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Performing range lookups (i.e. to find a key for a given range) is a common ETL operation in data warehousing scenarios. It's especially for historical loads and late arriving fact situations, where you're using type 2 dimensions and you need to locate the key which represents the dimension value for a given point in time.
This blog post outlines three separate approaches for doing range lookups in SSIS:
- Using the Lookup Transform
- Merge Join + Conditional Split
- Script Component
All of our scenarios will use the AdventureWorksDW2008 sample database (DimProduct table) as the dimension, and take its fact data from AdventureWorks2008 (SalesOrderHeader and SalesOrderDetail tables). The "ProductNumber" column from the SalesOrderDetail table maps to the natural key of the DimProduct dimension (ProductAlternateKey column). In all cases we want to lookup the key (ProductKey) for the product which was valid (identified by StartDate and EndDate) for the given OrderDate.
One last thing to note is that the Merge Join and Script Component solutions assume that a valid range exists for each incoming value. The Lookup Transform approach is the only one that will identify rows that have no matches (although the Script Component solution could be modified to do so as well).
Lookup Transform
The Lookup Transform was designed to handle 1:1 key matching, but it can also be used in the range lookup scenario by using a partial cache mode, and tweaking the query on the Advanced Settings page. However, the Lookup doesn't cache the range itself, and will end up going to the database very often - it will only detect a match in its cache if all of the parameters are the same (i.e. same product purchased on the same date).
We can use the following query to have the lookup transform perform our range lookup:
select [ProductKey], [ProductAlternateKey], [StartDate], [EndDate] from [dbo].[DimProduct] where [ProductAlternateKey] = ? and [StartDate] <= ? and ( [EndDate] is null or [EndDate] > ? )
On the query parameters page, we map 0 -> ProductNumber, 1 and 2 -> OrderDate.
This approach is effective and easy to setup, but it is pretty slow when dealing with a large number of rows, as most lookups will be going to the database.
Merge Join and Conditional Split
This approach doesn't use the Lookup Transform. Instead we use a Merge Join Transform to do an inner join on our dimension table. This will give us more rows coming out than we had coming in (you'll get a row for every repeated ProductAlternateKey). We use the conditional split to do the actual range check, and take only the rows that fall into the right range.
For example, a row coming in from our source would contain an OrderDate and ProductNumber, like this:
From the DimProduct source, we take three additional columns - ProductKey (what we're after), StartDate and EndDate. The DimProduct dimension contains three entries for the "LJ-0192-L" product (as its information, like unit price, has changed over time). After going through the Merge Join, the single row becomes three rows.
We use the Conditional Split to do the range lookup, and take the single row we want. Here is our expression (remember, in our case an EndDate value of NULL indicates that it's the most current row):
StartDate <= OrderDate && (OrderDate < EndDate || ISNULL(EndDate))
This approach is a little more complicated, but performs a lot better than using the Lookup Transform.
Script Component
The third approach uses a custom script component to perform the lookup. I wrote the script in two ways - one that simulates a "Full Cache" type lookup, and one that is similar to partial cache except it pulls back all values for a given natural key, instead of just the one for the given date range. The caching behavior is controlled by the PreCache boolean package variable.
I ran the three packages using the following environment (my laptop):
- Dual core Intel 1.8ghz
- 3gb of RAM
- AdventureWorks2008 and AdventureWorksDW2008
- ~120,000 order rows (SalesOrderDetail)
- ~600 reference rows (DimProduct)
Here are the results, in rows per second (larger being better):
At 120k+ rows per second, we can see that the custom script (or better yet, a custom transform) is the best alternative here. We can also see that even though the Lookup approach was by far the slowest (3639 rows / second), it is still a viable choice when you're processing a small number of rows.
There's a couple of reasons that the Lookup Transform performs poorly here. First, because it's not able to pre-cache any of the reference data, it has to go to the database often. Second, it matches only on actual parameter values - it doesn't have a concept of ranges. Since it will only find a cache hit if all parameters are the same, it ends up hitting the database for almost every row (120k times). By comparison, the script component will only query once per unique ProductNumber (~600 times max).
So there you have three different approaches for doing range lookups in SSIS. I'm hoping we'll be able to either enhance the Lookup component to support this functionality in the future, or perhaps provide a new transform to handle this case.
In the mean time, please feel free to post / email any alternative approaches you might have.
I've attached the packages used in this post incase you want to try out the different options for yourself.


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By Josh Patterson, photos by Josh Patterson and Corey Godfrey
At the Dirty Kanza 200, the volatile Kansas weather shapes the outcome as much as the racers' fitness and preparation. Scorching heat, soul-crushing headwinds, and high humidity often upset the best-laid plans. Last year an afternoon outbreak of severe thunderstorms forced many racers to seek shelter in barns and ditches, but this year mild temperatures and light winds created ideal conditions for 200 miles of gravel road racing.
Here's the winning video from last year's DK200 video contest. (Ben Thornton was not lucky enough to find refuge in a barn.)
This year unseasonably mild temperatures, light and variable winds, and rain showers several days prior—just enough to pack down the gravel—conspired to make this year's race one that would see previous records broken.
At Friday night's pre-race meeting many riders talked in hushed voices about who would break the 12-hour barrier, and best former 24-hour National Champion Cameron Chamber's four-year-old record of 11 hours and 58 minutes. Would it be DK200 stalwart Dan "the diesel" Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor and Bike in Lawrence, Kansas; Lincoln Nebraska's Corey "Cornbread" Godfrey; or would the Queen of Pain, three-time World Champion Rebecca Rusch chick everyone?
The next morning more than 420 racers lined up in downtown Emporia, Kansas, for the start. It appears that 2012 will go down as the breakout year for this race. It has reached a critical mass, having made the transition from a popular regional event to one that draws participants from across the nation and beyond; riders from 38 states, Canada and Great Britain journeyed to the Flint Hills of central Kansas for this year's race. Paying money and traveling long distances to ride 200 miles of Great Plains gravel—who would have thought?
As the depth of the field increases, so too does the pace. From the start, the in-it-to-win-it group set a tempo that left the in-it-to-survive-it riders like myself strung out over miles of rough gravel roads.
It came as quite a surprise when, two hours into the race, riders from the lead group began passing the pack fodder. The course is well marked, but navigation is still a critical element of the Dirty Kanza; in their haste the lead pack missed a turn and went several miles off course before realizing their error. Some of these racers blew past at breakneck speed, frantic to regain lead while other, more seasoned racers slowly ratcheted up the pace.
As the clock ticked towards the 12-hour mark two riders rolled onto Emporia's main street: Dan Hughes and Rusty Folger of Golden, Colorado, crossed the finish line, arm in arm, tying for the win and setting a new course record in of in 11 hours and 56 minutes. This was Folger's first attempt at the race, and Hughes third win.
Soon afterward Rebecca Rusch rode across the line, finishing in 12 hours and two minutes, finishing third overall and setting a new women's course record by over an hour.
Stay tuned for a breakdown of the gear I used that didn't, well, break down.
Like what you see? Please support independent publishing by Subscribing To Dirt Rag Magazine today.

subset: commoncrawl


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Associate Dentist to join our well-established practice in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
What we do matters. Our customers trust us with one of their most important assets, their smile. Patient care is our passion and we believe everyone deserves a happy and healthy smile, which is why we thrive on having the very best people in the industry working with us to ensure we all keep on smiling.
at Oasis Dental Care (now part of Bupa) our people are at the heart of everything we do, because we care. We have created environments where people can look forward to coming to work, feel empowered and benefit from working collaboratively with brilliant & talented experts. So joining us isn't just for a job, but a career.
an Associate Dentist you'll be benefiting from a supportive practice team, a well-managed appointment book, exceptional development and opportunities to take you as far as you want to go; and that's just to mention a few, so what's not to love?
exciting opportunity also offers:
- 5 days per week (part-time hours also available)
- Up to 7000 UDAs at an excellent rate
- Great private earning potential
- Additional discount for utilising Oasis Labs
- Continuous Professional Development
Practice: Established with 8 surgeries, modern working environment, fully computerised, R4 Software, and digital x-rays. Spacious and modern surgeries (fully air conditioned, with windows), and on-site staff parking. Experienced longstanding associates, supported by a dedicated Dental Hygienist and a team of qualified professional support staff.
Sleafordis a well-established eight surgery practice set in the heart of Sleaford, close to the train station and the River Slea.
Why join Oasis? Here's a selection of the fantastic incentives we have to offer:
- Excellent working facilities and the latest equipment
- Highest standards of clinical governance & expert support
- On-boarding and Induction process
- Oasis Indemnity that offers you full cover, bespoke to Oasis
- Sponsored Education
- Career Mobility


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While at CHA, I had the pleasure of meeting Linda E., the fabulous Design Team Leader of the Simon Says Stamp Challenge & Show, and now I get to show you some of her gorgeous tag creations!
More eye candy from Linda's blog below:
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TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Simon Says Stamp Challenge! | Vintage Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge


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Getting pregnant is an event that can either be welcomed or cursed depending on whether it was planned for or not. Either way, a pregnancy test is the first step to knowing how to handle the situation. It is, therefore, not surprising that the accuracy of a pregnancy test would be questioned by even those clients, who have all the information on the mechanism how the bedava filim izle works. This article explores what to look for when looking for an accurate pregnancy test.
Attempts have been made from time immemorial to develop an accurate pregnancy test. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians have been known to have made kızlık bozma to develop pregnancy tests. The traditional method of detecting pregnancy is by waiting and watching for occurrence of the monthly periods. The menstrual cycle will occur and unused egg expelled through the vagina.
While it may be obvious to a mature woman who misses the monthly period that a pregnancy has occurred, this is often too late and kızlık bozma come with negative consequences. Besides, when an unwanted pregnancy is detected too late, it becomes difficult to remove it even where doctors recommend or it's legal.
There are a few tried and tested pregnancy tests. These modern methods use markers, which bind to the chemical agent in the testing material. These markers calledhuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are produced by the trophoblasts cells in the fetus sac. By using a reagent that would bind the hCG and produce change in color, a bedava filim izle can be done in few minutes. The weakness of this test is that it cannot be detected in the early days of the pregnancy.
An obstetric ultrasound is one of the most accurate forms of pregnancy tests. This can be done in few days of pregnancy and can provide information on the size of the gestation sac, whether there are twins or any defects that may be detected. The procedure is safe since measures are taken to prevent any radioactive leakages.
False negative pregnancy test results may occur depending on the type of the test used and the timing of the test. The use of strip methods that employs the detection of hCG proteins will be false negative if the test is done too early, say in the first three to four days before the protein is realized in adequate amounts. Similarly a false positive result may occur due to use of a faulty method or use of drugs that effect production of the hCg proteins. In either case, it is recommended that you take a repeat confirmatory test.
Modern pregnancy tests are safe and accurate.


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Today we're happy to announce one of our mobile team's first big projects: Shopify for iPhone.
- Get order notifications right on your phone
- Send order-tracking info to customers right from the post office
- Track trends in your sales with charts and stats
- Call or email a customer in one easy step
The Shopify for iPhone App is completely free. If you already have the previous version of Shopify for iPhone installed, it's a quick upgrade in the App Store. If not, search for "Shopify" on the iPhone's App Store or click the icon below:
Join 446,005 entrepreneurs who already have a head start.
Get free online marketing tips and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
Thanks for subscribing
You'll start receiving free tips and resources soon. In the meantime, start building your store with a free 14-day trial of Shopify.
20 comments
August 23 2012, 02:40PM
It sounds great. Too bad it crashed while trying to load my storefront.
August 23 2012, 06:15PM
HUGE improvmnet guys.
August 23 2012, 07:54PM
crashes when trying to import storefront
August 23 2012, 09:04PM
We did a ton of testing before releasing this but there is a specific way to configure a Shopify store which will lead to the crash. It's affecting about 2%-3% of stores out there.
We have found and fixed the issue now and we are waiting for Apple to approve the bug fix.
Really sorry for the inconvenience Rick and Graham and all others who are affected by this.
August 23 2012, 10:32PM
Works perfectly, and looks awesome. Great work guys!
August 23 2012, 10:52PM
Finally! Now I can have my shopify on me at all times! Thanks!!
August 24 2012, 05:41AM
Looks great… but seems to have limited extra function.
It's a great starting point, but STILL no ability to edit SKU, description and am I being dumb, or can you now NOT edit stock levels?
On the fly editing is what I wanted, but it does look awesome. Fingers crossed for future developments.
August 24 2012, 05:42AM
Great work guys, love it.
Now… only if there was a dedicated iPad app / Mac App :D.
August 24 2012, 09:51AM
I'm using it and it great!
August 24 2012, 10:41AM
Edit stock levels will come in the next version, which is a week or two away.
Out mobile team is continuing to add features so leave a comment on any other things you'd like to be able to do from the app.
August 24 2012, 07:15PM
Looks very cool – but any chance we may have a similar version for android soon?!
August 24 2012, 10:51PM
When will the fix that affects the 2-3% of us be in effect. Still not working! Will not import my store!
August 25 2012, 10:06AM
For us 8×8 VoIP users would be great to be able to configure so that when tapping a customer's phone # it uses the 8×8 iPhone app. That way customers don't see us calling from our mobile phones.
August 26 2012, 05:25AM
Will this work in sweden?
September 01 2012, 02:10PM
I'm in the same boat, it won't load my store. I opened a ticket on it last week but haven't heard back. Any word on the fix?
September 04 2012, 11:26AM
Awesome! Any luck on an Android app in the future? Shopify rocks.
September 20 2012, 04:54PM
I LOVE when that little green icon pops up with a 1 for an order . It makes me smile. The new icon looks great too!
January 04 2013, 05:08AM
Iphone app great – except the icon doesn't update properly. Still says there are outstanding orders when all orders are PAID and FULFILLED and CLOSED…
has a number 1 on icon on start screen for the last 3 weeks even with the above situation…causes confusion and the need to check if its real every few minutes….anyone else getting this??
January 13 2013, 11:33AM
Still no android app?
January 17 2013, 05:12PM
Same issue as al the little number icons are not going, I have them showing my total number of orders I have taken, they just keep counting up!


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Wyoming hunting. 88 Ranch Outfitters. This is a family-run outfitting and guiding operation. We are experts in this business, having guided hunters for over 30 years. Our family ranch is one of the oldest in Wyoming established in 1878. Located along the Bozeman Trail it became famous for its bucking horses and was a welcome stage stop for many weary travelers. Most of our guiding takes place on ranches, such as ours, that are primarily private land. We can offer hunts that are second to none. Keeping tabs on the game movement throughout the year and knowing where the trophies are is our business. We offer quality hunts for trophy animals, while managing our game herds. Our goal is to provide everyone with the opportunity of a quality hunting experience. Our game herds are in great shape and now is the time to book your hunt! Website www.88ranchoutfitters.com, or call 307 358-5941.
Ranches for sale, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas Licensed in AR, OK and TX. Accredited Land Brokers, headquartered in S.E. Oklahoma. Cattle Ranches, Hunting Land, Timber Land, Investment and Recreational properties. Visit our website today to view all of our listings. website www.WorldClassRanches.com; contact email@example.com


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Duration: 5 Days
Price: $895
Delivery Option: Attend via MOC On-Demand
Course Outline: This course equips students with the skills they require to deploy and configure System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager. View the entire course outline here.
About MOC On-Demand
Attend this course on-demand. Microsoft Official Courses On-Demand (MOC On-Demand) uses a combination of streaming video, text, lab exercises and assessment checks throughout the course. MOC On-Demand courses are available for 90 days and recommend the following system requirements:
Search Courses
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United Kingdom
Copyright© Hands On Technical Training


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Report: Trump's Dept. of Education Won't Investigate Bathroom Complaints from Trans Students
The Trump administration's Department of Education confirmed it will no longer investigate transgender students' complaints about being denied access to public facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity, according to a new report from BuzzFeed News.
Department of Education spokeswoman Liz Hill told the website that the Trump administration's revised interpretation of Title IX protections means trans students will no longer be protected when it comes to bathroom rights. Hill said "yes, that's what the law says" when asked if the EoD "holds a current position that restroom complaints from transgender students are not covered by a 1972 federal civil rights law called Title IX," BuzzFeed writes.
"Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity," she also said, adding that certain types of complaints from trans students may be investigated but none will be about bathroom complaints.
"Where students, including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX," Hill said. "In the case of bathrooms, however, long-standing regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX."
BuzzFeed notes the EoD's stance on bathroom complaints from trans students "conflicts with two federal appeals courts, which held that Title IX guarantees transgender students' access to restrooms matching their gender identity."
"Although Hill said 'the law says' transgender student restroom complaints aren't covered by Title IX, the law does not say that," the website added.


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Straight/Gay 'Zankie' Showmance Leaves 'Big Brother' Star Zach w/ A Boner?
We've talked in detail about the Zankie/Zrankie showmance/bromance on Big Brother, but is this straight/gay love fest moving beyond platonic flirtation?
Recent Vine clips posted by fans show straight Zach exiting a late-night cuddle session with Frankie with a boner that makes us think there may be more to their story....
Or it could just be an innocent case of morning (late night??) wood? What do you think, Instincters?
(H/T: The Gaily Grind)
Look at all the bi-erasure going on here. It's not an either/or thing. Sexuality is a spectrum. Maybe Zach prefers women, but that doesn't mean all men are off the table. Has anyone heard the things he says to Frankie? "Let's practice making out? If we lived together, it'd be over--I'd be gay?" Also, he clearly has an erection/semi looking at his shorts and I think it'd be a much bigger wet spot if he were wetting the bed. I think he's just covering his bases by peeing/multi-tasking. I don't think his purpose for being there was just to pee.
Any guy here would know especially if your a heavy leaker/precummer (like myself) when waking up in the middle of the night hard, morning wood or anytime you have a hardon at that you tend to have a wet spot from the precum.. Wether he was turned on, or not most likely since I am a heavy precummer and no matter when i get hard I get wet spots this is most likely the case.
Yes, I think Frankie is flamboyant, and in that flamboyance it eases the minds of straight people and does, IMO, perpetuate a stereotype that, thankfully, is in a minority of the gay population.
I say this as a 50-year old gay man, so I'd hope my experience counts for something. Calling someone "flamboyant" is not a pejorative so I wonder what all the fuss is about? Frankie is not my type, nor is Zach. I have different tastes, leaning to the more realistic side of the male physique.
By the way, hasn't anyone heard of a piss hard-on? That's when the male is holding his urine for so long that an erection arises, and the wet spot may be a result of this.
Oh dear, another biology lesson needed... Of course a straight man can get hard from another dude. Just as gay men can get hard from women. Just add anyone can get hard from the motions of a bus. It is a physiological reaction from stimulus, doesn't matter where that stimulus comes from.
People, hey? Sheesh!
I find it a little sad that the only place where I read negative frankly homophobic things about Frankie is from other Gay men on sites like Instinct. Did we really fight this battle for equality so that we could just become the macho worshipping cretins who harassed us all in our youth? Have we come all this way so that the only acceptable way to be Gay is put on Bro' drag and watch sports? Frankie is such a positive role model for all of us. He's made friends with every single person in that house through the shear force of his positive energy and yes his flaming flamboyant personality. He's won over the two reputed homophobes Cody and Caleb, he's friends with the backwoods rube and the born again Christian zealot. And on top of it, Zach a guy who self identifies as straight has essentially fallen in love with him. Yes the All American straight Bro fell for the nelly showtune queen. I think all the bitches on this comment thread are ust jealous.
Ok, first off, lay off the hate for Frankie, he's just being himself and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Fact is, most people aren't as confident in being who they are as Frankie is; so back off the lad.
As for the possibility (and circumstantial evidence appears to confirm it) that they may have hooked up; who cares? Let them have their fun. They're both consenting adults doing whatever it is they're doing, why is this an issue? I personally know men who enjoy having their wives "do them" with an attachment (trying to be PG here), does that make them gay? Hardly, it just means they like what they like. Granted, I suspect Frankie's a big o'le bottom and good for him.......and if he's a top, good for him again.
Point is, stop playing the shocked card and let go of the pearls because, as I mentioned to commenter Pete, you'll break the strand from all that clutching.
Okay the tell tale bulge and wet spot indicate he was hard and either came or is a very heavy leaker. Big deal, if they are involved...sexually or otherwise. They are human beings, who experience human emotion...love is not gender specific, so I just don't get what the big deal is all about. It wouldn't be the first time someone hooked up on one of these shows. It's 2014 seriously just get over it already.
I have no problem getting a straight man hard. That's just the way men are they get hard with the wind blowing. If you get a boner your mind is telling you it feels good not that you are gay.
Being gay is not a sexual encounter but if you desire men then you are gay. If a woman has sex with another woman is she gay or just having a sexual encounter.
I think what difference does it make ? He could be straight , he could be Bi sexual and still figuring it all out , maybe this time with him will help him to do that better . Maybe he has never even known this about himself , and it took the right guy to discover it ...Obviously he likes the kid . We all figure these things out in time , some faster than others , some slower . One can feel a sexual attraction to the same gender and not be necessarily gay . Some guys have experienced a friendship so strong with someone of the same sex that it becomes a type of emotional love , even though the person identifies as straight . To many lines are always being drawn as far as labels are concerned . So when he says he is straight , who am i to argue it ? .. If he discovers something about himself in this experience , well , good for him .. I think we should just be grateful for people who can care about others and love , rather than hate and killing all the time . We have enough of that going on in the world at the moment .
I agree that Zach is hot but Frankie angers me in his flamboyance as he perpetuates stereoytypes and lives for the live feeds of the show. He is narcissistic and a camera attetion whore. Zach is being friendly for some reason but be honest Zach is straight so let the pretending that he is anything else stop. When we project onto straight people we give them ammunition,, rightly so.


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9:00 pm
Masterpiece Classic "Mr. Selfridge, Part 4" Selfridge intercedes for spunky shop girl Agnes Towler, whose abusive drunken father had made a scene at the store. Meanwhile Selfridge discovers Roddy's painting of his wife, and he and Rose face a moment of truth. Ellen also confronts him, and alcohol, pills and driving under the influence take their toll. Part 4 of 8G
10:00 pm
Bletchley Circle In 1952 England, housewife and former World War II codebreaker Susan notices a pattern in a string of London murders. She contacts her old friends Millie, Lucy and Jean from Bletchley Park, the country's wartime decryption establishment. Together they set out to determine how the killer is finding his victims and find the latest missing girl. Part 1 of 3G
11:00 pm
New Tricks "Glasgow UCOS" Standing and McAndrew travel to Glasgow, where a new UCOS section is being established. While there, they agree to help investigate the unsolved murder of a bookie. The case brings McAndrew face-to-face with an old adversary.G


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Amateur, professional artists welcome.
A grand evening of art and hors d'oeuvres will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The Passion Art Auction, sponsored by UMC Enactus, will take place in Bede Ballroom in Sargeant Student Center. The doors open at 7 p.m. with the auction to follow at 7:30 p.m. There is no entry fee and the auction will follow a traditional format. Refreshments include a flavored water bar along with the hors d'oeuvres. Entry forms and additional information are available at umcenactus.com.
The Passion Art Auction is an opportunity to support UMC Enactus and to celebrate artistic talent and entrepreneurship in the region. The auction is open to both amateur and professional artists. All entries must be submitted by Wednesday, February 13 in order to be included in the auction. Sellers are asked to voluntarily donate a portion of their proceeds (recommended 20 percent) to UMC Enactus for competition travel.
Why passion? This year's theme for UMC Enactus, formerly Students in Free Enterprise, is passion, demonstrating the power of entrepreneurship in enabling people to create value in doing what they love. In order for new members of our team to experience the passion of Enactus as a worldwide organization of students, it is important that we raise funds to attend competitions, where our members can interact with Enactus teams from all over the country and the world," says Alex Buscher, a senior majoring in business management from Merrifield, Minn., who serves as business management administrative and financial director for UMC Enactus.


text: I wouldn't like the two URBANs if I were solving. Would I throw the puzzle away? No, but I would have to like everything else a lot to make up for it. I would definitely try to rework the puzzle without one of them. Just my two cents.Me, too. Why not change it?


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Unless you've been so far out in the field that you haven't been able to receive the latest news via the blogosphere and media news pages, then you will know that Steven Spielberg has announced plans for Jurassic Park 4. Spielberg made the announcement during the San Diego Comic-Con and was quoted as saying:
"We have a story. We have a writer who is writing the treatment and hopefully we are going to make Jurassic Park 4 in all our foreseeable futures, hopefully in the next two or three years."
The first thing to say here is that I wouldn't hold your breath because JP4 has always been two or three years in the making since JP3 was released way back in 2001. The rumour mill has been rife throughout the following ten years with all sorts of possible story lines, directors and actors – all of which have turned out to be meaningless rumour. But assuming that Spielberg is true to his word, then we can expect another film in the franchise around 2014 which will almost certainly add to the significant global takings by the other three films of $1.9 billion and will no doubt be swelled yet again by the trilogy being released on Blu-ray for the first time later this year.
What has surprised me, however, is the amount of people demonstrating their opposition to the film being made at all, and that is without the criticism of the project that has been demonstrated on social networking sites, blogs and also by the paleocommunity at sites such as the DML. I understand people wanting to protect the legend of the original Jurassic Park but it was inevitable that sequels would be made and that the franchise would escalate. Incidentally, I don't think the sequels were bad films anyway – they were good fun and entertained people, which brings me too the main point of this post.
The central focus for the anti-JP4 group seems to be the fact that the films were not and will not be scientifically accurate despite the fact that there have been some superb consultants involved from day one including palaeontologists such as Jack Horner. When the original Jurassic Park was released back in 1993, the standard of the effects, attention to detail and scientific accuracy was unmatched – at that time. Subsequently the film was methodically scrutinised and taken apart by both expert and amateur alike and it seemed that, all of a sudden, the film that broke the mould was considered flawed.
By the time JP2 was ready for release the critics were waiting with their sharpened knives in hand, ready to get stuck into it and, unfortunately, the film gave them plenty of ammunition. The biggest concerns at that point were that the raptors were still featherless since the first dinosaur fossils with feathers were already being recovered in China. There's something about dromaeosaurids portrayed without feathers that really annoys some people – and I mean annoy!
When JP3 went into production it was already being ripped to bits as snippets of information regarding the script leaked out. The film makers were on a hiding to nothing as far as some people were concerned and, despite doing good box office business, the film left a little to be desired as far as some critics were concerned. Although the raptors in JP3 did sport some quills, this was by no means enough.
Now that JP4 has been announced (again) the knives are out once more and you have to ask the question – why? Some people seem to forget that the Jurassic Park movies are made to entertain the public at large – entertain, not to be as scientifically accurate as possible although we would all like to see the situation improve. Not that it would matter if it was accurate since our science is moving so rapidly these days the chances are that a scientifically perfect Jurassic Park would be obsolete within 24 months.
Now I would love these films to be as scientifically accurate as the next man but I accept that this is unlikely because these films are being made to entertain the public at large. Time is money and I suspect that scientific accuracy is somewhat down the priorities list when it comes to getting the film finished and on public release. Even then, these films are a quantum leap better than anything else made and you cannot help but be impressed by the sheer scale and the standard of special effects.
Do I have issues with the Jurassic Park series? Well of course I do and if I am to be pinned down to one inaccuracy it would have to be the Spinosaurus / T.rex conflict in JP3 – not good. That might have worked if the film makers had not depicted the T.rex holding the spinosaur by the neck in its jaws and letting go with absolutely no after affects. In reality the power of the tyrannosaurs jaws would almost have certainly mashed the neck to pulp, perhaps even decapitated it. There would have been no fight to be honest.
The other issue that needs to be raised is that I find it difficult that people see fit to criticise a movie for not being accurate when nearly every single "serious" documentary on television is so often inaccurate, sensationalistic, repetitive and downright misleading. I am always critical of documentary' s that portray possibility and theory as fact since that is misleading the public in every sense of the word. Most people are not bothered when they are watching the Jurassic Park series since they are at the cinema for the ride – except for us palaeo-types of course!
Come on everyone, film entertainment is exactly that – entertainment. Let's try and not take them too seriously and enjoy them for what they are. Perhaps when all the serious documentaries are correct then we may have an argument to concentrate on getting the movies right. Incidentally, the two new big television dinosaur documentaries are not too far from broadcasting now and both Planet Dinosaur and Dinosaur Revolution are looking the part. Let's hope the science is equally as good as the CGI.


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Yellowish pustules of uredia and urediniospores of Hemileia vastatrix on the abaxial surface of coffee leaves.
Marli F. S. Papa and Mercia I. B. Celoto São Paulo State University, Av. Brasil, 56, 15385-00 Ilha Solteira, SP Brazil Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Host: Coffea arabica (coffee)Disease name: Rust (orange or leaf rust)Pathogen name: Hemileia vastatrix
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|North Pomfret, Vt.
|High School:
|North American Hockey Academy
|Political science
|Previous Team:
|North American Hockey Academy
USA Hockey: Attended four years of New England Development Camp.
2011-12 (Junior): ECAC Hockey All-Academic ... Had one assist in 15 games.
2010-11 (Sophomore): ECAC Hockey All-Academic ... Had one assist in 25 games.
2009-10 (Freshman): ECAC Hockey All-Academic ... First career point came on goal in 3-1 win vs. Vermont Jan. 2 ... First career assist came in 3-0 win vs. Union Jan. 15 ... Finished with two goals and one assist in 27 games ... Incurred just three penalties.
Before Yale: Won Junior Women's Hockey League and Assabet Valley tournament championship, and was finalist in the Winterlude Showcase and Rochester Fire on Ice Tournament, with North American Hockey Academy in 2008-09 ... Earned bronze medal at Can Am Challenge Cup ... North American Prep Hockey Association champions with NAHA Red in 2006-07 and 2007-08 ... Attended Woodstock Union High School in her freshman year, playing field hockey and lacrosse.
Notes: Father played on the BC freshman team, then transferred to Lehigh and played there for three years (captain senior year).
Why Yale? "Yale was the first school I visited and every other school I looked at paled in comparison. There was no question in my mind of where I wanted to go. Yale offers every opportunity I could ever dream of and then some."


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Stan McKee has deep knowledge of technology, and business and financial expertise. Until his retirement in 2002, McKee served as executive vice president and chief financial and administrative officer at Electronic Arts Inc., a publicly-held company that develops and publishes interactive entertainment. Under his leadership, Electronic Arts had unprecedented growth, expanding its sales revenue from $50 million to $2.5 billion. Prior to joining Electronic Arts, McKee was chief financial officer at Digital Research, Inc., a privately-held developer of operating systems, computer languages and applications. In addition, he served in the consulting division of Arthur Andersen for seven years.
McKee has been a member of Leapfrog's board of directors and chair of the audit committee since November 2003. He also served as a director and audit committee chairman of ArcSight, Inc., a publicly-held company that provided security and compliance management software and appliances to government and commercial entities, from February 2005 until its acquisition by HP in 2010. McKee has served on numerous other private company and joint venture boards.
McKee earned a B.A and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
Quentin Gallivan is chairman and chief executive officer of Pentaho, a leading company delivering the future of business analytics. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the high-tech industry and has held a variety of senior executive positions with market-leading companies such as Aster Data, PivotLink, Postini (now Google), VeriSign, Netscape, and General Electric. Under Gallivan's leadership, Postini became the market leader in secure messaging and compliance solutions delivered on demand. Postini reached large operational scale, with over 35,000 customers and over 10 million users in 25 countries. It became highly profitable, with a diversified customer base and strong customer renewal rates. Prior to Postini, Gallivan spent eight years at VeriSign as the executive vice president of Worldwide Sales and Field Operations. He played an instrumental role in the company's growth from less than $20 million in revenues in 1997 to more than $1.2 billion in revenues in 2005. Prior to VeriSign, Gallivan was vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific and Latin America, for Netscape Communications. Additionally, he spent 12 years with the General Electric Company, in key executive roles as vice president, Asia Pacific, for a GE business unit based in Hong Kong and vice president, Americas, for a unit based in Maryland.
Jake Reynolds has vast experience in the venture capital industry, his primary focus being in the software, eCommerce and business services industries. He has been involved with many investments, including Altiris, BenefitMall (acquired by Allied Capital), Brightmail (acquired by Symantec), Capella Education and Clareon (acquired by BancBoston). Reynolds was an Associate with General Atlantic Partners, focusing on software and business services investments. Reynolds worked closely with many General Atlantic investments including Baan, Compuware, E-Trade Group, Envoy, and Legent. Prior to joining General Atlantic, Reynolds was a member of the mergers and acquisitions group at Lazard Freres & Co, where he focused on the technology and telecom industries.
Reynolds has a master's degree from Columbia Business School where he earned Beta Gamma Sigma honors.
Dick Williams is president and chief executive officer of Webroot. He brings to the role over four decades of executive and operational leadership experience for technology, software, security and digital media companies.
Williams has worked as CEO or Chairman of several category defining companies. He has been Chairman of Hyperic, a leader in open source systems management software for today's large Web, SaaS, and cloud applications and infrastructures. Hyperic was acquired by SpringSource Global in May 2009. Prior to that, Williams was CEO of Wily Technology, the leader in Web application management, which was acquired by CA (Computer Associates) in 2006. Earlier he was CEO of Illustra Information Technologies, a pioneer of object database technology, which was acquired by Informix in 1996. Williams then co-founded and served as chairman of Quokka Sports, an online immersive sports media company, which completed its initial public offering in 1999.
Williams' executive leadership experience began at IBM, where he spent 22 years in a variety of sales, marketing, product and business management roles, including vice president for the company's Data Systems and General Products divisions. He then served as president and CEO of Digital Research, which he turned around and later sold to Novell. At Novell, Williams served as executive vice president of sales and support, and general manager of Novell's Digital Research Systems Group.
Williams is a member of Cloudera's board of directors and also serves on boards for LogRhythm and 3VR.


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More Tools I Use!
14 comments
I would love to come over for a playdate!!! I love to papercraft! Couldn't live without my Cricut or Xyron.ReplyDelete
Denise! You had me at hammer screwdriver combo and then I kept reading. Can I be your new BFF?!? I need to come over and play! The crop o dile....I am DYING. Heading to find and buy one NOW! You are THE COOLEST EVER!ReplyDelete
LOVING these things!!! Totally heading straight over to google to look into this Xyron! Everyone keeps asking what I want for Christmas... thanks for adding to my list! :)ReplyDelete
Mrs. Kelly's Klass
You have my dream room!!ReplyDelete
Amy Howbert
Little Miss Organized
Tanja wants to come over for a play date! Lol.ReplyDelete
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Endless Pinabilities!
I've just started paper crafting. I love your little craft cave! I too am also falling in love with my crop-o-dile. I've found so many uses for it.ReplyDelete
hahahahaha photobomb battery!!! I want to come and visit your craft cave!! I had no idea you had such awesomeness! I'm in awe :)ReplyDelete
Oh, I so want you to come organize my craft room! Mine's not as neat. I'm jealous. ;)ReplyDelete
OH MY GOODNESS - I would LOVE to come over for a craft play date! I think I'm in love with your craft cave ... ;)ReplyDelete
Oh my.....that is my dream room (typed as I am scrunched on my bed surrounded by papers and laminating scraps). Your machinery is pretty amazing too! I would love a play date....you did say I was your favourite :)ReplyDelete
Your crafty skills amaze me! I'm not sure which part I'm more jealous of... your awesome craft room, or that you have enough space for a craft room. I just take over the couch and kitchen table in my house. I just got a Cameo, so I see A LOT of paper crafting projects in my future!ReplyDelete
The Lower Elementary Cottage
a lady after my own heart! I call my space, my studio :) I love mixing my passionate hobby with my passionate teacher career :)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 29, 2012 at 9:27 AM
I laughed outloud about the photobombing battery. And I will say that I am jealous of all of your crafting abilities, but I am so thankful that you are sharing. Love it!ReplyDelete
Your craft room is awesome. I have the same wall panels in my craft room and am having trouble finding shelves and baskets to use with it. Where did you find yours?ReplyDelete
Thanks again for sharing your room,


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I have the easiest and best play dough recipie-and CHEAP! Use the cheapest brands you can find and you will get a lot of bang for your buck.
I cup plain flour
1/2 cup salt
1 tblsp cream of tartar
2 tblsp olive oil
1 cup boiling water
food colouring
Mix the dry ingredients and then add the wet-adding the boiling water last. Mix with a metal spoon until just combined and then turn out and knead on a bench until smooth, you can add a little bit more flour if it's sticky. It will be warm! Let it cool and you're done.
Kitchen utensils are rating highly here with play dough.
And making footprints with the animals
I don't think you can go past a good play with play dough with young children. Such sensory fun!
Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up HERE. I always find a heap of inspiring play ideas!


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Friday, November 15, 2013
On Saturday, November 16, 2013, a Pay.gov scheduled outage will occur from 6:00 to Midnight EST. During the scheduled outage, users will be unable to pay CM/ECF filing fees due the court via the internet on-line payment system supported by Pay.gov. CM/ECF filers should be able to file documents without interruption during the scheduled outage.


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Agriculture Secretary George Greig recognized three farm families for working their Pennsylvania farms for generations Wednesday during the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
— Agriculture Secretary George Greig recognized three farm families for working their Pennsylvania farms for generations Wednesday during the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
The Sonner Farmstead, now under the care of David and Melba Williams and sister Sandra French, was purchased on Dec. 26, 1856.
The acreage originally supported an orchard and winery, and now supplies vegetables for the family's farm market and hay. The farm is one of 28 Century Farms in Wayne County.
Williams has been a fixture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show for the past 12 years, providing coverage through both radio and television. He tries to "cover everything."
Every year, he looks forward to "the annual FFA (Future Farmers of America) meeting," when around 5,000 young people descend on the fair and discuss their futures in farming. Another favorite activity for Williams is interview the young people.
Since the Century Farm program's inception in 1977 and the creation of the Bicentennial Farm program in 2004, the agriculture department has recognized 1,926 Century and 160 Bicentennial Farms.
"The Farm Show is a great place to recognize our state's longstanding, dedicated farm families," said Greig. "More than 97 percent of Pennsylvania farms are family owned, and many pass from generation to generation. The resilient families we honored today are a shining example of our state's rich farming heritage that spans centuries."
There were other farms honored from across the state, and they are as follows:
The Ralph and Geraldine Fair farm in Manns Choice, Bedford County, received Bicentennial Farm status.
Information on the fair farm dates back to the original sheepskin deed from the William Penn family to Dr. John Anderson, founder of the Bedford Springs resort.
The farm was sold from Anderson to Ralph Fair's great-great-great-grandfather for $5 per acre, and the family retains the Sept. 5, 1812, deed from that transfer, too.
The homestead's oldest structure is a farmhouse built in 1837, still used today. The family's eighth generation is helping on the 226-acre organic dairy and poultry operation. Bedford County is home to 27 Century and 5 Bicentennial Farms.
The Zimmermans have lived in Buffalo Valley since the 1800s, and the Kevin and Jonna Zimmerman family can trace its roots to those early farmers. Great-uncle Orville Zimmerman bought the farm for $29 per acre on May 19, 1910, a mile from his parents' farm. Four generations of Zimmermans have worked the farm's original 56 – now 156 – acres, now primarily a poultry and beef operation. Union County is home to 32 Century Farms.
The Samuel and Everell Wagner Farm of Tionesta, Forest County, also received Century Farm designation, but no representatives could attend the presentation.
The century farm program was established to help promote the strength and durability of Pennsylvania's farm families and to recognize families who have been farming the same land for 100 years.
To be eligible for the program, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. A family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis, and the farm must include at least 10 acres of the original holding or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.
Application details are available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us by searching "Century Farm" or by calling 717-705-7796.


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LONDON (Reuters) - Phillip Price feared a mismatch when Europe chose Paul McGinley as captain to take on U.S. counterpart Tom Watson in next month's Ryder Cup but the Welshman said his initial concerns have been totally dispelled.
McGinley's modest playing record, and his overall standing in the sport, cannot compare to that of eight-times major winner Watson.
But Price, who caused a major shock by beating Phil Mickelson in the last-day singles in the 2002 edition at The Belfry, has been so impressed with the genial Irishman that he believes he could turn into an inspired selection as skipper.
"I initially felt there might be an awe factor, I felt it was not a good matchup," Price told Reuters in an interview. "I think he's been fantastic though.
"I've listened to him a lot on TV and he's come across so well. He's very thoughtful, he seems to have thought about the Ryder Cup an awful lot and every question that's thrown at him, he's always got a good answer."
Four-times European Tour winner McGinley holed the putt that won the Ryder Cup in 2002 but Price says next month's matches against the Americans at Gleneagles in Scotland could end up defining his career.
"I think this is his major and he's planned really well," explained the 47-year-old.
"This is it for him. I can imagine he's going to be more prepared than any captain there's ever been.
"One of my former caddies has been working for him and he says no stone has been left unturned in terms of preparation.
"I get the feeling he's thought about this for a long time and is ready for every angle, the pairings, the weather, the preparation."
Price, who has won three times and is still an active player on the circuit, said a meeting at Tour headquarters at Wentworth early in the captaincy selection process should have told him all he needed to know about McGinley's popularity.
"When the tour players were here for a meeting to talk about picking the next captain I was stunned by how many wanted him," he added.
"They've twice seen him working as a Seve Trophy captain, and as a Ryder Cup vice-captain, and they were all pushing for him. The players were talking about him and Colin Montgomerie and the amount of support for Paul was astonishing.
"Monty wasn't ever in the reckoning. The team also seem to hold him in very high regard," said Price who was talking to Reuters at Tony Jacklin's Wentworth Charity Invitational golf event in aid of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People (www.rainbows.co.uk).
"When he was eventually picked as captain all the players from the team had been phoning and tweeting their support for Paul."
This week's Italian Open, the final qualifying event, will determine the automatic nine selections in Europe's team before McGinley rounds off his 12-man lineup by announcing his three wildcard picks at Wentworth on Tuesday.
World number 16 Graeme McDowell is not playing this week and will be replaced among the top nine automatic slots by Stephen Gallacher if the Scot finishes first or second in Turin.
"I think we've got three obvious picks - Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald," said Price. "But, concerningly, none of them are playing very well, they're all struggling.
"Stephen is probably next on the list. He needs to do something this week, or someone like Francesco Molinari needs to win, to change things.
"G-Mac is an automatic pick and Steve has to deliver something this week. If he finishes in the top five in Italy he may be picked because he's got a phenomenal record at Gleneagles.
"I think Poulter will definitely get a pick and that Donald is struggling the most. Looks to me like he's in the most trouble."
Editing by Ed Osmond


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Showcase your business with a 360-degree perspective
Labels: 360-degree imagery, Ad Formats, advertisers, Business Photos site, Google Business Photos, Google Maps, Google Place Pages
[cross-posted from the Lat Long Blog]
When I'm looking for a restaurant in San Francisco, I always browse photos to see if the ambiance is right for the occasion. With our Business Photos pilot, we've been photographing businesses, with their permission, to highlight the qualities that make their locations stand out. In addition to the photos that business owners can upload directly through Google Places, these photos help potential customers get a better view of the decor, merchandise, food, and more on each business' Place page.
Gruhn Guitars Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
We've also been taking 360-degree photography to help businesses owners showcase their locations further, and starting today you can experience that panoramic perspective for select businesses in the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
This experience, using Street View technology, includes 360-degree imagery of the business interior and storefront. With this immersive imagery, potential customers can easily imagine themselves at the business and decide if they want to visit in person.
Tenkai, Kyoto, Japan
We're now starting to make these images available through the Place pages of select businesses we've photographed. When 360-degree imagery of a business is available, you'll see an arrow appear over the thumbnail Street View image on that business' Place page. Press the arrow to preview the storefront or interior, then click on the thumbnail to see the image in Street View.
Storefront thumbnail for Susan Avery Flowers and Event Styling in Australia
With this pilot, you'll begin to see additional photo experiences on the Place pages of a growing number of businesses. As additional imagery becomes available for more locations in the coming months, you'll also be able to enter the interior perspective of businesses directly from the Street View images of nearby roads on Google Maps.
We're continuing this program with businesses in select cities in the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Korea, and France. If you would like to highlight your business to Google Maps users, please visit the Business Photos site to learn more and apply.
Posted by Gadi Royz, Product Manager, Google Maps


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Bucking Bronco
Carolyn M. Fletcher 4/28/2003 11:08:00 AMWhat a shot! Doesn't look of this world! #32707
I just had to vote for this at Fotosurf!! Didn't even have to give it a second thought!! A winner for sure! Good luck! #103049
Cathy :) #106266
Par #109046
Tanya Everett 5/5/2006 12:18:26 PMCongrats!! That is an amazing photo!!! #2729034
I took this picture at sunup, as the cowboy was on a ledge
Uploaded on 4/28/2003 10:40:20 AM
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Ann G. Martin. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.


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Orange Crepe Streamers 81 ftItem: 203-699
Classic Decorations For Every Celebration
Decorate your party venue with Orange Crepe Streamers. Party streamers are the classic party supply that will set the mood for fun at any gathering. Hang bright orange party streamers at birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving gatherings, and Halloween parties to compliment your decor, and your wallet!
- Two 81 foot orange streamer rolls.
Stock up on classic decorations and tableware for all of your upcoming parties. Traditional party supplies are perfect for any occasion you want to celebrate!


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Go Green with Next Generation Packaging
A new generation of packaging materials makes it difficult not to go green.
Environmental consciousness is influencing how food processors do business, and nowhere is the effect more noticeable than in packaging.
Suppliers' R&D labs are working overtime to create earth-friendly packaging materials from sustainable resources. In addition, new services and tools are taking the mystery out of designing "green" packages. Retailer initiatives both in the U.S. and abroad are important drivers for the greening of packaging.
Domestically, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (www.walmartfacts.com), Bentonville, Ark., last fall unveiled a Packaging Scorecard that evaluates packaging on dimensions such as recycled content, cube utilization, transportation and the volume of greenhouse gas emissions produced in manufacturing.
See the Nov. 28, 2006, story on Wal-Mart's Packaging Scorecard.
The company's suppliers can use the scorecard to consider what-if scenarios for their own packaging and to evaluate their packaging-sustainability status relative to competitors. Those with the most sustainable packaging will be well positioned to win Wal-Mart's business; starting in 2008, packaging sustainability will play a key role in the retail giant's buying decisions.
Wal-Mart's purchasing power is the locomotive for change on the supply side. The retailer currently buys from 60,000 suppliers worldwide, and none will be exempt from filling out the scorecard.
Ruiz Foods Inc. (www.elmonterey.com), Dinuba, Calif., has been a Wal-Mart supplier for more than 10 years, supplying items such as El Monterey brand 10-pack burritos and chicken and shredded beef Taquitos. "It is extremely logical for Wal-Mart, with locations worldwide, to integrate this initiative into its business plan and work to drive positive change," says Bryce Ruiz, president and chief operating officer, Ruiz Foods.
"We believe that reducing our environmental impact is the right thing to do and believe we can accomplish this by improving our products, processes and packaging, as well as through our commitment to the community," he continues. Ruiz Foods worked with the packaging scorecard and, based on the results, believes its packaging ranks in the top one-third of Wal-Mart's package sustainability scale.
"The scale was very helpful [and] extremely easy to use," Ruiz says. As a result of using the scorecard, his company is investigating alternative package structures that are more environmentally friendly, with the goal of affecting as many packages as possible.
In Europe, retailer Sainsbury's is one year into its initiative to eliminate conventional plastic packaging from its stores. The plan includes gradually using compostable packaging in place of conventional plastic trays and bags, to the tune of 150 million trays and bags per year. Ultimately the effort will eliminate 3,550 metric tons of plastic, significantly reducing waste destined for landfills.
In all, Sainsbury's hopes to put more than 500 types of food in compostable packaging. Items include Sainsbury's SO organic fruit and vegetables, Sainsbury's Ready Meals, organic sausages and organic whole birds. For foods not compatible with compostable materials, such as deli salads and prepared fruit, the company uses recyclable packaging.
For its compostable packaging, the company is focusing on bioplastics -- polymers made from organic materials such as corn and sugarcane. Package components include trays, baskets, flow-wrap films, labels and netting.
The company recently introduced Sainsbury's SO organic baby salad potatoes packaged in a flexible, heat-sealed bag made from Amcor NaturePlus Mater-Bi vertical form-fill-seal film. The 40-micron, co-extruded film, supplied by Amcor Flexibles (www.amcor.com), Gloucester, UK, is made from renewable, non-genetically modified (non-GM) vegetable materials such as corn starch and is home compostable. The film's all-over print pattern features a compostable logo and text. The back of the bag includes information about the packaging material's compostability and stresses Sainsbury's commitment to compostable and recyclable packaging.
The greening of plastic
Several other bioplastics also are finding applications in food packaging. The most familiar is polylactic acid (PLA), which is made from corn starch. PLA is a high-clarity material that can be formed into thermoformed trays, bottles, films and labels.
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Go Habs!!
Posted by Jocelyn at 9:03 PM 1 comments
Labels: Funny Stuff, Habs, Hilarity, Hockey, Montreal Canadiens
Posted by Jocelyn at 9:03 PM 1 comments
Labels: Funny Stuff, Habs, Hilarity, Hockey, Montreal Canadiens
Today, while completing my daily ritual of scouring the Huffington Post, I came across two articles about nuns. I found this odd, since there are approximately six nuns left in existence, but that's neither here nor there. Here's what the first one said:
Garbed in her nun's habit and black wool tunic over a white shirt and skirt, Sister Mary Beth Lloyd did not appear to be dressed for exercise. But her running shoes hinted that "something big" was afoot.
Lloyd, 62, of the Religious Teachers Filippini order, launched a charity event with her longtime friend and former colleague, Lisa Smith Batchen, in a bid to raise $1 million for orphans by having the pair run and walk 50 miles in each of the 50 states, for a total of 2,500 miles, within 62 days.
Dubbed "Running Hope Through America," (http://www.runhope.com), the event kicked off Monday in New Jersey, where Smith Batchen, 49, an "ultramarathoner" ran a loop in a local park all day long until achieving 50 miles.
The duo were set to resume the event Tuesday in New York's Central Park and continue Wednesday in Connecticut, and so on across the nation, until finishing after 62 days--a time frame chosen because 62 miles in ultramarathons equals 100 kilometers, a race standard.
There's that social justice bit that the Catholic Church is so proud of. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Catholic nuns are, more than the Vatican, doing the work of Christ. Anyway, here's what the second one said:
A Roman Catholic bishop in Pennsylvania has barred local nuns from promoting their order in his diocese because they supported the health care bill Congress passed last month.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pa., "publicly repudiated" the U.S. bishops by supporting the bill, the Diocese of Greensburg said in a statement. Therefore, Bishop Lawrence Brandt has ordered diocesan newspapers, offices, and parishes not to promote the sisters' upcoming recruiting drive.
The Sisters of St. Joseph, who specialize in health care and social services, was one of nearly 60 Catholic women's congregations that signed a March 17 letter supporting a version of the health care bill that was denounced by the U.S. bishops.
After minor revisions and a promise from President Obama not to expand federal funding of abortion, that bill became law on March 23. . . .
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, the Catholic social-justice lobby that organized the March 17 letter, said she is saddened by Brandt's actions.
The bishops and the nuns "share one faith and one commitment," Campbell said. "We have a difference of opinion on how that commitment is carried out in legislation. And the fact that we can't have a difference of opinion really saddens me."
I wish there was a way for me to translate the audible sigh I gave when I read this into writing. I've known for a long time that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is more a right-wing political organization than an expression of faith, but this action on the part of one of their members really upsets me, and here's why: the health care bill that passed congress did not give any federal funding to abortions. While it is woefully inadequate (in my humble, Canadian opinion), what it did do was increase health coverage for poor, and elderly people, as well as children. This, again, falls in line with the Catholic Church's mission of social justice, which, I assume, is why the nuns supported it. It does not, however, fall in line with modern American conservative politics, which is why, I assume, the Bishop Limbaugh didn't.
Matthew 4:23 says:
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 9:35 says:
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Matthew 10:8 says:
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 12:15 says:
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick
Matthew 14:14 says:
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
I think you get the picture. There is no question in my mind that universal health care, unlike many issues in the Bible that can be unclear, falls in line with the teachings of Christ. To that end, I see no justifiable reason that a Catholic Bishop could ostracize a group of smart, awesome nuns for supporting legislation that brings the United States closer to that ideal, particularly when the legislation in question does NOT fall out of line with any direct Church teachings. Except, you know, that he's a republican.
So, Bishop Limbaugh, WTF would Jesus do?
Posted by Jocelyn at 11:51 AM 2 comments
Labels: bishops, Catholicism, health care reform, nuns, Politics
So, you may have noticed that this giant* volcano in Iceland exploded and stranded everyone who belongs elsewhere in Europe (including my family. I MISS YOU GUYS!!!!), and everyone who belongs in Europe Elsewhere. Luckily for us, however, we have some insight as to why something like this could have happened. Read on...
From the International Reporter:
Dr. Raj Baldev, Cosmo Theorist, further said, "It is a warning to the human being that too much materialism and ignoring faith in God in any form directly or indirectly or through Nature, had made the basic elements to get annoyed on the uncalled for behavior of human beings, and as a result all natural problems are cropping up one after the other, particularly at this stage when there is a serious problem of Global Warming."From the Times Online:
Is God angry with Europe? The answer, yes – and the evidence, the Icelandic volcano – or so claims the grandly titled Association of Orthodox Expers.
They see the ash cloud, reports Interfax, as a "menacing sign of God" but the jury is out on the web as to why.
The Association gives two possible explanations – the Nazis – or at least their brand of Aryan "neo-paganism", a centre has just opened in Iceland, and the usual scapegoat, homosexuality.
"Is it possible that once Christian Europe has forgotten the Holy Scripture and the destiny of Sodom and Gomorrah," they ask.
From Rush Limbaugh:
"You know, a couple of days after the health care bill had been signed into law, Obama ran around all over the country saying, "Hey, you know, I'm looking around. The earth hadn't opened up. No Armageddon out there. The birds are still chirping.From HuffPo:
I think the earth has opened up. God may have replied. This volcano in Iceland has grounded more airplanes – airspace has more affected – than even after 9/11 because of this plume, because of this ash cloud over Northern and Western Europe. … It's got everybody just in a shutdown. Earth has opened up. I don't know whether it's a rebirth or Armageddon. Hopefully it's a rebirth, God speaking…"
A senior Iranian cleric says women who wear immodest clothing and behave promiscuously are to blame for earthquakes. . . .
"Many women who do not dress modestly ... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes," Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Sedighi is Tehran's acting Friday prayer leader.
From the Economist:
ICELAND has a lot of volcanoes, and it's a rare decade where one of them doesn't erupt. So why is the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull causing such chaos, and what does that mean for the future? The answer to the first question is that the Eyjafjallajokull eruption is peculiarly well attuned to messing with air travel; most eruptions of a similar size would do a lot less long-distance harm. The answer to the second is that less well attuned but considerably larger eruptions are all but certain in decades to come. . . .
As these volcanoes go, Eyjafjallajokull is not a very big one. It is, however, particularly good at producing fine-grained ash — the sort of stuff that can hang in the air for days—and it has done so at a time when weather conditions have allowed that ash to be spread to the south east, in a slightly clumpy way, through a great deal of European sky.
The fineness of the ash is, says Thorvaldur Thordarson, an Icelandic volcanologist, unusual. Ash particles are normally in the 50-100 micron (0.05 to 0.1 millimetre) range. But at a site 50km east of the eruption, 24% of the ash falling to the ground was in the form of particles 10 microns or less in size. Studies of ash captured from the air show that for every one of the largest particles (about 300 microns) there are a million or more in the 2 micron range. So though the total volume of the eruption, put at about 0.14 cubic kilometres, is low, the amount of ash capable of travelling long distances is high.
Two factors are contributing to the fineness of the ash. One is the composition of the lava. The more viscous lava is, the harder it is for gases within it to bubble out, so such lava has an explosive tendency. Eyjafjallajokull's lava is, by Icelandic standards, quite viscous. The other factor is the presence of water. Putting molten lava into direct contact with water or ice also leads to explosions, which again lead to fine dust. A small ice cap on top of Eyjafjallajokull has promoted such shenanigans.
Seriously, who do those crap journalists at the Economist think they are? Obviously, the eruption was caused by God being mad about sluts, health care, gays, neo-Nazis, paganism, materialism and global warming. DUH!
The Economist sucks.**
Posted by Jocelyn at 10:27 AM 0 comments
Labels: divine intervention, Eyjafjallajokull, Stupid-ass shit, the economist, volcano
Beatles to Vatican: fuck off!
(This is probably the coolest thing Ringo has ever done, not that that's saying much.)
Posted by Jocelyn at 9:58 AM 0 comments
Labels: Funny Stuff, Hilarity, random, Stupid-ass shit, The Beatles, The Vatican
Posted by Jocelyn at 3:19 PM 0 comments
These are the secret words of Almighty God,You can probably see why this wasn't included in the Bible. Beyond the concept of gender equality and the possible reference to sex as a means to salvation, the biggest issue with the Gospel of Thomas is that it doesn't endorse anything that resembles organized religion (aside from a one-sentence recommendation to keep the Sabbath holy). No, the ideas espoused in the Gospel of Thomas are about self-discovery as a way to reach the divine. This concept must have been very threatening to a political body operating under the pretense of religious authority (aka the early Catholic Church).
which Lord Jesus Christ uttered
and were scribed by his disciple Thomas.
He said, "He who comprehends the inner meaning
of these words will be immortal.
Permit whoever seeks never to cease
from seeking until he finds.
When he succeeds he will be turned around;
when he's so turned he'll be amazed
and shall rule over the All.
If those who lead you say 'God's Kindgom's in Heaven,'
then birds will fly there first.
If they say 'It's in the sea,'
the fish will swim there first.
For God's Kingdom dwells in your heart and all around you;
when you know your Self you too shall be known!
. . .
Make the two into One
and the inner as the outer and the outer as the inner,
the above as below, the male and female into a single One.
So the male isn't male and the female isn't female any more.
When you make two eyes into a single eye,
and a hand into a hand, a foot into a foot,
a picture into a picture, then you'll enter the Kingdom.
. . .
Show me the stone that the builders have rejected;
that one shall be my corner stone.
He who understands all but lacks Self Knowledge lacks all.
. . .
I am the Light above them all; I am the All;
the All issues from me and reaches me.
Cut wood, I am there; lift stone, I am there
. . .
He who knows the real Mother* and Father,
can he be called the son of a whore?
When you make two into One you'll be sons of Man,
and if you command a mountain to movie, it will move. . . .
Posted by Jocelyn at 1:30 PM 2 comments
Labels: Catholicism, Pedophilia, the Gospel of Thomas, The Pope, The Vatican
Posted by Jocelyn at 12:14 AM 0 comments
WTF WOULD JESUS DO? - Design by Dzelque Blogger Templates 2008


text:
Rose Arbor
Neal D. Hatcher 5/29/2012 8:13:36 PMBEAUTIFUL #1466047
John Connolly 5/30/2012 3:51:28 PMA delightful garden scene beautifully captured and presented, Jessica! The composition and light here are fantastic! #10162007
Tammy Espino 6/18/2012 2:16:14 PMCongrats Jessica on this beautiful finalist! #10185734
Katherine Kuhn 6/18/2012 2:48:31 PMBeautiful scene, well-captured, Jessica! Congratulations on all of your finalists! #10185909
Lorna Shutter 6/18/2012 3:19:24 PMWoo Hoo!!! CONGRATULATIONS on another beautiful Finalist!!!!! :)
Neal D. Hatcher 6/18/2012 3:39:19 PMCONGRATULATIONS #10186126
Danny B. Head 6/18/2012 3:54:23 PMCongrats on your beautiful finalist! #10186167
Linda A. Braddock 6/18/2012 4:01:12 PMJessica, Congratulations on this beautiful Finalist! #10186192
JO ANN CLEVELAND 6/18/2012 4:21:40 PMCongratulations on this awesome finalist
jo ann c. #10186245
ROBIN-LEE M. Vieira 6/18/2012 5:37:08 PMAn absolute beauty!! Congrats Jessica!!! #10186523
Mukesh Srivastava 6/18/2012 9:01:58 PMCongrats for Finalist Win, Jessica!!!! #10187393
Stefania Barbier 6/18/2012 10:38:51 PMdreamy and beautiful Jessica... congratulations on your finalist!!! #10187577
John Rivera 6/19/2012 4:56:22 AMCongratulations Jessica on this fabulous Finalist!!! #10188050
Christopher Budny 6/19/2012 6:00:51 AMWhat a beautiful place! Terrific capture through the arbors. Congratulations! #10188297
Boyd L. Alexander 6/19/2012 6:06:58 AMWhat a beautiful finalist Jessica, Congratulations! #10188321
The Judges at BetterPhoto.com 6/19/2012 10:17:13 AMVery pretty! #10189249
Emile Abbott 6/19/2012 11:40:33 AMBeautiful finalist Jessica and congratulations. #10189406
Tarun Bose 6/19/2012 5:32:21 PMCongrats for your lovely finalist image, Jessica. #10190047
Merna L. Nobile 6/30/2012 3:16:31 PM
Do what you love, and it will make your soul rich. CONGRATULATIONS, for being an award winner for the month of May, 2012. Merna
May 2012 Contest Finalist
Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire, auto mode, ISO: 80, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 6.10 mm, Model: Canon PowerShot G10
Uploaded on 5/29/2012 7:24:26 PM
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text:
NEW YORK -- Newest Orioles player Michael Morse, acquired Friday in a trade with Seattle, joined the club on Saturday, but wasn't in the starting lineup after arriving at the team hotel in New York around 3:30 a.m. following a late flight from Houston, where the Mariners were playing.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Morse will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Yankees.
"He's pretty excited about being here," Showalter said. "When they were in our place, he had heard a lot of talk about our interest in him. He said it's been a long wait."
Morse, who enjoyed his best major league seasons with the Nationals, said he was excited about joining the Orioles and returning to the area.
"To get claimed by Baltimore, for me it's a great opportunity," Morse said. "It's a great ballclub and a great team to be a part of. I'm very excited to be here.
"This is a great area," Morse added. "Baltimore-DC area is a great area. It's a good baseball area. There are a lot of fans. To me, it's always been good. I'm just happy to be back."
Morse's former manager in Washington, Davey Johnson, said the Orioles acquisition of Morse should help. Johnson, a former Orioles player and manager, should know.
"He's a big impact on a lineup," Johnson told the Washington Times. "Huge. In Camden Yards? I shudder to think. That ballpark is made just for him. He's that right-center hitters and that's the jet stream. He's a good fit there.
Morse agreed he's looking forward to playing at Camden Yards, where he's a career .283 hitter in 15 games there.
"I am, but I'm also excited to watch these and keep watching how they're playing," Morse said. "It's all about getting to the postseason. That's the goal. Whatever it takes, I'm for it."
Morse was working his way around the Orioles clubhouse meeting his new teammates. He played two years with Adam Jones in Seattle and knows Danny Valencia because both are from South Florida.


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January 29, 2013
Overwhelming Majority of Canadians Support Banning International Trade in Polar Bear Parts
85 percent support Appendix I listing under CITES, 72 percent disapprove of Canadian government plans to oppose the ban
OTTAWA, Ontario — A new Environics poll commissioned by Humane Society International and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) shows that the vast majority of Canadians support the proposal to prohibit the international commercial trade of polar bear parts by uplisting the animals to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Canadian support for the uplisting of polar bears rose to 85 percent from 82 percent in comparison to a similar poll conducted by Environics in 2010.
The poll results come in advance of the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) to CITES, 3-14 Mar. 2013, where delegates from Canada and other signatories will vote on the uplisting. The proposal has been made by the United States and is supported by Russia; both countries also have polar bear populations. The Canadian government opposes the proposal, and it has been working to undermine international efforts to garner the maximum protection for polar bears. Canadians' disapproval of the Canadian government's plan to oppose the uplisting has increased significantly from 61 percent to 72 percent.
"Canadians are aware that while climate change is the top threat to polar bears, killing them for trophies, rugs and trinkets is not only inhumane, but is unsustainable," said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada. "The federal government should be listening to the international scientific community and the great majority of Canadians who want to see polar bears receive the maximum protection."
"As market demand for polar bears increases, so does the number of polar bears killed," said Sheryl Fink, IFAW spokesperson. "If Canadians want to help this species, we have to do everything we can to protect them before it's too late."
The international trade in polar bear parts results in the deaths of 441 polar bears every year on average in Canada.
A telephone survey was conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 11, 2013 with a sample size of 2,007 adults (18 years and over), randomly selected from across Canada. The survey has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, at the 95 percent confidence level.
- Canada is the only country that allows legal hunting of polar bears solely for the purpose of international trade and sport (Peacock et al. (2011)). Each year, approximately 600 polar bears are hunted in Canada (Peacock et al. (2011)) and on average the parts of 441 are internationally traded. This level of hunting has negatively affected some polar bear populations.
- Polar bears in Canada are composed of 13 separately managed populations. According to the IUCN Polar Bear Specialists Group (PBSG), which is composed of the world's foremost polar bear scientists, over half of these populations are declining. Only three populations are stable. Two are data deficient. And only one population, which represents a mere 2 percent of Canada's bears, is increasing – due largely to a reduction in quota spurred by overhunting. IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG), http://pbsg.npolar.no/en/status/status-table.html.
- Canada kills polar bears at unsustainable levels, resulting in declines in more than half of Canada's polar bear populations. Hunt quotas for any population that is declining are by definition unsustainable. In addition, Canada acknowledges that it kills 3.75 percent of its bears every year, but the maximum rate of population growth for polar bears is between 4 percent and 6 percent per year. Even in healthy growing populations, an annual hunt quota of 3.75 percent would slow, and possibly even stop, that growth.
- Polar bear quotas in Canada are set by Provincial and Territorial wildlife management boards. While these boards take scientific advice into account, the quotas they set are not limited by that advice.
- While climate change is the top threat to polar bears, the international commercial trade in parts is the second biggest threat to the species, resulting in the deaths of 441 bears a year on average. It is a fundamental tenet of conservation biology that in order to help species challenged by habitat degradation and climate change, other population stressors must be reduced.
- From 2007 to 2012, there was a 375 percent increase in the number of polar bear skins offered at auction, and rising and unsustainable hunting quotas and killing levels are likely motivated in part by the growing international demand for polar bear hides.
Click here to view Environics poll results.
Additional information is available on a fact sheet, brief and report.
Media Contacts:
HSI/Canada: Dean Pogas, 514.261.6007/514.395.2914, firstname.lastname@example.com
IFAW: Michelle Cliffe, 647.986.4329, firstname.lastname@example.com
Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI/Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International—one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than eleven million members and constituents globally—on the Web at hsicanada.ca.
About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information visit, www.ifaw.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Help HSI stop trophy hunting and other wildlife abuse
Sign Up
Get the latest news and alerts
- Take Action


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Using real data from NASA's Fermi satellite, students determine the size and energy of an active galaxy flare region. This activity includes background information for teachers, student worksheets, procedures, adaptations, extensions, an assessment... (View More) rubric, and related resources. This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Active Galaxies Educator's Guide." (View Less)
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Pudding Club Blog
Visit England's 101 things to do before you go abroad - Number 7 - The Pudding Club!
Readers of the Rough Guide - 101 Things to do before you go abroad" are advised to "do your part to keep the sweetest of English traditions alive by sliding your spoon into custard drenched Spotted Dick and Sticky Toffee Pudding at one of the weekly meetings of The Pudding Club!" Indulge with The Pudding Club is number 7 in Visit England's list no less, very coincidental as each Pudding Club meeting serves 7 traditional British puddings!
Pudding Club Tour of Japan
Eight days, four venues and eight pudding cookery demonstrations in Japan, it went like clockwork, no hitches, just lots of very happy Pudding Club fans!
Thanks to the team at the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo, The Pudding Club Afternoon Tea there was fun, this is where Simon - The Pudding Master - was mobbed because of his hand painted silk Pudding Club tie!
Pudding Cookery demonstrations took place at St Christopher's Tea Garden in Tokyo, Liptons Tea School in Ginza, The Lattice Tea Room in Nagoya and an amazing mock Tudor(!) venue in Takarazuka!
Virgin Atlantic flew us to and back home from Tokyo and gave us great service! RSVP magazine organised the events, including signings of The Pudding Club's recipe book - Great British Puddings!
We love spreading the word about Great British puddings!
Thanks to everyone who supported the trip and to the hundreds of British pudding lovers we met in Japan!
The Pudding Club on Tour in Japan!
The Pudding Club is going on tour to Japan in conjunction with RSVP magazine in the spring 2013. Simon Coombe - The Pudding Cub's Chief Taster (!) and his wife Jill will be demonstrating how to prepare and cook British puddings, followed by tasting sessions at the following venues :-
http://www.stc-inter.co.jp Thursday 25 April
http://www.shangri-la.com Friday 26 April - Afternoon Tea Club
http://www.liptonhouse.com Saturday 27 April
http://www.impact-life.jp/lattice/lattis_u.htm Sunday 28 April
http://www.aiaipark.co.jp/outline Monday 29 April
Take a close look at RSVP magazine here - http://www.rsvp.co.jp/
We look forward to taking a taste of British Puddings to Japan for the 5th time!
Pudding Club meeting at Fortnum and Mason Autumn 2013
Come and share the love of Great British Puddings in London at Fortnum & Mason! We will be hosting a Pudding Club meeting in the autumn, watch out for the date!
Emma's Eccentric Britain Guardian Travel Saturday 8 December 2012
Stephen's tie is pale blue, made of silk and has custard down it from knot to tip. I'm at Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton and I am about to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
Stephen Milnes is the jovial and enthusiastic host of the Pudding Club, started 27 years ago in an effort to celebrate the great British puddings that were, at that point, off the menu at most restaurants. "You could only get three puddings int he early 1980s" says Jill Coombe, co-owner of the hotel. "Black forest gateau, sherry trifle and cheesecake. That was it"."Or rum baba if you got really lucky", chips in Stephen.
And so the Pudding Club took flight-its mission to bring back the wonder of the steamed sponge, with "lashings of custard". Stephen grins broadly, his eyes glaze over. He's in custard reverie. I can tell.............
To read the full article go to.....


text:
Saturday, May 29, 2010
12 comments:
Can't get enough of your chicken stories!ReplyDelete
Raisin man! LOL! Bet Danny never thought he would have that name. They are precious! Can't wait to see how Fern and Daisy look as adults! Another great post, and I didn't even go into withdrawal ;o)ReplyDelete
Thanks so much. Reading your posts and seeing the illustrations are pure pleasure.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 30, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Can't wait for more Fern and Daisy! Love the chickens in hats, too funny.ReplyDelete
Your stories really do make my day! I love how you view the world, and how you share it with us all. :)ReplyDelete
It is a nice pics especially the last pictureReplyDelete
How interesting about the combs! That scampering video is too funny!ReplyDelete
I just got three pullets and have a little ark coop. They've only been here 3 days and still haven't learned that they are supposed to go upstairs to roost at night. I would like to lure them up there with a treat rather than have to destroy my knees crawling in there and grabbing them to force them up there. Does that mean I should use raisins? Or would cracked corn be better? Maybe I need my own "Raisin Man"!!
Thank you all for the comments!ReplyDelete
JGH --I'd suggest you bring little treats often during the day, and let them eat it out of your hand. Then eventually they might come to you in the evening, rather than your climbing in there to get them. I'm wondering if the upstairs of the ark is well ventilated -- could it be too warm in there for them? Break the raisins in half so they can taste the goodness. Also you could try chicken-scratch, sliced grapes, melon, tomato.
Thanks, Lauren - I'll try with those treats! There are holes on each side of the ark and it's pretty breezy back there but it has been warm lately, so I'll check that too. Thanks so much for the tips :-)ReplyDelete
Just wanted to say that I love your blog... I always enjoy reading, even if i don't always comment.ReplyDelete
I have just read through your entire blog/story. I am in LOVE! What a wonderful part of your lives (yours and your chickens) you are sharing! Can't wait for the next post ;-)ReplyDelete
I love your blog! Just found it a few days ago. I have chickens too and they are so beautiful and fun. We're struggling with the holes they dig in our lawn and rose beds. Just wanted to say thanks for making me smile! Your illustrations are ADORABLE!ReplyDelete


text:
If Sasquatch exists, Dean Cain is on the hunt. The Lois & Clark star has signed on to host Spike TV's 10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty, a new competition series that seeks to finally uncover the mythic forest creature.
In 10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty, which premieres January 2014, nine teams of "lifelong Bigfoot hunters" and big game hunters travel through the Pacific Northwest and use a state-of-the-art mobile DNA lab to find Sasquatch. Each week they'll travel to a different Bigfoot "hot zone" in the U.S.
The cash prize is underwritten by Lloyd's of London. Cain will serve as "expedition leader." Besides Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, the actor's credits also include hosting TBS' Ripley's Believe it or Not and competing in NBC's recent reality series Stars Earn Stripes. He also stars in VH1's Hit the Floor.
Spike TV ordered eight episodes of 10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty, which comes from Original Media, producers of Swamp People.
Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!


text:
Got a Ural tire changing lesson from Chuck this afternoon - Mr. Floppy stood guard while I was away.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Return Of GungaDean
Got a Ural tire changing lesson from Chuck this afternoon - Mr. Floppy stood guard while I was away.
19 comments:
- frann said...
$60 for a basic earthbox ? I will just be using Richard and Cindys 5 year old compost. I have lots of things growing....flax, tomatoes. beans.
- February 14, 2012 at 8:09 PM
- John Wells said...
Frann...Good for you - glad you have access to someone elses compost. Are they giving you water too? The Earthbox folks graciously donated 4 of these to TFL for a field test. I am most interested to see how much water these will use compared to conventional growing methods. I will be setting up two of them as per their instructions and two using my own compost mix to see how it goes. In addition...I will be comparing them to some home made versions as well. Care to make a wager?
- February 14, 2012 at 8:32 PM
- rj said...
Miss your blog..
- February 14, 2012 at 8:52 PM
- Scuba Steve said...
John, you may want to truss your chicken next time you roast one. Trussing can keep the legs and wings from drying out and generally result in a more evenly cooked bird.
My $0.02...
- February 14, 2012 at 8:54 PM
- shawn said...
Interesting, timely.
Received from our friends at EarthBox today a brochure about their Automatic Watering System.
- February 14, 2012 at 9:27 PM
- Rita B. said...
ok...west side....up where the trusses/beams are...is or does that need to be enclosed? can't really tell what's hapnin up there. that chicken looks absolutely delicious....now for some mashed 'tators and little chicken gravy. floppy is gorgeous and hilarious as usual...nice teeth.
- February 14, 2012 at 10:10 PM
- Bel said...
Happy Valentines Day!
- February 14, 2012 at 10:52 PM
- Dani said...
@ Scuba Steve - LOL Chickens cooked in the solar oven don't dry out - not even if you leave them in there all day. And, if they achieve that stage of brown-ness, they are generally perfectly cooked all over :)
- February 14, 2012 at 11:16 PM
- Scuba Steve said...
@Dani - Serious question, I really don't know: Does a solar oven cook differently than a gas oven?
I wasn't saying it wasn't cooked correctly, as you said, the crisp skin is a good indication of that. I was saying that when roasting a chicken you typically get a more *even* (and juicier) cooking when you keep the extremities close and the breasts pushed down and together - both of which can be accomplished with trussing.
Now all that may be moot if indeed the solar oven cooks wildly different.
- February 14, 2012 at 11:23 PM
- alam0tx said...
GungaDean is one hansome bull...His color is striking...I wonder if the sire colors of longhorns are predominate in offspring...
- February 15, 2012 at 10:21 AM
- Carlos said...
Gunga is going to have an impressive spread when he grows up! He's got 3 feet of horn and he just a couple of years old!
- February 15, 2012 at 1:02 PM
- MontelloOffGrid said...
chicken...how long to cook?
earthbox...eagerly awaiting results
Mr. Floppy...great pic...is he smiling?
Gunga...a beauty!
- February 15, 2012 at 3:04 PM
- Rev.JimmyLeeBob said...
Floppy is belting out a cover of "Beast of Burden".........
- February 15, 2012 at 4:08 PM
- John Wells said...
5 hrs. at 250°
we shall see
for sale
a beast
- February 15, 2012 at 4:08 PM
- Dani said...
@ Scuba Steve - Gas ovens cook with dry heat. Solar oven cooking is achieved within an enclosed area where the air is generally damp due to the humidity in the food.
Chickens don't generally get "crisp" but will brown attractively in a solar oven. I guess it's all to do with the fat not reacting with the dry air of a gas oven.
With that said, a loaf of bread or a batch of biscuits will get crisp.
- February 15, 2012 at 10:35 PM
- loves2spin said...
That looks incredible! The chicken, I mean. :D
- February 16, 2012 at 9:55 AM
- Dani said...
John - fyi:
- February 17, 2012 at 6:18 AM
- Dani said...
And :
- February 17, 2012 at 6:21 AM
- Allen Hare said...
Lots of great stuff today. The greenhouse looks amazing. Looks like you're about to the growing stage inside there. Mr. Floppy is a ham, and a good subject/model. I thought you were about done with the Ural. The chicken looks delish.
- February 19, 2012 at 7:06 PM