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We have worked very hard to provide aquatic leadership that is reflective of our diverse community. Most of our aquatics facilities boast a diverse staff that includes African-American and Hispanic facility managers. A large group of diverse part-time employees also leads day-to-day pool operations.
This combination has proven to be very effective in connecting with, and understanding the needs of, minorities visiting our facilities and also for promoting participation in our programs and employment opportunities. Having a diverse group of managers at our facilities also creates role models within the community who work to give our young swimmers a glimpse into potential careers in the wonderful world of aquatics!
Much of what we do in terms of outreach and recruiting has helped our organization relate to our audience
and encourage minority participation, not only for leisure but also for professional purposes. It is common for us to include photos of African-American and Hispanic lifeguards, pool operators and swim instructors in our recruiting brochures and on our Website. These marketing efforts reinforce the message that minorities are interested in participating in aquatics opportunities, and also serving as leaders and mentors within the specialty.
With multiple indoor and outdoor pools, I realize Prince George's County is not the norm in terms of the number of aquatics facilities and opportunities available within heavily diverse markets. That's why it will take a concerted effort on the part of organizations regularly managing aquatic venues and programs to reach beyond what is commonplace and really seek out opportunities to recruit and retain a diversified work force.
It is completely normal for people to associate themselves with activities that provide them with the most comfort, fun and opportunity for continued learning. It is important for minorities to feel welcomed within your work force and also within your facilities and programs. At times, it also may be necessary to strategically place a "familiar" face to lead your programs and recruiting events to encourage others to participate.
In terms of recruiting more diverse lifeguard teams, several options are available to facility managers. For instance, in Prince George's County we offer free lifeguard prep courses for customers and program participants who are interested in becoming lifeguards, but who may not have developed the strength and endurance to pass the lifeguarding pre-course. The goal of our program is to expose candidates to what it takes to become a certified lifeguard, build their endurance and, it is hoped, open the door to a lifelong commitment to aquatic safety.
Another option for recruiting a diverse staff is to incorporate your employment and program opportunities into Hispanic Heritage Month in September-October and/or Black History Month in February. Both
annual events are celebrated nationally and are great segues for interacting with members of these communities.
Finally, good old-fashioned grass-roots marketing is always helpful. This means hitting the ground running — or hitting the deck swimming, in our case — and getting out into your local, competitive swim leagues, schools, churches, job fairs and festivals to spread the message about employment and program opportunities within your organization. Be sure to take your story to the local media, too.
Improving minority participation in aquatics is not just an urban issue — it is a national issue. As aquatics professionals, we have the power and resources to reduce these statistics ... one lap at a time!


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[QUOTE]Earlier this week -- as he was barnstorming the country for Barack Obama -- former President Bill Clinton subbed in for the president as Obama flew back to Washington to oversee the country's response to a major hurricane.
That would seem an appropriate context to ask the question, why hasn't the most recent Republican President, George Bush, been barnstorming the country for Mitt Romney?
It says a lot that for most Americans this sounds like an absurd question.
Clinton was a major featured speaker at the Democratic Convention. Bush wasn't even invited to Tampa.
Bush is not campaigning for Romney because he and the policies he implemented are politically radioactive to most American voters.
George Bush is off in political Siberia because the Romney campaign is doing everything humanly possible to prevent voters from realizing that Romney intends to return precisely those same failed Bush policies to the White House if he is elected president next week.
Let's start with the matter that is uppermost in the country's attention -- the hurricane.
It's fair to say that his response to Hurricane Katrina was not Bush's finest hour. But Bush's failure to respond quickly and effectively to Katrina was not simply a reflection of his administration's incompetence. It was a reflection of the fact that his administration didn't believe in government.
Natural disasters make people remember why it is so important that we have a society where we have each other's back. They make us remember that government is the name we give to the things we choose to do together.
Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy make us remember why the law of the jungle -- why a self-centered, irresponsible, unbridled focus on you and you alone -- isn't what we learned in Sunday School.
Even far right New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reprimanded New Jersey citizens who refused to evacuate low-lying areas because they would put the lives of first responders at risk -- because they had a responsibility to each other.
Bush -- and his response to Katrina -- exemplified the right wing's failure to understand that most Americans believe in a society where we are all in this together, not all in this alone.
And Mitt Romney completely shares Bush's view. Romney actually proposed eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and hand over responsibility for response to disasters to the states. Romney ignores that when disaster strikes, we are Americans first. We have each other's back whether we are from Mississippi or New Jersey. We do that because it's right. We also do it because while disaster may strike our neighbors in New Jersey today, it could strike those of us who live in Illinois tomorrow.
But of course there are many other reasons why the Republicans have failed to ask George Bush to campaign for their presidential ticket. Two stand out.[QUOTE]

subset: commoncrawl


text: Read today that only 1 in 100 of our citizenry has served - does that number sound correct & if so, should the country consider renewing the draft? Possibly if more people served the politico's would not be so anxious to commit the lives of the nations young! Especially, if they knew that young person might be a member of their family as it was during my younger years. No deferments in our county!!!!!!!!!!!


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Kenworth of Louisiana, LLC is a full service sales and service dealership with Louisiana locations in Carencro, Harahan, Port Allen and Gray.
Kenworth of South Louisiana is a leading medium and heavy truck dealership with 4 locations in South Louisiana. Because of continued growth we are looking for talented Service Technicians to join our team. We have current openings at all 4 of our stores in South Louisiana, Port Allen, Carencro, Harahan, Gray.
Some of the benefits of this exceptional opportunity are:
- Stability - As the largest Kenworth OEM dealership in the state Kenworth of South Louisiana has developed a solid base of a loyal customers and a reputation for excellence.
- Well Respected! – Kenworth of South Louisiana and the Kenworth truck name are known for quality, industry expertise, teamwork and integrity. You will be proud to be a part of the Kenworth of South Louisiana team.
- Career Growth –You will receive ongoing training that will keep you on the leading edge of today's equipment and technology.
- Compensation and Benefits – You are offered an excellent compensation program including: Medical, Dental, life insurance, 401(K), and an industry leading incentive plan.
If you have a minimum of two years of diesel repair experience then you owe it to yourself to check this out!
Job Description:
Service Technician B
The role of the Service Technician is to perform heavy-duty truck repairs to OEM specifications.
Job Responsibilities:
- Perform and/or assist in the performance of general mechanical duties.
- Perform repairs in motor overhaul, fuel systems, electrical systems, transmissions, cooling systems, chassis, brakes, motor tune-up, and general maintenance.
- Work on major components with limited supervision.
- Perform and/or assist in trouble shooting vehicle systems.
- Attend OEM and vendor training sessions and meetings as needed.
Ideal Candidate Would Possess:
- Minimum 2 years hands-on experience or graduate of vocational courses.
- A/C, Brake and DOT Annual Inspector Certifications preferred
- Necessary tools to perform position responsibilities.
- CDL Preferred


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Deeplinks Blog posts about Video Games
Bad facts make bad law: it's legal cliché that is unfortunately based on reality. We saw as much yesterday, in the case of Ryan Hart v. Electronic Arts. Presented with a situation that just seemed unfair, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals proceeded to make a whole bunch of bad law that puts dollars ahead of speech.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, for the latest installment in the popular SimCity video game franchise, which was released this week to massive sales, and then just as quickly, an epic fail as the paying customers were unable to play the game they just bought. The culprit isn't the game itself, which by most accounts is pretty good; no, the problem is the game's DRM scheme.
Last week the Librarian of Congress issued his final decision (pdf) limiting copyright owners' ability to sue you for making full use of the works you buy. The short version: it's a mixed bag. On one hand, the Librarian looked to the future, broadening existing exemptions for extracting clips from DVDs to include clips from movies distributed online, as well. At the same time, the Librarian refused to expand an exemption for "jailbreaking" smartphones to include the smartphone's cousin, the tablet, even though there is little practical difference between the two devices. Equally illogically, the Librarian refused to grant an exemption for jailbreaking video game consoles.
Now the long version.
What's a trademark for, anyway? Given recent trends, you might be surprised to learn that trademarks are supposed to protect consumers from confusion about the source of goods or services. You might also be surprised to know that common, descriptive words and phrases usually cannot be registered as trademarks, not least because we don't want trademark owners claiming property rights in our common language. That's why an apple farmer can't claim a trademark in the term "apple."
Unfortunately, folks can't seem to help making overreaching claims, and the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) isn't vigilant about what passes muster. The result: generic terms are registered as trademarks—and then used to threaten free speech.
Case in point: the ongoing threat to Reddit's /r/gaymers community.
Who's playing fast and loose with your data? The Big Brother Awards, billed as the "Oscars for data leeches" by the hackers and privacy advocates who hand out the prizes, shine a high-intensity spotlight on companies and individuals with poor privacy track records. Since 1998, Privacy International and a host of affiliated organizations have singled out the worst privacy violators in various countries including the UK, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S. The title evokes the totalitarian cult personality featured in George Orwell's 1984, set in a dystopic world of mass surveillance.
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A decision is expected within a week, and the NFL definitely has reason to worry, at least a little. The letters advising Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, and Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove of their suspensions make no effort to distinguish between a pay-for-performance program and a bounty system, instead lumping both together. While the letters claims that the suspensions are based upon conduct detrimental to the game, a pay-for-performance system (e.g., $500 bucks for making an interception) isn't nearly as detrimental to the game as a pay-for-injury system. By making reference to the pay-for-performance system in the letters, the NFL has fueled the argument that the matter should have been handled by Burbank.
If Burbank compels the league to start over, Goodell will have no choice but to do so, probably by fashioning discipline in a way that avoids Burbank's salary-cap jurisdiction. And while the suspensions may eventually stick, the notion that the process initially was mishandled would create a major P.R. hit for the league — surely prompting some casual observers to simply conclude (albeit erroneously) that there wasn't a bounty system at all.
In short, things could get even more interesting, soon.
Give it up. Let it go. Accept your punishment and move the Frick on.
The ledger fricked the saints
You mean the part where the NFL source said that there was no indication that there was a pay for injury program?
Give it up. Let it go. Accept your punishment and move the Frick on.
quote:unfortunately he probably can. We'll find out soon enough.
He can't be judge jury and executioner without checks and balances
quote:one day you'll figure out how the world works.
He can't be judge jury and executioner without checks and balances.
If you were being punished for something you didn't do, would you just accept it?
Just finished a meeting in Cincinatti, now on my way to New York...
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text:
This woman in Burkina Faso uses a simple wood fire for cooking. For many people in the world, wood is their main energy resource. They burn it to stay warm as well as to cook their food. Other energy resources, such as oil or gas, are simply not available to them or are far too expensive for most people to use. However, if you live in the U.S. or another of the richer nations of the world, you probably depend almost totally on these more expensive energy resources, especially oil.
Use of Energy Resources
Look at the circle graph in the Figure below. It shows that oil is the single most commonly used energy resource in the U.S., followed by natural gas, and then by coal. All of these energy resources are nonrenewable. Nonrenewable resources are resources that are limited in supply and cannot be replaced as quickly as they are used up. Renewable resources, in contrast, provide only 8 percent of all energy used in the U.S. Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replaced in a relatively short period of time or are virtually limitless in supply. They include solar energy from sunlight, geothermal energy from under Earth's surface, wind, biomass (from once-living things or their wastes), and hydropower (from running water).
Oil Use by Nation
People in the U.S. use far more energy—especially energy from oil—than people in any other nation. The bar graph in the Figure below compares the amount of oil used by the top ten oil-using nations. The U.S. uses more oil than several other top-ten countries combined. If you also consider the population size in these countries, the differences are even more stunning. The average person in the U.S. uses a whopping 23 barrels of oil a year! In comparison, the average person in India or China uses just 1 or 2 barrels of oil a year.
Q: How does the use of oil and other fossil fuels relate to pollution?
A: Greater use of oil and other fossil fuels causes more pollution.
- Oil is the single most commonly used energy resource in the U.S., followed by natural gas, and then by coal. These are all nonrenewable energy resources. Only 8 percent of all energy used in the U.S. comes from renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and biomass energy.
- People in the U.S. use far more energy per person—especially energy from oil—than people in any other nation.
- Outline the use of energy resources in the U.S.
- Compare the use of oil in the U.S. with oil use in other nations.


text:
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|Intimidated by deep lip colors? For a more subtle statement, apply three coats of lipstick (like Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Romantic, $30; chanel.com), then blot it with a tissue to lighten the texture. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studios)
More Makeover Tips
|Take a cue from Scarlett Johansson and frame your face with strong brows. Accentuate their color and texture with brown mascara (like Paula Dorf mascara in Chocolate, $20; pauladorf.com): Sweep upward and then in the direction of your temples. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studios)
More Makeover Tips
|With a ribbon fastened at the base (M and J Trimming grosgrain ribbon, $2/yard; mjtrim.com), take any tail from ho-hum to high fashion. We were inspired by the look at a recent Givenchy show. (CREDIT: MCV, Time Inc. Digital Studios)
More Makeover Tips
|Using a fine-tooth comb (J and D Pastel tail comb, $1; sallybeauty.com), tease sides to make a long face appear fuller, or increase the height at the crown to slim a round face. (CREDIT: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images, Time Inc. Digital Studio)
More Makeover Tips
|A light dusting of translucent powder (like Cover Girl Professional loose powder in Translucent Medium, $5; drugstore.com) before your foundation helps to hide pores and fine lines for a smoother-looking canvas. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studios)
More Makeover Tips
Catch "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."
The 10 worst places to start a business.
Contest winners show sky's fragile wonders.
Greatest undrafted players in NFL history.
Here are the 5 steps you need to know.


text:
By NEMS Daily Journal
JACKSON – Almost 50 cities have failed to certify election results with the Secretary of State's office, including more than a dozen from Northeast Mississippi.
State law requires cities to submit certified election results to the Secretary of State's Office within five days of the general election, which for the general election was June 11.
Forty-seven cities had not submitted results as of Friday.
"To promote open and public transparency, it is imperative cities timely file their certified election results with the Secretary of State's Office," said Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. "The city and the public have a right to know the final election results, and the city should provide it in a timely fashion."
Certifying election results in a municipal election is a duty of the municipal election commission.
In Northeast Mississippi, the following cities haven't submitted election results:
• Abbeville (Lafayette County)
• Baldwyn (Lee and Prentiss counties)
• Belmont (Tishomingo County)
• Big Creek (Calhoun County)
• Dumas (Tippah County)
• Ecru (Pontotoc County)
• Falkner (Tippah County)
• Glen (Alcorn County)
• Hatley (Monroe County)
• Jumpertown (Prentiss County)
• Maben (Oktibbeha and Webster counties)
• New Houlka (Chickasaw County)
• Oxford (Lafayette County)
• Slate Springs (Calhoun County)
• Toccopola (Pontotoc County)
• Tremont (Itawamba County)
• Vardaman (Calhoun County)
• Walnut (Tippah County)


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Los Angeles City College
Chemistry & EARTH Sciences Department
Department Mission
The mission of the Los Angeles City College Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences is to deliver a contemporary, rigorous curriculum in all of our disciplines at every level to prepare our students for transfer and the workforce, and to teach with a student-friendly and learning-centered approach to allow students to achieve their goals and to meet and exceed established educational and industry standards.
Los Angeles City College Chemistry and Earth Sciences Department is dedicated to the success of all our students. We offer our students the chance to excel by presenting the latest technology and information in both the lab and lecture settings, by creating a warm and open atmosphere for learning with dedicated faculty, and by investing in a community spirit through our extra-curricular activities.
The chemistry discipline offers the complete range of chemistry courses necessary to complete your program of study as well as an opportunity to obtain an AS degree in Chemistry. For students interested in the Earth Sciences, we offer a variety of courses in earth science, geography, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
Many of the courses satisfy the IGETC and CSU physical science requirement. Whether you are a science major on the fast track to becoming a chemist, geologist, engineer, doctor, nurse, or pharmacist or a non-science major looking to just fulfill your GE requirement, all of your chemistry and/or geophysical science courses can be completed here, day or night.
The Los Angeles City College Chemistry & Earth Sciences Department is currently residing in the science building for Life Science, Chemistry, and Nursing & Dental Technology. The labs are equipped with computer capabilities and offer the best teaching facility in the county. The upper level courses currently give students access to new instrumentation like the Anasazi EFT-60 NMR Spectrometer, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometers, and Gas Chromatagram (GC). The department offers small classes with extensive instructor interaction.
Chair: Michael Farrell SCI 324B (323) 953-4000 ext 2600 email@example.com


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Please Note: Baer's Furniture operates stores in the Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Orlando, Naples, Miami, Florida area. Please contact us for delivery and price information.
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


text: HomeLegal Notices Legal Notice Page Settings Show Sub Menu Print RSS Feedback Share & Bookmark Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Reddit Font Size: Larger Smaller Page Content lehigh acres streetlighting unit advisory committee meeting11/12/2010lehigh acres streetlighting unit advisory committee meetingWhen: Friday, November 12, 20101:00 PMWhere: Veterans Park Recreation Center 49 - 55 Homestead Road Lehigh Acres, Florida 33936 The Lehigh Acres Streetlighting Unit (MSTU) Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1 P.M. in the Veterans Park Recreation Center, located at 49 - 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, Florida 33936. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss general business. All residents of this unit are invited to attend and participate. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA


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Web Stories
Painter to lecture on her work, Feb. 15-CANCELED
Posted February 8, 2007; 10:44 a.m.
This lecture has been canceled due to weather conditions.
Painter Anoka Faruqee will give an illustrated lecture about her work at noon Thursday, Feb. 15, in Room 207 of 185 Nassau St.
Faruqee, who currently lives and works in Los Angeles, has exhibited her work in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dhaka, Bangladesh. A 1994 graduate of Yale University, she earned her MFA from Temple University's Tyler School of Art. She attended the Whitney Independent Study Program, the Skowhegan School of Art and the PS1 National Studio Program.
She teaches painting and critical theory at the California Institute of the Arts, where she is co-director of the art program. Her lecture is sponsored by Princeton's Program in Visual Arts.


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EUR/JPY 1-hour Forex Chart
Daily Forex Chart Art – June 10, 2015
← Daily Forex Chart Art – June 10, 2015
EUR/JPY 1-hour Forex Chart
Learn How to Trade Forex. BabyPips.com Is The Beginner's Guide to Forex Trading. Your Best Source for Forex Education on the Web.
Yen bears seem to be on top of their game these days so I'm cutting losses on this AUD/JPY short trade before it hits my stop. Here's what I learned from this setup. ...Read More


text:
Cielestia Calbay
School: Cal Poly Pomona
Are you here to participate in one of our current school-based festivals? If so, choose your school and follow the instructions:
School: Cal Poly Pomona
Enter The Post Office. It's the newsroom of The Poly Post, Cal Poly Pomona's only student newspaper. See what happens in the pilot episode of this hilarious reality-comedy adventure when ... more
date posted: 2010-07-14 | views: 198 | type: Movie
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|Cielestia Calbay
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kcdyer, Thursday October 30, 2008 - 9:21pm
Alison is a grade 10 student at Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver, BC, and she was the second Honourable Mention recipient of Lisa Rector's Young Writers' Scholarship for 2008.
Her fantasy prologue is titled AUBURN QUEEN.
In the elves kingdom of Vaene it was that surreal time where the sun was just settling into sleep. The darkening sky cast deep shadows along alleyways and doorsteps while the deserted streets held a mystery about them that could not be ignored. As the moon began its dance into the sky the whole world held its breath.
Just as quickly as the moment of magic had come it faded away, replaced by a man cloaked in darkness. He carried a small bundle. He also held a dim lantern and as he hurried forward the light raced ahead chasing the demons away as the shadows followed closely behind him.
He could not be caught. This thought drove his actions; forcing his steps and quickening his pace. They could not know he was gone. The wind howled through the streets and he jumped as something creaked loudly. Disturbed, the bundle in his arms stirred then let out a single cry. It was not loud, but to the man it was a signal alerting his every opponent to their position. Worried, he held the bundle tighter and began to run. He did not slow down until he reached the forest. Slipping inside he looked upwards.
Like everything else in Vaene the trees seemed to have been gifted with something extra by whatever had created them. Their ancient trunks, stronger every day, whispered wisdom. While their soft sway hinted at tales long ago and adventures far within the future. Finally, the leaves were a pure emerald colour that shone. Even in the weak moonlight the forests beauty could not be diminished.
However, no matter how beautiful the forest may have been that was not the man's focus. After a moment of searching he found what he was looking for. A cabin nesting high above the ground. Notches cut out of a tree provided the only entrance. The man put out the lantern plunging everything into blackness and set it on the ground. Keeping the bundle in one hand he felt for the first crude hack out of the wood and began to climb.
He pulled himself one-handed into the cabin without trouble.
"You're late," the voice rang throughout the room. It appeared, however, that there was no one there.
"My apologies Alleys." The air before the man shimmered and a woman appeared. Her intense green eyes were fixed on him and she stood rigidly.
"Give it to me," Alleys said, relaxing only once the bundle was in her arms. Pushing her ebony hair behind her pointed elf ears she carefully parted the blankets in her arms to reveal a tiny sleeping baby.
The infant's bone straight hair was auburn, which was unusual for an elf but looked beautiful against her pale skin. A tiny band of gold sat upon her head. Suddenly, the baby woke and opened her eyes. Alleys gasped. Instead of the usual colour the baby's eyes were a muddied brown flecked with periodic doses of the expected bright green. Carefully she pushed the baby's hair back from ears that were both human and elf.
"So it is true," it was not a question; more like a statement and the man only nodded.
"Take her far away," he said. "She cannot stay here."
"Are you sure…"
"It is the only way,"
"Very well," Alleys sighed. With a flick of her hand she vanished taking the baby with her.
Chapter 1-sixteen years later
Jaclyn was sitting at home alone, flipping through a mountain of homework without really doing any of it. She wasn't sure her day could get any worse. She hadn't finished her project for English, she'd managed to get detention from two different teachers, and she'd forgotten her Math textbook at home.
Not to mention that her ears were looking especially odd today, How she hated them. Always sticking out just waiting to be made fun of. A beacon for kids who wanted a good laugh at the expense of her dignity. Why couldn't they be normally shaped? She ran her hand absentmindedly through her hair. It was the only thing good about her appearance. At least in her opinion.
It hadn't always been that way though. When she'd been younger she'd embraced the little oddities about herself. Overly pointed ears made her an "elf" while small feet made her Cinderella and she would spend hours pretending. Now it was not so easy.
Screeching tires in the driveway brought her back to the present. Automatically she looked to the clock on the wall but it was only 3:30. Neither of her parents finished work till five. Wondering who could be knocking, she got up from her chair in the kitchen and opened the door.
Standing in the doorway was a woman she'd never met. Short black hair framed the stranger's face and striking eyes stared straight through her. Jaclyn noted with slight surprise that the woman's ears were even more pointed than hers. The woman made no move to introduce herself.
"Hi, can I help you?" Jaclyn asked. The woman's eyes were very green. So much so they were beginning to make her uncomfortable. So deep and mysterious they were the kind of eyes that kept secrets. Who was she?
"Do you trust me?" the woman's voice was so smooth and captivating. The way she asked this it was as if Jaclyn's answer was the most important thing in the world. She found herself nodding without really knowing why.
Without saying a word the woman reached out lightning fast and grabbed Jaclyn's hand so hard it hurt. "Ow!" Jaclyn pulled away from the woman but her grip was vicious. Suddenly without warning the world began to spin around her and her vision blurred.
Jaclyn and Alleys vanished together the same way they had 16 years earlier.
Congratulations to Alison!
also blogging as leftwriter
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text: I don't know what the NFL's ultimate plans are, but I am really against European football. I don't want to see a world's bowl or an expansion of NFL teams to Europe. To be honest I don't want to even see NFL teams playing over there. I see football as an American institution and feel that it ought to stay that way. I don't normally advocate for isolationism, but I think football ought to be the exception. I was wondering what you all might think.


text:
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Promote an independent course of study with the detailed, daily lessons
for English 12. These lesson plans are designed for your child to read, follow,
and complete the instructions given for grammar, vocabulary, poetry, and
literature. The parents are prompted to administer and grade tests and quizzes.
Reading quizzes are included in the front of this guide along with 2 sets of
progress reports. A Guide for the Parent and Grading Procedures are also
included for the parent to direct the evaluation portion of the course. A
Composition Checksheet and Vocation Project Grade Form, are included for the
child to follow as he writes. Encourage initiative, self-motivation, and
independence with your 12th grader as he completes this work on his
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MVC, Coulee, SWC conferences propose dissolving SWC
LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Mississippi Valley, Coulee, and Southwest Wisconsin Conferences (SWC) agreed to propose to the WIAA that the SWC be dissolved, according to MVC Commissioner Terry Erickson.
"I really think you're going to see some changes," Erickson said.
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Just had to share the trophy bird I shot this morning. No it is not the biggest bird I have ever shot, quite the opposite! It is actually the smallest I have ever shot! It is not even a gobbler but instead the first hen I have ever shot. But it makes it no less a trophy in my eyes. It was the first fall bird I ever called in to the end of my gun barrel. I have shot gobblers in the fall before, but usually it was an ambush or just being in the right place at the right time.
I got in the woods before light and set up in the woods close to where I thought they would be roosted. Well they weren't there and as it got light there was nothing. So I moved to a little different spot where I figured the birds might come. I was actually watching a nice 8 point buck and thinking to my self I should be sitting in my treestand instead of Turkey hunting when I heard a quiet kee kee and quickly started a kee kee with a few yelps and that was all it took. The 2 birds almost ran in to me and it was done. There wasn't a lot of meat on her, but I am pretty sure she will be delicous.
It just shows that a trophy is in the eye of the beholder, and I can't wait to get out again, as I have a couple more tags in my pocket. And I want to thank a few of you on this forum, as if you hadn't talked up fall hunting so much, I may have let it slip by and missed out on it. I think I am now officially hooked on the fall thing. Not that it took a lot to do it. It didn't even take a big old gobbler to do it, just a small hen which I see as a trophy!


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As I understand it, Alpha Testing will simply ignore those pixels, that do not pass the test.
I have made an alpha-test with renderstates [D3DRS_ALPHAFUNC, D3DCMP_GREATER] and [D3DRS_ALPHAREF, 128].
Since the problem arose, I have simplified my texture, making the rgb-layer completely white, while preserving the alpha-layer.
I have further simplified my shader, so that it now simply outputs the texture raw, and that is all. No lighting or any other kinds of calculations.
The result is still scorched edges, as can be seen below:
I would have expected a completely white plant, with no grey-scales (partial alpha) and no black edges.
How come, that the alpha is burned into the texture like that?
As can be seen, the pixel shader is extremely simple (I removed the argument list because it is irrelevant (except a_texcoord0)).
float4 PS_light_SHADOW(...) : COLOR { return tex2D(g_texturemap_sampler, a_texcoord0); }
My renderstates are as follows:
SetRenderState(D3DRS_ZENABLE, D3DZB_TRUE) SetRenderState(D3DRS_ZWRITEENABLE, TRUE) SetRenderState(D3DRS_CULLMODE, D3DCULL_NONE) SetRenderState(D3DRS_ALPHATESTENABLE, TRUE) SetRenderState(D3DRS_ALPHAFUNC, D3DCMP_GREATER) SetRenderState(D3DRS_ALPHAREF, 128)
Thank you in advance.


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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
April 18, 2006, 05:51:53 AM »
Currently I'm an assistant manager at a high volume GameStop store, its one of the best performing stores in the company. Today I was promoted to store manager and next week I'll be taking over my own store, which is actually going to be an Electronics Boutique (GS and EB have merged). Its the normal sized store in a mall, and its very low volume. It's a fairly new store so its nice and clean, but it really doesn't get all that many customers and its one of the worst performing stores in the district. The district manager has a lot of faith in me because I'm one of the top performers in my store, I also learned everything very quickly operations-wise, so they fully expect me to turn things around at the store and bring it up within the district.
Now, this is where you guys and gals come in with tips/advice/ideas, etc. I tend to be an ambitous person, and my goal is to make my store the #1 performing store in the district, not in volume because that would be impossibly but in performance and percentage, i.e percentage of reservations per transaction, items per transaction, etc.
Besides pleasing the corporate suits at the top with good numbers though, I really want to create an environment that gamers would love to shop in. I want people to enjoy their visit at my store and want to do all their future shopping there. I've had a few ideas of my own that go beyond the average GameStop/EB experience, which include bringing a laptop and my LCD screen in to display DVD's that I put together displaying game trailers and such. When FF Advent Children comes out I'd love to have that playing. I also thought of having mini competitions of games like Super Smash Bros. melee where the winner wins a free game of their choice (its probably gonna come out of my pocket but I don't mind), and so on.
I was looking for more suggestions though, staying along realistic lines. Remember, I just work for the company, I don't own it, so I can't turn the store into my own playpen. I want to know though, what usually keeps you shopping at a particular game store? What would you like in a store that you don't see enough of (customer service? cleanliness?). I'm all ears people, help me make this the store gamers love to go to =)
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #1 on:
April 18, 2006, 11:50:26 AM »
I don't know if this is the best forum for your post, but hey I'll chime in:
A quick story, Taco Bell's manager of the year makes 6 figures(includes Bonusses). Let that sink in. He could do almost anything else in the world but he runs a Taco Bell, and makes bank.
The key to his success?
Low to no Turnover.
The biggest problem with Gamestop, and retail in general?
EbGames was fairly good about turnover, they paid better than Gamestop, and in general got a higher quality employee. (note this is in general terms, we're not talking about you per se, as Gamestop has always had the three or four employees per district that were awesome but always spread way apart.)
So my first tip for you is; higher better people that are more likely to stay around longer and pay them better than anyone else. Sounds like a big task, but first thing you need to do is evaluate your current staff, find the stinkers that can't be molded into what you want and schedule them out the door. You should already be looking for new employees.
Second, remember that selling is 90% building relationships. in your environment it's not easy to do that, but if you can figure out who your regulars are and slowly build rapport with them it will increase the volume in your store. Once you get your current regulars down then you can build on that. I can't think of a single person who doesn't like going into a store where someone knows their name(for the right reasons).
I'll have more for you later.
"I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #2 on:
April 18, 2006, 01:00:10 PM »
I totally agree with Tebunker here. Personally for me, customer service is priority #1. I hate going into my local EB's nowadays only because the clerks are young punks who are rude and don't care about helping anyone except their buddies.
I refuse to go back to a restaurant or place of business that treats me like crap, regardless of the product.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #3 on:
April 18, 2006, 02:20:33 PM »
I concur.
I am very loyal to my EBGames because of the interaction and treatment I receive there.
It would be hard for me to buy a game product somewhere else
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Knightshade Dragon
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #4 on:
April 18, 2006, 05:01:53 PM »
As an ex-manager of an EB I can fully and entirely agree. You need employees who enjoy their job, and you are the key to that. Make sure your people take a magazine home and read it, make sure they know their games. Encourage discussion that will lead to a sale. And above all, both for you and for them, never have less than two people in the store. It keeps shrink down and stops people from feeling completely overwhelmed.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #5 on:
April 18, 2006, 06:17:46 PM »
You should hire me!
OTHER THAN THAT, friendly employees are key. If you have any sort of decision on who to hire, hire knowledgeable staff who actually knows their stuff. Nothing more off putting than someone who works at a gamestore, but doesn't know anything about games. It's annoying, and a little insulting.
There's a GameStop I HATED going to because of the idiot staff, but one of my favorite employee's transferred there, so I find myself a lot more willing to go there now. All because of ONE employee whom I have formed a relationship with. It's all about friendliness and having knowledgable people.
Knightshade Dragon
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #6 on:
April 18, 2006, 07:39:13 PM »
We saw a lot of that at my store TML. People would call in to see when so and so was working to come in and ask for their purchase advice. Its cool to have that level of customer connection.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #7 on:
April 18, 2006, 07:57:39 PM »
You need to have your whole staff knowledgable in gaming. I can't tell you how many times I've asked an employee about a game to which they replied, "Ummmm, errr, I have no clue . . ."
Make sure they're reading gaming-related stuff in the industry! I know it's a basic sort of thing, but people that work at a gaming store should have an advanced knowledge of games.
A tournament sort of deal would be pretty cool. That's a good idea.
Personally, I dislike it when an employee asks if I want insurance for a game I'm purchasing. I know it provides extra revenue and all, but I don't know. Maybe it's cool to ask Mothers who come in with their sons/daughters . . . I don't know. It's just off-putting for me.
So I guess the best advice I could give personally is this - gamers like talking about games. Make sure your staff knows about current games, new reviews, games coming up, and so on. And I prefer going to gamestore that have lots of space - I really dislike it when I'm cramped in a gamestore.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #8 on:
April 18, 2006, 09:47:52 PM »
Oh and when people say read about games, we mean that they should be avid readers of IGN, Gamespot, Gamingtrend etc. etc.
I will admit that I get perturbed when I go into a gamestore and listen to the employees talk about stuff they have no idea what they're talking about.
I am dead serious about paying these people more also. You're better off having 2 great employees at $10 a hour then three average ones at $6 a hour.
frankly, in my two years at Eb, I think they were/are serioulsy mismanaged. I have always thought that Gamestop was even more poorly managed. Was really surprised that GS bought EB, but then I remembered that barnes and Noble owns GS, so really they bought Eb.
Just remember, selling is about building relationships and doing the extra things for your customers and employees. As long as it's not unethical or illegal, you should do everything in your power to help them. One of the best sayings I learned quickly in my Sherwin Williams Career is. "This is my policy, until my customer asks me to do something different."(yes that meant going against some company policies, which is another spiel all in it's own) As long as it wasn't illegal nor unethical I did just about everything for my customers and it worked. Some have become fiercely loyal and all of them respect me and work with me. It's harder to do in your type of retail, but whenever you get the opportunity to set yourself apart from your colleagues in the customer service arena, seize it.
"I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #9 on:
April 21, 2006, 11:00:11 AM »
One of the things that draws me into the store (when I was not headed there anyway) is one of those playable kiosks running something interesting. I like to be able to try stuff out before I buy it if I can. On the flip side, it bugs me to no end when I walk into the store and the kiosk is turned off. Or has a non-playable demo running.
I don't know how much control you have over this as store manager (whether it's individual store policy or company-wide), but I absolutely hate asking for a new game and getting a previously gutted box. This holds true for both console and PC games. I understand the need to keep games in the back room to prevent theft. Fine. Go back and get me a brand new, cellophane-wrapped, unopened copy of what I'm asking for. If I keep getting offered previously gutted boxes, I'm not coming back to your store. (I have already made this shift in my buying habits. There are enough stores that sell both PC and console games that it is easy enough to do -- and the prices are pretty much the same no matter where you shop).
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #10 on:
April 21, 2006, 08:20:15 PM »
I avoid EB and Gamestop unless I enjoy browsing, not as much because I am poor ATM as I have an idea even though I avoid reading about new and upcoming games I still know more about most things than anyone who works there. It's rare when you can sit there and shoot the shit about random games and have someone else who works there who can do it as well. It would definately rtaise the store raiting in my eyes.
I'm not sure how much leeway you have over whats carried in your store, but I'd see what people in that area really enjoy doing and put up a rack for just that. IF your people (You will have to talk to them and get to know them and thier hobies, which you should be doing anyways) are all fans of wargames, maybe bringing in a rack of Settlers of Catan or Books on the subject might make them more apt to come in and browse and pick items up. I'm not saying try to compete with stores built for just that, but just give your customers another reason to stop in more often.
If you are reading this, you have gone too far.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #11 on:
May 09, 2006, 08:48:52 AM »
A lot of great stuff said here. I'll repeat what's been said a bit, but gotta throw in my 2 cents...
customer service. It can't be said enough. If I'm in a store several times and feel comfortable enough to talk to the person behind the counter extensively, asking opinions and whatnot, they should be able to remember my name... even if they just gleam it from my credit card. whether it's Mr. or my first name. At least recognize that I've been in the store before.
To go with that, I don't know how many times I've been in a store and asked about a product and they have no idea what it is. A lot of it, I feel, has to do with their personal gaming preferences. I like wrestling games. If you don't and I ask when the next SmacDown game is supposed to be released, don't shrug and say "I don't know." When I was at Target (Target, fer cryin' out loud!) we had an estimated shipping date schedule of music, movies and games for the next 3 months, approximately. Nintendo always kept us stocked with flyers that had release dates of the next several months and major release dates for 6 months or so. Obviously those are tentative dates, but it give you something to tell the customer who's asking. I know I've asked for a game and the person working says "Never heard of it" while it had been released a week or two before.
I guess, in other words, keep the employee's informed. On all products.
I don't know how much control you may have over this... but one of the main reasons I browse EB or GS is the previously played games. I rarely buy new games at full price. I'm patient, I can wiat 6 months for them to be used for $30 or less. One thing EB/GS does is the "Buy 2, get 1 free" sale... that rocks. I know those are corporately mandated events and you can't just hang a sign and do it... but if you see someone who's looking at a few games, and decides to put one back and they say it's due to not wanting to spend a lot of money... well, if they're buying 2 or 3 products already, offer to pick up the one they put back. As he manager, you HAVE to have an override code to change the price. Remember the regulars as well. More than a couple times the manager at a GS I used to visit offered to take care of the $5 pre-sale on a game he KNEW I'd want. It's a great way to make the regulars feel the love.
If you could empower your employees to do the same thing when your not there, that would be great as well. Granted, that leaves the employees opportunity to give out free games...
so hire really competent people. I know it's hard to do sometimes. One may nail an interview and end up a complete slacker... but get the people in. sometimes it may just take a college kid who's going to quit when they're done with school anyway, but if they're a gamer and love gaming, they'll work hard for you and you may get a few good years out of them.
"Beer- the cause of, and solution to, all of lifes little problems."
What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #12 on:
May 11, 2006, 01:49:09 AM »
I mainly shop for bargain games as well. Only about 10% of my game purchases are newly release games (and in actuality it may be lower).
One thing I find amusing to some degree is when prices on old games are just as much as new, or when used games are priced the same as new games elsewhere. Sometimes it seems places would rather have shelves literally overflowing with older used games, and they price them so high most people aren't going to buy them.
Price stuff to move! You will probably end up getting it back in a few months anyway, once the person moves on to another game.
Actually, having some promotion which takes advantage of that concept, like a guaranteed amount of store credit if you sell it back within x amount of months, would be really great.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #13 on:
June 06, 2006, 02:48:55 PM »
my biggest reason for avoiding gamestop/EB is pushy salespeople.
I expect to be acknowledged when I walk in the door, but past that just make yourself available for questions. I despise getting locked into a situation where I have to be a rude prick in order to disengage from them or to say no to the 50 million thing some drone is trying to sell me. The best salepeople are like the best waiters - available, yet invisible.
That being said, selectively hire and pay well. Hit other stores in the area and see what they are doing and how their staff is. If you find someone that impresses the shit out of you, try to lure them away to work at your store. Always take care of regulars, and by that i mean the ones that actually spend coin, not the hang-arounds that loiter at the counter.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #14 on:
June 06, 2006, 08:43:20 PM »
I'm annoyed at the current "did you bring anything in to trade?" trend. My response the last time I was asked? I lifted both hands up and said, "Does it look like I'm carrying anything?"
Knightshade Dragon
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #15 on:
June 06, 2006, 09:19:44 PM »
available, yet invisible.
You have read my mind.
Ron Burke
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #16 on:
June 06, 2006, 10:16:35 PM »
I've been leary about Gamestop but have shopped there some. Last night I bought two games - one used and one "new". Though the "new" game was really opened and they had the disc behind the counter. Well the "new" one had some glue ( ! ) on the disc so the store clerk wiped it off and it looked okay to me in the store so I bought them both.
When I played the used game it crashed my Gamecube twice in one hour and the "new" game turned out in brighter light to now have several scuffs and scratches on it where he tried to wipe up the glue.
I took both back today to the same Gamestop and they accepted both and refunded my money with absolutely no hassle.
Knightshade Dragon
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #17 on:
June 07, 2006, 01:00:06 AM »
More than likely the glue is the disc scratch remover crap that they smear on the discs that are really screwed up. It fills in the scratches but often doesn't save the disc itself.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #18 on:
June 07, 2006, 03:21:19 PM »
Quote from: "Zarkon"
I'm annoyed at the current "did you bring anything in to trade?" trend. My response the last time I was asked? I lifted both hands up and said, "Does it look like I'm carrying anything?"
haha, that's too funny. It bothers me too honestly. I can't stand when they ask that. I don't have anything, I would tell you if I did. Get a clue.
if you strike me down, i will become more powerful than you can ever imagine.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #19 on:
July 10, 2006, 08:53:51 PM »
Ditto on the "did you bring anything to trade?" but that has got to be mandated from on high. I would bet that the "secret shopper" that came in and didn't hear that would report it back to the powers that be with consequences to be served.
I like the EBGames by my house but it is because of the guys that talk to me. They are friendly when you go in. They aren't rude and while they seem "hip" (from a gaming standpoint) they aren't obnoxious. My beef is I know more about the games and release dates of new games than they do most of the time. The plus side is these guys don't try to bullshit you with information they don't really know.
Another issue is prices....or more specifically lack of price-matching. My EBGames doesn't do it and I'm assuming none of them do. I will go across the street to Target to get the item on sale or visit the CC 15 minutes up the road for their loss-leader. If I could get the same price at the EBGames, I would support it more.
The EBGames by my house doesn't seem to have as much in the used 360 inventory. Is this just because the locals aren't trading in or is there some kind of "used game sharing program" among EBGames locations and the one by my house is on the short end of the stick? I was in there on Friday and all they had were PDZ and one of the football games. The one closer to my work always has a better selection of used 360 games.
My last issue is the manager himself....he's kind of got that used-car salesman feel to him. I would much rather talk to his employees who at least seem to care about what I want to buy. They do recognize me by face at least.
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What would make the perfect game store? (need ideas)
Reply #20 on:
July 10, 2006, 09:48:42 PM »
One other thing... make sure your gamer employees are sales people.
There's nothing more annoying than some schmuck who's telling you that you shouldn't bother with the Xbox360, cuz the PS3 is gonna "Stomp that crap into the ground". It's not professional to dis half of your products based on personal bias. Hey, SOMEONE wanted Barbie Horse Adventures made.
They shouldn't lie about it, but having a bit of knowledge on the product is a great thing.
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New York, September 15, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Wednesday evening shooting of a Somali radio journalist in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, and calls on the government to immediately take steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Unknown gunmen shot 20-year-old radio journalist Horriyo Abdulkadir Sheik Ali four times on Wednesday evening as she left her office at Radio Galkayo, the state broadcaster in the Garsoor neighborhood of Galkayo, local journalists told CPJ. She was hospitalized in stable condition with wounds to the stomach, chest, and right hand, news reports said.


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|>> Archive: Bonefish/Tarpon Flies Flats candy, mangrove magic
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Borski #3- Bonefish Short, Tan
Hook- #2 Gamagatsu.....Tail- Orange Krystal flash over light tan calf tail.... Skirt- Grizzly hackle, long and webby...... Wing- Two short grizzly hackle tips, tied flat and delta-wing style.... Eyes- Glass beads, strung on stiff mono 40 lb and positioned at mid-point of hook. Cut a short piece of mono...burn one end then slip over glass bead so that the wider bead hole hides the bunt end and catches secure because of the smaller hole... then slip over the other bead and let slide down to the first and then burn the second end of the mono down to desired length, pull both beads slightly to catch in the holes... should be about 1/2 inch long when finished. ..... Head- Wrap gold or silver mylar tinsel on the front end of the hook shank... From eyes forward form a flat triangular shaped head with 5 minute epoxy.
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Get the Wolves newsletter
15:59 2nd July 2013
Players being put through their paces
Into the second week of pre-season, and there are plenty of Wolves players already suggesting it is already one of the most intense they have experienced.
And that will probably be music to the ears of new Head Coach Kenny Jackett and the club's backroom staff, well aware of the need to be one of the fittest teams out there to deal with the challenges of League One.
The first two weeks of pre-season is following a scheduled tried and trusted by Jackett throughout his career of a morning run, sharp football session and then afternoon gym work.
He is hopeful the players will then reap the rewards over a long and gruelling season.
"I've talked to the staff to a degree about what has gone on before," says Jackett.
"I have my own ideas and my own training patterns and that's been important since we came back.
"We've worked reasonably hard and the players have come back as they always do – they are quite fit and enthusiastic, which is a bonus for us.
"It will be interesting to see how they develop; we're here for another week and then we go to Scotland and start the game, which will be very interesting for me.
"But these two weeks are about us laying down some foundations of our fitness.
"On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week we were doing three sessions a day and we'll continue that through next week.
"We do one running session, one football session and one gym-based session.
"That's my way of doing things through the early period, and I think it gives a good base to go into the games section and pick up hopefully in terms of where they left off and then set some targets as to where we want to improve."
In terms of needing the squad to be as fit as possible, Jackett added: "There needs to be that, and that's tied in with good decisions and good players.
"But I think there needs to be (a fitter team) because when you're talking about a young, vibrant side competing – and there has to be some play on top of that – those basics of enthusiasm have to be there.
"And whether they're in the make-up with the same people or they're in the make-up of the new individuals, they have to be there.
"The facilities here and the staff here are there for you – you can't say there's any excuse not to get on the pitch this afternoon or you can't get in the gym.
"It's a positive environment and a terrific place to work.
"We try to go through everything – the body fat is very important because it does pick up how you live outside of the training ground I think.
"It's something you can't kid so every three weeks we need to be checking people's body fat.
"And then we need to feed it back to them because if they use it positively, they will embrace it and see it as a challenge to get themselves one or two per cent fitter.
"If you can make one or two per cent positive difference in any industry, you would.
"I think for players to be set those sorts of tasks is very important."
Jackett has highlighted the level of expertise within the sports science and medical departments at Compton as a big positive about Wolves.
And he will be taking a close interest in their work and the continuous assessment of the squad's fitness levels, particularly during pre-season.
"You do really have to embrace it because otherwise you'd only be delegating it," he added.
"You have to take responsibility for it because ultimately the head coach takes responsibility for the results, the quality of the players and the preparation of the players.
"We have these departments to help us but you have to take responsibility for those despite the fact that they may be do a lot of the groundwork.
"You have to know what they're doing and I watch all the sessions, watching people before it and talking to them after it.
"We will all share our opinions but ultimately it's my responsibility so I will have a big input."
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Focus on Funds
When Rates Move This Sharply, Here's What Worked the Last Quarter Century
What parts of the stock market tend to benefit when Treasury yields move as sharply as they have this year?
If you guessed financial companies usually tend to benefit, you'd be correct. Count it a plus for Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), which is already up nearly 24% this year. If you guessed yield-rich, bond-like sectors such as utilities and telecom often lose out, you're onto something there, too. Consider it a minus for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), already a 2013 underperformer with a 7% year-to-date gain, and also for Vanguard Telecommunications Services ETF (VOX), up 15%.
But there's more to it than that. Judging by 25 years of U.S. stock-market sector performance data compiled by JPMorgan derivatives strategist Marko Kolanovic and released in a client note this morning, there are less immediately intuitive winners and losers. The chart shows the prior eight weeks' performance, and the subsequent 24 weeks, of each sizable move in Treasury rates.
Higher rates eventually pinch the consumer, limiting the amount of debt the buyer of TVs and trucks is willing to rack up on a credit card. So the high-performing consumer discretionary sector -- SPDR Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Fund (XLY), up 22% year to date -- has often lost out.
At the same time, the technology and energy sectors have tended to outperform. One reason, Kolanovic suggests, could be these sectors' relatively low debtloads. It's the reverse of what happens in heavily indebted utilities and telecom firms. Consider it a plus for Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) and Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK).
So is it all bad news for the "defensive" sectors? No. The same trend that harms the consumer discretionary sector is probably the reason consumer staples end up as modest outperformers --- beneficiaries of the shift to lower-end goods. That could be good news for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP).
Health care also happens to be another historical outperformer -- go figure. Chalk it up for Vanguard Healthcare Index Fund (VHT) and SPDR Select Sector Health Care Fund (XLV).


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7.12: Landforms from Wind Erosion and Deposition
What are the effects of sandblasting?
If you've ever been in a sand storm, you've felt the power of the wind blasting at your skin. Over time, this natural sand blasting can be a tremendous erosional force on rocks or buildings. Hopefully, you won't stay out long enough to experience permanent damage.
Transport of Particles by Wind
Wind transports small particles, such as silt and clay, over great distances, even halfway across a continent or an entire ocean basin. Particles may be suspended for days. Wind more easily picks up particles on ground that has been disturbed, such as a construction site or a sand dune. Just like flowing water, wind transports particles as both bed load and suspended load. For wind, bed load is made of sand-sized particles, many of which move by saltation (Figure below). The suspended load is very small particles of silt and clay.
(a) Wind transport is by suspension, saltation, and creep (bed load). (b) In a sandstorm, sand is usually within a meter of the ground. A dust storm's smaller particles can travel higher. A dust storm as it approaches Al Asad, Iraq.
Wind Erosion
Wind is a stronger erosional force in arid regions than it is in humid regions because winds are stronger. In humid areas, water and vegetation bind the soil so it is harder to pick up. In arid regions, small particles are selectively picked up and transported.
As small particles are removed, the ground surface gets lower and rockier, causing deflation. What is left is desert pavement (Figure below), a surface covered by gravel-sized particles that are not easily moved by wind.
This desert pavement formed in the Mojave Desert as a result of deflation.
Particles moved by wind do the work of abrasion. As a grain strikes another grain or surface it erodes that surface. Abrasion by wind may polish natural or human-made surfaces, such as buildings. Stones that have become polished and faceted due to abrasion by sand particles are called ventifacts (Figure below).
As wind blows from different direction, polished flat surfaces create a ventifact.
Desert Varnish
Exposed rocks in desert areas often develop a dark brown or black coating called desert varnish. Wind transports clay-sized particles that chemically react with other substances at high temperatures. The coating is formed of iron and manganese oxides (Figure below).
Ancient people carved these petroglyphs into desert varnish near Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Wind Deposition
The main features deposited by wind are sand dunes. Loess are wind deposits of finer sediments.
Sand Dunes
Deserts and seashores sometimes have sand dunes (Figure below). Beach dunes are usually made of quartz because quartz is what's left in humid areas as other minerals weather into clays. Sand dunes may be composed of calcium carbonate in tropical areas. But in deserts, sand dunes are composed of a variety of minerals because there is little weathering.
Dune sands are usually very uniform in size and shape. Larger particles are too heavy for the wind to transport by suspension and smaller particles can't be picked up. Particles are rounded, since rounded grains roll more easily than angular grains.
This sand dune in Death Valley, California shows secondary sand ripples along its slip face.
For sand dunes to form there must be an abundant supply of sand and steady winds. A strong wind slows down, often over some type of obstacle, such as a rock or some vegetation, and drops its sand. As the wind moves up and over the obstacle, it increases in speed. It carries the sand grains up the gently sloping, upwind side of the dune by saltation. As the wind passes over the dune, its speed decreases. Sand cascades down the crest, forming the slip face of the dune. The slip face is steep because it is at the angle of repose for dry sand, about 34o (Figure below).
Sand dunes slope gently in the upwind direction. Downwind, a steeper slip face forms.
Wind deposits dune sands layer by layer. If the wind changes directions, cross beds form. Cross beds are named for the way each layer is formed at an angle to the ground (Figure below).
This sandstone in Zion National Park, Utah, shows crossbedding.
The type of sand dune that forms depends on the amount of sand available, the character and direction of the wind, and the type of ground the sand is moving over. Dunes may be crescent-shaped, star-shaped, parabolic, linear, or barchan.
- An animation of the formation of the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park is seen on this website: http://www.nps.gov/grsa/naturescience/sanddunes.htm.
Windblown silt and clay deposited layer on layer over a large area form loess (Figure below). Loess deposits form downwind of glacial outwash or desert, where fine particles are available. Loess deposits make very fertile soils in many regions of the world.
Loess deposits form nearly vertical cliffs, without grains sliding down the face. In some places in China, they are so thick and stable that entire structures can be carved out of them.
Seafloor Mud
Fine-grained mud in the deep ocean is formed from silts and clays brought from the land by wind. The particles are deposited on the sea surface, then slowly settle to the deep ocean floor, forming brown, greenish, or reddish clays. Volcanic ash may also settle on the seafloor.
- In deserts, wind picks up small particles and leaves behind larger rocks to form desert pavement.
- Moving sand may sand blast rocks and other features to create ventifacts.
- The sand is transported until it is deposited in a sand dune.
Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.
1. What causes erosion?
2. Why is soil erosion a problem?
3. How does wind erosion occur?
4. What are the 3 types of wind erosion?
5. What type of wind erosion moves 50% of the soil?
6. What is creep?
7. What is saltation?
8. What is suspension?
9. When is suspension easily seen?
10. What has accelerated erosion?
1. How does desert varnish form?
2. Describe how sand dunes form and move.
3. Why is loess a non-renewable resource?
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|Into the unknown
|Into the unknown
my daily deviation
The End of My Earth
|from my gallery of things,fantasy, unusual, folk lore, and fairy tale!
|If you like what I do and appreciate my work, I would appreciate teenie weenie donations so that can have a premium account here
me n my art
Current Residence: somewhere in the shadows of my mind
Favourite genre of music: what ever suits the mood
Favourite photographer: divine 7
Favourite style of art: photo manipulations or wacom
Operating System: Windows
Shell of choice: eggroll mhmmm
Wallpaper of choice: AHiL [the twin rocks it]
Skin of choice: the one I am in thanks
Favourite cartoon character: jonny bravo who hee ha!
Personal Quote: if beauty is only skin deep thank the Goddess for plastic surgery.


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When he sets out to discover who she is, Max's investigation reveals that the seemingly normal department store holds a dark secret and a bloody past. A series of horrifying and brutal murders ensues before long, and everyone connected with the store meet with nasty deaths. Can Max find out who the woman in the mirror is before the curse of the Mayflower consumes him? Find out on 24th January when Mirrors 2 is released on DVD
The mirror has featured heavily throughout horror cinema as a source of danger and fear. Connotations and ideas such as the fear of one's self and the doppelganger, hang heavy around horror movie mirrors. They sometimes act as spooky gateways to other dimensions and realms from which demonic forces can enter our lives. Horror cinema is riddled with jump scares involving mirrors; we're all too familiar with those scenes of someone standing in front of a bathroom mirror/medicine cabinet. They open the door, usually after staring tiredly at themselves and wondering if they're crazy, then they close it – Bam! – someone is revealed to be standing behind them in the mirror – usually accompanied by a loud burst of shrill music. Sometimes mirrors feature more prominently in horror stories – the myth of Bloody Mary, anyone? – and are gradually revealed to be malevolent objects capable of harming those who gaze into them.
|Mirrors (2008)
To tie in with the release of Mirrors 2 I thought it might be fun to have a look at a few other movies which explore the more creepy side of mirrors...
Mirror Mirror (1990). When shy Goth girl Megan moves to LA with her mother, she finds it hard to settle in. She's ostracized by her peers at school and mercilessly bullied. Until she discovers an antique mirror in her new house, left there by the mysterious, previous tenants. Then her bullies just start dropping like flies in increasingly bizarre ways. Before long Megan has become obsessed with the mirror and the demonic power that inhabits it begins to take over her personality. Blending elements of Heathers and Carrie, Mirror Mirror never really musters the vitriolic edge it so desperately aims for. With a compelling central performance from Winona Ryder-like Rainbow Harvest however, it is never short on entertainment value, and boasts an intriguing premise, a sympathetic protagonist and satisfying revenge tale at its dark heart. It was followed by several sequels.
|Mirror Mirror
The Witch's Mirror (1962). Something of a strange hybrid, this Mexican horror is actually one of the finest examples of its kind. Mixing elements of The Horrible Dr Hichcock, Mad Love, Eyes Without a Face and The Awful Dr Orloff, The Witch's Mirror is the epitome of deranged fun and gothic melodrama. A woman murdered by her husband conspires to wreak revenge on him and his new wife from beyond the grave with the help of her magic mirror and witch godmother. Laced with striking images – including the swirling visions glimpsed in the titular mirror, disembodied hands scuttling to clutch at throats and a brooding atmosphere, this is a nightmarish and surprisingly effective delight.
|Dead of Night
Into the Mirror (2003). This South Korean shocker was remade in 2008 by director Alex Aja as the far less effective but still quite interesting, Mirrors. When he accidentally causes the death of his partner in a botched shoot-out, troubled young cop Yu Young-Min goes to work as a security guard for his uncle in a vast and sprawling shopping centre. A series of grisly deaths rip through the staff of the building – each one appearing to have committed suicide. Young-Min suspects something sinister is afoot, something that lurks within the strange mirrors adorning the walls of the building. Can he convince anyone he's not crazy and solve the mystery before it's too late? Probably.
|Into the Mirror
Chermin (Mirror) (2007). Atmospheric Malaysian horror revolving around Nasrin, a young woman disfigured in a terrible car accident. Her mother discovers an antique mirror which, yeah you guessed it – is not an ordinary mirror! A restless spirit trapped inside it enables the mirror to reflect whatever it is Nasrin wants to see. She soon becomes obsessed with the mirror and in a desperate bid to regain her beauty, she offers herself up to the mirror spirit by satisfying its need for blood and revenge. Unfolding slowly and quietly, Chermin culminates in a bloody, frenzied exorcism scene that is sure to sate gore-hounds satisfactorily.
|Candyman II: Farewell to the Flesh
Mirrors II is out on 24th January 2010
Copyright: © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Running Time: 90 minutes
Format: DVD
Cert: 18
Extras: The Other Side: Making Mirrors 2;
Keeping It Real: The visual and special effects of Mirrors 2; Deleted Scenes


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Cancer antigen 125, glycoprotein antigen, ovarian cancer antigen
This test looks for the protein CA 125 in your blood. CA 125 is higher in many women with ovarian cancer.
Because this protein can be measured with a blood test, health care providers may use this test to look for ovarian cancer in women who may be at high risk because of family history or symptoms. They may also use this test to see if treatment is working or to find out whether cancer is coming back after treatment.
CA 125 is also higher in some noncancerous conditions. This means that CA 125 is not a good blood test to screen all women for ovarian cancer.
You may have this test if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer or a family history of it. This test may be done as part of your diagnosis.
You may also have this test if you have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and your doctor wants to see if treatment was effective. You may get this test done before and during treatment.
You may also have this test if you've already been treated for ovarian cancer and your doctor needs to find out if the cancer has returned. Measuring CA 125 is one of the best ways to figure out if ovarian cancer has come back after treatment.
Your doctor will likely order other tests, depending on your stage of the disease. These include other blood tests and imaging studies, like an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.
Results are given in units per milliliter (U/mL). A normal CA 125 result is less than 35 U/mL.
But it's important to know that having a higher CA 125 result doesn't mean you have cancer. Many conditions other than cancer, including inflammatory disease, recent surgery, fibroids, your menstrual cycle, or an ectopic pregnancy, can cause CA 125 to rise.
And having a normal CA 125 result doesn't mean you don't have ovarian cancer. Some women with early ovarian cancer have a normal CA 125 level.
One elevated or normal CA 125 test result is not as important as a series of CA 125 blood tests over time.
If you have a high CA 125 level, your doctor may recommend that you see a gynecologic oncologist, a cancer doctor who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system.
The test requires a blood sample, which is drawn through a needle from a vein in your arm.
Taking a blood sample with a needle carries risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, or feeling dizzy. When the needle pricks your arm, you may feel a slight stinging sensation or pain. Afterward, the site may be slightly sore.
Pregnancy and your menstrual cycle can affect your results. Some drugs used to treat ovarian cancer can also affect your results.
You don't need to prepare for this test.


text: Site Under Construction SB-900 A Powered Subwoofer that Adds Impact and Drama "The SB-900 did a fine job handling the low rumble..." — Darryl Wilkinson, Home Theater Entry-level in price only! The SB-900 is the perfect companion for any Home Theater or compact music system and an ideal match for an Atlantic soundbar. One big reason is this: In addition to the normal "compressor-limiter" distortion-reduction methods, Atlantic has developed special circuitry that actually eliminates the deleterious effects that the enclosure itself has on the sound. We call this Clear Filter technology, or CFT. That's why other subwoofers, regardless of their power ratings or their limiters, can't match the sound of an Atlantic subwoofer for detail and musical accuracy. View Room Size Ratings Overview Product Specs Details Feature List Ported bass-alignment delivers superior low-frequency extension from a compact enclosure High-current amplifier for outstanding headroom and output Atlantic's exclusive CFT (Clear Filter Technology) ensures clean, articulate performance Convenient high- and low-level inputs and outputs Small size and unobtrusive looks make placement easy Manuals SB-900 Manual Brochures SB-900 Brochure Reviews Home Theater FS-7.0/SB-800 Review Videos Where to place your Subwoofer Trouble viewing the links above? Download the latest version of Adobe Reader. Specifications Model SB-900 Type/Features Powered subwoofer, ported enclosure1.5-inch, vented aluminum voice coil, vented motorContinuous 40–220Hz crossover, 18dB/octave low pass outputLow- and high (spkr)-level stereo inputs and low- and high-level outputs Absolute phase invert switchAuto signal sensing Bass Driver 8" (203mm) long-throw composite cone Output Power 125W RMS Frequency Response 32Hz – 250Hz ±3 dB Low Level (line) 10k ohms Peak Output 103dB SPL into 1500 cubic Feet Dimensions (WxHxD)including grille 11 x 13 x 13.125 in. 279 x 330 x 333mm Weight 28lbs/12.7kg Power Requirements 110-120/220-240V, 50/60Hz Atlantic Technology reserves the right to change specifications or appearance at any time without notice. All Atlantic powered subwoofers share their essential design approach and philosophy: Heavy-duty woofers in optimally-sized enclosures, powered by high-current amplifiers. We've also developed an exclusive feature called Clear Filter Technology (CFT™) that actually reduces the deleterious effects the enclosure itself can have on the sound. All enclosures have dimensionally-dependent resonances. Those resonances can impart a negative 'coloration" to the sound. In subwoofers, this negative effect usually occurs in the upper bass range and can make upper bass/lower midrange sounds like male voices or the upper ranges of bass guitar sound unnaturally heavy or 'thumpy.' This is true even if your subwoofer is "crossed over" in what you think is the low bass region--lower than 80 Hz or so--because crossovers are not absolute. So even if your subwoofer is crossed over at 80 Hz, it is still producing significant output up to about 180-200 Hz. Atlantic's Clear Filter introduces a reciprocal correction in the exact frequency region where these problems occur, resulting in a markedly cleaner, more detailed sound. Every one of our subwoofers has its own Clear Filter, optimized specifically for that particular model. Our subs utilize an adjustable 18dB per octave Low Pass crossover that allows much better bass integration with the satellite speakers while making the woofer less localizable. Meanwhile, the Phase Invert switch (Normal/Invert) allows precise acoustic matching with satellite speaker systems whose output relative to the subwoofer may be phase reversed. This switch also allows you to compensate for unusual room acoustics that occur when the woofer is physically separated from the main speakers by a significant distance. Another important feature is automatic standby operation with a multi-color LED status indicator. The automatic standby feature offers signal sensing turn-on with a 7-10 minute turn-off delay. There's a multi-color LED status indicator that lets you know when the unit is on or in standby. Automatic Standby can be defeated by placing the rear mounted switch in the ON position. Finally, they are all designed and built to meet all current domestic and European safety requirements, making it one of the most sophisticated subwoofers to be produced anywhere.


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Recently, there's been a lot of talk about the American credit system. Personally, I think Americans rely far too heavily on credit, and that is going to come back to haunt us VERY soon if we don't make some drastic changes.
Back during the debate over the first bailout bill of this year, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following comments:
Vodpod videos no longer available. more about "A Look at the American Credit System …", posted with vodpod
And it's that type of thinking that leads to the credit crisis that we're in now. The credit system is like our circulatory system? NO! We should not be relying that heavily on our credit system. Credit is NOT intended to be the same thing as money. Equating credit with available spending money is one of the major factors that led to the Great Depression. People were buying things on credit and laying out installment payment plans. That enabled them to buy more stuff, and this created an artificially high demand for items (such as radios or cars, both of which were often being bought on credit). But once they began having to pay multiple payments back, people could no longer to afford to continue buying stuff (thus why I called the demand "artificially high") – the demand for those items was not necessarily high, people were just buying things immediately that they normally would have saved up for. And when they didn't keep track of how much that would cost in the long run, the credit bubble burst.
The other day, I posted a comment on a friend's blog (Right Wing Reform), and that's what got me thinking about all of this. The following is my comment (with a little more added in – I wrote the original comment to be quick and short):
The credit system is intended to be used as a crutch. You still do the walking, but you can't quite walk all by yourself at the beginning of an injury (purchasing a large item). Over time, you begin to pay off the debt (heal), and use less and less of the crutch, until eventually you don't need it (the item is paid off). The problem with the current way many Americans are using credit is that they're using it more like a wheelchair than a crutch. And it's used too often, even to take one little step in a room (buying a meal at McDonald's or a small purchase at the grocery store). The problem with using it for small items is that over time, you begin to lose track of how much you're spending (unless you have a GREAT memory), and a lot of people find themselves not being able to pay off the entire credit card bill at the end of the month. And do you know what that means? That's right, they have to pay interest on that. And that means less money in their pocket, meaning that they are MORE likely to use credit as cash. And the person (or family) gets deeper and deeper into debt.
When you overburden the credit system and you never try to walk on your own, the crutch breaks.
Honestly, we're never going to be able to get rid of credit. And there's no reason to. When used responsibly, it's a great tool. But a strong financial system would be able to withstand a loss of a credit system (at least small item credit [the biggest example of a small item credit system would be credit cards; another example would be installment payments for stuff like furniture] – I would argue that it should be able to withstand the loss of large item credit, but this would mean that buying a house would be something that takes a lot of work and time, and you'd go back to the days of people building their own houses and living with other people rather than a single person owning a home by the age of 23).
Right now, America would not withstand the loss of even the small item credit system, and THAT is a problem for us financially.
If Americans want to get through this financial crisis, keeping the credit cards at home more often would be one way to help.
Done Ranting,
Ranting Republican