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5: 05 A.M. In Church’s Early Days, a Handful of Non-European Popes As news accounts have noted, Pope Francis is a man of many firsts: the first Jesuit selected to lead the Roman Catholic Church, and the first pope from Latin America. And the media has also highlighted that he is the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years, which raises the question: under what circumstances did Catholicism embrace a non-European pope? In fact, during the first First Millennium it was not that uncommon to have popes who were born or had roots outside Europe, with several having been born in northern Africa or the Middle East. Most notable, of course, was Saint Peter, a disciple of Jesus who, as the first bishop of Rome, was considered the first pope and for whom Saint Peter’s Basilica is named. According to Catholic Online, he was born in Bethsaida on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and, according to Catholic teaching, established the church with the Apostle Paul in Rome, where he was crucified under Emperor Nero. While early details about the lives of popes from the First Millennium are scarce, three popes are believed to have been either born or have had roots in Africa: Pope Victor I, who served for a decade starting in the year 189; Pope Miltiades, who served from either 310 or 311 until 314, and Pope Gelasius I, who had African roots but was believed to have been born in Rome. The popes with African roots reflected how at the beginning of the First Millennium, Rome still controlled large parts of coastal North Africa at a time when Christianity was spreading through the empire. At least one pope, Theodore I, was born in Jerusalem and was considered Greek. And the last pope born outside Europe was John V, who was a Syrian born in Antioch in what is now part of Turkey. He oversaw the church for slightly more than a year starting in the summer of 685, ruling during the so-called Byzantine papacy, when Byzantium, which had previously controlled parts of Syria, held wide sway over the papal affairs. — Gerry Mullany In his native Argentina, the new pope’s ascension was welcomed by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in a statement posted online. A su Santidad Francisco I — Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) 13 Mar 13 But, as the Argentine newspaper La Nación reports, the president has had a strained relationship with the religious leader, particularly over his opposition to gay-rights legislation. In 2010, Reuters explains, Cardinal Bergoglio made his opposition to a gay marriage bill public in a letter, just days before it was approved. “Let’s not be naïve,” he wrote. “This isn’t a simple political fight, it’s an attempt to destroy God’s plan.” As our colleague Alexei Barrionuevo reported at the time:. Spanish speakers can read more about his opposition to gay marriage and abortion on La Nación‘s site, where there is also a video compilation of his “most controversial speeches.” The Lede is signing off for the evening. Thanks for reading. We leave you with this report of confusion over the pope’s new name, from Iran’s state-owned satellite news channel Press TV. Iran’s state television says “HABEMUS PAPAM” has been named as the new pope (well done state translators!) #Iran #newpope — Saeed Kamali Dehghan (@SaeedKD) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey As our Rome bureau chief, Rachel Donadio, notes on Twitter, the conclave of cardinals in Rome appears to have made the same sort of choice that the Republican Party in the United States habitually does when it comes to nominating a presidential candidate — picking the previous cycle’s runner-up. The Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio, a Jesuit, was seen as a close second behind Benedict in 2005. — Rachel Donadio — NYT (@RachelDonadio) 13 Mar 13 The Catholic News Service adds: A respected Italian journal said Cardinal Bergoglio, 76, was the cardinal with the second-highest number of votes on each of the four ballots in the 2005 conclave. The journal, Limes, said its report was based on information that came from the diary of an anonymous cardinal who, while acknowledging he was violating his oath of secrecy, felt the results of the conclave votes should be part of the historic record. The journal said it confirmed the diary’s count with other cardinals. — Robert Mackey In 2010, 33% of #Catholics in Argentina said #religion is “very important” in their lives. @pewglobal — Pew Forum (@pewforum) 13 Mar 13 With 31 million Catholics out of 40 million residents, Argentina has the 11th largest Catholic population in the world, according to the Pew Center for Research. A 2010 Pew study found that 33 percent of Catholics interviewed in Argentina cited religion as very important in their lives. Nearly 20 percent said they attended mass weekly, with nearly 40 percent volunteering that they prayed daily. In 2010-19% of Argentinean #Catholics said they attend mass at least weekly, but 39% said they pray daily @pewglobal — Pew Forum (@pewforum) 13 Mar 13 But despite the large number of Catholics, the former Cardinal Bergoglio was not always able to sway political leaders in Argentina over the years to support his views. He did not stop President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from promoting free contraception and artificial insemination. And in 2010 he clashed with political leaders over same-sex marriage. According to the National Catholic Register, he said the legislation, which was eventually approved, would “seriously damage heart.” The country’s large number of Catholics also did not influence the ruling party to interrupt a ceremony for the late Hugo Chávez, noted a detailed report by Foreign Policy on the news media reaction to the first Latin American pope. On Wednesday, Clarin, Argentina’s largest newspaper, reports that a dispute erupted in the lower house of Argentina’s National Congress over whether lawmakers should interrupt the ceremony to listen to the new pope’s first words. The ceremony was completed before attention turned to Pope Francis. In Argentina, he focused his efforts on defending the poor and on social justice issues, according to The National Catholic Reporter. He chided priests last year for refusing to baptize children of single mothers. “We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least,” he told Latin American bishops in 2007. “The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.” Other reaction expressed on Twitter and in media reports in Argentina, while positive over all, raised questions about the role he may have played when the country was ruled by dictators and thousands of people, including priests, disappeared. In 2010, he was asked to testify about the disappearance of two Jesuit priests in 1976. His spokesman called any allegations that he was involved “scandalous.” Global Voices reports that multiple users are questioning the new pope’s alleged involvement in Argentina’s 1976-83 — Jennifer Preston As our colleagues on the Graphics desk report, the election of Argentina’s first pope, and the first non-European leader of the church in more than 1,200 years, could reflect changes in the relative popularity of the religion across the globe. “Over the last century,” they note, “much of the growth of the Roman Catholic Church has been outside Europe, and there are now more than 200 million more Catholics in Latin America than in Europe.” As our Rome bureau chief, Rachel Donadio, notes, the church is also facing “growing competition from evangelical churches in the Southern Hemisphere.” The election of the first Argentine pope prompted elation and plenty of jokes about soccer on Wednesday in Argentina. I can barely believe what I’m listening. Bergoglio is the new Pope. Wow. Latin American, Argentinean. #blownAway — Hernán Colmeiro (@peregrinogris) 13 Mar 13 First latin american Pope and from MY country :’) Omg gotta love this religion :’) #Bergoglio — Eugenia (@AliciaWillTeam) 13 Mar 13 The former Cardinal Bergoglio is “a fan of the Buenos Aires soccer team San Lorenzo, which was founded by a priest,” Bloomberg News reports. Apparent visual confirmation of that allegiance soon appeared on Twitter. Jorge Bergoglio, hincha de #SanLorenzo, es el nuevo Papa. — Marcela Nicolau (@cuervamarce) 13 Mar 13 Some in Argentina responded to the news by suggesting that the new pope might soon eclipse even Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi in fame. Others noted that it seemed fitting that the new pope had reportedly once touched the “hand of God,” in reference to a comment Maradona made after infamously scoring a goal against England in the 1986 World Cup with his fist. After the match, Maradona came close to admitting that he had cheated when he said the goal had been scored, in part, by “the hand of God.” Diego Armando #Maradona is no longer the most famous person in Argentina as Jorge Mario #Bergoglio becomes first Latin American #Pope — Mark Boultwood (@GAdv_Boulty) 13 Mar 13 The Argentinian #NewPope once shook hands with Diego #Maradona, thus he has been touched by The Hand of God for many years already. ;) — Jørgen A. Schyberg (@mrjorgen) 13 Mar 13 Pope is from Argentina. I’ll never look at the “Hand of God” goal the same way again. #pope #maradona — Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) 13 Mar 13 Like the current Argentine star Messi, the new pope is descended from Italian immigrants. On the first day of the conclave, as the first votes were cast, soccer journalists watching Messi score two outstanding goals joked that even as the world was without a pope, there was no doubt about the identity of god. Genius from @petejenson and @filippomricci: they haven’t yet decided the Pope but Messi’s still god. — Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) 13 Mar 13 — Jennifer Preston and Robert Mackey The activities of the 115 members of the College of Cardinals to select the successor to Benedict XVI retained their mystery to the very end. But almost as soon as hints of white smoke puffed forth from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling the selection of Francis as the church’s new pope, people in and around Vatican City and Rome were sharing their experiences on social media services like Twitter. Some visitors of the Vatican shared their excitement to be first to see the white smoke and its telegraphing of the news of the pope’s election: White smoke! I have witnessed history. #witnessedhistory. — Zach Sherburne (@Z_Sherbs) 13 Mar 13 Elsewhere in Rome, a resident caught a hint of smoke from his home, situated not too far from the Sistine Chapel: La #fumata bianca da casa mia :) #papa #habemuspapam — Matteo Manna (@matteomanna) 13 Mar 13 While not everyone in Rome could see the smoke, many heard bells across the city, informing them of the news in a way that evoked times when many people in the world weren’t glued to a smartphone or a television screen (even if their reaction was to share the experience on Twitter): All the bells ringing cross Rome – the new Pope has been chosen — Zeynep Esendemir (@zee_esendemir) 13 Mar 13 These sights and sounds led to some people in Rome to drop what they were doing and rush for the place where the words “Habemus Papum” would be declared: You can hear the bells of the #Vatican ringing from my apartment. Off to #St.Peters I go! — Minki Bai (@minkibai) 13 Mar 13 Currently sprinting to the Vatican with @pknowles2 @conormcgonigle — Kevin Maher (@kevin_maherPSU) 13 Mar 13 Meanwhile, those who braved the elements to see Pope Francis I be introduced on the balcony expressed their amazement at being on the scene: I cannot believe I just witnessed the election of Papa Francesco — Erin Mishu (@ErinMishu) 13 Mar 13 Back in the United States, the University of Notre Dame found a way to share in the spirit of the moment, even if though it was far away: The Basilica bells toll as white smoke comes from the Vatican — Notre Dame (@NotreDame) 13 Mar 13 — Michael Roston The White House released the following statement from President Obama. Statement from @CardinalDolan on election of Pope Francis I — USCCB (@USCCB) 13 Mar 13 Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement: of New York President United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. — Jennifer Preston The official papal Twitter feed, @Pontifex, has now become active again. HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM — Pontifex (@Pontifex) 13 Mar 13 An earlier version of this update incorrectly identified another Twitter account as the former Cardinal’s personal account. — Robert Mackey The new pope has emerged onto the Vatican balcony. He begins by addressing the largely Italian crowd in their own language, “Buona Sera.” He goes on to lead a prayer for the retired Pope Benedict. The new pope is from Argentina, but has Italian roots. Although the speculation is that the new pope chose his name in honor of Francis Xavier, a Spanish founder of the Jesuit order, there could also be an Italian connection. Hours after the world’s attention was focused on the seagull sitting atop the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, the first Latin American pope has apparently taken the name of the Italian St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his love of animals, including birds. Italians chanting “Francesco! Francesco!” Choice of St Francis’ name may indicate humble papacy #pope #reuterspope — Naomi O’Leary (@NaomiOhReally) 13 Mar 13 Here’s the new Pope: Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He will be called Pope Francis. Live updates: — Anthony De Rosa (@AntDeRosa) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey The announcement is that Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the new pope. Cardinal Bergoglio reportedly got about 40 votes in the early balloting last time, and has chosen the name Pope Francis. — Robert Mackey As we wait to hear the identity of the new pope, keep in mind that it will be announced in Latin, which has prompted observers to run through the names of some of the front-runners in that language. If you Marcus, for instance, the new pope is likely to be Marc Ouellet of Canada. Lot’s of people hoping for a #pope from their own country! Lots of Canadians here praying for Ouellet #conclave #reuterspope — Naomi O’Leary (@NaomiOhReally) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey As we continue to wait for the announcement of who the new pope is, here is video of the white smoke that poured from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel about 40 minutes ago. — Robert Mackey Our colleague Laurie Goodstein explains in a Twitter update that Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran is expected to appear on the balcony shortly and announce the name of the new pope, in Latin. First guy out on the balcony is not the new pope: it’s Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran to announce “Habemus Papam” and Latin name. — Laurie Goodstein (@lauriegnyt) 13 Mar 13 Pope’s first blessing is “Urbi et orbi,” – “to the city and the world.” — Laurie Goodstein (@lauriegnyt) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey All eyes are trained now on the Vatican balcony in St. Peter’s Square, where the news of the new pope’s identity will be revealed shortly. Our colleague Rachel Donadio reports on Twitter from the scene that the announcement could take up to 30 minutes to come. Absolutely electric atmosphere as bell rings, crowds shriek delightedly and rush towards basilica to see new #pope #reuterspope — Naomi O’Leary (@NaomiOhReally) 13 Mar 13 Habemus Papam, the crowds cheer, but we won’t know who he is for another half-hour or so. — Rachel Donadio — NYT (@RachelDonadio) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey As bells toll, the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday can be heard on the live video stream from Vatican TV’s YouTube channel cheering and chanting “Habemus Papam!” Latin for “We Have a Pope!” Bells are now ringing all over Rome for the election of a new pope! This city is marvelous with bells. — Rachel Donadio — NYT (@RachelDonadio) 13 Mar 13 — Robert Mackey
You must be signed in to make a purchaseClose eVision is a premium Wordpress theme with 18 pre-made skins. This theme is perfect for all businesses, corporations and creative portfolio sites. It has powerful CMS functionality and a long list of premium features. Click on below skin image to view demo website. Theme Features - 4 jQuery Sliders - Cycle Slider - Nivo Slider - Skitter Slider - Carousel Slider - Unlimite Portfolio and Galleries - Classic 1 to 4 Column Portfolios with Pagination - Sortable 2,3 and 4 Column Portfolios - Photo Gallery with Small, Medium and Large size - Unlimited Sidebars - Shortcodes Generator - Powerful Easy-to-Use Theme Options Panel: - Set your color scheme - Add your logo, favicon - Set headings and paragraph text - Set footer columns with custom widgets - Home page slider - Home page recent projects - Portfolio Settings - Blog Settings - Ajax contact form - Custom footer copyright text - Google analytics tracking - Custom Widgets - Latest News - Flickr Photos - Recent Tweets - Advertise - Testimonials - 3 Custom Menu Locations with drag and drop menu manager - Custom Page Templates - We have also provided very extensive documentation on how to install and use this theme. If you need support or spot something that can be improved, please send us an email via our profile page. Note : Preview site images are not included in the main download file. HTML Version Available Here Theme Updates Updates are free Update – 4th August, 2012Version 1.08: - Added option to enable/disable cufon font. - Added option to display/hide avatar image in twitter widget. Update – 18th July, 2012Version 1.07: - Added horizontal menu shortcode in shortcodes generator. - Added option for portfolio single page -> Page with Fullwidth or Page with Portfolio Sidebar. Update – 21th June, 2012Version 1.06: - Added shortcodes support in sidebar text widget, footer text widgets, post comments, theme options text area like 404 page and additional footer. Update – 19th June, 2012Version 1.05: - Fixed : WordPress 3.4 upload image issue Update – 9th June, 2012Version 1.04: - Added : Ajax script in contact us form. - Fixed custom css code bug. Update – 6th June, 2012Version 1.03: - Fixed : cufon font characters display bug and added new feature in theme options panel – fonts section -> Enable/Disable special characters Update – 5th June, 2012Version 1.02: - Added : Social media icons shortcode. - Added : New feature in theme options admin panle – Set inner page (like About Us, Testimonials etc.) header in home page. Update – 30h May 2012Version 1.01: - Fixed : Demo xml file’s image path. - Updated help file with topic “add demo content”
IamHasanAli - Bought between 1 and 9 items - Exclusive Author - Has been a member for 0-1 years - Sold between 5 000 and 10 000 dollars - United Kingdom 299 Purchases Buyer Rating: 4.38 stars4.38 average based on 24 ratings. - 5 Star70% - 4 Star12% - 3 Star8% - 2 Star0% - 1 Star8% - black and white - clean - creative - fullscreen - interactive - parallax - photography - portfolio - prettyphoto - responsive - seo - slider - studio - unique Hey, is there a way to add a Page 1, Page 2, etc in the gallery sections? I have way to many thumbs at this point, would like to put some of them onto a second page Hey there, yes ofcourse just copy the pagination code from the note section and link it to second page third page so on. Hello, before purchasing it, I see that the home sliding image doesn’t resize on mobile view. Is it possible correct it? Great template (purchased). I notice that on iOS devices (iPhone 5), the slideshow background images for index.html background are squeezed horizontally (or stretched vertically) when viewed in portrait mode. They are not squeezed or stretched when viewed in landscape mode. My images are sized according to suggested 1024px x 700px. Thanks in advance! For reference, dev testing page is located at Hasan Same question as above ( this time from the purchased account ) When I use the flexslider I noticed that the navigation buttons below the slider do not work. Click on them does nothing. Any ideas how to fix this? Also in the in the portfoliostrip.html file, if I only have 4 stripes and I comment out the rest, the last stripe disappears until I hover or move the mouse over it … Your help much appreciated Thank you Sarah Hey Sarah Thank you very much for your business. I apologize you are having some problems. The fix to the home-page slider is as simple as adding img width 100% in css for supersized slider. If you want a more specific fix, as in exact code, feel free to email me and I will get back to you. For portfolio stripe, you will need a minimum of 10 stripes to work perfect, because of the infinite scroll left and right, the stripes have to meet a minimum combined width to actually allow scroll. For flexslider, I will have a look and get back to you. Thanks again Hey Hasan No issues with home slider, all good there. Portfolio stripe works well, I just added blank images and left 10 items there. I am sure I will be filling them up pronto – Is there an easy way to not allow users to move stripes around. ie. disable it ? Please let me know about the flexSlider issue Thank you for your prompt response S Hey Sarah I checked the portfolio page slider on my android device everything seems to be working fine, and Other versions of this tempalte have not had any problems either, are you sure there isnt an issue on your end. Just to be safe I will have access to an iphone 5 this evening, I will confirm it. For the stripe, do you mean you want to disable the scrolling of stripes? If so yes it is extremely easy, however it might end up breaking your layout, unless ofcourse you want to disable it because you dont have enough stripes yet. In which case simple remove the call for the script in main.js If you have any problems with it feel free to email me through my profile. Thanks Hi maybe i didnt explain properly, sorry. On the portfolio stripe page its all fine now. Thank you. Next I took the basic item .html file and customized it to what i need. However, the navigation at the bottom of the slide does not work. It displays fine ( 5 images, i get 5 items on the nav ) but if i click on any of the nav icons nothing happens. Lets say on I am on image number 4 on the slider, if I click on the first Nav icon, should it not display the first image again? clicking does not at the moment Hope that makes sense Thx Sarah Hey Sarah , yes it should. Well the issue is definitely on your side as you can see it works fine on the demo. However if you post your link, I will have a look. If you dont want to post the link here, you can email me from my profile. Thanks Thanks Hasan … will email you link to test site ciao Sarah Hasan I cant find the sendmail/php package in the zip file. Should that be included to send email via the contact form ? Thanks Sarah Nevermind, Robert it found it Hi Hasan, Great theme, just wanted to know if you can make the header stick to the top of the screen when viewing the site on a mobile? if so how do you go about it? Also do .png image files show up on the mobile version? thanks in advance. tezzataz , the header by default sticks to top on mobile devices. Thanks for getting back to me Hasan, sorry I meant to get back to you about this but forgot. In mobile view when you go from portrait to landscape and then back to portrait (when you turn the phone sideways and then go turn back to normal view) the page doesn’t seem to resize back to normal, is there a fix for this? (i’ve only been viewing your template on ipad and iphones) thanks again. Tezzataz no matter how many times I switch between portrait and landscape mode on my phone the page resizes accordingly. So I cant confirm what you see. Thanks
January 22, 2011 L radios, their aesthetic and the metaphysics of connectivity between radio and listener. This series was shown at the annual Google Show at Hardware Gallery in Sydney.. --- Craig Boehman: What brings you to San Francisco to pursue your art? Lila Afiouni: Well, I am very much inspired by other artists and it is my belief that if you challenge yourself and get out into the world to see some seminal pieces of art, you will be inspired. So I came to SFO to see art I wouldn't normally see in Australia, such as Bruce Conner, Diebenkorn, and modern American artists that influence my work. I am also attracted to SFO as a city, a place that was surging with literature and art in the 1950s. This made a tremendous impact on my sense of what 'freedom' is and that is important to me as an artist. CB: Talk about Bruce Conner...what aspects about his work do you admire? LA: I first heard about Bruce Conner in connection to the Beat writers. I had been making collage work, but when I saw Conner's work, it was more delicate, unassuming and feminine. His body of work really is mysterious because he works in so many styles. He also makes films. I just like how eclectic he was. In regards to how he treated the mainstream media – he was deliberately subversive and this interested me because despite his illusive persona and his underwhelming presence in the art world (a premeditated act of his own), he was prolific and is very much a celebrated SF artist. CB: And with Ginsberg, is there a direct correlation in some silent undertone that finds its way into any of your pieces? LA: That's a tough question. As as you know I'm a huge fan of Ginsberg. I also write poetry. He has been an influence yes for sure, his writing, the context of his work in America, the grittiness and honesty of it. I mean, my work is not literal, it's abstract, so it's hard to find the correlation except that perhaps I am making work that could be reflected of his time, in terms of emotion and honesty. CB: You've been in SFO for over a month now, right? LA: Two months now. CB: Do you find your methods of working changing at all with the change of view? LA: Before I came to SFO, I was making work for a show at Hardware Gallery in Sydney, and I seemed to have a breakthrough. I am still carrying on that style of work which is essentially neo-geometric abstraction. The only change of view is that the colors are a little softer as I seem to be absorbing the color combinations of the Victorian houses here. Their facades are very beautiful, even the weathered ones. CB: Does the architecture in Sydney inspire you? LA: The architecture in Sydney is not as consistent; it’s more of a sprawling red-brick house suburban attitude and not so inspiring. I would say the ocean down the street from where I live is more inspiring as a body of raw energy and power. This new work takes me to a more spiritual level of harmony and balance. CB: Are there any special places that you return to in SFO when you visit? LA: I'm a sucker for Haight-Ashbury. It still has a great bohemian feel to it. I love North Beach, too. It's not so populated and you can feel the literary history there. It's great just walking the streets around North Beach. CB: You just began a new painting...can you talk about this yet? LA: Hmm. I think I began another new painting since we talked! I construct my paintings like an architectural piece, one part must support another. It must all fall into place otherwise it won't stand alone. CB: A writer might have a conversation, read a news article, or something – and happen across a hot topic that must be addressed right then and there. Does it work like this for you? LA: Not for me. It's like continuing an ongoing conversation that I have had for months. It might start with an idea of Pythagoras and his notion that the world is based on numbers and have a certain balance that exists in the world, and then it keeps going, harmony might be the next phase. It's like a time line that keeps unfolding. CB: I notice I'm about 16 months late, but do you have any of those limited edition postcards left you mention on your site? LA: I certainly do. I can post them over to you... CB: Nice! Thank you. I love postcards. They're the only things left in the world I love to post to people. I can't write legibly, and my thoughts work different when I hold a pen. My first art postcards was a collection by...not Klimt...the other guy. LA: Egon Schiele. CB: Schiele! He's one of my favorites. I shouldn't have got stumped on his name. LA: I think Shiele was Klimt's pupil but don't quote me on that. CB: How did your Paris residency come about? LA: I had to apply for the Paris residency through the Power Institute of Art and Culture in Australia. It's an award. I sent them my work and they liked it so I went over to the Cite Internationale des Arts for four months. I was given a live-in space and a studio in a complex of about 300 other studios. The energy was amazing, artists, musicians, writers from all over the globe lived there. You really felt like anything could happen. Often I would sit in my studio and wait for something to happen and sure enough, my phone would ring and I'd be invited to a show or some kind of happening. Things were going on all over Paris, obscure things that would never happen in Australia. CB: I often wonder how many artists out there have mentors or great teachers that were instructional or influential during some part of their lives. Did you find yourself in the company of any such figure in Paris? LA: Actually, while I was at the residency, a former lecturer from my art school had her own residency too, so we reconnected and she came to my studio and gave me some sound advice as it was my first time. I'm not sure what I was seeking when I got to Paris, certainly some kind of an experience and a challenge, which I no doubt went away with. It was difficult to make art when the Picasso Museum was up the road, five minutes away, and the Pompidou Centre is ten minutes away. I spent many a night in the Pompidou library, pouring over art books in silence, it was wonderful. What I mean is, that so many things pulled me away from my work, the thrill of visiting museums and walking the streets. CB: I wouldn't be able to concentrate on a thing. How long did it take you to get rolling with your work? LA: well even logistics were a big challenge – like how do I get to the other side of town? How do I read the labels on a can of soup in the grocery store? I took home a carton of Pampelmousse hoping it was orange juice...it turned out to be grapefruit juice. I didn't make anything significant in Paris. It's what I took away with me that was important. I started a new series when i got back to Sydney called 'The Paris Paintings'. I made some paintings in the Paris studio, but they failed to capture a consistency that I’d hoped for. CB: So your Paris Series were all began and finished in Australia? LA: Yes... LA: Yes, that is understandable because they have such an effect on the artist. It is always the artist, and I mean all kinds of artists, that really take notice of things and see things in a different way, visually, emotionally. I remember so much from that Paris trip. It is saturated in my brain. And I still use that information when I need it. CB: It's like jet lag for creativity, isn't it? LA: Absolutely. CB: Like it wasn't able to do its job on site. LA: I think it takes time to absorb it all. It resonates when you get back home. The first of my Paris Series were the drawings, starting with Paris Street Map. I was quite disturbed that I'd gotten back to Sydney and hadn't worked very much in my studio for a month, so i sat on the floor and just started drawing and drawing, and that is the series that began and moved on to paintings on canvas. CB: Who were your influences there? LA: For the Paris Series? CB: Yes. LA: I would have to say Braque and Picasso were big influences while I was in Paris. Their use of brown during the cubist period really excited me...it had an antiquated look to it that felt so good. I had to use it myself. CB: Now this is your second residency in SFO? LA: First in San Francisco. CB: On your prior visits, did you anticipate your eventual return to work on your art? LA: Yes, or at least I knew I would rent a studio. I had planned to come here, find a place to live and rent a studio. When I got here I happened on Root Division and they were interested in my work and offered me a studio residency for 6 months. Actually, they would usually have a one year contract but my American visa is only 6 months and RD made an exception for me. CB: Paris is potentially a vast subject. Let me back up...Is there anything else you'd like to add about your stay in Paris? LA: It can't be compared to my residency here. It was such a different feeling being in a foreign country and not speaking the language – it is a vast topic. Needless to say there was amazing art and incredible experiences around every corner. But it was tough at times too, setting your own agenda. I wasn't prepared for that. I learned much on that trip...quite unforgettable. It very much prepared me for this residency. Now, I have more practical sense in that I have a set program with things to do. I allow myself to explore the city, but I must also be in the studio at least 5 days a week. CB: I won't ask you about specifics of what you're doing right now, other than the fact you've been influenced by the architecture there – it's often a matter of reflection when you return home – but is there anything you're finding this time in SFO that brings out an immediate response that must be applied to canvas sooner rather than later? LA: I keep finding that I am a very tactile person. I love surfaces, bumpy surfaces, things you can touch – so just the experience of being in a different city allows my senses to be nourished in that way. I touch the sides of buildings as I go by. I get familiar with my surroundings that way. So how does this effect my work? I make sure that the surface of my paintings reflect the softness of the architecture I am looking at, or if I add some wood collage, it resembles the built environment in some way. CB: Along the lines of some of your mixed media work... LA: Yes, much like the mixed media work I did for the ‘Rauschen-burger To Go’ series. CB: If you could take back a barge full of material to work with back home, what would you take with you, and what would you make? LA: Oh gosh, I have found so many art materials here that I like, certain paints, canvas pliers, all workers materials. I think I can pretty much get most things in Australia but I do think I'll take back lots of magazines for collage material, American stuff that you just can't get back home. I'm sure I'd make more mixed media works with them. CB: Are you working with mixed media quite a bit now? LA: When I first got here, I didn't use any mixed media; I was just painting my geometric abstracts. But I felt I needed to add more dimension to the works. One thing about my practice is that I can't sit still. I like to try different things or slip back to a style I was practicing ten years ago. So now I am adding some 3D relief to the paintings. CB: Where are you getting your materials? I mean, are you finding them, purchasing them? LA: The relief collage? CB: Yes... LA: I have been purchasing cord, wood, thread etc., and there is some left over wood in the workroom at the studio that I take before it gets recycled....haven't found much on the streets yet that took my fancy. CB: Did you start off doing abstract or did you work in any other genres? LA: My very first experiences in art were portraits and realist landscape paintings, then I moved onto abstracting those forms, and then finally non objective art. I was more into the feeling of the work. It had to take me elsewhere...that's what i was interested in, going someplace else. And that is what I got from looking at artists such as Motherwell and Rauschenberg. CB: Was there a pivotal point in your schooling where a teacher took you aside and said, “Lila, you're an artist. Have you ever considered doing this as a career?" LA: No, never. I was driven to be an artist. It was and is what I love. It wasn't a question of doing it as a career, it was just a question of doing it and not stopping. To view Lila Afiouni's work, visit her website
Trucks get their own FAST lane Trucks heading into the United States at the Pacific Highway port of entry are getting their own expedited entry system to ease congestion. However, like the NEXUS program at that port, it won�t really be effective until the British Columbia government adds extra lanes to the highway leading to border crossing. As the NEXUS program does for cars and travelers, the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) program is aimed at speeding up commercial border-crossers by separating the probably good from the potentially bad. �We want to expedite low-risk merchandise and drivers so we can take a good long look at the unknown,� Customs representative Debbie Engels said. Engels said they have signed up several dozen drivers and carriers and application forms are available at the Pacific Highway Customs office. While NEXUS focuses on who�s travelling in a vehicle, both trucks and drivers need clearance for FAST participation. For a truck to use the FAST lane the shipper, the carrier and the driver will all need to be pre-cleared. The party shipping the goods will need to be certified under the new Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, created under the December 2001 Smart Border Accord between the U.S. and Canada. �They need to give us information regarding the security of their facility,� Engels said. The carrier or trucking company will need to be enrolled in both C-TPAT and FAST, and participating vehicles will be inspected and mounted with a transponder to identify it to inspectors before it gets to the booth. Finally, drivers will need to be enrolled in the FAST program and be issued a radio-tagged identification card. �It�s very similar to the NEXUS card,� Engels said. When a FAST shipment heads for the border, invoices for the goods on board are faxed to a customs broker in advance marked with a barcode. The broker transmits the information to customs for pre-arrival clearance and when the shipment arrives at the border the inspector matches the barcode on the invoice the driver is carrying with the one in his system. If it all matches up � shipper, driver, truck and shipment pre-cleared in the system � the shipment rolls across. �What we�re doing is cutting out a few steps,� Engels said. �The driver doesn�t have to park, walk over to the broker, wait for paperwork, then wait in line.� The pre-clearance system has already been in place for several months in Blaine and is now being integrated with FAST. As the program gets rolling FAST participants will wait in line with other commercial border-crossers, but because they will be faster to process the hope is all traffic will move a little quicker. All three primary inspection lanes have already been equipped for FAST entries. �Once we have enough participants enrolled we�ll want that dedicated lane,� Engels said. With only two lanes for trucks leading to the inspection booths, she said they could not afford to take up one for the new system and squeeze all the regular traffic into one lane. �If we have one FAST lane and only one regular lane we�ll still have backups,� Engels said. Engels said that, until the British Columbia ministry of transport expanded highway infrastructure leading up to the port it made little sense to establish a dedicated FAST lane. However, the wait shouldn�t be long. In November the Canadian and B.C. transportation authorities announced over $25 million would be spent improving border access in the next four years. �We�ve got a long list of strategic highway infrastructure projects,� said B.C. ministry of transport Grant Smith. On the list are $8.6 million in improvements to the Highway 99/8th Avenue; $7.2 million to expand 8th Avenue to four lanes from the freeway to highway 15; and $3 million to improve the highway leading to the port of entry and add dedicated lanes for the NEXUS and the FAST programs. Smith said there was not yet a set timeline for the projects. �They still have to go to design and depending on the complexity of the job it�s hard to nail that down,� he said.
We’ve had a nice little chat with two fellow music heads Tod Louie & Solaris… The boys have just started a very cool club concept in Oslo called Echo. They have both been organising parties for a while and are both very experienced DJs, and their new weekly concept has quickly proven itself to be very good quality! They have mixed it up nicely with local and international bookings, Shari & Vari loves their enthusiasm for music and their friendly approach to the scene. Vari is playing alongside these guys tomorrow night (27/4) at Bollywood Dancing! So now you know where to to spend your Friday nights… What are you doing right now? Tod Louie: Actually I’m in taking a break from looking up some new tracks. The Word Championship of Snooker is running on Eurosport, which is not to miss. Once you first start following it it’s really addictive in combination to the Norwegian commentator Torstein “TrickWik” WIk. You should check it out! Besides that I’m picking out some new tracks for the weekend at Bollywood. I’m really looking forward to play with Vari again. Solaris: Living in Oslo and working for a marketing company. I also have my studio here, and most of my friends, and Dj gigs. As far as it goes! At the moment, I’m working on our (with Tod Louie) weekly concept ECHO at Bollywood Dancing, which is turning out pretty nice. We have some amazing bookings lined up for the coming Fridays, including Deniz Kurtel live In May. We are also doing “Det Gode Selskab” (In Good Company) on some selected Sundays as well as on some selected Mondays. These events will take place at secret locations, and at Fisk & Vilt. Who are your musical heroes? Tod Louie: Hard question.. My father is a pianist and built a big stage in his backyard throwing everything from swing festivals to techno parties. Got to admire that. But beside from that my musical influences varies from funk, disco, Chicago house to more deep, classic house. If I should pick one artist that is my musical hero I got to say Nina Simone. And my all time favorite is her track, Sinnerman! There’s so much good music out there, and my sets got a little bit from many genres. A bit eclectic, if you know what I mean? Solaris: I would say there are 100 of them, but to scale it down I will pick out a few special ones. Music wise – Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, LTJ Bukem, Fleetwood Mac, Nightmares On Wax, Otis Redding and Lucien N Luciano. – DJ wise : Steve Bug, Zip and Four Tet. Whats on repeat at the moment? Tod Louie: I’ve found an old track from Joubert Singers called Stand On The Word. I think it has been remixed by Larry Levan as well. But this new remix from Hot Coins is a real smasher! Really funky, and its bass lines will definitely make an impression on the dance floor! Its quite slow, 105BPM. But if you can keep the BPM around 105-110 for a while, and then suddenly drop that song!.. That’s whats great being a Dj. Solaris: There are defiantly a few tracks on repeat, but there are two tracks that stands out for me in my Dj sets, and that is ; Portable – One Way feat. Efdemin and DJ Slip – Available Light (Franco Cinelli Remix). Besides this I’m always listening to Van Morrison. You should all check out one of the most essential albums of all times – Astral Weeks from 1968. Stunning! See you at ECHO 27.04.2012 with Solaris, Tod Louie and wonder guest Vari K Spring is here and so is HEAT #3, Friday April 6 @ Chez Moune (Paris). This time we have a very special German guest… Our friend, the very talented, ridiculously funky and not to mention super sweet, Marc Liebe aka MALIBEE (Dench Disko/Frankfurt). He’ll be playing alongside me (Shari) and our HEAT resident HEKO (that Frenchman that can mix like a demon, make a cake and talk on the phone all at the same time)…! ;-) Come one, come many! What can you expect? Sore feet! Dancing imminent. ;-) Malibee – HEAT @ CHEZ MOUNE (06.04.2012) Minimix
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) waves to the fans after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) ALLEN PARK — In the NFL there’s something magical about the elite 2,000-yard club. Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders ran for 2,053 yards in 1997. He’s one of only six running backs in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard mark. On Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Calvin Johnson could become the first NFL receiver with 2,000 receiving yards in a season. He broke Jerry Rice’s all-time record on Saturday night. Now he just needs 108 yards to reach 2,000. <>/p> “That would be big, kind of almost put that thing away for a while,’’ Johnson said on Thursday. “All records are meant to be broken, but that’d make it tough. “It’d take a long time for somebody to come and get that. You never know what could happen next year, but it’d be a tough one, you’ve got to put in a lot of work to get that,’’ said Johnson who would know. Rice’s record had stood since 1995 and there have been plenty of top wide receivers come and go in the NFL since then. “He’s taken it up another notch every year, he’s taken it up maybe a couple this year,’’ Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “He’s had to pick up the slack for some guys missing, he gladly does it. It’s so impressive what he does, but it’s more impressive the way he goes about his business. I think that’s what sets him apart from a lot of other guys.’’ Continued... Coach Jim Schwartz certainly would never take anything away from Johnson, but because of the way the game has changed offensive records may not last as long as they have in the past. “Teams aren’t afraid to throw 50 times a game. It used to be you throw it 50 times a game because you’re losing and have to catch up,’’ Schwartz said. “But you see teams all over the league now that throw it a bunch of time and score a lot of points. The league is constantly changing. I don’t know how long any record, offensively in particular, can stand. Receivers catch a lot more balls, it’s just the way it is.’’ If Johnson reaches the 2,000-yard mark on Sunday, perhaps he will be the one to surpass it in seasons down the road. Schwartz thinks the 27-year-old Johnson is just scratching the surface. “When it’s all said and done we’re not going to be talking about this being the highlight of his career,’’ Schwartz said. “He’s going to do some great things. Johnson and Matthew Stafford got off to a bit of a slow start this season. In the Lions’ 13-7 Oct. 22 loss at Chicago, Johnson had his least productive game of the season with just three catches for 34 yards. That could make the 2,000-yard mark tougher to reach on Sunday at Ford Field. The Bears passing defense is tied for sixth-best in the NFL. “They’ve been playing that Cover 2 system that they have since they’ve been there. They do real well with that and Cover 3 and you know disguise it,’’ Johnson said. “They do a great job of their safeties and bringing them down real late. In film we see they haven’t done it much, but for some reason when we see them they do a lot of disguising. That reason could be one Calvin Johnson. “It’s not that it makes it harder, there are some opportunities we missed,’’ Johnson said. “But they do a good job. We play them twice a year so they kind of know us inside and out like we know them.’’ Continued... One of Johnson’s attributes is he can play at any receiver position. We will see that again on Sunday against the Bears. “We’ve still got to let the game come to us. They’re going to need more attention on him with our receiving depth the way it is. If you’re not going to get attention going into the last week then you’re never going to get it,’’ Linehan said. “So I just think we go through the game, guys have to be good around him. I think he’ll still have a productive game, the way he’s locked in.’’ Johnson has averaged 156.7 yards over the last eight games. He’s had 100-plus yards in each game with two games of 200-plus yards. He was named to the Pro Bowl as the Lions lone representative this week. “That’s the biggest slam-dunk in Pro Bowl balloting,’’ Schwartz said. “We’re proud of him, we’re proud that he represents us, we’re proud when he’s on the field on Sund.
Archive ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Season 3 Teaser: ‘New Year, New Rules’ (VIDEO) One of my favorite HBO show’s will be back soon, this fall to be exact. “Boardwalk Empire” has released its first Season 3 teaser, and Nucky Thompson is looking like he’s embracing being a ‘gangster’. In the “gangster” that Jimmy Darmody advised him to become during Season 1. Unfortunately, Jimmy won’t be around to reap the benefits after his former mentor put an end to their relationship in the season 2′s finale. Literally. I can’t wait for season 3. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg Resurrect Tupac at Coachella 2012 The highlight of Dr. D. I’m still a little shook up by this, and I’m one of the biggest ‘Pac fans ever. Skip up to the 32 minute mark… and see for yourself. Shout out to Dre & Snoop though, these guys are so legendary, they have sooo many hits its riduculous. Meet 7 year old rapper P-Nut Talk about poise and charisma… This lil guy is going to be a star. I need to make a trip to Memphis. Jay-Z’s Rocawear Partners With New York Yankees After airing their first ever commercial during the NCAA championship game, Jay-Z‘s. Facebook Buys Instagram For $1Billion! via Facebook. 4 year old rapper/producer! The next Kanye West?! I stumbled across this video late saturday night surfing… Insomnia did me some good for a change. I was in tears laughing. LoL. Hopefully little man can hone that musical interest into something special in a few years. I didn’t even know what a keyboard was at 4, much less what a music producer was. Rocawear Presents: Jay-Z’s “Marcy to Barclays” Commercial That guy Hov and the good folks at Rocawear put together a visually pleasing commercial in support of the upcoming Barclays stadium in Brooklyn. The soon to be home of the Nets, Jay will also be headlining a concert at the new venue in September. Hopefully they can hold onto Deron Williams this summer so some fans will show up for home games next season in that billion dollar arena. New Music: T.I. “Love This Life” Tip’s back in album mode… After dropping his F*ck the City Up mixtape earlier this year, the Grand Hustle general is now readying the release of his eight LP,Trouble Man, tentatively due out this summer. Tip says fans can expect the album’s next single, “Love This Life”—produced by Mars (of 1500 or Nothin)—to impact radio and itunes in the next few days. “It’s speaking to woman, but from a man’s perspective,” Tip told XXLMag.com regarding the song’s concept. ’. — T.I. via XXL Check the audio link out below. New Video: Meek Mill “Lean Wit It” MMG’s rookie of the year Meek Millie is back at it, as he releases the video to his street anthem, “Lean Wit It.” Expect this to appear on Meek’s Dreamchasers 2 and the Self Made Vol. 2 compilation album. Watch the DRE Films and Jon J-directed video above. Meeks debut should be one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2012. Look out for it this summer grinders!
Moved and excited by pianist Leon Fleisher in Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the Boston Symphony, I wanted to hear it again. But at 6 pm a week ago Tuesday, Fleisher, with a bad stomach flu, cancelled, and the Austrian/Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti — in town to hear the debut of one of the BSO’s two new assistant conductors, his son Julian — agreed to go on, without rehearsal. I was disappointed — but not for long. This also became the BSO debut of the 69-year-old Kuerti, a masterful and elegant player who studied with Rudolf Serkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski and at the Longy School, and who played the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto at a children’s concert with the Esplanade Orchestra under Arthur Fiedler a week before his tenth birthday. Fleisher, at 79 still troubled by focal dystonia in his right hand, had to slow down the fast movements and still missed a few notes. (He played “beyond the notes.”) But Kuerti, playing from memory, hit them all, jawdroppingly full speed ahead. His sound is softer-edged than Fleisher’s jewel-like pointedness, but also crystalline, transparent, and so precise that every note is distinguishable, even flying by at hummingbird speed. The Emperor is full of trills, and Kuerti’s are virtually birdlike, rising over gravity before floating downward. Kuerti doesn’t have Fleisher’s muscularity or heroic sense of drama, but he shares Fleisher’s extraordinary musical continuity. He seemed to play each movement, especially the slow, songful middle movement, in a single breath. His pacing was flawless, especially in Beethoven’s unbroken transition from the inward slow movement to the extroverted, dancing finale, which he plunged into with breathtaking daring. This was the second consecutive BSO program during which a major soloist had to cancel. The previous week, baritone Thomas Quasthoff sang a set of Schubert songs and then lost his voice. At the remaining concerts he was replaced with the Brahms Serenade the BSO had played the week before. Meanwhile, Kuerti’s 31-year-old son, who had provided such sympathetic and imaginative support for Fleisher, delivered the same for his father’s very different approach. Surely the BSO will reschedule this memorable pairing, and with some advance notice. The following week, no one got sick. Italian conductor and Royal Philharmonic music director Daniele Gatti returned to the BSO with Garrick Ohlsson in the Schumann Piano Concerto and closed with Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. Both were strong if slightly ragged performances. The old seating arrangement and oboist Keisuke Wakao’s unyielding solo work in the Schumann didn’t help. Gatti has a way of micromanaging musical events so that everything sounds impressive in passing — a string of sculpted moments — but nothing adds up. Intensity without continuity. The long slow movement of the Shostakovich seemed endless. Ohlsson was in good form, playing with both delicacy and sweeping power, but he seemed somehow abstract — impersonal and generic — rather than catching Schumann’s interior tug of war. Table of Contents Cover Archive Masthead \| Authors \| Contact us See all articles by: LLOYD SCHWARTZ All Slideshows
Atlanta is coming off a 34-0 victory over New York Giants, putting the NFC South champions within a win of earning home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. The Falcons, though, showed the previous week just how vulnerable they can be against one of the NFC's worst teams, losing by double digits to the Carolina Panthers. "You can't just show up if you're going to beat a team," Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez said. "Maybe we learned that at Carolina. Maybe that loss was something good for us." The Falcons (12-2) will find out soon if they learned their lesson. It would be easy to overlook the lowly Detroit Lions (4-10) because they have lost six straight and were bad enough to lose to Arizona last week 38-10, allowing the Cardinals to end a nine-game slide. Matt Ryan said the Falcons have too much at stake for a letdown. "What's still in front of us in terms of the playoff picture and those kind of things, I think is all the motivation we need," Ryan said. "It's not something I worry about." Atlanta will have some worries on defense Saturday night in Detroit. A pair of players that played college ball in the Peach State, receiver Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford, are the only sources of pride for the Lions and causes of concern for opponents. Johnson, the first player in league history with 1,600-plus yards receiving in two straight seasons, has matched a league record with 100 yards receiving in seven straight games. He's 182 yards through the air from breaking Jerry Rice's single-season NFL mark. The humble superstar from Georgia Tech didn't even know, earlier this week, what Rice's record was exactly. "18-something, 46, maybe?" he asked. Rice had 1,848 yards receiving with the San Francisco 49ers in 1995 and Johnson is a couple of his average games away from breaking the 1,900-yard mark. "He's going to get his," Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud said of Johnson. "You always have to be aware of where he is. If we can limit his catches and keep him out of the end zone, we can't let other guys beat us." If the Falcons let targets other than Johnson make a lot of plays, it would be more embarrassing than losing to Carolina. Detroit has been without its second, third, and fourth receivers and No. 1 running back, and probably will be without top tight end Brandon Pettigrew against Atlanta because of injuries. Stafford, like the team he leads, has taken a step back this season a year after spectacular results led to the Lions winning 10 games and ending an 11-year postseason drought. But the former Georgia star throws so often - putting him on pace to break Drew Bledsoe's single-season record for attempts - and sometimes well enough to rank fourth in the league with 4,252 yards, and to give Johnson a shot to surpass a revered NFL record. "Anytime I get a chance to, I'm going to try to give him a chance," Stafford said. "That's when our offense is at its best." Ryan, meanwhile, might have a trio of targets with 1,000-plus yards receiving by the end of the regular season. Roddy White has already passed the mark for a sixth straight season, and second-year pro Julio Jones has done it. Star tight end Tony Gonzalez is 120 yards away from his first season with 1,000 yards receiving since 2008, his last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. More importantly, they've combined for 22 touchdowns through the air. "We've got a lot of guys that deserve opportunities to touch the football on our offense," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "It gives our offensive coordinator and our quarterback a lot of options when we're putting our game plan together during the week." Part of the plan for the Falcons in a prime-time matchup in the Motor City is to take a struggling opponent more seriously than they did a couple weeks ago against the Panthers. "I certainly hope we approach it differently," Smith said. "I believe that we will. This is a very good football team. Their record is not indicative of the type of team they are. Eight of their 10 losses have been by less than one score, so they've played some very close games." The Lions' last defeat was an exception. Detroit got routed by the Cardinals, which had lost nine straight, after losing four straight by a TD or less, including an NFL record-tying three games in a row after leading by 10-plus points. A year after playing for postseason positioning in late December, they're relegated to playing for pride. "We are playing for each other on national TV with a good chance to show the country what type of team we are," Detroit tight end Tony Scheffler said. "The season hasn't gone the way any of us wanted, but to get a showcase game like this against a team fighting for home-field advantage, you couldn't ask for more."
TOP TEN: Glam Artists Delia Sparrow , September 14th, 2012 08:41 Delia Sparrow counts down her favourite glam artists, in a list with more glimmer than you could rotate a disco ball at I like glam. But my boyfriend really likes glam. So I’ve heard a lot of glam... Some mornings I wake up because thud thud double thud – it’s the 2 Glitter Band drummers whacking tribal-shimmers out of their kits... or the cats are sent flying by the slithering shiny guitar triumphs of Sweet or Hector. So by osmosis – glamosis if you will be so cheesy - this is a top ten of the glam and glam-informed ("hey pop song! Did you hear that Gary Glitter track last week? How about adding some stomps & a ‘hey’ vocal breakdown to our fine ditty?") *With tunes played into my ears and facts drummed into my head courtesy of Tim Purr. Pantherman Who could resist a mad producer from the Netherlands clad in black leather from his boots to the tippy-tops of his cat-eared mask? Clutching a little ceramic panther in his crazed paws... with lyrics promising “I am your Panther man – I’ll show you my paws... show you my CLAWS! I’M GONNA BITE YOU!” How can you resist his seductive snarl? Restless prowling guitars urge this feline performer onwards to a not very prolific output (3 singles I believe) but what furry greatness! Bogdan/Billy Hamon There are rules for glam. You can define glam by things like... how many drummers the band has, how the bands dress (How many stacks do those platform boots have, Horace?), is there a drums and vocals middle 8? Does it go ‘hey!’ (with the rest of the band going ‘hey’ back?) And so on. And some songs/performers are indefinably and magically glam. Bogdan is one of them. Apart from playing a dysfunctional teenager in ‘Please Sir’ he released odd stuttering pop classics such as ‘Butch Things’ and of course ‘Oh Eddie’ with lazily magnificent twangy guitar solo and lyrics about teachers being mean to you in school when you just want to be a rock’n’roller... Dump A classic name for a glam band! One word names were quite the rage in the early 70s – Hector, Ginger, Kipper, Catapult... - possibly because they’d look better on a badge in a great bubble font. Anyway, Dump - a strange little squat man, dumpy in fact - prances around in dungarees and scary yeti hair singing about the lovely Annabelle while their cross-dressing pianist vamps his way through the rock opera-esque classic-that-should-have-been. Sailor This one was actually a hit (sorry junkshop purists). A concept group with songs about... sailing, and other nautical stuff! Playing with their Nickleodeon, a synth/piano/glockenspiel monster with a player on either side, and great harmonies this is one of my favourite songs. While I was looking for a good video to paste here I found out you can actually still book this band! Pop fact: a member of Sailor is married to one of Pan’s People! This is possibly why their new stage show includes dances choreographed by Dee Dee from Pan’s People. Lieutenant Pigeon Not my favourite band of the 70s (sorry...) but possibly the only one that had their mum in the band, giving hope to all ‘I’ll keep rocking til I’m dead’ rock mums and dads everywhere... ‘Mouldy Old Dough’ was their hit: a boogie-woogie instrumental with a penny whistle and featuring a gurning ma on second piano, while the band giggled their way through Top Of The Pops. Also known for releasing an album of train noises. Also known as Stavely Makepeace. Mr Big Sadly with a name now sullied by the not quite as good (ahem!) 80s pretenders, this fine bundle of chaps were led by the rough-hewn majesty of Dicken. A raggle-taggle muddle of chaps coming across like a bunch of Dickensian gangsters posing as choirboys – it’s a kind of low-rent but high-class take on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' with falsetto harmonies and glimmering majesty from a bricklayers' choir. Chicory Tip It’s good to dress up. And even those who get it wrong sometimes get it extremely right. Looking more like mutant super-heroes from another planet than pop stars, Chicory Tip had a hit with Giorgio Moroder’s 'Son Of My Father', with a rocking synth sound. Some of my favourite glam is synthy glam: the shock of the new with the stomp of the old. Like the cavemen in 2001 managed to break into the spaceship and make some tunes with HAL. I have to mention the dog connection here too: Chicory Tip sounded like The Association or Fifth Dimension until they found Giorgio’s 'Son Of My Father' and then they went all rocking synth-glam-tastic. That they also seem to have appropriated some of his dogs on record sleeves is good style (see above). This can only be a good thing. Catapult Big collars, glitter, racks of synths, dance routines, rock poses, the flaxen locks of Rubberen Robbie their smiley singer. 'Let Your Hair Hang Down (Hey Gather Round!)' and 'Teeny Bopper Band' are both great pop songs with a classic ‘Nederglam’ (the Netherlands had so many glam bands they get their own sub-section!) beat. Also look out for Mabel (a Danish gang of Rod Stewart-a-likes) and Lemming (Dutch goth-tinged - yes, really - glam who often had a half-naked lady tempting the pouting singer). Ricky Wilde Rock’n’roll, rock’n’roll, who loves rock’n’roll? Well actually the Rock’n’Roll Children do with big kiddy choirs and hand-clappy enthusiasm. And in the 70s they seemed to love kids in bands... The James Boys doing manic dance routines to bubblegum pop, Darren Burn singing choirboy stompy pop, but mostly Ricky Wilde (son of Marty, brother of Kim) singing Quatro-esque rock like 'Teen Wave' as well as my favourite, 'I Am An Astronaut'. Pop fact: Ricky’s dad Marty re-invented himself in the 70s, too, as a sort of glam bike superhero ‘Zappo’. Kipper Sadly Kipper aren’t real. They were the musical stars of 70s sex (well – some short skirts and wobbly cleavages) comedy Confessions of A Pop Performer featuring the horribly unsexy Robin Askwith. Kipper were a leery, nasty bovver-boy boogie-glam monster fronted by glam-nightmare Nutter Normington. This band are so great they even have a fanclub. And as a glam farewell, sing-a-long-a ‘Do The Clapham’: “Find a partner that's half your size / Then thump 'er right between the eyes / And if you're bored and you want a larf / Kick a few members of the catering staff” . Wired Up! Glam, Proto Punk and Bubblegum - A book of pictures sleeves from 1970-1976 is out now and click here for more information on the launch party. Sep 14, 2012 6:43pm You have learned well, Grasshopper. Sep 16, 2012 11:36am Great list of seventies songs....now can we have a glam top ten as well? Sep 16, 2012 11:18pm Why is this in the news section rather than, oh, features or something? I'm easily confused, don'tcha know. Sep 17, 2012 7:35am In reply to Johnny Nothing: Well, we're long overdue a site overhaul, which we've been saving up for, for over two years now, which will basically give us more sections amongst other things. Until that time we're kind of hamstrung by only being able to put up three features a day without stuff getting lost, which is why we also put up feature content at the weekends. So simply by default, shorter features and newsier features go in news. Sep 17, 2012 10:00am nice riff by Kipper - with sub-punk lyrics Sep 17, 2012 2:57pm For Pantherman alone, I thank you, Delia! Sep 17, 2012 2:57pm For Pantherman alone, I thank you, Delia! Sep 14, 2012 3:11pm THE maddest article I've ever read on this site! Reply to this Admin
The Real Estate Helpers News WARNING to Home Owners [VIDEO] This four minute video exposes the ugly truth about real estate advertising, the agents involved, and a warning about the authorities real estate agents want you to sign to allow them to sell your home. Agents can now claim rights over the title of your property … Here’s what happens 1. A real estate agent lies about the selling price of your property. 2. You choose the agent based on the price they told you. 3. Then, you agree to pay the real estate agent (thousands of dollars!) for real estate advertising. One home seller wept as she told us about the agent they hired to sell their home. He told them $600,000 was “easily achievable”. But their property passed in for $510,000 at auction. This a common complaint about real estate agents. … if the agent had told us the truth we would never of put our property on the market … Unfortunately this is a typical example of how home sellers pay for agents lies. In this case the advertising bill was $6,000. Discover how real estate agents can place a caveat on your property Imagine you sign with an agent after they tell you your property is going to sell for $900,000. “No problem” says the real estate agent “We’ll definitely get that price. But in order to achieve that result we need $10,000 dollars in advertising”. Your real estate agent is certain the price they told you is achievable, so you go for it. Fast forward three months. Your property hasn’t sold. Now your agent tells you your house is now going to sell for a lot less than what he told you at the start. Understandably, you’re not happy. Because now you realise they lied to you from the start. Now you want to change agents, but can’t without first paying the huge advertising bill. We call this process ‘handcuffing’ – home sellers are effectively handcuffed to and agent they don’t trust and don’t like. How to remove a caveat Click here for free online guides to lodging and withdrawing caveats in person are available. How to monitor activity on a title Did you know you can monitor the activity on a title? To keep track of activity on a land title you can subscribe to the Property Transaction Alert Service. Subscribe and you get email alerts of any activity on the title you are interested in. You can opt to subscribe for three, six or 12 months. You can also use the Property Transactions Alert Service to verify a title’s authenticity, check activity on a land title or track progress on a registered or unregistered plan you can subscribe to a range of reports.
by: Austin Welch A return to familiar territory. by: Austin Welch A return to familiar territory. Posted in Exclusive, Movies/ TV, Reviews Tagged Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Early Edition, Elle Fanning, Explorers, Friday Night Lights, George Lucas, J.J Abrams, Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Noah Emmerich, Riley Griffiths, Star Wars, Steven Spielberg, Super 8, The Fugitive, The Goonies, The Walking Dead by: the Moleman Check out this new Super 8 clip from the upcoming JJ Abrams/ Steven Spielberg collaboration. by: Chris Eaton Part of the Fox’s Super 8 at 8… get it! Tagged Bad Robot, JJ Abrams, Super 8, Super 8 Trailers by: The HORROR Man source: Youtube Check out this brand new TV spot for Super 8 titled “Can’t Explain”. Posted in Horror, Movies/ TV, Trailers Tagged Can't Explain, J.J. Abrhams, Super 8, TV Spot Hello out there in podcast land! Check out our latest show, recorded this past Friday night. It was a lively affair, until apparently it wasn’t. If you listen closely, toward the end, our esteemed editor began to fall asleep! To paraphrase sheriff Bart, “Always like to keep our audiences riveted.” Podcast: Play in new window \| Download (15.8MB) by: Austin Welch Today’s the big day. Get an eyeful of this. Posted in Movies/ TV, News, Trailers Tagged J.J Abrams, star trek, Steven Spielberg, Super 8, Trailer by: Chris Eaton source: Slashfilm One more peek behind the curtin Posted in Movies/ TV Tagged Bad Robot, Cloverfield, JJ Abrams, Paramount, Steven Spielberg, Super 8 One of our shorter shows, but you’d be surprised how much fun we packed into it. In this one, we look into our crystal ball. Topics range from a look ahead at the Super Bowl spots, future projects such as Dark Knight Rises, Ghostbusters 3, and the next season of The Walking Dead. Plus, we unveil our plans for a new podcast. Podcast: Play in new window \| Download (17.4MB) Tagged Battle Los Angeles, Captain America, Christopher Nolan, Cowboys and Aliens, Denis Leary, Doctor McNinja, Fast Five, Frank Darabont, Ghostbusters 3, Johnny Depp, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Pirates Of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides, Rango, Super 8, Super Bowl, The Dark Knight Rises, The Walking Dead, Thor, transformers: dark of the moon, Tron Legacy by: The HORROR Man source: Collider What clues about J.J. Abrams film Super 8, can be found within its trailer? Posted in Horror, Movies/ TV Tagged Clues, Horror, J.J Abrams, Super 8, Trailers by: The HORROR Man source: LA Times Finally we get some actual details as to what we can expect with Super 8. Posted in Horror, Movies/ TV, Trailers Tagged Horror, J.J Abrams, Super 8, Trailers
How would this League opener go? We followed the action every step of the way. Send us your thoughts and comments on this afternoon’s game. E-mail [email protected], tweet us @TheScoreGAA, find us on Facebook, or leave a comment below. 13.11 – Welcome to Salthill. It was frosty this morning out in the west, but conditions are now ideal. Injuries have impacted on Brian Cody’s team selection, but the Black and Amber still field a starting XV studded with classy hurlers. There is experience in every line, but significant interest surrounds how Conor Fogarty, Lester Ryan, and Tom Breen will fare. For the locals the stationing of Joseph Cooney at centre back dominates the pre match conversations. Anthony Cunningham, Mattie Kenny, and Tom Helebert steered Galway back to respectability in 2012, but remaining at the top table will be a monumental challenge. In attack Jonathan Glynn, who impressed in his Championship cameos last year, will be hoping to exhibit his ball winning prowess again. The Ardrahan youngster is adept in the air. How Glynn performs will be worth monitoring. 13.41 – 13.42 – 13.46 – A decent crowd is gathering at Pearse Stadium. Galway want to build on last year’s encouraging campaign, but they face a real test in the Salthill sun. 13.55 – One late change on the Kilkenny team. Eoin Larkin starts instead of Michael Fennelly. 14.05 – Galway 0-1 Kilkenny 0-0: 3 mins – Aidan Harte has struck the first point of the game. Lively start with two splendid clearances from Joseph Cooney in the early stages. 14.07 – Galway 0-2 Kilkenny 0-1: 5 mins – It is moving along at a nice clip here in Salthill. Joe Canning (free) and Richie Power have traded scores. 14.12 – Galway 0-2 Kilkenny 0-2: 11 mins – It is very tight in the early stages in the west. Richie Hogan has just landed a free from 63 metres to level it up. 14.17 – Goal for Galway! 14.18 – A second goal for Galway in 90 seconds! 14.20 – Galway 2-3 Kilkenny 0-4: 17 mins – The Tribesmen have pounced for two goals inside 90 seconds. Joe Canning deliveries created the two goals which were bagged by Davy Glennon and Niall Healy. An interesting first quarter. 14.22 – Galway 2-4 Kilkenny 0-5: 20 mins – Richie Hogan and Joe Canning swap frees and then Richie Power converts one from an acute angle. 14.31 – Galway 2-4 Kilkenny 0-7: 24 mins – Kilkenny have hit three points on the spin including a beauty from Tommy Walsh to trim the deficit. 14.33 – Galway 2-4 Kilkenny 0-9: 31 mins – Make that five points in a row from the Cats with Richie Hogan and Lester Ryan leaving only the minimum in it. 14.34 – Goal for Galway! 14.37 – Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-9: 34 mins – The third Galway goal was scored in the 32nd minute and it was all about Portumna. Again Canning was the creator and on this occasion Damien Hayes converted. After controlling Canning’s sharp cross field pass Hayes skipped away from Tommy Walsh before rattling the Kilkenny net. 14.39 – Half-time: Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-10: An Aidan Fogarty point ends the opening period scoring. Galway have been fairly clinical converting chances inside and that is why they leave at the interval protecting a three point lead. 14.48 – Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-10: It is very early in the year, but this has been a decent game in Salthill. Galway are fortunate to be ahead, but they have been efficient converting goal chances. Kilkenny have offered glimpses of class, particularly Richie Power, who has enjoyed a productive outing hurling plenty of ball at centrefield. 14.54 – Teams are back on the field in Salthill. Game has resumed. 14.58 – Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-11: 39 mins- Richie Hogan taps over a routine free as Kilkenny move to within two points of Galway again. 15.00 – Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-11: 41 mins – It has been a scrappy start to the second half. Richie Hogan has missed a scoreable free for the Cats. 15.02 – Galway 3-4 Kilkenny 0-11: 44 mins -Hogan surprisingly misses another free seconds after Davy Glennon was denied a fourth Galway goal by Kilkenny custodian Eoin Murphy. 15.05 – Galway 3-5 Kilkenny 0-11: 47 mins – Galway finally register a second half score courtesy of a nice Damien Hayes point on the run. 15.07 – Galway 3-6 Kilkenny 0-11: 48 mins- Joe Canning has nailed his fourth free of the afternoon from distance to edge Galway further ahead. 15.08 – Galway 3-6 Kilkenny 0-12: 49 mins – Aidan Fogarty has landed a fine score for Kilkenny, who have introduced Mark Kelly for Tom Breen. 15.10 – Galway 3-8 Kilkenny 0-12: 51 mins – Joe Canning rifles over another free and it is quickly followed by a tidy effort from Davy Glennon. 15.13 – Galway 3-8 Kilkenny 0-13: 54 mins – Richie Power scores a free for the Cats, who are still very much in this contest despite leaking three first half goals. 15.14 – Galway 3-9 Kilkenny 0-13: 55 mins – David Collins has just drilled over a delightful score for Galway, who are five ahead with 15 minutes remaining. 15.18 – Galway 3-9 Kilkenny 0-14: 58 mins- Richie Power blasts over a free after Kevin Hynes fouled Colin Fennelly. 15.20 – Galway 3-9 Kilkenny 0-15: 60 mins – A drop of controversy here. Referee Diarmuid Kirwan somehow didn’t award a free out to Galway and then Kilkenny were given a soft one which Richie Power converted. The locals aren’t too happy! 15.22 – Galway 3-10 Kilkenny 0-15: 62 mins – Joe Canning bangs over a 65, but Eoin Larkin responds with a point for play seconds after Galway custodian Fergal Flannery denied Richie Hogan. 15.23 – Five minutes left Galway lead by four. 15.26 – Galway 3-11 Kilkenny 0-17: 67 mins – Joseph Cooney scores a classy point for Galway, but a Richie Power free brings Kilkenny to within a goal of the Maroons. 15.29 – Galway 3-11 Kilkenny 0-17: 69 mins- Seconds remain, will Galway hold on? 15.31 – Galway win by three in Salthill. 15.34 – Full-time: Galway 3-11 Kilkenny 0-17 - It wasn’t a classic by the Corrib, but that won’t bother Galway manager Anthony Cunningham. The Tribesmen pocketed the spoils and at this stage of the year that is what truly matters. Joseph Cooney was a standout performer for the locals, who face Clare in Ennis in a fortnight. Kilkenny go to Thurles on Saturday week. Already that looks a crunch Division 1A fixture. 15.41 – Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning 0-6 (5fs, 165), (4fs), Aidan Fogarty 0-2, Tommy Walsh 0-1, Lester Ryan 0-1, Eoin Larkin 0-1.
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Jul 12 2012 Scripts are Like a Loaded Gun Everything Looks Like a Target When You Have a Gun Congratulations! Through ingenuity or skill with using your programming language of choice or your favorite search engine you are now in possession of a script that you can use to make all your performance tuning problems vanish in an instant. Be sure to kick it off whenever you need to; and use the results to instantly make important tuning decisions in your production database environment. <–Sarcasm, folks! Having code to use and understanding it’s usage are two different things entirely. Unless you’re lucky in troubleshooting and Russian Roulette, not understanding there is a difference leads to making bad decisions with bad – or even correct – information. A Little Something for the SQL Geeks While this applies to all programming disciplines I am going to use Microsoft SQL Server’s programming language and engine as an example due to my familiarity. Let’s talk about the fine art of waiting for a second… When I present for user groups, at technical summits, or on SQL Cruise I frequently do so on the subject of SQL Server’s Dynamic Management Objects. These are internal code constructs that allow for advanced troubleshooting and analysis of what is going on under the covers in your SQL Servers. One of the more useful DMOs (as they’re referred to) is sys.dm_os_wait_stats. Without getting into the nitties and gritties of what this DMO is and how to call it (for those of you not versed in SQL Server) let’s talk instead of the data it offers up to those who use it. It’s Like Marriage Sure marriage is full of unicorns dancing in fields of marshmallow-coated bacon where it rains chocolate-covered cherries and money grows on trees but it is also about waiting. Waiting for him to find his car keys for the 5th time this month. Waiting for her to choose the right black dress from the 19 she owns. Waiting for him to finish that last match of Halo multiplayer. Waiting for her to finish that last section of code and log off the computer for the night. The good spouse or partner accepts these things as the overhead to a successful, lasting marriage. The alternative is that you keep a running tally sheet in your head That was the 8th time this month she had to try on little black dresses while I’m waiting in the car… a total of 40 minutes! That’s an average of 5 minutes! If he starts up another game of Halo he’s going to have to learn how to toss a grenade by pressing on his left testicle where I’m planning on shoving that controller. That is the 7th time this week! You get the idea. Microsoft SQL Server does the exact same thing. Not performing outpatient surgery to insert XBox controllers into the lower GI tract of gamers, but rather keeping track of when it needs to wait for something. This is the crux of what wait stats are. By querying the sys.dm_os_wait_stats DMO though a great script that I’ve discussed here and others have created, refined, altered, and tuned elsewhere as well you can get a great idea of where to start tuning things when you get that dreaded (at non-informative) call from a user stating “the database is slow.” Cue the screeching music and tighten the tension, that phone call will come eventually… The Call Is Coming from Inside the Office! Typically the call is short on information; no idea what the database name or server is perhaps, or if the performance issues are related to a given process. Once all that is ironed out where do you begin? The issue could be a poorly performing query or a constraint on resources or, well, ANYTHING! Scripts Don’t Replace Years of Expertise and Experience The first place I start once I am at this stage is with the wait stats query that shows up on multiple blogger sites. Here is the flavor of it I pulled from Glenn Berry with SQLskills. I had the pleasure of working with him on my book on the subject we’re discussing now and he really understands performance diagnostics. What Glenn’s script does is identify the top waits that SQL has accumulated since the last time the wait stats were cleared via issuing the DBCC SQLPERF(‘sys.dm_os_wait_stats’, CLEAR); command or by cycling the SQL Services. This is a key thing to understand – these waits are not permanently accumulating – they are transitory and it’s important to understand how much metadata you’re basing your decisions on rather than blindly placing your trust in the data displayed on the screen in front of you. The waits also don’t take into consideration routine maintenance and backups as well as perhaps single – expensive tasks that may not represent the true current workload causing issues on the SQL Server. The wait stats cover all the activity that has accumulated over time. Performance Tuning Scripts Can Be Powerful, but Dangerous It’s critical that when you download a script to resolve a particular issue, you have faith in the source of that script (expertise) and you also understand it’s use and what it does (and does not) tell you. After all a loaded gun is a dangerous thing in and of itself, but is quite a powerful tool in the hands of a trained professional. Do you want to get more SQL Server training with a side of fun, networking, and rejuvenation? Then join me in 2013 for SQL Cruise 2013! Hi Tim, Nice write up and very interesting imagination specially about the surgery to insert game controller.
So here’s how the conversation goes… “It’s good to get some coffee; I’m really not a morning person.” “Oh my god me too… so, you’re from India right?” “Yeah, just livin’ the dream.” “Slumdog Millionaire has to be my favourite movie of all time.” And you think to yourself, ‘Umm, okay?!’ Let me throw another piece of conversation at you. Or to avoid losing out on readership, I’ll summarize it and try to put forth the surprise of a fellow traveller at the existence of an upper class in India. Apparently, if you can hold a conversation in English without making somebody laugh and fund a trip to Europe, you’re from the Upper East Side of New Delhi. Instead of beginning my next sentence with a ‘Well I think lalala is to be blamed’, let’s try and understand where we’re going wrong in representing the existence of an upper-middle class. A class of people who don’t talk like Apu from The Simpsons (“Thankyoucomeagain!”) who shop at Zara, wait only preppy guys go there, okay who shop at, wait H&M isn’t here yet na, hmmm.. Okay screw it you guys, you know where we shop. This is all too far beside the point I’m trying to make. What I want to do is examine the kind of cinema that India is sending out, without trashing it because let’s face it a Gangs of Wasseypur is hardly counter-productive for the image of Indian cinema. But let’s talk about a Slumdog Millionaire –for lack of a better example at 9 a.m. in the morning –it was one of the most successful movies of 2008, but I can’t help but feel that it got the accolades, besides the obvious reasons, because it played right into the stereotype of “Poor Little India”. I’m well aware that the story really mattered because it was based in a slum and it was the most realistic depiction of it. But as a country looking to change its image, why aren’t we doing anything about it? The movie shows the Indian police as these mindless rowdy fools –not too unlike them jocks –who are impulsive, brash and simply messed up. It’s not like that. It’s bad, but you won’t find a policeman looking the other way while a man is being murdered. And yeah, what’s with the Hindu on Muslim violence? Didn’t really get that bit. The pure filth on the streets. The men openly preying on children. Why are we so accepting of a film that’s exaggerating the most negative points of our country? That’s not the kind of life you and I lead. Why isn’t there anything that resembles our lifestyle? We work, we shop, we party… it’s all there in real life, just not there on-screen. And don’t tell me it’s impossible to set an interesting story in a Hauz Khas Village or an apartment on the Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. We saw a glimmer of it in Aisha, the contemporary rendition of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, set in the high society of Delhi (I can already see some of you getting ticked off). I cannot begin to count how many reviews trashed it saying that it portrays the youth as ashamed or ignorant of their culture and tradition, and craving westernisation. First things first, the Indian culture has changed Mr. random IMDB user sitting in Australia. We’re not craving westernisation, it’s a natural phenomenon that’s happening (Dunkin’ Donuts, Zara, etc. much?) throughout the country. Okay, well most parts of it. And yes, a large part of our everyday conversation is in English, so yeah the movie was true to Delhi culture in that regard. Did I already talk about how we go to parties, take random trips when we’re sick of work, maybe even smoke a little whispered maal (Indian slang for pot), and a fat auntie gasps we also do the nasty nasty. Another example I’d willingly belt out is Shaitaan. Now this movie came dangerously close to the life of an average twenty-something-year-old. I know not everyone drinks and smokes up all the time, but the portrayal is as real as it gets. Yes, we should try and hold on to our culture, the culture which teaches us the most basic of human morals: respect. You wanna target a flaw in today’s society; look at the rapid decline in respect. From rape to fuck buddies to hit and runs. A movie like Shaitaan makes it very clear that this sort of lifestyle comes with its own repercussions and in no way advocates it, but as far as representation of the upper class goes, it hits the spot. I’ll take a contrived sidetrack and switch from movies to photography. India as a country attracts photographers from all over the world, who search and capture the most bereft of people under the garb of finding “beauty in poverty”. Seriously? No offence to your artistic licence but you’re kinda showing that we’re all living in half-disintegrated houses with dirty clothes and naked children on the street. Take any photograph of the street. Background –you and I –completely out of focus and in the crowd there is this one woman selling bangles who is just the quintessential beauty. No wonder it’s such a surprise when you’re sitting in a café halfway around the world with people you barely know and they look at you and assume you’re the son of like an Ambani or something. While we’re all so eager to watch Student of the Year, I refuse to even count it in this list. While I’m still not sure if it’s set in a school or a college (that campus looks like it’s trying too hard, it’s not Gossip Girl), the language is skewed and tortured (Hey.Dude.What’s.Up.) and the actors are strangely buff to be students of any kind. In the end I guess, it’s funny that the upper class is either non-existent or distorted into fantastical characters of Karan Johar’s Indian Serena, Dan and Nate. So why don’t we just hide behind a bottle of Corona (YES, we can afford them here!) it’s the only logical way to save face. Cue the fat aunty gasping. Rohan Dahiya Image Source [The Viewspaper]
Almost certainly first on the list for some kind of adaptation is Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of novels. The Wheel of Time is currently the dominant force in the epic fantasy subgenre. The thirteen novels (fifteen, including the guidebook and prequel) have sold approximately 50 million copies to date in more than two dozen countries, and the series will be attracting a substantial amount of publicity next year when the fourteenth and final novel, A Memory of Light, finally hits the shelves. Given the series' immense sales clout and popularity, some kind of adaptation has been on the cards for a while. About ten years ago, Robert Jordan sold an option to NBC, who were considering making a mini-series of The Eye of the World. Nothing came of this project after those pushing it at NBC departed. A Japanese animation studio contacted Robert Jordan with a proposal to adapt the first three books as a series of movies, but they only wanted to do the first three and change the ending of the third book to the ending of the entire series. Jordan turned down this proposal. In the mid-2000s, Red Eagle Entertainment bought the rights from Robert Jordan to develop film, computer game and comic adaptations of The Wheel of Time. In August 2008 they entered into a partnership with Universal Pictures to develop a two-hour movie based on The Eye of the World. Three years on, there appears to have been no movement on this project, and it's unclear how much longer Universal's option has left before it expires. Whilst the success of Game of Thrones may inspire Universal to take another look at the project, I think it's more likely that we will see the project re-envisaged for television. In a series of articles I'm going to be looking at the practicalities of bringing The Wheel of Time to the screen, considering its vast scope, huge cast and immense visual effects requirements. To start with, let's ask the most basic question of all. Should This Even Be Attempted? There is a strong opinion amongst a subset of Wheel of Time fans that no adaptation should even be attempted. This is a series of fourteen very large books, totalling 11,000 pages in paperback when all is said and done, featuring a cast of almost 2,000 named characters sprawling across dozens of major and minor storylines. The books are what they are. Why should they be brought to the screen? The easy answer to this is that it's going to happen. At some point, whether it's next week or twenty years from now, there's going to be an adaptation of The Wheel of Time on screen. The books have sold too many copies and there is too much potential money in a successful adaptation for it to simply be left alone. As a result, it's better (I think) to be taking this as read and considering how it may be best achieved rather than simply hoping it won't happen. In addition, working out how on earth you'd tackle this project makes for an interesting thought-experiment. TV or Movie? This is the next question and one that has driven a great deal of discussion over the years. The question results in a paradox which can be summed up concisely: The Wheel of Time is too expensive to be a TV series. It needs to be a film.Basically, the books have too many huge battles, too much magic use, too many sets, too much location work and too many non-human creatures to be viable as a TV series. Only a series of movies capable of assigning hundreds of millions of dollars to two hour-blocks at a time can give the Wheel the visual look it needs. The Wheel of Time is too long to be a film. It needs to be a TV series. At the same time, the books are too long with too many characters, too many storylines and too many subplots to be easily adapted as a series of films. To fit a 700-page novel (let alone the 1,000-page ones in the middle of the series) into two hours is impossible, which will result in epic cuts, with major characters and storylines having to be weeded out (great for Crossroads of Twilight, less so for The Eye of the World). Having fourteen films in the first place is also hopelessly unrealistic and impractical, splitting books across multiple films (an option apparently considered by Red Eagle) far moreso. For me, the equation is a simple one to solve. The practical concerns about effects and budget are serious ones and should not be underestimated. However, the books don't exactly have a major battle sequence every five pages (and not one of the battles in the books so far rivals the battles that Game of Thrones will be depicting soon enough), whilst shows from Legend of the Seeker and Merlin through Heroes, BSG, Babylon 5 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have handled extensive special effects requirements on extremely modest budgets before. In short, the practical concerns can be handled or worked-around on TV. There is no way to address or work-around the cutting of major storylines and characters in a film adaptation. Of course, some fans and critics would be happy to see a chainsaw taken to immense length and the vast cast of characters of the books, and certainly even a TV adaptation will have to be ruthless with some aspects of the story. But to work as a film or series of films, The Wheel of Time would have to lose major elements: the Seanchan and probably the Shaido would have to go for a start, along with many of the interim obstacles Rand faces on his quest to unite the world for the Last Battle. Most dangerously, the cutting would reduce Rand's story to its bare bones: a humble guy from a bucolic countryside who, with the help of his plucky friends and a wise mentor figure (albeit an attractive woman rather than an old guy) evades black-cloaked creatures and eventually goes to a volcano to confront the bad guy. Yeah, people might think they've seen that story before. My conclusion is that if an adaptation must proceed, it must attempt to be faithful to at least the spirit (if not the letter) of the storyline set out in the books. Taking this hugely popular story and immediately ditching 90% of it makes no sense, so the movie option has to be dismissed (as Robert Jordan himself said many years ago). So now we can consider a TV show and all the immense impracticalities and challenges of that daunting prospect. Next time I'll ponder how you shrink 11,000 pages of dense plotting into a workable outline for a TV series without destroying the story or scaring off viewers. This will include questions about the length and structure of the overall series, the length of individual seasons (can we tell the story of The Eye of the World in five or six hours, or does it need ten?) and what impact that will have on what needs to be cut and what can be kept intact. 37 comments: Aside from budgetary constraints, which you say can be resolved, do you see any other reason for not including the Seanchan storyline? I feel its too crucial, particularly going into the final books, and moreover, what with the Seanchan battle and everything, its likely to be one of the most attractive parts of the TV series, if it were made. Loved your analysis! Do tweet when you post the next one in this series :) I think the second half of s1 of Game of Thrones, were it starts to get really epic, will prove whether or not its possible to make an epic fantasy series on TV. So far the series has been great beyond belief, but we haven’t really had any large scale stuff yet, and WOT certainly is large scale. I’m not convinced it can be done, Rome’s 2 minute battle of Philippi didn’t exactly make a compelling argument for it. Ignoring money issues, I think each WOT book (except for COT) needs to be at least 8-10 episodes long. Sure, there’s a lot of slow stretches(much like ASOIAF), but book 1-7 and 11-13 are also filled with such a huge amount of plot movement and action, that I think one could easily make 10 episode adaption’s that would feel fast paced. Hmm, interesting thoughts - I agree that a TV series makes more sense - especially given the pacing of the series. I think perhaps, one way to resolve the length issue though would be to take account of how the books are perceived. Books 1-3 are often perceived as a trilogy, of sorts. Climaxing with Rand being confirmed as the Dragon Reborn. This could be series 1. Elements that could be cut: Seanchan. The Eye of The world. (A lot of fans see this as a side-quest anyway, in essence a resolution imposed by the need to get a first book resolution to a series). Cutting the Seanchan could prove problematical due to the importance they play later on. However a possibility would be to make it so that their arrival in Amadicia / Ebou Dar is their first entrance into the series. Books 4-6 are seen as the next 'arc'. Climax being the kidnapping. Up for cutting: Shaido, Tanchico. The various journies to Salidar (Siuan et al and Nynaeve et al) could be condensed. This would be series 2. Books 7-9 would be a good arc. Climax being The Cleansing. Up for cutting: Most of book 8, but keeping Egwene taking control. Series 3. Books 10-11 are harder - neither has a defining climax. Candidates for a climax could be Mats marriage, or Elaynes kidnapping. Sereis 4. Books 12-14 are much faster paced, I suspect that there is enough material for perhaps 2 or 3 series in these books. Series 5 and 6 (perhaps 7). The Seanchan attack on the Tower here is vital - hence why the invasion of Ebou Dar has to be kept. -------- One thing that would need to happen would be reorganising to keep the storylines roughly in parallel. This was the problem with later books - and it wouldn't adapt well to a tv series. The problem would come with series 4 (Books 10-11). There isn't a focus on Rand in those books in any major way, so one possibility would be to move Rands Gathering Storm Arc into the 10 to 11 region. Each series before then has culminated with Rand performing a great act. and nothing in 10 or 11 would risk seeing the series cancelled right before its climax. I still think that Eye of the World, at the very least, should be made into a movie. It's practically begging to be made into a movie, what with the way the plot is laid out. It's also the most self-contained of the Wheel of Time books, so you could make the movie, then drop the rest of the series if the movie isn't profitable. Having fourteen films in the first place is also hopelessly unrealistic and impractical, Several of the books would almost certainly be combined/cut. There are also a lot of subplots which really just don't go anywhere, along with lots of description. Even so, you'd end up with a long series of movies . . . which is exactly what Hollywood loves. They love a long, successful franchise of movies that they can milk (look at the Harry Potter series of movies). However, the books don't exactly have a major battle sequence every five pages (and not one of the battles in the books so far rivals the battles that Game of Thrones will be depicting soon enough), I strongly disagree. A Song of Ice and Fire has only five major battles* that we see from the perspectives of the view-point characters, with the rest occurring either off-screen or in flashback. Those are spread out through-out the series. * I'm counting 1. Tyrion's battle in AGoT 2. Battle of the Blackwater 3. Battle on the Fist of First Men 4. The Jon-led defense of the Wall vs a Wildling siege. 5. Stannis's assault on the wildlings. Wheel of Time, on the other hand, has tons of battles with massive numbers of opponents (like tens of thousands of Trollocs or more), along with frequent and heavy use of special-effects-laden magic. For a television show, they'd either have to cut back on that extensively, or show it on lower budget effects (which can look very cheesy). The Wheel of Time would have to lose major elements: the Seanchan and probably the Shaido would have to go for a start, along with many of the interim obstacles Rand faces on his quest to unite the world for the Last Battle. I could live without the Shaido, who are mostly off-screen except in a handful of books. Even the Seanchan could be mostly shown off-screen in the movies. Sorry for the long post. There is a guide book to Wheel of Time? I am so picking it up!! I honestly think an anime series of the Wheel of Time would be the best way to preserve it in its entirety. I don't know what kind of expenses are involved, but I imagine it'd be far less than a live action tv series. The only problem would be that WoT fans may not embrace that medium. Who knows, but I feel like anime fans are fantasy fans I think, while not all fantasy fans are anime fans. As long as their is a lot of oversight to make sure it's not just some fan-service fest, but played more seriously, it could be great! Hey, WoT even has some pretty fan-servicey moments built into it. And if not "anime" in style, any animation works. There's just the stigma of animated = cartoons = for children. So yeah, that's what I'd prefer and what would work best if fidelity to the story is the main priority. "Wheel of Time, on the other hand, has tons of battles with massive numbers of opponents (like tens of thousands of Trollocs or more), along with frequent and heavy use of special-effects-laden magic." I know there's a perception of this, but I don't think it's really true. Dumai's Wells will be a massive set-piece, but the much larger (in terms of manpower) Battle of Cairhien in the book before mostly happens in the distance whilst Rand and Egwene observe from a wooden platform (most of Mat's battles there happen offpage/offscreen, though for TV we'd definitely need to have Mat and Couladin's fight). There's the running battles with the Seanchan in Book 8, but a lot of that is related through characters talking inbetween the engagements, not the actual combat itself, and most of the battles aren't shown in the book either. Book 11 has a couple of medium sized-battles at Malden and the Malvide Narrows. Malden isn't actually that bad, since it happens at night and the focus is on Perrin's rescue mission, not the bigger battle which is a backdrop. The Malvide Narrows, where Mat deploys his basic proto-firearms, will need to be a bigger battle though. Rand and the channellers blowing away hordes of Trollocs with the Power will be an expensive set-piece, no doubt about that, but the Trollocs are mostly wiped out at a great distance and the whole thing can be CGIed (rather than a mix of CGI and live-action in some of these other scenes, which is more complicated). Maradon in ToM is also a big deal, but arguably it can be toned down a lot for TV. What WoT does have much more of is the number of party-level, D&D-style skirmishes between Team Rand and bunches of Shadowspawn and so forth, but these should be more doable on a budget. As long as these things can be spread out every few episodes, it shouldn't be a problem (like when DS9 or B5 had an absolutely massive space battle and then four 'bottle shows' in a row which had next to no sfx at all to make up for it). I know lots of people love the animation idea, but it's really not viable. Red Eagle paid a substantial figure for the rights, and Universal paid them an even more substantial figure to develop the propety, way more than the return from any anime or CGI movie that could be generated. If the rights collapse back to the Jordan Estate (as they will eventually if nothing more happens), maybe it could be done in a way that is affordable, but that's many years off. It's also worth reiterating that a Japanese animation company was interested in the property a decade ago, but Jordan turned them down and as far as we know, there's been no interest at all from that quarter since. Nice post. You're right that this would seem to be the next major fantasy series to be adapted for screen, whether large or small. I've been reading the Wheel of Time for many years, but my enthusiasm for it dropped off after Crossroads of Twilight. The idea of getting rid of the whole Shaido subplot makes perfect sense - then we wouldn't have to endure Perrin's interminable traipsing around after them. Do you know which Japanese animation studio it was, that had hoped to adapt the first three books of the series? Or is that just anecdotal? I'd be interested to hear... used to be a bit of an anime buff, I did. Fascinating post in any case, Adam. Looking forward to whatever you have up your sleeve for next time. Oh, and I'm glad your computer woes seem to be behind you. Whatever would we all do without our Wert? :I Is the Wheel of Time worth reading? I'm thinking of trying it once all the books are finished. I've heard both pros and cons... I would be perfectly happy if they created new characters, and follow their journey to the Last Battle. You could brush their story-lines up against major events in the book. Creating a TV series from that angle would be much more appealing to me than butchering my favorite fantasy series. Of course this probably isn't an option, but it should be. @ Niall: No, the computer is more stable now than it was, but this just means it's crashing 3-4 times a day rather than 9-10. It's letting me get some stuff done, but only by constantly using Blogger's draft-saving technique or drafting files in Word and saving them every few minutes before sending them over :-( As for the anime option, I believe RJ only ever mentioned it once: "A japanese company contacted me about doing an animated movie. I told them no, because they wanted to do a movie based on two or three books, and I said 'no, I won't do that.'" @Tom Bremer: It's difficult to say. I read the first seven books when I was 17 and fairly new to the fantasy genre, and read it long before ASoIaF, PoN, MBF and other big series. I think older people who've already read a lot of fantasy may find it less interesting, though it's still far better-written than say Eddings or Feist. @Anon: That's a good idea, and when RJ was still alive I thought it would be brilliant to do a War of the Shadow movie based on his notes and outline. Of course, that's not possible now, and I think fans will be reluctant to okay any original WoT material not okayed by RJ. That leaves really only an adaptation of existing material possible. Good post. I'm thinking it's unlikely the studio is planning beyond the first movie. If they make the first one and it's successful, they'll make a second one. If the second one is a blockbuster they'll plan for more. If it gains a cult following then maybe it moves to TV. I'd love to see a more planned-out approach but Hollywood being Hollywood, they are probably gonna figure it out as they go. i don't a tv show is even being considered is it? at the last WoT convention the guys from red eagle said they were making a movie, nothing about tv. they even said who was working on it. Why do series have to be divided into seasons with a limited number of episodes? Couldn't there be a long series that has as many episodes as it takes to tell the story? Some soap operas run forever (I'm thinking of the German Lindenstraße). Of course WoT takes more preparation than a soap opera, so weekly episodes for years might not work. There might have to be breaks between books to catch up with production. Red Eagle have a tendency to say that things are moving along, stuff is happening, announcements will be made soon and then nothing happens. Three years after the Universal deal, more than that since they optioned the property, fans' patience with them is at an all-time low. I have no doubt that Red Eagle want to make a movie. They will make far more money even out of a failed movie than a TV series. The point I am making (and Mondragon admits in the interview) is that you cannot tell this story in the format of film. You can tell 'a story inspired by the books' but a faithful adaptation of the early books is impossible. My argument is that if you cut three-quarters of this story (and that's being ludicrously generous; it'll be more like 90%), then what's the point of adapting it in the first place? For fans there is no point whatsoever. Newcomers might get a half-decent film sharing some names with the books. But that film will not be, and cannot be, THE WHEEL OF TIME. Red Eagle have optioned the property not to produce a faithful adaptation true to the spirit of the books, but as a stepping-stone to making some dosh. Fair enough, that's what rights-management companies exist for, but to pretend that this is the best way of telling the story on screen is an outright lie. A great post, and a great discussion. I am one of those (who Adam mentioned in passing) who feel that much of the series would be vastly improved by cutting certain parts of it. In particular, I would love to see a heron-mark sword taken to large swaths of books 7 - 10. Adam, your point about the similarity of the bones of Rand's story is well taken - which is one reason why I think the Seanchan need to be kept in. They are one of the more original elements of the story and set it apart in many ways. An (incomplete) list of things I would like to see disappear from a movie adaptation (not to mention the books themselves), in no particular order: The entire Shaido storyline, post-Couladin (including Faile's abduction and Perrin's endless quest to retrieve her). The Bowl of the Winds / climate change subplot (the concept doesn't bother me, but it took way too long to tell and could be cut or vastly shortened). The Prophet. (The Prophet might have been interesting if, again, it didn't take such an extraordinarily long time to wrap up his subplot.) Granted, taking away the Masema entirely essentially takes away Rand's reason for calling Perrin back from Emond's Field... The entirety of Elayne's struggle to hold on to the throne of Andor. The entirety of the Salidar sequence, other than the bare minimum necessary to show Egwene taking power and heading for Tar Valon. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting. Keep in mind also that these are just things that I think would improve the series if they were removed entirely -- there are obviously many other portions that could be cut or shortened for length's sake. I also say this with all the love, as I still think of this series as one of my favorites. Reading the Eye of the World for the first time is one of the defining moments in my memories of reading fantasy. The could make the series much shorter if they edited out all the romance- I did a blog post on that ( ). Additionally they could also edit out all the time Elayne spends in the bath, that would saves hours, or if HBO were making it, add hours :-) The entire Shaido storyline, post-Couladin (including Faile's abduction and Perrin's endless quest to retrieve her). That pretty much eliminates most of Faile, which opens the (great) possibility of simply eliminating the character altogether. She mostly exists as something for Perrin to deal with and chase after anyways. Give him something else to do in the movies/television show. The entirety of Elayne's struggle to hold on to the throne of Andor. You could move the events of that earlier into the whole storyline. In fact, you could do both. Move Elayne's struggle to get control of Andor earlier into the story, and possibly move Perrin's defense of the Two Rivers later on. Here's the thing... while a load of the tertiary characters may be unnamed in a movie or a TV series, a lot of secondary characters will have to be kept in. However, in a TV series, these people will have just a few scenes in one season and many scenes in another (expecially important Aes Sedai like Verin and Sheriam, as well as the Foresaken). The same is the case with making a movie. You can't change the actors who play these characters for each installments, and I think keeping them all active for the huge nuber of years it would take to film this would be impossible. I think a performance capture 3-D film, ala Tintin, made by a big name director like Spielberg or Jackson or Cameroon is what we need. You're right that WoT is indeed an epic story. And I think the subtexts involved in Rand's descent into madness, Egwene's politicking, Mat's reluctance to take responsibility, and the Seanchan will be something that a lot of people may appreciate in the current world of terrorism and the fight against it. I know Jordan intended none of this, but those themes work really well in the context of today's world, something that is usually not easy to see unless you read the books all together. But I think live action movies would pose too much of a challenge. Forget the magic and the battles. Hoe will you create iconic places like Caemlyn, Tar Valon, Tear, Ebou Dar and Rhuidean? GRRM restricted himself to magestic castles. Jordan has huge cities, and all of them are very well described and most readers would want to see them on screen. The best option is to give up live-action. I'd say a TV series is certainly the best idea. But plan it out with extreme economy to take no more than a set number of episodes, say 150, split into 7 seasons of 21-22 episodes.. They would need to be mindful of what I felt to be the cardinal sin of the first season of Legend of the Seeker. Adding in too many filler episodes. When the first season should have adapted both "Wizard's First Rule" and "Stone of Tears" to completely finish up the Darken Rahl storyline, and set up the Chimes storyline. They didn't, it turned into monster of the week, people didn't watch it, and by the time they fixed it with season 2 it was too late. Having it on Sunday afternoons was a terrible idea too. but the last thing died. The one with the plucky girl, and the white tower, and all the fucking dragons at the end. Killed by Hollywood. Award winning script too. Do I care if Wheel of Time comes to the screen? NOT EVER. I want to read the ending. POSTMAN at least did some good (orange revolution). I hope hollywood, in total, rots in hell before they start killing good series that don't work on TV or Movies. Wheel of Time works best as a Mud. There are several. Go, play them. Game of Thrones works horribly as a Mud. Hope nobody's doing it, because it would suck! But it makes grand TV. Mud? TV would be the best medium, but the model is broken. The 10-13 episode seasons of HBO could work, but would they be committed to it? They aren't even sure Game of Thrones will be back for season 2 despite pretty big numbers. You could do a lot with a full 24-26 episode runs on primetime TV, especially on NBC who really needs a hit - look at their desperation with renewing the terrible "Heroes" and running shows like "Bionic Woman" and "The Event". For TV, the problem becomes ratings and cost. We've seen successful Sci-fi in primetime but not Fantasy. With DVRs ruining the income-through-commercials-based-on-ratings model, it's hard to determine if costs would be covered. Even more problematic are executives who meddle when they think they know what's best for a show. "Make Perrin the goofy sidekick to Rand! Let's get a romance going between Matt and Egwene! Where are the cute and cuddly pets?" You're dealing with marketing people who have no clue about what fans of the show want, only what they think has "worked" over the years because it fits a formula. What you need is a screenwriter/director in Hollywood with the passion to be true to the story, and a studio willing to take a risk, like Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema did with LotR (and look where NLC is now). Obviously you can't make 14 movies, but with some tight script writing you could cut it down to 6 or 7 movies...that's Harry Potter-ish and certainly doable, but the movies would have to be no more than 2 years apart to keep actors from aging too fast and plot threads forgotten. How do you cut out the Sanchan? Way too big a part of the plot/Mat's character arc and we still don't know what part they will play in the Last battle. cut out parts? hell no. why dont we change everbodys name and make it a kids movie while we are at it?, Movie producers dont have a problem making scream 5 or final destination 5 or 6 or what ever part they are on, look up new movies coming in 2012, all remakes and parts 4s and 6s. stupid. t.v. serries= bad graphics. give me six 3 hour, rated R movies. this story deserves it. and every movie would make more money than the last... gold mine for 6 years..... comment [email protected] "cut out parts? hell no. why dont we change everbodys name and make it a kids movie while we are at it?,give me six 3 hour, rated R movies." So you don't want parts cut, but you want the entire story condensed into 6 3-hour movies? You can't have both. 6 3-hour movies would amount to, maybe at absolute best, 7 or 8% of the story from the novels. If you want to do WoT properly on screen, you have to do it on TV. Film is not a realistic option unless you want the story gutted. This reminds me that Part 2 of this article is a couple of months overdue. Need to get back to that. It's too big of a task and too much risk involved to remake the books into TV or movies. I think something similar to how True Blood has done is what should be done. A Game of Thrones of just far too predictable for me to really love, although it is worth watching. However I just love True Blood because you don't know what's going to happen. I just hope the creation of a movie or series will inspire more readers to try the books than turn away new readers with a poorly made project. It will be interesting to see how they put it all together, but Im not holding much hope for an adaptation that holds anything close to the experience of the Wot books. Be it TV, or film. Its said they want to stray from the traditional "family friendly" aspect other fantasy genre movies followed. (i.e. Harry potter, Narnia, Erigon etc). but aside from Blood and gore, little about the series is Mature other than the sometimes confusing plot, but the plot confounds just about everyone at times. point being, does this mean in-book phrases like "Burning" or "Bloody" will be replaced with actual curse words in the movie? would it even make sense to INCREASE the maturity? A lot of people focus on the sheer number of pages that make up the books. In the case of RJ, this is very misleading since he is a very descriptive writer. Turning this to a visual medium will remove all descriptive parts and the reintroductions of many characters in every book. This alone will decrease the material by hundreds of pages in one stroke. Dynamite turned this series into a comic and adding pictures makes a lot of difference Personaly, I also favor the option for an animated series. An artform that is alas underestimated by many, including the major studios. Hey from what I myself have seen of the great example Game of Thrones I think that parts of the WOT series should be put into TV format with no issue, but there are certain major parts, whole books in fact, that this format would not be compatible. For instance, spoiler alert, I think that the Battles at say the end of book Two with the Ever Victorious Army the White Cloaks and the Heroes of the Horn and the Battle for Caemlyn, whatever book that’s in, are large enough and important enough to be made into full scale films, not to mention the Last Battle. So rather than having to choose from two totally different options, I think it would be better to have a balanced mix, the practicality of this kind of setup is questionable, but if say Universal and HBO teamed up they could create something that has never been successfully achieved: A continuous story that crosses from TV to movie without a mountain of series contradictions. I do however agree that T.V. would be the primary for the series. i,m not a big fan of reading. i never read a series of books in my life, but....... my father introduced me to the wheel of time and i,ve read them all so far and am waiting for the final book. i'm a HUGE fan of the wheel of time, and i would love to see a successful tv series come from this awsome story. and i would like to congradulate branden sanderson on doing such a great job continuing the story. I think the idea of a tv series with some movie makes sense thats how SG-1 did it they had 2 movies and 10 seasons. They could combine some of the books into the same season with 2-3 movies and be able to it in a similar amount of time. I feel like I need to compare this series to a few others right now in regards to whether a movie or TV series would be better. First off, movie option is a definite no, WAY too many books and it would not feel like the series it already is. Especially if you were to compare it to Lord of the Rings, the books are about the same size, but the Wheel of Time series is easily 5x as long. 3x if you include The Hobbit in there. Now for the TV idea, definitely more viable, but instead of making each book its own season like what HBO is doing with Game of Thrones, take say the first 3 books and turn that into a season. That takes the series from being 14 seasons long, to about 5, around the same length of Game of Thrones (that one will be 7 seasons I believe). Now here we can combine some movie aspects into it. I agree, the special effects won't be totally stellar due to budget on a TV series, however if you figure a book on its own can make a 3 hour movie (again, comparing to Lord of the Rings here, particularly the 3rd original movie, not the extended version which is 4 hours long), then you have 9 episodes for your first season across 3 books (3 episodes per book, each episode about an hour long). I noticed someone else commented with the same idea with the TV arc, however I disagree with cutting the Seanchan out from the first season. The reason: We have the Horn of Valere being uesd, which will play a later role. Same with why we can't cut out the Eye of the World "side quest" either, that's where it's discovered, and it ties in to Mat, as well as later when Birgette is ripped from tel'aran'rhiod. It's hard to say what can be cut out because later they come back to play a pretty major role. And with Season 2, the Shaido play a part in how the Aiel are involved with Rand, Tanchico gives you more information with the Black Ajah. The Salidar journey though I agree can probably be drastically shortened. I definitely disagree with the people saying there's a lot of subplots that can be cut, because I've been re-reading the series quite a bit and every time I do I notice a connection between a seemingly random subplot with the greater story. Especially when bits of the Prophecy of the Dragon are mentioned. And we still have one more book to go. I have a feeling all these subplots will prove to have a significant impact on how this last book will play out. With HBO's obvious success with Game of Thrones, and the fact that a Premium cable channel like HBO would have the budget to handle such a task, the TV series would be the best way to serve such a great series of books. The key would be Mid-Season Finales. A full 1 hour episode without commercials, would allow for a book to be covered in half a season, say 6-7 episodes, with a 1 1/2-2 hr "season" finale if needed for the major battles. this would give the network 7 full seasons of potential income, and allow a shorter amount of time for the actors/actresses to age.
What, with all these wonderful times ahead of us and I still find a way to be a grinch? We have the usual stalemate in Congress between the Republican controlled House and a Democrat controlled Senate and White House. Neither side likes the other’s deal but both sides speak desperately about avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff..” At this point it is getting hard to figure what “meets the test balance.” It was President Obama that commissioned the bipartisan Bowles-Simpson, then rejected their plan because of the cuts it suggested to government spending. But somehow defense cuts and tax increases are a better alternative? Here’s a secret, we are going over the cliff. The pedal has been screwed to the floor. There will be no deal because no one wants a deal. Let me explain. If we go over the so-called fiscal cliff four things will happen. - The Bush tax cuts will expire - Clinton era tax rates will be adopted - Automatic defense cuts kick in - Some human service programs will be cut Presumably all of these combined will work at reducing the deficit so the country can start paying down its debt. “Presumably” being a very key word. These are all the things Democrats want (minus the fourth point). The Republicans can’t give them these things without putting up a fight. They have to if they do not wish to face an army of primary challengers during the next midterm election. So they make an offer, then a counteroffer but neither side will come to an agreement. In fact, for an agreement to work it will have to look a lot like the four points mentioned. So it is a wonderful dilemma for both parties. One side can save face with its constituents “by fighting fiercely ” and the other side gets exactly what it wants, while blaming the program cuts on Republicans. The Democrats see this as 3 to 1. They’ll take it. The GOP can cave without caving. The president can say he tried without ever trying. If the GOP thinks anyone is buying this little girly slap fight show they must be high on dog food. GOP- you`re done. This latest bit of theater is exactly what Jason has described, a contrived way to appear tough – that won`t work any more. Obama has written the music (actually copied from Alinsky, Piven and other noted anti Americans) and the GOP in a pathetic bid to stay relevant is dancing like a geek at the prom. The half of this Country that realizes whats coming must roll over the GOP in what Matt Kibbe has rightly titled a “hostile Takeover” Thomas Paine must be watching with apprehension – there are ” soul trying” times coming. Ironically, going over the cliff is the correct economic policy. If the initial recession and market crash are allowed to happen, deficits will decline and a healthy economy will ensue. There is a small chance that the idiots in B.C. can avoid taking us over this fiscal cliff. In my opinion, there is no chance that we will avoid the much higher cliff of the fiat money, debt addicting, sovereign debt cliff in the not to distant future. It will take down the US, Europe and most of the world. Chaos will reign for some time. @ CoF- if Maxwell Smart can whup chaos, by God, so can we. “…if they mean to have a war….”
In a startling act of fealty to polluter interests, several senators are fighting scientifically guided smog limits that would save thousands of lives a year. Under the guidance of administrator Lisa Jackson, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to clean up one of George W. Bush’s most blatant acts of ignoring science and disregarding the law, when he personally overruled the unanimous recommendations of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee for an ozone limit no higher than 70 ppb, setting instead an arbitrary and capricious standard of 75 ppb. Jackson intends to instead follow the law by setting a 60-70 ppb standard. However, a group of Democratic and Republican senators led by retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) are trying to preserve Bush’s toxic legacy on behalf of the coal and oil industries in their states, complaining to Jackson that her plan “will have a significant negative impact on our states’ workers and families”: We believe that changing the rules at this time will have a significant negative impact on our states’ workers and families and will compound the hardship that many are now facing in these difficult economic times. The pro-smog letter was also signed by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Kit Bond (R-MO) and David Vitter (R-LA). Remarkably, the senators do not seem cognizant of Bush’s well-reported act of malfeasance, complaining that “the Agency has not presented new data or evidence to justify its course of action”: Instead, outside of the regular five-year review process, EPA is choosing to interpret the same basic body of information that existed in 2008 and reach a different conclusion. . . Given the absence of new or different scientific data, EPA should maintain the current ozone standards, which EPA finalized only two years ago and concluded were adequately protective of public health and welfare with an adequate of safety [sic]. Actually the conclusion EPA staff and scientists drew in 2008, based on the scientific evidence that “ozone has a direct impact on rates of heart and respiratory disease and resulting premature deaths,” was that a standard no higher than 70 ppb was needed. The agency calculated that a standard of 65 ppb “would avoid 3,000 to 9,200 deaths annually,” two to three times more than a 75 ppb standard. The difference is that George W. Bush is no longer the decider. The senators also claim that the previous smog standards harmed the economy: We note that many states are only recently coming into attainment with the 1997, 0.084 ppm ozone standard. Attaining that standard required costly mandates on businesses, which greatly restricted the ability of local communities to grow their economies. . .. The claim that attainment with the 1997 standard “greatly restricted the ability of local communities to grow their economies” is without evidence. In fact, the only noticeable effect of the 1997 standards on the economy was to dramatically cut the regulated pollution, making millions of children healthier, even as the economy steadily grew, as this EPA chart shows: Finally, the senators claim — again without evidence — that “non-attainment” penalties under the Clean Air Act “undermine the economic viability of communities within our states.” In fact, “there is no clear evidence that non-attainment designations or progress in addressing air quality prevent areas from growing,” EPA officials informed the Wonk Room. Areas such as Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and many others have been non-attainment for years and have had very strong growth rates. The EPA tells the Wonk Room: We see no significant differences in the trend of employment, wages and number of establishments between attainment and non-attainment areas. There is clear evidence, however, that this effort to ensure that more children have asthma attacks comes on behalf of coal and oil corporations in the senators’ states. Peabody Energy, the “world’s leading coal company,” is based in Missouri and has mines in Indiana, and is a top campaign contributor to McCaskill, Bond, Lugar and Bayh. Murray Energy, the “largest privately owned coal company in America,” is based in Voinovich‘s state. Landrieu and Vitter have collected a combined $1.5 million from the pollution industry, whose refineries and power plants keep killing children and keep sending these senators back to Washington.
have left behind thoughts of books and homework, homeschooling moms are now sweating out thoughts of planning next years lesson plans. Glossy catalogues are arriving, two-day homeschooling conferences are in full swing. You ask your child to divide his brother’s sandwich into quarters and he gives you a glassy-eyed stare, they’re already forgetting everything you’ve taught them, and it’s only June! Maybe it was last years curriculum, maybe you need to switch it all up. Before you know it, you’re sitting pool, lake or beachside with an iced coffee, no less than three curriculum catalogues, two legal pads and a husband so desperate for your undivided attention he’s taking off his t-shirt and exposing his bright white chest to the world. 2. In what I considered to be a stroke of genius, I made the decision from the get go to school year round; three months on, one month off. The children would never suffer from the summer brain drain, I’d get December off for Christmas prep and a whole month for spring break in April. Why isn’t everyone on board with this? 3. Because when it’s hot as the Mohave, no one wants to do school. I go to pick my arm up from the lesson plans and they’re sticking. I can only motivate the kids to do their work in a timely manner by bribing them with Fudgesicles. Now there’s brown finger prints everywhere. Ignore every indication they’re not just from the Fudgesicles by eating more Fudgesicles. 4. An old house with central air is as cool and inviting as having a fat man sit on your lap and fan you with the folds of meaty flesh on his arm. Or maybe it just feels that way to me since I’m always got a child or four clinging to my sweaty body. 5. It takes a long time to fill a pool with water when your husband demands giving the well pump a break after an hour. Yes, I know it’s old and could give out at any minute but I don’t think I can keep the kids from jumping in our 3/8 filled pool and breaking their legs for much longer. 6. I’m trying to use up food from our freezer and pass it off to the kids undefrosted as a cool dinner alternative. 7. So while I’m trying to wrap up this school year and not dehydrate, I’m freaking out about next year’s school work as are many of my friends. We’re as helpful to one another a flock of cackling hens before the slaughter. “What are you using for spelling? Aaackkk, spelling, who said spelling?? I forgot about spelling? Aaackkk! I was all concerned about grammar! Aaaacckkk! Grammar, who said grammar! Aaaccckkk! I forgot about grammar! And what about transcripts?? Aaacck!” waddle, waddle, waddle At the local homeschool conference, moms are bombarded with a dizzying array of curriculum choices. Most are lucky to emerge at day’s end without their heads exploding. So if you’re off to a conference this weekend, keep your wits about you! Keep calm and enjoy the central air and whatever you do, don’t buy the first glossy book you see. Or you could avoid planning a bit longer by heading over to Conversion Diary for more Seven Quick Takes.
We don’t go out to eat that often, but when we do, we usually go to the local Mexican joint down the road. Our favorite place closed last year. The friendliest family ran it. They were always so great with Andrew, the food was always good – we just loved them. They moved on to another part of the country to start a new venture, and left me with no Mexican eats locally (outside of my home, of course) for about 6 months. In desperation one day, I browsed Mexican restaurants in our vicinity on Yelp. To my surprise, one turned up in a town nearby – a nice 30 minute drive on the back roads. I must admit I was leery, as Crisfield is known primarily for it’s seafood (blue crabs, oysters, etc). I wondered how good could this place be? I’d never heard of it. But, like I said, I was desperate. So, one night, we ventured up. We were blown away with the dinner we got at that little hole in the wall place. The proprietor/chef hails from South America, so there are lots of great Latin options – as well as traditional Tex Mex fair. While a new place has opened up closer by, we still try to make the trip to Mi Pueblito whenever we can. My favorite thing on the menu is the black bean soup. So simple, yet so flavorful and filling. Nice and smoky from the ham hock, and rich silkiness that only black beans can lend.I always devour the whole bowl, then have very little room for dinner. I made a batch last weekend at home in an effort to recreate their version, and it is right on point. As with other soups, it was even better the second day for lunch. The pico de gallo on top is optional, but highly recommended. It adds a great pop of color and flavor! Black Bean Soup 1 pound dried black beans, soaked in 4 quarts of water overnight, drained 1 pound smoked ham hock or shank (1 large bone) 2 bay leaves 8 cups water 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 large yellow onion, chopped fine 1 teaspoon salt 4 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chile powder juice of 1 lime Sour cream pico de gallo (for garnish) Heat olive oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions, and saute until starting to brown on the edges, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beans and ham hock to the pot, followed by 8 cups water, bay leaves, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover and let cook at least 3 hours, until beans are tender. Remove bay leaves and ham hock from the pot. Add cumin and chili powder, and stir to combine. Cook for another hour on low. Remove 4 cups of the soup (about half of it) to a blender. Purée until smooth and return to the pot of soup. Or, if you have an immersion blender, feel free to use that to achieve the desired consistency. I wanted mine nice and smooth. Add lime juice, stir to combine. Season with salt to taste. Top with a dollop of sour cream and pico de gallo. Source: adapted from Simply Recipes 4 Comments It’s the ham hock that is KEY…It imparts sooooo much yummy flavor!!! Love me some black bean soup I’ve never actually had black bean soup before, but this looks great! I ve never eaten anything like this before… looks really interesting! Oh the horror of not having a Mexican restaurant close by! I’m not sure what I would do since that is usually my first choice on the rare occasion we go out. I’m glad you found one, though. Your black bean soup sounds perfect! I love the pico de gallo on top…I always need a little tomato and pepper with my black bean soup.
Tila's "Wigging" Out!! Today the bobbleheaded mutt is so "subtly" trying to bait you mean ol' haters into calling the police on her again. Now, I KNOW you all are SO EXCITED to see the "picture" she's talking about, right?! The BEST part of this picture is that she actually thinks that she's going to pass this picture off as a "current" picture. Notice the fucked up wig. Someone like Tila loves to post pictures of herself and when people love who they are they love nothing more than to post the most recent and up to date photos ... that is ... IF they look good. You see, Tila has no real recent photos and the most recent ones that she DOES have we've picked apart and talked about how meth-face and strung out she looks. So what does she do? She goes and finds the ones of her with the platinum wig so that she can try and pass it off as something current. Cute ... really, it is. Check out the date on that bitch: Here Tila, I figured you might want some recent photos posted being as that it seems you're a bit shy about how you look right now. It's okay, your army will love you no matter how you look, right? Courtesy: MissTilaOMG I'm sure her "lawl-yer" keeps giving her this mind-blowing advice to keep baiting everyone that she claims to be so fearful of. If so, she should 19 comments: HO-LEE-SHIT!!! Warn a sista before you post Tilas current phots. I haven't laughed till I peed in a long long long time!!!! I knew that photo wasn't current. I've said it a million times over there to her, She has a bunch of computer nerds that can call her on her bullshit when she posts lame old shit. I said it when she posted that bullshit last week when she was called on it. And she's dumb enough to keep doing it. I know you read the comments here Tila. Give it up already. I haven't studied law but isn't there something about keeping your trap shut during an investigation or impending court case? I would think her MOST POW-ER=FUL ATTORNIES at this point, would have advised their client to cease addressing the "haterz" and keep it on the DL on the blog until everything came to light, you know...papers being served, people arrested, etc etc. I'm interested to see how this storyline ends...what will be the excuse when there is no case and nobody goes to jail? or will she just claim they did and now she is going after the people that took their place... the ongoing battle of Tila and her army of mentally gifted minors! oh lawd. You know she looks like that IRL. Lol, it's funny how she tweeted that she was gonna eat a turkey burger last night. I guess she was able to save enough money over the weekend to eat something else besides ramen sprinkled with fairy dust. Bwahahahaha at her tits in that red belt. OMG I think I may have peed myself laughing! What else do we have here? Contacts and fake lashes? Check. Tan in a can? Check. Ghetto nails for a klassy touch? Check. Plastic Barbie hair? Check. She is the epitome of understated elegance. PS: Looks like Hope had the same reaction I did, LOL! Bwahahahaha she looks like my best friend Seths Bubie. Seriously, I just told him he had to come and look at this and he is rolling on the floor because it looks so much like her. She is so dumb she doesn't realize all her antics harm the potential of her gossip blog to be anything but train-wreck watch. If she is already resorting to this to drive people to her website, think of what she'll have to do next. My guess is sex tape leak. Oh God, her boobs look absolutely disgusting in that second picture. I'm definitely going to have to claw my eyes out after that disgusting shit. Rotty, prepare yourself, for I'm going to contact Tila's oh-so "POWerful lawyers" and sue you for causing me such distress. Livvey, Been there, done that. So she threatened to sue them if they didn't take it down. She claimed it was stolen off of her laptop that got stolen once. NOW SHE SAYS IT ISN'T HER. You can totally find the articles about it on TMZ. So much for being a big ol' lesbian, huh? Eduardo, I can't check the link because I'm on my work computer and that link scares me! So we have: Leaked sex tape. Check. Proclaiming a mental disorder. Check. Faked a suicide. Check. Sex tape. Check. It's pretty scary what lengths she will go to for people to notice her. Oops, I put in one too many sex tapes. I guess I'm just trying to be a psychic. Holy shit on the last photos hahahaha. I about died. I really like the added "belts". Thats from when she had those dumb handcuffs and shit on her nails, they are old. Dude...those last pictures are so gnarly. I honestly have no more words, and now I have to go dry my eyes from the gagging. Shes posting old photos on Myspace too, back when her hair was long and brown. She looked ALOT more healthy IMHO. She tried that bait shit last night when she tweeted she STOLE an exclusive from TMZ on the Mary Jane Girls/Rick James and put it on her piece of crap gossip site. I made a comment about it on a prior post. The skank probably don't have any money to pay Mr Vo or whatever his name is to re-bleach her hair and it looks like a hideous rat's nest or she looks so bad she's ashamed to take a current picture knowing even if she photoshopped it, it still would come out looking beyond bad. My god, her boobs look painful. I can't believe she didn't rupture one of those back-alley saline bags while she was rolling around on the red carpet. And what the fuck is that crap on her nails?? It looks like hardened frosting. Oh God, I peed a little. That shit is so wrong! LMBAO! Ewww; My eyes! :(. On a 2nd note, LMFAO bobblehead! I was listening to a song called that no too long ago: "Christina Aguilera - Bobblehead." Instantly made me think of Tila :]. The shit should be her theme song. Ha ha....I am out of words...great Job guys:)
<< THREATEN US SOME MORE ~ MAIN ~ EFFORT MADE TO BE SMART >> Page 23, chapter four of the Stern Report: Gender inequalities will likely worsen with climate change. UPDATE. Climate change will also cause forced marriage. (Via Joe Cambria) Link to article World Ends - Women, Minorities Hardest Hit. Etc etc Wait, I’m confused, hotter climates mean less clothing ipso facto, less burkhas and less inequality. Wait, this is bad, hotter weather means more laying on the couch asking the better half for more beer, which leads to more smiting from Gaia and more inequality. I’m so confused / hand wringing. I forsee a Department of Climate Change. There will be training, seminars, conferences, meetings. Lots of meetings. #4, there already is: Australian Greenhouse Office They’ve been given so much money from the government that they’re flat out spending it by attending seminars and conferences all around the world and they’ve still got plenty left over. While we’re on the Stern report, I’m hoping to see some serious rebuttals soon. The report relies on some numbers from the IPCC that have already been comprehensively debunked. Don’t heed stern warning When Stern was chief economist at the World Bank he got into an argument with the formidable former commonwealth statistician, Ian Castles, over the inappropriate use of statistics in the bank’s development report (on emissions, as it happens), an argument Castles seems to have won. From a quick look on the web today, Castles and others really got stuck into earlier drafts of the Stern report and their criticisms don’t appear to have been refutted or accommodated. Every time I think the globalwarmacoolichanging thing has reached the height of absurdity, I see something like this. How long until they tell us global warming will shrivel our penises? Wikipedia’s entry on Niagara Falls says that increased mist from the Falls that obscures the view from the Canadian side may be a result of global warming. I shit you negative. I think that the concensus has fucking lost it. Inequality? I would’ve though warming would mean more hot chicks. It’s true! If women no longer need to put their feet on us to keep them warm while they sleep, what good are we to them? Wish I had a link to the ‘report’ which argued - seriously - that global warming was worse for women because they were less likely than men to be able to swim. In fact, here it is. Although he hasn’t yet weighed in on the Stern thread, Ian Castles has been a regular contributor to the comments over at Climate Audit. Climate Audit being the often very technical blog of Steve McIntyre and Ross McKitrick, of Hockey Stick debunking fame (and well worth a look). It means that when we cycle back to global coldening, dem bitches is gonna hog ALL the blankets… #9 It’s okay, blogagog, as long as there are rubbish bins to be put out, spiders to be killed and VCRs to be programmed, I am indispensable to women. Why didn’t Mr Gay write this report? Then people wouldn’t worry so much. Hot Dogs up late game show is possibly caused by global warming who said there’d be no consequences - huh, HUH??? #5; Art, Tim Worstall also has some criticisms that might be worth checking out. Meanwhile, I’ll do my bit to keep the globe cooler; I’ll keep the airconditioner running flat out! You know what the real elephant in the living room is here? With all these reams of reports on global warming, nobody says whether or not it’ll be a dry heat. That’s really crucial to the argument, I think. #13: “#9 It’s okay, blogagog, as long as there are rubbish bins to be put out, spiders to be killed and VCRs to be programmed, I am indispensable to women.” Hmmm. The trash is usually outside already when I get home from work, Mrs. Paco feeds bugs to Paco Jr’s pet lizard with her bare hands, and she’s a VCR-programming whiz, as well as an excellent self-taught electrician and plumber. Must preserve illusion of indispensability! Hey, look, honey! I tied my shoes all by myself, again! Obviously, Howard Stern is only worried about the future lesbian employment situation as it relates to his own financial well being and shouldn’t be taken at face value. It is a statement from Howard Stern, isn’t it? You tie your own shoelaces? What did you have Paco Jr for, then? For me, shoelace tying is a just compensation for being a bit slow working out what was the cause of offspring in hte first place. #8 Habib said - I would’ve though warming would mean more hot chicks. #6 Dave S. said - How long until they tell us global warming will shrivel our penises? Yeah, but what good is one, without the other? #21 Like tighty-whities, global warming will make men less potent. So, no pitter-patter of little carbon footprints for you. #4 SingleMalt “I forsee a Department of Climate Change”. Too late.Bob Brown proposed that John Howard set up exactlt that department yesterday. And you thought you were being droll…. (Reminds me of John Cleese’s Ministry of Silly Walks) And who says a warmer planet is bad anyhow…? I like the basic assumption of the Stern report. It’s like saying that if you stop on a level crossing and make no effort to get off the tracks that it is inevetable that you will suffer a catastrophic train impact. #2 There has been for decades. Environment Canada has been working on Climate Change for at least 15 years now. There are whole departments and bureaucracies and careers that depend upon global warming funding. The whole thing is a complete hoax to keep bureaucrats and jet-setters well fed and travelled. That should have been #4 not #2. I see from #5 that Australia already has its own collection of parasites. #6 Omigod, global warming will lead to increased evaporation from Viagra falls and no one will be able to get it up. Earth stops due to change in angular momentum brought on by BusHitler scheme to deny Big Bird her bananas. We are doomed! We are all going to die! I can’t focus on climate change. Not with rioting and looting in the cities, the international banking and finance system in tatters, raw sewage running down the streets of our darkened cities and airplanes falling out of the sky everywhere… Just give us a chance to get over the Y2K catastophe. Very OT, but lame-o ‘youth’ (i.e. thirtysomething) comedy show The Glass House has been axed. This show is the poster-child for publicly funded, smug, unreflective, Howard- and Christian-bashing ‘humour’ on our ABC. The stars are said to be ‘distressed’ and ‘devastated’. First time anything about that show has ever made me laugh. Well, I’ll be… I guess it makes sense. We have one side of the economy making stuff and the other side geared to not making stuff (or having a meeting about not making stuff). It has a symmetry about it. #18 Paco jr.‘s pet lizard Is that the one called ‘Spot’ who lives under a trapdoor in the main staircase? #29 I can’t focus on climate change. Not with rioting and looting in the cities, the international banking and finance system in tatters, raw sewage running down the streets of our darkened cities and airplanes falling out of the sky everywhere… I thought we’d already had all that Y2K stuff and it was time to move onto something new. Well, new-ish, anyway. as long as there are rubbish bins to be put out, spiders to be killed and VCRs to be programmed, I am indispensable to women. Hey, wait a minute! How come I’m doing all that stuff for myself? What gives? Looks at Mr. H Trouble is, I tend to kill the spider by hitting it with the VCR, after which I have to throw it in the rubbish bin. Paco, you should wear blundstone boots, no shoelaces just pull them on and go;) Catfish tend to be tropical- imagine when they start pouring down the east coast of Australia, and all the meat women have to start covering up at the beach- then you’ll be sorry. #6 Dave S… “Wikipedia’s entry on Niagara Falls says that increased mist from the Falls that obscures the view from the Canadian side may be a result of global warming. I shit you negative.” I suggest a smallish water diversion project. That ought to leave one helluva rock climbing “experience” once the Falls are gone. At least it’s somethin’ to do if blogagog’s worst fears come true. What, in this feminised world of positive discrimination, men will be even worse off? Surely not… #37 We have walking catfish here. Catfish are good eating if you don’t mind the bones. I suggest a smallish water diversion project. Wronwright! You’re up! #35 - Thanks, cuckoo, I just peed myself. But what id the walking catfish eat uncovered meat? Is this haram? I’m getting confused. BTW, there was a dingbat in the letters section of the Oz extolling the example of the planetary action over Y2K to push the same reaction to global warmy/coldy/dry-y/wetty whatever the fucks going on:- AS we approached the new millennium, Y2K became the most important thing facing the world and billions were spent to ensure that our computer-dependent world was prepared. The Y2K bug hardly rates when one looks at the monetary and human cost global warming will have on everyone on the planet, and yet we have John Howard and George W. Bush unprepared to acknowledge the enormity of the problem. Even the latest dire warning on global warming by former World Bank economist Nicholas Stern has barely made a dent in the PM’s reluctance to acknowledge that global warming is a reality. G. Unwin Gold Coast, Qld So by this reasonning, because idiot governments and cretinous business management got suckered with a world-wide con in 1999, we should repeat the performance and get our wallets hoovered by some spivs by panicking over another flim flam. Evolution is a myth- humanity getes stupider by the nanosecond. While we’re on the Stern report, I’m hoping to see some serious rebuttals soon. This is a question I ask all the time. Does your data take into consideration water vapor? Water vapor, responsible for 95% of Earth’s greenhouse effect, is 99.999% natural (some argue, 100%). Even if we wanted to, we can do nothing to change this. Adding up all anthropogenic greenhouse sources, the total human contribution to the greenhouse effect is around 0.28% [Kyoto], even if imposed equally on all countries around the world, would reduce total human greenhouse contributions from CO2 by about 0.035%. This is much less than the natural variability of Earth’s climate system! #17 Donnah… I’m beside myself, I’m verklempt! Dey remind me of my cousins in Netanya! Vaat are dey doin’ over deya? Dey vant air conditionin’? Just because dey ask dey ain’t gonna get! Oh no what if all the catsmeat spoils in the heat? No goat will be safe! oh goody! I do Tim tam :) I’m just wondering whether we’ll hear the usual suspects warning about the dangers of surrendering our freedoms in the face of fear. You know the kind of thing: If we start profiling at airports then the terrorists have won, etc, etc I’m just guessing our hard won rights to drive cool cars and eat whatever the Hell we like may be under threat. I don’t see too much beard stroking over what promises to be the mother of all erosions of liberty? A quote from the Stern Report: Gender inequalities will likely worsen with climate change. ... A particular burden will be imposed [on them] ... leaving women vulnerable to impoverishment, forced marriage, labour exploitation and trafficking. So climate change is the new Islam? Time for a new look at the whole phenomenon- could global warming be being caused by all those hot and horny Moslem males radiating randy energy? I’m for terrestrial sequestration to mitigate the effects. #26 The whole thing is a complete hoax to keep bureaucrats and jet-setters well fed and travelled. In my view it is part of communism’s ongoing culture war agaimst the West. Part of the how can we make them hate themselves and slow down their damn economies campaign, alongside the left’s attacks on Western culture, history, patriotism, etc. #44 trainer… I read your link. Contrast that to the screed written at the “forced marriage” link provided above by Tim. I have a problem here. The commenters at “The road to Smur.. er… Surfdom” think everyone at “Tim Blair” are “smartarse idiot morally vacuous warbloggers”; so just what do you think you’re doing bringing incontrovertible science into this??? Shame! How in tarnation will Tim’s commenters ever live up to our hard-earned reputations? By the way, is that Surfdom(sic) as in “surfdom-and-turfdom”? Like when I take my wife out for a steak-and-lobster dinner. Heck, I’ve been working like a serf lately… better hit the rack. P.S. Any chance this Stern geezer is correct? Because if he is, I won’t have to shovel 6 feet of snow this winter in 35-below-zero temperature. Again… like I’ve been doing most winters for decades. you might want to close those tags Joe, italics don’t grow on trees. UPDATE. Climate change will also cause forced marriage. I don’t believe the Stern Report addresses the question everyone wants answered: will we see cats and dogs living together? #43 - Unwin the Useless! Curse you, Tim, for sending me to a lefty blog. It’s like entering an inverted bizarro version of the real world. No jokes, no facts, just whiny bile. Are they all like that? #53 ArtVandelay… Damned italics! Let’s see. Insert “” in front of “(sic)”, insert “” behind… forget it. Almost midnight here… mom told me to get to bed 2 hours ago. And I still have to let the dog out… and scrape the poop off the patio (wouldn’t want to pollute the environment). Damn dog shits a pile so high that 2 good men couldn’t shake hands over top of it. Humour inequalities between right and left will likely worsen with climate change. Molo the magnificent, clairvoiant to royalty will now astound you with his predictions!! The answer to gerbil worming is ...(drumroll)... more regulation and higher taxes, both direct, and indirect. Thank you donations in the hat please. O/T - Another triumph for The Lancet. Unbelievable. London - In the first comprehensive global study of sexual behavior, British researchers found that people aren’t losing their virginity at ever younger ages, married people have the most sex, and there is no firm link between promiscuity and sexually transmitted diseases. Note the small print which kyboshes the wholke survey as a beat-up: Wellings noted that since the survey results were based on self-reporting, they could be susceptible to error. ‘Could be’ susceptible to error. Stone me. Fox News (and doubtless others). You have to hand it to the people who came up with global warming/climate change/end of the world from carbon spewing capitalism. Can anyone think of one of the left’s bug bears it doesn’t deal with. It’s like the Ikea of politics causing everything from envioronmental damage to higher taxes to gender inequality while at the same time making it hotter, colder, wetter, drier, stormier, calmer, snowier and clearer. It’s a marketer’s wet dream. #52 Joe B - I suspect its supposed to be a clever take on the terrific book “The Road to Serfdom” by F A Hayek. 9. blogagog You’re a very clever dog, posting on the internet. Good boy! Indeed. Now, I’d like to be left alone while attempting to lick my groin… Why would you lick your groin if you could lick your balls? #18 Dammit, Paco, what about the Tardis, Rovian killbots (don’t mention the MkIII modification which makes ‘em into the buggerbot, OK?), global warmenating instant reversal satellite array (heard from kilo recently?), death laser satellites, moonbase, marsbase, starships and the recent 400 metre upward extension to Andreas trophy wall! Does none of this count with Mrs paco? MarkL Minionmeister to the VRWC <erm, she did not find out about Caligula’s bucks party, did she??> Another quote from the report, quoted on “Road to Surfdom” Women are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters with women and children accounting for more than 75% of displaced persons following natural disasters. Hmmm. Consider a 3 generation family: nanna and pop, their two adult kids, with spouses, and the two offspring each of the adult pairs have produced. You finish up with 7 women and children to only 3 men (or 70% of the population). Kill off pop because pops usually don’t live as long as nannas do. That brings the women and children population to 78%. Add more kids per generation and the percentage of women and children just keeps going up and up whether or not there’s a natural disaster. And remember that natural disasters include such things as earthquakes and volcanic explosions which, last I heard, have nothing to do with global warmening. This bloke’s alarmism is contemptible. And, frankly, if I’m caught up in a natural disaster and I survive more or less uninjured then I won’t be sitting around waiting for some bloke to do the necessary for me. Unless male level brawn is both necessary and useful being female does not render me less than capable of looking after myself. So, wait, lefties are FOR forced marriage, near-slave like conditions for women, and all that when caused by Islam, but AGAINST the very same things when “caused” by climate change? Color me confused. So, wait, lefties are FOR forced marriage, near-slave like conditions for women, and all that when caused by Islam, but AGAINST the very same things when “caused” by climate change? Color me confused. Color me confused. Climate change = caused Western culture. Islam = not Western culture. Clearer now? Offtopic, but Webdiary is back up. This post is called “The Horror”, so it seemed like the most appropriate place to mention it. ;-) I liked the great pic/title Harry Heidelberg used for his post when it went down… So gerbil worming will cause women to be attracted to the man with the most food, shelter, power, and pretty baubles? And that would be different to now how?... /hides behind Andreas wall, they cant get me here. #32 cuckoo: “Omar”, the Australian bearded dragon, currently resides in a spiffy terrarium, but when he gets bigger, a trap door under the stairs would be ideal (should make our house salesman-proof). #66 MarkL: Nah, she just considers that useless guy stuff. #49 No, climate change IS islam Thanks Tim for that last link update The posts there are rather amazingly twisted and one caught my eye: This is part of Mr z’s comment I was going to post a comment in response to this at Blair’s, but after reading the number of commenters on the linked post there who stated their wish for the mass-executions of ‘leftists’ as a response to climate change, while simultaneously calling the eco-aware “fascists”, I decided not to waste my time Really? I can’t remember seeing you all post about mass executions! Or do the regulars here have some kind of code? That I haven’t worked out yet? Wish I had a link to the ‘report’ which argued - seriously - that global warming was worse for women because they were less likely than men to be able to swim. Poppycock. Not only do we know how to swim, our increased body fat makes us eminently more floatable. Here’s an example of how well-researched and solidly presented this report is.. [113] [113] is a reference to this lovely paper: ‘Caught in the storm: impact of natural disasters on women’. San Fransisco, CA: Global Fund for Women. And that paper takes its reference from this poorly-cited article: Most tsunami dead female - Oxfam So that “women and children account for more than 75% of displaced persons following natural disasters” is inferred from an Oxfam report on a couple of villages in Aceh following the tsunami. I kinda think that if that witless child Tim Blair and his minions vanished from the blogosphere the average IQ across the board would rise considerably. Ooo, I would so love to have a dueling IQs contest with blogosphere left. Bring it on. signed, A witless child Tim Blair minion Dear Climate Mufti: I will shortly be attending a conference on Climate Change Activism in a far part of the world. Since the Jew manipulators have done away with all the sailing ships, I will be forced to travel there by airplane. I know that our spiritual leader Monbiot (pbuh) has declared airplanes unclean; can you tell me, O Tim, if there is any ritual by which the plane may be made clean and suitable for use of the faithful? What is it with lefties and math? Are they all innumerate? How long until they tell us global warming will shrivel our penises? Don’t you think that’s already the problem for many of the climate alarmists, Dave? #9 It’s okay, blogagog, as long as there are rubbish bins to be put out, spiders to be killed and VCRs to be programmed, I am indispensable to women. I put out my own trash, kill my own spiders, know how to program a VCR and don’t have cold feet. Now, why do I need you men? Oh yeah, now I remember… It is a statement from Howard Stern, isn’t it? Yes. And who says a warmer planet is bad anyhow…? Indeed. As with any change, there will be winners and losers. Seems like North America will be one of the winners (our neighbor to the north already is counting the extra revenue derived from its increased agricultural capacity and extended growing season). How’s that for a kick in the teeth, ecofascists? The biggest polluter and most egregious waster of global resources is likely to benefit and profit from a slightly warmer planet (and remember, we know how to turn a buck from almost anything). But with that Anartic ice sheet supposedly expanding and all, I am a little worried about you guys Down Under. #81 Kyda Sylvester Can’t speak for my fellow Aussies but we’ll be right here in my neck of the woods The Georges River down the road should just rise enough to make us into waterfront zillionaires - which should keep our assorted offspring happy when the will is read out #79 can you tell me, O Tim, if there is any ritual by which the plane may be made clean and suitable for use of the faithful? Guzzling lots of vodka before boarding. “STERNN!”—Hanover Fiste Another quote from the report, quoted on “Road to Surfdom” Women are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters with women and children accounting for more than 75% of displaced persons following natural disasters. Posted by Janice Posted by Janice That’s not unlike the shocking statistic that 40% of employee absence occurs on Mondays and Fridays. #52 Joe B As a marine zoologist I studied all of these global environmental trends 4 decades ago. They were predicted and predictable, and there were solid scientific reasons for them. I’ve seen nothing to change my mind. That was until the illiberal godawful greenies made a religion out of them. Is it getting warmer. Yes. It’s supposed to. In about 200 years it’ll start getting cooler. It’s supposed to. It’s a 500 year cycle overlaid on a 1500 year cycle overlaid on a 10,000 year cycle overlaid on a 100,000 year cycle overlaid on a million year cycle. And don’t forget to throw in the 11 year solar cycle. It’s even got a name…Milankovitch Theory from 1842 for Gods sake. From a more empirical standpoint, think about the Currier and Ives etchings - Deep snow in London all winter in the mid 1800s. That corresponds to the low point in the temperature swings. Think about Chaucer’s writings - it was much warmer in England at his time - much much warmer than now. The swings are regular and predictable. Globular Warmening is a joke and no serious scientist (i.e., one not dependent on moonbats for money) will sign on to it. #73 Paco, you are just SO screwed. Nothing we can do to help you. Remember the first trial trip in the Tardis, back to the Neolithic? We watched poor old Urg the Hairy spend 2 days stalking and killing that humungous Mastodon, clean it, drag it back to the cave while fighting off Cave Bears and Giant Hyenas, and what did his missus say to the poor panting shagged-out bastard? “Urg, just where the #$£%& do you expect me to put all of THAT?” MarkL Minionmeister to the VRWC Paco’s patented Women’s Water Wings You know it makes sense… Page 1 of 1 pages Login \| Register \| Member List
Q.: I bought several poinsettias during the Christmas season to use as decorations. Several of my friends and family said they were poisonous and dangerous to have around my animals and small children. Is this true? Should I avoid buying them in the future? Also, I noticed that the blooms look like colored leaves. Do the leaves develop into blooms? If they are safe, how can I keep them from dying so quickly? Mine already look sick. Hannah C. A.: Poinsettias can be mildly toxic, but it is a myth that they are extremely poisonous to people and animals. This myth apparently dates back to 1919 when a two-year old child erroneously was reported to have died of ingesting poinsettia leaves. Snopes, the urban legend watchdog, as well as several government agencies, health groups, veterinary groups and plant experts, agree that it is a myth that poinsettias are deadly to children and pets. Snopes says that The American Medical Association’s “Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants” indicates that ingesting poinsettia leaves may cause occasional vomiting. The ASPCA Animal Poison Center on its website says that poinsettias are mildly toxic to animals. The American Veterinary Medicine Association of America says: .” Poinsettias have been used as Christmas decorations for many years. The actually bloom is the small yellow part of the colorful area. The colorful parts of the “bloom” are actually leaves called bracts. With proper care, they will be attractive for several weeks. When transporting them from the nursery to your home, try to keep them from becoming chilled if it is below 50 degrees. When you get them home, place them in bright light, but don’t allow the leaves to touch the cold windows. They prefer a cool place (60-70 degrees) away from drafts and heat vents. Poinsettias prefer slightly dry soil. If they are in foil paper, check it to be sure water has not collected in it. If they sit in water for a long period, the roots will rot. Let the soil dry between waterings. After a few weeks, they will start to fade and look bad. Because, it is a lot of trouble to get the characteristic coloring, which makes the poinsettia so attractive, most people use them as annuals and replace them the next year. If you do decide to try to get one to bloom the next year, there are several steps you need to take. Remove any dead leaves and place the plant to into bright light, preferably a south- or east-facing window. Remove the foil and place it in a saucer. Cut the stems back about half and fertilize it with half strength houseplant fertilizer in January and every four weeks until April. In April the bracts will begin to die. At this time, cut the stems back to 4 or 6 nodes. When the weather warms, it can be placed outside either in a pot or in your garden. In the garden with proper fertilization it many grow to as large as 4 or 5 feet in width and height. Any houseplant fertilizer used at the recommended rate should work. It will need to be cut back at least twice during the summer to keep it small enough to bring back into the house in the fall. Poinsettias are tropical plants and will die if they get too cold, so they must be mechanically manipulated in this area to induce them to bloom. To bloom, poinsettias much receive the same amount of light as they would in nature. Walter Reeves recommends covering them with a cardboard box for 14 hours a day beginning in late September. Any type of light during the 14 hours can disrupt the blooming process. Water them normally and leave them outdoors until it turns cool. Then move them indoors, continuing to cover them for 14 hours a day until early November. You should then begin to see buds appear at the ends of each branch. Then keep the plant in a cool, bright window and hopefully you will have colorful bracts in time for the holidays. For more information on poinsettias, contact the Carroll County Office of the UGA Extension Service, 770-836-8546.
Mandissa Marshall was looking forward to the indoor season competing in the pole vault with the George Mason women's track team. She was red-shirted last winter to get ready for the outdoor season, but was planning for a big spring this season. Mandissa had a major setback this fall when she ran through on a jump and twisted her ankle, pole vault coach Kevin McGorty said. It has been a long and slow recovery and she has missed a lot of base training. Senior Marshall (Crestwood), who holds the George Mason record indoors (13-1½), will take it slowly because the outdoor season has been outstanding for her. Not only does she hold the school record (14-1¼), but she's won two straight Colonial Athletic Association Championship titles, was the top finisher in the NCAA Division I East Regionals two straight years and earned All-American mention as a sophomore. We are doing our best to get her back into jumping form but we will also be very mindful of her injury, McGorty said. Unfortunately, an injury like this really just needs time to heal properly and to regain strength. Marshall didn't compete in the first two meets of the season and is doubtful when the college hosts the Patriot Games this Friday and Saturday in Fairfax, Va. The injury was really bad timing because she was hoping for a super indoor season, McGorty said. I expect to see solid performances in the few meets she enters, but nothing beyond that and we will continue to evaluate her training on a week-by-week bases. KRAMER'S CLICKING – Senior Brianna Kramer of Drums (MMI Prep) kicked off the indoor track season for the Ursinus women's team in the Collegeville Classic last Friday. She helped the DMR finish second (13:10.85) and the 4x400 finish fifth (4:17.66). Individually, she was 13th out of 58 runners in the 800 in a time of 2:31.79. Brianna has really blossomed the past year as an athlete, coach Chris Bayless said. Somewhere along the way something clicked and she is responding to the training we are doing and her times are dropping. Kramer was one three school record-breaking relay teams last year to kick off the process. Her attitude changed dramatically enough that she was named a captain this past fall and she made her first cross country regional team, Bayless said. I'm excited to see how she progresses this indoor and outdoor season. The Bears return to action in the Thomson Invitational Saturday at the University of Delaware. FAZZINI A HOT SHOT – Stonehill senior Adam Fazzini (Crestwood) ranked third in NCAA Division II in three-point shooting percentage in the latest statistics. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard had shot 50 percent (38-for-76). His percentage dropped a tad (48.7) after missing his only two attempts in a 68-62 loss to Le Moyne last Saturday. He finished with six points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal and was in foul trouble most of the game. On the season, Fazzini is averaging 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Skyhawks, who are 7-8 overall and 3-8 in the Northeast-10 Conference. In a two-game stretch, he hit nine of 16 three-point attempts against New Haven (loss) and St. Rose (win). HOOK HELPING WILDCATS – The first season that Justine Hook played for the Bay Path women's basketball team, the Wildcats finished 0-25. Since then, Hook has helped the team gain respect and this season, Bay Path is 8-6 overall and 5-3 and in title contention in the New England Collegiate Conference. Hook, from Berwick (Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech), is averaging 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The 5-foot-7 junior guard had 22 points in a 68-46 victory over Pine Manor, 17 points in a 68-46 triumph over Newbury and 16 points in a 70-61 victory over Becker. Justine is in her third season as a starter and she's been selected as team captain for the third straight year, coach Jill Shaw said. Pep, as she's known in Wildcat country, began the season at the point, but has since transitioned to shooting guard and that serves her quite well. Hook is among the league leaders in three-point shooting – she has 23 – but the coach is quick to point out that first of all, she's a team player. Pep will do whatever it takes for us to be successful, Shaw said. She leads by example on the court, both in games and in practice. She is just a great kid and a pleasure to coach. LEVERY A KEY RESERVE – The Marywood women's basketball team is off to a fine start – 10-7 overall and 7-1 in the Colonial States Athletic Association. And 6-foot sophomore center Maddie Levery (Meyers) is seeing key minutes off the bench for the Pacers. She's averaging 2.4 points with 27 rebounds and has three steals and three blocked shots. She had four points and five rebounds in a 64-50 victory over Rosemont last Saturday in Scranton. Maddie has been a great spark for us off the bench, coach Tara Macciocco said. She is a terrific shooter and is becoming a great defensive rebounder. We will be looking for her to give us a lot more minutes down the stretch. LAMPART FITTING THINGS IN – Senior Kyle Lampart (Hazleton Area) is competing with the St. Joseph's men's indoor track team. At last weekend's Delaware Invitational, he finished fourth in the 800 (2:12.50) and helped the 4x400 relay finish second. Kyle is a great guy who is currently trying to juggle the results of a fall training season that was interrupted by a worthwhile internship that left him too little time to train, coach Michael Glavin said. Hopefully his spring schedule will be a big more flexible. Lampart is one of the veterans on the team. Kyle needs and deserves to have a great senior indoor and outdoor season after the four years of hard work he's put in, Glavin said. BULL READY FOR ACTION – After a strong season with the Gettysburg cross-country team in the fall, freshman Abby Bull (Berwick) is looking to compete in her first indoor track meet. Bull finished 55th out of 346 runners with a 6k time of 24:12.3 at the NCAA Division III Mid-East Regionals and prior to that was 35th out of 113 runners (23:12.1) at the Centennial Conference Championships. She's ready to go this weekend, coach Aubrey Shenk, the Bullets competing in the Thomson Invitational at the University of Delaware Saturday in Newark. Bull competed in all events from the mile up to the 5,000 at Berwick. We look for Abby to compete in the long distance events this indoor season, Shenk said. FRANK ADJUSTING – Sophomore Mary Frank (Holy Redeemer) is competing with the Pittsburgh women's indoor track team. She finished 31st in the 3,000 meter run (11:59.23) at last weekend's Tiffin University Carnival in Tiffin, Ohio. Mary is getting adjusted to Division I training and will be a work in progress as she continues to train hard to meet the demands of the Big East (this season) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (next season), coach Alonzo Webb said. The Panthers will compete in the Penn State Nationals Friday and Saturday in State College.
This?) 15 comments: I have to confess these paintings leave me feeling uncomfortable! The first painting reminds me of strange experiences I used to have playing chess......sometimes when I was feeling threatened by an opponent's superior play the chessboard began to distort in front of my eyes and I could no longer distinguish between the black and white squares! Anyway thanks for broadening my horizons. Wow. These are great. I liked the first and the third one very much. Thanks for sharing...:) Bob: They are not to everyone's taste but at least you had an emotional reaction! Sounds like your chess game took place in Wonderland with magic mushrooms on the menu. Mr Stupid: Glad you liked them. Thanks for the laughs you provide over at your blog; I always enjoy your posts even if I don't comment! Hmm, the first one makes me dizzy. Parlancheq: I think it's meant to! These paintings are quite large when you see them in a gallery and you sometimes need to hold on to something to avoid falling over. Hi bazza, Struggling to leave a comment as I'm getting these wavy lines in front of my eyes. Weird. Thanks for posting Bridget's pictures. I guess. All the best, bazza. I'm going for a lie down in a darkened room... The first one is a real bona fide optical illusion, for sure. Makes my sight a little jittery. The second, eh, didn't do much for me. The third, however, does make me feel drunk or bouncing gently with the waves in water. Can't decide. Gary: It's OK to say if you don't like them or can't see the point; lots of people don't. Personally I find them fascinating. Bridget Riley is highly respected in the modern art world. I'm sure a lie down will do you good! Kelly: I think the artist would be pleased that you had any kind of reaction! Thanks for commenting (even reluctantly!) Hi bazza, I thought the paintings were interesting. I sensed a bit of optical illusion which was actually okay. I neither like them or dislike them. So, that makes me neutral. Heck, at this rate, I should run for politics. After my lie down lol Gary: Actually, I rather enjoy pushing the boundaries a bit. So if I show something people haven't seen before I get a buzz; it doesn't matter too much which way you go so I am grateful for your honest reaction. You may find that now you know about Bridget Riley you might notice her influence all around. She is considered to be very influential since the sixties. They do seem to move and I actually had to look away a time or two...almost like being on an artistic roller coaster ride. Lovely the same. Mimi: Glad you like them, Mimi. But you were dizzy to start with! Like Mimi I saw movement in these pieces, especially when looking away... and like Parlancheq the first one made me dizzy... From all of the reactions in the comments, it would be advised not to mix Belgian beer with a study of these paintings :) Joanne: You are right, I didn't realise at first about the juxtaposition of these last posts. Maybe some sub-conscious event made me link the two! I, of course, a newcomer to this blog, but the author does not agree
Belladonna Took Belladonna Baggins (née Took) (Third Age 2852 - 2934, died aged 82) was the mother of Bilbo Baggins. History Belladonna was one of the three remarkable daughters of the Old Took.[1] She had eight older brothers (and one younger), and was the eldest of the three daughters.[2] Belladonna married Bungo Baggins, who built a spacious hole for her (partly with her money).[1] It became the residence of the Baggins Family, and in Third Age 2890, her son and only child Bilbo was born. She died in Third Age 2934,[2] eight years after her husband.[3] Etymology belladonna is the name of a poisonous plant,[4] fitting in with the Hobbit-habit of naming girls after flowers.[5] The word is understood as an Italian name, a rarity among Hobbits (though her sisters Donnamira and Mirabella share this peculiarity) and translates as "beautiful lady" although it derives from Latin bladone "nightshade". Inspiration In her first appearance in the fiction, Belladonna - which has stayed unchanged from the earliest survived sketch of the story[6] - is described as "one of three remarkable daughters of the Old Took". Humphrey Carpenter, in his attempt to draw an analogy between Bilbo and Tolkien, noted that Tolkien's mother, Mabel Suffield, was one of three remarkable daughters of John Suffield, who lived to be nearly a hundred.[7] Portrayal in Adaptations 2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: - A portrait of Belladonna Baggins hangs in Bag End. It is based on Fran Walsh's appearance. A portrait of Bungo next to it is based on a beardless Peter Jackson.[8] 2003: Sierra's The Hobbit: - A portrait of Belladonna, Bungo and a young Bilbo hangs at Bag End. As he looks at it, Bilbo exclaims "A Hobbit couldn't ask for finer parents".[9] References - ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party" - ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Took of Great Smials" - ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Baggins of Hobbiton" - ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Douglas A. Anderson, The Annotated Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party", note 8 - ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation" - ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, "The Bladorthin Typescript" - ↑ Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, "Enter Mr. Baggins", page 175 - ↑ Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition) , "Farewell Dear Bilbo", Director's commentary - ↑ The Hobbit (2003 video game), "Hobitton"
. >>, And so this moment, which would have been the last had not this next one just arrived, and then this one, "beginning again and again" as Stein said. I didn't get to leave this 'note on things' yesterday, which seems again (in these parallel universes of ours) to 'connect' --. Both the Johnson and Wittgenstein pieces, which I’m reading as a single Beyond The Pale publication, affected me very directly and strongly. In pure cliché terms (for which I apologize), I immediately felt them as light as air (in terms of the form and clarity of expression) and heavy as lead (in terms of their moral and intellectual import). ……..” is essentially my home address. The force of “consideration upon the careless” has both darkened my view of human character (the effects of the current economic recession on the behavior of many people I encounter reminds me constantly of what you see on the Discovery Channel in terms of the savagery, but with none of the actual survival issues and none of the beauty) and provided occasional, unexpected happy surprises, thank heaven. (Friends, including BTP, family, the great outdoors, the great indoors, the surprising kindness of strangers.) The weirdest thing to me about yesterday’s Goldman Sachs hearings (apart from seeing the father of a former classmate of my daughter’s testify) was the repeated use of the phrase “get closer to home”. I’m not a financier, but I think they were referring to the even-value position of the X axis set at 0, a flat-line. It clearly wasn’t meant to sound sinister, but I found it untoward. I mean home is where the heart is, where home plate is, not a flat-line. way. Why would the light of the past and the light of the future intersect at a focal point--the eye of the observer? But we don't "see" time--it's an illusion. Nor can we "see" things in the past or the future. Except, perhaps, in the astronomical sense--where light traveling from distant galaxies reaches us millions of years after it was "sent" -- and, hence, we can only see the universe "as it was" before we--or anything else in our Solar System--even existed. It's a weird notion. The whole distant universe may have changed, but we will never know, since we, and all of our eventual descendants--will be long gone by that time. Blip. The present is all we have. It’s funny, but I was just taking virtual pen to virtual paper and considering Curtis Faville’s observation when I saw Lucy In The Sky’s comment (which I was preparing, in advance of seeing it, to echo, which I guess isn’t temporally possible), and thinking: “Now if it is not the causal connections which we are concerned with, then the activities of the mind lie open before us.” Logically/poetically, the light/cone illustration makes sense to me. Curtis F., That blip point of the visualized two dimensional intersection, postulated for the convenience of the schematic mind, seemed to me an example of the sort of reduction of dimension of the experience of duration which Wittgenstein would have regarded as (in the immortal paraphrase of the philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt) "bullshit".".) The other, no doubt obvious intended irony in the post involved the lower image of the formidable Devourer Goddess Kali, who "represents" Time, having her visual field (which according to Wittgenstein has, like our lives, no limits) -- or shall I say our visual field, including her now as merely one panel in a diptych -- extended beyond the designed limits. Oh, well. Peggy, welcome! Curtis R., Know what you mean about that light/heavy clarity. The diptych is complicated for me (happily so, actually) by the fact each panel possesses certain of the motifs of the other. The connection for me is that these are sentences, that is those of both writers, so constructed as to make the experience of them, for the mind, no less interesting, no less worth wanting to be in the middle of, for a moment, than the larger experience of a world. When Wittgenstein with apparent serene assurance asserts we have left causality behind and now stand at the brink of an activity of the mind which is open and has no limits, I hear a Germanic poetry which veils its weight within a wonderful lightness. Reading him sometimes a hear in my inner ear an odd tune, I imagine a brilliant schoolboy whistling the austere lyric of a perfectly constructed lieder as he proceeds through the dark woods of the Black Forest to the home of the local postman who was once his student, to ask forgiveness. "(Not by the way to criticize the diagram, I found it strangely poetic, and a bit humorous as well.. .)" Should probably add in explanation, lest the "humorous" in regard to the diagram seem a COMPLETE nonsequitur, that I can't keep from imagining the Future Light Cone and the Past Light Cone as matching protective devices designed to keep similarly afflicted twin dogs from overmuch obsessive worrying of bothersome, perhaps phantom itches.. And by the way, as to that OTHER nonsequitur: I seem to recall that I am not imagining things, LW actually did make that trek after absolution to which I vaguely allude, perhaps not with a lied on his lips nor in his heart -- as he was then dying, and at the end of a terminal quest to seek forgiveness from everyone he thought he had ever wronged, no matter how infinitesim Imagine what this aspect must have looked like before the white man came. Pale yellow grassland punctuated with scrub oak, and higher up, stands of 200 year redwood. Herds of deer, foxes, ground-hogs, snakes. Flocks of birds filled the tidelands. The bay teeming with fish.."
. After the moon goes down, the nearness of the night, fair And dark in its standing against the remaining trees, Comes off as not an embellishment But a facsimile. Where have I seen this evening before. Past is past. It is no longer the small town nineteen forties. But living in the moment is postponed by This uncanny sense of repetition. For example, at the filling station On the corner outside the theatre, Beneath violet neon, near green garbage cans And racks of bright red cans of motor oil, and rows of whitewalls Stacked for sale, a young man in blue overalls pumps Gas, over and over, in my mental reproduction of this scene, Remembered from a foggy night on Pico, Santa Monica, 1951. Sometimes images will never leave your mind. It's as though you were merely the carrier pigeon For messages of unknown origin, to be delivered over and over. As when, after a long day of construction And assembly, the factory worker and the apprentice escort, Having put workaday cares aside for a rare night out At the movies, sitting rapt through the double feature, Shyly holding hands, turn to one another at last And sigh, and one whispers to the other, In a tone of concession gentler than the soft summer night wind, This is where we came in. Woman aircraft worker checking electrical assemblies, Vega Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California: photo by David Bransby, 1942 (Library of Congress) Two Maiko (apprentice Geisha) conversing near Golden Temple, Kyoto, Japan: photo by Daniel Bachler, 2004 Two Maiko (apprentice Geisha) conversing near Golden Temple, Kyoto, Japan: photo by Daniel Bachler, 2004 15 comments: beautiful. Past is past. I salute that various field. James Schuyler, "Salute", of course. He beings that poem with something I've always found troubling: Past is past, and if one remembers what one meant to do and never did, is not to have thought to do enough? My reaction's always been NO. To have thought to do and not done is called regret, in my book, and, at this point in my life, my regrets are what I find most heartbreaking. I don't feel any "no" when I read your poem. This is beautiful. Yes. And yes. Double feature thankyous. A strong sense of the eternal, told within a modern span. Time transforms itself around me, making it harder to believe that all moments do not exist at once. I found so much to connect with in this piece. I agree that "no" is not a component, more a dreamy waltz that plays forever. Beautiful, very. Heartbreaking. Heartbroken. Tom, Yes, "Past is past," and yet/also "This uncanny sense of repetition." Meanwhile, "This is where we came in." -- 7.23 grey whiteness of fog against invisible top of ridge, blue jay landing on fence in foreground, sound of wave in channel name that conceals, sense of related to other way of difference, present as human action, tone of shadows grey-white of fog against top of ridge, cormorant flapping across toward point interesting images...I can see that... I don't know if there are still double features. My early moviegoing experiences were entirely double feature experiences. There were several theatres in my immediate urban neighborhood. You could watch the double feature as many times as you wished, over and over. Eternal recurrence seemed a plausible way of life in the universe. "Eternal recurrence seemed a plausible way of life in the universe." That was also my experience. When I was growing up, my mother parked me in the local movie theater for long periods of double feature watching, seeing the movies over and over, as you say. I couldn't have been happier and, upon reflection, may never have been happier. I think double features are now only offered by art/repertory houses, which isn't the same thing at all. just beautiful! "Sometimes images will never leave your mind. It's as though you were merely the carrier pigeon For messages of unknown origin, to be delivered over and over." sigh Curtis, hb, Good to have your thoughts always. The top picture here reminded me of early moviegoing experiences. The original intention of its making and propagating was obviously patriotic. However the feeling it evokes, now, has more to do with personal and cultural memories. Most commonly I work from words to images, but in this case I began with the images; and from the associations produced by the images the words then came. The utter immediacy of the voice of this poem is superb and effortlessly exacting. But a facsimile. is an absolute genius of a work. Not a movie/cinema-goer myself, but been a witness to the double features plenty o' times in the daily events of life. How certain events keep coming, again. Unsorted is just another way of being sorted. It requires much less an effort. Lovely poem ! "Unsorted is just another way of being sorted." Inscribe that on my ash thermos, please. Hahaha! DO it YOURSELF. Well atleast you though about it. Poets are useless.
Of late, my 8-year-old has been giving a lot of thought to marriage—and more specifically, to finding a husband. To wit: When her friend turned down several snack options in a row, El sought me out. “Mom, she is a PICKY eater. She’s going to have trouble getting a husband if she eats like that.” And later: “I think it would be good to know geometry before you try to get a husband, because…” She pondered. “Because then you’d both know it.” Right-o. I mean, I’m not sure that both people knowing the difference between an acute and an obtuse triangle would qualify as being “equally yoked,” but it couldn’t hurt. El’s musings got me thinking. I watch The Bachelor, I admit it. And, yes, I disrespect myself in the morning, but I am fascinated by what young women and men assume will make a relationship work. Two minutes into meeting the prize—AKA, the bachelor—beautiful, seemingly bright women are passionately kissing this virtual stranger and claiming they’re sure he’s the one. By the end of the evening, these same girls are sobbing inconsolably, because the bachelor has given their coveted rose to somebody else. Well, duh. To all past, current, and future ABC bachelorettes: I’m going to give you a little advice, and you should take it, because I’m a romance novelist, and I know about happily ever afters. When you meet someone you consider forever-after material, keep your lips clamped unless you are opening your mouth to talk. To talk, ladies. You will not know he’s the one for you simply because you feel goose-pimply after he kisses you and fifteen other girls at an alcohol-soaked cocktail party. (I’d feel goose pimply, too. Eew.) This is romance 101: Save your kisses for someone who’s kissing only you. From now on, I want you to heed the wisdom of my 8-year-old: At the very least, find out if you both like geometry before you begin doodling your name together with his on a cocktail napkin. I tell my daughter all the time, “Marry your best friend.” At the moment she’s taking me literally and is considering walking down the aisle with one of her girlfriends. “’Cause we talk about everything, and we could share the same wedding dress, and wedding dresses are very expensive, Mom.’” I question the practicality of two women and one dress in the same wedding, but I appreciate that she’s budget-minded and, for the moment at least, wise enough to want to spend her life with someone she knows, likes and respects. As for The Bachelor/ette, Too Hot Mamas must send the show to the front of its Doody Head line asap. Of course, I suppose I have to walk it there myself. Wendy 3 Responses to HOW TO PICK YOUR HUSBAND At least your daughter is exploring ideas of what a marriage should be when she is 8 and not when she’s on a reality TV show! Also, I agree with the “marry your best friend” advice. D.I.V.O.R.C.E. teach her the words to the Tammy Wynette song. they may also come in handy. Funny. A wee bit frightening too. She’s an early bloomer, eh?
2010 Giro d’Grafton race report and heartrate data June 20, 2010 at 12:33 pm Leave a comment Quick Summary - 2nd on 1st $200 prime - 3rd on $750 prime with 7 laps to go - Narrowly avoided crash in final 100m to finish 14th. Heartrate and power data for the entire race - Going for the $200 prime - Struggling to move forward from towards the back of the pack - Easier once I made it to the front - Attacking to go for the $750 prime - The finishing sprint Heartrate and power data for the last seven laps - Attacking for the $750 prime - The actual sprint for the $750 prime - Hitting it hard to keep my position at the front of the pack - The 39mph crash in front of me with 100m to go - The actual finish of the race, tied my current known maximum heartrate I just found this youtube video online that has some good clips of the race. At about 34 seconds into the video, I am the first rider around the corner with Andy Crater behind me. Andy had just won the $200 prime, and I decided to keep rolling in case a break came up to us. It did, but our break only lasted for maybe half a lap before the field caught back up to us. Detailed Summary Nearly 140 riders lined up for the start of the race. I got to the staging area real early, but after all the callups and people rolling in front of the staging area, I ended up on the third row for the start. Better than at the back, but not ideal. Fortunately, somebody in front and to the right of me had trouble clipping in, and this opened up a hole so I was able to zip around him and into the top 15 or so. The pace was fast, but manageable. Then at the start of the sixth or seventh lap, the announcer rang the bell for a $200 prime. I wasn’t intending to go for the prime, but I was already at the front when Emile Abraham (Aerocat) attacked with his teammate Andy Crater on his wheel. I was right there so I jumped in third wheel as we got a small gap on the field going into turn 5 and 6. Out of turn 6, Emile peeled off and Andy launched his sprint. I tried to come around, but couldn’t do it and had to settle for second (i.e., nothing). I was happy to be in contention for the prime, but it was a lot of wasted energy. I spent the next 20+ laps trying to recover and work my way back to the front of the group. It was pretty crazy back in the pack and it took a really concerted effort to work my way all the way back to the front. A few thoughts kept running through my mind: - “The #1 rule in moving forward is to NOT move backward” - “Gee, it’s still a really long way to the front” when the group was strung out single file ahead of me - “How on earth am I not to the front, yet? Who is passing me and when?” Finally, with less than 15 laps left to go, I had worked my way back into the top 20-25 riders. It was much smoother, and not too hard to maintain that position as long as you made sure to pass people on at least two different parts of the course. This was the status quo for the next 8 laps when with 7 laps to go (no more free laps), the announcer rang the bell for a $750 prime. Coming through the start/finish line, I was sitting maybe 20th wheel but carrying some momentum so I swung to the outside, moved up to maybe 10th wheel when the group in front veered right opening a hole for me on the wind-protected side of the group. Without hesitation, I attacked as hard as I could hoping to get a gap that nobody would want to close. Unfortunately, I brought two riders with me – Rahsaan Bahati and a Mountain Khakis rider (Myerson or Howe). Nevertheless, I knew that Kristine would be excited to see me off the front so I drilled it and we absolutely flew through turns 2, 3, and 4. Turn 3 was a right turn, followed by a short 1 block straight away and then a left turn. I was going so fast through those corners that it felt like a corkscrew instead of two 90 degree turns! Plus I caught the pace car coming out of Turn 4 so we did get a little bit of a draft up the hill. By the end of those turns, we had a 5-10 second gap on the field. I was in the front and coming off turn 5, I coasted hoping that one of them would come around, but they didn’t. We gradually slowed down and started our sprint for the $750 prime from about 23mph with a comfortable gap on the field. I’d like to say that I crushed the sprint against one of the top sprinters in the country and walked away with $750, but what actually happened is that Rahsaan won by maybe 15 bike lengths, the Mountain Khakis rider was next, and then I trailed in maybe 3 or 4 seconds later with the field coming up hard. Strategically, going for the prime wasn’t the best thing I could do — but I had the opportunity, and I wasn’t going to let it slip away and wonder what would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, etc… The only strategic advantage about going for the prime is that it meant I was at the very front of the race with 6 laps to go. When the pack came by, I knew that it was going to hurt, but I drilled it as hard as I could and slotted somewhere into the top 20 riders. The pace was fast with Aerocat, Bahati, and Mountain Khakis riders at the front drilling it. Even so, there was a lot of shuffling where riders from the back would carry more momentum and push forward ahead of the leadout riders. I tried to anticipate those “surges” and ended up in the top 15 with one lap to go. The last lap was really fast, but I was able to move up a couple more positions going into the last corner and the downhill sprint. So I already knew at this point that barring an accident, I was going to place in the top 20 maybe even top 10. Well, with 100 meters to go, there was an accident — a bad one. According to my bike computer, I was going 39mph in the downhill, tailwind sprint when the accident happened. The sole BMC rider in the race, Cole House, got tangled up with a Mountain Khakis rider and the two of them went down at the front of the sprint — immediately in front of me. A third rider in front of me and to my right went down as he collided with another rider trying to avoid the original accident. Since I was going 39mph with very little time to react, I had already resigned myself to the fact that I was going to fall when I realized that if I punched it I could maybe squeeze between the riders and bikes on the ground to my left and right. The only obstacle was the BMC rider’s bike which was currently up in the air. It was just off to my left though so I ran into it with my shoulder and pushed it out of the way and very, very luckily no part of it got tangled up with my bike. So I made it through, but according to my computer I had slowed down to under 30mph. A lot of people were having to hit the brakes and slow down because of the accident, but there was still room for some people to come around carrying speed so I ended up getting passed by 3 or 4 people in the final 50 meters while I was trying to get back up to speed. Still, I was very happy (and lucky) to have stayed upright and finish 14th. Brent Mahan (Nashville Cyclist) finished 11th riding a great race and has now moved into the green jersey for best young U25 rider! Congratulations Brent! Entry filed under: Racing. Tags: heartrate, power, videos. Trackback this post \| Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
Mississippi Gran Prix – Day 2 – Road Race and Time Trial April 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm 1 comment Quick Summary My teammate Pat Allison and I took 6th and 7th in the road race in a strategic 80+ mile road race. My other teammate Justin got into a great two-man move for over half of a 27 mile lap. This forced other teams to chase and gave Pat and I a much needed break from attacking and covering moves. Unfortunately, Justin’s break-mate Russell Walker flatted towards the end of the second lap. Earlier in the race, I had my own bad luck with a broken rear spoke, but Pat and Justin stopped and helped pace me back up to the group – awesome teammates! Later in the evening, we all rocked the TT merckx style and had decent times. The Data I didn’t have power data from the road race b/c of the broken spoke in my powertap rear wheel. I had the iBike on, but then the wheel magnet on my front wheel slid down so the iBike shut off with no speed data coming into it. TIME TRIAL Dist: 2.84 mi (0:06:09) Energy: 168.9 kJ Cals Burn: 161.4 kcal Braking: 0.0 kJ (0.0%) Min Avg Max Power 223 457.6 1439 W Aero 0 376.5 766 W Rolling 10 35.8 43 W Gravity -600 7.5 327 W Speed 7.4 27.7 33.4 mi/h Wind 8.4 27.1 35.9 mi/h Elev 314 341 364 ft Slope -5.5 0.08 4.1 % Caden 29 79.3 96 rpm HR 112 164.9 181 bpm NP:443W IF:1.60 TSS:26 VI:0.97 CdA: 0.342 m^2; Crr: 0.0039 168 lbs; 4/14/2012 6:45 PM 76 degF; 1013 mbar Entry filed under: Racing. Tags: race, road race, time trial. 1 Comment Add your own Trackback this post \| Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed 1. jerzak80 \| April 15, 2012 at 4:25 am Found my way here via Strava. Loving your work
A national breast cancer charity is being accused of using misleading statistics to convince women to have mammograms, according to a paper published Thursday in the British Medical Journal. A pregnant leukemia patient, whose life was at risk because anti-abortion laws in the Dominican Republic prevented doctors from treating her, has started receiving chemotherapy, officials said Thursday. In the Dominican Republic, a ban on abortion is preventing a teenage girl from receiving treatment for a life-threatening disease. Five years after battling and beating breast cancer, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts faces another dangerous health foe. Good Morning America's Robin Roberts has a blood disorder that developed as a result of her fight with breast cancer. Doctors who treat breast cancer patients are very excited about an experimental drug that presents a whole new way of knocking out cancer cells. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is battling cancer. Health problems began to pop up for him a year ago. Here are some key dates, according to government statements, local media accounts and CNN reporting: A young boy in Canada has a new tool to help him manage his diabetes. CBC News has the story.. He thought the bleeding was a hemorrhoid, brought on by a strenuous weightlifting session at the gym. Few Americans think twice about whether their medicine bottle really contains what it says on the label. After losing her nursing job to a disease, a young woman turns a hobby into a business. Kelsey Trusty plans almost everything, but getting cancer was one thing she didn't anticipate. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen talks about a counterfeit version of Avastin that is being sold in the U.S. Battling a relapse of Hodgkin's lymphoma, former "Survivor" winner Ethan Zohn had just finished round three of the new chemo drug SGN-35 when he got some welcome news from his doctor. The Swiss drugmaker Novartis is cutting nearly 2,000 jobs in the United States, anticipating the impending loss of patent protection on its blockbuster drug Diovan. Doctors in America are harboring an embarrassing secret: Many of them are going broke.. A new combination of treatments can help battle some forms of metastatic breast cancer and slow down the spread of the disease, according to two separate studies. Dr. Drew and his guests discuss what people should understand about the risks of breast cancer.. Since Kezia Fitzgerald and her 1-year-old daughter, Saiorse, started cancer treatments this year, the disease has upended nearly every aspect of their lives. Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who remains a popular figure in his country, vowed in a video posted on YouTube to beat his recently diagnosed throat cancer. Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will begin chemotherapy in the coming days to treat a malignant tumor in his larynx, a hospital official said Saturday.. When new patients worry they don't know how they'll get through breast cancer, Cindy Davis puts her hand on theirs and says, "I know, but I want to tell you, I truly know, because I went through this two years ago.". The now-healthy Olympian tells PEOPLE the "toughest part" of chemo was facing her little boy. Kezia Fitzgerald and her 15-month-old daughter are both blondes with bright blue eyes. They both giggle easily and share a love of peaches. A throat infection sidelined Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for a few days, but on Tuesday he said he is ready to begin what will be his fourth cycle of chemotherapy. A visually-impaired teen is using his paintings to help others. CNN's Fredricka Whitfield has the story. At 12 years old, Jeff Hanson was struggling to see the world around him. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Saturday that he was hours away from a third phase of chemotherapy, state media reported. said Friday he is seeking congressional approval to return to Cuba to continue cancer treatment. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his cancer treatment may require radiation therapy and chemotherapy, comments that shed a little more light on the state of his health after he underwent surgery to remove a tumor last month.. American Society of Clinical Oncology's Dr. George Sledge discusses a new cancer drug that fights advanced melanoma. For the first time, patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer have two new treatment options that prolong survival, according to new research presented at a cancer conference in Chicago on Sunday.. CNN's first sports anchor, Nick Charles, speaks about his life, his work and the people he's leaving behind. Nick Charles looks into the camera, as he's done thousands of times before. Except he's not calling a boxing match for sports fans around the world. By now, you likely know David Seidler, who won an Oscar on Sunday for best original screenplay for "The King's Speech," was a stutterer just like King George VI, whose battle with the speech disorder is portrayed in the film. Women with early stage breast cancer that has spread to their lymph nodes may require less extensive surgery than previously thought, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A new study questions the way breast cancer surgery is done. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports. How many stages are there in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? The controversial drug Avastin should be phased out as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday, citing recent studies that show its benefits may be outweighed by dangerous side effects. Is there anything currently in trials for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia that can help my father, who has had triple-bypass surgery and is 81 years old? My husband had non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1990. He was treated with m-BACOD, then switched to CHOP. Now he is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. Out of cancer treatment options, John Cossman turns to clinical trials, without which he says he'd have "no hope." John Cossman's friends call him cancer's iron man. He's had more than 90 radiation treatments and 200 chemo treatments since being diagnosed with head and neck cancer eight years ago. Congress wants to know why the Lockerbie bomber is still alive 13 months after being released with three months to live. Convicted Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdelbeset al-Megrahi, released from a Scottish prison last year on humanitarian grounds, is not terminally ill, a New Jersey senator asserted Wednesday.. The former Survivor contestant says he's "happy to wake up in the morning" with girlfriend Jenna Morasca On Christmas Eve 2008 12-year-old Paul Yared started counting his days. Medical tests had revealed a vicious form of bone cancer that transformed the Lebanese boy's life in London from going to school and playing to dealing with chemotherapy and pain. Rima Maktabi meets a woman with the vision to give education to kids with cancer and the children whose lives she hopes to improve.. For a serious distance runner, 7 hours, 48 minutes is not a great marathon time. But cut Brian Fugere some slack. Lung cancer patients who are 70 years or older should be considered for a more aggressive chemotherapy treatment offered to patients who are decades younger, according to a new study presented at a major cancer conference Saturday. Acclaimed chef Grant Achatz once said he would rather die than lose his tongue. A vaccine treatment for prostate cancer has become the first therapy of its kind to win approval for use in U.S. patients. A round-the-world yachtswoman who beat breast cancer says that sailing helped her cope with the "hell of cancer." How many, if any, cases of nervous system disorders have been reported because of A-C breast cancer chemotherapy? I'm 45 and had treatment at 39 and 40. I now experience a very exaggerated amount of shaking of the hands. Diana Tirpak was so sure her leukemia was going to kill her, she bought a suit for her husband, Jake, to wear at her funeral. It brought a tough, All-Star NBA coach to tears this week. And it stilled the voice of a famous film critic. Diagnosed in 2005, the Survivor: Palau beauty used her TV fame to help others The Survivor winner, battling cancer, takes a camera along to his PEOPLE photo shoot? Suzanne Somers takes on Dr. Brawley: Alternative therapy vs. chemotherapy.. From his hospital bed, the Survivor winner shares the latest in his cancer battle
Tablets Running on Android Expected to Surpass iPad This YearSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 13:20 According to the latest data released by IDC, tablets running on Android OS are likely to beat Apple's iPad in terms of sales this year. As of Tuesday, IDC estimations revealed that in 2013 Android devices will comprise 48% of the total tablets shipments while Apple's iPad will come down to 46%.in 2012, the Apple was reported to account for 51% of the total shipments. Apple Launches 2 Commercials Showcasing New iPhoneSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 13:39 In order to gain peoples' attention for its new iPhone, Apple has introduced two new advertisements. Both eth commercials are quite peppy in nature and accompany upbeat music. It would not be wrong to say that both the commercials have been truly flaunting the features of the new iPhone. The commercial shows hands which have been using the new gadget like tapping and clicking while showing its varied features. Apple Marketing Chief Tweets about Rising Malware Threats on AndroidSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 13:11 In his one of rare tweets at the micro blogging site, Twitter, Phil Schiller, Apple Marketing Chief, has warned users about the rising malware threats on Android. Till now, maximum of the tweets by Phil used to be about sports, music and movies. Apple iPhone 5S May Arrive This AugustSubmitted by Neelesh Raghuwanshi on Wed, 03/06/2013 - 13:22 Since the Apple iPhone 5 has been launched into the market, rumors are being heard about the next iPhone. Yet another report has revealed that the rumour mill of iPhone 5S and iPad is becoming stronger. Apple To Come Up With iWatchSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Tue, 03/05/2013 - 13:28 Apple is known for raising the bar when it comes to innovation in technology. Whether it's about portable music players or tablets, Apple keep on revolutionizing them. One of the latest things on which Apple is working on is `iWatch'. It is said that approximately 100 product designers have been working on this concept. There are chances that the device will be introduced by the end of the year. Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter Carries ARM ChipSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Sat, 03/02/2013 - 13:04 A group of developers at Panic Software have recently carried out a ripping out operation on a Lightning Digital AV Adapter. It was only then that they found that the device was having an ARM system embedded on a chip.
This week's parsha begins with the dissention of Korach, a cousin of Moshe Rabbainu. He challenged Moshe's authority to appoint Aharon, his brother, as Kohein Gadol, or High Priest. Korach, Doson, Avirom, and 250 men, mostly from the tribe of Reuven, teamed up against Moshe. Rashi, (the medieval French Commentator) writes that Korach was disgruntled about the appointment of his younger cousin as Prince over his family, while he felt the position was coming to him. The Sages of the Talmud comment about Korach and his colleagues as follows. "Any dispute which is for the sake of heaven will endure, and any dispute which is not for the sake of heaven will not endure. What is a dispute which is for the sake of heaven? This is the dispute between Hillel and Shammai. (And) What is the dispute which is not for the sake of heaven? This is the dispute between Korach and his followers" (Chapters of the Fathers). There are a few questions about this, as follows. A dispute for the sake of heaven is one which is borne out of similar intentions to ascertain the truth. The opponents are, in reality, on the same team. Hillel and Shammai may have had differing perspectives about how to understand the application of a Torah law, but they both wanted to observe the law as G-d intended them to. The ability for the dispute to "endure" is that the goal of the opponents endures, not the dispute, because the underlying intentions are "for the sake of heaven," and not for selfish ends. Korach's dispute was not between Korach and Moshe. Korach and Moshe were not opponents. Korach's intentions were not the same as Moshe's. They were motivated by his perceived loss of dignity at the appointment of his younger cousin, not that G-d be served according to His will. Since Korach and his followers were all motivated by selfish ends, none of them were really on the same team. Each one teamed up with the other so that he could attain his own selfish goal. None of them were acting on behalf of the bigger picture. This is why the Sages say that the dispute was between Korach and his followers. There is a proof that Korach and his followers' intentions were selfish. The test they were willing to undergo to choose a new High Priest was that each one would bring a sacrifice of "Ketores," a blend of particular spices. Each one knew that only one man's sacrifice would be accepted, and only he would live through the test. Still they were willing to go through with it. Before we enter into disagreements with others we would benefit by remembering the mistake of Korach and his followers. We might ask ourselves together with an objective third party the following questions. Why do I care about this? Is it for the sake of truth, or for my own concerns? What might I lose if I get involved? What might the world gain? Will it really matter in the long run if I get my way? In conclusion, there is a passage in the morning liturgy. It describes the way the ministering angels sanctify G-d each day. "And they encourage each other to sanctify their Creator etc. The Eitz Yosef, one of the authoritative commentators of the liturgy, writes as follows. "They encourage each other to sanctify G-d. Their focus is not on who does the job; rather their main concern is that the job be done." The ministering angels are team players. Let us take their example in our lives, and be better for it. Good Shabbos. Text Copyright © 1998 Rabbi Dovid Green and Project Genesis, Inc.
U.S. Team has loaded staff for Futures Game Bundy, Cole, Hultzen among plethora of high-ranked pitching prospects to play Sunday The SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game always assembles the best talent the Minor Leagues has to offer, but when looking at the United States Team's pitching, it's safe to say no one has seen a more powerful staff of prospects assembled in recent memory. The 10 pitchers on the U.S. club for Sunday's game are a veritable who's who of pitching prospects. All of them are among MLB.com's Top 100, starting with the Orioles' Dylan Bundy, who is ranked No. 7, and finishing with an under-valued Matt Barnes of the Red Sox, who is No. 95. Seven are former first-round Draft picks, including five from 2011. The Pirates' Gerrit Cole and the Mariners' Danny Hultzen were the top two picks a year ago. Bundy went No. 4. Barnes was the No. 19 overall pick in 2011, while Alex Meyer of the Nationals went four picks later at No. 23. The Mets' Zack Wheeler went No. 6 in 2009, and Jameson Taillon on the Pirates was the No. 2 pick in 2010. The other three, all supplement first-round selections -- Jake Odorizzi of the hometown Royals; Trevor Bauer's replacement, fellow Diamondback Tyler Skaggs, Taijuan Walker of the Mariners -- aren't far behind. "Wow," an American League professional scouting director said. "What you're talking about is the No. 1 pitching prospect from each of those guys' organizations. I don't think there's been a more talented staff. That's a pretty impressive group right there." Said a National League pro scouting director: "First and foremost, they all have the chance to be impact pitchers. Sometimes when you're putting rosters for All-Star games together, you have to balance who's available. This time, there's a legit chance every one of them ends up at least in the front end of a Major League rotation, and that's kind of unusual." Before seeing them fronting those rotations, fans can watch this staff in action live on MLB.com, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and follow MLB clubs, selected the 25-man rosters. Hall of Famer George Brett will manage the U.S. Team, with former Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams doing the honors for the World Team. The fact that the U.S. pitching staff is so stacked is a direct testament to what teams have been doing in the First-Year Player Draft, especially in recent years. The first round of the 2011 Draft -- so well represented on the roster -- saw 19 pitchers selected out of 33 picks. Led by Taillon, 14 more, out of 32 picks, went in 2010's first round. Walker was taken No. 43 overall in that Draft. In 2009, Wheeler's year, half of the first round (16) were pitchers. Skaggs was the 40th pick in 2009, while Odorizzi went No. 32 in 2008. "If you look at the last couple of Drafts, there's been a pitching-heavy [slant]," the NL scouting director said. "That's starting to show up in Minor League All-Star games." What's even more impressive is that these arms are not that far off from the ultimate goal: hitting a big league rotation. One day on a Major League mound for the Futures Game is great, but the idea is for them to call that home for the long-term. As the NL scout pointed out, all 10 heading to Kansas City this weekend have the chance to do that. And quickly. Hultzen, Odorizzi and Skaggs are all currently in Triple-A, each having earned promotions after starting the year in Double-A. Cole recently moved up to Double-A, joining Walker and Wheeler at that level. Barnes and Bundy are both in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, having both earned bumps up with their performances this season. Taillon, in the Florida State League, has been at that level all year, leaving just Meyer as the lone member of the staff in the lowest level of full-season ball. "I think all of these guys are within a calendar year of impacting their clubs, easily," the AL scouting director said. The timing is right, too, in that all of these pitchers were available for the Futures Game in the first place. The stars were definitely aligned that each player's organization allowed them to be chosen, that each has been performing well for stretches, if not all, of this season, that all were healthy and that none of them other than Bauer had been called up to the big leagues. "Pitching, especially dominant pitching, tends not to spend too much time in the Minor Leagues," the NL pro scouting director said. "[With this roster] you have college pitching right on track. The high school pitcher have forced their way up and haven't hit any bumps. They haven't seen a lot of hiccups yet. They all fit with the Futures Game mix at this point." Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
ABOUT • DIGITAL • STORE • EVENTS • ARCHIVES • LINKS • FSJ Subscribe Archives Support Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design by Thomas Woodward Baker Books, 2006 (224 pages, $14.99, paperback) reviewed by Louis Markos The intelligent design (ID) movement has come a long way since Phillip E. Johnson’s crusading book, Darwin on Trial (1991), challenged its readers to question not only the science behind Darwinian (macro) evolution but also the academic-political-media establishment that dismisses as “unscientific” any discussion of origins that does not adhere religiously to the dogma of scientific naturalism. Johnson’s call was heard by Michael Behe, who, in Darwin’s Black Box (1996), argued that Darwinian (naturalistic) evolution was incapable of assembling complex chemical structures, and by William Dembski, who, in The Design Inference (1998), proposed a method by which researchers could test whether a phenomenon was the result of necessity, chance, or design. Critical Shift Still, the movement lacked a historian. Enter Thomas Woodward, who teaches systematic theology and the history of science at Trinity College of Florida, whose 2003 book Doubts About Darwin provided a clear and comprehensive history of the major figures, books, and breakthroughs that have marked the growing success of ID. In Darwin Strikes Back, he explores the animosity that ID has provoked from the academy and the media. He carefully documents how its critics have changed their tactics since 2000, shifting from ridicule andcondescension to outright attack and accusation, attempting to undercut ID’s strong scientific foundation while associating ID with theocracy, witch trials, and the end of progress. No longer willing (or able) to ignore the arguments of ID, they have grown increasingly dishonest and uncivil. The charge that ID is religion disguised as science was, of course, raised against Johnson, but the “religion, not science” label, used sporadically in the 1990’s, became [after 2000] a vehement first volley in almost every rhetorical encounter between the two sides. Often it was closely tied to the charge that many adherents of ID theory were known to be “religious” or, even more rhetorically poisonous, “fundamentalists.” In God, the Devil, and Darwin (2004), for example, an Oxford University Press book praised by Science as a “cogent and well-argued alarum” that “deftly skewers the scientific pretensions of intelligent design creationists,” historian of science Niall Shanks declared that “a culture war is currently being waged in the United States by religiousextremists who hope to turn the clock of science back to medieval times.” This war is an important fragment of a much larger rejection of the secular, rational, democratic ideals of the Enlightenment upon which the United States was founded. The chief weapon in this war is a version of creation science known as Intelligent Design Theory. . . . At the fat end [of ID’s wedge strategy] lurks the specter of fundamentalist Christian theocracy. According to Woodward, one of the key players in the fight against ID’s “fundamentalist takeover” is Eugenie Scott, director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), whose “goal is not only to warn the pro--evolution constituency of these threats but to seek to block and thwart them at every turn.” As a typical example of the extent of her efforts, he documents how, along with the ACLU, she pressured a Washington state high-school superintendent into prohibiting a biology teacher from bringing into his classroom information critical of Darwinism, even though that information had appeared in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals. ID Strikes Back Having established the general rhetorical tone of ID criticism, Woodward surveys the major critiques not only of Behe’s irreducible complexity and Dembski’s design inference, but of ID research in the fields of paleontology (the Cambrian Explosion), biochemistry (DNA), physics and cosmology (the Big Bang and the Finely Tuned Universe), and the history of science (textbook misinformation). He then lets us hear Behe and the others answer, point by point, the charges of their critics. Woodward concludes with a promise: that the wedge ID has driven into Darwinism will soon (“by 2025 at the latest”) split open the “aging paradigm” of “nature-driven macroevolution.” New naturalistic paradigms will spring up to take the place of Darwinism, but he argues that these new paradigms will be less rigidly defined and will allow for the parallel growth of ID research that accepts microevolution (adaptation) while insisting on the need for design. Although well organized and uniformly engaging, Darwin Strikes Back badly needs a timeline that can double as a bibliography. Woodward is most helpful in documenting ID responses to what I consider the most successful anti-ID book of the last decade, Kenneth Miller’s Finding Darwin’s God (1999), but he needs to devote more than two pages to answering the critiques of Evangelical and Catholic Darwinists who argue that God initiated the universe but subsequently refrained from intervening in nature. Still, these are minor concerns. Darwin Strikes Back offers both a unique, rhetorical history of the ID versus Darwinism debate and an accessible primer on how proponents of ID may best defend their position. Club”.
So here we are in Manila. I tell you what, I haven’t had a chance to scratch myself since we got here. It’s been crazy, manic, hectic from the word go. Within the first ten minutes of being here I nearly got ran over by a motorbike as we walked (ran) down the side of the traffic laden street. I mean I had to turn my body sidewards, against a parked truck and suck both my belly AND my breasts right in to avoid being hit. Don’t ask me how you suck your breasts IN, but believe me it’s possible. But even BEFORE that I had the biggest major anxiety provoking experience… Landing in Thailand (We stayed there overnight before coming to Manila) So…there we were, after eight looooong hours about to land. My favourite part. Yay! I get to put my feet firmly back on the ground where they belong. So we’re descending, ears popping, chewing gum like mad, looking excitedly out the window as the ground is coming closer (when you can see past the smog that is.) The houses are looking like little lego houses, tiny cars are coming into view on little weeny roads….rice fields (I don’t know….wet fields of something they looked like) patchworking the landscape…and there is the runway, aaaaand we’re almost there….I’m just waiting, holding my breath waiting for the inevitable bump as the plane touches the ground……aaaaaand…..VRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! What? We’re going up? Wait? Oh SHIT! We’re zooming up into the air again…. Christ! Are we going to make it? What about the tail? What’s happening!!!!!!! Umm….there was another plane in the way. In the bloody way. A great big airbus taking it’s merry old time down there on the runway… MY runway, where I want to be safely set down on the ground THANK YOU, and it’s right in the path of the plane I’m trying to land in. Can you imagine? I’d never imagined that scenario….or the feeling of that roar of power when you’re actually still suspended in the air! Man! What a truly frightening feeling. Probably quite ok, for the pilots to, at the very last minute, pull the nose up and roar back up into the sky, but quite freakishly- almost need a change of underwear- nightmarish for me! So where was I? Oh yes, getting run over by motorbikes. I’ve figured out, by watching the locals that to cross a road here you just have to walk…cars don’t stop you see. Pedestrian crossings? Na…purely for decoration. So you just have to pick a moment, and GO…and do NOT hesitate, for he who hesitates, is…. no more. Somehow, the cars and jeepneys, buses and motorbikes will dodge you. Not you dodge them…you just walk and God is with you. Something like that. God is with me anyway. “Oh God, oh God, ohhhhh God!” Better still is if you cross with a whole bunch of other people. Like lemmings, all running towards the cliffs edge. Somehow, you just join in….and the cars swerve round the lemmings. It’s absolute madness. Everybody in a vehicle here honks their horns. I don’t think they told the Philippino’s what the horn was actually for. Nah…they’ve made up their own rules. Honk if you’re impatient. Honk if the light is red. Honk if the light turns green. Honk if the traffic is congested. Honk if the road is completely clear. Honk if you’re happy. Honk if you just farted. Honk ….just because. I tell ya, it is driving me INSANE, and what is driving me even more insane is that this apartment we are renting, is eleven floors up, and if is as though we are on ground level and there is NO glass in the windows. It is SO loud, and all we can hear is the incessant…..honking. The good thing about it being so incredibly noisy here is that you can fart in public and nobody at all can hear it. Everybody’s honking! And there are bad smells drifting in and out of gutters and alleys and out of street food carts….so nobody is the wiser. Hey, there’s always a bright side. The kids have taken it all in their stride, I’m pleased to say. We haven’t had to scrape their jaws off the ground too often, but there have been some experiences thus far that have been a little bit….nerve wracking. I’ll leave those for further blogging when we get back. The one child (grown child – my eldest daughter who is back home taking care of the pets and house while we’re away) is NOT coping well. Actually she’s quite traumatized by the paranormal activity going on there. She’s just moved back home see, from Western Australia. She’s never stayed at this new house before, but has been quite self sufficient and independent for quite some time now. Quite used to living alone. Now she knows. Now she KNOWS. She’s been hearing and sensing it. The ghost! We’re seriously going to have to do something about this situation when we get back. Just a quick blog for tonight. I have to be up early to go to have my new porcelain crown fitted. Yes, visited the dentist….all is going well except for when the temporary one fell out as we were sitting in a public place having coffee- right before we were about to go to dinner. (Front tooth….nothing under it but a homeless person looking stump) I could slip it back in, but to eat with it all just “sitting” there like that would be impossible. I’d swallow it! The kids were impatient, and hungry. “Mum just take it out and put it on the table while you’re eating then put it back in when you’re finished!” I don’t think so! Not there in hoity toity central with millions of well groomed, fancy shmantsy folk around. So it was a rushed taxi trip back to the dentist so they could cement it back in. I’m grateful they GAVE me something temporary for a few days while the porcelain one is being made. In Australia you either walk around with homeless person looking stumps or else pay an exorbitant fee for a temporary more aesthetic fully toothed look. (Actually, in Australia unless you have loads of money to throw around, you’re usually stuck for good with the homeless person stumps.) I think it was the incredibly bumpy boat ride the day before that worked that damn temporary tooth loose. Lucky I didn’t lose it as we battled waves, and buckets of water being thrown in our faces…. More about that….exciting boat ride later. Now….will the dodgy internet connection let me actually connect long enough to post this? That is the question. Yes the dodgy internet worked. I know what you are saying about temp crowns fitted and coming out – I have so been there. Amazing you have had the time to write a post! A window with no glass WTF? Do yo have ants – they have ants- they like beds… juz sayin’ Hysterics with the Honk if you just farted….takes me back reading this – not because of the farts mind… but what you are experiencing. Enjoy and hopefully the crown remains in place! All good now. Permanent crown is fitted and feeling much better I can eat without worry now. Just sounds like they don’t because the traffic noise is SO loud! No,,,the windows HAVE glass I’m actually feeling a bit homesick! Craving some peace and quiet. Wow sounds worse than getting around Rome. And I can honestly say that I hope that they never realize the medium of smell-o-rama. Another close call hey? I tell you, somebody is watching out for you. And another thing, what makes you think that “it” the ghost is a malevolent spirit? This is your friend’s house, yes? Call me crazy (which should probably be my middle name) but my gut (which is also not without merit) tells me that it is looking out for you and those you love. Hope those new pearly’s don’t effect your singing voice. Sorry but the mention of coffee and dentistry always reminds me of the movie “10″ with Dudley Moore. You didn’t happen to be looking at any hunks while you were drinking your coffee did you?
Chassis » Kenworth shows concept van Nov 1, 2011 12:00 PM, By Rick Weber This concept truck from Kenworth is designed for improved aerodynamics. It is based on a European-built cabover chassis and a PACCAR van body. KENWORTH unveiled a prototype-concept truck that integrates a European-style cabover chassis with its own van body to produce a Class 6 and 7 truck with enhanced aerodynamics. “This has been tested, and I will tell you it has definitely shown fuel improvements over your standard box,” said Doug Powell, medium-duty marketing manager. “A lot of work has been done to prove this out, and a lot of real-world testing has been done to prove this out.” It has a North American chassis with 34-inch frame-rail spacing, PACCAR PX-6 engine, Allison automatic transmission, Horz X-over exhaust, and five wheelbase options from 166 to 214 inches. The frame rails will be 9⅞" × ¼" 120K steel, or 10¼" × ¼" 120K steel. It has a 45-gallon rectangular fuel tank located on the left side, with the 6.6-gallon rectangular DEF tank just behind it. The cab has an 82.5"-wide interior space to cater to three people, and comes standard with an air-suspended driver's seat and a passenger bench seat with storage underneath. Kenworth also has introduced NavPlus, which is now available for order on Kenworth Class 5-8 trucks. NavPlus, a PACCAR proprietary navigation and business technology system, is standard on Kenworth steer clear of restricted roads and streets. It. NavPlus also offers audio controls (including satellite-enabled radio, AM/FM, CD, MP3 and USB), and camera inputs for up to four optional video cameras for monitoring the truck and trailer. An optional cellular modem allows drivers to connect to Sprint, which provides mobile connectivity services, meaning that means when the truck is parked and not in motion, the driver can access the Internet to look up favorite websites to search for loads, news and weather updates, and check personal email. NavPlus and all of its features and benefits now are showcased on a special Kenworth NavPlus Website () that offers a six-minute video that explains and demonstrates how it works. The website's interactive feature enables fleet managers and drivers to discover the system's capabilities by clicking through the key menus and icons on the NavPlus system's dashboard screen. The new website also includes a downloadable NavPlus online brochure, operating manual, Garmin navigation users guide, Sprint Broadband information and phone compatibility guide, and diagnostic guide. Two other new products: Neway ADZ rear suspension from SAF-Holland for heavy-duty and severe-duty applications. “The big advantage is substantial weight reduction,” said Alan Fennimore, vocational marketing manager. “Neway was able to come back and take out almost 250 pounds per axle out of the suspension over the current axle.” The ADZ suspension is for typical heavy-duty applications, such as construction trucks, loggers, and fire apparatus and emergency vehicles. The suspension also is for severe-duty applications where heavy vertical loads, high gross combination weights, high-torque drivetrains, high center of gravity loads, and significant off-road travel are expected. Available in 23,000-pound and 26,000-pound. A new integral lower control arm module provides improved roll stability for high center-of-gravity load vehicles. Kenworth is offering the Neway ADZ series suspension for the Kenworth C500, T440, T470, T800, and W900. Fabco power take-off option on the two-speed transfer case for all-wheel drive Kenworth T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 models. Kenworth says it is the first in the industry to offer a factory-installed PTO output drive on the transfer case on a medium-duty chassis. It 3500 rpm. The PACCAR van body includes a translucent roof. Note the slight curve to the roofline, a feature designed to smooth airflow. For more 2011 Truck Product Conference coverage click
2x01 Super-visor February 3, 2011 10:30 pm Tania's having a bad day. Darrel's living in the office, Gloria's winding her up, Asif's running away to Wales, Shelley's flat-hunting and Kenny's kissing strange girls and drawing pictures. The post room is in chaos and it's Tania's first appraisal as supervisor. Asif is so stressed that he enlists evil Charlie's help in convincing his family that he is a top lawyer. They want him to sue the optician who sold faulty glasses to his Auntie Reena. Can Tania pull it all together, pass her appraisal and get back on board the Kenny boat before it sails for good? 2x02 Monkey Love February 10, 2011 10:30 pm. 2x03 Smoke and Mirrors February 17, 2011 10:30 pm Shelley wakes up in the office with the hangover from hell, annoys the other monkeys all day and smells terrible. Kenny and Tania's sex life is under scrutiny when Tania lets slip to Gloria that they didn't spend the previous night together and rumours fly through the office. Darrel's counter-espionage only makes things worse and his relationship advice for Asif, who has a crush on the office flower girl, isn't working. And there's a limo in Mike's personal parking space, so he's going up the wall. 2x04 Dream a Little Dream February 24, 2011 10:30 pm Kenny is back from a week on tour with the band for which he does photos and flyers. Tania has missed him, but Asif has missed him more. Tania has planned a motivational exercise involving hats and five-year life plans which puts the fear into Kenny. Is this it? Work, marriage, kids then death?? 2x05 Who's the Daddy March 3, 2011 10:30 pm Darrel’s estranged dad, Pat turns up doing odd jobs at Fox Cranford. Pat soon spots an opportunity to find a new home at Darrel and Shelley’s flat having been kicked out by his ex. Shelley sees Pat for the unreliable self-obsessed tit that he is and verges on the point of violence. It’s a big day for Asif – if he passes his driving test he’s been promised a new set of wheels by his dad. And Kenny is stressed because everyone thinks he’s boring now he’s settled with Tania and sets out to prove them wrong. 2x06 Big Trouble in Little Cranford March 10, 2011 10:30 pm It’s Fox Cranford’s 30 year anniversary, but the celebration is a damp squib involving Gloria’s home made cake. Kenny’s panic stricken when he mistakenly thinks that Tania is pregnant, Mike’s on the verge of meltdown, the firm’s going under and the icy Miss Fox, a silent partner, is on the prowl - busting balls and sorting out the firm’s inefficiencies. Tania and Shelley decide to hold a proper party to cheer Mike up. Kenny’s in charge of the food and drink and with Darrel and Asif’s help it quickly goes pear-shaped. Will Mike top himself? Is Shelley pregnant? Or is it Tania?
oh my goodness hello everyone! my 6 year old trey says i don't "look like a tortured woman anymore," and i am so glad about that :o) i am slowly getting better and it feels so amazing. my 6 year old trey says i don't "look like a tortured woman anymore," and i am so glad about that :o) your prayers, comments, and emails have meant so much to me. i am getting soooo close to being able to blog again. but for now, i have something for you i am SO excited about. do you remember d! HOW TO CUSTOMIZE: 1- Pick ONE fabric for straps (black, brown, white). 2- Pick TWO fabrics for each side of the main body. 2- Pick TWO fabrics for each side of the main body. "Such a BEAUTIFUL carrier! I am so so so excited to wear it to our play group today. I feel like I need to dress up just to match how pretty it is. I LOVE it.... it really is gorgeous and so well made! It's so cute and I feel all fancy wearing it... I love my Ergo, but never realized how informal and shabby it looks now! :)" - Wendy in El Cajon, California "I absolutely love this Mei Tai and so does my daughter! I'm glad I finally found a carrier that she likes and feels comfortable in. I love, love, love the fabric!" - Amber in Tomball, Texas "Got my Mei Tai today in the mail. I LOVE IT!!! It's so pretty and the quality is excellent! Thank you!" - Liz in Ontario, Canada "This is a great carrier! I love it even more than my ergo. So pretty too! And I love the flower headband you sent, I wear them together and feel like a "pretty" mommy for a change." - Luana in San Diego, California i have seen her carriers in person, she is a perfectionist, and her work is amazing! (me and dani last year :o)) good luck! i will be back to you soon i promise! 221 comments:1 – 200 of 221 Newer› Newest» Wow, I'm soooo IN!! SO cute! I'm totally in! I love her choice in patterns and colors! P.S. Glad you are feeling better! These are gorgeous! I'm in :) I am in! I would love to win! So glad to here you are doing a bit better. GAH! This is perfect for me. We have worn out our mei tei! I so need a new one!!! yaaa! So I am for sure IN! I'm in ( : my little one would look like a doll in one of those! Adorable! I'm in!!! I love these! I am definitely in. glad you are coming back!!! and I'd love one! I am so in!! Love them!! Glad you are feeling better! You will continue to be in our prayers. Take Care and Be Well!! So glad you are feeling better! These are absolutely GORGEOUS!! I just had my second son 3 weeks ago, and this would be a perfect way to keep my hands free while chasing my 2 year old around. LOVE IT! I am in. I don't have little ones anymore, but would love to give this to one of my friends who is going to have one. So glad you are feeling better! I'd love to be entered for the giveaway. Those carriers are gorgeous! I'm in. Amazing! I'm so happy you are feeling better. So glad to hear that you are starting to be among the living again!! :o) I was planning on making my own Mai Tai for our little one on the way, but I like the idea of having someone make one for me!! Especially one as cute as these!! Thanks for the giveaway. Hope you continue to feel better everyday. I would love one...count me in! I'm so glad you're starting to feel better! :) How wonderful! and I'm absolutely in! They are beautiful! Wow those are amazing! My husband and I are expecting our first child through adoption and I would love one of these! Count me in! Glad you're feeling better! Me, me, me! I'm in! I'm SO IN! I have been playing with the idea of making one of these, but I'd much rather win one :-) [email protected] Love this!!! cutest one i have seen yet. count me in!!! So happy you're feeling better! And yes, I am IN - those are the cutest, and I definitely need one!! I am totally in! And I hope you get feeling ALL BETTER SOON! I'm in! Expecting #3 in May...this would be awesome. :) glad you're slowly feeling better...hope you're back soon!! Would LOVE to win one, I am having #3 in 8 weeks!n I am IN!!! Thanks for the giveaway :) I'm SO in! My sis is pregnant with her first, and this would be an amazing gift!!!! SO glad to hear you're feeling better!!! Let it be ME!!!! Please! Having a baby in July and this would be perfect. Glad you are improving. i have been wanting one of these for a while now, love them! i'm in for sure! beautiful fabric choices she has! [email protected] p.s. so glad you are doing better! Ah.dorable! This would make a terrific baby gift for one of my great friends whose first will be here in August. She too has been on bed rest with complications. Glad you are getting better. I don't have to know you to pray for you! These carriers are ABSOLUTELY adorable!!! They are beautiful! I'm so IN! I'm in! these are so cute! i would love one! and im so glad you are starting to feel a bit better! Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous! I am definitely in. Ooh. I am in. I think one of my friends got one of those at her baby shower last year! They are awesome. yes please! I am definitely in. So glad you are feeling better!! For sure I am in! Do you know how many pounds they will hold? Thanks for the great giveaway! -Brittany Ooooh buddy, I'm in. Would LOVE one of these- they're gorgeous!! I'm in! I'm in! Those are GORGEOUS!! I'm due in July and would LOVE one! Glad to hear you are feeling better. Can't wait for you to be back! I would LOVE one of these...count me in! I'm so in! Just found out i'm preggie with baby number 4 and still haven't found 'that perfect carrier'! This looks like it's the one:) Thanks for the info on Dani...think I'll be hitting up her Etsy shop soon:) These are SO beautiful! I would LOOOOOVE one! ;) me me me! i LOVE these! little baby's coming in september! glad to hear you're feeling better (or starting to) tanya. i've been checking your blog almost every day, hoping to see that you're back! :) LOVE those!!! I'M IN!!! Those carriers look awesome! Count me in! [email protected] gorgeous! Wow! Pick me Pick me!! What a great gift idea too! Love it! Count me in too! I am so glad you are starting to feel better! Would love to win this. She's alive! ;) Love that you are blogging. Henry is going to need this. Love ya! Love them! I'm in. Totally a better way to carry around an immobile one-year-old. So glad you're feeling better! I'm due with #4 in 5 weeks, and it has been a very long and rough road!!! I would love one of these carriers! They are Gorgeous!!! INSANE AMOUNTS of 'IN' for me! I'm SO glad you are feeling better!!! I don't even know you but I was worried about you and your family! I"m so glad you're doing better. I can't imagine having to go through what you do!!! PS I'm definitely in!! :) Glad to read that you are still alive!!! :) Hope you are 100% soon! i hope i get randomly chosen. this would be a great gift! Would love to win one for my little babe....glad to hear you are on the mend i'm soooo happy you are feeling better! oh, and of course i am IN for the giveaway! thanks mucho! would love one of those carriers! such nice fabric choices. I am so in, and I am so excited to see you blogging! We have missed you! Love these carriers, they are GORGEOUS! These carriers are too cute! I'm definitely in! What a great thing to win...I love all of the fabric choices! Those are gorgeous!! So happy to hear you're feeling better!! =) with #3 on the way I'd LOVE to enjoy this mei tei!!! please pick me! I love the choice of fabrics and I need something cute to carry my baby in (and to inspire me to dress in something nicer than my "mommy uniform"). I am in it to win it!! Thanks! First baby girl due in a month! I am in! eeek! I'm so in!!! I'm really happy your starting to feel better. I hope you keep getting well! :) Take care! [email protected] These are adorable. I am in!! :) I WANT one!! These are so gorgeous. P.S. You dont know me, but I follow your blog. I have missed your updates and was very sorry to hear you are having such a hard pregnancy. I am glad to hear things are getting better. Those look like they would be very comfy! I would love to use it with my 3 month old! these are are so pretty! She is soo talented! So glad you are feeling better:D I would be honored to own one:) I would live one of these for my 8 week old stud muffin!! Count me in. So glad you are doing better, best wishes. Ooooo this will come in handy for my baby girl. I'm in for the drawing. Prayers and blessings to you as you recover. Hope you are well soon! I love it! So many polka dots to choose from :) So beautiful! I would love to have one. Glad you are feeling better! Love the carriers!!! I'm in! These are adorable :) I'm in!! Love these, they are adorable Glad you're almost ready to blog again :) these are beautiful! can't wait till you are posting more. So glad you are feeling better. I would definitely love one of these. I've been wondering how I'm going to haul a newborn around while chasing a 20 month old outside this summer. This would be perfect! I'm a foster mom to little babies and that carrier looks awesome!! I would love to own one! Count me in! But most of all, so glad you are feeling better. I don't know you personally, more of you from church in the Pacific NW and your blog, but reading your story made me feel for you. I am incredibly grateful that you are so willing to be a mother despite the challenges. You are a fabulous woman. Congrats! how do you choose just one? these are beautiful! thanks for the chance, i'm in! Oh my I could use one of those so bad! I have a 3 month old that WILL NOT let me put him down!! I'm crossing my fingers! Thanks :) I'm in, too! Those carriers are the shiz. how cute, I've never seen one like this, I'd love to win such a beautiful piece. So glad to see that your are feeling better and back to blogging! We're also expecting and would love a carrier! Great giveaway! Tara ~A Mustard Seed Dream I'm in!! This would be perfect for #3 due in May! i love Dani! I met her a few months ago, and she's doing a giveaway over at my blog next month! love it! can I win anyway, even though I know her! I want one!!!!! Very cute! I'm in!!! So glad the "torture" is almost over!! I would love to give a Mei Tai to my sister who will be adopting her first baby in a couple of weeks. She would love it!!! Count me in!! Thank you! Oh I would love one of these! I am due with my first in August :) Hi, I am glad you are feeling better! We are both due in September. This will be my first and I would love to win. Thanks, Jessica I am due in August and so in! Love it. (Plus my word verification is 'dhani.' What the...I should win:) ohhhh! I am in! Love these Sarah I'm in! I love to read your blog! So glad u are feeling better..progress is progress... No kids for me yet, but we are trying! Love the carrier so beautiful, and what talent! Oooh yes!! Pick me! :) I would absolutely love one! They are so beautiful and look really comfy for both mom and the little one. Would love to be entered please :) Dani IS amazing. I wish we could see more of her and the beautiful family she has. I am in and in! If I don't ever win won of these I am for sure purchasing.....in the somewhat near future. :) I'm totally in! And so excited to see you blogging! I am IN! Such a beautiful giveaway! Love the choice of colors and patterns. I'm IN! These are so cute! Glad you are feeling better too! Just found out two weeks ago I'm pregnant! I'd love to have one of these! kristina {dot} noall {at} gmail {dot} com I'm in! You can TOTALLY count me in. Gorgeous carriers! So happy you are feeling better! I would love to win this, what a neat gift. Pick me...Pick me! It's good to see you blog again...I think about you all the time! Keep hanging in there...Love you tons! Beautiful!! I'd love to give one of these to my sister-in-law, due in late July. :-) Count me in! wow! Beautiful carrier!!! I would love love love one! :-) ps - Welcome back! I am so happy you are starting to feel better. I am in! Beautiful! I AM IN...they look AMAZING, she is surely talented ;-) Thanks for the give away! I am in- because they are super sweet!! I'm in!! These carriers look amazing! [email protected] Oh I am in!!! They are so DARLING!! OH my goodness; I'm in! These are the cutest baby carriers I've ever seen! We just found out we're expecting #2 so we will definitely be needing one of these! LOVE IT, her fabrics are awesome & I would love to carry my little one in it! I am in!! Those carriers are so adorable! Way cuter than the ones in the store!! So glad you're feeling better!! I would love a carrier for my new little boy! I LOVE the fall leaves fabric! What a beautiful way to carry a baby. I'm in! Would love this! How awesome- and beautiful! Glad you're feeling better, too! --Joanna These are awesome!! I'm in! SO glad to hear your doing better. Im sooo in!! Count me in! They look amazing! This would be great for my BFF's baby shower coming up soon! it would be perfect for my sis. thanks for hosting the giveaway I'm in!!! So glad you are starting to feel better. Those look amazing! I love that she is showing an older baby it it! I would LOVE one of these. Dani is amazing! She makes amazing stuff and i am always in awe of what she does. Whoever wins this is very lucky. I'm in! those are beautiful! This is perfect timing!! :] I am hunting for a perfect carrier as it's been 5 years since I've needed one. These are just gorgeous!! Thanks for the giveaway and am SO glad to hear your are feeling better!! Sounds Awesome! I am def in :-) Glad to see you're on the mends! Thanks for offering this giveaway :) I'm in! Those are cute :) I'm in!! I am in! With baby 2 on the way Im definitely going to need one of these and they are so beautiful!! Wow, those are beautiful. I am having our second child in July and would so need one of those! Praying that you just keep getting better and better! I'm in! oooh... I've been wanting to try one of these. If I don't win, maybe I'll just add it to my ridiculously growing registry list. haha I'm grateful things are getting better for you! Hope you continue to improve. I'd love to be included in the drawing!! so glad you're feeling better.. my little one has outgrown her sling and i would love to win one of these. :) I am so glad you are starting to feel better, I was thinking about you today as I started to read blog and though, "I should tell her that even though I've never met her I really do think and pray for her" So there ya go! And of course, I would love to win a carrier! I'm expecting my 2nd in June and that would be so nice to have! I'm SO in. This would be a great baby shower gift for a friend =) I'm totally in. I'm due in September and would love one of these. Of course!! I'm in and they sure do look fabulous! I am so in! What a beautiful carrier, would love one! P.S. Been thinking about you, glad you are feeling better! I would love to win one! Having a baby in 4 months, I AM IN!!! They are beautiful! Please count me in Oh my goodness, do I need one of these. My one year old would love to be carried on my back. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway. Heather heatherclark at gmail dot com Bless your heart! The things we do for little babies! Glad you are doing better! Count me in! I'll keep my fingers crossed! super cute! sign me up :] Love it!!!!! and it would come in handy with my new little one and toddler running around. Thanks! [email protected] I just had baby boy #5 so this would be perfect. You can diff. count me in. Thanks a bunch!!! So cute! I'm expecting a little girl (I have 2 cute boys) about a week before you are due :) I would LOVE one of these! super cute! i would love one of those for baby #2 that is on the way:)count me in! Oh my gosh, I am so happy to hear from you! I have been checking in on your blog every day hoping and praying that you have updated, you are in my thoughts pretty much daily. Sounds like I'm a weirdo but I'm not, just a crafty Mum of two like you. I would love to win the mei tai, can i enter even though I am in Australia? So glad you are feeling a bit better and not looking like a "tortured woman" :) Grace Oh wow! Please count me in Tanya! I mde a Mei Tai carrier for Asha, but Dani's design is SO much nicer! That would be so great to win!!! Glad to hear you are getting better! I've actually wondered about you a lot since your last post and have hoped things were looking up for you! Excited to see you back here, but more than anything, just be healthy! woo hoo! you are back! I said Yippy outloud at work when i saw you posed something. I am so glad you are feeling well enough to atleast blog a little. as for the carrier, I am so in! these are awesome looking! my friend says they are amazing - i would love to try it out! Pick me, pick me! I'm new to this blog and wow what a treat! These are BEAUTIFUL!!! Yay for feeling better- I got excited when I saw a new post! ...and I'm totallyin, and is baby#3 ;) angiepritchard(at)gmail(dot)com In! And now a follower, thanks to babble :) These are so cute! i love everything in her shop too! This is the one thing I have said I want for a next baby! Count me in! I'd love to have one of these for a future baby. wow! i would LOVE one of these to carry my little dude around in! :) stephanie. These are so cute! I would love to carry my new baby girl (due in a few weeks) around in one! Count me in! Wow, those are BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm in! I am in too. Rosie and I would love to rock West Hollywood in one of her cute carriers! I am sooooooooo IN! Those are awesome and I love the fabrics! Pick me! I'm in, definitely YES! So Cute! I would love to give this as a gift! [email protected] I was thinking of getting an Ergo...but it looks like this is better! I'm in please!!! pick me pick me random generator!!! :) i would love one for my new little guy coming in June!! Oooh I'm in! Such a beautiful product, so darn crafty! If it is not too late- count me in! I would love one!! I'm in!! I'd love to win!! I'd also love to do a giveaway on your blog if you like what I make! You can check my things out at: I'd be happy to make something for your new one on the way! I am in, in, in! Baby girl due in August needs this, since she's the fifth, and I am completely out of free hands at this point! Holy smokes I would love the green damask with a solid green and white straps! Oh and hang in there! Smoochies! Love these!!!! Very cute! Glad you are feeling better, and hope you continue to :) these are beautiful! i am definitely in!! so glad that you are feeling better. i'm pregs right now also - i think i am due 5 days later than you :) i've been sick, but nearly as sick as you, and have thought on many occasions how difficult it must be to go through what you're going through. sending continued love :) - Jane Oh I am so glad you are feeling better! I have been checking weekly for any sign! I would love a carrier. You should probably win it though! I love these! My little girl loves to ride around with me and this would be a nice change from using a wrap. Glad you're feeling better! I LOVE this carrier- consider me IN! I am so in. It looks fantastic! I would love one! Thanks for sharing. Ummm...me please! (It will make keeping up with my older two littles easier if I can carry my new baby in one! like the material options! Would love to win it to carry my 5 mth old in!!
Militant group says such misuse of technology violates teaching of Islam, tribal customs. PHOTO: FILE The pro-government militant faction led by commander Mullah Nazeer has banned mobile phones with built-in digital cameras and memory cards in Wana – a subdivision of South Waziristan tribal region which is believed to be a stronghold of the militant leader. The announcement, which was made through loudspeakers from different mosques, also warned that any tribesman found in possession of such a cellphone would be fined Rs15,000 and his device would be confiscated. Prayer leaders and clerics in different mosques have also been asked to spread awareness amongst tribesmen in their Friday sermons about the camera phone ban. The reason provided for this ban is that the misuse of such mobiles violates the teachings of Islam and tribal customs. Indian and Pashto songs on these phones were cited as an example. The ban is also being used to justify protecting the honour and dignity of tribal women to ensure no videos of them are recorded in violation of the purdah system in the area. There is only one mobile network inside the Wana Scouts camp and the adjacent localities of Wana subdivision. In the past, the Mullah Nazeer group set ablaze several camera phones in Wana Rustam Bazaar, and warned tribesmen to avoid using these kinds of technologies. Militants in Swat Earlier, in Swat, three Taliban fighters were killed in an ambush with security forces in the Sarsardarey village of Manglawar union council late Friday night. Security forces raided the location where militants were hiding following a tip by local residents, according to Swat Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson Col Zeeshan. “Locals of the area informed security forces about some suspected militants in the area,” he said. “Following their tip-off the security forces cordoned off the area and raided the location, at which point militants opened fire on them. The security forces killed three militants,” the spokesperson told local media, adding that two short machine guns (SMGs), one pistol and ammunition were also recovered from the militants. He added said that the area has been cleared of the Taliban and there was no resistance from their side. According to sources, the militants hail from an area located on the border of Buner district. The new wave of target killing in the valley has resulted in the death of several peace committee members. As a result of the frequent attacks, security forces have beefed up their presence in sensitive areas and set up extra check points in those places as well. (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FAZAL KHALIQ IN SWAT) Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2012. Makes sense. Capturing images renders a Burqa useless, isn’t it and hence, against Islam. Camera Phones can be used to capture images ergo BAD! Music is generally considered un-Islamic and hence, these phones which have the ability to play music are against Islam. Taliban are always consistent and clear in their ideology.Recommend after operation in south waziristan and swat militants are still there and even more.Now we think for noth waziristan operation but the result will be again zero.Why not we leave American war of terror which damages everything in Pakistan. Recommend Hallelujah! Recommend Is it any wonder that this tribal belt is not progressing at all? When it is being run by these fanatics who are still living in the stone age. Bring on the drones. Recommend haha..cant stop laughing..mulla nazir group Recommend political parties crying on the sovereignty should give their views on such ban seizing the rights of citizen conferred on them by National constitution .or some territory of the nation is ceded ( assuming it temporary ) Recommend These illiterate Useful Idiots are just making everyday life of civilians harder.. they wont let the construction of roads. They wont let cell phone towers, so that no one can communicate but they’ll be still able to communicate through their thuraya’s… May God guide them! Recommend RAW,CIA,MOSSAD conspiracy Recommend The story of Arab, camel and his tent is being repeated in Wana and it might soon spread to whole of Pakistan for which military is entirely responsible for supporting certain factions of Taliban who are well known for switching their loyalties later and fight the state itself. No lessons have been learnt from the Swat experiment where Taliban antagonized and oppressed the people by enforcing dracunian laws and Mullah Nazir too is following the same pattern by banning cell phones which would soon be followed by many more restrictions. Recommend “Pro-government militant faction led by commander Mullah Nazeer has banned mobile phones with built-in digital cameras and memory cards” isn’t dr Rehman Malick rocking in the same boat as this lunatic???Recommend Isin’t dr Rehman Malick rocking in the same boat as this lunatic? Recommend So why killing not banned Recommend Shame on those politicle analysts who don’t get tired of teling us the difference between good taliban and bad taliban.They are one and the same.Why we need them?-Check on democracy. Recommend Kash, the mullahs of this country were educated, and stressed same amount of importance to education as Holy Prophet(pbuh) did. Recommend @Osman: So… Nothing but a vague reference to it? Recommend Which kind of donkies follow these molvies is beyond me. Recommend back to the 7th centry they go….lol Recommend What kind of ease does a camera-intact mobile bring to the already hardest lives of these tribesmen? At least they haven’t banned mobile phones themselves like our beloved good Taliban who’ve been blowing up phone towers in Afghanistan saying people inform security forces about Taliban activities via mobile phones. Recommend I too would be laughing at the absurdity of these laws made by the militants. But the truth of the matter is that they are directly affecting fellow Pakistanis ! When will we rid our land of such extremist fools who, for some reason, think that to be an Islamic society is equivalent to being a regressed society with no basic human rights, freedom of speech etc. Recommend @tommy troll trash: You’re busted troll Recommend ” The reason provided for this ban is that the misuse of such mobiles violates the teachings of Islam and tribal customs” So the reason for the ban is misuse of mobile phones with camera. What about MISUSE OF RIFLES, SUICIDE BOMBERS & FORCE.? will such misuse be declared banned by them ? may we suggest them to USE THE BRAIN. We feel it is being MISUSED. “The pro-government militant faction led by commander Mullah Nazeer has banned mobile phones with built-in digital cameras and memory cards in Wana’ — it is still in the memory that all Militants were ONCE pro Government. ( till their ideology was supported ). With changed scenario their guns have been trained against the Government . . Recommend Let me know when the Middle Age is over. Recommend
The College ��'. ?V- VOLUME V. No 1. BRYN MAWR, PA., OCTOBER 2, 1918 .<�� Pri�6 Cents I TWO OF FACULTY WED Dr. Clarence Ferree, Professor of Psy- chology, and Dr. Gertrude Rand, Associ- ate In Psychology, were married In New York last Saturday (September 28th). No engagement had been announced. ,W. B. M. PROFESSORS' AVIATION TEST IN USE ON WE8TERN FRONT Device Worked Out During Summer in Psychology Laboratory The government Is now using in France for the testing of aviators a piece of ap- paratus devised by Dr. Clarence Ferree and Dr. Gertrude Rand Ferree of the Bryn Mawr Psychology Department. The purpose of the test is to measure the speed of adjustment of the eye for clear seeing at different distances. Dr. Ferree's services were enlisted by the government last June when he was called to Camp Mlneola and asked to work out a test dur- ing the summer. An aviator needs a supernormal eye, Dr. Ferree said in sta'tlng the probfom. He must be able In one Instant to look off and see objects In the far distance and In the next to read clearly the figures on his dial plate. If his eye fails to adjust itself instantly to the change of focus, he is un- fit for aviation. Aces in France Often Unfit This facility of adjustment varies not only with different individuals, but from day to day. Aces in France are on some days unfit to make a flight. By means of Dr. Ferree's instrument such cases can be Instantly detected and consequent fa- talities avoided. The device will also be used in this country in the selection of aviators. Throughout his tests, which he made chiefly on the graduate students and the college farmers, Dr. Ferree found no one over thirty with the requisite speed of adjustment. His test has proved inci- dentally an excellent one for astigmatism. The apparatus may be seen in the Psy- chology Laboratory. Dr. Ferree was urged by Colonel Wil- iner, commanding officer of the Medical Research Laboratory at Camp Mlneola. to take a commission in the U. S. Service. Last week Dr. Ferree was called down to Washington and asked to devise an eye test for naval observers and signal men on battleships to determine the acuity of their eyes at low illumination. REFUGEE GARMENT8 R. C. PROGRAM Must Be Made in Village Workroom No surgical dressings are to be made for the Red Cross in campus workrooms this year owing to the decision of the Red Cross abolishing small groups. Refugee garments will be made instead at the Main Line work rooms In the old Lancaster IniJ on Montgomery Avenue op- posite the Italdwin School. Workers there will havfc the advantage of experi- enced supervision. Later the necessary sewing marlines and equipment will be Installed in the campus work rooms. Sol- diers' gai menu may be taken from the Red Croat for mending. Free wi �1 will be given out at the vil- lage worl rooms. A card catalogue will be kept f >r members of the college and strict regi ilations enforced. The Merlon work roof > will be open for the use of the knlttl" � machines, and for the sale, at TS �ents a hank, of khaki, white and gray wool left OTsr from last year. SI8TER8 OF B. M. 8TUDENT8 WIN MATRICULATION SCHOLARSHIPS Robert E. Speer and Otis Skinner Have Daughters in 1922 (if the twelve sisters of alumnae or un- dergraduates among the entering class, two are matriculation scholars. Virginia Randolph Grace, scholar for New York, New Jersey and Delaware, is a sister of J. Grace '17. She was prepared by the Brearley School. Her average is 83.20. The other is Lillian Wyckoff, of Norwich Free Academy, who won the New Eng- land matriculation scholarship, awarded last year to her sister. D. Wyckoff "21. Her average was 76.35. The matriculation scholarship of the Western States went to Margaret Cros- bio, entering from the Northrup Collegi- ate School, Minnesota, with an average of 71.85. The first Bryn Mawr Chinese Scholar, Fung Kei Liu, enters college this fall. She was prepared by Miss Shipley's School. (Continued on page 6.) LIBERTY LOAN WAVE COMING Will Sweep Campus Next Week The campus Liberty Loan campaign will begin October 12th. On this date there will be a big War Council rally, with song-i. short speeches and an ad- dress by a member of the Main Line Lib- erty Loan Committee. Throughout the following week, the last week of the National campaign, there will be a vigourous drive on campus, un- der the direction of the Liberty Loan Committee of the College War Council. NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS One British and four French students have been awarded scholarships and have reached this country to study at Bryn Mawr. They are as follows: Miss Helen Isabella Wllkle. of Edin- burgh University: Master of Arts with Honours in English. Miss Denise Leredde, of Paris: Student of the Lycee Feneion and the College Savlgne. (Continued on page 3.) CHANGES IN THE FACULTY AND STAFF Dr. Huff, Professor of Physics, has been granted leave of absence for the year 1918-19 and Is doing war work in Wash- ington in the Bureau of Standards. His courses will be given by Miss Blake, who has been a demonstrator In the depart- ment for a number of years. Miss Nora May Mohler of Dickinson College, grad- uate scholar In mathematics last year, has been appointed Demonstrator In Physics for 1918-19. Dr. Crandall Is promoted to be Pro- fessor of English Composition. Dr. Gray has leave of absence to work in London for the Shipping Board. His courses will be given by Dr. Anna Line Llngelbach, who has collaborated with her husband, Dr. William E. Llngelbach. Professor of History in the University of Pennsylvania, in his recently published book. Miss Dimon. Recording Secretary of the college, has a year's leave of absence. Dr. Anna Johnson Pell, Instructor and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Mount Holyoke College, 1911-18. becomes Associate Professor of Mathematics. Mde. Alice H. Beulin, Agregee des lettres, succeeds M. Vatar as Associate in French. Mde. Beulin Is well known as a writer in PariB. M. Vatar is working in Washington for the French Government. Miss Lanman will give the courses in Chemistry previously given by Dr. Cren- shaw, absent in France on war service. Miss Dunn continues as Acting Director of First and Second Year English Compo- sition, in place of Dr. Savage, absent on war service. Dr. Charles Wendell David, Instructor In History, University of Washington, 1915-18. has been appointed Associate Professor of History- Miss Carolina Marclal Dorado. A.B., In- structor In Spanish and Head of the Span- ish Department, Wellesley College. 1907- 11; Head of the Spanish Department of Glnn A Co.. 1917-18, will lecture on Span- ish. Dr. Margaret Steel Duncan '08. Asso- ciate Professor of Romance Languages. Temple University. 1914-17, will give the elementary French Course, some courses In Spanish, and will conduct the French tutoring classes. Dr. Mary Agnes Quimby '04 will give the si�atirr German Course and con- tutoring Dr. Rlddell, who taught Spanish last year, will conduct Minor. Major, and Graduate Courses In Italian. Miss Anne Besanzon. A.M.. Manager of Business Firm, 1903-11. Lecturer on Sta- tistics, Wellesley College, 1917-18. will give courses In statistics and industrial questions in the Carols Woerishoffer De- partment of Social Economy snd Social Research. Miss Marjorie Lome Franklin. A.M.. Li- brary Assistant, American Telegraph and Telephone Co., 1916-17; Instructor in Po- litical Science, Vassar College, 1917-18, will take one section of the Minor Course In Economics and Politics and give a graduate seminary in Municipal Govern- ment. Miss Helen E. Fernald, A.B.. Scientific Artist and Research Assistant, Columbia University, 1915-18, has been appointed Instructor in History of Art, and will give a new elective course In Chinese and Jap- anese Art. Mr. Malcolm Havens Blssell. I'hli. A.M., Assistant in Geography, Yale Uni- versity. 1917-18, becomes Associate in <;��- ology. succeeding Mr. Frank James Wright. Miss Margaret W. Watson, A.M., Law turer in German, Barnard College, 1917- 18, will be Instructor in English Composi- tion. Dr. Esther Parker Ellinger is ap- pointed Instructor In English ( omposi tion, and will assist Professor Donnelly in the first semester and direct a section In English Composition In the second se- mester. Dr. Marlon Hague Rea, A.B., Ml), has been appointed Assistant Resident Physi- cian. Dr. Rea was Superintendent of the Woman's hospital in Philadelphia in 1918 Miss Mary Ruth Almack. A.M.. and Istar Haupt '17, A.M. Bryn Mawr College, will be Demonstrators In Psychology. Harriet Hobbs '18 will be Demonstrator in Chemistry. Miss Dorothy Crane Is a newly ap- pointed Demonstrator In Athletics and Gymnastics. Miss Mary Neaiing 09, for two years Warden of Rockefeller Hall, has resigned and will be succeeded by Mrs. Webb I Vorys (Adeline Agnes Werner '14). Miss Bertha Ehlera '09 has also resigned as Warden of Denbigh Hall, but the vacancy is not yet filled. EVERY SttJDENT TO HAVE PART IN COLLEGE WAR SERVICE Nine Hours a Week Quota All students of the college, as It was voted at a mass meeting last spring, will be conscripted for nine hours of work per week; four of war work, three of recrea- tion, two of physical development. Registration will take place during the first week of college. Everyone will be offered a choice of war work and times for doing it. which will be followed as far as possible by the Conscription Board. Conscription plans worked out by D. Peters, chairman of the Conscription Board, are: Organization Each hall has a captain with seven minor officers under her. The captains: Rockefeller, L Wood '19; Pembroke WesL H. Holmes '20; Pembroke East, O. Hearne '19; Denbigh, A. Moore '19; Merlon, A. Warner '19; Radnor, E. Mar- quand '19; Llysyfran, E. Lanier '19. form a Conscription Board to decide upon all individual cases. The minor officers Include a student In each hall for Red Cross; one for Clerical Work; one for (Committees; one for Com- munity Center and other lines of work. Each officer will see that people In her division do not fall behind, and will an- swer questions concerning her line of work. Cute and Substitutions Illness will be the only acceptable ei cuse for failure to put In the nine hours of conscripted work .Substitution It to be limited. Thus, If a student who has signed for Tuesday night in the Red Cross room wishes tp ko on Wednesday, she may exchange with someone who goes on Wednesday. Her Wednesday appointment, however, may not be postponed further. (Continued on page 3.) BUSY SUMMER FOR STUDENTS Many Take Jobs, Chiefly War Work Vacation Jobs and summer school courses, ranging from the manufacture of munitions to work among the insane, claimed many undergraduates during the past summer. Most of the positions taken were connected with war work, par- ticularly farming. M. L Thurman '19 worked with the Woman's Land Army In Petersburg. Virginia. A. Thorndlke '19 tilled the soil In Massachusetts, and M. Peacock '19 and I). Rogers '20 cooperated In the running of a farm at Putney, Ver- mont. K. Woodward '21 and A. Taylor 21 Joined the Connecticut Land Army. C Hayman '19 worked In a Philadelphia leather factory, making shin guards for horses. A. Harrison '20, J. Cochran '20. and M. McDonald '21 manufactured muni- tions. M. Ballou '20, besides working in (Continued on page 4.) FRE8HMAN MINISTRY PEACEFULLY ELECTEO The Freshman committee which will run the class until the election of the president In the first week In November. in-cording to the plan worked out last year by 1920, was elected last night by the i man class In the gymnasium. The committee consists of Emily Anderson fi .mi the Brearley School. Katherine Gar- dener from Rosemary. Prue Smith from Mlsa Wheeler's, Catherine Stuart from the Columbus School and Margery Tyler tram the Sprlngstde School at H11L 98574 Object Description Description Add tags for 0000576
. always for the good guy...lawmanhowever the Rancher could go either way some good and some bad.outlaws are always the bad guys. ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com That's a tough question because all three could be great characters in the story. I'd say I don't have a preference, IF the outlaw was a changed man and wasn't a "bad" guy. Hello, I prefer rancher...yep I am all about the good life, safe at home type... Gods land is a gift just like our life, so what we do with it is important ... just my opinion... I hope to read this book ... I think I will pick The Rancher. He has so many options ~~ unless, of course, The Rancher is a woman! That would be a good story!! Conversion, growth, and knowing God's Word is always true, by example and not so much by spoken word. The seeker being confirmed, settled in and strengthened; lives changed. Everyone can come out to the ranch ~~ passer-bys, cook-out including town's-people, weddings, stray cattle, so many happenings!lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net Hi, Rhonda! I enjoyed reading about you and your book. I haven't read a western romance before (but I'd love to do so), but I think the lawman would be my favorite hero. It's a toss up between a lawman and a rancher. I'd probably lean slightly toward the lawman though.Your book sounds great! please enter me. kimberlyj503(at)gmail(dot)comThanks! I just like a good christian hero. If an outlaw can turn his life around by becoming a hero, that makes things interesting.wfnren(at)aol(dot)com First of all thank you for drawing my name for the Midwife book. I can't wait to read it, I will watch for your email. Second - I prefer the rancher in historical books, I think it is because of all the hard work they do and how dedicated they are to their family. Thank you for a chance to win another book.griperang at embarqmail dot com In historical books I prefer the hero be a lawman. He can protect the heroine. I prefer a lawman or an outlaw turned good! I enjoy historicals because they give you a chance to imagine what life was like at that time.jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com Hi Everyone!! Sorry I'm late. I had jury duty this morning and well... let's just say I can now tell you what the inside of a judges chamber's looks like.I love all three. In this book Seth is a US Marshal. In Eliza's story coming in Feb. 2013 Jackson is a Blacksmith. And in Hannah's story, the one I'm working on now Daniel is a Rancher. As you can see, I like strong heros. Thank you all for coming by :) I love it when an author takes a character with flaws and shows us readers how he/she can be changed once God is in control. The bigger the flaws, the more exciting the changes. So I would enjoy reading about an outlaw who becomes a strong Christian hero. I already have The Marshal's Promise in my TBR stack, so please draw someone else's name. Hey Rhonda!Great interview! I prefer a rancher, but I'm a guy so probably doesn't matter as much. Always love anything you write! I have to say I like Ranchers and Lawmen equally. The outlaws not so much. dancealert at aol dot com My first choice for a hero is a Rancher...followed closely by a Lawman! Not crazy about an outlaw being a hero!Loved the interview and this post! Blessings!Judysweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com Lawman, Rancher or a [email protected] Thanks everyone for stopping by. Trish thank you so much for having me, this has been really fun.Aw Aaron, thanks!Rhonda Rhonda and Trish,Fun interview - I just won a copy of Short-straw Bride and I'm really looking forward to reading it.As far as a hero goes, I'm always intrigued by the outlaw, curious about the lawman, but give me the rancher, hands down. I think there's just something delicious about a man who loves wide, open spaces and doesn't mind spending time alone, a man who can build and repair anything, and who knows how to handle big animals. Strength, dignity, and doesn't feel like he has to prove it to anyone. Your book sounds wonderful - and I'm curious about your lawman :-). I'd love to win a copy! I prefer an outlaw turned lawman. Thanks for the opportunity RO win! I prefer when the hero is a lawman.This book sounds exciting.wildflowers386(at)yahoo(dot)com Have no preference. I've read some with all those types of characters and enjoyed them greatly.Enter me please jrs362 at hotmail dot com I guess I'm a sucker for a hero who has a second chance at life, a redeemed outlaw.:)worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com Thanks for this chance to win this good sounding book. I would pick the Rancher as first choice. Maxie ( [email protected] ) \| MEET TRISH \| BOOKS \| CONTACT \| LINKS
breaking news US & World Summary: Congressional Dems Blast Bush (Washington, DC) -- Congressional Democrats are blasting President Bush for vetoing the war funding bill. Bush yesterday followed through on his promise to strike down the measure because it contained a timeline to withdrawal troops from Iraq. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress wont give Bush "a blank check" for Iraq. Despite the rhetoric, Bush and Congressional leaders will meet today at the White House to try to reach a compromise to provide funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. --- Immigration Rally Turnout Drops Drastically Immigration rights rallies across the country yesterday drew significantly smaller crowds than last years gatherings. The Phoenix rally drew about 15-thousand marchers, while about ten-thousand showed up in LA. Last year, the Los Angeles gathering drew about 500-thousand people. The LA rally turned violent after a brief confrontation between some protestors and police. After some protestors threw rocks and bottles at the officers, police responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd. An unknown number of people were arrested. --- Corzine Pays Fine, Complaint Dropped (Trenton, NJ) -- New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has voluntarily paid a fine for not wearing a seatbelt during last months crash that landed him in the hospital. According to authorities, the governors SUV was traveling 91-miles-an-hour when it crashed on April 12th. Corzine was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a broken leg, eleven busted ribs and other injuries. Because he paid the 46-dollar fine for the seatbelt infraction, a citizens complaint filed against Corzine for not wearing his seatbelt has been dropped. --- Study Suggests Racial Bias In NBA Referee Calls (New York, NY) -- NBA Commissioner David Stern is refuting a new study that claims calls made by the leagues referees are racially biased. According to the "New York Times," the University of Pennsylvania study looked at 13 seasons from 1991 to 2004, and claims that white refs called fouls at a greater rate against black players. Stern said the league did its own study after seeing a draft of the Pennsylvania study last year. The commissioner says the leagues review found that there is no bias. --- R. Kelly Pens Tribute To Virginia Tech Victims At least one singer is paying tribute to the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at Virginia Tech. R. Kelly has written a tribute to the victims of the massacre, entitled "Rise Up." According to Billboard.com, the song will be released through various digital services on May 15th, with the proceeds going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial fund. That fund gives aid to those affected by the April 16th tragedy. Jive Records says Kelly was inspired to write the song while watching TV coverage of the shootings. --- Man Objects To New Mosque, Files Suit (Pompano Beach, FL) -- One Florida man doesnt want an Islamic mosque in his neighborhood. The man filed a lawsuit yesterday against three Islamic groups who want to build the facility. According to the "South Florida Sun-Sentinel," Rodney Wright says the mosque would bring an extremist form of Islam to his Pompano Beach neighborhood and that it would be a nuisance that would decrease his property values. The Islamic Center plans to build a 29-thousand-400-square-foot worship center and school to replace an existing mosque. --- Britney Spears Performs At California Nightclub (Los Angeles, CA) -- Pop singer Britney Spears has performed publicly for the first time in more than three years. The unadvertised 20-minute gig happened yesterday at the House of Blues in San Diego. Television reports say the 35-dollar tickets were being sold for as much as 500-dollars. Rumors are the Britney gig was one of three scheduled events for the wig-wearing star. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions/Regional News Service) RNS-05-02-07 0945CDT Readers Feel... hello
Good question, I asked. Non-US TR6s received the Lucas mecahnical fuel injection system which, in the 1969-1970 models, was reputed to develop 150hp. The 1974 US-spec TR6 was quoted at 104hp. Direct comparisons are not really possible, because the methodology of quoting horsepower changed over the years. Through to the late 1960s, engines were placed on a engine dyno, and stripped of all auxillary items such as alternator, flywheel, water pump (cooling was provided by an independant pump), dry-sump lubrication, fan-forced cool air to the carburettor, no cooling fan, no air-cleaner, leaner jetting, and highly advanced timing, etc. By the early 70's, manufacturers were not allowed to be as liberal in estimating, but still the motors on the engine-dyno were not the same beasts as would be pushing around Mum's station-wagon. The best measure of true horsepower and torque is to measure it at the rear wheels. This way a real-world estimate can be obtained. My own TR6 is fairly stock; the engine has never been out of the car or worked on. It is a tired old donk with 80,000+ miles, so substantially less than the factory figures were to be expected. However, I have made some very simple and inexpensive modifications which I believe really helped; namely, K&N air filters, easy-breathing exhaust, Pertonix electronic ignition, electric cooling fan (ie, no mechanical fan), removal of all smog equipment, and carbs rebuilt and tuned by me. The work was carried out by the helpful guys at the Dyno Shop in Santee, California (619/562-3933). Air temperature was 74F. I had the car tested at the same time as my Mates in the Pantera Club, and their big worked 351 Clevelands were pulling 300-450 rwhp (rear-wheel horsepower). Their runs on the chassis-dyno took only seconds. When time came to dyno the TR6, the run seemed to take forever, but everyone remarked at what a gorgeous exhaust note the 6 had. Some fellows likened it to an older V12 Ferrari, or maybe half a Ferrari! The results of 91 rwhp at 5,000rpm and 123ft-lbs at 2850rpm are pretty impressive for an essentially stock and tired motor. What does this equate to in the real world? At the drag strip, my TR6 will dispatch equally tired Datsun 240Zs and early Mazda Miatas. I'm happy with that.
Romney's Shape-Shifting Foreign PolicyBy Melvin A. Goodman, Consortium News \| Op-Ed Plutocrats Want to Own Your VoteBy Bill Moyers and Michael Winship, Moyers & Company \| Op-Ed How Companies Have Assembled Political Profiles for Millions of Internet UsersBy Lois Beckett, ProPublica \| Report Working WomenBy Matt Bors, Universal UClick \| Cartoon The End Is NearBy Tom Tomorrow, This Modern World \| Cartoon Obama vs. Romney III: “I got nuthin’,” But There’s a Reason for ThatBy Lambert Strether, Naked Capitalism \| News Analysis Corporate Lobbyists Manage Our Presidential DebatesBy Lee Fang, The Nation \| Report Romney & Company Shipped Every Single Delphi UAW Job to ChinaBy Greg Palast, Truthout \| Op-Ed Democratic Mockpocalypse: How Big Can One Election Get?By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch \| Op-Ed Obama as Commander-in-Chief, Romney as Banal BullyBy Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Blog \| Op-Ed A Festival of GibberishBy William Rivers Pitt, Truthout \| Op-Ed I Love Teachers!By Matt Bors, Universal UClick \| Cartoon On the News With Thom Hartmann: Obama and Romney will Square Off Tonight in the Third and Final Debate, and MoreBy Thom Hartmann, The Thom Hartmann Program \| Report Live Coverage: Obama/Romney Debate #3By Staff, Democracy Now! \| Video A Timeline of Romney's Campaign Foreign Policy PositionsBy Ben Armbruster, ThinkProgress \| News Analysis e-Voting Company Could Intercept and Change Ballots Without a TraceBy Gerry Bello and Bob Fitrakis, The Free Press \| Report Katrina vanden Heuvel: Why I Care About Citizens UnitedBy Laura Flanders, GRITtv \| Video Clinton Criticizes Voters for Not Appreciating the Great Economy He's Given ThemBy Dean Baker, Truthout \| Op-Ed Mitt Romney's Pregnancy ProblemBy Geoffrey Dunn, Metro Silicon Valley \| News Analysis Pinoccio RomneyBy Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press \| Cartoon Mormon Mitt in Bed with Big TobaccoBy Dr Brian Moench, Truthout \| Op-Ed The Real Incumbent is 'Plutocracy'By Richard RJ Eskow, The Progressive Populist \| Op-Ed Transcending the Wedge Issue That Divides Democracy Activists: To Vote or Not to Vote?By Bruce E Levine, Counterpunch \| Op-Ed America's Media Just Made Vote-Rigging EasierBy Victoria Collier, Truthout \| News Analysis Mitt Romney's Bailout Bonanza: How He Made Millions From the Rescue of DetroitBy Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! \| Interview and Video Greg Palast: Mitt Romney's Bailout BonanzaBy Greg Palast, The Nation \| News Analysis
Jailbreak iPhone IOS 4.2.1 / 4.1.3 via RedsnOw 0.9.6b5 to Update iPhone 3G/3GS on baseband 06.15.00 by MAC Article posted in Apple, Cellphones, Latest News Dev Team has done it again. On their official Dev blog, they have announced that Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone IOS 4.2.1 is now possible. You can simply Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone IOS 4.2.1 while updating the Baseband to 06.15.00 because previous basebands are not unlockable. So guys simple answer is that, if you update the baseband of your iPhone 3GS or iPhone #G, to 06.15.00, you can Unlock iPhone IOS 4.2.1 and iPhone IOS 4.1.3 via Ultrasnow and Jailbreak via Redsnow 0.9.6b5. Now first of all lets move forward with the Jailbreak process, which is very very simple. First of all some limitations are there to be discussed and they are:. So guys do not rush onto it, if you do not need the unlocker. Here is the process of Jailbreak later on you will be moving toward the Unlock. in our next up coming post. 1. first of all Download iPhone IOS 4.2.1 . 2. Restore / update iPhone IOS 4.2.1 via iTune. 3. Download RedsnOw 0.9.6b5 and start it. Download Redsnow 0.9.6b5 for MAC OS, Download Redsnow 0.9.6b5 for Windows. 4. Browse the stock iPhone IOS 4.2.1 which you downloaded earlier and proceed further. 5. now select “Install Cydia” and “Install iPad Baseband”, and process will fetch the 06.15.00 and it will replace the older baseband of iPhone IOS 4.2.1. 6. Now process will ask you to switch off your device and make sure you turn it off and plug it in to the system and then click “Next”. 7. The process will ask you to put your device on DFU Mode (when ever you connect your turned off device press the “power” button along with the Home button on keyboard and after few seconds, only release the power button and keep on holding Home button on keyboard) now setup will proceed further and rest of the things will be done by Redsnow 0.9.6b5 and your device will be unlockable. Proceed with post of Unlock iPhone IOS 4.2.1 with Ultrasnow 1.2 8. if you have the Latest Baseband or already on latest baseband, run Redsnow 0.9.6b5 and select the option “Just Boot Tethered Right Now”. and proceed further, your device will be Jailbroken and you can also unlock it via using Ultrasnow.
Rev Jeremiah Wright @JeremiahWright father, author, man of faith. THE OFFICIAL TWEETS OF REV. JEREMIAH A.1 Blog post: Ralph Nader: Raise the Minimum Wage - Ralph Nader: Raise the Minimum Wage By Chris Hedges The Occupy mov... Blog post: Prison Profiteers Are Neo-Slaveholders and Solitary Is Their Weapon of Choice Blog post: One of First Iraq Veterans to Publicly Oppose War Will Die for Our Sins Blog post: After Revealing Atrocities of Asymmetrical Warfare, Manning Will Face Asymmetrical Trial Blog post: Corporations Write Our Laws and Profit From Our Misery Blog post: Chris Hedges: Breaking the Chains of Debt Peonage Blog post: Race, Class, Violence and Denial: Mass Murder and the Pathologies of Privilege by Tim Wise Blog post: Chris Hedges: The Unsilenced Voice of a ‘Long-Distance Revolutionary’ Truthdig Blog post: Chris Hedges: Stand Still for the Apocalypse - Chris Hedges: Stand Still for the Apocalypse. Blog post: Elites Will Make Gazans of Us All - Elites Will Make Gazans of Us All. Blog post: The Life and Death of an Australian Hero Whose Skin Was the Wrong Color Blog post: Chris Hedges: Dems Owe Chicago Public Teachers Support for "Most Important Labor Action in Decades" Blog post: How the Chosen Ones Ended Australia's Olympic Prowess and Revealed Its Secret Past Blog post: Kucinich Explains the LIBOR Scandal - Kucinich Explains the LIBOR Scandal. Blog post: Speaking Truth to Chevron: An Interview With Nigerian Eco-Feminist Emem Okon Blog post: A Victory for All of Us NDAA Unconstitutional - Truthdig, Posted on May 18, 2012 ... Blog post: The New Jim Crow - The New Jim Crow By Michelle Alexander Ever since Barack Obama lifted his right hand ... Blog post: Trayvon Martin, White America and the Return of Dred Scott Blog post: AIPAC Works for the 1 Percent - Posted on Mar 4, 2012 Illustration by Mr. Fish By Chris Hedg... Blog post: Ralph Nader: Raise the Minimum Wage - Ralph Nader: Raise the Minimum Wage By Chris Hedges The Occupy mov... Blog post: The Corporate State Will Be Broken Truthout - The Corporate State Will Be Broken Truthout.
I have defamed the Tooth Fairy. Since the girls were little bitty, we’ve brushed their teeth. At first we used a soft silicone brush that they couldn’t impale themselves on. (We tried one of those impale-able ones first, and the girls insisted on grabbing them, and we could see the potential for injury, so we switched to the silicone ones.) Then after a while, the girls insisted on brushing themselves, with Mama and Dada doing a follow-up to get any missed spots. But now they are growing and not so docile (if they ever were!) and insist on doing it themselves. We’ve now graduated to regular toddler brushes, so we supervise closely. The only problem is, they miss a heck of a lot of spots. Zanna doesn’t mind us going over her teeth afterwards, but Halle passionately detests it. So how do I explain that she’d like it even less when the dentist has to fill her cavities, or worse, has to pull out her teeth? And not have her be a screaming wreck at her next dentist appointment, even if her teeth are fine? So I dragged the Tooth Fairy’s good name through the mud. Since they seem to be ok with the existence of the Garbage Fairy (that’s the one that lives in garbage cans and takes offerings in her ‘in-box’, and all dropped food on the floor is her rightful due, as well.) I told them that the Tooth Fairy is attracted to dirty teeth. She likes to take dirty teeth and that would be “Owie”. So that is why we have to do a good job brushing, so Halle will be safe and the Tooth Fairy will stay away. We weren’t making much progress with that, until I took the girls on a shopping trip to our local Target store. It’s six weeks before Halloween and the shelves there are now full of related products. As we were wheeling our cart past, we must have set off a motion sensor, because suddenly a 6ft tall witch came to life, cackeling and scaring the daylights out of all of us. As I beat a hasty retreat with my girls, I had the presence of mind to say “THAT’S the Tooth Fairy! And she’s going to take your teeth if you don’t brush very well!.” The girls were quite shaken after that encounter, but shook it off soon after. After that, though, Halle, while still protesting, allows us to do a final go-over with the tooth brush, to make sure there’s nothing left to attract that nasty Tooth Fairy! I don’t like scaring the girls, but in this case, it’s not something that we can just wait until they’re older to get through to them. I really don’t think they’d handle well, being strapped down an administered a hypo and having the dentist work their teeth over with his drill. Lesser of the two evils, I guess. Make your own life more easy get the business loans and everything you want. Such superb chapter should be taken in written essay, because it’s not very hard to buy custom essay papers selecting the the best essay writing.
On Fox News, Mike Huckabee says the shooting happened because "we've removed God from our schools."— Sandra Rose (@SandraRose) December 14, 2012.” Oh, and @GovMikeHuckabee? Funny sketch on SNL's Weekend Update back in 2008. But today? Go FUCK yourself. Forever.— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) December 15, 2012 I know some friends will differ w/ my gun control stance, but at least we can all agree that Mike Huckabee should go fuck a blender.— Rebecca the Undead (@rebeccawatson) December 15, 2012 bit.ly/TZvzan Huckabee needs to be removed from all microphones.— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) December 14, 2012 "@AmandaMarcotte: bit.ly/TZvzan Huckabee needs to be removed from all microphones." constitution be damned!— Karen Bullock (@the_amphibian) December 14, 2012 @the_amphibian No, you're right. Every time he talks, a handful more people turn from religion in disgust. He should keep going.— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) December 14, 2012 not helping; RT @mmfa Mike Huckabee on Fox News: Schools "become place of carnage" when "we systematically remove God" mm4a.org/12qfI7N— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) December 14, 2012 STFU Huckabee. Go away. RT @mmfa Mike Huckabee on Fox News: Schools "become a place of carnage" when "we systematically remove God"— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) December 14, 2012 Whenever something terrible happens, some zealot blows all his credibility by blaming atheists. Huckabee this time bit.ly/UYmdMW— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) December 14, 2012 God is everywhere. Except your kid's school. God too busy pouting about separation of church & state to save your kid. blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitic…— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) December 14, 2012 Be sure to hug your loved ones tonight, and while doing so, be sure to whisper in their ears, "Mike Huckabee is an idiot."— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) December 15, 2012 Burn in Hell, Mike Huckabee RT @gaycivilrights: Huckabee: CT Massacre Happened Because We ‘Removed God From Our Schools flip.it/Gq0Qe— (@YellowDogDerek) December 15, 2012 According to Mike Huckabee, God is a terrorist who targets children when public schools refrain from worshiping him. Pretty sick.— Dorian Staten (@Nicronon) December 15, 2012 Mike Huckabee: guns don't kill people. Godless evil liberals who believe in separation of church & state kill people. #p2 #tcot— Mary W. Matthews (@MWM4444) December 15, 2012 To mike Huckabee: F–K you, you sanctimonious immoral fraud.— F. Braun McAsh (@FBraunMcAsh) December 15, 2012 @jackiedouches if the only thing standing between Huckabee and murder is the opinion of his imaginary friend, he has bigger issues.— Ryan McBride (@rpmcb) December 15, 2012 Memo to Mike Huckabee: What you're saying is God killed children at a Newtown, CT school ON PURPOSE. Because he felt ignored. You're sick.— Nina L. Diamond (@ninatypewriter) December 15, 2012 If someone could just go ahead and taser Mike Huckabee in the sack for a good 45 minutes, that would be swell.— Mark J Tompkins (@MarkJTompkins) December 15, 2012 Argh! Huckabee and his god fearing lot should all pile into a dead end cave and have a giant boulder lodged at opening.— Somewhere is Jeannie (@whereisjeannie) December 15, 2012 What's worse than "politicizing" a national tragedy? Theologizing it. #Huckabee— Not Matt Bellamy (@NotMattBellamy) December 15, 2012 Mike Huckabee is trying to top the Westboro folks.— Nina L. Diamond (@ninatypewriter) December 15, 2012 We’d say Huckabee has a ways to go to even begin to compete with Westboro Baptist Church. President Beast @BarackObama! Stop the phony tears!You brought this mayhem! STOP MARRYING FAGS! God is not joking! You've brought His wrath.— MargiePhelps (@MargieJPhelps) December 14, 2012 Billy Hallowell, faith editor for The Blaze, delivered a message somewhat similar to Huckabee’s, though without going near the electrified third rail of public schools. We have a cultural crisis in America. Until we admit that, there's no improving things. #faith #compassion #love— Billy Hallowell (@BillyHallowell) December 15, 2012 In the meantime, citizens of Newtown on Friday night gathered for prayer services — the “back end,” so to speak. look at this. all the people who gathered together for the memorial service at st rose church in newtown— kate (@stopthispayne) December 15, 2012
It’s that time of the year and it’s coming up fast. If you haven’t marked you calendar yet, we will be changing our clocks back from Daylight Saving Time on November 4th this year. This is the perfect time to ensure your family’s safety throughout the next year by changing out the batteries in your smoke detectors and emergency flashlights. Keep your loved ones safe by making this yearly practice suggested by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), a tradition in your home. Did you know that “Thirty-eight percent of fatal fire injuries occur in homes with no smoke alarms, while 24 percent occur in homes in which at least one smoke alarm is present but fails to operate, frequently due to dead or missing batteries”.(Fire Analysis and Research Division of the National Fire Protection Association). I moved into my home over 12 years ago and never put much thought to the smoke detector up until last year when I heard all over the news “Change your batteries”. I got my little step latter out and wanted to check my alarms, all worked perfect. I walked away, till a few days later. I started to think. I was in that house for 12+ years and those batteries are still working strong? How in the world could that be? I walked back up to the smoke detectors, just to find out that someone, prior to us moving in, had hard wired all the smoke detectors in the house. How stupid (excuse my French) was that? I added battery operated Smoke detectors to the house, now we are doubled up on the alarms and I feel so much better with the kids in the house, knowing that they are safe in case of an emergency. From now through November 4th, visit the Energizer Bunny®Facebook page and click on the Fire Safety Info Tab, to be entered into a daily drawing for a deluxe Family Safety Kit valued at $150. While you are on the Facebook page, check out the fire safety tips, downloadable family home escape plan and children’s pintables. For more information, be sure to check out Energizer on the web or follow on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with all the new and improved Batteries. Win it One lucky 2Boys+1Girl=OneCrazyMom reader will win this wonderful Safety kit, courtesy of Energizer. Be sure to enter below. The prize pack includes: - Reusable grocery tote - Two packages of Energizer®MAX®Batteries with Power Seal Technology - One Energizer®Flameless Wax Candle - One Energizer®Weatheready®Safety Light – Waterproof flashlight powered by AA, AAA or C cell batteries; includes safety whistle and imprinted preparedness checklist - One Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarma Rafflecopter. Melanies website { 71 comments… read them below or add one } ← Previous Comments FB share FB share comment at: I blogged: janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com FB share Posted giveaway on Facebook [email protected] Twitter: mrsskyrob November 11, 2012 at 9:05 am Post giveaway Twitter: mrsskyrob November 11, 2012 at 9:23 am post comment Magna Color 3D Art Board #Review FB share ← Previous Comments
Posted 11:57 pm Wednesday, November 21, 2012 More controversy over Nativity scene BY BETTY WATERS [email protected] [email protected] ATHENS--Patrick Greene, of San Antonio, is seeking to have a sign put up stating that two Texas atheists gave a star for the nativity scene that will be on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn in December. He has indicated that he would file a lawsuit against the county if the sign is not erected, Clint Davis, county attorney, said Tuesday. Greene submitted his request via email late last week to county Judge Richard Sanders' secretary. Sanders said Tuesday that Greene will have to file formal application before a decision on the request is made. The judge has authority under county policies to act on the matter. As soon as he receives a formal application, Sanders said he will rule quickly ... "within one day" ... and direct the county attorney to notify Greene. The judge has turned the handling of correspondence between the county and Greene over to the county attorney. Historically, the county has not allowed banners with any type of writing on the courthouse lawn, Sanders said. The attorney said, "I don't speak for Judge Sanders, but I think it would be unlikely that we would approve any request for any type of signage or banner to be placed on the county courthouse (lawn)." Davis noted that the judge recently denied a request from the Freedom From Religion Foundation to put up its banner. "It would be difficult for us to then turn around and allow him (Greene) to put out his banner or sign," Davis said. Davis said he conveyed to Greene that he is welcome to formally make his request using the county's application form, but that there are no other decorations that include signs or banners or wording or things such as that in the Christmas decorations. On Monday, the attorney sent Greene a copy of the county's premises use policy and the application form that everyone who wants to put anything on the courthouse lawn must use. "We will just wait on him and see what he does next," Davis said. Attempts by the Tyler Morning Telegraph to reach Greene by phone for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful. Greene sent the star last March and added the sign stipulation last week. Giving the star "was a wonderful gesture but he has put a dark shadow over that gesture," Carol Morton, executive director, Keep Athens Beautiful, said. KAB's Light Up Athens Committee has been authorized to put up Christmas decorations on the courthouse lawn for years. "Per our agreement with the county, we cannot put signage up on the courthouse (lawn)," Ms. Morton said. "The committee will be meeting later, and we will be discussing whether or not we will use the star and what we are going to do with the star." Greene first threatened a lawsuit last Christmas in an attempt to have the nativity scene removed. Controversy swirled over the nativity scene also because the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation demanded it be removed and later sought to erect an anti-religion banner. At that time, Greene described himself as an atheist. Last spring, Greene said in interviews with the news media that he converted to Christianity after Christians in Henderson County sent donations to help with expenses he incurred for a medical problem with his eye sight. However, a San Antonio Express-News article from May reported Greene said he had returned to atheism. In correspondence he sent the county within the last week, Greene said he and his wife contributed a star for the nativity scene because he had noticed last year that it did not have one. His email told county officials, "Because the Freedom From Religion Foundation gave you so much trouble with wanting their insulting sign put up, my wife and I would like the KAB Committee to place a sign near the star stating that two atheists contributed the star because of the generosity of the Christians of Athens."
Posted 12:25 am Sunday, December 30, 2012 East Texans inspire with health, fitness stories BY COSHANDRA DILLARD [email protected] [email protected] Fitness was booming in East Texas throughout 2012. In these pages each Sunday, local health and fitness enthusiasts, as well as residents who are figuring it out as they go, have inspired readers to create new lifestyle habits and taught them that it's never too late to make a change. These are the top 10. 1. Bob Moore: At 80 years old, Bob Moore doesn't miss a day of walking and has inspired Canton city officials to create healthy living initiatives. Moore also led the effort to draw up a resolution to have the Texas Legislature recognize the small city as the "walking capital of Texas." 2. Vanessa Pearson: In one year, the Tyler Morning Telegraph copy editor dropped 100 pounds after participating in the company's wellness challenges. Not only did she adopt healthy eating habits and commit to regular exercise, but she also inspired co-workers by sharing her journey and providing encouragement. 3. Abbie Halberstadt: A fitness instructor, Mrs. Halberstadt led a Body Pump class until around her 37th week of pregnancy -- with twins. Within weeks of giving birth, she was back at the gym, with the healthy babies in tow. 4. Harold Wilson: For the past 26 years, 79-year-old Wilson enjoyed running marathons and has set his sights on the 2013 Boston Marathon. He started running after his doctor advised him to lose weight and to lower his cholesterol level. 5. Sandra Baker: In July, the 49-year-old mother of two competed in a bodybuilding contest for the first time. To prepare, Mrs. Baker worked out four days a week for up to 90 minutes, usually in the mornings. Although a crowd favorite, she didn't place in the show, but her confidence was boosted and she pledged to continue competing in body building contests. 6. Fire Station No. 9: A group of firefighters were motivated to make a change following potential health crises and after watching p opular documentaries on the state of America's health, including "Forks Over Knives." Wes Malcolm, 34, started eating better quality foods and reduced his meat intake while Bob Moon, 48, became a vegan. Zach Houston, 34, and Matthew Houk, 46, also have been dedicated to eating clean and making better lifestyle choices. 7. Tyler Senior Center's dancers: People at the center participate in Texercise, a statewide exercise program developed for older adults, and line dancing. Most are regular participants whose love of dance -- and life -- inspire others to get up and move while having fun. 8. Candace Harmon and Jerry Fincher: A chance meeting in 2008 led to a partnership between the pair, who both enter bodybuilding competitions. Mrs. Harmon, 38, and Fincher, 67, have both been successful and rely on each other for accountability. 9. Lindsay Gray: The fitness instructor and Whitehouse resident's life changed after suffering traumatic injuries to her brain and face. She was in the hospital for 20 days -- 16 of which she was in a medically induced coma. Her face was crushed and she underwent two facial reconstructive surgeries. Seventy-five percent of her face is covered in titanium plates today. She feels blessed to have recovered with hardly any visible signs of the crash and has since committed to a life of health and fitness. 10. Heather Garland: Ms. Garland avoids excuses and has become an avid exerciser. She's a single mom and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager. She's lost about 50 pounds over the years after adopting a healthier lifestyle, which includes fresh fruits, vegetables and lots of exercise.
Are you are you are you? Well, we'll find it out now! First Test: And of course, I did go to play myself too! See whether you can beat my score (below)! I think sure can one, cause I'm pretty lousy in this eh! Wahlaoooooooooooo! First test already like that liao! :( Hahaha! Second Test: If you think the first one is easy for you, wait till you try this! You just have to follow the instructions given on the site and answer it! Which I totally stuck at this stage, cause I don't know how to solve! :( If you all can solve tell me hor! Cause if you can solve correctly, you can stand a chance to win 1 of the 10 sets of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice movie premiums somemore! Awesome! Faster! Tell me tell me! Third Test: This is pretty fun! See if you can pass the theory part! Heheheheheh! Cause I can! Yay! So how do you fare? Are you the next potential sorcerer's apprentice? * * Yup! Some of you guys might know that I've already watched The Sorcerer's Apprentice as I went for the press screening sometime back! Overall, it's a pretty awesome movie I must say! Cause there's action, adventure and bit of comedy in there too which makes it nice to watch! Oh! And here's the trailer, if you haven't seen yet! Good & The Bad: Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake! Alfred Molina as Maxim Horvath I know those of you who likes magical stuff can't wait to catch it now! So mark down the date, cause it will be showing on... See! I even have it noted down on my calender! :p p/s: Wanna win something? Join the “A Job So Cool, It’s Magic!” Promo! Just by telling who would you want your mentor to be, if you could be a sorcerer’s apprentice for a day and win cool prizes! p/p/s: Do check out Disney Singapore Facebook, Twitter & Youtube channel as well for more juicy movies related information! p/p/p/s: For those who are fun (like me! hahaha!) and wanna try be a sorcerer in real life, maybe you can try this out! I tried, and it works! you stay in westmere condo? You watch the movie already? :D Is it nice? Yup! eh, Have you somewhat figure out the code? I am still scratching my head to solve it....
Le Figaro (Paris) reported Friday that a French-organized international military intervention in northern Mali is in the works. -- The government of François Hollande, pushing hard on the matter, is letting it be known that it is "only a matter of weeks" before its first phase is engaged, with the impending rainy season in Mali adding urgency to the situation. -- Paris, however, which "claims to be breaking with past 'Françafrique' practices" and "doesn't want to hear once again about its colonial past," is "refusing to be on the front line," Isabelle Lasserre said. -- And major difficulties have not been resolved, a meeting of the Support and Follow-up Group on Mali in Bamako showed on Friday: for the time being "the situation appears deadlocked both because of confusion over the sharing of power in Bamako after the March putsch and because of international disagreements over whether it is a good idea to engage in dialogue with the rebels before using force." -- And the U.S. is playing a larger role than originally expected: ." ... 1. [Translated from Le Figaro (Paris)] News International HOW FRANCE IS PLANNING INTERVENTION IN MALI'S NORTH By Isabelle Lasserre The plan's first phase should be launched in November -- Paris will not send ground troops Le Figaro (Paris) October 19, 2012 It's "only a matter of weeks" before a military operation gets underway that is intended to reconquer the north of Mali, occupied by Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda, according to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The U.N. Security Council has given 45 days to West African countries to propose a concrete intervention plan. Urged on by France, the European Union will propose in the same timeframe a plan to manage the crisis. After that, the way ahead will be clear. "If we botch the meteorologial window, we'll have to wait for a year," warns one well-informed source. Everything should be engaged on a wide front before the end of March, when the rainy season begins. Concretely, Jean-Yves Le Drian's entourage is talking about a three-phase program: first, stabilize the south of Mali and protect Bamako by the end of November; second, put in place the formation of African armies in January; third, start the reconquest of the north by the beginning of March at the latest. Officially, it's the African armies that will lead the operation. Although it has been designated as the principal enemy by AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), Paris, which claims to be breaking with past "Françafrique" practices and doesn't want to hear once again about its colonial past, is refusing to be on the front line. France, hiding behind Europe and positioning itself as the support of African countries that will be assisted in planning and logistics, promises that there will "not be ground troops." THREE THOUSAND MEN The French authorities are communicating more discreetly about special forces at work in the region, whose mission is independent of the official calendar. They are preparing to intervene upstream in order to provide intelligence and guide the African forces on the ground. They could act more quickly still if France's interests or the life of the hostages come to be threatened. As in Libya and in Côte d'Ivoire in 2011, covert means are positioned to provide support to local forces, in particular the Malian army, which is under-equipped and demoralized after its defeat by the Islamists. Behind the scenes, Paris has also taken charge of drawing up the intervention program that is supposed to be proposed by the West African countries.. All the details of the military operation have not yet been worked out. The African countries are expected to furnish 3,000 men, but the list of states participating in the intervention against Isalmist fighters armed with missile- and rocket-launchers has not yet been finalized. Nor have the political rules. But all the potential countries are well aware: without a lasting diplomatic solution, military intervention will not be sufficient to settle the problem of AQIM in the Sahel. [INSET: THE MALIAN CONFLICT. AT STAKE IN THE CONFLICT: Northern Mali and cities under the control of Islamists and Tuaregs. Zone of AQIM's activity. TOWARD AN INTERVENTION? Member countries of CEDEAO [Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest ('Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] [ ]) [Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger]. Non CEdEAO-member country that may intervene [Chad]. Countries opposed to intervention [Mauritania, Algeria]. Presence of French military.] MILITARY RECONQUEST UNDER DISCUSSION IN BAMAKO The Malian interim president, Dioncounda Traoré, emphasized on Friday the "urgency" of a foreign armed intervention to liberate the north of his country when he opened the international meeting in the Malian capital whose goal was to hasten such an intervention. "We shouldn't lose even a second. This is an emergency, we're in a race against the clock," said Dioncounda Traoré to high international officials gathered to harmonize their positions before sending a West African U.N.-supported force into the north of Mali. The U.N. and the African Union have announced, for their part, the opening of permanent offices in Bamako in order to coordinate their respective actions in this crisis. But there are still divergences between West African officials and the representatives of the international organizations regarding what is needed for the deployment of the African force if it is to participate in a military initiative in the part of Mali controlled by al-Qaeda and its allies. Given the extent to which the situation appears deadlocked both because of confusion over the sharing of power in Bamako after the March putsch and because of international disagreements over whether it is a good idea to engage in dialogue with the rebels before using force, this meeting of the Support and Follow-up Group on Mali is not expected to result in any spectacular progress. -- Translated by Mark K. Jensen Associate Professor of French Department of Languages and Literatures Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA 98447-0003 Phone: 253-535-7219 Webpage: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
September 7, 2012 Alexis Schulman Warchant.com Dustin Hopkins took advantage of the 11 Florida State scoring drives to work on perfecting his kicks based on a host of new rules. The senior said it takes a little adjusting to, but that the new rules don't make kicking off much different. New rules move kickoffs to the 35-yard line and bring touchbacks up to the 25-yard line. The kickoff coverage team can no longer take off to a running start. Coach Jimbo Fisher says the rules were put into effect to decrease significant kickoff return injuries. But he's not sure that they haven't backfired. "I said to myself, I don't know, this might be more physical than not." Fisher said. "I think they did it trying to eliminate [more] returns," Fisher said. "But I think they might have enhanced the problem because I think you're going to get more big bodies flying in shorter areas now [in terms of] collisions. I think there are going to be more [because of] less space." Fisher doesn't think the new rules affect FSU adversely. "The type of athletes we have, I think if we hit the ball right and do what we're supposed to do, I think it can be an advantage for us," Fisher said. In the Murray State game, several of Hopkins' kicks soared high into the hair, gathering plenty of hang time before eventually landing in 10-yard line. FSU's kickoff coverage team was already there, ready to use their size and speed to swallow up the defender. Of Hopkins' 12 kickoffs during the game, five went for touchbacks. The other seven that were returned for an average of just 16 yards. Murray State was pinned behind their own 25-yard line on six kickoffs. "Our coverage team is so fast and athletic, every time we tried to put one in the 10-yard line, they were right there," Hopkins said. "Running down quick and they helped make me look pretty good. I'm lucky to have those guys running down." FSU didn't always abide by the theory of putting your biggest, fastest guys on kick coverage, but they have since Fisher has been around. He believes it can drastically change momentum of the game and give Florida State a leg up on their competition. "Those body types in special teams - which we have a lot of - the Christian Jones type, Telvin [Smith], Toshman [Stevens], Kelvin Benjamin, Nick Moody types, Nigel Bradham - those big physical guys give you such an advantage [on special teams]," Fisher said. Those players take pride in their special teams work, and cornerback Nick Waisome, who works on second team punt coverage said it is a matter of being the best. "It's definitely a pride thing. Coach Gran is hard on special teams here, he wants us to be number one in everything," Waisome said. "He definitely stresses it and we take it as a serious matter whenever we go on kickoff. He's always like, we have to be number one, so that's what we shoot for." Hopkins said that he has not game-planned further out that Savannah State, but that his kicking philosophy will likely only change if the other team fields a great kick returner. With the coverage team that he has on his side, he's not worried. "It gives me so much confidence, because I know that even if I don't get a great kick, the chances of the other team getting a great return is hopefully pretty slim given the people I have next to me." 'Noles support Team Fleetwood EJ Manuel took a deep breath and then another. He asked for the media, and for those watching his Monday morning press conference to support the Team Fleetwood facebook page, since he was unable to tweet and spread the word. Manuel became emotional while talking about a recent visit he and Dustin Hopkins took to see 17-year-old Austin Fleetwood, a Wakulla teen who had been battling cancer. "It was just " Manuel couldn't finish the sentence. He had run out of words and shook his head back and forth. Hopkins and Manuel went to Fleetwood's house on Sunday afternoon to visit the teen and bring him autographed FSU jerseys and gear. Fleetwood had wanted to come to the Murray State game the day before, but wasn't up to it. Manuel said the teen was thrilled with the gear and the visit touched both he and Hopkins and helped put things in perspective for them. "It definitely puts things in perspective - how unimportant football is and how important football is," Hopkins said. "The unimportance being that the beauty of life is just so much more significant than a game And then I see the importance of football, in that the hope it can give people, just being able to relate to somebody on that level." Austin Fleetwood passed away on Monday morning, not even 24 hours after the visit from Manuel and Hopkins. "Being able to see him, I've never experienced something like that," Manuel said. "Luckily my parents and my sister were still here because I couldn't help but cry this morning when I [found out]." Sadness tinged their memory now, but the visit itself was a happy one. "Man, you can just see the smile on his face. I can't forget it," Manuel said. Manuel and Hopkins won't soon forget the visit and both plan on wearing the red and black Team Fleetwood bands around their wrists for the rest of the season. Waisome ready for bigger challenge Nerves are par for course and Nick Waisome felt a little bit nervous running out of the tunnel and onto Bobby Bowden field for the first time as a starter. It was different, he said, but he definitely liked the feeling. "Little bit of nerves in the beginning, but after that first play, everything else goes away and it's just football," Waisome said. Waisome, who made a tackle on Saturday night, was happy with the way he went out and performed for the first time on the big stage. He wished Murray State threw the ball more, but stayed on his toes throughout the game and worked on his technique so that he can be ready for teams that do throw more. He's already looking forward to Savannah State and hoping that their offense throws the ball more. "They know we're a pretty strong defense, I mean, I don't know if they would throw it on us a lot, but hopefully they do," Waisome said. Waisome was prepared to see more action at field corner because opponents sometimes try to avoid challenging Xavier Rhodes, who is opposite Waisome at boundary corner. "I thought I was going to get a little bit of action, but I'd watch and they'd give him one and they wouldn't give me anything," Waisome said with a laugh. "They did throw one time [to me], but it was a pretty good game." Already a member? Click here to sign in
Ulster Heritage Magazine Wednesday, 20 July 2011 Lexington Virginia Music Festival Upriver brings a show for the whole family that is an educational and a step back in time to the the Appalachian Mountains with Bluegrass, Folk, and Celtic Music to the Lime Kiln stage on on Sunday, July 24, 2011. Upriver includes Dan Moorefield, with musical roots that stem back to Ireland, is featured on vocals, fiddle, guitar, and piano. Dan has a Masters degree in Education and provides not only entertaining music but also local history during his shows. Teresa Morrison adds a large amount of variety to the group as a talented artist on a multitude of instruments including the Irish tin whistle, alto recorder, tenor banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, and guitars. Both Teresa and Dan are committed to music education and Scots Irish heritage. The band is occasionally joined by Myra Morrison. Myra is featured on fiddle, piano, and vocals. She is an award winning fiddle player and, like Teresa, teaches music at the Wayne Center of the arts. Their larger band adds an upright bass. The four piece band is used for large venues, festivals, large concerts, and dances. Upriver is committed to education through music. They are active with music based enrichment and educational youth programs with activities to expose children to a variety of instruments, history, and culture. The group specializes in playing entertaining music while weaving in stories to tell how it came to be an integral part of our local culture. The performing artists and education specialists pride themselves on their goal to provide the audience with an experience that will thrill and entertain musically, and educate and enrich through oral tradition. Upriver’s fifteen track album ‘Together This Time,’ features original music and old time favorites. The album contains a haunting rendition of the Appalachian classic ‘Shenandoah.’ This is music that is rarely heard on radio or television. It is tradition and legacy of rural American music that has been passed down through generations. The music is reminiscent of a time before technology when musicians were counted upon to provide entertainment were held in high esteem in the community. This show is a wonderful event for families because of the focus and the artists' background in education. The concert on will be sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and the gates and concessions will open at 6:00 pm and the show will begin at 7:30 pm. Advanced ticket prices are as follows; Adult - $20, Senior 60+ - $18, Child 12 & under - $10. Don’t miss out on this educational concert showcasing great Appalachian, Folk, Bluegrass, and Celtic Music. Call (540)463-7088 for tickets. Posted by Barry R McCain at 13:35 Labels: Ulster Music Newer Post Older Post Post Comments (Atom)
GelwormComments0 this wiki Gelworm (ゲルワーム - Geruwāmu) is a monster that appeared in the TV series, Ultraman Cosmos. He appeared in episode Episode 23 "Luna vs. Luna". Subtitle: Protein Life Form (変幻生命体 - Hengen seimei-tai) StatsEdit Powers/AbilitiesEdit - DNA Absorb: Gelworm can absorb the DNA of others by biting them with its pincers. - Size Change: Gelworm can change from his original tiny size to that of a monster at any moment. WeaknessEdit - If Gelworm is exposed to radiation it will cause him great pain. HistoryEdit Ultraman CosmosEditGelworm was a monster whom had lived its life on a tiny meteor with its mate. When the gelworms were separated, The mate was trapped on the meteor, which was then transferred to a university, where it was being tested with special radiation that was causing her great pain. The male Gelworm tried many times to reunite with Once Gelworm grew larger EYES arrived on the scene only for him to evade their attacks. Once an energy net was dropped everything seemed fine until Gelworm's meteor reacted, making him react and shake off the net. Musashi turned into Ultraman Cosmos to save the fighter before fighting Gelworm. Gelworm continued trying to make his way towards his meteor, but Cosmos managed to hold him off until the creature used it's pincers to turn itself into Imitation Cosmos. Imitation Cosmos then fought Ultraman Cosmos. For a full minute neither of them could gain an upper hand on one another until Imitation Cosmos attempted the Cosmos Palm Beam only to realize he could not. Once Cosmos used the Cosmos Palm Beam, Imitation Cosmos reverted back into Gelworm. Once he turned back into his normal form he turned into his smaller form once he was near his meteor. On returning to it's meteor it was discovered that he had a mate and would able to live peacefully for the rest of his days. TriviaEdit - Suit actor: Kazunori Yokoo - Gelworm's roar is a reused Gazoto roar. Imitation CosmosEdit Imitation Cosmos (ニセウルトラマンコスモス - Nise Urutoraman Kosumosu) is the form that Gelworm takes while battling Ultraman Cosmos. Powers/AbilitiesEdit - Extreme Speed: Like Ultraman Cosmos, Imitation Cosmos can move at blinding speeds. - Extraordinary Jumper: Imitation Cosmos can jump extremely high into the air. HistoryEdit After Gelworm absorbed the DNA of Ultraman Cosmos, he himself transformed into an exact duplicate of the Ultra in every way, shape, and form. Imitation Cosmos was able to match Cosmos in terms of speed, agility, and skill, making their battle a perfect standstill. However once Gelworm tried to make a Palm Beam, the copy was powerless to so as he did not possess the ability to conjure up such an attack. With the opportunity, Ultraman Cosmos fired his own Palm Beam, transforming Gelworm back to normal. TriviaEdit - Imitation Ultraman Cosmos' suit is reused from the backup Luna Mode Suit. - Imitation Ultraman Cosmos' grunts are low pitched Cosmos Luna Mode grunts.
University of Maine STEM Laboratories Laboratories and departments on the University of Maine campus form educational outreach partnerships with UBMS; these partnerships are symbiotic. Professors often depend on these partnerships to meet grant or tenure criteria and UBMS depends on these partnerships to engage students in legitimate college-level science experiences with distinguished faculty. Many professors accept students into their laboratories because they believe in education and the mission of the program. UBMS also forms partnerships with existing organizations, developing grant opportunities to offer STEM learning opportunities for our students. What follows are some of the program’s more recent collaborations. National Girls’ Collaborative Project In 2009, UBMS received a $1000 collaborative grant enabling the students to take part in a water quality Group Research Project. The money funded the purchase of boots, macroinvertebrate nets and water testing kits, among other related items. In partnership with the Lower Penobscot Watershed Coalition, UBMS students collected data related to river and stream health in June and July 2009, for Sedgeunkedunk, Blackman Stream, Souadabscook and the Penjajawok. The program was fortunate to partner with this organization, as well as Maine Department of Environmental Protection Biologist Mark Whiting. EPSCOR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) In 2008, UBMS received full support for the implementation of a Forest Bioproducts research project. Funded by the National Science Foundation, through EPSCoR, the project consisted of three segments: forestry, chemical engineering of forest bioproducts and making biodiesel. The Program was fortunate to partner with State of Maine Forester Ken Laustsen, Washington Academy Science Teacher of the Year Don Sprangers, and University of Maine Chemical Engineering Professor Martin Lawoko. Using the funding provided by EPSCoR, the program was able to buy lab coats and safety equipment to use in the biodiesel and chemical engineering labs. The support funded the participation of professionals and many of the materials used, such as the portable biodiesel chamber for making large batches of biodiesel in educational settings. The project also funded the purchase of secondary containment for the chamber, as well as seven MacBooks, one for each student group. Again in 2009, based on the pre-existing partnership, EPSCoR purchased $1000 worth of supplies for the rivers project, and in 2012 provided full support for Group Research Project faculty, financial support for Individual Project Supplies and financial support to students, all under the umbrella of science education and outreach. Back to Math Science Summer Program
Summer time in Australia is party time. It starts with the endless lunches and cocktail parties in the office for end of the year parties until the start of another and together with the traditional Yuletide festivities highlighted in its midst, there is no excuse not to join in the fun. There is no better way to celebrate its joys than to sit down at a table with family and friends and share all the complements of the season. Of course, for many Overseas Singaporeans, every festive season is also synonymous with fine food. And over the holidays, why not try to cook some of our traditional dishes? Besides bringing a dish of home cooked food makes a wonderful gift to bring along for any get-together or party with friends. What better motivation to spend these hazy lazy days of summer and to share some of our time honoured finger-food recipes– perfect with any party or makan session. Agar -Agar with Coconut Milk Topping: Ingredients: 30g agar-agar powder 1 ½ cup sugar 1 can (350ml) coconut milk 4 pandan leaves or 1 Tsp pandan essence ½ tsp green colouring 5 cup water Stir and dissolve 20g agar-agar powder with 4 ½ cup of water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and add sugar and pandan leaves or pandan essence. Keep stirring while boiling for 20 minutes. Add green colouring and pour into a mould to set for about twenty minutes or until it is about to set but still wobbly. Coconut Topping: Stir and dissolve 10g agar –agar powder with water in a sauce pan. Bring to boil. Add coconut milk and bring to boil. Remove from heat once it started to boil. Gently ladle coconut topping over green agar-agar and leave to set. When it is cooled keep in refrigerator to serve agar –agar cold. Hi Uncle Phil! Just writing in to say I love your blog. You never fail to make me salivate with your yummy-looking photos & recipes :p And what a surprise to know that you live just a suburb next to me in Sydney! Keep up the great work :) Hi SydneyLibrarian, Thanks for your visit and comment. Now that we know that we are neighbours, there is no excuse not to come over for a makan session with other Overseas Singaporeans at my place. Please give an email so that I can add you in my list of new found friends of my blog. Cheers, Phil
Bond girl From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia “I have pierced Mr. Brosnan and gone spelunking in Daniel's crag, and I am at last prepared for the big leagues.” James Bond: stealer of hearts, whacker of villains, Scottish in accent and arrogant in demeanor. But how does he maintain his remarkable attraction despite franchise setbacks and blond hair? A Bond girl is a woman from a James Bond film who serves as a love interest for the suave protagonist. They are always beautiful, and while they are unprincipled in general, they will reverse this lack of morals in order to save Bond when he's in a tight spot, regardless of their previous affiliation with the enemy. edit Quality of life The Bondness of a girl is ingrained at birth, but the condition can only be positively identified, and then only at puberty. In overt cases, the Bond girl will become dazed and remote, losing interest in normal activities. He or she will stand on a balcony if there is one, staring into space and muttering something about a lover. The condition can be frightening to family members not properly educated about it. While it is not life threatening, it does affect quality of life significantly. If and when James Bond does arrive, experiential time for the Bond girl will exceed twenty years while only ten minutes will pass for Bond. Once the encounter is over, the Bond girl will return to her stupor, never to take any interest in anything again. The severity of the condition is well known to the Spanish, whose tradition of reserving a day of mourning for their as-yet-unclaimed Bond girls dates back to centuries before Ian Fleming penned his first novel. As evidenced in From Russia with Love, a Bond girl can maintain some of the qualities of a normal person by maintaining regular correspondence with James Bond. Regular letter writing can alleviate the pain associated with the condition, with the level of relief being proportional to the lavishness of the writing and the imagined probability that Sean Connery will return to her arms. This technique only works in the Bond authors' most tame novels though; the Bond effect has since been transmogrified to ensure the swift, tragic death of any woman who manages to overpower her Bondness to leave the movie set before filming is complete. The difficulty in relieving the condition is typically attributed to its resemblance to a literary device, though this doppleganging is superficial as reality is not literature. edit The Bond field The Bond field is a force field permeating all time and space according to the inverse quartic law function. As the field drops off very fast, it is virtually undetectable at distances reasonably far from James Bond or an actor who plays him. Adding to the challenge is the fact that, like all fields in physics, it can only be detected with a test object that is affected by it, in this case a Bond girl. Physicists at CERN tried to strap Bond girls into a supercollider in order to empirically measure the Bond field, but naturally this rendered the girls damsels in distress. When James Bond was through with the place not a single experimental physicist was left alive, leading to the dearth of progress we have in the field today. The Bond field puzzles theoretical physicists such as Stephen Hawking because its equations are of a far higher order of complexity than, say, the Unified Field Theory. A Bond girl typically does not make the decision to be with James Bond rationally, but rather out of a primitive urge. This motivation forms part of the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, but the hierarchy typically excludes it as it is peculiar to Bond girls. Specifically, the Bond field supplies a mental pathos in the Bond girl accompanied by some physical attraction of the gravitational sort. The Bond girl takes on a zeal for saving James Bond from crisis situations such as exploding poker chips and Chinese snipers. The sense of gratification for this is weak, of course, and fades over time, especially as James Bond leaves the poor Bond girl, which he, with few exceptions, always does. edit Well-known Bond girls - Goldpenny Moneydollar - She is Bond's secretary and lover on location, one of the few Bond girls to have the honour of her capitulation to the Bond field being satisfied on a regular basis. The Bond field affliction prevents her from leaving Bond even though he is constantly with other Bond girls and disloyal to her. - Kitty-Titty - A femme fatale with a dangerous penchant for cocktail weenies, Kitty outraged audiences for her prominent placement as a villain's henchwoman in Never Dream of Tomorrow Dying Another Day. Melting at the sight of the then-Bond Michael Harris's gently spinning nipples, she ultimately chose to push the giant red button labeled "Blow-em-up-a the lair," sacrificing herself for no reason other than to comply with the Bond effect. - Helga Russianbone - As her name implies (Bond films are normally constructed from far deeper stylistic elements), she is a Russian, but what the audience doesn't know until she intimates it to the fourth wall is that she is a spy for the KGB. Through a plot twist, a helicopter, and some sort of utterly unfeasible orbiting laser satellite, she enters Bond's arms. She is foresaken to the depths by the screenplay upon revealing the code to the aircraft-carrier submarine. - Margaret Hotass - In the box-office hit "007- Live and Let Goldfinger Die Another Day From The Spy Who Loved Me With Love" James Bond (Played by Larry Linville) goes to a Korean� Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit disguised as a surgeon named Frank and meets the lovely Margarat Hotass (played by Loretta Swit). He proposed to her, but then everything blew up, forcing them to get a new Bond. - Pussy Vaginacuntboobsnipplessex - A recurrnig extra who ironically is not attractive and never engages in sexual activity or card games with Mr. Bond. She can typically be found in the background of car/boat/MIG/wombat chase scenes, glaring angirly out a window. edit How to tell if you're a Bond girl You may be a Bond girl if: - You are female. - You are aged twenty to thirty... one. - You live in an "exotic" corner of the world. - You have ever seen or slept with James Bond. - You live in a town where objects frequently explode. - You have a sexually suggestive name like "Pussy Galore", "Anita Goodtime" or "Valerie Lotsofsexualintercourse" - You are fictional. - You have Several Sexually Transmitted Diseases - You are sexually aggressive - You have slept with more than 10 men. - Your career as an actress went nowhere. A caveat: the above points are merely heuristics. Anyone could potentially be a Bond girl, without respect to age, gender, reality of person, sexual habits, loyalties, or geographic location. There is no completely reliable test to screen out Bondness. You will just have to live with the fact that you too could be a Bond girl.
Denzel Washington From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia “Denzel Washington was a really, really bad teacher.” “I would marry him, if only my nostrils didn't manipulate me into not doing so.” Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is a teacher. His mother gave him the first name Denzel, which means "devil" in the chopped liver dialect (and that's why we call the devil "Denzel"). But I know him as Mr Washington. Mr Washington was also my mother's schoolmate, my cousin's, sister's, uncle's, brother's, nephew's, second cousin twice removed's son and my dad's best friend. His daughter Shaniqua and her twin brother Shaquille invited me to their birthday party. edit Denzel "ON FIRE!" Washington: Biography edit The Early Years Mr. Washington and my dad Tom Sawyer grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. They became best friends when they met in Sunday School at the Pentecostal church . Mr Washington's father, the Reverend Reverend Denzel Washington who was my cousin's, sister's, uncle's, brother's, nephew's, second cousin twice removed, once lent my dad a paintbrush so that he could whitewash the fence. Sometimes to get out of chores my dad and Mr Washington used to go fishing on the Mississippi. Once they even ran away to become pirates. It was when they were pirates on the Mississippi that they first met my mother Pippi Longstocking, although they met her again the next day at school. edit Mr. Washington at school Mr. Washington was my mum's schoolmate at Pennington Grimes Elementary School, but she did not play with him very often because he was a boy. He was in her class for three years. My dad went to the same school but he was in a different class. He did play with Denzel Washington and they remained best friends throughout elementary school. The Reverend Reverend Denzel Washington who was my cousin's, sister's, uncle's, brother's, nephew's, second cousin twice removed decided that my dad, Tom Sawyer was a bad influence on his son, and sent Mr Washington to boarding school. Then he was no longer my mum's schoolmate. At this school he met Spike Lee who became his new best friend. My dad Tom Sawyer never met Spike Lee, but if he had met him I don't think they would have got on. edit Mr. Washington becomes a teacher When Mr. Washington left school his friend Spike Lee told him he should be an actor. Spike Lee asked Mr Washington to star in his movie Malcolm X, but Mr Washington only wanted to star in films about pirates. Since Spike Lee didn't want to make a film about pirates the two had a big argument and hit each other with spoons. Mr Washington dressed up like a pirate at home on the weekends, and Spike Lee cast Scottish actor Ewan McGregor in the lead role, resulting in McGregor's meteoric rise to fame. Mr Washington never talked to his best friend ever again and became a teacher at my school. edit Mr. Washington the teacher Mr. Washington is not a very popular teacher at my school. He teaches math and physics which are very unpopular subjects. He uses lots of text books and we have to sit silently in his class. Most of the kids don't like him, but I like him because sometimes he smiles and makes jokes. One day when he was talking about the theory of relativity he said to the whole physics class, "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us!" Some of the girls in my class think he is really good looking, but I think they're just being silly. He seems to like me because he has given me good grades. He gave me a certificate that made my parents Tom Sawyer and Pippi Longstocking very proud. edit Mr. Washington the Police Officer My cousin said that 13 years ago Mr. Washington had a break from teaching. He was very interested in elephant mating and went to the Doctor Doolittle Academy, Los Angeles to learn to how to talk to the animals. But he was quietly and quickly expelled for making a classmate smoke a bowl of marijuana with a little hint of TNT, a dash of hitler, and a pinch of pure evil at tip point. After laughing and yelling AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa!!! and throwing a few racial slurs around, he was reinstated and graduated the same day. He received the Academy's highest honor, Badass Cum Sallovertheplace only to return to teaching at my school three minutes later.
HowTo talk:Get Around In A Fighting Tournament From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia edit From Pee Review Hello. This is my first time putting something in review. I'm not sure if it's the best though. I'd like to look for things to improve or add to it, cause I'd like to make it funnier and all, since it's supposed to reference and poke fun at fighting games in general. I feel I've got some good things down, but it needs something more, something I feel is missing... a sense of completion, perhaps? Please don't be too harsh or critical on it, go easy on me, okay? I'll do my best to improve it. --Hanyouman 13:09, 26 February 2007 (UTC) Hm, you mean that "dues ex machina" thing? I had thought about putting that in, thanks for reminding me. I'll try what I can and I hope more people will give me suggestions on what more to do with it. I do hope to improve the Characters section, since I feel it's essential for poking fun at what we usually seen for characters and stuff, and that me and other people who wish to contribute help with it. :) --Hanyouman 20:46, 26 February 2007 (UTC) edit From Pee Review 2 Okay, this is my second time putting this article through Pee Review. I've improved on it some (and a couple people added their ideas too), but I feel my weakest is in the Character Types section, which I feel is essential to the article's humor. There's a way to poke fun at them that I need to tap into, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Possibly a few other areas that I have wary feelings on too, but not sure on them either. So any advice or ideas would be nice. Again, don't be too harsh on me. I hope I can improve upon this some more so that it's just right. Thanks for any help, it's appreciated. --Hanyouman 00:01, 1 March 2007 (UTC) Hey this has definitely improved tons since I reviewed it the first time. I maybe wouldn't score it quite so highly but I have a natural aversion to being overly positive - it's really good. I'm guessing from the amount of work you've put into it you'll be looking at VFH pretty soon. The most important thing to work on now is the introduction. Get your readers to laugh out loud in the first few lines and they'll be on your side right the way through. At the moment I would be reluctant to vote for it since most of our ADHD afflicted viewers would simply give up before they got to the meat of it. --Kelpan 23:43, 3 March 2007 (UTC) edit From Pee Review Third time's a charm, eh? I know this is probably getting tedious or something by now, but I would still like to know where I can improve this without removing anything too vital (there's a few things in there I feel are important to it). So any advice would be nice as long as you're not being mean about it or something. If you wanna discuss it feel free to leave me a message or whatnot. I'm just trying my hardest to make it as good as I can. I appreciate any help. --Hanyouman 17:44, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
In April, for two special and fun weeks, Walla Walla businesses will go all out to show their growing commitment to good health and fitness. Created in 2012, the Corporate Cup Challenge is organized by the Walla Walla YMCA with teams formed by local businesses. As part of a commitment to healthy living, the YMCA Corporate Cup is a demonstration of community health, fitness and spirit. It’s a great opportunity for working men and women to discover the benefits of feeling and looking their best. Teams will participate in 12 different events: 5K walk/run, basketball, bench press, bowling, endurance event, pickleball, poker, pool relay, tug of war, volleyball and wiffleball. The event will kick off April 8 and conclude with a family-friendly awards ceremony April 20. Businesses of any size in the Walla Walla and surrounding areas are encouraged to take part in the upcoming YMCA Corporate Cup. Any person, regardless of fitness level, may be a team member. The only requirements are each participant must be at least 18 years of age and an employee, or spouse of an employee of the participating company. The emphasis is on activating the community and getting as many people as possible involved in health and wellness. Last year’s Corporate Cup provided fun and excitement for over 1,000 participants on eight teams. The event continues into its second year with hopes of reaching an even higher amount of participation. Reigning champions Baker Boyer Bank proudly displayed the traveling Corporate Cup Trophy in the lobby of their main branch over the past year. Runner-up was the Washington State Penitentiary with the host, Walla Walla YMCA, coming in third place. In addition to the many benefits the Corporate Cup Challenge has for employees, it can also be used as a cost-effective marketing tool to promote your company and garner business. Throughout the two weeks of competition, players and spectators are repeatedly exposed to company names and logos as well as witness team spirit and sportsmanship. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony which will provide events for the entire family along with a potluck and barbecue. It will be a time for participants from each team to socialize, network and relax after the two-week competition. The first place team will be awarded the traveling trophy and will get to bask in their glory of being named the 2013 YMCA Corporate Cup Champions. Now more than ever, our businesses, our teams, and our citizens need healthy activities to share. If you and/or your business are ready to step up to the challenge then sign up today! Register online at. Lacey Evans is communications director at the Walla Walla YMCA. Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Archive for the ‘marriage promotion’ Category Good news on federal policy for families in poverty Stop taking low-income fathers’ money away from their children; help fathers form better relationships with children and mothers; don’t make legal marriage more important than good parenting. Finally, the federal government’s approach to the role of family structure in the lives of low-income children is starting to look more reasonable and realistic. In a conference call last week, two Special Assistants to the President revealed the administration’s new strategy for TANF grants. The $150 million annual allocation for Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood will be split evenly between the two program types ($75M for marriage and $75M for fatherhood) in next year’s budget as well as this year’s current funding. There will be a new competition for these funds, and previous grantees will have to demonstrate past success to be considered for future grants. Marriage programs can’t get fatherhood funds just to keep doing marriage stuff (or vice versa). This amounts to a permanent 25% reduction in marriage promotion and 33% increase in fatherhood funding. On the call, Martha Coven, Special Assistant to the President for Mobility and Opportunity, described it as a welcome increase for fatherhood. She also said the administration had decided to follow this funding pattern because it was acceptable to Congress, rather than dig in to fight for the much bigger state-level competition for innovative marriage, fatherhood and family programming which it had proposed last year. The call further revealed the administration’s much bigger focus on fatherhood, in the form of a package of improvements to the child support system worth $2.8 billion over 10 years (i.e., averaging $280 million annually). The world of low-income child support collection is maddening for everyone, not least because it was originally designed as a cost recovery plan for welfare agencies. This design concept causes friction between mothers and fathers, fathers and children, families and agencies, courts and jails, and even between the federal and state governments. Much of the proposed federal funding will be used to pay the states to modernize and humanize their systems. Not my area of expertise, but sounds like a really good idea! Now here’s the less good news – the line between fatherhood programs and marriage promotion is not as bright as you might hope. Here’s how federal law describes fatherhood programming (italics added): 1). 2) Activities to promote responsible parenting through activities such as counseling, mentoring, and mediation, disseminating information about good parenting practices, skills-based parenting education, encouraging child support payments, and other methods. 3). 4) Activities to promote responsible fatherhood that are conducted through a contract with a nationally recognized, nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization, such. So, we can enjoy a modest celebration but it’s not time to kick back and relax. We’re pursuing two goals in 2011: first, to influence the ongoing use of TANF funds so that programs are less rigidly focused on marriage and more helpful to people in diverse relationships; second, to influence the reauthorization of TANF so that marriage promotion will not be stated as its primary purpose for the next five years. You can help! Take on a specific research or outreach task. Recruit a brilliant summer intern. Contribute towards a stipend so the intern can afford to take this job. Will Obama really fund failed marriage programs? The President of the United States has proposed the federal budget – his wish list of revenues and expenses covering the period October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012. Budgets, whether federal, nonprofit or family, are statements of priorities, goals and hopes. AtMP keeps an eye on certain federal budget lines that show whether the government promotes legal, different-sex marriage as being better than other relationships or family forms. Unfortunately, while cutting things people really need, the President is proposing to fund two marriage-related programs that should be abandoned because they are insulting at best, and downright dangerous at worst: - the grant program called Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood is still carving out $150 million per year from welfare funds under the umbrella of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). - to paraphrase our friends at SIECUS (the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), the President is also continuing to put $50 million a year into Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which have been widely discredited and proven by the federal government’s own study to be ineffective. I’ll get to the second program another time. Today I’m wondering: Why are the TANF programs still funded? Marriage programs are not a presidential priority. In his budget statement, Obama does not mention marriage at all. He does discuss fatherhood, mostly in the context of the very good idea of urging states to let fathers’ child support payments reach their children instead of getting absorbed into state treasuries. But it took quite a bit of digging to find any reference to this funding continuation (fellow wonks, see page 473). The administration knows that marriage programs don’t work. An evaluation of an eight-site TANF-funded marriage program found no net effects on participants’ relationships. The President’s team tried to replace marriage programs last year. Joshua Dubois – Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships – spearheaded a campaign to replace marriage programs with a potentially better, experimental package focused on the economic needs of low-income parents. (We commented on it extensively here.) Congress moved money from marriage to fatherhood last year. When Congress extended budget lines instead of passing a whole budget last year, it assigned $75 million instead of $100 million to marriage programs. Fatherhood programs got a corresponding increase from $50 to 75 million. In sum, I see a glimmer of hope. Although the title and size of the budget item is the same, maybe there’s a plan to develop a completely different kind of operating program using that money. AtMP and our allies will keep an eye on it, and we’ll weigh in with suggestions about how federal funds could be put to good use to reduce poverty and improve child outcomes. Here are some basic components: financial assistance to cover food, shelter, health care etc; early childhood education; relationship skills and supports to help adults be great parents and partners. Want more ideas about how reducing poverty can improve a child’s prospects ? There’s a compelling article by Duncan and Magnuson article starting on page 25 of this magazine on poverty, inequality and social policy. Marriage programs return to federal welfare budget In the waning days of the year, marriage programs poured on the charm (i.e., lobbied like mad) and got themselves partially reinstated in the federal budget. Congress had not included marriage programs when it funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, the umbrella welfare program) from October through December 2010. However, it did include them in the new extension through September 2011, though at only three-quarters of their previous dollar level – $75 million instead of $100 million. Fatherhood programs got a corresponding increase from $50 to 75 million. From the sidelines, it can be interesting to watch the tug of war between marriage and fatherhood programs. The Obama administration wanted to merge them into one, even bigger, program that would be managed by the states. Our analysis of all that is available here. Congress also seemed to favor programs that help low-income fathers get jobs and stay involved with their kids. A bill called the Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2979) was being considered as an alternative to the administration’s proposal. That bill would have to start from scratch in the new Congress. The extra year of funding will allow Congress (and us) to review the evaluation results for many more marriage programs before deciding whether to include them in the full five-year reauthorization of TANF. Of course, the programs are acutely aware of the importance of demonstrating positive results. Marriage is not an anti-poverty strategy Last month we quietly celebrated the end of federal welfare funding for marriage programs. One reason our cheer was so muted was that Congress had let the programs die with a whimper by refusing to act on the President’s budget proposal. Instead of ensuring a safety net for very-low income people for years to come, Congress gave just a few months extension to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF – the main anti-poverty program). The extension did not cover marriage programs, nor did it cover “the Emergency Fund, which was created as a stimulus effort and helped millions of very low-income people make ends meet through the worst part of the Great Recession.” Next year we can hope for a full renewal of the safety net, plus a proper debate about whether marriage or relationship education belong in welfare funding. At about that same anti-climactic moment, the Women of Color Policy Network published an interesting report about unmarried mothers. It has lots of good information, but strangely does not recommend policies to reduce marital status discrimination. This is especially surprising given single mothers’ low incomes, which might get a lift if we prohibited marital status discrimination in employment (yes, that’s still legal in all states except these). Single mothers not only earn less than men, but they earn only 77 percent as much as married women with children and 87 percent as much as single women without children. In contrast, unmarried men with children earned 8 percent more than unmarried men without children. As the report says, “lower earnings no doubt contribute to the wealth gap for single mothers, but they are just the tip of the iceberg.” Here are a few interesting excerpts about the intersection of wealth and marital status: There is no single reason for the lack of wealth among single women mothers; the reasons are manifold and interrelated: lower wages and life-time earnings, occupational segmentation, lack of access to wealth escalators such as retirement and pension plans, and historic structural and institutional discrimination, among others. … … Single mothers who have never been married have less wealth than women whose pathway to single motherhood was through divorce or widowhood. Divorced or widowed single mothers have a median wealth of $7,500 whereas single mothers who never married have a median wealth of zero. … … Marriage is associated with higher wealth for two reasons: first, many women wait until they are financially stable to marry; second, marriage has wealth-building advantages such as economies of scale. Upon divorce, mothers may be able to access any wealth accumulated during marriage. Additionally, divorced single mothers are much more likely to receive child support, which gives them more disposable income to save or invest. … Note to marriage promoters: these correlations still do NOT make marriage an ethical or effective anti-poverty strategy. No more welfare funds for marriage promoters This week, AtMP sent the Senate Finance Committee a petition calling for the end of federally-funded marriage promotion, along with detailed analysis and recommendations on the use of anti-poverty funds for marriage and fatherhood programs. AtMP’s statement describes the differences between marriage promotion, relationship education, and fatherhood programs. We ask Congress to use the evidence it has received to set performance standards for President Obama’s proposed $500 million Fatherhood, Marriage and Families Innovation Fund. In contrast to President Bush’s $750 million program, we want the new Fund to - serve only low-income people; - not discriminate on the basis of marital status or sexual orientation, nor stigmatize unmarried - relationships; - make relationship education inclusive of all relationships; - develop standards, educational requirements and/or an accreditation system for relationship - educators; - let service providers work from their strengths rather than pursue fads; - help men and women be great parents and partners, not husbands and wives; - not confuse parenting with gender role-modeling; and - gather and publish evaluation results quickly. Finally, we suggest directions for re-envisioning federal anti-poverty efforts, with the ultimate goal of eliminating poverty. All people, including people in poverty, should be legally and economically free to choose whether and when to marry or form other healthy relationships. Read the entire testimony and see the petition signatories here. Learn more about AtMP’s decade of research and advocacy on welfare-funded marriage promotion here. Want to receive special alerts about this work? Be sure to check the box for “marriage promotion” when you sign up here. Make) Big news on welfare-funded marriage programs: they don’t work At last, a moment we’ve been waiting for! The release of a major evaluation of marriage programs funded by federal welfare dollars titled “Early Impacts from the Building Strong Families Project,” written by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. under a federal contract. Punch line: they don’t work. The executive summary is very worth reading. It does not sugar-coat the dismal results, and I love the opening line: “Although most children raised by single parents fare well, …” Our friend Shawn Fremsted at Center for Economic & Policy Research does a nice job of summarizing, concluding that the federal Healthy Marriage Initiative was a mistake that shouldn’t be repeated. Hear hear! Rather than re-hash, I’ll add a comment on how the report’s detailed information about program operations speaks to the question of whether marriage programs should receive anti-poverty funds. I’m writing from the perspective of having spent 13 years working in low income neighborhoods around NYC, designing and running social service and housing programs for TANF* recipients and other community residents. Mathematica reports that “Most BSF programs had little or no effect on relationships; however, there were two notable exceptions. The Oklahoma City program had a consistent pattern of positive effects, while the Baltimore program had a number of negative effects.” Oklahoma City was the only one using a relationship curriculum especially designed for low-income / low-literacy couples. Baltimore recruited couples with the lowest incomes and the lowest levels of commitment to each other or the program. Oklahoma City’s program was purpose-built; Baltimore’s was added to a pre-existing program “known for providing employment and fatherhood services to low-income men since 1999.” Although only 45% of participants in OK City graduated, that is five times higher than all the other programs. There are many other distinctions, of course. But these few suggest that these marriage programs didn’t just fail, they failed to address the realities of people with very low incomes who could have been receiving more effective anti-poverty services if TANF funds hadn’t been diverted by marriage-happy politicians. We eagerly await the release of more marriage program evaluations. To learn more about the upcoming evaluations, and what we hope to learn from them, turn to page 14 of Let Them Eat Wedding Rings. Sign the petition to help us stop the federal government from throwing more good money after bad! If you are an expert on TANF and/or represent an organization that is working on TANF issues, join our professional coalition! ——- TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the primary federal welfare program. Becoming an Adult Without Getting Married When does a person become an adult? What is adulthood, and why does it matter? How have the answers to these questions changed over time, and what do the changes mean for American society? How should civic institutions respond? These fascinating questions are the subject of Transition to Adulthood, the latest in a research series called The Future of Children published by Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School (my alma mater) and the Brookings Institution. This anthology of 10 essays does not answer all those questions. In fact, it doesn’t seem to recognize that some exist; but, it does provide valuable insight into demographic trends and policy responses. Why review it here? Because, according to one of the authors, Becoming an adult has traditionally been understood as comprising five core transitions – leaving home, completing school, entering the workforce, getting married, and having children. However, Today… only about half of Americans consider it necessary to marry or have children to be regarded as an adult. The question begs so hard it practically jumps off the page: should marriage and parenthood still be understood as markers of adulthood by researchers and policy makers? Amazingly, none of the 19 authors in this anthology seem interested in changing their traditional understanding. For example, one lists women’s tendency “to delay marriage and parenthood” as a factor that has “helped to delay and complicate the passage to adulthood.” Even the use of “transition” (singular) in the book’s title suggests the authors’ devotion to the idea of one right way to become an adult, despite the rich diversity of reality which their data describe so well. Equally amazing, none of the authors unpack the implied moral or normative value of adulthood; no one explains why it matters. Of course, I’d rather live in a country where my fellow adults act like adults, not like children. But my common sense definition of “acting like an adult” has little to do with the “five core transitions.” A book that recommends governmental and civic action towards a goal ought to justify why that goal is good for individuals and society. Instead, the closest it comes to explaining why adulthood matters is to describe the negative consequences of the extended transition. … [F]irst … the growing burden placed on the middle- and lower-income families who were providing their children with schooling, housing, health insurance and income well beyond the age range of 18 – 21, the traditional age of majority. … [S]econd… the unexpected strain being imposed on key social institutions. One thing the anthology does very well is highlight the different life patterns experienced by people of different gender, race/ethnicity, economic class and immigration history. For example, it cites one study of children of immigrants who (rather than becoming a long-term burden) provide regular or even total financial support to their parents, and another study finding that children of immigrants “differed in several ways from conventional American norms of departing the parental household and setting up a separate home.” Another question begged: whose norms are “conventional?” A different essay mentions that “youth and parents from less-advantaged families continue to favor an earlier departure from the home than do those of more advantaged means.” Furthermore, “women are typically younger than men when they leave home because they complete college earlier, form cohabiting unions earlier, and marry about two years earlier, on average, than men.” However, “young mothers who do not enter a union before bearing a child typically remain in the parental home for several years and receive financial support and child care from their parents.” What Transition to Adulthood does best is provide heaps of fascinating data. Here are just a few highlights about marriage and its alternatives: “About half of high school seniors say that they plan to cohabit as couples before they marry. … By age 34, 7 in 10 have tied the knot. … [T]he percentages of people who have never married, and who are intentionally childless, are higher now than at any other time in American history….” Given this nation’s obsession with marriage and parenting – and our politicians’ willingness to legislate behavior – I was especially struck by the fact that, while there are many studies of people who are relatively rich or poor, “[r]esearchers know far less about the family formation patterns of young adults who grow up in families with modest resources.” Isn’t that the majority of us? I was also glad to see recognition that “young people who can build stronger and wider connections to adults other than parents (for example, teachers and adult mentors) also end up faring better than those who do not.” (emphasis in original) With essays on education, labor, the military, civic engagement and “vulnerable populations,” as well as the immigration and family formation sections I’ve highlighted, Transition to Adulthood offers plenty of food for thought. I do hope that its target audience of “policy makers, practitioners and the media” will dig into the rich details and give more thought to what adulthood is, how people get there, and why it matters. Otherwise, we’ll end up with more legal carrots and sticks, more media hype, and less real help to build a society where we all can thrive. Why TANF must give economic aid & help all relationships Two heartrending news articles crossed my desk this morning. Both highlight the reasons that TANF (the main federal anti-poverty program) should focus on economic assistance. They also point to the importance of healthy relationships for all people, regardless of marital status. If any federal money is going to pay for relationship education, it really must be available to people in every type of relationship. Women’s e-News details how the recession contributed to an increase in domestic violence. The New York Times details how evictions have a disparate impact on unmarried African-American women. President Obama’s budget proposal offers a one-year extension and expansion of marriage programs. Few details are available yet, but we’re inclined to agree with our colleague Wendy Mink, who writes. If you haven’t signed our TANF petition yet, now is the time! Conversations with a chief marriage promoter A few days ago as I was heading into the office, my Blackberry picked up an email posting to AtMP-Talk, our interactive listserve. AtMP-TALK has been hosting important, enlightening and sometimes silly conversations among over 500 members for over a decade, but it had been pretty quiet in recent months. This posting caught my eye not only because it broke the silence, but also because of the writer’s name: Chris Gersten. “Gee, that sounds familiar” I thought as I walked up the stairs and unlocked the office door, then “nah, it couldn’t be him!” When my PC warmed up, I confirmed that yes, Chris Gersten is the chairman of the Fatherhood & Marriage Leadership Insititute, and yes, he has been lurking on our listserve since mid-September (not coincidentally, around the same time I last blogged about FAMLI). I posted his brief bio to the list and wondered what would happen next. Chris’s initial message made several general statements about the value of marriage and government-funded marriage programs, including [M]arriage is the critical building block for every civilization since the dawn of time. It is the institution that all the social science research tells us is best for children to be raised in. It is also very difficult for people in marriages to maintain strong relationships over the years. There is nothing wrong with society and government understanding that it is in the interest of the broader society for married couples to get help. Of course, Chris works to secure not only government understanding, but big funding for marriage programs. AtMP opposes this use of funds, and invites the public to sign our petition. Member responses came in quickly. Almost all were thoughtful, detailed, respectful and passionate about cherishing diversity, protecting children and supporting relationships. I’m really proud that AtMP has such wise members! Here is a brief sample of what AtMP members said: FAMILIES are the critical building block. People need to be “built” in stable families in order to become adults who function well regardless of the living situation they choose. Adults who live alone aren’t destroying society. But children can’t be single; they need families. What the social science research tells us is that children do best with a consistent, reliable family and adequate physical and emotional care. Married parents look good in research because the majority of consistent two-adult households are married ones. However, studies of other family types such as stable same-sex couples show that the important variable is not marriage but stability–having the same adults in the family throughout childhood. There are many advantages to having more than one adult (particularly with more than one child) but single parents who intentionally became parents while single tend to do very well. - ‘Becca Several people echoed and expanded on the importance of family stability and relationship education. I was going to ask about the nature of the help for married couples that is being funded, and why it wouldn’t be helpful for unmarried couples as well. You’ve explained that marriage education programs are really relationship education for all. Why not just call it that? Isn’t that a worthy goal? - Kelly Chris, if you replaced the word “marriage” with “loving, intimate, relationship” I might agree with a lot of what you say. However, marriage as a social/cultural/legal status has little to do with whether a relationship is loving or intimate! Programs should be aimed at improving love, communication, and intimacy in all relationships. Then the children would really benefit. - Rene Others raised questions and theories about the evolution of marriage and its connection to poverty. Jobs for women pay less and are less likely to provide health insurance. Day care is expensive, and women’s wages simply aren’t high enough. Marriage has been a building block of civilizations because women have been relegated out of society outside the home. … We should be working to raise people up out of poverty, and marriage will not* create that change. Improving work environments for women, creating opportunity in impoverished neighborhoods, and putting a stop to the shaming of single parents and their children will greatly help improve outcomes for children of single parents. - Carolyn Marriage was created as a mechanism by which to manage property. Our idea of “love marriage” is a recent invention. Marriage has historically been a partnership formed by families (most marriages were arranged in all cultures for centuries) for financial reasons. - Jillian Chris replied to most member responses, mentioning (but not formally citing) studies, percentages, experts and pastors, and stating “these are not just opinions. They are facts.” Our studious members were ready. You know what, Chris? MARRIAGE CAUSES DIVORCE. There is a 100% correlation, and the causation is clear: Every divorced couple was married before divorce! Speaking more seriously … as best I can recall from my reading, child poverty and infant mortality have decreased significantly since 1960 (although there have been upticks recently, they’re not back up to pre-1960 levels), low birth weight is still a problem but hasn’t changed much, and child abuse is hard to measure reliably because of drastic changes in reporting standards. - ‘Becca How DARE you call me or my kids a national disaster. Several members referred to Dr. Bella DePaulo’s careful analysis of marriage studies, and at least one contacted her offline to ask her to weigh in, which she did: Thanks to those of you who recommended my book and my blog. Since Chris has specifically challenged my work (obviously, without reading it), I’ll say a bit more. Chapter 9 of my book, SINGLED OUT, is about the children of single parents. There, I explain why Chris’s claims do not pass muster and how those studies are so widely misinterpreted. (Because Chris seems to value appeals to authority over a close reading of the original research, I’ll mention that my PhD is from Harvard, I have more than 100 academic publications to my name, and I’ve taught graduate courses in research methods for decades.) My chapter directly addresses some of the claims Chris makes, such as the one about the alleged drug abuse among the children of single parents. I explain, in detail, how particular kinds of studies are misrepresented; so if you make the same methodological mistake each time (such as confusing correlation with causality, as Rachel pointed out), it doesn’t matter if you have 50 studies or 50,000 studies – if they are flawed, they can’t be used to support your point. I stay on top of studies that have appeared after Singled Out was published. Many of my critiques can be found in a recent collection, SINGLE WITH ATTITUDE. I’ve also posted some critiques at my Living Single blog at Psychology Today. Here are a few specifically relevant to the points about the children of single parents: 1. Children of Single Mothers: How Do They Really Fare? 2. It Takes a Single Person to Create a Village 3. TIME’s Misleading Cover Story on Marriage - Bella DePaulo Members were uniformly unimpressed by Chris’s responses, and after about 48 hours the email storm collapsed in a heap of fatigue and curiosity, with members asking “Why is a former Bush Administration official on this listserve?” and “Are you just bored and looking for someone to harangue?” Tiresome as it may be, we can expect many more conversations like this in 2010, because federal funding for marriage programs is up for renewal this year. If you agree that anti-poverty funds should be dedicated to reducing poverty, and relationship education should help everyone regardless of marital status, then please sign our petition!
Finders (Not) Keepers Twice in five years, writer lost her electronics while traveling. What happened next surprised her. I seem to have bad luck with electronics when traveling. These two stories top them all. They also illustrate stories of remarkable honesty. August 2006: During a trip to Colorado, I accidentally left my new Canon DSLR on a rock near a dam we stopped to see. Even worse, the card inside held over two weeks worth of irreplaceable family vacation photos. I felt physically sick when we reached our trailhead in the heart of the San Juan Mountains and realized it had been left behind. When we returned to the dam after a 60-mile round-trip drive down dusty, bumpy roads, the rock was there, the camera was gone. My heart sank. Instead of a fun birthday hike for my hubby, we spent the day frantically looking for my camera at every campground throughout the area. Perhaps someone had turned it in. Or maybe someone had spotted it and figured, “My lucky day!” We returned to "the rock" several hours later. To my disbelief, there was a note in a plastic baggie. Could it be? Were there still honest people in this world? I frantically opened the baggie and ripped out the note. It said, “Found camera. Call to give description and retrieve.” Hallelujah! My faith in mankind had been restored. Fast forward to July 2011: When we arrived in Las Vegas, it was too early to check into our room. The bellboy offered to store our luggage until our room was ready. I decided to keep my MacBook with me, “just in case.” My laptop and camera are my lifelines to family, friends and work. Knowing my luck with electronics, I didn't want to take any chances. Having my hands full, I asked my 9-year-old, Addison, to carry the MacBook for me. We decided to hang out at Starbucks until we got the call for the room. After about an hour of relaxing with drinks, we gathered our things to leave. The MacBook was missing. “I just set it over here on this table, mom,” Addison said. I searched above, below … every which way to find that slim laptop which happened to be full of very useful and important photos and information. My heart skipped a few beats. Did someone TAKE it from right in front of us? Maybe what’s taken to Vegas stays in Vegas, too! I raced to the baristas to see if they knew anything about it. The young girl looked me over with caution and asked its color. “Purple with white skulls and cross bones,” I said. (My husband’s gift to me.) “Yes,” she said. “Someone picked it up off the table and thought it had been left here. It's being held in security.” Hallelujah, again. The moral of the stories: There are still honest people in this world. Good DOES shine through. My electronics were saved once again! Willet Thomas 9:14 am on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Horray for honesty
Now Playing Connect with Us Podcasts & RSS Feeds It's All Politics 1:29 pm Wed January 2, 2013 Bidding Adieu To Congressional Trailblazers Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 8:15 am The drama over the fiscal cliff and the familiar up-against-a-deadline dysfunction of Congress have largely overshadowed the leave-taking of some Capitol Hill originals. So we wanted to remember a few true congressional trailblazers whose long Washington careers are ending. They include the first openly gay member of Congress, a leader of the libertarian movement, the first Jewish candidate to run on a major party presidential ticket, and the most fervent supporter of a U.S. Department of Peace. While many members of Congress are departing by choice (like GOP Tea Party godfather Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who is taking a high-paying think tank job) or by loss (like eight-term Rep. Leonard Boswell, an Iowa Democrat who lost to a fellow incumbent in a redistricting battle), these are some we won't soon forget. HOUSE Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. In his own words: "I'm used to being in a minority. I'm a left-handed gay Jew. I've never felt, automatically, a member of any majority." At 72, Frank will wrap up more than three decades in the House, where he became not only the first openly gay member of Congress but also the first to get married to a same-sex partner. Elected to the Massachusetts House in 1972, the irascible, irrepressible Frank co-sponsored that state's first gay-rights bill. "He was willing to speak out and be public about his sexual orientation when he was the only one," Lois Pines, who served in the state House with Frank, told us at the Democratic National Convention. In the U.S. House, Frank was an advocate of affordable housing, a lightning rod for GOP criticism for co-writing the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulation law, and survived a 1990 House reprimand for fixing a male prostitute's parking ticket. But his legacy will most likely always be best defined by traits he saw defining him as a perpetual outsider, including and especially his sexual orientation. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas In his own words: "There is only one kind of freedom, and that's individual liberty. Our lives come from our creator, and our liberty comes from our creator. It has nothing to do with government granting it." Paul, a 77-year-old obstetrician who has served in the House for nearly a quarter century, has himself said he may appear in stature and tone an unlikely movement leader. But the Texas native is a hero to libertarians — whom he once represented on a presidential ticket — and repeat GOP presidential candidate, much to the consternation of many party regulars. Before the 2012 presidential race, Paul's fierce supporters took over GOP leadership in a handful of states and battled publicly to get his delegates seated at Mitt Romney's nominating convention. Nicknamed "Dr. No," Paul made news in 2009 when the first of 620 measures he had sponsored in his House career finally passed. He's remained consistently anti-intervention, anti-tax, anti-Federal Reserve and pro-gold standard. Social issues, he's argued, should be decided by the states. His financial views, opposition to the war and criticism of government intrusion on personal privacy attracted an unlikely coalition of supporters. Paul's legacy now largely lies in the hands of his son, Rand, a first-term U.S. senator from Kentucky who shares his father's views, if not his unconventional appeal. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio In his own words: "I am running for president of the United States to enable the Goddess of Peace to encircle within her arms all the children of this country and all the children of the world." With the departure of Kucinich, 66, whose two quixotic runs for president served as a platform for his anti-war and pro-universal health care stands, Congress will lose its biggest dove and, perhaps, its most unconventional member. The once-heralded youngest mayor of a major American city (Cleveland), Kucinich leaves a legacy of futile advocacy for a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence, criticism of the nation's use of drones for targeted killing, and push for universal health care. "I'm not selling insurance," he said in 2003. "I want to create a system which makes it possible for all Americans to have health care." Kucinich, who as mayor ultimately earned the enmity of Cleveland voters when the city went into default under his leadership, is not willingly leaving the House: He lost after eight terms to fellow Democrat Marcy Kaptur in a primary after their districts were realigned. But he'll be remembered as a critic of his own party for aligning with corporate interests, and as a peace advocate who used to some effect the language of conflict to bring attention to the poor, characterizing both poverty and unemployment as "weapons of mass destruction." SENATE Olympia Snowe, R-Maine In her own words: "We've miniaturized the Senate. All we're doing is debating messaging points for the next election and the next political ad. Messaging isn't doing anything to bring the country together." At 65, and after three terms, the moderate Snowe has said she's leaving the Senate in large part because of its historic dysfunction and lack of a goal of doing "what's in the best interests of our country." A former member of the Maine state House and Senate, Snowe was sworn in to the U.S. House in 1979 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994. With her fellow Maine Republican, Sen. Susan Collins, Snowe has been in the middle of debates ranging from recent wars, which she supported, and Senate filibusters of judicial nominees, which she worked to block. She voted against President Obama's health care legislation, but for the Wall Street bailout and stimulus funding. An advocate of environmental protections, Snowe has also supported legalized abortion and gay rights. Though frequently targeted by conservative Republican organizations, she remained exceedingly popular at home and won re-election in 2006 with more than 74 percent of the vote. In November, Maine voters picked independent former Gov. Angus King to replace her. He'll caucus with Senate Democrats. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. In his own words: "There are no shortcuts to victory. We must commit ourselves to the slow, painstaking work of foreign policy day by day and year by year." It has been suggested that Lugar's primary loss this year to Tea Party Republican Richard Mourdock after 36 years in the Senate was proof positive that the GOP has no more room for moderates. And though Lugar, at 80, ran a poor campaign and was criticized for being out of touch, it was, indeed, his friendship with President Obama and his even-keel statesmanship that did him in. He had won re-election in 2006 with 87 percent of the vote. The low-key Lugar's departure leaves the Senate without one of its most experienced foreign policy hands, who leaves a decades-long legacy of reducing risks of nuclear weapons. His most notable accomplishment was his 1992 bill with then-Sen. Sam Nunn, a Georgia Democrat, to dismantle weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union. Siegfried Hecker, a nuclear weapons specialist at Stanford University, told us this after Lugar's loss to Mourdock (who himself lost in the general election): Lugar "leaves an incredible legacy, having realized in 1991 that we were threatened more by Russia's weakness than its strength." Lugar, elected mayor of Indianapolis at 35, also ran briefly for president in 1996. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. In his own words: "Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons and the development of nuclear weapons, is a day of danger for the United States." Campaigning as the Democrats' vice presidential nominee in 2000, Lieberman, now 70, was the proverbial happy warrior, reveling in the attention lavished on him as the first Jew on a national party presidential ticket. The crushing way the race ended — in a divided U.S. Supreme Court — dealt the centrist Lieberman a blow from which he seemed to have difficulty recovering. His own presidential campaign fizzled four years later, and soon his hawkish stands put him at odds with his home state party. Thumped by a liberal Democratic primary challenger in 2006, Lieberman ran and won re-election as an independent. Two years later, he would endorse Republican John McCain for president and speak at his nominating convention. But during much of his four terms in the Senate, Lieberman, a tireless advocate for Israel, also sounded the alarm on global warming, supported the rights of women and gay Americans, and helped create the Department of Homeland Security after the attacks of Sept. 11. Lieberman's 1998 Senate floor condemnation of President Clinton's dalliance with Monica Lewinsky as "immoral" was seen as a turning point in the controversy. Despite his tangles with Democrats, Lieberman continued to caucus with the party and supported its positions 87 percent of the time in 2010 — the same year the American Conservative Union gave him a 4 percent rating. A year ago, in an NPR interview, Lieberman expressed little regret for decisions that infuriated Democrats — and characterized his 2006 Senate win as an independent as the "most gratifying" moment of his political career. 9(MDAwMzY5MzE4MDEzMTE3ODg5NDA4ZjRiNg004))
Kate Fletcher: Using Local Wisdom to Craft Our Use Kate Fletcher. Photographer: Paige Green In this interview Urban Times speaks with Kate Fletcher; researcher, writer and design activist. Over the past 15 years Kate has shaped the field of sustainable fashion whether this be through consulting with fashion businesses, the books she has authored and co-authored or teaching at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion. Kate gives us an insight into the current state of fashion and how far off we are from achieving our sustainability end goal. What brought you initially to engage with sustainability in fashion? Being raised in a family of community activists, holidays in wild places and a youth of making clothes. As a designer, lecturer, campaigner and consultant in sustainable fashion, you wear many hats. Is there a single goal you have in mind? To contribute to the common good and – to borrow John Ehrenfeld‘s fabulous and evocative word – flourishing. Having recently spent quite a bit of time in the US, how is the sustainability discussion in fashion different in the US from what it is in the UK and continental Europe? I would say it is more similar than different – in certain ways Europe steals a march on the US, particularly with the extent to which sustainability is part of discussions in mainstream brands; but in other areas the US is ahead – many of its companies are, for example, key catalysts in the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Recently you gave a talk on Designing for Change. Can you give us an idea about what you touched upon and the importance of mastering “the craft of use”? The talk explored broad ranging themes around fashion and sustainability, including consumerism, and focused on some key ideas such as true materialism and ‘the craft of use’. For me, the craft of use is about the life world of all of us who use clothes, and extending the design process to engage with this in a ‘social context’, in a way which fosters sustainability pleasure, authentic experiences and sustainability values. What are you hoping to achieve with your ongoing fashion research project, Local Wisdom? To foster ways of stories, practices, ideas, knowledge and products which generate more satisfying use. So we can and do do more with the stuff we’ve already got. Lecturing at the LCF, what is the most essential message that you want your students to take away with them? About the complex, dynamic, interdependent relationships in fashion which they are intrinsically part of… Local Wisdom, mismatch-buttons. Photographer: Paige Green Honest By‘s concept of full transparency and traceability is quite unique and is an important step forward. How far are we in the process of maintaining such transparency within all fashion supply chains? What are the biggest hurdles? A long way … supply chains are dominated by third and fourth tier suppliers … while many brands may know about what happens at the second tier, they are hard pushed to know about what goes on with sub-contractors. Perhaps one of the biggest problems is scale … things are now so big that trust is eroded … and people are using transparency as a replacement for trust. Which, of course, it is not… It is quite hard to get hold of contacts of sustainable manufacturers for smaller to medium fashion brands, while designers are reluctant to share such information with peers/competitors. Why is there not more sharing going on? Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to look at what happens in nature … here there are competitive relationships to be sure, but there are also collaborative ones where different ‘species’ work together to the benefit of the whole. The commercial imperative tends to value only a narrow spectrum of activity – and favours that activity which can be quickly co-opted to deliver economic gain – but new and broader understandings of value need to be developed … Looking at the bigger picture: Are we getting anywhere at all with the efforts around sustainability in the fashion industry or are we just fighting the symptoms? I think we are beginning to imagine what a satisfying and flourishing (sustainability) future may be like… but to date most effort goes into just fighting the symptoms. Finally, do you have 5 top tips for our Urban Times audience looking to join the slow fashion movement? I just have one tip. It’s not necessarily about slow. But about the right speed. With thanks to texƧture, our Eco Fashion Strategy partners. texƧture helps players in the textile, fashion and jewellery industry become successful and sustainable businesses by addressing their strategical and operational risks. Previous in Eco Fashion: The Life of a T-Shirt [Infographic] Responses to Kate Fletcher: Using Local Wisdom to Craft Our Use0 People Engaged No Sites Currently Linking Back
IPO market, powered by Facebook, showing signs of life Investors knew it would take awhile before the IPO market shook off the tech wreck. But not 12 years. Michael Clevenger, for USA TODAY Gary Hamilton boxes an order at CafePress in Louisville, Ky. Shares of Cafepress began trading this year on March 29. Michael Clevenger, for USA TODAY Gary Hamilton boxes an order at CafePress in Louisville, Ky. Shares of Cafepress began trading this year on March 29. Sponsored Links That's how long, though, it's taken for the initial public offering market to show signs of life after the dot-com IPO boom and subsequent spectacular bust. After being almost comatose for years, the IPO market has hosted 63 deals this year and is expected to launch nine more this week, which would be the best start to a year since 2000, says Renaissance Capital. Add to that the biggest-ever technology IPO, Facebook — which is expected next week — and 2012 looks like the year IPO investors' bruises from the 2000 debacle may finally fade. STORY: Facebook IPO will be tough for investors to get in on COLUMN: Ask Matt: Is Apple stock becoming a bubble? "There's a huge pipeline" of IPOs, says Kathy Smith of Renaissance Capital. "There's lots to choose from for investors." Even some entrepreneurs say the reception their IPOs are getting exceeded their expectations. "It's a surprise how much demand and interest there was" for the IPO of Infoblox, says CEO Robert Thomas. Shares of Infoblox (BLOX), which helps companies find patterns in corporate data, jumped 33% their first day of trading in April. The recovery of the IPO market has profound meaning not just for investors in newly public companies, but for the U.S. economy and all its participants. Since the stock market is a main pool of capital that allows companies to fund their expansion, grow and ultimately hire, a robust IPO market is critical to keeping money moving into new ideas. Venture capitalists, too, need a robust IPO market to allow them to cash in on their winners so they can move on to fund the next big idea. The IPO market is regaining its swagger thanks to a bevy of fortunate coincidences working in concert to give investors the courage to step in and buy. The strong stock market is perhaps the first prerequisite for an IPO recovery. The value of the Dow Jones industrial average, Standard & Poor's 500 index and Nasdaq composite index has roughly doubled from the low in 2009, notched during the financial crisis. Furthermore, the market's relative tranquility this year is a big help, says Renaissance's Smith. When investors are jittery about huge swings in the stock market, it's difficult for them to feel comfortable putting their money at risk on some of the potentially most volatile stocks available. The resurgence of the IPO market coincides, too, with a second coming of Internet companies. As was the case in the last IPO boom, investors are dazzled by the seemingly endless opportunity of Internet companies. It was a social-networking stock, Theglobe.com, that kicked off the last IPO boom in 1998. Today, eyes are on big Internet and social-networking companies such as Facebook, Groupon and LinkedIn. Not deja vu all over again While the role of tech in both the IPO boom of today and the one ending in 2000 may be notable, IPO observers note that this renaissance is a different animal. Not only are the companies coming public much more seasoned than they were then, investors are much more skeptical . "The only thing in common between then and now is the word IPO," says John Fitzgibbon of IPOScoop.com. Specifically, some of the key differences in the IPO market today from the boom time are that this time the deals are: •Still a far cry from the level of 2000. Having 63 completed deals so far is notable, since it's been years since that many companies have gotten out of the gate this early in the year. And the number of IPOs through April 2012, 58, is the highest during the first four months since 2000. Even so, the deal volume this year pales next to the activity in 2000, when more than 150 IPOs started trading at this point. And this year's IPO activity through Wednesday is a smidgen below the 66 completed IPOs through this point in May 2007, the last time IPO activity spiked higher before hitting rock bottom in 2008. •Coming from companies with better fundamentals. The companies coming public are much older and more financially sound than they were in 2000. Nearly 70% of the companies coming public today are profitable, Renaissance Capital says, while in 2000 just 30% of the companies with IPOs were making money. Additionally, companies coming public this year have been in business 26 years on average, which is twice the age of the average company making its debut in 2000. "The bar is much higher," says Francis Gaskins of IPOdesktop.com. •Happening in a different marketplace. Large institutional investors, such as mutual funds and pension funds, drive the IPO market now as they did then. But in 2000, individual investors played a much more important role on the margins, says Gaskins. While individuals provided buying support for some household-name IPOs at first, such as Groupon, companies must now win over skeptical large investors who demand adequate returns. "The market is very selective," he says. Meanwhile, many of the smaller investment banks that were aggressive in bringing smaller companies public are gone now, as are some significant larger players, Fitzgibbon says. Firms including Alex. Brown, Montgomery Securities, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Lehman Bros. and Bear Stearns have vanished. •Subject to heavy discounting. Investors were battling each other to get IPO shares in 2000. Such intense interest caused the average IPO in 1999 to soar 72% on its first day. Many of those investors wound up overpaying and suffered losses as a result. Today, however, IPO prices are being slashed to lure in enough investors. The average IPO has gained 16% the first day. And more than 40% of IPOs have seen their share prices drop below their initial expected range, Renaissance says. That's the most discounting that has been done in the past 10 years, which is as long as Renaissance has tracked the data. VIDEO: As Facebook prepares for its IPO, analysts say CEO Mark Zuckerberg will not operate the firm the way Wall Street would typically expect. "There is price sensitivity" now, says Thomas of Infoblox, who took another tech company, NetScreen, public in 2001. Companies and their underwriters are pricing their IPOs at a level that may not attract speculators willing to pay top dollar, and flip, but investors willing to hold the shares longer term, he says. •Less reliance on a single industry. Roughly 60% of the IPOs in 1999 and nearly half in 2000 were tech or Internet-related, says Jay Ritter, professor of finance at the University of Florida. This year, 33% are, Renaissance says. While that's still a healthy percentage of the deals, there are also 23% from energy and 13% from financials. Just the beginning? Optimists say the IPO recovery might just be getting started. The current state of the IPO market resembles 1998, Fitzgibbon says, which was when leading companies such as eBay were testing the IPO market. If top companies go public this year, hold onto their gains and make investors money, expect investment bankers to keep feeding the fire, he says. There's a huge backlog of companies that have been waiting for precisely this moment and are ready to pounce, Smith says. Demand only continues to mount as investors make money on IPOs. The FTSE Renaissance US IPO Index, which tracks the performance of IPOs for the two years following their first-day closing price, is up 10% this year. That's a solid return, topping the Standard & Poor's 500 index's 7.7% gain. Some are skeptical, though, that the IPO market can ever return to its heights of 2000. The 152 yearly average number of IPOs from 2000 through 2010 is well below the average of 420 from 1990 through 1999 and even the average 266 from 1960 through 1969, Ritter says. There have been systemic changes in the ways companies' founders seek to cash in their fortunes, Ritter says. Rather than incurring the costs of going public, many smaller companies see being bought by giants as the end game, Ritter says. Ask Matt about stocks >>IMAGE. Different kind of bubble? Selling to a rival can be more profitable, because it saves the smaller company the expense of building its own administrative capabilities, such as a legal department or human resources unit, he says. Instagram, the online photo software company Facebook bought this year for $1 billion is an example of a company that might have gone public in another era. "There's a bubble, but it's not in the public market," Gaskins says. Even so, the public markets can offer prices other companies cannot pay or are unwilling to pay, making the IPO still a big draw, Renaissance's Smith says. If companies continue to successfully go public, it's only a matter of time before others will follow, Fitzgibbon says. "The good stuff has to really get rolling. If they make it, the competitors come, and that's when the market really gets going." Posted \| Updated
Prep showdown: No. 2 Aquinas plays host to No. 5 De La Salle De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) coach Bob Ladouceur doesn't mind facing athletic, higher-ranked teams. He just doesn't like playing them this early. His Spartans, No. 5 in the USA TODAY Super 25 high school football rankings, play at No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) tonight at 8 (ET) on ESPN2. By Tamika Moore, AP St. Thomas Aquinas and linebacker Cole Champion, right, topped Prattville High School and running back Brandon Smith 34-31 in the season opener. By Tamika Moore, AP St. Thomas Aquinas and linebacker Cole Champion, right, topped Prattville High School and running back Brandon Smith 34-31 in the season opener. Sponsored Links "I'd rather play them at the end of the year, when we're playing our best football," Ladouceur said. Thanks to its national record of winning 151 consecutive games, set from 1992 to 2004, De La Salle is the standard for elite teams, but St. Thomas Aquinas may be the new standard. When NFL rosters were pared recently, eight former players from Aquinas made the cut, more than any high school in the country. "Schools like Aquinas and Prattville (Ala.) reload every year," Ladouceur said. "They're one of the best teams I've ever faced. Their defense is stout, strong and athletic. They're well-coached. It's going to be a tough one for us." Both teams are coming off state championships and are usually better balanced than their opponents. While De La Salle runs more than the typical team from pass-happy California (the Spartans average 178 rushing yards and 82.5 passing yards a game), Aquinas relies on its passing game more (210 yards per game rushing and 129.5 passing) than most run-oriented teams in Florida. A lot of the numbers clearly favor Aquinas. It has seven players who have offers from major-college schools to only two for De La Salle. The Raiders' record against out-of-state teams is 6-0 (Aquinas has never played a California team) and since 2002, California teams are 4-10 against ones from Florida. De La Salle lost 31-30 to Lakeland in overtime in 2009 in its only matchup against a Florida team. But the biggest number that may benefit Aquinas is the 3,100 miles De La Salle is traveling to play at Aquinas' Brian Piccolo Stadium. At least, neither team should be intimidated by playing on television. Aquinas opened its season by defeating Prattville, 34-31 in a game on ESPN while De La Salle has frequently played before television cameras. "That could help us," Ladouceur said. "We have a lot of guys going both ways and against a team like Aquinas, we could use the extra timeouts." Briefly: Andover, Minn., cross country runner Josh Ripley didn't win the Apple Jack Invitational Saturday in Lakeville, Minn., but he earned a lot of respect. Ripley heard Mark Paulauska screaming after the Lakeville South runner had been spiked on his ankle, a wound that would later require 20 stitches. Unlike the other runners before him, Ripley stopped, then carried Paulauska a half mile so he could be attended to. Ripley then continued his race. He'll be honored Monday by the Anoka-Hennepin School Board in Coon Rapids, Minn. … Fairfield Christian (Lancaster, Ohio) senior Hayden Welch accounted for 53 points in the his team's 59-18 football win against Green (Franklin Furnace, Ohio) last Friday. Welch returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns, caught four touchdown passes and made eight extra-points and a 40-yard field goal. Posted \| Updated
huge thank you to those who posted here and sent private email. I now have a much better working mutt, and I can send emails too. I'm not quite sure how I managed the latter, but I'm not complaining I have now caught up with three people who have sent me ideas and/or patches for three of my distributions. Now I just need to find the time to implement them Re: (Score:1) How do you like mutt so far? :-) Btw, I have some suggestions to try in Email for procrastinators [plasmasturm.org]. Particularly, using threaded view as the default and saving sent mail to the inbox is a combination that everyone should at least try once. Re: (Score:2) I'm getting there. I still have a few tricks to learn, but it's not all bad. I've got used to the drag-n-drop of a GUI, so I find I'm having to think a bit more. I do have threading set up as default, but I find I miss new entries in some mailboxes. I imagine I should be able to flip between threaded and date order, but I haven't got around to looking that up. The next hurdle I need to address (pun intended) is the address book. I have a lot of people I mail, some have more than one address, and it would be Re: (Score:1) You can change sort order by hitting [o]. (mutt will prompt you with the available orders and their shortcuts, so you don’t need to memorise those.) The addressbook is handled by the aliascommand: alias ap Aristotle Pagaltzis <[email protected]> With that you could send me mail by saying it’s To: ap. Don’t miss that tab completion for aliases is available on all email address prompts in mutt! These commands are usually kept in a file customarily called aliases. You point mutt t Re: (Score:2) Superb. Thanks for all that, it's going to prove very useful. I think I owe you much beer :) Ever thought about writing a book? Re: (Score:1) A book? Heh, not really; certainly not about mutt. You think? I did go back to collect my comments from your journal entries, though. I want to tidy them up, flesh out the result, and eventually post it as an intro/tutorial on plasmasturm. And thanks for the beer offer. :-)
in 19 posts, 10 voices I haven't had much time to look into this, but the "View all photos" has stopped working (changes to "stop loading", but no new photos appear) on albums, but still works on tagged photos. My best guess is an "&hash=" that's been added to all of the page links of the albums. If I get a chance, I'll see what else I can find. --Martin I've had a go at this ... I think the problem was a combination of the new "First" and "Last" links and also that the format of the page numbers have changed. I'm almost certain there will be more bugs though, but this is working for now. Let me know if you notice anything that's not working. Working so far - Thanks! doesn't work for me, the many pages of photos do not load. hi, i think the script is not working for now. it doesn't load even a single photo. its looping now for fan photo '-_-7 since i've lost 1.214 photos 'T_T7 and i get this update :x please dear author :* fix this :) GREAT REGARD I have a very busy weekend coming up, but I'll try to find time to do this. What is it not loading for? I believe I have tested for photos of a person and for photos in albums. hi.... actually i am totally lost that how to use it ..can you please explain.. hi, does this script still work? It used to work great, but now it just starts to load and nothing happens. Thanks for any help. @JasonJones Facebook natively does album pages now. Tagged photo support is broken. I'm looking at it, but I'm having trouble. Znerp's better than I am, but tends to be pretty busy. @Martin Stone Thanks for the reply. I hope it can be fixed, it's a great script. As far as I can see, this script is becoming increasingly redundant. What's not working for you? Any pages that I come across with the (View all photos) link still work fine for me. For me, Facebook's combining all of the albums into one page, but not for "Photos of ..." pages. (View All Photos) isn't present for me on those. I get: Error: navLinks is null Source File: Line: 56 With some fiddling I got the link to reappear, but when clicked it dies with: Error: Permission denied for <http: /> (document.domain=<http: />) to call method UnnamedClass.toString on <> (document.domain has not been set). Error: uncaught exception: unknown (can't convert to string) This seems to be in the "GM_xmlhttpRequest" bit (from blindly slotting in alerts). “See this Photo in its Album” is gone in most private facebook albums also "There are no photos to display. Photos of XXX may not have been tagged or may not be visible due to privacy". can you fix this if so will be very grateful _bugmenot_ : This script won't bypass Facebook's privacy settings. Hey there, it's been a while so I don't know if you're still working on this, but I've tried out the script and I can get the "Back to Album" to appear above a pic, but nothing happens when I click. It lights up blue when I scroll over it, but I click and nothing. If I right click it doesn't even identify it as a link. It's just a piece of text that acts like a link. Is a fix still in the works? mityman50: That functionality is available in stock facebook. I can't remember if that link is there, but if not, click the album name (bottom right). If the album name is not a link, you do not have permission to view that album. Pressing the "View All Photos" for tagged photos doesn't work, please help! It doesn't Keep an eye on the new profile - It seems to have this covered. Between that and the new albums page, I think Facebook has this stuff covered. Thanks, znerp! It's been really useful for me up to now! (and it taught me some things!) Because it's your web monkeys and unicorns with the help of many friends Policy & Guidelines: DMCA
Now Playing Connect with Us Podcasts & RSS Feeds Shots - Health News 10:29 am Thu October 18, 2012 Old Drug Gets A Second Look For TB Fight Originally published on Thu October 18, 2012 11:04 am. This kind of TB, called XDR-TB because it's extensively drug-resistant, is a lot harder to treat than multiple drug-resistant TB, or MDR-TB, a type that's unfazed by first-line drugs. A recent report from the World Health Organization estimates that 310,000 people have MDR-TB, most of them in India, China and the Russian Federation. While XDR-TB is worse, MDR-TB is bad enough, says Dr. Kenneth Castro of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "All of a sudden you switch from being able to cure someone in 6 months to requiring 2 years of treatment and lowering your ability to cure, using lousy and toxic drugs," he says. About 1 in 10 people with drug-resistant TB have the more severe XDR type. Eighty-four countries have seen cases of XDR-TB, although most of them have counted fewer than 10 cases so far. There are nearly 9 million new cases of all types of TB globally each year, and 1.4 million deaths. Drug-resistant TB is a growing problem and a flashing neon sign of what happens when people don't get prompt and proper treatment for ordinary TB. "One of the major reasons for MDR-TB is inadequate treatment of plain old TB," say Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "And one of the drivers of XDR-TB is inadequate treatment of MDR-TB." Fauci and Castro spoke at a Washington press conference on Wednesday to mark the WHO's annual TB update. The linezolid study, conducted in South Korea, suggests that even the most-difficult-to-treat form of TB may be curable most of the time. Patients have to take the drug along with others for 6 months and health workers have to make sure they're complying. That, of course, is no foregone conclusion in places with the worst XDR-TB problem, countries such as Tajikistan, Azerabijan and Belarus. And, as with everything TB-related, the good news about linezolid comes with a dark side. There's a high incidence of serious side effects such as nerve toxicity and bone marrow suppression, which caused several patients to drop out of the study. And a few patients developed resistance to this antibiotic, too, though fewer than feared. The linezolid report isn't the only encouraging news. The TB drug pipeline contains 10 other new or repurposed drugs, and two or three may get U.S. market approval in the coming year, says Dr. Mario Raviglione of the WHO's Stop TB program. "Initial trials are showing that the capacity to kill bacteria resistant to the most important drugs is dramatically increased," Raviglione says. The new drugs have been tested so far only in patients with MDR-TB, but Raviglione hopes they might ultimately be used as first-line treatment for TB that could shave months of the standard six-month regimen. Millions of TB patients wouldn't progress to the MDR or XDR stages if they got treated promptly and correctly in the first place. And that's where another recent advance comes in. It's called GeneXpert, a rapid diagnostic test that can tell in under 2 hours if someone has TB and if it's a drug-resistant form. Standard tests rely on growing the TB bacteria in the lab, which can take up to 8 weeks for results. Castro says prompt diagnosis of TB is a big boon. "In the same day, you should be able to identify TB and start the patient on treatment," he says. "That is a game-changer." Sixty-seven low- and middle-income countries have adopted GenXpert, and experts hope its use will expand rapidly due to a recent price cut for lower-income countries from around $17 per test to under $10. In the future, Fauci is confident there will be an effective vaccine against TB. More than a dozen are in development. But for all progress, the fight against TB remains a long slog. Patients have to be diagnosed, started on treatment, monitored and retained in treatment. Drugs have to be procured and distributed. Labs have to be built and their quality maintained. It can be done. Over the past 17 years, 51 million people around the world have been successfully treated for TB. Consequently, the TB death rate has gone down by 41 percent. The world as a whole is on track to cut TB deaths by half the 1990 rate by 2015 – although Africa and Europe will miss that target. But even though new cases of TB are falling at a rate of 2.2 percent annually, Raviglione says "that's far too slow to see elimination in this century." He fears the campaign to stop TB will stagnate "if additional resources are not urgently mobilized." The WHO says $8 billion a year is needed over the next three years for TB care and control. That's $3 billion more than donors have promised. Research and development has a $1.4 billion funding gap. 9(MDAzODUzMjE5MDEyNDk2NjQ3NDc0MTczOA004))
April 14, 2007 SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - The University of Utah women's tennis team faced No. 56 San Diego State on Saturday at the Aztec Tennis Center for 6-1 loss. The Utes are now 3-5 in conference play after playing the Aztecs. Elizabeth Ferris and Leigh Walsh made a come back at the top spot to earn the only win for the Utes in doubles play on Saturday. The Ute duo faced Alesya Vidov and Milana Yusupov from the Aztecs. The two duos were neck-and-neck right up to the end, where Ferris and Walsh stepped up to take the match 8-7(3). The Utes had another tough day on the courts on Saturday during singles play. Karine Bourdages faced Sisse Nielsen at the No. 6 slot. The Aztec took the first set with a perfect 6-0. In the second set, Bourdages won four games, but couldn't pull out the win. Nielsen took the second set and match at 6-0, 6-4. Cheyenne Reveche represented the Utes at the No. 5 slot against Esther Cadua. Although the first set was an close win, the Aztec still managed to pull out the win over Reveche in both sets at 7-5, 6-1. At the No. 2 slot, Emily Kwok battled Eliska Krausova from San Diego State. The Ute challenged the Aztec in both sets, however Krausova was the overall victor with a 6-4, 6-3 win. At the top spot in singles, Ferris had another tough day. The Ute faced Alesya Vidov from the Aztecs for a three-set battle. Ferris took the first set with a clean 6-3 win. Vidov came back in the second set with a 6-4 win. In the tie-breaker, the two stepped up their games, but it was the Aztec that walked away with the win (3-6, 6-4, 10-8). At the No. 3 slot Holly Bagshaw from the Aztecs challenged Walsh. The Ute slid by in the first set with a 7-6(4) win. Bagshaw answered right back with a 6-4 win in the second. The tie-breaker came down to a 10-4 win in the Aztec's favor to take the match 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-4. No. 56 SAN DIEGO STATE 6, UTAH
By Jaci Tweeten March 25, 2011— Some 40 University of Wisconsin-River Falls students recently participated in a Pay It Forward Tour program, a dynamic multi-day program focusing on service, education and reflection. The Pay it Forward Tour is through UWRF’s Student’s Today Leaders Forever (STLF) chapter, a non-profit organization that reveals leadership through service, relationships and actions. A chapter of STLF was established at UWRF in 2010. The students traveled the country and volunteered in a new city each day. This year the Pay It Forward Tour ended in Denver, Colo. Before arriving in Denver, the students stopped in Fargo, N.D., Miles City, Mont., Rapid City, S.D., Casper, W.Y. and Alliance, Neb. In Miles City, the group prepared to turn the Miles City Hockey Rink into a rodeo arena, including tearing down bleachers, getting rid of the ice as well as cleaning the space. See Vang, a sophomore pre-major from Mosinee, is a core leader of UWRF’s chapter. “The Miles City Youth Hockey Association had donated money towards our service trip and remarked that they were thankful for the service that we provided to them that day because what we had done in two hours would normally take them ten days,” says Vang. In Rapid City, they volunteered their time at Mt. Rushmore National Park removing infested trees. In Alliance, the students helped at the Alliance Middle School where they gave a presentation about bullying. Many university students go somewhere warm for their spring break, but these members took it upon themselves to give back. Lee Thao, a freshman English major from St. Paul, Minn., says, “This trip has changed me a lot. Before I did not open up to anyone, but with this experience I have now opened up and have met many people.” The STLF chapter at UW-River Falls hopes to expand in size in the future and have more participants in the service trips. “The experience has changed my life. From being a participant in the organization a year ago, to now becoming a chapter core leader, it has really helped my leadership abilities. I would recommend this experience to anyone,” says Jessica Ryan, a sophomore biology major from Whitehall. For more information on STLF, contact Vang at [email protected] or Gina Sevick, adviser, at [email protected] or call 715-425-3531. Photo: Students Vang and Pang Thao, a sophomore art major from St. Paul, Minn., volunteer to clean up the environment in Denver, Colo. -30-
Transvaginal Mesh Manufacturers Speak to a Transvaginal mesh lawyer about your vaginal mesh implant lawsuit Transvaginal Mesh Manufacturers being held accountable include: Johnson & Johnson, Bard, American Medical Systems AMS, and Boston Scientific. The following is a list of manufacturers of transvaginal mesh devices (mesh, tape, and sling devices) and their products: Get Help Today What is a vaginal mesh? When is it used? The Vaginal Mesh,Surgical Mesh Trans vaginal mesh.prolapse mesh and vaginal sling are medical devices designed to strengthen vaginal wall. The device is usually implanted after a woman experiences a pelvic organ prolapse or a POP,after child birth,hysterectomy or SUI urinary incontinence. A Pelvic Organ Prolapse occurs typically due to pregnancy,age,hysterectomy,injury or other medical condition causing the vaginal wall to weaken. The pelvic organ prolapse occurs when an organ drops and pushes against the wall of the vagina. The organs that can drop are the bladder, urethra, uterus, small bowel. Mild POP can be treated with special excerises. More severe POP cases are treated with Transvaginal mesh devices. There are four types of Transvaginal mesh implant products. There is a non-absorbable polyester or polypropylene, absorbable synthetics transbvaginal mesh product,* animal tissues mesh product, and *combinations of the above. The Vast majority of surgons use the polyester or polypropylene Transvaginal mesh. Manufacturers are required to report any adverse complications from their products. The Transvaginal mesh products used for prolapse repair, or for urinary stress incontinence surgery.have shown to cause severe complications. The materials used in transvaginal mesh products: -). Complete List of Vaginal Mesh manufacturers include: American Medical Systems® - Apogee® - BioArc® - Elevate® - In-Fast® - MiniArc® - Monarc® - Perigree® SPARC - Manufacturer: Sofradim - Uretex Pubovaginal Sling/support kit, Bard Posterior Biosynthetic Support System -Manufacturer: - Product: K974098 Gynecare - Gynecare® TVT - Gynecare® Prosima - Gynecare® Prolift - Gynemesh® PS Secur, Tension Free Vaginal Tape - Manufacturer: Caldera - Product: T-Sling - Coviden IVS Tunneler Sling - Tyco IVS Tunneller - Manufacturer: Ethicon - Product: Gynemesh PS (K013718) a/k/a/ Prolift Pelvic Floor mesh, Prolene Polypropylene Mesh,TVT Sling, Polene - Manufacturer: Mentor - Product: ObTape - UGYTEX Dual Knit Mesh - Mentor ObTape bladder sling to treat stress urinary incontinence. 300.000 women have been treated for organ prolapse. More than 75,000 women received vaginally implanted Transvaginal mesh implants last year to reinforce weak pelvic muscles that have failed to support internal organs. "We listen to stories of these complications on a daily basis " "The 510(k) process which approves or disapproves medical devices has completely failed to protect these thousands of women who were advised these implanted vaginal mesh devices would improve their quality of life" "A panel met just recently to review the safety of these devices. The FDA must move forward to protect women."says L.Spitzer MSW who oversees the Vaginal Mesh Helpline. The Vaginal Mesh Helpline can find a Trans Vaginal Mesh lawyer for you to help you on an individual basis and not as part of a class. Cases are being filed as a Multi District litigation which means they are consolidated in various states thru-out the country Abilene, Akron/Canton, Albany, Albany, Albuquerque, Allentown, Altoona, Amarillo, Alaska,, Biloxi, Binghamton, Birmingham, Bismarck, New River Valley, Bloomington, Bloomington, Boise, Boone, Boston, Boulder, Bowling Green, Bronx, Brooklyn, Brownsville, Brunswick, Buffalo, Burlington,,,, Green Bay, Greensboro, Greenville, Hampton, Harrisburg, Harrisonburg, Hartford, Hattiesburg, Hickory, Hilton Head, Holland, Honolulu,, Kalamazoo, Kauai, Kansas City, Keys, Killeen, Kirksville,,, Gabriel Valley, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, San Mateo If you have suffered any of the symptoms from your Vaginal mesh Implant, immediately contact your doctor. If you have experienced complications from any of the listed Surgical Mesh devices call the Transvaginal mesh helpline 1 888-529-7222
Since I am too lazy at the moment to edit my two draft posts waiting in the wings, I am going to post an essay I wrote some years ago about language. I wrote it as a blog post during an early and mostly unsuccessful experience with blogging, at a time when my stories were just starting to be published. I still stand by what it says, although it is somewhat fancifully written. I’m posting it because I have been thinking of SF written in India in different languages and the tension between English and other Indian languages (and yes, by now English is an Indian language) and the nastiness of language politics often obscuring the real issues — all this partly as a result of an email conversation with SF Hindi writer and fan Dr. Arvind Mishra (who also very kindly directed me to a marvelous device: the Google Hindi transliteration tool जिसकी सहायता से मुझे अब हिंदी में लिखने का मौका मिल रहा है). While I ponder the implications of that conversation I thought it might be fun to post the aforementioned essay (very minimally edited). It appeared some years ago in a very interesting Indian ezine (will post link when I remember what it was called). So here goes. Two Near-Drowning Experiences Once, I nearly drowned. My near-death experience took place several years ago when I was a graduate student in the U.S. Eleven of us Indian graduate students had decided to go canoeing in a local river. I remember at first I hesitated because I did not know (then) how to swim, but my friends assured me blithely that with ten other people around there was no way I could drown. So I went. It was a lovely afternoon and the river was small and surprisingly swift. We got canoes from some kind of rental place and I found myself in a two-seater with the aforementioned friend’s boyfriend, a rather awkward situation. I think they had had a spat and she walked off with some other guy, and since I was the odd one out and the only non-swimmer, I ended up with Friend’s Boyfriend and a cooler filled with beer bottles. At first the going was smooth and exhilarating, and we sped swiftly between tall banks overgrown with wildflowers and mossy earth. Taking a swift turn around a bend, we did not see the tree branch that hung low over the water. It neatly swept us off the canoe. As I went down I saw the beer cooler floating away and my friend’s boyfriend swimming frantically after it. The next thing I knew, the water had closed over my head and I was being carried by the current. Time slowed; I willed myself not to breathe. I seemed strangely detached from that part of me that was screaming silently in terror; as I went down, I saw, in the clear depths, the pebbly bottom of the river. When my feet touched bottom I used all my strength to push off. My head cleared the surface; in that blessed, frantic moment I breathed. In that instant I saw the river’s surface at eye-level: the sweep of the water, a low, sandy beach on the opposite side, and a high bank not far from me — then I was going down again into the luminous depths of the river. I used the technique of bouncing off the river-bed — and flailing my arms — until I reached the bank, where I held on desperately to shrubs growing on the vertical rise. The river gurgled and breathed, chuckling to itself with its watery tongues, as I waited for rescue. They eventually remembered me and rescued me. The guys formed a chain across the river and helped me across to the sandy beach, cracking jokes and trying to reassure me that I was all right. But I no longer trusted canoes, or certain kinds of men. Having acquired this unexpected intimacy with the river, I chose to sit in the middle of a tire, alone, and go tubing down the river. And for the rest of that trip there were no more mishaps. But I was taking no chances after that experience. I signed on for a swimming course as soon as I could, and although I don’t swim particularly well, the water is no longer an enemy. I had another drowning experience many years later, which recalled the earlier one, except that the element in question was not water but… words. I was in the bookstore with my husband and daughter, where we were indulging in our favorite vice — browsing among the bookshelves, picking out books to buy. At one point I found myself standing alone in one of the aisles — the shelves towered above me, the spines of the books hinting at the worlds inside them — and I felt myself being slowly submerged in a great tidal wave of Johns and Marys, Garys and Gertrudes, and they seemed to be chattering away about their lives, their adulterous couplings in American suburbia, their wanderings on far planets where they sipped their martinis and dreamed of New New York, their adventures, their emptiness, their fulfillments. They muttered and laughed and enunciated their particular varieties of English — Roman letters came tumbling out of the pages of their books, swooping at me like paper planes, gathering like clouds before a storm, breaking over my head, mating in mid-air to form sentences that hovered around my face. English. English names, idioms, thoughts, ideas. The first thing that came to my mind as I stood there, drowning, was Alice in Wonderland, the scene at the end where the cards are coming down around her like rain, and she opens her eyes to find leaves falling on her face. I remembered Alice, not Anamika. I thought, stupidly, where is she, Anamika? Where is her voice? Where are the Rams and Jyotis and Raghunathans and Kabirs and Mallikas? Where are the syllables and scripts of Hindi and Tamil and Urdu, where are they?? I am in a country where they speak English, a language that is no stranger to me — I learned it as a child only a year or two after I learned Hindi — and I am drowning in a sea of words and ideas that are essentially English or at least Western. How do I tell someone, in affectionate exasperation, धत तेरी की जय हो? There is no translation that can do it justice, no equivalent in a Western language. And the problem is not entirely one of a stranger in a strange land, because in New Delhi, India, there are, I suspect, more English-language bookstores than Hindi. Let English propagate, I have no quarrel with that — but must it plow over Hindi to do that? I am not a Hindi fanatic — every language, after all, is a powerful and different way of holding a mirror up to the world — what I want is a multiplicity of tongues. Not a Darwinian, imperialistic sweeping aside of cultures and languages, but old women chattering in backyards, learning words from each other, spawning new idioms and expressions, keeping their languages alive by speaking them in the fertile soil of a true and diverse cultural congress. Despite the prevalence of English in the big cities and in the lives of the middle class intelligentsia, in India I didn’t feel I was drowning. I went to an English medium school, too. But Hindi was everywhere. We spoke it at home, along with English, and we spoke it with relatives, and the vegetable seller, the milkman, the cook. There were Hindi movies, and there were visits to relatives in small towns, and there was music, and myth, and the vastness and variety of one of the world’s most ancient cultures. Language reflected culture reflected language. When I was a child we used to go every summer to Bihar, our home state, to stay with my grandparents. We would take the train from New Delhi Railway Station, a cavernous, cacophonous place where everything and everyone was in a hurry. Sitting in the train compartment, at last, breathing sighs of relief, we would buy cups of fragrant sweet chai from vendors. The cups were earthen ones that you threw out of the window when you were done, returning earth to earth. The tea inside them was pale brown and smoky with the tang of clay. The shouts of the vendors echoed on the train platforms, the train began to slide out of the station, and we left behind the earthy, Punjabi-influenced accents of Delhi Hindi. Going east, the accents of the people on the platform would become softer and more sing-song. By the time we got to Eastern Uttar Pradesh, as twilight fell, we could hear the tender accents of Bhojpuri, the native dialect of my parents. The language is so sweet to the ear that it needs no words like “please.” I used to understand some Bhojpuri once, but now all I remember are the songs my mother taught us. पाक गैले खेतवा, जरन लागे रेतवा sung at about the same rhythm as the swaying beat of the train. In the early morning I would be woken by a strange stillness; the train would be at some small station in Bihar, and the chai garam calls of the vendors, the smell of coal dust and hot, sweet, milky tea would rouse me from my bunk. Here morning was no longer subah but bhore and “why” wasn’t the snappy kyoon but the more relaxed, multi-tonal kaahe. By the time we reached our destination, Patna, it would seem almost as though Time itself had slowed. People on the platform seemed less rushed, the train would have acquired some of the languor of the air, and speech would have become melody. We would all lean precariously out of the doorway as the train drew in, searching the sea of faces for my grandfather, who would be somewhere at the back of the crowd, straight-backed and smiling benignly. Outside, amid the confusion of car horns and dust and rickshaws pulled by turbaned men with lean brown bodies, we would find my grandparents’ grey Fiat, a car they had owned for some twenty years or more. End of journey, beginning of summer. Time to argue over which variety of mango was superior, the pale, narrow, firm-fleshed dashehri we got in Delhi or the huge, golden digha malda, King of Mangoes, grown only in a few groves in Bihar. Time for lassi and nimbu pani and other cooling drinks churned at home by cooks or chattering aunts. The irony of bemoaning in English the loss of my connection with native tongues is only too apparent to me. It is something I am constantly aware of; yet it was only after that surreal experience at the bookstore that I realized the extent of the loss. I went home and brooded on this for a few days. Then my music teacher mentioned a house concert, where a renowned exponent of North Indian Classical music, touring from India, was going to sing. We went. The long room at our host’s house had been cleared of all furniture, and was covered by rugs. Panditji sat at one end, with his flock of accompanists and a cluster of microphones. I could hear at least three different languages — not including English — being spoken. Women in bright saris or salwaar kameez, men in crisp kurta-pajamas, sat on the rugs facing the master, while small children played in the next room or came in to sit on their parents’ laps for a moment. When the music started, a slow, gorgeous piece in raag bageshri, I felt like a fish that has been tossed back into its river. It was pure enchantment. The syllables, rendered effortlessly by the master, flowed around us, reverberated in the long room, made the children pause in their play. I sat next to my teacher and one of her other students, and we listened the way thirsty people drink water. For me the crowning moment came later, when the singer sang a piece in raag desh that I had once learned from my sister: a description of monsoon clouds that gather to provide succor after a long, scorching summer, and the call of the papiha, that sits in the deepest arboreal grottos and sings its heart out. Meha re, went the song, meha re, ban ban, daar daar, murla bole… Then a slow, melodious enunciation of the word meha, the cloud, drawing out the syllables toward the higher notes with such passion that it brought tears to the eyes. I could almost hear the rain pattering outside the window. It has been a while since that experience. Since then, I have taken to re-reading my 8 volumes of stories by the great Hindi writer Premchand. I make it a point to talk in Hindi with my Hindi-speaking friends as much as I can. And while I still listen to music from around the world, I make sure it includes a weekly dose of desi stuff: from Bhimsen Joshi to film songs, from the folk music of Himachal to the qawalis of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. These temporary immersions are no substitute for traveling on a slow train across the Indian countryside, for arguing over the best mangoes with my cousins, for helping my grandmother feed the wild birds in her garden. But they help me catch my breath. It makes me smile, though, when I remember the experience in the bookstore, and the concert some days after, that what saved me from drowning was a song about the watery abundance of the monsoons. Life is full of the most unexpected connections. May 22, 2009 at 2:43 pm \| reminds me of a comment by Vijay Nambian “Whatever language we dream in, let not the languages we tell our dreams in be imposed upon us. Let us be judged for the content of the dream, for its purity and truth, else we may ourselves not understand just what it is we are dreaming of. Vijay Nambian. 1993. “Dreaming Indian, writing English.” Literary Review. Sunday Magazine. The Hindu 21 March 1993 May 22, 2009 at 2:49 pm \| To comment on one small slice of your essay: in recent history, the English speaking world, specifically the US, was seen as the technologically advanced, up-and-coming, get-things-done culture. Some decades ago there was a small collection published of short stories by European authors. It was small because there were so few. The introduction quoted one Italian author, who gave his characters American names, as saying he did so because no-one would believe Italian characters in SF. That’s changing. The future is here, as someone said, it’s just not everywhere. Well, _that_ future is becoming more everywhere. Unfortunately, there’s little hope that an Indian author, writing in Hindi, would have a market in the US. But translations, however inadequate, will someday bring those ideas to these shores. What’s needed is more Indian, and Chinese, and Farsi, and, yes, Italian, writers, creating works that cry out for translation. What’s also needed is a genuine Indian voice — Younguncle writ large — that can create a new wave, to follow on to the New Wave, and New Weird, SF&F. Something for you to work on during your summer vacation. March 1, 2010 at 3:31 pm \| can you translate in hindi? March 24, 2010 at 4:48 am \| [...] of YA books) be sure to check it out. If you have five minutes today, I would also highly recommend this essay from her blog. “An Essay on Drowning” is an essay about the many languages of India, [...] September 30, 2011 at 11:17 pm \| maithili videos… [...]An Essay on Drowning « Antariksh Yatra[...]…
advertisement Photo by Don Ryan/AP UNLV guard Anthony Marshall, left, goes to the basket past Portland guard David Carr during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. The next time someone tries to downplay Mike Moser's importance to the 2012-13 Runnin' Rebels, tell them to pop in a tape of Tuesday night's game at Portland. Without its junior leader, UNLV looked completely lost in the first half. The offense was a wreck — and not even a trainwreck, as that would be too kind. It was more like a shipwreck, sunk to the bottom of the ocean and being picked at by the fish. The Rebels shot 24.2 percent in the first half, with six assists and seven turnovers. They hit just 1-of-15 3-pointers and trailed, 28-22 at the break. But just like that, the Rebels flipped a switch and turned it around in the second half. Led by white-hot shooting from Justin Hawkins and a gritty all-around effort from Anthony Marshall, they blew past Portland and held on for a 68-60 win. Let's dissect the victory with a "Fast Breakdown." FAST BREAKDOWN Port-Land of Confusion If there's anything worse than referencing a Genesis song from 1986 in a headline, it was the Rebels' first-half performance in Portland. The numbers were bad enough (see the intro above if you're a true masochist), but the general sense of confusion was the most disconcerting thing. Moser was sorely missed, as the Rebels lacked structure and reverted back to jacking up quick 3's, without much success. Even with Anthony Bennett beasting (11 first-half points), there was no consistent effort to get the ball inside. If there was any message to draw from the first half, it would probably be: Hurry back, Mike. Second-half surge Despite the slow start, there are some definite positives to take away from this game. For instance, last year this would have almost certainly been a loss. UNLV was poor on the road last season, collapsing at the first sign of trouble. And this much adversity (no Moser, foul trouble for Bennett, poor shooting) would have been too much to overcome. But the Rebels showed great fortitude in the second half, led by senior leaders Justin Hawkins and Anthony Marshall (31 combined points). The backcourt duo played tremendous defense, and Hawkins erased the deficit virtually by himself once he got hot from 3-point land. No matter the opponent, it's never easy to come back on the road and win. Give UNLV credit for showing mental toughness and grinding this one out. Justin Hawkins, Superhero The Rebels were struggling mightily to put points on the board, but Hawkins single-handedly took care of that in the second half. The senior guard drilled four 3-pointers after halftime, and at one point scored 11 straight points to give UNLV the lead for good. He finished with 15 points, three steals, three assists and two blocks in 28 minutes, and that stat line doesn't even do him justice. Hawkins gets my game ball. Zoning out I expect to see Dave Rice to spend a lot of time on breaking the zone in upcoming practices. The Rebels haven't been good against zone, and with their struggles from outside (just 6-of-25 against Portland), they're going to see more and more of it as the season goes on. Bryce Dejean-Jones and Katin Reinhardt were quick on the trigger, with little success — Dejean-Jones was 0-of-9 from the floor and 0-of-6 from 3-point range, while Reinhardt finished 2-of-10 and 0-of-4 from 3. That's no way to break a zone, especially when you have Anthony Bennett (18 points, 6-of-11 FGs) roaming the middle. What does it mean? A win is a win, especially on the road. Just keep repeating that and you'll feel better. Even though UNLV turned it around in the second half and really played some good basketball, the fact remains that we're seven games into the season and we still haven't seen the Rebels play a full 40 minutes. With another road game at Cal looming on Sunday, we won't have to wait long to see how they respond. Cal is 6-1 and coming off their first loss (at Wisconsin), so the Bears will probably be fired up and come flying out of the gate. If the Rebels stumble early again, they may not be able to overcome it — with or without Moser. Follow Mike Grimala (@MikeGrimala) on Twitter for 24/7 Rebels updates. "Like" RunRebs on Facebook \| Follow RunRebs (@RunRebs) on Twitter.
RelationshipsFML: Overcoming Shyness (for women) Posted by Some Dude on April 18, 2012 at 11:40 am girl, what can you do to overcome that reluctance? And if you’re a guy interested in (or already in a relationship with) a shy girl, how do you deal with it? For afflicted women: you’re a lot better off than shy men, for starters. Shyness in women plays well to old notions of gender roles that die hard, so unlike men, taking advantage of your own shyness is an effective option. Overcoming it outright is a bit harder but also works very well, and is more empowering in the long run. One important step in breaking the shyness logjam is to stop dwelling so much on others’ reactions. Recognize that you’re never going to be able to perfectly interpret nonverbal cues – no one can. Rapt attention to others’ nonverbal cues often leaves you not focusing enough on your own nonverbal cues. So instead of trying to detect hairsplitting subtlety, you’re much better off focusing your effort on getting others to give you obvious signs of their interest. And you do that by amping up the attraction. You can use shyness to your advantage by playing up femininity. It works because guys find it attractive in and of itself, and it strongly contrasts guys’ masculinity, which can even make even shy guys feel comfortable (and therefore less shy). To do this, you first need to make sure that the passive ingredients to your attractiveness are the best they can be. This includes obvious things like dressing to flatter your body type, an appropriate hairstyle, and simple makeup. It also includes less obvious things like posture, hygiene, tone of voice, and so on. I go into these things in a lot more detail in this post. Then, you just need to be visible. One of the best ways for naturally shy women to express interest is simple eye contact. That single, simple step is easily manageable despite shyness, and is very effective. Your shyness won’t hold you back in conversation, because (thanks to ingrained gender roles) your bashfulness at worst won’t hurt you and at best can be very endearing. Overcoming shyness works much as it does for guys: knowing that you’re doing something right gives you the confidence to continue doing it right, which will give you results, but the reason it works is a little different. For guys, confidence itself makes them seem more attractive; for women, confidence allows you to cast a wider net by being comfortable entering new social environments and approach specific individuals you find interesting. So, how to do it? In time you may find that using your shyness to your advantage will give you the confidence to overcome it naturally. Something else which will help you is improving your ability with smalltalk, which has wide applications outside of relationships; I became comfortable with smalltalk by reading a self-help book, but there are many paths to improving this skill. The essence of smalltalk is to have a conversation that the other party finds enjoyable and engaging. To that end, asking questions and listening well are more important than being confident talking about yourself, which if you’re shy makes mastering smalltalk easier than it might seem. For guys interested in shy girls: Simply put, be obvious. Just kiss her already, dumbass. It can be scary, especially for shy guys, to just dive in, but diving in is infinitely better than endlessly circling and waiting for the perfect sign or moment – for much the same reason I gave above for women. There is no special approach to shy girls that is distinct from any other girls. Special thanks to Matthew Kaiser and Marc Shell for reasons totally independent of this article. Email Some Dude at [email protected]. Recent Comments
It was 1993. I was in middle school. Kids can be cruel? Absolutely. In 1993, it was my turn to be cruel. But understand, it wasn’t my fault. I lost a bet and it was either do my job or get laughed at. So I chose to do my job. Here’s some backstory though. In 1993, I was in 8th grade. Yes, that makes me older than you. But so what, you can’t whip my arse! Anyway, back then I was that kid everybody hated. Not because I was a bad person, but because I was “that” dude. I was on all the sports teams (basketball, cross country, track-n-field), got straight A’s, and was the student government president. I was also like 4’11″. Real talk, I didn’t grow until my junior year of high school. I thought I was going to be a midget. This was a very real fear. It didn’t turn out to be reality but I still can’t dunk a basketball. Thanks mom. Anyway, there was a young lady who came to my school JUST for her 8th grade year. We’ll call her Sonia. That’s not her name. But it is today. I don’t remember much about Sonia short of her jheri curl. And I only remember that because she smelled like activator. That’s not a dis or a shot, it’s just the truth. It was the kind of curl that almost made you want to light a math to see if it was as flammable as you thought. Poor Sonia, jheri curl, glasses, and pretty sizeable gap in her front two teeth. For the record, I don’t think a gap is a bad thing. In fact, I think it builds character. Word that up. The look just doesn’t work for everybody. Word that up too. Anyway, Sonia took a shining to yours truly. I’m not sure why, but she wanted to lay her curl on my pillow…something that I just was not feeling. At all. But she liked me. Awwww. Well, Sonia ALSO (along with her curl) had some pretty consistently stank mouth. I tried not to pay it too much attention but we sat near each other in Math class. Point is, I got firsthand accounts and experience in her mouth. Pause. Or not pause. Well, one day I made a bet with some other chicks in our math class. I don’t remember the bet at all. Not even a little bit. I do remember that the loser had to give Sonia a pack of breathmints at the SGA party we had going on later that night. I lost. This presented a bit of difficulty for me seeing as I viewed Sonia as a friend. And she liked me. And here I had to be the bearer of bad news at a public event no doubt. You see where this is going right? Later on in that evening the party gets going. The sounds of Vanilla Ice and Color Me Badd rock the auditorium when I decide to make my move. See, back then, I had to save face. I couldn’t just get punked into NOT calling somebody out on their bad breath. Oh, how shortsighted was I. At the party I pulled Sonia into a corner where everybody could see us and then I pulled out the breathmints and gave them to her. In the entire realm of my life, that is one day I felt truly terrible to embarass somebody who did nothing wrong ever. In the coming weeks and months, we didn’t talk much. She never let that go and I can’t blame her. She just quietly seethed towards me with her jheri curl causing a water hazard all around her desk. In the most random twist of fate ever, I saw her in Huntsville, Alabama one day. My sister and I ventured to the local military base and upon walking into the door, there was Sonia. Still the same height, still rocking a jheri curl. And that last part is still true. She recognized me right away and we struck up a short but awkward conversation. In fact, she was so shook that when I asked her what she was doing in Alabama, she told me that she was taking classes at the University of Georgia Tech. To this day I still can’t find any school labeled as such. My little sister immediately busted out laughing. And I feel bad. I truly wish I’d handled that situation differently, but apparently it wasn’t in me to do so. I embarassed the hell out of this girl for no good reason. But its in the past so the only thing that I can do is not mess with women with jheri curls. I have no idea what she’s doing now but I”m guessing it involves DeVry. Which is totally great! Yeah. Okay. Alright. Anyway, I shared that story to say that I’m learning that I need to say “I’m sorry”. She doesn’t read this blog so she’s short. But maybe one day she will and she’ll come across this post. I needed to come clean. For the children. I’m sorry Sonia. So good folks of VSB, what do you feel guilty for doing or do you need to say “I’m sorry” for? I know you got soul. P. -VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. MY BAD HOMIE aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3
You're watching... You're watching... Also in this playlist... Auto-advance: ONAuto-advance This transcript is automatically generated Well joining me now Mike -- president founder of the Holland balanced fund great to have you with us and to be here. You know we're watching this market -- it seems like day after -- we're talking about a -- now some late. We're seeing. Firming in this market what's going on now well. The valuations who have had such low levels or stocks worldwide. Prices of so called risk free assets -- treasury bonds of earth if it's such high levels. Now when we get good news or bad news you don't get the same reactions we've had before two because yes such extremes priced it. People are so nervous skeptical cynical about anything that's going on right now. That the prices are now reflecting that so when you do get bad news if you're not getting big down would move in the stock market when you do get. You know some some decent news like he had housing did -- get things moving -- It it appears to many that there is a bottom forming here at least in the house are confident about the stock market. -- what what is your read. I think both are possible and probably likely and I think the reason for that is once again. We hit levels of -- since 2008. Where no one -- is unaware of the houses have been had a good investments since 2000. No one is unaware that stocks have been -- lousy investment for the last ten years it -- the most people are going to sell those things they sold. And you have a very very very low ownership of stocks and also people interest in housing up until this point I think prices are there. And are looking at all of the of the external right now that the face investors this market. The European Union summit do you expecting -- to come up -- is that does something to to our cal law. Conventional wisdom once again totally skeptical totally apathetic and to -- best. The results out of this thing could be -- some comment about the banking union which they consider later that would be a positive surprise because nobody expects anything good. More important next week the European Central Bank meets. When they meet next week if they did anything positive read that. They said something about lowering rates and doing more content -- do so. That would actually be surprised the markets that would once again be he probably that would be a surprise in the upside -- former -- comments such as she thinks. But they've done really quite enough and hello everybody starts self fulfilling their promises for the the money that they've received all of those bailouts. Do they shall hold steadfastly to that viewers this up. Posturing in advance of -- European Union summit. You think she might be actually. Act like a politician artwork but. Which she is in their -- he does have to posture. And I think it's a great question because she in fact is probably going to be doing a little more accommodating -- -- hard come answered me. You know that they wouldn't she she had this coming in her lifetime to never -- and instead it's never. But you're you're gonna happen if -- -- out of her life I think I'm perforated effect that pray that it the up. I'm in -- where it goes into the Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who -- forgot his name was. We haven't heard from. We're in the midst of what everybody including. The -- -- himself has said. Is a major global crisis and he is. They were visible -- -- what what it's going -- I think we have in Washington right now only Ben Bernanke to look toward. And that's scary because they've just about shut -- whole. Ammunition did that they have he says there's some of the things they can do you and he had Richard Fisher yesterday telling them fox noise -- Viewers that he thinks it. We were just about does Iraq it's a -- and now these other people have to do something. That which again is the potential good news going out over the next six to twelve months that we will getting major change in the people who leading -- we may get some leadership. And if we do no one expects that. It's certainly not in anyone's pricing. And just give us your best. Assess what likely will be the impact if -- Eric Holder is cited for contempt of congress. And Obama carriers reward constitution. I believe the stock market will go. -- -- -- -- -- --
You're watching... You're watching... Also in this playlist... Auto-advance: ONAuto-advance This transcript is automatically generated On the part of the storm the smoke it's just the storm is something else. We'll say these -- is of course very wide and far reaching as we've seen the first estimates for the costs of the storm's damage. On -- and -- are about what on next guess originally expected. Jeff masses a director of -- urology for Weather Underground joining us now Jeff. OK last Friday said this would likely be a billion of dollar -- Disaster. My goodness it was so much more was -- net. Yeah I was being conservative because I didn't know what mr. -- is gonna hit relative to high tide. If -- hit hit debt load tied to damage would have been far -- Yeah we're talking about twenty billion property damage is maybe ten billion -- thirty billion even Summers saying in lost business. I mean what do you think now that you've seen the damage what do you think it could total. Yes certainly -- a fifty billion between the two -- is probably a pretty good testament. I'm a little surprised it isn't higher but we haven't seen what the -- business is going to be yet and certainly shutting down. The nation's largest city and 10% of its GDP is going to be very costly. Jeff area where the Weather Underground -- it's a no -- Boston insurance. Officials this question but it appears of the weather patents. All changing and these type of monster storms perhaps are becoming more likely would you agree with the Adam why. I'd agree that in the last two years the US is seen an unprecedented sort of severe weather on slot. I mean this year -- we -- you know of course sandy we had summertime in March last year we had record floods on the Mississippi the Missouri the -- -- -- And we had that tornado -- as well. And I just say -- we've moved into a new climate regime. It's not dissimilar climate I've known in thirty years as a meteorologist and I think have to point the finger towards heat trapping gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere here. This is just a freak accident I mean this is two storms colliding that would normally never meet. I mean it's it's it's a once in you know however many decades century accident that you -- -- happen. -- freak events in the atmosphere happened naturally we saw -- back in 1903 that hit New Jersey that's the only American has ever done it. So there is at large -- -- natural variability. But just -- -- to need its purity of some of the disaster were seen in recent years are unlike anything we've ever seen in the US going back several centuries of record keeping. Which makes me nervous us -- what you're expecting for this wind take away expect more of these big storms that obviously will turn into blizzards. You know the only thing I'd be surprised at this winner parent or an ordinary winter. We may have another winner like last you're basically did have a richer or not a severe one like the previous few winners -- -- got pounded his frequent snowstorms -- Normal is not normal anymore I just expect the abnormal. -- That's says it all -- -- thank you so much for joining us today by Skype and cover hedging his bets -- -- that the upcoming winter it to be really wool mart can be really stalled -- is.
You're watching... You're watching... Also in this playlist... Auto-advance: ONAuto-advance This transcript is automatically generated My god when it comes to caring for people. -- -- new York New Jersey and Connecticut not just the United States but all over the world. Can't there be some people who have compassion to know that. These -- what god expects us to do that's why we say in god -- -- now -- no explanation. The rug is pulled out. From all of us but most of all our constituents. This is a disaster you're on top of a disaster. Hello and welcome to foxnews.com. Alive and on the hunt. Jonathan Hunt is not in today -- he will be back with us here's you next week. I'm -- -- one of the correspondents here Fox News Channel so glad you're here with us and happy new year to -- Obviously opening up with those sound bite says Keyes is up in teases out. For our first topic which is of course the hurricane sandy a relief efforts going underway and as you can tell there's not a lot of happy people. About what's going on I want to introduce our guest here on set and we're gonna talk to us about the delay in the vote on super storm sandy aid. That his angered so many both on the ground who are still victims. And many of the GOP we've got Thomas facility of former executive director of the New York State Republican Party. I got your name right you got excellent ING -- green former president of the women's media center and of course you know her as a Fox News contributor we see all the time and love to have you here on the panel. Great to see you both happy new year to -- -- -- him. Happy -- I you know it's not a happy new year for these folks still suffering I mean you know so much has happened since hurricane sandy. Of course with those shootings in Connecticut and and all the rest that has happened. But these people are still out there suffering -- there's this bill that has been delayed. On the votes and a lot of people aren't happy northeast lawmakers are infuriated as we heard. But you pointed out before we started this show that this bill that there's a delay on. -- you can -- describe for people you know what some of the problems UC with the bill may be why. There has been -- the delay in this because house speaker John Boehner. On Wednesday set a January 15 vote on the super storms sandy relief bill. After these in -- northeast politicians including. A governor Chris Christie New Jersey a fellow Republican a blasted the speaker for skipping action on disaster -- in the final hours of the current congress so. These people are waiting for help they need help they are expecting help they thought they were getting this help. And now there's a delay on the vote of how this money is gonna comment but they really weren't gonna get -- Hope to begin with some -- and we all feel for the folks who who. -- were affected by hurricane sandy. But the fact of the matter is that the senate draft of the bill and it was it was spearheaded by Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand -- senate spearheaded the bill. That was sixty billion dollars the vast majority of it had absolutely nothing to do. With sandy aid and even though it was branded as an emergency bill less than 15%. Of that need was actually going to be spends. For seeing the victims -- when he thirteen. This is a bad piece of legislation and so what that the speaker is doing now is they're going to split it out they're gonna have to separate votes. They're gonna take the stuff the -- hundreds of millions of dollars for. The Smithsonian and for Alaskan fisheries and for everything else under the sun they're gonna split that off from the aid package which is really what we should be focusing on. -- I think it's -- -- -- to delay the vote I think that I think it's a bad piece of legislation what I really would have liked to have seen -- instead of all those folks getting up and blasting. -- the speak you're blasting this person or that person is actually writing a clean. Bill to help with disaster relief this was not a clean bill this is a special interest give away. Where 80% of the money wasn't even gonna end up going says sandy relief victims we should have a clean bill that bill should be voted on in the house and sent back to the senate so that people can get -- relief. Right away not a year from now two years from now or some. Sometime down the road giving you agree with that how this needs to be divvied up well I agree with governor Chris -- -- is not often I think. Remarks that he made at the press conference. Following the delay of the vote need to be played to every household in America need to be -- every elected official. They need to have a conference especially on the GOP side and sit down and figure out how to finally started to get government working again. I will take. The opinions of Governor Christie and Governor Cuomo over you know I'm sorry. I go -- all due respect you know. Speaker Boehner had made a promise. To these states that this bill was going to be voted on. All of -- you know shenanigans of what's in the bill and it's not a good bill I feel like those are talking points after the fact to try to protect. The house GOP and the other -- That they are in they have. Simply forgotten their number one duty. Of actually being public servants and are putting politics -- For help me. Whether you're Democrat or Republican and this is where Christie said it's so eloquently. It when it comes to disasters we -- all Americans this is about red states and Blue States and -- became politicized. It's not politicize the mean here. The speaker promised to -- to help these folks and what the senate Democrats send him. Was a bill that didn't help these people waiting when you're talking about us -- you're talking without your talking about -- with Governor Christie with Governor Cuomo. Days in advance thinking this was the last minute this isn't so now governor cracking me Governor Cuomo -- Governor Christie governor of animal. Money he tried to reconstruct -- hell Hillary -- we're going to put it up. And then he realized -- I've already upset many of the most conservatives this is exciting -- which. Again they've been holding our country Kostis and now they -- -- this is the reason why we have a spending problem. It's because we have progressives who don't think that a sixty billion dollar bill. Deserves some analysis some sort of consideration. That this is a bill that -- was passed as an emergency measure. Were only 15%. Of the expenditure was actually going to be used for emergency purposes. Governor Cuomo and Governor Christie hammered one -- effort money that is going to -- able to help their constituency. And this building -- and -- that -- the the number of days it took to get aid. Two the folks in Florida after hurricane Andrew the folks in New Orleans and Mississippi in the gulf this state. States how only -- it -- and verses like the 66 days that we're still passed for this bill will hear this this was alarming and should be -- something that every single American pays attention to this week congress is broken. And it's broken because John Maynard does not happen to have any ability to lead his troops and it's broken because of that far. Right ideological conservatives who Qaeda in 2010. And feel like if it's their duty to destroy government's -- originated in the democratic senate. This bill originated in the democratic senate. And it became a full of pork in this big special interest give away and I agree -- of them. There's no reason why it took congress. And not Republicans or Democrats for congress together and you -- were called you know. The upper house is controlled by then they pass a bill they head into the -- to the day that passes the bill. Sixty days after hurricane. Sandy you Europe they are part of an innocent they're -- again that. Our government is being held hostage whether it's by a small number of senators. In the US senate we need filibuster reform hopefully we're gonna see some of that in this new congress hopefully. John -- either I mean I think it's just rumors about what's gonna happen with him I think he will maintain -- the speakership. But he needs to get a hold. Of his members he needs to take control and put them in line because something passed again. Government is broken I don't know if you're one of those Republicans who. It celebrates because you want government to be broken you want nothing to be legislated on you want nothing to be effective. I don't know there -- many of your colleagues who filled -- -- talking about effectiveness and again there are pieces of legislation. That if it's an emergency bill that's -- provide emergency aid to people who need it now. Then why are we sitting here talking a -- piece of legislation were only 15% of the money. Goes to those people and only a small percentage of it is actually spent -- calendar year Peter King aren't very strong tough for public and on from New York who do you as executive director of the new York Republican Party. No I don't yeah I wanted to mention.
Description Like aging baby boomers, the cartoon strip Funky Winkerbean and its creator Tom Batiuk have turned gray with life's ups and downs in a 40-year run on the funny pages. (May 30) Transcript [Location - Date:Medina, Ohio 4/16/2012][Source:AP]SOUNDBITE: "In conjunction with Funky's 40th anniversary, the Kent State University press is going to be reprinting the entire run of Funky."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)Batiuk sketching "Funky Winkerbean" cartoonSOUNDBITE: "They're going to bring out a volume a year for the next 14 years. If I continue to do the strip and the strip continues running, they won't catch me. In fact, I hope they don't catch me actually."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)Photo: Batiuk drawing comic stripSOUNDBITE: "When Funky started out there was a bunch of teen strips that were getting a little long in tooth. They had sorta covered the territory of parent - teen conflict. Parents arguing with the kids about the car or the phone or telling them to go clean their room. I wanted funky to be anything but that - just to stay away from all that stuff. They dealt with 2% of the school football team and cheerleaders so I was left with everything else."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)Batiuk sketching "Funky Winkerbean" cartoonCU: Funky Winkerbean comic stripSOUNDBITE: "I kinda went inside to the inner conflict so I wrote about less waking up in the morning and feeling sick because you knew you had to go to the gym and climb the rope to the ceiling that day. Or you knew there was going to be somebody waiting after school to beat him up."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)CU: Funky Winkerbean comic stripSOUNDBITE: "I used to go out to my old high school to sketch, I still do. I just sketch and hang around and keep up with things. So if I draw a drinking fountain, it looks like a real drinking fountain. And one day I'm looking through my sketch book and there's this girl in high school who I'd sketched who was pregnant and I thought if i'm going to deal with reality, deal with things in the moment I should do this as well. so I wrote this story where a girl in high school was pregnant. And that girl was lisa. And les wasn't the father but he was her best friend and her birthing partner through this whole process. And once they'd gone through that it was going to be very difficult to have les hanging from the gym class rope during the middle of the homecoming dance."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)CU: Cover of Lisa's story: funky winkerbeanSOUNDBITE: "So the characters were telling me they were ready to move on, I was older. And it was just a good time for me to start using the experiences that I had since I got out of school, I was just out of school practically when I started funky. And now as i've grown, the strips could grow and the characters could grow up."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)CU: Sketches of characters from Funky WinkerbeanSOUNDBITE: "Les is trying to get a date in high school was rather simplistic stuff, just surface stuff. But once they grew up, les and his realtionship with lisa was much more nuance, much more complicated and I liked writing about those things. And the other thing that complicates life is that things change, that things happen to people. I'd reached a stage where i was starting to hear about friends, relatives where someone was dealing with breast cancer. And i took that stuff and internalized it to create an inner landscape that i could draw upon to write a story like that, so i did. Lisa became diagnosed with breast cancer."CU: Sketch where Lisa is diagnosed with breast cancerMS: Characters Lisa and Les from Funky WinkerbeanMS: Lisa's story the other shoe coverSOUNDBITE: "But i think it's important to deal with stuff like this, i think that art at it's core helps us to share the human experience. And sometimes it provides us with insights, sometimes it confirms our worst suspicions. But it's a shared experience. And comic strips are uniquely positioned to do that sort of thing because they are there every day in people's lives and their just sorta interwoven in the fabric of their lives. i think that helps you to share that work in a much more intimate way, especially in a strip where the characters are aging and growing older. Each strip then becomes like a breath, like a passing movement. I think that's nice if you get even close to that."(Tom Batiuk/Cartoonist)Batiuk signing his name on "funky Winkerbean" cartoon
BoB Blades These are the bladed implements carried by seven men on this year's Annual Winter BoB Exercise. I know it's difficult to see - if you click on the pic it will enlarge. I will attempt some cogent observations later but right now I need to go work on a wheel chair ramp for some poor widows... ...as Arnold said, "I'll be back!" ...................................... A blog reader sent in this comment with regards to the picture: Is that a kukri? They would be on par with a machete for clearing brush, but I wouldn't imagine carrying one in a survival situation for their size and shape. I started to post a reply in the comments section and just decided to bring it out here for all to see more easily. It is not a kukri it is a parang - a bit lighter but still heavy. It's a jungle knife fashioned from a leaf spring. I am probably going to replace it with my Mora 2000. It’s heavier than a machete so it is not as good with light vegetation as a machete but it is much better at hacking through tougher stuff. And that’s the rub – it is heavy. But the thing is, I have been on events where all of the wood was covered in a layer or ice, or soaked with rain, and I had to baton my way into them to reach dry wood. Now - I can baton with a Mora2k - sort of. And there are other lighter knives that can baton well - my wife carries a BK&T Camp Knife that is as big as my parang but much lighter. Also, I have a background in Filipino Martial Arts and I can FIGHT with that parang. The balance, the edges, the handle geometry... Now, granted, I can fight with a Swiss Army knife as well and let's face it - I won't be fighting with my knife in a Bug Out situation - I guess I could but come on.... Another thing the parang does which a lighter knife will not do nearly as well is hack. And there again, truth be known - on the 20 or so events I have carried the parang along on - I really haven't hacked all that much. There was some kind of touchy feely move amongst the “save the earth” hippy crowd back in the 70’s to get away from big aggressive (say it with a lisp) knives and simply carry a Swiss Army Knife or some such. And truth be known – you can do the vast majority of your knife chores with a very little knife. I gutted and went through the ribs of a young doe with an original Gerber LST (about a 1.5 inch blade). And while “a big knife will do anything a small knife can but not vice versa” is generally true – it’s hard to clean a rabbit with a foot long blade. If I “could only have one thing” in a survival situation it would be a knife like that parang or a Cold Steel Trailmaster bowie. But I am not limited, am I? I have a whole BoB full of goodies. What it is coming down to with me, gang, is weight. I am getting older and am not the 30 year old mountain running stud I used to be. And really - we could all probably make better use of the weight allowance (no matter how fit one is – one can only carry what one can carry and so choices must be made). So yeah, I’m probably going to bid adieu to the heavy knife. The good news is, I’ll have it out so I can actually play with it more. See ya out there. And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's rasor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weight,
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for your support of this video and all of your messages and comments! I've posted some of my thoughts on the video and its success at on.fb.me/HzgMtY and facebook.com/chrispzero Watch in HD with sound on! Chicago is the first destination for my new series, Places in Time. This piece focuses specifically on downtown Chicago, which was my home for over 6 years until late 2010. Downtown Chicago has long been an active area - a financial and transportation hub flanked by the lakefront, Grant Park, residential districts and shopping, but the area has evolved rapidly during the last decade and is now more than ever a major residential and tourism center. Between the world class skyline, lakefront, and park space, downtown Chicago offers scenery and an environment not found anywhere else in the non-coastal USA. The central city on an average day contains a blend of office workers, residents, commuters, and a mesh of locals, suburbanites, and tourists who venture in to enjoy the great restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. When I first moved to downtown Chicago in 2003, I lived in one of the only residential buildings in the Chicago Loop. Most businesses shut down after the workday and the area was very quiet at night. Since that time, the number of residents, and all the restaurants, shopping, and entertainment that support them, has grown rapidly in the Loop, South Loop, and West Loop neighborhoods. Living in a rapidly gentrifying area can be frustrating at times, but the transformation of the area in such a short period was nothing short of amazing to witness. Chicago as a whole has a great energy - one of America's few dense urban environments where people are forced to step out of their isolating cars and experience life alongside one another. The people are mostly genuine, hard working, and friendly. There are countless vibrant neighborhoods with a dramatic range of uniqueness and character. The city changes and transforms during each of the four seasons, but never ceases to be active and full of life. All footage for this piece was shot between 2010 and now. My goal was to provide a glimpse into the energy and fast paced life of an average day in downtown Chicago, enhanced through fast motion timelapse. Some of the viewpoints and locations may seem familiar, but I've also tried to showcase the city from a number of different and less common vantage points. Music: The Cinematic Orchestra - Ent'racte. An amazing 20+ minute piece. Please buy it at one of these links (with video!): itunes.apple.com/us/album/entracte-single/id457827848 ninjatune.net/release/the-cinematic-orchestra/entracte For info, licensing, projects, please see: chrispzero.com Blog post: chrispzero.com/blog/2012/04/09/places-in-time-chicago Web: chrispzero.com Twitter: twitter.com/chrispzero Facebook: facebook.com/chrispzero The Places in Time series will be an ongoing series exploring different locations that I visit. I travel America and the world to create stock photography, timelapses, and other video. Most of my trips have very tight schedules that don't allow me the time to thoroughly explore, but I will be using this series as a reason to delve deeper into destinations and try to capture the real energy and atmosphere of the cities, areas, and countries that I visit. All images and footage © 2010-2012 Chris Pritchard, all rights reserved.
We’ve received another email question from one of our readers, this one concerning a specific type of body language: eye contact. Eye contact can be a very useful tool for flirting with women, so that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article. Here’s the question: Eye contact is one of the most powerful expressions of interest you can give without even being near to a person. Women use it all the time to show they're open to an approach, so be on the lookout! Dear Vin, I keep coming across the same situation over and over again. There’s a woman in the room, she’s at a distance, and I’m trying to engage her in an interaction by showing her a bit of interest from across the room. I’m wondering, in situations like these, how do you use your eye contact to flirt? How can I use eye contact to create a bit of a spark, so that going over to her won’t seem like such a big deal? Adam, – Nebraska If you want to create this spark you’re talking about and learn how to be a master flirt, you’re going to have to use the full spectrum of all your body language – not just eye contact. For that, it’s important to remember the following key points: Tip #1 – Confident body language Body language can portray a whole lot about a person, and we as humans are highly adept at detecting and decoding body language, even if we mostly do it on a subconscious level. If someone has droopy shoulders, is constantly frowning, and seems fidgety – women automatically think less of them. The way you stand out is by portraying confidence, even if at first you need to act a little to pull it off. That means you stand tall and pay attention to your posture. Make sure you smile a lot, even if there’s no apparent reason for it – since a happy guy is an attractive guy. If you do this long enough, then sooner rather than later you’re actually going to become at ease with yourself, and then… well – then your body language will begin to reflect a natural and effortless confidence. Tip #2 – Body orientation A tell-tale sign of female interest is when her body and feet are facing in your direction, even if she’s looking away from you. On the other hand, as a guy, you don’t want to be facing her with your body. If you do, you’re going to be giving her too much attention, and this will actually backfire and have the negative effect of being a turn off. You want your body not facing her – but rather facing someone who you’re having a conversation with. Now, once you’ve implemented the above two body language tips, we can move on to the eye contact. Tip #3 – The Eye Contact Every once in a while, as you look over in her direction, try to find her eyes and pick one eye, whether it’s the left or the right, and hold onto that eye contact. Just keep holding onto that eye. Do not break off no matter what she does. Keep holding that eye contact for as long as possible until she breaks it off. Once she breaks it off – then you stop looking too. (If you keep looking you’ll just come off as a freak.) Now what this does is it demonstrates that: - You’re a confident person. - You’re interested in her. - You’re an alpha male because you’re not breaking off eye contact, you’re maintaining it. It’s important not to make that mistake of becoming too persistent and too needy by giving her too much attention. That’s why you want to just keep it light, keep it fun, and not be too serious about the whole thing. What you’ll find if you consistently apply these three flirting tips, is that she’ll actually be laughing and smiling, and she may even signal you to come across and go and talk to her. She will actually open you up and you won’t have even needed to open your mouth. Just remember to pay attention to your body language. You will be surprised by how powerful these three things in conjunction can do when meeting an attractive woman. If you want more in-depth tips on how to make body language work for you, then I suggest you check out the Attraction Code, which also covers the other basics of dating that many guys aren’t very knowledgeable about.
Fast natural cure for bronchitis. Scientifically Formulated Based on Clinical Research to: Relieve lung inflamation Naturally relieve pain and fever Stop persistent cough Boost your immune system Prevent virus from attacking your lungs Breathe easier Feel stronger in no time User Ratings 4.9 / 5. People have an inclination of bragging on the knowledge they have on any particular project. However, we don't want to brag on what we know on Tonsillitis Bronchitis, so long as it proves useful to you, we are happy. Herbs that can assist during and after quitting Herbs are not the only assistance that you need to quit smoking. For comprehensive assistance through the whole process join Growerz.com quit smoking program -- they will help you reclaim your life. have gone through extensive research and reading to produce this article on Acute Bronchitis . Use the information wisely so that the information will be properly used.: You will learn the gravity of Bronchitis once you are through reading this matter. Bronchitis are very important, so learn its importance.. Notes on elecampane Small amounts used in cooking are generally safe but do not use internally in medicinal doses during pregnancy. Elecampane combines well with coltsfoot, white horehound, pleurisy root and yarrow for respiratory conditions. If you find anything extra mentioning about Bronchitis Cough, do inform us. It is only through the exchange of views and information will we learn more about Bronchitis Cough. may be used in chronic or acute bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping cough and asthma. the expectorant effect makes it useful in any respiratory condition, including the chronic states of emphysema. Get more familiar with Tonsillitis Bronchitis once you finish reading this article. Only then will you realize the importance of Tonsillitis Bronchitis in your day to day life.. Nettle Leaves (aerial) Urtica dioica. Nettle leaves are used for the urinary system and it strengthens and supports the whole body. It is very rich in chlorophyll. Nettle leaves: After many hopeless endeavors to produce something worthwhile on Bronchial Coughs, this is what we have come up with. We are very hopeful about this!: have a stimulating effect on the bladder and kidneys and assist in cleansing the body of toxins and wastes andclears catarrhal congestion in bronchial tubes. We wish to stress on the importance and the necessity of Asthma Bronchitis through this article. This is because we see the need of propagating its necessity and importance!. Nothing abusive about Bronchitis Cough have been intentionally added here. Whatever it is that we have added, is all informative and productive to you.. Even if you are a stranger in the world of Tonsillitis Bronchitis, once you are through with this article, you will no longer have to consider yourself to be a stranger in it!: A substantial amount of the words here are all inter-connected to and about Bronchitis Cough. Understand them to get an overall understanding on Bronchitis Cough.. We found it rather unbelievable to find out that there is so much to learn on Asthma Bronchitis! Wonder if you could believe it after going through it! Mullein (aerial) Verbascum thapsus. Mullein is a very useful respiratory system remedy and can be used in most conditions that affect respiration. Mullein: Bronchial Coughs is the substance of this composition. Without Bronchial Coughs , there would not have been much to write and think about over here! can be used to treat infections and inflamed conditions such as gastritis and enteritis. Taken hot it is excellent for throwing off fevers, cold and flu, coughs and sore throats. can be used as a tonic for the nervous system.. In addition to what we had mentioned in the previous paragraph, much more has to be said about Bronchitis. If space permits, we will state everything about. Our dreams of writing a lengthy article on Tonsillitis Bronchitis has finally materialized Through this article on Tonsillitis Bronchitis . however, only if you acknowledge its use, will we feel gratitude for writing... chronic bronchitis pain \| chronic bronchitis or emphysema \| chronic bronchitis mucus \| chronic bronchitis pathophysiology \| chronic bronchitis natural treatments \| How Do I Get Rid of Acute Sinus Pain? - Say Goodbye to Acute Sinus Pain sinusitis and tingling treatment for dry sinus WHAT CAUSES SINUSES TO CONSTANTLY RUN can sinuses couse numbness balloon plasty for the ethmoid sinuses can bacterial infection cause vomiting and bad breath in toddlers face numb from sinus pressure running with plugged sinuses sinus problem on airplanes can sinus infection cause gastric problems (c) 2013 viralbronchitis.info \| \| \| RSS Feed \| chronic bronchitis natural treatments
Facts & Statistics Developing the Arts in Ireland, Arts Council Strategic Overview, 2011-2013 In keeping with Visual Artists Ireland’s strategy, and in support of the Arts Council of Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s strategies, we maintain a breath and balance of information and support of all visual art forms. Our membership is across the generations of visual artists. Visual Artists Ireland has a strong ethos that our work is to the benefit of artists at all stages of career and development, and is not solely to the benefit of paid members of Visual Artists Ireland. In 2010 we updated our web presence so that we can provide information on the visual arts to the wider public through the upgrade of our website, and also the provision of information through social networking channels such as Facebook and Twitter, and VAI’s own social networking site, The Common Room. We have also been active with the visual arts sector, government, local authorities, national and international representative bodies and the media to endeavour that the current understand of the status of professional visual artists reflects the reality of life; the uniqueness of visual artists’ needs; their roles in contemporary Ireland; the benefits of visual artists to the life of Irish society; as well as contributing to policies, strategies, and the development of partnerships. Our work on behalf of the individual is also accompanied by our continued discussions with, and support services for organisations working in the visual arts, or who may have need to access our network. We work with visual arts service and resource providers, local authorities, development agencies, corporate bodies, and private individuals who require access to professional visual artists. Since 2009 we have seen an increase in the number of members who have come from other countries to live in Ireland. Rather than isolating them into specific streams, our policy is one of complete inclusion in terms of the work that we undertake. It is a very specific objective of Visual Artists Ireland to deliver the above in a concise and effective manner, that is both strategic and responsive to long term and immediate needs of the visual arts sector and specifically visual artists. Some simple statistics – 2010 Feedback – What people say about us… “…such a lifeline to those of us out in the sticks that I don’t know what I’d do without it.” “I love the VAI Bulletin its one of my favourite things to see in my inbox!” “Thank you so much for putting my Cottage and Stables in your e-bulletin. I have had to practically hire a secretary to deal with the response!” “I am so grateful for Visual Artists Ireland. It has been and is a critical resource for artists. I thank you for your efforts” “Your service is an invaluable one to us who work in isolation for its information, weight and lobbying efforts in
\|\|\| 306 comments:1 – 200 of 306 Newer› Newest» So pretty! The color of the bag melts me. ♥ Love, You look so pretty! I love that Chloe bag, what a great buy! xx So pretty Annabelle, the bag is such a gorgeous colour! x Love the outfit, the color of the bag is great and you look so relaxed ! So lucky to be at a beach =) xoxo Simply perfect !!! And your bag is a must have !!! Kisses Lamia Brilliant as always. I've just added you to MY FAV's at my blog, and I can tell you it is not a very long list, only for the blogs I keep coming back to : ) x Michelle Love your outfit! ;) That bag!!!! WOW! And the necklace too You look stunning as always. X Zoe X wow u look reaaaally goood!!! :)))) super picts! (I love the last one!) kisses :) the colour of the bag is amazing but i love your grey striped blazer! the light grey is so cute. xx from hong kong :) I like this bag! I can understand that feeling. I feel the same way on a sunny day. The bag is beautiful and I wasn't surprised when I saw that it was one from Chloe. Love your taste Annabelle ^^ Kisses, Steffi I love your style! :-) your blog is wonderful! Really great style and awesome photos! Loving the bag too xxx you look beautiful, that bag is lovely! Love the blazer!! _ Love the Chloe bag! Great outfit as always Annabelle, beautiful shoes and blazer.. Lovely pics :) xo Beautiful look like always!! I love your bag!! ^^ I think I should visit your country!! perfect places!! I love it :) xx from Spain Estefanía borntobeblonde.blogspot.com you look super stunning:) loving your sunnies! In love with the outfit, and the bag is to die for:) xoxo I love your jeans!!! Nice you, and nice Chloe!! Beautiful photos! I love the jacket!! xxx Love your jeans and shoes!!! And as always you look amazing! =) Gorgeous photos!! I love Chloe's bags. The color on this one is amazing! I love the 8th picture.It looks so spontaneous and fresh . I also love the striped jacked :) Hi! I'm reading your blog for some time now, but I have never commented.. I just wanted you to know that for me you are a real Style Icon! Your outfits are always so inspirational and perfect. I save them all in my inspirational folder :) And, as you probably know, you are one of the most beautiful women on this world! Omgosh, seriously, you are simply stunning! Such a gorgeous face! I have never seen a person prettier than you and I don't tell this just to flatter you. Honestly I mean it! :) Thanks for being so amazing! Keep up with the good work! :) And many many kisses and hugs from Greece :) Amazing outfit! Looooove the jacket! Love that bag and your shoes! Gorgeous as always! ♥ Gina Michele CrochetClouds Beautiful!!! Kisses!!!! Gorgeous look, honey!Love the blazer and the bag!xoxo Great outfit for a day like that. Loving the blazer, handbag and shoes- o.k. the whole shebang :) -AlbeeLucky.blogspot.com Beautiful pictures, I love your blazer its gorgeous! Fab outfit xx perfect photos & outfit :) all i can say is wow ! Youre just beautiful. I love reading your blog. Anw cool aviators! x You are wonderfull! Tienda Online I love teh Chloe bag!!!! besos, Mlu I love your Chloe Paraty Bag<3 Poison Wonderful bag, I'm totally in love with it! xoxo, V. this bag is so amazing!!! OMG, you're so wonderful, what a great job that this blog !!! So in love... I subscribe right now ! Please visit my new blog about make up, I'm a professional make up artist, at and please, subscribe if you like it ;) you're style amazing honey these pics are stunning you inspire me !!! love the bag and blazer! stunning!! great bag and blazer!! xxo beautiful Look, I like your style That bag is wonderful. great outfit! I love everything! especially the blazer. x.o.x.o. Bego Gorgeous outfit and I love the mix of colors, especially the orange bag :) Hugs xx Camille @ Paris in Pink how do you good! yeah you're just gorgeous! very fresh and beautiful image:) you look gorgeous!! this jacket is fabolous! also the necklace is really amazing ;) I love orange too:)) you look amazing, lovely photos taken on really great place.) I love your shoes and your bag. They are very beautiful! Lovely outfit. Love the jacket and the bracelet. x omg those shoes and that bag are amazing! love the color of that bag! Love your bag and shoes! Great outfit! x Theblackm4ze.blogspot.com Oooo Bag or Shoes, not sure which I love more! You look great! xo Beautiful photos!!!!! You're sooooo gorgeous!!! Your handbag -- GAHHHHH. Loving it! <33 Also, the scenery is amazing. I wish it looked like that where I live. There's no corn, for starters. I hate corn. Twitter: @GlamKitten88 Love these photos, I like the shoes and the blazer the most! glamourcube.blogspot.com The colour of that purse is amazing!! Kelly Enterkelly.blogspot.com this pictures are great! I feel summer:) you look great:) I am so happy we started following you, because you seriously have amazing style! This outfit is flawless in my opinion. I adore the pop of color, Chloe bags are simply amazing no matter what color. I love the style lines in the jeans and I am about to look those shoes up for myself! Incredible looks and beautiful photos. Light colours such as orange, yellow,banana etc will be all summer long with us! You look adorable in that outfit! Love your jackets, and you have soo many :D xoxo Kiki I LOVE everything about this outfit down to your white nail polish! your jeans are very cool and don't let me even start on the chloe! -AR You look so cute and casual! I love the bag!beijossss love your style :D love your blog! your beautiful! now following!! if you have time tell me what you think of mine!! Wow. I love your style <3 great jeans! And cute blazer. Your smile is gorgeous.... Ah... kisses. ;) Amazing outfit! Love that shoes! New post,check it out! Elle You look beautiful as always! Love the color of your bag! The bag is amazing! xoxo, colormenana.blogspot.com perfect outfit:) I LOVE YOUR BLAZER! Obsessed for sure :) Have a great day! xo Hannah endlesslychic.blogspot.com Hello dear Annabelle, You look stunning as always! Hugs, Astridur Color of your bag is eye-catcher! Love your shoes! AMAZING AMAZING, I am going to follow you right now!! Definetely one of your best looks! Love each and every piece. Hi there, wow just love your photo's. You're so pretty :D I'm a new follower, would u like to follow my fashion & beautyblog?.. I think you'll like it! xoxo Eva i love the blazer!! the stripes are sooo cute! those jeans are amazing:) Honey you look so beautiful! the jacket is so lovely and the color of the bag is so cool! kisses Chiara e Silvia I like your shoes! Are so lovely =) xoxo great outfit you look amazing as always! love the blazer and shoes together so cute especially with the pop of color of the bag! giveaway on my blog! O loved your layered t-shirts! Your sunglasses are wonderful! In fact, I loved the entire outfit! :D Beeeijooos love it! Thanks for following my blog Annabelle, you're a doll! xo, Alexandra woww, you look always gorgeous! I like you style! wow! i couldn't say anything apart that i love ur bag! :) i think i'll buy a similar one for myself. ;) x V. what a wonderful outfit !! You lokk amazing girl! Awww I just died when I saw this gorgeous purse! Is it available online? xo Lynzy high now..i am..follow your...love this blog..you is so pretty!! _ you look gorgeos darling!!! un outfit 10! Besos enormes guapa y super Feliz Semana Santa!!!! i love this kind of blazers that look so soft and comfy :) Absolutely loving it! xoxo dolceedamara.blogspot.com You look great girl!!! Xx One More Chance ah! That blazer! Those shoes! Your jeans! your hair! That bag! The Color! Ah! This is perfection! you look amazing!! I love the bag, fantastic colour!!! kisses i loooooooooove your bag. and orange/tan colors are my favorite right now too Must have that bag and blazer now!!!! So beautiful! sweetandsassy-sherry.blogspot.com what wonderful shots! and once again such a pretty outfit.. fell in love with that bag! xxx cut and beautifull as usual, you look very amazing annabelle .. Kiss from morocco Wow! I am spechless! Amazing outfit and pics:) Estas preciosa...irradias luz por todas partes!!! Me encanta tu outfit...un beso LA MAR SALADA I love the outfit, you're so pretty! The blazer is beautiful. Thank you very much for visit my blog and follow me; I follow you too. Kisses, Вы очень красивая девушка!!! Оставайтесь такой же красивой и стильной!!! ah lovely bag ! i love all your outfits Hi dollface! Thanks for the comment and checking out my blog. Love your blog :) xo, Catherine - That blazer is amazing!! Thank you so much for the kind comments! I am obsessed with that bag; everything about this outfit is flawless. Keep up the good work:) following you back as well! xx k, i am one, pretty damn stoked you even left me a comment (i wont go on about how sweet, but we all know your face is just damn stunning...) but i completely love you, your blog, and am also following. stay in touch xx love your blazer! its very trendy :) Love the outfit, the jeans is just too hot :) xx I can't believe you have a Chloe bag, you're so lucky! :) I want a Chloe bag so bad, not exactly that style, but I've been dying for a Chloe bag. Hopefully soon I can get one. lol :D Have a Good Day! David VirtuallyStunning.blogspot.com Hi Annabelle! Thrilled you found my blog and left a lovely comment, because it has lead me to your own gorgeously decadent blog. Now as for the orange handbag, well I have a serious addiction to handbags {last count over 50...eeks} and orange is such a wonderful colour that of course I think it looks wonderful! But I am also rather impressed with your elegant white shoes too. aw I'm flatted someone as gorgeous + awesome blog is a follower:)It's nice to see a fresh face! i'm now following you as well. love your photos!!! cute jacket by the way ;) Wow, cool outfit! The colour of the bag is simply perfect, I like it very much. And your blazer is really nice, love it! xoxo i love how comfortable, yet elegant you look :))) thank you for the lovely comment and for following! your blog and style is perfection and i am following right back :))) O...M...G!!! I literaly gasped when I saw your bag! That color is gorgeous! Awesome bag ;) I got it in black, but the pale pink version you have is definitely awesome! Miri's Castle Thank you so much for your comment !! I love your blog your style !! You are so beautiful and the style is perfect ! I follow you !! Xoxo Great great outfit, i love the color combo and the layers genius and that orange Chloe bag is just gorgeous!!!! You look amazing ! I love everything you're wearing ! xManon Will you please check out my blog sometime? You can follow me if you like ! I love you blog!! it's fantastic!! i follow you!!! i love your shoes and your bag too!! mavitrapos.blogspot.com The bag is beautiful! Love your blog Lifelover In love with this outfit!! thanks for the lovely comment dear! Follow you to! love, selina I like so much yogur blog! Now, i'm following you, Kissss This is totally cute, love the blazer. oh by the way your hair is amazing :) xx nice bag)) Dearest, thank you for your visit on my blog, you're beautiful, and I really like how you dress ... I will follow you kiss Loving that bag! Such a fabulous colour! Thanks for visiting and commenting on BLEURGH BLEURGH & Xisses aw thank you for your comment :) i love your blog too. that striped blazer is totally amazing! you've pretty much gotten summer style down pat. thanks for the comment!! THATGIRLKIP thanks a lot) I like your outfits and now following you Love everything about this look, down to the polish! Gorgeous pictures! Here in Finland we haven't seen the sun in a while, and I'm hoping that we could enjoy warm spring days soon also :)) Loving your blog!! I am a new reader!! Just came across your blog :) I love your blazer! Monique xx misszuman.blogspot.com WOW I love your style, your blog and I am huge fan of your beauty :) I'm gonna follow your blog and of course I invite you to visit mine! :) absolutely beautiful look! i love your blazer and the color of your bag is amazing! gorgeous photos, too! thanks for visiting us and leaving us such wonderful comments! -j, your newest follower :) amazing pictures! your bag is awesome..love it! Oi! A bolsa é realmente linda! Passa lá no blog que tem selinho pra você! ;) Bjkas, Pri. unhasestilo.blogspot.com Great style and pictures!! Great blog! xx Love the melon orange! x Beautiful!!!!!! stop my blog I updated some new stuff. Hey I just started to follow your blog and I must say that you have an amazing style, I love it! :) And that Chloe bag..omg it looks so good! xx -Jenny Those shoes were a pleasant surprise! Love them. And that bag is beyond perfect! These colours are awesome together xox omg. SUPER effortless chic. I love gthe color of your bag. you look gorgeous <3 xx :) you're so pretty and i love this outfit! especially the bag! xx Love ur outfit..and does shoes!! p.s thank u for following i did the same! always flawless :) i just love this outfit/that bag/your hair/your shoes/your fabulous face/this blog so ummm EVERYTHING!!! Great Pics and Outfit!!! love your BAG!!! visit my blog xx thanks for your comment but it's the place where I sell my clothes, check this xx and thanks again ;D I love your way of wearing orange! This will be my way too - with accessories! (I'm a winter - so no SS oranges near the face for me!)! I also like the shoot at the beach. In Chicago - had snow yesterday...wishing for warmer weather! Thanks for sharing your sun! -Lulu love this outfit!! and love the bag:) thanks for the comment and being so sweet. i adore this outfit. that bag! ungnf and your nail color.asfjasidja is all i can say :) Perfect, perfect, perfect! hugs and kisses by Mani. The bag has a beautiful color, love orange for spring, I am following! Beautiful! I really like your blazer X You are definitely one person that has made my day. I tell you why - your fabulousness has just elevated my moods and I thank you for that. Can you tell me what kind of nailpolish are you wearing ??? I loved it !! Kisses Lamia Thank you so much for your sweet comment, it means the world! and of course I have time to visit your blog, which by the way is fantastic! Your outfit is perfection wonderful outfit, I love your style! xoxo I want your bag!!!It's amazing!!!And its colour is....perfect!!!The pictures always beautiful! Love your style! Beautiful outfit :) fashionatemybrains.blogspot.com Beautiful in every way. You, your outfit, the light the location, the shots, everything. Xxxx You are so classy and gorgeous! This outfit looks perfect on you and the photos are amazing. xo Rachel I adore this outfit, I have been eyeing off this Chloe bag for ages! Your blog is amazing, I am your latest follower. X You have gorgeous style, I think I just spent forever browsing through your past posts. SO glad I found you!! I agree about the color orange, fun fun fun and if I had an extra stash of money I would spend it on that blazer in a second! LOVE it! Have a great day! xoxo Love this outfit! That color of that bag is amazing! Love your outfit! Especially your blazer! Style in the City Great look, though I'm not sold on the jeans... In which city is this? Just came across your blog!! you look absolutely gorgeous! love this outfit! x the sydney girl Absolutely love this outfit!!! goes perfectly well with the backdrop!!! ADORE!! where did you get your flowy top?!! of course i have time to look at your blog! and OMG i am glad i did! You are gorgeous and have great style. The whole outfit makes me exited for summer and you are hitting all the great trends (including color). Hope your well :) XOXO marissaofthesea Hi Anne! This post was magnificent! That flawless production! Inspired me! I put the second picture in my favorites folder! You are beautiful! Really! big kiss ~.~ Flavia Cruz Thank you so much ! x are you kidding me!? This is fabulous! the shoes and bag UGH! Wonderful. Muah! You are absolutely pretty! I love your blazer <3 Perfect outfit! I like the unique look of your heeled oxfords as well, they're very summer. Thanks for visitng my blog :) Hello Annabelle, I love your outfit and great color bag fantastic. Kiss. You are perfect! ♥ Your photos are great!! :) This blog is perfect!! :) wow what a look, you are simple gorgeous. and what an outfit. so casual, so simple and so stunning. it is so hard to look this beautiful with a casual outfit, but lady, you have nailed it. love the jacket with the jeans. the blouse looks perfect with it, so soft and precious. of course i love the it bag, especially because i haven't seen it in this color. the white boots are the highlight, they look bold enough, but the white is so perfect for spring. love that delicate necklace, looks ver Vuitton. but the best part, the combination of the casual tee and the blouse, simple divine. i am an instant follower... Gorgeous combination. Love the color of the bag. Have a nice day sweetie! Love Despite color Nice photos, I love your outfit! :) beautiful look! Love your shoessss!! xxx follow you :** Follow me back? i love the bag! Very pretty once again!!! Love the blazer and the purse! Your pictures are always so fresh! XoXO Plami Lovely bag, lovely blog! kisses xxx Love your pictures.. Makes me wanna swoon! I really want your bag! xxx Another perfect outfit! I'm having a giveaway on my blog for an amethyst necklace, be sure to check it out! x Love your jeans and bag! I took a look at your blog... very nice! I'll follow you! ♥ ♥ ♥ what you are wearing!! --kisses Love the orange bag! Oh I used to live right there, kinda miss it! I am happy the weather is warm and making you smile! Hugs & kisses from Rio!
MISS YOU From RemyWiki MISS YOU Song Information Artist: くにたけみゆき Composer: Mutsuhiko Izumi Lyrics: Y.Uehara Movie: Unknown BPM: 136 Length: 3:52 First Appeared On: GUITARFREAKS 6thMIX / drummania 5thMIX Appeared On: Lyrics Lyrics from AnimeLyrics.com: [1] Transliteration: ()Kono mama doko ka e itte shimaitai yo Kono mama zutto futari de ikiteitai yo Naiteiru watashi dakishimeta Kimi no kata furueteita yo Yume mitai ni shiawasena hibi datta no ni naze Wakare no wake ima mo mada hontou wa wakaranai yo Kimi no kubi ni ude wo mawashite Kata no kubomi ni kao wo uzumete Pittari da yo hanarerarenai yo tte Naite komaraseta ano hi Repeat () Kisetsu wa sugi hontou no wake Kimi no mama kara kiita yo Shinjitakunai eien ni kimi wa itte shimatta no Uketotta saigo no tegami Natsukashii moji nijinderu Gomen yo wakare no wake wo Umaku iezu ni kizutsuketa ne Nakanaide tsuyoku ikite hoshii Hontou wa kimi wo zutto mamoritakatta Arigatou kimi to ita hibi boku wa Dare yori mo shiawase datta kara Kimi no shiawase wo boku wa inotteiru yo zutto Shitteta no nani mo ka mo watashi ga naku koto mo Yasashii hito komarasete gomen ne Kurushii yo kanashii yo kuyashii yo sabishii yo Setsunai yo kimi ni aitai yo Repeat () I miss you... I miss you... I miss you... I miss you... Translation: ()I want us to go somewhere as we are I want us always to live together just like this You held me as I was crying And your shoulders were shaking They were happy days, just like a dream, so why... Even now I don't understand the real reason why we broke up I wrapped my arms around your neck And buried my face in the hollow of your shoulder I said, "This is perfect--I can't let you go" On that day when I put you on the spot with my crying Repeat () At season's end, the real reason-- I heard it from your mother I don't want to believe that you've left for good On the last letter I got from you The writing, so memorable, is blurred I'm sorry--the reason for our breakup-- I couldn't express it well, and I hurt you I want you not to cry and to be strong I really wanted to protect you forever Thank you...because when I was with you I was happier than anyone I'm praying for your happiness...always... Did you know everything, like that I cry I'm sorry that I made a kind person suffer It's painful, it's sad, it's frustrating, I'm lonely... It's unbearable--I want to see you Repeat () I miss you... I miss you... I miss you... I miss you... Song Connections / Remixes - Remix of RIGHT ON TIME, but with Japanese lyrics/vocals. Trivia - MISS YOU is the first original song sung by Miyuki Kunitake in the Guitar Freaks / drummania series. Music Production Info Unknown. Video Production Info None. Difficulty & Notecounts GF/DM difficulty rated from 1 to 99. (Ratings obtained from both the official game websites and BemaniWIKI.) GuitarFreaks & DrumMania Original Series - This article is a stub. You can help complete this page by contributing to it.
Post by cbus20122: Before this post gets read, I would like to note that I am not a scientist or geologist. If any information is inaccurate in this post, I would like to encourage the more scientifically inclined to correct me and inform readers if there are any inaccuracies! Caldera Volcanoes.. The Mythological Beast of Volcanology Image Wikimedia Commons : Aniakchak Caldera – Alaska If you’ve ever paid attention to volcanoes, there is a good chance you’re familiar with what a caldera is. For those who are new to the terminology, a caldera is a collapse structure that forms when the magma chamber below a volcano empties, leaving the overlying rock to subside into the ground. Calderas are to volcanoes what an atom bomb is to explosives. They’re the largest, most destructive, and rarest variety around, and because of that, they’re incredibly interesting. Caldera forming eruptions are interesting and notable to scientists and casual observers alike since they’re both rare, and incredibly powerful. In fact, some caldera-forming eruptions can be so powerful, that they’ve been associated with global climate change, and small-scale extinction events. Due to their potentially cataclysmic nature, there is a lot of misinformation and doom & gloom in the press and media. Chances are, you’ve heard the title “supervolcano”. The term “supervolcano” was coined by the media to describe the largest caldera-forming eruptions on earth. Ever since the inception of the term, it’s been used to describe any massive volcanic eruption, the likes which haven’t been seen in the modern era. So what are some common myths about calderas and supervolcanoes? Read the guide below! Debunking Myths Associated With Calderas Myth – There Are Only 6-7 Supervolcanoes on Earth Somewhere along the line, the media decided that there were less than 10 supervolcanoes on earth. This myth is a bit difficult to dispel, because there is no real cutoff between “supervolcano” and “really large caldera” as it’s not a true scientific term. Campi Flegrei in Italy is frequently described as a supervolcano, yet it’s not even 1/10 the size of Lake Toba. If we were to assume that Campi Flegrei is a proper supervolcano, then that means there are over 100 known supervolcanoes on our planet, and it would be on the lower end of the size spectrum. If we’re defining “supervolcano” by capability of producing a VEI – 8 eruption, then it’s true that there are only a few volcanic systems with this capability. Myth – All Calderas form from explosive eruptions While more calderas form as a result of a violent eruption, some caldera systems form from a gradual subsistence. Hawaiian volcanoes have calderas that formed slowly following the gradual effusion of basaltic magma, which caused a gradual drop in the size of the magma chamber. Subsistence calderas form most often in mafic shield volcanoes, which are common in oceanic hotspots such as the Galapagos, or the Hawaiian Islands. Myth – Volcanoes that have had a violent caldera forming eruption are extremely violent by nature Caldera forming eruptions are more of a cyclical process then they are indicative of a Volcano’s overall nature. Even extremely violent and active volcanoes such as Krakatoa show that they’ll stay active with small-scale eruptions post-collapse. A caldera-forming event typically happens only after a volcanic system has been “plugged” up for a long enough time, allowing pressure to build and magma to evolve to a degree that it can erupt in a dramatic fashion. For some volcanoes, this takes a very long time, others like Krakatoa can recharge much quicker. Some caldera volcanoes will create multiple massive caldera-forming eruptions. Others will only go massive one time, then they’ll sprout several smaller volcanoes after the initial caldera collapse event. It’s also important to note that there are different varieties of explosive calderas. Caldera volcanoes formed from andesitic arc-volcanism behave in a much different fashion than Caldera volcanoes that form from basaltic rift-oriented volcanism, which typically erupt effusive basalt eruptions, but can create massive rhyolitic eruptions on rare occasion. These caldera systems are usually indicative of a large heat source (basaltic magma) transforming country rock into Rhyolite (the most explosive variety of magma) which later erupts after being disturbed by a fresh injection of basaltic magma. Myth – Supervolcanoes Are Formed By Hotspots The largest caldera systems in the world all have a few things in common, yet being hot spot volcanoes is not a similar trait they share. In fact, Yellowstone is the only supervolcano that is known to be formed in association with a mantle plume (hot spot), whereas most other supervolcanoes are located in subduction arcs. What they do have in common is extremely hot and shallow heat sources, typically produced by continental rifting. Rifting occurs when land pulls apart due to largely tectonic reasons. Rifting lowers underlying pressure and thins the surface, which in turn pulls magma and hot rock closer to the surface. Eventually, these large shallow heat sources melt and evolve country rock (often granite) into our familiar friend Rhyolite. If you accumulate enough Rhyolite, let it evolve for a long enough time, then set it off with a fresh injection of magma, you have the ingredients for a massive eruption. For Yellowstone, the heat source comes from the mantle plume, instead of a rift-oriented heat source (although it’s likely some rifting is occurring as well). Google Earth Overlays For Caldera Systems – Calderas Outlined in Green or Red (screenshots) Ecuador has quite a few massive caldera systems, with the Chacana caldera being the largest Of the 11 large calderas in Kamchatka, the smallest is still 10 square KM.. Cbus20122
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Texas ought to win. Maybe it’s the eyeball test or perception or history, but Texas has immense firepower and, frankly, when you look at the Longhorns, you see a group that oozes height and athleticism and, when hitting on all cylinders, as good a volleyball team as you could imagine. But then there’s Oregon, which simply confounds you. Oregon may not look like it should be the team to hoist the trophy Saturday night at the end of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, but only a fool would count these Ducks out after what they’ve done the past three matches. Texas (28-4) of the Big 12 was seeded third when this tournament was set up. The Longhorns beat Colgate, Texas A&M, Florida, and USC to get to this final four and then escaped Michigan in five on Thursday night, winning 15-11 in the fifth. Texas hasn’t won the title since 1988 and had agonizing endings in the 2008 semifinal (losing to Stanford in five), in the 2009 title match (losing to Penn State in five), and in the 2010 semifinal (losing again to Penn State). Oregon (30-4) of the Pac-12 was the fifth seed in the tournament, so it’s probably not fair to call the Ducks Cinderellas or anything like that. But, c’mon, Oregon didn’t make the tournament in 2010 and last year lost in the first round to Colorado State. The final four? Oregon has never been this far before and let’s face it, most people thought if anyone from the Pac-12 was going to be here, it would have been Stanford or UCLA or USC or Washington. Yet in this tournament Oregon rolled past Northern Colorado and Dayton and then beat BYU before stunning Nebraska in Omaha last Saturday to make it here. And then Thursday the Ducks, down a set, stormed back and won the next three to send top-ranked and top-seeded Penn State back to State College. Both teams have the respective players of the year from their conference. Texas outside hitter Haley Eckerman, a 6’3” sophomore from Waterloo, Iowa, was the Big Ten Player of the Year. Oregon boasts Alaina Bergsma, who gets everyone’s attention for having been Miss Oregon USA, but the 6’3” senior outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year. But no one has anyone like Liz Brenner. To wit: She started playing racquetball at age 5 and won a 6-and-under world championship, the first of 11 such titles. She’s a power forward on the Oregon women’s basketball team. Last year she was a backup catcher on the Oregon softball team that went to the world series. And this year she’s forsaking softball to compete in the javelin and shot put for the Ducks world-renowned track and field program. “I absolutely love sports,” she said. “Love watching them, love playing them.” Brenner stands 6’1” – “I’ve been this size since the sixth grade” -- is thick and muscular, moves with a grace that belies her build, and can flat out tattoo a volleyball. When Oregon beat Penn State, Brenner led with 17 kills, had 17 digs, and four block assists. Six of her kills came in that critical second set in which Oregon blew a 20-10 lead before winning 30-28 on Brenner’s big hit. “I know I’m obviously not the typical volleyball player,” she said. “I’m not super tall or super skinny. But I just use what I have. I use the athleticism and I have the strength, which a lot of people haven’t seen and also I’m pretty tall for someone who plays all the way around, which people haven’t seen either. I think it surprises a lot of people that I can do what I can do.” None of that is lost on Oregon coach Jim Moore, who signed Brenner as a volleyball player only. But then the last year the Oregon basketball team had some injuries and then the same thing happened in softball, and, well, Moore isn’t complaining. “Everybody wants to know why she’s such a good serve receiver. It’s because she’s such a good athlete. She just has that hand-eye coordination that you can bring if you play a lot of sports,” Moore said. “We have so many kids who do nothing but play volleyball right now and they look awkward doing everything because they’re just volleyball players. And that’s all they’ve ever done, where someone like Liz who plays multiple sports brings athleticism to our sport that we don’t have … She knows how to move in space better than most people.” The lanky Bergsma, appreciates the energy her teammate brings to the team. “She’s just such a competitor. She’s by far the purest athlete I’ve ever gotten to play with,” Bergsma said. “I mean, people might look at her and think she’s not the same kind of athlete you see a lot of in volleyball, like she doesn’t jump and touch 11 feet and those kinds of things, but I’ve never had a teammate like that. It’s amazing knowing that she’s going to do what has to be done when she needs to.” Brenner, who had a 3.4 GPA this semester, and who, by the way, touches 10 feet, says volleyball is her favorite and “the sport I absolutely love.” This season she’s second on the team only to Bergsma with 436 kills and is hitting .297 and is by far the team leader in serve reception. She is second only to libero Haley Jacob in digs with 285. Her team’s success this month isn’t a surprise to Brenner, who not only was twice the Oregon Prep Volleyball Player of the Year, but also the top basketball player. “From the beginning of this season we knew we were going to be good,” Brenner said. “We knew with the group we have now that this was going to be an extremely important shot for us. All season we’ve been battling to get there and we’re not giving up. We’re going to keep fighting until we do it.” After Saturday’s championship match, Brenner is taking a week off before joining the basketball team. That team is currently 0-8, and she’ll miss three more games before getting out there on December 31. “My first game is against UConn,” Brenner said with a smile. Last year she played in 21 games and averaged 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. Saturday night’s game not withstanding, she can’t wait. “I’ve been playing so many sports my whole life, like when I have my week off next week I’m going to be bored out of my mind,” she said with another smile. “Because I’ll have nothing to do.” Add a Comment You need to log in to comment on this article. No account? No problem!
The lights are slowly starting to come back on across Fairfield County after Superstorm Sandy and for most, things are slowly but surely starting to return to normal. However, there are still many in our region affected by this fierce storm in need of immediate help. We spoke with a number of groups here in Fairfield County working to help ease the burden and offer some ideas below for ways you can get involved. In Stamford, The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, which supports a number of local agencies including the Salvation Army, needs help refilling its pantry and supporting the countless people in the area affected by Sandy. Food Bank Executive Director Kate Lombardo tells us they are in serious need of non-perishable foods like breakfast cereal and Parmalat. You can get a full list of items they need on their website. Lombardo also says they are looking for groups like local businesses to run food drives. She says the Food Bank will even come pick up the donations for a sizable food drive. If you’d like to volunteer, Lombardo says they are always looking for help sorting and stocking donations at their warehouse. To contact them, call 203.348.8898. In neighboring Greenwich, Manager of Volunteer Resources and Youth Services at the American Red Cross-Metro NY North Chapter, Andrew Sindell, tells us that due to the overwhelming response to Sandy they are currently not deploying volunteers who are not already trained by the Red Cross. However, he says if you are interested in volunteering to contact them in one to two weeks when the immediate need settles down. There will still be plenty of work to do. Sindell also says individuals in Connecticut looking to get involved can call 211 to find out more. In Darien, Person-to-Person says they are also seeing a huge need for food right now, especially for clients in Stamford and Norwalk who lost the contents of their refrigerators. P2P also lost power at its own food pantry and had to discard a significant amount of food, mostly meats. They are also in need of clothing donations and have already sent about 150 bags to Norwalk to help residents who have been flooded out of their homes. To help P2P, visit their website or give them a call at 203.655.0048. In Fairfield, Director of Operation Hope Carla Miklos says their immediate need is for donations of non-perishable food items. They are also looking for donations of gift cards to local grocery stores like Stop and Shop or Shop Rite so clients can restock after losing food this past week. You can reach them at 202.292.5588. Also in Fairfield, one of the hardest hit shoreline communities, there is an all-volunteer group coming together to mobilize a massive cleanup of the beachfront neighborhoods. Lindsey Morton and a couple of friends came up with the idea to launch Fairfield Beach Relief. “We all grew up here in Fairfield and after Sandy we were looking to do something to help the victims living near the beach,” said Morton. “It seemed that everyone wanted to help those affected, but were having trouble finding a way to do so. We decided to name the date, time and place and the response was immediate.” This Sunday November 11, volunteers will be meeting at Sherman School at 9:30 a.m. Groups will be dispatched to clean up affected homes and areas. “Our hope was that this week, after power is restored, residents would be able to focus on the interior of their homes, especially with another storm in our future and the below-normal temperatures,” said Morton. “This way, we figure volunteers could arrive on Sunday to take care of the outside clean up that needed to be done.” Volunteers are asked to bring rakes, work gloves, leaf bags, wheelbarrows and other equipment that may help also with the cleanup. Organizers ask that volunteers interested should RSVP via Facebook so they can be prepared with team assignments. Katie Boland, a Fairfield native and one of the cleanup organizers, says this is all about a community sticking together through thick and thin. “I grew up in Fairfield and spent many summers at Penfield and Jennings Beach. There's something really special about this community in Fairfield and I am excited to be able to give something back to it.” At VolunteerSquare, this is just what we love to see happening! Let us know if there’s a community cleanup in your neighborhood so we can share it with our friends. As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to help out. Even if not with one of these agencies, check in on your neighborhood or at your local school, community center or place of worship. Many are organizing smaller food drives and cleanups. As always, remember to check out Fairfield County-based VolunteerSquare.com to see volunteer opportunities throughout the year. It’s free and easy!
ENERGY SECURITY BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, in these opening weeks of the 110th Congress, the Democratic majority in the House has succeeded in passing a package of bills that is designed to secure America. We passed a bill to improve our Nation's ability to prevent another 9/11 style attack on our country. We have made life a little more secure for millions in the United States who toil at the minimum wage, and millions of young people who leave college with a degree and a mountain of debt. We have secured the ability of America's medical researchers to explore and exploit the life-saving potential of stem cells. We have committed this government to safeguarding our economic security by ending years of fiscal irresponsibility. And today, we have begun what may be the most important project of all, to ensure America's energy security by ending our dependence on foreign oil and developing clean, green renewable sources of energy. Ensuring our energy security will require more than just the protection of American oil supplies from terrorists in hostile nations. It will also mean we find homegrown fuel sources that reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It will mean that we pare down our energy consumption and promote efficiency. It will mean that we transition to renewable energy sources that ensure a clean, dependable energy supply for years to come. There are those who say that it would cost too much to shift our infrastructure over to new energy sources. They say that the market has decided that coal and oil are the cheapest energy, and that switching to renewable energy would harm our economy. This is shortsighted, false, and, ultimately, dangerous because much of the true cost of oil and coal don't appear on the gas pump or on our electric bills. Extracting coal and oil harms the environment and burning fossil fuels produces pollution that clogs our cities and greenhouse gases that warm our atmosphere. Tens of thousands of Americans get lung cancer and other respiratory diseases from power plant air pollution and this, too, is part of the true cost of ``cheap' energy. These expenses are paid by the American people just as surely as they pay their electric bills. But to find the true cost of a barrel of oil, we must look further, to a foreign policy beholden to oil and gas, and that price is too steep. Today the House passed a bill that will roll back tax breaks for oil and gas companies and reform the royalty relief system that has cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. The $13 billion dollars saved by this overdue reform will be placed in a strategic reserve to be spent on programs to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and alternative fuels, promote energy efficiency, and step up research on advanced energy technologies. Initiatives like these are the only way to permanently reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and this bill is a good first step on the road to true energy security. European and Asian competitors are already developing technologies that will reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions of greenhouse gases. Rather than American entrepreneurs, it is our competitors who are prospering from these developments. By marshaling America's great strengths, our inventiveness, our technological prowess, and our entrepreneurial spirit, we can better secure our Nation, save our environment, and become the world leader in this cutting-edge industry. We must encourage the development of flexible-fuel and hybrid vehicles. These vehicles can be built with today's technology and will enable a smooth transition from gasoline to biofuels. We must raise the corporate average fuel economy standards. We must invest in research and development of new energy technologies, like wind power, cheap solar cells, plug-in hybrid cars, and cellulosic ethanol. The new energy economy will be dominated by rapid innovation, and the scientific investment we make now will be paid back with interest by the technologies it creates. We must encourage employers to offer mass-transit benefits so that employees can commute without their cars, and support mass transit systems around the country. We must pass global warming legislation to reduce our output of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Many of America's most successful companies have realized that something must be done to contain global warming and they are now pushing Congress to lead. We know what must be done to end our dangerous addiction to oil. All we need now is the will to do it. Madam Speaker, we have lost so much time since 9/11, time that could have been so profitably used to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But it is not too late to abruptly and constructively change course. The American people are ready for a clean energy economy, and the bill we passed today will begin to put our country on that new road to energy independence and a more secure future.
The Dakota Student - Mathern Aims for Top State Gov. Spot Veteran of state senate campaigns for health care, student issues, more. Ryan Johnson North Dakota voters will choose their governor and lieutenant governor in the November election. This year's race features Republican Governor John Hoeven running again for a third term, with Democratic candidate Tim Mathern and Independent candidate DuWayne Hendrickson challenging the incumbent. Democratic-NPL Tim Mathern has served on the state senate for the last 22 years. He became the first person in his family to graduate from college after receiving his degree from North Dakota State University. Mathern went on to earn a masters degree in social work from the University of Nebraska, and later earned a masters degree in public administration from Harvard University at the age of 50. For 27 years, he worked at Catholic Family Service/Catholic Charities, and is currently working at Prairie St. John's Hospital in Fargo. Health care Mathern said that he has worked throughout his time as a senator to address health care issues in the state. He put together a bill in the 1990s that attempted to provide more resources for pregnant women and new mothers in order to ensure they would have the proper resources to help them. He said that he wanted to help resolve as much as possible some of the main reasons why women chose to get abortions. The bill addressed health care for pregnant women, proper care for children, daycare services, family life education services as well as child support issues. It was passed, something he said was a proud moment in his career since the subject of abortion tend to be divisive and controversial. "When I look back, I would say that's probably pretty close to the top of the list - creating a bill where people on both sides of an issue and both parties work together to actually do something positive," he said. Student issues According to Mathern, he has been addressing student issues during his senate career as well. He said that sticking to his principles has meant that he supports policies that help everyone obtain a quality education. "I pretty much vote quickly on all of the issues," he said. "I say if you've got your basic values down, really it isn't that difficult." One of his plans if elected is to create a tuition repayment program for students that start or business or work in North Dakota after their graduation from a state school. Under his plan, one-eighth of a graduate's tuition cost total would be given back to them as an income tax credit every year for up to eight years. He said this plan would use the income tax system rather than developing new government bureaucracy. Mathern added that it's important for the state to be innovative in providing incentives for students to live in the state after their graduation. He estimated that the plan would cost $11 million for the first year and the funding would come from the general fund. Even though this is a large amount of money, Mathern said that the indirect benefit of keeping the students here would far outweigh the costs. "It has great potential to basically say to our young people, here is a reason to stay," he said. "We give our young people so many reasons to leave." According to Mathern, North Dakota has become a low-wage state that may attract some companies but end up underpaying workers. He said that efforts by Governor John Hoeven to get new companies to the state are sending the wrong message to college students that would like to remain in the area after graduation. "I don't think we should give millions and millions of dollars to create jobs that are low-paying," he said. "I just think that's counterproductive." He also supports proposals for a two-year tuition freeze and increases in grants to students. "As far as I'm concerned, this is all an investment and this is all good news for North Dakota," he said. Election goals Mathern said that he would remain focused on health care as a top priority if elected. His plans call for providing coverage for the 15,000 uninsured people between the ages of 1 and 21 by extending an existing program called Healthy Steps. Under current arrangements, the federal government reimburses North Dakota $.74 to the dollar for money it spends on insuring its young people. Mathern said the current eligibility cap of 150 percent of poverty level should be removed in order to open up access to the benefits. "This is not a costly program ... it's taking what's already available to us and extending it to everybody, not just some folks," he said. He said that he would also work to promote wellness and prevention efforts that can reduce future health issues and therefore lower health care costs by up to $2 billion in North Dakota. Upgrading rural hospital infrastructure and creating an income-based health insurance plan for adults are also top health care priorities, he said. Lifelong Rolette, N.D. resident Merle Boucher is Mathern's running mate, and has been leader of the House Democratic caucus since 1996. Boucher taught at Rolette High School for 20 years and is also a farmer. He attended NDSU-Bottineau and Mayville State University, and earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education. The other two candidates, John Hoeven and DuWayne Hendrickson will be featured in Tuesday's edition. Source:
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT Ms. CHU. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2681 and H.R. 2250. Some in Congress want to use the jobs crisis as an excuse to roll back clean air protections that will prevent 9,000 premature deaths every year. Today, we are debating an unnecessary, wasteful bill that only delays long overdue pollution-reducing regulations at the expense of Americans' health. This is one of the Republicans' so-called ``jobs bills,'' conducting redundant and costly studies that will do nothing but add paper to landfills instead of creating jobs by upgrading cement kilns so that they are no longer a threat to public health. These studies have been done. Americans are still breathing mercury, arsenic, and lead; but we have a means to clean it up. It's called the Clean Air Act, and it was passed in 1963. It is known as one of the most successful pieces of legislation in congressional history; yet the Republican majority is trying to gut it over and over, bill after bill, wasting time and energy that could be spent passing legislation that would help create new jobs for Americans. Today's bill would cancel requirements to clean up toxic air pollution, smog, and soot from cement plants. So, while big companies save a penny or two, American families will face billions of dollars in increased health costs. Thousands more people will go to hospitals with cases of bronchitis, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and thousands more will die prematurely. These pollutants are also neurotoxins, causing major harm to the development of unborn babies, infants, and children. While the majority claims that eliminating this antipollution rule for the cement industry will be good for business and the economy, the EPA rule institutes new standards based on the best available technology already in use in the industry. Let me repeat that. This rule that the Republicans are trying to weaken is based on the best available technology already in use voluntarily by a good portion of the companies in the industry. What does that mean? These antipollution standards are actually achievable today, and companies are already using them and making a profit. So today's bill is just another in a long string of anti-environment/anti-health attacks that look out for corporate interests over the best interests of American families. We cannot afford to give polluters a free pass to spew deadly, toxic air pollution that hurts our health and puts our children at risk. No matter what anyone says, increased pollution is not a sustainable path to job creation. Instead, we should be saving lives, saving our environment, and investing in the clean-tech jobs of the future. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and the anti-environment/anti-American health bill that is up for a vote tomorrow. I yield back the balance of my time. BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT Source:
Writer Smash My greatest difficulty as a writer? Perhaps the whole fickle publishing industry, using authors as content machines and paying nothing to live on. Or the changing author-agent-publisher relationship, backlash and bitterness, a traditional route and a new route and neither of the routes seemingly open to anyone. Maybe Amazon offering an elitist “library” for those who have the money, keeping titles from every other platform, giving such an easy option writers fall for it even if it hurts them in the long run. No, my greatest difficulty isn’t any of these things. It’s all of these things. Add to this the daily HOW TO WRITE, YOU MUST READ THIS TO WRITE, and 10 THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOU WRITE AGAINST YOUR PUNY WILL articles tweeted from midnight to midnight. Authors I know losing faith in their work, in their process, thinking they need someone else’s process, lamenting the new process, becoming utterly processed and never writing a word. Arguments about self-publication, free books, the debate about the value of books. “Libraries are irrelevant in the new world order.” Whose new world order? And on. And on. And— Not one of these things has the power to stop me from writing. But together they all do. The overwhelming writer-related negativity daily beaming into my brain from every corner of the world is enough to make me a little angry, and it’s hard to write while angry. Anger is not productive. This is my greatest difficulty as a writer: staying calm and remembering that all these things are not writing. Only writing is writing. To overcome this obstacle I’ve recognized that my access to this difficulty comes most often from the internet. This is how I read news, blog posts, twitter, and so forth. I regulate this access so I’m not bombarded with negativity before I get a chance to write each day. When the negativity arrives, breaking through my carefully laid plans, I see it for what it is and keep it separate from my work. Just because I’m writing a short story doesn’t mean the Kindle Select program will snap it up without my consent. Just because I’m writing a book doesn’t mean I must argue about whether I will eventually submit it to agents or editors or publishers or… Kindle Select. While I’m writing, the most important thing is the story. I breathe, I step back from the world, and make myself small and quiet—including any worries or judgements I have about the publishing world—so the story can speak up. Basically I’m the writing equivalent of Bruce Banner. Most of the time I’m brilliant and productive, but I don’t like me when I’m angry. I just… have to breathe. And write. Jen, Bingo! But, there you are, here I am. We could be doing the dishes or taking a walk. Or, posting and commenting. Excuse me, I have to write another chapter in my novel. (Right after I check my google analytics.) I see Social Media Anonymous emerging. I’ll do a Facebook page! Argh! Only writing is writing! And isn’t it wonderful when we remember that and get down to it. Wise words–and an epiphany I found comfort in and wrote about awhile back, too. (In a totally different manner and rant, lol. ) In my most obstinate days (which I try to cultivate, heh heh), I remind myself there have always been naysayers and doubting Thomases, have always prophets of doom and gloom predicting the death of publishing, the end of education, the demise of readers (and those who even can read), etc., etc., etc. … Whatever. I’ll be at my computer. Or scribbling in a notebook. And loving it, because while I’m actually writing, not thinking about writing, all the negativity and fear floods away and I’m somewhere else entirely. Thanks for the great post and reminder. Only writing is writing–and thank goodness for that. You’re right–There have always been all those things… and always writers, too. Hooray! Great post, Jen! I completely agree. Thanks Ang Your article made me smile. I’m glad!

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