text:
Letter sent by President Shirley M. Tilghman on April 6, 2009
Dear members of the Princeton University community,
I am writing to provide you with an update on the continued impact of the economic downturn on the University. Since I wrote to you in January, I have been greatly heartened by the thoughtful response of the community to the goal we set for ourselves: protecting those commitments that are most central to our mission. These include maintaining our historic leadership in financial aid for undergraduates and fellowship support for graduate students; preserving, and whenever possible, enhancing the quality of the faculty; and sustaining the quality of our dedicated staff. We have sought to preserve our human capital by achieving vacancy savings on both the academic and administrative sides and by identifying categories of spending where we could conserve or do without. Because of your willingness to make hard but strategic choices, we can say with confidence that we have been able to reduce our spending without compromising the quality of the education we provide or the research and scholarship we conduct. We also continue to benefit from a long tradition of prudent management of the University's resources, which puts us in a relatively strong position to weather the economic storm. Finally, the loyalty and generosity of our alumni/ae, parents and friends remain a source of great strength. As I have traveled around the country over the last three months, I have been continually struck by the larger than expected turnouts at Princeton events, and the interest in and concern for the impact of the downturn on the University expressed by everyone I meet.
Unhappily, the news from the financial markets has not improved since January. Indeed the markets have continued to decline in value, and Andrew Golden, the President of the Princeton University Investment Company, has now advised us that we should be planning for a 30% decrease in the value of the endowment on June 30, 2009, the end of our fiscal year, rather than the 25% we have been using in our budget projections for next year. This is, of course, a "best guess," but it is one that we must take seriously.
As we respond to this more pessimistic outlook for endowment earnings, we have been forced to revisit the FY2010 budget that was approved by the Board of Trustees in January to identify additional savings. That budget, you may recall, contained a very modest salary increase pool that directed the largest percentage increases to the University's untenured faculty and lower-paid staff, and capped all increases at $2,000. In a variety of settings over the last few months, we have heard from both faculty and staff that they would be willing to forego their increases to minimize the number of lay-offs that might affect their co-workers. Given the new estimate of reduced endowment income, Provost Chris Eisgruber sought the advice of the members of both the Priorities Committee and the Committee on Appointments and Advancements (the Committee of Three) on a proposal to eliminate raises for tenured faculty and for staff with salaries exceeding $75,000, while continuing to provide increases for most untenured faculty and for staff with salaries under $75,000. These representatives of the community who participate in setting salaries each year encouraged us to take this step, which will result in savings of approximately $4 million next year, and the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees accepted this recommendation last weekend. I deeply regret that this action will add to the financial challenges that many of you face.
It is also essential that we begin to plan beyond the coming academic year. Over the last two months Provost Eisgruber and Executive Vice President Mark Burstein have described in a variety of campus meetings the impact of the market downturn on the financial status of the University, emphasizing that it will take multiple years to restore a decline of 25% in endowment value. With the prospect of a 30% decline in value by June 30, 2009, followed by the likelihood that next year will see no rebound in earnings, we must begin detailed planning for that multi-year budget reduction process now. Even with the substantial savings we anticipate in the 2009-10 academic year, we will be spending 6.7% of the endowment's value next year, well outside our target range of 4-5.75%. If we are to preserve the spending power of the endowment for future generations, we must begin to bring our spending closer to the policy that governs how much of the endowment we may prudently spend each year.
For the coming academic year each department has already been asked to prepare for a 5% reduction in its non-personnel administrative budget and an 8% decrease in its income from restricted endowment accounts. These savings, when combined with actions taken centrally, will result in an overall reduction of $88 million in the FY2010 budget. This represents a reduction in the operating budget of 6.8%, based on this year's $1.3 billion budget. We are now certain that a reduction of similar magnitude will be required in the 2010-11 academic year, which means another 8% cut in endowment spending on top of this year's reduction. Even with this further belt-tightening, we will not be in compliance with our policy for at least another year after that.
In the near future department managers will be receiving from the Provost a two-year savings target to be achieved by FY2011, which will include the savings they have already planned for in the coming year. There is no question that this overall two-year target of $170 million in savings will be difficult to achieve, as the first round of cuts eliminated the majority of things that were relatively easy to forego. The steady growth in both faculty and staff that we have enjoyed over the last 10 years will end, and the University will have to contract in size. However, if we do this carefully and responsibly it is my conviction that the University will come through this difficult period stronger than ever. This is a time that calls for us to be as thoughtful as possible about what is most important to the success of Princeton, and to preserve those qualities aggressively.
The revised estimate for the endowment's performance will also affect the 10-year capital plan. The slowdown in all new projects, which we put in place in January, remains in effect, and any decision to go forward with a renovation or new construction project will be made on a case-by-case basis, contingent on having 100% of the funding in hand. The stimulus package that was just passed by the Congress contains some funding for infrastructure, and Dean for Research Stew Smith is actively seeking to attract some of those resources to Princeton. In the meantime we will continue to move forward with designs and approvals for the highest priorities in the plan: the new home for the Lewis Center for the Arts, the Neuroscience Institute and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. It is our intention to be "shovel ready" at the moment when funding becomes available.
Let me conclude by thanking Provost Eisgruber, Executive Vice President Burstein, Dean of the Faculty David Dobkin, Vice President for Finance Carolyn Ainslie and Vice President for Human Resources Lianne Sullivan-Crowley, as well as the many members of their staffs, who have worked so tirelessly over the last several months to implement these painful but necessary budget cuts. And I thank all members of the Princeton community who have worked in partnership with them, without complaint and with both inventiveness and determination, to execute the plan. I am truly grateful that the sense of community we celebrate in good times is in such clear evidence when times get tough.
Shirley M. Tilghman


text:
A hot 5-7 at Walla Walla for a charming mature woman without a man
First name: Florbella,
Age: 49 yo,
City: Walla Walla (WA)
I am single and live a fully promiscuous life. I don't hide from my girlfriends that I regularly have relations with guys who I don't know well enough. I'm sort of a sex expert. I love being taken for hours. We can meet up in Walla Walla and its surroundings. I can usually meet you for an interview on the weekend. I would like a man who is rather passionate and most importantly has a very nice penis to give me lots of sensations as I am quite the greedy girl. I know how to handle my fuck buddies to get them excited. I'm looking forward to your proposals. I'm looking forward to the first meeting, it's what gets me most excited...
Looking for a hot young blonde woman, 30 years old, to lick Perth Amboy
Sexy Leah
First name: Mirabella,
Age: 30 yo,
City: Perth Amboy (NJ)
In reality, I don't have a type when it comes to my one night stands. But it's important that this guy be naughty. I need long foreplay because I want to build up the heat before we fuck. I am usually free to meet you in the early part of the day. We can see each other on Perth Amboy and its surroundings. I just want to find a man for sex because I love making love without limits with a stranger. I personally do a lot of new things so I want a big experienced slut. So, I am looking forward to reading your meeting proposals. I can't wait to see you again. I'm sure we'll have a great time with this hookup. Good job! I give you a big hug.
Looking for a nympho girl to meet up with for sex Wylie
Sexy Leah
First name: Zena,
Age: 35 yo,
City: Wylie (TX)
I would like an adulterous meeting with a naughty person who enjoys dirty games. I actually want someone who is very available and creative in order to have fun. Ideally, I would like the boys who write to me to be blond and preferably muscular. I'm looking for a man who is endurance because I ask a lot of sex. I can stay in bed all day if the person I'm with knows how to handle it. The simplest way to have a date in the city center for this future plan. Otherwise I'm free at night and on Sundays. Therefore, I invite you to contact me immediately if you want to make me feel good. I want a virile rogue. I'm leaving.
Hot announcement: woman in couple on Ithaca for a hot one-night stand
Sexy Leah
First name: Tayba,
Age: 39 yo,
City: Ithaca (NY)
I'm attracted to guys who are cute. I also want a guy with a big dick because otherwise I don't get off. I just want to fuck you good. I am a cougar woman, and I am attracted to young boys who are 42 years old or younger. I love being in charge during a one night stand because I know exactly how to get you excited. I have no taboos because I am a free woman. I can usually meet you in the early afternoon for a meeting. We can meet up in Ithaca and its surroundings. You can leave a message proposing me a one night sex date. I would like to remind you that I am only interested in guys who are younger than me. Kisses!
An old woman who is deprived of sex wants a man tonight on Pawtucket
Sexy Leah
First name: Anne-stéphanie,
Age: 46 yo,
City: Pawtucket (RI)
Welcome everyone, I am a charming young woman of a certain age and I live Pawtucket. My name is Anne-stéphanie, I am alone and I am especially slutty. I prefer a man who is quite passionate and most importantly has a long penis in order to give me a lot of pleasure because I am quite hot. I know how to deal with my encounters to make them hard. I want to see you at your home because I need to be very discreet. However, I am free after work for this hot date. I love 69ing because it makes me cum really hard. I need a man who will be very good at licking my pussy. I'm personally quite skilled at taking your cock in my mouth. I also want to be taken savagely because I prefer the very hot well-endowed rogues. I'm a dirty slut who wants to scream. So I'm just looking to have an intense night of sex with a guy who's not annoying. If you like it, please leave a comment. I would be happy to transfer my email or phone number so we can chat. Big kisses.
Slutty woman for a threesome on Jurupa Valley with her husband
Sexy Leah
First name: Naolie,
Age: 25 yo,
City: Jurupa Valley (CA)
Welcome couples, my name is Naolie and I am 25 years old. I am 28 years old and I consider myself to be quite open-minded when it comes to sex. We can meet you at our apartment but if you prefer we can move around Jurupa Valley and its surroundings. We are only free for this future threesome on weekends. We want a naughty guy for some swinging. Age is not important to us, but a good feeling is always crucial for enjoying our company. We love soft BDSM. It's best when I'm tied up so my guy can ogle me while you make love to me and I'll come like never before. We hope to see your hottest desires. I hope to read your messages. Kisses! See you soon.
A night out for a hot redhead in Hanford
Sexy Leah
First name: Agueda,
Age: 19 yo,
City: Hanford (CA)
Hello naughty ones, my name is Agueda and I'm 19 years old. I live in Hanford. I am quite sexy, naughty and mischievous. I'm attracted to a fairly young man and the most important thing is that he has a very nice tool to give me a lot of pleasure as I am a very naughty girl. I know how to handle my conquests to make them hard. I'm a girl who's good at giving blowjobs so you'll get a nice boner. I also really enjoy trying out unusual sexual practices, like anal sex. I want to meet you at your place because I need to be discreet. However, I am available on Saturday for this hot appointment. So I'm looking to have some fun with a nice guy. If you're interested, let me know. I would be happy to provide you with my email or phone number so we can chat. See you soon.
A hot three-way encounter with a libertine in cpl St. Joseph
Sexy Leah
First name: Maria-manuella,
Age: 26 yo,
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We're just looking for a liberated guy to do some cuddling. Age is not important, but respect is essential for enjoying each other's company. We can meet you one evening during the week. We don't have a problem accommodating you for this date or meeting up with you wherever you'd like. We love going to swingers clubs to play. We are a very open couple. I personally love threesomes because I'm very naughty and my boyfriend is OK with sharing me. So we're on this libertine dating site to enjoy ourselves with some guys. You must leave us a message if you want to see us. Kisses.
Beautiful married woman looking for some naughty fun on Owensboro
Sexy Leah
First name: Barberine,
Age: 25 yo,
City: Owensboro (KY)
We are a pretty open couple who loves doing things that are out of the ordinary. We especially love exhibitionism and watching couples fuck in public places with other kinky people. I don't have any physical criteria because it's only for a one night stand... But on the other hand I need a real masculine man, my husband really needs to see another man make me go wild. We are free in the afternoon to see each other and spend time together. We would prefer to offer you an appointment in a public place if that is acceptable to you. Now that you know what I'm looking for, feel free to leave me a message. I'm sure I'll have a great time with you. I'll talk to you soon. Kisses
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We are a mature couple and my name is Noure. We prefer to go on swingers sites to play between kinky people. Our ideal would be a man of our age for this swingers' rendezvous. As a woman with a hearty appetite, I need another man to join in and have some fun together. I agree to give you a date at your place. I'm not against meeting up for a date in an exhibition space in Springfield. We practice BDSM. The best for me is when I am tied up so that my guy can see you when you fuck me and I will scream of pleasure like never before. Now, we're waiting to receive your dirtiest advances. I hope to see your comments. I kiss you! See you soon.
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subset: commoncrawl


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As the alleged drunk driver who struck and killed an 8-year-old boy in January awaits trial, city officials hope pedestrian education efforts will prevent a future tragedy.
An expressionless Victor Aldana, 22, of Fairfax County, made appearances in general and juvenile courts for preliminary hearings Monday. Authorities charged Aldana with DUI manslaughter, DUI maiming, reckless driving and driving without a license after losing control of his car on January 15.
Police say Aldana was drunk when the Guatemalan national's car, a 1994 Honda Accord, veered off the road, killing Brian Hernandez-Chavez of the Lincolnia area and injuring his 31-year-old mother. The car, traveling westbound on Duke Street near the interchange with I-395, came to a stop after hitting a traffic control box and the highway guardrail.
A fund created to support the boy's family has raised nearly $14,000 since his death.
City prosecutors sought to combine the charges against Aldana in juvenile court — because Hernandez-Chavez was a minor — and those in general district court into a single grand jury indictment. Five witnesses testified against Aldana, prosecutors told Judge Becky Moore.
A grand jury will take up Aldana's case in March, officials said.
The boy's death shocked the community, particularly West End residents. Cameron Station Civic Association representative Mindy Lyle lobbied city council members to make necessary safety improvements at their January 21 meeting.
"People risk their lives on a daily basis going about the simple tasks many of us take for granted," she told the city council. "Every day hundreds of people cross [I-395] on Duke Street without the benefit of signals, signage or pedestrian education … They must get to jobs, school, doctors or run errands by the only avenue they have available."
When and if Landmark Mall is redeveloped, the adjacent roads will undergo significant improvements in conjunction with the state, said Rich Baier, transportation department director. Until then, officials will meet with pedestrians in the area and discuss safety concerns.
They also will push pedestrians to consider mass transit, he said, thus hopefully removing them from the busy interchange altogether.
"Unfortunately, [pedestrians are] walking through the middle of this mega I-395 interchange, which spans [more] than a city block," Baier said. "It's definitely a difficult issue."


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Urban Hearth: A Charming Gem Near Davis Square (North Cambridge, MA)
Urban Hearth is a small and charming supper club in North Cambridge, a short walk from Davis Square station. They're open for dinner and also for weekend brunch.
I tried Urban Hearth recently and got a cozy corner table by the window. Urban Hearth offers a seasonal prix fixe menu for supper, with a three-course option for $70 or five courses for $85. We picked the three course option but ended up with a lot more food thanks to the extra appetizer, palate cleansers, etc.
Even though the above pricing doesn't include wine pairing, they started us off with a cocktail made with blackberry syrup, pineapple and chamomile infused vodka, and lime.
The appetizer before the first course: bread with za'atar and red pepper feta
For the first course my friend got the Lamb dumplings, flowering mustard, pickled cherries, leek soubise, spring onion
I admit, I had food envy, the lamb dumplings were great, especially paired with the cherries!


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It's Easy to Create Your Own Custom Rosary!!!
Step 1: Choose your beads. These 8mm AB ALEXANDRITE flat daisy shaped, Czech glass beads would make a fun and beautiful Speziale rosary. (FYI: there is no additional charge for mixing different colors/shapes of beads within the same price group, but if you would like to see some great Pater options click here.)
Step 2: Choose your wire & chain. The price for this rosary includes a basic wire/chain option similar to most store bought rosaries (22 gauge silver plate European craft wire with Italian silver plate flat link chain). But if you want something more sturdy, or a different finish, upgrades are available for an additional cost. (For more information click here to see pictures of the various wire and chain options.)
Step 3: Choose your favorite Center & Crucifix. You may choose from those pictured above, or click on these links (Centerpiece Choices, Crucifix Choices, Matching Sets) to see All of your available options. Remember, if you would like to see a picture of your beads and parts together before ordering please don't hesitate to contact me.
Step 4: Medals and charms are a great way to add character and individuality to any rosary. Click here to check out what's currently available.
For more information regarding my custom rosaries please check out my custom rosary page. It usually takes a couple of days to complete your rosary once the order is placed. If you want to create a rosary that combines various colors or types of beads, or if you just need help narrowing down your choices, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks for looking!
God Bless and have a great day! :)
Do you love Alexandrite? Click here to see ALL of your purple glass & crystal bead options.
This price grouping includes many other colors as well. Click here to see what's available!!
**** Please don't eat your rosary!! ****
I'm just kidding, but due to the CPSIA Law passed in 2008 and the government fear that kids and pre-teens will eat their rosaries, my rosaries, parts, and supplies are no longer recommended for children under the age of 13 years. Please click here to learn more about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and how it affects you and your family.
Copyright Rosaries by Speziale. All Rights Reserved. eCommerce Software by The Most Awesome 3dcart.


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Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer
San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said late Tuesday they had recovered human remains in the burned cabin where they believed fugitive former police officer Christopher Dorner was holed up after gun battles with law enforcement officers. One lawman was killed and another wounded in the shootout. The manhunt for Dorner began after he was named a suspect in the slaying of two people in Orange County on Feb. 3. In two shootings last week, he allegedly killed one police officer and wounded two others.


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LONDON -- A letter in which Albert Einstein dismissed the idea of God as a product of human weakness is being sold on eBay for a starting price of $3 million.
The letter, handwritten in 1954, a year before Einstein's death, was addressed to philosopher Eric Gutkind. In it, Einstein discussed his views on religion, including calling "the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish."
An anonymous collector who bought the letter in 2008 is putting it on sale on online auction site eBay from Monday. The auction closes Oct. 18.
Eric Gazin, a spokesman for the sale, said Sunday: "With the interest in Einstein, along with the questions this (letter) touches on, we feel it is well worth the price."


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edit: finally...
Top Gun: Hard Lock
Game » consists of 2 releases. Released Mar 06, 2012
Top Gun: Hard Lock is a game adaption of the famous 1986 Top Gun movie.
E3 2011: Top Gun: Hard Lock Trailer
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text:
Confession: I'm one of those people who snicker or smirk when certain words are pronounced differently from how I've been raised to say them.
Examples: Coupon. Caramel. Mayonnaise. Pajamas. Scallops. Worcestershire. And a common one--pecan*.
*For the record, I personally say pah-cahn, with the emphasis on the second syllable. For the record, all three are correct.
It's taken me awhile to fully appreciate the pecan and all its many applications. While you still won't see me reaching for a handful of plain ol' pecans, all you have to do is salt 'em and toast 'em or toss them with caramel (that's with three syllables, if you please) and I'm excited.
My most recent use for the lovely nuts was a unique case. I often bookmark recipes that I see on other blogs, but rarely do I make them the next day. When I saw Karly's post featuring her twist on the gooey butter cake, I didn't waste a second.
All I had on hand was a lemon cake mix, but it worked out quite nicely. For obvious reasons, a butter cake mix would be better. Regardless, if you like both pecans and the traditional version of gooey butter cake (and honestly, how could you not?), this dessert is for you. The nuts in the bottom layer make it blissfully crunchy and rich. Yes, even more rich than the original. Paula Deen would be proud.
Say, what other words get pronounced differently depending on the region?
Gooey Butter Pecan Bars
(motivated by Karly's post)
1 box (18.25 oz) lemon cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, melted butter, and pecans. Mix well and press into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
Cream together the cream cheese, 2 remaining eggs, and powdered sugar until well combined. Pour over the crust.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. It should be gooey, but not runny. Cool completely before cutting, 1-2 hours. Store in the refrigerator. read more words!


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Today's Names to Know: Tom Brady, Chester Taylor, Terrell Owens, Matt Schaub, Lloyd Carr, Kansas vs. Missouri, Tim Tebow vs. Chase Daniel, Michael Beasley, A-Rod and More!
Pats 19-0 Watch: Pats run record to 10-0 after steamrolling the Bills, 56-10.
Tom Brady had another 5 TD day (with 0 INTs), still tracking for the greatest season for a QB in NFL history. Cripes: It's like the Bye made them even better.
NFL Wrap: (1) Heckuva job, Browns! There isn't a more feel-good story in the NFL this year (including Brett Favre and the Packers) than the Cleveland Browns; they are this year's Saints, without the sociological undercurrents. Phil Dawson's crazy kicking exploits only serve as ideal symbolism...
(2) So given Chester Taylor's numbers, was it really Adrian Peterson or was it the Vikings' offensive scheme? Probably a little more of both than we all wanted to believe...
(3) For once, Terrell Owens has the right to gloat after that 4-TD performance. It's worth asking if it was the best game of his career...
(4) Any remaining doubts that Matt Schaub was worth trading for? What a difference getting over a concussion makes...
(5) Upset of the Week: Who had the Jets beating the Steelers?...
(6) Dolphins 0-16 Watch: At least the Fins opened up a 2-game advantage for the first overall draft pick on the Jets, 49ers and suddenly sizzling Rams...
(Meanwhile, would you rather be a Dolphins fan, where you kind of KNEW you would suck and the epic ignominy of 0-16 is a distinct possibility, or a Chargers fan, where you thought you'd be a contender but your team is utterly disappointing? The Fins fans have it tough, but I think Chargers fans take the "Sucks Worst to Be You" Award among NFL fans.)
CFB: Lloyd Carr to announce retirement from
Other contenders? I'd put WVU's Rich Rodriguez and Cincy's Brian Kelly on my short list. I'm sure others would push
UPDATE: Let me clarify. I'm talking about the Top 5 college football coaching jobs TODAY. "History" only matters as it relates to resources and recruiting, which are the two biggest factors in the ranking.
A third would be "opportunity to play for national championships," which is really a function of the first two. Michigan has a relatively easy path to the national title (one brutal game, Ohio State, and whatever Big Ten team is having a particularly and anomolously good year), but you just don't get the sense that the resource intensity is there to the extent that it is at the other 5 I mention.
Why do you think Michigan is defacing the Big House in the face of all that griping about "tradition" from its octogenarian alumni base? Because that's part of the calculation that goes into success on the field.
I'm not saying it's not a great job. It is. It's just not in the Top 5 anymore. Top 10? Totally. Top 5? Sorry, but no.
CFB Weekend Wrap: Down to four, max. It's fairly simple: Only four teams really seem to have any shot at playing in the national title game. LSU and the KU-Mizzou winner have the inside track, but the KU-Missouri winner has to beat
If either stumble,
If WVU can't (or both LSU and the KU/MU winner stumble), Ohio State would be in position to back into the title game, actually using the two-week layoff at the end of the Big Ten season to their advantage. (Nice role-reversal from last year's scenario.)
Beyond the BCS title game, the intrigue lies in which teams will be the BCS at-large selections. If the Hawaii-Boise winner is in the BCS Top 12, they get an automatic bid (which would be a shame, last year's performance by
Given the way things are shaping up, I could see traditional powers who don't win their conference's automatic BCS bid (USC, Texas or Florida, among others) jumping more qualified teams ahead of them in the rankings. All should be within the BCS' at-large qualifications of 9 wins and a Top 14 BCS ranking.
This week's BlogPoll ballot: I flip-flopped from last week. LSU is No. 1, followed by
Heisman Watch: It's hardly typical Shanoff homerism to say that Tim Tebow is the front-runner, especially after he became the first player in college football history to run and pass for 20 TDs each.
That said: If Chase Daniel can lead
Regardless, it's time to bring back the tradition of bringing five candidates to
CBB: When the new polls come out today, I would put
Beasley Watch: Meanwhile, if you thought Kevin Durant put up dominant, eye-popping numbers for a freshman, you really need to follow
NBA: The Celtics FINALLY lost. Now, they only lost by 2, the game was in
Amazingly, the Magic won by being out-rebounded 41-28; the difference appeared to come at the free-throw line, where the Magic were 31/44 and the C's were 18/26.
How about the Magic at 9-2, with a win over
Meanwhile, the Bulls playing the Lakers was a nice moment to second-guess the Bulls for not pulling the trigger on a deal to bring
MLB Awards Season: Today, A-Rod will be crowned AL MVP in what should be a runaway. It was arguably his best individual season yet, though the accomplishments were/are once again diminished by the lack of postseason success and – this year – the inelegant way his contract opt-out was handled by Scott Boras. The only redeeming situation was that A-Rod seemed to minimize
MLB Hot Stove: Tom Glavine gets a homecoming with the Braves for 1Y/$8M. Too bad Greg Maddux signed his deal with the Padres, or we could have a full-on mid-90s reunion in ATL.
NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson wins second straight Nextel Cup title. Under Shanoff definitions, that qualifies him as a NASCAR dynasty.


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Lighting system
Lighting for refined images
Whether you shoot stills or movies, lighting is the key to creating a mood that effectively conveys your artistic intent. Here we'll introduce a few lighting tools and techniques you can use to capture professional quality images.
Flash guide numbers (GN)
External flash for greater distance
"Guide Numbers" specify a flash unit's ability to illuminate subjects at a distance. The guide number is equal to the maximum flash-to-subject distance multiplied by the appropriate aperture F-number: Guide Number (GN) = distance (m) x aperture (F-number)
A guide number of 60 (in meters at ISO 100), for example, means that a subject 15 meters away will be properly illuminated with an aperture setting of F4 (60 = 15 x 4). If you decrease the aperture size to F8, the distance will be halved so that subjects at a maximum distance of 7.5 meters (60 = 7.5 x 8) will be properly illuminated. Boosting the camera's ISO setting can produce results similar to using a flash unit with a higher GN.
External flash units
Bounce Flash
Soften shadows and enhance depth
Although an off-camera flash setup can enhance visual depth, it is usually easier and sometimes just as effective to bounce the light from an on-camera flash unit off a nearby surface such as a wall or ceiling for more natural lighting with enhanced dimensionality. The difference can be dramatic, and since the flash unit stays on the camera you retain maximum mobility and speed. Bouncing the flash also provides broader coverage, and is ideal when you need to light a group of people, for example.
Ceiling bounce
Aim the flash towards the ceiling to diffuse and spreads the light for softer moods and more sophisticated images than can be achieved with direct flash.
Direct flash
Bounce flash
Wall bounce
You can also bounce off a wall if you want soft shadows that fall to the side of subject contours. This approach can sometimes blend better with indoor lighting.
Direct flash
Bounce flash
Flash Synchronization
High-speed and slow flash sync
To create background bokeh in bright light you need a fast shutter speed with a large aperture. If you also need fill flash the maximum shutter speed will be limited, and that can make it impossible to use a large enough aperture. High-speed sync (HSS) makes it possible to use flash at all shutter speeds, so you can increase the aperture as needed.
Slow sync is used in situations where a slow shutter speed is required to properly expose background scenery indoors or at night. The flash fires to expose the subject, and then rather than closing immediately the shutter remains open for long enough to expose the background as well. This gives you well-balanced images in which both the subject and background are properly exposed.
High-speed sync
Fill-in flash normally limits shutter speed, requiring a small aperture that keeps the background in focus. HSS allows high shutter speed and large aperture for shallow depth-of-field.
Slow sync
Normal flash properly exposes the subject but the background is dark. With slow-sync flash both the subject and background are correctly exposed.
Off-camera flash
1, 2, and 3 light setups with ratio control
Multiple off-camera flashes can dramatically expand your lighting options. Ratio control, via infrared or radio communication, can make it easy to achieve ideal light output from each light.
1 light: B
Although multiple light setups offer greater versatility, a single off-camera flash can produce beautiful images by moving the main light source away from the camera axis for deeper, more interesting shadows and contours. Reflected light provides some additional fill. The on-camera flash unit (A) is used for control only, while the off-camera flash unit (B) functions as the primary light source for the entire scene.
2 lights: B + C
A 2-light setup offers more versatility and control, letting you position the flash units and adjust their output to achieve optimum subject depth with just the right ratio of key to fill lighting. The main "key "light (B) illuminates the subject from the side, while the "fill" light (C) softens shadows and lights the background. Compared to the 1-light setup above, the subject is more clearly defined and distinct from the background. As in the 1-light setup, on-camera flash (A) provides control only.
3 lights: B + C + D
A third light provides extra freedom for lighting the background and defining subject contours. This example employs key light (B) for primary subject lighting, with fill light (C) directly and broadly illuminating the background. The third light, rim light (D) in this case, provides a crisp line of light that defines the side of the subject that is furthest from the key light, so that she stands out clearly from the relatively bright background. Although this image has more even lighting throughout than either of the preceding examples, each element is clearly separate and well defined. On-camera flash (A) provides control only.
Off-Camera Flash Techniques Book
Flash units suitable for off-camera use
Radio Control
Although infrared remote light control is fine for close-range setups where ambient lighting is appropriate and there are no obstacles to block the control signals, radio remote will reliably handle a much wider range of environments. Sony's flash with a radio-based system (HVL-F45RM) and a wireless radio commander/receiver (FA-WRC1M/FA-WRR1) make setting up advanced multiple flash setups easy, and can deliver detailed, precise control data to up to 15 flash units within up to 5 groups (3 groups in TTL mode) over distances of up to approximately 98.4 ft. (30 meters). The control signals will reach the receivers regardless of prevailing lighting conditions, receiver location, or obstacles. Radio wireless ensures the most consistent results in the widest range of shooting situations.
Deep compositions
With a range of up to approximately 98.4 ft. (30 meters) using a flash or a commander with a radio-based system, you can strategically place and control lights to most effectively illuminate distant subjects or background details.
Reliable in any light
While infrared control can be disrupted by bright sunlight or other sources that include infrared components, radio control will operate reliably in any lighting conditions.
Work around obstacles
Radio control will work around obstacles that would block infrared control. Receivers can be positioned behind the camera or subject without compromising reliability.
Wireless radio controlled flash and commander/ receiver
[1] HVL-F45RM (receiver / off-camera flash)
[2] FA-WRR1 (receiver) + compatible flash (off-camera flash)
[3] FA-WRR1 (receiver) + studio flash (via sync cable)
[4] HVL-F45RM (commander / on-camera flash)
[5] FA-WRC1M (commander)
LED lighting
Extra light for better images
Efficient, long lasting LED lights can provide the extra illumination you need to capture high-quality images. They let you shoot at a lower ISO, and can make focusing easier.
Natural colour balance
Unadjusted LED light is close to natural sunlight, and it's easy to match the colour temperature of other types of lighting for natural colour balance wherever you shoot.
Continuous brightness adjustment
Variable brightness control allows brightness and light ratios to be easily adjusted to create the desired mood and bring out the desired degree of detail.


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Joe: So my friend and collaborator Blake Crouch and I are in Ohio, working on Stirred, and naturally we started talking about ebooks and the future of the industry...
Blake: Shouldn't we be writing our book?
Joe: Look, I'm just happy to be avoiding monkey and frog videos...
Blake: Yeah, that scarred me for life. Be the monkey!
Joe: We seem to have hit upon a less-offensive analogy to represent our thoughts on this matter. But let's start back at the beginning. And by that, I mean going back to working for the Big 6, and what they represented.
Blake: Back in the day, writers were hampered by a crucial component to getting their work to the reader: The means of distribution. We could write the best thing of our lives, but the only profitable method to getting a copy of this to the public was via legacy publishers, who were the only source for getting books into bookstores and non-bookstore outlets. This is why self-publishing used to be such a terrible and vain option for the writer.
Joe: Sure, you could self-pub. But you'd pay a fortune for sub-standard books that were non-returnable--or if they were returnable, you ended up with 3000 books in your garage because they were too expensive and the cover art was terrible. So bookstores wouldn't stock your book, and if they did, it probably wouldn't sell. Before ebooks, self-publishing was basically a one-way ticket to epic faildom.
Blake: Then along came Kindle, the first runaway hit in the ebook revolution. A few things made this momentous. First, the Kindle represented the first reader-friendly e-reading device that wasn't clunky. It was light. Sleek. And even at the opening cost of $399, reasonably affordable. But what made Kindle truly successful was the platform that supported it. Namely, Amazon's Kindle store. Never before had such a powerhouse of interconnected algorithms--geared toward leading the reader to niche content--been available to the book buyer.
Joe: Amazon created the Kindle, the proprietary format for the Kindle, and the store which directly linked to the Kindle. If it became successful, it could control distribution. Which it is currently doing.
Blake: But now, as we write this in the summer of 2011, Kindle isn't the only moving force. We have Kobo's ereader, the Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple, Sony...each creating their own proprietary format, their own online content stores.
Joe: But let's talk about the content provider. The writer. People like me and you.
Blake: You and I have had a good deal of experience with Big 6 publishers, and something we've come to understand is that, up until now, "content provider" hasn't meant a whole helluva lot. And it's not even a question of respect. There is a palpable disdain for writers that seems to permeate a lot of legacy publishing. You can even follow a number of "anonymous" twitter accounts from publishing insiders to get a view of how much the content providers are despised. Writers have been treated like mentally damaged children, incapable of providing input on basic elements such as cover design, title, product description, and even, God forbid, the next book we should write. Considering what's happening with ebook distribution these days, no writer should ever have to put up with that BS again from people who peddle the written word.
Joe: The Big 6 would come on to writers like a very attractive woman would come on to an eligible man. A crude analogy, but an apt one. They could pick and choose who they wanted to get into bed with, and the men were always grateful for the opportunity. After all, when a cute girl chooses you, you're flattered, excited, and you go for it, no questions asked.
But that ship has sailed. Now, the attractive woman isn't the Big 6. She is now the ereadermanufacturers who sell content on their online stores. Amazon, B&N, Sony, Kobo, Apple...
Blake: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss?
Joe: Sort of, but not exactly. The new boss offers more. Better royalties, more control, faster turnaround, non-exclusivity. There are some things that used to be included in the package but that the author is now responsible for, such as cover design and hiring an editor, but overall it's a more favorable deal.
Blake: Though maintaining control of things like cover design is actually huge gain.
Joe: Agreed. Sticking with the dating mentality, this new woman is better for you than the last woman was.
Blake: Absolutely...the difference is profound. All these benefits you just mentioned....it's like dating a woman who cares more about your needs and wants, is willing to try harder to make the relationship work, and who recognizes your value--what you're bringing to the equation.
She won't ever drop you. She'll let you make mistakes and forgive you. She'll take everything you have to offer, and give you more in return.
Joe: So now we have many writers deciding that the Big 6--which often have a love 'em and leave 'em mentality--perhaps aren't as preferable as other partners.
But I've also heard a lot of other rumblings in the writing community, from those who are afraid that Amazon, Kobo, B&N, Sony, Apple, Google, etc. are going to cut royalties as soon as they have a lock on more content, getting a bigger share for themselves and not treating the writer as well as they currently are.
Blake: They're going to cut off the nookie?
Joe: That seems to be the fear. But is it a good idea to bank on this fear? Should writers be afraid in a Cold War kind of way? Should this paranoia accelerate to the point of building bomb shelters?
Blake: Remember Y2K? When certain groups thought the world would lose critical power grids which might lead to mass hysteria? Some people bought assault weapons, stored up on years' worth of food. And mistrusted everybody. And what happened?
Joe: Not a damn thing. Paranoid is not a good way to live.
Blake: So walking around worrying that the hot chick is going to lose interest and dump you--to stick with the dating analogy--is equally a useless waste of anxiety. In reality, we have zero control over what corporate giants like BN, Amazon, etc., choose to do, particularly when these decisions may issue from boardrooms which have concerns far removed from those of independent authors.
Joe: I love working with Amazon, both through Kindle Direct Publishing and through Thomas & Mercer. Maybe I'll sign another deal with Thomas & Mercer, if the offer is right. But if it isn't, I'm not worried. I can still use KDP.
And if KDP decides to cut royalties, then there will be other places to go. But not back to the Big 6--if Amazon cuts royalties for authors, they will for publishers as well, which would mean an even smaller cut signing with a legacy house.
But worrying about anything beyond your ability to influence is pointless. Instead, we need to change the things that are within our control.
Blake: We need to make smart choices about the women we're dating.
Joe: Exactly. I like this dating analogy, so let's clarify it.
At first, the hottie was one of the Big 6, willing to plunk down an advance to publish your book, which we needed because they controlled distribution. They called the shots. We meekly obeyed, and were just thankful for the attention and the confirmation.
Lately, the hottie is the ereader manufacturers, who sell our content on their proprietary devices and give us more money and freedom than we ever had before.
But let's really think this through. In either case, the Big 6 or the ereader manufacturers, when we get paid, who is the one that is ultimately paying us?
Blake: The reader.
Joe: Exactly. The reader is the one who wants to go out with us. They're the one who ultimately pays us, by buying our writing. The store they buy it in, or the platform the buy it from, is secondary to the actual content they are procuring. First, they got our book in a bookstore from a Big 6 publisher. Then they got our book online from a website. But it is OUR books they're buying. We're the writers.
Blake: This isn't to say the platform, be it Amazon, BN, etc., isn't at the moment serving an incredibly useful purpose. They're facilitating two critical aspects of the reader-to-author transaction:
1) Convenience. The one-click, send-a-book-directly-to-your-personal-ereader has revolutionized reading in the 21st Century.
2) Visibility. More people discover writers on major retailers like Amazon and BN than anywhere else. In other words, you can go to one of these retailers looking to buy Lee Child or Stephen King, and, "accidentally" through customer recommendations and niche-focused best-seller lists, come across the work of J.A. Konrath or Blake Crouch.
Joe: If a hottie wants to date you, she has to know you exist, and that you're available.
In some cases, depending on how attractive and/or how eligible you are, she'll try harder to land you.
But we need to ultimately remember who the hottie is, and why she wants you.
Blake: The hottie isn't the Big 6 publisher. And she isn't the online retailer. She's the reader. That is ultimately who the author needs to connect with. Up until recently, the author has needed an assist in this area, but things are quickly changing. Here's a hard question...does a writer have to deal with an intermediary in this transaction?
Joe: Yes and no.
I think we all need to be assisted to a certain degree. Even J.K. Rowling, who is launching Potterville on her own, would no doubt sell more ebooks if she invited other retailers to sell her ebooks instead of doing it exclusively.
Blake: So why do you think she isn't partnering with other retailers?
Joe: Because attraction is mutual.
Blake: What the hell are you talking about?
Joe: I'm taking the analogy through to its ultimate conclusion.
A hottie is looking for you for one purpose: to get some. You can be flattered. You can be paranoid. But ultimately, they want what you have.
However, you also have what they want. You have the content.
We began this analogy by saying how much we wanted the hottie, whether it was a Big 6 publisher or an online retailer.
Then we realized the real hottie is the reader.
But the fact is, the hottie also wants us. Attraction goes both ways. Readers want books, writers want readers. We're hot for each other.
The writer is a hottie, too.
And we don't need anyone interfering in that relationship, because we're the only two parties who are actually needed in this equation. Everyone else is a middleman.
Blake: Yep, a dating service. The content, for the most part, has been relegated to a supporting role. But in reality, the content is the movie star.
Joe: No Big 6 without us. No online retailers without us. Those who sell the book exist because of the book, but the book can exist without those middlemen who sell it.
Blake: Don't we need retailers? Vetters? Publishers? Sellers? Not only to make work better, but to bring it to the attention of the masses?
Joe: We get our money from the masses. They're the ultimate hottie. Not the retailer. Not the publisher. Not any gatekeeper. Those second-tier hotties cannot exist without us. And their existence takes money from us. Perhaps they are worth the money they take, because they help us reach more readers, or help us release better content. But, ultimately, it is the readers who pay us, not those second-tiers.
Blake: And in a perfect world, the content provider, us, would sell directly to the reader, the content receiver.
Joe: Believe it or not, there is a way to do this, while still allowing for the assistance of the retailers.
We can emulate clouds.
Amazon.com is one website with loads of content.
www.JAKonrath.com and www.BlakeCrouch.com are two websites, with specific, niche, limited content.
BarryEisler has been working with his web designer on a PayPal store that automatically delivers ebooks to anyone who wants to buy through his website. Which got me thinking.
If I gave Barry two of my titles to sell on his website, we could split the money 30/70 on any he sold. Then I could sell two titles of Barry's on my website.
If I did this with a hundred authors, making sales from their books on my site, making sales from my books on their sites, I'm doing something analogous to cloud computing. I'm selling my books via a network rather than a specific location.
Blake: I'm also talking to a company right now who wants to do this very thing. They sought me out, because they saw a huge opportunity here to turn author websites into storefronts with the maximum amount of profit going to the writer. Their demo is mind-blowing and so smart. A reader can register their device on an author's website, and with a 1-click, have an ebook delivered straight to the device, the convenience factor has suddenly made shopping at a writer's website no different than shopping at Amazon or BN.com. And don't you think readers want to spend their money where the maximum amount goes to the writer?
Joe: Earlier, I talked about the ereader itself being a storefront. But web sites are also a storefront. They're the purest type of storefront as well, because they are a direct link between reader and writer. No publishers taking money. No retailers taking money (other than a small PayPal fee.)
Writers need to have their own PayPal stores. And it's a smart idea to say, "If you like my books, here are some others you might enjoy," and then offer other authors' books, as well.
If you were selective, choosing only books in your genre with similar appeal, you'd be helping readers wade through all the ebooks out there by giving them specific recommendations.
Let's look at the broader picture.
On Amazon.com, or BN.com, readers who are looking for my ebooks can find them. They can also find my ebooks by browsing, which accounts for a lot of my sales.
But those sites are only one URL, and they have a million other titles on them.
JAKonrath.com is also one URL. Readers who visit my site already know who I am, so why not make $2.60 on a $2.99 sale instead of $2.04? And since readers are on my site, why not sell your ebooks and give you 70%?
Then you can do the same for me on BlakeCrouch.com.
Now we're for sale on two URLs, mine and yours.
Let's add another dozen authors to the mix. Let's also cross promote by having one-page ads for each other's novels in the backmatter of our ebooks.
Now we're not a website. We're a cloud.
Blake: According to Wikipedia: Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network (typically the Internet).
By providing fans (readers, hotties) direct access to our works, and the works of others we recommend, we're providing a service.
Joe: It's not about what you have to sell. It's what you have to offer.
Blake: They're coming to our websites already, so they already know us and want to buy us. We're making it easy, and offering suggestions of other authors to buy. With fifty authors all in the same cloud, doing the same thing, we can reach a lot of people, and sell a lot of books.
If we choose these authors carefully (good writers with decent followings who write in similar genres) we can expand our brands, and our fanbases, exponentially.
Joe: I only have 10,000 people on my mailing list. You only have about 6000.
But put them together, that's 16,000.
Add more authors, more newsletters, more websites, more Google hits, and we have a niche cloud store that attracts fans, makes us higher profits, and is easier to find things than on Amazon.
We signed with the Thomas & Mercer imprint of Amazon because they can do a huge email push that sells a lot of ebooks for us.
But once a writer has a fan, that writer doesn't need a middleman anymore. They can sell an ebook directly to that fan. And if they also sell similar books by similar authors, that they believe they're fans would like, it's win-win.
Blake: I'm not ready to say the writer doesn't need that middleman anymore. He certainly doesn't need a middleman once a fan knows about him or her. But what Amazon and BN.com provide is the best possibly opportunity (as of August 2011) for readers who have not heard of me to discover me.
But...looking down the road, if enough writers with similar material were to have this "cloud," then other author websites would step in and serve the purpose online retailers like Amazon now serves. In other words, someone unfamiliar with me would discover me on Barry Eisler's website, or Brett Battles, or Ann Voss Peterson's, and they would have the option to buy me there. That's the future.
Joe: It would provide additional ways for readers to discover us, over a wide network of interconnected writers. Not competing with the browsing features on Amazon, but supplementing it.
Plus, we'd also make money being the retailer, selling each other's ebooks.
We would become our own middlemen. Sort of like United Artists, escaping the studio system and making their own movies.
Blake: All that's left is for a bunch of writers to band together and start selling their own ereader.
Joe: Let's call it the Konreader.


text:
Tom saw my VO Gentleman bike at Cirque last year and was impressed enough to order a frame on the spot, even though he already had a city bike on order from another builder. He also got the first one in the new brown color, which I really like. The frame was fillet brazed by Ahren Rogers.
Here are a few quotes:
"The ride is something spectacular, I've never ridden a frame that had fork trail and rake that allowed such a short slow turn that didn't also handle badly in higher speed turns , or feel like the bike could only track well in a straight line, but not the case with this frame , the ride is just terrific."And later:
"The bike is now in one configuration the I call "light errand" and one such errand was ridden today in light rain and wet roads to pick up by car from servicing. Later when it is warmer I'll install a front rack for regular runs to the winerys in the area to have lunch and pick up a couple of bottles of wine. ( The bike is so light right now I am almost reluctant to add any other weight.) The ride today was the first test of 650b tires (Panaracer Col de Vie) over rough surface, railroad crossings , and wet roads, all of which I am familiar with on my other bicycles, and the contrast is remarkable, what a nice ride."And what a nice build, neat saddle bag, Belleri Portuer bars, CLB guidonet levers, Simplex 440 long cage dérailleur, Suntour shifter... The photos speak for themselves. Thanks for sending them Tom.
As always, click on the photos to enlarge them.


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Can I Sell My House in Foreclosure in Worcester County?
Do you have a Worcester County Massachusetts house that's in foreclosure right now? Many people going through the Massachusetts foreclosure process want to get out from under that burdensome house and wonder if they can sell the house in foreclosure. The short answer: yes. The long answer: it's a little more complicated, but usually you … Continued


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Princeton University's district energy system provides a number of benefits to campus sustainability. In this video produced by the Student Environmental Communication Network, Edward "Ted" Borer, the University's energy plant manager, gives a tour through Princeton's cogeneration plant and provides a detailed look into the intricacies of cogeneration and Princeton's heat and electricity production.
District energy utilizes a centralized power plant to supply heat and electricity throughout a community, reducing inefficiencies of an energy production system based on distributed individual boilers and chillers.
In a typical power plant, exhaust heat made during the electricity generation process escapes in large quantities, leading to an efficiency of only 25 to 45 percent. Princeton's cogeneration plant, which is maintained by the Facilities Organization's Department of Engineering, captures this exhaust and then uses it to provide heat to the campus, creating a process that is between 70 and 80 percent efficient. This increase in efficiency greatly reduces the environmental footprint of the University community and thus creates a much more sustainable campus.


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When developing massively parallel applications on the GPU, you need a debugger capable of handling thousands of threads running simultaneously on each GPU in the system. CUDA-GDB delivers a seamless debugging experience that allows you to debug both the CPU and GPU portions of your application simultaneously.
If you already use GDB to debug your CPU application then getting started with CUDA-GDB involves learning just a few additional debugger commands. Just like GDB, CUDA-GDB provides a console-based debugging interface you can use from the command line on your local system or any remote system on which you have Telnet or SSH access. If you prefer debugging with a GUI frontend, CUDA-GDB also supports integration with DDD, EMACS, Nsight Eclipse Edition or the new Nsight Visual Studio Code Edition
Note that NVIDIA® CUDA Toolkit 11.0 (and later) no longer supports development or running applications on macOS. While there are no tools which use macOS as a target environment, NVIDIA made the macOS host version of cuda-gdb available up to CUDA 12.4. However, the macOS host versions were dropped as of CUDA 12.5.
CUDA-GDB Feature Set Overview
CUDA-GDB supports debugging of both 32 and 64-bit CUDA C/C++ applications. It provides full control over the execution of the CUDA application including breakpoints and single-stepping. You can examine variables, read/write memory and registers and inspect the GPU state when the application is suspended. Third party developers can leverage CUDA-GDB powerful features directly, see CUDA Samples, which can be downloaded with the latest CUDA Toolkit .
CUDA-GDB on Linux |
(Click to zoom) |
> Kernel launch stack information |
Developers should be sure to check out NVIDIA Nsight for integrated debugging and profiling. Nsight Eclipse Edition and Nsight Visual Studio Code Edition for Linux support, and Nsight Visual Studio Edition for Windows.
CUDA Debugging on Clusters
NVIDIA partners with the following vendors to provide cluster-class debugging solutions for CUDA applications:
CUDA-GDB Documentation
Questions on CUDA Tools
If you encounter difficulty with any of the CUDA Tools or have more questions please contact the NVIDIA tools team at firstname.lastname@example.com .


text:
Magnificent, stunning, breathtaking, incredible - one will quickly run out of superlative adjectives to describe Norway. After spending two weeks in this glorious country, I now know if Gods were to live on Earth, they would probably live in Norway.
It took me too long to get there and ever since my return I am constantly asking myself "Why did I wait so long to make this trip?"
The picture above epitomizes Norway for me. Big open empty spaces, hills, mountains, lakes and a lone red cottage in the middle. This is the image of Norway I have always carried in my head. My imaginative mind creating stories about the people living there, their routine and their lives. I craved to experience Norway first hand. So to say I was very excited about this trip would be a mild understatement.
Nature lovers will be in constant awe of the dramatic variety of contrasting landscapes this country offers and everyone will be dazzled by Norway's different faces. But Norway is not only for nature lovers. On the contrary, Norway's rich heritage provides an exceptional escape into the world of the Vikings and the Sami. Norway is the home of Edvard Munch, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. So, whether you appreciate art, admire culture or rave about sports, you will be sure to find it all in Norway. I did and I have not even seen the whole country yet!
Let me take you on a virtual trip through Norway and hopefully I can entice you to immediately book your next vacation to God's country!
From the very beginning we knew that the only way to really experience Norway would be on the road. We started with a few ideas but in the end found that renting a camper and traveling with our own "home on wheels" the most feasible means to cover the ambitious tour we had planned. For the first time in my life I was able to take the proverbial "kitchen sink" with me.
The camper was a medium sized luxury model with everything from a small bathroom to a kitchen corner, dinning table and enough beds to sleep 4 (6 if one really wanted to). With the camper nicely packed we set off and headed to Hirthals, Denmark, where we got on the ferry the following afternoon to Kristiansand, Norway. Traveling with a 7 year old boy in a camper is an adventure on it's own, add to that ferries carrying trucks, fancy cars and more campers we knew Soeren would be thrilled. Luckily Soeren is a master in keeping himself busy and the long hours of driving did not daze him at the least.
For those in Europe who do choose to travel with a camper, I recommend to really look and compare prices in your home country for best value. Initially we wanted to fly into Oslo and rent a camper from here, hoping to save up on driving time through Germany and Denmark. However, this proved to be twice as expensive as renting one here, including all the gas money.
Talking about money: if you are planning a vacation in Norway be prepared to dig a little deeper into your pockets. Despite the claim of a current advertising campaign for a store that "Not everything is expensive in Norway!" plastered on large posters across Oslo in several languages, Norway is expensive in comparison to most other European countries. So plan your vacation budget more generously. I lost the appetite for my delicious soft serve when I realized I paid €3 for it!
The trip from Hirthals to Kristiansand is a three hour ferry ride. For me it was perfect to take up one of my favorite hobbies, people watching and eavesdropping on conversations. Being able to speak a few languages always comes handy for this. Tom used the time to catch up on some much needed sleep, as he did most of the driving, and Soeren was busy exploring the ship.
Upon arrival in Kristiansand we were excited to make our way to our first stop in Norway - Mandal.
The route from Kristiansand to Mandal on the E 39 probably does not represent the most spectacular of Norwegian landscapes. Although it is very near to the sea, one would not really know it on the road, as the route takes you through dense forests and countless crystal clear lakes surrounded by hills and mountains. Nonetheless, I could feel my excitement building up and it gave me a good taste of what to come. Every time I let out a squeal of joy and begged for Tom to stop so I could take pictures, he would wisely inform me to wait "This is just the beginning. Save memory space on your chip!"
Tom who has visited Norway knew what to expect on part of our route, was a great guide and advisor.
Mandal is Norways southernmost town with approx. 14,400 residents. It was only a short one night stay for us, but I was glad we arrived at the camping place early enough to enjoy a stroll through the town.
Mandal is the perfect combination of a transparent town dotted with clean white houses and fine kilometer long sandy beaches.
Although the Sjosanden is the most popular beach in Norway, I found it rather crowded and noisy. Instead we made our way to the Furulunden Park, which is a gorgeous nature park with pine and birch trees. Just behind the park we found lovely, almost deserted sandy bays surrounded by smooth slabs of granite.
The pretty little town of Mandal is divided by the river Madalselva and our camping place was idyllically situated directly opposite the river.
You need to remember I have been brought up in hotels and albeit once for a short weekend with a girlfriend, I have never been camping. So I was not really sure what to expect from this type of arrangement. I was pleasantly surprised. Although Tom called us "snob campers" because of the camper (and not a tent), I was very happy. In comparison to other campers we saw on our trip I certainly did not feel like a snob.
The camping place we had chosen was an adorable one run by Anne Sofie and Kristian Sandnes. I had contacted them prior to our departure and was excited to meet them in person. They welcomed us warmly and even made sure we got best places in their kitchen for the match between Argentina and Germany (even if it was for the last few minutes of the match)! Sandnes Camping is about 2.5 kilometers from the city center of Mandal and one can easily stroll along the river to the town, taking in the lovely view. It was perfect.
We did not have much time to discover all that Mandal offers as after a good night's sleep (I slept like a baby) and a wonderful breakfast sitting outside our camper overlooking the river, we headed off towards Stavangar.
Sandnes Camping
Holumsveien 133
4516 Mandal
Telephone: +47 38 26 51 51
Mandal Tourist Information
Bryggegate 10
4514 Mandal
Telephone: +47 38 27 83 00
Stavangar and Preikestolen
Our actual destination was the Preikestolen and decided to stopover en route in Stavanger. There are two routes that will take you to Stavanger.
The inland route takes you from Flekkefjord to Stavanger over the E 39 and is approx. 130 kilometers. The coastal route along the RV 44 although longer (approx. 150 kilometers) and time-consuming was recommended to us by friends and various travel guides for it's scenic landscapes and views. However, we decided to take the inland route and were by no means disappointed.
The landscape was interestingly diversified with exceptional jagged cliffs up to 500m high, luscious green pastures and many beautiful lakes and rivers, just waiting for us to dive in. It was a beautiful day and we decided to stop and take a dip - my first in a Norwegian fjord!
Stavanger is Norways oil metropolis and lies on the Boknafjord. As we had half a day we picked out two or three points of interest we really wanted to see.
Stavangar, in comparison to the rest of what we experienced in Norway, had an extremely busy pace, even on a Sunday! The city is expanding tremendously and one can really feel the power. I was keen to get to the harbor and the quaint older part of the town, looking for a quiet stroll along the narrow and pretty streets, where the houses were colorfully decorated with summer flowers.
The harbor was incredibly alive with tourists, music and several events taking place. I was rather disappointed that a huge cruise liner docked at the harbor was spoiling the view. However, it did provide an interesting picture against the small houses in the city.
If you are traveling with kids from 6 and above I would really recommend going to the Stavanger Petroleum Museum. An elaborately built museum focusing on the topic of oil and it's production in the North Sea. The museum has great true to scale models where kids can actually work with them hands-on.
Stavangar Petroleum Museum
Kjeringholmen 4004 Stavanger
Telephone: +47 51 93 93 00
Tickets: 9 Euro
After about half a day in Stavangar we carried on to our camping place, east from Stavangar at the Preikestolen. We chose the Preikestolen Camping place due to it's location. The next day we had planned a long hiking and climbing trip up to the Preikestolen and wanted to get an early start.
The Preikestolen is a must on everyones list visiting Norway. While it is not the highest mountain, it certainly is the most famous. After Tom showed me the pictures of his trip several years ago it was a must on the list.
A 600m vertical wall directly into the Lysefjord with a stunning view as a reward - that was motivation enough for me. There are two ways one can experience the Preikestolen. Either by boat, which sets off from Stavangar and takes you right to the foot of the Preikestolen or on foot, which will take you right to the peak of the Preikestolen.
We wanted the view and had planned to climb/hike up to the mountain. Tom was certain that the climb up was something both Soeren and I would manage. However, as the new day rolled in so did the dark clouds and plenty of rain. We waited did some grocery shopping and waited some more.
In the end we decided to just do it. Packing ourselves in our warm rain gear and hiking boots, carrying a small picnic in our backpacks and my camera equipment we set off for the day.
The climb up to the Preikestolen begins at the parking lot. On the whole it's not a very long journey - about 4 kilometers but plan about 2 hours for the climb. The parking lot is at about 270 meters above sea level and Preikestolen is at 600 meters so there is a 330 height difference you will be covering.
Make sure you wear sturdy and good hiking boots for the climb up. As you can presume from the height difference there is a bit of a climb. The boots should also be water resistance as there are parts of the climb where you literally have to walk across small waterfalls. After seeing a lady trying to manage the climb in pink ballerinas and a handbag I not only had a good laugh but also told Tom that I do not want to hear a word about being the exotic bird at all the camping places with my beauty case!
A good idea would be to also pack some water, a snack and maybe even some dry clothes.
Finding a path was definitely not a problem. They are very clearly marked with big red T's. The path varies from gravel, rocky and wooden paths. On the way up we were able to take short breaks on the gorgeous plateaus, where even though the weather was not the most ideal, I still found certain eerie beauty in the surroundings.
I recommend to start the day quite early. We started at 10 AM and were fairly happy that there were not many people. This is Norway major tourist attraction and we were expecting quite a crowd. On our way down we were greeted by the crowd.
Preikestolen - translated means the Pulpit. While my pictures unfortunately do not show it, the mountain looks like a pulpit. Wikipedia has some good pictures of the Preikestolen on a perfect day. Mine have a different charm - slightly eerie - slightly mystical.
The peak of rock itself is roughly 25 x 25 meters and should one dare to stand on the edge of it (Tom did by sliding on his stomach to the edge - I was dying and panicking) the drop is a 600m vertical one. I presume on clear days one would get a stunning view of the Lysefjord. The path itself, which leads up to Preikestolen is also very scenic, especially the last part when we got the first glimpse of the Lysefjord in between clear patches.
We enjoyed our picnic on the plateau despite the thick clouds hanging around our heads and a very dull sky. As it began to get crowded we began our descend. On the way down I realized it was much more difficult and rather slippery. For some this proved to be rather dangerous, probably ending the vacation for them.
Finally back at the camping place, showered and wearing dry, warm clothes Soeren and I were exhilarated. The Preikestolen Camping place is very professionally run. Fairly large but surprisingly peaceful. Funnily as we sat down to dinner the evening sun greeted us from behind the clouds. The service was great and we could even order fresh bread rolls for our breakfasts. There is a lovely play area and trampoline to keep the kids busy and the little Bistro offers snacks, ice cream and other Norwegian sweet treats.
Preikestollen Camping
Preikestolen vn 97
4100 Jørpeland
Telephone: +47 48 19 39 50
Hardanger Region
I was looking forward to this part of our trip the most, reading up a great deal on the region around the Hardanger and Sor fjord and it promised to be a breathtaking ride. We had planned a type of hop-on-hop-off tour, where we had mapped-out a set route and would decide on where to stop and what to see according to what caught our fancies and our breaths.
Weather-wise, although a bit better than the previous day, it was still a bit dull with a light drizzle. Sometimes the sky would clear up and let in the glowing warmth of the sun through, illuminating the mesmerizing landscape around us in natures vivid colors.
The famous Hardangerfjord is one of Norways most popular tourist attractions and boasts of panoramic routes and romantic little towns scattered along the fjords. This incredibly scenic region offers virtually every kind of natural landscape available in the country, from stunning waterways, apple and cherry orchards, and hiking trails, to mountain plateaus and glaciers.
Our route took us straight from the Preikestolen along the winding RV 13 straight into the Odda Valley in the Hardanger region. Our first stop was the dramatic and extraordinary Latefossen. The Latefossen tumbles about 165 m into a forceful and nebulous pair of dual cascades. The camera was set to click on overtime!
We carried on along the RV 13 and passed Odda, where we only stopped to tank and drink a quick cup of coffee. Being a modern industry town it did not appeal to us. What we were looking forward to was the route along the Sorfjord, a side branch of the Hardangerfjord. It also is the most picturesque route especially in early Spring, when the luscious cherry, pear and apple trees growing in numerous orchards alongside the hills bloom in full glory.
In July the trees are a rich dark green, where the cherry trees are heavy with sweet red fruit and strawberries and raspberries are ready for plucking. Vendors selling the fruit on the street sides tempted us to stop and indulge. Strawberries have never tasted to sweet and delicious. Due to the long sun hours and the mild climate the fruits develop slowly and take on a wonderful intense flavor. This area is one of the main fruit suppliers for Norway, no wonder it is called the Orchard of Norway.
Our route was spectacular. On one side the fruitful orchards and on the other side the Folgefonna, a formidable glacier peaking out from just behind the chain of mountains.
We finally reached Lofthus our stopover for the night. Lofthus is simply gorgeous. This is where the the fruit trees grow all the way up the steep hills and the view across the fjord is of the majestic chain of snow topped mountains and the glacier.
Our camping place was situated just on one of these hills right in the middle of a cherry and pear orchard. This was my idea of a "room with a view" We parked the camper facing the fjord and mountains, holding our breaths at the mesmerizing grandeur of the panorama in front of us.
We spent the afternoon relaxing, strolling the streets and orchards and picking cherries from the trees at the camping place. We were allowed to indulge in as many as we could eat and carry. The three of us enjoyed one of the best afternoons laughing, joking and simply taking in the sun and scenes.
The next day we considered staying a little longer but Bergen was calling and after a breakfast of fresh bread rolls, eggs, sausage and yogurt with fresh cherries we continued with our tour.
From Lofthus we headed to Kinsarvik where the ferry took us across the Sorfjord to Utne, where we continued along the small touristic scenic route to Jondal and the foot of the glacier Folgefonna.
The Folgefonna is Norways third largest glacier and a favorite ski region almost all year round. Yes even in the summer! From June to October winter sport lovers can click into their skis and zoom down the slopes. In the summer a special treat as the long days, where the sun sets at 11 PM, offers a once in a lifetime experience. From Jondal we took the ferry to Norheimsund and onto towards Bergen.
Lofthus Camping
Helleland, 5781 Lofthus
Telehone: +47 53 66 13 64
There are many online travel guides that will help you plan your trip to Norway. I personally found Visit Norway the best and most comprehensive with beautiful photos and exciting videos. The folks from Visit Norway are also on Twitter where they were very prompt in answering all my queries. You'll also find them on Facebook and they regularly add helpful tips and information.
Thank you to the team of Visit Norway for all your great help, advice and tips.
Visit Norway
Website: www.visitnorway.com
Twitter: @visitnorway
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/visitnorway
Part one of the tour ends here. I hope you've enjoyed it so far and that I was able to give you a insight of what an incredible experience this was. Next week Part two will take us to Bergen, Sognefjord, Nigardsbreen, Oslo and Kragero. Look forward to it.
All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2010 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First


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Enteroclysis is a visual exam of the small intestine. The exam is done using a technique called fluoroscopy. This involves using an x-ray unit with a camera and a screen.
The Intestines |
Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Reasons for Procedure
Enteroclysis is used to examine and diagnose conditions that affect the small intestine, such as:
- Obstruction in the small intestine
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Malabsorption
- Polyps
- Tumors
- Changes that have happened due to surgery such as scar tissue
Possible Complications
Problems from the procedure are rare. However, all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye—a chemical used to make images clearer
- Injury to the small intestines
- Bleeding
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
- Smoking
- Treatment with certain medicines such as aspirin or other blood-thinning medicines
Talk to your doctor about these risks before the procedure.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may:
- Do a physical exam
- Ask about your medical history, symptoms, and any medicines that you take
- Ask you to stop taking certain medicines before the test
To prepare for the procedure, your doctor may ask you to:
- Follow a clear-liquid diet (such as, water, tea, clear broth) the day before the enteroclysis.
- Take a laxative the night before.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight.
Give yourself an enema to clear stool from the intestines.
- Note: Be sure to tell your doctor if you are constipated. It's important that your intestines are clear of stool.
On the day of the procedure:
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Arrange for a ride home.
Your doctor may give you a sedative to reduce your discomfort.
Description of the Procedure
You will be asked to lie down on an x-ray table. A numbing medicine will be sprayed on the back of your throat. A thin, flexible tube will then be placed into your mouth. The tube will be gently passed down your throat. The tip of the tube will pass through your stomach to your small intestines.
A special dye will be sent through the tube. You may be asked to move your body. This will help coat the walls of your intestine with the dye. The images of your intestine will then be taken.
A tube may also be placed in your rectum. The tube will allow some of the contrast dye to come out of your body. This step can reduce bloating in your abdomen.
After your doctor has taken all of the images, the tubes will be removed.
How Long Will It Take?
About 60 minutes
Will It Hurt?
You will have discomfort when the tube is inserted. You may also have some bloating and discomfort due to the contrast dye.
Post-procedure Care
Right after the procedure, the staff will bring you to the rest room. You will remain at the care center for about 30 minutes. Then you will be able to go home. If you were given a sedative, you will need someone to drive you home.
When you return home, resume medicines as instructed by your doctor.
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if any of these occur:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Severe abdominal pain
- Inability to pass gas or stool
If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy https://www.asge.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology https://www.cag-acg.org
Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca
Enteroclysis. Lahey Clinic website. Available at: https://www.lahey.org/Departments%5Fand%5FLocations/Departments/Radiology/Fluoroscopy/Enteroclysis.aspx. Accessed October 3, 2017.
Enteroclysis. Radiopaedia website. Available at: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/enteroclysis. Accessed October 3, 2017.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD
- Review Date: 09/2018
- Update Date: 09/16/2020


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5 Everyday Items That Can Be Turned Into Jewelry
Some people don't mind handing over their hard-earned cash for some very expensive jewelry. While we have nothing against treating yourself to pricey ornaments on occasion, there are more economical ways to go about procuring a vast inventory of fashionable accessories.
A great way to get your hands on some inventive jewelry is to design and create the pieces yourself. There are tons of everyday items you that, with a little skill and a bit of help from a few online guides, can turn into chic bracelets, funky rings, necklaces and more. We've put together a short list of five projects you can get started on right away, with very little investment in extra supplies at all.
1. Cut-Coin Jewelry
Coins are everywhere. Domestic and foreign coins can easily be turned into delightful jewelry. With an ordinary drill and a small jeweler's saw, you can transform your old (or new) coins into pendants and earrings. Most coins already have an interesting figure or design on the face or back of them. All you have to do is cut away the unnecessary material, and voilà—you have a sculpted piece of decorative art that you can wear, as well as a cool story about how you learned how to make it.
2. Domino Necklace
If you're into quirky jewelry or art, why not make a domino necklace? It's not hard to do at all. You can drill a hole into the domino near the top of the piece, or glue on a hook or small spacer bead, and then thread some leather, ribbon or string through it to create a necklace. With some glue, paint, small beads and other crafts accessories, you can change the color and look of your domino with ease, which will give your necklace an artsy or holiday edge. The design choices are almost limitless, and they're completely up to you.
3. Earrings Made From Paperclips and String
Earrings woven together from paperclips and string are charming, and can be quite stylish. The best part is that you couldn't ask for less expensive construction materials. The basics of putting one of these earrings together aren't hard to grasp. The paperclip will form the shape, which is often a triangle but doesn't have to be. Once you've bent the paperclip into shape, you'll tightly wrap the string (any color you heart desires) around the border. After you've a wrapped the border, you can weave the string across the negative space, between the edges of the paperclip. With a little practice, you should be producing cool paperclip and string earrings in no time at all.
4. Bracelets From Computer Keyboard Keys
If you have an old computer keyboard lying around, you can tear it up and turn those keys into a nifty bracelet or necklace. With some jump rings, glues, string, pliers and a few other everyday items, you can take your keyboard apart and, in a relatively short while, build yourself some very original jewelry. When people see all of those smart letters and numbers hanging from your wrist or neck, they'll realize just how intelligent you actually are … right?
5. Necklaces and Bracelets From Recycled Holiday Cards
Necklaces and bracelets put together from recycled birthday and holiday cards are a piece of cake to make, and depending on the designs of the cards you choose, incredibly vibrant and easy on the eyes. All you have to do is cut the cards into the shapes you like. If you'd like them to be a bit more durable, you can laminate the pieces as well (you'll need a small laminating machine). To finish up, drill holes into the individual pieces, and then string them together with jump rings, and add a clasp to finish up. Now you're done, and the proud owner of a birthday-card bracelet!


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According to a recent McKinsey Quarterly survey, 79 percent of all companies have cut costs in response to the global economic crisis—but only 53 percent of executives think that doing so has helped their companies weather it. Yet organizations continue to cut. Cost reductions often go wrong, we believe, and our experience suggests that they can be done in a better way.
In the heat of a financial crisis, companies must focus on their financial viability, but they tend to cut about equally everywhere—without considering their strategic needs—because that seems more straightforward, and in some senses more fair, to all executives concerned. A second problem, with longer-term consequences, is that quick head count reductions often come at a price: missing the opportunities that crises can create to improve business systems or to strengthen parts of an organization selectively.
Here's an example of how things can go wrong. An international energy company that needed to save money fast started by simply defining the amount of savings it needed and then required each department to cut costs by a similar amount, primarily through head count reductions, which varied from 17 to 22 percent. The reality, however, was that the company needed to invest more in certain technological areas that were changing quickly, as well as in operations, where performance was far below industry benchmarks. What's more, the HR and IT departments substantially duplicated certain activities because different layers in the organization were doing similar things. Much deeper cuts could therefore be made in these functions, with little strategic risk. But the company cut costs across the board, and just six months later, technology and operations were lobbying hard to bring in new staff to take on an "uncontrollable workload," while substantial duplication remained in HR and IT.
We suggest a better way: companies should start any cost-cutting initiative by thinking through whether they could restructure the business to take advantage of current and projected marketplace trends (for instance, by exiting relatively low-profit or low-growth businesses) or to mitigate threats, such as consolidating competitors. An important part of the analysis is to understand a company's financial situation and the range of potential outcomes under a number of different external economic scenarios. Second, within the resulting strategy, take time to understand which activities drive value—in the public and nonprofit sectors, a good proxy might be mandated outcomes, such as the number of workers, health metrics, or school performance—and which activities do or could make the organization competitively distinctive. Organizations should invest in value-creating activities and cut costs in others while meeting clear financial goals in a set time frame (see sidebar, "Exploring three sources of value").
The changes that result from this kind of thinking can be dramatic. A government-funded environmental organization, for example, spent a lot of time on monitoring individual species and campaigning against their extinction rather than on climate change, which the organization's leaders actually regarded as more important and where they could have a greater impact. The organization took cost cutting as an opportunity to look intensely at what it did. It decided to stop the extinction-related lobbying and policy activities, undertaken by about 20 percent of its employees, and instead move the work of another 20 percent of its staff—along with some of the people undertaking that work—into other organizations with suitable mandates. The organization then reinvested a large portion of the savings to increase the number of staff members working on climate change. It also invested in building the capabilities of its relatively weak HR and finance functions.
When cost cutting in existing functions is appropriate, companies should explore both radical approaches to restructuring and more traditional tactics, as our recent work with a professional-services firm shows. For each support activity (such as IT, procurement, and finance), we identified ways to cut costs by working more economically and looked for entirely new ways to deliver support. In offices—representing almost 10 percent of support costs—this approach meant considering both a reduction in the amount of space allocated to each person in the present location and a more radical change to promote work at home or a hub-and-spoke office arrangement, with spokes in much lower-cost locations. In other cases, efforts to complete merger integration or to use the new economic situation as a spur to renegotiate supplier or other long-term contracts can yield substantial economies. In our experience, savings of up to 20 to 35 percent in selling, general, and administrative costs are possible with such measures if companies select the right tactics to support their strategies.
Finally, organizations shouldn't overlook the substantial benefits that can come simply from identifying key activities and making them more effective. A global retailer, for example, has faced significantly reduced sales in the current downturn—more than 20 percent in some countries. Cutting costs was essential, but the retailer feared driving sales even lower if it cut in the wrong places. It began by working out which activities were essential for a distinctive retail experience and which would be most easily damaged by cost cutting. One critical activity was organizing in-store promotions (not just sales but also new-product promotions and seasonal events), from which the retailer derived more than 10 percent of its sales. Organizing these activities involved highly elaborate processes: every region of the business and a number of corporate functions had to sign off on each promotional program, so across-the-board cost cuts could easily remove the people who understood how in-store events worked. By identifying this process as both crucial and vulnerable, the retailer cut costs with minimal impact.
Over the following six months, the retailer undertook a full efficiency review that reduced the number of senior- and middle-management roles by 20 percent (the amount of individuals cut was closer to 15 percent). Throughout this process, special attention was paid to efficiencies that would affect promotional activities. Only clearly duplicative roles (the regional organizations, for example, had some that replicated those in the center) were removed. The company also invested to improve the returns from its promotions by increasing the number of people who tailor events to the needs of local markets and by building its capacity to forecast product sales in events.
Intelligent cost cutting need not reduce the overall scale of the savings that organizations can achieve. But by shifting the focus from organizational structure to current and future strategic needs, it makes for smarter savings, even at companies that have already started down another path.


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In case you missed it — and you very well might have considering what time this ball got rolling — Sony has officially flipped the switch on the PlayStation Network, restoring service in a limited capacity as a gradually filling map of the United States. charted the progress of the rollout through the night. The map is now fully green, which means firmware update version 3.61 is now available for download to all U.S. users. In addition to online gameplay, the update brings back video rental playback, Music Unlimited on Qriocity, Netflix/Hulu access, Friends Lists, chat, Trophy comparison and PlayStation Home.
The update is a zippy download and installation as of 9:30 a.m. eastern time today, taking no more than 10 minutes to load into your console and do its thing. We'll see if that changes as more of the country wakes up and tries to bring PS3s back online. In order to complete the update installation, you'll need to change your password. Not that you wouldn't want to, since… you know… your private information was compromised and stuff. That said, the real safeguards built into 3.61 are presumably under the hood, since even the most complex password won't do you a lick of good if all of your info is stolen from the network servers again.
Sony no doubt wants to put this whole unfortunate affair behind it, but there will very likely need to be an extended healing period before consumer confidence can be restored. "Welcome Back" promotions and the like are all well and good, but only time is going to make this mess go away. Look at Microsoft and the whole "Red Ring of Death" circus; slightly different situation but with a similar reach. Both companies made mistakes before stepping up and doing what needed to be done; like Microsoft, Sony's got a large enough user base that a return to business as usual is a certainty, even if it does take some time.
After all, that new Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack is going to come to PSN at SOME point.