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For a few political cycles now, Republican leaders have strained to distance themselves from some in their midst and focus on the basics to secure and extend their power in Washington: The less-than-sweeping economic recovery and President Obama's foundering, as they see it, at home and abroad.
And those in their midst have continued to define the party in ways that drew an injurious response from key voter groups. There was the dust-up in 2012 when Todd Akin, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri, defended his opposition to abortion by positing that women's bodies blocked conception resulting from rape. There were the myriad laws aimed at immigrants in the country illegally that insulted many Latino voters. There was the fight against gay marriage, which distanced the party from younger voters.
And now, with a takeover of the Senate achingly close to Republicans' grasp this year and a presidential campaign on the horizon, those in their midst are threatening to define the party with yet another tangent.
Impeaching President Obama.
The loudest voice for invoking the historically high bar of removing a president from office was Sarah Palin's. The former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee called for Obama's impeachment in a column on the Breitbart.com website this week.
"Enough is enough of the years of abuse from this president," she declared. "His unsecured border crisis is the last straw that makes the battered wife say, 'no mas.'"
She impugned Obama with perhaps the harshest indictment that can be made of a president, that he did not care about the troops under his command.
"Discrediting the price paid for America's exceptionalism over our history, he's given false hope and taxpayer's change to millions of foreign nationals who want to sneak into our country illegally," Palin wrote.
And for good measure, her racially-fraught missive impugned those seeking to enter the country, many of them children fleeing violence and danger in their home nations.
"Because of Obama's purposeful dereliction of duty an untold number of illegal immigrants will kick off their shoes and come on in," she said, later adding that many Americans "now feel like strangers in their own land."
Though she insisted that "the many impeachable offenses of Barack Obama can no longer be ignored," she didn't exactly say what they were other than to make a vague reference to changes he has wrought in the healthcare law and his plans to "meddle in the U.S. court system" by appointing judges (a president's prerogative).
House Speaker John A. Boehner, asked about Palin's proposal, eviscerated it with two icy words.
"I disagree," he said.
While Palin and a small number of Republicans were jumping aboard the impeachment bandwagon, Boehner and his supporters were trying to cast themselves as the sane alternative by vowing to sue the president over his healthcare plan, in effect going to DEFCON 1 but not nuclear.
The message: We will hold the president accountable, but we're not going off the deep end to do it.
The impeachment mini-movement poses some threat to individual Republicans in areas where anti-Obama sentiment is strongest, since candidates could now be called on to join up or risk primary challenges in 2016. In close contests this year, Republicans could be caught between the sentiment of the base and the broader general electorate: Democrats are already using Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst's January suggestion that Obama could be impeached to try to cast her as an extremist candidate aligned with Palin.
Were it to gain steam, however, the effort poses a larger definitional risk to the Republican Party, as the Akin statement and the anti-illegal immigration and anti-gay rights efforts did before, by alienating the broad political middle from the party's impeachment believers and non-believers alike.
Those at the political extremes tend to get the attention but not much love from voters, who don't like the sort of political messiness and rancor that an impeachment effort entails. That fact is well known by Boehner and those backing the less pointed alternative. Even at the height of the 1990s effort to throw him from office, President Clinton maintained popularity ratings that Obama would drool over.
Republicans then had an easier argument to make — Clinton's actions during the investigation into his personal affairs — but saw voters who liked him swarm to his side.
If elements of the party push for Obama's impeachment, the likeliest to fly to his defense would be women, Latinos and the young, majorities of which have felt the strongest affinity for Obama. The very people, that is, that the Republican Party has worked to win back since they were previously alienated by those in their midst.
For political news and analysis, follow me on Twitter: @cathleendecker


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Crusader's toughest fight
Allen leads Holy Cross football as he copes with debilitating illness
By Jackie MacMullan, Globe Staff, 9/18/2003
WORCESTER -- Before his legs stopped working, he was a linebacker. He was a little on the small side, even for a tiny school like Hanover College in Indiana, but what struck them all, when Dan Allen barreled across the line, was how active he was. He rushed the passer in a whirl of reckless energy, throwing himself at anyone who tried to advance the football.
"He was in on every play," said his wife, Laura, who was there from the beginning. "He was all over the field."
Years later, when Allen became a coach, he gathered his quarterbacks and in his calm, soothing voice, shared a secret with them.
"When I was a player," he said, "I wanted to rip your heads off."
Before his cruel, debilitating illness wrapped itself around him like a poisonous serpent, he ran his practices the way he played football. He was all over the field, straddling pads while his linemen slammed into him, throwing spirals while his receivers sprinted up the field.
He bought them Popsicles on days they worked hard and suspended them from games when they broke team rules. He told them that, next to his family, he loved football more than anything.
"He is the reason I came to Holy Cross," said receiver Ari Confesor.
Allen took over the Crusaders in 1996, and with no scholarships, wins were scarce. Sometimes, his players wondered how they'd ever win again, but then Allen's soft voice would crescendo in the losing locker room, and the players, heads bowed, would straighten up as their coach plucked the one speck of positive out of a heap of disappointment and convinced them to believe again, at least for one more day.
One of those days was Sept. 16, 2000, long before the dizziness and nausea and muscle weakness and exhaustion settled in. Holy Cross beat favored Harvard, 27-25, and Allen began whirling around the sideline.
He was tapping his feet, leaping up and down, flailing his arms, pumping his fist. He was dancing. He danced and danced, his eyes aglow with happiness, and some of the players, in spite of themselves, found themselves dancing right along with him.
Now do you understand why this is so hard?
Coach Allen can't dance anymore. He can't kick a football, write a letter, make himself a sandwich, brush his daughter's hair.
He is in a wheelchair. He can't walk. His right arm is lifeless. He must rely on his staff and his family to drive him, feed him, bathe him. He has trouble speaking. Someone must hold a straw up to his lips so he can drink. He is trapped inside a body that has completely betrayed him, for reasons he still does not fully comprehend.
It has been this way for almost 18 months. What began as a headache and a toe that went mysteriously limp has deteriorated into a devastating diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, a condition caused by exposure to toxic chemicals and other irritants in the environment, causing fatigue, muscle and joint pains, short-term memory loss, headaches, and neurological problems. His sensitivity is so acute, a dentist extracted 16 fillings from Allen's mouth, so the mercury wouldn't affect his health.
Allen believes he has pinpointed the chemical exposure that triggered his symptoms, but he has been told by legal advisers not to reveal that information. Litigation, it appears, is inevitable.
In the meantime, Allen, 47, tries to move on, to motivate the team he loves and remain a full-time presence, without the benefit of his body.
"It has been a year and a half of pure hell," Allen said. "I have watched myself deteriorate to the point where I can't walk. Here I am, supposed to be this macho football coach. I was invincible, right? Nothing was going to happen to me.
"And the scary thing is, it could happen to anybody. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the field of medicine don't look at this as an illness."
Illness hits home
A host of mainstream physicians refuse to acknowledge MCS as a legitimate diagnosis, claiming it has never been clearly defined, lacks proven diagnostic testing, and has not been scientifically validated. Skeptics say while MCS patients exhibit real symptoms, most of them suffer from a psychosomatic disorder brought on by stress.
Holy Cross offensive line coach Mike Pedone, who played for Allen at BU, would like to meet these doctors. He wishes he could have dragged them to the Crusaders' season opener two weeks ago at Lehigh University.
"Then you tell me who is imagining what," he said.
Ten minutes before game time, Allen, this man who once hunted down quarterbacks and danced on the sidelines of Harvard Stadium, sat motionless as Holy Cross strength coach Jeff Oliver cradled him in his arms like a small child and carried him up the bleachers to the press box, Allen's listless limbs often banging against the fans on the aisle.
"The whole time I'm carrying him," Oliver said, "he's saying to people, `Sorry. Hope I didn´t bump you. Jeff, please, watch out for my feet.´ "
Dan Allen is a proud man. He has fought to maintain his dignity and his privacy since he became ill. But sometimes, dignity cannot be a priority.
"It wasn't an easy thing," Allen said. "My original plan was to stay by the locker room. But, as the game got closer, I said, `What the hell. I´ll wheel out to the sideline.´ "
As he sat there, watching his team warm up without him, he realized he needed to be more closely connected to his players. So he allowed Oliver to carry him up the aluminum steps, as the Lehigh students predictably gawked, whispered, and pointed.
"But I didn't see them," Allen said. "I was looking at the white light. Tunnel vision."
He must not lose focus. The goal is to get well, to walk again, to live again. Please don't tell him this is all in his head. How dare those doctors. Forget about football, for a minute. Do they understand how painful it is to see the hurt and uncertainty in the eyes of his wife and children? Laura Allen has been with him 27 years now, since they were kids themselves, and together they have survived the difficult, nomadic life of a coach.
Their children are wounded, confused, and angry. Mark is a senior at Westboro High, a top receiver on the football team. He should be chasing down spirals with his dad in the backyard, not lifting his dad up and down the stairs. Taylor is 13, the inquisitive one, who should be peppering his dad with questions about basketball season, not grilling him for details on his medical progress. Danielle, at 11, the youngest, who keeps it all inside, should be giggling with her friends, not sobbing with a counselor.
They are good kids. Their grades shouldn't be slipping. Their dad shouldn't be cursed with so vicious a condition, which has no known cure.
"You have to understand," Laura Allen said. "Their dad was -- is -- their idol. And things have changed so dramatically."
She has learned to absorb their anger, to keep their routine normal, even asking the Holy Cross coaches to come by the house, first thing, to take Allen to work.
"I couldn't have the boys carrying their dad downstairs every morning, then going to school upset," she said.
When the Allens exhausted attempts to get answers from the traditional medical community, they turned to holistic healers. They have been heartened by the results, but their insurance does not cover most of the treatments.
They have decimated their life savings. They have taken out a second mortgage. Dan is improving slowly, but the money is going quickly.
Last fall, when Allen was forced to take a leave of absence, he decided to keep his condition private. His silence led to speculation he was suffering from cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease. Some still believe that.
"When people see me, they draw conclusions," Allen said. "I worry about my kids and what they are hearing."
He wants to gather them close, hold them tight, and tell them not to be afraid, because everything is going to be fine. But he can't. He can't hold them at all, can't even get his damned right arm to lift out of his lap.
He can't tell his children not to be frightened when he is so frightened himself.
"I don't know what's in the future," he said. "I'm getting stronger. My body is healing. But I don't know. I don't know.
"All I know is I'm a competitor. If the good Lord is going to take me, I'm going down swinging."
Differing opinions
The party was a surprise. Pedone, Oliver, and former Holy Cross athletic director Ron Perry, tired of feeling helpless, arranged a small, private fund-raiser. Word spread quickly, and the guest list grew from dozens to hundreds, with a large contingent from Boston University, where Allen led the Terriers to an undefeated season in 1993.
It was an emotional night. Allen cringed when they held up a football with his autograph signed long before his illness to auction. Really now, who would want that? The BU table, loaded with alumni from the best team it ever had, pushed the price higher and higher, as the cheers from the audience grew defeaning. The final bid topped out at $3,500.
They raised almost $80,000 to help defray the coach's mounting medical costs.
Allen, looking frail and weak, addressed his friends, and thanked them for their kindness. He introduced them to Kate May, the kinesiologist, who, he said, had started him on the path to recovery.
"Without her," he said, "I wouldn't be here."
When Allen first developed headaches and bouts of dizziness, Laura, a registered nurse, took him to a neurologist. The tests were inconclusive.
When he lost all feeling in his left toe, he solicited additional medical opinions. The problem spread to his foot, then, over time, to his leg.
Laura's frustration grew as Allen's symptoms mounted.
"Every time we went to the mainstream doctors," she said, "they told us, 'Let's wait and see.' "
Wait and see what? How quickly he'd fail? Laura had noticed May's card in her chiropractor's office. She made an appointment. May's initial findings were ominous.
"All I had to do was hold my hand over his liver, and I could feel the heat," she said. "It was toxic."
For the past year, May has combined colon hydrotherapy with lymphatic drainage and massage therapy. In Allen's case, she has worked in conjunction with other health care providers, including two physicians, who have administered vaccines to help regenerate healthy cells.
"All I can tell you was when Dan came to see Kate, his liver was in big trouble," Laura said. "If we hadn't done these treatments, he wouldn't be with us. Of course, if you said that to the mainstream doctors, they'd just roll their eyes."
Dr. Tom Winters, chief of occupational medicine at New England Baptist Hospital, did just that. "If you talked to 100 doctors, 95 of them would tell you [colon hydrotherapy] is a crock," he said. "I don't think it does much of anything, but if [Allen] thinks it does, I'm not going to tell him differently."
Winters described himself as a "tweener," a doctor who recognizes some patients develop MCS from exposure to toxic chemicals. Although he has never examined Allen, Winter said his symptoms suggest "a severe case of exposure to something."
"But, to be honest, I think half the patients diagnosed with MCS have psychologically derived [symptoms]," he said.
Dr. Marcie Wolinsky-Friedland, who has been treating Allen for about three months, said Winters's position is not unusual.
"I would have said the same thing five years ago, too," she said. "It's a learning process. For me, it happened over time, a subtle shift because of dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement of some of my patients.
"Part of the problem is the term MCS. But you can also call what Dan has an environmental illness, similiar to a `sick building´ syndrome. No one discounts that. Anyone who examined [Allen] would recognize his degenerative neurological condition."
Allen no longer worries what people think. His diet consists of smoothies, fruits, vegetables, and mostly organic food. He sees May at least three mornings a week.
Holy Cross athletic director Dick Regan said he did not ask Allen to take another leave because, "We chose to focus on the things he could do, rather than the ones he couldn't. We know it's important for him to coach. I don't believe it's been detrimental to the team." Asked what the future holds for Allen, whose contract is up after next season, Regan answered, "I have no plans to change coaches. Hopefully, Dan will make a full recovery."
Allen worries about the financial repercussions of his illness. Will he have a job next summer? How will he pay his medical bills? May has reassured him.
"Even if the money runs out," she said, "I'll still be here. I want Dan to get well. I've never seen anyone who wants to heal more."
Part of Allen's recovery involves limiting his exposure to toxins. When Mark's girlfriend stopped by, Laura politely told her not to come inside, because she was wearing body spray. When the team travels, Allen does not ride the bus, to avoid noxious fumes. Allen's physician also worries about the pesticides and chemicals used to maintain the football field.
"I have significant concerns about that," Wolinsky-Friedland said. "But he's a football coach. It's his job to be out there."
Laura believes Allen's decision to continue coaching has enhanced, not hindered, his recovery. Football has always been a part of him, since they were 14-year-old high school sweethearts in Cincinnati, and he told her his idol was Dick Butkus. Dan has always been a physically strong person. Now, it's Laura's turn to be strong.
"She has been a rock for him," May said. "I don't know how she does it."
Laura isn't so brave every day. Some mornings, the unfairness of it all overwhelms her.
"What I miss most," she said, "is him putting his arms around me."
Coach on the job
He was in the bathroom with Oliver, reviewing his speech for the team dinner the night before the season opener, when Allen, sitting in his wheelchair, spontaneously began imitating R2-D2, the tiny android from Star Wars who randomly wheeled himself around in circles.
"He's found a way to laugh at himself," Oliver said. "He's found a way to stay positive."
As Allen addressed his team, he rose, with help, out of his wheelchair. He stood there, for three minutes, and told his players, picked to finish sixth in an eight-team league, that people had underestimated them. He told them, as his legs shook uncontrollably, both from nervousness and the effort it required to stand, the doubters had underestimated him as well.
Most of his players cried. All of them gave him a standing ovation.
"A lot of good it did us," Allen said. "We still lost the game the next day."
The 2003 season is only two games old, but Allen recognizes the need to get beyond his own heartbreaking story.
"I worry there's too much emotion," he said. "At some point, we have to say, `OK, thanks for your concern, now let´s go win some football games.´ "
Allen doesn't kid himself. It's not the same. But it's funny how things have taken on a certain normalcy. When he speaks, his players come closer, listen harder. They erected a wooden platform at the 50-yard line of Fitton Field, so, sitting in his chair, he can be in the thick of the action.
"He's done everything a head coach should do -- except ride the bus," said defensive back Ben Koller. "He's out there every single day."
Last week, Allen stood for five minutes on his own. His left hand is functioning more freely. He can move both feet. He held tryouts for Taylor's travel basketball team last Thursday and plans to coach it as well as Holy Cross.
"We've said 100 times, `Why us?´ " Allen said. "I really believe some things happen for a reason. Maybe because I´m a public figure, my role is to get information out there on MCS."
The players say Allen is inspiring. They say they are working harder than ever. Pedone says he will never look at his job the same again.
"I used to worry about getting fired," Pedone admitted. "I use to think, `Are we winning enough games? Are we OK?´ No more. If you get fired, it doesn´t mean you´ve failed. Nothing going on around here has anything to do with failure."
Last Saturday, after Georgetown scored a touchdown against Holy Cross just before halftime to tie the score at 14 in the Crusaders' home opener, Allen instructed his coaches to send his key offensive players over to his platform. He spoke to them briefly; their solemn eyes locked into his. Thirty-seven seconds later, quarterback John O'Neill threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Sean Gruber. Holy Cross went on to win, 42-34.
"I always told my players football is 90 percent mental," Allen said. "I'm coaching from the neck up. That's how I did it before. That's how I'm doing it now."
On the sideline last Saturday, Allen did not react when that touchdown was scored.
But inside, you all can bet he was tapping his feet, jumping up and down, flailing his arms, pumping his fist. Inside, you can bet he was dancing.
Dan Allen believes the day will come when he will dance again. He will dance and dance, his eyes aglow, and, in spite of yourselves, you will dance with him.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
Copyright material is distributed without profit or payment for research and educational purposes only, in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107. Reference:

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Just a few short years ago, we were told by Governor Mitch Daniels and his party that Indiana was "an island of prosperity" in the Midwest. Compared to other Rust-Belt states, Indiana was doing extraordinarily well. We were told that Indiana was one of the best states in the Union for businesses. So what has changed?
We now have flocks of Calamity Howlers flooding our airwaves, opinion pages, and phone lines screaming about the need for a "Right-to-Work" law. Businesses are dying and fleeing the state in droves, they say. We are now being told that Indiana has no future without this "Right-to-Work" legislation to undermine collective bargaining rights and lower wages across the board.
So which is it? Are we an island of economic prosperity or a wasteland of economic hell? I don't think the people forming the political message for Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Republican Party thought this one through. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it's simply poor messaging and not something more repulsive, like expecting Hoosiers to be so stupid and absentminded that we'd forget Mitch's re-election message.
I, along with many other people, simply don't see the reasoning behind the rush to pass "Right-to-Work". Why be in such a hurry to flood Indiana with low-paying jobs that offer no benefits? Of course, the people who are the most excited about the flood of minimum wage jobs are the least likely to have to work one of those jobs. Mitch Daniels, his wife, and their children are in no danger of working a job where they might need the larger worker voice that organized labor provides. Republican legislators are in no danger of losing their pay, benefits, or workplace safety. So why would they care about those who are?
Middle class and lower class families are going to bear the burden of this law. That's nothing new of course. Hoosier workers never really realized the "island of prosperity" in Indiana. Much like the rest of the American working class, the last 10 years weren't kind to working Hoosiers. Record corporate profits failed to provide broad-based economic benefits, even though we were promised they would. Trickle-down economics failed to trickle. The prosperity and money pooled at the very top like it always does. The Mitt Romneys of the world touched the stars by standing on the backs of the working class, and then expected us to be happy about it.
The failure of their economic program didn't deter the Trickle-Downers though. They came back in 2010 with more of the same. Once again we're being told that increasing corporate profits by lowering wages, eliminating benefits, and reducing workplace safety will create jobs and help the workers. Many people didn't buy it before. I'm guessing far fewer people are willing to buy it this time.
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George Strait Inviting Kenny Chesney on Tour in 2014?
George Strait is getting set to wrap up the 2013 leg of his two-year farewell tour in his home town of San Antonio, but he'll be back next year -- and 'warns' fans to expect the unexpected.
In fact, fellow superstar Kenny Chesney might be involved. "We've got some surprises up our sleeve, so next year's gonna be fun," Strait tells Country Countdown USA's Lon Helton.
Though he doesn't say exactly where or when Chesney might figure into those plans, Strait adds, "Kenny and I have been friends for a long time; we worked together in the stadium days, and other times, too. Don't be surprised if you see him out next year with us somewhere. We've got some big plans."
The pair recorded together on 'Shiftwork,' a No. 1 duet from 2007. Prior to that, Strait recalls that Chesney and Tim McGraw were touring with his George Strait Country Music Festival in 2000 when they pulled an infamous stunt that got them arrested. Chesney was reportedly riding a police officer's horse backstage without permission, and when two officers tried to stop him, McGraw and his manager stepped in. A small scuffle ensued, and both stars were jailed. They were later cleared of all charges.
"I was there fixin' to go onstage in Buffalo when he and Kenny got thrown in the pokey," Strait recalls. "It was so funny because I got the word the police had them right as I was walking on stage. It was a heck of a night waitin' up for those guys to get back in."
If Chesney does show up on some upcoming dates with Strait, fans can only hope no fights break out. Meanwhile, Strait will perform at the Alamodome in San Antonio on June 1. He will resume the Cowboy Rides Away Tour next year before retiring from the road, but not music as a whole.


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Name: Marie
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Age: 21
Location: Florida
I've had sex with exactly two guys. Each one has had an average sized penis, but both thought they were small. The sex we had was nice and I was happy with it. What I don't understand is why guys have this obsession with having a large penis? From everything I've read, most women don't care about size and yet that's all I hear about from my guy friends. What gives?
Like I always say — Nothing quite captures a dude's imagination like his cock. Its size, shape and general appearance is a source of endless wonderment. Unfortunately, along with all that wonderment there often comes envy. I wrote a long column about much the same thing back in February — Willie Worry & Willie Pride.
I suppose if we never had anything to compare it to, our precious willie would be the best darn willie there ever was. That's the beauty of self-love. Funny though how a guy's self-admiration can evaporate when he's confronted with the sight of some other fella swinging some heavy pipe. This change in mood is pretty predictable. Some people suggest that we have been programmed to believe that big is better. And this is a throwback to when us men folk were just learning to stand upright and move about on two legs. It would have been pretty obvious what we have hangin' down there
Since the time of our primate ancestors, humans have worshiped the male phallus. At first the representations were nothing more than crude upright pillars of wood or stone called a lingam. The Egyptians created a more exalted depiction — the obelisk — to represent the sun god, Ra's, cock. In time, the obelisk would morph into the church steeple and the mosque's minaret, as the preferred religion changed with the ages. When capitalism became the new creed, the steeple and minaret morphed once again into the skyscraper. Simple upright pillar or immense high-rise they're all statements of virility, power and prestige. And isn't it just like us to believe that the city with the biggest skyscraper wins. If this "bigger is better" sort of mentality has been going on in art, architecture and religion for several millennia, you know for sure it's been happening on an individual level too.
From the beginning of recorded time different cultures have designated cock size as an outer sign of a man's inner values. The size of a guy's dong was synonymous with his status, power, masculinity and sexual potency. Curiously, the ancient Greeks prized a puny pecker as the standard of male beauty. A big dick was an object of ridicule. Their mythology saddled the satyrs — woodland creatures with pointy ears, hairy legs, and short goat-like horns — with exaggerated cocks to symbolize their excess and lechery. Aristotle reasoned that a small penis was more fertile than a large one, because the semen didn't have to travel as far and it didn't cool as much while making its ejaculatory journey. Whatever, Aristotle!
The Hindus also cherished a tiny endowment. Men with the smallest phallus, 2-3 inches, were the beautiful ideal. They were characterized as lithe and strong. Prodigious packages of 9+ inches were compared to those of the beasts. And men who possessed them were considered worthless and lazy. Imagine trying to sell these concepts today.
Except for the Greeks and Hindus, everyone else idolized generous phallic dimensions. For example, so obsessed were the Arabs with the notion big dick superiority that the Turks of the Ottoman Empire took advantage of this mindset. It was the practice of the Turks to publicly compare the cock size of vanquished Arab leaders with the superior size cocks of their own Turkish commanders. This, in the end, effectively shattered Arab resistance.
Japanese "pillow books," an early form of Asian porn, always depicted the men with exaggerated cocks and this was always to the delight of the admiring women. In renaissance Europe it was fashionable for men to don a "codpiece," a primitive jock strap sort of thing sewn inside a guy's drawers. The design was obviously intended to emphasize his package. Men of modest endowment, of course, found it necessary to pad their codpiece or be the object of scorn.
Here's a startling statistic — Dr. Barry McCarthy, author of "Male Sexual Awareness," found that two out of three men believe their dick is smaller than average. Isn't that astonishing? How is that possible? I suppose given this culturally induced big dick bias, it's no wonder men, of almost every historical age and society, have been obsessed with disguising their shortcomings, or trying to develop a method to compensate for what they consider to be their woeful inadequacy?
Around two thousand years ago, men in several tribes in Africa popularized the practice of hanging a weight from their cock. Actually, many historians believe the practice harkens back to ancient Egypt. The pharaohs were known to stretch their cock and balls using weights to increase sexual pleasure. Lots of guys do this very thing today — mostly for pleasure enhancement, but there are always those who think this is an effective way to increase the size of their dick.
Hanging a weight from the end of your cock (and/or balls) will sure enough stretch the tissues that make up your shaft (and/or sack). It's gravity at work. But this can be dangerous because this practice can diminish the circulation of oxygen-rich blood, which is essential for the upkeep of the smooth muscle tissue. And smooth muscle tissue makes up about 90% of your cock. And doggoneit, this technique simply robs Peter to pay Paul, so to speak. What lengthening might happen comes at the expense of your dick's thickness. Just stands to reason, you have only so much cock to work with. If you pull on it; it may get longer, but it'll also gonna get thinner.
A modern variation on the age-old stretching techniques is the traction method. A guy puts his cock in a kind of noose and either straps his wiener to his leg, or hooks it up to a traction contraption that looks way too much like a medieval torture device for my tastes. The claim here is that constant stretching, makes the cells in this area divide and multiply, thus increasing the tissue mass. There's no arguing with the concept, people have been using this method of centuries as a means of adorning and customizing their bodies, particularly lips and ears. Consider the women of the Surma tribe in Ethiopia — they wear lip plates. Their lower lip is pierced when they are young girls and stretched with ever-larger plates over time. But what they gain in beauty, they loose in sensitivity. The same thing is true of a guy's cock. What he may gain in size he will surely loose in sensitivity. And that's not a good thing.
The Jelq or Milking technique is an ancient method of penis enlargement practiced in the Middle East. Traditionally it was taught father to son when the kid reached adolescence. Wealthy families sent their boys to a gym or health club where a highly trained attendant would perform the Jelq technique on the boy each day. As a result of these daily treatments the kid's dick would develop to dimensions not otherwise attained without the method. Modern day advocates of this technique claim that milking also works on the fully developed adult penis, but I have my reservations.
The Jelq involves massaging the semi-erect cock in a rhythmic and regular manner, enhancing blood flow within the shaft. The claim is that after several months of this, one could see a size increase, both in girth and length. Long-time practitioners claim gains of several inches in length are possible, but one can only imagine how many hours that might take over the course of a year or longer. Effective jelqing demands an hour or more each day for exercises. I mean, who has that kind of free time on his hands? No wonder most men fail to complete their jelqing programs.
Penis enlargement pills and patches proliferate on internet, but there is virtually no documented evidence that they work. All such products use herbal ingredients, like ginkgo biloba and yohimbe, which act as stimulants and vasodilators. The best one can say is that some pills may enhance blood flow, which may, in some cases, cause an ever so slightly bigger woody. Once a program like this is started, it needs to be continued for as long as you want the effect to last. Imagine how much that would cost; this stuff is expensive
Finally, the early 20th century brings the advent of modern technology to the "treatment" of impotence, or as we currently know it: erectile dysfunction. Please note, all the devices and surgical interventions of the last 100 years were initially designed to treat ED. Only later did folks begin to use these interventions as male enhancement schemes. Take the Austrian inventor Otto Ledever for example. He reasoned that if a stiffy was all about blood flow then maybe he could come up with a device that would draw blood into a cock creating an erection where there wasn't one before. In 1917, our hero patented an airtight cylinder topped by a bulb that created a vacuum within the chamber. Insert a limp dick — pump, pump, pump and TADA! — An impressive erection resulted. There was a rub, however. When the vacuum was eliminated and the cylinder removed the "faux-erection" drained away nearly as quickly as it arrived. It was only a matter of time till our friend, Otto, discovered that ya gotta constrict the flow of blood back into the body once the guy's peanut was engorged. And that, my friends was the birth of the cockring! Isn't science amazing?
Good luck


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You Bought It, You Own It, You Should Be Able to Do What You Want With It.
The US Supreme Court is hearing an appeal that could change your ownership rights to music.
If you purchase music as physical media or license-free downloads, you are protected by the so-called First Sale Doctrine of the US Copyright Act, which gives people the right to lend, resell, or give away the works that they've bought, even if those works contain copyrighted elements.
But the case of Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, currently being heard by the US Supreme Court, could undermine First Sale Doctrine, making ownership feel more like licensing. How could you be affected?


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You need to turn on use of phone lock code before you can change it. Click here for information on how to turn on the phone lock code.
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A 6-year-old boy riding in a car with his mom was shot on the West Side overnight, according to police, the boy among at least 14 people shot, two fatally, since Friday afternoon across the city.
The boy suffered a graze wound to the shoulder and his condition was stabilized when he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. He was in a car with his mother about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the 4200 block of West Wilcox Street in the West Garfield Park neighborhood when someone started shooting.
He is the sixth child age 7 or younger shot in Chicago since June 30.
Police don't believe the mother or the boy was the target but it's not clear who the shooter was aiming toward. No one is in custody.
Earlier Friday afternoon, a 27-year-old man was shot to death in the Winneconna Parkway neighborhood, police said. The man was shot in the chest in the 500 block of West Winneconna Parkway -- south of 78th Street and Normal Avenue -- about 1:20 p.m., said Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Michael Sullivan.
The man was identified as Kevin Williams, 27, of the 11100 block of South Eggleston Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. at the Stein Institute.
No one was in custody in the slaying and Area South detectives are investigating.
Williams was about six weeks from completing his parole in a 2008 burglary charge and previously had served time in a 2007 heroin case, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.
Another man was killed in the 3600 block of South Michigan Avenue, a block and a half from the Chicago Police Department headquarters.
A 32-year-old man standing with a group of others near the door of an apartment building in the Bronzeville neighborhood was shot through the side of his torso about 12:45 a.m. Saturday morning. The bullet lodged in his chest, police said. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead there at 1:25 a.m.
He was identified as Willie Clark, of the 2100 block of East 97th Street, by the Cook County medical examiner's office.
In other shootings:
• A 27-year-old man was shot about 3:30 a.m. in the 300 block of South Cicero Avenue in the South Austin neighborhood. He was hit in the abdomen and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital.
• About 2:55 a.m, an 18-year-old man was shot in the 3900 block of West Madison Street in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder, News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said.
• Two women, 18 and 19, were shot in the 5600 block of South Ada Street in the Englewood neighborhood about 2:50 a.m. The older woman was shot in the arm and the younger was grazed in the hand. They told police they "heard shots and felt pain" as they were leaving a party on the block. Both were taken to St. Bernard Hospital and Healthcare Center.
• About 2 a.m., someone shot a 33-year-old man in his upper back in the 5100 block of South Kostner Avenue in the Archer Heights neighborhood. He was in the backyard with others when the shooter approached on foot and opened fire from the alley before fleeing south, police said. The man, Francisco Chairez-Munoz was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center where he later died, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
• A 22-year-old man walked into Rush University Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the leg about 1:50 a.m. He told police he had been shot in the 200 block of South Central Park Boulevard in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. He was later transferred to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and his condition was stabilized, police said.
• A 17-year-old boy was shot after getting into an argument with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in the Englewood neighborhood, police said. The shooting happened about 12:30 a.m. in the 7300 block of South Green Street. The boy, who was shot in the groin, was taken to Christ hospital in serious condition.
• A 17-year-old boy was shot in the 1100 block of North Rockwell Street in the Humboldt Park neighborhood about 11:20 p.m. He was walking with a group when someone inside a passing dark car started shooting, Greer said. The boy was hit in the chest and taken to Stroger hospital.
• A 21-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound Friday afternoon on the 11800 block of South Michigan Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood, said Chicago Fire Department Spokesman Larry Langford.
The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in serious-to-critical condition, Langford said.
A salesman at the Plaza True Value Hardware Store said the shooting happened at about 2 p.m. directly outside of the store. There were about four people attending to about three or four customers inside the store when the shooting happened, according to the salesman who would not give his name.
He said employees called police who arrived along with paramedics who took the man to the hospital.
He said the victim was standing outside of the store with a group of about 15 others when the shooting happened.
"I looked out and I saw a bunch of kids around somebody and I just thought it was some kids fist-fighting," said the man. "Then I saw the blood."
He said the neighborhood "is pretty bad" but they have not experienced any problems near the store.
• At about 7:20 p.m. Friday, a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were shot on the 2300 block of North Melvina Avenue in the Belmont Central neighborhood, said News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien.
The younger victim was shot in the arm and leg and the older man sustained a graze wound to his ankle, police said. Their conditions were not immediately available, O'Brien said.
firstname.lastname@example.com | Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking


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Everyday Aussies victims of air tragedy
As the Australian death toll climbed from the Malaysia Airlines disaster, a common theme emerged among the victims.
Decent, everyday Australians who contributed to society.
Take Sydney nun Sister Philomene Tiernan or former primary school deputy principal Michael Clancy.
Or Nick Norris, who was returning from a holiday with three of his grandchildren, aged eight to 12, all of whom died.
There was college teacher Francesca "Frankie" Davison, well-loved community figure Albert Rizk and Canberra mother-of-two Liliane Derden, who worked for the National Health and Medical Research Council.
At least 28 Australians perished in the tragedy, and it's feared that number could rise.
Keen sailor Mr Norris, from Western Australia, leaves behind his wife, Lindy, a Murdoch University professor, and four children.
These include daughter Kirstin, a marine engineer with the Royal Australian Navy, and son Brack, who is the marketing manager with his father's company.
Brack Norris said he heard the news from one of his sisters.
"She called me at 5.30am ... and said that the plane that dad was on had been shot down," he told ABC radio.
"Quite shocking and disbelieving that we're actually in this situation."
A fellow member of the South of Perth Yacht Club told Fairfax radio that Mr Norris was friendly and a very enthusiastic sailor.
"He was just a lovely bloke.
"He'll be missed."
Sister Philomene, 77, was another who will be greatly missed, having mentored thousands of children in her 30-plus years as a teacher and director of boarding at Sydney Catholic school Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
"The impact of this is just unbelievable in the whole community," a year 12 boarding student told AAP.
"It comes as a shock to us all."
The nun had been enjoying a sabbatical in France.
"I feel like since we are all away from our parents she seemed like a grandma that everyone just loved," a year 10 boarder said.
Ms Davison and her husband, Liam, were among the nine Victorians believed to have died in the crash.
They had two children.
Ms Derden's colleague expressed deep sadness at the loss of a valued colleague and friend.
A remote community teacher is among one of three suspected Northern Territory victims, along with a husband and wife from Palmerston.
Meanwhile, the Perth-based parents of a technology company founder are distraught because their daughter was expected to be on MH17 and cannot be reached.
Mosman Park-based doctor Jerzy Dyczynski and his wife, Angela, arrived in Perth on an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur late on Friday afternoon, saying they did not know the whereabouts of their daughter Fatima Dyczynski.
Amsterdam-based Ms Dyczynski is the chief executive and founder of Xoterra Space, a high-tech start-up company, and is trained in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
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Yesterday, I registered for my fall 2010 classes. This is a particularly stressful time for any student you ask, so I've decided to keep a journal of my activities so you get a true sense of what registration day is really like.
April 19th, 2010:
7:15: Wake up (15 minutes late), and hop into the shower. Get ready for the day.
8:15: Turn on my computer and check SIS (Student Information System) to see if any of my prospective classes had filled.
8:30: Seeing that my classes were still open, I relaxed and watch an episode of the Fresh Prince while enjoying a nice breakfast of peanut butter toast.
9:00: Left for class…after checking on my wish list one more time.
9:30: Chemistry lecture- Used the school's free wireless internet to check my wish list on my Ipod. I don't really remember what we learned in class.
10:25: Chemistry is over- Checked SIS once again before my Jazz History lecture.
11:30: Sprint back to my apartment after lecture is over. After checking SIS again and saw that my classes were still open, I took a nap!
12:30: Woke up feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed, only to find that my physics lab had been wait listed. I quickly switched to a different section on my wish list. I also found an alternate class to take, just in case!
1:30: After lunch, I checked on my classes one last time before leaving for chemistry lab.
2:15: Chemistry lab starts (2:15-5:05). There's only one computer to use. I'm worried.
3:00: REGISTRATION is finally here. I abandon the toxic chemicals I had been working with (Not a joke, they were really toxic!) and run to the computer before anyone else can.
3:01: Registered for fall 2010 classes, and can finally relax!
There you have it. I know in text, it may not seem very stressful, but I assure you my heart was beating double time the entire day. Yes, I may have obsessively checked my wish list, and yes, I may have been overreacting…but in the end, it all worked out and I got the classes I needed.
Registration 2010=Success!


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Planning Granted For Nook Glamping Units
18th December 2018
Blue Forest are delighted to have achieved planning approval for two Nook glamping units, part of a wider glamping development at Thompson Hall Retreat in rural Norfolk.
The Blue Forest Nook will generate long term revenues with a minimum level of expenditure. The unit is designed to allow for maximum flexibility, with a king-size bed and two bunks beds. Perfect for couples or families the clever design is eye-catching, luxurious and cosy.
The Nook has an optional log burning stove and underfloor heating, allowing year-round occupancy and maximum revenue.
A retreat in an ancient woodland or a place for reflection over far-reaching horizons. The Nook is a place to step out of the hustle and bustle with family and friends and to reconnect with the natural environment.
Designed to be easily installed in even the most remote environments, The Nook reflects the natural beauty in which it sits. The angular man-made form relies on the natural weathering process to allow the habitat to reclaim the structure.
Meet Our New Tree House Designer
Working as an Architectural Assistant for the last 5 months, graduate Mari Shirley is able to merge her sense of fun...read more
Treehouse Heroes: Korowai People
This week's treehouse inspiration: We look at the Korowai Tribe's authentic treehouses. If any of you haven't...read more
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The summer holidays are finally here and there has never been a better time to experience all the fantastic day-trip...read more
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Beyond expectations…Dean Hartley, Scotland
Great craftsmanship! We particularly love the beautiful owl finial.Laura Butterworth, New Beacon School Business Manager
We were very impressed with the team. They were very polite and knowledgeable and keen to help to enable the build to run as smoothly as possible. They also left the site very tidy.Laura Butterworth, New Beacon School Business Manager
Such a lovely team. We thoroughly enjoyed having them here.Peter Kelly, Buckinghamshire
It is rare to work with a company which delivers on time, within budget and with such quality execution. Please extend my thanks to the whole team. Great work.Private Client, Geneva
Great team, all very professional and happy to talk through any point of concern.Dean Hartley, Scotland
The whole team was responsive, hardworking, tidy, discreet, industrious, thoughtful and fun.Kevin Philbin, Stamford
We are delighted with the finished treehouse. The willingness to accommodate our changes without complaint and the clear desire to deliver a fabulous product with a smile on your faces has been a revelation – very refreshing in this day and age!Kevin Philbin, Stamford
[Comments regarding reliability, integrity and professionalism…] 100 + 10% on all fronts!Jamie and Angela Matheson, Scotland
The completed tree house fulfils all our expectations. It has achieved a mystical and exciting appearance and is a pleasure to share with all who see it.Peter and Jennifer Tallon, Suffolk
We cannot speak highly enough about the installation team. Their work was of the best quality and attention to detail was second to none. The long hours and client care put in by them was amazing.Peter and Jennifer Tallon, Suffolk
2018 is set to be a very exciting year at the Farncombe Estate.Commercial Director, Chris Ward
Buccleuch have had an exceptional visitor response to the Dalkeith Country Park 'Fort Douglas' development, in terms of numbers, revenue and enthusiastic customer feedback. The Blue Forest team worked with a complicated and technically challenging site, to a competitive price and a compressed programme; all with professionalism and creativity. A great product.James Palmer, Associate Director, Buccleuch Property
If my grandchildren are anything to go by, the Tree House and Adventure Playground will be top of everyone's must visit list this summer.Lord Rosse, Owner Birr Castle, Ireland
The children and parents are talking about it, because it is different and the building has made the 'statement' that I hoped that it would.Michael Wilson, Headmaster, Cranleigh School, Surrey
It is so beautifully constructed, the moment the doors are opened and that lovely wood smell emanates from inside is delicious.Brigitte & Martin Skan, Hampshire, UK
The Blue Forest team are very easy to work with, they are professional and friendly and quickly understand what the project requirements are.Rob Holgate, Managing Director , Vectis Ventures
In regard to work ethic, Blue Forest are top class. They get the job done without excuses.Tobyn Thomas, Principal Thomas's London Day Schools
The tree house is fantastic and is everything we were hoping it would be. It fits into the landscape perfectly. The design and finish has perfectly translated the brief and vision. We love it!Nick Tappin, Bursar, Hazelwood School, Surrey, UK
I cannot fault anything. The team were a total delight and their workmanship and professionalism were first class. We are thrilled with the result!Natasha Kaplinsky, Sussex, UK
We are very pleased with the design and realisation of the tree house, which is even more beautiful than we thought it might be.Mr & Mrs Black, Oxfordshire, UK
It was thrilling to see the vast slide tower now complete and the Giant Nest looking majestic and imposing! The new bridge over the Giant Nest gives a scale of immense grandeur which is wonderful.Deb Jordan, Owner of Pensthorpe Wildlife & Gardens
We always wanted the tree house design to be inspirational and sustainable and an education in itself. Now we have the reality, it is more amazing than we could have imagined!David Bridges, Director, Countryside Education Trust
This revolutionary design will accommodate the activities of children all around the country.Lord Montagu of Beaulieu
We are delighted that so many people will be able to experience the wonders of the National Park in and around this amazing building.Nigel Matthews, The New Forest National Park Authority's Head of Visitor Services
It is far too nice for the kids, I'm thinking about moving in myself!Mr A Staley, UK
If you want to get the kids out the house and playing in the great outdoors then there really is nothing better than a tree house.Mr D Woodward, UK
It looks fantastic! Even lovelier than we imagined. A beautiful job, thank you!Peter Kelly, Buckinghamshire
Blue Forest will work hard to understand your brief and continue designing it in an open and collaborative manner until the brief is met.Tobyn Thomas, Principal Thomas's London Day Schools
The product is everything we were promised & more. The attention to detail is extraordinary & the craftsmanship really immaculate. We cannot praise the whole process & the finished product highly enough. Thank you!Natasha Kaplinsky, Sussex
Everyone who has seen [the tree house] has been mightily impressed. It will be a great asset for years to come.Mr & Mrs Black, Oxfordshire
A highly professional team: very skilled, hard-working, creative at solving problems and a pleasure to have working for us. They left the garden in good shape when they had finished. We'd be happy to have them work for us again and highly recommend them.Mr & Mrs Black, Oxfordshire
It was a great pleasure to be invited to officially open the Woodland Retreat. I hope that it brings significant benefits to the young people who will use it and that it will help them to regain confidence in themselves.HRH the Duke of Gloucester The Kings Fund
The Blue Forest scheme was innovative from the outset and was particularly desirable because it was so unique and appealing to a number of markets.Andrew Stembridge, Managing Director, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
The new Eco Classroom looks amazing, and I'm sure the school will get a lot of use out of it. The structure and steps appear very solid and the cladding helps it to blend in well with the surroundings.Paula Downard, Landscape Architect, Hampshire County Council
If I closed my eyes and opened them, this is exactly what I had in my mind.Michael T Wilson, Headmaster, Cranleigh Preparatory School
We are the very happy owners of a superb BlueForest tree house…Mr & Mrs Petitgas, Private Client, London
Thanks to Peter for the trunk in Jordan's tree house. It's great and very much appreciated.Hugo Mundy, Private Client, Ascot
Thank you so much, we are very happy with your work and it's a beautiful bridge.Mahesh .R. Agnihotri, Chief Engineer Soneva Fushi Resort & Sixsenses Spas, The Maldives
Cliff Richard, an old mate of mine and a garden fanatic, saw one at the Chelsea Flower Show and told me it was just what I needed for my new place in Surrey.Mr David Lloyd, Private Client, Surrey
Why should children have all the fun? There's room in the branches for grown up adults…Sonia Purnell, The Sunday Telegraph
It's somewhere wonderful for us to hide away and get some peace.Mr Subra, Private Client, Chichester
Best team of workers we have ever had, 100% professional, friendly & reliable. The treehouse is the envy of everyone, every last detail absolutely perfect.Mrs Hills, Kent, UK
It was a big investment to make but the finished treehouse really feels like an investment and not an expense.Mr Keeling, Hertfordshire, UK
I am very pleased with the treehouse and it looks great. It has been a pleasure to have the boys work on it, they are all very professional.Mr Ross Cumbria, UK
The finished treehouse is amazing as it blends in with the whole woodland and is like stepping into another world.Mrs Clayton, Cornwall, UK
I'd like to thank you all for all your hard work over the past 6 months. [The treehouse] looks great and we have a lot of happy children... mission accomplished.Emma French, Sensatori Manager, UK
We are thrilled with Cherry Treehouse, and it is set to become an enchanting place of wonder, creativity, and reflection for generations of Feltonfleet children in the future. Blue Forest have delivered exactly what they promised, and more, and we are enormously grateful to them.Philip Ward, Headmaster – Feltonfleet School, UK
It has proved so successful we are quite staggered by its popularity.Martin Cummings, Amberley Castle Hotel, UK
From my team point of view I've found working with your company to be an easy, hassle free experience with an excellent end result and happy client. Can't say better than that! As opportunities arise I would be happy to use you again.William Parker, Architect, Hampshire County Co, UK
This facility will enable classes to undertake fieldwork in the School grounds and will greatly enhance many aspects of the curriculum as well as providing a facility for use by local schools.Anthony Cawley, Benenden School Estates Bursar, UK
Great TV programme guys and nice work - what brilliant treehouses.Mr Mac Mclennan, UK
The judges were simply blown away by Blue Forest – truly a world leader in its field with a very exciting future.Mike Herd, Chair of the Judges, Sussex Business Awards
As always the competition for Sussex Company of the Year was fierce but Blue Forest stood out as an exemplar business and are worthy winners...Julien Jones, Area Director at Morgan Sindall
The success of the Woodland Retreat is substantiated by a reduction in the length of admission by 10 days, an 8.5% reduction in self-harming incidents, and a 65% reduction in the incidents of violence and aggression.Jon Campbell, Head of Capital Projects and Design
The young people who use our services said they wanted a place that was totally different from the clinical surroundings of the ward, which prompted the development of the Woodland Retreat. Many of the young people who access our services have had poor life experiences and we hope that the retreat will help to build their confidence and make them feel valued.Keith Walker, Specialist Services Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
We were particularly impressed with the imagination shown by the trust in recognising how a very challenging, sloping site could be redesigned to provide such a stunning, interesting and engaging space for young people.Right Honourable Michael Portillo, Building Better Healthcare Awards 2013
Wow! One of our fantastic family treehouses built under the branches of an ancient Oak tree. As well as a large liv… twitter.com/i/web/status/11753…
Happy Friday! Have a go at making these over the weekend - chin chin! #cocktail #FridayFeeling 🥂 ow.ly/n8s750wf3g9
Every magnificent idea starts from one little seed pic.twitter.com/vzHs8Bz5L1


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My son wanted to be an octopus for Halloween and I used Martha Stewart's (I love you Martha) free pattern. I emailed it to Staples and they blew it up for just a couple bucks. M picked out the fabric- vinyl on one side and sequins on the other, because sequins looked the most like suckers! I ended up lengthening the tentacles and I also added wire to make them have a little more shape.
I loved that he could wear anything he wanted under it. I wish I had more time; I would have made pants that looked like the sea floor. I also had visions of a bubble machine but there are only so many hours in the day!
We recently got a roku box and have been watching the same cartoons that my husband and I grew up on with our own kids. We both had the same reaction of all these childhood cartoon memories flooding back. So far they have watched He-man, Care bears, Mr. Rogers, and of course She-Ra Princess of Power.
My daughter had thrown out a new costume idea everyday including, but not limited to: Princess, Butterfly, Tinkerbell, Hello Kitty and finally resting on She-Ra. I am guessing it is because she has a crown, cape AND sword. Once she mentioned She-Ra I admit to being more enthusiastic because I knew that costume would be the easiest and I liked that she was a kick ass princess with a sword.
simple skirt using the pattern from Made. I use that pattern for all her skirts.
The cape is a simple rectangle that is gathered at the top and attached with sequins. Boots are old rain boots that we spray painted gold and the head dress is cardboard and sequins, held together with hot glue.
My son is already talking about next year's costume, can't imagine where he gets that from!


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10Gbit Ethernet, bad assumption and Best Practice
nagger 100000MRSJ Comments (5) Visits (83534)
Below is from your Power Systems, Advanced Technical Support team in Europe (EMEA) with lots of input from many people.
We find many people are over optimistic and making assumptions - which can catch them out - we learnt the hard way too.
Don't Assume 1 - The same boost as last time
Don't Assume 2 - Your old Ethernet cables will work
Don't Assume 3 - This will not take CPU and memory resources
Don't Assume 4 - Everything can be Max-ed out at the same time
Don't Assume 5 - A faster network fixes everything
It can work really well - so are our first set of hot tips ...
It is possible to achieve respectable bandwidth when using 10GBit Ethernet on IBM System Power equipment. With some careful consideration, planning, configuration and tuning, it is possible to achieve very good results.
Top Tip 1 - Flow Control
Top Tip 2 - Flow Control on the network switches
Top Tip 3 - Flow Control on AIX networks
Top Tip 4 - Flow Control on the Host Ethernet Adapter (HEA/IVE)
Top Tip 5 - If possible, directly use the HEA rather than via a SEA
Top Tip 6 - Set the network option Largesend
Top Tip 7 - Large packets with MTU
Top Tip 8 - Multiple virtual switches within the POWER6 and POWER7 machines
If you have any hot tips, please pass them on via the comments below.
Thanks, Gareth M Coates


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July 30, 2017 - August 5, 2017
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The Coronado Foothills Weedwackers work on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. We generally work Skyline Rd., north of Skyline Rd between Campbell and Swan, and the Finger Rock wash. In the summer we start at 6:30 a.m. working for 1 1/2 hours, and in the winter at 7:00 a.m. for 2 hours. Please contact Marge at email@example.com for exact time and location. If you have a digging bar and/or pick, bring them. Always wear sunscreen and bring gloves and water.
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CMS Downs have large showrooms in Winchester, Newbury and Woking so pop in to speak to one of our expertly trained staff. Alternatively you can call us for a no fee consultation and find our more about how we can help and advise you to make the right decision for your home, 0800 731 0953.
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Lost and found
A couple of friends met for lunch today at Samurai's sushi bar in Rosemont. Nothing unusual in today's world, except this get-together was the interesting end to a strange situation that took place over one and a half years ago.
Former Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser was on an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C. He went to the rest room to wash his hands and took off his 1980 Phillies World Series championship ring. "I always took it off when I washed my hands," he reported. "I just put it on top of the washstand when the train jolted. I stood there motionless as the ring flipped into the hopper." Musser's first response isn't printable.
Using common sense, Andy didn't try to retrieve it. Instead, he asked the Amtrak attendants for assistance. The story didn't have an encouraging ending as there was nothing that could be done immediately.
Andy learned that cleaning was done back in Long Island, but several phone calls were unproductive. "I finally gave up," said Musser.
Musser eventually had a duplicate ring manufactured because the situation seemed hopeless.
Larry Christenson, the ex-Phillies pitcher who toiled on the mound while Andy did his work in the broadcast booth, entered the picture recently. As President of Christenson Investment Partners, "LC" has numerous clients in the mid-Atlantic business world.
One of his clients is Ritchie Brooks, President of the Teamsters Warehouse Local 730 in the Baltimore/Washington area. Brooks had an employee whose wife had an acquaintance at Amtrak.
Yes, someone at Amtrak had come across a 1980 Phillies World Series ring with the name Andy Musser on the side. Eventually, word filtered back to LC, who called Andy and set up today's celebratory lunch. The ancient ring sparkled again.
"I'm now the proud owner of two rings from 1980," said a beaming Musser.
1 Comment
I am a Mets fan and have been one forever, and I think Jimmy Rollins is aces. He has handled this whole brouhaha with charm and grace and I hope you let him now he has some fans here in the NYC area!


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Sculptor Sophie Kahn has merged new technology with old to haunting effect in her sculptures of incomplete women. Kahn initially worked as a photographer but became frustrated with working in two-dimensions. Modern 3d scanners initiate these sculptures, but the fragmentation of the figures is achieved by using the scanners in a way for which they were not designed. Kahn says:
"When confronted with a moving body, it receives conflicting spatial coordinates, generating fragmented results: a 3d 'motion blur'. From these scans, I create videos or 3d printed molds for metal or clay sculptures. The resulting objects bear the artifacts of all the digital processes they have been though."
The absences in these figures is what makes them so arresting. The elements that are represented are death-like in their pallor and stillness. There's no sense of motion, instead the women look like they were captured post-mortem. Their peaceful body language and impassive faces contrast with their layers and patches. Like the juxtaposition of new and ancient techniques Kahn uses to create these works, the figures are both enduring and fragile.
"These scans, realized as life-size 3d printed statues and installed in darkened rooms as a damaged ancient artifact might be, serve as a incomplete memorials to the body as it moves through time and space." (Source)
The imperfect sculptures reveal flaws, empty spaces, and altered textures. It speaks of the inability to ever really know a person, as if these pieces of the mapped and printed bodies are all that could be gathered.
"This concern with the instability of memory and representation is the common thread that weaves together the ancient and futuristic aspects of my work."
Kahn's fragmented women give form to the futility of capturing the essence of a life.


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Oregon's first flying ace died Monday at age 95.
Hood River's Ken Jernstedt Sr. was a pilot, community leader, father and businessman. His life was a long, full and adventurous one. Piloting the famed Flying Tiger aircraft over Burma in 1941-42, he shot down more than 10 Japanese airplanes, and that was just part of his World War II service.
Hood River's airfield is named in his honor.
A Hood River resident since 1946, when he bought Hood River Bottling Works, Jernstedt died peacefully at 2 a.m. at the assisted living facility in Wilsonville where he had been living for the past two years, according to his daughter-in-law, Jill Arens Jernstedt.
A memorial service is planned for Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at Hood River Valley Christian Church. (A full obituary is planned for the Feb. 9 edition.)
Jernstedt served as Hood River mayor and in the Oregon Legislature in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was born in 1917 in Yamhill County. He grew up there on a small farm in Carlton. After graduating from Yamhill Union High in 1935 Jernstedt went on to earn a bachelor's in business administration from Linfield College, McMinnville, in 1939.
In 1941, Jernstedt decided to take up flying and joined the Marine Air Corps. Jernstedt didn't stay with the Marines for long because his excellent flying skills caught the eye of those higher up. He was recruited to join one of President Franklin Roosevelt's pet projects, the American Volunteer Group under General Claire Chennault, better known as the Flying Tigers.
Jernstedt was one of 100 "discharged" military personnel sent to China to protect the Chinese, and the Burma Road, from Japanese attack before America officially entered the war after Pearl Harbor.
During his one-year tenure with the Flying Tigers Jernstedt shot down or destroyed 10.5 Japanese planes, (the point five comes in because Jernstedt and a fellow AVG man came upon and blew up 14 Japanese aircraft on the ground. They each got credit for half).
After finishing his Burma tour in 1942, Jernstedt moved to New York where he worked for Republic Aviation as a test pilot. He flew almost every new breed of fighter plane developed during World War II.
In 1943 Jernstedt stood as honor guard for a visit from Madame Chiang Kai Shek of the Nationalist Chinese government and the Flying Tigers honorary commander. She decorated him for his valor in action. Jernstedt's achievements with the AVG made him Oregon's first flying ace, a title given to pilots who have taken down at least five planes.
After moving to Hood River in 1946, Jernstedt bought Hood River Bottling Works, a soft drink bottling facility in the county. He later expanded his business and took over Mid-Columbia Coca-Cola Company. Jernstedt was an early equal opportunity employer during his 25-year tenure as company owner and operator. He hired youth and people with disabilities.
After selling Mid-Columbia Coca-Cola, Jernstedt served a one-year term as account representative for Pacific Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Jernstedt's business ventures overlapped with the time he worked as a public servant and representative. He clocked 35 years of service to the county of Hood River and Oregon at large. He served variously on the city council, as director of the Hood River Chamber of Commerce, as mayor (in 1959 and 1989), and in the Oregon State Legislature (1966-1989). Jernstedt legislative career included one term in the House of Representatives and five in the Senate.
Among many other accomplishments as a city councilman, Jernstedt helped procure property for the National Guard Amory and, as mayor, assisted in the development of the city's primary sewage treatment plant. While in the legislature Jernstedt focused his attention on issues dealing with natural resources, agriculture and economic development. He felt that many issues should be dealt with at the level of local governments.
Throughout his public service career Jernstedt was supported by his wife Gen. They were married in 1962. The couple brought seven kids into their marriage. Gen was a success in her own right while supporting her husband's work. She was the first woman to serve on the Hood River City Council and she was Jernstedt's legislative aide during his time in Salem.
The couple faithfully made the rounds to every county fair in the districts that Jernstedt represented: Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler counties. For his exemplary support, Jernstedt was the first senator to be presented a "Friends of the Fairs" award.
Jernstedt has been a longstanding and active member of the Elks, the American Legion and the Lions Club since 1946. Of the Lions Club, he said that he had served in every chair there — from deputy director to zone chairman.
Jernstedt attended Hood River Valley Christian Church and supported the congregation volunteering to hold many offices as a respected elder. He served as president of the church, chairman of the church board, co-chairman of the building committee and as a deacon.
Though he had retired from the public eye Jernstedt had continued to be active and supportive in the community, and received many awards for his long, dedicated years of service.
In 1981 the Air National Guard Base in Portland renamed their main entrance gate, the "Jernstedt Gate" in his honor. Linfield named Jernstedt its "Honorary Alumnus of the Year" in 1983. In 1996 Jernstedt earned a Flying Cross for his service with the Flying Tigers and in 1997 he was inducted as a lifetime member for the Oregon Pilots' Association. In 2003 Jernstedt became one of the first nine inductees into the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor.
In 1979 Jernstedt began losing his sight to glaucoma; barely two years later he fully lost vision in his right eye because of a detached retina. In 1996 Jernstedt was declared officially blind.
Jernstedt never let the encroaching dark slow him down. He served on the Oregon Commission for the Blind to help establish self-sufficiency programs for the blind, both for those young and old.
After he was declared blind Jernstedt was paired up with Driscoll, a faithful, yellow Labrador retriever guide dog. For 10 years the pair could be seen making their way around the coffee shops and visiting with all the locals, until Driscoll finally succumbed to old age in 2006. He was 12.
Tragically, Jernstedt never found a guide dog that could replace Driscoll; though he brought two others home for a time.


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Address the challenges in moving to and managing your multi-cloud environments. Our combination of multi-cloud advisory and implementation services allows your organization to achieve the cloud model and governance right for your enterprise demands.
Advancing your current state
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We offer consulting aligned to the needs that arise as you move through maturity at the speed your business demands.
"BMC Customer Success identified up to 28% in cloud cost savings valued at approximately $430,000 in annual savings through the implementation of their optimization recommendations. The IT organization also helped a key business unit uncover nearly $1.5M in savings over one year through increased awareness of cloud procurement and workload placement." — $2 billion US-based enterprise software company
Read the full story


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County of Inyo
Board of Supervisors
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, met in special session at the hour of 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 9 , 2006 in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present: Chairperson Susan Cash presiding, Linda Arcularius, Ted Williams, Jim Bilyeu, and Richard Cervantes. Supervisor Bilyeu provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Arcularius led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to address the Board. Supervisor Cash congratulated Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown on her election to the NACo Board.
CAO-Budget/ Workshop on FY 2006-07 Budget
The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:02 a.m., to convene in a workshop with various County Department Heads to receive preliminary information concerning the departments' budgets in preparation for the upcoming FY 2006-07 Budget Hearings. The County Administrator, the Deputy County Administrator and the Auditor-Controller will facilitate this workshop.
The Chairperson adjourned the special meeting at 7:15 p.m.
________________________________________ Chairperson, Inyo County Board of Supervisors
Attest: RONALD JULIFF
Clerk of the Board
Disclaimer: The County of Inyo reserves the right to make changes and improvements to its Web site at any time and without
notice, and assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies.
Copyright © 2001 County of Inyo
Last Updated: September 11, 2006


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"There's often the question, 'Why would you do a third one?'" NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles executive producer Shane Brennan admits of the franchise's next spinoff, which will launch as a two-part "embedded pilot" on NCIS: LA March 19 and 26. "'How would it be different?'"
Here's how: The action follows a mobile military crime-solving unit, the Red team, led by Paris Summerskill (Grey's Anatomy alum Kim Raver), who shares a mysterious past with analyst Roy Haines (Sex and the City's John Corbett).
Brennan says the new show, which may be called NCIS: Red, will track the team's overlapping personal and professional lives. "They work and live together 24/7" — on two trucks nicknamed Laverne and Shirley — "so they sit around a dinner table, arguing about elements of the case and who kept everyone awake last night snoring."


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Comedy Central has been doing quite well for itself for a while now in late night with the one-two punch of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. But increasingly, it looks as if Chris Hardwick might be part of that regular lineup, based on the straight out of the gate success of "@midnight."
With little fanfare and not a lot of marketing,"@midnight" has been staking out a unique place in the late night landscape, distinct from the traditional late night talk shows or even "The Daily Show" or "Colbert Report" that air before it.
A blend of panel talk show and game show, Hardwick hosts three comedians each night who compete for points by riffing on the most interesting Internet finds of the day. The points are assigned somewhat arbitrarily by Hardwick, but the intent is to generate as many laughs as quickly as possible, with the conventions of Twitter being one of the show's guiding forces.
"I love the game show format because it's a wheel that constantly drives the comedy," Hardwick said during a post-show chat in his dressing room at Hollywood Center Studios. "It makes people a little competitive. Yes, there are no prizes, but a comic's ego is very fragile and to be the funniest person, to have a score and quantify that, puts a nice element to it."
The series debuted on Oct. 21 with good ratings that continued to climb. During its first week of shows, "@midnight" was second only to "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" in the channel's core young male demographic, beating out Leno, Letterman and the rest of the traditional network late night guys.
Additionally, the series has proved to be a hit on Twitter, a key factor for a program that makes social networking a core part its DNA. Each night, the show uses new hashtags to provoke creative responses from its contestants, but at-home players are eager to throw out their own suggestions, meaning the show has appeared in Twitter's top trending topics every single night since its debut.
Though Comedy Central has been around for more than 20 years, it is just now attempting to program a regular original program into its after-midnight time slot, an hour that has long been a place where the channel aired reruns of its original programming.
"I thought [after midnight] could be a new frontier for us," said Kent Alterman, president of content development and original programming at Comedy Central. "In the past, we always did well with reruns at midnight. But reruns don't perform as well in the new TV age and there's a voracious appetite for new content from the audience."
"@midnight" began in slightly different form as "Tweeterdome," a pilot produced by Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Funny or Die. When Hardwick saw the pilot, he was sold, but expanded the scope to include all forms of Internet media.
Hardwick said, "We're still perfecting it, but I think the best balance is 30% game show and 70% screwing around. So there's just enough game show to keep things moving."
Guests on the show have included Patton Oswalt, Natasha Leggero and Doug Benson, among others. While the comedians are given the topics for each show an hour or two ahead of taping, what's been most beneficial was the run of live shows Hardwick ran last summer out of live show space his company, Nerdist Industries, runs in the back of the Meltdown Comics shop in Hollywood.
"It allowed us to see what worked, see how interactive the show was," Hardwick said. And the test run allowed "@midnight" to land on the air seemingly fully formed.
But perhaps some of that instant familiarity comes from its host. Hardwick is seemingly everywhere these days, with his Nerdist podcast network and his weekly live appearances on AMC to dissect "The Walking Dead" and "Breaking Bad" before it. While some see his high profile as a triumph of geek culture, others resent his ubiquity.
"Sometimes people say, 'How many jobs do you need to take?'" Hardwick said. "But I just take the jobs I want to take. I'm lucky enough to have gotten to this point where I don't have to take anything I don't want to take. That's a really fun place to be."
"Chris is not an accidental host," Alterman said. "With the Nerdist empire he's been building, he's totally, authentically of the social media world."
The series received an initial four-week order and is currently in its final week of shows. Though Alterman declined to say if the show would be renewed, he did add, "There's a lot of enthusiasm for it throughout the network."
And despite the nightly addition to Hardwick's already busy schedule, his enthusiasm for the new show is easy to see.
"This is a show I would be very happy doing for a very long time," Hardwick said.
[For the record, 2:11 p.m. PST Nov. 11: An earlier version of this post described Judd Apatow and David Spade as guests who had appeared on "@midnight." Apatow and Spade are actually scheduled to appear this week on the show.]


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I share my experiences in genealogy education, including taking classes at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies and preparing my BCG portfolio. I also post updates to my personal research and general genealogy news.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
March and April 2011 Classes - National Institute for Genealogical Studies
The class includes two individual and at least one group consultation. Any registered student can attend almost any group chat session at any time - this class requires that you attend at least one.
I felt very reassured by my two individual sessions with instructors. The purpose of both is to gauge your genealogy knowledge and experience to this point, and address any major concerns you have after taking the beginner's level genealogy classes. Both instructors thought that I was doing very well, and made helpful suggestions about certification and research in general. It was good to speak with people who could serve as mentors about my progress, as I do most of my work online and haven't taken many opportunities to interact with other researchers yet.
Speaking of which, the group chat session was also helpful. Unfortunately, it was a little difficult to communicate with each other, as only one person besides the instructor had a working microphone (I had to type questions, as I have not figured out how to get this mic to work right on this computer). There were not many people there, as it is difficult to coordinate many people in different time zones coming to a session at the same time.
I was able to chat quite a bit with fellow blogger Julie Cahill Tarr (http://genblogjulie.blogspot.com). It was great to speak to her also, because we share a lot of the same concerns about certification and training. Good luck, Julie!
I'm also taking:
-Methodology Part 3
-US: Religious Records - Part 2
-US: Vital Records, Understanding & Using The Records
More on those to come. Right now, I have some very important hockey to be watching.
2 comments:
Thanks for the shout out! I'm finished with all the beginner courses, which is it for now simply because funds are lacking. But once things get turned around, I hope to be right on your heals. BTW, I did get the packet from BCG and am formulating some plans. Making progress!ReplyDelete
Good luck on your upcoming classes!
Isn't that packet a little...intimidating? It's funny, I was having that exact thought when I found the little card in there that says "Feeling a Little Intimidated?"ReplyDelete
After I sent in my application form, I got an invitation to a Google Group to discuss general questions about certification with others who are preparing their portfolio. It seems like it will be a really helpful community.
I'm running low on fundage also - I might have to take a little break in a month or so, or maybe just take one class...but yeah, it's been difficult to arrange financially.
Hope to see you in class again soon! :)


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The lass who wanders
I travel the world on a quest to live a life not ordinary. Having seen more of the world than most people would in a life time, I am grateful and hope that I inspire you to do what you love most
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