text:
Oldboy (2013) (UK - DVD R2)
Marcus let's Spike Lee's Oldboy out a bit early, just to get it over and done with.
Joe Doucett (John Brolin) is a bastard. He drinks too much, he's arrogant and he doesn't care about his family. During his latest drunken night out, Joe is kidnapped and held captive in a room for 20 years. Upon his unexpected release Joe embarks on a mission to find the person responsible and demand an explanation for his punishment and to apologise to his daughter for his past deeds.
Yup, they've gone an made an English speaking Oldboy and however much that feels like a pointless idea, we now live in cinematic world where remakes, reboots, reimaginings and re-whatevers are the norm so I guess this remake, of the original brutal classic was a no-brainer when it came to a built in audience of fans and those guy and gals that wanted to see the original but don't like watching films they have to read.
The immediate knee jerk reaction to these things is that Hollywood will no doubt water down the brutal nature of the original. That's not really the case with this one, well not entirely anyway. Yeah it doesn't feel as gritty as the original but the gnarly bits are still pretty gnarly. The torture scene where Joe takes chunks out of Samuel L. Jackson's character's neck, where he intends to keep going until he can pull his head off, leaves little to the imagination and works wonders. Same goes for the majority of the fight scenes and film's infamous final reveal.
What is dialed down however is the weirdness. Sure, there's still a fair share of odd moments but this one all stays quite level headed and its sense of odd, falls more into a sense of chuckles which doesn't always sit right in a scene. It generates a fairly loose approach to all the events and somehow it takes the impact off of some of the key reveals. I guess it could be that I knew the beats from the original already, so the shock value has gone but none of the characters seem to be all that effected by the messed up events in the film and it made it hard to take in the darkness of the goings on.
Brolin has most of the film to himself and the cast he does interact with don't really share much of the focus. Elizabeth Olson is good but never really has the space to be great, Samuel L Jackson is obviously having a blast and makes the most of his character (though he feels like he's stepped out of D.O.A Dead or Alive) and Sharlto Copley, while certainly memorable with his performance, it's not for all the right reasons as his performance sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sadly the central role doesn't do a lot to keep this thing buoyant. Josh Brolin is almost playing this too melodramatically for my tastes. His physical performance is pretty good and there's a real sense of his weight as he lumbers about but he's always struck me as a little too bewildered or too crazy, or sad, or angry, or whatever is called for to show his anguish. It never felt all that real to me and seemed to be trying to capture the original film without letting new character Joe Doucett ever become his own thing.
The biggest let down about all of this however is the fact Spike Lee directed it. This film is pretty faceless and feels like anyone could have directed it. There's nothing all that special about it or a sense that Spike Lee has brought anything to the project other than his name. Everything just feels like a poorly replicated version of the original film. Even the infamous hammer fight seems lackluster. In fact it almost feels silly in places. You can just feel the choreography in every stroke, the planned beats and the waves of screaming hoodlums with plantks of wood doesn't feel natural. In fact it doesn't feel unlike this 'Oldboy' is being attacked by Wesley Snipe's gang in the Michael Jackson Bad music video or something, which might explain why this felt a bit silly.
There's a obviously purpose built level of grain for the film's style but on this standard definition release it just makes the film look ugly. Elements being soft doesn't help any and while colours all seem good, this is another example of DVD as a format being woefully under loved by its studio.
The image just looks so grubby and it makes the equally gritty and prettily lit film look about ten years older than it actually is. When the murkier lighting creeps in as the film's tone slips underground, black levels are closer to off greens and blues and the quality slips down another notch or two. Orange skin tones begin to look too boosted for their surroundings and real detail is minimal with the image appearing rather flat at times. Also it's not always easy to read the texts Joe receives when flashed quickly as the phone image is just not sharp enough. This is a poor DVD that holds an image that you know probably shines in HD. The quality is all in there in the film's production (if you like the style of the film that is) but this DVD does very little to celebrate it.
The Dolby Digital track is all round good but never gives anything spectacular. Dialogue sits well in the centre, the score hovers strongly around it and the rears back everything up as expected. The odd sound effect, such as a bang of a door or a smash of glass sounds crisp and the underlying bass in some of the musical elements drive the film forward even when it's at its most similar to the original. All told this a level, well constructed audio presentation that ticks along without issue but doesn't do much to draw attention to itself even when it's trying to show off.
The extra features menu is here emptier than Joe's mice box.
Its been a while since I've seen the original Oldboy and it was probably a good thing as the precise similarities and differences were not at the forefront of my mind throughout. The best thing I can say about Oldboy 2013 is I didn't hate it and while it doesn't touch the original's awesomeness, it gave the required punch to the gut when the big twist comes around, even if it just made me wince rather than knock the wind out of me.
The tone here just feels a bit off throughout and nobody feels all that committed to making this more than just another forgettable remake sadly. The DVD looks pretty poor, sounds good and comes with no extras, so I guess a rental is the best idea for this one or just sticking to the original and saving yourself some time might be a better idea.
Review by Marcus Doidge
Ray Waterway Member Join Date: September 2004 Location: United States Posts: 462
If you'll notice, the usual "A Spike Lee Joint" credit is not present in this movie; instead, it's "A Spike Lee Film," as if he's making sure to differentiate this work from his others.
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
Or maybe he just stopped being pretentious?
Marcus1138 Contributor Join Date: June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 910
Or he's not afforded that luxury anymore given how out of focus popularity wise he is.
Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 7th April 2014
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 French, Dolby Digital 5.1 German, Dolby Digital 5.1 Italian, Dolby Digital 5.1 Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Extras: None
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Sharlto Copley, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Crime, Drama and Thriller
Length: 99 minutes
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When our dear friends from Plum Pretty Sugar announced plans for a special Industry Collection, we were so on board. And when they asked our own Abby Larson to be one of their four industry leaders behind the collection...let's just say our excitement went next level. In subtle hues and soft silhouettes, the collection features four prints in five styles from top wedding experts who know a thing or two about great taste. Have a peek and find out how to win a piece in the Larson print for yourself!
Plum Pretty Sugar's Industry Collection features a stunning wedding capsule collection from four leading experts, including Abby Larson, Founder and Editor of Style Me Pretty; Keija Minor, Editor in Chief of Brides Magazine; Renown Photographer, Jose Villa; World-Class Planner, Lisa Vorce. Designed for all occasions surrounding a wedding, the pieces work from getting ready to boudoir to honeymoon, bachelorette party, bridal shower and beyond.
WHAT: A piece from Plum Pretty Sugar's Industry Collection in The Larson Print. (Exact style TBD)
HOW: To enter, simply follow both Plum Pretty Sugar and Styled Me Pretty on Instagram + comment on this IG post with #SMPxPPS
WHO: Three lucky winners, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP!
WHEN: Giveaway ends on January 13th at 12pm EST. For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies! xo

subset: commoncrawl


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Maxim is a unique combination of everything that men like topped with irreverent humor, addressing real concerns of regular guys. Its success comes from understanding that men need to know a little bit about a lot of things and Maxim delivers this information in a witty & relevant style. A magazine for young men, Maxim is a glossy magazine focused on slick gadgets, fast cars, women, sports, photo layouts, issues include reviews of the latest movies, CDs, DVDs and video games; the latest styles and trends, and interviews with celebrities. Other regular features include jokes, trivia, practical advice, a sports column and more.
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text:
Clonidine Savings Tips
Fill a 90-Day Supply to Save
You may find that filling a 90-day supply will reduce your total cost for this prescription. As an added bonus, you'll make fewer trips to the pharmacy, saving you time and money.
If you have insurance or Medicare, you may find that you receive lower prices if you fill your prescriptions through your plan's mail order pharmacy. Many insurance plans (and most Medicare plans) are now offering similar rates at a select group of "preferred" retail pharmacies. Some plans may require that you fill through a mail order pharmacy for fills of more than a 30-day supply.
To switch to 90-day fills, note that you'll need a new prescription from your doctor; a 30-day quantity prescription will not allow 90-day fills.
Patient Assistance Program
Many programs are available from federal and state governments, non-profits, manufacturers, and other organizations to help you get the drugs you need at a reduced cost. Eligibility is often based on income, insurance or Medicare status, and other factors. You'll need to apply through each program, either online, over the phone, or with your doctor's help. The following program is offered by the manufacturer of this drug.
|Program Name:
|Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Fund
|HealthWell Foundation
|Phone Number:
|How do I apply?
|You can find the form on the program website and can be submitted online. Or your doctor may register you online on the program website.
|What are the benefits?
|Contact the program to see how they can financially help you out.
|What are the restrictions?
|To qualify, you must have insurance to cover your prescription. You will need a valid prescription and proof of household income.
|Keep in mind
|Pediatric assistance is also availible. Contact the program for more information
Split a Higher Dosage Pill
You may be able to save up to 50% each month by splitting a higher dosage of this drug.
Here's how it works: Imagine you take the 20mg dosage of a certain drug. While it may seem odd, the 40mg version of the same drug typically does not cost twice as much as the 20mg—in fact, it often costs the exact same amount!
You'll need to ask your doctor if pill splitting is a good idea for your prescription; if so, he'll need to adjust your prescription accordingly.
Some important things to consider before pill splitting:
- Pill splitters can be bought at most pharmacies for around $5.
- Some immediate-release tablets may be split, and tablets that are scored have been evaluated by the FDA for safety.
- Not all pills can be split. Don't split drugs with an enteric coating (designed to protect the stomach), drugs that are time-release or long-acting, drugs taken more often than once a day, drugs in capsules, and prepackaged drugs in specific doses, like birth control pills.
- Pill splitting is also not recommended for situations where the patient might not understand the concept or be capable of splitting a pill.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist when in doubt.


text: My 3 month old previously has been feeding for up to 30mins on each side, 5 or 6 times during the day and sleeping through 11pm-7am. In the past week she has become very fussy and is now only taking 10 mins before pulling off crying and refusing to go back on the same breast, but will take another 10 mins from the other side. After that she refuses to take any more, crying and turning away. I am worried about her getting enough food and also worried about developing mastitis again if my breasts are not fully emptied. Any ideas, experience or tips would be gratefully received!


text:
Industry Momentum Behind Atlantic City Show
March 4, 2010 by RVBusiness · 1 Comment
Like the boat and classic car exhibitions before it this year, the Atlantic City, N.J., RV & Camping Show expects to rebound with its industry this week — and without a snowstorm getting in the way, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Manager Harry Lutz said the show, which opens Friday in Atlantic City Convention Center, will have more than 200 recreational vehicles, up from about 120 at last year's recession-shrunk event.
He said there's reason to expect a jump in attendance too.
Since January, show owner Affinity Group Inc. has staged seven RV and camping shows on the East Coast, "and at every one, attendance has been up 34-76% over the previous year," Lutz said.
Signs of a rebound in the RV industry are strong.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reported last week that January shipments of RVs more than doubled — to 15,800 units — from 7,200 the same month last year.
The University of Michigan Consumer Survey Research Center predicts RV shipments will reach 215,900 units this year, which would be 30% above last year's dismal 165,700 vehicles.
The turnaround is coming at an appropriate time — the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced recreation vehicle, according to the association. Such early "auto campers" had simple sleeping and cooking facilities.
Now, even pop-up tent trailers have air conditioning, and many trailers boast large, flat-panel TVs. But demographic rather than technological trends are driving the market, Lutz said.
"A lot of Baby Boomers are saying, 'We're selling the house, taking off and going to travel a couple of years and decide where to move to,'" he said. And, families are buying campers as an economical way to spend time together.
Dina Hurley has noticed a turnaround at Crossroads Sales, a large RV dealership she owns in Newfield, Gloucester County, N.J.
"People are back out buying. It started after the first of the year," she said. "I think people are just ready."
Crossroads will bring 16 vehicles to the show, "fifth-wheels big and small, and entry-level to high-end travel trailers," Hurley said.
The show draws people from the normal range of its customers — the N.J., Pa., N.Y. and Del. region — but a lot more of them than the dealership could otherwise see in one weekend, she said.
Like most exhibitors, Crossroads will tempt them with deeply discounted show prices, she said. An example: a 2011 Trail Runner 27-foot Bunkhouse with slideouts for $15,999, down from a suggested retail of $24,000.
Also at the show will be places to take such vehicles.
Lutz said an industry trend is for RV parks to add enough services and attractions that they become resort destinations themselves.
One example is Beachcomber Camping Resort in Lower Township, N.J.,which will use the show to tell campers about the activities it offers daily from mid-June until Labor Day, said Mark Salfi, reservation supervisor.
Beachcomber attractions include two freshwater lakes, three swimming pools, boat rentals and catch-and-release fishing — besides its close proximity to the Wildwoods and Cape May. With 750 sites, it can take RVs as big as 45 feet, Salfi said.
The Atlantic City show will also offer accessories for camping and campgrounds, including one that might interest non-campers living on barrier islands – low-speed electric vehicles.
South Jersey Electric Vehicles of Egg Harbor Township will show so-called neighborhood vehicles for use on roads with speeds of 35 mph.
Owner Stuart McGinnis said two-, four- and six-passenger models are available, as well as a utility model like a little truck.
Besides being non-polluting, the electric vehicles can drive 50 miles on about 15 cents worth of electricity from a regular 110-volt outlet, he said. The firm will offer 10-15% off list price at the show, bringing the price of the truck, for example, from $19,000 down to $17,000.
This year, the show will also have clowns and face painting, and, for a small additional charge, a climbing wall, Lutz said.
With clear weather forecast and the recent success of other shows, he said he's "extremely enthusiastic" about this year's Atlantic City event.
"I think people are getting fed up with every day — just the negativism pelting everybody. They're saying, 'Hey, we work long and hard, let's get moving,'" Lutz said. "And all the snow has helped with cabin fever and wanting to get out."


text:
Creole Jambalaya
Serves 6 to 8.
Note: From "The Dooky Chase Cookbook," by Leah Chase.
• 1 lb. smoked ham, cubed
• 1/2 lb. chaurice (hot sausage), cut in pieces
• 1/2 lb. smoked sausage, cut in 1/2-in. slices
• 1 c. chopped onions
• 3 c. uncooked rice
• 1/4 c. chopped green onions
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 tsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. chopped garlic
• 1/2 c. chopped green pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and devined
• 4 c. boiling water
Place ham, sausages and onions in 3-quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until onions are soft. No need to add any oil as the meat will provide enough fat for cooking.
Add rice and stir well. Add green onions, paprika, parsley, thyme, garlic, green pepper, salt, bay leaf, shrimp and 4 cups boiling water. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes. Lower heat. Cover pot tightly and let cook slowly for 35 minutes or until rice is tender. With fork, fluff rice up, mixing sausages well.
Nutrition information per each of 8 servings:
Calories 600 Fat 24 g Sodium 1900 mg
Carbohydrates 60 g Saturated fat 9 g Calcium 67 mg
Protein 33 g Cholesterol 130 mg Dietary fiber 1 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 4 bread/starch, 3 medium-fat meat, 2 fat.
Makes 20.
Note: Plan ahead as these need to be chilled overnight before they are cooked. Panko bread crumbs are bigger and lighter than the traditional crumb, which can be substituted. From "750 Best Appetizers," by Judith Finlayson and Jordan Wagman. No time to make these yourself? Great ones are available at Costco (the Handy brand).
• 1 lb. lump crabmeat (fresh, canned or frozen, thawed and drained)
• 1/3 c. finely diced red bell pepper
• 1/3 c. finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
• 1 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs (see Note)
• Caper Lemon Rémoulade sauce (see recipe)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In large bowl, combine crab, bell pepper, onion, mustard, lemon zest, Worcestershire sauce, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Fold until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Break up crab as little as possible to assure large chunks of crab in the final cakes.
Spoon 2 tablespoons tightly packed crab mixture on prepared baking sheet until all crab is used. Form crab into cakes, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cover and refrigerate overnight (which helps them hold together when cooking them).
To cook the crab cakes: In large nonstick skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Place bread crumbs on plate and coat tops and bottoms of crab cakes in the crumbs.
In batches as necessary, fry the cakes, turning once, until golden brown and heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and repeat until all cakes are cooked, adding more oil and adjusting heat as necessary between batches. Serve with Caper Lemon Rémoulade sauce, if desired.
Nutrition information per serving without sauce:
Calories 57 Fat 3 g Sodium 190 mg
Carbohydrates 4 g Saturated fat 0 g Calcium 31 mg
Protein 5 g Cholesterol 20 mg Dietary fiber 0 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 lean meat.
Caper Lemon RÉmoulade
Makes 1/2 cup.
Note: Serve with fish or seafood. From "750 Best Appetizers," by Judith Finlayson and Jordan Wagman.
• 1/2 c. mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. minced drained capers
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. minced dill pickles
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, capers, lemon zest and juice, and pickles; mix well to combine. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition information per 1 tablespoon:
Calories 99 Fat 11 g Sodium 92 mg
Carbohydrates 1 g Saturated fat 2 g Calcium 2 mg
Protein 0 g Cholesterol 5 mg Dietary fiber 0 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 fat.
Baked Crab Dip
Makes about 2 cups.
Note: Football parties often demand a dip. From "750 Best Appetizers," by Judith Finlayson and Jordan Wagman.
• 1 c. cooked, drained crabmeat
• 1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 green onions, white part with a bit of green, minced
• 1/2 to 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
• 3 tbsp. full-fat sour cream
• 3 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine crab, cheese, onions, jalapeño to taste, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small ovenproof dish. Bake until bubbling and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips or sliced baguette.
Nutrition information per 2 tablespoons:
Calories 58 Fat 5 g Sodium 88 mg
Carbohydrates 0 g Saturated fat 2 g Calcium 65 mg
Protein 3 g Cholesterol 17 mg Dietary fiber 0 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: ½ medium-fat meat, ½ fat.
Classic Chocolate Brownies
Makes 16.
Note: From Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. of San Francisco. The amount of salt is correct.
• 4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate baking bar
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 c. firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 3/8 tsp. salt (see Note)
• 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan. Chop the chocolate bar into 1-inch pieces.
In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the chopped chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Stir the brown sugar and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs and mix well.
In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture, mixing well until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into 2-inch squares.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories 200 Fat 10 g Saturated fat 6 g Sodium 77 mg
Carbohydrates 27 g Calcium 26 mg
Protein 2 g Cholesterol 39 mg Dietary fiber 1 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 bread/starch, 1 other carb, 2 fat.
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text:
Soups and Salads
Sous Chef Curtis Taylor of The Hanover Street Chophouse
This is the recipe that wowed the judges at the 2012 New England Chili Classic held in Manchester this past October. It was rich and succulent with deep flavors from a variety of prime meats, herbs and spices. If you are looking for a challenge and a dish to impress your friends on Superbowl Sunday, this is it, although their version included prime rib.
Serves 24
3-year Grafton Cheddar cheese
Crispy lavash squares seasoned with garlic powder, cumin and chili powder (mix spices with olive oil and brush on the chips. Heat in 400-degree oven for 4 minutes on each side.)
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
10 tomatillos
1 small onion chopped
1 small jalape"o
4 sprigs cilantro
In a medium sauce pan boil the jalape"o and 5 of the tomatillos until soft. In a food processor (or Vitamix) combine small onion, the cooked and raw tomatillos and cilantro and blend until combined well.
In large pan sauté jalape"os, onions, peppers and garlic until onions are translucent, set aside. In the same pan, add all the dry seasonings and brown Kobe and other ground beef until thoroughly cooked.
To braise the beef
Salt and pepper short ribs, lightly flour and sear all sides. Place in a deep braising pan and add water and mirepoix (a couple stalks of celery, half an onion and one large carrot) until the meat is _ covered. Wrap with aluminum foil and cook at 350 degrees for 4 hours, checking liquid every hour. When cool enough, use a fork to shred the meat and add to 5-quart crock pot.
For the dry beans, soak in lightly salted water for an hour, drain and place in a pot with fresh water and boil until al dente; strain.
In the crock pot combine all the beef, onions, peppers and garlic, add tomatoes, chocolate and molasses. Simmer at 150 degrees stirring frequently for 1 hour. Add the pre-cooked beans and simmer for 10 minutes more.
Finely chop the cilantro and thyme and add to the crock pot. Adjust thickness with braising liquid.
To de-fat the braising liquid
Remove short ribs from pan, strain the braising liquid through a China cap or strainer and add 3 cups of ice.
The fat will come to the top. Simply remove the fat layer and this will give you the liquids you will need to make your chili the consistency you want.
To plate the chili scoop 6 ounces of chili into a bowl, top with shredded three-year cheddar (or your favorite cheese), tomatillo salsa verde and a crispy lavash chips seasoned with cumin, chili powder and garlic powder mix.


text: First the bad news: For resizing windows, the lower-right hand corner grabber has been moved to the upper right corner. The good news is that Mountain Lion windows can be resized from anywhere, from any edge or any corner. So, while this might initially confuse people looking for the little skid-strip corner of old, we think that more freedom and more choice is a very good thing.


text:
posted by Thom Holwerda on Sun 11th Mar 2007 22:14 UTC
While browsing some OS/2 news websites, I stumbled upon the usage tutorial included in OS/2 2.1 at GUIdebook (an invaluable website for (G)UI fanatics such as myself). To set the mood: "This tutorial describes how you work with the objects (small pictures) on your screen. Some objects are folders, which contain other objects. Your screen is called your desktop (pictured on the right), which is a folder itself." Have fun, boys and girls, in 1993-style.


text:
For a Living Planet
It shows how WWF tackles the evolving challenges of conservation, how determined all who make up WWF are, and how realistic the organization is.
There is much to celebrate, much to thank others for, but there remains much to be done.
This book shows that WWF has no illusions about the tasks ahead, how urgent and important they are, and how much help WWF will need.
So let us celebrate today, but return rapidly to our vital work of helping to create a world in which people live in harmony with nature."
Yolanda Kakabadse
WWF International 2011


text:
Be Happy.
Gift Shop
My DailyOM
About Us
DailyOM - Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
Trauma Stewardship
Trauma Stewardship
BY Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
Trauma Stewardship:
• Offers those who care for others and the planet a way to stay engaged, hopeful, balanced, and healthy when dealing with hardship, suffering, and trauma
• Deepens readers' understanding of the many ways they and their organizations may be impacted by dealing with trauma and suffering
• Uses moving first-person interviews and even cartoons to illuminate the idea of trauma stewardship
Working to make the world a more hopeful and sustainable place often means having to confront pain, suffering, crisis, and trauma head-on, day in and day out. Over months and years this takes an enormous emotional, psychological, and physical toll, one that we're often not even fully aware of until the day we feel like we just can't go on anymore. And our well-being and the work we're doing are too important to risk that happening.
This book is for all those who notice that they are not the people they once were or who are being told that by their families, friends, colleagues, or pets. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky takes a deep and sympathetic look at the many ways the stress of dealing with trauma manifests itself: feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, diminished creativity, chronic exhaustion, cynicism, and a dozen more.
To keep from being overwhelmed, we need to respond to suffering in a thoughtful, intentional way--not by hardening our hearts or by internalizing others' struggles as our own but by developing a quality of compassionate presence. This is trauma stewardship. To help achieve this, Lipsky offers a variety of simple and profound practices, drawn from modern psychology and a range of spiritual traditions, that enable us to look carefully at our reactions and motivations and discover new sources of energy and renewal. She includes interviews with successful trauma stewards from different walks of life and even uses New Yorker cartoons to illustrate her points.
"We can do meaningful work in a way that works for us and for those we serve," Lipsky writes. "Taking care of ourselves while taking care of others allows us to contribute to our societies with such impact that we will leave a legacy informed by our deepest wisdom and greatest gifts instead of burdened by our struggles and despair."
On the Cliff of Awakening
"Are you sure all this trauma work hasn't gotten to you?" he asked.
We were visiting our relatives in the Caribbean. We had hiked to the top of some cliffs on a small island, and for a moment the entire family stood quietly together, marveling, looking out at the sea. It was an exquisite sight. There was turquoise water as far as you could see, a vast, cloudless sky, and air that felt incredible to breathe. As we reached the edge of the cliffs, my first thought was, "This is unbelievably beautiful." My second thought was, "I wonder how many people have killed themselves by jumping off these cliffs."
Assuming that everyone around me would be having exactly the same thought, I posed my question out loud. My stepfather-in-law turned to me slowly and asked his question with such sincerity that I finally understood: My work had gotten to me. I didn't even tell him the rest of what I was thinking: "Where will the helicopter land? Where is the closest Level 1 trauma center? Can they transport from this island to a hospital? How long will that take? Does all of the Caribbean share a trauma center?" It was quite a list. I had always considered myself a self-aware person, but this was the first time I truly comprehended the degree to which my work had transformed the way that I engaged with the world.
That was in 1997. I had already spent more than a decade working, by choice, for social change. My jobs had brought me into intimate contact with people who were living close to or actually experiencing different types of acute trauma: homelessness, child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, community tragedies, natural disasters. As I continued on this path, my roles had grown and shifted. I had been an emergency room social worker, a community organizer, an immigrant and refugee advocate, an educator. I had been a front-line worker and a manager. I had worked days, evenings, and graveyard shifts. I had worked in my local community, elsewhere in the United States, and internationally.
Over time, there had been a number of people--friends, family, even clients--urging me to "take some time off," "think about some other work," or "stop taking it all so seriously." But I could not hear them. I was impassioned, perhaps to the point of selective blindness. I was blazing my own trail, and I believed that others just didn't get it. I was certain that this work was my calling, my life's mission. I was arrogant and self-righteous. I was convinced that I was just fine.
And so in that moment, on those cliffs, my sudden clarity about the work's toll on my life had a profound impact. Over the next days and weeks, I slowly began to make the connections. Not everyone stands on top of cliffs wondering how many people have jumped. Not everyone feels like crying when they see a room full of people with plastic lids on their to-go coffee containers. Not everyone is doing background checks on people they date, and pity is not everyone's first response when they receive a wedding invitation.
After so many years of hearing stories of abuse, death, tragic accidents, and unhappiness; of seeing photos of crime scenes, missing children, and deported loved ones; and of visiting the homes of those I was trying to help--in other words, of bearing witness to others' suffering--I finally came to understand that my exposure to other people's trauma had changed me on a fundamental level. There had been an osmosis: I had absorbed and accumulated trauma to the point that it had become part of me, and my view of the world had changed. I realized eventually that I had come into my work armed with a burning passion and a tremendous commitment, but few other internal resources. As you know, there is a time for fire, but what sustains the heat--for the long haul--is the coals. And coals I had none of. I did the work for a long time with very little ability to integrate my experiences emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, or physically.
Rather than staying in touch with the heart that was breaking, again and again, as a result of what I was witnessing, I had started building up walls. In my case, this meant becoming increasingly cocky. I had no access to the humility that we all need if we are to honestly engage our own internal process. Rather than acknowledge my own pain and helplessness in the face of things I could not control, I raged at the possible external causes. I sharpened my critique of systems and society. I became more dogmatic, opinionated, and intolerant of others' views than ever before. It never occurred to me that my anger might in part be functioning as a shield against what I was experiencing.
I had no clue that I was warding off anguish, or that I was secretly terrified that I wouldn't be able to hold my life together if I lost my long-held conviction that all could be made well with the world if only we could do the right thing. Without my noticing it, this trail I was blazing had led me into a tangled wilderness. I was exhausted and thirsty, and no longer had the emotional or physical supplies I needed to continue.
I could have ignored the realization that began on those cliffs. In the fields where I work, there is historically a widely held belief that if you're tough enough and cool enough and committed to your cause enough, you'll keep on keeping on, you'll suck it up: Self-care is for the weaker set. I had internalized this belief to a large degree, but once I realized that this way of dealing with trauma exposure was creating deep inroads in my life, I could not return to my former relationship with my work.
Instead, I began the long haul of making change. I knew that if I
wanted to bring skill, insight, and energy to my work, my family, my community, and my own life, I had to alter my course. I had to learn new navigational skills. First, I needed to take responsibility for acknowledging the effects of trauma exposure within myself. Second, I had to learn how to make room for my own internal process--to create the space within to heal and to discover what I would need to continue with clarity on my chosen path. I had to find some way to bear witness to trauma without surrendering my ability to live fully. I needed a new framework of meaning--the concept that I would eventually come to call trauma stewardship.
Seung Sahn, the founder of the Kwan Um School of Zen, once said, "The GreatWay is easy; all you have to do is let go of all your ideas, opinions, and preferences." Following his advice, I began to reconnect with myself. I learned how to be honest about how I was doing, moment by moment. I put myself at the feet of a great many teachers, medicine people, healers, brilliant minds, and loved ones. I asked for help. I began to reengage the wilderness around my home and to learn all the lessons I could from the endless intermingling of beauty and brutality that makes us so keenly feel the preciousness of life in the natural world. I began a daily practice that has allowed me to be present for my life and my work in a way that keeps me well and allows me to work with integrity and to the best of my ability.
Ultimately, I recognized that it was ego that had motivated me to keep on keeping on in my work long after I stopped being truly available to my clients or myself. Over the years, I gradually let go of that façade, and I reached a deep understanding of how our exposure to the suffering of others takes a toll on us personally and professionally. The depth, scope, and causes are different for everyone, but the fact that we are affected by the suffering of others and of our planet-- that we have a trauma exposure response--is universal.
Trauma exposure response is only slowly coming to the fore as a larger social concern rather than simply an issue for isolated individuals. It was first recognized a decade ago in family members of Holocaust survivors and spouses of war veterans, but it has only recently attracted wide attention from researchers, who are working to assess its broader societal implications. To cite one example:
According to a March 2007 Newsweek article, a U.S. Army internal advisory report on health care for troops in Iraq in 2006 indicated that 33 percent of behavioral-health personnel, 45 percent of primary-care specialists, and 27 percent of chaplains described feeling high or very high levels of "provider fatigue. "The article concluded with this blunt appraisal: "Now homecoming vets have to deal with one more kind of collateral damage: traumatized caregivers."
In 2007,CNN.com published an article by Andree LeRoy, M.D., titled "Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name." It begins," Do you take care of someone in your family with a chronic medical illness or dementia? Have you felt depression, anger or guilt? Has your health deteriorated since taking on the responsibility of caregiving? If your answer is yes to any one of these, you may be suffering from caregiver stress." The article reports a finding by the American Academy of Geriatric Psychiatrists that one out of every four families in the United States is caring for someone over the age of 50, with projections that this number will increase dramatically as the population in America ages. Another source for the article is Peter Vitaliano, a professor of geriatric psychiatry at the University of Washington and an expert on caregiving. He reports that many caregivers suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, a compromised immune system, and other symptoms that can be linked to prolonged exposure to elevated levels of stress hormones. Unfortunately, many "don't seek help because they don't realize that they have a recognizable condition," the article says. In addition, Vitaliano explains, "caregivers are usually so immersed in their role that they neglect their own care." The article cites online conversations among caregivers who acknowledge that in such an emotional state, it's difficult to provide high-quality care to their loved ones.
While most research to date has concentrated on the effects of trauma exposure on those who watch humans suffer, we know that responding to trauma exposure is critical for those who bear witness to tragedies afflicting other species as well. Among these are veterinarians, animal rescue workers, biologists, and ecologists. We cannot ignore emerging information about the profound levels of trauma exposure among people in the front lines of the environmental movement--those fighting to stop the juggernaut of global warming and those who strive desperately, in the face of mounting losses, to ward off the extinction of countless species of plants and animals.
Pioneering researchers have given our experience of being affected by others' pain a number of names. In this book, we refer to "trauma exposure response." Charles Figley uses the terms"compassion fatigue" and "secondary traumatic stress disorder." Laurie Anne Pearlman, Karen W. Saakvitne, and I. L. McCann refer to the process as "vicarious traumatization." Jon Conte uses the words "empathic strain." Still others call it "secondary trauma."
Here, we include trauma exposure response under a larger rubric: trauma stewardship. As I see it, trauma stewardship refers to the entire conversation about how we come to do this work, how we are affected by it, and how we make sense of and learn from our experiences. In the dictionary, stewardship is defined as "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care."These days, the term is widely used in connection with conservation and natural-resource management. In the January 2000 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Richard Worrell and Michael Appleby defined stewardship as taking care "in a way that takes full and balanced account of the interests of society, future generations, and other species, as well as of private needs, and accepts significant answerability to society."
When we talk about trauma in terms of stewardship, we remember that we are being entrusted with people's stories and their very lives, animals' well-being, and our planet's health. We understand that this is an incredible honor as well as a tremendous responsibility. We know that as stewards, we create a space for and honor others' hardship and suffering, and yet we do not assume their pain as our own. We care for others to the best of our ability without taking on their paths as our paths. We act with integrity toward our environment rather than being immobilized by the enormity of the current global climate crisis. We develop and maintain a long-term strategy that enables us to remain whole and helpful to others and our surroundings even amid great challenges. To participate in trauma stewardship is to always remember the privilege and sacredness of being called to help. It means maintaining our highest ethics, integrity, and responsibility every step of the way. In this book, I will attempt to provide readers with a meaningful guide to becoming a trauma steward.
The essayist E. B. White once wrote that the early American author, naturalist, and philosopher Henry Thoreau appeared to have been "torn by two powerful and opposing drives--the desire to enjoy the world, and the urge to set the world straight." This book is written for anyone who is doing work with an intention to make the world more sustainable and hopeful--all in all, a better place-- and who, through this work, is exposed to the hardship, pain, crisis, trauma, or suffering of other living beings or the planet itself. It is for those who notice that they are not the same people they once were, or are being told by their families, friends, colleagues, or pets that something is different about them.
If even a few of the readers of this book can enhance their capacity for trauma stewardship, we can expect to see consequences, large and small, that will extend beyond us as individuals to affect our organizations, our movements, our communities, and ultimately society as a whole. In part 1, I talk more about what trauma stewardship is and how we can embark on our journey of change. Since the first step toward repair is always to understand what isn't working, I've devoted part 2 to mapping our trauma exposure response. Many readers may be startled by how intimately they already know the 16 warning signs I present in chapter 4. Even if you haven't experienced these feelings or behaviors yourself, you are certain to know others who have.
How do we escape the constriction and suffering that often accompany trauma exposure response? In part 3, I provide some general tips, along with an in-depth exploration of the importance of coming into the present moment. In part 4, I offer the Five Directions, a guide that combines instructions for personal inquiry with practical advice that can greatly enhance our ability to care for ourselves, others, and the planet. I have included numerous brief exercises that you may choose to try as you develop your daily practice.
Throughout the book, you will encounter profiles of inspiring people, perhaps much like you, who are deeply committed to the struggle to reconcile the hardships and joys of doing this work.As we illuminate the path of trauma stewardship, we will also shine light on the larger contexts in which we interact with suffering.We will delve deeply into how to carefully and responsibly manage what is being entrusted to us.
This book is a navigational tool for remembering that we have options at every step of our lives.We choose our own path.We can make a difference without suffering;we can do meaningful work in a way that works for us and for those we serve.We can enjoy the world and set it straight.We can leave a legacy that embodies our deepest wisdom and greatest gifts instead of one that is burdened with our struggles and despair.
As the author of this book, I don't believe that I am imparting new information. Rather, I'm offering reminders of lore that people from different walks of life, cultural traditions, and spiritual practices have known for millennia. There is a Native American teaching that babies come into the world knowing all they will need for their entire lifetimes--but the challenges of living in our strained, confusing world make them forget their innate wisdom. They spend their lives trying to remember what they once knew. (Some say this is the reason why the elderly and very young children so often have a magical connection: One is on the cusp of going where the other just came from.) This book aims to guide you, the reader, in finding a way home to yourself. All of the wisdom you are about to encounter is known to you already. This text is simply a way to help you remember.
Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers


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The UK referendum on EU membership is the big 'known unknown' for UK assets. It could be called for as early as June or as late as October 2016, with disincentives to carry it over to 2017.Our base case remains Brexit is avoided, averting a destabilising hit to most UK assets. Logic suggests the unlikelihood of the UK wanting to risk weaker ties with its main trading partner (46% of export value, 53% of imports), FDI forgone, and a diluted relationship with the US. But, the uncertainty could soon erode the UK's relative safe-haven status.
Logic suggests the unlikelihood of wanting to risk weaker trade, FDI & US relations...
Should Brexit go ahead (risk case), the mark-down in assets would surely be greatest in the case of a 'hard exit' (acrimonious departure, lower trade, lower migration, recession), than the more probable (if there is a Brexit) 'softer version'. This version may be akin to Norway and Switzerland's associate membership, with trade relationships and freedom of movement maintained.
This is just as well. We consider the benefits and costs of EU membership.
First, as a small open economy, the removal of trade barriers has probably benefited the UK. Despite being in the G5, it's a relatively small, open economy. Its 2.5% share of world GDP compares with 4% of world exports. Its total trade (exports plus imports) is 59% of GDP, versus the euro-zone's extra-regional 37%, and US's 31%. This infers an interest in keeping down trade barriers and maximising its clout by negotiating as part of a like-minded group.
Second, regulation negotiations in services will remain important to the UK (services accounting for a hefty 78% of UK value added). The UK's 43% services-export share dwarfs the 27% EU average, the euro-zone's 25%, and Germany's 16%. Admittedly, within that, the benefit to London's financial centre from third-party access to EU markets may not be lost on a Brexit.
Yet, Brexit risks: extra legal/administrative costs of UK institutions then complying with two sets of regulations; the likely need for separate, bilateral third-party trade agreements (e.g. with the US); the risk of 'regulation without representation' (e.g. as with Norway); and thus EBA decisions on banking union becoming, via the ECB, weighted toward euro members.
Third, labour migration. The direct macro advantages are clear: the efficient allocation of labour to lower cost, higher unemployment areas, raising participation rates, creating tax revenue, soothing wage pressure, averting inflation, and promoting stability. The EU's enlargement in 2004 to include central/eastern European countries accelerated significantly the UK's net intake from the EU. The average 1.6%yoy unit wage-cost growth since 2004 compares with 2% for the 10 years before.
Fourth, foreign direct investment (FDI). The UK has been a magnet for FDI. In 2014 (latest data), the stock of inward FDI at £1trn was 57% of GDP, with Europe accounting for the lion's share of this stock (see chart below).While factors other than the EU are doubtless at play, such as a flexible labour market and international language, threatening the UK's free access to EU markets would surely risk reducing this inflow and divesting some of the stock.
The UK's stock of inward foreign direct investment (FDI)
FDI stock in the UK by international source (£bn). 2014 data
Then there's the market impact of Brexit, whether 'soft' or 'hard'. Given the perceived threat to growth and the current account deficit (4.3% of GDP), there would probably be downward pressure on equities and the pound. With rate hikes deferred, short-term conventional gilts may initially benefit, especially on a hard exit. But, this could be short lived, given about one third of the £1.3trn gilts outstanding is backed by international investors sensitive to currency and ratings risk. And, especially if Brexit reignites the risk of Scotland breaking from the Union.
Greenland's exit in 1985 is the only real precedent we have. That took three years...
In which case, it's possible that dealing with Brexit and a hit to growth may need the BoE to again be the biggest sponsor of gilts, via QE. Bank rate is unlikely to have been raised by then (we expect nothing till November), and may not be cut if the pound is vulnerable. QT would also be deferred. Which leaves Governor Carney's latest clarification - that the QE stock will be maintained around £375bn until Bank rate is about 2% - looking like a way of extending his options in case Brexit occurs.
And, despite saving the annual £8-10bn net contribution to the EU budget, the OBR's GDP/tax-revenue projections would have to be revised down, and their gilt-yield assumptions raised. This would eat into the fiscal saving.
The only real precedent we have is Greenland, whose 'soft' exit in 1985 left it as an associate member still subject to EU treaties. For what it's worth, their negotiating process between referendum (sparked by home-rule and fishing rights) and departure took three years. So, a risk with the UK - much larger and, after 43 years, far more entwined in the European project - is it would need even longer than this.
Straight talking on China
Press contacts
Jeannie Dumas
Head of Corporate Communications & Shareholder Relations firstname.lastname@example.com +44 (0)20 7680 2152 +44 (0)7841 324061
Melanie Bradley
Head of Investment & Stewardship Communications firstname.lastname@example.com +44 (0)20 7680 2218 + 44 (0)7767 162 317
Rachael Dowers
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications email@example.com + 44 (0)20 7680 4698


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New Car Review
2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe: New Car Review
The 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe is based on the familiar 650i Gran Coupe 4-door sedan, but some things are a little different. Sure, the M version has the same slinky coupe-like profile, but its massive 20-inch performance wheels and tires hint at higher limits. Yes, they've both got a twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood, but the M motor makes a whopping 560 hp to the 650i model's 445. And then there are all those M badges on the M6 Gran Coupe, signifying the approval of BMW's hallowed Motorsport racing division. In other words, the M6 Gran Coupe's got a little something special going on.
Indeed, this M-labeled sedan is less of a faster 650i Gran Coupe than it is an M5 with a sleeker physique. As any car enthusiast will tell you, the M5 name is one of the most illustrious in autodom, representing perhaps the ultimate BMW sport sedan. And under the skin, the current M5 and the M6 Gran Coupe share practically everything, from their platforms and suspensions to that ridiculously powerful V8. Viewed from this perspective, the M family's latest addition makes perfect sense. BMW wants you to have a choice: either the traditional, under-the-radar M5 or the slightly different, fashion-forward M6 Gran Coupe.
What's New for 2014?
The M6 Gran Coupe is all new for 2014.
What We Like
Astounding acceleration; impressive handling ability; sumptuously snug interior; comprehensive technology features; optional manual transmission
What We Don't
More expensive and less roomy inside than the M5
How Much?
Fuel Economy
The rear-wheel-drive 2014 M6 Gran Coupe is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that pumps out an epic 560 hp. Note that the optional Competition package ups the ante to 575 horses. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual with paddle shifters, though, in a nod to BMW's performance heritage, you can specify a 6-speed stick shift with an actual clutch pedal. We love it.
As you've perhaps already surmised, fuel economy is not the M6 Gran Coupe's strong suit. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 14 miles per gallon city/20 mpg highway with the automated manual and a slightly better 15 mpg city/22 mpg hwy with the stick.
Standard Features & Options
The 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe is available as a 4-door sedan in one very well-equipped trim level.
Standard features include 20-in wheels, an electronically adjustable sport-tuned suspension with a limited-slip rear differential, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, a carbon-fiber roof, keyless entry/ignition, leather upholstery, M-specific front sport seats with heating and memory settings, a power-adjustable steering column, carbon-fiber cabin trim, Bluetooth and the iDrive infotainment system with a 10.2-in widescreen display, a rearview camera, a navigation system and a surround-sound audio system with iPod/USB connectivity.
In case that's not enough, BMW will be happy to outfit your M6 Gran Coupe with a tempting array of options. The Competition package adds 15 hp, a lowered suspension with even sportier settings, lighter-weight 20-in wheels and black chrome exhaust tips. The Executive package contributes a power rear sunshade with manual rear-side sunshades, full LED lights, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, active ventilated front seats with real-time cornering adjustments, heated rear seats and automatic headlights. Standalone options include carbon ceramic brakes, an Alcantara headliner and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Due to the Gran Coupe's rakish profile, passenger space suffers relative to the upright M5, but you can still fit two good-sized adults in the backseat (forget about three, though). Standard folding rear seat backs enhance the Gran Coupe's modest trunk capacity of 12 cu ft.
The 2014 M6 Gran Coupe is equipped with driver-adjustable stability control, numerous electronic brake-optimization features, active front-seat head restraints, eight airbags (front, front side, front knee, full-length side curtain) and the BMW Assist telematics system, which provides emergency services including crash notification and roadside assistance.
The BMW Gran Coupe body style has not been crash tested in the U.S.
Behind the Wheel
It's natural to compare the M6 Gran Coupe to the M5, and as iconic as the latter may be, we honestly prefer the former for sheer driving pleasure. The Gran Coupe feels sharper and more alive, adding an element of nimbleness that's always been missing from the brutish current M5. Of course, having what's essentially the M6 coupe's interior doesn't hurt -- the M6 Gran Coupe really does feel like a coupe from behind the wheel. Also not hurting are those 560 horses under the hood, which get up and go with fearsome intensity. This is one of the fastest, most capable cars in the world, a seemingly invincible sedan that excels at practically everything. Heck, it even rides nicely if you put the adaptive dampers on the right setting.
Other Cars to Consider
BMW M5 -- The obvious counterpoint to the M6 Gran Coupe is its more conventional sibling, the 5-Series-based M5 sedan.
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG -- The big bad Benz boasts standard all-wheel drive for 2014, as well as a twin-turbocharged V8 of its own that feels even torquier than the BMW motor.
Audi S6 -- Despite its twin-turbo V8, the S6 isn't quite in the M6 Gran Coupe's performance league, but it's incredibly well-rounded and pretty attractive in its own right.
AutoTrader's Advice
What can we say? Buy one if you can. The M6 Gran Coupe is one of the great ones.


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Icy Dock MB080U3S-1SB Blizzard & MB559U3S-1S Ultra Slim External Hard Drive Enclosure Review
With the amount of data being moved each day, everyone needs to have some sort of external storage for their needs. Whether it be a small thumb drive or a larger capacity hard drive, at one point your needs will require something to move data while you are out and about. Backups, file transfers, all of it require this type of movable media, but with the size of today's files smaller portable drives just will not cut it. In comes the full size external hard drives, but with so many choices how do you pick the right one for you? There are many external hard drives on the market but if you are like me, you would rather have full control over the size and features without being limited to pre-designed models. This is where external enclosures come into the picture allowing you to tailor the setup to your specific needs. Icy Dock has been in the hard drive accessories field for a long time and two of its newest products are designed to give you style, flexibility, and a feature set sure to get your full attention.
The two models we will be examining today are the Icy Dock MB080U3S-1SB Blizzard and the MB559U3S-1S Ultra Slim External Hard Drive Enclosures. Both models are designed for the larger 3.5 inch SATA I / II / III hard drives, with capacities up to three terabytes and more. Each one offers USB 2.0/3.0 and eSATA connections for extremely fast data transfers for those larger files such as movies, applications, and more. While similar, both have different selling points and features which set them apart as well. With active cooling, slim design, and more, how about we cut the chit chat and move on to what we all want to see; the designs and features that each one offers.
Closer Look:
MB080U3S-1SB Blizzard
First up on the agenda today is the Icy Dock MB080U3S-1SB Blizzard. The Blizzard, as I will refer from this point on as, offers an active cooling solution to help keep those larger high speed drives nice and cool during operation. Unlike the Thermaktake Max 5G we reviewed here last year, which takes a side approach to the cooling solution, the Icy Dock Blizzard uses a forward facing cooling fan that pushes the outside air over the full length of the hard drive covering both sides for maximum efficiency, as you can see on the packaging. On the front of the box is a full size image of the enclosure showing its unique design, which I personally think reminds me of a jet engine intake that shows the true power that the fan has to offer. On the rear of the box are a list of the features and specifications of the enclosure along with a small image of how the drive is inserted. Flipping around to the sides there are images of the back with the ports and of the front showing how the fan looks and the different colors for the temperatures. Included with the Blizzard enclosure are the manual, feet that are screwed on, power cable, USB 3.0 cable, and the eSATA cable.
The Icy Dock Blizzard is one of the larger enclosures I have encountered. It stands a tall 5", is 5.75" wide and is 9.35" long. The width of this one is over three times the width of any other single drive external enclosure I have personally seen or owned. The Blizzard weighs in at 646 grams and is made from a metal frame and ABS plastic shell. From the front you can see the huge 80mm cooling fan that gives the enclosure the "Blizzard" name, which I for one can't wait to validate. At the top of the fan are two barely visible LEDs, a green one for power and a flashing orange one for hard drive activity. There is also a blue/red LED on the inside, which is barely visible and changes based on the temperature of the drive. One quirk I had was the blue LED was barely visible with any ambient light in the room and only if looking at it dead on. Any angle and you cannot view the blue LED. On the rear there is the fan switch for high, low, or auto, the LED brightness wheel, a USB 3.0 port, eSATA port, the power switch, and the power plug port. On the side of the drive there are two thumb tabs. To release the fan you push both in and it pops off.
With the front fan cover off you can see the actual fan close up. There are no markings on the fan what so ever so I was not able to determine the model of it. At the bottom of the fan housing there are two metal contacts that connect to power the fan module when assembled. A look into the inside of the enclosure shows the SATA connector and the backplane. To install a hard drive just line up the SATA connector to the inside and slide it into place. Then push the fan housing back on and gently push until the two thumb buttons click back into place. Then plug her in and have some storage goodness.
Now that the Blizzard is all unboxed and ready to go we can move over and take a better look at the MB559U3S-1S Ultra Slim External Hard Drive Enclosure.


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Archives 2011
08 February 2011
EBITDA grew 10.1% to RM707.1 million on the back of higher Revenue growth PETALING JAYA, 16 February 2011 - Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad ("MAHB") recorded another year of record revenue and...
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Kuala Lumpur - Jakarta Passenger Movements Set To Increase With Garuda Indonesia Introduction of Larger Aircraft14 January 2011Sepang, 14 January 2011 - The passenger movements between Malaysia and Indonesia is set to increase as Garuda Indonesia, the Republic of Indonesia's flagship carrier, has introduced a bigger and more sophisticated aircraft...
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11 January 2011
Kuching, 11 January 2011 - Kuching International Airport is expected to be closed until further notice today for arrival and departure flights. This was due to an incident last night when an AirAsia...
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Malaysia Airports Briefs On On-going Development And Expansion Works At Penang International Airport And Seeks Public Cooperation06 January 2011Bayan Lepas, 6 January 2011 - Malaysia Airports seeks the public's cooperation and understanding during the construction period of the Penang International Airport (PIA) major upgrade. The PIA will be featuring...
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This article provides an overview of manatee deaths during the winter of 2008-2009.
Manatee Carcass Salvage, Necropsy, and Rescue Program Update
Manatee researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) respond to public reports of manatee carcasses from around the state. Most recovered carcasses are transported to FWRI's Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) in St. Petersburg, where they are examined (necropsied) to determine cause of death. Through carcass salvage and manatee rescue and rehabilitation, researchers learn about manatee health, causes of death, life history, and general and reproductive biology. Wildlife managers use this information to assess population health and status.
Elevated number of carcasses reported
During winter 2008-2009 (November 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009), 261 manatee carcasses were reported statewide. This number was well above the average number of deaths (188) that occurred during November through April of the most recent five years (five-winter average). Although increased carcass counts across years do not necessarily indicate an actual increase in the death rate, the information can be used to monitor threats to the manatee population. During winter 2008-2009, researchers documented a disproportionately high number of deaths related to cold stress. Loss of warm water is a significant long-term threat to the manatee population, and researchers are carefully evaluating the recent data. (See Quantitative Threats Analysis for the Florida Manatee, http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/manatee/, authored by U.S. Geological Survey and FWC researchers.)
Deaths caused by cold stress
In winter, Florida manatees migrate to warm-water habitats such as natural springs and discharge canals of industrial power plants. Exposure to water temperatures below 68oF for long periods can cause a complex disease process called the manatee cold-stress syndrome, which involves metabolic, nutritional, and immunologic factors. Symptoms may include weight loss, skin lesions or abscesses, internal fat loss, dehydration, constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders, internal abscesses, and other secondary infections. Unlike chronic cold stress, little is known about the effects of acute exposure to severe cold. Finding a few carcasses that show nonspecific evidence of shock after severe cold snaps suggests that manatees may die when exposed to such cold. Susceptibility to cold stress appears to be related to animal size, experience, and ability to migrate. Thus, adult manatees can handle the effects of cold better than juveniles or calves.
Statewide, 72 deaths from cold stress were reported during winter 2008-2009. This number is twice as high as the most recent five-winter average. (Eleven of these were classified as perinatal [newborn] because the carcasses measured 150 cm [59 in] or less.) Most (74%) of the cold-stress carcasses were recovered on the east coast (see Figure and Map), which is the highest number on record for a winter season on this coast. Soon after the first cold front passed through during late October and mid-November 2008, east-coast manatees began dying of cold stress. Their numbers continued to predominate in the statewide cold-stress totals throughout the first months of 2009, whereas on the west coast, the majority of deaths due to cold stress were reported in March and April 2009. The vast majority (83%) of manatees that died from cold stress were calves (those less than 236 cm [93 in] long). The "calf" category includes manatees that are still dependent on their mothers as well as small, newly independent animals. In comparison, 69% of manatees that died from causes other than cold stress were calves. These percentages indicate that calves are more susceptible to dying from cold stress than older manatees are. Many manatees that died from cold stress were found in Brevard County, where manatees use industrial warm-water sites. Multiple factors may have been responsible for the relatively high number of deaths from cold stress in this county, including long periods of extremely low water temperatures in the shallow lagoon systems or lower than ideal water temperatures at the power plant discharge.
Farther south, the Riviera Beach power plant was running on a limited basis because the plant is scheduled to be replaced with a more efficient plant. The Riviera Beach plant did operate on four days during winter 2008-2009 when water temperatures dropped. This was consistent with their permit requirements. When the plant was not operating, manatees sought warmer waters in the nearby Port of Palm Beach. The FWC and partner organizations increased monitoring in order to protect manatees in the port during the brief periods of cool weather, and the lack of warm-water discharge at this power plant did not seem to affect the number of manatee deaths in this region.
Other causes of death
Deaths of newborn manatees during winter 2008-2009 were almost double the most recent five-winter average. Cold stress accounted for 11 of 54 small-calf carcasses recovered during this winter. In addition to cold stress, other factors that could explain this higher number include an actual increase in deaths of newborns, a higher number of births, or a higher number of calf carcasses recovered. The number of deaths for which the causes could not be determined (because most carcasses were too decomposed) was also higher compared to recent winters. Cold may have been involved in some of these deaths, because the carcasses were generally found in areas where other manatees had died from cold stress. The number of deaths due to watercraft strikes was relatively high statewide (51) during winter 2008-2009, about 33% and 31% of which occurred in the Southeast and Southwest regions, respectively. Statewide, the most recent five-winter average was 34. The number of deaths from this cause in the central-east region was unusually low (4). Perhaps these findings indicate that manatees moved southward from the central to the southern region; ongoing aerial surveys and observations during photo-identification efforts may shed light on this possibility.
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Tashi delek,muni wrote:"Action" is spontaneous for self/others. Mirror don't discriminate; there are not such thoughts, as free from fixation. Clear and aware wisdom never ceases and distinctly shines.
Thanks for your replies.
But sorry this i cannot understand, please explain this better, if possible.
Best wishes with our individual practice


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First off, speaking for everyone involved in this past weekend's events in Germany and England, thank you, the fans, for making this all possible. If it weren't for your interest, dedication, and willingness to travel from all over Europe in order to see the shows, it simply could not have been done. Again, thank you.
Also, thanks to both the WXW & IPW:UK crews, who were instrumental in making these shows happen. I know I'm leaving people out, and doing a great disservice to them by generalizing, but there were be more time for thanks later.
As the PWG staff slowly begins to return from Europe, we will have announcements this week concerning our next live event at the Hollywood-Los Feliz JCC, as well as other pertinent issues.
Again, danke & cheers!


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PhD Student Wins Dare to Care Award
KiYoung Lee became the first recipient of the Dare to Care Award.
KiYoung Lee, a PhD student in the Department of Work and Organizations, has been named as the first recipient of the Dare to Care PhD Award, a fellowship fund created by Anne Tsui, '75 MA-IR, to "assist advanced PhD students who have shown dedication to conducting research that will bring value to society, beyond providing good careers for themselves."
Lee's research is focused on understanding how organizational members develop their full potential and achieve success while maintaining their morality and socially bonding with others at work. These include affects and emotions, unethical behaviors, and workplace aggressions.
His dissertation is "When and how does workplace envy promote job performance?" A study on the conditions and mechanisms for the functional role of envy in workplace behavior."
Lee received his B.B.A. summa cum laude from Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea. He is expected to receive his PhD in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management in May 2014.
Among his other accomplishments, he was a finalist in the INFORMS/Organization Science Dissertation Proposal Competition, 2013.


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On June 17 2007, chewbecca wrote:Joyce,
I wanted to let you know that I got the pictures uploaded and in my gallery, but when I went back to put the text in, my website host decided that it wanted to be a butt-face and it's not allowing me to put text in right now. I think they must be doing some kind of maintenance or something. At first it wouldn't bring the pictures up when I was under editing, but then when I logged out and went in to the gallery, the pics were there.
I'll try loading up the text later.
On June 18 2007, Jenn wrote:Ewwww I like their leads too, good choices Joyce.
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Fort Hays State University > Online Learners > Virtual College > Student Services > Bookstore
Virtual CollegeHammond Hall 201600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: 785-628-4291
Toll Free: 800-628-FHSU
Fax: 785-628-4037Email: email@example.com Request Information
Bookstore Website
Students registered for courses offered through our Virtual College may purchase course materials from the FHSU Bookstore. The FHSU Bookstore
provides online ordering via a virtual bookstore as well as toll-free
phone and fax numbers. You may purchase materials by using any major
credit card, personal check or money order.
You are able to purchase new or used books (subject to
availability), and, in most cases, will be able to sell books back at
the end of the semester by following specific instructions outlined on
the FHSU Bookstore site. Order your books early!


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ATTENTION: Everyone who wants to get more traffic and make more sales...
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There are so many ways to get traffic to your business, but the problem is that most methods are just too difficult, too expensive or provides traffic that is not very targeted.
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Chavez and Ahmadinejad; Morales and Garcia
October 20, 2010 Leave a comment
Chavez once again cemented those relations with Iranian premier Ahmadinejad. Receiving a warm welcome in Tehran, Chavez said that their country's diplomatic relations are based on common goals – a snide remark based upon anti-Americanism, putting to one side any thought about progressive goals and values.
Some optimists still reckon Chavez' relationship is beneficial to his aims of receiving energy, now that Iran are set with help from the Russians, and Venezuela is planning to have its first power station.
Since the election of Ahmadinejad, the two countries have signed 80 bilateral agreements.
The kind words and extended hug shared between the two leaders sets to remind us just how far the relationship between the Islamic Republic and the Bolivarian revolutionaries has come; simultaneously reminding us how saturated has Chavez' idea of socialism become.
Though on more exciting news, across the way between Bolivia and Peru, Evo Morales – President of Bolivia and ally of Chavez – has just secured a small port about 10 miles from Peru's southern port of Ilo, meaning Bolivia will have its doors open to "an international port, to the use of the ocean for global trade and for Bolivian products to have better access to global markets," in the words of Morales.
He said: "Bolivia, sooner or later, will return to the sea."
This will also be a boost to relations between the more Conservative Alan Garcia, Peru's premier, and the socialist Evo.
Comparing the two stories, it's not simply that socialists (Morales, Chavez) can't and shouldn't get along diplomatically with conservatives (Garcia, Ahmadinejad), but that socialists should not, and cannot, be aligned with dangerous fools.


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Want to Kill Innovation at Your Company? Go Public.
Many tech entrepreneurs dream of taking their companies public, but they may want to think twice.
While public offerings raise cash, new research suggests that IPOs can also result in stunted innovation at technology firms.
In general, post-IPO companies create inventions that are less ambitious and valuable than do firms that remain private, found Shai Bernstein, an assistant finance professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He analyzed patent data from 1,500 U.S. technology firms that either went public, or intended to go public but called off those plans, between 1985 and 2003. In all, he examined nearly 40,000 patents awarded to the companies both before and after their intended IPO date. The two groups were similar in size, age and research spending.
An IPO didn't affect the rate at which a company obtained patents, but Bernstein found that public companies' subsequent patents were far lower in quality, as measured by how often each patent was cited in other patent applications.
Post-IPO companies saw an average 40% decline in such citations per patent in the five years after going public relative to the firms that remained private, the study found.
Innovation may slow at public companies because IPOs trigger "brain drain" as employees cash in their holdings, the study suggests. By tracking about 13,000 of the inventors named in patent filings, Bernstein found that they were 18% more likely to leave after a company went public. Meanwhile, those who stayed behind produced inventions that were less valuable than before, receiving on average 48% fewer citations per patent.
Increased scrutiny and accountability to shareholders may also affect the kind of research and development a newly public firm chooses to pursue. "There are market pressures and an appetite for quarterly growth, but innovation is a long-term process," he says. Yet, he adds, IPOs are crucial in generating innovation in the early stages of a company, before it goes public, because the promise of public-offering riches helps startups to attract capital from investors in the first place.
The diminishing innovation trend persisted despite the fact that public companies were more likely to make acquisitions and inherit talent from smaller companies, Bernstein found. Sixty-six percent of firms made at least one acquisition following their IPO, compared to just 20% of private firms.


text: You know how sometimes you find something so good, so incredible, so exquisite that you just can't help but get goosebumps? That's exactly what happens when you come across a Naeem Khan wedding dress. Each gown is crafted with such immaculate attention to detail — from the intricate beading to the luxurious fabrics — that it wouldn't be fair to call them anything less than masterpieces. And Heather Waraksa's stunning captures of the making of the Fall 2018 Collection deserve the title "masterpiece," too. Cue the goosebumps!


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Chicago Bears Back from Bye, Lions Up Next
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) - While the Chicago Bears appreciate their place atop the NFC North standings, they know they won't enjoy the view for long unless some big changes occur on offense.
The Bears (4-1) had a bye over the weekend and took over the division lead because of Minnesota's 38-26 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Detroit (2-3) and Green Bay (3-3) both won on Sunday, keeping the Bears from getting too excited about their half-game lead over the Vikings (4-2) as they began preparations for next Monday night's game against the Lions.
The Bears play only their second divisional game of the season against the Lions.
To stay where they are, the Bears offense has to come around both in the running and passing games to complement a defense that has been dominant.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Material may not be redistributed.


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Kay Gresham was remembered Wednesday among friends and colleagues as an advocate for education and the Onslow County community.
Kay Gresham was remembered Wednesday among friends and colleagues as an advocate for education and the Onslow County community.
�Our community has lost a great one,� said Onslow County Board of Education Vice Chairman Brock Ridge, who worked with Gresham during his long career with the school system.
Ridge echoed the thoughts of many, describing Gresham as a true professional and wonderful person who served her home community in many capacities.
Gresham, a native of Jacksonville, died Wednesday at Duke University Medical Center from complications following surgery. She was 65.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.
Gresham, known affectionately by students as Dr. Kay, worked for Onslow County Schools for nearly 45 years.
She was most recently director of Thompson Early Childhood Center and director for Early Childhood Initiatives and Federal Services, but her career included many roles.
She joined the school system as a teacher at Dixon and early in her career was the reading lab teacher at Blue Creek Elementary School. She moved to the central office during the 1977-78 school year.
Dr. Lesley Eason, Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services and Continuous Improvement, said Gresham served the school system in a �rare and special way.�
�Kay was the type of educator, human being and civic servant we should all aspire to be,� she said. �One of her most special qualities as a district leader was her innate ability to honor the whole child; from the time he/she enters school in pre-kindergarten until he/she graduates. In the course of a very normal day, Kay would begin her day with her pre-K children and quickly transition to ensuring that Onslow�s most outstanding graduates would receive well-deserved scholarships for college. In her loving memory, she taught us that work ethic, vision and a deep passion for family, friends and this school system are tenets for realizing excellence in all that we do.�
School board member Earl Taylor said his family knew Gresham from the time they arrived in Jacksonville and as members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Taylor said he also was privileged to know her professionally through working with the school system.
�I�ll always remember her as a strong advocate for children young to old. Education was her passion,� he said.
She helped to initiate and served as executive director on Sponsors for Academic Talent (SAT) Inc., which promotes academic excellence by providing scholarships to students who meet the requirements.
School board member Jeffrey Brown recalled Gresham�s dedication to the More at Four program and helping to expand the program even as it experienced federal budget cuts.
�She always went over and above to do what she could do (for the students),� he said.
Just as she gave to the school system as an educator, she worked to support her community as well.
She was an active Rotarian and member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club.
Craig Wagner, current president of Jacksonville Rotary Club, said Gresham was the first female Rotarian in the Rotary district and first female president of Jacksonville Rotary.
She was also preparing to take on the position of District Governor for the southeast region of Rotarians.
�That�s a real tribute to how involved she was in Rotary and her dedication to its principles of service above self,� he said.
Gresham also worked through Rotary to enhance opportunities for students.
She was instrumental in starting the Interact Club at Jacksonville High School and started the Onslow Rotary Youth Leadership Conference.
�She was truly inspirational,� Wagner said.
In recognition of her service to community, she was named Onslow County Woman of the Year in 1998 and also received the award as one of Onslow County�s Top Ten Women of the Decade.
�We are certainly going to miss her not only in our school system but throughout the entire community,� she said. �Not only was she dedicated to the students and Onslow County Schools but she was certainly dedicated to Rotary and did so many wonderful things.
"And I�ve lost a dear friend.�
Contact Daily News reporter Jannette Pippin at 910-382-2557 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Visit JDNews.com to comment.


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Navistar Introduces eStar All-Electric Truck
May 14, 2010 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on Navistar Introduces eStar All-Electric Truck
At one of the plants where workers learned about two years ago that they would be laid off at Monaco Coach Corp. in Warsaw, Ind., Navistar Inc. unveiled its new electric truck Thursday (May 13).
And that truck could soon be delivering a FedEx package to your door, according to the South Bend Tribune.
The Navistar eStar runs solely on electric power and can go 100 miles on one charge. It has no tailpipe and can reach 50 mph. Batteries can be replaced in about 20 minutes but take six to eight hours to recharge.
A total of 40 employees will be involved in the initial production in Wakarusa. The plant is expected to produce 400 vehicles this year and several thousand per year in coming years.
Navistar acquired the factory during its 2009 acqusition of some of bankrupt Monaco Coach assets, and Monaco brands now are produced by Navistar subsidiary Monaco RV LLC.
Fresh off a congratulatory phone conversation with Vice President Joe Biden, Shane Terblanche, general manager and vice president of Navistar-Modec EV Alliance, beamed as he saluted his team.
The work that the operators have done getting the vehicles done, the work the engineers have done in preparing the vehicles for production, just absolutely tremendous stuff," Terblanche said. "Many of you would recall an event we had back in August of last year where President Obama announced the $39.2 million grant. We have acted upon that with absolute diligence.
"Here we are today to launch our brand. We are going to talk about creating jobs. We are going to talk about transportation electrification. We are going to talk about partnerships."
The government grant required a matching one by Navistar, which purchased Monaco assets out of bankruptcy.
The vehicles, which cost about $150,000 each, have no emissions, near zero noise pollution, a 36-foot turning radius and a payload of up to two tons.
Terblanche said the partnership demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work together to create jobs and "develop technologically advanced vehicles that are environmentally friendly."
Terblanche said 700 employees would be added nationwide to the Navistar chain, including those working at suppliers to the truck.
"As we ramp up production, we will obviously be needing more operators on the production line," he said. "I don't know what those numbers are today."
FedEx is the first company to purchase the trucks and has let drivers test drive them at stops along Route 66, en route to Los Angeles.
"It's very smooth and very quiet," Deborah Willig, of FedEx, said during an earlier teleconference. "Our team members love driving it."
Besides Los Angeles, trucks are planned for delivery this year to dealers in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Sacramento and possibly Indianapolis.
"This is what Elkhart County does," said Phil Penn, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. "We have been on our knees before. We have come back many times.
"We have been through a number of different morphs of industry.
"And here we are now, another opportunity for a new industry to start up and be the electric capital of the world for vehicles.
"If these vehicles take off, like I am convinced they will," Penn said, "I think we have a great opportunity to add hundreds if not thousands of jobs down the road."


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The LG Intuition has finally been announced. Verizon will launch the new phablet device on September 6 for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. To make the offer a little more appealing, Verizon will offer up a free LG Tone Stereo Bluetooth headset to those who purchase the LG Intuition online between September 6 and 10.
While the LG Intuition is the closest competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Note, the handset's 4:3 aspect ratio 5-inch HD display gives the device a much different profile. The Note may be big, but the the wider Intuition seems unwieldy. Internal specifications include a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, GPS, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and NCF connectivity.
Like the Samsung Galaxy Note, the main aspects that set the LG Intuition apart from other Android devices are its active pen integration and QuickMemo app for drawing and writing. Since we have not had the opportunity to play with the LG Intuition yet, we're not sure how it stacks up to its only competitor. But we're excited to see more devices on the market with active pen support. This should lead to better support from app developers, and we can't wait until Evernote and Springpad add full pen integration into their core apps.Show Press Release
VERIZON WIRELESS AND LG BRING TABLET PRODUCTIVITY AND SMARTPHONE FUNCTIONALITY WITH THE INTUITIONâ"¢ BY LG
4G LTE Connectivity and a Tablet-Like Experience on Vivid 5-Inch True HD Display
BASKING RIDGE and ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics USA today announced the Intuition by LG, a next-generation device that offers the full functionality of a smartphone and a tablet all in one slim, pocket friendly device. The Intuition by LG, exclusively for Verizon Wireless, will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Sept. 6 and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning Sept. 10 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. The Intuition's innovative design and features let customers record their most creative ideas while also staying productive, all in one device. Customers will also have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, which covers more than 75 percent of the U.S. population and will soon be available in more than 400 markets nationwide.
LG's 5-inch display with high-definition detail gives customers a premium viewing experience with exceptionally sharp detail, and the 4:3 aspect ratio makes it ideal for reading e-books, watching videos, Web browsing and reviewing presentations. The Intuition features the Polaris® Office app, allowing customers to view, create, edit and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations right on the Intuition's large display and can even organize files by category or folder.
The QuickMemoâ"¢ app can be used with a single press of a button and allows customers to draw or write messages with the included Rubberdiumâ"¢ pen or with their finger on just about any screen. Add a personalized handwritten note to pictures, maps, websites and easily share with friends through text messages, social media, email and more. Customers can even pick different colors and pen types to help further customize their notes.
The Intuition also features the LG Tag+ app and two reprogrammable NFC (Near Field Communications) stickers that can be used to create and switch between different phone modes with a single tap. For example, the stickers can be posted onto an office door or bedroom nightstand and customers simply tap the NFC sticker with their phone to activate a mode and tap it again to return to their original settings. The different modes are customizable and include Car Mode, Office Mode, Sleep Mode and User Mode. Settings like Bluetooth®, GPS, Wi-Fi and more can be turned on or off by tapping the back of the Intuition on an LG Tag+ sticker.
Additional Features:
- 5-inch display with high-definition detail
- 4:3 aspect ratio to fully use the screen size and eliminate dead space
- 650 NIT display provides excellent legibility and sharp details even in direct sunlight
- The Notebook app turns the Intuition into a virtual notepad for creating documents which, can include text, drawings, images, annotations, video and voice clips
- Business ready with enterprise grade security, corporate data encryption with Data-at-Rest Encryption (DARE), secure multi-headed VPN for corporate network connections, remote wipe capability and more
- Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible so customers can watch movie trailers, download audio books, shopping and more
- 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and 1080p HD video recording
- 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chatting
- Enhanced camera features include voice commands to take a picture, continuous shot to take 6 shots with one tap and panorama shot to merge horizontal shots.
- Androidâ"¢ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
- 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB RAM
- Mobile Hotspot — Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
- Bluetooth® Version 3.0 + HS
- SmartShare — Share media wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices
Pricing and Availability:
- Intuition by LG will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Sept. 6 and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores starting Sept. 10 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
- As an online only promotion, customers who purchase Intuition by LG at www.verizonwireless.com between Sept. 6 and Sept. 10 will also receive a LG Tone Stereo Bluetooth® headset at no additional cost
- Customers purchasing the Intuition by LG will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless data plan. Share Everything Plans allow customers to add Intuition by LG to their account for $40 monthly access. For additional information, customers should go to www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything
- For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.


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How the State Serves Salvation
Don't put too much hope in government. But don't give up on it either. Churches need good governments. In fact, God gave the world governments so that churches can do their work in peace. The government's work …Read More
Fear of Job Loss
Sometimes I worry about losing my job. Do you? I mean, I work pretty hard. But you never know, you know? Maybe funding for our organization won't come in. Or perhaps the organization's needs will change. Or even—I …Read More
Listening to God's Word in the Church
If spiritual life comes through the Word of God (Isa. 55:10–11; Rom. 10:17; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23), why not skip church with all its hassles and just devote yourself to studying the Bible? Think of …Read More
Your Church and Your Life Planning
A friend recently emailed me asking how he should weigh leaving his church to take a job in another city. I told him that he was "free in Christ" to stay or go but that I loved his factoring his …Read More
Greed & Liberality
My guess is that you can't guess who the fastest growing debtors in America are. According to the Wall Street Journal (1/19/07, W2), it's the super rich — not to be confused with the obscenely rich. The …Read More
Jonathan Leeman
Dr. Jonathan Leeman is the editorial director of 9Marks, editor of the 9Marks Journal, and author of Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus.