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Sailing With Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger, who died Monday at the age of 94, was not just an iconic folksinger whose songs, including "If I Had a Hammer," ''Turn, Turn, Turn," and ''Where Have All the Flowers Gone," have for generations led a rallying cry against war, racism and injustice – he was a champion conservationist dedicated to protecting his beloved Hudson River and other waterways from sea to shining sea.
As a reporter I met Seeger and spend a memorable day sailing aboard the sloop Clearwater whose construction and mission he inspired, when the boat sailed into Mystic years ago.
It was a blustery, raw, overcast autumn morning when we boarded the 106-foot wooden vessel at Mystic Seaport Museum, and by the time we cleared Noank at the mouth of the Mystic River and headed out into Fishers Island Sound, rain pelted the deck.
Most of the crew and passengers scrambled below, but Seeger – or simply Pete, as he insisted everyone call him – donned a yellow slicker and remained at the helm. I joined him.
"Getting nasty," I said.
"But it's always good to be out on the water," he replied.
I pointed out local landmarks – Ram Island, Mouse Island, Fishers Island, Groton Long Point, Palmer Cove, Mumford Cove …
"What's that piece of land?" Pete asked, pointing to an expanse of beach and forest, resplendent in fall colors.
"Bluff Point," I said, and then rather immodestly described my own modest role in protecting the 800-acre peninsula, having served on a state-appointed committee that helped draft legislation to create the state's first and only coastal preserve. That impressed him, and he went on to talk about the Clearwater, built by volunteers in 1969 to serve as a floating classroom and to spread his message of environmental activism.
On that fall day the Clearwater also carried a huge load of pumpkins.
"We sell them whenever we pull into port to raise money for the movement," Pete explained.
By this time the squall had passed and a few passengers and crew members – mostly young volunteers – climbed back up on deck.
"Most of these kids work for nothing or for room and board," Pete said, shaking his head. Then he chuckled.
"When I think of all those union songs I've sung …"
At this point someone – I can't recall if it was a crew member or a passenger – decided to climb up the gaff-rigged Clearwater's 108-foot-tall topmast. About halfway up he had a change of heart and clung to a spar.
The boat pitched and yawed, but we couldn't come about or jibe without knocking the climber off with the boom. Soon we were "in irons," or blown backwards.
A handful of other crew members assembled below and began shouting instructions and encouragement to the wayward climber. Eventually he made it back down, a bit sheepishly, and the Clearwater's sails luffed in a steady breeze.
All too soon we were scudding back up the river.
Pete and I shook hands, and he thanked my for serving as his tour guide.
I thanked him for allowing me aboard, and for his passionate dedication to so many causes I embrace.
Bon voyage, Pete. The Clearwater, and your voice, sail on.
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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
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GENERAL INFORMATION ON YANAHURCOLocation: Yanahurco is located 100 km from Quito, behind the Cotopaxi National Park to the southeastern side of the Cotopaxi Volcano. It is approximately 3 and half hours away from Quito in a 4x4 car drive. Altitude: 3.550 to 4.200m above sea level or ranging from 11.000 ft. to 13.000 ftWeather: During the summer, from October to May, days are sunny with clear blue skies, sporadic rainfalls, and moderate winds. Temperatures vary from 5ºC to 18ºC or from 41ºF to 64ºF. In winter, from June to September, it is rainy and cloudy with fast winds. Temperatures vary from 0 to 10ºC or from 32ºF to 50ºF.Flora: A variety of trees, highland plants and typical flowers of the Ecuadorian Andes are found everywhere and abundantly around the waterfall many of which are considered living relics. Some areas within the hacienda have microclimates such as the Jatuncocha Lake located in the eastern section of the ranch.Fauna: A grand variety of species of birds such as the Andean hummingbirds, falcons, and Andean condor, hawks and eagles are found here. It is the ideal place for ornithologists and bird watchers. Mammals like Andean wolves, lions, deer, spectacled black bears, tapir, wild goats, rabbits, wild horses and wild bulls called Cimarrones are found on the hacienda. Museum: The ranch has a small interpretation center where you can admire samples of some of the most important wild animals and plants on the hacienda.Fishing: Only sport fishing allowed.Hunting: Forbidden.Horses: More than 80 tamed highland horses.Access: Restricted. Only for guests.Transportation: Vehicles 4x 4 equipped with radio communications, not included in the rates. Please contact us or your travel agency for costs.Accommodations: 12 double and triple cabins with full bath, fireplace or furnace, and the hacienda has 110 AC electric light.Meals: Typical Ecuadorian and international meals, bottled water for drinking or soft drinks, and bar service.What to bring: warm clothes, hat, scarf, gloves, sun protector, jacket, rubber boots, and sleeping bag only for lagoon tour. Bring along your photo or video camera.Communications: Private radio communication to Quito.Emergencies: The ranch has first-aid equipment, Note: In all tours and during your stay at the ranch, constant advice and information is given to the visitors. The ranch will not be responsible for personal accidents that may occur. You will be required to sign an insurance waiver.
Are you calling Mirna a cow??
Good Luck!Did you find anything out from the Deering Estate?
QuoteGood Luck!Did you find anything out from the Deering Estate?Well, team, we are on a roll! !!I have confirmation that CBS (interesting that it was listed as CBS not WRP) was filming on site at The Deering Estate from 0600 until about noon on November 20th!And also confirmed (for Slowhatch ) that cigarette boats are allowed into their boat basin with "special permission" and that indeed, they were used!And she was not entirely clear about the details but did believe that there were cars available for them as well!Such a GREAT day in RFF land! Awesome work, everybody!
Chateau-- Can you get us from the hacienda to the Atacama Desert? And maybe from Quito to there? I love having a map but Google Earth hates me....And I am about to make some phone calls--anything we want to ask for sure? (Hope the haciendda folks hablo English! )
Hmmmmm only 12 cabins at the Hacienda. 11 teams and Phil. Where do all the crews members, producers, TPTB, hanger oners, etc. stay? Seems like the only place could be back in Quito.
CAMPINGThe YANAHURCO Hacienda has assigned a special site for those who wish to go camping. This campsite will provide the group (minimum 5 persons) with all the comfort and security they need for a pleasant, quiet, comfortable and unforgettable stay. The hacienda is a private property carefully managed at all times. Thus, ensuring the privacy of its visitors. The campsite includes the following: a large hut (5x5m) with grill and space for barbecues and a half bathroom. Electricity services at night, from 18:00 to 23:00. For persons who have no camping equipment, the hacienda offers the ¨blue house¨ with three bedrooms with complete bathroom and hot water for 14 persons (minimum 10 persons).
Camping? hmm maybe we will see Phil pitch a tent
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Chennai: Playback singer Mamta Sharma, known for hit song "Munni Badnam", enjoys working with southern music composer Devi Sri Prasad and says he is accommodating and caring.
"Devi is full of energy and passion. He takes special interest in each of his singers and gives them the space they need. I never feel isolated working with him and most importantly he`s not demanding and very accommodating," Mamta said.
She teamed up with Devi in two Telugu films and has crooned two chartbusters - "Kevvu Keka" and "Sakku Bhai".
Would you like to work with him again?
"I`ll be more than happy to work with him again because of his immense passion for music," she added.
Meanwhile, Mamta has also recorded songs for upcoming Hindi movies 'Dabangg 2', 'Himmatwala' and 'Bullet Raja'.


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Mike Prasad necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 308 diseños de 72 diseñadores freelance.
MJP Photography
I'm a dedicated photographer who specializes in wedding photography exclusively. I'm dedicated to providing my clients an amazing wedding photography experience that is relaxed, unobtrusive, and gives them wedding photos that stirs them emotionally. I am very passionate about the entire wedding experience and want my clients to see all of their beauty on their wedding where they may have not realized it before.
view my current site at: http://www.mjpphotography.com
view my current blog site at: http://www.mjpphotography.com/blog
I am are targeting engaged couples between 25 - 40 who have a true passion for their partner and want me to capture that on their wedding day. They are professionals or entrepreneurs with an understanding of the value of great photography and in the time that it takes to create amazing images. My couples are relaxed, easy going, know how to have fun, stylish, beautiful couples that are in love.
I'm looking for a clean, crisp logo with a modern style, easy to read, font and colours that will appeal to the client who is researching on-line. It also should be something that will stand the test of time.
I want the logo to convey passion, but at the same time is warm and inviting to potential female clients - which are the primary demographic that is making first contact with me.
I love the colour red and want a colour that is deep, rich and prominent with the "Photography" colour in a nice accent colour.
The logo will be used on the main website, blog, slideshows and as a watermark for photos on the blog.
The logo will be used in print, web and for the creation of our marketing materials, letterhead, etc. so we would need it in all the appropriate formats for these files. The font should also be able to be recreated into a "stamp" for our albums/folios.
Please Do Not use the following:
- no symbols, graphics that represent photography such as cameras, straps, shutters etc.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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You can now nominate for The Excellence in Performing Arts. This award is given posthumously to any descendant of the Sauza family and of the Familia Sauza-Berenguer de Marquina who gave remarkable contribution in the progress of performing arts in his / her place or in another place.
Nominate On Line
When answering the Nominate On Line, the nomination should tell the story of what your nominee had done in the reference of the award you are nominating him / her for. Kindly give examples of how this excellent quality had been demonstrated. Kindly show your nominee has
* contributed in a distinctive way to improving the lot of those less able to help themselves;
* devoted himself / herself to sustained and selfless professional / voluntary service;
* shown innovation or creativity in delivering lasting results;
* described as vividly and precisely as possible the difference his / her contributions has made: How were things before they began? How are they now?;
* earned the respect of their peers and become a role model for others;
* produced, perhaps against the odds, sustained achievement that has required moral, courage, vision and the ability to make tough choices or determined application and hard work.
Your identity as the nominator is kept confidential by the 2014 Las Familias Unidas Secretariat and Committee on Awards.
The Sauza and Berenguer de Marquina ancestry of your nominee will be checked by our archives-in-charge for reference and for award qualification.


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This week I would like to discuss a little about ice storms and freezing rain. We are at that time of year where we are starting our transition into winter. As this transition starts to take place, we have our second severe weather season as well.
As we can see in the past few weeks, temps are on a roller coaster ride up and down. Sometimes, this roller coaster throws in a twist with freezing rain and ice. What happens is the rain falls from the clouds as it normally does but as it sometimes passes through a layer a below freezing temps near the surface, the rain starts to freeze before reaching the ground. This freezing rain causes many dangerous situations – downed power lines, accidents and many injuries.
When this freezing rain hits the ground, it instantly freezes into a layer of ice. This is a very dangerous weather condition, not only for walking but especially while driving. The freezing rain often causes black ice, which is a layer of ice that cannot be seen. It looks like the ground is just wet when in reality it is ice. By the time you notice it, it usually to late to slow down.
Black ice in mountain areas will cause many deaths each year. We do get that here as well. An example in 2005, when I was driving back from Iowa on Interstate 39 south of Rockford, there was freezing rain that turned to snow. The roads had not been treated yet, and the snow was covering the ice. I saw a van spin out of control at 60 mph and flip into the center of the interstate median. The driver and passenger had to be airlifted out of the area. They did survive, luckily. I also hit the ice at only 20 mph and was sliding as well.
When snow covers the ice, you cannot see the ice at all on the surface. If you noticed also when driving, most bridges you cross have signs warning drivers that bridges will ice before roadways. The reason is because the winds and air travel below the bridges, which freezes the top and bottom of the bridges at the same time which freezes the entire bridge a lot quicker than a regular roadway.
These conditions also cause power lines to collect ice. This is dangerous because transformers start to explode and power lines begin to sag and sometimes fall to the ground bringing into the dangers of electrocution as well as fire. Never walk by or around or over downed power lines as they may still be live wires. Live power wires can be fatal if you come in contact with them.
Also, I will talk about ice buildup on vehicles. Freezing rain will often coat a vehicle in ice. The reason is the materials that they are made from is so thin that it cools down a lot quicker than most things. Always keep the windows ice free. Stop periodically and clean them.
Ice and Freezing Rain Safety Tips:
1. Do not travel unless you absolutely have to.
2. Keep a blanket inside your vehicle in case you are stranded.
3. Keep ice off the windows as the ice will sometimes freeze the windshield wipers to the window, making them instantly ineffective
4. Stay away from all downed power lines.
5. Slow your driving speeds and leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles.
6. If you must stop, pull into a safe area away from roadways as other vehicles may lose control and crash into you.
7. Always stay with your vehicle. The reason for this is, if you try to walk for help and slip and hurt yourself, no one may be able to find you for hours or even days. This could be fatal.
8. If walking, slow down and walk very slowly as black ice can also form on sidewalks and driveways.
9. Keep driveways and sidewalks treated. This will also help protect others and keep them safe when walking.
10. Make sure you are always dressed warm enough if you must be outside.
A lot of people tend to wander outside in the conditions because it can be exciting. I strongly urge people not to do this. You are always safest inside your home.
The above photo is a great example of snow falling onto frozen roads. This photo was last year in Elburn. It started as freezing rain and turned to snow. The roads were untreated when I took this photo. You can see that theres no way you can see the ice under the snow.
For information, visit my website at www.stormchaser1.net


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Aug. 8, 2006
Lipscomb University softball coach Kristin Peck has announced the signing of Lauren Dortwegt from Downers Grove, Ill.
Dortwegt, 5-foot-5, lettered three seasons with the varsity softball team at Downers Grove North High School. She was an All-Conference team member in 2005 and 2006. She was also a Second Team All-State selection by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2005. In 2005 and 2006 she was named Most Valuable Player on her high school team.
She also has played on successful travel softball teams. In 1998 she was a member of the championship team in the NSA State Tournament. She played for the Chicago ASA Metro Championship team in 2004 in the 16-Under division. In 2004 in the 16-Under division her team finished ninth in the ASA Nationals Tournament.
Dortwegt also is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and was a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association 2006 All-State Band as an oboe player. She also plays English horn, saxophone and piano.
"I decided to attend Lipscomb University because I felt comfortable and welcome in such a friendly environment, and because I have been given an opportunity to continue playing softball while getting a good education."
She is the daughter of Karen and Robert Dortwegt. She plans to major in elementary education.


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Firefighters battling an out-of-control Colorado blaze significantly increased the number of structures destroyed or damaged to at least 118 on Monday as crews in New Mexico also ramped up efforts against a large out-of-control blaze.
Colorado officials increased the damage estimate by 100 structures after crews got a better estimate of blackened areas where subdivisions once stood. Firefighters said they couldn't immediately say how many of the damaged structures were homes and how many were sheds, barns or other buildings.
The fire was first reported Saturday and comes as authorities say they're competing for resources that have been diluted by several wildfires across the West. The U.S. Forest Service added four tankers, including two from Canada, to its firefighting fleet last week following the crash of a tanker that killed two pilots at a southern Utah wildfire.
Ten air tankers and 400 firefighters were at the northern Colorado fire burning nearly 60 square miles in a mountainous area about 15 miles west of Fort Collins.
"Resources are thin right now," said Nick Christensen of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. "We are trying to get more of everything at this point."
The wildfire west of Fort Collins has nearly doubled to 58 square miles, forcing hundreds of evacuations.
One person remains missing in the Colorado fire, which has spread smoke as far as central Nebraska, western Kansas and Texas.
In New Mexico, fire managers hoped to use a break in the weather to fight a 54-square-mile blaze near Ruidoso from the air. Winds grounded aircraft there Sunday. Residents in Ruidoso were told to prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen.
Hundreds of people have evacuated their homes and dozens of buildings have been destroyed as the fires spread rapidly, authorities said.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced late Sunday that she was ordering an additional 100 National Guard troops to assist with evacuations. They will be dispatched to shelters or highways where people have to be turned back, Ruidoso spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said.
Military helicopters were also deployed to drop water at both fires in addition to air tankers dropping slurry.
Dan Ware, a spokesman for the New Mexico State Forestry Division, said the number of Ruidoso evacuees was in the hundreds, but he didn't have an exact figure. The nearby community of Capitan and others also could face evacuation, said Karen Takai, a spokeswoman for the Ruidoso fire crews.
"Any communities around this fire have the potential of being evacuated," she said. "If I lived in Capitan, I definitely would be prepared. Don't wait until the sheriff's office comes knocking at your door and tells you to evacuate."
Both fires were dwarfed by a massive blaze in southwest New Mexico — the largest in the state's history — that has charred 435 square miles of wilderness forest since mid-May. But the smaller blazes were especially concerning because they were closer to more populated areas.
Elsewhere Monday, firefighters battled a wildfire that blackened 6 square miles in Wyoming's Guernsey State Park and forced the evacuation of hundreds of campers and visitors. Authorities are warning the 70 people who live in Hartville to be ready to leave in an hour's notice.
Evacuation notices were sent in Colorado to nearly 1,800 phone numbers, but it wasn't clear how many residents had to leave. Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith said there was an unconfirmed report of a person unaccounted for, but he wouldn't elaborate.
Authorities said it was the worst fire in Larimer County in about 25 years.
Elaine Mantle and her family got a call to evacuate their Bellvue home early Sunday, their first evacuation in the 25 years that they have lived in the mountains. It took about 30 minutes for them to get out and reach a spillover shelter in Loveland.
"We're all here, we're all OK. Our neighbors are all here. We feel good," Mantle said.
Kathie Walter and her husband helped friends several miles away evacuate from the Colorado fire on Saturday. When they got home, they were surprised to get a call warning them to be ready to evacuate.
Walter didn't want to wait.
"Smoke was coming in hard. We could not see flames or orange or black smoke. But we didn't need to see anymore. We just said 'Hey, let's get out of here,'" she said.
They left with their five cats and two dogs, getting a head start. After a wildfire in the area last year, they left two suitcases packed in their garage.
The fire is the latest to hit Colorado's drought-stricken Front Range. In May, a fire set by a camper's stove charred 12 square miles in the same Poudre Canyon area. In March, a fire sparked by a prescribed burn 25 miles southwest of Denver killed three people and damaged or destroyed more than two dozen homes.


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James Mont: Bad Boy of American Design
It's not often that you hear the words, "murderous," "scandalous" and "nefarious" thrown around in the refined world of interior design, but when it comes to charismatic mid-century designer James Mont, those are exactly the words that apply...
The Man -
James Mont was a man shroud in mystery, one whose life details were often sketchy, at best. Presumably, he was born Demetrios Pecintoglu in Istanbul in 1904. His father may have been a noteworthy painter in Turkey, and he himself may have studied art and architecture in France and Spain. By all accounts, he moved with his family to the United States in the early 1920's.
His entry in to the world of design came when he was working at a Brooklyn electrical supply shop, selling lamps he had designed himself. It was there, that his showmanship supposedly caught the attention of a local mafia capo named Frankie Yale. Yale commissioned him to refurnish his house and, before long, Mont became the preferred decorator of Mafiosi, counting Frank Costello and "Lucky" Luciano as clients and friends. James soon charmed his way into the lives of many show business figures, including Bob Hope (who would later become the best man at his wedding), Irving Berlin and Lana Turner (who would later herself become entangled with the mob).
Mont's shady business connections would prove to be much less scandalous than the damage his vicious temper would create, however. In 1937, he married twenty-five year old Korean-American actress Helen Kim. Twenty-nine days after they were married, Kim was found dead in their apartment. Though her death was ruled a suicide, it was always speculated that Mont's temper may have played a role in her demise.
In 1940, James was convicted of assault when he attacked lampshade designer Dorothy Burns at his apartment and put her in the hospital for two weeks. This time, he would pay the consequences of his actions: he was sentenced to 5-10 years in Sing Sing. Unfortunately, Ms. Burns was so humiliated by the attack that she hung herself before the trial was over.
His Designs -
It's amazing, given the scandalous nature of James Mont's life, that his designs would become so sought after and highly regarded. Even today, it's almost impossible to search for Deco, Regency and Mid Century furnishings without coming across the work of the man and his imitators. His bold, exotic, often Chinese-inspired pieces stand out in decadent relief against a field of restrained modernism.
Mont's early designs included home bars that could fold down to a mere six inches (and away from Prohibition-enforcing eyes) and tables and desks with secret (gun-toting) drawers, but it would the Chinese motifs and labor-intensive finishes that he developed later on that would really set his style apart...
First Row:
• Chinoiserie bar from the 1963 James Mont design of Ellis Orowitz's Miami penthouse.
• A pair of lacquered lamps designed to look like spinning tops, mounted on springs that create movement both up and down and side to side.
• An example of Mont's cerusing technique. The oak is first bleached, then sandblasted and rubbed with chalky pigments to create the appearance of silk moiré.
• A pair of 1950's side chairs in James' signature silver leaf and snowy velvet.
• A 3-piece Asian style screen made of red lacquer and smoked mirror - another favorite of Mont's.
Second Row:
• A pair of pagoda style lamps finished in silver leaf and adorned with ceramic figurines.
• Black lacquered occasional tables with contrasting cerused legs and a triangular shelf.
• A beautifully carved bamboo cabinet detailed in gold leaf. Chinese-inspired pieces like this one were being designed at the peak of America's fascination with pre-Communist China. Mont, who was born in Constantinople, claimed "I am an Oriental," and maintained that "the delicate touch of Oriental spice...is just as necessary in furniture design as it is in fine cooking."
• This pair of white lacquer end tables showcases the designer's affinity for the medium, applied and polished by hand, in fourteen separate coats.
• Mont was known for applying layers of color beneath his gold leaf and burnishing it until it was almost transparent. In the case of these two Chinoiserie dressers, crimson and black can be seen peeking through, creating a warm glow.
Third Row:
• Can't you just imagine mobsters lounging on this one?? A 1950's sofa of glam velvet, tufted, sculpted and generously proportioned.
• Mont moves into modern. These sculptural walnut frames echo some of his earlier upholstered styles, but the clean lines of this piece position it neatly in the mid-century cannon.
• Ever the lady's man: a pair of lady's and gentleman's chairs upholstered in vintage Chinese red mohair.
• A pickled wooden side table that converts into a set of library stairs. Similar to a piece designed for Broadway columnist Louis Sobol in the 1940's, except that Sobol's extended to 10' and this one maxes out at 52".
• Chinese design through a modernist's eye: a pair of 1950's table lamps in lacquered oak with parchment shades.
Perhaps in the end, Roger Pigent of Malmaison Antiques in New York said it best, "Such a dangerous man, but oh, what taste."
MORE JAMES MONT DESIGNS: Currently Available James Mont pieces on First Dibs
Images: 1st Dibs


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Last week we gave you a list of states that are going to great lengths to oppose Arizona's anti-immigrant legislation and ensure that immigration enforcement remains in the Federal domain. Today, unfortunately, we have very different news. While human rights advocates, musicians, sports people, police officers and media personalities continue to provide us with endless reasons why Arizona's harsh SB1070 bill needs to be repealed, lawmakers in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Colorado have already introduced similar bills in their state legislatures. Not to be left behind, similar legislation is being considered in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Idaho, Utah, Missouri, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and Colorado.
Encouraged by the passage of Arizona's immigration law, legislators and political candidates in these states are stating their frustration at the Federal government's inaction in tackling immigration as their reason for introducing bills that increase local immigration enforcement. Pennsylvania state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican who introduced legislation modeled on the Arizona law last week said that his bill would leave undocumented immigrants with two options, "leave immediately or go to jail." He said-
With the federal government currently AWOL in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities to protect American lives, property and jobs against the clear and present dangers of illegal-alien invaders, state lawmakers … are left with no choice but to take individual action to address this critical economic and national security epidemic.
In Minnesota the copycat legislation, drafted by state Rep. Steve Drazkowski and supported by five other state House Republicans, even has the same name as Arizona's SB1070- "The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act". According to the Minnesota Independent, this bill (HF3830)-
…would create a Minnesota Illegal Immigration Enforcement Team and require immigrants to carry an "alien registration" card. The bill uses the same "reasonable suspicion" protocol that has generated criticism against Arizona's law.
This bill has been introduced in spite of the fact that the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis (the areas in Minnesota with the largest concentration of immigrants) banned government travel to Arizona in protest of SB1070. Moreover, the police chiefs of both these cities have denounced the introduction of the bill in Minnesota, on the grounds that increased enforcement of immigration law by local police is detrimental to them carrying out their jobs of protecting the community-
As the police chiefs for Minnesota's two largest cities, we oppose HF3830, the Arizona-style legislation recently introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives that pushes local law enforcement officers to the front line on matters of immigration…We believe that mobilizing local police to serve as primary enforcers of federal immigration laws will throw up barriers of mistrust and cause a chilling effect in immigrant communities, impairing our ability to build partnerships and engage in problem-solving that improves the safety of all members of the community. The culture of fear that this bill will instill in immigrant communities will keep victims of crime and people with information about crime from coming forward, and that will endanger all residents.
It is frightening that state legislators are making their decisions in spite of repeated protests from mayors and police chiefs in Arizona and around the country. All we can do is take momentary solace in Attorney General Eric Holder's consideration of filing a Federal Government lawsuit against Arizona's Sb1070. Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" in Washington D.C. on Sunday, Holder said that he was worried that enforcement of the law would lead down a "slippery slope" where people would be stopped based on their ethnicity rather than a crime they have committed. He said that the Justice Department was "considering of our options," and could file the lawsuit either on the grounds that the Arizona law "pre-empted" Federal powers, or on the grounds that it violated Federal civil rights statutes.
According to a committee of human rights experts at the United Nations, the Arizona law not only violates Federal civil rights statutes, but possibly goes against international human rights treaties. Yesterday, a committee expressed serious concerns about the ways in which Arizona's new law affects minorities, indigenous people and immigrants, potentially subjecting them to discrimination by local authorities. Referring to the clauses in the law that makes it a crime to be in the state without documents, and allows police officers to stop and question a person based on "reasonable suspicion" that they are undocumented, as well as the clause that targets day laborers and makes it a crime for them to solicit work, the UN committee highlighted the probability of the law leading to people being profiled based on their "perceived" ethnic characteristics.
The panel, composed of experts in the field of migrant rights and racial discrimination, critiqued the "vague standards and sweeping" language of the law and raised doubts about the law's compatibility with International Human Rights treaties, which the United States is a part of. Further, they warned against the law as being allowing for a "dangerous pattern of legislative activity hostile to ethnic minorities."
The rapidly introduction of bills similar to SB1070 is testament to the fact that this "dangerous pattern" is well on its way. We must ensure that the Federal government and the White House take this as an urgent call to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Write a letter to President Obama telling him to denounce SB1070 and repair the broken immigration system now.
Photo courtesy of flickr.org/dreamactivistorg


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A little under eight years ago I had surgery on my left foot. At that point, I had fractured three times in three years. My podiatrist at the time, Dr. Russo, and I were under the impression that this would help to correct my gait (along with physical therapy, of course). If my gait could be corrected. the possibility of another fracture would decrease. He removed some joints but didn't remove the big joint in my big toe. I was only 29 at that time and we wanted to see if we could correct it, but keep that big joint. He removed three joints in my middle three toes and fused those bones together. While the healing took longer than anyone would have liked it to, the surgery seemed to to be a success.
I didn't fracture my foot again for five years. That seemed like a win to me.
In 2010, I fractured my third metatarsal. I was in a walking cast (the boot) for about four months. At the time, we were pretty sure the fracture happened because I was favoring my right knee. Now, I'm not sure if it was the right knee messing up my left foot, or my left foot messing up my right knee.
In 2011 I had a synovectomy and some other surgical stuff done to my right knee. About a week before that, I fractured my left foot again. At this point, I was using a cane for both my right knee and my left foot. My balance was shot and i was in enough pain to last me for a while. After the knee surgery, it took another three months for my foot to heal.
In August of 2012, I fractured my third metatarsal again. While I was in the boot, I somehow managed to fracture two other bones in my left foot (the middle and lateral cuneiforms). This type of fracture is relatively rare, and usually only happens when something has been done to a metatarsal. The fact that it happened while I was being treated for a metatarsal injury was the only typical thing about this break. When they did yet another MRI on the left foot, they found swelling in the bones (not the joints, the bones) and some smallish bone spurs. That's when they put a short leg cast on and I got to use crutches for two months. In the middle of winter. in Central New York. Everyone should try this at least once in their lifetime.
After the cast was removed, I was still in a lot of pain, so another MRI was ordered. They couldn't see anything new. Still with the bone spurs and additional swelling (now in my ankle as well). I was referred to a Lower Extremity Ortho. While I was waiting the few weeks to be seen by him, I found myself praying and asking for prayer for a resolution. A way to get rid of, at least, a little of the pain. I just want to be in the amount of pain I was in until last August. So that's what I got. A resolution.
I will be having another surgery. This time a Complex Forefoot Reconstruction. It's pretty much the same surgery I had done before, just more extensive. They will be removing more joints, including that big toe joint. They will be fusing more bones and shaving off some bone spurs. If other stuff is found while they are in there, they will try to fix that as well. They will be staying away from my ankle for now. If I'm still having trouble with that after this surgery, there is talk about ankle surgery, possible replacement. Again, I'm really young for this sort of thing, but if it needs to happen, it will.
When I had that first foot surgery, I said I would never have another foot surgery again. It hurt. Bad. Almost as bad as the jaw surgery I had when I was 16. I understand the necessity though. I haven't had a foot that allowed me to walk without pain for quite some time. I have an eight year old who needs my body to be working. So I'm diving in again. I have confidence in my doctor to do well with the surgery and any surprises that may pop up. I have confidence in myself, that I will be able to do what needs to be done in the healing process. I have the most confidence in my husband and son to help out with all the extra stuff at home for just a little while longer.
I don't yet know when the surgery will take place, but I'll keep everyone updated. Once again I ask for prayer and happy thoughts. Praying that this surgery will do what it's supposed to, so i can do what I feel I'm supposed to.
Looks like my garden reconstruction will have to be held off for just a little while longer...


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$1.9 million grant to help patients with mental illness receive primary care
Americans with severe and persistent mental illness are twice as likely as the general population to develop diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and morbid obesity. More than half are smokers, compared to just one quarter of the general population. Overall, the mentally ill die an average of 25 years earlier than the general population.
In an effort to address those bleak statistics, UMMS researchers will focus on getting patients with mental illness the primary care they need to improve their overall health status.
"Contributing factors such as lack of access to primary care, high rates of tobacco use, poor nutrition, homelessness or unstable housing, and limited options for physical activity are well known, but until now, there has been little exploration of systemic interventions that can make a difference for this very high risk group," said Marie Hobart, MD, chief medical officer for Community Healthlink, Inc. (CHL) and assistant professor of psychiatry. "Our proposal for primary and behavioral health care integration attempts to address this disparity."
Along with CHL staff psychiatrist Sarah Langenfeld, MD, also an assistant professor of psychiatry, Dr. Hobart is co-principal investigator of a $1.9 million, four-year grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designed to bridge the gap between primary and mental health care for individuals such as those served by CHL.
Since 1977, CHL, an affiliate of UMass Memorial Health Care and a practice and teaching site for UMass Medical School faculty, has been helping Central Massachusetts adults, children and families to recover from the effects of mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness.
The grant provides funding for The Family Health Center of Worcester to provide a primary care nurse practitioner to be housed at CHL, with immediate access to backup support from the primary care physician staff at the clinic, which is right across the street from CHL's Worcester facility. In addition, two nurse care managers at CHL will assess and coordinate patients' primary care needs, tracking and following their health care appointments, laboratory tests and treatments, and maintaining communication between the patient and primary care and mental health providers. The nurse care managers will also provide education and support, both individually and in groups, regarding nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation and stress management in collaboration with peer support workers and clinicians.
Whether the grant-funded intervention proves to be successful for the approximately 400 CHL patients who will be followed over a four-year period will be based on the improvement in specific health measures such as cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and blood pressure. "Our patients have the same health care needs as everyone, they just have different barriers and challenges to meeting them," Hobart explained. "Coordinating and providing primary care onsite will greatly increase the likelihood that our patients will receive sustained, continuous care."


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Thanks for the info Jeff, I'm personally excited about more glass sets, although I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Anyways, it looks like SirSteve's has some pics up confirming the first wave of Grievous, Obi, and the Clone.
How much do these cups run?
Well over at you know where, there are pics of the five packs - and they are exactly as I predicted - rehashes.
Ooops, sorry about that, you can delete the post if need be.
Page created in 0.065 seconds with 18 queries.


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SOURCE: Sparta Systems
October 30, 2012 09:11 ET
HAMILTON, NJ--(Marketwire - Oct 30, 2012) - Sparta Systems, Inc., the market leader in enterprise quality and compliance management solutions, today announced that Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD) has chosen TrackWise as its quality management system. PPD will use the software to centralize the management of its global quality and compliance processes, including audits and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs). PPD is a leading global contract research organization (CRO) providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services with offices in 46 countries.
In addition to its centralized administration, the Web-based Enterprise Quality Management System provides scalability to meet PPD's future growth needs. Many of PPD's pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients use TrackWise to manage their own quality management processes, offering PPD a high level of compatibility with its clients. TrackWise also easily integrates with PPD's existing systems to ensure continued flow of processes across the entire organization.
"The TrackWise software allows us to build upon our electronic quality management operations by further integrating and globalizing our quality-focused processes," said Neil McCullough, Ph.D., vice president of global quality and compliance at PPD. "Technology is playing a larger role in managing global quality operations, and this software will enable us to create customized solutions and increase efficiencies for our clients, saving them valuable time and money."
Sparta Systems has experience working with global CROs, and PPD will leverage Sparta Systems' best-of-breed technology to deliver centralized, consolidated quality management tracking, workflow management and regulatory reporting across the globe. PPD will use TrackWise for CAPA and audit management for Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
"The TrackWise solution was designed with the configurability to help diverse service organizations like PPD meet the expanding needs of their businesses," said Michael Jovanis, vice president, product management, Sparta Systems. "We are confident that with TrackWise, PPD will meet its needs for enterprise-level, global quality management and compliance."
About Sparta Systems
Sparta Systems' global quality management solutions enable high-value organizations to safely and efficiently deliver products and services to market. Its TrackWise® Enterprise Quality Management Software, a trusted standard among highly regulated industries, is used by quality, manufacturing and regulatory affairs professionals to manage compliance, reduce risk and improve safety across the global enterprise. Headquartered in Holmdel, N.J. and with locations across Europe and Asia, Sparta Systems maintains an extensive install base in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology, medical device, electronics manufacturing and consumer packaged goods markets. Read more about Sparta Systems and TrackWise software on the corporate website and blog: www.spartasystems.com / blog.spartasystems.com
Sparta Systems and TrackWise are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sparta Systems, Inc. All other marks are trademarks of their respective companies.
Media Contacts Jon Rabinowitz
Director of Marketing
Sparta Systems, Inc.
Phone: 732.203.0400, ext. 121
Email: Email Contact
Media Contacts Jon Rabinowitz
Director of Marketing
Sparta Systems, Inc.
Phone: 732.203.0400, ext. 121
Email: Email Contact
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There are many great things about Halloween, and one of them is that we suddenly get lots of classic horror movies turning up on TV and on the big screens.
I love a good horror flick as much as anybody. Heck, I even like the bad ones.
That's why I'm very excited to present you with this list of titles that will be showing on big screens in the area in the next week. For a couple of these films, I'll present you with some very extensive thoughts in the next few days (from a collection of movie essays I've written over the years). But for now, the list:
"The Exorcist" - William Friedkin's director's cut shows at the...


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Virtual Developer Workshop: Containerized Development with Docker
This is the smallest example to make :
- Antialiasing
- Gouraud
- Texture mapping
- Texture lighting
- Texture transparency
Virtual Developer Workshop: Containerized Development with Docker
This is the smallest example to make :
Originally posted by: Wu Feng
When I set glPolygonMode to GL_LINE,
the effect of antialiasing using GL_LINE_SMOOTH is fine,
but seems both GL_LINE_SMOOTH AND GL_POLYGON_SMOOTH
have no effect when using GL_FILL in polygonmode,
can some body help me?
Originally posted by: Saqib Mehmood
Very GoodReply
Originally posted by: Ben
can some help me , how do we get the 3D coordinate(i mean coordinate in my room), if we know the screen coordinate ?
cheers ,
Originally posted by: Sanjay Bora
How to delete the portion of OpenGL image which falls out of viewport ?
Originally posted by: Sai
Please do help me out. How do I display a bmp file into VC++ mfc dialog box & then draw something on it?
Any response will be greatly appreciated.
Originally posted by: Dave Butler
Does anyone know how I would be able to load in 3d models in say milkshape ms3d format to such a opengl enabled dialog box?Reply
Originally posted by: marcowomad
I'm working with a SDI application that show a dialog box in wich I use OpenGL. I have no problem to execute the program and it works OK, but if I execute it in debug mode, sometimes (and only sometimes) I get a message box that says
"User breakpoint called from code",
and in the Output Window is written
"HEAP[Dialogo.exe]: Invalid Address specified to RtlFreeHeap( 00140000, 001BD090 )",
but this doesn't crash the program. I don't if this causes memory leaks or something like that. Does somebody know what is this an why does occurs? I think is a problem with the rendering context.
Note: In the MDI example application in this web occurs the sameReply
Originally posted by: sunil
my application has dialog based menu.
I want the graphics to be shown when the user clicks on the MenuItem provied in the menu.
Can anyone please tell me how to go about it and also the code for it.
Originally posted by: K_Aziz1
Need Runtime environement for OpenGL programming under Microsoft Windows?Reply
Originally posted by: sim
When window size is increased, the article size also is increased.
But when window size is decreased, the article size is not decreased(in non-rotating mode).
How can I change article size to increase or decrease.


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A Nutritional Approach to Contact Lens Success
Nutritional support can help mitigate dry eye, which, in turn, can improve contact lens success.
By Jeffrey R. Anshel, OD, FAAO
Contact lens fitters are all too aware of how dry eye can negatively affect successful lens wear. Contact lens wearers are five times more likely to complain about dryness symptoms compared to spectacle wearers, and more than half will report contact lens dryness, especially end-of-day dryness (Nichols et al, 2005). Discomfort is cited by more than half of patients as the principal reason for discontinuation, followed by dissatisfaction with vision (13%) (Young et al, 2002). Recent studies suggest that many contact lens wearers are not fully satisfied, and about 25% permanently discontinue lens wear (Rumpakis, 2010; Richdale et al, 2007). Patients will drop out of contact lenses unless we guard against discomfort from dryness.
This article will discuss dry eye, contact lens discomfort due to dryness, and how nutrition can play a role in mitigating dryness symptoms.
Dry Eye Definitions and Demographics
First, let's consider the various definitions of dry eye. Dry eye syndrome (DES) is generally considered a disorder of the tear film due to either diminished tear production or excessive tear evaporation. The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines dry eye and its effects in this way: "Any condition that reduces the production, alters the composition, or impedes the distribution of the pre-ocular tear film (POTF) may cause a noticeable degradation of vision and irritation to the structures of the front surface of the eye."
The 2007 Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS) Report states: "Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability, with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface."
This condition has been referred to as "Dry Eye Syndrome" or "Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome," among others. Considering the inflammatory component, many believe that it should now be called "Dry Eye Disease."
Dry eye affects more than 5 million older Americans, and it is particularly prevalent among women (Schaumberg et al, 2003). Tens of millions more may have a less severe manifestation of the disease. This condition is increasing every year and is prevalent in 75% of Americans over age 65 (Richdale et al, 2007).
The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) recently completed a workshop on contact lens discomfort (CLD) (Nichols et al, 2013). The workshop defined the current state of CLD as "a condition characterized by episodic or persistent adverse ocular sensations that can ultimately lead to decreased wearing time or discontinuation of contact lens wear." The defined categories were divided between discomfort due to the contact lens or due to the environment, and each of these categories is subsequently broken down into four additional factors. The category that we will consider here is modifiable patient factors, specifically nutrition.
Role of the Tear Film
The theory of the dry eye disease process is that the tear film destabilizes, initiating desiccation of the ocular surface. This allows injurious agents (free radicals, toxins, microbes, etc.) to cause an inflammatory reaction that allows cytokines to affect the ocular surfaces, epithelium, and lacrimal glands (Kyminosis et al, 2008).
The tear film is a complex structure composed of water, salts, enzymes, proteins, immunoglobulins, lipids, metabolites, and exfoliated epithelial and polymorphonuclear cells (Rolando and Zierhut, 2001). When contact lenses dehydrate, the internal hydrophobic regions of tear proteins—including albumin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme—bind to the hydrophobic regions of the material.
To improve patient comfort, we need to understand how contact lenses affect the tear film. Tear film thickness is important as it determines the tear volume from which evaporation occurs. The tear film is very thin; it measures about 7 microns by invasive estimates and 3 microns by newer, non-invasive techniques (King-Smith et al, 2000). It consists of the outer lipid layer, which comes primarily from the meibomian glands along the lid margin; the middle aqueous layer, mainly from the lacrimal gland in the upper eyelid; and the mucin layer from the conjunctival goblet cells and superficial corneal epithelial cells.
Mucins are highly hydrophilic and fill in the gaps of the epithelial microvilli to provide a smooth optical surface and to make the eye more wettable. Electrolytes in the aqueous layer are responsible for tear osmolarity and pH maintenance. Proteins in the aqueous layer are markers of biological function. The lipid layer is the major barrier to evaporation, and is actually the first refracting surface for light entering the eye. New studies suggest that the tear film is more dynamic than this traditional three-layer model, with mixing occurring between the mucin and aqueous layers to form a complex hydrated gel (Peters and Colby, 2006).
Blinking spreads the tear film across the ocular surface, eventually thinning through evaporation, which stimulates the next blink. Tears from the tear prism move by capillary action to the puncta and exit through the ducts. As well as providing comfort to the anterior eye, the tear film has an important role in maintaining vision, preventing desiccation, supplying essential nutrients to the cornea, removing debris, and helping prevent infection (DEWS Report, 2007).
Diagnosing Dry Eye
Dry eye is now recognized as a disturbance to the lacrimal functional unit (LFU) (Stern et al, 2004). The LFU, comprising the lacrimal glands, ocular surface, lids, and the nerves that connect them, controls tear film stability and is regulated in response to the environment and intrinsic influences. Damage to any part can destabilize the tear film, leading to ocular surface damage, dry eye symptoms, and changes in vision. Aqueous deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye have been removed from the dry eye definition, but are still helpful to explain pathogenesis.
Tear Osmolarity Tear film hyperosmolarity is often suggested to be the one underlying factor that is common to all forms of dry eye, resulting in corneal epithelial cell apoptosis and stimulation of inflammatory cells (Gilbard, 1994). Osmolarity is now part of the definition of dry eye and may be the "signature" feature of ocular surface dryness, although osmolarity values do not differentiate between the sub-types (Gilbard, 1994).
One instrument developed to measure osmolarity clinically is the TearLab Osmolarity system (TearLab Corp.); it may also help to monitor the effectiveness of treatments. Now that the TearLab Osmolarity System is commercially available, we can utilize tear osmolarity as a key dry eye diagnostic tool. The TearLab osmometer can measure osmolarity on a 50nL sample and record an average within run coefficient of variation of 1.47%, which corresponds to a precision of ±4.5 at 308.7mOsm/L (Gilbard, 1994). Nichols et al (2006) found that the tear film osmolality was significantly higher in contact lens patients who have dry eye when compared to contact lens patients who don't have dry eye.
Diagnosing Contact Lens Discomfort
CLD related to dryness is a marginal, rather than overt, disease state. Patients are often asymptomatic prior to initiating contact lens wear and can develop dry eye symptoms without obvious signs. The DEWS Report (2007) also recognizes asymptomatic patients who will exhibit dry eye signs without complaint. It is likely that these patients have accepted symptoms as a matter of course. The essential message is that symptoms don't always match signs, and "happy" contact lens wearers should still be investigated.
Although the exact pathogenesis of CLD is unknown, most agree that one of the major factors for successful contact lens wear is a stable tear film. The tear film lubricates and hydrates the contact lens; therefore, it is essential to contact lens comfort. Because CLD is complex and likely multifactorial, there are many potential mechanisms.
New techniques help us understand how contact lenses affect tear film stability. A contact lens splits the tear film, creating a pre-lens lipid-aqueous layer and a post-lens aqueous-mucous layer. Deposition of proteins, lipids, and mucins occurs relatively quickly after lens application. Deposits may come from the tears (Figures 1 and 2), the environment, or even from handling of the contact lenses.
Figure 1. Lipid on silicone hydrogel lens after two weeks of wear.
Figure 2. Tear film smear on a fresh silicone hydrogel lens 20 minutes after application caused by too rapid pre-lens tear film breakup.
CLD most likely begins with pre-tear film disruption, when eyelid conditions begin to compromise the dynamics and chemistry of the tear film. Contact lens wear thins the tear film and increases the tear film thinning rate through a complex process of evaporation and dewetting. This evaporative dry eye type is mainly caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.
Pre-lens thinning time is 2.8 seconds faster in patients who have dry eye symptoms compared to those who do not (Nichols and Sinnott, 2006). The thinning is thought to occur in the lipid layer, which forms discrete islands on the front surface of the contact lens. An average tear volume is 0.728mm3, while the volume of a lens is 34.693mm3. So, with a lens in place, the tear film now has to cover double the original surface area. Interference with the lipid layer results in up to a 50% increase in evaporation and rapid drying of the tear film and the contact lens, which also may attract lipid deposits from the tear film, with the result that the lens fails to wet (Nichols and Sinnott, 2006). Vision also can be affected if the tear film fails to fill in the irregularities of the corneal epithelium, and optical deterioration has been measured objectively in contact lens wearers post-tear film breakup (Nichols and Sinnott, 2006).
In a study of 360 hydrogel GP contact lens wearers, Nichols and Sinnott (2006) found that CLD may be explained by increased pre-lens tear film thinning times and increased tear film osmolality. An increase in pre-lens tear film thinning time can be attributed to evaporation of the tear film itself secondary to an altered lipid layer, and to lens dewetting secondary to hydrophobic regions on the lens surface.
An aqueous deficient type can potentially result from reduced lacrimal stimulation due to reduced corneal sensitivity that occurs with prolonged contact lens use. Osmolarity increases in both subtypes, causing damage to the surface epithelium and discomfort, and it can lead to a chronic inflammatory condition such as keratitis.
Predicting Dry Eye in Contact Lens Wearers
Predicting which contact lens patients are more likely to develop dry eye can help you set realistic patient goals and tailor management to individual patients. Conjunctival parallel folds and lid wiper epitheliopathy appear to be predictive for dry eye (Korb et al, 2002). Lid wiper epitheliopathy is damage on the upper eyelid edge (which will stain with lissamine green) from repeated blinking over a poor tear film. Lid parallel conjunctival folds, another possible consequence of lid friction, are small folds in the lower quadrant of the bulbar conjunctiva, parallel to the lower lid margin (Höh et al, 1995).
Technology advances are now ubiquitous in today's society. We look at digital screens for a significant part of our workday, and our eyes are being taxed to their limit. Staring at such screens reduces the blink rate, resulting in more tear film evaporation and exposure of the ocular surface. Given this, it is no wonder that dry eyes are a common complaint among computer users. Caution these patients about incomplete blinking, prolonged computer use, and the problems of low humidity, drafts, and drying systemic drugs (e.g., antihistamines, decongestants, beta-blockers, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and some psychotropics) (Korb et al, 2002). Positioning the computer monitor below eye level decreases the interpalpebral aperture exposure (Bentivoglio et al, 1997).
Supplements and Nutrition
Prior to 2011, there were few studies on the mechanism of using essential fatty acids (EFAs) as a treatment for dry eyes. Since then, there have been only four randomized clinical trials on omega-3 EFAs, and the results are promising. However, we've been recommending them for our patients for many years prior to that time without significant scientific support for the practice.
Oral nutritional formulations of EFAs are being used to treat DES, some with more success compared to others. For EFAs to be an effective treatment for DES, there must be a proper balance of both omega-6 and omega-3 EFAs from chemically stable plant oil to consistently produce series 1, tear-specific, anti-inflammatory prostaglandin (PGE1). EFA treatment of DES is dependent on specific nutrient co-factors that aid the downstream metabolic conversion to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These nutrient co-factors also stimulate the production of healthy goblet cells as well as enhance production of clearer and thinner meibomian gland oil production (Sullivan et al, 2000). EFA formulations will also block arachidonic acid (AA) fatty acid cleavage to the series 2 cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-2), which can convert to a pro-inflammatory, series 2 prostaglandin (PGE2) without the nutrient co-factors that inhibit the formation of COX-2 (Dommels et al, 2003) (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Metabolic pathway of essential fatty acids.
Properly designed formulations will also stimulate lacrimal gland secretion as well as the production of tear lactoferrin, which is the anti-viral, anti-bacterial, iron-binding protein that is particularly vital to post-LASIK and other postoperative patients (Pisella et al, 2002).
The nutritional formulations that are designed around chemically stable omega-6 plant oils all contain linoleic acid (LA) and significant amounts of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), plus the nutrient co-factors necessary to ensure the delta-6-desaturase (D6D) enzymatic metabolic conversion to the tear-specific, anti-inflammatory PGE1 (Barabino et al, 2003; Kokke et al, 2008). They also contain varying amounts of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which converts to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To back up this plant-based ALA/DHA/EPA conversion, formulations should include small amounts of mercury-free fish oil, which contains DHA and EPA, necessary to block the delta-5-desaturase (D5D) enzymatic AA cleavage of the omega-6 downstream dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) metabolite by the COX-2 enzyme (Barham et al, 2000). This enzyme, if not blocked, can convert omega-6 DGLA to the pro-inflammatory PGE2. Early dry eye nutritional products did not address the AA/COX-2 cleavage issues as they pertain to the downstream conversion of EFAs to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Some manufacturers are designing formulations that are focused on the metabolic action of the omega-3 EFA, which is primarily found in flax and fish oils. The omega-3 EFA also requires nutrient co-factors to consistently convert downstream to DHA and EPA, which subsequently convert to the anti-inflammatory PGE3. PGE3 is an important site-specific anti-inflammatory, particularly for rheumatoid arthritis patients, but is not as specific to tears compared to the PGE1 from the omega-6 fatty acid metabolites (Johnson et al, 1997). The anti-inflammatory PGE1s from natural omega-6s are more specific to mucosal tissues (eyes) than are the PGE3s from omega-3s (Barabino et al, 2003).
Researchers from Louisiana State University, New Orleans, reported that resolvins from EPA increase tear volume and decrease inflammation induced by dry eye, while topical application of DHA following corneal surgery was also shown in an animal trial to increase corneal epithelial cell proliferation (Li et al, 2010). The researchers also found that resolvin E1 encourages tear production, corneal epithelial integrity, and a decrease in inflammatory inducible COX-2. Most recently, they noted that while no firm recommendation for human use of DHA/EPA in DES can be made based only on the animal trials, the EFAs could prove useful in humans due to their apparent ability to resolve inflammation and to regenerate damaged corneal nerves.
Some practitioners still recommend flax oil as a stand-alone treatment for DES, as it contains a large amount of omega-3 and a small amount of omega-6. Unfortunately, flax oil is highly unstable and contains none of the nutrient co-factors necessary to ensure the consistent enzymatic conversion to either PGE1 or PGE3; nor does it enhance the production of tear lactoferrin (Wu et al, 1999). The same can be said for any of the plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. While they may have some anti-inflammatory effect in women (conversion rate of about 10%), it's unlikely that men would benefit from flaxseed oil, due to a poor conversion rate of about 1% (Lane et al, 2011).
Do not confuse processed food items that contain hydrogenated trans-fats with omega-6 essential fatty acid intake. All fatty acids are destroyed by the hydrogenation process. Food sources for EPA and DHA are typically small, fatty fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, and anchovies. All supplement pills made from these fish are FDA inspected for purity and certified free from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury. The argument regarding the pros and cons of ethyl ester versus triglyceride forms of fish oil is beyond the scope of this article, but worth considering when looking for a suitable supplement for your patients. A food source with the best balance of omega-6 (GLA) and omega-3 is black currant seed oil (typically a 4:1 ratio).
Additional nutritional support also can be provided for the tear film. Magnesium and zinc support immune function. Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid enhance the mucins. Vitamins A and D support epithelial cells and immune function (McCullough et al, 1999). Vitamin B6 supports neuronal blink response and GLA-to-DGLA conversion (Zhao et al, 2012). Vitamin C enhances the production of IgE concentrates in tears (Wolvers et al, 2006). Vitamin E slows lipid oxidation (Fujikawa et al, 2003). Lactoferrin can also be used (Fujikawa et al, 2003). Serum lactoferrin is released from the eyelid in a manner similar to serum IgG, and possibly from tear neutrophils during infection and inflammation; by binding iron, it prevents the pathogen from obtaining sufficient iron for growth.
Nutritional supplements can play an important role in managing inflammation associated with dry eye by enhancing the body's natural defense system, and the protection provided by nutritional therapy may be better than after-the-fact treatment by pharmaceuticals.
A multi-pronged approach is recommended to achieve successful contact lens wear. We should strive to minimize adverse environmental conditions, consider anticholinergic medications, and reduce visual strain. Nonpreserved artificial tears can still serve as an adjunct therapy if patients experience discomfort due to dryness symptoms, but topical corticosteroids should be used only for brief periods of time because of side effects. You might consider topical cyclosporine for severe cases.
Consider performing a nutritional panel blood workup with laboratory tests that will quantify the serum nutritional levels. But overall, the treatment should not cause disruption in patients' lifestyles. Most patients prefer a "natural" approach first. CLS
For references, please visit www.clspectrum.com/references.asp and click on document #221.
Dr. Anshel is the principal of Corporate Vision Consulting, where he addresses the issues surrounding visual demands while working with computers. He also maintains a private practice in Carlsbad, Calif., and is the founder and president of the Ocular Nutrition Society. He has written numerous articles and five books regarding nutritional influences on vision and computer vision concerns. He lectures nationally to eyecare practitioners on nutrition topics.


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Thoughts on Day One
Wow, what a night. Things went to plan for three picks and then everything descended into slow moving chaos. The Blue Jackets took the guy I, personally, thought the Lightning would end up with at the fourth pick, the Islanders took the guy half the internet thought was going to the Lightning with the fifth pick, and then the Lightning decided not to take the guy everyone thought they would take with the sixth pick, as Brandon Gormley and Cam Fowler spiraled down the draft board in the mild hockey equivalent of an Aaron Rodgers/Brady Quinn draft free fall.
What to make of Brett Connolly, though? There's absolutely no doubt his athleticism and skill are world class, or at least they were prior to his injuries. Connolly's agent wouldn't allow teams to perform an MRI on prior to the draft to verify its soundness, so one wonders how the Lightning made an informed decision about it. Between his hips and some talk of structural weakness in his hand, I seriously wonder if the Lightning have drafted a guy who will end up being a part time player like Buffalo's Tim Connolly. Adding to my fears was a post-draft interview on TSN that did nothing to disspell whispers I've heard about Connolly's attitude. He looked annoyed and bored, all at the same time, and I'm wondering what is going on in his head. Is he going to carry a chip on his shoulder into the rest of the offseason and training camp to show the world that not only are his hips healthy, but that he was indeed the best player in this draft class? Or is Connolly already a little burned out by the scrutiny that comes with being a premiere prospect? Seriously, after watching the interview and after my making a big deal of how badly Connolly came across, the BoltProspects staff reviewed several pieces of interview footage, and we've come to the unnerving conclusion Connolly may be incapable of emoting genuine happiness.
Smile, man. You just were selected in the top ten of the NHL draft.
Best case scenario: the Lightning just drafted a Patrick Marleau clone who will have no lingering effects from the hips and will become a legitimate 30-40 goal a year scorer. He doesn't have to be the captain of this team. The Lightning have a natural born leader in Steven Stamkos. He just has to put up numbers, and Connolly is thoroughly capable of doing that. If Connolly pans out and Vincent Lecavalier resurrects his career, the Lightning would have an unfair amount of scoring ability to let loose on the NHL. Worst case scenario: the Lightning just drafted a guy who will put up 40-50 points a year because he can only play around 50 games a season, and who won't contribute much else to team chemistry in the process. We'll see. I'm holding my breath. It's a far cry from the past two drafts when the Lightning walked away with sure things.
What's left to do tomorrow? The Lightning currently don't have any second round picks, but they have the assets to move in if they want to. They have two high third round picks and a later third round pick to package to move up. If you run the numbers, about seven in ten successful draft picks come from the top sixty picks in the draft, and currently the Lightning have two picks just outside the top sixty. The priorities will likely be on defense and, in particular, one would hope the Lightning could nab a righty defenseman or two. The organization doesn't have many in the pipeline (one), and there are a handful still on the board. Here's a few guys who are still available who might still fit the bill. Justin Faulk out of the USNTDP is a smallish righthanded defenseman who is mobile and also has a big, booming point shot. He also plays angry, and I love smallish d-men who play with chips on their shoulders a la Dan Boyle. If you look at the team Guy Boucher had in Hamilton last year, there were quite a few undersized, mobile, offensive guys, so Faulk would fit the 1-3-1 system mold. Out of high school in Minnesota, there's big Mark Alt, son of the former Kansas City Chiefs tackle. Think Pavel Kubina, with quicker feet. Also out of the Minnesota high school ranks, there's fleet footed offensive defenseman Justin Holl. Holl's got a good sized frame and loves to push the play; sometimes to the detriment of his defensive play. He might be a perfect fit for the 1-3-1, though.
At forward, there's left wing Brad Ross, who was a linemate of Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter at Portland in the WHL. He's a rusty, rolling ball of barbed wire in the classic Steve Downie tradition. There's also smallish centerman Ryan Spooner out of Peterborough, who has good wheels and playmaking ability. There's tiny center Calle Jarnkrok out of the Brynas junior program in Sweden. He weighs 165 pounds soaken wet, but he's incredibly smart and has hockey sense that's off the charts. For a pure sniper, try little right winger Teemu Pulkkinen out of Jokerit in Finland, the man who buried just about every chance Mikael Granlund gave him at the U18 WJC's. There's also the ultra pesky Jason Zucker out of the USNTDP. Zucker is human itching power for opposing players. And, for those not looking to draft character, there's always some bargains on the petulent-but-talented forward aisle. There's Sudbury's John McFarland, who has a lot of speed and puck skills, but fell out of the first round because of his attitude. And, the main event, Kirill Kabanov, who was kicked out of Moncton of the QMJHL in the middle of a playoff run. He's got Alexander Semin upside, with equally world class selfishness. You know it's bad when the "Russian Factor" is less of a factor with a prospect because clubs in the KHL may not want to deal with the headaches either.
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Star Tours reopens at Disneyland on June 3rd!!!
Let me know when your out here. We'll ride it together.
We're planning to be at Disneyland May 21 to 28th or so, I'm crossing my fingers that the date for Anaheim isn't later than Orlando.
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So Lance was caught trying to steal third in the 6th inning. As I wasn't able to see the game, I naturally assumed that Lee was supposed to be the one doing the hitting in a hit-and-run, and of course Lee missed the ball by a mile, likely by swinging at the pitch outside the zone.
But that isn't what happened at all! No, Lance was trying to steal third. Two games after coming back from a knee injury. Down a run. With the cleanup "hitter" at bat.
What happened, Lance:
"I was thinking nobody in the stadium expects me to try to steal third right here. It was the sixth inning, and I thought the worst-case scenario would be that we would end up with Carlos [Lee] on second base and two outs in the sixth against a tough pitcher where a hit still ties the game. If I made it then we had a chance to score an easy run off a guy that was giving us some fits. The thinking was sound, the mind was willing but the body was weak. If I had to do it all over again clearly I would not have attempted it. Clearly I did not notice my leg was as weak as it is. I'm glad we won the game because you guys would have made a bigger deal out of it."
It actually wasn't a terrible idea - which we can say after a W - it would be questionable if Lance would be able to score from second on that shaky knee, unless the ball was smoked.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Why the hell did Lance try to steal third base?
Labels: Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman
2 comments:
My first thought was that it was at least the right time to do it -- getting to third with one out DRASTICALLY increases the probability of scoring. Of course, my second thought was that maybe with a bum knee he should have just stayed put...
- April 22, 2010 at 8:38 AM
- mchicks said...
A few things here--
First off, Pence was up to bat (our 5 hitter) and probably the weakest hitter on the Astros right now. He has been completely over-matched at the plate and it looks like they have finally figured him out. He has terrible mechanics and looks like he is falling out of a tree when he swings. I like the aggressive play. The only chance we had at scoring there was to be aggressive and try to steal third.
- April 22, 2010 at 11:51 AM
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The student will assume the instructor's role and construct an entire lesson plan for an introductory helicopter student. The lesson will include a preflight briefing on selected maneuvers and in-flight instruction using the demonstration/performance method. The lesson should follow this basic structure:
The student shall assume the instructor's role and construct an entire lesson plan for the lesson period. The student shall perform a preflight briefing on the selected maneuvers and conduct them using the demonstration/performance method while simultaneously explaining the maneuvers.
Any deviations from the completion standards should be noted in the previous section. After completing an item in the Elements section, place a check mark next to that item.


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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sun 26th Feb 2012 11:39 UTC, submitted by RichterKuato
Metro is beautiful and elegant. It works wonders on my HTC HD7, and I'm pretty darn sure it's going to work just many wonders on tablets later this year. However, Microsoft also expects us to use Windows 8's Metro on our desktops with mice and keyboards - and in that scenario, I can't really see it work any wonders. The Verge user Sputnik8 decided to see what Metro would look like applied to a more regular desktop. The results are... Stunning.
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RE[3]: blows away my patience
by mrstep on Mon 27th Feb 2012 04:12 UTC in reply to "RE[2]: blows away my patience"
Hahaha... that's exactly what I thought, too. A desktop machine with huge ugly tiles, Explorer with an incomprehensible toolbar and Visual Studio with monochrome icons, that's what Microsoft is busy imagining. These mockups look too clean and consistent.
"Where don't you want to go today?" and "The ow starts now." apparently to be the Win8 ad slogans. :/


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Skip to comments.Failed Judgment Day preacher hospitalized with stroke
Posted on 06/12/2011 6:52:06 AM PDT by Bed_Zeppelin
A California broadcaster who wrongly forecast the return of Jesus last month is now hospitalized after suffering a stroke.
Harold Camping, 89, of Oakland-Calif.-based Family Radio was reportedly taken by ambulance Thursday night from his home in Alameda, Calif.
"He had a stroke, it was on his right side," a neighbor of Camping's told the Oakland Tribune, noting that she and her husband helped and comforted Camping's wife, Shirley, as the event took place.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Bay Area FReepers will know what I'm talking about.
Must have fallen off the Rapture Bus and got so upset his brain just couldn't handle it.
I am sure with a stroke, many things occur within the brain prior to having one. I wonder if this could explain his beliefs that he "figured out" the exact date for the end of times?
I don't think that's God's idea of mass transit.
Second that.
He was wrong, but that was what he believed. I don't agree with what lots of various denominations teach about scripture, but freedom of religion and speech allows them to teach what they want, as long as they don't try to enslave dhimmis or impose sharia law like the muslims.
The article talks about atheists demanding congressional investigations and taking Camping to court. These atheists have no understanding of freedom and should be sent to live in North Korea or Saudi Arabia.
His judgment day will come at the moment of his death. Hope he gets well, though.
You cut this Camping jerk way too much slack. Yes, he has a right to say stupid things, mislead people into pointlessly making life altering decisions only to find out later they'd been lied to, make a mockery of Christianity and to generally be a complete fraud. The rest of us, particularly Christians, have a duty to call out the kind of crap Camping spews for what it is - absolutely nonsense.
While I certainly hope Camping recovers, this is not someone I'm going to waste a whole lot of sympathy on. He's done a lot of harm to a lot of people and gave atheists and others who hate Christianity an excuse to mock fun at us.
I have a friend whose husband is terrified of the Mayan 2012 prediction. My argument to him is, what guarantees does he have that he will live to Dec. 21, 2012? He is 65 and isn't in the best of health. Why sweat when the end of the world will be when any one of us could meet our maker ahead of that?
I'm a protestant. From a protestant viewpoint, the leaders of Mormons, Roman Catholics and lots of other denominations "mislead people" into "pointlessly making life altering decisions" and make a "mockery" of true Christianity. (I'm not trying to start a flame war here, I know people of the other denominations believe what I believe to be soul-endangering heresy.)
But it's a free country (or at least supposed to be). And I objected specifically to the atheists demanding congressional investigations and court proceedings.
If people want to peacefully proclaim what their religious denomination teaches, as long as that does not involve enslaving or killing infidels or advocating sharia law, it is their right as free citizens of a free country to do so.
Those of us who believe in a free republic ought to speak up and defend the right of Camping and anyone else to do so.
It's somewhat presumptuous of you to speak for all Protestants in trying to justify your world view.
I don't see how you can dispute the proposition that protestants have a very different view of the bible from Catholics or Mormons or other faiths.
Speaking as an atheist, I agree. He's free to spout whatever nonsense he likes, and people are likewise free to believe his blather.
"I'm a protestant."
What are you protesting?
You mean that Scripture is infallible?
Dittos for this Catholic here
Yep. That people are clamoring for some legal hammer to come down on Camping is the biggest danger in this whole thing.
In a free marketplace of ideas, other Christians are free to point out that scripture says no one knows the day.
The mob-like reaction against the Camping church sends chills up my spine.
It's like the Florida pastor that burned the koran. As long as the koran they burned was their own property, the are free as citizens of a free country to burn that koran. But there was a practically a lynch mob forming to go after that Florida guy.
By the way, I'm in the middle of reading Ann Coulter's Demonic and the clamor by people to use the government to squelch Camping or that Florida pastor could almost be an example of mob thinking from her book.
At the moment, I'm protesting people who want governmental remedies against peaceful religious ideas they don't like.
Well...I don't know that I'd characterize the reaction as "mob-like". A few people are calling for (but not initiating, as far as I know) legal action against him. He's had his 15 minutes of fame, almost universally negative.
It's not as if the villagers are laying siege to his castle...
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|2012-06-25, 11:28
|Link #683
U mad?
Join Date: Apr 2012
|2012-06-25, 11:35
|Link #684
Dancing with the Sky
|2012-06-25, 14:28
|Link #686
Join Date: Mar 2006
Vol 10 is aqua current stuff/KYH meeting some burst linker in okinawa I think
The rest can be summarized easily. Haru got chrome disaster and it manifested itself fully when they were racing on hermes cord, they either have to get rid of it or Haru will be hunted down and destroyed. Ardor maiden can get rid of CD, but she's in infinite EK. So they bailed her out, met some interesting people, learn some interesting history about chrome disaster. Then chrome disaster manifested itself again because Haru got pissed off. Haru then tried to leave NN, but then stopped by KYH. KYH then spent a night together with Haru in her house on her couch and together with some serious thrashing they got rid of CD. Vol 11 is about some really hard dueling avatar, the mirror surface theory and the accelerate research group.
|2012-06-25, 16:42
|Link #687
Join Date: Dec 2008
When you are talking about the accelerate research group, you talking about the Commitee that Black Vise is VP of, right?
The really hard duelling avatar is Wolfcram, even though he a lvl 1.
Black Vise is definitely the antagonist of the whole series. He is oblivously an adult (thank to the BIC). But like I said long ago, there is always somebody equal or better. That why I thought up Daniel/DA.
|2012-06-25, 17:49
|Link #688
Join Date: Mar 2006
|2012-06-25, 20:12
|Link #689
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: San Jose
As for that little summary
I wish I could thank all the Translators on BT somehow, just to tell them they ARE appreciated by people, even if the grammar is sorta bad- its better than nothing.
|2012-06-29, 17:05
|Link #697
Join Date: Dec 2008
Here's idea an idea character.
Name: Keiji Furikaze
Age: 32
Occupation: Assistant Senior Programmer for Techinical Commitee on Acceleration (formerly)
Rogue Freelance Programmer (currently)
Experience: Computer Genius, Neurology, Knowledge of Brain Waves, hand-to-hand combat
and trained in covert operating skills.
He is a childhood friend of Haruyuki's father since he was 7. He made friends with Haru's dad because, like Haru, he had low self-esteem and no confidence. Through the years, he helped build up him up to a more better person with pride and became his best friend. However in 5th grade, Keiji suddenly vanished one day. Not only that, his records of ever being in that school were all deleted.
The reason is that he is the son of renounced rebel hacker codenamed "SPYDER" who constantly attacks the government for covering horrifying secrets for the public. His mother died of ovarian cancer when he was 5 and has been placed in Haru's dad's school with one of his friends ever since. His relation with his father is very distance and dislike him both as a irresponsible father and his "career". He has his father's talent for computer skills at age 7 and is nearly as good as him is. However the difference is that he hatred his "gift" and hides it from everyone around him because he wanted to be a normal kid. When the government dig on information on his connection to SPYDER, his dad immediately abducted him and erases an proof he exists at the school which further strained his relations to his dad. After 5 years on the run, he had it and secret outsmarted his dad and had him arrested and imprisoned in a super max prison for life. He made a deal with the government to bury all evidence and his connection to SPYDER in exchange to live his own life since he is no longer underage. With the help of the government, he made a fake legit profile to go to college majority in neurology and brain science and graduate in two years second to the top of his class, even though could of been number one (he dislikes attracted attention of "certain people"). It was at this time he because interested how the brain can be "accelerated". After several years working for random corperations, he caught a break when he is offered a position in the Technical Committee of Acceleration. To protect his intellect, he asked to be put as a Assistant Programmer instead of Lead Programmer because he works better under less stress and doesn't like being in charge. After a few years, he became Assistant Senior Programmer. His superior told him in secret about the Brain Burst program and ask him to help them with it. He had a BIC implanted in him and begin assisting the research. However during the completion of the program, he and a few other programmers found out the Committee's purpose of BB and escaped the Committee by luck. Before escape, he made a hard copy of BB program to be further testing. He later found out that the government doesn't know about the Committee and thinks he's crazy and see that he is his father's footsteps. He told them will find proof, but only if he goes rogue as the Committee has "connections" in the government. The government officials that were there gave him an approval of his claim and hence went rogue. During the year hiding in a secluded area of Japan, he found out about the AW and the action that is going on there. Also he has be further research on the BB program and found out 100 copies of it was release to 100 people, which further worries him. He later found out one the programmers that escape has a relative involve in the AW's "game" which happens to be Kuroyukihime. He then decided to take a risk meeting her when the timing is right. However, what he doesn't know is that he will be reunited with his best friend's son Haruyuki. Even though he know the BB program, he doesn't reveals it because he wants to be sure his theory matches the Committee's intentions. Keiji hates the VP and want his to suffer just like his dad.
Keiji's personality is a bit complicated, but has a deep hatred of the Committee (especially the Vice President who he found out is Duel Avatar Black Vise). He seems to have a small obsession for maid cosplay and certain animes (mainly deal with magical girls). Haru's dad was his only friend, he didn't make any new friends afterwards. He is a very well funded man. Ramen is his favorite food and has eating it all his life (pretty unhealth, but he managed to survive). He surprised that Haru is a BL, something he wanted to prevent. He helps NN for time to time if he is interested. He created a BIC jammer to avoid detection by the Committee and a modified version of BB which has "other" capabilities. He also build a supercomputer that monitors the AW without the Committee knowledege and is the only one that can access a certain "layer" of the AW called the White Void which he found by chance and is serves as his base of operations. It cost 100,000 BP in get in manually, but Keiji can bypass its restrict if he chooses to. Keiji also tends to be .....super paranoid when he shouldn't be. Of the NN, he only trusts Haruyuki because his father and his personality is similar to him. He hardly ever leaves his secret base because of his "issues" and communicates with NN using a secret line he installed into their neurolinkers to avoid detection both worlds. He and KYH tends to get into stupid arguments like the way she dresses, her being more nice to him while he be mean to her and the amount of sex appeal to expose to Haru as a way to tease both of them even though it's a joke (much too both of their embarrassment).
He has an AI Duel Avatar name Ghost (which lives up to its name). He created him during his time he worked for the Committee as a regular AI. After going rogue, he modified him so he can go into the layers of AW on his own while Keiji is hiding from the Committee. He lacks human common sense and is very hard to talk to. He is undetectable since he is a AI and is intangible (invisible and phasing). He level is unknown to everyone, but is strong to beat a King with ease (can block Blue King's Vanquish with one hand). His duty is find evidence to prosecute the Committee and destroy their company. He doesn't duel other avatars and doesn't need to use BPs to get in and out of the AW. He also immune to Black Vise's deceleration ability and is able to detect and negate it.
Keiji's duel avatar is Gold Paladin. He hardly ever uses it because of Ghost, hence to reason why is only Level 1. Not much is known about it except for its immunity to deceleration.
It's descent, but the idea of NN meeting someone connect to the BB program would be pretty interesting.
Again, sorry for putting another one. Someone put the idea in my head and it just happened. I'll try to kept the ideas to myself.
Anyway, I saw Accel World Episode 12 and it was pretty awesome. However, I'm really looking forward to see the Dusk Taker Arc.
Last edited by churchblue; 2012-06-29 at 20:00.
|2012-06-29, 23:43
|Link #698
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: San Jose
I'm sorry, but perhaps you should keep your OCs to yourself. They are overpowered and yeah you may counter it with that they dont ever fight for some reason or another, but it still isn't possible and being a Sue. You just don't understand the game concept at all, its meant for teens with truama,not old men who are being chased by a bunch of game players. I'm sorry for being mean, but those are my views. And also. I desise sues because they have no character truly.
Now to be a bit more on topic, can there be more than one avatar with the same color?, such as Black Vise and
Black Lotus? Because-sorry to bring up ICs again- my OC is Olive Sharp, but there is a cannon character with Olive as a color, so can it be possible?
|2012-06-30, 04:07
|Link #699
Pleased to Meet You
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Philippines
|action, cyberpunk, harem, romance, seinen, shounen, virtual reality
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Mandatory Child and Adult Abuse Reporter Training
In the spring of 2001, legislation was passed requiring all individuals renewing a license or authorization issued by the Board of Educational Examiners to provide proof of completion of an approved "Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporter Training" program. This law became effective on October 1, 2002.
This training should be available through Iowa AEA Online, ISEA UniServ office, 7SecondCoach and many others.
A complete list of the approved training programs may be found at the Iowa Department of Public Health site. Note that the list of courses on the Department of Public Health site includes multiple types of courses. Only those programs that are designated TYPE 3 meet Iowa license renewal requirements.