text:
It was fall of 2003. I had just moved to Vermont, and didn't quite feel at home yet. Not that I've ever really felt at home anywhere. Did you ever have the feeling that you were just a little bit different? That you saw things that others didn't see (and perhaps missed things they did see)? Well, that's how I've felt much of the time.
It was my good fortune to come across Skeptic magazine in the bookstore at Georgetown University, and a new issue arrived in my shiny new mailbox about a month after I moved to Vermont. I read it eagerly, and saw an ad therein for a convention in Las Vegas featuring James Randi and Penn & Teller.
It was called The Amaz!ng Meeting 2, and I decided to go. And nothing's been the same since. I immediately bought tickets to everything... the workshops, the fundraising dinner, and started hanging out on the JREF Forums to see what this was all about. I was shy and didn't post much, but I liked reading the comments and looked forward to meeting these interesting people.
When I got to TAM, I was nervous and felt out of place. A lot of the attendees seemed to know each other, and I had little hope of fitting in. And then a miracle happened.
After about 30 minutes of sitting in the room watching Hal Bidlack* and James Randi* speak, it began to dawn on me that these were my people. These were the people that I could wink at or nod to and they'd know what I mean. They were the ones who would know what hypnogogia was, and would understand that science wasn't about facts but a process. And they were here.. and we were together, and it was good.
And then it got better. Michael Shermer* talked about why we believed weird things. Banachek* blew my mind. Jamy Ian Swiss* blew it again! Bob Park became a new hero, and every single person in the audience fell in love with Julia Sweeney as she showed us a new idea called "The God Monolgue" that eventually became Letting Go of God. Ian Rowland introduced me to cold reading, which has been invaluable. Phil Plait* discussed the illusive (and non-existent) Planet X, and Eugenie Scott impressed everyone with her battle against creationism.
And then... I got to interact with these folks! They were real people... not just props on a stage. I shook Randi's hand, had dinner with Julia (and 40 other folks), talked with Penn about Bullshit!, had a chat with Banachek... and on and on. I got to meet the late great Jay Marshall. There wasn't a line to stand in.. he just sat down at my table during a break with his son Aye Jaye, who then "magicked" a quarter away from me only to place into his wallet, which immediately burst into flames. Jonathan Pritchard, then a JREF intern and now a practicing magician, bent a fork with "his mind" right in front of me. One breakfast, another TAM attendee asked to join my table, and I learned that he worked with Oppenheimer on the Manhattan project. Where else can you have these encounters?
For that weekend, I had the sense that I wasn't alone. There were other folks with similar interests and ideas, and every year, they made the return migration home to TAM. I haven't missed a single one since.
I collected what was in my pockets at the end of the trip, and made a collage-y thing that still hangs on my wall. Slick gave out amethyst crystals, forum member Eos of the Eons gave everyone a loony, and the hotel laughingly gave out fortune cookies at one lunch. My fortune: "There will always be delightful mysteries in your life." So far, that's been true. Hmm.
There are a lot of "in" jokes at TAM, but the great thing is... you are already "in." You don't need to be shy, you can sit with anyone and have a sparkling conversation. Try it, and you'll see.
TAM 7 promises to be more of the same. Every one with a * by their name will be returning this year, and many new speakers will become our friends by TAM's final goodbye. They'll become MY friends, not because I work for the JREF, but simply because they'll be there at TAM with me. This can happen to you, as well.
There really is nothing like this, and I regret that you have to take my word for that. But please do. Take a look at these videos, and understand that is only one tiny part of what TAM is. TAM is about the attendees, as much as the speakers, and hopefully, you'll be one of us this year.


text:
"I am very excited at the opportunity to lead this great franchise into the future," Mr. Gores said. "The passion and commitment of Pistons fans is legendary, and our goal is to meet every one of their expectations. That starts with the hard work and values necessary to compete for championships. It also includes being a real partner in the community, and we intend to do that as well. We're going to do everything we can to ensure that this organization deserves the passion of our fans. We can't wait to make a difference in Detroit."
NBA Commissioner David Stern announced on Tuesday that the NBA Board of Governors had unanimously approved the change of ownership.
"It's very important to us, because we think Tom will bring renewed vigor and energy to that great franchise," Mr. Stern said at a news conference prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals. "He's really very anxious to get going…and that's a very good development for the Detroit Pistons and the good fans of Detroit."
The Detroit Pistons are one of only seven teams in NBA history to win three or more championships and have made 40 playoff appearances in franchise history (fourth-most in the NBA). Since the 2000-01 season, Detroit has compiled a record of 512-390 (.568), won six Central Division titles, made six consecutive trips to the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals from 2003 to 2008, won two Eastern Conference Championships (2004, 2005) and made consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, including an NBA Championship in 2004.
On the entertainment side, PS&E's Michigan venues average 300 events and 3.5 million guests annually. The Palace has been voted Arena of the Year eight times by Performance magazine, twice by Pollstar magazine and is listed annually among North America's top-grossing arenas. Voted "Best Outdoor Concert Venue" in Pollstar's 2000 Readers' Poll, DTE Energy Music Theatre has been listed as the nation's most attended amphitheater by Amusement Business/Billboard each of the 20 years of PS&E ownership. Meadowbrook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University hosted a record-tying six sold out shows in 2010 and achieved its second highest attendance average under PS&E's 17 years of management.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Davidson family and what has been built here. Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons have enjoyed a great tradition of success and have been committed to being a positive influence in the community," Mr. Gores added. "Our mission is to continue that legacy and do it the right way."
Karen Davidson transfers control of the company to Tom Gores after nearly 37 years of Davidson family ownership. William Davidson became the club's majority owner in 1974.
"Throughout this process, my goal was to find the right owner to lead Palace Sports and Entertainment into the future and I am certain that Tom Gores is that person," said Davidson. "He is an astute businessman, works hard and will bring a passion to this organization – that same passion that Bill had for so many years."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Toll Free: 800-339-9297
Local Callers: 801-225-8012
helping you get the job done since 1971
stay connected
Free "Best Way" Shipping on Orders Over $125!
Home > KitchenAid Products & Parts > Stand Mixers, Attachments & Parts > KitchenAid Stand Mixer Parts > KitchenAid 5 Qt Artisan Mixer Parts > VIEW ALL 5 Qt Artisan Parts > KitchenAid 5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl
This KitchenAid mixer bowl fits the following 5 quart Artisan KitchenAid stand mixer models: KSM150, KSM151, and KSM152. This additional bowl is constructed of thick, durable stainless steel. It also features a flat base, which keeps your bowl steady, reducing the chances of messy spills. Its handle is very helpful when the bowl is wet or greasy and also makes the bowl much easier to pour from.
Having an additional bowl expands your KitchenAid mixer?s versatility. Making two batters at once has never been easier and an extra bowl is ideal for whipping egg whites that need to be folded into cake batter. An extra bowl is also a great time-saver and incredibly convenient; you will never again have to wash your bowl in the middle of a recipe to mix the next set of ingredients.
Please Note: If you are uncertain that this is the correct mixing bowl for your mixer, visit our Parts Reference Table.


text:
Japan Christmas 2012. It's now Easter 2014. Yes, it's been a while. Yes, I have been lazy and unmotivated creatively. How does the saying go? Better late than never.
After a long year of all work and no play, Rebecca and I were very much looking forward to getting away. We decided to go back to Japan. This time we would spend Christmas in Kyoto and New Years with my cousin's wife Risa and her family. We spent Christmas with them last time and missed the New Year Day celebrations, which is more important to the Japanese than Christmas.
Rebecca found cheap business class flights on Garuda Airlines. We stopped off in Indonesia for eight hours. It turned into nine. We found out why the tickets were so cheap. The lounge was small, and not well equip. Needless to say we went a little bat shit crazy sitting around for nine hours.
This time, upon arrival at Narita airport, we validated our Japan Rail pass right away. The Japan Rail office is located at the airport exit, right across from a Starbucks. Rebecca sat and had a coffee while I withdrew some cash when she spotted the office. Last visit to Japan we trundled through Tokyo's main train station trying to find the validation office. No fun at all. So there is a big tip. Validate before you leave the airport.
The train to Kinshicho was boarded 'with Becks crutches' this time. We arrived to an empty apartment, had a shower and rested. We had dinner at a restaurant around the corner from the apartment. Being jetlagged and not in the mood to search for the perfect place to eat, that was English language friendly, we settled on the closest place.
We go in, sit down, and realise there is no English anywhere. Not even a menu to point at. Kindly a Japanese lady sitting next to us realised our plight and came to the rescue. We had a great authentic Japanese meal that night, not to forget the awesome sake. A great start to our second Japanese trip.
For the first time ever we did absolutely nothing on the first day. We visited Tommy's to have his special pancake and coffee, I bought us groceries from Queen's Isetan (or Queen Satan as I like to call it) and after a walk around with the camera I took alone, retreated to the apartment. After Tommy's Beck did not leave the apartment until dinner that night. The Korean BBQ Ty took us to last time, did not disappoint this time either. Rebecca enjoyed it so much she gave her bib a meal of its own.
On the way home, we dropped into Yeast. It is a microbrew bar that opened just around the corner from Tyron and Risa's apartment. It had the best English ale I have tasted outside of England.
The following day we took a short taxi trip up the road to the Edo Tokyo Museum. I enjoyed following the story of Tokyo. Rebecca especially loved all the old costumes. It is worth a visit.
Next day we bid sayonara to Tyron and Risa catching the Shinkansen to Kyoto. We stayed in the same hotel as last time, the Kyoto Royal Hotel and Spa. Rebecca found a great deal and it was around the corner from Jack's bar, who we had promised to visit should we would return to Kyoto.
We checked in and went out for an early dinner. As we wandered past Jack's bar (which was closed) we saw someone inside on a ladder hanging things from the ceiling. I kept walking. Rebecca stopped and stared. It was Jack. He spotted us and ran out with his trademark huge smile. I was amazed he recognised us. We made arrangements to return after dinner. They were booked out until late. It was Christmas day and the bar specialises in fried chicken wings. There is a thing with the Japanese and fried chicken on Christmas. Do not ask me why. Mainly because I do not know and have not been able to get an answer.
We wandered a fair way down the street finally deciding upon an Okonomiyaki restaurant. After a good feed, we returned to Jack's bar to find a welcome note at our table, and a list of special beers for us to consume. Only a few drinks and pleasantries later we called it a night. We would be back. We did not want to spoil our first day in Kyoto with a hangover.
There was a flea market on the next morning at the Tenjin-san Shrine. They have many antiques and general bric-a-brac to choose from, as well as food stalls. We left with a nice little vase and soya sauce dispenser. We wandered around for quite a few hours. It was busy and there was plenty to see.
A taxi was taken to the Shimogamo Shrine after. The shrine is small and one you could pass on, but the grounds are large and lush, and open to the public. We stopped for red bean wagashi and tea. Not to mention to warm our hands up. It was getting dark and cold, and being out all day had numbed the fingers.
After hours of walking Rebecca had arrived at breaking point, and just as we asked, the universe delivered a taxi. We return to our room, freshened up and headed back to Jack's to have dinner and drinks. This time we spent quite a few hours eating fish,Tebasaki (fried chicken wings), squid, and a variety of other Japanese dishes. I think we nearly had everything on the menu. Calm down the menu is not that large. This is not the US of A.
We were a little hung-over the next morning, but the visiting of shrines must go on. After having a breakfast of sandwiches and good coffee at a little cafe I had spotted the night before, we taxied to the Nanzen-ji Temple.
We spent most of the morning and a bit of the afternoon here. It is a large complex with gates, shrines and houses up and down the hillside. Great for a slow wander amongst the ancient trees and structures.
When you arrive and exit the taxi the Sanmon Gate greets you in all it's enormity. You can climb up it for a price and take in the view of Kyoto. Be prepared to take off your shoes and crawl up the very steep stairs. Needless to say, Rebecca could not join me. Due to frostbitten toes my visit was short lived.
We wandered past the Hado Hall and made our way up to the Kuri building. Shoes off again, I wheeled Rebecca around to take in the splendour of the gardens and house. We wandered up the hill under the Sousi aquifer to see the one of the twelve quaint sub-temples on the complex. There was a trail you could follow up a hill to others, but after a quick run up the hill, I decided we would head back down and visit one of the other sub temples.
Next, I think it was the Nanzen-in (not 1005 on that). This has a lovely garden and pond that are reflective of a dragon (supposedly). Down the hill again and the Ten juan Temple has a nice little garden that is supposed to be spectacular at night with a light show (only in Autumn). There are little paths through the edge of the forest and stepping stones over the ponds to stroll though. It was so peaceful we decided to sit and relax.
You templed out yet? Not by a long shot. Beck and I were a little worn out, so we stopped by the gift shop and I purchased some coffee in a can, but only after Rebecca made her gift shop purchases. After some directions from the friendly staff, we made our last stop on the tour of Nanzen-ji to the Konchi-in temple. We again find a small but very beautiful and peaceful garden. All was very quiet when suddenly the peace was broken by an American family strolling into earshot. We were patient and they soon departed to let us enjoy the atmosphere.
Having finished the Nanzen-ji complex, we had enough time to have lunch and visit the Murin-an. The little restaurant had decor that had not changed since the seventies, and neither has the cook or your host I think. The old man and lady were happy to have us in even though they were just about to close, and cooked us lovely Ramen and Udon noodle soups, which really hit the spot after spending hours outside in the cold.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention I left my hat in the taxi, so I was getting frostbitten ears, at one stage wrapping my scarf around my head to keep them from freezing up and falling off.
Revived and warmed we stopped by the Murin-in. It was OK. Let me say after all the beautiful immaculately kept gardens I saw that day, it was a little disappointing.
We decided to have dinner down Pontocho lane that night. We found a place where there was no English menu displayed and took a chance. Nobody spoke any English, but they did have a make shift English menu to point at. We had some refreshing warm soups of some kind and splendid little entree's, washing it down with a beer and sake.
Next morning we visited the Heian Shrine. You enter through a large gate into a very large courtyard, from which you can enter many gardens. The gardens were large, intricate and quite spectacular. We spent many hours wandering about snapping away.
Next temple complex on the tour was up on the hills. Kōdai-ji is made up of many small complexes. Rebecca found it a little difficult but we managed to see everything there was to see. It is a great area and very popular with the tourists, for good reason.
For lunch we took a chance and headed down a lane, and found what we were looking for, a restaurant in someone's house. I requested to attend the little boy's room, and passed the grandmother and mother in the kitchen cooking for us. It is always the best food, and they are ever so helpful and welcoming.
We headed back to the hotel, rested and later found that a lot of restaurants were closed. We lucked upon a restaurant where chicken was the specialty, once again hoping some English would be spoken. No such luck, but there was an English menu to point at once again. We were the only ones in the place, which felt a little odd, until another couple came in just before we left. The meal was delicious, and meticulously prepared. We sat at the bar in which our chef was behind, preparing our meal for us. There is nothing quite like watching your meal being formed in front of your eyes.
We had booked a table at Jack's quite late. We had some spare time so headed upstairs to a bar for a cocktail, again being the sole couple in the place. That was odd also. Nice cocktail though.
We headed to Jack's after and had a little more to eat and a lot more to drink. It was our last night in Kyoto and we were making the most of it. It was sad to say goodbye to Jack and his staff, but not before a goodbye photo.
We took the Shinkansen to Kanazawa the next day. By the time we arrived at our hotel room at the Kanazawa Excel Hotel Tokyu, Rebecca was very tired. I left her to rest and walked in the rain down to the Samurai area, dropping in to the Samurai House. Supposedly it has many nooks and crannies that you can crawl up into to escape, and there are strategically placed creaking floorboards you walk on. I only got to walk on the creaking boards.
We did not want to wander far for a meal that night, so settled on an izakaya across from the hotel. We had enough food to fill us up, and enough drink to satisfy. It was not the best meal on the trip, but good enough to recharge our batteries for the next day of wandering around the Kenrokuen Gardens.
Before the gardens we had breakfast in a little cafe. No English once again. Coffee is universal, but food is not. So while sitting there hungry drinking my coffee I had a revelation. Symbols! Symbols are universal. I brought out a pen and paper, and proceeded to draw a slice of bread, an egg, and a pig. Showing it to the owner, he proceeded to make us some of the best omelette sandwiches I have ever tasted. After a bit of creativity we were prepared for the day.
The gardens sit right up on top of the hill in Kanazawa, just across from the Kanazawa Castle. The Castle we visited after the gardens, and were a huge disappointment after the large elaborate gardens. We did spend most of that day wandering slowly through the gardens, and rushed though the castle, only stopping for a soup lunch. It is very touristy, but putting that aside, the gardens are well worth a visit.
We had a special dinner that night, in one of the many specialised restaurants in Kanazawa. I do not recall the name. We were sat at the bar, and unfortunately for Rebecca, she was sat next to a disgruntled woman, sitting alone, probably for good reason. She eventually left and Rebecca and I were left to enjoy the elaborate food and beautiful sake. The most interesting thing we had all night was a sea snail, compliments of the head chef. I think it was a test to see if we would like it. I loved it. The texture was unlike anything I had previously eaten. From that point on he loved us.
On our way back to the hotel, we ran into an American man, and his Japanese partner. We were invited for a drink at a jazz bar a few shops down, but Rebecca was tired and we headed back upstairs. I decided to go meet the man, thinking I would have some interesting conversation. I was wrong. He decided to judge me. After taking off my jacket revealing a chequered shirt, he commented upon how that was something a redneck wears, asking if I was the equivalent but of the Australian kind. I found myself trying to prove otherwise, proceeding to ask about life in Japan and his time there. Shortly after he avoided the questions and started playing some stupid game in order to help his partner learn English. They departed before I had even finished my beer. I was left at the bar feeling very angry after being judged, and hating myself for bothering to make an effort. Why ask a stranger to have a drink if you are just going to judge and be an arrogant asshole? Just because you live in a country other than your own, does not make a person a non judgmental prick. Lesson learnt.
The next day we left Kanazawa and headed back to Ty and Risa in Tokyo. If my memory serves, that night for dinner was in a little bar. After leaving, we believe was closed when we walked in. Being the stupid gaijin that we are, we just walked in and sat down. The door was open? The owner was happy enough to accommodate us. We had a few beers and he fixed us something to eat, which was very cheap and very nice. Rebecca and I had walked past this place several times but never gone in. It was always full of old Japanese men. But this time it was only us, with the old Japanese men peering in, wondering why the hell gaijin are eating and drinking in their bar, when they are outside in the cold. Rather amusing.
The next day was New Years Eve. We were to travel to the outskirts of Tokyo to spend NYE with Risa's family. After squashing Tyron and I into the back on the smallest car I have ever had the displeasure of riding in, and after an hour of back breaking hard bench seat usually used to hold pachinko balls, we arrived.
We were shown our rooms and came down for beers, sake and plenty of food. Why do all grandmothers seem the same, no matter what nationality? Risa's grandmother was so cute. We sat down to spend NYE in front of the television, watching a traditional Japanese NYE show. No, it's not what you think, or maybe it is.
They have five comedians, place them in hilarious situations, and tell them they are not allowed to laugh. If they do, they have to bend over, after which a ninja will come out and bash them on the ass with a thick large rubber stick. By the reactions of the comedians, it looked like it hurt. And for extra punishment, a kick boxer would kick them in the bottom. Rather amusing, even if we could not understand a word or it.
The next day was for lounging around and eating. We had a wonderful meal and plenty of good conversation with the family. I went for a wander to take some photos at one point to get out of the house, and have a break from all the food and drink.
That night on the way home in the pachinko car, Ty insisted on stopping for McDonalds, informing us that McDonalds in Japan was better than anywhere else. He was wrong.
Next day we ventured to Akihabara Electric Town where we found all the people who are hip to be square. Beck purchased an old Nintendo Donkey Kong, and I was approached by a hostess as I stood and waited, snapping photos of the surrounding madness. We left the manic search for the future and swapped it for the peaceful surrounds of the Kiyosumi Gardens. We strolled around; Beck was pushed around, for a long time lapping up some nature in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Risa took us to a special okonomiyaki style dinner that night. You sit in front of a hot grill, where your meal is cooked. None of us were very good at it, so the lovely waitress kindly assisted us.
Next day we drove to the outskirts of Tokyo in the pachinko car to Kawagoe. A lovely little town that contains a few very old roads preserved from way back when. It is very picturesque with lots of shopping to be done. There is a street dedicated to sweets and there was a microbrewery to visit. I also purchased what is now my favourite coffee cup. We also had a wonderful traditional Japanese lunch, with a little help from Risa.
The next day Rebecca wanted to rest her leg. We slept in and I purchased lunch from Queen Satan. We did want to do one thing that day, which was to visit a cat cafe. I looked up Google maps and found one not too far from us. Luckily we ran the website past Risa, as it was actually a place for single ladies to get together. Cats Cafe. Fair enough. Lucky we checked first. She did find one for us only a few streets away. Rebecca and I spent an hour that evening with some very interesting cats. It was a lot of fun, and very relaxing. Not to mention busy.
Bar Yeast was finally open after closing for the NYE break. We got very drunk that night, on some very delicious beer. Yum.
The following day was spent wheeling around the Tokyo National Museum. The building itself was something to behold, let alone the works inside. After we went into town for a spot of shopping, and then off to meet Risa's family for her birthday dinner. We had another wonderful meal and plenty of drinks. But no birthday is complete without a spot of karaoke. A private room was booked and the four of us belted out the tunes. I was surprised to find Iron Maidens 'Run to the Hills'. One of only a few songs I knew the words to. We had a lot of fun, although I do not think my MC'ing between songs was appreciated by those a little more serious about their karaoke.
Our last two days not much happened. Beck was very tired and her leg was sore. The cat cafe was visited once more, and a trip to the Sky Tree that did not eventuate to anything (buy your tickets before going is a good tip) but a little bit of shopping. More of Tommy's pancakes were eaten and some shabu shabu one night for dinner.
Another long and wonderful trip to Japan ends. Rebecca managed to tough it out, and no crutches were lost this time. Second time around it was much better than the first. That being said it was Rebecca's first trip after the accident last time around. We have been to Macau, Hong Kong and India in the mean time. We also knew some tricks from our previous trip and learnt a few more. Should bode well for us next time we go. It will happen. Beck would live there if she could.


text:
- Code: Select all
VERSION: MADSONIC 6.2 | BUILD: 9080.619dd31.20161222.0327
REST: MADSONIC REST API v2.5.0, SUBSONIC REST API v1.14.0
OS: Linux 3.10.77 #8451 SMP Wed Jan 4 00:31:32 CST 2017 x86_64 GNU/Linux
SERVER: jetty/8.y.z-SNAPSHOT, java 1.8.0_121, Linux 3.10.77 (amd64)
HOST: Synology NAS 1815+ (DSM 6.0.2-8451 Update 9) | CPU: INTEL Atom C2538| ARCH: X64 | MEMORY: 6GB | HDD: 36TB, RAID6
BROWSER: FF 51.x
CLIENT: see browser
DESCRIPTION: as in the topic's subject
REPRODUCIBLE: Yes, on same FLAC files, but not on all FLAC files
logged in as admin
On some FLAC files, the "wrong" coverside is shown.
The back cover of the file is shown, instead of the frontcover.
I uploaded an example file here. I tagged it with foobar2000 quite a while ago and it seems correct looking at the tags.
Maybe the back cover is not taken from the files tag, but from the internet?


text:
Status last updated: 2018-03-14 08:29:17
Male looking for a woman for serious relationship
I like to focus my energy on collecting experiences as opposed to "things" and would much rather spend my money on a trip to a foreign country than on a fancy new car
I want to share both our passions, some of mine, some of yours, some new ones we find together.
Flirthut is a completely free dating site where people like you meet other people looking for a relationship, love or just friends. You can message kayiira2018 by signing in or registering.Find out more about us » Join us for free and get searching for your match


text:
ljvette needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 45 designs submitted by 10 freelance designers.
Making the every day corvette owner very cool.
I am starting a on line corvette club that will be all about corvettes and how cool it is to own one. Looking to make logo cool, very fast and very corvette with an explosion of fire. Some cool things like sunglasses, flames, race flags are a plus. Imagine, what would make an every day corvette owner cool? I need Imagination to the extream.
I need a logo that looks real picture like showing 2 corvettes in a v shape setting nose to nose with racing corvette flags in a ghost form in the back ground having real looking flames coming off of them. I would like to have a sun wearing sunglasses with rays of light looking down onto the cars and flags. The name "coolcorvette.com" needs to be on the logo as well. The word cool a cross the top and put over the sun could be part of the sunglasses (like the two oo's are the lenses of the glasses) and put corvette.com just under cool.
- Item 1...something lame or boringor cartoon like
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text: You can download 3DStudio Max 2010 (*.max) files of Capitol (fig 143) 3D model from www.exchange3d.com. Direct link to the 3D model: Exchange3D media store More details: This model for classical decoration and other ornamental decor for interior and exterior. Could be usefull for interior decor, wall, fireplace and etc. decoration. This is a high detailed low poly and realistic 3D model. It's available in the following file formats: - 3ds Max (.max) 2010 VRAY included - 3D Studio (.3ds) no meshsmooth - Object (.obj) without meshsmooth - LightWave (.lwo) 5.6 without meshsmooth - Cinema 4D (.c4d) without meshsmooth - Kaydara FBX (.fbx) without meshsmooth - Softimage XSI (.xsi) 3.5 without meshsmooth All the file formats are separated by folders and zipped individually. The polygon count can be adjusted in Max files, reducing or increasing the iterations from MeshSmooth modifier. PLEASE: Rate it, it's important for Us! PS: You can find more decor element in Our collection. Welcome.. The model preview:


text:
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It Doesn't Matter
No matter where it was, while you were looking for them, if you're the praying kind, you probably prayed, "It doesn't matter just as long as I find them." [Or something like that.] Then after you found them safe and sound [maybe hiding amongst the stacks of toilet paper in the grocery store], relief washed through you like a cleansing rain. And your very, very first thought was, "It doesn't matter why you ran off. I'm just so glad I found you."
Later there will be time for lectures and scoldings, and [my favorite], "Don't ever do that again!" demands later.
But the "I-don't-care-I'm-just-so-glad-I-found-you!" feeling is powerful. Maybe even desperate at times. Nothing else matters. Just that I found you.
This is exactly how I feel when I'm searching for my ancestors. [*snort* Minus the panic. Sometimes.] When I finally find them, that's how I feel. Never mind that I've been looking for them for years. And not just looking for their vitals either. I'm talking about really finding 'em. Their nicknames. Their likes and dislikes. Their hopes and fears. Their stories.
So here's what I have to say to my very, very dear ancestors:
It doesn't matter that I really don't have a "go-to" person in my family for remembrances, stories and whatnot. [Did you never talk about yourself? Geez Louise.]
It doesn't matter that I spend countless hours in libraries so cold that meat could be hung in there looking for you in books that look like they haven't been read, much less touched, in years. All for just a shred [A measly shred. Is that too much to ask?] of your very existence.
It doesn't matter that I'm going cross-eyed trying to read your contemporary's awful [God-awful] handwriting in hopes of finding where you lived or who you lived with [Geez. Another wife? *rolling eyes heavenward*].
It doesn't matter that I have to look for your tombstone in a cemetery that looks like its last visitor ~alive or not~ was in 1965. Or that your tombstone is probably underneath the brush left from the last hurricane. And that it's broken. Or that the side of town that your cemetery is in is not so good ~to say the very least~ and after looking, like forever, I still can't find you, and my tummy is growling because I skipped breakfast and lunch to find your tombstone, and I have 30 minutes left before I have to pick up the kids from school. And there's nary a fast food restaurant around. Nor a bathroom. Nor a gas station [cuz, oh yeah, I need gas, too.].
It doesn't matter that I have to drive to Galveston Island, Texas and take photos of where the family farm once was. Near the beach. [And the waves can be heard from there.] Or that I have to go spend time on the 3rd floor of the library where the archives are located looking for you instead of relaxing on the beach with a frosty fruity drink. Or that I have to take the ferry from Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula to take photos of more beach-front property you might have lived on or nearby. Or that I have to go back again because I got a lead on your church records. [O.K., so maybe some searches are a little more enjoyable than others. Thank you. But maybe you could just send me a message in a bottle while I relax on the beach.]
Likewise, it doesn't matter what your journey was to get to me.
It doesn't matter if you ran away from home. [Just make sure you left me a paper trail. *wink*]
It doesn't matter if you changed your name five times. [Just who the hell were ya', anyways?]
It doesn't matter if you had two divorces, three wives, and a few mistresses. [Oh well, some people never learn. Just a few more leaves on the trees. Oooh, and the stories.]
It doesn't matter that you eloped. [At least you only married once. Unlike some people. I hope you eloped in a neighboring county, though. Not in some far-flung place that I'd never think to look in.]
It doesn't matter that all you ever had was that little piece of land that you farmed on out of necessity. [I just hope you were happy. And that you left the farm records behind.]
It doesn't matter that you were excommunicated from the Catholic Church because of all your divorces. [Paper trail. Paper trail.]
It doesn't matter that you lost everything in the hurricane. [I'm proud you survived and bounced back. Otherwise, whose great-granddaughter would I be?]
It doesn't matter that you didn't leave any photos behind. [I wonder if we looked alike. And who is responsible for my freckles? Was that you Annie O'Brien?]
It doesn't matter that if you and I are truly related, that you weren't a patriot in the American Revolutionary War. [I mean, I wasn't there. Who am I to judge? I'm just glad you stood up for what you thought was right. Besides, without you, who would I be then?]
It just doesn't matter. You're family. You're mine.
You see, I'm just so glad that I found you.
16 comments:
- AnonymousJune 12, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I love this article. It made me think about what we leave behind for future generations. Thankfully, there is A LOT of information out there for them to gather about us. It shouldn't be hard to fin. (They can search Twitter archives...LOL)ReplyDelete
Excellent!! I know exactly what you mean and I feel your pain about the beachfront property!!ReplyDelete
Good morning Texas!ReplyDelete
I think that this is a very good post
I love your blog!
Keep up the good work!
Good morning form Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This is absolutely one of the best posts I've ever read! There's so much here that I (and I'm sure so many others) can connect to, but you have such a fun way of writing it! Needless to say, I feel exactly the same way - IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!! I hope my ancestors could hear me yelling that from way over here on your blog!ReplyDelete
Thanks for writing this wonderful post!
Right on! -- and Write on!ReplyDelete
Thanks so much for this post. I love it and know exactly what you mean. Great way to express what so many of us feel.ReplyDelete
I love this post because I feel exactly the same way!!!ReplyDelete
wonderful post, you did put into words the way we all feel!ReplyDelete
why didn't they leave you the beach front property? I would really be upset with them for that
That was great, Caroline!ReplyDelete
Yeah, suppose you knew all along what rats they were lol
I can understand how after countless toils and troubles, pangs and tribulations, finally finding their true character is welcomed with open arms no matter what that character is.
Great post. I feel the same way.ReplyDelete
Humor, truth, love. What a great post. My sentiments exactly. Thanks for giving me some humor tonight.ReplyDelete
Well said! Thanks for a great chuckle and here's hoping we all find some more of those lost family members.ReplyDelete
Fantastic! We all "get it", don't we? :)ReplyDelete
nice post to start the morning and like renate said, i hope my ancestors are paying attention and get in touch!ReplyDelete
I loved this post so much. Gave me a kick in the rump, too. I've been wanting to dig a little further into my own family's past. That was just what I needed.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 2, 2010 at 8:10 AM
Great Job Caroline...ReplyDelete
You have nailed alot of what all of us feel in are pursuit of our family history...especially my cousin and I who have been at this sometime..and travel a distance for that shred ..shred...(shread is alot...when your coming up with nothing at times)...and then there are the times it rains...feast or famine..and you get so much info you can't wrap your brain around it and have to take a break from it all to return to see alittle more clearly...and ofcourse those surnames just keep on coming..the more we look to find...still working on ours.....van cleve,odum,martin,kendall, brown,todd,elkins,lasley,marcum,dobbs,and my elusive connelly/conley tree..(just to name a few).........but love how you can put it into words...keep writing! Cuz


text:
This is Startram, a proposed launch system that would use magnetic levitation trains, a 1000-mile tunnel, and a superconducting cable to reach low Earth orbit. Amazingly, we already have the technology to do it...at far less than the cost of rockets.
Gizmag has a great overviewof how Startram would work, but the basic idea is simple enough. Because maglev trains hover above their tracks and thus don't have to worry about friction, they are theoretically capable of going far beyond their current mark of about 350 miles per hour to reach the 20,000 miles per hour needed for orbital velocities. Of course, to safely accelerate humans to those speeds, you'd need a lot of track, not to mention a way to keep a hypersonic train from being ripped to shreds by the air around it. According to its engineers, a vacuum tube that's 1,000 miles long and simulates the lower air pressure of the mesosphere should do the trick.
While most of the tube would be at sea level, the exit point would need to be about 12 miles high. The same magnetic levitation technology used in the trains could also be used to suspend the tunnel that high in the air, as Gizmag explains:
Read the rest here.
Views: 183
The first comment on this story is worth reading. I also call shenanigans. I don't think they've thought their plan through.
very true .. now they should just make a movie or book on the idea
Today's maglev trains run horizontally and require little power. Going into orbit requires enough power to defeat gravity. Is maglev capable?
not sure
Actually we don't have the tech to do it.
The tech we "could do it with now" is still far too expensive and I'm not sure we have the engineering skills we need to make a stable 12 mile high structure. Remember that Everest is only 8 miles high, so construction of a 12 mile high structure would be a serious challenge, not to mention the cost of buying/stealing the land needed to build it.
Unless/until the cost of construction comes down enough to compete with rockets, there needs to be a compelling reason to get this level of stuff into space. Right now we basically only use space for communication. The military does some spying, and there's the international space station, but none of these things requires more supply than rockets can easily accommodate.
I read a scifi story once where they built one of these to the top of Everest.
Carbon nanotube structures are one of the ideas for making this or a space elevator feasible, but we don't know how to produce those cheaply in bulk or size yet.
Cool sci-fi book
There are a lot of questions for them to consider .. I agree there
Agreed ... good sci-fi book or movie though ... oh and it did make a very good picture
Ahhh… the Railgun.
Patent number: 1421435
Filing date: Apr 1, 1919
Issue date: Jul 4, 1922
Where this makes a lot more sense is; …on the Moon. A solar powered railgun for sending mined raw materials to Lagrange Points for processing into fuel, oxygen, building materials, etc.
…Unfortunately, it would also make a very potent WMD.
© 2019 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


text:
2012-11-20 • Documenting Birth ?
Start: 12:15:28
Daviss: morning Seventies!
Seventies: Good day Daviss...
Daviss: how are you?
Seventies: Doing good. Just getting my lunch together. How are you?
Daviss: Ah ok, take your time. Its not as if we are taking a lot of questions from people :o
Seventies: lol Hi vkn
vkn: hey hey hey
Daviss: to answer your question, I am fine. I did sleep a tad later than what I wanted but thats alright with me Hi there vkn!
Seventies: I have a question, what would be considered adequate proof of a relationship to establish siblings?
vkn: howdydoody
Seventies: that's good Daviss, get your rest because you will be working it on Thanksgiving!
vkn: birth cert
Daviss: how many pieces of evidence do you have seventies
Seventies: Well I have Tax records, Census Records, family bible record, and death certs.
Daviss: is that the only thing vkn.. long ago no BC's hardly
Seventies: The issue is that the 'children' all had different surnames than the mother with the exception of the girls.
Daviss: family bible is good as well as Census and does the tax frecord say child
vkn: cert of midwife or other witness
Seventies: No, these are people who were born during slavery.
vkn: affidavit
Seventies: Family seems to follow each other around.
Daviss: does the census say son or daughter
Seventies: No the earliest that the family is together is 1870 and no relationships there. Although Jack lives next to Mary in 1880
Daviss: You do have two pieces stating the fact right
Seventies: The sibling fact? No.
Daviss: what do you have?
Seventies: This is what I have Daviss. In 1870 Mary Walker is living with 4 minors: Jack Westrope, Sarah Thomas, Scott Walker, Nellie Walker and Martha Walker. In 1880 Mary is with Martha and John Martin Walker. Jack lives withing 3 households of Mary and a daughter Nellie (Walker) Cason. Scott is not on the Wilkinson Co. census. On two tax records for Wilkinson Co, MS Jack Westrope and Scott Washington are listed on Bunker Hill Plantation in the 1890's. In 1881, Jack signed the marriage bond for Scott Washington. In 1900 and 1910 census records Jack has moved to Adams Co. MS with Scott who had purchased Woodlands Plantation. On Jack's DC in 1938, his mother is listed as Mary Walker, father unknown. From the Washington Family Bible, Mary is also listed at the mother of Scott Washington. I should probably get Jack Westrope's intestate records, if he had one. I do know that he is buried at Mt. Sinai church. So now if I can contact the informant Freddie Dixon, I would get all of the info I need to know. Freddie though related to my grandfather, was the granddaughter of Jack Westrope according to the census. Ms. Dixon has moved to Chicago last I heard.
Daviss: ok so you have identified 2 minors as siblings, what about the other 3 minors sarah, nellie and martha
Seventies: Nellie Cason is the mother of Louey Havana Cason whom I asked about on the boards a while ago... Martha and John Martin I cannot find. Sarah I haven't researched.
Daviss: I would look for the DC's for all of them
Seventies: I see Casons all over Louisiana and southern MS, but can't tie any of them to Nellie or Lewis Cason. I was looking for a marriage records for Martha. No luck on that just yet. John Martin no luck there either. I thought perhaps he was living with Scott on the 1910 census. But the birth year is off a great deal.
Daviss: look for Cason with a K or perhaps Carson
Seventies: I'll try again with the soundex, thanks Daviss.
Daviss: or as my friend Richard Cason answered to Richard Casey
Seventies: okay I'd never considered that before... hhhmmmmm
Daviss: He is the hall of fame R&B writer for Johnny Taylor or was all our lives we called him Richard Casey and we knew his name was Cason lol
Seventies: Ok now onto case #2, Clara Galmore. My grandfather was correct about his grandmother burning up in a fire. On her DC she died of 3rd degree burns. Her father is listed as Perk Bard.. but its actually Boyd and her Mother was Addie Perkins. Which explains why her name on the Marriage Cert was Clara Perkins. This confirmed the info that I was researching before regarding the family. They lived for a time in Louisiana. So I will be working on tracking down her sisters. Though they have some odd names.
Daviss: Odd is good for those one of a kind names
Seventies: Pulling the census record from Family Search so you can see what I'm talkin about. I will be ordering more DCs from MDAH. Still not messing with ADAH.. lol
Daviss: hearing you seventies
Seventies: I am missing my gg grandmother's DC still. Still bringing it up y'all... hold on. This is what happens when your harddrive crashes and all of your data is there. Much of this is dedicated to memory.
Daviss: oh so you are young lol lol
Seventies: lol lol lol Ok I'ma try ancestry OMG it almost 1!!!
Daviss: so that saves you re that memory thingy lol lol
Seventies: lol yep. Oh btw, no place in AZ has the item I'm looking for Daviss!
Daviss: ok Seventies, at least you tried.
Seventies: OMG well I have another friend who is going to MI and said if they have it there she would pick it up and bring it back to NY for me
Daviss: look around before they leave Seventies
Seventies: I will
Daviss: remember its holiday buying
Seventies: I was trying to get it before the release of Windows 8... this would have Windows 7 on the system. When I first found this item, it was a month in advance of the release of Windows 8
Daviss: Do you have to have that brand
Seventies: No, but its the only one at that quality with that price. Now I can't find the Boyds.. you gotta be kidding.
Daviss: was it Acer thats because you want it now Seventies lol
Seventies: Asus was the brand Daviss.
Daviss: Asus?
Seventies: You're right about that... lol
Daviss: Asus or Acer Seventies
Seventies: Asus...
Daviss: hmmm never heard of that one laptop?
Seventies: 10" Netbook.
vkn: nor i
Seventies: Asus is the company behind the Google Nexus 7 tablet. They are a great company
Selma: Afternoon folks..sorry I am late
Daviss: Hi Selma!!
vkn: selma bring a note from home
Seventies: Late?? lol No comment from the peanut gallery.. lol
Selma: Yes late.. Never heard of Asus...but have heard of Acer
Daviss: hello Khathu!
Seventies: Here's another one. Hi Khathu.
Khathu: Hello everyone
vkn: Khathu, howdy
Selma: Afternoon Khathu
Daviss: Now all we need is alt
vkn: I had no luck searching the ladies Khayhu but will keep on file
Khathu: thanks vkn. Ms. Williams is one of my brickwalls that makes me batty
Daviss: :o
Selma: Welcome to the club Khathu..re: batty
Khathu: Going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Daviss: and some of us don't have any batty left
Selma: LOL.. at Daissv
Khathu: Daviss I have some battiness left
Selma: Daviss...see what I mean
Seventies: You are brave Khathu
Daviss: lol @ Selma
Khathu: I'm not all batted out yet]
vkn: all batted out lol
Daviss: me too lol
Seventies: I have my moments... lol
Khathu: Why did you say brave soul? We have VIP seating
Daviss: good for you khathu and it should be fun
Seventies: oh okay.. you know NYers can be aggressive...
Selma: Oh pleeze seventies, why are you giving NY'ers a bad rap
Khathu: @Seventies that's why I have two elbows
Seventies: I'm not giving Nyers a bad rap. lol
Daviss: lol
Selma: I took my kids to the parade once, when they were younger...I really only watched on TV when I was a kid
Seventies: lol Khathu. I've been told I am aggressive and I'm not even from the City.
Selma: I still watch the parade on TV.. LOL
Seventies: Something else I haven't done in awhile.
Khathu: This will be my first time Looking forward to it
Seventies: Well then have an awesome time!
Selma: Wave to Santa for us
Khathu: I will play tourist any genealogy updates
Daviss: only seventies khathu
Khathu: Spill it Seventies
Seventies: Oh yea, I got some DCs from MS Dept of Archives. Gave insight into some relationships that I'd been wanting to clarify. Namely Scott Washington And Jack Westrope.
Daviss: I am still doing the 1940 census looking for my mama
Selma: Jeez Davis..you still haven't found your mama How are they related seventies..or not related
Seventies: As I sit there thinking, I should see If I can get Jack's estate records. But he didn't have land he was a renter.. so I may not find anything. But his informant is still living...
Daviss: no...:(
Seventies: Selma, looks like they were brothers. I also found out where Jack lived when he moved to Adams Co. Hamilton Plantation. He lived near York Plantation where my Thompsons lived.
Daviss: vkn don't forget to send me that Tucson information
vkn: okies y;all be good
Seventies: Hamilton Plantation is right across the hwy from Woodlands/Ben's Corner Plantation.
Khathu: How are they related Seventies
Seventies: Jack Westrope and Scott Washington are brothers. Same mother Mary Walker
Selma: Ok I was about to ask When were they born?
Seventies: I have been following them in records since I found jack on scott's marriage bond. They were born in Mississippi Wilkinson Co.
Selma: What years
Daviss: Khathu have you heard of any new books regarding Texas
Seventies: Jack in 1852 and Scott in 1858
Khathu: No I haven't. I think they are waiting on us to write it
Seventies: Get to writin'...
Khathu: Congratulations Seventies
Daviss: ok thanks
Seventies: Thanks Khathu. I'm excited. This is the line that we don't know much about.
Selma: Any new info on Lorenzo Khathu..don't know why I just thought of him
Khathu: I know you have been working on it for some time now Unfortunately Selma, nothing new has came in. I reordered his pension application in the hopes that additional info might be discovered I feel that some pages/documents are missing from the application I received
Daviss: Oh he was a usct khathu?
Selma: Oh..well I hope you get some new info
Khathu: No, he claimed that he served in a white regiment as a bugler
Daviss: oh yeah thats right, now I remember
Khathu: I have come to the conclusion that he unofficially served so there won't be any "official" record of his service but I am more concerned with trying to link him to Henrietta and Sarah Williams
Selma: The daughters right?
Daviss: Is there another Williams(white) in the regiment that he may have been the servant for
Khathu: It is still unproved Selma Yes, Daviss there is a white Lorenzo Williams
Daviss: mabe that file may give a clue to your AA
Khathu: the white Lorenzo actually served and received a pension
Daviss: Was this a Tn reg
Selma: Were they living in the same place Khathu the 2 Lorenzo's
Khathu: Not after the CW His regiment was Illinois
Daviss: oh ok
Khathu: The white Lorenzo resided in IL and mine in Texas I am unable to locate my Lorenzo in the 1870 census in or outside of Texas
Selma: Can't help you Khathu...but we will be supportive LOL
Khathu: Thanks.... I have come to the conclusion that I don't have brick wall mine on lead walls insulated with steel
Daviss: lol lol lol
Selma: I spent some time this AM printing some info for someone from FOLD 3...very similar names, coming from same county..can't tell if they are same person using different names or what I printed out and mailed to her...it was giving me a headache and I have to get ready to cook my turkey
Daviss: lol well happy cooking
Khathu: Well Happy Thanksgiving everyone
Daviss: Happy Thanksgiving to all as well
Khathu: I need to wrap up some stuff here at the office. Today is my last day until Monday
Selma: Guess..I better run, don't think I will be here tomorrow, gotta pick up the little darlins
Daviss: ok Sel have a good day
Selma: Have a great day
Daviss: see ya Seventies


text:
We can blame Hurricane Lili, Tropical Storm Isidore and drought in the West and along the Atlantic Coast for a dropoff in the overall quality of the 2002 U.S. cotton crop. But, according to Mike Watson, senior director, Fiber Quality Research for Cotton Incorporated, overall cotton quality has been declining for about 10 years now.
Watson, who reported on the quality of the 2002 crop during the 2003 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in Nashville, said about 77 percent of the 15 million bales classed so far this season were in the white grade, compared to 84.3 percent last year. Twenty percent were light spotted, compared to 13 percent last year.
Average micronaire of the crop was 4.6, compared to 4.56 last year.
Average length of the 2003 crop was 34.46, compared to 34.4 last year.
Average strength across the belt was 28.6, slightly higher than last year's 28.31.
Quality declines since 1993 are more dramatic, however. For example, from 1993 to 1997, staple length across the United States rarely dropped below 35. Beginning in 1997 and continuing to today, average U.S. staple length has not exceeded 34.5.
A breakdown by regions indicates problems in the Mid-South and Southeast.
For example, in 1993, 86 percent of the Mid-South crop had a staple length of 35 and above. In 2002, only 55 percent fell into that category. In the Southeast, in 1993, 74 percent of the cotton crop had a staple length of 34 or above. In 2002, only 26 percent had a staple length of 34 or higher.
On the other hand, in 1993, around 85 percent of the San Joaquin cotton crop had a staple length of 36 or above. Today, 89 percent has a staple length of 36 or higher.
Over the last 10 years, the strength of the U.S. cotton crop has remained in a range between 28 and 29, but dipped below 28 in 2000.Since then it's climbed steadily to a U.S. average of 28.5 in 2002.
Again, changes in strength have been more dramatic within regions, according to Watson. In 1993, roughly 12 percent of the San Joaquin Valley cotton crop had a strength rating of 33 or higher. By 2003, the percentage of cotton with strength of 33 had grown to 75 percent.
In 1993, 23 percent of the south Texas cotton crop had a strength rating of 28 or higher. That grew to a significant 83 percent in 2002.
In 1993, 69 percent of the Southeast cotton crop had a strength rating of 28 or higher, compared to 45 percent in 2002.
The strength of the Mid-South cotton crop, at 28, is slightly higher than in 1993.
Over the last 10 years, average micronaire has moved closer to the discount range, and has grown significantly higher since 2000. Almost 18 percent of the U.S. crop fell into the discount range for high mike in 2002, compared to 8 percent in 1993.
Since 1993, San Joaquin Valley mike has moved slightly higher, but less than 2 percent was in the discount range for high mike in 2002. West Texas mike also moved higher in 2002, with 11 percent in the discount range for high mike, compared to less than four percent in 1993.
Nineteen percent of the south Texas cotton crop had high mike in 2002, compared to 11 percent in 1993. But a little under 70 percent of the south Texas crop had mike between 4.2 and 4.9, compared to 48 percent in 1993.
Thirty-three percent of the Mid-South cotton crop was discounted for high mike in 2002, compared to 16 percent in 1993. Thirty-eight percent of the Southeast crop was discounted for high mike in 2002, compared to 22 percent in 1993.
High mike "is particularly damaging to prices because it increases milling costs exponentially," Watson said. So far this year, grower losses from mike discounts are $75 million, according to Watson. In 2001, mike discount losses cost growers an estimated $99 million.
According to Watson, in 2001, 18 percent of the U.S. crop was at "base" or better, with 82 percent below base. In 2002, 13 percent of the U.S. crop was at "base" or better with 87 percent below base.
Quality is a very important factor for U.S. export markets, according to Watson. With more domestic cotton being shipped overseas, U.S. growers must be more cognizant of foreign quality expectations. That includes staple length of 35, middling color, leaf grade, 3, strength of 26, with low neps.
"If cotton does not meet those guidelines, export customers expect significant discounts."


text:
It's not uncommon for former students to visit their elementary schools.
What's not so common is for that student to be a published author.
Turner Elementary recently hosted Ryan McKinley, who returned to the Antioch campus after some 25 years to talk with staff and students.
To set the wheels in motion for the big visit, McKinley sent Principal Sue Ten Eyck a package of books, pins and books titled "The Pirate Bride" last spring.
An accompanying letter explained he was a Turner student, and that "his joy for writing began when he wrote his first book in fourth grade."
Ten Eyck called McKinley called to thank him for the "treasures," and invited the now Oklahoma resident to visit his former campus.
So, visit McKinley did.
He led two assemblies and several classroom presentations throughout his daylong visit. And, McKinley was even on the receiving end of a visit. Retired instructor Paulette Carson, his kindergarten teacher, stopped by to say hello.
McKinley's presentation included a slideshow of his Turner days, and via video introduced the students to his daughter, Anna — "the inspiration and idea person" for his book. He explained that while walking with his then 7-year-old daughter she shared her idea for "The Pirate Bride." The author talked to the students about having wishes and dreams, and how they can realize their "own through lots of hard work and perseverance," Ten Eyck said.
"He took the time to sign books," Ten Eyck said. "It was an informative, inspirational and educational day for all students." Everyone was even given a sneak peek at McKinley's newest book, "The Lost Crew," due out later this month.
SCOUTING IT OUT: Cub Scout Pack No. 1155 has been busy helping out Loma Vista Elementary spruce up its campus.
The Brentwood school has recently been the recipient of the troop's projects, including painting the ball walls a festive purple paint, which was donated by Sherwin Williams and Ace Painting Service Inc. The boys and their families have more to offer the school soon. On the list: painting benches, a picnic table and tether ball poles.
BIG BAND MOVES: Deer Valley's marching band recently walked away with some solid competition prizes.
The Antioch school's band, led by Larry Widener, took first place in its division at the Franklin Invitational Band Review in Elk Grove. Drum Major Zach Spaulding placed second overall. Then at the Santa Cruz Band Review, Spaulding snagged a first-place award in the Drum Major Mace Category.
If you have school news to share, contact Trine Gallegos at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also reach Judith Prieve at email@example.com.


text:
Ludlow semi-brogue oxfords
Prices do not include taxes.
Product Details
To make the best shoes, you have to start with the best parts. These oxfords are made of fine Italian leather with vegetable-tanned insoles, which form to your foot over time and create a fit so comfortable that you won't want to wear anything else. They're also built with Goodyear welts, which means you can resole them over and over again to ensure years of wear.
- Italian leather upper.
- Leather lining and sole.
- Goodyear welt construction.
- Import.
- Some colors only available online.
- Item C8896.


text:
July 16, 9:00 AM – July 20, 12:00 PM
Location: Kansas Technology Center
Address: 909 East Ford St. Pittsburg, KS 66762
Adventures in Robotics II is a series of hands-on workshops for children conducted each summer by the Pittsburg State University faculty. Children must be 9 years old by July 1st in order to enroll, with a recommended upper limit of 13. All sessions will be held in the laboratories and facilities of the Kansas Technology Center on the east side of the Pittsburg State University campus.
Topics to be covered include the following: teamwork, programming, brainstorming, construction techniques, robotic basics, and electro-mechanics.
Students enrolling in Robotics II should have completed Robotics I or have prior experience with Lego(TM) Systems.
ETECH Office


text:
Yes, I watched it, and yes, I loved it! I adore a good love story, so there was never any question of my not watching the Royal Wedding, and it was just gorgeous. Of course the highlight of the day was Kate's fantastic dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Let's be honest it was the dress of dreams! The perfect fairy tale ensemble :)
|A perfect combination of subtlety, class and style
If you want to find out more about this fabulous dress then be sure to visit the official Royal Wedding Page for the dress' description. Gertie has also written a great post all about the dress, so be sure to give that a look too :) I also feel that a mention has to be given to Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid outfit, she looked absolutely beautiful in it without detracting from the bride. I don't think you could have found a prettier pair of sisters today!
|No thorns between these two roses :)
I decided not to venture out to old London town to visit any of the street parties that have been popping up everywhere, I just couldn't bear all the crowds on the streets let alone the public transport! So instead I stayed at home with my Sweetheart and my family and we watched the whole thing on TV (and after seeing the sheer size of the crowds surrounding Buckingham Palace I knew I'd made the right choice!). I also cooked for everyone, using a selection of recipes from "Bake" by Rachel Allen, one of my favourite cookery books, including a spinach and goat's cheese tart and a butter free cake filled with cream and strawberries. Yummy! And we had a grand old time!
|Let's get cooking!
|Spinach, Potato and Goat's Cheese Tart - Yes please!
|It's not a celebration without Pimm's! Mixed perfectly by my perfect Sweetheart
|Main course plated up and ready to munch :)
|And onto pudding, let's whip that cream into shape!
|Voila! Le gateau parfait! If I do say so myself...
I had a great Royal Wedding Day with my loved ones, flitting about my kitchen, doing my best to impersonate the perfect Mad Men-esque homemaker (or at least just trying not to burn anything!). I do think my cupcake covered apron helped my cooking immensely, as only a cupcake covered apron can :)
|Who says cooking can't be glamorous?
|Yes, I made it myself!


text:
Mussatto, since the last election has not changed much, a little grayer but he is still the small "l" liberal (with socialist tendencies) who also hasn't met a developer he did not like. This coming Fall, Mussatto should not have any problems being reelected? Right? Wrong.
His opponent Kerry Morris, has long ties to the community. He grew up with City politic in his blood - His father Frank sat on council for one term with me in the late 80's, and before that Frank virtually ran the City as head of development service. Simply put Kerry is running as hard as any candidate I've seen. He is running the old fashioned way, pressing the flesh, shaking hands, passing out election cards and leaflets and telling everyone that something is out whack at City Hall and he can fix it.
His biggest stick is his attempt to tie Mussatto and Councillor Keating to campaign donations by big developers and in particular Onni - the developer of the huge Safeway site at 13th and Lonsdale. He taints them as politicians with a conflict of interest at the worst and ethically challenged at best.
I will give Kerry full marks for hard work; he is everywhere on the campaign trail and the election is well over 6 months away. I've only met him briefly and I certainly was not swayed but then again I think I will watch with interest as this aggressive, no holds barred upstart progresses on the campaign trail. Perhaps some of his arrogance will soften and his messaging become clearer.
So why is Mussatto in trouble? Normally I would say the Mayor is safe barring some unforeseen scandal but in this case Mussatto's biggest weakness is himself…or better stated, Mussatto is just too confident and overconfidence is a politician's greatest weakness.
Mayor Barbara Sharp was considered both overconfident and arrogant when Mussatto defeated her 3 elections ago. Like Sharp, Mussatto is losing touch with the electorate and just doesn't see it when the people on the street say he is "in the pocket of the developers." There is a repetitive chorus out there that he gives away too much (density increases) to "his friends in the development community".
The anti-development forces in the city are usually not enough to boot a popular mayor out office, but in this election a perfect storm is developing around the increased density issue. The North Vancouver School board wants to up-zone two properties in two different City neighborhoods. Residents in Cloverly and Hamilton Heights are up in arms over the potential of large scale developments on those properties.
And although City staff have recently reduced its proposed density increases in the Official community Plan, some City councilors are attempting to paint Mussatto, Keating and Councillor Linda Buchanan as wanting increases in OCP density.
These Team Mussatto councilors were unsuccessful in pushing forward with the OCP decision allowing the whole development debate into the election process. You got to think there is a conspiracy on behalf of some council members to nail Mussatto, Keating and Buchanan as density increase loving politicians.
Combine that perception with developer big buck donations that was given to Team Mussatto and I say the Mayor is going have a real fight on his hands.


text:
Boost Mobile has been rumored to start selling the iPhone as a pre-paid phone starting this September. This follows yesterday's news that Cricket Communications were rolling out pre-paid iPhones starting later this month.
Boost are rumored to be able to offer both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S in early September; on its pre-paid tariffs. At the moment Boost's handset range is heavily dominated by Android devices so the addition of the iPhone would be a welcome change.
Boost is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that runs on Sprint's network so the iPhones will all be CDMA versions. Boost currently offers a popular $50 a Month Unlimited plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data. That cost can be reduced further if a customer has a good payment record.
This is a just a rumor for now but it is interesting to see more options for customers who are looking for an iPhone and do not wish to take out a long term contract.
It is common practice in Europe and is the way that I have chosen to go. I bought an unlocked iPhone 4S from Apple and I have a 30 day rolling SIM only plan. The plan gives me 2000 talk minutes, 5000 SMS messages and real unlimited data. The monthly cost is just £25.00 ($38).
Of course, September is getting quite close to the rumored launch date of the next generation iPhone 5. Apple has traditionally lowered the cost of older iPhones when newer ones come on the market. The iPhone 5 might carry a good-sized price-tag if bought off-contract and up-front, but the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 should be cheaper by then as well.
Whether or not Apple chooses to keep the 2009 iPhone 3GS on the market any longer, and at what price, is the question. While a very inexpensive way to get customers onto the iPhone platform and still one of the best selling smartphones in North America, it's also the last device on the market without a Retina display, FaceTime camera, and other current iPhone staples.
Source: TechnoBuffalo


text:
Hollywood Park
6th race--
#3 ANITA MARIE (4-1) Dropped off Hollendorfer claim to score easy victory sprinting over the Cushion Track and is now raised back up a couple levels to run long on turf (assuming this race stays on grass). On either surface, 'Marie is the one to catch at a square price on the morning line.
Yesterday's Result: TASTE LIKE CANDY finished second in 6th race.
Live Longshot: BRIGHT TOWN (8th race)
Show Me the Money:
Days Survived: 0
www.BobIkePicks.com features:
--Daily Graded Handicap Selections
--Premium Selections on Weekends and Monday holidays
--Free Pick of the Day
--Useful Links and Racing Info


text:
As we kick off National Bike Month this morning, the hugga is here to provide a list of Seattle local events and happenings throughout the month. Many thanks to our friends over at Cascade for a great schedule of events.
- Throughout May: Group Health Commute Challenge and Bike to School Challenge
- May 2: UW Hubbub Rally
- May 18th: Starbucks Bike to Work Day and Bike to School Day


text:
Schaeffler applies cookies to secure an optimal use. With the further use of this website you accept the application of cookies. More Information
Relubrication with Grease
Relubrication with grease can be carried out from either side via funnel type lubrication nipples in the hexagonal sockets.
Special Accessory
A central lubrication adapter is available as a special accessory for connecting the track roller to a central lubrication system.
It is inserted into the bore of the stud in place of the funnel type lubrication nipple.
The hexagonal sockets on both sides of the stud allow quicker and easier fitting. There is no need for special tools or "potentially hazardous improvisations".


text:
Please contact the Office of Development and
Planning with your questions at
(614) 241-2550 or Toll Free 877-241-2550
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus ● 197 E. Gay Street ● Columbus, OH 43215
614-228-2457 ● firstname.lastname@example.com
Throughout its website, the Offices of the Diocese of Columbus link to other websites solely for the user's convenience. By providing these links, the Diocese of Columbus assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, these websites, their content, or their sponsoring organizations. All content property of the Diocese of Columbus, copyright 2015.


text:
nickp needed a new stationery design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 17 designs submitted by 10 freelance designers.
We want YOU to design a GREAT coverpage for our new Leadership workbook. It will include a logo and a tagline
iLead - Learning through action
included as per below. We would like it to be in indesign format
iLead - Learning through action
We want you to create a coverpage for our new iLead Leadership workbook. The brand is
practical, simple, fast, clean, action not theory. Our website is http://www.ihsdubai.com. Keep the blue colours would be good. But this is our old website so make it more modern and slick than the website. A4 size
- The title should be iLead
- Should be sharp, clean, action focused, emphaise developing yourself and business focused
- Logo for - iLead
- Tagline - Learning through Action
- Should look innovative and new, not old and boring training programmes
- Not too messy.


text:
First Confirmation ClassPosted by Holy Cross Anglican School at 7:38 AM
Holy Cross Anglican School was honored by a visit from the Rt. Rev. Philip Wright on Sunday, May 29th. Bishop Wright was here to administer the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. The service was held at the Angel Nunez Auditorium at San Pedro High School. Eleven children were Baptized and nine students were Confirmed and made their First Communion. Those Confirmed were Isolene Bailey, Jovanni Campos, Kaira Chan, Reyna Chavez, Venancia Choc, Celia Edwards, Helen Palacio, Alba Trejo and Tamika Castro who left before the pictures were taken.
Holy Cross Anglican School rejoices with the eleven children who were Baptized and their families. We are also extremely proud of the students in our first Confirmation class. The Confirmands were prepared to receive the Sacrament by School Principal, Mrs. Grace Williams and Deacon Jan Lamb from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Durham, NC who has been volunteering at the School since January 2010.
Bishop Wright presented copies of the New Testament to each family who had a child Baptized. In addition he gave Study Bibles and wooden Crosses to each student who was Confirmed. Many thanks to the staff members who prepared the auditorium for the service and everyone who made this such a special day!
Support Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro www.holycrossbelize.org
Labels: Special events


text:
A local boy made good for the Mets when on this day in 1973 they used their first-round pick to select Brooklyn Lincoln High School outfielder Lee Mazzilli.
Area kid, skilled and with movie star good looks, Mazzilli seemed destined to be a big New York star.
Three years later he debuted with the Mets and played with them through the 1982 season after which he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. It turned out to be a great deal for the Mets, who subsequently dealt Terrell to Detroit for Howard Johnson.
Mazzilli didn't last a full season with the Rangers, who traded him to the Yankees. After the 1982 season, Mazzilli was traded to Pittsburgh, where he played three years. He was released, then re-signed with the Mets in July of the 1986 season.
Ironically, prior to that year, the Mets offered Ray Knight to Pittsburgh for Mazzilli, but the Pirates rejected the deal.
Mazzilli finished his career with Toronto in 1989, and managed the Baltimore Orioles in 2004, but was fired the following year.
Mazzilli's best two years were 1979-80. In 1979, he represented the Mets in the All-Star Game at Seattle and hit a game-tying homer in the eighth inning and drove in the winning run in the ninth with a bases-loaded walk.
The following year, Mazzilli hit 18 homers with 76 RBI and 41 stolen bases.
Mazzilli will also be remembered for testifying for immunity in the Pittsburgh drug trials along with teammates Dale Berra, Lee Lacy, John Milner and Rod Scurry. Keith Hernandez also testified at the trial.


text:
Israel has adamantly rejected the recommendation of a United Nations report to carry out an independent inquiry into its conduct during the 22-day Gaza war in January. Although the 575-page report released Tuesday condemned Palestinian groups for rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, it came down hardest on Israel for its treatment of Palestinian civilians during and after the war.
The report, which accuses Israel of committing war crimes, "makes a mockery of history," said Israeli President Shimon Peres.
The UN investigation of Israel's war in Gaza, code-named Operation Cast Lead, was led by Richard Goldstone, a Jewish South African who has also served as a prosecutor for war crimes in the Balkans and Rwanda. The report looked at 36 cases that it said were representative of conduct during the war.
The Israeli military has launched several investigations of its conduct during the war and all such investigations have cleared the Jewish state of any wrongdoing. The UN report seizes upon that fact to contend that "what occurred in just over three weeks at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 was a deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate, and terrorize a civilian population, radically diminish its local economic capacity both to work and to provide for itself, and to force upon it an ever increasing sense of dependency and vulnerability."
The report suggested that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority conduct independent investigations into their conduct during the war, reports The New York Times. The authors of the report threatened to have the United Nations Security Council refer the matter to the International Criminal Court if no such action was taken.
Israel refused to cooperate with investigators during their fact-finding mission and now accuse the UN of appointing a team that had a "clear anti-Israeli bias," reports the Associated Press. Israeli Government spokesman Mark Regev said his government would conduct no independent investigation.
"This report was conceived in sin and is the product of a union between propaganda and bias," Mr. Regev said. "Israel is a country with a fiercely independent judiciary. … Everything done by the military in Israel is open to judicial review by the independent judiciary."
Meanwhile, Mr. Goldstone's daughter has come out in defense of her father, calling him a "Zionist" who "loves Israel." In a telephone interview with Israel's Army Radio, Nicole Goldstone said that had her father not been involved with the UN investigation, the report would have likely come down even harder on Israel, reports the Jerusalem Post, a conservative Israeli newspaper.
"I know that if he thought what he did would not somehow be for the sake of peace for everyone in Israel or that it would have hindered such efforts, he would not have accepted the job," she said. Nicole insisted that the fact the report also accused the Palestinians of crimes against humanity showed that her father tried to be balanced.
…"[I]t wasn't easy for him to see and hear what happened. I think he heard and saw things he didn't expect to see and hear, and I am one-hundred-percent sure he did it [conducted the investigation] in the hope that the Israelis would come to cooperate, and he wanted to help find a long-term solution for the state of Israel."


text:
Browser does not support script.
We work with hundreds of organisations both large and small, to find innovative solutions to the challenges they face.
With over 3,000 academics at our campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, we offer world-class research expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to provide that crucial competitive edge.
And when businesses want to inject new thinking, Nottingham is consistently ranked amongst the top universities they choose for hiring talented graduates.
Take a look at our video to find out how other businesses are benefitting from working with us.
Contact us to find out how we can help to transform your business.
Tel: +44 (0)115 748 4555
Download our brochure to find out how we can support your business
Latest news
More news stories
Jubilee Conference Centre
Jubilee Campus
Triumph Road
Nottingham NG8 1DH
Connect with the University of Nottingham through social media and our blogs.
Campus maps | More contact information | Jobs


text:
Jerry Manuel said if prospect Jenrry Mejia makes the roster coming out of spring training, it won't be in the set-up role but in low pressure situations.
If that's the case, then isn't he better off in the minor leagues pitching in the role the Mets envision for him immediately?
I just see the Mets doing the same yanking around with him they did with Bobby Parnell. Speaking of Parnell, his spot on the roster could be in jeopardy if fifth-starter candidate Hisanori Takahashi makes it as a reliever.
Takahashi will start the March 27 game against Washington. He has worked 8 1/3 scoreless innings in three appearances in competing with Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve for the fifth-starter role. The more I think of Takahashi as a fifth starter, the more I wonder. His numbers are good, but he hasn't exactly been stretched out this spring and one start won't do it, thereby making him more suitable for the bullpen.
PEN NOTES: Kiko Calero and Ryota Igarashi are in good shape as far as making the roster. … Pedro Feliciano was hit on the right knee by a grounder and left last night's game. Feliciano was able to throw warm-ups after the injury and is expected to be fine. … Either Sean Green or Parnell could also be in trouble if the Mets sign left-hander Joe Beimel.
LIKING JACOBS: Manuel likes Mike Jacobs as a back-up first baseman and pinch hitter. The word is he's been better than expected defensively. Jacobs has two homers this spring.
MANUEL ENDORSES CORA: After last night's game Manuel endorsed Alex Cora over Ruben Tejada to play shortstop while Jose Reyes is down. That's not to say Tejada will automatically be ticketed to the minor leagues.


text:
We went to The Vintage Fair : there were delights a plenty, so I bought some...
A set of mix and match 'Love' Scrabble Rings and an old mink Butterfly brooch
This Look on Lookbook.nu
Tales from The Treehouse
Too many pillows and not enough, lined up fluff.
Movie in the dark then count to see when we can see, what we can see.
..Buns and words and love.


text:
We will not be able to process your order until you update to Internet Explorer 11 or another more secure browser.
We're sorry for the trouble, but in order keep your data safe we must use newer security protocols that are unsupported by Internet Explorer 10 and below.
Pirate Sculpture resin cast award featuring fine detail brushed with bronze accents on black base. Dimensions: 14 1/4"h x 7"w x 5 3/4"d.


text:
2010-06-16 / Obituaries
Jack Abate: Mass. H.S. Hall of Fame Director, Professional Actor
Retired Massapequa School District employee and professional actor and singer John "Jack" A. Abate died May 24, 2010 at his West Shore Drive home in Massapequa. He was 72. Massapequa. He was 72.
You must be an online subscriber to view this story.


text:
Wale update *5 new songs!July 24th, 2011 by Siegz | Hip-Hop/Rap |
Wale has been making lots of new music in the past couple months. Love how most of Wale's latest songs have been upbeat and/or the rapping is off the hook! Even though Wale is working under my least favorite rapper in Rick Ross, I still think Wale can still have that quality sound he showed in his mixtapes and his debut album.
Here's five songs that we haven't blogged about yet that you hopefully haven't heard yet. Wale's upcoming album, Ambition, drops November 1st through Warner Bros. Records.
Wale – Globetrotter ft. 2 Chainz
Wale – Bad Girls Club ft. J. Cole
Trae Tha Truth – I'm On ft. Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, Wiz Khalifa & MDMA (5-star!)
Wale – Lacefrontin (one of my favorite new Wale songs)
Previous: Wale – First Class ft. Big Sean & B.o.B


text:
Synthesis of Islamic Thought, Secularism, and Modernity
Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs says it intends to filter the hadith, the traditional sayings and deeds of Muhammad, for misogynist statements and delete them from the collection. The passages to be stricken include those in which the woman is discriminated against or even subordinated to the man.
Thus, the second most important source of Islamic law, after the Koran, would become pro-woman, at least in Turkey, and Islam would, in turn, have come a good part of the way into modern times. The project is unique in the Islamic world, however.
Theological reform debate
Turkey as a test case for a synthesis of Islam and democracy, even a model for the Islamic world? A look at several recent publications proves that these deliberations are not taking place in a vacuum. Three books shed light on a lively reform debate in which the redefinition of the hadith is only the visible tip of a scarcely noticed iceberg. As is so often the case, however, it is the small publishers that call attention to such changes early on.
The Germany-based Ergon Verlag, in particular, has been issuing several series on classical and modern Islam for years. Ergon recently published Bülent Ucar's "Recht als Mittel zur Reform von Religion und Gesellschaft" (English title: "Jurisprudence as the Means to Reform of Religion and Society") and Felix Körner's Revisionist Koran Hermeneutics in Contemporary Turkish University Theology. Despite their unwieldy titles, two very informative books on the Turkish Islam debate.
Particularly interesting is the work by Körner, a Jesuit priest who has lived in Ankara for several years and is a regular visitor at the distinguished theological faculty. As a result, he has carried on a lively discourse with leading Turkish theologians. His dialogue partners are the exponents of the "Ankara School," a group of young reform theologians who, with the approval of the Diyanet, are working toward a modern Islam. The focus of their work is a reinterpretation of the Koran and other sources of Islamic law, also using western critical methods.
One of them is Professor Mehmet Paçaci, who was born in 1959. He believes that, although the Koran has a universal, timeless character, its text must be understood in the historical context of the seventh century. Since it dates from this period, today it must be read anew word by word for the twenty-first century – a project which the "traditionalists" among Islamic theologians categorically reject.
Historical interpretation
Paçaci follows in the tradition of the Pakistani-born reform thinker, Fazlur Rahman. Rahman understood the Koran merely as a collection of specific examples, behind which a "true meaning" must be sought. Expressed in simple terms, cutting off extremities in case of theft becomes simply the punishment of property offenses.
Like his colleagues, Paçaci, who studied in the West, also makes use of modern methods, for example, the application of historico-critical Biblical exegesis to the Koran, reads works of the Jews and Christians, which were assumed to be known at that time, in the original languages (in order to discover common figurative language of that era), and incorporates western philosophies, such as the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer's, a German 20th century philosopher.
In addition to Paçaci, Körner introduces Adil Çiftçi, Ömer Özsoy, and Ilhami Güler. Earlier "thought leaders" of the Ankara School, such as Hüseyin Atay and Mehmed Said Hatiboğlu, appear indirectly throughout the book. Körner declares all of them to be "astute and bold" thinkers. The subtitle of Körner's book is Rethinking Islam, which could also have served as its main title.
A Who's Who of Turkish Islamic thinkers
The same applies to the second book referred to as well. In Jurisprudence as the Means to Reform, Bülent Ucar basically describes the antecedents of the independent projects in Ankara. His book concerns the extremely spirited debate taking place in Turkey on whether reinterpretations are desirable in the first place. It focuses on the "legal schools," the four schools of thought within the Sunni Muslim majority, which were actually responsible for bringing Islam somewhat into line with modern times after the death of the Prophet.
An adaptation which largely came to an end later, however, with the "closing of the door of ijtihad" (the "struggle," the Islamic word for the use of independent reasoning to arrive at modern solutions).
There has been intense discussion among leading theologians in Turkey recently on whether and to what extent that "door" has opened further. Ucar develops a kaleidoscope of largely unknown Islamic thinkers of every shade in Turkey during the 20th century and introduces several reformers, including Atay and the highly prominent Yaşar Nuri Öztürk and Fethullah Gülen – a Who's Who of Turkish Islamic thinkers, and proof of the complexity of this Islam and its intellectual basis. Ucar's work is thus an excellent complement to Körner's book, which focuses strongly on reform.
New national ideology
The fact that the debate on a modern Turkish Islam is not merely academic has already been suggested by Körner. The Ankara theological faculty which he introduces is considered a model for the country's 24 theological faculties and trains 100 religious officials, teachers, and imams annually. The Diyanet's project to expurgate the hadith is only one example of the influence of the Ankara School.
Another new publication reveals, however, that the thinking of the "Islamic modernists," as they are already called, could also have made its appearance on the political level long ago. That is suggested by the Ankara political scientist, Alev Çinar, in Modernity, Islam, and Secularism in Turkey. Referring to the situation since the 1990s and under the current Erdogan Islamist government, she specifically postulates the compatibility of secularism and Islamism in Turkey and the creation of a new national identity and ideology on these two pillars which is also modern, although with a slight priority to the secular order over pure Islamism.
Çinar describes the gradual change in the country, for example, the way the Islamists, by harking back to the capture of Istanbul in 1453, little by little established a national Islamic tradition alongside national secular traditions such as the glorification of Atatürk and the founding of the republic in 1923, the symbolic centering of the republic in Ankara (as opposed to "old" Istanbul), and the "unveiling" of women as a symbol of laicism, the centering of Istanbul (owing to the fact that Erdogan had gained his popularity as the successful mayor of the ancient Ottoman capital), and the emphasis on the veil as a symbol.
If the secularists perceived this as a threat and rejected any debate on a new identity ("An intellectual cannot be Islamist, and an Islamist cannot be an intellectual"), this situation changed gradually around the turn of the millennium. The willingness of the Islamists, who became increasingly modernist under Erdogan, not to replace the system but rather to create a new one out of secularism and Islamism, brought the arguments of the secularists to public attention.
Secular politics
Çinar describes a subtle distinction, however, which in the end actually paved the way for this process. Unlike his predecessor Erbakan, with the first Islamist Refah Party, Erdogan established his new AK Party as a kind of secular Islamic party within the secular system and strictly separated ideology and party.
Whereas the AKP and the government devoted themselves to national goals such as EU accession, liberalization of the economy, fighting corruption, democratization, and decentralization, the intellectual discussion about a secular Islamic alternative for Turkey was spurred by the independent but partisan daily Yeni Şafak, which "endorse(s) a liberal-Islamist perspective in which economic and political liberalism is combined with conservative social values and a sense of national identity and culture that takes Islam as its essential defining value."
Çinar thus characterizes Turkey as already almost a model for the development of modern Islamic democracies which can evolve from secular systems into a type of secular-Islamic synthesis and concludes with the observation that Islamists "find innovative ways to merge Islamic thought and practice with secularism and modernity, further advancing the emergence of Islamic modernism."
From the periphery to the center?
Whether Turkey could in fact become a sort of laboratory for the Islamic world remains to be seen, however. At any rate, the developments emphatically underscore two essential aspects in the history of Islam.
In its "fringe areas," such as the Turkish Ottoman Empire, Africa, or Southeast Asia, Islam was always remarkably open to synergy in developing new systems and cultures from itself and discovered traditions. At the same time, the Islamic center of Arabia was always extremely resistant to these new forms at its periphery. And to this day, the non-Arab Turkey is part of the "Islamic periphery." But perhaps things are different in a globalized (Islamic) world.
Volker S. Stahr
© NZZ/Qantara.de 2006
Translated from the German by Phyllis Anderson
This article was previously published by the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
Portrait of Fethullah Gülen
A Modern Turkish-Islamic Reformist
Fethullah Gülen, founder of a worldwide Islamic education movement, regards morality and education as the engine for a contemporary Islam that is compatible with laicism. By Bekim Agai
"Islam at the Crossroads"
A Look at Internal Islamic Discourses
Islam can be reformed — this is the main thesis of the new book "Islam at the Crossroads". This collection brings together short portraits of leading Muslim figures, offering insights into the current debates within Islam. A review by Martina Sabra
Muftias in Turkey
Women Issuing Fatwas
Until recently, it was unthinkable that in Turkey women could be appointed as mufti. In India, however, this has been common practice for quite some time. Now, this innovation seems to have reached Turkish shores as well, as Dilek Zaptcioglu reports
Reformist Islam
What possibilities does Islam offer for the reform and democratisation of modern Muslim societies? Qantara.de presents the opinions and initiatives of renowned thinkers from the Islamic world.


text:
Premier League: Luis Suarez hat-trick gives Liverpool easy 4-1 win over West Brom
Luis Suarez hit a superb hat-trick as Liverpool romped to a 4-1 victory over West Brom at Anfield.
Last Updated: 27/10/13 7:11am
The Uruguayan put the home side ahead after just 12 minutes when he nutmegged Jonas Olsson and fired past Boaz Myhill in the West Brom goal.
He then doubled his tally five minutes later after brilliantly heading in Aly Cissokho's cross from 18 yards out, before completing his haul on 55 minutes when he easily headed home Steven Gerrard's wonderful free kick.
James Morrison gave the visitors a glimmer of hope just past the hour when he fired a penalty past Simon Mignolet, which was given for a push on Billy Jones by Cissokho.
Any hopes of a West Brom fightback were dispelled 10 minutes later though, when Daniel Sturridge chipped Myhill from 25 yards to complete the rout.
Initially it appeared the day may have been one of controversy for Suarez as his ninth-minute fall in the area after tussling with Jones resulted in West Brom captain Olsson remonstrating with the Uruguayan.
It is unlikely that provided any additional motivation for Suarez but within minutes the Baggies' Swedish centre-back found himself a mere bystander as he was left trailing in the wake of the striker's brilliance.
Suarez picked up the ball in the inside-right channel and skipped past Claudio Yacob before nutmegging Olsson so perfectly the defender was still turning round as the forward beat Myhill with an angled shot.
If that goal was a product of the South American's nifty footwork his second was more instinctive.
Having laid off the ball to Cissokho he continued his run to meet the on-loan Valencia defender's first-time cross with a bullet header from 18 yards out.
Liverpool should have had the result wrapped up from a well-worked Suarez free-kick to Gerrard in the inside-right channel but when the captain cut the ball back from the byline Martin Skrtel completely fluffed his shot from close range.
Yacob, not having the best of games in midfield, then fouled Sturridge - for once being completely overshadowed by his strike partner - but Suarez's free-kick went just wide.
Jordan Henderson, whose movement and powerful running in behind strikers made a mockery of Sir Alex Ferguson's bizarre criticism of his gait, almost made it three when he curled a shot over after Lucas Leiva, Suarez and
Gerrard had combined on the edge of a congested penalty area.
West Brom's first real chance came in added time before the interval when Youssouf Mulumbu's ball over the top picked out former Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka, who knocked past the advancing Mignolet only for Skrtel to hack into the Kop before the ball crossed the line.
That would have given the visitors hope and what they needed to do was come out all guns blazing for the second half.
They failed on that count and soon found themselves out of the game.
Sturridge bent a free-kick just off target and Suarez had a shot deflected behind before the Uruguayan completed his hat-trick.
Gerrard swung in a free-kick from the left and the striker jumped to flick a head and divert the ball into the far corner, his fourth hat-trick in Liverpool colours.
Sturridge, who must have already resigned himself to playing second fiddle, crashed a shot against the bar but the damage had already been done.
Even a spot-kick with 25 minutes to go, converted by Morrison after Cissokho had been adjudged by the assistant referee to have fouled Jones, could not alter the outcome as Sturridge's inch-perfect chip restored the three-goal cushion.