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The Daily IKN email digest, get all daily posts sent to you next day (& no ads)
In The IKN Weekly this Sunday...
Peru political risk may be about to go through the roof
An intraday chart of Northern Dynasty (NAK) (NDM.to)
The Friday OT: Manu Ginobili, Spurs vs Rockets, game five
Three and a half minutes of sporting wonder. The Spurs were short-handed with injuries coming into the game and went to Ginobili, who played 39 minutes and rolled back the years in amazing style.
Wait for the 20 second advert to run at the start (it won't hurt), then watch Manu play one of the most emotive games of basketball ever. And that block, my stars. Youtube here.
Three ways to spot a bad statistic (a TED talk)
Chart of the day is...
...gold dailies, updating that 'simple gold' thought from earlier in the week:
That looks very promising for gold longs.
Mining PRs and the Ottotrans™, Part 100
VANCOUVER -- May 12, 2017 - Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX: NDM; NYSE MKT: NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alaska-based Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership" or "PLP"), and the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") have reached a settlement agreement with respect to the parties' longstanding legal dispute over the federal agency's pre-emptive regulatory action under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, EPA has agreed the Pebble Project can proceed into normal course permitting under the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act. In particular, EPA has agreed it will not file a Recommended Determination under CWA 404(c) until a final Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the Pebble Project has been completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (the "Corps") -- so long as that occurs within a period of four years following the settlement agreement and PLP files permit applications within 30 months of the date of the settlement agreement. EPA has further agreed to initiate a process to propose to withdraw the Proposed Determination it issued under CWA 404(c) in July 2014. In return, the Pebble Partnership has agreed to terminate permanently and with prejudice two lawsuits it brought against EPA: an action under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and an action under the Freedom of Information Act.
"From the outset of this unfortunate saga, we've asked for nothing more than fairness and due process under the law -- the right to propose a development plan for Pebble and have it assessed against the robust environmental regulations and rigorous permitting requirements enforced in Alaska and the United States," said Ron Thiessen, President & CEO. "Today's settlement gives us precisely that, the same treatment every developer and investor in a stable, first world country should expect."
Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership expressed their gratitude to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and President Trump for their commitment to the rule of law, and the fair and equal treatment of those who would invest in job-creating industries in America. The Company also thanked members of US Congress and the Alaska State Legislature who helped in achieving the goal of due process for Pebble -- in particular, members of the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform and Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works.
"The Pebble Partnership will advance a progressive mine plan, including mitigation, to be assessed by objective, expert regulators at the US Army Corps of Engineers and a raft of other federal and state agencies -- including EPA", Thiessen said.
"Not only are we no longer facing extraordinary development restrictions at Pebble, we will also be assured a fair and predictable permitting review of our proposed development plan. The Corps-led EIS will be prepared by independent, third party experts to ensure that decisions are based on objective science, and that public and stakeholder participation is comprehensive and meaningful."
Thiessen said the Pebble Partnership has been advancing planning for a smaller project design at Pebble than previously considered, and one that incorporates significant environmental safeguards.
"It will be a busy and exciting year for Pebble and Alaska," confirmed Pebble Partnership CEO Tom Collier. "Not only will we be rolling out a project that is smaller, with demonstrable environmental protections, we will also be announcing a number of new initiatives to ensure our project is more responsive to the priorities and concerns of Alaskans.
"We know the Pebble Project must not only protect the world-class fisheries of Bristol Bay, it must also benefit the people of the region and the state in a meaningful way. It is our intent to demonstrate how we will meet those goals in the period ahead."
Collier said a return to an objective, science-based and predictable permitting process at Pebble will bode well for future resource investment in Alaska and the US.
"Resource investors do not have an expectation that we will always receive development permits or always receive them on the terms we would prefer, but we do have an expectation of fair treatment under the law, and that science, not politics, should guide permitting decisions," Collier said.
Investor Conference Call Details
Northern Dynasty will host a conference call today, May 12, 2017, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the EPA settlement and the Pebble Project.
Investors can participate in the conference call by:
Webcast: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1427716-1/555FD3FD583595BBA5220FB0C9D12EF6
Telephone: (877) 245-7303 in Canada and the USA or (478) 219-0731 international.
Passcode for the call is 22904301.
A presentation will also be available by going to the Northern Dynasty's corporate website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com.
Please go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.
A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investors page of Northern Dynasty's website beginning at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on May 12, 2017, through 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 12, 2017.
About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
Fave quote repeat
Gary does the Gold/Silver ratio
AngloGold Ashanti Colombia changes corporate strategy
Due to having nothing else to do and with an obvious desire for at least some cash flow...
...AngloGold Colombia is going into the ice-cream business.
Two days ago...
A great deal for Continental Gold (CNL.to)
- Obviously, the premium of the ticket price to recent market price is eye-catching.
- Securing the capex needed to get to production day one. Positive.
- The fact that the technical team is now a JV with NEM people, plus NEM gets a seat on the board, will alleviate the corporate risk seen by many in the sector towards CNL to date (with one major exception, Don Gray was a great appointment). Positive.
- For a company of its size, it's a cheap way for NEM to get a foothold and become the obvious eventual owner if and when Buriticá works as a mine, once it's all up and running in 2020 or whenever. Nice risk/reward equation for the big boy.
- And we should also commend CNL for being able to keep this gig quiet, there was no reflection of the advanced nature of this deal in recent share price action. For a company with a previous reputation of being a leaky boat (your author eye-witness), Ari Sussman and his team should be commended.
PS: Red Kite further on board is good too, of course.
UPDATE 11am: CNL just dinged +30% on the day. Good shot.
Yamana's (AUY) (YRI.to) desperation to get out of BRIO: The fun never stops
The final prospectus qualifies the distribution of an aggregate of up to 59,225,957 Brio Shares at a price of C$3.25 per Brio Share (the "Exercise Price") upon the exercise of up to an aggregate of 59,225,957 Purchase Rights, for aggregate gross proceeds to Yamana of up to C$192,484,360....
...Brio Gold will become a standalone public company effective as of the closing date of the Offering, with Yamana holding 46.3% (on a non-diluted basis) of the issued and outstanding shares of Brio Gold. The closing date of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 23, 2016.
"A total of 17,324,507 Brio Shares owned by Yamana were transferred pursuant to the transactions ...Yamana continues to be a significant shareholder of Brio Gold, holding approximately 85% of the issued and outstanding Brio Shares."
So, 17.325m shares of BRIO at C$3.25. Then in March, Marrone managed to hoodwink some fund manager into buying a 6m block at C$3.35.
And now? This:
YAMANA GOLD INC. (TSX:YRI) (NYSE:AUY) ("Yamana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has, along with Brio Gold Inc. ("Brio Gold"), entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters") co-led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., CIBC Capital Markets and National Bank Financial Ltd. pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 26,667,000 common shares of Brio Gold currently held by Yamana on a bought deal basis at an offering price of C$3.00 per Brio Gold common share ("the Offering").
Argentine inflation is not coming down under Macri
Interesting Gold Reserve (GRZ.v) filings on SEDAR today
"Consistent with the foregoing, Greywolf recently has discussed in general terms the topic of Board composition and related matters with certain of the Company's directors and members of senior management. Greywolf may engage in future communications on such matters with members of the Board, members of the Company's senior management, other Company security holders, or other persons."
Joe Mazumdar reviews the major gold producers
Tahoe Resources (TAHO) (THO.to) and gaps
Chances that TAHO breaks down through U$8 in the near future?
Sandstorm (SAND) (SSL.to)
A simple gold chart
From a humble scribe.
Mind you, I can't believe you're buying Northern Dynasty again. For details, please see the definition of insanity that's usually attributed to Einstein.
Coming up for air...
....glub glub, hi out there. Having a nice day?
Here at IKN Nerve Centre we're unlocking the shutters and firing up the generator. Good to be back.


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In the Blog
Meet Naz!
Hello! My name is Naz Afsahi and I am so excited to be joining Shameless as a blogger.
My Shameless column will deal primarily with issues related to race and representation, and trans rights. The idea is to alternate between these two topics, but if a pressing issue arises on either topic, this schedule may change.
My interest in the above topics arises from my personal life experiences and the people who have helped to shape who I am today.
I self-identify as a Persian-Canadian, though it took me a long time to come to terms with what that meant to me and how I perceive my hyphenated identity (which I hope to share in a separate post). I feel that sometimes, as Canadians, we have this perception of being part of a nation that is all-embracing in terms of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, or, that we are somehow a "race-neutral" culture. Perhaps this perception exists, in part, because of official state policies like the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
However, my personal experiences and interactions with others call attention to the lived reality that race and ethnicity continues to be a contested area in our culture. In particular, I feel that we must continue to examine and challenge representations of race and ethnicity and the ways in which gender becomes integrated with those fields. For example, I don't feel that a particular piece of pop culture that is deemed "low-brow" or just programming-filler (MTV productions spring to mind) should escape critical analysis as all media exists within and contributes to a discourse on a given topic. I love various "low-brow" TV shows and think that they have as much to teach and reflect about our culture as other types of programming. Jersey Shore anyone?
As for my interest in trans rights, it stems partially from my own questioning of gender norms and exposure to human rights concerns from both an activist and an academic point of view. My Master's thesis focused on the discourse of transsexuality, and examined how trans identity is spoken about in feminist, medical, and legal documents, as well as in major Canadian newspapers. In my next post, I am looking forward to talking about (the now defunct) Bill C-389, a private member bill that was introduced by Bill Siksay, the MP for Burnaby-Douglas and the GLBT critic for the NDP. This version of the bill was the third time since 2005 that Siksay has attempted to pass legislation that would add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. Currently, neither the Canadian Human Rights Act nor the federal hate crimes laws provide explicit protection from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Sadly, if changes are to be achieved, another version of the bill must be introduced at first reading in the House of Commons in a new session and must go through all stages of the legislative process regardless of the progress made in a previous session with a similar or identical bill. Although Bill C-389 has perished with the spring election, I hope to bring some light to what Bill was able to achieve and to create a conversation about what we need to demand from our next government.
I'm so looking forward to getting started!

subset: commoncrawl


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Eclairs! I've never made eclairs but they are one of Troy's favorites at the bakery. I was excited to try this challenge when I first read the post. I love to create recipes within recipes. This creation consisted of the cream puff dough, the pastry cream and the glaze.
The recipe was chosen by MeetaK by Pierre Herme' Chocolate Desserts. It was fabulous, and not quite as difficult as I originally guessed it would be.
I did have to make the cream puff dough twice. The first time I undercooked by nice little puffs. They came out of the oven beautiful and high; then sat on the counter to cool and fell flat upon their little faces. I couldn't believe it. I cut into one and the eggy strands were still wet. Definitely undercooked! Luckily this was quick to put together so I whipped up another batch of the pastry dough and made sure to bake the little puffs long enough. This batch was superb!
The cream was fantastic as was the glaze. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. What is not to like? They were all gone by the end of the day. A testimony to their tastiness.
Here is the fabulous recipie:
Pierre Hermé's Chocolate ÉclairsRecipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 20-24 Éclairs)
Cream Puff Dough (see below for recipe), fresh and still warm
1) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide the oven into thirds bypositioning the racks in the upper and lower half of the oven. Line two baking sheets withwaxed or parchment paper.
2) Fill a large pastry bag fitted with a 2/3 (2cm) plain tip nozzle with the warm cream puff dough.Pipe the dough onto the baking sheets in long, 4 to 41/2 inches (about 11 cm) chubby fingers.Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) space in between each dough strip to allow them room to puff.The dough should give you enough to pipe 20-24 éclairs.
3) Slide both the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 7 minutes. After the 7 minutes, slip thehandle of a wooden spoon into the door to keep in ajar. When the éclairs have been in theoven for a total of 12 minutes, rotate the sheets top to bottom and front to back. Continuebaking for a further 8 minutes or until the éclairs are puffed, golden and firm. The total bakingtime should be approximately 20 minutes.
Notes:1) The éclairs can be kept in a cool, dry place for several hours before filling.
Assembling the éclairs:
Chocolate glaze (see below for recipe)
Chocolate pastry cream (see below for recipe)
1) Slice the éclairs horizontally, using a serrated knife and a gently sawing motion. Set aside thebottoms and place the tops on a rack over a piece of parchment paper.
2) The glaze should be barely warm to the touch (between 95 - 104 degrees F or 35 - 40degrees C, as measured on an instant read thermometer). Spread the glaze over the tops ofthe éclairs using a metal icing spatula. Allow the tops to set and in the meantime fill thebottoms with the pastry cream.
3) Pipe or spoon the pastry cream into the bottoms of the éclairs. Make sure you fill the bottomswith enough cream to mound above the pastry. Place the glazed tops onto the pastry creamand wriggle gently to settle them.
Notes:1) If you have chilled your chocolate glaze, reheat by placing it in a bowl over simmering water,stirring it gently with a wooden spoon. Do not stir too vigorously as you do not want to createbubbles.
2) The éclairs should be served as soon as they have been filled.
Pierre Hermé's Cream Puff DoughRecipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 20-24 Éclairs)
½ cup (125g) whole milk
½ cup (125g) water
1 stick (4 ounces; 115g) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
¼ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour
5 large eggs, at room temperature
1) In a heavy bottomed medium saucepan, bring the milk, water, butter, sugar and salt to theboil.
2) Once the mixture is at a rolling boil, add all of the flour at once, reduce the heat to mediumand start to stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon. The dough comes together veryquickly. Do not worry if a slight crust forms at the bottom of the pan, it's supposed to. Youneed to carry on stirring for a further 2-3 minutes to dry the dough. After this time the doughwill be very soft and smooth.
3) Transfer the dough into a bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using yourhandmixer or if you still have the energy, continue by hand. Add the eggs one at a time,beating after each egg has been added to incorporate it into the dough.You will notice that after you have added the first egg, the dough will separate, once again donot worry. As you keep working the dough, it will come back all together again by the time youhave added the third egg. In the end the dough should be thick and shiny and when lifted itshould fall back into the bowl in a ribbon.
4) The dough should be still warm. It is now ready to be used for the éclairs as directed above.
Notes:1) Once the dough is made you need to shape it immediately.
2) You can pipe the dough and the freeze it. Simply pipe the dough onto parchment-lined bakingsheets and slide the sheets into the freezer. Once the dough is completely frozen, transfer thepiped shapes into freezer bags. They can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.
Chocolate Pastry Cream Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by PierreHermé
2 cups (500g) whole milk
4 large egg yolks
6 tbsp (75g) sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted
7 oz (200g) bittersweet chocolate, preferably Velrhona Guanaja, melted
2½ tbsp (1¼ oz: 40g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1) In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. In the meantime, combine the yolks, sugar and cornstarch together and whisk in a heavy‐bottomed saucepan.
2) Once the milk has reached a boil, temper the yolks by whisking a couple spoonfuls of the hot milk into the yolk mixture.Continue whisking and slowly pour the rest of the milk into the tempered yolk mixture.
3) Strain the mixture back into the saucepan to remove any egg that may have scrambled. Place the pan over medium heat and whisk vigorously (without stop) until the mixture returns to a boil. Keep whisking vigorously for 1 to 2 more minutes (still over medium heat).Stir in the melted chocolate and then remove the pan from the heat.
4) Scrape the pastry cream into a small bowl and set it in an ice‐water bath to stop the cooking process. Make sure to continue stirring the mixture at this point so that it remains smooth.
5) Once the cream has reached a temperature of 140 F remove from the ice‐water bath and stir in the butter in three or four installments. Return the cream to the ice‐water bath to continue cooling, stirring occasionally, until it has completely cooled. The cream is now ready to use or store in the fridge.
The pastry cream can be made 2‐3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
2) In order to avoid a skin forming on the pastry cream, cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the cream.
3) Tempering the eggs raises the temperature of the eggs slowly so that they do not scramble.
Chocolate GlazeRecipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 1 cup or 300g)
1/3 cup (80g) heavy cream
3½ oz (100g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 tsp (20 g) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, at room temperature
7 tbsp (110 g) Chocolate Sauce (recipe below), warm or at room temperature
1)In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly begin to add the chocolate, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula.
2) Stirring gently, stir in the butter, piece by piece followed by the chocolate sauce.
Notes:1) If the chocolate glaze is too cool (i.e. not liquid enough) you may heat it briefly
in the microwave or over a double boiler. A double boiler is basically a bowl sitting over (not touching) simmering water.
2) It is best to glaze the eclairs after the glaze is made, but if you are pressed for time, you can make the glaze a couple days ahead of time, store it in the fridge and bring it up to the proper temperature (95 to 104 F) when ready to glaze.
Chocolate SauceRecipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé (makes 1½ cups or 525 g)
4½ oz (130 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup (250 g) water
½ cup (125 g) crème fraîche, or heavy cream
1/3 cup (70 g) sugar
1) Place all the ingredients into a heavy‐bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil, making sure to stir constantly. Then reduce the heat to low and continue stirring with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens.
2) It may take 10‐15 minutes for the sauce to thicken, but you will know when it is done when it coats the back of your spoon.
Notes: 1) You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for two weeks. Reheat the sauce in a microwave oven or a double boiler before using.2) This sauce is also great for cakes, ice-cream and tarts.
This seems so incredibly long, but it really goes by quite quickly and it isn't very difficult to make. REALLY!!


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Daylight Saving Time (DST) Not Observed in Year 2020
Bloemfontein currently observes South Africa Standard Time (SAST) all year.
Daylight Saving Time has not been used since our records start, in 1970.
DST data from before 1970 is not available for Bloemfontein, South Africa. However, we have earlier DST history for Johannesburg, South Africa available.


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My Top Five Annoying Childfree Questions
Following are five questions I'm frequently asked and the cultural factors I think are driving these inquiries. I'm interested to hear from readers about their own top-five picks.
1) What do you do with your time?
I frequently get this question from a particular family member, one who devotes most of her day to transporting her children to endless events and activities. Parents tend to forget how they filled their days before they had children. My routine hasn't changed as dramatically over the years as it would if I'd had kids. That doesn't mean I'm not busy, but parents don't seem to perceive activities as valuable if they aren't directly child-related.
Also, in recent years, I've noticed a cultural aversion to inactivity. Being a busy-bee is equated with success. To the busyness obsessed, taking time out to watch television, read a book, walk a dog, or just sit idly in the sun and enjoy being alive is a sign of failure and imminent disintegration.
When did living a contemplative life become shameful? My husband and I don't spend every day sitting in the park, but we do spend some days that way. We are grateful for the time we've had to take extended wilderness vacations - spending pleasant days reading, sitting by the campfire, taking photos and painting.
Parents often view our leisure-time activities as selfish. Yet, so many of the activities parents participate in with kids are taxing to the environment, are consumption oriented - contrived for the goal of keeping the family endlessly busy - a never ending cycle of frenetic activity with dubious educational value or social returns.
Wouldn't children benefit from taking time out for quiet contemplation of the world, their lives, and their relationships? Definitely, but that's not likely to occur in a society in which supreme busyness is bragged about and perpetually on-the-go people receive the highest societal accolades.
2) What will you do with your time when you get old?
This is related to the busyness issue. Parents forget the activities they cared about before they became parents and fear the loss of kid-related busyness, especially as children get ready to leave the nest. At this point, many parents begin to focus on the arrival of grand kids as surrogates for their own kids and an opportunity to re-experience the euphoria of early childhood kid-related busyness.
Parents can't imagine a life without kid-activities. Some seem to grasp onto their own long-lost childhoods this way. While my friends-with-kids have tailored their routines and activities to the up and down rhythms of the needs of children, I have developed and maintained a pretty consistent routine throughout my life. I've made time for quiet, peaceful contemplation and enjoyment of nature. I don't plan to change this routine until I die, so why would I worry about what I will do with my time when I get old?
3) Who will remember you after you die?
This question comes up a lot and I think it reflects the deep need we have to grasp onto our lives while experiencing a constant paralyzing fear of death. It's important to remember that children don't remember parents exactly as they were or are, even on a daily basis. I don't know every aspect of my parent's lives and psyches.
I do treasure a patchwork of moments spent with them, but I don't know them at their essence. In that sense, none of us - whether parents or childfree - will be remembered when we die. And, after one or two generations pass we only have a symbolic memory of our ancestors. Also, why is it important for us to be remembered at all? We live, we enjoy, and we won't care if we are remembered once we are dead, so why is this such a constant source of worry?
4) Don't you feel you missed out on life's most important experience?
This was one of my mom's favorite questions. Yet, much of the time she felt frustrated, stifled and anxious as a wife and parent. I think that life's important experiences are being born and dying. Everything that happens in between is a choice, and, when choosing one thing we must give up something else. It's also important to remember that we are no longer under extreme social pressure to populate the colonies - kids are an option, and one that takes a toll on the environment of an overpopulated world.
As a childfree person, I've had more time to develop my artwork and writing, camp, care for rescued dogs, return to school as an adult, and live in the city and the wilderness - all things I don't think I would have done if I had kids. And, I've had more time for quiet contemplation, and time to spend with my elderly parents. These experiences are important to me, as important as parenthood is to some, because these experiences are of my choosing - my life.
5) Don't you get bored without someone (kids, grand kids, great grand kids) to worry about?
The constant worry that is inherent in parenthood is one of the primary reasons I chose not to have kids. Worry is tedious and boring. The lack of it opens up a world of enticing possibilities.
And, I know my mother felt overwhelmed by the need to watch over us constantly as small kids. She often let down her guard. She had a deep need for those quiet and contemplative moments. She chose to take time out for herself in spite of having small kids.
We wandered away, fell into holes, were bitten by dogs, got poison ivy, were stung by bees and so forth, but, we survived and had a lot of fun doing it. Today, my mother would probably be reviled for her lack of parenting skills, but I observed her carefully and learned early on that I did not want the responsibility and constant exhausting worry that overwhelmed my mother and is unavoidable with parenthood.
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White House.gov Press Office Feed
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Statement on Syria before the House Armed Services Committee
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Washington D.C., Thursday, April 19, 2012
Chairman McKeon and Representative Smith, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the tense and fluid situation in Syria.
Widespread demands for political change in Syria started more than a year ago. Rather than meeting these legitimate demands, the regime of Bashar al-Assad turned instead to violence against its own people. That violence has been brutal and devastating. It has put the Syrian people in a desperate and difficult situation. It has outraged the conscience of all good people. And it has threatened stability in a very important part of the world.
The United States has made clear that the Assad regime has lost its legitimacy and that this crisis has no effective solution without Assad's departure. As the President has stated, Assad must go.
Recent days are testing whether the Assad regime will live up to all of its responsibilities to the Syrian people and to the international community. Restoring calm to cities and towns across Syria is just one test for Assad in the days ahead. Assad is responsible for fully abiding by the transition plan outlined by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan. He also faces deep skepticism about his motives, a skepticism based on a long train of Assad's deceitful actions to date, including broken promises to his own people and to the international community.
The United States is committed to holding the Syrian regime to these obligations. We are leading international efforts to help stop the violence and support a peaceful political transition in Syria.
We know achieving that end is a tough task. From every angle the situation in Syria is enormously complex. There is no silver bullet. At the same time, the situation is of grave consequence to the Syrian people. There are many others who are affected by what happens in Syria, including Syria's neighbors – Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan – and all nations with a vital interest in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran is Syria's only ally in the region. No other country stands to lose more than Iran from the eventual fall of the Assad regime, which is why Iran is supporting the regime with material, financial and technical assistance.
We also know that the complex problems in Syria cannot all be solved through the unilateral actions of the United States or any other country. They demand a coordinated international response that is uniquely tailored to the situation.
There are, however, certain principles that have guided the Administration's response to unrest across the Middle East. These basic principles have shaped our responses in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and now Syria: first, we oppose the use of violence and repression by regimes against their own people; second, we support the exercise of universal human rights; and third, we support political and economic reforms that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region.
Our policy toward Syria is clear: we support a political and democratic transition that fulfills the Syrian people's aspirations. To support that objective, the United States is leading international efforts along five tracks:
First, we are supporting efforts to maintain international pressure and advance transition in Syria. We join with our partners in the United Nations Security Council, including Russia and China, in calling for the urgent, comprehensive, and immediate implementation of all aspects of the Annan plan.
Second, we are further isolating the Assad regime. We are encouraging other countries to join the United States, the European Union, and the Arab League in imposing strong sanctions against it. These sanctions are putting Assad under greater pressure than ever before;
Third, we are strengthening and unifying the non-violent political opposition in Syria. The United States is in the process of providing direct non-lethal support, including communications and medical equipment, to the civilian-led opposition. We are taking these actions in concert with similar steps taken by the Friends of Syria and other international partners to assist the opposition;
Fourth, we are providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, and we are working to broaden our efforts at relief, with a total commitment so far of $25 million; and
Fifth, we are reviewing and planning for a range of additional measures that may be necessary to protect the Syrian people.
By acting along these lines, we are increasing pressure on the Assad regime every day. Make no mistake – one way or another, this regime ultimately will meet its end.
There are legitimate questions about what steps are necessary to achieve this end, with some arguing for an approach similar to the one we took in Libya.
The fact is that our recent experience in Libya is helping to inform the approach of the United States to Syria:
First, our efforts are strengthened by multi-lateral, international consensus;
Second, we should maintain clear regional support from the Arab world;
Third, we should offer substantial U.S. contributions where we can bring unique resources to bear;
Fourth, we should have a clear legal basis for our approach;
Fifth, and finally, our approach must keep all options on the table, while recognizing the limitations of military force.
But the situation in Syria is different from the one in Libya in important ways:
In Libya, there was widespread international support in the Arab world and elsewhere, and clear Security Council authorization, for military intervention. No such consensus currently exists regarding Syria;
The opposition is not as well organized and does not control territory;
We must also be mindful, as Secretary Clinton has noted, of the possibility that outside military intervention will make a volatile situation even worse, and place even more innocent civilians at risk.
The United States has made clear that we are on the side of the Syrian people. They must know that the international community has not underestimated either their suffering or their impatience. The Defense Department has reviewed and is continuing to plan for a variety of possible scenarios should the President determine that further steps are necessary. In the meantime, our only clear path is to keep moving diplomatically in a resolute and deliberate manner with the international community to find a way to return Syria to the Syrian people.
Thank you.


text:
- "Now recently a Haitian gang lord died. Apparently the Cubans did it, nobody's certain. Well, let's make them certain!"
- ―Avery Carrington
Two Bit Hit is the final mission in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City given to protagonist Tommy Vercetti by property developer Avery Carrington from his limo in his construction site in Vice Point, Vice City.
Avery Carrington wants real estate prices in Vice City to go down, so he wants to start a gang war between the Cuban Gang and the Haitian Gang. A Haitian Gang Lord died recently, apparently the Cubans did it but nobody knows for sure. Avery wants you to make the Haitians sure they did it by killing the new Haitian Gang Lord at the old one's funeral.
The Mission
After getting the briefing from Avery, head down to the Little Havana clothes store and pick up a Cuban Hombre outfit. Then get a car and drive to the funeral which is located next to the Little Haiti Pizzeria, as of this part, there are four ways to kill the Haitian Gang Lord:
This is the easiest method and with greater chance of success:
Once you've caught the Cuban clothing, take a helicopter and use it to land on the roof of the building that is just across the funeral. While you're there, get to the corner of the roof and the Haitians will see you and start shooting at you, then use a sniper-rifle to kill the Haitian Gang Lord before he gets away in a Romero's Hearse (you will have about 10 seconds) and thereafter use the helicopter to escape avoiding the Haitians.
This technique is virtually foolproof, but you cannot obtain any of the two special cars that appear in this mission, unless you get off the roof after killing the Haitian Gang Lord and run in one of them.
For the second method you will need a Sniper Rifle. Drive to the funeral and pull out the Sniper, take aim and kill the Gang Lord. Don't get nervous, because if you miss, you'll accidentally shoot down either one of the gangs instead of a Haitian Gang Lord or in the air, which attracts attention to the Haitians, and you'll be forced to chase down the Gang Lord
For the third method, an Uzi, Mac or any type of submachine gun will be required, since you will need to shoot fast and then run. Get to the funeral, pull out the submachine gun and run towards the Gang Lord, avoiding gunfire from the Haitian Bodyguards, then open fire and shoot him. Then run out of there before you get wasted. You'll need an armor to protect you from gunfire, but you'll have to escape fast because the Armor you're wearing won't last from the gunfire.
The fourth method is to get the rocket launcher (either collect 70 hidden packages or get it from Hooker Inn's pool). It would help greatly if the player gained the "fast reload" capability but without it, will also work. As you may guessed, park the get away car some place further away so it does not get destroyed by the splash damage. Once arrived, park the car, get out and run some place near funeral car driven by the Haitian lord without alerting the guards. Take out the rocket launcher and aim at the riff raff. Start spamming the rockets if you have "Fast reload" ability. The rockets should have no problem taking out the guards, cars and the crime lord even if he gets into the vehicle. Once he is dead, sprint like mad to the get away car and get out of Little Haiti.
A fifth, quick method is to drive with a car right behind the alleyway where the gang lord is located, leave your car, get on it and you'll have a clean sight of him. Shoot him in the head with any weapon you have available and leave quickly. This will avoid to face the rest of the Haitians and you'll complete the mission quickly. If you really want to get the special vehicles, kill any Haitians that will rush in front of you then get the vehicle you want and drive away.
The final method or the normal way is getting to the funeral and using any weapon, (a submachine gun is recommended), and start killing Haitian Bodyguards, eventually the Gang Lord will get in a Romero's Hearse and drive away. Get in a fast car and ram into the hearse, but watch out for bombs inside the coffins when one of the Haitian gangs drop it in the back of the hearse. When the car catches fire, the Gang Lord will get out of the Hearse and make a run for it, you can either get out of your car and shoot him or you can just run him over. Watch out though. The Haitian Gang Lord is carrying an M4 Carbine assault rifle, so run him over instead, after shooting down his gangs.
When you've killed the Gang Lord, leave Little Haiti and the mission will be complete.
Post Mission Phone Call
Umberto Robina: Hey Leo! I got some work for you!
Tommy Vercetti: This ain't Leo.
Umberto Robina: Hey, if Leo knows you got his phone, he gonna kill you!
Tommy Vercetti: Maybe Leo's already dead. Maybe I killed Leo and took his phone - you think of that prick?
Umberto Robina: You killed Leo? You must have big cojones - wanna work for me!? Drop by my father's cafe in Little Havana and we'll talk mano a mano.
The reward for completing this mission is $2500 and the mission Stunt Boat Challenge is unlocked.
- Donald Love states in Grand Theft Auto III, during the mission Waka-Gashira Wipeout, that "Nothing drives down real estate prices like a good old fashioned gang war, apart from the outbreak of a plague, but that might going too far in this case". Whilst during in this mission, Avery Carrington states "Now, nothing brings down real estate prices quicker than a good old-fashioned gang war - 'cept maybe a disaster, like a biblical plague or something, but, that may be going too far in this case". In fact, Donald Love can be seen beside Avery as his protégé taking notes while he quipped the quote.
- The Romero's Hearse is only obtainable (without cheats) in this mission, as is the black Voodoo.
- The mission can be done stealthily by going into the wooden shack complex, drive to the concrete wall between you and the funeral, then standing on your car and pop the leader in the head with an Assault Rifle.
- After the completion of the mission, both the Cubans and the Haitians are seen engaging in a gun fight against each other, both in Little Havana and Little Haiti.
- The mission lip-sync is un-syncronized in the PS2 version (only on version 3.01), after the first line ends, but the animation is still playing.
- The Havana outfit will be available after this mission in Little Havana. After the missions Cop Land, No Escape?, The Job, the outfit will be put behind an invisible wall and you will not be able to get it. To avoid this, complete the Cop Land, No Escape? and The Job missions before Two Bit Hit. You can, however, get it in the mobile and Mac OS versions, as this has been fixed.


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In May of 2017, the world saw the biggest cyberattack in history. Over 200,000 devices in 150 countries were affected, including hospitals in the UK, a large telecom corporation in Spain, FedEx in the US and even the Russian government. Before this, most of the public had a vague understanding of cybersecurity, but now the importance of protecting our data is coming to the forefront of the mainstream consciousness.
The software behind this historic attack was called WannaCry, a piece of ransomware that encrypts the files and data of targeted organizations and demands payment to regain access. Ransomware is nothing new, but now that the vulnerability of hospitals, government institutions and other critical public services have been made clear, people are rightfully concerned.
As with most aspects of cybersecurity, education and understanding are your most valuable tools of protection. Although criminals are getting smarter and software is becoming more sophisticated, there are certain steps that every person should take to keep himself or herself as secure as possible. Keeping yourself and your systems regularly updated are the keys to safety.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a malicious code used by criminals to gain and restrict access to the files on a computer, server or entire network. This software essentially kidnaps your information and demands a monetary payment in order to get it back, hence the name. Payment is usually demanded via bitcoin or other virtual currency as a way of protecting the criminals behind the scam from being traced by law enforcement.
The first known example of ransomware occurred all the way back in 1989, before the Internet was used by the general public. This software, known as the AIDS Trojan, was spread via floppy disks and demanded $189 from users to regain access to their computers. Modern ransomware involves incredibly sophisticated codes that make the AIDS Trojan look like something from the Stone Age. There are two main types of modern ransomware:
Encryptors are the most common forms of modern ransomware. This involves advanced encryption algorithms that are designed to scramble and/or block access to files, programs and data unless the user pays for the encryption key. Some infamous examples of modern encryptors are CryptoLocker, Locky and WannaCry.
Lockers lock the victim out of the entire operating system, making it impossible to access any files, programs or even the desktop. Unlike encryptors, no specific files are encrypted in these cases, but users are asked to pay the ransom in order to unlock the computer. Lockers are generally disguised as law enforcement or other official blocks.
How does ransomware work?
There are a few ways in which ransomware can infect a system. One of the most common ways is tricking users to click links on websites or download files from emails that are disguised as something official. These emails and websites may look like a known organization with the same logo, design and theme as organizations you trust.
These programs will also look for holes in your computer's security, including old applications that have not been updated. Once the ransomware gains access, it may spread to any other computers or systems connected to your network.
What can I do?
If your computer is attacked by ransomware, you will see a pop-up screen telling you that you are locked out and giving you instructions on how to pay the ransom. If this happens to you, you should not pay the ransom. Once you see the pop-up, immediately stop what you are doing and contact your IT department, your internet provider or your cybersecurity specialist like those at https://cbisecure.com/.
Unfortunately, most users never fully recover their data, even after paying. Even if you do regain access to most of your files, you still have no guarantee that you will not be attacked again, and most users are even more vulnerable afterwards. If you are a victim, shut down your computer immediately and contact the company or department who will be best suited to handle the problem.
Derek Pursley is an influencer marketing pro with brownboxbranding.com who is passionate about building authentic relationships and helping businesses connect with their ideal online audience. He keeps his finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving digital marketing world by writing on the latest marketing advancements and focuses on developing customized blogger outreach plans based on industry and competition.


text:
HOUSTON – A retired salon owner is trying to nail a new world record.
Yani Williams owned a salon for 11 years and loves nails so much that the retired grandmother refuses to cut her fingernails. She's heard every question you could possibly ask.
"The million dollar question that we get is how do we wipe our butts," Williams said. "Usually I just tell them like if you go to the restroom in public you don't sit on the toilets. That's the way I do at home because my nails are so long."
Inspired by friends, Williams started growing her fingernails when Bill Clinton took the White House. 23 years later, she is closing in on world record length. Each of her nails is between 26 and 26 ½ inches long.
"It takes me about a week to finish (polishing) them," said Williams. "It's for my grandchildren more than anything. So they can have something to look back on and say this is my gammy."
Her toenails are long too. But, she is not after that record.
"I have been contacted by the world record holder and I told her I don't think I can do it," said Williams.
Still, she went on tour with Ripley's Believe It or Not. Also, Williams has been featured in magazine articles from London to Houston. Next, she wants a reality show for her circle of friends known on Facebook as "The Real Nail Qweens."
"My nails don't define me," she said.
Their goal is bigger than fame or fortune. Williams wants to show people bullied for their looks that being different is okay.
"A lot of people are in hiding because of the way they live and they're different from everybody," said Williams. "If you didn't see my nails, you would think I'm just like anybody else. But by the time I put my nails out, (they say) oh she's a freak."
For now, Williams is just a queen chasing an unpolished dream.


text:
The TM-CLOCK AN is an all-in-one camera system with a built-in camera, microphone and DVR recorder.. and it is a real working clock!
The built-in rechargeable battery makes it a truly portable system, allowing you to place it anywhere you would like, and then press a button to start recording video and audio when motion is detected or you can choose to start a continuous recording.
Once recordings are made to the microSD card (up to 32GB, sold separately), you can view it easily and quickly on your PC.
The built-in rechargeable lithium battery lasts up to 90minutes for a continuous recording or up to 6 hours standby time.


text:
Why blogs are great for small businesses
Blogs are great for small businesses
Anyone who runs a small business knows the importance of finding effective ways to market their business that won't take too much time and can be done on a minimal, or even non-existent budget.
If this is relevant to you, then say hello to the blog; it could just be your biggest ally and your new best friend.
Blogging benefits
There are many benefits to writing a blog and posting it on your website and I'm sure you've heard of most of them. These include:
- Driving traffic to your website
- Producing social media fodder
- Promoting your clients and associates
- Contributing to the ever important SEO
- Showing off your knowledge and expertise
- Capturing the attention of your target market
- Building a history of work you have done over a period of time
- Keeping your website fresh with new content on a regular basis
- Engaging with clients and prospects by encouraging them to leave their comments
But overall, they are a very effective means of spreading information about you and your business across a far wider audience.
Given all these advantages it's surprising to find that a large number of small business owners are reticent to start their own blog. The common concerns seem to be:
- Not knowing what to blog about
- Finding the time
- Keeping momentum
Knowing what to blog about
I've heard business owners tell me they wouldn't know what to blog about and then spend the next hour telling me, with great passion, all about their business, the fantastic product / service they offer and the benefit they provide. For me blogging is a small step from talking about your businesses and what you can do for your clients, to putting this down in short, interesting and informative blog posts. If you're not a great writer, you can easily record audio or video content on a smart phone and add it to your blog with a minimum of fuss.
The trick is to think about what your target audience would be interested to read about or find valuable to learn.
One of the best things is to think about the questions your customers are always asking and blog about the answers you give!
Blog about the knowledge you have which could make a real difference to your existing and future clients.
Finding the Time
The first few times you write your blog you may well find that it does take some time. However you will notice over time your blogging will get easier and quicker too.
To get you started here are my top 3 time saving tips:
- You don't need to write War and Peace so don't be afraid to keep your blog posts short, sweet and to the point.
- Write about the most common questions your clients ask you.
- Write evergreen content (not linked to a specific time or event) that can be re-used.
Remember your blog has the potential to reach and influence a wide and far-reaching audience. What else could you do in that same time frame, from the comfort of the your own home/office, that could have the same impact and provide as many benefits?
Keeping momentum
It is true that once you decide to commit to a blog and host on your website you do need to make a commitment to keep it coming and keep it fresh. But this need not be as daunting as it may sound, providing you apply some crafty tactics:
- Write ideas for blog content on a notepad or your phone as they come into your head so you have a list of future post topics to fall back on
- Write when the creativity strikes, this will not only make it easier and quicker to write the blog but also allows you to store up posts to release over a period of weeks
- Find another small business blogger whose service / product complements your own and suggest exchanging guest blog posts
- We all hold a vast amount of knowledge in our specialised field; don't give it all away at once but release as a series of posts and keep your audience coming back for more
Once you have your blog written and posted on your website you need to make sure you promote it for maximum coverage and make sure you've got a sign up box so that people who like your posts can get new ones delivered by email. This gives you the chance to build your own mailing list which is probably the most valuable asset a blog can provide!


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This is a very brief post to note that, in addition to my recently very busy social life, I'm moving across town and therefore spending every waking minute either packing, making a subway run up to the new place with full suitcases, cleaning one or the other of the apartments, or trying to get some sleep.
Which is why I haven't posted here in a bit. I've got lots to write about, many thoughts about things that are happening in my life and the world at large, but hardly a free second in which to actually sit and write them.
When I'm done moving (give it another week, maybe?) expect a couple of fun sex toy review posts, some thoughts on Dark Odyssey, new insights on sacred spirituality, discussions of roommate boundaries and personal responsibility, and maybe an update or two on my kink life.
In other news, my cat is standing on the bit of the toilet seat behind me while I'm peeing. Cats are weird.
on Friday, October 8, 2010
Labels: blogging, New York City / Comments: (0)
On living, loving, learning, and fucking with the materials I've got at hand.
This work by anewparadox.blogspot.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Some of the content on this blog may be unsuitable for those under 18. If you're underage, try Scarleteen.com for info on sex.
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text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - New cool site: http://50sms.com Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in New cool site: http://50sms.com Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Film and Cinema View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message zzasgai99123198Joined: 18 Feb 2005Posts: 1 Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:50 pm Post subject: New cool site: http://50sms.com Hi, I've found new cool site: http://50sms.com/?ref_id=103415. You can send SMS to your friends worldwide, from ONLY $0.06/SMS! + Logos, WAP SMS, Email to SMS... Check it out. They also have a partner program. http://50sms.com/?ref_id=103415 Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Film and Cinema All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


text:
Never tried Cryotherapy before? No Problem. All first time freezers are only $20!!
At SubZero Cryotherapy, we believe in the exposing yourself to new technology in order to be restored to the best version of you. We are honored to provide the opportunity for you to Expose yourself to the possibilities….


text:
Ninemen's Morris: A Reign of Dominance Will Commence!
You are a dung-encumbered
(Just thought that I would
remind you.)
Ok. Throw your bananalla peels at me, for I
readily accept them. While I am
typically a soothsayer unparalleled in my ability to prognosticate outcomes in
all matters, sporting and otherwise, I must nonetheless admit an insipid
failure. In the ante-annum, I was quoted
as follows:
…while the Detroiters seem
to be a lock to waggle the pennant American (hopefully they will be able to
hoist it a few times before Cobb uses it to rid his posterior of residual
defecate), they will nonetheless fall hard in the World Series, at the hands of
Chicago's dear Orphans, the mighty child bears, the blessed Cubs themselves.
While the Bengals of
Windsor's cross-water tongue-thumber did, indeed fall in Global Series
showdown, it was not at the hands of the mighty Cubs, but rather the
scurvy-lipped Buccaneers local to that intersection of Three Rivers known for
its defecation of steel. Local-boy Honus
Wagner, though on the down-slope of his career, was somehow able to rise up and
help the Alleghany Arses take the match-up in seven. He out-hit the cur Cobb .333 to .231, and
stole six bases, establishing the new Series record.
I was so angered, that I took
all of my Honus Wagner baseball cards (I had roughly 30 of the brand new T206
series) and relieved myself on them before setting them on fire. I guess I must find something else to leave
my unborn (and unconcealed) son.
If I have been silent for
some time, it is out of shame.
But let it be stated
now! In 1910, the Chicago Cubs will once
again win the World Series, once again placing this, the greatest of the
nine-men's quorums National or American, once again at the pantheon of the
game! A reign of dominance will then
commence that will surely last the duration of the Millennium, and far into the
What say you, Quigley?
You ding-bat!
– – –
Written by
'Alabaster' Eastman Thune
Former editor of the "Follies and Whatnots" section of the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Currently unemployed.
"Alabaster" is known for coining the popular quip: "An Irishman and
his whiskey are like the Father Sky and his Sun – you are guaranteed
that the latter will show up in the former each day of God's blessed
For more on the nature of Ninemen's Morris, please click *HERE*


text:
Evan Lysacek battled back from the middle of the pack to challenge Nicole Scherzinger for frontrunner status on Monday's "Dancing with the Stars."
The men's figure skating gold medalist asked his professional partner, Anna Trebunskaya, to push him in rehearsals in the last few days and the ballroom result was a sharp, dramatic and intense Argentine tango that left the judges stunned.
"Evan Lysacek has the eye of the tiger," judge Carrie Ann Inaba raved after Evan and his partner performed, but it was British judge Len Goodman who was the most moved of the panel.
"I knew you were nice on ice, but I had my doubts that you were gonna be good on wood," Len said. "But, I tell you, I've got a [score] paddle in here that I haven't used yet. I'm gonna dust it off, because that was fantastic."
The paddle Len referred to was the perfect 10, and added to the 10s from Carrie Ann and Bruno Tonioli, Evan and Anna end up with Season 10's first perfect score – 30 out of 30.
While she didn't net a perfect score with her partner, Derek Hough, Nicole did manage to move the audience, and her beloved aunt who watched from the audience, with an elegant waltz to "You Light Up My Life."
"You are, by far, the best dancer we've ever had on this show," Carrie Ann said. "You're so good that you almost dance as Derek's equal."
Carrie Ann said, however, that Nicole didn't do enough to be 'like one' with her partner, a unison style of movement the waltz needed, resulting in 9s from the judges for a total of 27 out of 30.
Round 2 of the competition, however, helped even out the playing field between Evan and Nicole.
Nicole danced as part of Team Gaga, as in Lady, cha cha cha-ing to "Telephone," alongside Chad Ochocinco and his partner Cheryl Burke, and Pamela Anderson with her pro, Damian Whitewood. The sextet managed to impress the judges enough to add an extra 27 points to each of their pair dance totals.
The other three competitor pairs – Evan and Anna, Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and Niecy Nash with Louis van Amstel – cha cha cha-ed to "Holiday" as part of Team Madonna, but only managed to pick up an additional 24 points.
The team round results, added to their pair dance scores, left Nicole and Evan tied, setting up a real toe-to-toe competition between the stars.
Meanwhile, Bengals receiver Chad and partner Cheryl finished the night in third with 52 points, while Pamela and Damian tied Erin and Maks for fourth, each scoring 51 points.
Niecy and Louis landed in the bottom spot with 49 points out of a possible 60.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' All-Stars!
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Are They Or Aren't They? Hollywood's Hottest Rumored Couples
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - TV - Reality TV - Maksim Chmerkovskiy - Nicole Scherzinger


text:
Need Help?
Click here for help with
the Market Sessions Online
Registration System.
Registration is closed for this event..
Friday 11/08/2013, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Skill LevelBasic
Class Hours1
TeacherDeanna Van Assche
View Deanna's profile
Fobulous Fobs with Deanna Van AsscheMake this small, bead knitting treasure and learn more about knitting and finishing. Your finished fob can be used on scissors, zippers, or your key chain. Basic knitting skills are required — casting on and simple knit stitch.
SuppliesAll tools necessary are supplied in class.


text:
If you are searching for a factory unlock code of ZTE 802ZT then you have reached on correct website. We, at mysimunlock.net, can provide the correct unlock code for your phone. Our server is connected with ZTE database and after placing the order you will get the 100% genuine unlock code in minimum time.
Unlocking of ZTE 802ZT by the network unlock code is totally safe and does not involve any firmware or software change, means you will not loose the warranty of the phone even after unlock. If your phone is asking for unlock code after changing the SIM card then it can be easily unlocked by a code.
Unlocking of ZTE devices by the SIM Unlock Code is the fastest method, which is totally secure. Once your ZTE 802ZT will be network-free or unlocked, you can use the default SIM card as well as the another network provider.
You want the genuine unlock code and we want the correct 15-digit IMEI of the device. To find out the correct IMEI of your phone, you can check out in the Settings or also you can dial *#06# as a phone number.
Our unlock code of ZTE is independent of the country and network means you can unlock all ZTE 802ZT which may come from Europe, Asia, USA, Australia or Portugal carriers. Once ZTE 802ZT is unlocked, you will be free to choose any carrier simcard.
Note: All new ZTE phones from MetroPCS and T-Mobile carriers comes with "Device Unlock App". There is no way to enter the unlock code in this phone. It can be unlocked by "Device Unlock App" only.


text:
|Version 24 (modified by meitar, 6 years ago) (diff)
FFmpeg and AAC Encoding Guide
- libfdk_aac
- Native FFmpeg AAC encoder
- libvo_aacenc
- libfaac
- Metadata
- Also See
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is the successor format to MP3, and is defined in MPEG-4 part 3 (ISO/IEC 14496-3). It is often used within an MP4 container format; for music the .m4a extension is customarily used. The second-most common use is within MKV (Matroska) files because it has better support for embedded text-based soft subtitles than MP4. The examples in this guide will use the extensions MP4 and M4A.
FFmpeg can support four AAC-LC encoders (aac, libfaac, libfdk_aac, libvo_aacenc) and two AAC-HE encoders (libaacplus and libfdk_aac). The licenses of libaacplus, libfaac, and libfdk_aac are not compatible with the GPL and distribution of binaries containing code licensed under these licenses when GPL-licensed code is also included is not permitted. Therefore these encoders have been designated as "non-free", and you cannot download a pre-built ffmpeg that supports them. This can be resolved by compiling ffmpeg.
Fraunhofer FDK AAC codec library. This is currently the highest-quality AAC encoder available with ffmpeg. Requires ffmpeg to be configured with --enable-libfdk_aac (and additionally --enable-nonfree if you're also using --enable-gpl). But beware, it defaults to a low-pass filter of around 14kHz. If you want to preserve higher frequencies, use -cutoff 18000. Adjust the number to the upper frequency limit you prefer.
Constant Bit Rate (CBR) mode
These settings target a specific bit rate, with less variation between samples. It gives you greater control over file size, and it is compatible with the HE-AAC profile. As a rule of thumb, for audible transparency, use 64kb/s for each channel (so 128kb/s for stereo, 384 kb/s for 5.1 surround sound). Set the bit rate with the -b:a flag.
Convert and audio file to AAC in an M4A (MP4) container:
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 128k output.m4a
Convert 5.1 surround sound audio of a video, leaving the video alone:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 384k output.mp4
Convert the video with libx264, with a target of fitting a 90-minute movie on a 700MB(=5734400kb) CD-ROM, mixing the audio down to two channels (Windows users should use NUL rather than /dev/null):
ffmpeg -y -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 933k -preset:v veryfast -pass 1 -an /dev/null && \ ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 933k -preset:v veryfast -pass 2 \ -ac 2 -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 128k output.mp4
Variable Bit Rate (VBR) mode
VBR encoding in libfdk-aac is experimental and only works with some parameter combinations. Target a quality, rather than a specific bit rate. 1 is lowest quality and 5 is highest quality. This mode is not compatible with AAC-HE. Set the VBR level with the -vbr flag.
According to this hydrogenaudio post, the VBR modes (on average, over a number of files) give the following bit rates per channel (so for stereo, double the bit rate; for 5.1 surround sound, multiply it by six):
Convert an audio file to AAC in an M4A (MP4) container:
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 3 output.m4a
Convert the audio only of a video:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 3 output.mp4
Convert the video with libx264, and mix down audio to two channels:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf:v 22 -preset:v veryfast \ -ac 2 -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 3 output.mp4
High-Efficiency AAC
This is a pair of AAC profiles tailored for low bit rates (version 1 and version 2). VBR mode is not compatible with AAC-HE so a bitrate is declared. AAC-HE version 1 is suited for bit rates below 64kb/s (for stereo audio) down to about 48 kb/s, while AAC-HE version 2 is suited for bit rates as low as 32 kb/s (again, for stereo).
Unfortunately, many devices that can play AAC-LC (the default profile for libfdk_aac) simply cannot play either version of AAC-HE, so this is not recommended for surround sound audio, which normally needs to be compatible with such hardware players. If you are only going to play it on your computer, or you are sure that your hardware player supports AAC-HE, you can aim for a bit rate of 160kb/s for version 1, or 128kb/s for version 2. As always, experiment to see what works for your ears.
AAC-HE version 1
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -profile:a aac_he -b:a 64k output.m4a
AAC-HE version 2
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -profile:a aac_he_v2 -b:a 32k output.m4a
Native FFmpeg AAC encoder
The native FFmpeg AAC encoder is included with ffmpeg and is does not require an external library like the other AAC encoders described here. Note that you will not get as good results as with libfdk_aac. This is considered an experimental encoder, so -strict experimental or -strict -2 is required.
Example using -b:a
ffmpeg -i input.wav -strict experimental -c:a aac -b:a 240k output.m4a
Note: -cutoff 15000 was previously recommended for this encoder, but this is now automatically applied since 2012 July.
Example using -q:a
ffmpeg -i input.wav -strict experimental -c:a aac -q:a 6 output.m4a
Effective range for -q:a is around 0.1-10. This VBR is experimental and likely to get even worse results than the CBR. If ffmpeg ignores -q:a then get a newer build (see ticket #1346).
VisualOn AAC encoding library. Requires ffmpeg configuration with --enable-libvo-aacenc. This has the advantage of not being non-free, and is included by some distributors, but is a rather poor encoder compared to libfdk_aac and even the native FFmpeg AAC encoder according to Quality Assessment of FFmpeg AAC and a mailing list post. This encoder supports up to 2 channels, is CBR only, and does not work with -q:a/-qscale:a.
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libvo_aacenc -b:a 128k output.m4a
Freeware Advanced Audio Coder. Requires ffmpeg configuration with --enable-libfaac --enable-nonfree. Note that you will not get as good results as with libfdk_aac.
Variable Bit Rate (VBR) Example
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfaac -q:a 100 output.m4a
Range for -q:a is 10-500 and is similar to using the -q option in standalone faac. 100 is a good value to try.
Average Bit Rate (ABR) Example
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfaac -b:a 192k output.m4a
libfaac does not support a true Constant Bit Rate (CBR) mode.
You can add metadata to any of the examples on this guide:
ffmpeg -i input ... -metadata author="FFmpeg Bayou Jug Band" -metadata title="Decode my Heart (Let's Mux)" output.mp4
Which encoder should I use? What provides the best quality?
For AAC-LC the likely answer is: libfdk_aac > libfaac > Native FFmpeg AAC encoder (aac) > libvo_aacenc.
Should I use AAC-LC or AAC-HE?
If you require a low audio bitrate, such as ≤ 32kbs/channel, then AAC-HE would be worth considering if your player or device can support AAC-HE decoding. Anything higher may benefit more from AAC-LC due to less processing. If in doubt use AAC-LC. All players supporting AAC-HE also support AAC-LC.
I get an error about "experimental codecs". What does this mean?
Some encoders, such as the native FFmpeg AAC encoder (aac), are considered experimental and require the addition of -strict experimental or -strict -2 (same thing, different name) to your command as an output option. Otherwise you may see:
The encoder 'aac' is experimental but experimental codecs are not enabled, add '-strict -2' if you want to use it.
So, for example, given a command line such as:
ffmpeg -i file.avi file.mov
you may need to invoke ffmpeg as follows for the experimental codec to be enabled:
ffmpeg -i file.avi -strict -2 file.mov
Also See
Attachments (5)
added by atomnuker 5 years ago.
Original spectrum of a file prior to encoding
added by atomnuker 5 years ago.
Spectral representation of file after being encoded without PNS
added by atomnuker 5 years ago.
File encoded with new PNS implementation
added by atomnuker 5 years ago.
File encoded with old PNS implementation
added by atomnuker 5 years ago.
Spectral difference of the file encoded with new vs old PNS implementation


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Have you got what it takes to outrun your rivals? TNT Racers is a multiplayer racing game full of variety, combining fast as lightning race action with brand new features. The Shadow Race feature lets every player stay in the race even if a driver is clearly in an inferior position. But the best things are the wicked pick-ups which will ultimately decide about victory or defeat. TNT -- Tracks N Tricks -- cool tracks and snappy gadgets! One powerful adrenaline kick is guaranteed. Grab yourself TNT Racers today and let your competitors eat the dust!
Also known as: Tracks N Tricks Racers
Release Region: United States
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Publisher: DTP (Digital Entertainment Pool)
Also available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3


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Who isn't next Hog coach
A couple of quick things. First, Rutgers brings a good defensive line and pretty good overall defense to Fayetteville.
The Scarlet Knights offense is not so good, but Louisiana-Monroe looked like a Top 25 team against the Arkansas Razorbacks defense.
There is going to be a lot of discussion in the coming weeks about the next head coach at Arkansas, and while it has already been stated here it won't be Jon Gruden, I can honestly say that at this point I only know who it won't be.
It won't be Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Les Miles or Pete Carroll.
It won't be Houston Nutt, Bear Bryant or Jim Tressel.
And most likely it won't be Bobby Petrino. When Petrino made his recent confession, he did it on national television, not local.
If he thought he had a shot at returning to the Razorbacks that interview would have been done in Arkansas. To further illustrate that, the interview was done in his home state of Montana.
There are a lot of people who won't be the next coach at Arkansas, but right now what Jeff Long and the Razorbacks Nation need is for there to not be openings at schools with better facilities.
The talent pool is shallow enough for head coaches who are interested in Arkansas.
If you want to follow a dark horse in this race, keep an eye on Louisiana-Lafayette's Mark Hudspeth, who led the Ragin Cajuns to nine wins last year and a 32-30 win over San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl.
Not saying he's on Long's list, just that he is a good coach who can recruit players and fans.
Also watch what Gus Malzahn does at Arkansas State now that he survived Oregon and Nebraska.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
11 Responses to "Who isn't next Hog coach"
You are definitely the last place hog fans will look for information during this coaching search. Your babble is mostly rumors and crap you make up.
Too bad you stopped working years ago and no longer have legitimate sources anywhere. You are an embarrassment and will be one of the last people in Arkansas to know who the new coach will be. Then you will write a column acting like you were on the inside of the decision making process all along.
You are a complete joke and your time is up. Do us all a favor and retire.
Obviously you are looking here Patrick! I told you to stay off the computer. Now get back to your room and watch that Teletubbies movie that I put on for you!
So… Patrick's Mom…
How you doin'….???
I continue to believe that Gary Patterson would be the ideal fit. He wins with inferior talent. His team are aggressive and fundamentally sound. He has always found ways to defeat teams that have superior facilities and resources. He obviously knows his way around the Metroplex, which has always been a key recruiting area for the Razorbacks. Northwest Arkansas is a great place to retire. He is originally from Kansas, which is close to Fayetteville. I believe that it would be an excellent fit. T.C.U. might be difficult to leave. But there are many positives about the Arkansas job. Namely, the SEC, the fans and tradition.
The question should be who will be the next A.D.? Jeff Long is a joke. For someone to have such a serious lack of judgement as to hire someone as embarrasing as John L. Smith, even on an interim basis, shows he is not up to the job of being A.D. at a major University.
Wally, you keep saying Gus though I have never seen you at a luncheon or heard of you reporting from Jonesboro. If you were, you would have heard him say several different times that this is not an option.
His supporters and the new programs going into Jonesboro (like the $22 million facility) combined with his Christian upbringing; the way he handled himself during your Mustain scandle; and his recruiting classes are going to push ASU to a top 25 type of team.
Given, our defense doesnt assure us a spot anytime this year….but then again obviously neither do the Hogs.
The great part about you continuing to post it is showing how bad you want him up there. Thank you for the ammo.
On a side note, you need to look at Terry Donahue. He's a little old but could be sought for your range.
Hey Wally.
How do you know it won't be Jon Gurden, Steve Spurrier, Pete Carroll, or Bobby Petrino? Has Jeff Long talked to these coaches already and Jeff told you they declined? Have they been asked? Have they said NO? Or maybe you are just speculating?
We need a big name coach for recruiting. It is obvious that we have to get a coach that can recruit outside of Arkansas. This has always been the major problem for the Razorbacks because we just don't have enough athletes here in the state.
I love the Hogs and have for 50 years. I am a season ticket holder and have been for a lot of those years. They have come close a few times but have always came up short. Needless to say they have broken my heart along with many other Hog fans.
I think it is time we hire a big name successful coach that can recruit. Recruiting is the key to any type of long term success. Let's pay him more than any other coach and hold him to the success we desire and deserve. A coach that can, and will put the Razorbacks program in the national spotlight in a positive way. Recruiting is the key to any type of long term success. Let's see if we can start a tradition of expecting a National Championship like Alabama does…
Razorback fans want and deserve a National Championship. A National Championship tradition takes big time coaching and big time recruiting. Period !!!
Gus Malzahn was a great coach calling plays for Cam Newton, but what happened at Auburn after Cam ……. 8-5, not what most people would call great. More Houston Nuttish …… than Bear Bryantish.
Many people say Gus Malzahn is a great coach, but I think the yardstick is your record, not what people think or say.
We will see in another couple of years, but if you believe Gus Malzahn will be coaching the Razorbacks next year, I want a hit off what your are smoking.
I agree with that post. I think his play calling is geared for more of the No-Huddle, hurry up, flee-flicker style of play which can only be accomplished (in my opinion) with at least one very good receiver and a stud of a running back (keep'em honest). David Oku is good, but not great yet. Josh Jarboe is one of a kind but it all doesnt matter if our defense gives up 40+ a game.
Gus stated he is getting his feet wet by relying on his staff and allowing them to call plays, though you can see his frustration sometimes when he's not involved.
I have seen every game so far and the hurry up style hasnt been as often used as I thought it would be…
Im rooting them on though. West Kent will be true test.
Wally – Your thoughts on ASU?
You have the wrong Oklahoma coach. Bob Stoops will
Be the next head hog.


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Mean Mama is a voracious brown monster who debuted on the "Beast of the Week" sketch on episode 201 of The Muppet Show, where she protected her baby from Don Knotts. She is one of the few explicitly female monsters on the show.
Mean Mama has been known to fans for years as "Big Mama," the name she was called in several UK publications, including the Muppet Show Annual 1979, The Muppet Show Diary 1979, and a December 1978 interview with Louise Gold in Look-in Junior TV Times magazine. However, her name was never used in a Muppet production, and internally, the Muppet Workshop referred to her as "Mean Mama".
Mean Mama is unique among the monsters in that she has appeared in both full-bodied and hand-puppet versions. She first appeared as a hand-puppet, with the full-bodied version debuting in episode 217.
Although Mean Mama is unquestionably female, her gender is sometimes emphasized more strongly, depending on the sketch. At times, she has been adorned with long eyelashes, a sundress, and bosoms (as in episode 318). In The Muppets Go Hollywood, she appears in the "Hooray for Hollywood" production number in a deep purple gown, with a matching bow in her hair and a feathery black fan. In other appearances, the puppet would lose all its feminine accoutrements and become more masculine in appearance and voice.
In 1977, Mean Mama made an impression at the Royal Variety Performance while greeting the Royal Family. Louise Gold was performing Mean Mama -- and instead of shaking hands with Prince Charles, she gave him a hug.
On Julie Andrews: One Step Into Spring she was named Big Mama.
In Mean Mama's final appearance on The Muppet Show, in episode 515, she appeared as an alien in a "Pigs in Space" sketch. At the end of the sketch, she swallowed First Mate Piggy whole -- but because the cast was in the middle of Gonzo's dance marathon, Piggy had to keep dancing while inside the alien's gullet.
- The Muppet Show
- Episode 201: Don Knotts (Beast of the Week sketch, performed by Richard Hunt)
- Episode 202: Zero Mostel (performed by Dave Goelz)
- Episode 203: Milton Berle ("Ugly," performed by Jim Henson)
- Episode 204: Rich Little (performed by Jerry Nelson)
- Episode 211: Dom DeLuise (Sheppard's Institute of Animal Protection sketch, performed by Richard Hunt)
- Episode 217: Julie Andrews ("I Whistle a Happy Tune")
- Episode 223: John Cleese
- Episode 301: Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge
- Episode 307: Alice Cooper ("School's Out")
- Episode 318: Leslie Uggams (performed by Louise Gold)
- Episode 515: Carol Burnett (Pigs in Space, performed by Richard Hunt)
- Julie Andrews: One Step Into Spring
- Hello, Here Is Berlin
- The Muppet Movie
- The Muppets Go Hollywood
- The Ghost of Faffner Hall
- Royal Variety Performance
- Dog City


text:
Life is all about experiences and if you haven't sampled the lightweight yet hard-hitting package that is YZ125, make sure you jump on board some time.
Sharing a lot of the features from big brother YZ250, the six-speed 125 offers a similar experience in a more compact, lighter package. That means serious YPVS enhanced power combines with an advance suspension package and top line components to offer a thrill ride like no other.
In fact, the YZ125's awesome power-to-weight ratio is capable of taking your riding to a higher level.
The YZ125 is the perfect choice for riders moving up onto a big wheel, or for riders who just want to experience the scalpel like qualities of motocross at the precision end of the scale.
Enjoy the YZ125 experience now and ascend to a higher level.
*Images are shown for reference only, product specifications and data are subject to change without notice.
Own it Sooner
Test Ride This Bike!
Book a Yamaha test ride to find the bike that's right for you. We have an extensive fleet of road and off-road bikes, scooters and ATV's so you're sure to find something you want to ride.


text:
Posts Tagged 'Los Angeles'
This past weekend, I spent some time at The Graff Lab in Los Angeles with a couple friends, my camera and boxes full of paint. While they threw up their pieces, I worked on my tan and took photos of them throughout the process.
Site Search
400D Avec California Canon cars clouds Cluttered-Thoughts Cluttered Thoughts Coding Computer daceasy Databases DSLR Electronics fire firefighter Foothill-Ranch freeway Hardware HB How to Huntington Beach Irvine lights morning night night life OC oc night life orange-county-california Orange County Photog photography photos plugins Problems Rants Santiago-Canyon So-Cal SoCal Software southern-california Technology Tools WordPress


text:
In Research's October cover story, "The New Wave of Active ETFs," Contributing Editor Jane Wollman Rusoff reports that the fast-changing field of exchange-traded funds is heading for a new watershed: the rise of actively managed funds. She talks to enthusiasts of this prospect as well as skeptics who question how many clients need active ETFs.
Also in the issue, Gerald Burstyn examines the work of economist Richard Thaler in "How a Freethinking Economist Saved Your Retirement Portfolio." Thaler, who will be honored at the upcoming RIIA conference, is using the insights of behavorial psychology to aid retirement income decision-making.
In "Fading Superpowers," Global Economy columnist Alexei Bayer writes about some surprising similarities in the post-Cold War economic paths of his native Russia and his adopted country, the United States.
Click through the following slides to preview the October issue of Research.
What's been hyped for three years as the next big thing in the hot ETF market, actively managed ETFs, may soon actually spark major change, when Pimco launches an ETF version of its Total Return mutual fund.
The Pimco Total Return ETF is expected to be managed by famed bond manager Bill Gross. In addition, as Jane Wollman Rusoff elaborates in this cover story, more mutual fund providers are forecast to follow Pimco in introducing actively managed ETF versions.
Rusoff talks to advisors and ETF industry leaders about this prospect and the ETF field overall. Another new development she discusses: the rise of "private label" ETFs that let advisors open a whole new distribution channel.
How a Freethinking Economist Saved Your Retirement Portfolio
How do we save for retirement? Are we rational actors, putting aside the amount we need to live comfortable lives in our later years? Or do we act irrationally, failing to account for future needs by not saving enough now?
Gerald Burstyn discusses the work of Richard Thaler, a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, who along with other behavioral economists has influenced how we think about critical decisions about our hard-earned money. Thaler's emphasis is on "nudging" people to make better decisions, an approach known as "libertarian paternalism."
In early October at the 2011 Retirement Income Industry Association fall meeting in Boston, Research magazine is presenting Thaler with the 2011 Award for Achievement in Applied Retirement Research.
After the Cold War's end, one might have expected the United States to enjoy the fruits of victory as the world's only superpower, and Russia to learn the democracy and free-market capitalism it had newly embraced. Instead, writes Global Economy columnist Alexei Bayer, "the two countries have followed a remarkably similar downward spiral."
Rather than reforming and modernizing its industrial base, Bayer writes, Russia became increasingly addicted to revenues from its exports of natural resources. As for the U.S., it too has seen industrial decline, with our nation's largest "export" turning out to be Treasury paper.
Russia may find itself with massive spare capacity after building pipelines to a Western Europe that's grown wary of dependence on Russia. The U.S. for now remains a global safe haven but the trust of investors may prove vulnerable amid Washington's political bickering over fiscal policy.
Where's Your Compensation Heading?
Contributing Editor Ellen Uzelac looks at the shifting and unclear compensation landscape. Many financial advisors expect to see a spike in revenue in 2011 but continuing market volatility and uncertainty about regulation have put a chill on enthusiasm.
If there is any one distinctive characteristic about the current state of advisor compensation, it is that there are so many moving parts. The bottom line as Danny Sarch, president of Leitner Sarch Consultants in White Plains, N.Y., draws it: the potential for a cut in pay, particularly at the wirehouse level.
When financial advisors were asked to select the business model they believed would grow the most as a percentage of their total book over the next few years, 60 percent cited fee-based assets.
As a certified financial planner back in 1990, Spenser Segal ran a retirement plan projection for a couple in their mid-50s who thought they had saved enough for their retirement dreams. They hadn't, and now he was the first advisor they'd met. That meeting was a turning point in forming Segal's desire to help more people than just a few hundred clients.
Today, as CEO and chairman of software and services company ActiFi, Segal is helping transform the way financial advice is delivered. Contributing Editor Ellen Uzelac profiles Segal and his efforts to make advisory practices more efficient, effective and scalable.
"Every day, I have conversations with advisors and I've gotten very good at being able to size up who thinks like a business owner and who thinks like a practitioner," says Segal. His goal is to help those who want to operate as owners develop the greater and more lasting value that can arise from that.
Our Closing Bell columnist Bill Miller, who seeks out the whimsical in good times and bad, recalls that when he was training to be a financial advisor, he was taught the adage, "It's not about timing the market; it's about time in the market."
Now, he suspects widespread loss of faith in buy-and-hold will inspire a new marketing approach, complete with glossy brochures, telling customers they need market timing, and he contemplates when that too will run its course.
Writes Miller: "As I get out my calculator and start running some numbers, I predict this cycle will end in December of 2012, coinciding with the end of the Mayan calendar."


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1) If you have your family tree research in a Genealogy Management Program (GMP), whether a computer software program or an online family tree, figure out how to find how many persons, places, sources, etc. are in your database (hint: the Help button is your friend!).
2) Tell us which GMP you use, and how many persons, places, sources, etc. are in your database(s) today in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook status or Google+ stream comment."
I decided to do this because I was suddenly curious about my statistics and because it was easy.
Now I know why I don't remember where I found things, or who all my ancestors are. It is imperative that I keep better records too. Thanks Randy for this fun project.


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One of two survivors of the plane crash that stunned the hockey world has died in a hospital, Russian officials said.
Alexander Galimov, 26, was the only member of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl who survived the Sept. 7 crash. Forty-four of the 45 passengers aboard the Yak-42 plane, which caught fire shortly after takeoff from the central Russian city Yaroslavl and crashed into a riverbank. Both Galimov and crew member Alexander Sizov had been in medically-induced comas as a Moscow hospital since the crash.
"On September 12, in the morning, despite continuing therapy using all possible contemporary treatment, Alexander Galimov died from severe burns in the burn center of the Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery," a statement from the International Ice Hockey Federation said.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
The plane was carrying the team to Minsk for a game. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's roster included several former NHL players who perished in the crash. Pavol Demitra, 36, a perennial all-star and former member of the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild, was one notable member of the team.
Galimov played parts of seven seasons for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, including seasons before the team joined the KHL. He was known for clutch play in the league's playoffs, scoring 14 points in 18 postseason contests last season. Galimov won a silver medal with Russian's under-20 team at the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships.
According to NBC Sports, Galimov scored Lokomotiv's last goal.


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FROM Oxfordshire, we take the short journey to Wandsworth, London with Young's Special London Ale. This one was from my local Tesco, where I also noticed a Young's Bitter. But since I don't much care for bitters, that would have been a pointless choice. So here we are with something that does very tasty indeed.
The shape and colour look good. This bottle stands out in the crowd on the shelf. Then your eye gets drawn to the label on the neck.
Above the identification that this comes from The Ram Brewery is an award. Apparently, this is a 'Bottle Conditioned Beer'. Like yesterday's good Ridgeway Blue, and the outstanding Hoegaarden. It also happens to have won the 'Silver Medal' in 2004 by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. What surprises me is that a second-place prize is used to market it. But the knowledge that people much more knowledgeable than I am like this bottle. Plus the fact that it is bottle conditioned, get me salivating, and no longer worrying about what got the gold medal.
The front label does what you'd expect of a London Ale. The silhouette of the London skyline is good. If touristy. The Ram Brewery logo appears to feature one, or is that two rams? It's a good piece of design, but looks out of place on the blue and black colour scheme of the label.
Another thing that grabs your attention on the front is the alcohol volume. Which is a surprisingly high 6.4%. That might put some of you off, but I like my beers and ales not to comprise on strength. That and the bottle conditioning are raising those expectations. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint.
The rear label fits everything important onto a small, but readable little label.
And Young's start the label by not letting up on those expectations. They tell us that it won those awards by being strong, but very drinkable. There's the "CAMRA says this is Real Ale" logo. Which, although it doesn't mean that much, is still a nice addition.
The label goes on the tell us what it will be like to drink. Here are some of the words they use: "malty richness", "huge amounts of hops", "balanced", "aromatic", "dry" and "fruity flavour". Wow. That is a lot to take in. Let's see… Malty can be good. If it's the right type. Hoppy can be good if it doesn't leave a bad aftertaste. Balanced; that's only used to describe beers I've enjoyed, so I'm glad to see that word in there. Fruitiness is almost always a good addition. Not sure what to make of the "dry"-ness at this stage, though.
Young's go on to suggest gentle pouring. And that leaving the yeast sediment safely in the bottle is what they think is best. I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee that enthusiasm won't get the better of me.
Also on there are the brewers' Wandsworth address. Their www.youngsathome.co.uk website. Which works. And that this 500 millilitre bottle has 3.2 of your UK units of alcohol. Enough of this prattle. It's time to pour. Very very gently.
The first thing that surprised me was the head. The instructions to pour gently made me expect that it would suffer from an uncontrollably frothy head that would spill over the glass and flood my flat. What I got was a thin and patchy head.
The colour is cloudy dark-gold. It really is cloudy in there. Much more opaque than most other gold coloured brews. That must be the yeast doing its job.
The smell is pretty good. Maybe 70:30 of hops to malt. No sign of those fruits though.
The first gulp tells you that this is going to be nice and smooth. Not very gassy. And full of flavours. If only I could tell what they were. This is going to take a few more gulps to figure out.
Just like the smell, I'd say the flavour is split between the hops and the malt. With the hops managing to dominate. Time to check how accurate the label was… "Malty richness" is there. "Huge amounts of hops" are present, I'd say. "Balance" is harder to judge. All I know is that this is turning out to be quite drinkable. So I'll say 'yes' and hope that it is. If you can explain in layman's terms what "balance" is all about, by all means leave a message in the comments at the end of this post.
"Aromatic" is true. It smells like an ale should. Is it "dry"? It has a mild bitterness and sour aftertaste. Not in an off-putting way. But I'll say 'yes', it is "dry". "Fruity flavour" however, I can't detect at all. Maybe someone with taste buds that haven't been dulled by Pot Noodles will be capable of noticing the fruitiness. I however, could not.
Fortunately, this is one strong ale. And that makes the promises on the label; correct or otherwise; as irrelevant as a Zimbabwean vote count. This is an easily-drinkable, hop tasting, strong ale. You would have to be very averse to bitterness not to enjoy this one. By the end of the bottle, I'd very happy crack open another.
It is no surprise then, that a quick glance at their website reveals that the Young's brewing company, is in fact part of Well's & Young's. The parent behind the excellent Bombardier Satanic Mills. I'm delighted to report that there's been no compromise with Special London Ale. It is largely deserving of its award winning status. If I had to nitpick, I'd say that the bitter flavour might put some people off. But I enjoyed this bottle. If you like good, cloudy, strong ales, you'll probably like this too.
Rating: 4.2
Have you tried Young's Special London Ale?
Disagree with my rating? Want to pick up on the many mistakes I made?
Or want to share your ramblings, thought or suggestions?
Then leave a message in the little box below.