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Beastie Boys members Ad-Rock and Mike D have just entered into a bizarre collaboration with one of music's most polarizing figures. The legendary MC's have teamed up with the one and only Yoko Ono for the experimental musician's new track 'Bad Dancer.'
The entire music world hung its head in sadness after Beastie Boys member Adam 'MCA' Yauch died of cancer on May 4, 2012. The Brooklyn native's passing left the Beastie Boys without one of their key members, thus leaving the future of the iconic rap outfit very questionable. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mike D claimed that the Beastie Boys were most likely finished, but that MCA would have wanted both Mike D and Ad-Rock to "try whatever crazy thing we wanted but never got around to." This collaboration with Yoko Ono may be exactly what Mike D was talking about.
You won't hear Mike D or Ad-Rock in their usual capacity within the Plastic Ono Band's 'Bad Dancer.' In fact, the Beastie duo remixed the song while providing additional beats, programming and "other curve balls" to the track.
For those familiar with Yoko Ono's music, 'Bad Dancer' certainly dwells within the twisted realm manifested by Ono, dodging any type of casual classification. The near three-minute track is now available for streaming on the Plastic Ono Band's official website. 'Bad Dancer' will appear on Ono's upcoming 'Take Me to the Land of Hell' album, which is set to drop on Sept. 17 in the States.
Listen To The Track HERE (if you really want to….)
– Source: Loudwire.com


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Supercell Thunderstorms and Squall Lines
A supercell thunderstorm is a huge rotating thunderstorm. It can last for several hours as a single storm. These storms are the most likely to produce long-lasting tornadoes and baseball-sized hail. Tornadoes produced from supercell thunderstorms are typically the largest and most damaging tornadoes due to the long duration of the storms. Several tornadoes can be produced from one supercell thunderstorm.
There are two types of supercell thunderstorms. One type brings high amounts of precipitation, creating downbursts, flash floods, and large hail. The other type brings low amounts of precipitation, developing tornadoes and large hail.
A squall line consists of several thunderstorms banded together in a line. Usually a squall line forms between a cold front and a warm front. A squall line can form from an individual storm that has split. This split storm helps to form the line of storms.
There are two types of squall lines. One type is a line of cumulonimbus clouds that grow and decay; the other is a line of steady supercells. Squall lines can be just as severe as a supercell thunderstorm. A squall line can produce heavy precipitation and strong winds. Most of the precipitation in the United States is from a squall line. Squall lines can extend over 600 miles (1000 km) when associated with thunderstorms.

subset: commoncrawl


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I suppose I take the idiot idealist's position of what has come to be known as the Ground Zero mosque (even though, it has been pointed out repeatedly, the description is not accurate), which is pretty much what Mayor Michael Bloomberg laid out in his speech on Governor's Island Tuesday: We ought to be better than the worst thing that happened to us, and if a Muslim group comes to us in peace, we must accept the gesture or—here it comes—the terrorists win.
If something goes wrong later on—if members of the American Muslim community turn out to be bad actors—we have our warm reception of Cordoba House to hold up as evidence of our goodwill.
Sharif El-Gamal, developer of the Ground Zero mosque, defends it in an interview with NY1.
This is pretty typical of the incredible and irrational sentiments that have attached themselves to what is officially known as Cordoba House. What has not been pointed out in response to that specious argument is that the opponents are not simply being inflammatory when they refer to it mostly as a phenomenon of geography: Obviously, the idea was to build an Islamic center near the 9/11 site—that it's in fact closer to the Burlington Coat Factory is kind of a cute point, but not convincing. So let's, at the very least, deal with Cordoba for what it is: an attempt by moderate Muslims to be part of this miserable legacy, because, as they want us to know, they are loyal Americans, too.
Given that this is the premise, it's odd that the whole Islamophobic crowd—the Fox News hysterics, the Palinolithics, the various Cheneys, the assorted terror mongers—doesn't welcome Cordoba House for the kinds of cynical, obnoxious reasons that any savvy political player would instantly recognize: Which is to say, if the people behind Cordoba really are so dangerous, then for heaven's sake, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
If the destroyers of civilization—which is what many believe Muslims to be—come to you with irenic intent, insisting that they want to pay homage and honor to a disaster caused by the evildoers of their own kind, it strikes me as a good idea to just work with them. Not because you like them or agree with, but because they are here and that's that, and it seems that when they are trying to be decent, the wisest move is to respond in kind. That way, if something goes wrong later on—if members of the American Muslim community turn out to be bad actors—we have our warm reception of Cordoba House to hold up as evidence of our goodwill. It's a bargaining chip.
Basically, if everyone thought of this a bit more as realpolitik and a bit less as an existential crisis—which it is not; the United States will be just fine—this would all be less complicated. Obviously, the Jewish mayor of New York City and the Jewish borough president of Manhattan—both of whom are supporters of Cordoba—have adopted that stance, so I am not sure why an assortment of people who don't live here can't manage it.
One of the especially nice things about New York is that Jews, Muslims, and life's whole ridiculous assortment of crazies all live together quite comfortably. The particular offense of the attacks of 9/11 was that it brought religious tension to a city—possibly to a whole country—that simply did not have that particular problem. When I got to law school in 2004, I befriended many Muslim-American students—a lot of them were the children of pediatricians in Grosse Point or cardiologists in Short Hills, and they mostly reminded me of suburban Jews I'd known—who had a sudden interest in the legal system after being so frequently targeted for extra security checks in airports. I generally found that talking to any of them about the Middle East—or a zillion other highly caffeinated topics—was a far calmer experience than any conversation I could possibly have with, say, a typical European ideologue who has an anti-Israel reflex and no sense of history. That was never the case with my classmates, who were informed and who had nuanced views of the Islamic world. It came down to this: They're American. They live here.
I'm surprised that American exceptionalism hasn't taught people opposing Cordoba something about the process of joining this society. The United States has been defined by its ability to integrate immigrants, and turn them into Americans. Every wave of migrants from every part of the world has managed to find its place here, while still maintaining its ethnic identity. This is not something that happens in, say Europe, where women from Saudi Arabia living in London never give up their burqas, and where Algerians in the cities outside Paris riot because after generations they still don't feel French.
But the American Dream is such a pretty windmill to chase that it's not a problem to get new arrivals to join in the pursuit. People come here, they start watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey, they start reading vampire novels, they start eating Chicken McNuggets—it takes very little time for them to become soft and stupid like the rest of us. This country does not routinely produce radicals; numbskulls, maybe.
So I'm not scared of Cordoba House, with or without its Wahabi backers. Yes, of course, there will be Muslim extremists, some of them even from the United States, as we have already seen. There will be trouble. Whether or not there's a Cordoba House, there will be trouble. So we can welcome the Ground Zero mosque for all the right and good reasons—or we can welcome it because it's good strategy. Nothing wrong with that: New York City was built on people doing the right thing for the wrong reason.
Elizabeth Wurtzel is author of Prozac Nation, Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women , and More, Now, Again . She has been popular music critic for the New Yorker and New York magazine, and the film reviewer for Nerve.


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The current versions of the popular ad server software OpenX Source (2.8.11) and Revive Adserver (3.0.1) are vulnerable a sql injection attack which allows attackers to gain backend access. The vulnerability is actively being exploited.
The OpenX team has been informed. For Revive, I submitted a pull request with a fix.
Since Revive Adserver is the official successor to OpenX Source, I assume that there will not be an updated version of OpenX Source (after all, there wasn't one for the last vulnerability). I have created a set of patched files which fix the vulnearbility in OpenX 2.8.11: openx-2.8.11-sql-injection-patch.zip. To patch Revive Adserver, use the files from revive-3.0.1-sql-injection-patch.zip.
I recommend applying the patches immediately, since the vulnerability is actively being exploited and has been for some time now.
Update 19.12.: The revive team confirmed the vulnerability and is working on a fixed version.
Update 20.12.: The Revive team released Revive Adserver 3.0.2 which fixes the vulnerability. If possible, I recommend to update to this version as soon as possible (including users of OpenX). Thanks a lot to the team for the quick reaction!
The Revive team also suggest a quicker temporary fix for people who cannot update right away: Remove "www/delivery/axmlrpc.php" if you do not need xmlrpc delivery (most setups use different delivery methods).
Update 3.2.2014: Removing axmlrpc.php alone does not seem to be enough to fully protect an installation. dxmlrpc.php should be removed as well. Many thanks to Péter Veres for the discovery!
By the way
If you are managing an OpenX Source or Revive Adserver installation, take a look at the OpenX Maintenance Checklist or Revive Adserver Maintenance Checklist. It helps you keeping track of frequent maintenance tasks and security checks. If you sign up for an account at Checkpanel (not required) you can easily manage this checklist. You can see when you last checked each item, set reminders, work in teams and more. Checkpanel is not limited to OpenX/Revive checklists – it helps you managing all kinds of recurring tasks (see some other samples and features).


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The UFC® announced today that the Sunday, August 1st UFC® LIVE event scheduled at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, is moving to San Diego, Calif., and will now take place live from the San Diego Sports Arena.
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The UFC® announced today that the Sunday, August 1st UFC® LIVE event scheduled at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, is moving to San Diego, Calif., and will now take place live from the San Diego Sports Arena.
"Our television ratings in Salt Lake City have always been strong, and when we finally found the opportunity to bring a UFC event there with a great card, I was very surprised and disappointed in ticket sales. As a result, for the first time in UFC history, I decided to pull the plug and move this August 1st event to the San Diego Sports Arena," said UFC President Dana White.
Tickets for UFC® LIVE will go on sale Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at $250, $150, $95, $75 and $40 and are available at the San Diego Sports Arena Box Office,Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations and by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745 -3000. Tickets are subject to facility and/or convenience fees.
UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Friday, June 18 at 10 a.m. PT to 1 p.m. PT via Ticketmaster.com or via the website ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday, June 18 starting at 1 p.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through ufc.com. Tickets are subject to facility and/or convenience fees.
Refunds are available at point-of-purchase to UFC fans who hold tickets for UFC® LIVE August 1st at EnergySolutions Arena. Tickets bought at a Smith's Tix outlet or the EnergySolutions Arena Box Office must be returned to the same location for a refund. All phone and internet purchases through Smith's Tix will be automatically refunded to the credit card used on the transaction. The per order handling fee is non-refundable. For more information visit Smithstix.com or call 801.467.8499 or 800.888.8499.
The UFC® LIVE fight card, featuring Jones vs. Matyushenko as the featured main event remains unchanged, and will air live on VERSUS at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT.
After a dominating victory over Ultimate Fighting Championship® light heavyweight contender Brandon Vera in the first-ever UFC® LIVE event, rising 205-pound star Jon "Bones" Jones will face his most experienced opponent to date in 24-4 Vladimir Matyushenko. Also on the main card, Yushin Okami faces Mark Munoz, Jake Ellenberger takes on John Howard and Takanori Gomi battles Joe Stevenson.
Winner of four out of five inside the Octagon™, Jon Jones (fighting out of Endicott, N.Y. / professional record 10-1) put together his most impressive performance to date in March, a first-round TKO over the battle-tested Brandon Vera. After earning unanimous decision victories over Andre Gusmao and Stephan Bonnar in his first two UFC fights, the former junior college national wrestling champion submitted Jake O'Brien at UFC 100 last July before a controversial disqualification defeat against Matt Hamill. An unorthodox striker that always delivers an exciting show, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound fighter faces the most seasoned of veterans in Matyushenko.
"I'm really excited about fighting such a veteran in Vladimir Matyushenko," Jones said. "I think it will be another great opportunity to step up my game. I am going to try to make it an exciting fight and I'm not taking him lightly. I know how important this fight is and I feel ready."
Winner of two straight inside the Octagon, Belarus' Vladimir Matyushenko (fighting out of El Segundo, Calif. / 24-4) is no stranger to big fights. The 39-year-old brings a wealth of experience to each fight he takes and looks to climb that much closer to making himself a serious contender in the UFC light heavyweight division. After returning to the UFC in 2009 after six years away, he came back in impressive fashion with a unanimous decision victory over Igor Pokrajac then a split-decision win against Eliot Marshall. Now "The Janitor" looks to clean out the UFC light heavyweight division, continuing with his match against Jon Jones.
"I want to thank the UFC for putting together a fight that the fans will enjoy and get excited about," Matyushenko said. "The winner of this fight will move on to some great opportunities related to the light heavyweight title run in the UFC. I am always in great shape, and I have not stopped training since my last fight. The next two months everything will be dedicated specifically to my preparation for Jon Jones. I want to thank all of the fans for their support. You are the best that any professional athlete could ask for."
A man who has faced the very best in the middleweight division, Yushin Okami (fighting out of Kanagawa, Japan / 25-5) owns wins over Dean Lister, Evan Tanner, Jason MacDonald, Mike Swick and Alan Belcher. The 28-year-old fighter earned a TKO victory against Lucio Linhares in March and now faces college wrestler turned mixed martial artist Mark Munoz (fighting out of Vallejo, Calif. / 8-1). A former NCAA Division I national champion from Oklahoma State, the 32-year-old Munoz now trains with heavyweight legend Minotauro Nogueira and top contender Junior Dos Santos, and is well on his way to the top of the 185-pound weight class. With three consecutive wins, including a TKO stoppage over Kendall Grove at UFC 112, Munoz is just entering his prime as a fighter and faces his greatest test to date in Okami.
A fighter that gave former WEC® welterweight champion Carlos Condit fits in his UFC debut, Jake Ellenberger (fighting out of Omaha, Neb. / 22-5) turned plenty of heads in the UFC welterweight division. With a second-round TKO victory over a very seasoned Mike Pyle in January, the former college wrestler now faces one of his most explosive opponents to date in John Howard (fighting out of Boston, Mass. / 14-4). Undefeated in the UFC with two decision victories and two knockouts, the 27-year-old Bostonian just keeps getting better and better in the UFC. Howard needed just 2:01 to put Daniel Roberts away in March and now he'll take on an extremely difficult opponent in Ellenberger.
A veteran of close to 40 fights, Takanori Gomi (fighting out of Tokyo, Japan / 31-6, 1 NC) has long been considered to be one of the top lightweights in the world, and now he's gracing the Octagon, having made his debut in March against Kenny Florian. With the addition of Gomi to the lightweight division, 155ers will need to take notice – including his next opponent, Joe Stevenson (fighting out of Victorville, Calif. / 36-11). A 27-year-old with a wealth of experience and talent, Joe "Daddy" has faced the best in the UFC lightweight division. He holds wins over Spencer Fisher, Nate Diaz and Kurt Pellegrino, amongst many others – but now the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt faces another huge name in Gomi.
Jamahal Hill Talks UFC 300 Main Event
Hall Of Fame


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REGIONALREPORT Eastern
From fry to fillets ready for the fry pan
Once touted as a growth industry, the number of Tar Heel fish farms has sunk by a fourth in five years, from 200 to 150, due largely to soaring prices of corn and soybeans, the primary ingredients of fish feed. But vertical integration — controlling every aspect of production — has allowed Carolina Classics Catfish Inc. to keep revenue and profit stable.
Started in 1985 and based in Ayden, it has more than 2,000 acres of ponds, employs 125 and has a network of contract farmers. It's the biggest player in North Carolina's $25 million-a-year aquaculture industry, with about $15 million in sales forecast this year to restaurants, processors and retailers such as Matthews-based Harris Teeter Inc. and Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market Inc.
Founder Rob Mayo began building ponds, about 10 acres each, in 1986, added a processing plant in 1987, a hatchery in 1989 and a feed factory 10 years later. The gradual expansion, financed with loans and private revenue bonds, allows fish to be raised, harvested and processed into fillets and nuggets onsite, then shipped from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. What's swimming one day can be bought in a Whole Foods in California the next.
Mayo grew up near Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, then earned a bachelor's in civil engineering from Virginia Tech in 1982 and an MBA from the University of Texas in 1984. While working for an energy consultant in Houston, he noticed farm-fresh fish on restaurant menus and started researching catfish aquaculture, which was popular in the Mississippi Delta. Wanting to get closer to home, he found that North Carolina was about as far north as commercial catfish farming is feasible and that the east had an abundance of cheap, flat land. Raising money from his father and family friends, he bought a parcel and opened Carolina Classics.
WILMINGTON— Marvel Studios will open offices here in January as it prepares to make the third Iron Man movie at EUE Screen Gems Studios. The $200 million production, the largest ever in North Carolina, will create 550 crew jobs. Filming is expected to begin in late May.
KINSTON — MasterBrand Cabinets laid off 156 of its more than 500 local employees. The Jasper, Ind.-based company is moving some of its production to its plant in Ferdinand, Ind.
FAYETTEVILLE — Louisville, Ky.-based DS Golf Centers will close Baywood Golf Club in January unless it finds a buyer. It's asking $1.5 million for the 160-acre, 18-hole course, which was on track to lose more than the approximately $100,000 it lost in 2010.
CASTLE HAYNE — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission fined GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy $45,000 for security violations involving an outside contractor's employee at its campus here. The company is using classified technology to test whether lasers can enrich uranium.
GREENVILLE — Cooke Communications North Carolina, which owns The Daily Reflector and Rocky Mount Telegram among other newspapers, acquired The Wallace Enterprise, The Warsaw-Faison News, The Richlands-Beulaville Advertiser News and The Pender Chronicle, four weekly publications with a combined paid circulation of about 6,000. Terms weren't disclosed.


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Hilzinger resigns from AmerisourceBergen
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. AmerisourceBergen's Kurt Hilzinger has resigned his position as the wholesaler's president and chief operating officer to join a private equity firm, the company announced Monday morning.
Current chief executive officer Dave Yost will assume the role of president. The role of chief operating officer will remain vacated.
"Kurt has made a huge contribution to AmerisourceBergen and its legacy companies in the 16 years we have worked together, and the company would not be in its current strong position without his leadership, hard work and insights," stated Yost. "I will miss Kurt on both a professional and personal level, and wish him all the best at his new firm."
"With the recent spin off of our institutional pharmacy business, which represented nearly 25 percent of our associates, and the need to evolve our information technology platform, we had been reviewing our future organizational structure for some time," Yost said. "Subsequently, with the resignation of Kurt, we have finalized an organization which will create the future infrastructure and cost structure that ensures we will continue to increase our efficiency and effectiveness."
As part of those organizational changes, Steven Collis has been promoted to executive vice president of AmerisourceBergen and continues as president of AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group reporting to Yost. He adds new responsibilities for shaping the company's policies and strategies and for more closely integrating the Specialty Group across AmerisourceBergen.
Michael D. DiCandilo will continue as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and adds additional responsibilities. Reporting directly to DiCandilo under his added responsibilities are Thomas Murphy, senior vice president and chief information officer; Ed Hancock, president of AmerisourceBergen Packaging Group; and Mark Hollifield, president PMSI, AmerisourceBergen's workers' compensation services business.
Terrance Haas has been promoted to executive vice president and chief integration officer, leaving his position as senior vice president and president of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation. In his new role, which reports to Yost, he will lead the multi-year implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning information technology system for the Drug Corporation within the company's current capital and expense structure. Haas successfully led the company's multi-year distribution network integration following the merger that created AmerisourceBergen.
Yost assumes direct leadership of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation with the executives heading sales and marketing, supply chain management, and operations functions reporting directly to him.
Joining the AmerisourceBergen executive management committee, which already includes Yost, Collis, Haas and DiCandilo, will be John Chou, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, and Jeanne Fisher, senior vice president, human resources. Chou and Fisher will also become executive officers of the company.
"We are very excited about the future of our industry and the role of AmerisourceBergen in that industry," said Yost. "Our diluted earnings per share from continue operations expectations for fiscal year 2007 remain unchanged in a range of $2.50 to $2.58, including a net benefit of $0.05 from special items. This range reflects the spin off of our institutional pharmacy business, which becomes a discontinued operation for the full year."
Commenting on fiscal year 2008, Yost said, "We are still completing our planning for the coming fiscal year, and as is our practice, we will provide guidance for FY 2008 when we release our fiscal year 2007 results on November 1, 2007. I am very optimistic about fiscal year 2008, and expect our performance to be in line with our long-term financial goals."


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How to Talk to Your Elderly Parent About Needing Help
It's a role reversal we're never truly quite ready for: You're now responsible for the parent who raised you.
Your loved one may need help getting dressed. The person who taught you how to drive is now asking you to drive her to an appointment. You are grocery shopping for more people than just your kids. Did you remember to remind dad to take his medication?
While this may be a reality, it's still a very difficult and a sensitive subject for daughters and sons to face. Your aging parent may become fearful and quickly dismiss the idea of assistance.
Avoiding the talk will be worse on your long-term relationship and the care needed.
Avoid the Risks
It's important to have the conversation for a few reasons, including that becoming the sole caregiver puts you and your loved one at risk.
"Most caregivers are ill-prepared for their role and provide care with little or no support; yet more than one-third of caregivers continue to provide intense care to others while suffering from poor health themselves," according to the National Center on Caregiving.
Without reliable support, a family caregiver may suffer pain, depression, and ultimately burnout. And a burned-out caregiver can have unintended consequences for your loved one, who sadly won't get the quality of care they need.
As you assume the role of a full-time family caregiver, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain your existing relationship with your loved one. You're now busy cleaning the dishes or mowing the lawn, instead of visiting with your Mom or Dad.
So having a candid conversation about help early on is vital.
How to Broach the Conversation
The talk with your elderly parent about hiring a home care professional can be uncomfortable. Parents may not realize they need assistance. Or they may perceive home care as a threat to their independence.
The simplest way to address the situation is to acknowledge his or her concern and provide reassurance. Your goal is to help your loved one maintain his or her own independence and live safely, comfortably and happily in his or her own home.
The way to clear up any misconceptions is to develop an ongoing, casual dialogue.
Be patient and persistent. Recruit other stakeholders if needed. A trusted spouse, doctor, or family attorney may be helpful in these conversations. Hold regular discussions together. Emphasize your desire to improve your loved one's well-being and maintain his or her independence. Don't try to solve everything in one conversation.
Below are sample conversation starters and strategies to introduce home care services to your loved one. Each scenario is a catalyst to take action and start talking. Prior to talking, prepare and arrange with a reliable friend or your spouse to take part in the plan.
SCENARIO: Your loved one mentions plans to drive to the grocery store. He's shown signs of unsafe driving (getting lost or confused or unexplained dents on the car). Coordinate with a trusted neighbor, friend or spouse to serve as a driver for one trip.
SAY: I see you're planning to go to the grocery store. I think it would be a great idea to ride with [the neighbor/friend/spouse] next time or even hire a professional who can take you where you need to go. You could tell her exactly where you want to go and she'll get you there. You'd be in control.
SCENARIO: You noticed your mom or dad isn't eating.
SAY: I don't have the time to stay and cook tonight, but [neighbor/friend/spouse] loves to cook and said she would love to cook with you tomorrow night, and she won't have to leave early. Then you won't have to worry about making dinner, and the family will feel good knowing someone's with you to help you out in the kitchen. You can tell them what you'd like to eat, and you'll be in total control. Let's at least try it and talk about it afterward to see if it's an arrangement you'd like.
SCENARIO: Your loved one forgets to take his/her medicine repeatedly. (Alert the doctor first.)
SAY: I'm worried that you forgot to take your medicine again. I spoke with your doctor and he's especially concerned about missing doses. He suggested we find a way prevent it from happening. I thought a professional caregiver would be really helpful. Let's at least give it a try and see how you like it. Then we can talk about it and see if it's something you want going forward.
SCENARIO: Your elderly loved one is struggling to get dressed, whether it's a fall or a misbuttoned shirt. You've realized they need help in the bedroom to get dressed.
SAY: I've noticed you're wearing the same clothes again. What if we got you a helper for the mornings? Someone who can stop by and help get you ready for the day? She could even do a load of laundry or two, that's completely on your terms. Think of how nice it'll be knowing there's one less thing you have to do. Mind if we give this a try?
SCENARIO: You notice a high pile of dishes in the kitchen sink.
SAY: I know you care about keeping your place clean and tidy. But your dishes have piled up again and the kitchen's getting dirty. I'll help you get those done, but what if we explored getting someone in here to keep the dishes done and the place clean? We'd love to take that off your plate and then everyone can feel good knowing your house is clean and the way you like it. Let's at least give it a try and go from there.
Just Getting Care into the Door
Initial rejection and reluctance are common. Remember, this is moving from independence to dependence, and it's an uncomfortable shift that'll naturally be met with resistance. But the most important thing to remember here is that the situation will not reverse itself.
Introduce home care early, while your parent is still in control and can build a relationship with a caregiver.
As your parent ages, he or she will only grow towards greater dependence, so the sooner you can warm him or her to the idea of accepting help, the easier the transition will be.
And when you've retained superior home care services, your main job is to help the caregiver get in the door. Once your loved one experiences the warmth and ease of a compassionate caregiver, the conversation gets exponentially easier.
If you've tried these strategies, and your loved one is still reluctant, let's talk about strategies to cope with an elderly parent who rejects outside help.


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October 25, 2013
Wheat in Argentina was reported to be selling for $634 per metric ton or about $17 per bushel. The high wheat price and cost of bread and flour has resulted in demonstrations and riots. The 2013 Argentine wheat harvest is just beginning and is expected to be below average. Argentina may not export wheat until after January 1.
Australia's wheat in storage is reported to have relatively low protein. The wheat harvest is just starting, and production is projected to be slightly less than the 931-million bushel average.
Canada harvested a near record wheat crop that was well below average in protein.
While Russian wheat production is projected to be slightly above average, Russian wheat exports are expected to be limited. The Russian government is purchasing wheat to replace stocks that were sold because of 2012's 30 percent below average wheat production.
If you are enjoying reading this article, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.
The above situation has resulted in Oklahoma and Texas wheat prices increasing to above late June, 2013 price levels. On June 21, the price in central Oklahoma was about $7.35, and prices in the Texas panhandle were near $7.15. Until recent price increases, Texas Panhandle wheat prices remained in the $6.95 to $7.15 price range.
By July 1, Oklahoma wheat prices had declined to $6.78. Between July 1 and September 25 the Oklahoma cash price ranged between $6.72 and $6.91. Oklahoma wheat prices were above $7 on September 25 and reached $7.50 in late October.
Additional price increases will require less than expected production and/or quality in Argentina and/or Australia. These harvests will not be complete before late December.
In the September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), the USDA projected U.S. hard red winter wheat ending stocks to be 197 million bushels compared to a five year average of 325 million bushels. This will be the lowest HRW wheat ending stocks since 138 million bushels in 2007/08.
In June 2007, the price of wheat in Oklahoma was near $5.50. By October 1, wheat prices had increased to $8.98. By November 12, wheat prices had declined to $7.11. Wheat prices peaked on March 12, 2008, at $12.62. Prices were extremely volatile with $1 per day moves.
The average June 16 through July 15, 2008, Oklahoma wheat prices was about $8.25. The 2008 hard red winter wheat production was 1.035 billion bushels.
The 2007/08 marketing year price movements were the result of extremely tight HRW and U.S. and world wheat stocks. U.S. and world wheat stocks were the tightest in 26 years, which is not the case now.
U.S. wheat stocks are projected to be 561 million bushels compared to a five-year average of 791 million bushels. World wheat stocks are projected to be 6.5 billion bushels (this figure may be lowered to 6.3 billion in the November WASDE) compared to a five-year average of 6.9 billion bushels.
The 2013/14 marketing year stocks-to-use ratios are projected to be 20.8 percent for HRW wheat, 25 percent for world wheat, and 23.3 percent for U.S. wheat. The 2007/08 marketing year stocks-to-use ratios were 14 percent for HRW, 20.4 percent for world, and 13.2 percent for U.S. wheat. Current stocks-to-use ratios are not nearly as low as they were during the 2007/08 marketing year.
Argentina's $17 wheat prices have been factored into the market. Unless Argentina's and/or Australia's wheat productions are significantly less than expected and/or U.S. 2014 winter wheat production expectations are well below average, wheat prices are not expected to increase more than another 50 to 60 cents per bushel. A 35 percent probability exists that wheat prices have peaked.
Also of interest:
Outlook for grain market to be powered by livestock, export demand
How much would you risk for $9 wheat?
Texas port prepares to serve cotton trade
About the Author(s)
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(CNN) -- U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a stalwart foe of government spending, won a blowout victory Saturday in the annual Conservative Political Action Conference presidential straw poll.
With participants naming "reducing the size of federal government" as their top issue, the 74-year old libertarian hero captured 31 percent of the 2,400 votes cast in the annual contest, usually seen as a barometer of how the GOP's conservative wing regards their potential presidential candidates.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished second with 22 percent of the vote, ending a three-year winning streak at CPAC. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin finished third with 7 percent of the vote, followed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at 6 percent and Indiana Rep. Mike Pence at 5 percent.
They were followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who tied at 4 percent. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Dakota Sen. John Thune and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour rounded out the results.
Five percent of participants voted for "Other" and 6 percent was undecided.
The announcement of Paul's win, a surprise victory unlikely to have a major impact on the 2012 presidential contest, drew a volley of loud boos from the CPAC audience.
That discontent could be seen in the poll results: A majority of participants said they wished the Republican Party had a better field of candidates to choose from.
But Paul's victory might be seen, in part, as a result of his support among anti-establishment Tea Party activists -- who turned out in force at this year's conference and expressed some frustration with the Republican Party.
Reflecting the college atmosphere of the annual event, young people dominated the voting: 54 percent of participants were between the ages of 18 and 25.
The poll also contained a bit of bad news for Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who made an under-the-radar appearance at CPAC late Friday.
Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CNNPolitics/cpac
Participants were asked to rate their opinions of several top political figures, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner, both of whom received a majority favorable rating.
But Steele was the only Republican to garner an upside-down rating, with 44 percent giving him an unfavorable rating and 42 percent rating him favorably.
The three-day meeting Saturday that has featured speeches by Republican leaders, training sessions for local political activists and a renewed purpose to stand firm behind their principles heading into the midterm elections.


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'Do NOT eat': Honey Smacks cereal still unsafe amid salmonella outbreak, FDA says
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat or buy Kellogg's Honey Smacks amid renewed concerns over salmonella.
All Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal was voluntarily recalled in June, but the FDA has issued an updated warning after people continued to become ill.
The FDA said in a press release that they are investigating a multi-state salmonella Mbandaka outbreak linked to the sweetened puffed wheat cereal. Officials say 34 people have been hospitalized and 130 sickened.
The cereal has been linked to illnesses in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
"The recall notice accounts for all Honey Smacks cereal on the market within the cereal's estimated one-year shelf life," according to the news release. "However, Honey Smacks products with earlier dates could also potentially be contaminated."
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and typically present 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. The first cases of illness in this outbreak began with symptoms on March 3, and the most recent individuals began feeling ill on July 2.
Symptoms last about four to seven days, and although most people improve without treatment, some may require hospitalization because of severe diarrhea. Thirty people have been hospitalized in this outbreak.
Salmonella can also travel from the intestines to the bloodstream and ultimately the rest of the body. Death is rare but may occur if the person is not treated quickly with antibiotics. No deaths have been reported in this outbreak.
"The FDA has become aware that recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal are still being offered for sale," the agency said in a July statement. "All Honey Smacks cereal was recalled in June 2018. Retailers cannot legally offer the cereal for sale and consumers should not purchase Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal."
In addition, the agency has advised the public to report any sales of the cereal to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their area.
The CDC and the FDA are working with state and local health officials across the country to investigate the source of the contamination.
Consumers should check their homes and throw away any Honey Smacks cereal.
CNN contributed to this report.


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FINRA's Office of the Ombudsman
is offering an opportunity for a graduate student to extern in its Rockville, MD office. The
extern must be earning course credit and be able to work at least 15 hours a week during the Fall 2013 semester.
FINRA externs
perform a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing,
document review, preparation for investigative interviews, as well as
providing assistance in developing quarterly and annual management
reports. Applicants must
submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. Knowledge
of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. Knowledge
of securities preferred, but not required. Securities industry
experience also a plus. (FINRA Careers.)


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Reviewed By: Kirt Soukup on 10/17/19
There's no need to carry a freewheel remover or risk opening your brakes to make it home. String up the FiberFix Spoke using the simple instructions. Turn the device with the provided spoke wrench to the desired tightness, tie off the excess cord and you're ready to ride. The strong Kevlar cord will get you to your destination on a road ride or backcountry adventure.
Weight: 0.5 oz
Materials: plastic container / metal screw, nuts / kevlar cord
Installation instructions and further information is available here.
Due to global supply chain issues, we're having trouble keeping gear in stock. We have more on the way if we're out of stock. Send us an email if you'd like us to add you to our item watchlist (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Reviewed By: Kirt Soukup on 10/17/19
Reviewed By: Neil Jordan on 10/13/18
I just received the FiberFix and put it in my tool bag, never thinking I would need it within a week. I broke a rear spoke on my Catrike Expedition on the Santa Ana River Trail in Southern California, and the repair worked quickly and easily and held for a few days until I could get to the bike shop. I didn't downgrade the perfect rating, but check the free end of the cord to make sure that the end is smooth and feeds through the spoke hole. Think smoothing the end of a thread before threading a needle. I'm considering ordering another one. The whole assembly fits in a little plastic tube that takes up little space.
Reviewed By: Larry moormeier on 6/1/10
The fiber spokes are simple and easy to use and are must for long distance touring. Essential item for a tool bag. I carry (2) fiber spokes when long distance touring in case I break a spoke on the free wheel side because I do not carry the tool to remove the free wheel. May 2009, my riding partner and I met a cyclist from New York on the road a few days earlier and we all were headed west. About 60 miles east of Murphysboro, Il. our new cycling friend broke two spokes on the rear rim freewheel side. My partner and I had 3 fiber spokes between us. Our friend use two of them which allowed him to repair and true the wheel and ride another 50 miles to the nearest bicycle shop. The following day he broke another spoke and reused one of the fiber spokes used the previous day.
Reviewed By: A customer from Minneapolis, MN on 4/30/10
I've been carrying mine for about 3 years, I finally broke a spoke. No problems, the fiberfix worked amazingly well. Installed fast, proved strong enough for several miles of continued riding to get home. My opinion: If a person knows how to remove & remount a tire, then they should already have the skills to use this. It's cheap & lightweight, so carrying it is simple insurance against having to walk home.
Reviewed By: A customer from QUebec Canada on 10/30/09
I broke one spoke on the Cabot trail in Nova scotia,I use the fiberfix spoke for more than a week before i can fix it !Very good product very hepfull.


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"I cannot marry Denrele and I was never a stripper" – Karen Igho
In an exclusive interview with the NET, winner of Big Brother Africa Amplified, Karen Igho, opened up on a lot of issues, including the reality show, her relationship with Denrele Edun and the infamous squabble at a Smirnoff gig.
What has changed about you since you won the show in 2011?
I am still Karen Igho, but a mature one. A lot has changed. I am older and wiser now. You will not catch me doing certain things. I have seen life in a different way and I know a lot more now.
How does it feel being the reigning Nigerian with the Big Brother crown?
I feel very honoured and privileged that I still have the position as the last Nigerian winner of the show. However, I must add that to win the BBA is not a joke, whoever will, has to be a lot more entertaining than myself, Uti and Kevin Pam put together. I just think it is not time yet for a Nigerian. It's just the right person needed.
What do you think was responsible for your victory?
I would say God. While I was preparing for the show, the last thing on my mind was how to win. I just wanted to have fun and learn as much as I could. I was lucky to understand that the best strategy for such games is to have no strategy to avoid unnecessary surprises.
What do you mean by unnecessary surprises?
Unnecessary surprises can be anything. You can wake up one day and realise you have been betrayed by a fellow housemate. We were young individuals locked in a room with cameras and constantly watched by millions of people. It was psychologically draining. We all had to fight for attention, respect and win games too. We needed to shout, be crazy or cause trouble to get all these.
What is your take on Nigeria's performance at the last edition?
Let me first congratulate all of them for going there. I cannot blame any of them or say exactly what went wrong. Ola and Chris left on health grounds, which is a cogent reason. One's health is a lot more important than money, but if they both had remained in that house, they would have won. Goldie too did her best. They are all cool people but I guess it was not time for a Nigerian.
Do you think Goldie was being true or was playing a game?
I cannot say anything about that because I am not Goldie. I don't know if she was being real or fake. I can only speak for myself. I was real and I did my thing but we are different.
Do you still feel hurt about the stories wriiten about you while in the house?
Not any more I have forgiven everybody involved. The things written about me were not only false and untrue but slanderous too. I was locked up in the house and could not defend myself. People believed these untrue stories, about me and it continued to spread but I thank God I won the show and I have been able to win the hearts.
Which of the stories got you most?
The one about me being a stripper was untrue. It still baffles me till date. I was locked up for 90 days with a sum of money at stake and as crazy as I was, I didn't kiss or have sex with any guy and people could still write that I was a stripper.
Were you a stripper?
I was never a stripper. People don't even know anything about me but are quick to believe the terrible things they heard. My mom is a very strong Christian and she built my spirituality. People who saw me like a wild card girl do not understand what it is being locked in a room with lots of alcohol and nothing to do. It is impossible not to misbehave but once you are back into the normal world, things change. How many times have I being caught smoking in public?
What then were you doing while in the UK?
My uncle helped with my trip to the UK and I went there to study. I studied Business Administration in Southwark College during which I took a summer class in Theatre Arts. All through my stay there, I survived in a legit way. I joined the UNICEF and other charity organisations, which had African countries in mind. I was also a sales girl for Karen Millen.
Which of the stories were true?
My having a rough childhood was true. My being a stripper wasn't true. The breast story was true. I genuinely did the implant because I had breast lumps and two of my sisters have done the same (operations).
Tell us about your growing up
I am the first born of ten siblings. My family is a loving and caring one. They stood by me during the Big Brother days. My mother fought severally to defend me. I am from the Urhobo in Delta state, but I was born in Plateau state. I schooled in Jos and Warri. My growing up was not easy. My parents were separated and I had to live with my grand mum. It was not easy at all but I thank God.
What did you do with the money?
I built a house for my mum, another for my grand mum and I invested the rest. I am still hustling to make more money.
What is happening to your clothing line?
Karenified is still there. I rushed the first collection to meet with my birthday last year and because I wanted to raise some money for an orphanage, I planned to visit. It was successful but I want it bigger, so now I am taking my time and getting to understand the creative side of me better because I want it to reflect in the designs.
How did acting come into the picture?
While I was in the UK, studying business administration, I took a summer course in acting and tried my hands on some Shakespearian works. That and many other experiences I gathered improved my confidence in acting and presenting which are some of the things I now do.
What is your relationship with Denrele?
God brought Denrele into my life in a funny way in 2008. I just came back for a holiday (from UK) and my cousins invited me to his birthday party. There we met and exchanged contacts and became friends. He has been instrumental to where I am today and I am very grateful.
How true is the story that you both are dating?
Somebody started the joke on twitter recently and it went viral. Denrele is my brother and he knows the kind of guys I like.
Can you marry Denrele?
I don't know the future but Denrele and I cannot get married. We have become one family.
Why are you yet to be married?
No be man go come first? Let's just say I am waiting for God's time but I am still working on my career and build the brand.
What kind of man do you like?
I want a God fearing and down to earth man and there must be strong chemistry.
Which Nigerian male celebrity will you date?
I know quite a few and would not want to call names. Besides most of them are married. If I mention anybody, you people (press) will be on my neck and once you see me with the person, another story begins. Nigerian acts are all wonderful people.
How did you get the Naija FM job?
I got the Naija FM job through Collete Otusheso (MTV). She encouraged me and introduced me to my boss, Gbemi (Olateru Olagbegi), Deji Awokoya (Beat FM) and since then, its been fun for me. I love the Naija FM family.
How was your first day on air?
I was nervous. I almost peed in my pant. I was confused and didn't know what to do, but thanks to Ifektive and my other colleagues, they made it very easy for me and now I am loving it.
What project are you working at the moment?
At the moment, I am working on a Rukky Sanda movie and I have also gotten an invitation to be a part of a soap opera that will be aired across Africa.
What is the update on your assault case with Simrnoff gig?
We agreed to settle out of court because at the end of the day, the deed has been done and the lesson learnt. I also hope that with this the government stands up and ensure that our force men are properly trained on how to relate with the citizens


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Source: Times Dispatch.
Are you looking for POCKLINGTON ancestors? If so, we suggest posting a query to our Community Message Board to get assistance from other researchers.
This wiki article is locked. If you have additional information (or a correction) that you would like to share, please send us a note.


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To commemorate the death of his friend, Canadian artist and designer, Tobias Wong, Frederick McSwain has created a giant portrait of him, from 13,138 dice.
The artist says:
The idea of a die itself was appropriate—the randomness of life. It felt like [a medium] he would use. Because [Tobias] was a very street-level force, I thought it was appropriate [to install] the portrait on the floor. Its not something I wanted to suspend on the wall; I wanted it to be right there on the floor where you almost interact with it.
The idea of every decision you make and everything you've done in your life, defines who you are. All of those days symbolically makes up the image of Tobi.
Tobias Wong was 35-years-old when he passed away, more accurately 13,138 days old, so McSwain used a die for every day he lived…


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Musical extravaganza visits Milton Keynes
Best known for playing Christian Clarke in the soap Eastenders, he plays Albin in the musical coming to Milton Keynes Theatre next week.
John said: "It is about the reunification of the family, it is about a mother's love for her son and that coming together.
"I suspect people will think it is just an over the top story when they look but actually it is a rather heart-warming story."
It follows the story of Georges, the manager of a Saint Tropez nightclub, and his partner, Albin, a drag artiste and the club's star attraction.
They live an idyllic existence in the south of France but behind the curtains of this sparkling extravaganza, all may be about to change when Georges' son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notorious right-wing politician determined to close down the local colourful night-life.
Drama and hilarity ensue when a meeting of the parents forces them to cover up their vibrant lifestyle. Will Albin be able to play the role of his life to ensure that Jean-Michel can marry his love.
But while the show is one that John is delighted to be involved in, it is not without its challenges.
He said: "It takes two-and-a-half hours to transform and that can be really difficult for me as I am a rather hirsuite man and when the tour is over, I am looking forward to a rest and being allowed to grow my chest hair out. again
"But to me, I am on the stage throughout this show for the entire time and it is a smilar size task to playing Hamlet."
One of the most famous pieces of music in the show is the song I Am What I Am and while it is a piece that is much revered and performed by many artists, it can create its own difficulties.
John said: "A lot of people do see this show to hear that song so I can approach it with some sense of trepadition as it is a song which is so well known. But we have workedhard on performing that song and it is good shape."
With the current political climate showcasing increasing intolerance for people who don't fit normality, you might expect audiences to perhaps be a little bit more cautious in enjoying the show.
"The audience response has been incredible in its reaction, we have been having full houses throughout the tour and people of all ages coming to see the show," John said.
"We are seeing people becoming a lot more conservative in their political beliefs rather than the liberal ones that people have held previously.
"But it says a lot for the joy and enthusiasm and love that this show seems to generate that people are united. I think it says a lot that entertainment can help others accepy difference within others."
But for a man who has had a number of well respected roles on the stage and the television does he have a favourite?
John said: "All of the parts that I have played have meant a lot to me. They are all my children and I have loved playing them all so to pick a favourite.
"I do have jobs which I didn't like doing but there were reasons for doing them and I stand by doing those jobs."
La Cage Aux Folles comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday August 8 to Saturday August 12.
Tickets for the show can be booked in advance by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or alternatively by visiting www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.


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Here are the GOP-sponsored preliminary new maps of Pa. legislative districts. These proposed boundaries were approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission at Monday's hearing. Both Republicans (PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai) and Chairman Stephen McEwen voted in favor of these maps. Both Democrats (Sen. Minority Leader Jay Costa and House Minority Leader Frank Dermody) voted against.
These are preliminary, with the final product to be voted on after a 30 day period of public review. However, this is the framework that the LRC is working from.
PA Senate
PA House – SEPA


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TechRadar Verdict
Superb performance, top notch features and excellent value put this LED LCD right at the top of the pile
- +
Superb contrast
- +
Sharp HD images
- +
Glorious slim styling
- +
Multimedia and web widget extras
- -
Poor audio performance
- -
No wi-fi adapter included
Why you can trust TechRadar
At just over an inch in depth, the UE40B7000 is one of the thinnest HDTVs I've ever clapped eyes on. Most flat panel televisions are fairly skinny to start with, but Samsung has succeeded in making this 40in LED eye-poppingly, supermodel thin.
But don't for a second think that the company has stripped out the features and compromised on performance in order to achieve this pancake-like profile; the UE40B7000 comes with all the gubbins you'd expect from a top of the range LCD.
Behind the 1920 x 1080 resolution glass is a range of image enhancement technologies, including 100Hz scanning for smoother motion, and a full suite of digital media and networking features, including web-connected Yahoo! Widgets and DLNA compatibility for photo, music and video streaming. Which doesn't sound like a bad little lot for £1,250.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I think most buyers will regard this TV as one of the best-looking sets around. Its thinness, of course, is a heck of a draw, especially if you plan on wall-mounting it, but there are plenty of other ways it appeals.
The gloss-black crystal finish (with a hint of red) is one of them – and how about that transparent column on the tabletop stand? Even the secondary remote (yes, Samsung gives you two different remote controls with this TV) looks cute, resembling, as it does, a small polished pebble (albeit a pebble with a power button on top).
LED on the side
The television's thinness comes from the fact that it uses edge-mounted LED lamps rather than a full back array of CCFL tubes mounted behind the screen. It's therefore similar to Sony's equally skinny KDL-40ZX1.
This arrangement offers lower power consumption (fewer lamps means less of a current suck) and a thinner profile than standard LCD TVs, but doesn't allow for the localised dimming seen on other LED screens like Philips' LED-backlit 42PFL9803H.
With this Samsung you get a reasonably uniform brightness across the screen, as it's not able to shut off the backlight in certain areas, thereby emphasising blacks.
DARK TIMES: The black levels on Samsung's UE40B7000 show how close LCD has come plasma's contrast levels
That's not to say the black levels on this TV are disappointing. Calibrate the screen using a standard test disc, and position yourself square on and you'll see almost plasma-like levels of deep, rich blacks, nicely complemented by bright whites and vibrant colours.
Samsung doesn't quote a specific contrast ratio (which is fine by me as manufacturers' contrast ratio claims rarely equate to real world performance), but simply calls this TV's performance 'Mega Contrast'. And in fairness, this isn't hyperbole – our tech labs recorded a contrast ratio of 308,562:1, which is, well, mega.
But do be aware that black levels drop off markedly if you're sitting to the side (or above or below) the screen. Off axis viewing angles are not great.
I also noticed a touch of unevenness in backlight brightness at times, with more light bleeding through in certain areas. This was only really evident on solid black screens with dynamic contrast switched off, however, so I imagine few viewers will find it a major problem.
Motion is smoothed out very effectively by the 100Hz processing, which can be adjusted by the user and switched off completely if necessary. Why would you want to do that? Well, there is the odd instance of an artefact around a moving object now and then, and some might find this an unwelcome distraction when watching movies.
HD pictures have real impact on this screen, particularly Blu-ray movies. The deep blacks and crisp edges the UE40B7000 provides help to deliver a picture that looks almost three-dimensional, with judder-free motion and eye-popping colour reproduction.
Standard-def content is decent too, and you get a couple of essential noise reduction modes to play with if you want to improve particularly dodgy source material (anyone out there still watching VHS tapes?).
BREAK OUT: HD sources are particularly strong on the Samsung screen
HD gaming also works slickly, with the LED backlighting holding up well even with the fastest-moving titles. By comparison, the LED-lit Philips 42PFL9803H often smeared colours working with the likes of Gears of War 2 and PES 2009, but here both games remain stable and clean.
Users have the option of selecting a pre-configured Game Mode, which cuts out the dynamic contrast and makes a few other changes, but it's not a must – you can get just as good results by doing some of your own tweaking.
Connectivity is reasonably impressive, with four HDMI inputs, supplemented by PC, component and Scart. The latter two, however, both require adapters (which are supplied in the box), as the TV is simply too thin to accommodate the usual connectors on its backplate.
There's also an optical digital audio output, plus a Common Interface card slot, a couple of USB 2.0 ports and an Ethernet socket for networking. A port for a wireless LAN adapter is also fitted, but the adapter itself will cost extra.
The screen's multimedia features are not to be sniffed at. Thus far, most digital media-compatible TVs I've seen have been fairly disappointing, but the DLNA compatibility here ensures that it works smoothly with a variety of file types.
I played an AVI movie directly from a USB storage key with no glitches and great picture quality – the only problem was that scanning forward and back was very slow. Likewise, JPEG photos looked sharp and MP3 music played without any grumbles. You can also stream content from any DLNA-equipped PC or Mac on your home network.
PLUG IT IN: Somehow, Samsung have fit a veritable bevy of connections into the UE40B7000
The networking function allows the TV to connect to the 'net via a router, and while there's no browser, you can access self-updating widgets from Yahoo! And users of the Flickr photo sharing website can enter their login details and stream their pictures and slideshows direct to the UE40B7000.
Entering passwords is a slow, sluggish and frustrating process here, but once it's done the whole thing works quite well. It's a nice bonus feature.
The aforementioned optical audio output should come in handy, because, to put it frankly, this TV's built-in speakers are next to useless. I wasn't expecting audiophile performance from such a thin cabinet, but the speakers are tinny and, when anything bassy comes on, prone to horribly distracting distortion. I wouldn't recommend the speakers for anything other than a news broadcast, basically.
Disappointing audio aside, Samsung has managed to whip up a fantastic television here. It's brilliantly thin and stylish, but still succeeds in delivering a high level of picture performance and some very useful digital media and web features. And all at a price that makes rival sets like the Sony KDL-40ZX1 and Philips 42PFL9803H look rather expensive in comparison.
Follow TechRadar Reviews on Twitter: http://twitter.com/techradarreview
Sam has been writing about tech and digital culture for over 20 years, starting off in video games journalism before branching out into the wonderful worlds of consumer electronics, streaming entertainment and photography. Over the years he has written for Wired, Stuff, GQ, T3, Trusted Reviews and PC Zone, and now lives on the Kent coast in the UK – the ideal place for a camera reviewer to ply their trade.


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With the rising popularity of energy supplements and energy drinks, manufacturers have started to develop a new kind of supplement that can boost the body's energy levels. These products are called herbal energy boosters.
For years, scientists have placed herbs under the microscope in the hopes of finding one or more that could help in raising the energy levels of an individual. With the number of herbal energy boosters now available in the food and drug market, no doubt they have been successful in this endeavor.
The demands of our everyday lives usually leave us drained at the end of each day. We feel fatigued, weak, and in some cases, even depressed. All these symptoms can lead to stress which would then in turn cause complications in our health. To keep ourselves healthy, we, therefore, need to raise levels of bodily energy. More importantly, we need herbal energy boosters because they are all-natural and chemical-free.
Herbal Energy Boosters: Digestive Herbs
It is the digestive system that processes the essential nutrients and energy in food and releases them into the bloodstream for the body to use. Thus, if you want to raise your energy levels, you need to take care of your digestive system, making sure that it is working at its full capacity.
There are herbal energy boosters that aid in digestion. These herbs include ginger and other turmeric herbs. Ginger root has been used for centuries in China as an herbal energy booster. It was used as an additive for cooking and as a medicine for treating nausea and other digestive disorders. As an herbal energy booster, ginger helps the digestive process, making sure that the body is receiving the right amounts of energy it needs.
Herbal Energy Boosters: Herbal Stimulants
There are several herbs that are purported to have stimulating effects on the body. These stimulating herbal energy boosters work on the body when energy levels are down or at the onset of fatigue or weakness. Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng is a well-known herbal energy booster. This is the herb used by many athletes and exercisers to increase vigor and well-being. The Eleuthero herbal energy booster works by increasing the body's stamina and letting it adapt to external stress.
Other notable herbal energy boosters include Gotu kola which is a rejuvenator and the Chinese mushroom, maitake which helps fight chronic fatigue.
Herbal Energy Boosters: Thermogenic Herbs
Some herbal energy boosters work directly on the body by promoting thermogenesis. This is the process by which the body converts fats into energy. Samples of herbal energy boosters that help in thermogenesis are green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Incidentally, all these come from one single plant, the Camellia sinensis plant which is native to China.


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Happy Saturday and on this non-leap year today is the day we are unveiling our creations at the 12 Kits of Occasions. Sharron is our hostess for February and the theme is birds. Sharron sent us the mos fabulous kit filled with gorgeous Prima papers, die cut grasses, branches and birds, birds and more birds. I could have and will still be able to make so many more cards with all the goodies she sent to us. So grab a cuppa and let get on with the cards.
I used this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #175 for the following card.
This card was made for this week's new RetroSketches sketch #155.
I used the sketch from the Wednesday Sketch Challenge #217 at MFT Card Challenges for my next card. It was a great way to showcase so many papers from the kit while using MFT Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon and a sentiment from Sea Life.
I love these adorable long legged birds from Technique Tuesday.
For this one I let the beautiful paper stand on it's own.
I am also submitting these cards to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes!
Here are all my cards lined up on the windowsill.


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Resilience is defined as the ability to persevere even when things get tough, this is regarded as a skill that no entrepreneur can succeed without.
As executive director of Business Partners Limited, a specialist risk finance company for formal SMEs, Gerrie van Biljon says he as seen hundreds of entrepreneurs set out on their own business marathon over the years.
He has identified eight characteristics that make an entrepreneur resilient enough to go the distance in their business venture.
1. Possession of a strong internal sense of control
Resilient entrepreneurs are disciplined individuals whose working hours, pace, workload and output are not controlled by something imposed upon them from the outside, such as an employment contract, peer pressure, a boss or the clock on the wall. Entrepreneurs set their own standards and targets – and set them high. Their 'boss' is their own psyche, which, more often than not, can be very demanding.
2. Ability to diversify and expand
Single-outlet, single-product and single-client businesses are very vulnerable to setbacks, as the loss of an important contract, the opening up of a competitor across the road, or the sudden market influx of a cheaper competing product can be fatal to a business. The more entrepreneurial type of business owner will constantly look for new markets, product lines and clients so that they have more than one income stream to fall back on.
3. Development of strong social connections
Resilient entrepreneurs constantly cultivate their networks of clients, suppliers, peers, friends and family, not only to promote their business and to support them emotionally, but also to learn, source new opportunities and keep updated with changes in the market,.
4. Attitude of a survivor, not a victim
Setbacks are a certainty for any business, and when they do strike, a resilient entrepreneur will get up, dust himself off and move forward. They have little time for self-pity, and while they may be quick to apportion blame, the focus is on the action needed to get going again.
5. Skill to learn from setbacks
All entrepreneurs do their best to avoid setbacks, however when they do happen, resilient entrepreneurs have the ability to not only focus on what went wrong, but also on how to improve themselves or their business in order to avoid a repeat of the same setback. The new set of circumstances following a setback is also viewed entrepreneurially as the entrepreneur seeks to explore what new business opportunities the setback presented, and if there is a chance to change direction or seek new markets and income streams.
6. Frugal and cash-flow conscious habits
Flashy high-flyers don't tend to last long in the world of owner-managed businesses. Resilient entrepreneurs tend to adopt low-key lifestyles. The frugality of resilient entrepreneurs is linked to their tendency to keep the cash flow through their business top of mind. They save and cut costs where they can, but they do so sensibly without choking the growth of their business. They are also constantly aware of who owes the business money, when they can expect income, how much money the business owes and to what extent the business is meeting its sales targets.
7. Ability to look at the bigger picture
It is easy for anyone running a business to get lost and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, systems, tasks and crises that shout for the attention of a business owner. A resilient entrepreneur however has the ability to see the bigger picture amid all the chaos of running a business. They have a clear picture of where the business will be in a year's time, or even three, five or ten years' time. This outlook thinking enables them to prioritise business objectives and remain emotionally resilient against temporary setbacks.
8. Attention to detail
Paradoxically, entrepreneurs who survive also have the ability to focus on the minutiae of the day-to-day running of the business, even as they keep a constant eye on their long-term goal. They check and recheck prices, costing, supplier arrangements, contracts, insurance premiums, staff performance, production systems and all of the innumerable things that could stand in the way of reaching the finish line.


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Program #ALEM001. Recorded in Santa Fe, NM on September 12, 2012.
Audio sample: |
From the auction block to the cell block there is a trajectory from slavery to Jim Crow to the Drug War. The latter has resulted in mass jailings characterized by deep racial disparities. About one-third of young black men are likely to go to jail. The criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control. Millions of people, primarily poor people of color, have been swept into the nation's prisons and then relegated to a permanent second-class status in which they are stripped of the basic civil and human rights supposedly won in the civil rights movement. The numbers are numbing. In all, 2.3 million are behind bars and another 4.8 million are on probation and parole. The more people locked up, the more profits for the Corrections Corporation of America, the largest private prison owner and operator.
Michelle Alexander
Michelle Alexander is a professor of law at Ohio State University and holds a joint appointment at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. Formerly the director of the ACLU's Racial Justice Project in Northern California, she served as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun. She is the author of the bestseller "The New Jim Crow."


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This article is more than 1 year old
Lloyd's taking on open source IP risk
Blue blood for new blood
Exclusive Lloyd's of London is close to offering independent insurance protection worldwide against potential IP litigation involving Linux and open source software. The financial services giant has agreed to take on the risk associated with open source, and is finalizing arrangements to work through Open Source Risk Management (OSRM) who will become Lloyd's sole US representative.
OSRM will assess both the risk of the software in use and the individual company, before passing on the risk to the appropriate insurance company on the Lloyds market. OSRM expects to announce the first customers this Fall, and will initially charge organizations $60 per server.
The partnership between OSRM and Lloyd's will be vendor independent, differing from many of the existing intellectual property (IP) protection programs that are primarily designed to ward off attack from the litigous SCO Group.
Red Hat, Hewlett Packard and Novell in January 2004 all announced separate protection for customers using their Linux products. JBoss in April this year announced indemnification for its middleware, including JBoss application sever, Cache and Hibernate object relational mapping technology.
The type of coverage provided by Lloyd's also promises to be substantially larger than vendor-backed programs thanks to Lloyds' size and capital backing.
"This is a huge step," OSRM chairman Daniel Egger told The Register.
OSRM first announced plans for indemnification with backing from major financial institutions in March 2004. The group was expected to provide the service shortly afterwards in 2004, but Egger said the program had been complicated to arrange.
"We have lined up the capacity. We have the exclusive right to begin to offer this risk category and we have the customers who want the cover," he said.
An OSRM study found 15,000 patent issues in the Linux, Apache, MySQL and Perl/Python (LAMP) stack. While OSRM believes Linux and open source are, on the whole, safe from IP claims their increasing use by large companies opens the door to suits from those hoping to simply cash in.
Arguably, one of the worst-case scenarios is the so-called "colorable case" - where there is no substance to an IP claim, but a company is forced to waste millions of dollars to defend the claim or settles early for a large sum to make the case go away. The average US patent action is estimated to cost $2m, according to the American Intellectual Property Lawyers' Association.
Those likely to threaten companies and users are commercial software vendors and a growing number of specialist organizations that buy IP patents in order to charge users for their use.
"There is a risk, but it's a material risk," Egger said of Linux and open source. "We are trying to make sure we are not exposing corporates to risk that makes using Linux uneconomic."
Today's vendor-backed plans are unable to provide full protection because they cannot risk protecting parts of the software stack they did not write, he argues. That's a potential issue for organizations with the full Linux, Apache, MySQL and Perl/Python stack develped by different companies.
"Our long-term goal is to get to a standardized policy," Eggers said. ®


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When I was Chaplain of the United States Senate, I always was impressed when senators returning from a recess would exclaim, "So many of my constituents reminded me that they were praying for me. I am renewed with fresh commitment to seek God's will for our nation!"
I've also been moved by how often I have heard members of both Houses of Congress remark that they decided to run for office when they knew there were thousands of people in their districts praying that they would run and promising to pray for them if they would. Once elected, these leaders knew that they were in office because of God's appointment and were accountable to Him, but that they were also dependent on the continued prayer support of their prayer partners back home.
Already this year, there have been several special U.S. Congressional elections, and on Nov. 5 there will be two gubernatorial elections, three state legislative elections, and a number of mayoral and local elections.
I ask myself and you: Have we prayed for candidates to run for office who would affirm our nation's pledge to be one nation under God? And an equally urgent question: Do we pray each day for them, that they will live under the plumb line of God's righteousness and justice in the legislation they draft and on which they vote?
Prayer and patriotism are inseparably connected. Prayer for our nation inspires us to greater patriotism. And the more patriotic we become, the more we want to pray for our beloved nation. One of the most dynamic expressions of our patriotism is consistent prayer for those who are called to seek and do His will in government.
Womb of Prayer
Our nation was birthed out of the womb of prayer. Our Founding Fathers made a powerful, prayerful declaration of dependence on Sept. 7, 1774, that eventually led to the courageous Declaration of Independence on July 4,1776. It occurred at the first meeting of the Continental Congress in 1774, held in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia.
The delegates from the colonies met under the rumbling thundercloud of growing conflict with British troops. News carried by an express rider from Boston told of the bombardment of Boston Harbor. The delegates to the Congress came together to declare their "civil and religious liberties."
Among the delegates was Col. George Washington, then age 42. He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. He had cast a vote for Virginia to hold a day of prayer for the people of Boston. Preparing for the Continental Congress, he wrote in his diary, "Went to church and fasted all day." He was ready to join the other representatives of the colonies in making a declaration of dependence on God.
So was John Adams. In his diary, he wrote about his profound longing for God's strength and courage: "I wander alone and ponder. … The objects before me are too grand. … We have not men fit for the times. We are deficient in genius, in education, in travel, in fortune, in everything. I feel unutterable anxiety. God grant us wisdom and fortitude!"
Tom Cushing from Massachusetts felt the same longing for God's guidance and power. With great urgency, he moved that the Continental Congress be opened with prayer. But conflict arose over who should give the prayer.
Samuel Adams, who had earned his right to be heard by his leadership in engineering the Boston Tea Party, rose to address the Congress and express his deep faith. He recommended that a local clergyman be called to open the Congress the next morning.
His speech and motion electrified the delegates. Adams' strong faith and authentic patriotism brought unity among them. The atmosphere was transformed as the delegates realized how much they needed God's blessing and vision in their deliberations and in the struggle of the colonies for independence.
Tom Cushing's motion was passed. The minutes of the meeting the next morning read, "Agreeable to the resolve of yesterday, the meeting was opened with prayer."
A Nation Under God
A nation under God was being born. George Washington called the experience "exciting." Diaries and letters of the delegates reveal the profound impact of prayer on the unity that resulted.
The second Continental Congress, in 1775, continued the commitment to pray and called for a national day of humiliation, fasting and prayer. This spirit of dependence on God undergirded the drafting of the Declaration of Independence the following year. People prayed fervently, and they saw dramatic evidences of the intervention of God.
Another stunning example of the nation's dependence on God came during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when a frail, 81-one-year-old man rose to seek recognition when the convention was deadlocked. What he said reminds us of the power of prayer for any time that prolonged, acrimonious disagreement cripples progress:
"In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer. … Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. … I have lived, Sir, for a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? … I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed … no better than the builders of Babel. We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded. … I therefore beg to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning."
The author of that motion was none other than Benjamin Franklin, and the chairman of the Constitutional Congress was George Washington. The motion was passed, prayers were prayed, and the Constitution was completed.
This declaration of dependence on God expressed by the Continental Congresses and then by the Constitutional Convention was soon to become a sacred tradition. When the first Senate was constituted in New York City on April 6,1789, the first order of business was to appoint a committee to recommend a candidate to be the first Senate Chaplain. The committee recommended Samuel Provoost, the Episcopal Bishop of New York, who was a distinguished spiritual leader and a patriot during the war for independence.
After George Washington took the oath of office as the first President, he and Vice President John Adams proceeded to St. Paul's Chapel, where Chaplain Provoost led in prayer, seeking God's providential care for the new government and its leaders.
Unifying Power of Prayer
It was an honor for me to serve eight years as the 61st Senate Chaplain. I saw firsthand how crucial it was for the nation to elect senators who believed in God and in the guiding and unifying power of prayer.
In addition to opening each session of the Senate with prayer, it also was a privilege to attend the Senators' Prayer Breakfast every Wednesday morning, lead the Senators' Bible Study Group every Thursday at noon and participate with a small group of senators who met each week for sharing, vision and prayer. This small prayer group was one of many prayer groups of senators that still meet today. I also had the cherished privilege of being a friend in individual times with senators to pray about personal challenges and the soul-sized issues before the nation. I witnessed the impact of prayer in the crises that the nation faced during those years.
I was deeply moved on Dec. 4, 2001, when a historic meeting took place in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, following the tradition of similar meetings called by presidents Washington and Lincoln. Concurrent Resolution 83 had been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, establishing Dec. 4 as a Day of Reconciliation and calling for a two-hour meeting of both the House and Senate.
An air of expectancy filled the Rotunda at 5 p.m. that day. Throughout the session, representatives and senators shared prayers for the nation and asked God for His blessing and wisdom for their leadership. A consistent theme was echoed in so many of the prayers: "When there is nowhere else to turn, return to the Lord." We are dependent on Him, and He seeks leaders who will commit their leadership to Him and pray together for His guidance.
As I sat in that historic gathering, my mind drifted back over the history of our nation and the crucial role prayer has played in our nation under the sovereignty of Almighty God. I looked up into the dome of the Rotunda and saw the rainbow on a painting that arches just below the feet of George Washington. The rainbow is the biblical sign of the Covenant and the faithfulness of God. As I looked at the statues and paintings around the Rotunda, I saw the many examples of the heroes and heroines of our history who expressed their dependence on God.
And then I looked around me and saw the contemporary leaders elected by you and me to be heroes and heroines of leadership in our time: men and women, Republicans and Democrats, people with immense responsibilities who needed God's wisdom and vision as much as they needed their next breath.
Two things have not changed since that day in the tumultuous months at the end of 2001: Our nation needs prayerful men and women to serve God in government, and it needs believers who will pray for them each day.
God's Blessing
There's a challenging truth that calls us to pray: Often God waits to bless a nation until His people pray. This troubling, terrorist threatening, turbulent and divisive time calls us to a fresh commitment to pray for guidance in encouraging God-centered candidates for office, to work for their election, and then to pray for them daily as they seek to lead this nation under God.
When I was Chaplain of the Senate, I would get up early each morning and walk around the Capitol while praying for 20 of the senators, their families, their staffs and any particular needs I knew they were facing. So during the course of each work week, I interceded for all 100 senators in prayer. The early morning hour of prayer for them became the most rewarding hour of each day. Today, I add to my prayer list of members of Congress the current Chaplain of the Senate, my admired friend, the Reverend Dr. Barry Black; and the Chaplain of the House, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy.
God wants to bless our leaders if we will pray for them. Just imagine what could happen if Christians in America set a time aside each morning to pray for senators and members of the House of Representatives and their chaplains! Why not do it? Why not now? Prayer and patriotism are inseparable! ©2013 Lloyd John Ogilvie
Photo: Pixel-shot/Alamy Stock Photo


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Yellow Daisies Flower Bookmark
Yellow Daisies Flower Bookmark
Regular price
Regular price
Sale price
Unit price
Get lost in your novel without having to worry about finding your place again with a convenient watercolor bookmark! This beautiful bookmark has a watercolor print on one side, and a matching solid color on the back.
Each bookmark is handmade by printing, laminating both sides, cutting it down to size, and then rounding the corners with a round punch.
Measuring approximately 7 inches tall by 2.25 inches wide, it's the perfect size for almost any book.
US orders will arrive between 8-12 business days, and International orders will arrive between 19-37 business days.
Customer is responsible for any and all customs, duty fees, and VAT. Please note that I have no way of tracking international packages once they leave the US.


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since: | V0.9 |
Deprecated - See dojo/request/xhr instead.
dojo.xhr offers AJAX I/O transports and utility methods.
As with all dojo._base components, these functions are included within Dojo Base. You get this functionality by just including dojo.js
in your page.
Dojo provides a solid set of battle-tested XHR wrapper functions to allow you to build Ajax interactions with confidence, use a unified API, and handle forms with ease. Read on to learn how easy it is to build powerful Ajax interactions with Dojo.
- dojo.formToJson : Convert a DOM Form to JSON. It is an alias to domForm.toJson function.
- dojo.formToObject : Convert a DOM Form to a JavaScript object.It is an alias to domForm.toObject function.
- dojo.formToQuery : Convert a DOM Form to a query string.It is an alias to domForm.toQuery function.
- dojo.objectToQuery : Convert a JavaScript object to a query string.It is an alias to ioq.objectToQuery function
- dojo.queryToObject : Convert a query string to a JavaScript Object.It is an alias to ioq.queryToObject function
- dojo.xhrDelete : Use HTTP DELETE method to make an xhr call.
- dojo.xhrGet : Use HTTP GET method to make an xhr call.
- dojo.xhrPost : Use HTTP POST method to make an xhr call.
- dojo.xhrPut : Use HTTP PUT method to make an xhr call.
- dojo.rawXhrPost : Use HTTP POST method to make an xhr call.
- dojo.rawXhrPut : Use HTTP PUT method to make an xhr call.
Each of the functions above have example use cases provided in their documentation. Please refer to those examples for further details on the particular function usage.
One example is included below to get you started with xhrGet. For more xhrGet examples, refer to the xhrGet documentation.
Example 1: dojo.xhrGet and form submission.¶
dojo.xhr allows you to submit all the values of your form with minimal effort:
<form data-dojo-type="dijit/form/Form" id="myForm" data-dojo-id="myForm"
encType="multipart/form-data" action="" method="">
Name:
<input data-dojo-type="dijit/form/ValidationTextBox"
value="your name"
maxLength="30" />


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One thing that I want to change about my life.
You know there's atleast ONE thing you want to change about your life, whether it be about yourself, your body, your friends or lack of, family, room, house, school, ect.
It doesn't have to be realistic, for example, if I could change anything about my life, I'd change the people in my school.
- Be honest
- Be appropriate (according to theO rules)
- Have FUN!


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"Maleficent" seems scared of itself. There is a dark beauty that occasionally escapes, only to be squashed by clumsy and completely unnecessary attempts at humor. This is not to say that the movie had no business trying to be funny, but rather that the tone of the jokes is all wrong. They went for slapstick, even though the material is screaming for a dry wit. There is a movie to be had here, but the film plays out like a teen Elsa locked up in her castle: it's eager to please, but lacks the confidence to stand on its own. This is not the only thing "Maleficent" has in common with "Frozen," but we're not about the spoil the other one.
The story is "Sleeping Beauty" in a parallel universe. Maleficent is a fairy that lives in the enchanted moors with a wealth of fantastical creatures. One day she meets a boy named Stefan from the nearby kingdom. Though the humans and woodland creatures stay away from each other, they become friends, and ultimately more than that as they grow older, but Stefan (played as an adult by Sharlto Copley) thirsts for the throne and, knowing the king's desire to conquer the moors and exploit its untold riches in gems, leverages his boyhood romance with Maleficent (played as an adult by Angelina Jolie) in order to betray her – he cuts off her wings – and succeeds the king upon his death. When Stefan and his wife have a baby girl, an embittered Maleficent exacts her revenge: she places a curse on the baby that will cause her to fall into an endless sleep on her 16th birthday. Stefan entrusts three pixies (long story) to take care of daughter Aurora (played as a teen by Elle Fanning) and to hide her away until after she turns 16, thus outlasting Maleficent's curse, but Maleficent finds her rather quickly, and watches her from the shadows. Before long, Maleficent finds herself serving as Aurora's unofficial guardian (the pixies are idiots, basically), even saving her life on more than one occasion. Maleficent eventually grows fond of Aurora, and this, naturally, complicates things.
The rules look as though they're being invented on the spot. Maleficent curses baby Aurora at her formal introduction, then adds a proviso after Stefan begs her for mercy. Maleficent intends for it to be a trick, but anyone who knows the story will only see it as a loophole. The pixies pull a similar stunt when they morph into human form while they raise Aurora. Head pixie Knotgrass (a slumming Imelda Staunton) just announces it, along with a few other things, and the other two pixies just go along with it. These moments are all clearly for the audience's benefit, and they are momentum killers of the highest order. They may as well have written the rules on the screen in bullet points.
Indeed, the pixies are momentum killers whenever they appear on screen. They are meant to be the film's comic relief, but their scenes do not fit with anything around them. It could have worked, had they avoided the physical humor and gone for something both cerebral and daft (think Rebel Wilson in "Bridesmaids"). Alas, they went for food fights and indoor rain, and failed.
The CGI is another sticking point, for two reasons. The pixies are a bit too close to the characters in Robert Zemeckis' CGI films, looking both lifelike and creepy. The bigger problem is the sheer busyness of the money shots. Between the frenetic camerawork and the volume of creatures to ogle, each scene becomes overloaded.
The film's biggest flaw, though, is that every character, even the major ones, is underwritten. Maleficent obviously gets the lion's share of character development, but even she is underserved, while Stefan's primary emotions are greed and paranoia, ostensibly to make him easier to dislike. Fanning has no choice but to play Aurora as a moon-eyed innocent – and to be fair, that's exactly what she is – but there is very little digging underneath the surface, across the board. The story hits some powerful emotional chords along the way, but they don't carry the impact that they were capable of.
Imagine someone reading the book "Wicked" and then plotting how they could do the same with Maleficent, and you'd have something close to "Maleficent." There is certainly another side of the Sleeping Beauty story to be told, but it looks as though the idea of Disney villains as the next franchise opportunity overtook all efforts to make a solid, stand-alone film. One was well within their grasp, though.
Related Posts
Posted in: Entertainment, Movie Reviews, Movies
Tags: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Maleficent, Maleficent review


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[click image]
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will join former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday in a wreath-laying ceremony at John F. Kennedy's grave to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his assassination.Unfit.
First lady Michelle Obama will also attend the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 20, two days before the anniversary of the president's death, a senior administration official said on Saturday.
Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was killed at the age of 46 during a trip to Texas on November 22, 1963. He was buried at the military cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
Also on Wednesday Obama will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by Kennedy, to recipients at the White House. The award is considered the nation's highest civilian honor.


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Keep extra-hot exhaust manifolds, headers looking extra sleek with Rust-Oleum® Automotive High Heat Spray. This flat, protective enamel bonds to bare metal and withstands intermittent temperatures of up to 2000°F (1093°C).
- Resists heat up to 2000°F
- Gas & Oil Resistant
- Stops Rust formula
- Any-Angle Spray with Comfort Tip


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This still from Catherine Yass's dizzying video called "Lighthouse" shows the English artist giving obsessive attention to a grand marine structure off Britain, capturing it from above, below and even underwater. (Click on the image to see a clip from the full piece, which is screening in Yass's solo show at Galerie Lelong in New York.) The chaotic vision of the video, shot from swooping helicopters, rocking boats and by submerged frogmen, captures both the chaos of rough seas and the accidents of history that claim even the most ambitious engineering projects. The Royal Sovereign lighthouse, commissioned in 1971, was originally manned but since 1994 has run all by itself on solar power – and with the advent of GPS and other navigation systems, may not have much life left.
For a full visual archive of past Daily Pics visit blakegopnik.com/archive.


text: In 1939, the M. M. Davis shipyard of Solomons built a fleet of a wood pedal-powered pontoon boats called the Ped-L-Craft for the Pedal Boat Company of America. The Ped-L-Craft consists of a stable platform mounted on two pontoons and propelled by one or two occupants who pedal a bicycle-like mechanism that turns a paddle wheel. From March through June 1939, the shipyard built nearly 200 Ped-L-Craft on its assembly line. It became a popular attraction at the New York World's Fair and at a dozen other venues where the public could rent one for a modest fee. Some Ped-L-Craft continued in use at waterside parks through the 1960s. For a complete history, click here.


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Hello All,
I'm a new member, 'n I've read through most of the FAQ of AO relating 2 AP 'n such stuff.
Now, I'm juz. getting started to the Netorworking world 'n Security.
I just don't know where to begin. Maybe I should first study of TCP / IP ??
Can u friends plz. give me a suggestion ?
Or that can u help me out by giving some links where I can get started.
Thanx in advance .