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by Tom Utescher
In their home basketball opener, the women of Chestnut Hill College stayed with Kutztown University through much of the first half, but the erratic nature of the Griffins' performance eventually took its toll and the steady effort of the visiting Golden Bears earned them a 69-55 victory. CHC was only down by four points with six minutes to go in the first half, but Kutztown pulled away with a 10-0 run and the hosts couldn't recover.
Trailing by 21 points during the second stanza, the Griffins got the gap down to nine with 90 seconds to go, but got no closer.
Kutztown traveled back upstate with a record of 2-5, while Chestnut Hill had to head into conference play with an 0-5 mark overall.
"We've made these second-half runs in some other games, too," reported first-year coach Laura Pruitt, "But you expend a lot of energy when you have to keep trying to come back on people. The thing is to play more consistently and not get that far behind to begin with."
Six early points from forward Lindsay Alexander helped the Griffins gain a 9-8 edge a little over five minutes into Wednesday's contest, then the Bears went ahead for good with a 7-0 charge. Still, with Latoya Laing bagging a three-pointer and fellow guard Marqesah Spicer scoring off a steal, the hosts stayed close. When CHC senior Aiesha Smith successfully drove the lane with six minutes left in the opening round, it was just a four-point game, with Kutztown ahead 21-17.
Chestnut Hill's offense pretty much evaporated for the remainder of the half, as the Bears finished it off with a 12-3 push that made it 33-20 at the intermission.
"We weren't shooting the ball well – the shot selection was terrible," Pruitt admitted. "We've been emphasizing making the extra pass and using the shot clock, but tonight we didn't do that. A solid team like Kutztown will make you pay for rushing your offense."
Some players went solo in an effort to lift the Griffins back into contention, and their haste produced fundamental flaws, such as shooting off-balance and failing to square up to the basket.
Through much of the game, Kutztown got steady production from front row players Steph Zewe (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Avery Hodgson (12 points, six rebounds), and there were bursts of offense from guards Andrea Sisson (16 points, seven assists) and Ashley Wood (10 points, five assists).
CHC seemed destined for a big-ticket defeat when the visitors bumped their lead up near 20 points early in the second half, and peaked out at 21 points, 47-26, about six minutes in. The Griffins called a time-out and were able to keep from sliding into the abyss.
"We played better after that," Pruitt said. "The girls who went in for us dug in down the stretch, and if it weren't for that, it could've gotten ugly. Toya [Laing] had a good shooting night; she's been working hard and she took advantage of the opportunity to play."
Laing, who stuck a three-pointer and a baseline shot earlier in the game, came on for the Griffins with three minutes remaining, adding seven consecutive points with another trey and shorter jumpers from each side of the floor. That tightened the score from 62-46 to 62-53 with 1:31 on the clock, but the Griffins missed a pair of free throws that could've made it a seven-point game. Kutztown recovered and went five-for-six from the foul line to stabilize the situation.
Pruitt praised the effort of her seniors – Smith and forwards Ebony Washington and Ashlen Stayrook – during the second half. Smith led the squad in scoring with 15 points, and Washington hauled in 10 rebounds.


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All material herein is provided for information only and may not be construed as personal medical advice. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The publisher is not a licensed medical care provider. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. We are not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, effectiveness, or correct use of information you receive through our product, or for any health problems that may result from training programs, products, or events you learn about through the site. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. None of the information or products discussed on this site are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate or cure any disease.
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subset: commoncrawl


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White Russian
The choreographer and dancer Örjan Andersson has emerged as one of the most talented Swedish choreographers over the last few years, and has taken his first steps onto the larger stages in Sweden and abroad. He and his light designer Jens Sethzman are at the Göteborg Opera for the first time and they will stage a life affirming ballet, inspired by the ethereal secrets of a summer's night.
Quartet # 10 was created for the Nederlands Dance Theatre and was performed for the first time 21 March 2003. However, it is the first time Örjan choreographs Les Noces, this free-flowing musical theatre with dancers and musicians as well as choir and soloist singers.
6 performances until 23 May 2004
Tickets are sold in the Stalls and Dress Circle. Price: SEK 250.
Quartet # 10
Swedish Premiere
Music by Dimitri Shostakovich, String Quartet No 10
Choreography and Costume: Örjan Andersson
Set Design & Lighting: Jens Sethzman
Number of Dancers: 12, 6 women and 6 men
Dieter Schöning, violin I
Viveca Rydén Mårtensson, violin II
Johanna Fridolfsson, viola
Lena Bergström, cello
Les Noces
World Premiere
Music by Igor Stravinsky, Les Noces (The Wedding)
Conductor: Stefan Parkman
Set Design & Lighting: Jens Sethzman
Costume: Karin Dahlström
Number of Dancers: 26
4 Grand Pianos, 6 Percussionists, 4 Soloists and the Göteborg Opera Chorus.
Soloists; Cecilia Vallinder - Soprano, Pia Svorono - Mezzo Soprano, Ingemar Andersson - Tenor, Peter Loguin - Bass.
Chorus Soloist: Sven Törnell
Stefan Parkman
Quartet # 10Koreografi och Kostym
Örjan Andersson
Jens Sethzman
GöteborgsOperans balett samt musiker ur GöteborgsOperans orkester
Les NocesKoreografi
Örjan Andersson
Jens Sethzman
Karin Dahlström
Sopran - Cecilia Vallinder
Mezzosopran - Pia Svorono
Tenor - Ingemar Anderson
Bas - Peter Loguin
Sven Törnell
4 pianister
6 slagverkare
GöteborgsOperans balett och kör


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wee black sheep needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 81 designs submitted by 37 freelance designers.
wee black sheep entertainment
wee black sheep entertainment publishes mobile applications. All of the applications are for fun and entertainment. We would love to portray this message through the use of our logo.
Each product that we release has its own target market. Both males and females use our products, with the average age being between 18 - 35. The consistent trait of all our target markets are people who own smart phones, therefore the logo should be modern and clean.
We are looking for a wee black sheep mascot with some personality that is stand alone from the text that should read 'wee black sheep entertainment' underneath the mascot.
The wee black sheep should be versatile enough that it could be placed in different situations (on the beach, in an office etc). The sheep should be a real character with some personality and should be able to stand alone without the text.
It would be great if the logo was only in black and white with the whole sheep (profile or front facing)
The logo should reflect our fun company culture and approachable attitude!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Music4U joins forces with Musicport and Humberside Police
PHOTO / BROADCAST OPPORTUNITY: Friday 22 October, 1.15pm
Headlands School and Community Science College, Sewerby Road, Bridlington YO16 6UR
35 GCSE 'A' level student in the final rehearsal for their Musicport showcase later that day at The Spa Music4U - the Humber Region Action Zone - is working with Musicport for the 3rd year running to provide music making opportunities for young people in the Humber Region. Supported by Humberside Police, as part of their 'Not Just Noise' initiative, this year's project will see young people from across the region showcase their work as part of Musicport Festival, 22-24 October 2010 at The Spa, Bridlington.
A group of 35 GCSE and 'A' level students from Headlands School and Community Science College in Bridlington have been working with musicians from SAMAY - whose musical style mixes Indian, samba, flamenco, jazz and funk - along with support from Leeds College of Music students, during the week leading up to Musicport to rehearse three songs, which will be performed live on the main stage on Friday 22 October at 7pm.
Delma Tomlin, Director of Music4U says: "Having the support of Humberside Police's 'Not Just Noise' initiative has added a valuable new dimension to our ongoing work with young musicians in the Humber Region and reinforces the links between young people in the area and the community in which they live. We are delighted to join forces with Humberside Police in their enlightened approach to engaging with young people through music making."
Humberside Police Inspector Colin Waddington adds: "Our 'Not Just Noise' programme actively encourages young people to engage in positive activities across the Humber Region and is one of a number of successful initiatives run in conjunction with Humberside Police aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour in the community. Music4U's partnership with the Musicport Festival is an ideal and fun way for young musicians to make a positive contribution to the social and cultural activities in our region and we are delighted to support them."
Scott Ratheram, Head Teacher, Headlands School and Community Science College says: "I am thrilled that such a large group of students from Headlands have been invited to take part in Musicport again this year. The previous two events have been a huge success, with students not only getting the opportunity to play alongside professional musicians, but also benefiting from learning about less familiar cultures and styles of music. The students have been looking forward to this since the last festival and I think I am as excited about seeing our talented musicians performing, as they are about playing on the main stage at such a major festival on the Friday night with Samay."
This year, for the first time, there is an additional element to this project as a group of 10 media students from Headlands, working with digital expert Mike Leigh Cooper, will capture their peers on video, audio and in images in a Musicport related media project during the workshops and performances, the content of which they will put on to a variety of social media platforms including the Not Just Noise website at www.notjustnoise.com
Jim McLaughlin, Musicport Festival Director sums up in saying: "The involvement of Music4U with the Festival has been an incredibly positive development. The showcases at the Festival have become a real highlight and we are now getting young people returning to the Festival as performers, helpers and audience members as a result of their experiences with Music4U in previous years."
In addition, on Saturday 23 October, throughout the day there will be an opportunity to hear world music performances from local community groups from three Humber Regions including 'Steel the Rhythm' Steel Pan group from North East Lincolnshire, a samba procession group from Goole and a West African drumming and singing group from Hull.
To find out more about Music4U's activities and to watch previous vodcasts of projects, go to www.ncem.co.uk/music4u or visit www.myspace.com/humbermusic4u.
Press Contact: Shona Galletly on 07813 796 733 / 0113 255 1308
E Mail: email@example.com
Web Address: www.ncem.co.uk/music4u
Editors Notes:
Youth Music is a UK-wide charity that funds and facilitates music-making for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need. By 2010, Youth Music aims to have reached 3 million children and young people in a UK-wide strategy to support youth music-making. More info is available at http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/. Since the creation of the first Youth Music Action Zone in 2000, the concept has been rolled out over 24 regions across England and Wales, some of which are now in their sixth year of operation. With a remit to support music-making activities for some of the UK's most disadvantaged young people, Youth Music Action Zones have gone on to reach over 230,000 children and young people, encouraging their talents, building their confidence and transforming the landscape of musical opportunity throughout the UK. The music-making supported is of the widest variety, from hip-hop and dj-ing to classical and jazz.
Musicport - takes place from 22-24 October 2010 at The Spa, Bridlington. Ticket phone lines are 0845 373 2760 or 01947 605089. Musicport was established in 2000 to promote live music and music education in the coastal area of Yorkshire with its primary event being Musicport World Music Festival each autumn. Over the last eight years the festival has grown year on year and has established itself as a prestigious event in the festival calendar . Topping the bill this year are Richard Hawley , Marta Sebestyén & The Imagined Village whilst previous years headlines have included The Buena Vista Social Club, Rachid Taha,Misty In Roots, Courtney Pine, Talvin Singh, Rolf Harris, Mory Kante, Osibisa, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, & Los De Abajo. More information is available at: http://www.musicportfestival.com


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Home | Search | Checkout | Warranty Information | Custom
Find it Here!
Design your own bed cabinet
Submit a Review...
What customers say about Spacesaverswallbeds
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and honesty! We want to thank you for the best customer service we have EVER encountered. Vicki H.
Thanks, You have gone beyond good customer service. Have a GREAT day. Fred K.
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It's been a pleasure dealing with you. You make it easy to be "pleasant". Glenda
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Thank You SO much for everything that you did..I really appreciate it! Nancy M.


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frz necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 250 diseños de 78 diseñadores freelance.
Sew Flippin Cool
Emily Flippin Maruna is a creative young mother who has always been a trend setter in her scene. Raising two kids under 5 in Portland, Oregon Emily decided to hand make every gift she had to give last year in an effort to save money and get in better touch with the value of giving. She blogged about her experiment at http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/
The blog took off. She is now followed by many of her dream designers and has thousands of people who follow her advice and direction on finding cool ways to outfit their families and themselves.
Now Emily is taking her new talents in sewing and launching a boutique clothing line. Her creative direction is a balance of modern and vintage design with an emphasis on patterns from the 20's/30's in cuts from the 60's/70's. You can see a lot of her work on the blog.
She is now launching a website, starting to goto tradeshows, and generally launching a clothing brand. Before she married her awesome husband, her last name was actually "Flippin" which she kept as a middle name.. The brand "Sew Flippin Cool" seems like a slam-dunk no-brainer.
Kids clothes.
Moms who buy kids clothes.
Some clothes & accessories for Moms.
Some housewares.
Works well as a clothing tag.
Will work in a web design (not this project).
Should use one or two colors at most, and work well on a white background.
More likely than not this means a long rectangular form factor vs. a square or tall approach.
Easily readable.
Cute, memorable - all the stuff you want in a logo.
Unique enough that we can trademark it successfully, because we will.
We have some ideas that might work, but at this point - sky is the limit, let out your creative juices.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Newton City Commissioners voted to forward a proposal for $1.125 million in renovations and improvements at the Newton Recreation Center to the Newton Recreation Commission for their input.
The proposal was approved in a 4-1 vote at Wednesday's commission meeting, with Commissioner Glen Davis voting against it.
Commissioner Jim Nickel said he thought the proposal was a good compromise that would move the project forward.
"I think we need to come to some kind of conclusion of what we can do, and what we can as a city see as a prudent thing to do," he said.
City and Recreation Commission officials have been discussing the future of Newton's aging Rec Center for some time. A variety of proposals have been brought forward, ranging from making repairs to authorizing a major renovation and expansion of the entire facility.
The proposal approved Wednesday involves the city paying for project construction costs, and the NRC will be responsible for reimbursing those costs by making scheduled payments to the city.
Davis said he has spoken with various community members and believes the issue should go to a public vote. He said he thinks the city has been blocking the Recreation Commission's efforts for several years.
"We always never communicate with the Rec Center, we just do things to them," he said. "... I think people have a hidden agenda, and that's my opinion."
City Attorney Bob Myers said Rec Center officials were informed about the proposal.
Nickel said no secret meetings are being held, and he does not want the city to close down the Rec Center and turn the city's recreation services over to a YMCA. However, he said he does think the city needs to have conversations about to what extent taxpayers should be asked to fund recreation. Would people support a tax increase in order to get a new Rec Center building, he asked.
"I think people want a new recreation center," he said. "I'm not sure in what form."
Commissioner Willis Heck agreed with the proposal and said he liked the fact it did not require a mill levy increase. The proposal could serve as a beginning stage of Rec Center improvement projects, and more work could be completed at a future time.
"This proposal gets the interior of the (rec) building fixed, which it sorely needs," he said. "... I would be supportive of getting the renovation of the building started."
He thought it was important to keep in mind other buildings, such as the library, that also are requesting upgraded facilities.
Commissioner Davis recommended having open houses at facilities such as the police station and the library so people can learn more about some of the problems at those buildings.
Other business
Lunda Asmani, assistant city manager for budget and finance, also updated the City Commission about the possible impact a federal or state fiscal cliff could have on Newton.
Tax exempt bonds could be eliminated, minimizing profits that investors would receive. If fewer are interested in investing in government bonds, this could raise the borrowing cost for governments. Cuts to grants and funding at the federal level could hurt local governments, as well, Asmani said.
At the state level, the expiration of a 1 cent sales tax could result in a $350 million loss in state revenue. Additionally, there is a proposal to expand a machinery and equipment exemption, which would lower the amount of taxes businesses pay but also reduce the amount of property taxes cities can generate, Asmani said. Harvey County could lose about $750,000 annually in revenue.
Commissioners talk Rec Center, fiscal cliff
Newton City Commissioners voted to forward a proposal for $1.125 million in renovations and improvements at the Newton Recreation Center to the Newton Recreation Commission for their input.


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2004-W Silver Eagle Proofs
It is smart to diversify your precious metals into two categories. The first category is your "checking account," which is bullion that hasn't been certified to have any unique numismatic value. This part of your portfolio can be accessed more quickly than your savings account items by selling it for a value linked to the current spot price. The value of this portion of your portfolio will rise and fall with the current market price of the metal, and offers you diversification from your Dollar-based investments.
Your precious metals "checking account" works like an insurance policy. Should the stock market or the Dollar face a crash, the value of your precious metals will increase to help compensate you for your losses in your Dollar-based investments. Because gold and silver have been accepted as having value for thousands of years, this is an "insurance policy" that you can cash out of at any time.
Your precious metals "savings account" consists of investment-grade rare coins that have been certified to have numismatic value above and beyond their metal melt value. Because they have value as rare coins, they are not affected by changes in the spot price of gold and silver to the extent that bullion (your precious metals "checking account") is. This offers you further diversification both from the ups and downs of the traditional markets and from the ups and downs of the precious metals markets.
While investment-grade coins are more stable than bullion, they can take longer to liquidate. As a result, they should be considered part of a long-term buy-and-hold strategy.
Contact us now so that we can advise you on which coins are most likely to increase in numismatic value. Don't be taken advantage of by unscrupulous coin dealers. Go with a dealer you can trust -- one with an A+ BBB rating. Call now 800-257-3253.
Free Consultation! 800-257-3253
2004-W Silver Eagle Proofs


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Now that things are turning green and the trees have honest-to-goodness leaves, I'm starting to branch out (har har!) into more wood-sy areas. Or, that's the idea anyway. I suppose I've been watching too many movies where someone wistfully, fitfully, or frantically flings themselves out into the world and runs around lying on rocks or in flowers. The downside is that I forgot about bugs. There were these furry things on the ground (some sort of leaf of which I am sure my dad knows the Latin name), and after merrily running to the rock there, I saw a few and felt dread creep into my heart. I thought they were giant, hairy cattepillars and somehow that made me very unhappy. As it turns out they were, as mentioned, leaves, but still. The giant mutant mosquitoes were enough to make us flee back to the road.
Allow me to climb upon this rock.
I ended up in this dotted swiss dress again. I think it's becoming my favorite summer dress, despite it's short length. This morning I had no idea what to wear, and so leaned on this little fellow (I'm not sure why this dress, with puffed sleeves and feminine details, is apparently male). Of course the day was not cooperating, and so I grabbed this sweater in haste. It shed all over John's car, but I am really fond of it besides (I think I might just have endless adoration for things that shed re: cats).
Eventually, it rained. I had quite an ordeal in attempting to open my umbrella. I got it after a few tries. It turns out there is a button on this contraption to make it easy to use, but in my infinite wisdom, I didn't notice it.
And of course, what is my life without a bow on the head? I am in a strange place hair-wise. I chopped a few more inches off a good three weeks ago, and now I'm trying to grow it back again. It used to be so long, practically waist-length, and then I cut it for whatever reasons. Delusions of chic-ness and order, when really the things I like are always lacy and disorganized so a short, somewhat sleek haircut is really just not where I feel myself. And I'm growing out the bangs. They will probably come back in the winter or fall, but for summer I can't abide their constant eye-lid grazing.
My usual solution for something that is distressing me worked alright today. When in doubt, put a bow on top.
Dress: J. Crew
Sweater: J. Crew
Socks: Mystery!
Boots: Hunter wellies via Zappos


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Carnival defends safety record in letter to senator
Cruise giant Carnival Corp. is defending its safety record in a written response to questions from Sen. Jay Rockefeller.
"Carnival has an excellent safety record throughout its 41-year history," Carnival senior vice president for corporate maritime policy James Hunn writes in a letter accompanying the response, which addresses six questions that Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, sent Carnival Corp. chairman and CEO Micky Arison in the wake of February's engine room fire on the Carnival Triumph.
Hunn's letter is dated March 29 but only became public today. In it, he writes that Carnival Corp. takes incidents such as Carnival Triumph fire "very seriously," noting the company has called in outside experts in the disciplines of fire safety, naval architecture, marine engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering to help with a fleet-wide review following the fire.
RELATED: Carnival cancels sailings to fix ships
GALLERY: Rough days on the Carnival Triumph
The review, announced in March, is focused on the prevention, detection and suppression of fires on Carnival ships; engine room redundancies; emergency power supplies; and other issues, the line has said.
Hunn also disputes a list compiled by Rockefeller's office of 90 serious events on Carnival Corp. ships over a five-year period that was based on reports filed with the U.S. Coast Guard. He says 83 of the 90 events did not meet the definition of a serious marine incident as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations and did not require U.S. Coast Guard intervention.
The remaining seven incidents include the Carnival Triumph fire; another engine room fire on the Carnival Splendor in 2010; the fatal capsizing of the Costa Concordia in 2012; two ship collisions that did not involve injuries to passengers or crew; a case of appendicitis that required the airlifting of a crew member; and an instance of a passenger jumping overboard.
Carnival Corp. is the parent company of both Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Cruises as well as eight other brands including Princess Cruises, Holland America and Cunard. It carried more than 28 million passengers over the past three years.
"Our commitment to safety is reflected in the significant reviews, corrective measures, redundancies and investments undertaken by Carnival" following such events, Hunn writes.
RELATED: Carnival Triumph passengers describe misery
POLL: Trust in cruise lines down
Hunn notes an industry-wide safety review in response to the Costa Concordia incident that led to changes in safety policies. Carnival also made changes to its operations in the wake of the Carnival Splendor fire, he adds.
Hunn also disputes references Rockefeller made to horrific conditions for passengers on the Carnival Triumph following the engine room fire.
"Much of the information in your letter as to the conditions on board, such as your statements on rotting food and raw sewage, are inaccurate," Hunn writes. "For instance, while the Carnival Triumph was en route to Mobile, Ala., fresh provisions were provided regularly via sister ships or helicopter and served to the passengers."
Hunn adds that there are other inaccuracies in Rockefeller's letter about the Carnival Triumph incident, but "we believe it would better serve all parties to await the official government reports from the Bahamas, U.S. Coast Guard and (National Transportation Safety Board) for an independent and accurate assessment of the ship conditions."
In the written response to Rockefeller's questions, Carnival says the Carnival Triumph fire began after a leak in a flexible fuel return pipe in one of the ship's two engine rooms. It notes such pipes are inspected every six months and replaced at least every 18 months. The pipe had last been replaced on Aug. 23, 2012.
Carnival said there is no evidence that the fire was related to an electrical issue with one of the ship's alternators that occurred in January. Repairs to the alternator were completed on Feb. 2 -- eight days before the fire.
In response to a question from Rockefeller about whether the company would reimburse the government for the cost of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy assistance in recent incidents, Carnival suggests the answer is no.
"Carnival's policy is to honor maritime tradition that holds that the duty to render assistance at sea to those in need is a universal obligation of the entire maritime community," the company writes.
Carnival notes that it often renders assistant at sea at its own cost, on its own initiative or at the direct request of the U.S. Coast Guard and other authorities.
In a three paragraph letter that also accompanies Carnival Corp.'s written response, Arison tells Rockefeller that the company is committed to the safety and comfort of its passengers.
"We are proud of our ability to provide millions of people with safe, fun and memorable vacation experiences," he says.


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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Business software maker Compuware Corp, which has rejected a $2.3 billion bid by an activist investor, is exploring a sale and talking to buyout firms to gauge takeover interest, four people familiar with the matter said.
The Detroit-based company has held early talks with several large private equity firms, including Blackstone Group LP, TPG Capital LP and Golden Gate Capital, about a potential deal, the people said on Thursday.
Compuware shares rose as much as 9.5 percent to $12.74 in Nasdaq trading on Thursday before trimming gains to trade about 2 percent higher, valuing the company at around $2.5 billion.
Compuware in January rejected an $11 per share offer from New York-based hedge fund Elliott Management Corp, its second-largest shareholder with an 8.7 percent stake, and said it would proceed with plans to spin off a non core unit, cut costs and pay out dividends.
However, the company opened the door to a better offer from Elliott or other buyers and agreed to provide the investor with confidential financial information to allow due diligence.
Investment banks Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Allen & Company are advising Compuware, said the sources, who asked for anonymity because the process is not public.
Representatives for Goldman, Elliott, TPG and Golden Gate declined to comment. Blackstone and Allen & Company could not immediately be reached for comment.
A Compuware spokeswoman declined to comment, but pointed to the company's statement on January 25 that said: "The board will carefully review and evaluate any credible offer it receives."
Compuware's diverse business lines make it a tough takeover target for industry rivals, but private equity firms could be interested in buying the entire company, according to the people familiar with the matter.
In a letter to the board in December, Elliott noted that Compuware's stock had underperformed the Nasdaq stock index by an average of 6 percent over the last year and lagged the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index by 34 percent over the last two years.
Elliott has actively participated in the last few years in activist campaigns against technology companies. The investor bid $2 billion for Novell Inc in 2010, leading the software maker to sell itself to Attachmate Corp for $2.2 billion.
Last year, Elliott pressed BMC Software Inc to put the company up for sale. Talks with potential buyers did not result in a sale, but the company agreed to buy back $1 billion in shares.
Sandell Asset Management Corp, which owns 2.5 percent of Compuware, has also pressured the company to look at options, including selling or spinning off units such as its mainframe business and its APM unit, which manages applications for both Web and non-Web based customers.
Reporting by Nadia Damouni and Soyoung Kim in New York; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick, Matthew Lewis and Andre Grenon


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Ahtanum Ridge On Fire
If you look out your window in Yakima and look south, you'll see that Ahtanum Ridge is on fire.
Fire crews are on the scene and getting is controlled as much as possible. A few homes have been evacuated.
We'll have an update as soon as we hear anything.


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Thanks to everyone who donated through the Give!Guide!
Santiago Uceda does illustration, art direction, motion graphics, makes tasty sandwiches, stays up late, listens, observes, questions, changes diapers, gives piggy back rides, collaborates, makes posters, designs t-shirts, cd packaging, magazines, etc. He has worked directly or indirectly with many talented folks, brands and institutions including but not limited to: Adidas, Billabong, Portland Center Stage, South Coast Repertory, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Surfing Magazine, LA Weekly, Bike Magazine, Portland Mercury. He also writes terrible bios.
His work can be found here – santiagouceda.com
Carson Ellis was born in Vancouver. B.C. in 1975. She was raised in suburban New York and college educated at the University of Montana in Missoula where she earned a painting degree in 1998. She's the illustrator of many books, including New York Times bestsellers The Composer Is Dead (Lemony Snicket) and The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart). In addition to book illustration she does artwork and art direction for the band, The Decemberists. Carson lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Colin, and son, Hank.
Her work can be found here – carsonellis.com
Dylan McConnell doesn't generally like talking about himself, his work, or any of that garbage. In fact he doesn't want to talk about it at all. He'd rather bike around, make music, go to shows, eat mexican food and hunt for delicious, delicious vinyl.
His work is can be found here – www.tinylittlehammers.com
Emek has been referred to as "The Thinking Man's Poster Artist".
Coming from a unique family of 5 artists, Emek has made his mark creating special posters and album covers for prominent musicians for 15 years.
He was recently credited for creating some of the best rock posters of all time by Billboard Magazine…
Emek' style thrives on attention to detail, coupled with layers of meaning in the artwork. His infusion of socio-political commentary into pop culture imagery has made his work instantly recognizable in the field. Emphasizing craftsmanship, his work is still hand-drawn in the tradition of the classic psychedelic posters from the 1960's. Born in the 70's Emek was also strongly influenced by the DIY punk flyers of the 80's.
Over the last 2 decades, Emek has created hundreds of posters for some of the top alternative bands and events, like Coachella, the Decemberists, Queens of the Stone Age, Tool, System of a Down, Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips, to name a few. As well as album covers from Neil Young and Pearl Jam to Henry Rollins and Erykah Badu. Emek's work has been shown in galleries across the United States and Europe. He has been interviewed on CNN, and featured in dozens of magazines and books.
For more about his work, visit www.emek.net
PDX Pop Now! PO Box 14828 Portland, OR 97293-0828 :: All Rights Reserved


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King and the fight for justice
Neither Martin Luther King nor Rosa Parks descended from heaven to take up positions as civil rights leaders among us. Nor did César Chávez or Susan B. Anthony. They became who they were because their family, friends, colleagues and even enemies prodded them along from the time they were children and helped them formulate their dedication and hone their leadership skills.
Occasions like the Martin Luther King holiday should challenge us to realize the potential impact we can have on our relatives, acquaintances and neighbors if we take the time to nudge, encourage and support them. We might actually help raise up the next King. When we remember him, it is also fitting to recall and honor the people who influenced his life.
This is important to remember on the MLK holiday because we have a tendency to deify our heroes and forget they started out like each of us. Making gods of our heroes can become an easy excuse for not doing the work we know we should do. We tell ourselves that they, and only they, could bring about great changes, and excuse ourselves from the task.
The holiday also should remind us of King's example and preaching that we need to support all human rights efforts, not just those that especially appeal to us. Advocating for the rights of all people benefits society in general and moves forward the universal expansion of human rights. As the saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats."
King realized this. We forget that, besides his awesome and courageous civil rights work, he passionately opposed the Vietnam War and, at the time of his death in 1968, was planning the Poor People's March on Washington for economic justice in this country. Indeed, in a speech discussing plans for the march, King said, "We have moved from the era of civil rights to an era of human rights."
The Poor People's Campaign was a multiracial effort to address poverty in the nation by demanding a $30 billion anti-poverty package, including full employment and the annual construction of 500,000 affordable residences.
We also tend to forget that King was assassinated, not during his civil rights endeavors, but while helping poor sanitation workers in Memphis organize a union for better wages and working conditions.
Were King alive today, he surely would be involved in overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's anti-democratic Citizens United decision, contesting efforts to suppress voting in minority and poor communities, trying to reverse the resegregation of our schools, supporting equal rights for gay people, opposing drone attacks on foreign civilian populations and resisting government's constant narrowing of our civil liberties in the name of national security.
More to the point, King would encourage us and stir our moral conscience to undertake those efforts.
What holds us back from doing that - and from encouraging others to involve themselves in the struggle for human rights?
King believed in Eleanor Roosevelt's observation: "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home … where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity, without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere."
Our work is cut out for us.
Harrington is the director of The Texas Civil Rights Project, a nonprofit foundation that promotes civil rights and economic and racial justice throughout Texas for poor and low-income people.


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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, Columbia's engine no. 2 is seen at left after its removal from the orbiter. After small cracks were discovered on the LH2 Main Propulsion System (MPS) flow liners in two other orbiters, program managers decided to move forward with inspections on Columbia before clearing it for flight on STS-107. The heat shields were removed, and after removing the three main engines, inspections of the flow liners will follow. The July 19 launch of Columbia on STS-107 has been delayed a few weeks (Photo Release Date: 06/29/2002 )
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If a recognizable person appears in this photograph, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. It may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA of a commercial product. These photographs are available for preview and download in electronic digital form ONLY. They may not be ordered from NASA in photograph form. (See NASA Copyright Notice)


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Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists (CVSS) is seeking a full-time individual who has completed residency training to join our team of nine board certified small animal surgeons. We currently have established practices in Annapolis, Columbia & Towson, MD. We are in the process of expanding to a new 28,000 square foot facility in Annapolis which will be located directly behind our current building. Our practices complement a variety of progressive specialty teams at each location and include: internal medicine, cardiology, emergency/critical care, neurology, ophthalmology and dentistry (Towson).
We are looking to grow our teams in both our Annapolis and Towson locations. Candidates must be prepared to apply to take the ACVS certification examination if not already board certified. We would accommodate time off to study in preparation for the ACVS examination.
CVSS is a state of the art referral only practice equipped with digital radiography, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, Tate elbow replacement, Synthes, NGD, and SOP plating systems, THR (CFX, BFX, and Helica), and TPLO / TTA instrumentation. Our practice caseload is 50% orthopedics, 45% soft tissue, and 5% neurologic. The successful applicant will have a strong desire to practice high quality veterinary surgery and medicine in a busy collegial atmosphere. A desire to maintain a well-rounded caseload and to bring advances in minimally invasive and joint replacement surgery would be advantageous.
Annapolis, Maryland is located on the scenic Chesapeake Bay. It is convenient to many outdoor activities including the mountains and beaches. Towson is located just north of Baltimore and is convenient to many outdoor activities including the mountains and beaches, as well as within easy driving distance to Washington, DC.
We are committed to supporting a work-life balance for our staff and we are offering an excellent benefits package and competitive salary based on experience, including a significant signing bonus!


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Today's Deal: $18.90 One Layer Rack Shelf With Hooks (SQ1862); Super Suction, Holds Firmly!
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The Lord's Answer to Habakkuk
God's answer to Habakkuk reminds us of the limitations of our perspective. To us, it sometimes seems as if the wicked will prosper forever. However, since the Lord uses even the wicked to achieve His purposes, one day they will ...Read More
The Lord Answers Habakkuk
Just as God's vision to Habakkuk appeared from his perspective to be delayed, the Lord's consummation of history may from our vantage point seem to be delayed. However, as we have seen, our Creator always brings His plan to pass ...Read More
Justification by Faith
Citizenship in any kingdom demands certain things, and in the kingdom of God, citizenship demands righteousness. We cannot attain this righteousness on our own, for it must be imputed to us by the great King of this kingdom. Those who ...Read More
The Millennium, Part II
Postmillennialists do not deny that there will be tares in God's kingdom until Jesus returns (Matt. 13:24–30). Still, Dr. Keith A. Mathison notes that "at the end of the age, the Son returns to a field of ...Read More


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Hello Dolls,
It's Thursday and for me, my weekend has begun. Friday is my only day off as the weekend will be a busy for me. I wore this outfit last weekend, Sunday. I decided to add the denim top on to the outfit which in my opinion it finished up my outfit. I wont really go into the details of where the items are from cause I simply can't remember.
Xo, Cari


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You've got your 2013 novelty glasses, your case of champagne, and now all you need is a playlist. Musicplayr's got your back.
What does it do?
Lets you create playlists from sites like YouTube and Vimeo.
[gallery 5970800l]
Why do we like it?
Because New Year's Eve sucks without the right soundtrack. On Musicplayr, you can make the best possible playlist using videos from around the internet. It works in the browser too. But what if you're short on musical inspiration? You can discover music from other users too, so you're ringing in 2013 right.
Download this app for:
- iPhone, Free
The Best:
New music
The Worst:
You probably use Spotify


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Offense Scores 10 Again, Pack Wins Seventh Straight
Offense Scores 10 Again, Pack Wins Seventh Straight
A four-run sixth inning and another 10-run performance from the offense led the University of Nevada softball team to its seventh-straight win on Sunday, 10-6 over Northern Colorado.
The seven-game winning streak is the longest since a 12-game streak in 2009.
Trailing 6-3 in the middle of the fifth inning, the Wolf Pack scored three runs in the bottom of the frame. Four in the sixth, on five hits, put Nevada ahead for good. The Pack is 17-12 overall, while Northern Colorado fell to 9-18-1.
Ashley Butera hit her fourth home run in as many games, Karley Hopkins had three hits and four RBI, and Nevada scored at least 10 runs for the sixth time this season. Butera is now tied for the team lead in home runs with Megan Fincher at six. Hopkins raised her average to .390, while the Pack raised its average to .315 as a team.
In four games at the Nevada Classic, Nevada went 4-0 to begin the season undefeated at Hixson Park and outscored its opponents 35-8.
Karlyn Jones relieved Bailey Brewer in the fifth and pitched the final two innings to get the win. With two of the four runs scored in the fifth by Northern Colorado charged to Jones, her scoreless innings streak was halted at 19.
Game Notes: Sara Parsons had three hits and drove in three runs … She leads Nevada with 18 RBI in 29 games … Parsons, Hopkins, Fincher, Erin Jones, Megan Sweet and Lauren Lastrapes have started every game for Nevada this season … Sweet was 2-for-4 with her sixth double of the year … Nevada has scored 173 runs in 29 games.


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In this fast-paced industry, intuitive and easy-to-navigate point-of-sale (POS) user interfaces—along with robust inventory management features—are essential. Price scheduling is a must for bar owners, as hourly, daily and seasonal menus regularly affect drink prices and availability. To reduce the POS hardware footprint and improve accessibility and order speeds, many solutions are deployed on touchscreen systems. Some bars that offer food and seating options will often use restaurant (POS) software to manage ticket orders, food preparation and section seating more efficiently than before.
Screenshot of Shopkeep POS dashboard
General ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable are often the central features in these applications. In addition, time and tip tracking are also often included to expedite end-of-day (EOD) pay-outs. Customer relationship management (CRM) features are becoming increasingly more popular as more bar owners reach out patrons with SMS marketing, social media and email.
The ideal bar POS system helps keep a check on the food inventory, finances and sales. The system also simplifies their bookkeeping requirements.
Quick and easy sales tracking: As bars and restaurants handle a large volume of credit cards and cash every day, the ideal system should help them track all sales up to the very last penny. The solution also tracks menu items that are selling the most along with the unpopular ones. Therefore, it allows owners to modify their menus based on the demand.
Smooth processing of credit card transactions: Almost all bar POS systems offer easy handling of credit and debit card processing. It enables the management to get rid of peripherals and additional systems. Therefore, it results in customers and bar owners accepting credit and debit card transactions as a secure and easy proposition.
Fast and easy preparation of financial statements: The solution offers all the required financial figures, such as profit and loss statements, at the required time, thus, saving a significant amount of manual effort.
Improved security: The solution offers increased security to bar owners because servers are fully accountable for all sales and they cannot change customer checks without entering the correct password. This step also eliminates the chances of employee theft as well as inappropriate discounts for family and friends.
Check on employees: The bar POS software also keeps an eye on the employees by acting as a time tracker and preparing the establishment's payroll. The solution maintains a record of the sign-in and sign-out times of employees, which facilitates the creation of accurate payroll.
Enhanced inventory tracking: The software also allows bar and restaurant owners to keep an eye on the usage of food and the complete stock. It enables users to identify different usage patterns so that they can eliminate instances of food shortage and over-ordering, and thus, allow better planning of food purchasing.
Offsite control: An advanced bar POS software also enables managers and owners to log in the system through a web connection. It allows users to remotely monitor sales and employee patterns to identify any problems and anticipate future issues.
Efficient utilization of human resources: Setting up a bar POS software also relieves the staff from tedious and time-consuming tasks such as double-checking discrepancies in sales figures and manually reconciling the cash register.
These are the features that bar owners should look for when evaluating point of sale systems that meet their specific needs:
|Recipe definition and customization
|These systems should allow users to customize drink orders, as well as look up drink components from definitions. Users can access a "hotlist" of popular drinks and then modify them on a per-item basis.
|Order entry
|The important order entry aspects of these systems include tab transfers, repeat orders and check consolidation. Most features are commonly accessible from the main order-entry dashboard.
|Price scheduling
|Multiple menus, specials, happy hours and other promotions need to be easily managed and customized within the system. Rotating prices should automatically change with the system's internal clock.
|Multi-user compatibility
|Since a single terminal is often shared by multiple bartenders, these systems should include integrated login features for users. Card readers, fingerprint scanners or just numerical keypads are some of the popular integrations.
|Tip tracking and payroll
|Tips should be linked to user accounts to assist with both end-of-shift payouts and IRS recording purposes. These systems often integrate tip tracking with a time clock module to assist with payroll management.
|Video and security system integration
|These solutions often integrate with video surveillance systems to reduce shrink (beverage "sweethearting") and loss. In addition, it's becoming increasingly common for systems to integrate directly with bars' security systems.
|Customer relationship management (CRM)
|While not a traditional module within these systems, vendors are now providing CRM functionality as many bars are using social media to promote events and specials, as well as connect with local patrons. Email marketing is one of the more common features.
|Inventory management, ordering and receiving
|Bar POS systems will need reporting and management features to manage inventory that moves quickly and fluctuates regularly. Bars will often establish regular shipping schedules with suppliers, so these systems will need to be able to accept automatic shipment notices (ASNs).
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when you evaluate a bar POS system:
Flexibility options: As technology changes very fast, you need to select a POS system that provides regular upgrades and has an open API. This will enable it to be integrated with various new technologies and third-party apps in the future.
Employee and sales tracking: The bar POS system should allow the tracking of working hours, salaries and other employee metrics. It must also enable setting work schedules and forecasting sales to predict staffing needs better.
Effective inventory tools: The software should also provide inventory management tools for accurate inventory calculation and reduction of storage costs.
Reporting and analytics: The solution should be able to provide customer and sales insights using accurate charts and numbers.
Reliable support: The solution should also provide complementary expert training and round-the-clock support. It should also have a track record of proven customer satisfaction.
Our service is simple and 100% free to customers like you because software vendors pay us when we connect them with quality leads. You save time and get great advice. Vendors get great referrals. It's a win for everyone!


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It was a hit fest for both teams with Evansville pounding out 14 hits and the Bisons tagging four Aces pitchers for 10 Tuesday afternoon at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium. The Bisons went through their pregame workouts wearing green T-shirts in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
The Bisons led 2-1 after one inning, but gave up three runs to Evansville in the fourth and two more in the fifth. The Bisons answered with two runs of their own in the fifth to trim the lead to 6-4. Evansville added another run in t he seventh and the Bisons came back with a run in the eighth.
Tyler Wilson, Tennyson Dodd and Branden Cadavid each had two hits. Cadavid and Wilson each have four multi-hit games.
Dodd hit his second home run and posted his second multi-RBI game of the season.
Justin Sanders had one hit, extending his current streak to six games. He has hits in 15 of Lipscomb's 17 games this season.
In the first inning M.L. Williams opened with a single to right field. Wilson then followed with a single to right. Sanders singled through the right side to bring in Williams. Dodd grounded out to the first baseman, but Wilson was able to score on the play.
In the fifth Dodd hit a solo home run to left center. Ryan Wilkins then doubled through the left side of the field. After two ground outs Allen Bolden singled to bring in Wilkins.
With two outs in the eighth Wilson was hit by a pitch. Sanders was safe on an error by the shortstop which allowed Wilson to score.
In the fourth Evansville struck for two home runs. Greg Wallace hit a two-run home run to left. Alex Acheson hit a solo shot to left.
Right-hander Charles Williams started for the Bisons and gave up nine hits and six runs, all earned, in five innings. He struck out one and walked two. Williams is 0-4 this season.
Right-hander Matt Bowling relieved Williams and pitched the final four innings. He gave up five hits and one earned run. He has three walks and three strikeouts.
The Bisons are 8-9 overall. Evansville is 6-9.
The Bisons are back in action Wednesday afternoon at 4 at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium when they face Samford.


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Studying to Make a Change
I appreciate the research and analytical skills I developed at the Policy Center and the deep interest in social research I developed. . . . Read more.
The Policy Center helped to develop my interest in social movements and social change. . . . Read more.


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THE SUB-MISSION is pleased to announce A Study in Rhyme & Song: Ten Little Indians, an exhibition by Sadie Woods. Her site-specific installation includes a sound installation, sculpture, and archival materials. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 23 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The exhibition will run through Saturday, August 5, 2017.
Woods grew up Afro-Latina in Chicago during the takeoff of hip-hop, electro, and the proliferation of musical styles that matched the multiple subcultural and counter-cultural identity movements, which has been a vehicle for Woods' re-examination of celebrated voices in pop culture. Coded in music are the affects, aspirations, and struggles of cultural experiences. Deejaying has been a culminating point between taste-making and space-making—connecting songs to cultural and personal currents and memory. While deejaying is democratic and collaborative, it has tremendous possibilities to engage social and political spheres through sound and performance. Woods' practice attempts to zero-in on "anthems" and "mantras" that can be excavated to take on socio-political proportions and become a call to arms for listeners to remember times of resistance.
Woods blends, cuts, edits, and re-works tracks as a form of articulation. In A Study in Rhyme & Song: Ten Little Indians, Woods surveys the performance of identity as a form of social terrorism through the lens of children's rhymes and songs. The sound installation offers a critical perspective on notions of progress, of living in a post-racial nation, and of identity-based politics. Pulling from the Minstrel show tunes "Ten Little Nigger Boys" and "Ten Little Injuns," A Study in Rhyme & Song: Ten Little Indians confronts the history of media representation in education and entertainment utilized in the late 19th to mid 20th centuries.
Please join us for a closing reception accompanied with a performance by Sadie Woods. In A Study in Rhyme & Song: Then There Were None, Woods will present an audio collage soundtrack with concurrent choreographed movements exploring themes of the school-to-prison pipeline, gun culture in America and social justice hashtags, masculinity and queer culture, and comic relief.
Find out more information about The Mission and Woods' event at the link below.


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Cher has thrilled fans by announcing plans for her first tour in six years.
The Believe legend last hit the road from 2002 to 2005 on her Living Proof: The Farewell Tour, which she insisted would be her final trek.
At the time, she joked she was too old to tour again, saying, "I'm approaching 80 and if I did that thing everyone does, come back in five years, I'd be driving around in one of those carts you know, the ones with the joysticks you see in Costco."
However, the star went on to perform a 200-show residency in Las Vegas from 2008 until 2011, and has now told fans she will kick off a new tour in September.
In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, Cher reveals she has just seen the sets for her new show, she writes, "Oh my God!! Just saw the sets 4 (for) the show!!! I cant show u (you) cause (sic) you'd never 4give (forgive) me! There's so much magic I am breathless!
"No s**t I'm shaking! The whole set/look changes 4 (for) every song! I mean completing changes! Tour starts in Sept! First dates Kansas."
Cher has also been recording her first studio album since 2001's Living Proof and the record is due for release later this year.


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[Illinois] CNST 2013: Computing in the Nanoscale Era
Licensed according to this deed.
Published on
Naresh Shanbhag, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois
Naresh R. Shanbhag is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a Research Professor in the Coordinated Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests are in the design of robust and energy-efficient integrated circuits and systems for communications and signal processing.
Professor Shanbhag received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1993 in Electrical Engineering. From 1993 to 1995, he worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories at Murray Hill where he was the lead chip architect for AT&T's 51.84 Mb/s transceiver chips over twisted-pair wiring for Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-LAN and very high-speed digital subscriber line (VDSL) chip-sets. He was a visiting faculty at the National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, in Fall 2007. Since 1996, Professor Shanbhag is leading the Alternative Computational Models research theme in the DOD and Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) sponsored Gigascale Systems Research Center, under the Focus Center Research Program (FCRP).
(Source: http://icims.csl.illinois.edu/~shanbhag/myhome/biography.html)
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
MNTL, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


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Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wait, that's not a dog
My sister has always been a dog person. (Or so she claims.) So how is it, that when a fluffy stray kitty showed up on her back deck with messy eyes, she felt compelled to try and doctor it? Many treatments later and, a long story, short, meet George! And yes, he is lying on her bed. Isn't he the cutest pudding pie?
5 comments:
Yikes, those are pretty big feet! He looks sorta Maine Coonish. Very Handsome for a stray.
- October 23, 2008 at 6:02 AM
- Bevson said...
I think he is 12 weeks old. Or maybe 14. He is really still very much a baby.
- October 23, 2008 at 7:04 AM
- deejbrown said...
Lucky kitty to have chosen your sister! May they enjoy long and happy lives together!
- October 23, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Gorgeous George! Louise
- October 25, 2008 at 12:36 PM
- camccune said...
I agree -- looks like your sister's inherited a Maine Coon.
P.S. I'm a "referral" from Deej
- October 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
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Here was the first thing that bothered me. I only saw one other person who had the syllabus on CD and had printed out the pages that she wanted. Seriously, everyone else had the printed syllabus. Even those who were taking notes on laptops. Maybe everyone likes the printed copy, but I know that I don't have the room to keep them. I didn't get it.
As a disclaimer before we get into my larger rant, I want to mention that I am spoiled living in Fort Wayne. The Allen County Public Library is a state of the art facility and all of the meeting rooms have projectors. It's not hard for me to get around downtown and it's free for me to park at the library with my library card.
So here is my advice for genealogists planning a conference (in a pretty random order):
- Don't have your conference in a place where everything closes at 5:30. My husband and I arrived in Toledo on Thursday around 6:00 pm. I went to the conference center and got myself registered, then we checked into the hotel. We looked at the map of restaurants in the area and picked one that we wanted to try. Then we set out on foot to find it. Only to find that it and every other restaurant we passed closed at 5:30. Some were only open during the week. We ended up eating at the hotel's restaurant because we were hungry and tired. (Downtown Fort Wayne isn't much better, but I'm pretty sure the fast food restaurants stay open here .) Which brings us to...
- Don't pass out area restaurant maps that only include some of the restaurants in the area. This probably had to do with the vistor's bureau more than the conference, but it annoyed me. While walking around, we found quite a few more restaurants (all closed, but still).
- Are there no conference centers that have projectors? After watching so many presenters set up their own projectors, I had to wonder. Have no conference centers in the country installed projectors? Every group that comes has to bring their own? Do I need to buy a projector if I ever want to give genealogy presentations? How long will that take to pay itself off?
- Make your annual meeting accessible to all. OGS had their annual meeting as part of a luncheon, but was open to all. I didn't want to pay $20 for their boxed lunch (of course had I known the pain of finding an open restaurant when I sent in my registration, I may have changed my mind.) I figured that it had to have one very "gourmet" cookie to cost that much. But I still wanted to attend the meeting and find out what was happening with OGS. First, there was no start time given for the meeting, just the luncheon. I didn't know how long that would last. Second, when I arrived (after it had already started) there were only a few chairs available for people not at the luncheon. They were all in the very back of the hall and it was hard to hear. There was no reason that a large section of chairs couldn't have been set up to the side of the tables.
- Asking members to give money or donate materials to your society every 5 minutes gets old FAST. Almost every time the president went back to the podium during the annual meeting, he told members to send money. I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask, but when you continue to do it over and over and over again, it makes me very unlikely to do so. (Maybe he should have asked for projectors...)
- Conference registration should be available online. OGS is a large society that has a great conference. Why I couldn't register online is beyond me.
- Are the suburbs so bad? Are there no conference centers outside of downtown? Nowhere with free parking? Nowhere with cheaper hotels? Everyone complains about it, but nothing ever changes.


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Continuous process innovation and investment to deliver safe and consistent quality products to meet and exceed consumer expectations
To be our new and existing customers' key partner of choice through sustainable long term relationships
We are Customer-Focused
We are committed to a Sustainable Supply Base
We Respect, Empower and Engage with Our People
We are dedicated to Excellence and Continuous Improvement
We act Responsibly
Dawn Meats has announced ambitious 2025 targets to reduce water and energy intensity by 40% and CO2 emission intensity by 50%. The commitments are contained in the company's first CSR report. The CSR report also sets out the ambitious goal of becoming Europe's most sustainable meat company.
Sustainability across the wider business has been prioritised by Dawn Meats since it published its first sustainability plan in 2009. As one of the first verified members of Origin Green, Dawn Meats has had its sustainability credentials endorsed by many external agencies, and since 2012 annual progress under Origin Green has been independently assessed to the highest international standards.
Dawn Meats was established in Co. Waterford, Ireland in 1980. As a family business that remains true to its farming heritage, and with a continuous focus on quality and customer service, it has grown to become the meat supplier of choice for customers of Irish and British meat.
With a product portfolio spanning from bone-in and boneless meat to frozen burger patties and ready to heat meal solutions, why not join our discerning retail and foodservice customers from over 40 countries worldwide and experience the best quality and service for you and your consumers.
Dawn Meats supplies a quality range of beef and lamb carcase and primal cuts throughout the Continent. With sales and marketing offices positioned throughout Europe, we offer a close relationship with all of our retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers and we continually strive to serve their requirements as efficiently as possible.
Complete traceability along the chain from "Farm to Fork" is guaranteed, with production to the highest standards. We offer a wide portfolio of meat products from carcase and primal cuts to value-added raw and cooked.
The following are the key areas of our business:


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Remember when you used to speak to people on the phone? Now with texting, emails and messengers, we don't have to talk to anybody. And the battery's probably dead from playing games, using the nav software and taking photos anyway.
So while the iPhone revolutionized personal communication, it will also transform how we interact with our modified VWs, Audis and Porsches if AutoSpeed has anything to say about it.
Mark Slazak, owner and president of AutoSpeed in Voorhees, NJ, with his team of programmers and engineers, are the people behind the entire concept. They designed, wrote and wholly created the SpeedPort iPhone app in-house. The aim is to compliment its line of SpeedPort performance software available for most late-model VAG turbo engines, as well as the Golf R32 and Audi S4 V8.
Utilizing their own proprietary SpeedData software suite, AutoSpeed can log up to 1500 simultaneous data points per second which, without getting too technical, allowed them to develop the smoothest performance tune for each application. More than just modified maps, these are completely re-written for improved performance.
To sample this new product, we needed a suitable car. So you may recognize our Mk5 GTI project. It's been a while since the car was in the magazine but it's been running strong over the past few years. The eagle-eyed among you may notice the addition of Hartmann G5 wheels, but like all projects this one has never really been 'finished.'
SpeedPort App
With the car owned by et photographer and certified Apple junky, Josh Brown, the promise of an iPhone app to access the car's computer was a powerful draw.
The SpeedPort upgrades are performed via the OBD port, so there's no need to open the ECU or physically tamper with the circuitry. The Mk5 GTI is one of many popular VW/Audi applications available, with a number of different programs included in each upgrade.
Pricing depends on the exact model, but the software for our Mk5 2.0T was priced at $599. This included a stock mode, 91-, 93-, and 104-octane performance tunes, a reduced performance valet mode as well as an anti-theft security setting.
Where the Speedport differs from other performance software is that all these options are selected through the SpeedPort iPhone app. The exact number of programs and options can vary, so check with AutoSpeed for your specific application.
Customers without an iPhone can easily change the programs with the SpeedSwitch option for laptop computers provided you have a suitable data cable. However, you won't be able to access the DataDash or fault code scanner.
The SpeedPort app is more than just a new switch for programs. If you visit the SpeedPort website and check out the video, you'll see that it also includes DataDash. This gizmo allows you to monitor (and record) engine parameters in real time. For example, boost pressure, fuel trim, engine speed, vehicle speed, air intake temp, throttle position, engine load and more can all be accessed; though not all at once - limitations on the amount of data available from the OBD port mean you can monitor up to five sources. You can also check and clear engine fault codes, although it's not intended to replace a full diagnostic scan.
Using the app is simple. It's easy to jump in and discover the applications. The primary menu with three options: Profiles (for the performance mode), Scan Code and DataDash (for monitoring engine parameters). You just select the option you desire, and are ready to roll.
The app itself costs $29.99 from the website or Apple's App Store. While the PLX cable (which connects the OBD port wirelessly to your iPhone) is $149.99 from AutoSpeed, their dealers or PLX Devices.
Even if you don't have AutoSpeed software on your VW/Audi, you can still use the iPhone app. You won't be able to change programs, but the DataDash and Scan Code functions work on most 1996-on OBD2 vehicles.
Of course, all of this would be worthless if the software didn't perform, but there is nothing to worry about; it's been impressive thus far...
The AutoSpeed software is designed to work within the limitations of the factory engine, but provide a transformed driving experience. When you step on the gas, you know it isn't stock programming.
Since Project GTI previously had APR software, we had it flashed back to 100% OEM code. In the stock mode it laid down a reasonable 189hp and 204 lb-ft on AutoSpeed's Mustang dyno. This was with all the previous parts in place, including an APR 3'' turbo-back exhaust, Forge Twintercooler FMIC and diverter valve plus a VF intake.
With no other changes, apart from the ASP stage 2 software, the power and torque increased across the board. The dyno showed 223hp and 254 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. And while an extra 50 lb-ft is very impressive, it's important not to get caught up in the 'peak' numbers game, as gains under the curve are substantially higher than that, especially from 3500-5500rpm (see chart).
During the dyno test we discovered a small boost leak, which resulted in a 2psi loss of boost pressure across the rev range. Fortunately, AutoSpeed has an on-site machine shop for custom fabrication, so were able to manufacture a boost tap to connect our GTI to the dyno's sensitive boost gauge for the most accurate monitoring.
Once hooked up we were seeing 18psi at peak, rather than the requested 20psi. This remained constant even as boost dropped up to redline. Mark estimated the lost boost could be worth an additional 10whp, so we hope to check next time we visit Autospeed's NJ HQ for a re-run once the problem is resolved.
Even with our boost leak, Project GTI has no problem ripping through the gears with a sense of urgency. The part-throttle response is excellent, with great off-idle transitions, and the power band never feels 'soft' even when you're taking it easy. Boost builds quickly and the engine is ready to go whenever you are. At full throttle, the revs climb instantly and never fail to leave a smile on our face.
In general, the feel and quality of the new software feels very similar to the previous APR stage 2+, but if anything it responds a fraction quicker. Both are very good upgrades without annoying hiccups, stuttering or flatspots.
While there are many software options available for your VW, Audi or Porsche, SpeedPort offers an excellent performance upgrade and a unique bundle of options accessed through their iPhone app, making it worthy of closer inspection. It's undoubtedly a very cool gadget for anybody looking for a control interface that also offers real-time feedback at a reasonable price.
|Stage 2 SpeedPort software
|SpeedPort iPhone app
|PLX Devices data cable


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Those Damn In-Laws!
Angela and Stavros are a loving couple engaged to be married in a traditional Greek ceremony that will take place in Crete, the homeland of her fiancé's family. Told from Angela's perspective, it is an account of one woman's journey through her wedding and honeymoon in the shadow of Georgius, Stavros's father, who seems unwilling to accept her into his life. Groom and Doom is an intimate portrait of Angela's hopes and fears in the face of an uncertain future.
Updated 02-04-2013 at 03:40 AM by Nikki
Interesting Mystery Set in Britain and the Channel Islands
Raif Condor is tasked with finding several mysterious stone fragments for an old man named Max. The fragments are the key to unlock something of great value. Trouble is, even Max doesn't know the location of the final piece, and he desperately wants to resolve some unanswered questions before he dies. Fleur Fern is the employee of a private detective agency, investigating the disappearance of a woman's husband. Her duties
Updated 01-06-2013 at 07:58 PM by Nikki
Gives New Meaning to the Phrase "Get With the Program"
Colonel Tom Devers leads a mission to Mars with three other astronauts to acquire an object that appears to be anything but natural. Upon loading the object onto their ship and spending some time figuring out what it is, the four men are witness to the holographic record of an alien civilization. One hundred seventy-five years before the record was made, fifteen billion people died in a global war on the planet Plixon.
Updated 11-19-2012 at 07:19 AM by Nikki
Be Careful Reading This Book, You Might Learn Something
Currency begins with a fascinating little romp through history on a search for missing pirate treasure then explodes into a thrilling tale of political intrigue and modern warfare. Connor Murray is a normal enough man, a bond trader by profession, when he learns that he is the sole inheritor of a trust connected to Aaron Burr. As he researches the details of the trust, events begin to unfold, setting him on a dangerous path.
Updated 10-20-2012 at 07:45 PM by Nikki
Welcome to the August issue of Jhararo's All the Galaxy's Warships, the digital database dedicated to the study of mechanical devices, weapons, vehicles, and other machines of the known galactic nations.
This Month's Issue: PART 5 "Cosmo Navy" type spacecraft design concepts of the 1st Interplanetary War era.
* * *
The Solar Empire saw its dominance of the Sol star system crumbling under the onslaught


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A free set of fact sheets is now available to help livestock producers determine how the revised concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) rules affect their operations. The EPA was involved in writing the sheets.They contain information such as what producers must do to comply; a timeline for compliance; records that must be kept and reported to EPA; and financial or technical assistance.
The sheets may be viewed online and downloaded. Visit the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Web site, www.lpes.org/CAFO. The series also is available through the catalog section of the Midwest Plan Service Web site, www.mwpshq.org.


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It seems lately the title of "tuner" has become confused with what we'll call an "automotive specialist." A specialist is a shop that can install a few aftermarket parts or perhaps even make a shift knob or exhaust.
"Tuner" denotes a company that can improve on a vehicle's design and manufacture parts to tune every aspect, from engine to suspension and everything in between. An example of a true tuner is Neuspeed, which for more than 30 years has been designing and manufacturing high performance parts for VW and Audi vehicles with a focus on durability, longevity and performance.
Aaron Neumann, partial owner and lead engineer, is a perfectionist. OK, let's be honest-he's downright anal. And as such, Neumann didn't want to preview his latest project until it was perfect. Over the past year he has kept us updated with cryptic hints, and eventually I got the call that the mystery project-an Audi TT it so happens-was complete and available.
My attempts to acquire the Neuspeed TT, dubbed Project TT-N, for an extended two-week test drive were denied due to "prior obligations"-maybe a nice way of saying "I don't trust you or your cohorts to return the vehicle in one piece." That only heightened my interest, so I trekked to Neuspeed headquarters in Camarillo, Calif., for a more in-your-face approach.
When I arrived I was greeted by Aaron and his father (and company founder), Bill. If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting a Neumann you would know that even after decades of being immersed in the car industry, customizing vehicles is one subject that still puts a glimmer in their eyes.
After exchanging pleasantries, I was escorted around back to their latest creation. The first thing I noticed was the color. The TT-N is Ibis white in lieu of the brilliant reds of projects past. Aaron explained that for his TT-N, white was a perfect blank canvas to give the project a "reverse stealth" appeal, inconspicuous yet striking, where at first glance it blends in, but on second glance it really does stand out.
As we walked around the car, Neumann rattled off his extensive modifications. Instead of a hand fabricated one-off, Neuspeed has created a masterpiece attainable by the average Joe. The parts can be added all at once or in stages, allowing customers to tailor the level of customization to their driving needs. Using the TT-N as a model, you can build your own TT with Neuspeed's off-the-shelf parts.
When it came time to paint the body kit, there was no way a $99 Earl Scheib paint job would suit a man whose car wash arsenal consists of Q-tips and baby diapers. The award winning Palmers Custom Paint and Body Shop in Camarillo was given the delicate task of color-matching the panels and adding the satin black accents. The perfect paint coupled with the aggressive visual elements of the Caractere body kit gives the car an R8 appearance, sans hefty price tag. An OSIR dry carbon grille was also added to increase airflow to the engine bay.
The TT-N's 335 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque (on 91 octane) was achieved by combining parts ransacked from Audi's Euro-spec S3 and Neuspeed's performance add-ons. I questioned the choice of S3 cams and why they didn't source something bigger than a K04 turbo. "We chose a K04 for several reasons," Neumann says. "First, it's factory, requiring zero modifications to install, and it was able to produce the power we were looking for. The S3 had better top-end power, so after noticing it was equipped with different camshafts, I thought I'd give them a try. They worked out brilliantly."
Neuspeed envisions each project car as having a split personality, one that's comfortable for the everyday stop-and-go but also one that can handle some serious g-forces. The TT-N was outfitted with four-piston Brembo calipers and 355mm full floating rotors in the front and OEM S3 assemblies (310mm rotors) with Neuspeed stainless steel lines in the rear. For the suspension, the Neumanns used a multi-pronged approach with Bilstein PSS10 coilovers, Neuspeed tubular anti-roll bars, Neuspeed forged wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires to address any and all shortcomings in the factory configuration.
I finally snatched the TT-N's key from under Neumann's eagle eyes when he left to get the detailer spray and baby diapers to erase evidence of my fingerprints. On ignition, it introduced itself with a raucous exhaust blip. Making my way out of the driveway onto the uneven road surface, I was impressed with the suspension's comfort. Past the pothole-laden frontage road, I reached the freeway onramp and really got on it. Having a K04 turbo on my A3, I readied myself for massive wheel-spin on throttle, but surprisingly, it did not happen. The massive 265/30 Michelin Pilot Sport Cups just dug in and propelled the TT-N off the line without so much as a stutter. By the time a looked at the speedometer, I had quickly crested triple digits and was quickly coming up on traffic-a good time to test the big Brembos. A push of the pedal brought me from the back of the seat to the front as I went from close to 100 to 20mph instantly without hesitation. Navigating the urban Camarillo streets back to Neuspeed HQ, the suspension remained comfortable and held the line all the way through the corners.
The Neumanns have built what you might call a tuning dynasty, combining their passion for cars and their passion for perfection, thus earning a reputation for continually creating outstanding product under the Neuspeed name. In the TT-N moniker, N stands for Neuspeed, of course-and the Neumanns are proud to attach the family name. A name that has become synonymous with the word "tuner."
Audi TT-N
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive
Engine 2.0-liter I4, dohc, 16-valve. Neuspeed K04 turbo upgrade, Neuspeed turbo back exhaust with 200-cell HJS catalytic converters, Neuspeed Hi-Flo air charge pipe, Neuspeed Hi-Flo air discharge pipe, Neuspeed front-mount intercooler, Neuspeed P-Flo, Neuspeed Power Pulley, OEM S3 cams, OEM S3 DV relocation kit
Transmission Six-speed S tronic, Neuspeed urethane torque arm insert
Suspension Bilstein PSS10 coilovers, Neuspeed 25mm front anti-roll bar and Neuspeed race series 25mm rear anti-roll bar with Neuspeed billet end-links
Brakes Brembo four-piston calipers with 355mm rotors (f), 310mm OEM brake conversion with slotted rotors, Neuspeed stainless steel braided lines
Wheels and tires Neuspeed RS6, 19x9.5 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, 265/30
Exterior Caractere front and rear bumpers, Caractere rear wing, OSIR dry carbon fiber front grille, OEM Euro-spec head- and taillights, Neuspeed dry carbon-fiber engine cover
Interior DEFI boost gauge, OSIR gauge O-Pod
Performance* Peak Power: 335 hp @ 6450 rpm Peak Torque: 340 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm 0-60 mph: 5.3 sec. Top Speed: 160 mph *Neuspeed data est. at the crank on 91 octane fuel


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From the Desktop: Blackbox
No Thanks to the Rebate
I had to buy a new monitor for my Linux box last week, thanks to the death of the old monitor's mode controller. Not having the time to wait for a mail-order delivery, and since using Linux with just a keyboard and a mouse is a bit tricky for me, I ran over to the local computer superstore to grab a replacement.
It should be said that these people know me pretty well, since I am in there about once a month buying something or another for my collection of PCs and notebooks. To them, I am one of "those" people: a homo penguinus, traitor to my own kind. I first got their attention when I actually had to fight with them to not get the big rebate for the PC I picked up to be a Linux box.
I had to get the PC there because once again I could not wait for the mail order people to get one too me. Such is the curse of someone who does not plan their life out. Anyway, the rebate would knock the price of the PC down to $450, if I sold my soul for two years of Compuserve.
"But I don't want the rebate," I said to the minion as he handed me the rebate form written in lawyer-speak.
His eyes actually goggled, which is really very disturbing if you think about it.
"You don't want the rebate?" he stammered.
"No, there's no need, I'm not going to use Compuserve," I replied.
"But don't you want to save $700?" he asked, trying to appeal to me with the ultimate sense of reason.
"Sure," I answered, getting the tickle of danger down my spine, "but I need this machine today, so I can't custom order a box from someone else, and I am absolutely not going to use Compuserve, so it would be dishonest of me to claim the rebate."
One more try: "Well, Compuserve is not that bad, really--"
I cut him off, knowing full well the impact my next words would have on his Borg soul: "This is going to run Linux."
He blinked and goggled again. I'm pretty sure his synapses misfired.
"Linux. I'm installing Linux on it. Let's get it off the shelf and onto this cart, okay?"
Then came the most desperate statement of all: "Uh, I'm not sure Linux will run on this computer."
At this point, I was getting more than a little irritated at putting this much effort into something that should have amounted to a grab-and-go operation. This last statement was so ludicrous, however, I invested the next five minutes of my journey through the space-time continuum explaining to this dolt not only would Linux run on this box, it would run a hell of a lot faster and better than the (fill in the expletive) installed on it now.
At the end of my diatribe, he just blinked again (an action I am now convinced was an outward manifestation of his sales-spiel program rebooting itself) and said once more, "Maybe you should give Compuserve a try."
This went on for another 15 minutes, which ended after pulling the store manager into the fray and me signing three forms saying that I would not get the rebate, that I and my kind were the biggest idiots in the world for passing up this sweet deal cooked up by Compuserve, and I was forever branded as the "Schmuck Who Paid Full Price for a PC."
I did not go quietly into that good night, either. Basically I harangued the two of them all the way out the door and reminded them that not all their customers were sheep lulled into complacency by Microsoft, Intel, and whoever else I could think of at the time.
The investment of time and energy paid off, I am happy to say. The salespeople utterly understand my position now, and do not argue when I come in and pick something up. For this new monitor, the transaction consisted of me pointing at the monitor, saying "thank you" after the guy loaded the huge box into cart, and walking the whole thing up to the cashier.
So now I have a new monitor and my three-year-old has a huge new cardboard box to play house in, all nice and set up in my office for me to trip over in the dark when I stagger in at 3 a.m. to see if people in England have gotten around to answering my e-mails yet.
And, in perhaps the most contrived segue way ever devised, this week's window manager tour takes us to Blackbox. Must be one of those Circle of Life things.
- Skip Ahead
- 1. No Thanks to the Rebate
- 2. No Thanks to the Rebate
- 3. No Thanks to the Rebate


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Aerobic Exercise1
Cardiovascular exercise is stated to be helpful in rehabilitation from Fibromyalgia.
The guidelines most commonly given involve the patient performing active aerobic exercise three times weekly (some say four times) for at least 20 (some say 15) minutes during which time they are required to achieve between 60 and 85% of their maximum predicted heart rate. The methods of exercise best suited to Fibromyalgia patients are said to be cycling (static cycle) walking or swimming.
Appropriate warmup and warmdown periods are suggested and a slow incremental programme is needed to reach the prescribed length and frequency of exercising. The release of hormone-like substances (endogenous endorphins) during aerobic exercise is thought to offer the means whereby pain relief and well-being are enhanced, along with the obvious increased self-esteem and psychological boost which comes with increased fitness.
A study involving 34 patients with fibromyalgia had some of the patients perform aerobic exercise (cycle exercise which was designed to achieve a heart rate of 150 per minute) or flexibility exercises (achieving no more than 115 beats per minute) three times a week for 20 weeks. At the end of this period those patients doing the aerobic routines achieved far greater reduction in pain than the flexibility group.
People with CFS(ME) may be unable to do any exercise at all in some stages of their illness.
See the discussion below on cognitive/behavioural treatment in which tasks and routines (which have been agreed and negotiated between the CFS patient and the therapist) are performed daily with slight increments over time, whatever the patient feels (and whether they are having a good day or a bad day) always staying without strain.
Acupuncture in general and electroacupuncture in particular has an excellent track record in treatment of pain.
One of the leading experts in use of acupuncture in pain relief is Dr.P.Baldry after asserting categorically that acupuncture is certainly the treatment of choice for dealing with Myofascial Pain Syndrome or trigger point problems states:
"The pain in Fibromyalgia, which would seem to be due to some as yet unidentified noxious substance in the circulation giving rise to neural hyperactivity at tender points and trigger points takes a protracted course and it is only possible by means of acupuncture to suppress this neural hyperactivity for short periods".
As is clear there are other ways, however if acupuncture is used for Fibromyalgia Baldry believes that it is necessary to repeat treatment every 2 to 3 weeks for months or even years, which he regards as unsatisfactory, "but nevertheless some patients insist that it improves the quality of their lives".
Relief from pain for weeks on end and an enhanced quality of life would seem quite a desirable objective, perhaps helping ease the pain burden while more fundamental approaches are dealing with constitutional and causative issues.


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Filled, Led, and Protected — Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit…was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. (February 24, Discovering God's Daily Agenda by Henry & Richard Blackaby)
The first thing that came into mind, while reading this scripture, was the time I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at our ministry's Life in the Spirit Seminar Proper back in the summer of 2004.
I can't seem to remember any part of the proper except for the baptism and exhortation parts. During the baptism, when I was prayed over by my shepherd, I can still remember how cold it was in the room. It was raining outside with howling winds same as how the apostles experienced it during the Pentecost. Amidst the loud voices of other shepherds around, I can hear the quiet and calm voice of my shepherd, reminding me to give it all up to God, telling me to say Hallelujah over and over again to prompt the gift of tongues, and reminding me to ask for the Gifts that I asked God for. Little did I notice, I was falling into this relaxed state, as if I were in a quiet room, slowly drifting away. I never felt so peaceful and relaxed. I don't even remember falling backwards. That's how I felt being filled with the spirit. I became conscious of my surroundings a few minutes later. I could hear people speaking in tongues, people praying in loud voices, people singing in front. Later on, we were asked to stand up and join in on the worship.
Matthew 12:44-45 – Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
Before LSS Proper, my shepherd warned me that after the baptism, we would be attacked by the evil ones, trying to convince us that we didn't receive the empowerment of the Spirit. I found that to be true during the exhortation. I had a hard time focusing on the worship. I wondered why I wasn't able to speak in tongues like my co-lambs. That thought bothered me till I got home. Later that night, I texted my shepherd that something's troubling me and then he called me on the phone. He comforted me and reminded me of the warning he gave before the Proper. So we prayed on the phone and I was able to rest peacefully somehow that night. The gift of tongues manifested 2 years later, just before I was called to be an under-shepherd.
The devil will try everything to make us feel unworthy, that we are not capable of great things, that we aren't lucky or blessed, that we can't change, that we can't be good or we're not good. The devil trying is not the problem but the moment that we succumb to him is. We have to remember the promises of God, that He will never leave us, that He won't let anything bad happen to us as long us we put our trust and faith in Him. We should make God our foundation because He is firm and solid. If God is with us, who can be against us? But in case we give in, know that God is very forgiving. But let us not use that as an excuse to easily give in and sin. The devil may try to tempt us but we could also try to be better Christians–strong Christians.


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Back in 2004 Paul Graham wrote an essay on the Python Paradox:
if a company chooses to write its software in a comparatively esoteric language, they'll be able to hire better programmers, because they'll attract only those who cared enough to learn it. And for programmers the paradox is even more pronounced: the language to learn, if you want to get a good job, is a language that people don't learn merely to get a job.
Some tentative support for this theory comes from a study of programming languages done in 2000. The same task was given to over 80 programmers. The chart shows how long they took. Obviously the average for some languages was a lot less than for others, but the interesting thing for the Python Paradox is the variability. Java had huge variability: one developer took over 60 hours to complete the task. Meanwhile the Python developers were the most consistent, with the lowest variance as a percentage of the mean. I suspect (but can't prove) that this was because of the kind of programmers who wrote in Java and Python back in 2000. Java was the language of the Web start-up and the dot-com millionaire, but Python was an obscure open source scripting language. The Pythonistas in this study didn't learn it to get a job, but many of the Java programmers did.
But if this study was repeated today I bet the spread for Python would be a lot larger. Maybe still not as big as Java, but more like C++ or Perl. Because today you can get a good job writing Python. A quick check of jobs on dice.com found 1450 Python jobs against 7732 C++ jobs and 15640 jobs for Java. Python hasn't taken over the world, but the jobs are there.
So the smart employers and developers need something new to distinguish themselves from the crowd, and it looks like functional programming might be it. Programming Reddit carries lots of cool stuff about Haskell, and job adverts are starting to list a grab-bag of functional languages in the "would also be an advantage" list. For instance:
- Programming experience with more esoteric and powerful languages for data manipulation (Ruby, Python, Haskell, Lisp, Erlang)So it looks like the with-it job-seekers and recruiters may be starting to use functional programming to identify each other, just as they used Python up to 2004.
Update: Oops. I just remembered this post which started me thinking along these lines.