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I switched it up for Man Up this week. Below you'll find the player-by-player breakdown for the Eagles' starting defense (everyone who played in the first half).
I wanted to get this writeup posted as soon as possible. I'll still analyze the Eagles' backups, who played in the second half and are fighting for roster spots, but I need some more time. Look for that writeup later Friday or some time this weekend.
The player-by-player breakdown of the offense will also be posted this weekend.
Meanwhile, here's the starting D:
Jason Babin - I'm not sure how he got away without a penalty after hitting Ben Roethlisberger late on the Steelers' first possession. In the second quarter, he picked up a sack after coming unblocked off the edge.
Anthony Hargrove - He got the start at left defensive tackle next to Babin. Hargrove did a good job getting to the ball, but missed a tackle on Rashard Mendenhall near the line of scrimmage on a 5-yard run. He got good interior pressure on a Roethlisberger incompletion to the tight end on the first drive. And Hargrove created disruption on the 2-yard Isaac Redman gain in the first. Hargrove also sacked Leftwich on third down in the second. He's not as good of a run-stuffer as Antonio Dixon or Mike Patterson, but Hargrove held his own.
Cullen Jenkins - Tough player to judge. His facemask on Roethlisberger was a big one and extended the Steelers' first drive, but looking at the bigger picture, at least he got to the quarterback. At times, he had trouble against the run, like on the first play where Jenkins got blocked and Mendenhall picked up 4 yards. Later though, Jenkins helped bring Redman down after a 2-yard gain. And in the second, he and Trent Cole dropped Redman for a 4-yard loss. In the second, Jenkins hit Roethlisberger on an incompletion. Overall, I like what I've seen from him through two games.
Trent Cole - He started off slow, but then made some plays. The gaps in between the linemen in the wide-9 were glaring though against the run. A huge hole opened up between Cole and Jenkins on Mendenhall's 9-yard run. Cole, who's shown in the past that he can play the run well too, stuffed Redman for no gain in the first. As a pass rusher, Cole used a nice inside move to force Roethlisberger out of the pocket, but the Steelers' QB improvised and found Mendenhall for a 12-yard gain. Later, Cole used a powerful move to force a Roethlisberger incompletion. On the second touchdown, Cole chased Roethlisberger out of the pocket. And later, he got past the left tackle and then the fullback before delivering a hit on Leftwich.
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim - With Juqua Parker sidelined, Babin played with the first team and Te'o-Nesheim played LDE with the second group. He also moved around the line a little. At some point, Te'o-Nesheim left the game with a hamstring injury, but he had little or no impact when on the field. Against the run, he looked like a liability, and while he didn't get a lot of pass-rushing opportunities, I didn't see him get close to the quarterback. On one play, he was effectively blocked by the Steelers tight end. Not a good sign. I have a hard time seeing how he could make an impact this season, but if the Eagles still see potential, they may keep him on the roster for another year.
Cedric Thornton - With the injuries to Dixon and Patterson, he played defensive tackle with the second group. Thornton had a couple good plays against the run - stopping Mendenhall after a 4-yard gain in the first and disrupting a run play that was stopped for no gain in the second. I can't see him making the roster though. Probably a practice squad candidate.
Derek Landri - I thought he was excellent in the first game, but he didn't do much to stand out here. Landri played defensive tackle with the second group. A huge cutback lane opened up between him and Thornton on Redman's 16-yard run. Landri is squarely on the roster bubble.
Darryl Tapp - He played quite a bit inside. After notching two sacks against the Ravens, Tapp didn't get much pressure against the Steelers. However, I noticed he and Babin ran a twist in the second. Babin rushed inside, and Tapp looped to the outside. The Eagles didn't do a lot of that last season, but I have seen them practicing the maneuver during practice.
Phillip Hunt - He came in and played both left and right defensive end in the second quarter. Hunt had a couple decent rushes, but look for more details on him when I run through the backups.
Casey Matthews - This is the guy most of you were waiting for, I presume. Matthews struggled, specifically against the run. What stood out was that when an offensive lineman got his hands on Matthews, it seemed like he had no shot. He was unable to shed blocks and as a result, was often nowhere near the ball. When he did get to the ball, it was often as the second or third defender. In coverage, there was way too much room in the zone between Matthews and the defensive backs on the Jerricho Cothcery 29-yard completion. Leftwich had a huge window to make the pass. To be fair, if the coaching staff wanted to see how Matthews would do against the Steelers before making a change, I'm OK with that. If they trot him out there in Week 1 against the Rams, and Matthews gets abused, then this defense has a major problem.
Moise Fokou - He was probably the Eagles' best linebacker. Fokou did a good job getting off a block and stopping Mendenhall after a 4-yard gain. He later broke up a pass intended for the tight end. If the Eagles switch things up, he could move back to SAM.
Jamar Chaney - Someone asked me on Twitter why the team decided to move him away from the middle in the first place. I really don't have an answer. I thought Chaney was clearly their best middle linebacker last season, but he started camp playing the SAM. He didn't do much against the Steelers either. He was blocked on Redman's 16-yard run and Mendenhall's 6-yard run. Chaney had some bright spots - he stopped Redman after a 1-yard gain in the second and Moore after a 2-yard loss. But overall, he was just OKl. There was a really interesting play when the Eagles were in their dime package on 1st-and-20. The defensive tackles lined up out wide and were nowhere near the Steelers' center. Chaney was the only player in the middle of the field. Roethlisberger took the snap, the center blocked Chaney, and he picked up 8 yards on the sneak. Savvy move by Roethlisberger there - recognizing the defense and picking up an easy gain.
Asante Samuel - He was by himself on the first touchdown pass. Samuel knew the Eagles were sending six guys at Roethlisberger, and that's probably why he gambled. He was counting on the pressure to get there. But Roethlisberger ended up having time, and Samuel got beat for the touchdown. Are we sure that was him blocking the field goal? Or did someone else steal his No. 22 jersey for a play?
Nnamdi Asomugha - He got his hands dirty right away, tackling Mendenhall after a 5-yard gain in the first. Asomugha played both right cornerback and in the slot. I don't remember a ball being thrown his way. Don't think he blitzed at all either.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - I like what I've seen from him during practice, but there were some areas of concern in this one. Rodgers-Cromartie played in three different spots - the slot, right cornerback and left cornerback. He helped break up a WR screen in the second. The Eagles brought him on a blitz on Roethlisberger's first touchdown pass. Rodgers-Cromartie has good speed, but I can't say he looked very willing to take on Mendenhall, who stayed in to block. Instead of going at him or around him, Rodgers-Cromartie kind of just slowed down at the point of contact. Later on short yardage, he didn't offer a very good tackling attempt on Jonathan Dwyer's 6-yard run. In coverage, he lost Arnaz Battle on 3rd-and-7 for a 14-yard gain. If Rodgers-Cromartie is going to play inside, he has to show he's able to do a variety of things for this defense.
Joselio Hanson - He came in when the Eagles played dime with four cornerbacks. I'll probably have more on him when I look at the backups.
Nate Allen - The second-year safety was shaky in this one. He bit badly on play-action on 3rd-and-1 and lost tight end Heath Miller, who made an 11-yard grab for a first down. Allen was a step behind Battle on the 18-yard completion on 3rd-and-8. He blitzed on the first touchdown pass. Instead of taking a direct path to Roethlisberger, Allen jumped when he thought the pass was coming. Roethlisberger held on to it and then had plenty of time to hit Brown. Allen was actually unblocked on the play, but looked like he hesitated. The Eagles were in zone on the second touchdown pass, and it looked like Allen lost Ward. When I examined the 31 touchdown passes the Eagles allowed last year, here's what I wrote about Allen:
There were several instances where Nate Allen got to the ball right after a touchdown catch. Allen showed great potential as a rookie, but after re-watching the touchdowns, it was clear they need improvement from him in pass coverage.
The Eagles need to see that, and soon.
Kurt Coleman - It's generally not a good sign when your safety has to make 11 tackles. Having said that, Coleman got the job done in run support. He is clearly one of their most physical players and doesn't look ready to give up the starting job to rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett just yet.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Latest content added for Digital Library Collection: Texas Fashion Collectionhttps://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/TXFC/browse/?sort=added_a&fq=str_location_country:Italy&display=grid&fq=untl_decade:1940-19492015-05-06T16:58:37-05:00UNT LibrariesThis is a custom feed for browsing Digital Library Collection: Texas Fashion CollectionCalotte Hat2011-07-25T17:53:57-05:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc39211/

Calotte hat of brown felt with rounded crown and a 1" turned up brim. Feathers of medium brown and gold are attached under brim at center front and lay over brim at right and left sides capped with squares of same brown felt. Inside crown stamped: "Carol / Body Made in Italy" Label sewn to inside crown: "Replica de Parisienne" Label sewn to inside grosgrain hatband: "Adjustable / Head Size"
Hat2011-07-25T17:53:57-05:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc39237/

Hat of gray felt. The cylindrical gray felt crown is very slightly domed, and is set off-center to the brim. The brim, of matching felt, turns up, forming a deep, steep-sided bowl around the crown. The edge of the brim turns in, and is sewn down forming a seam around the inside edge of the "bowl". At left front of the brim is a bow of matching felt. The hat is unlined, with an inner hatband of gray grosgrain ribbon around the inside base of the crown. Stamped inside the crown: "Body made in Italy". Maker's hand-sewn(?) label affixed to inner hatband: "Jo Bailey / Hats".
Beret2011-07-25T17:53:57-05:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc39055/

Hat of black knit. In the style of a beret, the hat is of black knitted yarn. The crown is circular, somewhat domed when worn. No brim. The whole is covered in long, curving, pointed black sequins. Hat is unlined. Label sewn inside crown: "Hand Made / In Italy". Hat has been photographed with padding to provide shape. When not worn or padded, hat flattens.
Hat2012-11-05T12:51:51-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc114916/

Hat of black fur felt. Wide crown covered with net printed with gold flowers and leaves. Wide black velvet ribbon as hatband with bow as trim. Narrow brim. Stamp on inside crown: "Turin / Genuine Fur Felt / Finest Quality Veld(?) / Made in Italy" Retailer's label on inside hatband: "Sanger's / Dallas" Manufacturer's label to right of retailer's label: "Cedar Crest / Original"
Beach Shoes2015-05-06T16:58:37-05:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc503779/

Beach shoes of tan rope and red, white, and blue knitted cotton(?). Designed as thick-soled espadrilles with coiled rope soles and rounded toes, the toe-box and heel section are of knitted cotton(?) in red, white, and blue patterns of squares and zig-zags on bands of color. From instep to sides of heel are tied red silk(?) cords.


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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 3, 2012)—A drop out of graded company proved the winning move for Hard to Resist in the $57,700 feature Thursday (video) at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Nearly six weeks after finishing seventh of 10 in the Grade II Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita, Hard to Resist, who trailed after the opening half mile, collared pacesetter Let's Go Cheyenne in the closing yards for her third career victory.
Owned by a partnership that includes Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stables, Ciaglia Racing, Marc Ferrell and Rob Dyrdek and trained by Peter Eurton, the 4-year-old daughter of Johannesburg and the Gulch mare Anja completed the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:41.53.
The victory by a neck pushed her earnings to $126,040 in 10 races. Ridden by David Flores, who also won the first with A Toast To You, the 6-1 shot in the field of seven fillies and mares paid $15.40, $6.60 and $3.80.
Bidding for her third win in her last four starts, Let's Go Cheyenne set moderate fractions (23.84, 47.57 and 1:11.05 for six furlongs), had a 1 ½ length advantage with less than an eighth of a mile to run, but couldn't quite last under jockey Joe Talamo. She returned $4.40 and $3.40 as the 5-2 second choice.
Plaza de Indias, a Chilean bred making her first start in the United States for Green Grass Stable and trainer Ken Nettles, was third, one length behind Let's Go Cheyenne and 1 ¼ lengths in front of 13-10 favorite Gem of Soul. The longest shot in the cast at 29-1, Plaza de Indias paid $10.20 to show.
A winner two races ago in her U.S. initiation for owner-breeder Coudelaria Jessica and trainer A.C. Avila, Gem of Soul had no visible excuses Thursday. The Brazilian bred tracked Let's Go Cheyenne for most of the trip, but had little to offer late.
Completing the order of finish were Anniversary Girl, Secret Cove and You'llalwaysbemine. Bwana Babe was a veterinarian scratch earlier in the day.
Although Talamo missed in the feature, he won three other races Thursday, including two wins for trainer Mike Mitchell – Lil Miss Macky in the second and Potesta, who prevailed by 11 ½ lengths as the 3-5 favorite in the fourth. Talamo's other victory came with Rude Bobby in the eighth.
Racing resumes Friday. Post time is 1 p.m.
This is the only Friday afternoon program during the Spring/Summer meet. Gates will open at 7 a.m. The first import from Churchill Downs is 7:30 a.m. The main event at the Louisville track is the Kentucky Oaks.
Copyright © 2009-2012, Hollywood Park. All rights reserved. Site design by Love Has No logic Design Group


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By Wayne Bartlett: When a disputed decision causes a favoured fighter to be upset, the consensus is, lightning won't strike twice.
For Danny Connor, the status of Southern Area light-welterweight champion doesn't come down to having possession of a belt or knowing that he deserves the title. It's now about others knowing it.
After claiming the 10 stone title in September of last year, Connor has had to pull out of a scheduled rematch once with Evangelou, and this Saturday night at Wembley Arena he says it is his chance prove himself once again.
"On the night I thought I won the fight, but it was close and could have gone either way," said Connor on the morning of the weigh-in.
"But after watching the fight back I thought I definitely won it. At the end of the day, Chris is going to scream the place down saying that he won that fight but the referee gave to me by four rounds.
"I was the away fighter, on a Matchroom show, fighting a Matchroom fighter. They're not going to give you the decision if you don't deserve it are they."
Referee and sole scorer that night, Ken Curtis' 98-94 scorecard at Alexandra Palace, a day over six months ago from the rematch, rewarding the tenacity and hard work of the London born underdog over ten hard rounds, rather than the flashier single shots of his popular foe.
27-year-old Evangelou went into the fight on the back of nine straight wins as a pro and enjoyed training visits to the US in preparation for the bout, but Connor was not impressed.
"Chris," says the 26-year-old, "Faced his first live opponent, and I did a job on him. Going to the Mayweather gym and training with the best in the world hasn't done him any favours has it."
Brought through the early stages of his career at a higher weight and admitting himself he wasn't living the life a professional fighter should be living, the 7-5-1 Connor has rattled off four straight wins since his change in perception, which has brought him to this the biggest fight of his career to date.
"I'm so focused," Insisted Connor with his usual honesty on the eve of the fight. "I'm stronger. Everything has gone perfect; I'm not going to sit here lying about it because the only person I'd be kidding is myself.
"If for some reason Chris does beat me Saturday night, I've got no excuses. He's not going to win."
© 2000 - 2011 Knockout Entertainment Ltd & SecondsOut.com


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Well, what do we have here? That's right: I've finally made it to the border of my latest stripe study. Phew. Unlike different lines, I had just enough yarn to get through the recommended number of stripes — I guess knitting lace-weight yarn on size US8/5.0mm vs. US9/5.5mm really doesn make a difference — though it does seem like I have tons of frank ochre left for a nice, wide border. Sure, the knitting is a bit tedious, but I'm okay with that. And I can't wait to have a new super-light, super-soft shawl for fall.
Besides, it gives me time to think about all of the baby knits I need to get on the needles: there's (at last count) one fall baby and one winter baby that will need something woolly. That's one thing I didn't consider when I took up knitting, but geez, I got close to 30 (or now above) … and boom! baby town for all of my friends. It's great and I'm happy because they're so happy, but … man, I'm just glad I have a reasonably large and varied stash. Right now, I'm thinking some kind of vest-y easy-on, easy-off situtation: Pebble, maybe (which I think I first saw on the Rooster's blog in some very lovely handspun.) or else I'll just stick with my standby: the EZ February baby sweater. It's a no-fail, always cute, and pretty straightforward.
(Apologies for the crap picture and weird light. This was the best of a bad lot.)
In other news, here's where Alice has been spending all of her time. Ah, sunshine — a kitty's best friend.


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Skyforce Head Coach Pat Delany Hired as Assistant with Charlotte Hornets
After just one year Sioux Falls Skyforce head coach Pat Delany is moving on.
Delany has taken an assistant coaching position with the NBA Charlotte Hornets. In his first year as coach for the Skyforce Delany took the team into the NBA D-League Playoffs compiling a 31-19 record.
The Miami Heat has control of basketball operations of the Sioux Falls Skyforce and will be assigning a new head coach.


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Today's Featured Artist: Michael Godard
Transform your photos into one-of-a-kind, hand painted masterpieces!
Jazz Saxophonist John Coltrane 01 by Yuriy Shevchuk - 10.000" x 6.125"
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Hanging Wire
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Jazz Saxophonist John Coltrane 01 metal print by Yuriy Shevchuk. Bring your artwork to life with the stylish lines and added depth of a metal print. Your image gets printed directly onto a sheet of 1/16" thick aluminum. The aluminum sheet is offset from the wall by a 3/4" thick wooden frame which is attached to the back. The high gloss of the aluminum sheet complements the rich colors of any image to produce stunning results.
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Congrats Beautiful work
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Bring your artwork to life with the stylish lines and added depth of a metal print. Your image gets printed directly onto a sheet of 1/16" thick aluminum.
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Edgars Erglis
November 10th, 2018
Robert Herrington
November 10th, 2018
April Smith
November 9th, 2018
April Smith
November 9th, 2018
watercolor on paper 44 x 70 cm The original is for sale. Other works You can see on website www.shevchukart.com Critiques are welcome. All photographs and artworks in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Yuriy Shevchuk. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from myself is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Born in 1961 in Kiev, Ukraine, Yuri Shevchuk attended the Kiev Art School and later the prestigious Kiev Architectural Academy. Yuriy has adopted the practice of recording his own experiences in his artworks: his three passions, painting, jazz and historical cars have become the focus of his paintings. Since 1993 Shevchuk has been living in the city of Prague, which he depicts in many of his paintings and also where he exhibits his work widely. He has been described as an accomplished master, full of artistic and intellectual energy. Bewitched with jazz music he skillfully and rapidly sketches the cool and charming figures of musicians in action, showing the positive mood of jazz and the stunning spiritual intensity of this bright...
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text:
Making an album – even a classic album – sometimes can be an exercise in overcoming adversity. Still, the monumental troubles that Paul McCartney and Wings had to surmount to record Band on the Run, easily McCartney's best post-Beatles album, easily could have served as fodder for an epic Hollywood film.
It all began with McCartney's desire to work in a locale that was off the beaten path. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately, as it turned out), his record company, EMI, had an international presence, with recording facilities based in Bombay, Rio de Janeiro, Peking and … aha! … Lagos. Enchanted by visions of sunning on the beach by day, and recording by night, McCartney decided to gather his Wings bandmates and head for the Nigerian city, nestled on the west coast of Africa. Nevermind the fact that pre-trip inoculations to prevent cholera, typhoid, polio and a host of other potential diseases were required.
One week prior to heading for Africa, McCartney corralled his fellow Wings members to rehearse some new songs. Disputes ensued, and guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell left the band. All of a sudden, Wings was a trio consisting of McCartney, wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine. Off the three went, upbeat and confident despite the unforeseen defection of their drummer and lead guitarist.
The studio in Lagos was decidedly ramshackle. Microphones were discovered tucked away in a cupboard, the control desk was faulty and acoustic baffles used for sound separation were nowhere to be found. Heroically, however, engineer Geoff Emerick pulled together the equipment necessary to forge onwards.
A regular daily pattern ensued. Weekday mornings were spent swimming at a local country club. In mid-afternoon, the band would make the hour-long drive to the studio, where the work sometimes went on until 4 or 5 a.m. Weekends were reserved for rest and recreation, in keeping with McCartney's reasons for choosing Lagos in the first place.
As regards the sessions, McCartney, Linda and Laine were galvanized and motivated by the defections of Seiwell and McCullough. As he had often done on his solo albums, Macca himself handled most of the lead guitar and drumming duties. Notwithstanding the technical difficulties, recording was going relatively smoothly, until one evening the McCartneys decided to take a leisurely stroll. Out of nowhere, a car pulled up, five men jumped out, and, at knifepoint, McCartney was forced to relinquish all the valuables in his possession. Among the items taken were cassettes of demos of potential Wings material.
Such was the first of a series of travails that dogged the sessions. On one occasion, McCartney collapsed in the studio, unable to catch his breath. A heart attack was initially suspected, but after a period of rest, McCartney gathered himself. The episode was later diagnosed as a bronchial spasm triggered by excessive smoking. On another occasion, a local Afro-beat star and political activist went on radio and accused McCartney of coming to Lagos to "exploit and steal" African music. To placate the accuser, McCartney agreed not to enlist help from local musicians. He also steered clear of giving any songs an "African" sound.
By the end of September of 1973, six weeks into their stay in Lagos, the Wings entourage was relieved to be headed back to London. Overdubs were added at Air Studios, including terrific orchestral arrangements by Tony Visconti, best known for his production work on albums by Marc Bolan and David Bowie. On October 28, the iconic cover photo (which featured actors Christopher Lee and James Coburn, among other celebrities) was shot. Incredibly, despite the harrowing incidents that occurred in Lagos, the album brimmed with a buoyant spirit, and was rife with such classics as "Jet" (which found McCartney paying tribute to the family's Lab puppy) and "Helen Wheels" (which did the same for McCartney's Land Rover).
Even more remarkable, McCartney continued to choose unusual places to record Wings' albums, traveling to such far-flung cities as Paris, New Orleans, Nashville and the Virgin Islands. Lagos, however, did not receive a return visit. In 1998, 25 years after making Band on the Run, McCartney offered an assessment of the experience. "When we got back home, people said, 'Ah, out of adversity has been born a good album.' But I hate that theory. It may well be true, but that's why I don't like it. I hate the idea that you've got to sweat and suffer to produce something good. But it turned out successfully anyway."
Indeed, even John Lennon, who generally only grudgingly complimented McCartney's post-Beatles work, concurred. "Band on the Run is a great album," Lennon told Rolling Stone, not long after the album was released. "Wings keep changing all the time. It doesn't matter who's playing. You can call them Wings, but it's Paul McCartney music – and it's good stuff."


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Woody: Danica's NASCAR Dalliance Brings Boos
By Larry Woody | Senior Writer
Danica Patrick, accustomed to feeling the love, recently got a lesson in how fickle fans can be.
After she made some critical comments about her car's setup – by implication blaming her team for a poor qualifying performance – boos rained down from the grandstands at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Why did fans suddenly turn on Patrick, who in past seasons has repeatedly been named the IRL's Most Popular Driver?
Yes, she was critical of her team after her disappointing qualifying run. But she's been critical before. That simply reflected her competitive desire and determination.
Yes, she can be fiery and temperamental. But she's always been fiery and temperamental. That was considered of her charm and appeal.
So what's changed?
The only thing I can think of is Danica's ongoing flirtation with NASCAR.
She has expressed interest in joining the rival league – having already run a few races in NASCAR's second-tier series – and there is speculation that she will eventually jilt the IRL for a full-time stock car ride.
Indy fans – especially the die-hards that turn out for the interminable qualifying rounds – probably aren't happy over the prospect of losing their most famous driver to a rival suitor. Just the fact that she's looking probably grinds their grits.
Also there may be a growing sentient that Danica is over-rated, a one-win wonder who got where she is through her good looks and charm. She receives more attention than any other driver, while her on-track results remain as skimpy as her Sports Illustrated swimsuits.
I suspect the booing was a combination of factors and could indicate a creeping Danica Fatigue. She needs to start producing, and fans that have stood by her through loss after loss aren't in the mood to listen to her gripe.
If not that, then what set off the boo-birds? If, for example, A.J. Foyt had made similar comments about being displeased over his car's balky performance, would they have given A.J. the same treatment they gave Danica? I think not.
A.J. would have been seen as tough and demanding; Danica was seen as whiney and complaining.
I don't think she deserved to be booed, but that's part of being a high-profile sports celebrity. Cheers can quickly turn into jeers and today's hero can be tomorrow's has-been.
But let's not be too hasty to discount Danica and her continued impact on the sport. Legions of viewers will tune into the Indy 500 just to see how she's doing – viewers who otherwise wouldn't be watching.
And despite her skimpy won/lost record, Patrick is a talented racer. She can drive a car fast; she just needs a fast car to drive. If her team can provide her one, Indy's Golden Girl could be sipping milk in Victory Circle Sunday.
That's all she was trying to say: give her a fast car and she's got a chance.
No need to boo about it.
– Larry Woody can be reached at email@example.com Comments


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John Travolta Refocuses Violent-Trailer Attention On NYC
Trailer day continues at Defamer with a glimpse at John Travolta's latest firearm-toting, urban-obliterator role in the upcoming remake of The Taking of Pelham 123.
With the tighter confines of a New York City subway car to contain him, Travolta has downgraded his Parisian bazooka for a more conveniently terrorizing handgun. And as the heavily tattooed hijacker to Denzel Washington's transit worker-turned-crisis negotiator, he's surrendered the adorable leather-daddy exterior we had hoped he'd maintain for at least a few more roles. Alas, the savagery is complete. As for the rest, we're still not convinced the 1974 original required a visit from the End of Ideas fairy, but who can say really say no to Tony Scott? Oh. Well, give it a look anyway.


text:
|View Poll Results: Toradora! - Episode 15 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2009-01-15, 23:04
|Link #81
.: A bad doggy :.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Case in point.
That's no fun at all.
It sounds more like you don't care for Kitamura's character, so you're quick to disregard how they go about it in explaining it (edit- looking back at the replies prior to this, looks like I'm right). Your point would be valid if his entire ordeal was wrapped up this episode, but it's not. The fact that they're devoting more then one episode (maybe up three) is proof that it's not being shallow / forced / artificial. Again, you can dislike him, but to hold that as con against how the show develops him is going offsides.
Again, you people keep sitting at the end of the situation and argue about what the character is doing there, when this show is (and always was) primarily dealt with showing us how they got there. This time they're going backwards, giving us the reaction (end of the situation, which ironically is actually the begining now), and now where' going to find out what lead him to act that way (which then leads to the actual end of this situation). I don't see anything wrong with that.
|2009-01-15, 23:10
|Link #82
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Nor do I see how popularity polls could be affected by something that, you know, just happened.
And I can't understand the rest of your post...
|2009-01-15, 23:11
|Link #83
Senior Member
So you are saying you are a frustrating guy to talk to? Good we actually agree on something. :P
I mean the whole situation and the tension is made over it is artificial... How many times do I have to repeat it? It is overreaction, even considering him being a teenager.
And the motives behind that is not impressive at all. Thats why this episode doesn't really create deeper character. More info not equals character depth, specially if the whole tension that caused it is artificial and forced. My verdict may be strongly influenced because I do know what happens next as I do read novels.
|2009-01-15, 23:18
|Link #84
.: A bad doggy :.
Join Date: Jun 2007
I did the same, but I offered the notion that showing a different side to a character who we haven't actually touched upon at all up to this point is in fact, irrefutable depth.
Even if you want to argue against that (use more of those magical opposite stickers of yours), the problem itself is what may actually be deep, but then I don't know that right now.
All I'm getting here is that:
- You don't like Kitamura (you hate him), and that greatly influences (wrongly may I add) how your opinion of how the show decides to portray his developtment.
- You've read the novels. Hey, guess what? NOONE CARES. This is the thread for the anime.
- You think it's forced, artificial, contrived, and him not being popular amongst fans of Toradora somehow has something to do with it.
|2009-01-15, 23:21
|Link #85
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
And him being a teenager is what makes him overreact like that. Kids aren't exactly the most wise of individuals.
And that really isn't a cliche. That's simply bad writing, you're talking about. And this really isn't. It's indirect characterization.
|2009-01-15, 23:31
|Link #86
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Mississauga
I wouldn't say it's entirely sudden either. There have been quite a few hints coming up to this that goes as far back as the summer villa episode. Ami teases out hints of some possible problem between Kitamura and the student council when she tells him that he's surprised Kitamura came along.
At the end of the cultural festival, there's some tension between Kitamura and Sumire as she talks about how she's going to be gone next year. Then in the previous episode, we know that Kitamura and Sumire have a serious discussion that leaves him a dazed stupor when Taiga finds him.
I think you might also be mistaking time (which is restricted in a television show) with actual changes in a person's behaviour.
Consider, for example, the five stages of loss and grief: denial/isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This is a list of behaviours in stages, not a time line.
|2009-01-15, 23:42
|Link #87
Senior Member
You just think you are right, I think I am.
It may be deep or it may be not. Your defending and my defending stands on the same ground of may which amkes yours statement just as invallid as mine or mine, just as invalid as yours . We are just stating our opinions neither giving any support on that but the notions taht are already different.
You keep on using those magical oppose stickers just as much as I do, its just taht you are too full of yourself to admit it, as those stickers are always the statements.
Liking and disliking are both perverting ones decision. Juts that you like the character doenst make your opinion better than the one who doesn't.
With this one i have to agree. But you have to admit that knowing original source does give you some advantage which may or may not come true.
I am saying that his character is shallow already and the fact that his popularity do not rise after the said "depth" creation just shows that 'depth' creation may be not so deep at all. Well In anime discussion it still has to happen though as the depth only brought out recently. But you have read yourself that some people still do not like him, and actually started to dislike him more after this one, rather than liking.
Our both opinion are equally subjective. And yours is biased just as much as mines. We are both sharing two opinions that are both subjective. And this where we will always stop as there cannot be an objective opinion as long as it is based on individual understanding.
Last edited by Darknemo2000; 2009-01-15 at 23:55.
|2009-01-15, 23:49
|Link #89
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
All you are doing is trying to prove that he's just as biased as you are.
You're doing it wrong.
You're also using thiny veiled insults to attempt to make a point. This makes you look unintelligent.
|2009-01-15, 23:59
|Link #91
Senior Member
Well the point is that we are all biased in here, and you try to prove my opinion to be wrong... based on your opinion. Which is what it will be and neither will prove it to be right.
But this is what discussions are about , sharing opinions even if they end up in clash. But in general we will never find a consensus as in the end these are always our opinions you state my opinion being wrong I state yours. And so to the eternity, simply because it is an opinion.
And how it is wrong?
Ogh yeah, it is your opinion about it being wrong. But does it make it wrong?
Well the insult was unintended as only later I noticed that I missed part of the sentence (and was editing while you quoted me). Or at least I did not meant to be one-sided but two sided (directed on me as well).
When you try to talk about subjectiveness and say the person is wrong because of that, you have to remember that what you talk is most probably subjectiveness as well so your criticism stand on the same ground.
On our forums the only objectiveness is moderators and admins. Why? Because their subjectiveness have the power. When subjectiveness has the power it becomes objective.
Since neither yours nor mine can overpower each other we are bound to be always subjective. Its a cruel truth about the objectiveness in human world. Even rules or laws are actually subjectiveness which has the power. But it can be just - it can apply to each and every equally. Bit on the whole it is subjective in the morals it supports or defends.
Last edited by Darknemo2000; 2009-01-16 at 00:16.
|2009-01-16, 00:12
|Link #92
.: A bad doggy :.
Join Date: Jun 2007
I'm just trying to squeeze actual reasons out of darkenemo, but if it bothers you so I will stop.
|2009-01-16, 00:20
|Link #94
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Objective: Kitamura dyed his hair blonde.
Subjective: Kitamura's development is forced and artificial.
Objective: Kitamura is behaving in an angsty, emo fashion.
Subjective: Kitamura's character has no depth.
See the difference?
|2009-01-16, 00:24
|Link #95
Senior Member
You 'conveniently' forgot to mention another out of which (or more so collision with afore mentioned subjectiveness) it all steamed:
Subjective: Kitamura's development is well build.
Subjective: Kitamura's character has depth
Or are you saying that we all argued about Kitamura's hair being blond and not?
Last edited by Darknemo2000; 2009-01-16 at 00:36.
|2009-01-16, 00:49
|Link #98
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
Personally, I don't mind the head banging on interpretation until someone starts calling names or accuse the other person of being incapable or stupid.
Dark, you really didn't refute Kaisos subject : object post, you just added to it. The objective part would be a list of actions that relate to the subjective statements you listed.
The only thing I have to say is that currently, by the anime, Kitamura's actions are a bit inexplicable ... therein lies the mystery. The arc isn't over. If it ends without clarifying why he acts the way he does (by flashback or whatever) then we can probably reach some consensus the execution was crapped.
*Appearances* are that he's an over-reactionary emo kid hiding in a popular mature student council VP who likes the prez ..... like all the other characters, there are probably some secrets behind the shields.
Last edited by Vexx; 2009-01-16 at 00:50. Reason: stupid helpful emoticonifier mistaking a x:y construction
|2009-01-16, 05:32
|Link #100
Senior Member
The greatest problem with this is that both statements (positive and negative) about Kitamura's character depth are subjective.
The core of this would be as I understand two different original positions regarding of how we treat character's depth:
Chibby: Any information, that was not given before, provided about character creates a character depth.
Me: Information about the character does not necessarily create character depth.
In Kitamura's case I commented that the situation that was created is artificial, thus making the build up attempts artificial build ups.
Chibby believes that there is nothing artificial in this, thus the info really lead to deepening the character.
Both of the opinions are opinions and what is worse, both are based on difference stances of the starting position (A: Info necessarily creates character depth, B: Info does not necessarily create character depth) and both are valid and invalid at the same time.
Which means that the the collision, and most likely fruitless, is unavoidable.
Kaisos just started emphasizing my part of being subjective (which I never argued it to be) yet did not mention that the opposing opinion is just as subjective, which I believe to be intentional.
P.S. If we were to go bit into philosophy, then even what Kaisos listed as objective is not objective at all, in a sense that seeing of color is not enough, it still has to be recorded and interpretative by our brains, which makes even the information that we get from our sensors ultimately is subjective as well. So even the statement 'Kitamura has dyed his hair blond' becomes subjective. Of course this leads to the eternal cycle of solipsism, thus probably it is better to avoid such theme since we would never be able to break it, unless we, like Descartes, would use demiurg (god) to break it.
Last edited by Darknemo2000; 2009-01-16 at 05:47.
|Thread Tools


text:
Touch Technologies to Soar in the Coming Decade
By Tom Morrow, EVP, SEMI Global Emerging Markets Group
Driven by sales of smart phones, tablet computers, ebooks and other devices, touch technologies will rise by a factor of seven in the next three years creating new business opportunities for suppliers of vacuum deposition, screen printing, laminating, etch, sputtering, inspection, and other systems and equipment. With the success of Apple's iPad, the future of conventional keyboards is even being questioned and a wave of new touch systems are being developed that will revolutionize how people interact with technology.
Up to 24 new iPad-rival tablets are expected to become available between now and Q1′11, from companies including Dell, Acer, HTC, Cisco, HP, Nokia, Samsung, Asus, RIM, Toshiba, and more. Many of them will feature innovative touch screen panels and no keyboard. Some analysts predict that these tablet PC sales will grow more rapidly than smart phone sales and will probably constitute a larger market within five years.
iSuppli estimates that shipments for touch screens for tablets, mobile phones and other products will rise 5,000 percent in 2010 to 8.9 million units. Shipments of transparent touch screens will then increase to 63.9 million units by 2013. DisplaySearch reported that total touch screen module revenue will grow from $4.3 billion in 2009 to nearly $14 billion by 2016, a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent. Due to the popularity of the iPad, the market is currently experiencing capacity shortages and a wave of innovation and investment is expected to hit the industry.
In a recent workshop on touch technologies hosted by FlexTech Alliance at the recent SEMICON West event, participants learned about the key applications, trends, and technology drivers that are behind this technology wave. Instructors Abbie Gregg from Abbie Gregg, Inc. and Geoff Walker from NextWindow presented technical and application overviews of all of the 13 transparent touch technologies that are used on top of displays, as well as an introduction to the newest "in cell" touch technologies. The technologies covered were: analog and digital resistive, surface and projected capacitive, surface acoustic wave (SAW), traditional and waveguide infrared, optical, acoustic pulse recognition (APR), dispersive signal technology (DST), force sensing, in-cell, and vision-based.
Source: iSupply
Pre-iPad, most of the slate PCs on the market relied on either active digitizers or resistive screens for touch functionality. According to DisplaySearch, in 2009 all forms of analog resistive technology reached over $2 billion and 452 million units, representing 48 percent of the revenues and 74 percent of total units. Projected capacitive screens used in the iPad, which only appeared in this market in 2007, had a very small share, but now are expected to outpace resistive technology.
Nonetheless, digitizers and resistive markets continue to grow. Both of these technologies, as well as others still in the development stage, will take increasing shares of the market in the coming years, as vendors attempt to differentiate their products through function and cost.
Touch Screen Technology Market Share by Revenues 2009
Source: DisplaySearch 2010 Touch Panel Market Analysis
The touch screen industry is extremely dispersed with many companies pursuing either single or multiple touch technologies. Approximately 90 companies are manufacturing resistive technologies. According to Gregg and Walker, projected capacitive technology has an estimated 56 suppliers, which is nearly twice as many as last year's 27 suppliers.
The principle factor in the rapid shift to projected capacitive technology is multitouch technology. Multitouch refers to a touch system's ability to simultaneously detect and resolve a minimum of two or more simultaneous touch points. The human interactive experience is dramatically improved when multiple touches can be detected and fully resolved. Mainstream exposure to multi-touch technology occurred in 2007 when the iPhone gained popularity. Today, most operating systems support multitouch, including Mac OS X, Windows 7, Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Palm's webOS, Symbian OS, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry OS 6.0.
After the display, the next most expensive component on the iPad is the capacitive touch screen assembly, reportedly supplied by Taiwan's Wintek Corp for around $30. Other makers of such assemblies include Sintek Photronic Corp., TPK Solutions Inc., Touch International and Young Fast Optoelectronics Co. Ltd. News reports indicate that Wintek is currently expanding its production lines in the Chinese cities of Dongguan and Suzhou to catch up with the demand, adding 1.6 million touch screens to the monthly supply.
A capacitive touch screen panel consists of an insulator such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor such as indium tin oxide (ITO). Human touch is a conductor that will distort a screen's electrostatic field, measurable as a change in capacitance. Different technologies can be used to determine the location of the touch. The location is then sent to the controller for processing. Projected capacitive touch technology is a capacitive technology which permits more accurate and flexible operation, by etching the conductive layer. An X-Y grid is formed either by etching a single layer to form a grid pattern of electrodes, or by etching two separate, perpendicular layers of conductive material with parallel lines or tracks to form the grid. The use of an X-Y grid permits a higher resolution than other technologies.
iSuppli reports that three separate ICs are used to support the touch screen display which indicates that the design is in still in its infancy, and suggests that future integration into a single device is possible. Future versions of the iPad are likely to use a single-chip solution for supporting the touch screen functionality, creating opportunities for suppliers that can offer such products.
Capacitive sensing electrodes can be embedded in LCD display manufacturing either through in-cell or on-cell (out-cell approaches laminate the touch screen directly on top of the LCD screen). In-cell integration requires a change in the LCD fabrication method to embed the charge-sensing electrodes inside the LCD cell. Out-cell integration is an addition to the color filter process that places an array of indium tin oxide (ITO) or alternative transparent conductors on the top surface of the color filter substrate.
As Gregg and Walker observe, "there is no perfect touch technology." Each of the 13 current touch technologies has unique usability, performance and integration characteristics. What is optimal for automotive, POS terminals or interactive signage may not be optimal for slate computers or mobile phones.
What most observers do agree on, however, is that this market is very early-stage. Today's manufacturing and supply solutions are almost assured of being upgraded, enhanced and overhauled over the next several years as the total market triples. The success for the iPad, as well as the many smart phones on the market, have demonstrated that touch technologies now rival — if not exceed — the functionality and user preference of keyboards. New systems are being developed with the user interface as the primary design consideration — not the motherboard. Rivals to the iPad and new touch-enabled applications are sure to emerge in the coming years. For equipment and materials suppliers, opportunities for innovation and profit abound.
For more information:
FlexTech Alliance www.flextech.org
Abbie Gregg, Inc. www.abbiegregg.com
NextWindow www.nextwindow.com
Join the SEMI-sponsored online community for printed and flexible electronics at:
September 7, 2010


text:
whois necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 102 diseños de 34 diseñadores freelance.
We'd like to improve our logo and make it cleaner.
The brand has been round since 99, and 10 years later, it needs to be cleaner and more 2009.
It also needs to be clean and clear enough to reproduce easily across all our marketing materials.
Please read the FULL brief to get a better idea of what we are looking for.
Our logo needs to have a quick polish and shine.. : )
The logo needs to be seen as an improvement to our current logo.
Current logo can be seen at http://www.whois.com.au/
Also please take a look at our truelocal listing to see where the logo started going before we decide to try out 99designs..
We've also recently improved our domain registration process. Additional to logins and credit cards, we've recently made all the domain queries secure under an EV type SSL certificate.
With the browser bar green, it would be nice to be able to leverage this in some way with our logo..
- colours must match or be able to be used with the existing site colours.
- include a 2nd version using the words "secured search" or icon/image to indicate same to be used on all our secure pages.
- logo to be cleaner and easily recognisable as the same place.
- logo will need to include a question mark which will need to be used as the favicon.
- logo design needs to be an evolution not a revolution.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
engineering and facilities
Phil Mauney, Director of Engineering
The director of engineering oversees activities including major and minor capital construction and renovations, drafting services, and construction project management.
Phil joined MUSC in 2005 with 26 years experience as a structural design engineer and project manager in private industry and the United States government. He has been a registered Professional Engineer since 1983. Phil is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
MUSC Engineering is committed to providing excellent engineering and project management services. We manage a wide array of renovation and improvement projects for existing buildings and oversee all aspects of new construction.
Our engineering department provides services within the following operating areas:


text:
Apogee Duet 2 Now In Stock! The Best Just Got Better.
Apogee's Duet is the most respected portable audio interface ever and has been instrumental in the creation of numerous GRAMMY winning records. Apogee Duet 2 builds on the incredible success of its predecessor by incorporating customer feedback, adding new advanced features and delivering even better sound quality than the original.
The successor to the massively popular Apogee Duet is back in stock (for now!). Bringing a better performance, better sound quality and packed with new advanced features, Apogee Duet 2 includes a complete redesign of mic preamps and converters, a full colour OLED display, configurable touchpad's and USB 2.0 connectivity in comparison to the original Duet's Firewire port.
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Apogee One and Duet 2: What's the difference?
|Duet 2
|Computer Connectivity
|FireWire 400
|USB 2.0 High Speed
|Sound Quality
|1st Generation
|2nd Generation
|Roundtrip Latency Performance
|32 buffer @ 96kHz = 4.6 ms
64 buffer @ 44.1kHz = 7.23 ms
|32 buffer @ 96kHz = 3.6 ms
64 buffer @ 44.1kHz = 5.8 ms
|FireWire Bus Power
|USB Bus Power (DC power optional)
|Sample Rate
|Input Channels
|Output Channels
|4 (Stereo headphone out & L/R speaker outs)
|Speaker Outputs
|Independent Headphone Out
|Microphone Preamps
|Microphone Preamps Gain
|up to 75dB
|up to 75dB
|Line Level Inout
|OLED Display
|LED Segments
|Full Color OLED
|Breakout Cable Design
|2 XLR In, 2 1/4" In, 1 1/4" Out
|2 Combi In, 2 1/4" Out
|Maestro Version
|Maestro 1
|Maestro 2
|Phantom Power
|Phase Invert
|Soft Limit
|Group Inputs
|Mute Outputs
|Sum to Mono
|Dim Outputs
|Toggle Headphone Source
|Core Audio Compatible


text:
On "The Road"
Stephanie Hartman
The first section of "The Book of the Dead," "The Road," claims the national significance of the Gauley Bridge disaster and its centrality to modern American identity. By making the small town, rather than a city such as New York, emblematic of modern America, Rukeyser shifts focus from modernity's towering achievements to its effects upon working-class people; she wants to explore not just its highlights, but the "whole picture." From the first line, "These are the roads you take when you think of your country," Rukeyser forthrightly sets readers within this terrain and implicates them in the events described. The roads transverse America, displacing the citymoving "Past your tall central city's influence" (OS 10)in favor of a decentered, dispersed version of the country, in which the small rural town of Gauley Bridge is able to stand as a locus of modernization.
from "How Shall We Tell Each Other of the Poet?": The Life and Writing of Muriel Rukeyser. Ed. Anne F. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Anne E. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman.
John Lowney
Highway U.S. 1 was integral to the formation of the United States. According to the FWP guidebook, it remained "as it was in Colonial and early Federal days the chief line of communication between the centers of the Atlantic Seaboard States" (FWP xi). Most importantly for "The Book of the Dead," this north-south highway was also crucial during the Civil War; south of Fredericksburg, Virginia, "the route . . . traverses an area that has seen more bloodshed than has any other on the North American Continent" (FWP xii). The first section of "The Book of the Dead," entitled "The Road," invokes the relationship between narrative, place, and audience followed by the American Guide Series. Its direct address to "you," traveling by automobile through "your own country," appeals to the reader with the New Deal rhetoric of national purpose that informed the diverse local projects initiated by the Federal Writers Project. Yet underlying this presumed commonality between writer, place, and reader is a subtle interrogation of what "you" would consider "when you think of your country." As "The Road" moves from its initial invocation of "your country" toward a more specific focus on the local sites surrounding Gauley Bridge, Rukeyser accentuates those texts that authorize national unity:
These are roads to take when you think of your country
and interested bring down the maps again,
phoning the statistician, asking the dear friend,
reading the papers with morning inquiry. (OS 10)
From these official means for defining modern nationhoodmaps, statistics, newspapersthe narrative goes on to emphasize the social differences that contradict such unity, especially the class differences that divide Gauley Bridge and also distance the narrator from this locality. Whereas the traveler seems at first to be a typical tourist, enjoying the luxury of a "well-traveled six-lane highway planned for safety," Rukeyser disrupts any bourgeois notions of objectivity associated with tour guides by foregrounding the privileged class position and metropolitan vision of the speaker (and her photojournalist companion). Likewise, she insists that her readers consider their own investment in the narrative: "Here is your road, tying / / you to its meanings" (OS 11). Neither the speaker nor the reader is exempted from the power relations underlying this plurality of meanings.
from "Truths of Outrage, Truths of Possibility: Muriel Rukeyser's 'The Book of the Dead'" in "How Shall We Tell Each Other of the Poet?": The Life and Writing of Muriel Rukeyser. Ed. Anne F. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Anne E. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman.
Leslie Ann Minot
We can also gain some insight into Rukeyser's sense of how an image or object "carries" a meaning by looking at the concluding passage of "The Road," where she writes:
Here is your road, tying
you to its meanings: gorge, boulder, precipice.
Telescoped down, the hard and stone-green river
cutting fast and direct into the town. (OS 11)
Again, the road is offered to the reader as something that belongs to her or him. The road is possessed by the reader, but it also possesses the reader, compels her or him, "ties" her or him to its "meanings." These meanings are not abstract, philosophical statements, ideas, or valuesthey are listed simply as "gorge, boulder, precipice." As symbols, they may be inscrutable. but you ignore them on a real road only at your peril. They make demands on you by their actuality.
from "How Shall We Tell Each Other of the Poet?": The Life and Writing of Muriel Rukeyser. Ed. Anne F. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Anne E. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman.
Return to Muriel Rukeyser


text:
Well the ref has been sent home now
Blundering English ref sent home
June 25, 2006
REFEREE Graham Poll has been red-carded for his deplorable handling of the Australia-Croatia match and will be sent home from the World Cup.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter called Englishman Poll's handling of the match "inexcusable".
However, he was taking a more measured line over the referee's Cup future after Australia's 2-2 draw in which Croatia defender Josip Simunic amazingly received three yellow cards before being sent off.
"Of course, we cannot excuse it but perhaps we should understand it," Blatter said.
"It simply should not have happened. We have had four officials and what is not understandable is that nobody intervened. I just can't understand it. There are people there and one of them should have intervened and run on to the field of play and said: 'Stop, stop'."
The British press went in boots and all.
London's The Sun labelled Poll the "world's dopiest ref" under a headline "Fool Poll's coming home".
With Australia saying they would have protested the result had they not reached the next round, Poll accepted that his World Cup was over.
The Premier League ref apologised for his failure to send off Simunic after a second yellow. He also missed two clear penalties in favour of the Socceroos.
After reviewing a DVD of the match, Poll said he erred in not sending off Simunic and wished other referees the best of luck.
Former World Cup ref Clive Thomas said Poll's performance was one of the worst in history.
"It was pretty grim," he told the Sun.
The Sunday Telegraph


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What is more inexplicable: The way the Bulls have performed this season or John Paxson losing the Pau Gasol sweepstakes to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, some young guys and late first round picks? How exactly was Paxson not able to offer something more lucrative, say a signed and traded P.J. Brown, Thabo Sefolosha, a draft pick and Tyrus Thomas? --Dan Brecher; Scarsdale, NY
This basically was the angry question I received in scores of emails after the trade to the Lakers. Bulls fans were as upset as I've ever heard them, though I think it's more the accumulated frustration of the season, one in which the Bulls were believed to be a serious contender. Likely we all overestimated them based on the upward movement the last three years. But teams don't always continue in the same direction. We should know here in Chicago with the White Sox and Bears. There were a few issues with Pau for the Bulls. He would have helped, but was hardly a savior, as evidenced by his 0-12 playoff record and Memphis' overall the last few years. He can be a great piece, which he can be with the Lakers as maybe a third option. I still don't believe he would have made that much difference if the Bulls have up someone like Luol Deng. Bulls fans were furious because there had been talks about Pau for a year, but he was hardly due them. A dozen other franchises or more have to be asking the same question. Couldn't the Nuggets or Mavericks or Cavaliers or even Heat offered better packages? Why didn't they get him? The Bulls don't have the patent on Pau trades. It's not life, liberty and the pursuit of Pau in the Declaration of Bulls Independence. Half the league could have come up with better offers if Memphis had any intention of being a competitive team instead of one saving money. Would Pau have made the Bulls an Eastern contender if they gave up Deng plus, which they would have to since Memphis turned down their offers of lesser players? Fans feel a team owes them to spend, but including P.J. Brown in the deal would have cost with luxury tax consequences perhaps $25 million just to get Pau. With the team really going nowhere now, was that worth it? Not to me. It's not about always running out to get new toys for the fans.
I never expected to ever be so desperate and annoyed to actually write to a newspaper columnist (even one in such dashing sweater-vests as yourself), but can you please explain how in the world Memphis went for a basically a worse package than we could/did offer, assuming that we could sign and trade PJ Brown to the Grizz for the expiring contract? I am beginning to seriously question if Pax has any idea what he's doing. --Mike, Los Angeles
See above. I'm running perhaps a half dozen of these but I received about 100 in a few days. I can understand you are a more sophisticated fan since you understand my fashion sense. The Grizzlies are losing money and the owner, no matter what he says, decided to just save money and couldn't care less about anything else with him unable to sell the team. The Lakers deal saves them the most money.
How stupid is Memphis? The Lakers' 1st round picks are going to be in the late rounds. Even the butt of all jokes, Kevin McHale, got Al Jefferson and Gerald Green, a player with great upside. Javaris Crittendon may have value, but if Conley is the future...what gives. Moving him to the 2-guard is an upgrade over Mike Miller? --Dan Davis, Chicago
You are seeing in a big way and perhaps for the first time in the NBA the big franchise starting to gobble up the small ones, like in baseball. Small city teams can make it now only if successful. Memphis, Indiana, Milwaukee, Seattle and Charlotte are starting to get beaten up at the box office and are becoming feeders for other teams. The Bulls are big market and make money with the building filled. What fans will have to ask is how much the Bulls are willing to spend to compete. I personally believe you can do it without going into the luxury tax and would only do that if I think a player can put me over the top. I don't believe Gasol can and I think that's why the Bulls with so many decisions to make on this team now backed off from a heavy financial commitment. They have spent when they were close. It's hard to believe they are close anymore.
I was pretty upset that Paxson wasn't able to get a deal done to land a player like Gasol. It seems that his conservative nature is starting to wear on the team and definitely the fans. We love the hard working attitude that the team has been known for, we definitely love to win, but we also are dying for some kind of star. How hard is it to make a trade in this league with the assets the team has had (and wasted expiring contracts... i.e. P.J. Brown) for the last couple years? Why has John been so hesitant to trade one of the core guys and a couple of reserves for the better of the franchise? --Chris Chagdes, Fort Lauderdale
The main criticism Paxson will deal with after the angry emotion dies down is why he didn't see this coming. The notion is the good executives see the true talent in their players even when others don't. Fans expect these people to be right, but the fact is few don't have much better instincts. When their teams do well they are seduced into believing the guys are better than they are. The Bulls offered eight-figure extensions to both Deng and Gordon. Do you think they doubted those guys? They gave starter's money to a reserve in Nocioni. They were spending and trying to spend, more, many teams believed, than those players were worth. What we all knew was this team rose to the heights it did-and everyone endorsed what Paxson was doing a year ago-thanks to the way Skiles pushed them. No one thought they'd give up like they have without Skiles, whom they didn't care for. It's a further good lesson to ignore what players want. The notion was the players were pros from good programs who would rise about anyone and play no matter who coached or what adversity they had. They always did. They stopped this season as they pursued their own agenda, whether financial or personal.
I'm optimistic that this season is not finished and the team will make a playoff push, but we do need some kind of interior player. I had been thinking about a trade scenario with the Cavs, which would certainly be beneficial for both teams. The Bulls send Chris Duhon and Tyrus Thomas to Cleveland in return for Drew Gooden. The Cavs get a true PG that is young and can definitely run the position and they get a freaky athlete in Tyrus who can certainly develop with James setting him up for dunks. The Bulls would get a pretty solid forward who can get between 12-15 ppg and 9-10 rpg, who has also shown that he can finish around the basket. --Stuart Scudder, Lake Forest
The Bulls have had some interest in Gooden for several years, and you are right that the Cavs are seeking a point guard. The problem is playing with LeBron you need to shoot and Duhon isn't a good shooter. More than that, I think the Cavs are holding out Gooden, probably their best trade piece, to make a deal for a bigger target like Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd or Sam Cassell.
Maybe there's another by-product of this Gasol trade for the Bulls, other than Ben Wallace sticking around: Lamar Odom becomes available. With Gasol coming in at PF, I just don't see Odom sliding over to play small forward, where he would be expected to do more mid-ranging shooting. I say the Bulls trade Deng (and maybe Smith, Duhon, Khryapa to make the deal work). The Lakers would be an ideal situation for Deng: playing with three other guys that command a double team would allow him to be the mid-range and cutting type of player he's suited to be. Granted, this move doesn't turn us into a contender, yet but with Deng the Bulls may find themselves having to over-pay for a third or fourth option on a good team. --Ryan Gustafson, Chicago
I don't think Deng is untouchable anymore, not that he really ever was for a big time star. The problem is Deng's value is down now with injuries and the Bulls' poor season. It's a bad time to move him and I think in the end the Bulls make an extension deal with him after the season, though it could be an ugly negotiation as I doubt he will be offered as much. Deng's problem is no one is going to make him the huge offer anymore assuming they were before. It's like the guy staying in school and falling in the draft. Your game gets picked apart more when your team performs poorly and teams are wondering about his athleticism now and mental strength. I've liked Odom, but he's been a huge disappointment playing with Kobe. He seems to defer too much. He takes way too many games off and has injury issues. He'd be too much a risk. Remember, the Bulls almost drafted him when they took Elton Brand in 1999. The Lakers would love that deal.
John Paxson certainly seems to be losing friends at an alarming rate in Chicago. As one of his few remaining supporters, I'm wondering if I myself am delusional for not wanting him fired. --Joe; Bloomington, Ind.
You can't get dumb in three months. I know fans are disappointed, but Paxson was celebrated here justifiably for three or four years for cleaning up the mess Jerry Krause left and doing it with a plan and a program and gaining respect for the Bulls around the NBA for the first time in years. When he made the deals and draft picks he did, except for Tyrus Thomas (everyone has a miss here and there in the draft), most everyone was in support. The attendance and enthusiasm in the United Center and in the city was obvious. He certainly should be afforded the opportunity to dig the team out of the current mess. He's more than earned it.
I'm trying to find something to look forward to in this disappointing Bulls season. Are there any deals Paxson could feasibly make that would improve this team? What about going after a younger power forward, like a Charlie Villanueva or Chris Wilcox? Am I grasping at straws? --Gibson; Portland, Maine
I think that's the last straw and you are talking about getting straw men. Such deals to me would seem to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Yes, we're all grasping here. I think the cliché comes from talking about a drowning man and he'd grasp at anything to save himself, even a straw. I believe that would be a mistake. Picking up players like that is just window dressing now, and everyone knows I'll dress a window with the best of them. Watch me on the Home and Garden Network. The Bulls have to reevaluate now and know who is going to coach before making any major deals now.
Is it just me, or has Noce's shot decision been unusually off as of late? It seems like lately when the ball comes in, there's no way it's coming out. Do you think Noce's shot selection and reluctance to pass the rock is a response to the lackluster effort coming from his teammates? It looks to me like he is one of the few Bulls who hasn't quit on this season, and he is trying unsuccessfully to carry the rest of the team. --Michael H. Noh, Wilmette
I've heard veteran players say this in the past: I'm not running down court to set a screen if I know he's shooting every time. That's one reason why the stats guys and saber metrics guys don't matter much in the NBA. So much is dependent upon one another. When guys begin to become selfish, which is what's happened with this Bulls team as the losses and issues piled up, players separate. They don't look to help one another, which was the beauty of this Bulls team. We knew they weren't champions to be, but they played ball everyone could be proud of. They don't now. So someone like Noce gets left out a little and it looks like he's not as good as before because he is not a great player or athlete and needs the team concept more than most. When it's not there, he's hung out and his shooting percentage drops.
Another former Bull who should be considered for a coaching, or at least assistant coaching job, is the great Ron Harper. I believe he served two seasons as the assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons and his contract wasn't renewed. Would he even have a chance? --Ricardo; Dijon, France
I doubt it. Ron is back home living in New Jersey now. Coaching is more difficult than it looks, being able to communicate and using just the right mix of discipline and support. Ron's an old school guy and doesn't have that much regard for the players in this era. That might come through too quickly.
I hear constant talk about Stacey King, B.J. Armstrong and even John Paxson as coaching possibilities, but what about Norm Van Lier? Is he too ol' school for the organization? --Ron B.; Pflugerville,Texas
See above answer. Norm, also, has that edge of "tape up your broken leg and get in there." It might work if you are Phil Jackson, but even Pat Riley isn't having much success. Norm hasn't coached except for a brief CBA stint. This era requires more psychology than I believe he would be capable of. Plus, coming off Skiles, I don't see that type of coach again right away. That said, I think that's the Bulls biggest issue now as I have no idea who they could or would hire.
The Bulls put highly-paid Tim Thomas in exile for his negative attitude/selfish play, gave away J.R. Smith to Denver because of his negative attitude/selfish play, and finally bought out Eddie Robinson's contract because of his negative attitude/selfish play. Why not do the same with good old Ben Wallace? It seems like he could be the cancer at the root of many of the problems the current Bulls team is experiencing. --Hawk Gates; Siguatepeque, Honduras
I don't believe the Bulls are quite ready for that. Those guys basically came in deals to even the salaries and whom the Bulls didn't want. They did want Wallace, and while he's fallen off this season, he did help them reach a higher level last season. So the signing wasn't totally in vain. I think they're hoping he gets back some of his motivation and interest. Is he holding back Noah. Some, probably. But as the losses pile up I believe we'll see less of Ben and more of Noah. After the season, they'll make a major effort to deal him, I believe. One question of the Bulls was whether they gave up on Thomas and Smith too soon and could have gotten something. They have to at least try with Wallace.
Chris Webber is going to sign with Golden State? He can barely run up and down the court. Why would a run and gun team like the Warriors be interested in him? --Anthony, Champaign
I'm still working on that. Don Nelson says they can't make the playoffs without someone like him for size. Nelson's a really innovative and imaginative coach, but he usually makes a fatal mistake. This could be the one.
The Bulls are a team that always settles for jumpers. All the guys lack and inside scoring ability. But why did not Paxson notice the disadvantage of the Bulls? Why did not he sign a low-post scorer? --Wei Chen; Nanjing,China
Why didn't any of us notice. We all knew the weaknesses, but we thought this greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts thing would continue. It's like a rising stock market. Whoever sees the top? Few ever know when the bubble will burst. Paxson said many times the Bulls need a low post scorer. The problem is finding one that makes sense and doesn't cost you what you have. Paxson didn't want to break up what he had, and no one else did. But you hit on the big issue facing the Bulls now. It's bad to be bad; it's worse to be boring.
How can you say Gasol has flaws? He's not defense-oriented, but he's a scorer who can pass the ball to shooters. Would you prefer the newly American type-of-player (Rudy Gay) instead? Gasol is by far the best post player the Bulls would ever had acquired; he's a world champ and an Olympics MVP. Final question: Can you tell me where the actual NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP and FIBA World Champion Team are from? USA? --Dave, Spain
You forgot the Nyaah, nyaah, nyaah. I obviously received this before the trade. And I guess the smart aleck answer is look what they got for him. We don't hate Pau. But he has limitations. That's why the Grizzlies couldn't get much and settled for just saving money. They also bail out Kevin McHale for the Worst Trade Ever title. If the Bulls gave up someone like Deng for Pau, they'd be running in place since they score about the same. Pau would give you some inside presence they don't have, but he's not the most aggressive player and often is out hurt, back problems now, which is worrisome. He's perfect for the Lakers because Kobe and when Bynum returns are 1-2. I actually see Pau coming off the bench there as they can't play three big slow front line guys (with Odom) when Bynum returns. They need someone to defend the athletic threes. Pau needs to be somewhere they don't rely on him completely.
With Ben Gordon out the past few games, don't you think the Bulls have passed the ball around better? I don't believe Ben Gordon is the go-to-guy for the Bulls and he shouldn't be creating his own plays. He's just a catch and shoot player. --Andy, Orland Park
Yes, Ben is putting it up, but he's hardly alone of late. But no one on the team can score like he can. It's sort of the old line about wives or women, "Can't live with them can't live without them." So this guy and his wife are in the Holy Land and his wife dies and the funeral director says he can bury here there for $300 or if the body has to go home it will cost $10,000. The husband says they'll go home and the funeral director wonders why given the chance and the man says he heard a story of a man dying there and three days later coming back and says he can't take the chance. Hey, I've got a million of 'em. That's what this Bulls season needs, some smiles.
In reading all the press coverage over the Gasol deal, it sounds like the Bulls lost the deal because they were afraid to get into a situation where they may be paying luxury tax. Is that the real reason Paxson and Reinsdorf let this deal go? If so, that seem like a huge insult to the fans who have continued to support this team through the rebuilding efforts and often rank in the top 5 in attendance. --Anand; Secaucus, NJ
I know fans will make that argument, though I personally think it's irresponsible for a team to go into the luxury tax unless it's for a last piece and a legitimate chance to win. Pau wouldn't have provided that, so I wouldn't have done it either if that's what it would have taken. Pau does give the Lakers that chance. Look, though the Mavericks are in that situation, they do have a chance to win, though Mark Cuban has been cutting back in paying contracts and let Steve Nash go over money. What could the Mavericks be with Nash? Very few NBA teams are spending themselves into the luxury tax and those that are there are trying to cut back.
The reason the Bulls can't compete this year is due to the absence of two traded players, Michael Sweetney and PJ Brown. Many times Sweet would come in and knock some bodies around and get some key garbage points. Brown would collect key rebounds and hit crucial shots. Brown, although, in a reserved profile, was the old glue that held the kids together. His maturity congealed the team. He was the one small ingredient that, once removed, spoiled the recipe. --John Cary; Livingston, Montana
Good try on the metaphor, though if that's the problem, it's bigger than we all imagined.
Why don't the Bulls try getting Elton Brand back? Isn't he available? He would provide that inside scoring punch the Bulls need. --Cholo, Philippines
Elton can opt out as a free agent, but I doubt he will. Being injured this season, I believe he stays (he is due $16.4 million next season) and then leaves as a free agent to go to Miami assuming they can find the money below the salary cap, which won't be easy.
According to Scottie's Phrases of Wisdom: 'You can't have midgets running around in your backcourt''. He seems to be right about Hinrich and Gordon, but the Warriors have been blazin' since the return of Stephen Jackson and with Baron Davis and Monta Ellis in the backcourt. Obviously Hinrich and Gordon, are no B-Diddy and Mo Ellis...but why are the Warriors 28-19 while having nobody in the rotation over 6-3? And please don't start talking about magic dust like Jim B. --Ray Adams; The Hague, The Netherlands
For one thing, they have an All Star point guard in Davis, who should have been on the team. They also play Nelson's style, which fits them. It's difficult for coaches to give up that much control and trust that style, which Nelson has done for decades. Like the triangle, you just don't run it unless you know it and have confidence. Yet, Nelson always is criticized for the style never working in the playoffs.
Could you help us out? Maybe your ad dept. would give us a discount? I've never heard of fans doing this, taking out an ad to voice their displeasure at their team (and raise money to buy out Ben Wallace). If we could pull this off pooling money and getting an ad placed, I think it'd be great. --Wingy, Chicago
It would be a first in Chicago sports, I suppose, though I never imagined Wallace could become so unpopular when he was a virtual hero in Detroit. Oh, well, they loved the Bad Boys. What do they know?
What if Jerry/Pax could get MJ coach the Bulls? --Anthony Anders, Beverly
I think Charlotte is still trying to get him to be the GM.
You need to convey our thanks to John Paxson. We Laker fans owe our gratitude to him since he couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger on a trade to land Kobe. I was among the many who grew tired of Kobe's antics and wished he was going somewhere else. We still haven't received an apology for everything that he stirred up, but at least Mitch Kupchak had the nerve to stick to his plan and not trade Kobe or Andrew Bynum. Now it looks like he's brought the Lakers back as championship contenders. I'm no longer a Kobe supporter, but at least now maybe he'll just shut-up and play, cause he now has the team he was looking to get traded to. --Robert Cuellar, Wichita
Yes, what if. Like I always wrote, I never believed there was a chance the Lakers were going to trade Bryant and he was not going to end up in a better situation with what any team would have to give up. And where was he going? It just all shows how fickle fans can be. I got loads of emails from fed up Lakers' fans who wanted Kobe and Kupchak out. Kupchak was an idiot and Kobe was a spoiled brat. Now Kupchak is a hero and Kobe is a team leader. Things happen in sports quickly, so maybe they'll happen for the Bulls as well, though I have to admit I always loved going to L.A. in June.
How things change in the course of a season... Mitch Kupchak was considered by many as one of the worst GM's in basketball and John Paxson one of the best, what happened? Kupchak obtains Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown. How does a trade like this impact John Paxson's job security? --Tony M, San Diego
I don't see Paxson in any trouble at all. After all, three months ago he was hailed as a top GM. You make the point perfectly. It only takes a move or two, but having Bryant does make it easier, if not always pleasant. Paxson has made a lot of good moves and I'm confident he has some more in him.
There are rumors that the Bulls are talking with the Spurs about Tyrus Thomas. At first, I thought "what is Paxson thinking?" But now, I'm not sure. Moving Thomas, who hardly plays and doesn't have a niche on this Bulls team, for an expiring contract, a prospect and/or a pick, might be the best way to save face on what looks like an overreached draft pick. The Spurs have a young scoring 4 named Ian Mahinmi who, based on what I've read, looks like a legit post scorer--albeit a year or so away. The Spurs are high on Mahinmi and know there international prospects as well as any team in the league. Taking a flier on Mahinmi and clearing cap might be one small piece of reconstituting this messy Bulls puzzle. --Tim Varner, Toledo
I believe he will try. I'll admit I don't much about Mahinmi. He was drafted from France and averages about 18 in the d-league. He's not about to play for the Spurs now. He didn't do much in Europe, so you always wonder. But I can see the Bulls pursuing that kind of deal for Thomas, to get something they can move forward with given he seems to be another guy who won't fit here.
Now Pau is gone too, what does Pax now to fix this mess? I wrote you earlier in the year about taking on Marbury and you said he wasn't Pax's "kind of guy." I totally agree but now I think Pax needs to "use" Marbury to help fix his mess. If we could get Zeke to take our Cancer (Wallace) for theirs, we would gain one year of salary cap relief and at least put a decent point guard on the floor for the rest of this year. We could probably find someone to take Marbury next year for his expiring contract or keep him for one more year and then get the cap relief ourselves. Noah is already contributing more than Wallace and no coach has the nerve to bench him so we need to get whatever we can to get rid of this jerk as soon as possible. These "nice guys" that we were so proud of last year are being led by the wrong guy. Do you really think Marbury would be a bigger problem for the Bulls than Wallace has been? Even if he was, we would only have to suffer through one more year rather than two! --Mike Welch, Chicago
Ah, the voice of the loyal fan. So, enjoying the season? Marbury is out for this season, and I think that's the Knicks' plan for him. They never worried about money, but now I think they are and I look for them to get out from under these contracts and stop taking on players. So I think they'll keep him to dump him. And sorry to say there's hardly anyone worse to have on your team. Even though the Knicks are still losing, now that he's gone they are at least competing. Marbury ruined every team he played for and they got better when he left. Ben isn't that bad.