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From a distance, the cars look like any other rally cars tearing down the dusty roads. But closer inspection reveals that something odd is going on.
There's no-one sitting in the driving seat of any of the cars. Nor are they being steered by remote control.
This is the Grand Challenge, the world's toughest race for robot vehicles - cars that drive themselves. There is $2m (£1m) on offer to the car that completes the 135-mile (220km) course in the fastest time.
To win it, the cars will have to drive 20 times further than any robot car has ever driven itself before.
The race has been organised by Darpa, the US government's military research arm, who are keen to develop driverless technology.
"If we can use unmanned vehicles in dangerous missions like delivering supplies," says Ron Kurjanowicz of Darpa, "then we can take the drivers out of those vehicles and save lives on the battlefield."
For Sebastian Thrun of Stanford University, who is the designer of one of the favourites, the technology has wider appeal. "The competition," he says, "is to make the world's roads safer.
"The day when my car commutes for me and I can sit there, read the newspaper, do e-mail in the car while the car is driving itself, that's the ultimate victory."
Avoiding obstacles
Over the opening miles of the course, Thrun's car, Stanley, makes that ultimate victory seem close at hand, sailing smoothly down the unpaved roads at up to 50mph (80 km/h).
Built on the body of a VW Touareg, it has been fitted with a drive-by-wire system that allows the car to be operated by computer.
The steering, gear changes, throttle and brake are all controlled by the robot itself. But driving the car is the easy bit, the hard part is deciding where to go.
As computer engineer Jay Gowdy puts it: "No-one knows how to make a robot understand its environment, or how you make a robot see. Instead, we cheat and build things that measure."
The robots use an array of measuring devices to build a 3D map of the road ahead. Radar systems scan the terrain, while lasers identify and pin-point obstacles, and cameras look further ahead to give warning of what is coming from the distance.
Equipped with the map, the robot then just has to pick a route through it. The flattest bit of the map is likely to be the road, so the robots drive down the flattest course they can while avoiding any obstacles in their way.
It might sound easy but it takes a huge amount of computing power. Stanley uses a million lines of specially written computing code and the processing power of seven on-board computers to plot a course and decide its speed.
The difficulty of the task was graphically demonstrated when the Grand Challenge was run for the first time in 2004. Of the 15 vehicles that started the race, half crashed or ground to a halt within the first mile.
The most successful vehicle, a converted Hummer called Sandstorm, managed only seven miles - over 100 miles short of the finishing line. It was a chastening experience for its creator Red Whittaker who has returned for another go at the course.
He has no doubt how difficult the Grand Challenge is. "I think of it as robotics' Kittyhawk," he says, referring to the Wright brothers and the development of flight. "But it calls for a 100-fold leap in the performance of robotic technology."
To double their chances, Whittaker and his team from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh have entered two vehicles into this year's race, both rugged pieces of heavy engineering designed to take on the gruelling desert course.
Urban challenge
It's a strategy that appears to be paying off as vehicle after vehicle drops out of the race. Some suffer from mechanical failure caused by the punishing terrain, but most fail as their navigation systems misidentify the road, sending the robots off course and into the desert.
Before long, the two Carnegie Mellon robots and Stanley are on their own at the front of the race. For nearly 100 miles, they contest the lead, each steering their own route and adjusting their speed as the terrain changes.
After nearly seven hours of racing the teams gather at the finishing line to see which of their robots will return first. A cloud of dust on the horizon becomes a blue dot and, to jubilant celebrations from the Stanford team, Stanley drives itself across the finish line and into the winning circle. Within 20 minutes, both the Carnegie Mellon robots also finish.
That three vehicles completed the course in such quick time astounded many observers and has bought closer the day when we are all driven around by our cars.
But there are still many problems to be solved. For instance, the robots in the Grand Challenge only had to avoid static obstacles. What will happen when the cars have to contend with moving hazards such as other cars and pedestrians?
Hopefully, we'll find out next year. The teams are preparing for a robot race called the Urban Challenge, in which the cars will have to negotiate a 60-mile (100km) course along built-up roads, avoiding other cars - and keeping to the traffic laws.
You can watch The Great Robot Race on Horizon, BBC Two, at 2100GMT on Tuesday 31 October.
Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now.";


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Y'all, as AB herself would say, camp is so fun! On Saturday I got to spend the day with the designer and blogger AB Chao and other like minded decor obsessed ladies.
Here we are gaining pearls of decorating wisdom.
You can read more about what the camp is here, but suffice to say, it was super fun and too short. We also had a surprise visit from another favorite blogger of mine, Nicole Balch from Making it Lovely.
Nicole chatted with us about local resources and about mixing patterns- which she is super good at (hello cute tights!) There was much guzzling of coffee and champagne, a lot of Q&A, and a fast and furious flower arranging session.
AB is making those flowers submit to her will.Next time she comes to Chicago you should all go to camp too (unless you aren't from Chicago in which case you can check out the 2013 camp locations), but in the meanwhile go check out AB's blog and her incredible portfolio.
Look at how much fun we're having!
Hope you had a good weekend too!

subset: commoncrawl


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SYDNEY (AP)—Top seed and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland was ousted by American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands 7-5, 6-2 in the second round of the Sydney International, a key warm-up tournament for the Australian Open.
Mattek-Sands, who is back on tour after a four-month layoff because of a right knee injury, lost in the first round in Brisbane last week and had to win three matches just to qualify for the main draw in Sydney.
''Very happy with it,'' Mattek-Sands said. ''I've played her a couple times and I've never beaten her, so it's probably one of the best wins of my career.''
Radwanska received treatment on her right serving shoulder during last week's Hopman Cup in Perth and said Tuesday it was still bothering her.
''Maybe a little bit, but I have good painkillers,'' Radwanska said. ''It's not a big deal, it should be all right.''
Mattek-Sands advanced to play fellow American Madison Keys, who defeated Croatian wild-card entry Ajla Tomljanovic 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (3).
Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was also on the receiving end of an upset, falling to Lucie Safarova 6-4, 7-6 (7). Wozniacki, recently engaged to golfer Rory McIlroy, was up three points in the second-set tiebreaker before allowing Safarova to clinch the match.
Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the second seed, had little trouble in the afternoon session, beating American qualifier Christina McHale 6-1, 6-0. Angelique Kerber of Germany was also through to the quarterfinals after beating Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-3 6-4.
In men's play at Sydney, seventh-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia defeated Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Spain's Albert Ramos took out American Sam Querrey 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and Nicolas Mahut of France beat American Ryan Harrison 7-6 (2), 7-5.
At the ATP tournament at Auckland, New Zealand, American qualifier Donald Young beat Federico Delbonis of Argentina 7-5, 6-2 to set up a showdown with top seed David Ferrer. German Philipp Kohlschreiber, the fifth seed, and Frenchman Benoit Paire, the sixth seed, were also winners.
At the Hobart International WTA event, Australian teenager and wild-card entry Storm Sanders beat China's Peng Shuai, ranked nearly 200 places ahead of her, 6-2, 6-2. Sanders was only given a wild card when fellow Australian Ashleigh Barty withdrew with a hip injury.
American Alison Riske beat Australian Casey Dellacqua 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in another second-round match, while defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Monica Puig of Puerto Rico.
Lleyton Hewitt, meanwhile, withdrew from the Kooyong exhibition tournament in Melbourne, saying he feared playing would harm his preparations for the Australian Open.
The veteran Hewitt, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, reclaimed his place as Australia's top-ranked player when he won the Brisbane International on Sunday with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 upset victory over Roger Federer.
''At the moment it's just all about recovery for me,'' the 32-year-old said. ''When you get older it gets a bit tougher than when you were 16.''
Most of the top players have chosen to take the week off before the year's first Grand Slam and are training instead at Melbourne Park.


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Short version: Is there some way to conditionally compile chunks of TSQL code in a SQL Server Data Project using SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2010?
I'm using SQL Server Data Tools in Visual Studio 2010 to work on an experimental SQL Server Express database. The eventual destination if things work well would be an enterprise SQL Server platform. I have both a 2008 instance on one box and a 2012 instance on another, because my company is in the process of migrating from 2008 to 2012 for the many enterprise databases as well.
In other programming languages I have used, preprocessor directives make it easy to conditionally compile parts of a code base. The most common uses for this are to have different code for different platforms in restricted sections or to excluded debugging output code from release builds.
Both of these could be very helpful in some store procedures I'm working on. Is there anything like this available? I know I can use
sqlcmd variables to swap out specific values during deployment, but I can't figure how to use that to include or exclude subsequent chunks of code.
#IF $(DebugVersion) = 'True'
-- A bunch of useful PRINTs and what not
#IF $(SSVersion) = '2012'
SET @pretty_date = FORMAT(@some_date, 'dddd, MMM dd, yyyy')
SET @pretty_date = CAST(@some_date AS nvarchar(12))


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2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pound(s) lean ground lamb
1 onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon(s) dried oregano, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
pinch(s) of ground cloves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cup(s) jarred marinara sauce
1 pound(s) ziti or penne
3 cup(s) fresh ricotta, 1 1/2 pounds
4 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg
3/4 cup(s) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the lamb, onion, oregano, cinnamon, cloves and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the lamb is no longer pink and any liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.
2. Cook the pasta until barely al dente; drain and return to the pot. Meanwhile, in a blender, blend 2 cups of the ricotta with the yolks, nutmeg and 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Pulse in the remaining ricotta.
3. Add the lamb ragù to the pasta and toss. Transfer the pasta to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour the ricotta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until heated through. Turn the broiler on and broil until the top is golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
article courtesy of KitchenDaily.com


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Evan wished to have a pirate ship
Evan's pirate ship
Evan won't let his wheelchair stand between him and a true pirate adventure.
Six-year-old Evan loves recess and basketball … but most of all, he loves to play pirate games. Dreaming up stories about sailing the high seas, Evan won't let his wheelchair stand between him and a true pirate adventure.
When Evan imagined having his own wheelchair-accessible pirate ship, the Make-A-Wish® team got to work designing and building a backyard play ship complete with an authentic captain's wheel, slide and rock wall. Evan was as excited to watch his ship being built as he was to board it for its maiden voyage.
With his siblings as his trusted shipmates, Evan now spends hours in his pirate ship, navigating the stormy sea and exploring deserted islands. Now he knows he can go anywhere in his wheelchair!
And now that he's captain of his own ship, Evan's working hard to study pirate parlance. His favorite phrase so far? "Land ahoy!"
This story makes me feel
Shone complex
I wish to have a pirate-ship playhouse
he is the cutest.My son is going through chemo for melanoma and he's 12. I hope with all my heart Evan and his family have a very merry christmas..The lord grants miracles you know...I hope every child with Cancer gets healed some day.. God bless and merry christmas, Evan..your pirate playground is so cool. My boys would love it...
December 24, 2011 - 6:25 AM
June 25, 2012 - 11:25 AM
What I great wish I have sma too and I'm 14 I'm so happy your wish came true I'm makeing my wish too soon
May 12, 2013 - 5:07 PM
Mart C.
Wow, Payton, what a great pirate ship! You are so lucky.
September 20, 2013 - 6:11 AM
I wish to give a playground to my elementary school
Wilms tumor
I wish to have a playhouse with flowerboxes
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
I wish to have a sidecar for my dad's motorcycle
Stay in Touch!
Sign up to receive email from Make-A-Wish.


text:
By Roger M. Boisjoly, Former Morton Thiokol Engineer, Willard, Utah
A background summary of important events leading to the Challenger disaster will be presented starting with January, 1985, plus the specifics of the telecon meeting held the night prior to the launch at which the attempt was made to stop the launch by the Morton Thiokol engineers. A detailed account will show why the off-line telecon caucus by Morton Thiokol Management constituted the unethical decision-making forum which ultimately produced the management decision to launch...
A background summary of important events leading to the Challenger disaster will be presented starting with January, 1985, plus the specifics of the telecon meeting held the night prior to the launch at which the attempt was made to stop the launch by the Morton Thiokol engineers. A detailed account will show why the off-line telecon caucus by Morton Thiokol Management constituted the unethical decision-making forum which ultimately produced the management decision to launch Challenger without any restrictions.
The paper will continue with the post-disaster chronology of my working relationship with Morton Thiokol Management and conclude with a discussion on accountability, professional responsibility and ethical conduct which should be practiced in the work place, plus statements from the academic community about the plight of whistleblowers and my closing remarks.
Back to Top
You may have already concluded that the Challenger disaster was the result of only the decisions made during the evening prior to and the day of launch. As a senior engineer involved with the SRM's since July, 1980, and specifically with the joints since 1981, I can make the following statements from personal observations.
The SRM Program at MTI was suffering from the lack of proper original development work and some may argue that sufficient funds or schedule were not available and that may be so, but MTI contracted for that condition. The Shuttle program was declared operational by NASA after the fourth flight, but the technical problems in producing and maintaining the reusable boosters were escalating rapidly as the program matured, instead of decreasing as one would normally expect. Many opportunities were available to structure the work force for corrective action, but the MTI Management style would not let anything compete or interfere with the production and shipping of boosters. The result was a program which gave the appearance of being controlled while actually collapsing from within due to excessive technical and manufacturing problems as time increased.
This paper starts with January, 1985, which was the period of gross escalation of joint seal problems and continues with specific events that should have signaled either stopping the flights or as a minimum, changing the launch commit criteria to prevent launching below 53 °F (12 °C).
Figure 1 shows the SRM joint configuration for purposes of this discussion.
All dimensions are in inches with SI units for nominals given in the supplementary table. The first O-ring to seal internal hot gases is called the primary seal while the other is termed the secondary seal. There are 177 load carrying pins plus three locating pins for assembly clocking. Pressurization of the motor to 1004 psi (6.92 x 106 pascals) causes the gap dimension to increase 0.042 inches (1.07 mm).
Author(s): Roger M. Boisjoly
The evening telecon meeting between MTI, MSFC and KSC on January 27,1986, was the final event preceding the Challenger disaster. The major activity that day focused upon the predicted 18 °F (-8 °C) overnight low and meetings with Engineering Management to persuade them not to launch below 53 °F (12 °C). My whole being was driven to action for this cause because of my memory of my January, 1985, participation in the inspection of the hardware from the previous coldest launch which had massive hot gas blow-by. The discussion activity concluded with the hurried preparation of fourteen Viewgraphs by various engineering groups which had less then an hour to respond for the scheduled evening telecon.
The following discussion is summarized to show the content of the engineering presentation. Figures labeled as Viewgraphs show the major thrust of the telecon and contain the actual content of the originals as presented, with Sl units added, while others are summarized to give general content for brevity.
The first Viewgraph was a title page. The second Viewgraph showed a table of post history of O-ring damage on SRM field joints. The third, fourth and fifth Viewgraphs are shown as Figures 4., 5., and 6., respectively.
Figure 4. was taken directly from the August 19, 1985 presentation to NASA headquarters. The last two statements show the reasons for both the high concern and for having a high probability of a secondary seal during the first portion of the transient time zone. The last statement was produced from testing at 50 °F (10 °C) which showed that a seal could maintain contact with its mating surfaces when compressed 0.040 inches (1.02 mm) and only 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) of compression was removed from the seal.
Figure 5. was the heart of the discussion at the telecon. The engineering issue was "Would the seals even actuate and seal due to changing their timing function?" This would place us in the category of having a high probability of no secondary seal capability while the primary seal would be experiencing massive blow-by erosion due to its inability to respond to the gap opening of the metal parts. The last two statements summarized the fear of loss of redundancy based upon my remembrance of the January, 1985 post-launch hardware inspection.
Figure 6. shows the field joint in the "as assembled" configuration, plus the pressurized configuration which shows the gap opening parameter due to outboard radial deflection of the case membrane. The differential deflection between the membrane and the stiffer joint causes the inboard clevis leg to deflect inboard opposite the rotation of the tong, which causes the gap at the seals to open. This results in the secondary seal lifting off its seat at full pressurization without considering seal resiliency parameters.
The sixth Viewgraph showed a comparison of hot gas blow-by by comparing ARC lengths of blackened grease and some descriptive phases for various flights at different launch temperatures. The seventh Viewgraph was a table of O-ring shore hardness versus temperature. The eighth Viewgraph contained the preliminary O-ring resiliency data in a tabular form. Up to this point in the telecon, I was asked several times by NASA to quantify my concerns, but I said that I could not since the only data I had was already presented and that I had been trying to get more data since last October (1985). At this comment, the General Manager of MTI gave me a scolding look as if to say, "Why did you tell them that?" The presentation continued with Viewgraph nine which showed sub-scale test results of cold gas blow-by tests at 75 °F (24 °C) and 30 °F (-1 °C) which showed no leakage. This data was used as an argument by management to say that the joint sealed at 30 °F (-1 °C) but in fact, the tests were not seal tests at all, since the test ring was a solid block of metal which did not have the deflection characteristics of the full-scale joint and was never intended to test anything but incipient blow-by before any joint deflection occurred. Viewgraph ten contained a table of compression set data to aid in the visualization of seal permanent set characteristics. Viewgraph eleven is shown as Figure 7., It provided a comparison of O-ring squeeze for the Challenger joints (SRM 25) versus the previous coldest flight at 53 °F (12 °C) (SRM 15).
* 0.010 in. (0.25mm) erosion
** 0.038 in. (0.97mm) erosion
Viewgraph twelve is shown as Figure 8. The DM designates development motors, QM is qualification motors and SRM is flight motors. This chart showed the current data base versus the predicted Challenger seal temperature of 27 to 29 °F (-3 to -2 °C).
* 1-D Thermal Analysis
** Propellant Mean Bulk Temperature
Viewgraph thirteen is shown as Figure 9. The third and fourth statements under the first bullet are actually disclaimers for the development and qualification test data because the joint putty had been altered after assembly and prior to horizontal test firings. Observed holes in the joint putty were repaired since it was thought that the horizontal assembly was very severe on the joints and is what caused the holes in the putty and that vertical assembly would not cause such holes to occur. The reasoning was generally okay but that reasoning was never tested until sometime in 1985 when it was found that vertical assembly could indeed cause holes in the putty. The major faulty thinking lies in the fact that no specific vertical assembly testing was performed to verify the original assumption and that made the original horizontal test firings a series of successful tests without any sea] erosion.
Viewgraph fourteen is shown as Figure 10.
This concluded the engineering presentation. Then Joe Kilminster of MTI was asked by Larry Mulloy of NASA for his launch decision. Joe responded the he did not recommend launching based upon the engineering position just presented. Then Larry Mulloy asked George Hardy of NASA for his launch decision. George responded that he was appalled at Thiokol's recommendation but said he would not launch over the contractor's objection. Then Larry Mulloy spent some time giving his views and interpretation of the data that was presented with his conclusion that the data presented was inconclusive.
Now I must make a very important point. NASA'S very nature since early space flight was to force contractors and themselves to prove that it was safe to fly. The statement by Larry Mulloy about our data being inconclusive should have been enough all by itself to stop the launch according to NASA'S own rules, but we all know that was not the case. Just as Larry Mulloy gave his conclusion, Joe Kilminster asked for a five-minute, off-line caucus to re-evaluate the data and as soon as the mute button was pushed, our General Manager, Jerry Mason, said in a soft voice, "We have to make a management decision." I became furious when I heard this, because I sensed that an attempt would be made by executive-level management to reverse the no-launch decision.
Some discussion had started between only the managers when Arnie Thompson moved from his position down the table to a position in front of the managers and once again, tried to explain our position by sketching the joint and discussing the problem with the seals at low temperature. Arnie stopped when he saw the unfriendly look in Mason's eyes and also realized that no one was listening to him. I then grabbed the photographic evidence showing the hot gas blow-by comparisons from previous flights and placed it on the table in view of the managers and somewhat angered, admonished them to look at the photos and not ignore what they were telling us; namely, that low temperature indeed caused significantly more hot gas blow-by to occur in the joints. I, too, received the some cold stares as Arnie, with looks as if to say, "Go away and don't bother us with the facts." No one in management wanted to discuss the facts; they just would not respond verbally to either Arnie or me. I felt totally helpless at that moment and that further argument was fruitless, so I, too, stopped pressing my case.
What followed made me both sad and angry. The managers were struggling to make a list of data that would support a launch decision, but unfortunately for them, the data actually supported a no-launch decision. During the closed manager's discussion, Jerry Mason asked the other managers in a low voice if he was the only one who wanted to fly and no one answered him. At the end of the discussion, Mason turned to Bob Lund, Vice President of Engineering at MTI, and told him to take off his engineering hat and to put on his management hat. The vote poll was taken by only the four senior executives present since the engineers were excluded from both the final discussion with management and the vote poll. The telecon resumed and Joe Kilminster read the launch support rationale from a handwritten list and recommended that the launch proceed as scheduled. NASA promptly accepted the launch recommendation without any discussion or any probing questions as they had done previously. NASA then asked for a signed copy of the launch rationale chart.
Once again, I must make a strong comment about the turn of events. I must emphasize that MTI Management fully supported the original decision to not launch below 53 °F ( 12 °C) prior to the caucus. The caucus constituted the unethical decision-making forum resulting from intense customer intimidation. NASA placed MTI in the position of proving that it was not safe to fly instead of proving that it was safe to fly. Also, note that NASA immediately accepted the new decision to launch because it was consistent with their desires and please note that no probing questions were asked.
The change in the launch decision upset me so much that I left the room immediately after the telecon was disconnected and felt badly defeated and angry when I wrote the following entry in my notebook. "I sincerely hope that this launch does not result in a catastrophe. I personally do not agree with some of the statements made in Joe Kilminster's summary stating that SRM- 25 (Challenger) is okay to fly."
After I had a chance to review a copy of Joe's chart, I realized that I didn't agree with any of his statements made to support a launch decision. I believe that anyone who has normal powers of reason will question the validity of Figure 11 as a document to support the Challenger launch.
Signed by Joe C. Kilminster, Vice President Space Booster Programs
The chart lists twelve separate statements. Statements 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 actually support a no-launch decision. Statement 3 is actually a lie. There was no engineering assessment made during the caucus. Arnie and I continued to press for retaining the original decision of not launching below 53 °F (12 °C). Statement 7 addresses the erosion margin but erosion was not the primary topic of discussion that evening. We were all discussing whether the seals would even seal before hot gas blow-by would destroy them, this statement is the only one to support a launch but it was not part of the concern that night. Statement 10 neither supports nor is against a launch decision. It is simply a statement of engineering fact which states that when pressure is applied to an O-ring seal, it will move away from the pressure to the opposite side of the groove containing it. Statement 12 is a contradiction of statement 1 because everyone knew that 20 °F (-7 °C) colder seals were very significant as our preliminary test data had shown.
Therefore, MTI senior management reversed a sound technical recommendation without one shred of supporting data and without any re-evaluation of the data they had promised when they requested the caucus.
The next morning I paused outside Arnie Thompson's office and told him and my boss that I hoped the launch was safe, but I also hoped that when the booster joints were inspected that we would find all the seals burned almost all the way through the joint, and then maybe we could get someone with authority to take a stand and stop the flights until we fixed the joints.
Later, I was walking post the room normally used to watch the launches when Bob Ebeling stepped out to invite me to watch the launch. At first I refused because I didn't want to watch the launch, but he encouraged me to enter. The room was filled so I seated myself on the floor close to the screen and leaned against Bob's legs as he was seated in a chair. The boosters ignited and as the vehicle cleared the support tower, Bob whispered to me that we had just dodged a bullet. The reason Bob made this statement was that the propellant experts had told us that the boosters would explode at ignition if we developed a leak in the case. At approximately T+60 seconds, Bob again whispered to me that he had just completed a prayer of thanks to the Lord for a successful launch. Just 13 seconds later we both saw the horror of destruction as the vehicle exploded. We all sat in stunned silence for a short time; then I left the room and went directly to my office where I remained in shock for the remainder of the day. Two of my seal task team colleagues inquired about my condition at my office, but I was unable to speak to them and hold back my emotions, so I just nodded yes I was okay and they left after a short silent stay.
Within a day of the launch, one of my colleagues on the seal task force team told me that he was reviewing the video tape and thought he could see a plume of flame coming from a booster as it exited the explosion. My first thought was that one of the joints had failed, so I postulated several scenarios to fit the observations and one of them turned out to be what was found to cause the disaster. A failure investigation team was formed at MTI on January 31, 1986, which included Arnie Thompson and myself. The team was immediately sent to MSFC in Huntsville, Alabama.
Roger M. Boisjoly, Former Morton Thiokol Engineer, Willard, Utah


text:
Race for Giffords' seat up in the air
The contest for former-Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Gifford's seat between her onetime aide and successor, Ron Barber, and GOP challenger Martha McSally is too close to call.
McSally is leading with 105,484 to Barber's 105,099 votes with 100 percent of the precincts reporting, but The Associated Press has not declared a winner the race.
Earlier this year, Barber replaced Giffords so she could focus on recovering from the 2011 Tucson shooting. Barber was also injured during the shooting.


text:
What Customers Say...
"We are so pleased with the new website and the ease of ordering our absolute favorite chocolates from Esther Price.. couldn't be happier!"Sue, from California See More
"Traveled to Europe and sampled chocolates in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and England. Esther Price is better than any we tasted. I started buying E.P. in the 1960's and it's my favorite store in Dayton"Carol, from Ohio See More
"We had our own candy taste-off from all over at the Pentagon and Esther Price won hands down. I buy some every time I come to Wright Patterson Air Force Base (in Dayton, Ohio)."Joyce, from Virgina See More


text:
Supervisors Make Committee Appointments And Designate Township Trustees
With the advent of a New Year, the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors made several appointments and committee assignments during the first meeting of the year on Jan. 2.
Board Chair Ron Graettinger was re-appointed to the Decategorization Board, while Supervisor Keith Wirtz was re-appointed to the county's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance Board.
The Supervisors also reappointed county residents as members of the Eminent Domain Compensation Board during the session and then re-appointed Dr. Dan Nesheim of Mallard and Pam Studer of Graettinger to positions on the County Local Health Board. Allen Stangl and Ayrshire and Clayton Helgeson of Emmetsburg were both re-appointed to terms on the Palo Alto County Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment by the Supervisors.
Board Chair Ron Graettinger was re-appointed to serve on the Upper Des Moines Opportunity Board and the Compass Point Board, with newly-elected Supervisor Linus Solberg being named as the alternate to both boards. Supervisor Jerry Hofstad was re-appointed to the Enterprise Zone Board, while Supervisor Ed Noonan was appointed to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center Board, with Hofstad as his alternate. The board also re-appointed Miriam Patton to serve on the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Board, along with Wirtz.
The Supervisors re-affirmed a rate of $8 per hour plus mileage as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service for Township Trustees' compensation, and set a minimum fee of $20 for meetings of the trustees. And also re-appointed trustees: Allen Stangl and Deryll Brodersen in Booth Township; Howard Morey and Gary Anderson in Ellington Township; Bob Soenen and April Soenen in Emmetsburg Township; Byron Anliker and John Banwart in Fern Valley Township; Jeff Stillman and Gene Opheim in Emmetsburg Township; Patrick Kibbie and Bruce Johnson in Great Oak Township; Duane Meyer and James Schoning in Highland Township; Curt Berkland and Mark McGrauth in Lost Island Township; Lance Bruch and Kenneth O. Sikora in Nevada Township; Vernon White in Rush Lake Township; Ritchie L. Berkland and Gerald Twait in Vernon Township and Steven Dobbins and Gary Swanson in Walnut Township.


text:
Barnes and Noble to Stop Making Nook, and More
Barnes and Noble says it will stop manufacturing the Nook and instead try co-branded devices. Russian President Vladimir Putin says Edward Snowden is still in the country. Men's Wearhouse shares why it parted ways with George Zimmer. Joanne Po reports.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... what's the last chapter or tablet's this is what's news at this hour I'm WS J live I'm Joann Co ... one to double says it will stop manufacturing its own color tablets with an up ... and instead go with cobranded devices made by third party manufacturers ... bookseller retreating from the tablet market ... after reporting losses at its Nook digital business ... blow out in the fourth quarter which wiped out reduced profit is generated at its bookstores ... Barnes and Noble will however continue ... to be designed to make its own black and white milk leaders the company's decision to look elsewhere for its color tablets marks the end of Barnes Noble's ... efforts to compete in the intensely competitive ... tablet space is dominated by Apple Google Amazon and Samsung ... Russian President flatter me or put in says Edward Snowden is still located ... in a transit hall at Moscow airport ... and that Russia wants top Snowden from flying where ever he chooses ... Mr Snowdon is wanted by US authorities for leaking confidential documents about the National Security Agency surveillance program ... Mr. Purdon says the arrival of Mr Snowdon came as surprise to Russian authorities ... Russian president also clarifying that Russia does not have a criminal extradition agreement with the U S men's Wearhouse is shedding some light on why parted ways co-founder George Zimmer ... the men's clothing retailer says that Mr. Zimmer wanted full control of the company ... and reversed its long standing position against taking the company private ... by attempting to sell the company to an investment group ... bookie keep us anomaly this is about Mr upbeat and what's his I'm WS J live ...


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Approaching this from another angle, though, we are back (thank the volcano gods) at home in Halifax, reveling in a mix of stunningly sunny and gloomily maritime weather:
Today I am glad of the wintry damp that has settled over us: after a delicious brunch with friends at Jane's on the Common (Nova Scotian Salmon Benedict on Sweet Potato Biscuits), it gives us an excuse to loll about indoors all day, reading and blogging and (in D's case) playing the Wii. In fact, I find myself scowling a bit at the rays of sunshine that are peeking through the window right now - it will be a lot harder to justify the lolling if the day becomes as beautiful as yesterday.
So what am I reading?
The Knife of Never Letting Go. It takes place in a world suffused with Noise - a virus has made men's thoughts audible, an alteration which changes everything we know about deception and privacy. For each of the last two nights, just as I was drifting off to sleep with the book in my hand, two separate, profoundly awful things occurred in the plot, leaving me feeling so grotesquely bad that I had to keep reading in order to avoid being haunted by these events in my sleep. So I feel a bit ... captive to the book. It is an intriguing world (and one which it would be far too difficult to spoil, hence my cagey vagueness in describing it), a world in which compelling characters are put in difficult and thought-provoking situations, but it can also be a deeply unpleasant one, as perhaps all books about war and violence should be. I am just coming to the point, at the end of this first installment in the Chaos Walking trilogy, where some of the great mysteries of the book are being explained. Sadly, as with LOST (the last few episodes of which we gulped down as soon as we arrived back on these shores), the explanations have a diminishing effect on the narrative: they are considerably less interesting than the mysteries. Don't get me wrong, though: I have already ordered the next two installments in the series. It has me firmly in its clutches.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, which I started in London, where I was charmed by the alternative-world depiction of an Oxford college. It is, interestingly enough, on my "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" list. As compared with The Hitchhiker's Guide series, I knew nothing about this one.
Two more that I would like to get into today, if I can: a play by the Roman comedian Plautus (famous as the inspiration for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and as the namesake for the turtle in Stoppard's Arcadia - Plautus the Tau-toise), and George Eliot Clarke's Blue (another book started in London but perhaps best finished in Halifax).
I count six discrete plays here on the unspeakable word nègre alone (notice how he defers the utterance of the English word by giving us the French first, and how this use of italics - both for a foreign phrase and for an allusion [the negated speaker is also the state, the royal centre] - prefigures the play with italics later in the poem). And this doesn't even encompass the brilliant punning of the final phrase - "film noir blackguard" - two uses of blackness that (putatively) have nothing to do with race. What is a blackguard, in this context? A ne'er-do-well, or a guardian? A guardian who is black, or one who defends blackness?Le nègre negated, meagre, c'est moi:
Denigrated, negative [...]
Her Majesty's
Nasty, Nofaskoshan Negro, I mean
To go out shining instead of tarnished,
To take apart Poetry like a heart.
So my black face must preface your finish,
Deface your religion - unerringly,
Niggardly, like some film noir blackguard's.
All of this reminds me of another Canadian poet, Christian Bok, whose Eunoia (an experiment in using only a single vowel in each of five sections) I recommend to you in the strongest possible terms:
But Clarke's linguistic experiments feel more overtly political, more aggressive, than what I have read of Bök so far. The book opens with this instruction to the reader: "Break the spine of this book, paralyze/Its malingering, belligerent words,/Even Love...." Is that last word a verb, an instruction to us, an assertion that readerly love for a text is a relationship frought with violence (Break the spine of this book, even love [it]?)? Or is it arguing that "love" is the last malingerer, most belligerent of all, like the pernicious hope left at the bottom of Pandora's box?
He calls this a "poetics of arson": "These poems," he says, "are black, profane, surly, American. Their bitterness came honestly. US-torched, I wept these lyrics twixt 1994 and 1999. The Great Republic's fiery liberty set me blazing. An incendiary deréglement charred my brain black. [...] Cooling happens, glacially. I am the child of napalm."
Many of the poems have this Janus quality: they feel (as I, an American reading this from Nova Scotia did) as if you have just received an compliment that turned out to be at least equally an insult, or a criticism that hid within itself an unexpected token of respect.
OK: off to read before the growing sunshine guilts me into some sort of dratted outdoor activity. But first, a question for you: does the place you are reading, your reading environment, make a different to what you read, or how? Do you try to read books in situ - in the place they are set - when you are traveling? Do certain environments lend themselves to certain types of reading, certain types of books?


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Short video clips of the day:
Seth was being sooo helpful! This was my friend's second time at the beach with her mare. We decided on one more trip before she heads off to college. She had a total blast and her mare did GREAT. I'm so glad they had a good time.
Seth - tired from being so helpful.


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Giveaway ends 10pm EST May 24th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen @ justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Military Heroes In–and Out–of Uniform
Giveaway ends 10pm EST May 24th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen @ justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
38 comments:
Awesome post, Catherine. Of course we've all heard, "write what you know."ReplyDelete
My husband worked as a detective in Charlotte; it's amazing the stories I overheard while out to dinner with other cops. Of course, I had to pull hubby's stories out of him; I still hear new stories.
And you're right about the loyalty factor. Most of the cops were ex military, and they'd be at our place in a sec if we called. I look forward to reading your books.Replies
Ooops - I replied below - just realized this blog has reply directly to post buttons! LOL!Delete
I am not married to a military man nor do I have any close family members in the military so I am always intrigued by military stories. I have since met a friend who's husband was overseas during the first year of 2 of her 3 daughters lives. I can't imagine going through that and how strong of a wife/mom/woman it makes a person. Your name and your book has been popping up in my twitter feed a lot through people retweeting you. I think it is time I checked out your books. After reading your post about having the experience first hand with a military husband I want to read your books even more to see what you bring to them!ReplyDeleteReplies
Hi Amy- I replied below to your post - just realized this blog has reply directly to post buttons! LOL! Thanks again for stopping by!Delete
I agree 100% with this post. My husband is currently serving in the Army as a Combat Medic. He has been deployed twice and I understand every single one of your top 10 choices, ESPECIALLY the number 1! lolReplyDelete
I think this is why I love this series so much. Military books always speak to me, but yours just kind of jumped out and grabbed me! lol
Thank you for this awesome giveaway :)
tabatha . ventura @ yahoo . comReplies
Ooops - I replied below - just realized this blog has reply directly to post buttons! LOL! And as an added now, wowsa - have met Army Combat Medics and they ROCK!!!Delete
I am a military beat and married a reservest so I so get the 10 reasons! Thanks tor giving us military wives great readingReplyDeleteReplies
Ooops - I replied below - just realized this blog has reply directly to post buttons! LOL!Delete
Hi Amy and Carmen! Thanks so much for stopping by the check out the blog!! Glad to know you enjoyed it. :)ReplyDelete
Hi Catherine, I have the first two of this series on my kindle creeping closer to the top of the TBR. If they are as good as your other books they will be real page turners, or swipers, or clickers. Whatever you do on a kindle anyway . Shall certainly want to complete the set.ReplyDelete
Thanks for the insights of the military life. Have connections in the military here in Australia but not close. It can be a hard life and very stressful but I imagine rewarding in its own way. They are usually pretty special guys.
Thanks, Fiona, for adding my books to your Kindle!!! Happy reading!!Delete
- AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Hi Catherine,ReplyDelete
I already bought Cover Me and Hot Zone. I would love to win Inder Fire. I love your books.
- AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Under Fire - sorry so many typos these days switching from my Mac Keyboard and my PC keyboard.Delete
XXOO! Thank you for picking up COVER ME and HOT ZONE!!! I appreciate it!!!!! (And no worries about the typos - we all have them on the internet. ;) Thanks again...Delete
I read Cover Me and Hot Zone. Cant wait for Under Fire. Loved your Top Ten list. I am married to a military hero. We are now retired, so he doesn't get to wear the hot uniform. But travel and friendships were among the perks. I would love to win a copy of Under Fire. Your books ROCK. Thanks for the giveaway. gator_trish at msn dot comReplyDeleteReplies
Hi Trish! Thanks for picking up the first two Elite Force books! (Yay!) And I think a military man has a hot swagger he carries with him for life!! Hugs to you and your very own military hero!Delete
Love your books and especially this series. I had the opportunity to work a joint mass casualty training op with the PJ's here recently and it was awesome. The training and skills I got to witness and be part of...amazing. Our scenerio we had reminded me so much of Hot Zone, felt like I just stepped onto those pages. Having many friends and family in the military, I know how much that life can take a toll on you and that you have to be strong for everyone. My hats off to the wives. email@example.com
Nicole, thanks bunches for the awesome compliment! I'm thrilled to hear that the Elite Force books rang true for you - especially when you have first hand experience working with PJs!! (I'm doing a happy dance over your note right now. ;)Delete
I've been a big fan of yours for years, love the stories about your life and the ones in your books. I'm involve with a guy who was a Navy Seal and now he's a rancher in Texas, its a long distance romance..we could write our own story in a book...my guy even reads your books and loves them...love to win your book Under Fire! You Rock and everything you do for the animal shelter...have a wonderful email@example.com
Hey there, Carole! A military man whose also a cowboy/rancher? Wow!!!! I'm thinking I may need to write a story about a guy like that!Delete
It sounds like are having enormous fun writing this series. Please enter me in you draw.ReplyDelete
Janet, I truly am having a blast w/these PJ books! Thanks for posting. :)Delete
- AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 11:49 AM
I have the first 2 books in the series and have been waiting for the 3rd so I can read all them together. Hope I win a copy of Under Fire. If not I hope you will have it next week at Lori Foster's Get-Together. Sure hope I get to meet you there!ReplyDelete
Hey there, Margie! Looking forward to seeing you at Lori's get together!!Delete
HI CATHERINE,ReplyDelete
Thank you, Tammy!!! <3Delete
Sounds like another great book. Thank you to your husband for his service.ReplyDelete
jlhmass at yahoo dot comReplies
And thank YOU for your lovely note, Jenn!Delete
I love your books, and the fact that your background means you get it. Too many people try to fake it, but those of us who live it know when it happens.ReplyDelete
I've got my own military hero - dh is a Marine. Also Marines are my dad, brother, son-in-law and nephew. My father-in-law was a corpsman in WW2.
I can't wait to read the newest book!Replies
::::waving:::: Hey there, Susan! So great to see your photo pop up and know it's you. :) Thanks to your family for all their service!Delete
Hey Tabby and Jovi Fan! Sorry I missed your posts this morning - Tabby, thank you so much!!! It means a lot to me hearing you enjoyed my books. I store up words like that for the days I'm especially tired or frustrated. ;) And Jovi Fan - thank you for all you do as part of a military family!ReplyDelete
Great list of reasons. The series sounds good.ReplyDelete
- Michele SerabianMay 24, 2012 at 5:35 PM
Hey Catherine! I love your books and would love to win Under Fire. Great list too!ReplyDelete
This book sounds great! I love military heroes.ReplyDelete
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
Can't wait to read it! I love military and spec ops romance ....the men are tough yet loving and passionate in deed rather than words. Love IT! email@example.com
- AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Hi Catherine,ReplyDelete
I have to say you have a very nice top ten for marrying a military man. I loved Protector--actually, all your books that I've read--and can not wait to get the chance to pick up Under Fire.
I have never read Catherine Mann. Even though she has been recommended to me before. But now, she will surely be at least as great a read as that top 10 list and that puts her at the top of my to buy list. Love that!! What a fun posting to read.ReplyDelete
lisakhutson (at) [cox] [dot] net
Just wanted to stop by and tell you how much I love your books!ReplyDelete
Whoever wins the copy of UNDER FIRE is in for a great read! I already have the three Elite Forces books so I'm not entering the draw.
Looking forward to reading GUARDIAN, the next Dark Ops book!


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NEW YORK (AP) — The National Football league struck a deal to show game highlights and other video content on Twitter ahead of the short messaging service's initial public offering of stock.
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Decals listed here have a very low chance of being found in Crates.
These decals are unique in that they are shown in crate previews as an Octane Battle-Car partially covered by a purple hexagon-motif fabric. These decals are dubbed "Mystery Universal Decal" in the previews, which means that these decals are applicable to all Battle-Cars.
is backordered. We will ship it separately in 10 to 15 days.


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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Chris Hines scored 19 points and Ben Simons added 15, leading Drake to a 74-64 victory over IPFW on Saturday night in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
Hines and Simon hit three 3-pointers apiece. Jordan Clarke added nine points and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs (4-4), who went ahead for good, 31-29, on Richard Carter's layup 2:20 before halftime and led by as many as 16 in the second half.
Frank Gaines, who came in averaging 19.2 points per game, had a game-high 27 on 8-of-17 shooting for the Mastodons (5-6), and Michael Kibiloski chipped in 10 points off the bench. IPFW shot just 36 percent from the floor and committed 21 turnovers.
Drake never trailed, but IPFW tied it at 29 late in the first half. The Bulldogs, though, closed the half on a 10-0 run before Clarke's layup just after halftime made it 41-29.


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Emerald Ash Borer Bug Costume
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Emerald Ash Borer Bug Costume
The Emerald Ash Borer Bug is an insect that has been infesting Ash Trees in, and around the Twin Cities. To gauge the level of infestation... the city hung PURPLE TRAPS in the Ash Trees. Traps are similar to Fly Paper.
7 months old Brooks... is a Borer Bug caught on the side of the Trap... hanging in a very nice Ash Tree. Ü
Many Thanks to Brooks and Family for this very interesting, educational AND creative Bug Costume. Ü
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This homemade costume for babies entered our 2009 Halloween Costume Contest.


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4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Most likely to plead guilty: Serial rape suspect Nathan Antonio Washington is indicted by an Albemarle grand jury December 3 and is expected to plead guilty to charges stemming from a 2004 attack on Webland Drive, according to WINA. Washington is scheduled for trial in Charlottesville Circuit Court December 9 for a brutal 2002 rape in Willoughby subdivision.
Worst fire: DMB band member Stefan Lessard's Ivy home is gutted November 29.
Latest eye-in-the-sky resurrection: Police Chief Tim Longo makes a play again for City Council to pony up $300,000 for Downtown Mall surveillance equipment at the December 3 meeting, and Council declines 3-2 to go for the centralized system with 30 cameras, but signals it will consider mobile, stand-alone cameras.
Best Thanksgiving statistics: No fatal accidents occurred in Albemarle County over the five-day holiday period.
Not-so-good Thanksgiving statistics: Thirty accidents were reported, and county police issued 234 tickets under the week-long Click-it-or-Ticket initiative– even though not wearing a seatbelt is a secondary offense in Virginia, meaning the cops can't pull drivers for that. But they can for speeding (139 summonses), reckless driving (5) and driving under the influence (4 arrests), which helped net 11 seatbelt/child restraint violations.
Best citizen: NBC29 general manager Harold Wright receives the Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award, the Chamber of Commerce's highest, on November 28.
Best additional benefit: ACC Coach of the Year Al Groh pockets a $25K bonus under the terms of the six-year contract he signed with UVA in 2005, according to Sports Illustrated. And UVA opts to extend his contract an additional year through 2011.
Most improved bowl: The Cavaliers get an invite to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville New Year's Day, a step up from the less-prestigious Continental Tire Bowl or MPC Computers Bowl in the recent past.
Best way to profit on big-game tickets: UVA assistant basketball coach Drew Diener sells his tickets to the UVA-Virginia Tech football game over the Internet, the Roanoke Times reports, and is reprimanded by athletic director Craig Littlepage. Diener was in Philadelphia with the basketball team.
Least likely to stop the presses: A Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force press release announces the November 27 seizure of 10 grams of cocaine with a street value of $1,000. Jorge Antonio Lopez Lopez, 24, is charged with possession with intent to distribute.
Biggest personal injury award: Vickie Johnson-Rankin, who was struck head-on by a drunk driver, is awarded $1.5 million November 27 by an Augusta County jury, according to a press release from the Chandler Group.
Worst BB-gun spree: The windows of four cars parked on North Berkshire Road are shot out over the weekend.
Longest on the lam: Dillwyn Correctional Center fugitive Alonzo Logan escapes November 16 and is still missing at press time. Authorities have posted a $10,000 reward.
Biggest grant for sizing: Advocates for a Sustainable Population score a $50,000 grant from the Colcom Foundation to study what an optimal number of people for this area would be. Charlottesville and Albemarle contribute $11,000 and $25,000, respectively, and ASAP members pitch in $25K.
Latest reason to hate kudzu: The fast-growing invasive vine also spews out ozone, believes UVA resesarcher Manuel Lerdau, who studies the verdant alleged polluter at UVA's Blandy Experimental Farm. Brian McNeill has the story in the Progress.
Greatest loss to daredevilry: Evel Knievel, the man who tried to jump Idaho's Snake River Canyon on a motorcycle, dies November 30 at age 69.


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ICI's Response to "Money Market Fund Reform Options"
By Jane G. Heinrichs
January 11, 2011
We've just filed a comment letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission addressing the reform options outlined in the President's Working Group on Financial Markets (PWG) Report on "Money Market Fund Reform Options."
Our letter is long and detailed, but it flows from a few simple principles. Namely, given the tremendous benefits money market funds provide to investors and the economy, we feel it is imperative to preserve this product's essential characteristics. We also stress the need to stay focused on the objective policymakers are seeking to achieve: to strengthen money market funds even further against adverse market conditions and enable them to meet extraordinarily high levels of redemption requests.
On the latter point, we propose a new, private facility to provide a liquidity backstop for prime money market funds—those investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments, including commercial paper—as the most promising solution to bolster the resilience of these funds in times of severe market stress.
Besides reading our letter, you can learn more about the liquidity facility in our Q&A on ICI's proposed private emergency liquidity facility for prime money market funds. We've also posted a quick overview of the letter, our key points on our opposition to floating net asset values, and highlights from our examination of other reform options considered by the PWG.
- Read ICI's letter.
- Read ICI's press release on the letter.
- Visit ICI's money market funds resource center.
- Read more comments on "Money Market Fund Reform Options" at the SEC's website.
- Browse more recent ICI comment letters.
Jane G. Heinrichs, ICI Senior Associate Counsel, is responsible for legal and regulatory issues relating to mutual funds, including money market funds, mutual fund distribution and investment advisers.
Copyright © 2020 by the Investment Company Institute


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Betty Crocker has been a part of family traditions for over 90 years. From simple and quick to deliciously gourmet - you can create an entire meal with the help of this icon.
You'll enjoy these recipes plus many more when you start with Betty Crocker's Sugar Cookie Mix.
This dessert was voted Best Red Carpet Dessert of 2008 and continues to be a favorite of mine. Using Betty Crocker's Sugar Cookie Mix, this recipe can be made quickly and easily.
Strawberries and Cream Dessert Squares
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 oz)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
10 to 12 drops red food color, if desired
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 15x10x1- or 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until chips are melted and can be stirred smooth. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in melted chips until blended. Spread mixture over crust. Refrigerate while making topping.
In small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in crushed strawberries and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in food color. Cool 10 minutes. Gently stir in remaining 3 cups strawberries. Spoon topping over filling. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set; serve within 4 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.
Makes 20 servings
How about these fun cookies just in time for Easter.
Rainbow Egg Cookies
1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 egg
3 food colors
White coarse sugar crystals or granulated sugar, if desired
1/2 tub Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla ready-to-spread frosting
Heat oven to 375º. Stir cookie mix, margarine, flour and egg until soft dough forms. Divide dough evenly among 3 bowls; tint each dough by stirring in a few drops of desired food color. For a variety of colors, make several batches of cookies.
Shape 1/3 cup of each color of dough into a rope about 5 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Place ropes side by side and a little more than 1/4 inch apart on floured surface; roll until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 2- to 2 1/2-inch egg-shaped cookie cutter so each cookie has 3 colors. Sprinkle with sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. (When rerolling doughscraps, carefully lay matching colors together. For marbled cookies, mix colors of dough scraps- but don't mix colors too much or they won't be distinct.)
Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Spread frosting on bottoms of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies.
Makes 18 sandwich cookies
Maybe you're thinking an Easter brunch. Try these make-ahead dishes.
Three Cheese-Vegetable Quiche
1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 portabella mushrooms, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 cup milk
1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/3 cup egg whites (about 3 egg whites)
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Gouda cheese, shredded
3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 to 2 tablespoons Gorgonzola, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
Heat oven to 350°F. Make 1 pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate as directed on box for One-Crust-Filled Pie. Using fork, poke holes in the base all over and bake according to package directions.
Meanwhile in medium skillet, heat oil. Add mushrooms and red onion slices; cook over medium-high heat until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
In medium bowl, combine milk, spinach, minced onion, egg whites, eggs, salt and pepper; stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Stir in Gouda cheese, Cheddar cheese and cooled mushrooms mixture. Pour egg mixture into pie shell. Sprinkle Gorgonzola cheese over top. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until center is puffed and light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.
The use of cinnamon bread gives this French toast a burst of flavor.
Bananas Foster French Toast
8 slices cinnamon bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
8 eggs
1 cup milk
2 1/2 cups real maple syrup
1 teaspoon rum extract
6 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 cup chopped pecans
Spray bottom of 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange bread cubes in baking dish. In large bowl, beat eggs, milk and 1/2 cup of the maple syrup with wire whisk. Pour over bread in baking dish. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 350°F. Uncover; bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown along edges. Let stand 7 to 10 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, in medium microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 2 cups maple syrup uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until warm. Stir in rum extract.
Sprinkle banana slices and pecans evenly over bread; drizzle with 1 cup of the warmed syrup mixture. Serve immediately with remaining syrup.
Makes 8 servings
Watch this video for step-by-step directions for the Bananas Foster French Toast.
Looking for a little Easter fun. Watch this video on How-To: Bunny Cakes


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Jameis Winston's poise powers Seminoles' title quest
NEWPORT BEACH - It hovered over Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston like a dark cloud in the near horizon.
Winston was under investigation for alleged sexual assault of a female student from Florida State. But while most athletes his age might have crumbled, the redshirt freshman simply used football and his teammates as his sanctuary.
Their support allowed him to carry on in what became one of the more remarkable seasons by a quarterback in college football history, earning him All-America and winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy en route to leading the Seminoles to Monday's Bowl Championship Series national title game vs. Auburn at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
"It goes back to the teammates," said Winston during a press conference earlier this week at the Newport Beach Marriott. "My teammates aren't looking at me anything differently because they know I did nothing wrong through the whole process. But at the end of the day, that kind of brought us closer together as a team, because (they were saying), 'Our quarterback is going through this situation, and people still are not leaving us alone after we're having a successful season.'
"But that brought us closer together as a team. That was a changing point in our whole team, because that was a time we needed to get over the hump. It got us back refocused to where we needed to be at."
The alleged incident occurred in December, 2012, at an off-campus apartment, and reports of an investigation by the Florida State Attorney's office first surfaced in November. Willie Meggs, the state attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit, announced on Dec. 5 that Winston would not be charged for lack of evidence.
"Looking at the situation from the outside in, you would think it would hurt the team," senior receiver Kenny Shaw said, "But we used it as a time to get stronger. "We stayed close to Jameis because we knew the allegations (weren't) true. But we just got stronger."
Winston, before the investigation became known, had already demonstrated a high-level of leadership to his team, He showed that ability in his collegiate opener at Pittsburgh, passing for 356 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-13 victory over the Panthers. It was a preview of great things to come.
"That game was really just out of anger and out of happiness of me just being on the football field again," said Winston, who sat out last season. "When you love this game so much and you've got to sit a whole year off, I mean, it kind of hits you into the heart, and it's like a reality check, like, 'Hey, bro, you were sitting on the bench last year.'
"When I came out to that game, I was like, 'I'm ready, and I have the weapons around me to help me do that.' That's when, I mean, I realized as a player –- back in the spring I realized we've got a great team - but I realized as a player, hey, we're out here gelling, we've got this little thing about us, and that's when I knew right then, FSU is going to bring that swag back because we went out there and just showed the world,"
Winston showed the world his talent as well. But those within the program had already seen it throughout spring practice and into the summer. But they also knew that his ability wasn't just raw talent, but also a mentality that few see from a freshman.
"The thing about Jameis is he's mature beyond his years," said Florida State co-offensive coordinator Randy Sanders, who past quarterback prodigies include Peyton Manning and Tee Martin. "But whether Jameis is 19, whether he's 22, whether he's playing at Florida State or whether he's playing in the NFL, I would expect him to play at a high level. That's what he does. That's what he expects of himself. He's done it 13 times this year.
"I was a little bit in awe (after the first game), I think, like a lot of people, just because the poise and composure that he had. You saw it every day in spring practice, through the summer, through the fall. But for it to show up on game day that way, that was nice to see."
Winston continued to shine each week. He passed for 393 against Maryland (63-0) on Oct. 5 and 444 in a 51-14 route of then No. 3 Clemson on Oct. 19. He finished the regular season with seven 300-yard games and comes into Monday's championship game with 3,820 yards and a nation's best 38 touchdowns.
He did it while facing a variety of defensive looks, including blitzes, where he completed just over 60 percent of his passes.
"He can make any throw on the field," Auburn defensive coordinator said. "I think he's a great leader and a tremendous leader for a young player. He's obviously been, I think, handled things extremely well. The pressure of going undefeated if you've never done it before, it's different, and each game it mounts, and some people can't handle it. But he's been their leader,"
There still is controversy around Winston, mostly centering around the Florida State attorney's decision, which they disagree with. But Winston understands that not everyone is a fan. He also said he can't worry about what others may think.
"I can't control people's motives, but what I can control is what I do on the football field every single day and how I react around my teammates," Winston said. "That's what we really my focus is on, because it's not over yet.
"What people think outside of this and what people are trying to do, I can't control none of that. I just go out there and play football because I enjoy it and I love it and it's my passion, and I've got these boys around me, and that's what we love to do,"
Winston, while in New York during the Heisman Trophy presentation, got some advice from 2012 winner Johnny Manziel, who has his own off-the-field troubles.
"I did have an opportunity to talk to Johnny," Winston said. "He just told me to stay myself. When you think about the things that Johnny went through and then you see the things that he does on the field, it makes you forget about the things that's happening, and that's what I'm trying to do.
"I'm trying to make football be my getaway, and that's what he's done a great job of, and that's why I'm glad I've got a team like this because they allow me to let football be the get away because when I look in their eyes, they're like, 'We're ready to fight.' That's what we've got to do as individuals. We've got to fight for the rest of our lives because life ain't fair. So we can't just sit there in all the circumstances and all the things that we go to. We've got to live our lives on a day to day basis. What's wrong with dreaming? I dream about this my whole life and I'm going to keep dreaming until the day I die."


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It's not difficult to understand why many folks would like to live and operate a small business in Costa Rica- it's beautiful, laid back, relatively inexpensive and a nice alternative to the hustle and bustle, not to mention, stress of many First World Countries. So there is a natural allure for many of us seeking a change so to speak. That said, most of us need to make a little money in order to live and STAY in Paradise because it sure in hell isn't FREE. And similar to Adam and Eve, not everyone makes it in paradise as we've seen our fair share of Gringos come and go, unable to make it work here in Costa Rica and almost always, ALWAYS for the same reasons- under estimating the time it takes to start a business and under estimating the amount of money it takes as well. 'Under estimating' is easy to do here if you're not prepared. This would be a good time to CHECK OUT my video:
A few other reasons why many don't make it here- initial idea was not a good one or just wasn't researched enough to see if it would fly. For example- Gringo from New York opened a Mini putt-putt about a quarter mile away from the center of La Fortuna. It's covered but a little too generic, he charges $12. per person and you should know that Tico's don't play putt-putt. Care to guess as to why he won't be here in a few more months besides the obvious?
Anyway, another reason, lack of marketing. Marketing is huge, the 'Build it and they will Come' mentality does not make it here and although you could have the BEST thing going, if folks don't know about it.... well, you do the math.
Bottom Line- don't come here unless you're certain you have enough of the TIME and MONEY it takes in order to realize Paradise... and then some.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!


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U.S.-Colombia High-Level Partnership Dialogue
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateColombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela HolguinGeorge C. Marshall Conference CenterWashington, DCMay 31, 2011
SECRETARY CLINTON: Please, be seated. And thank you so much for what I have heard has been a very productive day as we put some meat on the bones of the High-Level Partnership Dialogue. And I'm very pleased to be here with the foreign minister and the entire Colombian delegation. This is the second-ever U.S.-Colombian High-Level Partnership Dialogue, and we meet at a time when there is so much going on in our hemisphere and around the world, and we are inspired and greatly admiring of all that Colombia has accomplished.
For me, it is just a stark comparison. Where citizens once lived in fear to exercise their right to vote, now we have peaceful democratic elections that are really the envy of so many other countries that have not been able to make that transition. We see now not only Colombia consolidating gains internally, but reaching out to help neighbors in so many respects, and I am delighted that we are building on the strong relationship that we've had over the past years. Of course, we're so committed to the passage of the Free Trade Agreement. We know – which is what President Obama has stated publicly and unequivocally – that this will bring jobs and growth to both of our countries. It will also help to support the security gains that Colombia has made, and, as our two presidents have agreed, it opens even a broader vista for greater cooperation on the spectrum of our shared challenges and opportunities.
Many of you have been involved in this conversation for a long time, and today, with the convening of five working groups, three for the first time, we hope there will be even greater contact between officials of our two governments and more creative approaches to cooperation. Human rights have been a focal point in our dialogue, and I am very honored that Vice President Garzon joined with Deputy Secretary Steinberg to continue the conversations which they started last October in Bogota. And we know that this is a high priority for the Santos administration, to improve on human rights, labor rights, and civil rights.
We also are strongly supportive of your efforts to return families who are displaced by violence to their homes and to end impunity for abuses, and I understand there was agreement to track, on a monthly basis, the progress of important human rights cases. This kind of whole-of-government effort, bringing together experts on security, development, and the rule of law – all of whom are with us today – is a way to really focus the attention of us all.
The Energy Working Group is working to expand our partnership on fossil fuels and clean energy, and the very promising ideas that Colombia has presented for linking electric grids across Latin America. For the first time, the Climate Change and Environmental Protection Working Group was convened. Colombia exercised leadership in Cancun, and we want to deepen our diplomatic cooperation at future climate talks and to find new ways to develop strategies for expanding development without increasing carbon emissions.
And an issue that is particularly close to my heart is inclusive development, and I am very impressed that the Santos administration has adopted this as a goal. The Social and Economic Working Group discussed Colombia's national development plan, and the United States wants to support this impressive investment in the Colombian people and to look for how we can reach out to all Colombians, in particular indigenous and Afro-Caribbean populations. And I was at the OECD just a few days ago in Paris, and I want to underscore that we want to support Colombia's bid to join the OECD.
And finally, the Culture and Education Working Group met on how each country can expand access to education, preserve ancient cultures, optimize people-to-people exchanges such as the Fulbright Scholarship that brought President Santos to the United States 31 years ago. We've been working closely together for a long time, but I really believe this dialogue represents a deeper engagement than we've ever had before. Certainly during the '90s, an era that I am somewhat familiar with in American politics, we began a very close working relationship on behalf of security. But now, given the extraordinary gains that Colombia has made, the United States wants to support the priorities that President Santos is able to promote, to build on an environment that does provide more physical security, to move now to human security and all of the issues that go with economic growth, with social and cultural transformation.
Now, some I know say, well, when people come and talk, what happens? And I think it's too simplistic a question, because one really never knows what can happen through this kind of engagement, through getting to know one another, through building relationships. I'm convinced in the absence of that, the answer is easy: Not much will happen. But given this level of engagement that we saw in action, I'm told, at lunch with so many different people coming from across our government and yours to discuss a way forward on the range of issues that are important, there is an extraordinary opportunity here.
And I thank you for your hard work on behalf of Colombia, and I thank my colleagues in government for your hard work on behalf of this very important relationship that we have between our two countries. I wanted to come this afternoon to underscore the importance that we place on it and to thank you not only for what you have done, which presents such an extraordinary model for so many others, but for the increasing role that you are playing in the region and the world.
Just in the last few months, the work that the president and the foreign minister have led on the reintegration of Honduras into the OAS, which we hope and trust occurs tomorrow – it could not have happened without creative diplomacy and Colombian leadership. The role that Colombia is playing on the Security Council, the strong support for standing against the abusive actions of Qadhafi in Libya, and of looking for ways to hold governments accountable for their mistreatment of their own citizens – again, Colombia is playing a global leadership role.
So on so many fronts, this is a relationship that is on a solid foundation but has the opportunity to become so much more for the benefit not only of the people of Colombia, but I would say for our own people in the United States the kind of positive, open relationship that we hope to see even stronger in the future, we think is very much in the interests of the United States as well as Colombia. We actually have a lot to learn from you, and we look forward to the opportunities that this partnership dialogue provides to do just that.
Let me now invite the foreign minister to the podium for her remarks and, as she comes forward, to thank her for her leadership also in the last months. Thank you. (Applause.)
FOREIGN MINISTER HOLGUIN: (Via interpreter) Madam Secretary Hillary Clinton, Mr. Ambassador McKinley, Mr. Ambassador Gabriel Silva, esteemed members of the U.S. and Colombian delegations, I would like to express my satisfaction with the work conducted today during the Second Session of the High-Level Partnership Dialogue that got started in Bogota on October 25th. These dialogue working groups in democracy and human rights, energy, environment and climate change, economic opportunities in society, culture and education, have allowed us to get to know the broad range of issues that we need to work on a bilateral agenda together.
Colombia has a strategic relationship with the United States based on historic and shared values, and this is perhaps one of the most successful cases of cooperation. Over the last eight years of our Democratic Security Policy, we've been able to move forward towards democratic prosperity and to think about issues that go beyond the internal security situation, which continues to be our national priority, to move forward and think about our country's comprehensive development.
We've faced scourges like drug trafficking and terrorism for decades. We have shared a vision, and we have been consistent in our cooperation and international positions on the matter. Our joint search for solutions will be current among our priorities, and we will continue to build with the U.S., with the forum – the international forum against terrorism. Colombia has become a partner, given the priorities it has developed in the international fight against terrorism. That is why today we can develop a cooperation strategy against a lack of security in the fight against transnational crime, which we can work on together in response to Mexico's needs as well as Central America. In the Caribbean's needs, we are undertaking ambitious cooperation projects in this fight, cooperation that we're also extending to countries in western Africa, countries that are no doubt your great partners as well.
And the respect for differences and the search for common destiny with equity and equality for all when giving priority to the fight against – priority against – fighting poverty make our region a peaceful region. Based on cooperation and respect, we've been able to recover and strengthen our relationship with our neighbors without declining in our main priority in national security. We are a bridge country in the Americas. We join north and south. We are a platform for dialogue, and in that sense we will continue to build a political and economic joint space that seeks our well being. The selection of a Colombian and appointment as the general secretary of UNASUR is a testament to the positive role that Colombia can play in the region. We have established same goals with Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, countries with whom we share an economic and political vision. And to ensure sustainable development, we are also developing an interconnection scheme with Peru, Ecuador, and Chile, as well as with Panama, towards Central America.
We are an energy-generating country, and as infrastructure projects develop, we will be providers of energy to an important swath of the continent. Our role is not limited to fossil fuel production or hydroelectric production, and the production of bio-fuels and the potential for wind energy in these areas has increased significantly, and we hope to see projects come into fruition in this area soon. Our conviction with democracy backs the unrestricted support of human rights protection. The land law for victims will drastically change the structure in our country and will set new goals for development and progress for all. It is a great challenge that lies ahead. And during the October meeting, I mentioned this as a possibility. Today, it is a reality.
I invite all U.S. sectors to understand the changes and challenges that we face and to join our country's willingness to change and solve the problems that have marred us for decades. If you look at us differently, I know that you will find the values and the integrity of a society that has not let adversity beat it. And as a country – Colombia is a country that is a permanent ally of the United States, and we are grateful for the support we've received. We want to continue to move forward with this cooperation in the framework of a broader and more innovative agenda that will allow us to move forward for the development of our countries.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
« Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin & on Syria
Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton: U.S.-Colombia High-Level Partnership Dialogue **Updated with Video**
May 31, 2011 by still4hill
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U.S.-Colombia High Level Partnership Dialogue, posted with vodpod


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ROLLINSFORD — Young people ages 5-12 are cordially invited to attend a Victorian Style Tea Party with their favorite doll or stuffed animal and grown-up at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, 47 Water Street, Rollinsford. The Tea Party will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 2-4 p.m. and is being offered by The Association for Rollinsford Culture and History, www.paulwentworthhouse.org. The program will include parlor games and crafts, tea and goodies served in period atmosphere. All young guests must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $10 per person for ARCH members, $15 per person for non-ARCH members. Reservations are required and we suggest you register early as seating is limited. To make a reservation:■ email: email@example.com. Please be sure to include the names of the guests, and follow up with a check in the mail to hold your place.■ Mail a check (with email address and guests' names) to ARCH, P.O. Box 16, Rollinsford, NH 03869. ■ Leave a message at the office phone with contact information, and mail a check to ARCH. 603-742-4747
When payment is received, your registration will be confirmed.


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One bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, NV, One bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut, NV and one bottle of Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque, Champagne (3 x 75cl) Presented in a luxurious stained wooden box with hinged lid and clasp. The box is lined with blue silk and comes with a Gift Card for your personal message. - Available for UK mainland delivery only (Export delivery price on application)Alcohol Volume- 12 % Bottle Size- 75 cl Type- Champagne Country Of Origin- France Brand - Champers Direct
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Minimal Green Amber Heart Stud Earrings. Featuring an open romantic heart frame, crafted with sterling silver and detailed with a radiant Green Amber stone.
Small stud earrings with a romantic heart motif perfect for everyday to evening wear. Lightweight, cute and modern - a meaningful message of love and friendship for someone special.
All orders are wrapped in our beautiful branded Jewellery Boxes and shipped via Royal Mail.
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In an effort to reduce our paper usage, no invoices or order notices will be included in your parcel. If you would like to include a gift message, please add our Luxury Gift Wrap option at the checkout.
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Add this comprehensive gift wrap option to perfect your Baltic Beauty gift and treat your loved one to something truly special.
Select our Gift Wrap Add-On for £4 per item in your Shopping Cart.
Includes: Signature Wrapping Paper, Satin Ribbon, Sterling Silver Anti-Tarnish Cleaning Cloth & Note Card
For no extra cost, we can create a printed typographic message on the notecard to send with your Baltic Beauty gift. Just leave a note at the checkout with your message to the lucky recipient.
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- Stock masks ship in 1 business day
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- Classic cheer crop top with a mock collar
- Front is lined
- Bottom of the top has elastic to help keep the top in place
- Choose a contrast color for the collar to incorporate team colors
- Base Price does not include lettering
- Lettering for an additional charge includes 1 large letter with a single weld and up to 6 small letters in colors of your choice
- Choose one large letter and up to 6 small letters and type them in the Lettering Box
- Lettering will be in the font and placement shown
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- Accent Color Option 1: Tricot - White
- Tricot Color Option 1: Tricot - Kelly Green
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Spurred on by some very lovely (and cheap!) fabric which I bought from the Ardingly Quilt Festival on Saturday, yesterday, I finally decided to tackle a dress making pattern I bought ages ago. I must confess, one of my weaknesses is getting over excited and buying patterns which I take ages (or never get round) to making.
I bought this Colette pattern from Liberty, it wasn't cheap as patterns go but I had heard good things about these patterns and the styles are lovely and vintage-inspired. They also cover a huge size range from skinnies to curvies. Hurrah! Although the pattern states it is beginner level, I think you need to be fairly confident before setting off on this. Personally, I have very good intentions when it comes to making clothes but I don't usually enjoy it that much. I've had so many items turn out too small or too large and then have no idea how to alter them.
I'm happy to report that I did rather enjoy making this blouse and am pleased with how it has turned out. It's also a pretty good fit!
Sorry to rush on... Other sewing I've whipped up recently is this little collection of bags, jolly useful they are too. I made them to house different collections of crafty bits 'n' bobs; vintage lace, ribbons, bits of embroidered cloths and so on.
You see I'm in a rush as I'm packing to head off to Sussex for a few days, crikey four days away from my beloved Den. No complaints though, I can't wait to spend four days and three nights in the company of other like minded crafty fellows, learning new skills and not doing a shred of housework! Not forgetting our tutor, whom I greatly admire and am massively inspired by. Eeek, very over-excited here!
So, I will love you and leave you, readers as I need to get off and still have many important clothing/accessories/pinny selection issues to wrangle with. But the important stuff is packed!
See you soon...