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New York law offers nurses more recognition, responsibility
If past experience is anything to go by, nurse practitioners in New York State are about to get a lot more recognition for their contributions to primary care. In Massachusetts, laws already on the books allowing NPs to provide primary care offer nurses more recognition of their contributions to patient care and better relationships with physicians and administrators, compared with colleagues in New York, according to a study from Columbia University School of Nursing, published in Health Care Management Review.
"This suggests that the practice environment for NPs in New York can improve once the state's NP Modernization Act takes effect," says Columbia Nursing Assistant Professor Lusine Poghosyan, PhD, RN, lead study author. The NP Modernization Act, passed as part of the New York State budget earlier this year, will allow experienced NPs to practice independently, without direct supervision from a physician.
A research team led by Poghosyan surveyed a cross-section of NPs in New York and Massachusetts who worked in a variety of primary care settings to see how state policy and the type of employer influenced NPs' perception of their practice environment. The survey asked NPs about five aspects of their work experiences: physician relations, administration relations, support and resources, visibility and comprehension of their role, and independence of practice. Massachusetts bested New York on every variable.
At the same time, laws are only one piece of the puzzle. In both states, NPs gave a lower score on each variable to hospital-affiliated clinics than they did for physician offices or community health centers. In particular, NPs ranked their ability to practice independently as significantly lower in hospital-affiliated settings. Hospitals generally have large administrative structures, and are governed by multiple committees that may not have NP representation. As a result NPs may not have enough input in decision-making or sufficient opportunity to promote their role in patient care, the study says.
"Practice managers and administrators set the tone for the workplace and these findings suggest that in many instances they may need to institute changes to provide more support to NPs," Poghosyan says. "Policies at the practice level and the state level are starting to recognize that supporting independent practice for NPs helps improve the quality and timeliness of patient care. We need to see this trend continue, and permeate the culture of more workplaces."
To improve the practice environment, managers should make efforts to establish a clear NP role within their organization and promote the visibility of NPs, Poghosyan says. Managers should also focus on improving the relationship between NPs and administrators and opening the channels of communications. One way to successfully integrate NPs is to provide avenues for NPs to become involved in organizational governance and committees and give them a voice in clinical practice decisions, hiring, and promotions.
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2. This week's trip to Vanderbilt was long. We arrived at 8, left at 5:30. There was a small break in appointments so we visited old college friends who are dealing with a serious cancer diagnosis. While I hate the reason we visited, I'm glad that we were there and hope to spend more time with them in the future. I also skipped over to work and had the joy of handing out surprise bonus checks! Dr. C is feeling good about my progress; I really am feeling better over these past 2 months. Having that extra week off back in March seemed to give me a little boost, and the new medication is controlling my pain level which is a stress-relief in itself. We ate a very early lunch at The Grilled Cheeserie and then decided the salted caramel peanut butter cup milkshake was too good to pass up, so we went back after chemo was over.
3. So this happened last night. He's been sporting a little mustache for a while now and when I jokingly mentioned shaving it, he immediately took me up on it.
4. Between work and chemo, attending field trips have been low priority (and it feels like there have been field trips every other week this school year). Despite chemo on Wednesday, I went with Rory for her final elementary school field trip, and I was reminded why they're low priority - she just wants to hang with her people, not her mama. I'm still glad I tagged along. I love seeing how she interacts with classmates, what makes her smile, what makes her roll her eyes (she is 10, after all).
5. A few favorites for your weekend: Teaching Our Sons to Walk by Shannan Martin, banana nut muffins (I wouldn't call these the prettiest muffins, but they're easy, seem to be fool proof and they're delicious).

subset: commoncrawl


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Are You Being Served?'s Frank Thornton Dies at 92
Mar 21, 2013 9:05 AM EDT
British actor Frank Thornton, who played Captain Peacock on Are You Being Served?, died in his sleep in his London home Saturday, The Associated Press reports. He was 92. Born in London, Thornton had a lifelong dream of becoming an actor. Even a… Read more


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Struggling through the cargo crunch.
Cargo traffic tumbles, some cargo conversion lines stumble, but cargo maintenance and conversion shops press on. The long-term outlook is still decent, but it may be different from that of past decades. For one thing, the historical relationship between growth in cargo demand and GDP seems to be shifting downward.
Cargo markets are vulnerable to the same economic and fuel upsets as all air transport, but cargo markets are even more ferociously competitive than passenger travel. Heavy-check shops need to be extremely lean and conversions must be tailored to exact market demands, which are changing.
Cargo traffic barely grew at all in 2011, and TeamSAI Chairman and CEO Chris Doan looks for it to be "suppressed, but not down," in 2012, mainly due to the economy. U.S. carriers cut their freighter fleets ruthlessly since 2009, but fleets in other regions have been roughly stable.
Doan expects cargo capacity to grow 4% a year in the next decade, with the average fleet size increasing. "They are retiring small aircraft like Boeing 727s, 737s and DC-9s, and fuel-hungry widebodies like DC-10s, MD-11s and old 747s." For replacement and additional capacity, TeamSAI forecasts 750 cargo conversions, about two-thirds of them of narrowbody passenger jets, plus 500 new widebody freighters. The key, for both conversions and new freighters, will be fuel efficiency, in Doan's view.
Gert-Jan Jansen, executive director of the Cargo Advisory at Seabury Aviation and Aerospace, notes cargo growth has steadily slowed down, from 8-12% in the 1970s, to 7-8% in the 1980s, to 6-7% in the 1990s to 2-7% in the last decade. Cargo forecasts by Boeing and Airbus have consistently exaggerated prospects. Instead of growing at a multiple of world GDP growth, he thinks ton-miles are likely to grow at the same pace as GDP, 4-4.5% over the next five years.
Jansen notes that deliveries of large new freighters, the 747-8F, 777F and A330F, will peak in the next 2-3 years, and there are plenty of passenger aircraft whose age makes them suitable conversion prospects. "There is a real risk that capacity growth will continue to exceed demand growth in the next few years."
But the Seabury consultant sees differences in cost of cargo capacity among specific aircraft types as smaller than expected. The least expensive widebody is only about 20% more economic than the most expensive one, and a similar range prevails for medium-capacity freighters (see chart). Most freighters bunch in the middle. "The key is to develop a clear network and fleet strategy based on sound market data," Jansen stresses. "Utilization and load factors make or break each aircraft choice." In other words, which aircraft a cargo carrier flies may count less than how well these aircraft match the network and cargo demand.
Shops that depend on cargo maintenance or conversions must jump though similar hoops: picking the right aircraft to work on, sizing capacity to meet demand and then keeping hangars full.
Flightstar Aircraft Services, which does both C checks and conversions, has seen no slowdown in its workload, according to Chief Operating Officer Tucker Morrison. He attributes 18 months of growth to the addition of a new hangar in January 2011, which gave Flightstar 10 heavy lines, enough to attract new customers.
One or two of these lines are typically dedicated to conversions. The rest do heavy checks on mostly Boeing narrowbodies. Morrison says the number of checks on cargo aircraft has held steady, but is now about 25% of heavy work, down from 50% before, due to the capacity expansion.
The company is doing its 35th 757 conversion under a supplemental type certificate (STC) from Precision Conversions. This work has been steady at 3-4 passenger to freighter conversions per year, for six years, but the next two may go to combis. Flightstar also does touch labor on 737 conversions under an STC from Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI).
Morrison says his company is similar to competitors, but now has more floor space and fresh capital from Moelis Capital Partners. Although Morrison has heard that widebody cargo work is down, Flightstar's narrowbody cargo checks and conversions have not suffered.
AEI has converted 727s and 737s and is close to the first STC for converting an MD-80. Robert Convey, AEI sales vice president, acknowledges that the cargo market is choppy and mixed. "You can see that cargo is dropping, and our cargo customers in Europe say the market is hostile, with competitors cutting rates below cost." But Convey sees the U.S. market as rebounding a bit and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) steady or on the upswing. "Russia is picking up, but they don't take that many. Brazil is doing well, Central America is doing very well and southern Africa is stable."
He views the overall outlook for narrowbody conversions as positive. "The drop in traffic is affecting medium- and widebodies," Convey says.
He points out that one prominent widebody conversion shop did 8-10 747s last year and may do only two this year. And one of Convey's Asian customers took a widebody for conversion and then decided it did not want a freighter, partly due to slow traffic.
Nevertheless, AEI's three maintenance partners are still seeing steady check work on narrowbody cargo aircraft. "Carriers are slowing down but they are not parking the narrowbodies, as they are parking the widebodies."
Convey believes one reason for the special vulnerability of widebody freighters is competition from passenger widebodies like the 747, 777 and A380. "They have enormous belly capacity and fly five times per week, unlike freighters that fly twice a week. And they can offer cheap rates, because cargo is an add-on for passenger aircraft." Belly competition is especially important in and out of markets like China and India, he says.
But that cargo space capacity does not compete with narrowbody freighters, in Convey's view. "Once you get the freight to Mexico City, you have to fly it out to smaller airports, and only narrowbody freighters can do that."
AEI predicts good prospects for the MD-80 as a narrowbody freighter. "It can do the same volume as, but is less than half the cost of, a 737-400," Convey says. He puts the cost of maintenance and conversion of an MD-80 at $3.5-$4 million, versus $8-$9 million for a 737-400. And an MD-80 engine with green time costs only $300,000-$400,000, typically less than a CFM56 on the 737.
MD-80s may be inefficient in fuel use, but Convey argues that, if an aircraft flies only 2 hr. per day on feeder routes, it's the purchase cost that count most. AEI has 15 orders for MD-80 conversions. "We never had that kind of backlog before," Convey notes.
Others also see opportunities by going small. Stan Mounce designed the STC for the cargo version of the Fokker 50, of which there are 14 flying. As manager of Phoenix Aero Solutions, Mounce is working on an STC for the Fokker 100. He sees a market with carriers like FedEx that need a small plane to carry cargo to small airports. "The MD-80 is a good plane, but can't do these airports," Mounce argues. "The F100 fits into the niche."
Mounce sees DHL, FedEx and UPS seeking replacements in both the 4-7-ton range and the 7-14-ton range. Carriers also are looking for combis to fly employees and cargo to remote mining sites. ATR 42s and 72s fit the lower range, while the F100 is in the higher. In addition, "ATRs are very expensive, just try to find one," Mounce says. "They have a limited inside door for cargo. The F100 can take quite a bit and is available."
Mounce looks for sturdiness in conversion candidates. "CRJs and ERJ 145s are throw-aways," he says. "F100s are high-engine airplanes with good fuel economy and a long time between broken parts. Fokker went broke building it, but it is a very well-built aircraft."
Availability at reasonable prices is key to cargo conversions. Mounce notes that plans for A320 conversions failed because there were not enough available to justify the upfront cost of an STC.
Mounce reckons he get can get an F100, with C check, engine work and airworthiness directives complete, for $3 million and spend $1.7 million to do the conversion, including rollers. "That's a $5 million aircraft."
Phoenix has two F100s in the hangar and is looking at four others. The company estimates it will need to do about 40 F100 conversions to make the STC a success.
As for the cargo slowdown? "We aren't worried. It's mostly a widebody thing."
Air freight volumes increased in February from a year ago by 5.2%, according to the International Air Transport Association. Growth largely was driven by cargo shipments that were postponed in January due to the Chinese New Year holiday and the comparison to 2011 shipments that were weakened due to the Arab Spring.


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After the tour de france (TDF) i'm pumped for this event.
During the telecast of the time trial stages in the TDF, the commentator kept going on about how good a chance Rogers would be in the Olympics road race. But yet when i looked at the sportstab and centrebet prices he is listed at $67.
I'm going to put a lazy $10 on him and see what happens (They were talking like he would be one of the favs. for the event ).


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Help your body ward off infections this winter by practicing the following routine. Its twists, backbends, and inversions stimulate your main immunity components -- the adrenal glands and lymphatic system -- helping them perform better.
It's often hard to find the inspiration to get out of your nice, comfortable bed when you're still so tired. These simple moves stretch and strengthen the spine, increase vitality, reduce tension, release impurities, and improve focus -- everything you need to face what lies ahead.
Keep your body and soul in top shape with our easy exercise routines.
Smart Moves


text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - The Caribbean's largest marina is getting a $450 million makeover. A Connecticut-based hedge fund is improving infrastructure and facilities at the Puerto del Rey marina in northeast Puerto Rico. Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said Friday that Putnam Bridge Funding LLC also is considering adding more docks to expand the current capacity of 1,100 boats and allowing boats longer than 200 feet (61 meters) to dock there. He said the company also has plans to build condo-hotels and villas. Putnam Bridge Funding bought the marina earlier this year after its former owners filed for bankruptcy. Garcia said he expects the renovation to create up to 400 temporary jobs and up to 500 permanent ones.


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I have this beautiful fabric that has larger patterned stripes, and I want to use it as a border on a wholecloth wall hanging. I thought it'd be better than piecing it because I didn't want to take away from the quilting on the wholecloth. I just don't exactly know how to cut it and still be able to use the whole pattern of the fabric. There are actually different stripes in different sizes throughout the pattern. How do I go about cutting it to piece it against my wholecloth allowing it to not be cut off at all? I hope I am making sense.
Any help would be appreciated.


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iDB's Daily Deal post is a roundup of our favorite deals on tech and tech-related products from around the web. This includes everything from smartphones, tablets and accessories, to connected devices and even video games.
Every deal you see below has been hand-picked based on a variety of factors including personal experience, online reviews from customers and experts, and discount percentage. So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!… Read the rest of this post here
"Daily Deals: $500 off CarPlay receiver, $20 off select Kindles, and more" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


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Petraeus testifies on Capitol Hill on Libya attack
11:55AM EST November 16. 2012 -
WASHINGTON The CIA told the White House that the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was a terror attack by an al-Qaeda linked group, but the assessment was altered by Obama administration officials, Gen. David Petraeus told the House Intelligence Committee.
Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director a week ago over an extra-marital affair, said he knew that the attack was not sparked by a protest over an anti-Islam video, as White House officials and President Obama had said for days after the Sept. 11 attack, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.
"The original talking points put out by the CIA were different from what was later put out," King said. "Petraeus says his initial assessment was from the start it was a terrorist attack."
However, King said Petraeus didn't know why al-Qaeda involvement was taken out of the talking points.
"It's still not clear how the talking points emerged," King said. "No one knows yet who came up with the final talking points."
But the CIA eventually approved the modified assessment, King said Petraeus told the committee. Why the CIA approved the talking points, which were made public by US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice and others, and who was involved in making the changes, King did not say.
King said Petraeus didn't know why al-Qaeda involvement was taken out of the talking points. King said information about the possible impact of the anti-Islam film "was part of the information intelligence analysts were getting at the time."
The White House assessment was derived through an interagency process that included the State Department, FBI and the National Security Council, King said. It was those talking points that were given to Rice.
Petraeus' testimony appears to be at odds with what he told the committee Sept. 14, three days after the attack, King said. Petraeus reportedly said then that the video may have sparked a protest outside the consulate that turned violent.
But there was no protest, the White House admitted more than a week after the attack. A video shown Thursday to lawmakers investigating the attack made it clear that it was always an organized terror attack, said some lawmakers.
The claim that al-Qaeda was not involved in the attack came days after the Democratic National Convention that nominated Obama for another term and during which Vice President Biden and others gave televised speeches lauding the president for crushing al-Qaeda throughout the world.
"It was very clear from day one that this was a terrorist attack," Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told Fox News. "This would be obvious to anyone. That is very clear."
Five days after the attack, Rice was dispatched by Obama to say it was a spontaneous spate of violence that emerged from a protest outside the consulate, and she said repeatedly it was not a terrorist attack. Rice said protesters were demonstrating against an anti-Islam video produced in the United States, and both Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Obama echoed that claim.
The State Department has since said that there was no protest and the White House has admitted the attack was a well-organized assault by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists timed to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Obama said at a news conference this week that Rice was repeating the scenarios provided to her by administration intelligence experts. Chambliss said he was skeptical of that claim and hopes Petraeus can shed light on it.
"She was saying exactly what the political shop at the White House told her to say," Chambliss said.
The last sentence says it all.


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Gerard Butler has much to be thankful for, "Dracula 2000" for one. Dashing, witty and masculine, Butler seems the perfect phantom in the screen version of "Phantom of the Opera". Also to be seen in "Dear Frankie" and "Beowulf", Gerard Butler is a star on the rise, but a modest one, who talked to Paul Fischer in New York.
Question: You must be very thankful for "Dracula 2000" if you believe the press notes, apparently was that movie that Joel Schumacher saw.
Answer: There were six films in the cinema and he'd seen all of them, so he said, "Oh, shit, we might as well go see 'Dracula.' He tells me the story anyway. It just goes to show you that it can be one character you take, one movie that somebody sees something that inspires them.
Question: What's the fun of playing these iconic characters? You've done Dracula, Beowulf and now this?
Answer: I probably should have thought about this because it's quite a common question. The answer is I really don't know. I just know that when I read a script that I fascinating and I love taking a claim into the darkness of the soul, but I just don't know how to explain it. Not just to be bad to be bad and to be entertaining, but be bad and try to.If you try to sympathize and realize why he's bad and does the things he does an audience can connect with that and sympathize with that character.
Question: The movie goes far more into the background of the character than stage play. How important was that element that we got to know what drove the Phantom?
Answer: That's a disconnect I had with the stage play as well even though I loved it. It's very entertaining and at the end quite moving. I read the script fortunately before I ever saw the stage play, therefore it was completely fresh to me when I saw Joel's interpretation, which is obviously so much more emotionally complex. When I connect with something, I already imagine myself playing that role and I knew the direction and the feeling I could give it. It's a much more exciting prospect, because if something moves me I'm no different than anyone else. The same with 'Dear Frankie' when I read that script, I thought can I be so wrong? If this is so moving and profound to me than surely if I could in a simple way, and never more than in 'Dear Frankie,' you know I know this guy. I'm not good at working, working it and than technically try and make something I instinctively feel.
Question: But with The Phantom, you also had the danger of stepping into Michael Crawford's shoes in the role he is so closely identified with. Were you surprised when they first came to you with this?
Answer: I was very surprised when they first came to me with this, because I'm not a singer. I can sing, I've been singing for a long while, but I never had a singing lesson in my life. When they approached me, I had sung for fun in a rock band when I was training as a lawyer. But that was about as good as it gets. So when they came to me I thought, 'Why, I'm too young.' And I didn't come from a musical background. So I was surprised until I read the script and what I connected with, I could see. I also know, that was my surprise, Joel Schumacher who I knew, we were friends, if there was one thing about Joel it's he's a genius for casting. I thought 'There must be something going on here, he must have some reason for coming to me, and then when I read it I understood and then I talked with him and he explained wanting to bring the whole age down, I could see the genius of that. I think it's all the more heartbreaking for the Phantom because he's a man in the prime of his life. Therefore, he's denied sexually, intimately. I think it's more heartbreaking when you know he's already had his story, so he's already been through a lot of that pain, but here he still has so much to offer in everyway but this love is not for him, which killed me in every way.
Question: What do you think the appeal of this movie will be to 18-to-25-year-olds who are not accustomed to classical musicals, which this one is, not like "Chicago?"
Answer: I'll tell you something; to me, I'm an actor, I do something because it touches me and then you'd expect to understand why something is in terms of the public. If I were to offer something up, it would be the same reasons it touched me. We are all at heart romantic and passionate and there is nothing like a dark romance to stir us up, no matter what age you are. On top of that, this movie has everything. It has a lot of old Hollywood and it feels like an old musical, but at the same time it's vibrant and alive and beautiful and lush, it has a great energy because that's what Joel is great at getting. Cinematically, it's a treat. The music appeals to all ages. When I walk past 'The Phantom' here in New York, I can't believe how many kids are going to the theater. So it's obviously their story and it appeals to everyone. And the movie makes it more accessible because of the cost. A lot of kids don't go to the theater because of the cost, but now they can go see it in the cinema and claim it. This movie has recreated the world of the Phantom, of the Paris Opera House in a dark, luscious (way). And you can claim it and abandon yourself to a romantic, tragic love story, but it's also..I forgot what I was going to say.
Question: What was your experience of meeting Andrew Lloyd Webber? Talking to us, he seemed a little nervous and shy.
Answer: Yeah, I think he was nervous. You know, the thing is, I treated this in my head as an interesting, independent production, which it was. That helped me not get too nervous about it. And I also knew, this is a great philosophy, I work very, very hard as an actor. The second I knew, even before I met Joel, I was working with a vocal coach taking singing lessons, even before I knew how interested he was in me for the role. And then after that, I always knew I could sing or not. I'll put in as much work as I can and then the experts will tell me whether I can handle this kind of singing or I can't. So that didn't make me nervous; it was either a yes or no. I think acting is much more difficult; it's a comment on your soul. I think a bad acting audition can go far worse than a singing audition. You have a page and notes that you can stick to. If you're not good, you can lose 20 percent, but me at a bad acting audition, I can loss 300 percent or I can fly. So therefore, I wasn't nervous until I stood by the piano and then enormity of what I was trying to achieve (stuck him), and my mind went, 'No, this isn't an interesting, independent movie. This is 'The Phantom of the Opera,' probably the biggest musical of all time.' And then I'm singing 'Music of the Night,' one of the most famous song of all-time, sung and made famous by someone who isn't me, in front of the composer, one of the most famous composers of all-time. All those things went through my mind and then my legs started shaking. Simon Lee was playing the piano and he was (Butler imitated his gasping). It was like a comedy act, he was telling me to breath, but he kept (again gasping). I kept singing, and, of course, I'm my own worst critic. I thought I'd sung terribly, but Andrew really dug it.
Question: How pleased are you with the finished product?
Answer: I'm blown away by it. I always felt like we were doing something special, but even I didn't know the extraordinary amount of vision and talent that had gone into it. I thought when I saw it, 'When did he do that? Where did he do that?' And I loved that, because when I finish a film and go see it, I almost wish I wasn't in it because you get too caught up being too vain about your performance. I loved this movie so much I thought 'I wish I wasn't in this film, because I could relax and enjoy it.'
Question: So much of your performance is through music that is a unique form of expression?
Answer: To be honest, I think a lot of my jobs as an actor have been tough, like the one I just did in Iceland, because of the conditions or tight schedule. But I would have to say, this was the most difficult because of the emotional journey factor. The actors that do it on stage, God love 'em, eight times a week. But the emotional breakdown for six weeks, 15 hours a day, I was going insane, screaming, and crying. I was really in that space. I was a bit of a basket case by the end of it. So there was emotional roller coaster that I knew I was going to have when I started the job, and then, of course, there was the singing which was an added pressure. In fact, sometimes it become harder, because the tireder you'd get you were still always recording. I was filming all day and then I was still working on songs and recording. It was getting worse because my voice was getting tireder. Yeah, there was so much I wanted to say through the voice, because you don't get the chance to be so physically, theatrically expressive. Therefore, to me, the voice is subtle movement and I did a lot of movement classes to understand. I knew the voice was probably the main means of communication, so I wanted to become as technically good as I could.
Honestly, I wanted to hear his life story in every note, which therefore I think weakens him up in the beginning because I always felt even through "Music of the Night" that even in his more seductive moments it was tinged with pain. Like he always knew this wasn't going to be for him. It was a controlled yet desperate attempt at something he knew he wasn't going to have any luck in. Maybe it was too much, but it was my instinctive feeling when I first read it I would think, "This is so said." Joel would say, "But this is so sexy." Somewhere along the way, we managed to get them both in there. That's one of the most exciting things. If you can do "Point of No Return" which is so heartbreaking and so fuckin' sexy and sensual and lusty and yet tragic and yet when you can feel both those things at the same time, they are almost like warring emotions. It's like, for instance, you watch a movie like "Billy Elliot." It gets you laughing and crying at the same time. That's the experience I had when I watch "Point of No Return." In the finale, when I looked into the eyes of Patrick Wilson, who is such an exceptional and truthful actor, I could see this man dying in front of me with nothing, it broke my heart, and yet, I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill someone (He raised his voice), but to be breaking your heart about it at the same time, that's when my fate playing these villainous characters is so fascinating.
Question: Can you tell me about you're experience in Iceland? How was it? (filming "Beowulf & Grendel" adapted from the Angelo-Saxon epic poem that inspired J.R.R. Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" Butler plays the Norse warrior Beowulf, who is pitted against the great and murderous troll, Grendel).
Answer: To this day, probably Iceland and Scotland will be my two of the most memorable countries. It's so up my alley, everything is so raw and primal. I was carried away by landscapes you can't believe exist on this planet. The people really surprised me. It's a very artistic community without an ego. They are just all down to earth and I worked under some of the most difficult filming conditions. I was working at zero degrees centigrade soaking wet for two nights. I was filming on glacier rivers. One day, eight car windows were blown in by flying rocks and our base camp was blown away five times. It was insane. There was one scene where four actors were blown three feet off their marks by one gust of wind. We were trying to film under the most insane conditions, and for those reasons it was harder, but those experiences stay with you so much stronger. I also loved the story and being able to stick to those landscapes.
Question: Did you get to go to the Blue Lagoon?
Answer: I got to go to the Blue Lagoon and the geysers and the hot springs, went up on the glaciers. I'm actually one of the few people on this planet who can claim to be on a snowmobile with (co-star) Stellan Skarsgard feeling my breasts. "Nice pecs, boy!" (laughing). I saw the Northern Lights while listening to Cigaros. (sp?) I don't know if you know who they are. They are like a special experience, to look up and watch the Northern Lights flying across the sky while listening to Cigaros, you understand why understand why those Icelandic people play music with so much more soul. It's not necessarily beautiful, it's just profound.
Question: What about this take on "Beowulf?" interested you?
Answer: It's a very unusual retelling, unlike the poem, what you realize, the audience has already had the advantage of meeting the troll. In a way it's a metaphor for racism. Grendel comes from another race that humans don't understand. Beowulf wants to fight and Grendel doesn't want to fight, so he's left in this standoff position with an enemy who he starts to appreciate. It's not really an enemy, but something that's more beautiful and pure than half of the human beings. And yet they're on this inevitable path towards conflict. It's one of the most fascinating, unusual stories I ever read. A whole new language has been created in the vein of the sagas. It's told almost dispassionate, but yet it creates such emotion to witness. Even if the movie doesn't do business, I'm so glad I did it.
Question: What were some of the psychological effects of wearing the Phantom's mask?
Answer: You know what? There's good and bad and then you try to use the bad for the good. It's very weird to be sticking a mask in your face after you've worked so hard on the character. And then after that you have to try to sing on screen and make that believable. To really feel your performance and lip-sync, it's bizarre, but then if it was bizarre for me, it was bizarre for him. So you just trust that that's something you have to deal with and he has to deal with. At the same time, you enjoy that experience because to put on that mask is a very empowering experiencing. You can see it. That mask has a very ominous, powerful physical presence and you get to know that by spending a lot of time looking into the mirror. And then the many hours of prosthetic makeup I had to go through would make me psychologically screwed up. Gluing my eye was torture. By the time they finished and you've been looking in the mirror you really are not in the best shape, so you're ready to go bite somebody's head off, and it's also heartbreaking because you're realizing what it must be like. So all the things you have to deal with and the struggles you go through help to create your character.
Question: Do you think Miramax will release "Dear Frankie?"
Answer: Yes, yes they are, it's a great film.
Question: Are you anything like your characters?
Answer: I'm so incredibly not like those characters. I'm easy going and happy.


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Hi everybody and welcome to OTTT #6 !
I still didn't have the time to update my introduction, so I'll ask every new poster to read the intro of the OTTT #4 before posting something.
Don't repeat the requests that were post in the last thread, I have them in note, and I'll put the transcriptions here when they are ready.
Actually there are important delays, I have to organize many things in my life (yeah, I actually have a life ! haha), and I'm sorry about it. I work on that point.


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En Español
A small bowel prolapse (enterocele) occurs when the tissues and muscles that hold the small bowel in place are stretched or weakened. This can cause the small bowel to move from its natural position and press against the wall of the vagina.
Current as ofFebruary 19, 2019
Author: Healthwise StaffSarah A. Marshall, MD - Family MedicineMartin J. Gabica, MD - Family MedicineKathleen Romito, MD - Family MedicineFemi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC, FACOG - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
Current as of:
February 19, 2019
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah A. Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC, FACOG - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2019 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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MARIETTA, Ga. - Small ball is what is keeping the Diamond Devils 15u Blue alive in pool play of the 2013 15u WWBA National Championship. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh of a 2-2 game, AJ Sessions did something nobody saw coming: he placed a bunt down the third base line. With the third baseman back, Sessions knew he would have a strong chance of reaching first base and winning the game.
"The third baseman was probably 20 feet back of the grass so I figured if I could just lay one down the third base side he had no play," said Sessions.
"He did that on his own," said head coach Banks Faulkner. "That was a heck of a job by him."
Faulkner might not have called for the bunt, but with Sessions up they figured there was a chance Sessions would lay one down. "We spent some time with him a couple weeks ago working on his short game," Faulkner said. "It's good to see him taken to that."
"It keeps our week alive," Sessions said. "We feel like we're the best team in the pool and we should win it."
With the 3-2 win over the Banditos of Austin 15u this morning, the Diamond Devils 15u Blue improves to 4-1 in their pool, with their only loss a 2-1 game against the undefeated Kentucky Baseball Club Billingsley.
"We definitely have shot," Sessions said about their playoff chances. "I feel like we have the pitching to do it, we have the hitting to do it, and we have the defense to do it."
"We've won a lot of different ways," said Faulkner. "We always talk about three things: you gotta pitch, you gotta play defense, and you gotta hit with two outs."
The Diamond Devils 15u Blue jumped out in front in the first inning, scoring two runs, which, for the longest time, seemed like it could be enough. The Banditos of Austin 15u fought their way back in it, scoring runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at 2-2.
The defense provided a lot of big plays and kept Austin at bay. "Hogan Kelly, defensively, made some unbelievable plays," Faulkner said. "Hogan had some big plays that gave us some energy."
The bottom of the seventh started with a walk, then a single by Jeff Gottesman. Robert Byrd then sacrificed the two runners to second and third. Following the sacrifice was an intentional walk and an infield fly, which set the stage for Sessions to be the hero.
"I just try to be a good team player," said Sessions. "I just get out here and play baseball the way I play baseball."
"It was a wild one," Faulkner said. "Sort of like every game down here has been for us."
This is the third one-run game the Diamond Devils 15u Blue have played in through five games so far. On Saturday, they battled back from four runs down to beat the Doubleday Yankees, 6-5.
Their sole loss came in a one-run game on Saturday as well. Kentucky Baseball Club Billingsley scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 2-1.
The Diamond Devils 15u Blue play the Dirtbags Gold and the Chain Pirates to close out pool play.


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Feel at home in our Sedona hotel
Our Sedona hotel rooms offer a comfy home away from home waiting when you return from a big day of exploring. With spacious Sedona hotel rooms and suites, flexible layouts that fit the whole family, a sparkling pool, and even a kid and pet friendly park—you're sure to have a relaxing stay that makes everyone happy at one of the nicest Sedona hotels.
Whether you choose a standard Sedona hotel room or upgrade to a suite, our delicious hot breakfast bar, DVD rental service, speedy WiFi, and parking are always free of charge.
Wags welcome
Traveling with a four-legged family member? We've got a limited number of Sedona pet-friendly rooms and suites, and our fenced outside play area is just perfect for walks or a game of frisbee.
You can check availability of pet-friendly rooms online or call us at (800) 353-1239 to book a stay with your pet.Check availability
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Each of the 42 updated hotel rooms at Sedona Real is decorated with warm Southwest colors and outfitted with plush bedding and plenty of thoughtful details. Whether staying in Sedona for a relaxing getaway or an exciting family adventure, our standard rooms will keep you nice and cozy. In the morning, be sure to join us for a complimentary hot breakfast to fuel a day of adventure.
If you plan on bringing a furry friend, please be sure to select the pet-friendly room option to check for availability.Check Available Rooms
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Real Suite highlights
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Our standard suites are anything but ordinary, you can expect a spacious suite that's warm and inviting and decorated with a touch of Southwestern flair. You'll feel right at home with your very own living area, cozy fireplace, and plush bedding. In the morning, join us for a complimentary hot breakfast to fuel a day of adventure.
Real Suites come with all of our standard conveniences like an in-room coffee maker, mini refrigerator, microwave, and flat screen TV. If you plan on bringing a furry friend, please be sure to select the pet-friendly room option to check for availability.Check Available Suites
Royal Premium Suites
Royal suite highlights
- Living room area and fireplace
- Two-bedroom suites available
- Suites with multiple TVs available
- Selected suites include a private patio
- Onsite fitness center and laundry facility
If you're traveling with the whole family or just like a lot of elbow room, our Royal Premium Suites will feel just right. With your very own living area, cozy fireplace, and plenty of extra space it'll be all too easy for everyone to settle in for a relaxing evening. In the morning, be sure to join us for a complimentary hot breakfast to fuel a day of adventure.
Our Royal Premium Suites come with all of our standard conveniences like free WiFi and an in-room coffee maker, mini refrigerator, microwave, flat screen TV and DVD player. If you plan on bringing a furry friend, please be aware that pet-friendly rooms are limited, so be sure to select the pet-friendly room option to check for availability.Check Available Suites
Relax, and get comfortable
Sometimes the best part of a southwest getaway is finding a relaxing way to enjoy your beautiful surroundings. With our very own sparkling pool and fitness center, many of our hotel guests enjoy spending their Sedona vacations relaxing at our inn. If you're looking for a Sedona hotel with pool & fitness center, look no further.
There's lots of fun memories to be made right here at Sedona Real. All you need is friends, family, and possibly a bathing suit.
Dogs welcome
Enjoy your Sedona vacation with your four-legged family members. We've got a limited number of pet-friendly rooms and a fenced park with walking paths and green grass where you and your dogs can run around and play.
You can check availability of pet-friendly rooms online or call us at (800) 353-1239 to book a stay with your furry friend.Check availability
Private family and pet park
- Fenced play area
- Bike wash
- Grassy area
- Fire pit area
- Dog walk
Enjoy playtime and picnics in our park
We created our private, park space to give families and dog owners a convenient place to exercise their dogs and play with their children without even having to leave the hotel. It's fenced for off-the-leash roll-in-the-grass furry fun! If you want the fun of a campfire without the camping, our fire pit area is just what you're looking for. We keep a huge stack of firewood for our guests, and provide access to a charcoal grill where you can cook up some delicious dinner to eat with your friends around the fire.
Pool and hot tub area
- Scenic views
- Patio area
- Lounge chairs
- Pool toys and games
Cool off and relax
Taking a refreshing dip in our pool is the perfect way to end a warm summer day here in sunny Arizona. Or, if you've been out mountain biking all day, a relaxing soak in our hot tub is sure to do you some good before you head to bed dreaming about your day of adventure.
Please note: The hot tub is available year round, however, the pool is closed for winter between Thanksgiving – March.
Fire pit and barbecue
- Fire pit and chairs
- Lounge seating with umbrellas
- Large BBQ grill
- Exclusive fenced area for guests
Cook dinner and have drinks by the fire
If you want the fun of a campfire without the camping, our fire pit area is just what you're looking for. We've got a large stack of firewood waiting for you, and a great big charcoal grill where you can cook up some delicious dinner to eat with your friends around the fire.
Lounge and workstation
- Computer with internet
- Fax machine
- Free WiFi
- Printer
Work, if you must
If you need to look something up online while you're here, but don't want to bring your computer, we've got one you can use. We'll even accept a fax for you at our lobby desk should you need to get some paperwork taken care of.
As a bonus, the office is right near the free coffee, so you can enjoy a cup while you take care of your business.
- Treadmill
- Strength training equipment
- On-call massage therapists
- Elliptical machine
Don't miss your workout
While there's plenty of activity to be had amongst the red rocks of Sedona, we know vacations have a way of throwing off your exercise program. We've got you covered with everything you'll need to stay in shape while you stay with us.
Get your workout in with a run on the treadmill and make sure you stay toned with our strength training equipment.
We treat our friends like family
There are a lot of nice Sedona hotels, but our people and our services set us apart. Our staff has all of the local knowledge about the most fun activities in Sedona, and everybody who works here genuinely wants you to have fun when you visit. We're proud to be from Sedona, and will go the extra mile to make sure your Sedona vacation is everything you dreamed it would be.
See where you'll stay
Take a virtual tour of Sedona Real Inn & Suites so you can imagine yourself in sunny, beautiful Sedona.View the gallery
Signature concierge service
- Insider knowledge
- On-site daily
- Friendly and convenient
- Current information on Sedona
Get your Sedona information at our front desk
We don't just work in Sedona, we live here. Our complimentary concierge service has all of the information about the best Sedona tours and hiking trails. There's so much to do here, it helps to have one of our area experts help you maximize your fun.
If you need help planning the perfect itinerary, or just figuring out directions, our concierge service will be ready to help you have the best trip ever.
Free breakfast buffet
- All-you-can-eat
- Make-your-own waffles
- Scrambled eggs and sausage
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- Fresh fruit
- Assorted juices
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Start your day off right with a free, hot breakfast
Our free continental breakfast is more than just your average butter and toast. We go all out, and our guests go crazy for the delicious breakfast our staff sets out every day. We have everything made fresh, daily, and provide healthy, filling breakfast options so you can save a little cash on food before you head out to explore your breathtaking surroundings.
Accommodations for Groups
- Conveniently located to attractions and restaurants
- Spacious rooms and suites
- Family owned and operated
- Signature concierge service
- Pet-friendly rooms available
- Download our fact sheet for details
A great fit for large groups
Set in the quieter West Sedona area, Sedona Real features 42 rooms and 47 suites all tastefully decorated in Southwest color scheme of the surrounding red rock panorama. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the picturesque arts, shopping, spa, and outdoor recreation community of Sedona, Arizona, making it the ideal choice for a special occasion, adventure or vacation.
Our dedicated concierge team can help create group tours, itineraries, or individual packages for your group, including:
To reserve 5 or more rooms, please contact our Groups and Revenue Manager, or call us at (800) 353-1239.
Our best rate promise
Find a lower rate within 24 hours of booking, and we'll beat it.
Our Specials
Take advantage of special pricing to get the best rates.
Our Photo Gallery
See where you'll be having all the fun during your visit to Sedona.
Our Signature Concierge
Get in touch with one of our Sedona area experts.


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Reading glasses - #E READING: reading glasses for presbyopia, elegant, classic, rectangular shape. Unisex, universal model. Original, fashionable design.
High-quality, lightweight, comfortable reading glasses: flexible arms, rubber texture... essential for everyday life.
Give yourself a fashionable edge!
This model complies with the European standards for non-prescription glasses (NF EN 14139) and with the international standards for prescription glasses (IS0 12870).
Dioptre strengths available: +1, +1.5, +2, +2.5, +3. Packaged in a felt pouch and case. Frame size: 130 x 47 x 150 mm.


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2009 Pinot noir $48
More posts
- Lance house recommendation
- About to open have no notes yet, ok it is open really nice well balanced with black cherry shouts well structured and balanced with a silky finish
- 2008 hope and grace pinot noir that we bought in napa. Tart on side of tongue w smooth finish. Raspberry vanilla.
- Hope and Grace 2008 PN Russian River


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"You're never fully [trade] dressed, without..."
It's important for designers and apparel companies to understand that intellectual property claims can take various forms, and each "cause of action" (to use some legalese) has different requirements and challenges for both plaintiff and defendant.
We've seen some examples of copyright lawsuits, where the plaintiff need not show intent to establish infringement, but must prove (1) that her work is minimally "original" (a very low threshold), and that she has obtained -- or been wrongfully denied -- a copyright registration certificate; (2) unless the plaintiff has direct evidence of copying, which is rare, that (a) the alleged copyist had "access" to the original work, and the copyist's work is "substantially similar" to the original author's creation; and (3) that "the ordinary observer, unless he set out to detect the disparities [between the two works], would be disposed to overlook them, and regard their aesthetic appeal as the same." (Confusingly, this last factor -- and the one most often in dispute -- is also often called the "substantial similarity" test; the identically named prong of criterion (2) should really be described as "probative similarity.")
When you move into the land of trademarks, the relevant evidentiary factors become more numerous. Similarity matters, but so do lots of other things. And the ultimate question -- at least for a traditional trademark infringement action -- is whether there is a "likelihood of confusion" between the plaintiff's mark and the defendant's mark. In the Second Circuit, this determination is made using what is now known as the Polaroid test. (Each circuit court has its own version of the test; there is some variation among these tests, but the only real outlier is the Federal Circuit's "DuPont test.") In addition to the similarity between the two marks at issue, the Polaroid test requires the court to examine "the strength of [the] mark . . . , the proximity of the products, the likelihood that the prior owner will bridge the gap, actual confusion, and the reciprocal of defendant's good faith in adopting its own mark, the quality of defendant's product, and the sophistication of the buyers." Of course, this means a trademark plaintiff has to produce evidence to persuade the court to rule in its favor on all-- or at least most-- of these "prongs" of the test.
So let's look at another not-especially-timely lawsuit (we'll work our way up to the present, I promise!), the widely publicized "LEGO heel" lawsuit that Balenciaga brought against Steve Madden in December 2009. Although Balenciaga is based in Paris, the lawsuit was brought in federal court in Brooklyn, under U.S. intellectual property laws. (A French court applying French law would almost certainly have been preferable for Balenciaga, but you can't just sue anyone anywhere; bring suit in the wrong place and it might, at a minimum, be thrown out for "lack of jurisdiction," "improper venue," "forum non conveniens," or other reasons. In extreme cases, the parties and their lawyers might be "sanctioned" by the court for bringing suit in a court that clearly has no ability to adjudicate the dispute.)
The Balenciaga lawsuit hinged on the similarity between the plaintiff's $4,000+ "LEGO" heel, famously worn by Beyonce during her performance at the American Music Awards in 2007, and a $100 version -- some might call it a "reiterpretation"-- sold by Steve Madden:
Balenciaga started off with its copyright claim, which was a long shot for reasons discussed in previous posts: shoes are "useful articles" generally not protected by copyright, etc. Balenciaga then moved on to its "trade dress" claim. The essence of a "trade dress" claim is that the relevant segment of the public associates a product's design with a single source (even if the public doesn't know who that source is), such that a similar design-- even absent the company's logo-- is likely to confuse the public about who made or sponsored the product. In essence, a trade dress plaintiff is making the claim that *the design itself* functions as a trademark. Trade dress claims are a tougher sell than traditional trademark infringement actions, especially in the fashion design context, because the plaintiff has to prove this mental association by the public. (In trademark law, the requisite mental association is called "secondary meaning." The requirement that a product designer prove secondary meaning in order to obtain trade dress protection was definitively established in a 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Bros., Inc.) Of course, you can slice and dice "the relevant public" in any number of ways: men who visit Barney's regularly know that Band of Outsiders shirts have a distinctive fold all the way down the back, but how many such men exist? How many are likely to be interviewed in a survey to be submitted as evidence to the court?
In short, trade dress claims can -- and have -- stepped in to fill the void left by copyright's refusal to protect "useful articles," but trade dress claims are hard to win, expensive to defend against, and in the writer's opinion, are an awkward way of getting at the crux of most lawsuits involving copying: namely, copying.
Before wrapping up, I should note that sometimes the trademarks, or trade dress (think back-room Chinatown bag vendors), at issue are essentially identical, and the "bad intent" of the copyist is clear: indeed, sometimes even the manufacturer of the original good can't tell the genuine article from the copy. This sort of conduct goes beyond trademark/trade dress infringement and takes us into counterfeiting territory, where the legal consequences are much more severe. But to recall a point made my last post, counterfeiters (like other denizens of the IP shadowlands) have a way of vanishing into thin air the minute trouble arises. For example, in the 2006 case of Ermenegildo Zegna Corp. v. 56th Street Menswear, a New York retailer was sued for selling counterfeit Zegna suits. After filing the complaint, Zegna "received no response, visited the store, and discovered that it was closed." Zegna successfully obtained what is called a "default judgment," but you can probably guess whether it was able to enforce that judgment. And anyway, money isn't always the point in these lawsuits; often, the company just wants the copyist to go away-- even if this means playing a perpetual game of Whac-a-Mole.
[This post is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship among any individuals or entities. Any views expressed in this post or at the linked web pages are those of the responsible writer on a particular date, and should not necessarily be attributed to this writer, his law firm, or its clients.]


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(202) 205-8333
About Us
Our Mission..."Connecting people to resources,
ideas, and one another so they can care for forests and sustain
their communities."
The Cooperative Forestry Staff, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, works with States, private landowners, and other partners to promote healthy forests and livable communities throughout the United States. Our programs and partnerships help private landowners and rural communities care for their forests, strengthen local economies, and maintain a high quality of life.
There are nearly 500 million acres of non-Federal forest land in the United States, comprising about 20 percent of the Nation, and two-thirds of the Nation's forests. Over 50 percent of the Nation's forests are privately owned. Management practices on these lands impact the social, economic, and natural environment for everyone.
In partnership with State forestry agencies, Cooperative Forestry currently manages a number of programs:
The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) helps private landowners manage forests to enhance and maintain productivity, health, biodiversity, soil and water resources, recreation, and aesthetics. FSP helps landowners develop sustainable management plans.
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) protects private forest lands from being converted to nonforest uses. FLP helps landowners establish conservation easements on their land.
The Community Forest Program (CFP) provides financial assistance grants to local governments, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations (including land trusts) to establish community forests that provide defined benefits.
The Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) is a cooperative program of the US Forest Service that focuses on the stewardship of urban natural resources. With 80 percent of the nation's population in urban areas, there are strong environmental, social, and economic cases to be made for the conservation of green spaces to guide growth and revitalize city centers and older suburbs. UCF responds to the needs of urban areas by maintaining, restoring, and improving urban forest ecosystems on more than 70 million acres. Through these efforts the program encourages and promotes the creation of healthier, more livable urban environments across the nation.
Our staff are also exploring national opportunities to advance markets and payments for Ecosystem Services and Woody Biomass Utilization. With help from our partners and others, we are encouraging broader thinking and collaboration that stimulates market-based conservation and stewardship. One of our goals is to improve the use of woody biomass in tandem with forest management activities on public and private lands.
We are a partnership-driven organization. Federal funding is provided to States, local governments, and non-profit organizations to leverage additional resources and fuel innovative ideas. We work closely with other units within the Forest Service, and other federal agencies to enhance and maintain forests across watersheds and ecosystems, both on private and public land.
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Learn more about the Chevrolet Impala: Chevrolet Impala Reviews, Pricing, Specs and more »
Find Used Cars in Pompano Beach at CarsDirect.com. Pompano Beach is located 2 miles east of I-95 and about 20 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale on the Florida coast. With a population of right around 103,000 year round residents and about 30 times that number in annual tourist visitors, getting around the Pompano Beach area can be difficult at best. Slow traffic in many areas from Lighthouse Point to Cypress Harbor can make going anywhere time consuming and frustrating—especially if you need to fight traffic to get to a used car dealership. So, many Pompano Beach locals have turned to CarsDirect to save money and time on their used car purchases. No longer do they have avoid tourists on N. Ocean Boulevard or North Federal Highway to find a deal on a pre-owned vehicle; now, many people in the know simply use our easy to browse website to find thousands of cars in the area posted for sale by local residents and used car dealers. So, do what the thousands of your neighbors in the area have already done, and let our knowledgeable staff help you select from among the 1.5 million cars and trucks we have listed to find the one that's best for you. We can even help you find low interest financing and the best quotes on car insurance. With all of the advantages that CarsDirect offers to car buyer in the area, it's easy to see why we are the number one choice for used cars in Pompano Beach.Show More »
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I must share with you, those who don't read through the comment section of this blog, a remarkable post by Henry "Bud" Morgan, a retired (and by all accounts superb) English professor who taught at Missouri Southern State University. And although he probably doesn't know it, my daughter was one of his students (that's how I know how good he was).
Mr. Morgan took the time to offer the following, in response to my piece on the Republican's "war on voting" :
I seems to me that the most tragic element of this voter suppression scheme is that the very people who are being most suppressed are the ones who paid perhaps the highest price to gain that vote. The Freedom Riders, the Edmund Petttus Bridge survivors, the three college students murdered in Mississippi in 1963, the numerous nameless elderly men and women who put on their finest garb to go and march in a protest when they knew in advance that they were going to be beaten severely by local thugs and willing cops, and all the others who were willing to put their bodies and lives on the line to gain the right that should have been theirs automatically, these are the very targets of the modern-day suppressors.
That American citizens ever had to fight for the right to vote should shame all of us; that they are now having to do it twice should make us question our values and our "loyalty" to this nation. In the Alabama of my youth, where voting required a poll tax, a literacy test, and a "voucher," an already registered voter who would vouch that the person seeking registration was who he said he was, was the age he claimed, and lived where he said he did. The absence of already-registered Black voters presented a major hurdle for would-be black voters. When two of my black friends, vets like me, asked me to be their voucher, I agreed. The "literacy" they were required to take involved reading and interpreting an obscure section of the Alabama Statutes. When they both failed the test, one of them said, "Yeah, I know what that statute meant. It meant 'Ain't no nigger gonna vote in Alabama.'"
In 1964, when the Voting Rights Act was passed, it was the crowning achievement of brave and resolute people who had put all on the line. That a group of American citizens in 2012 is trying to reverse that Law is disgraceful, shameful, and a blight upon the nation.
"They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind."
The only thing I can add to that is the following speech given by an American hero, John Lewis, at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Lewis was one of the original "Freedom Riders" that Henry mentioned, and now he serves the people of Georgia's 5th district in the U.S. House of Representatives (that gives me chills to write).
Please take the time to watch this speech, which brought me to tears when I saw it this summer. There aren't many heroes of America's Civil Rights Movement left for us to appreciate in real time:


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BA8895 Amethyst Clear Quartz Healing Natural Crystal Stretch Bracelet
Amethyst crystal is unique among all crystals in its popularity, as well as affordability. In feng shui, the amethyst is used for its purification qualities, as well as its ability to connect to higher planes of energy. It can be used to calm the emotions in a household where there are excessive arguments and misunderstandings. It can also help with study and learning.


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Lockout/tagout software
Lockout PRO 3.0, the newest version of the company's graphical procedure writing software, allows users to easily create and implement a complete OSHA 1910.0147-compliant hazardous energy control lockout program. Easy-to-follow lockout/tagout procedures help increase workplace efficiency and decrease injuries due to incomplete or misunderstood lockout/tagout energy control procedures. Enabling users to create customized lockout/tagout procedures in a few minutes, the program features user-friendly templates and offers access to a database of standard graphics, terms, and information. Users can easily customize each procedure and insert machine-specific images that walk workers through every part of each lockout/tagout procedure. They can also access current OSHA standards quickly to ensure their procedures are code-compliant.
For more information, visit www.bradyid.com/lockoutpro.
Plug-on AFCI
Eaton recently introduced cost-saving enhancements to its loadcenter designs, resulting in lower installation costs for electrical contractors, according to the company. The new patent-pending Cutler-Hammer plug-on neutral arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) reduces installation time by eliminating the extra step of wiring the neutral of the breaker to the neutral bar. This is accomplished by the addition of a metal stab on the breaker that clips onto an inboard neutral bar of the loadcenter. This new design is optional on the company's Premium CH loadcenters. The new loadcenter is also designed to accept all standard CH circuit breakers.
For more information, visit www.EatonElectrical.com.
Lighting control device
The ELCU-100 emergency lighting control unit is designed for energy savings when used to control devices such as occupancy sensors and time scheduled systems by having these devices control emergency lighting in tandem with non-emergency lighting. These control devices can also enhance response from the emergency lighting, because they provide control at the branch circuit level and will force emergency lighting on even if normal power is interrupted in only part of the building. They feature wiring options to accommodate different control needs and an input for remote control.
Watt Stopper/Legrand
For more information, visit www.wattstopper.com.
The HSRK is a high-speed Class RK1 fuse designed to safeguard sensitive power electronics, meet the NEC requirements for branch-circuit protection, and perform to industry standards of a semiconductor fuse. The fuse is used with a disconnect switch to allow end users to select a single fuse, ensuring overload and short-circuit protection. It can also reduce incident energy levels enough to change the category of protective clothing that workers are required to wear while working on energized equipment.
Ferraz Shawmut
For more information, visit www.ferrazshawmut.com.


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Just days off the erecting floor at Lima Locomotive, Chesapeake and Ohio 4-8-4 Greenbrier type #604 poses for a company publicity photo. The Greenbriers were used in passenger service over the Appalachians from Hinton WV to Charlottesville, Richmond, and Newport News VA. Each of the four original Greenbriers were named after a prominent Virginia statesman. 604 was the Edward Randolph. She's so shiny you could shave in the reflection off the boiler jacket. Unfortunately, she'll never be this clean again! |
Click image for Comments.
Browse All Photos


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President-elect Donald Trump has formally offered retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson the position of secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to published reports.
Reuters reported Carson had been offered the job, citing his spokesman, Armstrong Williams.
The Associated Press reported on the development based on information from a person familiar with the offer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, because the person was not authorized to discuss the deliberations publicly.
Carson had previously said he was not interested in serving in Trump's administration.
But Williams says Carson has always maintained he'd be open to considering a senior role in the administration if Trump convinced him there was no one else for the job.
Williams says Carson was especially intrigued by the HUD position after being floated as a potential secretary of education or health and human services.
Carson will consider the offer over Thanksgiving.
Trump tweeted about Carson Tuesday, saying he was "seriously considering" him for the post and praising him as "a greatly talented person who loves people!"


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Fixed Income: Commodities
Our approach to commodities
Commodities are an important asset class characterized by low or, in some cases, negative correlation to other asset classes, inflation protection and strong returns. As such, they offer significant diversification benefits when combined with traditional investments.
Since energy, food and transportation make up a significant proportion of U.S. and European consumer price indexes, owning a diversified portfolio of commodities is a natural way to hedge against inflation risk.
Our commodity strategies are customized and actively managed for each commodity using our quantitative SmartRollsm process to more optimally identify investments in futures markets, and leveraging our access to the global resources of J.P. Morgan and the insights of specialized sector analysts.


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|Did you mean to convert
|Gregorian month
tropical month
sidereal month
synodic month
anomalistic month
draconic month
Julian month
How many month in 1 day?
The answer is 0.032854884083862.
We assume you are converting between Gregorian month and day.
You can view more details on each measurement unit:
month or day
The SI base unit for time is the second.
1 second is equal to 3.8026486208174E-7 month, or 1.1574074074074E-5 day.
Note that rounding errors may occur, so always check the results.
Use this page to learn how to convert between months and days.
Type in your own numbers in the form to convert the units!
You may also want to find out how many days are between two dates on the calendar. Use the date calculator to get your age in days or measure the duration of an event.
1 month to day = 30.43688 day
2 month to day = 60.87375 day
3 month to day = 91.31063 day
4 month to day = 121.7475 day
5 month to day = 152.18438 day
6 month to day = 182.62125 day
7 month to day = 213.05813 day
8 month to day = 243.495 day
9 month to day = 273.93188 day
10 month to day = 304.36875 day
You can do the reverse unit conversion from day to month, or enter any two units below:
month to second
month to millisecond
month to decade
month to shake
month to fortnight
month to microsecond
month to minute
month to hour
month to nanosecond
month to century
The month is a unit of time, used with calendars, which is approximately as long as some natural period related to the motion of the Moon (i.e. "Moonth"). The mean month length of the Gregorian calendar is 30.436875 days.
A continous period of 24 hours which, unless the context otherwise requires, runs from midnight to midnight.
ConvertUnits.com provides an online conversion calculator for all types of measurement units. You can find metric conversion tables for SI units, as well as English units, currency, and other data. Type in unit symbols, abbreviations, or full names for units of length, area, mass, pressure, and other types. Examples include mm, inch, 100 kg, US fluid ounce, 6'3", 10 stone 4, cubic cm, metres squared, grams, moles, feet per second, and many more!


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Donald Trump's adviser Rudy Giuliani said the Republican presidential nominee has finally accepted that Barack Obama was born in the United States.
Trump has never publicly apologized or acknowledged that he was wrong in falsely suggesting that Obama was born in another country.
Trump claimed victory when Obama released his full birth certificate in 2011 — showing that the president was born in Hawaii.
Giuliani told Chris Matthews on MSNBC Thursday that Trump "believes now that [Obama] was born in the United States."
"I believe it, he believes it, we all believe it," the former New York mayor said. "But it took a long time to get it out."


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SolutionsProtective Device Time-Current Coordination Analysis
Evaluates an electrical system's protective devices, including relays, fuses and circuit breakers, and the equipment to which they are applied.
Short Circuit Analysis
Calculates the fault current levels throughout the power system. The interrupting duties of the devices being analyzed are compared with the available fault currents.
Load Flow Analysis
Addresses present electrical system deficiencies or identifies system requirements to meet future demand.
Harmonic Analysis
Identifies the sources of power quality issues that can reduce system efficiency and increase operating costs. Harmonics are typically found in facilities with a large number of non-linear loads and electronic networks.
Motor Starting Analysis
This analysis calculates the voltage, current, and the accelerating torque of motors during the starting process.
Switching Transient Modeling and Analysis
Determines stresses that system components are exposed to and recommends corrective measures.
Reliability Analysis
Quantifies the probability that a system or component will operate as intended. These are typically performed for mission-critical power systems.
Substation Ground Grid Analysis
Optimizes grid geometry and evaluates high-risk areas of the switchyard. Opportunities for risk mitigation are also identified.
Stability Analysis
Typically applied to facilities that utilize large generators, a stability analysis evaluates various power system scenarios corresponding to switching actions or the initiation of a fault.
Value PropositionOur analytical studies help ensure your electrical system operates as it was designed and intended.
DifferentiationEach power system study includes a detailed report of findings along with corrective recommendations to help maximize the reliability and operational efficiency of your system.
Explore More Schneider Electric Engineering Services
Explore more Schneider Electric Engineering Services
We have over 120 strategically located professional engineers who are collectively registered in every state to meet state licensing requirements.


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Top Items:
Jonathan Fildes / BBC:
'$100 laptop' to sell to public — Computer enthusiasts in the developed world will soon be able to get their hands on the so-called "$100 laptop". — The organisation behind the project has launched the "give one, get one" scheme that will allow US residents to purchase two laptops for $399 (£198).
Discussion: Guardian Unlimited, broadstuff, Between the Lines and Mashable!
Jack Schofield / Guardian Unlimited: Buy one, give one away — OLPC for everyone
Larry Dignan / Between the Lines: OLPC to offer two-packs to jump start sales
Pete Cashmore / Mashable!: $100 Laptop: Get Your Own!
Steve Lohr / New York Times:
Buy a Laptop for a Child, Get Another Laptop Free — One Laptop Per Child, an ambitious project to bring computing to the developing world's children, has considerable momentum. Years of work by engineers and scientists have paid off in a pioneering low-cost machine that is light, rugged and surprisingly versatile.
Discussion: IP Democracy, Wall Street Journal, Smart Mobs, Compiler, Memex 1.1, Digital Trends and Slashdot
Cynthia Brumfield / IP Democracy: One Laptop Per Child Aims for the Heart
Jessica E. Vascellaro / Wall Street Journal: Laptop Charity Seeks Help From Home Market
Marius Chitosca / Smart Mobs: "Buy a Laptop for a Child" Project going steady
Scott Gilbertson / Compiler: OLPC Laptops Available In The U.S. With "Give One Get One" Program
Nick Mokey / Digital Trends: OLPC XO-1Goes On Sale to Public
James Sherwood / The Register:
OLPC to offer consumers $400 two-laptop bundle — The group behind the third-world oriented $100 (ish) laptop will also offer consumers in developed countries the chance to buy its machine later this year. — OLPC's XO laptop — Dubbed Give 1 Get 1, the programme will run from 12 November …
Discussion: PC World and The Tech Report
Nancy Gohring / PC World: One Laptop Per Child Group Expands its Audience
Cyril Kowaliski / The Tech Report: Retail '$100 laptop' to cost $400
Carolyn Y. Johnson / Boston Globe:
Building a critical mass
Building a critical mass
Discussion: Xconomy, Telegraph Blogs, TeleRead and The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs
Robert Buderi / Xconomy: Consumers Asked to Lend "$100 Laptop" Initiative A Hand
Ian Douglas / Telegraph Blogs: One Laptop Per Child and everyone else
Duncan Riley / TechCrunch:
Google Prepping A Second Life Competitor? — Rumors of a Google powered virtual world based on Google Earth surfaced in January; today there is word that Google may be testing their virtual world at Arizona State University (ASU). — According to Google Operating System …
Discussion: Between the Lines, The Social Web, Mark Evans, Portfolio.com and 3pointD.com
Steve O'Hear / The Social Web: More on Google's social networking plans
Mark Wallace / 3pointD.com: Google Virtual World Back in the Rumor Mill
Ionut Alex Chitu / Google Operating System:
A Social Network for Google Earth? — Arizona State University's students have the opportunity to test a new product "that will be publicly launched later this year". The invitation page mentions that the product is developed by "a major Internet company" and there are hints that the application …
Danny Sullivan / Search Engine Land: Google To Pressure Facebook To "Free" Social Data & Planning Google Earth World?
Doug Caverly / WebProNews: Google Earth Could Go After Second Life
Philipp Lenssen / Google Blogoscoped: Google Tests "My World" Program
Caleb Booker / Metaversed: Rumor: Google Virtual World Imminent
Bryan Alexander / Infocult: MyWorld: towards avatar-based social Google Earth
MG Siegler / ParisLemon: Google Earth To Get Virtually Social?
Kristen Nicole / Mashable!: Google Earth's Social Network, Complete with Avatars?
Vince Veneziani / CrunchGear:
And The Halo 3 Reviews Trickle In... Tomorrow is September 25th and at midnight, hundreds of thousands of gamers will flock to stores to purchase Halo 3, the year's most anticipated title. But unlike the general mass of Halo fans, myself and others enjoy reading reviews first before plunking down $60 of our hard-earned cash.
Yi-Wyn Yen / The Startup Game:
Halo 3 hits stores at midnight
Halo 3 hits stores at midnight
Discussion: CrunchGear, Todd Bishop's Microsoft Blog and Ryan Stewart
Peter Ha / CrunchGear: Halo 3 Just Wants You To Believe
Todd Bishop / Todd Bishop's Microsoft Blog: After Halo 3: What's next for Bungie
Frank Caron / Ars Technica:
Finishing the fight: Ars reviews Halo 3
Finishing the fight: Ars reviews Halo 3
Discussion: IGN, 1UP.com, Los Angeles Times, The personal website … and Digg
Hilary Goldstein / IGN: Halo 3 Review — The fight is finished. Anyone got a cigarette?
Louise Story / New York Times:
Company Will Monitor Phone Calls to Tailor Ads — Companies like Google scan their e-mail users' in-boxes to deliver ads related to those messages. Will people be as willing to let a company listen in on their phone conversations to do the same? — Pudding Media, a start-up based in San Jose …
Discussion: p2pnet, MediaBytes with Shelly …, Incremental Blogger and BloggingStocks
Shelly Palmer / MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer Video: MediaBytes - 09.24.07 — Click to view today's MediaBytes video.
Zac Bissonnette / BloggingStocks: Big brother: Company to listen in on phone calls to target ads
Peter Svensson / Associated Press:
New service eavesdrops on Internet calls — NEW YORK - A startup has come up with a new way to make money from phone calls connected via the Internet: having software listen to the calls, then displaying ads on the callers' computer screens based on what's being talked about.
Discussion: CrunchGear, Gizmodo and The Raw Feed
Peter Ha / CrunchGear: Your VoIP Calls Are Being Tapped
Wilson Rothman / Gizmodo: VoIP: ThePudding.com Phone Service Listens to Your Calls, Makes You Watch Ads
Henry Blodget / Silicon Alley Insider:
Today's Terrible Idea: Pudding Media
Today's Terrible Idea: Pudding Media
Discussion: IP Telephony, VoIP, Broadband and VoIP Watch
Russell Shaw / IP Telephony, VoIP, Broadband: New service would display ads based on keywords you say in phone calls
Andy Abramson / VoIP Watch: Henry Blodgett on Pudding
Starbucks to give away music as new service starts — Starbucks on Monday said it will give away millions of songs via downloads starting next month, as it launches a wireless music service with Apple. From October 2 to November 7 at more than 10,000 U.S. Starbucks locations, customers can receive …
Discussion: InfoWorld, Engadget and Infinite Loop
Jeremy Kirk / InfoWorld: Virgin drops Windows Media-based music download service
Jacqui Cheng / Infinite Loop: Starbucks to spread 50 million pieces of iTunes love
Tony Smith / The Register: Virgin unplugs music download service
Gary Gentile / Associated Press:
Myspace to launch ad-supported cell phone — LOS ANGELES - The social networking Web site MySpace is launching a free, advertising-supported cell phone version Monday as part of a wider bid by parent News Corp. to attract advertising for mobile Web sites. — Fox Interactive Media …
Discussion: PDA, /Message and TechCrunch
Jemima Kiss / PDA: New ad-supported MySpace mobile site
Stowe Boyd / /Message: Free Ad-Sponsored Cell Connection
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch: MySpace To Launch Free Mobile Phone Service Today
Mike Butcher / TechCrunch UK:
Blyk launches ad-supported mobile network
Blyk launches ad-supported mobile network
Discussion: CrunchGear and Compiler
Mike Butcher / CrunchGear: Here Come the Ad-Powered Mobiles
Scott Gilbertson / Compiler: MySpace Goes Mobile With Targeted Ads
Enigmax / TorrentFreak:
Porn Industry Infighting As Pirate Bay Takes On Big Media — The fallout from the MediaDefender debacle has seemingly reached every corner of the Internet, with sites springing up dedicated to the dissemination of every last detail of the leak, it seems everyone with an interest in BitTorrent has this hot topic on their lips.
Alice Winter / Inquirer: Pirate Bay fires a salvo
Marc Andreessen / blog.pmarca.com:
Ning passes 100,000 social networks — As I've previously discussed, my new company Ning exists to give everyone the ability to create your own social network for anything — in less than two minutes, for free — with the ability to customize your network any way you want.
Discussion: Insider Chatter, PDA and TechCrunch
Jemima Kiss / PDA: DIY social net site Ning reaches 100,000 users
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch: Ning Milestone: 100k Social Networks
Stealing Clicks — The devil is in the data—and in this case, in the clicks. Google and third-party auditors disagree on whether click fraud—the practice of inflating pay-per-click ad fees with automatic clicking software—is at bay or on the rise. Chief Executive Eric Schmidt has dismissed click fraud as "immaterial."
Discussion: Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim
Wendy A. Lee / New York Times:
As the Fall Season Arrives, TV Screens Get More Cluttered — Kyra Sedgwick, star of "The Closer" on TNT, walks under a police tape and scans the screen with her flashlight. And every time she does, she makes Gretchen Corbin, a technical writer in Berkeley, Calif., irate.
Discussion: Silicon Alley Insider and TVNewser
Peter Kafka / Silicon Alley Insider: Ad Creep: TV's In-Show Spots Will Increase
Chris / TVNewser: The High Value Of Lower Thirds
Richard MacManus / Read/WriteWeb:
FeedHub Launches - Individualized RSS Feeds — Personalization startup mSpoke is launching a new product to mashup and personalize RSS feeds today at DEMO [disclosure: Read/WriteTalk host Sean Ammirati works for mSpoke]. The product is called FeedHub and it creates an "individualized RSS feed" …
Discussion: Between the Lines, CenterNetworks and Mashable!
Allen Stern / CenterNetworks: DEMO: Feedhub Looks To Organize Your 'Other' Feeds
Kristen Nicole / Mashable!: FeedHub's Personalized TechMeme
Eric Bangeman / Ars Technica:
Victorious RIAA defendant gets attorneys' fees, turns to class-action plans — Calling the RIAA's case unjustified "as a reasonable exploration of the boundaries of copyright law," a federal magistrate judge late last week awarded former RIAA defendant Tanya Andersen attorneys' fees …
Nick Farrell / Inquirer: RIAA suffers another court defeat
Joe McDonald / Associated Press:
Dell to sell PCs through China retailer — BEIJING - Dell Inc. announced a deal Monday to launch a retail presence in China by selling computers through the country's biggest chain of electronics stores as it struggles to capture a bigger share of the booming market.
Discussion: Between the Lines and DailyTech
Larry Dignan / Between the Lines: Dell pairs up with China retailer
Brandon Hill / DailyTech: Dell Expands Its Retail Presence to China
Darren Murph / Engadget:
Dell launches retail presence in China
Dell launches retail presence in China
Discussion: InfoWorld
Sumner Lemon / InfoWorld: Chinese retailer Gome to sell Dell computers


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Don't Fix Wall Street, Replace It
Why not an economy of real wealth?
|David Korten
The current economic debate centers on how best to revive our existing economic system through some combination of a Wall Street bailout and a job-creating economic stimulus package. That amounts to trying to revive an economic system that has failed in every dimension: financial, social, and environmental. Rather than prop up a failed system, we should use the current financial crisis as the opportunity to create a system that works. Trying to solve the crisis with the same tools that caused it is the definition of insanity.
As individuals, we humans appear to be an intelligent species. Collectively, however, our behavior ranges from supremely wise to suicidal. Our current collective economic insanity is the product of an illusion—a belief, cultivated by the prevailing economic orthodoxy, that money is wealth and that making money is the equivalent of creating wealth.
Money is merely an accounting chit with no intrinsic value—it is useless until we exchange it for something of real value. Wall Street's specialty is creating money for rich people without the exertion of producing anything of corresponding real value. They increase their claims against real wealth without increasing the supply of goods, making it harder for the rest of us to meet our needs.
Real wealth is, first of all, the tangible things that support life—food, shelter, clothing. Of course, the most valuable forms of real wealth are those that are beyond price: love; a healthy, happy child; a job that provides a sense of self-worth and contribution; membership in a strong, caring community; a healthy vibrant natural environment; peace. Our Wall-Street-driven economic system makes fantastic amounts of money and actively destroys all these many forms of real wealth.
We have been in thrall to a pervasive cultural story, continuously reinforced by academics, government officials, and corporate media, which led us to believe our economy was functioning splendidly even when it was quite literally killing us. You have heard this story many times:
"Economic growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product, creates the wealth needed to provide material abundance for all, increase human happiness, end poverty, and heal the environment. The faster we consume, the faster the economy grows and the wealthier we become as the rising tide lifts all boats."
The logical conclusion from this story is that the faster we convert useful resources to toxic garbage, the richer we are. The only true beneficiaries of this obviously stupid idea are a few very rich people who reap financial gains from every economic transaction—whether the transaction cures a disease or clearcuts a rainforest. It is a system that deifies money and dilutes wealth.
In contrast, the Main Street economy is comprised of local businesses and working people who produce real goods and services to meet the real wealth needs of their communities. It has been battered and tattered by the predatory intrusions of Wall Street corporations, but it is the logical foundation on which to build a new, real wealth economy of green jobs and green manufacturing, responsible community-oriented businesses, and sound environmental practices.
Let Wall Street corporations and their phantom wealth machine slip into the abyss of their own making. Devote our public resources to building and strengthening Main Street businesses and financial institutions devoted to creating real wealth in service to their local communities.
David Korten wrote this article for the Spring 2009 issue of YES! Magazine, Food for Everyone. David's latest book is Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth (published by Berrett-Koehler, Feb 2009). Read an extract. David is also the author of the international bestseller When Corporations Rule the World and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community. He is co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, and a board member of the .
|YES! Magazine encourages you to make free use of this article by taking these easy steps.


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Roast Beef and Watercress Hand Rolls
Pick up some sliced roast beef at your local deli for this hand roll, and if the sushi rice is done ahead, you'll have your roast beef and watercress hand rolls ready in minutes.
Preparation time: 8 minutes
Yield: 4 hand rolls
2 sheets nori
1 cup prepared sushi rice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon wasabi
4 lettuce leaves, preferably red leaf
4 thin slices (1/4 pound) roast beef, each rolled up in a bundle
4 sprigs watercress
Soy sauce
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the nori on a clean oven rack and bake it for 30 seconds.
This brief oven trip reroasts the nori.
Stir together the mayonnaise and wasabi in a small dish.
Cut the nori sheets in half, forming 4 half sheets, each 4 inches x 7 inches.
Place a half sheet of nori in the palm of your hand, shiny-side down.
Dip your hands into a bowl of vinegared water and then tap your fingertips on a damp towel to release excess water.
Place about 1/4 cup of the sushi rice on the nori, toward the top portion of the nori.
Pat the rice out in a diagonal from the top area of the nori toward the heel of your palm.
Spread the wasabi-mayonnaise mixture to taste on the rice.
Lay 1 piece of lettuce on top of the rice, letting the leaf's edge extend off the edge of the nori for looks.
Place a rolled piece of roast beef on top of the lettuce and then add a sprig of watercress.
Fold the bottom-left corner of the nori over the fillings up toward the right.
Continue rolling to the right until you have a cone-shaped roll.
Make 3 more rolls, following Steps 5 through 12.
Serve immediately while the nori is crisp, with soy sauce as a dipping sauce.
Per hand roll: Calories 149 (From fat 59); Fat 7g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 18mg; Sodium 390mg; Carbohydrate 15g (Dietary fiber 0g); Protein 7g.


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Welcome to FOCUS 2, Southern Oregon University's online career and education planning system. FOCUS 2 is a self-paced career guidance tool designed to help you select the right major, clarify your career goals, and provide you with valuable occupation information.
Returning FOCUS 2 users:
- Log in HERE.
First-time users:
- Click HERE to create a new user account. When prompted, use "Raiders" as your access code. Then decide on your own username and password for future use.
- We suggest you begin by working on the sections detailed below. You do not have to complete every section. Select the ones that best meet your needs. You can exit and return to the program at any time. Each section takes 10 to 15 minutes; the whole program takes about two hours to complete. You can edit or redo the sections as often as you would like.
- When finished, you can print your completed portfolio or access it anytime online.
- Now you are ready to enter the FOCUS 2 site to register as a first-time user.
Junior, Seniors & Alumni:
- FOCUS-2 can help you plan your job and/or graduate school search.
- Start with the 'Your Career Planning Status' in the Career Readiness category. If your scores are in the medium or low range, we highly recommend you complete the five sections in the Self Assessment category.
- Click on the 'Combine the Results of Multiple Assessments' to see how all of your results work together. This will generate a list of occupations related to your assessment results.
- Once you have an understanding of your interests, personality, skills, values & leisure interests, use the 'Explore the Possibilities' section to research potential careers. This section provides information about each career, including educational background and salary information. You can also complete a side-by-side comparison of careers.
- If you would like, you can consolidate all of your reports into a portfolio in the 'Personal Portfolio' section. We recommend you do this step if you have completed most or all of the assessment sections. If you have only taken one or two sections, it may not be necessary.
- If you have any questions about FOCUS 2, please contact the Office of Career Preparation by email at email@example.com or by phone at 541-552-6131. We look forward to discussing your results with you!