text:
ST. LOUIS — Genetics researchers at Washington University, one of the world's leading centers for work on the human genome, were devastated. Dr. Lukas Wartman, a young, talented and beloved colleague, had the very cancer he had devoted his career to studying. He was deteriorating fast. No known treatment could save him. And no one, to their knowledge, had ever investigated the complete genetic makeup of a cancer like his.
圣路易斯——华盛顿大学的遗传学研究人员遭受到一个巨大的打击。他们的大学在人类基因组研究上处于世界领先地位,但现在,他们的一位年轻有为、深受喜爱的同事卢卡斯·沃特曼(Lukas Wartman)博士患上了癌症,而这种癌症正是他倾尽精力在研究的课题。他的病情在快速恶化,而现有的治疗方法却不救不了他。而且,据他们所知,此前还没有人调查过这种癌症的完整基因组成。
So one day last July, Dr. Timothy Ley, associate director of the university's genome institute, summoned his team. Why not throw everything we have at seeing if we can find a rogue gene spurring Dr. Wartman's cancer, adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he asked? "It's now or never," he recalled telling them. "We will only get one shot."
去年7月的某一天,该大学基因研究所的副主任蒂莫西·利(Timothy Ley)博士召集了本组的成员。他问道,我们能不能不倾尽全力去寻找导致沃特曼博士患上成人急性淋巴细胞白血病的这个变异基因?"时不我待,"他说,自己当时这样告诉大家,"我们只有这一次机会。"
Dr. Ley's team tried a type of analysis that they had never done before. They fully sequenced the genes of both his cancer cells and healthy cells for comparison, and at the same time analyzed his RNA, a close chemical cousin to DNA, for clues to what his genes were doing.
The researchers on the project put other work aside for weeks, running one of the university's 26 sequencing machines and supercomputer around the clock. And they found a culprit — a normal gene that was in overdrive, churning out huge amounts of a protein that appeared to be spurring the cancer's growth.
Even better, there was a promising new drug that might shut down the malfunctioning gene — a drug that had been tested and approved only for advanced kidney cancer. Dr. Wartman became the first person ever to take it for leukemia.
And now, against all odds, his cancer is in remission and has been since last fall.
While no one can say that Dr. Wartman is cured, after facing certain death last fall, he is alive and doing well. Dr. Wartman is a pioneer in a new approach to stopping cancer. What is important, medical researchers say, is the genes that drive a cancer, not the tissue or organ — liver or brain, bone marrow, blood or colon — where the cancer originates.
One woman's breast cancer may have different genetic drivers from another woman's and, in fact, may have more in common with prostate cancer in a man or another patient's lung cancer.
Under this new approach, researchers expect that treatment will be tailored to an individual tumor's mutations, with drugs, eventually, that hit several key aberrant genes at once. The cocktails of medicines would be analogous to H.I.V. treatment, which uses several different drugs at once to strike the virus in a number of critical areas.
Researchers differ about how soon the method, known as whole genome sequencing, will be generally available and paid for by insurance — estimates range from a few years to a decade or so. But they believe that it has enormous promise, though it has not yet cured anyone.
With a steep drop in the costs of sequencing and an explosion of research on genes, medical experts expect that genetic analyses of cancers will become routine. Just as pathologists do blood cultures to decide which antibiotics will stop a patient's bacterial infection, so will genome sequencing determine which drugs might stop a cancer.
"Until you know what is driving a patient's cancer, you really don't have any chance of getting it right," Dr. Ley said. "For the past 40 years, we have been sending generals into battle without a map of the battlefield. What we are doing now is building the map."
Large drug companies and small biotechs are jumping in, starting to test drugs that attack a gene rather than a tumor type.
Leading cancer researchers are starting companies to find genes that might be causing an individual's cancer to grow, to analyze genetic data and to find and test new drugs directed against these genetic targets. Leading venture capital firms are involved.
For now, whole genome sequencing is in its infancy and dauntingly complex. The gene sequences are only the start — they come in billions of small pieces, like a huge jigsaw puzzle. The arduous job is to figure out which mutations are important, a task that requires skill, experience and instincts.
目前,全基因组测序还处在初期阶段,且极其复杂。 基因序列只是开始——基因片段多达数十亿个,就像是一个巨大的拼图。工作的艰巨之处就是找到关键的突变,这需要技术、经验和直觉。
So far, most who have chosen this path are wealthy and well connected. When Steve Jobs had exhausted other options to combat pancreatic cancer, he consulted doctors who coordinated his genetic sequencing and analysis. It cost him $100,000, according to his biographer. The writer Christopher Hitchens went to the head of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, who advised him on where to get a genetic analysis of his esophageal cancer.
到目前为止,那些选择基因测序治疗癌症的人多数都极有钱,而且人脉甚广。当史蒂夫·乔布斯(Steve Jobs)为治疗胰腺癌用尽了其他一切方法之后,他咨询医生并由医生协调安排进行了基因测序和分析。他的传记作者透露,为此他花费了10万美元。作家克里斯托弗·希钦斯(Christopher Hitchens)曾求助于美国国家健康研究院(National Institutes of Health)的院长弗朗西斯·科林斯(Francis Collins)博士,后者告诉了他到哪里可以做食道癌的基因分析。
Harvard Medical School expects eventually to offer whole genome sequencing to help cancer patients identify treatments, said Heidi L. Rehm, who heads the molecular medicine laboratory at Harvard's Partners Healthcare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine. But later this year, Partners will take a more modest step, offering whole genome sequencing to patients with a suspected hereditary disorder in hopes of identifying mutations that might be causing the disease.
哈佛医学院(Harvard Medical School)希望最终可以通过全基因测序来帮助癌症患者确定治疗方法,海蒂·L·雷姆(Heidi L. Rehm)说道。她负责哈佛医学院美国联盟医疗中心个性化遗传医学的分子医学实验室(Partners Healthcare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine) 。但今年下半年,联盟医疗中心会先采取一个相对小的步骤,给疑似患有遗传病的患者做全基因组测序,希望找到可能导致了疾病发生的基因变异。
Whole genome sequencing of the type that Dr. Wartman had, Dr. Rehm added, "is a whole other level of complexity."
Dr. Wartman was included by his colleagues in a research study, and his genetic analysis was paid for by the university and research grants. Such opportunities are not available to most patients, but Dr. Ley noted that the group had done such an analysis for another patient the year before and that no patients were being neglected because of the urgent work to figure out Dr. Wartman's cancer.
"The precedent for moving quickly on a sample to make a key decision was already established," Dr. Ley said.
Ethicists ask whether those with money and connections should have options far out of reach for most patients before such treatments become a normal part of medicine. And will people of more limited means be tempted to bankrupt their families in pursuit of a cure at the far edges?
"If we say we need research because this is a new idea, then why is it that rich people can even access it?" asked Wylie Burke, professor and chairwoman of the department of bioethics at the University of Washington. The saving grace, she said, is that the method will become available to all if it works.
"如果说这是一个新想法,我们还要研究,那么为什么那些富人能得到这种治疗?"华盛顿大学生物伦理学院的教授兼院长怀利·伯克(Wylie Burke)问道。聊可慰藉的是,如果该方法有效,则会惠及大众。
A Life in Medicine
It was pure happenstance that landed Dr. Wartman in a university at the forefront of cancer research. He grew up in small-town Indiana, aspiring to be a veterinarian like his grandfather. But in college, he worked summers in hospitals and became fascinated by cancer. He enrolled in medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was drawn to research on genetic changes that occur in cancers of the blood. Dr. Wartman knew then what he wanted to do — become a physician researcher.
Those plans fell apart in the winter of 2002, his last year of medical school, when he went to California to be interviewed for a residency program at Stanford. On the morning of his visit, he was nearly paralyzed by an overwhelming fatigue.
"I could not get out of bed for an interview that was the most important of my life," Dr. Wartman recalled. Somehow, he forced himself to drive to Palo Alto in a drenching rain. He rallied enough to get through the day.
When he returned to St. Louis, he gave up running, too exhausted for the sport he loved. He started having night sweats.
"I thought it might be mono," he said. "And I thought I would ride it out."
But then the long bones in his legs began to hurt. He was having fevers.
He was so young then — only 25 — and had always been so healthy that his only doctor was a pediatrician. So he went to an urgent care center in February 2003. The doctor there thought his symptoms might come from depression, but noticed that his red and white blood cell counts were low. And Lukas Wartman, who had been fascinated by the biology of leukemia, began to suspect he had it.
"I was definitely scared," he said. "It was so unreal."
The next day, Mr. Wartman, who was about to graduate from Washington University's medical school, went back there for more tests. A doctor slid a long needle into his hip bone and drew out marrow for analysis.
"We looked at the slide together," Dr. Wartman said, recalling that terrible time. "It was packed with leukemia cells. I was in a state of shock."
Dr. Wartman remained at the university for his residency and treatment: nine months of intensive chemotherapy, followed by 15 months of maintenance chemotherapy. Five years passed when the cancer seemed to be gone. But then it came back. Next came the most risky remedy — intensive chemotherapy to put the cancer into remission followed by a bone-marrow transplant from his younger brother.
Seven months after the transplant, feeling much stronger, he went to a major cancer meeting and sat in on a session on his type of leukemia. The speaker, a renowned researcher, reported that only 4 or 5 percent of those who relapsed survived.
"My stomach turned," Dr. Wartman said. "I will never forget the shock of hearing that number."
But his personal gauge of recovery — how far he could run — was encouraging.
By last spring, three years after his transplant, Dr. Wartman was running six to seven miles every other day and feeling good. "I thought maybe I would run a half marathon in the fall."
Then the cancer came back. He remembered that number, 4 or 5 percent, for patients with one relapse. He had relapsed a second time.
This time, he said, "There is no number."
His doctors put him on a clinical trial to try to beat the cancer with chemotherapy and hormones. It did not work.
They infused him with his brother's healthy marrow cells, to no avail.
A Clue in RNA
Dr. Wartman's doctors realized then that their last best hope for saving him was to use all the genetic know-how and technology at their disposal.
After their month of frantic work to beat cancer's relentless clock, the group, led by Richard Wilson and Elaine Mardis, directors of the university's genome institute, had the data. It was Aug. 31.
这个抗癌小组的领导人是理查德·威尔逊(Richard Wilson) 和伊莱恩·马迪斯(Elaine Mardis),他们都是大学基因研究所的主任。癌症的发展刻不容缓,他们疯狂工作了一个月,最终在8月31日获得了数据。
The cancer's DNA had, as expected, many mutations, but there was nothing to be done about them. There were no drugs to attack them.
But the other analysis, of the cancer's RNA, was different. There was something there, something unexpected.
The RNA sequencing showed that a normal gene, FLT3, was wildly active in the leukemia cells. Its normal role is to make cells grow and proliferate. An overactive FLT3 gene might be making Dr. Wartman's cancer cells multiply so quickly.
Even better, there was a drug, sunitinib or Sutent, approved for treating advanced kidney cancer, that inhibits FLT3.
But it costs $330 a day, and Dr. Wartman's insurance company would not pay for it. He appealed twice to his insurer and lost both times.
He also pleaded with the drug's maker, Pfizer, to give him the drug under its compassionate use program, explaining that his entire salary was only enough to pay for 7 ½ months of Sutent. But Pfizer turned him down too.
他还请求该药物的生产商辉瑞制药公司(Pfizer)以"爱心用药计划(compassionate use program)"的名义为他提供药物,他解释说他的全部工资只够支付七个半月的"索坦"。但辉瑞也拒绝了他的请求。
As September went by, Dr. Wartman was getting panicky.
"Every day is a roller coaster," he said at the time, "and everything is up in the air."
Desperate to try the drug, he scraped up the money to buy a week's worth and began taking it on Sept. 16. Within days, his blood counts were looking more normal.
But over dinner at a trendy St. Louis restaurant, he picked at his chicken and said he was afraid to hope.
"Obviously it's exciting," he said. "But Sutent could have unanticipated effects on my bone marrow." Maybe his rising red blood cell counts were just a side effect of the drug. Or maybe they were just a coincidence.
"It's hard to say if I feel any different," Dr. Wartman said.
And the cost of the drug nagged at him. If it worked, how long could he afford to keep taking it?
The next day, a nurse at the hospital pharmacy called with what seemed miraculous news: a month's supply of Sutent was waiting for Dr. Wartman. He did not know at the time, but the doctors in his division had pitched in to buy the drug.
Two weeks later, his bone marrow, which had been full of leukemia cells, was clean, a biopsy showed.
Still, he was nervous. The test involved taking out just a small amount of marrow. Cancer cells could be lurking unseen.
The next test was flow cytometry, which used antibodies to label cancer cells. Again, there were no cancer cells.
But even flow cytometry could be misleading, Dr. Wartman told himself.
Finally, a yet more sensitive test, called FISH, was done. It labels cancer cells with fluorescent pieces of DNA to identify leukemia cells. Once again, there were none.
"I can't believe it," his awe-struck physician, Dr. John DiPersio, told him.
"这难以置信,"他的内科医生约翰·迪佩尔西奥(John DiPersio)感到万分惊异。
Dr. Wartman, alone in his apartment, waited for his partner, Damon Berardi, to come home from work. That evening, Mr. Berardi, a 31-year-old store manager, opened the door with no idea of Dr. Wartman's momentous news. To his surprise, Dr. Wartman was home early, waiting in the kitchen with champagne and two flutes he had given Mr. Berardi for Christmas. He told Mr. Berardi he should sit down.
沃特曼博士一个人在公寓里等待着伴侣戴蒙·贝拉尔迪(Damon Berardi)下班回来。那天晚上,31岁的商店经理贝拉尔迪打开门时绝没有想到沃特曼博士会带来这一重大消息。他惊讶地发现沃特曼博士提早回了家,正坐在厨房里等着他,桌上放着香槟酒,还有沃特曼博士作为圣诞礼物送给他的长笛。沃特曼博士让贝拉尔迪坐下。
"My leukemia is in remission," he said. The men embraced exultantly, and Dr. Wartman popped open the champagne.
"I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and a renewed vision of our future together," Mr. Berardi said. "There were no tears at that moment. We had both had cried plenty. This was a moment of hope."
Hunches and Decisions
Dr. Wartman and his doctors had fateful decisions to make, with nothing but hunches to guide them. Should he keep taking Sutent or have another bone-marrow transplant now that he was in remission again?
In the end, Dr. DiPersio decided Dr. Wartman should have the transplant because without it the cancer might mutate and escape the Sutent.
Meanwhile, Pfizer had decided to give him the drug. Dr. Wartman has no idea why. Perhaps the company was swayed by an impassioned plea from his nurse practitioner, Stephanie Bauer.
同时,辉瑞决定为他提供药物。沃特曼博士不知道为什么。或许是他的护理师斯蒂芬妮·鲍尔(Stephanie Bauer)的激烈恳求说服了这家公司。
Dr. Wartman's cancer is still gone, for now, but he has struggled with a common complication of bone-marrow transplants, in which the white blood cells of the transplanted marrow attack his cells as though they were foreign. He has had rashes and felt ill. But these complications are gradually lessening, and he is back at work in Dr. Ley's lab.
His colleagues want to look for the same mutation in the cancer cells of other patients with his cancer. And they would like to start a clinical trial testing Sutent to discover whether the drug can help others with leukemia, or whether the solution they found was unique to Lukas Wartman.
Dr. Wartman himself is left with nagging uncertainties. He knows how lucky he is, but what does the future hold? Can he plan a life? Is he cured?
"It's a hard feeling to describe," he said. "I am in uncharted waters."


text:
A Southern California teacher has launched a movement to help reduce the use of texting lingo by students as part of a month-long effort she calls the "gramMARCH Challenge."
"R u ready 4 da gramMARCH challenge? Save the d8 on ur calendar bc it will b n event u dnt wanna miss," a press release humorously stated.
The gramMARCH Challenge is a movement created by Heather Shotke, a middle school teacher who noticed that students were using abbreviated forms of language typically used on social media - LOLs, OMGs, emoticons - in their schoolwork as well.
"I am disappointed and appalled," Shotke said. "Kids are using 'text language' in their academic work and they think it is acceptable because that is how they are communicating with their friends on social media. It worries me that they cannot differentiate between a formal, school assignment and a text to a friend."
For the month of March, those taking on the gramMARCH challenge will write using proper grammar, full sentences and use entire words in text messaging, formal writing and all forms of written communication.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Muscatel Middle School in Rosemead and Rowland High School and Rowland Heights are some of the participating schools, according to Shotke's Twitter feed.
The Pew Research Center's Internet Project estimates that teens ages 14 to 17 send an average of 100 text messages a day.
"Anecdotally, it takes about 30 days for something to become a habit," Shotke said. "So, if we can get people to accept the gramMARCH Challenge and write with proper grammar in all communications – including texts, tweets, Kiks, Instagram captions and status updates on Facebook – for the month of March, we may be able to make the shift back to intelligent communication."
More information on the movement can be found on the gramMARCH website.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Thursday, 5 January 2017
I'm not here
Chris Priestley has moved to Wordpress. I am now to be found here. Apologies to all who have come here and found me absent. Much has happened since I was last here and I hope you'll catch up with things on my new website.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Durch den Wald
The German language paperback editions of Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror turned up in the post. The Tales of Terror always look good in German - it seems to suit the books very well. I hope they read as well. I'm guessing they must do if they have gone into paperback.
Terror & wonder
I went along to the opening of the British Library's Terror and Wonder: the Gothic Imagination exhibition last Thursday. I had received an invite quite some time ago and I remember being flattered to be on the British Library's radar after a bit of a quiet year. But then, on the day before the opening, I had an email from Phil and Sarah Stokes who are in charge of Clive Barker's archive to tell me that a poster I did for Clive, way back in 1982, for a play of his - Frankenstein in Love - had been selected for display.
So that was why I had been given an invite, I assumed. I met up with fellow author Chris Edge (who took the photo of me above) and we went round together to hunt out my poster. And there it was - looking very important under a glass case and with other bits and pieces, like that Clive Barker poster idea up in the top right.
It was such a lovely surprise - although why it was a surprise is a bit of a mystery. I wasn't told and neither it seems was Bloomsbury. It was great to see children's Gothic fiction being acknowledged like this but odd for the creators to be left slightly out of the loop. There is a schools programme and events in connection with the exhibition, which is run in conjunction with the BBC, for the life of the show, which runs until January 2015. I hope get to do something - maybe with my old mate Chris Riddell.
Meanwhile - if you are anywhere near the British Library - or even if you're not - get yourself along to the exhibition, which is stuffed full of fascinating things.
Monday, 29 September 2014
Longlisted dead men
I'm delighted to be say that The Dead Men Stood Together has been included on the longlist for the UKLA Children's Book Award in the 12-16+ category. I'm up against some incredible writers so I will be very lucky to make it to the shortlist, but it is an honour as always to be noticed at all.
The Wickford Doom
I'm finally able to share with you the cover for my first book with the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish books for dyslexic and struggling readers. It is set in England in World War II and tells the story of a boy and his mother who leave London and go to the Suffolk coast to claim an inheritance and come face to face with an ancient evil.
I'll tell you more about that later...
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Before the law
Recently there has been one of those Facebook list things - where someone writes a list and then nominates three other people who write a list and nominate...and so on. The subject of the list this time has been '10 books that have stayed with you'.
Like most people I could write a different list every day for different reasons. It depends on my mood - and my memory. It did, however, make me think I might go through my bookshelves and pick out books that I think have made a particular impact on me for whatever reason.
I can't remember when I first read Franz Kafka's The Trial - some time in my twenties I would imagine. What I am pretty sure of though, is that I would not be the same person had I not read it - not that it changed me so much as confirmed in me something that was already there.
The book has stayed with me like a half-remembered dream and the beginning is a favourite of mine:
Someone must have been telling lies about Joseph K, for without having done anything wrong he was arrested one fine morning.
The book was written at the beginning of the First World War and not published until 1925, after Kafka's death, but that paranoid beginning seems to be perpetually relevant. It could have been written in the 1950s, the 1970s - or yesterday.
I remember vividly the last passage too, where Joseph K is lead through town to a quarry to be stabbed 'Like a dog!' with a butcher's knife. This kind of bleakness has given Kafka a reputation for miserablism but he in fact expressed frustration that people did not recognise the humour in his work - dark though that humour undoubtedly is.
The section I remember most of all is the strange parable told in the novel called Before the Law. In this story a 'man from the country' comes and tries to gain admission to 'the Law' at a doorway in a wall, but the guard tells him it is not possible to gain admittance at that time. He is kept waiting for years until he is weak and near to death. He manages to summon the energy to ask the guard why in all the years he has waited there no other person has tried to gain entry. The guard tells him that no one could gain entry at that door because that door was meant for him and him alone and 'I am now going to shut it!'
It's hard to judge a style when you are reading in translation and in the case of Kafka's novels, reading fragments (although Before the Law was actually published on its own in his lifetime), but there is something magical about the way that story is structured. I loved it then and still re-read it occasionally and whenever I do it re-awakens something in me - something in the way I think about stories and about writing.
You can hear Orson Welles reading it in his film of The Trial with Anthony Perkins as Joseph K.
Monday, 8 September 2014
Creepy old spaceship
We have watched Alien and Aliens in the last few days. I had not seen either movie for a long time - apart from the occasional clip or coming across them as I flicked through the channels looking for something to watch.
Together with some friends, I bunked off college one afternoon to watch Alien when it first came out. There was so much hype surrounding it. We were terrified. I can't say that I was terrified this time round, but it still looks pretty good, all things considered.
Technology - imagined technology - dates very quickly. The tiny computer screens with their luminous letters on black screens and banks of flashing lights look a bit silly now of course, but the ship itself has become a template for so many spaceship interiors. It was the first film I remember seeing where the interiors in a spacecraft were dirty and industrial - and badly lit.
That bad lighting is essential of course. Because Alien is essentially a 'creepy old house' movie. It is like an old Universal monster movie, or a slasher movie like Halloween, with the residents of the isolated old Nostromo being picked off one by one. It relies on the same kind of 'Don't go in there!', 'He's behind you!' triggers.
One of the problems with monster movies is the monster itself. It is usually only partly glimpsed through the movie until the reveal at the end where it often disappoints. But not the alien designed by the late H R Giger. That still looks great. It's one of the few movie monsters that you can look at for a long time and still be awed by it.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Rome, Italy, May 22, 2012 / 07:25 pm MT ().- Father Alvaro Corcuera, the general director of the Legion of Christ, has asked forgiveness for his failure to act firmly enough towards a prominent Legion priest who fathered a child and has insisted that the Legion is improving its efforts to hold wayward clergy accountable.
The general director wrote a May 21 letter to the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi members in North America about the situation "not to excuse my ineffectiveness, but to explain it -- and beg your forgiveness."
Father Thomas Williams, a television broadcaster, prolific author, and theology and ethics professor at the Legion's Regina Apostolorum University in Rome, issued a May 15 statement admitting that he had a relationship with a woman "a number of years ago." He apologized for the "grave transgression" and said he will leave active public ministry for a year.
Fr. Corcuera, the Regina Apostolorum University's former rector, provided new information about the timeline of the events. He said that he had heard rumors about Fr. Williams' misbehavior during his time as rector and inquired about them, but he believed Fr. Williams' denial.
After Fr. Corcuera became the Legion's general director in 2005, "early" in his assignment, he learned that Fr. Williams in fact had a relationship with a woman and fathered a child.
"I reviewed the situation with Fr. Williams, asking him to start withdrawing from public ministry," Fr. Corcuera said.
The general director placed restrictions on the priest's ministry in May 2010, but in his recent letter Fr. Corcuera said these restrictions were "not firm enough" because he was not asked to leave teaching. Fr. Williams was told to "fully withdraw" from all public ministry in March 2012.
"I also must admit that, in the midst of all that was happening I was not diligent in setting proper restrictions and enforcing them," the general director said.
His comments follow a May 15 Legion of Christ statement saying the general director and his council are "deeply sorry for not having acted earlier and more firmly."
Fr. Corcuera's May 21 letter stressed the need to reassure Legion and Regnum Christi members that "things are handled differently now."
He said that precautionary measures, possibly including removal from public ministry, are now taken when a "serious charge" is brought against any member of the Legion of Christ.
If there is a legal issue, it is reported to the authorities and the Legion cooperates with them "completely." Relevant issues are also reported to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Fr. Corcuera said that changes in the Legion's governance structure are also moving away from the centralized style created by the religious congregation's founder, Fr. Marcel Maciel. After his death Fr. Maciel was exposed as a sexual abuser who also fathered children.
Reforms of the Legion's constitution, the general director said, will help minimize the chance of "future failings."
"However, we are fallen human beings; as a growing, international congregation, it is likely that some of us will fail to live up to our ideals. But when that happens, every person will be held accountable for his or her actions," he said.
He also called on priests who have engaged in abuse or sexual misconduct to "step forward" to be held accountable and "receive the assistance and the supervision they need."
Anyone affected by a Legionary priest should report it to the relevant authorities, he said.
Fr. Corcuera said that he is confident that with God's help the Legion can work to repair past injustices "in a way consonant with the justice and charity demanded in the Gospel."
He said he has always "esteemed and valued" Fr. Williams, which makes the current situation "so painful."
The general director urged Legion supporters to show "unity, charity, prayer and mutual support" in advancing the congregation's renewal. He specifically asked for prayers for Fr. Williams, for Legionaries who may be "a cause of scandal with their sins," and for any victims.
"God can always bring good from evil – let us be on his side in this effort!" he said.
Tags: Legion, Sexual Abuse, Scandals
You may also like »
Irish Church's abuse review stresses accountability
New reviews of six Irish dioceses show that the Catholic Church in Ireland is dedicated to...
Cardinal stresses accountability amid past clergy reports
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago has sent a letter to the faithful of his archdiocese ahead...
Legion leaders regret not acting sooner in Fr. Williams case
Leaders of the Legionaries of Christ have apologized for not acting more quickly in the case of...


text:
I recently did a post titled "Are We Being Run By Arseholes?" – talking about a bit from John Stewart's THE DAILY SHOW about the inability of Congress to do something simple. While the term "arseholes" may be a bit much – there is much evidence lately to suggest that the members of Congress are idiots!
The inaction by Congress regarding the "extenders", the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch, and the status of the federal Estate Tax is inexcusable. We are not talking about extending these items for 2011, we are talking about tax year 2010 – which has less than 2½ months left!
It is obvious that we will have to wait until after the election before the Congress will even think about doing anything – God forbid voting on a bill should affect a Congresscritter's (as Joe Kristan likes to call the bastards) chance of re-election.
This unnecessary and inexcusable delay is bad for the economy, bad tax policy, and causes all kinds of agita for the IRS, which usually likes to "go to press" with tax forms and instructions in October. Undoubtedly there will once again be delays to the beginning of the upcoming tax filing season (this is not the first time Congress had acted stupidly in this area).
I will be attending the annual year-end tax update class given by the National Association of Tax Professionals each year (in Atlantic City) in early November. The class will be incomplete and will not be able to present a true and certain picture of everything that will be in effect for the 2010 returns we will file during the 2011 tax filing season, or provide sufficient information on taxes for 2011.
Wait - who is to say that the fools will actually be able to pass the necessary extender legislation in the short time left before they leave Washington for the rest of the year?
Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that lately Congress is more dangerously partisan than ever before. With only the most minimal of exceptions, Republicans will only vote for bills introduced by Republicans, and Democrats will only support legislation introduced by their party. A Republican could introduce a bill that would guarantee world peace, and the Democrats would vote against it because it was not introduced by a Democrat.
As a result virtually nothing gets done easily, if at all. Even issues, like the ending of Don't Ask-Don't Tell and relief for infected 9/11 first responders, which were actually supported by a majority of both parties either couldn't get passed or took forever to so do (as discussed in the DAILY SHOW bit) because of partisan games.
I have not done a study of the problem, but I don't recall this being the case during my earlier years. I can remember a time when Congress at least put on the act of thinking about the good of the country and its citizens. When did it begin? It was certainly present during Dubya's term, but has become more prominent and hazardous during BO's tenure.
Another example that Congress is full of idiots concerns the new rules for 1099 reporting. The cafones passed, as part of the Health Care "reform" bill, a requirement for businesses to report payments for goods as well as services to all entities, including corporations. Since it was passed Congress has been trying to repeal or revise it.
I doubt if those who drafted the provision took even one minute to consider the consequences of the actual application of this requirement, and the excessive burden it would place on small business. They needed some quick income-generating offsets, and that sounded good. And I doubt if those voting for the bill read through all of the provisions of the legislation before saying yea or nay.
Since the passage of the bill various small business organizations, and tax bloggers, have brought the stupidity of this provision to the attention of the public and Congress – and now the cafones are all "mea culpa" and want to take it back. But, as per the ridiculous partisanship, they have not been able to do so yet.
{As an aside - I am certainly not against expanding the reporting of fees paid for services (not the purchase of goods) to include corporations – but that is as far as it should go.}
All of the above gives me serious doubts that the members of Congress are "smarter than a fifth grader"!
I recently considered writing a letter to be sent to every member of Congress. It would begin with "Shame on you!" and include the following advice –
1) Get off your arse and vote on the 2010 and 2011 "extenders" ASAP.
2) Make serious and substantial tax reform/simplification a top priority when you (or your successors) return to Washington in January.
3) When drafting a bill, seriously investigate and consider the burdens its provisions will place on those who are being required to comply.
4) Actually read in entirely each piece of legislation you vote on before voting.
5) Base your votes on the content of the legislation and not on which party introduced it.
6) Stop making quick-fix knee-jerk reactions to serious problems – and actually seriously respond to the problem. And
7) While nothing we can do will ever remove getting re-elected as your number one priority, at least make the intelligent and effective administration of the government your number two.
Would you like to add anything?


text:
Monday, February 20, 2012
Photo-a-Day: Week 3
14. heart
15. phone
My phone is crap. It drops about 75% of my calls.
16. something new
My hair color and my falsies!
17. time
18. drink
My husband came home from San Diego and took me out to breakfast. I ordered as many drinks as possible. I love drinks!
19. something I hate to do
I hate throwing away magazines. This isn't my whole collection, either. Even the ones I don't like, I at least try to resell at Half Price Books.
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter! @catiebeatty
10 comments:
- RICHA S said...
I've never been able to put false eyelashes... i soooo wanna to... whats the trick... it always fails to stick on the corners...
- February 20, 2012 at 7:24 PM
- Unknown said...
That is the trickiest part! Sometimes I just give up and hope they don't peel off in the middle of the day. It helps if you put a little extra at the ends and then press and hold them for a few seconds.
- February 20, 2012 at 8:24 PM
- xyz said...
cool glasses
- February 20, 2012 at 9:08 PM
- Unknown said...
Thanks Qwarthon! Has ROFL Catz going?
- February 20, 2012 at 10:29 PM
- Annebeth said...
ah, those lashes look divine! I have been contemplating buying falsies too but it feels so silly because I have long lashes myself, but I love how doll-like falsies look!
- February 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM
- xyz said...
no one is visiting it!
- February 21, 2012 at 2:01 PM
- Emily♥♥♥ said...
I love falsies too! We should totally get together. Do you want to get coffee sometime?
- February 21, 2012 at 2:48 PM
- Collette Osuna said...
Love the new hair:) I have a HUGE magazine collection too.....cant seem to throw them away either.
A Lifestyle Blog where Fashion, Décor & Cooking "connect"
- February 22, 2012 at 5:22 AM
- Becky said...
I hate throwing away magazines too! Even when I was 10, I would collect all my Girl Talks.
- February 26, 2012 at 7:45 AM
- Claudi said...
Love your hair.
Mochi Beaucoup Giveaway @ WLDHRTS
- February 27, 2012 at 9:47 AM


text:
Pressing bearing sets together during hot mounting
When cooling, their bore diameter contracts to obtain the necessary (interference) fit. Their width also contracts and a small gap between the bearings can result. This gap can negatively impact the preload in the bearing set. To avoid this, the bearing inner rings should be pressed against each other while cooling (fig. 1) with an axial force that is slightly greater than the dismounting force. A force should never be applied directly or indirectly to the outer rings when pressing the bearings together.
Package markings
When selecting universally matchable angular contact ball bearings to make a set from existing stock, the package provides helpful information such as the mean outside and the mean bore diameter deviations from the nominal diameters as well as the actual bearing contact angle (fig. 3). Bearings with similar deviations and contact angles should be used together in a set.


text:
Hey guys I'm having problems with a Java assignment that I've been working on for weeks. Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction. My assignment is to make the following changes to the program below:
(I already finished this but the first part is too...) change the blueButton so that it's event handling is done by an anonymous inner class. The ActionListener interface will serve as the "base class" for the anonymous inner class (this is okay, even though interfaces cannot be instantiated). Within the anonymous class definition you will specify the required event-handling method, which contains a couple of lines of code to change the color.
Then change the yellowButton so that an instance of a "top level" class (not an inner class) which you create, called ButtonListener, will do the event handling for it. You will need to define the class, and also create an instance of it, passing to the constructor the reference to the ButtonPanel (the "this" object). The constructor should save this reference in an instance variable. This reference is needed for a "callback" when the event is being handled. That is, the calls to setBackground() and repaint() should be done on the ButtonPanel object, not the ButtonListener object. After all, your listener object has no background - it's not even a visible object! It needs to set its creator object's background. That's why you saved the reference to the ButtonPanel in the ButtonListener's constructor.
and last, change the redButton so that it uses an named "inner" class to the ButtonPanel. This is very handy, since the setBackground and repaint methods can both use the implied object of "this" (the ButtonPanel). If the listener is an inner class, then it automatically has access to its enclosing class' "this". So with the inner class, there is no need to pass the ButtonPanel's reference as with the "top-level" class. Of course, you still need to create an instance of the inner class, and register it as the listener for the redButton.
import java.awt.*; import java.awt.event.*; import javax.swing.*; class ButtonPanel extends JPanel implements ActionListener { public ButtonPanel() //constructor { yellowButton = new JButton("Yellow"); blueButton = new JButton("Blue"); redButton = new JButton("Red"); add(yellowButton); add(blueButton); add(redButton); yellowButton.addActionListener(this); blueButton.addActionListener(this); redButton.addActionListener(this); } public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent evt) //ActionListener method { Object source = evt.getSource(); Color color = getBackground(); if (source == yellowButton) color = Color.yellow; else if (source == blueButton) color = Color.blue; else if (source == redButton) color = Color.red; setBackground(color); repaint(); } private JButton yellowButton; private JButton blueButton; private JButton redButton; } class ButtonFrame extends JFrame { public ButtonFrame() { setTitle("Button Test"); setSize(300, 200); setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); Container contentPane = getContentPane(); contentPane.add(new ButtonPanel()); } } public class ButtonTest { public static void main(String[] args) { JFrame frame = new ButtonFrame(); frame.show(); } }
Here is my code. I'm stuck at the second set of instructions with the yellowButton and ButtonListener class. I made comments to show everything I was trying to do but I honestly have no clue what I'm doing. My compile errors are below. I changed up the code a bit from the original because I'm used to seeing the main method first and seeing class variables declared at the top instead of the bottom.
import java.awt.*; import java.awt.event.*; import javax.swing.*; public class ButtonTest2 { public static void main(String[] args) { JFrame frame = new ButtonFrame(); frame.show(); } } class ButtonListener implements ActionListener //"top-level" class that implements the ActionListener interface for the event handling. { private ButtonPanel thePanel; //object variables declared private ButtonPanel Pan; private ButtonListener l; public ButtonListener(ButtonPanel Pan) //constructor that passes the reference to the ButtonPanel object (the "this" object) { thePanel = Pan; //instance varible to save reference to theButtonPanel object ButtonListener l = new ButtonListener(thePanel); //new ButtonListener object to do the event handling. I am referencing to the ButtonPanel object in the parentheses. l.addActionListener(); //call to event handler } public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event) //ActionListener method to do the event handling { l.setBackground(Color.yellow); l.repaint(); } } class ButtonPanel extends JPanel { private JButton blueButton; private JButton yellowButton; private JButton redButton; public ButtonPanel() { JButton yellowButton = new JButton("Yellow"); JButton blueButton = new JButton("Blue"); JButton redButton = new JButton("Red"); add(yellowButton); add(blueButton); add(redButton); blueButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener() //annonymous class to perform the event handling for the blueButton { public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event) { Object blueButton = event.getSource(); setBackground(Color.blue); repaint(); } }); } } class ButtonFrame extends JFrame { public ButtonFrame() { setTitle("Button Test"); setSize(300, 200); setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); Container contentPane = getContentPane(); contentPane.add(new ButtonPanel()); } }
Here are the errorsjava:33: cannot find symbol symbol : method addActionListener() location: class ButtonListener l.addActionListener(); ^ java:39: cannot find symbol symbol : method setBackground(java.awt.Color) location: class ButtonListener l.setBackground(Color.yellow); ^ java:40: cannot find symbol symbol : method repaint() location: class ButtonListener l.repaint(); ^ Note: ButtonTest2.java uses or overrides a deprecated API. Note: Recompile with -Xlint:deprecation for details. 3 errors


text:
ATHENS, Ohio (AP) D.J. Cooper scored 21 points and Reggie Keely added 19 to help Ohio beat Buffalo 86-68 Wednesday night in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.
Cooper made 7 of 9 shots from the field, including a season-high five 3-pointers, and dished out seven assists for Ohio, which is averaging 25 assists over its last five games.
Keely, who hit 6 of 10 shot attempts, converted a season-high seven free throws. His shot from the stripe with 1:52 left in the first half gave Ohio (10-5, 1-0) a 48-31 advantage and Cooper hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to give the Bobcats a 53-31 lead at the break.
Ohio extended its lead to 64-36 on another trey from Cooper.
The Bobcats shot 50.8 percent (32 of 63) from the field and hit 9 of 18 3-point attempts.
Javon McCrea and Jarryn Skeete scored 13 apiece for Buffalo (5-10, 0-1).


text:
From Our Editors
Basilico has a number of locations across London offering a selection of wood-fired pizzas. To facilitate such a service, the first branch fitted an oven, which was hand made and installed by an Italian family specially flown in for the job. Customers can choose from a range of pizzas, up to 18 inches in size, as well as sides and desserts. A selection of Italian beers and wines are also available.


text:
QNX News Releases
QNX CAR Application Platform 2.0 Chosen by Delphi for Next-Generation Infotainment SystemsGlobal tier one automotive supplier uses HTML5-based platform to create seamless connectivity from mobile devices to in-vehicle infotainment experience
LAS VEGAS, 2013 International CES (North Hall, Booth 1837), January 8 — QNX Software Systems Limited, a global leader in software platforms for in-car electronics, today announced that Delphi Automotive (NYSE: DLPH) has chosen the QNX CAR™ application platform 2.0 for use in next-generation infotainment systems.
This week, at CES, Delphi will demonstrate how it has leveraged the HTML5 framework in the QNX CAR application platform to create a powerful graphics system for automotive use. Visit the Delphi booth in the North Hall, #730.
"Our more than ten-year collaboration with QNX Software Systems has resulted in highly successful infotainment solutions that we've been able to bring to market quickly, thanks to the efficient, modular architecture of the QNX platform and its rich associated toolset," said Jugal Vijayvargiya, senior vice president of Delphi and president of Delphi Electronics & Safety. "We're very pleased to now extend our work on advanced in-vehicle technology with the latest version of the platform, which we were able to experience through QNX Software Systems' early access program."
"QNX Software Systems has been honored to support Delphi's commitment to innovative automotive solutions for more than a decade," said Derek Kuhn, vice president of sales and marketing, QNX Software Systems. "Our mission is to enable our customers to develop at the pace of mobile phone innovation, and to help them create a compelling in-vehicle experience for their customers by seamlessly bringing in the information and entertainment they can now access at work and home."
The QNX CAR application platform 2.0 is a comprehensive, pre-integrated software stack designed to help automotive companies reduce the time and effort of building advanced infotainment systems for the connected car.
QNX Software Systems has licensed its software technology for millions of in-vehicle systems worldwide, including digital instrument clusters, hands-free systems, multimedia head units, connectivity modules, and 3D navigation systems.
About QNX Software Systems
QNX Software Systems Limited, a subsidiary of Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM; TSX:RIM), is a leading vendor of operating systems, development tools, and professional services for connected embedded systems. Global leaders such as Audi, Cisco, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens depend on QNX technology for vehicle infotainment units, network routers, medical devices, industrial automation systems, security and defense systems, and other mission- or life-critical applications. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems Limited is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada; its products are distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com, and facebook.com/QNXSoftwareSystems, and follow @QNX_News, on Twitter. For more information on the company's automotive work, visit qnxauto.blogspot.com and follow @QNX_Auto.
|Reader Information
|Editorial Contacts
Web: www.qnx.com
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Devan Gillick
Breakaway Communications
+1 530-591-3194 (mobile)
+1 415-358-2487
Paul Leroux
QNX Software Systems Co.
+1 613-591-0931
©2013 QNX Software Systems Limited. QNX, QNX CAR, Momentics, Neutrino, and Aviage are trademarks of QNX Software Systems Limited, which are registered trademarks and/or used in certain jurisdictions. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
QNX Software Systems Limited (QSS) is a subsidiary of Research In Motion Limited (RIM). Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by QSS in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that QSS believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause QSS's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on QSS's forward-looking statements. RIM and QSS have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. QSS is not responsible for, and assumes no obligations or liability, and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement, or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third-party products or services.


text:
You're probably thinking, "Great! Awesome! Yay, Boo's baptismal records came in! Woo-hoo! Wait. Who the heck is Boo?"
Boo is my first great grandmother, my Gran's mom, a.k.a., Alice Florence (Vaughan) Truitt. I previously blogged about how she came to be known as Boo in Her Irish Eyes They Were a-Smilin'. I also blogged about her name Alice, and a little about her siblings and parents in Why Didn't You Name Me Alice?.
And the reason it's so important that her baptismal records came in is because I'm preparing my application to DAR and UEL [And maybe a few others as well cuz why not?]. Boo was born in 1881 in Port Bolivar, Texas ~ well before Texas started requiring birth records to be kept. Knowing that Boo was Catholic, I looked on FamilySearch.org, to see if I could find any church records online before resorting to ordering microfilm, and in their Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981, collection [which is really a vague index] I found she had been baptized at St. Mary's Cathedral in Galveston, Texas, which was and still is just a ferry ride away from Port Bolivar, Texas.
With a quick phone call and a brief email request with just the identifying facts needed, within 24 hours, the FAN-tabulous archivist for the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston emailed me that she had not only found my Boo's [Of course, she called her Alice Florence Vaughan cuz she's my Boo, not hers. I'm stingy like that.] baptismal record but the baptismal records of what looked like 4 of her siblings, all of them including my Boo were children of Daniel and Annie (O'brien) Vaughan. And she asked me if I wanted them as well. For free.
Well, duh. My Mama didn't raise no fool. [She wouldn't accept a donation, but I've some more requests for them in the future where, um, a donation will miraculously fall into the envelope with my new requests. Cuz I'll snail mail it instead of email it. I'm sneaky like that.]
Anywho. She, at the time, had also given me the names of Boo's siblings, and if you read my post about her name Alice, you'll recall that I'd found some of the naming patterns Annie had used in naming some of her children. And by "some" I mean I found the names she'd used from her husband's [Daniel's] family. And according to Annie's death certificate, her father was James, her mother's name isn't listed, and her place of birth is listed as Dublin, Ireland. The odds of me finding my Annie born in maybe Dublin, Ireland with a father maybe named James O'brien are slim to none. And Slim just left the room. No?
So, I had great hopes the names that were clearly not from Daniel's family were perhaps from her side of the family. And that perhaps when I began to search Irish records that I'd have some more names to help identify the right Annie O'brien.
Also? I knew that Annie had had 5 of 8 children still living in 1900. So, some kiddos had died by 1900. Who were they?
The Archivist had sent me the names in that glorious original email, and they were the following:
- Vaughan, Henry Lewis (b.4/7/1878)
- Vaughn, James Cornel (bapt. 2/6/1876)
- Vaughan, Viola Prudence (b.7/23/1883)
- Vaughn, Joanna Lennon (b.12/2/1887
I was familiar with everyone except James Cornel. So, I guessed that he was probably one of the kiddos that hadn't made it to 1900. But I was intrigued by his name. James? Well, if Annie's death certificate has the correct information about her father, than this James may have been named after him. But Cornel? Was this a family name from Annie's lines? The other names listed above that cannot be explained from Daniel's lines are:
- Henry Lewis
- Viola
- Joanna Lennon [Although Joanna might be from Annie...]
Add to that my Boo's middle name Florence, and I might have some clues to help identify Annie in church records in Ireland. [A genea-girl can dream, you know.]
Of course, the names could've been picked out of a hat for all I know. However, my mom's lines tend to be bogged down in naming patterns to the "nth degree." [Not complaining.] And Annie is Irish. And the Irish like to name kiddos after family. So who knows?
Now? After receiving the baptismal records, I have some answers.
And, of course, I have some more questions. [Cuz, duh. Dead people are quite questionable.]
Join me this week as I explore and blog their baptismal records and the information found therein.
But what do you think I found?


text:
If you are already a customer, you may login to retrieve your shopping cart.
Michigan Cherries & dry roasted California almonds enveloped in Belgian dark chocolate crafted from African cocoa beans. Smooth semi-sweet dark chocolate melts in your mouth while the crispy bits of tart cherries burst with flavor. The chewy crunchy combination of cherries and almonds provides a delicious flavor contrast then gradually blends into the complex flavors of dark chocolate. As an added bonus, a love poem is included inside the wrapper. Chocolate and love - what more do you need?


text:
Friday, May 21, 2010
yes, gumball!!
10 comments:
- Unknown said...
Hi Shinya..can you be my teacher...huhu
- May 21, 2010 at 1:40 AM
what a lovely story about his grandfather and what a lovely couple he makes next to the indian
- May 21, 2010 at 8:35 AM
- JYUMOKU said...
Inspiring!! Cant wait to see.
- May 21, 2010 at 10:32 AM
- malcolm said...
Shinya! I love this bike, but please stay away from the 'clincher' tires. If you get a flat at speed, the tire will wrap itself around the forks and axle, causing a quick, hard crash. Read this:
Miss you guys.
- May 21, 2010 at 2:06 PM
- drsprocket said...
Just left Dave and Deb of Iron Dinosaur. Friends for a long time. I rode with clinchers on my 1928 Excelsior Super X for over 15 years and never had a problem. You just have to keep about 50 psi in them and make sure they are seated on the rim properly. I rode 60 mph all the time. Hope you can make it up to our Dixon national meet on the 18th and 19th of June. It's only about 30 miles north of Dave's place.
- May 21, 2010 at 4:21 PM
- Bastybikes said...
That is a beauty ! very nice condition ! keep on the good work :)
- May 22, 2010 at 1:37 AM
- Matt Olsen said...
Shinya! I am so excited that you got a bike for the run. Dave and Deb are great people! I am building a 1914 sears for the cannonball check out the progress at www.pre1916scramble.blogspot.com I am so excited that you are coming with!
Matt Olsen
- May 22, 2010 at 9:24 AM
- menacing ayu said...
limabiru: shinya said, "i'm still learning."
carlito: aren't they sweet?
SWTCH: tons of things needs to be done by september!
malcolm: what a tragedy...thanks for sharing. we miss you, too.
drsprocket: thank you for your comment! we'll try to make it for the Dixon national meet!
Bastybikes: thanks!!
Matt Olsen: looking forward to seeing you and your 1914 sears on the road!!
- May 23, 2010 at 11:54 PM
- Alastair said...
That thing is so cool.
- May 24, 2010 at 1:41 PM
- menacing ayu said...
Alastair: Thanks!
- May 25, 2010 at 1:11 AM


text:
|OMB Home
|White House Website
What is an Earmark?
Earmarks are funds provided by the Congress for projects, programs, or grants where the purported congressional direction (whether in statutory text, report language, or other communication) circumvents otherwise applicable merit-based or competitive allocation processes, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the executive branch to manage its statutory and constitutional responsibilities pertaining to the funds allocation process.
What Does the Earmarks Database Show?
This database provides more information on earmarks in one place than has ever been available through the Federal Government. It is part of an effort to bring greater accountability and transparency to Federal spending.
Limitations of the Earmarks Database:
The recipient/beneficiary listed in the database may not represent the final recipient/beneficiary of a particular earmark. For example, if the Federal Government provides funds to a specific recipient (e.g., a city), the recipient may forward the funds or benefits to another entity.
The 2005 database was not designed, and cannot accurately be used, to identify individual congressional sponsors of earmarks. Congressional sponsors are included in the 2008 database as identified by Congress. When earmarks do not have sponsors explanations are noted.
|Last Updated: 14-Jun-2011 (Changes from last update)


text:
- 1.Philosophy
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:01pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
I'll be attending the NDOR events in Raleigh, NC with some of my friends from our local Coalition of Reason group in the Piedmont Triad, NC. Greta Christina, Dan Barker, Todd Stiefel and more will be there.
For any reading this who feel that they are the "only non-believer I know", they should check to see what events will be taking place in their home towns, or within reasonable distances (hint -> we share rides, if you have the time, this doesn't have to drain your wallet).
Some of you may know "believers" who don't buy into the revisionist co-opting of the Establishment Clause, by Christian Fundamentalists, be they Christians themselves or Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Buddhist, etc religious adherents who understand the true intent of the Founding Fathers' inclusion of this most basic and important secular and pluralist protection of every single "We the People", regardless of faith or lack thereof, in the Bill of Rights that was the inspiration for all modern secular nations today.
Many of us recognize that there is now a culture war between those who want to drag the US back to the theocratic oppression that inspired the Revolution, and those of us aware of the secular ideals of the Age of Enlightenment/Age of Reason that birthed the Constitution (that the National Day of Prayer mocks with impunity and complacency both).
Help us drag the US back from Iron-Age ideologies to where it belongs, the 21st Century!
So, if you want to express your Reason-based patriotism, please check to see what's available near you by going to:
Check the drop down menu in the upper-right corner of the…
Richard ∑wald has not received any gifts yet
"Never attribute to malice, that which can be reasonably explained by stupidity."
~ Spider Robinson
"How gullible are you? Is your gullibility located in some "gullibility center" in your brain? Could a neurosurgeon reach in and perform some delicate operation to lower your gullibility, otherwise leaving you alone? If you believe this, you are pretty gullible, and should perhaps consider such an operation."
~ Douglas R. Hofstadter
Richard Ewald
Create Your Badge
© 2020 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


text:
No public classroom courses have been announced. For corporate classes, please write to us at firstname.lastname@example.com
The Foundation certificate will put you firmly on sustainable ground implementing sustainability in the organization, the infrastructure and the data center. To ensure Green IT implementation, demonstrate to apply Green IT in IT Service Management processes also providing tools for Governance. Learn how to apply the maximum amount of Green IT solutions in organization, and continuously improve them.
EXIN Green IT Foundation Certificate content includes:
The exam format of EXIN Green IT Foundation is as follows:
IT Professionals, Business Analysts, Sustainability Managers and Business Managers seeking leverage next generation ICT solutions to increase business efficiency whilst reducing costs and their environmental footprint.
The EXIN Green IT Foundation Certification course covers as follows:
Module 1 : Understanding Green IT
Module 2 : Lifecycle Management
Module 3 : Optimizing the Infrastructure
Module 4 : IT as Enabler
Module 5 : Governance and processes for Green IT
Multiple course delivery methods (Online self paced, Instructor led classroom and Virtual).
Corporate learning platform empowers your organization stay ahead within budget.
Custom training plans tailored to your teams, projects and business objectives.
Data, reports to analyze skill gaps and progress.
Course plans and case studies created by expert trainers.
Free continual learning support to find opportunities for growth.Contact Us
You can enroll in an online, classroom or virtual course directly from our website by filling up the booking form. Alternatively, you can contact our sales team who can book you for a course.
We have 3 modes of payment-
a) Using PayPal account
b) Using credit or debit card
c) Wire transfer
The credentials for the online course will be emailed to you within 2 hours of your enrollment and payment of the course price. The hard copy materials for the virtual training/classroom training will be shipped to you 7 days before the class commencement date.
The payment must be done before the training starts. For classroom and virtual at least 15 days before the class commencement date. For online mode of training the materials will be accessible only after the receipt of course fees.
After successfully passing the Green IT Foundation exam, you will receive the certificate from the Certification body EXIN.
If you fail in the first attempt you can ask for a free retake or ask for a refund. Kindly refer to our money back guarantee policy*.
If you fail in the first attempt you will be given a free retake. If you fail in the second attempt you can ask for refund. Refer to our money back guarantee policy*.
You can ask for a refund within 24 hours of enrollment. Kindly refer to our refund policy*.
After successfully passing your certification exam, you can validate your certificate immediately in the EXIN portal. Your name will be displayed in the successful candidate register (EXIN website).
Choose from readily available course bundles or custom create your ownKnow more
Find out which course suits your role bestKnow more
"Excellent provider - highly reccomend I have recenly passed my PRINCE2 with these guys and the materials were fab the videos were so easy for me to follow... "- Patel We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 88 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Prince2 certifications throught CertPrime I enrolled with CertPrime to take the Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner courses, and was supported by Mithun. I found "- Steven Garabet We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Excellent Passed Scrum Master certificate exam yesterday, through Certprime. Rate for the course was very reasonable.Study ..."- Anand Nambiar We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Effficient & Trustworthy Amazing customer service, instant response Amazing Followup with a personal touch are all the adjectives I could use for my "- Deepu Philip We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Good and Prompt service the team was excellent in guiding me and helping me through all the course material and examination procedure. Would... "- Sailesh We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Excellent service This is one of the best site for online course that i have come across. It very easy to study and i would say i will "- L Sunil We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Thank you Certprime for your advanced services and proffisional follow-up Certprime is highly recommended. Thank you Certprime and looking forward to doing more success with you ... "- Basel Boji We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Customer Experinence Course material offered was excellent and easy to follow.It was a great learning experience and will recommend ... "- John C We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Thank you Thanks for the help with my certification. I would like to thank Certprime for making my journey for the COBIT5 ... "- Sunando Chaudhuri We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT
"Honest & on time Honest & on time Appreciating their effort and Support all Courses are clear easy way and even before Exams very ... "- MEdhat We are rated 9.5 out of 10 based on 159 reviews on TRUST PILOT


text:
Ok so right now I'm in my Java class in school and today we were tasked with making a program that simulates a deck of cards, where you select a random card, and once you get the card, it cant show up again, as in it gets 'discarded' and you cant use it again, and once all 52 cards have been selected (Jokers wont be used in this), the program prompts the user if they want to select again.
Ok so my problem isnt the program itself, I know how to make a program that selects a random card and such, and I know that I can store that card in a variable for one extra round, so the card isn't used twice in a row, but honestly I think there's an easier way to simulate a whole deck rather than make 52 different variables. From what I understand, there's a way to do it involving arrays, but I'm not really sure how those work and also I think that's our next lesson and this project is a preview for it so I'm not sure if there's an easier way than 52 variables except arrays. Can I get a senior Java coder's opinion/help on this please?


text:
This is what happens when you spend too much time thinking about what to bake! I planned to make a blueberry tart or pie – nice and simple...but then I saw blueberry cream cheese tarts and my attention was well and truly grabbed.
My 'baking with cream cheese' vista has expanded recently as, after years of claiming he didn't like it, the CCD (Caked Crusader's Da) has discovered that he does. Just thinking of all those years he's erroneously denied himself cheesecake makes me want to weep. If we were in a Doctor Seuss book he would be the unnamed character and I would be Sam I Am...and the tart would be green eggs and ham...which doesn't sound quite so good for a baking site!
Anyway, back to the tart! I loved making this one – the pastry looked like it was going to be a nightmare but then behaved impeccably; the filling looked scant but, when I dropped the blueberries in, filled the pastry case. Blueberries never disappoint!
The cream cheese filling has a lovely acidity to it due to the addition of soured cream. It works well against the juicy blueberries and the crumbly, biscuit pastry. Surprisingly, the overall effect is light and easy to eat – it's not like a heavy slice of cheesecake. It tasted really fresh as the blueberries soften but don't turn mushy and pop deliciously in your mouth.
I served it as a dessert with pouring cream (Mr CC thinks it's not a dessert unless there's pouring cream or custard on offer) but it would work just as well as a tea-time treat. And it keeps for several days in the fridge so there's no excuse not to make one and eat it all by yourself!
For the pastry:
175g plain flour
85g unsalted butter, cold
30g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water
85g unsalted butter, cold
30g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water
For the filling:
115g cream cheese – I used Philadelphia
60g soured cream
3 eggs
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
70g caster sugar
450g blueberries – washed and dried
60g soured cream
3 eggs
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
70g caster sugar
450g blueberries – washed and dried
Start by making the pastry: place the flour, butter and sugar in a food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs.
Add the egg and pulse again then – only if it's needed to bring the crumbs together – add the water. [NB. If you don't have a food processor rub the butter into the flour until you have crumbs, stir in the sugar, then the egg then the water]
At this point, you will have claggy clumps – not a uniform ball of pastry.
Tip the clumps out onto a work top and bring together into a ball using your hands. Only handle the pastry as much as is necessary to form a ball.
Roll out the pastry between two sheets of clingfilm until it is large enough to line a 25cm loose bottomed flan tin. Don't grease the tin – the pastry is buttery enough not to stick.
If the pastry tears, patch it carefully as you don't want any holes for the filling to leak out of.
You will have just enough pastry to line the tin and patch – don't expect any leftovers!
You will have just enough pastry to line the tin and patch – don't expect any leftovers!
Prick the bottom of the pastry case several times with a fork – this will stop the pastry rising during baking.
Place the pastry case in the fridge for approx 30 mins.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan oven 180°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.
Line the pastry case with baking paper and baking beans and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove the paper and beans and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes or until pale golden.
Put to one side while you make the filling.
Lower the oven to 180°C/fan oven 160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.
Now make the filling: Beat together the cream cheese, soured cream, eggs, nutmeg, vanilla and sugar until thick and well combined. It's easiest to use the whisk rather than paddle attachment.
Pour into the pastry case and then scatter the blueberries over the top – some will disappear into the liquid, others will remain visible.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheesecake element is set, but retains a bit of a wobble. It will continue to set during cooling.
When completely cool, refrigerate until you wish to serve.
Serve either as dessert with pouring cream, or on its own as a tea-time treat.
Bask in the glory of the wonderful thing you have created.


text:
Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence
About the Center on 21st Century Security and Intelligence
The Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence (21CSI) was created to address the key issues shaping security policy over the coming decades. The Center seeks to answer the critical questions emerging in defense, cybersecurity, arms control, and intelligence in an all-encompassing manner, seeking not just to explore important new policy challenges but also how they cross traditional fields and domains.
The Center focuses on delivering cutting-edge research, analysis, and outreach that shapes public understanding and official decision-making across a broad range of security issues. The Center encompasses five key focal points of public policy research:
- A Defense Policy team focuses on key trends in warfare and how the U.S. military should respond, both in the near and long term. It is led by Michael O'Hanlon, one of the most widely quoted and influential defense scholars in the world. He is joined by Vanda Felbab-Brown, a leading expert on illicit networks and counterinsurgency, and retired general John R. Allen. It also houses the Federal Executive Fellows (FEF) program, which hosts career officers from each military service and Coast Guard for a year of researching and publishing on defense topics, as well as an International Security Fellowship, which hosts officers from allied militaries.
- The Brookings Intelligence Project, focusing on the nexus between policymaking and intelligence, is led by Bruce Riedel, a 30-year veteran of the intelligence community. He is supported by a team of resident and nonresident researchers, including career public servants from the intelligence and diplomatic community—John McLaughlin, Paul Pillar, and Daniel Benjamin, and Federal Executive Fellows from the Central Intelligence Agency and National Counterterrorism Center.
- The Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative examines both the emerging questions of nuclear proliferation and the continued legacy of the Cold War. It is led by Steven Pifer, former special assistant to the president and advisor on the START talks, and he is joined by Robert Einhorn, previously the State Department's special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control. The initiative also includes seasoned non-proliferation nonresident fellows Gary Samore and Richard Nephew and houses a program designed to cultivate the next generation of arms control scholars
- A research node on Cybersecurity brings together the work of experts like Richard Bejtlich, chief security strategist at FireEye, to focus on the new policy issues generated by the increasing growth of cyber threats as well as organizations dedicated to conducting cyber operations.
- Finally, the Africa Security Initiative includes work being done by Michael O'Hanlon, Vanda Felbab-Brown, and colleagues in the Africa Growth Initiative to highlight key issues concerning military, social, and human security in Africa, ranging from crises and conflicts in places such as the Horn of Africa, Central and East Africa, and Nigeria to cross-cutting issues involving illicit economies, terrorism, and other dangers.
The Center is designed to draw lessons from across related fields to allow an even greater scope of collaboration and dissemination for maximum policy impact. In addition, 21CSI links the security studies world to the wealth of expertise and capacity that exists within Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings and its world-class regional and functional centers. The creation of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence promotes the close integration of regional knowledge with functional security analysis in a manner not possible at other institutions.


text:
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sports News
Wizards top Timberwolves 114-101 in 1st Wall start
Send a link to a friend
[January 26, 2013]
(AP) -- John Wall had 14 points and five assists in his first start of the season, and the no-longer-last Washington Wizards finally hit double digits in wins Friday night with a 114-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wall, who came off the bench for the first seven games after his return from a knee injury, had assists on the Wizards' first two baskets in a game in which Washington never trailed. He wowed the crowd with a nice spin move for a layup late in the first half and went 6 for 10 from the field in 21 minutes, his playing time still limited after missing 33 games with a stress injury to his left knee cap.
The Wizards are 5-3 since Wall's return after going 5-28 without him. They've won four straight at home and no longer sit at the bottom of the NBA, their 10-31 record a half-game better than the Charlotte Bobcats' 10-32.
Jordan Crawford added 19 points, and Bradley Beal had 16 points and a career-high four blocks for the Wizards, who shot a season-high 58 percent. Beal had the best sequence for anyone not named Wall: The rookie chased down Luke Ridnour to block a fast-break layup, crashed into the front row, got up and hit a jumper at the other end to make the score 70-51 in the third.
Derrick Williams had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrei Kirilenko scored 17 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost six straight on the road and eight of nine overall. Ricky Rubio, who, like Wall, has been playing limited minutes after returning from a knee injury, had four points, six assists, five rebounds and five turnovers, a day after apologizing to acting coach Terry Porter for an outburst over the team's loss earlier this week to the Brooklyn Nets.
[to top of second column]
Rubio was upset that he sat out the final minutes of the Timberwolves' 91-83 loss Wednesday night. With head coach Rick Adelman away tending to his sick wife, Porter and Rubio met Thursday to clear the air.
"I don't think it ever was really an issue," Porter said. "He was frustrated like any player would be who wants to be playing the fourth quarter."
Rubio had been on a strict limit of 28 minutes per game since returning last month from reconstructive left knee surgery, but he played 31 minutes Friday night for the depleted Timberwolves, who are missing Kevin Love, Brandon Roy, Malcolm Lee, Chase Budinger, Nikola Pekovic and Alexey Shved
-- all with injuries.
The Wolves never made anything resembling a run to get back in the game after the first quarter. The Wizards led by four after the first, by 18 at halftime and by 18 after three.
NOTES: Washington's 60 first-half points tied a season-high. ... The Wolves got to the free-throw line without much problem, but they converted only 20 of 33. ... With Wall's return to the starting five, the Wizards used their 15th starting lineup of the season. ... Wolves C Greg Stiemsma committed two fouls in 9 seconds in the first quarter, then picked up another quick one in the second quarter. He played only 18 minutes
-- but he finished with a career-high six assists.
Press; By JOSEPH WHITE]
Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP.
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
< Sports index
Back to top
News |
Sports | Business |
Rural Review |
Teaching & Learning
Home and Family |
| Obituaries
Community |
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Letters to the Editor


text:
My hair�s up, the hummingbirds have arrived and the air conditioning gets turned on before noon. Yep, must be summer.
My hair�s up, the hummingbirds have arrived and the air conditioning gets turned on before noon. Yep, must be summer.
We were joking the other day about writing yet another ode to the tomato sandwich. I mean, really. Enough, already. Those who love it (and we do) know how magnificent it is. Why sing its praises every single summer?
Instead, I�ll concentrate on another star produce of summer.
One of my mother�s favorite, evil tasks for us children was to send us into the vast acreage of woods behind our house to pick wild blackberries. Now, we knew those woods and open hilly areas, creeks and marshes like the back of our hands because we were out there every day. We blithely traipsed past the No Trespassing signs posted on the outskirts and caught crawdads in the creek (on a strictly catch-and-release policy), built forts, climbed trees and carved our initials on many a birch tree.
But, having to haul buckets out there, and brush off the gnats and mosquitoes while rummaging through the acres of thorny brambles was definitely not on the �fun� list. Plus, our mother made us wear long-sleeved shirts in the sweltering heat to protect us from a few scratches, as if she was ever going to run out of that vile mercurochrome she doused us with.
And what�s worse, she would send me out there with my angry teenage brother on his dirt bike. My brother has always ranged from monosyllabic right up to laconic. But, once his fingers started getting shredded by those blackberries thorns, it unleashed an awesome, deep-rooted, nearly pathological stream of constant cursing. Seriously, I learned every bad word in my vocabulary from our forays into the brush. You know that scene from �A Christmas Story� when Ralphy spews his cuss words out while pounding on the neighborhood bully? Well, those blackberries were my brother�s bully.
Finally, my brother would hang the loaded buckets from the handles of the bike and I would warily climb on behind him. Warily, because I knew what was coming. He would gun that puny engine, twist and turn and plunge across streams until I fell off. Every time.
I know, you say, why didn�t I just walk back? I still don�t have a good answer for that. It was kind of thrilling, and I never really got hurt � well, nothing a slathering of mercurchrome couldn�t handle. And perhaps, like a cowboy at a rodeo, I just wanted to see how long I could stay on.
Granted, those nights when, tattooed with long streaks of orange medicine, I tucked into a bowl of my mother�s blackberry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top, it seemed worth the ride � and the abrupt end of that ride.
4 cups fresh blackberries, rinsed
� to 1 cup sugar (depending on the berries� tartness)
� cup flour
� tsp. salt
� tsp. cinnamon
For topping
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup regular oatmeal
12 Tbs. butter, at room temperature
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pour the blackberries into a large casserole dish. Combine the sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon, then stir into the blackberries. For the topping, combine the flour, sugar and oats. Cut up the butter, place it on top of the dry ingredients, and using your fingers blend the butter in, until you have moist crumbles. Put the topping on the fruit and bake for 30-35 minutes.


text:
Maple crunch ice cream
Prep: 10 mins Plus freezing
A super-simple ice cream which goes gorgeously with warm puddings and cake
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
Nutrition: per serving (8)
- kcal487
- fat41g
- saturates23g
- carbs27g
- sugars25g
- fibre0g
- protein4g
- salt0.14g
Save to My Good Food
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200g light condensed milk
- 600ml pot double cream
- 4 tbsp maple syrup (strength 2, if you have the option)
Maple syrupmay-pul sir-rup
The rising spring sap of a number of varieties of maple tree…
- 50g Werther's Originals (10 sweets ) crushed, see 'Tip'
Stir the vanilla into the condensed milk in a large bowl. Lightly whip the cream until it just holds its shape, then fold into the condensed milk using a metal spoon. Spoon into a 1-litre freezer-proof container and freeze for about 3 hrs, until softly frozen. This mix won't crystallise at the edges like most ice creams.
Working quickly, ruffle up the mix, pour over the syrup and the crushed caramels, then give another quick swirl. Freeze for another 4 hrs or ideally overnight until firm. Will freeze for up to 1 month.
Recipe Tip
Crush sweetsTo crush the sweets, unwrap, then fold them up in a clean tea towel. Bash with a rolling pin or heavy saucepan until roughly chopped.
You may also like
Comments, questions and tips
30th Nov, 2012
Was really disappointed with this recipe. The comments were so positive. Yes, it is very easy to make, but very lacking in flavour. To me, it just tastes of cream - despite adding extra maple syrup. Fortunately, on this occasion, I have made it to serve with a pumpkin pie instead of serving the pie with cream.


text:
If you are considering a special horseback riding or outdoor vacation anywhere in the world, call us first and let our experienced staff match the perfect holiday with your dream. We will listen to you, and take the care to help you choose the best destination and adventure holiday.
Also check out our Outdoor trips:
Galapagos Cruises | Amazon Adventures
Walking Tours | Cycling Vacations | Canoeing Holidays | Kayaking Trips | MultiSport Vacations
Chilko Explorer Ride
Book now!
Castle Leslie Equestrian Extravaganza
Hidden Trails: 659A Moberly Road Vancouver,BC V5Z 4B3 Toll Free: 1-888-9-Trails
(1-888-987-2457) or Phone: 604-323-1141 Fax: 604-323-1148
© 2020 Hidden Trails, Ltd. All rights reserved.


text:
A Rewarded Effort
In the observant community of Rechasim in the north of Israel, it is not uncommon for people to gather on Shabbat eve in the home of one of their neighbors for a Shalom Zachar to celebrate the birth of a son. But when that is also the eve of Simchat Torah it is not a simple matter for men to arrive after they are exhausted from dancing in the synagogue in honor of the Torah.
It was therefore not too surprising that when this happened some years ago only six neighbors made the very special effort of showing up. Their effort to bring joy to their neighbor and bless him regarding the forthcoming Brit Milah of his son was well rewarded. In that year sons were born to all six of them, to two of them who had waited years for children and to one who previously had eight daughters.


text:
Theme Explanation
Congratulations on making it through the previous round. You've told an excellent after story, and I feel like you've mastered the art of showing us the best and worst of humanity.
I digress. Now I want to see how well you can work with another editor!
Theme Execution CriteriaRound Framework wrote: For this fourth round of the competition, editors must make a "collaborative" video with another member in the competition. When I say "collaborative", I mean one solid AMV created by 2 AMV editors.
Because this can require more time and planning, I am giving editors more time for this round. 2 whole weeks, in fact. I believe this is enough time to help any and all timing conflicts that may arise if editors have time zone or scheduling issues.
Editors may elect to use one or multiple sources of audio or video. It is up to them entirely.
I will pm you your partners that were determined by RNG and number generation by other users. Do not share this information please.
Example Video: This video displays a great collaborative effort that shows how well 2 editors can come together and create one cohesive piece.
Each round, 30 points of your possible scores are awarded to the execution of the theme. What does this mean for this round?
Editors will be awarded more points for how well they combined their talents to create one cohesive peice that amazes and astounds.
It should also be noted that partners will SHARE their points for this round. So if team A gets 400 points, then both members will get 400 points for their fourth round score. Therefore, working together and compromise are important things.
Elimination Numbers
For this round, we will eliminate 4 editors.
Should 4 or more editors drop in this round, we will adjust the number of eliminations.
Should less than 4 editors drop, we will only eliminate the number of competitors that make up the difference. [For example, if 1 editor dropped, we will only eliminate 3 editors]
Special Instructions
1) No anime restrictions. Live action and non-anime animation is permitted.
2) No audio restrictions.
3) I will personally send you FTP information as soon as it is updated.
4) Deadline is July 13th at 11:59 PM Central Time. Judging will begin on July 14th and run through July 15th. Results will be posted when all judging is complete, or on July 16th, whichever comes first.
I hope this is more understandable and agreeable to everyone.
I also feel for the fourth round, that the difficulty of working together in a time crunch would be worthy of the semi-semi finals. The difficulty curve is supposed to go "up" over time.
I've also given more time to work with this round, since I don't expect to see masterpieces in just one week.


text:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If getting a good night's sleep is your dream – it may be time to invest in a new bed. Foam, innerspring, two-sided, one-sided, pillow top, adjustable – you have a lot of choices.
"If you're like me, buying a new mattress might be on your to-do list this year," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. But remember this is a big purchase. A new mattress can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars."
When shopping for your next mattress, take time to consider these common myths. Angie's List asked highly rated mattress companies about what to look for when buying.
Myth: Replace every eight
Fact: Mattresses often need to be replaced when they no longer fit your needs, not on a specific timeline. But if you're not sleeping well on a regular basis, can't get comfortable or see excessive wear in the mattress, it's time for a new one.
Invisible guests: Dust mites live in your bed
Fact: Mattress manufacturers and scientists agree that these microscopic creatures live everywhere and love the mattress environment, but the debate continues over how much weight they can add to a bed. Regularly washing — a waterproof, breathable mattress cover in addition to your sheets can ward off invisible infestations and help relieve allergies and asthma.
Myth: Removing a tag means time in the slammer
Fact: Taking the label off won't get you jail time, but retailers recommend leaving it on because most return policies and warranties require the tag to remain on the mattress or box springs in case of return. The tags disclose whether a mattress is new or used and the materials used to make it, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC recommends looking for the tag before taking a mattress home or before delivery people leave your house to make sure you're getting what you paid for. Retailers say to keep the tag attached to avoid pitfalls in case of returns or warranty claims.
Myth: Flipping a mattress keeps it in better condition
Fact: Rotating and flipping only make sense if you sleep on a two-sided mattress that's made with materials on both sides of the inner coils. The majority of mattresses manufactured today are one-sided and shouldn't be flipped.


text:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Posted by Rot at 3:05 PM
Labels: angelhead, art, digital art, flickr.com, photography
2 comments:
- Brandi McKenna said...
I love the first pic with the skulls at the bottom and the treeline...beautful stuff.
- July 15, 2009 at 8:19 AM
- The Gill-Man said...
The figure in the middle is truly creepy. No features can be made out, just the outline. The imagination runs wild at the possibilities!
- July 15, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Praveen Sachdev, chairman,Premium Transmissions said that the company would now focus more on its core industrial sector. Around 92 percent of the Premium Transmission's turnover comes from industrial transmission solutions, while the automotive gear manufacturing division was contributing only about 7 percent to the company's turnover."This is our core area and we want to take a lead in this area. Power, cement, sugar, mining are sectors driving the company's growth," said Atulya Gupta, MD & CEO of Premium Transmission Ltd.This year the company is targeting a turnover of Rs 450 crores from its domestic operations and Rs 125 crores from international operations. The company recently acquired the entire business of Rexnord Stephan GmbH & CoKG, Germany ,belonging to Rexnord LLC, USA.Premium Transmission Ltd. is setting up a new facility at Shendra in Aurangabad to compliment the German acquisition. This facility is being set up with an investment of Rs. 25 crores and is expected to be commissioned by March 2012.Premium's products cater to industries such as Material handling, Sugar mills and machine manufacturing, Iron and Steel, Passenger Lifts, Cooling Towers, Dyes & Chemical, Paints & Varnish, Cement Mill and Machine Manufacturing, Paper & Pulp, Leather and Plastics, Rubber Mill and Machine Manufacturing, Food Processing & Tea, Collieries Mines & Haulages, Pharmaceutical & Starch.Premium Transmission's first unit under the name David Brown Greaves (India) was commissioned in the year 1961 at Pune (Near Mumbai) to manufacture gearboxes in India. It was a joint venture company between Greaves Cotton & Co Limited and M/s David Brown UK. M/s Greaves Cotton & Co bought over this manufacturing facility (India) in the year 1993. This unit also manufactures lift machines with technical knowhow from Sicor S.p.a from Italy.The second unit started its operation in the year 1993 at Falta - near Kolkata (India) manufactures standard worm/helical and application specific gear units. The third unit at Aurangabad started manufacturing PEMBRIL brand fluid couplings in the year 1978 under a joint venture between M/s Fluidrive UK and Greaves Cotton & Co which was then bought over by Greaves Cotton & Co in the year 2003. This unit also manufactures Geared Motors. The fourth unit at Aurangabad manufactures auto transmission case carburized and profile ground gears for industrial applications.
Follow @MACHINISTIN
Follow MACHINIST.IN on Facebook


text:
Joe Weider, a legendary figure in bodybuilding who helped popularize the sport worldwide and played a key role in introducing a charismatic young weightlifter named Arnold Schwarznenegger to the world, died Saturday at age 93.
Weider's publicist, Charlotte Parker, told The Associated Press that the bodybuilder, publisher and promoter died of heart failure at his home in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.
"I knew about Joe Weider long before I met him," Schwarzenegger, who tweeted the news of his old friend's death, said in a lengthy statement posted on his website. "He was the godfather of fitness who told all of us to be somebody with a body. He taught us that through hard work and training we could all be champions."
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
A bodybuilder with an impressive physique himself, Weider became better known in later years as a behind-the-scenes guru to the sport.
He popularized bodybuilding and spread the message of health and fitness worldwide with such publications as Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Shape. Schwarzenegger himself is the executive editor of Muscle & Fitness and Flex.
He created one of bodybuilding's pre-eminent events, the Mr. Olympia competition, in 1965, adding to it the Ms. Olympia contest in 1980, the Fitness Olympia in 1995 and the Figure Olympia in 2003.
He also relentlessly promoted Schwarzenegger, who won the Mr. Olympia title a record seven times.
"Every sport needs a hero and I knew that Arnold was the right man," he once said.
Weider brought Schwarzenegger to the United States early in his career, where he helped train the future governor of California as well as aided him in getting into business. Schwarzenegger also said Weider helped land him his first movie role, in the forgettable film "Hercules in New York," by passing him off to the producers as a German Shakespearean actor.
"Joe didn't just inspire my earliest dreams; he made them come true the day he invited me to move to America to pursue my bodybuilding career," the actor said in his statement. "I will never forget his generosity. One of Joe's greatest qualities is that he wasn't just generous with his money; he freely gave of his time and expertise and became a father figure for me."
Weider also mentored numerous other bodybuilders as well.
Born in Canada in 1919, Weider recalled growing up in a tough section of Montreal.
Just like the apocryphal tale of the skinny kid who starts working out after a bully kicks sand in his face, Weider said he was indeed a small, skinny teenager picked on by bullies when he came across the magazine Strength.
He had actually tried to join a local wrestling team, he said, but was turned down by the coach who feared he was so small he'd be hurt.
Inspired instead by the magazine, he built his own weights from scrap parts found in a railroad yard and pumped them relentlessly.
Word of his efforts got around and he was eventually invited to join a weightlifting club.
"When I saw the gym, saw the guys working out, supporting one another, I was mesmerized," he recalled.
He won his first bodybuilding contest at age 17, and soon after began to publish his first magazine, "Your Physique."
Later he started a mail-order barbell business, and in 1946 he and his younger brother staged the first Mr. Canada contest in at Montreal's Monument National Theater. At the same time they formed the International Federation of Bodybuilders.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Weider.