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It's hard to guess how a game like Supreme Commander for the Xbox 360 gets approved for a retail release. It's a technical disaster, prone to frequent lockups, constant stuttering, and plenty of buggy behavior. These issues are maddening, because at its core, Supreme Commander is a great real-time strategy game, filled with tactical intricacies that function on a massive scale. On the PC, it worked brilliantly. Here, it isn't just rough around the edges--it's just plain rough. Fantastic strategic gameplay deserves better, and it's astonishing that it was allowed on store shelves in its current state.
The game's frame rate and general performance are absolutely atrocious. The game engine hitches every few seconds, and standard tasks like zooming in and out cause it to stutter. Explosions will cause the frame rate to drop to a crawl, which makes Supreme Commander's famous nuclear blasts more annoying than exciting. Whenever a superior's talking-head portrait is about to appear onscreen during the campaign, you can tell because the game will pause for a couple of seconds. Saving a game or reaching the end of a mission might cause a complete game crash or system freeze--an issue that occurred close to a dozen times during our play-testing, on multiple machines. Just moving around the menus results in weird, unexplainable slowdown. One mission can be easily broken in at least two different ways, so you could potentially find yourself reloading a saved game after you find your efforts have been wasted. It's apparent that either the Xbox 360 version of Supreme Commander needed more time in development, or that it is simply not a good fit for the hardware.
Supreme Commander's story isn't terribly involving, but it sets the stage for battles that feel truly consequential. Three factions with human roots--the United Earth Federation, the AI-infused Cybran Nation, and the spiritually enlightened Aeon Illuminate--fight for their rightful place in the galactic landscape. The storytelling isn't particularly noteworthy on its own; missions are doled out by your superiors, and they'll occasionally appear in pop-up windows during the campaign. What makes the proceedings so interesting is that there is no clear bad guy: Each faction fights for seemingly rational values. Whether or not the plot is meant to parallel real-world politics is up for debate, but it's striking that these different factional philosophies are functionally quite similar to one another. Even on a universal scale, humanity's splinter cells have more in common than they think.
Each of the three campaigns features six missions, which doesn't seem like many. However, these levels can last for two or three hours, and maps that look relatively small will continually expand over the course of the mission until the battlefield seems impossibly huge. To help you keep these gigantic playfields under control, Supreme Commander features the most impressive zoom function yet seen, allowing you to pull the camera right up to your units, and pull out to see the entire battlefield at once. These gargantuan maps hold hundreds and hundreds of units at any given time, so it's not uncommon to have multiple battles raging at once, while smaller skirmishes take place around the perimeter. Thankfully, a number of automated functions help you streamline the process so you can concentrate on the bigger picture. For example, you can queue up multiple tasks for engineers (your primary construction units) and set multipoint patrol routes, a very handy way to keep your flying units constantly engaged with the enemy.
The sheer number of units and tech levels open up endless strategic possibilities. Your central unit is the Armored Command Unit (ACU), which can perform standard building tasks, and is upgradeable in a number of different ways, depending on whether you want to use it in battle or as engineer support. There are an insane number of structures and units to consider, from mass storage units and shield generators, to radar installations, to hulking units like the imposing galactic colossus that lumber across the land. If you like to turtle up and play the waiting game, there are tons of defensive options, like antiair installations and stealth generators. If you're the aggressive type, you can take to the air, use the land to your advantage, or bring the battles to sea, where attack submarines and battleships can lay waste to your foe's unprotected coasts. Options exist whether you like to creep toward your enemy's base and let artillery pound on it, lay back while you build up technology, or use transport aircraft to keep a constant rush of attack bots streaming toward your opponent. There are many viable ways to play Supreme Commander, and they are all balanced well.
The control scheme and interface, always a potential worry in a console RTS, is generally up to the task of keeping battlefields under control. The busy heads-up display elements of the PC version have been stripped away, replaced with two simple bars that represent your two basic resources: mass and power. The D pad is your gateway to command and building queues. Selecting a unit and pressing up will bring up a radial wheel, where you can choose simple commands like attack or stop, or more unit-specific commands, such as powering down a shield generator or building a nuke. Pressing right produces a build and upgrade wheel, where you can level up your structures or produce units. You bring up your grouping wheel by pressing down on the pad. Here, you can select all units of a certain type, or create and select custom control groups.
The scheme works fine and isn't too cumbersome, and there are some nice touches that strategy enthusiasts will appreciate. For example, when queuing up units, you can hold a bumper to produce five at a time, rather than pressing A repeatedly. Setting up order queues for your engineers and ACU is automatic, so you can easily get your engineers on a set of tasks and leave them be. The downside is that you have to manually issue a stop command if you want them to do something different, which isn't usually too much of an inconvenience. However, even a unit's automated journey to a rally point is considered as a queued activity; if you want to issue an order and have the unit begin before it has arrived at the rally point, you have to issue a stop order and issue the new command, which is annoying and should not be the case.
Some technical issues get in the way of the scheme. For example, if you use the grouping wheel to choose all available engineers, the option may not work. The wheel may indicate a number of idle engineers, but selecting the grouping may not do anything, so you'll have to search for them manually. It also appears that the friendly artificial intelligence is broken. Occasionally, units that should be performing a patrol will stop for no apparent reason. Other times, your engineers will stop midqueue and sit idly, and you will have to issue a stop command and reissue orders from scratch. These occasions aren't frequent, but they are common enough to be annoying.
Outside of the campaign, you can play stand-alone skirmishes, or you can take the fight to Xbox Live, where up to four players can compete. While there aren't as many options as in the PC version, there are an insane number of ways to customize your games, along with two new modes: King of the Hill and Command Point. In King of the Hill, you must send your units to a designated area on the map to earn points, while Command Point is a Battlefield-type game where you must capture all of the designated locations on the map. The latter is easily the better of the two modes, and games can last for quite some time, as the constant tug of war will keep you engaged across the entire map at once. In every case, the large maps (though not as large as the biggest ones in the PC version) lend themselves to a variety of tactics, and the resulting complexity requires flexible thinking. The game's terrible performance doesn't seem to contribute to any online lag, and we didn't experience any disconnects, though the visual slowdown can get so severe that it's hard to tell one way or another. You can play ranked or unranked games, and leaderboards track the best of the ranked bunch.
The best visual aspect of Supreme Commander is its scale, since you can zoom in close to the action, or zoom out to see the entire enormous battlefield, where every unit is represented by simple geometry. Because you spend so much time playing Supreme Commander with the camera pulled all the way back, you'll get used to that graphical simplicity. Up close, however, the game isn't much of a looker, either. Textures are bland, units lack detail, and environments are fairly devoid of anything interesting to see. Some loss of visual fidelity, in light of the game's massive scope, is understandable--but not to this extent.
The scaling of the audio is even worse, and doesn't translate a sense of aural distance very well. If you are using headphones or standard television speakers, you will get an earful of explosions and audio effects that sound harsh and tinny. A better speaker setup will yield somewhat better results, but even then, the sound is abrasive, as if the game is trying to squeeze out more sound than it should. As before, the highlight of the game's sound design is the aggressive symphonic soundtrack, which never gets in the way but sets the proper warlike tone for the colossal battles raging onscreen.
The PC version of Supreme Commander is one of the best strategy games in recent years, and is rightfully beloved for its complex tapestry of economic control and massive battles spread across sprawling maps. The Xbox 360 release attempts to deliver that great gameplay, but completely disrespects it by stuffing it into a shamefully buggy package that should never have been released in its current form.


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This Hook and Loop braided sleeving is a non-expandable sleeving woven from Monofilament (weft) and multifilament (warp) polyester yarns. It provides a lightweight, high strength hook and loop solution along its length for a neat closed finish. The principal application of this sleeving is for wrapping and bunching cables in a deployed situation.
The sleeving can be easily wrapped and closed over the cable bundle. It can be re-opened readily to permit cables to be added or removed, and breakouts can be made simply by bring cables out through the hook and loop tape closure.
It's self wrapping, low profile and flexible design fits tightly to cables, making it an ideal bundling solution in restricted areas, without affecting the flexibility of the components it protects. It's inherent flexibility allows it to conform to irregular shapes and contours.
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We have a strict NO RETURNS policy due to health and hygiene reasons. This includes change of mind due to choice of style and/or colour.
Please ensure the correct colour and style is chosen before purchasing. We offer a
We offer Free Shipping on all orders over $150 and a Flat Rate Shipping cost of $9.95 on all other orders. Shipping is via Australia Post Registered (signature on receipt) with a delivery timeframe of 1-3 business days for metropolitan areas, however outer regions can incur a longer delivery time. At checkout there is also an option for Express Shipping which costs a flat rate of $14.95. Note: Free shipping does not apply to custom made orders.
International shipping is to New Zealand ONLY and we offer a Flat Rate Shipping cost of $39.95 on all orders with a delivery timeframe of 3-10 business days. Free Shipping is NOT available on international orders. Please contact Beauty & Hair Australia for any further details in regards to international shipping.
Please note we try our best to stock all the most popular styles and colours in store which will be sent out for delivery within 24 hours of order placement. Unfortunately due to a large range of colours and styles, if the item is not in stock we will notify you via email within 24 hours and delivery time is estimated between 5-7 business days (10-14 days).
All orders are automatically processed as soon as they are placed. During this process we incur irreversible fees. Therefore, whilst we understand orders may need to be changed sometimes, we are unable to do it free of charge after a certain point. We strictly adhere to the following cancellation policy:If you cancel your order BEFORE it has been shipped, you will be assessed a 15% cancellation fee + $75 before credit is issued.
If you cancel your order AFTER it has been shipped, please follow our Return Policies & Procedures.
Orders which are REFUSED AT DELIVERY will be assessed all of the applicable fees listed above - including restocking, cancellation and other applicable fees.


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Open year-round, a visit or a guided tour of our vineyard will let you discover our picturesque site with our wine tasting boutique and our two-century-old stone house.
Suzanne Labrèque and Yvon Roy welcome you.
Our wines
Acadie Blanc : white wine
La Closerie : white wine
Le Clos Napierois : white wine
Miel des Muses : white wine
Le Rose des Vents : rosé wine
Le Closeau : red wine
Vidal : Late Harvest
Vidal : Ice Wine
To visit us
238, Route 221
Quebec, J0J 1L0
Business hours :
May to October: 10 AM – 5 PM
November to April: by appointment


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It's Yuna in her Gunner outfit from Final Fantasy X-2. Although the original Final Fantasy X was the better game, I like Yuna's character design in FFX-2 more (it's the other way around for Rikku, that's why I made her in the FFX version ;o)
As you can see the game model I'm starting with is a whole lot more complex than my two recent Tomb Raider projects, so this one will probably take *a bit* longer to re-model... I'll try to keep you guys up to date on my progress!
greetz ninjatoes


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* this is my gorgeous girl these days...very self assured, independent and brimming with life. She loves anything pink, sparkly and girlie (can you tell???) and wants to do everything herself, thank you very much!
Just trying to really savor every moment of her adorable self because, quite frankly, it's all going by waaaaay too fast for my liking.
We've set up her little corner of my studio (pics soon!) and we both love it!!! Everything is arranged so Tara can be creative anytime she feels like it...and she has full access to crayons, markers, watercolors, pencil crayons, oil pastels, papers etc. She just started her very first sketchbook and is busy drawing + writing away...this is her most recent self portrait with glasses...I can't get over how detailed and emotive her drawings are. Also...did I mention we have been overtaken by glitter???? it's impossible to get this stuff out!
Women in Art 278 November Issue that showcases female artists from all over the world! I am honored to have my work with so many talented women...my heart is full of gratitude these days. P.S. If you are interested, you can order the printed or digital version.


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What are the Best Debt Consolidation Companies in Knightsen CA
Who has the best Knightsen debt consolidation services?
Knightsen consolidation services offer a way of taking multiple debts and taking them all and wrapping them together into one payment. So if you have 5 different Knightsen loans, each with a different interest rate and length, a Knightsen debt consolidation loan will pay these off and then you will be left with one Knightsen loan with a total on the loan of all the paid off loans. The best part is that these types of Knightsen consolidation loans typically have lower interest rates than the ones you are getting rid of.
What is the best place in California to find Knightsen credit consolidation lenders?
Search online for the best debt consolidation lenders in Knightsen CA. The reason the best place to find Knightsen debt consolidation lenders in California is because you will be able to find the right Knightsen lender for you. Your local Knightsen banks may not specialize in the right Knightsen consolidation loans for you or have California lending standards that are too stringent. By searching for the best California debt consolidation loans online, you can assure yourself of getting the right Knightsen loan.
More On Debt Consolidation Loans in Knightsen CA
As I said above, prior to the credit crunch we had basically "easy money" whereby the Knightsen banks were encouraged to lend to pretty much anyone in California with a pulse. As the economy tanked and their Knightsen debts mounted, a large portion of these people who got easy credit are now looking for Knightsen debt counseling programs. These Knightsen loans can be obtained but they are just like any other Knightsen loan. Your California credit rating, your ability to repay the Knightsen loan, an availability of collateral to secure the loan and the current Knightsen bank policies on California lending will determine if you get a Knightsen consolidation loan or not.
Where Is The Best Knightsen Loan Consolidation Service?
As I discussed above, the typical Knightsen loan consolidation service usually has a lower interest rate than the standard California loan that is putting you in the poor house. Be aware that just because you are in trouble with your Knightsen monthly payments, does not mean that you will automatically get Knightsen loan consolidation.
Where Can I find The Best Knightsen Debt Consolidation Help?
I spoke of collateral before and this is a big aspect of why Knightsen debt consolidation lenders may give you Knightsen loan consolidation. Unsecured Knightsen loans are the riskiest loans to give by a California lender. This is because if the Knightsen loan is defaulted on, the bank cannot get the money back. By requiring collateral to provide security on a loan (as some Knightsen banks do for Knightsen debt consolidation loans) the bank reduces their risk for the loan. A secured Knightsen loan allows the lender to offer the loan to you and then to offer the Knightsen loan at a reduced interest rate. Be careful to make sure you pay off the Knightsen credit card consolidation loan on time. If you were required to put up collateral and you default, the Knightsen bank will take that collateral as a way to recoup their loss.
Where Can I find The Best California Debt Consolidation Help?
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April 17, 2019
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- Finalists 2014 Cyber Gold
Public Transport ticketing systems globally are expensive to run, with the cost of fare collection up to 14% of every fare and approximately half of that goes to managing topping up transport cards.
Snapper has solved this problem with the development and deployment of the Snapper Mobile app, with a near field communication (NFC) smartphone the app can instantly check the balance, top up or buy a travel pass for a Snapper + card. Fundamentally reducing the cost of reload for transport ticketing operators and improving the customer experience for an essential daily service.
Touch2Pay is a further Snapper initiative, developed in conjunction with 2degrees, which transforms a smartphone into a contactless smart card.
And Snapper Parking takes the hassle out of paying to park, removing the pain of fumbling for coins or texting strings of numbers by allowing Snapper users to tap and pay.
The key to Snapper is its modularity, says Snapper CEO Miki Szikszai. "We're at the stage now where we can integrate a new service into the scheme within a matter of weeks. It might be a new provider, a new technology, a new device - we can make it happen almost instantly. And I don't know of any other scheme that can do that."
Snapper's objective is to answer the question "How can we make every day things easier?" That's reflected in the rapid take-up of Snapper. In less than 5 years it's now part of the fabric of Wellington – over 250,000 cards on issue used across 450 buses, 800 taxis, 550 parking meters, 250 retailers and one cable car.
Learn more: www.snapper.co.nz


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|Up a level
Mohd Yusri, Nurul Nazierah and Kamaruddin, Kartini and Mohd Saman, Hamidah and Tutur, Nuraini (2018) Strength performance of sustainable mortar containing recycle sewage sludge ash (SSA) / Nurul Nazierah Mohd Yusri … [et al.]. Scientific Research Journal, 15 (1). pp. 47-58. ISSN 1675-7009
Saffuan, Rijal and Ariffin, Junaidah and Amin, Zamreen (2013) Green technology design approach for liveable park of Tasik Biru Kundang, Malaysia / Rijal Saffuan, Junaidah Ariffin and Zamreen Amin. Asian Journal Of Environment-Behaviour Studies, 4 (11). pp. 39-48. ISSN 1394-0384
Abd Halim, Suhaila (2018) Parabolic diffusion model for image denoising in detecting weld flaws / Suhaila Abd Halim. In: The Doctoral Research Abstracts. IPSis Biannual Publication, 13 (13). Institute of Graduate Studies, UiTM, Shah Alam.
Sahafea @ Shafie, Farah Ayuni (2017) Environmentally-extended input-output analysis in environmental assessment / Farah Ayuni Sahafea @ Shafie. In: The Doctoral Research Abstracts. IGS Biannual Publication, 12 (12). Institute of Graduate Studies, Shah Alam.
Jamaluddin, Muhammad 'Azim (2009) Determination of radionuclide activities and radon emanation power of soil from ex-mining area in Kampung Gajah, Perak / Muhammad 'Azim Jamaluddin. Student Project. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Shah Alam. (Unpublished)
Mohammed Shah, Siti Nuraisah (2017) Adsorption of lead on durian leaves treated with sodium hydroxide / Siti Nuraisah Mohammed Shah. Student Project. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Jengka, Pahang. (Unpublished)
Mohamad, Firdaus syuhada (2005) A case study on water conservation awareness water quality at UiTM Pulau Pinang colleges / Firdaus syuhada Mohamad. Student Project. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Penang. (Submitted)
Kamaruddin, Asrul Azali (2006) Effectiveness of farm waste management in Penang / Asrul Azali Kamaruddin. Student Project. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Penang. (Submitted)
Mohd Fauzi, Noorul Faidzani (2006) The effectiveness of attached growth process by using waste material for the treatment of leachate/Noorul Faidzani Mohd Fauzi. Student Project. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Penang. (Submitted)
Mohd Saad, Mohd Fairul (2009) The study of outdoor air particulate matter concentration and composition at the front gate and rear gate of UITM Shah Alam, Malaysia / Mohd Fairul Mohd Saad. Student Project. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Shah Alam. (Unpublished)
Muslim, Rahayu (2007) A case study on physiochemical characteristics of solid waste in UiTM Pulau Pinang / Rahayu Muslim. Student Project. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Penang. (Submitted)
Mamat, Robaiah (2015) Synthesis and characterization of rare earth elements cerium and dysprosium doped low density bi-2223 superconductor / Robaiah Mamat. Masters thesis, Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Sairi, Ahmad (2011) Relationship between knowledge and perception of integrated waste management disposal technology and acceptance by public in MPKJ / Ahmad Sairi. PhD thesis, Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Wan Mat Khalir, Wan Khaima Azira (2013) Adsorption of Pb(II) onto xanthated and hydrogen peroxide modified rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaf powder / Wan Khaima Azira Wan Mat Khalir. Masters thesis, Universiti Teknologi MARA.


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Table of Contents
When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, many people underestimate the importance of ensuring that their home is a healthy place. Rather than focusing strictly on diet and exercise, it is important to focus on all aspects of daily living. The first step to a healthy lifestyle should be converting your home into a healthy place.
Generally, the most important place to start is in the kitchen. While the kitchen is the place that houses the food that will nourish your body, it also houses most of the toxic chemicals and other unhealthy items that could interfere with your quest for better health.
Food contamination, corrosive materials, irritants, carcinogens, hormones and antibiotics in food, pesticides on fruits and vegetables…the list of potential kitchen hazards goes on and on. Taking the steps necessary to make your kitchen a healthier place can be overwhelming.
To make it easier, start with one aspect at a time.
Try focusing first on creating a toxin-free living space, then moving on to replacing unhealthy foods and cooking ingredients with healthier alternatives. By taking small steps and going back to the basics, you can give your kitchen a healthy makeover one step at a time.
Replace Non-Stick Pans
Non-stick pans are coated with material that releases harmful fumes containing PFC's when the lining is heated. PCF's, or perfluorocarbons, can cause liver damage and are linked to developmental problems. Cast iron, aluminum and stainless steel cookware is a safer alternative to non-stick pans.
Even if you opt for the green non-stick cookware, be sure to replace metal utensils with wooden utensils, as they will not scratch the surface of the cookware. When the surface is scratched, pieces of the lining can flake off and get into your food.
Eliminate Unsafe Plastic Containers
Many plastic containers contain dangerous chemicals that can cause a host of unhealthy effects on the body. The most commonly used and most dangerous of which is BPA, or bisphenol A. BPA is known to interfere with hormones and disrupt the endocrine system, and has been linked to the development of breast and prostate cancer.
It is also associated with infertility, diabetes and heart disease. Not all plastic storage containers contain BPA, but those that do can leech the dangerous chemicals into your food. A simple way to check the safety of your plastic containers is to check for recycling code "7", which indicated that they are safe. Many manufacturers now label their containers as BPA-free. Another option is to replace all plastic containers with glass storage containers.
Use Safer Detergents
Many dish soaps and dishwasher detergents are loaded with toxic chemicals. Although the majority of these chemicals are washed off when the dishes are rinsed, many of them can leave a residue on the dishes. That residue can leech into foods, especially hot foods. Try replacing commercial soaps and detergents with DIY detergents or chemical-free alternatives. If you opt for store-bought, chemical-free dishwasher detergents and find that your dishes have a cloudy residue, try using some vinegar in the rinse compartment.
Use Safe Cleaning Products
When you clean your kitchen with products that contain harsh chemicals, endocrine-disrupting phthalates and other dangerous toxins, you expose your food to those harmful ingredients. Eliminate this risk by switching to natural cleaners, such as a DIY mixture of white vinegar, water, baking soda and lemon juice. There are also a variety of natural cleaning products on the market if you prefer not to make your own.
- Photo courtesy of 52890443@N02 on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/52890443@N02/4889435516
- Photo courtesy of cafemama on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/cafemama/4420171323


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Tencent Games: Giant Secret Game from China
[ad_1] What is the name of the largest gaming company in the world? No, it's not Nintendo, not Sony, Microsoft or EA, but Tencent games. The Chinese group is part of Tencent, …Read More »
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Outside: Herbert Kickle loses the sheriff's star
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Japan's economy is growing unexpectedly – news.ORF.at
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Indy 500: Alonso has a shake for qualification
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Self-destruction of the FPÖ and the new elections – Krone.at
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The current art exhibition in the Calle Real is "Comida de Ballena" (Whale Food) by the painter and sculptor Jorge Beda who produced many of the public statues around the island. The exhibition features large expensive paintings, small ones for just 50€ and everything in between. It will be up until the end of the month.
This article has 1 Comment
Thanks Sheila for your suport!!


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Photoshop Basics
Levels, Curves, and Color
Auto-adjustment tools
Some images may require more specialized corrections, which can be difficult to make if you don't have a lot of experience with Photoshop. Fortunately, there are several automatic adjustment tools you can use to improve your images. In the original image below, the snow has a blueish tint; after using the Auto Color command, the snow looks white:
You'll find a few auto-correction tools, including Auto Color, in the Image menu.
Many adjustment layers also have their own automatic adjustment option. To use this tool, create an adjustment layer, then click the Auto button in the Properties panel (if available).
Most of the time, these tools will improve the overall look of an image. However, you can always manually adjust an image afterward to get the image to look exactly the way you want. If the auto-correction goes too far, you could also try reducing the opacity of the adjustment layer to 50% to make the effect more subtle.
Open the dog_fullsize.jpg example file, add a Levels adjustment layer, and use the Auto Color command in the Image menu.


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French start-up dedicated to the marketing of Clickycard, the interactive business card mobile app available on iOS and Android smartphones.
- Stage Full Product Ready
- Industry Internet / Web Services
- Location Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France
- Currency USD
- Founded January 2013
- Employees 3
- Website clicky-card.com
Company Summary
Clickycard is a multilingual free mobile app that allows the sharing of interactive business cards. But it goes much more far because every owner of his card has a visibility on its network (detailed statistics) and can communicate with all its contacts with rich push notification sendings, .... The market is global and concerns millions of potential companies customers (nowadays, cards present in the internal directory are based in France).
Alexandre MeurantGeneral manager and founder
Awarded by a Master's degree in Finance, I have a professionnal experience of 4 years in a French corporate banking before dedicating on the Clickycard project 1 year ago.


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ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) - An overnight shooting in North City has sent one man to the hospital. This happened shortly after 1:00 a.m. Friday morning near the "Old White" Water Tower on 20th and Grand Avenue.
According to police, the victim nearly ran a half-block from the scene before he collapsed. The man was conscious and talking while being transported to the hospital.
Authorities do not have a motive or suspects.


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Science is Badly Used in Risk Assessment
If you like Ken Starr, you're bound to like Environmental Protection Agency risk assessments. The Starr investigation initially focused on a failed real estate deal in Arkansas. Then, with official sanctions, it grew into a great, amorphous mass with its pseudopods spread everywhere, and its fingers pointing at more and more people. No matter how decisively a pseudopod was cut off or a pointing finger bent back, the investigation continues. It finds a new rumor, a new source of information, a new titillation, a new innuendo, and new or regenerated pseudopods reach out even farther.
Without venturing a guess about the motivation of the investigators, their behavior suggests that they are convinced that crime has been committed. They don't know what the crime was, where or when it happened, or who did it, but they're convinced it happened.
How very much like an EPA risk assessment. The idea that environmental chemicals cause human diseases is so ingrained that any chemical can be—and in many cases, must be—subjected to test after test. Negative test results can be of little consequence; equivocal ones are relentlessly pursued, and positive ones are ballyhooed. That interpretation of test results turns science on its head.
The null hypothesis is at the center of science. When a scientist suggests or has reason to believe that A causes B, the null hypothesis of that statement is that A does not cause B. Convincing evidence for A causing B comes from testing and faulting the null hypothesis. In science, results that support the null hypothesis are given a bit more weight than ones that don't, in part, because scientists don't like over-reachng and then having to retract.
In risk assessment, it's just the opposite. How many times have you read a review of a series of animal tests—some positive, some negative, some equivocal—or of a series of epidemiology studies—some positive, some negative, some equivocal? How many times has the review ended with a comment along the lines that although the evidence is not convincing, the few positive results can't be discounted? Why not?
More pointedly, since risk assessment depends on the tools of science, why does risk assessment assign priority to positive results, no matter how few or how weak, and shove aside the null hypothesis? The answer is simple. Long ago, a series of policy decisions was made at EPA about how to interpret data. EPA and many other people dignify those policy decisions by calling them "science policy." I think they are more honestly called assumptions.
Karl Popper identified "falsification" as the central element in science. Science advances as scientists develop hypotheses—ideas or theories—about how the world works, and design tests of those hypotheses by experiment or other comparison to sensible reality. It is the second step—the testing—that sets science apart from other kinds of scholarly endeavor.
Paul Davis, a physicist, put it this way in emphasizing the importance of tests and falsification:
A powerful theory is one that is highly vulnerable to falsification, and so it can be tested in many detailed and specific ways. If the theory passes those tests, our confidence in the theory is reinforced. A theory that is too vague or general, or makes predictions concerning only circumstances beyond our ability to test, is of little value.
Risk assessments begin with the reasonable assumption that at some dose under some circumstances, a chemical will cause an adverse biological effect of one kind or another. We can call that assumption a hypothesis, and we can test it in animals. The result of the test is an observation that we can use to formulate a hypothesis about the likely effect of that chemical on humans.
So we have a risk assessment, which is a hypothesis, but we have no way to test it. As a policy decision, EPA is interested in cancer risks that are thousands of times below the level of detection by epidemiology. For non-cancer effects, EPA is interested in risks 100 or 1,000-times below the lowest dose with an adverse effect in animals. Those risks can't be directly tested either.
Whatever they are called, policy choices or science policy choices or assumptions, they are necessary for risk assessment, which, to use Alvin Weinberg's term, is a "trans-science" activity. Trans-science refers to questions that can be asked scientifically, but that cannot be answered by science. For instance, the question, "How many people die from environmental exposures to chloroform?" is a question about causation, but there is no way to measure the number of people who die from environmental exposures to chloroform each year, if there are any.
Faced with the impossibility of directly testing the risk doesn't mean that the hypotheses are useless. People interested in using risk assessments for public policy could devise tests and experiments to determine mechanisms of action, understand the biochemistry of those reactions, and factor them into the risk assessment process. Keeping in mind the importance of the null hypothesis in science, they could evaluate scientific information and apply it to the assessment of human risks.
Well, that's fine, but what do we do until we have detailed information about biochemistry, molecular biology, and toxicology? When faced with that problem nearly 30 years ago, the fledgling EPA developed a series of assumptions to guide its risk assessments. That was understandable at the time because we didn't know very much then. It is not understandable now.
So far as I know, the United States is unique among all the countries of the world in assuming that the risks from essentially all carcinogens can be modeled with a linear no-threshold model. As a result, EPA worries about exposures to dioxin that are 160 to 1600-times lower than the threshold for worry in other countries. Arguably, we're safer. I haven't heard, however, of Canadians pouring across the border seeking refuge from government-permitted higher exposures.
It's clear from looking at predictions from it, that the linear no-threshold model produces estimates that can never be falsified. EPA focuses on some upper confidence limit on risk, rather than the best estimate, in its regulations of carcinogens. If it were possible to measure the predicted risk, and if the risk were found to be smaller than the upper confidence limit, it would not falsify the estimate. After all, the risk could be much smaller and be within the confidence limits. In fact, it can be zero and be within the confidence limits. Is that the best that can be done? After decades of risk assessment research?
For years, EPA clung to the assertion that the linear, no-threshold model applied to all mutagenic carcinogens and that many chemicals, even if they were not positive in a standard mutagenicity test, might be mutagenic under some unspecified conditions. The weight of scientific knowledge about mutagenic activities has forced EPA to concede that some carcinogens are not mutagenic.
Dioxin is one such chemical. That information has not forced EPA to abandon its linear, no-threshold model. On the contrary, in its 1994 "Dioxin Reassessment," EPA made reference to the idea that every organism is exposed to a plethora of carcinogens and that any addition to that exposure will add to risk. Based, in part, on that idea, EPA fell back on its linear, no-threshold default model to estimate the cancer risk from dioxin. The EPA's Science Advisory Board roundly criticized that estimate, referring to the great amount of information about the biochemical effects of dioxin that EPA ignored, and rejected EPA's cancer risk estimate.
Soon after that rejection, scientists who supported EPA's risk characterization had a letter published in Science that said, the SAB had been generally supportive of EPA's efforts and that the reassessment required only a little more "ripening." Well, the SAB meeting about dioxin was three years ago today, and no re-draft of the Dioxin Reassessment has appeared. After three years most things are described in terms of rot not ripeness.
EPA proudly announced that the 1994 Dioxin Reassessment was a move away from myopic concentration on the carcinogenicity of dioxin to a broader consideration of the other toxicities associated with the chemical. EPA described a number of experiments that investigated dioxin's immunotoxicity, and it focused on a study that reported immunotoxicity in juvenile marmosets that were exposed to dioxin levels not unlike the levels that a few humans had experienced in workplace accidents. The scientist who did the marmoset study was so surprised (and, I expect, worried) by the results that he repeated the measurements in men who had been highly exposed. There was no effect in men.
Food and Drug Administration scientists who reviewed the Dioxin Reassessment asked EPA scientists why the positive marmoset results were featured in it and the negative human results ignored. The answer was, reportedly, slow in coming, but EPA's reason was that dioxin might be more immunotoxic in juveniles, and the marmoset data might be more important for risk assessments. Some people would agree with that logic; some wouldn't. Fair enough, but both experiments should have been discussed, and EPA should have presented its reasons for its focus on the marmoset data. Data selection is not good science.
Summing up its analysis of the non-cancer toxicities, EPA said,
It is not currently possible to state exactly how or at what levels humans in the population will respond [to dioxin exposures], but the margin of exposure (MOE) between background levels and levels where effects are detectable in terms of TEQs [summary of the toxic effects expected from exposures to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds] is considerably smaller than previously estimated.
What's that mean? I'm not sure, but the SAB said that EPA's summary
states that we don't know what will occur, or at what level this unknown [response] will occur, but we know that it will occur (in terms of TEQs) closer to background levels that previously estimated.
The SAB rejected EPA's cancer risk assessment because of its reliance on the default model. It rejected EPA's saying that levels of dioxin equal to or near those in the current environment were causing other toxic effects because of the absence of scientific underpinning.
But EPA, apparently, knows that dioxin is bad, very, very bad. EPA's attempts to convince the world that dioxin is a terrible carcinogen ran afoul of the fact that dioxin isn't a mutagen, but EPA latched onto additivity as a justification for its risk model. Even so, the carcinogenicity worry was losing steam. The agency shifted to non-cancer endpoints to strengthen its case. SAB didn't find much to admire in that analysis either. Now EPA is taking its time to repair its Dioxin Reassessment. Does this remind anyone else of Mr. Starr's constantly replenished reasons to continue his investigation?
All three of EPA's risk assessments for dioxin, one in 1984 (or 5), one in 1987 (or 8), and one in 1994 bear the legend "Review Draft: Do Not Cite or Quote" or the equivalent. The clearest comment on EPA's scientific failure is the SAB rejection of the 1994 draft, but throughout the long dioxin story, EPA has not completed a risk assessment for the "most potent carcinogen." Government scientists estimate that dioxin regulations have cost $100 billion, largely in cleanup costs. That's a lot of money under any circumstance. It's really a lot of money based on a risk estimate that EPA doesn't want cited or quoted.
Two years ago, EPA issued its third cancer testing guidelines. EPA made a great deal of noise about how these new guidelines would encourage the production of mechanistic information, and it suggested that that information would be considered in making decisions to move away from its linear, no-threshold default model. The $1 billion dollars spent on dioxin research has not produced enough information to force such a move, but maybe $2 billion's worth will.
In fact, EPA, in three cases, has moved away from a linear, no-threshold model—alpha-2-globulin, some pesticides that affect the thyroid, and chloroform. It's not a fast process—10 years passed between EPA scientists' publishing the data that showed the thyroid carcinogen risk should be modeled with a threshold and EPA's policy decision based on that information.
The marvel, of course, is that EPA ever backs away from the linear, no-threshold default. It certainly doesn't have to. It can invoke the additivity idea as it did with dioxin, and I don't see how any amount of mechanism information can displace the default. Perhaps EPA will resolve the "mechanism" vs. "additivity" issue.
The EPA's draft cancer guidelines remain in draft. It's been over two years since the SAB held a public comment meeting on the guidelines, which remain somewhere in the bowels of EPA. It amazes me that regulations costing billions of dollars and tests costing millions are done to comply with draft risk assessments and draft cancer guidelines. Surely taxpayers and regulated industries deserve more respect than that shown by EPA's inability to produce final documents.
If I told you that I recommend a paper called "The Science Charade in Toxic Risk Regulation," you might guess that its author would be from Big Chemical or Big Oil or Big Food. The author is, however, from Big Government. Wendy Wagner was a lawyer for EPA before taking a position at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and she published "The Science Charade" in the November 1995 Columbia Law Review.
Wagner writes,
...past [regulatory] failures are at least partly attributable to a pervasive "science charade" where agencies exaggerate the contributions made by science in setting toxic standards in order to avoid accountability for the underlying policy decisions.
In practice, this means that once the EPA identifies a chemical as a bad actor—a policy or personal decision—it has everything to gain by dressing up that decision in terms of science. Default assumptions, designed to err on the side of safety, sound scientific and hide policy decision about error. Additivity sounds scientific, but it hides the possibility that a decision can be made that no amount of mechanistic information is going to set aside the default risk assessment.
She addresses trans-science issues in a number of places. For instance,
Major policy decisions that undergird a quantitative toxic standard are at best acknowledged as "agency judgments" or "health policies," terms that receive no elaboration in the often hundreds of pages of agency explanations given for a … standard and appear in a context that gives readers the impression they are based on science.
"Agency judgments" and "health policies" were all anyone had in the 1970s, but we are approaching a new century. It's hard to square EPA's advertising itself as a science-based agency when it relies on judgments and policies chosen in a time of relative ignorance.
Being convinced that one is right or that the science is too frustrating or doesn't lead to the correct decision can lead to situations in which, Wagner says,
significant public policy judgments are made by technocrats who have not been appointed as policymakers and who are unlikely to be held accountable for their decisions. In some cases a scientist may become convinced that the highly controversial issues will never be resolved unless she steps in and resolves the trans-scientific questions herself. In other cases a scientist may enjoy being the source of public policy, particularly when her hidden value choices are likely to be free from oversight by high level governmental officials and the public at large.
In a similar comment, she says
the science charade confers several benefits on scientists. First, it allows them to control access to the resolution of all questions that include even the slightest component of science, and to do so generally with minimal interference from lawyers and governmental officials. . . . Second, when problems concerning the regulation of toxics are characterized as appropriate questions for science, their resolution is believed to depend upon scientific research. The science charade thus may actually increase the amount of funding dedicated to research or, at the very least, highlight the importance of scientific research and potentially elevate the role played by scientists in determining the future of toxics regulation. Third, scientists may also enjoy the ability to participate actively in important national policy decisions without the inconvenient public accountability that attaches to most elected and appointed government officials.
The courts, she writes, offer many incentives for the continuation of the charade.
First, … [b]y correlating the survival rate of an agency standard with the extent of technical explanations garnered in its support, the courts offer agencies strong and virtually inescapable incentives to conceal policy choices under the cover of scientific judgments and citations. . . .
Second, …the tendency of many courts to defer to the agency as expert when the issue is framed as scientific in nature. In fact, if an agency can represent to the court that its technical explanations for a toxic standard lie on the 'frontiers of scientific inquiry,' a term that could easily encompass trans-scientific issues, the agency decision is subject only to the most cursory review. By insisting on technical justifications on the one hand, and pledging not to scrutinize the accuracy of the technical explanations on the other, the courts not only fail to prevent the science charade, they make it almost obligatory.
My last quote from Wagner parallels my views about the effects of EPA policies on research.
The agencies' science-bias in prioritizing substances for regulation virtually guarantees that greater regulation will ultimately follow advancements in scientific information and knowledge. A rational manufacturer with fiduciary obligations to shareholders rather than to the public is thus unlikely to undertake research voluntarily on the potential carcinogenicity or mutagenicity of a substance it produces if more aggressive regulation is likely to result.
I would add that given the tiny or zero risk from most, and probably all, environmental chemicals, I'm not sure that a rational manufacturer owes any obligation to the public other than assuring that his workers are safe.
EPA uses science poorly or badly in risk assessments and, as Wagner highlights, policy decisions. What can be done to make things better?
It's difficult to imagine that EPA will change internally. A scientist, David L. Lewis, who has been with EPA since its founding, said that EPA sets it regulations first and then finds science to justify them. Statements like that in a paper he published in Nature cost him. EPA said that the disclaimer he attached to the paper had been too weak and that he was trying to pass off his personal opinions as some sort of agency statement; it also accused him of violating the Hatch Act that forbids legislative lobbying by Executive Branch officials among other things. Aided by a lawyer, Lewis fought back, and the EPA backed off and apologized.
The Washington Times quotes Lewis,
EPA scientists know what Carol Browner cannot seem to understand. Bad science does not protect the environment. She has let EPA's science organization go without a permanent head for much of her administration, buried scientists in bureaucratic red tape, and aggressively punished those who speak out about the agency's problems.
It's easy enough to dismiss Lewis as a sore-head, but it's impossible to disregard the poor performance of EPA in marshalling and understanding science so that it can convince the SAB or produce documents that can advance beyond the "Draft, do not cite or quote" stage. It's unlikely that EPA change will come from within.
The SAB's record is spotty. It's a huge organization, and different committees of the SAB behave differently. I think it would be far, far better to divorce the SAB from EPA. For a start, SAB staff should not be EPA employees, and they should not be housed in the same buildings. Although there are rules about conflicts of interest, I do not know how those rules can be used to keep out EPA grantees who benefit from the continued use of assumptions and EPA's willingness to focus on finding or confirming risks to the exclusion of doing the best science and making use of it. Additionally, the role of EPA in selection or rejection of SAB members is opaque to me.
Congress could force EPA to be more timely by questioning any regulation that is based on documents stamped "Do not cite or quote." Courts could do the same thing. Those actions would force EPA to move more quickly. As it is, time is EPA's great ally. Industrial scientists who really know a subject are very likely to be pulled off into other projects by their companies as years pass. Then, when EPA revisits a long-dormant issue, EPA and EPA grantees are the only experts still active in that arena.
Ultimately, we can do well without the EPA. The country made it through almost two centuries without one, and as Robert Crandall of the Brookings Institution has shown again and again, the creation of EPA has had no discernible effect on the rate at which the environment has been cleaned up.
Testing of new chemicals can be handed over to third-party organizations, like Underwriters' Laboratory, that would be formed to test and certify chemicals in the absence of EPA regulations. There's convincing evidence that state and local governments do a much better job of dealing with old risks in the environment, such as waste sites. Those responsibilities would be taken up by other organizations if EPA disappeared.
Most complaints about EPA are directed at its costs. Well, costs are important. Unlike environmental epidemiology that struggles to find associations, it's easy to show that rich people live longer with fewer diseases. Simply lining up ZIP codes by average income produces a list that parallels the ZIP codes with highest life expectancy. Economists disagree about whether regulatory costs of $5 million or $50 million cause one premature death, but taking money out of citizens' pockets to pay for regulations reduces their wealth and their ability to provide for their own health.
I think, in addition, that we have paid a direct health cost for federal agency predispositions to blame everything that goes wrong with health on environmental chemicals. A number of epidemiology studies around waste sites found an increased risk of spina bifida. What was the cause? EPA and the Centers for Disease Control focused on environmental contaminants. Other people, especially in industry, said things like, "Wait a minute, those people tend to be poor. Maybe it's their nutrition or something else other than environmental chemicals." Now, we know that folate deficiencies are a major cause of spina bifida and that supplementing food with folate protects against that birth defect. Perhaps the assumed environmental connection didn't slow the drawing of the low folate-spina bifida link. Perhaps it did. And, so far as I know, more than 15 years of epidemiology around waste sites have failed to produce convincing evidence of human harm.
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Aaay! I Dress LIke a Vieja Now
I wish I could return to that 16-year-old Sujeiry that lived in crop tops.
I've always felt that I have great personal style. Color me Carrie Bradshaw (with a hint of Charlotte York) but I love bright hues, trends and feminine silhouettes and materials. Show me a velvet red dress and I can't refuse. Gimme some sparkle and I'll gladly weeeerk it at a Marc Anthony concert. And yaaaaaaaaaaaass to wearing different patterns.
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Then I met Boo, and he often questions my fashion choices…passively.
"Is that what you're wearing?" "That's an interesting outfit." "Are you not supposed to match?"
He goes on and on and on. So much that I used to wonder if I looked like a loca. Am I more Carrie than I am Charlotte? Or worse, am I Carrie on weed?
I've deduced that neither is the case. However, I do feel like my personal style is changing now that I am a mom. I want to be as stylish and sexy as I am comfortable. and sometimes that's hard to come by.
I wake up in the morning, look at my color-coordinated outfit (that's divided into outfits), and usually pull out the same leggings and warm, velvety sweaters. But, I want to look better. I want to wear 2.5-inch heels to work and plush, sexy dresses that hug my curves and accentuate my ass. Instead, I go for what is easy.
PLUS: Impostor Syndrome Is Messing With My Life
It's also difficult to shop due to lack of time. I've been all about shopping online lately and it takes me hours to find the right outfit. I obsess over reviews, meassurements and buyer photos. Often times I don't buy anything or when I do I have buyers remorse.
Um, this is not the same color as advertised!
So, damn you, Boo! And #momlife! And aging! I wish I could return to that 16-year-old Sujeiry who'd wear colorful crop tops, exposing her belly button even in winter. Nothing like a great sweater to cover up whenever I was out in the cold!
Alas, I am an adult now. My stomach is neither flat nor toned to pull off a mid-drift, and that shit definitely isn't comfy. I confess all this on this week's #ConfessionTime video. Press play to hear about my fashion faux oldie strife!
P.S. That sweater vest sure is cute though, right? RIGHT?!!!!!!!!!


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Environment America Fellows will get a chance to work with some of the top environmental advocates and organizers in the country, and will have an immediate impact on critical environmental issues. The Fellowship Program gives recent college graduates the training and experience to assume leadership roles in the environmental movement for the long term.
The Fellowship Program positions include, but are not limited to:
As an issue associate, you'll master your issue area and build the kind of powerful support it takes to make your voice heard and change public policy. Responsibilities include: researching and writing reports, developing and coordinating campaigns, preparing legislative testimony, building statewide and national coalitions, organizing media events, raising funds, and meeting with elected officials.
As a field associate, you'll build and demonstrate support for proposals at the state or federal level to ensure that decision-makers hear from and pay attention to the public. You must quickly master the basics of a variety of issues, and then reach out to individuals, media outlets and organizations to build visibility and gain their support.
Issue associates and field associates may work on any of the following issues: global warming, energy policy, clean air and water, preserving our open spaces, and more. Each associate takes on the critical role of building the organization by canvassing at various times during the year and running a citizen outreach office during the summer.
How cool does this job sound? They contacted me to schedule a phone interview which took place yesterday morning and I guess I passed it because they want me to come in to their office for a face-to-face interview! I'm really excited. I haven't scheduled an appointment yet because they haven't contacted me, but it should be very soon. I really do hope I get this job; it has two things I want: the chance to protect the environment and therefore bring my principles to work, and the chance to use my passion and intellect. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.


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One of the leaders I admire most is Winston Churchill, England's prime minister who stood up against the Nazis during World War II. He was a leader's leader! He once remarked, "In every age there comes a time when a leader must come forward to meet the needs of the hour. Therefore, there is no potential leader who does not have an opportunity to make a positive difference in society. Tragically, there are times when a leader does not rise to the hour."
What determines whether a leader emerges to meet the challenge of the hour? More to the point, what will determine whether you will step forward to successfully meet the challenges you face? I believe the determining factor is how you handle certain critical moments in your life. These moments will define who you are as a person and as a leader.
How Will You Be Defined?
If you are familiar with my philosophy of leadership and my teaching on success, then you know that I'm a big believer in personal growth. I don't believe in overnight successes. In fact, one of my core principles is the Law of Process in my book The 21 Irrefutable Law of Leadership. It states, "Leadership develops daily, not in a day However, I also believe that the choices we make in critical moments help to form us and to inform others about who we are. They are defining moments, and here's why I think they are important:
1. Defining Moments Show Us Who We Really Are
Most days in our lives come and go; they are much like all the others and don't stand out. But there are a few days that are unlike all the others. They do stand out because they give us an opportunity to stand up, be set apart from the rest of the crowd, and seize that moment—or to remain sitting with the rest of the crowd and let it pass. These moments—for better or worse—define us. They show us what we are really made of.
We often focus on the milestones of life, the important events that mark seasons and accomplishments. We happily anticipate a graduation, wedding, or promotion. But some of our defining moments come as a total surprise, often appearing during times of crisis:
• Facing a personal failure
• Taking a stand on an issue
• Experiencing suffering
• Being asked to forgive
• Making an unpleasant choice
Sometimes we can sense the importance of our actions in the moment. We can see two clear paths ahead of us, one leading up, the other down. Other times, sadly, our defining moments occur and we don't see them for what they are. Only afterward, when time has passed and we look back, do we understand their importance. Either way, they define who we are.
2. Defining Moments Declare to Others Who We Are
Most days we can wear masks and hide who we are from the people around us. During defining moments, we can't do that. Our résumés mean nothing. It doesn't matter how we have marketed ourselves. Our image means nothing. Defining moments put the spotlight on us. We have no time to put a spin on our actions. Whatever is truly inside us is revealed to everyone. Our character isn't made during these times—it is displayed!
For leaders, defining moments tell the people following them many of the thing they really want to know: who their leaders are, what they stand for, and why they are leading. Handled well a defining moment can cement a relationship and bond leaders and followers for life. Handled poorly, a defining moment can cost a leader his credibility and end his ability to lead.
In the revised tenth anniversary edition of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, I wrote about two defining moments in the leadership of President George W Bush. His first term in office was defined by his response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. He connected with the hearts of the American people, and even people who hadn't voted for him were willing to give his leadership a chance. However, his second term of office was defined by his poor response to Katrina. It took only a few days for the people of the United States to feel the leadership vacuum—and even for many of the president's supporters to disapprove of his leadership.
My intention is not to be critical. All of us have experienced failure. My point is that the defining moments of leaders can have a dramatic effect on others. When leaders respond correctly, everyone wins. When they respond incorrectly, everyone loses.
3. Defining Moments Determine Who We Will Become
You will never be the same person after a defining moment. Somehow you will be moved. It may be forward, or it may be backward, but make no mistake—you will be moved. Why is that? Because defining moments are not normal, and what's "normal" doesn't work in those times.
I think of defining moments as intersections in our lives. They give us an opportunity to turn, change direction, and seek a new destination. They present options and opportunities. In these moments, we must choose. And the choice we make will define us! What will we do? Our response puts us on a new path, and that new path will define who we will become in the future. After a defining moment, we will never be the same person again.
Moments That Defined Me
The defining moments of my life have determined who I have become. Take away even one of them—good or bad—and I would not be the same person. And the defining moments that lie before me will continue to shape me.
As I look back at the many defining moments in my life and reflect on them, I can see that all of them fall into four categories:
Some Defining Moments Were Ground Breakers
Many of the defining moments of my life allowed me to start Something new. More than twenty years ago, I was teaching leadership to a small group of people in Jackson, Mississippi. At the close of the seminar, one of the participants asked if it was possible to receive ongoing leadership training from me. I wasn't sure how that could be done. However, as we talked, I could sense that many of the other attendees desired the same thing.
In that moment, I made a quick decision. I told them that if they would be willing to pay a modest fee, I would promise to write and record a new one-hour leadership lesson every month and send it to them. I had never done anything like that before, and I wasn't even sure how to do it, but I passed a sheet of paper around the room, and to my surprise, nearly every person signed up. At the end of that day, I didn't recognize that I had experienced a defining moment, but I had. My promise to them turned unto what I called a tape club—a leadership lesson subscription service on tape (and eventually CD) that rose to more than twenty thousand subscribers and continues even today.
Now more than two decades later, I can say with great assurance that my response in that moment was one of the most important leadership decisions I ever made. At the time, it looked like a lot of work. And it has been. But those monthly lessons allowed me to be a leadership mentor to thousands of leaders across the country and eventually around the world. Those lessons have provided material for many of the books I have written. And those lessons became the catalyst for me to start a resource company to facilitate the growth of leaders. Without that decision, the entire course of my life would have been different.
Some Defining Moments Were Heart Breakers
Not all defining moments are positive. I have experienced some very difficult moments, but sometimes those experiences have given me the opportunity to stop and make needed changes in my life. One such instance occurred on December 18,1998. As our company Christmas party came to an end, I suddenly felt a debilitating pain and weight on my chest. It was a heart attack. As I lay on the floor waiting for an ambulance, reality hit me. My priorities were out of whack, and I wasn't nearly as healthy as I thought!
Over the next few weeks, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my health. I was working too hard. I wasn't taking enough time off with my family. I wasn't exercising regularly. And I wasn't eating the right food. The bottom line: my life was out of balance.
During this season, I learned a lesson that is best described by the words of Brian Dyson, former vice chairman and COO of Coca-Cola, who delivered the commencement address at Georgia Tech in 1996. In it, he explained this:
Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them—work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls—family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
I was very fortunate. When I dropped the health ball, it got scuffed but it didn't shatter. Since receiving a second chance, I have redefined my priorities. I spend more time with my family. I exercise regularly. I try to eat right. I don't do these things perfectly, but I'm striving to live a more balanced life. I don't know what kinds of "balls" you may be juggling, but I recommend that you not wait until one of the important ones falls before examining your life. You can make changes without having to experience a heart breaker.
Some Defining Moments Were Cloud Breakers
Occasionally a defining moment comes as the result of seeing a new opportunity and taking action to seize it. That was the case for me several years ago. During the twenty-five years I worked as a pastor, I spent seventeen of them buying land, constructing buildings, and raising funds to pay for it.
One day a pastor and a key businessperson flew over to San Diego from Phoenix to have lunch with me. They were in a building program and said they came because I had a lot of experience raising the finances to make a vision a reality—something that isn't taught in seminary. At the close of our lunch, they asked me if I would help them raise the money for their building program. "If you can do this for your congregation," one of them said, "you can certainly help us."
At that moment, it was very clear to me. I could help them. And I should. Before they left, we shook hands and I agreed to help them. I went out to my car in the parking lot, called a friend and said. "Next week we will begun helping churches raise money to realize their dreams? That was the birth of my company INJOY Stewardship Services.
Some Defining Moments Were Chart Breakers
The finest defining moments allow a person to soar to a much higher level. That was the case a few years ago at EQUIP a nonprofit organization that my brother, Larry; and I founded in 1996 to train and resource leaders internationally. The first few years EQUIP was in existence were typical of a fledgling organization. We were trying to establish ourselves, engage donors to help us, and develop a team to lead this venture. Those years were filled with trial and error, adjustments and changes as we worked to establish credibility as a leadership organization.
As time went by, I could sense that EQUIP needed a vision that would capture the heart and hands those who believed in our mission. I discovered that vision and then presented it one evening at a banquet with hundreds of supporters of EQUIP. I painted a picture in which EQUIP would train and resource one million leaders around the world in five years, and I challenged them to help fulfill it. The vision connected with the people, and EQUIP soared to a new level. That night was defining moment for hundreds of people that over five years became a life-changing experience for a million people.
Defining Your Moments
Leaders become better leaders when they experience a defining moment and respond to it correctly. Anytime they experience a breakthrough. it allows the people who follow them to also benefit The difficulty with defining moments is that you don't get to choose them. You can't sit down with your calendar and say, "I'm going to schedule a defining moment for next Tuesday at eight o'clock." You cannot control when they will come. However, you can choose how you will handle them when they come, and you can take steps to prepare for them. Here's how:
1. Reflect on Defining Moments from the Past
It's said that those who do not study history are destined to repeat its mistakes. That statement applies not only in a broad sense to a nation or culture but also to individuals and their personal histories. The best teacher for a leader is evaluated experience. To predict how you will handle defining moments in the future, look at the ones from your past.
2. Prepare for Defining Moments in the Future
One of the most valuable things I've done in my life is to make major choices before times of crisis or decision. That has enabled me to simply manage those decisions in critical moments of my life. A few of these decisions I made as a teenager, many in my twenties and thirties, and a few later in life. I wrote about these decisions in depth in my book Today Matters, but I'll give them to you here so that you can get the gist:
- Attitude: I will choose and display the right attitudes daily.
- Priorities: I will determine and act upon important priorities daily
- Health: I will know and follow healthy guidelines daily.
- Family: I will communicate with and care for my family daily.
- Thinking: I will practice and develop good thinking daily.
- Commitment: I will make and keep proper commitments daily.
- Finances: I will earn and properly manage finances daily.
- Faith: I will deepen and live out my faith daily.
- Relationships: I will initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.
- Generosity: I will plan for and model generosity daily.
- Values: I will embrace and practice good values daily.
- Growth: I will desire arid experience improvements daily.
I don't have to wrestle with these issues during a defining moment. They are already settled, and I am free to focus on the situation at hand and make decisions based on them.
3. Make the Most of Defining Moments in the Present
Now that you will be looking for defining moments, you will be in a better position to make the most of them. Remember that after we experience one, we are never the same again. But the kind of change we experience will depend on how we respond to those moments. Many of them present us with opportunities. With opportunities come risks, but don't be afraid to take them. It is in moments of risk that the greatest leaders are often born.
I think there is a temptation to believe that all defining moments are highly dramatic and usually occur early in the life of leaders. I don't think that's true. You don't need a lot of major breakthroughs to achieve dramatic results. Just one can make a huge difference. As Albert Einstein used to say, he only came up with the theory of relativity once, but it kept him in pipe tobacco for years.
I believe that if I keep growing, keep seeking opportunities, and keep taking risks, I will continue to experience defining moments. If I keep making good choices and always try to do things that benefit my people in those moments, my leadership will continue to be redefined, to grow, and to improve. When that happens, everybody wins.
Defining Moment Define Your Leadership
Application Exercises
I. What is your track record? Look back on your life and the decisions you've made at critical moments. What kinds of defining moments have you experienced in the past? Write down as many as you can remember. For each, note:
• The situation
• Your decision or response
• The result
Have your responses been generally good or bad? Is there a common denominator for the poor choices? If you have the courage, ask those closest to you their opinion about your mistakes. If you see a pattern, what is it and how can you address it so that you don't make similar poor choices in the future?
2. How are you managing your decisions? Using the following list as an example, create a list of choices you will make based on your values and priorities.
Attitude: I will choose and display the right attitudes daily
Priorities: I will determine and act upon important priorities daily.
Health: I will know and follow healthy guidelines daily.
Family: I will communicate with and care for my family daily.
Thinking: I will practice and develop good thinking daily.
Commitment: I will make and keep proper commitments daily.
Finances: I will earn and properly manage finances daily.
Faith: I will deepen and live out my faith daily.
Relationships: I will initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.
Generosity: I will plan for and model generosity daily.
Values: I will embrace and practice good values daily.
Growth: I will desire and experience improvements daily.
Post your list where you will see it every morning. Review the list daily for a month and manage your moment-to-moment decisions based on your choices.
3. How prepared are you for future defining moments? As you face each day, try to be alert to the kinds of defining moments leaders typically face:
• Ground Breakers—opportunities to do something new
• Heart Breakers—opportunities to reevaluate priorities
• Cloud Breakers—opportunities for a clear vision
• Chart Breakers—opportunities to go to a new level
Think about how you will make the most of these opportunities.


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Chapter 03-Prologue-Dream Opponent
It's an interesting question because there's a new trend in Combat Sports to NOT go for the championship of the company or division, but to get the highest paying fight or the highest profile. Many times they go hand in hand, but not lately. Connor McGregor comes to mind. He's a champ, who doesn't defend his belt but gets paid millions of dollars to fight. I love the Notorious One, but it's a fact.
What do you think and what do you think of the Upstart Girls' decisions as far as Dream Opponent goes? And Brooke…what she wouldn't do to get out of Developmental. 😛
Sorry no RAW Recap, as I've only been able to watch half of it so far. :/
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Spotinst console enables to view an audit list of events in your Elastigroups.
Audit page will show recent events in Elastigroups to enable tracking and better visibility of actions regarding your resources.
Audit events will present following info regard every event:
- Timestamp
- Type
e.g. update Elastgroup, delete Elastgroup, detach instances, update Ocean and etc.
- Resources Type
Elastigroup or Ocean
- Resource ID
- User Name
For every event there's a detailed view for the event which includes additional details like Event Id and payload of action.
How To?
In Spotinst console, navigate to Audit under Account Management:
On audit page there's a view of recent events with relevant data.
Time filter is available on top right side of events table:
Search in events is available on top left side of events table:
Click on event will expand the event and show additional info:
Clicking on resource name will lead to resource view. e.g. clicking on Elastigroup name will redirect you to Elastgroup page.


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5 High Tech Gadgets for Couples/Lovers
Bored by reading the common articles on new smartphones, apps and laptops? We are sure that you might have generated some kind of boar feeling or rather frustration by referring the common tech articles daily. To satisfy your hunger towards cool gadgets, we have come up with these high tech gadgets which are mainly for the lovers.
How many of you think that gadgets can play a vital role in love? According to us gadgets are really helpful in creating a strong bond between two persons. For example – Smartphones and Computers, these are the commonly used electrical gadgets that bring people closer. Apart from these commonly used gadgets, there are few other cool gadgets that may help the couples solve their issues and fall back in their divine love. These love gadgets for couples are:
Using this cool tech gadget we can kiss our partner who is unfortunately miles away from us. This love gadget looks like a pig. The basic concept behind this cool gadget is that, we need to kiss it and our partner who is at a long distance away will be able to feel our kiss. Read more and watch video on Kissenger. This high tech gadget may transfer our kiss physically including little bit of our emotions, but it cannot provide us with the real feel that is actually hidden behind a kiss.
Must Read: Gifts for Long Distance Boyfriend/Girlfriend
Pillow Talk
This tech gadget is interesting to know about. Pillow Talk can be included in the list of love gadgets, as it brings the loved ones more and more close. The working principle of this high tech gadget is not that complicated. The idea behind this cool gadget is that we need to wear a ring on our wrist, which will transfer our thought and heartbeat to our partner through the panel contained inside the pillow.
Taion Heart
Gifts for Her | Gifts for Him | Gifts for Kids
Using this gadget, couples can virtually hold hands. Taion Heart transmits our pressure and pulse rate through a mobile phone to our partner. This love gadget glows with different colours which indicate different things or feels. The main drawback of this tech gadget is that it may get heated up, which seems to be harmful.
Hug Shirt
Hug Shirt is something which we need to wear like a tee. This shirt connects to our smartphone and provides us with a virtual hug. This virtual hug includes the warmth, heartbeat and pressure with which our partner hugs. So, this gadget is something that makes us feel close to our partner.
Toast Messenger
Toast Messenger is a kind of toaster that prints your messages (love messages and more) on toast. So, we can make our partners day by using this simple and cool gadget.
Also Read: Top 5 Apps to Help You Sleep Better
These high tech gadgets are especially useful for long distance lovers. Many of the above mentioned gadgets are not yet invented due to some reasons, but you can convey your love by using the available gadgets. People who want to love or want to be loved by their partner can buy and use these tech gadgets. At last, we can make use of gadgets (love gadgets) to convey our love.


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118 West 22nd Street
We are sorry, there are no current availabilities at this building.
Thank you for registering
If you would like to be alerted when space at this building becomes available, please enter your email address.
Building Contacts
- Asset / Leasing Manager
- Roy Lapidus
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- (212) 372.2170
- Property Manager
- Roy Lapidus
- email@example.com
- (212) 372.2170
- Superintendent
- Victor Mercado
- email@example.com
- (212) 924.8474
Property Information
- Located: West 22nd Street between Avenue of the Americas and 7th Avenue
- Built: 1911
- Renovations: Lobby - 2010; Facade Restoration - 2016
- Total Building Size: 100,000 SF
- Floors: 12, plus mezzanine, 2 below-grade
118 West 22nd Street was built in 1911 by the architect Frederick C. Zobel, it is a 100,000 square foot 12-story loft building that is a perfect choice for companies looking for office space in the iconic Flatiron District, located just one block from Madison Square Park. Commuters have easy access to PATH and 1, C, F, E, N, M and R subway lines at nearby 23rd Street Station. Fantastic amenities can be found along Avenue of the Americas and 23rd Street; from Trader Joe's and Eataly to Shake Shack and Blue Mercury Coffee, the area offers an abundance of food, beverage and retail options for all. The building welcomes tenants and visitors with an elegant light brown limestone facade that still boasts many of its original metal cladding and stucco decorations.


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UW-Madison's Office of the Provost is soliciting proposals from faculty, staff and students for the 2016 Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment competition.
This endowment helps foster the Wisconsin Idea, the philosophy that the knowledge, ideas and solutions generated at the university benefit the people of Wisconsin, our nation and the world.
Proposals are encouraged for new outreach and public engagement activities that partner with community and off-campus organizations to extend and apply our research, education and clinical knowledge to help solve problems or take advantage of opportunities. Projects may begin on or after July 1, 2016 and last up to three years.
For the second year, the committee will again consider funding approximately 10 mini-grants of $4,000 or less, in addition to larger awards of up to $120,000. The amount granted each year is determined by the annual income from the Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment.
This year, the university anticipates making awards totaling approximately $700,000.
Visit http://www.provost.wisc.edu/baldwin/ for pre-proposal guidelines and information, including a list of previously funded projects. Pre-proposals (signed by the department chair) are due in your Dean's office by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
© 2019 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System | Privacy NoticePlease contact the School of Education External Relations Office with questions, issues or comments about this site.


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Office: D106 & D110
Phone: 217/353-2012
& 217/353-2060Fax: email@example.com
Hours:Mon–Thurs, 7:30 am–5 pm
Closed Fridays
Closed July 4
Parkland College is committed to serving all students efficiently and fairly.The College has processes in place to facilitate positive resolutions to student concerns which you can find here: Student Grievance Policy and Procedures. If your complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved through our institutional process then you may contact the Illinois Community College Board through the process described here.
If you are a distance learning (online) student and feel that your complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved through our institutional process then you may contact the appropriate agency listed below:
For students currently living in…
Complaints may be directed to…
Illinois Community College Board
401 E. Capitol Avenue
Springfield, IL 62701
1-800-573-4604 or (217) 557-2741
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 994-6950
*All other states
Illinois SARA Coordinator
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377
*Students from states participating in SARA (which is all states except California and Massachusetts) should file their complaints with the Illinois Board of Higher Education.However, such students may also file a complaint with the appropriate agency in their home state.


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This post was sponsored by Weight Watchers International, Inc. as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Years ago, I was dealing with "female body issues". I wasn't having regular cycles, I was cranky, we had been trying to conceive for what seemed like forever, and I just hated everything about it. Like a light switch, I made the decision to stop trying for another baby and to focus on me for a little bit and to lose some weight. I had no idea that by starting the Weight Watchers® program, I would put myself on a path to more happiness and pretty awesome weight loss!
During that time, and ever since then, I've struggled with finding a balance. I love to eat, so restricting myself to certain types of food is a real struggle. I do love what happens when I eat a certain way, there's no denying that, but I also believe in finding a balance and still enjoying the things you love.
For me, I love sweet things, popcorn, and a good carb.
There are three awesome products out there that allow me to enjoy them while still being mindful of what I'm eating: Flatout® Flatbread endorsed by Weight Watchers®, JOLLY TIME® Healthy Pop® Popcorn endorsed by Weight Watchers®, and Weight Watchers® Ice Cream Novelties.
It's easy to find these products at Walmart, which makes it convenient to pop in to restock any dwindling supplies. Going back to the "finding balance" thing, to me that means sticking to a plan but allowing myself to not feel like I'm giving up what I love. Having popcorn every now and then as fine, so long as it's not every day. Having a Giant Fudge bar is fine, just not every night.
For someone following the new Freestyle™ program with zero Points® foods and Weight Watchers® products, these items are perfect! Even if you aren't following the program, choosing these over other products is a safer bet! Guys, these are MINI bags of popcorn that clock in at 100 calories per pack (3 SmartPoints® per serving)! How fun is that?
I want to know though, how do YOU find balance? Have you followed the Weight Watchers program before? Have you tried any of their products (even if just out of curiosity)?
If you haven't, see what products they have in Walmart stores and give them a try!


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Square Off – Kingdom Set
World's Smartest Chess Board (Kingdom Set)
- Multiple Playing Modes
- Android and iOS Apps
- Play against 20 different difficulty levels
- Select opening moves with ease
- Load and save an incomplete game
- Membrane sensing technology to detect the location of pieces
- Receive audio feedback
Approximately 2000 preorders from 70+ countries on Kickstarter and Indiegogo
Experience at Solution Bar : Times Square Centre
Challenge any online opponent across the globe or play against the artificial intelligence on this automated chess board
Yes, Square Off is here to bring back those charming old days when people played chess on classic tangible boards. Where on one hand, it has revived the classic charisma of chess, on the other hand, Square Off has also made it smarter, automated and super fun.
It uses a compact 2 axis robotic arm with a magnetic head beneath the box to move the magnetic chess pieces. The At Mega 2560 chip with Bluetooth BLE ensures smooth communication with a smartphone, taking care of decrypting and execution. The most important thing is that it is programmed in a way so that the chess pieces don't collide during automatic movements.
Compatible with both Android and iOS (currently in beta) operating systems, Square Off is designed as a user-friendly app. It lets you interact with the board effortlessly; it just takes a click to begin the game.
The idea is to keep the board button-free so that the users can enjoy the classic chess board experience. Be it selecting sides (black or white), difficulty levels, opening moves of computer, challenging friends, analyzing games, using the timer or chatting with the opponent (this feature is being worked upon), everything is controlled through the app.


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FONTANA >> Things have changed in the Inland Empire since the days that Dick Bruich coached in an all-star game that featured a matchup of "city slickers" versus "country bumpkins."
On Sunday night, Bruich, along with Shelton Diggs and Daily Bulletin/San Bernardino Sun columnist Louis Brewster, were the inaugural inductees in the newly created Inland Valley Hall of Fame, introduced during halftime of the second annual Inland Valley Classic All-Star Football game at Miller High School.
The game was the second half of a doubleheader of all-star games featuring players representing schools from eastern Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The first game was the first 215 Football All-Star Classic, which featured players from small schools in Riverside and San Bernardino counties squaring off. The second game featured East and West squads representing the Inland Valley.
But it was the Hall of Fame ceremony that was indicative of how much the region has changed. And Brian Arrington, the co-director of the games, said it was important to start the new hall of fame with some of the most recognized names in the region.
"When you think of coaches in San Bernardino County, I think everyone would acknowledge that the greatest coach (was coach Bruich)," Arrington said. "Coach Bruich was the biggest coach in the Inland Empire, and he still is the greatest in San Bernardino County for sure.
"But we had to go and get the biggest guys. Shelton Diggs, he's been quoted as being the greatest athlete out of San Bernardino County ever. And Louis Brewster with 40 years of covering sports."
All three inductees were gracious in accepting their awards, and all were humbled to receive the honor.
Bruich said his induction was a validation of the work all of his coaches did over the years, and the support of his family.
"I had a lot of good assistant coaches," Bruich said. "I had a lot of good football players. And I had a great family. I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without my family. My wife, she's the one who gets credit for all of it. I was very blessed, very blessed. I don't know that it had as much to do with me as it did with the people that worked with me."
Diggs, who was surrounded by about 30 family and friends, said he was surprised that he was chosen for the first class.
"You're kidding me?" he said his reaction was to the call. "Because so many great athletes have come out of the Inland Valley, so I was trying to figure out how my name popped up."
Brewster, the longtime Inland Empire writer, said that it has all been part of doing his job.
"I'm a little nervous when you're honored for doing your job," Brewster said. "I really have enjoyed my job over the years. I never expected to be singled out for doing my job."
The three honorees were also connected through the years. Bruich was a coach in Diggs' final high school game. Bruich and Brewster started in the Fontana area about the same time, and Brewster grew up in the same area of San Bernardino as Diggs.
"But to go in with Bruich and Shelton is great," Brewster said. "I grew up in San Bernardino and he was one of my boyhood heroes. And here we are."
As for the second game, after a scoreless first half, the East team won 27-20 in a game that came down to the last second.
The other new aspect to Sunday's events was the 215 All-Star Classic, which featured players from small schools getting the chance to participate in one last game.
Southlands Christian's Epyon Batia won the game for San Bernardino County with 2 seconds remaining, scoring on a 77-yard pass play.
For Batia, who came to the United States from the Netherlands six months ago, it was a great chance to play with a new group of players, and for redemption, as he dropped a pass on the previous drive.
"I just thought I've got to get it back," he said. "The previous drive, I dropped a ball in the middle. I said to my quarterback 'Trust in me, I can do it.' So he just put it up there and I got it, so it was nice. A really nice moment."
For the players and coaches, the early game was a chance to shine that most athletes at small schools don't get in all-star situations.
"The respect that these kids deserve, did you see how hard they worked?" Upland Christian coach Robbie von Pertz said. "That was a quality football game. 20-19, even if it's 19-14, it's a quality football game. And they work so hard."
But the whole day was a chance for the athletes of the area to have one more chance to play high school football.
"I've got to give these guys from Inland Sports a lot of credit because they've taken on some big shoes, and they've done something really exciting for these kids," Bruich said. "They've given these kids a chance to be high school football players one more time. That's pretty exciting."