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The RNA Institute Cited for Leading the Growing Scientific Focus on RNA's Potential
New York Academy of Science publication spotlights the Institute's efforts to find new therapeutic agents to combat disease.
New York Academy of Science publication spotlights the Institute's efforts to find new therapeutic agents to combat disease.
Senior research scientist Maria Basanta Sanchez at work in the RNA Institute. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 27, 2013) — One of the nation's oldest and most prestigious scientific societies profiles The RNA Institute of the University at Albany this month in its online publication's feature story, "The Rise of RNA: A New Target for Therapeutic Agents."
The Nov. 18 article in the magazine of the New York Academy of Sciences depicts how the three-year-old UAlbany Institute is leading the way in expanding RNA's role in "the great drama of the molecular biology of life" beyond simply carrying "DNA's instructions to cellular structures called ribosomes that produce the proteins."
The article goes on to state: "The Institute was founded in 2010 on the conviction that RNA is not a mere errand boy for DNA, but is a promising target for therapies that might treat diseases ranging from cancer to depression . . . The RNA Institute, directed by Paul F. Agris, professor of biological sciences and chemistry, is premised on a paradigm that sees RNA as much more important than a mere messenger."
The entire article may be read here: The Rise of RNA: A New Target for Therapeutic Agents.
About The RNA Institute
Launched in June 2010, The RNA Institute conducts cutting-edge research for development and delivery of innovative medicines, vaccines and diagnostics. The national research resource recently unveiled its state-of-the-art facility for RNA biomedical technology development and commercialization. The new space utilizes an "open source" model where leading researchers from around the globe can collaborate on investigative efforts into designing RNA technologies and drug therapies for the treatment of such diseases as cancer, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, and ALS.
The RNA Institute now boasts several research collaborations with institutions such as Albany Medical College and RPI, as well as public-private partnerships with global corporations, Albany Medical Research, Inc., Sigma-Aldrich and ThermoFisher Scientific. The Institute has established a network of research affiliates with more than 50 laboratories nationwide encompassing more than 350 researchers, as well as a scientific advisory board with Nobel Laureate and National Academy of Sciences members.
For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds
About the University at Albany
A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare, and sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.


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BUCK50ENT - PACK PUSHAS (feat. Bars Murre & Murk) Dir. D.I.Y. Ryan
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No news.
You know I think if James simply retitled his thread "Cheese" and apologized for his first post being off-topic, all problems would be solved.
I've used skinny for elves before, it didn't take though. I'd use that again, I thought it was a good in world slur.Dwarves: Grunters, Shinies, Rockhead or StoneheadHalflings(if they ever come back): BitersHalf-elves: Half-human (if an elf), mistake, unwantedMul: Abortion (probably very dangerous to say to a mul)Human: Breeder (it's close to breed I know), wall-rats, hairies (for a dwarf), soft-skin, kneelersElves (too soon?): Tall-ladies (especially to a male elf), twiggies, screamers, stickmen
Greb - To scavenge, forage, and if Whira is with you, loot the dead.Grebber - One who grebs.
I'm pretty content with the current crop that have been around for decades.Elves: longneck, skinnyDwarf: stumphalf-elf: breedPretty simple.
A little on, a little off topic. I've always believed behaviors such as this should develop organically out of the player base in game, based on in game experiences. Coming down from out of game collaboration or mandate just never has quite the pizzazz that genuine experience creates. Goes for jargon and pejoratives in the game as much as the tides of who is playing what race, what guild, etc. While I respect the creative effort, attempting to corral people into conditions almost never pans out as excellently as letting things run as they may.
Longnecks(also a veiled beer reference)
Masks are the Armageddon equivalent of Ed Hardy shirts.
Quote from: 650Booger on August 02, 2017, 08:31:12 AMLongnecks(also a veiled beer reference)Etymologically speaking, this is where "necker" came from in the first place. The belief that elves had longer necks so they were "longnecks" or just "necks". Which turned into "Necker".
Githkin is super offensive.
Quote from: chrisdcoulombe on August 02, 2017, 01:58:08 PMGithkin is super offensive. Well unless you're a Red Fang. Then, it's just a fact
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A new report from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) says that China can successfully curb and cap emissions and develop a low carbon economy
The publication, which includes input from leading universities, think tanks, and NGOs in the region, offers a strong and positive assessment of China's ability to decouple future economic growth from its emissions.
The Climate Group's Greater China team contributed to two chapters, "International Experiences of Low Carbon Economy and Implications for China" and "Strategy of Low Carbon Pathway with Chinese Characteristics."
Key findings of the report include:
. By 2020, China can reduce the energy intensity of GDP between 40 and 60% compared to 2005 levels, thereby reducing {CO2} emission intensity of GDP by about 50%.
. With strict measures on energy conservation and emissions and emission controls in place, China can feasibly cap emissions between 2030 and 2040.
It is the first time that the Chinese Academy of Sciences has taken China's low carbon development as the focus of its annual Sustainable Development Strategy Report.
The influential report, which will be distributed to delegates of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), includes suggestions for a national low carbon development strategy. It explores the technologies, sectoral strategies, and policy instruments that would enable the achievement of these targets; it also considers prospects for developing low carbon cities in China.
Changhua Wu, Director of The Climate Group, Greater China, welcomed the publication. "By systematically articulating all aspects of the low carbon economy, including the science, policy, politics, technology, and by shaping China's strategy and roadmap for a low carbon transition, the report will serve as a useful reference for key decision-makers to reshape China's national development strategy."


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It's almost summer, and I've been bitten. Not by a bee, but by the I want to have a picnic in the park bug...
It always sneaks up on me right about now, and I start dreaming of the perfect picnic, in a dreamy place full of pink and white cherry blossoms, soft green grass, a pond or waterfall, and meandering trails to spend all day exploring. With wine, cheese, berries, cookies, and other picnic foods.
Any of the lovely places pictured here will do...
Last summer, Jamie and I drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park, in pursuit of the perfect picnic spot. It's a bit of a drive from home, almost two hours, with steep winding roads thickly lined with rocks and trees once we get up into the mountains. I prefer to let him do the driving on those curving mountain roads.
We did a little hiking (well, walking, if I'm honest - we're not all that into trying to conquer all these mountains in Colorado), and drove around through various areas of the park, enjoying the sun and the warm weather, but the setting I had envisioned eluded us. There are no blooming cherry trees in the park, and the grass isn't soft, but prickly and wild. Plenty of streams and waterfalls, but too many people and picnic tables.
It sounds silly, but when we finally sat down at one of the picnic tables to eat lunch, too hungry to keep looking, a few tears sprang to my eyes that we were actually eating at a table, instead of on a blanket on the grass, with pretty petals falling all around us.
I'm sure it was one of those moments where Jamie was completely at a loss for the right thing to say, because really, what do you say to someone who would cry over an unrealized dream of a picnic? But then, I also cry at the end of Flashdance when she amazes the judges with her dancing, and when the lost little girl is rescued and the dogs and cat find their way home in Homeward Bound. I cry over Folgers and Hallmark commercials. And the pet shelter commercials with Sarah Mclachlan. Even the Chevy Sonic commercial. But he thinks that's cute, while crying over a picnic is just silly. Which, yes, it is.
Until it's warm enough, and stays warm enough for a picnic this summer (it only made it up to the 50s over the weekend), I'll content myself with arranging food on the carpet by our balcony door, where the light shines in, to photograph the things I've made, like these Lemon Blackberry Muffins. In that sense, we have a picnic right in our living room two or three times a week.
And any sort of picnic with my favorite person, no matter the setting, is already pretty perfect.
Lemon Blackberry Muffins
printable recipe
muffin batter:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 12 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh blackberries
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons coarse Turbinado sugar
Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray then line the pan with 18 paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, yogurt, buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the blackberries.
Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full of batter. Bake muffins for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool muffins in the pan for 5 minutes. While the muffins are warm, combine the powdered sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice and milk, then drizzle over the muffins. Sprinkle with the Turbinado sugar. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Yields 18 muffins.
Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen


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Every element of customer experience consulting from Webhelp is underpinned by data and analytics. Intelligent use of data enables us to provide our partners with actionable insight, isolating problems along the customer journey and beyond and finding solutions.
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Dominion Christian Church of God is a member of the Micah Network
The overall theme of the Consultation is: Integral Mission and the Community: local church, local change, global impact.
In June 2011 we held a Review of the Micah Declaration and the findings indicated that:
The title of the Consultation thus reflects our desire to see how we can strengthen grass root impact and we believe at the heart of this is engagement in our communities; missional churches responding and grasping their role and responsibility at local, national and global levels.
The theme of the Consultation seeks to approach integral mission through the following:
1. Priesthood of all believers – missional lifestyle
- Impacts all types of communities we are engaged in
- Challenges the role of the local church in its discipling and equipping functio
- Unites us in a common goal
2. What will our community look like when God reigns?
- Importance of understanding Kingdom values and the character of God
- Importance of asking the question of what does transformation look like?
- Challenges us to learn how we can together move towards this.
3. Local church
- If we agree that the local church is the catalyst and instrument God has chosen to demonstrate his love, how does this alter our way of working in relief, rehabilitation, development, environmental care and justice ministries.
- How does change in the local church influence national, regional and global agendas?
1. Review, read and makes notes from previous Consultation material. See summary of challenges, outcomes, papers and resources.


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New modules "Embedding Informatics in the NHS" have now been released. These are:
An introduction to each module is given on the Learning tool summary.
The IG Training Tool is at:
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Jeep Wrangler J7 :
Built off of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Jeep Wrangler J7 is designed to have the basic appeal of military-issued vehicles. The Mopar team removed standard content including carpet, fog lamps, alloy wheels and the stereo system before adding front and rear steel bumpers, 'helicopter hooks', a heavy-duty tailgate and steel wheels. Off-road capability is increased with a Mopar 2-inch suspension lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson tires. The unique Mustard Plug exterior paint is highlighted with Jeep Wrangler J7 graphics.
Vehicle information:
Engine: 3.8-liter V6
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Overall height: 74.3 inches
Overall width: 78.6 inches
Wheelbase: 116 inches
Weight: 4,482 lbs.
Tires: 35-12.50R/17 M/T Baja Claw radial


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Thanks for being patient for Pandora's recap! If you haven't already read Rophy Does Panda, what are you waiting for? Free LOLs are waiting!
As always, there are series four spoilers in this recap's business.
"Pandora" is the first episode of Skins I ever watched, and that almost didn't happen because some Naomily shippers jumped me one time, early on, and ripped me a new one because I left Naomi and Emily off a list or something. I don't remember. But they were just vicious in a way I still don't understand even though my affection for Naomi and Emily knows no boundaries or end now. Like light.
So anyway, I got the flu and was stuck in bed and the words of the sweet and tender Naomily shippers broke through my fever: "No matter how you bend the space-time continuum, Naomi and Emily are the best lesbian couple on every tesseract."
The general consensus was that I should start on episode four and take it from there, and I didn't know anything at all about the lesbian couple, even what they looked like. So when we open on Panda snuggled up to Effy's feet, I thought it was them. I spent the first ten minutes of the episode thinking it was them, which weirds me out so hard now, and doesn't even make sense because of how Panda is going bonkers about Thomas.
I think it's creepy now, though, just like I did then, that Anthea is watching them sleep.
Panda is making out with Thomo's charm necklace and whispering, "Please come back. Please come back." And when Anthea is sufficiently weirded out, she announces her presence with tea. (But what if Panda and Effy really had been a couple? Knock first, Anthea!) (Also, can you even imagine Jenna Fitch watching Naomi and Emily sleep in the same bed? Her head would twist round-and-round like the Exorcist as she plotted the most brutally inefficient way to axe murder Naomi. "It was a six-seater table!")
Stray observations: 1) Lisa Backwell is so pretty. I think these may be her prettiest Skins moments, with the camera all hugged up to her face in the the morning light. It probably helps that I can't see the horrific hodgepodge of patterns and colors Panda is undoubtedly wearing under the covers. 2) Effy's bed is the Hopen from IKEA. 3) The art over her bed is one of those great Skins design touches: A stolen Daily Express sign that has been modified to say "Daily Sex."
Panda gives Anthea spelling, geography and physics lessons, explaining that love is a four-letter word that she applies to her relationship with Thomas, who lives in the Congo (a democratic republic on the equator, bordering Gabon and Cameroon) which makes it sort of impossible for him to get a train back to Britsol. Anthea is really only interested in having a conversation riddled with double meaning about the affair she's having and the brilliant things that accompany said affair. She tells Panda to wake up Sleeping Beauty, and so Panda pounces her because Panda is the cuddliest kind of puppy.


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What Is a Kindle?
I enjoy a good book. More than just being entertained by the story, I like having the physical item. I have a whole library at home with shelf after shelf of books on various subjects. I really like my library. But there is only one problem. I am running out of room for more books. This is a common problem for anyone who owns a lot of books. Sooner or later, you are faced with the problem of space. Do you get rid of some of your books to make room for new books? Do you stop collecting books altogether and just hope the local library has what you need? Or do you go digital (yes, I said digital)? One way to do that is to use an
Amazon Kindle and download books electronically.
Someone once said "Print is dead". They just may be right. With today's technologies and wireless networks, you no longer have to own a printed book in order to read it.
E-books are a good way to enjoy reading while not having to worry about owning several boxes full of books. One popular hardware platform for reading electronic books is Amazon's Kindle.
What Is the Kindle?
Amazon. The Kindle has instant wireless access to Amazon.com and their huge number of e-books (over 115,000 and growing). You can read newspapers, subscribe to magazines and blogs, and even play audio files such as MP3's or audio books. The Kindle is compact and lightweight so it is easy to handle. Just think of it as a conveniently portable television for your books.
How Does the Kindle Work?
The Kindle uses a grey screen to display a page of text. To turn the page, you just press a button to go forward or backward. It can download compatible files over Amazon's Whispernet directly to the Kindle by using the same network as Sprint EVDO. You don't even need a computer to download and then transfer files like you do some MP3 players and other electronics. It also includes a web browser but you are limited to only Amazon or Wikipedia. You can add and read e-books from other sites, too, as long as they are compatible. So you can download stuff from Mobipocket or even in plain text. Amazon offers an email service that can convert files from HTML, jpeg, bmp, PDF, and others into the Kindle format. There is enough internal memory in the Kindle to be able to store around 200 e-books but you can get an SD memory card if you want to add more memory.
Although the wireless service is free, you have to buy the e-books in order to download them. For instance, a book on the latest New York Times bestsellers list can be purchased for $10. Other titles will cost you around $1.99, which is significantly cheaper than a printed book, even in paperback. Books that are public domain can be downloaded for free.
Other Features of the Kindle
The Kindle can perform like a cross between a book and a word processor. You can bookmark, highlight certain text or words, and even look up definitions in the Kindle's electronic dictionary. You can dog-ear a page that you are reading while make notes on the side for research. If you are in a hurry, the device can remember the last page that you read. If you want to transfer text to your computer, just save the particular pages as a text file and you can transfer it over to your computer by using a USB connection.
Don't be confused thinking that the Kindle is just like an
iPhone or similar device. It does not have color or personal settings. You can't play games, call someone, or send text messages. And you have a limited
Internet access all across the web. The Kindle is only for downloading and reading e-books and electronic documents.
Where Can You Download E-Books?
One of the best things about the Kindle is you are not limited to just what Amazon has to offer. There are other sites that are either Kindle compatible or they have file types that can be emailed in to Amazon and converted to the Kindle software. Here are just a few sites where you can find electronic books to read.
- Mobipocket – Lots of titles to choose from and you can load them directly to the Kindle.
- Fictionwise – One of the largest sellers of electronic books within the United States, you can download the file and then email it in to Amazon and have the format converted to the Kindle format.
- Webscriptions – This site sells e-books that are mostly in the fantasy, sci-fi, or mystery genre. They contain books by most of the major publishers in that market. Most of the older books can be downloaded for free.
- Feedbooks – This is a site for book sharing, new and unknown authors, and even do-it-yourself newspapers. You have to register to use the site but registration is free.
What Is Amazon's Kindle 2
Kindle 2 is the latest version of the Kindle but with upgrades. There have been quite a few changes to the device. For one, it has a longer-lasting battery than the original. It also has more storage capacity. While the first Kindle could hold around 200 books, the Kindle 2 sports enough GB to store around 1500 books. The catch is that you don't have a slot for an SD memory card but you really don't need one. Also, the Kindle 2 has a faster page turn sequence. It can even convert the text to speech if you want the book read aloud (say, if you were driving a car and unable to read).
While the device itself has its obvious uses, there are a couple of criticisms about it. One, the price for a Kindle 2 is $359, which may seem steep to some, especially for a device with limited use. This brings us to the second complaint. It is not another
PDA, cellphone, music player with options, or anything like that. It just reads electronic books. So it is the same price as other devices that have more than one function. It seems that the Kindle may be designed for people who are avid readers who, only in the long run, will be able to save money as well as space on the purchase of books.
Get your Kindle wireless reading device at Amazon.com now.
Visit this page for additional information about what a kindle is and how a kindle works.
For more information related to what a Kindle is and how a Kindle
works, see some of the following:
Kindle for Mac
Kindle Covers and Cases
How to Make the Kindle Read Aloud Function Work
Kindle Alternatives
Kindle Deals, Discounts, and Prices
Kindle Pricing
How Does the Amazon Kindle 2 Work?
Good Kindle Books
More About E-Readers


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Nevada sales climb 4.3 percent in October
Associated Press
Taxable sales in Nevada rose 4.3 percent in October compared with the same month last year, the Department of Taxation reported Wednesday, marking the 28th consecutive month of modest gains.
Nevada merchants sold $3.7 billion in goods in October, on which the state collected $287.7 million in gross sales and use taxes. Revenue collections climbed 6.5 percent for the month and nearly 6 percent for the first four months of the fiscal year that began July 1.
Carson City's taxable sales were up 3.2 percent to $60.9 million over October 2011. Car sales were up 10 percent – or $1.5 million. Gains in computer and electronic manufacturing, appliance manufacturing and furniture manufacturing all helped Carson.
In Clark County, Nevada's population center that includes Las Vegas, sales of $2.6 billion represented a 5.2 percent increase from October 2011, the report said. But in northern Nevada's Washoe County, which includes Reno, sales totaled $465.2 million, down 2 percent from the same month last year.
Washoe was among six of Nevada's 17 counties to post a sales decline. The others were Churchill, Esmeralda, Pershing, Storey and White Pine.
Statewide gains were fueled by double-digit increases in sales of durable goods, vehicles and parts, clothing and accessories, and accommodations.
Vehicle and part sales rose 16.8 percent, while durable goods – items like household appliances expected to last at least three years – rose 22.2 percent. Clothing and accessories stores saw a 12.6 percent increase in October.
Accommodations, a key indicator on the health of Nevada's tourism economy, marked a nearly 56 percent increase in sales, the report said. But sales at bars and restaurants, another vital sign of the tourism market, were down 1.9 percent.
Other sectors posting gains included building material and garden equipment and supplies, up 10.7 percent, and specialty trade contractors, up 24.5 percent. But the construction industry as a whole, which was hammered by the Great Recession when Nevada's housing market collapsed, fell 0.7 percent in October.
The portion of gross sales and use tax collections that go to the state general fund to support public services totaled about $73 million in October, representing a 6.5 percent increase over October 2011. But the report noted that general fund collections for the fiscal year so far are $7.3 million, or roughly 2.5 percent, below revised projections made last month by the Economic Forum.
The forum, an independent panel of business and financial experts, forecasts how much taxes the state will collect. Its projections must be used by the governor and state lawmakers to build a budget.


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french fries
Five Guys Burgers and Fries will open a new restaurant location at Cocoplum Village Shops in North Port on May 15.
This is the first restaurant the fast casual restaurant chain has opened between Sarasota and Fort Myers. Five Guys joins tenants like TJ Maxx, The Sports Authority and Hobby Lobby in the Benderson Development-owned shopping plaza at 17819 Tamiami Trail at the corner of U.S. 41 and Salford Boulevard.
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new restaurant will take place on Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m.
"We chose Cocoplum Village Shops because of the central location and impressive array of national tenants," said local franchisee owner, John Baylis in a statement.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries sells hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries at its three other Southwest Florida locations in Sarasota, University Park and Bradenton. The Virginia-based chain has more than 1,100 stores across the country.
For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at firstname.lastname@example.com. Read What's In Store in print on Tuesdays.


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Serves 4-6 as part of multicourse meal
- 1/2 pound dried Korean sweet potato noodles
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced onions
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 stalks green onions, cut into 1″ lengths
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced (shitake, wood ear)
- 1/2 lb spinach, washed well and drained
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Fill a large pot with water and boil. When water is boiling, add the noodles and cook for 5 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water. Drain again and toss with only 1 tsp of the sesame oil. Use kitchen shears to cut noodles into shorter pieces, about 8 inches in length. Set aside.
In bowl, mix soy sauce & sugar together. Add the cooking oil in a wok or large saute pan on high heat and swirl to coat. When the cooking oil is hot but not smoking, fry onions and carrots, until just softened, about 1 minute. Add the garlic, green onions and mushrooms, fry 30 seconds. Then add the spinach, soy sauce, sugar and the noodles. Fry 2-3 minutes until the noodles are cooked through. Turn off heat, toss with sesame seeds and the remaining 1 1/2 tsp of sesame oil.


text:
Metal Horseshoe Pendant Necklace
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Emily Dickinson, the poetess, lived her entire life in Amherst, Massachusetts. I am not a reader of poems, but my husband is. He is sentimental about her and her poems, I am not. He knows all about her, I do not. When we learned that her death date anniversary was last week, Saturday, May 15th, we decided to go and visit her house and gravesite the following day, to avoid the crowds of the University of MA graduation and those attending the special events of Emily's death. Good decision, as the 15th had hundreds of people, our Sunday visit was quiet, almost a little too quiet, we had everything to ourselves. We had never been to Amherst. Since Amherst is a good two hour drive from home, we first stopped to view the Connecticut River.
Stopped at the Bridge of Flowers (an old bridge, now a footpath, with flowers on both sides).
Of course I took photos.
Emily and her family lived in this beautiful house.
We took a seven minute walk to the cemetery, which was very clean and all flowers from the previous day were removed from her tombstone.
Close up of stone, which is almost impossible to take a good photo because of the gate.
As hard as I tried, I couldn't connect any of my Dickinsons to her line.
Stopped at an old restaurant for a meal, and relaxed here in Westminster, MA.


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OTTAWA — Canadians' faith in their police has plunged by more than 50 per cent in the past 15 years, and British Columbians have by far, the least confidence among Canadians in local and provincial policing, according to the findings of a new poll.
The survey of a little more than 1,000 Canadians, conducted in late March by Angus Reid Public Opinion, found that roughly four of 10 Canadians have confidence in the RCMP, municipal forces and the provincial police forces in Ontario and in Quebec.
That compares to more than 80 per cent of Canadians who expressed confidence in police in 1997, when pollster Angus Reid first posed the question.
The national figures have been dragged down by respondents in B.C., where the Mounties have experienced a string of public-relations disasters in recent years.
Just 27 per cent of British Columbians polled said they have faith in the RCMP, while only 28 per cent said they have confidence in their municipal police forces. Both figures are the lowest in the country.
Criminologist Neil Boyd at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., cited a string of RCMP failures in B.C. — the bungling over several years of the Robert Pickton serial murder investigation, the accidental Tasering death in 2007 of Robert Dziekanski and more recent sexual harassment allegations by female Mounties against their male counterparts — for the collapse in public faith in police.
"Revelations about the conduct of police officers, especially in British Columbia, have given the RCMP a black eye," Boyd said.
He pointed out that new RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, who wasn't available for an interview Wednesday, has "made it very clear he's upset with this, and feels the force needs to reinvigorate and respond to these very serious concerns."
Boyd said the RCMP's troubles may have influenced the rating of other municipal and regional forces across Canada.
Nationally, municipal police forces have the confidence of 39 per cent of Canadians, while the provincial police forces in Ontario and Quebec have the backing of 44 per cent and 40 per cent of respondents in those provinces, respectfully.
The poll, conducted in March, also looked at broader public attitudes toward justice issues in Canada, the U.S. and Britain.
Attitudes toward police weren't much different south of the border. Roughly 40 per cent of Americans had confidence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 43 per cent in state police forces, 36 per cent in local police, and a dismal 28 per cent for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Confidence was noticeably lower in Britain, with just 33 per cent having trust in the security and intelligence services (MI-5 and MI-6), 28 per cent for special police forces and 24 per cent for territorial police forces.
The poll also found that 74 per cent of Americans, 68 per cent of Canadians and 56 per cent of Brits welcome the concept of using alternative penalties, such as fines, probation and community service, rather than prison for non-violent offences.
This findings may reflect the pessimistic view of the corrections system. Only about one in five of the respondents in all three countries (20 per cent of Brits, 19 per cent of Canadians and 18 per cent of Americans) feel their prison system is effective in helping inmates become law-abiding citizens.
Boyd said the poll's findings suggest public disagreement with elements of the Harper government's recent omnibus crime legislation, which include minimum sentences for non-violent offences, such as drug trafficking involving possession of as few as six marijuana plants.
"Polls are not necessarily telling us that the get-tough agenda on crime is what Canadians want."
The online poll involved 1,005 Canadians, 1,011 Americans and 2,015 Brits. The error margin was 2.2 percentage points for Britain, and 3.1 per cent for Canada and the U.S.
Among the results:
- The poll found that just eight per cent of Canadians and Americans, and 12 per cent of Brits, feel that crime, violence and gangs represented the biggest problem in their communities.
Respondents in the U.S. and Britain, countries hit far harder by the 2008 global recession, were more likely than Canadians to cite bread-and-butter issues, with 71 per cent of Americans and 67 per cent of Brits naming either "unemployment" or "the economy" as their top concerns.
Just 44 per cent of Canadians mentioned those two issues.
Canadians were vastly more concerned about health care and the state of hospitals, with 31 per cent citing health, compared with 13 per cent of Brits and just seven per cent of Americans.
- Roughly half of Canadians and Brits felt there was "no change" or a "decrease" in community crime, compared with 39 per cent in Canada and 35 per cent in Britain who said they sense an increase. In the U.S., 45 per cent said there was a crime jump.
- Just 27 per cent of Canadians said they fear being a crime victim, compared to 35 per cent of Americans and 39 per cent of Brits.
- Roughly the same number of respondents (13 per cent of Canadians, 12 per cent of Americans) said they'd been a victim of a crime in the past two years that involved the police. In Britain it was 18 per cent.
- While most respondents in all three countries favour alternative penalties for non-violent offenders, that view crumbles on three of four issues specified by the pollster.
Roughly four of five Canadians (78 per cent) don't think Canadians should go to jail for possessing pot for personal use, compared with 74 per cent of Americans and 70 per cent of Brits. (In fact, very few Canadians convicted of soft drug possession actually serve time, according to Boyd.)
But support for alternative punishments is vastly lower in Canada for those convicted of credit card fraud (37 per cent), drunk driving (31 per cent) and arson (21 per cent). The numbers also plunge for American and British respondents.
- Canadians have slightly higher faith in the justice system, with 61 per cent believing courts do a good job determining guilt, compared with 56 per cent of Brits and 55 per cent of Americans.
And 38 per cent of Canadians say the system treats everyone fairly, compared with 35 per cent in Britain and 28 per cent in the U.S.
Yet, the poll also sent mixed signals, with just 19 per cent of Canadians expressing confidence in criminal courts and 31 per cent in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Albertans were by far, the most skeptical of Canada's highest court, with just 16 per cent expressing confidence. Quebec was highest at 42 per cent.
Regional comparisons must be viewed with caution, however, as the margin of error is higher due to smaller sample sizes. In Alberta, the Supreme Court question returned an answer of nine per cent; in B.C. it was eight, in Quebec, six and Ontario, five.


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I find it inspirational to read the success stories that others post in the various forums I read. Some are spectacular, some seem ordinary until you read between the lines to see the courage, determination and character that led to success. To me they are all illustrations of ordinary people who have decided to become extraordinary when they decided to take charge of their own future. I posted these stories previously:
Good Advice, Bad Advice - Nicky's Experience
Here is another, from nanna2six. That nick implies lots of other happy stories too. She originally posted this on the ADA Forum.
I would be delighted to help someone else.
When I was diagnosed in April 2008, I wasn't sure where to start. I went in for my annual exam, on a Friday, on the following Tuesday the nurse called and said I needed to repeat my glucose test because it was a "little high". I said how high? She said 289. I repeated the fasting glucose, I work at a hospital, so this time I had the blood drawn there (to keep from missing so much work), it came back 269, the nurse called again and said the doctor wants to see you Friday morning. I already knew, so I was sort of prepared (not really) but as much as possible.
I give credit to my doctor because he took quite a bit of time going over things with me. He started me on Metformin 500 mg, over the next few weeks, he increased it until I am now taking Met 500 mg with breakfast, and Met 1000 mg with dinner. So over that first week end...I was lost.
The only thing I didn't agree with my doctor about was that he told me that until I went to Diabetes Education class...I could drop by the office once a week and have my finger stuck??? I bought a meter on Saturday morning. By Saturday evening I had found this message board...but because I had been all over the internet, I couldn't remember how to get back to it. So it took me a couple of days to find it again.
I started reading and I have been reading since then. I am by nature a quiet person...I listen more than I talk. From reading, I learned to start MOVING! I get to work 30 minutes early...so instead of reading...I started walking. My first attempt was this big hill, it took me about 3 days before I could get all the way to the top LOL, then I stopped noticing the hill and I started going around the block, I am now at eight blocks before work. I also walk at lunch time, my lunch is usually something that I can carry, don't need a knife or fork kind of meal, then I walk about 7 blocks to the bus stop after work. NO, I don't walk after I get home.
But the most drastic change is what I eat. In my D class, I was given a meal plan that said I could have 60 carbs a meal (NOT!). From THIS BOARD and the people here, I learned that I had to find out what my body could handle and it was not 60 carbs a meal. I eat approx 15 plus for breakfast. I didn't use to eat breakfast at all, but since I had meds to take, and I was told I need breakfast I do. At lunch and dinner I eat between 30 at the most 45 (not too often) of carbs. I drink lots of water.
I have lost 26 lbs, since April, but 36 lbs total since my last Dr visit which was for an unrelated issue in October 2007. I would love to help someone. I don't want to forget to say that the only way to find out how food effected me was to test almost all the time. I wasn't told that in D class either...just to test as soon as I got up each morning, nothing about before and after meals.
I have a friend that is also D, but she is totally noncompliant...does not care. I just thought that if I can't help her, and I see her most days....but I will become more active on the boards. I hope this tells you a little more about me.
Thanks for your permission to post another inspirational story, nanna2six. I'm sure that you have already helped others.
Cheers, Alan
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter


text: 100 days of digital collage using a mix of photos - playing, experimenting, playing some more and pushing the boundaries to see how new techniques and more learning can increase my skills. I'm still learning the Adobe suit so mostly I'm using Apps to create at the moment. I'm hoping the next 100 days will help me focus more on composition, colour and patterns.


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Car Review: 2014 Ford Fiesta 5-Door Hatch SE
When one looks to the 2014 Ford Fiesta, you have to expand your thoughts on the car, because Ford smartly offers many configurations of this gem. We had the chance to test drive the 2014 Ford Fiesta 5-Door Hatch SE with a manual five-speed transmission and truly appreciated what this car had to offer. The overall design is solid but not overwhelming, and for the price range you are looking to spend on a Fiesta, most will find the packaging appealing!
The major change to the exterior is the front fascia, which incorporates Ford's global look and resembles cars that can cost thousands of dollars more that the Fiesta. Yes, the thinner headlights with built-in LED running lights with more aggressive lower intakes, a pronounced power dome on the hood and a new trapezoidal grille transform the Fiesta into somewhat of a combative little brother to the Focus and Fusion models. We thought the 16-inch painted aluminum wheels set the tone for the Fiesta, along with auto headlamps, dual power mirrors, the 5-bar chromed grille, integrated spotter mirrors and rear spoiler.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta 5-Door Hatch SE is much better car when it comes to the interior space compared to the 2013 model. The center counsel and armrest between the two front seats is a huge improvement, as you don't get the feeling that just because it's a compact car that it has to eliminate so many things that buyers crave, and I believe that was part of why Ford built the new Fiesta in the first place, so hat's off on a great step forward! The seats are also very comfortable and wider than some midsize sedan seats that we've driven, which was a welcome surprise.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.
Posted in: Car Reviews, Cars
Tags: compact cars, Ford Fiesta, Ford hatchback


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- Report Potential Fraud or Abuse
- Audit Reports
- Investigative Reports and Letters & Memoranda
- News/Press Releases
- Work In Progress (PDF)
- Budget History PPT (right-click to open in new window)
- Getting Help with Vermont Health Care Issues
- State Government
- Local Government
- Archives
- Training Opportunities
I am often asked to explain what our office does, how we perform our audits, and the results of our work.
You will be able to find answers to these questions on this website.
First, what our office does. There are three major types of audits for which we are responsible performance audits, the State's financial statement audit (CAFR), and the State's single audit (which looks at the usage of federal funds by the state). All of these audits focus on the accountability of the State to its citizens, from both a financial and service delivery perspective. I'm particularly proud that we've successfully implemented performance auditing in our office because these audits provide valuable insight into whether government programs and operations are working effectively and efficiently and provide recommendations for improvements. I invite you to email suggestions for future performance audits.
Next, how we perform our audits. We perform our audits in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, which are promulgated by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Implementation of these standards
ensures that our audit work and products are of the highest quality and uphold the principles of independence, objectivity, competence, and integrity. If you are interested in the nuts and bolts of how we perform our work, I invite you to peruse our Professional Standards Manual. Of course, the most important element in ensuring that our audits are conducted in a quality manner is our staff. Currently, we are an office of 15, which includes ten staff auditors, many of whom have achieved prestigious certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and advanced academic degrees.
Lastly, the results of our work. A quick synopsis can be found in our annual performance report. The most visible results are in the implementation of our recommendations. As you'll see in our annual performance report, the most recent follow-up work on our recommendations showed that more than two-thirds had been implemented. As a result, the state has saved money, employed additional safeguards against fraud, waste and abuse, and improved its processes and procedures.
If you have any questions or concerns to bring to my attention, please feel free to call or write me at any time.
Douglas R. Hoffer
Vermont State Auditor
Contact Us by Phone/Fax
132 State Street
Montpelier VT 05633-5101
Phone: 1.802.828.2281
Toll-Free in VT 1.877.290.1400
Fax: 1.802.828.2198
If you do not receive an "acknowledgement of receipt" email, please call the office at the above number.


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Wheels for the World
The Wheels for the World event was held on Sunday June the 3rd as a fund-raiser for AIDS and extreme poverty relief in Africa and Asia. Photos of these cars can be ordered through this site - just click "Buy This Photo" above each image and it will be added to your cart. When finished, click on View Cart and you can check out and select the print size - or get the image on a coffee cup, a mouse pad, a t-shirt, or any other number of options.Read More


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Salaam and Greetings of Peace:
Forty-five years ago, Nelson Mandela made the following opening statement at his trial:
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
He was sentenced to prison, where he spent the next 27 years. He would later say: "In my country we go to prison first and then become President."
Mr. Mandela is what I consider a true hero. Always, always, he is on the side of justice and also mercy, of truth and also love. On education, he makes a strong and true point.
"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."
Nelson Mandela is 91 years old today. Happy Birthday Sir :)
Ya Haqq!


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(Bloomberg ) Polypore International Inc. (PPO)'s Celgard unit filed a patent-infringement suit against Sumitomo Chemical Co. (4005) over lithium-ion battery technology used in electronics and electric vehicles.
The complaint, filed Feb. 22 in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, claims Sumitomo is infringing patent 6,432,586, which was issued in 2002 and covers a separator in high-energy rechargeable batteries. The separators prevent short circuits that can reduce efficiency and limit safety problems from overheating.
Sumitomo Chemical makes the chemicals and materials for lithium ion batteries that use Celgard's invention without permission, according to the complaint. The separators are used in batteries made by Panasonic Corp. (6752) for laptop computers, Celgard said in the suit.
"Celgard has a long history of innovation in lithium-ion battery separators and is a world leader in this technology," Polypore Chief Executive Officer Robert Toth said in a statement. "We have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to safeguard the investments we make in innovation."
Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical has filed a trademark application to use the name "Pervio" for its separators, according to the complaint.
Polypore is seeking a court ruling that prevents the future use of the invention, plus cash compensation.
Polypore, based in Charlotte, also makes Duralife automotive batteries, and separators for health-care products like hemodialysis machines and beverage filtration machines. Weakness in the end market for electronic devices and electric vehicles were blamed for a 4 percent drop in fourth-quarter sales to $180.2 million, Polypore said Feb. 20.
The case is Celgard LLC v. Sumitomo Chemical Co., 13cv122, U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte).
Reckitt Benckiser Faces Generic Threats After FDA Rejection [bn:WBTKR=RB/:LN]
Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc (RB/) [] faces competition in pharmaceuticals for the first time after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two generic variants of its Suboxone heroin-dependency drug, thwarting the company's attempts to keep rivals away from its most profitable business.
The company said yesterday that two manufacturers have FDA approval to produce generic Suboxone tablets in the U.S. Competition could arrive within a month, according to Alex Howson, an analyst at Jefferies International in London.
Reckitt Benckiser was also hurt by the FDA's rejection in a Feb. 22 letter of the company's September petition asking that makers of similar medicines implement more safeguards. The FDA also asked the Federal Trade Commission to look into claims by generic drug makers of anti-competitive business practices on Reckitt Benckiser's part.
The shadow of competition to Suboxone has hung over the Slough, England-based company since it lost U.S. patent protection in 2009. The pharmaceuticals unit generated 21 percent of profit last year, and analysts yesterday reduced their 2013 profit estimates by as much as 4 percent.
Reckitt Benckiser, which said it was "disappointed" by the rejection of its petition, has said generics would eliminate as much as 90 percent of tablet sales and up to 20 percent of the newer film-strip version, which dissolves under the tongue and has captured a 64 percent volume share in the U.S.
One of the generics will come from Bridgewater, New Jersey- based Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, which said in a statement yesterday that is has received FDA approval for a generic version of Suboxone tablets, to be available in March. The other will be made by Actavis Inc. (ACT) of Parsippany, New Jersey, which said in a statement it intends to begin shipping its product immediately.
Reckitt Benckiser said it's sticking with its decision to stop producing Suboxone in tablet form next month as it weans patients onto the film-strip version, which it unveiled in 2010.
Sony Applies for Patent on Load Time-Based Anti-Piracy Measure
Sony Corp., maker of the PlayStation video game console, is seeking a patent on a technology aimed at detecting pirated games.
According to application 20130047267, published in the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Feb. 21, devices using this patented technology will be able to identify whether a game is legitimate based on the amount of time it takes to load into the device.
This will detect whether the game -- or other content -- is "illegally transferred or pirated to another, unauthorized media type." Sony said that despite the use of digital rights management software and tamper-resistant hardware, pirates are able to reverse-engineer such technology and circumvent the protections.
Using this technology, a device will have a threshold of load time for legitimate content. If the media doesn't pass the validation in terms of load time, the user would be unable to access the content, Sony said in its application.
Tokyo-based Sony filed the application in August 2011.
'Smart Ovens' Abound, as Do Applications to Register Trademark
Breville Group Ltd. (BRG) and Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) have both filed applications to register "Smart Oven" as a trademark in Australia, Appliance magazine reported.
Electrolux AB (ELUXB)'s Electrolux Australia had previously applied to register the term in Australia, according to the magazine.
Samsung has also filed a U.S. application for a "Smart Oven" trademark, Appliance Magazine reported.
South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. (066570) is also coming out with a "smart oven," according to the magazine.
Google's YouTube Tells Nascar It's Unblocking Fan's Crash Video
Following a copyright infringement claim from the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Google Inc.'s YouTube video-sharing service blocked and then unblocked a race fan's video of the crash at the Feb. 23 Daytona 500 race, the Washington Post reported.
Nascar asked for the removal of the video "out of respect for those injured," the race company said in a statement, according to the Post report.
YouTube then put the video back up, saying "Our partners and users do not have the right to take down videos from YouTube unless they contain content which is copyright infringing, which is why we have reinstated the videos," according to the Post.
The fan's video shows a race-car wheel that ended up in the stands, with race viewers waving for help, the Post reported.
Trade Secrets/Industrial Espionage
Microsoft Says Its Computers Were Hit by Cyber Attack
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world's largest software company, said in a statement that "a small number" of its computers were hacked in a recent cyber attack.
The computers were attacked by "malicious software" using techniques similar to those experienced and reported recently by Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Facebook Inc. (FB), the Redmond, Washington-based company said in its statement posted on the company website Feb. 22.
None of its customers' computers were affected in the attack, Microsoft claims. The company is in the middle of an investigation of the attacks and said that this type of attack "is no surprise" to the company.
Microsoft said it doesn't make any statements about such attacks during the initial information-gathering process.
'Major' German Companies Hit With Cyber Attacks, Official Says
Stefan Keller, the head of the German Interior Ministry's department in charge of cyber security, told the European Police Conference that 70 percent of all major Germany companies "are threatened or affected" by cyber attacks, Der Spiegel reported.
The "overwhelming number" of attacks targeting German government agencies are coming from China, mainly Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, according to Der Spiegel.
Proposed German legislation may contain a requirement for companies that are targets of cyber attacks to report them to the government, the newspaper reported.
Presently, "it is a question of coincidence" that the government learns about attacks against German companies, Der Spiegel reported.


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Extremely compact and high-performance.Rover K FT is the new Biesse numerical control machining centre with Gantry structure - the most compact on the market - designed to machine panels made from wood and its derivatives. The ideal solution for artisan producers and for small and medium-sized businesses which require flexibility and ease of use within a limited production space.
A single platform to manage all machine processes.


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Well folks.
This has been up for about a year and I think it contains enough quality content to post a link.
The works within are most often the result of something someone has said in #sosz, though there are some pictures, songs and and stories that weren't quite as spontaneously inspired. It's not always Chinese history but there's a lot of it - 3 kingdoms (of course), 16 kingdoms, Chu-Han contention.
It features the fantastic Ancient Chinese Trope Bingo coded by LadyWu, and you can play along as you read your favorite texts. Spaces include gems like Dying of Emotion, Assassinated at a Banquet and Woman as Downfall!
Some of the writing is actually extremely excellent, because Taishi Ci 2.0 is an extraordinary writer. Seriously, you can be having a conversation and he's there but hasn't said anything for ten minutes, and then suddenly out comes this magnificent piece of prose written in any style imaginable. It's insane. They are then sometimes illustrated.
Inspired by how we remember personal websites from the late 90s, this site has a deliberate lack of organization and explanation as to who's who and what's what. Based on the authors of stories or creators of the artwork, you might be able to get an idea. Serials are posted in the order they were written instead of the order of chapters. You can always ask "who are these people" and will of course receive the answer, but you're unlikely to get invested enough in this website to do so.
Right now there are no immediate plans to clear up any of this potential confusion but it may eventually come to pass as the amount of content is starting to get unwieldy for me to deal with when updating the site.
If anyone has any work they'd be willing to post on this, you are more than welcome - encouraged - to do so. Just give it to me and I'll put it there with credit and a link to your main site.
Nobody really knows this exists outside of here (and Lofter, actually), so it's not exactly a wide audience, but please join in the fun!


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Alexander Yurievich Kaleri
Soyuz-TMA crew Commander,
Instructor/Test Cosmonaut,
S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, Russia
Personal data
Born 13 May 1956 in Yurmala, Latvian SSR (Latvia). Married to Kaleri (Nosova), Svetlana Leonidovna, they have one son. His hobbies are trampolining, jogging, reading, and growing flowers.
In 1979, he graduated from Moscow Physics and Technology Institute (MFTI), Dolgoprudny, Moscow region, as a specialist in Aircraft Flight Dynamics and Control and in 1983 - post-graduate study at MFTI as a specialist in Mechanics of Fluids and Plasma.
Awards and titles:
Hero of Russian Federation, Pilot-Cosmonaut of Russian Federation. He was awarded the medal of the Gold Star of the Hero of Russian Federation, orders of Distinguished Service to Motherland of the 2nd and 3rd degrees, as well as Space Flight and Public Service medals from NASA. Holds the order of the Legion of Honour (France, 1997).
Work experience:
Worked as an engineer at S.P.Korolev RSC Energia Design Bureau from 1979. Participated in development of design and engineering documentation, full-scale tests of the Mir Orbital Station.
In 1984 he was enlisted in the NPO Energia cosmonaut corps.
From November 1985 to October 1986 he followed basic cosmonaut training at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Qualified as a test cosmonaut on 28 November 1986.
From 1987-1992 he trained for the Mir mission programme.
April-May 1987 he trained as Flight Engineer of the third (backup) crew of Soyuz TM-4 for the expedition crew (EC-3) to the Mir Orbital Station. In May 1987 he replaced Yemelianov within the backup crew of Soyuz TM-4, and from May to December 1987 he trained as a Flight Engineer in the backup crew.
January-March 1988 he trained as Flight Engineer of Soyuz TM-7 for the EC-4/"Aragats" mission to Mir.
May-November 1990 he trained as Flight Engineer of a backup (the third) crew of Soyuz TM-11 for the EC-8 mission to Mir.
January-April 1991 he trained as Flight Engineer of the backup crew of Soyuz TM-12 for the EC-9/"Juno" mission to Mir.
May-July 1991 he trained as Flight Engineer for the prime crew of Soyuz TM-13, the EC-10/"Austromir" mission to Mir.
October 1991 - February 1992 he trained as Flight Engineer for the prime crew of Soyuz TM-14, the EC-11/Mir-92 mission to Mir.
October 1995 through July 1996 he trained as Flight Engineer for Soyuz TM-24 backup crew for the EC-22/NASA-3 mission and Russian-French programme "Cassiopeia" to Mir.
On 12 August 1996, due to Manakov - Commander of the Soyuz TM-24 prime crew - falling ill, Korzun and Kaleri were assigned to the prime crew of Soyuz TM-24 to replace Manakov and Vinogradov, respectively.
December 1997 through July 1998 he trained as Flight Engineer for the second crew for the EC-26 mission to Mir.
Over the period of March 1999 through March 2000 he trained as Flight Engineer for the prime crew of EC-28.
From January 2001 to May 2002 he trained as backup Commander for the ISS Expedition 5 crew.
He trained as backup Commander for the ISS Expedition 7 crew.
Spaceflight experience:
He flew his first space mission on 17 March – 10 August 1992, as a Flight Engineer of Soyuz TM-14 and Mir for the EC-11 mission, Russian-German programme Mir-92 and Russian-French programme Antares, together with Victorenko and Flade (Germany). He returned to Earth together with Victorenko and Tognini (France). In the course of the mission he performed one space walk lasting 2 hours 3 minutes.
He flew his second space mission 17 August 1996 - 2 March 1997 as a Flight Engineer of Soyuz TM-24 and Mir space station for the EC-22/NASA-3 mission and Russian-French programme Cassiopeia, together with Korzun and Andre-Deshaus (now Haigneré, France). During the mission he performed two space walks with an overall duration of 12 hours 36 minutes.
He flew his third space mission from 4 April - June 2000 as a Flight Engineer of Soyuz TM-30 and Mir for the EC-28 mission together with Zaletin. During the mission he made one space walk lasting 5 hours 3 minutes.
Current assignment:
He is currently assigned as Flight Engineer to the ISS Expedition 8 crew.
(Source: S.P.Korolev RSC Energia)


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We have a large national network
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A cash loan is a small credit line with a short payment term. Usually ranging from $100 to $1,000, the loans are used to help those in need pay bills, make car repairs, cover household emergencies, or help with other financial emergencies. Short term loans are a good way of getting the money you need fast, but require that you repay the debt when your next paycheck arrives.
Our lenders may offer you a loan with an APR between 390% and 780%. A 14-day, $200 loan with interest and fees of $30 charged is an example of a loan with a 390% APR. The simple interest rate on this loan, however, is 15%. The APR is a measure of the interest one would pay if a loan was rolled over continually for the duration of a full year, which is not permissible by most state laws.
Please refer to our Terms page for more detailed information.


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The Citadel - The Council part 2
The Citadel - The Council part 2
Near Captain Bailey's location, you can find Avina, an AI program used by the Citadel that should be plenty familiar to veterans of the original Mass Effect. You should seek out Avina and speak with her at length. She'll offer to play you a travel advisory, one that alerts humans to the decidedly anti-human feelings throughout the Citadel. It seems that the humans might be running a bit of, well, a fascist show here (you'll find Avina warning you that a lot of your responses to her are being reported to the authorities). When you're satisfied that you've learned enough from Avina, you can move on. Before you do, however, be sure to walk past the two Krogans to the right of Avina. Casually listen in on their conversation, and you should receive the side quest entitled Citadel: Krogan Sushi. More information on that can be found in the side quests section of this guide.
Zakera Cafe: Visit this location to browse the goods offered up at the computer terminal on the counter (the Turian proprietor of the store won't have anything to say to you, as he's gabbing with another customer). The goods offered at this cafe are few, though you'll want to pay attention to one thing in particular -- the fact that something called High-Grade Provisions are for sale. These provisions are associated with the side quest called Normandy: Special Ingredients, so be sure to scoop those up to complete that task (more information on that side quest can be found in the Side Quests section of the guide). You can also purchase two codex entries related to novels written by "human writer Drew Karpyshyn." In case you're curious, Drew Karpyshyn is a very real author on Earth, a BioWare veteran, and is responsible for Mass Effect's epic storyline.
Citadel Souvenirs: On the other side of the C-Sec office from Zakera Cafe is another shop. This one's called Citadel Souvenirs, and is owned and operated by the Citadel. They sell all sorts of bizarre items that you'll no doubt be needing later, but for now, you can just browse (purchase whatever you'd like if you feel the need). If you speak with the woman behind the counter, an Asari named Deleia Sanassi, you can learn a little bit more about Citadel Souvenirs. Most importantly, however, is your ability to earn some Paragon or Renegade points here. Paragons can offer up their endorsement to receive a permanent discount at the store, while Renegades can accuse the Asari merchant of classism, scoring points in the red. How you proceed is up to you. Keep in mind that the fish being sold here is associated with one branch of the side quest known as Citadel: Krogan Sushi. More information on that side quest can be found in the Side Quests section of the guide.
Rodam Expeditions: This Turian-owned and operated establishment sells all sorts of armor and weapon upgrades. When you arrive, speak to the proprietor, an agitated Turian by the name of Etarn Tiron. The Turians and humans don't get along these days (well, no one gets along with the humans these days), but Paragons and Renegades alike can convince Tiron to give you a permanent discount at his store. Paragons can reason with him, while Renegades can threaten him. When you receive your discount, you can then browse his wares at the nearby computer terminal, though most of what Rodam Expeditions currently offers up isn't quite in your price range.


text:
In our never-ending quest to find creative and fun ideas for children, we have hit upon this real "kids only" treat. It has everything a child loves – popcorn, marshmallows, M&M's, gumdrops…and not a drop of nutritional value whatsoever! Just don't let me catch you sneaking a bite!
1 cup margarine
1 (8-ounce) bag miniature marshmallows
4 cups popped corn
1 cup M&M's
1 cup gumdrops
1 cup peanuts
Melt margarine and stir in marshmallows until melted. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Stir in the gumdrops and peanuts. Press into a 9 x 13-inch pan and let set. Cut with a sharp knife (this is a parent's job) or just tear apart with your fingers. This can be made in a tube pan if for some strange reason you want an "elegant" presentation.


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The Infrastructure Of Gaming
A closer look at the components that make up Fast Track Sims' T1-RC simulator chassis.
A few months ago we showed you the construction of our new Fast Track Sims T1-RC racing simulator chassis. Now that the chassis is built and off being powdercoated, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the components that make the simulator work.
A lot goes into racing simulation. It is far from simply being a video game, Mark Lutes at Fast Track Sims packs loads of technology into his simulators, ensuring the most realistic feel and experience when it comes to sim racing. After all, many of these sims are used for real-deal driver training!
Aside from the chassis, the heart of the simulator is the computer. Nayden Naydenov of Crimson PC explains what makes a gaming computer different, "Unlike regular gaming PCs which can be fast, reliable, cheap (pick any two), a sim-racing PC presents a tougher challenge. It also needs to be portable, resilient to heavy use in commercial environments, and built to excel in a particular game. A PC that runs a first-person shooter very well may be subpar in iRacing and vice versa. Even two sim-racing titles may have quite different requirements. Considering that people rarely work with unlimited budgets, putting together a proper sim-racing PC is a fine balancing act that takes lots of research, trial, and error."
He continues, "Every component in a PC should be there for a purpose. Nothing should be left to chance. Components must be chosen to complement each other and to perform well in the intended application, in this case, iRacing. Processors are strictly Intel, as iRacing performs much better on them. They are unlocked K-chips in order to be overclocked. Overclocking is the process of making a computer or component operate faster than specified by the manufacturer. iRacing is heavier on the CPU that a lot of other sims and benefits from processor overclocking, especially in triple-screen configurations (which our sim will have). In order to overclock a processor, very good cooling is required. Coolers can be air-based on liquid-based. Air coolers are effective, more reliable, but can be too big, especially when building a small portable machine. Water coolers can perform better (in the high-end spectrum, not necessarily at the entry level) but can be finicky to maintain and sometimes develop leaks. Another requirement for overclocking is a motherboard that is designed for it. That means solid power delivery with a larger number of power phases, extra heatsinks to cool various motherboard components, and a well established BIOS. So far we have only covered CPU overclocking and partially cooling and motherboard choice. There are about a dozen other components in a PC and each of them needs careful consideration. Get one wrong and you can affect several others in a negative way."
Driver interaction is also a huge factor when it comes to simulators. The steering wheel and shifter are two components that the driver physically connects with. For this we went to Thrustmaster, which supplied us with a T500RS force feedback steering wheel. There is no other gaming steering wheel that more accurately simulates the feel of racing a car. Thrustmaster also sent us one of its TH800RS shifters. This shifter can be configured in a six-speed H-style pattern, or in a sequential configuration.
Beyond the wheel and shifters, Fast Track Sims has developed its own line of brake and clutch pedals for simulators using real Wilwood racing components. We touched on this in the last story, and since then, the system has evolved to use rear racing calipers and even a real clutch to accurately give the real feel of a race car.
We are also told a real Hurst shifter might be in the works, but it is early in the development phase.
We are extremely excited to see our simulator starting to come together. Look for more on the completion of the sim in an upcoming issue of CT.


text:
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force
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Welcome back to the Duel Academy. This school year is highlighted by an event like no other, something brand new to world of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Academy has decided to hold a tournament with one catch - you now have a tag team partner to help you duel. Practice dueling with your friends, find the best partner, and the winner of the tournament will be allowed the use of Duel Academy Island for a day. The first Yu-Gi-Oh! game for the PSP system. Compete in teams of two for the first time, switching characters and decks mid-duel. More cards than any previous Yu-Gi-Oh! video game allow for new deck and duel strategies. Updated duel field with 3D animations for each card. Create custom duel puzzles for endless strategic fun on the go. Multiplayer duels for up to four players via local wireless connection.
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st: Appending unique cases based on two variables
"Logan-Greene, Patricia" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
"'firstname.lastname@example.com'" <email@example.com>
st: Appending unique cases based on two variables
Thu, 9 Aug 2012 11:50:49 -0400
I am doing a fairly complicated merge between two sets of data (from criminal court records) that each contain an ID number and dates (along with many other variables). Here's some background:
1. The two files represent a) an assessment, given at approximately the same time as the beginning of probation, and b) discharge records.
2. Each file contains ID numbers that can be used to match individuals across files. The ID number can appear multiple times in each dataset (multiple entries reflect recidivism).
3. The entries are dated, which represents for a) the date on which the assessment in given, and for b) the official start date for probation. Although there are multiple entries for many ID numbers, there is only one instance of a particular ID and a particular date in each file.
2. As the dates don't match identically, we conducted a fuzzy match that paired assessment entries with discharge information (based on the beginning of probation) when the dates were within 6 weeks of each other.
3. We now need to add the unique cases from the assessment data (that may represent, for example, an incomplete probation). I know how to append unique cases based on a single identifier, but not with two. Will append even work if there are duplicates for one of the identifiers?
Can anyone help?
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/


text:
Hastings St. was blocked off by police for a couple of hours tonight, from Main to Carroll St. A man standing on the roof of the New Lux appeared to want to jump. The New Lux is government funded housing for the hard to house, near the United We Can Bottle Depot.
The man was sitting on the roof and would occasionally stand up, teetering back and forth and hollering. He appeared to be playing to the crowd of about 75 people watching from behind yellow police tape.
One spectator quipped, "He's mad Pittsburgh lost the hockey game."


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Mention the Moon family, especially Molly Moon, and Caddo residents will eagerly tell you their stories. Many begin with "I remember sneaking out to see her…" or "My mom never knew, but I went to see Molly…". One local told me that she remembers going into the mausoleum when she was fourteen. "I was too frightened to see much," she said. "I can remember a glass covered casket, with a lady with long hair. It wasn't skeletal remains, but skin covered. Looked kinda like dried to the bone. My mother would have killed me if she had known I was there!"
Molly Moon, wife of successful Caddo retailer, W.J. Moon, committed suicide sometime in the fall of 1904 while W.J. was on a buying trip to St. Louis. He often went on buying trips for days or weeks at a time, sometimes alone, sometimes with employees. This news item is from a spring 1904 issue of The Caddo Herald: "W. J. Moon returned Sunday from St. Louis where he has been the past three weeks buying a large stock of goods for his mammoth store here. Mr. Moon always buys the best goods and his trade is always satisfied with the results of their dealings."
Moon's store was the talk of the town and mentioned several times in the Herald. Here's an item from July of 1899: "W.J. Moon will in a few days be ready to occupy his 50x100 foot brick building and has commenced work on another building of the same size, which will be built of brick." He operated the largest general store in the area, selling groceries, dry goods, hardware and harnesses, and furniture. Of course, like most furniture dealers of the time, he was also in the undertaking business and sold a variety of caskets. He had just started construction on the Moon Hotel. He also owned a handsome residence considered an "ornament to the neighborhood".
We may never know why Molly killed herself. We only know that W.J. was so devastated by her death that he built a brick mausoleum, had her remains carefully preserved, and placed her in a $500 glass covered casket. He even left her diamond rings and pins on her, and placed a gold watch on a chain around her neck. "You see, Grandfather Moon handled jewelry in his store and he always liked to see his wife wearing diamonds", stated his granddaughter Valentine Moon Craig.
John Clift, of the Denison Herald interviewed Valentine in 1977 and wrote an article about "The Legend of Molly Moon", her untimely death, and her mysterious mausoleum. Valentine said she was never allowed to see her grandmother's body. Her mother didn't think it was right since she had never seen her alive.
At first Mr. Moon visited his wife daily to comb her hair and change her clothes and shoes. Later a caretaker took over the task of protecting her remains. The Moon mausoleum was open to the public for many years. The caretaker would take visitors to see Mrs. Moon and he would talk to her and wind her watch. After a rabbit died inside the mausoleum Mr. Moon decided to have a lock placed on the door. But the caretaker continued to unlock it for people. Years later vandalism forced Mrs. Craig to have it sealed entirely. Bars were placed on the windows and the door welded shut. Few people today realize that the sealed mausoleum also contains the remains of Mr. Moon.
After Mollie's death Mr. Moon married two more times. First to a woman from St. Louis, who didn't last very long. Mr. Moon gave her some money and put her on the train back to St. Louis after only six weeks. He lived for a time as a boarder with the Keith family of Caddo. In 1909 he moved to Dallas and met his next wife, Lula Mae. According to her niece, he met Lula Mae at a party in Dallas. Lula was seventeen years younger than W. J. They operated a grocery store in Dallas for many years.
W. J. was plagued by misfortune. His two sons also met untimely deaths- the first in a car accident and the other in a gin accident. W. J.'s granddaughter, Valentine, was raised by her maternal grandfather, John Droke after the death of her mother and father. Mr. Moon died of cancer in 1923. This is his obituary from the Caddo Herald:
W.J. Moon Dies
"At his home in Dallas Friday morning at 8 o'clock. W.J. Moon died after an illness of eight months. The remains were brought to Caddo and interred in the Moon vault in Caddo Cemetery Saturday morning at 10.
The funeral was had at the home of John Droke, conducted by Rev. W. B. Slack, assisted by Rev. L. W. Moore.
The remains were accompanied to Caddo by his wife, granddaughter, and several friends. Floral tributes attested friendship. The funeral was not largely attended because of a slight rain, and the fact that so few people knew about it.
W. J. Moon lived in Caddo about twenty-five years ago. For ten years he was one of the principal merchants of the town. He built two large bricks and the large Moon Hotel while here. He moved to Dallas in 1909 where he has since made his home. Jack Droke and family from Coalgate were here Saturday and Sunday."
Yes, Mr. Moon's third wife actually brought him back to Caddo to be entombed with his beloved first wife, Molly.
Here is his obituary from the Durant Democrat (Caddo News section):
W.J. Moon Dead
Friday evening's northbound Texas Special from Dallas bore to Caddo the mortal remains of W. J. Moon, formerly one of Caddo's leading merchants, but has resided in Dallas the past 14 years. The deceased passed away at his home, 3122 Hood St. in Dallas, Friday morning at 8:30 after a lingering illness of eight months. His wife, Mrs. Lula Moon and granddaughter, Miss Valentine Moon, were at his bedside at the passing. W. J. Moon was born in Alabama 60 years ago. He was a member of the Oak Lawn Methodist Church, Dallas and had been a worthy citizen of Dallas since 1909, going there from Caddo. He was esteemed by all who knew him. Many were the beautiful floral offerings that accompanied the remains here. He is survived by his wife, granddaughter, Miss Valentine Moon or our city, and grandson, Dooley Moon of Blanchard, Okla. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 10am at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Droke by Rev. W. B. Slack. Rain was falling at the hour for the funeral but a large crowd was present to pay their last respects to the deceased. They followed the remains to our beautiful Gethsemane and placed them in the iron vault which he had built 20 years ago. He asked that his remains be returned to his old home and placed therein.
After W. J.'s death, Lula Mae married and was widowed two more times.
Valentine grew up, married, moved to Texas, and later retired to Caddo, where she died:
Molly Valentine (Moon) Craig, 93-
A graveside service will be held at 10am Friday in Gethsemane Cemetery, Caddo, for Molly Valentine (Moon) Craig, 93, Caddo, who died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999 in Caddo Nursing Home. The Rev. Wanda Johnson will officiate. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Moon, Mrs. Craig was born Feb. 14, 1906 in Caddo. Her parents died when she was very young. She was reared by her maternal grandparents, J. M. and Lydia E. Droke, who were pioneer citizens of Caddo. She married James R. Craig, July 10, 1935 in Durant. She had attended Caddo Schools and was retired from the teaching profession. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Caddo and was a resident of Caddo Nursing Home for the past seven and one-half years. She loved flowers and animals. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Caddo Educational Foundation, or Caddo Nursing Home.


text:
"I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."
Back when I reviewed the Toy Story box set, I said that there are some films that are just magical, that hold a place near and dear to your heart. I mentioned it because those movies are a couple that are like that for me. The Star Wars movies are also on that list, for I'm one of those hallowed many that grew up during its heyday. I mentioned, I think, just one other movie: Say Anything. For a list by an avowed film geek, and considering its company, it may be a surprising inclusion.
I first saw Say Anything on a rainy day in October. It was at the beginning of my sophomore year in college, and I was completely smitten by a girl I had met the year before. Unfortunately, she didn't come back to school that next year, but fortunately for me (and unfortunately for my bank account, and fortunately for AT&T), we maintained a long-distance friendship that turned into a budding romance. That October day I drove the 300 or so miles to visit her. It being a rainy day and all, we went to the video store to rent a couple flicks. I picked Groundhog Day, since it was both funny and romantic, and she hadn't seen it (and I think she said no to every Schwarzenegger flick I suggested). She picked Say Anything because it was one of her favorite movies, and I hadn't seen it. We watched her movie first, after which I cooked her dinner (her house and I'm cooking…this would become a key component of our relationship). Then we watched Groundhog Day, after which we kissed for the first time. Oh, that girl is now my wife, and I still cook for her. You'd think that Groundhog Day, after that pivotal day in our relationship, would be the movie I'd come away having fond feelings for, but nope, it's the other one. See, it was the first movie I saw from its writer/director, Cameron Crowe, whom I now greatly respect and admire, and it was a completely, amazingly real romance that still manages to choke me up.
Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is completely smitten by a girl who barely knows him, Diane Court (Ione Skye). He's one of those drifting, intellectual, iconoclastic types we all know (or might even be ourselves). She's both brainy and beautiful, one of those drive-to-succeed types we all know (or might even be ourselves, but that's not nearly as likely). Lloyd manages to raise the nerve to ask Diane out, and much to his surprise (and to hers as well) she says yes. Their date is at a post-graduation party, where the two don't spend much time together, but Diane learns much about herself (everyone knows of her, but no one knows her) and Lloyd (everyone knows Lloyd and greatly respects him). She finds herself strangely drawn to him because of his wit and great respect for her. The two vow to only be "friends with potential," but find that their love for each other goes much deeper than that. However, their love is called into question when Diane's father (played by John Mahoney) runs into legal problems because of his shady dealings, and she must weigh her loyalty to father or to Lloyd.
I'm afraid my summary of the film does it little justice. It's the same problem I faced when I reviewed Crowe's Almost Famous (I still have the "Bootleg Edition" in my pile of things to review), and why I've never tackled reviewing his sophomore film, Singles. Cameron Crowe, as anyone who knows that Almost Famous was semi-autobiographical knows, was something of a prodigy. He was years ahead of his peers, and possessed an uncanny gift not just for writing, but for observing the people around him. His teenaged writing for Rolling Stone was insightful beyond his years. Later, he returned to high school to observe what would've been his peers, and that became the basis for his novel and eventual screenplay for Fast Times At Ridgemont High. (I'm getting to my problem reviewing his films…have patience.) His writing drifted for a few years until with the help of über-producer James L. Brooks he penned the screenplay for his first directorial effort, Say Anything. Next up was another relationship film, Singles, that this time looked at the post-college years and the romance troubles of a group of tangentially connected friends in the Seattle area. (It's at this point I fulfill my "must mention Tim Burton in every review" quotient by mentioning that he had a one-word cameo in the film. The one word? "Twenty.") He went mainstream with Jerry Maguire, yet still managed to make a film that insightfully looked at romance in the real world. (Notice how that word "insightful" keeps coming up?) He went autobiographical and nostalgic with Almost Famous, looking at love amongst rock stars and the people who love them. His most recent movie, Vanilla Sky…well, I'm waiting for the DVD.
Back to my problem reviewing Cameron Crowe's films. The problem comes because it's very difficult to summarize them. They're not about plot so much as about the relationships between the characters, relationships that are presciently and insightfully detailed and that are altogether real. Lloyd and Diane are one of the best examples of cinematic love since Rick and Ilsa, but there's nothing cinematic about the relationship. Romance in films too often feels slick, forced, and artificial, yet here we understand completely why these two are attracted to each other. Their love isn't based on your typical movie concepts of mutual physical attraction — it's the love between friends, between two people who understand and respect each other. Even when they succumb to their physical attraction and "make love" in the back seat of his car, it doesn't feel like they did it just because they were horny teenagers — it's because their souls were drawn together and it was an honest expression of their feelings. Maybe I'm completely out of touch with reality, but that seems more real to me than the guys of the same age bracket in American Pie who only think about banging a hot chick and then crowing about their conquest.
This isn't to say that Say Anything isn't your typical romance, because at its core it has the same boy wins girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back plot that has driven so many romances in the past. Where it's different is in the details. Lloyd doesn't hang out with his buds getting sex tips; he hangs out with a couple female friends who tell him not to be a guy, but to be a man. Diane's father's legal troubles aren't just a misunderstanding; they're real. What's even more different here is that it isn't a clear-cut "he was bad" sort of pronouncement. James Court is a good man and cares about the elderly charges at his nursing home, and even the people he fleeced don't seem to mind. You almost feel sorry for the guy at the end when he's in jail, his dyed hair returning to its natural gray, resorting to smoking (which you find out in the deleted scenes he had strong feelings against). I can't recall the exact quote, but in a recent interview, Cameron Crowe commented that a studio executive asked him why Diane's dad had to be guilty. His answer was that if James Court wasn't guilty, the movie wouldn't be any different than Pretty In Pink.
Of course, the best writing in the world would be only words if they were not brought to life by some great acting. John Cusack was very reluctant to play the lead in what was essentially a teen romance, and because of this he brings a certain edge to it that you wouldn't see some other actors bring to such a role. If you watch the alternate takes for the famous boombox scene, you'll see the defiance he wanted to bring to it, like he's gonna love Diane no matter what she thinks about him. Speaking of Diane, Ione Skye embodies the brainy, beautiful girl with charm, class, naïveté, and undeniable charisma. Ione Skye has an extensive résumé, but sadly she hasn't appeared in many notable films — bit roles in Wayne's World and Four Rooms are about as notable as it gets. John Mahoney is well known for Frasier, of course, but that belies the complexity he brings to James Court, a single divorced father who honestly cares about the elderly people he works with, yet he feels little guilt about stealing from them to provide a nest egg for his daughter.
The DVD of Say Anything has been a long time in coming, and thankfully it was worth the wait. Video is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. It's not pristine, but it's certainly acceptable. Colors are a bit subdued, though black levels are deep without washing out detail. There's minimal edge enhancement or pixelization. It can be a bit grainy, but it's not distracting and it's something that's expected from a movie over ten years old. Source artifacts are at a minimum. Audio is available in Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Surround, both remixed from its theatrical stereo. It's forward centric except for the music, an integral part of all Cameron Crowe films.
The laundry list of features is as follows: a commentary track, ten deleted scenes, 13 extended scenes, five alternate scenes, a featurette, two trailers, eight TV spots, and a photo gallery. Whew. The commentary track features Cameron Crowe, John Cusack, and Ione Skye. It's a fun, informative track that never lags. If that's not good enough, it's not just a commentary track — there's a 20-minute introduction with the three of them sharing their memories before the movie even starts! The deleted/extended/alternate scenes add up to nearly 50 minutes of extra footage. Some of it is redundant, but that's fine, because it shows the actors and director honing the movie into the perfection that it is. The best moments are the alternate takes of the boombox scene that I alluded to earlier, for you get to hear the music that was actually playing on the boombox while they were shooting. Let's just say that it was not Peter Gabriel's now-famous "In Your Eyes." The featurette is just a promotional puff piece from the movie's release, clocking in at seven minutes, and is hardly worth mentioning. Voice Over Lady has the nerve to call Lloyd and Diane "the modern-day Romeo and Juliet," though I'm fairly certain there were no warring families or suicide pacts, but it's balanced out by Cameron Crowe calling Lloyd a "warrior for optimism." I think I just found what I want to be written on my tombstone. The trailers and TV spots are nothing special, but they at least seem like a harbinger that the glam of the '80s was soon to be replaced by the brooding introspection of the '90s. The photo gallery consists of a handful of Cameron Crowe's pictures taken on set, and curiously most of them are of John Mahoney. All told, the bulk of the features aren't all that interesting, but the commentary and extra footage more than makes up for it.
In case my feelings for the movie weren't already clear, I definitely recommend adding Say Anything to your DVD library. It's difficult to find a romantic film nowadays that isn't insulting to one's intelligence. How refreshing it is to find one that isn't just uninsulting, but that is witty and intelligent and true to what you'll find in the real world. Even you manly men should be able to appreciate it without feeling the need to brush it off as something on your DVD shelf for your significant other. If you really need to give your friend Joe-Bob the welder an excuse, you can say it's a kickboxing movie or something. It's the sport of the future.