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Right-to-farm rulings have serious implications Industry representatives fear any new growing practice might be considered a nuisance. Jul 1, 2006 Tree fruit industry groups are alarmed by an appeals court decision that could impact the right to farm. In 1991, Michael Taylor bought an apple orchard in Yakima, Washington. In 1997, he removed the trees and planted cherry trees. Four years later, when the trees came into production, he started using cherry guns to scare away birds. Jim Davis, who lived next to the orchard, sued Taylor, claiming that the cherry guns were a nuisance. The Yakima County Superior Court ruled in favor of the grower, saying the practice was protected from nuisance suits because the orchard was there before the house. But this spring, the Washington State Appeals Court reversed the County Superior Court decision, stating that the specific practice, not just the existence of the farm, must predate the housing development for it to be protected under the right-to-farm laws. Miles Kohl, manager of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, said that the appeals court’s interpretation of the right-to-farm law could mean that any new activity, even if it is a normal or accepted farming practice, may not be protected, and this could have significant impacts on agriculture. It would mean that any new practice (such as the use of cherry guns or overhead sprinklers) or new product (a new pesticide or machinery that operates 24 hours a day) could constitute a nuisance. In another recent case, Yakima beekeeper Eric Olson was sued by a neighbor who complained that Olson’s bees were a nuisance on their property. Given the appellate court decision in the Taylor case, Yakima County Superior Court Judge James Hutton dismissed the right-to-farm defense, stating that Olson’s beekeeping activities were not protected from nuisance lawsuits because the agricultural activity had changed from hay production to bee yard after the neighbor’s house was built, even though the site where the house was built was previously a bee yard. The judge sent the two sides to mediation. Appeal Kohl said the Growers-Shippers Association is working with legal counsel in both suits to ensure that the interests of agriculture are represented. The Taylor case has been appealed to the Washington State Supreme Court, and the association plans to file an amicus brief as a party to the case. The state law covering agricultural practices and nuisance suits (RCW 7.438.305) states that agricultural activities conducted on farmland, if consistent with good agricultural practices and “established prior to surrounding nonagricultural activities,” shall not be found to constitute a nuisance unless the activity has a substantial adverse effect on public health and safety. “What we think the legislature intended to do is say if an orchard operation was there, and they spray and they do things that are normal, you really can’t file a complaint against them,” Kohl said. The new interpretation would limit a farmer’s ability to change commodities in order to adjust to the marketplace, which was what Taylor did when switching from apples to cherries, he said. Kohl said agriculture needs to work with the Washington State legislature to make sure the statute protects farmers, because legislators he’s talked to didn’t intend the law to cover specific agricultural practices, but meant agricultural practices in general. Jim Hazen, executive director of the Washington State Horticultural Association, said his association will be involved if the issue comes up at the next Washington State legislative session. “It has huge implications,” he said. Hazen worries about the precedent the cases set and said the parameters around the right to farm need to be better defined. He points out that the environment has changed since the right-to-farm laws were put in place. Today, there is far more urban encroachment into agricultural areas. “We’ve turned over a lot more farmland and are now growing houses where back in the 1990s we didn’t even think about it,” he said. “We’re a different state than we were in the 1990s, and encroachment is not slowing down. The population of the state is going to increase, and not all those people are going to live in Seattle, Tacoma, or Spokane. They’re going to live in the suburbs.” Growth management efforts have contributed to the problem, he added, because they have created pockets in rural areas where urban people want to live in a country setting. Most residents moving into urban areas have no experience of farming and don’t understand the complexities and strategies involved in growing high quality produce for the consumer, he said. Geraldine Warner was the editor of Good Fruit Grower from 1992-2015. During her tenure, she planned and prepared editorial content, wrote for the magazine, and managed the editorial team. Read her stories: Story Index
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Elle Rose lingeried beauty always cums in doggystyle position Elle Rose is insanely hot and today she's dressed in those stockings you love so much. Enjoy the braided hair brunette while she takes boyfriend's cock inside her mouth and pussy before tasting lots of jizz at the end.
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I have never actually cried at a manga or anime, though I almost cried at the end of Cowboy Bebop. In the case of other shows I either expect it how it'll end or am "loling" at a "kill 'em all" ending. Except in the case of Berserk, I was too busy trying to figure out what had just happened to lol at that one. Yeah, Rurouni Kenshin, just before and during the Shishio arc. And the Samurai X movies, all of them. Because I think they were designed to be sad. Haha.Clannad.Clannad After Story. big time.Air, big time. Scrapped Princess.Grave of Fireflies.Full Metal Alchemist.Trigun.Akage No Anne.Fushigi Yuugi. [Big time, especially at the end when certain people die.]Hanasakeru SeishounenSamurai 7.Princess Tutu. [again, at the end.]Weiss KreuzWolfs Rain, the anime ending. Urgh, which I really disliked. The manga is better. IMO.Yukikaze. I can see Clannad After Story (I almost did), but Trigun had me puzzled there for a moment. I do remember a sad part here and there, but I guess it didn't have that sad tone to it. Maybe that was just me. - God is always with us, especially when we feel most alone. http://ablipintime.deviantart.com/Htom Sirveaux (post: 1435089) - "We should all start speaking telepathically." Midori (post: 1457302) "Sometimes, if I try hard, I can speak in English." (post: 1481465) "Overthinking is an art." Goldenspines - "Fighting the bad guys and rescuing princesses from trolls and all that. " Hmm... I cried at the end of Oran Academy Host Club Anime and I cried at the end of Fruits Basket Manga (and some in the middle too). Some of the TriGun manga as almost made me cry but not quite yet. ^_^ Still have to watch Summer Wars... probably do it tonight... and it looks like I'll cry too. LOL Sorry, I can be very moved by a really good story. SDG Edit: OK, I know its not an anime or manga, but the .Hack G.U. light novel made me cry at points. I think I have to post in this thread, because I cry a lot Here's the specifics: Anime Full Metal Alchemist - [spoiler]When Nina died, when Hughes died, and all the way through the last couple of episodes with Ed and Al dying and coming back and wringing my heart out T_T I also moped around in deep depression for a week after finishing the show, I'll have you know.[/spoiler] Grave of the Fireflies - Yeah, you know why. I actually only started crying when the montage started up and the music was building into a crescendo Haibane Renmei - [spoiler]My first time through, I cried when Kuu took her Day of Flight. Now that doesn't affect me so much, but every stinkin' time I see the climax, where Reki exposes the blackness of her soul and cries for help and Rakka saves her...I lose it [/spoiler] Wolf's Rain - Um, yeah, pretty much just the last three or four episodes <_< Especially that scene, you know, with Tsume talking to Toboe, because he was always my favorite character and I loved the sheer depth you could see in him in that moment. Kodocha - Now this one I never expected to cry for, that's for sure! [spoiler]I cried in episode 19, which was the last one I saw, because of Sana's struggles with whether she was going to stay with her adopted mother or go live with her real mother. When she decides to stay with the mother she'd known all these years.... TT____TT[/spoiler] Manga Full Metal Alchemist - I cried in several parts of the manga but not in Brotherhood, because I read the manga first, so it didn't hit me out of nowhere like these scenes did the first time around. [spoiler]The first time I cried was when you think (or at least I did) that Lust killed Mustang. Mustang is my second-favorite character of all, so I was devastated. Hawkeye's reaction made it worse, and then Mustang comes in and saves the day!!! Once I reached the end of that chapter, I had to just stop for a minute and cry out my relief for a bit. I think I probably teared up when Ed comes out of Gluttony's stomach and reunites with Al. And I didn't cry exactly - it was more like I almost had a heart attack - when Al gave up his soul to get Ed's arm back and rejoined his body in the Gate. But I definitely cried when Ed finally called Hohenheim "Dad" in the last chapter.[/spoiler] Chrno Crusade - I think I remember getting a little teary-eyed at the end. Death Note: L Change the World (which apparently counts as manga on MAL) - This is definitely due to my intense L fangirlism, but yeah, I cried a couple times in this unassuming little book. [spoiler]I cried when Maki was captured and L tried to run after them, then dropped to the ground and just screamed because he felt so helpless. Seeing a character as reserved as L do something like that was one of the most powerful reactions I've ever seen. I also bawled my eyes out at the end. I read the last section and then spent the next five minutes or so leaning against the wall, clutching the front of my shirt and crying with all my might. It's just so beautiful.[/spoiler] Monster - [spoiler]I cried in that one chapter where that boy witnesses a rape and it ties into Grimmer's past/characterization. That was intense, brutal, and tragic. I also got teary-eyed at the part where Nina/Anna was going to shoot herself, but Tenma stopped her. Oddly, none of the deaths made me cry, though I did feel quite sad for some of them. I was kind of expecting them, though, so maybe that's why.[/spoiler] Yup, I'm a little crybaby You can find out things about the past that you never knew. And from what you've learned, you may see some things differently in the present. You're the one that changes. Not the past.- Ellone, Final Fantasy VIII "There's a difference between maliciously offending somebody - on purpose - and somebody being offended by...truth. If you're offended by the truth, that's your problem. I have no obligation to not offend you if I'm speaking the truth. The truth is supposed to offend you; that's how you know you don't got it."- Brad Stine [spoiler]I cried when I saw the last page. Well, when I saw it after reading the series all the way through for the first time (I looked at the last few pages a few times before finishing the series XD). It was such a good ending. So sweet and touching...[/spoiler] I think anyone who watched AnoHana cried at some point during the series. For me, it was the final episode. Whatever the season in life, the RIGHT attitude makes all the difference. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."Psalm 121:1-2 "Though our paths may have diverged, you must continue to live out your life with all your might; you must never consider your own life to be something insignificant, and you must never forget about the friends whom you loved for as long as you live."The Third Rule of Fairy Tail "Mistakes are not shackles that halt one from stepping forward. Rather, they are that which sustain and grow one's heart.Mavis Vermilion, Fairy TailWhen we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change.Avatar Aang, The Legend of Korra @ the_wolfs_howl: Don't feel bad about being a cry baby, it's good that you haven't hardened your heart toward the way of the world. It's a good thing to be soft and kind hearted. (Plus, I am also a major cry baby. xD) Anime: Tegami Bachi made me bawl my eyes out every single episode of the first season. It's embarrassing, but true. (I cried so much, My brother and sister nicknamed me 'Lag'.) [spoiler]Tegami Bachi reverse made me sad too, but not as much, Sunny losing her heart was sad and some other things for me too... but the most sad of every thing in Reverse is that Gauche never really comes back and somehow everyone is okay with that! SO OOC, I HATE ANIME ORIGINAL ENDINGS [/spoiler] Fruits Basket was my first anime and I cried so much watching that show. Same with the manga, I was a sobbing wreck, my family was worried about me! [spoiler]Like how Momiji's mother didn't want him, his sister didn't know who he was and he couldn't tell her the truth... Not only did poor Hatori have to give up the women he deeply loved, he had to be the one who erased her memory. Kyo's mother killed herself... Yuki's mother abandoned him... Everyone had a horribly sad secret... *sniffle* and the ending... oh, it was so beautiful!!! ;__; Man, I cried a lot for this show. More then Tegami bachi, and I cried a lot while watching that one. [/spoiler] Kemono no Souja Erin... ... I'm starting to feel sad already. [spoiler]When Erin's mother started being to nice to her right after meeting with the town leaders... I lost it completely; because I figured out right away what was going to happen... I knew they were going to kill her... I knew it, but the fact that they fed her alive to the Touda's... just shocked me and then Erin tries to save her... It was awful...[/spoiler] Valkyria Chronicles, I didn't really end up liking the show very much, since I felt the plot was all over the place and that they killed off too many characters too often. However one death did really get to me. [spoiler]I really liked Isara, so when they killed her off I was horrified. I didn't cry though, I cried when they showed her funeral... and when they showed that Welkin hadn't shed even one tear the whole time, it was terrible since it was so out of character for him. (In a good way though.) The worst part, that made me really cry was when Rosie sings for Isara at her grave while poor Ramal listens... (Btw, I really liked Ramal so the fact they killed him off in such a stupid lame, not plot worthy way... UGH! [/spoiler] The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
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5/7-5/9 Series Preview: Colorado Rockies For the first time this year, the Yankees are heading to a National League park for interleague play. They’re in Colorado for a three-game set with the Rockies, only their third trip to Coors Field since the place opened. The Yankees are just 2-4 at Coors all-time, and that includes getting swept in three games back in 2007. On the other hand, they scored 41 runs in three games back in 2002, the all-time for a three-game series in that building. What Have They Done Lately? The Rockies were picked by many (including me) to finish in last place in the NL West, but they’re currently right behind the Giants for the division lead at 18-13 with a +27 run differential. They did just lose two of three to the Rays this weekend though, and after starting the year with 13 wins in 17 games, they’ve since lost nine of their last 14 games. Offense Home/road splits might be one of the most over-analyzed things in baseball, but Coors Field is a different animal. It’s an extreme hitter’s park not only because there are more homers due to the way the ball carries in the thin mile-high air, but also because breaking balls don’t break as much as they do at sea level. Outfielders tend to play deeper as well, which results in more bloop hits. Since the place opened in 1995, games at Coors Field have a .3333 BABIP compared to a .3001 BABIP everywhere else. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of plate appearances here. Anyway, rather than the usual block text preview, I’m going to present the Rockies’ active position players in a table to make life easier. All of the stats are for this year only. Surprisingly, the Rockies are actually hitting better on the road (120 wRC+) than they are at home (105 wRC+) so far this year. I’m guessing that has a lot to do with some brutally cold April weather in Denver, which included a few snow-postponed games. I don’t expect that reverse split to last long, the Rox are going to mash at home once it heats up. Hopefully that process doesn’t start this week. Starting Pitching Matchups Just in case you’re wondering, no, Colorado no longer employs that four-man rotation/tandem starter thing they tried for most of last season. It’s a regular starter/bullpen setup. Tuesday: RHP Hiroki Kuroda vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa It’s safe to say the Rockies haven’t gotten their money’s worth out of the 32-year-old De La Rosa, who signed a two-year, $21.5M deal with Colorado prior to 2011 before exercising his $11M player option for 2013. He made just 13 starts from 2011-12 due to Tommy John surgery and subsequent setbacks, and so far this year he owns a 4.18 ERA (4.64 FIP) in six starts. His strikeout rate (5.29 K/9 and 14.3 K%) is way down from his pre-surgery levels, and neither his walk (3.62 BB/9 and 9.8 BB%) nor ground ball (43.9%) rates have improved to compensate. De La Rosa’s two- and four-seamer now sit in the low-90s, down a few ticks from before surgery. A low-to-mid-80s splitter is his top secondary offering, but he’ll also throw low-80s sliders and low-70s curveballs. The Yankees haven’t faced De La Rosa since 2007, and he’s had a massive platoon split in recent years. It’s a good game to sit some lefties and load the lineup with righty hitters … if the Yankees had anyone worthwhile righty bats. (Doug Pensinger/Getty) Wednesday: RHP Juan Nicasio vs. RHP David Phelps Nicasio, 26, is best remembered for having his neck broken by a line drive back in August 2011. He had surgery and missed the rest of the season, but recovered well enough to make the team’s Opening Day rotation last year. That’s pretty remarkable. Nicasio owns a 4.91 ERA (5.83 FIP) in six starts this year, and outside of his ground ball rate (47.9%), his peripherals stink. He doesn’t get a ton of strike threes (6.14 K/9 and 15.0 K%) and issues a lot of ball fours (4.60 BB/9 and 11.3 BB%). Nicasio is very fastball heavy, throwing his 91-95 mph four-seamer more than 70% of the time. A low-80s slider is his offspeed pitch of choice, and he’ll seldom use his mid-80s changeup. The Yankees saw Nicasio when the Rockies came to the Bronx in 2011, and they hung four runs on him in five innings. It was his sixth career start and a little more than one month before the neck injury. Thursday: LHP CC Sabathia vs. LHP Jeff Francis The 32-year-old Francis falls into the Mark Buehrle category of soft-tossers, meaning the laws of FIP/DiPS Theory don’t really apply. Unlike Buehrle though, Francis’ career 4.91 ERA is more than half-a-run higher than his career 4.40 FIP. Buehrle has outperformed his FIP, Francis has underperformed it. The left-hander owns a 7.27 ERA (5.27 FIP) in six starts this year even though his strikeout (7.27 K/9 and 16.7 K%) and ground ball (52.8%) numbers are his best as a full-time big leaguer. His walk rate (3.81 BB/9 and 8.7 BB%) is a career-high and more than double what he’s done in recent years. Francis sits in the mid-80s with his four-seamer and sinker, two pitches he uses to setup his upper-70s changeup and upper-60s curveball. Francis has faced the Yankees once in his ten-year career, holding them to one run in seven innings back in 2007. (Doug Pensinger/Getty) Bullpen Status Both teams were off on Monday, so both bullpens are as fresh as can be. The Yankees might get David Robertson back from his hamstring problem tonight, though that depends on how his pre-game workout goes. Check out our Bullpen Workload page to see the team’s reliever usage info. Rookie Rockies manager Walt Weiss has a pretty awesome bullpen at his disposal, starting with veteran closer RHP Rafael Betancourt (3.16 FIP). RHP Matt Belisle (2.94 ERA) and LHP Rex Brothers (2.09 FIP) do most of the setup work, but former Yankee farmhand RHP Wilton Lopez (2.32 FIP) will draw some high leverage work as well. Brooklyn-raised RHP Adam Ottavino (3.51 FIP) shares middle relief worth with LHP Josh Outman (2.30 FIP). RHP Edgmer Escalona (3.87 FIP) does most of the long relieving. For the latest and greatest on the Rockies, check out Purple Row. Their pitching is surprisingly mediocre at best. Game 2 is going to be a slugfest and is consequently the only RHP they see this series. Also, thank god Hughes is not scheduled for the trip to Coors, that could have gotten ugly. gc Not that it means anything for this series, but the Yankees have the best inter-league record in MLB regular season history, 170-112, good for a .603 winning percentage. The next best team is Anaheim at 164-120 (.577). Yay for useless stats, but at this point I’ll take what I can get to be hopeful. :) ROBTEN YCPB: Yankees are hitting .222/.295/.654/wOBA .288 wRC+ 75 against LHP and yet are 8-3 against LHP. I forgot that Jeff Francis still played baseball. Oh the people you remember thanks to inter-league play. Losing Hafner’s bat (for the most part) sucks, but those Rox starters hardly inspire fear. Just take the series, boys. The Real Me “Just take the series, boys.” This. KC is no longer a cake walk. Taking 2 of 3 in CO will set the table for a nice road trip. Hope they take (at least ) the Wednesday night and Thursday games. (Being selfish.) Frank Colorado, KC and a make up DH next Monday at Cleveland. Given the current state of this team, this has the makings of an ugly road trip. Robinson Tilapia Rex Brothers? That’s not a real baseball player’s name. Folks really think the Yanks are going to get swept here? I mean, YCPB and all, but I’m not intimidated by what I’m seeing here in the least. We’re going to murdalize them. For Prussia. trr Rex Brothers are a cartage company near where I live. call them for your disposal needs… Robinson Tilapia Rex Brothers is what you get when you hit “random” on a “bad professional wrestler name generator” page. jjyank Indeed. Like I said above, they pitchers they’re throwing at the Yanks aren’t exactly intimidating. Who knows what Phelps will give, but with CC and Kuroda both going, I’m pretty hopeful they can take 2 of 3. The Real Me I think the biggest question about Kuroda is how will his sinker work at altitude? If he can get his sinker working, he should be fine. 2 of 3 is definitely achievable if Hiroki wins tonight. Hoping for good games our of Phelps and CC as well. A sweep woulld be great! Rockies pitching is nothing to write home about. trr swept? no…but we may lose 2/3 here. may…let’s win this one tonight! trr Concerned aabout this series, and the road trip in general. Let’s tread water, go 4-4, and go from there Wheels I’d be cool with that record. Eddard I think it’s going to be tough to win the series on the road with a short bench. We lose one of our best bats and have to hit the pitcher instead. They’ll need the starting pitchers to carry them if they are to win this series. this point is well-taken, yet somehow their lineup is at the top of the majors in most offensive categories. it’s helped that they’ve seen the brewers, mets and the padres (twice). bobtaco Do you know anything about Wilin Rosario? He’s killing it for my fantasy team: AVG R HR RBI SB .299 14 7 19 3 Would you rather have him or Chris Stewart? vicki i think we know the answer to that. even after wilin inevitably regresses (let’s be honest) we’d still prefer him to stewie. WhittakerWalt 28 wRC at home, though. DInnings I expect no less than 11-4 on this roadtrip and the homestand after it. The Rockies, Indians, Mariners, and Blue Jays suck and the Royals are the Royals i.e. crap until they prove otherwise. Time for Sabathia and Pettitte to step it up. ‘Say the Yanks went just 10-5 in the next 15 games. That’s 28-17 through 45 games. That means the Yanks would have to play only 62-55 ball to win 90 games thus a wildcard slot at worst. One 7-game winning streak after these 15 games and the Yanks could .500 ball stumble in the other 110 games and still make the postseason as a wildcard. Captain Bawls I’m living in Colorado and have been looking forward to this series. We’re supposed to get pounded with rain tomorrow and Thursday, though, so I’d expect some heavy delays if not postponed games Ruby So stoked to watch cc hit in coors. I know its not likely but i’d love to see him go yard. Mike Someone just run down to Sports Authority and buy Pronk a 1B Mitt and hope he doesn’t break in 4 games.
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After designating Akinori Iwamura for assignment last week Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said “a small number of teams have expressed mild interest” in trading for him, but Iwamura and the $2.9 million remaining on his contract passed through waivers unclaimed yesterday. Various reports suggest that the Pirates were willing to eat the rest of Iwamura’s contract, but ultimately couldn’t find a team interested in giving up anything for him. Apparently the “mild interest” was very mild. Iwamura is now off the 40-man roster, but accepted an assignment to Triple-A because not doing so would have meant forfeiting the rest of his guaranteed salary. While in Indianapolis the 31-year-old infielder will try to recoup some of the value lost by hitting .182 and looking slow defensively, but he’s probably facing an uphill climb to make it back to the majors.
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Pros: Remarkably neutral and clean. Cheap. Buy them in bunches! Collect every colour! Cons: They don't have a name brand on them and likely to be overlooked. Not good with sub bass. But they're $10. (sometimes on sale for $4 at bestbuy.com) Rocketfish is the Best Buy house brand of audio components/accessories. When I picked these up I was getting sick of the 'pinched' sound of my CX300ii series B, or whatever name Sennheiser has attached to them. By 'pinched' I mean boosted in the wrong places of the spectrum. I don't believe in spending $500 on iems that are going to be sweated on, tossed in a gym bag and otherwise abused. Hell I don't believe in spending $500 on iems period. You can get some fabulous circumaurals for that. So I went on a quest to see what I could get for less than ten bucks that would give me listenable sound without amping, eq, or heartache if I step on/spill beer on/(insert untimely earphone death here). I actually didn't have to go far because I picked these up while wandering through Best Buy, and haven't looked back. <subjective listening impression> Where my senn iems try to be something they are not (which is hi-fi) by boosting mid bass and treble (and doing it in the wrong spots), these simply don't do anything wrong. They have a slight boxy sound which is typical of anything in this price range, it isn't as offensive as you would think, and makes them quite listenable. Treble is rolled off but pleasant. In fact while listening to Iron Maiden's 'Fear of the Dark' I was surprised at how smooth overall these iems are all the way through the sound spectrum. The cymbals weren't harsh, the lead guitars weren't piercing. In fact I spent more time than I expected to just sitting and enjoying Steve Harris' bass lines. On to some Whitechapel where again, just warm smooth, and detailed. There's a bit of that 'cardboard snare' you tend to get in cheaper iems, but it's not as bad here as the senns. On the bad side, where my more expensive senns can accept a ridiculous amount of sub bass without complaint, when I put on some DJ Billy E at low levels I could hear rattling so these are no good for hip hop or bass music.</subjective listening impression>
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Miami rapper Sylvan LaCue, formerly known as Quest, has been steadily building a loyal fan-base over the years with unparalleled skills on the mic, a forward-thinking sound, and a humble perspective. LaCue left his first major mark on the music industry with the Searching Sylvan mixtape in the fall of 2014. The project was widely regarded as one of the best narratives to be told in rap that year, receiving praise from HotNewHipHop, Huffington Post, Complex, XXL and more. SS touched on everything from LaCue's finanancial struggles and family battles to the rap game and the start of a new love. At the end of 2014, LaCue shed his original 'Quest' artist name, going with his real name and launching his Wise Up collective. The 27-year-old emcee went on to release his critically acclaimed album Far From Familiar, which proved to be "heavily layered, introspective, and totally engrossing" (The Fader), catapulting LaCue into the next level of his career. Sylvan LaCue is now carving out his own lane in the rap game with the "guidance of hip-hop and God," according to Noisey. LaCue recently dropped Apologies in Advance, with his breakout single "Best Me" leading the way.
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Everest Base Camp Trekis the most popular destination of trekking lovers in the worlds. It is life memorable trek to Everest region including Kalapatthar climbing(5545m) and overview of four of the world’s six tallest peaks in Everest region (Khumbu region) including the panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho oyu, Makalu . This trail passes through Solukhumbu district experiencing Sherpa (Tibetan) culture. These High mountain settlers have something unique to offer you in every village. Different monasteries and chörtens with prayer flags make you feel spiritually blessed while walking to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest. The picturesque views of forests, valleys, terraced fields, meadows and wilderness region etc. are some of the attractions of the trekking. The 14, 15 days EBC Trekking starts from Kathmandu flight to Lukla and continues through Namche Bazaar and enters into Khumbu region. The trekking provides you wonderful experiences of lifestyle and culture of Sherpa and Bhotias with the chances of exploring different elements of the region. Trekking to Everest Base Camp gives the wonderful experience of Tibetan culture in high elevation and pleasantly colorful views of rhododendron and fir forests.
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Still, despite these minor grievances, the battle/leveling system in 358/2 days is the most solid iteration of the battle system I have seen thus far. The panel system injects some much-needed strategy into the mix, and even though prior iterations did allow for targeted leveling, this one takes that aspect to the extreme and forces you to really focus on your character development. In addition to the regular gameplay, 358/2 Days is the fist Kingdom Hearts game to feature a multiplayer component. Although it is not part of the story, players can join up with up to three other people (over a local connection; multi-cart) and replay missions from the story with additional help. There isn't much of an overarching goal to the multiplayer mode, but it is a nice inclusion, and as long as you have friends close by to play with, then there's some decent fun to be had with the multiplayer aspect. As for production values, 358/2 Days is quite solid. The visuals replicate the original Kingdom Hearts quite well, and many of the revisited locales in the universe look just as good as they did on the original. My only complaint with the visuals is that the environments seem a little less detailed and a lot more restrictive than they did previously. Still, given the portable format, some form of truncation is expected, and the world of Kingdom Hearts retains just as much charm and whimsy as ever. The audio is also of very good quality. Characters are fully voiced during animated cutscenes, and the voice acting is top-notch. The music is also very good, despite being recycled from both console entries. 358/2 Days is certainly a title that is as pleasing to the ears as it is to the eyes. I'm sure many Kingdom Hearts fans will opt to skip this title, as Roxas isn't exactly the most popular character, and many wouldn't be interested in an entire game based around him. But if you don't mind Roxas, or are curious about the inner-workings of Organization XIII, then you will certainly find the story entertaining and satisfying. Aside from the story, 358/2 Days still has the signature Kingdom Hearts style of action RPG combat, which is a boon all by itself. The more strategic leveling system also helps keep this title feeling fresh, and the multiplayer options are just icing on the cake. As a Kingdom Hearts game, 358/2 Days does not disappoint, and fans who don't mind the focus on Roxas will find a lot to enjoy with this entry in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. By Amanda L. Kondolojy CCC Staff Contributor RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.2 GraphicsThe look of the original Kingdom Hearts is very well preserved, and the different Disney Universes are nicely presented, despite lacking some detail. 4.0 ControlThe combat controls feel very familiar to the PlayStation 2 entries, and the use of the shoulder buttons for camera movement works extremely well. 3.9 Music / Sound FX / Voice ActingAll of the music is sampled from previous Kingdom Hearts games, but original voiceovers sound great. 3.8 Play ValueThe single-player mode is really only good for one playthrough due to its linear nature, but the multiplayer mission mode is a great addition to the experience. 3.9 Overall Rating - GoodNot an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown. Game Features: World-renowned creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura and his team once again unite the magical world of Disney with the characters of Final Fantasy, inviting fans to an enchanting gaming experience. Multiplayer Mode - for the first time in Kingdom Hearts. Four players can team-up as their favorite Organization XIII members. Fully 3D environments and characters, gigantic boss battles and an orchestral soundtrack push the Nintendo DS capabilities to the full. A wide variety of missions to complete across a range of huge worlds. Lots to explore including Standard Missions, Trial Missions, and multiplayer Mission Mode. Limit Breaks! The special near-death ability from Final Fantasy VII is brought to the world of Kingdom Hearts allowing for explosive special attacks. Panel System - organize your weapons, spells, abilities and even levels with this new system that makes you strategically think about what you can carry.
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End of a Dream Monday Feb 18, 2013 at 8:18 AMFeb 18, 2013 at 8:23 AM What began as a dream between husband and wife, is now ending due to the unexpected passing of a spouse. Team Sports USA, the local mom and pop sporting goods store on North Washington, next door to Aaron's furniture store, was opened in 2004 by Terry and Kay Middlebrooks. Terry passed in August due to a massive heart attack, leaving Kay and son Craig to run the store. Kay said he had “never had any heart problems in the past.” With his unexpected death, Kay said running the store isn't the same without him. Vicki Adams “It was a dream of ours,” Kay said. “Now the dream just isn't the same anymore.” Terry and Kay met in 1975 at his cousin's home in Collinston. “We met on a Sunday,” Kay said. “He was in the ninth grade and I was in the eleventh. We dated for five years before we were married. It took him that long to talk me into it.” Kay said before buying the store, Terry worked at businesses such Western Auto, Big Star, Brookshires and Delchamps Groceies. The last job he held, before becoming his own boss, was at D & H Sporting Goods. “He loved working in sporting goods,” she said. “He had always participated in football and baseball during his junior high and high school years. He coached summer baseball for over 20 years.” Kay said when Terry approached her with the idea of going into business for themselves, she didn't hesitate. “He told me I had until March 14 to get all my affairs in order,” she said. “March 14 was about two weeks away.” Together they opened the store at its original location, which was at 1104 North Washington St. Kay said the business was so successful they no longer had room for all of their customers. When she thinks back on her most memorable moments at the store, she is reminded of the time the Bastrop High School football team was on a winning streak and headed to state. “We had so many people in the store that we couldn't hold them all,” she said. “Cars were parked at the E Z Mart and all up and down the street. “On Friday's, we would set the grill up out front and grill hot dogs. We wouldn't charge anything for them. We just gave them away. Everyone would sit around and eat and visit.” In additon to Craig, Terry and Kay had another son, Chris, who works in Monroe. Craig, the younger, began working at the store in 2006. He is unsure of what he's going to do after the store closes. “Closing down the store is bittersweet,” Craig said. “I have no idea what I'm going to do now.” Even though the retail store was owned by Terry and Kay, she said the decision to close it was a family effort. “We all three made this decision together,” she said. “I would not have made this decision without them.” The final date that Team Sports USA will remain open is unknown at this time. With the projected closing date set for the end of Feb., Kay said she's “not stressing” about when it will close for good. “To be honest, I'm not worried about it,” she said. “It will close once we've sold all the merchandise in our stock.” Kay said after the store closes, she, like her son, is uncertain about what she'll do. “I might go back to school,” she said. “I'll probably major in medical billing or coding. I've done everything from retail to grocery to cake decorating. I'll be fine.” Kay said although she is sad that the dream has come to an end, she is untroubled with the decision. “I've got peace about doing this,” she said. “I wouldn't do it if I didn't.” Team Sports USA will remain open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until everything in the store is gone. Although the store is normally closed on Saturday, it will be open for the next two Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Victor Toeg, FRPSL (1916 - 2010) BWISC President (1968 - 2010) Our President, Victor Toeg died on the 28th of July after a short illness. He was 94.Victor Toeg was born in Shanghai, China, in 1916. As a young boy, his parents sent him over to England with a governess to be educated, and he attended a preparatory school at Seaford, Sussex. He went on from there to Clifton College where he excelled at sport, becoming a very good tennis player and a fine cricketer. Whilst at the school, he broke a batting record and was presented with a silver trophy which is in his son’s possession to this day.After leaving school, he progressed to Lincoln College, Oxford to study Law. After graduation, the War intervened and he joined the RAF. It always amused him to relate his abortive attempt to train as a pilot; an attempt doomed to failure because of his height! After several different postings, he ended up in Gibraltar with the force guarding the rock. Thankfully, it was never attacked. After the war, he returned to London, married and joined a firm of solicitors in Holborn, namely J. Tickle & Co., where he progressed to become a partner. He worked there for 30 years before retiring in 1978.He then went into business as a stamp dealer with his wife Lettie, trading as ‘E. V. & L. TOEG’. Close observers of past Bulletins will notice that when he became a dealer, he had to resign from the Royal as was the requirement in those days, and thus drop the ‘FRPSL’ after his name. He was reinstated as a Fellow some time after his business ceased trading, in common with many stamp businesses at that time.Victor had been a member of the BWISC from its inception in 1954; he joined the Committee in 1962 and was elected Vice-President in 1965. He took over as Acting President in late 1967, following the death of Geoffrey Groves and was confirmed in that position at the AGM the following year. The 41 years of Victor’s tenure as President were marked by an expansion in membership and the acceptance by the whole philatelic community of the BWISC as the foremost society dealing with BWI philately. Most members’ memories of Victor came from meeting him at the bi-ennial BWISC Convention which he faithfully always attended; there he was always willing to spend time encouraging younger members and sharing his extensive knowledge. After having openheart surgery in 1995, he later decided that he could no longer participate as much as he would like in the organization of the Circle. In consultation with the then Committee, it was decided that the positions of President and Chairman would be separated, and Victor would continue as President in an Honorary role. He remained President until his death; the last time he attended a meeting was in 2004 at the Royal Philatelic Society celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Study Circle, an event which gave him much pride.Newer members of the Circle may not be aware of the extent of Victor’s achievements as a BWI collector. Most will have seen the Robson Lowe auction catalogue of his outstanding Antigua, that had won Gold a few months earlier at the 1990 London Exhibition, but this was not his complete Antigua collection, as additional interesting pieces (e.g. fiscals, forgeries and flaws) were offered separately. Only this August a GV flaw was offered on eBay, still on a piece written up in his neat solicitor’s hand. But until 1966 he collected the whole BWI and sold most of it to concentrate on three specialised areas. Then in 1971 he sold his very fine Leeward Islands in a major auction whose timing was unfortunate as it just preceded the 1970s boom and eventual bust. In 1983 Victor decided to focus solely on Antigua when he sold his Montserrat, first the small but select postal history, which included the famous ‘Montserrat Paid’ soldier’s envelope, now in the Army Museum, and in March 1984 the stamps, including proofs and essays in abundance. Again, however, some items were sold separately, one being the famous marginal block of the QV 4d blue with CA watermark bought for him by Bill Lea in the first Charlton Henry auction. In later years he collected Lady Boat covers and BWI forgeries, and was an active bidder in the Circle’s auctions. Indeed, Victor was a true all-rounder who was able to appreciate the finer points of BWI philately.So it was not so strange that he became the author of the Dominica handbook even though it was not a specialised collecting area of his; he based it on notes left by Philip Saunders, founder of the Study Circle. It was published in 1995. His other work was the Leeward Islands Adhesive Fees Stamps, published in 1991. Although he never wrote any books about his specialised subjects of Montserrat and Antigua, he wrote many thorough and detailed articles about them in the Bulletin.Victor’s wife, Lettie predeceased him in 2003 and he is survived by his son, Nigel, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
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I’m receiving all kinds of requests for letters of recommendation these days as my students have just graduated, and I’ve referred colleagues for positions they would be great in. After receiving a request from one of my former students for a “strong” letter of recommendation, repeating the word “strong” in her email request multiple times, I thought it would be great to share a few pointers I use when writing a letter of recommendation. If you cannot provide a “strong” recommendation of the individual, do not proceed. Let the individual know the reason(s), such as you haven’t observed them interacting with clients, known them long enough, or viewed any creative works they’ve developed in order to recommend them, or any of a number of other reasons that they shouldn’t take personally. [Read more…] Welcome to “I’m Looking Fabulous’! “I’m Looking Fabulous” is my place where I hope to share some of my wonderful findings along life’s journey that have helped me to look and feel more confident. Here, I will introduce you to some very special people who are passionate about making your life’s journey more beautiful, enjoyable and fulfilling! Stay Fabulous Grab My Button! Carleen McIlveen at the Spa Click Carleen's picture above to listen to her interview about using Apriori Beauty products at the spa. A Little About Candace Candace Dye is an Apriori Beauty Consultant and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Her passion is helping others to uncover and enhance their true inner radiance with tips for health, wellness, skin care and beauty!
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Geiselberger, Heinrich The Great Regression We are living through a period of dramatic political change ? Brexit, the election of Trump, the rise of extreme right movements in Europe and elsewhere, the resurgence of nationalism and xenophobia and a concerted assault on the liberal values and ideals associated with cosmopolitanism and globalization. Suddenly we find ourselves in a world that few would have imagined possible just a few years ago, a world that seems to many to be a move backwards. How can we make sense of these dramatic developments and how should we respond to them? Are we witnessing a worldwide rejection of liberal democracy and its replacement by some kind of populist authoritarianism? This timely volume brings together some of the world?s greatest minds to analyse and seek to understand the forces behind this ?great regression?. Writers from across disciplines and countries, including Paul Mason, Pankaj Mishra, Slavoj ?i?ek, Zygmunt Bauman, Arjun Appadurai, Wolfgang Streeck and Eva Illouz, grapple with our current predicament, framing it in a broader historical context, discussing possible future trajectories and considering ways that we might combat this reactionary turn. The Great Regression is a key intervention that will be of great value to all those concerned about recent developments and wondering how best to respond to this unprecedented challenge to the very core of liberal democracy and internationalism across the world today.
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I think There Should Be worldwide ranking like depending on how long you play and kills you get but that stay permantly like a private symbol beside a players name to show his rank and show how good he is and also there should be scoreboards like rainbowsix,like show the top scores of players ranks.how many deaths and kills they have and points and that stuff Phantom, he's the thread Nazi. If you post something similar to his, he'll go Amish on you. If you question his ideas, he goes Amish on you. You quote him in a joking matter, as I do, the Amish comes out. CSports.net is THE worldwide ranking and statistics service for PC gaming. Only CSports.net's exclusive technology supports stats tracking of all the most popular FPS's and all their players…worldwide and automatically. We continually add tracking for new games as they are published.
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“quote” Unless some other cyclone comes along there won’t be a new minimum set “end quote” you should at least add “MOST PROPABLY” after the arctic currently lacks a few dozen of cm of ice-thickness and by means of bottom melt that continues late into fall a “sudden death” over wider areas cannot totally excluded from considerations. in addition to ice thickness the ice is way beyond anything normal fragmented and it’s not totally sure whether a GAC is needed to do the kind of damage the GAC in 2012 has inflicted on the ice. predictions are difficult because many factors come into play but sooner or later there will be a late kind of huge drops in early fall due to the general conditions including surrounding general high water temperatures. of course the lower the last record has been, the more difficult it will become to set a new one, after all, time is running out late in the melting season and the farther north the last record’s ice edge has been to more it will take to push that further up north in september, once insolation has totally lost it’s power and ultimately the dark is taking over.
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[MUST READ] NP reduction Recommended Posts Today marks the start of the new year, and as such everyone in the Apex team wishes you a very happy new year! What we'll be doing today will lay the groundwork for Apex in the future. We know it may come as a blow to you personally, but everyone is equally affected. Here are some of the future updates we will be pushing now that this band aid has been ripped off: 1. We will be adding gear to the NP store (purchasable with NP, not LP), which'll allow you to advance your character. 2. We will be adding expanded rewards for those on the monthly ranking board (up to the top 200, subject to change), indulging more of you (and more newcomers!) in some sweet upgrades by simply playing. 3. We will be adding a weekly ranking board, which will also be used to reward a whole bunch of you with some gear. 4. We will be able to activate PK more easily by triggering NP events at certain times, to quickly (re)populate Ronark Land after events (and during downtimes). 5. We will be changing how PK rewards work; You will be able to obtain gear simply by PK'ing, with special events running to spice up what you can get, consistently, and randomly. 6. We will be able to create an environment that allows us to provide you with more competition and activity throughout the whole day by giving more incentive to keep the nation's balanced. 7. We might even dabble with seasons and seasonal tournaments now that the monthly ranking will actually be that, a monthly ranking, rather than a "who's bought their medals the latest" ranking. These updates won't come all at once, and some will come later than others, but we hope this will give you a clear view of where we want to take Apex, and we hope it gives you something to look forward to in 2019! For those unaware, what we've done is the following: 1. Reduced everyone's national points by 90% 2. Reduced everyone's donated national points by 90% 3. Reduced the requirements for clans to advance grades 4. Reduced the cost for capes (except for the new Castellan capes) 5. Remove the medal merchants in Moradon, El Morad Castle, and Luferson Castle NOTE: Previously purchased medals will NOT be removed, you are free to keep them, or exchange them, as you wish.
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Sunday, March 22, 2015 Good afternoon my dear friends & followers I have a new interesting folklore for you all fromthe Japanese Culture. I have found that the Japanese Culture have quite a few interesting folklore to tell and this is just one of many. I have already told you about the 'Vampire Cat of Nabeshima & 'Kwaidan Mujina - Faceless are two that I can remember that I have posted on the Japanese folklore. I might have done more my dears but, my memory isn't so good these days. So I will try my best not to repeat any of the Japaneses folklore that I do fine. hugsss. Well the Japanese Folklore tale is about or takes place in the ancient province of Tamba, and its about the life of a beautiful maiden name O-Sono who was one of joy and hope. It was only after her death does her ghost betray any evidence that her truest heart had been elsewhere. How the tale started is in Kwaidan in 1904. It was a very long time ago in ancient times of Japan, in a town called province of Tamba. There lived a rich life in Kwaidan. There was a merchant by the name of Inamuraya Gensuke, who had a daughter called O-Sono. O-Sono was very clever and pretty, so her father thought he would give her a education both in their country and also send O-Sono to be trained in the capital to be taught the accomplishments to young ladies the ways of being polite as a young woman. After O-Sono had her educated, she was married to a friend of her father's family named Nagaraya and she lived happily with him for nearly four years. However, those four years were short lived even though very happy, they did have one child, a boy. However in the fourth year of their marriage O-Sono fell ill and never recovered and soon died. It seems that one the night after O-Sono funeral, her small son had said that his mother had come back to him and was in the room upstairs. The ghost of O-Sono had smiled at her son, but she didn't say anything because she didn't want to frighten him, so he would run away. How since he wasn't afraid of his ghost mom, he went and told the rest of the family. So some of the family members from the funeral down stairs decided to go upstairs to the room that the young boy had said he say his mom 0-Sono ghost. When they got up there, they were quite startled to see, by the light of a small lamp which had been kindled before a shrine in that room, the figure of the dead mother. 0-Sono appeared as if she was standing in front of a tansu or chest of drawers that was still contained her ornaments and her wearing- apparel. 0-Sono 0-Sono head & shoulders could be very distinctly seen, however from the waist down she seemed to be invisible. It was like an imperfect reflection of her and transparent as a shadow on water at the same time. After seeing the ghost of 0-Sono every one was afraid of her and left the room very quickly. After that they all consulted together about her; Then the mother of 0-Sono's husband said' The woman was very fond of her small things and 0-Sono was also attached to her belongings. Some say 0-Sono came back to look at them. They say that many dead will do what 0-Sono did, unless their things are being given to the parish temple. They won't rest in peace. If all of 0-Sono' robes and girdles were brought to the temple at present time, her spirit would probably have find rest sooner. So It was agreed with the family that this should be done as soon as possible. So the following morning, they went up stairs and all of 0-Sono things were empty out. This included all her drawers and dresses were empty out. Then all of her ornaments were also taken too and taken to the temple. However, after the family took all 0-Sono personal things from the room, she still came back every night and looked at the dresser drawers - The Tansu as they call it in Japan. She would come back on the following night and every night after that. When that happened the house became a house of fear. So because of this the Mother of 0-Sono's husband then decided to go back to the parish-temple and told the chief priest all that had happened and asked for counsel for the ghostly counsel on 0-Sono. The Temple was a Zen Temple. At this Zen Temple there was the head-priest who was known as Daigen Osho. The Priest told everyone that 0-Sono must be anxious about her Tansu. Even though all the drawers have been emptied. The Priest told them that he would come to the house and keep watch of the one room to see what can be done. However, no one shall enter the room while he is watching unless he call. So After sundown the priest Daigen Osho went to the house where 0-Sono haunts every night on the upper floor. He found the room ready for him. The Priest remained there alone in the room, reading the sutras and nothing appeared until after the Hour of the Rat. [Midnight]. Than he saw the ghostly figure of 0-Sono suddenly outline itself in front of the Tansu[Japanese Chest of Drawers]. The Priest saw her face had this wistful kinda look and she keep her eyes fixed upon the Tansu-Japanese chest drawers too. Then the priest uttered the holy formula prescribed in such cases as such and then he addressed the ghostly figured by the Kaimyo of 0-Sono and said to her;'I have come here in order to help you. Perhaps in that Tansu' Dawn was breaking as the priest descended the stairs, to find the family waiting anxiously below. 'Don't be anxious, She will not appear again. And she never did. This is the Dead Secret; There was a letter that was burned, that night with the priest and 0-Sono. It was a love-letter written to 0-Sono in the time of her studies at Kyoto. Only the priest alone knew what was in that love-letter and the secret died with the priest. And that is the Secret that the ghost 0-Sono was so sadden by that, it took OWNER OF THIS BLOG Translate ChristmasTraditions FAIRY CALENDAR FollowersG+ Commemorating All Who Served On 'Veterans Day' Guardian Dragon of the Keep Faeries Are Real! ENTER MY MAGICK KINGDOM For You my Dears Followers, Friends & Readers! To all of YOU! my dear Friends & Followers I love you All! Your Wendy:o) Once Upon a Time... We must remember where are roots began, the old and heavy typewriter. Most Kids today don't even know what this is! But this is what I learn on in highschool. This is why I call it 'Once Upon a Time...' To remember our Past bring the future computers that were on TODAY! THE BEAUTY OF THE ELVEN MAGICK OF THE WARRIOR ELVEN ELVEN PRINCESS OF THE ELVES BY LUIS ROYO For the LOVE of ART My Favourite Site Goggle Badge In Memory of my Dearest Spiritsister Gail She is always on my mind,soul & heart.She will never be forgot. And I know she is always with me always. I love you dearly and miss you so much Your Spiritsister Wendy ´`'*°☆.❥•♪♫♥.(: ♥(◡‿◡)♥i❤*☆҉♡☆*☆҉❤ S€ŇĐƗŇG' ¥ØỮ ŦĦƗŞ ŞР€ĆƗΔŁ HUG FULL OF LOVE & JOY ALWAYS FROM YOUR SPIRITSISTER WENDY-IF YOU JUST CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW IT WILL BRING YOU TO THE TRIBUTE THAT I WROTE MY GAIL Come to My! Magick Kingdom! You are All! Invited! The Magick of Koi Yeng &Yang The Magick of the Elves! Come join Us! Into our World of Enchantment! Come into our world of Magick says the dragons of this Realm! MyTumblr Blog-Rose of Elegance Click Photo...Once there you will find years of images from 2013 to present..Some that you probably never seen before Wendy Falling Leaves A TRIBUTE TO OUR ROBIN 1951-2014 ~WELCOME TO FARIYLAND~ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ƸӜƷ•❤❤❤☼ღ(◕‿◕｡)¸.•*""*•.¸ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.• I AM SO HAPPY YOU HAVE COME TO VISIT MY BLOG❤ I HOPE THAT I CAN MAKE YOU DAY FULL OF MAGICK AND DREAMS FOR JUST THE BREIF TIME YOU ARE HEAR IN MY WORLD OF MAGIC AND ENCHANTMENT/ LOVEYOU ALL MY DEAR FREINDS AND FOLLOWERS. YOUR WENDY:O) `'*°☆.❥•♪♫♥.(:♥(◡‿◡)♥i❤*☆҉♡☆*☆҉❤ S€ŇĐƗŇG' ¥ØỮ ŦĦƗŞ ĦỮǤ ŦØ Ş€€ ¥ØỮ ŦĦŘØỮǤĦ ¥ØỮŘ ĐΔ¥*` Ɨ HOPE IT ŴƗŁŁ β€ ŞỮŘ€ ŦØ Ř€ΔĆĦ ¥ØỮ "(✿◠‿◠YOURWENDY Magick of the Fae! The Genie /Robin Willams You will always be In our Hearts/ Filled with love and laughter; You will never be forgotten Prince- The Man of Purple Rain You will always be in our hearts /filled with love, music,Laugter; You will never be forgotten. Even though I have tried many of time to put a video of you amazing music it just seems to disappers but a picture lasts forever as you will to. We love you Prince... Micheal Jackson you have the movies and the music that we will always remember you always!!
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Founder, Singer Of Grammy-Winning Manhattan Transfer Dies At 72 October 18, 2014 5:08 AM 14 0 NEW YORK (CBSLA.com/AP) — Tim Hauser, the founder and singer of the Grammy-winning vocal troupe The Manhattan Transfer, died Thursday from cardiac arrest, band representative JoAnn Geffen said Friday. He was 72. Manhattan Transfer, who released their debut album in the early 1970s, launched hits such as “Operator” and “The Boy from New York City.” They went on to win multiple pop and jazz Grammy Awards. Their critically acclaimed album, 1985’s “Vocalese,” earned a whopping 12 Grammy nominations.
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Star Trek - PChttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/star_trek/b/pc/atom.aspxCommunity Server2011-06-08T15:52:00ZNamco Bandai Sets Phasers To Failure/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2013/04/24/namco-bandai-sets-phasers-to-failure.aspx2013-04-24T16:57:00Z2013-04-24T16:57:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/namco-bandai/startrek/review610.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>J.J. Abrams&rsquo; 2009 Star Trek reboot took the concepts from the original 1960s television series and made them more palatable for a larger audience. The original series, while full of fun characters and clever storylines, was presented with gaudy sci-fi aesthetics produced on a &lsquo;60s television budget. Digital Extremes&rsquo; newest game, based on the J.J. Abrams film series, reminds me more of the original series than the recent films; the game has a few clever mechanics and moments, but its overall lack of polish ensures that it doesn&rsquo;t stand the test of time.</p> <p>This game slides into the timeline somewhere between the 2009 film and this year&rsquo;s Star Trek Into Darkness. After losing their home world, the Vulcan race has settled on a new planet. To aid construction, the Vulcans build a machine called the Helios Device, which collects and harnesses the power from a pair of nearby suns. Unfortunately, the reptilian Gorn race gets their hands on the contraption and begins using it as a doomsday device. The only things standing in the Gorn&rsquo;s way are Captain James T. Kirk and his logical science officer, Mr. Spock. </p> <p>The story starts out promising, and is filled with fun little character moments, but quickly devolves into a race for the Helios Device that shuffles players from one firefight to the next. Maybe that wouldn&rsquo;t be a problem if Star Trek&rsquo;s third-person cover-based shooting was compelling, but everything &ndash; the alien planets, the weaponry, the occasional climbing sections &ndash; feels generic. Star Trek doesn&rsquo;t even have a traditional melee attack; you have to stun an enemy with your phaser before you can perform a close-range takedown. </p> <p>The action is equally flawed. Digital Extremes has made creative use of the tricorder (the handheld scanning device), allowing you to boost your teammates shields in battle or remotely hack enemy grenades so they explode before thrown, but these clever ideas don&rsquo;t make up for the loose aiming or the tired enemy AI that walks straight into oncoming fire while shooting from the hip, Terminator-style. </p> <p>As you travel through alien worlds and derelict space stations, you power up your equipment with credits earned from scanning objects throughout the environment. These upgrades allow you to turn your phaser into an automatic weapon or boost your tricorder so that you can level up your teammate&rsquo;s shields. Unfortunately, this upgrade system feels thin and fails to encourage experimentation. Your tools only have a limited number of upgrades, so once you&rsquo;ve purchased your desired loadout, you have nothing left to spend credits on. I maxed out my equipment halfway though the game and ended up with a Scrooge McDuck-sized piggybank by the end. </p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p> <p>Star Trek encourages you to be stealthy, but these sequences are so tedious that I often found it easier to just run through with my guns blazing. Thankfully, you don&rsquo;t have to be a chameleon to sneak past a Gorn; enemies often fail to notice their companions getting stunned in the face by a phaser blast. I watched so many Gorn take nosedives in front of their friends that I have to assume that toppling over is a traditional Gorn greeting. </p> <p>Big action moments serve as a counterpoint to the stealth. Calling down an airstrike from the Enterprise and chasing a Gorn through the interior of a turbolift are ultimately marred by an overall lack of polish. Background textures flicker, characters fall through the world, and my system crashed completely. These distractions make it impossible to enjoy what should have been the most impressive moments.</p> <p>Even though I was grateful to have my AI partner complete many of the simple hacking minigames, co-op is still the better way (though not necessarily a good way) to play. Kirk and Spock have different tech upgrades, and occasionally assist each other during combat. At one point, Kirk hurts himself and Spock has to help him hobble to sickbay while Kirk defends them both with his phaser. In another sequence, one player has to clamber across a ravine while the other scans the environment for enemies with their tricorder. Digital Extremes did a good job of coming up with creative ways for two players to assist each other, though you also do plenty of ledge-boosting and door-opening.</p> <p>Star Trek is ultimately a generic third-person shooter that stumbles in the execution of its few cool moments. Co-op might have saved the experience if Digital Extremes had fixed the bugs, polished the controls, and made the AI repeat basic training &ndash; but that&rsquo;s a lot of work just to bring the game up to baseline standards. The Star Trek franchise is built on the concept of a hopeful future, but fans should keep looking toward the horizon, because this present trek is hopeless.</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2799879" width="1" height="1">GIBenhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIBen/default.aspxBoldly Go Behind The Scenes With The Actors Of The USS Enterprise/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2013/04/18/boldly-go-behind-the-scenes-with-the-actors-of-the-uss-enterprise.aspx2013-04-18T18:57:35Z2013-04-18T18:57:35Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/namcobandai/startrek/SimonPeggStarTrek610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>In anticipation of the release of Star Trek: The Video Game next week, Namco Bandai has provided us with a new look behind the scenes. The game features key members of the Star Trek: Into Darkness cast, including Christopher Pine (James T. Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu), Simon Pegg (Montgomery Scott), Karl Urban (Leonard McCoy), and Anton Yelchin (Pavel Checkov).</p> <p>Michael Giacchino, long-time composing companion to <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2013/03/25/star-trek-goes-where-most-games-have-gone-before.aspx">Star Trek</a> director J. J. Abrams, will be providing his talents to the game. You can give a listen to the voice actors at work in the new video below.</p> <p>Star Trek: The Video Game arrives on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on April 23, 2013.</p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2755880" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxStar Trek Goes Where Most Games Have Gone Before/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2013/03/25/star-trek-goes-where-most-games-have-gone-before.aspx2013-03-25T22:21:00Z2013-03-25T22:21:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/paramount/startrek/startrekprev610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>As Paramount continues to build excitement for its upcoming film <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i>, developer Digital Extremes (Darkness II) has quietly been working on a game that will help bridge the new film with JJ Abram&rsquo;s 2009 release. </p> <p>During a hands-on demo at GDC, we sat in the captain&rsquo;s chair and then put Kirk&rsquo;s phaser to good use. The entire game can be played co-op as Kirk and Spock work together to fight the Gorn, a lizard-like race that fans might remember from the original series. </p> <p>Whereas Kirk is a brash cowboy eager to jump into battle, Spock is a more logical and efficient strategist, and the two characters will have to work together if they are going to survive to see the second film hit theaters. </p> <p>The game starts as the <i>Enterprise</i> responds to a distress signal from a Vulcan space station currently in low orbit around a star. Kirk and Spock beam aboard to rescue the Vulcan crew and then use their tricorders to find hidden secrets, hack open doors, and discover vocal recordings that help flesh out the story. The duo also have to support each other during battle. For example, later in the game players will get to control the <i>Enterprise,</i> and during this sequence one player will fly the ship while the other fires at enemy targets. In another sequence where Kirk&rsquo;s leg is injured, Spock has to help carry him to the med bay while Kirk defends them with his phaser. </p> <p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/paramount/startrek/startrekprevfill1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>There are over 25 different weapons in the game and each one has two different modes of fire. While the phaser can be set to kill, its stun setting allows you to disable security robots and then hack them to work for you. A Starfleet riffle also doubles as a portable shield and a Gorn shotgun has a grenade attachment.</p> <p>Spock and Kirk will fight over 16 different species of Gorn, from basic grunts to lieutenants with better armor, to Rusher Gorn who run at you on all fours. Digital Extremes spent a lot of time working with the film&#39;s costumer designers and effects artists, and rounded up the film&rsquo;s actors to record dialog for the game, so even though the game is still a little rough around the edges, it feels like a real Star Trek experience. </p> <p>We notices a few bugs while we were playing and the animations can be a little rough. The combat also feels a little generic, which is disconcerting for a game that comes out in about a month. Star Trek doesn&rsquo;t look like it will light the gaming world on fire, but at the very least we&rsquo;re excited to call down an airstrike on a planet using the <i>Enterprise</i> when the game releases on April 23.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2681772" width="1" height="1">GIBenhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIBen/default.aspxSettle Into The Captain's Chair In New Star Trek Video/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2013/02/15/settle-into-the-captain-39-s-chair-in-new-star-trek-video.aspx2013-02-15T17:00:29Z2013-02-15T17:00:29Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/namco-bandai/startrek/startrek0215-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p> <p>Namco Bandai and Paramount have released a making-of video for Star Trek: The Video Game. The first installment shows off a little bit of how Kirk and Spock are different, as well as some interior shots of the <i>USS Enterprise</i>. </p> <p>There aren&#39;t any mind-blowing details in the clip, but it&#39;s nice to see more of the game in action. Look for it on the PS3 and Xbox 360 on April 23.</p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2585144" width="1" height="1">GIJeffhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIJeff/default.aspxKirk And Spock Deliver A Co-Op Experience/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2012/04/17/kirk-and-spock-deliver-a-co-op-experience.aspx2012-04-17T16:57:59Z2012-04-17T16:57:59Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/namco-bandai/startrek/startrek0417-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p> <p>The Star Trek franchise got a much-needed boost with J.J. Abrams&#39; 2009 reboot. Early next year, gamers will get a chance to explore this reimagined universe as either Kirk or Spock in a video-game adaptation that bridges the events between the first film and its upcoming sequel. You may want to enlist a friend for this adventure, because it&#39;s been designed with co-op in mind.</p> <p>Namco Bandai showed off a new trailer for the game last week at its&nbsp;Global Gamers Day, which you can see here today for the first time. In it, you can get a taste of some of the action that&#39;s in store.</p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p> <p>The developers at Digital Extremes worked closely with Paramount Pictures and Abrams&#39; Bad Robot production company to make the game as faithful to the movies as possible. This means that the game version of the <i>Enterprise</i> was built using ILM-provided models from the film.&nbsp;</p> <p>Players can choose to play as Kirk or Spock, and they each have their own strengths on the field. Kirk is great for players who like to rush headlong into combat, while Spock is a good pick for folks who like to hang back and be more strategic. Both of their phasers can be upgraded throughout their adventure, allowing Kirk to fire even more deadly blasts, while Spock can disable enemies with a stasis field.</p> <p>Look for Star Trek on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC early next year.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1857677" width="1" height="1">GIJeffhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIJeff/default.aspxNew Star Trek Trailer Features All In-Game Footage/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2011/08/17/new-star-trek-trailer-features-all-in-game-footage.aspx2011-08-17T20:40:00Z2011-08-17T20:40:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/paramount/startrek/startrek0603-610.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Want to see how Kirk and Spock&#39;s buddy adventure will play? The new video should answer some questions. <br /><br />We&#39;ve been very curious about the upcoming Star Trek game from Digital Extremes, which was announced at this year&#39;s E3 to a hefty amount of praise. The new game casts players into the roles of Kirk and Spock as they work together against an as yet unidentified threat. <br /><br />The new trailer for the game shows off several interesting tidbits of actual playable action from the game. It&#39;s clear that Digital Extremes is working hard to have the game keep the same breakneck pacing and excitement that made the recent Abrams movie reboot so well-loved. <br /><br />Check out the trailer, and share your opinions of the new Star Trek game in the comments below. </p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1154040" width="1" height="1">GIMillerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMiller/default.aspxStar Trek Game Beams In New Trailer/games/star_trek/b/pc/archive/2011/06/08/star-trek-game-beams-in-new-trailer.aspx2011-06-08T20:52:00Z2011-06-08T20:52:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/paramount/startrek/startrek0603-610.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Set in the new movie universe of characters, the recently announced Star Trek game looks like nothing else the franchise has ever seen. <br /><br />There have been lots of Star Trek games over the years, but few that have managed to garner attention beyond the dedicated Trek fan community. Digital Extremes is looking to change that with its new Star Trek game, which pairs Kirk and Spock together in a cooperative action game set in the universe established in 2009&#39;s Abrams&#39; directed film. <br /><br />The game will release to PS3, 360 and PC sometime in 2012, but Sony has a number of exclusives connected to the title, including a PlayStation Move Phaser peripheral, and stand-alone pre-release downloadable content, presumably a DLG in the vein of games like Dead Rising 2: Case Zero. <br /><br />&ldquo;Most teaser trailers feature zero gameplay, but we&rsquo;re proud to introduce Star Trek to the world with a first look made up entirely of pre-Alpha gameplay to show how great the game looks even though it is more than a year off,&rdquo; said Tom Lesinski, president of Paramount Digital Entertainment in a press release. &ldquo;The level of quality and authenticity to the new Star Trek (2009) universe is a testament to talent of the team and the strong collaboration between Digital Extremes and the filmmakers.&rdquo;<br /><br />The new trailer certainly looks pretty action-packed. Here&#39;s hoping this new Trek can find an audience beyond its familiar niche. </p> <p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=982482" width="1" height="1">GIMillerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMiller/default.aspx
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Have your voice heard. Leave your comments here. Going to the chapel and we're gonna get. ... Whoa! Wait! Married??? Well, depending on who's reading this, it might be too soon or not soon enough. Either way, if you are certain there's no ring to bring some bling to your near future, then I've got just the thing to bring a smile to your face! And you don't even need a man to buy it for you!Fred Flare has created the very cool diamond life ring. Yes, I said life, not wife!This little 'jewel' is a graphic interpretation of the precious stone in metal outline form and is the perfect way to bring some 'bling' to your life without breaking, or robbing, the bank. In a lightweight silver base metal, it will add a little sparkle to all your favorite outfits. Give a dash of glam to your casual jeans and looks, and a modern twist to fancier cocktail dresses. The bold graphic design mixed with the matte silver metal gives the ring a tough girl edginess to it, but maintains a chic look in it's simplicity. Fun or fancy, this ring is totally feminine and sure to grab the attention of all your girlfriends, single or married!So, whether the single life is a blessing or a curse, or whether you're counting down the days until your beau pops the question. ... In the meantime, treat yourself and buy the diamond life ring! It's certain to bring you a bit of glimmer and a big smile. Where To Buy - Fred FlarePrice - $12Who - MeliMeli is the first to add the 'Diamond Life Ring' to the Hive. Calling all Carrie Bradshaw fans! If you're into Sex and the City then you're probably a fan of Carrie's amazing wardrobe. I've spent many an episode lusting over everything in her closet from the flamboyant shoes to her sexy bags. I love to incorporate a little bit of Bradshaw in my style whenever I can and this feather clutch by ASOS is a great piece that embraces the essence of Carrie without being too over the top. I love the color of this bag (pink and gray just looks amazing together!) and the feathers really help this bag stand apart from everything else! It's got a clasp closure so you won't lose your precious cargo, and it's deceptively big enough to hold all kinds of goodies. This sophisticated bag is all you need to create the perfect city look. It's quirky, it's cute it's fun, it's so Bradshaw! So, here's to one of our favorite fashionistas, may her style live on!
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AAA on Televisa (Regional): 2012-09-22 Joe Lider, Juventud Guerrera, Samurai del Sol vs Daga, Dark Dragon, Psicosis 2: spots all over the place with no sense than usual, and not particularly cleanly done. Some good stuff done but more a lot of random bursts that I wouldn’t remember after the match if they didn’t replay it. Samurai del Sol looked good for his debut, but I’m not sure he sticks out more than the guys they already have. The Ion deal came off muddy, with Juvi being challenged by both Ion and Daga and then disappearing. Fabi Apache Dinastía, Fabi Apache, Pimpinela Escarlata vs Mini Histeria, Sexy Star, Yuriko 2: The only thing Dinastía could possibly do to make me not like him is steal Sombra’s finisher. Oh well. This match is one I think I should’ve liked better, but the lack of crowd noise didn’t help. It was the match they normally do with a little bit less nutty Dinastía match. Still one of the better matches on this show but imminently forgettable. Electroshock & Vampiro vs Chessman & Último Gladiador : Non-wrestler celebrity Vampiro is not very good even on the non-wrestler celebrity sliding scale. He’s really horrible, not just for the reasons Vampiro has been bad over the year, but because also because he’s got absolutely no stamina. He was so blown up doing not much little here, and it really prolonged the agony. (For him and for us.) Vampiro being put in matches in this bad of condition is the biggest testament to how strongly AAA believes Vampiro is a big star. No one lesser would be allowed to get away with this kind of match. In the short term, it means the Chessman & Abyss vs Joe Lider & Vampiro match has a chance to be atrocious. In the long term, it means Konnan really is only working hard to get back in condition for his own sake, because he ought to be get away with much more if Vampiro gets away with this. The bigger news here was the pre-match skit and the commentary positioning Silver King as the new leader of the group. Turning them into Silver King’s lackeys – larger Ultimo Gladiadors! – is much more disillusioning. They’ve gone from being hot invader being the third or fourth most important people in their own faction, secondary to a guy who the promotion didn’t at all trust in the biggest singles match of the year in any fashion and a guy who’s been so irrelevant to the promotion that he spent the last six months drifting around aimlessly. TripleMania and the Wagner feud was understandable – mask vs mask works better than mask vs hair, Mascara had to be used like he was out of circumstance, but there’s no reason they couldn’t have returned to the status quo after the feud. This is a whole new status quo. Toscano & Texano have jumped to AAA to be in midcard trios matches; I can’t imagine that’s the way they wanted it to play out. Speaking of lineup changes, they probably should’ve spent some time in NotiAAA to explain why both the Bizarros and the Perros included about a half dozen new people instead of hyping the Dorian & Joaquin feud that wasn’t going anywhere on this week’s show.
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When you are considering to sell products online on eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Gumtree, TradeMe or even your own ecommerce site, you need to think about the products that are most popular right now in any specific niche market. Having success in selling online computer products can be challenging as this is mature… If you want to sell building material items online, you need to know what the hottest products are in this specific niche market. Knowing how to sell starts with knowing what to sell. Finding products that can successfully be sold on Amazon, eBay, shopify and even your own eCommerce site, starts with… Having success with selling products online in any niche market requires a direct approach. You need to learn how to sell, but you need to start with identifying what to sell first. The way that products are marketed is dependent on the types of products that are best sellers in any industry.… If you want to focus on selling online personal care items, it all begins with knowing what’s trending right now, or even better – what will be trending in your target market locality in the nearest future. This means that you need to be up-to-date with the current trends within this niche… Trying to find the products to sell online through eBay, Amazon or your own ecommerce site is not always easy. It’s actually quite difficult for must ‘un-enlightened’ sellers. With so many different types of products to choose from, knowing how to sell online auto parts and accessories takes a lot of research.… There are very few niche markets that are as popular with online shoppers as the security niche market. There are countless security products that are specifically designed to make safety a priority. If you want to sell online security products, it is essential that you know what’s hot. The hottest security products…
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La Lingua Italiana (The Italian Language) Italian is the language of art, music, and love. Many Italian words are very like English words that have a similar meaning. These words are called "cognates". How many cognates can you recognize in the questions in this quiz?
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Entrepreneur Journey Part 2 The first post in this journey detailed why I got into entrepreneurship and my struggle to find the kind of business I wanted to settle into. I might call that the dawn of my entrepreneurship. It was distinguished by lots of learning, lots of dabbling, lots of charging head first, lots of failure and lots of deciding what I wanted as an entrepreneur. I learned that I didn’t want spend all my time doing something I didn’t love. I didn’t want to sit in a float center all day and be stuck in a physical location. I didn’t want have to rely on other peoples money and restrictions. I learned that I wanted to build streams of passive income that would make money day after day without my constant attention. The Dawn of my journey was marked by a lot of jumping form one thing to the next. I love Seth Godin’s book ‘The Dip.’ I learned to fail quickly. I learned that I needed to be picky with how I spent my time and that meant not doing anything I didn’t find joy in for too long. If you do, you get stuck in it. Its easy to start your own business only to find yourself unable to escape the prison of your own creation. In the last post I left off not really having a direction. The direction found me honestly. I kept moving forward, learning as much as possible and saying NO to things I wasn’t 100% all in on. It was scary at the time. I had just gotten my girlfriend of two months pregnant and neither of us had jobs. I had no intention of getting a job. I was going to figure this out or I was going to die. I had that attitude from the moment I quit nursing school back in 2010, only having a child on the way adds in a new element. I trusted my journey and remained in good spirits. There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way, after all. I really believe that. Life unfolds magically if you let it. I realized all the stuff I was dabbling in was creating a skill set. I was learning the environment I was swimming in and acquiring skills with which to navigate it efficiently. At the very least I was bumping into the walls and turning a few lights on. A the end of my last post before the update I believe Haley was largely supporting us from her job and I was starting to find success on YouTube. I got one channel to $2k within a month putting Deepak Chopra Audio books and Eckart Tolle videos up among other things, It got shut down shortly after. I started another channel around Abraham Hicks videos because I knew she wasn’t shutting people down and Haley and I were listening to her stuff everyday anyways. I grew that channel pretty quickly finding unique ways to spin her videos, making good cover art, optimizing my channel and releasing 3-5 videos/day. The channel hit $4.5k/month within three months before it settled down to around $3.5k/month. Haley quit her job so she could come home and tend to Phoenix. I was supporting us. Our rent was 1.2k/month, we had ~1.1k in credit cards and student loans payments combined, with 1k in food/month plus Phoenix’s expenses, so we didn’t have a ton to live on. But I was making passive income and supporting us. Neither of us were working jobs and we spent out time doing what we wanted each day so it was pretty amazing. We lived on Youtube income for about a year and a half. It took about 4 hours/week to sustain. The last update to my entrepreneur post was 10 months before now. I started hiring writers to make book summaries for what I would call Ant Hive Media. I was a bit optimistic about my numbers and my growth at that time. To start I got 1.2k from my mom to make books. I did a sloppy job hiring the cheapest writers I could. I got 20 or so books made really cheap, I got a cover template made on fiverr.com with the .psd file for about $45. I was happy with how they looked and I knew they would sell based on the titles alone. I put all the books up to prove the concept. They weren’t edited or formatted very well. I got some bad reviews because of it but I made my money back within the first month and a half. About this time I lost motivation to put up more Abraham Videos. Instead I got obsessed with Film making. Haley and I watched movies every day and I read a bunch of books on Film. We started making daily vlogs so I could practice filming and editing and being in-front of a camera. I put the vlogs on my Abraham Hicks Channel but they didn’t get near the views Abraham did so my YouTube income started dropping. We also started working on building our Instagram followers. I knew there was a business in the books. I got another 2k from my mom to make more books. I hired cheap writers again but better than the first time. I was focusing most of my time creating vlogs and learning film. When the books got back they just sat there. This frustrated my mom because she saw it as dead money sitting around so she helped me publish them. Then we enlisted my grandma to edit them. My Gramma used to edit college thesis papers when she was younger so she’s quite good at it. We started going back and quality controlling the old books and I improved my hiring process. I stopped going for bottom of the barrel, I stopped hiring non-native english speakers and I got feedback from my grandma on who I should keep and who I should avoid. We started getting a good system down. I was doing what I loved and outsourced the parts that were a drag to me to my mom and grandma. They seemed to enjoy their roles. We made a good team. As the YouTube income was shrinking the income from the books started to climb. I had 18 writers at one point. I had a pretty good batch of rock stars. A few that needed a little fix-up work and a few that faded away and didn’t have much output. I really started building my collection. I sent more books to my grandma than she could edit and more to my mom than she could format and publish. We got a notice that our lease was about to be up and Haley found an amazing place in the mountains. We had been driving around looking at houses and imagining places we wanted to live and this place exceeded our wildest imaginations. The rent was $1.9k a little more than we could afford at the time. We got a 2k tax return that helped with month one and one of the book publishers pays out every three months which gave us 2k the next month. YouTube income shrank to 1.5k/month while the books started making ~3k/month. I invested any extra money we had into paying my writers. We moved in March 24th. This month (May) YouTube deposit was 1.3k, and I got $700 from Audio books, $900 from amazon kindle, $1k from hard covers. Smash word’s which pays every three months made 2.2k last month. For a total of $3.9k+$2.2k=$6.1k for April income which pays in May. May revenue was 3.4k from smash words, ~2k kindle, ~2k create space, 1.2k Audiobooks, 1.2k from youtube for a total of ~9.8k which pays in June. So things are growing nicely. We published almost 150 books at this point and I feel like our momentum is still catching up to us. Kindle and hard cover sales are growing, Audio books are also starting to kick in with 95 published and 33 in production. In other news, I currently have ~10k followers on Instagram and Haley has 11.9k. She has been getting free stuff sent to her every few weeks. She got some awesome clothes from Australia, and has a $400 diaper bag on the way. She’s growing great connections with her audience. Next month she’s leading a community of women. It’s called Goddess Garden and the cost is $50/month. I’m really excited to see where she goes with that. Three people have already paid her and she got over 6 applications so far. Really cool to see what we have been working on take form and evolve. I cut back to 2 writers for now until Smash Words pays out at the end of July. Then I’ll hire another round of writers and grow the collection 2-3x. Stopping production will allow us to catch up on publishing our backlog and see what our momentum does the next couple months from the books we have up and the tweaks we’re making. It also gives me time to focus on new directions. I’m diving really hard into Andre Chaperon’s stuff. I’m rewriting his sales letters by hand to get better at writing copy and going through his Tiny Little Businesses & Autoresponder Madness 3.0 Courses. Also reading all the books he recommends that catch my eye. My goal is to become one of the top internet marketers in the world. I want to be able to help thousands of people go from $0-$4k/month in passive income rather quickly to supplement their lifestyle or replace a job they don’t like. I think learning Affiliate Marketing, Email Sequences, Copy Writing, paid traffic and Sales Funnels will give me a third bullet to use. I intend on following the Tiny Little Business course to create another $4k+/month stream of passive income. It will add more security and another skill-set I can use to make the next pivot. I can see myself making my own product and promoting it with JV’s (?) and on ClickBank which I know nothing about right now. I plan on spending the next 2-3 months learning then execute the next $4k/mo minimum passive income stream. I have a ClickFunnel sales funnel opt-in page built for Ant Hive Media at Anthivemedia.com/freesummaries which gets about 5 subscribers a day right now. I’d also like to come up with an up-sell there probably a pack of 25 summaries +5 bonus summaries for $47. Mostly I’m in learn mode. Read as much as possible. Rewrite Copy everyday and make it through both of Andre’s courses. Rewrite my top 11 goals 3x/day and listen to all of Self Made Man Podcast episodes. After that I’m confident the next direction will become obvious. As Winston Churchill says, “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.” I do feel like I’m turning the corner. I’ve gone from $0-$4k+/month in 2 different streams of passive income both rather quickly. Although it took 5 years or so of stumbling around before I found them. I’m gaining an understanding of the online landscape and the path I’m on now should round out this stage of my knowledge. I’m finally getting to the point where I will have some extra money I will have to decide where to put rather than into books, food and bills. Haley is also beginning to build income online and I know she is going to continue to create something really cool. We get married at the end of July. I think I will plan a solo trip to South America to study in the jungle for a week or two in September then we’re expecting another child around January. I felt like I stagnated for a period of time after reaching many of the goals I had set out to accomplish, But zooming though the Self Made Man podcast episodes listening to big thinkers has me setting big goals for the future and chasing my dreams again. Until next time. You have absolutely blown my mind. I can’t believe you’re expecting a second child. I’m really amazed! And I can’t believe you’re doing those kinds of numbers! Again I’m really amazed. I’ve been in business for 4 years and I feel like I’ve stumbled and failed through the entire thing. I’m ready for an absolute complete Turning Point. My girlfriend and I want to have a child of Our Own. She is my dream girl. Absolutely the love of my life and we have an amazing relationship. She has 3 kids already. So I’m really feeling the Crux of things. Thank you thank you thank you for your post and for your writing. I don’t know how you do what you’re doing but I’m going to learn from you so I can do it too.
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Hungry Valley Moon Rocks Four Wheeling - Madness At Moon Rocks In a relatively short period of time, Rich Klein, the founder of CalROCS, has made a lasting impression on the world of extreme rockcrawling events. The series' most recent success was Madness at Moon Rocks, which was held in Nevada at the Hungry Valley OHV park. As always, CalROCS ran three classes: modified stock, pro modified, and unlimited, which opens up the field of competition to a wide range of vehicles and drivers. In short, just about anyone can compete.On Saturday morning, the crowds were already gathering to witness the event. The courses were all marked out and the competition began. To give spectators a chance to safely watch the action, a yellow-tape boundary was established, both above and to the sides of the courses. This allowed for a fantastic view of the whole event without placing anyone in harm's way. With 75 competitors in attendance, it was clear that the only way to get them through all eight courses would be to stagger the starts, so a half dozen rigs started at eight different courses to kick off the day. The courses proved to be very challenging for the rigs, drivers, and spotters. There were several rollovers and breakdowns, although no one suffered so much as a scratch. The courses were so diverse that by the end of the day, no one was sure who had made it to the next round. After the last rig had finished on Saturday night and the points were totaled, the names of those who had made it to the next round were announced at the Reno Hilton that night. The rules that CalROCS abides by are the same as those used by RCCA. The goal is to accumulate as few points as possible. The 10 teams with the lowest scores advanced to the final round on Sunday. When dawn broke the next morning, the finalist's were lined up at the gates for the first of six new courses, and the spectator area was packed. Several of the obstacles looked like they would be impossible to traverse, and it made many people wonder what course designer Bob Rogue was thinking when he designed them. However, the competitors were up to the challenge, and most of them successfully conquered the courses. With all of the action, the crowd often went wild with excitement as rigs attempted the seemingly impossible. Men, women, and children of all ages rooted and yelled, often pouring out advice about what lines to take and which strategy to adopt. Apparently armchair quarterbacks abound in every sport! As the day came to a close and the last competitor rumbled across the finish line, both the crowds and drivers seemed spent. Adrenaline was still running high with the all-out nature of these events, but as everyone began winding down, what they all wanted to know was who had come out on top.
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Yuube no Curry, Ashita no Pan Batch Sub Indo Seven years ago, Terayama Kazuki died of cancer at the young age of 25, leaving behind his wife Tetsuko and father Rentaro. They live together and are a family, but theirs is a delicate relationship of daughter-in-law and father-in-law with no blood ties. Through the intriguing people Tetsuko comes into contact with who were linked by fate to her kindhearted husband, she is freed from the pain of the loss of a loved one and begins to start life again.
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society6 - post your store i don't know if they rebranded their site recently, but i'm kind of impressed with how clean / minimal society6 is looking. a few quirks aside (not into how you can't reorganize the print order) i like how it is a slick looking alternative to redbubble / imagekind. Tees Talk Jobs Resources About Mintees.com is an online t-shirt and apparel design community. Promoting tee designers, clothing brands and tee enthusiasts, Mintees.com is home to some of the most talented apparel designers in the world.
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Deactivate Online Banking Services for a Quicken Account Updated: 5/01/2012 | Article ID: GEN82055 Deactivating an account's online banking service permanently removes it from One Step Update (unless you later reactivate). In certain cases you'll need to deactivate an online banking service that uses a specific connection method and then reactivate using a different connection method in order to use specific online payment service providers. Additional help that compares the different connection methods is available. Note: If you have an investment account that is linked to a cash account, you need to deactivate the online services from the investment account. When the online services are deactivated for the investment account, online services for the linked cash account are also deactivated. Select the account for which you want to deactivate online services, and then click Edit. The Account Details window opens. Click the Online Services tab. Click Deactivate (Remove from One Step Update in older versions) next to the service you want to disable. Click Yes to the message asking if you want to disable this service. Note: If you do not receive this message, additional information is available below. Click OK to the confirmation message. The Account Details window is refreshed, and the service is listed as Available. Contact your financial institution to cancel the online services. Note: If your financial institution charges a fee for online services in Quicken, you need to cancel the services by contacting your financial institution. Deactivating the account in Quicken will not normally stop the service fee. What if Quicken tells me to accept downloaded transactions before deactivating online services? Quicken will not deactivate online services if you have not accepted all downloaded transactions. Verify that you have accepted all transactions. Open the account register and select the Downloaded Transactions tab at the bottom of the register. If there are not any transactions listed, skip to step 3. Accept all transactions and then follow the steps above to deactivate online services. Select the Online menu and select Online Center. Select the appropriate financial institution and account. Select Transactions. If transactions are listed, click Compare to Register and accept the transactions. If no transactions are listed or Compare to Register does not allow you to accept the transactions, additional information is available on the support site. Community Discussions Share advice with other Quicken customers about using our products and managing your finances.
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As part of a move to enhance the flying experience, the carrier is no longer charging passengers who want to watch DirecTV. That change takes place immediately, which will be welcome news for those in the air during the Super Bowl, which kicks off Sunday night. "This year, we will be introducing a series of innovations and improvements designed to help build a great experience for all our customers," chief customer office Toby Enqvist said in a statement. The change will be seen on 211 United 737s that have DirecTV service. Previously, passengers had to pay either $5.99 or $7.99 to watch live TV, depending on the length of the flight. Some of United's competitors already offer free entertainment options on board. For example, JetBlue Airways has free DirecTV throughout its fleet and American Airlines passengers can stream live television from their personal devices on board many domestic and international flights. Making DirecTV free is part of United's plan to improve its customer service image. Last year, the airline was blasted after a flight attendant had a customer put a dog in an overhead bin for a flight. The dog died in flight, prompting days of bad press for United. And in 2017, United found itself apologizing, and ultimately paying a settlement, for dragging a passenger off of a plane that was oversold. The video of security officers pulling the passenger out of his seat and dragging him down the aisle created an uproar on social media. While apologizing for the incident, CEO Oscar Munoz called the treatment of the passenger a shame, adding: "We will work to make it right." Since then, Munoz and his team have focused on improving the airline's customer service. United has dramatically reduced the number of passengers it bumps from flights, and its on-time arrival performance improved in 2018.
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Texas Tech Spirit Program Texas Tech Masked Rider Program Laurie Tolbloom 2017-2018 Masked Rider Laurie Tolboom, a graduate student from Dublin, Texas, completed her bachelor's degree in agricultural communications in December 2016 and is now pursuing her master's degree in mass communications. As a young girl, Laurie loved horses and received her first horse at age 5. Though her family didn't have much horse experience, Laurie's mom enrolled her in lessons, horse camps and 4-H to help her learn as much as possible. Her knowledge of horses continued to grow throughout high school, with Laurie competing in English and Western show events. As part of 4-H, Laurie learned about horse and tack care, riding and horse judging. As she grew older, Laurie held several leadership positions, including president, and led lessons and discussions on horses with younger members. After four years of showing in the Texas 4-H Horse Show, Laurie and Charli, her own horse, made the trip together to Texas Tech University. Laurie joined the Texas Tech Equestrian Team as a freshman and served as Western Team Captain her sophomore year. Laurie's dedication to horses has led to numerous awards and honors, including multiple top-five and top 10-placings from 2011 to 2014 at the Texas 4-H Horse Show; 2012 Youth World Champion and 2015 Reserve World Champion from the American Paint Horse Association; and multiple wins and top-five packings as part of the Texas Tech Equestrian Team. In 2014, Laurie served on the Masked Rider Field Safety Crew, and from 2015 to 2017, as one of the Masked Rider assistants for the 54th & 55th riders, Rachel McLelland and Charlie Snider. As the 56th Masked Rider, she hopes to uphold the long-standing traditions of the program, represent the university to the best of her ability and share her love of Texas Tech. Laurie also hopes to increase the Masked Rider's presence on campus and among students. After serving as the 2017-2018 Masked Rider, Laurie plans to use the communication, photography and design skills she's cultivated while completing her communications degrees to share her love of horses and agriculture with others. She plans to work in the equine or agriculture industry as a graphic designer, photographer or videographer. "I love promoting Texas Tech and the Lubbock area, and being the symbol of Texas Tech will be pretty cool," Laurie said. "It's an indescribable feeling, joining the ranks of all these amazing people that love Texas Tech as much as I do. To have my name on that list - that's pretty exciting." Written by Amanda Castro-CristTexas Tech Office of Communications & Marketing
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Vancouver Canucks Hockey, NHL, Discussion, Blogs, Downloads A lot of folks in Vancouver are blowing the conspiracy horn this morning, after the NHL made a very questionable call in denying Daniel Sedin a third-period goal last night. The truth is, the Canucks haven’t done themselves any favours, and frankly didn’t deserve to win game three. The Kings were the better team for 50 minutes last night. The Canucks, on the other hand, put in five minutes in the first period, and a modest fight in parts of the third. In this series, in fact, the Nucks haven’t put together a complete game once in three tries. Their PK and PP have been disastrous – LA is seven for twelve on the man advantage, for goodness’ sake. Without special teams going at even half speed, we lose this series faster than Andrew Alberts can book the tee times from the penalty box. Still, if Boston fans can still complain about Don Cherry putting six Bruins on the ice so Lafleur can blast a power play shot past Gerry Cheevers… Just this year: Malkin concusses Mitchell. Head shot into the boards. No penalty, no suspension. Mitchell will be lucky if he’s ready for next season. Burrows has a major public relations scandal erupt when he says a referee planned to call a penalty, tells him so, and then proceeds to make an awful third period call on him. The Canucks lose to Calgary, with whom they are fighting for the division lead at the time. Kesler hits Derek Morris AFTER MORRIS SAW HIM COMING AND PUT HIMSELF IN A VULNERABLE POSITION. (Morris admits so after the game.) Five minute major and a game misconduct. Henrik – league’s leading scorer, mind you – gets skewered by Kopitar’s stick in game one. The blade is stuck in his helmet as evidence. No call. Bernier has his stick blatantly held for a good three or four seconds during an offensive chance in game three. No call. (Not that it would have mattered – the PP wouldn’t have scored anyway.) An injured Canuck labours to the bench, and a legal line change results in 7 players for a millisecond WITHIN FIVE FEET OF THE BENCH. No oncoming player touches the puck or impedes the play – which is the rule. Canucks called for too many men. LA wins game two on their outrageously good power play. Daniel’s skate blade redirects the puck into the goal in game three, and is called a good goal by the on-ice refs. LA doesn’t even complain about the play. OFF-ICE OFFICIALS IN TORONTO, without precedent, alter the interpretation of the rulebook to CONCLUSIVELY decide the puck was put in illegally, and OVERRULE the referees. Mike Murphy – an ex-King player and ex-Canuck assistant coach – explains his call on Hockey Night in Canada, and only Kelly Hrudey finds any logic in the explanation. Even Ron McLean, whom many Canucks fans think is anti-Vancouver, thinks the league botches this call. Abominable. All of these things in a short period of time will of course bring back all other memories of officials and/or league execs screwing the franchise. There are those (myself included) who still wince when they think of the Flames’ Joel Otto kicking in a series-winning goal, in the crease, in 1989. The Flames went on to win the Cup that year. Vancouver has never got the calls. Not once do I remember the Canucks being handed a major game or a series by a call that could have gone either way. Whether it’s minor things – the other guys get away with too many men several times, but we get called for it in OT – or huge screwups like Daniel’s no goal last night, Vancouver always seems to end up on the wrong side of the call. When will Otto, Mitchell, Kesler, Daniel and Burrows pool their karma to get the Canucks a few game-winning breaks? Let’s hope games three and four. But as Dan Boyle and the rest of the San Jose Sharks can tell you, sometimes karma doesn’t play fair. The Sharks have been frontrunners for nearly a decade, and they’ve not made even the Conference Finals, let alone skated for the Cup. The Canucks can’t wait for karma to come home. They just have to play through it. It’s time for the Orca to swim against the tide. Hit. Shoot. Save. Score. Stay out of the box. And don’t rely on the refs to play fair. It’s not a conspiracy, per se, but the only consistency we’ve seen over the years is consistently poor calls against us.
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Latest Update Monday, January 26, 2009 Property Tax Deadline Is January 31 The Jan. 31 property tax deadline is less than a week away and the Smith County tax office wants property owners to know that owning property means owing taxes. "If you own property, you owe taxes," said Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Barber. "A lot of people assume because they didn't receive a statement that they don't have to pay but that's not the way it is. They are still responsible for that property and the taxes on it." Barber said owners not exempt from paying property taxes need to be aware that penalties begin at 7 percent on Feb. 1 and increase 2 percent per month until reaching 18 percent on July 1. He said by July a person's tax statement will have incurred a 33 percent penalty and he encourages payment even if it is not the full amount. Owners with questions can contact the tax office staff for information regarding properties, Barber said. He said staff can locate the tax information with the address or former property owner's name. Property owners can also access tax information and make payment on the county Web site. 1 comment: Writing essays is a difficult task. However, the majority of students have to write essays in colleges and schools. Some essay types are easy while other require special skills and knowledge. It may be difficult to write a good essay for students who have to work part time or students from abroad. essay writing service!
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New Year's Eve got off to an unexpected bang in the Thai capital, Bangkok, when a series of bombs detonated across town, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, including several foreign tourists. The explosions—no one so far has claimed responsibility—capped off a turbulent year for the Southeast Asian nation. In September, the country's democratically elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted by a military junta. Then, on Dec. 19, Thailand's stock exchange suffered its worst-ever one-day drop after the nation's monetary czars instituted controversial capital controls. Meanwhile, an insurgent movement in the country's largely Muslim south has ratcheted up its bloody campaign, setting off near daily bombings in Thailand's three southernmost provinces. "[2006] was the year of the greatest social and political divisions in a generation," says Bangkok-based economist Chris Baker. The New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok erupted in two waves. The first series of blasts exploded around 6:30 in the evening, just as revelers were beginning to crowd the streets of this party-loving town. The six targets included a shopping mall, a supermarket and a bus stop at Victory Monument, one of Bangkok's busiest gathering places. "At first, I thought the noise was a flat tire," says waiter Thanapon Prukthara, whose outdoor restaurant is located less than 20 yards from the Victory Monument detonation site. "But then I heard all this screaming and saw people lying on the ground, so I rushed to help the wounded." Three hours later, forensic police sifted through the Victory Monument bus-stop wreckage for possible bomb components, collecting and photographing a handful of nails, a metal wristwatch band and twisted chunks of metal. After watching the police comb for evidence, German tourist Irina Martin said she was heading back to her hotel instead of going to Bangkok's famous New Year's countdown at the Central World shopping mall complex, as she had originally planned. "I heard rumors from other people that there might be more explosions at midnight," said the kindergarten teacher from Hamburg. "It's not worth going, just for a party." The Thai authorities must have agreed. They quickly canceled the Central World festivities and urged the thousands of people already gathered for the countdown to go home. Many dispersed, but plenty of celebrants were still milling around when a second wave of bombs detonated around midnight. Two explosions erupted near Central World, one at a flyover and another at a seafood restaurant frequented by tourists. Several foreigners were injured in the midnight attacks. Firework blasts added to the general chaos, with initial reports of further bombs proving instead to be New Year's Eve festivities. On New Year's Day, Bangkok was swirling with rumors about the possible masterminds behind the crude but deadly attacks. Initial suspicion centered on Muslim insurgents, who have terrorized Thailand's south with unrelenting small explosions that have claimed nearly 2,000 lives over the past three years. But the insurgents, some of whom are fighting for a separatist homeland for the country's minority Muslims, have never brought their bombing campaign out of Thailand's south. At a press conference on Monday afternoon, interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont specifically discounted speculation that the terror attacks were planned by Muslim extremists, instead linking the bombs to "people who lost power." Surayud did not identify any particular group—nor was any evidence given—but the implication appeared to rest on forces tied to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin. Although less popular among the urban and middle-class electorate, Thaksin swept into office with a record-high vote, largely thanks to support from the country's rural north. Since the September coup, more than a dozen public schools in Thailand's northeast have been torched; the military junta has used such acts of violence, which they link to Thaksin supporters, as justification for keeping parts of the nation under martial law. Thaksin is currently in exile in China, as the interim government investigates whether corruption charges can be brought against the billionaire ex-premier. On Monday, through his lawyer, Thaksin denied any connection to the New Year's Eve attacks. Regardless of who planted the bombs, the violence has shaken a country that had been trying to mend its international reputation following the military coup. Thailand remains a regional manufacturing hub, but competition from China, India and even upstart Vietnam is threatening profits. Complicating matters are efforts by the military-installed government to reform the finance sector in ways that may penalize the very foreign companies needed to keep investment flowing into Thailand. Proposed amendments to the Foreign Business Act, for example, could force thousands of foreign firms to sell shares to Thai locals if they wish to continue operating in Thailand. "There is a lot of confusion about what exactly is happening in Thailand," says Sukit Udomsirikul, assistant managing director of Siam City Securities in Bangkok. "Such uncertainty negatively impacts business sentiment." A mysterious bombing campaign is sure to rattle confidence further. After such a tense and tumultuous 2006, Thais can only hope that the new year restores some measure of stability.
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Figures Abstract A major goal of systems biology is to understand how organism-level behavior arises from a myriad of molecular interactions. Often this involves complex sets of rules describing interactions among a large number of components. As an alternative, we have developed a simple, macro-level model to describe how chronic temperature stress affects reproduction in C. elegans. Our approach uses fundamental engineering principles, together with a limited set of experimentally derived facts, and provides quantitatively accurate predictions of performance under a range of physiologically relevant conditions. We generated detailed time-resolved experimental data to evaluate the ability of our model to describe the dynamics of C. elegans reproduction. We find considerable heterogeneity in responses of individual animals to heat stress, which can be understood as modulation of a few processes and may represent a strategy for coping with the ever-changing environment. Our experimental results and model provide quantitative insight into the breakdown of a robust biological system under stress and suggest, surprisingly, that the behavior of complex biological systems may be determined by a small number of key components. Author Summary Dynamic response to changing conditions in the environment is an essential property of all biological systems. Whereas extensive research over the last several decades has elucidated numerous molecular responses to environmental stress, there is much less known how these translate into organismal-level responses. Two types of modeling approaches are often used to bridge this gap. Fine-grained models seek to explain phenomena as resulting from interactions of large numbers of individual components. This approach demands a highly detailed knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms and has an inherent difficulty in crossing spatial scales and organizational hierarchies. As an alternative, here we present a macro-level model of reproduction in C. elegans that uses fundamental engineering principles, together with a limited set of experimentally derived facts, to provide quantitatively accurate predictions of performance under a range of physiologically relevant conditions. One important finding is that individuals within a population display considerable heterogeneity in their response to heat stress. This could be a reflection of different strategies for coping with the ever-changing environment. Our study further demonstrates that dynamic behaviors of systems may be determined by a small number of key components that lead to the emergence of organismal phenomena. Funding: This work was made possible by grant support from NIH (P50 GM081892) to LANA, RIM, IR; the Rice Institute for Biomedical Research to RIM; by the Keck Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to LANA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Introduction Much of modern biology is inherently reductionist, seeking to enumerate interactions and components to elucidate the inner workings of cells and organisms. However, phenotypes often cannot be explained simply as the sum of the properties of the micro-components. Emergent phenomena [1] are not unique to biology; physical [2], [3], [4], chemical [5], and social [6], [7], [8], [9] systems all have to contend with this challenge. Over the last several decades, thousands of studies have employed genetic and biochemical approaches to reveal the components of biological processes. High-throughput technologies have greatly accelerated discovery, generating detailed parts lists for cellular systems [10], [11], [12]. Such abundance of data facilitated development of fine-grained models that provided quantitatively accurate descriptions of signaling [13], transcriptional regulation [14], and the heat shock response [15]. Despite the success of this general approach, it cannot be used in circumstances when detailed understanding of molecules and processes is not available. While this limitation can be overcome by additional experimentation, fine-grained models have an intrinsic difficulty in connecting cellular phenomena to organismal behavior [1], [16], [17], [18], [19]. An alternative is to use macro-level modeling, which although omitting many specific details, could if properly constructed, describe the overall performance of complex systems [20], [21], [22]. Due to its easily quantifiable output, the reproductive system offers an attractive opportunity to bridge the molecular biology of a process and the emergence of dynamic, organismal-level phenotypes. Reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively studied using genetic [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28] and biochemical [29], [30], [31], [32], [33] approaches. C. elegans hermaphrodites are self-fertile [34]. They first produce a finite cache of sperm [35], and then irreversibly transition to oocyte production [36], [37], [38], which occurs continuously until reproductive senescence [39]. The overall reproductive output is primarily determined by the availability of sperm [34], [40], because their number is set for the lifetime of an individual. Many of the specific molecular components involved in gametogenesis and later reproductive events have been characterized [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47]. For example, a signaling mechanism directly couples oocyte maturation and ovulation to the presence of sperm [31], [32], [48]. Although considerable information is available about the components of the reproductive system, we are interested not in specific molecular interactions, but rather in understanding how individual animals reproduce. The distinction between these two questions can be compared to the difference between studying the molecular biology of neurons and human behavior [17]. Our goal here is to construct a parsimonious macro-scale model that is grounded in experimental data. If such a model could provide quantitatively accurate predictions, it would serve to identify a minimal set of biological components and processes necessary to endow the reproductive system with its characteristic dynamics. A time-tested approach to investigating macro-level processes is to perturb the environment in a controlled way and to measure the system's subsequent response. Temperature has often been used to probe dynamic behavior, as well as components and organization of biological systems [49], [50], [51]. This is because organisms are sensitive to environmental conditions and because temperature can be easily and precisely manipulated in the laboratory setting. Here, we analyzed the effects of chronic elevated temperatures on C. elegans reproduction to connect molecular processes to macroscopic phenotypes, particularly those involved in dynamic responses of organisms to a changing environment. Results We sought to ensure that our model of C. elegans reproduction was biologically reasonable. Because sufficiently detailed experimental data were not available, we first collected extensive, time-resolved datasets on egg-laying performance under a variety of temperature regimes. Next we formulated a parsimonious model that incorporated several key elements of the reproductive system that were previously described in the literature and trained our model using a subset of the collected experimental data. Finally, we tested the performance of the model under different environmental conditions and in different genetic backgrounds. Compared to the well-understood heat shock response, less is known about how organisms respond to chronic, moderate temperature stress. It is well established that the average number of eggs laid by C. elegans hermaphrodites is dependent on temperature [35]. We asked whether reproduction is more temperature sensitive than other vital processes and how individual worms respond to temperature stress. We examined viability, movement, and reproductive output over a range of temperatures (Table 1, Table S1). We developed an experimental protocol in which nematodes were reared at the commonly used cultivation temperature of 20°C, and then, just prior to the onset of reproduction, individually shifted to various elevated temperatures. This treatment—chronically exposing worms to temperatures between 20°C and 30°C—is qualitatively different from the standard acute heat shock experiments, which involve brief exposure to nearly fatal temperatures (33°C) [52]. Whereas the average number of eggs laid at 28°C was substantially reduced compared to temperatures at which worms are routinely raised (see below), at 30°C reproduction ceased completely (Figure 1A). In contrast, neither viability nor motility was comparably affected (Figure 1B). The average number of eggs laid by an individual hermaphrodite is substantially lower at 28°C (compared to ∼300 at 20°C), and is nearly zero at 30°C (A). In contrast, at 30°C, animals exhibit considerably milder effects on motility and viability (B). We documented the reproductive performance of 3,418 individual worms, which laid a total of 144,092 embryos (Table 1, Figure S1, Text S1). Importantly, we collected dynamic, time-resolved egg-laying curves, not simply overall brood sizes. The temperatures used in our studies (20–30°C) are likely to be physiologically relevant because C. elegans have been isolated from tropical and equatorial locales [53], [54] where temperatures routinely exceed 30°C. Furthermore, nematodes appear to dwell in compost and rotting vegetable matter [55], [56], where temperatures can be even higher than in the ambient environment [57]. Brood size of animals cultivated at 20 and 25°C were normally distributed (Figures 2A, B, S2, S3, Text S1). While the means of the brood size distributions varied with temperature, they had indistinguishable coefficients of variation (p = 0.58±0.01, permutation test). These results suggest that while the mean output of the reproductive system is temperature-dependent, increasing temperature does not lead to an appreciable increase in the individual-to-individual variability (Figure S4). The brood sizes for animals reproducing at 20 (A) and 25°C (B) are normally distributed. However, at higher temperatures, 28 (C) and 29°C (D), the distribution of brood sizes reflects a heterogeneous population. At these temperatures, the brood size distributions (solid lines) can no longer be approximated as single normal distributions. Instead, each is better explained as a mixture of two distinct components (dashed lines), the relative weight of which is dependent on temperature. Red boxes in the left panels highlight the data shown in the right panels. At 28°C, however, we observed a qualitatively different behavior—there were more individuals laying low numbers of eggs than would be expected from a normally distributed population (Figure 2C). This was accompanied by a coefficient of variation (Figure S4) that was significantly higher at 28°C than at 25°C (p = 2×10−4, permutation test). Furthermore, these data could not be captured by a single normal distribution (p<10−4, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test), but could be well described by a mixture of two distributions (Figure 2C). The relative proportion of animals laying a lower than expected number of eggs increased at higher temperatures (Figure 2D), as evidenced by the increase in the coefficient of variation (Figure S4). These results suggest that whereas across a range of lower temperatures reproductive systems of all worms are robust, at higher temperatures, only a fraction of individuals continue to act in a robust manner, revealing an inherent heterogeneity in physiological response. Simple macro-level model closely reproduces experimental results We developed a macro-level model of the C. elegans reproductive system. Our model is both simple (it includes a small set of essential features and parameters) and falsifiable (designed to be experimentally testable). The reproductive system (Figure 3A) can be abstracted as a pipeline for the serial maturation and subsequent fertilization of oocytes. We conceptualized it as a series of interconnected compartments—the gonad (which is encapsulated by the gonadal sheath), spermatheca, and uterus—through which gametes flow (Figure 3B). This process can be likened to a chemical reaction because transitions between compartments can be modeled as the conversion of precursors to products. We made two simple but plausible assumptions (a list of major model assumptions is given in Table 2). First, all gametes in the model are conserved and can be explicitly accounted for [58]. Second, all transitions between states obey mass-action kinetics. The latter is a typical assumption for dynamic systems, used in analysis of chemical reaction kinetics [59]. It states that a process proceeds at a rate that is proportional to the availability of each of its inputs. The reproductive system of a hermaphrodite consists principally of three compartments: the gonad, spermatheca, and uterus (A). The model tracks gametes through these compartments according to mass-action kinetics and parsimonious biological rules (B). Although oocyte development and maturation involves a number of discrete steps and processes [48], [60], [61], for simplicity, we subsume them into a single state. This mathematical abstraction simplifies the subsequent calculations and reflects the difference between a fine-grained molecular model and a macro-level approach. We represent the number of oocytes, that are generated de novo, as O. Experimental data suggest that the total number of germ cells in adults [62] and the rate of oocyte production [48] are constant. Therefore our model treats the rate at which oocytes are generated as a constant, subject to saturation that prevents O from increasing beyond an upper limit established by gonad size [48]. Together, these assumptions define the rate of oocyte creation (Figure 3B),(1)where kg is a rate constant describing the generation of O, and ks is a rate constant pertaining to the carrying capacity of the gonad. Hermaphrodites of the standard laboratory strain (Bristol or N2) of C. elegans produce approximately 300 sperm during development before the germline irreversibly transitions to oogenesis [34]. Because animals produce oocytes continuously until their cache of sperm is depleted, the number of sperm determines the overall fecundity [34]. A dedicated mechanism communicates the presence of sperm to the developing oocytes. Sperm release major sperm protein (MSP) into the proximal gonad [63], where it induces meiotic maturation of the proximal oocyte [31], [48]. Concomitantly, MSP promotes sheath cell contraction, leading to ovulation [32]. As the oocyte is pulled into the spermatheca, fertilization takes place [64]. After the spermatheca, the embryo passes to the uterus where it completes the first several cell divisions before being laid [24]. The dynamics of egg-laying are known to be bursty, but the time intervals between these bursts are typically on the order of minutes [65], much shorter than the time intervals at which we counted eggs. Therefore we need not consider these dynamics in our model. The reproductive rate, while approximately constant early in adulthood, decreases as the animals age [66]. This decline in reproductive function likely has multiple causes. In the first several days of reproductive maturity it likely reflects the decreasing number of sperm and the coupling of ovulation to sperm number [63], because mating during this period can produce substantially more progeny [67], [68]. About 5 days after the onset on reproduction, oocyte quality becomes compromised [69], [70], and mating of week-old hermaphrodites does not increase their brood size [68]. At lower temperatures (e.g., 20°C), within 4–5 days of reproductive maturity nearly all of a hermaphrodite's sperm have been used to fertilize eggs [34]. However, it is reasonable to expect that chronic exposure to higher temperatures will result in gamete death. While developing oocytes are likely damaged by chronic temperature stress, they can be continuously generated, therefore their destruction is difficult to decouple from a decrease in their production rate. We thus captured this process by allowing net oocyte production rate in the model to vary with temperature. These assumptions, and their related mass action kinetics, yield expressions for the rate of ovulation and the rate of sperm death ,(2a)(2b)where Sa is the number of active sperm, is a rate constant of ovulation, and is a rate constant of sperm death. Because O rapidly achieves a steady state [48], we simplified the model specified in Equations 1 and 2 using a quasi-steady-state approximation [71]. We found that this reformulation results in a model that captures the system dynamics equally well (see next section and Text S1). We explicitly solved the steady-state mass balance equation to obtain (see Text S1). This allowed us to express the dynamics of the system using a smaller subset of parameters. In the interest of parsimony, we used the parameter kmax to summarize the intrinsic maximum rate of oogenesis,(3)where depends weakly on Sa, and can be treated as a constant (see Text S1). Together, these assumptions can be combined into a system of mass balance equations describing the dynamics of C. elegans reproduction,(4a)(4b) In our experiments, we observed substantial variability in both the overall fecundity and the dynamics of egg-laying among individuals. We hypothesized that this variability arises from differences in the intrinsic capacity (kmax) for oogenesis and the number of sperm produced by each animal, both of which we surmised are normally distributed (Figures 2A, B, S2, S3, Text S1). The rate of sperm production is approximately constant over time [72], and high sperm count is associated with delayed onset of oogenesis [67]. To capture this, when simulating our model, the number of sperm of each individual and the timing of the onset of embryo production were determined by the same variable drawn from a normal distribution. Recalling the heterogeneity of brood sizes at higher temperatures (Figure 2), we reasoned that the fraction (δ) of animals that exhibit a non-robust reproductive output varies with temperature, and treated δ as a free parameter. Although the mean-field behavior of our model can be analytically solved (Text S1), we solved it numerically. We used maximum likelihood estimation [73] to determine the kinetic parameters for our model. Interestingly, our estimates of kmax were substantially different for the two classes. We used time-resolved, densely sampled egg-laying curves collected at 20, 25, and 29°C (Table 1, Figure 2) to train our model for both the robust and non-robust classes of animals. Noting the narrow range of relevant temperatures, we hypothesized exponential dependence of the model parameters on temperature. Because δ is only nonzero at 28°C and above, we used curves collected at 20, 28, and 29°C to estimate its value more robustly. The estimated coefficients of these exponential functions (Figure 4A–C) result in model predictions that closely recapitulate the empirical data (Figure 4D). More complicated models do not offer an improved description of the system To obtain Equation 3, we surmised that the dynamics of oocyte development are steady-state [48], and the number of developed oocytes O is constant (also see Text S1). To ensure that this approximation does not lead to an overly simplistic model that fails to capture aspects of reproductive dynamics, we evaluated predictions for two distinct model formulations. The first assumed that O reaches a quasi-steady-state according to Equation 3. This simplified model is fully described in Equation 4. The second was more complicated, explicitly accounting for oocyte generation and development (Equations 1 and 2a) and allowing O to vary. Only subtle quantitative differences existed in the predictions of these two models, justifying the use of the parsimonious version (Figure 5A). Figure 5. More complicated models do not offer an improved description of the system. Explicitly accounting for oocyte development (blue) is nearly indistinguishable from the quasi-steady-state approximation (red) (A). Including a discrete state for dead oocytes (B) complicates the model, but leads to a description (Equation 6) that is mathematically equivalent to the parsimonious model (Equation 4). To ensure that the parsimonious model (Equation 4) does not omit other details that could improve the description of the system, we constructed an alternative model with an additional component that plausibly exists in the reproductive system: oocyte death. In a model that explicitly included discrete states for dead oocytes (Od) (Figure 5B), the rate of oocyte accumulation becomes,(5)where is the rate of oocyte death and is the rate constant of oocyte death. Reformulating Equation 5, we obtain,(6)where . Because this expression is mathematically equivalent to Equation 4a, it is difficult to differentiate between this model that accounts for oocyte death from the more parsimonious model formulated above (Equation 4). Testing predictions of the model Our modeling framework provides the basis for predicting the behavior of animals treated under different conditions and having different genetic backgrounds. As a first test, we generated predictions of the dynamics of reproductive output following chronic temperature shifts conducted under the same experimental protocol that was used to train the model, but at three different temperatures. At 23, 28, and 30°C, we observed a close correspondence between predicted values and experimental results (Figure 6). Predictions were obtained using parameters estimated from the training data (Figure 4); the only additional information that was specified was the temperature to which the animals were exposed. Importantly, in addition to the quantitative matches obtained for the population means, we also observed a correspondence between predicted and experimentally measured animal-to-animal variances of brood sizes. As a second test, we probed the reproductive dynamics of two mutants, tra-3(e2333) [74] and cdc-48.1(tm544) [75], that produce different numbers of offspring than the wild-type N2 strain (Table S2). In our experimental paradigm, at 20°C these two mutants produced 437±40 and 238±115 progeny, respectively. At least two lines of evidence suggest that availability of sperm is the limiting factor in C. elegans reproduction. First, self-fertile hermaphrodites continue laying unfertilized eggs once their cache of sperm becomes exhausted [34], [76]. Second, hermaphrodites that are mated to males generate up to four times the number of progeny as their unmated counterparts because male ejaculate provides many more sperm than the number produced by a hermaphrodite [67], [77]. Relevantly, the cdc-48.1(tm544) mutant animals lay approximately as many eggs as the wild type, but a substantial fraction of these oocytes are not fertilized [75]. We therefore reasoned that the number of progeny of individual animals accurately reflected the number of sperm they produced. Using these inferred sperm counts and the model parameters estimated from the training data (Figure 4), we predicted the dynamics of the reproductive output of the two mutants. At 20 and 25°C, predictions for the cdc-48.1 mutants matched the experimental results, as did predictions for the tra-3 animals at 20°C (Figures 7A, B). At 25°C, however, the tra-3 mutants laid fewer embryos than predicted by our model (Figure 7B). The reproductive dynamics of tra-3 and cdc-48.1 mutants at 20°C (dots; ±1 standard deviation) are well described by the model (solid lines are median predictions; dashed lines are ±1 standard deviation) (A). At 25°C, tra-3 animals produce fewer progeny than predicted (B). Embryos are arranged in an orderly fashion in N2 animals at 20 (C) and 25°C (E) and in tra-3 mutants at 20°C (D), but not at 25°C (F). Consequently, tra-3 mutants retain more embryos in the uterus than N2 animals (G; average number per worm is shown; ±1 standard deviation). Bagging phenotype of tra-3 mutants is rescued by an egg-laying constitutive mutation egl-19(ad695) (H). We investigated the plausible causes of this discrepancy. At 20°C the embryos of both the wild-type N2 and tra-3 animals were arranged in an orderly fashion within the uterus (Figure 7C, D). At 25°C (Figure 7E) the embryos in wild-type animals were more numerous than at 20°C, but this effect was far more pronounced in the tra-3 mutants, which had retained embryos that were older than the age at which they are typically laid (Figure 7F). The number of embryos retained by individuals correlated with the sperm count, such that retention in the tra-3 animals was substantially higher than in the wild-type (Figure 7G). We interpreted this as an indication that our model over-predicted the number of eggs laid because it did not consider the accumulation of eggs in the uterus and its possible consequences. The total number of eggs laid and retained in the uterus of the tra-3 animals at 25°C was indistinguishable from that in the wild-type N2 animals under the same conditions. In contrast, at 20°C tra-3 mutants produced nearly 50% more offspring (437 vs. 302) reflecting a greater number of sperm. Together, these results suggest that a higher aggregate egg production rate at 25°C results in higher egg retention which causes a mechanical impediment to the passage of eggs and therefore disrupts reproduction. The accumulation of embryos inside the uterus led to a “bagging” phenotype [78] and eventual hatching within the parent (Figure 7H, Table S3). Significantly, the bagging phenotype of the tra-3 mutants was completely suppressed by an egl-19(ad695) mutation that causes constitutive egg-laying [79]. This suggests that the mechanical elements of the egg-laying apparatus were compromised by chronic heat stress, serving as a physical impediment to achieving the maximum rate of egg-laying and, therefore, the highest brood size given the number of available sperm. Discussion We developed a macro-level, parsimonious model that, although it incorporates only a few of the known elements of the reproductive system of C. elegans, is sufficient to make quantitatively accurate predictions of the dynamics of reproduction under stress. Using detailed, time-resolved experimental data, we demonstrated that the model predicts reproductive dynamics of animals in a number of environmental and genetic backgrounds. The molecular details underlying reproduction undoubtedly are numerous and complex. Specifically, large numbers of genes are associated [80] with the following reproduction-related Gene Ontology terms: fertilization (23), oviposition (394), oocyte (60), oogenesis (179), and sperm (52). We have shown that a minimal model of a process can be sufficient for capturing system dynamics. We were able to infer a minimum set of essential elements that are sufficient to describe the temperature-dependent dynamics of reproduction in C. elegans. The reproductive systems of individual C. elegans worms exhibited a heterogeneous response to temperature stress, manifested as more variable brood sizes. Several possible explanations can account for this phenomenon. Animals at higher temperatures might have an increased probability of a discrete failure event. This could plausibly give rise to two populations of animals—some reproducing at a relatively high rate, similar to (although slower than) that at lower temperatures—and some that have a broken reproductive system. Under this scenario, the combined distribution of brood sizes at a given temperature could be described as a mixture of a normal distribution, corresponding to robustly reproducing animals, and an exponential distribution, reflecting waiting time to a failure event (Figure 8A). Figure 8. Alternative interpretations of the heterogeneous response to stress by individual nematodes. At permissive temperatures (≤25°C) brood sizes are well described as normal distributions (as shown in Figure 2). However, at higher temperatures (≥28°C), the brood size distributions diverge from normal, and a mixture of two distributions is required to describe the data. Two different combinations of distributions could account for the observations. In both cases a fraction of the overall population consists of worms reproducing robustly; these are described by a normal distribution (blue). An exponential distribution (red) could indicate that chronic stress causes random reproductive failure among individuals in the population (A). A normal distribution (red) would suggest that subpopulations of individuals deploy qualitatively distinct reproductive strategies (B). Regardless of the explanation, there is a dichotomy of reproductive behaviors among individuals within populations under temperature stress. Alternatively, the observed heterogeneity could be indicative of a dichotomy of reproductive strategies (Figure 8B). Phenotypic switching—the responsive or stochastic shift between two discrete modes of behavior—has been shown to be an important part of adaptation to environmental stress in unicellular organisms [81], [82], [83]. Our results are consistent with the possibility that animals adopt aggressive or conservative strategies by altering the rates of oocyte development. At higher temperatures, more worms shift from aggressive (fast) to conservative (slow) egg-laying behavior. In our model, the primary difference between these populations is kmax, the initial egg-laying rate before signal from sperm becomes rate limiting. It is conceivable that the observed heterogeneity could represent a bet-hedging approach in which some individuals in a population continue reproducing “expecting” conditions to become favorable soon, while others delay reproduction until conditions improve. Such a strategy may be advantageous for coping with the ever-changing environment [84]. Our results serve as a demonstration of the utility of macro-level modeling for understanding complex biological systems. We can envision the application of similar models to the understanding of other phenomena that involve mass transfer. Examples would include gas exchange in the respiratory system, filtration in the excretory system, and nutrient extraction in the intestine. More broadly, any system that consists of an orderly transition between defined compartments or states could be amenable to the type of analysis presented here. This would include development and tumorigenesis. Considerable, time-resolved experimental data are essential as are the knowledge of the initial conditions and the understanding of at least some interactions within the system. We believe that macro-level modeling can serve as a useful complement to more fine-grained approaches in the analysis of complex biological systems. Materials and Methods Strains Caenorhabditis elegans Bristol wild-type N2, as well as CB4419(tra-3(e2333))[74], FX544(cdc-48.1(tm544))[75], DA695(egl-19(ad695))[79], and YR27(egl-19(ad695)/tra-3(e2333)) mutants, were maintained at 20°C as described in Brenner [85]. CB4419(tra-3(e2333)) is an allele of tra-3 that is not temperature sensitive and does not affect the somatic gonad [67]. This allele causes a delay in the switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis and a concomitant increase in the number of sperm. FX544(cdc-48.1(tm544)) is a deletion mutant of a gene that regulates tra-1. In this mutant, the switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis is premature and fewer sperm are produced [75]. DA695(egl-19(ad695)) is a mutation in the α1 subunit of an L-type voltage-activated Ca2+ channel that causes myotonia and constitutive egg laying [86]. Mutant strains were obtained from the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center. To construct the double mutant, YR27(egl-19(ad695)/tra-3(e2333)), CB4419 males were mated to DA695 hermaphrodites. The progeny were allowed to self and double mutant candidates were selected on the basis of empty uterus and large brood size phenotypes. The genotype was confirmed by sequencing. Egg-laying experiments To standardize the environment for nematode development, we prepared 60 mm NGM agar plates 48 to 62 h prior to experiments using 10 mL of medium per plate and seeded these plates with 100 µL of saturated OP50 culture 24 h before nematodes were transferred onto the plates. We prepared synchronized cultures of L1 larvae using hypochlorite treatment of gravid hermaphrodites [87]. The liberated eggs were left on a shaker for 18±3 h at room temperature (23–24°C) in M9 buffer—sufficiently long for the population to arrest at the L1 molt. The L1 larvae were placed onto the plate in contact with bacteria to synchronize the sensing of food and the termination of L1 diapause. This transfer of L1 larvae corresponds to 0 h in relation to L1 arrest and serves as the benchmark for timing in the rest of the experiments. The developing nematodes were maintained at 20°C and microscopic examination of worms at 44 h post-L1 arrest confirmed that more than 92% of nematodes were late-L4. Since a thin bacterial lawn with a small area increases both the density and visibility of laid eggs, we seeded new NGM plates with 5 µL of 1∶1000 dilution of saturated OP50 culture in Lysogeny broth (LB) 24±2 h after L1 arrest. We transferred single nematodes to the new NGM plates 1–2 h before the temperature shift. The time designated for temperature shift was determined for each strain by enumerating eggs in the proximal gonad and fertilized embryos in the uterus. At 48, 50, 52 and 54 hours post L1 arrest, we examined twenty-five worms from each strain and counted the number of mature oocytes in the anterior and posterior gonad arms as well as the number of fertilized embryos in the uterus. Compared to N2, FX544 and CB4419 animals were delayed about three hours but otherwise appeared normal. The plates were moved into incubators at the experimental temperature shortly after the nematodes reached young adulthood: 48 h for N2, and 51 h post-L1 arrest for FX544 and CB4419 mutants. We measured temperature in each of the incubators with recording thermometers and discarded any time courses in which fluctuations were greater than 1°C. We counted the total number of embryos on a plate manually using a dissecting microscope. We measured time courses at 2 h intervals for the first 12 h. For longer time courses at lower temperatures (20 and 25°C), we collected additional measurements every 12 h until egg-laying had ceased. To avoid unnecessary and possibly confounding temperature fluctuations for the time points recorded at 2 h intervals, we used new animals for each time point and discarded the plates after the number of eggs had been counted. To avoid the accumulation of offspring for time points recorded at 12 h increments, we removed the nematodes from the incubator, transferred them to new plates and returned them to their incubators within 10±5 minutes of their removal. Experiments for each temperature were replicated on different days at least four times with at least one experiment in both the Morimoto and Ruvinsky laboratories. Thermometers between laboratories were within 0.1°C. Analysis of the individual trials suggests that small variations in developmental timing at the onset of stress contribute significantly to the variation in the total eggs laid. Viability and motility experiments Populations of nematodes were synchronized as described above with the following notable exceptions: (i) the worms were not transferred onto new plates before exposure to stress conditions; (ii) we stressed populations of 20–40 animals instead of using plates with single nematodes; (iii) we seeded the plates used for developing worms with 5 µL of 1∶1000 dilution of saturated OP50 culture instead of saturated OP50 culture. Viability and motility were assayed at 12 h increments by removing a different set of animals from the incubator at each time point, completing the measurements at room temperature, and discarding the worms. We touched animals with platinum wire to assess if they were motile or dead. Animals were scored as motile if they crawled at least one body length after gentle touch. Animals were scored as dead if they were unresponsive to touch and did not exhibit pharyngeal pumping. These experiments were replicated on different days at least three times in the Ruvinsky Lab for each temperature. An average of 164 and 235 animals were used for each time point at 30 and 31°C, respectively. Time points were counted by multiple lab members to limit operator error. Egg retention experiments Synchronized cultures of N2, CB4419, FX544 and DA695 were prepared and plated as for the egg-laying protocol described above. Twenty worms were singled for each temperature tested. At t = 0 (48 hours post L1 arrest for N2 and DA695 and 51 hours post L1 arrest for CB4419 and FX544), the twenty plates were shifted to 20, 25 or 28°C. After twenty-four hours of heat stress, the adult hermaphrodites were dissolved on the plate in 10 µL of alkaline hypochlorite solution and the eggs that had been retained in the worm were counted. Two trials were conducted for each strain. Statistical analysis We used the permutation test [88], a bootstrapping procedure, to compare distributions of brood sizes (Figure 2) and coefficients of variation between brood sizes at different temperatures (Figure S4). For each comparison, the bootstrapping was repeated 106 times. The estimated probability that the data could be observed, given the null model is, is the fraction of bootstrapped results that is at least as extreme as d. Supporting text. The supporting text covers the verification of inter-lab experimental consistency, the evaluation of model assumptions, a description of simplifying assumptions, and a derivation of the gamete dynamics.
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VIDEO: MVP Answers Hard Hitting Questions; WWE & More New Japan Pro Wrestling's top American-based superstar, IWGP Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion MVP has posted a brand new video on THE OFFICIAL MVP YouTube CHANNEL, in which the Ballin' Superstar From The 305 expresses his opinions on WWE, his new character in the United States, and what other promotions interest him … and don't. In regards to WWE, the former United States Heavyweight Champion stated, "I left on good terms … the door's open for me to return if I like, but right now … I'm very, very happy in New Japan … It was time for me to go … I wasn't very happy. It's kind of like a girlfriend you've been with for a while. You're crazy with her at first, but then you kind of drift apart. As I said, the door's not closed, and who knows, maybe one day MVP can make a return to WWE."
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Though many of the bits are for road cars, spare parts for legendary Italian racing cars were also uncovered in the container. Even more amazingly, a vast majority of the pieces remain in their original packaging. Dainty and delicate wire wheels were spotted in wooden crates originally used to ship them to the UK, with smaller parts such as carburetors still being found wrapped up in oiled paper. Unsurprisingly, Routledge amazed upon discovering the collection. He said: “Something of this scale and with the importance and rarity of the cars they are related to is unprecedented. We are looking at at least £1 million pounds worth of spares, probably more and I have never seen anything like it. “I feel a bit like Howard Carter uncovering Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Every time we remove one box or item there is something else of huge interest hiding behind.” The entire collection will be auctioned off without a reserve price on June 29.
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BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:Yolo County Calendar Creator METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20140625T100946 DTSTART:20140515T080000 DTEND:20140515T090000 SUMMARY:EMCC Meeting DESCRIPTION:Purpose: \n\nThis Committee is responsible for an annual review of ambulance services within Yolo County\, emergency medical care in the County\, including CPR and respiratory training programs\, and First Aid practices. Each year\, a report is created and submitted to the Emergency Medical Services Authority and other agencies. \n \n\nhttp://www.yolocounty.org/health-human-services/health-department/agendas-meetings-special-projects/emergency-medical-care-committee\n X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html: Purpose: This Committee is responsible for an annual review of ambulance services within Yolo County, emergency medical care in the County, including CPR and respiratory training programs, and First Aid practices. Each year, a report is created and submitted to the Emergency Medical Services Authority and other agencies.
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Jodi L. Merriday is one of the most provocative and colorful poetic vocalist to emerge in her generation. She is also a scholar of African-American aesthetics and culture. She identifies her vocal canvas as jazz and aspires to create narrative bodies of work that provoke consciousness, deliberation and love. Jodi L. Merriday's current work, “Unlettered” integrates spoken word, blues, soul and crunk into a jazz vocal textile. Her new works have pivoted her to the forefront of the discourse on post-modern jazz and African-American music. Recent notable lecture/performances include: Southern Illinois University's “Black Women in American History and Culture” Celebration, The National Black Arts Festival's “Interpretations: Black Visual Art Past, Present and Future” and the Atlanta Jazz Festival as a main stage performer. Her first independently released CD, “Sundance” was asserted by jazz and poetry enthusiasts to be, “one of the most innovative projects of the new millennium”. Kelly Vance described her contributions to twice Grammy nominated Russell Gunn's Ethnomusicology 3 {performing “Strange Fruit” and her original, “Stranger Fruit”} as a “stark, bitter condemnation of lynching with superb contemporary spoken word”. Jodi Merriday was awarded a Doctorate in African-American Studies by Temple University in 2006. Her dissertation, “Hip Hop HerStory: Women in Hip Hop Cultural Production and Music from Margins to Equity” is one of the first scholarly undertakings of its magnitude on women in Hip Hop. Jodi's academic body of work is centered in an exploration of music and the narrative of women as agents of social change and transformation. Jodi worked for two years as an Assistant Professor of History at Gordon College where she taught US History, African Diaspora and African-American Experience. She also taught for 7 years at Spelman College in the Departments of Music, Sociology and African Diaspora where she taught Africans in the Diaspora and World, American Popular Music, African-American Film, Intro to Sociology, Social Problems, Hip Hop HERStory and Dialogue across Difference. She has also taught as a Lecturer at Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, and Community College of Philadelphia. She has received numerous awards and distinctions for her work and promises to make artistic and academic contributions for years to come.
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Thursday, 22 December 2011 Family, And a good evening to you all from across the globe after our FINAL NIGHT in the Lion City. I cannot believe I'm typing this, but tonight will be the FINAL POST from Team Taylor in 2011, and our final post outside the United States. Honestly, I can't even begin to get my head around that. And so it begins - Team Taylor in London in September of 2009 (in short sleeves, no less!). In his novel, "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius," author Dave Eggers opens by saying, "I've never been more exhausted in my life, I've never been more excited in my life. Never have I known such fatigue or anticipation." He was writing about getting a publisher to accept his first book, but I think it's equally applicable to summarizing Team Taylor's time abroad. 2.5 years abroad. 5 years of marriage celebrated. 31 countries visited on 21 different airlines. 6 total weeks in the states. 25 pounds gained. 25 pounds lost. 58 new pint glasses. 3 international beer festivals. To quote my good buddy Tait "T-Bone" Robinson upon his return from 3 months of teaching in India and 6 weeks traveling Southeast Asia: "I think it's gonna take awhile to understand what I've seen." J-Wade - do you recognize that bottle? We've been saving that champagne for one special occasion - the last night in Sing Sing, baby!!! Thanks so much - 2-1-3 forever! :-) I don't really know where to begin or how to sum up the last 2 and a half years of my life, and I'm sure you'd all fall asleep if I spent more than a few paragraphs attempting it. What I can say is that a) Jenny and I are closer than we've EVER been and more in love than I ever thought possible, b) this entire experience has been so much more than I ever expected, and whilst I still have a billion places on my bucket list, even if I never set foot in a new place I could die a happy man, and c) I now know not only the value of the expat experience but also the cost. The value is the work experience, the travel, and the adventure, but the cost is everything you leave behind whilst you're away. Our amazing parents, our wonderful friends and their children, and all the traditions and activities that make up the fabric of American culture (and don't let anyone tell you otherwise - we HAVE a culture) have been somewhere between 4,000 to 11,000 miles away for the last quarter of a decade, and that takes its toll on any nomad. And THAT, more than anything, is why we are SO EXCITED to be going home. For the past few months, all I've been able to think about is hugging my folks, sitting on Purple couch and watching re-runs of Dodgeball, watching the Heels in action, and re-inserting myself into the lives of so many friends who've patiently waited for us to return and tried as best they could to keep us integrated into their lives. Skype is AMAZING - but it's no substitute for Sunday dinner with the family. I am grateful for all the technology now available, but at the end of the day nothing can close the abyss that geography creates. The home away from home - it was great, but I've no lie to tell - it felt much more like basecamp than a home. Some folks here, as well as in London, have suggested that Jenny and I might be bored in Charlotte. To that I always say 2 things: 1. I am SO EXCITED about the prospect of being bored. That will imply that, for at least a fleeting moment, I am sedentary, which sounds AWESOME. 2. People can be bored anywhere if they refuse to take advantage of everything around them. Personally, I think Charlotte will feel like a new city to us, and we've already got a lot of plans for activities in the first quarter. We may be a lot of things in 2012, but somehow I don't think bored will be one of them. And as to the question of the blog, Jenny and I do plan to keep it through Q1 of next year. Now that we've shared our time abroad with so many of our American friends, we want to share our return and reacclimatization with those of you outside the US who have shared your lives with us across 3 continents. The blog will move from daily to once or twice weekly, but we are certainly planning on continuing the writing and hope that you'll stay with us. To the readership - THANK YOU. For the page views, the great comments, the hilarious emails from T-Rowe and others, for harrassing me when I didn't post (TERRIER), forcing me to keep going and keep this record of our lives - THANK YOU. I have LOVED writing this - it has been cathartic in a way that I never expected. And some day I hope that our kids will read it and say, "Wow, our parents used to be cool. And dad didn't used to weigh 600 pounds." I hope that you've enjoyed it as much as I have, had a few laughs, and maybe even learned a fact or two along the way. And lastly, whilst this is by no means the final post, I am conscious that readership may drop off after this last entry, and there is something I simply must do. I must thank the group of people that made all this possible: To GC Robinson, for taking a chance on me 3 weeks after my honeymoon by sending me to London in a definite "stretch" role, and then supporting me through some REALLY rough days To Sean Newcomb, for taking a chance on me and Team Taylor (with the Puma in tow) up in Chester and then supporting me in 2008, not only with the chance to tackle another international project but also when I need a break from Transition To Kevin Woest, for finding me a job that let my body get back where it needed to be and then helping me to realize a dream when it presented itself To Sean again for truly making a dream come true in 2009...and again in 2010 To Dan Deets for believing in me enough to suggest Singapore To Andy McGuire for picking up the torch in Dan's absence and going well above and beyond the call of duty to help make this past year possible To Martin Appel, for taking a chance on a guy from Tennessee he'd only met once at a restaurant and heard on two conference calls - it's been amazing, boet - thanks for everything And lastly, to Ray Tavares and Matt Miller - the other 2 members of the three musketeers, without whom odds are good I would be a) unemployed, b) in prison, or c) dead in a ditch. Thanks for everything, fellas - the laughs being paramount And so it ends - Team Taylor trying to survive their first 12 THOUSAND DEGREE Christmas - 11,000 miles from home. And so there you have it, perhaps not the nostalgic "farewell Singapore" blog you were looking for, but a farewell nonetheless. This has been THE SINGLE GREATEST ADVENTURE of our lives, and coming to terms with the fact that it's ending will require more processing time. But to quote Stephen King, "Time is a wheel, and it turns," and ready or not in less than 24 hours we'll be en route to Hong Kong, homeward bound and with our backs to another year. Personally, I think that 2012 is going to be the best year of our lives, and for those of you stateside, I can't tell you enough how excited I am that you'll be part of the memories we make vs. reading about them on a month's delay. Whether it's Hawthorne's pizza at the Price house, finally going trail running with Miller and Tavares, seeing Jenny's face light up when she sees lanes lines and a half Olympic pool for the first time in 2.5 years, watching our first Checkers game, eating thick bacon and drinking bottomless cups of coffee at Original Pancake House, or hugging my parents for the first time in a year - I CAN'T WAIT to get the 2012 American Repatriation Celebration going. And I guess there are just two more things left to do with this blog... Worst destination in the history of travel: Unanimous - Penang (Malaysia) At this point, Jenny would like to add a few more superlatives... Most polluted city on earth - Delhi Dirtiest city on earth - Delhi Smelliest city on earth - Delhi Worst sanitation on earth - Delhi We now resume our broadcast... 2. The 15 most memorable moments of 2011: 1. My headlamp hitting the summit sign of Mount Kinabalu at 3:52 AM (8th through the checkpoint, first on the summit, baby!!!!), followed by me running face first into a broken chicken-wire fence at 3:53 that was the only thing separating me from a 4,000 foot drop 2. Martin Appel lighting up a cigarette after our first Quarterly Ops Review and saying, "This was a crisis, and now it's stable. Thank you." 3. A perfect day at the Taj Mahal with Lady Catherine (this is a Jenny only memory, but as I was there in 2008 and saw it the same way, I can relate) 4. Taroko Gorge - one thumb out, one clueless Japanese couple in a SWEET beamer, some opera music, and a vaccum sealed "iron egg" for a snack the next day 5. Rounding the corner past the Heads and seeing the Opera House en route to my first day in the Sydney office 6. That final sunset at After Beach Bar, trying to find a way to not cry because I'd never been happier in my life 7. The look on Jenny's face when she walked out of the office the last time - seeing her that happy and knowing that I was a part of it will forever remain one of the best days of my life 8. Pulling that first breath of air into my lungs after getting tossed in Chiang Mai - talk about a second lease on life... It's funny, I'm finding that, for the first time in months, I don't want to stop writing. However, I am going to close it here. There is SO MUCH MORE that I want to say (and feel I need to say), but there are points where your cup runneth over yet words run dry - I've arrived at exactly that point. My buddy the Merlion, with the MBS in the distance - the old meets the new. I'll miss you, pads - thanks for everything. To everyone in Singapore - thank you for sharing your lives with us this past year. You have been so gracious and wonderful to both Jenny and I, and the experience we've had has been infinitely deeper and richer because you've all embraced the redneck and the redhead (T-bone - that was for you). From rather exotic (for me at least!) foods to Korean BBQ shopowners to a CRAZY night of clubbing, I'll have stories to tell for YEARS to come. You live in a truly amazing place - never forget how blessed you are to be a citizen of the Lion City. To everyone else - see you soon. :-) No other thing to say but to quote Stephen King a final time: "The man in black sped across the desert and the gunslinger followed." Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat in 2012 when we're stateside!!!! And a good evening to you from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. Team Taylor took the day off from working out today, but I have no complaints, as we've always known that the next couple of weeks would be a shooting gallery in terms of fitness vs. calories/carbs/fat grams. My money is on the calories, carbs, and fat grams, but hey - that's what New Year's resolutions are for, right? All I can say is that I'm glad I was wandering around in the world's safest city with this cash - the thought of it still makes me sweat. On second thought, Come oooooon, 11! So the day was a great one for the Bull. Jenny and I were treated to separate farewell lunches, with the Bull hitting up Akashi (the Japanese place) for another salmon Teryaki whilst Muffin hit Thai Accent for a final fiery curry. We then closed our Singapore bank account, at which point we were given something we had NEVER seen before - A THOUSAND DOLLAR BILL. Seriously - that one note is worth $785 USD!!!!! Jenny and I just about wet our pants - I do NOT like rolling around with that much cash tied into a single sliver of paper. Needless to see we are cashing that puppy in for Hong Kong dollars as soon as possible! We had a team "end of year farewell" about 5:30, at which point the Bull did what he typically does when his time ends somewhere - compose and recite a poem. This one was much shorter, used ZERO foul language, and made no disparaging remarks about anyone (unlike the usual Transition ditties), but I was proud of it and think that it went very well. It was then over to Brotzeit for a pair of farewell pints with Emma, who's off to K-L tomorrow for Christmas (nothing says "let's celebrate the birth of baby Jesus" like spending a week in a Muslim country. Then again, as Team Taylor is hitting the craps tables in Macau for Christmas, I guess it's all relative...). But enough of that - it's time to make good on the promise I made to you all eons ago and slay the dragon that is Railay. And so, ladies and gentlemen, let's return to East Railay on a Sunday morning, as we talk you through the experience that was the Deep Water Solo (DWS). So here's the deal, Jenny had been desperate to do one of these since her visit to Railay back in October, and I had NO IDEA what I was in for. However, I was game to try anything once, and since it was already booked, I was game for the day and DETERMINED to make a better showing than my rock climbing experience. Oh, sooooooo naive...so, so naive. We showed up on Tonsai Beach (the "other" beach in Railay, which is only about 250 meters from West Railay but requires a long tail due to the tides and rocks) about 9 AM and walked up to "Wee's Climbing School," the tour operators for the day. We started meeting the other folks, including a guy named Eric who's one of the pilots for Discovery's "Flying Wild Alaska" (he and his sister Katie were really cool cats, by the way). We also met our guide, another little pygmy climber named Tun (not to be confused with the rock climbing dude - Tu). The X chromosome half of Team Taylor relaxing before the start of the day's deep water solo. So 9:30 arrives, and the boat isn't there. 9:45 comes and goes, and all Tun can say is, "Go pick shoes." And so we go into the back to select our shoes, thinking that it will be like the rock climbing - a STACK of new shoes ready for the taking. Instead, we find shoes that look as though they've been outside the Green Zone in Baghdad for the last 9 years - NONE OF THEM ARE INTACT. I settled on a pair that had what could only be described as bullet holes through both of them and were so filled with sand that 30 seconds into wearing them I was pretty sure I'd shaved off 4 layers of skin. But hey - it's not like we're about to scale a vertical cliff drenched in sea water, so I'm sure being comfortable or having secure footwear isn't really important. Let me tell you what was important for Tun - SMOKING WEED. Seriously - the driver pulls up in the boat, hops out, and starts walking toward shore with his dry bag. All the folks on the tour start walking toward the boat, but the driver waves us off. He then proceeds to roll a joint, climb under this blanket contraption with our guide, and START SMOKING THE WEED OUT. I mean seriously? SERIOUSLY? They popped up 5 minutes later high as kites. THESE are the people taking us to scale cliffs? Check out the white shirt in the center of the picture. THAT'S MUFFIN!!! That being said, the ride out was very smooth, and 30 minutes later we'd arrived at the first spot. We then all jump out and start swimming for the rope ladder that's dangling from the cliff face. Eric went up first, and Jenny was right behind him. That girl was AMAZING!!! She went about 15 meters up and THEN JUMPED OFF!!!! It was EPIC - she is fearless, and I was amazed. Now let's play "where's Jenny?" in the photo. Can you see the teeny little bullet torpedoing toward the water? FEARLESS I TELL YA!!!!!!! Rope ladders - no problem for the Striker. She laughs in the face of sheer cliffs, high winds, and choppy seas... As for the Bull, I was so exhausted from rock climbing the day before that I could barely get ONTO the ladder. And whilst I did manage to get onto it, I couldn't pull myself up. Yes, that's right, folks - I NEVER EVEN MADE IT ONTO THE CLIFF FACE. Instead, I spent a good 6 hours swimming in the ocean. Again, it was a (rather large) let down, and for the second day straight I was disappointed in myself and inability to at least get onto the rock. However, when I looked at everyone else, most of whom were JACKED with muscle (seriously - we're talking muscles on their back along their spine where there should be nothing but skin), I really couldn't be that upset. After about an hour on that rock, we wandered over into a little cove, where we swam, wandered through some caves, watched folks try bouldering. And whilst everyone found bouldering impossible, our guide was able to hang upside down using ONLY HIS FINGERS AND BIG TOES. I mean, it helps when you're high as a kite and weigh only 40 pounds, but still...  These guys are about 50 feet up. the guy in the center was the one from our group who went about 100 feet up - AMAZING. And speaking of high as a kite, before we went to spot #2, Tun and the driver BLAZED THE CHEEBA AGAIN. Basically they smoked through a mini-digeredoo, and they emerged from the bushes looking BAKED. But 10 minutes later we arrived at the next spot, which was INSANE. Tun in a rare "non-weed smoking" moment - teetering on the edge of a cliff. I think I'll stick with project plans for a living. So the next spot was advanced, and only 2 guys in the group even made it up the ladder. Of those 2, one of them got over NINETY FEET UP and at one point was straddling a stalactite and the cliff face in a complete split - it was AMAZING. He ended up going about 100 feet up and then wandering back down to eventually jump from a different stalactite - AMAZING!!!! Honestly, watching this guy climb was worth the price of admission (~$27 USD for the day including lunch). "Sawadee ka....it's a beautiful day..." It was then back to the original spot, where the gang messed around for a bit (and I continued swimming) before we headed back to Railay. All in all, it was a really good trip, even if I couldn't participate. We then showered and headed to (where else?) Last Bar, where we spent the evening scarfing down Barracuda and belting out lyrics along with the musician. And in a cool end to the trip, the musician came over and talked to us a bit, as he'd seen us, well, EVERY NIGHT at the place. He was really good (from the Philippines), and it was a nice chat. Team Taylor called it a night about 11:30, as we were EXHAUSTED and ready to return to civilization. Despite all the hiccups, this place was AMAZING and really should be a MUST DO for anybody with an adventurous spirit or who loves rock climbing. It was just BEAUTIFUL - stunning scenery, bountiful activities, and some great food (oh, and REALLY cheap :-)). Picture of "forbidden activities" in the van for our transfer back to to the airport: no guns, no dogs, and absolutely NO KAMA SUTRA IN THE BACK SEAT. I mean, WTF??? Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Team Taylor is FINALLY back to even, baby!!!!! WOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Chat tomorrow, for the FINAL BLOG OF 2011!!!! And a good evening to you all from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. The Bull logged another morning run today, managing ~3.75 in just under 30 minutes. It felt good, especially with the (incessant) light rain throughout the front half of the run. It's official - running is fun again, and I'm finding myself wanting to do it every day. Cycling was a great alternative in the heat, and I've no regrets about joining a gym here. However, I'm really, REALLY looking forward to those outdoor runs in the Queen City - just a scant week and a half away. Seeing your entire life packed away into 17 boxes that fit snugly into a single air crate is, well, an interesting and somewhat humbling experience. There's more to Team Taylor than those boxes, damn it!!! So today has been a memorable one for the Bull and Striker, beginning with the arrival of the movers right on time (much to my surprise!) at 9 AM this morning. It took about 4 hours to pack up our lives, and our possessions weighed in at just under 500 pounds (meaning that we fit nicely into a single air crate - kind of sad when you think about it). And now, Team Taylor is back the way they started in 2006 when we first landed in London -living out of four suitcases and 2 backpacks. Ideally we would be traveling much lighter, however as the moving guys politely told me: "You see, sir, New Year's Day is a holiday in the United States of America, and so we can't guarantee delivery by 13 January," Team Taylor is CARRYING ALL OF OUR SKI GEAR WITH US. I mean, I wanted to run around Hong Kong in my stylish "UK street sweeper" ski jacket, but the mere suggestion of it sent Jenny running for the hills (and John Davies falling off a chair laughing), and so I'm back to rockin' the Nautica Bomber jacket (yes, Steve - it's time to go kill some Germans). Mum - that Jacket celebrates 10 years on 1 February of 2012! One of your best gifts EVER!!! Also, in the midst of the packing and tossing out anything that was a) old, b) moldy, c) never going to see the light of day in Charlotte, or d) unidentifiable, Jenny stumbled upon her most prized possession from our trip to Taiwan - the leftover Oolong Tea, baby!!!! Oh yeah!!!! Now I doubt you'll remember, but after paying a whopping $10 USD for a bag of tea and the pleasure of sitting on a balcony and drinking a portion of it in Taipei back in July, the Bull felt his cultural experience was complete and had planned to pitch the tea before heading back to the bus. Muffin Puffin, however, was having NONE of that, and consequently she wrapped up the remainder of the tea with the defiant statement: "We're DEFINITELY drink this. I'm keeping it." I looked at her as though she was from Mars, because I can literally COUNT ON ONE FINGER the # of times Jenny and I have brewed tea. But hey, SIX MONTHS LATER, Jenny makes good on her promise to drink the rest of the tea and whips out the kettle. I can confirm that it tasted like, well, six month old tea - enough said. But isn't she cute in the photo... The other, bigger milestone that officially signified the end of Team Taylor's time in Sing Sing came this evening, as Team Taylor rocked up to Boat Quay and settled in at (where else?) Red Dot for our leaving drinks. Now I realize that this is the part where Brother Owain Morgan says, "I don't believe it - we've hosted THREE of these for Sam and Jenny in London alone." However, I can confirm that this will be THE LAST Farewell shindig for Team Taylor (for a good while, at least). In fact, now that this soiree is over, we're counting down the days until the Repatriation Party (Hitman, Miller - now that you've teased me with the idea, don't let me down...)! The evening was absolutely PERFECT - filled with good friends, good laughs, and multiple towers of Green Monster Beer. It was truly wonderful to look at the crowd assembled and then a) think back to the first meeting with each of them, and b) think about how rapidly our friendships have grown here in Singapore. I know it's often said that expats make friends quickly because they have to, but in the case of our Singapore friends (as with our London friends), I like to think that we became friends because we really enjoyed each other's company and stayed friends because the bonds that brought us together continued to deepen throughout our myriad experiences. Regardless of the transient nature of our time in-country and the limited amount of time we were able to spend together due to everyone's ridiculous travel/work/exercise schedules, I do feel that we've made some really great friends out here, and it is my sincere hope that we'll remain in contact (and hopefully have a few crazy trips together in some remote destinations off the beaten path) with the folks around that table tonight for many, many years to come. Well, it's nearing midnight, and the Bull and Striker are going to hit the sack. It's been quite the day, and as we look back at a VERY empty house (since our suitcases are already packed), I get the distinct feeling that we're just marking time at this point. The repatriation countdown nears single digits, at which point the most AMAZING journey of our lives to date, stretching across almost half of our married lives, will come to an end. However, I firmly believe that the most exciting chapters are yet to be written, and I couldn't be more excited about going home. And a good evening to you from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. The Bull got up early this morning and got back over the "Mendoza line," rolling 5 miles in the drizzle that has become a constant feature of life on the Equator. Seriously - it has rained 46 of the last 48 hours in this city, and I have no lie to tell - I am OVER IT. Notice the Dim Sum Dollies at the top of the poster - I'd always wanted to see them, and that's what convinced me to buy the tickets. Yes, yes - you really have to live here to understand. We've spent the evening finishing our packing (both shipping and for the flight), as the movers come at 9 AM tomorrow. Muffin Puffin has been a force of nature today getting things organized (despite a 3 hour power outage when our condo shut down the electrical switchboard for maintenance), and dare I say I think we're finally ready to go. Between the movers and our "leaving do," tomorrow really will feel like the end of an era. And whilst tonight has been quiet, last night did feature an activity worth mentioning. The Bull and Striker left the friendly confines of Fraser Place to walk over to the Esplanade Theater for the 4th annual "Crazy Christmas" show, billed as: "a little bit of naughty and a whole lot of nice." We decided to walk there (show started at 8), and so we left casa de Taylor at 7 PM in the midst of a "light drizzle." BIG MISTAKE. 10 minutes later (into our 35 minute walk, mind you), it is BUCKETING IT DOWN. I didn't see pavement cracking, but I feel certain that it wasn't far off. I was COMPLETELY soaked - my sleeves were 100% drenched, my socks could have doubled as nalgenes, and you could have squeezed enough water out of my jeans to create a sixth Great Lake. Muffin managed to fare somewhat better - perhaps my fat ass just doesn't fit under an Asian umbrella all that well. Details... The warm-up act - the Christian band who didn't sing Christians songs - long live diversity. We did arrive a bit early to the theater, but that was fine as there was a warm-up act covering Christmas carols. The group billed themselves as a "cross cultural Christian band," but the only songs we heard were "I'll be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Santa, Baby." That being said, I definitely got more than a twinge of homesickness at "I'll Be Home for Christmas," as this really will be the first Christmas where I'm not with family. But I remain firm in the decision, as odds are good we won't pass this way again - haffa make it count! As to the show itself - I am REALLY glad we went. The show was a truly unique experience for us - a cast of Singaporeans doing "Singaporean" humor speaking in Singlish, and I can DEFINITELY confirm that there were plenty of instances where we had NO IDEA what was being said. This tranny named Kumar came out to promote "World AIDS Day" and was speaking in English, but we only got about 50% of what he said. However, we did get the quote of the night (which is the title of the blog): "Happiness is like peeing your pants. Everybody sees it, but only you feel the warmth." I could NOT stop cackling. There was also a stand-up comedy segment by Broadway Beng, who was dressed in a pink Santa suit. This in and of itself was funny, but the most AMAZING thing was the fact that his ENTIRE SEGMENT WAS IN HOKKIEN (think Taiwanese - it's a dialect of Chinese), and EVERYBODY in the crowd understood it. I thought the guy beside me was going to have a hernia from laughing so hard. I'm pretty sure at least one joke was "look at the Ang Mo beside you who doesn't speak Hokkien - laugh at him." Santa did say at one point, "Now I know that there are some of you out there who don't speak Hokkien. But don't worry - I do." Fair enough - good on you, I say. Now I really MIGHT stab one of you on the metro this week. The music (brought to us by the a capella group Vocaluptuous and the Dim Sum Dollies - who really can sing and were the original reason I bought the tix - they are a famous trio here in Singapore, most recently for their MRT "please queue" ads - it's best if you don't ask...) was stellar, and we definitely had more than a few laughs. Through in great seats, some good Christmas music, and a pair of pints at the Archipelago Brewery, and you have a recipe for a PERFECT night. And speaking of perfect nights, tonight wasn't bad either, as we had a little Korean wine, went out for a pizza at Mondo Mio (little Italian joint by the house), and are now almost 100% finished with packing. 4 MORE SLEEPS!!!!!! 4 MORE SLEEPS!!!!! Sunday, 18 December 2011 Team Taylor Deportation/Repatriation Countdown Days left in Singapore: 5 Days left until arrival in the Queen City: 12 Family, The girls on the 2nd floor terrace at Raffles Hotel. And a good Sunday afternoon to you all from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. This weekend has been AMAZING for so many reasons, the most important of which is that I FINALLY HAVE MUFFIN PUFFIN BACK!!!!!! She and Cath rolled in the door at 7:30 AM on Friday morning, and a weekend of immortality has ensued. Friday was a terrific day in the office, albeit a bit sad. The highlights were crossing off some of the final to-do's as part of handover and a terrific lunch at the White Dog Cafe with Pumpkin and Cath, but the sadder parts were saying farewell to some of my colleagues, as I've no idea when I'll cross this way again. Goodbyes are never fun and always too rushed, especially when they're in an office and people have planes to catch. So Nancy, should you find yourself bored over your 2 weeks stateside (unlikely) and happen to read this - let me say that it's been amazing working with you, enjoy your time at home, and all the best in 2012. Keep everyone in line - especially if they venture into any Korean BBQ joints or converted power plant dance clubs... The other, tougher farewell was my final 1-2-1 with Martin. This session obviously wasn't much about current projects, issues, or thinking through the next two weeks, but rather a chat about where my function and the program have come in 12 months. It was filled with some good laughs, some sighs of relief, and (at least for me) a twinge of sadness at the reality that this year, one of the toughest yet most fulfilling for me both personally and professionally, is now officially at its end. The same was true in London, but with the London crowd I always had (and still do have) the feeling that I'll see them plenty in future work - same with the US crew. With Martin and the APAC crowd, however, it's hard to say how much contact we'll have besides the occasional email or teleconference, and that does take a bit of processing after you've been in the trenches with people for 12 months. And whilst this is by no means my "farewell and thanks" post (although that is coming soon), I would be remiss if I didn't pause here and say to Martin: "thanks for everything, chief. It's been an amazing experience, and I really do appreciate everything. All the best for you and your family in 2012 and beyond." I left that office about 5:30 or so (I know, I know - half day...), getting home and breaking the AFD streak (stopped dead at 5 again) by cracking open our final bottle of wine to celebrate the return of my better half. Dinner that night was over at Brewerkz, as Jenny was DESPERATE for beef after 12 days on the subcontinent. And so we said the 3rd of our "farewells" for the day - saying goodbye to the Bistro burger, the Golden Ale, and the Blonde Assassin (so guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud...peppy cheekies). Brewerkz - for what it's worth, Team Taylor feels that you do THE BEST burger on the island - keep up the good work. :-) No, do NOT adjust your televsion sets - what you are seeing actually IS happening - the Bull is eating a salad...and SHARING his meal with another human. Oh, the horror!!! We hit the sack about 1 AM, and the Bull slept for EIGHT HOURS on Friday night. It's like a light switch - Jenny arrives and I lapse into a coma. We woke up about 9:15-9:30, making it out the door by around 11 or so. The day's escapades started with a Starbucks (where Cath got her annual "Christmas coffee") before heading down Penang Road, where we stopped to finally inspect both the Hindu temple and the Christian Church. There was a wedding going on in the Church (very small one - about 8 people counting the bridge and groom), so we just briefly admired the Christmas decorations before carrying on to Orchard Road, where we walked the length of the shopping street a final time, taking in the sights of Christmas and all the decorations. Cath actually did some shopping, and then we did what any Ang Mo's should do when craving a salad on Orchard - GO TO HARD ROCK, BABY!!!!! Oh, yeah - hot wings? Check. Cobb Salad the size of your torso? Check. Catherine asking the waiter what year the place opened and when the bar was built? Check (6 February, 1991 in case you're curious). Good times. The piano bar at Hard Rock - one of Cath's memories of Singapore from her 1997 visit. I mean, when it's LASHING down rain to the tune of an inch per hour, you know what I think is a good idea? WALKING IN AN OUTDOOR GARDEN. Good times... It was then over to the Botanic Gardens, where it started BUCKETING it down. Jenny was shocked by this, which I at first found bizarre since it has rained EVERY DAY for the last 10 weeks. But then it hit me - she hasn't BEEN HERE in the last 10 weeks. Ah, it all comes full circle. We wandered around the Botanic Gardens for a bit, checking out some mutant gold fish and peculiar shaped turtles before checking out a Sarah Smith recommendation - Christmas trees of the world. I'm pretty sure Sister Sarah was lying to us, however, as these trees looked like something out of a Charlie Brown's Christmas - HORRIBLE!!!! Seriously - the city of Singapore basically donated what I can only describe as "mutant bushes" to various embassies and companies throughout the island, and they have then decorated them. We think (actually, let me stress HOPE) that the children of each company's employees designed the decorations, because if not I'm going to recommend that the Ministry of Arts and Culture STEP IT UP PRONTO. Talk about some HORRENDOUS decorations, to say nothing of the shameless advertising from some of them (OCBC - the cardboard cutout - really? Catering company - a tree decorated in nothing but old cups with forks sticking up out of the soil? I hope you cook better than you accessorize and present...just sayin'...). The embassies weren't much better (Russa - the Yuri Gregarin thing? Are you that desperate for a "win" in times like these? Just re-elect Putin - I'm sure he'll fix everything. But full marks to the Brits for their tree (Olympic themed) - same kudos to the Aussies). The Intrepid India explorers posing beside the Indian Embassy's "Christmas bush." Seriously - somebody shoot that thing and put it out of its misery. After that it was the metro to Raffles, where we had a wander around before heading......WAIT. Hit the brakes, because as we're heading home, Lady Catherine does the UNTHINKABLE - walks into a clothing shop in the Raffles Arcade. I've never even LOOKED at these stores, as I've always assumed that things would be a fortune. Cath, however, will NOT be deterred. And then Sammy the Bull makes the tactical school boy error of saying, "Jenny, go see what she's doing." Next thing I know, JENNY IS SHOPPING AS WELL. And before you can say, "That looks great on you, la," my wife and Lady Catherine are walking out several Singapore dollars lighter. Cath - you're no longer welcome in our house (actually, it was a great deal - not even I can complain...). Muffin Puffin going off piste and shopping at Raffles - who authorized this? But I must confess she looks REALLY cute in her new Christmas top. Carter's - expect to be dazzled next Sunday! It was then back to the crib for a shower, a review of the India photos, and then a bit of cheese and crackers before we put Lady Catherine into her taxi and had (yet another) tearful goodbye with one of our best friends. Cath - it was AMAZING having you here, and I'm SO GLAD that you came and that you and Jenny had so much fun in India. Safe travels home, and we WILL see you in 2012!!! As for Team Taylor, we were UNCONSCIOUS by 11, waking up at 10:15 this morning! That's right, folks - the Bull slept ELEVEN STRAIGHT HOURS. I am a new man - I think I'll go solve for cold fusion or world peace once I finish this post - I'm feeling that frisky. The girls just before Cath's taxi - CHECK OUT THAT BAG. Folks, you should see the STEEL CAGE and wrapping she's got inside that blue cover. David Copperfield couldn't get into that bag (which weighs as much as she does, for the record). Today's been wonderful, complete with brekkie at (where else) Boomerang, a haircut for the Bull, completion of the packing (both for the trip home and the movers), and a NINETY MINUTE MASSAGE at the Balinese Hut. MAN - that place is amazing - we will miss that (and Autie ironfist as she works out every knot in your body). Thursday, 15 December 2011 And a good evening to you all from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. The Bull made perhaps his last visit to Fitness First tonight, logging 31 KM on the bike in just over an hour. I must give credit where credit's due and confirm that the dudes around me were really going for it on the bike tonight - people were actually pumping the pedals and potentially even sweating a bit. Suddenly I no longer felt like Lance Armstrong and was really glad I wasn't rocking the neon yellow Livestrong shirt (Hairless, you know that one - it's your favorite). Team Taylor at the Railay lookout, looking back over East Railay (the side) we stayed on. T-Rowe - notice that I'm rocking (and sweating in) your favorite shirt. I'm thinking of giving this to Ben as a present... Okay, so let's get back to Railay for the final installment, one that pushed the Bull about 700% beyond his max and left him humbled and more impressed with his wife than EVER. Let's start with Saturday and our 7:45 AM wake-up call before our first of 2 highly anticipated activities: Rock climbing. So in my first post I mentioned how we were vacationing in the fittest place on earth. This is 100% true, as I was EASILY the weakest and fattest guy on the island. And granted, I do carry a nice dunlop with me everywhere I go, but still - I'm relatively thin (and admittedly weak). But on the walk up to the rocks, I was feeling good - I'd done the indoor stuff before, I had some SWEET climbing shoes on (the rubber on the soles is the same stuff they use to make F1 tires - cool, huh?), and I was refreshed from a great night's sleep. Our guide, Tu, was actually Jenny's guide the month before, but clearly homeslice didn't remember her. He did have a decent command of English, and after a brief introduction, me, Muffin, and 2 Dutch cats (Roland and his wife Peternel) were ready to tackle the cliff face (mom, don't panic - you're strapped in by about 1500 cables - you ain't goin' ANYWHERE). Move over, Sir Edmund Hillary - the Striker is now Queen of the Mountain. Look at her go! Tu picks the first spot, and Jenny says, "This was the last one we tried last time - I was so exhausted I couldn't get up it." But since it was our first climb of the day, we figured we'd be refreshed enough to tackle it. And so Jenny goes first, and she's a ROCKET up that cliff. Seriously, I know I love my wife and am biased, but I'm telling you - SHE'S A NATURAL. It was AMAZING watching her scamper up that cliff face like a billy goat. The three of us below were, well, VERY impressed. After that, however, we turned it over to the OTHER half of Team Taylor - this guy. Folks, I got no lie to tell, I got halfway up and I was EXHAUSTED. Now granted, I'm sure my technique was bad and I was using my arms too much, but regardless, about halfway up I just couldn't go any further. After a few failed attempts (and a few bleeding wounds), I asked Tu to let me down. The conversation went like this: Sammy the Bull (StB): "Tu, I can't do it, mate. Let me down." Tu the Pygmy Douchebag (TtPD): "No. Believe in yourself. You can do it. Don't be scared." StB: "Dude, I'm not scared. I'm exhausted. I need to rest." TtPD: "Don't use your arms to much. You are not thinking. Try again." StB: (louder now - others can here) "Tu, I CAN'T DO IT. I DON'T WANT TO DO IT AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT. LET ME DOWN." TtPD: "No. Everyone else can do it. You are the only person I've had in 4 years who cannot do this. Climb!" StB: "(We apologize - this portion of the broadcast is edited as Sammy the Bull dropped the f-bomb about 6 times and just stopped shy of cursing Tu's mother. We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog, already in progress." Sammy the Bull in a rare moment of success en route to his first successful summit. Needless to say I don't look quite as graceful as Jenny, who looked like she was born in Katmandu and moved to Florida by accident. Finally Tu lets me down, and my arms are hurting so bad that I can't straighten them. I can't close my fists, and I can't pick up my shoes and hold them (they are collectively less than a pound). And so while I try to rest, the Dutch pair scampers up the hill as well (but not as fast as muffin). We then move to the next spot, and this time I get about three quarters of the way up (with a nice gash on my right shin that is now a sweet scar - at least I can say, "Yeah, I got that baby rock climbing in Railay") before I just can't move. Again, Tu and I get into a shouting match, and he reminds me that he's never had anyone fail before and now I've failed twice. His words of encouragement include: All of this was very positive, but after I told him to put me the @#$# down for the 4th time, he did. However, he then announces that, after everyone else goes, I'm going to go again. I want to kill him, but I do it, and I do eventually get to the top (he was pulling on the harness so hard I thought my balls were in my throat). And so I crossed one off, and the view was amazing, but I was bleeding from about 30 different places, my arms felt like trucks were resting on them, and we had 2 climbs to go. Sam and Tu acting like they don't want to kill each other. I really did contemplate strangling him with the belay rope. I managed the 3rd one (in a cave), acquiring only 2 new cuts this time. But then there was the 4th - a 30 meter (100 foot) assault off what can only be described as a sheer cliff face. I managed about 13 meters, but that was all I had. Again, Tu refused to let me down until I just finally gave up the argument and sat in my harness for about 5 minutes. Finally, the weight of my fat ass began to exhaust him, and he let me down. Everyone else SHOT UP that thing - Jenny was a bolt of lightning. I'm tellin' you - that girl has K2 written all over her. As much as I'm bitching here, the climbing was really fun. Granted, I was disappointed in myself (no other way to describe it - I was really down and somewhat embarrassed), but I definitely was glad that I did it and do think I'll try the indoor stuff in Charlotte (especially since I know there's a beginner section). And more importantly, Jenny was a force of NATURE scrambling up that thing, and it was really fun to watch her go. I was very proud of my fearless wife. Notice the hands - the only clean spot is where I taped over all the gashes on my hand. We celebrated our efforts with a Thai pancake (read: crepe) on the beach before wandering up to the viewpoint on one of the cliffs. The climb up there was RIDICULOUS - barely a trail, and what was there was just COVERED in mud. There was a rope the whole way, and you ABSOLUTELY had to use it - otherwise you were going to bounce all the way down (and YES - that would have hurt). The view from the top was SPECTACULAR, and we even ran into Ronald up there (as I said - it's a small place). The 3 of us then tried to make our way to "the lagoon," but that might have been damn near the most treacherous hiking I've ever done, and when we saw the 100 jagged, natural steps (with no rope) that were covered in mud descending straight into oblivion to get to the lagoon, we decided that we'd had enough and went instead over to the beach. You should have seen us - we were COVERED in red mud. It was like something out of a survival movie (WIIIIIIIIIIILSOOOOOOOON!!!!!). We then took much needed showers before rolling over to the Diamond Cove for a few mojitos and some GREAT seafood (Yes, you read that right - we went somewhere OTHER than Last Bar). The food was amazing, and we were starving from the day's exertions. Seriously - I burned more calories on this vacation than I have all the others in Asia combined! And of course, that meant there was more room for Tim Tams, which we then consumed with a vengeance back in the room. Notice the opening behind Jenny - that's the "staircase of Doom" descending to "the lagoon." You know, when you think about it, we could have been on the set of "The Descent" or something like that. Luckily I had Lara Croft to protect me. Cheers to a successful day! And to $3 mojitos... It was then back before 8 and asleep before 9, as we had ANOTHER crazy active day in front of us - the Deep Water Solo. I'll cover this one in another blog (which means yes - I did NOT make good on my promise to wrap Railay before Muffin Puffin's return. But look at it this way - that's a clear indicator that you've not read a "pineapple blog" in two weeks!), but suffice it to say that, as I laid awake (and believe me, I was awake for awhile, because THE PAIN IN MY ARMS WAS SO MISERABLE I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD DROPPED A SKYSCRAPER ON EACH OF THEM), my confidence was shaken. I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd failed myself on that cliff, and I had the sinking feeling that the DWS was going to be repeat performance, especially given how tired my arms were. But no matter what, I WAS confident in 2 things: a) my Muffin Puffin was going to be a ROCK STAR (no pun intended) on the cliffs, and b) I would give it everything I had, but if that wasn't enough, I wouldn't be ashamed. Stay tuned for what happened. Wednesday, 14 December 2011 And a good evening to you all from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. After his second disastrous night's sleep (5 hours combined across the last 2 nights), the Bull rallied for 4.75 miles this morning. I ran outside, and I must say - winter is CLEARLY over. After the brief 2 month respite, the weather's already back up to a scorching 14 TRILLION degrees, and there's no break in the humidity in sight. However, as Hong Kong is going to be colder than I'd originally expected, packing for the flight home should at least be somewhat easier. Today was another great one at work, and a big milestone: today I presented the "handover documentation" to the lucky souls who a) get to finish all the tasks I was too lazy to get to and b) get to clean up the mess I've made across 2 continents over the last 12 months. There is definitely a sense of finality, as most folks will be on leave after Friday, meaning that, after the next two working days, it could be a long while before I see a lot of these folks again. It's the exact same feeling I got when I left London (both in 2007 and 2010) - you've got so many incredible memories and experiences wrapped into a place, and suddenly everyone is gone and the city is 37,000 feet below you, almost a memory, leaving you scrambling to find your place again in a new world order. Time is just FLYING right now (case in point - it feels like just yesterday that we started the deportation countdown at 30 days - now we're in single digits!), and I can't help but think of a quote from my favorite song by my Uncle Benny (GREEN LIGHT, BENNY!!!!): "Life goes zero to sixty in the blink of an eye." As for the evening's festivities, the Bull went to Marina Bay for his 4th viewing of Wicked. This means that Wicked is now tied with Phantom for the show I've seen the most, but Wicked remains far and away the best musical I've ever seen. Jenny and I were lucky enough to see it 3 times in London, and we always managed to secure great seats. Given my track record with Singapore audiences, however, I wasn't about to pay $250 SGD for tickets in the stalls. Instead, I forked over $58 for the cheapest seat in the house (LITERALLY - I was on the very back row). I am happy to report that, for act 1, the audience was silent like the grave (but there were STILL 50% of the audience texting NON-STOP throughout the show). During the second act, however, the Americans sitting beside me originally moved down, meaning that a local couple slid over toward me. They were chatty chattersons for a bit, but ultimately they calmed down as well. So all in all - cheap ticket (with GREAT visibility), virtual silence, and an amazing show = terrific night. As for the show itself - AMAZING. Definitely on par with London. Elphaba and Galinda were simply SPECTACULAR - the voices a perfect match and both SUPER strong. I really enjoyed sitting up higher, as I noticed a lot of lighting and choreography that I hadn't noticed before. The Grand Theater at Marina Bay is truly state of the art, and I think that really helped the staging, as I'm sure they had more flexibility her than at the Apollo in London. But I also think the dancing, blocking, and general feel of the show was (dare I say) better than London. Again, I think a bigger stage helps, but regardless - this cast made it count. The chorus was phenomenal vocally, and the only weak link in the show was the Wizard. Traditionally he doesn't have a super strong voice (especially compared to the witches), but I did find some of his musicality a bit painful in places). But hey, no complaints, as it was just great. One thing I did find interesting - in London, people caught every reference to the book/movie and laughed. Here, I don't think the audience really caught a single joke in that regard. When there were jokes about looks or vanity, they cackled (consequently, Galinda was a HUGE hit). It was just odd, because some of the segments that hte London crowd took very in a solemn fashion was considered hilarious here. And at the end of it all, I will say that, just like every other time, the end of Act 1 left me with chills, and the end of Act 2 left me with tears. I mean, I KNOW HOW IT ENDS AND IT'S A COMEDY. WHY DO I GET TEARY-EYED AT THE MUSIC? Matt, Ray - don't answer that. And in case anyone thinks I've abandoned my old ways, FRET NOT - I did visit the casino before the show. I wouldn't want you guys thinking I'm slipping! Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat tomorrow! Two more sleeps until the return of MUFFIN PUFFIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Sam and (most likely back from her slum tour and heading toward Leopold's for dinner before her LAST SLEEP in India - make your last day on the subcontinent count, Pumpkin! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!) Jenny (and Cath) And a good evening to you from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. So first off - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPPA!!!!!!! Today, ladies and gentlemen, my dad hits the big 6-4. He is celebrating not only this morning not only because of his birthday but also because of the big win vs. the Manley Eagles last night. Full marks, dad! The Mighty Hornets strike again. :-) And Pattie - go get 'em tonight against my alma mater. In workout news, the Bull contemplated the bike today but instead passed in favor of getting home to get stuff knocked out. I felt fine with that, as a) I was tired and got ZERO sleep last night, b) really wanted sushi and was starving (I had Japanese for lunch as well, but it was smoked salmon teryaki and some folks in the office took me out and paid for it - thanks, ladies!), c) wanted to make sure I could call dad in time to catch him and wish him Happy Birthday, d) wanted to get in bed early, and e) have been packing NON-STOP. However, I'm going to get up early tomorrow and try to pound the pavement outside again. The goal is 5 miles, but depending on the weather, I could very well be happy with four. But enough of that, as you're ready for the return to Railay. Tonight we'll follow in the footsteps of the one, the only, the king of the world - Leonardo DiCaprio, as we head to Ko Phi Phi Leh - better known simply as "the beach." Made famous by the movie, this pair of islands (Ko Phi Phi Leh and Ko Phi Phi Don, with Don being the bigger one) was once pristine and completely undiscovered. Now, however, it is INSANITY with all the tourist boats. Jenny and I had originally planned to spend 2 nights on Phi Phi Don and then day trip over to Phi Phi Leh, but after her evaluation of Railay with a day trip vs. staying on Phi Phi Don, we decided that an out-and-back was plenty. And so, with that in mind, we had a quick brekkie at our place and then headed over to West Railay to catch our boat. Now if you'll remember Jenny's posts back in October, you'll remember that all 3 of the girls came back BLACK AND BLUE like they'd been on the front line of an Alexander the Great campaign. Granted, this was a mixture of rock climbing, REDONKULOUS hiking, and various other things, but the chief source of the bruising came from the day trip boat ride. As we walked up, Jenny said, "Don't worry - we should be fine this time because they'll pick us up first. As long as we don't sit in the front of the boat, we'll be okay. That's where it's rough." Well, as fate would have it, we were THE ABSOLUTE LAST PEOPLE PICKED UP, and it was a FULL HOUSE. We stepped on and everyone started cackling, as there was NO WAY we could sit below deck in the shade. The guide leads us to the front, but we notice that it is RAMMED as well. When I say, "Um, where the hell are we supposed to sit?" (I wasn't overly friendly about it, as the tour was clearly oversold), she just starts throwing girls on laps and makes about 4 millimeters of space for Jenny and I. I'm in the DEAD CENTER front of the boat facing backwards, with my back at an angle that I imagine space monkeys must have sat at during rocket launches. Throw in the fact that Jenny had to throw her legs over mine, if I wanted to see anything I had to break 3 vertebrae, and the sun was already beating down, and you don't have a happy Bull and Striker. However, we were sitting up front with 7 of our closest German and Slovenian friends, and they were pretty hilarious, so that was worth something. My favorite discussion en route to the islands: Slovenian Dude (SD): (to German Girl) "So you are German, you must love sausage." German Chick (GC): "Oh, yes, all German woman LOVE sausage. I get big fat ones all the time." (The Bull suppresses snicker) Gorilla in action, baby!!! Look at that water. Everywhere you looked was a postcard. SD: "Ah yes, Slovenians LOVE sausage. We can't get enough of them. My girlfriend eats them all the time. Especially the German ones." GC: "Yes, there is nothing like a German sausage." (PLEASE STOP. Please start using pronouns or something) SD: "Have you had Polish sausage? It's good, too. As I said - you can never have enough sausage." It must have continued this way for a solid 5 minutes. I was thankful for it - it was the only thing that took my mind off the pain. Stop one was probably the highlight of the day - Bamboo Island. This place was JUST INCREDIBLE, as it was water even more pristine than Honda Bay (and WAAAAAAAY better than Phi Phi Leh). The water was seriously something out of a movie, with various shades of baby blue, turquoise, cobalt, and aqua marine - and we could DEFINITELY have spent more time there. However, after 45 minutes, it was time to shuffle off again to the next destination. At "The Lagoon" - which we didn't really get to visit. The boat in the picture is identical to ours - they had to turn back as well. The next 2 stops were less than impressive, as we hit the Viking Cave and the lagoon. The Viking Cave wasn't even a cave, and the tides were so low (lowest in 3 days) that we couldn't really even get that close to it. I wasn't even sure what the hell it was or why it related to vikings (cause I'm pretty sure Erik the Red never made it out here), but I was definitely less than impressed. Jenny had warned me that it was utter rubbish - I can confirm that's the case. As for the lagoon, the entrance was REALLY dramatic and cool, but then we just stopped short and turned around. When I asked why, I was told that our boat was too heavy and couldn't navigate the low tides. I was, of course, disappointed, but I don't think it was because the boat was oversold. Instead, I think it was because you really can only get in there with a long tail (which is how Jenny got in there last time and got to swim). However, she again confirmed that, whilst cool, all you did was putter around for 10 minutes, take a few photos, and head back out. Consequently, I wasn't too upset. Jenny Taylor's entry for the SI Swimsuit edition. It was then over to the most famous of the destinations - Maya Bay. This is THE BEACH used in the filming of the movie, and just like DOOK basketball, all I can say is "O-VER-RA-TED." Seriously - picture about 3,000 people on a scrap of beach that can really only hold about 100. Throw in a tide so low that you go all the way out to the swimming line (which you have to adhere to due to all of the boats in the bay) and you're still at your waist, and then tack on tons of boats starting up, spewing diesel, and ruining the ambiance, and all I could think was "take me back to Bamboo Island!" Jenny had warned me that this would happen, and she wasn't wrong. True, the entry way was AMAZING, the water gorgeous, and it was a life's to-do to cross off. However, I was definitely underwhelmed. There was a little walk that we did and another view point along the way, but arguably the coolest thing to see were the urinals carved out of the side of the cliff! Talk about answering the call of nature! Snorkeling on the back side of Phi Phi Leh. What's healthier than a donut or ice cream? Combining both and then putting them in a DEEP FRYER FOR 5 MINUTES. After that it was over to Phi Phi Don for lunch and a wander, followed by 2 snorkeling spots. These 2 spots were every bit as much a highlight as Bamboo Island, as the snorkeling was INCREDIBLE. Of course, crazy ass Slovenian dude brought bread into the water, which meant that we were SWAMPED by a basquillion fish. He was throwing crumbs on people (like me), and the fish would just attack you like pirahnas - CRAZINESS!!! It seriously was some of the best snorkeling that I've ever done, and Jenny was impressed as well (which is saying a lot considering that she's rocked the Great Barrier Reef on multiple occasions). Check out that water. the by-product of AMAZING electrical storms on an island that lives via runoff and rivers? BROWN WATER for bathing. Good times...  Enjoying a brewski at Bamboo Bar. Those little chairs were everywhere along the water. And no, they weren't that comfortable. It was then back to Railay, where we capped off the excursion with a truly delectable treat - FRIED ICE CREAM, BABY!!!!! Throw in some iced coffee (Cuz - we were at the Flametree!), and all was right with the world. We then walked back to the palace, where Jenny and I hit the pool for a bit before watching a MASSIVE storm sweep over the island. We watched the cliffs just vanish in the distance and then reappear about an hour later - it was truly impressive (the electrical show was off the chain). We then hit one of the bars on the beach for a few before wandering over to (where else?) Last Bar for dinner (in our defense, it was THE CHEAPEST by far, still delicious, and well, there aren't that many options over there). Whilst there we listened to the musician (who was really good) and then, oddly enough, watched the Beach! They've got it on a loop by the bar, and so we got sucked in. I can confirm that it's still as shitty as I remembered, but at least now I have a frame of reference for the location. We then ended the night at "Bamboo Bar" (all the bars have just 1 name - at least it makes it easy to remember), where we had a Chang, watched a fire show (as you do EVERYWHERE EVERY NIGHT in Thailand), and then crossed off another to-do: MUAY THAI BOXING, BABY!!! They host local competitions every other night, and we watched a 3 round match between a cat from Phuket and a joker from Railay. It was interesting to watch, but let's just say that I'm really glad I didn't pay 400 baht to see it in Chiang Mai. We then rolled back to the casa, where it was lights out around 11:15. We wanted to get some rest, as the next 2 days promised to be BALLS OUT. And as you'll see - they did NOT disappoint. That, however, is another blog for another time (most likely Thursday). Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat tomorrow! Love, Sam and (back from Elephanta Island and most likely her second dinner at Leopold's chillin' with Linbaba before her slum tour tomorrow) Jenny (and Cath) Monday, 12 December 2011 And a good evening to you from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. The Bull logged a slow 4+ outside tonight, but I quite enjoyed the run, as there was a light rain throughout, provided some much needed coolness throughout the jog. I think I'll hit Fitness First tomorrow, if for no other reason than tomorrow might be the last time I go (especially since I'm enjoying running outside so much more now). But enough of that, let's get back to Thailand and FINALLY draw the backlog to a close. Let's talk Railay. So you've heard of this place before, as it's where Cuz and Elizabeth went with Muffin in October. They were very much on the "adventurer's tour," and as I was in Jenny's keeping for this one (considering that I'd done ZERO planning), the plan was to pretty much rinse-repeat their escapades, as well as at a few other outdoorsy activities. We were traveling on my birthday, and I received two AMAZING presents: 1) aisle seats on Tiger, and 2) I FINISHED NOBLE HOUSE, BABY!!!!!! Seriously, that book (all 1284 HUGE pages of it in about .4 font) was absolutely SPECTACULAR, but it took me over a month to read. Needless to say that I can't wait to jump into Whirlwind (Book 5 of the Asia saga), but I'm taking some time off between Clavell novels, as the next one is even LONGER than Noble House. But hey - it is fiction that you can get lost in, which is excellent for a guy with a 14 hour flight coming up.  The arrival in Krabi - and I just realized there's a Norwegian kid about to strip naked and pee in the water. AWESOME. Upon arrival at the airport we took a 45 minute van ride (the vehicle looked TOTALLY like one of the "karaoke-lady boy" mobiles, except, well, minus the lady boys. Hitman - I didn't see shim anywhere, probably because he was off somewhere pining for you...) down to the pier, where we then hopped a long tail boat (the traditional water taxi of Thailand, so named because of the reDONKulously long steering pole for the outboard motor) and began the trek around the head and over to Railay Beach. The journey was short (about 20 minutes), but it was BREATHTAKING.  Check out my tan, buff Muffin Puffin saying "Welcome to the gun show...and to Last Bar." As Jenny's said before, Railay is just INCREDIBLE - the scenery might be the best I saw in my six trips to Thailand. And the best part is that, because you have to work just that little bit harder to get there, it's virtually untouched. Plus, throw in the fact that you've got no temples, limited civilization, and no big resorts, and you scare away a lot of folks. Two people this did NOT scare away, however, were 2 loud Americans (not us, for the record) who rocked up with these ENORMOUS bags (rollerboards ON SAND, no less) and needed help getting both their stuff and themselves into the boat. It was classic when they looked at everyone else's gear (single backpacks only) and said, "Wow - I thought we packed really light." Oh dear.  And whilst I might not be as buff as my better half, I can sure eat like Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ride over was just amazing - dramatic cliffs, rugged islands, pristine water - exactly what you see on travel shows about Thailand. And in a short 20 minutes, we were on West Railay (the "ritzy" half of the beach). The 2 Americans hadn't prebooked, and so they decided to follow us. After about 5 minutes walking, one of them said, "I think we should either go back to the mainland or stay on West Railay - this is a REALLY long walk." They both looked winded as hell, and when I found out their previous 12 days had been spent on Ko Samui, it all made sense. And so we bid farewell to them and rocked up to the Railay Princess, which was AWESOME. Muffin Puffin suited up and ready for the kayak ride! If you didn't know better, you'd think I was just chillin' in this photo. The truth? I was just smiling because I didn't have to paddle for the next 30 seconds. Although, I must confess - splitting these 2 islands in a kayak was AWESOME. So Muffin had found this place during recon on her first trip, and it was just spectacular. It reminded me a lot of the Tabacon in Costa Rica, and the best part? THE POOL HAD A DIVING BOARD, BABY!!!! Now granted, you were jumping into 4 feet of water, but still (don't worry, mum - I never dove). The view from our second floor balcony of the peaks on both sides was just stellar, and I was already having a blast. We cleaned up a bit and then wandered down through the TINY little strip of restaurants and bars, stopping at the place Jenny had frequented night on night in October - Last Bar. We decided to have dinner here, and we FINALLY got to try Barracuda!!!! That fish was so guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud...peppy cheekies. However, we also had 8 big bottle Changs each, which in retrospect was just not a good idea. However, at the time, it was open mike night, people were ROCKIN' it out, and we were sitting in an open air patio, listening to the sea in the background and good music in front of us. Plus, I honestly didn't have a concept of how active this trip was going to be. Had I known then what I know now, it would have been a 3 Chang night - full stop. But since I didn't, let's skip ahead to the next day.  Team Taylor - the new faces of REI. We popped up about 9:30 (had to make free brekkie!) and were out about 10. We first wandered to the place JT stayed last time (yes - 5 nights for $27 TOTAL per person!) and checked out the view of East Railay before wandering over to West Railay to book a tour and then rent kayaks. Now I will confess that I was THRILLED about the prospect of kayaks, but 2 things became apparent quickly in the FIVE THOUSAND DEGREE HEAT UNDER A CLOUDLESS SKY - 1) I am a weakling who does NOT have the arm strength to lift a gnat, and 2) kayaking with a hangover is NEVER a good idea.  What do you mean we have to paddle back? That being said, the scenery was just INCREDIBLE, and we had a simply wicked 2 hours paddling through coves, around rocky outcroppings, past islands, and even onto our own private beach, where we swam for about 20 minutes (in the shade, mercifully). It was a really incredible experience - probably the best kayaking we've done outside of Norway. But after 2 hours, our arms were falling off (actually, my wife is about 40 times stronger than me, and she was TOTALLY fine - I'm pretty sure she's the only reason we actually made it to shore). We arrived at the shore 5 minutes past the 2 hour mark, and the rental guy kept staring at the paper as if he was stunned that we'd missed the window and should pay for the next hour. However, his infinite compassion allowed us the grace period, and 5 minutes later we were on our way back to West Railay, where we caught the island connector path and wandered over to Pernang Beach through Pernang Cave (which isn't really a cave - it's just a carved out path on the side of a cliff - let's call it an "indentation"). Pernang Cave was less than impressive, but what was impressive was ALL THE MONKEYS running around EVERYWHERE. I mean...I just...can I say...no, sorry. Can't do it without making a wise crack. Move on. It was CRAZY! I mean, they weren't "Monkey Forest rabid" like in Ubud, but it was still pretty out of control - especially for any donkey stupid enough to feed them. We did make the obligatory stop at the PENIS SHRINE (Seriously - we are talking about a BILLION wooden and ceramic penises just piled on top of each other...and lots of women praying...no comment), but it was tough to take pictures will all the women on their knees (I mean...I CAN'T STOP TRYING TO MAKE JOKES HERE - PLEASE SOMEONE CALL THE CENSORSHIP AUTHORITIES). It was really hard (that's what she said) not to laugh. We then hopped in the water for a swim out to one of the nearby islands (which was incredible) before heading back to the palace and showering. It was then back to Railay quickly for what turned out to be one of THE BEST sunsets we saw in Thailand before making a second appearance at (where else? You'll notice a theme) Last Bar, where we AGAIN had the Barracuda (as well as about 3 other dishes). It should be notied that this was an AFD, and Team Taylor was PASSED OUT by 8:30 back in the room. We'll pick up with more Railay action tomorrow, but the Bull's got some more packing to do, and so duty calls. Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat tomorrow! Love, Sam and (safely down in Mumbai, most likely sipping a drink at Leopold's with Linbaba and Didier as we speak, and apparently in a PALACE in Colaba) Jenny (and Cath)
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About the Conference The 10th International Symposium on Open Collaboration (OpenSym 2014) is the premier conference on open collaboration research and practice, including wikis and social media, Wikipedia, free, libre, and open source software, open data, open access, and IT-driven open innovation research. OpenSym is the first conference series to bring together the different strands of open collaboration research and practice, seeking to create synergies and inspire new collaborations between computer scientists, social scientists, legal scholars, and everyone interested in understanding open collaboration and how it is changing the world. OpenSym 2014 will be held in Berlin, Germany, on August 27-29, 2014. OpenSym is held in-cooperation with ACM SIGWEB and ACM SIGSOFT and the conference proceedings will be archived in the ACM digital library like all prior editions. Open collaboration (wikis, social media, etc.) research, chaired by Brent Hecht of University of Minnesota Research papers present integrative reviews or original reports of substantive new work: theoretical, empirical, and/or in the design, development and/or deployment of novel concepts, systems, and mechanisms. Research papers will be reviewed by a research track program committee to meet rigorous academic standards of publication. Papers will be reviewed for relevance, conceptual quality, innovation and clarity of presentation. Each track has its own submission site, which you can find on EasyChair. Please select the appropriate track. Submission deadline is May 4th, 2014 (changed from April 20th to evade Easter celebrations/vacation). Authors, whose submitted papers have been accepted for presentation at the conference have a choice of having their paper become part of the official proceedings, archived in the ACM Digital Library, having no publication record at all but only the presentation at the conference. OpenSym seeks to accommodate the needs of the different research disciplines it draws on. OpenSym seeks to explore the synergies between all strands of open collaboration research. Thus, we will have a doctoral symposium, in which Ph.D. students from different disciplines can present their work and receive feedback from senior faculty and their peers. The Doctoral Symposium has its own submission site, which you can find on EasyChair. Please select the Doctoral Symposium track. Submission deadline is June 1st, 2014. OpenSym is also seeking submissions for experience reports (long and short), tutorials, workshops, panels, non-research posters, and demos. Such work accepted for presentation or performance at the conference is considered part of the community track. It will be put into the proceedings in a community track section; authors can opt-out of the publication, as with research papers. The community track its own submission site, which you can find on EasyChair. Please select the Community track. The first submission deadline is May 4th, 2014. A second submission deadline for late-comers (at the risk of not getting a seat) is June 15th, 2014. The OpenSym Conference Experience OpenSym 2014 will be held in Berlin on August 27-29, 2014. Research and community presentations and performances will be accompanied by keynotes, invited speakers, and a social program in one of the most vibrant cities on this planet. The open space track is a key ingredient of the event that distinguishes OpenSym from other conferences. It is an integral part of the program that makes it easy to talk to other researchers and practitioners and to stretch your imagination and conversations beyond the limits of your own subdiscipline, exposing you to the full breadth of open collaboration research. The open space track is entirely participant-organized, is open for everyone, and requires no submission or review. The general chair of the conference is Dirk Riehle of Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. Hello everyone asking about how to participate. Your questions are not clear to me. The instructions in the call for paper are very clear. The general participation information is not yet available. I suggest you talk with your adviser at a university or seek out your nearest university to get help understanding scientific conferences. With kind regards, Dirk Riehle
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My wife is disabled. Much of the time, there isn't enough space between the pain and drugged insensibility for loving sex. This blog is a diary of our journey. Or just a place to shout. This will not likely entertain you. For that, see my links. Sunday, May 21, 2006 Still here. Okay, so... another celibate weekend in the Nobilis house. No news there, right? She threw out her back on friday doing something she didn't need to do, and that was that. In other news, our preparations for the second honeymoon over the July 4 weekend have been continuing, and the B&B we're going to has a private hot tub for us to enjoy. I'm looking forward to it. It's about three hours away, but we're getting someone really good in to watch the kids, so we're not worried.
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Ukrainian Ministry of Interior Orders 55 Airbus Helicopters Following the Intergovernmental Agreement signed between France and Ukraine on 8 June, Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior for the purchase of 55 civil helicopters destined for search and rescue (SAR), public services, and emergency medical service (EMS) missions in the country. The 55 aircraft include 21 repurposed H225s, and 10 brand new H145s and 24 H125. The contract, which also foresees the setting up of a local training and maintenance center, was signed in Kiev on 14 July in the presence of Arsen Avakov, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Ukraine, and Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. The heavy twin-engine H225 aircraft ordered by Ukraine, for which the French State currently holds economic rights, will be repurposed to suit public services and search & rescue missions for which the aircraft is recognized as a reference helicopter. The H225 features include a takeoff sequence of less than five minutes, an extra long-range capability with auxiliary fuel tanks, and its world-renowned autopilot and upper SAR modes. The first H225 helicopters are expected to land in Kiev before the end of 2018. A world leader in the EMS segment and parapublic missions, the Airbus H145 is the latest member of its 4-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. Compact in size, this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin make it the aircraft of choice for a variety of civil missions. The H125, an Airbus bestseller, is a light single-engine helicopter that has earned its reputation as a true multi-mission workhorse thanks to its high levels of performance, exceptional manoeuvrability, excellent visibility and low vibration levels in the cabin, with an optimized maintenance plan that contributes to reduced operating costs for the customer. The aircraft, with its new flat floor can be quickly and easily reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, and passenger transport.
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Trending Concord cannabis gains more support Despite a recent survey indicating strong support for allowing medical marijuana sales in Concord, city leaders may ban all commercial cannabis activities. Polling firm Godbe Research found that 69 percent of respondents support medical marijuana sales and about 51 percent favor recreational pot sales. Sixty-three percent or more of survey participants support allowing medical cannabis dispensaries in industrial areas of the city and near the police department, which is on Galindo Street. If the council and police agree on a location for a medical pot shop, about 69 percent of respondents said they would support the decision. The poll found greater support for allowing stores selling marijuana for recreational use to locate near the police department than on the industrial outskirts of the city. Conducted by phone and online from Aug. 22-29, the poll of 1,155 residents has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. To give the city time to explore options for regulating medical marijuana dispensaries, retail sales and other commercial cannabis operations, the City Council on Tuesday will consider putting in place a ban on all marijuana activities and uses, except delivery and those allowed under Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana use for adults. The ban would prevent the state from issuing licenses to marijuana-related businesses that want to open in Concord. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Drive. Nearly 61 percent of Concord voters supported Proposition 64. Under the law, adults are allowed to grow six marijuana plants inside a private residence for their personal use. However, municipalities may regulate or prohibit cultivation outdoors and for commercial purposes, as well as retail sales of marijuana products. Councilman Edi Birsan said that the city should regulate all aspects of the cannabis industry, including testing labs, commercial grow operations and retail sales. Concord residents, he maintains, should not have to drive to dispensaries in Oakland, Berkeley or Richmond for medicine they use to treat pain or nausea associated with chemotherapy, prescription drugs and chronic ailments. “I believe that we need to get out in front of this because everyday, in every way, our residents are suffering and that’s unacceptable,” said Birsan, who added that he is open to hearing opposing viewpoints. Ironically, the legalization of recreational marijuana in California could put some illicit medical cannabis delivery services out of business. In 2005, Concord banned medical marijuana dispensaries and home delivery. In June, the council adopted an ordinance allowing licensed dispensaries located outside the city to deliver to qualified Concord patients if the businesses register with the police department. The Agathist Collective has been operating without permission in Concord since 2015. “To be in the cannabis business you have to break a couple of laws,” said co-founder Timothy Byars. “We’re all breaking federal law now.” Byars wants the council to allow medical marijuana delivery services to operate in Concord. Otherwise, he said, the collective will disband, leaving its 600 members in limbo. “Every city east of the Caldecott Tunnel will have a ban on commercial cannabis activity,” Byars said. “There will be no legal cannabis companies in Contra Costa County in 2018 because there are no cities that intend to issue those kinds of licenses.”
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ASUS Taichi dual-screen notebook/tablet delayed to December ASUS delayed shipments of its Taichi, a Windows 8 laptop/tablet convertible with two 11.6" touchcreens. In October the company said the device would ship in November, but now the product is delayed until December, and possibly even later than that.The tablet-laptop Windows 8 hybrid device is being sold in two models. The Taichi 21 DH51 has an Intel Core i5 processor and 128GB solid-state drive storage, and was originally priced at $1299 on Amazon.com, Newegg and TigerDirect. A Taichi 21 DH71 is faster with an Intel Core i7 processor and 256GB SSD storage. It was priced at $1299 on Amazon.com (price has now been withdrawn) and at $1599 on Newegg and TigerDirect.Online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, TigerDirect and B&H are no longer taking pre-orders for the ASUS Taichi.
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Seattle's Magnolia Neighborhood News Blog Tennis, anyone? Posted on June 26th, 2013 by Sara It seems the courts in Magnolia are nearly always full of people playing tennis, and this summer will be no exception. MV reader Ben says there is a brand-new way for enthusiasts to connect: If you are a tennis player looking to play some pick up matches on the Magnolia tennis courts this summer we are starting a list serv for Magnolians to talk about tennis and setup matches. If there is enough interest we can setup tennis ladders, tournaments, practice sessions, etc. If you are interested please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your USTA rating when sending the email to sign up. Share this: Related All I know is to the cute blonde lady in the really short white tennis skirt….I think I love you! Orik K. LOL….I am wondering if you are talking about that cute State Farm agent in the village! She is a wonderful person. Patty Just a note…..my tennis partners and I play at the courts in the village often and for the 2nd time in a couple weeks we saw him early yesterday we saw a man with a long lens taking our pictures obviously waiting for us to bend over to pickup the balls. We all glanced over at him on my insistence and he took off quickly. We contacted the police dept to let them know. He appeared to be maybe in his 50’s(?) stocky build with dark hair he wore a navy polo and khaki shorts. Ladies watch for this guy. Karen This is a silly conversation. If you ladies want something to talk about there are naked guys sunning behind the large logs under the cliffs on the beach at Discovery Park. When you get down to the beach turn south away from the lighthouse. There.
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Plan Automation has secured distribution in Canada for X-ray and Metal Detectable Components with two main vendors: Detectamet Rubber Fab Technologies Group Below is more information on our partners: Detectamet Detectamet Ltd of Pocklington, York, United Kingdom specialises in the design, manufacturer and supplier of Food Safe Detectable Products. You can learn more about their product lines on their website www.detectamet.com or download their catalog below. Detectamet offers a wide range of types of detectable components such as: Gaskets O-Rings Hair nets Cable clamps Plastic, metal and touch screen pens Scrapers and Paddles Plaster/Band-aids Boards Stretch wrap Rubber bands or fragments Knives and stainless steel Gloves Cable ties Plastic, ID and traceability tags Inspection equipment, studs or other small material fragments Etc. The Detectamet catalog reviews over 1,000 innovative products inside and informaton on the following topics: Why Choose Detectament How Detectable Are We? Metal & X-Ray Detectable Products Stainless Steel & Aluminum Products Detectable Engineering Products Video: Detectamet Detectable Products are your First Line of Defense in Food Safety Rubber Fab Technologies Group RubberFab supplies quality seals and rubber gaskets and O-rings at competitive prices. RubberFab supplies products to biopharmaceutical, food and beverage and dairy industries. To learn more about Rubber Fab visit their website at www.rubberfab.com or dowload their product catalog below. Detectomers: A Full Line of X-Ray Inspectable and Metal Detectable Products
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TNR’s Despots of the Year Since inaugurating the “Today in Despotism” series earlier this year, TNR Online has chronicled the activities of a number of strongmen. Some are old, some are young; some are religious, some are atheist; some are called “Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya”; others are called “Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” But while countries around the world may have differences, the hopes and dreams of their despotic rulers are shared. It’s why Libya celebrates the anniversary of a book by Muammar Qaddafi and North Korea celebrates the anniversary of a book by Kim Jong Il. And so TNR Online is issuing a Despot of the Year Award in an attempt to give a proper nod to outstanding despotic achievements. Ideally, this award would merely reflect the popular will of the rulers’ subjects, but, as Donald Rumsfeld once pointed out in a moment of reflection, sometimes that’s hard to figure out. “It’s awfully hard to know,” he said. “In fact, it’s impossible to know unless one just speculates. I don’t know how many people who live in an exceedingly repressive regime actually like it.”
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Mary Anne Inkster gave an energetic, engaging presentation describing her September 2016, weekend excursion to Orkney. Mary Anne was part of Christine Woodstock’s Genealogical Research Tour to Scotland, and took advantage of an unplanned research weekend to travel to Kirkwall, Shapinsay and Westray to visit relatives she had recently contacted through DNA matches. Edith Tait and Alan Shearer were grandchildren of Mary Anne’s grandfather, Samuel Inkster’s sister. When Mary Anne notified these cousins of her intention to visit Orkney, they both welcomed her. Alan emailed asking if he could pick her up at the airport in Kirkwall, take her to his home for lunch, and then drive her to the ferry that would take her to visit his sister, Edith, on Shapinsay. He also promised to pick her up later that day and transport her to her accommodation. Edith and Alan were able to supply pictures of deceased family members, as well as showing Mary Anne pictures of a visit to Winnipeg that Alan had made many years ago. With much surprise, Mary Anne realized that the pictures were not only taken at her grandparent’s Winnipeg home, but the people she was being asked to identify were herself and her children. Similarly, Edith’s pictures were from her grandmother’s collection, and featured Mary Anne and her brother circa: early 1950s, and her parents at Mary Anne’s wedding. Other photos and documents also put faces and events to names on Mary Anne’s family tree. On Shapinsay, Edith took Mary Anne to Nisthouse the original Inkster home where her grandfather grew up. This was an emotional moment for Mary Anne. Back in Kirkwall, Alan took Mary Anne to see some of the tourist attraction of Orkney. 5000-year-old Skara Brae entranced Mary Anne. Thousands of years older than the Pyramids of Egypt or England’s Stonehenge, Skara Brae has weathered the winds of time. Mary Anne shared pictures of this sight. From there they travelled to Ring of Brodgar, another stunning tourist sight. There are other sights but Mary Anne was due in Westray. Because she had spent the day sightseeing, Mary Anne had missed the ferry to Westray, so opted to board an extremely small propeller aircraft instead. She visited Skello which in her great-grandfather, Samuel Inkster’s day was a drapery and grocery store briefly run by her Inkster relatives. She then moved on to her grandmother, Williamima Mary (Mainland) Inkster’s roots in Westray. From her research, she knew that her grandmother was born at Carness and grew up at Clifton. A visit to Clifton, guided by Leanne Fergus, revealed that Leanne was also a distant cousin, descended from Mary Anne’s great-grandmother’s sister. With Leanne, she viewed the stone house at Clifton and collected a piece of the rock that was used at Orkney to build so many of the structures. Because the Islands lack trees, Alan told her, rock was used instead of lumber. Another visit to Marie Nicholson – yes, another cousin through DNA – solved a great mystery for Mary Anne. Despite much searching, she had not been able to find Carness on any map. During a visit with three generations of Marie’s aunt, Kathleen Stout’s family – grandmother, mother and daughter, she casually mentioned to Kathleen her search for Carness. She was taken out to the deck and across a wide-open field was told – that farm is Carness! Out of time, Mary Anne caught a ferry back to Kirkwall to get the jet back to Edinburgh and resume her Scottish research tour. With yet another distant DNA cousin from Brandon, Mary Anne plans to revisit Orkney in June 2017.
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Lying Lilly is Front Page News A woman traveling on New York's Metro North train line was recorded by a fellow passenger telling train employees that she is too "well-educated" to be told to quiet down and not use profanity in her cell-phone conversation. "Do you know what schools I've been to? How well-educated I am?" she asks the train employee, who is seen explaining to another employee that she asked the passenger to stop using the "F-bomb." ht tp://news.yahoo.c om/s/yblog_thelookout/20110617/us_yblog_thelookout/woman-says-shes-too-educated-to-be-kicked-off-new-york-train
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Project Hydro Community Update: 6/02/2019 February 12, 2019 Hello and welcome to the Project Hydro Community update. We have been very busy working on products, specs, partnerships, and all manner of exciting things. Just in case you missed anything, here is a quick round up of some of the most recent news from Project Hydro and the community. XYO Partnership We are very excited to announce that we have a partnership with XYO. We are looking forward to working together on Snowflake.
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It was a family-run business with a warm welcome and reliably tasty dishes, plus the added appeal of bring your own wine. One of our favourites. Rachid, his wife Freya Macdonald and Abdellatif have given the venue a more modern, fresh look and are hoping to attract local families while retaining the positives. It’s good to see new independents opening on Ecclesall Road, rather than the restaurant becoming a chain or mini supermarket. Freya said: “It’s a really good area and I think the area is changing quickly - the landlord told us a lot of students are moving to the city centre now so there are more families who are able to come back again and again.”
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Adega Mayor Alto Alentejo Portugal Alvaro Siza Vieira Adega Mayor, Alto Alentejo, Portugal — In the beautiful and untouched landscape of the Alentejo plain in Campo Maior, Siza Vieira erected an original building, a horizontal construction, painted in white and divided in two floors longwise, with a third floor intended for tourism and promotion of the Adega Mayor wines. The calmness arising from this simple construction contrasts with the complexity housed within, where monumental areas intended for production and storage go hand in hand with the social areas, designed for tasting and enjoying the wine. The 40×120 m rectangle of the winery is founded on the existing cavity and 9m walls stand tall from there. Access to the building is located at the southwest end. The architect Siza Vieira reserved the upper floor for the social and public aspect of wine. There, a tasting room was created, opening into a panoramic terrace with a lawn and a lake, headed by a sculpted marble panel, also designed by the architect, where the silhouettes of a coffee cup, a glass of wine and a bottle overlap. This panoramic terrace provides a view over the estate’s vineyard and the olive grove, extending further to Spain and the Serra de Portalegre.
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Net Carb Counter About the Book Whether you're on Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Sugar Busters!, the Zone, or ANY of today's most popular weight–loss programs, the Net Carb Counter takes the guesswork out of shopping and meal planning by placing the essential net carb content information you need right at your fingertips! Bookshout App We have partnered with Bookshout and recommend using their app as a simple way to read our e-books. Their App is available for download on iOS and Android devices. You can also access your e-book titles on your desktop or mobile browser.
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Stay current with our daily newsflash. XL Group's First-Quarter Sees Red XL Group PLC reported a first-quarter loss based on natural catastrophe losses of $387.4 million, net of reinstatement premiums, in its property and casualty operations. The company last month estimated its total losses from March's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan would range from $190 million to $290 million, on top of an estimated $70 million to $85 million in losses it already anticipated from a New Zealand earthquake. The period also included severe floods in Australia. As a result, combined ratio--the percentage of premiums paid out on losses and expenses--jumped to 126% from 101% in the P&C business. Excluding the disasters and prior-year development, the ratio would have risen to 101% from 93.1%. Despite the disasters' hit to the bottom line in the latest quarter, analysts have noted that their trauma will likely spur more demand for insurance and reinsurance. For a long stretch, relief from massively damaging events and economic pressure increased the frequency that people skipped coverage. In prior quarters lately, XL's results have improved thanks to investment recovery, as well as higher premiums more recently. The company posted a loss of $227.3 million, or 73 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $143.9 million, or 37 cents a share. Its operating results, which strip out investment gains and losses as well as other items like foreign-exchange effects, swung to a 52-cent loss per share from a 44-cent profit. Net premiums written increased 7.4% to $1.71 billion. Premiums earned in the property-and-casualty operations also rose 0.6% to $1.27 billion.
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A New 21st Century Competency This is my Friday post, much delayed. Sorry about that. So last week I posted several stories in a theme but was somewhat vague as to what the theme was. Well this is an extension of a thought I have been having for the last few months, which is the amplifying effect of the Internet on creative people. As I have been thinking about it more, I realized that this has actually been happening for a long time. Check out this video to see where I am going with this. A bone is probably the first tool humans every used. The purpose of a tool is to extend the capabilities of the human body and mind. That is the primary thing that separates us from the rest of the animals. Everything in society is a tool if you think about it. Schools are tools too. They are designed to teach things to large numbers of children, while freeing up the parents to work. It’s a time multiplier. Like many tools it’s purpose is to enhance productivity of people. In the last week I wrote blog posts where I showed ways that technology is enhancing what people can do. There was a video of a little girl who used an exoskeleton to help her raise her arms. I wrote about the Curiosity Mars rover, which is an amazing tool to extend our reach all the way to Mars! Keep in mind, Curiosity only does what we tell it to do, it’s not autonomous. The military is using drones to multiply the effectiveness of combat troops. There was even a video of using a 3d printer to build a whole house in one day! These are truly spectacular ideas. These things are becoming a reality but do we really teach children about them? Do we teach them about the new technological tools at our disposal and in development? There are certainly some programs that do this. I love the robotics teams at certain high schools. It’s practical learning and involves projects and creative problems solving. Even so, in how many schools do we ban students from bringing cell phones and computers? These are tools for extending the capability of the human mind and allow it to reach beyond the walls of the classroom. Use them! So here’s my proposal for a new competency. Remote technologies. Showing competency in either gaining information from the outside world, or else in connecting up with a data source in the outside world. For example, give a test to the class on a topic they are completely unfamiliar with. They can use any resource they want and can even work in teams. Alternatively, have them find a webcam on the Internet to do research on a particular topic. The amount of video and remote viewing sources is going to explode in the next few years. This sort of skill will be valuable in the next decade and I think we need to make sure our children are proficient in the application of remote technologies.
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BOSTON — The parents of a Celtics fan who stopped breathing and later died after Boston police took him into custody during 2008 NBA championship celebrations have settled with the city for $3 million. The settlement announced Thursday by a lawyer for the parents of David Woodman came on the same day the Celtics were scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the deciding Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals. The 22-year-old Woodman died 11 days after police took him into custody on a public drinking charge on June 18, 2008. Woodman’s parents blamed their son’s death on Boston police. An independent investigation found that officers acted reasonably and concluded the death was caused by a pre-existing heart condition. A spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas Menino said the city had no immediate comment.
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Role: Exhibition branding and design With: Andrew Rebatta, Sopie Lo, Herb Tam Company: Museum of Chinese in America I created exhibition branding and ancillary material for the show, FOLD: Golden Venture Paper Sculptures. The show features the meticulously crafted work of Chinese refugees, created during their incarceration under the U.S. government as they awaited the outcome of their asylum applications. These men were survivors of the Golden Venture, a freighter that ran aground on the beach at Fort Tilden in the Rockaways of Queens, NY in 1993. The ship contained Chinese refugees, ten of whom drowned in their attempt to reach the shore when the ship ran aground. The incarceration of these asylum seekers was the first time refugees were detained in prisons. The sculptures acted as the entry-point into the history of immigration in the United states and a glimpse of the origins of our current immigration practices. The show intends to foster a greater dialog about incarceration, asylum seekers, and immigration. We started with the street banner as the first application of the brand. I wanted to create type driven exhibition branding that evoked the isolation of the Chinese detainees created by their incarceration and ambiguous legal status. Although some of the initial iterations had bold color palettes, our goals were better reflected in the monochrome palette we used for the final. With a short word being the title of the show, I was able to create a flexible arrangement for the branding, depending on the context in which it was being used. The particular challenge with creating exhibition branding that was bilingual was creating a display that did not prioritize English over Chinese. The initial designs did not accommodate Chinese at all and I had to rethink the organization, since nobody wanted the Chinese to look like an afterthought(3-3). Rather than simply giving each language display equal area (1-3), I recalibrate my thinking to consider the Chinese and English text as one unit of text instead of two languages.
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Freelancing Is Hard Optimism has its place. We need other people’s words and stories to encourage and inspire us. We need their perspective to help us take a step back from our own lives and recognize fear and anxiety for what they are. Those thieves of peace sneak into our thinking under the camouflage of “realism.” Realism has its place too. Otherwise, as you peruse all the paper-thin positivity and digital pep rallies on your socials, you might start to think you’re the only one who has bad days. Sheesh… Why are these people’s lives so consistently glamorous? Do they ever work? Maybe you, and your career, and relationships, and your photo editing prowess, have some fatal flaw? Perhaps you lack mental toughness, emotional resilience, some essential x-factor that enables the winners to persevere in the face of great adversity. They persevere without chipping a tooth or displacing a single hair on their perfectly coiffed heads. Don’t believe it. Freelancing is hard—even when you’re winning. That dose of realism is better medicine than the sugary platitudes too prevalent on the web. Trust me: Their lives have bruises too. They’re just better makeup artists. Photo Credit: freestocks.org via Unsplash Allow me to lead by example and lay bare the last six weeks in the life of Austin L. Church and Wunderbar LLC. Trying Situation #1 One consulting client, a tech company that has kept me on retainer for several years now, asked to switch to hourly while they weather a cash crunch. Though I’m not eager to do hourly work, I own a small percentage of equity in the company. Agreeing to change our arrangement was one way I could contribute to solving the root problem. Even if the change makes sense for the company, it still means that $1,000 will no longer show up in my checking account each month. Ouch. Trying Situation #2 Another client, a software development company, recently hired six new employees. These new hires obviously changed the company’s payroll. Until the owners figure out their new operating budget and recruit one or two new clients, they must pause Wunderbar’s content marketing retainer, which is $1,500 per month. We’ll finish up our two outstanding projects and talk again in three months. Double ouch. Trying Situations #3 & #4 A third client in the midst of being acquired told me to not start any new projects for June. $2,250 per month. Poof! A fourth client asked to decrease scope from $3,000 to $1,500 per month while they are in their “off season.” Abra cadabra! As these business relationships began to run amok, other parts of my life followed suit. Our emergency fund has taken a beating because we had to pay some unforeseen medical bills, as well as buy new tires for my truck. And how could I forget new brakes for both family vehicles; dining room chairs (because we had none); miscellaneous repairs around the house, including a new HVAC unit; and six or seven gifts for various occasions? Then, both of our kids had strep throat. Then, they gave it to Megan. Then, the icing on the mudpie cake was an abnormality in the second ultrasound for Baby #3, also known as “Biscuit.” (I will spare you the details. Please pray for Biscuit if you’re the praying kind.) Why am I sharing this with you? I’m setting aside the makeup so that I can encourage you. I don’t have much ra-ra in me right now. My heart is a wrung-out towel. Lying on a rock. Somewhere in the Nevada desert. But I know that just because something is wrong doesn’t mean I am doing something wrong. Remember that: Just because something is wrong doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong. Freelancing is hard. What I neglected to mention earlier is that all of the clients who are changing the nature of our working relationship have given Wunderbar glowing reviews. Wunderbar’s clients are happy with our work. Yet, five of our clients needed to make adjustments. Typically, we see an adjustment like that once a quarter. And we have a bit more time to prepare. This time around, however, five adjustments all happened and walloped me upside the head. What am I tempted to do? I’m tempted to take the last month and jump to conclusions. To heap blame on myself. To assume that I wasn’t smart enough or good enough. To feel discouraged and dejected. In actuality, my business has trended up, up, up, since I rebooted consulting in earnest back in May of 2015. That was two years ago: twenty-four months; ninety-six weeks. Let’s do some math. 2 weeks is 2.1% of 96 weeks. Significantly more evidence (97.9%) points to an upward trend than to a catastrophic end to Wunderbar. I’m tempted to give more credence to the 2.1%. We humans have many quirks. I’m tempted to spin a new story about my business prospects, my future, my confidence, and my competence. I’m tempted to start believing certain things that aren’t true. Call it fight-or-flight. Call it the “lizard brain” a la Seth Godin. Regardless, this part of our programming spouts nonsense like this: “Run like your hair is on fire. Your entire business is coming down around you! This wouldn’t be happening if you hadn’t screwed up big.“ When klaxon horns are blaring and the accuser is trying to use your own recent experience to indict you of stupidity and gross negligence, you bet your saddlebags that freelancing is hard! Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise either has very little experience or is trying to sell you a silver bullet, one that will ricochet and hit you between the eyes. Freelancing is hard because many variables must align, like planets and moons, in order for all parties to get what they want. As I have gained experience, I have watched that alignment happen more and more often. That is the upward trend I mentioned. Immediate setbacks don’t cancel out all those prior wins and lessons learned. Using recent circumstances to reinterpret a much more significant body of “data” would be an error–like using one day’s weather to extrapolate climate change. Despite the past several weeks and much-atrophied emergency fund, Wunderbar has grown steadily over the past two years. The belly of this recent dip in revenue is higher than the head of many of my best months from years past. And you can find surprising comfort in the truth that freelancing is a school of hard knocks. Adversity is normal. Photo Credit: Lauren Mancke via Unsplash No matter how adept you are at turning lemons into lemonade, you will have bad days. Just because something went wrong doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong. I’m telling you today because I may need you to remind me in the future. Deal? Do you want to build a profitable business you love? Duh. Pony up that email address, and you can learn from my failures. You can laugh at my mistakes. You can envy my success at croquet, slow running, and modest bank accounts. Let’s make good money and leave the world better than we found it. No-nonsense business advice for content writers and freelancers. Served warm with a side of dad jokes. Brilliant. Now be sure to check your email and confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
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Beat Juggler Hip-hop legend Prince Paul is responsible for some of the music's most transcendent moments John Coltrane never sang. He grunted from time to time -- maybe even chanted on some of his later excursions. But he never sang. He didn't need to. The essence of his genius lay inside, and was expressed through, his music. Frank Sinatra had a voice like butter -- you could hear an emotional depth in it that belied the fact that the moment he exited the stage and started talking, he behaved and spoke like an idiot goombah. He had a heart. He had love. He had fear and sadness deep within him, and yet it was so buried that it was only able to escape the darkness under cover of his music. The best music transcends the human being who's making it; it comes from that secret garden both within and without the artist and flows like a pristine stream, unhindered by the ego. Here's Prince Paul (n Paul Huston), one of hip-hop's most extraordinary producers, on why he has never put his voice on one of his releases: "If I put my voice on the record, I might as well end my career. You know what I'm saying? My ego isn't big enough. I know what I'm capable of and what I'm not capable of. I can add insightfulness to a lot of stuff, and I can write. And I can more or less direct people to do something that represents myself without me being there." Prince Paul performs at the Galaxy on Sunday, May 26, as part of the Washington Avenue Beat Festival downtown. (He'll also spin at Vintage Vinyl at 4:30 p.m. that same day.) If you know anything about hip-hop, you've heard Prince Paul's production. His were the beats, hooks and concepts that supported De La Soul's landmark 3 Feet High and Rising; he produced 3rd Bass' The Cactus Album; broke Queen Latifah when she was breaching hip-hop's gender barrier; rolled beneath Big Daddy Kane, Boogie Down Productions, Chris Rock (Paul won a Grammy for Rock's Roll With the New). More recently, he's worked with Del tha Funkee Homosapien on his Both Sides of the Brain, with the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man on Tical 2000: Judgement Day and with New York rapper MC Paul Barman. As his own boss, he's kicked out three hip-hop landmarks in the last five years: the predominantly instrumental Psychoanalysis (What Is It?), the hip-hop "opera" A Prince Among Thieves and, the best of the bunch, his collaboration with producer Dan the Automator called the Handsome Boy Modeling School. Prince Paul is a minimalist, and his innovations have more to do with the big picture than the little one. Where other producers and teams have pushed hip-hop's sound forward by adding scores of textures, samples and counterrhythms, experimented with skewed beats, dissonance, disorder and chaos, Paul has maintained a reverence for simple juxtapositions. If producers such as Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee and Atlanta producers Organized Noize are hip-hop Jackson Pollocks, Prince Paul is the genre's Mark Rothko. His samples and beats, taken separately, are sparse and somewhat meaningless; juxtaposed with one or two other sounds, though, the combination explodes. His most important innovation was probably one of his first: the production on De La Soul's 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising. It was one of hip-hop's first concept albums, and it changed the game in a way similar to how the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band changed the rock LP. He and the group added playful skits between some of the songs, and these skits -- a funny faux game show -- helped create an album-length momentum. Prince Paul continued to produce De La through their third record -- though both paled in comparison to the debut -- and made his living setting the tone for others. In 1997, though, he re-emerged as a solo artist, buoyed in part by the oversees explosion of breakbeat, trip-hop and instrumental hip-hop. Labels such as Mo Wax in the U.K. were releasing music that resembled Prince Paul's instrumental tracks, and by shining a light on the possibilities of hip-hop sans rapper, the Brits acknowledged Prince Paul's influence. This is when Psychoanalysis ... What Is It? was born. Psychoanalysis is a weird, funny record. The beats are never flashy. The snare always hits directly on the second and fourth beat, right where it should be; the hi-hat taps a steady eight-count to the measure; the kick drum booms on the one and three beats. Above that steady backdrop, Paul adds clean horn samples, an occasional sampled moan and freeform sax-riffs. Pure simplicity. Between tracks, Paul adds his signature skits, sounds, funny samples. In 1999, Prince Paul created Prince of Thieves, an album connected by a narrative about a rapper who needs money to make a demo tape that he's trying to get into the hands of the Wu-Tang Clan. Along the way he becomes desperate, makes a few questionable choices and ends up much the worse for wear. Thieves, too, is a curious record, mainly because Prince Paul asked all of his guests to make rhymes that fit within the story's structure. The mostly successful endeavor features underground luminaries Kool Keith, De La Soul, Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X of Brand Nubian and Xzibit. Later in '99, he joined Dan the Automator (responsible for Deltron 3030 and Kool Keith's Dr. Octagonecologyst) to create the Handsome Boy Modeling School. Their album, So ... How's Your Girl?, released in late 1999, is a hoot. Again, there's a theme: The two tackle fashion and beauty and truth, tossing in hilarious sound clips from comedian Chris Elliott's short-lived sitcom Get a Life. For guests, the two enlisted wonderfully diverse talent: Del tha Funkee Homosapien (the best rapper alive today, by the way), Sean Lennon, Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto, DJ Shadow, turntablist Kid Koala, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Alec Empire, Father Guido Sarducci, Biz Markee, Roisin Murphy of Moloko, former Company Flow kingpin (and current Definitive Jux owner) El-P and others. The album's success was the result of the vast array of styles and emotions that the two were able to create. It's not a mere hip-hop album. It contains rock, breakbeat, smooth soul (the exquisite "The Truth"), rhythm & blues and, of course, those beats. But really, the minimalist nature of Prince Paul's work -- his way with samples, the simplicity of his beats, his way with structure -- are only tidbits of Prince Paul's personality. You can hear him in his music, even though you can't hear his voice. "I like people who can do that, like Prince Paul," DJ Shadow once explained to an interviewer. "He always puts his personality in a bunch of samples. Puts his personality into the instruments and lets it out. I always respect that." Prince Paul performs at the Galaxy as part of the fifth -- and best -- Washington Avenue Beat Fest. Also performing at the Galaxy are Mike 2600 and Doug Surreal, as well as DJ Pee Jay. Velvet's concentrating on house and is featuring an amazing lineup of the stuff: The highlight will be legendary London DJ Seb Fontaine, who's been a resident at two of London's most popular clubs, Ministry of Sound and Crème; the versatile Chicago house DJ Lego; RFT Music Award winner DJ Steve-O; and Lovemix Velvet residents Les Aaron and Johnny Orr. Rue 13 promises a mix of live acoustic music and electronic dance music: San Francisco's Soulstice, who records for the consistently inspired Om Records; and Rue 13 residents the Hothouse Sessions. At Tangerine: House DJ Jeff Feller, soul/funk DJ Papa Ray and the amazing live house band the Urban Jazz Naturals. Finally, you can catch some great drum & bass and two-step garage at Lo: DJ Bailey, who's part of London's phenomenal Metalheadz roster; Reid Speed, a drum & bass DJ who's transformed herself into one of the pre-eminent U.S. two-step DJs; and local drum & bass hero Jim K. The Washington Avenue Beat Festival should be kicking. By all means, check the beat.
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Some patients who take dopamine-boosting drugs to alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms exhibit behavior more fitting for drug addicts. Learning why could help doctors better understand addiction. Mark Stacy, associate professor of neurology at Duke University Medical Center, figured more than coincidence was at play when, during the course of two weeks in 1999, he discovered that two of his Parkinson’s patients had each lost $60,000 gambling after he increased their medication. Then Joseph Friedman, clinical professor of neurology at Brown Medical School, reported the first case of punding—slang for the obsessive, repetitive behaviors methamphetamine addicts exhibit—in a Parkinson’s patient. “He was an accountant and tallied figures over and over again,” says Friedman. “Another patient couldn’t stop trimming her hedges in winter, another obsessively pulled weeds and one couldn’t go grocery shopping because she couldn’t stop reading labels on cans.” Two of Friedman’s patients, both quadriplegic, became addicted to levadopa, a drug that replenishes dopamine in neurons that are failing to make enough. “They received no motor benefit from L-dopa, but they craved it like a drug addict.” Compulsive behaviors—gambling, shopping and hypersexuality are the most common—are striking in people who would be expected to have what some describe as a “Parkinson’s personality,” characterized by risk-averse, straitlaced behavior due to a gradual loss in dopamine production. Though it’s not clear precisely what’s happening, the leading hypothesis is that Parkinson’s drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors in the motor-system pathway are spilling into the pathway that activates reward and motivation. Reducing the medication alleviates the behavior but may cause significant motor difficulty. Although impulse-control disorders affect a small number of Parkinson’s patients—Stacy has treated 5,000 patients and has seen only about 30 with the problem—it may provide one more clue to treating addiction. “Understanding how changing a medicine dose causes some Parkinson’s patients to exhibit these destructive behaviors could help us figure out how to block that change, which may lead to treatments for addiction,” says Stacy, who hopes to get funding to do fMRI studies of pathological gamblers and Parkinson’s patients.
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Fed leaves the door open on June hike The US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates on hold yesterday was widely expected, but the central bank could announce a hike in June, says State Street Global Markets. The Fed’s Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) held the target range for the federal funds rate at 0.75-1 per cent at their most recent meeting on 3 May 2017. “The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labour market conditions and a sustained return to 2 per cent inflation,” the Fed said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement State Street Global Markets head of multi-asset strategy for North America Lee Ferridge said this decision was unsurprising. “As was widely expected, the FOMC left US rates unchanged at its May meeting, but left the door open for a move in June,” Mr Ferridge said. “Prior to the meeting, the market had estimated a 60 per cent probability for a June hike and that is unlikely to change materially following this announcement.” Mr Ferridge said economic data released in coming weeks would be “key” to the FOMC’s rate decision in June, but noted its members will be “closely watching Washington” for developments in tax reform negotiations. “Should the data hold up, or better still, improve from here, while the chances of a late summer tax cut agreement remain intact, then the market will likely price in a June move,” he said. “A hike in June would be the second of the three that the Fed tells us it is likely to deliver in 2017.” However, Man FRM noted that other central banks, such as the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, also appear poised for a “change in the direction of travel” regarding policy, which could create risk globally. “We believe central banks will taper and raise rates with caution, little by little, and not be afraid to reverse course if necessary, but the combined effect of all central banks turning could be uncertain in the extreme,” the investment specialist said. “In our view, economists have for too long been able to ignore the lack of productivity gains since printing money has no downside in a period of sluggish growth. “The balancing act between stifling the recovery through normalising too quickly and allowing inflation to get out of control would be hard enough for a single central bank, but for a range of central banks to deal with this problem in concert could be a recipe for mistakes and uncertainty.” Man FRM said confidence in the central banks to “do the right thing” could be shaken and risk assets will subsequently be affected. “This is important for risk assets, since the most obvious explanation for the potential over-valuation of equities is the amount of cash pumped into the system by the central banks since 2008,” the company said.
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It’s Christmas time and for many this involves over indulging in too much Turkey, Ham, watching uncles and aunts get a bit tipsy and helping yourself to another serving of Christmas pudding. This weekend’s football matches across the three major European leagues - the Premiership, Serie A and La Liga in Spain - give any sports fan, let alone any football fan, at least three great excuses to see some of the best teams on the planet too.
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Arrested for a press release? Animal-loving individuals accused of organized crime? For a group of Austrian activists, these are more than just headlines. May 21 saw the arrests of 10 animal rights activists throughout Austria on accusations of belonging to a criminal organization and engaging in criminal activity under Section 278a of the criminal code. Since that time, the activists have remained in police custody without being formally charged, while the police continue their investigation. The arrests took place in the early morning in the Austrian provinces of Vienna, Salzburg, Tirol, Styria and Lower Austria, provoking ire against the police and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior for violating human rights and making arrests with insufficient evidence, among other complaints. Amnesty International, Peta and the Austrian Green Party have condemned the arrests and subsequent jail time, and multiple protests and demonstrations have been staged by supporters throughout Austria, Germany, Australia and the U.K. “I’m really shocked that something like this could happen in Austria,” said Green Party MP Brigid Weinzinger. “The criteria have not been met for the activists to be considered a ‘criminal organization.’ If they have no evidence, they will have to release these people.” According to the Interior Ministry, however, authorities have indeed collected evidence of crimes that point to the activists. “Since autumn 2006, attacks and damage to facilities of the clothing, pharmaceutical and food industries as well as a major campaign of anonymous threats against managers and staff of companies of these economic sectors had become more and more frequent,” said ministry spokesman Gerhard Pichler in an e-mail. The evidence collected, he said, ties the activists to these crimes. Among those arrested were Dr. Martin Balluch, a double-doctorate in philosophy and natural sciences and president of the Association Against Animal Factories, or VGT (Verein Gegen Tierfabriken). Balluch has been on a hunger strike and lost more than 20kg since his arrest, and was subsequently moved in mid-June to the hospital ward of the Wien Josefstadt prison to begin intravenous feeding. “This (hunger strike) is the only opportunity available to me to protest against this unbearable unjust course of action of the state against me,” Balluch said in a statement on VGT’s Web site. The arrested individuals are activists involved with animal rights organizations including the Austrian Vegan Society, Four Paws International, Peta and VGT. “The district attorney’s office has obviously confused the Tierschützern with the Russian mafia,” said Green Party MP Peter Pilz at a press conference May 30. Complaints lodged against the Interior Ministry include accusations of wiretapping, withholding information from defense attorneys and using force during the searches and arrests, as well as bias and the abuse of the activists while in prison. A very heated issue, however, concerns the quality of the investigation’s evidence. “There is no evidence of concrete misdeed,” Weinzinger said at the May 30 press conference. The only criminal activities that could be traced back to the activists were throwing stink bombs and tearing down circus posters in protest, she said. According to Weinzinger, a central piece of the police’s evidence is a press release issued by the group trying to get legal aid for the activists who had been arrested. “Imagine being arrested for a press release,” she said. In a second example, fingerprints found at the scene of a home break-in were considered sufficient to link the crime to one of the activists. “One fingerprint was found in a mailbox at a private home,” Weinzinger said. “It would be like having lunch at a restaurant, and then the restaurant burns down. They find your fingerprint at the crime scene, and (now) you’re the culprit.” But Pichler said there is more to the case than suspected crime. The authorities’ motives “are exclusively aimed at individual, obviously militant and suspected criminal, animal rights activists who got organized to commit criminal offences against persons and property and performed acts of self-justice,” he said. Some of the most serious complaints of police’s tactics involve the searches and arrests. One activist testified to being taken from his home half dressed and held in the street outside his flat. “He was handcuffed, in his underwear, in public, for all to see,” Weinzinger said. “That is against human dignity.” Dr. Nicholas Simon, a law professor at Webster University Vienna, explained there could be two sides to the story. “Arrests are supposed to be made under the utmost respect,” Simon said. He acknowledged, however, that if an arrestee were to become violent or try to flee, the police would be within their rights to take the individual into custody as is, with or without proper attire. Pichler challenged that interpretation. “The police officers did not take action of their own accord but on behalf of an independent court,” he said. According to Simon, the activists’ jail time has followed normal Austrian procedure, with the first evaluation occurring two weeks after the arrests. “Extensions [of custody] start at two weeks, then go to one month, and then to two months, and can go up to two years,” Simon said. The next time the activists’ jail time is to be examined will be Jul. 4, Weinzinger said. “If they’re lucky, it’ll be over by July 4,” Weinzinger said. “But the defense are saying to be prepared for another six months.” The biggest legal issue seems to be over the exact implications of Section 278a and whether the activists truly have violated it. “If (the arrest) was done on legal grounds – i.e. they got permission from the attorney general – but it is abusing Section 278a,”Weinzinger said, “Ii is [still] illegal in our eyes, because they are not producing any material as proof.” The section’s specific language and criteria will be examined in court when the activists go before a judge. “The concerns that the provisions of Art. 278a of the Criminal Code are [being] extended to comprise also socio-critical issues cannot be understood,” Pichler said. “In any event, an independent court will have to decide whether the matter in question meets the prerequisites for constituting this offence.” Search in Archive THE VIENNA REVIEW is a publication of Vienna Review Publishing GmbH, Vienna, Austria, a journal of news, culture, lifestyle and opinion covering the life and times of Vienna, Austria and the wider Central Europen region. It is published in English.
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Harnish tossed a career-high five touchdown passes and rushed for another to lead the Huskies to a 49-26 victory over Army in Doeren’s head coaching debut on Saturday. “It feels good,” he said. “But at the same time in there are a lot of things in the course of the game that you need to work on. I was a little sloppy with the ball tonight.” Harnish threw for three TDs in the opening 18 minutes as the Huskies (1-0) took a 28-6 lead on the Black Knights (0-1). “We didn’t give them our best shot and that’s my fault,” Army coach Rich Ellerson said. “We pride ourselves on being a poised, precise outfit and we were anything but at times and that’s hard to take. We’re not there, but we’ll get there.” Courtney Stephen started Northern’s big scoring day when he scooped up a block punt for a 16-yard touchdown run. “The start of that game couldn’t be any better,” Doeren said. “Three and out on defense, a blocked punt for a touchdown. It’s as good as it gets … and the first three quarters with the starters in the game, those guys played really well.” The win was Northern Illinois’ first over a service academy in four tries. The Huskies dropped a 21-14 decision at Army in 1992 and lost both games of a home-and-home series with Navy in 2007 and 2008. Huskies’ tailback Jasmin Hopkins rushed 14 times for 138 yards. Doeren, a former Wisconsin assistant, took over as Northern Illinois head coach last December following Jerry Kill’s departure for Minnesota. Harnish also ran for a touchdown and he capped his day with a 4-yard toss to Martel Moore that put NIU up 49-6. Army scored three straight TDs in the fourth quarter. Doeren became the first head coach to win a Northern Illinois debut game since Jerry Pettibone’s 1985 squad beat Western Michigan 17-0. Jamal Womble, Martel Moore, Akeem Daniels, Nathan Palmer and Luke Eakes each caught touchdown passes for the Huskies, who set a school record for wins by going 11-3 last season. “All credit goes to those wideouts, the running backs, they made some great catches and did well with open space too,” Harnish said. “They were able to get yards after the catch. Those guys did all the work. I just had to put it in the spot.” Ellerson, opening his third season, guided the Black Knights to a 7-6 record in 2010 and their first bowl victory since 1985. Army beat SMU 16-14 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
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FOGS Under 20s Cup No penalty for Ricky The Roosters Ricky Stuart has avoided a $10,000 fine following remarks he made about referee Paul Simpkins during and after his team's victory over the Bulldogs on Friday night. Stuart has been issued with a warning though and NRL CEO David Gallop has warned all coaches in the game that they need to remain mindful of the image they present for the good of the game. Ricky's comments centred around the sending-off of International prop Adrian Morley, who is no stranger to trouble. Having caught Canterbury's Matt Utai around the neck and head with his arm and hand, Morley was marched from the field despite protests from captain Luke Ricketson, who also claimed later on the Utai milked the incident by remaining down on the ground. Stuart then went on to suggest post match that Simpkins would be finding himself in reserve grade this week. Roosters CEO Brian Canavan has come out in defence of his club's coach, indicating he has no designs on preventing Stuart from expressing his views, which he categorised as passionate. This comes despite a warning by Graham Annesley, the league's chief operating officer, that the club went very close to being issued with a $10,000 fine. Finally though, the Bondi club can breathe easy with the NRL's match review committee finding Morley has no case to answer and is free to take his place in the side to play St George Illawarra on Monday.
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Sir, Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder belonging to a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by a progressive and relatively selective loss of anatomically or physiologically related neuronal systems (Lang and Lozano, 1998; Silvers and Som, 1998). The identification of Parkinson's disease specific biomarkers, particularly at early stages, is critical for Parkinson's disease diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and patient management as well as the development of therapeutic interventions. Thus far, the proteins α-synuclein (α-Syn) and DJ-1 have been tested rigorously in Parkinson's disease. In our recent study published in Brain (Hong et al., 2010), where a large cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease and controls were included, we provided evidence that α-Syn, along with DJ-1, decreases in Parkinson's disease CSF, providing high sensitivity and specificity for Parkinson's disease diagnosis. However, even though CSF is close to the main site of pathology in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in the CNS, it cannot be readily obtained in most clinical settings (Shi et al., 2010). To address this issue, several groups have examined serum/plasma concentrations of α-Syn and DJ-1 as potential biomarkers of Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, a major drawback in assessing serum/plasma α-Syn and DJ-1 levels is the fact that >95% of total blood α-Syn and DJ-1 are derived from red blood cells. After controlling for several major variables, we concluded in a recent investigation that, unlike CSF, these two markers in plasma are unable to differentiate patients with Parkinson's disease from controls (Shi et al., 2010). Of note, blood contamination of human CSF is also a major problem when assessing levels of α-Syn and DJ-1 in CSF (Hong et al., 2010; Shi et al., 2010). In an effort to look for other potential sources of clinically accessible samples for Parkinson's disease diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression, as well as to address the difficulties in dealing with CSF α-Syn and DJ-1, in this follow-up investigation we asked whether these two proteins are present in human saliva and examined their potential as Parkinson's disease biomarkers. The research was also motivated by the following recent findings: (i) the human submandibular gland produces 70% and 63% of the total resting and stimulated salivary volume, respectively (Cook, 1994); and (ii) the submandibular gland has recently been shown to be involved by synucleinopathy in the early stages of Parkinson's disease (Beach et al., 2010; Cersosimo et al., 2010; Del Tredici et al., 2010). Thus saliva, typically free of blood contamination, seems to be another ideal biofluid to study potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease diagnosis and progression. To investigate whether α-Syn and DJ-1 are present in human saliva, and if so, whether their concentrations are different in Parkinson's disease versus controls, saliva samples were collected from patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 24; M/F = 17/7; average age = 63.5) as well as healthy control subjects (n = 25; M/F = 11/14; average age = 58.0) in a rested, unstimulated state. Detailed characterization of these subjects and methods for characterization of salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 can be found in the online Supplementary Material. In the initial analysis, whole saliva (collected from several controls) was separated into a cellular component and a supernatant, which was then probed with α-Syn and DJ-1 antibodies, respectively. The results, shown in Fig. 1, demonstrated that the anti-α-Syn antibody detected a distinct band at 15 kDa (Fig. 1A) and the anti-DJ-1 antibody detected two bands around 25 kDa (Fig. 1C), which correspond to α-Syn and DJ-1 standards, respectively. Comparing the banding patterns when equal fractions of the saliva supernatant and pelleted cellular component were loaded (Supplementary Fig. 1A and B); it appears that there was slightly more α-Syn in the cellular component than in the supernatant, but clearly more DJ-1 in the supernatant than in the cellular component. Characterization of α-Syn and DJ-1 in human whole saliva. (A) To determine the presence of α-Syn in saliva, a pooled saliva sample was analysed by immunoblotting with a rabbit anti-human α-Syn antibody ASY-1. The specificity of the detected band was confirmed by an immunodepletion experiment with a BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) Biosciences mouse anti-α-Syn antibody. Lane 1 from the left: 1 ng human α-Syn standard (STD); Lane 2, 100 µg of protein from saliva supernatant (SP); Lane 3, 100 µg of proteins from saliva after immunodepletion; Lane 4, 100 µg of protein from immunoprecipitated/enriched saliva by the BD antibody; Lane 5, 100 µg of protein from enriched saliva by normal mouse IgG. A distinct α-Syn band at 15 kDa was detected in saliva. A lower and likely non-specific band was also detected. (B) The 15 kDa band detected by western blotting was further confirmed to be α-Syn by in-gel digestion and mass spectrometry. Shown is the fragmentation spectrum of mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for ion 2740.43 of α-Syn. The sequence shown is TVEGAGSIAAATGFVK, with y- and b-series ions interpreted. The results demonstrate that three fragments, corresponding to a total of 47 residues of the 140 amino acids, of full-length α-Syn were identified (see also Supplementary Fig. 2 and Table 2). (C) Similarly, the pooled saliva sample was also analysed by immunoblotting with a polyclonal goat antibody against DJ-1. The specificity of the detected band was confirmed by an immunodepletion experiment with a polyclonal rabbit antibody. (D) The 25 kDa band detected by western blotting was further confirmed to be DJ-1 by in-gel digestion and mass spectrometry. Shown is the fragmentation spectrum of mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for ion 2766.30 of DJ-1. The sequence shown is DVVICPDASLEDAK, with y- and b-series ions interpreted. The results demonstrate that nine fragments, corresponding to a total of 86 residues of the 189 amino acids, of full-length DJ-1 were identified (see also Supplementary Fig. 2 and Table 2). To further validate the identity of the putative α-Syn and DJ-1 bands, two experimental approaches were taken. First, the saliva supernatant was incubated with either α-Syn or DJ-1 antibodies mounted on Santa Cruz ExactaCruz matrix beads. This was followed by detecting α-Syn and DJ-1 with another pair of antibodies, in both the resulting supernatant and proteins associated with the beads. The distinct α-Syn band was almost depleted from the supernatant after pre-absorption of the protein to the beads by a different anti-α-Syn antibody (Fig. 1A). The lower DJ-1 band was also largely depleted while the upper band was much reduced (Fig. 1C). These results indicate that the western bands very likely represent the α-Syn and DJ-1 proteins. To substantiate this argument, the bands corresponding to α-Syn and DJ-1 were cut out and analysed by mass spectrometry after an in-gel digestion. The α-Syn band and the lower DJ-1 band were further confirmed to be α-Syn (Fig. 1B) and DJ-1 (Fig. 1D), respectively. The amino acid coverage was 34% for α-Syn and 45% for DJ-1 (Supplementary Fig. 2 and Supplementary Table 2). The upper DJ-1 band was not confirmed by mass spectrometry, suggesting that it might be a highly modified isoform that is difficult to detect at normal mass spectrometry settings. It is also possible that the upper DJ-1 band is non-specific; however, the band was not detectable when the primary antibody was omitted. Next, α-Syn and DJ-1 were quantified in patients with Parkinson's disease and controls using our established Luminex assay with modifications to achieve the best assay accuracy and minimal matrix effect in saliva, i.e. with the spike recovery rate close to 100% (see details in the online Supplementary Material). Differences in α-Syn and DJ-1 levels between patients and controls did not reach significance, regardless of whether or not protein concentrations were normalized. However, there was a clear trend for α-Syn to decrease and DJ-1 to increase, respectively, in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to controls (Fig. 2A and C). Furthermore, visual inspection of a plot of α-Syn level versus UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) motor scores in patients with Parkinson's disease suggested a negative trend between α-Syn level and severity of motor symptoms, though the effect did not reach significance (P > 0.05) (Fig. 2B). However, no correlation was observed between total DJ-1 levels and UPDRS motor scores (Fig. 2D). Salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 levels in patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls. α-Syn and DJ-1 protein levels in saliva were measured by Luminex in healthy controls (CTRL) and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The α-Syn levels (A) tended to decrease while the DJ-1 levels (C) tended to increase in the Parkinson's disease compared with the control group, whether normalized to the saliva total protein level or not. In a subset of the Parkinson's disease subjects with known UPDRS motor scores, the correlation between the UPDRS scores and salivary α-Syn (B) or DJ-1 (D) levels was also examined. α-Syn levels appeared to be negatively correlated with severity of motor symptoms, whether normalized (red rectangle) or not (black circle), while DJ-1 levels did not correlate well with UPDRS motor scores. UPDRS = Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Identification of α-Syn and DJ-1 in human saliva, two proteins that are critically involved in both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease, suggests that saliva could be a potentially important diagnostic sample source for Parkinson's disease. The significance of this discovery is 2-fold. First, salivary glands are linked to the CNS and have been found to be involved in Parkinson's disease at relatively early stages of the disease (Del Tredici et al., 2010). More specifically, it appears that the submandibular gland is directly linked to the central nervous system through the peripheral nervous system, including both the parasympathetic and sympathetic arms of the autonomic nervous system (Silvers and Som, 1998; Blessing, 2004). Parasympathetic innervation to the submandibular glands is provided by the superior salivatory nucleus via the chorda tympani of the VIIth cranial nerve, a branch of the facial nerve that synapses in the submandibular ganglion after which it follows the lingual branch of the sensory mandibular root of the trigeminal nerve V3 and leaves this nerve as it approaches the gland. Direct sympathetic innervation of the salivary glands takes place via preganglionic nerves located in the intermediolateral nucleus of spinal cord segments T1–T3, which synapse in the superior cervical ganglion after which it follows the external and internal carotid plexus. In the production and flow of saliva, both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves cooperate with each other. These nerves enable the aforementioned salivary glands to form saliva quickly and empty it into the mouth. In sporadic Parkinson's disease, there is a substantial amount of evidence demonstrating the appearance of Lewy pathology in the autonomic nervous system and spinal cord prior to neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (Iwanaga et al., 1999; Bloch et al., 2006; Braak et al., 2007; Fumimura et al., 2007; Orimo et al., 2007, 2008; Fujishiro et al., 2008; Probst et al., 2008; Miki et al., 2009). In addition, incidental Lewy body disease, considered a preclinical form of Parkinson's disease by most investigators, has routinely been characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites located in the autonomic nervous system. Moreover, in a recent study, phosphorylated α-Syn was investigated with an immunohistochemical method in different body sites, including the submandibular gland, revealing that in patients with Parkinson's disease, phosphorylated α-Syn is found at a high frequency throughout the gastrointestinal system, with the highest frequencies located in the lower oesophagus and the submandibular gland (Beach et al., 2010). The sources of salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 are currently unknown. Given that α-Syn can be actively secreted by neurons (Lee et al., 2005), it is possible that the nerves innervating salivary glands release α-Syn into the saliva. However, it is also possible that α-Syn is derived from the CSF and/or plasma by yet-to-be defined mechanisms or from the cellular component of the saliva (Supplementary Fig. 1A). Similarly, DJ-1 could come from any of the sources discussed for α-Syn, although it is clear that DJ-1 levels in the supernatant are higher than in the cellular component of the saliva (Supplementary Fig. 1B), meaning that it is more likely that salivary DJ-1 is secreted by the nerves or exchanged from other body fluids. It is critical in future investigations to explore the precise sources and contributions of salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 not only for understanding the fundamental mechanisms involved in the transportation of these two proteins, but also for controlling potential variables when salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 are used for Parkinson's disease biomarkers. Besides providing the relevance of using saliva as a biomarker discovery source for Parkinson's disease, these findings also suggest that α-Syn pathology within sympathetic and/or parasympathetic innervations of salivary glands could contribute to the phenomenon of dry mouth in Parkinson's disease. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that although most patients with Parkinson's disease develop sialorrhea, the production of saliva is actually reduced in these patients (Rajput and Rozdilsky, 1976; Edwards et al., 1992; Johnston et al., 1995; Bagheri et al., 1999; Tumilasci et al., 2006). To fully address this issue, a large cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease is needed to investigate whether salivary levels of α-Syn and DJ-1 are correlated with the production of saliva as well as whether it is influenced by disease severity. The latter issue is obviously important, given that our preliminary data already suggested that α-Syn levels tended to correlate with UPDRS motor scores in addition to the trend of lower α-Syn levels in Parkinson's disease, as compared to controls. In contrast, salivary DJ-1 levels did not correlate with UPDRS motor scores, (Fig. 2D). In addition, the ratio of α-Syn to DJ-1 levels did not enhance the performance of either biomarker (data not shown). However, we acknowledge that the results of our pilot investigation are far from conclusive. An analysis of much larger cohorts of patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy and diseased controls, including those with other parkinsonian disorders, is now needed. Other issues to be considered in future studies are age and gender as well as drug effects on salivary α-Syn and DJ-1 levels [please refer to our CSF investigations for more details (Hong et al., 2010)]. Utilization of saliva in biomarker discoveries has several advantages over other biofluids. For example, when compared to CSF or serum/plasma, human saliva is more readily available, and is easier and less invasive to collect in sufficient quantities for various DNA, microRNA, protein and metabolite analyses. Saliva is also free of blood contamination, which could confound the evaluation of relevant protein concentrations, including α-Syn and DJ-1 as demonstrated recently (Hong et al., 2010; Shi et al., 2010). Moreover, the collection of saliva, unlike other body fluids, requires only a small amount of training and is painless to the participant. Finally, since saliva is readily accessible and its collection poses minimal risk to the patient, it is possible to screen the general population to identify patients with pre-clinical Parkinson's disease, thereby greatly increasing neuroprotective opportunities. Also, with such easy access to samples, salivary biomarkers with comparable or better performance than α-Syn and DJ-1 could allow robust monitoring of disease progression or treatment effects (Aguirre et al., 1993). In conclusion, in this study, we were able to successfully identify two of the most important Parkinson's disease related proteins—α-Syn and DJ-1—in human saliva. Additionally, based on the findings in this preliminary study, it is possible that α-Syn and DJ-1 could be potential diagnostic markers of Parkinson's disease, as we observed that α-Syn levels tended to decrease while DJ-1 levels tended to increase in Parkinson's disease. Preliminary results also suggest that α-Syn might correlate with severity of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Our results now provide the impetus for undertaking much larger studies on the potential utility of α-Syn and DJ-1 as Parkinson's disease biomarkers.
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1. Here we prefer clarity to agreement. Obviously not everyone is going to agree on a topic; here we prefer to talk out our differences in a respectful manner to ensure mutual understanding and respect.2. Read the Stickies and Announcements. Each sub-forum may have specific rules which trump the Forum Rules in cases where there may be conflicting information. Read the rules of each board before you post so that you are clear on the expectations of the staff.3. Respect ALL Staff and Admins. These people volunteer of their time and MUST be respected as well as their word adhered to. They are responsible for maintaining a free, open, clear and organized forum. Anyone found to be openly undermining any official ruling by a staff member will be warned.4. Signatures: One picture only and no links. Images: To keep the forum looking neat and tidy, we ask that members insert just one picture only in their signatures. The picture should be no more than 200x500 pixels and should be of an appropriate subject, for example, your dogs and their names. Should you need assistance creating an appropriate signature, please PM an Admin and we would be happy to help! This is to ensure that signatures remain a welcome addition to our forum instead of a cumbersome distraction. Links: Hyperlinks in signatures--unless to a personal blog or photo stream of your dogs (like Flckr or Piscasa, for example)--are strictly prohibited. Please PM a staff member with any questions or concerns regarding this rule. Now you'll see what I deal with... Mine do! It took the staring quietly thing at first, but mine come straight to the door, sit and wait patiently now. I can still see the excitement in them... their tails are waggin and they sit and stare at me intently but they make no noise and they wait for me to get everything together and hooked up. I had to work on them when I opened the door too. They would be quiet and patient until I opened the door, then Willow would try to shoot out. I would just pull her back tell her to sit and repeat until she calmy walked out the door. We do have days I have to remind her her manners, but she remembers very quickly. In the morning it's a little more hectic but they're good about it. Mickey is the worst and peeps and cries and UGH. But he sits and stays so I guess I gotta take what I can get, right? lol First thing I do is claim the door, because the girls will run to the door and shove both their noses in the crack and just stand there- totally ignoring anything I say. So I walk right up and basically shove them out of the way with my body lol They have to sit to get the leashes attached and have to "wait" while I open the door and step out. If someone tries to get a foot over the threshold I close the door and start all over. Takes about a minute probably to get everyone situated and waiting for the release. But i've been working on this same routine ever since we first got Mickey! You just gotta stick to your guns! Kale gets excited but he sits and waits for me to exit the door first and for me to invite him outside. Still working on him bolting tho lol I would like him to walk out and not yank me across the steps lol Still a work in progress lol Yes, both G&Swill sit and wait by the door. Ginger used to charge the door, and if given the chance, she used to bolt out (which she has- twice- and we had to go chasing her down in the neighborhood). With Ginger, I used 'body blocking', and physical 'touches' while I stood over her. You can't get frustrated or lose patience - they'll sense that. It didn't take long, but Ginger sits at least 8 ft away from the door and I can have my back to her with the door open while I talk to whoever is outside. If anyone ever heard me speak to her in the beginning when we first adopted her, one might think I was a bitch. I didn't yell, but my voice was stern and loud. Storm was a little easier, but I still had to teach him charging the door is not OK. He still pushes his boundaries when someone is at the door where he wants to be AT the door, but if I ask him to 'back up', he'll give me space. Rogue is usually asleep by the door so she's always in place when it's walk time and when it's time to go, lol, and Koda is usually chilling somewhere and I just say "Koda, walk!" And he will walk to wherever I am, get his harness and leash on, and then we leave. It takes me maybe 30 seconds to get them out the door. When Frankie thinks he's going for a walk he will follow me around the house and keep going to the door we usually leave out of. If I am not preparing for a walk, he just stares at me, keeps following, and then will stand by the door. If he thinks I forgot about him, he will come look for me and run back to the door. When I am not taking him for a walk he just lets out a sigh and lays down near me. When it is time for a walk, he sits. I usually put a backpack on him for walks, so I tell him "get dressed" and he bows his head into the backpack (it's really cute). Like Kristina, I claim the door and I tell him to wait once the door is open. Obviously I don't own the front door after this weeks little door dash so we will be practicing that again this weekend. Frankie used to bite at the lock trying to turn it to unlock while pushing down on the lever handle. I could not believe my eyes as I watched him do this. It was pretty funny. He actually almost got it once. But we have a pretty good routine especially in the morning. He usually takes a car ride with me to take my son to school and then we go for a walk when we get home. Practicing to "wait" while trying to get out of the car is still a work in progress. Everyone has given really good advice! This is a great bunch of husky owners on here! And it's fantastic that you're so open to advice and that you posted the video. It's a great video to use as a teaching aid, since it pinpoints what your solutions will be. I've seen your videos where you train them, so you obviously know what you're doing and just need a few tips (like we all do!). To summarize what everyone else said: 1. Less talking - more staring at them. -Other than giving them a command once, do not speak. If our dogs don't listen the first time, I stare them down and then they listen. The eye contact and focus on them is very important.-Do not repeat commands. -Do not have a conversation with them.-Use a lower tone of voice. If you sound excited (a typical female high pitched voice), they will continue to be excitable. 2. More stern tone of voice. -I noticed Kody settled down after your husband said one command, once. Some basics on giving commands : http://www.raisingspot.com/training/dog-training-basics-commands 3. A little gentle physical guidance to complete a command is fine. Force them to sit, gently. Use bodyblocking. Do not give them commands unless you can make them obey. Give the command once, and enforce it. (http://www.atlanticstatesbriardclub.org/voice.htm) 4. Withdraw attention to correct them.-When Mya jumps, turn your back and ignore her. -Do not allow her to disrespect you - she's treating you like a playmate, not the pack leader. -Same with Kody and the biting. Yell "ouch" and turn your back on him. Correct them by taking away your attention. 5. When the craziness starts getting outta hand, ignore them and go have a beer. -Right not, they're getting rewarded for the craziness with a walk. Only give them the walk once they settle down. NILIF. I know it sounds simple - but it just takes time and consistency. And it's tough when it's two that are setting each other off. They'll get in their new routine when you enforce it. Hang in there! They love you, being stern and setting boundaries will just make them love you more! "consistent vigilant bigger pain in the ass" now that was funny! LOL!!! It takes me about 3min to let them out into the yard b/c I have them sit before going out and then when they see that i'm starting to open the sliding door they get up...then the process repeats again. I think I annoy the crap outta them! I have to try that when it comes to the walks!!! i'm sorry, but i was laughing so hard, and i had to make my boyfriend watch it. anywho, i understand why you're frustrated, i would be too since i'd get so pissed if mine did thatbut wow kody, what a little brat omg! embry tries that crap with the collar, but he doesn't do it nearly that bad.. My goodness Melissa!!! You have such patience. Just a suggestion. These dogs have a routine before walking which is "We go crazy and Mom will work around us no matter how we act, and then we go on our walk". How you walk them together is beyond me. You are brave girl!!! Break up the whole sequence of getting ready for a walk. No more collars on at the door. I would crate them both and put on collars and leads BEFORE they get out of the crate. Leave the first collared dog crated, then do the second. Kody reminds me of Skyla. She is really vocal also. She knows when it is time for a walk and will create quite a racket. I will give her a piece of bully stick to keep her occupied and that keeps her quiet while I get ready. I don't bring mine walking at the same time because I live at the beach and dumb people often let their dogs run off leash and I can't control my two when large or small dogs are rushing us.....If only I were younger!!!.....LOL Best of luck. Your dogs are lucky to have you for their Mom!!!! Oh man! My girls would not go on a walk if they acted like that! Sheesh! I think Steve would kill them! lol. Even if Elara acts up for her food, we'll withhold it until she calms down. If she's by the door outside wanting to come in for dinner, we walk toward it and if she jumps on the door we back away, so she now gets the point that if she jumps it just takes us longer to open the door for her. Same for if she scratches at her crate door. The food dish gets farther away everytime she scratches to try and hurry things up! Ok SO i tried doing things differently today. This morning I did the following: - Put their collars on randomly and went about my business for a few minutes. - Put on my sneakers while Mya talked and talked (as usual), but then I did the dishes (she was so confused). - Grabbed their prongs/leash and sat on my bed. Of course they both followed and Kody was going nuts on the bed barking at me, but I totally ignored him and put Mya's on. She kept going to the living room and back to the room like "what's going on?". - I attempted putting Kody's on, but he started with the snapping so I sat back down. He then started jumping on my head so I stood up and just started him down for minutes. He sat...and I put it on him with ease. All good so far...sure. - Once they were both leashed up and ready to go I grabbed a hold of Kody (still in our bedroom) and had him sit. Oh boy did he go nuts with the crying,barking, etc. Mya was sitting like a good girl just waiting. This lasted for about 10min. Finally once he sat and wasn't going too bonkers (just whining a bit) I walked out of the room with him and he went NUTS again. I tried walking with him to the living room where Mya was and he went even more NUTS! At this point I took off all of his stuff, stuck him in his crate, and left with Mya! I felt so bad, but I'm sorry he was really going crazy! When I came back I took him on a walk and he was a total angel. Now, this evenings walk went better! I repeated the same process, but he walked out to living room pretty calm (for him that is) and I made both sit before leaving leaving the house (took about 3min) and we were off. This morning hubby was there and this evening he was not. I'm thinking hubby makes Kody act up more Kody's obsessed with his daddy so that wouldn't surprise me. O my gosh results already?! that's fantastic!! *high five* Had a feeling Kody would take longer than Mya since he is still a pup. It could be that your husbands energy is setting him off or it could be that he is learning that his behavior is unaccepted. With your calmness and devotion to your furkids, I'm sure walk time will be a breeze in no time O my gosh results already?! that's fantastic!! *high five* Had a feeling Kody would take longer than Mya since he is still a pup. It could be that your husbands energy is setting him off or it could be that he is learning that his behavior is unaccepted. With your calmness and devotion to your furkids, I'm sure walk time will be a breeze in no time It's one tiny step closer I guess. Mya's only problem is the jumping at the door really. That and getting frustrated with Kody's complaining and then attacking him as in saying "Little s**t if you just shut up we can go"...LOL! I wouldn't say it's results, but definitely a LITTLE better. It's only been a day of me doing this and I'll try this on their evening walk again today. Unfortunately, they actually let us sleep in today so now it's too hot for their morning walk They woke up at 7am, I took them out to do their business, fed them, and gave them each a marrow bone in separate rooms. Yep, they were at it for 3hrs! I've tried that, but freaking Kody doesn't help. He comes up to her all whiny and bitching about whatever he's trying to get across Getting them leashed in the room seems to be a step closer. By the time we get to the front door they are ready to go and i just have to pull her back and tell her to sit. I mean, she still tries jumping at the door, but isn't nearly as bad. She'll sit and wait while Kody goes about his complaining. Well, Mya doesn't have a kennel anymore. We started leaving her in our bedroom when she turned about 3yrs old. She would never sleep in it either so after a few weeks of having Kody we got rid of Myas. Our house isn't too big and 2 kennels fit, but it's more roomy with just one. Kody goes into his kennel very easily. Sometimes even on his own. All we have to say is "Kody go to your casita (little home in spanish)" and he goes straight in. Expects a treat, but goes in on his own ..lol Yeah we call hers a condo haha...have you tried putting him in the condo and then putting it on him? I mean you might have to reach in but it would be a lot easier. And maybe you could do something like that with mya....maybe use kodys? Like I said they are playing games. You need to be more serious. Don´t give the commands so often, give the command twice at maximum, if they don´t listen to you then consequences are following. At the moment they think, well Mommy is not serious about what she wants from me, so I don´t have to listen.
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Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Thursday said the state cabinet has no powers to put off the elections of Block Development Council (BDC) and demanded the dismissal of Omar Abdullah government. "We urge the Governor to invoke section 92 of J&K Constitution which states the dissolution of Assembly and dismissal of the government, to rescue the state out of serious constitutional crises generated with the cancellation of BDC elections by the cabinet", JKNPP Chief Bhim Singh told reporters in Jammu on Thursday. "Cancellation of these elections has created constitutional crisis in the state", Singh said. The cabinet has no jurisdiction under the constitution to interfere with the electoral process, Singh said, adding, that it could intervene only if there were emergency or state of war. "A constitutional crisis has gripped the state and it is mandatory to invoke Section 92 of the J&K Constitution," he said. He alleged the government already tainted in corruption, criminalisation and nepotism and the only way out is its dismissal. Singh said that party had demanded on the floor of the House for reservation for SC, ST and women candidates and did not ask for cancellation. The state government government had put off next month's elections to Block Development Councils in order to provide for reservation for SC, ST and women candidates in them.
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Change your VPN now if it doesn’t have these 8 essential features Given the large number of VPN services available, it can be challenging deciding which one to sign up for. While the websites of VPN providers are useful up to a point in terms of highlighting important features (and indeed limitations), sometimes more crucial info is buried deep in the site. So to avoid any danger of you being razzle-dazzled by a VPN’s fancy website, we’ve put together this article which looks at the truly important features to bear in mind when picking the best VPN service for you. A VPN hides a user’s data by encrypting it with a tunnel created between the user’s device and the VPN’s web server. The user then takes on the IP address of the web server (rather than their true IP), and this leads to one advantage of a VPN, namely that a user can appear to be in a different geographic location than they are actually located in. This can have many uses, such as being able to access streaming services or shopping sites specific to a certain country, bypassing what’s known as geo-blocking. The important point to bear in mind here is that any good provider will have a healthy spread of coverage across a wide range of countries, giving you more options overall. Furthermore, the more servers available in each location, the better (as they’re less likely to be overloaded, so you’ll get better performance levels). Any VPN will offer client software for a Windows PC. However, many of us now spend more time on our smartphones or tablets than on a traditional desktop computer or laptop. In fact, in many places (including the US) there are now ‘smartphone only’ folks, who use their handsets as a primary method for online access, and this trend may be responsible for slowing fixed broadband growth. Therefore, when choosing a VPN, make sure that it supports the platforms for the mobile devices that you use. Both iOS and Android support are quite common these days, but support for some rarer devices, such as a dinosaur BlackBerry, can be found among a few of the more robust VPN providers with truly wide-ranging device support. No VPN service is 100% secure, and they can be susceptible to IP leaks, which expose your true IP address when you are online. This can occur more frequently when the VPN service gets overloaded. The solution is a VPN kill switch, that can monitor for the VPN connection failing – when the connection drops, that’s when your true IP will be exposed, and in this case, a kill switch shuts down the transfer of data. In short, as the name suggests, it kills the connection, preventing unencrypted data from being transmitted (and your true IP from being leaked). While not all VPN services offer a kill switch, some do, with the feature embedded in the client software. Look for an integrated VPN kill switch with the service, and be sure to turn it on in the VPN app’s settings; many are disabled by default. DNS (Domain Name System) resolution is the process that turns the address you type into your web browser’s address bar, such as www.techradar.com, into the IP address that the worldwide web uses to direct traffic to the user. Most users perform the DNS translation, by default, through their ISP, although this can be easily changed. Of course, when using a VPN the goal is privacy, and therefore we want the VPN to be set up to protect us in the DNS translation process as well (keeping data away from the potentially prying eyes of the ISP). While the Google DNS translator is often used for its speed, this would be a lousy choice from a privacy perspective. Rather, there are DNS services that are designed for anonymity, such as FreeDNS or DNSWatch, and indeed, your VPN provider should be using its own anonymous DNS to better preserve your privacy. VPN services differ on their logging policies. Some VPNs may keep elements of browsing activity for months, for example – potentially data that could be turned over to authorities, if requested. Ideally, you want a VPN which has a ‘no log’ policy, although be wary here, as many providers will claim they offer this, when the reality is they may still keep some data (such as session logs, for example). It pays to carefully read the VPN provider’s privacy policy and ensure there are no hidden catches in this respect. Alternatively, check out our extensive collection of VPN reviews where we thoroughly evaluate VPNs in this regard. Rather than installing the VPN on all your individual devices, an alternate strategy is to just install the VPN directly on the router of your home network, and then every device connected to the network will have the benefit of VPN protection. While this is often a better plan, it requires two things: a compatible router, and a VPN service that supports this. Getting a VPN to work on a router is a good intermediate networking project, and for more details on how to do this, see our guide here. While all VPNs keep your data private by creating an encrypted data tunnel between the client and the VPN server, there are multiple protocols for performing this data encryption. The bigger the selection and more choice of protocols that a VPN offers, the better, but you particularly want a service which supports the OpenVPN protocol. This is the most modern protocol in mainstream use, and is considered highly secure – preferably your VPN will allow you to choose between the two flavors of OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), which we discuss further in this feature. Perhaps this seems like an obvious point to make, but we’ve included it because it’s important to realize that there are a very wide variety of plans and pricing levels when it comes to VPNs. Almost always, you’ll get a much cheaper deal if you commit for at least a year’s worth of service, and you can get some truly bargain-basement deals with some providers. At the same time, bear in mind that sometimes the most basic plans won’t have the full range of features, and you might be missing out on something good (say, for example, a proprietary protocol for avoiding being detected as a VPN connection, so you don’t subsequently get blocked or throttled). If all this sounds confusing, it certainly can be, but the good news is we’ve already done all the hard work for you in our feature which highlights the best VPN deals.
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Microbiologist Jonathan Eisen took one look at the speaker lineup for a prestigious conference on precision medicine in Silicon Valley and decided he wouldn’t attend. Yes, top scientists in the field will be speaking. But the vast majority of them happen to be white men. And for Eisen, that’s reason enough to stay home. His protest tweet, noting that just 17 percent of the featured speakers were women, reverberated on social media on Wednesday, with scientists and entrepreneurs chiming in to complain — yet again — about the lack of diversity in speaking slots at biomedical conferences. “For me, this type of public shaming is important,” said Alberto Roca, a bioinformatician by training who now spends the bulk of his time running a nonprofit website called MinorityPostDoc.org, which aims to provide resources to minority scientists. But conference organizer Tal Behar, the president of the Precision Medicine World Conference, pushed back against the complaints. Behar noted that most of the people running the conference are women, and told STAT that other precision medicine meetings have a similar ratio of male to female speakers. “Either they are all biased, or this reflects a lower percentage of women leaders in the field,” she wrote. An organizer who helped run a past Precision Medicine World Conference told STAT that it was tough to attract a diverse conference lineup, in part because the group relies heavily on local speakers to keep within budget limits. “I can tell you, it’s really hard,” said the organizer, who asked to remain anonymous because the issue is so fraught. That argument didn’t placate everyone: @phylogenomics I'm wondering what would happen if male speakers refuse to participate in meetings unless there is an equal representation For Hilda Bastian, an academic editor and blogger at the journal PLOS Medicine, the debate hit close to home. She said she was once offered a job after an employer heard her speaking at a conference. Her point: The speaking roles can be major career boosters. Yet too often, she said, women either aren’t invited or aren’t interested in trekking to conferences and participating in panels. Bastian said she often felt like she was the “token woman” at such events, invited because the organizers were casting about for some diversity. “If I wasn’t a woman, I don’t think I would be the person who was asked to be on panels all the time,” she said. She urged conference organizers to look beyond gender and aim for racial and ethic diversity, too. At the precision medicine conference, fewer than 15 percent of speakers appeared to be people of color. That, too, sparked protests on Twitter. Roca, who runs the site for minority scientists, said he sees a systemic problem in attracting women and people of color to scientific professions and then ensuring they get the training and resources they need to advance their careers — and come to the notice of conference organizers. “The bottom line is, we need better interventions and solutions,” he said. The biotech business community is taking some tentative steps in that direction: The professional networking group Women in Bio just launched a course to train women for seats on corporate boards. In academia, meanwhile, Eisen is working with the University of California at Davis on a program called Advance, which aims to boost the number of women entering science and engineering fields. And he hopes to look at the issue with an even wider lens, too. “I want to have a big picture of diversity,” he said. “And that would include diversity in background, gender, institution, career stage, and also ethnicity.” The fact that women still make less money than men, the fact that women are underrepresented at the tops of their companies and governments. The fact that half of all PH.D’s in academic science are awarded to women and the fact women are asked to add a male author for manuscript acceptance BLOWS. I suppose the bosses of those under represented could just force them to go, or fire them. I’m sure that will make the virtue signalers happy. Forcing the under represented to go against their will is a terrific way to get diversity… Virtue signalers, the Ben Afflecks of the scientific world. The end result is the wrong place to start. What should be discussed is the merit of papers submitted and the method for choosing speakers. The best Science is the goal, not balance among all groups. The ability to speak and be understood in English is also important….etc…etc…etc. Yes, it can sometimes be difficult to have a diverse line up of speakers. So because it is difficult we should just bail on it and throw up our hands and say “well, other people did not have diversity so I guess we shouldn’t worry about it?” That is just not acceptable in my mind. Instead how about committing to diversity. And working towards it. Develop a diversity policy. Try to figure out if you need to change your meeting in any way (e.g., timing, provide child care, etc) to attract a more diverse collection of speakers. Search out people who focus on diversity and ask them for advice. And more. What is the comparison for an appropriate amount of gender/racial/etc. diversity? What’s the goal? In my opinion, diversity just for the sake of diversity is a meaningless goal that achieves little more than protection from people calling you out for not having diversity. Take Hilda Bastian who felt like a “token woman” selected in the name of diversity–would that perception be made better or worse by finding more “token women”? There are gender and racial imbalances in science, and those imbalances will surface at conferences even if the conference itself is not acting in a biased way simply due to the arrangement of the pool it is drawing from. So I would ask you, are you making an assumption about the structure of the field when you called out this conference? Do you have data to back it up? Is one conference with what you deem an appropriate balance sufficient to demonstrate that it should be taken as the standard? How much does racial/gender/etc. diversity matter compared with diversity of ideas? You make an excellent point however about how conference amenities may create added imbalances, and that’s a great thing to address. In my opinion, public shaming based on a very facile analysis is highly counterproductive. Gets a lot of attention though. Given that conferences are not venues where only senior scientists speak, organisers should be looking to have at least a third speakers represent each gender. This is a low bar and yet, as Jonathan has pointed out time and time again, most conferences fail to meet it. Thank you Keith for providing the data for context. It’s very helpful in understanding the issue, though not at all surprising. In my experience applying to conferences to talk as a grad student, abstracts submitted are the basis for choosing speakers. It would be interesting to see whether there’s an imbalance in the pool of abstracts submitted vs. those chosen. Especially because it wouldn’t necessarily be clear where the bias was entering into the process; is the name alone enough? And if so, are female students with female mentors even less represented? To Johnathan: I don’t think the claim was that all conferences are just as skewed. It’s unclear from the article whether Tal Behar was referring to “all the women organizing this conference” or “all the conferences with similar skews”. I can see why you thought it referred to “all the conferences” though.
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Thursday, December 15, 2011 The "Strange Change" model kit ads (originally posted on my first blog, Sweet Skulls.)(Click on images to view full size.) I've been having a blast going through my collection bookcases lately, mining them for material to post on my blogs, here on Monster Memories. Usually, the only time I would get into them very much was when I was packing them up for a move. That was a killer; if you look at them in this picture, you might never guess that they would fill up ten banana boxes each. That's 30 heavy boxes total. I hope I never have to move them again, but that's hoping for too much, I suppose. Otherwise, I only reached into them occasionally as I was looking for something to read on a bathroom visit that threatened to be of extended length. Under such circumstances, you grab what you can off the top of a stack and hoof it! Now, though, I am seeing things I haven't seen in years, re-discovering items I had forgotten I had. In many cases it's like seeing a friend you haven't come across in years. Anyway, these ads for the "Strange Change" model kits from the early 70's were something I had forgotten about completely. It must have been well over 30 years since I saw these ads and thought about them! Or course, I never owned one of the kits; if you've read this blog much you know I kept my collecting to things like books, magazines and comics that could fit flat in a drawer, for easy hiding and quick packing. But that didn't keep me from reading and wishing! "Ah, excuse me, do you have any toilet paper over there? Hello?" The Vampire was the one I wanted most; I mean, changing from a "living" vampire to a skeleton, and back, how incredibly cool was that? I thought it was the coolest idea in the whole line of hobby kits put out in the MPC line, including the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean kits. It was like a scene from a Hammer Dracula movie! "Goodbye, I'm off to the age of dinosau....Aaaiieee!" I always thought it was "strange" that the time machine had the monsters appear inside the craft, but I guess they were taking dramatic license, and assumed that we kids would figure it out that it wasn't merely a fatal design flaw by a careless inventor. "Close it, close it! Gosh, this is my private time, Mom!" The Mummy was kind of neat, but he only got a little distressed and dishevelled in his change, not that big a difference. I think the Wolfman would have been a better candidate for a dramatic change. But what would they have put him in? A dog kennel? If they wanted a truly strange change, they could have made one where Frankenstein's monster changes into the Bride! But that would have been a little ahead of it's time. Of course, the ultimate would have been to make one with Vampirella; where she changes between slightly dressed and completely undressed! Ah, one can dream... Sunday, June 12, 2011 From the July-August 1982 issue of Cinefantastique, comes this extensive article on the original 1951 movie "The Thing." One of the great early sci-fi films, "The Thing" was actor James Arness' first genre role, only glimpsed fleetingly as the menacing alien. Another sci-fi role followed three years later in "Them!" This time he played the hero, his face not obscured in heavy makeup. The snappy overlapping dialog, a trademark of Director Hawks, helped make a film with a way-out premise seem more realistic and down-to-earth.This article is full of facts and behind the scene photos, so enjoy! (Click on images to enlarge.) Below, some of the (thankfully) unused makeup tests range from the hilariously thumb-like Thing (which shows they were once considering taking the "intellectual carrot" premise more literally) to a couple that seem to have inspired the look of the drag queen "Divine," without being quite as unappealing. Monday, April 18, 2011 Note: this entry was originally posted on an earlier blog of mine, "Sweet Skulls." Thought my readers of this blog would enjoy it now! (Click on images to enlarge) "Hey, I'm over here, behind this big ol' skull!" My grandma's house was a few miles from a small bookstore called Bill's on Ingleside Ave in Macon, GA. As a young teen, when visiting her house on the weekend, I would sometimes walk the distance to look for the latest issue of The Monster Times or other cool magazines. After all, they had a better selection than the closer-to-home drugstore where I usually went. One summer, in 1973, I came upon the first in the Dracula Horror Series titled "Dracula Returns," and had read it nearly halfway through on the walk back to her house. It's a wonder I made it without getting run over, but I was pretty good at walking and reading. I still recall exactly where I was in the book at particular points as I walked home, passing under the oaks draped with spanish moss, blowing in the faint breeze. Most horrifying of all, the flower in his buttonhole seemed fresh! Aaaiiiieeee! I never knew the Count liked wearing a daisy on his suit. The series was begun as we learn how the telekenetic wheelchair-bound Professor X... uh, I mean, Professor Harmon, is drawn by Dracula's consort/slave (and sometimes black cat) Isis... I mean, Katara, into bringing the Count back to life. The Professor thinks he can control the Prince of Darkness by implanting a sliver of wood next to his heart, and triggering the mechanism with his mind to temporarily kill him should the need arise. He intends to use the vampire as a weapon in the war against crime. Needless to say, you can't keep such a creature on a short leash without getting bitten. I might point out that close to the same time, Marvel was publishing the first issue of "Tomb Of Dracula," which I bought and still have. The wheelchair-bound protagonist Quincy Harker (depicted to the right) resembled the character of Professor Harmon, at least superficially, but with the publishing dates so close it might have only been a coincidence. However, Harmon wanted to use Dracula, and Harker only wanted to kill him. "Put your head on my shoulder..." The awkward positioning of Katara makes it look as if her head has been grafted onto Drac's right shoulderblade. Assisted by Cameron Sanchez, a strong and devoted friend, Harmon unleashes this supernatural force on those seemingly above the laws of man. The shape-shifter Katara helps out, but always with her Master's best interest in mind. Although Harmon considers himself morally above the criminal element he is seeking to expunge, Dracula knows that he in his own way is as blood-thirsty as the vampire he is using, and points that out, to the Professor's unease. Is he any better than the criminals and Dracula, by using such harsh and brutal methods? He is certainly no hero, but the thought doesn't hinder him from continuing to risk using his unwilling ally. And the blood flows copiously as Dracula, unleashed upon various criminal elements, metes out gory justice with slashing fingernails and fangs. They'd have been better off in jail. The part of Professor Harmon will be played this episode by Boris Karloff. As a youth I enjoyed the book, detailing Drac's return to "life" in modern times, and the various missions he sends the Count on fulfill his thirst for blood and the Professor's for justice. But Vlad's own agenda and desire for freedom mean that he is always looking for ways to escape the restrictions and feast on the Professor's own blood. Travelling from country to country during their adventures, the unlikely quartet meet with what seems to be a supernatural threat, but only turns out to be someone faking it. Though not always the case, this happens to such an extent that you begin to think that at the end, the bad guys are going to say "and I would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for that meddling wheelchair guy and his vampire!" Then Dracula slaughters them. The series was successful enough to generate eight followups, which came out in extremely rapid succession, three of which I was able to find. After that I lost track of them. From what I've seen, after about #5 the artwork started to slide and Drac became more of a cartoon figure. But if I were to run across any at a used bookstore, I would pick them up and read them just for old time's sake. If the series were honest, it would end with Dracula finally turning on Harmon, proving the truth of the saying "he who lives by the sword dies by the sword." The revenge on evil, using evil to inflict it, that the Professor engineered would certainly turn on him at last. I doubt that ever happens, though. A continuing series such as this rarely ever concludes and wraps things up, as there might always be another book if the last sold well. The author is not willing to burn his coffins behind him. Ad from Famous Monsters about the book series... Kids! Ask your parents for the money to order! Side note: In the same "vein," we have a novel that was published in 1973 that purports to be "non-fiction," in which a series of letters, journal entries and newspaper clippings tell the story of Dracula's resurrection and subsequent neck-bitings. Although a fun read at the time, the cover art depicts a very anemic-looking, not to mention fey, Count which reinforces the common Lugosi stereotype. "I vant to suck... your blood! Vhat did you think I vas going to say, you naughty, naughty boy?" Just to be a completist, below you will find the remaining covers to the rest of the books in the series. These I scavenged from around the web, but the ones above this I scanned in from my own copies. The complete list: #1: Dracula Returns (Pinnacle 1973) #2: The Hand of Dracula (Pinnacle 1973) #3: Dracula's Brothers (Pinnacle 1973) #4: Dracula's Gold (Pinnacle 1973) #5: Drums of Dracula (Pinnacle, 1974) #6: The Witching of Dracula (Pinnacle, 1974) #7: Dracula's Lost World (Pinnacle, 1974) #8: Dracula's Disciple (Pinnacle, 1975) #9: Challenge to Dracula (Pinnacle, 1975) Update: Hey, you want to really know more about the Dracula Series, from someone much more erudite than I am? Read the excellent and comprehensive post on it over at the Groovy Age of Horror blogspot! Makes me want to take mine down out of shame. Wednesday, March 16, 2011 From the second issue of the great monster mag, "Castle of Frankenstein," published in 1962, comes this photo-heavy feature on "The Many Faces Of Christopher Lee." I consider myself very lucky to have this issue! Monday, February 21, 2011 Welcome back! I've been so busy lately, that this blog kind of got neglected. But hopefully I can update it regularly for awhile now. Thanks for hanging around (like a vampire bat.) From the March 1974 issue #105 of the beloved Famous Monsters, comes a 12 page article and interview with the Prince of Darkness himself, Chris Lee. We start with the awesome cover by the legendary Basil Gogos... (Click on images to enlarge.) and the article itself... enjoy! Bonus: the Lee-as-Dracula cover from issue #84, which, oddly enough, does not feature anything significant about Lee inside; so I thought it would go nicely here. What a great photo, that made a striking cover! About Me Born in the late 50's, a kid in the 60's, a teen in the 70's, I'm "forever-fourteen." Monsters, spooky stuff, sci-fi and Star Trek captured my imagination as a youth and the memories made will never fade. The profile photo symbolizes the efforts of my stepdad to rid me of my "childish" interests, as he called them; at which, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed. Monster MemoriesGruesome GalleryClick on anyof the pictures below to view the original image in high resolution, or visit that blog entry about it! Read the entire issue here! View all of the cards in this horrific set! Disclaimer: This site is in no way affilated with Scary Monsters Magazine. MONSTER MEMORIES is a trademark and copyright of DENNIS DRUKTENIS PUBLISHING & MAIL ORDER, INC. (publisher of SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE and the MONSTER MEMORIES annual yearbook magazine) since 1992 and is used here with permission. Visit SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE and MONSTER MEMORIES at: www.scarymonstersmag.com
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His peers in MI and beyond remembered Dingell following the announcement of his death. Sen. The Dearborn Democrat had been battling prostate cancer that metastasized. My heart and prayers go out to ... Mulvaney spoke as Congressional negotiators continue talks on a security plan that includes some sort of barrier, whether wall, fence or other, on the border, hoping to complete a deal. Immigration an... On Monday, Trump will host a campaign rally in El Paso to further drive home his claims about the city and the importance of a border wall for security. A large police force stood guard outside the un... Not afraid to go after big banks and big business, she may yet turn into a frontrunner, too. "Warren has left herself open on a couple fronts to pile on. We need to "clean up Washington", shouted Sen.... Washington has since quite a while ago blamed Russia for mocking the 1987 INF Treaty (Intermediate-run Nuclear Forces), claiming that another Russian missile, the Novator 9M729, referred as the SSC-... Even Louisiana acknowledged that its law - which requires doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals - is almost identical to a Texas law that the Supreme Court in ... A wet and windy start to the weekend has been forecast, with Storm Erik bringing winds of 70mph to some areas and heavy rain across large parts of the UK. The Coast Guard has asked the public to "heed... AFP organised crime assistant commissioner Bruce Hill said Australia had been a target of the Mexican cartels for years, because of the high prices drugs command. "We have averted a tsunami of ice c... He said he hoped French voters would send Macron a message during the European elections by showing their support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, with whom Salvini is allied in European politics. ... After the blast, William Brown managed to crawl out of the auto and toward the trunk, where he collapsed on the pavement. He was just weeks away from his 25th birthday. A mechanical mod is an unregula... Again it's going to be spotty so confidence is low on where impacts will be however confidence is somewhat high it'll be greatest in those under the winter weather advisory . Total snowfall amounts o... Lanterns evoking the pig , which is this year's zodiac symbol, are flying over Circular Quay and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra played a special concert at the Opera House. Buddhists believers light c... The newspaper reported late previous year that federal prosecutors are investigating whether committee donors made contributions in exchange for political favors - a potential violation of federal c... The plane nose-dived onto the 19000 block of Crestknoll Drive about 1:45 p.m., Orange County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun said. The victims comprised the pilot, who was the only occ... Meanwhile, in Canada, foreign ministers from Western hemisphere nations belonging to the Lima Group, which includes 13 countries that took the lead in recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader... McGinnis says murder warrants were issued for Marks on Sunday in the deaths of an ex-girlfriend, Jenna Scott, and her friend, Michael Swearingin. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department said in a... Pelosi's press conference was the first since the end of the 53-day government shutdown which began last December over disputes on funding a partial-wall along the Mexican border. Pelosi, by her stand... His New York counterpart, Staten Island Chuck, also predicted an early spring. As the Midwest and East Coast try to recover from this week's unsafe Arctic blast, Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog... While King appealed to equal rights and common humanity, Booker's video suggested that political leaders need to be members of minority groups so that minorities can feel "pride". They added that Book... The ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also stated that Moscow is surprised that the USA still questions the transparency of Russia's actions under the INF Treaty, adding that Washington has fai... USA authorities plan to bus asylum seekers back and forth to the border for court hearings in downtown San Diego, including an initial appearance within 45 days. The Homeland Security Department say... Streets in Chicago were almost empty, with few people walking outside in the painfully cold air as temperatures hovered around 18 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (minus 28 Celsius). Experts said it was ... Hours later, the head Democrat in the lower house of Congress, Nancy Pelosi , shot back with an equally emphatic statement that " there's not going to be any wall money in the legislation ". "If the ... Events Greenwich police Capt. Robert Berry said in a statement that detectives arrested a suspect in NY who had illegally used Reyes' ATM card. Reyes was found dead on February 5 inside a suitcase along a Greenwich, Connecticut, road with her hands and feet bound. Edition choice Kate Middleton finished the ensemble off with a Mulberry clutch bag. As Patron of 100 Women in Finance's Philanthropic Initiatives, the wife of Prince William attended a private reception first, before making a short speech ahead of the dinner. Really, I don't really wash my hands ever", he said. Twitter users from the left and right were mystified and slightly horrified by the admission, and have been taking to social media to share their thoughts on the television host's cleanliness habits (or lack thereof). He came on his own and quietly entered the party. It was a social evening with a lot of people who have been a part of her life. When ET spoke to Aniston back in December, she said DeGeneres was actually going to throw her a birthday party .
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HONOLULU — Hawaii residents were furiously stocking up on essentials as two hurricanes churned toward the islands Wednesday and weather officials asked the whole state to prepare for flash flooding....
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There are exactly two things that make it unconstitutional for a person to be ineligible to be president.Both of these are answered by their birth certificate.I wonder how long before someone would require Arnold Schwarzenegger to show a birth certificate if he ran for the republican ticket? I use my cigar smoke as idiot repellent Most bad government has come out of too much government. Thomas Jefferson There are exactly two things that make it unconstitutional for a person to be ineligible to be president.Both of these are answered by their birth certificate. There is actually a third requirement that is not answered on a birth certificate: the person has to have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. It has never been an issue and probably won't be in the near future, but I'm just being nitpicky. Karl: She was a bit -- what's the word that you can use, cuz I don't wanna offend anyone? Steve: Was she a homeless person? Karl: Yeah but sort of mental homeless. I don't think this story means what you think it means...Here is the key sentence to help you understand it:However, intelligence reports -- now shown to have been false -- that Iraq possessed WMDs were the main reason for going in, Rumsfeld said. I use my cigar smoke as idiot repellent Most bad government has come out of too much government. Thomas Jefferson It was widely known at the time that the intelligence reports were unverified. Quote White House 'warned over Iraq claim'The CIA warned the US Government that claims about Iraq's nuclear ambitions were not true months before President Bush used them to make his case for war, the BBC has learned.Doubts about a claim that Iraq had tried to buy uranium from the African state of Niger were aired 10 months before Mr Bush included the allegation in his key State of the Union address this year, a CIA official has told the BBC. Quote But a former US diplomat, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, went on the record at the weekend to say that he had travelled to Africa to investigate the uranium claims and found no evidence to support them.Now the CIA official has told the BBC that Mr Wilson's findings had been passed onto the White House as early as March 2002.That means that the administration would have known nearly a year before the State of the Union address that the information was likely false. http://newsvote.bbc....cas/3056626.stmThe Bush administration's response? Illegally leaking the secret undercover identity of one of their own active CIA field agents (Valerie Plame) because her husband wrote the NYT story critical of the data about Nigerian uranium cake. That actually happened. Joe Wilson is her husband.I'm not sure which would be worse - going to war on a lie or going to war because of stupidity, but in this case stupidity is not an excuse (odd that you think it would be an acceptable excuse though, BG). They went to war on a lie. Karl: She was a bit -- what's the word that you can use, cuz I don't wanna offend anyone? Steve: Was she a homeless person? Karl: Yeah but sort of mental homeless. It was widely known at the time that the intelligence reports were unverified.http://newsvote.bbc....cas/3056626.stmThe Bush administration's response? Illegally leaking the secret undercover identity of one of their own active CIA field agents (Valerie Plame) because her husband wrote the NYT story critical of the data about Nigerian uranium cake. That actually happened. Joe Wilson is her husband.I'm not sure which would be worse - going to war on a lie or going to war because of stupidity, but in this case stupidity is not an excuse (odd that you think it would be an acceptable excuse though, BG). They went to war on a lie. Absolutely 100% false, even the Washington Post has debunked all the Valarie Plame, Joe Wilson bullshit. The person who leaked Plame was against going into Iraq anyway. Seriously the facts do not support any of this, you are repeating anti-bush propaganda that has been proven false by multiple sources. "Never play pool with a guy that brings his own stick. And Never, Ever play pool with a guy that brings his own table." ~Hoyt Axton Absolutely 100% false, even the Washington Post has debunked all the Valarie Plame, Joe Wilson bullshit. The person who leaked Plame was against going into Iraq anyway. Seriously the facts do not support any of this, you are repeating anti-bush propaganda that has been proven false by multiple sources. But you'll admit that they knew the intelligence was false, right? Are you accusing the BBC of being wrong about the important part, or just me about Valerie Plame? The fact that she was outted is a sidenote to the main issue, which is the faulty intelligence and the Iraq war. Karl: She was a bit -- what's the word that you can use, cuz I don't wanna offend anyone? Steve: Was she a homeless person? Karl: Yeah but sort of mental homeless. Also this, but like I said it's incidental to the heart of the matter. If you want to post your multiple sources that prove me wrong, feel free to do that though. P.S. Scooter Libby, advisor to both the President and Vice-President, was indicted, convicted, and disbarred for his role in the scandal. Prove me wrong. Karl: She was a bit -- what's the word that you can use, cuz I don't wanna offend anyone? Steve: Was she a homeless person? Karl: Yeah but sort of mental homeless. But you'll admit that they knew the intelligence was false, right? Are you accusing the BBC of being wrong about the important part, or just me about Valerie Plame? The fact that she was outted is a sidenote to the main issue, which is the faulty intelligence and the Iraq war. Intelligence about WMD's was obviously wrong!, but Everyone believed them to be true at the time. The Valarie Plame part is pure fiction. But last I heard the Brits still stand by their report that Iraq was indeed trying to buy Uranium. To answer your question, I am saying the whole Joe Wilson, Valarie Plame part is fantasy. Hell, you have won me over along time ago as far as Iraq being a mistake. You can even blame Bush, but you can't say he went in under false pretenses, because he didn't, their was a long list of reasons for going into Iraq, and wide spread belief that he had WMDs. What the US did in Iraq was overall a very good thing. They toppled and evil dictator that had aided in terrorism, and treated his own people horribly for a long period of time. But the Iraqi people haven't proven worthy. Should this have been studied in greater detail before expending so much blood and treasure? absolutely, I agree with you on that part. timwakefield, on Sunday, February 20th, 2011, 11:58 PM, said: Also this, but like I said it's incidental to the heart of the matter. If you want to post your multiple sources that prove me wrong, feel free to do that though. P.S. Scooter Libby, advisor to both the President and Vice-President, was indicted, convicted, and disbarred for his role in the scandal. Prove me wrong.
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Dead Space 3: Awakened Review Announced ahead of Dead Space 3’s launch, “Awakened” was hyped as being more terrifying and gruesome than anything players had seen to that point. Hyperbole aside, “Awakened” is a bit different than the rest of the core game. Normally a change of pace would be interesting, but that’s just not the case this time around. “Awakened” isn’t nearly as engaging or fun as Dead Space 3, and that isn’t helped at all by how quickly it’s over. Warning: There will be spoilers for Dead Space 3 ahead. The first installment of downloadable content for Dead Space 3 picks up immediately after the conclusion of the game. There are definitely plenty of questions brought up by the end credits of Dead Space 3, and almost none of them are answered by “Awakened.” In fact, the downloadable content makes a point of how improbable it is that Isaac and Carver survived almost immediately, which tends to suck a bit of any possible momentum out of the narrative. If you have to tell your players, “Shh, don’t worry about it,” you might want to rethink the approach you’re taking. We are already playing a game where the most insane crazy stuff happens, but for the most part, the explanations have been feasible within the world of Dead Space. Here everything is dismissed with a wave of the hand, and it’s a bit insulting. Making things more disappointing, the story elements that carry the rest of the 1-2 hour-long DLC are few and far between. Isaac and Carver must get a ship to escape the planet, and make it back to Earth. That’s it. There are some Unitology cultists who are remnants left over from the forces you fought in Dead Space 3 that take things to a new level of crazy, but you’ll learn little more about the world and markers during “Awakened.” Of course, by the time you arrive at the conclusion, there’s a host of new questions brought up that may or may not be answered by future content, but it’s almost a bit of a let down to hinge the entire purpose of the content for yet another cliffhanger. There aren’t any new gameplay mechanics brought into the fold, though there are quite a few more hallucinations in the add-on. They’re all pretty intense, and do a nice job breaking up the pace and locales that have been recycled from Dead Space 3’s main game. The Stalker gets a tough new variant to battle, and the Pack return from Dead Space 2, but there is little else in the way of big new threats. The cult leader looks like he’d be a formidable opponent for Isaac, but is absolutely wasted in execution. New circuits, text logs, and weapon parts can be found scattered among the crumbling planet of Tau Volantis, but there’s little incentive to hunt them all down outside of being a completionist. Dead Space 3’s “Awakened” add-on is a bit of a disappointment. There is a lot of treading water that culminates in another big tease. The DLC adds nothing new to the experience outside of its closing moments, and even takes the time to insult the players who have spent the past few years relishing in the rich, deep lore of the Dead Space universe. “Awakened” should have bolstered Dead Space 3 in a way that made the overall experience stronger, but instead, the downloadable content delivers a cheap excuse for another sequel. This review is based on the Xbox 360 version of Dead Space 3: Awakened. A code was provided to us by the publisher.
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I first met her in class at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She was beginning a journey that would end with her placing her poetic abilities as a lyricist, and her musical genius, into the service of giving voice to biblical women. By her third and final year in divinity school, she had written a complete set of incredible songs. I was lucky enough to be able to work with her in the studio, bringing these songs to life. Through each song we hear something of Sherry’s own journey of faith, and what it means to be a woman haunted by the God of the Bible. The stories of Deborah, Hagar, the woman of Endor, the “strange woman” of Proverbs 8, and others resonate with the lives of women today. Sherry was able to rally the Evinrudes to track her songs in the studio. It was a real treat to work with this excellent group of musicians who are now playing with some of Nashville’s big name artists. Andy Hull produced some masterful drum and percussion tracks. I tracked him in the larger room in the studio and, instead of overhead miking cymbals individually and using a room mix, I used a stereo pair of AT4041s, which are brighter than my MikTek C5s, up and back over the kit to get the kit reflecting off the walls of the room. This would give us the option of picking up as much of the ambient wood in that room as we could as a part of the kit. Sherry liked this room sound, and liked the drums on the “bright” side. We used a lot of room ambience on the drum and percussion tracks. Ethan Pilzer’s bass tracks are fluid and lyrical – creating beautiful counterpoints throughout the CD. He lugged his excellent preamp rig into the studio and I ran it direct into my Apogee converters. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of the sound he was getting. He also recorded his standup bass tracks at home and mailed them in. I found that with a little tweaking, Izotope Alloy’s preset for acoustic bass was just the ticket for juicing those tracks with some presence and energy. Brian Reed’s guitar work adds consistent “signature” hooks to nearly every song on the CD. We used an SM57 on his tweed amp, off axis, through my old Peavey VMP-2 tube amp to add a little grit and grain, and the sound was fantastic. Brian played identical parallel tracks, doubling himself perfectly on each song. This allowed us to create a huge soundstage with the electric guitar. Jonathon Hamby’s keyboard tracks, especially on “In My Lover’s Arms” are sensitive and add sonic depth throughout the CD. He recorded these at home and mailed them in. In the mix, they needed only a little high-mid boost to cut through nicely. Sherry invited Conni Ellisor in to track on violin, encouraging her to use Middle Eastern scales and tones. Conni was amazing. Her fiddle sounded best with a ribbon mic, and the Cascade Fathead worked wonders, keeping the highs from overpowering her sound. Conni was her own taskmaster, hard to satisfy, but in the end, her tracks make the CD (IMHO). Toward the end of our tracking sessions, Sherry wanted a few small percussion tracks. She invited Cathy Chalmers, a first rate percussionist, to bring some of her more exotic percussion instruments into the studio and we spent and afternoon tracking some amazing bits. I wanted some real high end bite on these instruments, so again I used the Audio Technica AT4041 matched pair, allowing enough space from her instruments to capture the room. In the end, Sherry only used a few of these tracks, and they add to the subtle Middle Eastern ambience throughout the CD. Sherry’s voice presented us with many possibilities. She has beautiful overtones in the low-mid, mid, and high registers. After listening to the music we had tracked, we decided to accentuate the low-mids a little, and to do the unexpected – to accentuate the high end breathiness in her voice, with the preamp (we used the Peavey VMP-2 with a slight high end boost), and by using the URS Neve emulation EQ, which has a great open-sounding high end. This is one great CD. Here’s Sherry’s website for a quick listen. You can also hear more and order the CD at CD Baby. For more on the connections between Sherry’s music and my book Mashup Religion: Pop Music and Theological Invention, go to: my blogspot MASHUP RELIGION.
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This website requires javascript to run optimally on computers, mobile devices, and screen readers. Please enable javascript for the best experience! HB19-1126 Veteran And Military Green Alert Program Concerning an alert program for persons with military service. Session: 2019 Regular Session Subjects: Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement State Government Bill Summary The bill creates a green alert program (program) to notify the public when a veteran or military service member is missing who is known to have a physical or mental health condition that is related to his or her service or who is at imminent risk of self-harm (at-risk veteran or service member). The Colorado bureau of investigation (CBI) shall implement the program, and the director of the department of public safety shall promulgate rules regarding implementation of the program. The program rules must, at a minimum: Include a procedure for local law enforcement agencies to verify that an at-risk veteran or service member is missing and to notify the CBI; and Require the CBI to issue an alert after confirming the local law enforcement agencies' information.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
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Ode to the Bouncer – After Gorillaz, the new virtual pop band from UK “Ode to the Bouncer” is the new music video of the virtual band Studio Killers, which just made its appearance in UK. A beautiful 3D animation music video from a fairly mysterious band… Some are wondering who is behind! (if you have more info, please!)
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M Family | Salt Lake City Lifestyle Family Photography This was my very first in-home lifestyle session. Thankfully I had one of my best friends along, Marie of Bloom & Grow Photography, to show me the ropes. You can see her in action at the end of this post. Feel free to head on over to her site and check out her work. She is so talented. Thanks Marie!
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An underconsumptionist explanation of the crisis Wolff argues that the origins of the crisis go back to the 1970s when the success of American corporations in keep workers' wages down (mainly by outsourcing work to poor countries and bringing in low-wage immigrants) meant they were unable to find profitable outlets for investment in manufacturing, since the workers could not afford to buy any more goods. Their solution was to lend their profits back to workers (via banks), in the form of mortgages, car loans and so on. Competition between lenders led to an ever increasing bubble of lending to increasingly poor workers over the 1980s, 1990s and 200s, until finally it became apparent that a large proportion of these loans (specifically 'sub-prime' mortgages) could never be repaid, and the banks took fright. Wolff makes a serious effort to trace the crisis back to the 'core components of capitalism', as he puts it, instead of focusing on specific events such as the Fed's low interest rate policies after 2000 or the development of sophisticated derivatives, or on vague assertions about the greed and irresponsibility of bankers. His explanation also goes a long way back, which is only right since he is trying to explain a crisis that is unprecedented the last 60 years. Some specific criticisms could be made. He doesn't say much about the role of countries like China, Japan and oil-rich states in propping up US consumption in the last ten years through cheap products on the one hand and indirect loans to US workers on the other (though he could probably fit these into his basic account). And one of the comments argues that the massive increase in outsourcing and immigration in the US didn't begin until 10 years after US wages began to stagnate. But the real question is whether Wolff is right that 'underconsumption' in the US economy is the ultimate cause of this crisis.
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The Convenience Store News Hall of Fame has honored some of the industry’s most influential retail and supplier executives. Join us as we celebrate the 2017 inductees and our 31st anniversary. This is must attend gala event with some of the most admired retailers and suppliers in the c-store industry. Product Spotlight Related Suppliers Related Suppliers Featured Research Featured Research Quick Stats Quick Stats You are here Pay-at-the-pump Ranks 9th in List of Innovations The list, by USA Today, contains the Top 25 inventions that have affected Americans the most over the past 25 years. June 26, 2007, 08:00 pm ABILENE, Texas -- Pay-at-the-pump, introduced by Randy Nicholson, founder of AutoGas Systems, was recognized by USA Today as one of the Top 10 inventions that most affected American lives in the past 25 years. Pay-at-the-pump, a more than 20-year old idea, ranked ninth on the list of innovations and is featured in the May 21 issue of USA Today. Pay-at-the-pump is listed with other innovations such as online stock trading, laptop computers, debit cards and digital cameras. "Believe it or not, my idea of pay-at-the-pump had its critics, several saying it would hurt retail sales inside the store," Nicholson told USA Today. "I knew 100 percent it had the potential to change lives, including mothers who could pump and pay without having to get their children out of the car. It was also convenient for people with physical handicaps. The convenience of pay-at-the-pump continues to defy critics and attract more traffic to the stores, both inside and out." Nicholson began in the gas retailing industry when working at a grocery store while in college. It was then that he had the idea to sell gasoline on unused parking lot spaces. Through lease agreements with storeowners, Nicholson's petroleum marketing company, E-Z Serve, was created. The pay-at-the-pump concept began testing with one E-Z Serve in Abilene, Texas and a second store in Honolulu.
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“I should have been glad for his cold dismissal. If Griz could perceive our connection by peering into my eyes, others might too. It was best that we not look at each other at all, but the pull was still there, and the more I avoided him, the more the burn grew in me. All I wanted to do was turn and watch him.” (40% eARC) “Her death cost him nothing. It will now. Every day that I breath, I will make it cost him something. Every time I see that same smug grin on his face, I will make him pay for it.” She dumped her winnings on the bed and looked back at me. “So the short answer to your question, Kaden, is no. It’s not enough. It will never be enough.” (44% eARC ) \o/! I love that Lia has totally gotten super badass and sassy in this book! Also, the romance in this book is a killa. My poor heart.
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Single Asian Men in Glendale, CA The Golden State of California is place to find online singles from Match.com. Start meeting people, winking, emailing, enjoying mutual matches, connections and more! In your search for a match in California, it's not just where you look — it's how you look. Use the side navigation to select your state and then pick your city. It's not easy being single in Glendale - but it's a cinch meeting single men and single women on Match.com.
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In order to use RunSignUp, your browser must accept cookies. Otherwise, you will not be able to register for races or use other functionality of the website. However, your browser doesn't appear to allow cookies by default. Donate PHEEL GOOD with The Fitness Marshall Donation Goal: $25,000 The PHEEL GOOD Foundation provides quality events that bring community together to participate in activities that make them "pheel" good -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If you enjoy events that that make YOU 'pheel' good, support the PHEEL GOOD Foundation's efforts by making a donation below. Any amount helps, and ALL donations are appreciated. Thank you for yours.
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Search I am a woman who was a victim of sexual assault. I removed this first line from my article numerous times because eradicating it gave me a tiny sense of control over a powerless situation. Rationality overruled emotion, but even as my trembling hands move across the keyboard, I have the scroll bar positioned so I cannot see that first line. This is why over half of sexual assault crimes in this country never get reported to police. The first instinct a woman usually has after such a crime is to collapse under a showerhead of scalding water; emotions overrule rationality and the assailant’s blood, sweat, or semen are not looked at as evidence, but as corrosive chemicals needing to be washed off immediately. Unfortunately, this is why Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin says victims rarely get pregnant following a “legitimate rape.” Of course, a woman has to be lying if she doesn’t come forward right away, right? But what about all those innocent boys who were victimized by Jerry Sandusky, boys that didn’t come forward for years? Are they not victims of “legitimate rape,” Mr. Akin? Why is so much political emphasis put on pregnancy resulting from rape and whether or not a victim is lying when 97% of rapists never spend a single day in jail? Shouldn’t these predators be the focus? It seems that just when I thought I’ve heard the last outrageous statement from a politician, another one surfaces. Although I sometimes vehemently disagree, I respect the beliefs of others. I don’t, however, respect the comments made by Todd Akin and Stephen Freind that repudiate scientific facts. Initially when I heard Republican Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s remark that pregnancy resulting from rape is a “gift from God,” I was livid. But I realize now that his statement was ill-informed and not very well thought out. I understand that these politicians are trying to protect life, the life they believe begins at conception. My problem with this is that they don’t think terribly far beyond conception; they don’t think about the quality of the life they are protecting will have. If a pregnancy results from incest and a child is born, not only unwanted, but hated, with numerous deformities and disabilities, is the GOP going to help that child? Will the rapist help with the quality of that child’s life? What about the twelve year old girl that has to carry this child? What about her quality of life? Why is no importance placed on the victim’s life and the “God-given” free will she has over her body? If you believe that God gives us life, you should also believe that God gave us a little something called free will. Personally, I believe in God, but I also believe in science and a little thing called human fertilization. Rape, in my opinion, is one of the most violent acts a human can commit, and scientifically this degrading act can result in human fertilization. As a woman that has been sexually assaulted (I only cringed a little this time), I will humbly speak for the silent victims when I say that a pregnancy from rape is not a gift from God, but a consequence of free will, and if these politicians still want to throw religion into it, isn’t it a possibility that a pregnancy from rape is simply the Devil’s work? Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director. Nearly five hundred women and children were released from family detention centers in Texas this week after a judge ruled these facilities were unsuitable for children. While the decision is a victory for advocates, the unexpected release has left families and aid organizations scrambling. Nearly five hundred women and children were released from family detention centers in Texas this week after a judge ruled these facilities were unsuitable for children. While the decision is a victory for advocates, the unexpected release has left families and aid ... In 2007, New York City-based reproductive justice activists Mary Mahoney and Lauren Mitchell founded The Doula Project, the first full spectrum doula organization that supports people across the spectrum of pregnancy outcomes. Based upon the idea that everyone deserves nonjudgmental, compassionate physical and emotional support for abortions and beyond, The Doula Project is a volunteer-run, collectively-led organization of over fifty doulas whose backgrounds range from activism, to social work, to health professionals. Almost ten years later, The Doula Project has changed the way we think about doula work and the links between activism and direct service, as well as inspired doulas across the country to start their own collectives. In 2007, New York City-based reproductive justice activists Mary Mahoney and Lauren Mitchell founded The Doula Project, the first full spectrum doula organization that supports people across the spectrum of ... Search We need your help! Get Our Newsletter New posts and Feministing news delivered to your inbox weekly! Want to write for us? All Feministing posts are written by the site’s collective of regular columnists and editors. Though we don’t currently accept guest submissions, we have an open platform Community site to which anyone can contribute. We often promote our favorite Community posts on the main site. And Community bloggers who consistently impress us may to be invited to become regular Feministing columnists..
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Chase exec: we tricked naive borrowers into taking out subprime loans An award-winning Chase vice-president has gone public with accusations that his bank deliberately tricked naive borrowers into taking out high-commission loans they could never pay back (his team wrote $2B in loans during the subprime bubble), putting the lie to the narrative that subprime was about greedy borrowers taking money they knew they shouldn't: One memory particularly troubles Theckston. He says that some account executives earned a commission seven times higher from subprime loans, rather than prime mortgages. So they looked for less savvy borrowers — those with less education, without previous mortgage experience, or without fluent English — and nudged them toward subprime loans. These less savvy borrowers were disproportionately blacks and Latinos, he said, and they ended up paying a higher rate so that they were more likely to lose their homes. Senior executives seemed aware of this racial mismatch, he recalled, and frantically tried to cover it up. Theckston, who has a shelf full of awards that he won from Chase, such as “sales manager of the year,” showed me his 2006 performance review. It indicates that 60 percent of his evaluation depended on him increasing high-risk loans. In late 2008, when the mortgage market collapsed, Theckston and most of his colleagues were laid off. He says he bears no animus toward Chase, but he does think it is profoundly unfair that troubled banks have been rescued while troubled homeowners have been evicted. Well, they did, but there’s nothing inexplicable about it: when the banks are handing out free money to anyone who can fog a mirror, it’s quite explicable. And yes, the money pipeline began with Barney Frank (Fannie and Freddie, you can find the videos of his denials of their situation on YouTube), the CRA (which rewarded banks that made these loans with approvals for mergers, allowing them to become Too Big To Fail), and most of all, Greenspan’s super-low interest rates, designed to give George “Ownership Society” Bush a second term in spite of a recession. It was a toxic brew of government policy and banker greed, put in a margarita glass with an innocent-looking zero-down umbrella and and adjustable-rate fruit garnish, and offered up to unwitting consumers, who chugged it right down. “CRA”, no. They actually performed better than other lenders. This is a common narrative put forth to try to deflect the blame to poorer home buyers. Fannie & Freddie definitely played their role, but the CRA angle that places a lot of the blame on them is a right wing b.s. narrative. CRA encouraged lower standards. Whether the people who got the CRA loans performed better or worse really makes no difference in the ultimate effect, which was to make those lower standards industry-wide. If you still want to argue that low lending standards are ok, well, I guess we’ll just have to keep re-learning that lesson until we get it, or are living in rubble. This would be the same Krugman who was telling Greenspan to create a housing bubble in the wake of the dot-com bubble collapsing? The man is a financial terrorist. Rebut the argument, not the man. Also, regarding the CRAs “lowering lending standards” — no one held a gun to anyone’s head. The “industry” relaxed standards because they thought it would be profitable to do so. CRA didn’t establish standards for them by law. Did it on their own. Aren’t conservative types usually the ones crying about “personal responsibility”? The problem is not the argument, it is the men. These are people with positions of responsibility and trust who gutted the system for personal gain…and this one apparently has a tiny speck of humanity left. Rebut the argument certainly, but this is not some polite debate, this is, or certainly should be, criminality on a vast scale. Phuque the man. Yes, I read it. I’m curious what bearing you think it has. 2006, when this guy was operating, was already the end game. It was the final days of Babylon. And he was partying hard. Good for him. He is a detestable character, to be sure, but hardly a root cause. By 2004, the bubble was already rolling. In fact, that was the single biggest CRA year, with $1.63 trillion in CRA commitments. That kind of money pumped into a market will definitely distort prices, and if you look at the Case-Schiller graphs, the departure-from-the-mean was already obvious. By 2004 I was predicting that the party that won that election would lose big in 2008 due to the collapse of the housing bubble. And it turned out just that way. But I couldn’t have made that prediction if the problems just showed up in 2006. The repeal of Glass-Steagall, and the lower standards encouraged by the CRA cut the brake lines. Cheap money hit the throttle. The ensuing collision with the wall was entirely predictable. (And not the fault of any one party. They both have dirty hands.) By the way, the next stage is equally predictable. I stand by my record. And I’m telling you now: it ain’t over yet. By suspending mark-to-market rules in 2009, we’ve allowed the banks to pretend to be solvent, when they aren’t. There’s still a whole ‘nother crash just waiting to happen. That’s not even considering Europe’s insolvent banks, which we’re trying to cover like a cat pissing on a tile floor, with a new useless plan every week. Get your money out of the too-big-to-fail while you can. They’re not, and they will. Where am I excusing the rich or blaming the poor? I’m on record as wanting to see the bankers hung. But it wasn’t this banker who did it. Hang him anyway, but he was just a small fish, responding to rules & conditions created by bankers years before. Including the biggest banker of all at the time, Alan Greenspan. The only people who had less to do with it were the poor and ignorant who took the loans they were offered. I think it’s funny that y’all are focusing on the low-level bankers vs. the idiot borrowers, as if that’s where the problem lies. It’s at a much higher level, among people who are still in power. But that would cause too much cognitive dissonance, since they’re in total control of the Obama administration. Low level boiler-room flacks are safe targets that don’t challenge your faith in the New Messiah. I think it’s funny that y’all are focusing on the low-level bankers vs. the idiot borrowers… That’s the sort of language that makes me wonder what’s going on in your head. The “idiot” borrowers went to a mortgage broker, a fiduciary, whose job it is to guide them through complex financial issues, and the fiduciaries fudged the numbers, fudged the paperwork, lied to their clients. If you go to a doctor and he does an unnecessary surgery on you so that he can collect the fee, does that make you an idiot patient? CRA only offers a marginally lower interest rate, and reduced downpayment requirements. Income cutoffs still apply. Getting a plumber who makes 30k / yr into a 600k house requires outright fraud by the broker. They have to lie about income. But that would cause too much cognitive dissonance, since they’re in total control of the Obama administration. Low level boiler-room flacks are safe targets that don’t challenge your faith in the New Messiah. A) As a progressive I am no fan of Obama and didn’t vote for him, or any Democrat or Republican for that matter. B) I’m well aware of all the revolving door, elite, bankster garbage that Obama has happily let himself be surrounded by. You’ll have to try another route. You kind of showed your true apologist hand with this “New Messiah” and “Idiot Borrowers” talk. I completely agree that the bankers should be held to a higher standard. That said, when someone offers you a half million dollars worth of house on a $30,000 income… that’s like going to a doctor and having him offer to throw in a free penis extension. If that doesn’t make you get at least a little bit suspicious of his medical advice, yeah, you’re an idiot. That’s just an assessment, not a call for punishment. Being an idiot is punishment enough. I’ll save the punishment for the actively mendacious, starting with those at the very top, and working down. Good for you, Navin. If you also call for the return of Glass-Steagall, the reinstatement of Mark-to-Market, leverage limits lowered to pre-Hank-Paulsen levels, the abolishment of MERS, and criminal prosecutions for those who sold toxic MBS, we’re in violent agreement. Something that people keep forgetting is that the assumption at the time was not that a plumber could afford a $600k house. The assumption was that prices would keep appreciating to the point that the plumber could make a $100k+ profit a year later by selling the house. Obviously this was unsustainable. So the plumber was making a rational, calculated risk, particularly in a non-recourse state. The banker was the one who should have had the wherewithall to recognize that this was unsustainable and protect the funds that he/she was lending out. Not necessarily just the mortgage broker but the asset managers who were requesting the loans so that they could re-package and sell them. The high paid, supposedly sophisticated bankers were willfully negligent. A friend of mine in marketing has a phrase for sales people. “They are coin operated.” He means that if you look at what their incentives are to sell you will learn a lot about what gets sold and why. Any of you familiar with Wendell Potter? He worked in the health insurance industry in PR and communications and explained a lot about how that industry works and what kind of things drove their actions. His story invoked the same kind of outrage in the me. It should have lead to investigations and jail time, but like many of the corporations acting on their prime directive, “shareholder value” they prepared for getting caught by changing what was legal. I hope to see more about this story and about this VP. These kind of stories are supposed to generate 1) Outrage 2) Investigations 3) If appropriate, fines, prison or both 4) Change in the form of regulations But it appears that in the money controlled world of today the process stops at outrage. If we ask for investigations we are told that what they did was perfectly legal or that it was an “internal matter of the lender” or that the regulator didn’t really have a problem with tricking people. And hoping for regulations to deal with the abuses? Never! It might stop job creation! I love journalism that leads to investigations, but I despair at how easily investigations are dismissed because the perpetrators figured out up front a legal strategy for their actions that are morally bankrupt. An anecdotal note on this guy’s title of ‘vice president’ – I know that at the bank my dad used to work for, half of his department (including him) held that title. In the banking industry, I’m pretty sure that ‘vice president’ doesn’t actually mean ‘next guy down from the President’ like it does in politics or most other companies. How bizarre are the times when a person can get industrially pepper sprayed for sitting in the wrong place, yet these guys sit at home with the huge bonuses they received for deceiving stupid/naive people and deliberately creating the conditions that crashed the worlds economy. I guess sociopathy has become the new black. Big deal. Another asshole that would still be doing this shit if it was still making him a huge profit. Now that it is gone to shit, here he is developing some sort of conscience. He is just another fucking coward that did nothing when it mattered and should be put into the stocks with the rest of these corrupt fucks. Nothing he’s saying is new information. We know the banks victimized people, manipulated financial systems, and cheated anyone that they could to make a profit. They are still doing it. I never knew people couldn’t be trusted to always do the right thing. /sarcasm @Antinous_Moderator:disqus I think if you don’t question people, even if they are suppose to be helping you then you do have yourself to blame as well as the person who shafted you. That applies not only to small things like checking to make sure a clerk gives me back correct change, but auto mechanics, bankers, and even doctors. I don’t put it past anyone to take advantage of another person – it’s been happening for practically ever. That includes doctors doing surgery that isn’t really needed. I think if you don’t question people, even if they are suppose to be helping you then you do have yourself to blame as well as the person who shafted you. The problem is that ordinary people don’t have the tools and expertise to second guess the specialists whose advice they depend on. If you never went to medical school you probably don’t know how to read an X-ray, so you depend on doctors to give you an honest professional assessment of your diagnosis and treatment options. The best most people can do in such situations is to get a second opinion, but if every specialist in the field has an enormous financial incentive to give you the same answer that likely won’t help either. I’m sick of hearing about how all these naive borrowers were stupid to trust the advice of the financial experts who knew (or should have known) better. If borrowers had ignored the advice of such experts and got in trouble as a result then everyone would be piling on them for that too. I’ll grant you that I know little about the medical field and the only two options would be a second opinion and a lot of reading/studying. But a mortgage isn’t brain surgery either. Even a shady, greedy, dishonest mortgage broker should be able to run you out an amortization table and show you exactly how much you’ll be paying every month for the life of the loan. Sure someone can sweet talk you into that subprime/no interest loan with little to no money up front. But you don’t need “tools or expertise” to ask how much is this going to cost me. I’m not ignoring the bad advice that the experts gave, but I am also not ignoring the fact borrowers didn’t ask any questions. I’m not ignoring the bad advice that the experts gave, but I am also not ignoring the fact borrowers didn’t ask any questions. You ignore the possibility that borrowers did ask questions but got less than forthright answers. If every financial advisor in town is adamantly telling you one thing and your less-than-stellar arithmetic is telling you another, most people decide to trust the experts. Especially if it means they get to buy a house. Well numbers don’t lie. Unless the financial advisor is giving you false information (lying to you) then it doesn’t matter how pretty of a picture they paint for you. There is a big difference between being a slick saleman and getting customers to fall for it compared to lying to a customer to get a sale. The first one makes you just as culpable as the saleman, the second one is or should be illegal. Banks and most financial people are selling you a service or product. IE they are trying to sell you something. Just like a used car sales person they are going to bend the truth as far as possible and paint any kind of picture necessary to get you to buy from them. If a person buying a mortgage doesn’t understand that then perhaps we need to be teaching financial responsibility in high school. Our views are obviously different, but not all bankers are evil people. Just like not all customers are intelligent and have done their homework in advance. Here’s what people were being told. You have a 3 or 5 year ARM loan. during that time you look at an amortization table and your payments are fine. Payments rates were 1-3% + an index, usually a low treasury index. The interest rate though was much higher, so people’s loans are negatively amortizing. The loan documents mostly hid this information. So people ask, “what about after the 3rd or 5th year.” The answer at that point was “refinance.” To be honest at the time, refinancing was readily available and you could easily get another 3 to 5 years at another very low rate. It wasn’t until the collapse and the banks stopped offering refinancing that people faced the truth about their interest rate. Sure people could have realized that on their income they couldn’t afford a 400k house, but what they saw was their monthly payment rate, and when they asked questions they were told the rate would be that low consistently because they could always just refinance. Exactly what Wamu did, and Chase continues to sustain the practice somehow. After 3 years of a 3 year ARM, they refused to refinance and let the loan go into some kind of line of credit instead. If I try to pay the principle at all, they reverse the payment. This is very profitable for them, as the payment never decreases if the principle is always the same.. It’s now an adjustable rate line of credit, amortizing in 2099. Nobody knows or cares what the house is worth, as I don’t plan on selling it ever. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….half of everyone is below average. Its a truly suck world when the above average deliberately screw the below average, and then have people blame them for being screwed. “Caveat Emptor”, like much else from the harsh mores of the Romans, comes from a world where the strong preyed upon the weak as a matter of course. Government regulation is supposed to prevent just such occurrences, but apparently if a huckster has a legally binding contract then all matter of scumbaggery is allowed, cuz, you know, fooling someone who is too dumb/unrealistic/trusting to know they’re being conned is the way the world is, amirite? I think if you don’t question people, even if they are suppose to be helping you then you do have yourself to blame as well as the person who shafted you. The difference between the medical industry and the mortgage industry is that a second opinion doctor might solve the problem, but a second opinion broker is more likely to figure out a way to bilk you even more. There’s one particular cash advance company’s television ads here in Phoenix AZ. I’ve seen four different ad’s and all actors are Mexican with a thick accent, either pregnant, calling from jail, or with some dental problem. Sad. Personally, I don’t worry about the consequences of stupidity, because they are self-enforcing. I prefer to think about providing strong negative consequences to injustice and sociopathic greed. It seems that post-Reagan governments want to provide rewards instead, and I have a problem with that. Especially since they are using tax dollars to reward sociopathic banksters for their greed and financial incompetence. Well, look, if we lynched every banker who came forward and presented evidence about the doings of themselves and their gang members, then nobody would want to come forward at all, and it would all be hidden behind the cone of silence. At least this way, banksters should be falling all over themselves to tattle, so that the ones who leave it until it’s too late take the fall. It’s the greater fool theory. These banksters know well how that works. I think anyone who wants to purchase a house should first buy a computer and some financial software. First off, if you can’t afford that, you can’t afford a house; and second, run the numbers and see if you can afford the mortgage. Hold on a fuckin minute. I’m a damned software engineer. I have many computers at my disposal, and some knowledge of how to use them. I can afford the house even if I don’t bother to do the math. The problem is, every time I turn around the bank is sticking a red hot poker up my ass. How do I know if any of the stuff they’re doing is illegal? It’s certainly unethical, but they seem to have the law on their side. Oh come on, “buy a computer and some financial software?” That doesn’t net you any wisdom. When I was buying a house, sometime before this whole big mess, I was already seeing a lot of financial guidance that I did not feel was appropriate. Our credit union, arguably one of the most conservative (and successful) in the area, readily approved a home loan that was twice as much as what I felt comfortable undertaking, which might just be my financial conservatism or paranoia speaking. I know people in my situation were taking loans out for almost twice *that* figure. I had multiple banks and mortgage brokers telling me about the “modern” ways of figuring out how much house one could afford, and they all seemed insane to me. Well, we put down 21% in cash, and we’ve paid the house off at a ferocious rate, even having refinanced and pulled money out to cover large expenses. For us, it is clear, now, that we did buy less house than we could have afforded, but it hasn’t hurt us. On the other hand, had I followed the most liberal advice, I think we might not have done as well. I consider myself lucky to have been quite conservative in what we chose to pursue. However, not everyone will be. How do you know whether or not you can trust the advice you’re being given from multiple bankers? How do you plan to weather economic hard times down the road, without knowing what those might be? It’s not as easy, and advice such as you just gave is not particularly useful. It’s all about special interests/lobbying. The laws were written by congresspeople who received tremendous amounts of money from these banks. It’s no surprise that all of this happened…follow the money. Joe Consumer gets f*cked. We need to change the rules around special interests, how much they can give, disclosure, etc… did i miss something? a borrower who’s given more loan that he could weather if the market went down… has he been cheated? if the market went up, he’d make a ton of money. if it goes down, he…. declares bankruptcy. isn’t THAT a moral hazard? isn’t that actually an AWESOME deal for a borrower? i’d love to take that bet right now. i’m sort of at a loss to figure out how, a priori, this was cheating the borrower. someone help me understand this? and please don’t just say that it didn’t turn out well for them (b/c property value went down). tell me how, in a given market with a random component, that is bad for the borrower. Banks were supposed to be TRUSTWORTHY because they handle other people’s money. They were supposed to be CAUTIOUS because they gauge the trustworthiness of potential debtors.The gigantic bailout and the fact that it was not accompanied by the sacking of the management ended that era in most of the Western World. That these “bankers” did not finish their careers in utter ruin and possibly suicide means that somewhere down the road they, or people just like them, will repeat the performance, and banks as we knew them will have to be done away with. If this continues, banks as safe places to put your money in, that only give credit in good faith to those able to pay back are to become a thing of the past. Banks as institutions will be over. Destroy world economy, lots of proof of wrongdoing – no findings and bonus payments for the players. They talked about reforms, and somehow the people are still not being held accountable as the toxic crap they created still works its way through the system. And they say the rich don’t get special treatment. The amount of “blame the victim” in the wake of this whole shitstorm has been troubling. I’m not a doctor, so when I go to the doctor, I cannot tell him ‘You know doc I have a mild case of cardiac arrhythmia. Fix me up.” I expect the doctor to do a thorough job, and give me my prognosis. I’m a pretty smart guy, and I still have trouble quite understanding how points are accumulated on a mortgage. I expect the experts on this, the people I expect to have training, to be duly certified and accredited at providing advisement of these things, to be able to explain it to. I walk into a bank and say I want to buy a house, I expect the banker to ask me how much I make and then tell me how much a house I can afford. Its a simple process, and banks and their employees willfully shirked that responsibility, willfully bet against those people for whom they shirked that responsibility, and spent enormous sums of money getting people like Phil Gramm to pass legislation making it perfectly legal for them to do all their shirking. Anyone who says it is the borrowers fault for not knowing better can go toss.
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Portal Power For the driver's sake, an automobile's speedometer, fuel tank indicator and brake light are located on the dashboard rather than in the trunk. The same logic applies to Internet access to financial services: What's the point of gathering data if it isn't made accessible to those who need it most? However, the information produced by a business-accounting data, information warehouse data, customer information, customer relationship data-is far more complex than that produced by an automobile. The challenge for both bankers and portal providers is one of getting technologists out of the data reporting business and handing that responsibility to the end users. David Boyles, chief operating officer at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., has accepted that challenge. His technology group at ANZ supports the entire bank, including each line of business and enterprise-wide functional group, as well as the company's top brass. Given the breadth of his responsibility at the $100 billion bank, Boyles' ultimate goal for ANZ was to "move as much manipulation of information into the hands of business people, administrators, finance people and so on, rather than to keep it in the hands of IT people," he said. The solution was switching to a Web infrastructure. ANZ reengineered its systems starting with the infrastructure base, including hardware, IP networks, operating systems and application-program interfaces. "You have to have that first," said Boyles. "If you start with trying to deliver the end products first, it doesn't work so well." ANZ has moved from point solutions, accessible only by certain teams through dedicated terminals, to Web solutions accessible to anyone, from anywhere. The Web components were built using standard Microsoft Web servers, application servers and single sign-on using ActiveDirectory. Other layers of the new architecture include S2 Systems' OpeN/2 for the ATM network and Fundtech's Global PAYplus for payments processing. "Almost everything we do today is accessed via someone's standard desktop," said Boyles. For Bankers, By BankersThe company intranet, dubbed MAX, supports the entire range of responsibilities for each employee, including those for executive positions such as COO. "Starting at a high level, I have access to a business summary from my shop: a one-page presentation of the key result areas for my organization, and then drill-down capability below that," said Boyles. "If I find something there that looks interesting, I can drill down to the next level, to whatever level the information's available." Another feature of MAX is "project-in-a-box," which allows users to examine all of the active projects in the organization pertaining to them. "You can go in and look at all projects, you can look at your own projects, you can drill down into the budget, the estimated time to complete, the estimated cost to complete," said Boyles. "That's all up on MAX in pretty great detail." The contents of each employee's dashboard depends on what his or her business unit decides to add. "We decided early on that we would never have enough money to develop all the pages, all the applications and so forth that all the businesses wanted," said Boyles. "So instead of trying to do that, we actually created a tool that we give to the businesses." It doesn't take much to lessen a business unit's dependence on the IT department. "They decide who they want to be their Webmaster, and we take that person through about a day of training," said Boyles. "Most of that is around privacy and the like." Using these tools, each business unit becomes its own Web publisher, creating, compiling and disseminating information for employees and customers. Since customers rarely remain within a single business unit, ANZ's infrastructure also includes tools that make it easy to hand off a customer issue from one employee to another. "This automatically moves the work to whomever needs to complete it for the customer," said Boyles. "We've put that out, company-wide, so that people don't have to go out and start looking for workflow solutions." The executive dashboard displays key financial measures along with other drivers of success, such as employee satisfaction. Indeed, employee satisfaction at ANZ has never been better. "Our employee satisfaction is at an all-time high," said Boyles. "Starting down around the 50th percentile of people being happy working at ANZ four years ago, it's up in about the 80th percentile now." The MAX portal includes links to a PeopleSoft ERP system, with modules for general ledger, human resources, procurement, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Employees can access typical HR functions, along with internal job postings and information on how to maintain work-life balance. By eliminating the drudgery involved with paperwork at the workplace, MAX has been a productivity-booster and a morale-booster at the same time. Yet it's not just banks that are developing portals for their customers and employees. Financial technology companies are getting into the act as well. For example, Fiserv, Brookfield, Wis. , developed its Cleartouch portal to provide bankers with integrated access to its various offerings. "We become the central point for other Fiserv products and other B2B-type applications that come into the customer's world," said John Macaluso, chief technology officer at Fiserv Vision. "We have a very robust middleware infrastructure that allows us to communicate with other businesses, credit organizations and third-party services." The XML-based Fiserv interchange format transfers information between applications more easily than can traditional systems, such as a credit application. "You're trying to bring together information from various outside sources and credit bureaus," said Macaluso. "What the portal does is take the functionality out of the back room and puts it at everybody's fingertips."
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” A couple of publications have noted that 2014 was the ninth consecutive year during which the U.S. economy grew by less than 3 percent. They’re being too kind. Last year was the eighth year in a row of sub-2.5 percent growth, following four straight years (2003-2006) of higher growth. It’s hardly a coincidence that the first year of that awful 2007-2014 streak just so happens to have been the same year that the Democratic Party took legislative control in Washington. The nation’s political and media elites were quite pleased with themselves when the November 2006 elections brought about that result, largely because their daily hostility to all things Republican and/or conservative contributed mightily to it. They were absolutely ecstatic when Barack Obama, Mr. Perfectly Creased Pants, won the November 2008 presidential election and took office in January 2009. As will be seen shortly, the former event marked the beginning of the U.S. economy’s worst eight-year stretch since 1945-1952. Obama’s presence in the Oval Office until January 2017 virtually ensures that we’ll have at least two more years of the policies which brought on that miserable result.”
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SSOU signed an MOU with Rayat Shikshan Sanstha On 21st August 2017, Symbiosis Skills and Open University (SSOU), the first Skill University of the State signed an MOU with Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in presence of Hon’ble Shri. Sharad Pawar Sir – Former Union Minister and President of Ryat Shikshan Santha at the University campus at Kiwale On 21 August 2017, Symbiosis Skills and Open University (SSOU), the first Skill University of the State signed an MOU with Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in presence of Hon’ble Shri. Sharad Pawar Sir – Former Union Minister and President of Ryat Shikshan Santha at the University campus at Kiwale, adjoining Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Dr. Anil Patil, Chairman, Rayat Shikshan Santha and Dr. Bhausaheb Karale, Secretary, Rayat Shikshan Sanstha were also present on the occasion. Rayat Shikshan Santha is one of the largest education groups in Asia. Its focus is to spread mass education in rural Maharashtra, which is free from consideration of caste, creed, sex and religion. It has adopted pro-active learning environment by exploiting the knowledge revolution. Symbiosis Skills & Open University (SSOU) is happy to sign the MOU with the educational group that will help in spreading the importance and necessity of skill education in today’s times across the length and breadth of the State. One of the motives of Symbiosis Skills and Open University is to spread skill education in the interior of Maharashtra and this association is a step in that direction. SSOU and Rayat have identified 25 skill programmes which will be beneficial for the youth and make them industry ready. The first phase of programmes are from growth sectors including Logistics, Retail, Automobile, Technology as well as Beauty & Wellness. The knowledge, curriculum, expertise and skill centre set up will be done by SSOU. Training of these programmes will be imparted jointly at SSOU and Rayat institutions depending on the course. Speaking on the occasion Hon’ble Shri. Sharad Pawar Sir – Former Union Minister said that Skill Development is the need of the hour. Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country. It is a powerful tool to empower individuals and improve their social acceptance. It has been observed, countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities in the world of work. Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, President and Founder Symbiosis, shared his thoughts on the occasion. He said that this joint venture will help us to spread skill education to every nook and corner of the State. Dr. Anil Patil, Chairman of Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, expressed his satisfaction on signing of the MOU and bring skill education to its students. Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Principal Director, Symbiosis Open Education Society during her address highlighted the uniqueness of our State’s first Skill Development University. She said that this state of the art residential campus comprising centres of excellence and learning factories having industrial machinery and specialized skill training equipment from Germany will serve as a landmark in the field of skill based education for years to come. She mentioned that top industries have partnered with the University for Curricula Development and Training. She also informed that the University has received an overwhelming response in its very first academic year, with 350 students taking admission to various programs at the University. Symbiosis Skills & Open University is spread over 15 acre state of the art campus comprising administrative building, academic buildings, workshop, skill centre, library, auditorium, hostels for boys & girls, faculty accommodation, sports & recreational facilities etc. SKF Centre of Excellence, Lucas Nuelle Learning Factory with specialized skill training equipment imported from Germany, Symbiosis-Enrich Academy of Beauty & Wellness, Mock Retail Store & Visual Merchandising Lab are some of the unique features of the University. 70% focus on experiential hands on training, flexible learning pathways with credit banking & transfer, multi-entry & exit, recognition of prior learning scheme are some of the features that set this University apart from a Conventional University.
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That sounds like the most unfair trade ever but i can't make you change your mind so whatever..... Click to expand... If you would actually add up the total price of what he is trading in for the Elite, games, and the extra controller, I think it seems somewhat fair depending on how good this PC is. If it's a crappy computer, then it's a good deal but if it's an awesome computer with the latest stuff, then it's not. That sounds like the most unfair trade ever but i can't make you change your mind so whatever..... Click to expand... Why? manred said: If you would actually add up the total price of what he is trading in for the Elite, games, and the extra controller, I think it seems somewhat fair depending on how good this PC is. If it's a crappy computer, then it's a good deal but if it's an awesome computer with the latest stuff, then it's not.
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Pictures with Santa at Ward Wednesday Nov 28, 2012 at 8:11 AM Santa Claus will be at Ward Municipal Complex, 405 Hickory Street, on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for pictures with children of all sizes and ages. All proceeds will go towards supporting animal adoption efforts. Solutions Facebook Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. Lonoke News ~ One Riverfront Place , Suite 615, North Little Rock, AR 72114 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service
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Thursday, September 29, 2011 Here Comes the Hammer The biggest clobber scripture of all time...the chapter in which some Christians feel they find utter justification in condemning gays as well as atheists, is the 1st chapter of Romans: (with some editing, because it's long) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them... Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another...Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones...Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error...Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind...They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Some things to point out...first, Paul (the author) is saying the wrath of God is being revealed.This does not seem to be talking about a future judgement, but a current one. Paul says God "gave them over" to a depraved mind, and they "received due penalty". He really makes a point of how bad these people are: full of envy, arrogant, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. And what is God's righteous decree against them? Eternal suffering? "Those that do such things deserve death". (I will insert here that Paul never mentions hell. Not even once in all his writings. Curious, don't you think?) If you look into the history of Rome and the surrounding areas, and the sexual practices associated with the worship of idols, I think you'll get a better idea of what is being condemned here. And even with as bad as all this is, do you think Paul is giving license to hate these people? Do you think he's saying "We all need to take a moment and reflect on how horrible some people are and be glad we are not like them". Let's look at chapter 2 (which is the very next sentence) to find out what Paul's real point is: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done." Talk about a 180! Paul takes the hammer these Christian's were using on others and turns it on them! I don't think I've ever heard a sermon that connects chapter 1 with chapter 2, but of course when Paul wrote it there where no chapters. Paul was writing a letter to a group of Christians in Rome, and we can never know for sure what concerns and questions of theirs that he's addressing. All of Paul's letters are kind of like listening to one side of a conversation, but the group whom the letter was read to would have known exactly what the issue was. (as I understand it, these letters were sent by a messenger to be read out loud to the assembly, because most people could not read) Maybe this group had been gloating over the 'due penalty' that some other city had received from God and thinking of themselves as so much better. Have you ever had to discipline one of your kids, and looked to see your other child rejoicing over the suffering of their sibling? How did that feel? We have been taught that the wrath of God is only for the unbeliever, but Paul states quite clearly that these believers are "storing up wrath" against themselves by being so judgemental of others. We had all better hope this wrath is loving discipline and not eternal punishment, because which one of us has never found a little joy and self-righteousness in seeing our enemy in pain?
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Who’s That ? – April Edition So Leo proved very tricky for you all and it was only after I gave the clue that I wouldn’t want to go on holiday with him that somebody twigged as to who it was. Please all join me in congratulating Mark Walker from Marked Movies for guessing this one correctly! And now onto this month’s header. As always you need to be looking at the figure on the far left in either the picture below or the header above. Once you know who it is then just head on over to here or fill out the form below in order to make your guess!
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 Perhaps Coursera or one of its competitors will become a subsidiary feeder system for LinkedIn; see the full article for more details on "verified certificates" "Using “sophisticated analytics,” Coursera looks for matches between students and companies. Once it identifies a match, it sends an email to students, seeking their approval, only making an intro if the student gives them the go-ahead. Companies pay Coursera a flat fee for each introduction, with a share of that revenue going to the colleges offering the course. Moving into recruiting and career services is a natural extension, but it can be a difficult thing to do well (and create real value), especially without stirring up privacy concerns. That being said, Udacity has also begun employing a similar model and has started to make money doing it."
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Monopoly as MMO. If the Monopoly board game had been produced to the same standards and design philosophy as MMOs, what would it look like shortly after launch? There’s a small bug in the dice where it has 1 printed on five of its six sides. Marketing had announced that there would be twelve player pieces to choose from, each with its own unique abilities and the ability to customise each piece with a unique look. It turns out that marketing may have exaggerated slightly, and that what they actually meant was that there would be four player pieces with no customisability at all. The devs don’t see this as a problem, because who doesn’t want to play as a Victorian iron. The special abilities of the player pieces had to be temporarily removed when enterprising players realised that the top hat piece’s ability was broken such that it allowed it to always pass Go and always collect £200. Every turn. Including other players’ turns. And even before the game had even started. When unfolded, only half the board is there. The rest of the board will be added in a future content patch. It appears that content is lacking on those parts of the board that actually exist. The early content is excellent, with Old Kent Road being a particular player favourite. However, the jail is currently broken: rewarding players with five hundred pounds and the deeds to Mayfair every time they are sent there, and deleting a player’s entire inventory of properties when they’re just visiting. In addition, everything from Pall Mall onwards is just Old Kent road with the prices increased slightly. In fact, on release, Bow Street, Vine Street and Marlborough Street were still coloured brown; a quick patch changed them to orangey-brown. The devs explained that it was a graphics glitch and not because it was all just a copy of earlier content. In order to balance the player pieces, the underpowered dog piece was given the ability to eat other players’ hotels. The forums are awash with complaints. A mad dash now ensues at the beginning of every game to see who gets to be the dog. The previously popular, recently nerfed, top hat is now rarely played. The tutorial for new players was confusing and often entirely contradictory, this lead to many early games with players moving anti-clockwise around the board and falling off into space, because that section of the board was still missing. It was announced just after release that no development of properties can take place because the devs haven’t added player houses and hotels yet. The dog piece quickly falls out of favour as flavour of the month, although people still prefer it over the stupid Victorian iron. The Chance cards vary greatly in their quality, with some cards giving useful buffs to the players such as “Move forward three spaces” “Inheritance: Collect £150″, but with many others being less useful: “Visit all four train stations, collect an item from the station master there and then deliver all the items to the Electric Company, then come back to me and I’ll give you a quid or something”. The Community Chest cards are a constant source of frustration as no matter who lands on the square, all players must roll on the Community Chest and cards are taken on a Need or Greed basis. There are many complaints due to the fact that players who ordered the game in advance have a special bonus player piece that allows them to pick which square they land on each turn. Due to excessive complaints about the open PvP nature of the game the devs have released a PvE-only version, where all the players join together and form a hippy commune in the middle of Oxford Street and partake in protests against the capitalist state.
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Issues about whether a hereditary monarchy should exist aside, I have nothing against the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They seem cool, and they seem to work pretty hard as well. They do more than their share to bring tourism into Britain. It appears that they are hands-on parents to their kid, who is pretty cute. It would never have occurred to me that they would be the employers from hell, but when I first saw the ad they posted for a housekeeper, that thought did cross my mind: Here’s a snippet of it: “Housekeeper sought for a large family home in Norfolk… Main duties will include: cleaning all areas of the house to a high standard; caring for and maintaining the home owners’ clothing; cleaning silverware and glassware; purchasing groceries and general provisions for the house; and dealing with deliveries. On occasions, the role will also involve the preparation of meals, assisting with childcare and caring for dogs.” My first thought was that William and Kate want an awful lot for their money, whatever it is that they are paying. Being a ‘housekeeper’, ordering groceries, doing housework and prepping some meals is one thing. Adding on ‘caring for maintaining clothing (which I would guess would not mean just throwing in a few loads of laundry) and keeping the silverware gleaming, the kids happy and the dogs fed is quite another. Yes, you can argue that many parents do plenty of child care and housework, but few would suggest they could do all of that in a large country home and keep ‘all areas of the house to a high standard’ very easily. Thing is, I watch Downton Abbey, so I do know how much work it takes to do all that the Royals require. There is a butler who attends to the big picture, and supervises the footmen who clean silver; a cook, assisted by kitchenmaids, who orders groceries and does food prep; a lady’s maid to attend to the countess’s clothing and a butler to attend to the earl’s. There are also lots of housemaids to do the cleaning and the scutwork. It takes a bit of a village. Then again, I realize, as do the royals apparently, that things have moved on quite a bit since the 1920s which is when Downton is set. Industrialization has spread through the developed world, and the demand for labor has increased. Given the opportunities elsewhere, it is no longer cheap to acquire a domestic staff, which means that the average aristocrat (or even the average royal) gets a lot less for their money than they did 9 or 10 decades ago. To put some numbers on to this, I went to the ‘World Top Income Database’ from the Paris School of Economics. There I got data on the average income of the ‘bottom 90 percent’ of U.K. workers in 1919 (data was not available for the 1920s, but it is a reasonable proxy)as well as in 2012 (the last year data for which data is available). The data series for the two are not exact, given that the first is for all workers (including those under the age of majority) while the second is for adults only, but the trend is clear enough: real wages have increased a ton over the time period. As of 1919, the bottom 90 percent of U.K. workers was earning what in 4,996 British Pounds a year (about $7,480 in U.S. dollars), while by 2012 that had increased to 13,845 pounds ($20,731) – an increase of 177 percent (data are in constant 2012 dollars). Put another way, William and Kate could have gotten 2.8 workers for the price of one if they were operating a century or so ago (that the Downton era aristocracy could afford such huge staffs compared to today also speaks to the fact that their own incomes have been diminished by taxes and changing times). So do I think that William and Kate are really the employers from hell? Of course not. They seem to live in the real world and would probably be able to cope with the fact that if one of the dogs trails in a mess, their hard-working housekeeper may well have to take care of that rather than fussing with the glassware on a particular day. As well, I also do not believe that workers, in Britain, or elsewhere in the developed world, have it made and are overcompensated. The last decade has seen wage gains eroded in Britain, in North American and in much of the world, and that’s a serious problem. Still, all that aside, it is interesting to see that workers have made some strides. That might not make life any easier for the particular housekeeper that takes the job on offer, but it is a reminder that things have changed at least a little.
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707: 5 Million Pixels of Performance The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707 ($1,000 street) prosumer digital camera delivers on its promise of great versatility, impressive performance, long battery life, and excellent image quality—big time. It does, however, have a few quirks and engineering oversights that may frustrate sophisticated users. At the heart of the DSC-F707 is Sony's 0.67-inch, 5-megapixel CCD, which produces a maximum resolution of 2,560 by 1,920 pixels—enough data to print 11- by14-inch enlargements. The DSC-F707 also offers 2,048-by-1,536, 1,280-by-960, and 640-by-480 resolutions, plus 2,560 pixels in a 3-to-2 aspect ratio. Images can be saved as JPEGs, uncompressed TIFFs, or 8-bit GIF animation clips. In addition, the camera can capture 320-by-240 or 160-by-120 MPEG video clips or record audio annotations. Images are saved to a Sony Memory Stick, although the included 16MB card isn't large enough to record even a single TIFF image file, so we recommend purchasing the largest capacity Memory Stick your budget allows. The camera is powered by Sony's high-capacity, smart lithium ion battery, which provides enough juice for over 3.5 hours and more than 410 shots on a single charge. The DSC-F707's beautifully finished gray metal body with black no-slip trim is heavy but nicely balanced. Its distinctive 5X optical zoom lens is larger and longer than the camera body. With a swivel rotation of up to 113 degrees, the lens can adjust to allow waist level or overhead viewing when shooting. All buttons, dials, and switches are well marked and easily accessible. The accessory shoe (not a hot shoe) is on the lens itself. Unfortunately, it can be a top-heavy arrangement, causing the lens to droop out of position when you attach an external flash. The built-in flash conveniently pops open automatically when set to forced flash or auto but only after pressing and holding the shutter button down half way. Curiously, red-eye reduction is not activated by the flash analog button, but must be selected in the setup menu. Inside the lens barrel are three tiny circles containing Sony's Hologram AF laser emitter (to aid auto-focus) and two infrared emitters (for the DSC-F707's NightShot/NightFraming functions, which allow users to see and shoot in almost total darkness). The DSC-F707 incorporates many features found in comparable prosumer models, including automatic, semi-automatic and manual exposure control, program modes, adjustable auto-bracketing, and a macro that focuses to less than an inch. Although permitting different levels of sharpness and flash intensity, the camera lacks other important prosumer features, such as contrast and color-saturation adjustments, manual white balance, a histogram, and even a black-and-white mode. The DSC-F707 is a fast performer, with quick boot up and recycle times and comparatively easy-to-navigate controls. The documentation, however, is often inaccurate and misleading. Image quality on default settings is sharp and dense with detail. But our test shots using the flash were overexposed, and our daylight studio shots were underexposed, with a blue shift. The DSC-F707 produced excellent to superb pictures when we used the custom settings. Given its fast performance and image quality, the DSC-F707 is a top contender for users who have professional demands on a prosumer budget. Sally Wiener Grotta is a contributing editor of PC Magazine, a professional photographer, a digital artist, and an early pioneer in computer graphics. She has coauthored several books with Daniel Grotta, including The Illustrated Digital... Daniel Grotta & Sally Wiener Grotta are PC Magazine's Digital Photography Gurus and widely respected experts on imaging and anything to do with pictures in computers. 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Content Overall As one of the last releases of the Metal Fight Beyblade Zero-G series and following the logic that TAKARA-TOMY releases better parts at every passing month, this Set and the Beyblade Ultimate Synchrom DX Set Attack & Balance Type contain some of the best parts for all Metal Fight Beyblade metagames. This Set has great quantity-quality value especially with the inclusion of six Chrome Wheels, however as a bonus, those Chrome Wheels are almost all competitive and even top-tier. Goreim and Orojya see less use in either classic or Zero-G metagames, but Revizer, Killerken, Balro and Wyvang are extremely powerful in Defense, Stamina and Attack. The Beyblade Ultimate Synchrom DX Set Defense & Stamina Type actually offers a great starting base for any Blader, to the point where only a couple of purchases are needed after acquiring this Set to be able to build top-tier combos. Such additional purchases count Dark Knight Dragooon LW160BSF and this Set's sister release, the Beyblade Ultimate Synchrom DX Set Attack & Balance Type, for instance. The Tracks and Bottoms contained in this Set are less impressive than its Chrome Wheels, but E230, A230, and AD145 can still find use. In conclusion, every Blader should own at least one of this Set.
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