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(Pocket-lint) - Our time with the Range Rover Evoque on the UK launch in Scotland gave us the impression that it is quite a special car. But many cars that impress in isolation lose their shine when subjected to the mundane chores of everyday family life.
This is, without doubt, one of the most exciting cars on the market right now, so it seemed only fair for us to pinch one off Range Rover for a week to see how we got on with it.
Does this posh new SUV cut it in the real world? Is it worth the premium over the Freelander it's based on, or competitors such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X3?
If only we could keep it
The delivery driver parks our coupe (read 3-door), Prestige trim, "Fuji White" Evoque head-to-head with my neighbour's Range Rover Sport, which sets the curtains twitching. Parked together, the larger car dwarfs the Evoque, which is odd as there's not a lot more room inside it.
- Future electric cars: Upcoming battery-powered cars that will be on the roads within the next 5 years
For fun, we decide to conduct a highly unscientific experiment to see if the Evoque has got true Range Rover DNA. Some friends have a toddler who's nearly two. Harry's got quite advanced speech for his age, but has also developed an ability, alarmingly early in life, to recognise various types of car. His current favourite? Range Rovers. But he's not seen an Evoque before.
Sure enough, the minute he opens the door and spies it, he points and shouts excitedly "Range Rover", before jumping inside and doing the same again as the little white Evoque graphic appears on the centre display of the gauges. Brand DNA test, passed.
Keyless entry, and some lighting gimmicks
Working at home during the day means it's night time only use for the Evoque so far – but this gives the car an opportunity to show off all its lighting party tricks.
It comes with keyless entry – you can just tug the door handles to get in so long as the key's in your pocket. But it's worth 'plipping' it with the key as you approach, to see the beautiful and distinctive LED bars in the headlamps illuminate.
Inside you can choose from 5 lighting colours, which bathe the headlining, doors and footwells in oranges, reds or blues. Those of you who think that sounds like a gimmick will be pleased to hear you can also just turn this function off. Nice in the front, poor view from the back
We take our dad to the Football and the motorway trip proceeds mostly with him laughing incredulously at the fact he can watch TV and play with the five on-board cameras while the driver follows the Navigation. This is thanks to the car's clever 8-inch touchscreen which can show the passenger one thing and the driver another.
There are complaints from the back seat though, as my mum who's come along for the ride finds it claustrophobic. She has enough space, but the narrow side window restricts the view out, and she says the chunky front seats block much of the view forward for adults too. Regularly carry people in the back? You'll be needing the optional panoramic roof then.
Good in small spaces?
Surely the typical SUV's toughest test is in the supermarket car park? In white and with that dashing window and roof line, the Evoque's impossible to lose in a sea of me-too boxes, which for those of us who can never remember where we've parked, is handy. And thanks to special adaptive dampers, the ride over speedhumps on the way in and out means those carefully picked over eggs remain unbroken.
But despite being the smallest Range Rover ever, the Evoque still needs care in those seemingly shrinking supermarket parking spaces. Specifically, the chunky doors on our 3-door model make getting in and out when you've driven into the space a real challenge. Back out of the space, and that tiny rear window means you're reliant on the rear camera for reversing. That's fine, until it gets dirty, which it does very easily.
Expect envy
At the petrol station a man in a BMW 3-Series wonders over to ask what the Evoque is like, then the man at the cash register gets highly excited at it being the first one he's had in. This car catches people's attention – but be warned, not all of it's positive – overtaking a Vauxhall Vectra on the ring road we're flipped the bird by the guy behind the wheel. Clearly, for some people, driving an SUV – and a Range Rover at that – will always raise heckles.
A car for all the family
Deadlines are imminent, so rather than leave the Range Rover outside the house for another day, we tell Mrs Pocket-lint to take the Evoque to work. She currently drives an Audi TT, a car Range Rover's marketing people say they expect to attract people out of and in to an Evoque, so we're interested to hear what she thinks.
"I'd definitely have one, but it needs more power. The girls at work love it, but the men now view me as some power-crazed career-ladder-climber. And no one would let me out of side roads."
It all rings true. This 190bhp diesel version seems just about fast enough, but fails to match the blend of speed and economy some of the BMW- and Audi-badged competition offers. That said, fuel consumption, which has averaged 31mpg so far, doesn't seem too bad considering we've driven it quite hard.
We pop out for something to eat, and on the way home amuse ourselves watching TV from the passenger seat - even in a built up area, and at speed, the digital TV picture's crystal clear, and the sound (courtesy of the included wireless headphones) is great - and allows the missus to continue listening to her dreadful pop trash on the stereo at the same time.
Given you can extend this system, as an option, for the rear seats too, it could be the answer to many parents' long-journey-with-kids dreams. And if TVs and headphones aren't enough, you've still got two 12v sockets free in the front, and two USB ports in the centre bin, plus Bluetooth for music and phone calls.
Regardless of the combo of iPhones, iPads, TomToms, BlackBerrys and PSPs you're using and charging up, we reckon the Evoque will have you covered.
Morning glory
A 7 AM flight to Munich means a wake up call that starts at 4 AM. In such scenarios, you need a car that you can operate while you're virtually brain dead, which has a great heater and which is going to get you there quickly but in one piece.
The Evoque passes with flying colours. The heated seats warm up almost instantly and while the user interface is similar to the one we recently slated in the Jaguar XF, it's tons easier to use because the heating and radio controls aren't accessed through the touchscreen and there's a wider range of buttons on the steering wheel - which, by the way, can have a heated option - through which to control things.
It's also on this trip that we discover the Evoque is a surprisingly good drive. At 5am, with nothing on the road, it responds to being driven hard way better than you'd believe when you first see its jacked up ride height and Tonka-toy wheels.
It's quiet on the motorway too and despite our previous assertion that it's not outright fast, it's easy to pile on speed and then maintain it. I get to the airport well before 6am.
A proper off-roader too
On the day that the Evoque goes home, it snows. Driving along a few cars behind the gritter, with snow being blown sideways by a gale so fierce it's uprooting trees, the Evoque is rock solid and gives us a warm, comforting feeling that suddenly makes us realise why people buy SUVs.
When the weather calms down I head-out to take some pictures and decide to see if the Evoque will go up a steep muddy bank, in order to try and get some better shots. I half expect it to struggle with the mud/ice/steepness combo. Instead it sails straight up without the slightest hint of wheel spin or fuss.
It's fair to say the Evoque impresses everyone who sees and rides in it. During our week with it, and the day it gets picked up, there's suddenly a big hole in our lives.
Faults? There's not a massive amount of room in the boot and if you want to carry people (particularly kids) in the back regularly, then buy the five door.
Also, if you're the sensitive type, bear in mind not everyone else on the road is going to like you, and it's not cheap to buy in the first place. But we reckon it is worth the extra over that Freelander it's based on, and the German opposition.
Our advice? Spec a Prestige or Dynamic Evoque with the Lux pack and you get a gadget lover's dream car with that panoramic roof, a 16 speaker stereo that sounds out of this world, a split view touchscreen with navigation and digital TV and a system of surround cameras. That lot will not only keep you entertained for hours, but enhance a car which does that rare - and quite brilliant thing - of making you feel like king of the road day in day out.
In a week and 800 miles of very varied driving, there was nothing we asked this car to do with which it struggled, and at no point did it do anything to annoy us. It sounds like feint praise, but in a way, that's the greatest compliment you can pay a car.
In our view, assuming you have only the need, space, or cash, for one car in your life, there's little else on the road that covers all bases so well. That it will make you feel so special in the process of getting to wherever you're going, and works more seamlessly with more tech than just about any other car we've tried this year, is the icing on the cake. It comes highly recommended.


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- BandSteel Bracelet
- Case MaterialSteel
- ConditionBrand New
- MovementAutomatic
Sinn 104 St Sa I on Steel Bracelet
The 104 St Sa is a classic pilot's watch in the Sinn tradition. The dial is clearly structured, with its three hands providing optimum readability of the time, date and day of the week down to the second. The pilot's bezel with minute ratcheting can be rotated on both sides and is securely attached to the case. It has a luminous triangle as key mark at the 12 o'clock position. The instrument watch has a polished stainless steel case and a crystal made of sapphire crystal which is also used for the transparent back. The transparent back allows the filigree work of the mechanical movement to be admired in all its intricacy. The 104 St Sa is low pressure resistant and can withstand pressures of up to 20 bar. The movement is a top grade Swiss made SW220-1 self-winding mechanism with 26 bearing jewels at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour. It has a seconds stop function for accurate time setting, is hock resistant as per DIN 8308and anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309. The case is made of stainless steel, polished, with sapphire crystal glass to the front with anti-reflective on both sides. It has a transparent case back made of sapphire crystal glass, anti-reflective on the interior. Case back screw-fastened, screw down crown. Water-resistant as per DIN 8310. Pressure-resistant up to 20 bar (= 200 m water depth) and it is low pressure resistant. Comes on brown leather strap, also available on black leather strap with white stitching. Width is 41 mm excluding crown and 45 mm including crown, Lug to lug is 47 mm, Thickness is 12 mm.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ancient Coins of Ephesos, Ionia
Ephesos, on the west coast of Anatolia, was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. It was famous for its Temple of Artemis, completed around 550 B.C., one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The cult image of the Ephesian goddess has a mummy-like body with the feet placed close together, is many-breasted, and from each of her hands hangs a long fillet with tassels at the ends. At her side stands a stag raising its head to the image of the goddess. The usual symbols of this nature-goddess are the torch, stag, and the bee. Coins of Ephesos most frequently depict a bee on the obverse. The high-priest of the temple of Artemis was called the King Bee, while the virgin priestesses were called honey-bees (Melissae). Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia cited in the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of John may have been written there.


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China's Red Cross Tries to Rebuild After Self-Inflicted Disaster
More In Charity
China's Red Cross is scrambling to help rebuild after another disaster – only this time it's their own reputation they need to reconstruct.
The Red Cross Society of China is vowing to restore its sagging image, which has buckled under the weight of allegations of corruption and poor management and an undeniable loss of public confidence. Evidence of how bad things have become: In the first day after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the county of Lushan in Sichuan, the Red Cross received roughly 140,000 yuan ($22,700) in donations, compared to 10 million taken in by martial arts star Jet Li's One Foundation.
One of its senior executives has vowed to resign if there isn't progress.
"The Red Cross still has three to five years of pain ahead," said executive vice president Zhao Baige, according to the People's Daily online (in Chinese). "Only by open, transparent and effective restructuring with public participation can we overcome this crisis."
And just in case you thought she might be kidding, she added this for good measure: "If we do not make progress in putting this 'black cross' (which we have to bear) behind us, I will submit my resignation."
What is it that has laid them so low?
China 's Red Cross, which unlike most Red Cross organizations is closely tied to the government, is still unable to shake the damage from the 2011 scandal linked to a woman known as Guo Meimei. While the woman had no official tie to the Red Cross, she may have traded on a presumed connection through a company called Red Cross Commerce. She famously bragged of her luxurious lifestyle, posting photos of expensive cars and luxury accessories on Sina Weibo, China's most popular Twitter-like microblogging service.
While the Red Cross has denied any connection to Guo Meimei there has still been no full, public accounting of the embarrassing incident. Persistent rumors of ties to a senior Red Cross official have never been fully laid to rest. More recently there have been fresh calls from within the Red Cross for a reopening of a probe.
The Red Cross has also struggled to deal with another public relations disaster – that one following the massive 2008 earthquake in Sichuan where billions of yuan in donations were said to have gone missing. A significant part of those funds were managed by the Red Cross.
The damage to the Red Cross's reputation has come into sharp focus since the Lushan earthquake hit on April 20. While the Red Cross once was widely seen as the relief agency of choice, that is no longer the case, with pedestrians largely ignoring collection boxes (the poor management of which was the subject of yet another scandal in January) and Internet users flooding the organization's microblog feed with thumbs-down icons. More than 1.3 billion yuan ($210 million) has been collected by a host of organizations – but only about half went to the Red Cross, according to the People's Daily online.
The shift in donations away from the state-linked Red Cross toward private groups like the One Foundation presents a potentially serious challenge to the government, which has justified its moves to limit the growth of civic groups by insisting that it is better suited to serving Chinese people in need.
Ms. Zhao tried to put the best face on this, saying she was moved by the fact that despite all the doubts about the organization, many people around the country still trusted the Red Cross with their donations.
Sadly for the Red Cross, the relief organization may need even more time to recover than Sichuan.
-- William Kazer


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Give And Go: Playoff bubble watch
James Harden (center) and the Rockets are clinging to a playoff spot -- as are the Jazz behind Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. (Pat Sullivan/AP)
By Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney
Give And Go is a recurring feature in which The Point Forward's Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney bat an NBA topic du jour back and forth.
This week: assessing the playoff bubbles in both conferences. In the East, the Celtics entered Tuesday's play trailing the Bucks by 1½ games while holding a three-game lead over the Sixers for the No. 8 seed. The Pistons and Raptors loom as longshots. In the West, three teams -- the Jazz, Rockets and Trail Blazers -- are separated by 1½ games as they fight for the final two playoff spots. The Lakers are 3½ games out of eighth.
1. Which current top-eight team is most vulnerable to miss the playoffs?
Ben Golliver: The Celtics would seem to be a popular choice, given the injury-riddled week they just completed. The losses of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo and rookie big man Jared Sullinger were brutal and they conjure up an even more horrifying question: What if someone else goes down? But picking the Celtics to drop requires a push from the Sixers, Pistons or Raptors, and none of those three looks to be a particularly appetizing upset favorite. It's hard to put any faith in Andrew Bynum as the Sixers' savior; the Pistons just sold off Tayshaun Prince and would do well to dump more salaries if possible; and the Raptors boast one of the league's most porous defenses, which isn't particularly helpful when trying to make up 7½ games over the final 10 weeks of the season. I'll take my chances with the Celtics in the East, even if they wind up staggering to the finish line.
That leaves either Houston or Utah in the West. Perhaps I'm allowing recent performance to dictate this answer, but the Jazz seem to be on shakier ground than the Rockets, and not just because of their ugly home blowout loss to Houston last week. They expended more effort than they should have putting away the Blazers at home on Friday; they played a dreadfully flat game on Saturday in a loss in Portland; and then they barely escaped the Kings at home in overtime on Monday, even though Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins was ejected at halftime. Yes, the Jazz went 2-1 in those three games, but nothing about the performances screamed "playoff team." The offense has been choppy, which isn't all that surprising with Mo Williams and Gordon Hayward injured, and the defense is solidly below average (23rd in points allowed per possession).
There's also the possibility that one or both of Utah's two best (and most dependable) players are dealt before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. Take away either Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap and this team's current identity is changed for good. Given this group's limited upside in the playoffs, punting for the future would seem to be an attractive option, even if it would make for a tough few months in the short term.
Rob Mahoney: That's the thing about the Celtics: Injuries (and a road-heavy schedule over the final two months of the season) make their standing precarious, but the competition for their postseason spot just isn't anything like what we're seeing out West. Even with Dallas and Minnesota fading out of contention, that still leaves the 10th-place Lakers within 4½ games of the seventh-place Jazz. The four teams competing for those final two West spots are closer in both ability and record than any of the teams that can challenge Boston, even with Rondo and Sullinger out for the year.
And as Ben noted, that brings us to a toss-up between the Jazz and Rockets, with Utah being slightly more vulnerable. The makeshift point guard rotation of Jamaal Tinsley, Earl Watson and Randy Foye just hasn't been all that kind to the Jazz, and the familiar defensive struggles that come with relying on Jefferson have proved costly. Plus, for a team that's so focused on its big men, you'd think that the Jazz would be a better rebounding team, but Utah ranks 23rd in defensive-rebounding rate.
So to recap: The Jazz are slow on the back line, don't complete defensive possessions and still foul far too often. They're nowhere near the worst defensive team in the league, but their work on that end is suspect enough -- even relative to the Rockets, who are shaky defensively in their own way -- that it could wind up costing the Jazz a postseason berth. This could be a very different conversation if not for Williams' hand injury, but as it stands I don't trust Utah's offense enough to pencil the Jazz into the playoffs just yet.
Pau Gasol has had back-to-back games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. (Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
2. Which team on track to finish in the lottery is most likely to rally and make the playoffs?
Ben Golliver: The Lakers are seen by John Hollinger's playoff odds and Basketball-Reference's forecast as the favorite. Both projections give the Lakers at least a 29 percent chance of reaching the postseason. Hollinger's model has the Trail Blazers at 25 percent and the 76ers at 22.9 percent, while Basketball-Reference puts those two teams at 18.6 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively.
[polldaddy poll=6880985]
Why do the computers like the Lakers? For one, their strength of schedule (based on opponent winning percentage) ranks No. 4 in the league, while the Blazers and Jazz have played the two weakest schedules in the West (Portland ranks No. 20 and Utah ranks No. 26). In addition, the Lakers possess a positive average point differential (plus-1.50) despite their losing record, while Portland (minus-1.7) and Utah (minus-0.8), both above .500, do not. That combination suggests the Lakers can expect an easier ride down the stretch and that they could benefit if the three teams' performances in tight games get closer to evening out.
[Metta World Peace suspended for striking Brandon Knight]
The Lakers' offense, ranked No. 7 in efficiency, has been reliably above average this season despite the twists and turns, and the defense, ranked No. 17, has shown marginal (but critical) improvement over the last three weeks. The Lakers have conceded 100 points or more only three times in the last 12 games and lost only one of those three games. Contrast that with the horrendous six-game losing streak to open 2013, in which they conceded an average of 111.8 points. Yes, it's certainly possible that these numbers are just a reflection of a truly volatile team rather than a veteran group that is finally buckling down. We'll see.
L.A. clearly has the superstar talent and experience cards to play, too. The biggest concern is that Dwight Howard never gets healthy enough to be the player the Lakers need to him to be down the stretch. That uncertainty makes this proposition anything but a slam dunk. Even so, I'll still side with the computers.
Rob Mahoney: What's more: Pau Gasol is showing some signs of life over the last few games, which both bodes well for this stretch without Howard and holds the potential for improvement upon his return. There has been much hand-wringing over whether Gasol and Howard can function as teammates offensively, but the bigger issue has been their complete lack of defensive chemistry. Part of that problem has been Gasol's borderline disinterest, which at the very least could be diagnosed as a heinous lack of focus. Howard was in tune with the team defense but clearly not executing as he's theoretically capable, while Gasol appeared to be on another planet entirely.
In addition to his back-to-back 20-and-10 performances, Gasol is demonstrating the kind of improvement in his defensive awareness that could -- and should -- carry over once the Lakers have Howard in the lineup again. There are no guarantees at this point, but at least Gasol is now meeting an important precondition that could provide for legitimate defensive evolution.
Or the Lakers could stay the Lakers, and Gasol -- who told the Los Angeles Times that he may request a trade in the offseason -- could continue to sulk and distract. The whole situation is a mess, and though the Lakers have the best draw and the most potential among bubble teams, they have given us every reason to doubt their ability to make this kind of rally.
3. Which bubble team should buy at the trade deadline to improve its chances?
Ben Golliver: Whenever trade deadline talk heats up, the Rockets seem to immediately enter the equation. Last year, they attempted to fortify their front line for a playoff push by acquiring Marcus Camby, only to collapse down the stretch and miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Take ownership's willingness to spend, general manager Daryl Morey's eagerness to deal, a not-yet-depleted cache of minor assets (rookie deal players and assembled draft picks) and a fair bit of unused cap space and you've got a good recipe for some type of moving and shaking. Whether it's a minor move to add a rotation piece or a major play such as Josh Smith, the Rockets look to be the clear buyers among the league's mid-tier teams.
[Give And Go: Should the Hawks trade Josh Smith?]
There's some process of elimination at work, too. The Lakers have a monster payroll and limited flexibility. The young Blazers have preached the virtues of long-term flexibility all season. The Jazz's biggest decisions are whether to trade Jefferson and Millsap, moves that would be unlikely to make the team better in the short term.
In the East, there's no point in the Celtics and 76ers -- two banged-up teams -- buying anything meaningful. The Pistons are already in sell-off mode, and Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo has essentially maxed out his salary-cap credit card.
Rob Mahoney: I'm going to skirt the question a bit and say none of the above. I could definitely see the Rockets toying with dozens of potential trade scenarios leading up to the deadline, but the fact that they're able to be this young, this good andthis flexible tells me that they should stand pat for the moment rather than roll the dice. Many of the most tradable assets on the market are going to be available in a few months anyway, and if Morey really has eyes for a pending free agent such as Josh Smith, then it would make the most sense to hold on to his players and picks while playing with the team's cap room this summer. Otherwise, most of those same deals will be on the table in a few months when Houston has a better idea of how it wants to utilize its various resources, and without the risk of upsetting this team's current trajectory or needlessly sacrificing trade chips.
And the rest of the field, as Ben noted, essentially speaks for itself. The two quasi-bubble teams that really interest me from a trade perspective are Minnesota and Dallas, but neither is really competitive enough at present to qualify for this discussion.
[THOMSEN: Potential buyers at the trade deadline]
4. Which bubble team should sell at the trade deadline?
Ben Golliver: If we can generously count the 18-31 Pistons as a "bubble team," then I'll go with them. I gave them an "A" for their salary dump of Prince and Austin Daye, and I'm ready and willing to hand out more compliments if they find a way to unload any of their overpaid, mediocre veterans. Joe Dumars can enter the Executive of the Year discussion in my book if he manages to deal Charlie Villanueva without taking back additional future salary!
All hyperbole aside, the Pistons need to miss the playoffs to keep their first-round pick this year; otherwise, the Bobcats get it as part of the Corey Maggette-for-Ben Gordon deal. They made the right move in dealing Prince to open more minutes for their younger players and create more financial flexibility for this summer. Any further progress in those directions would be icing on the cake. This team is below average on both offense and defense and wouldn't stand a chance if they somehow managed to sneak in as the No. 8 seed and faced the Heat in the first round. There's no incentive to win and plenty of reason to "strategically lose" through concerted player development. Sell, sell, sell, if at all possible.
[polldaddy poll=6879043]
Rob Mahoney: I'm tempted to pick Boston, simply because I see no reason to keep the Celtics' current core together. Rondo's injury might as well have been a death sentence for this Celtics team, and with his ACL rehabilitation and Sullinger's recovery likely to set this team back well into next season, I see far more value in trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett than I do in keeping them.
[Court Vision: Garnett trade rumors floated and denied]
That said, Boston doesn't face an immediate rush to unload pieces at the deadline and may find it easier to deal some of its mid-level contracts this summer. The Jazz, on the other hand, essentially need to make a decision regarding Jefferson and Millsap now if at all possible. A potential playoff spot might be at risk, but that's nothing compared to the sunk cost of letting either big man walk in July as a free agent. Selling, buying, call it whatever you want -- Utah needs to be exploring whatever trade scenarios are available for whichever players it isn't interested in keeping long term.
Brandon Jennings (left) and the Bucks could be a dangerous underdog in the playoffs. (Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
5. Which team seeded from No. 6 to No. 8 has the best chance to win a playoff series?
Ben Golliver: Frankly, I don't like any of their chances. In the West, the Spurs, Thunder and Clippers are all machines, at least when Chris Paul is healthy for Los Angeles. They are well-balanced, veteran-laden and deep, and they are all coming off playoff-series victories last season. The Spurs are virtually the same team as last year, the Thunder have overcome James Harden's departure and the Clippers have fairly convincingly replaced some of their lost size with added perimeter talent. Health permitting, I'm ready to lock all of them in as first-round winners this year, even in a potentially tough No. 3-vs.-No. 6 series against the Nuggets or Warriors.
In the East, the top five teams -- Miami, New York, Indiana, Chicago and Brooklyn -- look solid, with the potential to get even better in some cases (particularly the Pacers and Bulls) thanks to the looming returns of key players from injury. It goes without saying that nobody flips a switch like the Celtics, but they can't be reasonably expected to dethrone the Heat. If the Celtics find a way to avoid Miami in the first round, the trio of Garnett, Pierce and Jason Terry could possibly be capable of some playoff magic.
The Bucks also warrant mention in this discussion. Milwaukee can get after it on defense and it's difficult -- but not totally impossible -- to imagine Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis hitting the right levers on their jump-shooting slot machines to steal a grinding series.
Rob Mahoney: Each of these scenarios would be banking on an unexpected event -- such as a critical injury or some inexplicable hot streak -- because as it stands, none of the bottom-rung playoff teams stand much of a chance. The top of the West is just too good and the bottom of the East just too uninspiring to seriously entertain the possibility, leaving us to ponder longshot odds and matchup quirks that could eventually turn the tide.
So, given that we're already suspending our disbelief, why not pick the Lakers? They're not a very good team, and certainly not good enough to really push the Thunder, Clippers or Spurs. But of all the teams still contending for a playoff spot, the Lakers are the only squad that has a gear unseen. The on-paper estimations of L.A.'s performance weren't totally off base, and there's still some possibility that Howard, Gasol and Steve Nash could all find a larger piece of their former selves in time for the postseason, even if the chances of that happening remain incredibly slim.


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"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
However, what is totally unbelievable is that Moslems behave like two-year olds when insulted. Why is the Moslem knee-jerk reaction to an insult, to go out, riot, burn down churches, and wound and kill people? Can't these people CHILL OUT.
Christians seem to have grown up over the years, and can take an insult without going ballistic. The Monty Python "Life of Brian" movie definitely showed that while many Christians in the UK were insulted by the film, they didn't go out and riot.
And how do we Jews react?
We just smile,


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Ozzy Osbourne has led a life destined for the big screen treatment. He's bitten the head off a bat, attempted to kill his own wife in a drug-induced haze, snorted a line of ants while on tour, and made some of greatest hard rock music the world has ever known or ever will know. Of course, you know most of those details already. Ozzy's life is so legendary, most of us can already recite its gory details by heart. It's practically written in stone at this point. But that isn't stopping Hollywood from trying to surprise audiences with an Ozzy biopic anyway. And, according to the folks at DigitalSpy, the Prince of F'ing Darknss will allegedly be played by Colin Farrell.
A source said: "At least Colin and Ozzy are on the same page when it comes to using four-letter words! Colin drinks, he smokes, he womanises. He's just a sleeve tattoo away from being a real rock star."
That source is bit behind on his Farrell history. Farrell has been sober for quite some time now. In fact, the rowdy Irishman credits sobriety with his recent career rebirth, featuring acclaimed performances in "Crazy Heart" and "In Bruges." Like Osbourne, Farrell would like to think he's craziest days are behind him. That kind of life experience could serve Farrell well as he attempts to play Ozzy in all his vodka-soaked glory.
Maybe you think Farrell playing Ozzy is a terrible idea, especially given that Johnny Depp was once reportedly in the mix for the role. And to that I say: Take time to remember that virtually all acclaimed musical biopics begin with a seemingly odd casting decision. Gary Busey as Buddy Holly? Really? And Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles? Trust me, it sounded stupid at the time. It's hard to picture ANYONE playing Ozzy because we all now know him so well. He's been a reality TV star. He's been in movies and ads. Ozzy is such a public presence that it seems inconceivable someone else could occupy the same persona.
But that's what actors are paid to do, and Farrell is a decidedly talented one. Watch "In Bruges" if you don't believe me. He'll do fine as Ozzy if all this comes to pass, especially since this Ozzy movie will almost certainly focus on Ozzy's early career, and not his MTV megastar days. Farrell is 34. Ozzy is 61. They're not gonna make up Farrell like old, trembling Ozzy. They're gonna make him the young, Sabbath-leading, ant snorting hero of legend. Crazy, but that's how it goes.


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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams and Charlie Johnson say they never saw the kind of impropriety detailed in a Sports Illustrated report about alleged corruption at Oklahoma State.
The report charges that Oklahoma State players were paid while playing at school. It also quotes one player saying that Williams was among those players that had course work done for them to keep them eligible.
Williams brushed off the report. He says he wished he had been paid. He says he wishes "they could pay all the college players. But I don't know where they're getting their information from. I didn't."
Johnson says he never saw money being handled or passed from boosters to players. He says "I never participated in anything like that."
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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I need a plot with $\Gamma^<$ as axeslabel using:
AxesLabel -> { $\Gamma^<$}
But I get an error.
AxesLabel -> { $\Gamma^{a<b}$} works though.
I think I've to tell mathematica that $\Gamma^<$ is not a mathematical expression or something in that direction.
Is there some solution for this problem? Thanks


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Indo Western
There are no products matching the selection.
Shop for trendy indo-western clothing online
If you love to flaunt your fashion, then you will love a seamless blend of east and west. This is where indo-western clothing can be a charming idea to women who don't want to step too far into western clothes and would like to keep a few Indo-western fusion dresses in their wardrobes. Recently, indo-western outfits have been trending in the fashion industry. This is mostly because it offers a blend of contrasting ideas, which comes from two different styles, and makes it appealing to a huge fan base of indo-western fashion. Ethnic fusion outfits can offer comfort and they are quite versatile because they can be styled in many ways. Indo western dresses online have garnered a positive reaction and quite a large customer fan base. So, if you want fusion wear outfits that are a great blend of tradition and modern elements, and would love to make a lasting impression then you can check out online stores like Inddus that have the latest trends and affordable Indo western dresses online.
Choose your favourite indo-western style statement today
The charm and appeal in fusion wear are based entirely on how you style it. This is because most Indo-western outfits are top and bottom pieces that you have to wear, and styling it properly is what you will have to focus on. Here are some essential styling tips you can use when styling your Indo-western dresses.
Every Indian woman must have at least five kurta pieces in their wardrobe. This beloved garment is quite popular because it can be styled for any occasion. So, when it comes to indo western outfits you will need bright and colorful kurtas that will be perfect for festive occasions. If you have a wedding to go to, then choose kurtas that have colors that will bend in.
For instance, a great hemline like a tulip kurta can be worn without bottoms to social events and casual dinners, provided that the hem is long enough. If you have block colored kurtas then you can pair them with some palazzo pants or cigarette pants for daily wear.
Palazzo pants are versatile and fun:
When you set your eyes on a comfortable pair of palazzo pants, the whole world becomes your runway. They can be paired with Indian and Western tops, which is why it's a perfect Indo-western outfit. It's well suited for the warmer months and you can wear it for any occasion, it all depends on how you style it.
Crop tops for the win
Nothing says Indo-western style better than a crop top! They can be paired with a lehenga skirt, palazzos, or dhoti pants and create a great fusion look. It's the easiest and most fashionable way to take on the Indo-western ethnic look without putting in too much effort.
Latest trends in Indo-western fashion:
When it comes to Indo-western wear outfits it is quite simple to style, by being innovative you can create a trend that works best for you. Here are some of the latest trends that are working great for Indo-western dresses online.
Maxi skirts
You can elevate your Indo-western outfit by adding some grace and elegance to it, and this can be done by choosing a maxi skirt. The length and fare of the skirt are perfect for formal and festive occasions and they can be paired with crop tops or kurtas and finished with a stylish dupatta draping.
Pairing stylish bottoms
When it comes to Indian fusion dresses, you can pair stylish bottoms with a simple top and still look pretty trendy. Go for something classy like a pair of dhotis, elegant jodhpuris, or even churidars with bold hues.
Experimenting with color
Many women tend to play it safe with pastel colors, but experimenting with bold shades or a combination of bold shades will score you a couple of brownie points. Go for contrasting shades that complement each other or go for bright colors that most women shy away from.
Gowns and dresses with Desi ruffles
Ruffles were quite the trend in vintage Bollywood fashion, and gradually they did go out of style. But now they are back with a bang! Ruffles are the perfect desi edition for many western outfits, especially large gowns that enhance the beauty of the dress. If you don't want to go the ethnic route and still want to have some Indian elements in your outfit then you can go for a ruffled gown to the next grand party.
Dress up according to the season
If you want to look stylish and feel comfortable in your Indo-western clothing then you must keep the time of year in mind. You may have faced many indecisive moments wherein the thought of a heat stroke has made you put your favorite outfit back into the closet.
So, when shopping for Indo-western dress for women you need to keep the weather in mind. For instance, if the occasion is held outdoors and the weather is hot and humid then you can go for light fabrics and brighter colors. Go for clothes that are comfortable and can be worn during the heat. Similarly, if the occasion is held during colder months then go for heavier fabrics that have darker colors.
Experiment and find your style
Indo-western fashion is the epitome of experimenting with style and tradition, the vintage and modern elements blend seamlessly and create looks that are comfortable and trendy. Don't back down from experimenting and trying out new styles with fusion clothing. Everyone is creative and has a unique sense of style. So, if you find a style that works for you and looks good although no one else has tried it, then go for it and flaunt it with confidence.
There is a certain charm and appeal that comes with Indo-western clothing, and it has attracted the indian community all over the globe especially in locations like the USA, UK, and so on. You can shop for the latest Indo-western outfits at Inddus. Our online store will offer you a variety of options to choose from and go on a shopping spree complete with great offers and discounts!


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How to Make Toffee With Maple Syrup, Snow and Your Kids
Ever wonder how that maple syrup got to your breakfast table?
Do your kids love sweet treats?
Does your family like music, dancing, good food and great company?
Wherever you live, you can have a sugar shack adventure and bring the traditions of the sugaring off season to your table.
Sugaring off, which usually happens in March, is the time of year when sugar maple trees are tapped for their slightly sweet sap. This sap is then boiled down and transformed into maple syrup. This is the good stuff—none of that corn syrup and water!
And in maple country, it's much more than that. In this article I'll show you how to bring to life the best of the sugaring off season, whether you live in Quebec (where 75% of the world's maple syrup is produced) or amid palm trees in southern California or anywhere in between!
Why Have a Sugar Shack Adventure?
A sugar shack adventure, commonly known as sugaring off, is a wonderful way to say goodbye to the last days of winter and watch as the world starts gearing up for spring. Sugaring off season is the perfect time to take a walk with your family through the forest and discover various natural processes in the world around us.
It's also a great time to discuss the seasons with your kids and share with them all of the gifts that nature has to offer. Maple syrup is one of those gifts—a natural, pure and unprocessed substitute for sugar.
In sugar maple country, this is also a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate.
A party to celebrate and enjoy sugar? How cool is that?


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With its distinct hexagonal shape and embossed detailing, Monte Carlo makes an impressive tabletop statement. Available in classic white and charming Ivory, Monte Carlo gives you the freedom to be as sophisticated or as simple as you wish. All pieces are dishwasher, oven, microwave safe and have a lifetime edge chip warranty.
Hugh Jordan & Co has been one of Ireland's largest independent catering suppliers since 1947, specialising in everything from Crockery, Cutlery, Glassware, Barware, Kitchenware, Hospitality, Dining Room, Disposables, Food Packaging, Equipment, Hygiene and Furniture.


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Earlier today, I spoke to NPR's Diane Rehm about jellies and the impact that jellyfish population increases and expansion of some species' geographic ranges are having on the health of our oceans.
Jellyfish first appeared around 560 million years ago (long before the time of dinosaurs). They're 95 percent water, have no brains and no bones and no heart or blood, yet these gelatinous animals are among the worlds' most resilient organisms.
The jellies simple body plan has remained relatively unchanged. But lately some scientists are concerned the animals are thriving too well – overrunning marine ecosystems, forcing nuclear power plants to shut down and filling the nets of commercial fisherman and shutting down fisheries around the world.
There are both ecological human-related issues causing an "explosion" of jellyfish populations around the world.
- Over the years, climate change has raised the average temperature of the ocean. While this rise has negatively impacted organisms like coral, warm season jellies start breeding earlier and have longer active seasons.
- Human activities, such as the over-fertilization of our lawns and farms, results in a runoff of excesses of nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay and ocean. This results in what's known as an algal bloom. When the algae absorbs all of this nutrient run-off, it dies. Bacteria then feeds on the dead algae and removes all dissolved oxygen from the water – this process is called eutrophication and produces "dead zones." Fish and crabs perish in these dead zones, but not the resilient jelly. Jellyfish can survive with low oxygen levels!
- Jellyfish are opportunistic feeders. When food, like zooplankton, is abundant, they will grow rapidly and reproduce at a rapid rate. Excessively large jellyfish populations can out compete young fishes that also feed on zooplankton.
- Some scientists speculate that the reproduction of jellyfish predators may also be giving jelly populations a boost. For example, all seven species of sea turtle will opportunistically feed on jellyfish when they are encountered. The largest species of sea turtle, the leatherback, feeds almost exclusively on jellies. Pacific populations of leatherbacks are currently at about 7 percent of their historic population levels. Human activities are the cause of sea turtle population declines. Overfishing has reduced fish populations that also feed on jellies.
To listen the full "Environmental Outlook" segment on Diane Rehm's show, click here.


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Red Panda 5" x 7" Print (13cm x 18cm)
Have a question?
Print Quality:
Sizes and Mounting:
Print size: 5"" x 7""
Paper size: 5.8"" x 8.3""
Special Offer:
Packaging and Delivery:
We deliver to mainland UK and Ireland - Delivery is by 1st class post @ £1.45 each and normally arrives within a couple of working days.
About Laura's Work
With one of these prints, you'll instantly be transported to a simpler, more natural place. That's because Laura's work is inspired by the sights and sounds she experienced growing up on a farm in the Yorkshire Dales.
Her goal is to take all of the textures and colors that she sees Mother Nature create on a daily basis and make them last forever. She is completely captivated by the thought of turning plain white paper into something vibrant and emotional.
Whether you're looking for a soothing print that you can hang over your bed or a striking piece that you can hang over your dining room table, Laura's work will instantly make your walls come alive.
Laura approaches every piece with the same goal -- to use the beauty of nature to make a lasting impact. Her unique, expressive brushstrokes will give you a brand new way to view Mother Nature's treasures.
It's like seeing what the world has to offer for the very first time!
Let customers speak for usfrom 188 reviews
Beautiful pictures with a practical layout!
Love this little print . Beautiful colours. Looks fab in a white frame.
Love all the pics, though would have liked a lot more at least double lol, maybe do a two year calendar,, okay I will just have to buy next years as well x
A beautiful calendar. My friends will love it.
Lovely pictures and a good size for each day to put activities in
It's gorgeous, I might have to frame some months after they have ended!
Smoochy Foxes Card
Brought for my sister ad she is a huge fan and she was absolutely delighted with it. Thank you so so much!
I purchased the badger print and had received it just 2 days after I ordered it.
The print quality is of very high standard which makes the colour pop!
It's going to look gorgeous when I hang it up on a wall :)
Highly recommend Laura Spade and I will be purchasing again in future.
Again I'm not disappointed with this lovely picture.
Bought as part of a collection of 3.
I'm now choosing my next collection of 3.
My walls and shelves filled with Laura Slade art.
A wonderful picture. It look is superb on my windowsill, where it's always in my eyeline.
Just v cute
I loved the colours and feel of this painting so much, I ordered a larger version to have centre stage along with a stunning fox I already had.
Super pleased with the result.
I bought all the ones I did for the colours as much as the painting. This kingfisher is perfect in both respects for where it'll go in my room, lovely.
Absolutely beautiful, such an unusual colour combination but perfect for the gift I wanted - and another for me as I couldn't resist
Having watched the little wren in my garden I think this wren captures its personality as it quickly flits from one branch to another. Seeing it as a print as opposed to on my screen was not disappointing. A beautiful picture. Thank you.
These arrived really quickly and I was really pleased with them and they are perfect for our China wedding anniversary ❤
Love my little picture of a puffin, he looks great framed and hung on the wall x
Laura really captures the beauty of these animals and their cheeky side - this is a stunning card on really good paper.
I love foxes and Laura's drawings really bring out their beauty - Lovely card on really nice paper - stunning and excellent value
Lovely card on really nice paper - stunning and excellent value
Lovely card on really nice paper - stunning and excellent value
I bought two of these for my mum and mother in law for Mother's Day.
They both loved them, beautiful painting on great quality paper.
Thank you so much, I'll definitely be buying from you again and will be recommending you to my friends.
Got this for my mom for mother's day as I knew she was a massive fan of Laura's art. The quality of the card was great and the colours are beautiful - way better than how it looks on screen. Mom loved it. Would definitely recommend!
I ordered the Bronte mug for my daughter from her cats for Mother's Day. It is absolutely gorgeous and arrived within days in perfect condition. I'd really recommend this lovely item.
Thank you so much Laura! The image looks beautiful, artistically, daintily and naturally .... A gift for my daughter, has the same kind of parrot at home ...She will be thrilled definitely!
I love the smooching foxes! A lovely high quality print! So pleased with them! Will be ordering more soon!
I'm thrilled with this print! Fantastic art work and quality! Far too tempted to buy more! Well done Laura!
This is such a gorgeous print! I treated myself to two other prints at the same time. They are all great quality and arrived faster than expected! I'm going to create a wall of animal art/pictures so this will fit in perfectly!
The print is beautiful of a beautiful subject...love Laura's work
Bought 2 of these lovely mugs One for me and one for my daughter . Both delighted.
Perfect valentine's card, the beauty of the prints is just as lovely captured in smaller form :)
My Mum is going to love this pressie!
Beautiful pictures and excellent delivery time. I purchased the pair as a special offer and very glad I did. My 4 year old and 1 year old fell in love with them so now they are framed and on their bedroom wall instead of my kitchen. Thank you very much for these two perfect pictures.
Smoochy Foxes 5" x 7" Print (13cm x 18cm)
I love every piece and hang them on the wall of my student room. They make me smile everyday and I've even begun styling my room around the amazing colours in each piece. I've bought 9 now and am so happy with each different print. Thank you so much for brightening every day with your art work!


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Today, I am gonna show you how to create a very useful menu panel. Take a look at the demo of that first.
Well, this type of menu turns out to be very useful if you have a lot of links but you can't show them in a drop down menu which may get very long. Other than that, it can also be used to allow quick form submissions or showing some piece of text. Basically, it is a div you can put just about anything in it. Let's move on to creating this menu panel.
First of all, we create links which when hovered will show the associated panel.

Link One

Link Two

Link Three

I will be using links' rel attribute to refer to corresponding div element which is actually our panel element. Here is the html markup for our panel:

As can be seen, this panel has id panel_1 which is the same as rel value of the link shown above. That is how other two panels should be constructed.
First of all, we make sure that our menu is centered on the screen, so this is how we center the container div:
#container { margin:0px auto; width:350px; }
We make sure that there are no bullets there on the lists:
ul#menu { list-style:none; }
By default, list items are placed vertically because they are block-level elements, so we make them inline using this CSS so that they appear side by side with one pixel gap:
ul#menu li { display:inline; background:#0099CC; float:left; margin-right:1px; }
Then we make menu links as block-level elements because only after that we will be able to apply a width to them:
ul#menu li a { color:#ffffff; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; display:block; width:100px; text-align:center; padding:5px; }
Here is the CSS for any panel containing text. We will need to apply class text to any panel containing only text.
.text { width:300px; text-align:justify; background:#333333; color:#CCCCCC; padding:15px; }
Here is the CSS for any other panel:
div.left { width:130px; } div.left ul { list-style:none; margin-left:0px; padding:15px; background:#333333; color:#FFFFFF; }
So for panels containing text, we will be using class text and for rest of the panels we will be using class left.
First of all we create a global variable which will be equalized to opened panel later, so that we could use that variable later to operate on that opened panel like closing it.

Now as mostly what we do, we use JQuery's ready method to run our code. Our code will be run as soon as DOM becomes ready:

First of all we hide all panels using hide() method:
// hide all panels first $('div[id*="panel"]').hide();
What it means is that hide all divs that have text panel anywhere in their id values. The *= means find given text anywhere in the provided attribute value.
To be able to actully position the panels right after the hovered links, we need to make them absolute positioned (I assume you have good understanding of CSS):
// make the panels absolute positioned $('div[id*="panel"]').css('position', 'absolute');
Now we write the code for menu links which will be run when they are hovered upon using hover event:
$('#menu a').hover(function(){ // code here });
First we hide if there is a panel already open and get hovered link's rel attribute value and store that in variable link_rel. We can get the attribute value using attr() method.
// hide previously opened panel $(opened_one).hide(); var link_rel = $(this).attr('rel');
Now we get the position of the hovered link (menu item) using offset() method and use that information to position the panels right after them using css() method of JQuery:
//get the position of the hovered element var pos = $(this).offset(); // get the panel near by hovered element now $('div#' + link_rel).css({ 'left': pos.left + 'px', 'top': (pos.top + $(this).height() + 10) + 'px', 'zIndex': '5000' });
As can be seen, we set the top of panel equal to that of hovered link plus its height plus 10 which we need because we have assigned in CSS with 5 pixels of padding. As per CSS box model, we need to calculate paddings for two sides thus equaling to 10. We also set the z-index of current panel to a larger value so that it appears over any other opened panel although possibility of this is less but we still want to make sure that it makes sense.
Then we show the corresponding panel using fadeIn() animation and once that it is opened/shown, we set the variable opened_one to this panel so that we could hide it later if another panel is to be opened.
// finaly show the relevant hidden panel $('div#' + link_rel).fadeIn('slow'); // this is currently opened opened_one = $('div#' + link_rel);
We want to hide the panel if the mouse moves away from its area using fadeOut():
// hide it back when mouse arrow moves away $('div#' + link_rel).hover(function(){}, function(){ $(this).fadeOut('slow'); });
That's all there is to it. Of couse explaining it takes more time and a lot of theory but if you think about it and practice, it should not be that hard to create this very useful menu panel using JQuery.


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Miss Pennsylvania USA quits, claims pageant rigged
Sheena Monnin is from Cranberry Township
Miss Pennsylvania USA Sheena Monnin has given up her crown and claims last weekend's Miss USA contest was rigged -- but organizers deny it and say that's not the beauty queen's real reason for quitting.
"I think it (her credibility) speaks for itself," her father, Philip, told Channel 4 Action News at his Cranberry Township home. "Sheena will make a statement when she is ready."
On Friday morning, Monnin told NBC's "Today" that she stands by her claim that a fellow contestant told her she saw a list of finalists hours before the pageant. She said there are "myriad" reasons she stepped down, but the list of finalists was her primary motivation.
"I feel prepared to continue to pursue the truth," Monnin said. "I know what I heard, and I know what I in turn witnessed come true, based on what the contestant heard, so I'm prepared to continue to march forward. And what I really want out of this is for the truth to be known."
Later on Friday, the Miss Universe Organization said it has filed an arbitration action. Pageant officials also released a statement from Miss Florida USA, who denies the claims made by Monnin.
Miss Universe officials say Monnin actually resigned because organizers decided to admit transgender contestants.
A posting on Monnin's Facebook page claims another contestant learned the names of the top 5 finishers on Sunday morning -- hours before the show was broadcast.
Monnin claims the other contestant told her the names of the top 5 she spotted on a planning sheet for the telecast -- and she decided to step down as soon as those same contestants were named during the show.
"In my heart I believe in honesty, fair play, a fair opportunity, and high moral integrity, none of which in my opinion are part of this pageant system any longer," Monnin wrote in one of her Facebook posts.
Donald Trump, who runs the Miss Universe Organization, called Monnin's claims "totally ridiculous" on ABC's "Good Morning America" and said the pageant organization plans to sue Monnin for making what he calls "a false charge."
According to a statement from the Miss Universe Organization, the contestant who Monnin claimed saw the sheet vehemently refuted Monnin's account.
"I think her primary issue is that she lost and she's angry about losing. And frankly, in my opinion, I saw her barely a second and she didn't deserve to be in the top 15," Trump told GMA.
Elena LaQuatra told Channel 4 Action News reporter Keith Jones that Monnin is "a very, very nice girl. She's a little bit quiet, a little bit shy. This final year that she won Miss Pennsylvania after competing 10 years, it seemed like she finally broke out of her shell -- a little more energetic and fun on stage. She's a very sweet girl."
LaQuatra, a former Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA, knows about the ups and downs of pageant competition.
"When you don't win, it's disheartening and you become sad, and you might not really want to reign the rest of your year because it's hard to not have the national title after working so hard," said LaQuatra. "Part of me thinks that's what it is, but then another part says she competed for 10 years and didn't give it up, so maybe there's something else going on."
Stephanie Verona, who was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA in 1995, told Channel 4 Action News' Marcie Cipriani she didn't have anything negative to say about her experience.
"I never saw anything that I thought was not completely legit," she said. "In fact, after my reign, I judged many of the state pageants for many years -- the Miss Teen and the Miss Pennsylvania -- and no one ever tried to persuade my vote."
Verona said she believes Monnin must feel strongly about the issue to give up her crown.
"I think she really believes what she's saying. I think she just got some bad information," Verona said.


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Melodic & Acidic Goa-trance is more alive than ever before! Last year we received such a high amount of quality tracks that we decided to release a new compilation with the best goa-trance!
Lame 3.98 -V0 encoded MP3's: Super high quality!
Loseless FLAC format
© 2004-2020 Suntrip Records - All rights reserved


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The Guild Literary Complex has a schedule thick with poets again in 2009. Here is how they describe their Palabra Pura series of poetry readings:
Palabra Pura promotes literary expression in more than one tongue through a monthly bilingual poetry reading featuring Chicano and Latino artists. With an aim to foster dialogue through literature in Chicago and beyond, each evening pairs a local poet with a visiting writer along with an open mic to engage the interaction of diverse voices, ideas, and aesthetics. The readings are held the third Wednesday of every month (except August and December) throughout 2009.
Palabra Pura se enfoca en la expresion literaria en varios idiomas a traves de una serie de lecturas mensuales bilingues con artistas Chicanos y Latinos. Nuestra meta es promover el dialogo a traves de la literatura en Chicago y mas alla. Con este fin, cado lectura combina un poeta local con uno invitado, ademas de un open mic para cultivar la interaccion de voces, ideas esteticas diversas. Las lecturas se ofrecen el tercer miercoles de cada mes (con excepcion de agosto y diciembre).
Visit their website for the full description.
See the Guild's website for the full schedule. The site has detailed information for each event as well as links to partner organizations. For instance, on April 3rd (2009), one of the readers is Raul Zurita:
Raul Zurita was born in Santiago, Chile in 1951. He started out studying mathematics before turning to poetry. His early work is a ferocious response to Augusto Pinochet's 1973 military coup. Like many other Chileans, Zurita was arrested and tortured. When he was released, he helped to form a radical artistic group CADA, and he became renowned for his provocative and intensely physical public performances.
Visit their website for the full announcement.
"It is our goal to appreciate and improve our talents, to share our own work and to communicate the joys of poetry with others. Everyone's poetry is valued."River Junction Poets Mission Statement


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This site can ONLY be accessed by legal adults (over 18 or 21). This site MUST NOT be viewed by minors!
All models are 18 years old or older. USC title 18, #2257
Proof on the file with custodian of records
Customer Support
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PARENTS! Restrict access to this site. Click a links below to find out how.
Cyber Patrol | Surf Watch | Net Nanny | RSAC Rated


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As capitalist-owned enterprises lay off workers and cut wages, the worker-owned store John Lewis – consistently voted one of the best for customer service by consumers – pays out a 13% bonus to staff. Why? Because they own the business – they won't be asking themselves to take a pay cut!
I'm not saying that John Lewis is some kind of paradise in a sea of exploitation – it isn't, but clearly, workers owning the enterprises in which they work is no impediment to building successful businesses (sales are up!) and responding to consumer demand (Waitrose are brining out a budget range, for example) whilst at the same time "sharing the proceeds of growth", to coin a phrase.*
From Wednesday's Guardian:
The annual bonus paid to John Lewis's 70,000 staff has shrunk by almost a third after profits at the partnership were hit by the recession.
But staff still cheered the news that they will receive a bonus of nearly seven weeks' pay, down from 10 weeks' pay a year ago.
Because John Lewis is owned by its staff, every one of them – from the boardroom to the shop floor – receives the same percentage payout. This year it is equal to 13% of basic salary for staff at the Waitrose supermarket chain and John Lewis department stores.
At the John Lewis store on Oxford Street this morning, more than 1,000 shop staff hung over the balconies to learn what their annual bonus would be.
In the well of the atrium, Noel Saunders, managing director of the store, worked the crowd like a game show host, hinting the highest partners could expect was a 12% payout.
At 9.28am, as partners counted down from 10, his assistant Paul Thomas – who has worked in the floor coverings department for 20 years and was selected for scoring excellent results from mystery shoppers – fumbled with the envelope before pulling out a giant card bearing the figure 13%.
As customers peered through the doors, partners erupted, celebrating the bonus payment after a tough year on the shop floor.
The total bonus payout for 2008 is £125.5m, down from £180m for 2007.
"The key difference is this is a genuine bonus based on profit-sharing," said Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis. "The word 'bonus' has become discredited in the economy, but for us it is something to celebrate. Our partners have worked harder than ever to achieve these results."
The feel-good atmosphere pervaded all six floors with no grumbles from partners that the bonus fell short of last year's bumper payout.
"Last year, 20% was a fantastic result, but in the current climate we are really happy to get a bonus as we see people around us losing their jobs," said Charlotte Deane, who will use her bonus to catch up with her sister, who is travelling in California. "However much it is, it is a bonus, not a benefit, and I feel lucky to get it."
Most staff canvassed expect to use the extra cash on a holiday. Indira Vakeria said she was planning a trip to India to visit her parents. "We are really pleased with 13%," she said.
The company reported that its profits fell by 26% in 2008 to £279.6m. Chairman Charlie Mayfield warned that 2009 would be "another very difficult trading year".
"Trading conditions worsened markedly during the year as the problems in the financial sector reduced consumer confidence to a low level," he said.
The partnership conceded it would no longer be able to hit its target of opening 10 stores in 10 years. It has already opened four, including branches in Liverpool and Cambridge, but beyond its new Cardiff store this autumn, and a shop at the Olympic site in Stratford slated for 2011, it said its aggressive growth plan would be "delayed".
The company said it remained optimistic that two stores across the Irish Sea, one in Lisburn in Northern Ireland and one in Dublin, would open as planned but warned that other projects, including stores in Crawley and Portsmouth, might be held up. Retail schemes around the country are being mothballed as property developers grapple with funding shortfalls and collapsing asset values. Mayfield said the retailer was "working actively with developers to maintain our rate of growth" and remained committed to the expansion plan.
It is just over a year since John Lewis first admitted that its sales were being hit by the high street downturn. By the autumn, when the UK economy was contracting, the company was reporting double-digit falls in weekly sales.
* Please, don't misunderstand me, I doubt that the Tories – expected to win the next UK election – will fulfill their promise of "sharing the proceeds" by forcing Tesco to become a cooperative. This is something the unions need to take up with New Labour, though…


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Why our cultural stories matter
by Shaun Chamberlin on December 13th, 2008
"A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have often written on the topic of cultural stories, but I am told I have never explicitly addressed on this blog why I feel they are so critically important in our struggle for a future.
I am on record as stating that climate change and peak oil represent perhaps the most urgent and significant forces shaping our age, yet in an important sense even these trends are only symptoms of an underlying issue. They are consequences of the choices we have collectively made and continue to make, and these choices are formed by our understanding of the world – by our stories. Read more »


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Considering going gluten-free, but not sure how to go about it? Need advice on shopping or recipes? Chef Andrew can help! And what's even better is, he will be joining me live tonight on Truther Girls Radio from 11-midnight EST.
Listen live at americanfreedomradio.com
Archive: americanfreedomradio.com/TrutherGirls_13
Live Chat: truthergirls.chatango.com
Call in to talk to chef Andre in person: 218-339-8525
When chef Andrew Doyle's father nearly died from undiagnosed Celiac Disease years ago, he became a dedicated gluten-free chef and has been been cooking gluten-free ever since. He currently hosts an online gluten-free cooking show called Eat, Taste, Live, which is a live, interactive cooking class for celiacs, gluten-intolerants, and healthy eaters.
Their mission is to create amazing, tasty recipes for those with Celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance.
and those seeking a healthier, better today. Each class features Chef Andrew Doyle preparing various dishes that are 100% gluten free and 100% delicious.
Eat. Taste. Live. Always delicious. Always gluten free.
Tickets are $12.50 per episode and can be purchased at eattastelive.com/#!kitchen-studio/c1bcs
For more on Eat. Taste. Live. and gluten-free cooking:
Check out their FB page: facebook.com/EatTasteLive
And their website: eattastelive.com


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There was much discussion last week about Jennifer Livingston, a Wisconsin television news anchorwoman who responded on air to a letter she received from a concerned viewer who admonished her about being overweight.
There was much discussion last week about Jennifer Livingston, a Wisconsin television news anchorwoman who responded on air to a letter she received from a concerned viewer who admonished her about being overweight.
"Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain," he wrote.
This one hit a little too close to home for me.
It seems all too recently that readers of The Record took aim at me for being overweight.
At least, at 5 feet 5 inches tall and 165 pounds I'm considered "overweight," according to my body mass index. Yet I have finished more than 10 half-marathons in the past year and I am training to run my third marathon in December.
I would not have been doing this just a few years ago. Then I was far over the line of obesity. I was on medication for my blood sugar. The scale was nearing 200 pounds. More importantly, I was unhappy.
I knew something had to be done. But the motivation wasn't there. My endocrinologist once told me something along the lines of "One day, you'll wake up and say, 'I can't live like this anymore.' "
That day arrived in 2009 through my job.
In 2009, recordnet.com, The Record's website, had a lively community of people who commented on stories. It was lively in a sense that people often became carried away and allowed their emotions to prevail. Sometimes it devolved into name calling of each other and personal attacks on Record staff.
When we clamped down on those attacks by revoking privileges of the worst offenders, they turned their attention toward me since I was the point of contact for moderation.
I became the "evil web mistress."
And then it got personal.
"The CWM is just a fat dork with glasses," wrote one reader.
They had made up a name for me.
I was the "chubby web mistress." The posters started talking about my double chins. They started talking about how they'd seen me at a public event and how "bloated" I looked.
Criticize my work. Criticize the newspaper. Attack me personally? No.
The "fat" comments crossed the line.
I'm not an on-camera personality. In fact, one of the reasons I learned to shoot video was to be behind the camera. I write for a newspaper because my "radio voice" makes me sound like a Valley Girl. I've never been comfortable in front of people, let alone a mass audience.
And then my "going to lose weight moment" arrived on Dec. 26, 2009. I remember it as clearly as someone recalls a birth date, anniversary or first day of sobriety.
My moment happened as I was late for a Christmas celebration at my sister-in-law's house.
I had no clothes that fit. I had to buy a new shirt to attend a family event.
I had had enough.
That same day, I got on my rarely used treadmill and started running. It has become a regular part of my life. I am on pace to have run 1,000 miles this year by the end of October.
Still, I am by no means skinny, and I still struggle with my weight. But my blood sugar is normal. My cholesterol is down. And I fit into single-digit jeans.
Livingston called her writer a "bully." I get that. Those comments toward me were demeaning and I felt horrible.
But they also motivated me. I lost weight to become a better, healthier me. I no longer need diabetes medication.
During the tough runs, though, when I feel as if I cannot go on, I remember two things.
One, I absolutely do not want to be on diabetes medication for the rest of my life.
Two, the best revenge is living well.
Contact Online Editor Tara Cuslidge at (209) 546-8276 or email@example.com. Visit her blog at recordnet.com/multimediablog.


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Fireplace Repair in Pella, IA
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Fireplace repair in Pella, IA is a necessity for anyone finding themselves having problems with their fireplace at home. A problem with the lighting mechanism, lining or even the structure of their fireplace run the risk of endangering their home and family. Pella fireplace repair professionals have experience with all types of fireplaces and can come out and take a look. They will be able to provide you with a free estimate on the work so you can be back to enjoying your evenings by the fireplace safely.
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Baseball - Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team, a member of the National League's Western Division, was established in 1991 and played their first game at Mile High Stadium in 1993. Coors Field, one of Major League Baseball's most beautiful ball parks, opened in 1995. In 2007, the Rockies made one of the most amazing runs in baseball history with a 20-8 record in September, including winning 14 of the club's last 15 games to earn a play-in game with the San Diego Padres, which the Rockies won. The Rockies made a great run through the playoffs to earn the club's first trip to the World Series.
Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More
Football - Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos of the National Football League started play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football Conference. The team has won two Super Bowls and six AFC championships. The Broncos play at Sports Authority Field, one of the nation's premier stadiums. Four former Broncos are in the NFL Hall of Fame, including Floyd Little, Gary Zimmerman, Shannon Sharpe, and legendary quarterback John Elway, now executive vice president of football operations.Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More
Basketball - Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association were founded in 1967 as the Denver Larks. The team plays at the Pepsi Center, one of the premier venues in professional sports. Former legendary coaches include Larry Brown, Doug Moe, and George Karl, with Brian Shaw currently at the helm. Notable former players include Spencer Haywood, Alex English, David Thompson, Carmelo Anthony, and Denver's own Chauncey Billups.Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More
Avalanche - Colorado Avalanche
Formerly the Quebec Nordiques, the National Hockey League team moved to Denver as the Colorado Avalanche in 1995, subsequently winning the Stanley Cup in the 1995-1996 season and again in 2000-2001. Notable former players include Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and goalie Patrick Roy. The Avalanche play at the Pepsi Center, a vibrant downtown Denver sports venue that is among the best in the country. The Avalanche are members of the Western Conference of the NHL.Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More
Olympics - Team USA
The Olympic movement embodies the spirit of Olympism, enriching the will, body and mind. Olympic values are inseparable from culture, and it reaches its peak when the world's athletes come together at the greatest sports festival, the Olympic Games. Team USA encompasses some of the greatest athletes on earth in nearly every summer and winter sport imaginable, and you can follow your favorite athletes online. Learn about history, the Olympic Games chronology, and how to support Team USA.Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More
Soccer - Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer team is based in Commerce City, playing its home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Established in 1996, Colorado won the MLS Cup for the first time in 2010. The Rapids were one of the 10 founding clubs of the MLS. The team's website provides comprehensive information on games, players, the stadium, tickets, youth programs, social events. You can also shop for merchandise and enjoy videos.Browse stats, news, player profiles, schedules and find tickets: Read More


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Big banks, particularly Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (C), are leading the market higher, but it is choppy out there. Apple (AAPL) is the primary drag as it struggles with a couple of downgrades and target cuts, but it is the randomness of the small-caps that is making the trading very tricky.
As has been the case lately, the action has a positive bias, and there is some optimism that the fiscal-cliff negotiations are advancing, but we don't have the sort of big-volume strength that is indicative of institutional buying. The strength is driven by fear of being caught underinvested when a positive headline hits.
I'm itching to be more active, but I continue to find few opportunities to be aggressive. I sold a few things into strength and am looking for some new buys, but there isn't much with increased volume so far. One stock I'm watching is Taser International (TASR), which could be a beneficiary of the gun-control debate, which is going to be very loud for quite a while.
If we hold up, I see a few things I may add later in the day, such as Synergy Resources (SYRG), my stock of the week, and AVEO Pharmaceuticals (AVEO), which is turning up from the lows on some insider buying. I'd prefer to be chasing some strong momentum, but other than big-cap banks and Google (GOOG), I don't see much.


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Sharon Osbourne recently made headlines for slamming Susan Boyle's looks during a promotional appearance on a Sirius radio show, but are the women set to come face-to-face next week?
ABC confirmed late Friday evening that SuBo is set to perform on next week's "Dancing With the Stars," the reality show where Sharon's daughter, Kelly Osbourne, remains a competitor.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 9: Week 6 Highlights
Sharon has shown up to "Dancing" already this season and with the show heading toward the semi-finals, it wouldn't be out of character for the Osbourne matriarch to show up in support of her little girl. However, Sharon has been in New York City recently, according to daughter Kelly's Twitter.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, in an interview earlier this week on "The Opie & Anthony Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio, Sharon offered a mouthful about Susan's looks when she talked about seeing a picture of the "Britain's Got Talent" star next to her rock 'n' roll husband.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 9: Week 3 Highlights
"There's this great picture of Susan Boyle, smiling, looking like a slapped a** next to Ozzy," Sharon said as the DJs burst into laughter.
When asked if she loved the Scottish singer, Sharon said she did, packed with another insult about the woman's face.
"I like everybody to do well, even someone that looks like a slapped a**," she said in a clip posted on YouTube. "It's like God bless her. You go girl. She does look like a hairy a**hole."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 9: Week 1 Highlights
When the hosts brought up Sharon wrapping up her own statement about Susan with "God bless her," Sharon added another barb.
"You do, you just want to say God Bless and here's a Gillette razor," she said.
"But he gave her the talent. He really did," Sharon added. "He hit her with the f***ing ugly stick.
SuBo has so far appeared to stay mum on the subject.
As for the Scottish singer's "Dancing" appearance, she will perform "I Dreamed A Dream," the "Les Miserables" song that kicked off her rise to fame back in April.
Professional dancers Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower will perform on the ballroom dance floor as SuBo sings.
A rep for Sharon wasn't immediately available for comment on whether she would be in attendance at Tuesday's "Dancing" taping.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: AH Nation: Did Sharon Osbourne Say Susan Boyle Was Hit With 'The Ugly Stick'? (November 6, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: Sharon Osbourne Says Kelly Is In It To Win It
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - Sharon Osbourne - Susan Boyle - Reality TV - TV


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Ridgefield first, Danbury second at Class LL boys meet
Recommended Video:
MANCHESTER -- Fresh off an FCIAC team title, the Ridgefield boys cross country team entered Saturday's state championships at Wickham Park as one of the favorites.
The Tigers ultimately lived up to the expectations.
Ridgefield placed four runners in the top 11 at the 3.1-mile course -- including senior Trevor Hopper at No. 2 in 16:07 -- to claim the LL team title. The Tigers scored 60 points to easily beat FCIAC competitors Danbury, which placed second with 104 points, and Staples (105). Amity (147), Fairfield Prep (148) and New Milford (151) rounded out the top six.
"They went out conservatively like I told them to, and they took control," Ridgefield coach Bryan Kovalsky said.
Fairfield Prep's Christian Alvarado pulled away for the individual title in Class LL in 15 minutes and 55 seconds, and Darien's Alex Ostberg was a runaway winner in Class L in 15:34.
"This is my first year healthy at this meet (he was out with a fractured fibula last season). I came out here and got done what I needed to get done," said Ostberg, who also paced the Blue Wave to its third straight state title. "We're elated."
Leading Danbury were Ryan Ansel in 12th (16:32) and Corey Mullins in 14th (16:46).
"We're pleased that we're moving in the direction that we expected to be at this point of the season," Danbury coach Rob Murray said. "We still need to continue to be aggressive and fight, and be prepared for next week's (State Open)."
Darien recorded 40 points to win the L crown, comfortably ahead of runner-up Hall (56 points). South Windsor (131), Pomperaug (149) and Naugatuck (196) made up the rest of the top five.
"Awesome," Darien coach Tyson Kaczmarek said to describe his team's win. "This is what we work for, this is it. This is what we want every year."
The Tigers -- the FCIAC champion as well, having defeated Darien on Oct. 17 -- packed together and cruised through the steep hills and grassy paths at Wickham. Behind Hopper, who edged Xavier's Zachary Williams (16:16) for the runner-up spot, came Fairfield Warde's Aidan Fiol (16:17), then Ridgefield's Will Bordash in fifth (16:21), Austin Gilbert in ninth (16:26) and Gabe Altopp in 11th (16:31). This time, the Tigers didn't have Kristian Sogaard -- eighth at FCIACs -- who was hurt. Ethan Realander was the team's fifth finisher, coming in 35th in 17:20.
"It was very satisfying," said Hopper, who finished first at FCIACs this year and took second at the LL meet last season, behind Staples' Henry Wynne. "We were a bit nervous that we wouldn't do as well since we didn't have Kristian racing with us."
By the end, only Hopper was reasonably close to Alvarado. The Prep senior, who won the Wickham Park Invitational in 15:38 on Oct. 12, breezed along the course's gradual uphill finish.
"I just did what I did two weeks ago in the Invitational -- get out to a good lead, make sure you don't get boxed or tripped up by anyone behind," Alvarado said. "I stayed relaxed the rest of the race."
Staples' Oliver Hickson placed sixth in 16:22, while his teammate, Peter Elkind, was seventh in 16:23. Glastonbury's Randall Neish (16:25), Gilbert and Brien McMahon's Eric Van Der Els (16:30) rounded out the top 10.
Ostberg took second at the Invitational 14 days ago in 15:41, but built a comfortable lead on Saturday. He clocked in at 15:34, besting Hall's Ari Klau (16:18).
"People had been telling me I had a really solid lead, but I wanted to keep pushing the pace, keep pressing it," the junior said. "I knew there would be people behind me. You never want to assume it's going to be an easy win."
There were people behind him -- a few of them, his teammates -- but the win did come easy, at least according to the clock. Hall's Zachary Magin took third in 16:26, and behind him were Darien's Marshall Huffman (16:30) and Armstrong Noonan (16:30). Colten Appleby (17:07) and Ben Olsen (17:23) strengthened the Blue Wave's top five, placing 13th and 17th, respectively.
Farmington's Palmer Weimann took sixth in 16:31, while his teammate, Matt Chisholm, was seventh in 16:35. Wilton's Spencer Brown (16:36), Pomperaug's Samuel Depalma (16:43) and Naugatuck's Dan Schumacher (16:44) rounded out the top 10.
firstname.lastname@example.com; twitter.com/DougBonjour


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Anne Arundel County police find victim's family
Man critically injured in physical altercation
Anne Arundel County police said they have found the family of a critically injured man.
Officers were called to the 8000 block of Fair Breeze Drive in Severn Thursday for a report of a sick or injured person. When they arrived, they found an unresponsive man lying on the ground. He was transported Thursday to the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
Authorities said on Monday they identified the victim as 45-year-old David Lamont Harley, of Severn. Harley is being treated for life-threatening injuries at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
Police said they had asked the public's help to identify any of Harley's next of kin and were able to make contact to help make decisions regarding his treatment.
Investigators said Harley was involved in a physical altercation with another male friend when the incident occurred. Police said they interviewed the man, who is known to Harley.
Police said charges will be determined at the completion of the criminal investigation and consultation with the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to immediately contact Detective Jason McNemar at 410-222-3463 or the Anne Arundel County Police Department at 410-222-8610.


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American Rhetoric: Movie Speech
"A Few Good Men" (1992)
written by Aaron Sorkin
Colonel Nathan R. Jessep Addresses the Court on "Code Red"
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You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives…You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
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This rings true more today that ever.
Who's "manning the walls" in the Obama administration?
Sorry, but the Department of Defense and the National Guard should be deployed here at home. Like the Coast Guard should NOT be off gallivanting.
We have bases in reportedly 170 countries. Time for a base closing commission of taxpayers.
Did you know that the Constitution only authorizes a permanent Navy. The Army is only allowed for two years. Guess the Dead Old White guys understood about the dangers of a permanent army. What do you think they'd have thought about the alphabet agencies: FBI, DEA, BATF, CIA, NSA, yada, yada, and yada?
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Program outline
Fancy yourself a gin connoisseur? Team Tonic offers an evening of entertainment that will test your deductive abilities in a relaxed and sociable environment.
Team Tonic is the perfect end to your conference, combining teambuilding with the ever-popular corporate nightcap! Enjoy stimulating conversation, light-hearted competition and some refreshing G&Ts.
After a short introduction, teams receive the rules along with their box of botanicals. At this point, boasting and ribbing are strongly encouraged, because the end game is to be the first group to correctly identify the aroma profiles of some of the most popular gin brands in the world!
Use your senses
With your smelling strip in hand, you will identify each sample in your botanical kit. This seemingly simple task can quickly turn into a hilariously entertaining discussion in which your team will come together and unanimously agree which is which.
Take a guess, Sherlock
Elementary! After a combination of tastings and sniffing sample strips, it's time for you and your fellow alcohol detectives to make your first deductions. Compare answers, discuss amongst your team and let the majority vote take you to the final round.
To the victors go the spoils
Submit your final answers and engage in more conversing and boasting as results are tallied. Your collective hard work is rewarded with another round of G&Ts as you all reflect on your new found knowledge.
Team Tonic is the perfect low-key way to get the evening started on the right foot.
Learning and development outcomes
Engage your team in the process of quick, informed decision making and the art of using persuasive speech and body language to convince others. This light-hearted networking activity will have teams relaxing and laughing as they listen to the opinions of others and discuss and debate their way towards a collective decision.


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LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan appeals court has saved a motorcyclist's lawsuit against the city of Lansing, saying a mistake in the location of a pothole shouldn't doom his case.
Kyle Speelman was thrown from his motorcycle and injured when his bike hit a pothole on Mount Hope Avenue. He was traveling westbound, but his notice to the city said he was eastbound.
That was enough for an Ingham County judge to dismiss the case. But the appeals court revived it last week, noting there were photographs and an online map pinpointing the location of the pothole.
The decision was 2-1. Judge Michael Riordan disagreed with the decision, saying Michigan law requires the exact location of a road defect.
Published: Tue, Nov 13, 2012