text:
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Green Wing Feature-Length Special Then
*some text missing*
72 comments:
Hope you are not going 'out' just to get away from the flaming torch bearers.
- 9:58 pm
just watched it.
the scene where sue sings to mac is fantastic.
also, the scenes with statham and joanna are brilliant.
- 9:59 pm
- Annie said...
somewhat off topic - look it's your friend with the kittens, fighting Coca-Cola on Sky News!
- 10:44 pm
Just saw it too. Well, about an hour or so ago anyway.
lokvjdvihevh hdvckjfwijd is about my only coherent comment right now.
:D x
- 10:50 pm
I'm sure the GW special will be brilliant, and I look forward to working out all the bits which are yours. It just better have the right ending involving Caroline and Mac, or else.
- 11:38 pm
I am so excited!!
How do these clever people like Lucy and Anon manage to see the thing early? I have only just joined the interweb community so have no idea how these things work.
- 12:36 am
- james henry said...
It went out in Australia on the 28th I think, so torrents have been flying about since then. People seem to have been very disciplined about spoilers though, which is great.
- 9:08 am
I fear that whatever the outcome there will be pitchforks and torches at midnight.
Good luck (unless she doesn't choose Guy in which case Ha Ha Ha!)
- 10:01 am
On the GW Forum we set up a separate little home for all the spoilerholics which has worked. However, everytime I go on site I'm reading things with my eyes shut which is very difficult as it's physcially impossible. Bit like going to the loo in the middle of the night with your eyes shut in the hope that you can stay asleep. Never works!
- 10:09 am
I stupidly read the script first, a few weeks ago, (all I could get hold of at the time)and was pretty disappointed. Then I finally watched it a few days ago and couldn't stop laughing. Which made me realise that perhaps tv is best watched first. So my advice, everyone stop reading gw blogs till 2moro in case some smug git like me ruins it for you:)
p.s if you wrote my favourite quote James, I will be mightily impressed forever. And I actually can't think of any bits I hated so you might be off the hook with me at least...
- 1:06 pm
I have completey avoided all spoilers as the resulting emotional outbursts would not be appropriate in an office environment.
The twitching and stress-hiccups are of course perfectly all right.
- 1:16 pm
Gave GW a mention this am on Heart FM whilst on air with my very own minimac. At least Jamie Theakston had heard of it!
I'm soo excited.
Is it just me?
- 2:32 pm
hell no.
- 3:44 pm
I almost read a spoiler yesterday, but thought the better of it...
Not long now!! Yippeee!
- 8:20 pm
- Sal said...
Seriously, just watched the last episode. What was with the ending scene with Caroline?! I just don't get it!
- 11:55 pm
what? what? what? what? what? what the hell was up with that
- 11:56 pm
Oh I loved it loved it loved it!
Everything I wanted and more - the proposal made me bawl my eyes out, sad girl that I am.
Well done all.
- 12:03 am
- twit said...
Just watched it.
It's still fucking awesome.
Kinda hope that's it now though. Leave them/us/ME! wanting more & all that.
- 12:07 am
It was never going to be easy.
But it was just right.
Statham & Joanna - sad, but weirdly beautiful.
Caroline floating - deliciously unexpected, but perfect!
A masterpiece. As much as I could watch 10 series - it should end there.
- 12:09 am
It was great... stathem and boyce made me cry though... and why no lyndon? I mean him proposing to harriet would have been lovely... or maybe just making out with jake again
- 12:12 am
I really really...
I'm lost for words, James Henry. Thank you to you, the writers, the cast, the crew, everyone for making such a wonderful, perfect show. Thank you.
I even forgive you lot for Mac's 'condition' (or lack thereof). And respecting the fact that tying up EVERY LITTLE DETAIL would ruin it. x
Mush aside, if that 'spin-off' isn't about the MacCartneys and Guy, so help me; those cats will be unleashed upon your Cornish self.
- 12:18 am
- Rose said...
Alan and Joanna made me cry. You bastards.
- 12:29 am
The proposal made me cry but the ending...huh?
- 12:34 am
What's Mac's name you weasly writer you?
- 12:40 am
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! You'd better be at the signing!!!
- 12:41 am
i'm bloody pissed off why didn't she marry guy and what's up with the ballooons aggghhhh jams i'm not happy!!!! and sue was sane - where did that come from
and caro didn't actually say much!
i'm upset james upset!!!! why!!!
- 12:43 am
- cello said...
Really, really lovely. Thanks James. x
- 1:18 am
- Mangonel said...
I'm confused - why the confusion? What did I miss? I thought his name was Paul (not only because 'Paul' is a nice name!) because there was that thing in series 2 about him calling his psycho ex 'John' after Lennon - the most successful partnership in the world, remember her taunting Caro?
- 2:04 am
Oh dear - what was that last night? Could be my state of mind at the moment, but pretty hard to laugh, just too sad.
... and what was that with the balloons?
- 7:27 am
hysterically funny ("you shat in my vodka"), moving ("this is a tiny bit about caroline") and yet there was something I couldn't quite put my finger on at the time. Oh Yes,
she. didn't. choose. guy.
- 9:25 am
- smoo2 said...
Wonderful, James, a thoughtful end to a brilliant series. It left us still asking questions but happy! You collectively managed to make it moving despite all the murder, mayhem and silliness!
I bet Mac never had a first name written in did he? We all just made a big issue out of it!
- 9:33 am
Just bloody brilliant.
Gutted it's finished but I couldn't have imagined a better ending. I dreamt about Carloine floating away last night!
Brilliant and lovely. Can't stop smiling.
- 9:49 am
it's ok James - you can come out of that cupboard now.....we've all seen it and we've all had a chance to sleep on it.
Congratulations on such a fab final programme. It actually gets better on second viewing.
Please let us know which bits are yours.
- 10:01 am
Loved it :) perfect ending for Joanna and Statham, loved the baloons at the end, and Martin's mime at the beginning was so funny! laughed my socks of and cried my feet off, wonderful!
(Caroline should have ended up with guy though)
- 10:19 am
- Sal said...
I'm still confused even after sleeping on it. I loved the first hour and a half but the last few minutes I just didn't understand. Really, what was with the balloons?!
- 10:21 am
Oooo that was pure, utter depraved joy. Genius. But I missed the first half hour. And missed other lines from whooping so hard. Muuuuuuuuuust repeat.
- 10:42 am
- james henry said...
Well it seems to have gone down well with most people, even if some were conceptually left behind by the balloons (I wasn't sure about that bit in the script, but I thought it looked great when it was on the screen).
I get slightly emotional every time I see Joanna and Statham dancing and then holding hands before they walk into the sea.
- 11:26 am
sorry James. Really curious so must ask.
Did you lovely writers ever consider having Caroline choose Guy (and be happy) or was Mac a forgon conclusion?
I rather liked the balloons.
- 11:37 am
I think the balloons were the best visual to date. It looked fantastic on-screen. I LOVED them. Tamsin was like a wee fairy up there.
Have to say though; who chose the dress? I know Caroline's supposed to be quirky and all...but jeezo... It would have been alright had there not been purple balls stuck to it.
I can't believe some people still think she should have chosen Guy. It was obvious that he coped better than anyone else would, but characteristically grabbing the first woman he saw.
Ooh - and I've been meaning to ask... is the word 'rewind' any clue to Mac's name? It was used very heavily... I tried the usual and zoomed in on it, slowed it down, rewound it to see what the vicar/reverend(?) was saying..no such luck. So is it an anagram or just a general clue?
- 11:55 am
oh. read my last post back and its a bit ambiguous. "(and be happy)" meant 'not miserable' rather than 'couldn't be happy with Mac'.
Och Jen. I see your point but I think she could have changed him for the better (it was starting to happen).
*reality blurs into fantasy*
I need a cup of tea.
- 12:13 pm
- Rose said...
is the word 'rewind' any clue to Mac's name?
Yes. Mac is Craig David.
The balloons were one of the more perfect visuals I've ever seen.
- 12:17 pm
God, I'm depressed...
Maybe in time, once I've gone through the five stages of grief, I will able to watch that again. At the moment I'm too busy flip flopping from stage one to stage two and back again.
*shakes fist*
- 1:08 pm
- Orb said...
Thank the lard. At last I can post on here again. I worked on the special back in August, along with its associated behind-the-scenes stuff, and it's been killing me not to say anything. I think my pancreas has turned to vinegar though the sheer pressure of contained comments in my body. I may never secrete bile again. Damn you, Henry!
Splendid show, though. Flawed, mainly through being about half the length it needed to be, but still brilliant. Well done you. Joanna and Statham's final moments could not have been more perfect.
- 2:17 pm
James - are you going to the signing on monday?
- 2:35 pm
I hope you'll be popping into the 'convention' (I hate that word.) James. I'm flying down from Scotland specially.
Like I said, the balloons were the best way it could ever hanve ended - it literally ended on a 'High' much the same as series one and two ended with literal cliffhangers.
Craig David MaCartney? Hehe! Like it, but hmm...
They did make a big thing of that 'rewind' word though. I shall not sleep until an answer is found. It looked like a two-syllable forename...
You see what you've done? I'm 100% MORE SAD than before the special!
- 3:05 pm
the 'I heart you Mac' moment - that's the one that made me melt. I'd adopt Martin!
- 3:32 pm
- baggiebird said...
Mac's drunken crying, Statham singing to Boyce, Boyce sitting alone in stathams teaching room after being shouted at, Joanna and Alan walking off into the sunset, these all made me wanna cry.
Loved it. It made me laugh out loud and then want to burst into tears, brilliant.
- 3:46 pm
its ok, ive calmed down now and it was v good, well done. hope to see you at the signing
- 6:14 pm
- Maud said...
It was Boyce prodding himself with the pointer that did it for me. And I so felt for him when he got shouted at by the new teacher. It's so horribly familiar, particularly him almost crying afterwards.
And Joanna and Statham's final moments were utterly perfect. A beautiful job, James. Well done, hope to see you and your hair on monday.
- 6:16 pm
Take a pat on the back I thought it was brill and I had been one of those rooting for a 'Guy' ending. I wasn't sure at first about the balloons but by the end I thought they were great and Caroline looked like a modern day Mary Poppins floating away. Combined with Guy's comments about the state of her lady-garden - genius!
Also although originally not sure about the purple pom-poms on the wedding dress I even loved these by the end.
Joanna and Statham - genius and Boycie and Statham - brilliant. All in all job well done and no comparison to the disappointing dross that was the This Life special
- 6:57 pm
I have to say I was hugely disappointed with that episode. I thought the second half was too rushed, which reduced the emotional impact on me. Since series 1 I have been desperate for Caroline and Mac to get together, but, although I was glad this happened, I didn't like the wedding at all - I think the proposal would've been enough to be honest.
On a more positive side, I absolutely loved Alan and Joanna! They were hilarious throughout - the only characters who made me laugh actually besides Martin - and their ending was well done and very moving.
I thought the balloon ending was incredibly twee and frustrating, why not let Joanna and Alan's walk into the sea holding handing hands be the final moment?
- 8:31 pm
It ended on a 'High' and it gave me a lovely feeling, despite all the drama.
Having Joanna and Statham's last moment be the last scene would be morbid; and put everyone on a downer.
- 9:56 pm
- james henry said...
I thought Kark Theobald (Martin) did really well in the special, despite (or maybe because of) not having his own storyline. The innapropriate mimes were particularly good.
I don't care about weddings either, anonymous, but the girls in the writing team read lots of chick-lit, so there was always going to be one. And I got to write some jokes about kilts, which was satisfying.
Don't think I'll be at the signing Monday, but a big wave to Maud, and I hope everyone makes do as best they can with just the actors.
- 10:08 pm
Karl Theobald really stood out for me in this Special, he was so good. But besides all the Mac and Caroline moments, Sue White with her gun shooting handbag moment is a GW classic, I would love to see a behind the scenes on how they shot that scene. I liked the Joanna/Alan accidental murders storyline, but I did feel there was too much of them in this episode. However, I'm always desperate to see more of Mac and Caroline so am not a really good judge of how the programme was edited the way it was.
Please let us know which bits were yours James apart from the kilts. I do hope the handbag shooting was one of them, now I've praised it to high heaven.
Also hopes the GW possible spin off is based on the Macartneys and Guy *begs*
- 10:43 pm
i have to agree with anonymous.
i don't know why there was a need for proposals and weddings in the first place. and the whole dying of cancer storyline? why would one want to put that in a series like gw? too much melodrama in that episode alltogether.
don't get me wrong, I loved the whole mac-caro-guy triangle thing in the first and second series but it was far better when it was dry and funny, without all the sentimental stuff.
sorry for rambling on. I don't mean to complain, it still was a fantastic series alltogether and i congratulate anyone who was involved in it.
and there were a couple of brilliant scenes in this episode, no doubt: sue singing to mac (brilliantly done by Michelle and Julian), Joanna and Statham on their rampage and Mark Heap cuddling the sheep.
- 11:03 pm
Can I just mention at this point that my favourite conspiracy theory about Mac's name is that under all the coughing, he said "Lennon McCartney".
Made me chuckle!
- 1:25 am
- james henry said...
Just to say, I never saw the a and e as being cancer (few too many self-consciously 'dark' series were making cancer jokes at the time), so Mac's illness was left open, although I always thought it was an aneurism myself.
I didn't write the handbag scene, although I wish I had, particularly Sue whispering 'do it', which I genuinely found quite shocking, as well as funny, and true to the character.
There we are then, Green Wing over.
- 7:52 am
sorry, I've missed something here James, what bits DID you write?
Come on, don't be shy......
we know it was you!
- 8:39 am
- Campion said...
brilliant brilliant brilliant...do i even need to say anything else?! sort of disappointed, but on rewatching it i decided i loved it! the propsal scene and resulting kiss was one of the best love scenes i have seen in ages. all in all a fitting end to such a brilliant series, i think any more gw would just have gone down hill. many congratulations on such an excellent show! Thank you!
- 12:36 pm
- violetforthemoment said...
Oh God, Boyce just broke my heart. Right up until the talkback thames logo came up I thought he was going to come roaring up in an ice cream van or something and save Statham and they could live happily ever after. Sniff.
What I like about Green Wing is that even when the characters are strange to the point of possible sociopathy, they are fully-formed and totally believable. I didn't think I'd get interested in the lady-deciding-between-two-chaps thing but Caroline is the most realistic female character I've seen on the telly in ages so it worked for me a little too well and I did a lot of shouting at the telly ("Mac! That posh lady is WRONG WRONG WRONG for you! You love Caroline! You do! OH WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME?!" Drove Mr Violet insane). And obviously it's very funny. And had a wickle baby lion in one episode. I will miss it but it was a great way to go out.
- 2:03 pm
"There we are then, Green Wing over."
nu-uh!! what about Mallorca???
- 2:27 pm
- macfan said...
So, the best thing to hit TV this century is gone - while the inexorable march of the soaps, "reality TV" and third rate sitcoms continues. Where's the justice in life, eh?
I watched the special last night. Thank you for avoiding all forms of tinsel and false festive sentiment. Phew!
Too much of Joanna and Statham for my taste, though I loved the serenade to Boyce. The Lord of the Flies stuff was **sheer genius** - though I was a bit slow on the uptake, it did sink in eventually. Sue's squirrel scene was brill. Probably the best moment was Boyce toying with the pointer and the revelation of deeper feelings about Statham. No - the Mr and Mrs scene in theatre was first class - maybe that was actually the best moment. Dammit - the whole thing was full of brilliance - and I loved Martin's mini kilt too. If only Mac had worn a kilt... ooh - hold that thought. *gulp*
I wasn't sure about the ending at first but I thought about it and realised how difficult it must have been to find an ending. Caroline floating on cloud nine, with the foreshadowing of Mac's absence was brilliant and the pathos nicely counteracted by Guy's tasteless moment. The frock was, frankly, hideous. But the Caroline character couldn't have worn anything else, really.
Thank you, James, to you and the team. Much enjoyment was had by all.
- 3:39 pm
- janey33 said...
After the dismal "This Life" and the feeble "Vicar of Dibley" I have to admit that I didn't hold out much hope for the last GW. These things almost always promise more than they deliver. But as soon as I saw Martin and his mime, I knew I was in for a treat! I loved Alan and Joanna, the beach scene was just perfect, funny and sad at the same time. The girls were brilliant, as always, as was poor Boyce. And the wedding! Just fantastic, even the dress! And the balloon scene was just the perfect ending, I loved it all. Made me cry and laugh, all at the same time. An oasis of perfect telly in a desert of post-Christmas dross. Thank you to everyone involved!
- 4:57 pm
I must admit I did shed a tear at poor Boyce's shock at being shouted at, and another one when Statham called him. And I never wanted Caroline to end up with Guy, although I had a nasty suspicion that she might.
But is it wrong that my Green Wing highlight of the week was not the special, but (very belatedly) watching the whole of s1 on DVD and listening to the commentaries - all of them, because I'm a bit obsessive - and getting quite unreasonably excited when James Henry unexpectedly turned up in one of them? I literally squeed with delight.
- 8:11 pm
well i thought it was good.
not my favourite one, but good...
was it a conscious decision to have it themed around death? reviewers etc. have often said it's almost as though the gw writers have a ticklist of taboos to put on screen, so maybe death was the last one? how it affects people/ why people might choose it/ why people kill each other/themselves?
i liked the balloons though :)
and the wedding.
and the small children.
not because i'm a pervert.
because it was sweet.
- 8:14 pm
special was great, not the best green wing ever but fantastic, I wish it had been longer. James! I'm so dissapointed that you wont be at the signing, I'm here all the way from new zealand for it (well not literally... by not literally I mean that i am literally going to be at the signing but I am in england for other reasons) I wanted to meet you, though actually if I did meet you I would probably be too shy to say anything.
Any clue as to who we will get to meet?
- 8:35 pm
- james henry said...
The question about death in the final episode is a very good one, and I'm working on a post about that very thing, so bear with me.
Don't know who will be at the signing I'm afraid, apologies.
- 9:23 pm
[quote]and listening to the commentaries - all of them, because I'm a bit obsessive - and getting quite unreasonably excited when James Henry unexpectedly turned up in one of them?[/quote]
He turns up on The Special DVD as well *winks*
I got my DVD today thanks to Play.com and as usual watched the deleted scenes, wondering 'well why was that cut', and 'that should have been in' etc. etc.
- 11:27 pm
That's what happens, though, isn't it? It must be so hard to edit out certain scenes and leave some in and have it all make some sort of sense. That's why Billy Sneddon is my God.
One of my favourite Green Wing scenes ever is the 'Being Disillusioned song/kiddy xylophone' dialogue between Sue and Caroline. And it was a cut scene.
I have to say; although I bloody loved the broadcast ending, I love the alternative even more.
I may change my mind. I'm fickle.
- 12:49 am
- Boz said...
Green Wing has consistently made me laugh during its entire run. It wasn't like anything else on telly, and had an amazing cast.
Cheers, then, I guess!!
- 12:24 pm
James, please come on Monday... I'll bring... erm.... funny glasses?
Thanks again for Green Wing- it really is one of the best comedy programmes ever to be shown in Britain and I will have trouble finding anything to make my Friday nights quite as entertaining.. unless I can get somebody to dress up in a kilt at the pub.. that may be fairly amusing..
- 4:49 pm
oohh I want you to be at the signing tomorrow *cries*
but anyway, i'm sorry for my rant last time - I'm still very hurt about Guy! I think i will ask you many questions about was there ever any hope for them at the BFI thingymajig but yeah i did like a LOT of it it just didn't feel like green Wing - especially when most of it wasn't in the hospital
I adored Martin's mime that was one of my favourite bits and will be treasured forever, thank you for adding sue's squirrel back in :) although she did seem on the sane side to me which was a shame
the joanna/statham was pure genious throughout - especially when he sat on that woman to death - and their ending was sooo sweet
but i'm still upset about Guy- why?????????
- 7:40 pm


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


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The CPI SL2000 was specifically designed to meet the needs of heavy duty hydraulic system manufacturers, who seek robust, accurate, and reliable solutions to position or charge sensing in long stroke cylinders or accumulators.
With a high-tech mechanical assembly and space-age material science, the CPI sensor surpasses the durability of all other sensor measurement technologies as well as other draw wire sensor technologies. For harsh duty internal or external cylinder applications, CPI's technology may be the most hardened, reliable solution in the world.
Tensioner systems come in many designs but typically employ multiple hydraulic cylinders for stabilizers or the riser will buckle when the rig moves downward, and stretch when the rig rises. If you gather around the moon pool of any offshore rig or vessel during a storm you'll see a riser/tensioner system hard at work. These systems use a bank of hydraulic accumulators to drive piston displacements in reaction to the heaving of a heavy sea. It is crucial that the tensioner can manage differential movements between the riser and the rig in real time to prevent shearing or undue stress on the wellhead. These huge and powerful accumulators are constructed using a gas and hydraulic fluid and can drive displacements from 10 to 15 meters.
Because the core measurement technology of the sensor is mechanical draw wire, there are far less things to go wrong with a CPI sensor in a harsh environment. Furthermore the core sensing mechanics are incompressible allowing the sensor to operate inside the hydraulic cylinder, submersed in hydraulic fluid at full pressure. This kind of mounting flexibility makes for a clean integration into most cylinders and small external form factor for applications where a short magnetostrictive sensor is used as the transducer.
A few other notes about our linear position sensor technology.
CPI Sensors on the oil platform are also used provide critical feedback during a riser disconnect scenario. In this event, the riser must be disconnected before the rig is critically out of position with respect to the well head. Typically a tensioner ring employs six hydraulic accumulators with six valves controlled by the computer through signals from the valves and the CPI linear position sensor which is acting as the piston rod measuring system providing absolute (not relative) position measurement signals. Some systems are implemented with the cylinders mounted directly to the tensioner ring. In these systems, a riser disconnect detected by the CPI linear position sensor will cause the valve to limit the oil-flow and the riser will not gain momentum. The controlling system adjusts the position of the valves and the riser is brought up in a controlled way using input from CPI linear position sensors like the SL2000.
Our engineering team builds, installs, and qualifies these sensors uniquely into each application. Many options are available in the design of your sensor that can make it more robust, longer stroke, or even custom external mounting options for existing In-the-field cylinder applications.
Please call our engineering team today to discuss your hydraulic accumulator based application or see all our harsh duty linear position sensors.
Explosions and failures that occur in the Oil and Mining industry can have catastrophic results. While not every incident rises to the level of the tragic Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the nature of drilling operations in such close proximity to highly flammable oil or gas creates an environment ripe for disaster if not managed properly.
CPI waterproof switches and thermal switches are among the few safety limit switches in the world designed to operate reliably in these environments. Both our waterproof limit switches, and our thermal switch products are specifically designed to withstand extremes of heat, dust, moisture, wind, sand, EMI, and vibration, to allow them to be reliable safety controls in a wide variety of Oilfield and mining equipment.
Unwanted Combustion in the offshore drilling environment generally revolves around two major sources:
The use of Gas and Diesel engines in close proximity to flammable airborne chemicals poses a twofold risk. In one scenario there is potential sparking that can be caused by an improper fuel/air mix, or improper ignition timing of the engine itself. But in another scenario it is simply the surface temperature of the engine that has the potential to "autoignite" the surrounding atmosphere under certain conditions.
Autoignition temperatures for some chemicals:
One of the major contributors to engine overheating is the possibility of uncontrolled overspeed, especially in diesel engines. This can result in speeds of over 2000 rps but not for long! In order to insure that autoignition does not occur, engine surface temperatures must remain below the autoignition temperatures of the flammable airborne chemicals that surround them.
In order to detect and prevent overspeed, ASO valve switches are used to detect the position of the valve. If the valve is closed it means the engine is in a runaway condition. The engine must quickly shut itself off to prevent conditions that are suspected to have been the root cause of the Deepwater Horizon explosion of 2010. Typically Engines used on large generators (2 mega watt range) are required to have ASO valves.
CPI's J4 type switch is perfect for this application because they can handle the high temperatures (configurable for operation up to 400F) that other switches can't meet. Variations of CPI's J4 type switch can also be configured to operate in atmospheric pressure up to 50 PSIG, common to these systems.
CPI's J4 limit switches have an all stainless steel construction suited for the salt fog atmospheres found on offshore drilling platforms where incorporation of an Air Shutoff Valve (and associated switch) is legislated. Furthermore CPI's J4 Switch is designed to withstand the high vibration environment found on ASO valves used on diesel engines.
CPI has been designing and manufacturing extreme duty switches and sensors for over 50 years. Our J4 series of waterproof limit switches have been deployed in some of the toughest environments in the world, where other switches consistently fail.
Our engineering team can design, manufacture, and qualify the switch you need in your application. We are experts in providing form, fit, and function replacements for switches that fail to last in these extreme, mission critical environments.
CALL CPI ENGINEERING TODAY to discuss your oilfield safety requirements. Or visit us at http:/www.cpi-nj.com
CPI Thermal Cutoff Switches offer some of the most reliable and dependable temperature control in the industry, and as such have many unique applications where an uncompromising approach to thermal switch design is needed. Our product family has a calibration range of 0 to 1850 degrees F and a momentary overshoot up to 2000 degrees F. They feature rapid response time in either snap action, bimetallic, rod & tube, or solid state configurations.
Additionally these parts are tough, designed to withstand shock and vibration and are environmentally sealed to ensure long operating life under the most severe operating conditions.
Thermal switches are specified as cut-off switches because they represent a straight-forward approach to shutting down a system if a critical temperature is reached. The simplicity of an electromechanical temperature switch is what makes this approach so desirable to designers, as they are passive devices which require no power, and will reliably change state at the specified set point.
Our expertise in designing and deploying custom thermal cutoff switches goes deep. Control Products, Inc. was founded in 1946 with a line of thermal switches for aerospace and industrial applications. Developing expertise in precise calibration of these devices over a broad temperature range, the company's business expanded into many different industries, providing a diverse portfolio of experience.
Currently CPI maintains three primary switch types in its product line:
SnapStats (0°F – 300°F): Contact movement in the temp switch is achieved using a bimetallic snap disc. Snap action provides shock and vibration immunity and a broader differential. Set point range: 0°F-300°F (-17.8°C-148°C)
PlugStats (0°F – 650°F): Contact movement is achieved via the different expansion rates of two metals fused together. This is a slow-make-and-break device, which provides very close tolerance temperature sensing, with a small differential. Set point range: 0°F-650F (-17.8°C-343°C)
Rod & Tubes: (0°F – 1750°F): Contact movement in the switches is achieved via differences in coefficients of expansion of two materials, in this case the outer tube and the internal rod. This product offers very rapid response time and very high temperature sensing. Set point range: 0°F-1750°F (-18.3°C-954°C).
For a detailed breakdown of our thermal switch line visit our Thermal Cutoff Switch Page.
For more information about CPI visit our website at https://www.cpi-nj.com
- Inputs available 5 to 28 VDC
- All outputs available, Amperage, Voltage, CanBus etc.
- Subsea capable upon request.
- ATEX rated upon request.
Copyright 2016, a2z, Inc. All rights reserved.


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DIY kit computer goes Forth against Braben's RaspberryPi
Are the 80s format wars back?
Elite developer David Braben's RaspberryPi may have generated headlines aplenty, but it's not the first 1980s-style teach-yourself-programming gadget, one Reg reader insists.
Step forward Julian Skidmore, developer and seller of FIGnition, a 20 quid DIY "retro computer built with modern parts... designed to be built by its users, coded - it boots into its programming language - and understood".
"The key thing to producing programmers in kids is that you need ridiculously simple computers, with Kilobytes of memory and relatively modest performance," says Skidmore.
"It's simplicity that produces understanding, ability and excitement."
Simplicity? Try 8KB of memory, 384KB of Flash storage and an Atmel AVR 8-bit microcontroller as a CPU.
Keyboard? That 2 x 4 array of buttons on the right-hand side are your eight data-entry keys.
FIGnition is a kit computer comprising motherboard and solder-yourself components. There's a USB port for power, and a phone-style PAL video output so it can be hooked up to a telly as a monitor.
Just like it used to be...
Unlike the mass of early 80s home computers - but familiar to anyone who played with a Jupiter Ace all those years ago - FIGnition boots into a Forth language interpreter.
Skidmore promises to open up the hardware at the end of the month for folk who really want to do it themselves, though he's selling kits too.
Read all the details at the FIGnition website. ®


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Georgy Zhukov
From Quotes
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.Amy Carmichael
(Redirected from Zhukov, Georgy)
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov, (December 1 [O.S. November 19] 1896 – June 18, 1974) was a Soviet military commander who, in the course of World War II, led the Red Army to liberate the Soviet Union from the Axis Powers' occupation, to advance through much of Eastern Europe, and to conquer Germany's capital, Berlin. Zhukov remained a popular figure in the Soviet Union until his death in 1974 although by his own admission he was much better dealing with military matters than with politics. He was buried with full military honors.
- It is a fact that under equal conditions, large-scale battles and whole wars are won by troops which have a strong will for victory, clear goals before them, high moral standards, and devotion to the banner under which they go into battle.
- Quoted in "The Military Quotation Book" - Page 15 - by James Charlton - 2002
- The nature of encounter operations required of the commanders limitless initiative and constant readiness to take the responsibility for military actions.
- Quoted in "The Military Quotation Book" - Page 49 - by James Charlton - 2002
- If we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks exactly as it were not there.
- To General Eisenhower, 1945. Quoted in "Russia: The People and the Power" - Page 207 - by Robert G. Kaiser - History - 1984
- Nazis did not expect Soviet resistance to be so strong. The deeper they moved into this country's territory, the more fierce it became. When Hitler's armies approached Moscow, every man and woman here thought it imperative to resist the enemy. And that resistance grew by the day. The enemy was sustaining heavy losses, one after another. In fact, Hitler's best troops perished here. Nazis believed the Red Army was not capable of defending Moscow, but their schemes failed.
- Quoted in "The Voice of Russia" - Copyright 2005 - by Olga Troshina
- Generalissimo Stalin directed every move... made every decision... He is the greatest and wisest military genius who ever lived...
- Quoted in "TOP GENERAL: ZHUKOV" - from "Time" Magazine, Monday, February 21, 1955
- We will do all we can to insure peace... but if war is imposed upon us we will be together shoulder to shoulder as in the last war to strive for the happiness of mankind.
- Quoted in "Odd World: A Photo-reporter's Story" - Page 299 - by John Phillips - 1959
- If they [the Germans] attack, we will defend. If they do not attack until winter comes, then we will and will tear them to shreds!
- Quoted in "Rickenbacker: [an autobiography]" - Page 373 - by Eddie Rickenbacker - Air pilots, Military - 1967
- And now German generals find it hard to explain away their retreat.
- Quoted in "These are the Russians" - Page 131 - by Richard Edward Lauterbach - 1945
- There are things in Russia which are not as they seem.
- Quoted in "Mandate for Change, 1953-1956: The White House Years" - Page 518 - by Dwight David Eisenhower - 1963
- The mere existence of atomic weapons implies the possibility of their use.
- Quoted in "The arms race: a programme for world disarmament" - Page 297 - by Philip John Noel-Baker - Political Science - 1960
- There's no smoke without fire.
- Quoted in "Stalin's Generals" - Page 359 - by Harold Shukman - History - 2002
- If you feel that the Chief of the General Staff talks only rubbish, my place is not here. Better to give me a command at the front where I can be of better use!
- To Joseph Stalin. Quoted in "Field Marshal Von Manstein, a Portrait: The Janus Head" - Page 164 - by Marcel Stein, Gwyneth Fairbank - History - 2007
- The longer the battle lasts the more force we'll have to use!
- Quoted in "A History of the Modern Age" - Page 175 - by Albert Fried, Julian K. Prescott - United States - 1971
- Winning depended to a large extent on the determination of the troops and the officers. The certainty that we were going to win kept up everyone's spirits, from privates to generals.
- Quoted in "Memoirs" - Page 167 - by Andreĭ Andreevich Gromyko, Harold Shukman - 1990
- If the nation only knew their hands dripped with innocent blood, it would have met them not with applause but with stones.
- Quoted in "A Century of Violence in Soviet Russia" - Page 3 - by Alexander N. Yakovlev, Anthony Austin - Political Science - 2002 -
- Here they found real war, but they were not ready for it. They were used to easy victories. This deprived them of flexibility on the one hand, of tenacity on the other. For them, war was merely maneuvers. They have neither cavalry nor skiers, their tanks cannot pass over the snow.
- Quoted in "The Tempering of Russia" - Page 120 - by Alexander Samuel Kaun - 1944
About Zhukov
- Zhukov was the only person who feared no one. He was not afraid of Stalin.
- Marshal Timoshenko
- Zhukov's right arm, which once was enlisted in a just cause, will battle no more. Sleep! Russian history holds, as is fitting, Space for the exploits of those who, though bold, marching triumphant through foreign cities, trembled in terror when they came home.
- Joseph Brodsky, poem written in memory of Zhukov in 1974.
- Zhukov was the most successful commander of World War II, who fell from grace under Khrushchev, but never lost his place in the pantheon of Soviet heroes.
- Dan Richardson


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In the trailer we meet the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, experience the spectacular and tactical combat and have a glance at the most lively and believable game world ever created in a video game.
With Assassins of Kings, remain at the center of political events and begin your quest to reveal the identity of a group of assassins responsible for the slaying of rulers across the Northern Kingdoms. Your investigation will lead you up the river Pontar into the turbulent borderland between Temeria, Kaedwen and Aedrin, where you will be entangled in a conflict between the most powerful forces of this world.


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Enhancing Your Relationship as a Couple by Swinging
Many people assume that swinging is a deviant activity that only unhealthy couples participate in. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Swinging can only be pulled off by healthy, secure couples who have excellent communication skills. It can greatly enhance your current relationship. Here's how.
Communication Skills
In order to be successful at swinging you must be able to communicate with your partner. Couples that aren't great at this art won't make it far as swingers. You have to be able to come up with rules, be open with one another about what is a turn on and what isn't, and be able to communicate while swinging to keep things going. Some couples have said that they became closer after a swinging experience because it opened these doors that weren't previously realized beforehand.
Keeping It Fresh
No matter how great a lover your partner is, there is only so much that you can do with one another before things start to feel stale. Swinging couples have the luxury of adding new partners and new techniques to their bedroom without the fear of cheating or betraying their partner. This can increase the sensuality, and many people have said that the best sex they've had with their partner was after attending a swinger's event. Once you're with just your partner again, you can fantasize and relive the experiences while together, which will increase the sexual energy between the two people.


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Justin Williams from Carpeaqua breaks down the egregiously horrible user experience involved in just trying to get an issue of GQ, Esquire, or Sports Illustrated magazine loaded on the iPad.
Reading magazines on the iPad is an exercise in frustration. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. As great a device and, more importantly, platform as Apple has created, magazine publishers have done nothing short of fumble the snap in their own end zone.
Williams provides a list of 10 things publishers can do to help improve things, and it's a good list but it doesn't address the core problem -- publishers are the wrong people to fix it.
The record labels didn't create iTunes. Apple did. The record companies still, to this day, over a decade later, don't understand the fundamentals of selling content in the digital age.
Jim Dalrymple of The Loop nails it:
The first rule of any business should be "don't piss off your customers." Many publishers are failing.
Imagine if, instead of iTunes we had the Warner Brothers app, the Harry Potter Movie app, the U2 app, and a myriad other, fragmented, experientially challenged, old-model ad festooned crapware.
It would be untenable. It is untenable.
Forget publishers. We need iMagazine.


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Improving the composition of the soybean is one way to compete in today's oversupplied market. The trick is how to move those improved soybeans through the marketplace and gain value from the effort.
These challenges are at the core of a United Soybean Board/checkoff-funded program, the Better Bean Initiative. The goal of the initiative is changing the composition of soybean oil in several ways, including, reducing the amount of saturated fat to improve soybean's nutritional value, reducing the amount of linolenic acid, which will better stabilize the flavor of foods and increasing the oleic acid content, which will reduce the need to add hydrogen to soybean oil.
In addition, BBI is increasing soybean protein content in soybean meal, improving digestibility and developing soybean traits that address environmental issues such as excess phosphorus in livestock waste.
One problem is how these improved beans will move from the field to the marketplace and to the consumer, according to Jay Franklin, an Oklahoma soybean farmer. "We have to be able to identify the beans when they come to the elevator. That's a very important part of the process. But this is all about improving the commodity soybean," he told attendees of the Southern Soybean Conference in Tunica, Miss., recently.
And, of course, these characteristics have to be in varieties with the agronomic characteristics growers are looking for, he noted. "It really doesn't matter if we have a bean that avoids trans-fatty acid labeling, produces less phosphorus waste in a poultry operation or is better-quality feed unless it is a higher-yielding variety."
One of the goals of the BBI is to distribute any improved traits back to private and public breeders "to be incorporated into their elite germplasm, the high-yielders with the good agronomic traits. That's the challenge."
Will growers receive more money for a better bean? Not directly, according to Franklin. "It's difficult to do because it's an issue that's almost defensive in nature. I really doubt that we will see a nickel or dime increase in the price of beans. What we do think will happen is we save or improve marketshare. That's the whole issue."
Improved soybeans are likely to end up in the hands of competitors, too, but Franklin doesn't see that as a negative, as long as the BBI remains an ongoing process. "In my perspective if the U.S. farmer stays ahead of the curve on traits, then the leakage of the technology is good because the world crop continues to improve against the other protein/oil sources in the world. As long as we're on the leading edge of the curve, I think it's almost positive the technology is about to go to overseas."
A group of 27 scientists are currently working on the BBI process, according to Rich Wilson, USDA-ARS, also a speaker at the conference. Their challenge is to lay the groundwork for establishing relationships with food and feed companies to help build markets for the better beans.
"One of the best ways I see to get this done is through a scientific organization, the American Oil Chemists Society, to which all of the oil processing food and feed companies belong. The AOCS is trying to unify all other such organizations in the world. We're also working with Germany, France and Great Britain on a European Federation," said Wilson, who is president of AOCS.
Wilson agrees that capturing value from the process could take some time. "Since 1996, there has been a precipitous decline in U.S. share of soybean exports. Current FAS data shows that the farm price for soybeans are at a 20-year low, largely because of under-performing export markets. We need to turn this around and that's where the BBI comes in."
Currently, U.S. soybean farmers dominate the share of the market for vegetable oil. But competitors want to whittle away at that, and the food industry is looking for 5 billion to 6 billion pounds of oil a year with improved stability and flavor. Both canola and sunflower oil are cutting into soybean marketshare.
"One factor holding back soy oil consumption is consumer preference for diets that are lower in saturated fat," Wilson said. "The industry has turned to crops like canola and as a result the consumption of these oils has grown at a faster rate than soybean oil even though these oils sell at a premium. The rise in soy oil consumption could have been much higher if soybean oil had lower saturated fat."
So-called low-sat variety lines are already under development in the United States, according to Wilson, including some ready for release in 2001.
All USB/BBI projects deal with improving the soybean through both transgenic or with natural traits.
E-mail: email@example.com.


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By Ian Salisbury
Is a 401(k) retirement plan "adequate" if most workers who use it aren't prepared for retirement?
That's the question raised by a new study from benefits consulting firm Towers Watson. The 401(k) system has come under a lot of criticism since the financial crisis hammered workers' nest eggs. But the study, which polled about 370 large employers, suggests there may be a big gap between how managers and workers view the issue — and that managers don't necessarily have a high opinion of the hoi polloi.
The discrepancy: Towers found about two thirds — 65% — of employers believed employees had 'adequate' retirement and investment planning resources. At the same time only 15% thought employees "made good use" of the resources and only 22% thought employees made "informed decisions" about retirement.
Of course, someone with a more charitable view of the employees might wish employers were asked a follow up question: If your plan is such a failure for the people it's supposed to help, what exactly is the standard you're using to declare it "adequate"?
There have been a slew of proposals about what to do to make 401(k)s better. Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, advanced some proposals of her own in a recent Encore post. Her suggestions included turning automatic enrollment and automatic escalation in the contribution rate into mandatory default settings for employees, and requiring that more default 401(k) investments be cheaper options, like indexed ETFs or indexed mutual funds. For more, read here.


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Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was back with his teammates Wednesday, after being hospitalized with a reported gallbladder problem.
According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Pouncey was "noticeably lighter," and left practice with the strength coach after the stretching portion which was open to reporters.
That doesn't sound like a guy who's a sure thing to play this week against the Panthers, but the fact he's back at work while doctors try to treat his condition with medication to avoid surgery is probably a good sign.
Pouncey even tweeted out a picture of a get-well card and a can of soup his line-mates left in his locker.
That's the kind of togetherness he'll certainly want to share with Ted Wells, while the league's investigator into the team's bullying scandal is in South Florida.


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No products
Designed by Heikki Orvola in 1998, Ittala's Kivi tealights are like small colourful jewels of light. The colour and thickness of each votive enriches the glow as it multiplies the flickers of the flame.
The pale pink glass Kivi has an elegant simplicity when displayed on its own, although with such a wide range of beautiful colours to choose from, you can create a combination for every season and occasion of the year.
Diameter 6 cm
Warning: Last items in stock!
Availability date:
Born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1943. Heikki Orvola is one of the driving forces within Finnish design. He works in glass, ceramics, cast iron and textiles. Orvola has worked for the industrial art business, but he has also worked in a variety of different materials as a form of pure, artistic expression. During his career as a designer, Heikki Orvola has received awards and prizes, including the Kaj Franck prize in 1998 – perhaps Finland's most important design prize.
The prices of Kivi candleholders vary depending on the difficulty of manufacturing certain colours. The Kivi tealights are all handmade and each uses different pigments and techniques, the red pigments being the most complex to achieve.
|Pale pink
|H 6 cm x Ø 6 cm
|Care Advice
|Hand wash in warm soapy water
|Heikki Orvola
|Use only good quality metal-cupped tea lights (no other types of candles) Leave an adequate gap for air to circulate between a tea light candle and the walls of a glass lantern. Candle not included.


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Ibn `Abidin (d. 1252) on Tasawwuf
Nicknamed the Seal of Self-Realized Scholars (khatimat al-muhaqqiqin), the great scholar and faqih Ibn `Abidin said in his fatwa on the permissibility of loud dhikr in assembly entitled Shifa' al-`alil wa ball al-ghalil fi hukm al-wasiyya bi al-khatamat wa al-tahalil:
The Imam of the Two Groups (Sufis and fuqaha') our master al-Junayd was asked: "A certain people indulge in wajd or ecstatic behavior, and sway with their bodies?" He replied: "Leave them to their happiness with Allah. They are the ones whose affections have been smashed by the path and whose breasts have been torn apart by effort, and who are unable to bear it. There is no blame on them if they breathe awhile as a remedy for their intense state. If you tasted what they taste, you would excuse their shouting"…
The Seekers in this Way don't hear except from the Divine Presence and they don't love any but Him. If they remember Him they cry, and if they thank Him they are happy; if they find Him they cry out, and if they witness Him they rest; if they walk in His Divine Presence, they melt; … some of them they are drunk with His Blessings and lose sight of themselves…
Their assemblies for dhikr and recital (sama`) give fruit to divine knowledge and spiritual realities, which only takes place upon hearing the description of Allah, exhortations to wisdom, and praises of the Prophet. Nor do we have one word of reproach to those who follow them in their method and find in themselves the expressions of passionate longing (`ishq) for Allah characteristic of some of their states.1
1 Ibn `Abidin, Seventh Letter in Shifa' al-`alil fi hukm al-wasiyya wa al-tahalil p. 172-173.
Reproduced with permission from Shaykh M. Hisham Kabbani'sThe Repudiation of "Salafi" Innovations (Kazi, 1996) p. 399.
Blessings and Peace on the Prophet, his Family, and his Companions


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Having your first baby is exciting. It's new and it's amazing and the change from being childless to parenthood is probably the biggest transition of many people's lives. Also you buy a lot of stupid crap that you don't need, like weird baby swings and matching crib linens and tons and tons of size 0-3 month onesies that get worn approximately one and a half times before being outgrown or irreparably soiled.
Your second baby is exciting too, in a different way. It's the idea of having kids, plural. The prospect of giving your first child a sibling. Most of the hand-me-downs are still around and none the worse for wear yet, and there's the newness and challenge of having not one, but two kids to divide your attention and time. I remember right before Mack was born, and dealing with Cal, who as we all know is a lovely boy but at three years old he was THE WORST--thinking, "I can barely deal with raising one, how can I possibly handle having two of these monstrosities around?"
When you get pregnant with your third kid, it's a little different. It feels like eyeing a big building project, analyzing the time and cost and supplies and labor (ho ho), frowning, making notes, then nodding and mentally slapping your cheeks with your hands, saying, "OK, I guess we can do this again." And this is not to take any of the happiness or romance out of the equation--certainly it doesn't need to be said that we love our children and baby children are a particular brand of adorable, like sweet, smushy little pillows that don't know how to argue with you yet--but it's all a little more grounded in reality this time around. Here's what we need to do. Here's what we need to get. Here's what we need to worry about now, and here's what we need to think about later. The fact that we'd already given away all (and I mean ALL) of the boy's baby stuff to Goodwill this spring certainly sets the stage for our mindset a little bit when we found out that we were in for Thing 3, but I can't say it's been a terribly difficult adjustment once we settled into the idea. What? We're what? So we're going to do this now? AGAIN? Fine. I mean, good. That's cool, let's do this. OK. OK.
Besides, we like babies.
We told the kids last weekend. We debated back and forth about the perfect time, and decided that we'd wait until the results of the nuchal lucency and first trimester sequential screening (is that what it's called? OB-types, help me out here) came back clean before burdening their little heads with the foreknowledge of impending competition for the throne. That night, we bought a bottle of sparkling grape juice, poured out some for everyone, and told the boys that we were having a little celebration.
"For MLK's birthday?" asked Cal.
Well, no, not exactly, we explained. And after talking a little bit about FAMILY and FEELINGS and how LUCKY WE ALL ARE to have each other, we showed Cal the ultrasound photo and asked him what he thought it looked like.
He held the picture up, cocked his head, squinted a little bit.
"A rock?" he suggested.
"ROCKS!" said Mack agreeably, downing the rest of his sparkling grape juice and then reaching for the rest of the bottle.
Thanks for all your input about Cal and school, by the way. I can't say it makes the decision any easier, but more perspective is always good, I think. As for some of the clarifying particulars, I'll go into them here: we really like the school he's at. He's at a public school now, but it's an excellent public school in a fantastic school district (it is, indeed, the reason we moved to this neighborhood in the first place) and we actually like it quite a bit better than the private school he'd been attending the the three years prior. The teachers are excellent and the resources are very good, and we are not looking at changing schools at this moment. They do have a "gifted" program that Cal has already tested for--this discussion about what grade he's going into next year is actually distinct from that program, which I believe is offered as an "enrichment" curriculum for those kids who test into it, not an entirely separate, self-enclosed class.
We had floated the idea in the fall of Cal doing at least his math, and possibly also his reading curriculum with the class above his own, but this was problematic for several reasons. First of all, it seemed disruptive. Cal really bonded with his first grade teacher, and we really wanted him to make some friends in his class--he's never been the kind of kid that easily and immediately has five best friends wherever he goes. Pulling him out of his class once or twice a day not only seemed counterproductive to some of the social aspects of schooling, but also would have undoubtedly made Cal extremely self-conscious--he's not the kind of kid that likes a lot of attention being drawn to him. The other thing that would make this kind of "partial advancement" difficult is that ours is a very big school district--big enough that, a few years ago, they split up the elementary school into two separate campuses. Kindergarden, 1st and 2nd grade are all on the "primary" campus, where Cal is now, whereas 3rd, 4th and 5th grade are at the "intermediate" campus about half a mile away. "What's going to happen to Cal after first grade if he's already done with second grade math?" one of the school administrators brought up. "When he's in second grade, he can't very well get on the bus to go to the intermediate campus for third grade math every day." So there's a logistic, geographic issue there as well.
I think there are arguments for both sides, and I also don't think that what held true for me or Joe or other people will necessarily hold true for Cal, so it's really quite a difficult decision, as a parent, to make. Joe and I have gone back and forth whether we should involve Cal himself in this process, but the fact of it is that Cal doesn't like the idea of change, any kind of change, at all, and will stress about it incessantly, whereas once the decision has already been made and presented to him as a matter of course, he often will adapt to the situation seamlessly. (Par exemple: we wanted Cal to have an afterschool activity, and we figured he would like karate class. "Why do I have to do that?" he wailed, teary-eyed, when we told him. And every night for weeks, up until the start of karate class, "I'm not going to like that, why do you have to make me go there?" as though we were sending him to the salt mines. After his first class, he loved karate, and we just signed up for the second semester on his insistence.) Anyway, it sounds a little paternalistic (because, uh, we're his parents), but sometimes...sometimes Cal doesn't always make the best decisions for himself, rather the easier decision. Which, I guess, is as it should be. He's six. That's our job, and he leaves the hard stuff to us.
Anyway, we're going to have a meeting with his teacher on Thursday, and then we'll talk about it, and talk about it, and talk about it some more. And then, hopefully sometime before May, we'll figure it all out. Or not.


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Lujo wrote:I actually suggested it originally, or if I didn't I'm certain I made a thread/post elaborating on why this particular game might really benefit from having it equivalent of civilopedia from civ games before it was announced. Not saying it influenced anything, or bragging, but it was a hugely anticipated feature for me BEFORE it was announced. Come to think of it, just about any such notion I've had so far apart from the pay to locker/veto ended up implemented in one way or another o.O
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There was nothing phony about Robert Meyers' illustration skills... he was simply magnificent.
Meyers did quite a few multiple image story assignments for The Saturday Evening Post during the 50's. Unlike some other illustrators who may have been pigeon-holed into illustrating one kind of subject matter or another, the Post's editors seem to have felt they could trust Meyers with any genre. His characters were always interesting, unique individuals appropriate to the story.
More importantly, Meyers was a master of strong composition. Given the opportunity to do a really involved piece like the one below, Meyers thoughtfully arranged line, colour and shape to compel the reader's eye to immediately locate the image's focal point.
I want to discuss Meyers' skill with composition in greater detail... but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
For now, enjoy studying these and some other pieces more closely in my Robert Meyers Flickr set.
* And if you haven't already done so, be sure to go to the comments section of yesterday's post to read some fascinating biographical information on Robert Meyers courtesy of Gary Temple, who co-authored a book on the artist, "Robert W. "Bob" Meyers, Artist of the South Fork."
You'll also find photos of the artist and additional details about his life and career at The Meadowlark Gallery.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
They join Western New York's clinical information exchange
Nearly 400 medical practices throughout the eight counties of Western New York have joined HEALTHeLINK, utilizing health information technology for secure access to their patients' medical information immediately at the point of care. The Center for Women at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston and the hospital's Neighborhood Health Center in Niagara Falls are the latest practices to join HEALTHeLINK.
HEALTHeLINK is a collaborative effort among Western New York hospital systems, health plans, physician practices, and other health care organizations to share and access clinical information about their patients in efficient ways to improve the delivery of care, enhance outcomes, and help control health care costs through the reduction of duplicate tests and medication errors. Through HEALTHeLINK, a physician has immediate electronic access to patient data, including lab and radiology reports, prescriptions, and more.
Patients allow physicians and other authorized clinical professionals to access their health information by signing a consent form. More than 400,000 Western New Yorkers have already given their health care providers better access to the information they need by completing a consent form. Those interested can ask for a HEALTHeLINK consent form at their doctor's office or download one today at www.wnyhealthelink.com.
About HEALTHeLINK
The not-for-profit organization was established through funding from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, The Catholic Health System, Erie County Medical Center Corporation, Independent Health Association, Kaleida Health, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Univera Healthcare and the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers Capital Grant Program (HEAL NY) from New York state. HEALTHeLINK also received one of the country's largest awards as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program.
HEALTHeLINK stakeholders include a broad representation of health care professionals and organizations throughout the eight-county Western New York region, such as the State University of New York at Buffalo, P2 Collaborative, Chautauqua County Health Network, the WNY Rural Area Health Education Center, and local county public health departments.
For more information on HEALTHeLINK, visit www.wnyhealthelink.com.


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Now that 19-year-old righty Dylan Bundyis with the Orioles, the question is whether he'll be put on the playoff roster (yes, he is eligible) if the club indeed has one.
Right now, my guess is no. Simply because the bullpen has a lot of arms, and ones that have been pretty good, so Bundy probably won't be part of the postseason.
But you never know. If you had asked me on July 31 if Manny Machado would be a lock for the playoff roster, I would have laughed at you. (The kid is only in Double-A, you clown, I would have said.)
If Bundy does make a playoff appearance, he'll join an elite fraternity of teen-agers who have played in the postseason. In fact, it looks like...


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The Real Deal / Selling or buying an 'impacted' property
An "impacted" property is one whose value is negatively affected by an outside factor not in the owner's direct control.
In Westport, these factors may include too-close proximity to Interstate 95 or the Merritt Parkway, Metro-North Railroad tracks, commercial buildings, power transmission lines -- even a cemetery.
In Weston, most impacted properties are near power lines which course through both the northern and southern ends of town. Other factors may include proximity to the town dump, or a hospital, a public works garage where snowplows come and go in the night, a school bus lot that gets noisy at 5 a.m. -- or just a very busy road. A pond close to the house or significant wetlandsalso may depress value.
It may be risky to buy an impacted property -- even though the price may be attractive -- because they may be very difficult to re-sell. About 50 percent of buyers would never consider such a purchase. So if you own an impacted property, it may be risky to invest too much in improving it.
Surprisingly, some owners of impacted properties are not even aware of their home's status. I visited a broker's open house in Weston recently -- a gorgeous home that had undergone an expensive, major renovation with a lovely result. I asked the listing agent about the location of the nearby power lines -- which were close to the house but well screened by foliage. In the ensuing conversation, I learned that the owner had no idea they were there. That is, until the topic of impacted properties was raised during the listing appointment.
Some owners are not bothered by the impacting factor and assume that future buyers will overlook it as well. Still other owners believe that upgrading the property inside and out will make up for the deficit that impacts it. Unfortunately, neither of these may be the case.
You've probably heard the expression that the most important factor when buying real estate is location, location, location. Because this is 100 percent true, impacted properties may sell at a 10 to 25 percent discount versus comparable homes in non-impacted locations. The amount of the discount depends on the appeal of the home, the severity of the impact and the supply of available homes at the time of the sale.
If you're a buyer, an impacted property may appeal to you because you can usually get more house for your money at a lesser location. Buying a house that backs up to the Post Road may be the only way to get what you're looking for within your budget. Before buying, however, it's important for you to be fully educated about the pros and cons of your purchase. A savvy buyer agent is your best resource.
If you're a seller, being fully educated is perhaps even more important. A listing agent who tells you that your impacted property is not disadvantaged versus other homes on the market is doing you no favor. The agent who is honest with you about your likely sale price and who recommends strategies for optimizing your home's appeal to potential buyers is the one you should hire.
Impacted properties can sell quickly and at top dollar, just like any other home. But the key is pricing that the appropriate discount. Perfect exterior presentation as well as a staged interior is also critical, in order to convince buyers to seriously consider your home. Lastly, because some buyer agents would never consider showing a house that backs up to a highway, it's important to offer an incentive that will make them willing to do so. A 3 percent buyer-agent commission usually does the trick.
Evi Coghlan's "The Real Deal" appears every other Friday. She is a licensed real estate agent with the Riverside Avenue office of Coldwell Banker and a former marketing consultant to Fortune 100 companies. She may be reached at 203-247-6691, by emailing her at firstname.lastname@example.com, or visiting www.evicoghlan.com.


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Available in 5" Thickness. Sleepcare mattress is made with pocket spring. VALTELLINA sleepcare mattress benefit is the fact that it reduces roll collectively also as roll-off impact of mattresses. People with far more weight difference can at the same time sleep on this mattress as this can adjust according to the contour of your physique. Its cushioning impact provides excellent level of comfort that enable to relax.
This Mattress Promotes Air Circulation reducing humidity and heat for desired soft Comfort.
Content :- 1 MATTRESS
Mattress Dimensions:- 72 X 72 x 10 (INCHES)
Weight :- Dead Weight (25 KG) Volumetric Weight (210 KG-For Shipping)
Material:- HIGH RESILIENCE MEMORY BONDED FOAM
Clean:- Do not Wash, Only Dry Clean!!!
Terms & Conditions Apply*
· For EXTENDED WARRANTY Pay Extra 10% for 1 Year, 20% for 2 Years, 30% for 3 Years, 40% for 4 Years, 50% for 5 Years, 60% for 6 Years, 70% for 7 Years, 80% for 8 Years, 90% for 9 Years, 100% for 10 Years, this EXTENDED WARRANTY Schemes is valid only after amount paid to ABONY GROUP INDIA, for extended warranty only Call us at 9050531077
· The Price are subject to change without any prior notice
· Delivery with 7 days for Standard Sizes and 10 Days for Non-Standard Sizes
· Size Tolerances : length or width +/- 12mm & thickness +/- 6mm.
ABONY GROUP INDIA founded as Bhatia international India 1994, Abony Group India is Panipat based Textile and home furnishing group of exporting and trading in high quality home textile, home Furnishings, Carpets, Mats, Towels etc , since 1994.
Note:- *All Inclusive Tax on MRP.
Disclaimer :- Product Color May Slightly Very Due To Photographic Lighting Sources Or Your Monitor Settings.


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Pro Team Watches is now offering a full selection of NBA Officially Licensed Game Time Sports Watches for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Whether you're looking for a watch for a Man, Woman, or Child; you will find that we have the best Sports Watches available on the internet, at Fan-tastically low prices.
NOTE: Click onto any of the watch pictures below for the features, functions and warranty of each watch as well as a larger picture of the Los Angeles Chargers team logo watch


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Used Car - 2013 Cadillac XTS 4dr Car in Bedrock, Mn
Actual costs may vary.
763-780-1010 *** BLAINE LOCATION *** 1 OWNER - ACCIDENT FREE AUTOCHECK. Remote Start, 19in Alloy Wheels, Rear Park Assist, CD with Aux Input, Bose Sound System, Steering Wheel Radio Controls with Bluetooth, Digital Climate Control. New Tires.
- Front Wheel Drive
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Power Passenger Seat
- On-star System
- Am/fm Stereo
- Cd Player
- Wheels-aluminum
- Trip Odometer
- Telescopic Wheel
- Tilt Wheel
- Traction Control
- Anti-lock Brakes
- 4 Wheel Disc Brakes
- Cruise Control
- Steering Wheel Stereo Controls
- Steering Wheel-leather Wrapped
- Intermittent Wipers
- Outside Temperature Display
- Bucket Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Mirrors-vanity-driver Illuminated
- Mirrors-vanity-passenger Illuminated
- Air Bag - Driver
- Air Bag - Passenger
- Air Bags - Head
- Air Bag - Side
- Rear Shoulder Harness
- Rear Defrost
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control - Auto
- Climate Control - Dual
- Tachometer
- Homelink
- Map Pockets
- Arm Rest - Rear
- Center Arm Rest
- Console
- Reading Lights
- Remote Trunk Release
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Window Locks
- Power Door Locks
- Power Brakes
- Clock
- Cup Holders
- 5 Passenger Seating
Major Accidents, Lemon History and Odometer Problems
» Get A Free CARFAX Record Check
2013 Cadillac XTS ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
All-new full-size luxury sedan is roomy and composed.
Cadillac is introducing a new full-size sedan for 2013. The 2013 Cadillac XTS fills a hole left in the Cadillac lineup since production of the STS and DTS ended a couple of years ago. In their place is the 2013 Cadillac XTS, a roomy cruiser that shows off the latest technology, upgraded interior materials and a refined Cadillac design.
Exterior styling on the Cadillac XTS is bold, but softer than on other models we've seen from the brand in the past few years. Also notable is the use of premium interior materials, such as leather upholstery as standard equipment, as well as a fully configurable electronic TFT (thin-film transistor) instrument cluster in front of the driver.
The Cadillac XTS is the first model to use CUE, an acronym for Cadillac User Experience. The system features a large touchscreen and uses proximity sensors, haptic feedback and voice recognition to control phone, audio and navigation functions. CUE comes standard on all XTS models, but navigation costs extra on the two lower trim levels. To sweeten the deal, Cadillac is including an iPad with all new XTS purchases, pre-loaded with an app that helps owners learn how to use the CUE system.
Underneath the new wrappings are decidedly familiar components. Namely, General Motors' Premium Epsilon platform, originally developed by Opel and used in several variations on GM vehicles worldwide, including the current Buick LaCrosse. The 2013 Cadillac XTS is powered by GM's much-used 3.6-liter, naturally aspirated V6 engine found on other Cadillac and Chevrolet models. Same goes for the 6-speed automatic transmission.
The new Cadillac XTS is longer than the old STS, shorter than the DTS, though the XTS rides on a much shorter wheelbase (111.7 inches). The XTS is slightly wider than the STS but 2 inches narrower than the DTS. The front seats in the new XTS are slightly roomier than those in the STS and DTS.
The 3.6-liter V6 in the new XTS delivers 304 horsepower at 6800 rpm, 264 pound-feet of torque at 5200 rpm. That's similar to the output of the old STS V6 model. Fuel economy in the Cadillac XTS is an EPA-estimated 17/28 miles per gallon City/Highway. The XTS is much more efficient on the highway than the old STS and DTS models, which were rated 15/23 mpg.
The new Cadillac XTS offers European-inspired ride and handling, quality materials, and plenty of standard features. And it retails for much less than comparable models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, and Hyundai, making it a compelling value.
The 2013 Cadillac XTS comes standard with front-wheel drive and is available with all-wheel drive (AWD). Several trim levels are available. All come with the 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission.
Cadillac XTS ($44,075) comes standard with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, CUE touchscreen interface with Bluetooth phone capability and USB ports, Bose audio with CD player and HD radio, 60/40 split folding rear seats, keyless remote entry/ignition, analog instrument cluster, wood interior trim, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with wood trim, rear parking sensors, HID headlamps, magnetic ride control, 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes.
XTS Luxury Collection ($48,690) adds a dual integrated exhaust, rearview camera, front parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, illuminated exterior door handles, cargo net, memory functions, heated steering wheel, wood shift lever, heated/ventilated front seats, adjustable front-seat thigh bolster, heated rear seats, additional wood interior trim and interior ambient lighting. All-wheel drive is available ($50,915). Options include a sunroof, compact spare tire ($350), navigation with voice recognition ($795). The Driver Awareness Package ($890) includes a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and forward collision alert.
Premium Collection ($53,585) comes with the Driver Awareness Package, a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster, head-up display, three-zone climate control, a 110-volt power outlet and an upgraded Bose Surround system with CD player and navigation. XTS Premium Collection AWD ($55,810) is also available. Options include 20-inch wheels, a sunroof ($1,450), rear sunshades ($250) and a Driver Assist Package, which bundles active safety features including adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking and automatic collision preparation.
XTS Platinum Collection ($58,160) and AWD ($60,385) get unique 20-inch wheels, a unique grille design, sunroof, rear sunshades, upgraded leather upholstery, leather-covered dash and doors, microfiber suede headliner, premium floor mats, unique wood trim, and the Driver Assist Package.
Safety features on all models include brake assist, stability and traction control, front-seat knee airbags and rear thorax air bags. The optional Driver Awareness Package and Driver Assist Package add safety features that can help a driver avoid or reduce the severity of a crash. The optional rearview camera can help the driver spot a child behind the car when backing up. Optional all-wheel drive can improve handling stability in slippery conditions.
While it retains styling cues that are distinctly Cadillac, the new Cadillac XTS exterior is softer and more refined than other models in the lineup. Sleeker lines are favored over razor-sharp creases and angles. Headlamps appear more stretched back than on the smaller Cadillac CTS. And the shape of the front grille gives the XTS an expression that's more agreeable than angry.
In back, the rear is crisp and tidy, keeping the signature Cadillac vertical tail lamps without looking too busy. All models above the base trim have a dual exhaust integrated into the rear fascia for an even cleaner look.
But one could never dismiss the XTS as demure. It still sports plenty of bling, like polished chrome trim around windows, doors and deck lid that glisten in the sun. Not to mention the expansive chromed grille. Paired with its Cadillac badge, the face of the XTS is unmistakable as a Cadillac in a rearview mirror.
Like other Cadillac interiors, materials on the XTS are high-quality and luxurious. Front seats make driver and passenger feel like each is in her own compartment, flanked by cubbies and an armrest at one hand, and a center console with high sides on the other.
Leather seating surfaces are soft and supple, although we found the seats somewhat uncomfortable for those smaller in stature. A long seat cushion prevents the knees from fully bending on anyone shorter than 5-feet, 5 inches, and the wide seatbacks are best suited to football players or lumberjacks. Those who are tall or who require plenty of space will have no problem fitting in a Cadillac XTS.
On base and Luxury models, an analog instrument cluster with electronic driver information center sits in front of the driver. On Premium and Platinum trims, a re-configurable TFT (thin-film transistor) display comes standard. The full-color display allows the driver to select from a variety of layouts that show various driver functions and other information. It is both novel and useful, but those who prefer a good old-fashioned needle are relegated to the lower trims.
At the heart of the XTS cabin is the CUE system with its 8-inch touchscreen. While past Cadillac models were fraught with an overwhelming number of buttons on the center stack, CUE drastically cuts down the number of controls to just a handful. CUE operates phone and audio options, and uses voice recognition on models equipped with navigation.
CUE's home menu is configurable so you can access your favorite functions easily. It also uses proximity sensing, which saves extra steps and keeps your attention better focused on the road. When driving, CUE will display full-screen maps or audio information, but when your hand is nearby, it automatically brings up menu options related to the current function on the screen.
We were pleasantly surprised by our XTS Platinum with navigation and voice activation. Voice recognition systems can be painfully inaccurate (just ask anyone with the latest iPhone), but CUE's is no short of impressive. It understands natural voice commands, meaning you don't need to use pre-canned terms to get it to do something. Even better, it can correctly identify difficult names from an address book, although it will most likely butcher the pronunciation when repeating it back to you.
While CUE is mostly user friendly, there are still a few oddities. One of these is that the XTS uses physical buttons for both fan speed and temperature on the center stack for the climate control system. However, if you want to change vent mode, you have to go in to the CUE menu. Another thing that annoyed us was the barrage of fingerprints that appeared on the screen after just a few minutes of use. To make matters worse, we caught a lot of glare due to the screen's glossy finish and its angle, which reflected the sunlight coming in from the translucent sunroof cover. When combined with the fingerprints, we found the touchscreen difficult to read. The XTS does come with a microfiber cleaning cloth, but it's not an elegant solution. Save those for your sunglasses.
The XTS provides plenty of interior space. Rear seats have up to 40 inches of legroom, as long as the driver and front passenger don't mind their seats being all the way forward. The trunk offers a roomy 18 cubic-feet of cargo space, which beats out the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A8. Rear seats also split 60/40, making it possible to carry plenty of luggage and other gear.
Driving Impression
The chassis of the Cadillac XTS is incredibly stable and composed, even around twisty canyon corners. Standard Magnetic Ride Control manages the weight of the 4,006-pound XTS masterfully, and provides firm yet comfortable support, with very little if any body roll around corners. The cabin was quiet, with wind and road noise scarcely detectable. Huge Brembo brakes were solid and confidence-inspiring.
We found steering to be responsive, with a satisfying, connected feel that wasn't too light or two weighty. This first-generation XTS uses hydraulic steering, though Cadillac product specialists told us an all-new electric steering system is currently in development.
Handling is most rewarding in Sport mode, which, to our chagrin, can only be accessed by shifting the gearbox into Manual and using the buttons on the back of the steering wheel to change gears. While in Drive, the XTS remains in normal Comfort mode.
Acceleration-wise, the XTS seemed to lack oomph, even in Sport mode. Caddy's 3.6-liter V6 engine isn't wimpy, but peak horsepower and torque kick in pretty high on the tach, and we suspect attempts at maximizing fuel economy have stripped the XTS of its full performance potential.
Fuel economy for the Cadillac XTS is an EPA-estimated 17/28 mpg City/Highway.
The transmission also kept us wanting. Third gear was just too tall, but second was just too low, making us feel like Goldilocks through many uphill climbs and steep switchbacks. We were also surprised that, with competitors using 7- and 8-speed transmissions, GM is still using its aging 6-speed automatic on an all-new sedan. If Cadillac engineers could address these powertrain issues, the XTS could catapult to the top of its class.
All-new, the 2013 Cadillac XTS is a great choice for long road trips and freeway cruising with plenty of technology, legroom and cargo space.
Laura Burstein filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com from after her test drive of the XTS in Los Angeles.
Model Lineup
Cadillac XTS ($44,075); Luxury ($48,690), Luxury AWD ($50,915); Premium ($53,810), Premium AWD ($55,810); Platinum ($58,160), Platinum AWD ($60,385).
Assembled In
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
Model Tested
Cadillac XTS Platinum ($58,160).The XTS sedan is the newest addition to the Cadillac lineup. Larger than the CTS, the XTS offers the high level of quality and innovation that Cadillac owners are used to. With the debut of some of the most technologically advanced features in the brand's history, the new XTS is definitely a modern luxury vehicle to consider. Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models; the XTS is powered by a direct-injected, 3.6 liter V-6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 264 foot-pounds of torque. It is matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission that includes tap up/tap down steering wheel shift controls. The XTS is the first vehicle in the Cadillac lineup to offer the new CUE system, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience with an intuitive design for information and media data control. Standard features include 10 airbags, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, and dual-zone climate control. Available equipment includes a driver awareness package, power rear sunshade, heated front and rear seats, and a 12.3-inch color screen. 2013 is the first year for the new XTS.
13830 North Dale Blvd.
Bedrock, Mn. 55374
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Nil2011 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 45 designs submitted by 13 freelance designers.
nSync Rentals
nsync rentals is a new campervan/motorhome rental company. The web based business coordinates the rental of privately owned vans. The company's brand/logo needs to portray reliability but also a sense of adventure and fun based on the travel of our renter clients. The company's slogan is "my van…your adventure" and this may or may not be included in the logo design.
Target Audience
Our target audience is typically retirees (baby boomers) but should also appeal to younger potential clients (x generation). We would like to appeal equally to both sexes and want all our customers to feel part of a club, relaxed and confident in the service.
We would like the logo to be clean and classy but with a sense of fun. A few things to note:
1.No cartoons - we want the design to show adventure. It is a vehicle company so the logo could include an abstract drawing of a motorhome/campervan that would become recognisable in addition to the company name.
2. Not too pretentious - we don't want the design to look traditional. The company image is of a modern, efficient business with customer service the #1 priority.
3. Typeface should be clear and simple - again no traditional cursive typefaces
4. Colours need not be too conservative – the colours should be bold without being flashy but can include a touch of fun factor.
5. I would be interested to also see the company's slogan form part of the logo but it may not necessarily stay if there is too much text. The slogan is "my van…your adventure"
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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That's a sentiment that we heard over and over again last weekend as we handed out 20,000 Smiley Cookies to exhausted runners at the Pittsburgh Marathon. Flattered doesn't begin to describe our reaction – running 26.2 miles for one of our signature treats is quite a compliment!
Though race day dawned dreary and wet, the runners weren't deterred by the rain, and neither were we. At 3:30 AM, our 20,000 cookies were delivered to the tent we occupied just beyond the finish line in front of Heinz Field. Soon after, our team of 17 volunteers and Team Smiley began bagging them individually in preparation for the flood of runners we'd be seeing later that morning.
Our team takes a break after bagging 20,000 Smiley Cookies!
By 8:30 that morning, ALL of the cookies were ready to go – good timing, because that's when the first of the runners began to cross the finish line. The first finishers had run the half-marathon – and despite the rain and physical exertion that had just endured, they were all smiles.
Race finishers stop to pick up a Smiley Cookie from one of our volunteers.
Gradually, the rain cleared up and we began to see runners who had finished the full marathon. What an accomplishment! It was almost unbelievable to see how many people had turned out for the race. In all, there were more than 4,200 finishers in the full marathon, and nearly 9,000 in the half. Together, they ran more than 220,000 miles that day. That's enough to circle the Earth – NINE times!
We were happy to be a part of such a great event, especially with our vow to promote healthy lifestyles through our LifeSmiles program. It was truly inspiring to see so many people who had made the commitment to train and participate in the race. We can't wait for next year!
One of the marathon finishers enjoys a Smiley Cookie.
A sweet ending to a long race!
A sweet ending to a long race!


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Yet Another Redesign. mezzoblue v5 goes live.
Why yet another redesign so soon?
Because fixing problems with an existing design is work, and this site is a break from work.
Because I was weary of looking at what was here before.
Because nothing beats the satisfaction of having done work good enough that you keep sneaking peeks throughout the day, when you're supposed to be on other projects.
Because despite it being summer, some are stuck indoors anyway.
Because itches deserve scratching.
Because sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose.
Because the subtle details are overlooked if the first impression doesn't resonate.
Because brand is important, and change is resisted.
Because Jupiter aligns with Mars.
But mostly, this one's for me.


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Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, on Tuesday urged Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen to get tougher on so-called living wills prepared by the nation's largest banks.
Under Dodd-Frank, these banks must submit plans on how they can be liquidated in the event of failure.
Warren said that the Fed didn't seem to be following the Dodd-Frank statute than required a ruling from the central bank on whether the plans were credible.
Warren used J.P. Morgan Chase /quotes/zigman/272085/delayed /quotes/nls/jpm JPM as an example. The bank has $2.5 trillion in assets, four times the assets of Lehman Brothers when it failed in 2008, and 3,391 subsidiaries, she noted.
J.P. Morgan has filed living wills over the past three years and the Fed has not rejected any of them, Warren said.
"Can you honestly say that J.P. Morgan can be resolved in a rapid and orderly fashion as described in its plans with no threats to the economy and no need for a taxpayer bailout?" Warren asked Yellen.
The Fed chairwoman said she thought the living-will process was meant to be "iterative" and the central bank is working to give the firms "a road-map for where we see obstacles to orderly resolution under the bankruptcy code and to give them an opportunity to address those obstacles."
"These are extremely complex documents," with some plans running into tens of thousands of pages, Yellen said.
Warren noted that the Fed has only released 35 pages of information about the J.P. Morgan living will to the public.
She added that the Fed has tools to use if the plans are not credible, including forcing the banks to simplify their structures or forcing them to liquidate some of their assets.
"In other words, break them up," Warren added.
– Greg Robb
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