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12 Months of Smart Money Moves to End 2018 Richer
The start of a new year is an optimum time to get your finances in order. While studies have shown that making financial resolutions actually makes a difference in your financial life, it's important to have a plan for concrete action.
If you're not sure where to start improving your finances, here are 12 things you can do this year -- one for each month of 2018.
January: Automate contributions to savings
According to Vanguard's report "How America Saves 2017," more Americans are contributing to 401(k)s because more companies auto-enroll workers, and many auto-enrolled workers make the default contributions set up for them. The tendency to stick to the status quo can be used to your advantage, especially if you set up automatic contributions to a retirement account and to savings accounts.
Talk to your human resources or payroll department about setting up a 401(k) and contributing from each paycheck, if you have the option and aren't already doing so. If you don't have a 401(k) at work, set up an IRA with a brokerage firm and use your broker or your bank's online features to set up an automatic contribution on payday.
If you're already contributing to a 401(k) or IRA, increase your contributions. Increasing the amount you contribute by just $1,000 annually -- about $40 if you're paid biweekly -- could give you an extra $110,218 in your 401(k) by age 65, assuming you started at age 35 and earned a 7% return. Try to increase contributions over time until they reach around 15% to 20% of income -- though any amount you contribute is better than nothing.
While you're automating contributions, set up an automatic transfer to a savings account for an emergency fund, a house fund, a vacation fund, or any other goal you're hoping to achieve. If you transfer money on payday, you won't spend it and you'll quickly adjust to living without it. You could also use an app like Acorns or Digit to transfer small amounts automatically to savings without you even thinking about it.
The key is to set up some plan so you're automatically paying yourself first, instead of trying to save what's left over at the end of the month and finding nothing left.
February: Create a spending plan
According to the Willis Tower Watson "2017 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey," although budgeting and monitoring spending are closely correlated to feelings of financial security, only 35% of workers are budgeters who follow a strict spending plan. By contrast, around 44% of workers are reactive or impulsive spenders, and this group tends to live paycheck to paycheck, have credit card debt, and struggle financially.
Having a plan for where your money is going can give you peace of mind and help you use funds wisely. There are a number of approaches to creating a spending plan. You could take a simple approach by allocating 20% of your money to savings, 30% to optional spending on things like entertainment, and 50% to needs, such as housing. You could also create a detailed budget and allocate every dollar to a specific category, such as rent, utilities, savings, debt repayment, groceries, and more.
Whichever approach you take, track your spending for at least 30 days to see where your money is going, and make adjustments to create a realistic spending plan that works.
March: Tackle your credit card issues
The average credit card debt for U.S. households is $15,654, according to a 2017 survey by Nerdwallet. If you have credit card debt, explore options for reducing your interest rate. There are balance-transfer cards offering special 0% promotional rates -- usually for around 12 to 18 months -- that you could transfer the existing balance on your credit cards to. You'll typically pay a small fee of around 3% of the transferred balance, but won't have to pay interest throughout the year.
Ideally, make a plan to have the balance transfer debt paid off by the time the promotional period ends, since the rate typically goes up dramatically after the 0% interest expires. You could also consider consolidating your credit card debt using a personal loan with a lower interest rate.
If you don't have credit card debt but do use cards, make sure you're not among the 20% of people using a card that doesn't match your spending patterns. Look for a rewards credit card that gives you the most generous rewards for spending on the things you buy. Understand how the rewards work, and claim all you're owed.
And if your card has an annual fee, call and ask to have it waived or reduced. According to a poll conducted by CreditCards.com, 82% of people who asked were successful in getting their fees either waived or lowered.
April: Get smart about your tax refund
The average individual income tax refund in 2016 was $2,795, according to the IRS. If you receive a tax refund, use the cash wisely.
If you have high-interest debt, putting your refund toward paying it off should be a top priority. If you were making $300 monthly payments on a credit card with a 15% interest rate and a $15,654 balance, using a $2,795 tax refund to pay down this card would allow you to repay the debt in 62 months instead of 86; you'd pay $4,180 less in interest.
If you're not in debt but don't have an emergency fund, start one with your tax refund. You could also put your refund into a retirement account -- with an average-sized refund, you'd be more than halfway toward maxing out an IRA -- or invest it to accomplish other goals like buying a house, or taking a course that sets you up for advancement at work.
While there are lots of smart ways to spend a refund, you'd actually be better off if you didn't get a refund at all. Don't pay in more than you owe; instead of giving the IRS an interest-free loan, you want to keep your money available to invest or pay down debt throughout the year. Your employer withholds money based on the W-4 you filled out when you started working, so if you've been getting a big refund, change your withholding information. You may have to update this form due to tax reform anyway, so now's the optimum time to make sure you're getting your money to use when you need it.
May: Do some financial spring cleaning
The arrival of spring is a great time to not only do some spring cleaning at home, but also to get your finances in order by sorting through old paperwork, digitizing as much as possible, and disposing of items you no longer need.
Having your paperwork in order ensures you're ready in case of a tax audit. Audits can go back around seven years, so keep paperwork that supports your deductions for at least this length of time. As for credit card statements and bank statements, if they're more than a year old they can usually be thrown away.
In addition to sorting through paperwork, take steps to organize the rest of your financial life:
- Set up automatic bill payments, so you never have to worry about missing a big payment.
- Close old bank accounts or investment accounts you no longer use.
- Roll over 401(k)s from your old job if you're not happy with what they're invested in.
- Make sure the bank and savings accounts you're using aren't charging exorbitant fees, or paying less in interest than the going rate. If your accounts aren't working for you, shop around to find a different bank.
June: Institute "no-spend days"
According to Gallup, the average American spends around $100 daily, not counting money spent on a home, motor vehicle, or normal household bills. Many of us spend without really thinking about it, buying a coffee before work, grabbing lunch, and picking up a few things from the grocery store on the way home. If we skipped just a few days of spending, they could make a big difference.
To stop mindless spending, try a few no-spend days over the month of June. When you commit to a no-spend day, buy nothing; make do with what you have available. No-spend days get you out of the habit of buying, and force you to find other ways to entertain yourself and solve problems. Not only will you save money during each no-spend day, but changing your mind-set could also inspire you to make long-term changes.
July: Turn your unwanted items into cash
Summer is a prime time for garage sales, but you don't have to set up shop on the curb to turn unwanted items into cash. Sites like Craigslist and eBay provide opportunities for you to get rid of things you no longer need.
You can find out what your items are worth by searching one of these sites, or visiting some consignment stores; set a goal of selling as much as you can. Use the money earned to add to your savings, or to cover the costs of a fun summer activity you'd otherwise dip into your checking account to pay for.
August: Review your investment strategy
If you upped your investments in January, you're hopefully on your way to building a bigger nest egg. No matter how much you're investing, now's a great time to make sure your hard-earned cash is working for you.
Ensure you're taking the right level of risk based on your age, as investing too conservatively could mean you're not going to earn enough, while investing too aggressively puts you at risk of losing everything. One guideline for determining how much to invest in the stock market is to subtract your age from 110. If you're 35, you'd invest 75% of your portfolio in stocks.
If you're not sure where to start, buying exchange-traded funds or mutual funds is a simple option. You can also learn how to value stock for future purchases. And you can research investment strategies such as dollar-cost averaging or value averaging to find a system that works for you.
September: Hack your meal planning
With September arriving and kids heading back to school, you might find yourself buying lunches for your children and yourself, and you might eat out more because you're busy. The problem is, eating out can quickly get expensive -- and it may mean the food you buy for use at home doesn't get consumed.
The average American family spent $3,154 on food away from home in 2016, and the average American tosses out $1,365 to $2,275 in wasted food every year. If you diverted half your eating-out budget and most of what you're currently wasting, you could invest somewhere around $3,000 annually -- which, if you started at 35 and invested in an IRA at 7% returns, would turn into around $283,000 by age 65.
To make sure you're smart about not wasting food, make a weekly meal plan. Schedule meals you'll eat out and meals you'll eat at home, and buy only the ingredients you need. Take leftovers for lunch the next day so they don't go to waste, and plan to dine out when it's less expensive, such as going for a late lunch instead of an expensive weekend dinner.
October: Evaluate your insurance coverage
When was the last time you actually looked at your coverage from your auto insurance, health insurance, or homeowner's insurance?
Many people have policies that aren't working for them and don't even realize it. For example, a study in the Quarterly Journal of Economics found that many employees overpay for health insurance -- by as much as 24% of plan premiums -- by choosing low-deductible, high-premium plans when they don't need that kind of coverage. You may also be paying for auto insurance you don't need, such as collision coverage on a car that's now old and not worth very much.
Take the time to review your policies to ensure you have the right coverage. If you have an emergency fund, for example, you may want to raise your deductibles to lower your premiums. Drop coverage you no longer require and, if your circumstances have changed, let your insurer know. If you're working from home and driving much less, you may be eligible for a discount on auto insurance.
You also want to check that you aren't underinsured. Consider an umbrella insurance policy, which kicks in if you're sued for more than a primary policy covers, especially if you have substantial assets or a high income.
November: Spend smarter for the holidays
As the holiday season approaches, you may be considering going into debt for gifts. In fact, a Nerdwallet study of consumer holiday spending found that 56% of those who shopped during the 2016 holiday season incurred credit card debt, and many were planning to go into debt again in 2017 -- including some who hadn't yet paid off last year's bills.
Ideally, you'll have been budgeting for the holidays all year, so you have money saved to fund your gift-giving. But, whether you have money set aside or not, be smarter about how you handle the holidays. Talk to your coworkers and your adult family members and friends -- perhaps you could try a Secret Santa approach, rather than buying individual presents for every person. You'll save a fortune and end up with less clutter.
If you'll be shopping for holiday gifts on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, carefully research to ensure you're actually getting good deals and not being stuck with off-brand and low-quality items. And take advantage of coupons and discount codes whenever you buy, whether online or in a store.
December: Get your healthcare services before year's end
If you have a health plan with a deductible that ends at the close of the calendar year and you've already met your deductible, consider taking care of any medical issues now so the costs will be paid for. This could mean pushing up a physical or getting that comprehensive exam you've been waiting for.
This month may also be your last chance to spend the money you've invested in a flexible spending account (FSA), as many flexible spending accounts offered through employers require you to use money by the end of the year or lose it. Unless your plan gives you an extension or allows money to roll over, make sure you're not wasting the pre-tax amount you set aside to cover care costs.
You can spend your FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as some over-the-counter medications with a doctor's prescription. Insulin, medical equipment, and prescription eyeglasses can all be purchased with money in an FSA, so find something you can buy rather than losing the money.
Making smart financial choices all year long can leave you better off
By following these tips and making smart financial choices throughout the year, you can end 2018 with more money invested, your money working harder, and your financial life in order. Get started now, and make a few small changes every month, so you can ring in the next New Year as a more prosperous you.
The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.
Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends eBay. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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The world has come a long way since a cold Sunday morning in December of 1971.
And it hasn't all been good.
It was on that 12th day of December 1971 that three men — including two escapees from Utah State Prison — robbed a family market in Lincoln in Placer County before shooting Sgt. Robert Barroso.
Barroso was an off-duty Lincoln Police officer responding to the robbery call in his family station wagon without benefit even of a police radio when he closed in on them on a rural road outside of town.
The three had lost control of their vehicle on a sharp turn in a heavily wooded area near a farmhouse by the Auburn Ravine. They were armed with a M-16. The sergeant only had his service revolver.
They opened fire on Barroso as his vehicle came into view. Seriously wounded, he retreated behind the station wagon and made a dash to the nearby farmhouse where he called Lincoln Police dispatch. They directed the only officer on duty that morning — Les Schellbach — to Barroso's location.
The three waited. When the 31-year-old officer and father of two young children arrived on the scene, they immediately opened fire and killed him. They then fled in Barroso's station wagon.
Lincoln was a town of 3,200 at the time. The community was shocked not just by the shooting but how seriously outgunned the officers protecting Lincoln were. The responding officers did not have the benefit of even a 12-gauge shotgun. All they had were their service revolvers. As for being able to communicate, their ability to do so was virtually nonexistent save for the department's two marked police units that were equipped with radios.
Community groups such as the Business and Professional Women as well as the Lincoln Lions Cub started fundraising drives. One was to help the family. The other was to help equip the police department vehicles with 12-gauge shotguns.
Fast forward to Feb. 28, 1997. Two heavily armed men equipped with body armor robbed a North Hollywood bank. In the confrontation that followed, the two injured 11 police officers and seven civilians plus police vehicles and nearby property were destroyed. The gunmen got off more than 2,000 rounds.
Responding officers were armed with either 9mm or .38 Special pistols. A few officers had 12-gauge shotguns. The robbers were armed not just with body armor but also an illegally modified fully automatic Norinco Type 56 S-1s weapon, Bushmaster XM Dissipator, and a HK-91 rifle with a large capacity drum complete with bullets able to penetrate police-issued Kevlar vests.
Police had to commandeer an armored vehicle to retrieve the wounded from the line of fire. Several officers appropriated AR-15 weapons at a nearby firearms dealer. Forty-four minutes after the gunfight started when the robbers tried to flee the Bank of America branch, it ended when officers were able to kill the two men.
There's been a lot of talk in recent years about the "militarization" of police departments both big and small
Manteca Police taking delivery this week of a $700,000 mine-resistant ambush protected (MARP) vehicle free of charge from the military prompted a few comments of law enforcement overreach.
Why does Manteca need one?
Why did Lincoln Police officers need 12-gauge shotguns in 1971?
Why did Los Angeles Police officers need AR-15s and an armored vehicle in 1997?
The horrible truth is no municipality regardless of how big or small is immune from the equivalent of domestic terror these days — hardcore criminals, certifiable lunatics, or unbalanced individuals.
It is not the police that are escalating the arms race.
Arguably virtually every domestic law enforcement agency is out armed and outnumbered when you look at the number of weapons and criminals in this country.
The MARP as deployed by law enforcement agencies is far from being an offense weapon.
It allow officers to respond more effectively to active shooters, get in position to quickly assist victims of active shootings, and to deal more effectively with gunmen in other situations instead of crouching behind patrol cars in harm's way.
You can bet your last dime that no officer on the Manteca Police force ever wants to have to deploy the MARP in an active shooting situation. But if they have to they will have equipment capable of protecting and saving not only innocent civilians but also peace officers.
This column is the opinion of Dennis Wyatt and does not necessarily represent the opinion of The Journal or Morris Newspaper Corp. of CA. He can be contacted at email@example.com or 209.249.3519.

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I'm not sure how normal this is, but some days my ear holes are larger than other days. Sometimes my hangers fit snug enough to stay put, but other times they're so loose I can see a gap in the hole and I need an ugly o-ring to hold the earring on. I hate how o-rings look on most hangers .
This presents problems with jewelry. I always order my jewelry online, so I can't see each piece in person before ordering. Sometimes you get hand carved pieces that are not always exactly to the millimeter, and if I happen to get an earring which is carved just 'slightly' small but still considered 4 gauge, it is too loose and can fall out (I think I'm actually a large 4 gauge, like a 3 gauge) yet the next size up (2 gauge) is too big. It's so frustrating, not to mention a huge waste of money, and disappointment when it happens with a favorite design.
Since I'm only a 4 gauge (5mm), I can and do sometimes wear "regular" stud earrings with a wide enough front and back. I guess when the holes seem really stretched (from days on end of wearing gauge earrings), I could go for a week or so and wear regular studs to shrink the holes enough to wear the ones mentioned above that are too loose. Of course that's pretty inconvenient... I'd like to be able to wear whichever earrings I want to on any given day.
Anyone else have this problem? I hope someone can give a little insight into what is happening, and what to do about it. Thanks!


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Product Reviews
My hamster doesn't have a creaky wheel
Unlike keystroke analysis or voice recognition, fingerprint-scanning biometrics depends on hardware to collect the data. An assortment of mice, keyboards, and other things you placed your fingers on or in are available. SecuGen provided me with two: an optical mouse with a scanning window where most thumbs are placed during mouse control, and a "hamster," a black device roughly the size of two Zippo lighter that fit comfortably in the palm of my hand. You can change your grip to place any of your logon pods (otherwise known as fingertips) over the hamster's scanning window. Once authenticated, you return it to your desktop until it's needed again. Protocom SecureLogin V2 Windows 2000 domain authentication software accompanied the mouse.
EyeD Hamster, $119 EyeD OptiMouse, $139 SecuGen Milpitas, Calif. (408) 942-3400 www.secugen.com
Installations, Configuration and Registration Installation can be a little more difficult here. It's made more so by the existence of a single executable on the installation CD-ROM and a requirement for manual modification of the Active Directory Schema. Much against my better judgment, but with no other choice, I started installation before reading any documentation. Happily, I was then given the choice to just install documentation. Documentation is copious, but a shortened list of steps provided a simpler road path through it.
Step one requires modification of the AD schema. While the instructions were excellent, this approach leaves much room for user error. A misstep here could leave one with hours of troubleshooting only to find that the new user attribute was incorrectly entered or never added to the user object. I know I'm whining here; real nerds insist on doing their own schema changes, shun Group and Local policies in favor of scripting their own registry modifications and never ever use a GUI when a command prompt will do. Still, I can't be the only one who feels I've paid these kind of dues in the past. Just let the install program do something I can easily mess up, ok?
Next, the instructions include modifications at the BIOS level to support parallel port usage by earlier devices. Since my new little buddies had USB connectors at the other ends of their tails, I skipped this part. Instead, I installed the software. Like most biometrics, you can't use them until users register, and you can't register until you install the hardware. SecuGen avoids the possible nightmare (install the hardware and you may find yourself unable to logon because you haven't registered) by allowing unregistered users to continue using their normal login procedures.
Hardware installation merely requires connecting the creature to the system. Windows 2000 notices the hardware change and loads the driver. Finally, I was ready to register my fingers. SecureLogin provides a registration utility. To run it you must be a member of the SecureLogin Adminstrators group, a group created when the product is installed. Select a user account, click the radio button corresponding to the digit to be registered, have the user place that finger on the device, and click the register button. An image of the finger print appears on the screen (see figure). If the image is acceptable, you're allowed to continue registering other fingers. Incidentally, SecuGen advises you to have users register several fingers. There's no guarantee that a finger roughened by gardening or other physical work on the weekend will be a useful authentication tool come Monday morning.
Once registered, the user can use any registered finger to start the authentication process, if it's acceptable, the first time authentication also requires password entry. You can remove the password requirement.
Mouse or Hamster? Unlike keystroke analysis, fingerprint scanning biometrics allows you to choose the auxiliary device to use for entry. The EyeD Optimouse looks almost exactly like any other mouse you may have. However, along the left side of its ergonomic blue and white body is a window into its soul, er, a plastic window on which to place a registered finger. It's conveniently placed right where your thumb normally rests. Obviously, if you have to use another finger, it's a little more awkward. Well, a lot more awkward but can be done. Remember, this is only necessary for authentication—you don't need to be able to continually point, click, and present usable body parts at the same time. Incidentally, this thumb position placement is perfectly aligned to solve one of the issues common to most readers; when a fingerprint scanner is first used, it's difficult to get the finger lined up to get a good print.
The EyeD Hamster sits upright on your desktop. Its slanted top provides the plastic window. However, after some awkward but successful uses of it in this position, I found it much easier to use when it I cradled the device in the palm of my hand. Smokers from pre-BIC lighter times can empathize here: I discovered this convenience when I realized I was absentmindedly playing with the hamster as if it was a worry stone, or favorite lighter. Once I noticed that it only took a few minutes to find comfortable, natural ways to make the window accessible to any digit. I think it may just become my favorite, biometrics and soul soothing in one small package—who would have figured?
Issues My SecuGen contact made sure he was available to answer any questions and actually provided an answer to a question I hadn't asked yet. (Are these guys psychic or what?) The big selling point of biometrics is that it can replace or strengthen the typical user ID and password combination by insisting on an authentication process which requires the presentation of some biological evidence—perhaps a fingerprint, voice, retina or iris scan, or keystroke pattern. Any implementation of biometrics therefore, can have a fatal weakness. If a user can somehow go around the biometric and use only my user ID and password, then adding the biometric layer is useless. Can a user, for example, logon from a client machine that does not have the software loaded and forego biometric authentication? Can she use biometrics to logon to one account, but then use RunAs to logon to another, sans biometrics? Before I had a chance to test it, SecuGen provided the answer: Yes, well maybe, and here's what to do.
In normal operation, a workstation that does not have the client software loaded will not allow a user to enter their normal user ID and password. In normal operation, an authenticated user can use RunAs to run applications as another user without the need for biometric authentication. That is, if the user knows a valid account name and password, he can use that information and the RunAs service to run applications. He will not be required to present any biometric information (fingerprints) and there is no way to force this to be required.
However, a simple adjustment can be made to close this hole and require biometric authentication in order to successfully logon. A simple registry key modification allows the product to change the user password to a unique value each time the user logs on. This means that no registered user can ever again logon using a password, because they don't know what the password is. They cannot move to a workstation which does not have the client loaded. While nothing prevents anyone from using the RunAs service, they will be unsuccessful for the same reason: They do not know the password. While a password-cracking program could potentially be used to obtain the password offline, if the user is a frequent user of the system, the cracked password is most likely useless as it has already changed
Remember, however, that there is nothing that will automatically require all users to be registered. An unregistered user can still use a password. Some of you may consider this a boon, as there are processes that require the use of a password, so some administrative accounts may need to remain unregistered. Others may see this as where all biometric products break down—the biocontainment/ user registration issue. Indeed, if any account is not registered, and I know that password, I can use it to logon.
About the Author
Roberta Bragg, MCSE: Security, CISSP, Security+, and Microsoft MVP is a Redmond contributing editor and the owner of Have Computer Will Travel Inc., an independent firm specializing in information security and operating systems. She's series editor for Osborne/McGraw-Hill's Hardening series, books that instruct you on how to secure your networks before you are hacked, and author of the first book in the series, Hardening Windows Systems.
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Buy an Axon, Axon II, or Axon Mote and build a great robot, while helping to support SoR.
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Plus if someone does pose a question, and it gets answerred, it will be lost after a few minutes. So future people with that same question can't find the answer by searching the forum etc...
As the cool dark days of fall and winter approach, what better way tospend your Monday evenings then hanging out online with a bunch ofrobotic geeks from around the world. (So we are being a bit stuffysaying evening when it's midday for more of the planet then here, blahblah blah) Anyhow, Join us TONIGHT! for our weekly Monday night Chaton IRC. Instructions follow.irc://irc.freenode.net/#SeattleRoboticsThe link above should work for users of Chatzillahttp://chatzilla.hacksrus.com and firefox, and possibly mIRC.The Seattle Robotics Society hosts a "Monday Night Chat" each week.Starting at 7pm Pacific Daylight Time each Monday, the SRS holds aninformal chat session. This is a great opportunity to come ask livequestions of the SRS members, seek help for technical problems, orjust chat about stuff.Directions:The chat requires that you use an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) program.Details on finding one are below.For you experts, the chat is held on irc.freenode.net in the#seattlerobotics group.If you have problems you can use the web based IRC Client athttp://www.fenchurch.org/cgi-bin/cgiirc/irc.cgiWhere we will help you get another chat client setup.For Mac Users:http://colloquy.info/(Umm I don't actually have experience setting this up, but you shouldbe able to figure it out from the mIRC directions below)For Windows users:1. Get the mIRC program from http://www.mirc.com/get.html Run itssetup program. Start the mIRC program2. It will popup a small window titled mIRC Options. Click on theConnect listing in the 'Category box'. You should see a control thatsays IRC Servers with a set of small buttons down the right side (Add,Edit, Delete, Sort).3. Press the Add button to add a new entry. A small popup calledmIRC Add Server should appear. Fill in the text boxes as follows.Description: SRSIRC Server: irc.freenode.netPorts: 6667Group: #seattleroboticsThere is no password.4. Click the Add button in this mIRC Add Server dialog.5. You have now returned to the mIRC Options window. You should seethe edit boxes with IRC Servers: #seattlerobotics and a SeattleRobotics below it. There should also be a Connect to IRC Server.6. In the reset of the form, fill in your Name, Email Address. TheNickname is often your first name and initial. Please use a Nicknamethat identifies you to the rest of the group.7. Press the Connect to IRC server button in the middle of thedialog. This will connect you to the chat server. This has been knownto take a few moments, up to a minute or so, depending on how busy theserver is.8. Once connected, another popup will appear. You can type in#seattlerobotics and press the join key. You can also go to the statuswindow, and type /join #seattlerobotics.9. If you are the first person for the night, you will be alone inthe room! Thats OK, just wait for others to join. Be sure you have thecorrect spelling.
He's got my vote!!! Here's a link to the details on how to nominate him... http://nobelprize.org/nomination/
You guys just made me happy CheesyHowever there is not currently a nobel prize in robotics and probably won't be for a long time . . .Only physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and economics CryAnd I think I must be old to get one of these, no? Tongue


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Facilities & Property
Authorizing Body:
Vice President for Administration & Business Affairs – VP-ABA
Responsible Department:
Campus Facilities
Applies To:
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Print Policy
The safety of Saginaw Valley State University students, faculty, staff and the public is a central concern for the University. This policy has been established to support the safety of those driving or riding in University or personally owned vehicles on behalf of the University.
Driver Responsibilities
It is the driver's responsibility to familiarize themselves with the University's policies, rules and regulations and to operate the vehicle in a safe and responsible manner. The following are general safety procedures which must be followed when using University vehicles or personal vehicles on University business. These procedures are not all-inclusive and should not be construed as such.
Driver Authorization
All drivers of University-owned, leased or rented vehicles must comply with the requirements of this policy.
Drivers must:
a) No more than two (2) tickets within the previous year; no more than two (2) general violations in the past three (3) years;
b) A ticket that exceeds three (3) points;
c) Driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence;
d) Capital or major violations.
Any employee of the University whose job function may involve driving for the University either on a full-time or casual basis will have his/her driving record checked on an annual basis.
Employees must notify their supervisor immediately if any of the following occur:
After authorization is granted, drivers must notify Campus Facilities of any violation that may occur which causes them to no longer comply with the above requirements.
Large Trucks and 12-Passenger Vans
Operators of large trucks and 12-passenger vans are required to view the University's Driving Safety Training Video and pass the accompanying test before operating any of these vehicles for University business. This requirement shall be completed every two (2) years.
Only employees 21 years and older are allowed to operate large trucks and 12-passenger vans. Students are not allowed to operate these vehicles.
The use of 15-passenger vans is strictly prohibited (owned, leased or rented).
What to do in Case of an Accident
Privately-Owned Vehicles
University staff, faculty, volunteers and students using their personal vehicles on University business must carry sufficient personal auto insurance as this is the primary insurance in the event of an accident. The University does not cover physical damage to personal vehicles. Staff, faculty, volunteers and students are required to comply with all federal and state regulations while operating a vehicle on University business, including maintaining the applicable State-mandated minimum amount of insurance coverage.
Utility Vehicles
Motorized utility vehicles (tractors, Gators, Cushmans, golf carts, etc.) are covered by this policy and fall under the same guidelines and requirements with the addition of the following:
Loss of University Vehicle Driving Privileges
Employees may lose the privilege of operating motor vehicles and be subject to disciplinary action for conduct including, but not limited to, the following:
The Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration and Business Affairs is responsible for the administration of this policy.


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OAKLAND, Calif. – Klay Thompson scored a career-high 38 points in a spectacular shooting performance, and the Golden State Warriors whipped the Los Angeles Lakers 125-94 in their much-anticipated season opener Wednesday night.
Thompson finished 15 of 19 from the floor, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, to lead the Warriors to the runaway win. Golden State led by 19 at the half, 33 at the end of the third quarter and 35 early in the fourth.
David Lee added 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Stephen Curry had 10 points and six assists as the Warriors trounced a rebuilding Lakers team playing without Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
Jodie Meeks scored 14 points and Pau Gasol had 12 points and seven rebounds for an overmatched Lakers team playing on back-to-back nights. Los Angeles beat the Clippers on Tuesday night in their season opener.
After a lackluster preseason, the Warriors finally showed why so many believe they can contend for the Western Conference title this season.
Thompson swished shots. New addition Andre Iguodala distributed the ball. Big man Andrew Bogut protected the paint. Lee piled up putback points. Curry got in the mix, too, though he wasn't needed to be anywhere close to the made-for-TV star he was while leading Golden State to the second round of the playoffs last season.
On one play in the third quarter, Iguodala stole the ball, whirled a behind-the-back pass on a fast break to Lee, who touched it back to Iguodala for a layup that brought the announced sellout crowd of 19,596 roaring to its feet. Iguodala finished with seven points, four rebounds and four assists.
Far fewer Lakers fans than usual showed up at Oracle Arena. And the ones who did were easily drowned out by the home fans expecting big things in the basketball-united Bay Area.
Not much is expected of the Lakers, who surprised some with their season-opening win over the Clippers. Los Angeles lost Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace in the offseason, Bryant hasn't returned to practice since tearing his left Achilles tendon against the Warriors late last season and Nash was given the night off to rest with the Lakers playing on back-to-back nights.
A day later than expected, the losses finally showed.
The Warriors outshot the Lakers 53.5 to 39.3 percent, outrebounded them 48 to 39 and looked far more talented and together than their neighbors to the south.
And for a change, Golden State also had the brightest star.
Thompson scored 16 points and made all four of his 3-pointers to help the Warriors take a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. He had 27 points at halftime in front of his dad, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, who watched while working the Lakers' radio broadcast.
Thompson, who also had three rebounds and one assist, left to a standing ovation with 13.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Warriors up 96-62. His previous career high was 34 points in the Game 2 win at San Antonio in the second round of the playoffs last season.
NOTES: Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said the tentative plan is to rest Nash for one game in back-to-back sets to keep the 39-year-old point guard fresh. ... Mark Jackson said his one regret as Golden State's coach is not calling a timeout when Bryant tore his Achilles tendon last season. He said he didn't realize Bryant was that hurt until later. The Lakers intentionally fouled the Warriors to let Bryant come off the floor after he made two free throws. Jackson said he apologized to Bryant between exhibition games in China this preseason. "Typical Kobe. He said, 'Thank you. Appreciate it.' But he said he's coming after us next time he sees us," Jackson said. ... Warriors SF Harrison Barnes sat out with left foot inflammation, as expected, but was in uniform. Jackson said Barnes will sit out again Thursday night at the Clippers.


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Uncommon Marriage
Learning About Love and Overcoming Life's Obstacles TogetherDownload a 1st chapter .PDF
Download a 1st chapter audio .MP3
What does it take to build a marriage that will last? Tony and Lauren Dungy have together known the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They fell in love, built a family, and made sports history when Tony became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Yet they've also gone through difficult, relationship-testing setbacks, including job loss and devastating personal tragedy. In a culture where it seems harder and harder to make marriage last, what has kept the Dungys strong through it all? In Uncommon Marriage, Tony and Lauren share the secrets that hold them together, revealing what they've learned so far about being a good husband or wife; getting through times of loss, grief, or change; staying connected despite busy schedules; supporting each other's dreams and goals; and helping each other grow spiritually. They offer encouragement and practical advice to equip your marriage to survive tough issues and flourish with joy, purpose, and partnership—in other words, to be a marriage that is truly uncommon.


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Sunday, September 20, 2009
A colorful Sunday
17 comments:
- Jenny said...
Cute! You must have early church! We are 1:00. I miss naps!
You commented on my blog about Love and logic. We only filled half a class so we combined with another out in Gilbert on Thursday nights. We just started this last week, would you like to join? you can email me firstname.lastname@example.com
We also are doing a carpool since its a little out of our neighborhood. :) - September 20, 2009 at 10:26 PM
- Debbie said...
fun pictures of the kids. I'm sure that you aren't the only one that wants to go to that party!! Bravo on the lampshade. It came out gorgeous, even if you did have to stay up until 2 am to get it done.
- September 21, 2009 at 8:19 AM
- Stu and Angie Milne said...
so in love with that lampshade. gorgeous. you're little kiddos are the cutest! what a beautiful way to spend a sunday :)
- September 21, 2009 at 9:19 AM
- McMemories said...
WOW. That house brought back memories too! I totally was IN LOVE with that house!! Ice cream parlor house!!!!
You guys are the cutest and we love the candyland map at our house too:)
Cute lamp shade!!! - September 21, 2009 at 9:56 AM
- nest of posies said...
you are unreal! the lampshade is awesome. beautiful job, as always.
love that pink house. - September 21, 2009 at 10:09 AM
- Rhonda said...
I love that lampshade!!!!
you always do the most fun posts! I need to be more creative to make mine more interesting...
Funny, I just to know the owners of the ice cream parlor house.
Oh & Let's do plan a dinner soon.... - September 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
- Laura said...
Love this post, so cute!!
And that lampshade ~L~O~V~E I~T!! - September 21, 2009 at 1:10 PM
- Busy Bee Lauren said...
Are you kidding? Would you believe me if I told you I made the same lamp shades this weekend? because I totally did.
Great minds think alike... - September 21, 2009 at 1:14 PM
- HM Baker said...
After putting away the tv we have been enjoying many a round of candyland... Love the pics. Love your blogs. Happy to have found you...
- September 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM
- Stacey Crewse said...
Are you in business yet??!! - September 21, 2009 at 2:16 PM
- Whitney said...
Can we have a candyland party like that? That is so cool. The lampshade turned out gorgeous. You are so creative. I only wish I would have thought of it too. ;)
- September 21, 2009 at 3:12 PM
- Alexa Mae said...
you are a genius! i adore you...alot! and that house, i used to play in it when i was little and it is a dreamy as you could think. your kids are so cute! i loveeee your girls green dresses, where did you get them?? and are you going to start selling any of your creations?
- September 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM
- Annie said...
I am loving the map thing. Vance is way into maps these days too. He carries around the car seat manual, calling it his "map". He is always there to tell me where we are going next. I was really hoping it would be a Candyland walk but I don't think I'm going to be able to make it down to AZ...I'm crying right now. Let's pray for a miracle.
- September 22, 2009 at 11:12 PM
- Marketing Unscrambled, Home edition said...
That is a wonderful Sunday. What a great day. Love the map it helps a lot as to not getting lost.
Have a great day.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled" - September 23, 2009 at 12:07 AM
- Day by Day Design said...
I LOVE your lamp shade!!! I just might steal your idea! Love love love it!
- September 24, 2009 at 9:25 PM
- Day by Day Design said...
Oh and you are absolutely gorgeous..
- September 24, 2009 at 9:25 PM
- Amanda said...
One day, if God ever graces our little family with a baby girl, I'm pretty sure she'll need a similar lampshade in her room. :)
- December 5, 2009 at 4:11 PM


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Warning: Might Be Inappropriate For Those Who Are Offended By Graphic Discussion About Overweight, Hairy, Balding Middle Aged Men With Scars...
A couple of months ago, another blogger asked me if I would participate in a project that would support a worthy cause. First I said, "sure!". Then I asked her, "what's the worthy cause?". She told me that it was The National Eating Disorders Association and it was to help promote a healthy body image, especially as it relates to teen girls.
Wow. I had never really thought too much about that. When I think of charity, I think of starving kids or perhaps cancer. Heck, I just spent the last eight months of my life putting together a children's book for charity. There's a widget right on my blog to help raise money for The Garden of Dreams Foundation.
But eating disorders?
I just assumed that was a family thing.
Wait, you dumbass. You have two daughters. You have a family. Who's gonna promote a healthy body image in them?
Well, the truth is, to think that my little precious, perfect, beautiful girls would ever be silly enough to think otherwise, that's just poppycock!
Fuck that! This is serious shit. Just because my wife and I think our girls are the most beautiful things in the universe, doesn't mean that they believe that themselves.
There's a lot of other factors that come into play.
Cruel people, peer pressure, the media, expectations, stereotypes, low self esteem and the list goes on and on and on and on.
Here's one for ya:
"In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder."
Put that in your tuna casserole and smoke it.
That means that there are a shit load of lost girls AND boys out there that are trapped in their own heads and most of us know that's a horrible place to be. This disease plays no favorites.
Anyone is vulnerable and the only thing we can do to help prevent it, is to create awareness.
I have two daughters and I can't tell them to do shit without an argument. They have a mind of their own. They are strong willed and stubborn. It's a pain in the arse now but I know that these are all very important characteristics for them to possess as they get older. The point is, you can't shove statistics down a kid's throat and you can't force them to eat.
What we can do as parents is set an example. Lets call this, "attraction not promotion".
I can only speak for myself but we're all probably guilty on some level of sending the wrong message. Look around your house. Is there diet soda, low fat ice cream, lo-carb energy drinks, Weight Watchers cakes?
I know there is at our home.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have this stuff around the house. I'm just saying there's a way we can explain to our kids why we eat the foods we eat.
When my kids ask me why I eat diet "whatever", I try not to tell them, "because Daddy is a fat fuck and he needs to lose weight". I tell them, "because it's important to make healthy choices with the foods you put into your body, in order to stay healthy and feel good." When they ask me why I exercise everyday, I try not to tell them, "Because Daddy is a flabby, old, sea hag". I tell them, "because exercising is good for your heart and if I take care of my heart, I'll have no problem keeping up with you guys out on the playground".
This is tricky folks and we need to be very careful. Kids are very impressionable; especially at a young age. In their eyes, we are perfect. We can do no wrong. If we aren't comfortable with our own bodies, then that sends a very mixed message.
"Why do I have to eat all of my food? You're always on a diet. I don't want to get fat."
My 7 year old will ask me if she looks fat every once in a while. It scares me to death. It starts early. Don't think that it's just a cute little phase. Take it seriously. My kid has the smallest ass on the planet. If she thinks it's fat now, forget about it. We see what we want to see and that's the scary part.
Now back to the project...
It's a calendar. Twelve months. Twelve bloggers. Twelve pictures to help promote body awareness. Some of us will be racier than others but we'll all be showing some skin. We're doing it to show everyone that no one can be perfect but everyone can be proud.
I am losing the hair on my head and it is mysteriously re-rooting itself on my shoulders and on the back of my ears. Age spots are beginning to appear on my face. My ass is starting to look like a rotten plumb. I have a metal plate in my hand. I'm missing the ACL in my right knee. I've broken my nose more times than I can count. I have a scar on my torso the size of a caterpillar . I've never liked my feet. My toes are too long. The nail beds on my fingers are too short, I have bow legs and if I don't pluck them, I would have one eyebrow.
You know what?
I don't give a shit.
I am comfortable in my own skin. I wasn't always this way but I am now.
I'm gonna do my best to send a message. A message that it's OK to be who you are, because in the end, it's all ya got.
So look for me in 2011. I'm Mr. July. The only guy in the calendar.
Scars and all...
For more info on how to spot the signs of an eating disorder and how to deal with it, check out the National Eating Disorders Association website.
And check out the other amazing and courageous bloggers who will be baring it all in 2011.
Also check out my friend Mary and her honest post about her experience with eating disorders on her blog Pajamas and Coffee.
Or if you would like to help, you can show your support with a donation via the widget below.


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According to a decision announced on Friday, January 18, the Transportation Security Administration is pulling the plug on its nude body scanner program which will now end a controversial privacy battle with the public scoring a rare victory.
Travelers will continue to go through one of two types of scanners already deployed, but images of naked bodies will no longer be produced. Instead, software will instead show a generic outline of a person.
First tested in 2007, the advanced imaging technology scanners became the object of intense media and public scrutiny around Thanksgiving in 2010. In addition to privacy concerns, some experts maintained the scanners' safety was unproven, and that the technology was ineffective in detecting smuggled weapons and explosives. Travelers are permitted to opt-out of the scan, but are then subjected to an aggressive pat-down procedure.
The government said Friday it is abandoning its deployment of so-called backscatter technology machines produced by Rapiscan because the company could not meet deadlines to switch to generic imaging with so-called Automated Target Recognition software, the TSA said. Instead, the TSA will continue to use and deploy more millimeter wave technology scanners produced by L-3 Communications, which has adopted the generic-outline standard.
"Due to its inability to deploy non-imaging Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software by the Congressionally-mandated June 2013 deadline, TSA has terminated part of its contract with Rapiscan," the TSA said in a statement to Wired. "By June 2013 travelers will only see machines which have ATR that allow for faster throughput."
The announcement comes three months after Rapiscan came under suspicion for possibly manipulating tests on the privacy software designed to prevent the machines from producing graphic body images. The TSA sent a letter in November to the parent company of Rapiscan, the maker of the so-called backscatter machines, requesting information about the testing of the software to determine if there was malfeasance.
The government has spent about $90 million replacing traditional magnetometers with the controversial body-scanning machines at airports nationwide.
Rapiscan had a contract to produce 500 machines for the TSA at a cost of about $180,000 each. The company could be fined and barred from participating in government contracts, or employees could face prison terms if it is found to have defrauded the government. In all, the 250 Rapiscan machines already deployed are to be phased out of airports nationwide and will be replaced with machines produced by L-3 Communications.
The move away from Rapiscan machines is more than a boost to privacy.
Unlike the competing millimeter-wave technology produced by L-3 Communications that employ radio waves to detect metallic and non-metallic substances, the Rapiscan machines expose travelers to a small X-ray dose. The TSA and Rapiscan maintained the machines are safe, despite some academics telling the White House that the government did not adequately study the backscatter X-ray devices.
The TSA's announcement ironically comes after its December decision to commission the National Academy of Sciences — a private non-profit filled with engineering and science scholars — "to estimate radiation exposure resulting from backscatter X-ray advanced imaging technology."
Both companies' machines were the subject of a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which charged that the machines were ineffective, unsafe and were an unconstitutional privacy breach. A federal appeals court said the TSA breached federal law in 2009 when it formally adopted the airport scanners as the "primary" method of screening. The judges said the TSA violated the Administrative Procedures Act for failing to have a 90-day public comment period, and ordered the agency to undertake one, which is scheduled for this spring.
But a week after the July 2011 decision, which said the machines were not an unconstitutional privacy breach, the TSA announced its move to the generic-imaging style.
"We won," Marc Rotenberg, EPIC's executive director, said in an e-mail.


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Cairo, Egypt — Embattled President Hosni Mubarak said early Saturday that he asked the country's government to resign after thousands of angry Egyptians defied a government curfew and faced stinging police tear gas as they marched for change.
"I asked the government to resign today and I will commission a new government to take over tomorrow," Mubarak said in a national address on Saturday shortly after midnight.
As Mubarak spoke, Egyptian tanks rolled into the country's major cities after the nation's police force had been largely faced down by protesters on Friday. Demonstrators burned many police stations in Cairo and Alexandria and overturned and torched police vehicles.
Mubarak faces toughest challenge
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with the Egyptian president after Mubarak's address.
"When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity," Obama said from the White House.
"I just spoke to him after his speech, and told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise," Obama said in a televised appearance. "Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away."
ElBaradei: The man to lead a free Egypt?
Mubarak gave no indication that he would step down or leave the country.
"I assure you that I'm working for the people and giving freedoms of opinion as long as you're respecting the law," he said. "There is very little line between freedom and chaos."
Are you there? Send images, videos
At the same time, Mubarak said that "these protests arose to express a legitimate demand for more democracy, need for a greater social safety net, and the improvement of living standards, fighting poverty and rampant corruption."
"I understand these legitimate demands of the people and I truly understand the depth of their worries and burdens and I will not part from them ever and I will work for them everyday," he said. "But regardless of what problems we face, this does not justify violence or lawlessness."
A senior Obama administration official, meanwhile, said Friday evening that Mubarak's speech was "hardly conciliatory and highly disappointing, but what did you expect?"
It's clear, the official said — speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter — that Mubarak believes he can ride this out, "and this time, we're not so sure that is the right assumption." Administration officials had hoped Mubarak would promise an immediate and open dialogue, the official said.
The streets of downtown Cairo appeared to calm somewhat overnight Friday as the army — a much more respected force than police among Egyptian civilians — took control of the country.
The army was much less aggressive with protesters than the police had been, and many Egyptians applauded the arrival of its tanks in Cairo, Alexandria and elsewhere.
One of the key questions ahead of sunrise in Egypt on Saturday is whether people will continue to welcome the army as a protective force or reject it as a tool of Mubarak.
Celebratory crowds that had gathered overnight Friday ahead of Mubarak's speech, expecting him to announce his resignation, quickly transformed into street demonstrations when the president announced he was staying put.
The government cracked down throughout Friday with thousands of riot and plainclothes police, later joined by army troops in tanks and armored personnel carriers equipped with gun turrets. Undeterred, people ran, screamed, hurled rocks and accosted walls of security as they tried to make their way to central Cairo.
Anti-government demonstrators have taken to the streets in Egypt since Tuesday to demand an end to Mubarak's rule. The protests come weeks after similar disturbances sparked a revolution in Tunisia, forcing then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country.
Both Egypt and Tunisia have seen dramatic rises in the cost of living in recent years and accusations of corruption among the ruling elite.
In downtown Cairo, a calm seemed to be settling in overnight Friday amid little sign of authority.
"There is no authority … there's nobody to protest against," CNN's Ben Wedeman said, speaking of the capital's downtown area. "State authority in much of downtown Cairo has disappeared."
Mubarak imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. State-run Nile TV said the curfew was in response to the "hooliganism and lawlessness" of the protesters.
Vans packed with riot police circled Cairo neighborhoods before the start of weekly prayers in the afternoon. Later in the day, Egyptian soldiers moved onto the streets, the first time the army has been deployed to quell unrest since 1985.
But protesters defied all warnings to demand an end to Mubarak's authoritarian 30-year-rule.
They chanted "God is Great" and that the dictator must go. "Down, Down, Mubarak," they shouted.
Plumes of rancid, thick smoke billowed over the Nile River as, by nightfall, chaos reigned in the bustling metropolis. The headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party was ablaze Friday night. Nile TV said protesters ransacked the building and set it afire.
Police fired water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas with force and impunity. A tourist on the balcony of his 18th floor hotel room told CNN he had to run in and wash his eyes and face from the stinging gas. Police confiscated cameras from people, including guests at the Hilton Hotel.
At least six people have died in the demonstrations this week, according to Egypt's Interior Ministry. But Nile TV reported Friday that 13 have died and 75 were injured in Suez, south of Cairo, citing medical sources
As the government cracked down on protesters across Egypt, opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei, who returned home to Cairo to join the demonstrations, was placed under house arrest, a high-level security source told CNN.
ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and former head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, was warned earlier not to leave a mosque near downtown Cairo where he was attending Friday prayers.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that the U.S. is reviewing its aid to Egypt "based on events now and in the coming days."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the Egyptian crisis Friday, urging all parties to be peaceful and engage in dialogue.
"We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters and we call on the Egyptian government to do everything within its power to restrain its security forces," Clinton said. "At the same time, protesters should also refrain from violence and express themselves peacefully."
The protests sent ripples around the world, with stocks plunging on news of Egypt unrest. The Dow dropped 166 points on Friday, its largest loss since November.
The State Department urged Americans to defer all non-essential travel to Egypt and within the country. Delta Air Lines said its last flight from Cairo will depart Saturday; all other Cairo service was indefinitely suspended, said spokeswoman Susan Elliott. American Airlines and British Airways will allow customers with tickets between Friday and Monday to or from Cairo to change their flights at no charge, according American Airlines spokesman Edward Martelle.
Egypt is the most populous nation in the Arab world and often a barometer for sentiment on the Arab community.
"What happens in Egypt will have an impact throughout the Arab world and the Middle East," said Edward Djerejian, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Syria.
In the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on Friday, at least 1,000 protesters gathered and youths hurled rocks through black clouds of gas. Crowds ran through the streets toward the city's central square. There was no indication of a curfew in that city either, as people remained out well after the time it was to begin.
In Suez, 15,000 riot police were out, using tear gas to disperse crowds, Nile TV said.
Riot police also confronted protesters in the cities and towns of Ismailia, Fayoum and Shbin Elkoum, according to the anti-government group Egyptian Liberation.
A CNN crew covering the clashes in Cairo felt the wrath of the police.
CNN's Wedeman and Mary Rogers were under an overpass and behind a column as police tried to hold back protesters. Plainclothes police wielding clubs surrounded the CNN team and wanted "to haul us off," Wedeman said. In a struggle, police grabbed Rogers's camera, cracked its viewfinder, and confiscated it. Wedeman said the police threatened to beat them.
Egypt's Interior Ministry forbade protests Friday, but some Egyptians went door to door in Cairo, urging their neighbors to participate. The main opposition bloc, the Muslim Brotherhood, urged its supporters for the first time to take to the streets.
Hours ahead of the protests, the internet went dark in many parts of the country. Some text messaging and cell phone services appeared to be blocked.
Even though it was difficult to use Twitter and Facebook within Egypt, thousands of others outside the country ran with the powerful social media tool to provide a real-time chronology of events. "Mubarak" was a trending topic.
Authorities arrested a prominent Muslim Brotherhood leader early Friday, detaining the party's main speaker, Issam al-Aryan, according to a relative.
Other government critics voiced their opinions — amazingly — on state-run television.
A popular morning show on state-run Nile TV included comments from guests calling for the resignation of government officials and increased dialogue between authorities and arrested protesters. The network carried coverage of the protests, even at times calling them large and peaceful.
They followed days of unrest that have roiled several Arab countries. Demonstrations in Tunisia were followed by protests in Algeria, Egypt, Yemen and Jordan.
"They all want the same," said Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the Middle East, speaking of protesters in different Arab countries. "They're all protesting about growing inequalities, they're all protesting against growing nepotism. The top of the pyramid was getting richer and richer."
People are also fed up with authoritarian regimes that do not afford the people proper representation.
Mubarak has not been seen in public for some time. He is 82 and there has been speculation of failing health. Many Egyptians believe Mubarak is grooming his son, Gamal, as his successor, a plan that could be complicated by demands for democracy.


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52 Godly Men : Men of Today Teaching the Men of Tomorrow » Entries tagged with "splicing wires"
Week 4: Splicing Fiber Optics
I'm sure that everyone has a place that they make jokes about. For me, it's always been Alabama. However, after going to Alabama, I think that will change. It is actually a very nice place, and my experience with Dwayne Pugh and fiber optic cables was equally as good. Dad, Mom, and I left at 8:30, and headed for Alabama. First we stopped by the famous Unclaimed Baggage store and looked around, and after buying some … Read entire article »
Filed under: My Journey


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Last week wasn't the best week ( chess-wise ) for me.
So, I wasn't really positive, nor probably in the mood, for a standard game, but having checked that Anand held an easy draw playing for 4 hours or more, I thought I could manage a meagre 2 !
In the end just 90-minutes and one move was all it took...could have been a cup-final !
27 April, 2010
Monthly Standard ( April ) : Round 3
Posted by Signalman at 23:22 2 comments
Labels: Scotch Game
18 April, 2010
Another Open Sicilian ( Labourdonnais times two ?)
Open Sicilians ? I love them, why would anyone play 2.c3 and miss out on the fun....?!
Here's two blitz games I played today, apparently classified as B32 ( Labourdonnais Variation) but the first did seem a bit like a Dragon ( or Najdorf ? ) to me.
So, game 1...I tried to play the Maroczy Bind with c4, and a later f4....did it work ?
Well, certainly mistakes on both sides, but I felt happy playing it.
Black played 13...f5 and this was was wrong, and although I thought about it for a while, after 14.Qxd6, Black's position seems to fall apart.
[ 14...fxe4]
I spent some time thinking after move 14 above, but essentially I accepted that Nxe4, Bxb2, Rb1 was good..and after that, I had a nice victory.
[...after 24...Kg8]
I missed the beautiful Qxg6 ( work it out ! ) but my excuse was that I was in time trouble...
On to Game 2, and much more like the Labourdonnais that I expect with an early e5 from Black.
On auto-pilot, I forget to play Nb5 to head for the Sveshnikov, but no matter....
I make some dodgy moves ( 13. Qh6 ? ) but redeem it with 14.f5, and here...
Black plays [14...Bd7 ]
Not sure why, but certainly after this next move..
[ Black plays 15...Nf4]
Its all over.
Sadly, he was one of those players who doesn't like to be mated, so I waited a minute-plus for the clock to run out after 19.f6...so he has a "time-expired" loss, so much better than mate ! and it gives me more more time to savour the win!!
That's life....
An enjoyable game none-the-less.
Posted by Signalman at 22:13 2 comments
Labels: Sicilian
07 April, 2010
Monthly Standard ( April ) : Round 1 - Réti Gambit
It was a last minute decision to enter, as I had a cancelled appointment, so I didn't really "prepare", just signed on a few minutes before and waited for the parings.
I have to admit the "2pm" round is rather strange, since it is always an open with no lower section. This means that the lower-rated players ( like me ) invariably end up against an opponent 300 or 400 points above us. I'm sure its a great learning game, but sometimes, it would be nice to have a sporting chance.
Tonight I'm up against an 1848-rated player ( that's 360 higher than me !) and he replies 1...e6 to my 1.e4. Great, a French Defence, long one of my least favourite openings as White.
However, this time, instead of my usual slow King's Indian Attack, or pretence at knowing Tarrasch, Winawer or Wing Gambit theory, I tried something different, the Réti Gambit, courtesy of author Thomas Johansson. Seemed like a lot of fun to gain, so what did I have to lose ?
( [Updated 7 April 2013 ] Statistically, not too much ! I have various later posts giving details of openings played in amateur online chess. The French Defence is the second most-played opening in Team League and here the Réti Gambit shows as well as the main White options, with 55% positive record ( 11 wins, 2 draws, 9 losses ) and better than main-line replies of d4. In my TL4545 Réti Gambit game, as usual, it wasn't the opening where I lost, so I believe this opening has a lot to offer the White player who wants to push Black out of his French Defence 'comfort zone'. One other benefit of this opening is that it's knowledge could also be applied in the Sicilian. Castling queen-side and attacking king-side has similar themes in both.)
I'm not a gambit player ( I decline even the King's Gambit, if possible) but the Réti Gambit offered fun and the chance not to play in Black's arena. I was ready to give it a shot !
Posted by Signalman at 22:31 1 comments
Labels: French Defence, Reti
04 April, 2010
Test your Chess ?!
A pleasant way to while away 50 minutes over an evening and imagine that it really is your ELO rating !
Posted by Signalman at 12:42 0 comments
03 April, 2010
Open Sicilian...Lasker-Pelikan (Sheveshnikov)
I used to have an very bad time with the Sicilian...any Sicilian !!
When I first re-started chess I played correspondence and always met 1...c5 with 2.c3, the Alapin Sicilian.
I have to say that I had very little success, which only increased my dislike of facing the Sicilian.
This is a shame, since it is probably the most popular "non-e4" opening, even at amateur level, so not being able to play against it is a serious problem !
These days, I am much happier and more prepared....
Here's a Blitz game played today....Lasker Variation...Sveshnikov.
Theory ( and popularity ) goes for the move 7.Bg5, but 7. Nd5 avoids lots of theory and is producing some good results.
7....Nxd5 is forced, but don't re-capture with the Queen, as you lose time to Be6 !
On move 8, there are two main Black choices, Nb8 and Ne7. More popular is Nb8, but I don't think there is much between them, at least at my level.
The reply to both is 9.c4, the solid move, but 9.Qf3 is an interesting alternative.
Sadly, here...
I didn't see the wonderful 10.Qa4, which is probably a winning move against the apparently natural 9...a6.
Regardless of the final loss, I really enjoyed this !
Posted by Signalman at 18:24 3 comments
Labels: Sicilian
01 April, 2010
Monthly Standard March ( Round 4 ) : A Prize win !!
Last round for this month and an enjoyable, but, in my opinion, a strange game.
I played far too passively in the opening, and did not take advantage of Black's many initial pawn moves.
Not to say that I played badly. I developed pieces, had a plan, and generally felt good about it, but if I had been more active, I feel I was in a fine position to take advantage.
Probably my first slow-time French Defence, although it was a roundabout way to reach it.
Black initially played many pawn moves to gain space and initiate a Queen-side advance, but missed an obvious threat, lost a pawn and ,as I had pieces in the right places, I was able to create a second weakness and exploit it, leading to further material gain.
Posted by Signalman at 06:01 0 comments
Labels: French Defence