text:
(A truncated version of this was X-posted on CRI)
Friday, February 24, 2012
The absurdity of paid tweeters
(A truncated version of this was X-posted on CRI)
Posted by ecophilo at 6:43 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Friday, February 17, 2012
Prime Time
(X Posted on CRI)
Posted by ecophilo at 7:58 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: media, psychology, television
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Of instituitions and inspiration
And then the Congress had a glorious chance to go a step better. And what they did after that need not be said; you got my hint I suppose. They transformed the chair into a chair for loyalists of the party – in the one chance they had. And the next chance, going by the grapevine, does not seem to be going in a radically different direction.
Their record of appointment of the CEC also is not a record worth noting – the least of them being the appointment of Navin Chawla. The said person's only meritorious accomplishment is finding a mention in the Shah Commission report, ""unfit to hold any public office which demands an attitude of fair play and consideration for others". The outgoing CEC had sent in a note of dissent on his appointment and that was conveniently ignored by the government. Post Chawla, the current incumbent has, like all Congress appointees, stuck to the Congress interest firmly. The most recent decision was the ruckus regarding covering pachyderm statues in Noida, ostensibly because it harms voters to see elephant statues and the statues of their Chief Ministers.
And then we move onto the CVC - The Central Vigilance Commissioner, where the least ask was to appoint an upright officer. The government chose PJ Thomas (despite a dissenting note from the Leader of the Opposition) and had egg on its face since the case went all the way upto the Supreme Court. The SC ruled that his appointment itself was illegal.
The Congress record of appointing governors has also been less than exemplary – and they have used loyalty over merit every single time. Karnataka's current governor was a law minister and has always been more than eager to interfere in what can be called matters of governance. One Andhra Pradesh governor, an ageing Congress politician was also booted out after being seen on live on TV in a not so uncompromising position.
The CBI and the IT Department are long been handmaidens of the ruling party. Their current use is restricted to conducting raids on opposition supporters. Either the raids begin when the person moves out of Congress or is about to and miraculously the raids stop when the person switches allegiances back. Just a few days ago, there were raids on a Mr. Ponty Chadda supposedly close to BSP Chief Mayawati, who suddenly became an outlaw and invited the ire of these departments. A few months ago, it was the turn of Jagan Reddy, son of Congress favourite chief minister YSR of Andhra Pradesh. The CM was the blue eyed boy and the moment his son shifted allegiances, he invited the wrath of the CBI. Not to forget the government's top law officer asking the CBI to close the case on ally Mulayam Singh's disproportionate assets case.
And that brings us to the Army. The latest controversy regarding the army chiefs age was needless. And we are not done yet.
The curious case of Madhavan Nair ex-chairman of ISRO who finds himself a scapegoat alongwith 3 scientists is too recent to be forgotten. The Antrix-Devas deal in question in which government finds itself in a soup was carried out as per procedure keeping the government in the loop as per Madhavan Nair. And yet, he is the fall guy. He has demanded that the reports of committees on the deal be made public. Given the record of the government, I am inclined to believe Madhavan Nair more than anybody in the government.
And thus continues the Congress saga of denigrating institutions. These institutions which were created to keep the government in check are slowly but surely being checkmated with political appointments. A final word on the Lokpal – whose fate is in limbo currently. What is the guarantee that this government will make a mockery of a position like this as well? Given that the CEC is also a constitutional body but nicely malleable to the whims and fancies of you know who?
Posted by ecophilo at 9:20 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: politics
Monday, February 13, 2012
Pyaar ge...
Pretty cool song - catchy, tuneful and very well picturised! Song from Govindaaya Namaha. Had heard it in a bus for the first time and had no idea what it was - was a cool song I thought. Much later, surfing around, I found that at least one "popular" blog has put out a post stating, it thinks it is "offensive", but perhaps wants others to view it as "offensive". The youtube video has garnered a huge number of views though!
Posted by ecophilo at 5:53 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Saturday, February 11, 2012
A Vision for Bangalore
PS: Note that I am not against development or road widening project or the Metro, nor do I aspire to take Bangalore to the stone ages. I would like the city to have more skywalks while the development continues. I would like cycle lanes to be built alongside the roads while we are at it. I would like the city to take into account pedestrians as well while planning for the excessive number of motor vehicles in the city. Anyway...
Posted by ecophilo at 6:59 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
So, why open a store
Posted by ecophilo at 9:23 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Old leader, old ideas
Rahul Gandhi has been marketed to the minions as the "new leader" for a few elections now. He is the choice just around the corner for his cheerleaders in the party and the media and the invisible hand for many of the good things that happen in the government.
Depending on when you read articles of his likely ascendancy, there are paeans sung to the organizational change he is trying to bring into Congress. At other times we are offered shades of hope. Sincerity is highlighted at other times. He is supposed to be the glue that keeps many arms of the Congress together. He is really supposed to be the change we (and possibly he) are waiting for.
His speeches though offer very little insight, beyond the bromide of "two Indias" and "I am your sipahi in Delhi" (whatever that means). His interactions have been rare and frankly, quite, unimpressive.
But the definitive test of a new leader is their ideation and articulation. What are the fresh ideas a leader brings onto the table? Or talks about? Or promises? Or has delivered upon?
And then we see Rahul (and his sibling Priyanka) campaign in UP. What do they do? First they talk of creating divisions after divisions in the form of quotas. They attack the existing government without having anything to show at the centre where his party is heading a government for the better part of the last 10 years. He has no answers for the large scale corruption which is a feature of this government. They talk of doles and subsidies. Rahul visits Madrasas as part of his campaign instead of outlining to the electorate his vision for the country or state. Where is the leadership in this? His leadership team as part of the campaign makes vicious promises and all he has to offer for such faux pas (if they were indeed) is a weak, "personal view".
And his sibling, curls her hair, wears a sari ostensibly to look like her grandmother and a former Prime Minister of India - Indira Gandhi. And when the Congress mouths slogans of Garibi Hatao (Indiras famous slogan in the 70s), the media sings praises of her looks and the voters are expected to vote en masse to herald the return of Indira Gandhi.
One of the fundamental tenets of leadership is to "be yourself", however raw, however naive. If you cant think for yourself, surely never imitate someone else. Thats a basic rule of leadership - except if you are in a communist country like North Korea where apparently the incumbent Kim Jong Un underwent plastic surgery to resemble Kim Jong Il.
And while you there proving to be a leader - do pause to remember that anybody who has risen to leadership has always risen to leadership unifying people for a cause. Think any leader, and you will find this to be true.
Mr. Rahul Gandhi, you are supposed to be a young, educated, politician. And apparently many people look up to you. And when they do look up, what do they see? No vision, no inspiration, but a singular mission to convert certain people to vote for you on the basis of vacuous promises. What, exactly is your stand on corruption? What exactly is your stand on governance?
And a final note, when Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister, nobody can argue that his mind was not in the right place. While he did make a few missteps, his vision for India was very clear. He wanted India to be technologically advanced. He employed technocrats (famously Sam Pitroda) to help put his vision into action. Things did not really pan out as he had planned, but atleast we knew he was trying from his heart.
Posted by ecophilo at 9:37 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: politics
Once upon an industrial economy
Posted by ecophilo at 9:19 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Rich Farmers
Our country has a myriad set of laws that are ostensibly designed to protect the small farmer - who at one point was supposed to be the backbone of our economy. Thus there are laws that prevent farmland from being bought by "non farmers". The part which prevents easy conversion of agricultural land to residences is a good one IMO. We will come to that in a moment.
Around me, in the past couple of years, there are quite a few people who have bought agricultural land (wherever the law allows them etc.) and started farming. Now these are not the kind of farmers newspapers report will glorify or our youthful politician scion will visit. These are fairly well to do people who are passionate about horticulture, agriculture and grow exotic stuff or organic food or just like to grow something. They are not your so called subsidy seeking farmers, nor are they poor. They are into farming as a sabbatical from corporate life or as a hobby or business.
Yet, a lot of people even if they wish to cannot go ahead and do so - because of the rules that make it tough for them to do so.
My view is that such interests should be encouraged - even if they have sign an undertaking that they will use the land only for agricultural purposes etc. This does two things. One, the land stays as farmland. Second and more importantly, it puts people who want to pursue farming as a hobby or a business and pushes out those who want to do as a form of subsistence. In my view, this is a good thing - because the government can focus less on subsidising agriculture and giving out job schemes like REG schemes and focus on the real things that matter. (Anyway with the current government all this talk is useless, but whatever.)
Wishful thinking, but well...why not?
Posted by ecophilo at 7:51 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: agriculture, business, hobby, law


text: Chastity Brown at McNally Smith's Soundbite Series by David Campbell, Jon Schober November 21, 2012 the current live performances Chastity Brown performs from the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair (MPR / Nate Ryan) Play/Pause Listen: Chastity Brown - McNally Smith Soundbite Series Download MP3 | 00:52:21 As part of McNally Smith's ongoing Soundbite Series, Local Show host David Campbell once again sits down with another musician to dissect their work for an interview and live performance — this time from the rising Chastity Brown. On the heels of Back-Road Highways earlier this year, the young singer has been growing her fan-base in the Twin Cities and abroad with her mix of southern soul, roots and country. Thanks to McNally Smith student Joe Kimple for producing this installment of the Soundbite Series. Songs performed: "When We Get There, "I Left Home," "Slow Time, "Lift Us," "On The Banks, "Man & Gun" and "After You" Related Stories Chastity Brown performs at the Minnesota State Fair Local singer-songwriter Chastity Brown's blending of folk, soul, roots and rock music has created a unique and new sound for the Twin Cities. Chastity Brown performs in The Current studios Chastity Brown has been absent from Minnesota for a little while, but there's a good reason for it. Knoxville born and raised and a Minneapolis transplant, the inspiration for her latest album "Back-Road Highways" largely came with her roots. Tennessee and the South in general have helped shape Brown's newest sound, one which pushes her into new territory, both lyrically and instrumentally. Chastity Brown performs in The Current studios Southern raised songstress Chastity Brown brought her soul and jazz tinged folk north to Minneapolis in 2005. Whether performing solo or with her band Chastity's emotive storytelling and bluesy voice have an electrifying effect on audiences. Tweet

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Last year when New Orleans' main paper, The Times-Picayune, laid off dozens of newspaper employees and cut its circulation to three times a week, residents were shocked.
Sharron Morrow and her friends had bonded over the morning paper at a local coffee shop for the past 20 years.
"I've stopped my subscription, and I mourn the paper almost every day," she says.
Shifting Media Players
Newspaper circulation has been rapidly declining all over the country. Advertising revenue has plummeted while online revenue has been making small gains. The Times-Picayune re-branded itself as The Times-Picayune NOLA.com, representative of its new Web-centered focus.
Multimillionaire John Georges was one of the local movers and shakers furious at The Times-Picayune's changes. He was also upset that the paper's New York-based owners, the Newhouse family, refused to sell it.
When The Times-Picayune announced it would scale back its print edition, Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate launched a daily New Orleans edition to compete. Georges bought The Advocate this year, with an aim toward expanding the paper's New Orleans coverage and luring more subscribers from The Times-Picayune.
"We fought the Battle of New Orleans once before; some think we are going to fight it again in the newspaper," he says.
To lead the charge, Georges hired Dan Shea, a managing editor laid off from The Times-Picayune during cutbacks. In the weeks since his hiring, a slew of prize-winning reporters have jumped from The Times-Picayune to The Advocate. Shea says subscriptions in New Orleans are growing.
"The notion of going into another newspaper's market and convincing their readers to read yours is a fool's errand — except when you so break the bonds of your brand with your readers, and it's created this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he says.
Media Weapons
On one side, The Advocate has a brand new printing press strategically placed between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
On the other side, The Times-Picayune has an aggressive media strategy. The company recently mounted a new daily Web series about the Saints, the local NFL team.
The company has also launched a daily tabloid available exclusively on newsstands on the days the newspaper does not circulate.
Editor Jim Amoss says that despite what the city's size might suggest, there is a big appetite for local news. He's confident that between the tabloid and the Web presence, The Times-Picayune will cater to the town's obsession with itself and its image.
"We're that hometown newspaper and by far the largest newsgathering force, and I don't say that boastingly — that is just a fact," he says. "We'll see what the competition brings."
Picking Sides
Still, consumers feel like they are caught in the middle.
Wilbert "Chill" Wilson owns a barber shop in town. He is keeping his Times-Picayune subscription but is disappointed that there is no Monday paper. He says The Advocate does not feel local.
"Nobody has done a great job yet that is fulfilling to the community in New Orleans," he says.
At a local coffee shop, Sue Rapaski agrees.
"Reading The Advocate is like reading a high school paper; I really hate it," she says.
Her friend Sharron Morrow is more optimistic. "It's getting better as they get to know our needs, and hopefully they'll have a big presence down here."
One year ago, New Orleans' newspaper, the Times-Picayune, laid off dozens of newsroom employees. It cut its paper-and-ink edition to three days a week. And the Web site, nola.com, became the company's focus. Many residents were shocked, outraged, indignant.
But unlike many cities where the paper newspaper is increasingly a thing of the past, the Times-Picayune has some new paper competition. That story from Eve Troeh, of member station WWNO.
EVE TROEH, BYLINE: Open the door of the Fair Grinds coffee shop, and you hear them laugh.
(sOUNDBITE OF PEOPLE LAUGHING)
TROEH: These friends meet every morning, have for at least 20 years; to talk over coffee and the morning paper - emphasis on paper. Like many in New Orleans, they are fiercely loyal, and worship routine. When the Times-Picayune ceased to thump on their doorsteps daily, merged with NOLA.com and laid off their friends, nurse Sharron Morrow says this group banished it.
SHARRON MORROW: I've stopped my subscription, and I mourn the paper almost every day.
TROEH: What about the new daily paper? The Advocate, based 80 miles away in Baton Rouge, launched a New Orleans edition last year to fill this gap in the market. Lawyer Sue Rapaski tells Morrow, she isn't having it.
SUE RAPASKI: The Advocate is just like reading a high school paper. I really hate it.
MORROW: It's getting better as they get to know our needs and then hopefully, they'll have a big presence down here.
TROEH: Big plans are afoot. The Baton Rouge Advocate has a larger-than-life new owner in New Orleans. Multimillionaire John Georges was one of the local movers and shakers furious at the Times-Picayune's changes - and at owners the Newhouse family, based in New York, for their refusal to sell the paper to a local buyer.
JOHN GEORGES: We fought the Battle of New Orleans once before; some people think we are going to fight it again in the newspaper.
TROEH: Georges bought The Advocate from its longtime family owners, and his desire to take on the Picayune is epic.
GEORGES: You don't have to read history of the Trojan Wars to understand what a handful of great warriors that are motivated can do, to overcome. That's a reference to my Greek ancestry.
TROEH: His warriors are highly motivated. Leading the charge, Dan Shea. The new general manager of The Advocate was laid off from The Times-Picayune. In the weeks since he's been hired to run the paper, a slew of prize-winning reporters has jumped from The Times-Picayune to The Advocate. Shea says subscriptions in New Orleans are growing.
DAN SHEA: The notion of going into another newspaper's primary market and convincing their readers to read yours is - it's a fool's errand, except when you so break the bonds of your brand with your readers. And it's created this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
TROEH: But The Times-Picayune, now officially called The Times-Picayune NOLA.com has its weapons, too.
LARRY HOLDER: Hello, and welcome to Black and Gold today, here at NOLA.com, your daily snapshot of all things New Orleans Saints. I'm Larry Holder, Saints' beat writer for NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune.
TROEH: That's a new, daily web video about NFL team the Saints, part of the company's aggressive digital strategy. NOLA.com and Times-Picayune editor Jim Amoss says New Orleans is more wired than it gets credit for. But to appease the traditional ink lovers, the company has a new, printed tabloid that will fill in the days the full paper doesn't print.
JIM AMOSS: We're the hometown newspaper and by far, the largest news organization in this area. And I don't say that boastingly; that's just a fact. We'll see what the competition brings.
TROEH: He says there's a bigger appetite for local news in New Orleans than the city's size might suggest. This is a town obsessed with itself and its image.
TROEH: At Mr. Chill's Barber Shop, owner Wilbert "Chill" Wilson cleans up a neckline. He's kept his Times-Picayune subscription but on Monday morning - means no paper; and all the flying hair isn't friendly to an iPad. Wilson has not subscribed to The Advocate, says it doesn't feel local.
WILBERT WILSON: Nobody has done a great job yet that is fulfilling to the community in New Orleans.
TROEH: In this city's newspaper war, he's stuck in the middle.
For NPR News, I'm Eve Troeh in New Orleans. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
'Girls in Wonderland' Is 'Gay Days' for Lesbians
Some may forget that "Gay Days" is not just for gay men. The annual gathering at Disney World will be accompanied by a four-day weekend full of lesbian-centered events called "Girls in Wonderland."
The Orlando celebration will include pool parties, live shows with artists including "The Voice" season one finalist Beverly McCLellan, and late-night events such as "Climax," which features DJs and go-go dancers.
Lesbian celebrity guests making appearances this weekend also include actress Jessica Clarke from the show "True Blood," and The L Word rock band Hunter Valentine.
Part of the proceeds will go to the National Center for Lesbian Rights and another portion toward the Zebra Coalition, an Orlando-based organization for LGBT youth.
With over 10 years under its belt, Girls in Wonderland is expected to received around 6,000 attendees.


text:
MURATA's ceramic resonator, CERALOCK(R) with built-in load capacitors, has been widely applied as the most suitable component for clock oscillators in a broad range of microprocessors. The CSTLS series can be used in the design of oscillation circuits not requiring external load capacitors, enabling both high-density mounting and cost reduction.Features1. Oscillation circuits do not require external load capacitors. There is some variation in built-in capacitance values applicable to various IC.2. Stable over a wide temperature range.3. Compact, lightweight and exhibit superior shock resistance performance.4. Enable the design of oscillator circuits requiring no adjustment.5. Cost-effective and reliable availability.
Send your inquiry
Stock Check (Where to buy)
Download a PDF file of this page


text:
May 13, 2008
The Bisons got plenty of offense on Tuesday, plating a run in each of the first six innings to defeat Austin Peay 7-2 in their final home game.
The Bisons wasted no time getting on the board, plating two in the first inning. Bratcher drove in the first run of the game on a single to center, while Justin Sanders brought the second run home on a fielder's choice.
Jared Picchiottino gave the Bisons a 3-0 lead in the second on a solo homerun to lead off the inning.
The Governors broke through against Bisons' starter, Paul Piennette in the third, plating a run to bring the score to 3-1.
The Bisons got the run back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Sanders.
After the Governors responded with another run in the fourth, the Bisons scored another run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double by Gutierrez.
Bratcher increased the Bisons lead with an RBI single in the fifth, and Allen Bolden made the score 7-2 with an RBI double in the sixth.
Bratcher led the Bisons on offense, going 3-4 with two RBIs.
"We were looking for this game to propel us into the weekend, and hopefully go down there, take care of business and lock up the one seed," Bisons' centerfielder Blake Bratcher said.
"One of our main points before the game was to keep pressure on them, to score every inning, and we pretty much did that. We were looking for this game to get the bats going a little bit to take us into the weekend and on into the tournament."
Piennette earned the win to improve to 2-3 on the season. With the win, the Bisons improved to 27-25.
"Paul pitched an unbelievable game, didn't throw many balls, worked fast, and got into a good rhythm, and that's all the defense can ask for," Bratcher said.
The Bisons will return to action when they travel to Buies Creek, NC, to take on conference foe, Campbell University in a three game series on May 15-16.


text:
Welcome to FURNICRAFT
We are currently working
on our new website.
Copyright 2018 Design by JNZ Group (PTY) LTD
Furnicraft, a Cape Town Based Company, has been manufacturing furniture since 1974. They are socially responsible and have adopted a Forestry Standard supplier policy. As the largest furniture manufacturing company of its type in South Africa they are able to achieve economies of scale. This saving they are proud to be able to pass on to the consumer to build on their offering of Affordable Luxury. Accordingly their moto is quite simple "We make it ourselves, buy direct & save"


text:
Vybz Kartell, the greatest DJ 2 come out of JA/reggae world by a yorkshire country mile,with intelligence and depth.
Even before his present predicament.
Incarcerated,he still seems to be running the Jamaican music business with his Jailhouse/mobile phone releases. Am aware this might not gain much traction here but always interested in other peoples opinions.
Example A
Colouring Book
Example B. jail/mobilephone,release
Back 2 Life


text:
The equestrian community for horse people everywhere
The survey is simple...
Are all oats the same?
If not, what are the differences?
Every member that posts on this forum will receive a prize.
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text:
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Female journalist struck by Algerian player after World Cup loss
Yesterday morning I watched the USA's rather dramatic 1-0 defeat of Algeria, a win that came in stoppage time and was a necessary outcome if the USA was to advance to the next round of play.
Today I read that after the game, Algerian player Rafik Saifi slapped a female Algerian journalist, Asma Halimi, without provocation. Halimi struck him back.
I understand that losing a World Cup game must be an emotional experience, but that is no excuse for striking a woman, or anyone else. Sadly, violence against women on soccer game days is not unheard of.
2 comments:
The final link of your post, unfortunately, sounds far too much like the "Domestic Violence Increases During the Superbowl" hoax of late 1980s/early 1990s. It should also be pointed out that the UK office issuing the statistics has been under fire for the last few years regarding its data collection, collation, and presentation of said data.
The other thing that the article you linked to that sent up a red flag for me was the fact that it cited a statistic, and failed to provide a link to the source of the statistic (that cited stat comes from the UK's Home Office, btw). It sounds more like the article writer read the ACPO press release and ran from there. That kind of parrot journalism serves no one in the end, especially if one does not understand the players in the numbers game.
Saifi should be sanctioned appropriately. And that's what it comes down to in the end.
- June 24, 2010 at 4:42 PM
- Amelia said...
heavyarmor, I am clearly not as careful a reader as you are. Thanks for your critical view of the link I provided.
I have read other studies (mostly in books/print sources) that have stated similar findings, but I could not locate them when I went to post this. Now I wonder if I should make an effort to go back and read those accounts again and see if they hold up.
- June 25, 2010 at 11:44 AM


text:
Map by Coleman and gimil
Guide by thunderhue
New World is set during the 15th century exploration of North and South America by European explorers. The map includes 69 total regions but only 9 starting positions, called homelands. Four of the homelands are "native" (Inuit, Aztec, Comanche, Mapuche) and five are European (British, Spanish, Dutch, French, Portuguese). All players start on one of these homelands. (4 players or less start on multiple homelands.)
Native homelands have more land and faster access to regions in their empire, but European homelands have an extra auto deploy on their landing zones. Note that European homelands do not connect to each other; they can only be assaulted through their landing zone.
Bonuses are not traditional: +1 for every two regions in an empire. Homelands receive an auto-deploy +4 bonus; landing zones receive an auto-deploy +3 bonus.
Recommended Settings
- 2-8 players, single
- Flat Rate or No Spoils
- Unlimited
- No Fog or Fog of War
How to play
Similar Maps
Players who enjoy New World might enjoy some of these similar maps on Conquer Club.
- Feudal War and Feudal Epic - New World was based on these maps. They offer similar play especially for Fog of War or Team games.
- Age of Realms maps - Similar gameplay especially for Fog of War or Team games.
- Poker Club - Like the idea of starting in limited specific locations and branching out? Poker Club starts out the same, though the bonuses are very different.


text:
December 10, 2012- Thoughts About Shellfish/
December 6, 2012
Dear Friends,
Christmas is a time for sharing and with that in mind, it's been a Holiday tradition for me to share with you my obsession with all things shellfish. My gift to you is this short essay wherein I hope to make some sense of the current state of the world in the context of our shared shellfish heritage. Weird you might say. Well, maybe. Never the less, let me explain.
First, let me try to self diagnose my obsession with shellfish. For that, I need to bring up the research of my hero, the good Dr. Curtis Marean, a professor of anthropology at Arizona State University who in a 2007 paper in Nature made the case for his theory that shellfish played a crucial role in making us human. Long, long ago, about 164,000 years ago to be more exact, on the coast of South Africa, a small population of our human ancestors, fleeing the cold and arid conditions of the African interior brought about by climate change, made their way to the coast and began eating seafood and shellfish for the first time. Archaeological evidence unearthed by Marean and his research team supports his theory that this was the birthplace of humanity, as we know it. Not only did shellfish keep this remnant population alive; conditions at the site nurtured developments in their primitive brains that led to the first evidence of symbolic thought, the essence of what makes us human! Further, genetic studies suggest that this progenitor human population may have been as small as 700 individuals.
If all this is true, we need to look closely at this small population to understand what makes us tick. Our hard-wired genetic heritage was created then and there. As evidence, professor Marean points to the human dietary requirement for omega 3 fatty acids, found most abundantly in seafood. Although this nutrient is required for human health, the human body does not produce it because it was readily available in the diet of our earliest ancestors. So, rest assured, your cravings for oysters on the half shell and my obsession with all things shellfish are probably hard-wired and perfectly normal!
Let's now jump to the insanity of the year 2012, and see if we can make some sense of it in light of what we now know about our earliest past.
What's with all the obsession with crises and apocalyptic prophecies? The end of the Mayan calendar, the fiscal cliff, the end days of Twinkies! It seems we can't get enough of it. It makes you wonder whether our becoming human in a time of great crisis has anything to do with it. Fear and insecurity appear to be at the very core of our psyche. These are the scourge of our human condition and likely trace their roots to that progenitor population on the brink of disaster. On the bright side for us, they persevered, adapted and survived. This ability to survive, and even thrive, under pressure has also been passed down to us and is a part of our genetic and cultural heritage. It has been said that we are at our best when the times get tough. It takes the devastation of a superstorm Sandy to bring out the best in us. If professor Marean is correct, the human spirit was forged in crisis. For better or worse we are hard wired for crisis management. Fear and insecurity are our greatest motivation. We need the fear of falling off a cliff, fiscal or otherwise, to move forward. After all, that's what made us human in the first place.
Our challenge is to control and direct these primal instincts and, most importantly, to separate the real crises from the imagined; the scientific from the superstitious. As it was 164,000 years ago, earth's climate has a big impact on our survival. The scientific evidence is overwhelming that the planet is getting warmer and our living high on the hog and burning carbon fuels is largely the cause. Our population has increased 10 million times to 7 billion so, unlike our first ancestors, the impacts of our collective actions have global implications. The drought in the Midwest and superstorm Sandy are signs of the "end times" of the climate, as we know it. Prudent Homo sapiens need to tune into their ancestral psyches and be motivated to change their ways.
This brings us back to shellfish. They fed us back then and they can again. Adopt a paleolithic diet closer to our ancient ancestors and you can get your required omega 3's and help save the planet at the same time. Shellfish are low on the food chain and likely the most efficient sources of animal protein available. If you source them locally, the carbon footprint for your meal is negligible. If we all replaced several meals of beef/pork/lamb/chicken with shellfish every week, we would begin to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Of all forms of food production, only potatoes have been shown to have a lesser negative impact on the environment. So, do the planet a favor and have some clam chowder.
Curiously, the oyster shares with us a similar traumatic developmental scenario. The recent sequencing of the Pacific oyster genome has revealed an extensive set of genes associated with responding to stress. Oysters developed in the intertidal zone subjected to numerous environmental extremes and like us are built to handle abuse. I guess in some ways we can be considered kindred spirits. However, being brainless, the oyster's adaptation to stress is limited to genetic responses and they suffer none of the emotional repercussions associated with human symbolic thought mechanisms.
Finally, to bring this full circle, I need to confess that my motivation for this literary ditty is rooted in that pesky innate human fear and insecurity. The MV Shellfish Group has faced its own fiscal cliff annually for many years. This year we need to raise about $50,000 to make our budget. In our hatchery we produce millions of seed shellfish to ensure that you can satisfy your primal cravings.
Please search your psyches, harness the fear and insecurity you have about not being able to access enough edible shellfish and let it motivate you to send us a tax-deductible contribution.
Thank you!
Richard C. Karney Mass Public Charities File # 015067
Shellfish Biologist & Director Tax Exemption #E 042 612 898


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Used Car - 2005 Audi A4 1.8T 1.8T Cabriolet in Waukegan, Il
Please Call For Price
About This 2005 Audi A4 1.8T 1.8T Cabriolet
Vehicle Location:
Waukegan, Il
1.8T Cabriolet
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Exterior Color:
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 26 - Efficient 30+ MPG
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $85.58*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
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Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at A & S Grand in Waukegan, Il. Call A & S Grand today at 847-623-6900 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Cassette Player
- Cd Changer
- Cd Player
- Cruise Control
- Driver Airbag
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- First Aid Kit
- Fog Lights
- Front Air Dam
- Front Power Lumbar Support
- Front Side Airbag
- Front Side Airbag With Head Protection
- Full Size Spare Tire
- Glass Rear Window On Convertible
- Heated Exterior Mirror
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Locking Differential
- Passenger Airbag
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
- Power Door Locks
- Power Windows
- Rear Window Defogger
- Removable Top
- Separate Driver/front Passenger Climate Controls
- Tachometer
- Telescopic Steering Column
- Tilt Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Traction Control
- Trip Computer
- Trunk Anti-trap Device
- Vehicle Anti-theft
- Vehicle Stability Control System
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2005 Audi A4 1.8T ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
All-new version of Audi's sporty sedan.
Model years used to mean something. Come September of each year, fathers and sons, and some mothers and daughters, would make the annual pilgrimage to their local dealers to ogle next year's cars. The anticipation was such that we could almost convince ourselves we were sneaking a peak at the future.
Then came emissions and safety regulations. Now government rules dictate that a car's official model year is the calendar year in which it's first built. Thus, the 2005 Audi A4 cannot be a 2006 because Audi started building it in 2004. But there will be no change to the car when, come summer of 2005, it magically transforms into the 2006 A4. Well, no change other than price, that is; although insiders won't say, that likely will go up a bit. So, for true car nuts, now's a chance to buy next year's car before it's next year's car and at this year's price.
But make no mistake. The Audi A4 is all-new. And it's a car nut's car. It's fun to drive, with all the sporty bits and pieces. It has state of the art powertrains, with intercooled turbochargers, multi-stage intake manifolds, variable valve timing and the latest technological advance: direct injection, the cleanest and most efficient means yet devised of blending fuel and air in an engine's cylinders. Audi's progress hasn't stopped with the engines. A six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic returns as an option, but the A4's standard transmission is a new six-speed manual. And a new option is a continuously variable transmission, where a steel belt and a pair of infinitely adjustable pulleys replace gears and hydraulic pumps to deliver a truly seamless shifting experience. Four-wheel independent suspension with geometry that keeps tires on the true track throughout the compression range is augmented with standard electronic stability assistance that keeps the car going where the driver wants it to when the driver can't. And, of course, there's Audi's quattro all-wheel drive.
On top of that, the new Audi A4 line offers function in the form of the A4 Avant, a wagon that doesn't feel or drive like wagons of yesteryear yet delivers all the storage and flexibility of those earlier multi-purpose transporters.
State-of-the-art safety is included, for the most part at no added charge. Besides the electronic stability program, there are antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. Airbags abound, with the only extra-cost set a pair protecting rear seat occupants against side impacts.
Fresh styling distinguishes the new A4 from the previous-generation model. Bottom line: This a satisfying package.
The all-new Audi A4 comes in two body styles, sedan and wagon, the latter called the Avant.
Two engines are offered, a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder and a 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6. Buyers of the sedan with the four-cylinder can choose between three transmissions: a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic or a continuously variable automatic; the four-cylinder Avant does not offer the CVT. The 3.2-liter V6 is fitted exclusively with the six-speed automatic in both body styles. The sedan with the 2.0-liter engine comes with either front-wheel drive, which Audi calls FrontTrak, or quattro all-wheel drive. All V6-powered models come with quattro.
The A4 comes with a luxurious list of standard equipment: dual-zone air conditioning; cruise control; tilt and telescoping steering wheel; power 12-way driver's seat, power auto-heated outside mirrors, power central locking; driver-selected, auto-on running lights; multi-speaker stereo with six-disc CD changer, wired for satellite radio; and carpeted floor mats. Standard upholstery in the 2.0-liter A4 is cloth, in the 3.2-liter A4, leather.
Option packages add myriad features, including a Bose premium system with Sirius or XM satellite radio. Sport Packages ($750) feature firmer suspension components, 17-inch cast alloy wheels and a choice of performance or all-season tires. More fully featured upgrades for the A4 come in the form of a Premium Package and a Lighting Package. On the 2.0-liter A4, the Premium Package comprises power moonroof, Homelink, leather seating surfaces, 12-way power front passenger seat and color driver information system ($2,100). When ordered on the 3.2-liter A4, on which leather upholstery and power front passenger seat are standard, the Premium Package adds driver seat and outside mirror memory settings, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming inside mirrors and auto-dimming and power-folding outside mirrors ($2,050). The 2.0-liter A4's Lighting Package, which can be ordered only in combination with the Premium Package, buys adaptive, self-leveling Bi-Xenon headlights, auto-dimming and power folding mirrors, driver seat and mirror memory settings and rain-sensing windshield wipers ($1,425). Stand-alone options are a DVD-based navigation system ($1,950); the 17-inch wheels with all-season tires ($500); headlight washers; power rear and manual side sunshades ($400); wood trim ($400); metallic paint ($450); and California-compliant emissions ($150).
Safety features include a comprehensive array of airbags and full-coverage side air curtains as standard equipment. Rear-seat side airbags ($350) are optional. Front-seat active head restraints are standard, and all seating positions have adjustable head restraints and three-point seatbelts. Antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution are standard. An electronic stability system designed to keep the car going where it's supposed to when the road goes bad or the driver pushes it too far also comes standard. A tire pressure monitor system ($250) is optional.
Other variants on the A4 platform will follow, the most immediate being the S4, due in mid-2005 as a 2006 model. This no-holds-barred sportster will come with a V8 making 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque and, according to Audi, capable of 0-60 mph runs in the low five seconds through its standard quattro system. The Cabriolet is set to appear in late summer or early fall of 2006 as a 2007 model and will be offered with the same engines as the sedan and Avant, although transmission choices may be limited to the CVT and six-speed Tiptronic.
Opinions vary on the new Audi signature grille, what designers call a car's 'face.' On one point, there's agreement: It's different. Whether this is a plus is subjective, but expect the look to appear in clearly recognizable and evolving form on all Audis as each model comes up for refreshing. In part, this is because the new front end moves Audi closer to complying with Europe's impending safety standards mandating survivability levels for auto-pedestrian encounters, although company officials say this was not a primary factor in the design.
The debate over the look aside, the A4 does present a more muscular and more visually planted frontal view than the previous model, this somehow despite the new A4's track being fractionally narrower than the '04's. Headlamp lenses angle upward as they wrap around the fenders, giving the fascia a more assertive look. Laterally split intakes below the body-colored bumper and outboard of the grille do dual duty, housing fog lamps and channeling air toward the front disc brakes. The enlarged, trapezoidal grille opening increases air flow coveted by the turbocharger's intercooler in the four cylinder and the radiator cooling the larger, more powerful V6. A modest hood bulge, a styling cue designers call a 'power bulge' by way of hinting at the latent energy lurking beneath, carries the grille's vertical outlines back to the roof's A-pillars.
The side view shows a sharply creased shoulder line running the length of the car, from the trailing corner of the headlamp housings to the leading edge of the tail lamp lenses. Side window glass atop a relatively high beltline is nicely proportioned with the body mass. A bump strip breaks up the expanse of the lower door panels. The front and rear lower-quarter panels dip slightly fore and aft of the round wheel housings, pulling the body closer to the ground.
Good-sized tail lamps tie together the three elements of the new A4's rear fascia, positioned for the most part in the panels framing the trunk lid and license plate surround, but overlapping those two pieces to break up what might otherwise be an overwhelming expanse of metal. Single-tip dual exhausts exit beneath the monochromatic bumper at each end of an inset panel painted a contrasting color to the body's scheme.
The Audi A4 interior keeps the faith with its sporty heritage, with all controls focused on the driver and with few exceptions ergonomically configured and intuitively located. The steering wheel hub repeats the grille's trapezoidal outline. A proper handbrake lever resides in the center console with a pair of cup holders alongside. Colors and finishes are muted. A choice of wood trim is available that nicely complements the interior.
Seats are well bolstered, and well lumbared, perhaps too well for relaxed, long distance cruising. The standard cloth upholstery feels durable and provides a bit of grip. The optional leather surfaces are elegantly stitched and fit our posteriors well. The fold-down, height-adjustable front center armrest aligns with the driver door armrest, encouraging a restful, upright driver posture; it does, however, interfere with the handbrake, requiring either a wrist-contorting, forearm-straining pull-force or folding it up out of the way to gain access to the lever.
Round gauges shaded by a hooded instrument panel look out through the top half of the three-spoke steering wheel. The information display, reporting such data as radio frequency, trip mileage, service interval warning and such, separates the tachometer and speedometer, with fuel and coolant gauges tucked away down in the corners. The seats, mirrors, steering column and other features adjust in every conceivable direction. A minimalist set of secondary controls on the steering wheel spokes manages audio and other functions. Steering column-mounted stalks operate the usual array of features and are clearly marked except the rear window wiper and washer on the Avant, which is controlled by the right-hand lever.
Old-fashioned knobs and buttons control audio selections and air conditioning settings, and all easily deciphered and within easy reach in the center stack console. A nice touch is a drawer the size of a credit card above the in-dash CD changer. When DVD navigation is ordered, the stereo panel gives way to the map display, which then doubles as a stereo panel. The navigational display is one of the best of the current generation of such systems. Readily understood controls orient the cursor and shift the map scale, with on-screen telltales stealing very little real estate from the map. The map offers both a flat, two-dimensional and a bird's-eye perspective, the latter with a distant horizon visible running across the upper area of the screen. Audi adds MP3 capability to the A4's step-up stereo with an inventive placement behind the tilt-away map display of pair of slots for Secure Digital memory cards. Still, only stereo volume and pre-set radio stations can be changed without first pressing 'Accept' on the opening display panel each and every time the car is started. And the stereo is on all the time the navigational system is active; you don't turn it off, you turn it down.
Interior space in the new A4 matches that of the previous-generation model. It's generally adequate in front but somewhat limited in rear leg room. This is not a car for the full-figured or for people much taller than six feet. Cargo volume remains the same in the new A4, with cubbies in the cargo area's interior side panels and numerous tie downs. In the Avant, a two-way cargo cover also houses a pull-up, vertical netting to restrain stacked objects. Inside pull-down grips on the trunk and liftgate spares fingers from road grime. Front doors have fixed map pockets. Net pouches on the rear of the front seatbacks hold magazines, snacks and other sundries. The glove box isn't especially deep and loses substantial space to the CD changer when the navigational system is ordered. A power point in the center console bin is provided in addition to the cigar lighter in the front ashtray. A flip-down armrest in the rear seat contains two cup holders.
On the finer points, we like the lane-change signal feature, where a tap of the tu.
Driving Impression
The A4 is Audi's counterpoint to the BMW 3 Series, and to a lesser degree, the Acura TL. As such, it's clearly competitive in the quantifiable, objective measures. Much of the subjective and visceral is present and accountable, too. Even where it follows a different track, it doesn't stray too far. But in one, hugely significant measure, it's far ahead. The TL comes only in front-wheel drive. The 3 Series now offers all-wheel drive, but Audi's quattro system is almost legendary and remains the benchmark in sporty sedan all-wheel drive.
Both engines employ the latest technology in engine management, phased intake runners and variable valve timing, to boost horsepower and flatten the torque curve, making the power more usable over a wide range of speeds and the engine more responsive to the driver's right foot. Both engines use a new type of fuel injection called direct injection, which pumps the fuel directly into the cylinder, instead of into the intake runner where it would haphazardly mix with the air on the way to the engine cylinders. This new system allows more precise metering of the fuel and the timing of its introduction as well as a better blending of the fuel and air, all of which combines to yield more efficient combustion. With this system, both of the A4 engines not only make more horsepower and more torque than last year's, but also get the same or better fuel economy.
Of the two engines offered in the A4, the smoother, more refined is the V6. But all anybody really needs today is the turbocharged four-cylinder. And while traditionalists will swear by the six-speed manual transmission, the Tiptronic is almost as responsive and by far the more accommodating in day-to-day traffic. The Multitronic CVT with the four-cylinder and front-wheel drive is a competent package, but it's a combination that doesn't deliver what we look for in an A4.
Nor are any of the other combinations perfect. The Tiptronic falls short in the sporty, manu-matic game. An algorithm in the powertrain management computer shifts up a gear when that will put the engine at the optimum point in the torque curve, and a button beneath the gas pedal shifts down a gear when mashed, say, when passing on a grade. This is all fine and good as far as an impressive application of computerization is concerned, but it mocks the Tiptronic's promise of a manual-override automatic. In practice, the downshift is occasionally helpful, but the upshift is truly disconcerting when it occurs in the midst of a corner. On the other hand, it works great for holding a lower gear on a grade. The four cylinder suffers some turbo lag, more noticeably with the Tiptronic than with the manual, as with the former the engine management system instead of the driver's right foot controls engine speed during acceleration. The shift throws in the manual could be shorter, and the path from second gear to third gear is a bit notchy.
Steering response is crisp, with comforting directional stability. Brakes, though, are difficult to manage, almost as if all the electronic assist systems confuse each other. Stopping power is impressive, and we noticed no fade, but smooth stops are nigh impossible, as the brake pads seem to continue pressing against the discs even as the pressure on the pedal is eased. Ride and handling with the base suspension is firm, not stiff; the optional sport suspension tends more toward stiff, almost harsh, although not quite in the kidney-belt range. With either, there's little pogoing over undulating pavement on fast and narrow winding roads. Quick left-right-left transitions are handled with finesse, in the Avant, too. The V6 models, which weigh in about 150 pounds heavier, feel a mite less agile and a tick or two slower in response to driver inputs. All models, both sedan and Avant, and regardless of powertrain, feel planted and confident at speed, even into the low three digits.
Wind and road noise.
The all-new Audi A4 is fun and spirited, if not quite fully satisfying in some mostly minor ways. It's a bit pricey, but not uncompetitively so. It delivers plenty of power, respectable gas mileage for its class, state-of-the-art sound and, above all, quattro all-wheel drive. That makes it hard to beat.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Tucson, Arizona.
Model Lineup
Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak MT6 ($27,350); A4 2.0T FrontTrak Multitronic CVT ($28,550); A4 2.0T quattro MT6 ($29,450); A4 2.0T quattro AT6 ($30,650); A4 2.0T Avant quattro MT6 ($30,450); A4 2.0T Avant quattro AT6 ($31,650); A4 3.2 quattro ($35,400); A4 3.2 Avant quattro ($36,400).
Assembled In
Ingolstadt, Germany.
Options As Tested
Premium Package ($2,100) includes leather seating surfaces, 12-way power front passenger seat, power tilt/slide moonroof, Homelink remote transmitter, color driver information display; Lighting Package ($1,425) includes bi-xenon adaptive HID headlights, auto-dimming inside mirror with compass, auto-headlights and rain sensor, auto-dimming and power folding outside mirrors, four memory settings for driver's seat and outside mirrors; Audio Package ($1,000) with Bose and XM Satellite Radio; Cold Weather Package ($750) includes heated front and rear seats, ski sack ($750); Sport Package ($750) includes 17-inch cast allow wheels, all-season tires, special suspension; headlight washers ($150); California emissions ($150); metallic paint ($450).
Model Tested
Audi A4 2.0T quattro ($30,650).
3375 Grand Ave
Waukegan, Il. 60085
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Contact: Sales Manager


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Today is the first day of West Coast Green, and this year's showhouse is a stunner! Designed by San Francisco-based Green Horizon, the self-sustaining prefab home is an immediately deployable emergency shelter that can be configured to adapt to a remarkable range of situations. By focusing upon simple sturdy construction, prefabricated modular parts, and a bevy of green building strategies, Green Horizon has created a home that can sustain a family of four with a week's worth of food, electricity, and water without external support. I met with CEO James Pope to take a tour of the modular wonder before the show – read on for the full scoop!
James Pope got started building structurally insulated panels out of OSB, foam, and siding 30 years ago – long before most people knew what SIPS were. He stuck with the idea over time, and when Hurricane Katrina hit, Pope had an epiphany – he envisioned a versatile shelter based upon a metal frame that would be immediately deployable and prioritize the sustainability of its inhabitants and the earth. He set to work drawing out plans for just such a shelter and, remarkably enough, the first full-sized model came together exactly as planned.
Green Horizon's prefabs are constructed from 100% recycled or recyclable materials and feature a metal frame construction that allows for a nearly endless array of configurations. The unit on display is a single family home, but they also offer plans for medical units, communications units, offices, and community centers. The prefabs come complete with electrical and plumbing systems, are sturdy enough to be stackable, and entire communities of the units can be linked together to share resources such as power and water. They're even capable of generating their own electricity using photovoltaic panels and biofuel generators, and could potentially sell excess energy back to the grid.
One of the prefab's hallmarks is the ease with which it can be deployed. Green Horizon is currently constructing the units in their Stockton factory, from which they can be towed by truck, carted by train, and they even fit into a shipping container for travel by sea. In order to accomplish these feats the entire unit is capable of shrinking to a compact size in 1 minute 30 seconds flat. As the extended width section of the unit telescopes inwards, the solar panels on the roof fold flat so that they are protected by the prefab's outer shell. A set of wheels on the prefab's side automatically extend down and slides under the prefab when it's ready to move.
Pope explained to me that Green Horizon is aiming for zero environmental impact – literally. Their prefab home sits on stilts that touch the earth lightly while allowing for a great deal of versatility. These stilts can be fitted with wheels for easy loading into a shipping container, and in the event of emergency flooding the stilts can be extended to raise the house up to 6 feet off the ground. Underneath the unit are collection systems for recycling greywater and blackwater.
Rather than being junked as they age, Green Horizon's prefabs can be endlessly recycled by simply swapping out and repairing individual components. Their first home has proven that they're certainly a company to watch, and we hope to see more from them in the future. And yes FEMA, they're certified formaldehyde-free.
All photos by Mike Chino


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Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat together the sugar, honey, eggs, oil, zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract until well combined. In batches add the dry ingredients until the mixture forms a dough. Stir in the pistachios.
Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead several times. Shape into a log about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Turn the cookies over and bake the biscotti until golden 5 to 10 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.


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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's legislative body elected a new leader Sunday in a move that some lawmakers say could pave the way for critical votes on major issues.
Ayad al-Samarraie, in an undated photo from his party's Web site, was elected speaker of the Iraqi parliament.
The parliament elected Ayad al-Samarraie, a senior member of one the country's top Sunni political parties, the Iraqi Islamic Party.
He won overwhelmingly with 153 votes. The second candidate received 34 votes.
The parliament has been largely paralyzed since December, when the previous speaker was forced to step down. Lawmakers still have to vote on key legislation such as oil and gas law, as well as constitutional amendments.
The role of speaker is designated to an Arab Sunni as part of an attempt to make the government representative of the three main groups in Iraq: Shia, Sunni and Kurd.
Mahmoud al-Mashhadani was forced to step down from the post in December amid widespread criticism over his behavior. Some members of parliament were threatening to push for his ouster if he did not resign.
In February, al-Samarraie won a vote for the position, but there were disagreements over whether there had been enough votes. He took the case to the country's federal court, but dropped it ahead of Sunday's vote.
Al-Samarraie is from the same party as Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report.
All About Iraq • Sunni Islam


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Nawras secures $182m finance deal
Funds expected to partly cover cost of network overhaul for data services
Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company (Nawras) today announced it has signed a new financing agreement worth $182m with a five-year tenure, for capital expenditure and working capital requirements.
The consortium for new financing consists of DBS Bank Ltd, HSBC Oman, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd, and Qatar National Bank SAQ, which also acts as facilitator.
Nawras is in the process of upgrading its network in a bid to increase speed, capacity and coverage, and particularly to support a 3G+ offering and ready the infrastructure for the launch of 4G LTE services. The secured funds are expected to partly cover the costs of the upgrade.
"There had been a huge interest from both local and foreign banks in our new facility," said Jorgen Latte, chief financial officer, Nawras.
"With its clear vision and strategy, Nawras attracts many banks who want to participate and support our strategic targets. The strong commitment of the international banks in this new facility also reflects the strength and trust in the Omani economy and Nawras as one of its key flagship companies."


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Your new car, truck, minivan or SUV awaits. The expansive new vehicle inventory at Dick Myers Chrysler Dodge Jeep provides the ultimate in selection at competitive prices.
Be sure to check out the latest New Vehicle Specials as well as Dick Myers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram's lineup of Featured Vehicles. Our CarFinder form will search for that hard to find model; simply fill out the form and we'll start looking for you!
*FREIGHT is always included in our internet price. BE ADVISED MANY DEALER INTERNET PRICES INCLUDE REBATES YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE AND THEY ARE EXCLUDING FREIGHT, WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THEY ARE TRYING TO TRICK YOU INTO THINKING THEIR PRICES ARE LESS THAN THE COMPETITION. DON'T BE FOOLED!! *Tax, Tags, Title and $349 Processing Fee are NOT included in the total Purchase Price!


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Here is the next photo from Album 2, featuring our star:
Next, I think we have our star's friend, who is pictured throughout Album 1, except older. Or perhaps it's that friend's mom? I'm guessing that's mom or grandma on the left:
I don't recognize the woman in the next photo, but I love the porch and curved sidewalk out front:
Next is a close-up of an object that is better revealed in the subsequent image:
A phonograph!
Not sure what the photographer was trying to capture in the next photo, but I like the rooflines:
Still no notes, codes or captions on these photos, but I think the reason behind this will be revealed in my next post.


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Arrest Made In W. Pa. Bicyclist Throat Slashing
PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Police have arrested a man for allegedly slashing the throat of a Pittsburgh bicyclist in an attack last month.
Authorities say 21-yearold Anthony Scholl, of West Mifflin, was charged Thursday. He was already being held in jail for allegedly lighting his parents' house on fire earlier this month.
In the slashing incident, police say 25-year-old Colin Albright was riding his bicycle home from work on the evening of Sept. 5 when another man approached him from behind and then stabbed him in the neck, arm, and head, and then slashed his throat.
Albright, who is recovering, previously said his attacker didn't say anything to him.
It's not clear who represents Scholl over the slashing charges. Pittsburgh attorney Daniel P. Joyce says Scholl is pleading not guilty to the arson charges.


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hypercreative needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 126 designs submitted by 39 freelance designers.
Hyper Creative
Hi! My name is Michel, I'm 32 and I'm the founder of Hyper Creative. A young and dynamic company (it's just me!) I started to be able to fulfill requests for copywriting, among other things. If I'm anything, I'm two things: hyperactive, and creative. Hence the company name, Hyper Creative!
My target audience can be described as modern entrepeneurs mostly. Either people that are young and modern themselves, or work for company that is interested in these kinds of people.
Deliverables are a vector CMYK version (Illustrator format), layered Photoshop RGB version and an RGB JPG version.
Wow, the most difficult part. What do I like about a logo for Hyper Creative?
Colors! Lots of them. Whether it's an explosion of paint cans, colorful light effects or color palettes, I like lots of color.
Shiny/pimpy! Every modern logo needs a little bit of pimpin', don't you think? If you don't, you're probably not the right designer for my logo. Whether it's a nice 3D effect, a bit of general shininess or a little bit of both, as long as you can still call the result both professional and pimpin', you're on the right track!
Fonts/type: Right now, I'm thinking a basic, all caps or all lower case, modern, non serif font for 'hyper creative'. It's modern, it's professional, strong, yes that sounds like me!
White or black: My logo will probably only be used on a white surface, but if it's possible, it would be cool if the logo would 'work' on a black background as well. If it's colorful, it probably will though.
That's all I can think of at this time! If you have any questions, feel free to give me a shout!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Okay, let's look at the facts here:
Harlequin Horizons
- Harlequin announces that they are going to offer a self-publishing model.
- Before the service can actually launch or generate any kind of revenue, RWA calls an emergency session and boots Harlequin.
Dorchester Publishing
- Dorchester decides that for the next six months, all mass-market titles will be released digitally. Books scheduled for mass-market release will have their release dates moved to some nebulous time in the future, and they will be digital only. Authors who have taken out ads and otherwise spent money promoting their book are basically told to deal with it.
- At this point, RWA has already smacked Dorchester's hand for not paying authors.
- Dorchester reverts rights to work back to some authors, but continues selling (and making a profit on) those works that are no longer legally owned by them.
- RWA still hasn't made a decision.
It boggles my mind that Harlequin got straight up spanked by RWA because they were going to do something that possibly would hurt authors. It was a big enough emergency that RWA national had to hold an emergency session to make a decision. But Dorchester is and has repeatedly harmed authors and it's no big deal?
Inconsistent leadership and spotty protection for authors is one of the reasons I no longer belong to RWA. Unfortunately, there really isn't an organization out there that compares with them in terms of helping someone become a writer. So, if you're considering joining RWA, I would say approach it the way a person who just wants a discount on makeup approaches starting a Mary Kay business: Get in, pay for what you need, get out.


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Indonesia Expedition
33 dives (~32 hours underwater) at 30 dive locations (23.5 m average max depth, water temp. 25-29°C).
~6 hrs video (video housing flooded on first dive on Bunaken due to faulty o-ring on wide angle lens) + ~2,000 photos...
Indonesia Expedition Report
David, James (Dr. Wood), and Joni traveled to Sulawesi, Indonesia in August/September 2006 for MarineBio's expedition to Lembeh Strait and the Bunaken National Marine Park to shoot underwater photos and video for the MarineBio Network. We spent almost three weeks there diving nonstop in the epicenter of the world's marine biodiversity. The expedition was successful and David and Joni were able to capture about 2,000 photos and 6 hours of video of some of the most amazing marine life on Planet Ocean.
The first leg of our journey was spent in Lembeh Strait, muck diving capital of the world. David and I arrived in Manado tired from the 24-hour journey from San Francisco, but anxious to get in the water and looking forward to seeing James again. Once we got our passports stamped and collected our luggage, we went outside into the equatorial heat to find our ride to Lembeh, and lo and behold there was Cap'n James waiting for us with Risco, our dive guide. James arrived several days before us and spent some time in Bunaken before transferring to Lembeh, which is on the other side of Sulawesi Island. He managed to overcome both illness with the flu and technical difficulties with his underwater photo equipment during his stay and still collected around 3,000 photos of both his beloved cephalopods and lots of other critters, including the elusive Mandarin fish.
We spent our first afternoon in Lembeh snorkeling off the beach, it was heaven. Though the area was mostly seagrass and "muck," to our surprise, we saw some rather aggressive clownfish, mantis shrimp, a juvenile emperor angelfish, and lots of other fishes around the small reef patches in front of the dive resort. Risco and the other dive guide in Lembeh, Opo, were amazing. Opo has been diving Lembeh Strait for 18 years and is a legend for his ability to spot the highly camouflaged creatures that hide in the muck (which is actually a dark volcanic sand). With his famous metal stick, he would point at a creature right in front of our faces – and sometimes we still had trouble seeing it! Then suddenly a frogfish, ghost pipefish, demon stinger, weedy scorpionfish, seahorse , or other well-camouflaged creature would appear. Other species weren't camouflaged at all. The vividly colored nudibranchs and creatures like the flamboyant cuttlefish or sparkling urchins added a welcome splash of color to the gloom. Opo's enthusiasm and joy at watching our faces as we discovered the crazy creatures made our experience in Lembeh unforgettable.
The dive sites we dove in Lembeh included: Police pier, Nudi Falls, Air Prang, Jahir, Nudi Retreat, Hairball, Hairball Two, Aw Shucks, and Pantai Parigi, to name a few. Both the day and night dives were spectacular in Lembeh. Often the first 30 minutes of the dive were spent swimming around the murky water looking at an endless expanse of black/brown volcanic sand wondering whether we'd ever see anything more interesting than a passing jellyfish, when suddenly we'd spot an octopus, then a cuttlefish, then a seahorse. This happened on almost every night dive, which made them all the more fun and exciting, but also made me question whether Opo was keeping critters in his pockets until the last few minutes of the dive when he would strategically place them just to see the look on our faces!
After a week of diving in Lembeh, we left for Bunaken somewhat reluctantly because Lembeh was so amazing. The journey between the two resorts was long and we were more tired at the end of it than we were from the trip between the US and Indonesia! It's only a 2-hour car ride, but because of the boat schedules we got "stuck" at the "Mega Mall" in the port city of Manado for 4 hours. We arrived at the resort hot, tired, and ready for a cool shower.
We began diving the following day and, though David has been to Sulawesi before, we were both astonished at the coral diversity of the first wall we dove and the critters were amazing as well. We saw blacktip sharks, enormous green turtles, a huge variety of reef fish, black and white banded sea snakes (called sea kraits), mating Mandarin fish… etc etc. And a huge variety of anemonefish who were very protective of their homes. As friendly as Nemo seems, in reality they don't like big critters (humans) near their anemone homes! One actually bit me (a very cute ocean moment) and another bit the edge of David's shorts and tried to tug him away.
What makes Bunaken so special? Well… it's located at the epicenter of the Planet Ocean's marine biodiversity. There is an enormous variety of hard and soft corals, which helps maintain high levels of diversity among other species in the park by providing a wide variety of food and shelter. It is thought that more than 450 different species of hard corals can be found in Bunaken - compared to about 60-100 species in the Caribbean. There are thousands of reef fish species. Bunaken is also notorious for the Coelacanth found there in 1998. Coelacanths were thought to have gone extinct 80 million years ago until one was discovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938, which later led to the discovery that coelacanths were actually alive and well and indigenous to the Comoros Islands. That is until another one was discovered in North Sulawesi in 1998. This living fossil is called "raja laut" by local fishermen, which means "king of the sea." The Comoros and Sulawesi species are thought to have diverged 5.5 million years ago, but research into the two is ongoing and a final description is not yet available.
Some of the dive sites we dove in Bunaken included: Lekuan I, II, and III, Gorango, Pangalingan, Mike's Point, Cela-Cela, Mandalin, and Fukui. We were very surprised that the visibility in each of the sites only averaged about 40 feet; we expected 80-100 foot+ visibility (it was the low season). There was quite a bit of plastic and other debris in the water; we're hoping that it's not pollution that's causing the legendary clear waters of Bunaken to cloud, but the small particles in the water looked more like fibers than plankton.
Fortunately, the trash problem is on the agenda of the managers of the Bunaken National Marine Park. When we first got to Bunaken, we paid the Marine Park entrance fee during registration with the dive resort. I wondered what the fee was used for and remember thinking (cynically) that it probably goes into some bureaucrat's pocket. I wish I'd asked the dive resort staff during the briefing because, now that I know what the money is being used for, I think those details are worth being part of the dive operation orientation. The dive operators are an integral part of the success of this fee-for-conservation program and the program ensures the long-term viability of their businesses, so they should take the opportunity during orientation to describe how the fees are used.
The Bunaken National Marine Park was established in 1991 to preserve its valuable resources and to regulate problems such as dynamite and cyanide fishing and and other illegal activities such as mangrove cutting for wood and charcoal and capture of endangered wildlife such reef fishes, turtles, and dugongs. The entrance fee program began in 2001 and has helped finance the patrol teams that monitor illegal activity in the park. The funds are managed by a multi-stakeholder management board at the local level comprised of members of the N. Sulawesi Watersport Association, villagers, fisheries, the environmental government agencies, and a local university's marine sciences department. The fee, about $17US for a one-year tag, is also used for conservation education, village conservation and development programs, mangrove replanting, public wells, garbage disposal areas among other activities. For more information see: eco-divers.com/entrancefee.html
We stayed and dove with Two Fish Divers during our stay in both Lembeh and Bunaken. Overall, we were very pleased with the operation and it fully met our expectations considering it was far more affordable than most of the resorts in N. Sulawesi. Although the accommodations in Lembeh were a bit primitive, we were quite comfortable. We stayed in "beach rooms" in a large wooden house that we shared with another diver. The rooms had two beds, a floor fan and a bathroom with a western-style toilet. There was running water, though it was quite brackish and a bit smelly. My only real complaint was the frequent and very noisy 4-legged nocturnal visitors we had each night (rats). The dining area was a few steps away from the house and had a refrigerator with cold drinks as well as a drinking water cooler. The food in Lembeh was very basic; eggs and toast for breakfast, rice and fish or meat and vegetables for lunch and dinner. There were some noodle and fried rice dishes that were a bit better than most meals. The dive boat was a traditional Indonesian wooden boat with a large deck, which was quite warm and helped take off the chill during surface intervals. In Bunaken, we stayed in Beach View bungalows, which were a bit nicer than our rooms in Lembeh. They had a water coolers in the bungalows, which was convenient. The bathrooms were much larger and the water, though still brackish, was not as smelly as in Lembeh. The bungalows also had two beds and a floor fan. Having only a fan to cool the rooms was a bit more challenging in Bunaken because that side of the island was far warmer than Lembeh. The ocean is much cooler in the Lembeh Strait and there's a consistent breeze, which made it quite comfortable. The upside of Bunaken was that the only nocturnal visitors we had were the geckos who were more than welcome as both David and I adore them. The food in Bunaken was also more acceptable. More eggs and toast for breakfast, though there was also fruit and cereal. The lunches and dinners were also rice, fish or meat, and either a vegetable noodle dish or some sort of salad. There was also fruit for dessert (papaya, watermelon, bananas, apples, or pineapple) during lunch and dinner.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with dive guide Risco and credit him for being one of the safer and more attentive dive guides at Two Fish. He was much more familiar with the marine life in Bunaken and helped us find many of the critters we'd hoped to see while we were there. He even found the tiny pygmy seahorse several times, not an easy species to spot even if you know the sea fan it inhabits.
Two Fish's owners, Nigel and Tina, were also very welcoming and accommodating. They were very good about asking for feedback to improve their resort and services. They were also happy to discuss conservation with us and described their strategies to keep Bunaken and Lembeh healthy. They strive to educate and develop their dive guides to demonstrate respect and care for the marine life there, and it showed. The dive guides were very protective of both the reefs and the critters; they were not afraid to reprimand divers who got too close to the coral or tried to touch the critters. I observed other dive operators ignore the fact that their divers were crushing the reefs with their fins trying to get close for photos. Two Fish has also participated in coral reef and mangrove restoration in Bunaken.
Considering how affordable their prices are, I'd say they're doing quite well and would recommend them to those of you who aren't looking for dive travel in the lap of luxury with gourmet food. Video gallery online at: /gallery/video/
For more information and photos, see: More Muck – a return to Lembeh Resort by Jim Lyle at diver.net
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Meridian Bancorp Inc (EBSB) is Trading Higher on Unusual Volume for February 12Equities Staff Follow |
Meridian Bancorp Inc (EBSB) experienced unusually high volume on Feb. 12, as the stock gained 1.73% to a closing price of $13.50. The stock saw 392,560 shares trade hands over the course of the day on 1,859 trades. Given that the stock's average daily volume over the last month has been 245,035 shares a day, this represents a pretty substantial spike over the norm.
Meridian Bancorp Inc has a P/B ratio of 1.28. It also has a P/E ratio of 28.2. The stock has traded between $14.91 and $12.02 over the last 52-weeks, its 50-day SMA is now $13.76, and its 200-day SMA $13.40.
Meridian Bancorp Inc, formerly Meridian Interstate Bancorp Inc is a Massachusetts corporation & hloding company of East Boston Savings Bank. The Company offers deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses.
Headquartered in Peabody, MA, Meridian Bancorp Inc has 466 employees and is currently under the leadership of CEO .
For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Meridian Bancorp Inc, check out Equities.com's Stock Valuation Analysis report for EBSB. To see the latest independent stock recommendations from Equities.com's analysts, visit our Research section.
The Russell 3000 is not well known outside the world of finance, but it's one of the strongest indices out there for getting a broad sense of the stock market. Unlike the better-known Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500, membership on the Russell 3000 isn't selected by committee. It's simply the 3,000 most valuable companies in the country.
With 3,000 stocks making up the index, it gives a broad look at the markets, including the small-and mid-cap companies that aren't on the Dow or the S&P 500. And with a rules-based system for determining membership, there's no bias that could potentially limit membership. That's why many financial professionals will turn to the Russell 3000 long before the better-known indices when trying to take the temperature of the market.
For more news on the financial markets, go to Equities.com. Also, learn more about our independent proprietary equity research reports and our robust do-it-yourself Stock Valuation Analysis reports in our Research section.
All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.
DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer


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Gillie Da Kid Disses Baby "You Aint Neva Killed A Thing" [Old Video]
THE ONGOING CASH MONEY BEEF CONTINUES . Courtesy of Lady T TV
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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
A Variety Club fundraiser, the "Grand Island Fun Fest" will be held July 19-21 at Say Cheese, 1771 Love Road, Grand Island.
The event will include amusement rides, food, drinks, live music, a flea market, a Fuccillo's Camaro and Corvettes display and S.C.A.P. & Fast by Gast custom cars and bikes. On Friday, dance with Black Star. On Saturday night see the Billy Bike replica and Fast by Gast race bike, and rock with Over Time and Strangers In The Alps from 3 to 9:30 p.m. On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy Family Day and a comic book show.
For more information, call Joe "D" at 716-695-3415 or Larry at 716-695-5346.


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2011-12-06 Tripping to Mississippi
Start: 21:08:07
Seventies Soulchild: I'm here just 'beep' me by typing my name. Thanks!
Selma: Good evening seventies... YooHoo seventies soulchild
Seventies Soulchild: Hello Selma! How are you this evening?
Selma: Trying to stay awake...
Seventies Soulchild: Yes, these Tues nite chats seem to get shorter and shorter! lol
Selma: Thats cause folks stop talking..and my eyes start drooping.. LOL
Seventies Soulchild: lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WtNvN9PM6jw#! A great interview from Ft. Wayne Its about 12 mins long
Selma: Just watched a few seconds..will go back and watch...thanks We have to get you to come to one of these conferences
Seventies Soulchild: Yes maybe one day Selma
Selma: Its hard when you have young kids
Seventies Soulchild: They They're not young, but I know they wouldn't want to come with me to one of these conferences... lol
Selma: No..they would be looking for the pool, beach or rides
Seventies Soulchild: Yes and that's fine.... I doubt if there would be many young girls around.. lol
Selma: No that is true
Seventies Soulchild: really? oh no!
Selma: This is not an excercise that attracts to many young people
Seventies Soulchild: No it doesn't. Unfortunate though.
Selma: We have had some young people show up at our meetings occasionally, for the most part cause they had a school assignment
Seventies Soulchild: Well at least they had someone to go to. You know, is your genealogy group part of AAGHS?
Selma: Yes...
Seventies Soulchild: OK its hard to find chapters through the online page.
Selma: It was formed in 1986..and became a member of AAHGS in 1992
Seventies Soulchild: Seems as if the page hadn't been updated for a while.
Selma: We were and still known to many as the VA Society for Black Historical and Genealogical Research...AAHGS Hampton Roads Chapter
Seventies Soulchild: ok
Selma: For a while we were the only VA AAHGS chapter..there was one that formed in Norfolk in the late 1990's but it folded..now there are 4
Seventies Soulchild: Ok. I still haven't been able to find an active chapter in NY
Selma: Our members research many different states..not necessarily VA There was an active one..the Jean Sampson Scott Chapter in NY..
Seventies Soulchild: I don't know what happened to Jean, but I haven't ever been able to get in touch with them. There was one a little closer to me in Sloatsburg, NY but its no longer in existence.
Selma: Sometimes its hard to keep these groups together..
Seventies Soulchild: I understand that. I wanted to do something like that here, but everytime I turned around seemed like something was blocking the way OR no one was interested.
Selma: and now with the advent of research on the internet....lots of groups are losing members
Seventies Soulchild: But groups I believe are still needed desperately.
Selma: I agree wholeheartedly...the need is great
Seventies Soulchild: Even if its just to talk to someone about your research.
Selma: Yes..we have meetings that are just that...folks like to talk about their research, to folks who understand and appreciate their work and effort Exchange info, give ideas, talk about new stuff, etc...
Seventies Soulchild: Yes, I don't have that here so I love coming to Afrigeneas for that. even though sometimes we get off track... lol I have a cousin who everytime she sees me tells me how much she appreciates what I'm doing in terms of family research. That's encouraging.
Selma: Good for your cousin..cause many family members are only interested in knowing if you have found a rich relative that they are heirs to.. LOL
Seventies Soulchild: lol lol lol Well I don't think that my family worries about that too much. We're just glad to get together with family and extended family every couple of years. Well let me tell you about what I am looking forward to doing this summer when I go to Mississippi... I'm going to unlock the Scott Washington mystery. OR get all the documentation that I can on him lol I think that his story just may be a good juicy one.... :}
Selma: Good for you..are you going to the Courthouse? You have a plan of action?
Seventies Soulchild: Yes I have a plan. I first of all want to get all of the land deed paperwork, estate paperwork and tax records that I can on him I am also looking to get a complete documentation on the Hargrove v. Mazique lawsuit. I was told that he owned a couple of grocery stores. I need to verify that through documentation.
Selma: There was a Dr.Mazique in DC
Seventies Soulchild: He was probably related to the Maziques in Adams Co. They have people all over the country.
Selma: He was on staff at Freedmen's now Howard University Hospital
Seventies Soulchild: yes the Maziques had money and were able to provide handsomely for their descendants. They were 'mulatto' and were manumitted before slavery ended legally. A couple marreid into my Rounds family. They were neighbors. Sarah and August Mazique I would also like to get information on his murder. I have no idea of how to go about getting the case records, if there are any. So that is something I will have to research. Ok well I don't want to keep you up Selma. lol See you tomorrow afternoon.


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An owner of a former business in downtown Winder was arrested early this morning in connection with an Aug. 22 fire across the street from the historic courthouse.
The Winder Police Department has not announced the arrest of 30-year-old Brandy May Rowley, but the Barrow Journal received a tip over the weekend that she was being charged with arson. According to a booking report from the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, she surrendered at the Barrow County Detention Center at 4:47 a.m. today.
The Rowley family operated Skip's Hawaiian Shaved Ice at 43 N. Broad St. The fire started in the basement of the business late at night, and the first clue that it had been intentionally set was when someone called Barrow County's E-911 Center to report the fire before smoke had become visible outside.
A source said the mother of five set the blaze in order to get out of a lease.
Former business owner arrested for arson
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I learned something new this week. I learned that there is a National Infertility Association and this week is Infertility Awareness Week. I don't particularly like to read how others deal with infertility because I strongly believe that it's a very personal struggle and everyone handles it differently. However different, it seems the feeling of grief and pain can only be understood from those that deal with it personally.
Until this moment only my sister knew we were experimenting with different medical treatments to get pregnant. We were in the mist of a 'bigger' treatment when we found out about Madelyn and we wished with all our hearts that it would be successful because we thought it would be awesome to have two babies so close in age. Clearly it didn't work and as we move forward with the next step, the biggest obstacle I have to climb is my ignorance. I'm not ignorant about the issue but it sure is easy for me to IGNORE and forget that I have an issue. The theme for this year's Awareness Week is 'Don't Ignore Infertility'. Sooo appropriate for me since I have found bliss in my ignorance.
May I suggest reading Infertility Etiquette and When Fertility Strikes if you or someone you knows struggles with conceiving. Everyone can benefit from reading the articles because you never know, someone close to you might be silently struggling.
It's a very real possibility that Madelyn could be an only child in our family. Which would be such a bummer because Cony now wants 14 kids. We are taking the steps necessary to grow our family and we have faith there is a plan for us. We've been given this obstacle because we CAN find strength in it and become the people God has intended on us becoming. It's comforting to know she DOES have an older brother Gabriel and I hope they can have a sweet relationship as time goes on.
Being a mother has opened my eyes to love and peace I honestly didn't know existed. I feel incredibly blessed to feel that every day I hold our baby. Madelyn has filled in a hole in my heart and there is no going back to the same ol' me (or us).
Go read those articles and get educated.
She found her feet this week....


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Nov. 21, 2011 (New York, NY) Nearly 30 million Americans who visit tanning salons each year may do so because they believe they look better with a tan. In fact, they are putting themselves at risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a proven human carcinogen, and is linked with a higher risk of all forms of skin cancer, including potentially deadly melanoma, the most common form of cancer among young adults ages 25-29 years old.
Multiple reports have documented the health risks associated with using UV-emitting tanning devices. With the help of this research, The Skin Cancer Foundation is dispelling some common tanning excuses.
"I only use tanning beds once in a while"
Article Photos
You don't need to be a frequent tanner to increase your risk for skin cancer. While it is true that melanoma risk increases by 74 percent for frequent tanners, new research finds that those who make just four visits to a tanning booth per year increase their risk for melanoma by 11 percent, and their risk for the two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), by 15 percent.
"I'll stop tanning eventually"
Research has shown that tanning is addictive. Exposure to UV radiation from tanning machines stimulates the "rewards center" in the brains of frequent UV tanners, which could cause tanning addiction, according to a new study in Addiction Biology. When activated, the rewards center releases feel-good chemicals, which "could reinforce the tanning behavior, encouraging excessive tanning," said Heidi T. Jacobe, MD, study coauthor and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
"Tanning beds are safer than being in the sun"
Tanning salon owners say tanning machines are safer than outdoor tanning for two reasons: 1) they mainly emit ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (vs. the ultraviolet B rays that cause sunburn), and 2) they offer more "controlled" UV exposure. However, we now know that UVA, like UVB, is a carcinogen, and studies have revealed that tanning salons often exceed "safe" UV limits. Frequent tanners using new, high-pressure sunlamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA radiation dose compared to what they receive from sun exposure.
UV radiation, either from the sun or a tanning machine, causes skin damage that is cumulative and often irreversible. The destructive process of photoaging premature skin aging due to UV exposure produces profound structural changes in the skin including wrinkles, blotchiness, sagging and a leathery texture. Some of these changes may appear as early as the age of 20 in anyone who has spent a great deal of time exposing their skin to UV radiation during childhood and teen years.
The Skin Cancer Foundation aims to remind and inform consumers that, aside from sunless tanning products, there is no such thing as a safe tan. In addition to avoiding tanning beds, everyone should protect themselves from the sun by covering up with clothing, seeking the shade and using sunscreen. For more information and a complete list of sun safety tips, please visit www.SkinCancer.org.


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As a nursing student with a background in reproductive health, I want to applaud TIME for publishing an article that exposes the public to issues of access with emergency contraception (EC). We've made great strides to increase access to EC by lowering the age limit for over-the-counter use and taking it out from behind pharmacy counters. But there shouldn't be age restrictions at all. People younger than 15 are having sex. In California, minors under 15 can access reproductive health services without parental consent. If they are trusted to make decisions about their own reproductive health care, then they should be trusted to decide if they want to take EC, especially when the effectiveness of this medication is time sensitive. EC's safety record should allow any sexually active person to purchase it anonymously off the shelf, just like condoms. Restriction on access sends a message that we don't trust young people to make decisions for themselves when it comes to their reproductive health.
Hannah Bronsky Pena, Walnut Creek, Ca


text: All About 'Odyssey Tile' Inspired by the worlds' most exotic location, this collection of stone visuals will give stylish options to homeowners who want a grout-able vinyl tile in the latest shapes and colors. The 12x24 shape is the hottest trend in the tile marketplace. Colors are multiple shades of neutral: 10 gorgeous colors ranging from rich chocolate, charcoal, and grey to taupe, cream, and white. Product Specifications Flooring Type Resilient Style SA387 ODYSSEY TILE Color 00522 ZURICH Collection Quarry Construction RESIDENTIAL RESILIENT LVT - DRYBAC>2MM Width 12.00 in. Length 24.00 in. Installation Grade ABOVE, ON, BELOW Surface Texture Stone Visual Wear Layer 12 MIL Made in the USA NO Country Of Origin China Downloads Hard Surface Care & Maintenance Tile and Plank Download PDF Resilient Plank & Tile Inst guide Download PDF