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Spanning necesitaba un nuevo diseño de botón o icono y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 50 diseños de 18 diseñadores freelance.
Spanning Backup
Spanning is a successful indie software and online services company with two shipping products: Spanning Sync (http://spanningsync.com) and Spanning Tools (http://spanningtools.com). We're about to announce our third product and want an awesome icon to go with it.
Our target audience is people who use Google Apps (Calendar, Contacts, and Docs). Our web app (not yet public) has the feel of a modern (AJAXy, "web 2.0"-ish) site, and our users appreciate good design.
Spanning Backup is an online backup service, so the icon should reflect the idea of storing or protecting your Google data. We like the basic concept of this mockup (but it uses a stock photo, which won't work):
The design should incorporate the capital "G" from the Google logo (the font is Catull regular) in the design. (Trust us, all our others do and Google doesn't seem to mind.) The design should not include the name "Spanning Backup"--it's an icon, not a logo. See the Spanning Sync icon for an example of how we convey the "for Google Apps" part of the service name:
The full-size icon should be 512x512 pixels with a transparent background (but doesn't have to be square), and should scale down well to 32x32. The icon should be at least somewhat visually consistent with those for our other two products (for instance, we seem to like blue but it's not a requirement):
Here are some icons we really like for other products:
The files we will require are:
Web file format - .png and layered .psd (RGB)
Original work only please. Please do not use any stock images or clip art, or of course any copyrighted material.
We can't wait to see your design!


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Study Shows Government Social Programs Create Dependence, Idleness
Study Shows Government Social Programs Create Dependence, Idleness
When I write about Social Security, I normally focus on the program's huge fiscal imbalance ($44 trillion and climbing).
But it's not just a fiscal crisis. Social Security is also an increasingly bad deal for workers. Especially minorities with lower average lifespans. When compared to what they would get from a private retirement system, people are paying in too much and getting out too little.
There's also another major problem with the program.
Academic experts have quantified how older workers are lured out of the labor force when they get money from the government. And since economic output is a function of the quality and quantity of labor and capital, this means we're sacrificing wealth and reducing prosperity.
Here are some excerpts from a study by Professors Daniel Fetter and Lee Lockwood.
Many of the most important government programs, including Social Security and Medicare, transfer resources to older people… Standard economic theory predicts that such programs reduce late-life labor supply and that the implicit taxation reduces the ex-post value of the programs to recipients. Understanding the size and nature of such effects on labor supply and welfare is an increasingly important issue, as demographic trends have increased both the potential labor supply of the elderly and its aggregate importance, while simultaneously increasing the need for reforms to government old-age support programs. …We address these questions by investigating Old Age Assistance (OAA), a means-tested program introduced in the 1930s alongside Social Security that later became the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Here are charts illustrating how people are retiring earlier in part because of government payments.
And here are some calculations from the study.
Our estimates indicate that OAA significantly reduced labor force participation among older individuals. The basic patterns that we explore in the data are evident in Figure 2, which plots male labor force participation by age, separately for states with above- and belowmedian OAA payments per person 65 and older. Up to age 65, the age pattern of labor force participation was extremely similar in states with larger and smaller OAA programs. At age 65, however, there was a sharp divergence in labor force participation between states with larger OAA programs relative to those with smaller programs, and this divergence continued at older ages. Our regression results, which isolate variation in OAA program size due to state policy differences, imply that OAA can explain more than half of the large 1930–40 drop in labor force participation of men aged 65–74. …Our results suggest that Social Security had the potential to drive at least half—and likely more—of the mid-century decline in late-life labor supply for men. …Taken as a whole, our results suggest that government old-age support programs can have large effects on labor supply, through both their transfer and taxation components.
This chart captures how old-age payments in various states were associated with varying degrees of labor force participation.
By the way, I'm not sharing this information because it's bad for people to retire at some point.
I'm merely establishing that there's academic support for the common-sense observation that people are more likely to leave the labor force when there's an alternative source of income (though it's worth noting that there should be a sensible and sustainable system for providing that retirement income).
Moreover, people are likely to stop working when government systems give them money before age 65.
Three academics, Andres Erosa, Luisa Fuster, and Gueorgui Kambourov, have a study quantifying this problem in European nations.
There are substantial differences in labor supply and in the design of tax and transfer programs across countries. The cross-country differences in labor supply increase dramatically late in the life cycle…while differences in employment rates among eight European countries are in the order of 15 percentage points for the 50-54 age group, they increase to 35 percentage points for the 55-59 age group and to more than 50 percentage points for the 60-64 age group. In this paper we quantitatively assess the role of social security, disability insurance, and taxation for understanding differences in labor supply late in the life cycle (age 50+) across European countries and the United States. … The social security, disability insurance, and taxation systems in the United States and European countries in the study are modelled in great detail.
Here's a sampling of their results.
The main findings are that the model accounts fairly well for how labor supply decreases late in the life cycle for most countries. The model matches remarkably well the large decline in the aggregate labor supply after age 50 in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. The results support the view that government policies can go a long way towards accounting for the low labor supply late in the life cycle for these European countries relative to the United States, with social security rules accounting for the bulk of these effects… relative to the United States, the hours worked by men aged 60-64 is…49% in the Netherlands, 66% in Spain, 44% in Italy, and 29% in France. …government policies can go a long way towards accounting for labor supply differences across countries. Social security rules account for the bulk of cross country differences in labor supply late in the life cycle (with its contribution varying from 50% to 100%), but other policies also matter. In accounting for the low labor supply relative to the US at ages 60 to 64, taxes matter importantly in the Netherlands (6%), Italy (6%), and France (5%); disability insurance policies are important for the Netherlands (7%) and Spain (10%).
And here's one of their charts comparing hours worked at various ages in Switzerland, Spain, France, and the United States.The good news is that we don't push people out of the labor force as much as the French and the Spanish.
The bad news is that we're not as good as Switzerland (probably in part because the Swiss have a retirement system based on private saving, so they have the ideal combination of good work incentives and comfortable retirement).
But it shouldn't matter whether other countries have good systems or bad systems. What does matter is that America's demographic profile is changing. We're living longer and having fewer children and our system of entitlements is a mess.
We should be reforming these programs, both for fiscal reasons and economic reasons.
P.S. It's not just Social Security. Other programs also lure people out of the job market and into government dependency, with Obamacare being an especially harmful example.
Originally published at International Liberty
Social Justice Warriors: It's Not Just About Economics
If you think that the "tax the rich" rhetoric from the left-wing of the Democratic Party is primarily about economics you would be sadly mistaken. After all, there isn't enough tax revenue in the highest income bracket, even with a 90% marginal rate, to fund anyone's pet social program for more than 48 hours. Do progressives know this? Of course they do.
The same observation holds true for the so-called "Green New Deal" legislation recently proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the outrageous media darling from Queens. It's true that this grab bag of environmental regulation, if enacted, would likely cost trillions and produce a systemic change in the American life-style. But you miss the deeper message if you think that the actual purpose of this legislative monstrosity is to save the planet before it expires in 12 years.
No, the current wave of extreme progressivism has a far more nefarious goal than simply higher taxes on the super-rich or carbon taxes to scrub down the environment. Indeed, the long-run objective of the new socialists and the gang of social justice warriors (SJW) is to gradually delegitimize the very foundations of modern capitalism by obliterating conventional notions of property rights, fairness and justice. If this sounds far-fetched you have not really been paying attention.
It is often assumed that capitalism is founded rock solid on economics. Not necessarily. Strictly speaking, economic considerations, though important, are secondary. Instead, it's the relatively unique system of individual property rights that primarily legitimizes all capitalist institutions.
Take, for example, the most obvious and essential capitalist institution: the private stock corporation. It is solidly rooted in the notion that individuals have rights; that these rights include the right to incorporate; the right to instruct managers of corporations to maximize profits; and the right of owners to sell their shares. These individual rights (entitlements) are the "moral" foundation for the existence and operation of all modern business organizations.
This particular theory of property rights was made explicit in the 18th and 19th centuries by philosophers such as Adam Smith, John Locke and John Stuart Mill. It holds generally that it is morally appropriate for individuals to own property including, of course, their own labor; to exclusively determine its use; and to enjoy the benefits (income or otherwise) earned from production or exchange. Adam Smith, who taught "moral philosophy" (not economics) at Glasgow University in Scotland termed these rights "natural" and once famously observed that free markets and voluntary exchange were morally appropriate because they were "consistent with liberty and justice. "
Modern progressives and socialists reject this classical approach to rights theory. They hold, instead, that rights to property (and capitalist institutions such as the corporation) are arbitrary constructs of an elite and conservative legal system; that there is nothing "natural" or legitimate about them; and that, therefore, they have no special moral status. But if they have no special moral status, then neither does the income and privileges that these "rights" currently generate for owners. Indeed, government may now alter these arbitrary property arrangements and redistribute income and privileges to, say, anyone in the name of fairness and social justice.
It is now apparent that this radically different approach to property rights can be employed by critics to rationalize higher taxes on the rich, a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions, an increase in the legal minimum wage to $15/hour, and even the federally chartering of corporations (an Elizabeth Warren pet proposal) in order to make them "socially responsible." Indeed, there is almost no tax or regulation that cannot be justified from this perspective. And that's precisely the point.
In conclusion, the social justice warriors and the new socialists are not primarily concerned with economics as such. The tragic lessons of, say, Venezuela are not their concern. Instead, their objective is to continue to delegitimize the classical foundations of property rights and then implement, through legislation and the courts, a radically different theory of justice in social affairs. Whether such a program will be successful has yet to be determined.
The Transportation Boom Ends
Sales of Class 8 trucks (18-wheelers) hit the ditch in January, with orders down 58 percent from a year ago hitting a level not seen since October 2016, near the end of the transportation recession, "when Class-8 truck orders had plunged to the lowest levels since 2009, and truck and engine manufacturers responded with layoffs," writes Wolf Richter.
The other day I posted about the plunge in the Baltic Dry Index and now news is the Cass Freight Index dropped in December. The Cass "index covers shipments of merchandise for the consumer and industrial economy but does not include bulk commodities, such as grains or chemicals. It was the first year-over-year decline since the transportation recession of 2015 and 2016 — and trucking companies have seen this coming for months:"
Baltic Dry Index
Shipping indexes provide a barometer for how the economy is doing. Less shipping means less buying, selling, and producing. Government interference in the form of low interest rates and the threat of tariffs pulled economic activity forward. However, now the economy is digesting that bubble (malinvestment) of activity. Richter explains,
The trucking business is a barometer of, and dependent on, the goods-based economy. In late 2017 through the summer of 2018, demand for transportation services, such as shipping by truck, surged under the simultaneous impact of a strong goods-based economy led by red-hot e-commerce; a buildup of inventories; pandemic front-running of potential tariffs, a resurgence of drilling activity in the oil patch that required equipment and supplies to be trucked in, etc. Freight rates spiked. Squeezed shippers wheezed in their earnings reports about these spiking transportation costs, while truckers were on Cloud-9 and ordered new trucks to meet the demand, and truck manufacturers were swamped with orders.
Now shipping activity has cooled off and trucking capacity has improved.
The Flatbed Monthly Load-to-Truck Ratio by DAT tracks demand-capacity imbalances. After skyrocketing, the industry figured out how to deal with ELDs just as a slowdown in the industrial sector set in, particularly oil & gas. Now, the average load-to-truck ratio has plunged, down 41% from December a year ago.
Donald Trump's Democratic Wall
After a month of "will he, won't he" drama fitting for reality television, Donald Trump has announced his plans to declare a national emergency in order to get the funding he desires for his border wall. While the wall itself invites debate on subjects such as practical immigration policy, eminent domain, and government contractors – the use of a national emergency has brought a renewed look at executive power.
For weeks Trump has been warned by Republican leadership about the dangers of the precedent being set by such a decision. Nancy Pelosi has already suggested that a Democratic politician could use a "national emergency" to enact gun policy.
While such concerns are justified, it's amusing to see such objections being raised by conventional beltway-types as the long-standing trend within Washington has been the gradual expansion of the executive branch. What is the practical difference, for example, between a president going around Congress for a border wall and a president going around Congress for military action? Or President Obama's own immigration-related executive order that granted protection to "Dreamers" after Congress refused to bend to his will?
One does not have to support Trump's wall to identify hypocrisy. Once again, we see that Trump is at his worst when he simply continues long-standing political trends.
While the gradual expansion of the executive leviathan is concerning, it is also predictable given the 20th century deification of American political democracy.
After all, if we are to buy in to the idea that political action is validated through participation, then it makes sense for the single political office voted on by the entire country to gradually expand its power – particularly given the obstructions to majority rules the Constitution purposefully placed on the legislative branch. The preference for general majority rule at the expense of state-based representation is also what motivates the modern lefts interest in effectively abolishing the senate and Electoral College – both of which act as checks on the imperialism of democratic excess.
While the 20th century set the stage for the modern state, it was Andrew Jackson who was the first American president to understand how the promotion of democracy could directly feed an imperial presidency. While Jackson could be praised for his views on central banking and federal debt, his presidency offered some of the most flagrant examples of hostility towards both states rights and limits to executive power.
In his first address to Congress, he outlined his vision of a truly democratic executive. He called for the abolishment of the Electoral College, and criticized the role of a large legislature in frustrating popular rule. In his view, "the first principle of our system…[is] that the majority is to govern." As the best representative of what he saw as the will of the people, he placed his own interpretation of the Constitution as equal to all other branches of government – best illustrated by his rejection of John Marshall's decision regarding the property rights of Native Americans leading to the Trail of Tears.
While Trump has gone the furthest in openly inviting comparisons to "Old Hickory," Jackson's view of the democratic presidency has long prevailed. In the words of John Yoo, "Jackson remains one of the greatest Presidents because he reconstructed the office into the direct representative of the American people."
Unsurprisingly, it was Yoo who provided the legal defense for many of the excesses of the George W. Bush presidency.
A Family Connection
Mr. Mark Lautman has given me permission to share the following letter:
When I started reading Rothbard's book, I gave the three-line summary to my wife. "It's a book written by Murray Rothbard in the 1950s about libertarian economics. It's published by the Mises Institute. Rothbard was a disciple of an Austrian economist Mises."
"Mises?" she asked. "Ludwig von Mises?"
"Yes. Do you know about him?"
"Do you know who Ludwig von Mises was? He was my grandfather's cousin!"
Sure enough, Paul Lourie, my wife's grandfather, mentions Ludwig von Mises in his memoirs!
Central Banks Buy Gold, Baltic Dry Index Sinks
David Rosenberg tweeted a graph of the plunging Baltic Dry Index with the comment, "Is there a more deflationary chart than the Baltic Dry Index of global freight rates?"
Perhaps, or there is the New York Times business headline, " Some Central Banks Have Gold Fever, and It Might Be Sensible ."
However, central banks are notoriously bad in timing gold purchases.
Swaha Pattanaik slams gold enthusiasts while praising central bankers.
Gold bugs aren't always rational. That's not the case for central banks, whose purchases of the yellow metal last year were the highest since the United States broke the link between gold and the dollar in 1971.
Pattanaik gives us the numbers.
Central banks bought 651.5 tonnes of gold in 2018, the second highest annual total on record and up 74 percent from the year earlier, according to the World Gold Council. As in the past three years, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkey were significant buyers, but were last year joined by the likes of Hungary, India and Poland.
Gordon Brown's infamous sale of UK gold cost the Bank of England nearly £5 billion.
Christopher Hope wrote for The Telegraph in January 2009,
The sale of more than half of the country's gold reserves between 1999 and 2002 has proved to be deeply controversial. Critics say that signalling such a large sale of bullion to gold traders helped to drive the precious metal to a 20-year low. In 17 auctions, Mr Brown as Chancellor of the Exchequer sanctioned the sale of 395 tonnes of gold.
Markets are About Freedom, not Competition
Mark Thornton on Why Socialism Is Deadly and Dangerous
Powell Claims No "Elevated" Risk for US Recession, NY Fed Models Disagree
Today Jerome Powell got out of the beltway and enjoyed some southern hospitality at Mississippi Valley State University, speaking at the Hope Enterprise Corporation Rural Policy Forum.
Most of the Fed Chairman's talk was dedicated to talking about how the Fed could the financial needs of rural areas, a questionable claim considering the direct role central banks have played in increasing wealth inequality. He did, however, provide some additional thoughts on the strength of the US economy as a whole.
In particular, when asked about future risk, he said he did not "feel that the probability of recession is at all elevated."
What's interesting is that this claim does not follow the models published by the NY Federal Reserve which shows the current risk of recession at the highest they've been since 2008.
(H/T @TexarkanaFed via Twitter)
Of course, given the poor track record of Federal Reserve models, perhaps more useful is that this rosy view of the US economy seems to contradict the recent policy trends from the Powell Fed.
This includes changes to recent FOMC statements and projections about the rate of future rate increases, as well as indicating a willingness to stall the slow normalization of the Fed's balance sheet that is currently in process. As he said in late January:
We're listening carefully with – sensitivity to the message that the markets are sending and we'll be taking those downside risks into account as we make policy going forward...If we came to view that the balance sheet normalization or any other aspect of the normalization was part of the problem, we wouldn't hesitate to make a change.
Though the statement was made in carefully managed "Fed Speak", the message it communicated couldn't have been more clear – particularly since Powell has long been an inner Fed voice concerned about the size of the Fed's balance sheet. The market understood that Trump finally got the Dovish Federal Reserve that he has spent the last year campaigning for. The day of the announcement was the first in Powell's tenure that the market reacted positively to one of his rate-setting announcements.
Unfortunately for Powell, none of the arguments for "normalizing" monetary policy has changed since Powell first outlined his desires for a slow and gradual wind down. The economic data that the Fed claims to make its decisions off of continue to look strong and the dangers of facing a crisis with the monetary interventionists tools they desire have not gone away. So what has changed? Maybe, just maybe, it's the perceived risk of a future recession that the Fed's models, other signals, and a growing legion of economists are projecting.
Of course, in the Chairman's defense, it would be a mistake to see the Fed's top role as one of truth teller. The Fed's job is necessarily a political one, to project an air of confidence and try to maintain confidence in the system. Unfortunately, hot air only goes so far, as Bernanke learned in 2007.
Luckily for Powell, it pays to play the role of Baghdad Bob for the US economy, as Bernanke's $1 million book deal and speaking fees illustrate.
Rothbard and Salerno Quoted on Modern Monetary Theory
Brian Maher of the Daily Reckoning quotes Murray Rothbard and me in his incisive critique of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), which has lately been embraced by proponents of the "Green New Deal."
AOC's Green New Deal Is Absolutely Absurd, but That's the Washington Status Quo
This week Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released a preliminary summary of her grand vision for a Green New Deal. Prior to its unveiling, the youngest rising star of the Democratic Party had already managed to get the support of leading members of Congress, including all of the party's current leading Presidential candidates. Unfortunately for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, the document was met with widespread ridicule for advocating policies such as building high-speed rail to Hawaii, eliminating combustible engines, and guaranteed government jobs – even for those "unwilling to work."
Like FDR's New Deal, the proposal would be a total disaster for the US economy. Also, like its spiritual predecessor, it's a great illustration of what F.A. Hayek warned of his classical work the Road to Serfdom: a grand utopian plan for a military-like mobilization of the entire US economy, the inevitable result of which is economic ruin and loss of liberty.
The most refreshing part of the Green New Deal's proposals though is how honest and transparent the document is – a rarity for Washington. The proposal makes its own comparisons to military plans, stating its objective is "to mobilize every aspect of American society at a scale not seen since World War 2" and remarking at the government's past success of outperforming expectations when it comes to the manufacturing of war machines. It doesn't try to downplay the revolutionary vision outlined in the brief, nor even try to act as if this is some sort of policy that will pay for itself, instead it explicitly advocates for it to be financed through the monetary magic of the Federal Reserve.
It is in her honesty in which Ms. Ocasio-Cortez's true weakness as a politician lies.
After all, the very same class of political pundits and politicians – on both the left and right – that have decided it is safe to laugh at the freshman Congresswoman's proposal are almost all guilty of promoting and supporting plans that are similarly absurd.
For example, AOC's embrace of the idea that "we'll just pay for it!" – a crudely articulated version of Modern Monetary Theory which has gained its own following in recent years – is certainly deserving of ridicule. Is it, however, all that more outrageous than the idea of negative interest rate or the massive expansion of central bank balance sheets that "serious" central bankers have embraced around the world?
Similarly, the sheer hubris of thinking that Washington central planners – in just 10 years – can re-arrange the entire US economy in a way to eliminate all carbon emissions is something so insane that it shouldn't be seriously discussed in civilized society. Yet is it really all that more delusional than the idea that the US military could transform the entire Middle East into a bastion of neoliberalism, a view passionately defended by a number of "serious" pundits and policymakers who continue to get paid for their opinion?
Yes, anyone with a basic grasp of economics can recognize the amazing fallacies that exist within the idea of guaranteeing everyone, everywhere a job, food, healthcare, and housing – totally regardless of merit. Yet the current operations of the US government actively dismiss the well-understood consequences of prohibition, government subsidies, unfunded social programs, and arbitrary insurance mandates.
So yes, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is guilty of promoting stupid policy she doesn't fully understand, the consequences of which will have very negative consequences for Americans of all types. She is deserving of public ridicule and in a better world would be soundly voted out for her severe ignorance.
She should not, however, be treated as a beltway outlier.
Her complete ignorance of economics simply means she fits in perfectly with the rest of Washington and most legislators around the world.

subset: commoncrawl


text: As one of the most historically significant buildings in Chicago, The Rookery is a unique enclave for businesses that value a prestigious presence. An icon in the center of Chicago's downtown Financial District, The Rookery seamlessly combines the flair of an era gone by with state-of-the-art building systems and technology. Designated a Chicago Landmark in 1972 after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, The Rookery is universally considered an architectural masterpiece.


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Rumors of large-screen iPhones have been around for a while now, more specifically as an option Apple's looking into for the 2014 iPhone 6. With the launch of the new, more gesture-friendly iOS 7, rumors of curved displays, which would better suit them, have followed. Now we're once again getting some numbers, 4.7- and 5.5-inches, along with some more wish-list features, namely pressure sensitivity. Tim Culpan and Adam Satariano, reporting for Bloomberg:
With screens of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, the two new models would be Apple's largest iPhones, the person said, and would approach in size the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3 that Samsung Electronics Co. debuted in September. The South Korean maker last month released its curved-screen Galaxy Round, the latest phone in an array of sizes and price points that's helping keep Samsung ahead of Apple in global market share. [..] Testing continues on the pressure-sensitive technology, which is unlikely to be ready for the next iPhone release and is instead planned for a later model, the person said.
Larger screens are especially popular with people, and in regions where, one multipurpose device is preferred over several, specific devices. For those who don't want to carry around a phone and a tablet, or who can only afford one mobile device, the phone has a bigger job to do, and a bigger display helps it do it.
Apple has long shipped Macs in multiple screen sizes, and in 2012 expanded the iPad into two screen sizes. In 2013 Apple showed they can expand capacity enough to produce two new iPhones at the same time. A lot of pieces seem to be coming together. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a larger new iPhone next year.
As to pressure sensitivity, on larger screen devices, not only phablets but full on tablets, digitizers and similar technology hold a lot of appeal. Humans transitioned from finger painting to brush, calligraphy, and pen work long ago, after all.
How Apple will handle scaling iOS to more screen sizes - here's some math from back in January - and taking pressure sensitive input will be fascination to see. Anyone else want one already? Hop into the iMore forums where we have a poll set up and let us know.
Source: Bloomberg


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Flying Saucer Attack | REWIG105 | Released: 13/04/17
Flying Saucer Attack's self-titled debut album, released in 1993, was commonly known as 'Rural Psychedelia' – an apt description for the rough-hewn soundscapes they crafted. These bedroom recordings made a virtue of the otherworldly, hissy mechanics of four-track cassette-to-vinyl duplication. Pearce realised that you didn't need to layer 16 guitar tracks in an expensive studio to make a big noise. Recording directly on to a four-track resulted in a thick, distorted, abrasive sound that suited his needs perfectly.
REWIGLP105 | Out nowAdd to cart: £20.00
Black Heavyweight Vinyl Board Mounted 'Tip-On' Gatefold Sleeve, Printed insert And Download card
REWIGCD105 | Out nowAdd to cart: £10.99
01. My Dreaming Hill
02. A Silent Tide
03. Moonset
04. Make Me Dream
05. Wish
06. Popol Vuh 2
07. The Drowners
08. Still
09. Popol Vuh 1
10. The Season Is Ours


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Easy Beef Bourguignon: based on Julia Child's recipe but I simplified it just a little
- 3 slices of bacon
- 6 cloves of garlic
- olive oil
- 3 tablespoon of butter
- 1/2 onion
- one stick of celery
- 2 tablespoon of herbs de Provence
- flour
- one pound of stew beef (got mine from wholefoods)
- one cup of mushrooms
- 2 chopped carrots
- 3 cups of beef broth
- one cup Cote De Rhine red wine
- one can of tomato paste
- fresh thyme and rosemary springs
- cook the bacon then set aside
- saute the garlic and onion in the bacon grease (this is not a dietitian's recipe however I wanted it to be Authentic and its not that much saturated fat in the grand scheme of things LOL)
- add some butter and olive oil
- mean while coat the beef in flour and herbs de Provence
- then add the beef and partly cook stirring well, add the mushrooms and carrot
- then add the beef broth, wine and tomato paste mix well.
- simmer on the stove on low for 2-3 hours
I served it with broccoli and egg noodles. But now I am in the bread making group next time with be with fresh bread!
Its also great slowly cooked in the oven like the Julie and Julia Movie, but don't fall asleep. I did it on the stove I need a La Creuset!!
Hope you enjoy this as much as we all did it was delicious and was a excellent meal to celebrate New Years eve.
What's your favorite French dish?


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A lot line relocation and rezoning to give a lakefront restaurant and bar more space to install acoustic sound deadening panels was recommended by the Camden County Planning Commission Wednesday evening.
A lot line relocation and rezoning to give a lakefront restaurant and bar more space to install acoustic sound deadening panels was recommended by the Camden County Planning Commission Wednesday evening.
Paradise Tropical Restaurant & Bar was the subject of controversy over the summer as several neighboring residents fought to have outdoor music at the site shut down as the owner, Tucker Investments, sought a conditional use permit to continue the music.
After first denying the CUP, the commission reversed itself in an appeal case brought by George Tucker.
CUP stipulations included the construction of acoustic deadening treatments, limited hours for outdoor music and a "best effort" by management and staff to limit noise and rowdiness of customers.
The final plat for the lot line relocation added land from an adjacent single family residential parcel also owned by Tucker to the bar's property.
Part of the new sound abatement structure will be located on this strip of land. It is also needed to provide the required 20-foot side setback to the property line.
The small section of land dedicated to the business has to be rezoned to B-2 general commercial.
Camden County P&Z Administrator Don Hathaway called the case an "academic rezoning" since the greater case of the CUP had already been approved in June.
No opposition to the case was present at the hearing Dec. 18, though the commission did receive one letter of opposition.
Due to the scrutiny of the case in the past, the commission decided there was no need to table the case for a site visit. It was moved to old business and then approved.
The property is identified on the county's future development map as Suburban Neighborhood.
The county commission will hold its next P&Z public hearing and vote next month on Jan. 16.
In the meantime, installation of the sound abatement structure will likely soon get underway as Tucker may now get an at-risk construction permit.
He said construction would begin right after the new year.
Paradise was allowed to continue outdoor music through the past summer season, but in the CUP agreement, the acoustic deadening measures are required to be completed prior to the bar's spring opening.
According to a letter from Tucker's architect, the new two-story sound deadening wall will have acoustic panels with a noise reduction coefficient of at least 0.75 mounted on the side walls to reduce the reflective properties of the wall. The ceiling of the structure will be lined with a suspended acoustic ceiling tile with a noise reduction coefficient of at least 0.65.
Tucker applied for the CUP last summer after complaints about the bar's outdoor music had resulted in notices of violation of the Lake District Unified Land Use Code in 2010 and 2012.
Paradise is located on property zoned B-1 commercial. Outdoor music is not a permitted use in B-1 zoning under the code, but is possible as a conditional use.
An application was made by Tucker Investments to rezone 5-plus acres at the site from R-1 single family residential to B-2 general commercial in 2007, but the application was revised, removing a five acre second tier lot.
The revised application sought to rezone about 1/2 acre adjacent to the existing restaurant from R-1 to B-2 in order to expand. Opposition at the Nov. 20, 2007 hearing objected to B-2 zoning due to concerns about loud noise. B-2 zoning then allowed outdoor music as a permitted use.
After discussion with commissioners at the time, the application was again revised — this time to lower the zoning request to B-1, which was approved. Both the staff report and the minutes of the hearing reflected that B-1 precludes dancing or live entertainment unless a CUP was also approved.
A substantial renovation and expansion followed the case after which the complaints of loud outdoor music from neighboring residents began.


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(720) 204-3093
720 Kipling St #15, Lakewood, CO 80215
Caring Senior Service of Lakewood
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Notice to Members 99-42
NASD Offers Guidance on Complying with Notice Requirements of New SEC Rule Regarding Alternative Trading Systems
On April 21, 1999, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rules 3a1-1, 3b-16, and Regulation Alternative Trading System (Regulation ATS) became effective. Rule 301(b)(2) of Regulation ATS requires alternative trading systems (ATS) to comply with certain notice provisions. Specifically, duplicate originals of certain reports that must be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation ATS must also be filed simultaneously with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD®) if the NASD is the designated examining authority (DEA) for the ATS.
Questions regarding this Notice may be directed to Patricia Casimates, Assistant Director, Market Regulation Department, NASD Regulation, Inc., (NASD Regulation®), at (301) 590-6447.


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We are not a patient people. We want immediate results. We depend on "fast" food; we are used to instant communication. This disposition is particularly obvious in the popularity of quick weight-loss programs. Perseverance is not high on our list of cultural values. We hardly ever hear it discussed in religious circles either.
This is strange, because we know that we will get nowhere in life without it. A marriage will not endure if there is no willingness to persevere in hard times. We must keep on practicing if we hope to become accomplished musicians. We will never advance in any profession or business or sport if we do not "hang in there." All the readings for today talk about perseverance. The first reading recounts an example of perseverance in prayer; Paul admonishes Timothy to persevere in proclaiming the word; the woman in the Gospel exemplifies perseverance in the quest for justice. Perhaps we all can find a lesson or two here.
The militant character of the reading from Exodus and the notion that God determines success in war trouble many people today, and rightly so. But since we do not share ancient Israel's perception of divine intervention in war, we should not understand their stories as they did. The point to be made here is the need for persistence in prayer, despite the hardship we might encounter in the effort.
A second feature of this story that is pertinent for us is the notion of communal support. There are times in life when we cannot do without the support of others. The burden may be ours, but we need not be alone as we bear it. This requires humility on our part, for we will have to admit that we really cannot go it alone. The same is true when the shoe is on the other foot. There will be times when, like Aaron and Hur, we might be called upon to support someone else. The need for perseverance in prayer and the importance of communal support are lessons we can derive from this first reading.
The woman in the Gospel is not the stereotypical old shrew. She is someone who suffers threefold prejudice. As a woman in a patriarchal society, she is severely restricted. As a widow in that society, she has no male advocate and so is readily deprived of legal protection. Added to this, the judge is not rendering a just judgment. Yet she stands up bravely against the system that repeatedly discriminates against her. And she is held up as an example of one who will not capitulate in the face of opposition.
Paul, acting as a kind of mentor to Timothy, admonishes him to persevere in proclaiming the word. Anyone committed to such a ministry knows the struggles involved. Trying to convince people who are skeptical is not easy; having to reprimand those who have made mistakes is not pleasant; and constantly encouraging people who do not respond can become disheartening. Proclaiming the word is not always convenient.
The psalm may have been chosen because it picks up the imagery of the mountain, found in the first reading. But it actually serves as an appropriate prayer of confidence for any situation that calls for perseverance. The mountain is a metaphor for the dwelling place of God, and it is to God that we look for the help we need to persevere. God is characterized as a guardian who will keep us from harm, a place of shade where we are safe from the burning sun. Such a God will surely grant us the strength we need.
Details of each of the readings may be far from our own experience, but the messages that they hold are all relevant. We live in times of great distress. Wars, large and small, are being waged all over the world. People are often faced with a serious decision: Do they want to win the war? Or do they want to win real peace? It seems that today they can seldom achieve both, because peace requires some form of reconciliation, not merely conquest. This is a time when we must turn to God and persevere in prayer. It is a time when we must support one another in our efforts toward such commitment.
The Gospel story should encourage all of us who experience injustice of any kind. Like the woman who bore the burden of discrimination, we must not waver in demanding rights. Though not included in this passage, the notion of communal support is a theme for our consideration this Sunday. It prompts us to ask ourselves what we do to support those who suffer discrimination.
Finally, as baptized Christians, we are all called to proclaim the word. We do this primarily by the character of our lives: our honesty, our generosity, our willingness to forgive often serves to convince, reprimand or encourage others. Paul's words can speak to all of us: "Be persistent, whether it is convenient or inconvenient."


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Along with some other fantastic womyn, I presented at a conference this weekend. The title of our session was "We B(e)lo(n)g: Womyn of Color and Online Feminism.
An inspiring session filled with wishes envisioning a new world, a just world; there wasn't much else to do but make a quick flick paying tribute to the energy that swept the room.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
We B(e)lo(ng): Womyn of Color and Online Feminism
Along with some other fantastic womyn, I presented at a conference this weekend. The title of our session was "We B(e)lo(n)g: Womyn of Color and Online Feminism.
Posted by Sudy at 12:07 AM 3 comments:
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Episode 1: Say It Ain't So Feminism
A glimpse into comments on some of the most progressive US feminist sites and blogs on the internet.Quotes from Say It Ain't So Feminism
Here are the quotes used in Say It Ain't So Feminism, in order of performance.
Aren't they just gems?
Of course I saw his race. I deliberately married him, too, as a political statement.
If transgender advocates don't think their lives are enough to support their political agenda, I'm sorry but that's their problem. They don't get to take over my life for their ends.
Many portrayals of Asian feminist empowerment come at the expense of Asian men.
As for the gypsies, their main problem is they have too many kids. Stupid people all over the world tend to have too many kids. It's going to prove to be one of the issues of our day if nothing is done to prevent the wanton, reckless procreation of the world's have-nots, who only succeed in passing on their poverty to subsequant generations, and thus drag us all down with them. Not pretty, but it's obviously what is happening. Soft-headed, well-meaning but cosmically misguided "welfare" practises only exacerbate the problem.
Just for the record, I do not fear or hate these psychologically damaged boys. I pity them. I do hate that "professionals" can say they are able to magically turn these pitiful guys in a woman. As I said before, they should lose their license to practice medicine by praying on and profiting off the mental problems of these unfortunates."
I just wonder, you know, what would happen, what would we accomplish if women spent more time fighting the causes and the issues than one another. I mean, can't we all just get along.
This is beyond awful, and I'm incredibly ashamed of the US–though not even remotely surprised. (Maybe someone should tell them that if they send more money, fewer of those displaced persons will try to cross the border? Even if that's total bullshit?) But my shallow self has to take over for a second here: The state of Tabasco. I had to do a double-take. Yes, yes, I'm an ignorant slut, blahblahblah, but it is kind of funny.
Race, racism is male tool. It was created and perpetuated to keep one type of man in power. If a woman supports race, she's supporting male power.
I am currently undertaking my 3rd year dissertation at University College London on the subject of the Peloponessian War. I will soon have a degree in the subject of Ancient History. Can you say the same?
I'm just upset that attributes of femininity and feminism, are once again attributed to the thin, perfectly tanned, white female body.
I'm saying this as a women of color, which is a stupid term anyway. My color is only skin deep and I don't define myself by it. White women are no more privileged than any others. Feminism is the great equalizer, and frankly, these women of color need to get a fucking grip.
Posted by Sudy at 12:22 PM 36 comments:
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Every week -- often with your help -- FOOD52's Senior Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius.
Today: Polenta that makes the most of August.
If you're ever getting bored with what you think vegetables can do, turn to Plenty.
It's finally that point in summer where we're rifling around for inspiration; the tomato rounds laid out with salt and pepper, the simplest barely-cooked corn on the cob -- oh, they're still good, but how many times have we had them now?
Plenty is the answer. Much like the vibrant food served at Yotam Ottolenghi's bar-raising takeaway restaurants in London, but drawn from his lively (mostly) vegetarian columns in The Guardian, these are idea-driven restaurant recipes written for home cooks.
Of course you already know all this. Plenty nearly won the 2011 Piglet Tournament of Cookbooks, surviving serious decisions by Gabrielle Hamilton, Peter Kaminsky, and Christine Muhlke. It's also one of the newest volumes to have made it into your top 10 cookbooks, placed alongside reference library tomes like Joy of Cooking and Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
The Ottolenghi mission is this: "Our favourite ingredients are of this 'noisy' type: lemon, pomegranate, garlic, chilli." Noise, unceremoniously delivered, could overwhelm all that's good in a vegetable. But applied with a steady hand, noise can make them dance and sing. (We have arielleclementine -- a cook with just-noisy-enough recipes herself -- to thank for pointing us to this recipe.)
Here, the noise comes in the form of feta, oregano, white wine, and tomato paste, nestled in among sweet corn, fresh tomato, and eggplant -- everything that's in season right this second -- to set them alight.
The conceit is similar to a wintry ragu over traditional creamy polenta, but this being summer, it's instead full of young, spry ingredients, so you don't have to wait (or warm the kitchen) nearly as long.
In its entirety, this is a recipe that works and is really, really good. (In the name of the Piglet, Peter Kaminsky served it to three sets of guests, always to raves.) But it's also full of ideas you can parcel out as you see fit.
First: Polenta doesn't have to be born out of dry goods. Fresh corn, cooked quickly, breaks down to a sweet soup in the food processor. (According to tipster jbban, the process in reverse is just as genius, and becomes corn butter -- see Whitney Chen's recent post on Gilt Taste).
Second: A natural mate for corn's Sandra Dee sweetness? Salty, briny feta -- the Danny Zuko of cheeses.
Third: Seriously, this eggplant sauce is good on anything.
Fourth: Unlike tomatoes or corn, eggplant is picky. If you mess it up, you get surly mouthfuls that are spongy and chewy. Here, you fry it quickly in more oil than you think you should, then drain most of the oil away. The eggplant melts. If you're a Tamar Adler disciple, you'll save the oil to fry your eggs or lamb chops in tomorrow.
Make this tonight. Then go back to basics tomorrow. Repeat, till summer is done.
Yotam Ottolenghi's Sweet Corn Polenta with Eggplant Sauce
Adapted very slightly from Plenty (Chronicle Books, 2011)
Serves 4
Eggplant Sauce:
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 medium eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch dice
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup chopped peeled tomatoes (fresh or canned)
6 1/2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
6 ears of corn
2 1/4 cups water
3 tablespoons butter, diced
7 ounces feta, crumbled
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper
See the full recipe (and save and print it here).
Got a genius recipe to share -- from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected].
Photos by James Ransom
The Genius Desserts cookbook is here! With more than 100 of the most beloved and talked-about desserts of our time (and the hidden gems soon to join their ranks) this book will make you a local legend, and a smarter baker to boot.Order Now


text: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 APTA Fellow and Former Board Member Dies Dorothy R. Hewitt, PT, FAPTA, 93, who served as APTA's director of education in the 1950s and then as vice president of the Board of Directors (1958-1961), died November 9. Hewitt served in the US Army for 4 years during World War II as a physical therapist with the rank of First Lieutenant. Although recognized as a clinician first, she taught in several universities. She worked in private practice in Palo Alto, California, for 20 years before moving to Syracuse University where she was chair of the academic program in physical therapy until her retirement. A memorial service will be held November 19 at 1:00 pm in the Maryfield Chapel, 1315 Greensboro Road, High Point, North Carolina, 27260. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina, 27262. Comments I think she may be in this photo. Can someone identify her? I am in the photo. Place your curser over the faces to see the name. I wish someone could identify everyone. http://www.flickr.com/photos/p_t_don/6110257155/in/photostream Posted by B. Don Zesch on 11/18/2011 4:55 PM


text: Patricia B. Adams, Sr. passed away on January 24th at the age of 85.The daughter of Dora and Michael Halpin, she was born in Springfield, Illinois, and moved to Glendale in 1944 where she lived until her death. Pat worked since the age of fourteen and retired from Baxter Healthcare in 1992. Volunteer work was Pat's passion. She served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross Glendale Chapter for forty years, working at the V.A. Hospital in Westwood, on the disaster response team, and in various convalescent hospitals. She was a member of the Glendale Police RSVP program for six years. Most recently, she volunteered in the Glendale Library's Book Nook for four years. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ed. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia B. Adams, Jr. (Diamond Bar), son, Paul E. Adams (Burbank), three grandchildren, Thomas, Tyler, and Olivia Adams-Falconer, and her sister, Phyllis Halpin (Hermosa Beach). Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4th at 2:30 in the Little Church of the Flowers at Forest Lawn, Glendale. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Red Cross would be appreciated.


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A rough day for John Maine this afternoon, with him pitching 4 2/3 innings while being sick. Maine gave up four runs on six hits and four walks and several bouts of nausea caused by a stomach virus.
Maine was not good this spring, and while spring training numbers don't tell the full story, they are somewhat of a measure. A 7.88 ERA is not good.
Maine is now the No. 2 starter in the Mets' juggled rotation.
REYES WILL GO ON DL: Shortstop Jose Reyes, who missed most of spring training with a thyroid issue, will open the season on the disabled list. Reyes will be able to come off the disabled list for the April 10 game against Washington.
Reyes says he's ready.
"My legs are ready,'' he told reporters. "I'm not that bad swinging the bat. No doubt, I'm more comfortable.''
RODRIGUEZ LEAVES TEAM: Closer Frankie Rodriguez left the team to attend to a family emergency in Venezuela.
General manager Omar Minaya expects to have him back for the opener. If not, the Mets, who don't even have an eighth-inning set-up man, would have to scramble for a closer.
POSITION BATTLES: Mike Jacobs, who will make the team as the back-up first baseman, hit is fourth homer of the spring. … Once thought a sure thing to make the bullpen, Ryota Igarashi was hit for two runs in 2/3 innings. The beneficiary of Igarashi's late spring slide was Raul Valdes, who gave up one run in two-thirds innings.
NOTE: Manager Jerry Manuel said fifth-starter Oliver Perez will work out of the bullpen the first week of season. The Mets broke camp after today's loss. They'll play Tampa Bay at St. Petersburg tomorrow and Baltimore in Sarasota Saturday. Mike Pelfrey will get the start tomorrow. The team will work out Sunday at Citi Field.


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My tattered heart will mend
If and when we love again
Bella decides against cliff-diving, causing the Cullens to continue their life away from her. But how long is Victoria willing to wait before she seeks her revenge? And how can the Cullens protect her without hurting her again?
Immortality. What does it even mean? For Aro: eternal power. For Marcus: eternal grief. And for Caius? Perhaps he never really knew, perhaps he just went on out of sheer anger?
But for Elizabeth immortality had always meant evil. Only the villains in stories desired eternal life, and usually it was their downfall. And yet... was this love? Between an immortal and a human?
Bella is the shy new girl in town. Edward is the moody loner with a tragic past. Can they help each other overcome adversity, or does fate have other plans? The title comes from the song "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls.
He'd hurt her and nearly destroyed her. But Edward's crucial mistake was thinking that Bella wouldn't fight back. Bella was a lot tougher than she looked and she was damned if she was going to believe for one minute that the last several months of her life had been a lie.
A normal night out changes everything for two innocent sisters, who stumble upon something that will change their lives forever. Two brave U.S. marshals have to keep them hidden and keep them safe. How far are they willing to go to do what's right? Are the consequences worth it all?
Bella has the gift of second sight. After a tragic accident her world collides with Edward's. She is expecting him, but he is not ready for her.
An exploration of Edward's growing feelings for the woman he is, at first, salivating to consume.
*** A/U Mostly Canon pairings. Vampire/Human/Wolfpack *Will contain Lemons in later chapters*
**Indie Twific Nominee**
Bella Swan is dead *figuratively*...Izzy Black is an emancipated bad girl. Edward Cullen is the vampire that threatens to bring it all down in an inner battle between darkness and light.
*Being continued into a full length story.
Rated NC-17 References to drugs, drug use, cutting, foul language and *LEMONS*
He's roamed the world, protecting the innocent from the evil who prowl among them, an Angel of Death on Earth. It is his sole purpose in life since he lost his other half and became immortal, until he finds her again. She's young and innocent, studying the criminal mind and how to combat it. She's glimpsed the darker side of humanity and is ready to join him in his crusade.
"The saddest kind of sad is when your tears can't even drop and you feel nothing. It's like the world has just ended. You don't cry. You don't hear. You don't see. You stay. For a second, the heart dies."
by unknown
R/K five-shot
After unexpectedly being given an antique desk and finding a letter written by Edward to his cousin over nine decades earlier in a hidden compartment, Bella, on a whim, decides to respond and starts them on a journey neither could have ever imagined.
Perhaps there are some things we aren't meant to understand, just accept....
This story will eventually contain character death - NOT Edward or Bella.
After Edward left Bella she took matters into her own hands. 2061-Bella seeks revenge, her shot is now. In The Ruins she holds the key to fix everything, will she use it or not? What will happen to the vampire world? Can it survive?
AU, extremely OOC. Canon pairing. *Rewritten*
It's December 1990, and Alice Cullen runs into one Professor Albus Dumbledore whilst on a shopping trip in London. Prequel to 'Food, Glorious Food!'
We all know that Edward Cullen has the ability to read everyone's thoughts, except for Bella's.
This story is about Bella having the same gift, as a human, and being able to read even Edward's thoughts.
Takes place during the timeframe of Twilight.
Reeling from a sudden and inconceivable loss, Bella Swan struggles to make sense of it. Convinced all is not as it seems, her search for answers uncovers a far darker instability than ever anticipated.
There will come a day, when I won't be physically by your side. Just remember that I will always love you
What makes a first love special? Is it worth waiting for? Is it worth working for, to make it last? Our favorite couple as college students who find each other and some answers. AH. NC-17 for underage drinking, drug reference, and later citrus.
This is an expansion of my very first fanfic, a one-shot for the 2010 Cherry Exchange Contest (which is already posted here).
Warning: This is an Edward/Bella fic, but the first several chapters happen before they meet, laying background and developing their characters into what they were at the time of the one-shot. Please be patient - I'm doing my best to make it worth the wait.
Esme believed in love and good sex; she'd just never experienced them for herself. She crafted her erotic bestsellers from her fantasies and some internet research. What happens when her new landscaper makes her want...more? M for fluffy lemons.
Banner by vbfb1
Isabella Swan has lived too many lifetimes and made too many mistakes. So after her release from the Volturi, nearly 600 years of service later, she has gone in search of one of her mistakes: Carlisle.
She appears on the Cullens' doorstep with little expectation of what is to come.
Seven chapters, one for each Cullen, based on the lives they lead as humans. Why is it that neither Carlisle Cullen, Jasper Whitlock, Esme Platt, Edward Masen, Alice Brandon, Rosalie Hale, nor Emmett McCarty had happy, carefree lives before they became immortal? Is it the times they lived in?
Amazing banner by the amazing evieeden.
Mass executioner is no job for an empath. As the decades passed, Jasper's duties as part of Maria's army wore him down. Briefly revived when he left her to live as a nomad with Peter and Charlotte, he soon left them, too, and his melancholy grew. Then, when he least expected it, a spark in the form of a tiny dark-haired vampire changed his life. Rated M for violence, references to sex and adult themes (but no lemons).
Banner by fallanydeeper
invidia (latin): jealousy, envy
Jealousy (jalousie / jealousy): "A sentiment which is born in love and which is produced by the fear that the loved person prefers someone else" (Littré).
RPF one-shot
Kristen needs some lovin' only Rob can give. Here's my take on my favorite couple, Robsten. RPF. All RPOV. Rated NC-17/MA for lemons. Enjoy!
History is what defines us, personal and otherwise. To conquer it, one must decide not what they love more, but what's more important, and where one stood—with ALL things considered—could make all the difference.
AU-NM. All TwiCharacters. Nom'd "Best Shock Value" in the Avant Garde Awards, Polled in PTB's "Best Non-Canon Pairing Fic," Nom'd in the Sunflower Awards, featured in TwiFic Database's "Fic of the Week."
One year after the Cullens leave, Bella is thrown back into the vampire world in the least expected way and learns that Edward is not her mate. Pulled in different directions, with nothing being as it seems or what she thought, Bella will need to rediscover herself and where she stands. Yet, Bella is not the only one that has a past or emotions and circumstances that govern her. Unknown history is learned, especially by the Quileute. Secrets and betrayals are revealed, and by more than just a couple of the Cullens. Where love is found and bonds are broken, a war is brewing. And in the midst of another ancient war, what will be the most dangerous weakness? Love? Greed? Family? Old hate? Forgiveness? Will it be everything that makes you, you?
When reality and filming collide, it's all in the eyes.
Recent college graduate, Isabella "Bella" Swan, is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter who is pursuing her dreams as she joins her lawyer boyfriend when he makes partner in Dallas. After living in Austin and making a name for herself in the music scene, she gets swept up by a Dallas record label which only sweetens the move! Her life begins to change dramatically and she becomes acquainted with many new friends & opportunities. ExB - AU-Human - M-Rating.
Awesome banner by Candykizzes24! Thanks, bb!
Twilighted Validation Beta: robbsweetangel
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.


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text:
Is the work of the American oil industry the moral equivalent of South African apartheid? Will coffee beans cease to exist before the end of this century? The most recent shrill outbursts from the environmental Left offer the latest evidence for global warming; the silly season for news is extended later and later into the fall.
The theory of manmade climate change has fallen on hard times in recent years: The Climategate scandal, ongoing questions about the quality of the science behind the theory of anthropogenic global warming, further scandals such as Glaciergate, and demands by the United Nations for as much as $76 trillion in wealth transfers from the industrialized nations to the developing world, have done much to undermine public belief in, and toleration for, the theory. Many polls in the last few years have shown a significant decline in the public belief in the climate theory, and those studies that attempted to show a reversal of that trend have been challenged on account of their significant methodological flaws.
Now, the rhetoric coming from the theory's advocates has become even more shrill, with Bill McKibben — a man who has written numerous popular books on the topic — breaking out the old "divestment" talk from the days of the anti-apartheid movement. In an article for Takepart.com ("2028: The end of the world as we know it?"), the author of The Global Warming Reader declared war on the industry that makes the overwhelming majority of public and private transportation possible:
To prevent the end of the world as we know it, it will require no less than the death of the most profitable industry in the history of humankind.
"As of tonight," McKibben said, "we're going after the fossil fuel industry." ...
McKibben says the key to realizing that goal is to battle the lifeblood of the fossil fuel industry — its bottom line.
To start, he's calling for an immediate global divestment from fossil fuel companies. "We're asking that people who believe in the problem of climate change to stop profiting from it. Just like with divestment movement in South Africa over apartheid, we need to eliminate the oil companies veneer of respectability."
In conjunction with the divestment regimen, continued protests against unsustainable energy projects will also be crucial. McKibben will be in Washington, D.C., on November 18 to lead a mass rally against climate change and the Keystone Pipeline. "We can no longer just assume that President Obama is going to do everything he promised during his campaign. We need to push him."
For the countless thousands of people who waited in lines for gasoline in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, or who huddled in their homes during the nor'easter that followed the storm, the lackluster response of FEMA under President Obama's watch has certainly brought home to millions of Americans the necessity of a regular supply of oil and natural gas to maintain anything approaching a modern standard of living.
McKibben's appeal to his hearers to pressure Obama to further anti-energy activity demonstrates the degree to which the environmentalist fringe expects the "masses" to act against their own best interests. The divestment agenda of the anti-apartheid movement "worked" insofar as it brought more pressure on government and industry inside the Republic of South Africa than it inflicted pain on those individuals and corporations outside of the RSA who engaged in divestment tactics.
But can the same be said of divesting from the oil industry? Until McKibben begins to tour the nation solely by means of foot and horse-drawn carts, it will be difficult to comprehend what morally credible divestment scheme is being posited. And until his followers are prepared to eschew the heating of their homes by means of natural gas or coal-fired power plants, to abandon the use of gasoline automobiles, and to reject the abundance of food in North America that relies on fertilizers and relatively inexpensive means of bringing food to market, critics will continue to view the rhetoric of divestment as just bravado.
However, the rhetoric of divestment is cast in a new light when coupled with another point of hysteria for the global-warming lobby: the purported threat of the end of coffee by 2080. As Amy Rolph blogged for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the true terror of global warming can be found in one salient detail: "I don't mean to alarm anyone, but global warming could be responsible for more than just rising sea levels and extreme weather events. It's also slowly killing coffee."
The "death of coffee" is the latest example of science-by-computer-model:
A study by conservation group Kew suggests that global warming could lead to the extinction of wild Arabica coffee by 2080. The study uses computer modeling to hypothesize how coffee production will be impacted by climate change, running through possible scenarios and to determine the prevalence of bioclimatically suitable regions for coffee growth.
The most favorable model predicted a 65 percent reduction in coffee-growing regions by 2080. The most dire model showed a 100 percent reduction.
The use of computer models for global-warming projections is limited by the variables considered in the model, and the result has been a series of models that have proven open to the charge that they "grossly exaggerate" the effects of global warming.
The difficulty, of course, comes when the various global-warming doomsday scenarios meet: Who will notice the extinction of coffee, if McKibben has destroyed the means to bring those coffee beans to a population affluent enough to import them in the first place? And how do you sell oil industry divestment to urban liberals who idle their Yukons in the drive-through lane at the local Starbucks?


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Ezmula needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 26 designs submitted by 8 freelance designers.
I am a an online investor. I invest in the stock market online and have come to realize that there are no websites online that teach people the basics of how to get started investing in the stock market. I want to teach people the absolute basics, the who, what when and where!
My target market is people who want to learn how to invest online and have no idea of where to begin!
I want a look that will capture my website visitors.Website will be made with html and will be integrated with Amember Pro. I will be putting a flash header something like the one on sharebuilder.com. I also want to use the dark blue color that they have on the sharebuilder.com site. I may also be putting a video on the sales page.
I would like it have a newsletter form that captures name and email, it should also include a member login. The sales page will also have links to about 3-4 other pages.
Keep in mind that this design contest is for the sales page!


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In the News
Marshall to Receive Radcliffe Medal
On Radcliffe Day, hundreds of alumnae, fellows, and friends, including many University leaders, faculty, and staff, celebrate excellence and innovation. This year, the Radcliffe Institute medal recipient and luncheon speaker is Margaret H. Marshall, Ed.M.'69, who has been a force for justice and equality throughout her life.
Five Honored with Harvard Medal
A.R.T. Reaps Tony Awards Notice
British theater director John Tiffany, who was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study last year, workshopped his musical Once, based on the low-budget hit film about a pair of aspiring musicians, at Harvard's American Repertory Theater. The show received 11 Tony nominations.
Seniors Selected for Best Theses
Glenn Cohen Selected as 2012–2013 Radcliffe Institute Fellow
Harvard Law School Assistant Professor I. Glenn Cohen '03—co-director of the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics—will focus his fellowship on the legal and ethical issues related to travel of patients who are residents of one country to another country for medical treatment.
What Sendak's Seminal Work and Lincoln Address Have in Common
John Plotz, a 2011-2012 fellow and literary scholar, writes about Maurice Sendak and what "Where the Wild Things Are" and Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" have in common.
Tayari Jones Knows Why She Sings
Ru Freeman interviews Tayari Jones about her book Silver Sparrow for the Huffington Post.
Overexposed: Breastfeeding in America
Friendship Leads to Acclaimed Artist's Show
"Beverly McIver: Intersecting Identities" at the Westmoreland County Community College Art Gallery
UMass Amherst Linguistics Professor Angelika Kratzer Selected as Radcliffe Institute Fellow
Angelika Kratzer's area of specialization is semantics, an interdisciplinary field located at the intersection of linguistics, cognitive psychology, logic, and philosophy.


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October Horror Movie Challenge, Day 14!
Gruff, no-nonsense Noo Yawker Sal Devito (J.J. Barry), reeling from a messy separation and mid-life crisis, has relocated to rural Vermont to start a new life. Things are going pretty well for him--he's set up as a photographer, started building a studio, and fallen in with anorexic blonde artist Jackie (Carolyne Barry), who cares about neither his still-married status nor his chronic shortage of shirt-buttons. However, when Sal accidently runs over the granddaughter of local occultist Old Man McDermitt, the grieving grandfather hexes Sal with all the powers of Hell!
Dark August starts out extremely well, setting up Sal as man tormented by guilt, not only for the accident, but his failed marriage. Director Martin Goldman does a good job getting Sal's story out visually, dropping hints about his paranoia (he's taken up smoking again, let the housework go, left his loaded shotgun on the bed, that sort of thing) and normal conversations to let the viewer work things out. J.J. Barry is believable and engaging as Sal, and for a while I was really interested in his plight and worried for him.
Unfortunately, it seems all the old man's hex has the power to do is give Sal periodic panic attacks and cause minor hallucinations that don't do anything. (Though I guess being interrupted by hyperventilation while banging a skinny Vermont artist is pretty evil.) The movie drags as Sal gets more and more upset about this mostly harmless curse, leading to some cool 70s occultism/spiritualism from his friend Theo's girlfriend. But it goes nowhere, even when he visits local witch Adrianna Putnam (Kim Hunter, famous round these parts for being Bad Ronald's mom, around others for being Dr. Zira in the Planet of the Apes series), who munches pumpkin seeds while talking about hexes and evil forces and has a surprising exit in the film's otherwise in-name-only climax.
The first half of Dark August was pretty great, I though--artfully filmed, well-scripted and paced, believably acted, giving us some cool creepy occult curse action in dribs and drabs. But unfortunately the film never really delivers on its promise of Eeevil Wizardry and demonic dispensation, leaving the audience wishing something--ANYTHING--would happen. And if there's one thing a Mad Movie should never be, it's boring. 1.25 thumbs.
|"Don't mind me. I'm just going to stand here and do nothing for the next 87 minutes."


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TruXedo TruXport Tonneau Cover 279101
- Seamless hook and loop sealing system
- Spring loaded tension control
- Simple latching system
- Easy installation, no drilling required
- 5 year warranty
- Made in the USA - Yankton, SD
Don't let the economical price of the Truxedo Truxport Tonneau Cover fool you. The TruXport tonneau cover is one tough, durable bed cover with plenty of features. The side rails sit on top of the bed creating a seamless weather seal. The straight crossbars roll up with the tonneau cover and stores behind the cab giving you complete bed access. Hook and loop fasteners along the sides provides easy, secure fastening in all weather conditions and prevents water, dirt and dust from entering your truck bed.
Pre-set tension control is easily accessible as it is integrated with the latching mechanism so you can be sure your cover stays tight. To open your TruXedo TruXport tonneau cover first open your tailgate, release the latches on each side, roll up and use the included straps to hold in place. Adding a tailgate lock prevents any unwanted hands from opening the tonneau cover and keeps your items safe and secure.
Truxedo TruXport tonneau cover has an all aluminum frame that is powder coated black adding strength and rigidity. A double coated heavy duty vinyl tarp is resistant to mold and mildew and will outlast your truck in most cases. No-drill clamps make mounting this truck bed cover very simple taking about 30 minutes of your time.
Order NotesThe cargo management, utili-track, or deck rail system options refer to the factory installed rail system designed to hold moveable cargo cleats along the inside of your truck bed. Please call us for further clarification.
View Available Part Numbers For This Product Line
Frequently Asked Questions
What is needed for maintenance?
The vinyl can be cleaned with mild soap and water as well as in a car wash. Make sure to rinse soap off thoroughly. Don't use citrus based or petroleum products as well as silicone based products.
Is the TruXport? Weather proof?
No Tonno is completely weather proof, but the TruXport was designed to keep rain, snow and sleet out of your truck bed. Not to mention dust and other debris.
Am I able to use it with a toolbox?
No, this cover uses the entire truck bed area.
What's mounting consisted of?
It mounts to the top of your bed and uses three heavy duty clamps for secure placement.
What other accessories will this cover work with?
It can be used with bed liners and bed caps.
Can I lock?
It cannot be opened with your tailgate closed, so make sure to lock your tailgate.
What about fading?
This fabric is very high quality and UV resistant, giving you a flawless and fade resistant finish.
How difficult are they to manage in cold weather?
The fabric expands slightly in the cold, but very easy to operate, even at 20 below.
Product Reviews Summary
|Price / Value
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|9 Customer Reviews
|5 Star
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Part #: TRX-279101 Posted on
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|nice bed cover arrived on time packaged well, easy to install very clear instructions fits very well
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|Like the cover. It's was ez install and provides good rain cover. I am not saying it's water tight but I have not seen any sin water in the bed.
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|Quick install, easy to use, and appears to be reasonably water tight.
Part #: TRX-279101 Posted on
|Purchased the TruXedo for my 2017 F250 Super Duty, Super crew FX4. I watched the installation video prior to installing which made it very simple. After a few minor adjustments, it fit like a charm. Very happy with my purchase and it definitely improved my gas mileage.
5 Year Warranty
TruXedo offers a 5 year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship on all of their TruXport tonneau covers.
The TruXport Tonneau Cover by TruXedo Tonneau Covers offers an easy at home no drill installation. For additional information see the install manual below or call us at 1-877-216-5446.


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Black Africa Handbook (ICPSR 5019)
Version Date: Feb 16, 1992 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
Donald Morrison, Unknown; Robert Mitchell, Unknown; John Paden, Unknown; Michael Stevenson, Unknown
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
This study contains data on the political, social, economic, religious, ecological, and demographic characteristics of 32 Black African nations in the late 1950s and 1960s. Data are provided on political regime characteristics, such as the existence and nature of political parties, elections, the nature of the judicial system, the extent of government influence, and the occurrence of riots, civil violence, terrorist activities, civil wars, irredentist movements, and coup d'etats. Economic variables provide information on government revenues, government expenditures, gross domestic capital formation, public investment as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP), gross national product (GNP), defense budgets, energy, investment, labor, number of wage earners as a percentage of active population, industrial production, electricity production, per capita energy consumption, educational expenditures, economic welfare, consumer price index, international economic aid, total international trade, imports and exports, agriculture, and membership in major African multilateral economic organizations. Also included is information on the military and security systems, Africanization of the army officer corps, international relations, membership in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), communication and transportation, and social welfare. Other variables provide information on population estimates and characteristics, population density, settlement patterns, cultural pluralism, language, religion, primary and secondary school enrollment, family organization, patrilineal kin groups, class stratification, and the number of physicians per population.
Citation View help for Citation
Export Citation:
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Universe View help for Universe
A total of 32 African nations in the late 1950s and late 1960s.
Data Source View help for Data Source
(1) Morrison, Donald, Robert Mitchell, John Paden, and Michael Stevenson. BLACK AFRICA: A COMPARATIVE HANDBOOK. New York, NY: Irvington Publishers, 1989, (2) Johnson, Hildegard B. "The Location of Christian Missions in Africa." THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 57, 2 (1967), (3) United Nations. STATISTICAL YEARBOOKS, 1967-1968, and (4) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. YEARBOOK, 1968.
Method of Data Collection View help for Method of Data Collection
Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date
Version History View help for Version History
- Morrison, Donald, Robert Mitchell, John Paden, and Michael Stevenson. Black Africa Handbook. ICPSR05019-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 1972. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR05019.v1
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions.
- The citation of this study may have changed due to the new version control system that has been implemented.
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.


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School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come
The credit for this amazing work really goes to KristinFontichiaro and Buffy Hamilton who conceived of and edited the final product. Their vision, diligence and hard work shaped this into the unique resource that it is. Bravo, girls!
Again, I'm unbelievably humbled to see my name listed among so many wise and generous colleagues. I can't wait to read all the other contributions! I sincerely hope you'll download this important work for yourself and share it with your friends, colleagues, administrators, school board members, etc.


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Back in the spring, classic trivia game You Don't Know Jack as launched on iOS, but somewhere along the way it teetered out and was pulled down. Well, Jack is back, free, and plugs into Facebook. Every day, players can jump into a free round of five truly bizarre questions. Their score is then pitted against other random online players, or their Facebook friends that also happen to have played the same match. Players earn coins which can be spent on limited-use power-ups to crank up score, or on unlocking hilarious new mock-advertisers. Players will also have to shell out some coins if they want to to play more than once a day, which will probably be worthwhile since they're pumping out new content all the time.
I've been a long-time fan of You Don't Know Jack, way back to its Flash-based webshow days in the mid-90s, and it's great to see the game has evolved without losing its unique, in-your-face flavor. This is a must-download - go play it and have a few laughs.
Free - Download Now
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.


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2 Things to do
Ballinlough Castle is a hidden gem located in the beautiful Irish countryside, just one hour from Dublin in Clonmellon, County Westmeath. It is perched on a hill overlooking two lakes, and is the home of Sir John and Lady Nugent.
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Situated in the rich pastureland of north County Westmeath.
Read more
Want to know more? Ask a question in our Community, they're the people who know Ireland best.
For more information on travel and accommodation, attractions have a look at our brochures and maps.
If you're a visitor from the island of Ireland you may want to visit one of these sites… Otherwise proceed to Ireland.com
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Raking hay with horses
From the Library of Congress "Buckaroos in Paradise" collection
Old horse-drawn machinery, lined up along a fence, was a familiar sight when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s . Most farmers and ranchers had a few relics of horse-powered equipment, like this hay rake, that were quietly rusting away.
Rakes like the one above were used in hay-making. Step 1 in the hayfield was mowing the hay and letting it dry in the sun. Step 2 -- gathering the dry hay into a windrow -- was accomplished with the hay rake. Step 3 was gathering the windrows and either making a haystack or hauling the hay to a barn.
The hay rake was pulled by one or two horses, across the mowed, dry hay, with the long, semi-circular teeth lowered to the ground. When the rake was full of hay, the teeth were raised and a windrow of hay was dumped. Then the teeth were lowered again, and the rake continued across the field, until it was full enough to dump again.
The next time the rake came across the field, its rider dumped the hay each time he came by a windrow from his first trip. In this way, the windrows were made longer and longer, until finally, all the hay was raked into long lines that stretched across the hayfield.
The man on the rake lifted the teeth with a lever. Some strength was required to operate it. He also had to be attentive in order to dump the hay exactly at the end of the windrow.
This rake looks like it might be 10 feet wide. What a radical change the tractor made in the hayfield! With tractor power, dump rakes doubled and tripled in length, greatly reducing the time required to rake a field of hay.
Related posts:
The Hayfield
Caring for Our Own
Interesting websites:
Hay in Art
Hay Time
Horse-powered Haying, 1880-1940s


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The Tampa Bay Lightning has released a report [4] confirming the club has signed left wing Jan Hlavac to a one year contract. Hlavac has spent the last three season playing in Europe, most recently with Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. Hlavac helped Sparta Praha to the Czech Extraliga championship this year with 8 goals and 2 assists in 16 playoff games.
"Jan Hlavac is a highly skilled player who we believe will fit in well within our group of top six forwards and a player we hope will develop some chemistry with Brad Richards [5]," Lightning GM Jay Feaster said. "He is an excellent skater and is both a playmaker and a guy who can finish. The 'new NHL' is tailor-made for Jan's game, and he expressed through his agent a strong desire to return to the NHL as was evidenced by the cap- and budget-friendly contract Jan signed."
Hlavac has some history with current Tampa head coach John Tortorella when both were part of the New York Rangers organization. "John Tortorella coached Hlavac in New York and Torts gave us a very positive recommendation both as to his skill level and as a teammate within the team concept. We are very excited about this signing and look forward to seeing Jan in training camp."
Hlavac is a veteran of 356 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes. He has scored 78 career NHL goals and recorded 189 points, and his best NHL season came in 2000-01 with the Rangers as he scored 28 goals with 64 points, both career highs. Hlavac scored 15 or more goals in three consecutive seasons from 1999-02 (19, 28 and 16 respectively).


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Actress Cobie Smulders is married.
The How I Met Your Mother star exchanged vows with actor Taran Killam at the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, California on Saturday afternoon, according to RumorFix.com.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds took a hayride to a nearby lake for their private reception, where Smulders' TV co-stars Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrick Harris were among the guests.
The couple, which got engaged in 2009, is already parents to a three-year-old daughter, Shaelyn.
September 9, 2012 | 6:31pm EST
Actress Cobie Smulders is married.
Actress Cobie Smulders is married.


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Intra-Articular Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Shoulder Pain
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00211718
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified August 2005 by Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted : September 21, 2005
Last Update Posted : November 3, 2005
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Arthritis Shoulder Pain
|Drug: intra-articular botulinum toxin type a
|Phase 3
Chronic shoulder pain unresponsive to oral medications and intra-articular corticosteroids is an important treatment problem, especially for the young, very old and those with complex medical problems that preclude joint reconstructive surgery. We hypothesized that intra-articular botulinum toxin could provide important joint pain relief in these patients. This is a prospective, double blined, placebo controlled 6month trial with an open label extension phase when pain returns to baseline levels (re-injection with 100units of botulinum toxin and 6 months followup thereafter).
Comparisons: Intra-articular injection of botulinum toxin type a will be compared to intra-articular injection of placebo ( lidocaine then saline).
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Enrollment :
|40 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Intra-Articular Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A for the Treatment of Shoulder Pain: A Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial
|Study Start Date :
|July 2004
|Study Completion Date :
|June 2007
- : Primary Outcomes:
- Change in Pain Score
- Change in Joint Function
- Patient Global Assessment
- Secondary Outcomes:
- Pain Relief
- Change in Health Status Quality of Life-SF36
- Change in Disease specific Health Related QOL-WOOS
- Function improvement - Range of Motion, SPADI, Simple Shoulder tes
- Physican Assessment of Pain and Global Assessment of Improvement
- Safety Measure,
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
• Male or female subjects, 18 years of age or older.
- Written informed consent and written authorization for use or release of health and research study information have been obtained.
- Subject has chronic Shoulder joint pain for more than 1 year.
- Subject has pain >4.5 on numerical rating scale of 0 to 10.
- Ability to follow study instructions and likely to complete all required visits.
- Negative urine pregnancy test on the day of treatment prior to the administration of study medication (for females of childbearing potential if applicable)
- Patients previously treated with intra-articular corticosteroid or viscosupplementation injections.
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis must have failed therapy with standard DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) and anti-TNF agents unless they have a contraindication to TNF blockers.
- Patients who were considered not to be candidates for Shoulder joint replacement because of young age, abnormalities in periarticular tissues or because of co-morbid conditions.
- Must be ambulatory and able to perform sit to stand.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of aminoglycoside antibiotics, curare-like agents, or other agents that might interfere with neuromuscular function.
- Any medical condition that may put the subject at increased risk with exposure to botulinum neurotoxin including diagnosed myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, amytrophic lateral sclerosis, any other disorder that might interfere with neuromuscular function or the presence of severe peripheral neuropathy.
- Females who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning a pregnancy during the study or who think that they may be pregnant at the start of the study, or females of childbearing potential who are unable or unwilling to use a reliable form of contraception during the study.
- Known allergy or sensitivity to any of the components in the study medication.
- Evidence of recent alcohol or drug abuse.
- Infection at injection site or systemic infection (postpone study entry until one week following recovery.
- Known, uncontrolled serious systemic disease and/or life expectancy less than 12 months.
- Concurrent participation in another investigational drug or device study or participation in the 30 days immediately prior to study enrollment.
- Any condition or situation that, in the investigator's opinion, may put the subject at significant risk, confound the study results, or interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study.
- Patients whose pain is rated as less than 4.5 on a 10 point Numerical Pain Rating scale at the screening visit
- Patients on coumadin or heparin because of increased risk of bleeding in the joint
- Serious or unstable psychiatric disease or cognitive impairment that would limit evaluation of response to treatment.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00211718
|Contact: Maren L Mahowald, MD
|Contact: Jasvinder A Singh, MD MPH
|United States, Minnesota
|Minneapolis VAMC
|Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417
|Contact: Maren l Mahowald, MD 612-467-4190 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Contact: Jasvinder A Singh, MD MPH 6124674190 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Principal Investigator: Maren L Mahowald, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Jasvinder A Singh, MD MPH
|Sub-Investigator: Hollis E Krug, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Maren L Mahowald, MD
|Minneapolis VAMC
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00211718 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
IRB Protocol Number 03404B
|First Posted:
|September 21, 2005 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|November 3, 2005
|Last Verified:
|August 2005
Keywords provided by Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center:
shoulder pain
intra-articular botulinum toxin a
joint pain
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Shoulder Pain
Joint Diseases
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Neurologic Manifestations
Nervous System Diseases
Signs and Symptoms
Botulinum Toxins
Botulinum Toxins, Type A
Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
Membrane Transport Modulators
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Cholinergic Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Neuromuscular Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents


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Unlocked 'Demonic Library' yesterday. Since it was late I started a purist run (going orc rogue) to see how the dungeon looks like. It ended like always (game is too addictive) and it tried to beat the dungeon.
Items weren't really great, went most of the time with the fine sword and later the health pedant was nice. Found Binlor and started to first crush wall and then using PISFOR against the monsters (thanks to taurog for a second sword). Thankfully the bosses had low health. After the first went down, all the rest got a buff and i thought sh*t... Further the battle went on and in the end i had one last boss, low on health but with a DP and i had to surrender (went with 7 gold out...) and me with no ressources left (even all the shop items i could buy were converted).
First thought was: Well it was a vicious dungeon and you went purist. So no big deal in not beating the dungeon.
Second thought: Wait... the description of the dungeon said, that the avatar would be the boss
And i don't think he will be so easy as the hard Horatio...
Think now the really hard part will start.
So, thank you guys for this great game. Official i ended the main quest, but it will take much more time to clear everything, if i'll manage it (this will be the interesting part).