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Bob and Jolyn Esquerre are business solutions consultants and co-owners of the Esquerre Fitness Group [EFG]. The company, which trains trainers, group exercise instructors and training managers, has consistently pushed the envelope of excellence in challenging our industry to provide exceptional service to our members. Recognized as subject matter experts in personal training, program development, club branding, management development, customer relationship management and membership retention, the Esquerres' total focus is to create customized business solutions for their customers. You can reach the Esquerres at [email protected].
Why is it that after about 25 years of trying to fix the membership attrition problems within the fitness industry, we are still experiencing a membership attrition rate of 35 percent to 45 percent?
In the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) "2007 Guide to Membership Retention," John McCarthy, former executive director of IHRSA, writes, "Membership retention for commercial fitness facilities had always been a subordinate objective to these clubs' primary objective, which is substantial and sustainable profitability … If a commercial club operation could sustain substantial profitability with attrition rates in the 35 percent to 45 percent range, so be it."
However, the 2009 recession and a slow recovery compounded by a high unemployment rate are forcing our industry to take a much harder look at what hasn't worked and what is still not working. The recession prompted a need to create a plan B with never-before-tried options.
We believe the fitness industry needs to undertake a major cultural shift. This shift involves moving from a selling-at-all-costs approach to a more focused, customer-centric model. If executed properly, our plan B would reduce membership attrition rates and increase referrals from happy, satisfied club members.
At the end of the day, the fitness industry must have four interrelated objectives in order to achieve sustainable profits and improve attrition rates:
1. To create a valued-added environment that will attract new members.
2. To consistently provide value-added services and/or programs that create member-specific reasons to stay at the club.
3. To hire employees who have a vested interest in managing the member experience so members get results and have a great time.
4. To quantify, package and market the member-specific results which can be used to increase member referrals from happy, satisfied members.
Our plan B involves the concept of programmed training, which we've branded as PT4. In order to understand our concept of programmed training, we must clarify, and in some cases, redefine programming. Traditional programming, also known as programming-in-a-box, consists of non-fee-based and non-branded group exercise classes that have no true beginning and end.
Traditional programming also includes personal training services, which involve only approximately 9 percent of most club members, according to the "2009 IHRSA Personal Training Report." Plus, most training programs do not support their club's membership retention programs. Our plan B would increase retention and referrals from satisfied members.
As a membership retention concept, PT4 requires repositioning club programming so that it's a comprehensive business platform that seamlessly supports the member experience. It also requires a club's fitness team to deliver and manage member experiences.
Under PT4, member experiences should include the following four integrated programming options:
1. Fitness floor programming.
2. Group exercise programming. (This should be non-fee based.)
3. Personal training programming. (This should be fee-based, one-on-one programming.)
4. Small and large group training programs. (Small groups should include two to eight people, while large groups can include eight to 20 people. Both of these options should be fee-based.)
These four programming options have traditionally been kept distinct and segmented. Our plan B is to create a synergistic relationship among these programming options so that members can seamlessly be managed in each program. The ultimate job for the fitness team members, therefore, is to seamlessly move members through each of the club's four programming centers so they can achieve their individual goals.
These service options traditionally have been mutually exclusive and delivered by two segmented work groups. These work groups tend to represent their own interests instead of the interests of members or of the club.
In the best of times, both group ex and personal training potentially can be successful. Of course, the best of times have been replaced by a slower economic recovery characterized by more cautious, educated consumers looking for and demanding more value.
The question now is how do we bridge the operational and organizational gaps that can make plan B occur? The answer is to create a business platform based on customer service that is carried out by fitness professionals who have incentives to manage the member experience as a core objective of the club's value proposition, aka the club's brand.
After the club's brand has been redefined and the new value propositions have been embedded into employee job descriptions, the following steps should be taken and managed:
Step 1: Successfully integrate members into programming options in which they have an initial interest, as opposed to just trying to sell them personal training.
Step 2: Integrate members into a second programming option that is a natural extension of their initial program.
Step 3: Create and manage a bridge to move members into a comprehensive programming plan that includes all the options that will help them reach their goals.
Adopting our plan B can stimulate the creation, delivery and maintenance of value-added, member-specific programming options (such as PT4). It also would create managed member training outcomes that validate the club's value propositions. This would, in turn, control, stabilize and eventually reduce the membership attrition rate. If these results take place, membership referrals from happy, satisfied club members will increase.


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Paint it black: Just not with china bristles
Q: I've finished up my spring cleaning and moved on to summer painting. Any words of advice from an expert to a novice?
A: Before you start an interior paint job, don't forget to clean and prepare the walls. If they're in fairly good condition, a simple wipe-down will suffice. Just use a rag and some diluted Clorox. If there are cracks in the walls, though, you should fill them in with caulk. A thin layer will serve as a protective seal and takes about five hours to dry.
If the old paint on your walls is peeling, scrape off and sand away as much of it as you can. Afterwards, if you think the texture of the peeled paint might still show through, apply a smooth layer of sheetrock compound with a sheetrock knife. Give it a day to dry and then sand it down. The entire process will delay your painting plans a little bit, but the smooth result is worth the wait.
When you're ready to paint, lay a cloth on the ground to protect the floor, and make sure you have the right kind of brushes and paints. Use polyester brushes (not china bristles) and name brands of water-based paint. China bristle brushes are cheaper, so a lot of people make the mistake of buying them in an attempt to save money. They're designed for oil-based paint, whereas polyester brushes are for water-based, or latex, paint.
For basic interior paint jobs, it's best to avoid oil-based paint altogether. It's messier than water-based paint, and the interior of most houses is already painted with water-based. Water-based won't bond to oil-based, so if you do have to paint over oil-based paint (sometimes used on trim), first apply a coat of primer.
Don't use cheap paint, especially if you're painting large areas. You'll have to apply more layers of paint if it's cheap, so you're actually not saving any money, and you're wasting time. You can also prime the wall first to save money (as primer is cheaper than other paints) and– in the long run– a significant amount of time.
When you're finished painting, clean your brushes as soon as possible. Water-based paint will rinse right off with soap and water. Be careful about where you dispose of your leftover paint. The Ivy landfill offers free paint drop-off, so that's a good option. Of course, if you'd rather hang on to your paint for future touch-ups, keep in mind that it only remains good for about two years, and it should be stored tightly sealed, between 50-90 degrees. A basement is ideal.
One final word of warning: beware of lead paint, which often gives itself away by excessive peeling. Although you'll find more lead paint outside the house than on interior surfaces, you will occasionally come across it in an older house. You can just paint over it with a primer and another coat of paint, but if it's peeling badly, you should wear a mask and eye protection while scraping and sanding the walls. Thoroughly clean your workplace and yourself when you're finished.
Micah Ruth

subset: commoncrawl


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|System: X360, PS3, PC, PSP, DS
|Review Rating Legend
|Dev: Ubisoft Shanghai
|1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
|4.0 - 4.4 = Great
|Pub: Ubisoft
|2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
|4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
|Release: Nov. 4, 2008
|2.5 - 2.9 = Average
|5.0 = The Best
|Players: 1
|3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
|ESRB Rating: Teen
|3.5 - 3.9 = Good
Skirmish, like Solo Campaign, can be played alone, but it also allows you to jump into any map with custom mission parameters online. These one-off battles are great for playing against challenging human competition without getting too involved. However, you can significantly up the ante by entering into the Theatre of War mode. This persistent world is a massive online campaign that pits player versus player and faction versus faction for international bragging rights. Beating people and getting your hat handed to you online is both incredibly rewarding and humbling. As such, future EndWar players are likely to gravitate toward this special mode.
Without a doubt, what separates EndWar from every other RTS out there is its innovative order system. Instead of dealing with clunky menus, players will simply issue commands with their voice. By holding down on the RT or R2 buttons, players call out commands such as Unit 2 Secure Foxtrot, Unit 6 Attack Hostile 3, Unit 5 Move to Zulu. Surprisingly, the units respond flawlessly, and you dont have to speak slowly either. The game will calibrate itself to your voice prompts, so youll never be frustrated by misunderstood orders. I was in awe of just how well this system actually works, and I think RTS fans will love the level of realism it delivers. You truly feel like a field commander!
Graphics and sound in EndWar do a good job of telling the tale. The 40 available maps cover many real-world locales. These distinct battlefields keep things fresh. However, they're not nearly as detailed as I had hoped. In fact, the world does look a little barren except for key landmarks; it's simply not a living world. Also, it can often be challenging to get a good view of the battlefield from a unit's perspective; the withdrawn camera is frequently obscured by trees and buildings. As such, players will need to keep a Command Vehicle deployed at all times to gain access to real-time maps in order to marshal units effectively. Consequently, you'll be starring at a boring map with tiny, transparent icons that doesn't communicate the drama of the battlefield. Graciously, sounds are much better. The voice work is excellent; all the actors are quite believable. I especially liked the extremely varied and smart troop comments while selecting units; it's a great way to gauge unit morale and to get a chuckle. Also, the funky bass riffs during menu selection screens are nice.
Tom Clancy's EndWar is a solid RTS that fans of the genre shouldn't miss. The new voice command system works flawlessly, and players should find it to be a mighty rewarding experience. Still, gamers who aren't into strategic war-games will likely find the title to be dull. As such, it's not a must-buy across the board. Nevertheless, it is a noble effort by Ubisoft Shanghai, and one that will doubtless lead to the birth of a strong strategy franchise for the future.
Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director
Game Features:


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Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park to encounter primates like the colobus monkey.
Latest Nyungwe Forest National Park safari reviewsGreat place for exploring Nyungwe
Nyungwe Forest National ParkIn the southwest corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast untouched tropical rainforest with a high, dense canopy. Nyungwe became a National Park in 2004 as Rwanda sought to increase its tourism beyond the country's mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, and is certainly worthy of its status because of its spectacular biodiversity.
The heart of Nyungwe Forest is like a scene from a fairy tale. Tall old mahoganies, ebonies and giant tree ferns tower above you, whilst orchids and other epiphytes cling to every branch. Brightly coloured birds flit around, butterflies are everywhere, and walking quietly you may even encounter larger forest residents, including a variety of primates for which Nyungwe National Park is renowned.
To get a real sense of the scale of Nyungwe, try East Africa's highest canopy walk with a metal bridge suspended 50 metres above the forest. It's not for the vertiginous but the views of Nyungwe sprawled out below are unforgettable.
Wildlife in Nyungwe ForestSpreading over 1,020km², Nyungwe Forest National Park includes the largest swathe of remaining montane forest in East or Central Africa. It harbours about 310 different bird species, hundreds of butterflies and orchids, and over 75 different species of mammals – including 13 primates (about a quarter of all Africa's primates).
Holidays in Nyungwe Forest National ParkNyungwe Forest National Park is a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali on good if sometimes winding roads. There are some attractions en route that include Nyanza King's Palace and the National Museum should you wish to break the journey.
The Uwinka Visitor Centre, inside the Park, is well worth a visit, with information on the history of Nyungwe, its fauna and flora and local culture. This is also the place to hire guides, which are compulsory for any hikes within Nyungwe National Park.
Nyungwe Forest safari camps and lodgesAccommodation for Nyungwe National Park is quite limited but fortunately spans across a range of budgets. One of Rwanda's best lodges, Nyungwe House has luxury facilities including an infinity pool and gym, with beautiful views overlooking the forest canopy from a ridge to one side and a tea-plantation on the other. At the other end of the scale, the lower-budget Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is perched, as the name suggests, high on a hill looking out towards the Volcanoes, with simple rooms but a friendly and helpful team.
Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Primate safaris in Nyungwe ForestNyungwe is an ideal destination for lovers of primates, with 13 different species living here, and most visitors will go for at least one tracking experience, the most popular of which is chimpanzee trekking. Starting very early in the morning, chimps are tracked in groups of eight and as with the mountain gorillas, you will have just one hour in their company once they've been located. Sightings aren't as reliable or as clear as gorillas however, since they often remain in dense forest, but their engaging playfulness and human-like characteristics make the long day worthwhile.
Trekking in search of grey-cheeked mangabey and Rwenzori colobus monkeys is also on offer in Nyungwe Forest, the latter of which can be found here in troops of several hundred. And there's no need to trek far to see l'Hoest's monkeys – you will often see them ambling along the roadside as you drive past.


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Pickled Mud Fish (Pla lah in Thai / MAM CA LOC) from Pantainorasingh. Generally used in Northeasthern Thai and Laos dishes. Pickled mud fish (Pla lah) had been fermented for a period of time. Heat on stove and mix with chili and other spices before serving. Pickled mud fish is served like Thai chili paste, eaten with fresh or cooked vegetables. Pickled mud fish has a strong smell for those who not familiar. Ingredients: Mud fish, rice powder, water, salt. Net Weight: 16.00 oz. Product of Thailand.
Pickled Mud Fish (Pla rah) 16 oz.
- Brand: Pantainorasingh
- Product Code: 14007
- Availability: In Stock


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Time: 3-4pm
Free, but booking essential on 01206 577 067 or email@example.com
About the exhibition
Through artworks from the ESCALA Collection, Unravelling Threads explores issues related to textile production by the indigenous people of the Andean region of South America.
While not all of the artworks in the exhibition stem directly from textiles or indigenous Andean heritage, they draw on a number of related ideas or threads.
The works of León Ferrari, Felipe Ehrenberg and Warmi, for example, resonate with the role of textiles as texts and repositories of memory. Those of Aruma-Sandra De Berduccy, Oswaldo Viteri, Esteban Álvarez, César Paternosto and Alex Flemming share with contemporary indigenous textile practice the need to address the complexities of belonging to multiple cultural traditions.
Taking up another strand of Andean textile production, the works of María Ezcurra, f. marquespenteado and Anna Maria Maiolino use contemporary fabrics and techniques to challenge gender definitions.
Valeria Paz Moscoso, ESCALA Guest Curator


text: Epplejeck would like to offer you some cookies. Unfortunately, these aren't horse cookies, but (temporary) files for your PC, tablet or mobile phone. These cookies make sure that our website remembers your personal information and preferences, so you don't have to fill them in every time you visit us. Super convenient and you won't notice it at all! Have fun on our website!


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An investigation by Taiwan's government has concluded that two former executives with display maker AU Optronics allegedly stole technology from the company and supplied it to rival Chinese firm TCL.
The two former executives, who now work at TCL, leaked the sensitive technology to the Chinese company, according to evidence said to have been found by Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB). A spokesman for the bureau said on Tuesday the investigation is nearly over and the findings will be passed over to prosecutors, who will determine how to proceed.
Taiwan-based AU Optronics is a supplier for companies including Acer, HTC, and Apple. Among the trade secrets stolen is its AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen technology, which the bureau noted was sensitive and would damage Taiwan's panel industry if leaked.
The two former executives, surnamed Li and Wang, worked in developing panels and OLED technology for AU Optronics, but were lured away with new positions from TCL's China Star Optoelectronics Technology business unit, which also builds displays, according to MJIB. In exchange for supplying the technology, both Li and Wang were also compensated with annual salaries of over US$1 million.
The MJIB interviewed the two former executives on Sept. 26, and searched their homes while also taking away their laptops as possible evidence.
AU Optronics said in a statement on Monday, "The behavior of the former executives who left the company, not only harms the progress made from industry research, but also severely influences the fair competition in the industry." The company added that it has filed suit on the matter in a Taiwanese court.
TCL did not immediately respond for comment. The Chinese company is a major producer of TVs, household appliances and mobile phones.
The main customer base of TCL's China Star Optoelectronics is in mainland China, said Nick Jiang, an analyst with research firm IHS iSuppli. While China Star Optoelectronics has yet to reach the influence of international rivals AU Optronics, Samsung SDI and LG Display, the company is gradually building up the technology to compete on a wider-scale.
Currently, China Star Optoelectronics only builds displays for TVs, but has plans to manufacture displays for handsets in the future, Jiang added.
The alleged leak of AU Optronics' technology is especially sensitive, given that Taiwan wants to become a larger producer of AMOLED screens. Currently Samsung in South Korea is the leading vendor of AMOLED screens that have also been used in the company's Galaxy S line of smartphones.


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Robert Hegyes, Welcome Back, Kotter Star, Dies
John Travolta's fellow "Sweathog" on the classic sitcom suffered an apparent heart attack
Robert Hegyes, best known as John Travolta's fellow "Sweathog" Juan Epstein on the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He was 60
Hegyes died from an apparent heart attack after having chest pains, The Star-Ledger reports. His brother tells the New Jersey paper the actor had suffered a heart attack in the last couple of years and was not well.
Hegyes, who was born in New Jersey, played a wise-cracking Jewish Puerto Rican student with an infectious wide grin. He co-starred in the classic comedy with a young Travolta, who played Vinnie Barbarino.
Hegyes also acted in Cagney and Lacey NewsRadio, Diagnosis Murder and The Drew Carey Show.


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Gulzar was born on 15 august 1964. around 2 and a half year back, he has started his career as chef on tv with hum tv. He did chef management course from Ginza Tokoyo hotel Japan. He had spend 12 year in Japan for training and job purpose. Famous for his dancing skills more than cooking skills, you will sure love his entertaining cooking show.
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Stop Being The Bigger Person
OUR BASEBALL TEES, T-SHIRTS & SWEATSHIRTS ARE ALL UNISEX SIZING & OUR TANKS ARE WOMEN'S SIZING! Click the link below to find your fit! All of our apparel is handmade from the highest quality materials, which makes them oh so soft & cozy. All of our products are perfectly made & shipped with love from our home of Myrtle Beach, SC.


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I cant take it anymore.
I always get really angry this time of year. Retailers are doing their best to get me to spend every last cent I have on stuff to give to my friends and family.
For years, I have been under the impression that this time of year was to be about peace and goodwill toward our fellow man. So I combated the reality of the season by being in a bad mood and tried to get everyone around me to follow suit. It didnt work.
This year, I have given up on asking for world peace, the end of hunger, politicians obtaining backbones, the press to stop being prejudiced toward Republicans and Lake Nighthorse to open. Nope, Im going after stuff.
Because I havent asked for stuff in such a long time, I was at a loss for whom to ask. I was not going to the mall to sit on some old guys lap, aka Santa Claus, and tell him what a good man Ive been.
I was in a quandary until I saw an ad from a retailer about coming into its store. Men, if you are older than 60, I have found the place we need to go. I am going to Victorias Secret and visit with Miss Claus (MC). Imagine the surprise our wives will have when we tell them we want to go the mall with them. This is going to be great.
I plan on getting there really early because I know MC will tire out from all of us overweight guys sitting on her lap. I envision standing at the head of the line and MC, dressed in Victorias Secrets idea of what MC should wear to work, calling me over with a seductive wave of her index finger, and then patting her lap for me to have a seat. Shell then whisper in my ear, Tell MC what youd like for Christmas. Ill start to talk and shell say, Whisper it in my ear; you dont want all those other geezers to know what you want.
So, being the good man that I am, I comply. Thinking the whole time, You smell really good. I get past this and say, I want a bass boat. Not one of those that looks like a rocket ship, just a small one that I can catch bass, trout, pike and carp from.
Go on, MC says.
I stammer, My waders are leaking, so a new pair would be nice. And wading boots, too. That will keep my feet warm.
Im sure MC will remind me that my wife can keep my feet warm, and Ill have to let MC know you cant get two pair of feet into one pair of boots. Im sure MC doesnt know how to fly-fish. Ill then whisper in her ear, Sunscreen that is thinner than motor oil and smells as good as you do would be nice. Im sure shell blush at my flirting, but she knows Im harmless.
As my time is running out, MC will say, Two more wishes, and it will be time for all the other geezers to have their turn. Man, time flies when youre having fun.
For my last two wishes, I say, I want the leader and tippet manufacturers to stop making line that ties itself into knots, all the while telling me its the wind.
One more, I hear quietly in my ear.
I want to be the man my grandkids and dog think I am.
No problem, now look at the camera for your picture with MC.
Im going to have it framed and put on the mantel, so I can remember what Christmas is really about.
I want to end with my traditional year-end closing: I wish everyone Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, a good Eid al-Adha and, of course, Merry Christmas. If none of these fits your beliefs, then may whatever touches your heart with hope be with you all of 2013.
Reach Don Oliver at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Chill Out! Learn to Practice Meditation
In Part 2 of LMC cardiac rehabilitation manager John Leech's segment on WIS-TV this week, he talked about relaxation techniques that can help relieve stress and boost your heart health. Watch the interview below.
Practice mindfulness meditation at Lexington Medical Center's interactive Heart Hair on Sunday, March 2 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton on Bush River Road in Columbia. Learn more by clicking here.
To view Part 1 of John's interview on how stress impacts the heart, click here.


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One of the many reasons Facebook can claim 400 million active users is the relatively low bar to entry: if you've got an Internet connection, you can create a profile.
This can lead to some fun fake celebrity pages. Sometimes, though, the results are far more disturbing: A page in the name of Osama bin Laden that included tapes of ravings by Islamic extremists went up March 25, ABC News reports. The site attracted 1,000 fans before Facebook discovered the page and zapped it Friday.
"People often attempt to register fake accounts under the name of famous or infamous people," a Facebook spokesman told ABC.
It's a frightening enough world without hate and terror-mongering playing out on an Internet service designed to connect people. So we're going to choose take some cheer in the success of another recent fake Facebook page, this one featuring the profile of a new "South Park" character who actually deserves some friends: Kip Drordy.
For the uninitiated, Kip debuted on the April 7 episode, which focused on Stan's refusal to join Facebook, despite the repeated hectoring of his pals. He gives in only after Cartman, Kyle and Kenny make a page for him.
Meanwhile, Kyle discovers Kip, a third-grade outcast with no friends on Facebook or in real life, and friends him out of sympathy. Kyle starts hemorrhaging Facebook friends when others see he's befriended a lonely dork like Kip, who lives for thumbs-up responses to his inane status postings like, "Ate a pork chop for dinner and had nice applesauce too!"
The episode quickly branches off into some surreal territory: when a fed-up Stan tries to quit Facebook, he's sucked into a Tron-like cyber dimension where friend counts and Yahtzee victories determine physical power and social status.
The episode, part Facebook-obsession satire and perhaps part commentary on cyberbullying, offers a rare happy ending for Kip. Instead of the usual ridicule served up for rejects on "South Park," Kips turns out to be a likeable, sympathetic figure, hopefully worthy of a return appearance.
After the "You Have 0 Friends" episode aired, Mashable reports, "a guy from North Carolina" recreated Kip's Facebook page, complete with status updates like, "Drank a glass of water." As of this writing, the Kip page has more than 150,000 friends.
That's far more, it should be noted, than the 1,000 cretins who became fans of bin Laden.
Only on Facebook can a loser from "South Park" crush the biggest loser of them all.
Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NY City News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.


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- 1 1/2 cups paper-thin onion slices
- 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, coarsely grated on large holes of box grater or in processor (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Recipe Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Place onion in large bowl. Toss potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Using hands, squeeze out excess liquid from potatoes. Add potatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and melted butter to onion. Toss to coat.
Divide mixture into 4 mounds on prepared baking sheet, spacing apart. Roast 15 minutes, then turn mounds over with spatula, pressing down to flatten to 4-inch-diameter rounds (cakes will still be soft). Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake until cakes are golden and crisp around edges, about 45 minutes longer.


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At least, that's how it must look to researchers at UCLA who have come up with a landmark video picture of what work-life balance really means to today's frantic families. The picture? Not so pretty.
On the surface, it's more than a little bit creepy: Thirty-two families that allowed social scientists from UCLA to videotape every waking moment of their post-June Cleaver family lives. Reality TV, no edits. Ew.
Get past the voyeur factor, however, and what you find is life like yours. After coding and analyzing 1540 hours of video tape that chronicled everything from hugs to meltdowns, the researchers have come up with the first picture of what the New York Times reporter Benedict Carey calls "a relatively new sociological species: the dual-earner, multiple-child, middle-class American household:"
"This is the richest, most detailed, most complete database of middle-class family living in the world," said Thomas S. Weisner, a professor of anthropology at U.C.L.A. who was not involved in the research. "What it does is hold up a mirror to people. They laugh. They cringe. It shows us life as it is actually lived."
After more than $9 million and untold thousands of hours of video watching, [the researchers] have found that, well, life in these trenches is exactly what it looks like: a fire shower of stress, multitasking and mutual nitpicking. And the researchers found plenty to nitpick themselves.
What you find is that, when it comes to so-called work-life balance, there's not a whole lot that isn't work. The study found:
Crunch the numbers, and you have to wonder where the life comes in, as in having one. Leisure defined as "breathers", as in a few minutes here, a few minutes there? Doesn't anyone just play cards? Back to Carey's story:
"I call it the new math," said Kathleen Christensen of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which financed the project. "Two people. Three full-time jobs." Parents learned on the fly, she said — and it showed.
The study also measured stress levels, via saliva that participants spit into small vials at routine intervals, allowing the researchers to track cortisol (the stress hormone) four times a day. Not a lot of good news there, either:
These cortisol profiles provided biological backing for a familiar frustration in many marriages. The more that women engaged with their husbands in the evening, talking about the day, the faster their cortisol dropped. But the men's levels tapered more slowly when talking with a spouse. (A previous generation's solution: "cocktail hour")
Frankly, who wouldn't want a cocktail? Or ten? Carey's story notes the reaction of the field workers to all the household chaos:
"The very purest form of birth control ever devised. Ever," said one [of the researchers], Anthony P. Graesch, a postdoctoral fellow, about the experience. (Dr. Graesch and his wife have just had their second child.)
And therein lies the rub. Even a researcher with a camera trained on the good, the bad and the ugly of modern family life has chosen to reproduce. There's no doubt that even given what we know many of us still choose to raise families. There's also little doubt that, especially in this economy, many women will stay at home with them. And yet. As the study shows, there's something broken in the way it all comes down. There's work at work. There's work at home.
Maybe that's balance. But should we really call it life?


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- Every lesson lasts 55 minutes
- It is up to the students how often they choose to take lessons
- Individual lessons are given every day (including Saturday and Sunday) from 09:00 to 22:00
- The lessons are taught by Lubomir Zahariev
- If you cannot make it for a lesson that has already been booked and fail to call one day in advance, you must pay for the lesson
- We also offer gift certificates
- Online lesson is an option
Book your individual drums lesson online now!
Have a question? Ask us at:
- tel. +359 894 711 622
- e-mail: email@example.com
- Skype: rockschool.bg
- or come on the spot between 9.00 am. и 7.00 pm. (we work seven days a week).


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As I was making these sweet bunny hand puppets I realized that my attachment to them had grown beyond my usual care and attention and had blossomed into full blown love! They just seem to have such personalities! I found myself getting a little carried away, actually naming each one and fabricating little story lines about them. (Maybe I need to get out more!)
But enough about my eccentricities, let me introduce to you (clockwise from top left): Daffodil, Daisy, Marigold, Peppermint, Pansy, Petunia, Carrot, and Sunny, my Bunny Hand Puppets! Won't they look great in your Easter basket?
These puppets are sewn from durable, soft 100% wool felt in ecru, accented by a vibrant Dahlia Bundle. They are so simple to sew that they're the perfect project to make with a child who is just learning. Their bright colors and happy smiles make them extra fun to construct and to play with once they're finished!
Ps- These puppets were partially inspired by my earlier Bunny Finger Puppets, which you can find here!
You can make as many or as few of these hand puppets as you like. Below is a list of materials for one bunny and for a set of eight. If you'd like to make a different amount here's the math:
- You can make three puppets from two 18-inch pieces of ecru felt OR six puppets per each 1/2-yard of the felt yardage.
- You will need 1/6th of a brightly colored 18-inch piece of felt per puppet. Alternatively, you will need 1/2 of one of the smaller pieces given in a bundle per puppet.
To make one puppet:
- One 18-inch piece of 100% wool felt in Ecru (or White) for the body and outer ears.
- One 18-inch piece of 100% wool felt in a bright color for the inner ears, nose, and tail.
- One hank of DMC embroidery floss to match the body and outer ears, I used color B5200
- One hank of DMC embroidery floss in Dark Brown, I used color 3031
- A Pencil
- A Bunny Hand Puppet Template, available for free download here, printed and cut out.
To make a set of eight puppets:
- Six 18-inch pieces of 100% wool felt in Ecru (or White) OR 3/4 yards of 100% wool felt by the yard in Ecru (or White) for the body and outer ears.
- One Felt Bundle in Dahlia
- One hank of DMC embroidery floss to match the body and outer ears, I used color B5200
- One hank of DMC embroidery floss in Dark Brown, I used color 3031
- A Pencil
- A Bunny Hand Puppet Template, available for free download here, printed and cut out.
Note: For all the sewing in this project you will be using three strands of the DMC at a time.
8 X 15-inches
If you're making more than one puppet make sure to cut your pieces out carefully. Start with the ecru felt marking the pieces for the body and the outer ears. Trace the body pieces as close as possible to one another as shown above. You should be able to get three body pieces and nine outer ear pieces from each square. Make sure to trace and cut only the amount of outer ear pieces that you need.
Cut the body and outer ear pieces out carefully.
Trace the inner ear, nose, and and tail pieces onto the colored felt and cut them out carefully.
For each puppet you should have the following pieces:
- 2 body pieces in ecru
- 4 outer ear pieces in ecru
- 2 inner ear pieces in a bright color
- 1 nose in a bright color
- 1 tail piece in a bright color
The Tail
Press the tail piece in half lengthwise. Snip into the folded side every 1/4-inch stopping the cut 1/4-inch from the unfolded side to create a fringe along the folded side as shown above.
Thread a needle with the ecru embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end.
Roll the strip into a spiral along its unfolded sides. Press the needle through the center of the roll as shown above.
Keep rolling and sewing through the center in this manner until you reach the end of the tail piece.
Then whip stitch around the perimeter of the spiral to secure it, tie a knot, and cut your thread.
Turn the tail around so that the front is showing. Using a small pair of scissors snip all of the loops open.
When all the loops have been cut your tail is done. It should look like a little pom pom.
Using the ecru thread sew the tail onto the back body piece 1-inch from the bottom and equidistant from each side. Put the back body piece aside.
The Ears
Pin together two outer ear pieces and one inner ear piece so that the outer pieces are flush with one another and the inner piece is centered.
Using a small running stitch sew the three pieces together around the edge of the inner ear piece.
Repeat this for the second ear.
The Face
Using the pencil draw the eyes and mouth onto the front body piece using the template as a reference.
You can embroider the eyes using a sort of half chain stitch by following the diagram above. The odd numbers represent the needle's exit point and the even numbers represent entrance points.
Stitch the mouth using a small back stitch.
Place the nose piece on top of the mouth as shown above. You'll be sewing it on through the back of the felt of the nose piece without the thread showing through to the front. This can be a bit tricky so you might want to add a dab of fabric glue under the nose (and let it dry) before you sew it on to make sure it's secure.
To sew the nose on use the ecru thread and stitch just through the back of the felt of the nose piece, so that the stitching is invisible on the front. This might take a few tries.
Sewing Together
Pin all of the pieces together, with the ear pieces sandwiched in between the front and back pieces, as shown above.
Using a small running stitch and the ecru thread stitch all around the perimeter.
When you go around the top of the head make sure you're sewing through the back, front and ear pieces to secure the ears.
When you get all the way around you'll be all done!


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For more than two decades, PIH has treated and prevented tuberculosis (TB), multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and HIV/TB in some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world. Our community-based approach to care has resulted in some of the highest cure rates and lowest treatment default rates ever recorded.
These results prove that health problems once thought to be untreatable can be addressed effectively, even in poor and geographically remote settings. Our goal is to share the success of our approach on a broad scale.
The community-based approach utilizes community health workers who are trained and employed to serve as a vital link between their villages and medical facilities. They deliver drugs and treatment support to patients requiring complex drug regimens, and they provide TB drugs and antiretroviral therapy to patients co-infected with TB and HIV. They also monitor the health of their neighbors, perform active case finding, and refer sick patients to the hospital—often accompanying them there.
To increase the impact of our approach and avoid the creation of parallel systems, we partner with local governments and provide technical assistance to build up the public sector. Three of our original MDR-TB pilot projects have successfully been handed over to national Ministries of Health, where they can be scaled up nationally and provide training and technical assistance to other countries in their regions.
What is tuberculosis?
TB is a common—and in many cases lethal—infectious disease. It usually attacks the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough or sneeze. Symptoms of TB include a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Diagnosis relies on chest X-rays, a tuberculin skin test, and blood tests, as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of bodily fluids.
Treatment is difficult and requires long courses of multiple antibiotics—typically at least six months for drug-susceptible TB, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary. When people fail to complete the drug regimen for TB, the disease becomes resistant to treatment. It often develops into the more deadly MDR-TB.
Tuberculosis in the developing world
A person falls ill with tuberculosis about every three seconds—the vast majority of whom live in poor countries. According to the World Health Organization, 95 percent of all TB deaths occur in developing countries, resulting in about 10 million children who are orphaned due to TB deaths of one or both parents. People in the developing world are more likely to contract tuberculosis because their immune systems are more likely to be compromised due to HIV/AIDS. Today, TB is the leading cause of death for people infected with HIV/AIDS.
This disease offers a glaring example of the health care inequities that exist in the world. Drugs to fight TB have been in existence for 50 years, yet the disease continues to kill almost 4,000 people every day—nearly all of them in developing countries.
PIH and "endTB"
PIH also is working with organizations Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Interactive Research and Development, and financial partner UNITAID to radically change the management of MDR-TB around the world.
In a project called "endTB," the group aims to bring two new drugs—bedaquiline and delamanid—to 16 countries in which MDR-TB poses a significant burden. The endTB project will provide these new drugs to a multi-country group of 2,600 patients, and will implement a clinical trial among 600 additional patients to identify treatment regimens that are shorter and less toxic than current MDR-TB regimens.
The hope is to dramatically expand access to these new drugs globally, develop new treatment regimens for MDR-TB, and ultimately improve the quality of life for countless patients.


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"Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" -- Ogden Nash, "Reflections on Ice-Breaking."
We agree with Nash, especially when breaking the ice on October 31st. When you're in the mood for a creepy cocktail, these recipes should help fill up your cauldron.
The Dark and Spooky
U.S. & World
Black decorating sugar, for the glass
Juice of 1 lime plus 1 lime wedge
1/4 cup dark rum
1/4 cup ginger beer or all-natural ginger ale
Spread out the black sugar on a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip the glass in the black sugar. Fill with ice. Combine rum and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake well. Strain into the glass, top the drink with ginger beer and garnish with a gummy spider. (Food Network)
Candy Corn Cordials
For infused vodka:
1/2 cup candy corn
1 1/2 cups vodka
For the cordials:
2 ounces orange liqueur
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 large egg white
Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.
Make the cordials: Add 4 oz. of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds then strain into 2 chilled martini glasses. Garnish with candy corn. (Food Network Magazine)
The Halloween Hott Rodd
Layer the following in a highball glass. Pour over the back of a spoon to keep the layers nice and neat:
1 oz. Godiva liqueur
1 oz. Caravella Orangecello
1 oz. Patrón Citrónge
Finally, drizzle in a little white chocolate sauce and garnish with an orange twist. (Rodd Gray, Lake Highlands)
Candied Apple Martini
Combine the following in a cocktail shaker over ice:
1 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
1/2 oz. Goldschlager
1/2 oz. DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker
splash of pineapple juice
splash of cranberry juice
Shake to chill and serve straight up in a martini glass. (Jana Miller, II Charlies Bar & Grill, Denton)
Wicked Witch on the Rocks
1/3 oz. gingerbread liqueur
1/3 oz. Frangelico
1/3 oz. Baileys Irish Cream
Combine first two liqueurs over ice and top with Baileys. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. (Jana Miller, II Charlies Bar & Grill, Denton)
Three Olives Diablo Rojo
Combine 2 oz. Three-O Tomato Vodka and desired amount of Bloody Mary Mix over ice. Add a few dashes of hot sauce and sliced jalapenos. Garnish with speared peppers. (Three Olives Vodka)
DeKuyper Creepy Cosmo
1 Part DeKuyper Signature Triple Sec
3 Parts Hornitos Tequila
1 Part cranberry juice
Splash lime juice
Combine ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. (DeKuyper USA)


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His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Yasin Bursavi explains Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) - March 4th, 2010
SHEIKH AHMAD YASIN:Yes another question is; "Is Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) seen spiritually?" Yes. Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) appears to people who was granted this by Allah's Will.
Some say; "But, Master, they say that Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will not come". Those who say that he will not come, will also see him anyway. They will not believe even if he comes and they will not be his soldiers anyway. Our Prophet (saas) did not say "Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will only have a few, a handful of soldiers" for nothing. The Messenger of Allah (saas) was sent as a mercy for the worlds. Even though he came as the sultan of one hundred and twenty four thousand prophets; the believers are still only one third of those who hear and see him in the world. One third believed but do they follow him? If you look at those who follow his way, it is hardly one in one thousand. Those who act according to the Sunna; those who act according to the shariah of Prophet Mohammad (saas). Faith is in the heart, belief is in the heart. Almighty Allah grants this to the person who believes. Now thousands of radio and television channels broadcast. Could I say that there is no broadcast? They would say; "How so? You are mad," to me. I have no radio. I have no television. I did not turn the radio or television on, I do not hear. I cannot say it does not exists because I do not hear it. These exist. If you have a radio and television and if you adjust that frequency, you listen to what you want. If you have faith, submission, love and compassion then you see Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) and also Hazrat Khidr (pbuh) when you adjust your frequency. You see all the things Almighty Allah grants, you attain all these blessings.
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Taking It Too Far: Detroit Lesbians Drag 2 Girls Out A Car & Jump Them After Hitting Stud With Their Whip + Response
"Detroit lesbians jump fems for hitting one of the studs with car" - @ReaLezbosFollow
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Explore through a wide range of modern bar tables by BoConcept. A bar table is a wonderful way to have a cup of coffee and a friendly chat with your family, friends and other guests. Our modern bar tables are highly versatile, while offering a unique Scandinavian style. Bar tables are perfect for smaller spaces throughout your home, preferably in the dining area. Enjoy a casual meeting or even a few drinks, while remaining in the comfort of your own home.
All our modern bar tables can be customised to your own taste and style. Choose from a range of styles and exciting colours to work well with your current home décor. When it comes to a bar table by BoConcept there are endless possibilities. Create a beautiful setting in your home where you and some friends could catch up in style. Add bar stools from our contemporary range to relax and sit in comfort. Whether you are looking for bar stools with or without backrests, we have you covered!
Our bar tables are not limited to just your home, as they are a terrific addition for commercial use. You can use the bar tables as free standing in a canteen, conference room, lounge or café. If you are hosting events, place them together to create longer tables.
We know restyling can be a challenge, but we're here to help you make the most out of your space.


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Friday, December 19, 2008
Costa Rican Culture Shock
I realize what I'm about to say will 'unfortunately' resonate with some, while others won't have the foggiest...
A certain degree of Culture Shock is a fact of life when moving to another country and should be expected. Relocating can often be a difficult transition and some people are better prepared than others. I understood, and was prepared for the reality of relocating, or so I thought. Unfortunately for me, somewhere in the vast expanses of my brain; I wasn't relocating- I was about to be drinking never-ending Margaritas, watching sunsets, and having lurid sex on the beach. My brain frequently gets a 'little' over dramatic, but you get the picture.
Honestly, when we (D'Angelo) first moved to Costa Rica, the reality of the relocation hadn't really set in. It felt more like the beginnings of one long-ass vacation. You realize you made the ultimate move- but everything around you 'Screams' vacation, which in the beginning, wreaks havoc on your common sense. Older and wiser expats say this is a normal feeling.
*BTW- San José doesn't count. San José is 'ANY' city, 'ANY' where. Moving there is like re-locating to Detroit, except I'll be damned, in San José they speak a little more Spanish.
Naturally we went about the business of beginning 'our' new life. Moving in, finding the best places to shop, setting up bank accounts, phone lines, internet service etc. Those things can be exhausting……
….but nothing a frosty beverage wouldn't cure. It didn't take long to find a local hang-out, where other expats and tourists alike yap about the day. Before I realize it, we're 5 beers in; discussing politics (gringos love conspiracy theories), living the simple life, and the pros and cons of Costa Rica in general. Impressed tourists will ask a ton of questions, and of course buy a couple shots for providing 'inside' information on the best place to spot the Resplendent Quetzal. Then, "Hey, it's dinner time, you guys want to join us?" I say this in jest, but who are we to deny the chance of having dinner with a 'real-to- life' expats. Personally, it's nice not to go home and heat up left over beans and rice for the third night in a row.
And so it begins- beers at 'Gringo Petes,' margaritas at the 'Screaming Monkey,' tequila shots at the 'Drunk Iguana,'- if you know where you're drinking, you know the day of the week. Of course local gringos always have their local hangout, and in all actuality, it doesn't have to be a hotspot- cold beer (without the gringo pricing) and English conversation are the only prerequisites.
It's all so exciting and new, plus, you wouldn't want to miss anything by actually working in the afternoon, for a gringo in Costa Rica- that's almost sacrilegious.
Personally, I like the fact that faces are forever changing in the bar, each one doe-eyed and impressed you actually had the 'balls' to make the move- a very nice shot of self esteem I must say (a false sense, but nice nonetheless). Sure you have the regular gringos, but you can tell the same story to a different tourist every day, and it's always appreciated. Hell, Harry and Martha from Kansas, six beers in, are chatting away, inquiring about land for sale around Lake Arenal. FYI- the thought of selling land is an expats wet dream, since even a recommendation can net some serious cash- while drinking no less. I don't do this, just say'in.
Overnight, one day blends into the next; Monday is suddenly Wednesday, which quickly segues into Friday. Of course Saturday is a party night. And don't waste Sunday- as it's back to work on Monday. Lunch has become a 3-hour affair, and why leave, it's almost dinner time, and after that, it's too late to do anything productive anyway.
You'll speak your best Spanish when you're able to slur, "Uno más por favor."
The problem is - in Costa Rica, at any given time, there's always a 'reason' to have a frosty beverage. Reasons to drink are as diverse as Costa Rica itself: a new friend, a new conversation, a social gathering of resident gringos, a meeting, the numerous holidays, the humidity, the second Tuesday of the month, a birthday or anniversary, someone is leaving back to the states, someone returned from the states, it's raining, it's sunny, surfs up, surfs down, the monkeys are out…………what day is this? Every day is Saturday? When did that happen?
I think most, including me, know that the vacation MUST end. I also know that some never wake up, and to be honest, I'm still shaking the cobwebs off.
It's noon right now and the gringos are beginning to belly up to the bar- jockeying for 'their' stool. At this moment, Walt is telling Jim 'the tourist' he knows where he can purchase a really nice 'lot' for dirt cheap. Jim 'the tourist' will ask Walt which tequila he prefers; after all, they're on vacation aren't they?
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Costa Rican Culture Shock
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Gallery > Album
Tidworth 10k
Over 750 people took part in the 8th annual Tidworth 10k & 3k fun run on Sunday despite the heavy rain and cold conditions. Runners aged from 2yr old toddlers to over 80s came together in the soggy grounds of Tedworth House to raise funds for Salisbury District Hospital's Charity – the Stars Appeal.
See the full gallery and buy prints at www.johnrosephotography.com
Showing images 13 to 24 of 157.


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What does that mean to you as an owner of
a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is an area of your land
that can't be developed. Conservation easements
preserve plant and wildlife habitats and protect environmentally
sensitive areas such as waterways, wetlands, wetland transition
areas, steep slopes, streams, and stream buffer areas.
For more information on conservation easements:
Download Conservation Easements: What They Are
and Why They are Important
Download Conservation Easement Do's
and Don'ts
View the US EPA Fact Sheet on Conservation Easements


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Hoverla mountain (48°09′63″N 24°29′69″E) (Ukrainian: Говерла; Russian: Говерла; Czech and Slovak: Hoverla; Polish and German: Howerla; Hungarian: Hóvár; Romanian: Hovârla) at 2061m, is the highest mountain in Ukraine and part of the Carpathian Mountains. The mountain is located in the Eastern Beskides, in the so-called Chornohora region. The slopes are covered with beech and spruce forests, above which there is a belt of sub-alpine meadows called polonyna in Ukrainian. At the eastern slope there is the main spring of the Prut river.
The mountain is cone-shaped, the top of it is a small flat area, that allows admiring the landscape within a radius of 360 degrees. It belongs to Chernohora mountain range and lies near town Rakhiv, the geographical center of Europe.
The date of the first ascent is unknown. In late 19th century the mountain became a notable tourist attraction, especially among tourists from nearby cities of Galicia. In 1880 the first tourist route between the peak of Hoverla and Krasny Luh was marked by Leopold Wajgel of the Galician Tatra Society. The following year the first tourist shelter was founded there, since then it is the most visited mountain in this region. Usually it takes about 6 hours to reach the top so it is always popular with people who like one-day adventures in the mountains. In winter it has 1A complication category passes and attracts people that prefer extreme tourism. Statistics states that there is a true pilgrimage to Hoverla on the last day of the year, so finally it has become a tradition: each Ukrainian should mount Hoverla at least once in his life.
Some time ago Hoverla peak was on the border between Poland and Czechoslovakia, now here is a border between Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. If you look to the South-East you will see the mountain Petros and other mountain ranges behind it. If you look to the North-West you will see Carpathian national park.
In the 20th century and especially after Ukraine gained independence, losing the cheap access to the many mountain region of the former USSR, the mountain is increasingly gaining popularity as an extreme sport site. Some routes are classified as 1A in winter period (from late autumn to May), according to the USSR grading system. Nowadays because of its prominence too many unskilled extreme-lovers are taking attempts to climb it in winter, resulting in regular frostbites or even deaths.
Since the fall of communist regime in Eastern Europe, when the borders became more open, the whole beatiful area of the highest part of Ukrainian Carpathians attracts attention not only of Ukrainian tourists but nowadays becomes more and more popular among hikers from other close countries especially Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia for whom visiting Eastern Carpathian mountians is a real sentimental "back to the past" journey.
In October 2007 the radical pro-Russian Eurasia Party-affiliated "Eurasian Youth Union" vandalized the official Ukrainian state symbols put on the Hoverla mountain. According to the group, they "renamed" the mountain as "Stalin's peak".
Hoverla is climbed every year by Ukranian President Viktor Yuschenko.
Hoverla is not a difficult mountain to climb. By far the most popular route is from the east — a 6 km. climb one way from a trailhead at 1100 m above sea level (Zaroslyak mountain chalet). It costs a few hryvnias to enter the nature reserve at the end of the very bad gravel road from Vorokhta.
The trail starts at Zaroslyak chalet and rises through spruce forests that open up at 1400 m to reveal beautiful meadows. Grazing here is forbidden, so the grasses and wildflowers grow tall. There is a small spring at the beginning of the meadows where you can fill up your water bottle. The treeline is around 1600 m, but dwarf junipers grow as high as 1800 m. The summit of Hoverla offers excellent views in all directions on rare sunny days. It is surrounded by other mountains above 1800 m. Patches of snow often remain through August. There are a number of monuments on the summit.
Another less popular but nice route up Hoverla is from the north — about 12 km. starting at the extreme south end of Lazeschyna village (seasonal Kozmeschyk tourist base camp).
In my opinion the best choice when planning climbing Hoverla Peak is taking a 2-3 day trip by the whole length of beatiful Chornohora ridge (with bivouacs) starting in the small village of Berestechko (Dzembronia) situated under peaks of Smotrec (1894) and Pip Ivan (2028) at the sout-eastern end of the massif . The village is accessible in the summer season by numerous mini-buses from Verkhovyna . The ridge route is just an easy hike by the highest summits of Ukrainian Carpathians, wonderful views in all directions . The trail is not marked but the orientation is not complicated, You just have to keep the path going by the ridge or traversing grassy slopes just below .
The highest mountain group in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains, the eastern part of the Polonynian Beskyd. Its main range extends for about 40 km from the Chorna Tysa River in the west to the Chornyi Cheremosh River in the east. Chornohora is built of hard sandstone with strata of low-resistance schist. The major part of Chornohora forms the watershed between the Prut River and the Tysa River. For many centuries this was also the boundary of the states to which Galicia and Transcarpathia belonged. The western part of Chornohora, containing the Petros Peak (2,020 m), lies in Transcarpathia in the basin of the Tysa. The two parts of Chornohora are separated by a deep pass (alt 1,550 m).
The western part of Chornohora is heavily gouged (the relative height of Petros is 300 m). The eastern part is a massive, monotonous range with peaks over 1,900 m high—Hoverla, 2,061 m; Shpytsi, 1,997 m; Tomnatyk, 2,018 m; Pip Ivan 2,026 m—and a minimum elevation of 1,750 m. Short ranges branch off from the main range. The slopes of Chornohora, which are dissected by narrow valleys 1,000 m or more in width, contrast with the almost level ranges, which are the remains of former peneplains. The landscape of Chornohora has been affected by glaciers more than has that of other parts of the Ukrainian Carpathians. In the Ice Age the boundary of permanent snow lay at an elevation of 1,300–1,400 m, and short glaciers formed at the sources of streams. In the Prut River Valley the glacier reached an elevation of 1,000 m and was 6.5 km long. Postglacial depressions, with steep, often rocky slopes and broad bottoms sometimes covered with lakes (mostly under Tomnatyk) or peat bogs, the uneven slope of the valleys with occasional waterfalls (on the Prut River, for example), and lateral and terminal moraines are some of the effects of former glaciation. The slopes of Chornohora are covered with forests, which occupy 70 percent of the surface. Beech trees are found on the northern slopes in the lower forest belt up to 1,300 m, and spruce trees appear higher up (even up to 1,600 m). Beech are also common on the southern slopes and they constitute the upper boundary of the forests. Above the forest belt , up to 1,800 m, lies a belt of alder and juniper brush, and above it a belt of clear mountain meadow that reaches the peaks or ends sometimes at stone fields. There are many endemic species of flora.
The local population consists of the Hutsul ethnographic group, which inhabits the lowest parts of Chornohora: in Transcarpathia Yasinia lies in the Chorna Tysa River Valley and the town of Bohdan in the Bila Tysa River Valley; in the north there are only the villages of Bystrytsia and Dzembronia. Arable land covers scarcely 0.5 percent of the surface area; forests, 70 percent; hayfields, 5 percent; meadows and pastures, 22 percent. To protect the soil and the villages from floods, small reservoirs were built after the First World War. In 1964 a preserve of 7,702 ha was created in the region; it now forms part of the Carpathian Nature Reserve. Herding is an important occupation in Chornohora, where the pasturing season lasts for five months. The main industry of the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains is tourism. Its centers include Rakhiv, Yasinia, Vorokhta, Bystrets, and Verkhovyna (formerly Zhabie) .


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The world of professional wrestling seems like it changes more often than the jet stream of cold air in the Great Lakes every season, constantly shifting positions from one side of the map to the other. Storylines come and go, being adjusted along the way for various reasons, including, but not limited too, fan popularity or venue changes. Wrestlers also change promotions along the way for the sake of bettering themselves or simply because both parties (wrestler and owner) deem it for the best. This all leads me into the topic of the Immortal Hulk Hogan. Hulk is one of, if not the best wrestlers of all time that has performed for all of the high profile promotions (WWE, WCW, TNA) to take his character global.
After his illustrious career as a professional wrestler,Hulk decided to throw his hat into the general manager pool, inking himself a contract, in October of 2009, with TNA wrestling in the hopes of solidifying a product that could be branded to his resume. In his three year stint, he was a storyline developer, wrestled in some great matches (Sting, Flair), and was an innovating preacher of change. These changes included:
·Going to the name Impact Wrestling
· No more 6 sided ring
·New talent (Jeff Hardy, RVD, etc)
·Went live and head to head with WWE Raw
Obviously, not all of these changes proved to be successful,but I do think they definitely were bold in trying to lead them down the right path to success. In my opinion, one of the miscalculations was the constant focus on the older talent within the roster, instead of the future, similar to what led to the downfall of WCW. It is impossible to keep paying a roster of outdated superstars millions of dollars without the influx of younger,affordable talent and stay profitable. Consequently, after all the ups and downs throughout his reign, Hulk Hogan, as of October 13, 2013, is a free agent. This brings me to the idea of him returning to the WWE for one last run. I certainly understand he is 60 years old and his body is not what it once was,but a return for an inevitable Wrestlemania XXX (30) match could prove to be ingenious. There could be so many storylines for Hulk to collaborate, like the following:
· Surprise entrant at the Royal Rumble on the road to WM XXX
·Head to head versus the Undertaker and the streak
·Appointing him GM of Raw as he and Vince join forces to begin a power struggle with Triple H and Stephanie
There are many scenarios that could be thrilling if Hulk Hogan returns to the WWE roster in some capacity. Will it happen? Sure it can. Is there a possibility? Sure there is. The current storylines are wrapped around the phrase "Best for Business" and I couldn't think as to why one, last Hulkamania run would be any different.
***What ways, if any, do you think Hogan could be used?
BY:Tony Cutillo
Follow me @TCutillo23
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This site contains the Laurel Latto's art portfolio. Unless indicated, all art (photography, painting, illustrations, etc.) was created by Laurel Latto. © Laurel Latto, DonnaBellas.com, & LattoARTs.com 2003. Purchase art from this website at DonnaBellas.com. See donated art at DonnaBellasAngels.org. DonnaBellas Angels is United States 501(c)3 non-profit. organization
My dear Brian, you are loved and missed by your family. I will do what I can to support Lauren & your daughter, Mackenzie, through www.mackenziewhitetrust.com and www.mackenziewhitetrust.org


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Let $M$ be a closed orientable Riemannian manifold. Recall that a plane field on a Riemannian manifold is said to be geodesic if any geodesic tangent to the plane field at one point is tangent to it at every point. Is it true that if $E\subset TM$ a one-dimensional geodesic plane field, then there exists $X\in \Gamma(E)$ such that $X$ is a Killing vector field? where $\Gamma$ means the section of a bundle.
How about $E$ has dimension $\ge 2$?


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Saigon - Enemies
Music Video for Enemies performed by Saigon from the album The Greatest Story Never Told. © 2011 Suburban Noize Records.
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Content. We're not so much waving in it, as drowning. IDC says that in 2011 we created 1.8 zettabytes (or 1.8 trillion GBs) of information. In 2012 it reached 2.8 zettabytes and IDC now forecasts that we will generate 40 zettabytes (ZB) by 2020.
Of course, that's not all human-readable data but I've been looking around for those kind of figures and it seems we've given up on calculating the size of the blogosphere, Twitterverse or any other social media-verse-osphere in any meaningful way.
So let's forget about quantifying data. How do you feeeeeeeeel about it?
Personally, I feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. Google Reader was great for grabbing a ton of feeds and filtering the wheat from the chaff. It closed. Yahoo Pipes does something similar but has a steep learning curve and is a bit flaky.
TweetDeck was the answer, I thought, with its persistent filters. And as I wrote recently, Feed.ly is starting to pique my interest in RSS again because it's a better way of actually finding out what people are writing about, properly, rather than just sharing.
But it's still all a bit, well, panic-inducing. I dip into TweetDeck and have a nibble but hop away quite quickly again like a tiny frightened rabbit. Feed.ly, while more relaxing, can also scare the faint of heart, especially with its title-only layout. There are magazine-type apps such as Flipboard, which recently expanded into the web(osphere) and Google Newsstand. This seemed a way forward, by presenting items in a neat, concise layout but try as I might, I never really managed to get them quite how I wanted them.
But Paper.li just works for me.
At its simplest and most effective, you just plug your Twitter feed into it, which creates a publication based on the most shared content, that was shared by the most influential people. So it's almost a Twitter 'expander', taking the most relevant tweets and expanding them back into full articles. You can go much deeper into different sources of content, filters, customisation and so on, but at the basic level it works marvellously well.
I've been using it for quite some time, ever since Neville Hobson's version cited me as contributing to his daily publication. I used it to help promote Byyd (recently reactivated I see) and am currently helping LoopMe with it too. Oh, and I'm also using it myself, obviously.
However, forget about sharing for a second. My publication is actually really useful to me. This is because it represents something of an amazing intersection between the people I want to follow, and the content I want to read.
What I really like about this approach is that I get an email in my inbox each morning telling me that the new edition's ready. I go and take a look, and there it is: my magazine, with the most interesting articles that I really need to read. Not columns of content or masses of titles. Just the top, say, four or five articles distilled for my pleasure.
So forget about building feeds or creating lists, or scanning vast swathes of information rolling in front of your eyes like so many fruit machines. Just start up a Paper.li publication, plug your Twitter timeline into it, tweak it a little with filters, and away you go. If it's not quite right, tweak it again a few more times and you'll soon have your own, simple, relevant daily digest.
I think the next radical step in Paper.li's evolution is going to be some sort of unique delivery system. I see a great opportunity to offer the magazine in, say, a PDF format so that people can print a hard copy. Or, how about this: a centralised printing facility that not only prints but delivers, maybe via third-party agents that specialise in news, with franchises based in local communities offering a valuable source of local employment. It might catch on…


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Molecular Transport Structures: Elastic Scattering, Vibronic Effects and Beyond
Published on
Current experimental efforts are clarifying quite beautifully the nature of charge transport in so-called molecular junctions, in which a single molecule provides the channel for current flow between two electrodes. The theoretical modeling of such structures is challenging, because of the uncertainty of geometry, the nonequilibrium nature of the process, and the variety of available mechanisms. The talk will center on the first formulation of the problem in terms of scattering theory, and then on the generalizations needed to make that simple picture relevant to the real experimental situation. These include vibronic coupling, structural disorder and energy transfer. Some comments will be made on possible switching and rectification schemes.
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:


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[Election 2008]
Many Europeans are stunned by Sen. John McCain's current chopping and changing, and mainly by his literal and blatant cribbing from Sen. Obama.
Furthermore, they´re astonished that Sen. McCain plumped for Gov. Sarah Palin whom they put down as too inexperienced and risky to ably pinch-hit for the would-be president of the States.
Republican Presidential Candidate McCain told the whole world that he selected Gov. Palin as his running mate so that the two may bring about "change" and rid
In all truth, Sen. McCain isn't wrong; many conservatives and nominal Christians in many countries around the world – not only in the U.S. – are through and through hypocritical and rotten. These so-called Christians pay lip-service to God and to His Lamb Jesus-Christ, but their hearts are far away from God Almighty.
To claim to be a Christian means to accept all commandments and teachings of the Bible. Someone who is a pro-lifer and at the same time disses and takes the name of God and Jesus-Christ in vain is a spiritually bankrupt person.
To be a Christian, means to shun killing, slandering, telling lies, maliciously distorting the utterances of others, cynically taking the words of others out of their original context, backbiting and biting fellow humans, who are the spitting image of God our Maker.
The Bible teaches that selecting some commandments and quashing others squarely nullify the Christian status of the breaker of the biblical teachings. In this regard, the breaker of the biblical teachings is akin to a pagan and/or an unbeliever.
So a pro-life Christian who practices and enhances corruption, shady dealings, slander, lies, injustice, unrighteousness, segregation and cheating, is worse than a Pharisee – who were consummate hypocrites. The Lord Jesus explains in the Bible that if one´s righteousness doesn't go beyond, rank and tower above the Pharisaic one, one can´t enter the Kingdom of God. So it stands to reason that a true and real Christian ought to be truthful and honest.
As a matter of course, Sen. McCain should have publicly told the American electorate the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth that he's co-opting Sen. Obama's manifesto. For instance, the idea of "change" is the Democratic Presidential Candidate's motto. Many people here in
In addition, Sen. Obama's been championing "direct diplomacy", the fixing of the current U.S. economic difficulties, the tackling of health care and education problems, the eradication of corruption and all other inequalities.
Elsewhere, Sen. McCain declared recently that Sen. Obama "was wrong on Iraq" and on Iran, and that he "lacks the judgment" to lead the U.S. in a capacity as president. All political pundits, however, know that "good judgement" is Sen. Obama's hallmark, while McCain´s always claimed to be more experienced. Now then, we know that "experience is understood perception."
It ensues from this that Sen. Obama is the real, original inspirer, originator and enhancer of the primacy of "good judgement", "direct diplomacy", "focus on the issues" that matter and bulk large in the life and thoughts of the U.S. electorate, while Sen. McCain is emerging as a copycat and blithering cribber. The Democratic Presidential Candidate's slogan and manifesto isn't out of copyright yet.
Eventually, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Since it's now plain as pikestaff that Sen. McCain is espousing Sen. Obama's slogan and manifesto, and thus secretly regarding his rival as inspirer-in-chief, why doesn´t the Republican Presidential Candidate honestly, like and as any true Christian, call upon all American electors to cast their ballots for the Democratic Presidential Candidate come November?
Black Star News columnist Mathias V. Ntep is a PhD candidate at the University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, right, talks to reporters alongside Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at the Pentagon in April. Commenting on a military training class containing anti-Islam sentiments, Dempsey on Thursday called the course "totally objectionable."
Emerging details of inflammatory anti-Islam materials used in U.S. military training have prompted a chorus of outrage from civil rights and American Muslim groups, and growing demands for the dismissal of military leaders associated with the course, and for other actions to address the issue.
The materials, first detailed by Wired.com, used in an elective course at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va., promoted "total war" against Muslims in order to stave off terrorism. The course, "Perspectives on Islam and Islamic Radicalism," raised the option of "taking war to a civilian population," in disregard of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and possibly destruction of Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest sites.
"This is Abu Ghraib by power point and lectern," said Mikey Weinstein, president of the nonprofit Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), referring to the scandal that erupted in 2004 after the surfacing of torrid pictures of U.S. troops abusing prisoners in Iraq. "It's even worse than Abu Ghraib. What they are talking about is essentially genocide," of Muslims.
The military announced a review of its training materials and canceled the "Perspectives" course in late April. The action came after an FBI review resulted in the elimination of reams of materials that were found to be discriminatory against Muslims, treating the whole population with suspicion.
The details coming to light from the the 8-week course at an elite military institution — taught to officers since 2004 — have shocked even those who have long complained about discrimination against Muslims.
Follow @msnbc_us
Instructor Lt. Col. Matthew Dooley, the main focus of the criticism, taught that the Geneva Conventions that set standards of armed conflict are "no longer relevant."
Click here for a slideshow from the course published by Wired magazine.
"This would leave open the option once again of taking war to a civilian population wherever necessary (the historical precedents of Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki being applicable...)."
Dooley's materials mock the notion of "moderate Muslims." He taught that the growing number of mosques and Islamic centers in the United States would generate more adherents to use "violent jihad" in pursuit of Islamic domination.
The course materials admit that the actions and views included will not be seen as "politically correct."
Indeed, the courses contradict U.S. government positions — as represented internally and to U.S. allies in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere — that while the country is fighting Islamic extremists, it is not at war with the religion or its adherents as a whole.
On Thursday, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey called the course "totally objectionable" and "against our values."
Dempsey told reporters at the Pentagon that Lt. Col. Dooley was no longer teaching, but has kept his job at the college, a top post-graduate professional military institution that serves students from around the world.
Among the organizations calling for Dooley's dismissal from the college is the Council on American Islamic Relations.
"It is imperative that those who taught our future military leaders to wage war not just on our terrorist enemy, but on the faith of Islam itself be held accountable," wrote CAIR national executive director Nihad Awad in a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. "These shocking revelations are completely out of line with the longstanding values of one of our nation's most respected institutions."
The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee is urging the Pentagon to recall and retrain military personnel who have been subjected to the anti-Islam material.
"It's very troubling," Abed Ayoub, ADC legal director, told msnbc.com. "You're sending American soldiers overseas with these trainings and these biases ... I think there definitely should be a study as to what impact these trainings have had on their actions."
Weinstein, from MRFF, asserts that Dooley and others in his chain of command who knew about the course materials or should have known about the material should face court-martial.
"MRFF calls for the immediate dismissal of Lt. Col. Dooley, as well as an immediate condemnation, deeply probing investigation, and swift trial by courts-martial of those responsible for allowing content advocating genocide to be used to indoctrinate future leaders within the U.S. armed forces," he told msnbc.com.
MRFF has filed request under the Freedom of Information Act seeking to surface all communication and documentation about the Perspectives course. Weinstein, a former Air Force judge advocate general, or JAG, and lawyer in the Reagan White House, believes the course is merely a symptom of a larger problem. In recent years he has campaigned against the military's invitation of speakers that are known for virulent anti-Islam views.
"This is simply a small cancer cell that is rapidly metastasizing," he said. "This is representative of a larger more sinister force which is fundamentalist Christianity."
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No lemonade for you!
That's what the cops had to tell several people who had allegedly illegally parked cars around a roadside lemonade stand set up by comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his family last week in East Hampton Village, according to the community news website 27east.com.
The "Seinfeld" star and his family had set up the lemonade stand on Aug. 18 to raise money for his wife's charity, Baby Buggy. At least one neighbor called police after seeing the attention the lemonade stand was drawing, and police came and shut the operation down, 27east.com reports.
[NATL] Weird News Photos
Village police told the family that it was against the law to operate a lemonade stand because village code prohibits all forms of street peddling, according to 27east.com.
The family had more humor about the encounter than Seinfeld's TV character had during neighborly spats with Newman, however.
Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, posted a photo to Instagram showing the comic, their son, Julian, and a couple of Julian's friends standing with their hands behind their head near a village police cruiser.
"Lemonade dreams crushed by local neighbor, but not before raising lots of money for @loverecycled," she wrote. "Thanks to all of our customers and big tippers!"


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Most hard-core couponers opt for the binder organizational method for these reasons because it allows for lots of coupons, it's easy to flip through and find coupons, the materials to set it up are relatively inexpensive and it's portable.
You can start with a smaller binder and work your way up. As a full-time, crazy couponer I have a three-inch binder. I opted for a hard plastic binder that I thought would hold up to a lot of wear and tear. I bought the binder at Office Max, using coupons from my MaxPerks account.
Use baseball card pages (check Amazon: Ultra Pro 9-Pocket Trading Card Pages – Platinum Series 100 Pages) or 100 BCW 9-Pocket Plastic Sheets to store your coupons. If you go to a specialty baseball card shop you will find different styles of pages, some with three sleeves/pockets per page or four per page (you'll pay more for these special pages). You can also use photo pages and or sheet protectors.
Get a few sets of strong plastic dividers. The paper ones will rip in no time. I have separated my coupon book into categories, based on the layout of the store. You can break it into whatever categories work best for you.
These are the categories I use:
- Free – for all those FREE coupons that you want to use before they expire!
- Produce – Fruits, veggies and things found in the produce section (croutons, refrigerated salad dressings, tofu, etc.)
- Condiments & Sauces – Pickles, mustard, peanut butter etc.
- Beverages – Anything you can drink!
- Packaged and Canned Goods – Most of the stuff that is in the center aisles of a grocery store. Soups, dry pastas, tuna, canned veggies, crackers, rice, bread products, etc.
- Baking – Anything found in the baking aisle, including spices, parchment paper, brownie/cake mixes, etc.
- Cereal & Breakfast – Cereals, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup,
- Snacks & Candy – Snack foods such as pretzels, popcorn, chips, gum, candy, etc.
- Dairy – All things found in the dairy section – cheese, milk, sour cream, yogurt, and things like eggs, refrigerated cookie dough, etc.
- Meats – All meat products
- Frozen – All products in the frozen food aisle, including frozen entrees, desserts, etc.
- Cosmetics – Make-up and cosmetics products
- Oral Care – Toothbrushes, mouth wash, dental floss, etc.
- Personal Care – This is a big category for coupons – hygiene products, eye drops, deodorant, face wash, body wash, lotions, shampoo/conditioner, hair stylers, etc.
- Cleaning – All cleaning products and fragrance products (such as Glade candles, etc.)
- Paper Goods – Napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, ziploc bags, tin foil, plastic wrap, etc.
- Medicine – All medicines, first aid items, vitamins, etc.
- Baby & Kids – Diapers, wipes, kid's foods, etc.
- Pets – All things pets
- Office & Misc. – Office supply coupons and other items that you don't have categories for.
Pick the categories for the products you use and set it up in a way that works for you.
Then you clip your coupons and insert them into the categories! You will need to fold most coupons before putting them into the little pockets. I try to always leave the expiration date visible so I can easily pull them out when they are expired. Go through your binder at the beginning of each month to pull the expired coupons.
I like this method because I have it in a big bag and flip through it without taking it out in the store (kind of like a little filing cabinet). I carry this bag, my purse and usually my toddler, into the store. I know it sounds crazy, but I think it's not as crazy as paying full price!!!
MAKE SURE AND PUT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON YOUR BINDER. I always recommend a name and phone number written with a permanent marker on your coupon binder. You'd be amazed how easy it is to forget it in your cart or leave it on a shelf. Unfortunately I've heard a lot of sad stories when these haven't been returned or recovered. I treat mine just as I would my purse – I don't leave it unattended and I always double-check that I have it when I leave the store.
There is no right way, just your way. The easiest it is for you to maintain and use, the more likely you will be to use it and save money!


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Suzuki Roshi, James Joyce, Richard Brautigan, a cow and Stravinsky
Is it possible that losing your mind is a very zen thing to do? I find the thought comforting. I order a new copy of Suzuki Roshi's obscure, perplexing, illuminating book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. I know I used to … Continue reading
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September 20, 2005
The Red Sox remain the same team as last night, but I will not give up. I refuse to give up.
I did not give up last year, when I felt like a goddamn fool still keeping score at home during the later half of ALCS 3 -- filling in Yankee run after Yankee run after Yankee run in red ink.
I was excited and nervous throughout Game 4. All I wanted was One Win.
And I got One Win. And then another, and another, and another, and ...
Eight sweet, joyous, magical, life-changing wins. Eight!
So, yeah, my cursing during last night's fiasco may have peeled some paint off my wall. Big fucking deal. ... If I didn't care about the Red Sox, I'd be reading a book tonight.
Instead, I'm filling out my scorecard for Game #151.
We have to treat every game from here on in as if we are down 0-3 to the Chokers.
I believe. I've always believed. I cannot not believe.
And neither can you.
14 comments:
- From the Vined Smithy said...
Amen. Win tonight.
- September 20, 2005 at 3:57 PM
Is it on?
- September 20, 2005 at 4:35 PM
- sarah said...
alright, i'm in.
- September 20, 2005 at 5:09 PM
You said it. And the Sox are cooperating tonight. And in the larger scheme, where this is all worthwhile for the emotion and excitement and good guys and bad guys, the Yankees are cooperating too, taking it to the O's. It's going to come down to three days in autumn ...
- September 20, 2005 at 5:49 PM
- Rajat said...
Nice post...at least the Sox are winning tonight. let's be up by more than three going into that last weekend...
- September 20, 2005 at 6:38 PM
- Neil Hay said...
I liked last night's post - you saved me a lot of words - if a fan can't have that type of release after the frustration of a perfomance like last night, what is the point of being a fan?
- September 20, 2005 at 7:22 PM
I think the Sox finally felt the pain of the Nation tonight. There were plenty of signs of life in the bats tonight...a turnaround, perhaps?
I still believe!
- September 20, 2005 at 9:32 PM
- DanM said...
Well, well, well. Numbers 4,5 and 6 showed up and Big Papi showed the way. Yuckees win, grrrrrr
I want the BoSox to be no less than four games ahead came the final three with the Bronx Bummers. It would be great to see them for three games knowinng they were dead and buried. Even greater satisfaction would be loss all three games to them and listen to them whine for a year about they were better!
Schilling was bearing down and working on his control - he looked great and I hope he can master getting the ball down before the end of the season.
Gotta go to work now. Bye bye Soxers!
- September 21, 2005 at 3:09 AM
In the spirit of the addage "the taller the tree, the sweeter the fruit", then every denizen of the Nation must admit that last year's eight-game, rise from the ALCS ashes run was the sweetest fruit of all, an achievement unsurpassed in the annals of the sport.
I, too, wish these guys would try not to turn these final two weeks into an extended Acapulco cliff-diving contest, where each "W" is somehow given greater value if it comes with a heightened degree of difficulty.
The romp last night was a good tonic for most all of what seems to have been ailing the team, and lost amid the torrent of HRs was the long-awaited breakthrough for Tek, a nice 4 for 5 night. His stoicism and determination throughout his September batting woes have served as clear examples of why he wears the "C", and let's hope he has really discovered his stroke and will tear it up over the last 11 games.
No cupcakes tonight, sports fans, as the Incredible Kazmir and his preposterous feats of portside prestidigitation take the stage. How in the name of Zambrano did the Mets ever part with this kid? Imagine him in a Red Sox uniform.
In a similar game last September, many of will recall that Kazmir was the casualty of an early beanball-retalation ejection in a pivotal game that gave the Sox breathing room in the Wild Card race. After struggling for the first several innings, the Sox then teed off on a series of tomato cans in Devil Rays' uniforms to win the pivot game.
Given that tempers have apparently cooled between these teams and that four-seamers with a side of ribs seem to have been removed from the Trop menu, I expect no such early exit tonight, and the Sox will have to earn their hacks to take the rubber game of the series and have their mojo working as they head off to Baltimore to face the Dreaded El Birdos.
- September 21, 2005 at 3:37 AM
On another topic: I was waiting to read the Globe account of the game before prostrating myself, but Redsock, I owe you an apology.
Johnny Damon,playing hurt though he undoubtedly is,played wretchedly in the field last night, as he has intermittently for about a week. No criticism from the Bostom sportsjackels at all, even for the rock of letting Carl Crawford take two bases on a fly out. Renteria is playing even worse in the field (I'm beginning to worry that he has some dread neurological disease), but he's just "Fatigued" according to the Globe. You're 100% correct: when Manny does any of the stuff that Damon and Renteria have been doing almost daily, he's "goofing off," "not concentrating", being "a flake," "being Manny." When he takes a day off because he's "Fatigued," he's "malingering." I was wrong, wrong, wrong to give you such crap for calling attention to this phenomenon, and I am truly sorry. It was good and alert analysis, and I was just too blind to see it.
- September 21, 2005 at 6:24 AM
yaztex, you truly have a way with words. I always look forward to your comments.
As for last night, I have to question whether or not Ortiz is even human. Throw him anything that's not outside the strike zone, and he bruises hands in the bleachers.
If anyone but him gets the MVP, there's something wrong. The Manny/Ortiz cancelling each other out bullshit shouldn't get in the way this year. The number of Ws on his bat alone this season has to be in the double digits. His RBI weren't the only ones last night, but his were the first, and the most important.
C'mon Wake -- give us a good one tonight.
- September 21, 2005 at 7:01 AM
- allan said...
Thanks, Jack.
(Feel free to email the Globe writer too, if possible.)
- September 21, 2005 at 7:54 AM
- Jere said...
Like you, I also was pissed after two nights ago. To the point where I ripped into some Sox players, and was ready to kill all life-forms yankee. And like yours, my blog was quoted on that yankee blog, as the seemingly nice dude basically tried to show all the yankee fans (who can read) how negative we all were. And like you, I got up the next morning, ready to watch the Sox come right back, which they did.
And I was also VERY pissed about what that ump did to Hanley.
Ahh, June 8, 1950. A very good day for the Sox. Or so I'm told.
- September 21, 2005 at 1:00 PM
- allan said...
What fan wouldn't be pissed? As I said, even if they had won, I would have been furious at the shitty play.
And like yours, my blog was quoted on that yankee blog, as the seemingly nice dude basically tried to show all the yankee fans (who can read) how negative we all were.
Ah, whatever -- you think those guys weren't a tad negative after last year's ALCS?
Literate Yankee fans? How many is that, anyway? 7?
- September 21, 2005 at 1:09 PM