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Buzzi Unicem to host 'Buzzi Bash' fundraiser for volunteer fire departments
Buzzi Unicem USA, Maryneal Cement Plant will be holding a community event that they have named the first annual "Help the Heroes: Buzzi Bash." This event will benefit the five volunteer fire departments in Nolan County (Maryneal, Nolan, Blackwell, Roscoe and Lake Sweetwater) with all of the proceeds divided equally among the departments. "We recognize the great value that the services of our area volunteer fire departments give to every individual in our community," said Buzzi representatives. "During the fires of the summer of 2011, they worked tirelessly to protect us all from flames. We also recognize their financial need and we want to do something to thank them for their service." The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Newman Park in Sweetwater and will include a cook-off and activities for the whole family including a home run derby, dunking booth, horse shoe tournament and more. Barbecue plates will also be available for purchase for $7. There will also be a silent auction with many items to be bid on including a cutting torch donated by James Rhoades, a tool kit donated by Alamo Iron Works, a 50-quart Yeti Tundra cooler donated by A.J. Weller Corporation, three heavy duty socket sets donated by Price Diesel including a 1/2-inch drive socket set, a 3/8 inch metric socket set and a 3/8-inch standard socket set and two one-day rentals for a skid-steer donated by Abilene Rental Center. Cook-off teams will compete for trophies and bragging rights, with one team being crowned the grand champion. All teams must be sponsored by a local business and multiple teams are allowed. The entry fee to compete is $200 along with one fully cooked brisket. Categories will include beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken and pork with special category rib eye steak.Entry forms can be e-mailed to firstname.lastname@example.com or faxed to 325-288-4413. Those entering are asked to make checks payable to Buzzi Bash. Applications and payments may also be sent to Buzzi Bash Cook-Off, P.O. Box 1639, Sweetwater, TX 79556. Entry forms can be picked up at the Sweetwater Reporter or can be received by e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.com. Registration is complete once application and payment are received. Space may be limited and this is an all weather event. No refunds will be granted once registration is complete.Contest Rules and RegulationsThis contest will utilize the Kansas City Barbecue Society's system of rules and scoring, however, this event is not sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.1. All decisions and interpretations of the rules are at the discretion of the contest organizer.2. Each team shall designate a head cook and as many assistants as deemed necessary. Head cooks may only cook for their designated team.3. All cooking and seasoning of contest meats must be done onsite. Teams may not share cooking space or devices.4. Fires shall be of wood, wood pellets or charcoal. Gas or electric heat sources shall not be permitted for cooking or holding. Propane or electric may be used to start a fire provided that the meat is not in the cooking device. Electric accessories such as rotisseries and forced air fans are allowed. Open fire pits are not permitted.5. All contest meats will be inspected by the contest meat inspector. Once the meats have been inspected, they shall not leave the cooking site. The cooking process shall not begin until after the meats have been inspected by the official meat inspector. All competition meats shall start out raw. No pre-seasoned meat is allowed.6. Parboiling, deep frying and souse-vide cooking competition meat is not allowed. Violations of this rule will results in a score of one on all criteria by all six judges.7. Meats shall not be sculptured, branded or presented in such a way to make it identifiable. Violations of this rule will results in a score of one on all criteria by all six judges.8. Four main meat categories will be used to determine grand champion. The four main meat categories are:Chicken: Can included Cornish Game Hen and Kosher.Pork Ribs: Ribs shall include the bone. Country ribs are prohibited.Pork: Defined as Boston Butt Roast, Picnic or Whole Shoulder, weighing a minimum of five pounds. Pork must be cooked whole and shall not be separated during the cooking process. Once separated the meat should not be returned to the cooker.Beef Brisket: May be whole brisket, flat or point. Corned beef brisket is not allowed.9. Judging will begin at noon on Saturday. The categories will be judged in the following order:Chicken — NoonPork Ribs — 12:45 p.m.Pork — 1:30 p.m.Brisket —2:15 p.m.Rib Eye Steak — 3 p.m.Turn in times will be confirmed at the cooks meeting. The allowable turn in time is five minutes before and five minutes after the posted turn in time. Entries received after this time shall be given a score of one for all criteria.10. Garnish is optional. If used, it is limited to chopped, sliced, shredded or whole leaves of green lettuce, curly or flat leaf parsley and cilantro. Improper garnish shall receive a score of one for all criteria.11. Sauce is optional. If used, it should be applied directly to the meat and shall not be pooled or puddled in the container. Chunky sauce is not allowed. Sauce violations shall receive a score of one for appearance from all judges.12. Entries must be submitted in an numbered container approved by the contest organizer, with the number on the top of the container.13. The container shall not be marked in any way to make it identifiable. Foil, tooth picks, skewers, foreign material or stuffing are prohibited in the container. Marked entries will receive a score of one for all criteria.14. Each contestant will submit at least six portions of meat in an approved container. Chicken, pork and brisket can be submitted chopped, sliced, pulled or diced, as long as there is enough for six judges. Ribs must be submitted bone in. Judges may not cut, slice or shake apart to separate pieces. If there is not enough meat for each judge, the judges with no sample will score a one for all criteria, and the other judges will change the appearance score to one.Everyone is invited to attend the event. Buzzi Unicem, USA intends to make this a yearly fundraiser taking place every Labor Day weekend.


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A couple of years back, we saw that Volvo 240s were getting scrapped at a ferocious clip… and the process continues today. I visited my local self-service boneyard and found eleven 240s, out of 100 or so European imports.
Since the 1984 and newer 240s (which were manufactured until 1991) qualified for the Cash For Clunkers program, some of these cars are Clunkpocalypse victims. Most, however, were discarded by owners who didn't feel like paying Sven The Mëchånïc to fix some minor- yet costly- problem. A few years ago, those same Volvo owners would have spent their last kroner to keep their cars on the road, but the ol' bricks no longer have the same sensible/safe cachet, and 18 MPG starts to cut into the lutefisk budget.
Would you believe that even the quasi-rare 242 coupes are getting crushed? Two out of the eleven boast the sporty two-door setup. There's such a glut of junked 240s nowadays that most of these cars won't even donate many parts to living cars.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tombstone Tuesday... Can you clean off the droppings?
Do you clean off the bird droppings? If so, will you share tips on how?
Seriously, this isn't a crazy question. But, I took gardening tools to dig out stones and remove weeds and debris. I can't thank the person enough who gave me those tips.
|Wilhelmina Gerlacher (1858-1916)
Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
However, I came across NUMEROUS stones with bird droppings on them. Having attempted to prepare myself for taking grave stone photographs, I was very worried about using anything except water to highlight the letters or a soft brush to wipe away grass. However, bird droppings might need a combination of things and I was hesitant to do anything to harm the stones.
|Foster H Latham (1904-1994)
Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
So, I'm asking a serious, novice question... what do you do about bird droppings?
Thanks in advance for the advice.


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Rochester Institute of Technology's E. Philip Saunders College of Business is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company has selected the school for inclusion in the 2013 edition of its annual guidebook The Best 296 Business Schools, now available in bookstores.
"We are very proud of our inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Princeton Review," says Saunders College Dean dt ogilvie. "This reflects the excellent professors we have who are not only knowledgeable, but student-centered, which leads them to create rich and useful academic experiences for our students.
"Our world-class professors have a wealth of experience that allows them to relate what they are teaching students to the real world of business," ogilvie notes. "They enrich their classes with real-life scenarios that make their classes very informative and they care about and are supportive of students, not only in class, but out of class as well, so students really get to know their professors."
According to Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher of The Princeton Review: "We consider RIT's E. Philip Saunders College of Business as one of the best institutions a student could attend to earn an MBA. We selected the schools we profile in this book-280 of which are in the USA and 16 are international-based on our high regard for their academic programs and our reviews of institutional data we collect from the schools."
Further evidence is listed in the Saunders College profile as cited by The Princeton Review editors: "RIT's MBA program provides a great blend of management and technical education. A major benefit is the wide array of concentrations offered, including quality and applied statistics and environmentally sustainable management, as well as traditional business fields like accounting and supply chain management."
Students in the program told The Princeton Review that they enjoy the emphasis on practical skills and real-world professors who have significant corporate experience and tie it well with academics to offer an enriched experience.
RIT's MBA students come from about 20 different countries to create a diverse and global environment. Some of the comments from students attending are: "The students are friendly and very focused when it comes to school but don't shy away from playing the occasional poker game now and then." Or as another full-time student says, "The whole campus has wi-fi and you can even find plugs near picnic tables and other outdoor locations for your laptop."
The Best 296 Business Schools has two-page profiles of the schools with write-ups on academics, student life and admissions, plus ratings for academics, selectivity and career placement services. The Princeton Review does not name a best business school overall or rank the schools on a hierarchical list from 1 to 296.


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Is this the end of the golden age for Irish rugby?
The IRFU is facing into uncertain future on and off the pitch after an unprecedented period of success
Luke Fitzgerald, Rory Best and Mike McCarthy look dejected during the Six Nations, a tournament which could be the last for some players. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
When the BBC closed out its final weekend of Six Nations highlights last Sunday it did so, fittingly, enough with Adele's haunting theme song to Skyfall . Needless to say, when one of the slow-mos stayed on a mournful looking Brian O'Driscoll as the Irish players clapped their Italian counterparts from the field, cue "This Is the End".
"Hold your breath and count to ten," Adele adds in Skyfall as Bond plummets into the water. By rights of course, "This is the end" should have come with a question mark, and indeed, RTÉ might more legitimately have closed out its coverage of this year's Six Nations with a montage of images to the backdrop of the Bond soundtrack.
For not only is there a question mark over O'Driscoll's future. Save for diamonds maybe, nothing lasts forever, that's why some eras are called golden, but with the golden generation coming to an end, it is entirely valid to ask of Ireland's golden era: is this the end?
And it was golden, if more so for the provinces. From the January day in 2000 when Ulster won the European Cup, to the ensuing Six Nations which featured five new caps in a 44-22 win over Scotland and O'Driscoll's hat-trick in Paris, Munster and Leinster won five Heineken Cups in a seven year period from 2006 to 2012, and Ireland finally augmented three Triple Crowns with the Grand Slam of 2009.
For sure, one Slam/championship from a golden era will forever be a source of regret, especially set alongside two World Cup quarter-final defeats either side of a group exit, and set against three Grand Slams and now another Six Nations title for the Welsh.
Wales also have a young international squad set to be the bulk suppliers for the forthcoming Lions tour and ought to be even better come the 2015 World Cup, with England also far more advanced in their World Cup cycle.
Of the 23 players used in Ireland's Grand Slam campaign, only five featured in Rome last Saturday. Of the others, eight have since retired, six were injured and four were deemed surplus to requirements. Put another way, four years on, only five of those 23 players are still in their 20s.
Admittedly, you wonder how Wales' latest golden era can be sustained given the penurious, under-performing state of their regions, but even the Irish provinces – especially Munster and Leinster – appear to be in transition, whatever about decline.
Retirement and injuries
Munster were first to be hit by a spate of retirements and injuries. Following on from the loss or retirements of Anthony Foley, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Trevor Halstead, Shaun Payne and Federico Pucciariello from the successful class of 2006, of the 22 players used in Munster's 2008 Heineken Cup final win over Toulouse, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Mick O'Driscoll, Ian Dowling and Frankie Sheahan have all retired, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Tomás O'Leary, Paul Warwick and Tony Buckley have moved on, as to all intents and purposes has Peter Stringer, while contracts for Ronan O'Gara and Doug Howlett have still to be resolved for next season. Put another way, Keith Earls and Denis Hurley are the only current Munster players from that final squad still in their 20s.
Having failed to reach the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time in 13 years two seasons ago, and also table-toppers and champions of the League in '09 and '11, Munster currently lie sixth and seven points off the play-offs in the Pro12.
At least Connacht are punching above their weight, witness much improved under-age results and performances, not to mention a more productive conveyor belt from their academy, while Ulster – through their indigenous talent identification and academy, along with quality imports – also appear relatively buoyant.
Through sheer numbers and the unrelenting production line of the Leinster Schools Cups, Leinster are also well placed to keep on churning out home-grown players. But despite a recent swathe of Academy products, Munster will always be disadvantaged by their bi-location, a comparative lack of numbers and the quality of their schools game.
As one former Ireland and Munster player still involved in the club game noted recently, "while Blackrock were beating Roscrea in the Leinster semi-finals by 23-20, Crescent and CBC drew their semi-final 3-all. The schools game in Munster is years behind."
That said, Leinster's production line is about to be tested like never before and a transitional period has been compounded by the departure of Jonny Sexton and Isa Nacewa. Andrew Conway and Fionn Carr are also leaving, there's a question mark as to whether Brian O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen will play beyond next season, Joe Schmidt himself is only under contract for one more year and is being linked with the Irish job.
Injuries and a tough draw undoubtedly contributed toward Leinster failing to reach the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup for only the second time in nine years, but after Leinster's golden era, Guy Easterby has sought to dispel fears that the upcoming transition will be painful for a province.
"It's been a long process, where we've got to from the start of the professionalism. The last few years, we've been able to manage that situation, Denis (Hickie), Shane (Horgan) and Girvan (Dempsey), you look at those back-three players and think that's the end of an era at those positions. But then you've got Rob Kearney and Dave Kearney coming through.
'Always in transition'
"I feel like we are always in transition but that's probably because I've got my head in the books the whole time looking at positions and our succession planning, so my view of it is probably very different to the general perception. We are continuously striving to move forward, not being happy with where we are, whether that's day to day or week to week, month to month or in my role looking at the bigger picture."
"All I can say is that we are working incredibly hard to keep the place moving forward. "
However, losing Sexton was a hammer blow. As a three-time Heineken Cup winner still in his prime, he would have been in the vanguard of those inheriting the baton from the departing leadership group.
Sexton's departure to Racing Metro for a reputed €600,000 per year not only sends out the wrong message to other frontline Irish players, but should the provinces not be contenders in Europe, then others surely will follow. And there's plenty more French euro where they came from.
The 2011 renewal of the LNR's (Ligue National de Rugby) deal with Canal+ for coverage of the Top 14 was worth €32 million per annum until 2015, and even then the clubs felt short-changed given the Canal+ deal with their football's La Ligue was 20 times that.
Hence, they are looking to renegotiate and, a la the advent of BT in England, the Qatar-financed beIN sport are entering the market in France.
Furthermore, the LNR's many sponsors – Orange, Societe Generale, PMU and others – help generate an annual turnover of roughly €75 million, of which €60 million is shared out between the Top 14 and ProD12 clubs. This in turn is more than augmented by the clubs' own sponsors, while ten of the Top 14 are owned by personal benefactors who, in the highly relevant case of Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing, can defray their annual budget of €22 million or so with €5-6 million from their own pockets. How do you compete against that?
In fairness, the IRFU have been doing so better than their Celtic counterparts for years, even matching the Aviva Premiership, but as the Sexton case highlighted, if a French club really wants one of their best players, the Union struggle to compete. Furthermore, these are the most challenging times the Union have faced, financially and on the pitch, since the early years of professionalism.
Current climate
The Union are currently in the throes of selling the next tranche of ten-year tickets, about 3,700, which they have initially offered to their existing holders to renew for either five or ten years, and at the same price as ten years ago, €9,000. A decade ago this raised close on €34 million.
The IRFU expect to end up with 50 per cent or so of them being renewed but aside from plenty of anecdotal evidence of those who will not be renewing their ten-year tickets, banking institutions which used to take up a few hundred, can no longer do so in the current climate.
On the plus side, the monies raised ten years ago helped the IRFU to pay off loans toward the building of the Aviva Stadium. Based on their Strategic Plan of 2005, the Union could borrow up to €38 million, but it is understood that they have repaid most of that loan, so at least they are not saddled with a huge debt. At a guess they owe the banks at most €15 million.
In addition, Puma recently withdrew from their kit deal with the IRFU (due to run until 2017) as part of their strategy to withdraw from European rugby, and while the confidential settlement afforded the Union time to find a new kit sponsor, this is not a favourable time to do so.
Furthermore, next Wednesday the Union chief executive, along with his counterparts in the FAI, John Delaney, and GAA, Páraic Duffy, will meet with a joint Oireachtas Committee to discuss the Government's vexed proposal to curb or even abolish alcohol sponsorship in sport. Here again, due primarily to their sponsorship from Guinness, notably the Guinness Series in November and indirectly the Heineken Cup, this could cost the Union an estimated €8-9 million per year. Such an eventuality would indeed spell the end for Irish rugby as we know it.
Alcohol sponsorship in sport is an easy target, as opposed to curbing under-priced cans and bottles of shots in supermarkets, and the three sports bodies will seek to work with the Government and invest in educating young people to the evils of excessive alcohol consumption.
Combined with the passing of the golden generation and a decline in fortunes on the pitch, the IRFU are being hit by a blizzard of problems in these straitened times.
Before Bond re-emerges, Adele adds:
"Let the sky fall, when it crumbles
We will stand tall
And face it all together."
Maybe the Union's conservatism in the good times could yet stand to them now. But then again, you always knew Bond would somehow swim ashore.


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NMG image by Brandon Malone
There is only one source for Gear Rules and it is this book. There are no Gear Rules in the individual Discipline Rules or Event Schedules.
Having the correct saddlery and equipment (gear) is an important part of pony club life. Riders, parents/guardians and gear check stewards all need to know what is required. Compliance with Gear Rules impacts upon Insurance coverage for Clubs. Note the differences between rally and competition requirements. Competition requirements must not be enforced at rallies.
These Rules are reviewed annually, amendments are published with a new edition each January.
Helmet Standards: PCV is following Pony Club Australia and Equestrian Australia on Helmet Standards.
Please note that the full citation for the VG1 is VG1 (01.040: 2014-12). VG1 on the helmet label is sufficient to pass gear check.


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19 April 2007 14:15
Earth Day 2007 - People express their concern through 3D Avatars(via)
Gizmoz.com just launched a special Earth Day campaign that It's goal is to help raise environmental issues in a creative and expressive way . Creating and distributing animated clips made with Earth Day 3D avatars.
1 (1 marks)


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OK its fall again.
you guys, crack me up
all of youss.
and none of that wind has hit the beach at berk!
Yesterday was a beautiful dream..
Back to holes ,dying winds and
The big suck outtt.
Ya know? its sept 13 2004.
Hell get it were you can, Guys will be getting time on the water All the time.
Be rigged up and ready to jump on the puff! There are sessions to be had. You could wait for the winter storms,
or not ,its over.
check your gear replace stuff as needed,upgrade.
what a blast, of a season.
i hope you all had some fun,
Got jacked up and learned something about are sport
the wind is a beautiful thing.


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Rocker, funkateer, soul man, balladeer… Lenny Kravitz may be one of music's chameleons but underpinning it all is a notable talent. Kravitz plays guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, sings, produces, writes and even makes time to be a clothes designer. But what of Kravitz the guitarist and musician?
Kravitz turned 48 recently and shows no sign of slowing down. His Let Love Rule debut album was released way back in 1989, and was an immediate hit. Its Sly Stone/Jimi Hendrix/retro vibe was unique for the day, but Kravitz claims he was always destined to be a musician. He began banging pots and pans aged 3 and claims he knew he wanted to be a professional musician aged 5.
Hits have kept coming, and via a melange of influences he now sounds only like Lenny Kravitz. Here are a few insights into his style.
Writing a song…
"For me, it's all about the groove," he told Guitar World. "I grew up listening to soul music and funk, artists like James Brown and Earth Wind and Fire, where it's all about locking into a groove and staying there. Plus, there's always an element of funk in my rock and roll. So if it's a simple lick, which a lot of my songs are built around, it's about where you 'lay' it that'll make it sound thick."
Kravitz walks it likes he talks it. Some of his biggest hits are based around a simple repetitive riff where the groove is king. Think "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (guitar riff), "Fly Away" (chunky chordal guitar riff) or "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" (orchestral strings riff).
Kravitz takes much inspiration from classic funk and soul. Don't let your bassist and drummer get too busy, he advises. "For a rhythm section to play repetitively and in-the-pocket and not budge— there's a lot of power in that."
Getting your rhythm right
Ask a many a hard rockin' guitarist to name rhythm inspirations, and they might got for the obvious: the tough-nut precision of James Hetfield, or the woozy slashing-chord swagger of Keith Richards. Kravitz hails the funk.
"To get your rhythm together, start with the James Brown records and listen to those guitar players. Listen to Sly and the Family Stone and Earth, Wind and Fire. The guitarists on those records all have amazing rhythm chops and understand that the purpose of the guitar is to fit right into the music, and that's what makes the band sound superfunky."
Kravitz has a point. Rhythm guitar, like drumming, is about feel. Like many he reckons Jimi Hendrix is underappreciated – not as a soloist, of course, but as a rhythm guitarist.
"I don't think he gets the credit for his 'soul-ness,' Kravitz says. "People are always pointing to the rock element, psychedelic this-and-that, but when you listen to a tune like "Have You Ever Been (to Electric Ladyland)," that's a gospel-like, Curtis Mayfield–inspired kind of thing, done with so much passion and so much soul. The bulk of Jimi's rhythm playing is that concept. He goes off on top of it and plays the most amazing solos you ever heard, but he's a funky player."
For all his self-sufficiency – he still tends to record the majority of his albums on his own - Kravitz is no stranger to working with others. Guitarist Craig Ross has been a regular collaborator since Mama Said (1991) and has played on every album by Kravitz since. Ross co-wrote the songs "Spinning Around Over You," "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Is There Any Love in Your Heart," "Where Are We Runnin'?" "Stillness of Heart," and "Lady" with Kravitz, as well as numerous songs on Kravitz's 2008 release It Is Time for a Love Revolution.
Kravitz has also produced and co-written for Madonna ("Justify My Love"), guest-guitar'd for Steven Tyler ("Line Up"), Mick Jagger ("Use Me", "God Gave Me Everything"), David Bowie ("Buddha of Suburbia"), Jay-Z ("Guns and Roses") and many others. Indeed, Kravitz seems to keep A-list company always. Slash, a friend, famously guested on Kravitz's "Always on the Run".
Lenny Kravitz's Gear
Kravitz is known for his love of old-school gear. He started recording everything analog, and while he now uses Pro Tools (compadre Craig Ross helps him out) that change only happened in the 2000s. For his own guitars, Kravitz goes classic. "I use an assortment of Les Pauls in the studio. A Goldtop, a couple of vintage Flame tops -'58, '59 and '60s models."
Kravitz also plays a variety of Gibson ES-335s to 355s and ES-5s. But he is most closely associated with the Gibson Flying V, and got his own Gibson Flying V signature in 2002 (albeit a very limited edition of only 125). The Kravitz is essentially a 1967 historic reissue with a black and gold flake finish, and the pickguard and truss rod cover were gold mirror. Bling!
Kravtiz previously owned four 1967 Flying Vs, so he takes his V-love seriously. He said of his '67-styled signature, "The neck size is the dimension that I like. The paint, the hardware, the finish, the sound, the pickup, the weight - that's basically it. I used all Gibson and Epiphone on the Lenny album. I've been using the same model since Let Love Rule." The neck on Kravitz's V was actually more akin to a '50s V neck, and it came with a ABR-1/Short maestro tailpiece – though Kravitz rarely uses vibrato arms, he just likes one there.
Due to the low production numbers, Kravitz signature Vs are now very rare – search eBay and you may find one for circa $4500-plus.
Kravitz's studio gear is a whole other story in itself. His own Gregory Town Sound studio on the Eleuthera island in the Bahamas is stacked with new gear and vintage – including a mixing desk that once belonged to London's fabled Abbey Road studios and was used to record The Beatles.
Kravitz has never been a critic's favorite, but with 23 years of hits he likely doesn't care. He's a gearhead, but says he can still find his own unique sound.
"We're so into processing these days, and I feel it takes away from the player's character," he told MixOnline in 2010. "That's the most important thing for me, so that's why I use the gear I use. People may refer to what I do as a "throwback" to the '60s and '70s, but there's nothing retro about it. I use the gear because it brings out the wholeness of the sound and therefore gives me the opportunity to have character in my sound."
Related features
The Gibson Flying V: 20 Essential Facts
The Gibson Interview: Lenny Kravitz
10 Cool Albums That Feature Gibsons On Their Covers


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All those fretful onlookers worried that members of the punk collective Pussy Riot will be locked away in prison for seven years have turned their attention to Madonna, who will give a concert in Moscow this week and who some observers believe will offer a strong show of support to the jailed punk rockers. It would make sense — Pussy Rioters Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich are facing charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, and Madonna has, over the course of her career, often been eager to criticize and upset the Catholic Church. Who better to arrive in Moscow and take a strong stance on Pussy Riot's plight than Madonna, right?
Except, Madonna hasn't said anything about the controversy other than saying that she was sorry the members of Pussy Riot had been arrested. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and all the members of Franz Ferdinand have all been very vocal in their support of Pussy Riot, but there are a lot of people campaigning for the band's release that think Madonna, as a controversy-seeking missile woman, shares so much in common with Pussy Riot's penchant for civil disobedience that an endorsement from the pop star would carry a lot of symbolic weight. No pressure or anything, but it seems like people will be expecting Madonna to say something about Pussy Riot when she takes the stage this week.


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Energy Efficient Lanterns & Lights
Looking for some energy efficient lights to dress up your backyard this summer? Below are 5 you can buy, and 5 to DIY if you want to update a string of LED lights you already have or make a solar lantern of your own:
1. Globe Solar String Lights, $40 from Plow & Hearth: each of the 20 clear glass bulbs holds a bright LED light. The energy efficient solar panel sets up anywhere to illuminate the lights for up to 8 hours on an 8-hour charge.
2. Soji Stella Solar Lantern, $20 from Allsop Garden: punched luminaria made from metallic Tyvek fabric and high-powered duel LEDs. Cylindrical design and flat bottom allows for either hanging or table top use. Available in silver, bronze, and midnight blue.
3. Solar Tea Lantern, $25 from Allsop Garden: hand-blown glass lantern is embedded with a combination of luminescence and white glass. Utilizes a "warm white" LED, for a natural, inviting glow. Available in 5 colors.
4. Solvinden Solar Lantern, $15 from Ikea: when the battery is fully charged, the product will give full light for about 12 hours. LED life time approximately 20,000 hours. The handle makes it easy to move.
5. Party Light Solar Light String, £36 from Keen Gardener: solar powered color-changing LED light string. Battery capacity for 6 hours of light each night.
6. Rattan String Lights, tutorial from Crafty Butt
7. DIY Origami Paper Cube Strings, tutorial from Wit & Whistle
8. DIY Your Own Solar Lights From Canning Jars, tutorial from The Hand Me Down House
9. Improved Sun Jars: Easy DIY Solar Lights For Your Home, tutorial from Instructables
10. Make Rustic Hanging Solar Lights, tutorial from Ikea Hackers
• Party Perfect Solar-Powered Lights
• More Eco-Friendly Outdoor Lighting: Solar & LEDs
• Innovative Mason Jar Lights: From Garden to Kitchen
• Best Outdoor String Lights 2011
(Images: as credited above)


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|Rumson, N.J.
|High School:
|Monmouth County Academy of Applied Health and Science
|Fly, Free-SPR
|Biology and Brain and Cognitive Sciences
2013-14: All-American (200 Fly, 400 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay) … Honorable Mention All-American (200 Medley Relay) … against Wellesley (11/22), she was second in the 200 fly (2:11.49) and the 100 fly (59.18) … CSCAA Scholar All-American ... won the 100 fly against Bowdoin and Babson (11/23) with a 59.31 … at the NEWMAC Championships (2/20-23), she led off the 200 free relay that won in 1:35.59, was fifth in the 50 free in 24.21, was the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay that placed second in 3:51.82, came 11th in the 100 fly in 58.22, touched in third place in the 200 fly with a time of 2:08.31 and led off the 400 free relay that came in 11th with a 3:30.44 … at the NCAA Championships (3/19-22), she was the butterfly leg of the 200 medley relay that came in 16th with a 1:46.11, was part of the 400 medley relay that finished in seventh in 3:49.59 and was the second leg of the 400 free relay that was sixth in 3:26.62 … individually, she was 29th in the 100 fly with a time of 57.14 and eighth in the 200 fly with a 2:06.18, after swimming a 2:04.91 at prelims.
2012-13: Opened the season against Springfield (11/10) by coming in second place in 200 fly with a 2:15.02 and third in the 100 fly in 1:01.13 … improved her time in the 100 fly the following weekend against Wellesley (11/16) with her time of 1:00.77, finishing in third place … against Bowdoin and Babson the next day (11/17), she swam the 200 fly in 2:13.87 to take third place, earning a personal best time … at the NEWMAC Championships (2/15-17), she was part of the 200 free relay that came 11th with an NCAA B cut time of 1:36.54 … was in the 400 medley relay that set the NEWMAC record with a 3:48.88… was 11th in the 800 free relay with a 7:52.67 … was part of the 400 free relay that came 11th with a B cut time of 3:30.89 … finished in fourth place in the 100 fly with a 57.95 … was 15th in the 200 free in 2:00.38 after going 1:56.80 at prelims … came third in the 200 fly with a 2:11.34.
Out of the Pool at MIT: Majoring in biology and brain and cognitive sciences … conducted a UROP in the Graybiel and Housman Labs conducting Parkinson's and Huntington's disease research.
High School: A 2012 graduate of Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science … 100 butterfly All-County champion … Ashbury Park Press All-Shore Women's Swim Team … the Star Ledger All-Shore and All-State Women's Swim Team … Ship Ahoy Swim Team MVP …Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School record holder in the 100 fly, 200 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay … New Jersey swimming record holder open women's 200 free relay … four-time varsity letterwinner … National Honor Society … World Language Honor Society … class vice president.


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2008 Chevrolet Colorado LT 2WD Reg Cab
|Price : $7,450
|2008 Chevrolet Colorado LT 2WD Reg Cab
White / Black
82,763 Miles / VIN: 1GCCS34E088218791
Phone : (847) 579-5095
2210 Skokie Valley Road , Highland Park, IL 60035
|White / Black 2008 Chevrolet Colorado LT 2WD Reg Cab
|Pickup, 2 Doors, Rear Wheel Drive, 3.7L 242.0hp, 5 Cylinders, Automatic Transmission
|Stock: 3809
**ONLY 82K MILES** Very nice Chevy Colorado LT 2WD, fully equipped! Has GT4 3.73 Axle, G80 locking rear differential, keyless entry, power windows, locks, and mirrors, alloy wheels, 3.5L 5-cyl engine, automatic trans, AM/FM/CD, clean cloth bench seat, seats 3, a/c, bed liner, Z85 HD suspension, leather wrapped steering wheel, On Star, all weather floor mats, fog lights, and more! This was a corporate fleet vehicle in southern Virginia, NO rust, looks & drives perfect! MOTORSOURCEINC.COM Indoor showroom in Highland Park has the Midwest's best selection of used pick up trucks! Many rust free vehicles available. Financing is available for approved applicants!
View our inventory inside our 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse showroom in Highland Park, IL. Our all-indoor facility is conveniently located 25 minutes from Chicago, O'Hare Airport, and the Wisconsin state line.
We are located located on US-41 (Skokie Valley Road) two blocks South of Route 22 (Half Day Road). Our yellow brick warehouse building is just south of the Porsche dealership on the west side of US-41.
Remember, all of the vehicles we have for sale are inside our warehouse showroom. Park in our front lot and enter our office through the glass entry doors.
We have several competitive national finance companies on our system. They offer excellent rates to qualified applicants. The financing process can usually be completed in under an hour.
Click the icon to the left to complete an online credit application.
We would also be happy to cooperate with your own bank or credit union, should you wish to arrange your own financing. We would be happy to provide them with a draft of the purchase agreement in advance, and will accect a cashiers check or wired funds from them for your vehicle purchase.
If you are coming to the dealership and applying for financing, we strongly recommend you bring with you:
- Valid Driver's License
- Proof of Full Coverage Insurance Policy (or your agent's contact info)
- Cashier's check for any desired down-payment.
- Pay check stubs showing year-to-date (2) (not always necessary).
- Residential utility or phone bill as proof of residence. (not always necessary).
- Note: Some lenders may require more depending on circumstances.
- If you are applying with a co-buyer, they must be present at the dealership and also bring all recommended items listed above.
Many of the vehicles in our inventory are still covered by the original manufacturer's factory warranty. Most manufacturers sell their vehicles with a 3-year/36,000 mile or 4-year/50,000 mile factory warranty. As the owner of a covered vehicle you are entitled to the full coverage and benefits of this factory warranty until expiration.
Extended Service Contracts
Motorsource, Inc. offers a variety of extended service contract options from A-rated companies to protect your vehicle purchase. We recommend extended service contracts to protect your purchase from unexpected mechanical breakdowns and component failures. A service contract can offer peace of mind and add value to your vehicle.
Extended Service Contracts include:
Vehicle protection of covered components
National acceptance
Rental reimbursement
Towing coverage
Customized coverage is available to suite your individual needs, in many cases extending factory warranty style coverage up to five additional years. Shorter, more limited coverage is also available. Contact us for additional information and pricing specific to your vehicle.
Motorsource, Inc. is an independent authorized producer for First Automotive Service Corp & GWC Warranty Corp. The administrator obligor is First Automotive Service Corporation, (800) 634-4333 or GWC Warranty Corp (800) 482-7357. All contracts issued are between the contract purchaser and administrator obligor. Motorsource, Inc. does not contract for, provide, or administer any service contract, nor assume responsibility for any such service plan.


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This weekend I took the time to reread Robert K. Greenleaf's essay titled "The Servant as a Leader." I thought some of the ideas in the essay were worth sharing with you.
After spending 40 years researching management development, Greenleaf came to the conclusion that the command and control authoritarian leadership style so prevalent in American institutions and organizations was an ineffective way to lead people. He then spent the next 26 years of his life helping people understand the basics of what he referred to as servant leadership.
In a nutshell, great leaders are servants first. In fact, being a servant and being seen as a servant by those you lead are keys to greatness.
Greenleaf went further to say, "the only authority deserving one's allegiance is that which is freely and knowingly granted by the led to the leader in response to, the clearly evident servant stature of the leader." Greenleaf predicted that the only truly viable institutions would be those that are predominantly servant led.
As I read his words, I thought about how difficult it must be for some people to do everything that it takes to rise to the top of an organization and then, in effect, assume a subordinate position to those you are responsible for leading.
However, knowing what I do about the kind of things that have the potential to truly bring joy into a person's life, this choice makes perfect sense. Think about it, unless you have some psychological disorder, some of the most joyful moments of your life involve serving someone else or serving an important cause bigger than yourself.
I mentioned the psychological disorder issue because one of the defining characteristics of certain mental disorders is the inability to care about or empathize with others – the opposite of being a servant. Unfortunately, these characteristics can often lead to short-term success in our culture.
In his book "Just Listen," psychiatrist Mark Goulston says the following when speaking of psychopaths, "About one in every hundred people is a psychopath and most of these people are not behind bars. In fact, the core traits of a classic psychopath – coldness, lack of empathy, self-centeredness, ruthlessness – make them some of the world's most financially successful business leaders. The not-so-bright ones end up in prison, but the smarter ones sometimes end up as CEOs."
So, what'll it be for you? Should you choose the command-and-control model of leadership or the servant-leader model? And now reverse the situation. If you are one of the "among the led," which model would you choose? Here is a good test to decide: Choose the model you would prefer that your children (or anyone else you care deeply about) experience when they enter the work world.
Here is the ultimate test that Greenleaf articulated: Do those served grow while under your leadership? Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely to themselves become servants? Perhaps the most prevalent leadership style in American institutions is not always the best style.
Chris Crouch is CEO of DME Training and Consulting and author of several books on improving productivity. Contact him through www.dmetraining.com.
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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Registration is now open for the Georgia College women's soccer ID Camp, set for Saturday, Aug. 24 at Bobcat Field.
There will be two sessions that day, running from 10 a.m. to noon and another from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. including technical training, small sided and 11v11 games.
The clinic is open to all high school female players, giving potential college soccer players a chance to receive quality instruction and training in addition to showing their talents to collegiate coaches.
Lunch and a camp T-shirt are included in the $75 cost. Check-ins will begin at 9 a.m. at Bobcat Field.
For more information, contact head coach Hope Clark at (478) 445-4011 or via email at firstname.lastname@example.com . To register, fill out the form located here: http://gcbobcats.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/Camp .
All donations will go to Women's Soccer Foundation.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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OMAHA, Neb. – Rising senior Wyatt Ubellacker (Georgetown, Ky.) completed his U.S. Olympic Trials experience this morning with an outstanding swim in the preliminary heats of the 50-meter freestyle event, finishing second in his heat with a personal record time of 22.78 seconds. He also competed in the 100-meter freestyle trials on Thursday, finishing that race with another PR of 51.39 seconds.
Ubellacker, the first MIT swimmer to compete at the U.S. Trials, just missed out on moving to the semifinals in the 50-meter event. With the top 16 times advancing to the semis, Ubellacker was just 0.1 seconds shy of moving on, finishing an impressive 21st overall out of 167 competitors in his first Olympic Trials. Swimming in the 10th heat of the day, he was the third swimmer to break the 23-second mark. He entered the Trials with the 76th fastest qualifying time of 23.23 seconds.
On Thursday, Ubellacker started his Olympic Trials experience with the 100-meter freestyle. Swimming in the third heat of the day he finished third, recording a 51.39 seconds that would wind up 102nd overall out of 165 swimmers that competed. He qualified with the 156th fastest time, a 51.40 seconds effort.
Video of Ubellacker's 50-meter swim.
Click here for a video of his 100-meter swim.
Click here for another video of his 50-meter race.


text:
|Version 7 (modified by 10 years ago) (diff),
Guidelines for writing, distributing and using Django applications
- http://groups.google.com/group/django-developers/browse_thread/thread/bdcad26ab044cb96
- http://www.b-list.org/weblog/2008/sep/07/slides/ and http://media.b-list.org/presentations/2008/djangocon/reusable_apps.pdf
Guidelines for reusable application authors
- namespace: apps should live in
django.apps, i.e. if your app is named
frobnicate, your code should be in
- FIXME alternative: require use of namespace packages, see http://peak.telecommunity.com/DevCenter/setuptools#namespace-packages , review how Zope does it
- FIXME Django version: somehow the Django version used has to be conveyed (
django1.0-comments?), again Zope app versioning should help
- publishing: apps should be packaged with
setuptoolsand published in the Python Package Index, under trove category
Framework :: Django
- dependencies: ordinary
setuptoolsdependency handling
Package index
Additionally to the PyPi index, a separate indexing service with ratings, groupings and whatnot would be useful. Django Pluggables is a nice start.


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Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman's address to Monday's Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon attendees...
It's always a privilege to be here and a privilege to be part of this special club. What an incredible turnout.
The offseason is in some ways the busiest time of the year for us as we have only a short window to review where we are and then make things happen. And, anyone who is following the club closely and sees the range of initiatives we are working on knows that this is an organization, an enterprise, a brand, and a team that is truly on the move.
But each year, it's this particular day, this initial gathering of our supporters from across this city at the season kickoff luncheon where it all hits me. Where I get that combination of emotions; where it feels as though the tie comes off, and I'm ready to be a fan again. I'm both nervous and excited and there's that contagious excitement, that connection to the club and to each other. I for one cannot wait for the season to begin, and to take off on another epic adventure with all of you. And, as with any season, there will be ups and downs, we will suffer and celebrate through every game together, we will commiserate about (well…about everything), we will commit to the cause, we will compete with the intent of always winning and we will have these incredible opportunities to impact the community and one another along the way.
So I am reminded on this day that my care for the club isn't just about wins and losses or about jersey sponsors, though those things are critically important. It really does run deeper.
The phrase or motto we have been expressing of late, Our City, Our Club… also runs deep and so it should — these are not just words sewn into our merchandise, but rather a reflection of our core principles that are woven into the fabric of the entire organization. It has the kind of meaning that I feel being here today. It's hard to put into words but it speaks to me and I hope it speaks to you.
It's the sense of community that comes with our growing club. It's about the aspirations and idealism of what this club is and what it can be. And the honest truth that a club like ours is only as powerful; only as impactful; only as meaningful as the combination of forces within our city and our club.
Each year, I come up here and I tell you how psyched I am for the season and how much I love this city and this club and how proud I am of the work that we do across the community. And it's true, I am psyched about the season, and I do love this city and this club and I am very proud of the amazing work of our Foundation. However, seeing as it's Our City, Our Club, and instead of me doing all of the talking, I thought it would be cool to hear from a few folks around the room who I saw on the way in today.
Hey, David Berchem, what was your favorite moment from the last year or what about the Fire makes you care so much about the club??
David Berchem: "Traveling on the bus with Section 8 Chicago to Columbus was by far the most memorable moment of the season for me. It is not just a group of people that love a sport. It is a group of people on a mission to help the sport grow and the special feeling of being a part of something special happening around you. To be able to take our city pride and our team pride, 500 strong, to Columbus and rally behind our team really reminded me of the sense of community involved in being a Fire fan."
What about you Erin Kwiatkowski, what moment stood out in your mind?
Erin Kwiatkowski: "I was part of the group that helped organize the Fire's practice in the community at Benito Juarez Community Academy last summer. Our players trained on the field at the school in Pilsen and then spent time afterward to sign autographs and share a meal with supporters who came out."
Zach Dicken, what moment resonated with you the most?
Zach Dicken: "Watching the crowd go nuts after Cory Gibbs scored a header against Manchester United was by far my favorite moment. There was great buzz around Chicago and the electric atmosphere provided for a great day."
Right; those are incredible aspects of Our City, Our Club. It's not just about Frank Klopas or about players like Sean Johnson or Logan Pause or Dominic Oduro or Pavel Pardo or Marco Pappa, Cory Gibbs, Patrick Nyarko or new talents to the team like Arne Friendrich, Rafael Robayo or Federico Puppo. We are expecting a lot from each of them and the rest of our dynamic team.
But, what it is really about is our connectivity with one another; and those players to each other, and our front office with our supporters and our community. It is about our passion for this beautiful game and about our values and who we are as a community rallying around Our City, Our Club in whatever way suits you, in whatever way that's meaningful to you. This past week, I read the story about Flynn Murphy, who, inspired by Section 8, donated bone marrow to save a life of someone he doesn't even know. And Matt Mason who is raising money for the Chicago Fire Foundation by hiking the Appalachian Trail. – think about that.
Don't kid yourself; everyone in this room helps us to shape what those values are around Our City, Our Club; you are part of this story; you are responsible for our club in our city just as much as I am.
We at the Chicago Fire Soccer Club take pride in that; we honor that; and we believe in the strength to our club that comes from that.
So that's what today is about for me and what makes it especially powerful and meaningful.
Not only do I have that shared experience today with all of you and with our incredible team and our hard-working executives but also, I have the special privilege of sharing the experience today with my wife Ellen, my two children Lila and Zack and my sister Jodi.
So thank you to everyone in this room for your commitment to Our City and Our Club. I look forward to seeing you at Toyota Park. I look forward to a successful year. I really believe in this club and I thank all of you for believing too.


text: I just returned from a 2 night stay at The Porches with 11 girl friends. My only regret is that I didn't book this place for a full week. It is my absolute favorite place I've stayed in Colorado. Here are some of the highlights... 1. Huge, spacious accommodations. We stayed with 12 women and had plenty of room. It... More


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The MOTU MicroBook Interface turns your Mac or PC computer into a personal 4 x 2 recording studio with all the audio I/O and mixing you need for prof...Click To Read More About This Product
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Ultra compact 4-input, 2-output bus-powered "plug-and-play" USB audio interface with 10-bus digital mixer.
The MOTU MicroBook Interface turns your Mac or PC computer into a personal 4 x 2 recording studio with all the audio I/O and mixing you need for professional-quality recording and playback.
Plug in your mic, guitar and keyboard (or other instrument) and record up to four inputs simultaneously. You can even connect your iPod for rehearsing or sampling. Mix your tracks with on-screen CueMix FX software and apply DSP-powered effects such as multi-band EQ and compression.
Plug in your mic using the included XLR cable adapter.
With professional analog stereo outputs, digital output, and stereo-mini output jacks for both headphones and desktop speakers, you can monitor your live audio and recorded tracks any way you like.
Edit and finalize your recording with the included AudioDesk software.
From initial inspiration to polished track, the MicroBook gets you there with broad compatibility, bus-powered convenience, and professional quality.
Advanced features
From on-the-go remote recording, to personal studio production, to laptop-based DJing and remixing, the MicroBook delivers professional audio quality and advanced features in a highly compact form factor.
Complete personal recording
The MicroBook gives you a complete personal recording solution, with simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, and a keyboard or other stereo line level device. The mic preamp delivers neutral coloration and pristine sound, with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Programmable analog, digital, and headphone outputs provide flexible monitoring options.
Balanced line level connectors
Other audio interface brands (even expensive ones) cut corners with unbalanced analog inputs and outputs, which can result in significantly compromised performance well below an equivalent balanced circuit. Not the MicroBook: your balanced I/O connections are well-protected against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-producing environmental factors.
Precision Digital Trim
Each MicroBook analog input is equipped with digitally controlled analog trim. This gives you the best of both worlds: the pristine signal quality of analog audio circuitry and the fine-tune precision of digital control. You can even save and recall trim settings on your computer.
Superb audio quality
The MicroBook delivers uncompromising audio quality intended for the most demanding professional recording applications. Born from MOTU's award-winning line of FireWire, USB, and PCI audio interfaces, the MicroBook embodies decades of engineering expertise.
Mixing and processing
The MicroBook is not just an audio interface: it's also an audio mixer that allows you to mix live inputs (voice, guitar, keys, etc.) with your host software playback tracks.
A 10-bus digital mixer
The MicroBook is a 10-bus digital mixer that lets you mix live inputs with each other " with or without host software tracks. With CueMix FX running on your computer, you can create separate mixes of live audio from your mic, guitar, and keyboard, and send each mix to separate outputs (main out, line out, and phones out) or any combination of all three.
Advanced mixing features
The MicroBook's included CueMix FX software environment is easy to use and nice to look at. Click simple tabs to configure settings for input, output, mixes, channel settings, and much more. The MicroBook is full of surprise advanced mixing features. For example, you can route a mix that includes both live inputs and host audio tracks back to the computer.
Modeled analog EQ
British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The MicroBook meticulously models these classic EQ curves to give you the very same, magical EQ settings found on these coveted desks. Seven separate filters are available on every input and output, including low-shelf and high-shelf, with intuitive graphic control of each EQ parameter.
The MicroBook provides a classic compressor on each input and output, so you can apply compression liberally with the flexibility to decide if and when you want to "commit" to your mix. You can change the MicroBook's compression settings at any time while recording or listening.
Analysis and diagnostics
The MicroBook provides a wealth of tools for audio analysis and diagnostics to awaken your inner engineer.
Sine wave generator
Set the frequency, set the amplitude, and choose an output. It's that simple. Sine waves can be immeasurably useful for setting levels, performing calibration, troubleshooting, sound design, and annoying the heck out of unwanted visitors when they invade your studio.
White/pink noise generator
Sometimes, noise is useful and good. That's why the MicroBook provides both white noise and pink noise, which can be used for sound effects, filter sweeps, masking, testing, calibration, and much more. With noise this close to your fingertips, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
FFT and Spectrogram
Visually monitor the frequency content of your music or other audio material as it plays. The MicroBook superimposes a Fast Fourier Transform and sonogram display directly on the graphic EQ curve so that you can see the effect of the EQ filters on the audio material being monitored.
This is not your grandpa's oscilloscope. With modern digital precision, you have unprecedented control over how you view audio material using features like waveform recognition, split screen, trigger (with programmable criteria), and much more. Analyze harmonic content, view transients, or detect clipping with one-sample precision.
X-Y Plot
The X-Y Plot graphs the amplitude of a stereo signal on a two-dimensional grid, allowing you to see the width of the stereo field of a mix in real time. It also helps you detect issues with polarity in stereo mixes, which, if left unresolved, can cause the mix to completely cancel itself out when collapsed to mono.
Phase Analysis
Does your mix sound thin? Do you hear strange "flangy" artifacts? It could be suffering from phase or polarity issues. The Phase Analysis display helps you check the phase alignment and polarity of a stereo mix " especially mixes that might be summed to mono " or instruments (like drums) recorded with multiple mics.
Before you play or record, you need to be in tune, right? CueMix FX's Tuner lets you quickly tune your guitar, bass, sax, or other pitched instrument. The more complex the harmonics of the input signal, the wider the LED band gets. So if your guitar strings are wearing out, the Tuner's LED meter will let you know. Other features include adjustable tuning reference and test tone generation.
Included software
The MicroBook includes CueMix FX console software for Mac and Windows, and AudioDesk workstation software for Mac.
CueMix FX
The included CueMix FX software for Mac OS X and Windows gives you graphic, on-screen control of the MicroBook's on-board audio mixer, with up to five separate stereo mixes, 7-band parametric EQ, and compression on every input and output. Flexible routing options abound. Advanced features include a sine wave generator, oscilloscope, FFT/spectrogram display, and phase analysis tools.
The MicroBook includes AudioDesk, the workstation software for Mac OS X, which provides advanced recording, editing, mixing, processing, and mastering. AudioDesk delivers the power of modern digital audio workstation technology in an easy-to-use, inspiring multitrack recording experience. Together, AudioDesk and the MicroBook are a complete, professional recording studio for your computer desktop.
- 4-input, 2-output bus-powered "plug-and-play" USB audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- 4 x 8 physical input/output channels.
- 10-bus digital mixer to route and mix live inputs with live computer tracks.
- Pre-amp equipped mic input with Precision Digital Trim, 48V phantom power, and 20 dB pad.
- Includes female XLR to quarter-inch adapter for plugging in a standard male XLR mic cable.
- Guitar input with Precision Digital Trim.
- Stereo line level analog input (balanced TRS quarter-inch or stereo mini).
- Stereo balanced TRS quarter-inch line level main outs.
- Stereo eighth-inch "mini" line level out.
- S/PDIF digital out (duplicates main out).
- Headphone output on eighth-inch stereo "mini" jack with independent volume control.
- Support for both 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates on all analog and digital ins/outs.
- Digitally controlled analog trim for all analog inputs.
- Digital trim for all outputs.
- CueMix FX no-latency mixing and monitoring with EQ and dynamics processing.
- 7-band parametric EQ and compression.
- Test tone and white/pink noise generator.
- Advanced audio analysis software tools, including FFT display, spectrogram "waterfall" display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase analysis.
- Industry standard Mac and Windows drivers (Core Audio, Wave, and ASIO) for across-the-board software compatibility.
- Compatible with all current and recent generation Macs and PCs.
- Includes AudioDesk DAW software for Mac, USB cable, and mic cable adapter.
- Chassis dimensions: 3.6 x 5.5 x 1.0 inches (9.14 x 13.97 x 2.54 cm).
- Weight: 10.5 ounces (297 grams).


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|Oracle® Real User Experience Insight Installation Guide
Release 6.5.2 for Linux x86-64
Part Number E20329-02
|View PDF · Mobi
This chapter describes the procedure for installing Oracle Linux 5.4. However, the procedure for installing Oracle or RedHat Enterprise Linux 5.x is very similar.
The procedure for installing Oracle Linux 5.4 is fully described in the product documentation. This section presents a summary of that procedure, and assumes a sound knowledge of Linux system administration.
For information on vendor-specific variations, consult the appropriate documentation. The installation procedure described is based on the use of a DVD media package.
Obtaining the Linux Operating System
The Oracle Linux 5.4 software is available from the Oracle E-Delivery Web site (
For remote access, one interface with a fixed IP address is required for each server. For a Collector (and an all-in-one RUEI server), one (SPAN/copy) or two (TAP) interfaces without IP address, are required.
For explanation of the RUEI global settings specified in the rest of this section, see The RUEI Configuration File.
Planning the Software Installation Location
Depending on installation location of the database and the RUEI software, the necessary disk space needs to be carefully planned. During operating system installation, you will need this information at hand during the disk partitioning phase.The following are the disk space requirements when using the default installation locations indicated throughout this guide:
Database Disk Space Requirements
/u01/app/oracle 300 GB (ORACLE_BASE).
Reporter and Collector Disk Space Requirements
/opt/ruei 1 GB (RUEI_HOME).
/var/opt/ruei 100GB (RUEI_DATA).
This means that for an all-in-one RUEI server installation, a minimum of 400 GB is required. In the case of a high-traffic implementation, involving a dedicated remote Collector, a minimum of 200 GB of disk space is recommended for
/var/opt/ruei (RUEI_DATA).
Note:As of RUEI release 5.1, a Collector only system does not require any database.
Download the appropriate ISO image. This guide assumes you are using the DVD version of Oracle Linux 5.4.
Unzip the files.
Burn the ISO file to DVD. Note that this requires the use of a DVD-burning utility (such as UltraISO or Magic ISO Maker).
Note:According to your corporate policy, the Linux installation procedure may use a different procedure to that described in the following sections.
Note:After installing Linux on the first node, repeat the Linux installation procedure for each system.
Ensure that server system is able to boot from DVD. Insert the Oracle Linux DVD, and power on.
When the Oracle Linux boot screen appears, press Enter to start the installation process.
When asked to test the DVD media, select Skip. After a short interval, the installer goes into GUI mode. (The media test is not necessary because the DVD burning software would have informed you of any errors on the media).
At the Welcome to Oracle Linux screen, click Next.
Select the appropriate options from the Language and Keyboard settings screens.
If the installer detects a previous version of Linux, you are prompted to "Install Enterprise Linux" or "Upgrade an existing installation". Select "Install Enterprise Linux", and click Next.
Important:Oracle recommends that you install the Linux operating system with the default software packages (RPMs), and that you do not customize the RPMs during installation. This installation includes most required packages, and helps you limit manual checks of package dependencies.
When prompted, select the default Remove Linux partitions on selected drives and create default layout option, and check the option Review and modify partitioning layout. When prompted to confirm your selection, select Yes. Click Next to continue.
Important:For security reasons, it is strongly recommended you check the Encrypt System check box so that all sensitive data is stored in a secure manner. A passphase is required during booting the system.
When prompted to confirm the removal of all partitions, click Yes.
Review and modify (if necessary) the automatically selected disk partitions.
For most automatic layouts, the installer assigns 100 MB for
/boot, 2 GB for swap, and the remainder is assigned to the root (
/) partition. Ensure the specified SWAP space is sufficient. See Table 2-1 and Table 2-2 for required disk space and swap space requirements.
The installer creates a disk configuration using the Logical Volume Manager (LVM). For example, it will partition the first hard drive (
/dev/sda in the described configuration) into two partitions: one for the
/boot partition (
/dev/sda1), and the remainder of the disk dedicated to a LVM named VolGroup00 (
/dev/sda2). The LVM Volume Group (
VolGroup00) is then partitioned into two LVM partitions: one for the root file system (
/), and another for swap. If you have selected a non-standard layout, ensure that the system meets the required disk space specifications shown in Table 2-1. Ensure enough swap space is allocated for Oracle Linux. Its required swap space is shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-1 Required Disk Space Specifications
|Minimum Required Disk Space (GB)
ORACLE_BASE (default
RUEI_HOME (default
RUEI_DATA (default
Footnote 1 This is the example location of the database used throughout this guide.
|Available RAM
|Swap Space Required
Up to 8192 MB
Equal to the size of RAM.
More than 8192 MB
0.75 times the size of RAM.
Important:The Reporter server requires high performance data storage. RAID-10 or RAID-5 (or equivalent) storage configurations with high performance disks are strongly recommended.
Note:The requirements shown in Table 2-1 and Table 2-2 can vary depending upon the composition and volume of monitored data. For more information, please contact Customer Support.
Accept the GRUB boot loader, as well as all default values, and click Next.
Ensure that a static IP address is assigned to the interface used to access the RUEI Web interface. In addition, the assigned IP address and host name should be configured in the
/etc/hosts file. If necessary, ensure that all Reporter and Collector systems are correctly defined in the DNS system.
Ensure that the network interface(s) used for network packet monitoring are administratively up, but without an IP address.
Important:Make the network interface up status permanent (after a reboot) by setting the ONBOOT parameter of the capturing interfaces to yes. The network interfaces configuration can be found in
X (where
X represents the necessary network interface). Alternatively, use the graphical utility system-config-network to perform the above actions.
Select the appropriate time zone for your environment, and click Next.
Important:In distributed environments, all time zones specified for Reporter and Collector systems must be identical.
Specify a
root password, and click Next.
At the additional tasks dialog box shown in Figure 2-1, leave the Customize later radio button checked, leave all the check boxes unchecked, and click Next.
Figure 2-1 Additional Tasks Dialog Box
At the About to install screen, click Continue to start the installation.
At the prompt screen, click Next to begin installation of Linux.
Upon successful installation, remove the DVD, and click Reboot.
Important:It is strongly recommended that you use the settings described above, and do not perform a "minimal" installation of Oracle Linux. This can lead to a wide range of problems, further described in Missing Packages and Fonts Error Messages.
When the system boots for the first time, a post-installation wizard appears, and allows you to finalize the operating system configuration settings. Click Forward.
At the User license agreement screen, read the license terms. You will not be able to proceed until you have accepted them. Then click Forward.
Use the screen shown in Figure 2-2 to allow only secure WWW (HTTPs) and SSH traffic. Be aware that, by default, SSH traffic is enabled, but secure WWW (HTTPS) traffic is not. Note that, when prompted with a warning about not setting the firewall, click Yes.
Figure 2-2 Firewall Configuration
Use the screen shown in Figure 2-3 to disable Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux). Click Forward. Note that you are prompted with a warning that changing the SELinux setting requires rebooting the system so that the entire system can be relabeled. Click Yes.
Figure 2-3 SELinux Configuration
Important:Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) must be disabled for correct operation of RUEI.
Accept the default setting on the Kdump screen (disabled), and click Forward.
Adjust the date and time settings using the screen shown in Figure 2-4. The use of NTP is strongly recommended, and is required in a split-server deployment. Click OK.
Figure 2-4 Date and Time Settings
Important:In distributed environments, all time zones specified for Reporter and Collector systems must be identical.
Create any additional required (non-Oracle) operating system user accounts. Note that during the installation of the RUEI software, the
moniforceFoot 1 user account is created. The creation of the
oracleFootref 1 user is described in a later section. Do not create either user account at this point.
If prompted, confirm the detection of a sound card.
On the Additional CDs screen, click Finish.
Because the SELinux option has been changed (to disabled), you are prompted to reboot the system. Click OK.
After reboot, use the
root user account, and the password you specified during installation to logon.
Text Mode Installation (Optional):When using the text mode installation, by default:
Firewall: HTTPS (TCP 443) is blocked.
Security: SE Linux is enabled.
Allow HTTPS traffic (TCP 443) and disable SElinux using the system-config-securitylevel utility.
Because the NTP daemon is a critical component of RUEI, especially in a split Reporter-Collector configuration, it is recommended that you verify that it is activated in at least run level 5 during boot. Use the following commands:
chkconfig --list | grep ntp ntpd 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:off 4:off 5:off 6:off chkconfig ntpd on chkconfig --list | grep ntp ntpd 0:off 1:off 2:on 3:on 4:on 5:on 6:off /etc/init.d/ntpd start Starting ntpd: [ OK ]
Note that if the NTP daemon is not already running, you can start it with the command
/etc/init.d/ntpd restart
The following sample output show when the NTP daemon is synchronized (indicated by an "*").
ntpq -pn remote refid st t when poll reach delay offset jitter ============================================================================== *220.127.116.11 .PPS. 1 u 994 1024 377 6.429 0.041 0.093 +126.96.36.199 126.96.36.199 3 u 725 1024 377 4.435 0.673 0.129 +18.104.22.168 22.214.171.124 2 u 678 1024 377 1.709 1.774 0.020 127.127.1.0 .LOCL. 10 l 8 64 377 0.000 0.000 0.001
Important:In distributed environments, all time zones specified for Reporter and Collector systems must be identical.
Footnote LegendFootnote 1: This is the default user names used throughout this guide. For a complete explanation of the settings used by RUEI, see The RUEI Configuration File.


text:
Inland Printer May 1901
My Old General Store
Very unique Wall Decor for the graphic arts industry, looks fantastic matted and framed.
High quality 300 dpi prints.
These are unique, hand-chosen prints. Finally, there is an alternative to the all-too-common wall decor found in office supply stores.
I have many of these posters matted, framed and hanging in my printing company, and I have received countless compliments on them.
It is highly recommend that you use non-reflective glass on the frames.
More from this collection


text:
You smell.
Unsubtle Boalt/UCLA trolling.
I found this spreadsheet on another thread.http://members.aol.com/stuje1/lawrankings.xlsAccording to it Hastings has only been ranked higher than Davis for two years since 1990 ('99-'00). Even if Hastings were to overtake Davis in '09 I think it will be short lived. Also, even if Hastings were to be ranked higer than Davis in '09 (and maybe even for a few years after), with such a solid history of Davis being slightly higer than Hastings I think professionally Davis will hold more prestige for a for several more years.With that said, both are great schools, and when it comes down to it I think the biggest difference between them is not the rankings but the programs they offer.
UCI will overtake both by 2029.


text:
About Us - HALO Board
HALO's Board of Directors includes the following Amy Campbell, Green Bay, WI
distinguished individuals:
Board Member
Amy Campbell, Green Bay, WI Amy Campbell holds her Bachelor's Degree in Business with a concentration in small business management, from the University of Phoenix. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Business Administration through the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Amy is the Executive Director and owner of ACE Teaching & Consulting, a HALO affiliated clinic. Amy is responsible for the business and management of the clinic. She enjoys working closely with families to get them prepared to work with their Senior Certified RPM Provider, sharing her knowledge on RPM and assisting families through their RPM journey. Amy serves as the President of RPM Support, member of the 432 Civil Affairs Battalion Family Reediness group and most recently as a board member of HALO (Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach). Amy looks forward to assisting HALO with their mission and continuing to support the growth of RPM.
Brian Jackson, Austin, TX
President, 2013-2016
Mr. Jackson was born in Austin, Texas in 1964 and graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. He obtained his Law Degree from the University of Houston School of Law in 1990 and is currently a Senior Shareholder in the Austin law firm of Davis & Davis, P.C. Mr. Jackson specializes in health law and defending healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. He also advises Hospitals and Hospital Boards on regulatory issues, contractual issues, reimbursement disputes, and governance issues. In addition to his busy trial schedule, Mr. Jackson has been a featured speaker at seminars throughout Texas on legal issues for hospitals and hospital districts, including lectures in Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Harlingen, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Wichita Falls. The State Bar of Texas has also selected Mr. Jackson as a featured speaker at their Advanced Medical Malpractice Conference for six of the last eight years. Mr. Jackson was a contributory author in 2005 for an article in the Texas Tech Law Review on the subject of Tort Reform for hospital districts. Mr. Jackson and the law firm of Davis and Davis, P.C., represent more than 100 Hospitals across Texas as well as the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange, and the Texas Pharmacy Association. Mr. Jackson serves on the Boards of several non-profit organizations including Brentwood Christian School, HALO (Helping Autism through Learning and Outreach), and KidFish. He lives in Austin with his wife Kristi and three young children.
Stacey Lewis, Austin, TX
Secretary, 2013-2016
Stacey Lewis worked for Wells Fargo Bank and Home Mortgage division for 10yrs before resigning so that she could care full time for her son Cameron diagnosed with ASD at age 3 and epilepsy at age 4. Stacey was introduced to Soma RPM in 2006 when Cameron attended his first 4-day camp with Soma. In 2007 Stacey organized a Soma RPM Workshop in Irvine,CA. The following year Stacey and her family relocated to Austin and she began voluntering regularly at HALO . Two years later , Stacey accepted the role of Clinic Administrator . Through her dual roles at HALO Stacey has been able to work on expanding HALO's mission of community outreach . Having the opportunity to work closely with families and professionals learning RPM is something Stacey finds very rewarding.
Amy Bruce, Austin, TX
Amy Bruce earned her degree in Accounting from Abilene Christian University . She worked for the Texas Education Agency as an auditor of public schools for three years. She was the Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Affairs for the Community College System at the University of Kentucky for five years. She has served on the board of Dream a Dream Theraputic Horsemanship, the Development Council at Brentwood Christian School,and was the founder of a special needs ministry at her church. Amy's true passion is for her family. She is the wife of a local physician and is the mother of a 14 year old son with autism and 13 year old twin daughters.


text:
GOLDEN GLOBES:"Girls" Lena Dunham Styled with Kevin Murphy
Lena Dunham, creator and star of television's "Girls" walked the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards red carpet sporting her trademark pixie cut, styled using KEVIN.MURPHY professional haircare products. Inspired by the gamine glam cuts of Jean Seberg, Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick, stylist Rheanne White gave Dunham's look a modern flair with the use of K.M products.
- White applied ANTI.GRAVITY to Dunham's damp locks before drying in the product. An oil-free volumizer and texturizer, ANTI.GRAVITY helps hold style while yielding bigger, thicker hair.
- Next, White pieced out smaller sections with the help of EASY.RIDER, an anti-frizz creme with flexible hold.
- Edges were finished with STICKY.BUSINESS, a matte paste with medium hold -- ideal for creating a frozen moment in style.
- Finally, Dunham's pixie was finished with SESSION.SPRAY for a weightless, lasting look.
Dunham won Best Actress in a TV Comedy/Musical, and her show "Girls" won Best Television Comedy/Musical Series.


text:
During his lifetime, Saint Francis of Assisi was famously devoted to animals. Paintings and statues depict the saint frolicking with birds, dogs and other beasts.
The lore of San Francisco's namesake seemed an ideal fit for a city where dogs outnumber kids. Inside the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco's North Beach, tributes to the saint's life abound, especially in its annual blessing of the animals.
On a recent weekend, the shrine's rector Father Gregory Coiro blessed some 500 pets during the two-day stretch.
"Mostly dogs," said Coiro, wearing a brown robe and tangled beard. "But there were a few cats and a few angora rabbits."
The Shrine has long opened its doors to living pets in the spirit of Saint Francis. But now, it's also opening them to the dead. In a newly discovered grotto beneath the shrine's front steps, Coiro has envisioned the building of a columbarium to house the ashes of the dearly departed of the pet world.
"The people who bring their pets here can be Catholic or they can be non-Catholic," said Coiro. "Cause afterall, the animals have no religion."
Currently the concrete pillared cave looks like the ruins of a Roman temple.
Though work on the site has not yet begun, the Shrine recently released a brochure with depictions of glass-walled partitions where pets' ashes will be interned.
Visitors will be greeted by a large portrait of Saint Francis himself, and a video monitor will play video loops of pets enshrined in the space. In another corner, a large memorial will pay tribute to police and rescue dogs, like those who searched for survivors and bodies amid the rubble of the Twin Towers in New York on 9/11.
"As somebody walks through and visits the columbarium it'll be like an on-going history of people involved with the shrine; animals that have been involved in families lives," said Bill McLaughlin, a church volunteer who's helping organize the construction.
Some of the shrine's neighbors have complained they weren't notified in advance of plans to store ashes amid hundreds of businesses. Fabio Giotta, one of the owners of nearby Caffe Trieste said he was surprised by plans to build a "pet cemetery in a national shrine." Coiro said the shrine hasn't yet applied for permits from the city.
Both the San Francisco Health and Planning Departments referred calls on the matter to each other. A Health Department Spokeswoman said the department was only interested in dead animals when people ate them.
Coiro admitted the columbarium would also help generate money for the upkeep of the shrine.
He said the church hadn't determined the fees for housing pet cremains, although the brochure was seeking donations to the project in the $1000 to $40,000 range.
Coiro said he was moved by his childless sister who considered her dogs family, and was distraught when they died.
"I understand for many, many people, their animals are very dear to them," said Coiro.


text:
The Viability Question
Is it OK to abort a viable fetus? Six pro-choice writers answer the question.
Over the past week, I've had an online exchange with several pro-choice bloggers about the Kermit Gosnell case. Gosnell, a Philadelphia abortionist, has been charged with butchering viable babies, causing a woman's death, and endangering other patients. A grand jury report details his alleged crimes. Initially, I cited the report as a challenge to some feminist writers (I called them pro-choice absolutists) on the ethics and legality of post-viability abortions. In response, various bloggers challenged me on other aspects of the case.
On Monday, I answered the bloggers' questions and challenged them to answer mine. The question I put to them was this:
Gosnell stands charged with abortions beyond the 24-week gestational limit prescribed by Pennsylvania law. … I agree with you on most abortion policy questions. Contraception or abstinence is best, emergency contraception is next best, early abortion is next best, and we should make these options more accessible, not less. But we'll still be left with some women who, for no medical reason, have run out the clock, even to the point of viability. Should their abortion requests be granted anyway?
Several of these writers, to their great credit, have taken up the challenge. So have others who didn't have to answer the question but took it on anyway. Here are their answers.
1. Yes, says Ann Furedi:
I'm proud to be an absolutist on this issue! I do absolutely believe in women's right to make abortion decisions. It's always struck me that being pro-choice is a bit like being pregnant: you either are or you're not! You can no more be "a bit" pro-choice than you can be a bit pregnant. … The question is: Do we think that women should have leave to make moral decisions about their abortions? Or do we only think that when we are "comfortable" with the decision they make? I believe the former … I don't [think the Gosnell] case speaks to the morality of later abortion or the moral status of the fetus at all. However, it speaks volumes about Saletan's understanding of moral philosophy that he clearly thinks that it does.
2. Yes, says Pema Levy:
For the purposes of Saletan's question, I think we're referring to late-term abortions as post-viability abortions, which means that women would be required to continue their pregnancy for 3-4 months. For me, the answer is yes, late-term abortions should be legal, even if medical complications are out of the picture. If a woman decides to have a late-term abortion, which often means traveling across state lines and spending a lot of money to have it done or submitting to a complicated procedure at a shady clinic like Dr. Gosnell's patients did, then they are obviously making a very serious decision because they feel having an abortion is what they need. Maybe their decision is financial, maybe their marriage has become abusive, and maybe she's a bad, fickle person. But being pro-choice means having the strong belief that women's bodies should not be used in any way against their will. … Dr. Tiller used to wear a pin that said "trust women," and that's a good way to sum up the pro-choice argument for late-term abortions.
3. No, says Jill Filipovic:
No, the charges should not be dropped in the name of women's autonomy. The 24-week limit is Pennsylvania law, and Gosnell should have followed it. … I fall on the side of believing that women should not be legally required to carry pregnancies against their will, which is why I'm pro-choice. But I also understand that there are a variety of interests in protecting fetuses. I think any moral interest or state interest in the fetus's well-being is almost always trumped by the interests of the woman carrying that fetus, but in legislating to strike a balance between those competing interests, it seems fair enough (if not totally ideologically consistent) to outlaw abortion after the point of viability (which is roughly what the 24-week marker does), so long as there are exceptions for the life and health of the woman and so long as abortion is widely accessible early on.
4. Yes, says Scott Lemieux:
The issue is who decides whether or not an abortion is medically necessary. It's possible that the existing exception can be evaded by doctors not operating in good faith. But more stringent regulations (such as requirements for panels of doctors or permitting late-term abortions only to save a woman's life) run the opposite risk: denying women who have a genuine medical need a safe abortion. … I strongly favor erring on the side of trusting women as opposed to giving further authority to doctors. … In Canada, late-term abortions are not legally restricted, and … [as] far as I can tell, there's no evidence that Canadian women get late-term abortions at significantly higher rates … Essentially, absent evidence to the contrary I think the presumption in favor of a woman's decision-making capacity is justified, and further restrictions are likely to do more harm than good.
5. Yes, says Anna North:
As much as I can appreciate the differences between a fetus that might be able to survive outside the womb and one that definitely wouldn't, I'm still not prepared to say that my appreciation of those differences is more important than a woman's individual evaluation of her situation. And so, in answer to Saletan's question, I'd say that I'm in favor of a woman's right to choose, whether it's at 10 weeks, 24, or beyond.
6. No, says Barbara O'Brien:
And if a woman is so ambivalent she can't decide whether to go through with the pregnancy or not, then it has to be made clear that there comes a time that nature will make your decision for you. Frankly, by the time you get to 24 weeks' gestation, it's way too late to "get out of" the pregnancy. By then most of the hormonal and physical challenges of pregnancy have arrived. … Since they are illegal in nearly every state, I question whether any post-viability elective abortions are being performed in the U.S., except in an unlawful operation such as Kermit Gosnell's. To my mind, those of us who support reproductive rights aren't giving anything away by advocating a 24-week limit. …
If all of the barriers and roadblocks to getting early-term abortions disappeared tomorrow, and if all American women had access to medical care, and if it is understood that doctors will be allowed some discretion about what is considered "elective," my preference would be to set the elective limit at some point between 15 and 20 weeks, frankly, although I won't argue with 24 weeks. … So, to the simple question, "Is it OK to abort a viable fetus?" I do wish more reproduction rights advocates could learn to just say no, and be clear about it, and stop fudging. There may be conditions attached to that "no," but it's still no.
For the record, my position is close to O'Brien's. Drawing a legal line at viability strikes me as a no-brainer. I haven't thought much about shortening the legal time frame from viability to 20 or 15 weeks. I'm wary of that for two reasons. First, I think abortion restrictions are a lot uglier in practice than they are in theory. They introduce hypocrisy, deceit, interrogations, amateur home surgery, and moral crudity backed by the force of law. And second, once we start cutting back on the weeks, I'm not sure where the slippery slope ends.
But if a Middle-East-style compromise could be brokered on abortion (which wouldn't satisfy the extremes, but might satisfy the rest of us), my guess is that the most plausible concession on the pro-choice side would be restrictions late in the second trimester. The rationale, from a pro-choice perspective, is that you have a right to choose abortion, but (in view of fetal development) that right is time-limited.
One more thing. Filipovic, in her response, raises another question. She asks me:
If you agree that accessibility and contraception access and education are all key to decreasing the number of second-trimester abortions, why aren't you doing the legwork of advocating for those things, instead of challenging pro-choicers to debate largely theoretical questions whose answers don't have much real-world impact anyway?
My answers:
The pro-life case for contraception
The pro-life case against birth control, nursing, and exercise
The right-wing assault on abortion reduction
The pro-life movement's contraception problem
What pro-lifers can learn from the Princeton abortion conference
And I promise to stay on this topic. I think a pro-life concession on contraception would prevent way more abortions than a pro-choice concession on second-trimester restrictions.
Thanks for the answers, folks. And thanks to all you Slate readers who have debated the same questions in our comments forum. Keep talking, and I'll keep listening.
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text: The FLATLINE-OPS ADI/ACI Set-Up Tool (TRUE-BORE) makes Angle Indicator Installation a Snap. Attaching Angle Degree Indicators or Cosine Degree Indicators to your firearm is easy, but calibrating them to read correctly isn't so easy. Attach this set-Up tool to the tip of the barrel, and leveling the barrel becomes as easy as centering the bubble between the lines. Speed and ease is what you get with this ultra-lightweight black space-age polymer level. It made from black high strength polymer construction. Instructions included.


text:
2010 and 2011 may not have been unusual in terms of the number of energy-related disasters, but I suspect they have at least been unusual in terms of the quantity of headline-grabbing material and TV news attention, and the ongoing disaster stemming from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is only the most dramatic of them. With the 1-year anniversaries of the Upper Big Branch and Deepwater Horizon disasters running past along with the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl, I felt a need for some sort of quantitative comparison of these various events...
An explosion or earthquake or other disaster of that sort involves the almost instantaneous release of a large quantity of energy. For earthquakes we have a convenient measure in the Richter scale, which measures the shaking amplitude. The Richter scale increases logarithmically, so that an increase in magnitude by 1 means a shaking amplitude 10 times as large. The quantity of energy involved scales as the 3/2 power of that amplitude, so 2 magnitudes on the Richter scale corresponds to an increase in energy release by a factor of 1000. Converting energy to standard metric notation in terms of joules (1 J = 1 kg m^2/s^2), the Richter scale magnitudes come to:
Magnitude 3: 2 GJ (2x10^9 J)
Magnitude 5: 2 TJ (2x10^12 J)
Magnitude 7: 2 PJ (2x10^15 J)
Magnitude 9: 2 EJ (2x10^18 J)
Nuclear explosions are typically measured in units of kilotons of TNT, where 1 kt TNT = 4.2 TJ, i.e. a 1 kiloton explosion should be about double the energy release of a magnitude-5 earthquake, and a 1 MT (megaton) explosion around double the energy release of a magnitude-7 earthquake.
Also worth thinking about in comparison is the non-explosive use of energy, as it runs through the natural world and as we use it for our own purposes. Since a year consists of just over 3x10^7 seconds, a 1 GW power plant over the course of a year produces 3x10^16 J or 30 PJ of electrical energy. That's about 7 times the energy release of the 1 MT explosion, about 15 times the energy release of a magnitude-7 earthquake. That energy release is spread over tens of millions of seconds, not just the few seconds of an explosion, but it's good to remember it is a large quantity of energy.
Human society currently uses about 15 TW of primary energy, or 450 EJ per year. That's over 200 magnitude-9 earthquakes, almost 1 per day. That's a lot of energy.
Earth receives energy from our Sun at a rate of about 174 PW. In a year that's about 5x10^24 J, 5 YJ (yottajoules) or 5 million EJ. That's a magnitude-9 earthquake worth of energy every 12 seconds! Luckily it's spread out over the whole (day-lit) surface of the Earth, so we don't normally experience the magnitude of that energy flow in any dramatic fashion. Still, it's worth remembering how natural energy scales like this tend to dwarf whatever humans do.
So, how do our recent collection of energy-related explosions and disasters compare?


text:
Browsing NUI Galway Theses by Subject "International crimes"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
The Dehumanisation Dynamic: A Criminology of Genocide (2011-10-03)Why do individuals perpetrate the crime of genocide? This thesis utilises an interdisciplinary, criminological approach in order to explore this question. Interviews with perpetrators and victims of genocide in Rwanda, ...


text:
Remember those leaks from earlier this week and showed the Verizon Moto G inside of a Best Buy store, complete with its retail packaging and a $99 price tag? Well it looks like those leaks were spot on. Best Buy has confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that the Verizon variant of the Moto G is now making its way into stores and that the device will be "available for sale as soon as it arrives."
Pricing for Verizon's prepaid Moto G is set at $99.99, which is $80 less than the GSM variant that Motorola is currently hawking. Just because the Verizon Moto G is cheap doesn't mean that it's a bad device, though; with its 4.5-inch 720p display, 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 2070mAh battery, the Moto G is one of the best-performing budget phones on the market. Add in the fact that Motorola has been pumping out prompt updates to the Moto X and Moto G lately, and this $100 device becomes a pretty solid deal.
Now that we've gotten official word on the Verizon Moto G's pricing and availability, how many of you plan on picking one up once it hits store shelves near you?