text:
Yahoo! has reported a slight uptick in revenue and income in the first quarter of this year - the first time it's had any sales growth in the last three years.
Revenue lifted from $1.214bn (£759m) in the first quarter of 2011 to $1.221bn (£766m) in the same period this year, while net income grew from $225m (£140m) to $287m (£180m), according to the firm's filings.
New CEO Scott Thompson also talked to investors and media about the next steps in restructuring the troubled web firm.
"Yahoo! has been doing way too much for too long and was only doing a few things really well," he said in an earnings call, adding that the company wanted to get back to its core businesses.
The firm has now been divided into three main groups: consumer, technology and regions. While rejigging the leadership structure is all very well, shareholders have been agitating for bigger upheaval in the company, including sales of some assets and new directors for the board.
Thompson did announce five new independent directors for the board, but none of them were on activist investor Dan Loeb's list.
In February, Loeb, head of hedge fund Third Point, tried to rally his fellow stock-owners to get himself and three of his nominees onto the board.
"Installing the hand-picked choices of the current board does nothing to allay investor fears that Yahoo! is poised to repeat the errors of its past," he said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Loeb called for his own appointment along with Harry Wilson, chairman and CEO of corporate restructuring house MAEVA Group; Michael Wolf, CEO of consulting firm Activate; and Jeffrey Zucker, formerly the CEO of NBC Universal.
"After a thorough review of a broad range of highly qualified candidates by our nominating and corporate governance committee, our board has appointed five new members," Thompson announced in the earnings call today.
The winning directors are Alfred Amoroso, former president and CEO of Rovi Corporation; John Hayes, chief marketing officer at American Express; Peter Liguori, former chairman and president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company; Thomas McInerney, former CFO of internet company IAC; and Maynard Webb, chairman of software firm LiveOps.
However, Thompson did have some good news for Loeb and Third Point, who have also been trying to get Yahoo! to sell off some assets and secure some money for shareholders.
"On our Asian assets, we are continuing to pursue active discussions with Alibaba," he said. "We are currently exploring a simplified transaction structure, which if executed would provide greater certainty of closing to monetise a portion of our Alibaba stake."
But things aren't going so well in its discussions with Softbank, part owner of Yahoo! Japan.
"While we also plan to continue exploring alternatives to unlock the value of our Yahoo! Japan stake for shareholders, any transaction has to be at a value that makes sense for Yahoo! and its shareholders.
"We currently have a valuation gap with respect to the Yahoo! Japan stake that we have not been able to bridge. Given that, we are focusing on our discussions with Alibaba and we're not in a position to provide further details or certainty on today's call," Thompson explained.
Yahoo!'s recent legal moves against Facebook also got a mention, with Thompson standing firm on the company's decision to sue the social network over patents.
"Yahoo!'s IP is one of the foundations of our business and our future growth. Other leading companies license our patented technologies and Facebook must do the same or change the way it operates," he said.
The web firm had already announced plans to lay off around 14 per cent of its employees - 2,000 in total - and Thompson said in the call that Yahoo! would also shut down or "transition" about 50 properties that do not contribute meaningfully to user engagement or revenue.
None of Thompson's steps in Yahoo!'s revival are terribly groundbreaking, but the former PayPal president seemed confident that the company's new more profitable self was right around the corner.
"I've become more convinced than ever of the value of our assets, the potential of this business and what we can do to make the most of Yahoo!'s huge market opportunity," he enthused. ®


text:
POPSUGAR Shout Out Sept. 24, 2013
POPSUGAR Shout Out: A Spooky (and Cost-Efficient) Haunted House
- Haunt up your house with $15 or less! — Smart Living
- You'll never want to get out of these lavish hotel bathtubs — Home
- Which pumpkin spice latte slays the competition? — Food
- How to say "I love you" before you're ready to use the words — Love & Sex
- How many Emmys did your favorite show win? — Entertainment
- Scruff it up with the sexiest beards in the business — Beauty
- Avoid the pesky vegan diet weight gain — Fitness
- Get a load of Miley's crazy Rolling Stones interview! — Celebrity & News
- Upcycle your old iPhone into something new — Tech
- Wear your heart on your sleeve with these cute printed clothes — Moms
- Video: Get the top secret intel on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — Entertainment
- You can already shop Phillip Lim's 2014 Target bags! — Fashion

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I don't need to say any of the things I'm thinking. You already know what they are.The US Conference of Catholic Bishops released an "Ethical and Religious Directive" this month that would ban any Catholic hospital, nursing home or hospice program from removing feeding tubes or ending palliative procedures of any kind, even when the individual has an advance directive to guide their end-of-life care. The Bishops' directive even notes that patient suffering is redemptive and brings the individual closer to Christ. (...)
A 60Minutes piece this weekend looked at the cost of dying in America, showing that Medicare paid $50 billion in the last two months of patients' lives in 2008. Compassion & Choices focuses on the suffering at the end of life, not federal dollars, but they agree in general with the portrait shown by 60 Minutes. Incredibly, suffering is one of the selling points in the Catholic Bishops' directive. "It's quite specific about the role of suffering in Christian dogma," Coombs Lee explained. "It says that suffering is redemptive, that it's part of Christ's passion. So they are pretty clear on their concern for the suffering of the patient."


text:
[Krabi hotels]
中 文
日 本
Clean Beach Resort
16 Moo 6, Klong Nin Beach
Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi 81150
Koh Lanta Yai, Klong Nin Beach
Hotel category:
Traveler ratings
Summary of 15 reviews :
Room :
Facilities :
Service :
Location :
The Clean Beach Resort warmly welcomes every guests to stay, within tropical garden bungalow style, situated in Klong Nin Beach, Ko Lanta, Krabi province.
All 20 Deluxe Bungalows, are located 30 meters from the beach come with standard room facilities such as Satellite TV, air conditioning, mini bar, fridge and also bathroom has hot water. Each bungalow has its own balcony, surrounding with the tropical rain forest gardening. We offer Beach front Restaurant with Seafood, Thai traditional, European and international style that you will be found on stunning sunset time and enjoy yourself with your favorite drinks at Beach Bar. Although we are not the big hotel but our warm service mind can be compared.
Hotel summary
Rates & Reservation
Pictures & Facilities
Travel reviews
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Travel reviews for Clean Beach Resort
Date of stay:
Mar 31, 2016
Accommodation and facilities:
We are still going back, so that means that we love that place :) Staff is really friendly. Breakfast is what it is, good.
Reservation service:
Apr 03, 2016
written by:
Eric Thimen
Date of stay:
Jan 03, 2016
Accommodation and facilities:
This hotel is Not to recommend The Room was old,the walls dirty the bathroom in Poor conditions (and moolded) The very small Pool direkt beside the Main road. It was noisy. The food in the Restaurant was good. But for nearly 100$ per Day Not acceptable
Reservation service:
Jan 06, 2016
written by:
Paul Dieter Ernst
Date of stay:
Mar 09, 2015
Accommodation and facilities:
11 nights that was fantastic, staff was wonderful, but breakfast is so so, not much. We will return next year again...
Reservation service:
Excellent...!!! :)
Mar 12, 2015
written by:
Eric Thimen
Date of stay:
Mar 16, 2014
Accommodation and facilities:
Lite slitet, frukosten är något mager. Läget är jätttebra.
Reservation service:
Apr 01, 2014
written by:
Helén Karlsson
Date of stay:
Jan 23, 2014
Accommodation and facilities:
Clean Beach: var et navn der levede helt op til de oplevede faciliteter. Der var i den grad ordnede forhold, pragtfuld have med poolområde, strand der blev renset hver morgen og en god restaurant. At man skulle over vejen for at få morgenmad var ikke noget problem, men morgenmadsbuffeten kunne være lidt mere varieret. Der var god service både mht. udflugter og andet praktisk.
Reservation service:
Det fungerede upåklageligt.
Feb 01, 2014
written by:
Else Petersen
Date of stay:
Nov 06, 2013
Accommodation and facilities:
Good hôtel and room service Very kind peoples The different dishes excellent except breakfast wich is very poor !
Reservation service:
Nov 13, 2013
written by:
San Jose
Date of stay:
Feb 12, 2013
Accommodation and facilities:
Reservation service:
Feb 18, 2013
written by:
wang si
Date of stay:
Mar 12, 2012
Accommodation and facilities:
We had booked a superior bungalow, but when we checked in they told us that our bungalow that we had booked was all booked, so they bumped us up to a delux bungalow, right next to the pool area. Breakfast was so so. Very friendly staff. Recommend this resort. When we go back to Koh Lanta will we choose this resort again....
Reservation service:
Great as always, fast and easy booking...
Mar 22, 2012
written by:
Eric Valder Thimén
Date of stay:
Feb 27, 2012
Accommodation and facilities:
We have been here last year and returned to this lovely place again. Nothing has changed. Overall quality is very good for this money compared to other higher priced hotels. Service very friendly. Breakfast could be improved as well as the number of sunbeds and umbrellas at the beach (7 sets for 25 bungalows).
Reservation service:
Easy and very efficient booking service online. Paying also secure and easy to use.
Mar 06, 2012
written by:
Peter Krusche
Date of stay:
Feb 17, 2012
Accommodation and facilities:
Staff polite and friendly. Well managed resort. Good value.
Reservation service:
Feb 23, 2012
written by:
Date of stay:
Feb 10, 2012
Accommodation and facilities:
Our staying at Clean Beach Resort was remarkably great. We ve spent there 3 weeks with friends and really wanted to stay longer. It s truly amazing resort with the restaurant and well kept garden and the private beach. Apartments are spacious, very convenient and giving you the feeling of intimacy. For kids (but not only) there s a pool with crystal clear water. The restaurant offers American breakfasts (included), and then huge selection of fresh fish and sea food dishes. Very nice surrounding area and to visit the whole island one needs 2-3 days. You can buy excursions on a spot, rent a car or a moped. I wouldn t recommend tuk-tuks as they re quite dangerous and badly driven by local drivers. To sum up, Clean Beach Resorts deserves deserves the highest ratings as proved by numbers of guests returning here from many countries Jan Zdzarski, Poland
Reservation service:
Feb 15, 2012
written by:
Date of stay:
Feb 15, 2011
Accommodation and facilities:
The quiet bungalows are located in a very nice and proper garden. The rooms are very clean and perfect in size. Also is the bathroom. In the evening we loved to sit out at the bungalow s veranda. The beach is first class, clear fine sand, no rocks, very good for swimming or playing (low slope down in the water) and nearly no current. For the beach the Hotel offers towels and 10 umbrellas with 2 sun loungers each (these could be some more, since mostly occupied). Breakfast could be improved, the variety is very limited, but as buffet. The restaurant also has only low quality for dinner. Better eat outside, the beach is full of other restaurants. Staff is very nice and helpful.
Reservation service:
Booking on sawadee works perfectly and very quick. highly recommended
Feb 18, 2011
written by:
THB ฿ Thailand
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Clean Beach Resort
- Koh Lanta, Krabi - Thailand
Our resort "Clean Beach Resort" Located on southern part of Ko Lanta, Klong Nin Beach, Krabi Province, Thailand. Where The beauty of natural tropical paradise can be found. Our family are warm welcome every guests to stay, within tropical garden bungalow style situated by the scenic of Klong Nin Beach.
20 Deluxe Bungalows come with standard room facilities as well as resort facilities, Beach front Restaurant, Beach Bar, Beach - Thai traditional massage, Internet, Tour and Ticket, etc. Will provide you the most comfortable conditions of your stay comparable with the same rate resort presented. Included our proudly warm services, you will be received all along your stay. Try us with the comfortable, comparable and reasonable choice, you can be found.
We have 26 bungalows
situated in a tranquil lush tropical garden amongst the shade of the palm trees, all room cross the road not located beachside, only about 50 meters from the beach. The private bungalows are spacious and equip with satellite TV air conditioning, mini bar and fridge. All the bathrooms have hot water. We have several styles of bungalow to cater for your every need, Deluxe twin, Deluxe double and suite.
All designed to meet the standard of luxury resort but you will pay much less here. each bungalow has its own balcony, surrounding with the tropical rain forest gardening, the shady and warm smells of plenty kinds of tropical rain forest plant will offer you a relaxation atmosphere all along your stay.
:: Deluxe Garden View - 10 Units ::
Room size: 36 sq.m. including 9 sq.m. balcony. Deluxe Bungalows are located 30 meters from the beach, Deluxe bungalows well decor with the simply style, come with twin and double bed, standard facilities and large using area, prompt for every functional, each bungalow has its own balcony, surrounding with the tropical rain forest gardening, the shady and warm smells of plenty kinds of tropical rain forest plant will offer you a relaxation atmosphere all along your stay. All rooms come with Air-con, satellite TV, Mini bar with fridge, Hot shower, Hair Dryer, Coffee & Tea maker.
:: Deluxe Pool View (Room Size: 36 sq.m.) - 5 Units ::
Room Size: 36 sq.m. including 9 sq.m. balcony, 1 double bed
* cannot add extra bed.
All room amenities
Satellite TV.
Safety box
Minibar with fridge
Hot shower
Hair dryer
Wardrobe closet
Swippers head wipes
Handker chief
Coffee/tea maker
Includes breakfast
Our Beach front restaurant & Bar-a-cudas
the tropical garden design mixed with rare feel of island decor are the heart of our resort's attraction. This memorable situation you will be found on stunning sunset time.
Enjoy with your favorite drinks as well as our Restaurant superb recipe's come with various main dishes, Sea food, Thai tradition, European and international style.
:: Resort Services ::
Front Desk from 07:00 am - 22:00 pm
Beach front Kansa Restaurant
Beach front bar
Beach front Thai massage hut
Swimming pool with child pool and jacuzzi
Baby cot service
Free Wi-Fi
Safe deposit
Post service
Internet service
Long distance call, fax
Tour & ticket counter
Laundry service
Motorbike, Jeep and car rental
Money exchange
Transfer servcie
Credit cards accepted
:: Activities ::
Around Koh Lanta
Distance from hotel to:
city center 13 kms. / beach 30 meters / Train / Bus station 60 kms. and pier 13 kms.
Resort Layout
The restaurant located on the beachside and all guest room located across the road.
goto top
[Krabi hotels]
[Clean Beach Resort ]
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text:
Ask a Physicist Answers
How do I explain the difference between the following two situations to my junior high son: (1) The horizontal velocity of a bullet fired horizontally from a gun has no effect on how long the bullet takes to hit the earth, i.e., how long it takes gravity to bring the bullet down to earth. (2) The horizontal velocity of the Space Shuttle orbiting the earth does affect how long it takes for the Space Shuttle to hit the earth. The velocity of the Space Shuttle makes it keep missing the earth in its free fall. – MMH, Ohio
Above: Newton's classic drawing of a cannonball fired horizontally from the top of a tall mountain. As the cannonball's speed increases, it travels farther from the mountain before hitting the earth. Eventually, the cannonball moves so quickly that the curved earth drops away beneath it and it never hits the earth at all. The cannonball then orbits the earth.
The first situation is simply an approximation, one that only applies to objects that don't travel very far as they fall. When you drop two such objects simultaneously, they both fall together even if one of them has an initial horizontal velocity.
The basis for this approximation is that an object's horizontal motion has almost no effect on the downward force gravity exerts on it, so the object's vertical fall proceeds independently of its horizontal motion. That's why the bullet you drop and the bullet you fire horizontally both hit the ground at the same moment—they fall together.
This approximation runs into trouble when one of the objects you're considering moves so far during its fall that the direction of gravity changes. Gravity always points toward the center of the earth, so two people at distant places on the earth's surface will find gravity pointing in somewhat different directions. A horizontally fired bullet that travels far enough during its fall will find that gravity pulls it in changing directions so that its horizontal and vertical components of motion are no longer independent. This long-distance bullet won't necessarily hit the ground at the same time as one that's just dropped.
But the earth's curvature is also important. Once an object travels far enough horizontally, it will find that the earth has curved away beneath it and it will have to fall extra far before it reaches the ground. In the case of the Space Shuttle, the Shuttle travels horizontally so fast that the earth curves away entirely. In fact, the changing direction of gravity bends the Shuttle's path into an elliptical curve so that it never reaches the earth's surface at all.Answered by Lou A. Bloomfield of the University of Virginia.


text:
Dream Club Zero features a mini-game in which players feed bar hostesses bananas and sausages. It's latest mini-game, however, is cold and creamy.
The latest addition is a timed mini-game in which players feed bar hostesses ice cream. Players that don't succeed in successfully feeding the girls will cause white dribbles all over their faces. Some players are bound to have different definitions of success.
Dream Club is developed by Tamsoft, the folks behind the Onechanbara bikini-cowgirl games. The latest entry in its nascent hosting franchise, Dream Club Zero, is delayed and will arrived on the Xbox 360 sometime early next year, ice cream stains and all.
G/O Media may get a commission


text:
New Study Suggests Nation Unprepared for Floods
13 Dec, 2012, 09:00 GMT
LONDON, December 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
72% of homeowners don't check flood risk when they move house
A new survey[1] undertaken by the online flood report provider, RiskCentral.co.uk, reveals that despite the UK suffering some of its most severe floods this year, over a third (35%) of homeowners admit that they aren't prepared for dealing with flooding to their home. Furthermore, it highlights that nearly a quarter of homeowners (23%) have left themselves exposed with no home insurance to protect them from flooding.
Homeowners are not prioritising information about flood risk when they move house with 72% reporting that they don't bother to find out if an area is at risk of flooding. 63% of respondents would only prioritise flood risk if alerted by a surveyor. This is a worrying statistic as surveyors are not specifically tasked with investigating flood risk.
The study suggests that lack of awareness and access to good information is a key factor in people's attitudes to flood risk. Over half (54%) of homebuyers that were actually concerned about flooding reported that they struggled to find the information they needed.
Of those currently insured 41% reported that the cost of insurance had increased which suggests that the number of homeowners with no home insurance may well increase in the future, placing more people at risk. The survey findings and data are available to download here.
Dr. Justin Butler, Managing Director of Ambiental, a flood data provider which powers the RiskCentral service said: "54% of respondents to the study reported that they had not become more concerned about flood risk, despite the severe flooding this year. A key reason for this may be lack of understanding of the risk of surface water flooding. Prioritising, and improving access to, flood risk information could avoid this. Recently the UK suffered some of its most severe flooding but worryingly the national picture suggests that homebuyers are still not taking flood risk seriously."
As part of their study, the RiskCentral team approached several survey respondents for further insight into their attitudes. Anita Grover, from Sheffield, witnessed the major 2007 floods in her town. "10 years ago, the dangers of flooding wouldn't have crossed my mind" says Anita. "Now, I would advise everyone to be cautious and to understand the potential that floods can have on the value of your property".
More widely, there is growing uncertainty as to whether home insurers will continue to offer standard flood cover for properties in flood risk areas. The existing Statement of Principles between the UK Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which guarantees that the majority of homes in the UK would be insurable at a reasonable cost, expires in June 2013. Data published by the ABI[2] in 2011 estimates that of those properties in areas of significant flood risk that are insured, 78% pay less than they would if flood risk were properly reflected in the price.
Dr Butler went on to say: "The likely changes to insurance premiums for properties at a high risk of flood highlights how important it is that homeowners and buyers are better informed.
Homeowners in high-flood risk areas may find their property un-mortgagable so, it's important to understand the risks. Our study also shows that we need to work harder to raise awareness about flood risk. I hope that RiskCentral can help people to make the right property decisions, reduce costs and, most importantly, limit their risk to flooding."
1. Survey of 600 homeowners in England and Scotland undertaken in August 2012 and conducted by One Poll on behalf of Ambiental Technical Solutions Ltd.
2. Under-pricing of the flood element of home insurance for domestic customers at significant risk. Association of British Insurers, January 2011 http://www.abi.org.uk/Publications/54261.pdf
Notes to Editors
About RiskCentral
RiskCentral is provided by Ambiental, a specialist flood risk modelling company led by Dr. Justin Butler, a leading expert in international flood risk mapping and modelling. Ambiental has taken very high detail topographic / terrain data for the whole UK and have used this in conjunction with complex computer models to analyse water flow around individual buildings within the landscape. Based on the computer modelled flood water level, a predicted area of inundation, or flood zone, can be mapped out. Three types of flood modelling were carried out by Ambiental on behalf of RiskCentral: fluvial (river) flood; coastal / tidal; and pluvial (surface water). The overall flood risk score, featured in full reports, is calculated by searching at lightning speed through each of these individual flood databases, hosted in the Cloud, to see if a specific location falls within or near one of these pre-defined flood zones. RiskCentral reports provide consumers with invaluable information relating to flood risk and recommendations for dealing with it.
SOURCE RiskCentral


text:
Nichole Ritchie mother of one and one coming the 16-month-old daughter Harlow is demanding her full attention during the day, Nichole Ritchie says she makes the most of the hours after bedtime.
"I'm a busy mom, but there are 24 hours in the day, and I have a routine down so I can fit everything necessary into my life," she Ritchie told People magazine recently.
Nicole says that the satisfaction she gets from designing he jewelry line House of Harlow makes the sleep deprivation worth it.
"I started designing jewelry two years ago and can't believe how much I love it. That is why I am expanding into other fashion which I love. I get a lot done late at night."
Now life seems to be starting to get even busier for the the lovely Nicole, 27. She and Joel Madden are expecting baby #2 - that is rumored to be a little boy - in August.
The former Simple Life star is seen here shopping in Beverly Hills yesterday.


text:
The Epson WorkForce 845 is the company's latest flagship all-in-one printer for medium to large offices that need a multifunction device for printing a high volume of documents, photos, and presentations. The 845 serves up plenty of features to assist in the workload--in addition to Epson's standard array of print, copy, scan, and fax functions, this device bundles in triple connectivity options by way of Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and wired networking, as well as double-sided printing, an automatic document feeder for hands-free scans, and a 7.8-inch touch-panel display with intuitive navigation.
The 845 also is stocked with Epson's newest Connect portfolio of mobile printing features, which not only work in conjunction with Google and Apple's cloud printing services, but also include a free iPhone app and Android app as well as the ability to e-mail print jobs to the 845 directly from any device connected to the Web. With all these impressive features in an attractive package, you shouldn't hesitate to pick up the WorkForce 845 for your high-output printing needs.
Design and features
We wouldn't call the WorkForce 845 compact by any means, but we're still impressed that Epson was able to fit all its extra hardware into a manageable 17.6x14.5x11.8-inch package. The whole device with ink and trays installed also weighs a relatively light 22 pounds, so moving it around the office won't hurt too much.
Comparatively, the HP Officejet Pro 8500A Plus carries many of the same features but weighs 6 pounds more. Of course, that number will certainly go up once you fill the two size-adjustable paper trays that sit at the bottom of the device and can hold a combined capacity of up to 500 pages of standard paper.
The controls sit inside a 13-inch-wide panel that houses the 7.8-inch touch-screen display with a 3.5-inch color LCD inside that helps you navigate through the onscreen menus. Home, Page Forward, Page Back, and Menu navigation buttons are just a sample of the myriad controls available on the machine, and Epson conveniently blacks out the buttons that aren't relevant to the process you're working through, effectively eliminating button clutter and confusion.
The rest of the panel holds two media card slots on the front and a PictBridge-compatible USB port down below for direct printing from your digital camera, although we recommend using Epson's Easy Photo Print software included in the box if you plan to do any image editing. You also get Epson's CreativeZone apps, a scanner app, and the driver disc in the box for managing your photo albums and turning them into creative projects like greeting cards, calendars, and to-do lists. The drivers are compatible with Mac and Windows, and our Windows 7 machine had no trouble running the drivers connected via USB, without any speed bumps in the installation.
The Wi-Fi setup is equally simple; Epson gives you the option to use either a temporary USB proxy or a direct network setup on the touch panel itself. We assume that most of you will prefer the latter since Epson doesn't include a USB cable in the box. Smart setup on the touch panel is a two-part process: turn on the machine and click Network Setting, then designate your wireless network and enter its password, and that's it. The entire setup from start to finish, with a connection established on our lab network, took us less than 2 minutes.
Connecting through Wi-Fi also means you can take advantage of Epson's host of free mobile printing apps that let you print directly from mobile devices. First, the Epson iPrint application for iOS and Android devices enables you to print Web pages, photos, documents, and anything else on a smartphone directly to the WorkForce 845, though we did notice some of our photos got inadvertently cropped from time to time. We wouldn't recommend printing important images like business presentations this way; it's more appropriate for quick outputs of spreadsheets and to-do lists.
Epson also launched its Connect Email Print app at the same time it announced the 845. Connect Email Print lets you send a print job directly to a unique e-mail address assigned to every WorkForce 845 printer. This means you can attach anything to an e-mail and send it to the printer's e-mail address, and the print job will be waiting for you in the output tray when you arrive home. Anyone can use the e-mail address, and we can imagine it could come in handy for remote workers hoping to share information with the home office.


text: WavPack 5.0.0 alpha release available 2016-05-05 02:06:50 The major enhancement of WavPack 5.0 will be breaking the 2/4 GB .wav limit and additional source file formats. At this point I have added BWF/RF64 (.wav extension), Sony's Wave64 (.w64) and Apple's Core Audio Format (.caf). Of course, all these formats still require PCM audio data to be usable in WavPack. I have also added a big-endian option to the raw PCM mode.Part of this upgrade includes the capability of decoding and seeking in WavPack files larger than 2/4 GB. To demonstrate that I have updated the winamp plugin and will work on updating the DirectShow filter and Audition plugins in the near future.These enhancements have required changes to the libwavpack API (which is part of the reason to bump the major revision). However, all of the existing APIs remain so that applications can move to the new library without any immediate need for changes.Most people who simply use WavPack for their personal music will probably not be interested in the 5.0 changes, and the 4.80 release will be kept current. However, for more advanced use cases these improvements (along with 32-bit audio and unlimited channels) will hopefully keep WavPack relevant.Any testing results or comments are, as always, greatly appreciated.edit 1: replaced alpha attachments with alpha2edit 2: replaced alpha2 attachments with alpha3edit 3: deleted attachmentsedit 4: deleted alphas link, latest release is here Last Edit: 2016-12-10 19:03:14 by kode54


text: The original Wheel Installation Kit was developed by Gorilla. Why? Convenience! No more mixed parts or torn boxes on the shelf. Everything is prepackaged and clearly marked for easy use. Gorilla offers a full range of sizes for all popular applications. Gorilla Wheel Installation Kits are simple to use, and easier to order. You'll find the cost makes them an even greater solution.


text:
How to Use Brand Power to Drive a One-Company Culture02 October, 2012 | (01 hr)
Sign In to access this Webcast
Dorel Recreational Leisure, a leading global supplier of recreational products with an array of highly recognized brands, has built a powerful, "one-company" culture to unlock new business opportunities and drive continued success. Hear how Dorel Recreational Leisure has clearly defined its vision, aligned its leaders and processes, and engaged its employees to live the vision and create a common culture for marketplace success.
In viewing , participants will:
- Learn how a house of brands can create a unified internal alignment for growth
- Learn practical tactics for proven results
- Walk away with a 6-step framework for doing this work
- "This session gave an excellent step by step approach!"
- "I found this session so valuable for my current project."
- "The "from" and "to" shifts they described...I loved them."
- "The campaign story is great."
- "Such good research information was included on the importance of this work."
- "Spot on for what we are doing."
Audience: marketing, brand, communications, and human resources professionals responsible for employee engagement and internal branding and value proposition
Chris Gay
Chris Gay, ABC, is a co-founder of Bridge Consulting, a network of engagement and communication professionals who provide full-service solutions to organizations of all sizes, industries and geographic locations. She and her organization partner with companies to connect people and strategy ...Full Bio
Jessica Antle
Ms. Antle is responsible for setting the strategic communications agenda for Dorel Recreational/Leisure, leveraging public relations to drive business results. Ms. Antle's scope of responsibilities span media relations, social media, sports marketing communications, employee communications,...Full Bio


text:
I asked a couple questions at Dana Holgorsen's weekly press conference on Tuesday in Milan Puskar Center.
West Virginia's young third-year head football coach had a ready reply for a guy who's been reporting on Mountaineer sports events for 68 years.
My first question was why has Clint Trickett, the Florida State transfer with the most actual previous game experience, has been given just six snaps in a game (the season opener) with a third of the 2013 campaign already behind us?
Holgorsen's reply was: "Because I evaluate our quarterbacks every day AND YOU DON'T!"
I then asked Holgorsen, who's paid $2.3 million plus incentives annually, why he recruited Trickett, a Morgantown area native with a college degree.
His response was, "I have 120 players on the team. You never know what the finished product is going to be."
But he hastened to add that, "I've got complete confidence in our guys, offensively, and we will work hard in preparation for Saturday's noon game against Oklahoma State (3-0, ranked No. 11 in the polls)."
I asked those two questions (which I thought were certainly fair) because a growing number of TV viewers felt it was a mistake not to change quarterbacks at halftime in both the then-still-winnable 16-7 Big 12 loss at Oklahoma and last Saturday's totally unacceptable 37-0 embarrassing blowout by Maryland (a 6-point favorite) in Baltimore.
After the defeat at Oklahoma, Holgorsen and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson reportedly told the media they talked about replacing junior Paul Millard, the game's starting QB, but decided against that.
Holgorsen continues to be quoted as saying the miserable ineptness against Maryland was 100 percent his fault.
However, there are people that suspect — if not think — that it goes back to bad recruiting as well as coaching.
Incidentally, you may recall that Coach Holgorsen opened his fall training camp to the media representatives for just the first 30 minutes on only five of the Mountaineers' 15 days of practice. And I'm told there was only brief scrimmaging open to them one day.
How can anyone gain any idea of how that team would fair in the upcoming season?
His predecessors always allowed reporters to see fall preseason and spring scrimmages. That way, each observer could leave with his own feeling of how good — or bad — he or she thought it might be.
This is a much different era in college football, though. And this old guy blames those presidents of the best known, biggest football powers for allowing it to get out of control financially.
Million dollar annual contracts and 10-man coaching staffs (plus graduate assistants) were mere dreams back in the 1940s, 50s, 60s and as recent as the 70s and early 80s.
If memory serves, the late Gentleman Gene Corum's meager salary was about $15,000 a year when he gave up the head football coach's position in 1965. And he also taught a class in physical education.
What's more, you could count the number of his assistants on the fingers of one hand.
Times have changed greatly, and in my opinion not nearly all for the better..


text:
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Turkey in Tumult as Riot Police Move in
Turkey's prime minister defended a police push to clear protesters from a central square in Istanbul on Tuesday that had sparked clashes in the heart of the city, following more than two weeks of nationwide demonstrations. Joe Parkinson reports. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... it's Taksim Square in this town poll puts the dish please have just sealed off the area of the protests on continuing ... with and have a live report from the euro in his downfall Colac and mall good afternoon and welcome I'm Simon Constable ... joining me now is the will Street dolls that the purity Joe Parkinson ... Joe what we've we've seen a lot of I'm protests from surround the day ... and the pleas of now sealed off this land but the protests are continuing on my ... he takes the neon sign in time as you say the least needing to square this morning's shortly opted to limit ... on by bullies in TX and without too many problems really actually managed to seal off ... most of these landmarks Clarence Center that stumbled ... the day is followed in ... Laos ... I aam between ... radical elements of the protest is ... in police ... and is non families thousands more people ... gathered on this planet something seems to have changed in the police's strategy debuted in which much Will faux ... clouds that a gas now and the living area fires lit in toxins class ... and the government said that there to hold onto it ... up until radical elements been touched me and it is very much a comment doubling down on the government's trust emails ... to read make massive concessions to the right distance now some of the shops are varied for mass a aam and and and this Fatah and this stage dad send us lots of running a rabid ... with big know been massively violent hasn't explained ... the difference between what was saying here and and and somewhat things ... aam and the Arab Spring ... I e you right there is any hasn't been as binding terms of the ... discount for people to tide over the last ... couple of weeks of over four thousand injured according to Turkish Medical Association but not today today and those numbers are still not ... there tragedy of course but the low in comparison ... to the Numbers The Wiesel a dying ... on the streets during the Arab uprisings I when the government can continue to embark on what seems to be atop the strategy and still minimize casualties ... would be hard to how much this ... these protests intensified in the days and weeks ahead ... good job proponents of the down side is saying that this is all down to the radicals now now that the the ALM that this plan has been sealed off ... always saying the demographics of the protest is changed is it more so than ... more subordinate population just discontents and and and also many radicals all how is the twenty oh seven ... right now it's it's it scaled taken it's difficult to judge any concrete take any conclusions in the way the government stepped up in ... the anime previously sunny days appear to be in the basement when it was a coalition ... of all sorts of different interest groups the unites it ... strange political bedfellows that happened in ... the nineteen to keep the decades nationalists cuts as well as secularists some of the pious Muslims ... um ... the question is whether the coalition can stay in ninety eight ... in the face of this government pressure it seems to be a very clear strategy on the part that the government to want to appeal ... more radical protest is ... and light image is today ... the protest is clashing with police mullets local tells being thrown in some I'm on some occasions in an unroll this one is a huge boat to take gas from the police ... in their offensive ... will seem to unload the Turkish population to kind of play into that government not to ... now that becomes a part could be also seen as rather heavy handed will plants I play into any forks that said against the administration might half with a process to see the and the protests ... will that that that the Sage will show whether all bets are off because of what's happened ... this evening but yesterday the Prime minister ruled just hours before ordering this crackdown it seems ... I did it agreed to meet representatives of the protesters Indies fast conceded treated ... since this crisis began ... as to whether that will now happen when Offshore it does seem to mind when the government is doubling down its shell holds ... and the Pontius closing ranks ... behind Prime Minister how the protest is ... respond to this and trying keep these broad based coalition intact is key as I said and the question is whether ... splinter groups that ... discontented with the weight of its coalition has acted so if I want more aggressive action against the police whether they will now hijackings protests ... can show ... Thomas a standoff at the Prime Minister is ... now up and and and the future ... and how does that play into some of the ... American role that did this is a key NATO ally to tells what you'll photo ... it is called Prime Minister Edouard has been in power now to look ... decade's end ... according to most political historians say he's the most powerful prime ministers since the stock took a lot to ... be on the founder of the Turkish ... Republic ... precisely how powerful these become how successful he's become a punching his enemies in the Mitre in the secularist establishment ... is again the reason it's his opponents liberal base is not ... a political persuasion say ... he's become too arrogant he's not listening to anyone except his own constituency ... Discover's become dictatorial that's what they allege ... I'm ... to some people in the square I suppose tonight's ... crackdown will be evidence of facts ... you know that the men in the US because it's the stock is a crucial recheck in the region ... eyes of proxy to help us to maintain influence ... on him off to get reading ... the broader narrative is that the US is withdrawing from the region of Iraq will ... the US is not in criticizing talking too much to be interesting to see often on ... whether that's the reticence has since will continue little gets ... statements from Washington ... ALM so often find that thank you Brian much Joe Parkinson Oval will Street don't we appreciate time statement ... thanks


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/b>PG � �Here Comes the Boom� is a painfully weak and predictable �family� comedy that goes for every boneheaded gag and bad-teacher stereotype. Even so, kids 10 and older � especially wrestling and mixed martial-arts fans � will have fun watching star Kevin James get slammed around and seeing real wrestling stars in cameos.
Scott (James) is a burned-out high-school biology teacher in Boston who arrives at school so late he has to climb into his classroom through the window. But Scott, who reads the paper with his feet up while his students do an assignment and who feels safe enough in his tenure to smartmouth the principal (Greg Germann), gets inspired.
He learns that the music program will shut down for lack of funds, and that Marty (Henry Winkler), the mild-mannered music teacher, will lose his job. Scott feels a surge of his old idealism and blurts out an offer to raise money to save the program. He says it mostly to impress the school nurse (Salma Hayek), but now he has to deliver.
A former high-school wrestler, Scott finds out he can earn thousands just for being defeated in a mixed martial-arts match. He enlists Niko (Bas Rutten), a martial-arts instructor who takes his evening citizenship class for immigrants, to train him. Soon Scott is getting pummeled and his shoulder dislocated for music education and love.
THE BOTTOM LINE: There is major mayhem in the fight cages and some of it looks painful. Scott projectile vomits while in the ring after eating bad apple sauce. There�s discussion about Marty�s 48-year-old wife getting pregnant. The film features mildly crude language, mild sexual innuendo and comic stereotypes of immigrants.
�The Perks of Being a Wallflower� PG-13 � Whether they�re already fans of Stephen Chbosky�s novel or not, high-schoolers into drama and romance will love the film he�s made of his book. It delves deeply into the beauties, tragedies and risks of youth.
Crucial facts emerge gradually and involve sensitive issues, such as child molestation by a relative, suicide attempts, mental illness and homophobia. Most middle-schoolers are not ready for this movie.
In his narration Charlie (Logan Lerman) tells us that he expects to be an outcast in high school, as he�s conversationally hopeless and has spent time in a psychiatric hospital. But a nice teacher (Paul Rudd) encourages the shy freshman, and oddball seniors Sam (Emma Watson � Hermione in all the �Harry Potter� films), and her half-brother, Patrick (Ezra Miller), see a spark in Charlie and pull him into their orbit.
Charlie has painful memories and feels other people�s pain acutely, too. Sam has self-esteem issues, and Patrick is a gay teen in the early 1990s. This lovely film feels �Catcher in the Rye� or �Breakfast Club� (R, 1985) seminal.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Teens drink and use pot and LSD in several scenes. A flashback strongly implies that a small child was molested by an older relative. Other scenes show a violent car accident, and someone with scarred wrists from a suicide attempt. Hospital scenes depict mental illness. The dialogue includes homophobic slurs, crude sexual slang and sexual innuendo. There is a nasty fist fight.
�Argo� R � The fact-based story in �Argo,� of how a CIA operative spirited six Americans out of Iran by posing them as a Hollywood film crew, makes for a crackerjack thriller under director and star Ben Affleck�s sure hand.
The brains, wit and tension that weave through the film will keep high-schoolers 16 and older as well as college film buffs totally engaged, and impart a slice of history along the way. Strong profanity earns the R rating.
Affleck plays CIA agent Tony Mendez with a bearded poker face. The six Americans were foreign service personnel who escaped the U.S. embassy in Tehran just as Islamist revolutionaries scaled the walls and took it over in November 1979, holding Americans hostage for 444 days. The six who got out took refuge in the Canadian ambassador�s (Victor Garber) home, but it wasn�t safe for them to stay there long-term.
Mendez, an expert in getting personnel out of tight places, calls a Hollywood special-effects make-up artist (John Goodman) he knows. They team hilariously with a producer (Alan Arkin) and invent a fake sci-fi movie project called �Argo,� based on an actual script.
They hold a press event and take out an ad in Variety. Mendez then goes to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations. He brings fake identities for the six Americans. We know they made it out, but the plan is so risky and the camera work so nervous, you can cut the tension with a knife.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The script is riddled with strong profanity, reflecting the stress under which everyone operates. Characters smoke and drink a lot. One scene shows Iranian revolutionaries shooting a man in the street. Scenes depicting angry mobs and armed revolutionary guards bristle with tension. Both real and re-enacted footage of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran is upsetting to watch.
�Seven Psychopaths� R � Too bloody and full of foul language for under-17s, �Seven Psychopaths� is nevertheless a riotous and ingenious criminal farce. It will delight college-age film buffs with its dark humor and bizarre characters, all played to perfection.
Much-honored playwright Martin McDonagh is the director/screenwriter. He can use words like bullets, and the all-star cast is right at his level.
Marty (Colin Farrell), a Hollywood screenwriter, has writer�s block. He has a title, �Seven Psychopaths,� but no script. He starts to borrow stories his eccentric pal Billy (Sam Rockwell), a struggling actor, tells him.
Billy earns extra money helping an aging con man, Hans (Christopher Walken), kidnap people�s dogs. They wait until a reward is offered, then return the dogs to grateful owners. But Marty and Hans make a mistake when they snatch a murderous gangster�s (Woody Harrelson) Shih Tzu.
Marty starts to wonder why some of the stories he�s putting in his script seem to move from fantasy into real life. And who is the masked �Jack of Diamonds� killer who only whacks bad guys? And who the heck is the weird old guy (Tom Waits) with the pet rabbit?
THE BOTTOM LINE: The film is full of bloody, up-close gun and knife violence. Late in the story, a re-enactment of a Vietnam War-era incident is used, in which a Buddhist monk sets himself on fire as a protest. In addition to steaming profanity, characters use racial and ethnic slurs, including the N-word. They also drink and smoke a lot. There is a brief, semi-explicit sexual situation and brief drug use. Hans� wife is in the hospital with terminal cancer.


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Q&A With "Autumn Blue" Author Karen Harter
- Staff Christianbook.com
- 2007 13 Mar
Author Karen Harter's first novel, "Where Mercy Flows," was originally written for the mainstream market. But she's thrilled to have seen it and subsequent works cross over into the Christian market.
In this interview, Karen discusses what inspired her newest novel, "Autumn Blue," what it takes to be a fiction writer and some of the challenges she faces as an author. …
What led you to become a CBA author?
Actually, I wrote my first novel, "Where Mercy Flows," with a secular audience in mind. That story is a prodigal daughter parable in which the protagonist, Samantha Dodd, sees her father as her judge, unable to believe that he could possibly love her after what she has become. It's really about a loving and merciful God, with a redemptive message that I wanted to send to unbelievers. Though my first two books have been published by Center Street, a secular publisher, I'm thrilled that they've crossed over into the Christian market! One of the novels I'm working on now is more likely to be published by a CBA publisher.
How did you come up with the concept for "Autumn Blue"?
While lying on my bed for a Sunday afternoon nap, one of the characters popped into my head without warning. He must have come from God. I wasn't looking for another project; I already had two in the hopper. By the end of my sleepless nap, I had another major character and the beginnings of a plot, and suddenly I knew that this story took precedence over the others.
Is any part of "Autumn Blue" factual?
No. I invented the town of Ham Bone and each of the characters.
How closely is this "Autumn Blue" based on your life?
The story was definitely influenced by a time of crisis in which our youngest son became a chronic runaway. He was angry and miserable and we couldn't connect with him. But we prayed. It's a long story, but let me just say this; we asked the Lord to bring someone into his life who could reach him, a mentor or mentors, and that's exactly what He did. Our son is now a happy, healthy, godly man today. Praise God! Though the characters and situations in "Autumn Blue" are totally unique, I cried for Sidney Walker's pain as she fought to save her lost son - especially since she didn't even have a husband to help shoulder her anguish as I did.
How long did "Autumn Blue" take you to complete?
I believe it was about nine months.
What is the symbolism for the title "Autumn Blue"?
Well … the story takes place in autumn. Honestly, I had another title but my publisher didn't like it. My editor, my agent and I made lists of possibilities and they both got stuck on "Autumn Blue." At first I thought it didn't make sense, though it was rather lyrical. Actually, I still don't think it makes sense, but doesn't it work well on that beautiful book cover with the blazing trees against pure blue sky?
Do you have a favorite character? Why?
Millard Bradbury. He's the lovable old curmudgeon that popped into my head when I wasn't even looking for him. Millard reminds me of my dad in some ways, but Dad is nicer. Since his wife's death, Mr. Bradbury's life has come down to a daily ritual of reading the paper, working the crossword puzzle, and maintaining his perfect lawn. That is, until the invasion of that confounded mole – and then the Walkers, the new family across the street. One critic compared Millard to the uncles in "Second Hand Lions" – grumpy on the outside but soft and vulnerable inside. My heart goes out to him because I know he's the same guy who once flew an F-86 fighter plane, who hiked and fished, danced with his wife, but now finds himself trapped in an aging body with seemingly no more missions or dances in his fading future.
How much research did "Autumn Blue" take?
Thanks to my son, much of the research was accomplished long before this story was birthed. I'd had plenty of real-life experience with the local sheriff and the juvenile justice system. Still, I attended juvenile court in another county, exploring and comparing procedures, learning that in one county a person on house arrest might be monitored with an electronic ankle bracelet, while in another the voice recognition phone system (such as the one to which Ty was subject) was employed. I studied the habits of moles and trapping methods and via the Internet other questions that surfaced were a breeze.
Is this a series?
What is your favorite verse from the Bible?
I treasure every word, but today I'll claim two as my favorites: Luke 10:27. "… Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,' and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 6:10. "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." One is a commandment; one a prayer. They both speak of total submission. It's not about me; it's about Him. If I ever feel that my yoke is not easy, the burden not light - I know that I need only to meditate on these simple words. They pretty much cover it all.
Do you prefer to write contemporary fiction?
Contemporary I know; history was the class I skipped too often or during which I distracted myself and others with a hidden squirt gun. (No one ever suspected it was sweet, innocent little me.) I'm old enough now that I could write about my childhood in the '60s and that might be considered historical by some. But during a trip to Alaska last summer I became intrigued by stories of the gold rush era and bought books and videos just in case a novel sneaks into my head. I also toy with writing a story set in the Depression years, but from the perspective of a boy (my father) who lead a full, creative childhood almost oblivious to the tumultuous world beyond.
What are some of the challenges you face as an author?
My biggest challenge right now is managing my "good" time. I was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer in February of 2005. Since then I've been fighting it naturepathically, with a health regime that is very time-consuming. When I first understood that my rare condition had no known medical cure and that the tumors on my pancreas and liver were inoperable, I did some grieving for the experiences I might miss with my family and much-anticipated grandchildren. But the Lord spoke to me. He showed me a picture of the Internet site I had been on the night before, one of many that merely offered advice on how to make the patient comfortable until they die. Beside it was a vision of my open Bible. "Which one are you going to believe?" He asked. That was a no-brainer. I absolutely trust in His Word, which says that whatever I ask for in faith, without doubting, I will receive. My healing is secure. I've enjoyed an incredible, rich life these past two years and I'm getting stronger every day. The best part has been experiencing an intimate relationship with the Lord that goes deeper than I had known was possible. Truly, it wasn't until I let go of my life that I found it.
Are there any other new projects on the horizon?
Yes, my horizon is absolutely cluttered with projects. At present I'm working on "A Train to Somewhere," the story of two college women who can't stand each other, but become unwilling dorm roommates. Maggie is strikingly beautiful but aloof and sarcastic. Kenzie is a flighty, impulsive art major, prone to misadventure. Maggie falls in love with Kenzie's brother, who throws everyone's world out of whack when He chooses to follow God. Kenzie and Maggie get into some humorous pickles as they evolve into loyal friends. But keep your hanky handy. Trust me, you're going to need it!
Nearing completion is the story of a seemingly doomed love affair between an orthodox Jewish man and a Christian woman who join forces to find his missing daughter. The tentative title is "Finding Grace."
Who was the person who influenced you the most with your writing?
I can't say there has been any one person. It's been a joint effort by poets such as Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost, many authors - Harper Lee, Barbara Kingsolver and Herman Melville standing out among them, and a few teachers and college professors. My parents, by believing in me as well as sharing their literary prowess. My husband taught me to stretch my faith beyond all logic which is why I pursued the dream despite the odds. Above all, the Holy Spirit. I depend on Him for inspiration, clarity and wisdom as I write.
What advice would you give to a person trying to become a fiction writer?
If you're a Christian, you should probably start by scrutinizing your motivation. Meditate on scriptures like the two mentioned above, and pray.
What is your purpose? Is writing fiction what God told you to do? Is it about His glory or your own?
Being sure of your gifting and purpose will keep you on track. In my case, it kept me from quitting when life got complicated. It gave me the grit to start over when my computer lost months of hard work.
Once you know that this is your course, have fun and be excellent.
Let your writing be powerful by feeding on good literature; cut out the junk-food novels. So what if they're best sellers. You draw from a different well, a deeper well with pure life-giving water.
You are unique, with a background like no one else. No one else can tell the stories you have to tell; no one else has your voice.
Learn all you can about the craft of writing fiction. Writers' Conferences offer a plethora of information as well as invaluable networking with other writers, agents and editors. And of course there are plenty of good books on fiction writing and editing to tap into. And did I mention, have fun?
What message would you like your readers to take away from this book?
To paraphrase what Amelia advised Sidney, either pray or worry. It's stupid to do both. Sidney was like Peter walking on the water toward Jesus, doing fine until he looked around at the wind-tossed waves. She too began to sink, but Jesus reached out and caught her. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
What is your goal or mission as a writer?
The desire of my heart is to write fiction full of truth that will permeate even hardened hearts. My goal is to see my books on the best-seller lists and even made into movies. Why not? All things are possible with God.
© 2007 Christianbook.com. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Find what you're looking for at Christianbook.com. Shop for books, Bibles, videos, music, homeschooling resources, software, clothing, gifts and more. Daily discounts, too!


text: |"Aerial photography was quite an art in 1906. Airplanes could barely get off the ground then, and lighter-than-air ships were expensive and cumbersome. An enterprising midwesterner, George Lawrence, devised and patented this ingenious system of kites and wires, right, that carried a 46-pound panoramic camera 800 feet into the air. It was with this arrangement that these three pictures weretaken. Lawrence and his local associate, Harry Myers, played out half a mile of line before the camera was at the proper altitude. When they were ready to shoot, they checked with binoculars to make sure the lens was lined up, and then tripped the shutter with an electrical impulse generated by an old style telephone magneto. A device within the camera then swept across a 90-degree arc to expose the image to a 22 by 55 inch negative (Oakland Tribune)"


text:
BP-CS for RF-645
SKU: BP-CS for RF-645
Really Right Stuff multi-use plates are designed for some camera bodies and are precision machined from solid blocks of 6061-T6 aluminum. Fully compatible with any RRS Dovetail style quick-release system, our plates feature simple square anti-twist flanges that prevent twisting between the plate and the camera body. This quick release plate utilizes a custom machined 1/4"-20 threaded, captive-style mounting screw that threads into the tripod mounting socket of your camera body.
- BP-CS plate
- B107 mounting screw
- 5/32" Hex key
- M3 safety stop screw
- M2.5 Hex key
- Plate user's guide


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Morning everyone. I can't believe how quick this week has gone. It's time again for the Out of A Hat Challenge. For more information about the challenge, Chrissie's, Sandra's, and Janet's fabulous projects click on the link above.
For this weeks challenge we are asking you to make a domino book or a small book no bigger than 3″ x 3″ in a style and materials of your choosing. Lots of scope for this one. If, you've not got any dominos what about a small fabric book, mini photo album, or mini journal. The choice is yours.
This week I have made two projects again. I know, I really need to get out more! lol! The first is a little tiny concertina tag book.
I have used two small pieces of wood for the covers which have been painted in craft paint. I stamped the little tree on to some pretty script paper, distressed the edges and glued that to the wood. I then just ran some gold pen around the edge.
I made 7 little envelopes, glued them together and attached the covers.
Each envelope contains a little tag. I used scraps of wool and fabric on the tags.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heavan in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the Palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
Willian Blake
Just to show how tiny this is
For the second project I made this little domino book.
I covered two dominos with some hand made papers and gave them a coat of acrylic paint. I then added small pieces of a page from a book and gave those a thin coat of paint. I then stamped the little tree.
For the pages, I cut two strips of paper, scuffed the edges a little, scored them and then stamped the trees. I then sandwiched the lace between the two strips and machine stiched them together.
Stamps used: Small tree – Clarity Stamps. The small tags – Invoke Arts
We had a lot of fun with these projects especially as we did a swap with each other. I received this little beauty from my lovely friend Janet who has very kindly given me permission to put it on my blog.
Isn't this brilliant. Thank you Janet. I will treasure it.
Thank you to everyone who entered the button challenge last week. Wow! Absolutely amazing entries. Don't take my word for it. Pop over to the challenge blog and see for yourself.
I am off for a cuppa.
Happy Crafting.
Best Wishes Florence x
Since posting this one of my blogging friends Marianne left a comment about a small book that she had made last year. You can see Marianne's book HERE. I loved it so much I wanted to include a link to it in this post. Thank you Marianne.


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I have noticed that there is a quite a community of Large Format photographers in Northern California, specifically the Bay Area. I am wondering if we could get together for a shoot or social event sometime? I'd like to open the invitation to all West Coast LF folks.
Anyone out there interested?
Joe Thibodeau - West Marin County


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We've almost weathered the '80s revival without anybody rear-ending the morons stalled at the intersection listening to Spandau Ballet, but it's official: The ladle's scraping barrel when it comes to that decade's nostalgia.
The Winona Ryder/Christian Slater movie Heathers is getting turned into a series on Bravo. (Bitchy fictional teens, the perfect lead-in for their older Real Housewives counterparts.) Already, pouf skirts, neon colors, and the most horrific of '80s fashion crimes — shoulder pads — have returned like a cold sore. (At least now we have Valtrex.) On a similar, even more foreboding note, Bret Michaels released a chart-topping album two years ago and has another on the way.
If I'm Nickelback or any other conventional "active rock" band, I'm frightened. Staind's Aaron Lewis saw the signs and made a country album. You could just ask Michaels. One minute you're comped at the Hilton, the next you're crashing at Motel 6. It happens quicker than you can say grunge. I've got my fingers crossed.
New Times cover story
It's not even out of spite. The late '80s through early '90s was an exceptionally fertile period for underground rock. (Much like the same period 20 years earlier.) Kurt Cobain led the way for dozens of bands that spilled over into the mainstream. The funny thing is that circumstances are remarkably similar in the underground today. Only this time, maybe David Geffen won't need to open his wallet to find Nirvana.
Of course, broach the idea of another underground rock revolution to a major-label record exec today, and he'll laugh you out of the room. All the label money goes to the Nicki Minajes and Brad Paisleys of the world. Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell finds this a travesty.
"I have a torn ligature in my hip, torn meniscus in my knee. I have double hernias and might have a third hernia on the way — all from performing, but that's not what bothers me. To be honest with you, I take all that in stride. What bothers me is the way the music industry has just abandoned musicians and gone for this quick, pop commercial buck," Farrell says. "I understand, back in the day, they thought the rock 'n' roll kids were all downloading. So they didn't want to invest in them. They knew that they could get little kids to buy coffee mugs and nail polish."
That hasn't stopped the pot from simmering. Indeed, unwatched the underground rock scene is beginning to boil. You can hear it from long-standing grass-roots iconoclasts like Lightning Bolt and Neurosis through more recent pop experimentalists Dirty Projectors, Yeasayer, and St. Vincent to the clamorous, hooky sounds of Japandroids, No Age, and Ty Segall. Less attendant to commercial concerns, people are doing their own thing. And the cream's rising. Farrell points to his own annual Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, one of many similar destination rock events (Coachella, Hopscotch, Fun Fun Fun Fest) that have popped up across the country over the past decade.
"We don't book pop. We're booking the real deal, and guess what? Hundreds of thousands of people are coming out to see that," he says. "They're still the coolest. They're still the ones you really want to get behind and say, 'They're representing me.' These commercial crappy contest winners, they have nothing to do with my life. If you say I'm hungry and I need something, I don't go to a box of Pringles; I want some steak."
Nobody's arguing that things aren't tough for rock musicians today. No more than 10 percent of their income is from album sales, forcing bands to earn their keep on the road. Everyone's in the same situation, filling the clubs with established acts all competing for a shrinking dollar.
But, years ago, David Bowie made an observation that really rings true today. He suggested that downloading would squeeze out all those for whom making music was a choice and not a necessity.
For all the moaning you hear from musicians, they have little reason to complain. Things are much better than they were 25 years ago. Computers and the Internet make touring much easier. Bouncing Souls bassist Bryan Kienlen recalls frantically handwriting postcards in the back of the van to alert fans of their upcoming shows. Heck, before Black Flag trail-blazed across the country in the early '80s, there was no underground touring circuit. Back then, you were DIY because there was no other alternative.
"[We] are such a product of Phoenix, in a way, because it wasn't in any way an industry town," says Meat Puppets bassist Cris Kirkwood. "My motivation was so exceedingly personal. I just really liked stringed instruments, and it was something we pursued doggedly. The parallel that exists [between then and now] is that we didn't need a label either when we started. Everybody just started making their own label. That was the burst of creativity that went down at that point."
That's what makes the incipient '90s revival so informative. Before Nirvana, there was no pretext of commercial success. They weren't hopping some trend or pandering to the lowest common denominator. They were making music for themselves.
"It makes you a lot stronger because you don't depend on public adoration," says Peter Prescott (Mission of Burma, Volcano Suns). "You sort of get used to the opposite, and you get used to the idea that nobody is paying attention, so you do whatever you want."
That's why so much of that music in the half-dozen years before Nirvana broke is so good. Buoyancy came from the foundation laid by early punk acts like Black Flag, X, Mission of Burma, Descendents, Dead Kennedys, Hüsker Dü, Meat Puppets, and The Minutemen. An even larger, more eclectic batch of bands picked up the baton, and now, decades later, have returned to crowds far exceeding those they enjoyed when they broke up.
The first breeze of these trade winds was the Pixies' very successful 2004 reunion. Since then, many of their contemporaries also have returned — Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Superchunk, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Guided by Voices, fIREHOSE, Sebadoh, Afghan Whigs, and Archers of Loaf.
Undoubtedly, part of it simply is the business of nostalgia.
"I think a lot of the punk rock nostalgia is valid. There were a broad range of successful new ideas. Maybe people were more broad-minded and less needful of the pigeonhole for their security. Audiences and bands were more willing to take a risk," says Grant Hart (Hüsker Dü, Nova Mob). "But, yeah, some of it just may be our midlife crises."
However, a good part of the allure is the music — or its absence. That's Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster's take. He's currently backing Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) on a tour supporting his most thoroughly rocking solo album in years, Silver Age.
"It's kind of a novel thing now, especially an older guy doing it. I think that's why Bob stopped doing it for a while. It was such a known quantity in the late '90s," Wurster says. "It takes a while for that to come back around. [The last Superchunk album, 2010's Majesty Shredding] was our best-reviewed, maybe best-received record ever . . . the same thing with these Bob shows — they're incredibly well attended. It's amazing. I think it's just the right time for this stuff to be revisited and re-appreciated."
Like another generation's touchstones — The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Big Star — time's turned commercial indifference into critical genuflection and abiding adoration. Part of the appeal is the indelible sincerity and authenticity implicit in music made without ulterior motives. Though it's certainly possible for some commercial artists to still make great art, a scene usually withers beneath the intense media spotlight.
So, it's no coincidence that within a few years of Nirvana's breakthrough, underground rock started to falter. Quality suffered as cheap knock-off acts proliferated, diluting originality. Suddenly, people were thinking about music as a means to something and not an end in itself. To quote a Minor Threat song from a decade earlier — the core had gotten soft.
"When Nirvana happened, and the major labels were won over to create this thing called 'alternative,' people got lazy and thought, 'Oh, all these people can do this for us.' Then, when they pulled out, there was no coherency," says Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, Stooges), noting underground rock's fallow period during the late '90s and early Aughts. "There has to be some kind of fabric of the scene to give identity and people something to talk about."
Nowadays, rock bands have little reason to think about how many albums they might sell. It's all about touring and the DIY spirit that first ignited the underground scene. It was no big secret when Stephen Malkmus of Pavement sang, "You have to pay your dues before you pay the rent." That's de rigueur again.
"We've always kind of worked the same. We've been doing this for 19 years, and after the show, it's time to put the stuff in the van and switch to the front seat, then try to find a place to sleep. That's the way it works. That's what we do each night," says Lightning Bolt bassist Brian Chippendale. "I opened for some Ratatat shows. So I've been in a club with a hot tub in back, but I didn't feel I was allowed to get in it. I just don't know any better."
Certainly, a DIY approach has never been easier than it is now. There's no need for expensive studios or label backing. Not only is home recording quick, easy, cheap, and often surprisingly good, but companies such as TuneCore will quickly distribute your music for you to all the online music services.
Some feel it's too easy, flooding the market with crappy, trend-biting neophytes that steal attention from more worthy bands and dilute the market. But mere dilettantes quickly are washed out by the fact that albums aren't really worth anything.
"It's easier than ever to make records with home studios, but going out and touring, and living with each other, playing to two people a night seven nights in a row? That's where the reality of what you're doing comes into play," Wurster says. "That's where you separate the men and women from the children."
The sheer volume of music recalls the early days of punk in another way. Not because there were a lot of bands. Back then, limited distribution and difficulty discovering bands meant you really had to dig and become something of an obsessive. The same is true these days, though, for different reasons.
"With no barrier to entry, what it really means is not more great bands than there were in the late '80s; it means around the same number, but you have to wade through 20 times more bands to find them," says Jack Rabid of the '80s band Springhouse, now editor of long-lived iconic magazine The Big Takeover. "When it becomes a lifestyle — when your parents buy your gear and everything is done by Facebook and Bandcamp for free — it becomes harder and harder to stand out even if your music would."
At least you don't have to trust a critic, buy a CD, or listen to the radio to discover a crappy band. Everyone's empowered to make up their own mind. And that seems to be working just fine for most people.
"Music is just as popular as it has ever been. It's just that people aren't paying for it anymore, so bands are forced to do things on their own now," says Supersuckers frontman Eddie Spaghetti. "And if you're going to make a living at it, you're going to have to get creative, for sure."
That may mean strange lineups — like former Squirrel Nut Zipper Stu Cole's garage-soul band Fantastico, which features two drummers, a singer/guitarist, and two female vocalists. Or shambling rockers He's My Brother, She's My Sister, who boast (besides the harmonizing siblings) a tap-dancer playing a snare drum. Wye Oak's Andy Stack plays keyboards while he drums, and keyboard/violinist Andrew Bird is so proficient layering loops that he improvises whole symphonies in real time, even while playing solo.
In the end, it comes down to getting in front of people and giving them a reason to come. It's even truer today when touring is a band's lifeblood, but it's been that way before. Nothing can ever compare with a live show. "The only way to really feel the rollercoaster is to get on," Spaghetti says.
When Watt was in the Minutemen, they split the world in two halves — gigs and fliers. Anything that wasn't a gig was a flier — interviews, publicity photos, records, show fliers.
"They were all to get people to the gig, because that's where we felt we had the most control. The least middle men, less filter," Watt says. "Back in the old days, before the recording medium, you literally had to play it for people. Selling the medium as a piece of merchandise is only about 100 years old. All the other times, it was performance-based, so it's kind like of returning the minstrels to the people."
Though some bemoan the overabundance of musical product, Watt laughs: "You want it the other way around? 'Oh, no, I have too much to listen to, too much to decide if I like it or not.'"
Who's against competition? It may be responsible for the short shelf-life of recent revival trends — post-rock, garage, psych, and shoegaze — leading them to succumb under the weight of all the quick-to-the-trough trend-hoppers. Those failures hastened fair-weather rockers on their way, as most seemed to have bought banjos or programmable drum machines and moved along in the last few years. More and more of late, artists are staking out their own idiosyncratic territory.
"It's almost a chance for rebirth, like we've got a clean slate in a sense you have to reinvent yourselves," says Rachel Kolar of He's My Brother, She's My Sister. "It forces you to be creative, because if there isn't a radio station playing a lot of good rock 'n' roll, it forces you, like, 'How can I still be heard? How can I still be noticed as being innovative, doing something that really speaks to the people but also advances our sense of what rock 'n' rock music is?'"
There seems little doubt that Nirvana wouldn't have happened had the majors not been actively seeking to capitalize on underground rock for years. The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Swans, the Pixies, and Sonic Youth all had their major-label shots, but something about the band, the album, and the timing clicked, making Nevermind a perfect storm.
"Nirvana really went for it. They had the machinery in place. They made a great record — but it's a really great commercial record," Wurster says. "It was really produced, really pro-sounding. And the bands you mentioned, none of them made an album that sounded like that."
The times have changed dramatically enough that big-money labels no longer may be necessary to catalyze a revolution. (Though once it happens, you can be sure they'll be there, checkbooks out.)
It was Merge Records, the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, label co-founded by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan, whose band Arcade Fire won the Grammy last year for best album. This year, Bon Iver (on Indiana indie Jagjaguwar) won the Best New Artist and Best Alternative Album Grammies for his chart-topping disc, Bon Iver.
Neither group is what you'd consider a rock band, but maybe that doesn't matter. Like a rising tide, Nirvana didn't just carry Superchunk and Dinosaur Jr. over the ramparts, they cleared the way for acts like They Might Be Giants and the Dead Milkmen. While media could only really conceive of flannel and Seattle, the alt-rock underground was — like that of its early-'80s predecessors — broad and diverse.
Yet there is no denying that the ready availability of music has changed how people consume it.
"You're coming out of something that was a little more of a whisper on the wind, and now you can find out all the information on your favorite artist," says Craig Finn (the Hold Steady, Lifter Puller). "Now kids are, like, 'I'm getting into Dylan,' and suddenly they know it all in three weeks. It took me until I was 28 to get to The Band, because I started with punk and there just wasn't enough time in the day [to work my way back]."
The increasing irrelevance of radio among young people and the wide availability of music has sort of collapsed time. Established artists note how much young fans are as drawn to older songs and deep album cuts as they are to the artists' newest music. Thanks to the Internet, an artist's back catalog is nearly as relevant as the current release.
Some feel this smorgasbord complicates the emergence of another Nirvana. For a movement to gain steam, it needs to reach critical mass. People's tastes may just be too broad, and the available options too many for people to fully buy in.
"The way everything works today — media and instant everything — there are too many distractions for one thing to solidify. It's not out of the question, of course, but it's that people listen to one song and move on to something else," Wurster says. "Kids are bombarded with so much that it's hard for anything to really get entrenched enough to form a movement."
We've had plenty of trends. When will we have something that sticks, something transformative? The underground's ripe for it, like a Manhattan-size island of misfit toys. The Internet's cleared away the middle men, and the rigors of the road have hardened skins and sharpened wits. The success of Bon Iver, a Wisconsin-based band that sold 104,000 copies of its most recent album in its first week of release in the United States, shows that people will go for even relatively unknown acts without big-label budgets.
"I doubt, at least in the beginning, [Bon Iver] got a very different push from the label," Finn says. "What happened is people reacted. They heard that record, it made them feel something, and they sort of voted with their attention/dollars/whatever."
Given the viral intensity of mass communications these days, what's to prevent an even more virulent contagion than Bon Iver from cutting through the culture? Who wouldn't thrill to experience something like Elvis, the Beatles, or the Clash in real time, as opposed to reliving it on documentaries and YouTube videos?
"It gives you hope when something like that happens," agrees Deer Tick's John McCauley. "But there hasn't been a sound of a generation yet."
We're just waiting on someone to lead the charge. Someone will take the reins. It's almost inevitable. Someone with enough charisma and savvy not to wilt beneath the hot media glare. Isn't that what part of what makes them Mick Jagger or David Bowie?
"It's the thing inside the people. It's the same thing as Elvis. It's want, drive, desire, and power. That's all it comes down to. The cream does rise to the top," says Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers). "Phenomena happen. Look at Frank Ocean, a perfect example of someone who basically got dropped by his label, put out his own record. Gave it away for free on Tumblr, and next thing he knows, he's playing Coachella. There's always that dude who gets around it and redefines it thusly. That will never stop."
Nor will rock. It will forever be a place kids go to find identity, sow some rebellion, and just celebrate the fine art of living. Guitars and loud, boisterous music always will have a home in kids' hearts, even when the media and money men are indifferent.
"A lot of people say [guitar-based rock] sort of comes and goes, but for people like me and my friends, it never really went away," says Paul Saunier of noisy rock duo PS I Love You. "The mainstream notices it sometimes, and then they don't . . . For me, releasing albums was a fun thing I've always wanted to do, and now I do it. It's almost more about me."
These communities never truly disappear. As it does with any club, membership fluctuates. But underground rock persists because it offers something we will always crave: a sense of belonging. (Even/especially for the outcasts.) At a time when all of us are struggling financially, those uniting threads are stretched that much tighter. (Also like 20 years ago: Remember "it's the economy, stupid"?)
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"One of the things about rock 'n' roll, in our future — or now — is it makes a human connection in times when things don't always feel human. What rock 'n' roll can provide for most people — with or without a breakthrough — is a human thing that I think people get less and less of in their daily lives," Finn says. "That community can happen — especially when you're at a rock show. Some guy is wearing a Deer Tick T-shirt, and you turn to him and go, 'Dude. Nice.' And it's not weird. He's not like, 'Get away from me.' He's, 'Oh, yeah, I just saw them.' All of a sudden you're talking to a dude you don't know."
Rock music's ability to forge bonds and galvanize attention never diminishes. It just falls out of fashion from time to time, but it's usually the better for it. Obviously, the entire industry has changed since Nirvana's breakthrough. Recording has become democratized. Now it's very easy and inexpensive to release music, yet hard to make a lot of money doing it.
Perversely, this probably is a good thing. Call it survival of the hardiest. You want the person you back to really mean it and not merely offer you lip service. It's about sharing something rather than selling it. Of course, some musicians are motivated less by connecting or expressing something than by the selfishness of deep personal devotion.
"There's nothing else to be done," says Kirkwood, sounding like a character from Waiting for Godot. "Look around. Life is disgusting . . . What are you going to do when everything else is mewling and pathetic? Might as well do what you do."