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U.S. Manufacturers Up Their Stakes In Emerging MarketsGene Koretz
American companies are widening their investment sites overseas. Ernst & Young reports that 709 foreign manufacturing projects were announced by U.S. corporations last year, an 8% increase over 1991. While Europe dominated the list, with 53% of the projects, and Britain nudged Canada out for first place, the most noteworthy change was accelerated activity in markets newly opened to Western business.
China posted the biggest increases--39 projects, compared with 15 in 1991. Czechoslovakia's tally also rose, from 5 to 15. (The Czech Republic and Slovakia did not split apart until 1993.) Other countries attracting increased investment included Chile, India, Israel, Romania, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and Venezuela. By contrast, announced investment projects in Mexico dropped from 56 to 32, perhaps because of apprehension over the pending vote on the North American Free Trade Agreement.
In sum, according to Ernst & Young's tally, some 355 U.S. companies initiated or expanded manufacturing operations in 58 foreign countries in 1992. Although acquisitions were the most popular growth option, particularly in Western Europe and Canada, joint ventures predominated in Asia and Eastern Europe, where local partners help bridge economic and cultural differences.
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text:
In Stock
Football Net Wall
Practise passing and shooting with this sturdy target and rebound net.
A very useful feature for playgrounds with no useable walls.
Great tool for developing skill and ball control; either use the wall individually, or try passing to each other from either side. The sturdy design means the ball will simply rebound back off the mesh material if the holes are missed. Quick and easy to set up.

subset: commoncrawl


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DVD of the Week: 'Torch Song Trilogy'DVD of the Week, Section 4A Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Based on Harvey Fierstein's Tony-winning trilogy of three one-act plays, this classic film focuses on the life and loves of Arnold Beckoff (Feirstein), a Jewish torch-song-singing drag queen struggling in post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS New York. Feirstein is hilarious and heart breaking, and Anne Bancroft (as his mother) and Matthew Broderick (as one of the boyfriends) are pretty darn good, too.
Short URL: http://lgbtweekly.com/?p=6862


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Astros righthander Brad Peacock had a 6.01 ERA in 2012, when he was pitching for the Oakland A's Class AAA affiliate in Sacramento.
So he laughed a little the day before his start in Wednesday's 5-4 Astros loss to the A's when asked if he has struggled before as he has of late.
"Oh God, yeah," said Peacock, who struck out six, walked five and allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday. "In 2012 I couldn't really get out of it, I had such a bad season. Couldn't really get out of — I mean, we tried so many different things. … But I'm not letting it get to me this year. I've struggled before, it's nothing new. I've also had some good seasons too."
The only run Peacock was charged with on Wednesday came once he was out of the game, on a sixth-inning Jonny Gomes sac fly. That put the A's ahead 1-0.
The real action came later.
Astros closer Chad Qualls was hurt by the only team he can't seem to tame this season. Charged with a 3-2 lead, the closer allowed three runs in the ninth inning. Eleven of his 18 earned runs and three of his four blown saves this season have come against the A's.
Eric Sogard's RBI-single tied it at 3 and two batters later, Sam Fuld hit a two-run homer to right field for a 5-3 A's lead.
The unstoppable Chris Carter homered in the bottom of the inning — he went deep in all three games of the series — but no one was on base. He has 33 homers on the season and 20 from July 1 onward.
Down 2-1, the Astros went ahead 3-2 in the seventh inning on consecutive two-out, run-scoring hits from Robbie Grossman and Jose Altuve.
Entering Wednesday, the 26-year-old Peacock had a 7.60 ERA through his previous eight starts, dating to July 2. It's easy to forget he was much better prior to that, with a 3.71 ERA in his first 11.
Peacock's a bit more under the microscope these days, because the Astros' decision to trade Jarred Cosart to the Marlins in effect re-inserted Peacock into Astros rotation, and Cosart is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts since leaving.
Part of the problem in 2012, Peacock said, was a common one in baseball: trying to change too much, or trying to make changes too frequently.
"That's what happened to me in 2012. I started off really good," Peacock said. "And I had one bad start, just kind of — trying so many different things that I just kind of like, I kind of forgot what was right."
Peacock was firm that there was no such problem this year. He has done different things with his mechanics — pitching coach Brent Strom summarized the different work they've done since spring training into three efforts — but Peacock said the changes haven't been major, and that he's open to anything the team has to tell him.
Strom, with Peacock and everyone else, tries to always be mindful of doing too much.
"Obviously a fear," Strom said. "I mean as I often say, you could look at a video tape of Nolan Ryan 200 times and come up with 200 different scenarios. You have to judge what to leave alone, and what do I do? The last thing we did with Peacock was basically just how he holds the ball, and that worked its way back up into his body and it allowed his arm action in his body to be much better."
Peacock's latest fix came with help from others on the staff and is related to a belief he's been tipping pitches.
"I mean the curveballs I was throwing up there they were hitting hard or taking 'em," Peacock said.
Peacock's arsenal includes a 93 mph fastball, a curve, slider and a two-seam fastball as well.
"I was kind of wrapping and like showing my pitches behind my back I guess, so we kind of just cut that out," Peacock said. "(I want to) try to throw my pitch out of the same arm slot. I knew I tipped my changeup, but, I kind of slowed everything down (when throwing it), tried to do too much with it. Just going to go out there and try to throw it like my fastball pretty much.
"I've done a bunch of things this year just trying to find something that works for me. But this last time around, we kind of went over some stuff and found some stuff and felt great in my last start."
That start was cut short because of soreness in his throwing forearm, but was otherwise strong. In three of Peacock's last four starts now, he's allowed just one earned run, although he hasn't completed six innings since June 27.
He had a rough first inning Wednesday — including a wild pitch and a hit batter on consecutive pitches — and needed 30 pitches to escape a bases-loaded, full-count, two-out jam with a swinging strikeout of Derek Norris on a good fastball. Peacock looked dominant in the third and fourth innings, striking out five of six, including all three batters in the fourth.
"It started out in spring training with the emphasis on him trying to develop some kind of changeup to help with his elevated fastball," Strom said of his work with Peacock. "Because the numbers against lefthanded hitters on his four-seam fastball were astronomical last year. And so he, to his credit, even though he was struggling to try to make a team … he took to it and he said, 'I'm going to give this a try,' and he tried and he got burned sometimes in spring training. And it enamored me with him because he was willing to look at the longterm."
Then the Astros worked with Peacock on some differences in how he moved off the rubber when he was with the Nationals compared to this season.
Going forward, if he's not tipping pitches any more, Peacock could end the year on a much more positive note. He does remain puzzled why his slider, a pitch he added in 2013, is down a tick on the gun. Per BrooksBaseball.net, he's averaged 83 mph this year compared to 84 a year ago — and 87-88 mph on average in the last two months of 2013. It is an oddity, considering his fastball hasn't dropped off at all.
"I'm doing the same thing," Peacock said of how he throws the pitch.


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…of the assault on Lara Logan in Cairo, the Post has a sickening account. Among other things, she apparently was stripped and beaten with flag poles.
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text:
I decided to try Freshy on http://urbansemiotic.com because it feels more "Urbany" to me than Cutline.
Now... I have the Custom CSS option and the only thing that "translated" over from Cutline to Freshy was removing the border around the Avatars. Yay for that at least!
1. Does anyone know how to get padding around the images without having to touch the images? Vspace and Hspace do not work.
2. Does anyone know how to get the post body to have a ragged right edge instead of being wholly justified on both ends?
3. I had a Custom header I used to rotate. Would that CSS code be the same as I used for Cutline or is there other special CSS I need to add or revise?
4. Is there any way I can get the search returns to NOT provide full articles? Can I use CSS to have excerpts returned instead or is that impossible?
Thank you!
Freshy seems to load really slowly compared to Cutline. Is it a more complex theme that takes longer to load a page?


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Guild Pipes carries several lines of pipes. First, we offer Hand Made pipes. Our hand made pipes are completely crafted by hand. They are designed for cool smoking and pleasure. Bowls are made from the best quality plateau briar blocks that can be acquired. Stems are made from German ebonite blanks. All aspects of these pipes are meticulously hand crafted in order to give our customers the ultimate smoking experience.
Our second line, the Great Smokers, are made from the same materials as the hand made pipes. However, in order to keep them affordable the stems are made from pre-fabricated blanks. The briar may have one or two minor sand pits but it is of high quality. All the special attention given to a hand made pipe, such as balancing for better draw, reshaping the bit for comfort and high polishing for a smooth, high luster finish or rustication in unique patterns are applied. Our goal is to provide the typical smoker with a pipe as close to hand made as possible. While these pipes are affordable their quality is not compromised and will smoke better than the best factory pipes.
Our third line, consists of pipes we have purchased in the course of doing business. After restoration, they represent good buys that we would like to pass on to our customers.
All pipes can be returned within 14 days unsmoked. In the event of a burnout, pipes may be returned to me to determine its cause. Customer is responsible for return shipping. Briar does have its foibles and on occassion problems that can't be prevented do occur. We will provide you with a another pipe or your money back. Customer satisfaction is our goal.


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Max and Helen
1990, True Life
In his quest to prosecute the former commander of a Nazi labor camp, Simon Wiesenthal (Martin Landau) goes in search of witnesses to the man's crimes. Eventually, he encounters Max Rosenberg (Treat Williams), who along with his long-lost fiancée, Helen (Alice Krige), was imprisoned at the camp. Max reluctantly tells Wiesenthal a long tale of love and loss in a time of terror. Wiesenthal has no idea that Max's story will prompt him to make a previously unimaginable decision, though.


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Winter Silence
Winter Silence is a short atmospheric video, which captures the still, silent feeling of Winter.
Dean Jones Building Services TV Advert
This is the advert I made for Dean Jones Building Services which was broadcast on STV.
This is a promotional video showcasing the recently opened the Sir Chirs Hoy Velodrome.
Photo Galleries
Check out the new photo galleries featuring photos from when I've been out and about filming.
Showreel 2016
This is my showreel, featuring my recent work and a couple of older projects.
Showreel 2016
Here is my new showreel, featuring recent projects as well as a couple of older ones.
Recent Work
"Professional, punctual, perfectionist.
Tutorfair have found Gordon to be very easy to work with – the material we get back from him
is always of an excellent standard, and always by the time we've agreed, if not earlier.
Many times he picks up on points that we'd never have noticed, which shows how meticulous he is when he goes about his work.
Communication is always clear, and if ever we have a query, he's always happy to help out. In short – we couldn't recommend enough."


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By Artist
By Genre
Additional Works
David Graeme Baker
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T.S. Harris
Greg Haynes
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Lu Cong
Ian Marion
Don Morris
Ardan Ozmenoglu
Anne Packard
Cynthia Packard
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Scott Prior
Peter Taylor Quidley
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Forrest Rodts
Sergio Roffo
Gary Ruddell
David Shevlino
Hunt Slonem
Robert Stark III
Tim Thompson
Karen Woods
100USD no.12 - 19x46
Noodle Table (43"x27"x29")
Blue Tree - 18x18
Cherry Tree - 18x18
Elegance - 43x36
21 Grams - 38x50
Dancers I - 66x35
100USD no.10 - 19x46
Tree - 33x50
Portrait V - 20x22
Mabel - 23x40
Haremlique - 25x45
Dancers II - 66x35
Coffee Time - 35x59
Green Columbus - 56x46
Ardan Ozmenoglu
Ardan Ozmenoglu is a versatile Turkish artist who works in a wide range of mediums including large-scale glass sculptures, works on Post-It® notes, photography and neon lighting. Since her first exhibition in 2006, her unique work has been featured in over forty exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad including Istanbul, Berlin and Croatia. Ozmenoglu's work is highly original in medium, design and content. Although there is a tradition of Post-It® note art, her body of work distinctly stands out. Her playful work, ripe with sociopolitical commentary, challenges the viewer to reconsider familiar images, products and ideas. She cleverly uses ubiquitous items to create pieces of art that unite seemingly opposing ideas: the past and the present, art history and contemporary art trends, creativity and consumerism, repetition and individuality, the whole and the fragmented. She unites the centuries old practice of printing with modern colors, glitters, paper and images. Her brightly colored, bold art forces the viewer to consider everyday objects and ideas in a different light. The result is anything but predictable. Born in Turkey in 1979, Ozmenoglu attended Bilkent University in Ankara and there she received her BFA in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture and her MFA in Graphic Design. She recently relocated from Istanbul to Brooklyn where she continues to create truly original artworks.
Quidley & Company, fine art galleries offering Landscape, Marine, Still Life, and Figurative paintings by preeminent contemporary artists.
Located on Main Street in Downtown Nantucket, Newbury Street in Boston, and Broad Avenue South in Naples.
38 Newbury Street
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Mount Elbert was the first fourteener I ever summited. I climbed it with my grandpa while I was still in elementary school. I am suprised still that I made that hike back then. Elbert is the tallest mountain in Colorado and is heavily managed by the forest service, so access is limited and the hike is long. I have climbed Elbert three times since, and will probably return a few more times. It is a beautiful hike, and there is something about standing on the highest point in Colorado.
Click the map above to see a larger version.
We arrived before sunrise and were able to drive up a ways, but then got the Jeep stuck in a snow bank so we wasted some time getting it unstuck. Fortunately a couple of guys came up behind us in a truck and helped pull us out. They said they were climbing Elbert too, but that was the last we saw of them that day. The hike to treeline was easy since the path was well traveled. Near treeline we post holed a little.
Once above treeline the snow was windblown and easy to walk across. Mount Massive dominated the view to the North.
Turqoise lake was frozen over and the town of Leadville had a blanket of snow.
We saw a Ptarmigan hiding in the snow. There could easily have been hundreds more around, they blend in so well with the snow.
After a while we lost the trail in the snow so we just followed the ridge up. This was actually pretty pleasant hiking as long as we avoided the slick areas.
We had snowshoes and ice axes with us, but really no need for either.
As we neared the summit La Plata Peak came into view (on the right side of the photo) over the South Elbert ridge.
I had some difficulty breathing near the summit. I think the elevation and cold air got to me. That thin and cold air however, made for some beautiful vistas.
The snow covered mountains were amazing. I recommend summiting at least one fourteener in the winter.
The summit had a fair amount of footprints, but we had the summit to ourselves.
Down towards Twin Lakes the valleys had much less snow and the lakes were not totally frozen over.
We felt great about this successful hike.
This photo outlines an approximation of the route to the summit using the Southern trailhead.
On the way down we were able to do a little
, which sped up the decent.
We got back to treeline fairly quickly, but after this we ran into snow that was warming and so we did a lot more postholing on the way out. Still we made good time and weren't terribly exhausted after the end of this hike.
You are welcome to contact me with any questions regarding questions about, or problems with, this website. Just send me an e-mail at


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At last, the Weiss Family has triumphed in acquiring American Greetings Corp. (AM) as the majority of its shareholders accepted the $19.00 per share takeover offer. American Greetings, the nation's second-largest greeting-card maker after Hallmark Cards, will no longer be operated as a public company after this week.
The Weiss Family had been attempting to acquire the company since September last year but did not succeed due to the low offer price. After an initial offer of $17.18 per share, the family raised offer price twice to $18.20 and then to $19.00.
The founding family will have to shell out over $600 million at the new offer price and will also take over a $350-million debt.
The shareholders approved the founding family's offer in a special meeting held yesterday, wherein shareholders who represented 81% of the voting power of the company's outstanding shares gave their positive nod for this transaction. Apart from this, the company, which competes with LookSmart, Ltd. (LOOK), also revealed that 67% of shareholders who aren't affiliated with the Weiss Family or American Greetings leadership also gave their approval.
The Weiss Family currently holds a 7.8% stake in American Greetings. However, most senior managerial positions are currently held by the Weiss Family members. The transaction is expected to close on or about Aug 9, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. Following the closure of the merger agreement, American Greetings will become a privately-held company.
American Greetings, whose brands also include Carlton Cards, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, derives most of its revenues from paper cards, which is a shrinking industry. The intention behind Weiss Family's decision to acquire full control over the company is said to make infrastructure investments independently and without worrying about what shareholders have to say. The family wants to remodel the 107-year company in expectations of better opportunities going forward. However, the company also had to take over a massive debt for this endeavor.
American Greetings designs, manufactures and sells greeting cards and other social expression products in the United States and internationally. The company provides greeting cards, gift packaging products, party goods, stationery, giftware, and custom display fixtures. The company distributes its products through mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, supermarkets, card and gift shops, department stores, military post exchanges, variety stores, and combo stores, as well as through its website Cardstore.com. American Greetings was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Other Stocks to Consider
American Greetings comes under the Consumer Staples sector. Other stocks worth considering in the sector include Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and Service Corp. International (SCI). Both these stocks carry Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Read the Full Research Report on LOOK
Read the Full Research Report on AM
Read the Full Research Report on HI
Read the Full Research Report on SCI
More From Zacks.com


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How the Amazon Web Services Outage Affected GrabCAD
Like many other popular sites on the internet, GrabCAD suffered a service disruption yesterday (Feb. 28) due to a massive server outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS). The outage occurred around 1 p.m. EST and affected all GrabCAD services across the board, and even the portal by which GrabCAD Support receives requests from our users.
Amazon announced shortly after 5 p.m. EST that it had resolved the problem.
No GrabCAD data on any of our platforms was lost during the outage, but any uploads or downloads in progress during the time of the outage will have failed and will need to be redone.
We sincerely apologize for the disruption in GrabCAD services.
About the author: (Roger Maranan)
Roger is GrabCAD's product manager. He loves solving problems and making products that both look good and provide an amazing user experience. A veteran of Boston's Startup Institute, Roger is focused on making GrabCAD awesome.
All posts by Roger Maranan — Follow on Google+ — Follow on Twitter


text:
Inexact title. See the list below. We don't have an article named Analysis/NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup, exactly. We do have:
- Laconic/No Plans No Prototype No Backup
- Main/No Plans No Prototype No Backup
- Quotes/No Plans No Prototype No Backup
If you meant one of those, just click and go. If you want to start a Analysis/NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup page, just click the edit button above. Be careful, though, the only things that go in the Main namespace are tropes and should be created through the YKTTW system. Don't put in redirects for shows, books, etc.. Use the right namespace for those.


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"Having IDEAS from Canon Solutions America was the difference between me paying my OEM and my OEM paying me!" John Mantione, Fields Auto Group
MELVILLE, N.Y. (PRWEB) April 10, 2013
Canon Solutions America, Inc., a subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., today announced the release of IDEAS 2.0, a software solution for the modern automotive dealership focused on eliminating the costly and inefficient print-and-scan method of managing paper.
IDEAS 2.0 utilizes Scanless Automatic Filing Engine (SAFE) technology, which enables dealers to reduce the paperwork burden placed on service technicians and advisors by automatically capturing, categorizing and indexing repair order documentation, without the need to print and scan the documents.
With the IDEAS solution, Canon Solutions America has saved thousands of dollars for its customers. One such customer is John Mantione, Vice President and General Manager of Fields Auto Group in Winter Park, FL. Mr. Mantione very quickly expanded his initial IDEAS install base from three dealerships to 10, with plans to add more installations soon.
After a recent near-perfect warranty claims audit, Mr. Mantione remarked, "Having IDEAS from Canon Solutions America was the difference between me paying my OEM and my OEM paying me! Because documents are captured electronically from the source, the integrity of the archive is reliable due to the vast reduction of human error."
With the IDEAS 2.0 SAFE technology, warranty documentation is automatically validated to ensure all the information required by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is present before a repair order is committed to the archive.
Augmenting the SAFE technologies of IDEAS 2.0 are new features and functions that include intuitive user interfaces, such as the Technician ACM Interface and the Service Advisor SWAT Interface (these features enable real-time monitoring of any given vehicle repair); allowing for reduced IDEAS start-up costs for buyers; and compatibility with popular tablet PC-based service drive solutions.
The new ability to integrate popular service drive solutions with IDEAS 2.0 completes the cycle of hands-off document processing. By including the electronic service write-up functions such as walk arounds, repair order creation, authorization signatures, tow sheets, loaner car agreements, and more, IDEAS 2.0 can increase service bay turns, improve the customer experience and deliver an ever more impressive return on investment for automotive dealers.
IDEAS 2.0 from Canon Solutions America is compatible with multiple dealer management and service drive systems and is a perfect fit for dealer and auto groups that have a mix of different business processing systems. To learn more about IDEAS 2.0 visit us on the Web at http://www.paperlessIDEAS.net, or simply call 877-720-7380.
About Canon Solutions America, Inc.
Combining the strengths of the former Canon Business Solutions, Inc. and Océ North America, Inc., Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise services, advanced production print technology and large format solutions supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes to improve their business by increasing efficiency, controlling costs and becoming more environmentally conscious. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A, Inc. Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, NY and has nearly 7,000 employees in over 130 offices across the country. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit http://www.csa.canon.com.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.


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The blog entry after this will be titled The Movie Ballerina Sex-Love Playa Fallacy Comparison. Which sounds like an episode title for The Big Bang Theory. Which relates because the title of this entry is…see above.
First, some context. And a wee bit of name dropping…
Best Beloveds of course remember that Stephen Colbert and I are like, SUPER TIGHT BEST FRIENDIES? By which I mean ONCE I was at a party my publishing house threw and his book had just come out and I got to meet him and he was nice.
Then a year or two later Karen Abbott and I waited outside in the bitter NYC cold to be in his audience, and I am pretty sure he recognized me as his dear friend from the party. (Not really.) (But I kept pointing out to Karen all the entirely invented evidence that his whole show was aimed at pleasing me, and that he was sending me secret BFF signals all through the show.)
The truth is, when I met him, he was SUPER lovely and doing the thing where the celebrity tries to treat the fan like a person and not a fan. Like, asking me questions about me, being really genuine and kind.
I was COMPLETELY uninterested in that. I just wanted to scream my adoration into his face and get my picture taken with him and FLEE before I spontaneously combusted or peed the floor. He was very gracious about THAT, too, and just kinda rolled with it when it was clear I was not UP to being treated like a person. I escaped as soon as I could, camera phone clutched moistly in my delighted hand, heart pounding.
I came home and told Scott about it, breathless with delight, and THE COLBERT REPORT is one of the few shows Scott will watch that isn't on Discovery channel. He smiled and said, "Cool." Totally blasé. HE would have let The Colbert treat him like a person.
And don't even ASK me about the first time I met Laura Lippman.
It was a LUNCH, not a loud party, so she was spared the screaming OHEMGEE I SO DOUBLE HEART YOU AND ALL YOUR SUPERNESS that poor Mr. Colbert was subjected to, but I will confess it involved blushing. AND stammering. AND toe scrubbing. Sadsadsad.
I came home and told Scott about it, breathless with delight, and he said, "Oh yeah. She's very talented." His heart rate did not rise. His voice did not quiver. He was….INSOUCENT!
A few years ago, Scott came with me on a business trip to NYC, and while we were there, we went to the theatre. My favorite thing to do in NYC is go to TICKETS in Times Square and see what I can get into half price that night. We scored PRIME seats to a Tom Stoppard play, and two rows in front of us, rocking an up-do and a white dress that probably cost more then my car…BAM! Nicole Kidman.
This is an A LIST MOVIE STAR, people. She was in MOULIN ROUGE! which hits my top five all time movies. (Other 4: History of Violence, Eastern Promises, Grosse Pointe Blank, and a revolving one depending on what has rocked my world recently.) Scott ALSO ADORES Moulin Rouge, and there was Nicole Kidman, and we were close enough to spit in her hair.
(For the record, I did not. JUST SAYING I COULD HAVE. THAT CLOSE!)
I clutched Scott's arm and hissed., "NICOLE KIDMAN! ONE O CLOCK! LOOKIT! LOOOOOKIT!"
I spazzed. I vibrated. I hyperventilated. I trembled. I had to be physically restrained from leaping up and pointing.
Scott said, "Oh. Yeah. That IS her. Neat." And went back to reading Playbill.
Now that we have a context, I have to tell you….Mr. Cool. Mr. Cucumber. Mr. Icy Veins. LORD INSOUCENT OF UPPER BLASÉ. Lost his crap earlier this week.
He was at a conference in Vegas and the key note speaker was…I refer you to the title.
WHO THE AITCH EE KNITTING NEEDLE KNITTING NEEDLE has a FAVORITE Physicist?
Answer: Scott.
You should have HEARD him telling me about it on the phone. He was VIBRATING with thrill. And then I kept getting these EXCITED Un-Scottly TEXTS from him, saying things like, "He was on the same shuttle as me. I shook hand and told him I was looking forward to the keynote!"
He deployed an exclamation point! WOW. For my low key husband, this is the equivalent of me meeting some admired celestial being and having my head literally explode into chunks of fevered joy. And here I use the word literally to mean LITERALLY. I would have to DIE in an explosive wave of pleasure SO GREAT that my HEAD would fall into several pieces to be the equivalent of SCOTT sending that text.
He took pictures at the talk. He waited in line to have his book signed. He was TOO SHY to get his picture taken WITH the guy. HA! I am SO filled with laugh and charm to see him FINALLY fan-ning out.
I told ALL my friends about this, and they all laughed and were charmed. Then I ran out of friends, so I started telling HIS friends, which was…less satisfying. When I told both Skeet and Chris, and they reacted almost identically. BOTH conversations went something like this:
Me: So Scott went to this conference and the keynote speaker turned out to be his favorite physicist, and you know, usually Scott is—
Friend of Scott: OH! Who was it?
Me: Who was what?
FoS: The physicist? Who was it?
Me: Umm, not sure, like a Japanese sounding name?
FoS: MICHIO KAKU???? WAS IT MICHIO KAKU????!??!??
I love geeks. All of them. As a tribe.
But I love mine most of all.


text:
My 3 yr old was bit by a dog yesterday, had to get 6 stitches.. and was sedated with ketamine.. that right there makes for a horrible day... and then he started throwing up and running a high fever... ER thinks he has a stomach virus on top of everything else... great since he is supposed to be taking augmetum for the dog bite.. which I need to give to him with food.. well food doesn't stay down with a stomach virus.. and he is running 104 fever... and I cannot give him more motrin for another 30 min which I would like to do to help lower his fever and help with the pain from the ketamine shot....
really... talk about a really crappy day for him. And I have to drag him out of bed at 8 am to take him straight to our ped....
Quoting Anonymous:
Isn't that a horse tranquilizer?
its a sedative that is used for both humans and animals.
You can give him rectal Tylenol to help lower his fever. If you can't get his temp down, or get his antibiotics in him, I would go to the er. They can give him an Iv with meds in it.
Quoting daughteroftruth:
Quoting Anonymous:
Isn't that a horse tranquilizer?
its a sedative that is used for both humans and animals.
Poor little man!
Quoting babesprincess03:
Do you know the dog is it up to date with vax...
yes he is


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One‐Dimensional Fourier Imaging and k‐Space
Magnetic resonance imaging offers the possibility to obtain spatially resolved anatomical information. This is accomplished by taking advantage of the Larmor relationship, which dictates that the frequency of the spins depends on the local magnetic field. This unit discusses the one dimensional Fourier imaging based on this relation. The one‐to‐one mapping of the signal from a given frequency to a given spatial location is explained. The image reconstruction based on well‐known Fourier transform reconstruction method is described in detail. The Fourier transform takes the MR signal as acquired in the time domain (usually referred to as the k‐space domain) and converts it to the frequency domain where 1‐D spatially resolved information can be obtained.
Literature Cited
|Key References
|Haacke, E.M., Brown, R.W., Thompson, M.R., and Venkatesan, R. 1999. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physical Principles and Sequence Design. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
|This book covers the technical discussion here as well as other advanced materials in detail.
|Lauterbur, P.C. 1973. Image formation by induced local interactions. Examples employing magnetic resonance. Nature 243:190.
|This paper demonstrates the first imaging experiment using MRI.


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After a four-day bench trial, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Harris found Robert Mark Liles guilty of second-degree manslaughter for shooting Charles Earl May during a drunken blackout two years ago.
Not only will the 60-year-old Shady Cove logger spend the next six years in prison for killing May, but Harris also fined Liles &
36;100,000, which will go into a trust fund for May's 8-year-old son.
Harris said Liles was aware that his drinking could lead to violence.
He knew he experienced blackouts when he drank to excess and would do dangerous and reckless things, Harris said at the court hearing Wednesday. (Six months before the shooting, Liles) confesses, 'If I don't stop drinking I'm going to kill someone.'
And on Nov. 13, 2000, he did. Liles shot May ' the 28-year-old son of his best friend ' twice. First in the neck, then, as May lay on his stomach dying, Liles shot him again at point blank range in the back.
Liles had a .19 blood alcohol level at the time.
Liles, the owner of Robert Liles Logging, started drinking at 14 and began drinking heavily after he turned 21. His family described him as a happy drunk.
Although the Mays lived in Crescent City, Calif., and the Liles in Shady Cove, the families were very close. Liles thought of May as a son.
But Deputy District Attorney John Bondurant theorized that Liles' temper was set off when he fell on a trailer hitch and May didn't catch him.
Liles said he can't remember what happened.
I woke up in jail and had no idea what took place, Liles said Wednesday.
He told May's family he was broken-hearted too.
God knows my heart, Liles said. I've never done anything like this. I don't know what happened. I'm just very sorry. It's destroyed two families.
There's nothing I can do except say I'm sorry ' that's not enough, I know.
At the hearing, Charles May III, May's father, said his family and friends were completely devastated by May's death and no sentence was enough.
His family, I feel sorry for them, he said. I feel sorry for anyone who has had contact with this man.
May's little sister said that instead of taking friends to the opening day of duck hunting season, he always took her.
Charlie was the type of guy who made me want to be a better person, Megan May said.
Family members talked about how May was loved by everyone he knew. They also talked about how much May's son missed his dad.
During the trial, Liles faced charges of murder, first- and second-degree manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Liles' attorneys Carl Caplan and Jeni Feinberg had argued that Liles suffered from a brain defect that was worsened by his drinking. They said he should be found guilty, but insane.
But Harris said the evidence showed no atrophying of Liles brain due to his lifetime of drinking and only sketchy evidence of a head trauma.
There is no evidence he was mentally impaired when he wasn't drinking, Harris pointed out.
Harris declined to convict Liles on the more serious charges with stiffer mandatory sentences because Liles was too drunk to form an intent to murder, and since he hadn't had trouble with drinking and using guns before, the crime was hard to predict.
Bondurant said although he wanted a murder or first-degree manslaughter conviction, he was pleased with the verdict.
I'm glad he was convicted and not found to be crazy because he wasn't, Bondurant said. He was just drunk.
Liles only previous convictions had been one drunken driving arrest in 1995 and some traffic infractions.
Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail
Shady Cove killer gets 6 years, fine
After a four-day bench trial, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Harris found Robert Mark Liles guilty of second-degree manslaughter for shooting Charles Earl May during a drunken blackout two years ago.


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2567 W PIKES PEAK Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona
$295,9004 Beds2+ BathsContract Pending
$295,9004 Beds2+ BathsContract Pending
2567 W PIKES PEAK Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 - The wait is almost over for a new construction, 4 bedroom,townhome in the superbly convenient location of Railroad Springs. This townhome has an estimated completion date of June 2017 and offers its new owner some fantastic standard features such as: granite counters, stainless steel appliances, laminate flooring, 6 panel doors, ceiling fans, 2 car attached garage and so much more at this price. The photos attached are of similar units but not of the actual unit. Whether you're looking for a primary home, a 2nd home or an investment - you owe it to yourself to wander out to Railroad Springs.
View Virtual Tour
Listing Courtesy of RealtyONEGroup Mountain Desert


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How do you manually determine Ct value? - (Apr/08/2009 )
Hi all,
I am new in real-time PCR and I have done some experiments with it, the software of the instrument calculate the Ct value automatically only after drawing an standard curve, what can I do to determine the Ct manually? Can I perform delta delta Ct relative quatification without a standard?
it would be helpful if you indicate in more detail what you are doing and which instrument and software you are using.


text:
PA Sergeant Davidson's pregnant wife Samantha at his funeral
It was a letter dad and dad-to-be Sergeant Lee Davidson never thought would be read. But when it was, the words it contained were unbearably poignant – yet they brought a smile to the faces of the ones he loved.
For that letter contained the soldier's final message should he be killed in action serving in Afghanistan. And the words that should never have been heard were read out at Sergeant Davidson's funeral to be heard by his pregnant wife, family and friends.
"If a vicar is reading this, all I can say is: 'Whoops, that wasn't supposed to happen'," he wrote.
Sergeant Davidson, 32, of the Light Dragoons, died when his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb on September 9.
Hundreds of mourners, including his heavily pregnant wife Samantha, attended the service at St Nicholas Church in Thorne, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire - the same church where the couple wed on August 20 last year.
In his letter, the soldier paid tribute to his wife Samantha, who is expecting their first daughter in November, saying: "Thanks for being my best friend, therapist, mother, wife and lover. I will miss you the most."
He also made a joke of his entrance music of 'Hallelujah' by Alexandra Burke and asked that his friends 'never forget me and from time-to-time have a pint for me'.
He left messages for his wife, their two sons, Jayden, three, and Jamie, two, his mum, three sisters and nana, saying: "I love you so, so much."
In a message which she had recorded to be played at the service, Samantha revealed how he had been so excited about expecting their first daughter.
Tributes from Sergeant Davidson's children, including a poignant message from his unborn daughter, were laid at the side of his coffin.
Samantha's message was played out to the ceremony where she told how he was the best father to their two boys and how he was so excited at the news they were to have a little girl.
She said she had worn the 'biggest smile' when he had proposed to her.
I met the man of my dreams, I knew I would marry this man. I have five and a half years of fun, love and memories and I will tell our children all of them. One day we will meet again, until then I am not going to let you go. Love you always and forever," she said.
More than 500 people lined the streets to watch as Sergeant Davidson's coffin, covered in a Union flag topped with his cap and belt, arrive at the church. Flowers saying 'DADDY' were laid at the side of the coffin with three little cards from each of his children, including his unborn child, attached.


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This Saturday in Blacksburg, it's the 98th edition of the Virginia Tech vs UVA football rivalry. We give both sides equal opportunity in this preview.
The Hokies have won the last 12 editions of the Commonwealth Cup and are 18 point favorites to do it again.
Virginia Tech comes in with an (8-3) record. If UNC beats NC State on Friday, the Hokies will need to win to earn their ticket to the ACC Championship game.
UVA is (2-9) on the season and hasn't won since they beat Duke on October 1.
© None


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Step by step how to display material list via TCODE MM60. Transaction MM60 is is dealing / opening with the SAP report name : RMMVRZ00. Transaction code MM60 is used for the functionality : Materials List
Step 1. Execute Transaction MM60.
Step 2. Select the material for which you want to view the Report. You can give the range in Selection Criteria to view the report.
Step 3. Click Execute Button or Press F8
Step 4. Report Results show the Material List against the selected Plant. You can go back to the Selection Screen to execute the Report for another Material.


text: We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who love to work with children. Opportunities are open for volunteers before and after school at Epiphany in the Common Room and the Loft on school days from 7:15am-9am in the morning and from 4pm-6pm in the afternoons. The success of this program depends on tutors and mentors coming together as a community and taking an interest in the on going success of our children. We need you! If you are interested in volunteering to mentor, read with children in the morning, tutor or to help with homework in the afternoons or work with crafts please contact Jennie at firstname.lastname@example.com or 410-252-4465 ext 109.


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- Publisher: Kabam
- Release Date: Dec 10, 2012
Summary: The survival of your kingdom is at stake. Crush your enemies and reunite the kingdom in this revolutionary puzzle-based RPG game. Legend Four features -27 CONTINENTS WITH UNIQUE STORY AND BOSSES -160+ LEVELS WITH OVER 150 MONSTERS -FOUR UNIQUE HEROS -MULTIPLAYER AND NEW LANDS TO CONQUER IN SOON TO BE RELEASED UPDATE! Legend Four features challenging puzzle based RPG game play, with addictive puzzles and replay value for the low price of nothing! With hundreds of monsters to battle and updates regularly, you'll be playing this game for months. The Kingdom of Eternal Summer, once a peaceful and prosperous nation led by the great King Leon, is under attack by the dark lord Soros. With the world in chaos it is up to you to harness the powers of the four elements – wind, fire, water and earth – to bring the world back into balance. Connect at least three tiles to attack, increase defense, restore magic and health during battle. The more items you can connect at once, the more powerful their effect.
|Role-Playing, General
- By user score
- 1:31
- (35441 views)
- 1:14
- (27374 views)
- 1:23
- (23588 views)


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5. John Isner vs Kei Nishikori
4th Round, Indian Wells, California
6-1, 6-7(2), 6-7(5)
In one of the many strange matches in the Californian desert, Kei Nishikori rallied to beat home favorite big-hitter John Isner. A one-sided first set went the American's way. There were no break opportunities to pounce on in the second set. In the tiebreaker, Nishikori raced to a 5-0 lead, ultimately winning it 7-2 and leveling the contest. The third set was quite similar to the second set. 11 games past and still there were no chances to break. At 5-6, 30-40, Nishikori faced match point but he didn't yield. A tiebreak was forced, in which Nishikori prevailed.
Isner's serve was not broken even once during the match. He served 23 aces in a losing effort but was a part of such a great matchup.
4. Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic
Semi-Final, Cincinnati, Ohio
6-4, 3-6, 5-7
The match was a big one for both the contenders. After all, a spot in the final of Western and Southern Open was on the line. Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and Croat Marin Cilic fought hard for the right to face Murray in the final. A single break was enough for Dimitrov to take the opening stanza. Again, a solitary break was required as Cilic leveled the semi-final at one set all. In the final set, Dimitrov opened a 2-0 lead, only to get broken right away. He broke again to go up 4-2. But again, Cilic struck back right away. Cilic finally built his foothold in the match and broke Dimitrov's serve one last time and served out an emphatic victory.
The match was a great display of the players' determination and perseverance. Also, Cilic served only 44% first serves in the match but was still able to prevail because of his attacking game and went all the way to claim his maiden Masters 1000.
3. Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev
4th Round, Indian Wells, California
6-7(8),6-0, 7-5
Rafael Nadal had a lot to prove, entering the 2016 season. His match against German teenage sensation Alexander Zverev in Indian Wells 4th round was a good day for the Spaniard to put things right and answer all the questions about his form. Holding 2 set points in the first-set tiebreaker, Nadal lost control and ultimately the set. Nadal showed his old self in the second set, breaking the German thrice and stealing the set 6-0. But Zverev was the one more settled in the final set. Breaking Nadal's serve and consolidating the break to go up 5-4, Zverev was serving for a famous victory. 40-30 and match point for the German. Nadal saved the match ball, broke and served out the match for a remarkable comeback win.
Zverev's second serve was the standout factor in his loss. He won only 35% of his second-serve points. Also, the German served 11 double-faults, which hurt his cause even more.
2. Federico Delbonis vs Andy Murray
3rd Round, Indian Wells, California
6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3)
On a dry afternoon in the Californian desert, Argentine Federico Delbonis upset No.2 seed Andy Murray in the Indian Wells 3rd round. The 2 hour, 46-minute contest featured 8 breaks of serve. There were many grueling and long rallies in the match, with both players displaying great shot-making from the baseline. Murray, down a set, broke at the end of the second set to level the contest. The final set saw Delbonis coming from 1-4 down to level the decider at 4-4. Serving for the match at 6-5, Delbonis cracked, Murray broke and the match was sent into a breaker. Surprisingly, as a final turn of events, Delbonis once again took control to setup 3 match points and complete a remarkable upset.
1. Kei Nishikori vs Novak Djokovic
Semi-Final, Italy, Rome
2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic battled for a spot in the final of the Italian Open. The match was a supreme confrontation between the World No.1 and the Japanese sensation.A week earlier, in Madrid, Djokovic prevailed in straight sets. The outcome was similar this time, but the process to reach that outcome was physically more demanding and emotionally even more challenging. Nishikori, firing on all cylinders took the opening set 6-2. Just like the first set, Nishikori saved many break points to stay in touch with the Serb, but the Serb finally broke to level the storm. Down 1-4In the third set, Nishikori struck back and evened the decider at 4-4. A tiebreaker ensued to decide the winner.Nishikori saved three match points but ultimately lost 5-7 in the breaker.
The match lasted 3 hours and 2 minutes. Even the statistics revealed that very small margins decided the outcome. Djokovic won 112 points in total, compared to Nishikori's 111. Djokovic's inconsistency laid in his break point conversion, which stood at a rare low 14%. Still, the Serb prevailed, thanks to his resolute game.
You may also like to check out Best ATP Matches of 2016 - Part 1
Written by Mayank Sharma
A third year Engineering student at Delhi Technological University. An avid tennis fan and a die hard fan of Roger Federer. Loves writing articles on Tennis and developing Web pages.
Written by Mayank Sharma
A third year Engineering student at Delhi Technological University. An avid tennis fan and a die hard fan of Roger Federer. Loves writing articles on Tennis and developing Web pages.


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Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Mark Leonard, Executive Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, for a discussion of the ideas that are influencing the domestic and foreign policy debates in China. Through a careful examination of what Chinese intellectuals have to say on topics such as democracy, economy, and international relations, Leonard finds distinctive Chinese worldviews. The West must understand the contours of these debates to effectively address China's rise because they offer important insights into how China will use its enormous power to shape world order in the twenty-first century. (#14828)
World History, Culture, and Geography: The Modern World
K-12 Educational Standards
Standards for Grade(s): 10
World History, Culture, and Geography: The Modern World
10.10 Students analyze instances of nation-building in the contemporary world in at least two of the following regions or countries: the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and other parts of Latin America, and China.
For more information, visit: California State Board of Education Content Standards
Visit Teacher's PET to find more programs with K-12 Educational Standards.


text:
E-mail : firstname.lastname@example.com
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) are frequently accomplished at UCSD. This typically involves an extraordinary intervention that requires total circulatory arrest and this is accomplished under deep hypothermia (1 TC). The intraoperative cardiac, pulmonary, hemodynamic, and biochemical responses to (PTE) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) have not been well described. One reason for this is that in institutions other than UCSD, these procedures are rarely performed. Since we perform more than 150 PTEs with DHCA per year here at UCSD, I see a wonderful opportunity to collect, analyze, and report data collected in the perioperative period. Thus, I am collaborating with the pulmonologists and cardiac surgeons, setting up an efficient clinical research system designed to help us better understand the perioperative events associated with PTE and DHCA and to investigate the biochemistry and physiology of the human organism under extreme, but controlled, conditions. In an integrated effort involving close interdepartmental collaborations, we currently have several ongoing projects. My clinical investigative work has revolved around this PTE program. We have begun an investigation of the arterial line function (femoral versus radial) during PTE (32 patients with total circulatory arrest. We also have an ongoing project with the Pulmonary Department, studying the effect of steroid administration to PTE patients on systemic inflammatory response (cytokines release) and protein S 100. I am also collaborating with Dr. Waltman of Cardiology studying the rapid cardiac remodeling following PTE using transesophageal echocardiography
Manecke GR Jr. Pro: The FloTrac device should be used to follow cardiac output in cardiac surgical patients. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 24:706-8, 2010
Manecke GR Jr, Vezina DP. Perioperative transthoracic echocardiography: "universal acid"?J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2009 Aug;23(4):447-9.
Mayer J, Boldt J, Poland R, Peterson A, Manecke GR Jr.Continuous arterial pressure waveform-based cardiac output using the FloTrac/Vigileo: a review and meta-analysis. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 23:401-6, 2009
Davis BA, Manecke GR Jr, Madani MM.New cardiac mass during cardiopulmonary bypass.J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 22:786-7,2008
Manecke GR Jr, Parimucha M, Stratmann G, Wilson WC, Roth DM, Auger WR, Kerr KM, Jamieson SW, Kapelanski DP, Mitchell MM Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and the femoral-to-radial arterial pressure gradient. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 18:175-9,2004
Manecke GR Jr, Ingersoll-Weng E, Thistlethwaite PA.Dexmedetomidine and asystole. Anesthesiology 101:1479-80. 2004 .
Manecke GR Jr, Kotzur A, Atkins G, Fedullo PF, Auger WR, Kapelanski DP, Jamieson SW. Massive pulmonary hemorrhage after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Anesth Analg.;99:672-5 2004.
Ingersoll-Weng E, Manecke GR Jr, Thistlethwaite PA.Dexmedetomidine and cardiac arrest. Anesthesiology.;100:738-9,2004.
Official Web Site of the University of California, San Diego.


text:
A reader contacted me and asked for help.
She's searching for an in-home care provider for about 4 months (late November thru end of March) while her care provider is on maternity leave.
The family is in Niskayuna, they have two kids (7 and 2). They need someone M,T, W and F from 9ish to 5:30ish.
If you are interested, leave me a comment. Your email address will show up in my system (no need to leave it in the comment) and I will put you in touch with the reader.


text: Home > Entertainment Meg Imperial says she's not just a sexy star ABS-CBN News Posted at Mar 23 2014 07:02 PM | Updated as of Mar 24 2014 03:02 AM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Meg Imperial MANILA – Meg Imperial does not feel too comfortable when men look at her in a different way. In an interview with "Buzz ng Bayan" on Sunday, Imperial said she does not want the public to see her only as a sexy actress since she hopes they would also notice her talent. "Hindi naman ako nag-start as sensual. Nag-umpisa ako sa teenybopper na roles. Nung FHM lang siguro medyo nagkaroon ako ng confidence sa sarili ko na I can be sexy naman in a nice way. It doesn't mean naman na sexy ka, kailangan mo maghubad in front of many people at ipakita mo sa kanila 'yung buong katawan mo. Hindi ganun," she said. Asked if she is willing to go full nude when a role asks for it, Imperial said: "Ako siguro sa ngayon hindi ko masasabi. Parang for me, if may talent ka naman, hindi ka naman ipakita lahat." "Hindi naman ni-launch para maghubad sa mga tao. Sexy lang and sensual. Parte lang siya ng packaging, ng image pero pag-arte talaga 'yung gusto kong i-showcase sa mga tao," she said. Imperial is part of ABS-CBN's upcoming series "Moon of Desire." The series will co-star JC de Vera, Ellen Adarna, Dominic Roque and Miko Raval. In a previous interview, Imperial also said the series is more than just a sexy-drama show. "Ito po 'yung teleserye na may kwento po talaga. May medical [aspect], may love story. It's about hypertrichosis or abnormal hair growth sa katawan ng tao," she said. Imperial, 21, said she will exude a "sexy but innocent" aura in her new soap. Meanwhile, the actress said she is blessed to have JC de Vera as her leading man because he is truly a gentleman. "Nagkatrabaho na kasi kami ni JC before so siguro bawas na 'yung ilang factor. Ngayon ko lang nakilala si JC na hindi naman pala siya tahimik, kalog din pala siya and gentleman. Kapag may kissing scenes, hindi na nakakailang kasi approachable siya eh," she said. "Moon of Desire" is set to premiere on March 31 during the Kapamilya Gold timeslot. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: sexy Meg Imperial moon of desire /news/03/17/18/ibat-ibang-grupo-ng-lgbt-nagtipon-sa-pagtutulak-ng-sogie-bill/entertainment/03/17/18/pilipinas-got-talent-judges-swoon-over-saf-troopers-duet/overseas/03/17/18/pope-pays-tribute-to-mystic-monk-said-to-have-wrestled-with-the-devil/business/03/17/18/exhausted-toys-r-us-suppliers-weigh-options-as-huge-retailer-shuts/news/03/17/18/91-npa-rebels-surrender-in-maguindanao


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How I Learned to Start Juicing and Stop Making Excuses!
October 26, 2015
I've been reading articles about juicing for years. The benefits seem endless, and definitely like something I would like in my life. Who wouldn't want to lose weight, lower blood pressure, improve your skin? I was easily convinced of the benefits, but the actual execution of the thing remained a mystery. I would endlessly watch videos of people chopping, freezing, squeezing, and arguing about things like the correct combinations and amounts of ingredients, organic versus non-organic, and a thousand other seemingly unimportant details, which each "expert" insisted was the key to successfully juicing. The amount of varying information was astounding, and more than a little intimidating.
What confused me the most was the business of choosing a juicer. Terms like centrifugal, single gear, and ejection type were thrown around as though everyone knew exactly what they meant. I did not! The articles I found on specific types of juicers always touted their type and brand as best, and would give lengthy reasons for their reasoning. I was afraid to just go out and buy a juicer. Prices can range anywhere from as low as $30 to as high as $500 or more, and I didn't want to go out and waste money on something that potentially didn't work for my needs.
Seeing my confusion, my dear spouse took me to a local health food store. The staff there were able to show us several different juicers they had for sale, and took the time to explain the differences, pros and cons of each. With their knowledge and patience, we were able to choose the best juicer for our needs. It's not the biggest, fanciest, or most expensive, but it allows us to make fresh juices at any time of the day. The juicer we chose is also ultra easy to clean, which was an important selling point to me.
With a little patience, research, and the right help, choosing the best juicer for you and your family doesn't need to take years.
I Made Baguettes!
September 4, 2015
Hey gals, I bought a bread machine earlier and today I made some baguettes after looking at this video, so I thought I'd share it here and if you have a bread machine you may want to try it out!
If you want a more detailed recipe, I got mine from this bread machine baguette guide. It says that the recipe is from Zojirushi and my bread machine turns out to be a Zojirushi too! I had to use the 1 pound version because I'm going to eat all those baguettes by myself.
How I Came to be Driven In A Limousine-Kitchen Knives
August 27, 2015
The one thing I love about parties is that there are lots of drinks and food that go around the place. The fact that that there are lots of people to meet is a plus because here is where I strike business deals. I love parties because being a professional cook I come to learn more about the latest trends in cutlery; kitchen knives, cups, plates, and just about anything in this range. It's here that I make new friends too!
It was a rare gesture when Jeniffer my childhood friend invited me to her birthday party-and went straight away to hire me to head the catering team. I was really humbled because of the fact that she was the wife to Senator Brown-I was really honored! She confirmed to me that everything was ready and had only to get my team ready. She lamented that the catering company she hired had cancelled the contract at the last minute throwing everything into disarray.
I hurriedly called an impromptu meeting of all my team members and briefed them abot the task at hand. In the evening, we stormed Senator Brown residence and after security checks we headed staright to the kitchen. She had told me that everything that I ever needed for my services was in the ultra-modern kitchen so I need not to worry. However, she was dead wrong! Yes, there was everything you could think about-but no kitchen knives around. I called her and informed her about the situation. She panicked and called her cook who was off that particular day, she too was unreachable.
As time went by and no sign of success, she grew more restless. Monday being a holiday there was no way she could buy any kitchen knives. I had to jump in and told her that I have several sets of kitchen knives in my house and could go and pick the pieces. She was so delighted and ran short of words. She called one of her private bodygaurds and requested her to accompany me, while the chauffer was just given a simple command. I had never driven in limousine before and here "kitchen knives issues" were making my day!
It wasn't long before we arrived at my place and without wasting time I rushed in my house and picked the knives. All types that I could lay my hands on; chef's knives, pairing knives, mincing knives, serrated boning, fillet, frozen, and cleaver knives. It was easier for me to spend a short time because I am the kind of person who is very organized. In less than an hour, I was back at Official residence of Senator Brown and when she saw me it was all smiles! If you're searching for the top best kitchen knives, this quick guide for buying the best kitchen knives might be helpful for you in making decision
More: Knife Skills
Choosing a Bread Machine Is Not As Simple As You Think
August 4, 2015
What would you expect to have on your bread maker? Versatile features? Excellent designs? If you ask my opinion, then I will need both of them. A bread maker unit should be the one with lots of features that allow me to make many kinds of breads, pizza, croissant and all kinds of bakery products that you could get on your favorite bakeries. But, I am a perfectionist, who also loves to show off my appliances to my relatives and friends. At this moment, my bread maker is classified as the best bread maker that can knead dough well, in which it always gets excellent reviews from buyers. It is not too expensive for its massive features, though it is not cheap at all—as I have to save money for nearly half a year to get it. But, for me, the most important thing about having a bread machine an easy-to-clean feature. Nothing is more important than that, you know what I mean.
Size Matters
In this case, a size of a bread maker may be the consideration for some homeowners. It may not relate to its overall features, but it is more about its fitting. A smaller kitchen does not need a large size of a bread machine, as you will get upset in placing other kitchen utensils.
We are lucky to live in an era where all manufacturers understand this condition. They must have known that there are lots of bread maker users, who live in an apartment. They launched a small-sized bread machine with a huge versatility from custom program buttons, yeast dispenser, clear LED display for easier options in choosing the right program, viewing window and so forth. Of course, we can expect them from reputable brands like Breadman bread machines.
For me, a bread machine or a bread maker, whatever you call it, is a matter of lifestyle. If you really want to save much of your money to get your favorite bread or pizza, then you have to be very wise in choosing the one that you can afford, without taking its overall features for granted.
Read this article by Hillbilly Housewife.
Craving For A Microwave
July 6, 2015
A microwave is one of the most essential kitchen appliances that you should never lack in your kitchen. If you are lacking one, then you can't consider yourself to have a modern kitchen. But the fact that you are craving to have one in your kitchen doesn't mean you will always get the best microwave oven. So, what can you do in order to get the best microwave? As leading appliance analysts, we would encourage you to read numerous reviews in order for you to be familiar with a host of most versatile microwaves oven on the market. Please read the reviews of the best microwave ovens to guide you.
Panasonic Genius
Panasonic has been churning out some of best electronics on the market, with this microwave oven being among them. The 1,2oo appliances feature an Inverter Technology that is designed for consistent and even cooking. It comes with a tactile keypad panel for purposes of easy programming. It also comes with a stainless steel coated interior and a silver exterior.
Sharp R-820JS
The 900-watt convection microwave offers awesome crisping and browning capabilities. It is one of the most affordable alternatives on the market today. It prides its 12-dgit interactive display, 7 automatic cook settings and an auto-touch convenience. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Kenmore 79202 Elite White
The 1,000 –watts microwave oven is designed for precise cooking. It comes with an LCD display and an auto shutoff technology. It is spacious enough to roast a whole turkey and also cook a variety of foods ranging from meats to vegetables. It comes with a 3 years limited warranty.
Oster OGB5902
The 900 microwave oven features 10 variable power levels. It further features a digital clock and a digital timer. The appliance is built to world-class electrical standards. It is revered for featuring an elegant touch-menu setting that is designed to offer customized cooking. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Reveal the microwave oven – http://www.which.co.uk
Decided To Purchase An Espresso Machine
June 30, 2015
Since of its inception in 1981 in Bologna, Italy, Saeco has grown into becoming one of the more well known brand associated with high quality coffee machine. It is not surprising that many coffee lovers have a Saeco coffee machine in their home. In fact, this brand is also renowned for creating high quality espresso machine.
There are many types of espresso machine under Saeco. If you are looking for the best rated espresso machine, you should consider reading through Saeco espresso machine reviews. This would help you to distinguish which machine would be the best one for you. This type of specialized machine can be quite pricey. Therefore, you should make the right choice before spending your money. Look into the many features of a Saeco machine. If it does not have the features that you preferred, you can opt for one that has. The other machine might cost more but it would provide you with greater satisfaction.
By reading through Saeco espresso machine reviews, you might realized that Saeco espresso machine have several main criteria that define the right machine.
First, the espresso machine should have an automatic frothing function. This great feature does not exist in all espresso machines. If you intend to make high quality cappuccino, frothing is necessary. You can always do it manually but an espresso machine with automatic frothing feature can process your cappucino a lot faster. Moreover, frothing is also great for other types of coffee drink. Saeco have automatic and traditional machine that provides amazing frothing feature. Read Saeco espresso machine reviews to find which model is suitable for you. This brand also provide one of the best coffee maker in the marketplace.
Even the cheaper model would have this feature so you can always buy something that is affordable. Another thing you should consider is the removable water tank. Many Saeco coffee machine have this. Standard coffee machine usually require you to transfer the water into a fixed compartment. However, this can get quite messy. If the water tank or compartment can be removed, you just fill it up and then placed it back. Some might think that this particular feature is not that important. If you rarely use your espresso machine, than it might not be such a hassle to transfer the water. However, if you use it daily and you need to speedily prepare your drink, a removable water tank is much easier to handle.
The last thing that would define the best espresso machine made from Saeco is the automatic grinder. In any other coffee machine, a grinder is essential in producing the best taste. Some model featured burr grinder that works differently from blade grinders. The high quality of the grinder allows the original flavor of coffee grounds to be preserved. This is essential in making an excellent espresso.
Saeco is a synonymous with quality espresso machine. If you are looking to buy a Saeco espresso machine, going through the three main criteria is a good decision. Most Saeco espresso machine reviews talks about these three features. It would be the perfect guideline before you delve deeper into understanding the best espresso machine.
Cook Meals 100 Times Better with The Best Cookware
June 20, 2015
Normally, there is nobody who can testify that he/she does like eating! However, you will be surprised to learn that most people, especially working class men, do not engage in these activities of cooking. This explains why most of them would prefer taking their meals in hotels or restaurants and proceed to their homes just to have a sleep. Research has shown that they do so because they find cooking as tiresome and tedious chores. However, if provided with the necessary facilities, including the best cookware, they can cook wonderful meals 100 times better than what they have been taking all along from hotels.
To solve the above problem, kitchen experts have thought of coming up with amazing product, cookware. Nowadays, with the availability of these kitchen appliances, the trend has changed and more and more people are preparing their delicious meals right at their home-kitchens. When you go to the market to buy a cookware, you will be surprised to find a vast number of them from different designers and manufacturers. However, in most cases, many customers have little knowledge about these products and their main challenge is to select the best cookware set brand among the many.
Nevertheless, not all is ever in vain, as this article tries to shade some lights as it tries to come up with a comprehensive analysis of the best cookware available in the market that is/are recommended for someone to buy. However, before going deeper into that, it is important for every customer wishing to buy a cookware to have some buying guides or tips at his/her fingertips to make sure that he/she is going to get the best device like no other. In this regard, the following tips will be beneficial:
· Check for a cookware with a better heat conductivity
· The quality and the price
· Check for cookware that last longer-has higher durability
· Be aware of the reactivity of the metal used to make the cookware you want
· Check at its maintainability-select the one which is easy to maintain and clean
Having the above factors in mind, you would probably buy the right cookware for your kitchen. In addition, to increase the chances of making the right decision, the following are best cookware:
Tramontina 8-Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel Triply-Clad Cookware Set
This is perhaps the best cookware available in the market based on the positive reviews of previous satisfied customers. However, it is only sold in one of the leading stores, Walmart. It has a wonderful and superior construction and offers the best cooking performance at a bargain price. It has been known for its experience in distributing heat evenly while its riveted handles always stays cool. Its bargain price is just $130.
Racheal Ray Porcelain Enamel 10-Piece Cookware Set
It is the second best cookware set available in market. It offers the same even heating experience while having a good nonstick finish commonly found in more expensive models and brands. It is sold at a relatively lower price than the previous brand.
Anolon Advanced Bronze Collection 11-Piece Cookware Set
My list of the best cookware will be incomplete without mentioning the above device. Many experts in kitchens and cooking professionals say that this device is excellent in distributing heat evenly, it is easy to clean, and has an amazing nonstick surfaces. Its durability has nothing to be compared with.
The list of the best cookware currently available in the stores is just endless. However, the above stands out to be among the best offering the amazing performance like no other. Therefore, whenever you are faced with the challenge of selecting the best cookware, turn to the above analysis to get invaluable aid.
Other posts:
Reactive vs non-reactive pans – Martha Stewart
The good cook's companion – Mother Earth News
Tips For Choosing The Best Cutting Board
April 10, 2013
Buying a cutting board but not sure which is the one for you? To get a cutting board that will last needs some research and knowledge of cutting board materials. Even expensive boards sometimes end up warping, breaking or cracking.
So what are the main things to look at when we buy a cutting board then? Well, this blog covers pretty much about choosing the best cutting boards, but here are some other tips. I think cutting space is quite important for many of us. Depending on the amount of food you usually cut at one time, and the size of your hands and knives, you can determine how big your cutting board should be. A small cutting board will make you feel cramped and food will fall off the edges all the time.
Again, that depends on how you define 'small'. The cutting board should also sit firmly on the kitchen worktop when you use it. It is not unusual for the worktop to be wet and a lesser board will slip forward when you slice, posing an immediate hazard to your hand. This is why now cutting boards advertise safe gripper edges, base or feet. Also, a heavy cutting board is more likely to stay in its place compared to a light one. But you will want to go easy on the weight of the board, since moving the board to the sink after use is an action that you cannot avoid.
After that, durability should be looked into, although this could be difficult. Reviews may help a bit, but it could be common sense that some materials are tougher than others. All good cutting boards will develop knife wounds over time; in fact, boards that can scratch are kinder to the knives and allow for steadier cutting. But deep gashes are definitely not good as they will become a happy breeding place for bacteria, a potential source for splintering, and a food trap.
Wooden and bamboo cutting boards are known for their better accommodation for sharpest or best kitchen knives. The surface is naturally and slightly textured, just enough to keep the food and knife within hold as you cut. This is perfect when you need to cut repeatedly and quickly. Plastic cutting boards are smoother and more slippery for this. Wooden boards and bamboo boards also keep the knife sharp for a longer time (more strokes against the board) than plastic and composite boards.
The hard surface of the latter dulls the knife quickly. If you are buying wooden or bamboo cutting boards, you will find two types available – edge grain and end grain. This simply means the way the board was made. Edge grain cutting boards are cheaper; they are made with longer strips of wood or bamboo with the grain lying horizontally on the surface. End grain boards are short blocks glued together with the grain facing up.
It is contended that end grain boards are the best cutting boards you can find, since the knife wounds made on the grain fiber close up by themselves. However, it is also found that they absorb liquids much more quickly, making them susceptible to warping. It's still down to personal preference in choosing a good cutting board, but knowing these factors will help.
Easy Recipes for a Busy Day
February 18, 2013
I cannot tell you how many evenings I have gotten home from work and balked at the idea of having to cook a complicated dinner. Sometimes life is too busy to make anything but easy food. To save you some time, here are two delicious easy recipes straight from my kitchen! Each will feed a family of four.
Tuna salad
This is one of my favorite easy recipes! The ingredients you will need are: lettuce, two cans of tuna, mayo, a 2.25 ounce can of sliced black olives and 3 cups of cooked shell noodles.
Step 1: boil your noddles until they al dente. You can allow them to boil as you work on the rest of the steps. When the noodles are done boiling, allow them to cool.
Step 2: mix the tuna with 2-3 tablespoons of mayo– depending upon your taste. Set aside.
Step 3: chop up the lettuce as if you were chopping it for a regular salad. You are looking for about 2 1/2 cups, unpacked.
Step 4: mix the olives, cooled noodles, lettuce and tuna together.
Step 5: enjoy!
I usually cook french bread drizzled with olive oil to go along with the tuna salad salad.
Honey nut fried chicken tenders
The ingredients you'll needs are: 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, one egg, 1/3 cup milk, 3 cups crushed honey nut cheerios and cooking oil.
Step 1: cut your chicken into thick strips.
Step 2: beat the egg in with the milk
Step 3: put about a half inch of cooking oil into a frying pan, and begin heating it on medium.
Step 4: dip one chicken strip into the milk and egg mixture, and then roll it in the honey nut cheerios.
Step 5: place strip into heated oil. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for each strip of chicken.
Step 6: cook each strip through until they are golden brown on both sides.
Step 7: enjoy!
See, dinner doesn't have to be difficult to be delicious!


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Join us in the Granny Smith Room on Saturday, April 13 at 7pm for a special event with long-time Green Apple favorite Peter Rock, who will be reading from his new novel, The Shelter Cycle. Rock, whose previous works include My Abandonment and The Unsettling, has been praised by everyone from Junot Diaz to James Ellroy. His latest novel (due 4/2) has already been praised as being "a metaphysically haunting, shape-shifting novel that keeps the reader off balance and can't be fully appreciated until its climax" (Kirkus Reviews).
We look forward to seeing you at the store on April 13.


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Greek Cookery from the Hellenic Heart
George Calombaris, New Holland, hbk, $50.
George Calombaris brings the taverna into the home with his latest book, which captures all the energy and fun of his Melbourne eatery Hellenic Republic. The signature casual Greek dishes are all here - dips, moussaka, the famed lamb souvlaki with chips - but Calombaris presents them with a light, modern touch. The chapter featuring his mother's Greek-Cypriot recipes is a high point, shining a light on this lesser-known regional cuisine in dishes such as kolokotes (pumpkin pies fragrant with cinnamon and sultanas). Has this struck a chord with me because I have a vested interest? Probably. My family's from Cyprus so Greek Cookery from the Hellenic Heart has already had a good workout in our kitchen. Anthea Loucas, editor
*The Silver Spoon for Children
Phaidon Press, hbk, $29.95.
The kids probably won't be giving us the night off any time soon with a perfectly prepared Italian-style lamb roast. But the beauty of The Silver Spoon for Children* is that it has distilled the best of the classic Italian cookbook and illustrated it in such a way that they can start small (with the prosciutto and melon) and work their way up to the big stuff… eventually. Robert Maniaci, web editor
Bourke Street Bakery: The Ultimate Baking Companion
Paul Allam and David McGuinness, Murdoch Books, hbk, $69.95.
There's a statistic which notes that, on average, just a single recipe is cooked out of each cookbook. If that's true, then Bourke Street Bakery is rare in being a recipe book I could cook from cover-to-cover. It helps to be familiar with this Sydney institution's wares, but it's not strictly necessary. One look at the mouth-watering photographs of, say, the chocolate mousse tarts or the signature lamb and harissa sausage rolls, and you'll be reaching for the flour, butter and eggs. Emma Knowles, food director
Everything but the Squeal: A Year of Pigging Out in Northern Spain
John Barlow, Wakefield Press, pbk, $24.95.
Hog-diggity. Who can resist an epic tale of gluttony? Not me. Barlow sets out to eat every piece of the humble pig - unmentionables excluded - in age-old dishes ranging from the delicious to the just plain disturbing. This personal ode to pork is also a love letter to the people and countryside of Galicia. Just don't read the slaughter chapter on a full stomach; it may turn you vegetarian. Tracey Laity, deputy chief subeditor
Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table
Amanda Hesser, WW Norton & Co, hbk, $37.95.
If there's one thing I enjoy more than a holiday spent eating, it's a holiday spent reading about eating. This collection of short food-related essays by US-based writers - Tom Perrotta, Kiran Desai and doyenne-of-the-moment Julia Child among them - originally featured in The New York Times Magazine and is ideal for even the most attention-deficient holiday-maker. Definitely one for the beach bag. Bianca Tzatzagos, subeditor
Foxeys Hangout
Cathy Gowdie, Hardie Grant, hbk, $45.
Behind every glass of wine lurks a world of stories - about the country the grapes were grown in, the people who made the wine, the food that tastes best with it. Foxeys Hangout, a memoir (with recipes) of one family's experiences establishing a vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula, captures this broader context beautifully in honest prose and evocative photographs. Max Allen, wine editor
MoVida Rustica
Frank Camorra & Richard Cornish, Murdoch Books, hbk, $59.95.
Only Frank Camorra could make traditional Spanish cooking look this cool. MoVida Rustica is packed full of amazing photography and stories that transport you right into the heart of Spain where you meet the people and places that have inspired these dishes. Best of all, it's one good-looking book. From the typography to the patterns and photos throughout, it's a designer's cookbook. Anna Vu, senior designer
Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion
Stephanie Alexander, Penguin Books, hbk, $125.
Strawberries have just appeared as tiny green nuggets on the plants I grew from seed - such joy. The Kitchen Garden Companion captures the pleasure that food gardeners experience with every successful harvest. In her down-to-earth (really) style, Alexander dispenses frank advice and even sex education - "...break off the male flower, bend back its petals and press it against a female flower," she writes of hand-pollinating kiwifruit. Recipes show off every root, leaf, flower and fruit, and each ingredient is photographed in the garden and on the plate. True to its name, this book has become my constant (and much-loved) gardening companion. Kerryn Burgess, chief subeditor
Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way
Francis Mallmann, Artisan Publishing, hbk, $79.95.
Seven Fires has the look and feel of a classic. I love Mallmann's intimate description of his journey from haute cuisine back to a style of cooking that is not only part of his own heritage but instinctive to the human race. The title refers to the seven different styles of cooking with fire explored within; for me the pinnacle is the whole grilled beef carcass, raised and lowered over the fire via block and tackle. Not something you're likely to do yourself but inspiring nonetheless. Rodney Dunn, contributing food editor
*Coco: 10 World-Leading Masters Choose 100 Contemporary Chefs
Phaidon Press, hbk, $75.
The premise: 10 chefs, including Australia's own Shannon Bennett alongside the likes of Ferran Adrià and René Redzepi, "curate" a collection of 100 contemporary chefs and their recipes. All these chefs are to cooking what haute couture is to fashion, and among the local talent are Martin Benn, Mark Best, Robert Marchetti, Andrew McConnell and Ben Shewry. With its "insider" photos and out-there recipes, Coco* will have you utterly absorbed on Christmas Day while the rest of the family are still opening their presents. Monique Lane, junior writer
Snow Flakes and Schnapps
Jane Lawson, Murdoch Books, hbk, $69.95.
As delicious as these recipes look, I'm not planning on cooking from this book. Like the author, I'm a self-confessed Scandi fan, and I love this coffee table tome for its immaculate design, from the typography to the incredible eye for detail (look out for the "secret" snowflake on every spread). Before summer has even begun, I'm already dreaming of a white Christmas. Lou Fay, creative director
*Ad Hoc at Home
Thomas Keller, Artisan Publishers, hbk, $99.
This American chef's exactitude and unwillingness to compromise have made him one of the most lauded names in cooking. Ad Hoc at Home presents the simpler, family-style food of his casual eatery of the same name with home cooks in mind, but it's not exactly Keller for Dummies* nonetheless. It's all about seeing this formidable technician apply the same armoury of skills to roast chicken and grilled cheese sandwiches as he does to the French Laundry's famously tricky cornets of salmon tartare with sweet red onion crème fraîche. (And it's a damned fine grilled cheese sandwich.) Pat Nourse, features editor
Tender Volume 1: A Cook and his Vegetable Patch
Nigel Slater, Harper Collins, hbk, $59.99.
Nigel Slater has found the tender place in my heart with his first volume of the Tender duo. In a form a little like that of Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion, Slater pushes aside fussiness and froufrou to produce simple recipes for his ambrosial home-grown vegetables. My personal favourite is the Jerusalem artichokes fried in duck fat - Santa had better deliver. Alice Storey, assistant food editor
Eating with Emperors: 150 Years of Dining with Kings, Queens… and the Occasional Maharajah
Jake Smith, Melbourne University Publishing, hbk, $59.99.
Journeys have always captured me, whether real, imagined or taken through time via books and old photographs - as with this regally bound guide to the gustatory mores of world leaders past and present. Some of modern history's most significant events, and the mealtimes that accompanied them, are recounted in lively, sometimes gossipy style, from Queen Victoria's revolving breakfast table to the planting of the current White House vegie patch under the watchful eye of Michelle Obama. Accompanying each are paintings, photos, menu cards and recipes, bringing to life such crackpots as Ludwig II of Bavaria who invited imaginary friends to dinner before turning up inexplicably dead in a lake. Just spare a thought for the ortolan that was former French president François Mitterrand's last meal - the songbird caught alive in the traditional way, force fed in the dark and then drowned in Armagnac. What a way to go. Emma Ventura, deputy editor
Vefa's Kitchen
Vefa Alexaidou, Phaidon Press, hbk, $84.95.
Its simplicity is what I find most inspiring about this Greek modern classic. Fabulously encyclopedic, it includes recipes for the icons of Greek cuisine, such as dolmades, pastitsio and moussaka, along with recipes for less well-known regional dishes such as an offal-filled traditional Easter soup from Corfu. Like Greek food itself, Vefa's Kitchen is honest, rustic and packed with salty and earthy flavour. Lisa Featherby, food editor
This article is from the December 2009 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine.


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- Some readers wondered about the way the question was worded.
- Religiosity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaReligiosity, in its broadest sense, is a comprehensive sociological term used to refer to the numerous aspects of religious activity, ded...
Other readers wondered why we asked the question at all.
Most readers agreed that politics and religion should be separate.
- Religion and politics should not be mixed by anyone who paid attention during civics class. The right not to have religion forced on you is why the separation is there. Period. Religion is not excluded anywhere but in affairs where it should not intrude and pollute the political process. That is the poison of those who claim that "religion" has a factor in politics now.
- It's really not all that important to me at all. If the President is doing a good job running the country his religion shouldn't be an issue. It's nice that we have a Christian President and it's really good that he is understanding of people of all religions. I'm all for separation of church and state.
Another concern was a president pushing his or her own beliefs.
Finally, a few readers said religion was an important factor in how they'd vote.
On candidates and religion
A sampling of responses posted to The Times' Facebook page.
byLATimes Readers' Rep3,054 Views


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The first in the PopRox Best of the Decade Series: Comedy movies of the 00′s
So here's where we are in the State of Cinema, circa 2009. About 90 percent of the comedies being made are so bad and formulaic that a couple of things have happened in the past 10 years:
--Only one group of people — The Frat Pack — is allowed to make a comedy anymore. Unless one of those people or Adam Sandler is in your comedy, don't bother making that movie because it won't make money. There are faint exceptions, but not many.
--Only one person -- Judd Apatow — is allowed to direct or produce that comedy. Otherwise, it probably won't make a dime.
--Comedy is barely even a genre anymore -- there are only movies disguised as comedies. The funniest movie of 2007 was Juno, but you'll see DJ Lance Rock with a show on MTV before you find Juno on Comedy Central. The funniest movie of 2004 was Napoleon Dynamite, but 15 other comedies were higher than it on the list of highest grossing movies of 2004. Only Dodgeball is remotely even close to as funny as that weirdo from Montana was. Or Idaho. Or wherever. Wait, was The Village a comedy? Sure seemed like it. Anyway, people just don't think the truly funny movies are that funny anymore. They're much more interested in quick, easy sight gags like fat security guards who fall down a lot.
But there are the exceptions. Movies that go a long way to craft some truly funny jokes, cast the perfect characters
5. Napoleon Dynamite (2004): Go ahead. Try to watch this movie and find a spot where you can watch for more than one minute — just 60 seconds — without laughing out loud. Yeah, most of it is laughing at the borderline mentally challenged, socially inept dork-and-a-half with the best character name of the decade. But that's the idea — you're supposed to laugh at him even though he's the kind of guy you were taught not to laugh at in high school. Maybe that's why it's so funny. We're finally allowed to let out all the public laughs that we saved only for a choice few friends in the privacy of a walk home from the bus instead of study hall. Even the part that isn't supposed to be funny — Napoleon's dance at the end — is still, in a weird way, hysterical. The biggest detriment is my jealousy that the filmmakers stole The Promise by When in Rome from the movie I want to make (the end credits song). Other than that, it's pretty close to a perfect movie.
4. Superbad(2007). Even though I'm becoming more and more convinced that Judd Apatow is some kind of other-worldly devil on a Hell-funded mission to suck real comedy from the world, the man can still spot some funny stuff and knows how to make a classic scene that will be played again and again and again. Superbad has about 20 of them, minimum. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are perfectly matched as the oddball couple of their high school, and McLovin … well, what can you say about McLovin that hasn't already been said. I've watched this movie about 20 times now, and he's just one of those characters that gets funnier every time I watch it. If Superbad would have been a TV show, McLovin would have been the Fonz-Urkel type that would have broken out into superstardom with dolls and lunchboxes. Co-writer Seth Rogen and Bill Hader are great as the cops, giving us the glimpse into police life we all think they have, but are too scared to admit. OK, it's probably not as bad as they show. Can we settle on somewhere in the middle? BEST LINE: The jock on the soccer field chastises Seth for making fun of his elementary school pants-wetting incident to which Seth retorts, "People don't forget."
3. Wedding Crashers (2005). You've heard all the complaints about how it turns into a chick flick over the last half-hour. It does. Or that it drags at times. It does. But of all the straight Frat Pack movies(I don't count #2 as a straight Frat Pack movie), Wedding Crashers is the one that gets the most true laughs developed from simple human conversation instead of cheap jokes. There's no catch-phrase that you can put on a T-shirt, no fart jokes, no streakers and no lesbian kisses. Just good, honest comedy that you need to watch two or three times before you truly appreciate how funny the lines and scenes really are. No one walked out of the theater saying to their buddy, "Holy crap, do you remember that scene at dinner table with the redhead doing things to Vince Vaughn under the table! That was hysterical!" You came out saying how funny Vince Vaughn was getting hit in the football game was. Now, looking back after dozens more viewings, it was the funniest scene of the movie and some of most well-constructed comedy of the decade. If you judged the movie on the first 90 minutes, it's probably the funniest of the decade. But the stupid 20 minutes of the stupid bike ride on that stupid path to that stupid beach talk — and even after that — really drag the entire movie down and make you feel like you've been duped into watching Legally Blonde 3. Now that we're in the magic age of DVR and DVD, feel free to fast forward right through those. BEST LINE: "You motorboatin' son of a bitch, you old sailor you! Where is she? Is she still in the house?"
2. The Royal Tenenbaums(2001). In the biggest upset of the decade, this isn't my number one comedy for the last 10 years, and I'm not quite sure how that happened. It's the smartest movie of the decade, that's for sure, hands down, and it isn't even close. Comedy or no comedy. It's also the best script of the decade and provides the most honest laughs given to us by some of the best comedic actors of the decade — Luke and Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Bill Murray — who are in what should be unfunny roles. But their talent is on display for the world to see here, all held together by the official PopRox Performance of the Decade that Did Not Receive an Oscar Nomination, Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum. Besides Norman Dale, it's the performance of his lifetime and is the anchor of the best comedy cast of the decade. There's only one reason I don't like this movie, and it's something that bothers me every single solitary time I watch it — hope. It gives me false hope that someday Ben Stiller actually will be an actor of some sort and stop making the same movie over and over. He's Oscar-worthy in this and then I watch him make a fool of himself on Comedy Central in something like Zoolander or Duplex. It doesn't make any sense. Whether he's made a conscious decision to avoid meaty, great comedy roles or not, the fact is he doesn't take them. Not since this. It's not fair to knock this movie out of the top spot because of that. But I did. BEST LINE: "I see you @sshole!"
1. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back(2001). Superlative reasons it's on top of this list: Funniest cameo cast of comedy all-stars like Ben Affleck (twice), Jason Lee (twice), Matt Damon, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Jason Biggs, Jon Stewart, Seann William Scott, Tracy Morgan, Jamie Kennedy and Diedrich Bader. Just read that list again. Go ahead, I'll wait. Ready to move on? Cool. Will Ferrell's funniest role. Most quotable. Most laugh-out-loud moments. Most rewatchable. Fastest paced. Most difficult to resist if you happen by it at 2 in the morning right before you were heading to bed. That's a lot of reasons. By all accounts, it's should have been completely unfunny. It's a hodgepodge of scenes rather than a true, coherent movie — like Royal Tenenbaums-- and Kevin Smith has no problem making fun of that fact throughout. The plot makes little-to-no sense and is the kind of ridiculousness that Smith usually charts a course against in his movies. There are at the very least five cheap laughs at the viewer's expense. It's all a formula for disaster. But the LPM (laughs per minute) are off the chart and it's just a hysterically funny movie full of sight gags, incredibly funny dialogue, stars making fun of themselves and an outside look at the inner-Hollywood sanctum. It's like all the best parts of Entourage multiplied by about 15, then taken to the 27th power. And it's the funniest movie of the decade. BEST LINE: "What the **** is the Internet?"
Just missed: Little Miss Sunshine, Dodgeball, Borat, The Hangover, Step Brothers, Old School, Team America: World Police, Simpsons Movie, Meet the Parents, Wet Hot American Summer
Very funny movies that aren't really comedies: Ocean's 11, Juno, Adaptation, Sideways, Lost in Translation, Ghost World, In Bruges, Once, King of Kong, Me You and Everyone We Know, Garden State
Overrated but still funny: Anchorman, 40-Year-Old Virgin
Most overrated and not that funny at all: Knocked Up


text: CHICAGO - In separate opinions issued Oct. 12, an Illinois federal judge issued rulings on motions for summary judgment and for judgment on the pleadings and declined to grant class certification to 32 proposed classes in a wrongful reimbursement suit brought by chiropractors (Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, et al. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, et al., No. 09-5619, N.D. Ill; 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 147026; 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 146955).