text:
Update (2:10 p.m.): Early favorite for least-popular Super Bowl ad? How about Nationwide, which is going to use... Kevin Federline. That would have been minimally clever, oh... a year ago never. (But their insidious "K-Fed" strategy worked: We're talking about them, aren't we?)
In case you missed it, last night they played the best college hoops game of the year, featuring the most talented player in the country (and another in the Top 5). Except you'd be hard-pressed to figure out which one was which, based on the insane individual output:
Mario Boggan: 37 points, 20 rebounds.
Kevin Durant: 37 points, 12 rebounds.
Durant might be the lock Top 2 NBA Draft pick in 2007, but Boggan won the night – and the game – with a game-winning 3 just before the final (-final-final) buzzer to lead
So if Durant, Boggan and Wisco's Alando Tucker are first-team All-America locks, who are the other two? Hansbrough? Oden? Horford? Whew, say this: Great year for power players in college hoops.
Pats or Colts: Who would you rather see lose more? I'm picking up this best-of-conference-championship week meme via Kissing Suzy Kolber (and the impressive 314 comments about it at Deadspin). Weigh in using the comments. It's truly an epic debate. Thanks, KSK! (And their premise is right: Just root for the NFC winner.)
Shaq back this Thursday? I go back to my standard: Why rush back? It's not like the Heat are in danger of missing the playoffs. Why not rest Shaq until after the All-Star Break, at the very least?
Dolphins coaching search: Shula? Shut up. The only thing more depressing for Dolphins fans than losing Nick Saban to
Are the Raiders going to hire Chargers WR coach James Lofton? (Meanwhile, Dennis Green doesn't want the job. Feh: Who needs him?)
So much for my pick of Air Force as this season's Cinderella team to watch during March Madness. They lost to
(More CBB: UConn was overrated, but that was still a solid win by Pitt last night to keep itself in the conversation about legit contenders. But, sorry, Unsilent Majority: I'll never be able to pick Pitt to do very much damage in the NCAA Tournament. Tell me why this year is different than all the others.)
MLB Arbitration Time! I'm ruling for the players in a big way this year. Check out the marquee names:
Carlos Zambrano: He made $6.65M last year, which seems like a ludicrous bargain. He wants $15.5M, and the Cubs want to pay him $11M. (1) Given the market for top pitchers right now and (2) considering he might very well be the top pitcher in the NL and (3) considering how much the Cubs have spent on far less talented contributors, the Cubs should give it to him without blinking an eye. Anything else and they risk alienating their most valuable player.
Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau: Let me ask you this: If Mauer and Morneau were on the free-agent market together as a package, how much would they command, given the seasons they are coming off of and their promise for the future? Maybe $20 million combined? It makes their combined asking price of $9.5 million ($4.5M for Mauer, $5M for Morneau) seem reasonable. Particularly when you consider what they are making now: Mauer is making $400,000; Morneau is making $385,000. The Twins got an obscene amount of value from those two players last season; it's time to pay them a lot closer to their true value.
Miguel Cabrera: Hmm... wonder how THAT will turn out? He's only one of the Top 3 talents in baseball, and he's making the MLB equivalent of minimum wage.
Is it possible that a minor-league team with a progressive attitude about marketing could make it "Sammy Sosa Night" – every night?
QB Mustain bolts
Here's my next feeling: Despite Mustain's status as perhaps the top NFL QB prospect of the Class of 2010, he'll follow Malzahn to
(Meanwhile, for Malzahn, what kind of move is THAT? He must have hated working for Houston Nutt and hated having to rely on do-everything RB Darren McFadden, rather than his self-proclaimed genius spread offense. It also exposes
Minnesota hires Broncos assistant Brewster: I don't know how well new Golden Gophers football coach Tim Brewster can do Xs and Os, but apparently the guy is a phenomenal recruiter, making the Big Ten that much more competitive, given that Ron Zook has turned Illinois into the Big Ten's biggest pound-for-pound recruiting powerhouse. (Yes, even over
Why is it so bad that the head of Real Madrid wants to rip David Beckham as a
Happy 65th Birthday, Muhammad Ali. Was he the greatest American athlete of all time? "Greatest" might be the wrong superlative. "Most important?" "Most influential?" "Most must-see?" Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan are all in the argument.
Rest in peace, Benny Parsons.


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Section 82
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, April 26, 1832. The occasion was a council of high priests and elders of the Church. At the council, Joseph Smith was sustained as the President of the High Priesthood, to which office he had previously been ordained at a conference of high priests, elders, and members, at Amherst, Ohio, January 25, 1832 (see the heading to section 75). This revelation reiterates instructions given in an earlier revelation (section 78) to establish a firm—known as the United Firm (under Joseph Smith's direction, the term "order" later replaced "firm")—to govern the Church's mercantile and publishing endeavors.
1–4, Where much is given, much is required; 5–7, Darkness reigns in the world; 8–13, The Lord is bound when we do what He says; 14–18, Zion must increase in beauty and holiness; 19–24, Every man should seek the interest of his neighbor.
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have aforgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.
2 Nevertheless, there are those among you who have sinned exceedingly; yea, even aall of you have sinned; but verily I say unto you, beware from henceforth, and brefrain from sin, lest sore judgments fall upon your heads.
3 For of him unto whom amuch is bgiven much is crequired; and he who dsins against the greater elight shall freceive the greater gcondemnation.
4 Ye call upon my name for arevelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and bjustice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
5 Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: aWatch, for the badversary cspreadeth his dominions, and ddarkness reigneth;
6 And the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and anone doeth good, for all have gone out of the bway.
7 And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any asin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the bformer sins return, saith the Lord your God.
8 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a anew commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
9 Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may aact before me, that it may bturn to you for your salvation.
10 I, the Lord, am abound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no bpromise.
11 Therefore, verily I say unto you, that it is expedient for my servants Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney, A. Sidney Gilbert and Sidney Rigdon, and my servant Joseph Smith, and John Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, and W. W. Phelps and Martin Harris to be bound atogether by a bond and covenant that cannot be bbroken by transgression, except judgment shall immediately follow, in your several cstewardships—
12 To manage the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the bishopric aboth in the land of Zion and in the land of Kirtland;
13 For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for a astake to Zion.
14 For aZion must increase in bbeauty, and in choliness; her borders must be enlarged; her dstakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must earise and put on her fbeautiful garments.
15 Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.
16 Behold, here is awisdom also in me for your good.
17 And you are to be aequal, or in other words, you are to have equal bclaims on the cproperties, for the benefit of dmanaging the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
18 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may aimprove upon his btalent, that every man may cgain other dtalents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord's estorehouse, to become the common fproperty of the whole church—
19 aEvery man seeking the interest of his bneighbor, and doing all things with an ceye single to the glory of God.
20 This order I have appointed to be an aeverlasting border unto you, and unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not.
21 And the soul that sins against this covenant, and ahardeneth his heart against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church, and shall be delivered over to the bbuffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.
22 And now, verily I say unto you, and this is wisdom, make unto yourselves friends with the amammon of unrighteousness, and they will not destroy you.
23 Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will arepay. Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you.
24 For even yet the akingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your bsteadfastness. Even so. Amen.

subset: commoncrawl


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EXTREMELY AMBITIOUS is exactly that, an extremely ambitious collection of handlings, techniques, ideas and approaches all created with an eye towards taking the classic Ambitious Card effect to an exciting new level. Jay shares many of these for the VERY FIRST TIME! This breakthrough project is divided into four parts: Essential Sleights, Openers, Middlers and Closers. In the "Essential Sleights" section you will learn ALL THE SLEIGHTS you need to know. As a result, the DVD is a complete and comprehensive mini-course in the Ambitious Card! Perfect for beginners!
Manufacturer Says
Double Lifts (3 different skill levels) Tilt False Cuts Top Change Undercover Top Change One Hand Turnover Convincing Control One Hand Top Palm Distant Misdirection Palm Tenkai Strip Out OPENERS Three Favorites Name A Card Center Reverse Twirl Sequence MIDDLERS Paint Brush Change Erdnase/Houdini Change Splat Production Something Else Repeat Rise Palm Off Rise Imposters CLOSERS Vernon's Bend Rubber Room Rise Face-Up Finale Top Card Compact Closer Through the Roof Leather Bound Round Up Hammered Deception BONUS: FIVE PASSES Learn invaluable tips on the cover techniques, the timing, and the all-important finer points for a total of FIVE amazing passes including: Sleeves Up Pass Classic Pass Turnover Pass Spread Pass Jiggle Pass AN AMBITIOUS ANALYSIS This is an in-depth exploration of why the Ambitious Card is so popular as well as an important discussion of the challenges inherent in such a REPETITIVE effect. Jay discusses tempo, rhythm, variety and muhc more! Jay also share his thoughst on alternatives to signatures, using questions and humor for maximum audience management and misdirection, avoiding performing the effect as a mere "challenge," building the effect and chosing endings that say 'IT'S OVER!' Running Time Approximately 1hr 30min


text:
To the editor:
Lucero Beebe-Giudices letter (Immigration solutions must reflect our values, April 20, 2010) calls Alexandrias participation in the Secure Communities federal-local partnership a sell-out of democratic principles in attempts to resolve a federal issue.
Under Secure Communities local police run arrestees names thru an immigration database and turn them over to federal immigration authorities if they come up as being illegally in the country. How is this any different from running their names against various other databases covering outstanding warrants, absconders from child support payments, sexual predators, etc.
Does Beebe-Guidice expect local police to pass, for example, if they discover an arrestee has an outstanding FBI warrant for a federal crime? Would she have local police shrug it off as a federal issue? What if the arrestee were an absconder from outstanding child support payments which, like being in the country illegally, is usually a civil rather than criminal matter? How about a sexual predator who has served his sentence but still has to register? How many criminals have police collared in traffic stops over a burned out tail light?
Cracking down on illegal immigration is not selling out our democratic principles, but implementing them, because the majority of people in this country, and even in liberal Alexandria, want our immigration laws enforced to open up jobs for Americans and want local police to thoroughly check out arrestees backgrounds.
Dino Drudi


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Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Last Race of the Season, The Woodside 50k
Old man winter must have been one of the entrants, bringing sub-40 degree weather and storm-beaten trails (I know, us Californians are wimps but around here that's cold!). The sun was doing its best to burn off the frost and shed a few rays of light through the redwood canopies. Wendell and Sarah, the RD's of Pacific Coast Trail Runs, had made some last minute changes to the course to avoid the rampant poison oak of the Phleger Estate, and instead criss-crossing up Huddart Park to start. Total vert = ~4,800 ft, with most of it before the first aid station.
As runners arrived for registration, most of the conversation was around the Western States 100 lottery that was taking place that same morning. I had my application in too, so I was eager to check the web site after the race. I also spoke with a 12-year-old Devon Errington and her mom, who both awaited Devons first 11k to test out the cross-country skills she had been building this Fall with the Woodside Priory Cross Country Team. But us long-distance folks got to go first, and about 30 runners lined up for the 50k start, with roughly 1/3 of them being first-time ultra runners. The PC Trails races are awesome for first-timers, so this was no surprise. At 8:30am, we were off!
Within the first two miles, the field had quickly spread out. Christophe Jole went right off the front like a banshee, as Mike Duncan and I ran together in 2nd/3rd, trying to remember if Christophe was one of the people who had raised his hand when Wendell asked for first-time ultra runners. We shrugged out shoulders and paced along Richards Road Trail. Mike Duncan has been a cross-country regular in this area for nearly 30 years, and at age 56, still regularly kicks my ass. As we ran, he shared stories of running with the San Mateo high school cross country team through the Phleger Estate (before it was known as the Phleger Estate) in 1968, pointing out an old gate buried in the redwoods that marked the original entrance. In four years of running this trail, I had never noticed that gate. When we hit the hills, Mike was all business, launching up the mountain with the grace and sure-footed stride of a mountain goat that knew every step by heart. I kept him in sight as we climbed up to the first aid station, and as I looked down the hill, and I could see it was just the two of us for quite a ways back.
The first aid station was set up in my driveway at the 9k mark (I TOLD you I was a local!), and a handful of friends and family awaited their runners. The sun didn't seem to be helping much, and it felt colder here than it was at the race start. I decided to keep my gloves on, refilled my water bottles, and had some banana and Pop Tart pieces. Mike was already out of sight. I turned on my iPod (Audioslave, Zero 7, and a new hip hop album from Le Peuple de Herbe) and headed down the familiar route to Wunderlich Park as I had dozens of times - alone with my tunes, letting my body dictate the pace.
The trail evidenced the stormy week we had before the race, with a few fallen trees to jump over and around, and most of the topsoil and pine needles pushed to the sides of the trail by rain water. Mike and I ran the trail in a similar way - in the firm center for good foot traction on the way up, and on the thick trail edges for a more cushy downhill. About an hour down the Skyline Trail, I hit the second aid station (mile 12), watching Mike leave as I arrived. This aid station was also chilly (a volunteer's two dogs burrowed into a sleeping bag had the right idea), and we joked about the frost on my goatee. They also mentioned that Christophe was about 8 minutes ahead of us, so he clearly had a good pace going.
I headed down into Wunderlich Park, trying to focus on a fast turnover and keeping my weight forward. My Inov-8 Flyrocs were sticking well, making it easy to get through the single track at the bottom. As I popped out of the very bottom our traverse through Wunderlich, I noticed the turn up the Meadow Trail wasn't marked (the only missing mark on an otherwise perfectly marked course - bandits, perhaps?). I knew to go back up (and suspected that Mike knew that too), but wasn't sure about the 50k runners behind us. I tried to assemble a few sticks to make an arrow and debated leaving a glove (pointing the right way, natch), but felt I was borderline freezing as is and needed to keep the glove . About 100 yards up there was another trail marking, so I figured most would see it.
As the trail linked back up with the fire road we came down, I got to see the happy faces of the other 50k runners coming down. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and they were all dressed warm. A couple of them told me Mike was about 6 minutes ahead, so I knew he was making ground on the uphills. As I hit the peak at Wunderlich, I was surprised I felt so good. On race morning, I could still feel the burn in my quads from the Santa Barbara 9 Trails race the previous weekend, so this would be the first ultra I would do without a full recovery. But so far, so good. I foraged through the aid station (m&m's, goldfish crackers, flat Coke), refilled the water, and headed back towards Huddart Park.
At the 26 mile aid station (back at my driveway), the volunteer said, "oh, good...we thought you were lost." I asked what he meant, and he said that Mike Duncan was in first place for the 50k but thought there was one guy ahead of him. I concurred, but said that I wasn't the lost guy and had been third. Clearly, Christophe had taken a wrong turn somewhere or had dropped out. But now the volunteers knew who to look for.
I felt strong in the 1,800 foot descent to the finish line, much better than last year (my first ultra, where I had finished in 4:53). Before I knew it, I crossed the finish line in 4:39, good enough for second place behind Mike Duncan (who finished in 4:29). Christophe came in third about 5 minutes later, saying he had missed the turn at Meadow Trail. He was NOT pleased (remember - always, always carry a map!), but understood that's part of the trail running experience. Caren Spore from Davis, CA, came in just under 5 hours to win first female, and Devon Errington smoked her first 11k in 59:53, placing 8th overall in a field of over 100 runners. We all helped ourselves to hot soup and chili and cheered the other runners in.
When I came home, I found out that I didn't get a slot for Western States. Alas. That's okay, though - I'm sure 2006 will have plenty of adventure in store. Just looking back on the 15+ great races I had in 2005 (Deadwood, Boston, Aspen, Tahoe, Dipsea, my first 50-miler, etc.), I am already excited for what may lie ahead. At the Woodside 50k, my backyard trails felt new again. I guess as long as you are trail running, every step feels new and exciting no matter where they might lead.
Happy holidays, everyone!
50 comments:
[notes from the RD's]
Throughout Thursday's amazingly powerful storm, we kept thinking about the trails and the runners. Would Saturday turn out to be a nice day? Would people come out to run? And would the trails be in decent shape? Well, as it turned out, both Friday and Saturday were beautiful days, cool and sunny, perfect running weather. And lots of people came out to run – many of our running friends, lots of friends of friends, and a big group of first time trail runners and people who hoped to be first time ultra runners by the end of the day. And decent shape? Not exactly – the trails were in perfect shape! No mud, no puddles, and just enough trees and branches down to keep things interesting.
Thank you so much for joining us Saturday in wonderful Huddart Park. We had a blast all day long, watching people come flying across the field and push it up the final hill to the finish. And we were honored by the sheer number of you who came out to run your first trail run or first ultramarathon with us. It should be noted, too, that every single person who started their first 50 Km on those fun, rolling trails accomplished his or her ultra goal, and in fine form!! Congratulations to all the first timers and to all the other finishers, too.
As many of you know, we give away coupons for Vasque trail shoes at each event. Saturday's first pair of shoes went to Christophe, who was flying around the course in the lead of the 50 Km when he was the first person to reach the vandalized and, therefore, unmarked turn onto the Meadow Trail. After quite a bit of looking and running around in Wunderlich Park, Christophe made his way back to the finish…but his time searching for the correct course or at least some ribbons to guide him cost him the first place finish. The other pair went to Madhuri, also in the 50 Km. She ran her first trail run in February of this year with us – the 11 Km in Huddart Park. She either ran in or helped out at several of our runs over the spring, summer, and fall – and came out Saturday and became an ultrarunner! We typically don't give away both pairs of Vasque shoes to runners in the same distance event, but we thought both of these recipients most worthy.
Our next event is the Muir Beach Trail Run, where we'll have 11 Km, 17 Km, 33 Km, and 50 Km events from which you may choose. This is a wonderful venue, with the start/finish not far from the beach and incredible views from above Pirates Cove. Please note that this event has sold out every year, and it will probably do the same in the next week or so. If you plan to run, we advise you to get your entry in soon.
Thanks again for coming out on Saturday to run with us, and hope we see you out on the trails again soon.
Wendell & Sarah
www.PCTrailRuns.comTommybigs -
That's awesome that you're going to pace your pal! It's a very important role. I don't know much about pacing myself, so I'll point you to a few places:
1) The most successful pacer/racer combo's seems to be from people who know each other well. So first thing's first, KNOW THY PARTNER!
2) Ask around...Western States training runs, other ultras in your area, etc. - I bet it won't be hard to find some pacing gurus.
3) Here's a great article:
Hope that helps...good luck!
Congrats on a great run and nice finish. I was there running the 19K and saw you at the start (it was FREEZING). You look like you got there late (so much for living so close!) and you were busy getting all of your gear in order so I didn't want to bother you. We actually exchanged pleasantries at the start of the this year's Double Dipsea.
Interesting about the gate to Phleger, I never knew it existed either. I'll have to look for it the next time I go up Richard's Rd.
See you on the trails!
RonI remember you, Ron! I didn't realize you were in the race. You're right that I showed up to the starting line late....that's three in a row. I'm going to have to get better at the "20 minute countdown".
The gate was less than a mile from where we hit Richards Road in the race. We looked to my right across the creek, down about 30 feet, and it was a steel fire road gate with a road going nowhere. Not too far from the Canada Road cutoff.
Thanks for stopping by!
- SDHa! I've been reading your blog for some time and for some reason never realized how close to me you live for I hail from Capitola (well used to, had to move away due to financial constraints, but not to worry I'll be back)
I used to run/hike in your neck of the woods all the time!!!
Boy it IS a small world 'aint it!- Anonymous12/06/2005 08:45:00 PM
Saturday's run at Woodside was my first trail race and I learned of the race from visiting your "blog". I'm from Ohio and was in the area as my daughter was undergoing surgery by Dr. Brent who has his office in Woodside. The timing worked out and I was delighted to have the opportunity to run in such a dramatic landscape.
I recognized you at the race, but didn't have a chance to speak to you prior to the 50K start. I elected to run the 19K, but hope one day to run an ultra.
Thanks for the work you put into your blog. I enjoy your writing and interviews.
One question: Can you elaborate on, or point me in the direction of a description of, how you train?
Anyone who can run a trail race where an aid station is located on their driveway is a fortunate runner. Carry one the good work. To the Ohio visitor above -
I hope your daughter's surgery was a success, and you enjoyed your visit. Let me know if you have to come out again!
I haven't posted much about my training, but am happy to share some basics. Be sure to also check the interviews, since many of the elites were kind enough to share their workouts. Usually I run for fun (ie, fartlek), so I don't watch my splits too closely.
Here's a typical week:
Mon: Recovery swim in the morning
Tues: 5-6 miles of trails (rolling hills, such as Richards Road in Huddart), 30-45 min weights (core)
Wed: 8-9 miles of trails (1500-2500 vrt ft, like the 19k you just ran)
Thurs: 3-5 miles of speed workout (trails or track) or hill sprints, 30-45 min weights (core)
Fri: Swim in the morning, 5-6 miles if no race on Sat
Sat: Race or 15-20 mile run
Sun: Rest (if race the previous day), bike 40-50 miles, or if training for 50+ mile race, do another 15-20 mile run on tired legs
That's a typical week. In the off-season (Dec-Mar), I do more biking and 8-9 mile runs on Tues/Thur to build an aerobic base.
I don't taper much, although I would probably be faster if I did. ;-)
SD- Anonymous12/07/2005 01:43:00 PM
Scott ... thanks for the reply and some details regarding your training. I suppose I'm got in that nether region between road and trail racing ... still trying to figure out "trail training".
Thanks for the kind words. My daughter's surgery went well and we're leaving for Ohio tomorrow. She has one more surgery probably in about three to four months. Can't tell at this point what our plans will be, but if there is a chance for a race or run I'll be sure to contact you.
Ran 10 miles this morning at the Bayshore Nature Preserve ... hope I got the name correct ... lots of waterfowl and nary a hill to be found ... got my fill of them at Woodside!
Peace to you and, again, thank you for your ... how should I say it ... "gentle" blog.
Run well,
Dennis in Ohio - Anonymous12/09/2005 10:30:00 AM
Hi Scott...regular reader of your blog and it's great. It's good to read a bit about yourself too, such as details on your training schedule.
I think you "deserve" to be interviewed as well...so would you mind if your readers/I post a few questions to you - don't worry I will only ask 'appropriate' questions ;-) - ?
A few years back I used to visit Palo Alto frequently and used the 280 into SF, but in those days I was not into running, but did manage to do some mountain biking in the area. I miss the kind of trails you've got in your back yard here in London.
Mick (UK) - Anonymous12/12/2005 03:26:00 PM
Hi Scott,
first of all thanks for accepting a few questions from me. I hope you and your readers will find my questions of interest; maybe they have some of their own questions to add...
Q: In one of your early blog entries you give a bit of background on how you got into trail running. Can you try and describe what the enjoyment of running is to you (sorry guess I
should open with an easy question!) and what got you hooked onto trail running when you Started?
Q: What do you enjoy the most about trail running, the anticipation of going for a run/ race, the actual run/race or the finishing of a run/race?
Q: Sorry to hear you didn't manage to win an entry to the WS100 - any plans to do an alternative 100 mile event in 2006? If not what's the big attraction to you of the WS100?
Q: Are you taking a winter break from running and do you already have a clear view on your race schedule for the new year?
Q: As somebody who tends to run where it's flat with at most 'hills' lasting 2 to 3 mintues - do you like running hills and how hard (or indeed easy) do you find running up hill?
Q: We read/hear about some amazing running feats undertaken by many people - what is your 'dream' challenge? And if it's WS100 for now, what will follow?
Q: Would you tell us a bit about your blog...what do you enjoy most about blogging? Will you continue
with blogging in the new year (I certainly hope so)?
Q: What's your favourite book you've read on running?
[In my opinion an excellent book on the 'tradition' of running fells (hills) in the UK (includes some international stories too) is 'Feet in the Clouds: A Story of Fell Running and Obsession' by Richard Askwith - Note: I have no association with the author/ publisher whatsoever ;-)]
Q: What running accomplishment are you most proud of? Do you have a favourite race story/incident (e.g. unniest/thoughest/ weirdest/most enjoyable) to share with us?
Q: Now for some of your own 'regular' interview questions...
- Any tips you have for somebody who's just starting out with trail running?
- What are your favourite races/ locations?
- Have you experienced any running related injuries and how did you deal with them?
Q: Finally congratulations to your excellent results of your 2005 Races!
A few words about myself - my main outdoor activities in the past have been hill walking and cycling. I certainly don't have any fond memories of running while at school. I always though about running as being boring especially compared to cycling where you have a speed and technical element to it.
But at the beginning of this year my view on running has let's say changed 'just' slightly...a work colleague persuaded me to join him for a half-marathon which was coming up in 3 months. So I found a training plan and started running...well and nearly 12 months
later I find myself running at least 3 times a week and having completed a couple of half-
For the new year I'm planning to be slightly more ambitious with at least one road marathon and one off-road marathon (http://www.robin-web.co.uk/beachyhead/index.htm).
Keeping it short the two things about running that I really enjoy is the simplicity/freedom (all you need is a pair of trainers and off you go) and the ability of the body to get used to running if one is prepared to put some effort into it (for most people I believe
that can be true). Oh and one more thing at the end of a day that included a decent run I sleep sooo well :-)
I do most of my running on trails but unfortunately no hills in the vicinity for me.
Cheers and keep up the excellent work with your blog!
Mick (UK) - Anonymous12/12/2005 03:36:00 PM
Interview the interviewer! Great!!!
I'll add some questions too:
1. IN 2004, you did triathlons and trail running. Are you going to do any more tri's?
2. How come you always have great pictures? Aren't you supposed to be running the RACE???
3. Who do you train with?
4. You went from "good" to "great" in just a year or two. What happened? Any supplements? (ha, ha)
5. You have inov8 and injinji on your blog - are those advertisements? If so, how did you get them to advertise?
Thanks, Charlie1 - Anonymous12/12/2005 03:37:00 PM
When can we see more "products I would like to see"? You got digged on digg.com, btw.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous12/12/2005 03:41:00 PM
Why did you pick the trophy series from trail runner magazine? Why not the Montrail series, fuel belt series, SoCal series, etc.?
And why the biking on the weekends vs more running? Way to go, that's awesome! That's so great that an aid station was right in your driveway, lol! I can't believe the 11 yr old was so fast, that's great. Sounds like a force to be reckoned with in the future! A trail ultra is on my list of 'one-days', maybe 2007. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the best ones for newbies.
ReplyDelete- Anonymous12/13/2005 04:25:00 PM
Here's a question for you. What kind of job do you have that allows you to run all over the place? Do you have time for other interests?
ReplyDelete - Anonymous7/11/2006 08:40:00 PM
I go to school with Devon, and i know shes hella fast! Way to go Devon, and thanks for making Priory proud. One day you'll be there in first place, and you'll have a hole school cheering you on. Looking foward to another great school year with ya!
ReplyDelete - Anonymous7/11/2006 08:54:00 PM
I totally agree that Californians are wimps when it comes to cold weather. We get so much warm weather that we think 30 degrees is freezing. Oh well, paradice has its price. And way to go Devon. Who knew a twelve year old could run so fast.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous7/12/2006 11:45:00 PM
its ironic that i both know and like Devon, and its a known fact among people that know her that shes a great runner, but we never knew she was this good. Well Devon, this is from someone whos been admiring you from a distance!
ReplyDelete - Anonymous9/30/2006 06:13:00 PM
Devon, I just thought you'd like to know that I am totally excited about you and Brugger. I hope things work out ok, and that you two were really cute on the bus. Here's for a good relationship! And I'm still in love with you, if you happen to read this.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous11/27/2006 09:14:00 PM
Hi Scott this is Devon, i never got the chance to congradulate you on last year's awesome finish. And i am bummbed that i can't run in this years Woodside run. However I wish you luck, and do well on ur home turf. Also thank u to all of u that congradulated me.
Sincerely, Devon
P.S. Maybe someday we will be able to run a race together. But I don't think I will be running any 50K's soon! - Anonymous11/29/2006 06:54:00 PM
Hi Devon! I'm sooooooooo JEALOUS!!! This fan thing is soooooo cool! Anyways, I will always be a top fan of my little Devie! I love the comments too. And I agree with ALL of them. Good luck next time you run. See ya at school. (ha ha! you know what I'm talking about:)
ReplyDelete - Anonymous11/29/2006 07:00:00 PM
Oh and whoever anonymous 12/13/05 is. Ya jsut kids. Devon's in 8th GRADE!!! And like Colin said, she's HELLA fast!
HI DEVON!!!!!!!!!!!! - Anonymous12/01/2006 07:23:00 PM
Hi Kimmie! O ya and goodluck on the big run tomorrow Scott.
Devon - Anonymous12/05/2006 01:09:00 PM
Dear Devon:
You are supper hot and a great runner. I hope that your Brugger is trating you realy good, because you deserve the very best.
By the way I was the one who sent you all of the flowers last year!
I can tell that there is no chance for me or anyone else because everyone can tell that you only have eyes for Brugger.
Anonymous. - Anonymous1/19/2007 06:28:00 PM
Whoever u r that sent the flowers thank you. But I guess i will never know who u r. Thats too bad, but still thanks.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous2/10/2007 10:30:00 PM
Hi Devon! I'm sooooooooo JEALOUS!!! This fan thing is soooooo cool! Anyways, I will always be a top fan of my little Devie! I love the comments too. And I agree with ALL of them. Good luck next time you run. See ya at school. (ha ha! you know what I'm talking about:)
-Bergren - Anonymous2/14/2007 08:02:00 AM
I love you still Devon. Happy Valentines Day!! Keep running you look great.
Your Valentine - Anonymous4/13/2007 04:21:00 PM
Hey Devon, it's pretty cool you have your own running blog.
Boy, there seem to be lots of stalkers on this blog page. Better hide.
Also, Kimmie, you have horrible grammar.
Hope you've had fun on break. - Anonymous4/15/2007 04:11:00 PM
Hi Devon:
I was looking up some of my Hockey and basball articles on my computer and was thinking about you. I miss having you as my catcher. Basball isn't the same without you. Good luck with your running in the J.R. Olimpics and your modeling. By the way everyone at Papas funeral thought that you were hot.
Love, Wessley Starr - Anonymous4/16/2007 06:31:00 PM
Hey Wessely thanks for the nice comment. Give me a call some time if you want to hang out. I hope your baseball and hockey seasons are going well.
O and corey cheung you are totally right. And this is not my blog it's actually this super fast runner's blog, which i met at a run in woodside one time. - Anonymous6/01/2007 05:41:00 PM
What a year. You are as beautiful as you are sweet. Never change. Keep running and go for all of your goals in life. Good luck with Bergie. I hope that he knows how lucky he is to have someone like you that likes him. I know that you are happy when you are with him. - Anonymous6/11/2007 12:22:00 AM
Hay, Everone:
We know Devon better then all of you and we know that she appreciates all of the nice coments. Please don't guess who she likes. She is going out with Jordan so, the fact is that she likes Jordan.
Devons Friends
P.S Devon good luck in the Hersheys race next week.
P.S. - Anonymous6/11/2007 06:18:00 PM
Now thats what I call my real friedns. Thank you guys. And yes Jordan and i are going out so obviously i like him.
Devon - Anonymous6/11/2007 06:44:00 PM
And i have this feeling that we'll go out for a long time. Cause i really like Jordan so ya stop assuming i like other people cause i don't.
Devon - Anonymous12/07/2007 09:03:00 PM
You and Jordan were so perfect together. I know that he still loves you. Hopefuly he can work threw whatever it is that is going on with him. You are definatly the best thing that ever happened to him. This is so G that you have your own runners blog.You are the kind of runner that people will be talking about for many years. All of the other compliments are totaly true about you by the way!!!
ReplyDelete - Anonymous12/14/2007 11:45:00 AM
Jordan who??? I am home sick today and googled your name. What a suprize to see that you are a running star. You are the hottest girl I hhave ever seen a bad a-- dancer. I couldn't take my eyes off of you at the dance the other week in Palo Alto. I know this guy that went to school with you and he says that you are as sweet as you are hot. I just hope to God that you don't have a boyfriend. Well thiis is a running blog so I better say good luck with your running. I would love to see you in a race!!! Go to the next dance. I will be there.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous1/02/2008 07:54:00 PM
Hi, Devon:
You have a pretty big fan club. I am so happy that you are doing well in your running and it looks like you are popular as well. Some one told me that you havee a lot of fans. You deserve all the happieness in the world because you are beautiful, the nicest person I have ever met and everyone knows how hard you work at your running. We will all say someday that we knew her when.
From, someone who is still admiring you from a distance. - Anonymous2/06/2008 01:18:00 PM
I am going to ask you out on Valentines day if I get up enough nerve I hope that you will say yes to me!! I know that you have lots of guy friends and that doesn't bother me. I just want to go out with you. I just don't know if you like me as much as I like you? I know that you went to winter formal with Putnam I wish that it could have been me. You looked so hot. Everyone at the dance thought that you looked awsome. You will know on Valentines day who I am if I do it. Please say yes but if you don't it will be ok too. Good luck in track. - Anonymous3/27/2008 02:15:00 PM
Hay Devon:
Everyone knew it all a long you and Putnam you guys are the perfect couple of Priory. Sooo very cute together lots of luck to both of you we all know that you two are going to go out for a very long time. Good luck in track Dev Dev. - Anonymous8/23/2008 04:18:00 AM
Devon Errington:
OMG you are the most incredible runner. You are a supper star. Soooo very cute. I am going to marry you someday...;)
I LIVE for comments! Please add your thoughts, let me know you stopped by, etc., and be thoughtful of others. Always best if you sign your name, of course.


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Here we go again. Those mean conservatives ganging up of a poor, helpless liberal from the Obama campaign, which happens to be the president's deputy campaign manager. We don't "hate" Stephanie Cutter, which Amanda Marcotte suggested in her October 23 post on Slate's feminist "Double X" blog. Ok, let me walk that back – most conservatives don't "hate" Stephanie Cutter. You'll always find those hyper-partisans, on either side of the aisle, that will have deep-seated hatred for the other side. But for the rest of us – it's not hate that drives our passionate responses about Stephanie Cutter. It's the fact that she is dead wrong on most of the issues of this campaign. Oh, did I also mention that she engaged in deliberate misinformation.
First, Marcotte recommends Alex Sietz-Wald's piece on Salon.com, which is a cesspool of American progressivism. Marcotte wrote that "she's [Cutter] an attractive woman who looks younger than her 44 years and who appears to believe that none of these attributes mean that she should be taken less seriously than a man in her position. As with Sandra Fluke and the poor woman who asked a question about equal pay at the last debate, it seems that being an attractive female with liberal opinions in your reproductive years who speaks in public makes you a target." No, it's when you're a deputy campaign manager that makes you the target. A title that shows that this isn't your first time to the dance. The same goes for Fluke. She's a seasoned political activist, who knew full well the chaos she was about to unleash when she gave that testimony on the Hill last winter. As Hyman Roth said, "this is the business we've chosen."
"If conservative pundits don't cut it out, they'll soon find out that the era when pretty unmarried women were considered "girls"—expected to be quiet and let the adults do the talking—is waning rapidly. Over time, people are going to start noticing the correlation between the amount of hate aimed at a woman and her single, attractive status, and begin to piece it together, " according to Marcotte. I'm sure The Hardy Boys are on the case. What correlation is Marcotte talking about? What hate does she speak of? This is pure liberal drivel.
Marcotte then cites "Seitz-Wald [who] quotes Rush Limbaugh, whose attacks on Cutter are pretty standard issue when it comes to his approach to any nice looking liberal woman with the audacity to flap her lips: assert repeatedly that said woman is only useful as a sex object, and angrily disavow the very idea that she might actually have some intelligence of her own."
Well, let's go over Cutter's top three whoppers she's said so far during this election.
Let's start with her denial that she didn't know any facts relating to Joe Soptic, aka cancer man, even though she had a conference call with him in May of this year.
Here she is lying about not knowing the details surrounding Joe Soptic's wife.
A U.S. ambassador was assassinated for the first time in thirty-three years in Libya. The calls for more protection at our compound in Benghazi were ignored. The narrative surrounding the cause of the terrorist attack constantly changes. Yet, Cutter thinks this isn't a foreign policy disaster. As Ed Morrissey noted, that our efforts with NATO to oust Qaddafi lead to the proliferation of terror networks in Libya. Love him or hate him – Qaddafi kept these people out.
By the way, this little kerfuffle in Libya is only an issue because Mitt Romney is politicizing the tragedy. Yep, how dare someone ask questions about the facts surrounding a terrorist attack on Americans. How dare Mitt Romney demonstrate that he could be a more competent commander-in-chief. Did anyone tell Cutter that this is an election?
Then, there is the $5 trillion dollar lie concerning Mitt Romney's tax cuts. A spin tactic Cutter admitted wasn't true.
Cutter: Well, okay, stipulated. It won't be near $5 trillion but it's also not going to be the sum of $5 trillion in the loopholes that he's going to close. So it is going to cost someone and it's going to cost the middle class. Independent economists have taken a look at this. There aren't enough deductions for those at the top to account for the number of tax cuts that they get because of Mitt Romney's policy so you have to raise taxes on the middle class. As Bill Clinton said, it's just simple math.
Burnett: Okay, they'll just say that you can do that. They're are other studies. I know the one to which you're referring, but there's also the possibility of economic growth.
Cutter: Prove it. Erin, prove it.
Burnett: We can't prove either side, that's all I'm saying, but the one thing that I can say is not true is the $5 trillion tax cut.
Cutter: I disagree with you. You can prove it. So then they should just say that they're counting entirely on economic growth to pay for a tax cut. Which is an interesting theory because that is what George Bush and let's look at how that turned out, we had the slowest economic growth since World War II.
Burnett: They're not saying entirely, they're saying closing loopholes and economic growth, both. I understand you disagree with it.
Cutter: But that still leaves you at least a trillion dollars short. The math does not work with what they're saying. And they won't name those deductions, not a single deduction that they will close because they know that is bad for their politics. Now look, this is the center, this is the core of Mitt Romney's economic policy. Last night, he walked away from it, said he didn't have a $5 trillion tax cut. He does. That's what lowering the rates amounts to.
Lastly, Cutter said that the Obama recovery has created more jobs than Reagan's in the 1980s.
James Pethokoukis of the American Enterprise Institute had this to say on the matter.
From the end of the recession in June 2009 through July 2012 — the first 37 months of the Obama recovery — the U.S. economy has generated 2.7 million net new jobs. From the jobs low point in February 2010, the U.S. economy has generated 4 million net new jobs.
From the end of the 1981-82 recession through the end of of 1985 — the first 37 months of the Reagan recovery — the U.S.created 9.8 million net new jobs. And if you adjust for the larger U.S. population today, the comparable figure is more than 12 million jobs.


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Welcome to the 108th edition of
Wildcrafting Wednesday!
Wildcrafting Wednesday is hosted by:
- Kathy @ Mind, Body and Sole,
- Jennifer @ The Entwife's Journal,
- Anne-Marie @ Bella Vista Farm,
- Alix @ Blessed in Homemaking,
- Kristin @ Herban Momma,
- and me! :)
While traditional wildcrafting refers to gathering herbs and plants in the wild to use for food and medicine, Wildcrafting Wednesday is a weekly blog hop for sharing self-sufficiency and homesteading tips, tried and true home-remedies, and your favorite herbal uses.
It's a place to gather information on ways to incorporate old fashioned wisdom in our day-to-day life.
It is anything and everything herbal - from crafts to cleaning to tinctures to cooking.
It is remedies and natural cures made at home from natural ingredients.
It is self-sufficient living, homesteading, and back-to-basics tips to save food, money, and resources.
If it involves herbs or traditional methods of homemaking and home healing then we want to read about it!
In other words, Wildcrafting Wednesday is a "one stop shop" for the past weeks best tips and simple steps to become more healthy and more self-reliant! Please join us! :)
Featured Posts from Our Last Blog Hop
Each week, we get some incredible posts submitted by amazing bloggers.
The following posts are our featured posts as determined by our readers.
Recipes for Bath & Body Care
Teas, Infusions, and Decoctions
Hey! that's me! Thank you so much for voting for my post!
Why You Should Eat More Cashews
Thank you to every one of our bloggers who linked up and to all of our readers for helping us pick our featured posts!
Guidelines for Participation:
1. Please link up your blog post using the Linky widget below. If you are posting a recipe, only real food recipes are permitted please. This means no processed, packaged, or refined food ingredients!
2. Please link the URL of your actual blog post and not your blogs home page. That allows future readers who find this post and go to your link to be able to find what they're looking for.
3. Please place a link back to this edition of the blog hop in your post. That way your readers can benefit from all the ideas too. This also helps out the other participants who are hoping to get more traffic to their blogs. If you're new to blogging here's what you do: Copy the URL of Wildcrafting Wednesday from your browser address bar. Then edit your post by adding something like, "This post was shared on Wildcrafting Wednesday" at the end of your post. Then highlight "Wildcrafting Wednesday", click the "link" button on your blogging tool bar, and paste the URL into that line. That's it! If you prefer, you can grab the button below and insert it at the end of your blog post. Either way is acceptable! :)
4. Please only link posts that fit the blog hop description. Old and archived posts are welcome as long as you post a link back as described above. Please don't link to giveaways or promotions for affiliates or sponsors. That keeps our links valuable in the future since a link to a giveaway three months old isn't going to be worth browsing in three months time, but a link to an herbal tip will be.
5. Family friendly posts only.
6. Please leave a comment. :)
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page
@ http://www.facebook.com/Woodwife61 !
Hope you "Like" it!
Much herbal love,


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Digital Wallets Turn A Corner
Just a couple of months ago digital wallets seemed to have a hit a snag on the road to adoption. Apple chose not to feature NFC in the iPhone 5 the same week that Isis announced another delay in its release.
But a lot has changed since then. Isis is here (at least in Austin and Salt Lake City). Visa's V.me digital wallet has signed up more than 50 new partner financial institutions, including Bank of America earlier this week. And the the number of mobile holiday purchases this past week indicates that customers are giving a thumbs up to using their smartphones instead of their physical wallets. PayPal reported a steep rise of 196 percent in Cyber Monday purchases made with mobile devices this week over last year. On Zero Hedge blog" target="_blank">Black Friday mobile devices accounted for 16 percent of online purchases, up from 10 percent last year, acceding to International Business Machines, a group that analyzes online traffic to major retailers.
Digital wallets and mobile payments are becoming more and more of a reality. The growth of the digital wallet seems to have gained some momentum. Even Apple is inching closer to turning Passbook into something resembling a true mobile wallet.
Customers seem increasingly interested in using their mobile devices to make purchases. And that means that this momentum is likely to continue. There will certainly be more potholes along the road to widespread adoption. As Bank Systems & Technology wrote before the Thanksgiving holiday, there are still major questions regarding security and regulation in using mobile devices for financial transactions that could impede customers' embrace of the digital wallet. It is unclear when and how fraudsters will start making their way into the mobile space; and what role regulators will play in policing digital wallets is just as unclear. Those concerns are reflected in our predictions this week from industry experts on where the digital wallet market is going.
But as we noted in our pre-turkey-and-stuffing article, those concerns are beginning to be addressed. Regulators are starting to examine how they should approach mobile payments and wallets, and many third-party wallet and payments providers are beginning to devise their own unique security methods for warding off fraud when it does come knocking. The big questions that still remain for financial institutions are when the digital wallet will reach wide adoption rates, how it will get there and how banks should respond. Our "5 Predictions About the Future of Digital Wallets" provides some insights to help answer those lingering questions.
Jonathan Camhi has been an associate editor with Bank Systems & Technology since 2012. He previously worked as a freelance journalist in New York City covering politics, health and immigration, and has a master's degree from the City University of New York's Graduate School ... View Full Bio


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A serious social issue in Saudi Arabia is getting some more attention thanks to a viral YouTube video.
In light of the recent buzz surrounding Saudi women rebelling against the country's ban on females driving, 26-year-old Saudi comedian Hisham Fageeh released a parody music video titled "No Woman, No Drive", a clever take on Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry."
The spoof video was produced with the help of Fageeh's musician friends Fahad Albutairi and Alaa Wardi. Lyrics include: "In this bright future, you can't forget your past, so put your car key away." The video was uploaded to YouTube where it has already been viewed more than 3.8 million times so far. Fageeh says the idea for the video came to him while he was in the shower singing the Bob Marley classic in his head.
The "No Woman, No Drive" video was released with Arabic subtitles on October 26th to coincide with the day planned for women to take the wheel and protest the ban. About 60 women ended up participating, however many of them had foreign licenses. In 1995 some 50 Saudi women participated in a similar driving ban protest. They were jailed for a day, had their passports confiscated and were fired from their jobs. Fageeh's video is a reminder that there are Saudi men who support women's right to drive in the kingdom. He says "The conversations happening now have taken generations," adding "It's a recipe for change."
Source: Yahoo Blogs


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About NHRMC
NHRMC, established in 1967 in Wilmington, NC, is recognized as a preeminent healthcare organization focused on leading our community to outstanding health. We have an 855 bed network of hospitals and multi-specialty physician group practices with more than 200 physicians. With a network of primary, specialty, neighborhood clinics and regional medical centers; you will find our culture is the very definition of best in practice. Join us and find out how many ways NHRMC offers you the chance to focus on what really matters - our patients and community.
About the Job
Location: New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Department: Anesthesia
Full Time Equivalent: FTE: 1.000000
Work Type: 64 to 80 Hours Pay Period
Work Schedule: 10HR ROT - Rotating shifts
Exempt from Overtime: Exempt: No
What You'll Do
Summary:Works under the supervision of the Manager of Anesthesia Support. Assists Anesthesiologist and CRNA's in the preparation and maintenance of all anesthesia monitoring devices and anesthesia delivery systems. Assists in the management of equipment and supplies required for the administration of Anesthesia.
Responsibilities:1. Assists Anesthesia provider in basic equipment preparation and between case turnovers consistent with competency evaluation.2. Assists Anesthesia provider the set up and application of intravenous fluid consistent with competency evaluation.3. Assists Anesthesia provider with maintenance, acquisition of and application of airway equipment consistent with competency evaluation.4. Assists Anesthesia provider with acquisition and application of invasive line placement consistent with competency evaluation.5. Assists Anesthesia provider with performing basic laboratory point of care testing for arterial blood gas analysis, blood coagulation test, serum glucose test, serum electrolytes test consistent with competency evaluation.6. Performs Anesthesia maintenance consistent with competency evaluation.7. Sets up Cell Saver for collection consistent with competency.8. Assists Manager of Anesthesia Support with logistics to include inventory ordering and stocking of Anesthesia equipment and supplies.9. Assists Anesthesia provider with transport of surgical patients as needed.10. Performs Biological Testing and sterilization with Steris System One.
Position Requirements
Education:Essential:* High School Diploma
Other information:
Education: High School Diploma. EMT or prior hospital patient care preferred. CPR required
Licensure / Certifications: American Heart Association HS (Heart Saver) required.
Experience: One (1) year experience related to clinical monitoring preferred.
Demonstrates standards of performance (ownership, teamwork, communication, compassion) that support patient satisfaction and principles of service excellence.Performs other duties as assigned.Individual will possess commensurate combination of education, experience and qualifications.
Other Information
This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. Depending on the location of the job, duties may vary. Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind; my employment with the Company is at will.
Consider a career at NHRMC and become part of this award winning team!
Department: Outpatient Oncology
Summary:The Professional Registered Nurse works under the direction of the Director, Manager or Designated Leader. Functions under that ANA Standards of Performance and adheres to the guidelines of the NCBON. The RN has responsibility and accountability for the provision of patient care. The RN communicates and coordinates the patient's care in an interdisciplinary model. The RN manages and delivers patient care utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. The RN applies critical thinking skills to resolve problems. The RN provides care based on established standards of care and expectations. See www.ncbon.com & www.nursingworld.org.
Responsibilities:1. Performs nursing assessments to gather data and identify the patient's needs for this episode of care per ANA standards and NCBON.2. Coordinates and communicates patient care needs for discharge planning in interdisciplinary care conferences and with members of the health care team.3. Develops and implements an individualized plan of nursing care with the patient and family that will address the patient's and family's identified needs and concerns.4. Collaborates with physicians and other health team members in coordinating the plan of care and facilitating patient outcomes.5. Implements and evaluates the patient's response to care through assessment and reassessment and updates the plan of care.6. Provides care based on established standards of practice, policies and protocols.7. Ensures that patients are admitted, transferred and discharged in a timely and efficient manner.8. Demonstrates leadership by providing information as a resource nurse, mentor and coach and delegator of nursing care activities.9. Demonstrates critical thinking skills for problem solving and anticipating patient care needs.10. Documents assessments, delivery of care and patient's response to care in the medical record11. Provides information and facilitates patient/family teaching.12. Participates in performance improvement initiatives to improve processes and outcomes.13. Demonstrates accountability for ongoing learning needs, completion of annual education requirements and competencies.14. Performs moderate or waived point of care testing per CLIA guidelines.
Credentials:Essential:* Registered Nurse
Education:Essential:* Associate Degree
Other information:Experience: Experience preferred. Demonstrates standards of performance (ownership, teamwork, communication, compassion) that support patient satisfaction and principles of service excellence.Performs other duties as assigned.Individual will possess commensurate combination of education, experience and qualifications.


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We turn now to another story that's making headlines for all the wrong reasons. It's been a bloody year in the Windy City. More than 250 people have reportedly been murdered so far this year in Chicago. That number is up about 38 percent from the same time last year, and now people are asking just what Mayor Rahm Emanuel is doing about it.
He faced reporters yesterday and said some of the old plans to stop violence weren't working now.
MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL: So there's a series of changes that had to be put in place. We put them in place - not content, won't be content. We go over this all the time, and I don't think coming in, swatting something down and letting it come back in two weeks is a way you strengthen a community. That's actually what it does, is it builds up cynicism.
HINOJOSA: Joining us now to talk about the rise in Chicago murders and the plan to stop them is Robert Wildeboer. He's an award-winning crime reporter for WBEZ Chicago Public Radio.
Welcome to TELL ME MORE.
ROBERT WILDEBOER, BYLINE: Thanks. Good to be here.
HINOJOSA: So, Robert, here's the disconnect that I'm having: So crime in Chicago is down, but murders are on the increase. What's going on?
WILDEBOER: Yeah. Mayor Emanuel says crime is down 10 percent, you know, taking into things like theft, armed robbery. But the murder rate - which is obviously the really obvious stat that you can't really argue with - that is actually up, as you mentioned, almost 40 percent.
HINOJOSA: So as I was reading about - you know, and this is the city that I grew up in. So - but I'm reading these stories, and I'm just like, oh, my God. It sounds like, in some places, like the violence in Mexico, what I'm hearing. There was a story in the Sun Times of a woman, Sabrina Collins, how she rushed over to her son Marley Collins, and she said she found her boy bleeding in a vacant lot on the 1500 block of South Spalding. I watched my child die right in front of my face - a kid bleeding out.
So is there a particular story or murder this year that, you know, basically pushed public outrage to a boiling point?
WILDEBOER: I don't think so. It was really - I think it's been the numbers. And it's - you know, a lot of people are concerned when the media covers murders a lot, but it seems to be a really good thing in many ways because then it calls our public officials to account and really focuses public attention on it. And this is a problem that has just gone on for so long and, you know, we just kind of become sort of desensitized or immune to it because, you know, you read these stories every day.
You know, just last night, eight people were shot in the city of Chicago. But some of the numbers were just so shocking, A, that murder's up 40 percent over last year. B, there have been a number of really violent weekends in Chicago where the numbers are just so striking, everybody's just, like, what in the world?
Over the Memorial Day weekend, in a 72-hour period, we had 12 people killed and another 45 people shot. Thirteen people were shot in one 90-minute stretch, and so that's really focusing public attention on this issue right now.
HINOJOSA: So here's the thing. Is there a way to put this into context? I mean, Chicago has had a lot of violence in the past. We know that. Is it just that there are guns everywhere and readily accessible?
WILDEBOER: Yeah. That's an interesting point because, historically, you know, if we're on par - on track to hit about 500 murders this year, that's actually, you know, quite low compared to, say, 1992, when there were more than 900 murders. But murder has come down consistently over the last 20 years and, in the last five, six years, there have been about 450 murders per year on average. And so, now that we're seeing that slight bump up, people are saying, you know, what's going on? But, again, I don't think that's a bad thing that the public attention is on this.
A lot of people right now are thinking it has something to do with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, when he first walked into office. Before, when he was running for office, he promised that he was going to put 1,000 new officers on the street and everybody was like, oh, great. When he got into office, eight days into office, he took an anti-gang unit that traveled around the city and kind of flooded crime hotspots. It had about 500 or 600 officers in it. He took those officers and he put them on the beat, he said, working with the community, so that they can know the community that they're policing. And he said those were the new officers. Well, clearly, those are not new officers. Those officers had been on the job.
And so now people are saying, you know, he broke up that anti-gang unit, and is that what's responsible for the increase we're seeing now? Emanuel says he wanted to move those officers to the beat because you have more community engagement and there's a long-term effect. And his police chief - Garry McCarthy, who is from New York and Newark, New Jersey - the police chief is saying, you know, we used to have 450 murders in this town. That's not good enough. We're putting in place strategies now that are going to have a long-term effect and are going to mean that our murder rate is much lower than that 450 that we've become accustomed to. But, you know, they seem to be making the argument that there will be some short-term sacrifices to be made in the meantime.
HINOJOSA: If you're just joining us, you're listening to TELL ME MORE, from NPR News. I'm Maria Hinojosa, and we're talking about the rise in murders in Chicago with WBEZ crime reporter Robert Wildeboer.
I want to talk a little bit about attitudes of people in Chicago. Here's a clip from Tio Hardiman. He's the director of Ceasefire Illinois. It's a social work group that tries to stop the violence. And we spoke with him on the phone earlier.
TIO HARDIMAN: Petty disputes turn deadly. Arguments about females turn deadly in Chicago. A person lost his money in a dice game. Some young guys are fighting over the different corners out there, of course. And there's a real serious spirit of revenge in Chicago right now because people have lost loved ones. They've been killed already, so they want to just avenge their deaths by killing somebody else. So you have so much going on in Chicago and, to be honest, with the world. We have our hands full here in Chicago.
HINOJOSA: He just - I mean, you can hear it in his voice. He says that there's a sense of apathy on the streets because people think that, essentially, nothing can be done to stop this kind of violence. Is that the sense that you're getting when you talk to people on the street, Robert?
WILDEBOER: That's totally the sense - maybe not apathy, but hopelessness and confusion that even, you know, people who live in these neighborhoods that are affected - and it is specific neighborhoods, right. It's poor black neighborhoods that are seeing the violence. It's a lot of poor, young black men who are committing the crimes and also being the victim of crimes.
Of course, then we have residents of those neighborhoods also suffering. A seven-year-old girl was shot in a gang-related shoot-out last week. But, you know, people who grow up - grew up in those neighborhoods, live in those neighborhoods, they say to me all the time, you know, I just don't know what to do. There's just a sense of real hopelessness.
And the Sun Times - Chicago Sun Times did a piece this weekend outlining all the murders we had on the Memorial Day weekend when there were 12 people shot and another - or 12 people killed and another 45 people murdered. And after reading this long list of these situations and these people getting shot and killed and the stories of their families, you know, it really became more than just a number. And after reading that Sunday morning, boy, I was just really, really down for the rest of the day, as well. And there's just like - yeah. What do you do?
HINOJOSA: So the congressman, Jesse Jackson, Jr., he represents part of Chicago's South Side in Congress, and that's where some of this crime has been happening, quite a bit of it. He's also been absent for a while. So my final question to you, Robert: His staff says that the congressman is dealing with health issues, but they won't say what those issues are or where he is. So what are people in the community saying about that situation?
WILDEBOER: I don't think they're relating that to the current crisis with the homicide rate because, you know, generally, you don't look to your congressman to solve that. You look to your city leaders, your police chief. Then you talk about social services.
But, in terms of just Jesse Jackson, Jr. and what people are talking about here, you know, it's just been a really bad couple of years for Jesse Jackson, Jr., because he was connected to the Blagojevich scandal. Our former governor, Rod Blagojevich, who's now serving 14 years in prison, Jackson had some connections to that. It was revealed that Jackson had had an affair, now these health problems. Public officials are starting to call for him to, you know, release some information about what's going on because, as you said, there hasn't been much information about what's ailing him now.
Senator Dick Durbin was quoted in the Chicago Sun Times this morning talking about, yeah, you know, as a public official, he has some responsibility, that he needs to provide some explanation of what's going on.
HINOJOSA: All right. Well, thanks for that update, Robert.
WILDEBOER: Thanks very much.
HINOJOSA: Robert Wildeboer covers crime and justice for Chicago at WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, and he joined us from their studios. Thanks again, Robert.
Going to the Beauty Shop is about more than getting a new look. It's also a chance to have conversations that give you a new look at the issues that matter to you. From parenting to politics to pop culture, in our Beauty Shop, a roundtable of women bloggers, journalists and commentators give their take on the week's news. That's next time on TELL ME MORE. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Book Preview: Mustang 1964 1/2 -1973
Editor's Note: This is a sample chapter from Mike Mueller's book, Mustang 1964½-1973. Mueller's book takes the reader on a journey beginning with the design and introduction of the Mustang up to 1973. The book details the people who created the Mustang and the marketing behind its success. Besides being extremely well written, Mustang 1964 ½-1973 has over 200 color images and 50 black and white photos which create a visual feast for Mustang lovers. Once you pick this book up, it will be hard to put it down.
Mustang 1964 1/2 -1973
By Mike Mueller
Paperback: 170 pages
Illustrations: 200 color, 50 black and white
Publisher: Motorbooks
Retail: $24.95 US
To order: (800) 826-6600, www.motorbooks.com
Telling the Pony Tale
The more things change, the more they don't always stay the same. Take new car introductions for example. They're nowhere near as exciting as they once were, and probably never will be again. Remember those larger-than-life banners? The balloons and confetti? Those mysterious plain brown wrappers? The teasers and the mounting hype? Doesn't anyone care anymore? Frankly, no. These days there are just too many marques, too many models, too many sales pitches. And too little that is novel or unique. One car is as good as the next, and you can't tell a Buick from a Toyota.
To make the American people stand up and take notice, a new model would have to be revolutionary. It would have to capture hearts on the first glance. It would need to generate the sort of irrational appeal that causes hundreds of thousands of people to rush dealerships, checkbooks in hand, demanding the object of their obsession. To create an overnight sensation today, a manufacturer would have to offer drivers something they had never seen before—like a car with the spirit of a wild horse.
No one had seen anything like the four-wheeled sensation that hit the ground galloping on April 17, 1964. This wasn't merely a new model, it was an entirely new breed of automobile. It had a long hood and a short rear deck. It had buckets seats and a floor shifter. It was both sporty and practical, fun and affordable. It was loved by both young and old. It was Ford's Mustang—in Car and Driver's words, "easily the best thing to come out of Detroit since the 1932 V-8 Model B roadster."
No new car before, not even ol' Henry's first flathead, had ever caused such a ruckus. None since has rocked our world with such force. When Dearborn introduced America to the pony car it not only made news, it made history. Ford's publicity push was unprecedented in scope, as was the media's response. The car made headlines well beyond the automotive press. Lee Iacocca and his baby even scored concurrent covers on both Time and Newsweek.
Equally unprecedented was America's response. Not-so-tall tales of police protection at dealerships and people sleeping overnight in the Mustang they intended to buy abounded in the spring of 1964. Wide-eyed gawkers of all ages, not just potential buyers, also gathered wherever a Mustang set its hooves. Feeding frenzies on dealer lots and traffic snarls on Mainstreet USA were commonplace. By the time the dust had settled, Ford had broken Detroit's record for a brand-new model's first-year sales—a record it had established with the all-new Falcon just four years before.
Dearborn's sales estimate for the Mustang's first year—100,000—went by the wayside after only four months. Nearly 419,000 found buyers by April 1965. Ford sold its 1 millionth Mustang in March 1966, then the 2 millionth followed in 1968. More than 35 years after its much-ballyhooed birth, America's original pony car was still rolling strong as ever in the year 2000, with total sales of some 7 million cars.
That's not to say that there weren't weak moments during those three-and-a-half decades. Most notable in most Mustangers' minds were the Mustang II years of 1973 to 1978. While bad feelings have softened toward those weak-kneed, downsized models in recent times, the classic Mustang clubbers' case remains closed: Ford more or less stopped making "real" Mustangs after 1973. An even-tighter-clenched contingent feels the cutoff should be 1970. And there are still diehard purists—descendants of those who cried when the
T-bird grew two more seats, perhaps—who won't look at any Mustang built after 1966.
Varying opinions aside, the Mustang's first generation did run from 1964 to 1973. Although the body got bigger and overall weight grew, the basic platform carried on beneath the skin. And the image on the outside remained the same: lively, youth-oriented, fun yet functional.
The same certainly couldn't be said for the second-generation models that followed after 1973. A true compact, the Mustang II may have sold like hotcakes early on in the economy-conscious 1970s, but it never captured the imagination of the masses the way its predecessor did a decade before. It also lost its appeal not long after it took Motor Trend's Car of the Year honors in 1974. Once Americans got used to the fact that gasoline had turned to gold, they apparently no longer felt they had to compromise their standards any further. Fortunately Ford restarted the Mustang legacy in 1979 with a more comfortable, better performing machine, and the "modern" pony car hasn't looked back since.
Yet as successful as the Mustang still is today, nothing Ford's best minds can ever do will spur the car on to anywhere near the great heights gained during those heady days back in the 1960s. Nor does Ford expect such results—600,000 cars a year is an outrageous sales performance standard akin to Cy Young's record 511 career wins. That no pitcher will ever approach Young's lofty total is not so much a matter of depreciating talent as it is an indication of how much major league baseball has changed in 100 years. Much the same can be said for the new car game. Today's market is so much more fragmented than it was 30-something years ago; the pie was sliced into fewer pieces then, and it was easier to be a standout.
As much as Iacocca has always wanted the world to think of him as the greatest automotive marketing genius of all time, great timing was the real key to the Mustang's instant success. Iacocca was simply smart enough to recognize the opportunity when it presented itself. He could also count: 1946 plus 16 equals 1962. As Motor Trend's Jim Brokaw later wrote in 1971, "Iacocca knew what sold cars to young people in those days and he knew, as did anyone who bothered to note birth statistics from 1946 on, who was shortly going to engulf the market, a veritable army of young, aggressive customers." Experts in the late 1950s were predicting that the 15- to 29-year-old age group would grow by as much as 40 percent during the 1960s thanks to the influx of the baby boomer set.
Iacocca rose to the vice president's chair at Ford in November 1960, then almost immediately began working to take advantage of the wave of boomers then poised to become legal motor vehicle operators. Thus began the project that would eventually evolve into the Mustang. Iacocca of course didn't work alone on that project. Names commonly lost in Lee's giant shadow included, among others, product planning manager Donald Frey, who followed his superior up Dearborn's corporate ladder; Frey's special projects assistant Hal Sperlich; and Donald Peterson, who became Ford Motor Company president in 1980. Joe Oros, working under Gene Bordinat, was the prime mover as far as styling was concerned. Designer Gail Halderman also made major contributions.
Many people deserved portions of the credit that Iacocca was so willing to collect all by himself. When later asked why the top man got all the attention in 1964, Frey had one quick answer: "He was my boss." Peterson was graciously magnanimous in 1989 when asked where the credit really was due: "Don Frey said, 'We gotta have something sporty.' Lee Iacocca sponsored the effort all the way. Harold Sperlich put the program together. Joe Oros styled a beauty. Henry Ford II said, 'Now you're talking.' And from the very beginning, the Mustang has been a giant success."
Even if he claimed all of it, Iacocca deserved much of the credit. "He had a major role in marketing, creating the whole mystique and the advertising campaign," added Frey. "And he said to make [the Mustang] a four-seater, which was a key product decision. Up until that point, we had been thinking two-seaters. But he was right; there was a much bigger market for a four-seater." And if there was any one contribution that was key to the entire project, it was Iacocca's ability to pry loose the company purse strings to fund the thing. "He took something like five shots with the senior officers of the company to convince them to put money into the car," said Frey.
Ford took a gamble, bucking the trends of the day to introduce a radical new design. The other players in Detroit were convinced the revolution would be crushed in the marketplace, but it was they who were crushed by the Mustang stampede.
Which Came First, Horse or Fish?
No one can forget what the Mustang meant to the marketplace when it exploded onto the scene on April 17, 1964. With its sporty appeal, youth-conscious affordability, and lightweight, compact stance, Iacocca's baby instantly defined an entirely new breed of American automobile. It also set sales records, and changed the manner in which American automobiles were sold.
Few American automobiles stand as tall in the nostalgic limelight as the Mustang. It has come to be known as the first, and the definitive, pony car. But what most fans of the Mustang don't realize is that Chrysler Corporation actually beat Ford to the punch in this new market. More than two weeks before the Mustang was released to an eager marketplace, Plymouth's sporty, compact Barracuda debuted on April 1. It was all but lost in the Mustang frenzy.
Like the Mustang, the Barracuda was an affordable compact dressed up with sporty imagery. Included in the $2,365 base price (with a six-cylinder; the 273-ci, two-barrel V-8 upped the standard price to $2,496) were front bucket seats, a bucket-style rear seat that folded down, and simulated knock-off wheel covers. But unlike the Mustang, the Barracuda did not feature a totally fresh look. Its long-hood, short-deck "fastback" profile was the result of a little hocus-pocus supplied by stylist Dave Cummins. He used the largest expanse of glass ever installed on an American car to mask another plain fact: The Barracuda was simply a gussied-up Valiant—as plain a car as they came in the early 1960s—with an enormous, eye-catching rear window tacked on. As for the name, apparently no one at Plymouth knew that, in the slang of the early 1960s, a "barracuda" was a very loose woman, loose enough perhaps to turn pro.
Although totally overshadowed by its wildly popular rival, Plymouth's Barracuda was no flop. Humble sales reports showed 23,443 models hit the streets in 1964. Another 60,168 followed in 1965. Plymouth officials had to be happy with those numbers. Critics, on the other hand, weren't so gay. As the sports-minded editors of Car Life saw it early in 1964, the Barracuda "needs some development if it is to match with performance the promise of its racy good looks. As it is right now, it's just a novel little hardtop that won't swim away from anything."
Things began to change in 1965 when Chrysler engineer Scott Harvey, a rally driver during his free time, put together the Formula S performance package. Along with some truly sporty suspension upgrades, the Formula S option also included a muscled-up 273 V-8, a four-barrel-fed small block that now pumped out 235 warmly welcomed horses. According to Car and Driver, the 235-horse 273 transformed the second-edition Barracuda "from a flabby boulevardier into a rugged middleweight."
Heavyweight status arrived in 1967 as the Barracuda, like the Mustang, was fitted with its first big block—Chrysler's 383-ci V-8. This 280-horsepower powerplant had to be shoehorned into the 1967 Barracuda's engine bay, even after designer Milt Antonick had restyled and reshaped Plymouth's pony car platform with an eye toward making more room for more engine up front. Antonick's sweet body was also offered in two forms, a sexy fastback and a polite "notchback" coupe.
Chrysler's high-winding 340-ci V-8 appeared in 1968 to help create a better-balanced Barracuda. A wonderful combination of big-block muscle and small-block sprightliness, the 275-horespower 340 dropped in with room to spare—optional air conditioning could be added; it couldn't fit on an early 383 Barracuda, nor could power brakes. Pounds were spared as well, meaning the 340 Formula S Barracuda could run circles around its nose-heavy big-block big brother. Most (maybe even all) Mustangs in 1968 were also no match for this commonly overlooked muscle machine as far as all-around performance was concerned.
Plymouth's pony car performance image became impossible to overlook after Cliff Voss' Advanced Styling Studio totally redesigned the Barracuda for 1970. Chrysler's all-new E-body platform, which also supported Dodge's slightly larger Challenger, was designed not only to look like a million bucks, but also to house Chrysler's largest V-8s without sacrificing preferred accessories like air conditioning and power brakes and steering. The 'Cuda reached its performance zenith in 1970 and 1971 as both the 440 Six Barrel and 426 Hemi V-8s became options. Big-block options were then dropped after 1971 as the musclecar era wound down. Dwindling sales forced the cancellation of the Barracuda itself, as well as the Challenger, three years later.
Mustangs, meanwhile, continued rolling on, albeit through those dreaded Mustang II years. Two other long-running rivals, General Motors' F-bodies Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, are still around too, but apparently not for long. The Mustang may soon be the last of the breed left standing. As for the first of the family, Ford might not have technically earned that honor. Nonetheless, they don't call 'em "predatorfishcars." Be the name 'Cuda, Camaro, Firebird, or Javelin, they're still all known as "pony cars."
Published Dec 7th, 2015


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Literacy is a high leverage, low cost path to solutions for many of the world's problems . Here's an initiative with great promise. Thanks to Ars Technica
Most neighborhoods in America have a public library. Now the biggest neighborhood in America, the Internet, wants a library of its own. Last week, Ars attended a conference held by the Digital Public Library of America, a nascent group of intellectuals hoping to put all of America's library holdings online. The DPLA is still in its infancy—there's no official staff, nor is there a finished website where you can access all the books they imagine will be accessible. But if the small handful of volunteers and directors have their way, you'll see all that by April 2013 at the latest.
Last week's conference set out to answer a lot of questions. How much content should be centralized, and how much should come from local libraries? How will the Digital Public Library be run? Can an endowment-funded public institution succeed where Google Books has largely failed (a 4,000-word meditation on this topic is offered by Nicholas Carr in MIT's April Technology Review)?
Enthusiasm for the project permeated the former Christian Science church where the meeting was held (now the church is the headquarters of Brewster Kahle's Internet Archive). But despite the audience's applause and wide-eyed wonder, there's still a long way to go.
As it stands, the DPLA has a couple million dollars in funding from charitable trusts like the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Arcadia Fund. The organization is applying for 501(c)3 status this year, and its not hard to imagine it running as an NPR-like entity, with some government funding, some private giving, and a lot of fundraisers. But outside of those details, very little about the Digital Public Library has been decided. "We're still grappling with the fundamental question of what exactly is the DPLA," John Palfrey, chair of the organization's steering committee, admitted. The organization must be a bank of documents, and a vast sea of metadata; an advocate for the people, and a partner with publishing houses; a way to make location irrelevant to library access without giving neighborhoods a reason to cut local library funding. And that will be hard to do.
Real content, real concerns
When people hear "Digital Public Library," many assume a setup like Google Books: a single, searchable hub of books that you can read online, for free. But the DPLA will have to manage expectations on that front. Not only are in-copyright works a huge barrier to entry, but a Digital Public Library will be inextricably tied to local libraries, many of which have their own online collections, often overlapping with other collections.
An online library of America will have to strike a balance between giving centralized marching orders, and acting as an organizer of decentralized cooperation. "On the one hand would [the DPLA only offer] metadata? No, that's not going to be satisfying. Or are we trying to build a colossal database? No that'd be too hard," Palfrey noted to the audience last Friday. "Access to content is crucial to what the DPLA is, and much of the usage will be people coming through local libraries that are using its API. We need something that does change things but doesn't ignore what the Internet is and how it works."
Wikimedia was referenced again and again throughout the conference as a potential model for the library. Could the Digital Public Library act as a decentralized national bookshelf, letting institutions and individuals alike contribute to the database? With the right kind of legal checks, it would certainly make amassing a library easier, and an anything-goes model for the library would bypass arguments over the value of any particular work. Palfrey even suggested to the audience that the DPLA fund "Scan-ebagoes"—Winnebagoes equipped with scanning devices that tour the country and put local area content online.
But the Wikimedia model, where anyone can write or edit entries in the online encyclopedia, could present problems for an organization looking to retain the same credibility as a local library. Several local librarians attended the conference, and voiced concerns over how to incorporate works of local significance and texts published straight to an e-book format, into the national library.
One member of the audience, who is also a volunteer for the DPLA, suggested in an afternoon presentation that the Library's API incorporate an "up-vote, down-vote" system for works submitted by individuals. You could write a cookbook of Mexican food, he suggested, and if you don't know anything about Mexican food, your book would be down-voted, and in a search it wouldn't show up at the top of the list. A librarian sitting in front of him cautioned that appraising works before they end up in the Digital Public Library is crucial to maintaining its authority—an up-vote, down-vote system could never be enough of a sanity check. "Well if that's true then Reddit wouldn't work," the volunteer shot back. Of course, the trouble is that Reddit doesn't work—not like a library, at least, where the voices of women and minorities tend to get shut out in favor of whatever lulz-zeitgeist hit the Internet that morning.
And America is huge: how do you appraise works that may be considered offensive or worthless in some areas (anything from C-list author creationist diatribe, to sex-instructional books with illustrations, to the Anarchist's cookbook)? The easy answer is that all information should be accessible to anyone who wants it, but some curating might be necessary to make sure every library in America gets on board. Although he stipulated that his answer was speculative, Palfrey told Ars that individuals would not be contributing to the Digital Public Library, at least at the beginning. "Libraries have done this for a long time, [appraisal] is not a new problem," he said.
Similarly, the Scan-ebago idea is brimming with populist appeal, but Google Books is proof that it's not always as easy as scanning and uploading documents that people want to see online. As a presentation titled "Government, Democracy, and the DPLA," pointed out, even government testimony, while not copyrightable by law, can contain text or images that are copyrightable, like an image of Mickey Mouse, for example. Scanning books is easy, but making sure you have all your legal bases covered before you upload text to the Internet is quite another.
And how about local book stores and big publishers? They make the content, and some of them will almost certainly try to stonewall this endeavor. But (unsurprisingly) no anti-digital-public-library publishers showed up at the conference that day. Publisher Tim O'Reilly of O'Reilly Media played the print industry's white knight at the DPLA's conference, explaining to the audience how his company adapted to the prevalence of on-demand information. "We've insisted from the beginning that our books be DRM free," he insisted to applause.
Brewster Kahle, another champion of digital (and physical) libraries and the founder of the hosting Internet Archive, suggested that the DPLA buy, say, five electronic copies of an e-book, and digitally lend them out, just like one rents a movie off Amazon or iTunes, which expires in 24 hours or a few days. When an audience member questioned Kahle on what it would take for publishers to nix DRM (or Digital Rights Management restrictions, which confine certain formats to specific e-book readers) for that rent-a-book idea to be more widely viable, Kahle replied facetiously, "Wanting to have a business at the end of the day?"
Kahle and O'Reilly are members of a growing number of publishing industry-types that believe that fixing books to a single e-reader platform is an unsustainable business practice that will naturally become extinct. Their enthusiasm is infectious, but the reality of DRM will certainly be a problem for the Digital Public Library in the short term, if not down the line as well. Wishing DRM away, or convincing charitable investors that's it's not going to be a problem, could be an Achilles heel for the Digital Public Library.
Organizing Metadata (where the DPLA can excel today)
While content is a thorny issue, what the DPLA can leverage to establish itself as a force that won't be ignored by content providers, is the massive amount of metadata it's collected about books, including data for over 12 million books from Harvard's libraries. These aren't actual books, but details about books you can find in libraries across the country. Sure, it's not exactly a romantic liberation of information, but this data is a roadmap to everything that's available out there, and where users can find it.
Building an API with all of this metadata is also the first step to the ideal because a digital library is useless if search doesn't work. "It's critical to think through search: how to leverage the distributed nature of the internet, and keep [content] in open formats that are linkable," O'Reilly said. With an open API, the organization's extensive database could be distributed to all libraries to build their own digital public library on top of it.
There are other benefits to organizing all the metadata too. Involvement has long been an issue for local libraries, and members of the Digital Public Library's volunteer development team suggested that the API could be used to build social applications on top of the DPLA platform, or map the database and include links to other relevant online databases of culture, like Europeana. "The DPLA could sponsor some research in managing all the metadata," David Weinberger, a member of the DPLA's dev team, suggested. But in the meantime, the group is relying on volunteer time from developers at occasional DPLA-sponsored hackathons.
By April 2013, Weinberger said, the DPLA aims to have a working API with a custom ingestion engine to put metadata from library holdings online, a substantial aggregation of cultural collection metadata and DPLA digitizations, and community developed apps and integration. All mostly from the help of volunteers and open source enthusiasts.
The problem the DPLA has now, explained Weinberger, is figuring out how to build an API that makes use of all the metatdata without giving weight to information that will incorrectly classify a lot of the books. Similarly, he described the DPLA's "deep, deep problem" of "duping" which happens when two caches of data describe the same book differently, leading to duplicates. Weinberger described the "clunky ingestion engine" as "wildly imperfect." If the project is going to get off the ground, it'll need a lot of volunteer help, or a lot of money, and the DPLA is counting on the former, and hoping for the latter.
It has to happen, and fast
"Public education is the most radical idea in the world," Kristina Woolsey, director of San Francisco's Exploratorium, said at last week's conference. "Another radical idea as big as democracy is the idea of public libraries."
Despite the challenges facing the Digital Public Library of America, it's a concept that needs to come to fruition sooner than later. Not simply because a Digital Library would be a professional accomplishment for many well-meaning intellectuals, but because citizens deserve a way to access, even just for the duration of a rental, the same ideas that people who live near better-funded libraries can access, without having to engage in piracy.
One of the earliest speakers at the conference, Dwight McInvaill, a local librarian for North Carolina's Georgetown County Library, spoke of how important it is to digitize works for the good of the public. His own library's digital collection gets over 2 million hits a month. "Small libraries serve 64.7 million people," he said, many of those in poverty. "We must engage forcefully in the bright American Digital Renaissance," McInvaill proclaimed. Either that, or be left in the physical book dark ages.