling helps to create a more testable design and improve the requirement and interface specifications.
As reflected in previous figure, the functionality in the existing system was tightly coupled for numerous historical reasons such as memory space limitations. The interfaces between Filter, Match, and Select were not well-defined. This complicated the testing process, requiring many tests to be initiated from higher levels in the system, such as Check, because some of the inputs could be set upstream from the Check component. In addition, the outputs from the function such as Match were not visible. This made systematic and comprehensive testing of these lower-level components difficult. Normally, ensuring coverage of the threads through the implementation of these lower-level components means increased testing from the high-level components. Sometimes, the number of tests can increase by an order of magnitude.
This effort started early enough that the designers were able to expose the interfaces of both the inputs and outputs, including internal state information to increase the testability significantly. Approximately 80% of the functionality was tested with improved interface support provided by the design team. This approach significantly reduced the complexity of the model and the tests, and provided greater test coverage with fewer tests to reduce time and cost. The remaining 20% represented elements of the components that could not be changed due to performance issues, and impacts on cost, resources, and schedule associated with retesting.


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DARPA scientists have figured out a way to put out fires with sound waves and electricity.
But this breakthrough by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is intended for closed areas – jet cockpits or ships — not your average Western wildfire.
According to the July 12 post on the website:
For example, a shipboard fire on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in May 2008 burned for 12 hours and caused an estimated $70 million in damage. For nearly 50 years, despite the severity of the threat from fire, no new methods for extinguishing or manipulating fire were developed.
In the new methods, the researchers turned to physics (electromagnetic and acoustic waves) rather than traditional chemistry to disrupt combustion.
This video shows a handheld device used to put out methane and liquid fuel fires. The electrode is housed in glass, so there are no sparks. It's an "oscillating field" or "ionic wind" that extinguishes the flames.
The site's next video shows how researchers used loud speakers and sound at different frequencies to blast the fire out.


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An ebook containing 320 pages explaining treatment without medicine by Healer Basker. If I am correct ,I think his video has been shared here earlier. I come across this ebook while browsing and thought of sharing this in the forum for the benefit of members who are interested. This is in tamil with clear explanation for many illness.
Interested members can download from this link.
I thank the original uploader in the web


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UPDATE 11/14/2008: My review of the 18650-sized Encore version of this light is now up.
REVIEWER'S NOTE:This comparison review will compare the Lumapower Incendio to other lights in its class (single CR123A/RCR). The light was provided free of charge by Lumapower for review.
This light is Lumapower's newest offering, and is a bit of departure for the company. Many of their general-purpose lights have been fairly bulky, and their thrower models typically have especially wide and long heads (to accommodate deeper reflectors for more throw).
In contrast, this single CR123A/RCR Cree Q5 light is designed to be as small as possible, while still using a clicky (and a forward one at that). I'll forgo detailed specs and get right to the pics:
As you can see, the kit comes with a nylon holster with closing flap, extra o-rings, instruction manual, and warranty card. The belt holster is fairly substantial, but I can't really see myself using it for such a small light (and I personally generally prefer holsters without a flap anyway). Still, better than some makers who don't give you anything!
For scale reference, below is a pic of a Surefire CR123A, the Incendio, Fenix P2D-Q5, Horus FD-1.3, Lumapower DminiD-Q2, and a MXDL 3W twisty lux clone (not used in the runtime comparisons – just here as a size reference for a really small twisty CR123A light).
As you can see, the light is quite small for a clicky CR123A light. I'll give detailed runtimes against the P2D-Q4, Horus FD-1.3 and DminiD-Q2 later in this review.
I've taken body measurements with my electronic caliper and postal scale and get the following:
Overall length: 76mm
Width: 20-21mm (thickest at the head knurling)
Battery tube wall thickness: 1.9-2.0mm
Weight: 31.2g (without battery)
The light has "type II+" black anodizing, according to Lumapower. Apparently, this is some sort of enhanced type II anodizing, but not as thick as hard anodized (HA, aka type III). Lumapower claims this is equivalent to what some other makers call type III - but obviously we would all rather see confirmed HA if possible. Lumapower's other lights are typical type III (although I recall the black MRVs were only type II).
Anodizing and lettering is perfect on my specimen, no chips or flaws on the visible exterior surfaces. In fact, that is probably some of the finest lettering I've ever seen – especially the individualized serial number. May mean something for young'ns out there, but it doesn't do much for us old geezers starting to loose our near vision Still, an impressive feat as the lettering is very crisp and clear.
The body features some knurling around the head and tail to help with grip (it is fairly mild, but does the job – better than perfectly smooth lights). Light also comes with a thin metal clip attached to the base (not removable). This is probably more useful as an anti-roll feature, since I can't see too many cases where you would need to clip the light in the same direction as the bezel points (i.e. clip is really designed for holding the light when not in use).
Tailcap is a forward clicky, covered with a GITD switch cover. Switch is recessed so that the unit can tailstand when the light is activated. When off, the switch protrudes enough to cause a fairly severe wobble. I must say, this is the first time I've seen a light this small with a forward clicky switch that could tailstand (when activated, at any rate).
Switch has a pretty good feel for my thumb and index fingers – not too stiff, not too loose. The traverse is also fairly typical. No problems so far in my testing, quite comfortable.
Unfortunately, the switch is not accessible by the end user, so no replacement or adjustment would be possible – you would have to send a malfunctioning light back to the manufacturer/dealer. Apparently, that's the price you pay for keeping the overall length down.
As you can see above, the Incendio uses the new "silver" version of the Cree Q5 emitter (i.e. the area outside central die is silver in color, instead of the standard Cree yellow). My understanding is that there are no output differences between the silver and yellow versions, and these simply reflect different manufacturing plants. Also note the GTID o-ring in front of the lens.
The IncenDio has enough screw threads on the body tube to do the job, but they are not exactly plentiful. Threads are smooth and arrived clean and in good shape. Threads are not anodized, so no lock-out is possible. You'll note the clip doesn't get in the way of the head, so potential scratching won't be an issue as it is on some lights.
The contact surface on the inside head has a plastic cover with a slightly raised brass contact point in the centre – this doesn't appear to be removable. But it does mean that contact shouldn't be an issue, even with relatively flat top batteries (although all RCRs I've seen typically have button tops anyway).
Note that my blue-label protected AW RCR batteries are a little too thick to fit inside the battery tube. Black-label protected AW RCRs fit fine, as do unprotected batteries (which I don't recommend, as the light doesn't have a low voltage protection circuit). My gray-label protected Ultrafire battery fits, but it is a bit tight.
Surprisingly for such a small light, the head can come apart to reveal the emitter and OP aluminum reflector (which can be unscrewed from the head piece). This would also allow you to adjust the reflector height somewhat (i.e. unscrew the head to defocus). The contacts for the emitter are protected by a little black plastic disc (removed for the pic above). This should facilitate swapping emitters, should you so choose.
Digital control:
- The IncenDio has 3 output modes (Hi – Med – Lo), accessed in a looping sequence by soft-pressing the clicky repeatedly. To select the desired mode , simply press the switch further until the click is made, then release.
- The light has a memory mode – if you leave if it on for more than 2 secs in any given mode, you will see a quick flash telling you that setting is saved. Next time you turn on the light, you will still be in that mode (soft-press if you want to cycle further from there).
- Light has no SOS or strobe mode.
- Light is current-controlled for its low modes, so no PWM flicker. Typically, I've found that current-controlled lights are more efficient that PWM, but can't go down to as low output levels. See below for output/runtimes in the IncenDio's case.
Comparison taken at ~.5 meters from a wall, to show you the different overall spill patterns. All lights are running on AW RCR max.
As you can see, the Incendio has a very nice beam. In fact, this is one of the smoothest beams I've seen from a Cree light – relatively little evidence of the dreaded Cree rings. Although my sample is excellent in stock form, you could always defocus the beam a little further by unscrewing the head portion (this sometimes help lessen rings with Crees) .
Spillbeam is also wider than most lights, with a smooth transition from spot to spill. So how does it throw?
As you can see, it's not exactly a massive thrower, but it's not bad for its size. As you'll also note, output/throw is a bit higher on RCR compared to primary CR123A.
I must say, I am rather pleasantly surprised here – this is a fairly useful beam pattern from such a small light. Good job!
Testing Method: All my output numbers are relative for my home-made light box setup, a la Quickbeam's FR.com method. My relative overall output numbers are typically similar to his, although generally a little lower. You can directly compare all my review graphs - i.e. an output value of "10" in one graph is the same as "10" in another.
To start, I thought I'd compare primary CR123A and RCR runtimes invidiually. I've plotted Hi-Med-Lo on the same graph, but at two different output and time scale resolutions, to help you see the runtime patterns better.
Primary CR123A – long output and short time scales
Primary CR123A – short output and long time scales
RCR (black label) – long output and short time scales
RCR (black label) – short output and long time scales
Preliminary Output/runtime observations:
- The Incendio is fully regulated on both RCR and primary CR123A. Note that output is a bit higher on RCR, in all modes.
- Runtimes on primary CR123A are quite good, and remarkably consistent with Lumapower's published specs (i.e.: ~2 hours on Hi, ~35 hours on Lo). Regulation is also quite good.
- Runtimes on RCR are not quite as long as on primaries, but still very respectable (Lumapower made no claims about RCR runtime). Importantly, output is fully regulated on RCR – which is very impressive (and quite uncommon) in such a small light.
- Relative output levels of Lo, Med, and Hi are very sensible, IMO. Lo mode is fairly low for this type of light (see comparison runtimes below for a greater discussion on this).
Of course, as with any light, how does its performance stack up to the competition? Below are some comparison runtimes for the other multi-level CR123A lights used in my size comparison.
Note that output measures for the DminiD-Q2 are likely being underestimated somewhat on the graphs – my lightbox doesn't like really strong throwers!
Hi mode:
Med mode:
Lo mode:
Note: this graph has recently been updated with the P2D-Q5 runtime. If you don't see the trace above, please re-load/refresh this page in your browser window.
Comparison Output/runtime observations:
- Relative to its output, the Incendio has very good runtime efficiency in all modes on both primary CR123A and RCR.
- IncenDio output/runtime efficiency on RCR seems to be as good or better than the DminiD (considering my DminiD is only a Q2, of course). Output levels are also roughly similar to the DminiD.
- The only one of my single CR123A/RCR lights that can do lower output than the IncenDio is the Horus FD-1.3. But the Horus is a RCR-only light, so the comparison to a multi-power circuit is probably not fair. FYI, the Horus is also the only light with a low voltage cut-off circuit allowing use of unprotected RCRs.
- Output/runtimes on primary CR123A show that the Incendio has lower output than the Fenix P2D-Q5 in all modes, but with typically similar runtime. This means that the Incendio is not quite as efficient as the Fenix, but is certainly not bad. The Incendio is also fully regulated on RCR, which the P2D is not.
- Interesting output blip at the end of the Lo mode primary runtime on the Incendio. It surprisingly jumped up to initial brightness levels for the very last portion of its run. I've seen small blips before on some lights, but not usually this pronounced. Also, the light flashed (at a low intensity) for several minutes before finally going out.
Preliminary Discussion:
I've always been a fan of the truly small form factor – I like to keep small CR123A lights stashed away in various places as backup lights (e.g. each of my various jacket pockets, glove boxes, etc.). Up until now, these have typically been twisties (e.g. Fenix P1/P1D, or my SSC-modded MXDLs). But this is the first clicky version that meets my standard for a tiny stash-away emergency light (i.e. negligible size and weight, takes 1 CR123A, and can still tailstand).
User interface is quite good, and an improvement from previous Lumapower models (e.g. Dmini-D), but the memory feature still needs work. Regular readers of my reviews will know that I prefer a Lo-Med-Hi sequence, but a good memory feature can make up for that. Unfortunately, in this case you need to reset the memory every time you turn the light on (i.e. have to wait 2 secs for the memory to set again). If you just flash on quickly, and turn the light off before 2 secs is up, you will find that the light advances to the next mode the next time you turn it on. Unfortunately, I've seen this on a number of memory mode circuits – much better would be recalling the memory setting UNLESS the light was on for more than 2 secs (then, by all means, re-set to the new level). But like I said, at least this is a step in the right direction.
Personally, I quite like the look and styling of this new light, but your tastes may vary. I only wish the clip pointed the other way. I find bezel-pointing clips like this are good for larger lights that you want to stash on your belt for carry. But this light could be ideal for attaching to a brim of a ball cap to use as make-shift headlamp – but that requires a reverse pointing clip. Still, it least makes a useful anti-roll device. And the clever design means it won't scratch the finish while unscrewing the head (are you listening Fenix? ). Personally, I think a lanyard attachment with a lobster-claw style clip might also be something for Lumapower to consider as well.
Exterior styling aside, there's no arguing that this is one of the prettiest beams I've seen for a Cree light. Beautiful smooth beam, only the faintest of Cree rings, and more than acceptable throw. What's not to love? Great for multi-purpose use. I've shown it around a little, and it has sure impressed family and friends for its size and output.
Another area where this light shines (pardon the pun) is in its very good output/runtime efficiency - although not as efficient as the Fenix on primaries (basically similar runtimes but with slightly lower output levels). But unlike the Fenix, the Incendio is fully regulated on RCR (where output is slightly higher than primaries). Good job, Lumapower.
I'm going to start carrying this light around in my current jacket (bye-bye little P1 ), and will let you know my experiences with it as time goes by. But so far, it's a happy little addition to my extended light family.
UPDATE: May 3, 2008. Not to stir up controversy, but I've found my sample also has the now-infamous hidden SOS mode. Using the method described here, I've managed to elicit a very definite SOS mode once. But this was not easy to do - frankly, my hand has gotten sore from all the "smacking"! So I'm guessing there's a lot of variability in how sensitive individual lights are to entering this mode. Personally, I don't see this as a major issue - I certainly saw no evidence of the SOS mode in regular usage, and have only been able to elicit it once in all my testing. But I just figured you should know ...
UPDATE: Sept 17, 2008: According to batteryjunction's website, it seems the Incendio has been updated to a V2. New features include a removable pocket clip, shortened memorization delay (now down to 1 sec), reverse polarity protection, and a switch that is supposedly now serviceable if needed. All sound like good upgrades to me!


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This Blog focuses on Ancestor Stories, both the stories themselves about my family's ancestors and discussions of where they come from and how to prepare and share them. These stories may be non-fiction or fiction – we will always tell which is which, of course. Also see my KINNICK blog and The HOMEPLACE Series Blog, left sidebar, scroll down.
Monday, October 17, 2011
3 comments:
Ooo. William. This is just marvelous. I see Ella and H.L.'s land adjoins. (I wonder, more now, why dear old dad was born in Greene County.)ReplyDelete
Priceless. TY--GJ
- AnonymousOctober 30, 2011 at 4:16 PM
I love that you are using maps. I have rarely seen this on blogs, and they are such a great visual for anyone willing to engage. I still prefer a good map on a trip even though the value of a good GPS can hold its own too... I have about half a dozen maps in my car right now.ReplyDelete
I do, too, Brenda. Maps are still very, very valuable. Thanks for your comment! ;-)ReplyDelete


text: Thursday, May 24, 2012 New in the Literature: Robotic Resistance Treadmill Training (Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93:782-789.) Cable-driven robotic resistance training may be used as an adjunct to body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for improving overground walking function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), particularly those with relatively high function, say authors of an article published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This study took place in research units of rehabilitation hospitals in Chicago. Researchers randomly assigned patients with chronic incomplete SCI (N=10) to 1 of 2 groups. One group participated in 4 weeks of assistance training followed by 4 weeks of resistance training. The other group participated in 4 weeks of resistance training followed by 4 weeks of assistance training. Locomotor training was provided by using a cable-driven robotic locomotor training system, which is highly backdrivable and compliant, allowing patients the freedom to voluntarily move their legs in a natural gait pattern during BWSTT, while providing controlled assistance/resistance forces to the leg during the swing phase of gait. Primary outcome measures were evaluated for each participant before training and 4 and 8 weeks after training. Primary measures were self-selected and fast overground walking velocity and 6-minute walking distance. Secondary measures included clinical assessments of balance, muscle tone, and strength. A significant improvement in walking speed and balance in participants was observed after robotic treadmill training using the cable-driven robotic locomotor trainer. There was no significant difference in walking functional gains after resistance versus assistance training, although resistance training was more effective for higher functioning patients. APTA member T. George Hornby, PT, PhD, is coauthor of the study.


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Steve Hofstetter is Your Friend
It's finally happened. I've been banned from the internet. Which is amazing, considering some of the creeps on there.
I'm exaggerating, of course. It's what I do. All the time. See?
Here's the real story. For those of you who are new to this column and who don't like reading archives, I launched a quest last Christmas Eve for 10,000 friends on facebook.com. For those of you who are older than I am, facebook.com is a community website where college students try to hook up with other college students and send each other chain mail. Sometimes an occasional comedian drops by to create a biting social commentary and get a ton of publicity. And chain mail.
By mid January, I had 15,000 friends. I expanded the quest, and sought 100,000 friends. I got that a few months later. Did I stop there? If you think I did, you must really be new to this column.
I kept adding friends and friends kept adding me, totaling up to about 200,000. And then, the crash came.
Facebook's programmers were not expecting to run into someone quite as obsessive as Steve Hofstetter. So with more than 1% of every college student in the world on my friends list, the site started slowing down.
That's understandable. Before I came around, facebook's biggest concern was girls who displayed their cleavage and phone numbers and then wondered why people would call them. I, on the other hand, wondered which strip club will eventually hire them. You may think I'm mean, but anyone who can't figure out that removing a phone number from a website will prevent random phone calls isn't suited for a day job. Or at least a job I can write about in a family newspaper.
But then came my friend quest. My quest amounted to millions of extra page-views, especially once people started copying me. There are several hundred friend questers now, though none of them ever broke 100,000. Just call me Wilt Chamberlain, because my record will stand. His points record, you pervert.
When facebook emailed me this weekend, I understood the situation was tense. My page was simply too big, and was slowing the site down for everyone. I never wanted that to happen - how could I live with myself if I was the reason there were fewer college hookups? That'd put me in the same category as herpes and RAs.
So I made a suggestion. I never thought I would say this, but it seemed the only possible solution.
"Reset me."
And they did.
Gone was my mammoth friend list. Gone was my two degrees of separation from almost every college student in the world. But most importantly, gone was my chain mail. Hello, silver lining.
The facebook people were nice enough to accommodate me all this time, and nice enough not to boot me once I was starting to, well, ruin their site. Instead of deleting my profile, they simply rolled back my odometer. The funniest part is that they did it overnight, and by the time I woke up I had 22 new friend requests. I have a feeling that by next year they'll have to roll it back again, or I may have to get a new car entirely.
I have experienced some very cool things through the quest - new friends, a documentary made about me, and an eerie window into just how dumb people can be.
"I know your profile explains everything, and so does your picture, and you just told me, but who are you?"
The chain mail may have stopped, but I still get those dumb "who are you" messages. And I probably always will.
"I just saw you doing standup at a club. Are you a comedian?"
Facebook will always have a special place in my heart and if it is every written, my biography. I thank the staff for not hating me for slowing their site, and I thank the 200,000 people who went with me on my ridiculous journey. Though I feel like a chapter of my life has been closed, I know it's only a matter of time before boredom and obsessiveness lead me to write a new one.
There's always MySpace.


text:
David Reviews
It's another outing for Boxed In - the new TV-based podcast - and this week's guests are directors Amanda Blue and Dan Dewsbury.
Locked-down gamers can find comfort in familiarity with Resident Evil 3.
Exciting news! In the latest Ciclope Insights webinar on Wednesday, DAVID's Jason Stone will be chatting with comedy great Bobby Farrelly.
There are two interviews on today's Virus Crisis podcast: one with Hugo Legrand Nathan of Birth in Paris and another with Steve Davies of the APA.
She is cycling backwards!


text:
'Fabric' would tighten the weave of online security
By Bill Steele |
As we become increasingly dependent on computers to manage our lives and businesses, our money and privacy become less and less secure. But now, Cornell researchers offer a way to build security into computer systems from the start, by incorporating security in the language used to write the programs.
Until now, computer security has been reactive, said Fred Schneider, the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Computer Science. When hackers discover a way in, we patch it. "Our defenses improve only after they have been successfully penetrated," he explained.
"When problems arise, we patch software like putting on duct tape," added collaborator Andrew Myers, professor of computer science. "By now we have layers of duct tape, and the system is a mess. ... Our computer systems are this tottering stack of obsolete [layers of software] ... and security vulnerabilities are nearly inevitable."
Myers and Schneider are developing a new computer platform, dubbed "Fabric," that replaces multiple existing layers with a single, simpler programming interface that makes security reasoning explicit and direct, Myers said.
Fabric is designed to create secure systems for distributed computing, where many interconnected nodes -- not all of them necessarily trustworthy -- are involved, as in systems that move money around or maintain medical records. When you connect to Amazon, for example, it talks to your credit card company and the vendor of the product, passes your demographics to some advertisers and more. In a medical records system, data is shared between hospitals, doctors and other practitioners, laboratories, medical billing agencies and insurers.
Fabric's programming language, an extension of the widely used Java language, builds in security as the program is written. Everything in Fabric is an "object" labeled with a set of policies on how and by whom data can be accessed and what operations can be performed on it. Even blocks of program code have built-in policies about when and where they can be run.
While your medical record, for example, could be seen entirely by your doctor, your physical therapist might be able to see only the doctor's prescription for your therapy, and your insurance company could see only the charges.
The compiler that turns the programmer's code into an executable program enforces the security policies and will not allow the programmer write insecure code, Myers said. Most of this, he added, is transparent to the programmer, who can simply set the policies and not have to write detailed code to enforce them. "I think we can make life simpler and improve performance," he said.
Fabric is still a prototype, being tested on a database of Cornell computer science students. With $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation and $1.3 million from the Office of Naval Research, Schneider and Myers plan to scale it up for very large distributed systems, provide for more complex security restrictions on objects and enable "mobile code" -- programs that can reside on one node of a network and be run on another with assurance that they are safe and do what they claim to do. And perhaps most important (and perhaps hardest), they hope to provide formal mathematical proof that a system is really secure.
Will the computer establishment be willing to adopt this new way of managing complex systems? "How did we get people to use the Web?" Myers countered. "It's a paradigm shift. By making security policies part of the process of building software, we can make it much easier to build secure systems. That will drive adoption."
The name "Fabric," he noted, is meant to be reminiscent of "the Web," but "Fabric is more useful and more tightly connected than webs."


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Hot Wheels id SRT Viper GTS-R Racer
Watch the video from Hot Wheels™ id
Hot Wheels™ id
Think Your Car Is The Champ?
You Can Scan Your Car
Build Your Virtual Garage
Race Through Hot Wheels™ City
Measure Your Performance
Play In The Physical
Level Up In The Digital
Now You Can Prove It
Hot Wheels id is a unique system of play that blends the exhilaration of Hot Wheels racing with a safe, connected platform of creativity, experimentation and competition. It all starts with one-of-a-kind racers — such as the Hot Wheels id SRT Viper GTS-R — that have an embedded NFC chip giving each a unique identity. Download the free app and then measure your racer's performance on your iPhone or iPad.
Mini collection racers* compatible with Hot Wheels id feature Speed Demons: Corvette C7R, SRT Viper GTS-R, 2016 Mercedes AMG GT and Aston Martin One-77; as well as the Street Beasts: Howlin' Heat, Motosaurus, Shark Hammer 2.0 and Arachnorod. Each sold separately and subject to availability. Hot Wheels id is the revolutionary way to play with Hot Wheels vehicles and track.
Hot Wheels id takes vehicle play to a new level of excitement, offering a first-of-its kind mixed play experience interacting with an app on iPhone or iPad
Track speed and count laps with your classic Hot Wheels track and the Hot Wheels Race Portal (sold separately)
Kids boost their racing prowess as they conquer new milestones
Build a virtual garage of outrageous vehicles to race, jump, crash and compete
Unlock performance boosts, races and rad rewards
SRT Viper GTS-R is one of several vehicles in the Speed Demons Series 1 mini collection
Free app on iPhone or iPad lets cars race in intense digital competitions, unlock rewards and level up**
Take it to the next level with the Hot Wheels id Smart Track (sold separately)
Ideal for ages 8 years and older
What's in the Box
Hot Wheels id SRT Viper GTS-R Racer
System Requirements
Operating System: iOS 11 or later
Manufacturer Information
Note: Apple's one-year limited warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if they are packaged or sold with Apple products. Non–Apple-branded products may have the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty provided by the product manufacturer. Please see the product box and literature for details. Rights under the product manufacturer's warranty are in addition to any rights you have under Australian consumer law.
Manufacturer Note
*Colours and decorations may vary. **Requires an NFC-enabled iOS device or Hot Wheels Race Portal (sold separately) to scan in cars.
iPhone Models
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
iPad Models
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air 2
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad mini 4
Answers from the community
Can you use the car with the app without the track? Can they be logged or added to the app?
- Asked by Delano S from CHARLOTTE
- on 27 Jun. 2019
Compatibility: Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
Hot Wheels® id
Think you can drive the fastest? Nail the gnarliest stunts and win the most races? With Hot Wheels id, now you can prove it.
Hot Wheels id dares you to challenge your limits, prove your skills and measure your performance with every speed posted, every stunt conquered, and every race won. Collect cars, compete in challenges and level up for the ultimate bragging rights.
For add itional high-octane thrills, enhance your gameplay experience with a seriously rad collection of Hot Wheels id die-cast vehicles, the Race Portal and the Smart Track Kit.
Hot Wheels cars are off the rails! Killer designs, honkin' big wheels, and peerless performance make the chillest rides ever. Stock your virtual garage with a huge variety of the sickest cars, then race 'em, stunt 'em, and enjoy some serious gains: performance boosts, new races to unlock and rad rewards to win.
Elevate your Virtual Garage by scanning your physical Hot Wheels id die-cast vehicles with your NFC enabled iPhone. iPhone 7 and above support this awesome technology to collect your physical die-cast into your virtual garage. Don't have the latest NFC-enabled iPhone? No problem. You can also use the Hot Wheels id Race Portal with your tablet or non-NFC enabled iPhone to build up your collection.
Track your progress as every mile you drive, race you win, stunt you nail and speed you crush is recorded. With every milestone reached, your racing prowess is boosted.
With each course you conquer, challenge your previous record and then challenge the world. It's only a matter of time before everyone knows how great you are.
Hot Wheels id amplifies vehicle play to a new level of pulse pounding excitement, offering a first-of-its kind mixed play experience, where the more you play in the physical the more you level up in the digital. Get ready to race through a limitless world where records need to be broken and the challenges keep on coming.
Mattel supports principles of safety, and privacy and security by design in producing mixed play experiences, and encourages you take a moment to review our Privacy Statement and our FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about Hot Wheels id and our privacy and security practices. You can access them both below.
Frequent Asked Questions: http://www.hotwheels.com/faq-id
EULA: https://hotwheels.mattel.com/Static/pdf/HWid-eula-iOS.pdf
Privacy Statement:https://www.mattel.com/en-us/privacy-statement
Help & Support: https://service.mattel.com/us/ContactUs.aspx


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Like many parents, I soon discovered after having a baby that I'd never actually been busy before. Basic things like taking showers and returning phone calls suddenly seemed overrated. But for me, one thing that has never been dispensable is crafting things for my son, Bear.
I'm not saying that I sit around for hours, dreamily stitching away. No, it's more like a stolen moment here and a quick minute there; a few squares at jury duty, a couple more in a waiting room, and two years later a blanket is born!
As drawn out as the process was, making Bear's Rainbow Blanket was always an exhilarating ride. Each step contained a world of wonderment, from Koigu Premium Merino's incredible hand dyed colors to this fascinating stitch pattern that magically turns a circle into a square; from the arrangement of dozens of colors and 108 squares to the daydreams of Bear dragging his Rainbow Blanket off to college!
I think I could have crocheted these squares for the rest of my life, but I finally stopped myself when I had enough to make a 40 x 54-inch blanket, the perfect size for my four year old. The bed pictured here is a queen, but this blanket is also right at home on a twin bed… or under a circle of picnicking stuffed animals!
I've crafted quite a few things in my life, and though I have so much fondness for many of those things, this is perhaps the dearest to my heart. This blanket expresses not only my love for my son but for crafting too. To pursue a grand plan to its very end is the chocolate cake of crafting: a rich and deeply satisfying experience!
To start concocting your own grand plan, read on! -Whitney
To Make the Exact Same Blanket
FINISHED SIZE: 40 x 54 inches (9 squares x 12 squares)
To make your blanket just like mine you can order the 52 skeins of Koigu Premium Merino (KPM), 100% Merino Wool that I used. They are:
- 11 skeins of color #00 for the borders.
- 41 skeins for the inside squares. One skein of each of the following colors:
- First column (far left, from the top):1175, 1173, 1155, 1145, 1143, 2121, 1100, 2227, 2229, 2220, and 1195
- Second column: 1110, 2200, 1240, 1200, 2180, 2100, 2335, 2423, 1521, and 1521.5
- Third column: 2339, 1520, 1051, 1532, 1504, 1500, 2130, 1045, 1043, and 1010.5
- Fourth column: 3016, 2405, 2403, 2390.5, 2290, 3003, 2164, 2416, 1156, and 1400
(The blanket is made up of 108 squares, but this is enough colored yarn to make over 400 inside squares! [You would need more yarn for the outside borders.])
You will also need:
- A size D crochet hook
To Make a Crib Size Blanket
FINISHED SIZE: 32 x 41 inches (7 squares x 9 squares)
To make a smaller version of the Rainbow Blanket, you can order one of our crib-size Rainbow Blanket Bundle right here. It includes a total of 13 skeins of Koigu Premium Merino: 7 colors for the inside squares and 6 of color #00 for the outside borders. Arrange the 63 finished squares however you want!
Choose from six different Rainbow Crib Blanket Kits (shown above):
- Pebble (top left): 2390.5, 3003, 1156, 2403, 2164, 2416, and 2290 + 6 skeins of 00
- Kitchen Garden (top right): 1195, 1240, 2200, 2339, 1521.5, 1051, and 1521 + 6 skeins of 00
- Dolphin (middle left): 1500, 2130, 1043, 3016, 1504, 1045, and 1010.5 + 6 skeins of 00
- Mineral (middle right): 2335, 2403, 3003, 2180, 1200, 2290, and 2390.5 + 6 skeins of 00
- Pixie (bottom left): 1240, 1173, 2200, 1143, 2121, 1155, and 2100 + 6 skeins of 00
- Pickup Truck (bottom right): 2403, 2229, 2390.5, 2405, 1010.5, 3016, and 2227 + 6 skeins of 00
You will also need:
- A size D crochet hook
To Design Your Own Blanket
Here is what you need to know to:
- Each skein of KPM is 50 grams and 175 yards.
- Bear's Rainbow Blanket is 9 x 12 squares (108 squares total). To make the same size, you'll need at least a total of 22 skeins of KPM. If you want a border color, you'll need 11 of it, plus at least 11 more skeins for the inside squares.
- Each square uses about 32-34 total yards of KPM; 17-18 yards for the inside square and 15-16 yards for the outside border.
- 1 skein of KPM can make 10 inside squares or 11 outside borders.
- Each square measures 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches.
- A skein of KPM Needlepoint Yarn is 3.125 grams and 10.9 yards, so for 1 inside square you need 2 KPM Needlepoint skeins.
- Purl Soho always has a beautiful selection of Koigu's KPM. Click here to see it all, and have fun!
Notes On Koigu
- Koigu Premium Merino is hand dyed in small batches so please know that each dye lot is unique. This means that if you use one of our kits, it will look a lot like ours but will have some variations. It also means that if consistency is important to you, buy enough!
- KPM is machine washable on a cold, gentle cycle. However, please be aware that, while Koigu does its best to set their hand-dyed colors, they do note that "Under certain water and/or soap types this yarn may bleed." For thorough instructions and excellent tips on setting your yarn's dye before you begin, please visit our Re-fixing Dyes Tutorial!
Crocheted Square Pattern
6 1/4 double crochets crochets = 1 inch
Finished Size
Each square is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches
Inside Square
Round 1: With the Inside Color, chain 3 into an adjustable loop, make 15 double crochet (dc) into the loop…
… join to third stitch of beginning chain with a slip stitch. (16 stitches)
Round 2: Chain 3, [2 dc into next stitch] 15 times to beginning chain, 1 dc into base of chain…
… join to third stitch of chain with a slip stitch. (32 stitches)
Round 3: Chain 3, *2 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 2 dc into last stitch, slip stitch into third chain. (48 stitches)
Round 4: Chain 4, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, 1 treble crochet [tr]) into the base of the chain…
..*skip 2 stitches, 1 half double crochet (hdc) into next 2 stitches, 1 sc into next 3 stitches, 1 hdc into next 2 stitches, skip 2 stitches, (1 tr, 2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc, 1 tr) into next stitch, repeat from * 2 more times, skip 2 stitches, 1 hdc into next 2 stitches, 1 sc into next 3 stitches, 1 hdc into next 2 stitches, slip stitch into 4th chain.
Round 5: Chain 3, 1 dc into next 2 stitches, *(1 dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 1 dc) into corner space, 1 dc into each stitch to corner (13 dc's), rep from * 2 more times, (1 dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 1 dc) into corner space, 1 dc into each stitch to beginning chain (10 dc's), slip stitch into 3rd chain. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Outside Border
Round 1: Join Border Color into a corner space. (Chain 3, 1 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) into corner space, *1 dc into each stitch to next corner space (19 dc's), (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) into corner space, repeat from * 2 more times, 1 dc into each stitch to beginning corner (19 dc's), slip stitch into 3rd chain.
Round 2: Chain 3, 1 dc into next stitch, *5 dc into corner space, 1 dc into each stitch to next corner space (23 dc's), repeat from * 2 more times, 5 dc into corner space, 1 dc into each stitch to beginning chain (21 dc's), slip stitch into 3rd chain. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Weave in whatever ends you didn't already crochet over.
If you are making the same exact blanket as this one, here is the layout of all the squares. (Note that in some of the story's photos the blanket is flipped over so that this layout is a mirror image of what you may see in the photos.)
There are lots of ways to attach your squares together. Some people like to crochet them together using a slip stitch or even a single crochet, but I prefer to sew them together with a length of yarn and a tapestry needle. And again there are several of ways to do that: a running stitch, some variation on a blanket stitch, or my preferred method, a whip stitch. Experiment and decide what you like best!
To whip stitch, I brought the needle under both strands of the edge stitches. Instead of turning the needle around to come back the other way, I pushed my needle through in the same direction for every stitch.
Remember to save yourself some trouble and sew over whatever ends you can!
I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did! And happy hooking!


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Viva Los Royals night to be held May 5
DETROIT -- Viva Los Royals, the annual Latino heritage celebration at Kauffman Stadium, will be held on Sunday, May 5, during the coming homestand.
The pregame party, presented by Sprint with the support of radio station La Super X 1160, will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Outfield Experience. There will be music by Willy Vela y sus Aguilillos and dancing by Grupo Atotonilco on the stage.
Fans can participate in the third annual Salsa Showdown featuring local restaurants El Camino Real, La Fonda El Taquito, Palomino's Restaurante and Pardo's Grand Buffet. Fans can taste all the salsas and vote for their favorite. Palomino's is the defending champion.
For more information, visit www.royals.com/viva. For reservations for a group of 20 or more, call 816-504-4166.


text:
iguard necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 82 diseños de 11 diseñadores freelance.
InnovationGuard is a cutting edge insurance and risk management program for technology companies of all kinds. Insurance is perceived as a boring, time consuming, old fashioned wasted of money that you HAVE to deal with. Because of this companies end up buying the wrong policies, paying too much and spending too much time dealing with it - and not working on growing their own business. InnovationGuard is trying to change that by streamlining the process, providing simple online applications and prepackaged end to end solutions - allowing tech execs to get the best possible insurance program from specialists in their field. We work with more than 100 of the World's best tech companies that range from venture backed startups to multinational publicly traded mature comapnies. And that was before we even had a web presence or brand! InnovationGuard is supported by a blog which provides info and resources in a fun, interactive environment. InnovationGuard is a subsidiary of a 100 year old insurance agency called Rollins Insurance. As a boutique firm, sometimes our larger competitors will say that we are too small to work with large companies - we are not too small! And we want our image to reflect that. Check out http://www.InnovationGuard.com for more info. Our mother ship is at http://www.rollinsinsurance.com
Our audience is Technology companies of all sizes, types and stages.....including web 2.0/digital media, software developers, game developers, telecom, hardware mfg, life sciences, e-commerce, etc Generally we work with founders of companies as well as C level executives. Sometimes our point of contact is a Finance or HR director. We also work with many VCs and even handle a national program for their trade association. VC's often recommend us to their portfolio companies.
We want to appeal to Tech companies as if we are one of them - we want our logo to look like a technology company's logo might look. Since the concept is that we "guard innovation" maybe a brick wall, or knight in armor?....something that represents protection of their innovations or ideas or cutting edge tech prods/services? A tech company might identify with a firewall? We are counting on your creativity!!! We do not use a tag line but if you come up with something that captures our message and want to incorporate that - great! The colors on our blog now can be changed so the logo does NOT have to match the blog. (BTW - we may ask the same designer for help with a blog template, twitter background, etc.) We would even consider a "badge" type of logo similar to what facebook, twitter, rss, etc use. Or maybe one that could be used in conjunction with the logo. Above all - nothing boring!!!!
Logo must be provided to us in an EPS or any sort of Vector format.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Malkamaniac wrote:I don't find moral high ground because the Pens almost won, or outplayed their opponent. This team should have never of been down 3 games in the first place.
It's not about moral high ground; it's about simply recognizing that even though they lost 4 straight, the could as well be up 3-1 in the series right now.
I get that fans are bitter and mad that the season is over and everything, but it only takes a little while of watching hockey, especially in this day and age, to realize that every game - especially those against two high-quality teams - comes down to a few bounces. I'm not resting comfortably in that fact, but I'm not going to hysterically overreact just because the series ended 0-4 for the Pens... and I sincerely hope that Ray Shero doesn't, as well.


text: Sailfin Sculpin in Surviving Through Adaptation Two sailfin sculpins have been added to the Feeding gallery of our Surviving Through Adaptation exhibit. Also known as the "eye-banded sailor fish," sailfin sculpins are found through the eastern Pacific ocean - from Alaska to southern California. This species prefers to stay along the shoreline where there are lots of rocky, algae-covered crevices. Did you know? Their common name is derived from the sail-like fin that sits on top of their heads! Plumose Anemones Added to Surviving Through Adaptation Two plumose anemones have also been added to our Feeding gallery! Plumose anemones are common from southern Alaska to southern California. Young specimens will often form dense colonies on pilings, floats, breakwaters and jetties in bays and harbors. These animals are easily recognized by their tall, column-like bodies, which are topped with a "plume" of many short oral arms. To feed, these anemones sweep passing seawater with their tentacles to filter out zooplankton! Be sure to check back every Friday to find out what's happening! Tags: anemones, animal-update-2, animal-updates, behind-the-scenes, plumose-anemone, sailfin-sculpin, sculpin, surviving-through-adaptation Categories: Animals, Behind-The-Scenes, News Previous Post Next Post


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VistaGreen's Blog
Thank you for visiting our blog.
Privacy Screening Ideas
Posted: 02/11/2019
History tells us that the Ancient Egyptians likely oversaw the creation of the first enclosed outdoor spaces created purely for aesthetic value, a precursor to the modern garden as a concept. And yet, while the emphasis has always been on creating something attractive to look at, it has also been important that prying eyes are kept out where necessary with the addition of privacy screening ideas. In modern society, privacy screening may present itself in the form of a simple garden fence or wall, or in the case of indoor dividers, perhaps a single-color fabric screen. But these can prove to be largely uninspiring, bland and repetitive in a ...
Pared verde artificial barcelona
Posted: 12/10/2019
El objetivo de VistaGreen es transformar ambientes urbanos en donde las plantas reales no pueden crecer, ha sido diseñado por Paul Alder un horticultor ingles con 25 anos de experiencia en la construcción de jardines para clientes de prestigio, Paul después de tantos años de trabajar con plantas reales y conocer sus complicaciones y limitaciones decide replicar la hermosura de la naturaleza en un Sistema artificial que no necesita ser podado o regado. El Sistema está diseñado para imitar perfectamente las plantas naturales y crear ambientes al aire libre inspiradores y edificantes lugares de alto valor estético. Este con...
How artificial grass got a sporting chance
Posted: 08/10/2019
When I was a kid, you didn't say artificial grass, you said Astroturf. It sounded quite exotic but that's pretty much where the romance ended. It got its name from its first appearance in the Houston Astrodome, an indoor sports stadium where the original real grass surface had given up the ghost when glare-reducing paint had been applied to the enormous glass roof. A season spent playing on dead grass and rock-hard soil had made it clear that artificial was definitely better than nothing. The new "turf" soon spread to other indoor sports venues around the world. It began to replace grass outdoors too. It was practical, functional...
Vertical Gardens - Back to the Future
Posted: 25/07/2019
Vertical gardens feel like a very twenty-first century invention. And the reason why you are increasingly likely to come across them in the media, down the high street and in your landscaper's plans is that they're a very good solution to twenty-first century problems. As cities, towns and suburbia become increasingly crowded and multiple homes and apartments are shoehorned into plots where previously, perhaps, there was only one residence, the possibility of incorporating anything more than the minimum of grass, trees and planting into such schemes becomes vanishingly small. It is not unusual nowadays to find back gardens of new-build...
Enjoyment of a VistaGreen Artificial Hedge
Posted: 04/07/2019
Increasingly, the influence of the built environment on human behaviour, health and well-being is being recognised. While our ideal surroundings might arguably be something constructed of completely natural materials—all cob houses, vegetable patches and baked-earth bricks—this obviously isn't practicable in urban areas, where even a tree might be a rare sight and difficult to, if you'll excuse the mechanical parlance, retro-fit. So the question is, Is it possible that, in these environments, an faux artificial green wall or faux artificial hedge might play its part in improving health and happiness? Well, let's see. First...
Green Wall Art brings interiors to life
Posted: 25/06/2019
Do your walls ever feel well…a bit flat? Painted walls will never fall out of favour, but while they are, of course, ideal for a minimalist, pared-back interior, they don't offer much character. In fact, that's the point; a painted wall is not really there to create impact, merely to allow other features of the room to stand out. If you have a small living area, without much room for the elegant touches that make a place feel like home, in a bid to put your stamp on a room, you've possibly contemplated wallpaper. It has a long and noble history (having first appeared in the sixteenth century in this country) but has never reall...


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As of July 2012, California law requires recycling for many businesses and apartments. CalRecycle covers their requirements including frequently asked questions.
Business Commercial Recycling Requirements — A business (includes public entities) that generates four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week or is a multifamily residential dwelling of five units or more shall arrange for recycling services. Businesses can take one or any combination of the following in order to reuse, recycle, compost or otherwise divert solid waste from disposal:
- Self-haul.
- Subscribe to a hauler(s).
- Arrange for the pickup of recyclable materials.
- Subscribe to a recycling service that may include mixed waste processing that yields diversion results comparable to source separation.
A property owner of a commercial business or multifamily residential dwelling may require tenants to source separate their recyclable materials to aid in compliance with this section.
CalRecycle advises businesses to contact their local recycling coordinator to find out how to recycle in their community and if there are any specific requirements in their community. Communities may have mandatory commercial recycling ordinances with different thresholds or more specific business recycling requirements than the state law. The local recycling coordinator also may have related business opportunities and/or resources to share.
Recycling benefits identified by CalRecycle include:
- Opportunities for businesses or multifamily complexes to save money.
- Creating jobs in California by providing materials for recycling manufacturing facilities.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Keeping valuable materials out of landfills.
- Creating a healthy environment for the community and future generations by recovering natural resources.


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Valentine Flyguy
Note: This review is from 2000
Sleazy Harlem pimp Valentine Flyguy should have been a fantastic comic creation.
The Afro wig, the tasteless Seventies threads and the arrogant jive talk should all combine in one splendid comedy character.
Yet creator Zeron Gibson seems to have spent more time on the material he wears than the material he delivers.
Entering somewhat shambolically, and certainly not with the flourish you would expect of a New York hustler, Gibson quickly drops all pretence of characterisation and launches into an uninspired stand-up routine.
It seems unlikely, for instance, that a Harlem whoremonger would be particularly concerned by the difference between English and Scottish football hooligans. Yet that doesn't prevent a lacklustre Flyguy routine on the topic.
Things pick up a bit in the second half of the chronically under-rehearsed show, when two unsuspecting audience members are invited on stage for the game show How Black Are You?
Here Gibson stays in character, and works spontaneously well with his victims, offering just a glimpse of how strong the Flyguy creation could be.
But a lame musical number and the feeblest of closing gags (a lightbulb joke, of all things) bring the shoddy proceedings to a close.
Special mention should be made, though, of support act Kevin Sherwani, who failed to say or do anything in the least amusing in his sad five-minute set.
Review date: 1 Jan 2000
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett


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For three years, "Living Buildings"—buildings that generate their own energy from renewable resources, capture and treat all the water they use, reclaim pre-developed sites, and fulfill a host of other requirements—have set the standard for green building.
But like other green building certification programs, the first iteration of the Living Building Challenge focused on individual buildings. The Cascadia Region Green Building Council—in conjunction with the International Living Building Institute—just announced the newest version of the Living Building Challenge with an even bigger goal: to fundamentally change the built environment.
Living Building Challenge 2.0 is both more comprehensive and more expansive, applying 20 "imperatives"—such as urban agriculture, limits to growth, ecological water flow, and net zero energy—to everything from small in-home remodels to community- and campus-wide initiatives, as well as infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, and parks.
The new Living Building Challenge standard is designed to address critical social and economic issues, including the collapse of domestic manufacturing, global trade imbalances, urban sprawl, the marginalization of those that can't purchase the 'American dream,' and the lack of community distinctiveness and culture.
Version 2.0 is the first green building certification program to integrate urban agriculture, social justice, and universal access issues as mandatory requirements. A new section addresses equity, examining ways to create equal access for all citizens, incorporate Universal Design considerations, promote culture and interaction, and end economic segregation of public and semi-public places. The new standards even require unrestricted access to rivers, lakes, and shorelines, as well as other important natural elements—even when built on private property.
The expanded breadth of version 2.0 brings more people to the table. The standard is a unifying tool, bringing together many disciplines and players for the first time under one green building standard—architects and developers with urban planners and landscape architects, environmentalists and social activists, as well as affordable housing advocates and preservationists—to form a visionary pathway to a restorative future.
The program also introduces a new focus on urban agriculture, requiring a minimum amount of site square footage be dedicated to food production except in the densest urban environments—the more suburban a site is, the more food production is required. A new 'car-free living' imperative does not mandate the elimination of cars from development; rather, it is defined by the potential for a majority of people living in a neighborhood to have a productive and rich lifestyle without needing a car.
Version 2.0 represents the collective wisdom and feedback of the community of design professionals who have been working on Living Buildings over the last three years. Many of the changes incorporated into the new version were spurred by commentary from project teams within the Living Building Community on the International Living Building Institute website. The "imperatives" for new projects now include:
- Limits to Growth: Projects may only be built on greyfields or brownfields—previously developed sites that are not classified as wetlands, primary dunes, old-growth forest, virgin prairie, prime farmland, or within the 100-year floodplain.
- Urban Agriculture: All projects must integrate opportunities for agriculture appropriate to the scale and density of the project.
- Habitat Exchange: For each hectare of development, an equal amount of land must be set-aside in perpetuity as part of a habitat exchange.
- Car-Free Living: Each new project should contribute towards the creation of walkable, pedestrian-oriented communities.
- Net Zero Water: One hundred percent of occupants' water use must come from captured precipitation or closed loop water systems that account for downstream ecosystem impacts and that are appropriately purified without the use of chemicals.
- Ecological Water Flow: One hundred percent of storm water and building water discharge must be managed onsite to feed the project's internal water demands or released onto adjacent sites for management through acceptable natural time-scale surface flow, groundwater recharge, agricultural use, or adjacent building needs.
- Net Zero Energy: One hundred percent of the project's energy needs must be supplied by on-site renewable energy on a net annual basis.
- Civilized Environment: Every occupied space must have operable windows that provide access to fresh air and daylight.
- Healthy Air: Renovations, buildings, and neighborhood projects must promote good indoor air quality.
- Biophilia: The project must be designed to include elements that nurture the innate human attraction to natural systems and processes.
- Materials Red List: The project cannot contain any chemicals from a prohibited list, which includes lead, mercury, phthalates, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and more.
- Embodied Carbon Footprint: The project must account for the total footprint of embodied carbon from its construction and projected replacement parts through a one-time carbon offset tied to the project boundary.
- Responsible Industry: The project must advocate for the creation and adoption of third-party certified standards for sustainable resource extraction and fair labor practices. Applicable raw materials include stone and rock, metal, and timber. For timber, all wood must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or come from salvaged sources or from the intentional harvest of timber onsite for the purpose of clearing the area for construction.
- Appropriate Sourcing: The project must incorporate place-based solutions and contribute to the expansion of a regional economy rooted in sustainable practices, products, and services.
- Conservation and Reuse: All project teams must strive to reduce or eliminate the production of waste during design, construction and operation, and the end of life phase in order to conserve natural resources.
- Human Scale and Humane Places: The project must be designed to create human-scaled, rather than automobile-scaled, places so that the experience brings out the best in humanity and promotes culture and interaction.
- Democracy and Social Justice: All primary transportation, roads, and non-building infrastructure that are considered externally-focused must be equally accessible to all members of the public regardless of background, age, and socioeconomic class, including the homeless, with reasonable steps taken to ensure that all people can benefit from the project's creation. Access for those with physical disabilities must be safeguarded through designs meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Rights to Nature: The project may not block access to, nor diminish the quality of, fresh air, sunlight, and natural waterways for any member of society or adjacent developments.
- Beauty and Spirit: The project must contain design features intended solely for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit, and place appropriate to its function.
Inspiration and Education: Educational materials about the performance and operation of the project must be provided to the public to share successful solutions and to motivate others to make change. Landscapes, infrastructure, and neighborhood projects, and non-sensitive areas of buildings must be open to the public at least one day per year to facilitate direct contact with the Living Building Challenge.
There are approximately 70 projects pursuing certification under previous versions of the Living Building Challenge throughout North America, as well as one registered project in France. The Challenge is gaining international interest, with program ambassadors emerging in additional countries, including Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, India, Colombia, and Mexico. Three projects have completed construction and have entered their verification phase: Tyson Living Learning Center in Eureka, Missouri; Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, New York; and Eco-Sense, a private residence in Victoria, British Columbia. To be certified, buildings must operate as planned for at least twelve months.
Jason McLennan wrote this article for YES! Magazine, a national, nonprofit magazine that fuses powerful ideas with practical actions. Jason serves as the CEO of the Cascadia Green Building Council, a chapter of both the US Green Building Council and the Canadian Green Building Council. He is the author of the Living Building Challenge and co-creator of Pharos, the most advanced building material rating system in North America. He is a former Principal at BNIM Architects, one of the founders of the green design movement in the United States, where he worked on LEED Platinum, Gold, and zero energy projects.


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Benjamin Strauss, Student Commencement Speech, May 22, 2012
POSTED ON: May 25, 2012
Benjamin Strauss was Cooper Union's 2012 Student Commencement Speaker. Below you'll find a transcript of his speech.
Class of 2012: Welcome to the Great Hall.
When we were in this room for Freshman Orientation, there were a lot more of us.
And today, those of us who are left, are back here, for one reason, and one reason only.
We have met the challenges of three of the most brutally honest disciplines. Art, architecture, and engineering. Success is hard to attain- as we're all acutely aware- and failure is obvious and comes with repercussions. So the reason we are here is because we are the only ones who can make things happen as well as we do. We decided, maybe nobly, maybe foolishly, to commit ourselves to these fields, in which the stakes are the highest, in a school which ups the ante even more. The only way to keep your head above water here is to be great.
So as I take the liberty of welcoming you to the Great Hall, I ask you, what is greatness?
Is it Abraham Lincoln standing at this podium, demanding that ethical conscience be the very policy of a nation in his "Right Makes Might" speech? Is it Theodore Roosevelt spearheading the war against New York City's government corruption on this same stage? Is it Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Taft, Wilson, Clinton and Obama, right here, calling for labor, capital, and union changes that have formed this country?
Yes, it's all of those things... For the last 153 years, as leadership has passed through this hall, it has espoused greatness. While we don't embody the exact forms as these politicians, we have been given the tools to be the next group of leaders. So what is the greatness that surrounds us?
The education that has transformed us from students into leaders has certainly transcended the ordinary. But within that transformation process, maybe "greatness" transcends the mere curricula we studied. Perhaps, to be great is not just to design the structures that shelter life, or to exploit scientific truths to enhance quality of life, or to introduce our rationale to emotions via the senses. Maybe it's the inherent symbiosis of three different disciplines steered in a common direction, namely, making life better.
But do you know what really defines "greatness" in this room? It's that I'm standing in front of you, as an accomplished graduate of Cooper Union, and as I scan the room, I can confidently say that as successful as I've been, the overwhelming majority of you, my classmates, are smarter or more talented than I am. Don't believe me? Ask Professors Wolf [Alan Wolf, Chair of Physics] and Uglesich [Robert Uglesich, Assistant Professor of Physics].
That greatness – that is, the ability for some really smart people to be average, is what defines Cooper. The standards here are higher, and so we are going to accomplish more. This has been made possible by Peter Cooper's insistence on an atmosphere in which education and concrete results reign supreme. Whether we are rich or poor, gay or straight, black, white, Asian, or Hispanic, has had no impact on our ability to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Peter Cooper put the students who can make things happen in a school where they're taught the best, by only the best, and what's the result? An education that's free not only with regard to tuition, but also in the limitless sharing of knowledge among really creative people. A school composed exclusively of individuals who make their peers not simply more knowledgeable, but smarter and more critical in their thinking. And finally, a group of graduates who are best equipped to lead in their fields and in society. We have not merely gained academic achievement by completing the most rigorous curricula. We think in ways we never imagined possible four years ago.
Our educational experience is different, and as the beneficiaries, so is our debt. Whereas in the classic undergraduate collegiate system, in which students sit in lectures to learn, and contribute tuition dollars to fund it, Cooper's model is one which money could never buy. How do we, as undergrads, get away without paying tuition dollars? We replace payments with contributions of intellect. We are responsible for educating each other, and not one of us would be here if we didn't have the abilities to contribute both the requisite quantity and quality... And so, tomorrow, while graduates around the country have to start paying their tuition debts back, we have to start paying ours forward. They are in the form of responsibilities to society, and they are two-fold: first, to improve life for those who haven't been afforded the same opportunities, and second to perpetuate the opportunities for the next group of difference makers. Make no mistake about it: that includes financially supporting the institution that got us this far. But don't fulfill these obligations only with money. Also contribute what you know. Give your expertise to the specialists in your field, and your point of view influenced by that expertise to those in other disciplines. I suspect we'll be doing more of the latter, because, while we have each become experts in one field, we are novices in just about every other one.
To quote a pretty wise man, Socrates, "the only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing."
So I admit, after four years in one of the most exclusive institutions for art, architecture, and engineering in the world, I can't claim that I fully understand what the artists and architects do. Actually, in the spirit of full disclosure, I should also mention that more often than not, I can't claim that I fully understand what the engineers do either. Artists and architects, I don't think I'm even equipped to appreciate your accomplishments at a level commensurate with their merits. But I can say without hesitation that I have learned from you, that you have made me a better engineer. And as an engineer, witnessing your efforts and their outcomes is a constant reminder of the numerous approaches that exist for any problem. And I'm confident that each student of one discipline has learned from the other two.
So, I challenge you. No. I beg of you- continue to challenge me… to make me smarter, to share with me the wisdom you have that I still do not. Continue to share it with your friends, your neighbors, the strangers around you. [And], remember to seize their wisdom as they offer it to you, because then, just maybe, you'll end up as lucky as me. Do that, and I promise you that our accomplishments and contributions here to making life better will be only a small scale representation of what we ultimately do.
…In the words of an even wiser man, Dean Baker, "C U Later!"


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When disaster strikes, the community is clearly divided into two entities; those who need help and those who can provide help. In its simplest form, Emergency Management is "Helping People Help People!"
Emergency Management is a comprehensive, integrated program of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for emergencies/ disasters (all-hazards) of any kind. No public or private entity is immune to disasters and no single segment of society can meet the complex needs of a major emergency or disaster on its own. As stated so eloquently by John Donne, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."
Emergency Management is the managerial function charged with creating and managing the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency Management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover form threatened or actual natural disaters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
In March 2007 a working group of emergency management academics and practitioners was convened by FEMA's Emergency Management Institute to consider the principles of emergency management. The working group identified eight principles that emergency management must be:
Comprehensive - emergency managers consider and take into account all hazards, all phases, all stakeholders and all impacts relevant to disasters.
Progressive - emergency managers anticipate future disasters and take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and disaster-resilient communities.
Risk-driven - emergency managers use sound risk management principles (hazard identification, risk analysis, and impact analysis) in assigning priorities and resources.
Integrated - emergency managers ensure unity of effort among all levels of government and all elements of a community.
Collaborative - emergency managers create and sustain broad and sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus, and facilitate communication.
Coordinated - emergency managers synchronize the activities of all relevant stakeholders to achieve a common purpose.
Flexible - emergency managers use creative and innovative approaches in solving disaster challenges.
Professional - emergency managers value a science and knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience, ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.
The Air Force Emergency Management Association (AFEMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Principles of Emergency Management and representing those Air Force professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters. The Air Force Emergency Management Association was founded with five primary interrelated objectives:
1) To promote the well-being and the best interests and to recognize those who are currently and actively serving in or supporting the Air Force Emergency Management career field.
2) To recognize, preserve, and promote the camaraderie and the collegial relationship of all those who formerly served in the functional community of the United States Air Force Emergency Management, CE Readiness, and Disaster Preparedness.
3) To foster communications between its members to maintain the legacy of those that have gone before and recognize and support those serving now.
4) To promote the principles of Emergency Management through
delivery of relevant news and educational programs to the membership.
5) To provide a forum for its members that encourages the sharing of
ideas, accomplishments and suggestions.
Underlying these objectives is the Association's fundamental reason to exist: to enhance the Air Force mission by striving to improve the effectiveness of Air Force Emergency Management programs and the personnel that manage and sustain the US Air Force mission and promote the goals of saving lives and protecting property during emergencies and disasters.
Helping People -- Help People!!
Join the Air Force Emergency Management Association
Donations are always accepted and appreciated


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quote:Originally posted by zorgon: Hey tell you what. You can charge Manning with treason if you also charge Dick Cheney and all his cronies with treason (for revealing the identity of a secret CIA operative in the field), too.
quote:Originally posted by Xanthine: Keeping classified stuff classified isn't really a freedom of the press issue. The press has a code of ethics and a lot of discretion over what it goes on the record , but generally speaking, the press will publish a leak because that's what it does.
quote:Originally posted by zorgon: If you charge this kid with treason you also have to charge former Vice President Cheney and his cronies with the same thing for revealing the identity of a secret CIA operative in the field.


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|A wind-blown gift.
|That storm of blowing snow on Denali.
|A wind-blown gift.
|That storm of blowing snow on Denali.
The best way to know you are having an adventure is when you wish you were home talking about it." — a mechanic on the Alaska State Ferry System.
"You can't promote principled anti-corruption without pissing off corrupt people." — George Kent
"If only the British had held on to the airports, the whole thing might have gone differently for us." — Mick Jagger
"You can do anything as long as you don't scare the horses." — a mother's favorite saying recalled by a friend
A poem is an egg with a horse inside" — anonymous fourth grader
"My children will likely turn my picture to the wall but what the hell, you only get old once." — Joe May
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." — Ernest Hemingway
When I write, I feel like an armless, legless man with a crayon in his mouth.― Kurt Vonnegut
"If you wrote something for which someone sent you a cheque, if you cashed the cheque and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented."―Stephen King
The thing about ignorance is, you don't have to remain ignorant. — me again"
"It was like the aftermath of an orgasm with the wrong partner." – David Lagercrants "The Girl in the Spider's Web."
Why worry about dying, you aren't going to live to regret it.
Never debate with someone who gets ink by the barrel" — George Hayes, former Alaska Attorney General who died recently
My dear Mr. Frost: two roads never diverge in a yellow wood. Three roads meet there. — @Shakespeare on Twitter
Normal is how somebody else thinks you should act.
"The mark of a great shiphandler is never getting into situations that require great shiphandling," Adm. Ernest King, USN
Me: Does the restaurant have cute waitresses?
My friend Gail: All waitresses are cute when you're hungry.
I'm not a writer, but sometimes I push around words to see what happens. – Scott Berry
I realized today how many of my stories start out "years ago." What's next? Once upon a time?"
"The rivers of Alaska are strewn with the bones of men who made but one mistake" - Fred McGarry, a Nushagak Trapper
Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stared at walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing. – Meg Chittenden
A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity. – Franz Kafka
We are all immortal until the one day we are not. – me again
If the muse is late, start without her – Peter S. Beagle
Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain Actually you could do the same thing with the word "really" as in "really cold."
If you are looking for an experience that will temper your vanity, this is it. There's no one to impress when you're alone on the trap line. – Michael Carey quoting his father's journal
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. – Benjamin Franklin
It's nervous work. The state you need to write in is the state that others are paying large sums of money to get rid of. – Shirley Hazzard
So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence -- Bertrand Russell
You know that I always just wanted to have a small ship to take stuff from a place that had a lot of that stuff to a place that did not have a lot of that stuff and so prosper.—Jackie Faber, "The Wake of the Lorelei Lee"
If you attack the arguer instead of the argument, you lose both
If an insurance company won't pay for damages caused by an "act of God," shouldn't it then have to prove the existence of God? – I said that
I used to think getting old was about vanity—but actually it's about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial. – Eugene O'Neill
German General to Swiss General: "You have only 500,000 men in your army; what would you do if I invaded with 1 million men?"
Swiss General: "Well, I suppose every one of my soldiers would need to fire twice."
Writing is the only thing that when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.—Gloria Steinem
Exceed your bandwidth—sign on the wall of the maintenance shop at the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
One thing I do know, if you keep at it, you usually wind up getting something done.—Patricia Monaghan
Do you want to know what kind of person makes the best reporter? I'll tell you. A borderline sociopath. Someone smart, inquisitive, stubborn, disorganized, chaotic, and in a perpetual state of simmering rage at the failings of the world.—Brett Arends
It is a very simple mind that only knows how to spell a word one way.—Andrew Jackson
3:30 is too late or too early to do anything—Rene Descartes
Everything is okay when it's 50-below as long as everything is okay. – an Alaskan in Tom Walker's "The Seventymile Kid"
You can have your own opinion but you can't have your own science.—commenter arguing on a story about polar bears and global warming
He looks at three ex wives as a good start—TV police drama
Talkeetna: A friendly little drinking town with a climbing problem.—a handmade bumper sticker
"You're either into the wall or into the show"—Marco Andretti on giving it all to qualify last at the 2011 Indy 500
Makeup is not for the faint of heart—the makeup guerrilla
"I'm going to relax in a very adult manner."—Danica Patrick after sweating it out and qualifying half an hour before Andretti
"Asking Congress to come back is like asking a mugger to come back because he forgot your wallet."—a roundtable participant on Fox of all places
As Republicans go further back in the conception process to define when life actually begins, I am beginning to think the eventual definition will be life begins in the beer I was drinking when I met her.—me again
Hunting is a "critical element for the long-term conservation of wood bison."—a state department of Fish and Game official explaining why the state would not go along with a federal plan to reintroduce wood bison in Alaska because the agreement did not specifically allow hunting
Each day do something that won't compute – anon
I can't belive I still have to protest this shit – a sign carriend by an elderly woman at an Occupy demonstration
Life should be a little nuts or else it's just a bunch of Thursdays strung together—Kevin Costner as Beau Burroughs in "Rumor has it"
You're just a wanker whipping up fear —Irish President Michael D. Higgins to a tea party radio announcer
Being president doesn't change who you are; it reveals who you are—Michelle Obama
He's not doing things he can't do."
"… there's a fearlessment about him …"
"He's got to have the lead if he's going to win this race."
"Kansas has always had the ability to score with the basketball."
"NFL to put computer chips in balls." Oh, that's gotta hurt.
"Now that you're in the finals you have to run the race that's going to get you on the podium."
"It's very important for both sides that they stay on their feet."
This is why you get to hate sportscasters. Kansas beats Texas for the first time since 1938. So the pundits open their segment with the question "let's talk about what went wrong." Wrong? Kansas WON a football game! That's what went RIGHT!
"I brought out the thermostat to show you how cold it is here." Points to a thermometer reading zero in Minneapolis.
"It's tough to win on the road when you turn the ball over." Oh, really? Like you can do all right if you turn the ball over playing at home?
Cliches so imbedded in sportscasters' minds they can't help themselves: "Minnesota fell from the ranks of the undefeated today." What ranks? They were the only undefeated team left.
A good one: A 5'10" player went up and caught a pass off a defensive back over six feet tall. The quote? "He's got some hops."
Best homonym of the day so far: "It's all tied. Alabama 34, Kentucky 3." Oh, Tide.
"Steve Hooker commentates on his Olympic pole vault gold medal." When "comments" just won't do.
"He's certainly capable of the top ten, maybe even higher than that."
"Atlanta is capable of doing what they're doing."
"Biyombo, one of seven kids from the Republic of Congo." In the NBA? In America? In his whole country?
"You can't come out and be aggressive but you can't come out and be unaggressive."
"They're gonna be in every game they play!"
"First you have to get two strikes on the hitter before you get the strikeout."
"The game ended in the final seconds." You have to wonder when the others ended or are they still going on?
How is a team down by one touchdown before the half "totally demoralized?"
"If they score runs they will win."
"I think the matchup is what it is"
After a play a Houston defender was on his knees, his head on the ground and his hand underneath him appeared to clutch a very sensitive part of the male anatomy. He rolled onto his back and quickly removed his hand. (Remember the old Cosby routine "you cannot touch certain parts of your body?") Finally they helped the guy to the sideline and then the replay was shown. In it the guy clearly took a hard knee between his thighs. As this was being shown, one of the announcers says, "It looks like he hurt his shoulder." The other agrees and then they both talk about how serious a shoulder injury can be. Were we watching the same game?
"Somebody is going to be the quarterback or we're going to see a new quarterback."
"If you're gonna play running back in the SEC you're gonna take hits."
"That was a playmaker making a play."
Owners of a Noah's Ark replica file a lawsuit over rain damage
In Southcentral Alaska earthquake, damage originated in the ground, engineers say
Alabama governor candidate caught in lesbian sprem donation scandal
Sister hits moose on way to visit sister who hit moose.
Man loses his testicles after attempting to smoke weed through a SCUBA tank
Church Mutual Insurance won't cover Church's flood damage because it's 'an act of God'
Homicide victims rarely talk to police
Meerkat Expert Attacked Monkey Handler Over Love Affair With Llama Keeper
GOP congressman opposes gun control because gay marriage leads to bestiality
Owner of killer bear chokes to death on sex toy
Support for legalizing pot hits all-time high
Give me all your money or my penguin will explode
How zombie worms have sex in whale bones
Crocodile steals zoo worker's lawn mower
Woman shot by oven while trying to cook waffles
Nude beach blowjob jet ski fight leads to wife's death
Woman stabs husband with squirrel for not buying beer Christmas Eve