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Friday, January 04, 2008
When there is no Quiet there can be no Loud
They had just been discontinued and could be had new in the region of £100-110
Actually, I recommended that particular model to quite a few people over the last year and the first reaction from most was why was a camera geek like me recommending such a cheap camera (because I'm a frugal camera geek)
Anyway, one of my chums subsequently picked one up – the other left it for a bit and by the time he started looking for one there were no new ones left and the price of second hand models has crept up to £150 – 200
That's if you can find one
I've just had a peek on ebay and this is all that's doing
Yup, that particular camera is currently fetching more on the second hand market than a new copy of the model that replaced it (£155)
Strangely enough, the reason why this particular camera was discontinued is exactly the same reason why so many people belatedly want one
You see it's only a six megapixel model
And even though your average credit card-spanking consumerist Muppet assumes that a bigger number must be better than a smaller number, there are only so many pixels you can pack onto the chips fitted to digital compacts before image quality starts taking a turn for the worst
And because the F31fd only has 6,000,000 pixels crammed onto a chip the size of a small fingernail, the images it produces are less fuzzy than those from the 8, 10 and 12 megapixel models which now dominate the market place
On top of the noise/ fuzziness issue, cameras with more megapixels also have a crappier dynamic range which means that they can only record so much variation between light and dark in a scene before they start recording entire swathes of the picture as being pitch black or completely white
Here's one I fucked up earlier...
Even though I artfully converted it into a black and white image (an old favourite trick to distract from the fact that large chunks of a picture are terminally blown-out) it should be fairly clear that the digital camera I used just couldn't cope with the range of light and dark areas in the scene and gave up even trying.
And whilst on the subject of modern manufacturers giving in to their marketing departments and selling shit products to the bulk of their customers who don't know any better, may I recommend this article and the short Youtube video that goes with it...
The news that music companies are mastering their CDs to sound constantly loud, with little variation between the quiet and loud parts of tracks, doesn't come as much of a surprise. Producers of TV ads have taken to a similar 'trick' by mixing their soundtracks to stick as closely to the peak permissable volume throughout. Which is why everyone now has to jam away at their remotes every time a commercial break starts, for fear of going deaf or scaring their cat
So, spare a thought for the death of dynamic range; in what we look at and what we hear, it's just another small way, amongst countless others, that cynical fuckers are using to make our daily lives just that little bit more crap. With a little effort you could even use the Death of Dynamic range as an allegory for the times we live in
And never one to pass up on an opportunity to be scatological may I take this opportunity to recommend Amateur Photo-God Ken Rockwell's website
Yes, that's a picture of Ray Liotta, not Ken, but Ken does bear a passing resemblance to Ray and I can't find any free to use images of the actual man himself
I recommend Ken's site partly because he says some very amusingly opinionated things about photographic equipment but mostly because I'm shamelessly trying to work in a reference to this paragraph from a page on the site…
'I do this because I love to share. I dream about what I'm going to write all night, then get up at 6AM and hit the keyboard at 6:30AM and don't stop till my wife pulls me off. I want everyone to be able to enjoy photography as much as I do. My wife thinks I'm crazy spending so many hours a day at this, and she's probably right.'
And if you don't understand why I find that paragraph so amusing, well, bless you
And if all this talk of photography has stimulated a desire to see, given the right subjects, just what cameras are capable of in skilled, master craftsmen's hands you could do a lot worse than visiting this site for inspiration...
15 comments:
People have recently been asking me the same thing. I tend to resort to Mike Johnson's answer: "they're all shit", until I remember you actually found one. Heh.
HNY Stef, it's always a pleasure to read and quote you. I'll link to this post of yours (and Mike's) for my answers, Rockwell et all.
All the best for 2008 - hope to see you later in the month
- 4 January 2008 at 19:12
- Stef said...
I'll try to get some sleep the night before this time
ATB to yourgoodself
- 4 January 2008 at 19:45
- Merkin said...
If that was Great Mall Photography, I hesitate to think what Dreadful Mall Photography will be like.
I am sure a lot of these photos will probably be fairly recent.
I had an American girlfriend who showed me an official photo of her as Homecoming Queen looking much the same as some of the ladies shown here.
As for the men, statistically there must be a serial killer amongst that lot.
- 5 January 2008 at 09:47
- Stef said...
I've spent a lot of time traveling around the States and it's a statistical fact™ that the further South you go the bigger the hair gets
and, yes, thinking that most of those pictures would have been taken in 1970s is definitely a trap for new players
- 5 January 2008 at 19:14
- Stef said...
from DPReview's review of the 300 quid Canon G9 compact...
But a camera that seduces you with its indulgent styling and solid build is only half the story; the G9 is a wonderful 'gadget' and a powerful photographic tool, but is it a great camera? The sad truth is that the one area where we'd really like to have seen Canon making significant changes - the image quality - hasn't really changed at all. Not that it's poor - anything but; it's just not outstanding.
It's the biggest irony of the compact digital camera market: since the cameras all use very similar sensors and many even share the same lens assembly, the price difference between the entry-level models and range-toppers such as the G9 simply isn't reflected in a commensurate difference in output quality. And it doesn't matter how much you are prepared to spend; you can't buy your way out of the 'compact camera problem' - a small, noisy sensor is a small noisy sensor no matter what kind of tank you build around it or how many 'professional' features you build into the body.
IQ-wise the G9 is about as good as it gets in a compact camera, and physically it puts virtually everything else to shame. But inside, at the heart of the image capture system, sits the same sensor you'll find in a Casio, Canon or Sony point and shoot camera, in all it's 12 megapixel glory. When I mentioned giving Canon credit for listening to feedback on the G7 I don't remember anyone crying out for even more megapixels. Whatever drove Canon's top brass to look at the G7 and decide 'I know what it needs! More Pixels!' it certainly wasn't consumer demand.
And thus, like the G7 before it, the G9 is a wonderfully built and designed camera, but one that simply cannot really deliver on its promises; it truly is a sheep in wolves' clothing. By all means buy one , but do so in the full knowledge that a lot of what you're paying is for the icing, not the cake
- 5 January 2008 at 21:09
As a digicam baffoon, I don't see why the the good things achieved with the 6m pix cam, can't be done with the 10 or 12 m pix cameras. What physical mathematical significance does 6m hold that can't be acheved by other higher definition cams? I read what you said about only a vertain # of things you can pack on a chip, but surely that chip int gonna hang around forever - it'll be replaced by a better chip or/and have improvements built on to it (H and S ware) added which can re-establish the believed 6m package in a 10/12 m pix format?
Yes the industry is just playing on baffoons like me who look at mega pixels first, and I cant argue against knowledgeable photography ppl like your good selves, but I think the Industry will see the demand for the 6m package and tinker products in future.
I think it's likely only the megapix bar has been raised and the quality bar will be raised shoryly afterwards... Let me guess... The G10?
Yrs in baffoonery.
- Geoff Baffoon.
- 7 January 2008 at 07:21
- Stef said...
there are several reasons why more pixels degrade image quality, two of the most serious are...
- diffraction effects - http://6mpixel.org/en/?page_id=14
- assuming cameras and their components stay the same size, more pixels means smaller pixels - smaller pixels mean less light is falling on them and so the signal to noise ratio drops - on top of that if you stick, for example, four pixels into a space occupied by one they are going to receive less light than the one because of the borders between them
There are limits to the capacity of the existing technologies which are anchored in physical laws
No doubt someone will one day come up with a different technology to achieve the same purpose - but it hasn't happened yet. The current increase in numbers is driven purely by marketing
On a slightly related subject I noticed a couple of days ago that the latest version of the iPod Classic now comes with a 180Gb hard disk which is capable of holding between 18,000 - 45,000 tracks depending on the compression quality of the audio (18,000 tracks at CD quality),
that's between 12 and 30 days of continuously different music
at a cost of between £14,000 to £36,000 at itunes prices
that's plain f*cking stupid isn't it?
particularly when you consider that sweat-shop produced ipods have a designed life of between 12 and 18 months and are a pig to fit replacement batteries/ parts into
what proportion of the people who will end up owning that machine will use even a fraction of its capacity?
this touches on something we discussed earlier on the subject of how sustainable current global population levels are - the Earth is more than capable of supporting existing or even larger population levels, provided we devote our resources and technical ingenuity to the task and not to making consumerist crap and weapons
what's preferable - more people or more crap?
and if you have so much faith in technology being able to cram quarts into pint pots when it comes to cameras isn't there at least some scope for maintaining similar optimism about humanity's ability to feed and clothe itself in a sustainable way, provided we don't have fuckers directing the effort?
- 7 January 2008 at 18:34
Thanks for the reply. I never considered diffraction. I also forgot about the smaller pixels = less light thingy (digicam idiots like me exist in the binocular/telescope world too, where amount of light is neglected in favour of magnification and hence people zoom in only to see very dim objects), but I can imagine a different dopant could make the pixel grid more sensitive to the lower amount of light falling upon it hence intensity would be re-achieved (??).
Being crap in picture camera knowledge, I don't really know, but I can't imagine such a sophisticated range of s/n techniques are employed, say via Fourier transform, in digicams for power consumption as well as IC cost reasons, which leads me to think that if they WERE to be employed later, then loss of quality seen in current circumstances could be compensated for. I'm using knowledge about photon capture detectors on XRD machines from companies like, would you believe "Kratos" in Manchester {http://tinyurl.com/ynlkv3}, but I've forgotten the range of photon scattering so the incident intensity may be many times greater (and probably is) than from a £200 digicam - lol. In fact, now that I've typed it, you call me George Bush If I'm wrong. I don't think a comparison is all that daft either 'cos who'd have imagined 40 years ago that we'd have the level of computing power at many of our fingertips today? (altho 40 years is a bit of wait for a digicam!)
Re: £xy,000 ipod- yeah that's a joke, and I saw something spookily similar - a "Military" laptop in a commercial PC store, and for around the same price. Who the hell's gonna but that I said to myself (or words to that effect)
Re: World population: I guess the world could capacitate have more people, but intuitively, isn't there a max threshold. What would the consequences of that be, given that even before saturation, some act like barbarians to others. Why not freeze it at today's level? 6bn is plenty. Heck, out of the tiny handful of people we get to meet in our young years, we often find a someone that's prepared to put up with you 'till your dying days (well, at least 19 days http://tinyurl.com/2ytrcs) why have more? I don't think more people are gonna make the world a better or more fair place. From the current situation, it seems like more people will just mean more people to exploit (http://mondediplo.com/1999/12/01leader)
Although I believe most people are good people, too many smother that goodness once they reach financial par with the 'have's, or those that 'have not' waste their lives living in the smokescreen billowed upon then, so perhaps more people = more crap?
Anyway, I'll trust your judgement. Given that the F32FD in't available anymore (for my pocket anyway) do you have any other recommendation? I'm looking to buy one u see. I'll try and shut my eyes to the MPx.
In Stef we trust.
- 8 January 2008 at 16:20
- Stef said...
Anyway, I'll trust your judgement. Given that the F32FD in't available anymore (for my pocket anyway) do you have any other recommendation? I'm looking to buy one u see. I'll try and shut my eyes to the MPx.
It depends on a) what you want to photograph with it and b) where you're buying it
A couple of clues will yield a few tentative recommendations
- 8 January 2008 at 17:35
Ah you see, my dorkness with cams ha already been exposed.
Basically people and scenery, possibly with sound and video.
Stills need to be bright and to be able to cope with a non too steady hand.
As for location, Malaysia is as good as any.
- 9 January 2008 at 02:00
- Stef said...
First off, I wouldn't recommend anything made by Nikon, Olympus, Sony, HP, Pentax, Samsung, Kodak or Casio
That leaves Canon, Ricoh, Panasonic and Fuji
The Canon a570is is best if you're on a tight budget
If you've got a little more to spend these are worth looking at
Fuji F40
Panasonic TZ-3
Canon IXUS 860 IS/ ELPH SD870 IS
I'd start with the TZ-3. It is well made, has a fantastic zoom range and a built in anti-shake feature
if you want something smaller look at the Canon
if you want something smaller AND cheaper look at the Fuji
You can look at sample images taken with each camera here
- 9 January 2008 at 10:36
My IT budget is a bit slim right now after some didsaters a few months ago.
Thats the bad thing about knowing stuff - people always want free advice. Sorry I wasn't the exception.
- 9 January 2008 at 12:38
I also had some disasters too!
- 9 January 2008 at 12:39
These corporate pics are quite good (from the point of view of someone who knows nought about such things). Care to give a critique?
(And, er, I suppose they left the best 'til last at the time of writing; but that's not what I mean by critique).
- 9 January 2008 at 14:46
- Stef said...
Care to give a critique?
I can't fault the photography - very simple technique but nicely executed
which is more than you can say for the Estonian hairdressing industry
- 10 January 2008 at 22:11


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Lauri England
I was diagnosed with Melanoma in June 2010. After a larger margin surgery and central lymph node biopsy in July it was found in 3 more lymph nodes, making this Stage III melanoma. In August, the rest of the lymph nodes were removed from under my right arm. The melanoma was on my right shoulder. I have been on Interferon treatments since October. I am remaining optimistic. The treatments are very hard to get through mentally and physically. I, like so many others, want people to be educated about the seriousness of Melanoma. It is not just skin cancer.
Re: Lauri England(11/21/2011 - 9:31pm)
Hi. My husband is on fourth month of sylatron. He seems to have no drive. I don't know what to do for him...
Re: Lauri England(5/25/2012 - 11:19pm)
Hi lauri i too was diagnosed with melanoma a mo,e beside my bellybutton changed we had two operations done on it and it returned on october 2011 since then ive been in a hospital in qld australia had all my lymphnodes removed and thrn just had four weeks od radiation my surgeon had nothing good to say about interferon somi wasnt even offered it and said i dont realy want to go down that track,im now just on the list to be monitered ,not even a pet scan was mentioned for later on ,they did say in the future a ct scan would be done im just hoping it to never return ,one day at a time from here on in
Stay positive one day at a time

subset: commoncrawl


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June 8th:
I woke up feeling better but not a hundred percent. Heavy rains provided me with the ideal day to reassess my situation. My wound had healed pretty well, but I could tell it needed more attention. I took a shower, and then again sanitized my knife, and tweezers to clean the last little bit of the infection out. I spent the morning reading, finding solace in the book by Riaan Manser as he battled dysentery, and cycled through civil war in Liberia to continue his ride around Africa. By early afternoon I was feeling much more sprightly and decided to walk around the area I was staying in. I wanted to explore the neighborhood, but also to look for a doctor's office to enquire about the cost of a visit. I was soon sidetracked and I found myself in a little music store. It contained a great deal of interesting music, and some immaculately hand-made instruments. If my pockets were deep enough and my bags big enough I would've been able to supply a small orchestra. The most impressive by far was the functioning hand-made electric guitar with its body made from an old gas can. I then made a couple block detour towards the mosque and the Muslim neighborhood to grab a lunch of samosas. I finally found my way to a travel clinic that in turn pointed me the way to a general practitioner. It was only going to cost me 250R($30) to see the doctor, and he was available immediately. Wanting to put my mind at ease, I jumped at the chance for a relatively inexpensive doctor visit. I went in and he asked me what was wrong and the details surrounding how I had acquired the bite. I proceeded to give him my self-diagnosis. I had thought I had probably gotten the bite somewhere around Graaf-Reinet, and that it looked like a normal mosquito bite for a few days before swelling up, turning black, and killing my skin. I also told him I hadn't been feeling great, but nothing too terrible, and I thought it might be an African Tick bite, and I had treated myself with Azithromycin as a precaution. It seemed I had been one of the easiest patients he had in awhile. He agreed with basically everything I said, and gave validity to Sarah's diagnosis of African Tick bite fever. He also said the antibiotics were the right thing to take and that it should clear up in the next 10 days or so. The doctor also told me I had made the right decision to come to him for a second opinion and gave me a 50R discount for diagnosing myself. I left, thankful for the discount, and at ease with the news I would be healthy again soon. I phoned Sarah for the deserved "I told you so" and took it easy the rest of the day.
June 9th:
The antibiotics were really kicking in and I was feeling great again. Unfortunately the early morning weather did not agree with my bright and sunny disposition. I was able to pick up my laundry and get some more reading done until a break in the clouds just after noon. I decided to give it a shot, and caught the bus to Kirstenbosch Gardens, one of the last places I really wanted to see before leaving Cape Town. It is one of the world's oldest botanical gardens and is home to over 9,000 different species of indigenous plants of South Africa. It is perfectly positioned, butted up against Table Mountain with the lower portion of the garden landscaped, and the upper portion left to the native plants of Table Mountain. It also has a vast network of walkways, footpaths, and trails that give you access to almost anywhere, and you never feel over-crowded with people. My original plan was to continue up from the gardens through Skeleton Gourge, but the late start to the day put a damper on that. I was however more than happy wandering around the huge gardens.
I repeated the walk, train, and minibus taxi ride down to Tokai to meet Sarah. It was her last day of field camp and the place she was staying was kind enough to give me a free nights stay since some of the other students left a day early and I could fill their room for the night. It was great to finally meet up with Sarah again.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa from Jordan Bierma on Vimeo.


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Omigosh, are you serious? Just reading your examples makes me uncomfortable!
Quote from: Anastasia on January 19, 2005, 02:59:42 PMOmigosh, are you serious? Just reading your examples makes me uncomfortable!Are you that unworldly and naive? Yes, lets stick people where they're uncomfortable and possibly even harassed, thats a great idea!
Please stay on topic, simply provide the school and what ist it is.If anyone else wants to get on their soap-box, please first review the following definition.hy·poc·ri·sy ( P ) n. pl. hy·poc·ri·sies The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness. An act or instance of such falseness. An expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction [syn: lip service] Insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
Heads up, goodadvice. There are going to be obnoxious/bigoted/racist/classist people everywhere.
... you seem to have a knack for controversial threads. Threads that are at times so unbelievably offensive, I question whether you are being truly serious when you pose some of your questions ....


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Coronary artery disease occurs when the heart's arteries become narrowed, compromising blood flow to the heart. Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are commonly used to treat heart disease. PCI typically include balloon angioplasty , which involves widening a narrowed artery with a small balloon. This procedure may be accompanied with the placement of a stent designed to keep the artery open. More advanced drug-eluted stents continuously release a medication to help prevent clotting.
There is some controversy surrounding the use of PCI in people with coronary artery disease. Guidelines from organizations including the American Heart Association recommend lifestyle interventions and medications as initial treatment of stable coronary heart disease, which is less likely to become complicated than unstable disease. Nonetheless, PCI procedures are often performed electively in people with stable coronary artery disease.
A new study in the April 12, 2007 New England Journal of Medicine compared lifestyle interventions and medications (known as optimal medical therapy ) alone with optimal medical therapy plus PCI in treating stable coronary artery disease. The researchers found that while the addition of PCI helped relieve angina (chest pain), it did not reduce the risk of death or major cardiovascular events.
About the Study
This study included 2,287 people who had stable coronary artery disease. About half of the participants were assigned to receive optimal medical therapy alone (the medical-therapy group), and the other half were assigned to receive PCI plus optimal medical therapy (the PCI group). Medications included antiplatelet agents (eg, aspirin), statins (to lower cholesterol), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (to treat high blood pressure ), and beta-blockers (to lower blood pressure and prevent angina). Lifestyle interventions included recommendations to:
- adhere to a healthful diet,
- regularly exercise,
- not smoke,
- and maintain a healthy weight.
After an average follow-up period of 4.6 years, 211 participants in the PCI group and 202 in the medical-therapy group had died or had a nonfatal heart attack. There was no significant difference between the groups in risk of death, heart attack, stroke , or hospitalization for acute coronary syndromes (worrisome angina without heart attack). PCI, however, was more effective at reducing angina than optimal medical therapy alone.
This study was limited because most of the participants were men and white, so its findings may not apply to other groups of people. In addition, since drug-eluting stents were not approved until the final six months of the study, most participants did not receive these stents.
How Does This Affect You?
These findings support current clinical guidelines that recommend optimal medical therapy alone in the initial treatment of people with stable coronary artery disease. Keep in mind, however, that many people who are diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease will eventually need to undergo an invasive procedure. In fact, nearly 33% of the participants in the medical-therapy group in this study needed such a procedure during follow-up.
The decision of how to treat your heart disease is a highly individualized one, and depends on many factors. If you have stable coronary artery disease and are doing well on medical treatment, there is little evidence that an invasive procedure would provide additional benefit. However, be sure to alert your doctor if your symptoms change or worsen, since this may be an indication that medical treatment is no longer sufficient.
- Reviewer: Richard Glickman-Simon, MD
- Review Date: 05/2007 -


text:
Whats The TV Show Intermediate Level 23
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China is due for a handover of power to the 'fifth generation' of communist party leaders in mid-October.
While much has been made of the transition, there's still a lot of confusion about the structure of the Chinese Communist Party, its make-up, how leaders are chosen and how long they can stay in power.
You might be surprised to learn that most of the 'fifth generation' comes from two distinct ideological sets with vastly differing ideologies, according to a report by John Dotson at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC).
The first camp consists of the 'princelings' i.e. the children of high-powered revolutionary era officials and the 'Shanghai clique' i.e. they have significant experience running the country's economically strong coastal provinces. China's future leader Xi Jinping is a princeling.
Leaders from this faction, "tend to favor policies that maximize economic growth, with a greater acceptance of growing disparities of wealth; that promote the interests of China's emerging business and professional classes; and that continue economic policies that benefit China's more prosperous coastal regions," according to Dotson.
The second camp is the 'tuanpai' and refers to those leaders who have emerged from the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) youth organization. Unlike the Shanghai Clique, these leaders tend to have experience working in the nation's poorer provinces that are further inland and push for policies that would develop these parts of the country and prevent social instability.
"They also tend to share experience working in China's poorer, inland provinces, as well as experience in 'Party Affairs' work such as propaganda, personnel administration, and the 'united front' management of labor, ethnic, and religious organizations," according to Dotson. Li Keqiang, premiere-in-waiting, has emerged from this faction.
This diverse make-up of the fifth generation is expected to cause some political infighting. It is also said to have been expedited Bo Xilai's downfall since he was known to have angered senior party members. But the fifth generation is likely to put on a united front to avoid a repeat of the political rift that emerged in the late 1980s, culminated in the Tiananmen Square incident and nearly toppled the communist government.
The new face of China
Another reason this handover has received so much attention is because of the number of new leaders expected to take power. The Politburo consists of a group of 25 leaders who lead the communist party. With Bo's dismissal it is down to 24, and 14 of these members are expected to change.
The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) - the most important decision making body in the country - is drawn from the Politburo, and seven of the nine PSC members will be stepping down. From Cheng Li at Brookings:
"The principal figures responsible for the country's political and ideological affairs, economic and financial administration, foreign policy, public security and military operations will largely consist of newcomers after the 18th Party Congress in the fall of 2012 and the 12th National People's Congress in the spring of 2013. This upcoming power transition in the top leadership will likely be the largest in the past three decades."
How exactly does it work?
Since 1987 the Communist party has been resorting to a multi-candidate election in which the top leaders decide how many members they want on their Central Committee and nominate additional candidates on the ballot, according to Cheng. The ones with the lowest votes are left off the central committee. This helps limit nepotism/cronyism.
The Communist party has over time developed these forms of "intra-Party democracy" tactics as Cheng points out. Policymakers have over time begun to try "democratic experiments" and some like premiere Wen Jiabao think this will eventually lead to democracy.
They also have a secret ballot vote to elect party secretaries. "In general, major personnel and policy decisions are now often decided by votes in various committees, rather than solely by the committee's party chief," according to Cheng. Additionally, the position of the provincial party secretary is almost always given to someone from another province.
The system also has in place age limits and term limits to limit the amount of time officials spend in power.
The Fifth Generation
Leading up the to 17th Party Congress in 2007, many had expected Li Keqiang to follow Hu Jintao as president. But Xi Jinping gained significant popularity among members of the Communist Party's central committee and is believed to have been nominated after a compromise by Hu.
Xi's father Xi Zhongxun, former vice-premiere, gained favor with Hu Yaobang who had been chairman of the Communist Party from 1981 -1982. From Dotson:
"Xi Zhongxun's friendship and political alliance with Hu Yaobang "in the long run gave political credits to his son [Xi Jinping] in the eyes of liberal Party officials and the so-called 'Youth League faction', thereby adding to the younger Xi's value as a compromise candidate acceptable to both of the CCP's most powerful factions.
...Xi Jinping may have been successful in rising through the CCP bureaucracy in part by being attentive to senior leaders, and circumspect in expressing his own views. Such reporting as is available paints a picture of a man who is very personable; very politically ambitious, with his eyes on a senior leadership post from an early age; and possessed of a confident belief that the children of the CCP's revolutionary generation are the natural heirs to rule China."
Many of the important decisions for the handover and the new PSC are believed to have taken place during this summer's secretive Beidaihe meeting. There's been no date set for the handover, but Chinese media reports suggest that the PSC will have only seven members, down from nine.
Note: This piece is largely drawn from two reports 1) The China Rising Leaders Project (Part 1) by John Dotson at the USSC 2) Leadership Transition In The CPC by Cheng Li for Brookings.


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At Williams-Sonoma, we know you work hard. You may have to deal with the stress of a job, take care of little ones, clean the house and cook on top of it all. We want to help you feel relaxed and happy when you get home and be able to finish your tasks as quickly as possible. That way, you have time to enjoy a movie with friends or family or enjoy a soothing bath with aromatic candles. One great way to work faster is to keep things organized. But because modern homes tend to have a lot of things – many of them frustratingly small and easy to lose – that's easier said than done. Storage baskets and cases are a big help, which is why Williams-Sonoma has high-quality containers that last a long time. Versatile sizes fit the storage needs of different rooms, from the kitchen and dining room to your bedroom or bath. With so many sizes and designs available, it's easy to put our baskets to work for you.
Cut down on kitchen clutter. Of all the surfaces that need to be spotless, this is probably the most important, and not just for healthy cooking. Making meals usually involves a lot of ingredients that you need to slice, chop, grate and peel. That means a large cutting board and open space for your prepping. A bright and open countertop lets you cook with less stress and a positive attitude. That's where baskets come in. Essential kitchen items like towels, potholders and oven mitts all fit neatly into a single container, ready to go. Another way to organize is to grab all of your coffee accessories – filters, grinds, sweetener and creamer – and put them in a small basket next to your coffee maker or espresso machine.
Protect your glasses. If you have a special set of wine glasses that are only for elegant occasions with company, it can be a challenge to know where to put them in the meantime. Our stemware storage cases provide the solution. They're sized just right for any kind of wine glasses, and can hold a full dozen. On the outside, thick padding protects the whole set from accidental bumps. Inside, individual dividers keep each glass safe and sound in its own compartment. Another plus of storing glasses in an enclosed container is that you don't have to worry about dusting them off before use. That way, all you have to worry about at parties is uncorking the wine. Our wine tools help you with that too.
Keep spare dinnerware out of sight but close by. Many people have several sets of dinnerware. One might be something you use for everyday meals, while another is for special occasions. Extra sets let you add a little emotion and excitement to your dining room from time to time, or adapt to the change in seasons. But not everyone has enough space for a large glass hutch to keep so many dishes spread out. With our china storage cases, your creativity can run free. Each case is fitted to the size of individual pieces – including bowls, platters, dinner plates, salad plates and more – for maximum protection. Inside, dividers keep the surfaces of your dinnerware safely separated and cushioned. You can even stack these cases to take advantage of the space in your kitchen or dining room shelves and cabinets.
Add to your home's decor. The whole purpose of having baskets and storage pieces around is to make rooms look great, and that's why our containers are never just about functionality. We design them to shine wherever you use them. Woven baskets in golden rattan, seagrass and other materials make any room seem brighter. They add a laid-back flair to the space that's perfect for relaxing with friends and family. Other storage pieces come in chic colors that combine well with your home's wall colors. One way to make room and elevate your kitchen's decor to the next level is with a pot rack. Copper or stainless-steel cookware looks great hanging above a kitchen island.


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That's right! Very soon Nintendo fans across the world will be challenged to 'think like a snake' by slithering, coiling and climbing across the once idyllic mountain of Haven Tor. Taking control of Noodle the Snake, accompanied by his hyperactive best buddy Doodle the Hummingbird, players will face snake-bending obstacles and perilous pitfalls in their quest to find and restore the Keystones that give Haven Tor its' mythical power!
Whether you want to slither on the go in handheld mode, coil up in tabletop mode or climb into a comfy sofa and play in TV mode, Snake Pass on the Nintendo Switch is the perfect way to play, wherever you are!
I couldn't find any mention of this game here and I thought it'd be something you all might be interested in.
You can see some gameplay here.


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CBD Edibles
The highest quality CBD products made in the USA. Enjoy the most trusted CBD Edibles made from all natural hemp CBD.
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Posted on June 18, 2019
CBD Oil Now with Free 2-Day Shipping on Orders Over $100? Or Just $10 for Smaller Orders? Amazing!
What if every order of CBD oil (and edibles, creams, and everything else great in the store) over $100 came straight to you in just 2-days, and the shipping was free? And when it comes to 2-Day shipping on all orders that are still under 100 bucks, it will only set you back $9.99.
Posted on April 9, 2019
Here's Why Diamond CBD is the Perfect CBD Wholesale Partner for Your Retail Business
Choosing a wholesale distributor for your retail CBD needs can be a daunting task. How do you discriminate between quality brands and fly-by-night companies that don't have your best interests in mind? The easy answer, of course, is to choose Diamond CBD for your wholesale CBD needs.
Posted on March 15, 2019
Diamond CBD Is Sending One Lucky Winner To The High Times Cannabis Cup on 4/20 Weekend
This year, imagine celebrating 4/20 with a few thousand like-minded people at one of the world's largest cannabis gatherings. You and a guest will have a chance to win a trip to the High Times Cannabis Cup in Sacramento, California on 4/20.
Posted on January 31, 2019
Coming Soon: Diamond CBD Taps Into Growing Popcorn Market with CBD Pops!
The team down in product development has just been pumping out the new Diamond CBD products. Introducing CBD Pops — the great tasting, low-calorie, CBD packed snack.
Posted on January 8, 2019
Diamond CBD Makes History At CES 2019
Diamond CBD will make history by being the first and only CBD brand to be present at the world famous tech trade show. We teamed up with CloudPay Technologies to distribute our innovative hemp-based CBD products.
Posted on January 2, 2019
Diamond CBD Announces Winner of their Diamond Lifestyle Cruise Giveaway
Brandi Dawn Griffith the lucky winner of four day Bahamas cruise!


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NY Nun Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail for Stealing $128K From Churches to Feed Casino Gambling Addiction
A 68-year-old Catholic nun from New York who stole nearly $130,000 from the collection plates of two parishes to feed her gambling addiction was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Monday.
According to an Associated Press report, Sister Mary Anne Rapp, who pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Orleans County Court in April, was also ordered to repay the money she stole and perform 100 hours of community service.
The money, which was stolen from St. Mary's Church in Holley and St. Mark's Church in Kendall between 2006 and 2011, was discovered missing during an audit.
"Over the years, I'm sure she has helped a lot of people and a lot of causes, but you can't ignore the dishonesty that she was involved with," said Orleans County district attorney Joe Cardone in a Kare11 report.
"This involves her over a long period of time taking money from the collection plate from the church on a weekly basis. Lying to parishioners. Diverting checks that were payable to the church and also lying to the church and eventually investigators because she didn't admit this immediately," he noted.
"It's a lot of money and it's certainly understandable that she should receive some punishment for it," he said.
On Monday, provincial minister for the 133 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity Sister Edith Wyss, released a statement on Sister Rapp's situation.
"Despite the enormous support that Sister Mary Anne received from friends, parishioners and her religious community, her proactive approach to her recovery and her involvement in meaningful ministry, the judge determined that she deserved jail time," said Sister Wyss.
"We feel great empathy for the two church communities affected by her actions. Sister Mary Anne is a member of our community and we will continue to help and support her," she added.


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© 2012 The Joy of Cooking Trust and the MRB Revocable Trust
Where the Joy of Wine meets the Joy of Cooking
After flying F-86 Sabrejets over the skies of Korea and a lucrative career with the now-defunct Braniff Airlines, our good friend and cousin Koerner Rombauer retired with his wife to the picturesque hills surrounding St. Helena, deep in California's Napa Valley region, to raise their family. Koerner, and the vineyard he has continued to build--with the help of his son, KR, daughter, Sheana, and lovely wife Sandy-- has had an incalcuably positive influence on Napa Valley's rise as one of the world's premiere wine-growing regions.
Rombauer has produced some of the best vintages Napa has offered the world since 1978. We are devoted fans to all of his wines, but most especially the outstanding Joan's Vineyard Zinfandels, buttery Carneros Chardonnays, and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons Rombauer continues to delight its devoted fans with each year.
Koerner, nephew to our Irma, comes from a long line of winemakers who can be traced back to the famous Rheingau growing region in Germany. The Rombauer family's intense focus on quality winemaking is a welcome complement to our side of the family's obsession with food and all that goes on in the kitchen, and the joy we all reap from a life spent around the table with those we love.
Please, if you are ever making your way down Silverado Trail between Callistoga and St. Helena and find yourself in desperate need of beautiful surroundings, a friendly and well-informed tasting room staff, and perhaps a glimpse of the winery's big brown dog, Buck, please do yourself a favor and stop by their hilltop winery.
If you cannot find the time, please visit their website, say hi on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.


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This Guest Post is by my friend and senior, Sensei Pat Nakata. Nakata Sensei is the head of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate Association in Hawaii. He was a student of Chosin (Choshin) Chibana in Shorin-Ryu, and also studied Ryukyu Kobudo under Sensei Fumio Nagaishi. When he was a young man, he studied Wado-Ryu Karate under Sensei Walter Nishioka.
Makiwara translated is rice straw (wara) that is bound or tied together (maki). Most Karateka today think of makiwara as being a planted wrapped post that is used for striking, but there are many different types of makiwara. In the old days, there were vertically hanging makiwara (like a heavy bag), horizontally hanging makiwara, the standing post makiwara, and round standing post makiwara normally used for blocking. For this discussion, I will use the term makiwara referring to the standing post.
Makiwara is more a Japanese term and in Okinawa it is machiwara, but Chibana Chosin Sensei and most of the other Okinawan teachers in the 1960s called it makiwara. The Okinawan teachers considered makiwara training an essential tool for developing strong punches, but it could also be used for kicks, strikes, and blocking development. Ninety percent of the time it was used for working on one's punches.
The standard makiwara is a tapered 2X4, which in height is about one's solar plexus, but there was a tendency to place it higher. The taller the makiwara, the more flex. Many of the old masters were short, but had high punches. The shoulder height punches were suppose to be punches to the solar plexus (kosen) or the solar plexus line (kosen no sen). These high punches is readily seen in film clips of the old teachers performing Kata. This is a direct result of punching makiwara that is too high.
Regardless of height, a good makiwara must have some flex. Chibana Sensei would say that one may not want to hit a stiff makiwara, but one would be more willing to punch a softer makiwara. He cautioned that a stiff or too rigid makiwara was detrimental to one's health. If a makiwara did not give with a punch because it was too stiff, the power or shock wave would reverse back into the person hitting the makiwara. A makiwara must have flex, but with some resistance.
The Chibana method of punching the makiwara is when one punches the makiwara and bends the makiwara, one must hold the bend of the makiwara with that punch. If one hits a makiwara that is too stiff, one could develop 'kime', but without penetration. In other words, too much of an instant focus (lockup) on contact results in the punch being only a surface hit. A flexible makiwara with a spring like resistance, enables one to develop 'kikomi', which is kime with penetration. To develop a strong kikomi, one must hit the makiwara integrating the timing of a strong upright posture with body mechanics (koshi [hips] and/or hara [pelvic carriage or lower abdominal]), concise breathing, and a strong stance. When one punches a stiff makiwara without trying to penetrate, this practice just hardens the knuckles and strengthens the wrist.
In executing a punch, the fist is held at a palms up position until the elbow is straightened. As the elbow straightens, the fist is twisted instantaneously to a palms down position dropping in the knuckle, which straightens the force that is being transmitted. If one turns the fist too early, keeps the fist in a palms up position, or use a standing fist while fully extending the arm, the power of the punch will be lost at the elbow.
I was originally taught that in hitting the makiwara, muscle lockup (kime) occurs simultaneously as the hip (koshi) twists to full face at the point of contact. I tried hitting Chibana Sensei's makiwara in this manner and could not hold the bend or even bend it. I watched Chibana Sensei punch the makiwara with a far shorter stance than mine, which appeared to be less stable, but his delivery was smooth and almost effortless. The makiwara bent backward about 8 inches with him holding it at that bend. As he continued punching, on close inspection, I noticed his hips did not twist forward until the instant of contact. His stance also planted, transmitted power from the legs into the punch. I realized then that I was spending the power from my hip movement before I hit the target. I learned that kime was the focus and timing of the whole body. The reason why I had no real punching power was because I was just extending my arms without correct timing. I had speed but no power.
After a few years of intensive makiwara training, my punch was stronger, but I had lost mobility in attacking or moving into an opponent with a punch. I tried stepping into or attacking the makiwara as I delivered the punch, but the punch felt more like a push and without any concussion. I started to experiment with a heavy bag. With the heavy bag I could practice a punching attack. Using the heavy bag, one needs a coach that can differentiate between penetration (kikomi), surface hitting, and pushing.
After my trip to Ventura, California, where I had the opportunity to practice hitting a 6 foot heavy bag, I purchased one for the dojo. With this longer, heavier bag we could now practice punches to the head (also low kicks, low strikes, kicks to the head, strikes to the face and head, etc.). All 6 feet long heavy bags are 100+ pounds in weight. Using a100+ pound heavy bag is good training, because if one did not punch correctly, the "bag will hit you back." It will give you good feedback on the correctness of your punch.
Another supplemental equipment for contact training is the hand contact pad, which to some extent resembles a baseball glove. An experienced person holding the contact pad can give feedback on whether the punch or hit is penetrating, surface hitting, pushing, the degree of impact, and whether there is knuckle penetration. The hand contact pad is a supplement to a makiwara or a heavy bag and not an alternative. Ideally, it would be very beneficial to practice with all three; makiwara, heavy bag, and hand contact pads.
Hitting the makiwara is good for power and strength development. I have seen many teachers with punches that were technically incorrect, but were still powerful, because of their dedicated makiwara training. I often wonder about how much more powerful their punches would be if they were technically correct?
As Bob (Snaggy) Inouye said, "Many of the students don't like hitting the bag (or makiwara) and avoid punching the bag, because when they do, they feel 'junk'." Karate is a hitting art. One must hit to understand hitting.
Pat Nakata


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Telugu Actress Shreya caught Nude Showing Boobs to a movie producer in this photo. Shreya saran boobs are looking very sexy in this photo. I guess that actress shreya pussy will be very hot by seeing her cute boobs and tits.
Shreya boobs are fully filled with milk and the producer have asked shreya to milk him using her boobs. Then actress said to suck her nippls so that the producer can be able to drink from her nude boobs.


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I have never used Tumblr before, but I started taking some notes of things I think are important to getting your new blog found and hopefully get people to share your videos.
In this Hot Blog Tips Hangouts on Air, I go over some tips that I am finding while using Tumblr!
Watch on youtube.com
Hope this gives you a few ideas if you are new to Tumblr!
You can see a few of our blogs at http://hotblogtips.tumblr.com/


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Description:20/40 DLT External Tape Drive Part Number(s)
Option Part# 340744-B22
Overview:The DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive offers a transition from the DLT 15/30 GB Tape Drive to a higher capacity and performance tape device which has become the de facto standard in the industry. The DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive provides up to 20 GB of native capacity on a single DLT Type IV tape and up to 5.6 GB per hour data transfer rate without compression in native mode. With a 2:1 compression rate the DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive provides up to 40 GB of backup capacity on a single tape at up to 10.8GB per hour data transfer rate. The DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive continues to offer configurations for Compaq Server in tower or rack mount environments DLT tape array or as a standalone drive. The DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive features backward read/write compatibility to lower capacity DLT 10/20 and DLT 15/30 GB tapes. This feature offers investment protection for current customers that have standardized on DLT. The DLT 20/40 GB Tape Drive is a thoroughly tested and integrated Compaq hardware option with support for major industry leading backup software solutions. With this technology being provided by Compaq it is a very logical choice in a workgroup departmental server or professional workstation environment with capacity needs in the 20-35 GB range with the knowledge that data capacity continues to grow.


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Oops, program not foundThe program you were trying to reach is not available. Below is a list of all available programs.
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A gorgeous fall afternoon just begs a trip to Sunny Acres Farm and a walk on the walking path at Lincoln Marsh! What a fun and relaxing morning! Have you taken a fun field trip this month? Did you take pictures? Write a post and link it up to Fantastic Foto Fieldtrips @ The Homeschool Post!
Field Trip Friday: Lincoln Marsh


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Bennett Shaywitz, MD
Charles and Helen Schwab Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology); Co-Director, Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
Departments & Organizations
Neurology: Pediatric Neurology
Pediatrics: Pediatric Neurology
Yale Medicine
Office of Cooperative Research
Bennett A. Shaywitz, M.D. is the Charles and Helen Schwab Professor in Dyslexia and Learning Development and Co-Director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity at the Yale University School of Medicine. Both a child neurologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Shaywitz is a leader in applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand the neurobiology of reading and dyslexia in children and adults. These studies identify a neural signature for dyslexia, making a previously hidden learning disability visible, and for the first time demonstrate the brain basis for the lack of fluency in dyslexia. A recent paper published in the November, 2015 issue of Journal of Pediatrics found that the: "Achievement Gap in Reading is Present as Early as First Grade and Persists Through Adolescence."
The author of over 300 scientific papers, Dr. Shaywitz' honors include election to membership in the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Washington University. Dr. Shaywitz currently serves on the Boards of the Park Century School and the Westmark School. He previously served on the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee, on the National Vaccine Program Safety Subcommittee and on the Scientific Advisory Board of the March of Dimes. Dr. Shaywitz has been selected annually for Best Doctors in America and America's Top Doctors.
October 13, 2016
Education & Training
|Washington University (1963)
|Research Fellow
|Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
|Chief Resident
|Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Bronx, NY
|Research Fellow
|Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
|Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Bronx, NY
|Board Certification
|AB of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (1968)
|Board Certification
|AB of Psychiatry & Neurology, Neurology with Special Qual in Child Neurology (1973)
Honors & Recognition
Stoll Distinguished LecturePennsyslvania State University (2007)
The Annie Glenn AwardOhio State University (2006)
2003 Distinguished Alumnus AwardWashington University (2003)
Institute of MedicineNational Academies of Science (2002)


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intro: Dorie Greenspan, co-owner of Beurre and Sel and author of "Around My French Table," offers her tips on how to bake the perfect cookies. Follow these steps and you'll have cookies that look like the photos in a cookbook.
Don't have the time to bake? Purchase these cute cookies from Beurre and Sel and let Dorie do the work for you.
quicklist:1 category: title: Room Temp Rules url: text: "Make sure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature: Take your eggs and butter out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you're ready to start mixing. Ingredients blend more easily at room temperature and you get a better dough when all of the ingredients are at approximately the same temperature." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Use Restraint url: text: "Unless the recipe instructs you to whip like mad, cookie dough, especially dough for shortbread-type cookies, benefits from a light hand. Don't overbeat the butter, sugar and eggs (most of the time you don't want air in a cookie batter) and mix in the flour only until it disappears into the dough. Tender cookies are restraint's reward." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Keep it Cold url: text: "After you've rolled out cookie dough, slide it into the refrigerator to chill – a little rest after a good roll-out makes it easier to cut neat, straight edges. And you'll keep those edges straight if you chill the cut-out dough again before you bake it." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Portion the Dough url: text: "It's fine if drop cookies are shaped every which way -- haphazardness is part of their charm -- but to ensure even baking, it's best if all of the cookies are the same size. A cookie scoop (think scaled-down ice-cream scoop) makes child's play of portioning out dough." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Check the Oven url: text: "Make sure the oven is at the correct temperature before the first batch of cookies goes in." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: A Little Space, Please! url: text: "Most cookies spread as they bake, so don't crowd the baking sheet." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Patience, People url: text: "As good as warm cookies are, most cookies need a cool-down period for their texture to set and their flavors to meld. Use a wide metal spatula to transfer cookies from the baking sheet to a cooling rack ... and then be patient." media: related:
quicklist:2 category: title: Keep 'em Separate url: text: "If you haven't eaten all your cookies straight off the cooling rack, you should tuck them into a cookie jar or an airtight container to store them. Just remember: Keep the crisp, crunchy cookies in one place and the soft, chewy ones in another. Mix them and they'll all end up soft."
media: related:


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Young Strikers Cricket Club was a small team I captained back in the 90s. The team was housed in a small colony next to Lahore's Civil Services Academy – a place where civil servants are trained. In practice I was the team's management, its scorer and also the captain...
The Misbah I Know
A forum for fans of Pakistan.
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2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: The Misbah I Know
Very Good . I like Misbah batting ....
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1


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An affectionate robot, who may or may not be a space traveler, plays the central role in the new video for the Eli Young Band's latest single "Say Goodnight."
Hit by a car on a lonely road, the driver (a young woman) helps nurse the robot back to 'health' and teaches him a few things about human interaction. They grow quite fond of each other in the process–which fits, somewhat loosely, with the subject matter of the single itself (a full-on love song).
And as woman and bot hold hands, frolic in fields, eat at a Japanese restaurant, and tuck each other in at night (yes, it's all quite chaste), the members of the Eli Young Band show up here and there to sing and perform.
Curiously this isn't the robot's first time on screen. Taste of Country pointed out that the bot also appears (albeit briefly) in the film Argo.
– Kurt Wolff, CBS Local


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Christian Supplies Inc.
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Product Description
Here We Come, Construction Fun, written by award-winning author Rhonda Gowler Greene, pairs rollicking rhymes with adorable illustrations to show a construction crew working together to build something special.
Engines rrrrumble--vrum vrum vroom. Crane truck stretches out his boom.
Mighty trucks roll out of bed. They've got a busy day ahead
Little ones can't resist the playful cranes, backhoes, mixers, and dozers who are all working together to build something... but what? With hints given along the way, kids will delight in discovering what this very special construction crew is building just for them.
Parents will love this rhyming read-aloud board book that comes with a bright and shiny cover decorated with foil.
More Product Information
- Publisher: Zonderkidz
- Release Date: November 13, 2018
- Pages: 24
- Language: English
- Binding: Board Books
- Height: 0.60 inches
- Width: 8.10 inches
- Length: 8.10 inches
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Recommended Age Range: 00 through 04 years
- Recommended Grade Range: Preschool through Preschool


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Threshing stones the subject of Tabor program
Glen Ediger, Bethel College's 2012 outstanding alumnus award winner, will present "Leave No Threshing Stone Unturned" at 9:45 a.m. Friday at Lifelong Learning in the Tabor College Wohlgemuth Music Education Center. The presentation will be based on his award-winning book of the same name.
Ediger grew up on a wheat farm near Buhler and has done extensive research on the threshing stone, a tool Mennonite farmers used in the Ukraine and then the Great Plains during the 1870s.
Using illustrative images and stories, he will explain the importance of threshing stones and the history of grain, the railroad, and threshing in Kansas.
Registration fees are $4 at the door or $15 per semester ($29 per couple.) Lunch is available afterward in the college cafeteria for $4.


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Digital fabrication is praised as the future of manufacturing. Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine tools can convert a digital design into an object with the click of a mouse, which means the production process is completely automated. The use of digital machine tools has spread rapidly in factories over the last two decades, and they have now become cheap and user-friendly enough to bring them within reach of workshops and makers.
While CNC machines have been embraced by many, including some environmentalists who say the technology can be more sustainable, it's important to consider the very high energy use of digital machine tools. Compared to the earlier generation of human-controlled machine tools, CNC machines use much more power, and the potential to improve their energy efficiency is very limited. Choosing fewer automated technologies is the key to sustainable manufacturing.
Continue reading "How Sustainable is Digital Fabrication?" »


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Horses 014
This is a mixture on race horses and carousel horse. The of the photos are in a style that I am know for - "Black Plus" where the photo has been converted to black and white with parts of it left in color.
Listed are the most popular sizes for printed and matted photos as well as those printed on metal. Photos printed on metal do not require framing; they are ready to be hung as is. Photos are available in custom sizes to fit your requirement… up to four feet by eight feet. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.


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Micro production
The usage of our Nanorobotics series in combination with more than 200 components allows configuring plenty of different solutions like a construction kit. These systems can have different size and complexity, but mostly they are about 100-times more precise then other solutions. Examples therefore are medium sized configurations like ultra-precise Profilometers, Micro tensile machines or Wafer-Prober – or big systems like our Micro Production System or the Universal Testing Benches. Advantage: Configuration of solutions, instead of development!These systems include plenty of different options that can only be summarized here by a few examples. More information is available on request.


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About WAGS Miami
Follow the wives and girlfriends of athletes in Miami. These WAGS are playing the most competitive sport out there: getting and keeping that pro-athlete man. As part of an elite, exclusive group, the WAGS are close friends who are bound together by a strict hierarchy, unspoken rules and plenty of drama.
Available Episodes
more details
My Best Friend's Wedding
Season 2 Episode 207208 (10-8-2017)
After Mother-in-Law drama, Ashley and Phil tie the knot. Darnell learns Metisha dated her new guy. Hencha thinks she may be pregnant. Tension between Kayla and Eric threatens their marriage.
more details
Double Ds
Season 2 Episode 206 (10-1-2017)
Ashley's bachelorette party continues, and Phil has his own night out. Darnell interviews an athlete for her podcast. Claudia agrees to do Astrid's photoshoot but cancels with short notice.
more details
LA Bachelorette Bound
Season 2 Episode 205 (9-17-2017)
Hencha's mother offers unsolicited advice about her dating life. Astrid hosts a party for her swimwear line. Tensions flare when Astrid and Kayla are invited Ashley's bachelorette party.
more details
Hencha's Revenge
Season 2 Episode 204 (9-10-2017)
Hencha gets revenge on Astrid. Ashley dreads telling her soon-to-be mother-in-law about their destination wedding. Corey feels Faven's fashion line is detracting from her wifely duties.
more details
Dueling Matchmakers
Season 2 Episode 203 (9-3-2017)
Hencha gets angry when Faven sets up Astrid instead of her. Darnell reprioritizes her career. Julius signs with a new team, concerning Claudia that his new teammates will be bad influences.
more details
Party Girl
Season 2 Episode 202 (8-27-2017)
Astrid and Claudia confront Darnell at her birthday, concerned about her partying. Ashley wedding planning is derailed by the Super Bowl and Kayla sets Astrid up with a baseball player.
more details
Bride Wars
Season 2 Episode 201 (8-20-2017)
Ashley clashes with her future mother-in-law. Two new WAGS are brought into the group but instantly dislike to each other. Claudia and Ashley's men play against each other in the playoffs.
more details
WAGS Miami Reunion Special
Season 1 Episode 109 (11-27-2016)
The cast returns to handle unfinished business, air some dirty laundry and share some big news. Hosted by former NFL star Tiki Barber, this special re-defines "leaving it all on the field."
more details
Girls Be Trippin'
Season 1 Episode 108 (11-20-2016)
All hell breaks loose on a trip to Croatia when the tension between the girls comes to a head. Darnell is tired of Ashley's lack of consideration for her feelings and finally calls her out.
more details
Ring Toss
Season 1 Episode 107 (11-13-2016)
Ashley starts to prep for her wedding, while Darnell struggles with some devastating news. Metisha goes on a date with a pro boxer. The girls take a trip to Croatia.
more details
Put a Ring on It
Season 1 Episode 106 (11-6-2016)
Phil proposes at the Versace Mansion. Hencha hopes her new love interest will turn into something serious. Darnell confides in Claudia about Reshad, prompting her to question her own future.
more details
What Would Vesus Do?
Season 1 Episode 105 (10-30-2016)
Darnell decides she can't be financially dependent, causing Reshad to question their relationship. Ashley's Dad asks Phil about his intentions. Metisha tells Vanessa to make up with Hencha.
more details
Birthday Brawl
Season 1 Episode 104 (10-23-2016)
Hencha confronts Vanessa when she hears a rumor about her man. Darnell tries to patch things up with Claudia following the drama in the Bahamas. Claudia heads to Green Bay to support Julius.
more details
Girl Code
Season 1 Episode 103 (10-16-2016)
The girls go to the Bahamas, but things escalate when Ashley confronts Claudia about racy pictures from her past. Hencha breaks girl code with a baseball player that Astrid has her eye on.
more details
Ratchet by Association
Season 1 Episode 102 (10-9-2016)
Tension between Hencha and Claudia peaks. After house hunting, Reshad has an unexpected announcement for Darnell. Astrid enlists Metisha and Claudia for her runway show, but regrets it.
more details
Welcome to Miami
Season 1 Episode 101 (10-2-2016)
Darnell invites Hencha and Metisha to her engagement brunch. After Claudia makes a comment about them, conflict ensues. Metisha learns that her Ex Larry English and WAG Nicole are engaged.


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The Bush administration has submitted the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement to Congress amid reports it was offering new concessions to sugar producers to try to round up more support for it.
While a close vote was being predicted in both houses, observers said they expected DR-CAFTA to prevail, in part, because of the "full-court" pressure being applied by the administration to secure votes from wary Republicans.
In a White House meeting leading up to the submission, President Bush urged Congress to pass the agreement "because America has an interest in strengthening democracy and advancing prosperity in our hemisphere." Cabinet members and officials from previous Democratic and Republican administrations attended the meeting.
Supporters have said the pact would allow U.S. exporters the same access to markets in the five Central American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua and in the Dominican Republic –as exporters in those countries have to the U.S. market under earlier agreements.
The president said consumers in those countries would also have access to U.S. goods at lower prices. "That brings us a step closer to our goal of an Americas where the opportunities in San Jose, Costa Rica, are as real as they are in San Jose, Calif."
Speaking on the security theme administration officials have been using more and more with DR-CAFTA, U.S. Trade Representative Bob Portman told reporters the agreement will bring added stability and prosperity to the region.
"We cannot let these countries down in Central America – these fragile democracies that are making the right moves, doing the right things and creating free markets and promoting democracy," he said.
Sugar promises
But leaders in the DR-CAFTA countries may not get as much of an agreement as they expect because of administration promises to U.S. sugar producers and refiners. Reports said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has promised to use his authority to prevent sugar from the countries from entering the United States.
"I've talked about an idea that literally says, 'Look, in the powers I have today, which I will commit to using, we could hold sugar harmless,'" Johanns was quoted as saying in a briefing June 23. "I can guarantee that sugar is not going to be impacted by the CAFTA agreement during the life of the farm bill."
Some observers said the promise may not be enough to sway members from sugar-producing states. "I'm not sure we've been in direct negotiations," said Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., who threatened to vote against the agreement in a mock vote conducted by the Senate Finance Committee on the measure.
The Finance Committee "passed" the agreement in a nonbinding 11-9 vote on June 14, while the House Ways and Means Committee's straw vote produced 25 votes for and 16 votes against a day later. Observers said both votes were closer than might normally be expected.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss said that while some lawmakers responded positively to the administration promises, "We're still not quite where we need to be."
Sugarcane producer leaders said they continue to view DR-CAFTA as a "fight for our very survival." John Gay, a sugarcane farmer from Louisiana, added, "We cannot afford to lose."
Secretary Johanns has authority to buy excess sugar from CAFTA countries to use for things other than food, such as sugar-based ethanol fuel. He can also give away other U.S. crops to CAFTA countries that agree not to ship sugar to the United States.
Under Trade Promotion Authority procedures, the House Ways and Means Committee has 45 legislative days to act on the legislation, and the House has an additional 15 days to vote on it without amendment. The Senate Finance Committee then has an additional 15 days to act on the legislation after which the Senate has 15 days to vote on it.


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SAP has announced two new solutions built on SAP HANA, the company's in-memory computing platform. SAP says it is renewing its existing applications as well as delivering an entirely new class of applications that will work in real-time deployment scenarios with heavy data throughput demands.
SAP Smart Meter Analytics software powered by SAP HANA and SAP COPA Accelerator were designed to give users real-time insight into "big data," allowing them to leverage vast amounts of information for analysis, planning, and forecasting and simulations in a more fluid, natural way versus traditional approaches that are rigid, sequential, and time-consuming.
According to Forrester Research, SAP has emerged as the leading advocate of in-memory computing technology as a key pillar of its innovation strategy: "[SAP] HANA allows SAP to develop innovative new applications that can consume and analyze massive volumes of data in near real time while also providing a cost-effective, elastic computing platform."
In practice, this in-memory computing means data doesn't have to travel between so many layers inside the IT stack. This means calculations are executed faster, allowing real-world transactional workloads happen faster, which in turn causes accurate data intensive analytics to happen faster. Ultimately, corporate information dashboards are updated faster, and therefore executives can take actions faster. With the SAP HANA platform, companies now can run complex analyses such as simulations and pattern recognition in seconds, enabling sweeping innovations in the way they run their businesses.
"There is a massive simplification happening all around us. Layers are being dissolved at an unbelievable pace; people, businesses, data, and machines are becoming more directly connected. This virtuous cycle of connectedness leads to disintermediation of layers, which drives end-users to become more empowered and demand better user-experience — challenging us to create more connectedness," said SAP CTO Dr. Vishal Sikka.
"This is leading to a fundamental renewal and reshaping in the IT industry, and SAP HANA is helping to drive this change. SAP HANA removes the inefficiencies and layers that have developed over time, but also finally delivers the unbelievable user experience, simultaneously enabling new horizons and simplification of the existing layers of complexity, without disruption. The incredible customer response is proof that we are delivering this renewal with SAP HANA, and these applications are just the beginning of what we will do."


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Rutger Hauer Autographed Fantastic 'Candid' Photo!!
So beautiful!
What a fantastic expression!
This photo measures 10" x 8" (26 cms x 28 cms) and is printed on glossy photographic paper.
Rutger has autographed it in permanent bright silver ink.
Thank you for your support to Rutger's Starfish!
The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association is the real source for Rutger's autographed items. Fans and autograph collectors can find here the widest choice of original autographed materials, all coming directly from Rutger's own archives:


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- / World & News
- / Countries of the World
- / Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
Facts & Figures
President: Alassane Ouattara (2010)
Prime Minister: Daniel Kablan Duncan (2012)
Land area: 122,780 sq mi (318,000 sq km); total area: 124,502 sq mi (322,460 sq km)
Population (2014 est.): 22,848,945 (growth rate: 1.96%); birth rate: 29.25/1000; infant mortality rate: 60.16/1000; life expectancy: 58.01
Capital (2011 est.): Yamoussoukro (official), 966,000; Largest city and administrative center: Abidjan, 4.288 million
Monetary unit: CFA Franc
- Côte d'Ivoire Main Page
- Voters Approve a Draft Constitution
- Power-Sharing Agreement Brings Hope for an End to the Civil War
- Gbagbo Refuses to Accept Election Results
Côte d'Ivoire (also known as the Ivory Coast), in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, is a little larger than New Mexico. Its neighbors are Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana. The country consists of a coastal strip in the south, dense forests in the interior, and savannas in the north.
Côte d'Ivoire was originally made up of numerous isolated settlements; today it represents more than sixty distinct tribes, including the Baoule, Bete, Senoufou, Agni, Malinke, Dan, and Lobi. Côte d'Ivoire attracted both French and Portuguese merchants in the 15th century who were in search of ivory and slaves. French traders set up establishments early in the 19th century, and in 1842, the French obtained territorial concessions from local tribes, gradually extending their influence along the coast and inland. The area was organized as a territory in 1893, became an autonomous republic in the French Union after World War II, and achieved independence on Aug. 7, 1960. Côte d'Ivoire formed a customs union in 1959 with Dahomey (Benin), Niger, and Burkina Faso. The nation's economy is one of the most developed in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the world's largest exporter of cocoa and one of the largest exporters of coffee.
From independence until his death in 1993, Felix Houphouët-Boigny served as president. Massive protests by students, farmers, and professionals forced the president to legalize opposition parties and hold the first contested presidential election in Oct. 1990, which Houphouët-Boigny won with 81% of the vote.
Beginning in Sept. 1998, thousands of demonstrators protested a constitutional revision that granted President Henri Konan Bédié greatly enhanced powers. Bédié also promoted the concept of ivoirité, which, roughly translated, means "pure Ivoirian pride." Although its defenders describe ivoirité as a term of positive national pride, it has led to dangerous xenophobia, with numerous ethnic Malians and Burkinans driven out of the country in 1999.
President Bédié was overthrown in the country's first military coup in Dec. 1999, and Gen. Robert Guei assumed control of the country. As a result, the majority of foreign aid to the country ceased.
Voters Approve a Draft Constitution
In what were seen as the first steps toward reasserting democracy, voters overwhelmingly approved a draft constitution in July 2000. However, the document permitted only those of "pure Ivoirian" stock to run for president, thereby excluding nearly 40% of the population. Guei, who had promised to stay in power only to "sweep the house clean," instead decided to run for president in Oct. 2000 elections. Gen. Guei ran against a civilian opposition candidate, Laurent Gbagbo. Each declared victory in an election most believe to have been rife with fraud. Popular outcry against Guei soon turned violent, forcing him to leave the country, and Gbagbo assumed the presidency. Many observers questioned his mandate, however, since the popular opposition leader Alassane Ouattara had been excluded from the election on the specious grounds that he was not a pure-blooded Ivoirian. It was not until June 2002 that Ouattara was finally granted full Ivoirian citizenship, allowing him to run for president. Hundreds have died in violence sparked by the dispute.
Mutineering soldiers attempted a coup on Sept. 19, 2002. Guei and Interior Minister Doudou were killed in fighting between government soldiers and the rebels. President Gbagbo accused Guei of staging the coup. Fighting continued, even after a French-brokered peace accord was signed on Jan. 25, 2003, calling for the government to share power with the rebels. President Gbagbo's supporters found such a plan unacceptable, and there was rioting in the capital. The war was finally declared officially over in July. The peace, supported by 4,000 UN-sponsored French peacekeeping troops, was fragile, however. Pro-government and rebel militias remained armed, and in 2004, Northern and Muslim rebels still controlled half the country.
In Nov. 2004, the civil war again erupted; in May 2005, another peace deal was signed, but no militias disarmed. Elections were scheduled for October 2005, but the UN declared this impossible under the continued fighting. To avert a constitutional crisis, the UN Security Council recommended the president remain in office another year, but that he turn over most of his power to a new transitional prime minister. African mediators selected Charles Konan Banny, governor of West Africa's central bank, as a candidate acceptable to all sides of the conflict.
Power-Sharing Agreement Brings Hope for an End to the Civil War
Another peace accord between the government and the rebels was signed in March 2007. The two sides agreed to set up a power-sharing government and establish a joint army. Observers were cautiously optimistic that this deal would finally end the civil war. In April, rebel leader Guillaume Soro—President Gbagbo's bitter rival—was sworn in as prime minister, and a new government was formed.
Gbagbo Refuses to Accept Election Results
After several postponements by President Gbagbo, Côte d'Ivoire held its first presidential election in ten years in Oct. 2010. The first round of voting between incumbent Gbagbo and his historic rival Alassane Ouattara, a former IMF official who was excluded from the presidential 2000 race because he was not a pure-blooded Ivoirian, was inconclusive. In the second round, Ouattara defeated Gbagbo 54.1% to 45.9%. Gbagbo, however, refused to accept the results or step down, leaving the country on the brink of civil war. The African Union, UN, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), U.S., and the EU all endorsed the results. ECOWAS officials have tried in vain to negotiate a solution to the impasse.
For several months following the November election, Gbagbo's security forces attacked and killed citizens in Abidjan and other areas. Ouattara took refuge in a hotel near the presidential palace under the protection of UN troops, and was not able to assume a leadership position. Militias from the north loyal to Ouattara, however, began battling Gbagbo's forces, bringing the country to the brink of a civil war. The violence against citizens by Gbagbo's forces peaked in March 2011, prompting Human Rights Watch to say the attacks amounted to crimes against humanity. Ouattara's militias persisted, and by April had taken control of much of the country. As the stalemate continued and civilian deaths mounted, France and the UN intervened militarily. Troops blockaded the presidential palace, and Gbagbo, who had been holed up in the basement of the presidential palace, stubbornly refused to surrender for a week before finally being apprehended. He was turned over to the International Criminal Court at The Hague in Nov. 2011, where he will face charges of crimes against humanity.
Gbagbo hails from the south of the country and supports the concept of ivoirité, which means "pure Ivoirian pride." Ouattara is from the Muslim north, which has been at odds with the government-controlled south since the 2002 civil war began.
In Nov. 2012, President Alassane Ouattara dissolved the government of Prime Minister Jeannot Kouadio-Ahoussou and Foreign Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan was named the new prime minister. In the new cabinet, Duncan will also act as finance minister, while Charles Koffi Diby became foreign minister; Ouattara remained as defense minister, and Hamed Bakayoko interior minister.
See also Encyclopedia: Côte d'Ivoire .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Cote d'Ivoire


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Lipscomb Lady Bisons opened the tennis season with back-to-back wins.
Saturday night the Lady Bisons beat rival Belmont at the Whitworth Tennis Center 6-1. Friday night they beat UT-Martin 4-3.
"We were happy to have a win over UT-Martin," Lady Bisons coach Jamie Aid said. "However, there were several items we wanted to capitalize on from Friday night in the Belmont match."
The Lady Bisons swept the doubles matches. In singles play Deanna Welcher opened with a win at No. 1. Laura Kent, Jenny Borck and Lorena Djuknic won for the second match in a row. Sierra Troxel closed the match with a win. Melissa Kromer lost in a tie-breaker at No. 2.
"Our first job was to execute the doubles point which the girls did very well," Aid said. "The second was to start up in the first set and continue to maintain a lead in a match."
Belmont held a 13-1 edge in the series history entering the night.
"It is always hard going into a rival match," Aid said. "At the end of the day all we can do is control how we can prepare.
"Our goal is to continue to raise our level with each match. We do that by staying true to the system we have developed for this team.'"
Aid credited crowd support for helping to boost the team.
"I am very proud of the girls," Aid said. "I am also appreciative of all the Bisons fans."
Match Results:
Lipscomb 6 vs. Belmont 1
Deahna Welcher (LU) def. Kancheva (BU) 6-2;6-3
Von Erckhoudt (BU) def. Melissa Kromer (LU) 3-6;6-4 (10-8)
Laura Kent (LU) def. Warren (BU) 6-3;6-1
Jenny Borck (LU) def. Maciel (BU) 6-2;7-5
Lorena Djuknic (LU) def. Mather (BU) 6-2;6-1
Sierra Troxel (LU) def. Fripke (BU) 6-2;6-1
Welcher & Brock (LU) def. Von Erckhoudt & Warren (BU) 6-3
Kromer & Kent (LU) def. Maciel & Kancheva (BU) 6-4
Djuknic & Troxel (LU) def. Mather & Marshall (BU) 6-2


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Blues face Lightning in first home game after big tradeby Brian Hunter
LIGHTNING (34-22-5) at BLUES (40-14-6)
Last 10: Tampa Bay 4-6-0; St. Louis 6-3-1
Season series: This is the second and final game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues. Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists to lead the Lightning to a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay Times Forum on Nov. 2.
Big story: The Blues play their first game at Scottrade Center since trading for goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott. Miller won his debut with the team Sunday at the Phoenix Coyotes. The Lightning finish off a four-game road trip with the return of Steven Stamkos seemingly imminent and questions surrounding the future of Martin St. Louis.
Team Scope:
Lightning: This could be Tampa Bay's final game without Stamkos, who targeted March 6 against the Buffalo Sabres for his return from a broken leg sustained Nov. 11. But will it also be their final game with St. Louis? He's showing no signs of slowing down after becoming the oldest Art Ross Trophy winner last season, putting up 60 points in 61 games and one goal shy of his seventh 30-goal season. However, rumors continue to swirl following reports St. Louis asked for a trade back in January.
Forward Nate Thompson, who has three goals in the past two games, was adamant in his opinion the Lightning will not trade St. Louis.
"No, never," Thompson said in the Tampa Bay Times. "Marty is our captain, and he is our captain for a reason. He pushes the pace for us. He's the heart and soul of this team, and wants the best for this team."
Blues: Miller stopped 23 shots in his St. Louis debut and immediately found out how life figures to be different now that he's changed addresses. The Coyotes built a two-goal lead after 40 minutes, which might have buried Miller's former team the Buffalo Sabres, who rank 30th in the NHL in offense. The Blues are third in the League at 3.22 goals per game, and while they endured a scoreless streak of nearly 188 minutes heading into the third period Sunday, Patrik Berglund started and capped a four-goal rally in Phoenix to give Miller a 4-2 victory.
"It was exciting," Miller said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I was anxious, nervous. I just wanted to help the boys out, give them a feel for what I'm all about. That was pretty impressive, the way the boys made adjustments, came together, had a great third period and get a big win."
Ott had two shots and three hits in 13:58 of ice time, seeing time on a line with Derek Roy and T.J. Oshie.
Who's hot: St. Louis had consecutive multi-goal games following the Olympics before he was held off the score sheet in the Lightning's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. … Miller won his final start for the Sabres before winning his debut with the Blues, giving up two goals in each.
Injury report: Tampa Bay forward Valtteri Filppula (ankle) could return after missing the past four games. Defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) left the game against Colorado in the second period and is day-to-day. … St. Louis forward Vladimir Sobotka (leg) is on injured reserve but expected to start skating this week. Defenseman Jordan Leopold (ankle) is also out.


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We make the wine buying experience as enjoyable as the drinking.So many of us enjoy wine. How often, though, do we experience the frustrations of buying wine? Wine stores are all too often intimidating, snobbish and expensive, or are designed as wine "superstores" where the quantity of wines is overwhelming and the quality of wines and the service provided is under whelming.
We have created a comfortable, affordable and fun way to buy wines, based on flavor and body. Best of all we taste our wines before we bring them in so you can be assured of the quality.
We're not just wine
We feature a selection of fine liquors including a large whiskey section
View our Events CalendarBe sure to check out our latest calendar for a month's worth of great events!
Click here to view now.
See what leading publications have to say about us:


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Dr_Destruction wrote:Since my scanner is up and running maybe I could draw a page and then someone else could add the lettering?
(Need Freehand, hate to do lettering in Photoshop!)
alschroeder wrote:William, I've been a fan of yours for years! (Remember when we started at Keenspace roughly the same time? I sent you a fan art, too---my art's improved since then, but yours has ALWAYS been good. As far as I'm concerned, you can draw as many pages as you want.----Al
phactorri wrote:when ya all figure out how the art is getting hammered out, let me know. I'm sure I could use the practice doing more action type drawing.
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Photos by: Bethany Struble Shirt by: Rhythm Tie by: YSL Jacket by: Very.com Pants by: Pacsun
I'm madly in love with this shirt, yes, madly in love. Lately I've really been into corduroy, be it pants, shorts, or even in this case, a shirt. Something about textured clothes screams key pieces to me. Plus all da ladies be like, "hey yo can I feel?" Tip for all you single males out there ;] Probably won't work out like I said, but it never hurt to try yeah?