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Lavenderave is a store run by Jennifer and below is a little more information about Jennifer and her store:
What's your store name and how long have you been an Etsymom?
My store is Lavender Avenue (lavenderave), and I have been on Etsy since November 2008. I joined Etsy moms in December 2009.
When I was a little girl, I used to sit by my mom while she sewed. I would take her scraps and stitch them together to make funny clothes and blankets for my dolls. I put down my needle when I was about 12, and didn't pick it up again until I was married and we bought our first home. Out of necessity really, we couldn't afford to buy curtains. From there I branched out to making dresses and things for my niece, then my own children. I loved the feeling of confidence that came with each new item I created.
What sets you apart from other people making similar items?
I think that each thing we make has our own signature or style to it. The old fashioned nightgowns are my most unique offering. They came about as a result of a friend's request for a "Little House on the Prairie" nightgown for her daughter. They are so cute, and so fun to make.
What's your favorite valentine's item in your store?
I really like the wool felt coasters. We use them all the time at home, and they work really well. I made the Valentine coasters for my sister's birthday last year, and thought, why not put them in the shop? I am also quite taken with the red flannel Olivia fabric. It's going to make a darling Valentine's Day nightgown for some little girl.
Give us one tip on how you managed to create/sell/manage your store and at the same time be a busy mom?
I try to have my children involved in what I am doing as much as possible. One thing I have done is give them an embroidery hoop with burlap or other loosely woven fabric in it, and a large blunt needle with embroidery floss, and let them just sew. My five year old daughter loves it.
Jennifer is giving away her Hearts on My Table - Set of 6 Valentine Coasters. Here is how to enter to win:
Mandatory Entry - Visit Lavenderave and select one favorite item from the store, leave a comment with your email address.
1 Entries - Follow Etysmom Blog (current follower is also eligible), leave 1 comment with you user ID or name
1 Entries - Join Etysmom Email Group (current subscriber is also eligible), leave 1 comment with your user ID or name
1 Entries - Become an Etsymom Facebook Fan (current fan is also eligible), leave 1 comment with your user ID or name
5 Entries - Purchase any item from Lavenderave, leave 5 comments
2 Entries - Blog about this giveaway, leave 2 comments and the link to your blog post
1 Entry - Tweet about this giveaway, leave 1 comment each day you tweeted with the link to your tweet
Jennifer is willing to ship this winning item to anywhere (well, on earth :)) so anyone is welcome to enter!
That's at least 12 different ways to win. This giveaway will end on February 1st at 11:59pm PST. Winner will be drawn by random.org and announced on this blog as well as emailed.
Remember that each comment is considered to be one entry. So if you are following this blog already, simply say "follow this blog" and your name to get additional entry to this giveaway. Each entry is assigned a # and whichever # was drawn after the giveaway ended will be the winner.
Remember that each comment is considered to be one entry. So if you are following this blog already, simply say "follow this blog" and your name to get additional entry to this giveaway. Each entry is assigned a # and whichever # was drawn after the giveaway ended will be the winner.
Etsymoms, if you are interested to be the next Giveaway, please contact me (Alice) at email@example.com for more information. Thank you and have fun!
The winner of this giveaway is Comment #40
Damla said...
1) Blogged: http://sweepstakelover.blogcu.com/etsymom-giveaway-1-lavenderave/6899196
annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
January 29, 2010 3:46 PM


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subset: commoncrawl


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Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum; I have an 18-day old son, and what I think is an oversupply issue. His weight history is 7lbs 10oz at birth and 8lbs 9oz at his 2 week checkup. I'm a new mom, so I don't know if this is considered 'rapid' weight gain, but I thought it might be since he's far surpassed his birth weight after 2 weeks.
He typically sleeps for long stretches at night (4-5 hours), and when I feed him he'll only take one breast for about 15-20 minutes. I also have a pretty strong letdown, but I've been expressing some before he latches on to combat that. During the day it's like he gets more and more hungry and eventually will feed for long stretches at a time, sometimes 1-2 hours of what feels like constant eating. Towards the end of the day it takes both breasts to satisfy him. He has very frequent poops, sometimes after every feeding, but they're not green.
Should I try block feeding to help him be more satisfied? Thanks so much for your advice. This is all new (and scary) to me!


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Alibi Picks
A Giant Reunion: They Might Be Giants
I saw They Might be Giants perform at a small, crowded college bar in Tempe, Arizona in 1992. Before it began, it had already been a long night; two of the grad students I was with were vomiting uncontrollably before we even got to the venue. That was back when the two Johns had a canned band supporting them and Dial-A-Song was at the forefront of electronic music sharing technology. While my primos drifted in and out of a tequila-troubled consciousness, I sat back with a pack of Camel squares and an iced tea and listened. Despite technical limitations, multi-


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1. When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to the said person so everyone knows she/he is real.1. I was tagged first by Runy at Unbearably Hot. I was then tagged by Lissanna at Restokin. Sorry if I've missed anyone. Let me know and I will add you to the list.
2. Choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don't have seven friends. Show the seven random victims' names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with Honest Weblog. Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.
3. List at least ten (10) honest things about yourself. Then pass it on!
2. I'm not going to do 7 but here are a few poeple you may be interested in if you like my blog. Macbook at Moonkin.Info. Foofy at Foofy's Cupcake Factory. You can also look at the blogs I have listed on the right. They are the main blogs I follow.
3. 10 things about me:
There you go. 10 random things about me.


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Graduate Admissions Policies
All graduate applicants must satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to Alliant and must submit acceptable certified documents, which verify that they have satisfactorily completed all admission requirements. Students who meet all requirements will be considered for graduate admission to the University but are not guaranteed admission. The Office of Admissions may refuse admission or rescind an offer of admission to applicants who do not abide by the standards of the Graduate Student Handbook or if it is determined that application information is fraudulent, misleading or incorrect.
If Alliant become aware of any arrest(s) and/or convictions(s) on the record of a student (excluding traffic violations) who is seeking a training placement, the OPT staff, agent or representative will inform the training site of the arrest(s) and/conviction(s). Arrest(s) and/or conviction(s), dependent upon severity and nature, may compromise Alliant International University's ability to place the student at the prospective — or alternative — training site and may compromise the student's ability to obtain training hours necessary for the completion of academic requirements. Alliant International University has no authority nor bears any responsibility for ensuring placement at training sites for students with arrest(s) and/or conviction(s).
Incomplete Applications
Alliant International University does not guarantee review of applications which are incomplete or submitted after priority deadlines, and fees are not refunded under these circumstances.
Applying to More than One Location
You may apply to one degree program at multiple campuses using one application form, with location preference in ranked order; you may not apply to more than one degree program in the same year unless you are not accepted at your first choice program. A multi-location applicant is considered for admission at the locations in the order of preference indicated on the application form. An applicant not admitted to a higher-choice location is then considered for the next choice location, and so on. A multi-location applicant admitted to one location is not considered for admission by subsequently ranked locations. A multi-location applicant may at any time forfeit consideration at one location and have the application forwarded to the next choice. Once having forfeited consideration at a location, the applicant cannot be reconsidered there in the same year for that specific program.
If you have applied to Alliant International University (or CSPP or USIU) in a prior year you must submit a new application form, fees and essay. Transcripts, course descriptions and letters of recommendation are usually kept on file for one year and thus need not be resubmitted if you are applying within one year after submitting a previous application. However, transcripts of any additional coursework must be submitted, and since it is our policy to destroy recommendations for enrolling students, under some circumstances this material is not available in a subsequent year. If you are a reapplicant, you are considered for admission on the basis of your new application.
Applicants may attempt to gain admission to Alliant three times. You may apply in three separate years, to three separate specialties or degree programs, or a combination. Alliant will not accept further applications from individuals who fail to gain admittance after three attempts.
Review Process
Applications and supporting documents are reviewed by the Admissions Processing Center for completeness and then sent to the program for review. If interviews are required for admission to a program, the designated program review committee examines all applications and decides which of those candidates who meet the academic entry requirements should be interviewed. In those cases, final admissions decisions are made after the results of the interviews have been reviewed.
Notification of Decisions
The reasons for an admissions decision on an application are not shared with the applicant. Alliant International University receives many more applications that meet our basic requirements than there are places available. There is no appeal process for graduate admissions decisions. All Alliant admissions decisions are final.
If you are admitted while continuing graduate or undergraduate coursework, you are expected to maintain the standard of academic performance on which your admission is based until enrollment; failure to do so may void the Acceptance Agreement. Therefore, if you are admitted you must submit transcripts of all work completed between acceptance and enrollment prior to fall registration.
Alliant adheres to a resolution adopted by the Council of Graduate Schools and supported by APA, COGDOP and NCSPP protecting applicants against the need to make premature acceptance decisions, for applicable graduate programs. Thus, Alliant allows all doctoral applicants until at least April 15 to accept the University's offer of admission.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who have not submitted all of the required documents may be admitted on a conditional basis in some instances. Conditionally admitted graduate students must present the required documents within the first term of study. Failure to do so will prohibit further registration and eligibility for financial aid. International students cannot be admitted on conditional status.
Acceptance, Matriculation Deposit and Final Documents
Admitted applicants to Alliant must sign and submit the Acceptance Agreement and submit a new student deposit to hold a place in the class. This fee is $600 for doctoral programs and $300 for master's programs.
The Acceptance Agreement and deposit are due two weeks after the date of notification. If a response is not received by the date specified, the place will be offered to another applicant. Students who decide not to accept an offer of admission from a program are urged to notify the campus admissions office in writing as soon as possible so that their places may be offered to other applicants.
The Acceptance Agreement states any entry requirements that must still be met before being fully admitted that the student has not met. An admitted student is expected to maintain the standard of academic performance upon which admission was based during the time between acceptance and enrollment. Official transcripts of all work completed between acceptance and enrollment must be furnished to Alliant prior to fall registration in order for the student to enroll. Required degrees in progress at the time of application must be conferred prior to enrollment at Alliant and Alliant must receive an official transcript verifying degree conferral.
Deferred Admission
Admission is normally granted only for the current year. However, under special, documented circumstances, admitted students may be granted a one-year deferment. Petitions should be directed to the Office of Admissions and must be received by June 1. Those granted deferment must submit the matriculation fee upon deferral. Deferrals are not automatically granted.
International Students
Alliant International University welcomes international applicants whose academic work and English proficiency is of the highest level. All international students must carry a full course load in their program in order to qualify for an I-20 certification. All international students must submit the documents described in the admissions requirements.
Credit for Previous Graduate Work
Applicants to Alliant graduate programs may be eligible to receive credit for previous graduate work. These credits must be completed with a grade of a B or better from a regionally accredited institution within the past seven years. A maximum of 6 semester units of graduate coursework can be accepted into a master's program of 40 semester hours or less and a maximum of 9 semester units in an academic program of 41 semester units or more. A maximum of 30 semester units can be accepted into a doctoral program. All applicants must meet the graduate level entry requirements for the program of application before they will be reviewed for transfer credit. More information relating to the total allowable course units and courses that may be waived for each program is available in the university catalog and from the program office or an academic advisor.
Doctoral Candidacy
Advancement through an Alliant graduate program is based on demonstrated competencies. Thus, with respect to doctoral programs, admission does not constitute admission to doctoral candidacy. Students are evaluated by the faculty for advancement to the next year level at the end of the second year and at the completion of pre-candidacy requirements for those who have entered with credit for previous graduate work.
Special Status/Non-Degree Applicants
An applicant seeking part-time, non-degree study should contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate location for a Special Status Application form. Information about registration procedures is available from the campus Registrar's Office. Many advanced doctoral level courses, including field placement, seminar and dissertation experiences are not available to part-time, non-degree students.
A student who is classified as Special Status/Non-Degree need not necessarily meet the admission requirements for a degree program, but may be requested to submit supporting documentation. From this admission status a student may apply for full admission to the University through the regular admission process. If the student becomes a degree-seeking student, a maximum of 9 semester units of work earned while in the Special Status/Non-Degree category may be applied toward a degree program.
Special Status/Non-Degree students are not eligible for financial aid. In cases in which class space is limited, degree-seeking students will have enrollment priority. Some courses are not permitted to be taken by any Special Status/Non-Degree students.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, only enrolled students, not non-matriculated applicants, have access to academic records including the application material on file at Alliant International University. All documents presented for admission or evaluation of credit become the property of Alliant International University and may not be returned to the applicants. Therefore, please keep copies of all the information you submit to us. Most material is kept on file for one year; it is not kept indefinitely.


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Dr. Mysore Maitri, MD
Inova Medical Group - Ashburn Healthplex22505 Landmark Court, Suite 210AshburnVA20148
Need to make an internist appointment this week? Use Zocdoc to find Kannada speaking internists near you who take your insurance. It's simple, secure and free.
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Renvyle House is a four star, family owned, historic country house resort, first opened as a hotel in 1883 and is spectacularly located on a 150 acre estate on the shores of the Atlantic.
The grounds include a private freshwater lake, a beach, woodlands, gardens and numerous activities on site including tennis, croquet, outdoor heated swimming pool (summer months), fly-fishing, canoeing, shore angling and more.
The Hotel and the Rusheenduff Restaurant @ Renvyle House have won many awards over the years including Best Customer Service, Best Chef and for Irish hospitality and are most proud of these. The team at Renvyle extend a warm welcome to each and every guest.
For a unique location, delicious food, comfortable bedrooms and a truly uplifting break, here, the only stress is on relaxation.
Hotel Brochure | Christmas and New Year Programme
Best Available Rates
Renvyle House Hotel will always guarantee that you will receive the best rate guaranteed on our own website.You can easily check availability from every page on the site or you can browse our constantly updated special offers. If you sign up for our newsletter we will send them directly to your inbox too!


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|© 2006 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Parmelee a powerful pick for Twins06/06/2006 8:52 PM ET
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have had an eye on their first-round pick, Christopher Parmelee, for a long time, so they had good knowledge that his bat possessed some power. But just how much power surprised them. This past Friday, before the draft took place, Parmelee made a visit to the Metrodome to do a workout for the Twins. The high school outfielder put on quite the display as he deposited ball after ball into the upper-deck seats and far over the center-field wall to show the Twins that he indeed was the guy for them. "Did he hit it further than we thought he might? Yeah, he did," Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff said. "We've been watching him a long time and so we have great conviction that his makeup is top notch. If he reaches the bat ceiling that we think he can, this guy will be a middle of the lineup impact player down the road." That kind of power was the reason there was plenty of excitement in the Twins' draft room when the club selected Parmelee as the 20th overall pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft. Many in the organization were concerned that he might go earlier in the draft. A left-handed hitter, Parmelee possesses a strong, smooth stroke at the plate and shows the kind of patience not often found in a player of his age. And while the Twins were elated to find Parmelee still available at No. 20, it wasn't the easiest thing for him to sit and wait for his name as he gathered with a group of around 10 family members and friends around the computer, listening to the draft. Still, the end result seemed worth the wait. "As each one went by the nerves got a little worse," Parmelee said. "But then when I heard my name called by the Twins at No. 20 -- it was the best feeling I've ever had in my life." Parmelee, 18, batted .407 with 11 home runs, 26 RBIs, 34 walks, 24 stolen bases and a .614 on-base percentage during his senior season at Chino Hills High School in Chino, Calif. He was also rated as the 26th-ranked player available in this year's draft by Baseball America. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Parmelee was named an AFLAC All-American after his junior season, and also earned MVP honors at Team One Baseball's Cape Cod High School Classic. But even with his many accomplishments in the past, Parmelee said that walking on the field to take batting practice at the Metrodome on Friday struck a bit of a nerve with him as he realized that this might be the start of seeing his dream fulfilled. "I walked in and stepped on the field and was a bit speechless," Parmelee said of his workout. "And then the first one I hit was to the upper deck. It was an amazing feeling." Besides his bat, Parmelee has a lot going for him. Possessing an above-average arm, he's slated to start in the outfield but also has the ability to play first base. His speed isn't his greatest asset, but he can spray the ball all over the field. "I'm more of a gap-to-gap guy than a raw power hitter," Parmelee said. "But that day in the Metrodome was one of my better ones, in terms of power." It wasn't the first time Parmelee has wowed a crowd. The 18-year-old first started garnering attention back in 1998, when he competed in a youth skills competition during the All-Star game in Denver. But while that day may have ranked high in his memory, there's no question which is first on the list now. "This day is so much better," Parmelee said with a laugh. Parmelee has a few things on his plate before even thinking about what the next stage will involve -- like graduating from high school on June 21 -- but he doesn't expect any delays in his signing. The 18-year-old seemed quite excited about his future as a Twin, as did the entire Twins scouting staff. "We're happy that we are going to be able to get him out quick and get his career started," Radcliff said. "Each year, there are always players that have problems with negotiations and it just stalls their ability to move. He's an advanced bat. He's ready to go, and heck, he might move up a level by the end of the summer. The Twins have Parmelee slated to start the year with their Gulf Coast League rookie club, and that is just fine by Parmelee. "When I hit for the Twins, I thought about what it might be like to play for them," Parmelee said. "And now, it's happening and I couldn't be more excited."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Twins Homepage | MLB.com


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13 Great Centennial RVs – 10 of 13
July 6, 2010 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on 13 Great Centennial RVs – 10 of 13
Hertz RV Rentals
|10 of 13 | View All
Imagine walking up to the counter of a car rental facility, paying your fare and picking up the keys to a race car in drag. It happened. For one memorable year, Ford Motor Co. and Hertz Rent-A-Car got together to create an offer that's firmly entrenched in hot-rod heaven: the 1966 Hertz Shelby Mustang. Hertz only offered the Shelby Mustangs for one year, but that didn't stop the company from experimenting in other venues. In 1971, the company began renting motorhomes.
The coach of choice was the Lifetime Premier, a 23- footer from the folks at Boise-Cascade. Initially available in New York, Denver and Los Angeles, the Lifetime Premier rented for $275 a week, in season, plus 10 cents per mile. Savvy consumers also quickly began taking advantage of a few options exclusive to the Hertz program: For a one-time fee of $20, the company would fully stock the motorhome with bedding and cooking equipment; for another $6, they would fill a cupboard with a plastic camp dinnerware set.


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How hard is it, really, to understand that 911 is only meant to be called in cases of true emergencies? Considering how many asinine requests emergency operators get for reasons that are significantly less than life-threatening, it must be a fairly difficult concept to grasp. And I'm not talking about the occasional accidental pocket-dials, I'm talking about demands made by people like 48-year-old Linda White of Granbury, Texas, who called 911 at approximately 1 a.m. on February 11 because she was desperately in need of ... cigarettes.
"I need some cigarettes," she said.
But when the cops showed up, it wasn't to deliver a carton of smokes -- it was to arrest White and book her on a charge of abusing 911. Whoops!
More from The Stir: Man Calls 911 & Asks to Be Taken on a Beer Run (VIDEO)
At least White apologized later, explaining:
"We were just kicking it in the backyard -- a few beers too many," she said. "Next thing you know, we're out of cigarettes. Well, I didn't want to drive to town ... I was drunk, you know, but in my backyard. Who's the safest person to call? Your police department, I thought."
Believe it or not, cigarettes aren't the craziest reason ever for calling 911. Here are a few more seriously dumbass demands made of emergency workers:
1. To be connected to Tim Tebow.
2. To order up a husband with more of a sex drive.
3. To complain about a broken iPhone.
4. To be rescued from a ... corn maze.
5. To report a baby lion on the loose (guess what? It was a dog with a funny haircut).
Have you ever called 911 for a non-emergency reason?
Image via Michelle/Flickr


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Main Menu
Professor: M. Van Volkom
Term: Fall
Year: 2011
Course Code: FY-101-PY01
This course will focus on the aspects of health psychology that are most relevant to a first year college student. These aspects include avoiding dependence on alcohol and tobacco, making good choices when it comes to nutrition and exercise, managing stress, maintaining healthy relationships, and taking steps toward good financial health during this important transitional period in a young adult's life. In addition, this course will utilize various activities and assignments that are designed to help students with the transition to college in general, and to Monmouth University specifically. Transition topics include study skills, avoidance of plagiarism, and using the University library.


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The Newton Noon Kiwanis will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N in Newton, for lunch and a program by the "Students of the Month".
Anyone interested in the program or in learning more about Kiwanis is welcome to be a guest for lunch.
For information or to make a reservation for lunch, call Lonnie Barton at (642-792-4810). Visit www.newtonkiwanis.org to learn more about the service club.


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Resize Pilot Tint Guide
City: Yalta
Tint Guide's phone:
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Convert CHM into a set of HTML files using CHM2HTML Pilot. The program supports command line. Using batch mode, you can convert several documents simultaneously. The program has Explorer-like interface.
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Image2PDF Add-on is a library that helps you to convert images to PDF using PDF Creator Pilot. All major image formats, such as BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF (including multipage), TGA, filters and transformations are supported.
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PDF Rasterization Pilot is a library for displaying and printing PDF for VB, ASP, Delphi, Visual C++...


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Skip to comments.Post Election Obama not interested in SANDY (Vanity)
Posted on 11/09/2012 11:20:18 AM PST by polkajello
Obama used Sandy to win. Chris Matthews thanked Sandy for her help. Now the aftermath of Sandy remains and Obama is nowhere to be found.
Guess Sandy was a one night stand for Barry.
Surprise, surprise!
Obama is only interested in big government and class warfare.
Since Sandy has no need for us to pay for her birth control pills or abortions, no reason for 0bama to court her any longer.
Your vanity does not belong in news/activism. If you ask the mods nicely, maybe they might move it into the appropriate forum such as general chat.
Well, I have to say I'm with him on that.
I don't give a rat's ass about the whining, sniveling, obama voters hit by sandy.
A lot of us told you morons that he didn't care and that you were a one night stand but you didn't listen.
Hey you sandy "victims", was it good for you? Guess you should put some ice on that.
Harsh? You bet! Stupid voting and being swayed by a lying POS results in harsh reality.
I'm happy for the modes to move as needed. I'm a newbie threadster.
I'm happy for the mods to move as needed. I'm a newbie threadster.
I guess it's the omlet broken egg thingy his Heroes Stalin and Clintion spout as the price of "progress"
Also interesting that no one has called him on this.
Frankly, I hope they all freeze to death in the dark, and I hope their fat assed governor is the first.
I imagine a newly re-elected pres has stuff to do in his office after being on the road campaigning. I can't imagine any pres being there everyday. What more can a pres do in person?
I have to say, F off. There are plenty of decent Americans—decent conservatives, too (Staten Island is much more conservative than the rest of NYC)—who lost their homes, livelihoods, or worse because of Sandy. Wishing that sort of destruction upon anyone, based solely on the fact that they live in an area that voted for 0bama, makes you a jerk, and is downright un-American.
Those who supported him because of his "concerned" response to hurricane victims will shortly discover the level of his actual "concern" is about the level of Bill Clinton's "concern" for Juanita Brodderick.
All Obama did was ride around in a helicopter with Humpty Dumpty
Precisely. All these young women who supported BO because of "reproductive rights" remind me of the women on Jerry Springer's show who fall for the smooth talking cool guy only to have to force a paternity test a few months later.
BO is the unreliable "baby daddy" to all his delusional supporters. Sandy is the child that BO will NOT acknowledge or support.
To the people in the affected areas: Just like the old woman and the snake - you knew he was a bastard when you voted for him the second time, so why are you surprised? He's just doing what muzzie bastards do.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
Barack Obama don't like American people.
" - - - Obama is nowhere - - - "
Communist Tyrant Barry Davis Obama has many tests that must be met before he lowers himself to make a speech-action. Some of these tests are as follows:
1.) Will this speech-action fundamentally change America?
2.) Will this speech-action increase the power of the rulers over the ruled?
3.) Will this speech-action exact a significant amount of REVENGE on Americans who dare to oppose the implementation of Obamanation Communism?
Thus, in the case of the Storm Sandy, it helped Obama to be re-elected (1., 2., and 3.); increased the dependency on FEMA (1., 2.); and destroyed a significant amount of wealth, property, lives, and livelihood (2., 3.).
Thus, as an empty-chair tyrant, Communist Obama may make an additional "Boy, do I ever love the Middle Class!" Speech from time to time, but Corporate Jet Travel and time on the Golf Links are still higher on the list as fun things to do for the Impostor in the White House.
BTW, with our sorry, spineless, RINO leaders back in Congress, Obama is going to REALLY enjoy the next 4 years!
Isn't Obama headed for a holiday in Cambodia?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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VIPKID needs thousands of part-time remote workers to teach English online to kids in China. This is an amazing work-from-home opportunity and don't worry, you do not need to know any foreign language. As an online teacher, you will earn as much as $22.00 per hour.
The Position: You must meet the following qualifications to become a part-time teacher with VIPKID:
Bachelor's degree in any field
Any formal or informal teaching experience including mentoring, tutoring, or alternative education.
Eligibility to work in the US or Canada
VIPKID will provide all teaching materials and as an independent contractor, you will be matched 1:1 with Chinese students on our secure virtual learning platform to teach English online. You are able to make your own schedule and work flex hours.
The Location: Work-from-Home / Remote Work
More About VIPKID:
Over 20,000 teachers already work with us! VIPKID provides an extra source of income in a very flexible, work-from-home teaching experience. In addition to the extra income and flexibility, VIPKID teachers also like the professional development opportunities, local VIPKID teacher communities/activities and the knowledge that their teaching is a making a direct impact on children's lives in China and helping to bridge global cultures.
VIPKID's mission is to provide the international elementary school experience to Chinese childrenall from the comfort of their homes. VIPKID provides one-on-one, fully immersive lessons in its online classroom.
VIPKID's curriculum is proprietary and aligned to the U.S. Common Core State Standards.
VIPKID is venture backed by top investors, such as Kobe Bryant and Alibaba's Jack Ma.
See how well your resume matches up to this job - upload your resume now.


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Here's all the background you need: Randy Levine is the President of the New York Yankees and has a dog that will be competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. OK, ready?
"He's like Derek Jeter. Very calm," Levine said.
So on the week baseball spring training begins for pitchers and catchers, Levine will be among the pinschers and cockers.
We good? Great.


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Keierica Howard, 20, is a triple threat, but not in a sports sense of the phrase. While singing is in her repertoire, the 2010 Terrebonne High School graduate is also a star student and athlete.
Keierica Howard, 20, is a triple threat, but not in a sports sense of the phrase. While singing is in her repertoire, the 2010 Terrebonne High School graduate is also a star student and athlete.
Howard, a successful high school volleyball player earned a scholarship to attend Clark Atlanta University, where she helped bring the team a 2012 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship victory.
In her spare time, she's working hard to become a recording artist, a career she says she would like to model after R&B super star Beyonc�.
"I'm singing every day," said Howard, laughing. "My teammates get mad because I'm always singing. And I'm so loud. Not just in singing, but even when I'm talking. I don't even realize it sometimes. When I lived in the dorms I know they were mad."
Chip Didier, Howard's former high school volleyball coach, said her singing at sometimes inopportune times is nothing new.
"Every chance she got, she was singing. She'd sing to the team and get them singing and happy. She was always singing, and she's very good at it, so it was great. But we'd lose a game and be riding back on the bus and she'd start singing," said Dider, laughing. "I was always yelling at her to stop like 'We just lost. This isn't a time to be happy.' "
Wanting to utilize her vibrant and entertaining personality, a major in mass communication is Howard's backup plan. She said she's smart enough not to put all her eggs in one basket. Her concentration is in broadcast — radio, television and film.
"Just in case it doesn't work out, you know, I had to make sure I'll have other options."
But the what-ifs don't stop Howard from pursuing music as much as possible, she said.
"I'm always trying to improve," she said. "I take vocal lessons via YouTube because I'm a college student. I don't have money. People don't realize that you don't have to go spend money to perfect your craft."
Howard takes advantage of professional lessons when she has the opportunity. She recently took lessons from celebrity vocal coach Jan Smith of Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta. Smith has coached singers Usher, Monica and Keyshia Cole.
"She is the best," Howard said. "It was great to be able to do that."
Didier, who retired from Terrebonne after the 2009 season, said he isn't surprised at Howard's tenacity "at all, not one bit."
"She's very persistent and will do everything in her power to reach her goal. She's a good actor, too, on top of that great voice," Didier said. "If someone would just give her a shot, she'd definitely make the most of it. This is something she's always wanted to do."
Howard began singing around 9 years old, participating in as many singing competitions as she could, including CenterStage when she was 13. The competition was called Hometown Stars at the time.
"I did that three years in a row, I think," Howard said. "I never won, but I kept doing it for exposure and competition."
Howard also took a long drive to South Carolina to audition for "American Idol," an experience she said shaped the decision not to use reality TV as her route to stardom.
"That was the worst experience of my life," she said. "I had no voice by the time I got to the judges. Before the audition, people were outside singing their hearts out, but I said 'I'm not about to lose my voice,' so I didn't. I sat in the car and everything to escape the humidity, but I was still hoarse when I got inside. Plus, the whole process is nothing like what you think. I'd just rather not have to rely on reality TV."
Howard has recently started working with an Atlanta music producer to begin a mix-tape of her singing.
The Houma native tries to visit home about three times a year.
"I love my hometown so much," Howard said. "I miss the people the most — all my people, my friends, my family. No matter where you go, there's nobody like Houma people. I promise."
She added that she also misses the south Louisiana cuisine a lot.
"Yes, food. Food. Food. Mmm, food. Food more than the people probably," she said. "No, of course, I'm kidding, but yes, definitely the food."
Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or email@example.com.
Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.


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North, Oliver Laurence
North, Oliver Laurence, 1943–, American military officer, b. San Antonio, Tex. Raised in Philmont, N.Y., he entered the U.S. Marines, graduated from Annapolis (1968), served in the Vietnam War, and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1981 he was assigned to the National Security Council, and in 1983 he became the liaison to the Nicaraguan contras. In Nov., 1986, North emerged as the central figure in the Iran-contra affair . He was fired by President Reagan later that month. Under a grant of immunity he testified before Congress in July, 1987. He was convicted (1989) on criminal charges arising from the affair, but his conviction was later reversed on the grounds that immunized testimony had been used at his trial. In 1994, North was the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Virginia, but he lost the election. Since 1995 he has hosted radio and television programs. North has written Mission Compromised (2002), a semiautobiographical novel of Washington intrigue.
See his autobiography, Under Fire (1991).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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LA Dodgers reach $36 million deal with Ryu
The Los Angeles Dodgers say they're looking forward to watching Ryu Hyun-jin pitch for them after signing the top South Korean left-hander to a six-year deal worth a reported $36 million.
"We are excited to welcome Ryu Hyun-jin to Los Angeles and the United States, continuing the tradition of Korean pitchers with the Dodger organization," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement.
"The Dodgers continue to show the commitment to signing players from Asia and other international areas where baseball is played at the highest levels. We are looking forward to watching Ryu pitch for the franchise."
The Dodgers confirmed they had inked Ryu to a six-year deal, although their statement did not mention the $36 million worth of the contract reported by mlb.com.
The Ryu deal beat the afternoon deadline to end the 30-day exclusive negotiating window that the Dodgers had won by posting a fee of $25.7 million, which will now go to Ryu's Korean team, the Hanwha Eagles.
That was reportedly the third-largest posting fee for such negotiating rights, following Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish's, worth $51.7 million, and his compatriot Daisuke Matsuzaka's, worth $51.1 million.
The Boston Red Sox eventually gave Matsuzaka a six-year, $52 million contract. The Texas Rangers inked Darvish to a six-year, $60 million contract.
Ryu has spent his entire seven-year professional career in Korea, compiling a 98-52 record with a 2.80 earned run average.
He also helped South Korea to a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by going 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA in two starts.
Ryu was the first player to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season in Korea, when he went 18-6.
He averaged 15 wins a season until this year, when the Eagles finished last and he had only nine wins, along with a 2.66 ERA.
Word that the Dodgers had reached agreement with Ryu came amid reports that they were close to reaching terms with prized free agent pitcher Zack Greinke.
USA Today reported that Greinke and the Dodgers had agreed on a six-year, $147 million deal, subject to Greinke passing a physical exam.
If that deal goes through, Ryu would potentially be joining a starting pitching rotation that includes two Cy Young Award-winners in Clayton Kershaw and Greinke, along with top hurlers Chad Billingsley and Josh Becket.
When he makes his Dodgers debut, Ryu will become the 14th South Korean to play in Major League Baseball and the fourth to play for the Dodgers after Choi Hee-Seop, Seo Jae and Park Chan Ho.
Park became the first Korean to play in the Majors when he made his debut in 1994.
"Congratulations to the Dodgers and Ryu on this great signing," Park said in a statement released by the club. "I'm excited to see him carry on the tradition of great international pitchers in Dodger blue and have Ryu represent Korean baseball in the United States."


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Dave writes "SBackup is a simple backup solution intended for desktop use. It can backup any subset of files and directories. Exclusions can be defined by regular expressions. A maximum individual file size limit can be defined. Backups may be saved to any local and remote directories that are supported by gnome-vfs. There is a Gnome GUI interface for configuration and restore.
March 22, 2007
Click Here!
Backup and Restore Ubuntu System using Sbackup
- Print This
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Tonner Doll
Tonner Dolls and Tonner Character Figures™ are designed for the adult collector who appreciates extraordinary quality and attention to detail. Inspired by the world of high fashion, Tonner Fashion Doll themes include fantasy, vintage sophistication and cutting-edge contemporary, each expressed in the exquisite clothing and accessories accompanying each doll. Tonner Character Figures™ come from a wide range of themes from film, television and popular culture.


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Plant recruitment agency listing
Plant drivers usually work on large construction sites that require people to drive diggers, goods vehicles, forklifts and any other type of vehicle required to successfully complete a major construction project.
Plant driver qualifications
Most drivers find employment as a plant driver in the construction agency after having attained nationally recognised qualifications in their chosen driving discipline. In many cases, candidates need a regular driving licence, and they can then take practical courses in order to attain NVQs in the driving of very specific types of vehicle. Many employers and recruitment agencies will want to see proof of a CITB certification before considering an application for employment.
In many cases, drivers need to be highly mobile, as they will be expected to travel to sites across the UK. Applicants will also often require a working knowledge of current health and safety legislation - particularly if they are responsible for the supervision of other drivers.
Job prospects and salaries
Plant drivers usually work for national construction firms, specialist contractors that work for construction firms or on a self-employed basis. Plant driving staff with specialist qualifications are usually in high demand and an entry-level plant driver can expect to receive a salary of between £18,000 and £30,000 per year.
Press "Search Agencies" when your new query is ready.


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Will the Lawsuit Over Oil Contamination in Ecuador Ever End?
By Kate Sheppard, Mother Jones
19 January 2012
In the past few weeks, there have been several developments in the ongoing lawsuit that Ecuadorian communities have filed against Chevron for polluting the Amazon. On Jan. 4, an appeals panel in the country sided with the communities and upheld the $18 billion judgment previously leveled against the oil giant. But the case is probably still far from over, as the plaintiffs will now need to find a way to actually enforce that decision.
This case started back in 2003, though the legal challenges date back to 1992. That's when the plaintiffs in the case—a group of indigenous Ecuadorians—first brought forward their complaint that the oil company Texaco had dumped 16 billion gallons of heavily polluted waste water into the Amazon over the previous three decades. Chevron acquired Texaco in 2001, which is why the company is now the subject of the complaint, and claims that its subsidiary "fully remediated its share of environmental impacts" before 1992.
The case has dragged on for years now, with all kinds of drama. That's included alleging that the plaintiff's aren't real, and then accusing the same not-real plaintiffs of racketeering in a US court under anti-organized-crime laws. The plaintiffs have dug up evidence of espionage and "dirty tricks" on Chevron's part. Last February, a court in Lago Agrio, Ecuador ordered Chevron to pay $18 billion in damages. And on Jan. 3, an appellate court upheld that ruling. There will still be a drawn-out legal battle over the money, however, as Chevron no longer has assets in Ecuador. The plaintiffs will have to take their case to another country where Chevron does have assets and get a court there to enforce the ruling.
Meanwhile, both sides are still raising complaints about malfeasance. Among the documents turned over by Chevron in one of the many cases, the plaintiffs' lawyers unearthed one (Exhibit F) that they believe shows that Chevron was gaming the soil testing that the company used in court to show that it had already cleaned up site. An internal document outlining Chevron's testing protocol notes that sampling points should be selected "to emphasize clean points around pits when possible." Another part of the document explicitly directs that soil samples from the perimeter of oil production stations that have already "shown to be clean" in a pre-inspection visit to the site. This document differs from what the one the company used in court to detail their testing procedures (Exhibit H). The plaintiffs publicly called on some of the experts involved in the sampling to recant.
In response to that most recent allegation, Chevron's lawyers accused the plaintiffs of "intimidating and threatening" their witnesses and called the claim "false and misleading" in a letter to the plaintiffs' legal team.
What's clear is that this case probably isn't going to wrap up anytime soon, despite the most recent ruling. Chevron maintains that the "politicization and corruption of Ecuador's judiciary" should render the decision null. (Even though it was Chevron that sought to move the case there in the first place.) Instead, the company wants the courts to go after the plaintiffs. "Chevron does not believe that the Ecuador ruling is enforceable in any court that observes the rule of law," said Justin Higgs, a Chevron spokesman. "The company will continue to seek to hold accountable the perpetrators of this fraud."
But the plaintiffs say Chevron is just trying to deflect blame. "They're trying to paint the Ecuadorians and anyone associated with Ecuadorians as corrupt," said Karen Hinton, the spokeswoman for the plaintiffs. "In their minds that was the only way they'd get out of this."


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Bush, 83, had aortic valve replacement surgery March 4 after experiencing shortness of breath and being diagnosed with a hardened valve. Williams, 57, announced March 5 that he would postpone his 80-city "Weapons of Self-Destruction" tour for the same surgery after having similar symptoms and a faulty-heart valve diagnosis.
Aortic valve replacement, already a common cardiac procedure, is likely to become more frequent as the population ages. More than 140,000 Americans had heart valve procedures such as replacements in 2008, according to the Millennium Research Group, a Toronto-based company that collects data on healthcare products.
The aortic valve, a delicate gate that lets blood out but not back in, tends to wear out with age and can develop leaks or become too tight for the necessary volume of blood to pass through.
The valve can also cause problems in younger people born with an imperfect structure. A worn-out valve forces the heart to work harder and can ultimately cause heart failure.
A new valve -- made of metal and plastic or animal tissue -- can help keep the heart in shape, but some patients are too frail to have open-heart surgery. For those, new technology that doesn't require a surgeon to open up the chest can be a lifesaver.
"The aortic valve is the gatekeeper," says Dr. Eugene Grossi, a cardiac surgeon at the New York University School of Medicine. This 1-inch doorway has three inward-facing petals; they are "gossamery," like chiffon, Grossi says.
The valve acts as a one-way swinging door: Blood leaving the heart pushes the petals apart, but when they swing shut again, they prevent blood from washing back in.
There are three other valves that regulate flow in the heart, but the aortic valve, at the base of the left ventricle, is most likely to fail.
Over time, calcium deposits build up on the valve and can cause it to harden. This can cause a narrowing, or stenosis, of the doorway. Or the petals may become stuck partway open and leak -- what doctors call a regurgitating valve. The blood is pumped out but flows back in again when the muscle relaxes.
Either condition stresses the heart, which struggles to maintain blood pressure. This causes shortness of breath (beyond that caused by strenuous exercise), fatigue and chest pain. A person with a damaged valve may also experience fainting spells and swollen ankles or feet. These symptoms, which may also indicate other kinds of heart or lung problems, require prompt medical attention.
Should a faulty aortic valve be the problem, "if you don't have it treated, there's a 50% chance you won't live half a year," Grossi says.
Valve problems are not limited to the elderly. Some people are born with only two petals, instead of three. This congenital defect affects 13.7 in 1,000 people, according to the American Heart Assn. Children with a two-flap (known technically as a bicuspid) valve may be perfectly healthy but will require treatment as adults if the channel narrows. Women with bicuspid aortic valves should seek medical advice before becoming pregnant, if possible, because pregnancy will require added effort from the heart.
In addition, some infections, such as rheumatic fever, can damage valves.
Diagnosis is fairly straightforward. A doctor can hear a heart murmur with a stethoscope and confirm the problem with an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. There is no medicine that can protect or mend a damaged valve, so surgery is a common treatment.
"It's a mechanical disease and it needs a mechanical solution," says Dr. Raj Makkar, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Doctors can occasionally repair a leaky valve, but replacements are more common. Surgeons have been swapping out heart valves since 1960, although the technology has improved since then. The standard technique is to spread apart the breastbone and hook the patient to a heart-lung machine while excising the old valve and inserting the new. Nowadays, some surgeons can do the same thing with smaller incisions, improving patient comfort and recovery time.
There are two basic choices for a new valve: mechanical and biological. Biological valves are crafted from animal tissue or material from human cadavers. They can last for a decade or more, but may calcify and wear out eventually. Mechanical valves, made of metal and plastic, last indefinitely. However, they can cause blood clots, so a person with a mechanical valve has to take blood thinners, which carry their own risks.
Choosing between the two is a very hard decision to make, says Dr. Andrew Hurwitz, a cardiovascular surgeon at Glendale Memorial Hospital. Younger patients often opt for the mechanical valve because a biological one might need to be replaced when they get older and are less able to bounce back from surgery. In elderly patients, the biological valve is likely to last the rest of their lifetime.
Unfortunately, many people in need of a new valve are too elderly or sick to go under the knife. The risk of serious complications or death goes up with age, and patients with valve trouble often have other heart problems as well.
"At the current time, almost half of the patients with aortic stenosis don't get treated," Makkar says.
Makkar and Cedars-Sinai are participating in trials of a technique that is less risky for older patients. Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine manufactures a collapsible valve. Surgeons can thread this valve, scrunched down to pencil-width, through the femoral artery in the leg up to the heart. Then they use a balloon to inflate the valve, and the hardened tissue of the old valve holds it tightly in place.
The new valves, first used in 2002, have been approved for use in Europe, and more than 2,000 patients worldwide have received them. The valves are used only in the sickest patients, those who have a greater than 1 in 10 chance of dying within a month of open-heart surgery. They might be available in the U.S. around 2011, says Larry Wood, Edwards vice president for transcatheter valve replacement.
Edwards' collapsible valves are only appropriate for stenosis, not a leaky valve, because they require the calcified tissue of a stenotic valve to hold them in place. Although Wood ultimately expects the valves to be offered to lower-risk patients, he notes that there are not yet scientific data to justify widespread use.
"Surgery remains the gold standard," he says. "You're much better going with surgery that we have 50 years of experience with."


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Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
1 Online
Is in need of some good ol' DS lovin. She is such a wonderful well liked awesome caring person, and she is having a really tough time right now. Can you all give her your hugs, messages, and support? Thanks in advance!
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Ancient Order of United Workmen. Deerfield Valley Lodge No. 150 Records
The Ancient Order of United Workmen, a fraternal benefit society, was originally founded in Pennsylvania in 1868. The Massachusetts lodge was founded in 1879 with the Deerfield Valley Lodge incorporated in 1880.
The collection consists of records dating from 1895–1920, including financial documents, membership information, and correspondence.
- Subjects
- Fraternal Aid Association
- Fraternal organizations--Massachusetts
- Shelburne Falls (Mass.)--History
- Contributors
- Ancient Order of United Workmen. Deerfield Valley Lodge No. 150
- Types of material
- Letters (Correspondence)
- Receipts (Financial records)


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March 15, 2008
A three hour rain delay was worth the wait for the Bisons, who shut-out Jacksonville, the first place team in the Atlantic Sun 10-0 on Saturday.
Right-hander Brandon McClurg was called upon to receive his first start of the season, and he did not disappoint the Lipscomb fans in attendance who came out and braved the rainy weather.
The Bisons wasted no time getting on the board, scoring a run on an RBI fielder's choice by Blake Bratcher in the first.
The Bisons increased their lead to 4-0 in the second, on an RBI single by Branden Cadavid and an RBI double by Jorge Gutierrez, who later in the inning came around to score on a throwing error by the Dolphin's third baseman, Dan Maier.
In the third inning, the Bisons didn't lose any momentum, plating another run on Cadavid's second RBI hit of the day, a double to center field.
The Bisons added to their lead in the fifth, scoring a run on an RBI single by Ryan Wilkins, and another on a sacrifice fly by Cadavid.
The scoring did not stop there however, as the Bisons added another on an infield single by Ben Williams in the seventh, and two more in the eighth, one on an RBI single by Shane Simpkins, and another scoring on another throwing error by Maier.
Meanwhile, McClurg was masterful, giving up just three hits in seven innings of work while striking out nine. Left-hander, Paul Piennette tossed the final two innings for the Bisons, giving up just three hits as well, and keeping the shut-out intact.
McClurg received the win to improve his record to 2-0. So far this season, McClurg has an ERA of 2.00, and opponents are batting just .224 against him.
The Bisons out-hit the Dolphins 11-6. Four Lipscomb hitters recorded two hits in the game, including Justin Sanders, Gutierrez, Williams, and Cadavid. Cadavid also added three RBIs
With the win, the Bisons evened out their record at 7-7, while improving to 5-3 in the conference. The series will conclude with a 1 p.m. start tomorrow, Sunday, March 16. Left-hander, Mike Dunn is scheduled to take the mound for the Bisons. On the season, Dunn is 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA. He will be opposed by Dolphin's left-hander, Matt Dobbins. So far this season, Dobbins has posted a record of 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Opponents are batting just .243 against him.


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"Praying in Rome" by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan isn't quite "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Conclave," but it's not that far off. The short e-book by New York's Archbishop is exactly like one of his talks: candid, funny and deceptively easy on the brain — with a wallop at the end.
At only 50 some pages, it's a quick read. More like a long magazine article or a really well-transcribed lecture than a book, it delivers exactly what it promises (reflections on the conclave and on electing Pope Francis), no more and no less. It's not an exposé or a detailed explanation of how a conclave works or what went on at the last one, which in any case is supposed to stay secret forever.
Instead, it's full of the kind of homey, sometimes self-deprecating observations that have made Cardinal Dolan seem like everyone's favorite parish priest: The cardinal likes to underline important passages in books and so almost every sentence in his copies of Pope Benedict's books are underlined; the chairs in the Synod Room at the Paul VI Audience Hall are so small that the less-than-svelte prelate says it "must be one of the most uncomfortable places on the face of the earth."
Cardinal Dolan also has a storyteller's eye for just the right detail to make a scene or situation come alive for the reader. Next to the stove in the Sistine Chapel, he says, was a pile of boxes marked fumo nero (black smoke) but only one marked fumo bianco (white smoke) because one box of white smoke is all the cardinals would ever need.
But Cardinal Dolan's breezy, chatty style can make it easy to miss the profundity of what he has to say. His reflections on the past two popes are short but powerful:
"Every pope does something daring and new," he says. Blessed Pope John Paul II traveled the world to show that the pontiff is part of it and returned priesthood's focus to its early roots in discipleship by inviting young men to follow him. Pope Benedict reminded us that faith and reason are inseparable (he includes a pithy, Powerpoint-style list of five essential messages from the Bishop of Rome Emeritus' writings that every Catholic should memorize). And already, in his estimation, Pope Francis is illuminating the "Deposit of the Faith" in a new way: "returning to the Acts of the Apostles" and the style of Sts. Peter and Paul.
"Both are men of utter simplicity, men who eschew pomp and circumstance for service," he says. "It's a return of the very model of the Church to the shores of the Sea of Galilee."
Personal anecdotes drive home the message: American-style, Cardinal Dolan introduces himself to everyone he meets while many of the European cardinals are more reserved, but the senior and much-admired Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio whispered a quick introduction during a lull in one of the general congregations (meeting times) before the conclave. Hearing that throngs of people are standing in the rain in St. Peter's Square to see the new pope, the new Holy Father postpones introductions inside to speak to them.
At the installation Mass, the eminent Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn could not stop weeping during the new pope's homily, saying, "Listen to him, listen to him," over and over.
What the cardinals were looking for, Cardinal Dolan says, was holiness. He sees it in Pope Francis, and he explains it in terms of the pope's Jesuit training: "[St. Ignatius] taught that, if you trust the Holy Spirit, and if you put a lot of thought, time, and prayer into making a decision, once you make it — tough as it is — you'll sense some interior serenity and peace."
He interprets both former Pope Benedict's decision to retire and Pope Francis's calm acceptance of the papacy to that inner calm.
But calm doesn't mean the absence of change, and Cardinal Dolan ends by saying Pope Francis will require change — not changes in Catholic doctrine, but change in us, in our hearts and in our souls.
That's the wallop at the end of the chatty homily. A funny thing happened on the way to the conclave, and it's that the Holy Spirit had already set out a new path for the Church to follow, one that Francis's papacy is only beginning to reveal. It's a harder path, but it's an exciting one.
In Cardinal Dolan's words, it's "the most radical change of all."
Gail Finke is senior editor of "The Catholic Beat" in Cincinnati.
Copyright © 1996-2018 Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.


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Prepping for college
Plan ways to save money before moving to a dorm
While the benefit of a good education can't be overlooked, sending a student to college these days has become increasingly expensive. When prepping a new student for dorm and college life, make financially sound decisions to bolster savings. With parents and college freshmen proactively managing expenses, you'll maximize savings. Here are five saving tips while preparing for freshman year.
1. Be smart about textbook purchases.
Renting textbooks saves money, but be sure to consider purchasing if the textbook is for a major course. It can be useful to have core textbooks down the road. Big-name rental companies aren't always the best option. Keep comparing until you find the lowest price.
2. Choose a suitable meal plan.
Many schools have multiple meal plan options, from a 7-, 10- and 14-meals-per-week to an unlimited number. Don't overpay for a plan if you have a picky eater or a student with food allergies who will prepare many meals in his or her dorm room.
Conversely, it also isn't price-efficient to buy a cheaper meal plan for your student if he or she eats frequent, smaller meals. If you choose a 10-meals-per-week plan and your student goes broke ordering pizza and going to a campus shop for overpriced convenience food, you can lose major money. Saving money with a meal plan is multi-dimensional and unique to each student.
3. Split expenses with the roommate.
For large dorm items like TVs and fridges, you may think you'll save money by deal-hunting and buying all of them upfront. However, it could hurt you in the long run. Roommates can split the costs of these items. For example, one roommate can bring or buy a TV; the other one can provide the fridge. They can split the cost of cable TV service. Your student should discuss these options with his or her assigned roommate.
4. Do one-stop supply shopping.
Getting dorm supplies and furnishings at one store or through an online retailer can save gas, time and money. Large discount stores such as your local Wal-Mart, Sears or K-Mart may have everything you need. Or you can use an online dorm specialty store. At DormCo.com, you can buy college supplies — from bedding and storage options, to trunks and seating — and the company offers a flat-rate $2.95 shipping on your entire order. (Yes, you can ship a bedding package and a trunk from DormCo.com for just $2.95.) Ordering everything online can be cost-effective and convenient.
5. Teach students how to save.
Students can take on an inexpensive monthly bill to learn budgeting (e.g. cell phone and/or iPad data fee), or you can allot them a certain budget that they have to stick to. Parents find that it's really up to the student — once he or she is at school — when it comes to running up unnecessary, discretionary expenses. So be clear about the budget and involve your student in a family effort to save money.


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DUDLEY Kingswinford's head coach Shaun Perry has praised the squad players that stepped up during last weekend's defeat to Caldy.
Perry, who only has a small group to work with after losing a number of players in the summer, is determined to take as many positives as he can from what has been a winless season.
He praised the effort of the players that stepped in to perform admirably in Saturday's 66-15 away defeat.
"There was a massive positive to take from the game. The big thing was how squad players came forward and did well at that level," he said.
"I only took 18 players to Cadly, so it was nice to know that people who have not had much game time are capable and willing to step up the way they did."
DK visited the Wirral showing further changes in their ranks. Rhodri Williams came in at fullback to replace Ben Brown, who has temporarily left the club to go travelling in Australia, and Josh Morrisey was drafted into the front row.
The large score in favour of the home side was not a true reflection of the game asDK enjoyed equal amounts of territory and possession. The difference being the quality of the powerful finishing of the Caldy 15.
In the first five minutes, DK exerted good pressure and, following a penalty for crossing, Gareth Bown found touch deep in the Caldy 22.
A good lineout was secured and the maul was driven forward only for the ball to be knocked on just short of the Caldy line. The home side defended their line well and in the sixth minute were awarded a penalty, which they took quickly and brushed aside some poor DK tackling.
Undeterred DK came storming back and in the ninth minute were awarded a penalty for Caldy being off side at a maul. Gareth Bown successfully converted once more.
From the restart it was the home team who pressurised the Dudley defence and within two minutes centre Gavin Roberts crossed for a well deserved try.
Play continued to ebb and flow and DK were unlucky not to add to their score when Gareth Bown hit the upright with a penalty attempt.
There then followed an entertaining passage of play by both teams, but it was Caldy who once again showed their superior finishing qualities.
In the final eight minutes of the half Caldy managed to put daylight between the sides when fly half Richard Vassey, supporting well following a sweeping movement, crossed for a try which he duly converted.
Within six minutes of the second half the home team raced into a 38 - 10 lead with two quick tries.
Dudley responded with their second try following an excellent passage of play when Tony Jordan to score in the corner. The last ten minutes saw the home team cross for a further three tries.
After the game, Perry, who has applied for the vacant director of rugby role at the club, said: "We had some really good spells in the game and really stuck to our task despite giving away a couple of silly tries.
"We also scored two tried ourselves, out first since Harrogate. It has been a hard season but we want to keep building blocks for the future."


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- Ability to offset the docks from the edge of a screen
- Mouse activation (ObjectDock also supports hot spots). Mouse Activation allows docks to be totally hidden and then when the mouse hits the edge near where the dock is, the dock will pop on top.
- Docks can now reserve the edge of a screen so that windows cannot cover them.
- A ton of user-requested tweaks and changes to improve usability
Homepage: Stardock.com
Lizenztyp: Freeware/Shareware (19,95 US-Dollar)
Download: objectdock _freeware.exe (8,2 Mb)
2006-04-26T09:33:13+02:00Roland Quandt


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Yes its true Santa is coming. Not sure what to ask for, for Christmas? Have a loved one in your life that likes all things robot and toys but your eyes glaze over when they start talking about their hobby and you have no idea what to get them? Well we are here to help with this handy, dandy guide which I have cleverly named "The 2008 CollectionDX Holiday Buying Guide."
I asked each of our creative contributors for their top pick in three categories, cheap, middle of the road and expensive. Well when you ask a dozen people for their interpretation of "cheap", "moderate" and "expensive" you are bound to get all sorts of interpretations of that.
So I present in their own words our creative staffs picks of "good-things-to-buy-for-robot/Japanese/toy-fans."
Nekrodave is our resident Jumbo expert and all around Movie Monster fan. Dave writes some of the best reviews on our site and has a way of entertaining you even when you don't collect the type of piece he is reviewing. Dave has impeccable taste and if you ever have the chance to pick his brains about good movies to try he's also your man.
"2008 saw some big changes for me as a collector and those changes will be reflected in my picks for this years CollectionDX Holiday Buying Guide. Having given up on collecting modern robots, you'll not hear me championing any SOCs or similar toys. As impressive as they are, if I'm not buying them, how can I tell you to? Instead, I've got to be true to myself and recommend the things I still like.....Jumbos, kaiju and monsters. And even within that group, there wasn't a whole lot I bought this year."
"With that in mind, here are my picks for this holiday season. I'm breaking them up into three price ranges. $1-50, $50-$100, and $100+. Just like last year, I'll include 2 picks in each category, in case one is sold out or inappropriate for your gift recipient."
"My first pick in this price range only gets in because it's on sale for the holidays. The Destroy All Monsters Battlezone King Ghidorah normally retails for $69.99 but is currently available for $50. With a great shelf presence, a beautiful sculpt and light and sound features, this is a must have for kaiju fans."
"12" monster figures are back with a bang thanks to Amok Time Toys and their best offering so far is easily this figure of Rondo Hatton. Limited to only 500 pieces, yet still retailing for only $49.99, Rondo is a great value on top of being a fantastic tribute to this screen legend."
"50 years after the movie's release, 2008 was a big year for the Invasion of the Saucer-Men and this pre-painted resin statue knocked my socks off. 14" tall, limited to 300 pieces and only $80? Duh. No monster fan would be disappointed to find this under the tree."
"Ok, here I have to make a confession. I haven't actually bought this next piece myself yet and I'm not sure if I will. I'm still not confident enough in my model building skills to take a shot at it, but if there is a model fan in your life, the Moebius Models re-release of the Aurora Big Frankie is this year's big news. Much like the Unifive re-issues of the Jumbo Machinders, Big Frankie here is a faithful reproduction of a classic that has been tooled just differently enough to be distinct from the original. Also, parts are not interchangeable with the vintage piece which will help protect the integrity of the original kit. A glow version is also available, but is limited and will cost more."
"Amok Time makes the list again, this time for their absolutely superlative fixed posed statue of Vincent Price from the Pit and the Pendulum. With a light up cauldron, magnetic hands and a dead on portrayal of the character, this is sure to please."
"I really didn't get any other $100+ toys for the year so where does that leave us now? I know.. skip it. Give your favorite toy collector a gift card that they can put toward the upcoming Super7 Jumbo Stormtrooper in March! They'll thank you later... ;)"
Sanjeev is King of the Glow and our resident Kaiju fan. Sanjeev is a well rounded collector who dabbles in a bit of everything but eats, breaths and drinks all things GLOW. Want to know what little piece of glow-in-the-dark-vinyl is worth the outrageous price tag? Sanjeev is your man.
Short Change
"Okay, we talk about them a lot, but there's a reason for that. Glyos figures from Onell Design are amazingly fun...and for short change, they'll bring you WAY more play value than a GI Joe guy or deluxe Transformer at the same pricepoint. Now, with the Glyos Phase Arm and Gobon Blaster, you can mash up the parts and start to create even wilder combos!"
"Looking for a mid-priced toy for the collector on a budget? Well, if vinyl is your thing, one of THE hottest toy lines this year, hands down, has been Toygraph's Space Troopers. Don't believe me? Check out this thread on Skullbrain! On the aftermarket, these guys can range anywhere from $40-80...and they're totally worth it. They have that simple 50's-style cold war alien look, like in Mars Attacks. They usually feature glow and/or translucent bits and cool weapon options. Pure fun!"
Ow,my economy!
"For the "ow, my economy!" category, I pick Yamato's GN-U Hagane Danguard Ace.
"I'm a famous opponent of modern gokin because they tend to be designed by people more concerned with cartoon-accurate looks and gimmickery, than with creating a fun toy. But lightning strikes twice at Yamato with their GN-U Hagane line! The first robot in this line was Groizer X...and *that* robot showed the potential of this line. It has the perfect balance of "toy" and "adult collectible": few accessories to worry about and a solid/rugged design in both modes, but super-articulated and looking like it just stepped off the small screen.
"I expect Danguard Ace--a far more beloved design, at least here, in the States--to be just as technically amazing and even more popular."
JoshB is our Chief Creative Muckity Muck (translation: creator of all things CDX and Chogokin expert) and has a fairly unhealthy obsession with all things Raideen and Dairugger. He knows toys and his picks will never steer you wrong!
Low End
"For the low (er) end of the toy spectrum you have Hasbro's Transformers Animated toy line. The designers at Hasbro have managed to successfully bring Transformers into the modern era with sleek, hip designs that are easy to transform and look good in both modes. Toys range from the sub-$10 price point of activators to the $40 deluxe versions."
Runner up: Yamato's GN-U Dou line of super robot figures
Middle of the Road
"For the middle of the road (which in toy collector terms is stupid expensive anyway), I'm gonna go with the SOC Godmars. Big, chunky, fun transformation. Loads of metal, but under the $200 mark. The character may be obscure to most in the US buy you cannot deny that this is one modern gokin toy that feels "worth it"
Runner –up: Hasbro's Millennium Falcon
High End
"For the "I have more money than I know what to do with" crowd, why not treat yourself to a Nikko R2-D2 Home theater projector. At about $3,000 USD you can pretend you have your very own astromech droid that projects your favorite movie anywhere in the house. Bonus points for the included millennium falcon remote control. Just watch the video."
Runner-Up: Sideshow's life-size R2 and C-3PO
REX-203 aka Robby Musso. Robby doesn't normally write for the site and though you may not immediately recognize his name you DO know his work and look at it every time you come to the site. Robby does all those nifty banners you see at the top of the page, but wait that's not all. Robby is a professional artist having worked on IDW's newer Transformer comic books and most recently their Speed Racer miniseries. He is a self-proclaimed Transformers fan and all-around robot nut, Robby's a good guy who does know a good looking robot when he sees it. So in his own words, it's Robby's picks.
High End
"I had a little trouble trying to decide on my Big Holy Mother load pick, because I haven't really gone all out on anything big and new this year, but if I had to pick one big one I absolutely do not regret spending on, it's gotta be the Great Impact Gurren Lagann. It may not be the heaviest chunk of gokin out this year, but it certainly ranks among the most beautiful."
Mid Range
"For a middle ground pick, I have to go with the Fans Project City Commander Trailer/Armor set for Classics Ultra Magnus. For around 80 bucks, it is a piece that no Transformers fan or TF Classics collector should be without. This is one piece lives up to, and goes beyond, all the hype it has received."
Low End
"Now for the entry level selection, I had a really tough time deciding. There are so many great toys available at retail today, it's *almost* as good as 1984. From the new TF Universe toys, the GI Joe Anniversary line of newly sculpted figures and reissued classic vehicles, and Star Wars toys still going strong, to the latest amazing offerings from Lego (I especially love the Tiny Turbos, which only cost $5). So this category was the toughest for me."
"Getting to the point... Ultimately, the lifelong TransFan in me cannot resist voting for Transformers Universe Deluxe Class. For only $7.76 from Walmart, it's the best toy deal out there, especially to get all these awesome updates to old favorite characters."
"So that sums up my selections. I hope everyone has a wonderful winter season!
Peace to all,
- Robby"
Destroy All Podcasts DX is the world famous Podcast about anime. While I may not always agree with their take on what makes or breaks a great anime both Andrew and Jeremy have excellent taste when it comes to mecha and robots and they ponied up to the table with some great picks. You would be foolish to ignore their advice.
Cheap Purchase Kotobukiya Mechanical Chain Base
"Sometimes it isn't about the toys themselves, but the presentation. For about ten dollars you can spruce up those dingy shelves the same generic mecha-hangar backdrops as seen in your favorite anime. These things are really fun to mess around with and come with lots of little extras like gantry ways, high tech crates, and little articulated cranes. The perfect gift for the mecha fan who wants to give his troops a home."
Moderate purchase Hokuto no Ken Revolution Rei.
"After some disappointment with the previous Revoltech Rei that was neither a man nor a user of the deadly art of Nanto Suicho Ken, we finally have a great representation of everyone's favorite post-apocolyptic martial artist. Rei comes with loaded with Kaiyodo's patented Revoltech Joints which allows him to achieve all of his graceful poses from the Fist of the North Star anime. He even comes with a pre-sliced midgit henchmen."
Expensive purchase Yamato 1/60 Scale VF-1S Strike Valkyrie
"This is the definitive Valkyrie toy. It comes with the iconic Strike armor and all the little missile goodies from the 1984 movie! It's a gorgeous looking piece and is loaded with articulation. Get yours now and remember the love."
High Priced Bandai Chogokin DX VF-25F Messiah Alto Type
"I know this is not out yet, but it should be by Christmas and this is something I am dying for. It evokes the classic feel of the Takatoku Valkyrie with modern design sensibilities and a generous helping of diecast metal. With Bandai's reputation for quality workmanship, this should be a lot tougher than recent high end Macross items by Yamato."
Medium Priced Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The Gattai!! Movie
"This is both the original 80's Aim for the Top! Gunbuster OAV and its recent sequel, Aim for the Top 2! Diebuster, edited into two movies. Gunbuster is an 80's real robot classic, half loving parody, half ball breaking robot explosion of fun. Diebuster is its FLCL-inpired, wacky ass, but still exciting follow up. And I love compilation films and am low on time, so this is perfect for me. This just came out on Blue Ray, for you videophiles or people desperate for something to put in your PlayStation 3."
Low Priced Organic Hobby Megazone 23 Maneuver Slave Collection
"For about twenty bucks, you are getting a little robot that may not be super impressive compared to Bandai's HCM Pro line and don't even transform, but it is the only place you are going to get a toy of some of the more obscure robots from the Megazone 23 series like the Hargun, Space Hargun, and the sweet hovering GR-002A Military Garland. So until Yamato makes me a large scale fully transforming Hargun with truck to carry around its extra bits, by necessity make mine Maneuver Slave Collection."
EVA_Unit_4A is our resident Sentai Encyclopedia, Transformers fan and Lego aficionado. When the man says Zord number #57 is a good buy, he means it.
DX Soukou Sharin Go-Roader GT (JPY ¥5,800 / USD $64.01)
"The Engine Sentai Go-Onger are now looking for ways to expand their arsenal now that the Gaiarc Pollution Ministers have become more aggressive in defeating them and making the world into an alien paradise for themselves of filth and waste. To that end, the wise Jumbwhale and skilled warrior Go-On Gold devised a plan to build a robot that could fight side-by-side with both the Go-Onger and their larger Engine partners. After several trial-and-errors, the Go-Roader was perfected, and now leaves Banki monsters with large chunks missing and equally large tire treads on their faces."
"The Go-Roader serves as an assistant in battle, and thought it comes with a unique Token Soul, it can also accept any Engine Soul cartridge placed inside of the chest compartment. This gives it a good variety of sound-&-light effects as well whether in Wheel Mode or the humanoid Action Mode. While being able to change from Action Mode into Wheel Mode makes it resemble the earlier DX Tackle Boy mecha from "Chouriki Sentai OhRanger", the highlight for me was the truly-unparalleled level of articulation that this DX toy features which all before it in Super Sentai seemed to often lack. (Ahh- if only the hips could have twisted forward as well, alas... it would have been perfect). Don't let the price fool you- it's a good 12" mecha to own, and will become a highlight in Super Sentai history."
Leader-class Autobot Ultra Magnus (USD $44.99)
"Ultra Magnus has always been in the shadow of Optimus Prime in the 25 years since the franchise began; almost always being a repaint with white and blue coloring, and some slightly differing accessories from the traditional red, blue, and silver of Prime. And in each series, he was a sub-commander who either had conflicting or complimenting personalities to Prime. But now, Ultra Magnus is being shown in a new light in "Transformers Animated"- as the powerful leader of the Autobots, and commander of the Elite Guard military which successfully drove the Decepticons off of Cybertron millions of years ago."
"The Leader-class figure incorporates several sound-effects which contain the same voice of Commander Ultra Magnus from the series, and gives him a tall, well-built body of blue and white armor while brandishing a Viking-esque hammer which can summon thunder! And though he may be misplaced on the streets of Detroit, Michigan (let alone just on Earth), his vehicle form is equally powerful with eight large black tires and paired gun & missile turrets. While "Transformers Animated" is dedicated to all generations of Transformers, Ultra Magnus now becomes what many wanted him to be from the start- a strong leader."
Transforming Fury Megazord Set (USD $44.99)
"The offering of the Deluxe Drive-Max Megazord from Bandai America was an absolute disaster among the fans, and the subject of much ridicule & condescending attitude regarding the future of Power Rangers."
"But 2008 brought about a complete revolution in the quality of full-sized transformable Zords with the creation of the "Transforming..." line of sets. Though released individually in three separate sets- Transforming Jungle Pride Megazord, Transforming Roar-Max Megazord, & Transforming Battle Megazord- the Transforming Fury Megazord Set allows for an even cheaper offering ($44.99), but retains the full quality and interactiveness of the larger Deluxe-sized toys from Japan (almost-all of which, BTW, never appeared on English-speaking toy shelves...)"
"Compared to the Drive-Max Megazord, this Set is by far head and shoulders-above the disheveled mess from 2007- good materials, features, joints, and connectivity all make for a fantastic despite it's slightly smaller size and the loss of the electronic features from the Deluxe Jungle Pride Megazord."
"And though I am far from wanting to promote it (I hate it, as a matter of fact), there is a Transforming Rhino Steel Megazord, though it cannot interact with the other [4] "Transforming..." sets."
Atom is the resident…. Oh wait, that's me…. I am a more of a generalist but have indeed taken on the mantle of "Saint Seiya Fan Boy." I like my "collectibles" playable and there is no rhyme or reason as to what I'll like. From Macross to Voltron, Go Rangers to Kikaider, my taste runs the gambit.
Cheap Fun!
Hasbro's Mighty Muggs. Seriously stuff a stocking with one these holiday season. When they first showed up at Toyfair I thought what a ridiculous concept, but honestly the absurd cuteness of these things just grows on you. This is Hasbro doing the "designer vinyl " without the attitude. Grab one for that significant other. I would suggest the cuddly Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader or Indiana Jones's adorable Thuggy cult leader Mola Ram (with beating heart accessory!)
Middle of the Road
Ok, it's not a robot but it is very sharp looking and loaded with die cast. It's the God of Death, Thanatos from the Saint Cloth Myth line by Bandai. Even if the collector in your life has never seen or read Saint Seiya with his 12 inch wing span and at about $100 shipped, Thanatos is sure to be a welcome addition to any Chogokin collectors collection.
Wow, you want how much for that?
One of my favorite mecha of all time is the Cyclone (aka Mospeada Ride Armor), a motorcycle that transforms into mechanized robot suit. While there have been several versions (two this year alone) of the toy by different manufacturers none have been the be-all-end-all piece collectors have been hoping for. Well Beagle/Toynami are about to correct that. With it's cloth suit and what appears to be a 100% anime accurate transformation this could be the toy Robotech and Mospeada fans have been waiting for but at $200 for the Toynami US distributed version or the $275 Beagle Japanese distributed version, this Mospeada/Cyclone will definitely knock a dent in your wallet but could prove to be worth every penny.
So there you have it, a bunch of great picks in all sorts of price ranges to help you decide what to get that special someone or what to ask Santa for, for Christmas. If you do go see Santa to tell him what you want for Christmas just make sure he isn't a pretender sitting on a "Throne of Lies."
From all of us to all of yours we wish you the very best this holiday season.