text:
When building an application with Seaside, one often has a need to persist data. There are a lot of different technological solutions for this problem. This document should help you decide what is the right solution for you.
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Overview
- 2.1. Availability
- 2.2. Special features
- 2.3. Scenario's
- 3. Solutions
- 3.1. Save the image
- 3.2. Write binary files with objects
- 3.3. GemStone
- 3.5. SandstoneDB
- 3.5.1. SandstoneDB GOODS adapter
- 3.6. CouchDB
- 3.7. TokyoTyrant
- 3.10. Magma
- 3.11. SqueakDBX
- 3.13. MySQL-driver
- 3.14. Magritte-RDB
- 3.15. Cloudfork-AWS
- 3.17. VisualWorks
- 3.18. GNU Smalltalk
- 4. Sample code
- 4.1. Keep data in the image
- 4.2. Magritte-RDB.
- 5. Links
The number of different possible solutions is large:
- do nothing, simply save the image
- write binary files with objects
- write SIXX, smalltalk interchange xml
- use imagesegments
- use a prevayler-like solution (SandstoneDB, sPrevayler)
- use an object-oriented database (OODB) (Gemstone, Goods, Magma, Omnibase)
- use an object-relational mapper (ORM) to a relational database (RDB) (SqueakDBX, ROE, GLORP)
- store data in the cloud (Cloudfork)
- use a service oriented architecture (SOA) where Seaside is only the presentation layer
Seaside is available on a number of different platforms. Not all persistence solutions are available on all platforms. It is useful to make a breakdown into:
- operating system/version (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.)
- smalltalk platform (Squeak, Pharo, Gemstone, VW, VA, Dolphin, GST etc.)
- versions supported
Special features
Clustering/automatic fail-over etc.
In different situations, there are different storage needs
- You are writing a small demonstration program to show your customers, and want to populate the system with some representative data. Add a class instance variable to store the instances, and simply save the image.
- You have a small system with a few hundred/thousand objects, and are not dependent on external systems. A prevayler-like system like SandstoneDB might be a perfect fit. Each object save means a disk access, so scaling ends with disk speed. A few old versions of the data are kept around, so backing up or reverting is easy. If you want a readable representation, SIXX might help.
- You have a legacy (relational) database, with extensive reporting written for it. Use an ORM.
- You have a complex and large object model that has to support changing the object model while developing. The solution is an OODB. Gemstone is the large and proven commercial offering. It has a free version for smaller databases (4GB data, 1 core, 1G ram), and has proven scalability to 500 machines. Magma is an open source OODB, seeing active development and growing more and more advanced functionality.
Save the image
As smalltalk is image based, simply saving the image will keep the objects around for the next time the image is started. This is very suitable for simple demo's. Images are often large and take a bit of time to write, which can be ok in a single-user scenario.
Write binary files with objects
Ramon Leon writes on how to use a ReferenceStream to save only the part of the image that contains interesting objects in Squeak/Pharo. A similar technique could be done in VA Smalltalk using the ObjectSwapper and in VW using BOSS.
GemStone/S 64 Bit combines a (multi-user/multi-machine) Smalltalk environment with built-in transactional persistence over an object space that can be terabytes in size. When using Seaside in GemStone, the framework automatically "saves the image" as part of serving each page. Thus, the persistence model is to simply save objects in a class variable or a class instance variable as described in the sample code below.
SIXX is the smalltalk instance exchange in xml, allowing smalltalk objects to be exchanged between different smalltalks. SIXX is available for Squeak, Dolphin, VW, Gemstone.
SandstoneDb is a lightweight Prevayler style embedded object database with an ActiveRecord API that doesn't require a command pattern and works for small apps that a single Squeak image can handle. The idea is to make a Squeak image durable and crash proof and suitable for use in small office applications.
Data is kept in ram for speed and on disk for safety. All data is reloaded from disk on image startup.
Since we're dealing with live objects in memory, concurrency is handled via optional record level critical sections rather than optimistic locking and commit failures. It's up to the developer to use critical sections at the appropriate points by using the critical method on the record.
Saves are atomic for an ActiveRecord and all its non ActiveRecord children, for example, an order and its items. There is no atomic save across multiple ActiveRecords. A record is a cluster of objects that are stored in a single file together.
SandstoneDB GOODS adapter
Nico Schwartz wrote an adapter to use the GOODS OODB instead of the file system. He writes: I can execute 1000 small commits in 30 seconds:
[ 1000 timesRepeat: [ SDChildMock new save] ] timeToRun.
I can execute one commit of 1000 small objects in 3 seconds:
[ SDActiveRecord commit: [ 1000 timesRepeat: [ SDChildMock new save ] ] ] timeToRun.
Read speed is excellent: reading 5000 objects from the db can be done in 1 second:
[ SDChildMock findAll ] timeToRun.
and once they're in cache, they are read in 0.1 seconds.
Göran Krampe wrote: There is a Curl-plugin based Couch API on squeaksource (SS) that I have played with a bit. I have also written a so called "view server" in Squeak for CouchDB which means you can write map/reduce-functions to execute "in the server" in Squeak instead of in javascript. Mostly for fun - not really super useful! :)
At my current customer I have written a C# API for CouchDB that we will release under some BSD license any day now - I will probably take that experience/design and translate it into improvements to the Couch API on SS. I am unsure if the Curl plugin is better/faster than a Squeak-only HTTP client approach.
CouchDB itself is a refreshing experience, vibrant very helpful community, written in Erlang, HTTP API, JSON used as "object format", interesting map/reduce-pattern etc etc. Built for "crazy scaling through replication". Our first tests at my customer reveals great speed and very nice flexibility.
Göran Krampe wrote: TokyoTyrant is the networking server part used on top of Tokyo Cabinet - a very fast key/value-store written in C. I implemented the TokyoTyrant binary socket protocol recently and blogged about it.
Awesome speed, very interesting functionality - especially the table db part. I am using (or will be using) both of these from Squeak in different projects.
The GLORP website says: GLORP (Generic Lightweight Object-Relational Persistence) is a simple (well, relatively simple) framework for reading and writing Smalltalk objects from relational databases. Many of its design principles are inspired by The Object People's TOPLink products, and we extend our thanks to The Object People for sponsoring this project and assisting with development. Most of the initial development was done at Camp Smalltalk 2000 in San Diego.
ROE is used together with PostgreSQL. Avi Bryant wrote: Inspired somewhat by SchemeQL, I built a library that models the relational algebra in Squeak. The Relational Object Expressions library, or ROE, doesn't do any mapping, but it does put the world of tables and rows on an equal footing with objects. Relational expressions (ie, queries) are first class objects, which can be easily passed around, composed, and introsopected. They respond to the Collection protocol, which means that from the outside they look and feel like an ordered collection of Tuple objects, but they're lazy - composing them and filtering them is free, it's only once you start iterating over the data that a single SQL query is built and sent out to the database.
Chris Muller wrote: Magma is a scalable, fault-tolerant ODBMS for the Squeak platform with highly-transparent access. It may be the only option with high-availability built-in. Uniquely, Magma includes robust large collection support with RDBMS-like query power.
A pure object system, Magma requires no external plugins or modules, therefore applications can be deployed to any machine without regard for any additional existing installed software libraries (just the Squeak VM).
Mariano Martinez Peck wrote on squeak-dev: For those who don't know what this is about, the aim of this project is to build an OpenDBX wrapper which will allow users to perform relational database operations (DDL, DML and SQL) through a truly open source library. Through this feature, the squeak community will hopefully be able to interact with major database engines, such as Oracle and SQL Server, besides those which are open source, like PostgreSQL, MySQL or Sqlite. Moreover, by integrating this with GLORP, will allow us to generate a complete and open source solution to relational data base access.
It is possible to use Seaside as a front-end for a SOA. Ramon Leon writes: As for the web services, I did it and use SoapCore to bind my Seaside front end to .net web services, but it's been painful and in all honestly I wouldn't recommend it, I did it out of necessity not want.
Native driver (for Squeak) for connecting to MySql via TCP/IP
Maps magritte described objects to SQL tables, and queries into objects, currently only supports the MySQL driver, but OpenDBX support is planned. Magritte provides additional coercions for described data types. One to one associations are handled being retrieved with a Join.
Cloudfork AWS is an open source project that provides easy access from Smalltalk to the Amazon Web Services. One of these services is SimpleDB, a powerful and extremely scalable database engine with a simple REST based API. It is possible to use the API directly but it is also possible to use a higer level API. Cloudfork-ActiveItem provides an ActiveRecord like interface to SimpleDB and Cloudfork-SimpleDB-Magritte makes it easy to store magritte described objects in SimpleDB.
The VOSS open source virtual object storage system extends Smalltalk with integrated database management, providing transparent multi-user access and transaction processing of persistent, versioned, Smalltalk objects directly accessible by normal programming, with efficient persistent Btree collection classes, including the multi-key/multi-value/key-set VirtualDictionarySet for aggregation and query-building. VOSS requires VA Smalltalk and runs on Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.
James Robertson wrote: For VW, the preferred solution is Glorp, possibly using the ActiveRecord additions we've added for Web Velocity (which is built on top of Seaside). Glorp is an open source Object Relational mapping framework for Smalltalk - it's portable across VisualWorks, Squeak, and VA Smalltalk (in the latter case, Instantiations has said that they intend to make sure it works in an upcoming release). It may be available for other Smalltalk implementations as well, but I'm less familiar with dialects beyond the three I mentioned. Glorp is conceptually related to the old Toplink Smalltalk ORM, but is a completely new implementation, originally created by Alan Knight.
GNU Smalltalk
Paolo Bonzini wrote: GNU Smalltalk has a database interface called DBI and supporting MySQL, PostgresSQL and SQLite. ROE is also available and integrated with all three backends.
There is also support for Glorp, but it is not the latest version — no ActiveRecord, for example — and it only works with MySQL.
Sample code
Keep data in the image
On the class side, add an instance variable:
ADPerson class
instanceVariableNames: 'persons'
Add an accessor
ADPerson class>>persons
^ persons ifNil: [ persons := IdentitySet new ]
Make it possible to empty the dataset
ADPerson class>>reset
persons := nil
Create a new entity and add it to the dataset
ADPerson class>>createAndAdd
| person |
person := ADPerson new.
person lastName: 'Jansen'.
ADPerson persons add: person
WSPersonalData realizeAll.
WSPersonalData newRecord name: 'bob'; storeOnDB.
{ a. b. c. } storeOnDB.
SandstoneDB SandstoneDB source
Goods Goods backend for SandstoneDB Blog on backend
Cloudfork SimpleDB Cloudfork blog


text:
Top off your egg nog, put up your feet and let the sweet strains of our Christmas medley brush away the winter blues.
Take it away, kids!
Oh, the mantel clock's tick-tocking,
But you still haven't finished that stocking,
So until you knit the toe,
One more row, one more row, one more row!
While shepherds knit their socks by night
All seated in a group,
An angel of the Lord came down
And taught them Magic Loop.
Santa baby,
Slip a sailor under the tree for me.
With a bottle of gin,
Santa baby.
And while you're at it slip me his twin.
Happy Holidays, y'all. Keep safe and warm. Thank you for all the comfort and joy you've brought me in 2007.
See you on the other side with reports on my Christmas knitting and last night's wonderful 1000 Knitters shoot at Purl Diva in Brunswick, Maine.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Buy Hooks & Bowls
- >
- Solid Wood
- >
- African Bubinga Crochet Hook
African Bubinga Crochet Hook
This beautiful hand turned crochet hook is made from Bubinga. It's shaped with a larger handle to relieve stress on the hand and wrist when crocheting. The hook has an Ergonomic shape that fits nicely in the hand.
The crochet hook measures 5 3/4" to 8" long depending on the size of the hook and is 3/4" to 1" in diameter at its widest.
General guidelines are sizes
Sizes K (6.5mm) and smaller are 5 3/4" to 6" long.
Sizes L (8mm to M (9mm) are 6 1/2" to 71/4" long.
Sizes N (10mm) and larger are 7" to 8" long.
Hooks with multiple woods tend to be to the longer side of these measurements. The reason for the variation is that each hooks is hand turned and while the standard shape, which gives the ergonomic advantage, is maintained, each hook is uniquely it's own.
Because this hook is handcrafted there will be variation in appearance, grain and color. No two Hooks will be the same! Pictures are examples of what you will receive (sorry picture will be up soon)


text:
By Deirdre Walsh
CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republicans will maintain majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, CNN projects.
Going into the election, Republicans control the House by 242-193. Though all 435 members faced voters on Tuesday, control of the chamber rested on some 50 to 60 races that were considered competitive, some of them because of redistricting.
The number of swing districts has shrunk in recent years as GOP legislatures have shored up their seats and Democratic-led state houses have strengthened their party's districts.
Democrats needed to pick up 25 Republican seats to regain control.
Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats noted that 58 Republicans represent districts won by Obama in 2008; they pointed to those wins as a template to a successful election night, but by shortly after 9 p.m., CNN projected that they would not achieve their goal.
Speaker John Boehner told CNN on Sunday that the GOP "might" pick up more seats in the House.
"I feel pretty good about at least maintaining the numbers that we have," Boehner said. "After winning 65 seats from the Democrats in the 2010 cycle, and all the experts been talking about how many seats we're going to lose — five, 10, 15 — but I never bought into the idea that we had to lose any seats."
David Wasserman, who analyzes House races for the Cook Political Report, said Democrats were waging competitive campaigns in just 32 of those districts — not enough to regain control of the House.
Stuart Rothenberg, an independent campaign analyst, projected last week that Democrats will gain two to eight seats.
A senior House GOP campaign official predicted last week to CNN that Republicans would gain four to six seats.
The battleground for many of these House races has tilted increasingly toward the Northeast and the Midwest, after a number of moderate Democrats lost in Southern districts in the 2010 midterms.
In Illinois, Democrats see opportunities to defeat tea party freshman Rep. Joe Walsh, seven-term Rep. Judy Biggert and a moderate Republican freshman, Rep. Bob Dold.
Democrats have also set their sights on freshmen Reps. Nan Hayworth, Chris Gibson, Ann Marie Buerkle, and Michael Grimm in New York.
Democratic campaign officials say they can upset several GOP incumbents in California.
But California Rep. Xavier Becerra, one of Pelosi's top lieutenants, acknowledged, "We'd need a wind" to get the kind of gains that would put Democrats back in control.
Two years after the tea party helped Republicans seize control of the House, it has faded as a factor.
House Republican candidates are still stressing the core issues that the tea party movement pushed in 2010 — less government and a focus on cutting federal spending and the deficit — but Republican candidates are "not wearing the tea party label on their sleeves," one senior GOP strategist working on House races said recently.
Democrats, bolstered by polling that shows that many voters blame the tea party for gridlock in Washington, have tried to try to pin the label on virtually every Republican incumbent and challenger.
The "Tea Party Republican Congress has a 13% approval rating," House Democrats' campaign chief Rep. Steve Israel of New York told reporters last month. He said Democrats have a chance to regain the majority because "there is a deep sense of buyer's remorse spreading throughout this country."
With the bulk of this cycle's competitive races concentrated in districts represented by more moderate members of each party, the outcome of this election could mean an even more polarized House in 2013.
The GOP conference could include more conservatives and fewer moderate Democrats, whose ranks were decimated in 2010. That could tilt the Democratic caucus leftward.
A recent study by the Cook Political Report found that the number of swing districts in the nation dropped from 164 to 99 over the last 14 years. That decline has widened the ideological divide between the two parties.
"There's a remarkable reduction in the number of members who have an incentive to compromise," Wasserman told CNN.
Key House race snapshots, compiled by Adam Levy and Robert Yoon, CNN Political Research:
Arizona 1: Jonathan Paton (R) vs. Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
Open Republican-held seat
This redrawn district covers most of northern and eastern Arizona. The Democratic nominee is Ann Kirkpatrick, who was elected in 2008 and was swept out in the Republican wave two years later. The Republican nominee is Jonathan Paton, a former state senator. Kirkpatrick has a sizeable fundraising advantage over Paton, but national Republicans have invested heavily to help close the gap in TV ads. This seat is a top priority for both parties.
Arizona 2: Rep. Ron Barber (D) vs. Martha McSally (R)
Democrat Gabrielle Giffords would have run here had she sought a fourth term. Giffords is recovering after being shot in January 2011 in Arizona. Her district director Ron Barber, who was also wounded, won a special election to fill her seat when she resigned last January. His opponent is Republican Martha McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and combat pilot. Barber had a financial advantage at the start of October though McSally has remained competitive on the airwaves. Still, Barber is expected to win.
Arizona 9: Kyrsten Sinema (D) vs. Vernon Parker (R)
New district
The battle for this new district pits Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, a former state senator, against Republican Vernon Parker, the former mayor of Paradise Valley. Both parties have invested heavily in the race, though a Democratic super PAC has tipped the TV ad war balance of power slightly in the Democrat's favor.
California 30: Rep. Brad Sherman (D) vs. Rep. Howard Berman (D)
Merged district
One of the nastiest House races of 2012 is between two incumbent Democrats due to redistricting and the state's new primary system, in which the top two finishers advanced to the general election. Rep. Brad Sherman has at least one advantage over Rep. Howard Berman: He represents more of the redrawn Sherman Oaks-area district. Sherman won the primary with 42.4% of the vote compared with 32.4% for Berman. The remaining votes were split among five candidates. The race hit a nasty patch last month, when the two men shouted at each other at a public forum. Both have received heavyweight endorsements. Independents and Republicans could play the decisive role.
California 31: Rep. Gary Miller (R) vs. Bob Dutton (R)
Seven-term incumbent Rep. Gary Miller faces a tough challenge from a fellow Republican in a race also determined by California's new primary system. Miller's opponent is Bob Dutton, a state senator and businessman. Miller represents none of this redrawn district, while Dutton represents much of it in the state legislature. Money could play a decisive role: At the start of October, Dutton had only $58,000 in the bank; Miller's war chest held $816,000 on October 17. Miller edged Dutton in the June top-two primary, 26.7%-24.8%, with the remaining 49% divided among four Democrats. Those Democratic voters will likely decide whether Republican Miller returns to Washington for an eighth term.
California 36: Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R) vs. Raul Ruiz (D)
Rep. Mary Bono Mack, who is seeking an eighth full term in the House, is a frequent target of Democrats hoping to pick off a Republican in a Democratic district. This year, she finds herself fending off a strong challenge from Democrat Raul Ruiz, a Mexican-American, Harvard-educated physician. His background could appeal to the district's growing Hispanic population. But Bono Mack has survived strong challenges before and has a moderate voting record. She also prevailed over Ruiz in her first one-on-one matchup, the June "top-two" primary in which they appeared together on the same ballot.
California 44: Rep. Laura Richardson (D) vs. Rep. Janice Hahn (D)
Merged district
Redistricting has forced another pair of Democratic incumbents to face off this November. Rep. Janice Hahn won a July 2011 special election to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jane Harman. Rep. Laura Richardson was elected in a 2007 special election to replace the late Juanita Millender-McDonald. Hahn appears to have an advantage due, in part, to an ongoing ethics saga for Richardson that has resulted in a reprimand and $10,000 fine by the House Ethics Committee for campaign finance violations involving her congressional staff. Hahn also enjoyed a huge fundraising and cash-on-hand advantage at the start of October. Hahn trounced Richardson in the primary.
Florida 9: Former Rep. Alan Grayson (D) vs. Todd Long (R)
New district
In just one term in Congress, Democrat Alan Grayson mastered the art of making headlines with his blunt and abrasive rhetorical style. During the debate over health care, he said the Republican health care plan was, "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly." He also said on CNN that Republicans were "foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals." In a 2010 TV ad, he called his Republican opponent, Daniel Webster, "Taliban Dan." Although he quickly became a hero among liberals, Grayson went on to lose his bid for a second term by a staggering 18 points.
Grayson is running in a new district in the Orlando suburbs and his Republican opponent is Todd Long, an attorney, small businessman and conservative radio show host.
Florida 18: Rep. Allen West (R) vs. Patrick Murphy (D)
Rep. Allen West is a top target for Democrats The freshman Republican's sharp rhetoric during his first term has not endeared him to colleagues across the aisle. For instance, West last summer e-mailed Democratic National Committee Chairman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz that she was "the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the U.S. House of Representatives." West's Democratic opponent is Patrick Murphy, a businessman and executive with a construction firm. West has a huge fundraising advantage but Murphy has been running ads and the race is competitive.
Florida 26: Rep. David Rivera (R) vs. Joe Garcia (D)
The race in Florida's southernmost congressional district is a rematch of 2010, but the dynamics could not be more different. Republican incumbent David Rivera was elected in the Republican wave two years ago. Democrat Joe Garcia, a former Miami-Dade County Democratic party chairman, lost by nine points. The key difference this time is that Rivera has been dogged by scandal and ethics issues. The district is still Republican-friendly and Garcia entered the final stretch in better position than two years ago.
Georgia 12: Rep. John Barrow (D) vs. Lee Anderson (R)
Democratic incumbent John Barrow is fighting for his political life in this heavily Republican district, which is far better than Republicans had expected would be the case at this point when they drew the district's boundaries. According to an analysis by the Cook Political Report, President Barack Obama's 2008 vote in Barrow's new district is 44%, compared with 55% under the old lines. Despite the unfavorable political landscape, Barrow has made the race competitive. He has far outpaced his Republican opponent, state Rep. Lee Anderson, in fundraising. He also has been in general election mode from the start compared with Anderson, who emerged weakened from a competitive primary.
Illinois 2: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) vs. Brian Woodworth (R)
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s biggest obstacle to a ninth full term in Congress might be himself. Jackson has been on medical leave since June for an undisclosed ailment, which his office later described as a "mood disorder."
In August, Rep. Patrick Kennedy told CNN that his longtime friend and colleague was suffering from "serious depression — deep, deep depression."
In mid-October, CNN confirmed that Jackson was the subject of a federal investigation over possible financial improprieties. In late October, Jackson released a campaign robocall to constituents saying he was undergoing treatment for "several serious health issues" and asked for "your continued patience as I work to get my health back."
Republican opponent Brian Woodworth, an attorney and university professor, has criticized him for leaving the district unrepresented. Despite his absence, Jackson is expected to win.
Illinois 8: Rep. Joe Walsh (R) vs. Tammy Duckworth (D)
Freshman Republican Joe Walsh is high on the list of most-endangered GOP incumbents. Walsh barely won his seat in 2010 and redistricting has made it more Democratic. He has the additional misfortune of running in a presidential election year when favorite son Barack Obama is heading the ticket for the other party. Walsh has made headlines with a number of controversial statements, including his assertion that medical science has advanced to the point where abortions are never necessary to save a woman's life. Democrat Tammy Duckworth, a decorated Iraq war veteran, led in fundraising and entered the final stretch with an advantage.
Illinois 10: Rep. Robert Dold (R) vs. Brad Schneider (D)
Republican Robert Dold won this Democrat-friendly district in the Republican wave of 2010, replacing fellow Republican Mark Kirk, who ran for the U.S. Senate. The redrawn district is more Democratic-friendly, but Dold has kept the race competitive. His Democratic opponent is businessman Brad Schneider, who emerged battered from a competitive primary. Dold entered the final month of the campaign with a huge cash advantage but Schneider has benefited from sizable TV ad buys from the national Democratic Party and from a pro-Democratic super PAC, but he was trailing the overall TV ad dollars invested by Dold, the national Republican Party and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Iowa 3: Rep. Tom Latham (R) vs. Rep. Leonard Boswell (D)
Merged district
Iowa was one of 10 states to lose seats in Congress because of redistricting, setting up a member-on-member showdown between two veteran lawmakers in a merged Des Moines-area district. Democrat Leonard Boswell represented much of this new district in the late 1990s. Republican Tom Latham has a fundraising advantage due in part to his friendship with Boehner. The cash advantage is apparent on the airwaves, where Latham has outspent Boswell, even when counting the considerable assistance the Democrat received from his national party. Boswell is no stranger to tight races. He survived the Republican wave of 2010. The presidential race will boost Democratic turnout, but his new district has many more "red" counties than the one he represented for 10 years. The race will be competitive.
Iowa 4: Rep. Steve King (R) vs. Christie Vilsack (D)
Republican incumbent Steve King's bid for a sixth term in Congress has been his toughest. King won re-election in his old western Iowa district with 66% of the vote in 2010, and he never dipped below 59% in any of his previous races. This year, he faces a new district and a tough new challenger in Democrat Christie Vilsack, Iowa's former first lady and the wife of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The good news for King is that his enormous new district in the northwest part of the state comprises mostly counties won in 2008 by John McCain. King has had a fundraising advantage over Vilsack. But Vilsack is the strongest candidate Democrats could have fielded. She has been competitive financially. The political makeup of the district is still a reach for a Democrat.
Louisiana 3: Rep. Charles Boustany (R) vs. Rep. Jeff Landry (R)
Merged district
As in California, redistricting and a "top-two" primary system have forced two incumbent lawmakers of the same party into a November showdown. Republican Charles Boustany, a surgeon elected in 2004, faces freshman Republican Jeff Landry, an attorney and businessman, former police officer and tea party favorite. Boustany represents more of the new district than does Landry, but the freshman proved he is capable of pulling off surprises when he defeated the better-known former Louisiana House speaker in the 2010 primary. Under state law, the November election will serve as an open primary, in which the top two finishers will advance to a December runoff if no one gets a majority.
Maryland 6: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) vs. John Delaney (D)
Republican Roscoe Bartlett's bid for an 11th term appears to be his last. The long-time western Maryland representative was a target for Democrats who redrew the district last year. As a result, his once-safe seat now stretches from the state's westernmost point to include a piece of heavily Democratic Montgomery County and now reaches almost to the District of Columbia border. His Democratic opponent is John Delaney, a wealthy businessman. Delaney pulled off an upset in the Democratic primary over Rob Garagiola, a state senator with a string of endorsements from party establishment types, including Gov. Martin O'Malley. Bartlett has little hope of pulling off a miracle.
Massachusetts 4: Joe Kennedy III (D) vs. Sean Bielat (R)
Open Democratic-held seat
When Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island left office in January 2011, it ended his family's 64-year streak of service in Congress that began with the swearing-in of freshman congressman John F. Kennedy. In 2012, Democratic congressional candidate Joe Kennedy III, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, hopes to begin a new streak by replacing retiring Rep. Barney Frank in the 4th Congressional District. Kennedy, a former prosecutor and Peace Corps member, is heavily favored to win; no member of his family has ever lost a race in Massachusetts. His opponent is Republican Sean Bielat, a businessman and Marine Corps reservist.
Massachusetts 6: Rep. John Tierney (D) vs. Richard Tisei (R)
Rep. John Tierney is in danger of becoming the first Democrat since 1994 to lose a U.S. House race in Massachusetts. The eight-term incumbent has been dogged by a financial scandal involving his wife and her brothers and an illegal gambling operation. The Republican nominee is Richard Tisei, a former state senator who is openly gay. Tierney has been targeted by more than $3 million in ads this cycle from Tisei, the national Republican Party and pro-Republican groups, eager to defeat a Democrat in Massachusetts. The district is Democratic but the ongoing scandal appears to have taken a toll. A September Boston Globe/University of New Hampshire poll had Tisei with 37%, Tierney with 30% and 30% undecided.
Minnesota 6: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) vs. Jim Graves (D)
Tea party favorite Michele Bachmann was a shoo-in for re-election when she folded up her presidential campaign in January. Ten months later, Bachmann still has the advantage but she faces a tough challenger in Jim Graves, a wealthy businessman. Graves waged a competitive race in October, spending $1.2 million in TV ads, compared with $1.7 million for Bachmann. The conservative congresswoman has never posted huge numbers on Election Night, but redistricting has made her district slightly more Republican. Defeating a high-profile conservative like Bachmann would be a nice win for Democrats, but she is not at the top of the list of vulnerable Republican incumbents.
Nevada 4: Steven Horsford (D) vs. Danny Tarkanian (R)
New district
There's a competitive race in Nevada's newest congressional district. The nominees are Democrat Steven Horsford, the state senate majority leader, and Republican Danny Tarkanian, a businessman and son of UNLV basketball coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian. The younger Tarkanian was a 2010 U.S. Senate candidate, but placed third in the Republican primary. The two candidates have been evenly matched in terms of fundraising as well as assistance from their national parties and from outside groups in terms of TV ads. The district leans slightly Democratic.
New Hampshire 1: Rep. Frank Guinta (R) vs. Former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D)
As was the case in 2010, Republican Frank Guinta and Democrat Carol Shea-Porter face off in the battle for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District. This time, Guinta is the incumbent and Shea-Porter is the challenger. Shea-Porter was elected in the Democratic wave of 2006 and served two terms before losing to Guinta in 2010, 54%-42%. The two are fairly evenly matched in fundraising.
New Hampshire 2: Rep. Charlie Bass (R) vs. Ann McLane Kuster (D)
Republican incumbent Charlie Bass faces Ann McLane Kuster. Kuster lost to Bass in the general election in 2010 but is running again, and she has outraised Bass, though they started October with roughly the same amount in the bank. The Democrat has far outspent her opponent on the airwaves even though the national Republican Party has invested funds on behalf of Bass. A WMUR/University of New Hampshire poll from early October had Kuster at 38%, Bass 35%, with 25% unsure. The district is more Democratic than the state's other region, which works in Kuster's favor.
New York 24: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R) vs. Former Rep. Dan Maffei (D)
Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle was elected in the Republican wave of 2010 and now has to defend her seat from the man she defeated. Democrat Dan Maffei, a longtime Capitol Hill staffer, won this upstate New York district in 2008 after it had been in Republican hands for almost 30 years. He lost the seat to nurse and tea party favorite Buerkle in one of the closest House races that year. The two have been evenly matched in fundraising and TV ad spending. The district now leans slight more Democratic, which doesn't help Buerkle, who managed to win this seat by only about 600 votes.
North Carolina 7: Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) vs. David Rouzer (R)
Democratic Mike McIntyre is running a competitive race despite a newly redrawn district that skews heavily Republican. The Republican nominee is David Rouzer, a state senator. McIntyre, an eight-term incumbent, leads in fundraising and has kept even with ad spending by pro-Republican outside groups and the national Republican Party. Rouzer has stayed off the airwaves. Like fellow southern Democrat John Barrow in Georgia, McIntyre is showing strong signs of life in a district that appears to have been drawn to end his career.
Ohio 9: Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D) vs. Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher (R)
Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," became a conservative icon in the 2008 presidential race when he challenged then-candidate Obama on tax policy at a campaign event. Republican John McCain even mentioned him during the third presidential debate. Four years later, Wurzelbacher is running for Congress in a quixotic race against 15-term incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur, who is a safe bet for re-election. Kaptur handily defeated fellow Democrat Dennis Kucinich in a primary earlier this year.
Ohio 16: Rep. Jim Renacci (R) vs. Rep. Betty Sutton (D)
Ohio's most competitive House race pits freshman Republican incumbent Jim Renacci against three-term Democratic incumbent Betty Sutton. Since August, the two have benefited from about $2 million in ad spending on their behalf from parties and outside groups, while Renacci's campaign has about doubled Sutton's campaign in ad spending. the merged district, located in northeastern Ohio near, but not including, Cleveland, Akron, and Canton, leans Republican but the race remains up for grabs.
Tennessee 4: Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R) vs. Eric Stewart (D)
Republican physician Scott DesJarlais was elected to Congress in the Republican wave of 2010, defeating Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis. He was a safe bet for re-election until a recent revelation that he had pressured a girlfriend to have an abortion a decade ago. DesJarlais was separated from his wife at the time. The Democratic nominee is Eric Stewart, a state senator. He has begun making an issue of the incident but the impact on DesJarlais' campaign in this rural, conservative district remains unclear.
Texas 23: Rep. Francisco Canseco (R) vs. Pete Gallego (D)
Republican Francisco "Quico" Canseco is one of many freshman members elected in the GOP wave of 2010 who now finds himself in a competitive race for a second term. Canseco was a wealthy commercial real estate developer when he won his third bid for this seat two years ago, defeating Democratic incumbent Ciro Rodriguez. After a legal battle over the redistricting process, Canseco ended up with a district that is slightly more Democratic — President Obama carried it in 2008 with 51%, according to the Cook Political Report.The Democratic nominee is Pete Gallego, a state representative who defeated former Rep. Rodriguez in the primary. Hispanics make up 66% of voters.
Utah 4: Rep. Jim Matheson (D) vs. Mia Love (R)
As Utah's only Democratic member of Congress, Jim Matheson is used to close races. He barely squeaked by in 2010 with 50% of the vote. This year may prove to be Matheson's toughest race yet. His Republican opponent is Mia Love, the mayor of Saratoga Springs who would become the first female African-American Republican to serve in Congress. Love is a rising star in the party and was giving a prominent speaking role at this year's Republican National Convention. The two have been relatively evenly matched in fundraising. This is one of the most competitive and highest profile House races in the country.
Wisconsin 1: Rep. Paul Ryan (R) vs. Rob Zerban (D)
Being named Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate has not affected Paul Ryan's chances at getting re-elected to the House. He is a safe bet for against Kenosha County Supervisor Rob Zerban.
Ryan has been asked multiple times whether he's hedging his bets by running for re-election while also running for vice president but the question is irrelevant. Ryan was tapped for the ticket after the deadline had passed to have his name removed from the House ballot. He's far from the first running mate to run for two jobs at once. Vice President Joe Biden was in the same position in 2008.
Wisconsin 7: Rep. Sean Duffy (R) vs. Pat Kreitlow (D)
Rep. Sean Duffy was one of the higher-profile freshmen elected in the Republican wave of 2010. He was a former Ashland County district attorney and tea party favorite, but he was probably best known for his work as a professional lumberjack athlete and ESPN commentator and as a cast member on MTV's reality show "The Real World." This year he faces a tough challenge from Pat Kreitlow, a former state senator and former local TV news anchor. Redistricting gave Duffy a more-GOP-leaning district. He also enjoys a financial advantage. Despite these advantages, this remains the most competitive House race in Wisconsin.
™ & © 2012 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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Package Handler Part Time – UPS
Package Handler Part Time
Job Location: Chelmsford, MA
UPS is hiring individuals to work as part-time Package Handlers. This is a physical, fast-paced position that involves continual lifting, lowering and sliding packages that typically weigh 25 – 35 lbs. and may weigh up to 70 lbs. Part-time employees usually work 3 ½ – 5 hours each weekday (Monday through Friday) and typically do not work on weekends or selected holidays.
Package Handlers receive a competitive hourly rate and also an attractive benefits package. Please note that these opportunities are part-time only working approximately 17 1/2 – 20 hours per week. Employees can expect to take home between $140.00 and $170.00 each week after deductions have been taken for taxes, etc.
UPS provides an excellent employment opportunity for students. Through the UPS Earn & Learn program, our student employees receive all the paid benefits of a great part-time job with UPS, plus outstanding education assistance of up to $2,625 per semester / $5,250 per year with a maximum lifetime benefit of $25,000. This assistance can be used for tuition, books and fees as long as you are attending an approved college, university, trade or technical school. You will be eligible for the Earn & Learn program on your first day of work.
Job ID: MACHE1
UPS is an equal opportunity employer – race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability


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When I became vegetarian, life was simple. You were either a vegetarian or you weren't. Sure I knew a few vegans but that was it. Since then, I've read many books, found lots of ideas in the blogosphere and had many conversations about what to call vegetarians (and wannabe vegetarians).
Here is a guide to vegetarian names, labels and terms I have come across. Please bear in mind that some are not strictly vegetarian and some are tongue in cheek. It was quite a challenge matching pictures with terms, but lots of fun. Hope you enjoy them:
Eats no meat or products of the flesh but will eat dairy, eggs and honey. Often referred to as just vegetarians. This is me so it seems quite normal but I know others can still find it challenging.
Strict vegetarian OR Vegan
Eat no meat, products of the flesh, dairy or eggs. Check out Vegan MoFo if you want to see how well Vegans eat.
Eats a GLuten-free, vEGAN diet. If you think it is restrictive, check out local gleegan blog, In the Mood for Noodles.
Eats a vegan diet plus honey.
Eats fruits, nuts and seeds, without animal products, vegetables and grains. The idea is to only eat produce that fall from trees and plants rather than vegetables that are part of a plant. I met a few on my travels. They like WWOOFing.
Lives on fresh air and sunshine. I've never met one though I have met a few kids who seem to be heading in that direction!
Beady eyed vegetarian
Eats creatures with beady eyes. This usually means they don't eat red meat (cows, pigs and larger animals) but they eat pale flesh of chickens, other birds and fish. Maybe it is easier to refuse an animal with big eyes.
Pescatarian or Aquatarian or Fish and chipocrite
Eats a vegetarian diet plus fish. I love the fish and chipocrite term that I learnt from a friend who defined herself that way. It just rolls off the tongue so nicely.
Semi vegetarian or Flexitarian or Freedom eater
Eats vegetarian quite a lot but not all the time (and in the case of Chele's friend the "freedom eater", labels himself vegetarian when it suits him). These people are very supportive of Meatless Mondays.
Lover of carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and rice. Often young kids.
AKA dumpster divers. Reclaims and eats food that has been discarded by others. Also see amazing The Gleaners and I documentary.
Eats uncooked and unprocessed foods that have not been heated above 40 C (give or take according to who you listen to). Predominantly but not necessarily vegan. There are heaps of raw food blogs. I like Choosing Raw.
Everyone with any sort of dietary restriction, whether by choice or not. I saw this hilarious term on Where's the Beef.
Update July 2012: just saw a new term - hegan
Update Oct 2012 - another new term - nutrttarian
Update Feb 2013 - What kind of Vegetarian are you? in The Guardian, 28 Jan 2013
Update September 2017 - reductarian
And what do vegetarians eat?
Well the top photo shows a selection of my groceries. However I really think this is the ideal place to share my favourite alternative faux meat terminology: facon, tricken, shamburgers, beetloaf, chilli non carne. Any more?


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Potential Loss of Device Functionality Lower Risk Subset
Amplia, Claria, Compia, and Viva CRT-D, and Evera and Visia ICD
Original Date of Communication:
March 2018
View specific models that this applies to
Within the 752 lower-risk devices, there have been zero confirmed failures (0%) through April 11, 2023. An estimated 367 devices remain active. Due to low estimated remaining active population, this advisory will be removed at our next semi-annual publish of this product performance website.
Initial Affected Population |
Number of Confirmed Advisory Related Events |
Estimated Remaining Active Population |
Current Malfunction Rate (confirmed malfunctions over total population) |
752 Worldwide (all in USA, Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands.) |
0 |
367 |
0% Worldwide |
In January 2018, Medtronic completed notification to physicians about a subset of 48 Medtronic Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-Ds) and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) underwent a specific sequence of manufacturing processes that could result in an unexpected loss of device functionality, including high-voltage therapy.
Within this Lower-Risk Subset of 752 devices, if the device delivered the maximum number of shocks until battery depletion, we estimate 0.5% of these devices would experience arcing during high voltage charging, with failure occurring within the first two (2) high-voltage charges in 0.18% of the devices. See table below for comparison of device subsets.
Through 8 March 2018, there had been zero (0) complaints related to internal arcing in these 752 devices. While the risk for failure is lower in this group of devices, it is not possible to identify which of these 752 devices may fail or when they may fail. Successful delivery of previous high-voltage therapy does not ensure future performance.
You may use the "Search for Information by Serial Number" tool on home page of this web site to determine if a specific device is affected.
Table – Device Subsets
January 2018 |
March 2018 |
One field failure has been observed with no deaths reported 7.7% of these devices are projected to fail during the first two high-voltage charges |
No field failures have been observed 0.18% of these devices are projected to fail during the first two high-voltage charges |
Medtronic communicated a recommendation to strongly consider prophylactic replacement in these devices. |
Patient management recommendations follow below. |
Patient Management Recommendations – Lower Risk Subset
We realize that each patient requires unique clinical considerations. In consultation with Medtronic's Independent Physician Quality Panel (IPQP), Medtronic provides the following recommendations to physicians for patients who have been implanted with one of the identified devices:
- Prophylactic device replacement should be considered for patients at higher risk, including patients whose clinical history indicates prior need for high-voltage therapy and/or for pacemaker-dependent patients.
- Physicians should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of device replacement. The estimated per patient risk for mortality due to this issue is 0.02% to 0.04% considering the risk of device failure and the likelihood of a patient requiring high voltage therapy. This is comparable to the estimated per patient mortality risk of complications associated with a device replacement (0.04%)[i],[ii].
For patients in whom it is determined that replacement is not warranted:
- Consider programming changes to reduce the potential for high-voltage charges associated with arrhythmia detection and therapies, such as enabling ATP before charging for fast ventricular rhythms or programming a separate fast VT via VF zone with ATP. For assistance with patient-specific programming needs, contact Medtronic Technical Services at 800-723-4636.
- Continue three-month in-clinic or remote follow-ups to verify device functionality. Inability to interrogate a device or a failed remote monitoring transmission may be an indication that internal arcing has occurred. Devices that have failed will not send an alert as telemetry and all device functionality is immediately lost if internal arcing occurs.
- Advise patients to seek medical attention immediately if they experience new or unexpected symptoms suspicious for a ventricular arrhythmia.
[i]Medtronic Data on File. MDT2260884-CRHF CIED Infection Report; MRCS: MDT2260884, Version 2.0, 11/02/2015.
[ii]Birnie, D et al. Complications associated with defibrillation threshold testing: The Canadian experience. Heart Rhythm, Volume 5, Issue 3, Pages 387-390.


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We offer store credit only within 10 days from the date you receive your order. We do not offer refunds.
Items must be unworn, unwashed and all original tags must be attached.
Skincare/Beauty/Makeup Items can only be returned if they have not been opened/used.
All "sale" items are final sales and are not returnable.
Read our full return policy HERE


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«Convenient search. Instant price comparison.»
«Qualified support, fast search. Helpful tips.»
«Got a dream car! Memorable drive!»
«Plenty of info. Easy instant booking. »
«Wide car range. High service standards. »
If you're 18 or elder you're considered mature enough to pay taxes and even vote. But there's no car rental company offering car rental under 18 Barcelona, Spain.
Sorry, but this is a common age policy of car rental companies all over the world, and you have to accept it.
Car rental under 18 Barcelona, Spain users are not eligible to sign a contract and if the renter decided not to pay, it would bring a huge risk to the car rental company.
Besides, any car rental company should be responsible if a car rental under 18 Barcelona, Spain driver was damaged in an accident or damaged someone else. So, you won't find a car rental company in the United States or anywhere else which will rent car to a user under 18.
Most well-known car rental companies such as Alamo, Budget, National or AVIS permit drivers as young as 18 to rent a car if they are traveling on special government orders or official military.


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COMICS, OLD-TIME RADIO and OTHER COOL STUFF: Random Thoughts about pre-digital Pop Culture, covering subjects such as pulp fiction, B-movies, comic strips, comic books and old-time radio. WRITTEN BY TIM DEFOREST. EDITED BY MELVIN THE VELOCIRAPTOR. New content published every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.


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Aaron Harang (8-7, 3.76) vs. Ben Sheets (4-2, 2.13).
With a win today, the Dodgers could ensure this road trip ends up a successful one, and possibly inch back into first place. But that's going to require besting Ben Sheets, whose late-season return to baseball after sitting 2011 out has been pretty successful: six GS, all of which lasted 6.0 or more IP and four of which resulted in wins. Harang has been pretty consistent, only giving up three or more ER once in his last seven starts, going back to June.
But it's the offense that is going to need to turn it on--no more of this on the road, extra-inning, situational bunting shit!--and over at the infield corners, the abysses at first base plus the Hairston-less 3B make our lineup challenging. Or, put another way: Uribe's a brick, and I'm drowning slowly.
Sorry to get all emo on y'all. It's just, I hate losing two in a row, you know? --Sax


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A 30 times concentrate of ume plum. It captures the plum's essence in a thick black concentrate called bainiku ekisu. Use the included spoon to measure one gram of concentrate into one cup of hot water or tea. 'The king of alkaline food' in a convenient and easy to use form. Traditionally valued as a digestive aid, it acts as a catalyst in the absorption of minerals. Amber glass jar.
Eden Plum Concentrate is made in Japan from unripe green ume plums. The plums are harvested, washed, soaked and then pressed. The juice is slowly cooked down over 48 hours to produce a thick, dark syrup concentrate. For every kilogram (2.2 lb.) of fresh plums, only 20 grams of ume concentrate is obtained, resulting in 30 times the concentration of pickled ume plums without the high sodium content of umeboshi plums. The concentrate is sealed in brown glass bottles to preserve and protect freshness. Eden Plum Concentrate contains no artificial colors or preservatives.
The ume plum Prunus mume has been used for over 2,000 years in China as a food and for its health promoting properties. Through the influence of Buddhism the knowledge of ume plum cultivation spread to Japan. There are written accounts dating from 10th century Japan describing the salted and pickled umeboshi plums. The desire to preserve the revered plum and yet to keep its sodium content low, led to the development of ume concentrate called 'bai-niku' or 'bai-niku ekisu.' The development of ume plum concentrate that is convenient to store and lasts for years, expanded the value of the ume plum. By the 1920s ume plum concentrate's beneficial properties were so highly revered that the Japanese military distributed it to soldiers and sailors to help prevent dysentery and motion sickness.
Ume Plum foods are often referred to as the 'king of alkaline food.' Its concentrate is used in traditional health regimens to achieve optimal balance. Plum Concentrate's organic acids and minerals are believed to provide not only nutrients but combine to form a 'super tonic'. Eden Plum Concentrate is rich in citric acid that readily combines with minerals in the foods we eat, creating an easily absorbed mineral salt. Traditionally valued as a digestive aid.
Eden Ume Plum Concentrate is quick and easy to use. Simply use the small spoon enclosed in the box to measure 1 gram of concentrate. Place the concentrate in hot water or tea, stir and drink while hot, optional a few drops of shoyu soy sauce. It can also be taken right off the spoon.


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Stunning images of the Andromeda Galaxy are among the first to emerge from a new wide-field camera installed on the enormous Subaru Telescope atop the Hawaiian mountain Mauna Kea. The camera, called the Hyper-Suprime Cam (HSC), is the result of an international collaboration between Princeton University astrophysicists and Japanese and Taiwanese scientists.
With this new camera, researchers will be able to conduct a "cosmic census" of hundreds of millions of galaxies in a wide swath of sky in sufficient depth to probe mysteries such as dark matter and dark energy, while searching for baby galaxies in the early universe. The images of the Andromeda Galaxy demonstrate the new camera's ability to capture images for a large-scale survey that will help scientists understand the evolutionary history and fate of the expanding universe. The camera's enormous field of view allowed the entire Andromeda Galaxy, which is some 60,000 light years across, to be captured in a single shot.
"We are very excited about using this survey to study the nature of galaxies in the distant past," said Michael Strauss, a Princeton professor of astrophysical sciences who, with senior research scientist Robert Lupton and other scientists in Princeton's Department of Astrophysical Sciences, is involved in processing HSC images. "Because of the finite speed of light, we see these galaxies as they were billions of years ago, and we will compare the properties of galaxies in their youth to the mature galaxies we see around us today."
The combination of the HSC with the Subaru Telescope's sharp imaging, wide field-of-view and large mirror — which is 26 feet, or 8.2 meters, in diameter — represents a giant step into a new era of observational astronomy. The HSC contains 116 charge-coupled devices and a wide-field corrector containing seven high optical-quality lenses in an innovative ceramic lens barrel. Of particular note is the consistent sharpness of the image across the entire picture.
HSC will have the sensitivity to measure the distortions in the shapes of hundreds of millions of distant galaxies due to the gravitational pull of dark matter. The data will help scientists understand the distribution of dark matter, the invisible material that makes up about a quarter of the mass and energy of the universe, as well as dark energy, which is thought to be speeding up the expansion of the universe.
Satoshi Miyazaki, director of the HSC project, said the HSC will have a significant role in the Subaru Telescope's mission. "In essence, this means an expansion of applications that derive from the instrument's capacity to make nearly invisible and distant faint objects visible, and for bringing dark energy and dark matter into the arena of scientific identification and investigation. The design of HSC facilitates this task with faster survey speed and tenfold expansion of file size."
The Andromeda images stand as a successful test of the HSC's capabilities. The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as Messier 31, is 2.5 million light years from Earth and is the spiral galaxy nearest to our own Milky Way Galaxy. It is visible to the naked eye on moonless nights, even in areas with moderate light pollution. Astronomers find it interesting because it is similar to the Milky Way and can provide valuable information about how our own galaxy formed. Since the entire galaxy is visible in the new images, it is possible to determine from the color of the galaxy's stars how those star populations change from the interior to the edge of the galaxy.
To produce the images, scientists at Princeton worked closely with colleagues at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) in Japan on the software pipelines that analyze terabytes of raw data. These data not only yield beautiful images but also precise measurements of the brightness, position and shape of every galaxy and star. These pipelines are based on prototypes for the software being developed for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a major new facility which will see first light in 2022.
"It's remarkable that Princeton's partners on this project are not just other universities, but other nations. There's really no other university playing a role this large in a survey of this scale," said James Bosch, an astronomical software specialist at Princeton. "For someone interested in the gritty details of astronomical data processing, this is simply the best place in the world to work."
"From my first involvement in this project, I have been amazed at its boldness," said Paul Price, an astronomical software scientist at Princeton. "We can take what has long been one of the best astronomical cameras in the world, and make it 10 times better again."
The HSC is the result of an international collaboration among major research partners, including NAOJ, Kavli IPMU, the School of Science at the University of Tokyo, KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Japan), Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Taiwan and Princeton — and with technology companies Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Canon Inc. and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
Funding for the HSC project at Princeton was provided by Princeton University.


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When to Replace Your Air Conditioning System
Chances are good that your air conditioner is inefficient and oversized if it is more than 10 years old (although there are many other air conditioning mistakes that could have been made during installation). You can probably improve comfort, lower energy bills and reduce your environmental impact by replacing an old air conditioner with a strong air conditioner.
Improving comfort
You should consider replacing your air conditioning system if it is noisy or no longer cooling evenly. If your home is humid, your system may be inefficiently oversized or no longer working adequately. These problems could require major repairs that approach the cost of a new unit, particularly when you consider your potential savings on energy bills.
Energy savings
To estimate your potential savings, look for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) number on your current AC unit. If it is 10 or below, definitely consider replacement.
The SEER rating is the number of BTUs of cooling energy per watt-hour of electricity. Prior to 2006, air conditioners were required to have a minimum SEER rating of 10. Today, central air conditioners must have a minimum SEER rating of 13, and EnergyStar-labeled air conditioners must be rated at least 14. The most efficient models have SEER ratings up to 26.
The difference in annual operating cost between SEER 10 and SEER 13 air conditioners is substantial. Though costs vary widely, the average family in Florida can expect to pay $722 per year to cool a home with an air conditioner rated at SEER 10. The same family could spend $559, or $163 less, for a season of cooling with a SEER 13 air conditioner. Jumping up to SEER 18 would bring another $100 in savings.
For a more specific estimate, click on this energy calculator. You can enter your local electricity costs and data for both an existing unit and a more efficient replacement to determine the potential life cycle savings and payback period for the new unit.
Environmental consideration
Older air conditioners use an ozone-depleting refrigerant. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the manufacture of air conditioners with R-22. The chemical is still available for repair work on old units, but new air conditioners use refrigerants that are safer for the environment.
What to replace
Of course, the high cost of replacing the air conditioner is the major hindrance. High-efficiency systems with SEER ratings above 16 generally cost at least $3,500, but the full project could cost much more. To maximize efficiency, air conditioners should probably be replaced at the same time as the furnace. The heating and cooling systems typically share a blower motor, and an old, inefficient motor will reduce the efficiency of the new air conditioner.
As noted above, many homes have oversized air conditioners. If you have added insulation or otherwise made your home more energy efficient, you may be able to upgrade to a smaller replacement air conditioner, like a split AC unit.
When you are gathering estimates for replacement HVAC systems, reputable contractors should spend a significant amount of time in your home evaluating the size of your home, and your windows and insulation. They will also inspect the duct system, and measure air leaks to size up your needs.
Replacing an air conditioner can be a daunting expense, but it can improve comfort and significantly lower energy bills, making the cost worthwhile. If you are having thoughts like "what's the easiest way to find AC contractors near me," Networx is a great resource to find professional assistance.
Steve Graham writes for Networx.com.
Updated May 16, 2018.
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Dragonvale Gem Generator No Survey
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text:
And so I tried to dress like a voodooed Barbie.
Girly vomit pink stuff with this lumpy Comme des Garcons top sent to me by beso.com and thrifted raggy sweater. I changed shortly after because too many layers got uncomfortable, but it was fun to put together.
Barbie layered skirts: Gap Kids skirt, Prada lipstick print skirt from ebay, thrifted rose skirt, vintage pink ruffle dress, and thrifted boots.
Girl scout patch from troopmoore on Ebay.


text:
France's largest port town, on the magical Mediterranean, has been transformed in recent years.
You'll still find the charms of its Old Port, the oldest neighborhood in France, the maritime culture... but there's been a wave of revitalization and stunning builds that make this seaside city spectacular.
On our latest visit, we fell in love with Marseille, and here are at least 3 reasons we think you'll love it too.


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- Aceldama
- (AV) Aramaic for 'Field of Blood' and rendered Hakeldama by NRSV; 'Aceldama which means "Blood Acre" ' by REB (Acts 1:19): the field bought by Judas Iscariot with the reward given to him by the priests for betraying Jesus and where he had a fatal accident. But according to Matt. 27:7 the field, called the Potter's Field, was bought by the priests with the money Judas returned, for use as a cemetery.Possibly the latter story originated as an attempt to explain the adopted name of the place. Matt. is attempting to demonstrate that it has all been foretold, and so he uses a mangled sentence from Zech. (11:13) and some isolated phrases in Jeremiah (18:2 and 32:9) as proof from prophecy.
Dictionary of the Bible.


text:
Hello everyone,
I'm currently reading Meditation Now Or Never by Steve Hagen. He speaks about zazen being pointless. He doesn't mean that we shouldn't practice zazen, he means that if we are looking for some sort of benefit, or reward, then it would be pointless. I found this a very interesting view and I wanted to know your thoughts. I often find that my ego wants to this practice to have some end point. Some sort of finish line with a banner that reads, "Welcome to enlightenment." I think this is human nature, but I found that the more I sit, the less this thought plagues my mind. After all, there is nothing "out there" to achieve in this practice. Enlightenment isn't something we can grasp; Nirvana isn't a place. To sit is enlightenment; to smile is nirvana. Each time that my ego expects something from this practice, I come back to this moment. I try to focus on what I'm currently doing because zazen isn't practiced only on the cushion. Thank you for your time.


text:
There are a number of things we think we know about Adam Lanza, the Newtown, Connecticut 20-year-old, who last Friday murdered his mother, then shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 20 first-graders and six adults before turning a gun on himself.
We've been told, by a former classmate, that he was "weird." We've been told, by a family friend, that he played a lot of violent video games. And we've also been told by such sources that he had a "developmental disorder," that some say was Asperger's Syndrome.
(MORE: Why Did Adam Lanza Target A School?)
From this, a narrative has emerged of a troubled young man, induced into violence by his preferred choice of media, and failed by an inadequate mental health system. This narrative has caught on so successfully that, as of Wednesday, a Gallup poll found far more Americans believing that events like the Newtown tragedy could be avoided through increased federal spending on mental health screening and services than by banning the sale of assault weapons.
And yet, in truth, we have virtually no hard facts to back up this storyline.
How often did Lanza play the most violent games? How did he feel about them? How did they affect him? Did they desensitize him to violence or provoke blood lust? We don't know, and most likely never will.
(MORE: Is There A Backlash Against Children With Autism?)
Did he really have Asperger's? Was he diagnosed with anything in addition to the "developmental disorder" — or was that just a palatable-sounding phrase his family and family friends used to avoid invoking scarier, more threatening terms like "mental illness"? We don't know what lay behind the extremely inward-turned behavior his classmates saw, or the murderous violence that erupted last week. Was it extreme, toxic anxiety? Paranoia? Voices? Righteous rage? We may never know.
We don't know that Lanza's crime represents a failure of our "system" of mental health care in America, as has been said countless times this week, because we don't know what, if any, mental health care he was receiving in recent years at all. Although a babysitter has said that Lanza took medication as a child, we don't know what kind of medication it was. We don't know what the Lanzas' attitude toward mental health care was. Did Nancy, who homeschooled Adam for years, reject the mainstream beliefs of child psychiatry, as many in the home-schooling community do?
(MORE: Viewpoint: Don't Blame Video Games for Mass Shooting)
There are exactly two rock-solid, actionable facts in the Adam Lanza story. He lived in a home filled with firearms. And had he not had access to semi-automatic weapons, he would not have been able to take 26 lives in a matter of minutes. These facts are now being buried in an onslaught of supposition about the effects of video game violence and the need — which I otherwise entirely agree with — for more and better mental health care for America's kids.
The incontrovertible facts of the Lanza case are, for now, what we as a nation should be focusing on as we come to terms with the Newtown tragedy. All the rest is just talk.


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This privacy policy (the "Privacy Policy") sets forth the data protection and privacy practices and procedures of Zero Link Markets, Inc., a California corporation, its affiliates, and its and their respective parents and subsidiaries (individually and collectively, "Company," "we," "our" or "us"), and applies to the URL, https://www.vinoshipper.com, and all other websites, social media pages and accounts owned by the Company (individually, and collectively, the "Websites"), and all mobile applications owned by the Company (together with the Websites, collectively, the "Company Sites").
Types of Information Collected and How It Is Used
Through the use of the Company Sites, the Company markets wines and related products directly to consumers, and offers consumers the opportunity to create a personal account with the Company (the "Account") or to log in to the Company Sites as a guest (the "Guest Log-In"), and to take advantage of the various products and/or services, including, without limitation, the opportunity to purchase wine products and related products from licensed entities in their state and to register as members of the various wine clubs that the Company services (the "Wine Clubs") (collectively, the "Wine Services"). The sale and delivery of orders purchased by consumers will be executed and fulfilled by us and third-party entities holding valid licenses issued by state alcohol beverage agencies allowing for the legal sale of wine products.
Personal Information (PI)
Although many areas of the Company Sites do not require registration and may be accessed by you without having to disclose any personal information, when using the Wine Services and or other aspects of the Company Sites, we or our service providers may collect, use and share personally identifiable information, such as your name, age, billing address, shipping address, age, email address, telephone number, password, and credit card information (collectively, "PI"). Please remember that it is your responsibility to protect the confidentiality of your login and password data. The Company Sites are directed to adults aged twenty-one (21) or older.
We collect PI from you when you voluntarily provide it directly to us when you engage in activities on the Company Sites. We use the PI we collect for various purposes, including to: (i) create your Account; (ii) permit a Guest Log-In to the Company Sites; (iii) create a shopping cart and/or process your orders placed in connection with the Wine Services; (iv) register a Wine Club membership; (v) contact you, for example, if there is an issue with any orders placed through our Wine Services or your Wine Club membership; (vi) send you email communications, and/or newsletters you have requested; (vii) respond to questions or other requests; (viii) inform you of new products, services, promotions, and offers and those of our Brand Partners (as defined below) through email, postal mail, telephone or other means; (ix) contact you with respect to your use of the Company Sites or changes to the Privacy Policy or other Company policies; (x) improve the Company Sites and the content, features and services provided by the Company Sites, as well as customer service; (xi) update and maintain the accuracy of our information; (xii) use for our internal business purposes; (xiii) send you other notices in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations; and (xiv) for other purposes disclosed at the time you provide your PI. Depending on the activity, some of the PI we ask you to provide us is required and some is voluntary. If you do not provide the required information for a particular activity, you may not be permitted to engage in that activity.
The PI you provide to us to create your Account will be available for viewing by visiting the Company Sites and entering your personal log-in information that you create when registering your Account. By creating an Account, you may use our services to track your order history, status of pending orders, preferences, credits, and Wine Club memberships. If you choose not to create an Account but to instead place orders by using a Guest Log-In, you may contact the Company to review or update the PI you have provided by using the telephone numbers and/or addresses listed below under the heading entitled "Contact Information." If you ever use a public computer to access the Company Sites, we strongly encourage you to log out at the conclusion of your session. We may permit you to log into your Account via social networks, but please note that by doing so, your use of a social network will be governed by such social network's privacy policy and terms and conditions.
Non-Personal Information (NPI)
When you visit the Company Sites, we may also collect certain non-personally identifiable information from you ("NPI"), including, without limitation, website usage information about how our visitors use and navigate the Company Sites, including the number and frequency of visitors to each web page, the duration of their stays, the visitor's browser and operating system, the domain name of each visitor's Internet service provider, and certain other information (e.g., IP address and clickstream data). When you request pages from the Company Sites, our servers log your IP address. We may use IP addresses for a number of purposes, such as system administration, to report aggregate information to our business partners or to audit use of the Company Sites. We may share NPI with others without express notice to you or consent from you, and we may exploit, use and disclose your NPI without limitation of any kind.
We may also collect certain information automatically, including through the use of cookies, web beacons and other technologies. We use "cookies" (i.e., small pieces of information placed on your computer hard drive) on certain parts of the Company Sites. Cookies allow websites to remember user activity and visits to a site. We use cookies on the Company Sites to determine the number of unique visitors we host on the Company Sites over any given period of time and to keep track of items placed in the "shopping cart" during a visit to the Company Sites. We do not use cookies to collect PI. You can program your computer to warn you each time a cookie is being sent or disable cookies on your computer by indicating this in the preferences or options menus in your browser. However, by blocking all cookies you may not have access to certain features on the Company Sites.
We may also use "pixel tags" (sometimes called "web beacons" or "clear gifs"), which are tiny graphic images, on the Company Sites. Pixel tags help us analyze users' online behavior and measure the effectiveness of the Company Sites and our advertising and marketing. We may also use other analytical tools to evaluate site performance through the use of aggregated data, which contain no PI. We work with service providers that help us track, collect, and analyze this information.
Cookies, pixel tags, and/or other analytical tools that we may use on the Company Sites may collect information about your visit, including the pages you view, the features you use, the links you click, and other actions you take in connection with the Company Sites. This information may include your computer's Internet protocol (IP) address, your browser type, your operating system, date and time information, and other technical information about your computer. We may also track certain information about the identity of the Company Sites you visited immediately before coming to the Company Sites. We do not otherwise track any information about your use of other Company Sites. Cookies, pixel tags, and/or other analytical tools in our emails may also be used to track your interactions with those messages, such as when you receive, open, or click a link in an email message from us. We may also work with businesses that use tracking technologies to deliver advertisements on our behalf across the Internet. These companies may collect information about your visits to the Company Sites and your interaction with our advertising and other communications, but no PI is shared with them.
We may combine the NPI collected through cookies, pixel tags and other analytical tools with other information we may have collected from you. This information may be used to improve the Company Sites, to personalize your online experience, to help us deliver information to you, to determine the effectiveness of advertising, and for other internal business purposes.
With Whom Information May Be Shared
Except as disclosed in this Privacy Policy, the Company does not share your PI with unaffiliated third parties. We may disclose your PI to outside individuals and/or companies who help us: (i) bring you the products and services we offer; (ii) create, operate, and maintain the Company Site(s); (iii) with specialized services such as payment processing, shipping, mail and e-mail distribution, mobile messaging, website(s) hosting, monitoring, analytics, promotions management, survey and mobile payment processing; and (iv) state governments to the extent required to meet their regulatory and compliance requirements . We provide these third-party companies only with the information they need to perform their services. For mobile payment processing, the mobile payment service providers will provide your information to your mobile telephone service provider to bill you directly.
We work with certain strategic partners (the "Brand Partners") in connection with the creation and operation of various co-branded Wine Clubs, which are promoted by us and our Brand Partners. We disclose only the PI required to make these particular Wine Clubs work and to support your membership with them, which typically includes your name and/or email address, as well as information regarding the purchases you make through the particular Wine Club. We disclose this information to our Brand Partners under an agreement that requires that they maintain the confidentiality and security of your PI in the same manner The Company does. If you do not wish to receive marketing, promotional, or other communications from our Brand Partners, you must contact them directly.
We may sell, transfer or otherwise disclose user information, including PI, in connection with a corporate merger, consolidation, the sale of all or substantially all assets or of a business group, or other corporate change of the Company.
We may disclose information about our users, including PI, when legally required to do so at the request of governmental authorities conducting an audit or investigation, or to verify or enforce compliance with the policies governing the Company Sites and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. We may use IP addresses to identify users in cooperation with Internet service providers or law enforcement agencies, and may also disclose user information whenever we believe disclosure is necessary to limit our legal liability or to protect or enforce the rights, interests or safety of the Company Sites, our users or others.
The Company may share NPI with third parties. We may use and share aggregated and anonymous NPI to conduct market research and analysis for ourselves and/or for our business partners. Given the anonymous, non-personally identifiable nature of such information, there are no restrictions under this Privacy Policy on how we may use or disclose such information. For example, we may freely share such information with third parties who may use such data for their own marketing, advertising, research, or other business purposes. We may also freely share such information with our service providers in order for them to perform services to or for us. We authorize certain service providers to utilize NPI for their business purposes and in accordance with their privacy policies, such as to report on usage or industry trends to their customer base.
Changing Your Preferences; Opt-Out
You may opt out of your subscriptions to receive marketing mailings or e-mail communications from the Company at any time by (a) following the instructions to "opt-out" of future marketing communications contained within the direct mailing, or e-mail, that you receive from the Company, or (b) by sending us an email or writing to us at the addresses listed below under the heading entitled "Contact Information." Please allow up to ten (10) business days for changes to take place. During that time, you may continue to receive such communications from us that were already in process.
You can opt out of accepting cookies or disable them from your browser. The "help" function on most browsers contains information on how you can set your browser to notify you before accepting cookies or can disable them entirely. If you opt out of cookies, you will not be able to take advantage of various features of the Company Site(s) that are available to other users. For example, we may use cookies to recognize you by name when you return to a Company Site so you don't have to login again and provide your password.
You may ask us to delete your PI from our system, however, because we archive and keep track of past transactions, you cannot delete information associated with past transactions or archived information on the Company Sites.
If you do not receive a response from us to any emails you send to us within ten (10) business days, please send us another email as your original email may not have been received.
Links to Other Sites and Content Accessible Through the Company Sites
Our Company Sites may include links to other websites whose privacy practices may differ from ours. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of websites operated by third parties that are linked to or integrated with the Company Sites or for the privacy practices of third parties. If you submit PI to any of those websites, your PI is governed by the privacy statements of those websites. We encourage you to carefully read the privacy statement of any website you visit.
While the Company strives to secure your PI, even reasonable security measures do not guarantee the security of any information you transmit via the internet, including to the Company. The Company cannot guarantee that information it seeks to protect will be protected under all circumstances, including those beyond its reasonable control. You acknowledge and agree that you transmit information to the Company via the Company Sites at your own risk. Additionally, please be advised that if you share with others emails or URLs you receive from the Company, such sharing may allow access to limited PI on the Company's website, including your name, shipping address and product orders (in addition to the PI in the email itself). In doing so, you may be sharing your PI with others and you acknowledge that you will be sharing at your own risk.
The Company Sites are directed to adults aged twenty-one (21) or older. We do not knowingly collect PI from children under thirteen (13) years of age. We will promptly delete any information later determined to be from a user younger than thirteen (13) years of age.
Consent to Transfer
The Company Sites are located in the United States. Your PI will be processed and shared in the United States, where data protection and privacy regulations may provide different levels of protection compared with non-United States jurisdictions. If you are located in the European Union, Canada or elsewhere outside of the United States, please be aware that any information you provide to us will be transferred to the United States. By using the Company Sites or providing us with your information, you consent to this transfer.
The Company may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make any substantial changes in the types of PI we collect or how we use it, we will inform you of such changes by posting a revised notice on our Company Sites and such changes will be effective when posted. Unless you inform us otherwise, we will use your PI consistent with the Privacy Policy currently in effect. It is your responsibility to review any such changes or updates and check the Company Sites from time to time to be sure you understand all terms and conditions, agreements and policies of the Company Site(s) and are in compliance with them. Your continued use of the Company Sites following the posting of any amendment, modification or change shall constitute your acceptance thereof.
California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits you to request information with respect to the disclosure of your PI by us to third parties for such third parties' direct marketing purposes. We are only required to respond to a particular customer's request for such information once during a calendar year. To make such a request, please send us an email or write to us at the addresses listed below under the heading entitled "Contact Information."
In Addition, Please Note the Following:
(a)Users can visit the Company Sites anonymously;(b)We will add a link to this Privacy Policy on our home page, or at a minimum, on the first significant page after entering the Company Sites;(c)Our Privacy Policy link can easily be found on the page specified above;(d)Users will be notified of any privacy policy changes on our Privacy Policy page;(e)Users are able to change their PI by emailing us or by calling us;(f)Some Internet browsers include the ability to transmit "Do Not Track" signals that give you control over the collection and use of web browsing information. Because uniform standards for "Do Not Track" signals have not yet been adopted, we do not process or respond to such signals in users' web browsers at this time; and(g)We allow the collection of users' behavioral tracking (but not PI) by third parties. We do not authorize the collection of PI on the Company Sites by third parties.
Non-Confidential Information
We do not want you to send to us any confidential or proprietary information through email or otherwise. Any information, materials, suggestions, ideas or comments sent to us will be considered non-confidential, and by submitting the same to us, you are giving us the absolute right to use, modify, reproduce, transmit, display and distribute the information for any purpose whatsoever, with no payment or other compensation to you. However, we will not use your name unless we are required by law to identify the source of the materials, information, suggestions, ideas or comments, or unless we first obtain your permission.
We may freely assign this Privacy Policy or any of our rights and/or obligations hereunder.
Any disputes regarding this Privacy Policy are subject to our Terms & Conditions, including that this Privacy Policy will be governed by the laws of the State of California, applicable to agreements made and performed in California, and the Dispute Resolution Policy therein. THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY INCLUDES A REQUIREMENT THAT ANY DISPUTES BE SUBMTITED TO ARBITRATION (NOT TO A COURT OR A JURY) AND A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHT TO BRING A CLASS ACTION OR PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL CLAIM. See Terms & Conditions SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE TERMS & CONDITIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments about our Privacy Policy, or would like to review or update the PI that you have provided to us, please contact us at:
Zero Link Markets, Inc
Attn: Customer Service
228 Windsor River Rd. #111
Windsor CA 95492
Effective Date of Policy
This Privacy Policy is effective as of August 1, 2018.