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Mid-winter comfort doesn't have to mean hours of slow-roasting, braising, stewing and simmering soups into submission. Each of these soup recipes allow for perfectly seasoned and piping-hot bowlfuls in 30 minutes or less. Throw in a loaf of crusty bread, and you're in business. Tortilla Meatball Soup This�Easy Tomato Soup for Kids�is packed with nutritious veggies�and hits the table in fifteen�minutes. Meaning there's just enough time to whip up a couple of�quick grilled cheese sandwiches. This article originally appeared as on Relish
Location, ST | website.com

subset: commoncrawl


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I have $25 credit at one of my local CD shops and they said I could order anything I want. Could someone recommend a Macca Video ? I only have The Concert For George and prefer recent 90s-nowdays stuff.
Red Sq. Concert ?
Cavern Club Concert ?
your suggestions are welcomed !


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Many here will not know who wrote this, but some will, and IMO it is as good a post you'll ever find in cyberspace.
From the evil OBR boards, fatdad like us was a Browns fan and a regular who frequented their political rant board. He passed away in 2006 IIRC.
This is good b/c it is real.
His words...
It has been an incredibly emotional several weeks for me.
I last posted here on Father's Day, June 19th. So much has happened between then and now that I'm still in a state of emotional overload.
Early morning, the day after Father's Day my wife and the mother of my two children showed up at my door with a suitcase and a great big smile. She had come home after a seperation of close to an entire year without saying anything to me so she could surprise the kids and I. (Or maybe to catch me screwing up.)
My wife didn't leave the kids and I last August because it was something either of us wanted. We'd been getting along great. We always have.
She left to protect us.
The fatwife (don't ever tell her I said that) had been informed late last summer that the cancer we thought she had beaten earlier that year was back, and had spread, and that she was going to have to go through another long bout of treatment. I say another because she, we, had already gone through a long, hard fought suffering ordeal of watching modern medicine walk that tightrope that their so-called "cure" will kill the cancer invading my wife's body before the 'cure', just deadly poisons really, or before the disease itself kills her body first.
(before I continue i want to thank you motley mother ******* for being my surrogate family for the past few years. I don't know if I'd have been as capable of keeping my kids, and myself smiling without the friendship, support and daily doses of rectal or cranial pain I took from people like Kronus, AJ, Opt, Bone, EJ, Pol, DoW ... Thank you, all.)
Watching the woman you love shrink down to 65 pounds and begin talking as if death would be a welcome visitor is enough to humble, and then crumble anyone.
Even harder, there is no worse feeling in the world than to watch the light in your childrens eyes begin to fade and go dull. To have to lie to your once magically silly sprite of a seven year old daughter when she asks you "daddy, is Mommy going to die." How the **** do you answer something like that? My strong, brave, loving wife had decided, on her own, to spare her kids, and her husband that pain by leaving us. In all probability, quite realistically to die alone. After a day of crying, then bargaining, I gave in. I had no choice. She's a lot smarter and stronger than I am about so many things.
When we were given the news last summer that she was gravely ill -- again -- well, after a few days of cursing God, my wife made the bravest, most spiritually generous decision and sacrifice I've ever seen. She told me that she wasn't going to put the kids through another year or two of hospitals. She refused to subject her family to the daily watching her shrink away and worrying that one night the phone would ring telling us that she had died. She had decided that she would return home to live with her mother, and go through those torturous treatments again. This time alone. How hard it had to be for her to leave her kids, faced with the fact she may never see them again. That is a sacrifice I know I wouldn't want to face.
At Christmas time we thought she wasn't going to make it. I was preparing myself to remain a single father for the long haul. You guys may find this odd, given our board personaes, but the only person I confided this with was Yipiciya. --Yip, thanks for your kindness and words of support back then. And for your discretion throughout in keeping your promise and not telling anyone else. I am in your debt. Even if you are a crazy ass fascist Republican. I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
Ever sat alone at night and cried? I have a lot lately. Tears of anger. Tears of fear. Tears of sympathy.
Two weeks ago I was rewarded with tears of long overdue reunion and joy. And of relief.
My wife, my best friend is finally home. She's healthy. And my kids, and I are becoming whole again. We can all begin building a life together again.
And, in the way only true loves and best friends can, we are as comfortable together as ever. Better, really. Sacrifice brings newfound respect for the little things you tend to overlook. And, isn't it the little things and how you approach them in the everyday here and now which truly matter? I think so. I couldn't remember when I'd ever been happier.
aside: Well, fatwife is healthy and she's home. For those of you who don't think the American system of health care needs a massive overhaul, well, you are totally wrong. This thing has cost me 50 times what it should have cost. Our system, a government mandated monopoly is seriously gouging sick Americans and their families for exorbitant profit. The insurance companies fought paying for my wife's treatments, tooth and nail, until I agreed to pay for amny of them out of pocket. I can go on but not in this thread. That's for another rant.
Looking back at that day, this past Father's Day I'd also just come from visiting my father in the hospital where he was getting knee replacement surgery. At 69, my dad is, and always has been my hero. He's a poor boy who's now a self made millionaire many times over. This year he'd finally decided to retire.
The Friday before Father's Day, June 17th, was also my birthday, and my dads youngest son, my eight year old little half-brother's birthday, too. Dad keeps himself busy.
June seventeenth was also pop's official last day of work. He was going to sell his business and property and take off into the sunset. But not until he could be fully functional. Years of walking and kneeling on concrete had destroyed both of his knees. He planned to have them replaced. Both knees at once. Titanium or stainless steel knees, I forget which.
He described the surgery as using a hammer, saw, and chisel just like you would on stone to carve out all of the bone from the knee from the legbones. One knee would have been painful. Leave it to the old man to rush it and go for both at once.
I told my mom, who's been divorced from dad for over 30 years about the old man's condition and upcoming surgery. She told me to tell him how well a cousin of our's grandkid, Sonny, who'd lost both legs from the knee down in Iraq was doing with his new legs. Mom was truly concerned and wanted to comfort her former husband. She made me promise to tell him not to worry.
My mom and dad are both funny human beings. They've probably only spoken to each other twice in the past ten years. They haven't once laid eyes on each other in over thirty years. Yet you can see the look in each of their eyes when one or the other gets a chance to have me or my sister deliver a message between them that shouts how much they still care for each other. I obviously came by my stubborness and hardheadedness and passion honestly.
For the last five years my old man has been working on a custom built boat. A dream craft, hand crafted by a well known family, a father and son, of North Carolina boat builders. A family who have been turning out boats since the 1700's. They only build and put their name on one boat, or less, in a single year. Dad's project took nearly five years. It burned twice. Acts of God. God is such a practical joker.
The old man drove 5 hours each way to work on his boat for five years of weekends. Every detail was thought out. Finally it was finished. He'd finally retire.
Well, the boat had her last few glitches ironed out by late May, early June of this year. Close. The old man was within weeks of realizing his life's dream of living on his boat and getting to spend the first years of his retirement living on this 60 foot work of art and bouncing from one Caribbean island to the next. Only one last thing to do. ...He had to have his knees, which had been damaged by 50 years of hard work, replaced. He wanted to be able to stand on the flydeck with his woman and eight year old son all day; chasing tuna and mixing boat drinks.
Dad wasn't afraid of the pain. And they told him it was going to be some seriously horrific pain. He hated being immobile and not being able to work far more than a little pain.
More importantly, the boat he had designed and overseen the construction of was finished and he was finally going to retire, sell off his assets and live on that teak and mahogany, dual Detroit diesel masterpiece for the next few years. No pain would get in the way of his life's dream. It was oh, so close.
He told me, "Son, all I want is to be able to live on my boat in the Caribbean for one year. Then I can die a happy man." He sounded like he was bargaining. He looked like he felt that it would never happen. But hell, my old man's healthy as a horse. He worked hard labor every day in the hot Carolina sun. He drank until after midnight every day of his life and never missed a single day of work in over 50 years, always rising and planning his day just before the sun came up. I told him, "dad, you're gonna live to 90 and die giving a 40 year old woman a screaming orgasm." Thing is, I truly believed that about the man. The light that burned in him was that bright. He was truly that remarkable.
Fatwife and I still laugh at how pop's young trophy bride would always complain to my wife that the old satyr wanted sex every morning before sunrise. Sometimes twice a day. Sans vitamins or viagra. Every day. A mythical beast, my father. Women loved him, and men wanted to be his friend. He ate red meat and drank hard liquor. He took spiritual joy from working with his hands and wasn't happy unless he was busy either partying, working or *******.
My father was one of those rare people who live life completely without fear. He didn't fear failure -- he simply refused to fail. He wasn't afraid of losing because he believed that as long as he could honestly say that he had done his best that only good could come from the effort.
My father also never feared God. He once told me that he didn't believe in an afterlife -- that there was no Heaven or Hell. He said that, "this is it, son: here and now, and what you do with the time you have, and how you live it is all you'll ever really have. All that really matters."
I remember thinking that the thought of living a life without the comfort of a belief in an afterlife was a burden most of us could never shoulder. For so many people, it is the fear of death which drives us. For my father, it was never the fear of death, but the love of life, and a profound, ever-permeating sense of it's transience which continued to move him forward. He knew life was short and because of that lived harder than any man I've ever known.
My father spent his entire life living in the moment and enjoying everything he did to the fullest. He'd named his boat "Got One" partly, he said, because his little boy used to scream out everytime he got a bite, "Do you got one, daddy?" But I also think he meant it as a sort of iprivate message to himself reminding him to look at what this skinny young rebel who's mother had left him on his grandmothers doorstep at nine and was shipped to Cleveland without two nickels to rub together, to remind him that he had Got One, too. Got One on his own.
-------------------------------------------------- -------
My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly last Friday. It shocked everyone who knew him. The funeral director, and a longtime friend's voice actually cracked when said to me, "you just don't expect Superman to die."
His death shocked his doctors. In his last moments he had walked --yeah, he was walking after double knee replacements 48 hours after the surgery.
He spent his last day in a chair looking at his boat dreaming of pink sands, big tuna, and clear water. Then he walked from the dock he'd built in his backyard to shelter his boat to the front of his house.
And then he just collapsed.
A neighbor, Danny Sawyer, saw him fall and ran to him. My father's last words were, "don't worry, Danny, Death isn't that bad." And then he closed his eyes. What great last words. Cool mother ******, my pop, right down to his last moment. Goddam, GODDAM, I'm really going to miss him.
And I'm angry at God for not giving him at least some time to have those boat drinks on that boat he'd worked so hard on, and which meant and represented so much to him. And, I guess, was what ultimately, indirectly, at least, had killed him.
In the last photograph of my father, taken just ten minutes before he passed away, he is smiling, sitting in the sun, and giving the camera, or maybe giving all of us who loved and admired him, the thumbs up. That wicked, sensitive, intelligent and beautifully knowing smile of his makes me wonder if he knew his time was done. He doesn't look ill, or unhappy, but seems as if he is telling us all not to worry or cry, that he's fine, and everything will be okay. That "...Death isn't that bad."
Dad was a self made millionaire. As a young businessman in Cleveland in the sixties and early seventies, he had battled the union thugs to a draw and was the only non-union large concrete company to still get big contracts and the dago's begrudgingly left him alone out of simple respect for his work, and his balls. That says something still. I still remember him going to work every day with a sawed off shotgun on the front seat, refusing to give in to the hoods in black caddies. He was shot twice in the back by a Cleveland cop. He was back on the job five days later.
He was a pilot. He built bridges and skyscrapers. Racetracks and waterparks were specialties of his, especially racetracks. When NASCAR's top engineers couldn't figure out how to get a concrete track done to spec, they flew the old man in and he'd school the PHD's. He once told a young engineer that if he didn't shut up he'd pour him a concrete hat. I beleive he could've, and could have made it fit, too.
He designed and built the 6400 sq ft waterfront home in which he lived. One of the most beautiful, yet comfortable homes I've ever stayed in. He built it around his joy of entertaining his family and friends.
He was a gourmet cook and loved to feed people. A gracious host. A grandfather. A father. A fisherman.
His parties are still stuff of legend.
He didn't miss a single day of work due to illness in 50 years. He also probably never missed a day of having a drink over that same span.
He genuinely and deeply loved women, all women, and women somehow sensed this and responded to it. If Hugh Hefner had ever seen the old man in action he'd have asked for pointers. No ****. The old boy has been on more beautiful women than makeup and to a count, they all remain friends and would still visit him regularly.
Pop was neither Republican nor Democrat. Conservative nor liberal. He judged all people and all situations individually.
He built over a dozen basketball courts in poorer areas without saying anything to anyone. He just knock his crew off early, take them to some small, black churchyard, or some white trash trailer park and then he'd quietly build the kids a perfect, concrete, regulation sized basketball court. Then he'd leave without saying a word to anyone. Once in a while you'd see him sitting in his truck, watching the kids play ball. Guess that was recognition and reward enough.
He'd let his hair grow since starting to build his boat some five year a ago. And in the last months he began to look like a Goddamn pirate or a biker. A pirate? Hmmmm.
And, at 69 years old, dad still didn't have more than a few grey hairs in his head. Probably could have passed for a man in his early fifties. Til the day he died he worked as hard as any young man. And partied as hard as one, too.
My father's death will probably make me a wealthy man. But nowhere near as wealthy as the example of how he lived his life has taught me to live mine: Fearlessly, in the moment, and always without anger or regret.
But I do regret-- I'd gladly give every nickel of my inheritance, his legacy, to charity for the opportunity to spend just a few more hours with my dad. Think of all the BBall courts we could quietly build. I regret not having the chance to say all of the things I wished I'd said.
And I am angry. I am angry with God for being such a cruel joker.
I want one last chuckle and a final hug from my father. Maybe some 'boat drinks.'
I would gladly have given my old man both my knees if it would have given him the chance to take that last adventure on the boat that he'd worked so hard and took so long to build. It took him a lifetime, literally.
I hope the God he said he didn't believe in has a boatyard for the old man to tinker in so he can finish what he's started the way he finished everything else in his life. He earned it.


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After breakfast, we packed our lunches and headed up to Gem Lakes, which is another 20 - 25 minute climb from our base camp. Getting up close to the 2000 ft sheer walls and glacier patches, you really feel the brutal power of nature up there.
Above is my first sketch of the day, and it turned out to be one of my favorites from the entire week. One thing I did differently with this one is to switch my thinking from "look how much color you can see in those gray rocks!" to "look how colorless those rocks are!" Why should pushing color be more desirable than pushing colorlessness? It's just preference of one level of saturation over another.
You'll look at my painting and say, "but you DID use color. I can plainly see the cool and warm shadows in your painting."
But I can assure you, it's a lot less saturated than what I actually saw. And I used black to make my base gray, as opposed to mixing primaries which is what I normally would do.
The afternoon remained dry, fortunately. I debated whether to do a painting featuring clouds but wasn't quite inspired to do so. A headache started brewing, too. May be the altitude was affecting me.
I was exhausted though, and went to bed early.


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I'm learning more and more to embrace the everyday(ness) of our home.
It's proof that we're actually living here.
I believe there absolutely is an addiction to perfection and control, and I'm willing to admit that
I'm in recovery.
I remember the days when friends would pop by for a surprise visit, and I'd secretly be
breaking out in hives if I had dishes in the sink or a basket of laundry in my living room.
I would go into "disclaimer mode" and give out a hundred reasons why it wasn't all done.
The ridiculous thing is that no one ever asked me for my excuses.
We try to give our worth to just about anything and everything, don't we?
Like a perfect house or what people think of our homes can truly, deeply satisfy.
Geez, Louise.
Thank GOD for growth.
I present to you what our house looked like until about thirty minutes ago....
Visit NESTER for more beautiful imperfections!!


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Topic: Why are web development solutions in high demand today?
The demand for reliable web development solutions is quite high today and so is the number of web development companies present in the web market today. The services offered by these companies play a great role in enhancing the performance of your business. Today, it has become much easier to find web development solutions that meet the requirements of your company according to its size and needs. From financial and educational services to online product selling, web development solutions can help company owners to increase the efficiency of all sorts of businesses. Web development solutions allow you to share business information to your off-site or isolated staffs in a competent and useful way so that they are able to do their job while protecting your corporate data.
A skilled and professional web development team can make that happen using a range of available software tools and strategies that integrate your company's overall strategy while motivating your employees and enabling them to pull their skills with your corporate data to grow your business and generate revenue. In addition to this, an experienced website development team will merge experience in user interface design with data exchange and integration to make sure that significant business processes and work flow are supported and accomplished effectively. This will ensure your company's website presence supports outside customers and the inside team working to give those customers what they want. One major reason for the increased popularity of web development solutions is that they do not entail maintenance and are particularly scalable.


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And all of a sudden the zone shrinks.
Let's see a grounder.
Holy crap, two perfect pitches.
Crawford triples to right. 1-0 Giants
There is no such thing as a pitching prospect.
Game over
"Ill kind of have a foot on the back of my own butt. Thats just how I do things. -- Bryan Price, 10/22/2013
Latos got squeezed and he hung one and paid the price.
Don't want to be a wet blanket but this just feels like a game where we waste another stellar outing by one of our starters. The bulk of our hitters look lost today.
Originally Posted by nate
Chapman can be downright pornographic at times.
Well, the Reds weren't going to win without scoring anyway. That just forced the issue.
The contents of this post may be disseminated without the express written consent of the Cincinnati Reds or Major League Baseball.
Season over. Bunch of chokers.
espn guys on the radio said latos yelled at the ump after an 0-2 pitch. next 1st pitch to crawford was squeezed. they are still talking about it.
We found your stolen Prius, it was voting for Ralph Nader.
Cain grounds out to Latos
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.


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[I couldn't find any pics online at all and don't have the tape on hand so this video is here because the second emcee is Raggedy Man making a rare appearance on youtube.]
01 Sh-Boom
02 I've Been Workin' On The Railroad
03 True Colors
04 Can I Get A Witness
05 Keep It On
06 Singin' In The Rain
Download demo tape here. (more…)


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"We're about to cross the point of no return. God help us; we're flying in the dark, and we don't know where the hell we're going."
Facing down an unprecedented malevolent enemy, the government responds with a nuclear attack. America as it was is gone forever, and now every citizen - from the president of the United States to the homeless on the streets of New York City - will fight for survival.
Swan Song is Robert McCammon's prescient and shocking vision of a post-apocalyptic nation, a grand epic of terror and, ultimately, renewal.
In a wasteland born of rage and fear, populated by monstrous creatures and marauding armies, earth's last survivors have been drawn into the final battle between good and evil, that will decide the fate of humanity. They include Sister, who discovers a strange and transformative glass artifact in the destroyed Manhattan streets... Joshua Hutchins, the pro wrestler who takes refuge from the nuclear fallout at a Nebraska gas station... and Swan, a young girl possessing special powers, who travels alongside Josh to a Missouri town where healing and recovery can begin with Swan's gifts. But the ancient force behind earth's devastation is scouring the walking wounded for recruits for its relentless army, beginning with Swan herself.
Please note: Two chapters were originally missing from Part 2 of this book. We were alerted to the problem on 11/21/11 and have corrected it. We're very sorry for any inconvenience. If you had already downloaded the book, don't worry - your library has automatically updated with the corrected version. Simply re-download from your library, at no additional cost, to get the complete book.
©2009 Robert McCammon (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
"Simply an Amazing Story"
I was hesitant on buying this book because of the mixed reviews and the length of the book. After the first part of of the book I was sucked into Swan and Sister's apocalyptic nightmare. The book is simply amazing, frightening, funny, sad, brutal, and inspirational. I am for once at a loss of words to describe this book of fear I might not do it justice. If you like The Stand by Stephen King you will IN FACT LOVE Swan Song.
Sister and Swan
Listening to the tone of voice in certain conversations allowed me to experience the characters emotional distress, love, and sadness.
Both.....I laughed and cried...and sometimes yelled!
Since discovering audible, my life is richer. I live in a small rural KS community, with higher than average IQ which can be a bad combo at times. Audible allows me to be myself.
"I would do it again"
Good story, a touch of magic but not too much. It's rated R so kids should stay clear probably. It kept me listening without much of a break. That's a good book to me. Top 100
Audiobook addict.
"Very compelling post-apocalyptic tale"
Although written in 1987, this book really hasn't dated all that badly. It's a well thought out post-apocalyptic saga with a pleasing amount of paranormal added in to set it apart from the other post-nuclear novels of the time. In all fairness, it could have been about 5 hours shorter, but it is full of excellently characterized bad guys. If I had to find something to criticize, perhaps the Swan character could have been just a little less perfect, but nonetheless, I did enjoy the listen. It wasn't easy to turn it off come bedtime.
The narration is good. Tom Stechschulte does certain characters exceptionally well. I do wish, though, that he toned down his emotive reading a little. I prefer it when narrators let the emotion come through the words instead of using their tone of voice so much. But if you enjoy emotive readers, then you will really enjoy him. And for the most part, the slightly over-dramatic reading doesn't detract from the listening experience.
I certainly thought it was worth the credit!
"Superb apocalyptic fantasy"
Wow--how could I have never come across this book before? A big thank you to Audible for drawing this one to my attention. This is a massive, epic book about the end of the world (as it existed in 1987). Instantly reminiscent of Stephen King's The Stand, Swan Song draws readers into a post-apocalyptic landscape where only the strong survive. With a massive cast of characters to navigate, narrator Tom Stechschulte does a masterful job of presenting each one with his/her own personality and voice. Amazing job! This is a long book, and it's not always fun to listen to; the world of Swan Song is pretty dark. But in the end, the message of hope comes through, and the interplay of fast-paced action scenes with slower, more contemplative interludes provides a nice pacing to the story. Robert McCammon rides a perfect balance between realism and fantasy in this amazing book. Highly recommended!
"You'll be up all night listening to this classic"
Swan Song has been my all-time favorite book, since I first read it in the 1980's, even when compared to other post-apocalypse dramas, like The Stand, or Lucifer's Hammer.
I still have my old dog-eared paperback copy on my book shelf after all these years!
I'm excited to purchase the audiobook and re-experience the edge-of-your seat thrills, and ultimately the hope for humanity that Swan Song delivers.
"Horrible and beautiful at the same time"
Imagine the horror of a sudden and devastating nuclear war. Russia has apparently bombed most of the United States, rendering most cities and much of the countryside as a nuclear wasteland. Pair that horrible situation with small groups of survivors and a mystical and beautiful crystal/jeweled ring which has unfathomable powers and you have story which portrays mankind at its worst and best at the same time. The story is long (34 hours long) and at first I did not think I would get through the entire book. It did not fully draw me in until about 12 hours in, but once it did I could not put it down and finished it in a few days. If you like apocalyptic tales you will likely enjoy this one. Excellent story and performance.
"don't miss out on this book!!!"
I have been waiting for this book to come out in audio for years. I thought about waiting until I finished listening to the entire book before writing a review, but didn't have the willpower. Anyone who likes sci-fi will love this book. Although is is an older book it is so well worth the listen. It has everything a good book needs; it pits the forces of good and evil against one anther and is superbly written. I can comfortably and with confidence highly recommend this book. Thank you audible for bringing it to me!!!
My taste differs from kid books to gory horror books.
"I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore"
RM has divided this into 14 parts. Part one follows the President of the United States, who is a former astronaut who can't make a decision. Then goes to Professional Wrestler to a Bag Lady to a Trailer Park. I thought the characters were going to be cliche and that the writing was going to be very simple.
Part 2, 3 and 4 got better, but I was thinking this was a cheap copy of "The Stand". Is there really an insect called a piss ant?
Around part 5 or 6 they get to Matheson, Kansas. Holley crap the story really picks up then. From chapter 37 to 52 it is intense, it is scary, you will not be able to stop listening during these chapters. These chapters are some of the best written and scariest stuff I have ever read or listened to.
Chapter 54 till the finish is not as scary or intense, but is still a great listen. I am very impatient with most long books, but I found myself every morning, excited about getting to continue the story. Parts of this book will remind you of Stephen King, Orson Scott Card, Robin Hobb, and or Road Warrior.
This was my first McCammon book, but I see one of his books is on sale in a 3 for two sale, and I will be getting it.
I will give the narrator a 95%, he did really well on all the voices and he was easy to listen to. i did think he used the clenched teeth mad a little too often, when a different response was called for, but that could just be my opinion. I have no problem listening to him again.
"Audible is Awesome"
I wrote a review about missing chapters and how the unabridged version wasn't quite so unabridged. Then I wrote to Audible about it. They responded within 24 hours to tell me they had been made aware of the problem and had fixed it. After a new download, I now have the complete book.
The book itself is fantastic. I have a tattered paperback copy that I have read repeatedly over the years. Last year I bought a copy for my Kindle. Now I have the audio version.
Don't miss out on this great book.
"Best book ive read in years."
You won't be able to hear "Here we go round the mullberry bush" again with out getting the heebeejeebees. Very original book,great naration,keeps you on the edge of your seat. This would make a great movie.
"Long but worth the effort"
This is my second Audible book, and the first time I have been driven to write a review (of any kind). I have to say that this would not be my choice of book to read. Too big and not my normal genre. I have far too many books and not enough time to read them all ( oh woe is me!). I joined Audible to broaden my tastes with something different whilst walking the dogs, and I found that this lengthy (30 hours) story became an evening obsession for a month or so.
Yes, it is a dark tale of a post nuclear apocalyptic America and is sometimes difficult to hear of the destruction and long term suffering...but that really is the point. How can you explore the possibility of redemption and survival without the descent into evil and chaos in the first place?. And it is like The Stand in that it is an exploration of good verses evil, with groups of characters on each side.
But... the similarity ends there.
The author has created a compelling story where each of the 90 or so chapters follows the POV of groups of people on either side of the moral divide. The main characters soon become familiar, and their individual stories inexorably and sometimes painfully progress to a satisfying and exciting series of confrontations at the climax of the book. I liked the ending.
The big thing for me though was the experience of having this book, that I never would have read normally, delivered as a professional spoken performance through my earphones in the Ashdown Forest every day for a month. Really quite surreal!
I was not convinced at the start, but was soon drawn into the timbre of Tom Stechshulte's voice. His vocal interpretation of each of the characters became to be "just right". This is not simply someone reading aloud. (erm Librivox anyone?) This is a proper job! I could not wait for my next daily instalment!
Great stuff....
Now...what to listen to next?
"End of the World.."
Loved the character Sister, a fight between good and evil in the strictest sense, no smudging of lines in-between, very much like the 'Stand' by Steven King, which I must admit nudges into the lead between the two. Easy read and entertaining well as much as the end of the world can be!
"As much an experience as a book !"
I can say with hand on heart that this is the best book I've ever read, well listened to, but you know what I mean.
The book covers the story of three main groups of suvivors of a nuclear war and wraps everything together nicely and cleverly by the end.
Now, there are a few bad reviews here about it being graphic and violent , and this is undoubtably true. However this is a book about the end of the world - it's going to be nasty - there's no sugar coating to be had. I really can't see that it should be marked down because of that.There are a few moments of animals in peril as well that I found upsetting but I think the author just wasn't up for giving any get out of jail free cards - it's the end of the world - walts and all.
You'll grow to love the characters and sometimes the author will kill them without any warning and you're left truly feeling a personal loss - honestly !
I finished this yesterday, I did take a break half way through to listen to something else as it honestly is an emotional roller coaster ride and you sometimes need something a bit lighter for a wee while.
You will cry, you'll maybe have the odd laugh too - but I can't see how anyone who likes this genre could do anything but love this book.
I'm glad this was never made into a movie - I don't think anyone could do justice to this epic.
There is a little bit of fantasy wrapped up in the novel as well, this isn't really my thing, but it's not much and it actually fits the story well.
I think the narrator does a cracking job as well and his voices for the characters were a good fit in my opinion.
So ... Sister, Swan and Josh - thanks for the journey - I'll miss you !
"Thoroughly enjoyable"
Have just read the previous review and had to briefly write my thoughts which are the exact opposite of the last reviewer.
I couldn't wait to finish the book as I was thoroughly enthralled and caught up with the characters, I didn't notice how brutish it was as I expected rage and violence etc as it's an end of the world type of book.
I really enjoyed it and will read it again at some point.
Give it a try.
"A brilliant, post-apocalyptic adventure tale!"
How is it that this book has been off my radar for so long!? Seriously. I love epic, post-apocalyptic tales of survival and so this book should have been on my list from the moment of its release. Okay... maybe not that far back as I was two years old when it was originally released. No. This book was so good that even then I should have had it on my wishlist.
This book is a must read if you are a fan of Stephen King's The Stand or Justin Cronin's The Passage. I happen to be a huge fan of both and Swan Song is a bit like the love-child of these works.
It has a whole bunch in common with The Stand. The survivors of the apocalypse (which takes the form of a nuclear strike instead of a government-engineered plague) fall into two camps of Good vs Evil. There's a "dark man" figure who is decidedly evocative of King's Randall Flagg, and there are many religious undercurrents to the narrative.
King's work was first published in '78 so it pre-dates Swan Song. Even though the argument could be made that McCammon's work is derivative, I actually don't care. I see it more as one great piece of fiction inspiring another. While King's work is definitely superior, McCammon's story is still a wonderful read. Whole bunches of books have been inspired by great predecessors, and just because they don't measure up to them, doesn't mean they can't be great in their own right.
I guess there was a lot about this book which reminded me of other books, and I know that's not necessarily a good thing. However, in this case I honestly enjoyed every aspect of the book. The situation was gripping, the characters were realistic and the premise was epic. This is one of those books that I'd recommend to people after they'd read and loved The Stand. It's not as good as that, but it's damned decent as a follow-up read! A fab not-so-little read!
"Breathtakingly amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Download this book instantly, you WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED. This book gripped me from the outset and wouldn't let me go. I nearly pulled an all nighter listening to this once and I had to ban myself from night time listens. It is just so clever, and emotional and character driven. It shows evil and hope at a great time of difficulty. The narrator is pretty special and the writing is brilliant. It's a long book too (which is great) and I truly dreaded reaching the end. I was sad to see 'my friend' go. Don't hesitate to get this book.
"Loved it"
I've read most of Robert McCammons books and loved them. This is no exception. Tom does a really good job of the narration as well so double bonus. Not sure why the previous reviewer put what they did it's a post-apocalyptic tale - what did they expect!! Love that the characters are all so different and each have their own story to tell
"More of an Opera than a Song!"
When I got this book in a special offer I didn't expect too much from it despite the positive reviews. However, when I got round to listening to it my expectations were far exceeded. Sadly for me several of the existing reviews make many of the points that I would like to make. It is indeed very much like Stephen King's The Stand in many ways. The post-apocalypse setting, the fight between good and evil. It's also similar in the large cast of characters and the depth which the author gives to them. They stand out because they are drawn from all levels of achievement within our existing society. They carry the burdens of how current society treated them into this post-apocalyptic world and some discover the merits and strengths that were buried under its negative judgement.
It's a harsh book set in a harsh world but it carries messages of hope both on a personal and global level. You'll have to listen to it though to find out whether those slender seedlings of hope triumph over the brutal evil of a lawless world.
The narration is very impressive, particularly for a book of this length. As a result of the fine writing and the fitting rendition from Tom Stechschulte the length of the book is a positive without doubt.
Try this one, it has real quality.
"Swan Song"
I was disappointed at first, extremely slow to start but about 5 hours in I got hooked and had to finish it. Have only read one other book by R McCammon the Wolf Hour and loved it so was hoping this would be as good.
"Loved it."
Great story which is superbly read. I found myself building a relationship with every main character - good and bad - and thoroughly enjoying every moment of the book. As previous reviewer posted, I would expect a certain amount of "nastiness" in a post-apocalyptic environment and thus it didn't bother me. In fact, I think it helped creating the right atmosphere. Definitely a keeper!
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I'm just wondering who else has been to Macca's home town? What were your impressions? I think it's quite a neat little town. I love port cities. They are always the most interesting to visit. You get such a mix of people.
It was interesting to see the different neighborhoods that John, Paul, George, Ringo, and even Brian Epstien grew up in. Lower-to-upper middle class.
Penny Lane is such a neat district. You can easily tell how Paul would get the inspiration to write the song. Quite a charming little area.
And Strawberry Fields is as haunting in person as the song.
I really liked Albert Dock as well. Nice shops and resturaunts. I had fish and chips there, LOL! The Anglican Cathedral towers above the whole city. I liked Chinatown as well. I wish I had made my base there instead of Manchester when I was in Northern England. Manchester was fun, but I would have liked to have spent more time in Liverpool. [8D]


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1. As the QB world turns: Rex Ryan revealed plans to tweak his quarterback rotation, giving first-team reps Tuesday to rookie Geno Smith instead of Mark Sanchez. It was supposed to be Sanchez's day. Presumably, Sanchez would get the nod on Wednesday. This, no doubt, will fuel a torrent of speculation. What does it mean? Does it mean Smith will start in Detroit? Does it mean he has the edge over Sanchez? Stay tuned.
might geno be the starter for the first preseason game? very excited
Toggle shoutbox NYJETSFAN BANTER
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Who's Gonna Start Vs Lions
Posted 06 August 2013 - 06:04 AM
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Congratulates Alexis Peterson
To the editor:
We would like to congratulate the recipient of the Dr. Ed Miller Scholarship, Alexis Peterson (Fort Dodge Senior High). This scholarship was created by It Gets Better FD & Beyond organization to honor the legacy of Dr. Ed Miller. Before Ed left this world, Ed shared stories with my family from his 30 years of serving in the Air Force and his journey as a colonel, physician, and most importantly, a family man. During his final days, he was still concerned about taking care of his family and making a difference in the lives of others. He lost his battle with cancer on Nov. 24, 2011.
In a world that has become a narcissistic society, it takes dedication and integrity to make a difference. A change only the new generation of youth can make. The Dr. Ed Miller Scholarship is awarded to Alexis Peterson for her leadership within our community, her membership in the Circle of Friends special needs mentorship program, and her church mission trips. She has proven to be the silent warrior Ed would applaud. She lives her life to put other individuals' needs before her own without expecting credit or attention for her deeds. We wish to thank her and welcome her as our newest Team Leader for It Gets Better FD & Beyond.
What is It Gets Better FD & Beyond? Well, we are a team of caring, compassionate friends who have teamed up to make a change. As the suicide rates have increased for youth, teen depression, and bullying status maintain a steady high, we felt something had to be addressed in our community. We wanted to create an available outlet for our kids to go to when the options for them were minimal. In October 2011, It Gets Better FD & Beyond was created.
Through awareness activities and events we are motivated to show people to give of themselves for others. The members of It Gets Better FD & Beyond are all volunteers within this nonprofit, independent advocacy organization created and based in Fort Dodge. We are paid with passion for the cause, not a paycheck. We are rewarded by the success of the youth of our community.
In the spirit of the words of Col. Edward Miller, " A true measure of success in the Military is the success of those you have mentored."
Jennifer Johnson
Breck Johnson
Fort Dodge


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I love Dingle's suggestions. Probably for me, the most gut melting, face dripping solo is Jimi Hendrix doing "Come On Part I" off Electric Ladyland.
And Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) is in a class by itself
Moderator: Mike
2 of 3 wrote: Jimmy's still alive right?
That reminds me, I should put Neil Young in there somewhere. Great guitar solos throughout his career. The one on "Cowgirl in the Sand" on his Roadrock DVD recorded at Red Rocks in incredible.kylestyle wrote:Kurt Cobain's In Bloom. Completely atonal, yet makes perfect melodic sense to me. Beats any 'technical' solo anyday in my book.
maccastheman wrote:I should put Neil Young in there somewhere. Great guitar solos throughout his career.
ANGRY wrote:and...er...prince... with 'purple rain'
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Bull Terrier
Basic Bull Terrier Information
- Lifespan: 11 - 14 years
- Height: 21 - 22 inches
- Weight: 50 - 70 pounds
Medical Conditions Seen in Bull Terriers
- Polydontia
- Cherry Eye
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Otitis Externa
- Chronic Valvular Disease
- Deafness
- Demodicosis
- Ectropion
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Entropion
- Hypothyroidism
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
- Laryngeal Paralysis
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Pododermatitis
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Solar Dermatitis
- Subaortic Stenosis
Bull Terrier Traits
- Jogging Partner
- Lap Dog
- Good with Children
- Warm Weather
- Cold Weather
- Grooming Requirements
- Shedding
- Barking
- Ease of Training
Bull Terrier History
- Gladiator sports were considered prime entertainment for centuries in many parts of the world. Several of those blood sports, including bull and bear baiting, involved dogs. When these blood sports were outlawed in England in 1835, dog fighting became more popular to fill the void.
- Compared to bull and bear baiting dogs, dogs bred for fighting needed to be smaller and more agile. This was achieved by crossing the bull baiting dogs with terriers to create the bull and terrier breed.
- When dog fighting was in turn outlawed, many patrons of the bull and terrier breed decided to clean up the dog's image. They bred for amiable personality and stylish good looks, and even began to compete in dogs shows successfully.
- Around 1860, James Hinks crossed the bull and terrier with the White English terrier and the Dalmatian, producing an all-white strain he called the bull terrier. These dogs became sought after as stylish companions for young gentlemen.
- The bull terrier was nicknamed the "white cavalier" because of its chivalrous and brave nature.
- Around 1900, color was re-introduced into the breed by crossing them with Staffordshire bull terriers. In 1936 the breed was split into two varieties, the white and the colored bull terrier.
- Famous bull terriers include Spuds McKenzie and the Target dog.
- Bull terriers have sometimes been included in breed specific legislation because of confusion with pit bulls.
Bull Terrier Behavior Concerns
- Makes a loyal and fun-loving companion.
- Exuberantly comical and often mischievous.
- Playful and good with children.
- Fairly friendly toward strangers.
- Not very friendly towards strange dogs.
- Usually good with other pets.
- The bull terrier learns quickly, but can be stubborn. It tends to rebel against forceful methods.
- Does best with a firm owner who can combine reward-based training with good control and leadership.
- Can sometimes exhibit compulsive behavior.
Bull Terrier Suggested Exercises
- Makes a calm and alert housedog as long as it receives regular exercise.
- Requires daily exercise in the form of a long walk, short jog or energetic games.
- The bull terrier enjoys cold weather outings but its short coat is not suited to living outside.
- Obedience training is essential not only for control, but for the mental exercise it provides.
Bull Terrier Grooming
- Coat is short, flat and harsh.
- The coat needs only occasional brushing, once every week or so, to remove dead hair.
- Shedding is average.
Suggested Bull Terrier Nutritional Needs
- Bull terriers tend to stay in good weight or tend to be slightly overweight.
- Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
Did you know?
- Grapes and raisins are harmful to dogs.
- Some dog parasites are transferable to humans.
- Many common pet ailments may be detected early and prevented by visiting your veterinarian twice yearly - saving both time, money, and most importantly, ensuring the best quality of life for your dog.
Come visit us, we would love to see you!
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Artist Collection: (82 of 99)< Previous | Next >
Tags: lake district landscapes, brothers water, lake, district, cumbria, scenic, landscape, countryside, water, unspoilt, mountains, hills, dra
- + MOUSE OVER image to zoom in
- + CLICK to enlarge
brothers waterby bestlightimages
- Medium
- Photography
- Artist Notes
- The stunning Brother's Water in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria
- Contact Artist Send Artist an Email
More about bestlightimages
- Location
- north yorkshire, united kingdom
- Artist Biography
- Welcome to Best Light Images by Steve Smith. Steve travels most of the United Kingdom to pursue his passion for British Landscape Photography. Much of his work captures special and unique glances, picturesque moments in time, British National Parks, the Scottish Highlands, the West Coast ...


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Health Spa
"Dream"...the word exudes calm and tranquility and was the inspiration for this understated, elegant spa/salon design created by JB DUCRUET and in collaboration wit Mrs. Lory Dodd the owner. LAYERS of grey, black and white - in stone, ceramic, fabric and leather - produce a sharply sophisticated yet relaxing environment for the spa's guests. Custom furniture and fixtures designed by JB DUCRUET add a refined aesthetic complement to the subtle decor.


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Welcome at Springest's Find your MBA! The former FindYourMBA.com has been acquired by and integrated into Springest.com.
The objective of this part of the site is to provide you with information about MBA programs, Executive MBA programs, Executive Education programs and Masters in Management programs. You will find the most important mba rankings, with direct links and information. Don't forget to check out the links below this intro for useful information and our own Rising Stars 2012!
Findyourmba.com offered a diverse range of opportunities and important facts about MBA programs. At findyourmba.com you can find information about the methodology of the rankings, the differences between rankings and why an MBA is important for your future career. Furthermore, information about the preparation for your MBA, your admission, your essay, information about the TOEFL test and GMAT test. Finally, you can find information regarding how to write your resume and how to finance your MBA. We also have some tips for you and information about (online) executive education programs. Our focus is on education in business, finance and management and not other masters such as a Masters Education.
Findyourmba.com gives you the opportunity to compare the performance of universities and business schools in the past years. You can figure out if a business school / university is a rising star or not. Rankings are not all the same! At findyourmba.com you can find out why a certain business school / university ranking 'a' is higher than a schools ranking 'b', and if you are interested in the business school / university, you are able to go directly to the website. Quick, effective and informative! By moving your mouse to the green buttons in the top menu, you will see the available rankings. Whether you're looking for the right business school to become a great manager or a dedicated investor, Findyourmba.com gives the the right overview.
Findyourmba.com helps you find the perfect business education that you deserve! For this reason they've recently started working with Springest International.


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today's opinion poll
NEW YORK — Paul McCartney's new live album, Back in the U.S., credits 19 Beatles songs to "Paul McCartney and John Lennon," rather than "Lennon/McCartney." Yoko Ono's lawyer tells Rolling Stone what McCartney did is "absolutely inappropriate" because Lennon and McCartney had an agreement to credit all their Beatles music to Lennon/ McCartney. McCartney disputes that claim. His spokesman says Lennon and McCartney agreed in the 60s they could switch the names whenever they felt like it. McCartney has been crediting his name first on Beatles songs on his solo albums since 1976. However, for anything on the Beatles' Apple label, all band mem-bers or their estates must approve any changes unanimously. Do you think what McCartney did was
"absolutely inappropriate?"
Submit response.
I bet you can guess what my response was. [:D]


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Looking for good, healthy snacks to satisfy your hunger? Try these new discoveries from Former Fat Girl Lisa Delaney.
Spry editor Lisa Delaney is one of the rare souls who know what it�s like to be an �after.� This journalist and author of Secrets of a Former Fat Girl�shed 70 pounds�and six dress sizes--and has kept it off for 20 years. She answers your questions here each week. I�m sort of a snack simpleton: As you can see by my list of favorite weight-conscious nibbles, I�m all about the basics. Rarely do I go to the trouble (or expense) of buying packaged snacks. And frankly, much of the stuff out there is over-hyped and underwhelming (to the tastebuds, in particular). But lately, I�ve discovered a few healthy snacks that are worth my hard-earned dimes and dollars. What I love about them, in addition to the taste�each has a relatively short list of ingredients, all easily pronounceable. Here�s what this healthy snack sleuth has uncovered lately. iheartkeenwah�s almond quinoa clusters.�Now, don�t get me wrong�I don�t believe that quinoa is the miracle food some people make it out to be. But I do love knowing that this one little whole grain is a great vegetarian source of protein, which can help keep blood sugar regulated and your appetite in check. These honey-sweetened snacks are crunchy�sort of like peanut brittle�and surprisingly filling. I munch on a few of the �-inch squares before a workout for a healthy source of fuel. Oh, and by the way�they�re gluten free (if you care about such things). Kind Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan bars. I am LOVING these chewy, spicy, chocolaty bars of goodness as an afternoon treat/snack. They�re super-low in sugar�only 5g per bar, half as much as a Powerbar Harvest Trail Mix. Kind bars aren�t low-cal, though�they set you back 200 calories (mostly from nuts and dried fruit), so they should be considered a substantial snack. They�re great to pack for travel or for a hike. Kitchen Table Bakers Sesame Parmesan Crisps. Yet another gluten-free offering, these crisps are made entirely of cheese (and, in this case, sesame seeds)�no flour to bulk them up or bind them. The result is an intense Parmesan flavor tempered a bit by nutty sesame, just the snack to go with a nice glass of wine before dinner. I�m thinking I might crumble some on a salad for a bit of crunch. 80 calories for three crackers (all you�ll probably want, due to the aggressive flavor), with an impressive 6g of protein. Almondina Cinnaroma cookies. Think of these as biscotti on a diet: These super-thin, super-crunchy, low-fat cookies have been around since 1979, but the recent introduction of a variety of new flavors, including the cinnamon/almond/raisin-spiked Cinnaroma, caught my eye. A perfect post-meal companion for tea or coffee, four cookies cost you only 130 satisfying calories. Clif Builder�s Snack Size bar. On the subject of bars � I have always been a fan of Clif products, but I�ve shied away from their high-protein Builder�s bars because of their hefty calorie count�270 calories is just too much for a snack in my book. These new snack-size versions weigh in at half that (or less), and are a great size for a pre- or post-workout nibble. Lisa Delaney is editor of Spry magazine and Spryliving.com. Ask her your question here. Brought to you by: Spry Living


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Smocked Vibrancy Empire Dress
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Mod border print in the gem-rich purples and pinks that bridge winter (with a shrug) to spring. A luscious print for this dress with a double-scooped neckline, smocked elastic waist and new scarf hem that is so very au courant.
- Bra-friendly neckline and double-layered bodice for soft support.
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- Approximate length 37.5" from shoulder.
- 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex. Machine wash, cold; tumble dry low. Imported.
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Greenland shark
The Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus, also known as the sleeper shark, gurry shark, ground shark, grey shark, or by the Inuit name Eqalussuaq, is a large shark native to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean around Greenland and Iceland. These sharks live farther north than any other shark species. Many of the species' adaptations are due to it being the only truly sub-Arctic species of shark. They are closely related to the Pacific sleeper shark.[2]
This is one of the largest living species of shark, of dimensions comparable to those of the great white shark. Greenland sharks grow to 6.4 m (21 ft) and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb),[3] and possibly up to 7.3 m (24 ft) and more than 1,400 kg (3,100 lb).[4][5] However, most Greenland sharks observed have been around 2.44–4.8 m (8.0–16 ft) long and weigh up to 400 kg (880 lb).[4][5] Males are typically smaller than females. It rivals the Pacific sleeper shark (possibly up to 7 m or 23 ft long) as the largest species in the family Somniosidae. The Greenland Shark is a thickset species with a short, rounded snout, small eyes, and very small dorsal and pectoral fins. The gill openings are very small for the species' great size. Coloration can range from pale creamy-gray to blackish-brown and the body is typically uniform in color, though whitish spots or faint dark streaks are occasionally seen on the back.[4] Due to their cold environments, Greenland Sharks are thought to grow at a very slow rate.[4] There are no reliable data on their life span, but fully grown Greenland sharks have been recaptured 16 years after being tagged.[6]
When feeding on large carcasses, the shark employs a rolling motion of its jaw. The teeth of the upper jaw are very thin and pointed, lacking serrations. These upper jaw teeth, numbering from 48 to 52 teeth, act as anchor while the lower jaw does the cutting. The lower teeth are interlocking and are broad and square, 50 to 52 in count, containing short, smooth cusps that point outward.[4] Teeth in the two halves of the lower jaw are strongly pitched in opposite directions.[7]
Life History
The Greenland shark is an apex predator mostly eating fish. Recorded fish prey have included smaller sharks, skates, eels, herring, capelin, char, cod, redfish, sculpins, lumpfish, wolfish[disambiguation needed] and flounders.[4] However, it may also prey on marine mammals such as seals. Bite marks on dead seals at Sable Island, Nova Scotia and Hawarden suggest that this shark may be a major predator for them in the winter months.[8] Since Greenland sharks are perhaps one of the slowest-swimming shark and attain a maximum swimming about half the maximum swimming speed of a seal, biologists have wondered how the sharks are able to predate the seals. Some evidence has been found that Greenland sharks search out seals to ambush them while they sleep.[9] Greenland sharks have also been found with remains of polar bear, horses and reindeer (in one case an entire reindeer body was found in the shark's stomach) in their stomachs.[4][10] The Greenland shark is also known to be a scavenger but to what extent carrion (almost certainly the origin of the reindeer) figures into the slow-moving fish's stomach contents is unknown. It is known, however, that the species is attracted by the smell of rotting meat in the water. They often congregate in large numbers around fishing operations.[4] The shark is colonized by the parasitic copepod Ommatokoita elongata that eats the shark's corneal tissue. It has been reported that this parasite is bioluminescent and gives the shark a greenish glow around the eye when seen in dark waters but this has not been scientifically supported.[4][11] The shark occupies what tends to be a very deep environment seeking its preferable cold water (-0.6 to 10 °C (31 to 50 °F)) habitat. It has been observed at a depth of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) by a submersible investigating the wreck of the SS Central America. A specimen video-taped at 2,773 m (9,098 ft) off the coast of Brazil on February 11, 2012 may have been a Greenland shark, but cannot be distinguished in the video from a southern sleeper shark or Pacific sleeper shark.[12] However, a more typical depth for the species is above 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Frequently during the winter, when the sharks look for warmer waters to inhabit, they are often found at or near the surface of the water.[4]
As ectotherms, the Greenland shark is slow, cruising at 1 mph with a top speed of 1.6 mph.[13]
As recently as 1957 it was found that the females do not deposit eggs in the bottom ooze, but retain the developing embryos within their bodies so that they are born alive after an undetermined gestation period. 10 pups per litter is normal, each initially measuring some 90 cm (35 in) in length.[14]
Greenland sharks as food
The flesh of a Greenland shark is poisonous. This is due to the presence of the toxin trimethylamine oxide, which, upon digestion, breaks down into trimethylamine, producing effects similar to extreme drunkenness. Occasionally, sled dogs that end up eating the flesh are unable to stand up due to the neurotoxins. Similar toxic effects occur with the related Pacific sleeper shark, but not in most other shark species, whose meat is often consumed fresh.[15]
However, it can be eaten if it is boiled in several changes of water or dried or fermented for some months to produce Kæstur Hákarl, often Hákarl for short. Traditionally this was done by burying the shark in boreal ground, exposing it to several cycles of freezing and thawing. It is considered a delicacy in Iceland and Greenland.
Inuit legends
The shark is not considered dangerous to humans, though there are Inuit legends of this species attacking kayaks.[16] Although it is likely the very large shark could easily consume a human swimmer, the extremely cold waters it typically inhabits makes the likelihood of attacks on humans very low, and there are no verified cases of predation on people.[4]
The Greenland shark's poisonous flesh has a high urea content, which gave rise to the Inuit legend of Skalugsuak, the first Greenland shark.[17] The legend says that an old woman washed her hair in urine and dried it with a cloth. The cloth blew into the ocean to become Skalugsuak.[18]
The Greenland shark occupies a minor role within Inuit cosmologies in the Canadian Eastern Arctic and Greenland. For the Igloolik Inuit, this fish lives within Sedna's urine pot (hence the urine-like smell of its flesh) and is conceived as a shaman's helping spirit.[19]
The Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG) has been studying the Greenland shark in the Saguenay Fjord and St. Lawrence Estuary since 2001. The Greenland shark has repeatedly been documented (captured or washed ashore) in the Saguenay since at least 1888.[20] Accidental captures and strandings have also been recorded in the St. Lawrence Estuary for over a century.
Current research conducted by GEERG involves the study of the behaviour of the Greenland shark by observing it underwater using scuba and video equipment and by placing acoustic and satellite tags (telemetry) on live specimens; however, overall very little is known about this mysterious species.
There is now an argument suggesting that the Greenland shark is responsible for 'Seal Ripping' attacks on grey seals.[21] These attacks cause a corkscrew pattern of cuts and tears which spiral around a seal's body, following the grain of the collagen within the muscles and running at 45 degrees to the seal's body. Seal deaths have been occurring over larger territories, including the north and east coasts of the UK, which suggests that the Greenland shark may be moving beyond its traditional habitat range. However, recent research into the UK "corkscrew" seal deaths by the Sea Mammal Research Unit [22] concluded that the UK seal deaths were unlikely to have been caused by predation from the Greenland shark, rather being caused by blunt mechanical trauma "consistent with the seals being drawn through a ducted propeller" that are found on many ships.
See also
- ^ Kyne, P. M., Sherrill-Mix, S. A. & Burgess, G. H. (2006). "Somniosus microcephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/60213. Retrieved 05 February 2012.
- ^ O'Donnell, Jacinth. Jurassic Shark documentary (2000); broadcast on Discovery Channel, August 5, 2006
- ^ Mills, Patrick (2006). "Somniosus microcephalus". In Dewey, Tanya. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Somniosus_microcephalus.html.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Eagle, Dane. "Greenland shark". Florida Museum of Natural History. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/GreenlandShark/GreenlandShark.html. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ a b Wood, Gerald (1983). The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9.[page needed]
- ^ Caloyianis, Nick (September 1998). "Greenland Sharks". National Geographic 194 (3): 60–71.
- ^ "Greenland Shark". Marinebiodiversity.ca. http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/shark/english/greenland.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ Lucas, Zoe (March 2003). "Shark Predation on Sable Island Seals". Sable Island Green Horse Society. http://www.greenhorsesociety.com/sharks/shark_predation.htm. Retrieved June 26, 2012.[self-published source?]
- ^ Scales, Helen (June 2012). "Slow Sharks Sneak Up on Sleeping Seals (and Eat Them)?". National Geographic News. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/120626-greenland-sharks-seals-sleeping-animals-science/. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
- ^ Howden, Daniel (August 12, 2008). "Clash of the fiercest predators as shark eats polar bear". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/clash-of-the-fiercest-predators-as-shark-eats-polar-bear-891512.html. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ "Greenland Shark". Discovery. http://dsc.discovery.com/sharks/greenland-shark.html. Retrieved 2011-05-23.[unreliable source?]
- ^ "Video: Greenland shark at over 9100 feet deep (2770m) off Brazil". The Dorsal Fin. http://www.thedorsalfin.com/shark-news-stories/greenland-shark-vide-over-9100-feet-deep-2770m-off-coast-of-brazil. Retrieved 2012-02-21.[unreliable source?]
- ^ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098112001657
- ^ "Polar Seas: Greenland Shark". Elasmo-research.org. http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/ecology/polar-greenland.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ Waldner, Ray (December 21, 2004). "Shark Eating". Sport Fishing Magazine. http://www.sportfishingmag.com/species/fish-facts/shark-eating-35284.html. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ Stinson, Scott (October 24, 2003). "Skipper Uses Knife To Kill 600-Kilo Shark". National Post. Archived from the original on November 2, 2003. http://web.archive.org/web/20031102232623/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/knifekill2003.htm.
- ^ O'Reilly, Lindsay. "The Greenland Shark", Canadian Geographic, March/April 2004. . Retrieved 1 July 2007.
- ^ "Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group". Geerg.ca. http://www.geerg.ca/gshark1.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ (Idrobo 2009)[page needed]
- ^ "GEERG: The Greenland Shark" http://www.geerg.ca/gshark1.htm . Retrieved 5 July 2008.
- ^ Channel 5 documentary Retrieved 29 September 2010
- ^ "Sea Mammal Research Unit" "Report on recent seal mortalities in UK waters caused by extensive lacerations", October 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2011
Further reading
- MacNeil, M. A.; McMeans, B. C.; Hussey, N. E.; Vecsei, P.; Svavarsson, J.; Kovacs, K. M.; Lydersen, C.; Treble, M. A. et al. (2012). "Biology of the Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus". Journal of Fish Biology 80 (5): 991–1018. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03257.x. PMID 22497371.
- Watanabe, Yuuki Y.; Lydersen, Christian; Fisk, Aaron T.; Kovacs, Kit M. (2012). "The slowest fish: Swim speed and tail-beat frequency of Greenland sharks". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 426-427: 5–11. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2012.04.021. Lay summary – LiveScience (June 25, 2012).


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Next SEC Chairman Can Prime IPO Pump
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- "I don't think more than a few IPOs have happened over the past couple of years below 500 million dollars."
That observation by Robert Kaplan, Jr. -- a partner with Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank -- about the dearth of small initial public offerings by small and mid-sized U.S. businesses, is the best argument for the Securities and Exchange Commission and its next Chairman Elisse Walter to speed up the agency's rulemaking to implement certain aspects the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, signed into law by President Obama in April.
The JOBS act is meant to spur investment in smaller companies by easing securities registration requirements and reporting requirements, while also opening up fundraising away from traditional markets by allowing entrepreneurs to raise up to $1 million through crowdfunding.
Going public without registering
The JOBS Act expands the exceptions to Regulation A of the amended Securities Act of 1933, enabling small businesses to raise up to $50 million in capital through public offerings every 12 months, without registering with the SEC. The old limit was $5 million.
Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank partner Thomas Voekler says "the JOBS Act is getting back to main street investing and getting smaller companies listed on an exchange. We're talking about small to mid-sized companies being able to raise capital, which has been closed to them. The hope is that the SEC can continue the forward press on getting these rules out, to reduce the regulatory burden to raise capital, hopefully on a more Main Street, regional focus."
Sounds great, right? The JOBS Act had very strong support from both parties in Congress, with the Senate voting in favor by 73 to 26, while the House of Representatives voted 380 to 41 in favor, but the SEC is dragging its feet on the implementation of the law.
The SEC is required to implement its final regulations per the JOBS Act within one year of the bill's signing, which makes sense, considering that the bill is meant to jumpstart a very slow economic recovery. However, for Regulation A, Kaplan says "the market is hoping to see the rules finalized by the second quarter of 2014."
"They are coming up with a deadline in December for implementing their rules on crowdfunding," Kaplan says, "but their timeframes can be exceeded on a fairly regular basis. As far as hard time frames, the SEC has a lot of flexibility in complying or not complying with those time frames."
Kaplan adds that "for crowdfunding, my guess is you will see some delay, since there was a December deadline for some regulations," and the transition of SEC leadership from outgoing Chairman Mary Schapiro to current commission member Elisse Walter, "will slow things down."


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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened. "
Sebonack Golf Club
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the Sebonack Golf Club in historic Southampton, New York, is that the site was available. Good luck finding an undeveloped property as stunning as this 300-acre, partially wooded dunescape along a bluff overlooking Great Peconic Bay on Long Island's South Shore.
The technical term for what it took visionary owner/developer Michael Pascucci to acquire and complete this private golf course project is chutzpah. Getting regulatory permission in a notoriously demanding community when it comes to environmental sensitivity was tough enough. Along the way he had to convince two golf course architects representing diametrically opposed styles to collaborate: Jack Nicklaus, the ultra-modernist aerial-game advocate; and Tom Doak, the ultra-traditionalist devotee of the ground game. And then he had to make the place look and feel as if it fit in seamlessly with its two esteemed museum-piece golf-course neighbors, National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
Tall, wavy fescue and native dunes grass roughs help, as do the wide angles of play on this windswept course, which opened in 2006. The clubhouse complements the regional shingle style of clubhouse and estate design, and the club's dozen cozy cottages ensure an upscale place to stay for members and guests in a region where hotel space is at a premium. Small wonder that Sebonack ranked No. 7 on Golfweek's list of the best modern courses. It has landed the 2013 U.S. Women's Open and is a regular stop for itinerant fans of golf-course architecture looking to complete a grand tour of the game's special places. The big attraction here are the firm, fast, links-style conditions and holes that range from a delicate little Postage Stamp par-3 to a heroic par-5 finishing hole along the bay.
Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton, New York. For information, call (631) 287-4444 or visit sebonack.com.
Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, New York, has a 9,000-foot runway and is 14 miles west of Sebonack. FBOs: Malloy Air East, (888) 673-9888; Sheltair, (631) 288-9866. Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, New York, has a 7,000-foot runway and is 37 miles west of Sebonack. FBOs: Hawthorne, (631) 913-7102; New York Jet Corporate Flight Center, (631) 588-4800; Sheltair, (631) 588-0303.
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RetireNetCare.com featuring retirement communities and retirement homes in planned active developments. Worldwide resource for active retirement senior communities, and assisted living facilities. RetireNetCare.com is the most comprehensive resource of retirement communities throughout the world featuring assisted living facilities, planned retirement communities and various retirement properties worldwide. See also: senior housing, retirement communities, retirement living, elder care network.
The Midlands refers to an area in the middle of South Carolina, including but not limited to: Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties. This term is used mostly by Columbia-based media outlets that wish to appeal to audiences outside of the Columbia metropolitan area.
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Intel NUC DC3217BY Kit - Leading the Downsizing Revolution
Measuring just 4 by 4 inches, the palm-size Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) Mini-PC is here in our labs. We take it for a spin to see how it fares in our benchmarks.
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"Don't play games that you don't understand, even if you see lots of other people making money from them. "
The New Jet Aircraft Pipeline: Bigger, Faster and More Efficient
Nearly two-dozen jet aircraft for business and personal use are in various stages of development or have just entered service. All are bigger, faster and more efficient than anything that has gone before in their class. Here is a look at some of the more prominent projects.
If you're looking for really big, look no further than Airbus and Boeing, manufacturers of the largest business jets.
The ACJ350-900 from Airbus is well along in development as an airliner (under the name A350 XWB), with a listed price of $268 million. A "green" airplane with no interior should cost somewhat less, with the final tab depending on what modifications the buyer requires to convert the cabin for business or private use. The owner would need to have the aircraft sent to an Airbus-approved completion center for interior design, engineering and cabin outfitting.
Airbus expects the ACJ350-900 to have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.89 (1,063 km/h) and a range of approximately 18,600 km, although these figures may vary depending on the weight on the interior completion. Airbus claims "several" orders for the ACJ350-900 for business use but remains silent on details and a date for the first delivery.
If the ACJ350 isn't big enough for you, consider the ACJ380, an executive version of the giant, two-deck Airbus A380 airliner, with 551 square meters of floor space–approximately 102 square meters more than you'll find in Boeing's new 747-8. The A380 has already been certified as an airliner. It has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.89 (1,063 km/h), a range of 17,582 kilometers and costs $375 million in its airliner configuration. At last report, one ACJ380 has been sold.
Boeing has just certified its 787 in Dreamliner airline configuration. It expects to deliver the first business or private variant, priced at $178.138 million, to a completion center in early 2012. The 787-8, which contains 224 square meters of cabin floor space, boasts a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (1,015 km/h) and a range of 17,748 kilometers, "connecting virtually any two points on the globe." Boeing claims orders for 12 aircraft to be finished as business or private jets.
Boeing's other big-body entrant in the business jet sweepstakes is the 747-8i, the latest follow-on in the 747 family. The company expects to begin deliveries of the $206.81 million aircraft later this year, depending on the results of the flight test program. Boeing, which claims orders for nine 747-8i four-engine jets, reports that they will have a cruise speed of Mach 0.855 (1,021 km/h) and a range of 17,508 kilometers.
Bombardier is one of the world's largest providers of business aircraft and is perhaps best known for its line of large-cabin aircraft, starting with the Challenger. The Canadian manufacturer recently announced its biggest business jets to date, the Global 7000 and Global 8000.
The 7000, with a four-zone, flat-floor, standup cabin, will have the largest interior in its class at 75 cubic meters, and can carry 19 passengers. It will have high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90 (1,075 km/h) and at its most efficient cruise of Mach 0.85 (1,015 km/h) will travel nonstop 13,510 kilometers–roughly 14 hours in the air. It will be able to fly nonstop between Beijing and Washington, D.C.
The Global 8000 will have the same high-speed capability and will fly even farther–14,620 kilometers at Mach 0.85 (1,015 km/h), taking passengers nonstop from Hong Kong to New York City.
The 7000 is priced at $67.5 million and the 8000 at $65 million. Both will have 80 percent larger windows than earlier Global business jets, a crew-rest area and a large baggage compartment that is accessible in flight. Bombardier expects the Global 7000 and 8000 to enter service in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The in-production Global Express XRS will be equipped with the new Global Vision cockpit upgrade and rebranded the Global 6000. The 6000 has already been certified by Transport Canada and is expected to enter service in 2012, following U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification.
The Learjet 85, the line's first super-midsize business jet, is an all-composite twinjet with a cabin one-third larger than that of the Learjet 60XR. Bombardier says it can bring it to market by 2012 with a $17.2 million price tag. The company expects the 10-passenger airplane to have a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82 (979 km/h) and a maximum range of approximately 5,552 kilometers.
Cessna Aircraft has three airplanes scheduled to begin service between 2013 and 2015. The Citation Ten is the follow-on to the iconic Citation X and at a maximum cruise speech of Mach 0.925 (1,104 km/h) will be even faster than its predecessor, which is the world's fastest business jet until the G650 enters service later this year. It costs $21.495 million, will have a maximum range of 6,006 kilometers and is expected to be delivered starting in 2013.
More recently, Cessna unveiled the Citation M2, an upgrade of the Citation CJ1+. The M2's maximum cruise speed will be 740 km/h and it will have a range of 2,406 kilometers. Priced at $4.195 million, the M2 will carry up to six passengers in a cabin larger than that in the CJ1+. Projected entry into service is late 2013.
The newest Citation is the Latitude, which Cessna announced last fall and expects will enter into service in the second half of 2015. The cabin will feature windows that are larger than in previous Citations, and better placed for viewing. The flat-floor, standup cabin will accommodate nine passengers. The jet is priced at $14.995 million and the company was initially offering a $1 million discount. The Latitude will have a maximum speed of 508 km/h and a range of 3,701 kilometers.
At Dassault Falcon, the latest offering is the Falcon 2000S, a $25 million variant of the 2000 series that is more favorably priced. The 6,200-kilometer range is less than the 7,403 kilometers offered by the 2000, but performance in terms of landing speeds and time-to-climb are much enhanced. With upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines, emissions will be cut 40 percent and thanks to those engines plus winglets, the Falcon 2000S will burn 10 percent less fuel than aircraft that are 20 percent smaller, the company claims.
Dassault continues to develop a new twinjet, and while most of the details remain tightly wrapped, a company spokesman said it will be in the super-midsize (SMS) category, will have fly-by-wire controls and incorporate the latest version of the EASy flight deck. The detail design phase for the SMS has begun and some 1,500 engineers are at work on the aircraft, which Dassault expects will enter into service in 2016.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer continues on schedule in development of its fly-by-wire Legacy 500 and Legacy 450. The 500 will have a cabin that is 1.8 meters longer than that of the 450, but both will have 1.83-meter standup headroom, a fully equipped galley and aft private lavatory. The 500 can be configured for up to 12 passengers and the 450 for 10.
The $18.4 million Legacy 500 will have a 5,182-kilometer range and a cruise speed of Mach 0.80 (955 km/h). The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2014. The $15.25-million Legacy 450 will have a range of 4,072 kilometers and similar cruise speed. Embraer expects the 500 to enter service in late 2013 or early 2014 and the 450 to enter service in 2014.
Gulfstream has two impressive new airplanes, the G650 and the G280. The G650 is the company's new star. It is the largest business jet ever built by the manufacturer and will be the world's fastest, with a maximum speed of Mach 0.925 (1,104 km/h). Range at Mach 0.90 (1,075 km/h) is 9,253 kilometers, and at its most efficient cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (1,015 km/h), the $65.5 million airplane will travel 12,955 kilometers nonstop.
The jet's new Rolls-Royce engines are 33 percent quieter than those on the earlier G550 and have lower exhaust emissions. The lavatory has an independent venting system; the windows are 16 percent larger than those in the G550; and thanks to a new software application, passengers can control all cabin functions, from window shades to entertainment, with their iPods or iPads.
Though much smaller, the G280 boasts many of the same cabin amenities. The $24 million super-midsize jet, a derivative of the G200, has a maximum speed of Mach 0.85 (1,015 km/h), but at an efficient Mach 0.80 (955 km/h) it will fly nonstop 6,292 kilometers. Certification by the FAA is imminent.
Hawker Beechcraft recently received U.S. certification of the three-display-panel Pro Line 21 cockpit avionics upgrade for its Hawker 400XPR light twinjet. The 400XPR represents a major improvement for the Hawker 400A line; other enhancements include replacing the Pratt & Whitney Canada engines with new Williams International FJ44-4A-32 turbofans and the addition of winglets. Customers are required to bring their 400A into a Hawker Beechcraft service center for the upgrade. The airplane costs $2.67 million with all the enhancements.)
The Hawker 200 is the former Premier II. The $7.55 million light twinjet features a redesigned ventral fin, more powerful Williams International FJ33-3P engines, winglets and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics. The cruise speed is expected to jump 23 percent to 875 km/h and range will increase 20 percent to 2,776 kilometers. The cabin can accommodate seven passengers. The manufacturer expects entry into service in late 2012 or early 2013.
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