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A running discussion on the Cincinnati Reds and everything else in the baseball universe.
Friday, April 2, 2010
2010 Top Prospect List: #6 Juan Francisco, 3b
Height 6-2, Weight 180, B/T: L/R, DOB: 06/24/1987
2009 Redlegs Baseball Prospect Ranking: #9
In last year's write-up, I thought two things would happen with Francisco to drag down his value. First, I thought his skills would require a slide down the defensive spectrum to a less taxing and less valuable position. Second, I thought more advanced pitching would begin to feast on his undisciplined approach and pick him apart. The former is beginning to happen, while the latter has not. Even so, I still believe that Francisco's lack of discipline will drag down his value to the point where he is a borderline asset at an "offense-first" defensive position, while his lack of defensive skills will prevent him from holding down any of the positions higher up on the defensive spectrum. It's a combination of flaws that will continue to hinder his overall value as a prospect.
Somewhat surprisingly, Francisco's 2009 season was his best as a professional. He spent the season splitting time between double-A Carolina and triple-A Louisville, but also received a small cup of coffee at the MLB level in September.
For double-A Carolina, Francisco played in 109 games and collected 464 plate appearances in which he posted a solid slash line of .281/.317/.501/.818 with 22 homeruns and a 91/20 K/BB ratio. His line drive rate was an impressive at 22%, which more than supported his BABIP of .312, which was reasonable and sustainable. Still, it's difficult to envision any player being able to maintain a consistent level of success when posting a 4.3% walk rate and a 19.6% strikeout rate. For the Reds, his performance was more than sufficient to earn him a promotion to triple-A.
For triple-A Louisville, Francisco played in 22 games and collected 99 plate appearances in which he posted an impressive slash line of .359/.384/.598/.982 with 5 homeruns and a 24/4 K/BB ratio. In this smaller sample size, Francisco hit line drives at a 17% rate and posted an absurdly lucky .444 BABIP, which is obviously not sustainable and will regress mightily as the sample size increases.
The Reds were sufficiently impressed by his performance over the two levels that they rewarded him with a September call-up. In the majors, Francisco continued to roll, posting an absurd slash line of .429/.520/.619/1.139 with 1 homerun, 1 double, and a 7/3 K/BB ratio in 25 plate appearances. The sample size is too small to draw any meaningful conclusions, but for what it's worth, Francisco had a 14% line drive rate and another absurd BABIP of .615.
Overall, it was a solid season for Francisco, but one characterized by unsustainable outbursts of productivity and continuing struggles with his plate approach. Even so, it was a season that caught the eye of Dusty Baker, who has never had much use for disciplined hitters or on-base skills. That will make for an interesting 2010 season as Francisco was just selected to open the season in the majors under the watchful eye and toothpick of Dusty Baker.
Despite his hyper-aggressive approach at the plate, Francisco still manages to produce at something resembling a high level. So, obviously, he does have something to recommend him. So, maybe it's time to follow the age old Bill James adage that it's important to focus on what a player does well, rather than what he does poorly.
Francisco has an unorthodox pre-pitch setup. He uses a wide-spread, open stance and a significant bat waggle. He holds his hands up next to his left ear. While waiting on the pitcher, Francisco moves his bat in a circle and also from vertical to down past parallel to the ground. He's got a lot of pre-pitch movement in his stance.
When the hitter starts with such a wide open stance, then the stride must function to close it up. If it doesn't, then there is no way to cock the hips, generate load in the swing, or cover the outer portion of the plate. Francisco starts with a toe tap move towards the plate, which helps him close up his stance and rotate his hips inward. By rotating the front hip inward, Francisco builds rotational energy to power his swing. He also draws his hands down and back into hitting position with a small hitch to get his hands ready to come forward to meet the pitch. He then takes a long stride forward to transfer his weight forward into his final spread out hitting position.
As he commits to the swing, he fires his hips and pulls the bat through the hitting zone. He has good bat speed and gets good extension out through the ball. He has long arms and gets good leverage and loft on the ball, which enables him generate substantial power. He does have some length to his swing and his aggressiveness can result in him lunging at the pitch and getting too far out on the front foot. The length of the swing and his tendency to sell out in his swing leaves him struggling to make contact. Additionally, his bat speed and aggressive swing can cause him to spin off the ball and open up a bit too soon. Still, his extension and bat speed gives him massive power when he manages to make solid contact. Even so, his contact rate and tendency to chase pitches well outside the strikezone may be his undoing.
Here are a couple of looks at Francisco in action:
As for tools, Francisco has two plus tools. He brings both plus power and plus arm strength to the table. His struggles making contact will likely consistently leave him with lower batting averages. His body type and agility will always hinder his speed and defense and the problem will likely only get worse as his continues to mature physically.
The Reds continue to flirt with the idea of Francisco at the hot corner, despite the fact that most observers view that idea as a non-starter. In 2009, Francisco posted a -11 Runs/150 mark for Carolina under the TotalZone metric, which would rate him as a very poor fielder. Even so, the Reds seemingly continue to favor Francisco at the hot corner. Regardless, the addition of Scott Rolen to the team largely precludes the use of Francisco at third, so a position change now seems as necessary as it is inevitable.
Francisco was never likely to be a viable option at thirdbase, as his lateral movement and hands are below average. As a result, Francisco will likely be relegated to leftfield or firstbase where his bat will be less impressive and valuable. Francisco's game changing power may still enable him to carve out a career at an offense-first position, but the drag on his total value created by his poor defensive skills will likely preclude him from ever being an above average player.
Overall, Francisco is still plagued by a combination of attributes that reduce his value. His undisciplined offensive game limits his offensive upside, while his poor agility, speed, and range limit his defensive value. In short, he is probably something of a tweener. His offensive game isn't sufficient to sustain him at an offense-first position, while his defensive skill set isn't sufficient to allow him to travel very far up the defensive spectrum.
Francisco's overly aggressive approach at the plate will still likely leave him susceptible to advanced pitching and his defensive value will continue to be dragged down as he fills out physically and loses even more foot speed and agility.
For now, Francisco's plus power and habit of defying the odds lands him at #6 on the list. Even so, his 2009 performance seems to have been aided by a bit of luck, so some regression should be expected. I have never been all that high on Francisco, but he continues to defy expectations and climb up my prospect rankings. And, Francisco will need to continue defying the odds to ultimately win a starting job in Cincinnati.
10 comments:
- smittyApril 3, 2010 at 6:27 AM
His bat will play perfect for utility player, pinch hitters need to hit. I always viewed him as a pinch hit specialist. i don't think he will ever have an everyday job unless there's injuries. Now if he learned how to walk...ReplyDelete
- smittyApril 3, 2010 at 6:30 AM
o and btw, can you believe they let balentien go? for NIX! wow, not a smart move. I still cant see why they would do that.ReplyDelete
I'm really surprised to see Francisco crack the 25 man. I'm not sure what the benefit is to keeping him on the bench in a limited role, unless they view him as being nothing more than a utility player. Even so, I'd think you'd want to keep him in the minors to play everyday and build/maintain his trade value. By keeping him on the 25 man on a limited playing time basis, the Reds risk stunting whatever development he may have left and completely undercutting his trade value.
Seems an odd move, but maybe it points to the Reds believing they can win now.
As for Balentien, I'm a bit surprised. That said, they have a lot of outfield options and may simply have preferred Nix because he hits from the left side. So, ultimately, I don't think we miss Balentien all that much.
Anyway, thanks for the comment, Smitty.
yea but letting a good defensive outfielder who has plus power and can walk and has tremendous upside and outhit nix and hits righties better than lefties and is out of options just because nix is left handed.. i dont understand itReplyDelete
Yeah, I tend to agree. I'd keep Balentien over Nix, but in the final analysis I don't think it matters all that much. If either plays a prominent role in Cincy's 2010 season, then it's probably a lost season anyway.
It's clear that Bruce should be a fixture in right, Stubbs a fixture in center. And, we have Dickerson/Gomes/Francisco on the 25 in the mix for leftfield time. Add in Heisey, Frazier, and others in the minors and we simply don't have much need for either Nix or Balentien.
Still, Balentien has more upside and was the guy I would have kept. A bit of a headscratcher, but you get those from time to time with Dusty and Jocko. As I recall, last year Dusty referred to Nix as being potentially a "monster" at the plate, so maybe it's not so surprising after all.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
Happy Easter,
happy easter to you as well.ReplyDelete
I guess i just overrate wlad, to me he has much more upside than dickerson/heisey/frazier/gomes/Francisco as a LF.
I would take him over heisey and dickerson simply because they are centerfielders playing left.
I Like him over Frazier because he is an infielder and wlad has lf power and probably better defense
I like him over gomes because i see them with similiar bats but wlad plays much better defense and is younger.
i like him over juan because he can walk and play defense.
I guess in my perfect world i see him as a nelson cruz type of player and none of our guys we have now can match that potential. O well, no use worrying about it too much. opening day tomorrow! go reds
- AnonymousApril 6, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Guys, I know this is a Francisco thread but gotta jump in on Balentein. I think the key word with him is potential, he has it but how good are the odds he reaches it, I tend to be pessimistic about him although I never got a real good read on why. Something in that approach/mechanics/overall presence that just wasn't right. Problem is the Reds do believe they are ready to compete and Balentein just wasn't gonna beat out Gomes/Dickerson at this time. Can't reach that potential if you aren't playing regularly. Balentein might technically outproduce Nix from an overall standpoint but it would probably fairly close and whether or not he would outproduce Nix in Dusty's categories/views is what is debatable. Nix also can play CF if need be so there is that also.ReplyDelete
Maybe they get lucky and no one claims him allowing them to get him steady time in Louisville.
On Francisco I tend to agree with Lark pretty much spot on although I put him lower in my rankings just because that minor league career 6:1 K/BB Ratio has never been overcome by anyone in the history of the game (Wily MO Pena has a 5:1 ratio), 3:1 (Jose Guillen, Alfonso Soriano) is possible but he'd have to go a long, long way to get there. I give him any chance at all because he is still only 23 and I feel pretty confident there is a god so anything is possible. Juan better hope he has been living clean, LOL!
Interesting to get your take on Balentien. You have a higher opinion of him than I do. I find him to be mildly intriguing. A bit of upside and bit of polish, but I'm just not convinced that he has impact potential.
In the minors, he was something of an enigma in regard to his plate discipline. At some times and at some levels, he was a free swinger. At other times, he was pretty disciplined and had a strong IsoOBP.
I'm not sure what to make of him, really. He was, at one time, a highly regarded prospect, but his development seem to stall and stagnate. That said, he still does have some intriguing upside and does have age on his side, but I think he was just a victim of our outfield glut.
I would certainly have held Balentien over Nix, but given their likely limited playing time, it probably won't matter too much.
Thanks for the comment!
Yeah, I've been pretty rough on Francisco over the past few years and write ups. Still, I can't ignore the fact that he keeps on producing, so he's clawed his way up the ranks a bit.
I have real concerns about his approach, especially since I don't think it's one that plays all that well at an offense-first position. It works if your total value includes a portion based on your defensive skill, but not as well if it's all about the bat.
I just think MLB pitchers are too smart and too talented to let him get away with swinging at everything. I still expect pitchers to pick him apart with breaking balls off the plate and splitters in the dirt.
He still reminds me a bit of Mike Jacobs. A defensive liability relegated to the bottom of the defensive spectrum. A hitter who lacks on-base skills and a good contact rate, but who has plus power and can hit it a long way when he gets a hold of it. Maybe that's selling Francisco short a bit, but that's still what I see right now.
Anyway, thanks for the comment!
- AnonymousApril 8, 2010 at 2:36 PM
I thought all these prospect reports were suposed to be done by the start of the season.ReplyDelete


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Gere'd up: 'The Double' could use twice the plot
It takes The Double less than half an hour to reveal who the double is. That's if you're lucky enough to avoid the movie's trailer, which just comes right out and tells you. At that point, Peggy Lee lyrics went humming through my mind ("Is that all there is?") and, veteran thriller fan that I am, I began to suspect the movie had more than one double. That would be so incredible and absurd that I thought it was possible. Here is a movie constructed from basic parts at the Used Screenplay Store, with a character plugged in whenever one is required.
Still, it was a pleasure to see Richard Gere in the lead. He's an actor who has been improbably attractive all of his career and now, at 62, has only improved with age. I like the subtle, catlike body language he uses, such as moving for a millisecond, pausing, then moving definitively. Or the pause in a head movement, as if we're being told: "Thinking ... deciding ... acting." He never just flat does something. It's a form of dancing. He is permanently on pose. Full review.Read more on: movie review

subset: commoncrawl


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By Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas
One in a series
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
VATICAN CITY — Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja in Nigeria, whose brother lives in the Diocese of Tucson, offered today's reflection to begin our full day of interventions. He reflected on an experience of his early episcopacy when he went to visit death-row prisoners living in wretched situations, He saw many wearing a rosary around their necks, which bewildered him since half of Nigerians are Muslim. He asked them what led them to Jesus.
They said that when they saw Christians living alongside of them in awful conditions, less than human circumstances and heard the joy of their singing and how they were able to retain hope amid despairing situations, they said they wanted to become Christians to share in that joy. This is a powerful example of evangelization. He inspired all of us, reminding us of the power of witness to change hearts,
Nigeria, like too many places around the world today, has experienced much violence in places like the city of Jos, where religious tensions and conflicts have surfaced. During our discussions bishops have expressed some of the struggles, persecution, tensions and turmoil happening in their communities. Listening to one another from all over the world gathered in the synod makes all of us more deeply aware of some of these challenges being experienced in many parts of the world. We can share in those sufferings and pain. We can stand in solidarity with those being persecuted, living amid violence. We can join hands, standing up against injustice and advocating for peace.
Today is filled with interventions by synod fathers. Each one brings his own perspective. Each talk adds a small, important piece that gradually forms, with all the others, a large mosaic image of the new evangelization that is beginning to take shape. The interventions are delivered in a number of languages, including Italian, Spanish, German, French, and English. The contributions are not organized by theme nor by the country of the presenter. So they vary greatly from emphasizing the need for the family or the parish or the schools or catechists or small Christian communities or new media to foster the new evangelization. A bishop from Honduras is followed by a bishop from Vietnam followed by a bishop from Cameroon followed by a bishop from Mexico, each talking in his own language and from his own experience about what new evangelization means to him and in his country.
Bishop Brian Dunn of Antigonish in Canada reflected in his intervention today on how sexual abuse by clergy has led to distrust among the people and hampered our efforts to evangelize. He suggested four ways necessary to move forward. He indicated that we must first listen attentively to victims and survivors and be ready to apologize for the harm done and the slow response of those in authority. We must recognize the harm that has been done. Second he encouraged the efforts of all in the church to provide safe environments. Third he called for a spirituality of communion providing rich consultation and dialogue with all in the church, and finally he indicated that victims call us to a change of culture especially in how we work with and empower lay people. Laity must be considered people co-responsible for the church.
The sexual abuse crisis in the Diocese of Tucson and in so many places in the United States and around the world has been a major crisis for the church. The abuse crisis has weakened people's trust, and trust once broken can be restored only very slowly by consistent and repeated efforts to ensure the safety of children and all in the church. Bishop Dunn's intervention reminds us of the challenge to restore credibility to the church's voice. We have learned a painful lesson. As victims of sexual abuse have said to me, "Bishop you cannot change what happened to me, but you can make sure that this never happens again." That must be our mission.
After the morning session, the Holy Father invited all involved in the synod — the synod fathers, men and women auditors, experts and fraternal delegates — to a lunch in the audience hall of Paul VI that had been changed into a lovely dining room by removing a number of the auditorium seats. Members sat at tables by discussion groups and it was a welcome break after a morning of five-minute interventions one after the other. The lunch was in honor of the inauguration of the Year of Faith.
The Holy Father was flanked on either side by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and the Anglican primate, Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury. Risotto and grilled fish were served by an army of waiters. Many cardinals and bishops not participating in the synod joined the group for lunch.
At the end of the meal in his remarks Benedict referred to the Emmaus passage reflecting on how we, like the disciples, were sharing a meal as we were walking together in the synod, seeking to know the Lord and one another in a deeper way. He also observed that at this meal we were sharing together with leaders of other faiths, dining together as we seek to walk more closely together.
In what was a miracle, the Holy Father before final prayer overruled Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, who had asked us to return to the synod hall at 4:30 p.m. as planned. The Holy Father seeing on his watch that it was 3 p.m. declared that we could return to the work of the Synod at 5:45. Like school children given a free day, everyone applauded with vigor.
The shortened afternoon was spent listening to Dr. Werner Arber, a microbiologist and geneticist and the first Protestant president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1978. He began his reflection on the contemplation between science and faith by identifying curiosity as the driving force for scientific identification of natural laws and the basis for every human being's effort to know the laws of nature in his search for the truth. He asserted that the ongoing process of evolution of the universe, of nature and of life is a given scientific fact. We believe life may exist on extraterrestrial places, although this has not been confirmed. He discussed genetic variation and how this has occurred over time.
He spoke of how established scientific knowledge adds to our worldview and it can open up innovation as a benefit to our lives and environments. Societal life requires rules of conduct. Acceptance of those rules is more acceptable if they are rooted in faith. If Jesus lived with us today he would be open to scientific knowledge for the benefit of society as long as the relevant laws of nature are fully accepted.
The Vatican has long been interested in science and its relationship to faith. We have testimony of that by the presence of the Jesuit astronomers in Tucson and Castel Gandolfo who staff the Vatican Observatory. They stand as peers in the scientific community as they conduct helpful research on behalf of the church. Jesuit Father Jose Funes from Argentina is the director of the observatory. We are blessed to have them in the diocese. They remind us of the regard the church holds for science.
Bishop Kicanas, of Tucson, Ariz., is chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services and is a former vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Also a former chairman of the U.S. bishops' Communications Committee, he is blogging from the world Synod of Bishops this month by special arrangement with Catholic News Service. He was elected an alternate delegate to the synod by the U.S. bishops and became a full delegate when Cardinal Francis E. George was unable to attend.


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Reports that some on the Apple board have been in discussions with recruiters about a chief executive -- and had an unnamed high-profile candidate in mind -- caused CEO Steve Jobs to call the information wrong.
"I think it's hogwash," Jobs said in an email to the Wall Street Journal about the alleged board discussions.
Jobs took an indefinite second medical leave from Apple in January, but has appeared around the Apple campus and on specific public occasions, such as a dinner with President Barack Obama in February. Tabloids have reported that he is battling cancer but still is taking meetings at his home. Jobs has also been on the Apple campus more frequently lately, including appearing at Apple's WorldWide Developers Conference earlier this month, according to InformationWeek and our reports.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
The WSJ turned Jobs' denial of the Apple board discussions into almost Machiavellian proportions.
It is unclear whether Mr. Jobs was aware. . . . An Apple spokesman declined to comment. For individuals to hold these conversations outside of the official scope of the board is rare at a company where board members have been hand-picked by Mr. Jobs. The board is known to be private and rarely speaks with outsiders about its affairs.
The discussions were held by a few directors not as plans for succession but more of "an exploration of the company's options," an unnamed source told the WSJ.
The company should keep it quiet. Its shares soar or plummet based on news of Jobs' health.
"If something happens to Steve Jobs tomorrow, the stock may go down 50 bucks, so you have to be careful and have it in moderation," Gary Bradshaw, a portfolio manager at Hodges Capital Management, told Reuters.
Most analysts say that board discussions on Apple's CEO succession isn't premature based on Jobs' health -- but at least one thought it may have to do with Jobs' weakened power on the board.
"Curiously, despite being a founder of the company, Jobs own less than 1 percent of the firm (about 0.6 percent) -- he owned 0.63 percent in 2007. So this might be a reason the board is reportedly starting to looking for a new chief," Anna Danielova, assistant professor of finance at DeGroote School of Business in Hamilton, Ontario told the International Business Times.
Apple would be foolish to cut Jobs loose. He's its founder and CEO, but he's also the public face of the company and his appearances raise shares and inspire shareholder confidence. We think however long Jobs wants his position he will have it. To say otherwise is hogwash.


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Kryptonics Wheels Chooses Jerome Bevilacqua as First Global Brand Activist
Long time skateboarder and Kryptonics Wheels supporter, Jerome Bevilacqua has been chosen as the first Global Brand Activist. Bevilacqua, 46, is a skateboarder, longboarder and creator of the popular skateboarding website Sakaroulé. When not skateboarding he is a financial auditor, or as the French like to say a "commissaire aux comptes". Jerome resides in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, in the heart of the Caribbean.
Jerome started skateboarding in 1976, after watching a documentary on television showing the latest California trend, skateboarding. His first skateboard was a blue banana board. From the beginning he skated everything; slalom, high jump, barrel jump and quarter pipe. In 1995 Jerome began longboarding and soon become one of its greatest proponents.
Known by followers of his website and Facebook as a fetishist of urethane, Jerome describes the new Kryptonics Star Trac Wheels as only he can, "I love the consistent shape, and the comfort of the three colours : red is like velvet, blue is silk, green is like African wax. Each duro has its specific sensation. I love the 75mm: it is a great addition to the traditional sizes."
In addition to representing Kryptonics Star Trac Wheels at skateboarding events, Jerome will also be promoting the brand through social media and via his website Sakaroulé.
In announcing Bevilacqua as the first Kryptonics Global Brand Activist, Kryptonics Wheels Brand Director Steve Douglas commented, "We could not have found a more ardent and loyal supporter of Kryptonics wheels to help us spread the word about the new Kryptonics Star Trac Wheels."
The new line of Kryptonics Star Trac Wheels are now available from Revolution and other fine skate stores.
When did you begin skateboarding?
Back in 1976 I remember watching a documentary on TV showing a new trend in California: we could see people riding flat boards on wheels, picking up food at the grocery, then riding down the pavement. A few month later I saw my first skateboard – and got it for my 10th birthday.
Where were you living then?
I was born and raised in Lille, North of France, in the Flanders, close to the Belgium border and across the Channel, England.
Did you play other sports as kid?
Skateboard, Rollerskates, BMX (I rode a Raleigh Rampart in 1979). I started wind-surfing with my elder brothers in 1980.
What type of skateboarding did you do when you began? Slalom? Freestyle? Vert?
In the 70's one had to try everything: hippie jump and barrel jumps over my friends! I loved slalom too – I lived in a flat land. We had a steep quarter pipe to learn "3 wheels out" and "aerials". I had two set ups at that time: a solid Logan on Mid-Tracks then Gull Wings, and a G&S Fibreflex on ACS 651. And two sets of Kryptonics: blues and reds 65. I used to change and mix them all the time.
When did you first ride Kryptonics?
1977 – I had a stiff oak board (Logan) upgraded with Road Riders. I borrowed a board from a friend, a Sims Quicksilver set up with red Kryptonics. I felt like I was riding a magic flying carpet. I was hooked.
What color wheels/size did you ride?
I switched from reds and blues, then ended mixing front blues and reds back. In those days 65mm was comfortable, 70mm was considered huge. Later I turned to 70mm reds – they are still my favourite wheel nowadays. I have it stuck in my mind now: red wheels are faster!
How much better were they than the competition?
Above all challengers: they gave you the edge. Faster, firmer, smarter. They determined how you would skate: grippy carve for reds or slash and slide for greens (and everything in between for blues). Moreover they gave you style!
What was your favorite Kryptonics ad from back in the day?
So many! There was no internet then. Actually we'd wait for the next issue of the Skate Board Magazine to discover new adds, or sneak in USA imported mags shared as priceless relics! I think "We blue it" was among my favourites.
What is your favorite memory from skateboarding in the 70's and early 80's?
There was a wide lane, good tarmac, ending in a sharp L turn. When I was riding down that road I always felt like a "california dream". Reading both fright and pleasure in your partner's eyes while doing catamarans is always a good memory.
What is your favorite memory in skateboarding?
Meeting buddies and trying to share that strange inner feeling you get when carving the perfect line.
When and why did you become so passionate Kryptonics wheels?
I had had good times on Kryptonics and felt crossed when they were underrated or looked down upon for wrong reasons. They were not the hype they were not supported by any kind of advertising and a whole generation still had to discover them!
Have you always ridden them?
Yes. And I still do! Actually I ride many wheels and consider Kryptonics as my milestone. Some may be more grippy bigger brighter driftier or else they stand the comparison. Their 'buttery slide' is incomparable.
Were you in touch with the original Kryptonics company back in the 1970s and 1980s?
Not during that era. One central figure at the end of the 90's was Tom Peterson. He was an outstanding rollerskater and a visionnaire. He turned Kryptonics towards the in line market, abandoned development for the skateboarding market but helped develop new compounds with AEND and Neil Piper. Perhaps today's best chemist for urethanes.
Who are some of the people you have known over the years from Kryptonics?
So many. Each rider has his own memories and I often started the exploration simply by evoking the name Kryptonics.
How long has your website Sakaroule been around? What was the inspiration for starting it?
Around 2000 I started checking for wheels on the Internet and I was surprised to find few things about skateboarding. I met a famous French longboarder and blogger Pappy Boyington from Longboard in Paris and started writing to him, then blogging what I had not found elsewhere. Kryptonics raises so many fond memories and good times for several generations of skaters that I thought it was necessary to share some feedback to spread these goodies.
You recently had a Kryptonics conceptual ad contest on Sakaroule, how was the response?
Brilliant. French riders instantly found good messages appealing to several generations. Those who had seen the original ads by Jim Ford as well as those who were about to discover its special savour.
What were some of your favorite entries?
I was surprised every day when I discovered the entries. So talented, so nice, so new. I have a sweet spot for "Houston?" as it makes me smile, "We're back" is so simple and strong, and "Back from the Dead" is in the mood of horror movies or zombies series. "Hot core" is fantastic, and I love red Kryptonics! If I had only one thing to say to any rider, it would be "get a set of Kryptonics and ride!"
What are you doing these days?
Sharing memories of the last sessions on Sakaroulé, planning the next ride, and getting fit to reach new goals!
What type of work do you do?
I am a financial auditor, a French "commissaire aux comptes".
You've been riding the new Kryptos for a couple of months now; can you share your thoughts on the wheels?
Great! You know some people consider me as a fetishist of urethane. I love the consistent shape, and the comfort of the three colours: red is like velvet, blue is silk, green is like African wax. Each duro has its specific sensation. I love the 75mm: it is a great addition to the traditional sizes.
How does it feel to be the first Kryptonics Wheels Global Brand Activist?
Ask Dave! As for being an activist: I feel committed to share and suggest, and blame if need be.
Tell us a bit about where you live.
In 1990 I moved to Guadeloupe, in the heart of the Caribbean. Imagine a group of tiny tropical islands around a volcano, green forests, waterfalls, black and white sand, surrounded by the sea. It's been more than 20 years now, and guess what? I love it.
What's 2014 look like for you?
2013 was a transition year in many aspects. 2014 is already a great year, and we have almost 340 days left to celebrate it! I'd like to make friends, and get involved in new ventures in Long Distance Pumping. I will share my "coups de Coeur" on Sakaroulé!


text:
sdenom01 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 58 diseños de 13 diseñadores freelance.
Hi! My name is Sara DeNoma and I am activities chair for the Villanova University chapter of STAND, the student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network. Here's our national website if you'd like to check it out.. http://www.standnow.org/
College students, specifically those of Villanova University.
On March 20th we are hosting STAND World Cup! It will be a 5 v 5 soccer tournament to raise money for a children's sports program in Darfur and also relief to Burma. It will obviously be modeled after the real FIFA World Cup, with each team representing a country. This is our first year doing this and I'd love a logo that is fun, intense and professional! It will be on the website to be made after this contest and the t-shirts we give to all the participants.
The only requirements are that it include "STAND World Cup," the year - 2010 and Villanova University. The rest is up to you!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
DataPipe USA Inc. - Providing EHS Software Solutions Since 1979
Welcome DataPipe
Our Approach
DataPipe In Depth FAQs
Online Demo
Customer Support Contact
your EHS data with DataPipe. DataPipe USA has nearly 35 years of experience providing an
easy-to-use, modular EHS software solution for collecting and
managing environment,
occupational health,
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best-of-breed functionality, integration and
at every level in an easy-to-use solution. DataPipe is
accessible from the Web or Windows, offers point-and-click
reporting, data exchange with external systems and
software, automated email notification, triggered events,
extensive customizing capabilities,
risk management
environmental compliance,
incident management,
compliance reporting and much more.
Learn more about
"EHS Software" .
The History of DataPipe USA Inc. (1979-2020). 41 Years!
Founded in 1979,
DataPipe USA Inc. was
one of the first companies (world-wide) to provide
computing solutions. In the 1980s, the company
developed computer interfaces for industrial hygiene
instruments to speak with databases and then offered its
first multi-user, modular Environment & Waste Management,
Occupational Health & Medical Records and Safety &
Industrial Hygiene software program based on the UNIX
operating system (this was the first incarnation of
DataPipe). It used an enhanced PC as a server with "dumb
terminals" as workstations. Now with 41 years of
environment, health and safety software development, we continued to enhance,
improve and add-on to what is now our globally well known,
fully integrated and very powerful,
DataPipe EH&S software
suite. More on the history
of DataPipe USA.
Register now for
an interactive online web demonstration.
DataPipe live
as we walk you through the actual forms,
demonstrate the customization and flexibility of the
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build a new audit or survey on the fly or create a brand
new data entry field on any form. We will show you how to
use our safety software to not only stay compliant but through
reporting and data mining to actually discover cost-saving
trends that you never knew existed before. We will spend
time discussing your organization's goals and show you how
DataPipe can meet and exceed them. Seats are limited and
are offered on a first-come first-serve basis so
please sign up
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DataPipe Expands to the Middle East: In
conjunction with their plans for growth, DataPipe USA'
DataPipe announced the opening of it's newest sales
branch, DataPipe-Middle East FZE - an exclusive
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USA located in Dubai. The branch was officially opened by
Mr. Atef Atta, CEO DataPipe Mid East FZE. The opening of
this new branch will help to expand DataPipe USA
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its various regions. Learn more about DataPipe ME at
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DataPipe USA Inc. has been providing DataPipe, the
complete EH&S information management software solution for
nearly 35 years. DataPipe is a smart and simple, modular
software solution for collecting and managing EHS data.
Economic Stimulus Package provides money for
EHR Systems.
In 2009 the stimulus package has
allocated roughly 20 billion dollars to assist health
clinics in the United States to adopt certified EHR
technology to help manage their healthcare information and
record keeping.
Learn more about
how to qualify.
Building In-House Solutions Fail! A
new Standish Group report shows more in-house built
software projects failing and even more late and over
budget. The Standish Group's just-released report, "CHAOS Summary 2009," "This year's results show a marked decrease in project success rates, with 32% of all projects succeeding which are delivered on time, on budget, with required features and functions" says Jim Johnson, chairman of The Standish Group, "44% were challenged which are late, over budget, and/or with less than the required features and functions and 24% failed which are cancelled prior to completion or delivered and never used."
Don't lose time and money on projects that can better be
served by off-the-shelf software solutions. See the
full article.
Did you know? According to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
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DataPipe can help you with compliance.
Recent Module
Additions: Adding to the arsenal of more than 100
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EHS Software Solutions: Making a decision
about an EHS software
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magazine goes over some of the basic questions you
need to answer before making this decisions. For
more information about
Exploring EHS Software Solutions click the link.
DataPipe has been designed from the ground up to handle
large numbers of user and facilities even world wide.
It is efficient and powerful. And most importantly
it has been designed to adapt to your ever changing
business rules.
DataPipe USA showcased the latest version of
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you for stopping by our booth this year. We look
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Please visit DataPipe-related blogs,
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Various accidents and incidents occur everyday.
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text:
The Jalopnik Film Festival is only 12 days away and I'm excited to announce the panel for the rally documentary Easier Said Than Done, which will include none other than rally driver and Hoonimus Maximus Ken Block talking rally with director Matt Johnson.
What's going to happen can best be described as a happy rally sandwich, with bread made from some of the most interesting people in the world of American rally racing and a meaty, crowd-sourced salami of a documentary called Easier Said Than Done that will get a pre-debut screening on September 19th at BAM Rose Cinema in Brooklyn (Buy tickets here).
After the film our own Raphael Orlove will moderate a panel to discuss the film, the sport, and the future of going fast on dirt-and-snow with the best group of people we could assemble (who were willing to take our phone calls).
Ken Block — Hoonigan Supreme My favorite line about Ken Block (aka Sheriff Kensco P. Hoontrane) comes from Bill Caswell, who pointed out that more Americans have walked on the moon than scored points in the World Rally Championship. That makes Ken Block better than an astronaut. He's delighted us with his Gymkhana videos, drifted all the things, and brought hooning into American homes through our computers.
There's simply more to say about Ken Block than can fit in a short introduction, but it wouldn't be an overstatement to say that he's the most popular driver in America who hasn't raced around Indy.
Brian Scotto — Chief Brand Officer at Hoonigan Industries Scotto is the guy who lurks somewhat secretly behind the scenes of most of the good things that have happened in car culture over the last decade. The reason why everyone knows the word 'hoon' and what it stands for? That's Scotto and Davey G. playing around in OG Jalopnikland. The dude on the Segway in those crazy Gymkhana videos? Scotto. Those back issues of 0-60 you'll never ever part with? Scotto founded 0-60.
These days he works with Ken Block and Hoonigan Industries to spread the good word. Did I mention he owns a RWB Porsche?
Matt Johnston — Director A Grand Rapids native, Matt Johnston loves two things: Rally and filmmaking. As a driver competing in North America, Johnston was able to win a Gp2 National Championship in 2005 and made it all the way to entering a WRC race in 2006 before running out of money. He went on, then, to focus on filmmaking and produced the documentary Easier Said Than Done which officially premieres later this month.
Because he's a great guy, and because Jalopnik readers contributed to funding it, Johnston agreed to screen the film early as a sneak preview during the festival.
Bill Caswell — Driver, Lover, Crazy Person Bill Caswell brings unique insight from the world of rally racing and the world of filmmaking. The former, because he did this, and the latter because he sold the rights to a part of his life for a film. You probably know him as the crazy guy who does crazy awesome things all the crazy awesome time.


text:
When I am in a terminal, and I type
/bin/bash, that starts up another bash shell, right?
Is it possible to find out, via some command, whether the current bash shell has been started from another bash shell?
Also, what are the implications of starting a shell inside another? (or does it not matter)


text:
There are paths I walked in my youth
Enough times you might still see me there
A needle stuck in a groove
This is my life [tick]
This is my life [tick]
This is my life [tick]
Stop and tell me my future
Stay and read my leaves
Tell me that despite
My widdershin path
That I'll be all right
If I don't believe you…make me
I wrote a letter to that young wanderer
Using my address from that time
Across the top: Erich Michaels (adolescent)
In it I said:
Yes…she will break your heart, but…
Enjoy the ride
Also, don't block out her name
She deserves better than that
That tattoo will be a regret
Not just because it's needle and thread
Bottle of India ink, prison-chic
But because it doesn't represent you
Have a little more fun in college
Yes, grades are important
But, so are friends
You'll regret not going to graduate school
But I'm here to tell you
You'll marry a wonderful woman
You'll raise her fantastic son
And you'll make a baby boy
Who fills the parts of your heart
That you thought were condemned
This will be your new path
You'll be right where you're supposed to be
And everything will be alright
This is my life [tick]
This is my life [tick]
This is my life [tick]
Let it
Erich Michaels describes himself as "just trying to share the human experience." He has a bachelor's degree in creative writing, but find himself writing SOPs (lather, rinse, repeat) in order to make a living, which can be detrimental to the creative process. You can find him on the road to recovery at Erich Michaels. Every journey begins with a single step, right?


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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Coagulated sheep's blood. Pig knuckles. Snake bile. Fried crickets. Sound like ingredients you might see bubbling away in a caldron, right?
Zane Lamprey raises a toast to alcoholic beverages the world over.
Well, these are just some of the unusual items Zane Lamprey has eaten -- yes, eaten -- during the course of his day job.
No, he's not a human garbage disposal. Lamprey is a comedian who hosts a TV program about drinking, "Three Sheets." The show follows him all over the world as he samples local libations.
Lamprey also claims to be in search of the ultimate hangover cure, which is why he's often called upon to ingest the indigestible.
Not that the drinks are any better. Anyone for a shot of Belize rum that's had a dead snake fermenting in it for about a year? If the locals drink it, so will Lamprey.
"I'll try anything once," he said, adding that "there's certainly a lot that I won't drink twice." Watch Lamprey use sword to open champagne »
Gross stuff aside, Lamprey has what many consider to be a dream job. And although he occasionally gets a little bleary-eyed, the Californian maintains that it's not a show about getting inebriated.
"I drink to try new things, to learn about drinking cultures or new drinks," Lamprey said. "Sometimes levels of inebriation are the by-product of my job, but I'm certainly not going out looking to do that. If I did I think I'd be the wrong person for the job."
We caught up with Lamprey in New York's Bubble Lounge, where he was preparing (soberly, mind you) to use a sword to lop off the end of a champagne bottle, glass neck and all. It's a ritual he says started in the Napoleonic era as a way to celebrate victories at battle.
While Lamprey might not be as battle-scarred as Napoleon's men, he does have a victory to celebrate: "Three Sheets" has a new home after being put in limbo for several months after its original network went off the air.
The show now airs on the Fine Living Network, which has just popped the cork on "Three Sheets' " fourth season. New episodes air Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET and repeat throughout the week.
Besides demonstrating how one sabers champagne, Lamprey talked to CNN about dealing with thumping hangovers, staying in shape and other challenges of hosting a TV show about alcohol. The following is an edited version of the transcript.
CNN: Do you consider yourself a professional drinker?
Zane Lamprey: I get paid to drink. If I got paid to play baseball, I'd be a professional baseball player, right? Yeah. So I guess I am a professional drinker.
CNN: By now you must have discovered a cure for a hangover.
Lamprey: There is no cure. Actually, there's two. Either don't drink, or don't stop. Once you break one of those, you get into trouble.
We've found remedies, things that'll make it a little easier. I've jumped in freezing water, I've done just about everything, and nothing has wiped out my hangover.
CNN: Where were you when you had your worst hangover?
Lamprey: Oddly enough, I was in a place that I was promised by several people I would not get a hangover: Champagne, France. They said if you drink good champagne, you can drink as much as you want, and you won't get a hangover. So I put it to the test, and the next day, I had the worst hangover yet. It was horrible. Oh. So bad.
CNN: In Iceland, you drank something called "Black Death," the same name given to the pandemic that nearly wiped out Europe centuries ago. Taste good?
Lamprey: I'm sure it tasted better than the plague, but not by much. It tasted like something that people shouldn't want to drink, like vodka mixed with black licorice and dirt. When I stepped off the plane, I was dying to try it. Then once I tried it, I was dying to drink something to get that taste out of my mouth.
CNN: You've said that one of the worst things you've had to drink was viper rum in Belize, which had a dead snake soaking in it. What does a snake taste like?
Lamprey: A dead snake tastes like what a dead snake smells like. When I actually had to smell the shot, which I was told not to do, I almost hurled. I managed to get it down, and I think I chased it with a piece of watermelon rolled in sugar.
CNN: What does your doctor say about the state of your liver?
Lamprey: I have one. It's sitting on my counter at home, and it's completely fine. ...
When I finished this last season, I did go and get a full checkup, and I'm completely fine.
CNN: How do you stay in shape while shooting "Three Sheets"?
Lamprey: I don't. Go look at a clip of me doing the show. I'm probably about 23 pounds heavier. I have taken my shirt off, and when I watch that sometimes I get a little, "Oh, God."
But that makes me an everyman. People want to see an everyman. They don't want to see some guy who's all put together, which clearly I'm not. I don't profess to know anything about booze. I learn it from the people that show me.
CNN: Do you find that generally everybody's attitude toward drinking is the same the world over?
Lamprey: Absolutely. Everyone drinks to enjoy themselves. Everyone goes out with their friends because they're looking to have a good time. That's the same everywhere.
CNN: You spend all this time in bars around the world ... your crew must be tempted to drink.
Lamprey: Tempted to drink? Fact: I cannot keep up with my crew.
CNN: So your camera operator has shot you drunk?
Lamprey: I would say yes.
CNN: That explains why sometimes you look blurry.
Lamprey: I'm generally a very blurry-looking person.


text:
Celtic reach third qualifying round
Celtic eased through to the Champions League third qualifying round with an emphatic 4-0 win over KR Reykjavik at the BT Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh.
Leading 1-0 from the first-leg in Iceland and starting the match in top gear, Celtic wasted little time as defender Virgil van Dijk helped himself to a brace within 20 minutes to ensure a comfortable night for the Scottish champions.
Striker Teemu Pukki grabbed a third before the break as Celtic played with impressive pace and purpose to confirm...


text:
Fan Coils
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Zehnder Rittling is constantly improving our product designs to keep pace with advances in technology. We continue to research, develop and launch the tools we feel are necessary to help our clients streamline their interaction with our company. Contact your Zehnder Rittling Sales Support Representative for more information or to gain access to our state-of-the-art selection software. Zehnder Rittling Select was custom-designed and proudly launched near the close of 2010 to aid in the selection and configuration of our products. This highly sophisticated software nearly automates the selection of our products and all the features that are available to you from Zehnder Rittling.
As always, Zehnder Rittling experts are available to help meet your complex specifications. Our philosophy continues to be: "if you can draw it, we can build it."
Fan Coils are designed to deliver conditioned air to the room space through the use of heated and chilled water circulated through a single or dual coil system. As filtered air is blown across finned, hydronic coils, heat is efficiently transferred between the water and air.
With over sixty years of engineering excellence, the Zehnder Rittling team members are experts in heat transfer, sheet metal design and control systems. We use that knowledge to maximize the effectiveness of our fan coil designs, and as a direct result, our Fan Coils lead the industry with the most advanced features available.
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Zehnder Rittling Fan Coils are installed in new building construction, renovated offices, residential complexes and educational institutions across North America.
Additional typical installations are as follows:
- Schools and universities
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- Hotels and motels
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- Assisted living facilities
- Municipal and office buildings
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text:
Ashley Lehman
|Harrisonburg, Va. (Broadway HS)
|Elementary Education
2011 Track and Field: Finished fourth in the 5000m run at the A-Sun Indoor Championships with a personal-best 17:50.91s mark... Set two personal-bests at the Spring Break Invitational, in the 800m run (2:24.98s; 19th) and the 1500m run (4:51.58s; 13th)... Personal-best 3000m run came at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold, where she finished eighth with a 10:26.03s mark... Ended the season with a seventh-place 5000m run at the A-Sun Outdoor Championships (18:04.92s).
2010 Cross Country: All-Atlantic Sun honoree... Four of her seven meets were ran in the top-20... Started the season with three straight top-20s: Belmont Opener (14:55.74; 18th), Vermont Invite (19:14; 16th) and Vanderbilt Invitational (18:37.91; 11th)... Lowered 5K personal-best to 18:05 at the Chile Pepper Invitational, finishing 60th... Finished 11th at the Atlantic Sun Championships with a personal-best 5K time of 18:03.24.
2010 Track and Field: Season-best 2:35.15s 800m run netted her an eighth-place finish at the Austin Peay Spring Fling... Finished seventh in the 1500m in her next Clarksville appearance, at the Governors Invitational, with a season-best 5:05.92s mark... Season-best 5000m mark came at the Vanderbilt Invitational, where she finished 18th in 18:54.82s.
2008: Named "Freshman of the Year" by her coaches and teammates. ...Placed 14th out of 86 runners in the Mid-America Opener (8/30) at Evansville with a time of 15:36.67 over the 4-K course. ...Finished 25th out of 103 runners, the top finisher for the Lady Bisons, in the Belmont-Vanderbilt Opener (9/5), covering the 4-K course in a time of 15:28.91. ...Finished ninth, the top finisher for the Lady Bisons, In the Vanderbilt Invitational (9/20), with a time of 18:59.47 over the 5-k course. ...Finished 187th (20:12.01) over the 5-K course in the Greater Louisville Classic (10/4). ...Finished 39th (19:03.10) over the 5-K course in the University of Evansville Invitational (10/18). ...Finished 39th (19:41.97) over the 5-K course in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships (11/1). ...A-Sun All-Academic Team.
High School: 2008 All-State 3200m Indoor & Outdoor. … 2005-2007 All-Region Cross Country. …2006-2008 All-Region Track. …2004-2008 All-District Cross Country and Track. …800m 2:21. …1600m 5:18. …2mile 11:56. …3000m 11:00. … 3200m 11:22. … 5K 19:30. … 4x800 10:06. …Valedictorian of graduating class.
Personal: Parents are Sharon and Michael Lehman. …Wants to be a first grade teacher. …Also wants to spend time in the mission field. …Enjoys TV show "Reba" and country band Rascal Flatts. … Father ran track and cross country for Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Mennonite University.


text:
Some school officials remain skeptical of the academic benefits of a four-day school week as lawmakers continue to debate the matter at the state level.
Some school officials remain skeptical of the academic benefits of a four-day school week as lawmakers continue to debate the matter at the state level.
Earlier this week, Missouri House members approved a bill by a vote of 98-62 that would give school districts the option of reducing the school week to four days while lengthening the school day by little more than an hour.
The result would be 32 fewer days of instruction time each year, from 174 days to 142, while the number of instruction hours would remain the same.
The bill still needs approval by the Missouri Senate.
State Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville, said the measure would make the four-day week an option — not mandatory for school districts — as an option to save on transportation and utilities, among other areas.
"If this was a measure to make the four-day school week mandatory, I wouldn't support it," Thomson said. "But for those districts that are really facing budget problems, at least this gives them another option."
Nodaway County superintendents interviewed for this story agreed they like that lawmakers are giving them more options to save money, while leaving it up to local officials to decide whether reducing the school week is a good option.
But even if the bill does pass, it doesn't mean students can look forward to a possible three-day weekend anytime soon.
Terry Hutchings, superintendent of South Nodaway Co. R-IV, said he's been studying the possibility of reducing school days for years.
Although it would be an effective cost-cutting measure, there are too many doubts about how it would affect students academically.
"Especially for the younger age children, I think a shorter school week could have negative ramifications," Hutchings said. "I don't think those students are old enough to spend more time in a day at school just to eliminate a full day out of the week."
Superintendents Karma Coleman, of Nodaway-Holt R-VII, Jeff Mehlenbacher, of Northeast Nodaway Co. R-V, Hutchings and John Zeliff, assistant superintendent of Maryville R-II, also agree reducing the school week could have negative effects on student achievement.
Coleman said having an extra day away from school would likely make it difficult for students to retain what they've learned in the classroom. Mehlenbacher also echoed concerns by some lawmakers about parents having to pay for child care or make other changes to accommodate the extra day children wouldn't be in school.
Essentially, before district officials would consider reducing the school week, they'd have to see a model of how the four-day school week could be used to benefit academics.
"You look at the school calendar we have in place now –– that's the result of a lot of changes made over time," Zeliff said. "So this four-day week could evolve overtime into something used to benefit academic achievement and enhance student learning.
"We just have to wait and see."
To learn more about this bill, titled HB242, or to track it, go to www.house.mo.gov.
Maryville Daily Forum


text:
Pauuuuuuuse: So This Is How Dudes Get Down In Movies Nowadays?, Gay's Twirling, Man Let's His Inner B*tch Out On Ride & Boy Goes Off On His Roommate In College Dorm! [Gay Compilation]
Start it at 4:15 mark to see the gay roommate going off!
Submitted by @QBHLADY<
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Last Saturday, was the first Dubai 500px Fujifilm Global Photowalk, held near the Creek between 4pm and 7pm. Dubai was not the only city where a 500px Photowalk was held, but with more than 200 photographers, it was likely one of the best attended ones around the world! The group-shot made at the start of the walk, gives a good impression of the crowd that afternoon.
The fine folks of Fujifilm Middle East were also present and lend free Fujifilm cameras to photographers that wanted to explore the amazing X-series camera system. Make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest and greatest Fujifilm has to offer in the Middle East and beyond!
For the ones that are not familiar with Dubai, the city is pretty much divided by "the Creek"; Bur Dubai on the West side and Deira on the East side. During the walk, we spend most of the time in Bur Dubai; photographing daily life around the many souks (small street markets) and near the Abra (small wooden boat to transfer people across the Creek) stations.
As often is the case, especially with the larger photowalks, it is more about the social aspect than actually about making great images.
While I did come home with a few other keeper images, the image below is the one that stood out most for me! It was made in a tiny street next to the Shiva and Sai Baba temple, where I spotted this shopkeeper in between a few steps along his shop. For me, the person in the background, gives the image the extra layer.
Image details:
Fujifilm X-T1 with the XF 16mm f1.4R WR Fujinon lens
ISO 800, f3.6, 1/125s
RAW file developed in Lightroom CC using the Classic Chrome preset
The full "Life around the Creek", image gallery can be found here.
Since Instagram is now finally allowing non-square images to be uploaded, I've decided to use the platform much more for my social media. Browsing through some of the photographers you follow on Instagram, can be very inspiring... If you don't do so already, I invite you to follow me on INSTAGRAM here.
Remember, "Photography is the only language that can be understood all over the world". - Bruno Barbey


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There is a lot of controversy out there regarding stretching. Should you stretch before should you stretch after? After much research and training, I believe stretching is important after your workout not before.
It's important that your muscles are warm when you stretch otherwise you could end up pulling them. If you prefer to stretch before you run, warm-up before the stretch with some slower walking or other low impact movements such as marching in place or side steps.
Stretching can help lengthen your muscles and brings blood flow to the muscle to help it recover and repair. It can also improve your workouts and keep you from being too sore.
Most of all never, ever stretch a cold muscle.
just live healthy, mind body and soul on facebook
As summer approaches don't forget about too much sun exposure. Although the sun is a good source of vitamin D, we must also use wisdom in how long we stay out as well. Stay safe and healthy.
Don't skip your warm up just because it is warm outside. A good warm up & stretch helps to prevent injuries.
Water, water, water. Don't forget to hydrate.
Wear light-colored clothing made of synthetic blends that are designed to wick moisture away from the skin. Avoid cotton clothing, which retains moisture.
Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to minimize the affect of the sun's rays on your body.
Avoid life-threatening heat stroke (a core body temperature above 104°F), avoid strenuous activities during high temperatures.
Exercise smart and use common sense.
You can also find me on facebook as : Just Live Healthy, Mind, Body and Soul
Have you ever craved something sweet? Of course you have. We all do. Well, how do you feel afterwards? Give this a try next time you have a craving for something sweet and sugary. Have fruit. You can eat twice as much and still be at far less calories and none of the guilt. Plus the fiber, vitamins and minerals. Diabetics need to really be careful though and should discuss with your doctor acceptable fruits that can safely be included in your diet so as to avoid hyperglycemia ( high blood sugar levels ).
1. Almost everyone can do it.
2. Helps with weight loss/management.
3. Helps to maintain strong bones.
4. No special equipment other than good shoes.
5. One of the simplest ways to get moving.
6. Reduces symptoms of stress/depression.
7. It is a low-impact exercise.
8. Lowers the LDL ( bad ) cholesterol.
9. Raises HDL ( good ) cholesterol.
10. Can help to lower blood pressure.
11. Can help with the management of type 2 diabetes. ( always work with your doctor on this & follow his/her advise )
12. Reduces risks of some cancers.
13. Reduces risk of heart attack.
14. Can lift the mood. Makes you feel better.
15. Less likely to cause injury vs other activites.
16. Lowers risk of heart disease.
17. It is virtually free ( only cost is good walking shoes ).
18. Builds aerobic fitness.
19. Helps to maintain lean muscles.
20. Chisels those lower body muscles.
If you go up hills the benefits increase. Add variety, take different routes. Change walking speeds. Start slow and build up from there.
1. reduces risk of diabetes & high blood pressure
2. reduces stress
3. no noise pollution
4. stronger heart & lungs
5. get bones of steel
6. chiseled legs & glutes
7. faster than walking
8. free parking
9. you can run on fat instead of fuel
10. kiss your love handles good bye
11. better muscle tone
What's not to love? Give your bike a try.
Well, Fall is here. Here are some guidelines to help you dress for a great workout.
* choose what is comfortable that fits well. You don't want to wear something that chaff's, rides up or falls down. No matter how cute the outfit, if it does not fit right and is not comfortable it is not going to help your workout.
* proper shoes are vital. Get walking shoes for walking, running shoes for running, basketball shoes for basketball, etc. This ensures you have the proper support where you need it most. Talk to your trainer for what is best for you or your MD.
* wear the right socks, too thick or too thin can cause blisters or sweat, etc.
* your personal trainer can help guide you too.
The short answer is yes in most cases. The key here is moderation and listening to your body as well as your MD. The irony here is that even though exercise can make you feel worse in the short term, the lack of it can make your symptoms more severe in the long term. Numerous studies show that even small amounts of exercise, as little as 10 minutes a day, can lessen pain and fatigue.
Research shows that some people may not reap the benefits initially but not to worry, keep your doctor posted, hire a trainer to help, pace yourself and stick with it. Most clients tend to respond better to lower impact types of exercise such as pilates, yoga, stretching, tai chi, warm water exercise classes. You can build up from there.
Be sure to work with your doctor though as too much exercise can cause flare ups of symptoms. Again, here is where staying in touch with your doctor and having a trainer may help you. Always listen to your body too. If your body says enough, then stop and try again tomorrow.
This is not a substitute for medical advise. See your doctor. Exercise can be a part of your treatment but it is not a cure.
Remember these tips:
Start slow, be safe.
Tell your MD your plans and listen to his/her advise.
Push yourself to get moving but do NOT push yourself to do more than you are ready for.
Expect some setbacks- you might need to experiment to find your personal level of tolerance.
Take breaks when you need them and don't give up.
If you are finding even small amounts of gentle exercise are causing you pain, dizziness or anything out of the oridinary, see your MD.
Be sure before you start anything new consult your physician first.
Is the thought of going to a gym and sweating in a crowded place not appealing to you? Well, there are alternatives. Take a walk or jog around your neighborhood or local park. Hop on your bike and go find a bike path or just ride around your neighborhood. You can go to your local park and do some chin ups on the playground equipment and some tricep dips, get creative. Jump rope outside or play frisbee with your kids. Don't forget the old tried and true, rollerblading, rollerskate, go for a hike, tennis or go for a swim.
Or you can do the same routine, just spice it up by doing it outside. Love yoga? Take your mat into the backyard and strike a pose. Have fun.


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Gurock Software just announced version 3.3 of its popular logging tool SmartInspect. SmartInspect is a tool for .NET, Java and Delphi developers to debug and monitor software applications and to identify bugs and user-reported issues.
SmartInspect 3.3 introduces support for .NET 4.0 and Visual Studio 2010 and comes with various other improvements. New log methods allow developers to easily trace method execution with just one line of code. New enhancements made to SmartInspect's log viewer help developers analyze log files and communicate with other team members.
Existing customers can download the updated version from Gurock's customer portal. New SmartInspect licenses can be purchased online for $299 (US) per user or less. A free fully-functional trial of SmartInspect and an extensive product tour can be found on Gurock's website.
About Gurock Software: Gurock Software is specialized in tools for software development teams and quality assurance departments. Gurock is known for its popular Java, Delphi and .NET logging tool SmartInspect and its new test management solution TestRail.


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Morondava Subproject Coordinator Roger Ralohotsy sent CFCA his eyewitness description of the cyclone that hit Morondava in mid-January.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the rain began to pour but it did not last for long time. It drizzled all day. The next day, the heavy rain began to hit this region. The weatherman reported that there is a type of ìIntertropical Convergence Zoneî at the Mozambique Channel. It lasted all day and night. The next day on Jan. 19, the rains gained force, and the roads and the low areas flooded. The buses and the cars in town could not use the main street completely because it was covered by the water. It was hard to walk around: market and sidewalks did not exist anymore because of the water level.
In the middle of the morning, the radio warned the population in this region of Morondava that the bad weather had become a tropical cyclone. At first, the size of that cyclone was about 400 kilometers wide and the wind speed was nearly 150 ñ 200 kilometers per hour. The size of its eye was 30 km wide. That was a giant and powerful cyclone for us.
On the morning of Jan. 20, the cyclone began to move northeast, directly toward Morondava. The wind began to blow and became more and more intense. The radio kept passing on warnings and the different precautions to be taken when the cyclone hit the town. The wind and the rain continued all day.
Later that night, around 11 p.m. everyone could feel the force of the wind. The rain sounded like it was over. Maybe because of the power of the wind, the rain could not hit the ground or the peopleís roofs. At 2 a.m., we could feel from the inside of the house that the wind wiped out everything. The coconut trees cracked, the tin roofs were flying like sheets of paper. All the leaves on the trees were grinded by the wind.
The next morning at 5 a.m. we prepared to go out but there was no way because the wind was so powerful. All the branches which pointed to the opposite direction of the wind were either cut down or twisted. The wind died down at 9 a.m. on Jan. 21.
We started to visit the neighborhood, and there was chaos in general. It is hard to say or give you an exact number, but around 80 percent of the houses had their roofs blown off. The coconut trees fell down. They are actually strong trees but could not resist the force of the wind. Thankfully, they did not fall on peopleís houses. Also, when we discussed with families and friends, we found that no one was hurt.
Damage to the houses and the other infrastructures was serious. I would say about three days after the cyclone, running water returned. As for the electricity, that was different story since there were thousands of meters of wire to be fixed. Many poles fell down or were cut in half. These all had to be replaced.
CFCA is working with the Antsirabe project team and will be providing funding to assist the sponsored families with housing repairs and other critical needs.
Read about CFCA's Disaster Assistance Fund that helps meet emergency and long-term needs of sponsored members affected by natural disasters.


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1730 Stoopendaal Map of the Travels of the Apostle PaulReysenPauli-stoopendaal-1730
1730 Stoopendaal Map of the Travels of the Apostle PaulReysenPauli-stoopendaal-1730
1730 (undated) 13.5 x 14 in (34.29 x 35.56 cm)
This map is derived from Nicholas Visscher's 1645 map of the same name, and though cartographically nearly identical, features updated decorative elements. These include scenes from the life and travels of the Apostle Paul.. Just to the right of the title cartouche a there is fisherman holding an anchor – a nod to Visscher who used the 'fisherman' to represent his family?
This map was published by the Keur family in their popular Keur Bible. As one of the Dutch 'Staten' bibles published between 1637 and 1760, the Keur Bible contained five or six maps: Werlt Karte, Paradys, Perigrinations, Canaan, Ierusalem, Reysen Pauli, and sometimes Reyse der Kinderen Israels. This specific map was issued in the1730 edition of the Keur Bible.
Daniel Stoopendaal (1672-1726) was a Dutch engraver and mapmaker active in Amsterdam during the early part of the17th century. Stoopendaal is best known for his garden and landscape prints. Cartographically D. Stoopendaal's most notable work is his re-engravings of Visscher maps of the Holy Land for inclusion in the Keur Bible. Daniel Stoopendaal is often confused with Bastiaan Stoopendaal, an engraver associated the Visscher firm, with whom he frequently work but was most likely not related.
Claes Jansz Visscher (1587 - 1652) established the Visscher family publishing firm, which were prominent Dutch map publishers for nearly a century. The Visscher cartographic story beings with Claes Jansz Visscher who established the firm in Amsterdam near the offices of Pieter van den Keer and Jadocus Hondius. Many hypothesize that Visscher may have been one of Hondius's pupils and, under examination, this seems logical. The first Visscher maps appear around 1620 and include numerous individual maps as well as an atlas compiled of maps by various cartographers including Visscher himself. Upon the death of Claes, the firm fell into the hands of his son Nicholas Visscher I, who received a privilege to publish from the States of Holland and West Friesland in 1677. The firm would in turn be passed on to his son, Nicholas Visscher II. Most of the maps bearing the Visscher imprint were produced by these two men. Many Visscher maps also bear the imprint Piscator (a Latinized version of Visscher) and often feature the image of an elderly fisherman. Upon the death of Nicholas Visscher II, the business was carried on by the widowed Elizabeth Visscher until it was eventually sold to Peter Schenk.


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With three feet of freshly fallen snow on the ground and the morning sun shining brightly in a clear blue sky, it was a typical winter day in Vermont. The man who came that morning to take measurements in my home for a window drape spoke with a heavy Vermont accent. When I asked him to take his boots off before entering our pool building, he grunted: "Don't work without my boots." Wisps of water vapor bellowed from his barely open mouth, forming a frozen cloud in the cold air.
"Oh, you simply must, " I insisted. "The pool doesn't have any chlorine or chemicals in it, so we ask our guests to remove their shoes. And, see that over there?" I said, pointing in the direction of our Ganesha statue. "Whenever you see one of those, you should take your shoes off as a courtesy."
I guess my voice sounded a little more serious than I intended, or perhaps Ganesha caught the man's attention. With eyes darting back and forth between me and the statue, he finally bent over to remove his boots. As soon as I opened the door, he took two long strides and planted himself right in front of the statue. "What the heck is this elephant doing here?" he muttered. "Never seen an elephant dancing on one foot before. Got four arms. Strangest elephant I've ever seen!"
Clearly, this man needed a crash course on Ganesha. I mentioned a few things quickly to which he replied, "I'm going to look for Him on the web." He then took the measurement for the window drape and left.
In 1999 my husband, Ehud, decided to build a 26,000-gallon indoor swimming pool for us to use for exercise during the long Vermont winters, which can linger on for up to five months. Growing up in Tamil Nadu, I wasn't used to outdoor winter sports, and we were in the habit of exercising vigorously every day. It just made perfect sense to have an indoor pool.
During one of my frequent solitary walks through the forest around our house, I stopped and sat by a nearby pond to watch the gentle wind make tiny waves on the surface of the water. In my mind I caught a fleeting glimpse of Ganesha by a temple pond near my home in India. It was an inspiring moment, infusing me with a powerful burst of energy. Ganesha is often an integral part of the landscape near any body of water in Tamil Nadu. Suddenly, I was consumed with an idea: We could make a home for Ganesha by our swimming pool!
Mother's story
Years ago, my mother told me a Ganesha story illustrating why you never see a well in Tamil Nadu without a Ganesha shrine nearby, and why everyone who fetches water at a well always bows to Ganesha first.
"It has to do with a little argument Ganesha had with his mother, " she explained, locking her beautiful eyes with mine. "Ganesha was a handsome young bachelor who was soon to be married. 'I will only marry a woman as beautiful as you,' He told his mom. When Siva heard this, He admonished Ganesha. 'Forget it, son,' He said. 'The most beautiful woman ever created is my wife and your mother, Paravati.' Always the supremely compassionate mother, Paravati consoled Ganesha saying, 'Son, there is always hope. Keep searching and you might succeed in finding the lady of your dreams. Sit by temple ponds, wells, rivers, lakes and streams. There will be no shortage of beautiful girls who will come every day to fetch water.' Ganesha obeyed his mother and made it a habit to find a seat near every body of water he came across. And that's why you rarely see a well without a Ganesha nearby, " his mother concluded, adding: "There is always hope, you see, not only that Ganesha might find a girl as beautiful as his mother, but also that all young ladies might find a husband as handsome as Ganesha."
Years later my mother asked me, "Do you remember that story of Ganesha and the wells that I told you some time ago? Do you think that is the only reason Ganesha sits near wells and ponds?" She wasn't trying to drive home a message. She wanted to know if I had learned the story's real lesson.
"Mother you must have been kidding about Ganesha looking for a wife, " I said. "None of the books I have ever read mention that story." "Many stories are not written down, " she explained. "This one is all about water. We must have a profound respect for water. Water gives life, and it can take life in the blink of an eye. The next time you take a bath, pause for a moment before entering the water. Bow to Lord Ganesha. Ask for His protection and His blessing. Then ask the water to be merciful and life giving before you finally step into it. No matter what you do, this humility and devotion will help."
This conversation came back to me as I considered the idea of installing a Ganesha statue near our swimming pool. I told my husband about it.
"Get in touch with Hinduism Today for advice, " he exclaimed. I was so happy that he was not only endorsing my idea but also offering a practical plan for obtaining a Ganesha statue from India.
My Hindu background and upbringing are a source of immense joy to Ehud. He has always encouraged me to write articles for Hinduism Today. Now he was thinking that the staff there might be able to help find a sculptor who could assist us in planting a seed from the "land of Bharat " in the frigid soil of Vermont.
Immediately, I dashed off an e-mail to Hawaii. The reply was immediate. It was recommended that I contact Mr. Nellaiappan, a gentleman who had worked with the monastery in Hawaii to export religious icons from India and knew qualified sculptors who could do fine work. During our next visit to India, we met Mr. Nellaiappan and his main sculptor, Sri Venkatesh. We all agreed upon a picture of Ganesha that could be used as a model for carving our Ganesha statue.
Seven months later, in July of 2000, we got a call from the warehouse where my husband's publishing company ships and receives books."There is a 1,000-pound crate here, addressed to the attention of Ehud Sperling, " said the voice on the other end of the line. "And I can tell you, it is not books." The huge parcel had traveled by land, sea and by air from Chennai [Madras] through Mumbai [Bombay], Singapore, California, Boston, and finally on to Rutland here in Vermont.
That crate was very heavy and could not be budged. My husband and I had no clue what to do. One of Ehud's staff casually mentioned, "Why not call the people who carve monuments for cemeteries? They must know how to move large stones." Good idea! Actually, Vermont is famous for granite quarrying and stone carving, so we contacted one of the stone companies. Sure enough, that crate was soon being hauled up our driveway on the back of a truck equipped with a crane and three burly men. With that crane plus a collection of ramps, dollies, and pulleys, these fellows waltzed into our pool building like dainty ballerinas, balancing the crate with ease.
The elegant, finely chiseled, three-foot-high dancing Ganesha of gray-black granite that emerged from the crate was an enchanting beauty to behold. The soul of the sculptor shining through the stone was hard to ignore. One of the three men had worked in Italy in a marble-sculptor's workshop. He knew what it meant to carve a statue with such fine proportion and detail. He could not take his eyes off it, and complimented its craftsmanship again and again.
Immediately after Ganesha's arrival, all of the appropriate ceremonies were performed to make Him comfortable in His new home. To begin with, the pratisthapana puja (installation ceremony) was done by--oh dear--me! For prasadam (sacred offering) I most gladly prepared Ganesha's favorite sweet, koikattai--traditional candy balls made of rice, jaggery and coconut. Although I had never actually prepared this dish before myself, I had watched my mother make it many times back in Tamil Nadu. To my happy surprise, it turned out great. I was quite impressed with myself, to tell the truth, and thought: "Well, I have passed the test of being a good Tamil girl."
While my two-year-old Mahar squirmed in my lap to get my attention, I finished the puja by chanting Ganesha's 1008 names. For arati (showing burning camphor to the Deity to conclude the ceremony), Mahar rang the bell. As the flames bellowed smoke and the camphor burned, I pleaded with Ganesha, "Please pardon me for any transgression I have made in trying to discharge my cultural and religious obligations here in Vermont where no one knows You."
Pilgrims begin to come
Soon Ganesha got busy on His own, pulling strings here and there to make sure people would come to visit Him. The first to come was Sri Ramaswami from Chennai. He is a renowned and highly acclaimed Sanskrit scholar with a golden voice and impeccable Sanskrit pronunciation. He is also a student of the hatha yoga master, Sri T. Krishnamachari, and an author of several books on yoga. He had came to visit my husband's publishing office and was invited by Ehud to our home. During his visit, he sat in front of the Ganesha statue and performed a most eloquent puja. It was so beautiful. Honestly, if you could see this scene: the priest, the statue, the lamps and the people sitting by devotedly. You would think you were in the heart of India.
A couple of weeks later, a friend of ours named Lynn called to arrange to visit us. "Would it be a problem if I brought my teacher with me?" She asked. "Bring your teacher anytime, " I answered. This teacher turned out to be a sannyasini (a female renunciate monk) named Shubhra from the lineage of Swami Chinmayananda. What a coincidence! As a child I had attended classes conducted by the Chinnaya Mission. During those years, I met Swami Chinmayananda and heard him speak and chant often.
Shubhra teaches Vedanta throughout the United States. When she learned of my childhood association with Swamiji, she embraced me warmly. She was ecstatic when she saw Ganesha, and during the evening puja, spontaneously chanted bhajanas (devotional songs) for several hours. After the puja was over, we all soaked in peace, happiness and tranquility that filled the air.
"We need to offer our Ganesha a royal treat, " said Shubhra after some time. "I will speak with Kailashan." She said this quietly, almost as if she was just talking to herself. I soon learned that Kailashan was a high-powered priest from Tamil Nadu, trained since childhood in Hindu temple ceremony. He now lives in New Jersey, about a seven-hour drive from our home here in Vermont.
Shubhra arranged for Kailashan to come with his wife and their children to do a Ganesha homa (fire ceremony) in August of 2000. Every summer since then, he has visited us to do a special puja for Ganesha. At that time, my sister who lives in Oman, comes with her two sons. Shubhra, Lynn and their friends come from New York. Shyamdas and his wife, Tulsi, also come from New York. Many of our neighbors and friends from Vermont also attend. It has become quite a big event.
Another friend of ours named Leslie always makes sure that the event is fully supplied with flowers, a very important commodity at any Hindu affair. All of our friends help with all aspects of the occasion including decorating, dressing Ganesha, hosting guests and cleaning up afterward. Many of the guests have never been to a Hindu religious ceremony, yet feel quite at home here. Amidst all the devotional fervor and festivities, my sister and I cook up a saatwik (simple and pure) vegetarian meal and prasadam.
In the evening, my husband's book-publishing company, Inner Traditions International, sponsors a talk by Shubhra as a service to the community, which facilitates the sharing of Indian philosophy and wisdom with local Vermonters. The local church gives free use of its space.
This talk is quite an event. We go up to the altar of this church where there is a Jesus on the cross in a town where the population is almost entirely white. We bring flowers, incense, lamp and a picture of Swami Chinmayananda (Shubhra's teacher). The hall fills up with people, and the whole affair is a tremendous success. Shubhra talks about relationships, letting go of anger, forgiving and being free--all in relationship to Hinduism. This is what I call religious integration and tolerance in small-town America.
Our little town of Rochester in Vermont has only 900 people. Having scanned the local public archives, I know that I am the only Hindu who has ever lived in this 36-square-mile town. Although there are a few other Hindu families in Vermont, there are no Hindu temples. We perform daily puja to our beloved Ganesha, but it is this annual Ganesha homa that truly transforms our humble pool-side shrine into Vermont's one and only Hindu temple. I am always amazed and dazzled when His shrine takes on all its powerful grandeur. For days afterwards I hear how the joyful experience has changed the lives not only of those who attended but also those who just heard of the ceremony.
Both my husband and I believe that a lasting happiness, health and security can only exist for an individual when humanity as a whole lives with some sense of unity. That this dream might come true is our prayer to the elephant-headed remover of obstacles. It is a prayer that a God of His power and love must consider worthy of an answer.
Meanwhile, Vermont's first Ganesha lives happily here with us in Rochester through our cold, gray winters. All year round He receives visitors, and each day as we prepare to take our daily dip in our pool--which has now become His temple tank--we reflect on His grace and the vast hope it brings into our lives.
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Imagine running your daily errands while listening to songs from five different albums, or creating a party mix that lasts all night long, or catching the news briefings while walking to class. Whether we're commuting to work or heading off on a vacation, the iPod has revolutionized how we listen to music. Never before has a device with such capacity been so easy to carry that even the largest model weighs less than two CD jewel cases. IPod & iTunes for Dummies offers a comprehensive but friendly guide to this new technology that is sweeping the world.
This book has updated advice to help you get the hang of the most recent iPod upgrades. Some of the things you'll find out about are:
Specs and information on the latest models, including the iPod Shuffle and iPod Photo
The way to set up iTunes on your computer
Tips for acquiring and managing music, photos, and podcasts
How to transfer music from iTunes to your iPod, how to play songs, and what to do if something does not function properly
Advanced techniques such as decoding and encoding, enhancing sound quality, recording and editing, and using your iPod as a hard drive
Written by computer experts and music enthusiasts, this complete resource will show you how to get the most out of your iPod and iTunes. Get ready to enjoy the wonders of this international phenomenon!