text:
WDM optical network with passive pass-through at each node
A communications network has a plurality of nodes interconnected by an optical transmission medium. The transmission medium is capable of a carrying a plurality of wavelengths organized into bands. A filter at each node for drops a band associated therewith and passively forwards other bands through the transmission medium. A device is provided at each node for adding a band to the transmission medium. Communication can be established directly between a pair of nodes in the network sharing a common band without the active intervention of any intervening node. This allows the network to be protocol independent. Also, the low losses incurred by the passive filters permit relatively long path lengths without optical amplification.
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The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for establishing communication over an optical network employing wavelength division multiplexing.
The ever-increasing demand for bandwidth has spurred the growth of high speed transport networks. Currently, the key standard for use in such networks is SONET, which is an acronym for Synchronous Optical Network. The SONET standard defines a hierarchy of optical transmission rates over point-to-point and ring network topologies. For example, the SONET optical carrier--level 3 (OC-3) transmits at 155 Mb/s and OC-12 transmits at 622 Mb/s.
SONET was developed to provide a survivable transport infrastructure that could carry a range of different payload protocols and payload bit rates.
Survivability is achieved in SONET using a ring topology with a SONET-defined standard protocol for coordinating traffic restoration in the event of a failure. On a ring, there are always two diverse routes that can be used to interconnect any two nodes on the ring. In the event of a failure of one of those routes, spare capacity on the other route is used to restore the traffic affected by the failure. In SONET, every node must terminate the entire optical signal in order to be able to access every payload, even though typically a node would only access a small subset of the payloads and pass the rest of them downstream to other nodes. Termination of the entire optical signal is also required to give each node access to an automatic protection switching (APS) protocol that coordinates access to the spare capacity by the node during failure events. Unfortunately, this requirement of SONET to terminate the entire optical signal at every node makes upgrading the capacity of the ring a slow and costly process, because every node must be upgraded even though it may be that only one node requires the additional capacity.
In order to carry a variety of payloads and payload bit rates, the SONET standard defines a payload envelope structure into which all payloads must be mapped. This envelope is then carried within one timeslot within the time division multiplexed SONET signal. Although this provides a SONET network with the ability to carry a variety of payloads, a new payload cannot be transported until a mapping is defined and the interface circuit is developed and deployed. In addition, if there is insufficient spare capacity in the network to handle the new payload bit rate, then the entire network may have to be upgraded. Thus, SONET networks are not responsive to the needs of today's services, which are demanding greater capacity and introducing a wide range of protocols.
The networks of today's telecommunications carriers typically consist of an access portion that connects end-users to the carrier's network, and a transport portion (sometimes called backbone or core network) that provides the interconnection between the access networks. The access portion of the network is under pressure to provide a greater variety of signal types such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), asynchronous digital subscriber loops (ADSL), and SONET, to handle the emerging diversity of services. These new payloads also tend to require greater bit rates to support the underlying services. Transport networks are under pressure to provide more capacity due to the higher bit rate services coming out of the access networks as well as the growth in the number and size of the access networks reflecting the growth in the number of end-users.
An object of the invention is to alleviate the limitations in SONET-based networks.
According to the present invention there is provided a communications network employing wavelength division multiplexing, comprising a plurality of nodes; an optical transmission medium interconnecting said nodes, said transmission medium being capable of a carrying a plurality of wavelengths organized into bands; and an interface at each node for dropping a band associated therewith, adding a band carrying traffic for another node, and passively forwarding other bands; whereby communication can be established directly between a pair of nodes in said network sharing a common band without the active intervention of any intervening node.
A network in accordance with the invention is protocol and bit rate independent and is therefore more responsive than SONET to the demands placed on the access and transport networks of telecommunications carriers. Each payload is carried on separate optical wavelengths and payloads are multiplexed using wavelength division multiplexing techniques.
A band consists of a group of closely spaced wavelengths. A guard space normally exists between the bands to allow for simple filtering of a band out of the overall spectrum. For example, a band may consist of four wavelengths spaced at 1.6 nm intervals giving a total width for the band of 4.times.1.6=6.4 nm. With a guard band of 3.2 nm, the overall band spacing would be 6.4+3.2=9.6 nm.
A band is associated with the connection between two nodes, such that if, for example, node A wishes to communicate with node C via intervening node B, both node A and node C must access (add/drop) the same band, say band X. Node A would transmit to node C on band X, which would be passively forwarded by intervening node.
The use of bands as distinct from discrete wavelengths allows the filter specifications to be relaxed in the area of sideband roll-off slope since there are cascaded filters involved at each node. A primary (or band) filter discriminates a band of wavelengths. Further sub-division into specific channels is done with a narrow width filter(s) that is sub-tended after the band filter.
The use of a multi-level filtering approach is more energy efficient than other arrangements for ring networks. This is due to the fact that the band filter is the primary filter element that is repeated around the ring. As nodes are added to the ring, the attenuation loss due to the band filter element does not rise as fast as the case where individual wavelengths are filtered out at a node with the residual band being passed on.
The interface is typically in the form of a filter which separates out the band to be dropped and forwards the other bands by reflection. The filter acts as a multiplexer/demultiplexer which drops and adds the band associated with the node from the transmission medium.
The filter is preferably an interference filter with minimal loss, preferably less than 1 dB, and typically 0.5 dB. The division of the wavelength spectrum into bands, each associated with a node, is an important factor in reducing the loss at the passive filter. If individual wavelengths were employed, losses in the order of 3 to 6 dB could be expected, and the maximum size of the network would be very much restricted.
An important advantage of the pre sent invention is that each wavelength essentially provides a protocol independent high speed bit pipe between a pair of nodes with minimal loss.
A node in one embodiment may also include a cross connect switch for changing wavelengths. For example, if a path is established between node A and node C over band c, and between node C and node F over band f, and no path exists between node A and node F, node A can send traffic for node F first to node C, which drops the band c, detects that the traffic is for node F, and passes it through the cross connect to forward the traffic in band f, which will be dropped by node F.
The optical path for the network is thus passive except for nodes where wavelengths are add/dropped. The system also has low overall loss in any wavelength path so that no optical amplifiers need be employed to achieve a 30 km ring circumference. The overall power loss budget is estimated at 30 dB.
In a typical maximum configuration system, approximately 1/3 of the optical loss is in the fiber (.about.9 dB) and approximately 1/3 the loss is in the optical add/drop filters (16 band filters @ 0.5 db=8 dB). The remainder of the 30 dB optical power budget is reserved for connector loss, splices and aging of components.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of establishing communication over an network employing wavelength division multiplexing and having a plurality of nodes interconnected by an optical transmission medium capable of carrying a plurality of wavelengths organized into bands, the method comprising the steps of sending traffic destined for a remote node in a band associated with the remote node; passively forwarding said band at any intervening nodes; and dropping said band at said remote node to extract said traffic destined therefor.
The invention still further provides an interface device for use in an optical network employing wavelength division multiplexing, comprising a demultiplexer for dropping a predetermined band of wavelengths from the network at a node, means for converting optical input signals from said demultiplexer to electrical output signals, means for generating optical output signals from electrical input signals, a multiplexer for adding said optical output signals in a predetermined band to the network, said demultiplexer and multiplexer being arranged to forward passively optical signals in bands other than said band that is dropped.
In another aspect the invention provides a fiber optic wavelength division multiplexed ring comprising a plurality of switching nodes, means for generating a plurality of wavelengths organized in to bands on said ring, and means for transmitting maintenance channel data on at least one of said wavelengths as a pilot tone.
The maintenance channel can conveniently be injected by modulating the bias current of the device generating the wavelengths, normally a laser.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the physical layout of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) bi-directional ring network;
FIG. 2 is a chart of the bands of wavelengths employed in a typical system in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block functional diagram of a network node;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram network node with an optical cross connect switch;
FIG. 5 illustrates a ring showing the waveband connections;
FIG. 6 illustrates a ring showing protection switching;
FIG. 7 is an example of a hubbed connection pattern;
FIG. 8 is an example of a meshed connection pattern;
FIG. 9 illustrates a ring showing examples of payload signals;
FIG. 10 shows a bit rate consistency monitor;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a maintenance channel signal driver;
FIG. 12 is a graph showing the spectral density of each wavelength; and
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a distributed ATM switch.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a WDM (Wavelength division Multiplexed) ring network generally referenced 1 consists of two counter rotating rings 2, 3 containing a plurality of nodes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 providing interfaces to the rings 2, 3. It will be understood that FIG. 1 shows the physical layout of the network. The rings 2, 3 physically consist of optical fibers, which are capable of carrying multiple wavelengths generated by lasers in the nodes. The interconnectivity between the nodes is provided by WDM connections in a manner to be described.
Each ring may carry, for example, 16 or 32 wavelengths divided into eight bands, which provide the interconnectivity between the nodes. Typically there are either two or four wavelengths per band. With eight bands, there are therefore a total of 16 wavelengths per ring for two wavelengths per band or 32 wavelengths in the case of four wavelengths per band, for example, spaced at 1.6 nm with a guard band of 3.2 nm for a total spacing of 9.6 nm per band. FIG. 2 shows a typical distribution of bands and wavelengths. Typically the maximum number of nodes is eight, assuming eight bands.
Each node 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, adds/drops a predetermined band of wavelengths specific to that node. For example, node 6 might drop the 1.52411 to 1.51948 .mu.m band, which includes wavelengths at 1.52411, 1.52256, 1.52102, and 1.51948 .mu.m. In order to establish a path between node 4 and node 6, node 4 transmits to node 6 in this band on both counter rotating rings 2, 3. This band is passively reflected by nodes 5, 7, 8 and forwarded to node 6, which drops the band and extracts the traffic. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the bands of wavelength thus permit direct, protocol independent connections to be made between any nodes on the ring without the intervention of any intermediate node. The nodes on the ring can be interconnected in any traditional manner, for example, in star or mesh connections, by establishing waveband connections between desired pairs of nodes.
A typical node with a wavelength conversion function will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.
Demultiplexers 10 and multiplexers 11 are shown connected into the fiber optic rings 2, 3. Demultipexers 10 drop, and multiplexers 11 add, a specific band of wavelengths associated with the node. Physically the MUX/DEMUX 10, 11 each consist of a single high performance optical interference filter that transmits the selected band to be dropped/added and passively reflects the remaining bands. The filters can be, for example, dichroic filters, Bragg grating filters based on circulators, and Bragg grating based on fused biconic taper. A suitable filter is made by JDS Fitel of Ottawa, Canada. Such filters offer low through-path loss (<1 dB), and reasonable (<2 db) add/drop loss. The bands 13 not dropped by the demultiplexers 10 are passively forwarded through the node.
In physical terms, the bands 13 of wavelengths that are not destined for a particular node are passively reflected on to the next node and so on until they reach the destination node where they are dropped in the manner described.
The dropped band 12 from each ring 2, 3 is passed to a second fine optical filter 19, which separates the dropped band into the individual wavelengths. The subdivided wavelengths are passed to electro-optic converters 14, which generate electrical signals from the optical inputs. The electric signals are then passed to digital cross connect switch, which connects them to payload interface devices 16 providing access to the network. Alternatively, cross connect 15 permits switching between different wavelengths or bands. In the latter case, the cross connect 15 can be connected to additional MUX/DEMUX filters (not shown) provided at the same node for adding/dropping different bands either on the same ring or a different ring.
The adding of a band works in the same way as the dropping of a band in reverse. Electrical signals are converted to optical form in electro-optic converters 14 and passed to fine channel filters 18, which combine the specific band of wavelengths that it is desired to add. The output 18 of these filters is passed to MUX 11 and combined with the forwarded bands 13. In physical terms, the added band(s) is/are transmitted through the optical filter and combined with the forwarded bands 13, which are passively reflected.
The `optimum` construction for a node filter is a 4, 6 or 10 port device having an in port, out port and 1, 2 or 4 `drop` ports and 1, 2 or 4 `add` ports. As there are eight bands, there will be eight varieties of the device, one per band. One such device is used where ever a band is to be add/dropped. Each port corresponds to a specific wavelength.
The filter is a highly integrated passive optical device. The design and construction of the filter is such that 1 wavelength (approx. 1 nm Bandwidth) is available from a `drop` port and 1 wavelength (approx. 1 nm Bandwidth) is added to an `add` port. By using identical band filters at two points on the ring, 1, 2 or 4 wavelengths can be used to implement a bi-directional `communications` pipe between those points. These pipes are independent of any other wavelengths on the fiber ring so long as no other nodes use the same band filters. Each wavelength used in the system in effect serves as a transparent digital "bit pipe". Any specific formatting of data in a wavelength is to be carried out by sub-tending equipment. The system is not protocol dependent. The present invention employs bands to provide protocol independent direct connections between nodes on a physical ring, which in physical terms need not be adjacent.
FIG. 4 shows a similar arrangement to FIG. 3, except that the electro-optical converters have been omitted and the cross connect switch 115 is an optical switching device that performs optical switching and provides optical outputs to optical interfaces 116. With optical switching, wavelength conversion can be realized optically. Electro-absorption devices and/or semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) may be used to perform the conversion.
Each node typically has at least one band filter, at least one laser diode, driver and MTCE (maintenance channel modulator), at least one PIN diode receiver, transimpedance amplifier, limit amplifier and MTCE demodulator, fine optical filters, a maintenance channel control processor, with Ethernet port and node control HW, and a per wavelength interface to subtending equipment or test data generator (option module). Optionally, a PLL data regenerator and cross-connect matrix can be provided. A low frequency bandpass filter picks off the maintenance channel data and it is demodulated by a PLL type FSK demodulator. The data stream then goes to the maintenance processor.
Each wavelength is driven by a DFB (Distributed Feedback) laser or Bragg grating reflector laser at a specific wavelength chosen to match the filter characteristics.
The output power of the laser is in the range of -3 dbm to a possible high of +6 dbm. Laser components may require thermal stabilization (also providing a means of micro-tuning to specific wavelengths). The laser is driven by a single chip control circuit that combines the monitor diode and bias requirements of the device. Typically these devices have a PECL differential input.
FIG. 5 shows one example of a connectivity diagram of a network operating in accordance with the invention. The nodes are physic ally interconnected in a ring by counter-rotating optic fiber rings as described with reference to FIG. 1. The bands of wavelengths provided direct WDM protocol independent connections between non adjacent rings. In FIG. 5, band X connects node 5 to node 8 in both directions. This means that node 5 and 8 add and drop band X., that is band X is passively reflected by the interference filter at node 4.
The invention also allows protection switching, with the bands acting as direct connections between the nodes. FIG. 6 is an example of protection switching.
In FIG. 6, a band connects X two nodes via two diverse paths on opposite arcs 40, 41 of the ring 1. One of these arcs can be used to provide a restoration path for all of the wavelengths in the band in the event of a failure of the other path. In FIG. 6, a band connects nodes A and C. The arc 40 via node B is used normally and the are via nodes D-Z is spare. Node A and node C monitor the quality of the signals dropped from the band at each end of the connection. In the event of a failure of the connections via node B, nodes A and C re-establish the connections via nodes D-Z.
The drop nodes may use optical power measurements on each wavelength as a quality measure. If the optical power drops below a preset threshold, then a protection switch is triggered. This measurement is not dependent on the protocol or bit rate of the information carried on the wavelength.
Another quality measure that is protocol and bit-rate independent is a Bit Rate Consistency Monitor. The drop node counts the number of bits received over a given unit of time (long relative to the bit time of the lowest expected bit rate) and records the value of this count. If the value varies by more than some nominal amount, it is an indication that the channel is carrying noise and has therefore failed.
An example of a Bit Rate Consistency Monitor is shown in FIG. 10. Incoming serial data 50 is fed to edge counter 51, which inputs an M-bit count to register 53. A reference clock, which has a repetition rate low relative to the minimum serial data rate, is input to register 53 and 54 to latch the count samples n and n-1 and also to the counter to reset it between samples. Sample n from register 53 and sample n-1 from register 54 are compared in comparator 55 which generates a true/output depending on the consistency of the incoming bit rate.
In order to coordinate the switching of the traffic, the nodes at each end of the connection must communicate directly For example, in FIG. 6, if a failure of the connection is observed only at node C, then node C may have to communicate with node A to get the wavelengths that were being sent across the band via node B to be sent across the band via node D-Z. This can be accomplished using one or more of the maintenance channels that are carried on a pilot tone on each wavelength.
FIG. 7 shows a hubbed connection pattern as a further example of the manner in which the nodes can be interconnected in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In FIG. 7, node C (5) acts as the hub from which "connections" are established to other nodes over dedicated wavebands extending between the hub node 5 and the remaining nodes.
FIG. 8 shows a meshed arrangement, where the nodes are connected in the form of a mesh pattern. In all cases the wavebands act as bit pipes establishing protocol independent high speed connections directly between nodes, which may be non-adjacent.
FIG. 9 shows examples of a signal payload that may be carried by a ring operating in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 9, band 30 establishes a protocol independent connection between nodes 4 and 7. This connection can carry SONET OC-3 traffic and Fiber channel traffic directly between the nodes. The system architecture does not need to know anything about the protocols. The band 7 merely delivers a high speed bit stream at node 7, which can be resolved into SONET and Fiber channel streams at the far end node.
FIG. 9 also shows Gigabit Ethernet and SONET OC-48 traffic between sent between nodes 5 and 8. Again the ring is indifferent to the protocols involved. The data is merely transported as a high speed bit stream over the carrier wavelength without regard to the underlying protocol.
It is of course possible to cascade multiple rings, interconnecting them at common nodes. However, if many rings are cascaded, dispersion effects and jitter effects on the electrical/optical signals may accumulate. In order to compensate for this, a regeneration stage may need to be added to the cross-connect matrix at selected interconnect points. This re-generation device is a wide range PLL (phase-locked loop) that locks onto the incoming digital data stream, recovers a clock and uses the clock to re-generate the digital stream. It is not necessary for the re-generator to know the specific format of the data in the stream, only to be able to lock onto the digital transitions and clean up the edges with respect to dispersion and jitter.
If the PLL requires setting for lock range or center frequency, this can be accommodated by maintenance channel configuration messages that are directed to the hardware that needs to be controlled.
A variety of external data sources can be connected to the data path for each wavelength. This can include OC-3, OC-12, a proprietary interface such as Newbridge ISL (Inter Shelf Links) and possibly Gigabit Ethernet sources.
As mentioned above, the wavelengths carry a maintenance channel, which is driven by an FSK modulator originating directly from the maintenance channel data stream.
In a multi-node WDM ring network the opportunity exists for overall optimization economies that can be facilitated by the individual nodes being able to communicate with each other to exchange information that is used to control the laser device by adjusting the fundamental operating parameters of the device and other optical elements that may be used in such a network. Methods of local optimization of laser parameters have been discussed in the literature. However, this approach uses and end-to-end approach which is more complete in terms of being able to adjust for network operating parameters. It also allows consideration to be given for specification tolerance reduction of other network elements e.g. filter roll off. centre frequency position and gain elements that may be present in such a ring configuration.
For each wavelength operating between two points in the WDM ring, there is a laser source, an add filter (or portion of an add/drop filter), fibre transmission media a drop filter (or portion of an add/drop filter), an optical detector and ancillary receive electronics to route the signal to other portions of the system.
The laser source is controlled by setting a laser current threshold, modulation current level and operating temperature. The operating wavelength is adjusted (by temp control) so as to provide maximum signal energy to the detector at the far end. This procedure aligns the emitted wavelength with the combined cascade filter response so as to minimizes the losses due to individual component tolerances. It also has the benefit of any medium to long term wavelength variation of the laser from the system loss plan calculations.
The peak optical power and the extinction ratio (ER) is regulated and controlled by special electronic circuits or by an embedded microcontroller. Laser slope efficiencies at bias level and at peak level can be measured by varying bias current and peak current in very small steps respectively. Such measurement allows the laser ER and peak power to be frequently monitored and controlled.
Wavelength stability is attained by adjusting the laser operating wavelength (e.g. adjusting laser operating temperature) while monitoring the received power level at the receiving node. Since the WDM filter modules have a narrow pass band (approximately 1 nm) for each wavelength channel and possesses other optical characteristics, it is possible to precisely re-align the laser operating wavelength on a regular basis.
In certain circumstances when operating the same wavelength on two different segments of the ring it may be necessary to set the operating wavelengths at slightly different points so as to minimize `beat noise` (a coherent interference effect between optical sources). This noise factor is overcome by having the operating wavelengths separated by come small amount (0.05 nm to 0.2 nm).
The other parameters of laser operation (threshold) and modulation depth are controlled end-to-end in such a way as to optimize the receive eye signal for a given data rate. The maintenance sign al that is superimposed on the optical wavelength gives a means of measuring the error performance of the mtce channel (which is directly proportional to the error rate of the main data channel on the optical beam.). By means of message feedback, the received signal condition state can be sent back to the laser transmitter so that corrective actions or stabilization routines can be run. The specific control routines are software algorithms that run on the embedded processor that is associated with the laser control circuitry. These control algorithms will include both wavelength stabilization routines and received eye signal optimization.
In a network of WDM laser sources and receivers (including drop/add filters) it may be necessary to add amplification to individual wavelengths or groups of wavelengths so as to obtain sufficient optical energy to achieve a desired bit error rate at the receiver. In a known topology situation a number of EDFA elements could be added to the system to overcome transmission losses due to fibre and filter loss. Due to the topology of the ring and the fact that it is a ring configuration, fixed gain blocks such as EDFA's may be difficult to specify and may in fact impair the performance of some wavelengths in the system.
A solution to the problem exists in the form of a SOA element combined with an electrically programmable attenuator element. This technology can be obtained in discrete element form or integrated onto a silicon waveguide structure. The SOA provides the pure gain required, the programmable attenuator allows for signal level optimization on a node to node basis, independent of the levels required for any other node to node level on the ring. The SOA/Attenuator combination may be applied at the laser source (as a post-amplifier), the receiver (as a pre-amplifier) or both.
In the event that it was desired to use EDFA elements as the gain block in a fibre based ring system, the programmable attenuator could be used to optimize the receive signal level at the receiver. It is felt that this would not provide as flexible a solution as the SOA/attenuator system but would overcome the problem of individual channels gain adjustment that is required in such an amplified add/drop system.
In all cases the key to the system optimization is the ability for the system to communicate on the mtce channels between source/receiver pairs and to optimize via control algorithms the operating level of the signal in such a way as to obtain the best end-to-end performance and WDM network management.
The maintenance and control processor of each node is a small computer board that contains processor, ram, flash memory for program and application store and several serial interfaces (one per MTCE link). The processor has an embedded DOS that is augmented with a TCP/IP routing and control module (Flexcom router and control switch). Since the Flexcom product is actually a multi-tasking O/S operating in conjunction with the embedded DOS, several monitor and control functions specific to laser operation and maintenance are integrated into this SW. A status and reporting function is also incorporated.
By means of this switch, all nodes in a system may be controlled and monitored by a remote PC that operates a Telnet session to each processor. Maintenance traffic may also be routed through a maintenance processor to other nodes or subtending equipment.
FIG. 11 shows the arrangement for creating the maintenance channel. Driver 90 for laser 91 has a bias input 92 that is modulated by FSK modulator 93 receiving at its input the maintenance channel 95. The data channel, which is all digital, is applied to the main input of the driver 90.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 11 embeds a pilot tone on each wavelength, which may be of low bit rate (<256 kbps). This pilot tone is injected into the wavelength channel by modulation of the bias current by the FSK modulator 93 that modulates the MTCE channel data stream into a sequence of tones. Other carrier modulation systems such as QAM-64 or QAM-256 or OFDM may be used. The level of the pilot tone is approximately 20 dB below the main data path. The effect of the pilot tone on the BER of the main data channel, which is purely digital, is minimal since it is carried on a portion of the spectral distribution curve well outside the portion carrying the high bit rate data (see FIG. 12).
The MTCE channel modulation ensures wavelength integrity between nodes, provides a power level estimate of wavelength link, provides node status and monitoring (SNMP, RMON type messaging), distribution of network level timing synchronization, and SW & FW downloads for node processors and sub-tended equipment.
Since the MTCE channel is modulated independently from the regular `data pipe` channel, the MTCE does not need to know what the format of data in the main channel is. This is extremely important in allowing format independence of end user applications and access.
The described arrangement provides a network capable of carrying data in the terabit/sec range over distances of up to 30 km, and more when cascaded rings are provided. It also allows the components of high speed switches, such as ATM switches, to be distributed over a campus wide network, resulting in substantial savings in trunk cards and processors. FIG. 13 is an example of such a distributed switch. Switch components 100 are interconnected over ring 1 using nodes 110 interconnected in the manner described above.
1. An interface device for use in an optical network employing wavelength division multiplexing, comprising;
- a demultiplexer for dropping a first waveband received from the network,
- means for converting optical input signals in said first waveband, received from said demultiplexer to electrical output signals,
- means for generating optical output signals from electrical input signals,
- a multiplexer for adding said optical output signals in a second waveband to the network,
- said demultiplexer and multiplexer being arranged to forward passively optical signals in a waveband other than said first wave band.
2. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said demultiplexer comprises an optical filter that directs said first waveband to said means for converting and directs said other waveband to said multiplexer.
3. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical filter is an interference filter.
4. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multiplexer comprises an optical filter that directs said second waveband and said other waveband into the network.
5. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for converting comprises an optical-to-electrical converter and an electrical demultiplexer.
6. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises an electrical multiplexer and an electrical-to-optical converter.
7. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cross-connect switch operatively connected to said means for converting and means for generating for switching said electrical output signals and said electrical input signals between the network and a local user.
8. An interface device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said local user is one of a payload interface of a sub-network and a telecommunication terminal.
9. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two said optical input signals have different transmission protocols.
10. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two said optical output signals have different transmission protocols.
11. An interface device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bit rate consistency monitor for counting, over a given unit of time, a number of the bits of an electrical input signal, and declaring a fault whenever said number varies by more than a nominal amount.
12. An interface device for a traffic node of an optical WDM network carrying a plurality of optical signals organized into wavebands, comprising;
- an optical waveband demultiplexer for receiving a first waveband signal and another waveband signal from said network, dropping said first waveband signal and passing through said another waveband signal;
- an optical channel demultiplexer for demultiplexing a plurality of optical drop signals from said first waveband signal; and
- an optical cross-connect switch operatively connected to said optical channel demultiplexer for switching said plurality of drop signals to one or more local users.
13. An interface device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an optical channel multiplexer optically connected to said cross-connect switch for multiplexing a plurality of optical add signals into a second waveband signal.
14. An interface device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a waveband multiplexer optically connected to said channel multiplexer for adding said second waveband to said another waveband signal.
15. An interface device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said optical cross-connect further switches said plurality of optical add signals received from one or more local users to said channel multiplexer.
16. An interface device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cross-connect switch is provided with wavelength conversion means for transposing the wavelength of a drop optical signal to a local wavelength.
17. An interface device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said cross-connect switch is provided with wavelength conversion means for transposing a local wavelength of an add signal into the wavelength of an add optical signal.
18. An interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein said wavelength conversion means is one of an electro-absorption device and a semiconductor optical amplifier.
19. An interface as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a bit rate consistency monitor for counting, over a given unit of time, a number of the bits of a respective electrical variant of each said optical drop signal, and declaring a fault whenever said number varies by more than a nominal amount.
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- Sarma et al.,"WDM Ring Network Using a Centralized Multiwavelength Light Source and Add-Drop Multiplexing Filters", Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 15, No. 6, Jun. 1997. pp. 917-929. Karol, "Optical Interconnection Using Shuffle Net Multihop Networks in Multi-Connected Ring Topologies," AT&T Bell Laboratories, ACM. 1988, pp. 25-34. Abeysundara et al., "High-Speed Local Area Networks and Their Performance: A Survey," ACM Computing Surveys, vol. 23, No. 2, Jun. 1991, pp. 221-264. Aggrawal et al., Chapter 46: "Efficient Routing and Scheduling Algorithms for Optical Networks," pp. 412-423. Dowd, "High Performance Interprocessor Communication Through Optical Wavelength Division Multiple Access Channels," ACM, 1991, pp. 96-105. Marsan et al., "Topologies for Wavelength-Routing All-Optical Networks," IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking. vol. 1, No. 5, Oct. 1993, pp. 534-546. Scott, et al., "Demonstrating Next-Generation Optical Transmisson," Telesis. Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Dec. 1994 (7 pages). Beaumont et al., "Next-Generation Network Architectures and Technology Platforms," Telesis, Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Oct. 1995 (11 pages). Wirbel, "Sonet Transport Catches a Wave," Electronic Engineering Times. Sep. 16, 1996 (4 pages). Snyder, "Branded with Optics," Telephony. Jul. 22, 1996 (3 pages). Snyder, "Sprint Makes Strides in Sonet Service," Telephony. Jun. 17, 1996 (2 pages). Tachikawa et al., "New Functional Multiaddress Channel Selective Terminal Using an Arrayed Waveguide Grating Multiplexor with Cross-Connect Loopback Paths," IEEE Proc. on Optoelectronics, Oct. 1995 (Abstract-1 page). Raghavan et al., "Efficient Routing in All-Optical Networks," ACM, 1994, pp. 134-143. Iness et al., "GEMNET: A Generalized, Shuffle-Exchange-Based, Regular, Scalable, Modular, Multihop, WDM Lightwave Netowrk," IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 3, No. 4, Aug. 1995, pp. 470-476. Desai et al., "A Comparative Study of Single Hop WDM Interconnections for Multiprocessors," ACM, 1995, pp. 154-163. Ramaswami et al., "Routing and Wavelength Assignment in All-Optical Networks," IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 3, No. 5, Oct. 1995, pp. 489-500.
Patent History
Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 12, 1999
Date of Patent: Jul 4, 2000
Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation (Montreal)
Inventors: David Milton (Kanata), Tomas Valis (Ottawa), Gino Totti (Kanata), Kexing Liu (Nepean), Michel Pigeon (Nepean)
Primary Examiner: Kinfe-Michael Negash
Attorney: Aprilia U. Diaconescu
Application Number: 9/372,577
International Classification: H04J 1402;


text:
9News on KTVD beats Fox31 at 9 p.m.
KTVD, the Gannett sibling of KUSA 9News that once was an overflow channel for election nights and a space holder for the future, is now No. 1 at 9 p.m. The 9News newscast on KTVD beat the newscast on KDVR Fox31 for the first time in October in both households and the key news demographic (adults 25-54). KTVD had help from Fox's Major League Baseball overruns, which meant the KDVR news ran late during much of the month, but the milestone is still noteworthy.
9News on Channel 20 earned a 1.6 rating, beating Fox31's 1.4 rating in the 25-54 demographic, Monday-Friday for the month. In the overall household rating, Channel 20 scored a 2.8 over Channel 31's 2.6.
9News VP-News Director Patti Dennis credited the team of Kyle Clark, Kim Christiansen, Kathy Sabine, Drew Soicher and Kirk Montgomery for helping to pull ahead of the news competition at 9 p.m.
KDVR-KWGN have been undergoing staff turnover and are operating with smaller than usual staffs. At the start of the November sweeps, when local ratings are measured to set ad rates for the future, the stations face an uphill climb.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Voice Messaging allows you to send your recorded voice as a message. We made an effort to build a user experience across all of our platforms that is as similar as possible, but we encourage you also to spend time reading the articles below to better understand how Voice Messaging works on your smartphone.
Learn how to use Voice Messaging on: Android | iPhone | Windows Phone | Nokia S40 | BlackBerry | Nokia S60 | BlackBerry 10
WhatsApp Support Team


text:
On site representations are not limited to the individual or team located on your site. With technical, administrative and management support at both local and global levels, your machine requirements are always covered.
Supervision agreements
Tailored to suit customer owned maintenance crew with support for technical issues, training, planning, administration and workforce management.
Labour onsite/Full service agreements
Take the next step by providing the full complement of technicians and ancillary support personnel.
We are continuously improving our service offering to meet the market demand, please contact your local Epiroc Customer Center to find out what is available for your machine model on your market.


text:
I am 3.0 level and looking for 2-4 level players in the North and NW suburbs. I am in Bannockburn\Lincolnshire area and can travel within 20-30 miles. Looking to play week days after 6 pm.
Views: 144
Replies to This Discussion
Hey Stoil,
My friend and I are 2.5~3.0 from Buffalo Grove/Niles area. We are both females and in 20s.
Do you have one more person so we have even number of people?
Can I also ask your age if you don't mind telling us?
Hi Grace,
thanks for replying.
I am 32 y.o. Buffalo Grove/Niles area works for me. But I don't have one more person. I am here in the Chicago area on business for the summer and don't know much people - that's why I am looking for tennis partners here. But maybe someone else also would reply to this thread.
Hi All
This is Sri. I am available on all weekends to play from 9:30AM onward. Let me know who is interested. My # is 804 502 7170
Hi Sri,
are you available on weekdays after 6.30 pm?
I live in Evanston but work in Lincolnshire. Would love to play after work, so 6pm works perfect for me. 26 y/o male, about 3-3.5 level.
© 2019 Created by Mark / The Mayor. Powered by


text: Thank you For the third year running, you voted Echo as the country's leading third party logistics provider. Learn more Our Clients' Stories Learn how other businesses have benefited from partnering with Echo, and find out how we can save your company both time and resources. View Our Testimonials Technology at your fingertips, experts at your side. Quote. Book. Ship. Track. Pay. Now easier than ever with EchoShip. Learn More Living the Freight Life You can join the growing Echo team. Find your fit by exploring life at Echo, searching open positions, and connecting with our recruiting team. View Open Positions Echo's Transportation Simplified Blog Is Here! This blog will serve as a resource to our community, providing relevant industry news, best practices, and insights. Read The Blog Track a Shipment Reference # Track Multimodal Shipping Services Truckload LTL Intermodal International Air & Ocean Small Parcel Specialized/ Partial Managed Transportation Solutions Let dedicated logistics professionals handle your complete transportation program with a solution designed to improve and simplify your logistics by leveraging the Echo team's experience and capabilities. Learn more Careers Transportation should be simple—so should your career choice. Explore the Freight Life and how you can join the growing Echo team. Find your fit Carrier Services Our carriers consider us a partner that's easy to do business with. They rely on Echo to provide consistent freight and reduce empty miles. Become an Echo Carrier Client Services From coast to coast, by road, rail or sea, Echo connects businesses that need to ship their products with carriers who transport goods quickly, securely, and cost-effectively. We're your one-stop logistics shop. LEARN MORE Technology Our proprietary technology delivers real-time connectivity across the supply chain, complete shipment visibility, and proactive exception recovery—helping you streamline tasks and reduce costs. learn more Echo News Keep up with Echo news stories, industry articles, awards, and press releases. Read the Latest Awards Null × BECOME A CLIENT Our Locations


text:
Five big shows are coming to Cafe Eleven in January and February. The restaurant and entertainment venue is at 501 A1A Beach Blvd., in St. Augustine Beach. Call 460-9311 or go to originalcafe11.com.
Justin Townes Earle will perform Jan. 9 in Cafe Eleven. For an artist whose list of influences runs the gamut from Randy Newman to Woody Guthrie, Chet Baker to the Replacements, and Phil Ochs to Bruce Springsteen, categories are useless. "Great songs are great songs," Earle said. The show will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.
The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet will perform at 9 p.m. Jan. 17 in Cafe Eleven. After touring exten-sively with the John Jorgen-son Quintet, Gonzalo Bergara has emerged a virtuoso composer and lead guitarist, who mixes a cascade of arpeggios with the sounds of Paris and his native Argentina to forge his own style of progressive Gypsy Jazz. His all-acoustic quartet plays a modern variant of the 1930s Django Reinhardt-inspired sound. Tickets are $15.
Helio Sequence featuring Shabazz Palaces will be on stage at 9 p.m. Jan. 22 in Cafe Eleven. The new record - a collection of shimmering, reverb-heavy songs - is a meditation on those inner dialogues with solitude, memory, misgivings, loss, atonement, acceptance and hope. Most of all, it's a record that serves as a testament to the beauty, blessing and excitement of a fresh start. Tickets are $12.
Ballyhoo will be on stage at 9 p.m. Jan. 29 in Cafe Eleven. The group's unique sound, and hardcore devotion to the road and their fans has pitched them into snowballing success. The band has performed with a myriad of national touring acts including 311, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Dirty Heads, Matisyahu and others. In 2011, performed during the Last Calls and Liabilities tour with Pepper. Tickets are $12.
Singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey will perform at 9 p.m. Feb. 21 in Cafe Eleven. Over the past 20 years, Mulvey has pursued an eclectic path as a writer and musician, performing on the streets of Dublin, the subways of Boston and now touring as a headliner for an audience that stretches around the globe. Since the early '90s, Mulvey has recorded a series of critically acclaimed albums, narrated PBS documentaries, and played shows everywhere from coffeehouses to the Kennedy Center. Tickets are $10.


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Sounders FC
Sounders reign as grand marshals of Seafair Torchlight Parade
Being a grand marshal of the Seafair Torchlight Parade isn't just one more honor for Clint Dempsey, the United States national team captain and Seattle Sounders goals leader.
It's also a bonding experience for the native Texan and his family with their new community. And Friday, Dempsey even volunteered that bond has grown strong enough where he hopes to remain a Sounder beyond the length of his current contract.
"I have three kids and two of them are involved in the school system," Dempsey said. "Being able to live here with my family, have them in the schools here, be a part of some of the things that we do here in the community — you feel more attached, more involved, more a part of it. My family loves it here. We want to stay here as long as possible. But we also look forward to at least two more years after this season of being here, and hopefully more."
Dempsey, 31, has been a Sounder for just under a year.
He joined the club Aug. 3, 2013, after seven years playing in England. Dempsey recorded one goal and one assist over 12 regular-season and playoff appearances.
This season, he is the club leader with nine goals, despite missing six games from May to July due to World Cup duty in Brazil.
Now he's back. And for all the honors he has received, including a post-World Cup phone call with the president, Dempsey has never before been featured in a parade — although his sisters have.
"They were always like in twirling and stuff and they would do a little twirl thing as they were walking down the streets in like Nacogdoches (Texas)," Dempsey said. "I remember as a kid going and watching them perform. … I had good memories as a kid of that. So I'm looking forward to seeing what this fair will be like. I'm sure it's bigger than Nacogdoches."
That's a safe bet. Nacogdoches is an east Texas city of around 35,000 people, while Seafair estimates 150,000 people will attend its parade, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Dempsey will share the grand marshal honor with USA and Sounders teammate DeAndre Yedlin, a Seattle native who remembers watching the Blue Angels and the hydroplane races and the parade with his family.
"I'm a Seattle kid, so any time I can take part in a Seattle event like this, it's great for me," Yedlin said. "I went as a kid, so it will be exciting now to be in the parade and see what it's like from that point of view."
Yedlin, 21, was one of the breakout players of the World Cup, and since returning he has been the subject of transfer speculation. And as his international profile has grown, so has his celebrity within his hometown.
"I think anybody who would have played on the World Cup team would have got that," he said. "I'm doing pretty well with it. … I think it's pretty cool, because I know when I was a little kid I looked at a lot of other people in that way, so it's cool to be on the other end of that. I'm having a good time with it, enjoying the ride."
That's good, coach Sigi Schmid said, because the popularity of Sounders FC in Seattle also makes its players local celebrities in a way that doesn't happen in most Major League Soccer cities.
"They're well recognized in the community," Schmid said. "So I think we're maybe a greater part of the sports fabric in this city than sometimes in L.A. (where) you feel like even though the Galaxy has done well and has a lot of notoriety to it, sometimes you feel you get lost in the fabric between the Dodgers and the Lakers and the Kings and all that other stuff. Here, I think the Sounders are very integrated into the fabric of sports in this city."


text:
A noble claims that a stranger did not enter the town by any normal means, but trough his mirror. The man in question is ravening mad and mutters on about vast halls connecting all the mirrors in the world.
Ideas ( Plots ) | October 24, 2007 |
View |


text:
Apple Airpod Mount Bamboo
inkl. MwSt., zzgl. shipping. Ab 50€ versandkostenfrei.
You can charge your Apple Airpods comfortably and elegantly with our ALLDOCK Air Pod Mount. The holder allows stylish loading. All you have to do is dock your Apple AirPods in the mount and your Air Pods will load in ALLDOCK next to all your other devices. One pair of AirPods can be loaded per mount. The ALLDOCK MEDIUM can be equipped with two mounts, the ALLDOCK LARGE with three mounts. Available is the mount in plain white, in black as well as in high-quality bamboo and walnut wood and therefore harmonizes with every ALLDOCK.
Technical Data (PDF-Download)
Assembly instructions (PDF-Download)
Versatility and quality are our top priorities: We only use 100% natural bamboo and walnut from sustainable forests in China and North America.
Apple AirPod Mount
Dimensions in cm (ABS variants): Length 5.5 x width 4.8 x height 6.7
Dimensions in cm (wood variants): length 6.1 x width 5.2 x height 6.7
Weight in g (ABS variants): 21.71
Weight in g (wood variants): 56.72
A dispatch of the commodity is possible by default only into the countries specified below. The dispatch takes place with DPD. You can see the shipping costs in the table below. We ship your order on weekdays on the same day until receipt 13:30 clock, except Saturdays and Sundays. After 13:30 it is possible that your order will not be packed and handed over to DPD until the next day (exception: Saturday and Sunday).
If you wish to ship to another country, please send us an e-mail (firstname.lastname@example.com) before placing an order and tell us the item with the quantity and the delivery address with the country and the corresponding postal code. We will then inform you at short notice whether we can also ship to the desired country and inform you about the shipping costs, since we must inquire the shipping option and the costs in advance with our shipping partner.
Up to a gross value of 49,99 Euro the shipping costs are 4,99 Euro. If the gross value of the goods exceeds 49.99 Euro, we will ship the goods throughout Germany.
free of shipping costs.
The delivery time within Germany is 1-3 working days.
Returns are free of charge. A return receipt can be requested from our support (email@example.com).
Deliveries to a DHL Packstation are unfortunately not possible.
We also deliver to the following countries at the following conditions:
We offer many payment options to make your ordering process as flexible as possible.
1. PayPal
2. Credit cards: Master, Visa or American Express
3. Pay Later (Klarna)
4. Immediate bank transfer (Klarna)
5. Google Pay
6. Apple Pay
The General Terms and Conditions of PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg, apply. You can view them here . There are no fees for this payment option.
Pay conveniently by credit card. We accept the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express.
In cooperation with Klarna Bank AB (publ), Sveavägen 46, 111 34 Stockholm, Sweden, we offer the following payment options. Payment will be made to Klarna:
- Invoice: The payment period is 14 days from dispatch of the goods/ticket/ or, in the case of other services, provision of the service. You will find the terms and conditions for invoices for deliveries to Germany at https://cdn.klarna.com/1.0/shared/content/legal/te... and for deliveries to Austria at https://cdn.klarna.com/1.0/shared/content/legal/te...
- Sofort: Your account will be debited immediately after placing the order.
The use of the payment methods Invoice requires a positive credit assessment. In this respect, we forward your data to Klarna for the purpose of address and creditworthiness checks as part of the purchase initiation and processing of the purchase contract. Please understand that we can only offer you those payment methods which are permissible on the basis of the results of the credit assessment. Further information and Klarnas Terms of Use for Germany can be found here: https://cdn.klarna.com/1.0/shared/content/legal/te... and for Austria here: https://cdn.klarna.com/1.0/shared/content/legal/te... General information about Klarna can be found here: www.klarna.com. Your personal details will be treated by Klarna in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations and in accordance with the information in Klarnas data protection regulation Deutschland/ Österreich (Please only add this paragraph if you also offer at least one of the payment methods listed here (invoice, installment purchase and/or direct debit) and only list those payment methods which are also offered by you).
With the payment method "SOFORT" we send the goods only after receipt of payment. According to Klarna the transfer can take 2 to 14 days, the rule is 3 working days.
All information about Google Pay can be found here: https://payments.google.com/payments/apis-secure/u/0/get_legal_document?ldo=0&ldt=googlepaytos&ldl=en
All information about Apple Pay can be found here: https://support.apple.com/de-de/HT201469
Consumers, i.e. any individual acting for purposes which are wholly or mainly outside those individual's trade, business, craft or profession, are entitled to cancel any contract on the following conditions:
A. Instructions for cancellation
Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the goods.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us (Dittrich Design GmbH, Clausenstrasse 39, 42285 Wuppertal, Deutschland, Tel.: 0202 870 470 70, Fax: 0202 870 470 72, E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com) of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you choose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us) without undue delay and not later than fourteen days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel this contract. We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you. We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise. In any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of the reimbursement. We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to
Dittrich Design GmbH
c/o EC Express Courier Dienste GmbH
Wuppertaler Strasse 80
45549 Sprockhövel
without undue delay and in any event not later than fourteen days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired.
You will bear the direct cost of returning the goods.
You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods
General information
1) Please prevent damage to and contamination of the goods. Please return the goods, if possible, in the original packaging with all accessories and all packaging components. If necessary, please use protective outer packaging. If you are no longer in possession of the original packaging, please use suitable packaging providing adequate protection against potential transport damage.
2) Please do not return the goods freight forward.
3) Please note that the above general information in section 1 and 2 is not a precondition for effectively exercising your right to cancel.
B. Cancellation form
If you wish to cancel this contract, please complete and submit this form.
Dittrich Design GmbH
c/o EC Express Courier Dienste GmbH
Wuppertaler Strasse 80
45549 Sprockhövel
Tel.: +49 201 – 891 41 90
Fax: +49 202 – 870 470 72
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) cancel my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*) /for the supply of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*) ____________ / received on (*) __________________
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
(*) Delete as appropriate


text:
MONDAY, Jan. 30, 2012 (HealthDay News) -- People who donate a piece of their liver to someone in need of a transplant can still live a long and healthy life, according to a new study.
This is possible because only a small portion is removed from a donor, and the liver is an organ that can regrow quickly, researchers explain.
Due to a highly publicized liver donor death in 2002, live liver donation dropped from 500 transplants in the United States each year to just 200 to 300 surgeries.
Live liver donation is believed to be more dangerous than it really is, said study leader and transplant surgeon Dr. Dorry Segev. As a result, there is a significant shortage of livers available for the 16,000 people currently in need of a liver transplant.
"The donor process is safer than some have previously thought," Segev, director of clinical research in transplant surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a Hopkins news release. "Live liver donation is a serious operation with serious risks. However, in this largest study ever conducted in the United States, we have shown that it is safer than many previously believed, with a risk of death of 1.7 per 1,000 donors."
To assess the safety of live liver donation, the researchers analyzed information on more than 4,000 live liver donors in the United States between April 1994 and March 2011 and followed them for roughly eight years.
Seven donor deaths occurred in the 90 days following surgery.
Although "relatively low," the risk of death for live liver donors is still five times higher than the risk for kidney donors, the researchers said. However, they noted that kidney donation is a simpler procedure and that the long-term survival rate for live liver donors was overall equal to that of kidney donors and a control group of healthy participants.
The new study appears in the February issue of the journal Gastroenterology.
"For many, the risk of dying on the waiting list is higher than the chance of getting a deceased donor transplant," Segev said. "For the right patients, with the right needs and the right donors, live donor transplantation can be the best treatment option, and this study reassures us that the risk of a catastrophic complication remains low."
"The ideal risk of death from donating an organ is zero and we work as hard as we can to seek that ideal," Segev said. "But in these serious, major operations, it is unlikely the risk will ever be zero."
More information
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides more information on organ donation and transplantation.


text:
Many in GOP have no reason to deal
The prevailing wisdom ahead of the government shutdown was that tea party lawmakers who agitated for it would fold within a few days, once they got an earful from angry constituents and felt the sting of bad headlines. House GOP leaders called it a "touch the stove" moment for the band of Republican rebels, when ideology would finally meet reality.
But there's another reality that explains why that thinking may well be wrong, and the country could be in for a protracted standoff: Most of the Republicans digging in have no reason to fear voters will ever punish them for it.
Story Continued Below
The vast majority of GOP lawmakers are safely ensconced in districts that, based on the voter rolls, would never think of electing a Democrat. Their bigger worry is that someone even more conservative than they are — bankrolled by a cadre of uncompromising conservative groups — might challenge them in a primary.
( POLITICO's full government shutdown coverage)
So from the standpoint of pure political survival, there's every incentive to keep the government closed in what looks like a futile protest over Obamacare. The latest theory gaining currency in Congress is that it will take a potential default on the nation's debt in a few weeks to bring the crisis to a head.
Just look at the ringleaders of the defund-Obamacare effort in the House: Georgia Rep. Tom Graves, a Tea Party Caucus member, represents a district where Obama won just a quarter of the vote. Fewer than two in five voters in Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's district backed the president for reelection. And Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador, a poster child of the conservative Club for Growth, is in a district where Obama got just 32 percent.
"Why is it us [that has] to give up the fight? How about we actually negotiate?" asked GOP Rep. Markwayne Mullin, who represents an east Oklahoma district where Obama received 32 percent.
( PHOTOS: 18 times the government has shut down)
The congressional map is far more gerrymandered today than it was 17 years ago during the last shutdown, when House Speaker Newt Gingrich was negotiating with President Bill Clinton. According to David Wasserman, who analyzes House races for the Cook Political Report, 79 of the 236 House Republicans serving during the last shutdown resided in districts that Clinton won in 1992. Today, just 17 of the 232 House Republicans are in districts that Obama won in 2012.
"Is redistricting a big deal in the sense that there is a greater threat from a primary than a general election? The answer to that is yes," said David Winston, a Republican pollster and adviser to Boehner. "It's clearly an element."
( POLITICO interview: Rep. Steve King predicts longer shutdown)
The post-2010 redistricting process combined with recent demographic shifts helped solidify the Republican majority; few GOP seats are seen as seriously endangered in the midterm elections. But those factors have also put House Speaker John Boehner in a straitjacket, forced to answer to a Republican conference that has little appetite for resolving the standoff on anything resembling Democratic terms.
In an interview with POLITICO on Tuesday, Iowa Rep. Steve King, a tea party hero, predicted that the shutdown "won't be a day or two. It will be a little longer than that, at least."
Boehner has seen this movie play out in nearly every major legislative battle over the past year. During the "fiscal cliff" fight late last year, the speaker was forced to pull a bill from the floor after conservatives rallied against it. A similar dynamic sank a farm bill in June.
( Also on POLITICO: Rand Paul's government shutdown diplomacy)
Republican strategists hope that by the time voters head to the polls 13 months from now they will have forgotten about the shutdown. It's possible, they say, that anger about Obamacare will crowd out bad memories of the current mess.
But GOP operatives are also aware that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more likely it is to sway races next year. And they know that there's little they can do to persuade conservative members to move on from the fight. As much as they want members like Graves, Massieand Labrador to get on board with their view that the shutdown could hurt the party in moderate districts, they realize it's just not going to happen.


text:
Tomato scare? Break out the salsa!
A couple of emails and phone calls today, along with
this story on Forbes.com (click here) remind me to remind you that there are plenty of tomatoes circulating that are considered by the FDA to be safe.
Tomatoes from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia are SAFE.
Safe countries include Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel
Netherlands, Puerto Rico.
And if you grew it yourself, only you know how safe it is. Click here for more from the FDA.
If you're not sure about the tomato you bought, call the store where you bought it and ask where it came from. If you're at a restaurant, ask to make sure their tomatoes came from a safe state.
But don't give up on tomatoes.
Why? Because it sure would suck to be a tomato farmer with perfectly good tomatoes that no one wants. Or a chef with a delicious, safe tomato soup that gets tossed down the drain.
Cherry tomatoes, vine-ripened tomatoes, and grape tomatoes, by the way, are fine, thanks to differences in their origin, production and distribution. So, eat 'em. In fact, here's a recipe for cherry-tomato salsa from Bon Appetit magazine. I found it on epicurious.com, and it sounds delicious.
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 cup small cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1 teaspoon minced jalapeño chili with seeds
1 teaspoon honey
Mix oil, basil, lime juice tomatoes, onion, jalapeño and honey in medium bowl. Season salsa with salt and pepper.


text: SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Shares of Yelp Inc. YELP, -0.46% were downgraded to underperform from market perform by Northland Capital Markets on Wednesday. Analyst Darren Aftahi cited the Tuesday launch of Facebook Inc.'s FB, +1.24% graph search feature, which he argued "is highly competitive to Yelp, as the platform provides a unique alternative to local business search within the context of one's social network." Shares of Yelp were down 1% at $20.42 in early trades, while Facebook was off a fraction at $29.99.


text:
UHP2213 Farmhouse Chandelier, 24"H x 21-1/4"W, Galvanized Steel Finish, Anchorage Collection
FREE RETURNSAt Urban Ambiance, we understand that plans can change during home renovations. So if you find yourself in a position of needing to return an item... no problem! We'll make it easy on you with pre-paid return labels and no restocking fees!
We'll cover your return shipping costs! Should you need to setup a return, just reach out to us at email@example.com and we'll reply back with a printable PDF return label which not only ensures the light makes it back to the right location, but covers all shipping costs too. Simply drop it off with UPS and you're done!
Once the package arrives back at our warehouse and is checked in, we'll issue you a FULL refund. No restocking fees or any other nonsense. You return it, you get all your money back. Its that simple.
We recognize that many of our customers are purchasing fixtures well in advance of installation, and as such, we are pleased to offer a 90 day return window from delivery. So relax... You've got time.
Need to setup a return? Just send us a note at email@example.com and we'll reply with a pre-paid return shipping label and basic return instructions.
Giving back to our communities is part of our ethos. It's in our DNA. At Urban Ambiance, we recognize that our business success is predicated on the success of the communities we serve. As such, we are committed to providing for those who need it most. Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we are donating a percentage of our profits to help them in their endeavors to build new homes for the needy.
Early on at Urban Ambiance, we established the goal of building a successful business balanced with a healthy dose of social consciousness. Though ambitious (and daunting), we keep our strategy simple: 1) identify and source elegantly designed, innovative products 2) Continue to refine and improve the online shopping experience 3) demonstrate our commitment to building strong, vibrant communities.
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Nolwenn Hadet
RENCONTRE POLAIREAbout this photograph
Attracted by the great virgin spaces and the most well preserved regions of the world, photographer Nolwenn Hadet fell under the spell of the Arctic several years ago. She brings a sensitive and poetic gaze to bear on this environment and the animals that live there. While producing such images is extremely dangerous, her pictures are full of gentle serenity, revealing a sublime world to us. Preparing her expeditions sometimes two years in advance, the photographer must be accompanied by a guide in order to approach the bears as closely as possible and in the safest conditions. It is also important to take into account the desirable periods for viewing them, in summer in Spitsbergen, between September and October in the north of Alaska, and in February in order to spot the cubs as they leave their den. Nolwenn Hadet offers us her tender and playful view of polar bears, the primary victims of the melting of the ice due to climate change and thus a species facing a very real threat of extinction.Read more Read less
The photographs are carefully packaged in order to ensure their optimal protection during transport.
Nolween Hadet has never really left her native Brittany, with the exception of the exceptional expeditions that she undertakes in the most remote regions of the world, in order to satisfy her immense passion for photography. Born in 1973 in the Morbihan region and now living in Nantes, she has taken photographs since she was very young. These are irrevocably linked to her travels and to the rare animals that she encounters on her way, from the vast plains of Botswana to the frozen surfaces of Arctic ice floes.


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We're inundated with multiple versions of the same things in all kinds of categories, all the time. Something old is new again, and effective ideas just cycle through the system. It lends itself perfectly as a way to continue practice with RI.5.5 comparing and contrasting ideas, while using old and new adaptations of the same concept.
I take a class poll:
"How many of you like to see more than one version of something? For instance, different versions of the same story (Cinderella,) or the same movie (Freaky Friday,) etc." As I pose this question, one boy brings up the idea of version upgrades, such as iPad and iPad Air, XBox, and the many generations of iPhones. What a wonderful and accurate contribution!
Next, I have them pull out a piece of scrap paper and write a list of things that have different versions. We next compile our ideas onto the Smart Board.
I then ask which they tend to like better. The various examples center into some categories. The comments are quite enthusiastic. As far as technology upgrades it's a resounding, "THE NEW ONES!" With books: "It doesn't really matter," and about the movies, "I know there are two, but I've only seen one," or "My mom showed me the old Parent Trap, but I didn't like it better." One of my favorite answers is, "I like reading a Biography and Autobiography because it's about the same person, but probably different versions of them." More fabulous thinking! On their personal lists other interesting things come up, too. For example- different versions of shoes, cars, football teams.
After this lively discussion, it's time to pass out the two different lyrics of, "Let it Go" and have them highlight any differences they see (Comparing the Lyrics). They're surprised that there actually are any differences because as one student put it, "I just never thought about it before!" "Let it Go" lyrics Idina Menzel and "Let it Go" lyrics Demi Lovato
I pass the Double Bubble Maps/Venn Diagrams to the class. They have been copied back-to-back so the kids have both methods of comparing and contrasting. I tell them I will be playing each of the two versions, and they're to use the Double Bubble Maps or Venn Diagrams while they listen. They'll experience audio first, then video.
With the "Frozen" CD ready to go, I purposely play the Idina Menzel version first (Working on the Double Bubble after audio of songs). This is the power ballad of the movie. The kids work on their comparison page. Next, I play the Demi Lovato version, which is a cover of the song, and the kids write comparisons and contrasts (Double Bubble of audio). On a separate page they cast their vote for which of the two they favor.
They now listen again, but this time they're watching the video. They flip the paper over, and compare again using the other method (Watching the video).
As before, I play the video from the movie first (Watching the Idina Menzel version) then the (Demi Lovato video).
The kids compare and contrast these as they listen. Venn Diagram after the Videos
They write a 1/2 to one page persuasive essay to convince others to agree with their choice.
Audio Double Bubble and Opinion Essay
Persuasive Essay and Venn Diagram
Persuasive Essay and Double Bubble
They're each invited to share their opinions, Expressing her opinion about the song versions, and not surprisingly, all girls volunteer Strong opinions! most likely due to the movie's popularity with girls.
The kids come forward to the Smart Board when they finish their persuasive essay, and vote for the version they prefer. As it turns out, Idina Menzel edges out the Demi Lovato version 19 to 10 (Results of our Comparison: 19 Idina, 10 Demi). I have to admit that I agree with the majority!
Now that the kids have had the chance to compare the two versions they're familiar with, I treat them to one final version, just for fun. This is the multi-language adaptation.
The countries represented are listed at the bottom as they occur. It's fun to hear this familiar song sung in such a clever way. All of the twenty-five languages included are sung by different singers. This is amazing because it truly sounds like it could be the same person. The Multi-Language Version was fun There is certainly another lesson idea in here, not to mention the opportunity to compare and contrast audio with video, but for today, we've taken it as far as I want.


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This latest featured blogger really doesn't need an introduction. We all know and love Paloma from La Dolce Vita! She is one of sweetest bloggers I know and is always full of encouraging words and of course stylish eye candy that I get to drool over on her site. When I first started this blog of mine Paloma's blog was one of those untouchable ones. She was so cool, so established, totally a big time blogger and I was of course scared to even comment. It needed to be the perfect comment and that was a lot of pressure. I was a reader for a long time, before I actually commented and I'm so happy that I finally did comment. She is so down to earth and we've become dear friends. She is always only an email away and more than happy to hear about my problems whether they are style related or just plain personal. I heart her! Top it off with her latest endeavour in the blogging world, Decorum Design Forum and she has made me one happy lady.
So sit back, get comfy and enjoy a day in the sweet life!
7:30 am – My husband Fabian kisses me and says good bye as he heads out for work. I fall back asleep after a few minutes.
9:00 am – I wake up, check my e-mail and then do a Pilates work out. I used to feel really guilty about sleeping until so late considering the fact that I have woken up so early my entire life. I would wake up at 5:10 am when I was a classroom teacher, so this is a hug change. After thinking about it a bit, I let go of the guilt because I figure that once I have children, I will be getting up early again for a long time. I might as well enjoy it while I can!
10:00 am – 12:00 am – I eat some yogurt after my work out and then hop in the shower. Then, I put on my make-up and go make the rounds on the old internet while I let my hair air dry a bit. I check all of my favorite blogs for new posts, then visit my design forum, Decorum to see what is new. After a little while, I go finish doing my hair and finish getting ready, then return to my office. Today, I am working on a post on stylish work spaces. Mine needs some major help in terms of organization right now. I mainly blame my hubby for this!
12:15 pm- I begin working on lessons for today's tutoring clients. I usually create supplemental materials and activities to reinforce what they are working on at school.
1:30 pm – I take a break for lunch. Today I have Shrimp Wonton Soup, a Clementine orange, and a ton of water.
2:00 pm – I go back to my office to finish preparing today's lessons.
2:30 pm- I run to Target to pick up some cereal and milk. Of course, I am distracted while I am there and spend more time here than I had planned to! Check out what I found:
I love these embroidered zig zag pillows and kind of want to get them for my bed.
I really want to get this Thomas O'Brien Greek Key shower curtain for my guest bath. They have had the display up for months, but have never had it in stock! Unfortunately, it doesn't appear anywhere on their website either. Why must you be such a tease, Target?
4:00 pm- 7:00 pm – Head to my first appointment. From there, I move on to my second appointment where I get to play with the family's beautiful kitten. He is part Servil and part Savannah and looks like a mini Leopard.
7:20 pm – I arrive home and greet my husband, who has started grilling some chicken and vegetables for dinner.
9:00 pm – Time to watch the Real Housewives of New York Season Finale! Did anyone else think it was kind of a letdown aside from the awesomely bad dancing scene with Simon and Ramona?
10:00 pm – I watch the news with Fabian, and then after he goes to sleep, I go online and do some research in regards to adopting a puppy. I love to research things, but this is exhausting! There is so much to consider. I know that people are very passionate about adopting rescued dogs over dogs from breeders, as can be evidenced in my post. However, I really need a dog that is allergy friendly because I am pretty allergic to most of the dogs I have ever been around. We were thinking about a Labradoodle, but have started leaning towards a Cockapoo because they require less grooming. Labradoodles have to be brushed every day and groomed once a month! Does anyone have any experience with Cockapoos?
12:45 pm – Lights out! See you tomorrow!
Thanks to Camila for inviting me to be a part of this feature!
Hope you all enjoyed the latest addition to the IN HER SHOES series. I'm hard at work getting some interesting people to join in on the fun. Like always let me know if there is someone special you want to see featured and I'll try to make it happen.
We finally have some sunshine today in NY so I am taking advantage and going out to soak up some rays!
Tomorrow I'm trying to drag my poor hubby to this! Since it's my birthday on Sunday I've been pulling the old, "It's my birthday week you have to do what I say!" I'll be sure to take some pictures if I go.
Labels: In her shoes


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Crikey! Cold Steel's got a new boomerang for the end of summer! It's great for target throwing, recreation, or just controlling the wallaby squirrel population in your yard.
Constructed from tough, durable Polypropylene, throwing the 928BRG can help you hone your hand-eye coordination, plus it's good exercise! At 28″ overall length, this beast is not to be trifled with. Please note: this is a hunting boomerang, it is not designed to return to the thrower. Cold Steel made it to hit hard, and that's what it does! Take a look at this boomerang, and many other Cold Steel products at www.knifecenter.com!
More information from Cold Steel: Continue Reading


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Visited Sunset Crater/Wapatki National Monument some 20-30 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Az. Sunset crater is a volcano which erupted about 1,000 years ago and blanketed the area with volcanic ash and lava flows. There were a number of obvious cinder cones in the area but the park service does not allow climbing on them because hikers were damaging the mountain. Instead, we focused on Wapatki which is a pueblo type dwelling some 15 miles up the road.
Before getting there we stopped at a scenic overlook facing east towards the Painted Desert. The photos below give some idea of the barren landscape. A much better photo rig than my poor digital camera would have been needed to see much of the Painted Desert (some 30-50 miles away at this point) but in person, it was spectacular.
Anyway, on to Wapatki.
My wife giving a little scale to the ruins...
These next few are close ups of the building technique. Although they look like brick, they are in fact sandstone slabs which have been fractured into flat slabs and put together with mortar of some type.
In several cases the builders incorporated large sandstone blocks into the site, thus adding stability and saving themselves a lot of work.
A few more shots of the area, including an area of presumed farms showing the back volcanic ash.
The white dot in the distance is my wife....I didn't feel like walking out to what they called the "ball court."
From there we went to another, smaller, ruin called Wukoki. Just a couple of rooms but the most distinctive feature was what seemed like a 3 story blockhouse. It reminded me of valleys in Italy each of which had a ruined watch tower.


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Analysis: Human genome hype or reality?
It seems a long time since Tony Blair and Bill Clinton announced the first draft of the human genome had been completed.
Knowing the "genetic blueprint" of human beings promised to usher in a new era of molecular medicine, bringing new ways to diagnose and treat disease, they promised.
Almost 12 years on, you could perhaps be forgiven for thinking it's been a long time coming.
Here's one of the big dreams. One day every newborn will have their entire genetic code mapped.
Then, if a doctor ever needs that information, they can check for secrets to molecular diseases buried in our DNA.
Here's another. A patient is diagnosed with cancer. During their biopsy, a tiny sample of the tissue sent to pathology is used to read all the billions of the genetic letters in the human genome.
A clinician can then use that information to prescribe the right drugs.
The first scenario is a long way off. And it won't mean much unless mass decoding efforts create a database of genomes - a kind of catalogue of human genes - as a reference library.
The second is already happening. But it will be a while before the advances filter through to the majority of NHS cancer patients.
One of the biggest challenges is to bring down the cost - in terms of time and money - of DNA sequencing.
On Monday, the US biotechnology company, Life Technologies, announced what they called "a genetic milestone" - a device that can sequence a human genome in a day or two rather than weeks.
The new sequencer, about the size of a laser printer - costs $149,000 (£96,200).
Dr Jonathan Rothberg, who invented the Ion Proton sequencer, predicts it will be used in a variety of medical settings, including children's hospitals - to see if sick newborns have a known genetic condition, or to look at the myriad genes behind conditions such as autism.
The scientist and entrepreneur told the BBC: "For the first time it will be economical to do whole genome sequencing to address these problems.
"Now we're looking at all six billion letters [of human DNA]. There's a strong belief that by looking at the whole, we'll be able to understand some of these chronic diseases."
Three US medical centres would take delivery of the machine in January, said Life Technologies.
One of them is the human genome sequencing centre at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Director Dr Richard Gibbs told the BBC: "All of cancer diagnosis and front edge therapy now is turning to the fruits of the genome project.
"We've seen a whole sea change in the field and these machines are putting genomes into the front line in the clinic."
The development will be eyed closely by competitors in the field, who are hot on the heels of Life Technologies.
And this time next year scientists will be seven days in to a $10m contest to map the genomes of 100 centenarians within 30 days in a race they say will benefit humanity.
Given that the first draft of the human genome took 10 years, it would be an astonishing achievement.


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IMDb's Romance Top 50
An official iCheckMovies list.
Favorited 132 times, disliked 6 times, added to 171 watchlists.
A sub-genre for the most part, this category shares some features with romantic dramas, romantic comedies, and sexual/erotic films. These are love stories, or affairs of the heart that center on passion, emotion, and the romantic, affectionate involvement of the main characters (usually a leading man and lady), and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage. Romance films make the love story the main plot focus.
Pssst, want to check out the IMDb's Romance Top 50 list in our new look?
Last updated on Sep 19, 2019; source


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5 Gorgeous Pictures Of Lynx Cats
Felines particularly 5 Gorgeous Pictures Of Lynx Cats have been around for countless years, the majority of which they bred in the open without supervision by people. People obtained felines primarily for hunting as well as for keeping down the rodent population. According to researchers the feline first ended up being tamed in the valley of the Nile, less than 5,000 years or so back. As we ended up being much more thinking about the feline for functions besides hunting feline owners ended up being much more careful in the kind of feline they bought which resulted in breeders.
There are some ancient breeds that return more than 1,000 years such as the Japanese Bobtail, that can be traced back more than 1,000 years as well as were renowneded in Medieval Japan. They are unfortunately simply a myth today.
In North America there are much more typical feline breeds including the alley cat, the Persian, as well as the Siamese. There are a number of different breeds that are lumped together as alley cats. Alley cats make good animals. Numerous raging as well as homeless felines are alley cats, which is why there are a lot of of them. Persian felines can be costly, depending upon where you buy one. Felines are extremely caring as well as make good buddies. Siamese felines are extremely noisy, as well as are understood to be harmful; still they are prominent potentially due to their unique looks.
The look of a feline is why most owners choose them. Owners have an interest in color, hair length, eyes as well as ears of the feline. Felines were one of the very first animals as well as stay a preferred today among animal owners.
Feel free to download the Stock photo under 5 Gorgeous Pictures Of Lynx Cats content for free. Suport us by sharing this Stock photo to your friends.
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So recently i decided to replay whole Gothic saga as a heavy-hitting 2H warrior. I did great in G1, i killed the last dragon in few hits in G2, but G3 is driving me insane, especialy with all the latest patches.
Firstly, the less painful issue, is that the animations are slow and don't really use the 2H range, so when u use short 2h weapon, like axe ,it's really hard to hit ANYTHING without being constantly wiped out by animals and 1h users.
Secondly, there's that issue with fast swings- for most of the time they just doesn't work. You press right mouse button but theres no animation of swing, no dmg dealt, just lose of stamina and it's irrtating as hell, you just mash the right button hoping it would work and that u don't get stunt before u hit them. It's a game where those fast swings are lafe savers, especialy with 1H, where they land perfectly and clean.
Thirdly, the 1H is FAR superior in every goddamn aspect - the difference in dmg is unoticable, and 1H is much faster, have much wider range when it comes to normal, not 3 meters long weapon, it's much more reliable, and it's just feel more polished.... fights are way easier with 1H.
The only good thing about 2H is the fast combo spin but it requires tons of stamina, and it's much weaker anyway with new blocking system from patches.
In conclusion, playing with 2H, while having acces to 1H, feels like conscious holding back as a warrior.
My question is, is i am doing something wrong here or the 2H combat mechanics are just broken? The only simple and effortless solution to this problem I see is changing all 2H animations with 1H, which should fix most of the issues right away, but will make the diffrence between 1H and 2H weapons gone.


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You may think this picture of these new Svord items is a joke but by no means does it even do justice to the shear vastness of the Hog Beater and the compact size of the EDC fixed blade, an excellent alternative to the Izula. The Hog Beater is a hunting dagger with a whopping 11-1/4″ double edge blade, convex sharpened as all Svord knives are. The hardwood handle and black leather belt sheath make for a very good looking package on this devastating hunting design. The EDC fixed blade is 6-1/8″ overall with a 3″ blade and orange cord wrapped handle. The package gets a nice style upgrade with the brown leather sheath which makes the design feel like it's double the price and belongs at your side at all times. The only drawback to the knife design is that the finger cutout is a little shallow so your index finger is at risk of running onto the blade while stabbing. All Svord knives are made from high quality Swedish carbon steel and convex ground for a sharp, durable edge for all cutting tasks. You can see the new Svord designs at www.knifecenter.com.
More about Bryan Baker, Founder of Svord: Continue Reading


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Some time ago I corresponded with an American living in France who was about to undergo a kitchen renovation in their 200 year old home in a small French village. We talked about working together and for various logistical reasons in connection to the renovation work, it didn't work out (trust me, my bags could have easily been packed in short order!)
I was so pleased to receive an email yesterday (months after our conversations) with images of the home with its bones exposed...and intact! The home is small. The first floor is 220 square feet and will serve as the kitchen which also features a wood burning fireplace. I am told that the front interior wall will be exposed stone. The homeowner says, "The floor under linoleum is original terracotta tile." Original.Terracotta.Wow!
They will be installing traditional French kitchen cabinetry, made by a local shop called Muebles Baluteau - just look at the beautiful cabinetry in the website. I feel like I've stepped into a French fantasy when I look at some of these pieces.
The whole point is, I wanted to share these cool images with you. Normally, when a house is gutted in the states, we see wood studs, pieces of sheetrock and a plywood subfloor. This gutted space is a beautiful sight to behold!
Below, pretty crazy construction with hand hewn timbers:
Below, a lovely combination of original materials - stone, terracotta, hand hewn beams, a simple and elegant fireplace, and beautiful, narrow brick.
Below, another view of stone, a staircase and large, hand hewn beams:
Below, more beautiful, original and authentic surfaces
Below, once again - fantastic, preserved, materials
What a privilege to take a look at the exposed interior of this home. I hope to share more images with you as the renovation progresses!


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CNY Fiber Artists and Producers offer 'Is There a Fiber Animal in Your Future?' workshop Nov. 10
MORRISVILLE -- CNY Fiber Artists and Producers will host a workshop entitled, "Is There a Fiber Animal in Your Future?" on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Owners of sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and Angora rabbits will discuss topics such as shelters, fencing, supplements, grazing, equipment, breeding, and fiber uses. A question and answer period will follow the panel discussion.
The workshop will be held at Cooperative Extension of Madison County, 100 Eaton St. Light refreshments will be available.
For more information visit