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We decided to make a playmat because it's a great gift for any time of year. You can throw it on the grass in August, or lay it on the living room floor in December. It's stuffed with our thickest cotton batting so it's soft and dense plus it's totally washable so you don't have to be precious with it. Best of all, even though it's hand quilted, it comes together really quickly since it's not basted. It's a perfect, breezy, end of summer project for any baby!
To make one 34-inch square playmat:
- One Yard of Nani Iro Linen Blend Poster Fleur in pink
- One Yard of Kiyohara Canvas Dot in grey
- One craft size Supreme (highest loft) Natural Cotton Batting
- One spool each of Trebizond silk embroidery thread in color 951 and color 429
Cut four 18 inch squares from each of the fabrics.
Cut the batting into a 35 1/2-inch square.
Sew a grey square to a pink square right sides together, along one side, with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Sew another grey square to a pink square in the same manner.
Then sew these two sewn strips right sides together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance so that the like squares are diagonal to one another, as shown above. This is the top of the mat.
Repeat the same steps to make the back of the mat.
Making the Quilt Sandwich
Press and lay the 35-inch square of batting flat. It's best to do this step on the floor or other large surface so the whole thing can lay as flat as possible.
Smooth the quilt top, with it's right side facing up, on top of the batting being careful to line up all four sides neatly.
Smooth the quilt back, wrong side facing up, on top of the batting and top. Arrange it so that the grey fabric squares of the top are directly on top of the pink fabric squares of the bottom, so that the top and bottom will be opposites. Again, make sure that all four sides line up neatly with those of the previous two layers.
This three layer pile is your quilt sandwich. Pin it together around all four sides.
Sew the three layers together across all four sides with a 5/8-inch seam allowance, leaving a 4-inch gap on one side as shown above. If you have one, use your sewing machine's quilting foot to do this.
Turn the quilt sandwich right sides out, through the gap, so that the batting ends up in the middle.
Press and pin the gap closed making sure to encase the batting. Sew the gap closed with a blind stitch.
Press the entire mat flat. Since you aren't basting, this is an important step!
Tie a small knot at the end of an 18-inch length of the silver embroidery thread. Insert your needle through only the top and batting of the mat and then pull the needle out just on the inside of one of the pink flower shapes.
Pull the thread until the knot pops though the entrance point but not so hard that it pops out of the exit point. This will hide the knot.
Now stitch 1/4-inch quilting stitches through all three layers of the mat (the top, the batting and the back) around the inner edge of the pink flower shapes. You can use larger stitches if you like and don't worry about keeping them totally even, the handmade free quality of the quilting is part of what makes this project beautiful!
Stitch inside all of the flowers. To finish with a length of thread tie a little knot at the end of the stitching and hide it in the same way you did at the beginning, by pulling it through the top two layers, and then snipping off the excess thread.
Using the pink embroidery thread stitch around random dots on the grey fabric as well. Make sure that there is no more than 8-inches between quilted areas (otherwise the batting won't hold together in the wash.)
When you're done the top will look like this.
Since the back is the opposite of the front, the quilting will have a different, and very cool, effect when you turn the piece around.
Above is the back of the floral quilting.
And here is the back of the polka dot quilting.
Once you're all done this piece should be sturdy, washable, and above all, cheerful and pretty. Enjoy!


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This is a set of 96 round Animal themed Christmas stickers that can be personalised with your name.
Image: Animals
Size: 30mm diameter
Material: Permanent high quality matt or gloss sticker paper
These stickers are super easy to peel off and ready to stick on any surface.
All stickers are custom made to order so please allow allow 5-7 days for your stickers to be created.
Includes FREE delivery via Australia Post Regular large letter however delivery tracking number is not available for this service. If you would like tracking please select the Regular Parcel option at checkout.

subset: commoncrawl


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Learn more: Using the PIN Factsheets | Factsheets Glossary | About the PIN Factsheet Project
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08/11/20 at 20:38:00
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janszen speakers and the torii 3 (Read 3632 times)
tom collins
Senior Member
Posts: 51
janszen speakers and the torii 3
06/05/13 at 23:57:33
i visited a friend last weekend and hooked up my torii to his janszen hybrid panel speakers. he normally uses a sanders solid state rated at 450 per side. at the end of the visit, he was thinking of ways to sell the sanders. the depth and clarity were not a surprise, but the bass wallop sure was. it was not even a close call. these speakers are rated at either 87 dbl or 90 dbl depending on who you talk to at a nominal 8 ohms. we were able to comfortably drive these above a level we could talk at.
very impressive indeed.
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Posts: 134
Re: janszen speakers and the torii 3
Reply #1 -
06/28/13 at 19:40:58
Tom knows that following two listening sessions that mated my Janszens with his Torii MK3 I pulled the trigger and ordered the amp. The sound of the Torii brought out the best of the Janszens and convinced me that I haven't been hearing all they can give, especially in the bass. Today I go back and forth between using a subwoofer or not. With the Torii I simply won't use it.
The only real doubt I had to work through was the issue of enough power. My Sanders Magtech SS amp is a brute and in fact puts my speakers at risk should I push things too much. I find it amusing that once the Torii arrives I will have two amps that are both outside the bounds of recommended power for my speakers, the Magtech being too much and the Torii too low. This is according to the speaker's owners manual. I have found however that using both in moderation work just fine but couldn't be more different in their delivery.
I'll likely keep both amps. The Torii was bought for me, for critical listening and I don't care that my speaker's efficiency isn't ideal. We found that the Torii can take the listening levels high enough for me and when using my active preamp the dynamics were real good.
The ESL panel's primary appeal is quality of sound, not quantity although they can produce volume without distortion if the watts are there. The SS amp will be around if I want to rock and roll with those extra watts. For now, I sit in line waiting like everyone before me.
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Decware ZMA, Cary SLP-98P preamp, JansZen zA2.1 speakers with JansZen speaker cables, Marantz TT 15S1 turntable, Lyra Delos MC with Bobs Devices SUT, Marantz SA8004 SACD/CD player, Morrow level 4 ICs, Decware and Shunyata PCs.
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Philip K. D*ck
Posts: 16921
Re: janszen speakers and the torii 3
Reply #2 -
06/28/13 at 20:27:19
Congratulations! The wait will not be easy but when you receive the amp you'll be very happy (as you know, which is really nice, knowing what to expect).
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HR-1,ZTPRE,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SE84UFO3-25th x2, CSP3-25th.Taboo Mk IV; Rega RP3 w/25th mods PS Audio: DMP+DSD,P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Statement spkr cbls;Mapleshade:Samson V3; Oppo UDP-205; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati intrcncts, Iso-Pods;headphones:PM1,HD800S,ZMF Ori
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Posts: 555
Re: janszen speakers and the torii 3
Reply #3 -
08/06/13 at 17:32:07
I too have experienced this "phenomena" of bass with the Torii. Before I had my single full-range driver, high-efficiency, crossoverless DIY speakers done, I had my Torii mk3 hooked to a pair of Martin Logan Electrostats (Vista model) and that was one of the first things I noticed - bass - as in more with the Torii than I had with a very highly regarded and monster of a class A/B SS amp, with a power supply that you could weld mild steel with. And the quality and tonality of the bass was improved with the Torii too to my ears also. Now I could not get the volume and ultimate high-level dynamics with only 25 watts, but what I did get was very high SQ.
With the high-efficiency, single full-range driver, crossoverless speakers I now have... the difference is even more profound. I've hooked 5 different SS amps to these speaks, and though some exhibit some desirable sonic characteristics - NONE of them produced bass like the Torii on these speakers - not even close - no comparison - hear the difference with the first note that springs into the room off the speaker diaphragms... it's quite astonishing to be honest. And everything else improves substantially also - huge leap in realism, closer to the "you are there" experience that we all seek. I have never heard a piano or standup bass sound so real and convincing from a stereo system - anywhere - at any price. Folks, the Torii with these types of speakers is the real deal.... you owe it to yourself to hear it and experience it. But be prepared, you are likely to be smitten and laying down your long green and standing in line to get a Torii and a pair of "lowther type" speakers to go with it. *
You've been warned
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Decware Torii MK3, Wyred4Sound DAC2, Theta Digital Miles, Emotiva XMC-1, Emotiva XPA-5, Aesthetix Calypso, Wyred STP-SE, Martin Logan Vista, Audio Nirvana 12" Alnico's, PS Audio PW P5, Goertz, Kimber, Nordost and DIY wires, PSA pwr cords, Cary SLI-80, DM945's.....
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Posts: 134
Re: janszen speakers and the torii 3
Reply #4 -
07/29/14 at 21:16:31
A lot has changed in my setup over the last year, but the JansZen/Decware pairing has remained a cornerstone. Everything I have done keeps raising the bar. Since chiming in on this thread I got my Torii IV, then swapped it for the ZMA. That was a significant improvement. The ZMA makes these speakers sing.
I've also swapped out all the stock tubes in my Cary preamp for quality NOS replacements. The JansZens really reveal these kinds of changes and the ZMA simply relays the message without harm.
The latest change was putting in JansZen speaker cables. David isn't promoting them on his web site yet, but designed them specifically to mate perfectly with his speakers and they really helped. I was evaluating a pair of double shotgun Clear Day Cables at the time David asked me to try his. The CDCs were sounding mighty fine but I shipped them back. David's simply have the synergy intended. The only thing left on my list for the future will be a big jump up in turntable/cartridge quality. Maybe when I retire.
The ZMA tethered to JansZen speakers is quite good.
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Decware ZMA, Cary SLP-98P preamp, JansZen zA2.1 speakers with JansZen speaker cables, Marantz TT 15S1 turntable, Lyra Delos MC with Bobs Devices SUT, Marantz SA8004 SACD/CD player, Morrow level 4 ICs, Decware and Shunyata PCs.
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Congratulations Scott Matheson..!!
You have been selected as the 'N2C Top Gun' for Denison College – Bathurst High Campus.
You are invited to attend the Porsche Sport Driving School to complete the N2C Porsche Sport Driving School Young Driver Program where you will learn how to develop good driving habits and avoid accidents to keep yourself and your friends and family safe.
About the N2C Porsche Sport Driving School Young Driver Program
No Second Chance has teamed up with Porsche Cars Australia to create the 'No Second Chance Porsche Sport Driving School Young Driver Program' specifically for selected graduates of our No Second Chance Youth Safety Presentations.
Once students have seen our presentation we believe they are on their way to understanding the responsibility associated with driving a car on public roads.
Attending the school will give you the opportunity to talk with professional racing drivers who can help show you the pathway to motorsport if you have a desire to drive fast as the only place that speed is appropriate is on the race track!
Read more about: The No Second Chance Top Gun Program


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The plantation of PT Aloe Vera Indonesia is situated near Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, also known as Borneo. Pontianak is right on the Tropical Equator Belt, where the rain fall is abundan. The Aloe Vera plant thrives on the fertile organic soil and tropical sunshine.
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PT Aloe Vera Indonesia has produced a instant powdered beverage under the trade name of "Aloemax" that contains both Aloe Vera gel and virgin coconut oil. When a sachet of "Aloemax" instant powder is dissolved in a glass of water, it turns into a white sweet beverage, similar to dairy or soy milk.
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SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE, BLUETOOTH/ HANDS FREE CELL PHONE, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, RECENT TRADE, LOCAL TRADE, 2 SETS OF KEYS, Fresh Oil Change, Please Call 315-824-1000, Rogue S, 4D Sport Utility, 2.5L I4 DOHC 16V, CVT with Xtronic, AWD, Magnetic Black, Charcoal w/Cloth Seat Trim, 5.694 Axle Ratio, AM/FM radio: SiriusXM, Brake assist, CD player, Electronic Stability Control, MP3 decoder, Radio: AM/FM/CD/RDS/AUX NissanConnect, Steering wheel mounted audio controls.
2016 Nissan Rogue S Magnetic Black AWD CVT with Xtronic
Welcome to University Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. For a few years now, University Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram has been proudly serving the Hamilton, Morrisville, Norwich and greater Oneida areas. During that time, we've cultivated a deep appreciation for our area and its residents. To our team, you're not just a customer. You're a friend, neighbor, and partner, and we want to work with you to create the most satisfying automotive experience possible. Even after you've made your purchase, we hope you'll return time and again for our excellent customer service.
University Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Hamilton, NY treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence!
Our experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm with you. We encourage you to browse our online inventory, schedule a test drive and investigate financing options. You can also request more information about a vehicle using our online form or by calling 315-825-2115
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Welcome to the city of Columbus, Nebraska
One of our many goals is to make Columbus more accessible and easier to navigate to residents and visitors. Through this website, you can discover a great deal of required information on Columbus, NE online from the comfort of your homes or workplaces. People who live in another state or country get the chance to explore the beauty of the City of Columbus and plan a trip to visit.
We hope you've found what you've been looking for!
Columbus, NE Map and Locations
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Child hit by SUV in Hays
A child was struck by a vehicle in Hays and taken away in an ambulance Wednesday morning.
The accident happened near the intersection of Mifflin Road (Route 885) and Hillburn Street. The child is 9 years old, according to a neighbor.
A black SUV with a dent on the front of its hood was parked at the accident scene.
As Pittsburgh paramedics attended to the boy, they were joined by Michael Huss, the city's public safety director, who happened to be in the area at the time.
"It comes with the job," Huss said. "That's why I carry the equipment, so in times like this I can help if I come across something."
SLIDESHOW: Photos from the accident scene
Witnesses said traffic on the road had a green light. One child ran across the street, and the boy decided to do the same but got hit, the boy's friend said.
"(His friend) said, 'Don't do it, don't do it,'" witness Austin Davis said. "Well, he crossed the street anyway."
The boy was believed to have a broken leg, and possibly head injuries. He was awake and speaking as he was being taken to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Paramedics who responded to the crash said these types of incidents happen more often when the weather is nice.
Paramedic Roy Cox, the patient care coordinator for Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services, said, "Drivers tend to go faster. Children and adults tend to misjudge the speed of the vehicle coming towards them. It's, 'Oh, I think I can make it.'"
He said, "It's a miscalculation that occurs."
Police are still investigating the crash.


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"Remarkable. . . . Infused with a tender laughter, charming human warmth, [and] a feeling for the positive quality of life." —New York Herald Tribune
"The Grass Harp charms you into sharing the author's feeling that there is a special poetry—a spontaneity and wonder and delight—in lives untarnished by conformity and common sense." —The Atlantic


text:
Welcome To My Blog
Book reviews ... Author interviews ... and anything else I think might be of interest to writers and readers.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
An Interview with Gillian Philip
I'm very excited to have the lovely and multi-talented YA author Gillian Philip here today. I asked her some questions about her varied writing career.
Tell us about your most recent books, 'Bloodstone' and 'The Opposite Of Amber'.
BLOODSTONE is the sequel to FIREBRAND, which came out last year, and it's the second in a series of four. The books are about the Scottish Sithe or faeries; I wanted to write about a hidden world that was close to ours, but perilously so – and in danger of vanishing. The heroes are forced to rebel against the faery queen, who wants to destroy the protecting Veil between the worlds for her own ends. I wondered who would be most threatened by that – the Sithe people, or us. The story was a long time in development. In fact Bloodstone was originally book 1, but I had to go back and write Firebrand before I really understood what was going on!
THE OPPOSITE OF AMBER is very different – it's a contemporary story about two sisters who live in a bleak Scottish seaside town, and who begin to grow apart because of circumstances that spiral out of control. Jinn falls in love with the worst man possible, and Ruby, who has always depended on her older sister, has to learn to rely on herself even as she tries to save Jinn. And all the time, a serial killer is stalking the town, and coming closer to home.
What first attracted you to the idea of writing for the YA market?
Simply looking at the YA books that were available. My kids were born in 2001 and for the first time in a long time, I found myself in the children's department of bookstores. And while I was looking for books in the younger sections, I couldn't help being drawn by the YA shelves – they were so full of fantastic stories, fascinating characters and wonderful authors. I bought loads – on the pretext that I was building a library for my children when they were older. But as soon as I started to read them, I knew this was what I wanted to write myself.
Your writing is in more than one genre, was that down to a deliberate decision to explore different types of writing?
It was more of an accident! I'd always wanted to write a Scottish-based fantasy with a contemporary slant – and a very rough first draft did eventually turn into Bloodstone – but it took rather a lot of years to get it right. In the meantime I wrote a sequel to Bloodstone, but because those two were not in saleable condition, I had to branch out. I immediately turned to crime (fictional...) because I love reading it, and wrote Bad Faith and Crossing The Line, both of which were taken on by publishers.
I also took on work for Hothouse Fiction, writing teen horror, and for Evans Brothers, writing basically anything in any genre! So I just got used to switching genre, and I still enjoy a change from time to time. It's one of the thing I love about writing YA – you're not straitjacketed so much into a particular type of book.
You've also published books under the name Gabriella Poole. How did this come about, and are those books very different?
Very different from my own books, yes. The Gabriella Poole books were the ones I wrote for Hothouse Fiction – the Darke Academy series, which are about an elite boarding school that travels the world (essentially because students keep being killed in mysterious circumstances). They've been great fun to write – the editors at Hothouse came up with the concept and the characters, and I write the whole story from an outline, which is the only time I follow a plot plan. With my own stories I tend to fly by the seat of my pants – I don't plot in advance – so it's fun to write this way for a change, and it's good exercise for the writing muscles. 'Gabriella Poole' belongs to Hothouse rather than to me, which gives both them and me some flexibility – another writer could 'become' Gabriella if necessary.
When you sit down to write a new book, do you find inspiration in particular ways or from particular sources?
Usually I'm not sitting down – I'm probably out for a walk. I find, like a lot of writers, that walking is a great way of shaking loose an idea in your head. So I walk for miles, listen to music (I like to have a soundtrack for each book), location-scout... and my other main source of inspiration is news or magazine articles. I don't fictionalise real-life situations but I do imagine real and terrible things happening in different ways to my characters.
What are you working on now and what do you see yourself writing in the future?
I'm writing a short story for an anthology a friend is editing, and simultaneously I'm working on an e-novella, a prequel to Firebrand – it's about Griogair and Lilith – which I hope to publish online at the same time as the Firebrand and Bloodstone ebooks come out.
After that, well... I have a draft that needs rewriting of a book called Sealskin, and I have another idea for a thriller simmering away in my head.
What's the best advice you could give to someone who is writing a novel and hoping to get it published?
Just to persevere, and to take good advice. Keep writing and rewriting, but listen to readers (who aren't related to you) – join a good writing group that provides honest critiques, or pay for editorial services if necessary. It's never going to be right first time (or even the fifth time) but so long as you get something onto the page, you'll have something to work with.
On your website you mention that you are 'taking dictation from people who don't exist'. It sounds as though your characters are very real to you despite not existing, how helpful is that when you're writing?
It's enormously helpful. When they turn real, they do all the work, which is nice. Of course, if they take a while to become real, it's a lot more like hard work. And if they refuse altogether – well, I don't have a book. I have to start again with someone more cooperative.
Thanks so much to Gillian for popping over today to share those thoughts with us.
You can read my review of 'The Opposite Of Amber' on Bookersatz now.
You can buy Gillian's books here.
Posted by HelenMWalters at 12:05
5 comments:
- JO said...
This is a great interview - thanks.
- 24 September 2011 at 13:33
- Emma Pass said...
A fantastic interview with a brilliant writer. I really enjoyed it.
- 25 September 2011 at 10:02
- Deborah Carr (Debs) said...
Thanks for the interesting interview. These sound like fascinating books.
- 25 September 2011 at 19:02
- Karen said...
It's so true about walking being good for generating ideas or solving writing problems.
Great interview - I'll definitely be reading The Opposite of Amber :o)
- 26 September 2011 at 19:39
- Suzanne Ross Jones said...
Great post, Helen and Gillian.
- 29 September 2011 at 20:56
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Avatar: Three sequels filmed in New Zealand
- Bang Showbiz
- 16 December 2013
Director James Cameron has announced three 'Avatar' sequels to be shot in New Zealand. The first will be released in 2016
James Cameron will shoot three sequels to sci-fi blockbuster 'Avatar' in New Zealand.
The 'Titanic' director announced the filming plans alongside New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key in Wellington today (16.12.13).
The films, which will be made by Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox, have been welcomed in the country and the first sequel will be released in 2016.
According to Reuters, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said: "The Avatar sequels will provide hundreds of jobs and thousands of hours of work directly in the screen sector as well as jobs right across the economy."
'Avatar', starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, was the highest-grossing film in history and made $2.7 billion worldwide, along with winning three Academy Awards.
Cameron has already revealed he has "an idea for a fourth" movie in the franchise and said the forthcoming motion picture will tell the story of the "early expeditions" on the moon Pandora.
He told MTV News: "Basically it goes back to the early expeditions of Pandora, and kind of what went wrong with the humans and the Na'vi and what that was like to be an explorer and living in that world."
Producer Jon Landau revealed earlier this year that the director and crew will be shooting the second and third film back-to-back, with Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington rumoured to be returning as lovers Neytiri and Jake Sully.
Although Cameron hasn't announced an exact budget for the movies, he expects economies of scale will help the films cost less then $1 billion together.


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When you've had chronic pain for many years whining becomes an art form, a sacred ritual while also becoming a bit repetitive. That's why you have to jazz it a bit by coming up with new ways to whine. Sure, it sounds easy. If you're new to all this you might think all you have to do is be the victim, I mean patient, then spot another victim, also known as the listener and you're all set to go. It's much more complex than that. Let me see if I can sum it up for you. You know I love a list so let's try, shall we?
- Never whine when you're with someone sicker than you are. They don't give a rat's ass and you will find it very unfulfilling.
- Whining is not a contest but if it were, you'd have to find someone without any problems of their own. Good luck with that. You might as well call in the Raiders of the Lost Ark to go on a sacred quest.
- Whining is best with a captive audience.
- That's why it works well with babies, semi-comatose individuals, the deaf, or those who are asleep.
- Don't try this with someone who is only partially asleep because, I know from experience, they will only roll over and say, "Huh? Did you say something?" That's very unfulfilling and could cause you to perform an act of violence.
- It's not considered good etiquette to carry a weapon when you're whining, especially if you're planning on a long session of droning, which might include fit-throwing and physical upheaval. You might get "carried away."
- If you're going to whine effectively, you can't include too much stomping around because it may prove to be counter-productive. It makes you look too healthy; which will defeat the purpose.
- Whining is salesmanship at its most emotional level.
- Remember your goal is to gain sympathy, not put the "audience" to sleep or alienate them.
- You'll know you've gone too far when friends and relatives begin to run and hide when they see you coming.
- Don't forget the props if you're planning a long session of complaining. These would include a large handkerchief or an extra large box of Kleenex; no crying towels because they're too obvious an affectation and give away the "ending."
- Visual effects such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs also give it away too soon, but if you must have them, you must. Crawling on the ground is considered bad form and you also have to worry about getting up again. That can be a bit tricky, especially if you're left alone.
- I have found the best audience for whining is your own pet. Dogs are best because they have fur you can dry your eyes on and will usually lick your face afterwards. Cats, unfortunately fit into that "don't give a rat's ass" category. I love cats but it's usually all about "Me, Me, Me" with them.
- You can whine to a cat but you have to use your happy voice and stroke them constantly while doing it. That gets tiresome when you're already in a bad mood. If you become emotional and stroke a cat too vigorously, they will get even with you. This may involve claws out, your blood being spilled and even more for you to whine about. There could also be a great deal of noise from both you and the cat.
- You are allowed to whine at the doctor's office — but only if you keep it concise and to the point. Otherwise his/her eyes will begin to glaze over and that will affect the doctor's notes, profoundly.
- While you're in a rant at the doctor's office, they will stop looking at you; pull their computer close and type in what an emotionally unstable patient you are.
- They will undoubtedly get out their prescription pad and write you a prescription for Xanax or one of the social anxiety drugs.
- Doctors seldom recommend alcohol as a remedy for the patient who drones on about his or her problems. They may need it themselves when they go home, just to get all the buzz of our droning in their ears to go away.
- Never complain to veterinarians about yourself. Why do you think they chose a medical profession where the patients don't talk in the first place? They may also try to take your temperature rectally, while you are being held down by two vet assistants. You might get a pedicure or should I say "peticure" out of it, but is it really worth it?
- Finally: if you must drone on, whine, and complain incessantly...do it to music. I prefer NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN, sung loudly, while I am alone. Find a song that fits you. You might prefer, I'VE GOTTA BE ME or RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD. You could also make up your own tune and lyrics.
You see? This whining business can get out of hand (and doesn't accomplish much), but seems to squirt out of us anyway. I guess it's part of the human condition. Go with it if you must — but make it short, do it less often, and always leave 'em laughing.
Sue now has a Facebook page — check it out and "like" her now!
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.


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One of PAPTAC's key objectives is to play an active role in the development of the industry's future workforce. This section will feature programs, resources and information providing employers with tools to facilitate the essential need for an effective transfer of acquired knowledge and know-how to the future generations of workers.
Click here to access the Job Posting section
JOIN THE PAPTAC STUDENT COMMUNITY NOW ! Visit and Like the Student Community Facebook Page!
Confronting the Challenges of a Greying Workforce
Tackling the Workforce Renewal Challenge Head-On
Call for Students Posters 2015
|In February 2015, the Student Community will be in charge of organizing the annual PaperWeek Canada-Student Poster Session in Montreal.
PAPTAC Student Community Launches Facebook Page
|In order to facilitate interactions among Canadian students and abroad, PAPTAC is pleased to announce its Students Community now has a page on Facebook. This platform makes a perfect match with the new generation of workers to help promotion and networking. We invite all to ''like'' the page and be part of the group.
Poster Session, 2014: Canvasses of tomorrow
|The intellectual dynamics were seen among the young graduate students at the PAPTAC Conference where they gathered their innovative thoughts during the Poster Session on the 100th Anniversary of PaperWeek in February, 2014, in Montreal.
|In order to respond to the growing need for the renewal of the industry's workforce, PAPTAC took the decision to grant a free membership to students across Canada and internationally since January 2013.
PaperWeek Canada 2014 Career Fair
|Workforce renewal is a growing need and key priority in the forest products industry. A labour market report by the Forest Products Sector Council, indicates that the industry will have to fill as many as 130 000 positions by 2020. Whether it is for mechanics, engineers, researchers, electricians or equipment operators, opportunities are numerous for anyone willing to work in this well-established and evolving sector.
Click here for Future Workforce News Archive


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1x2/1x4 GASKETED WET LOCATION TROFFER
The SECURLUME® LED recessed troffer is designed for damp and wet locations where protection from the elements is paramount. Precision engineered for durability and high efficiency, the unit features a fully gasketed extruded aluminum door that is resistant to moisture, dust and bacteria. Long life replaceable LED light engines with numerous lumen and color temperature options enable a multitude of standard combinations for illumination. Several lenses are available in addition to options such as tamperproof screws and emergency battery pack. The SECURLUME® LED recessed troffer comes is standard sizes of 1x2, 1x4, 2x2 and 2x4.


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Samsung WB150F
The Samsung WB150F is a compact ultrazoom boasting WiFi connectivity, a 24mm wide angle lens and a 3.0-inch LCD.
- Big 18x optical zoom lens
- Manual exposure modes
- In-camera art modes
- Excellent Wi-Fi features
- Noise at ISO 400 and up
- Only 720p video
- More clipped highlights than usual
Quick Take
The Samsung WB150F delivers on its promises of Wi-Fi connectivity. While the sharing features are reliable, other aspects of image quality and camera performance don't keep pace.
Read Our Full Review: Samsung WB150F Review: Share and Share Alike


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November 15th, 2012
Anti-smoking laws spreading in large cities
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that significant strides have been made in enacting anti-smoking laws across the United States, but still areas of the country remain that are largely lacking in protective measures against second-hand smoke.
Back in 2000, only one of America's 50 largest cities had laws that prevented people from smoking in bars, restaurants and private workplaces. In 2012, 30 of them were covered by anti-smoking laws, representing a 60% increase.
Also in 2000, there were no states with statewide anti-smoking policies of this nature. By 2010, there were 26 states.
All in all, almost half of the American population is covered by a state or local smoking prevention law, the report said. But there are still large gaps, especially in the South.
"This gap in policy coverage creates disparities in public health protections that are likely to both reflect and contribute to broader tobacco-related population disparities," the report said.
Research shows that smoking bans really do save lives, contributing to fewer hospital visits and deaths.
Of the 20 largest cities that do not have comprehensive smoking laws (i.e. laws that cover workplaces, restaurants and bars), 10 of them are located in the South.
When just looking at state or local policies that ban all smoking in workplaces, restaurants or bars, there are six major cities that the report identifies as totally uncovered: Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fresno, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
But that's only taking into account truly comprehensive policies, and does not take into account anti-smoking measures in other settings. For instance, several Atlanta suburbs have adopted ordinances banning smoking in parks, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Georgia state law forbids smoking in restaurants and bars if they serve or employ anyone under age 18, auditoriums, indoor workplaces, medical facilities and classrooms.
Ten states that have less than comprehensive statewide smoking laws do not allow local restrictions on smoking to be different from the state law.
This report, however, has several limitations, including that it does not give credit to laws with partial coverage, such as in Atlanta.
Smoking law information is current as of October 2012, but population data is from the 2010 U.S. Census, the report said. Also, it's unclear how these policies are enforced or observed in the real world. There are also settings where secondhand smoke exposure occurs, such as apartment buildings, that do not necessarily fall under city or state policies.
Although some bars and restaurants may designate nonsmoking sections, the report said the "U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that only completely eliminating smoking in indoor settings fully protects nonsmokers" from secondhand smoke.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.


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Yesterday, Friday the 13th, was not unlucky at all! Besides the fact the Dutchies played an incredibly good match, I received some nice presents from 2 great designers.
Swaffette Firefly from SF-Design sent me the SFD Ultimate Lil Black Dress (300 LD). Not only a dress, but a package with many dress options. You can really create your own favourite little black dress with all the prims, skirt and top options. In the picture you see three of the options, but that is really just a start! And, what I found was a nice surprise, a matching purse is included. A package every girl should have in her inventory, especially with all the great upcoming events!
Brealla Tal from Skin Sensations showed me her new skin line. Each skin package (1200 LD) comes with two lip versions, natural lips and sensual lips. And these lips are really sensual! Ever looked in the mirror at yourself after a wild, long, hot, sensational, breathtaking kiss? Well, add your favourite colour to that, and you have the Skin Sensations sensual lips! In the picture you see me with the Amelia Tan Skin Natural Light Red Lips, Heidi Tan Skin Sensation Natural Lips, Amelia Tan Skin Sensual Red Delicious Lips. A perfect match with the black dress. Take a look yourself, demo's are availble for free.
At the Ewing Fashion Agency we think I am not the only one who likes to receive gifts. Members of the Ewing-VIP-guest list have experienced that in the past weeks. A lot of goody bags were sent out by designers. We will extend this even more! We want to introduce to you the EFA – Happy Hour. During the weekends you can expect some nice offers from several designers. If you don't want to miss a thing, simply join the Ewing – VIP Group, search for the group at the search menu and join for free. If you are a designer and want to receive more information about the EFA – Happy Hour or want to place a goody bag, please contact Darcy Earnshaw (firstname.lastname@example.com), she will be glad to give you all the information you want and help you further with the next steps.
Tillie Ariantho, again thanks for taking the picture


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I think it is donzo for GS. They might try to get away with it here but UK…is another story. There is no White House.
Source: Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — Britain's financial regulator launched a full-blown investigation into Goldman Sachs International on Tuesday after U.S. authorities filed civil fraud charges against its parent bank.
The announcement from the Financial Services Authority follows pressure for the probe from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who expressed shock over the weekend at Goldman's "moral bankruptcy."
The British regulator said it would liaise closely with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which alleges that the bank sold risky mortgage-based investments without telling buyers that the securities were crafted in part by a billionaire hedge fund manager who was betting on them to fail.
The London-headquartered Goldman Sachs International, a principal subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., said that "the SEC's charges are completely unfounded in law and fact." It said it looks "forward to cooperating with the FSA."
British interest in the case is likely to focus on the Royal Bank of Scotland, which paid $841 million to Goldman Sachs in 2007 to unwind its position in a fund acquired in the takeover of Dutch Bank ABN Amro, according to the complaint filed in the United States.
The possibility that RBS might be able to recoup some money from Goldman Sachs helped boost the government-controlled bank's shares, which were up 2.8 percent at midday.
The government holds an 84 percent stake in the bank, which nearly collapsed in large part because of its leadership of the consortium which took over the Dutch bank.
Fabrice Tourre, the Goldman Sachs executive named in the SEC lawsuit filed on Friday was moved to the bank's London office at the end of 2008.
Analysts warn that damage from the case could hit other big banks as well, as the Goldman lawsuit puts the spotlight on the sector's activities in the wake of the financial crisis.
Brown's anger was fueled by reports over the weekend that Goldman Sachs still intended to pay out 3.5 billion pounds ($5.4 billion) in bonuses.
The British leader, who is facing a tough general election on May 6, said that the activities of banks "are still an issue."
"They are a risk to the economy," he said. "We have got to make sure they behave in a proper way."
The opposition Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, meanwhile, called on Brown to suspend Goldman from government work until the investigations are completed.
AP reporter Robert Barr in London contributed to this statement.


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Post about your experiences using the Brazilian servers here. How is your ping to it?
Post about your experiences using the Brazilian servers here. How is your ping to it?
iam from brazil and iam getting GREAT ping on brazilian servers 40-55ms iam using Gvt ISP, i think there is bug only with Velox Isp i heard...
~350ms from Uruguay, i get 190-210 on USE.
So the problems i've seen happening are:
- Users of ISP "Velox" and a couple of other random users having bad ping
- Private games created in south america sometimes reboot to lobby even if everyone has succesfully connected
- It takes a long time to find a server sometimes
I also had ping problems and i use "speedy-telefonica" but it doesn't happen since last week.
When you were kicked back to the lobby, did someone take an excessively long time to load?
For the last one, our Brazilian servers have become very popular and they are very busy. We will hopefully be adding more servers soon. Note that matchmaking and coop matches will get priority for servers over players wishing to play single player with bots.
Honestly I can't play in Brazilians servers, the ping increased by 50-60% (200-300ms: Oi Velox). However, for others I've seen 30-45ms.
Just want to add something.. tho idk how to reproduce it, it happened two times ina row, a simple change to useast made it work so it is definetely a issue with the brazillian server.
Last edited by ValeN; 03-18-2012 at 01:29 PM.
brazilian servers are already live ? going to test them
Usually I got 80-90 ms on brazilian servers, but in Dota 2 is 220ms. Right now, my preferred server is USA East with 150ms.


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"Extraordinary. . . . As gripping as any fiction. Dobbs is an impeccable researcher and reporter."
—The Christian Science Monitor
"A book with sobering new information about the world's only superpower nuclear confrontation—as well as contemporary relevance . . . Filled with insights that will change the views of experts and help inform a new generation."
—Richard Holbrooke, The New York Times Book Review
"Riveting and highly informative, One Minute to Midnight portrays the intense human drama of mankind on the brink of an unthinkable war."
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Gripping. . . . A significant contribution to our understanding of that perilous autumn."
—Bloomberg News
"[Dobbs] succeeds brilliantly, marshaling diverse sources to relate an intensely human story of Americans, Russians and Cubans caught up in what the late historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. termed 'the most dangerous moment in human history' . . . [Filled] with memorable characters in extraordinary circumstances and exotic settings . . . One Minute to Midnight evokes novelists like Alan Furst, John le Carré or Graham Greene."
—James G. Hershberg, The Washington Post Book World
"Dobbs writes it up like a thriller."
—The New York Post
"With new info and angles, this hair-raising analysis traces the trail of mishaps and miscalculations that nearly ended life on earth."
—American History Magazine
"One Minute to Midnight is nothing less than a tour de force, a dramatic, nail-biting page-turner that is also an important work of scholarship. Michael Dobbs combines the skills of an experienced investigative journalist, a talented writer and an intelligent historical analyst. His research is stunning. No other history of the Cuban missile crisis matches this achievement."
—Martin Sherwin, coauthor of American Prometheus
"At a time of danger for a nation it is important for political leaders first to think, then to think more and try avoid shooting. This book gives a day by day perspective on how two world leaders, John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev, showed their ability to manage a crisis. Thanks to them, humanity survived and we are able to read this book."
—Sergei Khrushchev
"Is there anything new left to be said about the 1962 missile crisis? As it turns out, there is. This book puts forward the first reports I've seen of Soviet-Cuban plans to wipe out the Guantanamo Naval Base. That an American U-2 strayed over the Soviet Union during the crisis has been known all along, but Dobbs gives us the first full account of what happened. There were so many inadvertent steps and so many miscalculations involved in the crisis that we were lucky to come through it with the world in one piece."
—Wayne Smith, Director of the Cuban Program, Center for International Policy
"Did we need another book on the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? Anyone reading One Minute to Midnight will quickly realize that we did need another—and that this is it. This is unquestionably the most complete and accurate account of the crisis that we have, and will no doubt long remain so. Michael Dobbs has managed to combine the careful and thorough research of a scholar into the ability of an able journalist to bring his findings to life in a dramatic story that illuminates the historical events it examines with lively characterization of the people who made up the cast of the drama. It is first rate great history and a great read!"
—Ambassador Raymond Garthoff, former intelligence analyst and author of Reflections on the Cuban Missile Crisis
"Dobbs's hour-to-hour chronology of those tormenting days when the world stood on the verge of nuclear holocaust is riveting. To enhance his knowledge of these events and installations, he studied the photographs taken during the crisis; Dobbs is the first historian to use these important images."
—Dino Brugioni, author of Eyeball to Eyeball
"Dobbs is a master . . . densely packed, fast-paced, suspenseful."
—Publishers Weekly
"A vivid account of just how close to the brink the world truly came . . . A welcome introduction to that perilous time."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Dobbs presents new and often startling information that again confirms that the 'thirteen days in October' brought the world to the edge of an unprecedented cataclysm."
"First-rate . . . Even those who think they know everything about this event will learn new stories and gain further insight into the thinking of the major participants."
—Library Journal


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Tim Kelly produces WHNT News 19 at 9:00 p.m. three nights a week. He also produces our weekend newscasts.
Tim was born in Chicago, but moved to Huntsville at just two years old. After graduating from Huntsville High School, Tim went on to Auburn University, where he graduated with a degree in Mass Communications in 2008.
Tim loves the Chicago Cubs, which gives him a cynical sense of humor he occasionally parlays into stand-up comedy. He's got a great sense of humor and keeps us laughing constantly.


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Legal advocates for the poor have filed a civil rights complaint with the federal government over the state's move to enforce work requirements for food stamp beneficiaries in most counties, saying the decision has disproportionately impacted minorities in urban areas.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? Legal advocates for the poor have filed a civil rights complaint with the federal government over the state's move to enforce work requirements for food stamp beneficiaries in most counties, saying the decision has disproportionately impacted minorities in urban areas.
Ohio previously had not enforced the federal welfare-to-work requirements. But officials at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reinstated the rules last year in most Ohio counties citing an improved economy.
The state sought a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exempt 16 high-unemployment counties from the work requirements, which the federal agency approved.
The rules require able-bodied adults age 18 to 50 without dependent children to spend at least 20 hours working, job training or volunteering each week to get food stamps. The exempted counties are: Adams, Brown, Clinton, Coshocton, Highland, Huron, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Perry, Pike and Scioto.
But advocates say the decision has had a disparate impact on minorities in the state's urban counties, while mostly white recipients in exempted rural areas have benefited.
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus, the Ohio Poverty Law Center and others filed the administrative complaint Friday with the USDA against Republican Gov. John Kasich's administration.
Statewide, about 1.75 million people get food stamps. About a third are minorities, according to the groups. Most live in urban areas not included in the waiver.
Advocates said in the waiver counties, the food stamp program serves about 94 percent white recipients and nearly 6 percent minority individuals.
"This decision has unfairly made access to nutrition assistance more difficult for many minority Ohioans," the groups' attorney wrote in their compliant.
Angela Terez, a spokeswoman for the state's job and family services department, said Ohio's intent was not to single out any particular group. "Our intent was to help those who needed help."
Ohio has provided resources to counties to help implement employment and training programs for those who need to meet the work requirements, she said.
"Lots of things can count toward this requirement ? even searching for a job can count toward the requirement," Terez said.
Kate McGarvey, an attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, said it's up to the agriculture department to determine whether to investigate the complaint. The agency is not required to hold a hearing.
The groups want the waiver extended to all 88 counties.


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A new report by the Interpress Service news agency details the steady suppression of human freedom by the Hamas regime that rules Gaza.
In the last few weeks a number of journalists have been arrested and accused of being involved in "suspicious activities", several detainees shot dead by police during arrest attempts, and female students asked to abide by a strict Islamic dress code.
"Hamas is on a gradual track of the Islamisation of Gazan society, which goes against their early promises," Dr Samir Awad from Birzeit University near Ramallah tells IPS. "Most people in Gaza, even the most conservative, oppose this. Gazans are already very conservative and they don't need Hamas dictating their religion to them."
Women have borne the brunt of the crackdown. Gaza's Al Aqsa University has announced that female students will be required to wear full traditional Muslim garb, from head to toe. Some female students have expressed outrage, claiming that the new demands are in violation of their public freedom. They say that already female students are modestly dressed but that some prefer wearing pants and a long overcoat rather than a burka, abaya or hijab. In the past, Hamas has banned women from riding on the backs of motorbikes, from smoking water pipes, and men from working in female hair salons – saying such practices were immodest. Not all bans, however, have been imposed uniformly.


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Turkey and Israel are at loggerheads again, and this should come as no surprise.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon recently staged a rebuke of the Turkish ambassador in Tel Aviv over the contents of a Turkish television show. Israel subsequently apologized, but this will go down as yet another milestone in the ongoing tension between Turkey and Israel.
Despite some Israeli and American efforts to paint Turkey's objections to Israeli policies as "anti-Semitic," people in the business of statecraft understand very well where Turkey is coming from.
They recognize that disagreements between Turkey and Israel are likely to continue provided there is no recognizable change in issues such as improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza. They also recognize the complete and immediate freezing of settlements and the overall posture of Israel toward the peace process – if one can still talk about such a process.
I remember vividly the days when the United States criticized Turkey for engaging with Syria at a time when Washington and the Europeans were trying to isolate Syria. Today we see a full reversal of US and European policies; both the US and Europe now recognize that engaging with Syria is the right course of action.
Then, Turkey's views on the Middle East were shunned and disregarded – in my view, primarily due to the inability to make the mental shift about Turkey and its new posture.
The Americans began to revise their position in 2007 and recognized that Turkey is a regional power and no longer the satellite state of the cold-war years. They understood that Turkey needed to be treated accordingly. It took quite a bit of time and effort to facilitate that mental shift, but President Obama's early visit to Turkey was a confirmation of that perception vis-à-vis Turkey.
The Europeans still have a hard time making the mental shift concerning Turkey, which is why our relations remain fragile. Israel appears to be in the same position. They also do not seem to have fully accepted that Turkey has changed and that Turkey's reentry into the Middle East is permanent.
Israel appears to be yearning for the golden 1990s, which were the product of a very specific situation in the region. Those days are over and are unlikely to come back even if the Justice and Development Party (AKP) ends up no longer being in government.
The natural uniting and bonding in Turkey over the Ayalon affair should be an eye-opener for those who believe that all would be dandy if only the AK Party would fall from power. Friends and foes better treat our ambassadors accordingly. Clumsy efforts to humiliate a Turkish ambassador should never be part of Israeli domestic political calculations.
Our regional policy seeks to reintegrate Turkey into its immediate neighborhood, including the Middle East. Turkey is a member of the Group of 20, a current member of the UN Security Council, negotiating with the European Union, and increasingly influential in various regions.
Turkey will continue to advocate a new inclusive order in the region and will seek diplomatic means to further this agenda.
As is confirmed consistently by public-opinion polls, our people and government have great sensitivity to the plight of the Palestinians.
Unless there is visible change addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a more constructive position is adopted in relation to making peace with Syria, it is highly unlikely that the quality of the bilateral relationship with Israel will improve.
The first step in the right direction is to recognize the new regional setting and Turkey's interests in the region. For that to happen, it is necessary to make the necessary mental shift about Turkey.
Suat Kiniklioğlu is deputy chairman of external affairs for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey and a member of the National Assembly.
© 2010 Global Viewpoint Network/ Tribune Media Services. Hosted online by The Christian Science Monitor.
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How The Pentagon's Reaction To Wikileaks Is Like The RIAA's Reaction To Napster
from the and-it'll-work-just-as-well deptEarlier, we wrote about the Pentagon's ridiculous and counterproductive attacks on Wikileaks, noting that it was the exact wrong approach to take. In writing that, I probably should have made the connection to some other, similarly short-sighted "attacks" on something one legacy group felt was a threat, but which actually was probably an opportunity -- and in attacking it, that legacy group only served to (1) draw more attention to it and (2) create even more, harder to work with, clones. I'm talking, of course, about the RIAA and its reaction to Napster.
While I didn't think of it, Raffi Khatchadourian did, and wrote a brilliant blog post for the New Yorker making the comparison (that's why he writes for The New Yorker, and I do not). Khatchadourian is actually responding to the equally ridiculous suggestion from former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen, that the US should use the military to hunt Julian Assange down and bring him to justice and shut down Wikileaks, which Thiessen calls a "criminal syndicate" (say what?!?). Khatchadourian makes the connection:
Thiessen's argument calls to mind the music industry's effort to shut down Napster--a Web site where recorded music could be traded and downloaded without regard to copyright--in the nineteen-nineties, in that it loses sight of the broader technological and cultural revolution that the Internet has brought to the exchange of information. In 2001, after a lengthy legal battle, the Recording Industry Association of America succeeded in forcing Napster offline, only to watch Napster's services move to a number of other Web sites that were structured in a more decentralized way (pdf)--making the piracy of music even more diffuse and difficult to prosecute. Only recently has the industry grudgingly been adapting to file-sharing rather than fruitlessly seeking to eliminate it, and one can now find music executives who even speak of Napster as a lost opportunity for their industry.Indeed. This is the same thing we've pointed out that the RIAA did with Napster -- losing a huge opportunity and instead driving such efforts totally underground. We've also chided the RIAA and others in the past for not recognizing that file sharing was "competition," and responding appropriately -- and it's a good point with Wikileaks and the Pentagon, even if it might not seem obvious at first. Khatchadourian points out that the analogy works when you realize that the "equivalent" to Wikileaks for the Pentagon is the Freedom of Information Act and the Mandatory Declassification Review -- but both are "slow and inconsistent." Wikileaks, on the other hand is much more efficient (just like Napster vs. the RIAA). He then notes how much of the attention Wikileaks has garnered could have been avoided if the Pentagon had actually embraced transparency and more efficiency:
Shutting WikiLeaks down--assuming that this is even possible--would only lead to copycat sites devised by innovators who would make their services even more difficult to curtail. A better approach for the Defense Department might be to consider WikiLeaks a competitor rather than a threat, and to recognize that the spirit of transparency that motivates Assange and his volunteers is shared by a far wider community of people who use the Internet.
It's worth recalling the first WikiLeaks project to garner major international attention: a video, shot from an Apache helicopter in 2007, in Iraq, that documented American soldiers killing up to eighteen people. For years, Reuters sought to obtain that video through FOIA because two of its staff members were among the victims. Had the military released this footage to the wire service, and made whatever minor redactions were necessary to protect its operations, there would never have been a film titled "Collateral Murder"--the name of WikiLeaks's package for the video--because there would have been nothing to leak. Even after Assange had published the footage, and even though the events documented in it had been previously revealed in detail by a Washington Post reporter, the military (at least, as of July) has still not officially released it.In other words, the way to deal with such a competitor is to out innovate them. That certainly sounds familiar.
There's a reason Wikileaks exists, and it's not because it's a criminal syndicate, but because the folks behind it believe that there are serious problems in the way certain types of secrets are used to abuse power. So it represents a more efficient (if blunt) way of solving that. The same is true of the RIAA and Napster (and its descendants). The folks behind file sharing programs felt there were serious problems and inefficiencies with how industry gatekeepers used their gatekeeper role for abuse, rather than in the best interests of the market.
It won't happen (it never does), but Khatchadourian is spot on in noting that the Pentagon really should be recognizing that it's traveling down the same mistaken path as the RIAA, rather than just copying the same types of moves.
Filed Under: competition, pentagon, wikileaks
Companies: napster, riaa


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Over the years, the name of the school has changed and a variety of degrees and programs have been offered but always in a single subject - business. The accomplishments of our alumni demonstrate the broad applicability of the education they received. From that foundation, they have branched out in many directions to use their knowledge and skills to change the world. We are proud of that diversity, in all the ways it can be expressed.
There also are many ways to lead, and one of the most powerful is through inspiration, motivating others to follow by making a difference in their own way. The following 100 individuals have been chosen as representatives of the many different points of impact made by UCLA Anderson alumni. With tens of thousands to choose from, it would be impossible to give anything more than a small sample, but we hope there is inspiration to be found for the next 75 years from the variety of contributions made by a few of the graduates from the first 75 years.


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From the "green carpet" to the clink.
Troubled former teen star Edward Furlong was thrown in jail Tuesday for allegedly violating a restraining order against his estranged wife, just hours after attending the Hollywood premiere of his new film, "The Green Hornet."
Furlong was arrested during a progress hearing Tuesday morning over the 100-yard, three-year restraining order taken out by Rachael Kneeland, People reported.
U.S. & World
The "Terminator 2" star was found to have violated the order last month by coming within 50 yards of Kneeland and was booked on $75,000 bail, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office told news outlets.
The arrest is the latest sad chapter for Furlong since Kneeland filed for divorce in July 2009 after three years of marriage. The pair have a 4-year-old son, Ethan.
Soon after their split, Kneeland accused Furlong in court papers of rampant cocaine and other drug use and of making threats against her life.
Furlong's lawyer denied the allegations at the time.
Kneeland also later asked a judge to drop her restraining order, reportedly saying that Furlong had made progress on his "issues" and was "back on track with his life."
But Furlong was last ordered to stay away from Kneeland in August, when she accused him leaving Mel Gibson-style voice mail and text messages threatening his ex and her new boyfriend.
The night before his arrest, Furlong was "in the best mood" while promoting the "The Green Hornet" at the film's Los Angeles premiere, a friend told People. He plays a drug dealer.
Selected Reading: People, E!, Daily Mail


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Some debate tips for McMahon vs. Murphy
The debate season for Connecticut's U.S. Senate race is fast approaching, with the candidates scheduled to face off next Sunday in a television studio debate.
That will be followed closely by an Oct. 11 debate at the University of Connecticut, then one Oct. 15 at the Garde Arts Center in New London, co-sponsored by The Day.
The debates should be especially interesting since Linda McMahon has run such an aggressive campaign, successfully keeping her Republican candidacy in play in a blue state like Connecticut.
It's only recently that Chris Murphy, getting some sharp counsel from worried Democratic operatives in Washington, has pulled ahead, where he was long expected to be, in the polls.
Still, the debates are going to be a watershed for U.S. Rep. Murphy and his first bid for statewide office. He can't give an inch.
McMahon has proven herself to be an accomplished pro at debating.
After all, it's how she and her husband, Vince McMahon, built a fortune with their wrestling business: projecting contrived and entertaining personas on television.
Indeed, in her debates earlier this year with former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, who eventually got a big thumbs down from Republican primary voters, McMahon successfully played the mild-mannered grandmother, surprised and mildly offended by her opponent's sharp attacks.
It was hard, while watching a subdued and friendly Linda McMahon the candidate, to remember McMahon the actress in televised scenes from the wrestling ring, delivering a kick to the groin of an opponent or dropping to the mat after taking a slap across the face from her own daughter.
McMahon can play any role she wants, and do it well.
If I were Murphy, I would avoid becoming too shrill or harsh. Shays' pointed attacks based on the sordid history of WWE - the drug-addled or dead wrestlers, the company's denial of medical benefits to them - seemed to slide right off a smiling candidate McMahon.
She returned the assault with a wan smile and a little shake of the head, not unlike Ronald Reagan's: "There he goes again."
You have to be careful in attacking grandma, and that's an image of herself McMahon has successfully burnished in the minds of many voters, with her long television advertising blitz.
And yet Murphy needs to correct the record on a lot of fronts.
He needs to sharply deny McMahon's lying attack about how he voted to cut $716 billion from Medicare. In fact, the $716 billion was part of price reductions Medicare providers agreed to make as part of Obamacare.
It's $716 billion in savings, not cuts to recipients, and it's especially egregious that McMahon, who not long ago suggested a sunset on Social Security, would obscure her opponent's position on entitlements since she has long avoided even discussing them, saying they shouldn't be part of a political campaign.
Murphy also needs to keep McMahon leashed to the rest of the national Republican ticket - especially the two very rich white guys at the top who promise to help keep taxes low for wealthy taxpayers like McMahon.
I would doubt that McMahon will go much on the offensive. She clearly prefers to leave the nasty and harsh attacks, the dirty business of swift-boating Murphy, to the people she generously pays to be hostile. Grandma herself is always polite.
Nevertheless, expect McMahon to roll out the centerpiece of her campaign, the attack on Murphy for missing rent and mortgage payments and taking out a home equity loan at a bank that supported his campaign for Congress.
Murphy needs to politely remind voters that the loan, at competitive prices, was for less than most people borrow to buy a car, hardly the grist of scandal. He needs to also explain that McMahon's bankruptcy was the result not of youthful indiscretion but a series of reckless investments in a stunt motorcycle act, a horse farm in Colchester and a cement plant in eastern Connecticut.
The McMahons stiffed creditors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for decades until it finally became expedient to pay them back, as part of a Senate campaign.
McMahon would be wise to stick with her successful debate persona, smile a lot and stay on script.
But then she doesn't need anyone to tell her that. She's very practiced at it.
This is the opinion of David Collins.
Connecticut teen killed, driver charged in Block Island crash
'Brilliant' judge, avid skier and community servant Joseph Koletsky dead at 82
Longtime educator and administrator to lead New London elementary school


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Now showing items 1-1 of 1
PhenX RISING: real world implementation and sharing of PhenX measures.
(BMC Med Genomics, 2014-03-20)
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the PhenX RISING network and the site experiences in the implementation of PhenX measures into ongoing population-based genomic studies. METHODS: Eighty PhenX measures ...


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An alien intelligence gets a hold of a book of Peanuts comics and misinterprets them as a protocol for life. Gradually, the intelligence spreads its misshapen imitations of Snoopy and Charlie Brown across the universe like a cancer, until all of existence resembles Charles Schulz's work filtered through a horrific acid trip. That is the setting of Mastaba Snoopy, a choosable path adventure in which a young Woodsnoopy must navigate the depression-prone landscape filled with nickel-seeking Lucys and the cosmic horror that is Peppermint Patty.
Mastaba Snoopy is probably better experienced than described; more than a game, it's a bizarre exercise in worldbuilding. After learning how this Peanuts-inspired universe came into being, you are cast in the role of Woodsnoopy 799, a half-bird, half-beagle creature set to an impossible task:
Woodsnoopy 45 stares into your open heart. Her yellow head squirms and pukes up feathers.
It makes you uncomfortable when she looks at you. She makes a demand.
Her demands come often and always create uncomfortably simultaneous feelings of resentment and obedience.
That is the territory of the Lucy faction. They are the ones who gather nickels. Woodsnoopy 45 is overstepping her boundaries.
Being a mere Woodsnoopy 799, however, you can do naught but obey.
Society sometimes seems untenable to you. The rigid caste-based hierarchies and roles, the antiquated hostility between the revenant clans - it all creates an unignorable doubt in your undersized jonquil head.
You have a headache and a task: get nickels.
As you click through the text (and occasionally die), you are sent through a bizarre, blasphemous homage to Schulz: the Fiefdom of Pitcher Mounds, a maze of Charlie Browns, a multi-headed Marcy, and more. It's all brain-meltingly odd, but strangely compelling.
Mastaba Snoopy [via MetaFilter]


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Cisco In-Line Services help you offer new services with greater flexibility and simplicity. At the same time, they help ensure efficient traffic flow with a simplified network topology.
Additional Documents:


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Police close SF intersection after manhole blast
Commuters who make their way through parts of San Francisco's South of Market area can expect delays after an underground explosion sent a manhole cover flying into the air.
A Fire Department dispatcher had few details but says crews were on the scene after the cover at 11th and Howard blew into the air a little after 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The dispatcher said Pacific Gas & Electric crews were called out the intersection, but PG&E spokeswoman Jana Morris says the equipment that caused the blast belongs to San Francisco Muni.
A Muni spokesman was checking to see what caused the blast.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident nearby that took place at almost the same time, police say a pedestrian was hit by a car about two blocks away.
That person was taken to a hospital with possibly life-threatening injuries. Police say the two incidents appear to be unrelated.


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Richard Hatch, remember him, the naked winner of the first Survivor. Well apparently he's broke and bitchin' about it in an exclusive Today Show interview with Matt Lauer. After serving jail time for tax evasion charges (he forgot to mention the milli he won on national TV to the IRS), he is serving the rest of his 4-year term @ home, penniless. It's a recession! You ain't the only one struggling.
Saturday Night Sexy: Shay
20 hours ago


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EU Council Quietly Adopts ACTA, By Hiding It In An Agriculture And Fisheries Meeting
from the hoped-we-wouldn't-notice dept
At the end of last week, the Council of the European Union – which is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies – had a meeting. A group of some 40 ministers for agriculture and fisheries signed off on a range of important matters, including:
Total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2012
Actually, there was another item, but from its penultimate position on the agenda it was clearly not really regarded as very important, and was just waved through. Here's how the official press release (pdf) reported it:
Fishing opportunities for 2012 in the Black Sea
Authorisation of four genetically modified varieties
Aid for processed citrus fruit
Welfare of animals during transport
Vaccination against bluetongue
Excess CO2 emissions from new cars
Temporary reception of certain Palestinians
The Council adopted a decision authorising the signing of an anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA) with Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
So, continuing the tradition of denying European citizens any opportunity to offer their views on ACTA, the Council of national ministers employed the shabby trick of pushing the treaty through by adopting it without debate at a meeting whose main business had nothing to do with international trade.
ACTA is aimed at establishing an international framework to improve the enforcement of intellectual property right laws and create improved international standards for actions against large-scale infringements of intellectual property. Negotiations were concluded in November 2010.
Interestingly, this is not the first time European politicians have used this subterfuge. In 2002 the European Commission presented a proposal that would allow software patents in Europe (currently, the European Patent Convention forbids patenting programs for computers "as such").
This saga was still going on in 2005 when the software patent proposal was added to the agenda of a fisheries meeting – just like ACTA. On that occasion, the ploy failed, but the Council Presidency went on to adopt the agreement in violation of the procedural rules. The proposal was then passed to the European Parliament, where it was definitively rejected.
Similarly, ACTA will now be passed to the European Parliament for a vote. Although there have been no indications that it will be thrown out there, the same was true of the software patents session, which was expected to approve the measure. One thing is for sure: there is going to be plenty of lobbying for and against ACTA between now and whenever that final vote takes place.
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