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The Extraction List may not be that far off
What the Giver Gave Me
I'm aware that I'm pretty late to the party, but I just read The Giver. Amaaazing book! Sounds crazy, but it's been following me all my life. I remember first running into it in elementary school. That particular edition had an orange cover, and I was always curious about the old man with the long beard that stared back at me. It was only now, decades later, that I picked it up, and it moved me in a way no book ever has. It's a weird thing to know your own religious convictions, then see them illustrated in a book written by another human being. In another post, I had written about balance: how good people suffer because without evil there can be no good, and vice versa. In The Giver, we see what happens when people are all the same. No one knows good or evil because they have no memories, no lives of variance to base those concepts on. One character commits an unspeakable act (that made me sick since I just had a baby….I won't tell you the details just in case you haven't read it), but doesn't even realize it is one since he only knows the way his people live now, and what rules they have to abide by. In their world, all they have are rules: no love, no hate, no emotion of any kind. But emotions themselves are made up of reference points: what's good, what's bad. Take away those reference points and you have a compass spinning wildly on its own axis with catastrophic results.
Pick it up. It might change your life.
Performance Anxiety
Catchy headline, right? Now that I have your attention, I'm probably going to disappoint you in that I'm not going to talk about what you thought I would be talking about. I'm going to be discussing what I'm sure many other writers go through: stage fright. I am about a fourth of the way through the first draft of book 4, and I've got to say, I'm feeling a little gun shy. There are a couple of reasons for this:
It's time to say goodbye: Like all writers, I've gotten attached to these people that I've created in my head. Cain and Riley have been a part of my life for years, and at least for the near and somewhat far future, we are going to be parting ways so I can work on some other projects that I'm excited about. It's time to make some new character friends, but you never forget the old.
These people are real: I bawled like a baby when Jax Teller (Sons of Anarchy for those who don't watch the show) died. My husband looked at me like I had two heads. I was a swollen mess of tears. Because for the last several years, Jax Teller had been just as real as any person we'd see on the news. I will never meet those people either, but that doesn't make them any less real. Writers create real people in our heads, real for all intents and purposes. So when they die, they take a piece of us with them. For book 4, there will be some definite bloodshed, and I don't think some of my precious friends, who I have spent the last six years with, will make it out of the book alive.
I want to do right by the characters: When you spend that long with someone, as a writer, you want to make sure you do it right. You've poured your heart into something and you want to exit with the color and circumstance that it deserves. But rough drafts can make you wonder if you'll ever get it right. I want the closing act to be the best one yet, and that's a lot of pressure.
I want to do right by the readers: For every reader that has stuck with me and my books, I want to make you proud. I want you to get to the last page and feel like your journey was worth the trip. And maybe I want to make you remember these peoples' stories for at least a little while. Maybe you'll enjoy it so much that you'll let your children read it when their old enough (and PLEASE wait till they're old enough). I want to do right by you, and thank you for taking this journey with me.
And maybe, just maybe, you'll take the next one with me too.
What are we teaching our children about love?
A thought occurred to me the other day, about our idea of what love is as a culture, and how potentially harmful it is. We seem to associate true love with true drama. Think about it: all the classic stories of the good girl falling for the bad boy, or relationships going through problem after problem before they make it to the finish line… this is the stuff of movies. Even if the problems are inflicted on the couple from outside forces, it still reinforces it in our collective brains that love is made sweeter by drama.
I call bullshit on that.
Real love is when your husband picks all the red gummy bears out of the bag for you because he knows they're your favorite.
Real love is when he lets you cry on his shoulder even when there's snot and drool running down your face.
Real love is changing a poopy diaper after you've been working all day so your wife doesn't have to change her seventh.
Notice how there was no mention of fights, familial warfare or thwarting enemies in any of those statements? Unfortunately, no one makes movies about quiet Sunday mornings where the only conflict between the characters is whether they drive to Fred Meyer or the grocery store first. But isn't that really what we want for our kids? Love isn't supposed to be the stuff netflix is made of. Love is supposed to be comfortable. Love is supposed to be something you can depend on to get you through even the darkest days.
That is what I wish for my daughter.
Sale Time
Looking to fill up the Kindle you got for Christmas? The Extraction List and a bunch of other books from Limitless Publishing (including Dreamer by Amy Reece which I recommended a few blog entries back) are only $.99 cents today!
Brace yourself, I'm about to go Full Republican up in here…
Statistically, in 2014, 1 in 274 households were broken into. There's nothing quite like waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of a stranger trying to find his way into your home. Or even better, you get a heavy knot in the pit of your stomach when you realize they may have already succeeded, and the unfamiliar noise you hear is actually coming from your living room.
This has happened to my husband and I twice.
We were fortunate enough that the first time it happened, we came out of our bedroom to find the rest of the house undisturbed ( we still don't know what the noise was. It has sounded as if someone was rummaging through our kitchen drawers. Then it sounded like someone was trying to move our eliptical. It was that loud. I'm going with "ghost" as the explanation, but that's a story for another time). The second time, the sound that we thought was a child crying on our front porch ended up being two cats fighting like Roman gladiators outside. We've all heard the stories about people using a child to play on a victim's sympathies so that they will open their locked door and find a criminal waiting for them on the other side. On a side note, if you are ever in this situation, do the safe thing and call the police.
While a part of me was still terrified, I was able to keep my cool, and have, dare I say, a sense of calm. There was exactly one reason for that:
My husband and I have guns.
If our original thought had been correct, and there had been someone in our home, we would have been able to defend ourselves. We would have been able to protect our nine-week-old daughter. I understand that some people say that a knife or a baseball bat is still a weapon, but I'll tell you one thing: if the person in your house has a gun, they aren't going to let you get close enough to stab them or hit them.
I realize that some people don't believe in guns, or aren't comfortable with them. That is entirely your choice. But there's nothing that shatters your sense of control quite like a break-in. Part of why I am comfortable with guns is because from a very young age, both my husband and my families taught us that guns are to be respected. They are not toys. My husband and I ALWAYS treat our weapons like they are loaded. When he was younger, he did competitive shooting. By all means, if you have a gun, you need to familiarize yourself with your weapon if you plan on using it. If you aren't willing to use it when the situation calls for it, then yes, maybe for you it's better to not have it at all.
Something else that my husband came up with that I recommend all responsible adults do: we practice loading our weapons at inconvenient times: when we're tired, when we're stressed…why? Because a criminal is not going to make sure that they break into your house after you've had a full night's rest and just took a calming bath. You need to be able to think, and use your weapon properly in any circumstances. Believe me, the first time my husband made me load my gun at one in the morning, I was not amused. But after I thought about it, I knew he was right.
I know you anti-gun advocates are probably seething as you read this. That's ok. That's why I love America: we can disagree. And I'm not saying we should take a drive to the nearest mental hospital and start handing out AK-47s. Most of us do want to make sure we don't let guns fall into the hands of people who have cruel and horrendous intentions. But we have to be careful of the slippery slope: we don't want to regulate guns right out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. Regulations don't fix bad common sense either, and unfortunately, that will always be a factor in the gun control saga. By all means, disagree with me. The minute we're afraid to have a healthy dialogue, we all lose. All I can speak from is my own experience, and in those instances, I am more than happy with the fact that I live in a country where I have the ability to defend myself and my family.
Another important note to remember: we all would like to think that when we call 911, the police can be at our door within a minute and a half to save us. That is not always the case. It's not like each house has its own police officer who is assigned to protect it and only it. Sometimes, 911 operators have to prioritize because there aren't always enough officers to go around. Scary thought, right? Of course, if you call and say "someone is in my house," they will probably be there right away. But what about in situations where you aren't sure? I can tell you that when we called 911 and said there was crying coming from our front porch, it took at least fifteen minutes for the police to show up. Thank God it was only cats, but what if it wasn't? What if they were wrong in thinking that our situation wasn't an emergency? Fifteen minutes is plenty of time for someone to break our door down, or climb through a window. When it comes to your family's safety, do you really want to have to depend on someone else's judgement call?
Thank you for reading.


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Baked Brie with Kahlua & Pecans
I don't think I've seen anyone eat this and not fall in love….it is sooo delicious. I first ate this mouth watering appetizer at a friend's place years ago (thanks Mrs. Taylor!) and have been making it ever since. There are few ingredients, it's quick & easy to make, and have I mentioned it's delicious?
What you'll need:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 medium wheel of brie or 1/2 a large wheel
- 1 cup Kahlua or any coffee liquor
- 1 cup brown sugar – not packed
- 1 cup chopped pecans
1. Preheat the oven to 410 degrees. Lay some tin foil or parchment paper on a baking sheet and spray with non-stick
2. Lay out the puff pastry sheet
3. Cut the brie in half – horizontally. This way you can layer the ingredients (I like to scrape the white coating off the outside of the brie, but it's not necessary)
4. Set 1 layer of brie in the pastry and top with 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup pecans, and 1/3 cup Kahlua.
5. Place the other layer of brie on top and add the same amount of ingredients on top.
6. Wrap the puff pastry around the brie and top with another layer of the same amount of ingredients (maybe a little extra if you want).
***Greta is always by my side when I'm preparing food!
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the pastry is lightly browned and puffy.
8. Serve with crackers or bread. Enjoy!!!

subset: commoncrawl


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We're Just Kids
18 comments
- Lindsay Wright said...
gosh I really need a day like this over this weekend, a fun day is the only TRUE competitor to a tough week
- July 20, 2012 at 7:25 AM
- Britt @ The Magnolia Pair said...
You're so cute Gentri :) I had an ice cream last week and same thing happened to me. Chocolate ice cream ran all over my pink shirt.. no fun, ha. Glad you had a good time exploring :)
- July 20, 2012 at 7:34 AM
- SittinPrettyWithSarahG said...
Love the artwork! And u r workin too hard! I'm also jealous that you two went without me!luh u:)
- July 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM
- Aspiring Kennedy said...
Sometimes you need an afternoon to act half your age. Something about summer always does that.
- July 20, 2012 at 10:24 AM
- Cait Emma said...
ha you're adorable xoxo
- July 20, 2012 at 11:37 AM
- Elsha Bodily said...
Sometimes I feel like dropping and spilling things is a genetic defect. My grandma can't make it through a meal without spilling something, my mom can't make it, and neither can I. I blame it on science, you are welcome to as well :)
- July 20, 2012 at 4:32 PM
- Andrea D said...
Oh bleh! I have off days alllll thhhhe time. I don't think a day goes by where I don't spill SOMETHING on myself. My real age must be somewhere around four :)
- July 20, 2012 at 4:33 PM
- Mrs.Danielle.Warren said...
I'm glad your off day got better with ice cream & crafting!
- July 20, 2012 at 4:35 PM
- Rachel Sayumi. said...
you look so cute~!
- July 20, 2012 at 5:05 PM
- Melissa Vega said...
Hey Gentri! Man it has been a while since I've been in the blogging world. Hope you're doing well! I have much to catch up on with your blog!
Well, even on your off days, you look wonderful...pre-ice cream!
- July 20, 2012 at 7:40 PM
- Dulce said...
ice cream!! you look adorable, off days must be this fun always
- July 20, 2012 at 10:24 PM
WAZZUPP. Well that was the best thing ever. I am always a kid so lets do it again sometime.
Im so proud there is a picture of me in your blog. haha. Im famous or something
ps. its kelsey johnson
- July 20, 2012 at 11:43 PM
- Meagan Murtagh said...
such pretty ladies with the cutest style!
xo the egg out west.
- July 21, 2012 at 7:16 PM
- The Pretty Pinhead said...
It's nice to have a day off from the craziness sometimes! Found your blog via the July blog hop!
New follower :)
The Pretty Pinhead
- July 21, 2012 at 11:30 PM
- Angela said...
Happy to have found your blog! Just clicked the follow button!
- July 22, 2012 at 12:02 AM
- Maria DaintyandDecadent said...
Aww this is such a cute post and ice cream makes it all the better :-)
- July 22, 2012 at 8:30 AM
- Sarah Evans said...
Looks like fun. I'm all for being a bit of a kid!!
Visiting via the July Hop!
- July 23, 2012 at 2:06 PM
- jamie brooke said...
It looks like you had a fantastic day!
I love the star art, so cute ^.^
xoxo, jamie brooke
- July 23, 2012 at 8:32 PM


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text: shamarone March 08, 2013 10:45 PM re: "The Yeovil rider was clocked at 208mph on his Riders Ducati at the international road race last year" what an RVT can do with unrestricted intakes and no weight burden. re: "forced out of the first Superbike race after the rear tyre on his Ducati delaminated due to the sheer speed of the bike." 90 degree V's... they kick like a mutha...!!! Reply Report abuse 2 agree 0 disagree


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Archive for the 'Current Events' Category
Does it bother you at all that while Putin moves tactical nuclear weapons into his recent annexation of Crimea, US President Barack Obama is making plans to drastically reduce America military readiness in Europe? It should.
Russia is moving tactical nuclear weapons systems into recently-annexed Crimea while the Obama administration is backing informal talks aimed at cutting U.S. tactical nuclear deployments in Europe.
Three senior House Republican leaders wrote to President Obama two weeks ago warning that Moscow will deploy nuclear missiles and bombers armed with long-range air launched cruise missiles into occupied Ukrainian territory.
"Locating nuclear weapons on the sovereign territory of another state without its permission is a devious and cynical action," states the letter signed by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R., Calif.) and two subcommittee chairmen.
"It further positions Russian nuclear weapons closer to the heart of NATO, and it allows Russia to gain a military benefit from its seizure of Crimea, allowing Russia to profit from its action."
Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent months "has escalated his use of nuclear threats to a level not seen since the Cold War," they wrote.
In a related development, the Obama administration is funding non-official arms control talks with Russia through a Washington think-tank that are aimed at curbing U.S. tactical nuclear arms in Europe.
The net increase in the number of employed working-age adults in North Carolina has gone entirely to legal and illegal immigrants since 2000, according to an analysis of government data conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies.
According to the limited immigration group, while the "native" working age (16-65 years old) North Carolina population has increased by 61 percent since 2000, the share of "natives" in that state's work force has declined.
"The total number of working-age (16 to 65) immigrants (legal and illegal) holding a job in North Carolina increased by 313,000 from the first quarter of 2000 to the first quarter of 2014, while the number of working-age natives with a job declined by 32,000 over the same time," the report reads, explaining that in the past 14 years has seen the labor-force participation of natives in North Carolina in decline.
The study comes as North Carolina Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan — who voted for the Senate-passed "Gang of Eight" immigration bill last summer that would have provided a path to legalization to the undocumented population and significantly increased the number of guest workers in the United States — is engaged in a tight re-election bid against Republican challenger Thom Tillis.
"A huge number of working-age people in North Carolina are not working, and labor force participation remains at record lows. Thus, it is remarkable that any of the state's political leaders would support legislation that would actually increase the number of foreign workers allowed into the country," Steven Camarota, CIS's head of research and the report's lead author, said in a statement.
CIS, in recent weeks, has been publishing studies showing the negative impact of immigration on work force participation among "natives" in certain states and across the country.
According to CIS the two major conclusions from their study include:
-First, the long-term decline in employment for natives in North Carolina and the enormous number of working-age natives not working clearly indicate that there is no general labor shortage in the state. Thus, it is very difficult to justify the large increases in foreign workers (skilled and unskilled) who would be allowed into the country by a bill like S.744 that many of the state's politicians support.
-Second, North Carolina's working-age immigrant population grew 146 percent from 2000 to 2014, one of the highest rates of any state in the nation. Yet the number of natives working in 2014 was actually lower than in 2000. This undermines the argument that immigration increases job opportunities for natives.
Militia Units to Defend US Border
by Jim Hoft
If the government won't defend our borders, it's way past time we defend our border.
Check it out:
Free Republic founder Jim Robinson posted this on the popular conservative internet forum on Friday evening.
Militia units from California and Texas were joining together to defend the US southern border.
Ok, this is just the germination of the plan.
We have independent units from the Bolinas Border Patrol and the Central Valley Citizens militia joining forces with independent citizens militia units of Texas to defend our southern border in Texas, to protest Obama's lawless open borders policies and to rally support for Governor Perry to officially call out Guard units and Texas militia units at his disposal to defend the border!! Lawsuits will not cut it. The invasion is happening now. Action must be taken NOW!!
Read more at http://conservativebyte.com/2014/07/militia-units-defend-us-border-1/#TA8IhrK3x3qG3yf1.99
This is insanity. Not to mention the diseases that are now being spread across the United States on planes and buses by this transportation process.
Via Daily Caller:
The vast majority of 50,000 unaccompanied youths and children who have illegally crossed the Texas border during the last few months have been successfully delivered by federal agencies to their relatives living in the United States, according to a New York Times article.
A second New York Times article reports revealed that officials have caught an additional 240,000 Central American migrants since April, and are transporting many of them to their destinations throughout the United States.
The deluge of 290,000 illegals — so far — are exploiting legal loopholes that allow them to get temporary permits to stay in the United States.
Experts say that President Barack Obama's administration has failed to close the loopholes and is unlikely to deport more than a small percentage of the illegals, despite the high unemployment rates among American Latino, African-American and white youths, and the strapped budgets of many cities and towns.
The president's policy has caused protests by frightened citizens in towns such as Murrieta. But Obama's allies — such as La Raza, an ethnic lobby for Latinos — are eager to escalate the conflict and to paint the protestors as racists. Those protests may escalate before the November elections.
The Central American parents of the 50,000 youths and children are using a 2008 law to ensure their children are transported to them for free by a relay of border patrol and Department of Health and Human Services officials. The youths are delivered to the border patrol by smugglers, dubbed coyotes, in exchange for several thousand dollars.
Half of the 50,000 Central American youths were delivered by taxpayer-funded employees directly to their parents now living in the United States, and another third were delivered to people who said they were close relatives, said the July 3 article.
That new data was included in the 19th paragraph of a 20-paragraph July 3 article.
Top immigration officials choose to not check if the relatives or parents who pick up the children are in the country legally.
Both New York Times articles described the border-crossing illegal aliens as "immigrants." In fact, "immigrants" is the term for people who legally migrate into the United States.
The 240,000 strong-group largely consists of many mothers and young children, most of whom are now being flown and bussed to destinations near where they wish to settle. That new 240,000 number was included in the seventh paragraph of a 24-paragraph article.
Few of the illegal immigrants are high-school graduates, or have skills that would allow them to earn more than they cost to federal, state and local taxpayers.
Officials have not said where they've delivered the adults or youth illegals, but pro-American activists are keeping track of some locations, including San Diego, Calif.
Officials have defended the administration's catch-and-release policy, which critics say is inviting more Central Americans to cross the border in the hope of being arrested by the border patrol.
"When you have a noncriminal [border-crossing ] mother, they are going to be released," David Jennings, the head of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency in southern California. "The most humane way to deal with this is to find out where they are going and get them there," he said at a town meeting held in Murrieta, Calif., according to the New York Times.
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Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2014/07/05/border-meltdown-obama-delivering-290000-illegals-to-u-s-homes/#ixzz36tytXlrG
The Veterans Scandal Is Only the Start
The recent revelations about the Department of Veterans Affairs point to serious problems. But the root of the scandal is not what self-serving bureaucrats failed to do or tried to cover up; it is a federal budget that prevents us from meeting even the national needs on which our polarized political parties can agree.
Whatever the disagreements about the long wars of the past decades, Democrats and Republicans agree that we must fully honor the debt we have incurred to the tiny fraction of the population that does the fighting for the rest of us. Yes, the budget for the VA has risen sharply since 2002. But the number of returning veterans has risen even faster. Many live with grievous wounds from which they would have succumbed in previous conflicts. Many others struggle with the multiple effects of repeated deployments. Aging Vietnam-era patients require more care, and new responsibilities such as coping with Agent Orange add to the VA's burden.
In 2002, reports the Financial Times, 46.5 million veterans made outpatient visits to VA facilities. In 2012, the number of such visits had risen to 83.6 million. Between late 2010 and the summer of 2013, average waiting times for veterans' claims soared from 100 days to 375 days.
Roughly 42%—$66 billion—of the VA's budget is subject to annual appropriations. That's the nub of the problem. Our inability to agree on a sustainable approach to long-term fiscal policy has led, by default, to a relentless squeeze on discretionary spending that will hobble us at home and abroad. Last week, for example, the House Armed Services Committee approved an appropriations bill incompatible with long-term restraints in current law. Buck McKeon (R., Calif.), the committee chairman, admitted as much. He was, he said, hoping that "some miracle happens" so that we "get money . . . next year that we don't have now." He won't.
Enlarge Image
Getty Images
The Congressional Budget Office's latest budget projections showed that between 2013 and 2024, discretionary spending—defense and nondefense—is scheduled to fall from 7.2% of GDP to 5.1%, the lowest share since at least 1962. With only five cents out of each dollar of national income, we are supposed to defend the country, care for veterans, address the needs of children and the poor—and invest in the research, education and infrastructure on which America's future depends. It can't be done.
Not so fast, say the critics: As the economy expands, even a smaller share can yield increased resources. That's true in principle, but not in current practice. Last February, the CBO calculated the cost of maintaining appropriations, adjusted for inflation, at 2014 levels over the next decade. That total exceeded currently enacted limits by $735 billion.
Ten years from now, the funds available for the military and domestic programs will buy less than they do today. Meanwhile, costs in both categories are likely to rise faster than the rate of inflation. "Doing more with less" is a catchy slogan, but it only diverts attention from the real problem: the contradiction between our needs and the resources we commit to meet them.
The current structure of the federal budget makes this outcome inevitable. By 2015, federal revenues will recover from the Great Recession and stabilize at about 18% of GDP over the next decade. By 2024, however, we are on track to spend fully 17% of GDP on just two items—mandatory programs and interest on the debt—leaving almost nothing for discretionary spending. It only gets worse in the following decade.
That's a formula for endlessly increasing deficits and an ever-rising ratio of debt to GDP. After bottoming out at $469 billion next year, the CBO projects, the annual deficit will begin to rise again and will exceed $1 trillion by the early 2020s. After doubling from 35% to more than 70% during the Great Recession, debt as a share of GDP will near 80% by 2024. Although we reached a truce in the budget wars, we've only postponed the problem.
We know roughly how many veterans the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will add to the VA's rolls, and we can estimate what they will cost per capita. Non-magical thinking would budget the amount required to meet their needs. We would have an honest public debate about the size and shape of the armed forces in coming decades, and we would appropriate what is necessary to make that blueprint a reality.
We would ask ourselves how much the government should invest in areas that promote growth, and we would stop pretending that shortfalls won't have consequences. We would also stop pretending that meeting the needs of the poor would be cheaper if we transfer programs to the states, and that cutting waste, fraud and abuse would solve our problems. And then, finally, we would be forced to confront the fiscal and economic consequences of putting revenues and mandatory programs on autopilot.
Feds ignite suspicion with explosive buying spree
by Steve Peacock
Two days after WND uncovered a U.S. State Department plan to buy hundreds of pounds of plastic explosives and thousands of containers of liquid explosives, the agency – which refuses to comment on the discovery – awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts for the blasting supplies.
The explosives, including hundreds of pounds of C4, originally were to be shipped to Sterling, Virginia, home to the Diplomatic Pouch and Mail Unit, or DPM/U. The unit is tasked with sending secure pouches and crates to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, as previously reported.
The original contracting documents still mention the DPM/U shipping destination and list a State Department contracting office address in Dun Loring, Virginia, site of a diplomatic-security field office.
But the new contract awards suddenly identify the contracting office address as 1701 N. Ft. Myer Dr., Arlington, Virginia – headquarters of the Office of Security Management within the State Department Construction, Facility and Security Management Directorate.
The directorate is a division of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations, or OBO, whose mission is to provide "safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff as they work to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives."
The State Department thus far has awarded contracts in two explosives-procurement actions. Both went to the Arkansas-based Omni Explosives.
Omni will get $320,000 via Contract Award No. 10524H1636 to provide State with 450 pounds of C4 M112 explosives, nearly 2,600 containers of liquid and aluminum-powder explosives, 188 feet of "linear-shaped charges" and more than 8,000 blasting caps and other equipment. The award satisfies Solicitation No. FY14-GC-273.
State will pay Omni an additional $30,000 via Contract Award No. 10524H0257 for another 225 pounds of C4 plastic explosives, five pounds of C2 "sheet explosives" and 144 bottles of high-energy liquid explosives.
Accompanying the order, which satisfies Solicitation No. FY14-GC-281, are thousands of feet of detonating cord plus 18,000 feet of military-grade safety fuses and hundreds of blasting caps and fuse igniters.
State has not yet awarded contracts in Solicitation No. FY14-GC-282, which seeks yet another combination of C4 block, sheet and liquid explosives with accompanying caps, igniters and related blasting equipment. Nor has it awarded a contract for "explosive entry systems," "blasting tubes" and inert C4 and dynamite via Solicitation no. FY14-GC-272.
The State Department in the meantime appears ready, for reasons unknown, to privatize some of its diplomatic pouch-service functions.
Within days of awarding the contracts for the explosives, which are to be delivered to the Sterling diplomatic facility, the Office of Logistics Management in State's Bureau of Administration revealed its need for contractors "to provide technical, management, and labor necessary for Diplomatic Pouch and Mail Support Services at various Department of State Facilities in the Metro DC area."
The ultimate destination for the explosives remains shrouded in secrecy, as State has failed to explain its intentions for the destructive materials.
Indeed, WND's entreaties to State's Office of Press Relations initially were met with laughter.
That inquiry was then stonewalled by a State spokesperson's purported puzzlement about what WND wanted to know about the explosives.
Among other questions, State was asked to explain how the blasting equipment fits with its mission to "shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere."
State has not responded, despite putting in writing this and other questions, such as: "For what purpose is the department making these purchases? How – and where and by whom – will these explosives be used?"
State also recently published a bid request on a combined package of products ranging from explosives-storage lockers to hundreds of cans of spray paint.
It separately issued a similarly varied solicitation seeking several "ARMAG type" explosives-storage boxes – two eight-feet tall and another two that are 12-feet high – that meet all Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms "specifications for fire, weather and theft resistance."
The solicitation also listed items such as binoculars, whistles, four 100-feet parachute cords and one roll of yellow, crime-scene marking tape.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/feds-ignite-suspicion-with-explosive-buying-spree/#ioVYP51iTTvYHWkg.99
Flight 370 Passenger Philip Wood Allegedly Sends Message from U.S. Military Base in Indian Ocean
There are rumblings that the passengers of Malaysian Flight 370 may be alive and incarcerated at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. If this proves to be true, then a likely scenario is that this was a false flag pulled off by the U.S. Government.
Please keep in mind that there are those out there who create conspiracy theories and accompanying evidence as a hobby. With modern technology, it is getting easier and easier to do. This may or may not be one of those times.
The story is that missing Flight 370 passenger Philip Wood, an IBM employee and Texas native, was able to send a picture and message to an internet message board.
Below is an excerpt from jimstonefreelance.com:
The story is that missing Flight 370 passenger Philip Wood, an IBM employee and Texas native, was able to send a picture and message to an internet message board. Below is an excerpt from jimstonefreelance.com:
This image, which appears black was posted as taken in a dark cell by IBM engineer Philip Wood. SAVE IT TO YOUR DESKTOP. RIGHT CLICK IT. SELECT PROPERTIES. CLICK DETAILS, THAT REVEALS THE EXIF. Shills are saying I did not post the Exif. Shills pray for people to be stupid. NOTHING PROVES IT BETTER THAN THE ACTUAL IMAGE. THAT IS WHY I POSTED THE ACTUAL IMAGE. The picture is black because the cell was too dark, but a critical piece of information was embedded in the Exif data, the coordinates to Diego Garcia, where the picture was taken. And it's real; this is NOT a hoax. The coordinates in the picture indicate that the photo was taken within 3 miles of what Google officially gives for Diego Garcia. It is NOT EXACTLY what comes up on Google. It is off a couple miles, so NO ONE GOOGLED THIS, thus helping to confirm its authenticity. I don't know how big the island is, but if it has a runway, that certainly fits.
The picture posted with the following text: "I have been held hostage by unknown military personal after my flight was hijacked (blindfolded). I work for IBM and I have managed to hide my cellphone in my ass during the hijack. I have been separated from the rest of the passengers and I am in a cell. My name is Philip Wood. I think I have been drugged as well and cannot think clearly."
Read more at http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/03/flight-370-passenger-philip-wood-allegedly-sends-message-u-s-military-base-indian-ocean/#7vHUS0r2VR7lmcgh.99
Historic: 1st State Adopts Plan to Rein in Feds
The plan to put the brakes on Washington's expansion of the federal government is under way.
Convention of States confirmed that the Georgia legislature on Thursday passed the organization's application "to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government."
State Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon, told the organization he is "pleased that the Georgia legislature has given voice to the frustrations of millions of Georgians."
"Enough is enough. It is time to impose fiscal and other restraints on our runaway federal government. We urge other states to join us," said Macon, the primary sponsor of the resolution.
"We Georgians have become the hope of the nation today," said Jacqueline Peterson, the Georgia state director for the Convention of States Project. "Many thanks to our state legislators for standing for liberty. May God bless us, every single one!"
The idea is to have an Article V Convention of States, the one process the U.S. Constitution gives to citizens to bypass the White House, Congress and even their own governors to establish a new path for the nation.
The new president in 2017 would face new limits on executive orders, Commerce Clause actions, a balanced federal budget and a ban on using international treaties to govern inside the U.S. if the state-based movement is successful.
There could even be term limits for Supreme Court justices and Congress, and a mandatory sunset of all existing federal taxes.
The ideas are being discussed in legislatures where a Convention of the States has been proposed.
The Convention of States Project, launched by Citizens for Self Governance, is working to have state lawmakers call such a convention through the Constitution's Article V.
Thousands of Americans already have signed on in support of the idea that Americans, themselves, need to address Washington's massive spending, over-regulation and takeover of authority from states.
State lawmakers in Alaska, Alabama, Florida and elsewhere also are now looking at plans that if approved would be submitted to Congress in support of a convention.
Michael Farris, who has been know for years as the face of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College, now is on the front line of seeking a convention in which state delegates would meet, agree on a path for the country and then tell Congress what will happen.
Tell Congress?
Exactly that, if the amendments are proposed at the convention and ratified by the states.
The organization proposes a convention for "the purpose of limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government."
"We believe the grassroots is the key to calling a successful convention," the promoters say. "The goal is to build a political operation in a minimum of 40 states, getting 100 people to volunteer in at least 75 percent of the state's legislative districts. We believe this is very doable. Only through the support of the American people will this project have a chance to succeed."
Among the issues that could fall under the single subject would be a balanced budget amendment, a new definition of the General Welfare Clause, a redefinition of the Commerce Clause, a ban on the use of treaty provisions inside the U.S., limits on executive orders, term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court, federal tax limits and a sunset of all existing federal taxes.
"Of course, these are merely examples of what would be up for discussion," the promoters say. "The convention of states itself would determine which ideas deserve serious consideration, and it will take a majority of votes from the states to formally propose any amendments."
Farris told WND he expects support for a convention to be gathered over a period of two to three legislative cycles.
The timing would align with the 2016 presidential election.
Farris said it definitely would throw a wrench in the works.
"In my opinion, a good wrench," he said. "We are convinced that Washington, D.C., is broken and that it will never, ever fix itself."
He said all three branches need fixing.
"The judiciary legislates, the legislative branch, the Congress uses power it never was intended to have, and the president misuses power worse that George III ever thought of," he said.
He earlier told WND that Washington, D.C., "will never voluntarily relinquish power."
"If we allow Washington, D.C., to continue on its current course of big government, it will utterly destroy American liberty. Debt is the most tangible method of destruction. But big government complete with spying on the American public, the improper use of executive orders, over-regulation, etc., etc., will most certainly destroy American liberty relatively soon."
Farris said trying to elect more conservatives hasn't worked, and there really shouldn't be a fear that the Constitution would be opened up to destruction. After all, any change would have to be approved by voters in 38 states.
"The Founders gave us Article V for the very purpose of creating structural change when the federal government abuses its power," Farris said. "State legislatures control this process from beginning to end. Governors are irrelevant. Congress can only name the time and place. State legislature name the delegates and give them their instructions.
"We will either get good amendments or we will get nothing," he continued. "The people who must approve the work product – state legislatures – are the ones who name the delegates. They are also the ones who give the convention its subject matter."
Would anyone be interested in the idea of removing federal officials?
"State legislatures currently have no power to impeach federal officials from their states. This is not a viable option. This would, however, be a proper amendment to suggest at the Convention of States we are proposing. I like the idea of giving the state governments the power to impeach congressman and senators from their states," Farris said
Another possibility?
"The federal courts regularly refuse to rule on constitutional issues they want to avoid by calling them 'political questions' or by claiming that no one has standing to sue … One of my ideas for an amendment would be to automatically grant state legislatures standing to challenge any action of the federal government as violating its constitutional limitations," he said.
There also could be a fix to the problem of an entrenched Supreme Court.
"I [would] propose reconfiguring the Supreme Court after the model of the European Court of Human Rights. There are 46 nations in that court's jurisdiction, and every nation appoints one judge. We should expand the Supreme Court to 50 justices and have the states appoint the justices for a specific term (six or eight years) with no right of reappointment. That one change would do more to ensure a constitutional government than anything I know," Farris said.
The Convention of States Project contends that "who decides what the law shall be is even more important than what is decided."
"The protection of liberty requires a strict adherence to the principle that power is limited and delegated," the organization explained.
Even the Supreme Court has acknowledged the federal government has overreached, stating in a 1992 case: "The federal government undertakes activities today that would have been unimaginable to the Framers in two senses; first, because the Framers would not have conceived that any government would conduct such activities; and second, because the Framers would not have believed that the federal government, rather than the states, would assume such responsibilities."
The organization has posted online details of how state legislatures can advance the project.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/03/historic-1st-state-adopts-plan-to-rein-in-feds/#Ogbx1zsICbXWlZ81.99
Islamic Iran Sends Threatening Message to Obama: Iranian Warships Patrolling Off US Atlantic Coast
A senior Iranian naval commander says his country has sent several warships to the Atlantic Ocean, close to U.S. maritime borders for the first time.
The commander of Iran's Northern Navy Fleet, Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad, is quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying Saturday that the vessels have already begun the journey to the Atlantic Ocean via waters near South Africa.
"Iran's military fleet is approaching the United States' maritime borders, and this move has a message," Haddad reportedly said, according to Fars, a semi-official Iranian news agency.
Iranian officials said last month that the fleet consisted of the destroyer Sabalan and the logistic helicopter carrier Khark, which will be on a three-month mission. The ships are carrying some 30 navy academy cadets for training along with their regular crews.
Haddad says the fleet is approaching U.S. maritime borders for the first time. The Islamic Republic considers the move as a response to U.S. naval deployments near its own coastlines. The U.S. Navy's 5th fleet is based in nearby Bahrain — across the gulf from Iran.
Iran has regularly deployed warships to the Gulf of Aden off the eastern coast of Africa to fight privacy and protect commercial ships.
It has also sent its warships to Syrian waters in recent years.
In 2012, Iran said it aims to put warships in international waters off the U.S. coast within the next few years, and extend its reach as far as Antarctica.
First IRS, now FBI shafts tea party
WASHINGTON — "It appears that the FBI is in the pocket of the Department of Justice and the White House."
by Garth Kant
That's how attorney Cleta Mitchell described to WND the news that the FBI doesn't plan to file criminal charges against anyone at the IRS for targeting conservative groups.
Mitchell has represented about a dozen conservative groups that were subjected to dubious, invasive and extra scrutiny by the IRS while applying for tax-exempt status.
She expressed a sarcastic skepticism that the Justice Department would ever fully investigate the IRS.
"To quote Faye Dunaway in the last scene in 'Chinatown,' when she yells at Jack Nicholson '… he OWNS the police.'"
"Therein lies the problem," concluded the high-powered Washington attorney.
Tea-party advocates are upset the FBI does not seem interested in getting the story from the victims, only the purported victimizers.
Attorney Cleta Mitchell
"I can confirm that the FBI has not contacted me, any of my clients, or any other organizations who were victimized by the IRS," Mitchell told WND.
"Some investigation," she wryly added.
That was the identical experience of perhaps the most powerful person in the conservative grassroots movement, Jenny Beth Martin, president and co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, an umbrella organization supporting thousands of local organizations and millions of members.
"It's amazing that this is the result of the supposed investigation," she told WND. "The FBI never once contacted us. They never contacted any of our attorneys."
"Tea Party Patriots and I are in touch with locals leaders around the country every single day – none of those people were contacted by the FBI," said an exasperated and incredulous Martin.
Despite evidence from the Treasury Department that the IRS targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny, law-enforcement officials leaked word to the Wall Street Journal that investigators didn't find the kind of political bias or "enemy hunting" that would amount to a violation of criminal law.
"What kind of investigation is this – where you don't even talk to and interview the people who were victimized in the crime?" wondered Martin.
WND asked her, as far as you can tell, is there actually an investigation?
"I never saw an investigation," she said. "If there was, they were not talking to the people who were most affected. We were never contacted, and I've heard of no one who has been contacted."
Tea Party Patriots President Jenny Beth Martin
That echoed what Mitchell told the Wall Street Journal.
"As far as I can tell, nobody has actually done an investigation. This has been a big, bureaucratic, former-Soviet-Union-type investigation, which means that there was no investigation," she said. "This is a deplorable abuse of the public trust, but I am not surprised."
Sources told the paper the FBI discovered a mismanaged bureaucracy at the IRS merely bungled enforcement rules about tax-exemption applications it didn't understand.
However, the evidence points to a much greater targeting of conservative groups than progressive organizations.
The audit of the targeting practice by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) found only "30 percent of the organizations we identified with the words 'progress' or 'progressive' in their names were processed as potential political cases."
"In comparison, our audit found that 100 percent of the tax-exempt applications with tea party, patriots, or 9/12 in their names were processed as potential political cases during the time frame of our audit."
The IRS even admitted that conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status were inappropriately given close scrutiny between May 2010 and May 2012, which delayed approvals for months, and sometimes years.
"The evidence shows us that conservative groups were not only flagged, but targeted and abused by the IRS," said Sarah Swinehart, spokeswoman for the House Ways and Means Committee.
The American Center for Law and Justice, or ACLJ, which represents 41 organizations in a federal lawsuit against the IRS, said the investigation is nothing more than a "sham" designed to protect those responsible.
Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ
"From Day 1, it was apparent the Obama administration was never really interested in getting to the truth. This latest revelation directly conflicts with the facts and evidence in our case – that our clients were deliberately singled out and targeted because of their conservative political beliefs." said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.
After seven months, the FBI actually did contact the ACLJ late in December requesting interviews with several of their clients. But just days ago, the ACLJ said it would re-evaluate that request after it was revealed that a top Obama supporter in the Department of Justice was named to head-up the criminal investigation.
"The appointment of Barbara Bosserman – a major political donor – to oversee the criminal probe is a significant conflict of interest," said Sekulow. "What's amazing is that her short tenure at the helm – just a matter of days – apparently was long enough to conclude no criminal charges will be filed against those responsible for the targeting scheme."
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, released a statement that was also critical of the appointment of Bosserman, because "congressional investigators independently discovered that a high-dollar contributor to the Obama administration failed to recuse herself."
"These revelations further undermine the credibility of the Attorney General Holder and the Justice Department under his leadership. Given the circumstances, there is little reason for the American people to have confidence in this investigation," they concluded.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was as incredulous as anyone over the news.
"How can the Department of Justice say that no charges will be filed when its investigation into the targeting of conservative groups isn't finished?"
Follow Garth Kant on Twitter @DCgarth
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/01/first-irs-now-fbi-shafts-tea-party/#U83uwMUTT2LfBm4q.99


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Nappy Roots Pursue 'Nappyness' on Fourth Album
Not many hip-hop collectives last more than a few albums, but Kentucky's Nappy Roots isn't your average rags-to-riches-to-rags story.
The fivesome, which debuted back in 2002 as a sextet with its platinum-certified 'Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz,' has seen career heights, like the hits 'Awnaw' featuring Jazze Pha and 'Po' Folks' featuring Anthony Hamilton, as well as a handful of lows — parting ways with Atlantic Records and sixth member R Prophet. The path to success was easy, but maintaining that stasis proved to be much more of a challenge.
But the Bowling Green natives aren't letting it get the best of them. With Fontana Records serving as a distribution home for the newly minted imprint Nappy Roots Entertainment Group, the quintet released its fourth studio album, 'Pursuit of Nappyness,' this week. The group — Skinny DeVille, Fish Scales, Big V, B. Stille and Ron Clutch — has managed to outlast the competition by adapting to the evolving music industry and maintaining their friendships with one another – the key to their success.
"Labels don't build up an artist as much as they used to, and a lot of times guys are put together and there really was no bond or relationship hadn't had time to grow', Big V explained in an interview with The BoomBox. "So when you work with someone 15 years of your life, the bond is strong. Nappy Roots, we understand, know and respect each other. Celebrating birthdays on the road together, seeing children born — we realize that the common denominator is that we love music and respect the past. It's not really like a record business for us, it's more like a family business."
'Pursuit of Nappyness', inspired by the hardships that Will Smith's character endured in the 2006 drama 'Pursuit of Happyness', is a representation of that bond, one that was sustained in spite of the fact that much of the album was recorded through a digital medium. The group members were stationed in different areas of the country, leading them to e-mail verses back and forth to one another. But when they linked up with Atlanta-based production duo Phivestarr Productions, Nappy Roots realized that some magic couldn't be created over the internet.
"Working with Phivestarr just fit right. We just kept revisiting the chemistry and it just got crazy and before you know it, you've got 67 records," says Big V of working with the duo. "And in the midst of doing the album, we were all working on different projects and everybody stopped what they were doing and came to Atlanta to see these guys and the chemistry was incredible. We had to go back. They did a great, great job."
And while the group tested the waters in using what they call "space age technology," they also found that their newfound label situation allowed them to build their business acumen. "This is being released independent and it was really a growing process to learn our way around the ropes," stated Big V. "To learn the marketing tools and how to do this independent thing."
Now that the album's in stores and label entanglements are a thing of the past, Nappy Roots plans to branch out and release a handful of solo albums over the course of the next year. But no worries – Nappy Roots isn't going the way of the dodo anytime soon. "Another couple of albums this fall, come back in the Spring with a few more, we're going to work with DJ Smallz for another mixtape," said Skinny. "Whatever is in front of us that we think is going to be a good match for us, we're going to entertain it to the fullest. As a company, as a group and as a movement."


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Listeria is an opportunistic pathogen that causes brain infection, blood poisoning, abortion and death for about 250 Americans and a number of farm animals each year. But while its harmful strains can be more lethal than Salmonella, it exists in benign species and strains as well.
By finding ... Read More
A diverse family of bacteria that can cause a potentially fatal illness in humans but could offer a greener alternative to petrol to power our cars will be the subject of a talk by a University of Nottingham academic at an international conference.
Professor Nigel Minton, one of the world's l... Read More
A simple technique to make a common virus-killing material significantly more effective is a breakthrough from the Rice University labs of Andrew Barron and Qilin Li.
Rather than trying to turn the process into profit, the researchers have put it into the public domain. They hope wide adoptio... Read More
In 2004 a scientific breakthrough was made when methane was detected in the Martian atmosphere.
The presence of the gas — much of which on Earth is produced by living things — is the strongest indication yet that primitive life could exist on the planet.
Now a team of geologists and microb... Read More
Jan Vilcek wants to repay New York University's Langone Medical Center for taking a chance on him.
The microbiology professor will on Wednesday announce a $21 million gift to the medical school to purchase and renovate a student dormitory.
Dr. Vilcek and his wife Marica immigrated to the U... Read More
Medicago Inc (MDG.TO) will participate in an early-stage clinical trial of a vaccine designed for use in the event of an avian pandemic flu outbreak, the Canadian biotechnology company said on Tuesday.
The Quebec City-based biotech is developing a single-dose H5N1 influenza vaccine. It will t... Read More
Reduce, reuse, recycle? Candida albicans is a reuser. No, it doesn't use its old grocery bags over and over – it puts one set of proteins to work in two different jobs.
To mate, C. albicans must switch its cells from white to opaque (see inset). These opaque cells then release a pheromon... Read More
The editor of The Lancet, Richard Horton, apologised on Tuesday for naming an antibiotic-resistant superbug after New Delhi. It was an "error," he said.
A report in the leading medical journal in August last stated that superbug "New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamese" (NDM-1) originated in India. ... Read More
Call it dirty money. A new report out of Britain claims that ATMs are as filthy as public toilets and researchers say they have the microbes to prove it.
"We were surprised by our results because the ATM machines were shown to be heavily contaminated with bacteria; to the same level as nearby... Read More
Intensive care unit (ICU) patients in single, private rooms have lower infection rates than patients in shared rooms, a new study finds.
About 30 percent of patients in ICUs acquire health care
-associated infections, which can lead to serious illness and death, the study authors noted in ba... Read More
People over age 65 are at increased risk for serious side effects while undergoing latent tuberculosis therapy, a new study finds.
Latent tuberculosis occurs when TB bacteria lurk in the body without making the person sick. The host has no symptoms of TB and is not contagious. However, there ... Read More
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was, by far, the biggest environmental story of 2010. We've turned our minds and diaries to 2011, but nature doesn't abide by the Gregorian calendar. What's going on with the nearly 5 million barrels, or 207 million gallons, of oil that leake... Read More
A study of antibodies from people infected with H1N1 swine flu adds proof that scientists are closing in on a "universal" flu shot that could neutralize many types of flu strains, including H1N1 swine flu and H5N1 bird flu, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
They said people who were infected i... Read More
The advice for conquering a cold is time-honored: Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
While it's hard to argue against getting proper rest, some scientists suspect that loading up on liquid — that is, beyond the normal amount required in a day — may not do much good.
Theoretically... Read More
According to a new study by researchers at Yale University and the University of Tromso in Norway, the "antibiotic holiday" would have to extend over 40 years to be effective.
"Bacterial populations have evolved resistance to most antibiotics we have," said Jeffrey Townsend, assistant profess... Read More
Despite advances made since the emergence of SARS and avian flu, China's ability to detect new outbreaks remains "underdeveloped," a leading Chinese health official acknowledged last week.
The comment appeared in an article in the journal Health Affairs written jointly by Dr. Zijian Feng, dir... Read More
Fever is common, but fever is complicated. It brings up science and emotion, comfort and calculation.
As a pediatrician, I know fever is a signal that the immune system is working well. And as a parent, I know there is something primal and frightening about a feverish child in the night.
... Read More
A group of students at Hong Kong's Chinese University are making strides towards storing such vast amounts of information in an unexpected home: the E. coli bacterium better known as a potential source of serious food poisoning.
"This means you will be able to keep large datasets for the long... Read More
Older adults treated for an inactive tuberculosis infection may be at increased risk of suffering liver damage from the medication, a study published Monday suggests.
Canadian researchers found that among all Quebec residents treated for so-called latent tuberculosis (TB) over six years, thos... Read More
Synthetic proteins designed in the lab—using genetic sequences never before seen in nature—work much like the real thing to sustain life.
"What we have here are molecular machines that function quite well within a living organism even though they were designed from scratch and expressed from ... Read More


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* Family Protection İnsurance offered by HSBC Bank A.Ş. to our customers residing in Turkey is a product of AIG Insurance Company and residing in KKTC is a product of Axa Insurance Company.
HSBC Bank A.Ş. is an agency of AIG Sigorta A.Ş. and Axa Sigorta A.Ş.


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All Systems: GO FOR LAUNCH!
Lift-off for the Challenger Learning Center at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering took place on November 6 with a ceremony at the College culminating with the signing of agreements between the College and the Challenger Center Headquarters, and with the Leon County School System, for the implementation and operation of the Tallahassee Center.
The ceremony featured addresses by Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, and founder of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, and Vance Ablott, President of Challenger Center. Messages from Lt. Governor-elect Frank Brogan, State Representative Marjorie Turnbull, State University System Vice-chancellor James Mau, FSU Provost Larry Abele and Leon County School Superintendent William Montford followed opening remarks by Dean Chen and College Relations Director and retired astronaut/cosmonaut Norm Thagard.
The Center will be a two story, 34,000 square foot facility to be build adjacent to the College. It will include a space mission simulator with a mock-up of "Mission Control" and the laboratory node of a "Space Station". Additionally, the Center is planning to feature an exhibit hall, planetarium and observatory. The Center's service area will draw 10-15 thousand middle school student each year from North Florida and adjacent areas of Georgia and Alabama. It will also be open to the public and will become a Tallahassee visitors' attraction.
With a $2.5 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature for design and start of construction, and contributions from the City of Tallahassee, Leon County and the Department of Education, the Center is scheduled to open in September 2000.


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Mobile Phone Buying Guide: The best phones this year
Find reviews of the best 3 mobile phones.
18 September 2008
If you're a keen Skype user, 3's Skypephone S2 is certainly worth considering.
25 November 2007
Yup, free Skype calls routed through the 3 network, to and from a candybar mobile phone. Sounds good, but is it?
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Andesin, a kind of felspar containing both soda and lime, and named from being first obtained in the Andes.
"Only very fine, hard granite, with scarcely a grain of felspar," he said.
These consisted chiefly of quartz, felspar, and a silicious petrifaction of woody appearance.
For this purpose the proportions of the flint and the felspar must be increased.
The essential minerals, hornblende and felspar, rarely show crystalline outlines, and this is generally true also of the others.
It is made from American kaolin clay, with a large admixture of felspar.
felspar introduces him as the Canadian representative of the firm whom he has never seen before.
The rock was found by Watson to be gneiss, rich in mica, felspar and garnets.
It is at this point in general finely grained, but the felspar partly decomposed, with distinct crystals of felspar unchanged.
Quartz also is usually present in these rocks, but felspar is rare.


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Hi, I'm heading into NYC next week for my birthday and have made reservations for The Modern.
Firstly, I unfortunately cannot bring a jacket, I called the restaurant and asked what their dress code was, to which they replied that they have no dress code. Would I look out of place if I wore a plain blue button-down shirt with khakis? I have looked at pictures of the place, and it is sort of mixed attire, some people with jackets, some people with dress shirts, even sweaters. I just don't want to look out of place.
If anyone has eaten there before, would you mind suggesting some dishes to me that you found to be enjoyable? I know the portions there are very small, but I don't really want anything that I can eat in one bite.
Thanks in advance!


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A lot of athletes have been photographed biting their medals. Are they hungry?
Tooth enamel is harder than most precious metals, which means it should leave a small dent if the gold is genuine. But according to Summer Sanders, the swimmer who won four medals at the 1992 Olympics, athletes do it because the photographers ask them to. "It's the people taking the pictures who say: 'Bite your medal!'" Besides, only 1% of each gold medal is actually gold – while bronze medals are mostly copper.
There are some very young faces in the gymnastics events. How old do you have to be to take part?
The International Olympic Federation doesn't have any age restrictions – but some sporting bodies do. For instance, gymnasts have to turn 16 by the end of the Olympic year. Rebecca Tunney (right) – aged 15 years 8 months – is Great Britain's youngest Olympian this year. But she's ancient in comparison to the youngest medallist, Dimitrios Loundras, who was just 10 when he won a gymnastics bronze in 1896.
I've noticed that some of the divers wear headphones before they take the plunge. What's going on?
They're trying to block out the noise of the crowd so that they can concentrate. Intriguingly, many of them appear to be using the same brand of headphones: Beats by Dr Dre. But some fans are not amused. "Take them off and soak up the atmosphere you idiots," wrote one on Twitter.
In addition to a medal, each winner gets given a tiny bouquet. Why?
Back in the day, the Ancient Greeks gave laurels to their Olympians. These bouquets, which have been used since at least the 1984 Winter Games, are the modern-day equivalent. British florist Jane Packer won the contract to make all 4,400 of them. The flowers within – four strains of English rose divided by lines of lavender, rosemary, mint and wheat – are supposed to evoke the British countryside, and they've been wrapped by students from three different schools in the south-east.
Rebecca Adlington only won bronze in the 400m freestyle, despite swimming faster than when she won gold in Beijing. How come?
First off, Adlington was in an outside lane. Four years ago, she was in the middle lane, which made it easier for her to work out where she was in relation to her competitors. But more significantly, she was beaten by two athletes – Camille Muffat and Allison Schmitt – who have simply improved more than she has since Beijing. "Muffat," explains Guardian swimming correspondent Andy Bull, "has been the best swimmer in the world in that event this year."
I heard that Wembley only has one set of keys. Is that true?
Not really, but Scotland Yard detectives did manage to lose a set of keys to a safe there. They're hi-tech and cut with lasers, so they can't be copied, and the locks have already been changed. Meanwhile, the security firm G4S is staunchly denying it has lost the keys to Wimbledon.


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Can U Help a mom design a Star Wars Lego Cake Top?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! :-)
cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/buildinginstructions/4170526.pdf <yoda
*stalling while gimp starts up*
...or just a piece of lego
Maybe use rolled fondant to make brick shapes and stick them on the outside of a cake that's been cut into the shape of whatever your son likes? If you pick something like R2D2, you wouldn't even have to color very much fondant, since he's mostly white. You could even roll some out very thin and cut little circles with the end of a straw to make nubs for some of the bricks.
If he does, might you pursuade him to drill (or let you use to) a pattern of regularly-spaced holes into a piece of plastic, mmm or maybe wood. Lay cling-film over it and vigorously cram icing into it. Pull-off, carefully remove the film and see if that's what might work?


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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Stick a fork in it....
Saturday was another nice day so I spent it working in the gardens. At one point I watched these 2 geese walk from 44th street green all the way down to the creek and start up toward the clubhouse, honking for right-of-way when an unwary golfer should stray too close.
I've been here over 7 years now and the autumn needle shed from the golf course pine trees have been inconsequential. But last fall it seems they were saving up and *whammo* - tons of needles everywhere. I considered just mowing over them but then I got an idea. I took a little time (watching out for the rather assertive geese) and raked them all up.
Any guesses as to what I did with this piney bounty? Anyone? Anyone? Okay, you in the back. What's that? You got it, exactly! Been reading the blog, haven't you! LOL
That's right, I used it to mulch the asparagus bed. What's not to love? Needles don't mat down and restrict air/water flow like leaves. They don't stay wet and encourage mold (especially the icky slime mold) like wood chips. And the price was right! I love it when something that occurs in the yard finds a good use in the yard.
And since I had a little left over....
Earlier in the day I'd turned and combined 2 compost piles into one, thus freeing up the front bin. So it was a no brainer (good thing...mine was getting tired) to stash the bonus mulch. Unless I use it in the asparagus bed later in the season, this extra will top off the bed when tucked in for the winter.
It's been a busy week. Here's the recap:
Vegetable seed starts under lights in the basement.
Potted up all dormant cannas, elephant ears, dahlias & fuchsias.
Sowed 35 jugs of WS perennials and set jugs on the deck.
Gathered up a winter's worth of fallen branches.
Cleaned up all the flower beds - cutting back dead material.
Raked up beaucoup pine needles.
Weeded, fertilized and mulched the asparagus bed.
Tilled 7 beds in the vegetable garden.
Turned 2 compost piles.
Hauled out and set up not only the garden bench but also 4 deck chairs.
Transplanted a variegated hydrangea.
Planted a gift pot of tulips into the garden.
Divided (and planted) the Walkers Low cat mint and Johnsons Blue geranium.
Now that all the heavy grooming (and groaning) is behind me, I can retreat to the house and the comfy chair for some well-deserved rest. It's hard to believe the last week of 'winter' was so very nice. Looking ahead it's supposed to rain Monday and only get up to 47 on Tuesday. Go figure. But it doesn't bother me...I'm ahead of the game at this point - and all done by the 1st day of Spring. Wow. How often does that happen? :-D
6 comments:
Your raised beds look wonderful... great start to the spring gardening season. I can't wait to return to see what you share as things bloom this summer in those boxes.ReplyDelete
Happy Spring and so happy to have met you via your garden blog! Stop by my site sometime:
Bren at the BGgarden
Isn't that a great feeling...everything cleaned up and ready to go. And by the first day of spring. You are to be congratulated.ReplyDelete
I haven't even started yet. Of course, we just had two inches of sleet and snow covering everything for two days....beginning on the first day of Spring. We won't be safe until about May 10th. here.
You sure have been busy. I know we have similar weather. I was going out to rake today and it was too cold for me. They temps. will be much better next week so I will get at it. I like the hint of green that you can see through out your yard and garden. Take care.ReplyDelete
Hi Bren. Thanks for stopping by the blog. :-D Hopefully nothing will bloom in the boxes in the pic - those are all compost/soil/rock bins. Seems the bigger the yard, the more places you need to put stuff. LOLReplyDelete
Glenda - Saw you got that blast of winter right there on the first day of Spring. Brrrr. But I know in no time you'll be months ahead of us here in Ohio. Keep warm...
Hey Larry. Know what you mean. It's been cold(er) and wetter since the equinox. Gotta admit, the rain is have good effect on the perennials. Very excited to see what survived the winter. Looking forward to more pics of your garden soon.
You did well, Kris. I always admire how you manage to do so much in your garden!ReplyDelete
I've been away for the past few weeks and now I have to catch up with all the reading.
I'm looking forward to seeing your lovely garden spring up with colors again.
Hi Ha Xuan! Yes, I seem to make myself more work every year. You'd think I'd know better by now. I really am glad I got so much done so soon. It's supposed to get in the 70s next few day so I imagine I'll have to dig out the mower and get it ready for the season. *sigh* I just can't let my guard down for even a minute around here. LOLReplyDelete
Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your notes, comments and questions and will try to reply to each one! :-)


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You did just fine, your not a cop and the destruction of Walmarts property is not your concern. Sounds like he was just trying to find a way out and its best to let him go and be a good witness.
This is a discussion on My bad situation at Walmart,what would you have done? within the Concealed Carry Issues & Discussions forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Yesterday afternoon about 3 p.m, I decided to go to Walmart to pick up a couple smalll items and mostly just to get out of ...
Yesterday afternoon about 3 p.m, I decided to go to Walmart to pick up a couple smalll items and mostly just to get out of the house for a while.
I was in the grocery section picking up a few snacks and decided to walk over to electronics and see the new laptops, as my daughter will be needing one for school soon.
Just about the time I reach the electronics department I hear someone yelling very, very loudly "turn left!","turn right!","keep going!"
I thought... what the heck?
I step out of the main isle about the time the person doing the yelling shot past me.
He was about 6'2 or so maybe 220 pounds, tan dress pants, & a red polo shirt.
Overall he was clean-cut, short, & w/ straight brown hair.
At this point its clear he's on meth or something. He runs past me at full speed, the store is packed, he's charging straight toward several small children (maybe 3 years old) who are walking next to their mothers side.
And also some elderly people who are using canes and barely able to move.
Now the guy doing the running, jumping and yelling is running into displays, shoving people out of hiis way, and seems totally oblivious to anything going on around him.
He's still yelling at the top of his lungs & at this point about 15 to 20 people have seen him and were frozen in place not knowing what to do.
He was on a collision course with the group of kids who he could have easily injured or killed along with their parents.
I'm still watching him from behind a display & wondering what I shoud do.
After a few seconds I realize maybe I should get my phone and start video recording all of this in case someone is injured by him.
But, I'm not as skilled as some at finding certain functions on my phone in a split second.
Why I decided to do what I did when i couldnt get to video record on my phone is beyond me but, I decided to follow him
Why,? I really couldn't tell you.
Maybe I was concerned for the other peoples safety.
Also knowing that I had my gun with me at the time and could defend myself or someone else if this guy decided to use a weapon.
Now he runs down an isle with fishing tackle (missing the kids thankfully) and through a set of metal doors.
I'm guessing into the store's stock room or break room and he doesnt return.
I'm expecting Walmart Security to respond but nobody shows up.
A couple minutes later I see about 3 or 4 Walmart employees walking among the crowd.
I'm not sure if they were just trying to manage the large crowd or were actually investigating what this guy did.
Other Walmart employees saw this happen but didn't do anything except watch.
Now I'm wondering what should I have done?
My state allows for the defense of another person, but he did not appear to have a weapon. So what were my options?
I'm only about 5'7" this guy had a good 7 or more inches on me in addition to about 40 pounds.
There was no way that I could have restrained him physically and he had as much legal right to be in the store as i did.
Walmart didn't send anyone to deal with him.
What would you all have done or done differently?
You did just fine, your not a cop and the destruction of Walmarts property is not your concern. Sounds like he was just trying to find a way out and its best to let him go and be a good witness.
911 and try to keep kids out of the way
not your problem. Don't get involved unless he displays a weapon and tries to injure someone. Yelling and running are not ground for you to use or draw you weapon. You are not a LEO. just my .02
Agreed with the others; Not your problem and not justifiable reason to use _any_ force regardless of what your oh this or that could happen imaginations might be.
I do find it interesting that you thought to video tape this person of all things.
What was your thought process here as in the way of reasoning...When dialing 911 is much quicker and potentially beneficial for everyone, who is not connected to YouTube?
One thing you could have done though is go outside, hop into your truck and wait for dude to exit to which you then could ram his car with hope to 'stop' him...After the fact tht nobody is being harmed or in danger by him.
That latter part I kid. : p
- Janq would have done nothing because walking fast/running through WalMart talking out loudly to ones self is not unlawful in MA, yet
"Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy
"A license to carry a concealed weapon does not make you a free-lance policeman." - Florida Div. of Licensing
If I had been in there alone, I would have probably tried to be a decent witness; had I been in there with kids I'd found the quickest exit and got them out and away.
Every so often I get out my cell phone and challenge myself to put it in camcorder mode as quick as I can.
Helpful hints on pushing back and strengthening the 2A:
Thank you, I am not a LEO, I'm just Joe Citizen. just like everyone else. My main concern was he had a weapon I didnt see when he ran by me and might use it.
now i can put mine into camcorder mode pretty quick,I got the instruction book out and read it again.
Honestly, not to much you can do. I guess just keep a eye on him, who knows, he might have been from some type of home that houses people who are slow and he got away. Theres a number of things that could have happend.
Generation 4 Glock 23
Son, if you want something in this life you have to work for it,
now quiet! there about to announce the lottery numbers........ Homar Simpson
I agree with the above posts, not a level of activity to justify intervention.
A couple added points. I keep my cell phone so one touch allows proceeding with photo or video activity. In situations of violence, such as an active shooter, if an exit is close it is a good option. If not, put family in a restroom and guard the approach. They usually have nitches and alcoves leading to same that compliment such activity.
"I do what I do." Cpl 'coach' Bowden, "Southern Comfort".
I didnt dial 911 because often it takes our officers several minutes to respond as the PD is across town from the store,and I was halfway expecting walmart security to do something any second.
Call 911, watch and record the events as they unfold.
Proverbs 27:12 says: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Certified Glock Armorer
NRA Life Member
I question your sanity for going to WalMart for enjoyment!
Treat me good, I'll treat you better. Treat me bad, I'll treat you worse.
I used to work with mentally disabled adults. Sometimes, if they got excited or upset, they would act out in various ways. The "turn right", "turn left" reminds me of how many of those folks would respond to stressful situations. I wouldn't assume meth, or any other kind of drug thing, if I saw behavior like that. I think you did the right thing by doing nothing.
Honor is self-esteem made visible in action. - Ayn Rand
Wal Mart is full of surveilance cameras and I'm sure they had it all on tape from various angles. Call 911 and report a person acting irradically and keep your eyes peeled.
Know Guns, Know Safety, Know Peace.
No Guns, No Safety, No Peace.


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Why U.S. Banknote May Soon Be Making A MintJeffrey M. Laderman
Here's a money-making machine--literally. Among the products that roll out of U. S. Banknote's highly secured printing plants is foreign currency. The company is also the world's largest printer of travelers' checks. U. S. Banknote doesn't print dollars, but federal food coupons, Treasury checks, and postage stamps account for 30% of revenues. In addition, about 25% of sales come from stock and bond certificates. And with new equity issues booming, U. S. Banknote can't help but profit, too.
The Amex-traded stock, now at 3 3/4, has more than doubled in the past three months. It had been near 5 but has come down since the company's Apr. 15 offer to exchange each share of cumulative preferred for three shares of common. One New York money manager who has been buying common shares says that after May 13, when the exchange offer ends, U. S. Banknote should resume its climb.
Why? Improved profit margins from economies developing out of last July's acquisition of International Banknote. The merger wed the two largest players in this niche industry.
The combined company shuttered three of six domestic printing plants and laid off about 400 employees. Yet in the offering documents, management says that the remaining plants have more than enough capacity to handle its printing needs well into the future. The benefits of the merger are already manifest. Operating profit margins went from 30% in 1990's third quarter to 42% in the fourth. First-quarter earnings should be reported shortly, and observers expect those numbers to reflect more of the benefits of reduced overhead.
BUCKING THE TREND. But there's more to this company than printing on paper. U. S. Banknote is the world's largest producer of holograms for security and commercial applications. Its customers include the major credit-card issuers, and the company is actively developing new uses and markets for the imaging process.
Critics say the boom in equity issuance doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a great demand for stock certificates. They note that the longtime trend in the securities business has been toward "book-entry" ownership rather than physical certificates. But surveys show strong investor preference for certificates, and the Securities & Exchange Commission has said that it will continue to support the use of certificates as an option. "A decade ago, people said check-printing was a dead business, too--and we're writing more checks than ever," says the money manager who has been buying. He thinks U. S. Banknote will reach 10 within the year.


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Joshua Chapter 10 - New American Standard Bible
Joshua Chapter 10 - New American Standard Bible
1. NOW it came about when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and had [2] utterly destroyed it (just as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king), and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were [1] within their land,
2. that [3] he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty.
3. Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron and to Piram king of Jarmuth and to Japhia king of Lachish and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4. �Come up to me and help me, and let us [4] attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel.�
5. So the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they with all their armies, and camped by Gibeon and fought against it.
6. Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, �Do not [5] abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.�
7. So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors.
8. The LORD said to Joshua, � Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not [6] one of them shall stand before you.�
9. So Joshua came upon them suddenly [7] by marching all night from Gilgal.
10. And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He [8] slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
11. As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died [9] from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
12. Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, �O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.�
13. So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
14. There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.
15. Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp to Gilgal.
16. Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
17. It was told Joshua, saying, �The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.�
18. Joshua said, �Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and assign men by it to guard them,
19. but do not stay there yourselves; pursue your enemies and [10] attack them in the rear. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.�
20. It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished [12] slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them [11] had entered the fortified cities,
21. that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No one [13] uttered a word against any of the sons of Israel.
22. Then Joshua said, �Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.�
23. They did so, and brought these five kings out to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24. When they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, �Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.� So they came near and put their feet on their necks.
25. Joshua then said to them, � Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.�
26. So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening.
27. It came about at [14] sunset that Joshua gave a command, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day.
28. Now Joshua captured Makkedah on that day, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword; he [17] utterly destroyed [16] it and every [15] person who was in it. He left no survivor. Thus he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
29. Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah, and fought against Libnah.
30. The LORD gave it also with its king into the hands of Israel, and he struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor in it. Thus he did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
31. And Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish, and they camped by it and fought against it.
32. The LORD gave Lachish into the hands of Israel; and he captured it on the second day, and struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
33. Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish, and Joshua [18] defeated him and his people until he had left him no survivor.
34. And Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Lachish to Eglon, and they camped by it and fought against it.
35. They captured it on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword; and he [19] utterly destroyed that day every person who was in it, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
36. Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron, and they fought against it.
37. They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities and all the persons who were in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor, according to all that he had done to Eglon. And he [20] utterly destroyed it and every person who was in it.
38. Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it.
39. He captured it and its king and all its cities, and they struck them with the edge of the sword, and [21] utterly destroyed every person who was in it. He left no survivor. Just as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had also done to Libnah and its king.
40. Thus Joshua struck all the land, the hill country and the [23] Negev and the lowland and the slopes and all their kings. He left no survivor, but he [22] utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.
41. Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea even as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen even as far as Gibeon.
42. Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
43. So Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp at Gilgal.[read chapter]
Read this passage from the New International Version
Bible Main : Joshua : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24