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Devan Kansagara, MD, MCR; Joel Papak, MD; Amirala S. Pasha, DO, MS; Maya O'Neil, PhD; Michele Freeman, MPH; Rose Relevo, MLIS, MS; Ana Quiñones, PhD; Makalapua Motu'apuaka, BS; Janice H. Jou, MD, MHS
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government.
Acknowledgment: The authors thank Dr. Mark Helfand for providing comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.
Financial Support: By the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Project ESP 05-225.
Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M14-0558.
Requests for Single Reprints: Devan Kansagara, MD, MCR, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mailcode RD71, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239; e-mail, email@example.com.
Current Author Addresses: Dr. Kansagara, Ms. Freeman, and Ms. Relevo: Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mailcode RD71, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239.
Dr. Papak: Department of Medicine, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239.
Dr. Pasha: Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, PV350, Portland, OR 97239.
Dr. O'Neil: Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road (R&D 66), Portland, OR 97239.
Dr. Quiñones: Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mailcode CB669, Portland, OR 97239.
Ms. Motu'apuaka: Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center, 325 SE 162nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233.
Dr. Jou: Department of Medicine, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, P3-GI, Portland, OR 97239.
Author Contributions: Conception and design: D. Kansagara, J. Papak, M. O'Neil, J.H. Jou.
Analysis and interpretation of the data: D. Kansagara, J. Papak, A.S. Pasha, M. O'Neil, M. Freeman, R. Relevo, J.H. Jou.
Drafting of the article: D. Kansagara, A.S. Pasha, M. O'Neil, M. Freeman, J.H. Jou.
Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: D. Kansagara, J. Papak, M. O'Neil, M. Freeman, A. Quiñones, M. Motu'apuaka, J.H. Jou.
Final approval of the article: D. Kansagara, M. O'Neil, A. Quiñones, M. Motu'apuaka, J.H. Jou.
Provision of study materials or patients: M. Freeman.
Obtaining of funding: D. Kansagara.
Administrative, technical, or logistic support: J. Papak, M. Freeman, R. Relevo, A. Quiñones, M. Motu'apuaka.
Collection and assembly of data: D. Kansagara, J. Papak, A.S. Pasha, M. Freeman, R. Relevo, A. Quiñones, M. Motu'apuaka, J.H. Jou.
Guidelines recommend routine screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients, but the strength of evidence supporting these recommendations is unclear.
To review the benefits and harms of HCC screening in patients with chronic liver disease.
MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to April 2014; Cochrane databases to June 2013; reference lists; and technical advisors.
English-language trials and observational studies comparing screening versus no screening, studies of harms, and trials comparing different screening intervals.
Mortality and adverse events were the outcomes of interest. Individual-study quality and the overall strength of evidence were dual-reviewed using published criteria.
Of 13 801 citations, 22 studies met inclusion criteria. The overall strength of evidence on the effects of screening was very low. One large trial of patients with hepatitis B found decreased HCC mortality with periodic ultrasonographic screening (rate ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.41 to 0.98]), but the study was limited by methodological flaws. Another trial in patients with hepatitis B found no survival benefit with periodic α-fetoprotein screening. In 18 observational studies, screened patients had earlier-stage HCC than clinically diagnosed patients, but lead- and length-time biases confounded the effects on mortality. Two trials found no survival differences between shorter (3- to 4-month) and longer (6- to 12-month) screening intervals. Harms of screening were not well-studied.
Only English-language studies were included. The evidence base is limited by methodological issues and a paucity of trials.
There is very-low-strength evidence about the effects of HCC screening on mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. Screening tests can identify early-stage HCC, but whether systematic screening leads to a survival advantage over clinical diagnosis is uncertain.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Quality Enhancement Research Initiative.
Summary of evidence search and selection.
RCT = randomized, controlled trial.
Table 1. Summary of the Evidence on Screening for HCC in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Treatment in Patients With Early-Stage HCC
Table 2. Evidence Gaps and Recommendations for Future Research
Terms of Use
The In the Clinic® slide sets are owned and copyrighted by the American College of Physicians (ACP). All text, graphics, trademarks, and other intellectual property incorporated into the slide sets remain the sole and exclusive property of the ACP. The slide sets may be used only by the person who downloads or purchases them and only for the purpose of presenting them during not-for-profit educational activities. Users may incorporate the entire slide set or selected individual slides into their own teaching presentations but may not alter the content of the slides in any way or remove the ACP copyright notice. Users may make print copies for use as hand-outs for the audience the user is personally addressing but may not otherwise reproduce or distribute the slides by any means or media, including but not limited to sending them as e-mail attachments, posting them on Internet or Intranet sites, publishing them in meeting proceedings, or making them available for sale or distribution in any unauthorized form, without the express written permission of the ACP. Unauthorized use of the In the Clinic slide sets will constitute copyright infringement.
Alain Braillon
Northern Hospital, France
June 20, 2014
Hepatocellular carcinoma screening: Exceptions deserve patients.
Congratulations to the Journal for opening a scientific debate on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening.(1,2) This contrasts with the national associations of hepatologists which enduringly issue grade I (highest level) recommendation for screening despite "there is very-low-strength evidence about the effects of HCC screening on mortality in patients with chronic liver disease".(2)
"Enduringly", because since long a ago, raw data allowed to easily calculate that screened patients are dying 2 or 1,5 years younger than non screened patients, despite hepatologists only limited their conclusions to an improved survival, ignoring lead-time bias.(3,4)
Why hepatologists in developed countries have failed to perform randomized control trials for cancer screening as others specialists and now claims, with a growing denial, that trials are not feasible? Are there undisclosed potential conflicts of interest?(5)
Hepatologists must also acknowledge, as others specialists do, that screening is more than a periodic testing, it must be a national program to ensure a minimal participation, quality controls, and evaluation of the results. These are basic pre-requisites for any efficacy, if it could exist.
Can hepatology remain an exception, out of Evidence Based Medicine and Public Health?
1 Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS et al. Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease: A systematic review Ann Intern Med 2014. On line Jun 17. doi: 10.7326/M14-0558.
2 Atkins D, Ross D, Kelley M, Acting in the face of uncertainty. Ann Intern Med 2014. On line Jun 17. doi:10.7326/M14-1344
3 Braillon A. Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma: still in search for evidence based medicine? J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006;21:1355-6.
4 Braillon A. Hepatocellular carcinoma. Lancet 2012;380:469.
5 Braillon A. Is the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommendation for hepatocellular carcinoma screening a cul-de-sac? World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19:3369-70.
Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, screening, EBM, Public Health.
Diana Chirovsky MS, PhD, Kristen Hassmiller Lich, MHA, PhD, A. Sidney Barritt IV, MD, MSCR
University of North Carolina Schools of Medicine and Gillings School of Global Public Health
July 14, 2014
The Role of Simulation in Clinical Trials
To the Editor:
We read with interest, Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review, by Kansagara et al.(1) As the authors suggest, a clinical trial would be the most definitive way to establish the effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening, but there are multiple barriers, including cost, ethical concerns, and the enduring impact of such a trial in the face of new therapies for viral hepatitis. The use of simulation models to predict risk, cost effectiveness, and outcomes have become increasingly common in the medical literature.(2, 3) Modeling techniques, like discrete event and individual-based simulation, can incorporate individual patient-level heterogeneity for underlying risk-factors and tumor characteristics. Simulation models can account for changing technologies and innovations that occur in real time, making simulations far more flexible than a clinical trial.(2) Different assumptions can also be used to reflect distinct contexts (e.g., in terms of the prevalence of risk factors or changes in practice patterns), so that the effect of alternative screening programs can be readily understood without undertaking multiple trials.
Many of the evidence gaps highlighted by Kansagara et al in table 2 are amenable for simulation study design. Issues surrounding selection bias, commonly seen in observation studies, may be addressed by random allocation of clinical characteristics across screening groups. Lead time bias can be diminished by redefining survival from the time of HCC development, as opposed to time of diagnosis, and by assessing tumor growth across a range of tumor volume doubling times. Screening intervals and modalities can be compared through probabilistic sensitivity analyses to estimate a range in survival benefit, based on current evidence. Lastly, potential risks and resource use implications of procedures may be predicted across a range of possibilities without ever exposing a single patient to harm.
Any simulation is only as valuable as the data on which the model is based. Natural history data for HCC are abundant. Through model-based calibration, complex components of HCC disease progression can be estimated based on tumor characteristics that are observable in clinical practice.(4) In addition to simulating trial results, these models can be used to estimate outcomes that cannot readily be measured directly in trials. Further work should explore the use of simulation to address gaps noted by Kansagara et al. to guide clinical trials(5) or replace trial data when such information is impractical or unethical to obtain.
Diana Chirovsky MS, PhD
Kristen Hassmiller Lich, MHA, PhD
A. Sidney Barritt IV, MD, MSCR
1. Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS, O'Neil M, Freeman M, Relevo R, Quinones A, et al. Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med 2014.
2. Brennan A, Chick SE, Davies R. A taxonomy of model structures for economic evaluation of health technologies. Health Econ 2006;15:1295-1310.
3. Morrissey JP, Lich KH, Price RA, Mandelblatt J. Computational modeling and multilevel cancer control interventions. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2012;2012:56-66.
4. Vanni T, Karnon J, Madan J, White RG, Edmunds WJ, Foss AM, Legood R. Calibrating models in economic evaluation: a seven-step approach. Pharmacoeconomics 2011;29:35-49.
5. Chilcott J, Brennan A, Booth A, Karnon J, Tappenden P. The role of modelling in prioritising and planning clinical trials. Health Technol Assess 2003;7:iii, 1-125.
Edoardo G. Giannini, MD, PhD, FACG,1 Franco Trevisani, MD2
1Unità di Gastroenterologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Università di Genova, Genova, Italia. 2Unità di Semeiotica Medica
August 26, 2014
Evidence supporting surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma: more than enough?
TO THE EDITOR: Kansagara and colleagues (1) reviewed the literature regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, and come to the conclusion that the evidence supporting surveillance benefit is flawed by the retrospective nature of most studies, and by the confounding effect of lead-time bias. Moreover, they surmise that the possible harms of surveillance have not been adequately assessed and, taking into account the frequent coexistence of liver cirrhosis, the risk of overdiagnosis may be substantial. They conclude that the benefit of surveillance is supported by a very-low-strength evidence as compared to clinical diagnosis of HCC.In most patients HCC ensues in the setting of well-compensated cirrhosis (2) and their prognosis mainly depends upon receipt of curative treatments, which are only feasible in early stage cancer. Indeed, a host of studies and a recent meta-analysis have shown that surveillance allows diagnosis of HCC at earlier stages and increases application of curative treatments as compared to symptomatic HCC diagnosis, thus improving patients survival (3). In this regard, it has been demonstrated that the survival advantage obtained with surveillance cannot be attributed to lead-time bias alone, particularly in a 3- and 5-year time-horizon for patients with fast- and slow-growing HCCs, respectively (4). A fundamental prerequisite is, however, that surveillance must be targeted to the adequate population in terms of both HCC risk and potential candidacy to curative treatment so as to obtain the highest survival benefit. Moreover, the risk of overdiagnosis can be minimised by implementing surveillance only in patients with well-preserved liver function and general conditions, ensuring their amenability to curative treatments for HCC (5).All in all, we may agree with Kansagara and colleagues that the level of evidence supporting the routine use of HCC surveillance is not very high, but this is likely the highest level we can afford, and has been considered sufficient to recommend this practice by all professional societies.Regarding the surveillance harms, the authors point out that no studies assessed the potential (negative) psychological effects of surveillance Although this assumption is formally correct, there is strong evidence that almost all patients, if adequately informed on the potential harms and benefits of surveillance, prefer to undergo surveillance rather than care on demand (6).Noteworthy, the authors themselves correctly conclude that their findings neither support nor refute current clinical recommendations, which are dictated by a number of measurable and immeasurable clinical factors. Therefore, we feel that rather than to insist on debating the strength of evidence supporting the efficacy of HCC surveillance, we should strive to do it at best. How? By selecting appropriate patients, promoting their compliance, using a proper interval, relying on expert liver sonographers, implementing timely recall policies, and choosing treatment in a multidisciplinary way (7). Altogether, these actions will succeed in greatly improving the clinical effectiveness of this practice. References1. Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS, O'Neil M, Freeman M, Relevo R, Quiñones A, Motu'apuaka M, Jou JH. Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med 2014; 161: 261-9. [PMID: 24934699] doi: 10.7326/M14-0558.2. Santi V, Buccione D, Di Micoli A, Fatti G, Frigerio M, Farinati F, Del Poggio P, Rapaccini G, Di Nolfo MA, Benvegnù L, Zoli M, Borzio F, Giannini EG, Caturelli E, Chiaramonte M, Bernardi M, Trevisani F. The changing scenario of hepatocellular carcinoma over the last two decades in Italy. J Hepatol 2012; 56: 397-405. [PMID: 21756850] doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2011.05.026.3. Singal AG, Pillai A, Tiro J. Early detection, curative treatment, and survival rates for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis: a meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2014; 11: e1001624. [PMID: 24691105] doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001624.4. Cucchetti A, Trevisani F, Pecorelli A, Erroi V, Farinati F, Ciccarese F, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Giannini EG, Zoli M, Borzio F, Cabibbo G, Felder M, Gasbarrini A, Sacco R, Foschi FG, Missale G, Morisco F, Baroni GS, Virdone R, Bernardi M, Pinna AD; Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) group. Estimation of lead-time bias and its impact on the outcome of surveillance for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2014; 61: 333-41. [PMID: 24717522] doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.03.037.5. Trevisani F, Santi V, Gramenzi A, Di Nolfo MA, Del Poggio P, Benvegnù L, Rapaccini G, Farinati F, Zoli M, Borzio F, Giannini EG, Caturelli E, Bernardi M; Italian Liver Cancer Group. Surveillance for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: is it effective in intermediate/advanced cirrhosis? Am J Gastroenterol 2007; 102: 2448-57. [PMID: 17617210]6. Poustchi H, Farrell GC, Strasser SI, Lee AU, McCaughan GW, George J. Feasibility of conducting a randomized control trial for liver cancer screening: is a randomized controlled trial for liver cancer screening feasible or still needed? Hepatology 2011; 54: 1998-2004. [PMID: 21800340] doi: 10.1002/hep.24581.7. Giannini EG, Cucchetti A, Erroi V, Garuti F, Odaldi F, Trevisani F. Surveillance for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: how best to do it? World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19: 8808-21. [PMID: 24379604] doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8808.
Devan Kansagara MD MCR, Joel Papak MD, Janice Jou MD MHS
Portland VA Medical Center
October 20, 2014
HCC screening: more work to be done
We agree with Chirovsky et al that modeling and simulation data have potential utility, but we did not find ample natural history data that could be used as a foundation for such models. We found little data about the natural history of screen-detected cancer which can be quite different from the natural history of clinically-detected cancer. As we note, there are several older studies which suggest a broad range of natural history for HCC.1 We found several observational studies which attempted to adjust for lead-time and found that when longer tumor doubling time estimates were used, observed differences in survival could be attributed to lead-time bias. This is not a surprising finding and still leaves unresolved the assumptions that should be used for modeling studies. Furthermore, models would need to consider treatment effects, but there are few data on effects of treating screen-detected cancer.2 We agree with Giannini et al that, if screening is done, patient selection and program implementation are important considerations. We also agree that any potential benefits of screening are likely to be seen in higher risk patients who are healthy enough both to undergo treatment if necessary and to reduce the chance of overdiagnosis. However, we disagree with their assertion that the current body of evidence is as strong as it can feasibly be, and that it should continue to be seen as sufficient to support existing guideline recommendations for screening. The lack of good-quality evidence demonstrating benefits of screening is important because it underscores the need to consider issues such as overdiagnosis, the harms of screening, and the harms of treating screen-detected cancer. As we note, there was a suggestion of overdiagnosis in one trial comparing screening intervals: intensive screening detected more small tumors and more patients underwent treatment with curative intent but there was no difference in survival between groups.3 A shared understanding of the current state of evidence is also important in developing a research agenda. A screening trial is the most definitive way of clarifying the balance of benefits and harms, though others have raised concerns about the feasibility of conducting a screening trial. Regardless, further work in clarifying the natural history of very small screen-detected HCC, comparing invasive and watchful waiting approaches to treating small screen-detected tumors, and further trials comparing screening intervals would at least provide valuable indirect evidence and should be feasible to conduct. 1. Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS, O'Neil M, Freeman M, Relevo R, Quiñones A, Motu'apuaka M, Jou JH. Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med 2014; 161: 261-92. Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS, O'Neil M, Freeman M, Relevo R, Quinones A, Motu'apuaka M, Jou JH. Screening for hepatocellular cancer in chronic liver disease: a systematic review. VA-ESP Project #05-225; 20133. Wang JH, Chang KC, Kee KM, Chen PF, Yen YH, Tseng PL, et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance at 4- vs. 12-month intervals for patients with chronic viral hepatitis: a randomized study in community. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108:416-24.
Kansagara D, Papak J, Pasha AS, et al. Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161:261–269. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/M14-0558
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Ford Motor Company Original Tooling
In 2000 Ford Motor Company contacted Dashes Direct and entered into an agreement that Dashes Direct would manufacture new replacement dash pads using "Original Ford Tooling" that came directly from Ford's manufacturing plant. Dashes Direct has the original tools from Ford in our manufacturing plant and also purchases materials from the same vendor Ford still uses today to ensure correct grain and high quality materials for a superior fit and finish. Dashes Direct can guarantee that you will not find another product in the marketplace that gives you the superior quality and fit of a Dashes Direct product that is made in the USA.

subset: commoncrawl


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Just tagging this.....I think I will like this thread.
LOL I have no idea! But I want an up close and personal look! Where is it someone?
That makes me think of the rangers post at Sterling State Park, but I don't think it is.
I'm not sure. I don't get out much.BTW, I used to live in a small town and the newspaper would do something like this. The prize was always a Silver Dollar.
is it on dixie highway?
Sorry, nope. I thought this would be a really easy one.
now i remember where i seen it. it is out at bolles harbor, right?
Nope, wrong again


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Well, we're all back in the trenches, aren't we? The dream summer of non-stop funky concerts is now just a sweet memory.
It's a little like waking up from a dream, rolling out of bed and getting started with the regular day.
While work for the Angel City Players – Electric (the new name for the funk lineup) has slowed down a bit, I have more than enough getting all my classes, students and ensembles sorted.
For the past few years, I've directed a small jazz ensemble at the music school in Frejus with aspirations of becoming a big band some day. Well, a local jazz big band folded recently and a whole bunch of "bandless" players are filtering over into our group. So cool! Guess what we played on our first rehearsal???? Dirk Fischer's arrangement of Shiny Stockings !! I wish I could call him up and tell him thank you again for everything he taught me.
I'm also teaching at the Conservatory Rostropovitch-Landowski in Cogolin, St. Tropez and Sainte Maxime for my 3rd year… My schedule went from only 2 students to 6 students plus direction of 3 ensembles !! It's a very daunting new situation !! Wish me luck, please.
A few new students plus my jazz workshop at La Londe les Maures. I love that school. It's not too big or pretentious. Everyone is so great and everyone just wants to get better.
Hopefully, the guys in Angel City Players – Electric and I will find some time soon and get into the studio to start the second album.
I'll post this and then try to convince myself that lots and lots of people will read it. 🙂


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Todd SRF73 wrote:peterjank wrote:Thank you for the information regarding the GCR restrictions on SREN. I was aware that they had been banned at the time of the swap over to Ford power, but was not aware that a ban continued to this day. We explicitly invited SREN to compete as a Regional-only class at the two most recent Regional weekends hosted by Chicago Region.
They can compete. You just need a Regional only class for them and per the GCR it *can't* be ASR.
Thanks Todd.


text:
King Of,
You must know that your cat laid
Down across the chessboard today,
And yawned stupidly in the alley
Which always stretches across
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In an unbegun game. Your
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It stayed.
King Of,
You must know that since the days
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Watch color TV, and drink
Chocolate milk slowly,
The ground has not frozen and shovels
At home still resurface with warm, old earth,
So much so, that some of the angels
Have taken to sifting and studying sediment,
Such yearning have they for the soil.
King Of,
You must know that Your
Children are sprawled on their bellies.
That They have stretched their bodies
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They have]
Majesty, face Them.
All of Them.
-This is a guest post by Olivia Holguin. Olivia Holguín is 17, which rhymes. She Instagrams fervently @mightyolivia.


text:
A Young Workers Conference is being held in Prince George, BC, from August 19th – 21st 2015. I had not send out information prior to now as there was talk of canceling the event. The registration deadline is now July 15th, 2015. A "Young Worker" is considered anyone under the age of 30. If you are interested in taking part in this conference, have a look at the attachments below and then please let me know; I can assist with the paperwork to get you registered.
In solidarity, Caroline


text:
Donate to the Cleveland Baseball Federation
Whether you would like to donate time or money you have come to the right place.
You can also donate through United Way (designate CBF to receive donation) CBF is an United Way Affiliate. CBF is a charitable organization under 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and your contribution is fully tax deductible.
All donations are tax deductible. The Cleveland Baseball Federation is a 501 (C) 3 organization.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2014
In trying to tidy up my blog list, I inadvertently deleted the whole blasted list!!!!! Trying to remember all the blogs I want to keep there.... Maybe there is a way to restore the lost list?
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Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday Morning
A fried egg topping.
I'm not always a typical breakfast eater. I like to eat whatever comes to mind. It's why I used to love Jack In The Box while living in Hawaii. You weren't forced to only eat breakfast sandwiches, like at McDonald's. Jack In The Box in the 90s offered a limited menu of hamburgers (including their Ultimate Cheeseburger) and french fries all day long. So while the rest of world chowed on breakfast sandwiches and hash browns, I feasted with a cheeseburger and fries. Lovely.
Today, it's time to get rolling and I've got a sandwich on the mind. Specifically a BLTEgg sandwich. And I've got all the ingredients handy!
Start off with three strips of Applewood Smoked Bacon from Springfield Farm, heated slowly in the cast iron skillet until it cooks and crisps. Gotta take it slow to get the right consistency. Tossed a couple of slices of Country White bread from Attwater's Bakery into the toaster for that crunchy texture juxtaposition that I love. A couple of thin slices of havarti cheese to go on top of one slice. Once the toast is done, I hold it in the oven at 200F and let the cheese melt over the crispy toast.
Meanwhile, there's some romaine lettuce hiding in the back of the fridge and I spy a jar of Hellman's Mayonnaise, oh and gotta remember to grab my jar of newly made Tomato Confit (I'm now out of fresh tomatoes). Layer it all together: bottom slice with mayo, tomato confit, lettuce, strips of bacon - and then the final ingredient: fried egg.
Grab an egg from Springfield Farm, crack it into a nonstick pan and heat slowly. This time I want the egg to cook and look evenly white. High heat will carmelize and crust the whites and I don't want that today. Cover with a pan (or cover) to cook the egg evenly on top (no runny raw stuff), season with salt and pepper and slide on top of the bacon.
Top with the other slice of bread (with the melted havarti cheese) and eat.
I had mine with a side of Chili and Garlic potato chips I imported from Canada and a bottle of Sarsi Cola from the Philippines. Tasty.
Hope your morning was as good as mine.
The Sandwich, some chips, a Sarsi and a book.
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Google Code In 2017 Recommendations for Students
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- ask your question, and usually within a day someone from the OSGeo Code-in team (mentors or administrators) will reply
- all OSGeo mentors for the Code-in contest follow this "gci-discuss" mailing list
Ask on the #osgeo-gsoc IRC chat channel
- IRC-channel: #osgeo-gsoc channel on freenode.net
- how to connect: choose your favorite IRC client, or go directly through your web browser with webchat
- enter a nickname and click "I am not a robot" and press "Connect"
- upon entering, ask your questions as you wish (no need to wait, just say "hello, I have a question about the Code-In, how do I..."
Get to know the OSGeo Community
The OSGeo foundation ( http://osgeo.org ) was founded in the year 2006 and contains many different types of Open Source software projects to help make geographical maps.
The OSGeo foundation also holds a super-fun conference each year, all over the world, named FOSS4G ( http://foss4g.org ) for Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial.
Searching for a Project's Mailing list Archives
A good trick to search an OSGeo project's mailing list for help, if you are stuck on a coding problem, is to use OSGeo's Nabble Forum: http://osgeo-org.1560.x6.nabble.com/


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Where does the meaning of the word 'home' come from? And when did the first homes come about? LPC Furniture explores the history behind a place called home…
The word home comes from the Old English word hām, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch heem and German heim.
Homes are really quite odd things. They come in all shapes and sizes, incorporate many different materials and have no universally defining qualities. Yet, we recognise houses in all their forms wherever we go. All over the world we can spot houses, homes, habitats. It turns out this aura of homeliness and domesticity is extremely ancient.
One of the earliest evidential sites of 'homes' was found in Skara Brae, a Neolithic village located in Orkney. The ancient 5000 year old mini village was found by chance in 1850, after a horrendous storm revealed the remains of a 9 stone houses, roofless but otherwise stunningly intact. The ruins are more ancient than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, in fact older than all but a handful of built structures on Earth!
Due to a shortage of wood in Orkney, the people of Skara Brae built with stone, a readily available material that could be worked easily and used for other various tools and furniture for the home. This is fortunate for us, otherwise there would have been very little to no evidence left behind to find.
Amazingly the houses had locking doors, and even rudimentary plumbing with slots in the walls to channel away wastes. The interior rooms were spacious. The walls, still standing were up to ten feet high so there was plenty headroom and the floors were paved.
In-built furniture was part of every house, from stone dressers and storage alcoves to boxed enclosures (presumed to be beds) and water tanks. The stone dresser was regarded as the most important as it symbolically faces the entrance in each house and is therefore the first item seen when entering, perhaps displaying symbolic objects, including decorative artwork such as several Neolithic Carved Stone Balls.
Interestingly, all the houses are of one size and built to the same plan, suggesting a kind of equal commune rather than a conventional tribe hierarchy. Covered passageways ran between the houses and led to a paved open area – dubbed 'the marketplace' by early archaeologists – where tasks could be done in a social setting.
Houses have evolved over time, what with the availability of construction materials, development of indoor plumbing and heating systems, advances in architecture, technology and location. As stated before, houses now come in all shapes and sizes; however homes haven't changed much from the ancient ruins of Skara Brae people. We still have our various designated huts, shielded with walls and roofs, with rooms and doorways.
Homes still, most importantly, represent who lives there, your origin, and filled with personal furnishings you judge fit for a place called home.


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Two more armies from Duelcon. I would consider both of them the top of the field for the tournament when it comes to appearance.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
1000 Point Vampire Counts Cavalry Army
1000 Point Vampire Counts Cavalry Army
Vampire with Barded Nightmare, Aura of Dark Majesty, Fear Incarnate, and magic items [~215 pts]
Dire Wolves (6) [48 pts]
Dire Wolves (6) [48 pts]
Dire Wolves (6) [48 pts]
Dire Wolves (6) [48 pts]
Dire Wolves (6) with Doom Wolf [58 pts]
Black Knights (5) with Barding, Lances, Musician, Champion and Standard [150 pts]
Black Knights (5) with Barding, Lances, Musician, Champion and Standard [150 pts]
Blood Knights (4) with Standard and Screaming Banner [235 pts]
Total Points: ~1000 points
Model Count: 45
Fortitude: 5
When it comes to deploying the army, it should have more drops than most armies at 1000 points, though I am sure rats and greenskins could have me beat at times. I would always begin with a few of the dire wolf units before switching over to the various flavors of knights. When placing the knights, I would look to either create a solid spearhead with them or place them such that if they jointly charge the same unit, one of them will hit a flank.
Generally speaking, I want the wolves to be chaff first, flankers second and warmachine hunters last. I expect them to die quickly, but that is preferable to black or blood knights being chewed up in the early turns. If any of them do survive into the later turns, I would look for them to grab objectives or hide in the enemy's deployment zone for bonus points.
The blood knights are the hammer of the army. The combo of Screaming Banner, Aura of Dark Majesty, and Fear Incarnate should help them in close combat with units that can be influenced by fear. It could also be a huge detriment for the army if it gets matched up against an army that has ItP. Either way, the knights are tough and have a solid punch which is only better when I park the army's general in the unit.
The black knights are an interesting unit as I am not certain how to best use them on the battlefield. My initial thoughts are that they would flank the blood knights and either support them on the charge or break-off and engage other units. Another option that I am considering is having one unit, supported by a pair of dire wolf units, sit on the opposite end of the deployment zone and provides a distraction for my opponent.
When it comes to magic, the army is clearly designed to not accomplish much during the phase. Since the lord is the only caster, he will be required to take the Lore of Vampires, which is fine. I will always roll for a spell, but unless I get Vanhel's Dance or Hellish Vigour, I will swap it for invocation. Even when I do get dance or vigour, I will need to consider whether or not to swap them for invocation based on the opposition. Regardless of the spell, using it will need to be a desperate measure as the only way it will likely get off is by casting it with 4-6 dice.
Looking across various forums, I have not seen any similar lists, though I am sure they do exist if I search harder. Overall, I think the army would be fun to play with and against. The blood knights are tough but the small size of the unit means that they will not be able to weather much damage. The same could be said of the black knights. In the end, the list does have my interest, but whether it will continue to do so will be a matter of time.
Posted by John Gaszak at 3:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Amethyst Veil, Fantasy, Podcast, Tournaments
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Ammo Shortage hits poor, minority criminals hit hardest
SPRINGFIELD (INN) — While the extreme shortage of ammunition in the past several years has received some media attention, little thought has been given to the impact on some of the product's most prolific users: the urban thug community. Drug dealers and gang members, used to employing relatively common rounds like 9mm or .45ACP in their TEC-9s and Hi-Points, have joined other gun enthusiasts in being stymied by the empty shelves at Wal-Marts and local gun shops alike. Rivals aren't going to shoot themselves, however, so active gangbangers do not have the luxury of merely waiting until the shortage is relieved; many have, in desperation, turned to more exotic calibers — pretty much whatever they can get their hands on.
Many gun-related incidents in the area have begun to reflect this trend, as criminals shelve their empty semi-automatic pistols in favor of other weapons with more readily available ammo. Last week, the Kwik-E-Mart on Curtis Drive was robbed by two assailants bearing a .460 Weatherby Magnum elephant gun and a lever-action rifle chambered in .218 Bee. Two days later, a gang shootout in Waverly Hills left a bystander peppered with birdshot from a single-shot Winchester 28-gauge, the same load used by Vice-President Dick Cheney to shoot attorney Harry Whittington.
Jamal Jackson, a veteran Crip who was recently forced to knock over a local liquor store using a flintlock-operated 18th century blunderbuss, has become frustrated with his new weapon's limitations. "Man, this **** is ****** up," he observes. "**** these dragoons. Now my******* homies always be**** laughing at me cause I gotta ****** carry all this ****** powder and ****** wadding and ramrods, and ****." Jackson also expressed his dissatisfaction with the gun's 2 rounds-per-minute rate of fire, which many gangbangers say is too slow for effective drive-by use, and has contemplated going back to the Confederate Army LeMat 'grape shot' revolver he acquired earlier this year for use in ATM muggings.
Hector "Switchblade" Ramirez, on the other hand, is generally satisfied with the 0.577 caliber Snider-Enfield he recently whipped out during a tense drug deal. While the infantry rifle's 54-inch length poses problems in terms of both concealment and maneuvering in cramped crackhouse hallways, Ramirez enjoys its loud report and says it's still easier to wield than the .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle he used in a domestic dispute two weeks ago. He intends to attach a bayonet to the Enfield, increasing its overall length to 70 inches, and to spray-paint all the metal components gold.
Police have condemned the use of such weapons for everyday crimes. Chief Clancy Wiggum recently expressed hope that commonplace robberies and home invasions could be accomplished with simple knives or clubs until conventional ammunition returns to normal availability.


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Eating popcorn is part of going to the movies. And these days, so is being forced to watch a ton of commercials before the film starts. But according to researchers, that popcorn gives you special ad-blocking superpowers! And we're totally not joking here... Trace explains.
Read More:
Popcorn at the Movies: Oral Interference Sabotages Advertising Effects
"Advertising uses repetition to increase consumers' preference for brands. Initially, novel brands gain in popularity due to repetition, which increases the likelihood that consumers later buy the brands. Particularly for novel brands, excessive exposure and repetition is necessary to establish the brand name in the first place. Remember your initial irritation upon encountering the names YAHOO, GOOGLE and WIKIPEDIA for the first time; now they are imprinted in your brain."
Why Do We Eat Popcorn at the Movies?
"Movie theater popcorn is a concession stand staple whose scent has spawned marketing ploys and copycat recipes, but movie theaters haven't always been saturated with the tempting smell of salt and butter. The history of popcorn is vast, and it intersects with movies in the relatively recent past-a symbiosis of taste and place created to save the fledgling movie theater industry from near collapse during the Great Depression."
Eating popcorn in the cinema makes people immune to advertising
"Study by Cologne University concludes that chewing makes advertising ineffective"
A Note on the Golden Age of Advertising
"A view widely held among members of the advertising profession, as well as among academic observers of the advertising industry, is that advertising expenditures have never regained the levels of relative importance that they achieved prior to 1930."
History of Popcorn
"Do you know how long people have been popping popcorn? What Columbus' first experiences with popcorn were? Or how popcorn helped invent the microwave oven? You may not have discussed it much in school, but popcorn has a history all its own."
Watch More:
Ads In Your Sleep:
TestTube Wild Card:
Why Companies Make Annoying Ads:
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Recent Posts
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Book Review – Three Parts Dead, by Max Gladstone
Three Parts Dead, the first volume of Gladstone's Craft Sequence, is a good book, a clever book, a beautifully written book. On some occasions it rises to greatness. On other occasions I thought it had some problems. There's more good than … Continue reading
Book Review – Best Served Cold, by Joe Abercrombie
Bear with me here. I'm going to start my review of Best Served Cold by talking very briefly about another of my favorite books, China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. My favorite aspect of PSS was Mieville's relentless use of language to impart an … Continue reading
Book Review – Arm of the Sphinx, by Josiah Bancroft
Having been delighted with Josiah Bancroft's Senlin Ascends, I dove straight into its sequel, Arm of the Sphinx. Top-line verdict: it's wonderful. I liked it nearly as much as the first book, which is to say that if forced to … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized 4 Comments
Elanor and the Trail Junction
(This is a companion piece to Kira and the Gold Coin from a few years ago.) It is late morning in the Hundred Mile Wilderness, a section of particularly uninhabited forestland in central Maine that is best known for containing … Continue reading
Book Review – Senlin Ascends, by Josiah Bancroft
I am, I confess, something of a hypocrite. As a self-published author, I naturally harbor a constant hope that readers will be willing to take a chance on books like mine. On the other hand, being a slow reader with … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized 2 Comments
Book Review – John Crowley's Little, Big
Only once before, I think, have I finished a 500+ page book and discovered I could not easily describe what it was about. (That was David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest.) But it has just happened again, with the odd faerie-tale Little, … Continue reading
Asking People to Punch You
I'd like to talk a bit about Beta Readers. A Beta Reader is someone willing to read a draft version of a book and offer their opinions to the author. While it's a bonus to find a Reader who is … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized 8 Comments


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Ariana Grande Recorded a Song for the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Soundtrack
Just when we thought we couldn't be any more excited for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and its amazing Lorde-curated soundtrack, we're proven wrong. Ariana Grande announced last night that she's going to join the list of artists on the movie's soundtrack! During a livestream on Tuesday night, the singer said that she recorded a song with Lorde and Diplo for Mockingjay.
RELATED: The Latest The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Trailer Gave Us Chills
The full song list, save for one mystery number listed simply as "Track 5," which we now know is Grande's song, was released last week and includes big name artists like Kanye West and, of course, Lorde. While we have yet to learn the name of Grande's song or hear it, if Lorde's "Yellow Flicker Beat," is any indication, we're going to have the entire soundtrack on repeat.
RELATED: Listen to Lorde's New Single from the Mockingjay– Part 1 Soundtrack


text: The Fiver Community Makes an Impact on #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday was an overwhelming success throughout the world this year—$168 million was raised in over 98 countries! The Fiver team worked hard in preparation for November 29th and raised just under $20,000. But it's not over yet; our Giving Tuesday campaign will remain open until December 31st! Our goal of raising $25,000 (which will be matched dollar for dollar) can be achieved with strong donor support, and we extend a big thank you to the over 200 donors who have already contributed to Fiver this holiday season. If you haven't had the chance to donate yet, there are 22 more days to contribute to the campaign and give a child the gift of opportunity! Reaching our Giving Tuesday fundraising goal means that we will be able to enroll 28 new Fiver participants for their first summer at Camp Fiver, our award-winning and comprehensive character-building residential summer camp. Fivers enter the program at age 8 and graduate at age 18, receiving continuous developmentally appropriate programs throughout their 10 years with Fiver that empower them to become responsible citizens who make positive life choices. The results are tangible—99% of program graduates also graduate high school and 90% of those graduates go on to enroll in college or the military. Visit our CauseVox page to check out our progress, meet our fundraisers, and contribute towards sending our kids to Camp Fiver: https://campfivergt.causevox.com. Even though November 29th has passed, it's not too late to be part of Giving Tuesday! #DontWaitToDonate Attachment Posted on Thu, December 8, 2016 by Rachel Sangalang


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Gift certificates for everyone.
90 day challenge
Individual sessions
Today's 10 FREE tips of fitness.
1.) How is your rest? So important, it's just as important as working out. Make sure you get to bed early and turn off your electronics. This is how we build muscle, resting.
2.) How is that gratitude list?
3.) Remember every moment is precious, time really does fly, I can't believe it!
4.) throw in a yoga class or a home video. I just did a Rodney Yee video last night at my house, great way to wind down and get your flexibility in.
5.) pause
6.) jump rope
7.) Take the stairs
8.) eat veggies every meal, yes EVERY MEAL.
9.) we are effected by those around us, are your surroundings uplifting or are they weighing you down? Something to think about.
Today's top 10 tips of fitness Saturday December 1st
1.) wow! December 1st, lets go! 2013 is just ahead. Be gentle this month, every time I turn a corner there is a desert platter in front of me! And it is so much work for me, Ace Morgan Fitness, to turn down a chocolate chip cookie, it's willpower, work, you name it, it's hard, so be gental with yourself. Come January that will all stop. (Desert platters)
2.) who's life? Yup, yours so let's be kind to ourselves.
3.) I say it all the time, there is no magical powder or pill. It's all in your food and workout. We all want a quick fix, a Scooby snack, that is a fantasy, it's all you.
4.) salt bath.
5.) try jumping rope, it's hard, and gets it done! You can do it in your house or at the gym, outside, in the park.
6.) do you like to cook? Great, if yes, then there is more then half your battle. Bulk cook and freeze it, make enough for two or three meals.
7.) look up paleo.
8.) NEVER let your food supply run out at your home, we must always be feeding ourselves with great nutrition. When we run out of food, we eat junk.
9.) cook some grassfed beef in, add some organic marinara to it. Shred some purple cabbage and carrots, put the combination of the carrots and shredded cabbage on a plate, in two piles. Put two scoops of grass fed beef on top, then on top of that put some avocado. Eat it with some sweet potato. And drink some water. Yum! Enjoy!
Todays 10 tips of Fitness, Friday November 22nd.
1.) Stay in today, try not to get overwhelmed in the holiday desert platters every place you go, set a daily goal.
2.) focus on your self care in this time of year, eat good, salt baths, exercise when you can, it will help with the stress around you.
3.) schedule your workouts, get them in your calendar like a doctors appointment, you will feel better, and remember we effect those around us.
4.) sleep, Rest is just as important as working out, take a nap.
5.) get the right shoes for your workouts.
6.) look in the mirror and say "i am doing a good job"
7.) drink water throughout the day.
8.) did you throw out your canola oil yet? i hope so because its toxic.
9.) make a gratitude list, 5-10 things you are grateful for, try and do it when you wake up or when you go to bed.


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Your privacy is important to us. We have updated our privacy policy to better explain how we use data on this site. Read it here
No evidence that Hayworth spooked the Maverick
"Up until two weeks ago, John McCain was a leading proponent of amnesty. Now with me challenging him, suddenly he has changed."
— PolitiFact National
on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Mr. and Mrs. Ed?
"The Massachusetts Supreme Court...defined marriage as simply, quote, the establishment of intimacy ... I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse."
— PolitiFact National
on Thursday, March 18th, 2010


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You know that RAM memory is very important because after some time of using you will have less and less of available RAM. After that your phone will start to work slowly and the only solution will be in this situation to delete some installed applications or even to do factory reset.
Because of that Chinese smart phone company Ulefone is preparing the 3GB of RAM model! In short what advantages do you have with bigger memory? For example you can run more applications at the same time, you can also run applications faster and you can switch between different applications much faster.
And finally what does 3GB of RAM means for you? Ulefone will give you the answer 🙂. Also for more info please visit their website.


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201-8 South Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
8:30 am - 5:00 pm, other times by appointment
Our agency has been serving our community with insurance coverage, excellent customer service and competitive rates for almost 20 years.
Three locations to serve you: 201-8 South Brightleaf Blvd in Smithfield 201-A N Main Street in Four Oaks 83 Glen Road at 40/42


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The Indiana governor's raceNASCAR country
A close contest in a naturally conservative place
JOHN McCAIN once joked that his years as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam squelched his desire to be vice-president. In Indiana, people wonder if Joe Kernan's POW experience has dampened his drive to be governor. It's an awkward question for Mr Kernan, who inherited the governorship when Frank O'Bannon died last year, because he is running for re-election this autumn after long proclaiming that he didn't want the job.
The genial Mr Kernan may need to show more fire to fend off a tough challenge in November. His Republican opponent is Mitch Daniels, who returned to Indiana to run for governor after years in Washington, most recently as George Bush's director of management and budget. Polls show the candidates neck-and-neck, with a slight edge for Mr Daniels.
The Republican touts his record as a Reagan protégé, a top man at Eli Lilly (the state's biggest employer), and a fiscal manager for Mr Bush (a cheeky claim, considering the size of the deficit run up by the current administration). He has strong support from the national Republican Party and business leaders, who want to end the Democrats' 16-year run in the governor's mansion.
In fact Democrats and Republicans are not so far apart in Indiana, a state notable for strong partisan ties but a relatively narrow ideological divide. Even the Democrats in Indiana are pretty conservative by national standards. Mr Kernan, a former mayor of South Bend who was Mr O'Bannon's lieutenant, contends he is cleaning up problems he inherited and wants more time as governor to create extra jobs. His economic initiatives seem to be starting to bear fruit: Caterpillar, a heavy-equipment giant, said last month that new business-tax laws have persuaded it to add workers at an Indiana factory where it had previously cut jobs. Overall, job losses have been slower in Indiana than in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. Indianapolis, the capital and home to Eli Lilly, was the second-fastest growing big urban area in the mid-west in the 1990s.
The tight gubernatorial contest should come as no surprise. Although Democrats have had a long run in the governorship, the state legislature is split, and the congressional delegation tilts 6-3 towards Republicans. Indiana's senators represent both parties: Richard Lugar, a Republican, is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, while Evan Bayh, a former governor, is a fairly moderate Democrat. John Roos, a political scientist at the University of Notre Dame and close friend of Mr Kernan, says self-declared Republicans have a 10-12-point advantage over declared Democrats in the state.
Conservatism in Indiana stretches from the south, which has a rural and religious character similar to nearby Kentucky's, to the northern manufacturing belt, full of blue-collar workers who take a leftish stance on trade and workplace issues but tend to be socially conservative. The middle includes Bloomington, a liberal university town, and Indianapolis. Although America's big cities tend to lean Democratic, Indianapolis is not so clear-cut: Mr Lugar was once mayor there, and the city is home to one of America's biggest motor speedways. "NASCAR voters", the middle-class folk who have made car-racing one of America's favourite sports, often vote Republican. Mr Bush is in no trouble here; and that must surely help Mr Daniels, not Mr Kernan.


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Six NYFW shows that brought the catwalk to the public
Sep 13, 2019 | By WGSN Insider
Sep 20, 2011
London: One of the leaders of London Fashion Week by anyone's account, Scottish-born designer Christopher Kane is known for making quite influential waves, and this season was no different. While the rest of the world has embraced neons and leather, Kane has moved on, with a Spring collection focused on refined, crisp, pastel basics. A-line skirt suits, crisp white tops and cable-knit vests were an ode to classic prep, but the artfully collaged floral motifs, origami folding and cleverly placed slits and insets were a glimpse into the designer's ever-so-subtle subversion. Also part of the buzz was the array of sparkly and bejeweled flat-soled footwear, indicating that maybe non-towering options are capable of chic-appeal as well. —Shannon Davenport
Silhouette: A-line / Structured
Color: Mint / Rose / Silver / White / Gunmetal / Chocolate / Pale yellow / Sea blue / Blush tones
Key Items: Cable-knit vests / Origami folded sheaths / Collarless jackets / Boxy woven tees / Crystal encrusted jeans / A-line skirts / Crisp white button-fronts / Skirt suits
Materials: Brocade / Denim / Jacquard / Silk / Satin / Lurex / Taffeta / Organza
Details + Trim: Swarovski crystals, Stiff origami folds / Open slit seams / Cut-outs / Sequins and beading / Graphic floral appliqué
Accessories + Footwear: Crystal encrusted Birkenstocks / Rubber pool shoes / Gem embellished clutches
View Collection Images
Know what's next. Become a WGSN member today to benefit from our daily trend intelligence, retail analytics, consumer insights and bespoke consultancy services.


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Copyright© Bill Graham Archives and affiliates
The first one-eighth of what you need to know about Portland's 31 Knots can be discerned from something lead singer Joe Haege said between songs - a banter, if you will - at a performance here in Rock Island, Ill., last month. He didn't mince words. He told the handsomely sized Tuesday night crowd that while bassist Jay Winebrenner nursed his allergies in Chicago the following day, he was going to be "knocking boots" with his girlfriend in his parents' house. Maybe later they'd go see a matinee or something. This is provided as interesting because that was not Haege talking. It was the man he becomes when he performs and that character carries the burden of more sin than a roll called at the state pen. He'd blush to say those things in standard conversation, one would believe.
He's more of a latter day saint when he's off the stage and a crazied evangelist of something other than religion, much stronger, in fact, than religion, when he's up there conjuring the hellfires, wishing for them to erupt right out of his mouth and bathe the crowd. He makes you feel like you're convalescing when you'd been under no impression that things weren't right. There's a purging that you'll go through that might take you through a substantial number of dark valleys -- the ones you don't talk about at parties -- but popping out of the other side of that train tunnel is exhilerating.
He makes you feel like blood - the actual life fluid and the picture of it, as powerful in speech, sight or function. He rails against the vapidity that is popular culture. He must know a lot of fuck-ups, or he's just very good at using his own imagination to create the teasers that he writes about. His own characters - and perhaps the one he portrays with menacing conviction and unabashed completeness - are the embodiments of Dr. Jekyll, just with much more rationale. It's Dr. Jekyll, had he been right and thinking straight, but still doing his damage. It's a complete experience anytime 31 Knots is involved. They're a five-course meal full of accusations, the flipping of the table and all its dirty place settings (likely done by crafty drummer Jay Pellicci), broken dishes, possible bodily harm, great conversation and lip-smacking stimulation.
Haege, as this other man, is a roadhouse fight that comes from a good place. When it's over, he probably shakes his head and thinks, "Where the hell am I?" still seeing stars and birds. The last seven-eighths of what you need to know about 31 Knots is that they can deliver twice that number of knots, ratting out the phonies with blistered poetry. They have collected all of the ire for all of this ranting and raving over years and each tirade -- each poignant, glass cutting tirade -- has been better than the last. They are one of the best-kept secrets in all of America. When will we stop letting Europe make us look dumb?


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Walker Training are one of the first training centres in the UK to gain Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status from the CITB
ATO status means that Walker Training has been delivering training courses to the defined CITB standard and have completed the CITB quality and approval process.
We are honoured to have been entrusted with this status, and endeavour to continue our hard work to ensure the best training outcomes for all our clients.
Founded in 1999, our business has grown considerably in the past 18 years.We now deliver training to over 75 corporate clients and businesses in addition to individual candidates working in health & safety, construction and covering a range of professions
We operate primarily out of our training and conference centre in Folkestone, Kent and in 2017 re-branded as the Walker Training Learning Academy.


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IACAC College Fair returns to UIU
Upper Iowa University (UIU) will host the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) College Fair Monday, Sept. 14. The event will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. at the recreation center on the Fayette campus. Representatives from over 60 Midwest colleges and universities are expected to be in attendance to speak with high school juniors and seniors from area schools. Approximately 350 students attended last year's IACAC College Fair.
"The Upper Iowa Office of Admissions is excited to once again be hosting the IACAC College Fair," said Katie Ashcraft, UIU interim director of admissions. "The annual event not only provides area high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to personally visit with university officials, but it also draws students one step closer to furthering their educational goals. Upper Iowa University is proud to host this highly popular college fair and helping to provide a link to the participating students' future."
Tours of the UIU-Fayette Campus will be provided immediately following the event.
For additional information, contact Katie Ashcraft at 563-425-5989, or email@example.com.
About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, nonprofit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 5,200 students–nationally and internationally–at its Fayette campus, 21 U.S. locations, as well as a location in Hong Kong. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree program. With a focus on developing leaders and lifelong learners, UIU provides dual enrollment programs for high school students as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities for learners of any age. For more information, visit uiu.edu.
Michael Van Sickle
Editorial Services Director
Office of Communication and Marketing
Phone 563-425-5326


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I'm proud to announce the release of ENGL Driver Manager 6.0.3.
What's New
This release includes driver analysis enhancements, Windows Server 2016 installation support, bug fixes, and the big news, Symantec Deployment Solution 8.x integration support. Visit the Driver Manager release history and compatibility page for further details. The rest of this article will focus on the new Symantec Deployment Solution integration.
Symantec Deployment Solution 8.x support
Last year we extended Driver Manager to include Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (GSS) 3.x integration support and now we've added integration support for Symantec Deployment Solution (DS) 8.x. Symantec Client Management Suite 8.x and IT Management Suite 8.x are also supported as they include DS.
As Driver Manager does not use Symantec DeployAnywhere it can be safely disabled.
ENGL Driver Manager can be installed on a Windows server. This could be a Notification Server (NS) or any other server. Running the Driver Manager console will display the Configuration Wizard which performs license activation and configures how Driver Manager integrates with DS to create and read packages.
Driver Manager settings - DS integration
Driver Manager settings - Driver Manager Query Service (DMQS)
Hardware inventory import
Included with ENGL Driver Manager is a Windows command-line utility named DMScanner that can be run manually or silently from a DS task. DMScanner performs a detailed hardware inventory scan on the machine and outputs a file that can then be imported into the Driver Manager console. The imported hardware inventory scan will then appear in the Driver Manager console with the machine manufacturer and model, i.e. Lenovo and ThinkPad W541.
Search for drivers
To search for the best compatible Windows drivers, simply right-click the machine model and select Search for drivers. To include multiple machines models in a search, right-click either the manufacturer or Machines folder. From the Windows Operating System drop-down list, select the required OS version and platform, i.e. Windows 10 (x64).
A query will be sent across the web to ENGL where we'll match the machine manufacturer, model and individual hardware components to the latest compatible drivers for the specified Windows version. Where possible drivers will always be resolved from the machine manufacturer first (i.e. Lenovo), falling back to the hardware component OEM (i.e. Intel) when required.
A list of suitable drivers will be displayed and can be downloaded to the Driver Manager console. If a driver isn't checked (selected), download is not required as Driver Manager has already downloaded that driver before. Drivers will be downloaded directly from the manufacturer or OEM site without any modifications.
Analyse drivers
Once drivers have been downloaded, it's also worth mentioning that drivers can be manually added, an analysis must be performed. During analysis, each driver is extracted and the best installation method is identified, which will be either INF or command-line switches.
Once analysis has been performed, each driver can be optionally configured including the ability to specify an installation order.
Integrate drivers
To integrate drivers into DS, expand the machine model then right-click the driver pack, i.e. Windows 10 (x64), then select Integrate drivers.
Driver Manager will then perform the following tasks:
- Copy the drivers to the target UNC path (see Installation settings above). The target path must be accessible by the NS.
- NS will be instructed to create an ENGL (driver) package using the naming convention that includes the manufacture, model, OS, platform and revision.
Example ENGL "driver" package "ENGL-Lenovo-ThinkPad W541-Win10-x64-3"
Driver installation
Driver Manager includes ENGL Driver Installer, which simplifies deployment of Windows drivers as part of the OS deployment. A typical DS deployment job will include automation tasks to restore the Windows image and production tasks to configure OS settings and install applications.
Driver Installer will perform the following tasks:
- Send the machine's hardware inventory to DMQS and receive the DS (drivers) package GUID.
- Determine the nearest DS package server.
- Retrieve ENGL driver package content from the nearest package server.
- Install drivers as part of a DS client job in automation (critical MSD and NIC drivers only) and production (all drivers).
DS client job running Driver Installer
A DS job can be easily configured to include tasks to run Driver Installer. In automation mode, Driver Installer must be run immediately after restoring the OS so that critical (MSD and NIC) drivers can be injected into the OS. In production mode, Driver Installer must be run to install all remaining drivers.
Benefits of ENGL Driver Manager for Deployment Solution
Whilst Symantec Deployment Solution provides a robust task-driven deployment engine, ENGL Driver Manager saves time and resource by providing a reliable driver management and installation process that is ideal for both single and multi-site organisations.
To request an evaluation or demonstration please visit the Driver Manager home page.


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Kukla's Korner Hockey
Kovalev Will Miss A Few Games
by Paul on 11/19/09 at 04:45 PM ET
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via TSN,
Alexei Kovalev will miss the next couple of games for the Ottawa Senators, including tonight's contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins, as he is on his way to Russia because of the death of his wife's mother.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Ottawa Senators, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alexei+kovalev
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