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"Holy darkness, blessed night
Heaven's answer hidden from our sight
As we await you, O God of silence
We embrace your holy night" ~ Holy Darkness
Broken records
I don't need to continue to sound like a broken record and lament about how busy I am or how crazy life is. You ALL can infer that based on my lack of activity on social media. Instead, I am just going to rejoice in the fact I am getting a blog post up, and have posted on Instagram three days in a row. (who am I?) Oh happy days! It is an Easter miracle three weeks late!
This post is kinda sorta a mini update slash travel post. If travel counts as going home and seeing family, which I totally do! Any opportunity to hop on a plane constitutes as travel in my book.
New York has literally been filled with the same ol' same ol' work, school, packing, studying for finals. Though I do feel like my farewell tour has begun.
I kinda feel like all those rock groups who say farewell for years before they actually retire. While it won't be years sadly, it has been a month of reminscing and gathering. In fact, NH was kind of a reprieve because I have been doing so many lasts it is super bittersweet.
Sunday April 14
April 14 was a bittersweet day as it was my sister's birthday. I am blessed to have so may incredible people in my life who not only remembered, but reached out and offered support and love. Last week was a week where I definitely felt needy, but also felt so much love and words can never express how grateful I am for my friends and family who are there when I need extra strength.
It was also Palm Sunday and I attended mass before running a bunch of errands. One of which was buying all the tequila, which I found out the hard way that liquor stores do not open before noon on Sunday. Oops. Apparently I am not as ballin' as I thought when it comes to booze and bougie laws in New York.
After a slight delay, I was able to get all the tequila, which was a good thing, because I needed it for a Game of Thrones party I was going too. After two loooonnnngggg years, Game of Thrones was FINALLY back and I could not be more excited.
It did NOT disappoint! I went to a GoT party with a friend. Both she and I had to be up super early for flights the next day, but seeing Khaleesi and Sansa throw some serious shade at each other (and potentially Jon Snows buttocks?) was worth losing precious hours of sleep!
Monday 15
I definitely might have been a little worse for wear (thanks tequila) arriving at the airport, but security was a breeze. (thanks pre-check) What was not a breeze was my flight, which was delayed two hours because we had no flight attendant. So we had to wait. And wait. And wait.
Thankfully I was flying Delta and able to get my Peets. And you better believe I was double fisting. Proudly!
I am pretty sure I was highly caffeinated when we finally took off.
When I landed, I found out the devastating news about Notre Dame from several friends who were there. Like thousands of others, Notre Dame holds a special place in my heart and I was heartbroken to hear about the fire. I was lucky to have visited a few years ago.
My mom picked me up and we drove back to New Hampshire where I got organized and settled in.
Tuesday 16
I woke up and attempted a run, but my back was killing me (apparently my suitcase was a little to heavy) so I decided some stretching and heat was a much better route, then a five mile run.
Tuesday was a super low key day, especially since my back was acting up. My Mom was watching my nephew, so I hung out and played with him. I did snag a much missed maple latte which definitely helped with the back recovery. At least it made ME feel better.
Wednesday April 17
When I woke up Wednesday, my back was feeling better (I sear it was that maple latte!) so I decided to go for a run before my doctors appointment. My appointment was actually the reason why I had come home.
My eyes have been bothering me and I needed to get them checked before I moved. Thankfully, nothing major was wrong, though I did have to rock my glasses for most of the day since he put dye in my eyes to run some tests.
My Dad had an infusion so I hug out with my niece for the day. She came with coffee and she was so proud of herself. She (ahem my brother) even got the correct order! While I was suppose to get work done, Auntie Kate can not say no to any of her nieces or nephews and spent most of the day playing with her.
In the afternoon, I met my brother, sister-in-law and nephews for a Starbucks date, before I headed back to their house where we went for a walk before having a nerf war. It was the kiddos and I against my brother and of course we won. I think.
Thursday April 18
I went for an early morning run. I was watching my youngest nephew and niece again, as my Dad had to have Cardioversion done. Cardioversion is where they shock your heart because of an irregular heartbeat or Afib. It was a little nerve wracking, but my Dad came through it like a champ. In fact despite being sedated, he was up and working in the afternoon. Nothing keeps him down!
Jackson had a field trip, so Piper and I went on a Starbucks date while we waited for him. We even got him a chocolatey chocolate chip frap for when we picked him up!
In the afternoon the kiddos and I dyed eggs. This may be a testament to my OCDness, but I was so proud because not a drop of egg dye got on them! Though I can't say the same about me. The eggs also came out so beautifully! They did an amazing job!
Since it was also Holy Thursday, my mom and I attended mass in the evening.
Friday April 19
Oh happy days I was FINALLY getting my roots done! I spent the whole morning at my hair stylist's salon and was so happy to be back to my blonde self afterwards.
My Mom had Piper again, and I of course hung out with her in the afternoon. Poor thing wasn't feeling well but that didn't stop her from posing with the eggs she had dyed!
Once again, my Mom and I went to mass which technically is services since they don't do the consecration. They recited the passion and we kissed or knelt before the cross. They also played my favorite hymn, Holy Darkness, which always makes me cry as it was played at my sister's funeral.
Saturday April 20
I went for a run before my Mom and I went and got our nails done, which was very much needed. In fact the nail technician asked me if I was a runner. Apparently the 10 and 12 mile days the previous week were showing. I also did some work before we attended the Easter Vigil.
Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It is a season of renewal and hope. It symbolizes the light amidst the darkness, and I always feel closer to my faith this time of year. The music at church is always so uplifting and the lighting of the candles is one of my favorite things about the mass. It truly is a celebration and I always love attending despite it being two plus hours long.
Easter Sunday!
He has risen!
Easter Sunday is always joyous no matter what the weather is. Despite the newscasters saying it was suppose to rain, it was absolutely beautiful out! The Easter bunny hid eggs for me, since you are never to old to go on an Easter egg hunt. We also had our Slavic breakfast, which is another reason I love Easter for all the traditions regardless of how old we are.
After breakfast, my brother and I went for a quick "hike" at Diana's Bath. I say "hike" because it really is more of a walk, though the trail still had some snow on it.
There were quite a few people out, but it was still fun. The falls were rushing thank to all the snow melt, and because it was so warm their was mist which created a cool affect.
My brother (ahem his wife) was hosting Easter dinner so we went over in the afternoon. The kiddos were so excited to show me all the paw prints and hidden Easter eggs, the bunny had left for them. Because it was nice out we hung out side and of course took some pics.
We also had another nerf war. My nephews and I against my brothers. We totally won…Again. I almost feel bad for my brothers, almost.
After our nerf war, we sat down to a delicious dinner. Maura's parents were up and it was fun to catch up with them. After our bellies were full it was time for another episode of Game of Thrones. I stayed and watched it with my brother and SiL and even was explaining the show to Maura's Dad.
Monday April 22
I love getting some cardio in especially on travel days and I woke up and went for a run before my Mom drove me back to the airport. Of course we made a quick detour to Frontside to get my maple latte fix!
It was definitely an adventure! We sat on the tarmac for about an hour before we were finally able to take off. Unfortunately, there was extreme turbulence, to the point the pilot came on several times to reassure us. I am a pretty good flier but when you drop a hundred feet or so, ain't nothing going to keep me calm! Thankfully we made it to JFK in one very shaken piece.
Now it is on to the chaos of packing up my life and figuring out where I am going. I am also savoring these last few weeks as a New Yorker and an Upper East Sider. I will refrain from getting to nostalgic (at least right now) as this recap is already super long, but it is bittersweet. As sad as I am to leave, though, I am super excited for the next chapter and where my blonde jetsetter wings will take me.
How was your week? Do you celebrate Easter? What is your favorite holiday?


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The UK leg of the Moskito Tour went off this past weekend in great 4 to 5 foot conditions at Fistral Beach. With just under a 100 groms entering the two day event and great conditions throughout the weekend, the UK leg of the European Moskito Tour has proved to be the best yet of the 2007 tour.
The event kicked off early on Saturday morning with a consistent 2-3 foot swell and light offshore winds giving competitors a great opportunity to show off their skills. With the rain holding off, and the promise of sunny skies ahead, the crowds at the beach were about to witness the UK's best up and coming surfers in action.
The early rounds of the Under 12's and Girls divisions got underway, with heats running back to back maximizing the great conditions on offer. From early on, 11-year-old Harry Timson proved to be a surfer to watch out for, ripping through his early heats in the under 12's division with some fantastic surfing.
Zoe Sheath (15) and Holly Donnelly (15) cruised through the early girls rounds getting themselves into the final against other stand outs Kathlean Spears and Tassy Swallows.
It was Holly however who took the honors winning the girls division with some impressive surfing to seal the victory. Holly also posted the highest score of the event with a 9.17.
In the Under 12's, Harry Timson convincingly took the win, with a high standard of surfing beyond his years, even managing to combo the other 3 finalists with a combined 2 wave score of 17.33! After the prize giving Harry said: "I'm really excited, I surfed well today and I can't wait to get in the Under 14's tomorrow, I'm gonna try and win that too!" Harry walked away laden with prizes from the event sponsors.
Competitors were greeted with an increase in swell size on Sunday morning. With a solid 4 to 5 foot shorebreak pounding the high tide mark at Fistral event directors were pleased to have completed the under 12's division the previous day. "The shorey was pretty heavy," Phil Richardson said. "Some of the younger kids were amped for it but you can't expect everyone to get out there, especially if they don't know the break at Fistral as well as others."
The first round of Under 16's got underway from 9am with all 8 heats running back to back, followed by the quarter finals of the Under 14's division. As the tide dropped the swell started to pick up on the good banks at Fistral, providing perfect 4 to 5 foot competition waves.
Again, youngster Harry Timson was proving to be a formidable contender, cruising through his heats in the under 14's and working his way into the semis with some impressive surfing in the larger conditions. Leon Mansfield (14) also showed off some great moves, putting in powerful turns and high performance maneuvers throughout his heats, working his way into the Under 14's final.
In the Under 16's heats Jack Butler (16) and Toby Donachie from Constantine showed off some fantastic surfing, with Toby posting the highest Under 16 combined score of 16.90. Jack was unfortunate not to make the final but Toby powered through to meet the other 3 finalists – Josh Hughes, Stuart Campbell and Josh Piper.
The final of the Under 14's kicked off in excellent mid-tide Fistral surf. From the outset Leon Mansfield posted high scores and looked set to win the heat hands down. His high standard of surfing and wave selection was phenomenal and he was rewarded by the judges high scores, combo'ing his fellow competitors with a 16.00. When the hooter sounded for the end of the heat it was obvious who had won.
The final of the Under 16's was the most competitive heat of the event with all 4 surfers working hard to claim the win. With some great surfing Toby almost had the final in the bag but in the dying moments of the heat Stuart Campbell rode an excellent wave from way outside, whacking it all the way through to the inside, and scored well for it, getting the score he needed to steal victory away from Toby.
The awards ceremony signaled the end of the 2 day event, with all finalists being awarded a mass of prizes from the event sponsors, including the latest sunglasses from Electric, clothing from Santa Cruz and Board bags and other goods from Globe.
With kids of all ages entering the event, the youngest competitor being 8 year old Angus Scotney from St Mawgan, the UK leg of the Moskito Tour was deemed a huge success. Phil Richardson, Marketing Manager for Electric Europe, said: "I'm really stoked with how the event went off, we couldn't have asked for better conditions, the standard of kids surfing in the UK is as good as anywhere in Europe. I was really impressed with the way the kids attacked the surf and also with the UK surf scene."
The Moskito Tour now heads to Santander in Spain to get the best out of the Spanish groms!
Final Results:
Under 16 Division
1. Stuart Campbell
2. Toby Donachie
3. Josh Hughes
4. Josh Piper
Under 14 Division
1. Leon Mansfield
2. Max Tucker
3. Chris Kelly
4. Tom Good
Under 12 Division
1. Harry Timson
2. Sam Harwood
3. Connor Swan
4. Dillon Scotney
Girls Division
1. Holly Donelly
2. Zoe Spears
3. Kathlean Spears
4. Tassy Swallow
The Moskito Tour – Europe schedule of events:
Portugal: Costa Da Caparica, Lisbon – 28-29 April
France: Les Sable d'Olonnes, Vendee – 5-6 May
France: La Torche, Brittany – 12-13 May
England: Fistral Beach, Cornwall – 2-3 June
Spain: Playa del Somo, Santander – 21-22 June
Spain: Zarautz Surf Club, Zarautz – 14-15 July
France: Seignosse, Landes – 11- 12 August
For more info, check out: www.myspace.com/moskitotour2007

subset: commoncrawl


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The Tim Anderson Scholarship celebrates the life of a fine young Western Australian who was tragically killed as he trained for the 2012 Hawaiian Ride for Youth.
Tim was an excellent student and education was an important part of his life. The aim of this scholarship is to support the education of a young West Australian involved in the work of Youth Focus. The recipient may be a current or former client or someone undertaking post graduate studies in the area of youth mental health.
We aim to continue to grow the scholarship fund so that we may provide more scholarships each year. All monies raised in Tim's memory through this page will be dedicated to the scholarship fund with all investment proceeds being distributed annually.
To make a contribution to Tim's Scholarship fund you can make a direct donation by clicking on the donate now on this page.
Thank you for your support.
Show your support and subscribe for updates and event information


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- This event has passed.
Deströyer 666 – New Zealand Wildfire Tour 2016
November 9, 2016 @ 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM$58
— 9th November 2016
Supported by EXORDIUM MORS
Few bands channel the true spirit of Metal; Dangerous, Rebellious, Confronting, Unrelenting. Deströyer 666 not only embody this spirit, they live, breath and bleed it. This November will see them return home to their leaders birthplace to spread Wildfire:
Deströyer 666 have no need to prove anything. Unleashing five studio albums in their 20 plus year career they have cemented their reputation within the metal community and their latest missive, the recently released, Wildfire (2016 Season Of Mist) is another fist straight to your face. They are the pure essence of heavy fucking metal.
Lead from the front by the infamous KK Warslut, there is no 'core', no 'post' and no bullshit when it comes to D666. Old school without clinging to nostalgia, they have nothing in common with a bunch of kids trying to emulate the 80's via some retro fashion and a cool patch jacket. Immune to fads, they have remained the same since the golden age of heavy music and have never wavered.
Wolves among sheep, following no trends, musical or otherwise; commanding respect wherever they venture, Deströyer 666 deliver metal as its best. Powerful, gritty and intelligent arranged with groove that can move mountains.
Witness a night of musical integrity few can claim to deliver. Deströyer 666 will grab you by the neck, wring it till it hurts and force on you a hellish emotional journey of blackened madness! No compromise, no quarter, prepare yourself!
Wellington Tickets – https://valhallatouring.com
Auckland Tickets – http://www.chaosnz.com
- Date:
- November 9, 2016
- Time:
- Cost:
- $58
- Event Tags:
- 2016, Death Metal, Destroyer 666, Valhalla Tavern, Wellington
- Kings Arms/Valhalla Tavern
- 154 Vivian Street
Wellington, 6011 New Zealand + Google Map
- Phone:
- 022 052 4302
- Website:
- http://www.valhallatavern.com
- Valhalla Touring
- Phone:
- 022 052 4302
- Email:
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Website:
- https://valhallatouring.com


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As exchanges from last night's debate go, this one certainly wasn't the most important, but it did strike me as vaguely bizarre.
Q: Senator Santorum, I've got one for you. You said that you were, quote, the Tea Party before there was a Tea Party. But a top Tea Party goal, particularly in Iowa, is to revert back to the gold standard, something you oppose. How do you consider yourself in line with the Tea Party without agreeing on this major issue?
SANTORUM: Well first off, I didn't say that; the Washington Post said it. I simply commented on what they said. I don't take the claim, the Tea Party organization is flat and it should stay that way. It should support ideas not candidates. And people who stand up and say they lead it, well, I think most of the Tea Party people think their leadership is among the people not anybody is a member of congress or anywhere else.
What I've said is that I agree with Newt — I think there's some reforms we can do at the Fed. And I agree we need to audit the Fed. Disagree with most of what Ron Paul said. Just because he's mostly wrong, doesn't mean he's always wrong.
Just so we're clear, in the 21st century, we have a major-party candidate for the presidency being asked in a nationally-televised debate why he doesn't support the gold standard.
Worse, when Santorum conceded that he doesn't support the gold standard, he heard quite a few boos from the audience.
Is it me, or is the fact that this exchange happened at all rather surreal?


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In the February edition of Sign & Digital Graphics magazine, LexJet's Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating were highlighted in the publication's "Product Reviews," under "Coatings for Canvas."
In November, we released the next generation of the two coatings to offer easier application, a clear, crisp finish, greater UV protection and a formula that is NMP-free and complies with safety and health regulations.
We're thrilled to receive the press coverage, and we'd love to hear from our customers, too. Have you tried the new Sunset Gloss Coating and/or Sunset Satin Coating? Please tell us about your experience in the comments below.


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Lt. Spann Smart Tuskegee AirmenSeptember 8, 2015
Second Lieutenant Calvin J. Spann was a smart Tuskegee Airman. During the second World War, he was arguably, the United States' smartest Airman, Tuskegee or otherwise. He did not set out to become a Tuskegee Airman. Spann simply wanted to fly fighter jets. At the age of 17 he was attending high school in New Jersey. He learned that the Army had a written examination for pilots.


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Sunday, January 03, 2010
3 comments:
I wonder how the rest of the world would see Christianity had we not turned the image of Jesus into this "procelian" child as if he were northern European? Not looking for a fight just some thoughtful banter.ReplyDelete
It's just an example of European enculturation! If Africans can do it, so can we. Actually, I don't seen enculturation as a necessarily good process in itself — rather, I see it as a natural process that will happen all by itself — the question is judging the various enculturations as being valid or not. I would go as far as saying that an image of Mary taken from an approved apparition is very likely valid.ReplyDelete
The single most common image of Mary and Jesus, as seen on the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, looks distinctly middle-eastern, as do the images of very many ancient and famous Marian shrines. We have images of Our Lord that tradition says were made from real life, and the same goes for the Blessed Virgin — and very many venerable icons are made from these examples, including at least one found in this same church.
Don't forget that racism and nationalism were invented and promoted by the Reformation and Enlightenment. Catholicism is universal and Holy Mother Church loves all her children. Watch out for the results of the 'new wave' biology that has been developing lately: taking these new, progressive theories to their logical conclusions could lead to unprecedented levels of racial bigotry.
For a wide variety of examples of Mary in art, see my article Photos from a Marian Exhibit at the Cathedral of Belleville.
Ok I will accept the enculturation as a natural act...not sure the African crack was called for?ReplyDelete
I can accept that nationalism came about at the same time as the Reformation but racism?? Please expound on that for me.


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If you have any doubts about the window glazing then this article has got you covered in depth. It will provide all the information which is necessary to get started with the process of hiring any window glazier.
What is window glazing?
Many people have merely a rough idea of what window glazing actually is. If you are not aware then this will be an increment in your knowledge to know that all windows are constructed of a single glass pane. If you are not aware yet then the glass is not considered a good insulator due to the thickness it provides. It offers this thickness of just a few millimeters which is not sufficient for it to act as an insulator. Single glass panes with no hole of doubt easily allow the transfer of cold and hot air. Through this process the temperature of the house cannot be … Read more


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How to move on short notice without pulling out your hair
After months of searching, you've found a new place to live and filled out the appropriate paperwork. You've got your keys and you're good to go - now all you have to do is move. But what if you've only got a few weeks to do it in?
Moving on short notice can be incredibly stressful, but just because you only have a short amount of time to move does not necessarily mean it has to be hectic. You just need good planning.
Here are seven tips that can make your short notice move a breeze:
1. Plan ahead Once you have a new place to live and the official move in date, if applicable, you need to start planning the move. That includes how you pack your stuff, what moving company to hire, how to budget for the move and so on. Don't leave this to the last minute!
2. Create a checklist of packing materials Make a checklist of all the packing materials that you need. That way, you'll have all the materials you need for packing without having to make a last minute trip to the nearest store.
3. Start packing immediately The sooner you start packing, the less stress you will feel as the move out date gets closer. When packing early, start with your items that you don't need immediately. Make a list of things as you pack, so you can check off the list when you get to your new place and ensure you have everything.
4. Hire a moving company ASAP Once you figure out when to move out, you should start contacting moving companies for quotes and the availability. Make sure you hire a moving company who can do short notice moves.
5. Eliminate items that you don't need If you have stuff that you no longer want, you should start by selling as many items that you can. It can bring in additional money that you can use to help pay for the move. If there is stuff that doesn't sell, you can donate it or, worst case scenario, throw it away.
6. Organize your packing Packing needs to be organized so that you'll be able to pack more efficiently and quickly. Plus, it makes it easier for you to track all of your belongings throughout the moving process. That includes labeling in legible writing and packing certain items in certain boxes or bags.
7. Ask friends or family for help If you live alone and you have friends or family nearby who aren't busy, ask them to help you move. The more people helping you move, the less stress you will feel that comes with moving. There you have it! If you're looking for Dallas movers that can help you move out on short notice, look no further than Same Day Small Mini Movers Dallas.


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Part of the changes that took place in 2018 and 2019, and the shift in the Ministry of Culture's role to one of a regulator and policymaker in the cultural sector, was the establishment of three cultural councils to drive discussions amongst industry stakeholders to further the cultural sector in the UAE and to ensure inclusive decision making. The Heritage Council, the Arts Council, and the Cultural and Creative Industries Council each include representatives from public sector, private sector, NGOs and CSOs, and play an integral role in monitoring and analyzing the various trends shaping the cultural sector, as well as anticipating any upcoming challenges. The regular meetings of the councils provide all council members with the opportunity to recommend policy changes and initiatives that ensure that the UAE's culture agenda is all-encompassing while creating a collaborative culture amongst partners.
Each council has a mandate to do the following within its domain:
1. Discuss and study the most important issues related to cultural regulations and strategies in the country and make decisions about them
2. Study the cultural regulatory and legislative needs in the UAE and provide recommendations related to them
3. Collective planning for the cultural sector in the UAE
4. Exchange of cultural experiences, best practices, and lessons learned amongst council members
5. Any added mandate members agree on
The Culture Councils have helped to gather all stakeholders from the public sector, private sector and CSOs around the same table to determine the best way to support and nurture the cultural ecosystem, anticipating challenges and determining ways to address them. Below are a few examples (non-exhaustive) of the outcomes of these meetings:
* At its second meeting in 2019, the Heritage Council agreed on a five-year plan for inscribing elements of cultural and intangible heritage on UNESCO lists, enabling coordination and cooperation among stakeholders in the country to prepare high quality files on behalf of the UAE.
* The Heritage Council meetings provided an opportunity to gather the insights of stakeholders on laws relating to antiquities, allowing for an inclusive discussion on regulations that will impact the preservation of the cultural heritage of the UAE.
* In early April 2020, the Art and Cultural and Creative Industries Councils held several remote and urgent meetings to discuss a collective action plan to overcome the challenges of the industry in the time of Covid-19. This enabled a coordinated, immediate, and systematic response among stakeholders in the country's cultural sector.
* In April 2020, the Art and Cultural and Creative Industries Councils launched a survey to study the impact of Covid-19 on the creative community, and this led to the launching of the Creative Relief Fund to support creatives and SMEs in the cultural sector impacted by COVID 19. In the first phase of the program 87 creative individuals and small enterprises operating in the cultural and creative industries received financial grants. The grant, which ranged between AED15,000 to AED50,000 (roughly USD4,100 to USD13,600) were distributed among 50 individuals and 37 companies to help them overcome the financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to supporting freelancers, the second phase of the program aimed to support organizations with up to 20 employees. With the second phase, the National Creative Relief Program was able to provide financial grants between AED15,000 to AED75,000 (roughly USD4,100 to USD20,500) to another 53 freelancers and organizations, bringing the total number of individuals and companies helped throughout both phases of the program to 140.
The Cultural Councils have been restructured a few times to include new members that were deemed necessary to be part of cultural policy discourse. The Cultural Councils began with government members, and then were expanded to include representatives from the private and non-profit sectors for their vital roles and contributions.
The UAE government has recently undergone restructuring after COVID 19 to ensure that the government is agile, responsive, and impactful. The Cultural Councils will be expanded to include new partners that were formed as a result of the restructuring, to include representatives from advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and other vital sectors that affect and are affected by the cultural sector.


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And the best selling vehicle in America is (drum roll, envelope please):
The Ford F-Series Pickup Truck!
This is a refrain that's almost become automatic over the years, as Ford's F-Series pickups have been the best selling vehicles in America for a number of years, and the best selling trucks in America for the past 30. An incredible 796,039 F-Series trucks were sold in 2006.
Chevy's Silverado has come close (about 636,000 sold in 2006), but has not been able to knock the King Ford off of its lofty pedestal. Dodge's Ram has a following, as does Nissan's Titan. The sales numbers for both pale in comparison to the F-Series.
And then we have the Toyota Tundra, on a mission to capture the top slot, or at least become a major player in the pickup market.
At a recent press launch in Charlotte, North Carolina, I had the opportunity to test the mettle of Toyota's latest battle weapon, the all-new 2007 Tundra.
Toyota's been at the pickup game for a number of years now. Their first entry into "large" pickup market was the smallish T-100. Without the size or power needed to pass muster, and with lackluster crash test results, the T-100 only lasted a few model years before the first Tundra was released in 2000. Still undersized and underpowered, the Tundra was nonetheless a competitor, as folks enamored with Toyota's legendary quality overlooked some of Tundra's faults and shortcomings.
But now the battle is truly on. Tundra is no longer undersized, underpowered, or lacking in the features that pickup drivers want whether on a construction site or on the links.
The Tundra is available in several versions: Regular Cab, Double Cab, or Crew Cab (dubbed "CrewMax"). Bed sizes range from 66.7″ to 97.6″. Rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive, V6 or V8 engines, and DX, SR5 and Limited trim levels mean shoppers will have many choices to get their Tundra just the way they want it.
Cab choices also affect the style of Tundra. For me, the CrewMax is my favorite. I like the long box surrounded by Tundra's curved front and rear fenders. It's a unique look in a market dominated by squarish, boxy designs. For some journalists I talked to though, the rear taillight integration into the rear fenders was a weak point. One thought it softened an otherwise tough look, another pointed out that the position of the lights on the outside flanks of the fenders made them more susceptible to damage. I agree with the second point, but find no other faults with Tundra's design, which I find refreshing.
Front end styling is also polarizing. I like the rugged, ready-to-do-business look. Others thought the huge chrome grille was excessive. One only needs to briefly look around to see "excessive" works well in this segment.
So how does Tundra work on the roadways? Very well indeed. Do opt for one of the V8 engines (4.7 or 5.7-liter), which push this two-ton plus (depending on cab size) behemoth with authority. I tested the V6 Regular Cab as well, and upon hard acceleration, I mostly got a lot of engine noise and not a lot of thrust.
These engines are linked to either a 4X2 or 4X4 drivetrain. Toyota's "TRD" Off-Road package is available on 4X2 and 4X4 models. According to Toyota's data, the new Tundra claims a "Best in 1/2 Ton Class" towing capacity. The 4X2 Regular Cab with the 381 horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 can tow 10,800 pounds. Max payload for the same configuration is also a claimed class leading 2,060 pounds. Towing demonstrations at the press launch confirmed this Tundra is a super hauler. Ford's F-150 also claims best in class towing and payload, with ratings of 11,000 pounds towing and 3,050 pounds payload for light-duty models.
Toyota has also taken steps to ensure that towing places no undue stress on this workhorse. Tundra incorporates an automatic transmission cooler and warmer. The warmer allows fluid to quickly warm up to proper operating temps in cold weather conditions. An overall 10% increase in total engine cooling capacity (versus the previous model) and up to 25% more alternator output mean placing heavy loads on this drivetrain won't translate into heavy loads on your wallet for stress-related repair bills.
Inside, the new Tundra combines function, comfort and utility. Take for example the center console. It's big enough to hold a laptop computer, and has rails built in for hanging folders. It's a contractor's "office on wheels" dream truck. Door handles and control knobs are designed to work even while wearing work gloves. Tundra's cockpit provides two 12 volt power outlets, with an additional rear console outlet on CrewMax models. In addition to the 9.5 liter center console, Tundra's storage areas include a 3.4-liter upper glovebox, door pockets that hold 22 ounce bottles, and a built-in toolbox behind the rear seat of all models that provides easy access to the jack and lug wrench. Four different interior colors and available deep-grain leathers round out the comfort equation. An optional moonroof gives the spacious interior and even larger feel.
Tundra has also taken the interior upscale with many standard luxury features. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel (manual or power depending on trim), heated power front seats, an overhead console, multi-function information center, auto-dimming side mirrors with chrome accents, and AM/FM/CD with MP3 jack are standard equipment. Significant options include a 440 Watt 5.1 surround system, Bluetooth capability, steering wheel audio controls, and a rear seat entertainment system. An available DVD navigation system includes a JBL audio system and integrates a rear backup camera. The rear camera can be a miracle worker when trying to align a trailer or position a boat on a launch ramp.
Tundra is backed by a 36-month/36,000 mile basic warranty. Additional warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and provide comprehensive rust protection. The new Tundra was developed and designed, and is built in America. An all-new dedicated production plant in the heart of pickup country (San Antonio, Texas) joins an existing plant in Indiana for Tundra production.
Tundra pricing starts at $22,900 for the Regular Cab, to $29,675 for the CrewMax.
So does this all-new Tundra stack up to the competition? Yes it does. It's a competent blend of worksite toughness, and on road comfort. And with competitive base pricing, Ford, Chevy and Dodge should keep their eyes peeled to their rear-view mirrors, as Tundra is bearing down on them quickly.


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By J. Douglas Boles
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, May 9, 2011 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the place to be this month for anyone crazy about cars of all shapes, sizes and eras.
IMS will play host to an unprecedented series of unique, one-of-a-kind events providing fans an extraordinary opportunity to learn about and cherish great automobiles as the Indianapolis 500 celebrates its 100th anniversary. Nearly 1,000 vehicles will be featured throughout this month at these events.
All of these events are included in the price of admission for their respective display days except for the special exhibit of Indianapolis 500-winning cars in the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.
•67 Indy-winning cars: This salute to great cars began when the largest collection of Indianapolis 500-winning cars ever assembled exhibit opened to the public in March at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.
This incredible exhibit, which will be on display through June 1, provides fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see 67 winning cars, representing 71 Indianapolis 500 victories. Among many other noteworthy winning cars on display, each winning car driven by the three four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears, are showcased in the exhibit. The display includes the 31 winning cars owned by the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and 36 privately owned cars that have been loaned for this unique display.
Museum admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youths 6-15, with under 6 free.
•Celebration of Automobiles: More than 250 classic cars will be on display Saturday, May 14 during the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Celebration of Automobiles. Many of these machines have won awards in Concours d'Elegance competition at such revered venues as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.
The cars are divided into two divisions, one a general collection and the other presenting for the first time anywhere classic cars produced by the 24 manufacturers that competed in the first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 1911. A preview of the cars to be displayed can be found in the official IMS blog at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
A team of judges headed by 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones will reveal its choices for the best of show in several categories at the elegant Condon-Skelly Celebration of Automobiles dinner May 14, where several exquisite trophies will be presented to winning car owners.
The Marmon and Stutz Clubs also will have their collections of classic automobiles on display May 14 at IMS, numbering more than 100 additional cars. A collection of vintage racers also will be showcased, including 1950s roadsters, early rear-engine cars from the 1960s and race cars through the 1970s to the present day.
•Pace Car Reunion: The 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Reunion will take place on Pole Day/Tom Carnegie Day, Saturday, May 21 and Bump Day/IMS Armed Forces Day on Sunday, May 22. The event will return more than 250 Pace Cars dating back to 1911 to IMS in the greatest collection of Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars in history.
From 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Pole Day, the Pace Cars will be staged for a "Fans Choice" vote to take place. The cars will also be on display in the infield from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 22.
As an added attraction, car clubs featuring muscle cars, exotics and more will provide fans plenty of eye candy.
•Vintage sprints, midgets: During A.J. Foyt Day on Saturday, May 28, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will feature a display of vintage sprint and midget cars of the past driven by the greatest names of Indy lore: Foyt, Andretti, Unser, Rutherford and more.
•Winning drivers, winning cars: Eleven Indianapolis 500 winners will drive iconic winning cars of the "500" during pre-race ceremonies Sunday, May 29 for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.
1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones will provide one of the highlights of the day when he drives the No. 32 Marmon "Wasp" that won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 with Ray Harroun. It will be only the third time the car has been driven on the famed IMS oval on Race Day since Harroun crossed the finish line in 1911.
A comprehensive list of participants, with the years of their victories and the cars they will drive on Race Morning: Parnelli Jones (1963): The No. 32 Marmon "Wasp" that won in 1911 with Ray Harroun; Kenny Brack (1999): The No. 9 Target G Force/Oldsmobile that won in 2000 with Juan Pablo Montoya; Gil de Ferran (2003): The No. 66 Sunoco McLaren that won in 1972 with Mark Donohue; Tom Sneva (1983): The Belond Salih/Offy that won in 1957 with Sam Hanks and 1958 with Jimmy Bryan; Mario Andretti (1969): The Boyle Maserati that won in 1939 and 1940 with Wilbur Shaw; Arie Luyendyk (1990, 1997): The No. 30 Domino's Pizza Lola/Chevrolet Indy in which Luyendyk won in 1990. Luyendyk averaged 185.981 mph, which stands as the race record; Bobby Rahal (1986): The No. 14 Miller that won in 1928 with Louis Meyer; Johnny Rutherford (1974, 1976, 1980): The No. 4 Pennzoil Chaparral/Cosworth in which Rutherford won in 1980; Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987): The No. 82 Lotus-Ford that won in 1965 with Jim Clark; Al Unser Jr. (1992, 1994): The Blue Crown Spark Plug Diedt/Offy that won in 1947 and 1948 with Mauri Rose; Bobby Unser (1968, 1975, 1981): The No. 8 National that won in 1912 with Joe Dawson.
•1911 Indy 500 cars: A collection of five cars from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the famous "Blitzen Benz" will be driven on the famous IMS oval during pre-race ceremonies Sunday, May 29.
•Current race cars: The stars of the Indianapolis 500 will be on track at 225-plus mph for 11 days this month, including practice, qualifying and the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.
Practice is scheduled Saturday, May 14 through Friday, May 20, with qualifying May 21-22. Miller Lite Carb Day final practice is Friday, May 27, with Race Day Sunday, May 29.
The future stars of the sport will be on display in the Firestone Freedom 100 for Firestone Indy Lights. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Thursday, May 26, with the race Friday, May 27.
2011 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, "The Most Important Race in History," on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
The 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 starts at noon (ET) May 29. Live coverage on ABC and the IMS Radio Network -XM 94/Sirius 212 starts at 11 a.m.


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Jim Broadbent
Brooklyn (2015)
Review by Robert Denerstein: A flower named Saoirse Ronan grows in Brooklyn
Le Week-End (2013)
Review by Marty Mapes: Deeper, darker, and more intersting than lightweight British fluff
Review by Robert Denerstein: A trip well worth taking
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Review by Marty Mapes: Mash-up works best if you don't take it too seriously
Review by Robert Denerstein: An epic in bite-sized chunks
The Iron Lady (2011)
Review by Robert Denerstein: Streep's strong. The movie, not so much.
Another Year (2011)
Review by Marty Mapes: The orbits of friendship remain in balance
Review by Robert Denerstein: Brilliantly acted and unafraid of pain, Mike Leigh's latest takes us to uncomfortable places
The Young Victoria (2009)
Review by Marty Mapes: A love story that's a meeting of the minds
The Damned United (2009)
Review by Robert Denerstein: Makes something interesting out of something that doesn't make my meter race
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Review by Marty Mapes: Boys and girls pair off; expository bookkeeping sets up the final conflict
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Review by Marty Mapes: Looks comparable to Shaun, but underneath, it's an inferior film
Bright Young Things (2004)
Review by Marty Mapes: It's fluff, but if entertainment value is all you're looking for, you could do worse
Nicholas Nickleby (2002)
Review by Marty Mapes: Nicholas Nickleby is a good time at the movies in the guise of serious literature
Gangs of New York (2002)
Review by Marty Mapes: Gangs of New York is epic. The words "sweeping" and "spectacle" probably ought to be used too
DVD review by Marty Mapes: DVD has great extras on the history and the sets, but not enough on Daniel Day-Lewis
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Review by Marty Mapes: Ambitious, daring, energetic, and entertaining


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Q: In The Great Gatsby, explain the role of Nick in the novel. How does his role fit into the overall structure? Q: In the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, discuss Franklin's concept of capitalism. Q: In Walden, discuss Thoreau's reasons for defying progress and the Industrial Revolution? What fears did he have that materialized in the 20th century? Give examples. All answers should be at least 250 words in length and use at least one passage from the book to support answer. Please use simple language.
#Great #Gatsby #Benjamin #Franklin #amp #Walden


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The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) released two documents last week[1] showing that the abortion chain continues to grow its abortion business while its provision of other services continues to decline.
Among Planned Parenthood's significantly decreased services are its breast health services. That is especially ironic considering the media storm during the 2011/2012 Susan G. Komen Foundation grant changes. While Planned Parenthood has used breast health services as a major talking point in fund raising, that facts show it has become a smaller share of its efforts.
But on the increase is abortion, and even more dramatically than the recently-released reports describe. Planned Parenthood has subsequently "purified" its brand: beginning January 1, 2013, all of its affiliates are required to provide abortions.
Coinciding with bigger abortion is an increase under the Obama Administration in Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding and profits.
PPFA's annual report declares one of its top priorities is to ensure its services are "adequately financed." But a look at the supporting data shows that the "non-profit" has been significantly padding its bank account at the taxpayer's expense.
- According to PPFA's just-released financial reports, the abortion chain received over a billion dollars in taxpayer funds between June 2010 and June 2012 – nearly $1.48 million taxpayer dollars per day.
- PPFA and its affiliates' revenue—45% of which came from American taxpayers— exceeded its expenses by $242.9 million.[2] During hard economic times, the abortion chain made nearly a third of a million dollars profit every single day.
It is clear that abortion is an increasing share of Planned Parenthood's overall operations. But even the record-high 333,964 abortions reported by Planned Parenthood—as its overall service numbers decreased—falls short of explaining the extent of Planned Parenthood's growing abortion business.
- By restructuring its service year—reporting for October 2010 to October 2011, instead of using the 2011 calendar year—Planned Parenthood's "2011" figures do not take into account the last three months of 2011 – those months after a non-abortion providing affiliate, Tri-Rivers Planned Parenthood, dropped its affiliation with the abortion chain. Thus, in PPFA's curiously restructured annual report for last year, abortion appears as a lower percentage of both Planned Parenthood's patients and its services than abortion actually was.
- Planned Parenthood does not explain why it restructured its service year, choosing to repeat an entire quarter of 2010 figures that it already disclosed in a previous annual report. But the clear departure from its previous practice begs the question: why is Planned Parenthood not disclosing its "service" numbers from the last three months of 2011?
Even full-disclosure of its 2011 services would not accurately reflect Planned Parenthood's abortion business today. Planned Parenthood's new directive that all its affiliates must provide abortions began in January 2013.
- The just-released annual report data includes data from several clinics that provided only non-abortion services and that have subsequently renounced their affiliation with Planned Parenthood over the new abortion mandate.
- The data also includes previously non-abortion providing affiliates that are, presumably, in the process of complying with the mandate.
Planned Parenthood's President and Chair (Cecile Richards and Cecilia Boone respectively) lament in the annual report's introduction that the Susan G. Komen Foundation's "new rules" would have excluded Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving grants in the winter of 2012. Of course, they fail to mention that the new grant standards were designed to more effectively help vulnerable women and that while the "new rules" impacted Planned Parenthood, they did not target Planned Parenthood specifically.
But while claiming that the Komen Foundation's adoption of "new rules" was the result of the foundation "bowing to political pressure," the data demonstrates that Planned Parenthood experienced a drastic decline in breast health services before the Komen decision.
- For the period of October 2010 to October 2011, Planned Parenthood's breast exams/breast care dropped by over 100,000 services from the number of reported services in its last annual report (from 747,607 to 639,384). This number is such a significant decrease in services—on average over 9,000 less per month—that it seems unlikely that reporting for the 2011 calendar year would alter the fact that Planned Parenthood's breast health services decreased substantially.
Planned Parenthood's "shared goal of improving breast health" seems only to have become a priority after public disclosure of the Komen Foundation's decision to redirect its grant money.
Notably, Planned Parenthood still does not provide mammograms and its clinics still would not meet the Komen Foundation's standards which were lowered after Planned Parenthood and its allies launched a vicious campaign against the well-respected cancer research foundation.
[1] Planned Parenthood Annual Financial Report 2010-2011 and Planned Parenthood Annual Report 2011-2012 available at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/annual-report-4661.htm.
[2] According to the Planned Parenthood reports, its revenue exceeded expenses by $155.5 million in the fiscal year ending in June 2011 and $87.4 million in the fiscal year ending in June 2012.


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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
War Cartoons Will Be Focus of Pittsburgh Panel
E&P has the story. The event, hosted by Rob Rogers, is scheduled for tonight. Ted Rall & Signe Wilkinson will be on the dais.
Posted by Mike Lynch at 10:01 AM
Labels: editorial cartoons
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The majority of the human body is made up of water. It's absolutely crucial for both our survival and optimal wellness. An average of 60% of the adult body is comprised of water with areas such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles taking the lead when it comes to water content. Over 70% of these body parts are comprised of water.
Studies suggest that many people are in a mild, but chronically dehydrated, state. Although it's easy to brush off mild dehydration as unimportant, it deserves much closer care and attention. All the organs and systems, and in fact, every cell in the body relies on water for optimal functioning. Even small hydration deficits have been shown to have negative effects that could impact the everyday worker.
Why does dehydration occur?
Essentially, dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you're taking in. There could be a number of reasons for this.
Generally, if a person is not drinking enough fluids they will become dehydrated. Some beverages such as tea and coffee can also have a diuretic-like effect and flush water out of the body. This could add to the effects of dehydration.
Workers who have been experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea may be more likely to become dehydrated as a result of fluid loss from the body. Some medical conditions and illnesses can also cause a person to be more prone to dehydration. For example, fevers can contribute to fluid loss.
Environment and activities can also significantly affect hydration levels. Workers undergoing tasks in hot or humid weather conditions are often more likely to become dehydrated. Those in very active roles that require physical labor can also become dehydrated far more easily. This is especially true if the employee in question is losing water through sweat and isn't adequately replacing that fluid loss.
Dangers of on-the-job dehydration
A worker who is dehydrated might not even feel thirsty, but they could already be dehydrated. Or, they could exhibit symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, or signs of dehydration, such as dry lips and mouth.
Below are some of the potential dangers of on-the-job dehydration. Employers need to be aware of these because all of them can have a negative impact on job performance.
1. Decreased physical performance
Employees in job roles that require significant physical labor may experience a reduction in physical performance if they are dehydrated. As little as 2% water loss has been shown to result in a decrease in physical performance in athletes.
Dehydration can cause the muscles in the body to feel fatigued and weak. If an employee is completing physical tasks such as lifting or moving heavy objects in a dehydrated state, they could also experience muscle cramps.
In general, employees who are dehydrated are likely to feel weaker than usual and low on energy.
2. Impaired cognitive functioning
Even mild levels of dehydration can lead to disruptions in mood and cognitive functioning. An employee who is dehydrated may not be able to focus well on the task at hand. They could feel confused or like they have "brain fog." They might feel irritable, and their memory could be affected.
It's important that employers are aware of these risks. Decreased cognitive performance can have a negative impact on productivity and accuracy when it comes to pretty much any job task. This is especially important to consider for employees in safety-sensitive positions, such as commercial drivers.
3. Decreased blood volume and its associated problems
Blood contains a high volume of water. Without sufficient water, blood volume can decrease. Subsequently, this can lead to a drop in blood pressure. Since oxygen is carried in red blood cells, the body may not receive the oxygen supply it needs.
A worker who is dehydrated and has a decreased blood volume in their body could feel dizzy, light-headed, confused, and fatigued.
4. Kidney problems
Infrequent urination is one potential sign of dehydration. A sufficient water intake is important for flushing waste products out of the body, and for optimal functioning of the kidneys.
When dehydration is ongoing, the worker could experience problems with their kidneys, such as kidney stones. Although kidney stones often develop through a combination of factors, dehydration can be one of them. Improving hydration levels is an important part of treating the problem.
5. Seizures
Optimal hydration helps to maintain electrolyte balance in the body. Without enough electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, messaging between cells can become impaired and could cause seizures. These mixed-up electrical signals can cause involuntary muscle contractions and sometimes a loss of consciousness.
6. Headaches
Headaches can have many causes including stress and muscle tension. One possible contributing cause of headaches, however, is dehydration. On-the-job dehydration-related headaches could be prevented if the body is kept sufficiently hydrated.
7. More serious complications
Mild dehydration can typically be treated by increasing fluid intake. A specific rehydration solution containing fluids and electrolytes may be required to replenish the body. However, when dehydration becomes much more severe, medical treatment will be needed.
Some of the dangers listed above will pose even more of a threat if dehydration becomes very severe. Kidney problems could progress to kidney damage or even kidney failure at the extreme end of the spectrum. Dehydration from hot weather or exercising could progress to heat exhaustion, or more seriously, heatstroke.
A very low blood volume could lead to organ failure because the heart isn't receiving sufficient blood to supply the body. At the extreme level, dehydration can be fatal.
Employers can play an important role in helping employees to stay hydrated
Employers can help employees to stay hydrated and avoid the dangers associated with dehydration. As part of a workplace culture of wellness, consider investing in a quality water filter for your workplace. Simply providing clean drinking water helps show employees that you care about their health.
As part of creating a healthy office workspace, employers can also provide education to employees about the importance of staying hydrated. Employees need to learn to recognize signs of dehydration, such as darker urine.
They also need to understand that thirst signals can often be mistaken for hunger signals. Although food does contain water (with foods such as fruits and vegetables containing high levels), an adequate and appropriate fluid intake is going to be the biggest consideration when it comes to hydration.
Reminders about the importance of hydration could be posted around the workspace, or challenges could be set up to help employees improve their water intake. Water quality in the building should also be tested regularly.


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It is hard to find a perfect film that suits your needs. We offer our Collections to guide you for right navigation, based on our experience with customers. We believe Collections is an excellent search tool for you. You can find Collections on both top menu and left side menu.
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Has there ever been a day that was stupider, more aggravating and more infuriating in recent baseball history than the recent hearings before the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform about steroid use in Major League Baseball? After 10 hours of testimony, here's what the Ranter learned:
1) Most congressman are dumb and can't grasp simple
concepts, don't pay attention to what anyone testifying actually says to them,
love grandstanding when they know when there's a national audience—and when the
cameras are turned off love to suck up to ball players. (Yes, during a break in
the testimony, the congressmen asked all the players for autographs, and even
took pictures with one.)
2) Mark McGwire got some really bad legal advice, and
apparently has been retired from the game for some time. (Who knew?)
3) When faced with legal trouble, Jose Canseco
shrinks down to the size of, well, the balls of someone that's juiced up.
4) Sammy Sosa loves being selective with his use of
5) Curt Schilling has a political future.
6) Teleconferencing does not work. (Will anyone remember Frank
Thomas testified at all?)
7) And finally, "Steroids is bad."
This entire debacle not only made the players and MLB management and the
Player's Association look bad (which is pretty hard not to do), but it
also confirmed my general distrust of anyone elected to any political office.
It's telling that the only person who seemed sane at the hearing was the
independent congressman from Vermont, who asked why the media wasn't there on
days they actually had hearing about issues that matter.
All in all, congress' time and money could be much better spent on many,
many other issues. Yes, steroids are harmful to anyone's health, but last time
I checked, AIDS, cancer, and heck, the war in Iraq seem to be ruining more
people's lives than Jason Giambi or Barry Bonds
being idiots. Will we ever get our priorities straight? Unlikely. And this
pisses me off so much I can't even write anymore about it.
So before I run out of space, the Ranter expects a St. Louis vs. Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim of the United States of America of the Planet Earth in the
Milky Way Galaxy World Series, with the Cards taking it in 6.
Steve Reynolds is the senior editor of Zisk,
and looks forward to being angry most of this god damn season.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Rants From the Upper Deck by Steve Reynolds
Posted by Figgsrock2 at 5:30 PM
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Each of these iso-corrosion diagrams was constructed using numerous corrosion rate values,
generated at different acid concentrations and temperatures. The blue line represents those
combinations of acid concentration and temperature at which a corrosion rate of 0.1 mm/y (4
mils per year) is expected, based on laboratory results. Below the line, rates under 0.1 mm/y
are expected. Similarly, the red line indicates the combinations of acid concentration and
temperature at which a corrosion rate of 0.5 mm/y (20 mils per year) is expected. Above the
red line, rates of over 0.5 mm/y are expected. Between the blue and red lines, corrosion rates
are expected to fall between 0.1 and 0.5 mm/y. The iso-corrosion diagram for hydrofluoric
acid should be used with caution. Internal attack of nickel alloys is common in this acid; thus
field tests prior to industrial use are even more important. Also, while HYBRID-BC1 alloy
possesses useful resistance to nitric acid, stainless steels are generally preferred to nickel
alloys in pure nitric.


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"My Spotify drains my phone battery", she said.
"Do you listen to it on streaming or offline?", I asked.
"Why, yes I do listen to it on streaming!"
"So you see both the 3G access you are using and the app itself use battery. You can see battery use by app and make choices accordingly especially when you are outside and worried you couldn't recharge your phone."
"How do I do that?", she immediately wanted to know.
Cue, search through settings and battery use data on her 4 year old Samsung Android phone.
"The guys at the Samsung store didn't help me", she lamented.
So we opened the settings to check battery use and she was horrified.
"Where did all these apps come from? I am not using them", she said.
"Not right now, perhaps, but they may be running in the background or operating on a pull mechanism", I said, weakly. And clearly, unhelpfully.
We then discussed what "pull" means, what other common uses may be battery-draining, how it may be necessary to behave differently to conserve battery, how some apps more than others drain battery, and other things she now needs to know, just so she can use the technology she deems essential to her work and her outside-work life.
There were several such moments, as I helped this 65 year old friend of mine. She needs to get to grips with some essential technology tools and social media as she works on taking her business global.
The detail about her age and her business are material here lest the rest of this reflection should get drowned in the assumptions that just because she is older, she is not "smart enough" or "compos mentis".
She isn't the first among my over-55 friends whom I have recently helped with their technology and social media needs. Phones and social networks all play a key role.
It is soon clear that much of the technology design has forgotten technology also serves our ageing population at hand.
Mobile phones have several non-obvious hidden access features, sometimes resistive touch screens, complicated pathways to switching off default settings on various apps and in case of Android phones, a fragmented ecosystem that confuses older users who did not cut their teeth on technology.
Social networks have arcane and complex privacy settings, light coloured buttons, light grey ellipses to access extra features, drop-down menus hidden behind little arrows, and of course, their own lingo for features.
It may even seem the ageing user is misbehaving i.e. not behaving in accordance with the designers' expectations of their ability to make use of features they should be able to see (never mind almost universally weakening eye sight with age) or discover. Because, hey, it is so intuitive, you know!
What is wrong with this picture?
Is technology meant to exist for its own sake? Or is it meant to serve someone?
What are the design assumptions at work here? Do we care whom we are including — and whom we are excluding — by our design choices?
Can the growing numbers of ageing people be this invisible?
Post script
As she started to gather her things and prepare to leave, I said, trying to be helpful, "Of course, you could just buy a portable battery pack so you are never out of battery when you leave home."
She put her things down and looked at me sternly, "That is now for another day, Shefaly. I cannot cope with this any more."
Related reading:
Why I think "digital native" and "digital immigrant" typology is short-sighted and unhelpful


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'The Track That...' with Simon Templar
The track that I wish I'd produced is... Chicane - Saltwater. What a timeless classic track that is!! It contain it all what comes to perfect track. I never heard a single complaint about this beauty. It always makes you feel good and brings out the best of you.
The track that could make a grown man cry is... Moby - Hymn (European Mix). There are not many tracks, which can actually make you feel so much sorrow and sadness as this beauty. There are many sad tracks out there of course and good ones too, but none come close to this classic.
The track that never fails to put a smile on my face is... Spinal Tap - Big Bottoms :D I mean when there is nothing but bass guitars and a drummer on a stage and playing this ridiculous comp and the lyrics, which are pure gold too. You just can't do anything else than smile and laugh through this track :)
The track that I'm playing every gig at the moment is... Simon Templar - The Fog. It has good drive, melody and melancholic elements included. It's also in my new album "Balance" which you can find a web stores and Cd-format at Solarstone's Solarshop.
The track that isn't electronic dance music, but rocks all the same is... Pink Floyd - The Wall, in all its forms (movie's & music. Also (old) Metallica is awesome and I like a lot of these low budget horror movie scores like Hellraiser and all movie soundtracks in general.
The track that shoulda been in a movie is... Solarstone - Love Theme From Bladerunner (Pure Mix). They are filming a new Bladerunner now so it would be cool to add this remix to it!
The track that is so perfect in its original form it should never be touched by man nor remixer is... Pink Floyd - Goodbye Blue Sky or The Prodigy - No Good. These are definitely tracks that should left alone. Not every track is meant to be remixed anyway.
The track that changed my life is... RMB - Spring was a track, when I first heard it, the time literally stopped and I was amazed Big Time. RMB production is amazing trough out.
The track that I've just put out there is... my debut album 'Balance' released on Solarstone's Pure Trance Recordings 5th of June 2017!! Go check it out and if you like it, buy it and support your favorite artists!


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Searching for Long-Term Care options in Albanel? Discover the essential details about Long-Term Care homes, a crucial solution for eldercare. These facilities, historically referred to as nursing homes, operate under the stringent oversight and funding of the Ministry of Health. If you're in Ontario, your access hinges on the assessment by the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN); elsewhere in Canada, it's governed by respective provincial health and continuing care authorities.
Long-Term Care homes in Albanel are more than mere residences; they are vibrant communities providing round-the-clock supervision and hands-on support with daily activities such as personal care, eating, bathing, medication management, and general medical or nursing care. These homes are ideal for individuals who are medically stable yet need more intensive care than what's typically offered in seniors' apartments, Retirement Homes, or most Assisted Living facilities. They're especially adept at handling complex needs, including those related to dementia.
In Albanel, residents in these care homes enjoy standard room furnishings, complete with essential linens, nourishing meals, laundry services, and necessary hygiene and medical supplies. The homes boast dining rooms, comfortable lounge areas, and a variety of engaging activities and programs tailored for residents. Medical care is never far away, with doctors holding regular on-site consultations.
Funding in Albanel for Long-Term Care is a blend of government and personal contributions. The government generously covers the care-related expenses directly with the facility. However, residents are responsible for a co-payment, addressing their room and board costs. This co-payment rate is uniform across each province, as stipulated by the provincial government. Some provinces offer a sliding scale based on income, while others have a set rate based on room type, with the possibility of subsidies for those below a threshold income.
Whether you're in Albanel or exploring options across the province, understanding the intricacies of Long-Term Care facilities is crucial in making an informed decision for yourself or your loved ones. With compassionate care, comprehensive services, and a focus on quality of life, these homes provide a secure, nurturing environment for those requiring long-term assistance.
Related: Seniors Housing, Active Adult Lifestyle Communities, Assisted Living, Complex Care Unit, Complex Continuing Care, Condo Suites, Independent Living, Life Lease, Long-Term Care, Memory Care, Palliative Care, Respite Care, Retirement Homes, Seniors Buildings, Seniors Condos, Seniors Cooperative, Short Stays, Supportive Housing, Seniors Buildings (no care), Transitional Care, Trial Stays


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Handy Hints
Development and Testing
The best way to set up a PITS board on your desk (e.g. to test that it all works and that you can receive data) is to connect the Pi to a wired network and to connect to it via ssh.
A wired network is best as you don't have to worry about setting up the details of your wireless LAN. You do of course need a model B or B+ or V2 B Pi, which means you'll be testing on a different Pi to the one you fly (which will be an A or A+) but that's not an issue at all.
To ssh into the Pi you need to use an ssh client. putty is a very good one, and is a free download. You will need to know the IP address of the Pi, and the easiest way to find that is to boot the Pi with a screen connected - the IP address is shown at the last stage of the boot process. Another method is to use something like "Advanced IP Scanner" to find the Pi's IP address.
To power the Pi and PITS during development, just connect the Pi to USB power as normal. Do not use USB power and battery power at the same time (you won't do any harm but you will drain the batteries for no reason).
Only use Energizer Lithium cells - they are specified for use in cold environments (down to -40C which is much colder than the inside of your payload will get). We recommend the use of 4 AA cells in the supplied holder. We also recommend taping the batteries down with duct tape so that they don't disconnect on landing. Tape down the the battery connector for the same reason.
AA cells will give you 20 hours run time on the original PITS with a model A, and slightly less on the current board with an A+. AAA cells will give 6-7 hours. Since a typical flight is about 3 hours you may feel that the latter is plenty, however it doesn't leave a lot of time for you to find the payload after landing. Remember also that any delays in launching will eat into that time. So, unless you've done this before and are confident in your launch and chase abilities, please use AAs.
We recommend sticking with the default image sizes. Larger images can take a long time to download, and it's good to get plenty of relatively small images throughout the flight rather than a few large ones. Remember that, alll being well, you will recover the payload anyway so you will then have all of the full-size images.
Remember that, as with any camera, you should delete saved images from the SD card before you fly, otherwise you risk the card filling up during the flight! The images are in /home/pi/pits/images.
The camera would normally be positioned to aim horizontally from the payload, though of course it's up to you what view you want.
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Religion and the Rise of Jim Crow in New Orleans
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Publisher: Princeton University Press
Number of Pages: 320
Published: 03/04/2005
Width: 15.2 cm
Height: 23.5 cm
Religion and the Rise of Jim Crow in New Orleans examines a difficult chapter in American religious history: the story of race prejudice in American Christianity. Focusing on the largest city in the late-nineteenth-century South, it explores the relationship between churches--black and white, Protestant and Catholic--and the emergence of the Jim Crow laws, statutes that created a racial caste system in the American South. The book fills a gap in the scholarship on religion and race in the crucial decades between the end of Reconstruction and the eve of the Civil Rights movement. Drawing on a range of local and personal accounts from the post-Reconstruction period, newspapers, and church records, Bennett's analysis challenges the assumption that churches fell into fixed patterns of segregation without a fight. In sacred no less than secular spheres, establishing Jim Crow constituted a long, slow, and complicated journey that extended well into the twentieth century. Churches remained a source of hope and a means of resistance against segregation, rather than a retreat from racial oppression. Especially in the decade after Reconstruction, churches offered the possibility of creating a common identity that privileged religious over racial status, a pattern that black church members hoped would transfer to a national American identity transcending racial differences. Religion thus becomes a lens to reconsider patterns for racial interaction throughout Southern society. By tracing the contours of that hopeful yet ultimately tragic journey, this book reveals the complex and mutually influential relationship between church and society in the American South, placing churches at the center of the nation's racial struggles.
"James Bennett has written a superb study of the tensions between religion and race among black Methodists and Catholics in New Orleans between 1880 and 1920... [He] provides important comparisons of Methodist and Roman Catholic leaders and church members who either resisted or supported racial separatism and the effects of this growing separatism on their identity."--Choice "Religion and the Rise of Jim Crow in New Orleans is a remarkable analysis of the complex and competing forces that shaped the south at the turn of the century. Bennett is certainly right in asserting that an examination of these moments of possibility, these opportunities for a social world that did not arise, intensify our awareness of the social order that did."--Justin D. Poche, American Catholic Studies "This is an enormously intelligent book about the confrontations and negotiations within Methodist and Catholic churches over issues of race, focusing on the period between 1877 and 1920... This book sets a high standard for analysis of the nineteenth-century evolution of religion and race, and scholars of American religion and history will find it an indispensable resource."--Stephen W. Angell, Journal of Southern History


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New Study: 15.5 Million Tons of Microplastics Litter Ocean Floor
A new study has found that the ocean floor contains nearly 15.5 tons of microplastics. Tunatura / Getty Images
Microplastics can be found everywhere from Antarctica to the Pyrenees. A significant amount of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, but very little has been known about how much ends up on the ocean floor — until now.
A new study has found that the ocean floor contains nearly 15.5 tons of microplastics, CNN reported.
Researchers from Australia's government science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), examined microplastics on the ocean floor near the Great Australian Bight, a large expanse that comprises the bulk of the country's southwest coastline.
The researchers used a robotic submarine to gather and analyze samples taken from six locations up to 236 miles off the coast, and up to almost 10,000 feet deep, reported CNN.
The results, which were published Monday in Frontiers in Marine Science, revealed about 35 times more plastic at the bottom of the ocean than floating at the surface. In 51 samples taken between March and April 2017, researchers found an average of 1.26 microplastic pieces per gram of sediment, a concentration that's up to 25 times greater than any previous deep-sea study, CNN reported.
"Plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean deteriorates and breaks down, ending up as microplastics," Justine Barrett from CSIRO's Oceans and Atmosphere, who led the study, said in a statement in CNN. "The results show microplastics are indeed sinking to the ocean floor."
Dr. Denise Hardesty, a principal research scientist at CSIRO and a co-author of the research, told The Guardian that finding microplastics in such remote locations and depths reveals the extent of global plastic pollution.
"This means it's throughout the water column. This gives us pause for thought about the world we live in and the impact of our consumer habits on what's considered a most pristine place," Dr. Hardesty told The Guardian. "We need to make sure the big blue is not a big trash pit. This is more evidence that we need to stop this at the source."
The World Economic Forum has estimated that an entire garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute, every day, The New Daily reported.
- Microplastics Found in Human Organs for First Time - EcoWatch
- Microplastics in Oceans Outnumber Stars in Our Galaxy by 500 Times
- Paint: The Big Source of Ocean Microplastics You Didn't Know About
- First-of-Its Kind Study Offers Blueprint for Ocean Protection
- New Research Reveals How Airborne Microplastics Travel the World
- How to Reduce Ingesting Microplastics at Home


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|Mauritania Country Studies index
Mauritania - Mining
Plans to exploit the high-grade iron ore deposits at Kedia, near Zouîrât, began in 1952 with the formation of the privately owned Mauritanian Iron Mines Company (Société Anonyme des Mines de Fer de Mauritanie--MIFERMA). With support from the World Bank, the French government, and the Mauritanian government, MIFERMA (owned by French, British, Italian, and West German steel interests) began operations in 1963. By 1966 MIFERMA had invested the equivalent of some US$200 million in mining facilities at Kedia, port facilities at Nouadhibou, and a rail line to carry the ore to port for export.
Iron mining quickly dominated Mauritania's economy. In 1966, after only three years of operations, iron mining contributed 28 percent to GDP and accounted for 92 percent of the value of all exports. The three surface mines at Kedia had a rich ore content of 65 percent. Mined by explosives from the sides of tall rock formations, the ore was loaded on 100-ton trucks for transport to the railhead. There, the ore was also crushed and sorted. The ore was then loaded on the world's heaviest trains (200 cars carrying a total of 20,000 tons, pulled by four locomotives, and averaging two kilometers in length) for transport to Nouadhibou for export. Normally, there was one trip daily in each direction along the 650- kilometer line.
Iron mining provided the income for Mauritania's economic development during the first two decades of independence. Construction of the mine, rail, and port facilities provided wages to thousands of laborers. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the industry employed some 6,000 workers and accounted for about 10 percent of the jobs in the modern sector. Development of the mines and their associated infrastructure took the bulk of investment funds allocated under the first three national development plans. The iron mining industry had a substantial direct and indirect impact on the economy, and many industrial and construction enterprises worked primarily or exclusively for the iron company. By the mid- 1970s, iron operations consumed about 40 percent of the country's imports of fuel oil. At the same time, mining was responsible indirectly for about 25 percent of GDP because of its high consumption of public utilities (power and water), commerce, transportation, and services. Iron also provided nearly 30 percent of all government revenues, thereby making an important contribution to all public sector investment and current expenditures. By the early 1970s, the cumulative effects of the growth of iron mining on national accounts, along with rising demand and good world commodity prices, enabled Mauritania to be recategorized by the World Bank and United Nations (UN) from a "least developed country" to a "moderate-income developing country." This reclassification increased Mauritania's ability to borrow on the international market to finance its ambitious development plans.
The development of the iron mines also contributed directly to the country's rapid urbanization. At independence, the populations of Nouadhibou and Zouîrât were estimated at less than 5,000 each. By the mid-1970s, these two towns had more than quadrupled in size to around 20,000 to 30,000 people each. Mining revenues to the government also helped spur the growth of the administrative capital at Nouakchott, which grew from around 5,000 people in 1960 to over 125,000 people in the mid-1970s.
In 1974 Mauritania nationalized the mining industry as a part of its effort to establish economic independence under the second development plan. With substantial assistance from Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mauritania bought out the European owners of MIFERMA. Transfer of ownership to the newly formed SNIM was smooth; the terms of the transfer kept the foreign expert personnel and managers on the job and maintained the commercial relationship with the former owners of MIFERMA.
The mid-1970s marked a turning point for Mauritania's economy. Two events adversely affected the mining sector. The first was the onset of the world recession in 1974 and 1975, caused by the sharp rise of world oil prices; the second was Mauritania's costly involvement in the Western Sahara conflict between 1976 and 1978. These events, along with a prolonged drought that began in the late 1960s, reversed Mauritania's iron- based economic growth.
From the beginning of mining operations in 1963, Mauritania's production and export of iron ore rose constantly for a decade. In 1974 ore exports reached their all-time high of 11.7 million tons. In the following year, with falling demand for steel in Western Europe, Mauritania's exports of iron ore declined by more than 25 percent, to 8.7 million tons. Between 1975 and 1987, iron ore exports averaged 8.5 million tons annually. Between 1976 and 1978, attacks on the rail line by the Polisario exacerbated the situation. In 1978 ore exports had fallen to 6.2 million tons. Mauritania's withdrawal from the war in mid-1978 allowed some recovery but did not affect the trend based on continued weak demand for iron ore on world markets.
By the late 1970s, the worsening economic situation created the first in a series of financial crises for the state, whose revenues fell with declining iron ore exports. This decline affected the government's ability to meet increasing foreign debt obligations. An immediate result of this financial crisis was the government's decision to reorganize the nationalized mining sector as a part of an IMF-supported stabilization program. Following nationalization in 1974, SNIM controlled not only iron mining but also copper and gypsum mining, as well as other industries and trading activities related to mining. The most important benefits of this arrangement for SNIM were control over the national distribution of petroleum products through the Petroleum Products Commercial Union (Union Commerciale des Produits Pétroliers--UCPP); control of the explosives industry (with factories in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott); and participation in the Arab Metal Industries Company (Société Arabe des Industries Metallurgiques--SAMIA), which planned and later operated a steel rolling mill at Nouadhibou. Until 1978 SNIM's operations were the direct responsibility of the president of the republic and were administered by a board of supervisors composed of twelve members from the various ministries under the chairmanship of the minister of planning and mines.
The reorganization carried out between 1978 and 1979 led to SNIM's divestiture of many of these operations, particularly those related to copper and gypsum mining and petroleum products distribution. The financial reorganization of SNIM resulted in the sale of about 30 percent of the company's shares to new foreign investors, including the Arab Mining Company, the Islamic Development Bank, the government of Morocco, the government of Iraq, and the Kuwait Foreign Trading, Contracting, and Investment Company.
The critical importance of iron ore mining to the economy was underscored in the late 1970s by the ripple effects its decline had on the country's ability to meet its debt obligations. Prospects that the industry would continue to decline throughout the 1980s as the older Kedia deposits were exhausted led the government, with World Bank support, to embark on the US$500 million Guelbs Iron Ore Project in 1979. The sale of US$120 million worth of SNIM shares to Arab investors was one means of raising the capital for this massive project. Further support was guaranteed by large loans from the World Bank, the Saudi Fund, France's Central Fund for Economic Cooperation (Caisse Centrale de Coopération Economique--CCCE), the Kuwait Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Abu Dhabi Fund, and the European Investment Bank. Smaller loans were secured from the Japan Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund, the African Development Bank, and the OPEC Special Fund.
In late 1984, the first phase of the Guelbs project went into operation with the opening of new surface mines at El Rheins, located in the Zouîrât district, about twenty-two kilometers from the Kedia deposits. Because the ore from the new deposits was not as rich as the Kedia ore (38 percent pure iron content as compared with Kedia ore's 65 percent iron content), the project required the construction of concentration and beneficiation facilities to raise the ore content to competitive marketing levels before export. Transportation, water, power, housing, and port facilities were also upgraded at Zouîrât and Nouadhibou to handle what was expected to be increasing ore exports. By 1987, however, world demand for iron ore had not risen as expected, and the 1986 opening of new Brazilian mines increased overproduction worldwide. The Guelbs project was not expected to be cost effective for some time, if ever. Plans for a second-phase expansion were postponed in 1987; the Kedia deposits were still in operation in late 1987 and were expected to continue production into the 1990s.
Since 1975 the decline of the iron mining industry, as represented by its direct contribution to GDP, has been constant. During the 1960s, mining directly accounted for no less than 25 percent and as much as 33 percent of GDP at current market prices. If indirect contributions to related industries are factored in, these proportions rise. By the mid-1970s, with its direct contribution to GDP around 20 percent, mining's total contribution to GDP was still above 30 percent. After 1976 mining's direct contribution to GDP fell, so that between 1980 and 1985 it averaged 10 percent; by 1987 it was only 8.6 percent.
Iron ore was the nation's most important source of foreign exchange for twenty years; the value of iron ore exports relative to other exports fell below 50 percent for the first time in 1983. In that year, exports of fish overtook iron ore exports as Mauritania's most important foreign exchange earner. In 1985 iron ore represented 40 percent of total export earnings, down from an average of 80 percent between 1963 and 1980.
Despite these relative declines, iron mining remained a key factor in the overall economy. In terms of relative export percentages, mining's decline had little effect on day-to-day operations. In the 1984-86 period, levels of tons of iron ore shipped from Nouadhibou were actually higher than in the 1982-83 period. In 1985 SNIM was the country's largest employer after the government and accounted for over 40 percent of the jobs in public sector enterprises. In the 1970s, iron ore contributions to government revenues were estimated at around 30 percent of all government revenues. This percentage probably declined during the 1980s, but in late 1987 statistics were unavailable. Between 1981 and 1986, mining royalties contributed about 5 percent to government tax revenues. The industry's actual contributions were much higher, however, when taxes paid on business profits and wages and salaries, employers payroll taxes, turnover taxes, export taxes, and nontax revenues from public enterprises are taken into account.
Mauritania's mineral wealth has been exploited since Neolithic times. Archeological evidence of a copper mining and refining site near Akjoujt in west-central Mauritania dates from 500 to 1000 B.C. Modern exploitation of copper at Akjoujt and the more important iron ore deposits between Fdérik and Zouîrât began after independence.
More about the Economy of Mauritania.
In 1967 the Mauritanian government formed a joint venture company with French and other interests to create the Mining Company of Mauritania (Société des Mines de Mauritanie--SOMINA). SOMINA was created to exploit copper deposits at Akjoujt. Operations began in 1973 but closed in 1975 because of the combination of high operating costs (particularly for fuel) and falling world commodity prices for SOMINA's low-grade ore. In 1975 the company was sold to SNIM. SNIM reopened the mine and continued to operate it at a loss until 1978, when the government separated SOMINA from SNIM and closed the mine. In the early 1980s, plans were laid to reopen the mines with backing from the Jordan-based Arab Mining Company of Inchiri (Société Arabe des Mines de l'Inchiri--SAMIN). By 1987, however, SAMIN had abandoned plans to operate the copper mine because of continued low world commodity prices and the high costs of processing the low-grade ore with its high arsenic content. In a related development, SAMIN planned to open a plant at Akjoujt to process copper tailings for gold content. Operations were scheduled to begin in 1988.
In 1973 SNIM began exploitation of large deposits of gypsum located about fifty kilometers northeast of Nouakchott. Total reserves of 98 percent pure gypsum were estimated at 1 billion tons. SNIM's operations during the 1970s entailed the export by road of roughly 17,000 tons per year to cement factories in Senegal. Senegal in turn sold cement to Mauritania on a rebate basis. Rising transportation costs forced a halt to operations in 1981. In 1984 production of gypsum resumed under the newly created SAMIA. SNIM held equal shares in SAMIA with the Kuwait Foreign Trading, Contracting, and Investment Company. Output in 1985 was 5,470 tons, which were consumed locally in a crushing and bagging operation that imported clinker from Senegal to make cement. Plans in 1987 called for resuming exports of gypsum to Senegal by sea once the new Chinese-built Friendship Port at Nouakchott became operational.
In 1984 a consortium discovered large deposits of phosphates near the Senegalese border. Nonetheless, by 1987 no plans existed to exploit these deposits (estimated at 95 million tons of rock, averaging approximately 20 percent of phosphate pentoxide). The high cost of building the infrastructure and facilities needed to exploit the deposits, estimated in 1984 at US$400 million, made exploitation unlikely for the foreseeable future.
In 1985 seismic surveys conducted jointly by Occidental Oil Company of the United States, the Chinese Petroleum Corporation of Taiwan, and Yukong Limited of South Korea indicated a high possibility of petroleum and natural gas reserves in Mauritanian waters. In 1987 the Amoco Oil Company signed an agreement with the government for a production-sharing contract to conduct offshore explorations in a 920,000-hectare tract west of Nouakchott. The company began seismic acquisition work in late 1987 and planned to drill exploratory wells in 1988.
Copper, Gypsym, Phosphates, and Oil
You can read more regarding this subject on the following websites:
Mining in Mauritania - Wikipedia
Mauritania Country Studies index
Country Studies main page